Deathless Creation - Thrash´n´Roll (CD Review)

01.Stigma Of Degeneration
02.Personal Hell
03.As Long As There's A God
04.Reinvention
05.King Of The Lonesome Riders
06.Dominate
07.Break The Silence
08.Temptation
09.Endless Source Of Power
10.Escape The Prison
11.I Am The Devil
12.The Last War


Benne Rommel (Vocals/Guitar)
Vladimir Nikolov (Guitar)
Eric Arikan (Bass)
Stefan Schaubele (Drums)

Deathless Creation is raw power group from Bavaria formed in 2012. Cutting-edge Thrash Metal combined with Rock´n´Roll and all sorts of different influences and genres that the music world has to offer.
It´s all about the music, not an image, a certain scene or category.
Great music starts with fun and an open mind to everything. This is the message of this
band. Independent Metal, high-energy liveshows, honest music and a fresh concept that
exceeds the boundaries of the scene and the genre.

A mix of technical and classic thrash riffs on 'Stigma Of Degeneration' are driven by this great drum backing with some really tight pedal work, vocals are fairly typical of the genre in that they are yelled through the mic!

Another stand out track is 'As Long As There's A God', this is a wall of power and it smashes through the speakers, has "Slayer" written all over it.

Now 'Reinvention' is a different beast, the vocals are sung properly and the music is more relaxed, in fact it almost sounds like a different band, this is pure american style hard rock, unexpected and very good.

Now each subsequent song seems to bring out different and more refined elements than that initial thrash assault and becomes a much more genre integrated album, melody mixes with the agression and creates more complex songs, whilst the vocal styles vary to match.

Rating 8/10
For fans of: Slayer, Evile, Elimination, Breathless

Warfield - Call To War EP (CD Review)

01.Call To War
02.Killing Ecstasy
03.Terror Will Prevail
04.Under The Surface
05.Martyr


Johannes Clemens (Vocals)
Matthias Clemens (Guitar)
Dominic Potts (Guitar)
Ethan Stokes (Bass)
Dominik Marx (Drums)

The first band's formation took place with the introduction of bassist Frederik Pütz
at the beginning of 2012, after Johannes, Matthias and Dominik had already played together.
After a few appearances, Dominic joined the band in the fall of 2013 to occupy the 2nd guitar slot.
In spring 2014, followed by other gigs, the work for the Debut EP "Call to War" had begun, which was released in october 2014.
Shortly thereafter Frederik Pütz had to leave the band because of time problems and
was replaced by Ethan at the beginning of 2015.

So 'Call To War' kicks off this Ep in some style, classic old school Thrash Metal, every timing change and riff perfectly placed, vocals are a bit gruff but that still (just) works, same can be said of 'Killing Ecstasy'.

Picking up the space and mixing Thrash with Speed Metal comes the slayerish 'Terror Will Prevail', this one ticks the boxes in terms of pace and again those timing changes, i was waiting for and got the dual guitar solos towards the end.

'Under The Surface' slows things down a bit, full of punchy rhythms and the vocal style is now starting to settle down and that is more apparent on the last track 'Martyr' the Slayer influence even more obvious and that vocal has the Tom snarl from the show no mercy days.
More epic riffing draws this to a close and an enjoyable trip back towards the birth of the movement by a bunch of guys who were not even born during the decade (or the following one )it started!

8/10
For afns of: Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus, Evile, Elimination, Virus

Manzer - Pictavian Chronicles (CD Review)

Shaxul (Drums/Vocals)
Fearann (Bass)
Hylde (Guitar)

French blackend thrash metal band formed by Deathspell Omega founder member.
They like to keep it "Real" and "Underground", which means fuck all in the way of bio and no facebook page.

What we have here is a compilation cd of demos, tracks from split singles, some cover versions and a couple of live tracks.

Well its a huge pile of Venom worship, that early punk/metal hybrid, what sums it up is the great version of 'Acid Queen' could have been a demo from Cronos himself.
The only thing i dont like about this is the terrible cover of King Diamonds 'Come To The Sabbath' the cookie monster vocals trying to get higher just dont work.

As for their original songs, short and agressive, played well, no time for fancy solos or production, just straight forward in your face metal.

Rating 7/10
For fans of: Venom, Warfare, Nunslaughter, Abigail

Reanimator - Horns Up (CD Review)

01.Electric Circle Pit
02.Rush For The Mosh
03.Tempted By Deviance
04.Thieves Of Society
05.The Abominautor
06.The Mosh Master
07.Still Sick
08.Off With Their Heads
09.Mock A Mockingbird



Patrick Martin (Vocals)
Joel Racine (Guitars)
Ludovic Bastien (Guitars)
Fred Bizier (Bass)
Francis Labelle (Drums)

Not to be confused with the legendary british thrash band Re-Animator, or for that matter the american, russian or slovakian thrash bands of the same name.
Since the creation of the band in 2005 by Patrick Martin and Maxime Cormier, Reanimator dug an important place in the Quebec Metal scene. Offering an incendiary Thrash Metal dotted with old-school and new school element, With their first album "Thrashin' The Neighborhood" in 2007 the group established venomous stage appearances, which left no fan indifferent.
Touring Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, they finally came up with their next album called "Ignorance Is No Excuse" in 2009, however after nearly an hundred shows, the band split in 2011.
In 2013 they reformed with a new line-up and a new EP entitled "Great Balls".

