Hoth - The Black Goddess Return (CD Review)

01.The Reaping Intro
02.Angel Slayer
03.Words Of Old
04.Real Of Fire
05.Upon The Sacred Hill
06.The Hellrider
07.Celebration Of Bastet
08.Shades Of Black
09.God Of Wrath
10.The Dragons Breath
11.The Black Goddess
12.Demons Enthral All Decievers


J.A (Vocals/All Instruments)

Black Metal from Portugal, formed in 1988 as a one man project by Jose Afonso - who is a legend of sorts from Portugal. The man is involved in bands like DECAYED, ALASTOR, THUGNOR and NETHERMANCY. This is the third full length one under the name of HOTH.

To be honest this isn't a very "Black Metal" album at all, this has more in common with death or thrash metal, pounding riffs and solid hi speed drum work over a melodic death metal styled vocal, throw in the occasional bit of keyboard work and a few great guitar solos and this is a good album of modern metal, perhaps even more impressive due to the fact that it's all by one musician.

A track like 'Celebration Of Bastet' really sticks out (in a good way) its a slow almost gothic doom instrumental, nice guitar tones and a quality downbeat vibe.

Going to pick out 'God Of Wrath' as well, this one is a stunning thrash/death workout, full of chugging guitar chords and an outstanding solo, and 'Demons Entral All Decievers' it's eight doom laden minutes and has some nice samples thrown in towards the end.

Rating 8/10
For fans of: Slayer, Deicide, Evile, Morbid Angel

Human Waste - Harvest Remnants (CD Review)

01.So Is Death [Demo '93]
02.Cranial [Demo '93]
03.The Men And Their Lives [Demo '93]
04.The Almighty Protozoan [Demo '93]
05.Pool Of Tears [Demo '93]
06.Sacro Sanctum Semen [Demo '92]
07.The Hegemony Of Reality [Demo '92]
08.Pseudo-Disharmonic Excrescence Of Noiseous Micro-Kaos [Demo '92]
09.Inert Bodies Distillation [Demo '92]
10.The Silence [Demo '92]
11.Existential Nausea [Demo '92]
12.When Gravity Acts [Demo '92]
13.Beauty Also Rots [Demo '91]
14.Nonsense Time [Demo '91]
15.Human Waste [Demo '91]
16.Reaffirmation Of Repression [Demo '91]
17.The Miracle Of Death [Demo '91]
18.Pool of Tears [Demo '91]
19.Psychic Fear [Demo '91]
20.Circle Of The Tyrants (Celtic Frost) [Demo '91]

Dani Audí (Drums - Jan 1990/Jan 2000)
Carlos Matheu (Guitar & Vocals - Jan 1990/Jan 2000)
Jaume F.Baila (Bass - Jan 1990/May 1991)
Fede Viles (Guitar - Jan 1990/Dec 1992)
Pedro "Pedrito" (Bass - July 1991/Sep 1993)
Alex Valero (Guitar - Dec 1992/1998)
Alex Valero (Bass - 1998/Jan 2000)
Xavi Valero (Bass - Sep 1993/1998)
Carlos Ayyad (Guitar - 1999)
Jaume Estupinyà (Guitar- 1999/Jan 2000)

The beginning
Human Waste were born in 1990 in Tortosa (Catalonia). Its founding members were Carles Matheu, Daniel Audi, Jaume F. Baila and Federic Viles. On these early days they played a very aggressive, fast and technical death metal. You can confirm this listening at their two first demo-tapes, “The miracle of death” (1991 Drowned Prod) and “Existential nausea” (1992 Drowned Prod).

So is death
In 1994 Lard Records from Japan edited “So is death”, the first HumanWaste CD that included “Existential Nausea” and five new songs recorded at the Metall Pesad Estudios in Barcelona.
HumanWaste appears in several compilations CD around the world and plays live intensily with bands like Offense, Mortal Mutilation, Obscure, Absorbed, S.A. or Anathema.

Brothel of Souls
We are in 1997. The band changes its concept drastically and begins to experiment with computers, samplers and sequencers. At this time HumanWaste is a two members band (D.Audi and C.Matheu). Two years later “Brothel of souls” is born and released through Falco Music. Eight songs where the always present and heavy guitars and the screaming vocals share protagonism with the analog synths, brass, pianos, strings and orchestral arrangements.

This is a cd re-issue of their first demos from '91/'92/'93 by this legendary spanish band of intense, corrosive and twisted Death Metal. Includes liner notes, lyrics, covers, photos, flyers.


