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Written by Sameerah
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Thursday, 08 April 2010 |
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Vomitor
Devil's Poison
Hell's Headbangers Records
3.5
Vomitor's "Devil's Prison" sounds like what I imagine a panic attack in Hell would sound like. The opening track, "Crimson Tide", is so distorted that it almost sounds as if it's being played backwards. At least that's how the brain tries to make sense of a manic wave of sound that it's being assaulted with. The distortion and confusion of the opening track sets the theme for the album in its entirety. Each song playing back and forth between sonic chaos and thick, heavy groove laden riffs. It's mixture of sounds that help you feed into the the frustration and rage of the lyrics. In true Black Metal fashion the lyrics pay homage to the dark lords, but with a bit of a twist. Instead talking about lofty ideals and philosophy's of evil. Vomitor focuses their rage on the day to day frustrations of the legions of dark warriors everywhere. There message of dark frustration is driven home by the way Vomitor blends catchy rock hooks into their melodies of destruction. And the half whispered, half growled vocals of a man who is coming apart at the seams. In the end if you want a band that is nothing but pure evil, you can find bands that are harder than Vomitor. But if you just need something that rocks, that you can release your frustrations to, the Devils Poison is the album to do it to. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
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Written by Sameerah
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Wednesday, 03 February 2010 |
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Headhunter DC God's Spreading Cancer Ibnex Moon 4.5 The death cult known as Headhunter DC has returned to announce the God's Spreading Cancer. Originally released in Europe and South America back in 2007, this is the albums first release in the US short of what may have been heard online. It took forever to get here but it was definitely worth the wait. Over twenty years in the scene and Headhunter DC is as sharp, heavy and focused as they were on their very first album. God's Spreading Cancer is a brutal old school Death Metal album that is out to crush souls and make ears bleed with their message of darkness and pestilence. Recorded in the tradition of old Slayer and Sepultura it's full of heavy, blinding riffs. While the riffs are amazing they aren't flashy. They aren't so much trying to impress you with how fast they can play, or how loud they are. Although I can say that both the speed and the volume on this album are quite impressive. The Emphasis here is on hammering you with atmosphere and putting together a kick ass old school album. On spreading the message of the death cult and bringing in the converts. The atmosphere is foerboding and devious without relying on heavy production or synths. Leaving you with the nothing but the bands wicked energy. Headhunter DC brings it back to the old school, laying down brutality and ferocity that has always made them amazing. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
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Written by Sameerah
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Friday, 29 January 2010 |
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Throne of Darkness Helvete Candlelight Records Once again compression has killed what could have been a brilliant album. Throne of Darkness has this album packed in so fucking tight that the vocals only register when they are in full attack mode. A total disappointment since it sounds as if there are some great vocals and chants to be had when they aren't being pushed out by the over whelming guitars and drums. The only thing saving this album from being a complete and total failure is that that these guys know their way around their instruments. There are some incredible riffs and some inhuman drumming, but those things aren't enough to make Helvete the brutal album that it wants to be. The pursuit of ultimate loudness has killed another album. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
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Written by Sameerah
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Friday, 29 January 2010 |
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Aosoth Ashes of Angels Agonia Records 3.5 Ashes of Angels takes Aosoth's sound to more sinister heights. They are firmly planted in the realm of Black Metal, but not to the point where it becomes cliche. They don't let themselves become restrained by sticking totally to the expected sounds of the genre. Using it more as a guide, allowing them to weave in more atmosphere and progressive leaning aspect. Aosoth's leaning toward a more progressive sound makes Ashes of Angels and more devastating album. Cries Out of Heaven has a hook that is jazz fueled and actually a bit soothing. Beastly vox come out and rip you apart with images that are inspired by the ultimate depths of demonic bliss. It's evil, brutal and brilliantly produced. Since they didn't compress the album to death in the search for ultimate volume you can actually hear the mastery these guys have over their sound. The vox aren't over powered by the other pieces, the riffs and drums are clear as you could want them. Aosoth is at the top of their game on this album. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
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Written by Sameerah
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Tuesday, 19 January 2010 |
Easter Monkeys
Splendor of Sorrow
Smog Veil Records
3.0
Easter Monkeys are a punk band from my original home town of Cleveland, OH. Because we cut our teeth in the same area of the rust belt I went into this album with a ear towards nepotism. Fully ready to claim that they are the best underground punk band of all time and everyone should give them a listen before they die. What I got instead was 80's pop punk that is as bland and rusty as the deserted car factories that litter the Cleveland landscape. Easter Monkeys aren't bland because of the way that they play or because of their lyrics. They are bland because they sound like every other underground punk band that was around at the time. The same five note songs just played at varying speeds and intensity. Apparently they were the kind of band that wanted to bring a fuck the man art is everything ascetics to their music. I can see what they were trying to go for but I just cant buy it from these guys. The more they go on and one about how "My Baby Digs Graves" and "Nailed to the Cross" the more I get the feeling that they were just trying to get a rise out of people and every lyric is perfectly crafted for shock value. With an mind towards how the kids of the underground scene think and how they would react to what they were saying. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Easter Monkeys were hardly the first of the last underground band to do shit just to freak people out. But since we have all been there and done that with countless bands since them, its all old hat. And just to rub salt in the wound its done with no particular flair or style. Sad really. Now this could be because I am listening to this with an ear 30 years past when this album was made. That being said I tried to listen to this with the same ear I give to bands like the Ramones, Black Flag or Suicidal Tendencies; old shit that still fun no matter how dated it may be now. Still no luck. Easter Monkeys may have been a killer band in their day but they simply don't make the translation to now. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
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