Album Reviews

  • Enemy Reign - Means To A Dead End (2008)

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    For the countless fans of Death Metal we have today a pretty solid band from the USA called Enemy Reign. These Colorado based outfit present us with their very brutal EP called “Means To A Dead End”.

    The band features nothing ‘original’ about their music, other than the fact that is fast paced and brutal. It follows all the traditional elements of Death Metal: The furious drumming, blazing guitar riffs and hooks, and subhuman growls.

  • Walken – Walken (2009)

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    The American band Walken caught my surprise when I first popped their CD on my sound system because of the interesting mixture of genres they use. The band’s sound is very diverse in the sense that you can find a big Trash Metal influence, as well as hints of Crossover/Punk Metal and very interesting melodic parts.

    Having released only 2 full-length albums in a career spanning over 10 years, I keep thinking how band’s like this are not signed and other very shitty bands have recording contracts. Featuring member of Prog-Metal/Rock Grayceon we can see how they influence the band’s music into a different direction than when the band started.

  • Exodus – Shovel Headed Tour Machine (Live At Wacken And Other Atrocities) (2010)

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    The legendary band Exodus finally releases a DVD that is worth watching well I’ve only got to listen to it so far, but from the audio quality and the quality of the performance I assume is pretty good.

    The DVD only features 11 songs; something that I feel is not enough considering their impressive discography. But they are more than enough to leave you wanting more and trying to catch them live, especially with master drummer Nick Barker on their most recent tours.

  • Aherusia – And The Tides Shall Reveal The Traces (2009)

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    In a very crowded Symphonic Black Metal scene, there are only a handful of bands that I could call original. Aherusia is one of them, hailing from Greece I personally never heard of them before, but they present us their debut full-length album “And The Tides Shall Reveal The Traces”.

    The band’s sound is very rich and presents us with a very interesting atmosphere created by the distorted guitars and a cretan lyra, an instrument that I’ve never heard before in my life. This instrument sounds like a violin/viola at sometimes and it gives the band that folk-ish sound that mainly Pagan/Viking/Folk Metal bands, but with a distinctive Black Metal edge.

  • Angst Skvadron – Sweet Poison (2010)

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    Once in a while we get a CD that we have to listen more than a few times in order to determine what the hell is going on!. Arriving from Agonia Records we got “Sweet Poison” by the Norwegian outfit named Angst Skvadron formed by T. Nefas, better known by his work with Urgehal.

    At a first glance you would imagine this album came straight out of an alien horror movie. But after a few more listens you are able to detect what could be considered either pure genius or just a demented release from somebody that has huffed too much paint. We believe is the later, since “Sweet Poison” has gained a very special spot in our ‘weird avant-garde stuff’ play list that includes releases by Arcturus, Ulver and Solefald, just to name a few.

  • Crematory – Infinity (2010)

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    Having formed in 1992, Germany’s Crematory is one of the most consistent bands in the Metal music business. The band has released 11th full-length albums, and they show no signs of slowing down.

    Starting as one of the first Gothic Death Metal bands, I started following this band since their debut full-length album “Transmigration”. With “Infinity” the band continues with their traditional sound, as well as the added Industrial influences they picked up a few years go.

  • Winters Verge – Tales Of Tragedy (2010)

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    We don’t get to review too many bands from Cyprus and Winters Verge creates a great first impression with their third full-length album “Tales Of Tragedy”. The band manages to deliver a fine album filled with amazing Power Metal songs that will surely grab the attention of any fans of the genre.

    Not being a huge fan of Power Metal and being impressed with an album of this genre has to mean that the album is very good. “Tales Of Tragedy” by far exceeded any expectations I had about it when I read the press sheet. Featuring 11 tracks of bombastic Power Metal clocking around 55 minutes, this is one release that you can’t afford to miss.

  • The Kandidate – Until We Are Outnumbered (2010)

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    Coming form Denmark, we have yet another Trash/Death Metal band, and while they are not bad musicians, the album is super dull and there is nothing to be found in “Until We Are Outnumbered”.

    I always strive to be fair when reviewing music, but sometimes band’s and albums make it too hard on me. The Kandidate plays some very simple Trash/Death Metal that seems like a collection of riffs from 100’s of other albums mashed together in an uninspired manner.

  • Inferno – Black Devotion (2009)

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    Inferno is one of those bands that sadly enough only the hardcore Black Metal fans know about, they have been around since 1996 and have released 4 full-length albums and countless of splits. EP’s and live albums. Now on Agonia records I hope Inferno gets the recognition they deserve.

    “Black Devotion” as its press sheet states, is a crushing album that will eat all fake Black Metal fans for breakfast. It’s fast, it’s brutal and it’s basically a full-on aural assault that will make your speakers cry blood.

  • Aosoth – Ashes Of Angels (2009)

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    Hailing from France and making its way on to my sounds system today I find Aosoth, one of the latest signings from cult Polish based Agonia Records. This band features MkM from the legendary Antaeus and BST ex-member of Aborted. This two headed monster plays as you can expect: Black Metal.

    The band’s style is somewhat old school and the music is very basic, taking a lot of elements of early 90’s Death Metal, combined with Black Metal overtones, creating a very dense and diabolical sound.

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