As is often the case with these kind of releases it comes down to if you like or (even) know the band as to how intrested you are going to be.
Would have prefered the demos to have been in order, thats a good way to see how the band progressed, but as its all mixed up it leads to not only a difference in sound but in sound quality as well.

Sure there is some good music here, but nothing outstanding or to make even the most die hard of death metal fans go parting with a pile of money.

Rating 7/10
For Fans Of: Voi Vod, Obituary

Galley Beggar - Silence & Tears (CD Review)

01.Adam And Eve
02.Pay My Body Home
03.Empty Sky
04.Jack Orion
05.Geordie
06.Silence And Tears
07.Sanctuary Song
08.Deliver Him

Paul Dadswell (Drums/Vocals)
David Ellis (Guitar/Mandolin)
Mat Fowler (Guitar/Mandolin/Vocals)
Bill Lynn (Bass)
Celine Marshall (Violin)
Maria O’Donnell (Vocals)

Hailing from Kent and London, Galley Beggar formed circa 2009 and are a band of six musicians that grew up obsessed with an old sound from Fairport Convention to Led Zeppelin.

The name derives from an old English ghost, often reported in the North of England and mentioned as far back as 1584, in Reginald Scot's The Discovery of Witchcraft. This fearsome ghost is described as being almost without flesh and bearing its head under its arm and emitting a deathly scream. The name is derived from the word 'Gallery', meaning to terrify. This ghost is likely to be encountered on country roads and deserted lanes.

Starting with the soft acoustic 'Adam And Eve' the band quickly nail their influences to the wall for all to see, this is as perfect and authentic psychedelic/acid folk as you will ever be lucky enough to hear, from the stunning vocals to the beautiful mandolin and violin.

Up next is a 9 minute epic called 'Pay My Body Home', again its very laid back with some psychedelic guitar work in the mix, even when the pace picks up and the drums increase to match the solo it somehow remains "chilled" as if on a sunny riverbank drinking ice cold cider whilst watching the river flow by.

Phased acoustic guitar and vocal and 'Empty Sky' has a slightly more modern feel, still follows the same patterns of classic folk but this one is more "All About Eve" than "The Trees".

Highly reminiscent of "Steely Span" comes 'Jack Orion' an upbeat multi vocal song, complete with a catchy violin riff, and you dont get to say that very often.

Now 'Geordie' returns to a slightly darker sound, laid back drum beat drives this along and then comes a short guitar solo that just lifts the piece to a higher level.

The title track 'Silence & Tears' is another great acoustic workout with stunning vocals, this is followed by 'Sanctuary Song' which is more of the same only with harmony backing vocals.

The final track is 'Deliver Him' which is mainly a multi tracked vocal (reminded me a bit of Karen Carpenter) a little violin and what sounds like a bit of synth in the background, towards the end the acoustic guitar picks up the pace and then, all too soon, the album is over.

Rating 10/10
For fans Of: Circulus, The Trees, Pentangle, Led Zeppelin, All About Eve

Abyssus - Summon The Dead (EP review)

01.Morbid Inheritance
02.Summon The Dead
03.Sacrifice
04.Remnants Of War
05.Outbreak Of Evil


Kostas Analytis (Bass/Vocals)
Panos Gkourmpaliotis (Guitars)
? - (Drums)

Greek band formed in May 2011, they have released a self-financed E.P. "Monarch To The Kingdom Of The Dead" in 2012. Many live shows and several releases follow in 2013 and 2014, a split with legendary Nocturnal Vomit, named "No Life In The Coffin", a split with Czech veterans Morbider named "From The Abyss Raised The Morbid...", a split with crust/punkers Slaktgrav named "Obscure" and of course the tape '"Summon The Dead" which is now issued as a download via their bandcamp page.


First 3 tracks are more old school thrash with a hint of death, gruff vocals carry the songs over the pounding riffs and drums.

'Remnants Of War' starts with a slow, brooding and evil sund then moves up a gear and then back to the slow pounding thrash again.

Last track is a cover of the Sodom classic, and is as fast and agressive as the original, a good solid cover.

Yep so didn't say much, dont always need t, this does excatly what you want from the genre and it does it very well.

