Various Artists - Let's Start A War Vol 1 (Cassette Review)

01.Bewitcher- Speed ‘Til You Bleed
02.Infernal Execrator- Daemonicult Patheosodomization
03.Infernal Execrator- Singatheos Regimentum Mastema
04.Phantasmal- The Reaper’s Forge
05.Terra Caput Mundi- We Are The Tank Crew
06.Bastardizer- Enforcers Of Evil
07.Seven Sisters- Onward They Ride
08.Wolfshead- Division Of The Damned
09.Angel Sword- Gamble Or Die
10.Angel Sword- Louder
11.Chalice - Witchfynder

"WAR ON ALL FRONTS is a print fanzine from Belfast, Northern Ireland which grew out of the ashes of the previous Northern Blaze zine in 2010. In early 2014 we unleashed the mammoth WOAF A.D.MMXIII edition which in 112 content-packed pages aimed to summate a whole year in the Metal underground via our in depth interview and review style (focussing on but not limiting itself to the Heavy, Speed, Doom, Black, Death, Thrash, Occult Rock and Crossover/Metalpunk sub-genres.)
In early 2015 they are seeking to top previous accomplishments with a retrospective of 2014, with even more writers and content than before and a challenging and unique approach to structuring interviews (influenced by, among other things, Plato’s dialogues and Gnostic mathematics) in order to break even more boundaries in the realm of Occult zinestry. Our multi-faceted approach will be complimented by the good cheer of our first time ever real-ale/craft beer section, and by a sombre dedication to humanity’s darkest hour on the centenary of The Great War 1914-1918.

For the first time as well WOAF is branching into releasing new music, firstly through Let’s Start A War... Vol. I compilation tape, which will be expanded with new bands and tracks for the covermount CD edition, and through further cassette and possibly vinyl releases on our new record label division. We are fighting a war- ON ALL FRONTS!"

Bewitcher are a duo from USA  featuring "Unholy Weaver Of Shadows & Incantations (guitars, vocals, drums) and Infernal Magus Of Nocturnal Alchemy (bass, drums)".
Seriously frantic punk/metal in the vein of Motorhead and Toxic Holocaust.
"
Infernal Execrator hail from Singapore and consist of Lord Ashir (guitars/vox), Shairan (guitars), Antichristo Xul (bass), Christslaughter (drums)".
They create an intresting mix of death and black metal and would appeal to fans of bands like Angelcorpse.

Phantasmal are another american duo clearly set in the ancient ways of 1980's blackend thrash metal.

Terra Caput Mundi are yet another duo, this one has a weird way of looking at things and a skull crunching sound to match.

Bastardizer from Austrailia offer Venom influenced Black and Thrash metal.

Seven Sisters from london feature Josh Winnard ex Wytch Hazel, this band continue to fly the flag for the resurgence of modern NWOBHM influenced bands, one for fans of Amulet.

Wolfshead are a Doom laden band from Finland in the style of Pentagram and Pagan Altar.

Angel Sword are also from Finland and take their influence from the likes of Tank and Tygers Of Pan Tang.

Finally Chalice, whose EP i reviewed last week, another old sounding band who play traditional 1970's style heavy metal

Rating 10/10

Chalice - Chalice EP (Cassette Review)

01.Witchfynder
02.Gaudete
03.Merlin's Lament
04.Raise Your Chalice


Joshua
John
Matthew
Hagthorn


Traditional heavy/doom metal band from the misty mountains of Vermont, there is little information on them, in fact i recieved none at all and their facebook page was no help either, still this is a limited edition cassette release of just 95 copies from the 'War On All Fronts' label.

Coming out with some pure NWOBHM sounding music on 'Witchfynder', solid riffs, pounding drums and some quality screaming vocals.

'Gaudete' is a mixture of neo pagan folk and NWOBHM doom, beautiful vocals really make this one something a bit special.

At 11 minutes 'Merlins Lament' starts with a slow and simple guitar strum, soon turning into another occult/folk song, the heavy side of things is more up to date, a crushing but melodic heavy metal workout that towards the end borderlines some proto thrash.

Finally a symphonic beginning greets 'Raise Your Chalice', this one is reminiscent of early 70's guitar lead rock blending the power of say Blackmore and the dual guitar sounds of early wishbone ash, then somehow ends up like Judas Priest.

Totally brilliant little EP, sure they are looking back for their influences but have produced a solid modern heavy metal record (err sorry tape).
One to look out for this year.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Amulet, Blood Ceremony, Cathedral, Crystal Viper, The Oath

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ChaliceMetal