Rating 8/10
For Fans of: Possessed, Autopsy, Obituary, Bolt Thrower, Death, Benediction

Forgotten Horror - Aeon Of The Shadow Goddess (CD Review)

01.The Adept
02.Behold A Shadow Goddess
03....Of Man's First Rebellion
04.Lilithian
05.In Ravenous Darkness (The Shores Of Mictlan)
06.Queen Of An Ivory Moon
07.Babalon Emissaries
08.Her Crescent Horns
09.The Ghost Of Time


Tuomas Karhunen (Guitar/Vocals/Keyboards/Bass)
Kennet (Guitar)
Kassara (Drums)

Guests
Mariann Hermansson (Vocals)
Jodi Cachia (Vocals)
Jess (Vocals)
Thomas Corpse (Guitar on track 3)
Abraham (Piano)
Kai Jaakkola (Death Screams)
Antti Boman (Death Screams)
Kosti Orbinski (Guitar Track 7)

Black/Death Metal band from Finland formed in 2004.

The band's frontman Tuomas Karhunen speaks:

"Making this Babalon's Beast of an album has been an extremely long process during which the material has matured a lot. As Forgotten Horror walks hand in hand with my own personal and spiritual growth, this dark alchemical process has required me to turn my life completely upside down, to step back and re-evaluate everything regarding music and my personal life. When it comes to songwriting, there are a lot of new elements and layers and everything is more dynamic than before.

With "Aeon of the Shadow Goddess" I set out to create an album that I could stand behind wholeheartedly; an album I gave my absolute everything for, and in that I have succeeded. I've poured my heart soul into this work of devotion towards the Queen of Souls, the beauteous Daughter of Sunset."

Very quiet and slow intro to 'The Adept' then starts to come to life with some spooky sounding keyboards and other instruments, then it just explodes into a full modern black metal attack, sounding like early Cradle Of Filth, except i dont ever remember them having some spanish acoustic guitar in the mix, which this does and it sounds amazing.

More hi-octane blast beats with the second track, this one has more of a death metal feel, though with some symphonic undertones, same is true of the next one as well.

'Lilithian' returns to more traditional black metal, has a furious guitar sound and the song is a drum driven monster, lots of great vocals as well.

Next track 'In Ravenous Darkness' really throws everything into the mix, not only some full speed mayhem but a nice breakdown with near spoken vocals over it and it ends on a slow doomy beat with great female harmony chorus and piano.

Beautiful gothic guitar intro to 'Queen Of An Ivory Moon', the riff remains throughout even when the rest of the music takes on a more agressive pace, and again towards the end some great harmony backing vocals.

Now this one starts with the feamale harmony backing vocals, but then 'Babalon Emissaries' soon turns into another powerhouse of speed and agression, this one ends with some church organ.

After another more death metal style song we end on 'The Ghost Of Time' which has a riff running through it that i've heard somewhere before (Though cant think where).
they certainly don't let up on the speed and go for a quiet final song that's for sure.

Rating 8/10
For Fans Of: Vallenfyre, Cradle Of Filth, Satyricon, Dimmu Borgir.

Mekigah - Litost (CD Review)

01.Total Cessation Of One
02.The Sole Dwelling
03.Arangutia
04.By Force Of Breath
05.Sa FII Al Dracului
06.Wurrmbu
07.Circuitous Revenge
08.Mokuy
09.An Overbearing Insanity
10.Bir Yun

Vis Ortis (Vocals/All Instruments)
T.K. Bollinger (Vocals)
Axiam Ziltch (Guitar)

Mekigah is a unique act from Australia formed in 2008, creating a mixture of Black/Doom/Metal and ambient soundscapes.
The record company adds; "It will not appeal to everyone - but at the same time people who appreciate many underground or metal sub-genres will be impressed by this".

So we begin with 'Total Cessation Of One', strange synth sounds and weird vocal f/x, nothing else but layer upon layer of sound.

Heavy distortion chords and more synth weirdness and i am starting to get an understanding of what Vis Ortis is creating here.'The Sole Dwelling' keeps the noise in the background and adds some doom drum patterns and more guitar then comes in an eveil sounding vocal, borderline avant-garde funeral doom, but creates something you can barley listen to.
Now that is not a bad thing here, back in 2006 there were 2 cd's by Occupier, music that was described as a soundtrack to a torture chamber and unlistenable, except that it was listened to in the same way that Merzbow is.

So this music is very difficult to review without sounding negative (which it is not menat to be) you see each of these pieces are long slow, torturous, have little than you can pick up on in the way of a hook or chorus, they are not even nice to listen to, its a nightmare of the worst kind made real through sound manipulation.
Yes there is the occasional piece that has a solid rhythm played out on a cymbal or drum beat.

Some may view this as just a series of noise layered upon more, but its not, the more you listen the more you can see the method in the madness and a solid structure forming.

Think of the werid/spoken passages in the early Axis Of perdition albums, its that kind of style but as a whole body of work.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Merzbow, Exorium/Occupier, Axis Of Perdition, Zweitstein

Desert - Never Regret (CD Review)

01.Chasing The Prey
02.Assassins Fate
03.Son Of A Star
04.The Wolfs Attack
05.Never Regret
06.The Road To You
07.1812
08.Flying Dutchman
09.Final Journey
10.Imperial Eagle
11.Invincible

Alexei Raymar (Vocals)
Sergei Metalheart (Guitar)
Max Shafranski (Guitar)
Sergei Dmitrik (Bass)
Oleg Aryutkin (Keyboards)
Assaf Markowitz (Drums)

Guests
Ralf Scheepers (Vocals)
Infy Snow (Vocals)
Alex Zvulun (Guitar)
Merry Ann Genin (Violin)

Desert are a Dark Epic Metal band from Israel formed in 2002, since then they have expanded their musical palette mixing in some darker colors to go with power and epic metal.
During those years were released 2 EP’s: “The Way To Honor” 2004, “Prophecy Of The Madman” 2006 and one full length studio album "Star Of Delusive Hopes which was released in early 2011 by the Greek label Sleaszy Rider Records .
The album was recorded and produced by Nick Savio (Hollow Haze, White Skull) at Remaster Studio in Vicenza (Italy). Mix and mastering were done by Andy La Roque – a legendary guitarist of King Diamond at Sonic Train Studio in Varberg (Sweden). The internet single "Lament for Soldier's Glory", featuring a guest performance by Joakim Broden, the lead singer of 'Sabaton'.
On the waves of successful “Star Of Delusive Hopes” on 2012 the band started the pre-production work of the second full length album, later named as “Never Regret”. The album was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Alex Zvulun at A.G. Studio in Tel-Aviv. As for previous album the cover artwork was done by a great Brazilian artist Jobert Mello – well known by his work with numerous bands including 'Primal Fear' and 'Grave Digger'.
Ralf Scheepers, a legendary voice of 'Primal Fear' has also contributed his voice to one of the tracks on the album alongside some other guests.

It may be well played but an intro is an intro and as with most intros it goes right into the first song 'Assassins Fate' so why not just have it at the beginning of the song?
Right so onto the song, its Power Metal, but with a difference, this one has more layers to it, a strong drum driven track, great harmony with both keyboards and backing vocals, clever little timing changes and a proper guitar solo.
The lead vocal style reminds me of Snowy Shaw, big, powerfull with plenty of range.

'Son Of A Star' is a slow and pounding anthemic piece, another superb vocal delivery, some Maidenesque guitar work and a great little keyboard hook.

A dark and moody start with church organ starts up and then 'The Wolfs Attack' builds into a full on metal attack, such is the style of this one that at times it has more than a touch of the legendary Crazy World Of Arthur Brown about it, add to this some shout it out loud backing vocals, a real stand out song.

Has to be said that 'Never Regret' is a very commercial sounding song, another stunning vocal delivery with a harmony line reminiscent of Lacuna Coils version of Depeche Modes 'Enjoy The Silence'and brilliant keyboard work all making for an intresting mix of symphonic rock and Rammstein.

A near ballad next with 'The Road To You' this one is quite operatic thanks in part to a stunning female vocal performance half way through, the music itself sounds almost cinematic in its execution.

I was wondering if '1812' may be a take on the classical masterpiece, but this is another symphonic/power metal song, hyper drumming over laid back keyboard and atmospheric guitar work, oh and lets forget that evil sounding bassline.Yet again we are treated to another passionate and powerfull vocal that hits every high note with perfect pitch.

Time for some folk rock as the violin starts off 'Flying Dutchman' and this one fits the genre "Battle Metal" with its high octane mix of epic sing-a-long vocals and solid riffs, this one "Sails" along and then gets into that classic folk rock rhythm with a stunning mix of violin and guitar.

Another cinematic intro and 'Final Journey' bursts into life before going all quiet with a simple vocal over piano which then picks up into a faster paced piece, more of that solid basswork is present here as well as that epic vocal performance.

A military trumpet (well keyboard to sound like one) and a snare rhythm to match leads us into 'Imperial Eagle' a few seconds shy of eight minutes this one really fits the term "Epic", i've said it before and i will say it again this one has some killer basswork going on and that Snowy Shaw/Till Lindermann style of singing is just to die for.Thrown into the mix are some sound samples of swords, i mention this because for some reason they really stick out as a way of underlining the theme of the piece.

Finally 'Invincible' the same way as we started, a style of music played with total precision and understanding.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Snowy Shaw, Tristania, Therion, Dream Evil, Orpheus Blade, Synkvervet, Rammstein

Guest Vocalist Infy Snow