Right from the very start 'Electric Circle Pit' presents itself as everything that was right about early Thrash Metal, fun, fast, great riffs, excellent drum playing and solid bass work, the only thing that slightly lets this down for me is the vocals, not much in the way of singing just fairly basic spoken/shouted style, this remains the same with each song, great music, just wanted a bit more from the singer.



Rating: 8/10
For fans of: Municipal Waste, Exodus, Anthrax, Acid Reign, Gama Bomb

King Leviathan - The Shrine (CD Review)

01.Intro
02.Wormwood
03.Born Of The Blackest Hearts
04.Skin From Bone
05.Madness Made Divine
06.The Shrine


Adam Sedgwick (Vocals/Guitar)
Rob Kuhler (Guitar)
Sam Forrester (Bass)
Danny Yates (Drums)

From Brighton, devout worshipers of Speed, Violence and The Occult, have spread madness from their inception. With their new EP "The Shrine" about to hit May 31st there is no sign of stopping. With "The Shrine", every second of speed, aggression, and riotous fun is to be savored.
They liberally blends many different styles of Metal and Hardcore into an intense, fiery stew. Riffs with roots firmly planted in the great American Thrash and European Metal traditions peel out of every single song, bolstered by a rhythm section, and featuring solid drumming, that is relentless.

The frenetic pace so characteristic of the genre is kept the entire way, the delivery tight, yet not without the feeling of spontaneity. Creating images of the house that you and your beer-bong buddies proceeded to trash when the neighbour kid's parents left for the weekend.

Intro as a seperate track? Anyway to the first song 'Wormwood' a solid thrash workout with a mixture of death metal and clean vocals, the latter sounding much better, one thing though a horrible snare drum sound, way to tight and tinny for my ears, shame as it spoils this for me.

'Born Of The Blackest Hearts' has a nice clean and powerfull vocal, the music is solid thrash and has a great solo in it, the drums drive the song along, but that snare drum is killing this!

Up next 'Skin From Bone' with its power metal guitar riff over solid drum pedal work is first class, when the speed increases and the death metal vocal comes in this is one that harkens back to the early days, all is going well till that fucking snare again, bang bang bang it goes like a toy tin drum.

Im afraid that the last 2 again just suffer from that snare sound, maybe its the drummer in me, great music well put together, great vocal style.

Rating 7/10
For fans of: Sylosis, Savage Messiah, Slayer, Evile, Revocation

Fuck Off - Hell On Earth II (CD Review)

 Albert (Vocals)
Pep (Guitar)
Victor (Bass)
Ferrán (Drums)



Formed in 1986 from Barcelona, FUCK OFF were Thrash Metal pioneers in Spain the 80’s first releasing a 7” EP in 1987 followed by two albums “Another Sacrifice” (1988) and “Hell on Earth” (1990).
After this, the band split up, reformed in 2010 guitarist Pep Casas with a completely new line-up and backed by also former vocalist Joe in some shows.

The band began writing new material, in 2012 the “A Different Sacrifice 1987-1988” CD came out and they recorded their long awaited 3rd album “Smile As You Kill” in the purest tradition of 80’s Speed/Thrash Metal with the mastering skills of Swedish mastermind Dan Swanö and cover art by greek artist Gerasimos Kolokas. This album was released in September 2013.

This latest cd contains new songs recorded in 2014 and gathers together single tracks and demos from their 1990 album.

Have to wonder how this band ever got anywhere, i mean "I'm going to a gig tonight", really? , "Yes Fuck Off!", "Well fuck you then", well you get the idea!
Anyway to the music and the first 7 songs which are the "New" ones.

Cannot fault the quality of the music, classic speed metal style, fast, well produced and endless riffing, however the vocals are completly out, dont match the music at all, maybe he's not comfortable singing in English, maybe he cant sing, im not sure which.

Track 8 'Torquemada' is a demo from 2000, the music is just as good, but the vocals are also very good, matches the music and sung in Spanish, this is followed by an instrumental called 'Cyclone Pt IV' and is a speed metal take on Iron Maiden riffs, another good track.

Next up is the 2013 version of 'Hell On Earth' hope the vocals are better on this one, lets hit play...nope just as bad.

The rest of the tracks are from singles released in 1989; 'Embrion, witch below the belly'is a weird and wonderfull piece great vocals and some vocals with strange effects on as well, a lot of timing changes on this one, thrash and speed flow at different paces.
The other tracks are pretty good as well, even yet another version of 'Hell On Earth' which doesnt sound as bad as the other 2!

Rating 8/10
For Fans Of: Exciter, Anninhilator, Anthrax, Overkill, Sodom

Deraign - Purity In Violence EP (CD Review)

01.Broken Trust
02.Shellshocked (PTSD)
03.All Is Lost
04.Pit Of Misery
05.Purity In Violence



Daniel Vine (Vocals/Bass)
Steve Lievesley (Guitar)
Chris Clarke (Guitar)
Chalky Hill (Drums)

Austrailian band formed in May 2012, in August 2013, they recorded their first promo single 'Pit Of Misery' and two months later the band played their first gig.
The first half of 2014 was spent playing several more gigs throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast. By May they finished writing the 5th song for their Debut E.P and were ready to record.

After a line up change and Clarke dropping the bass and moving to guitar they spent the rest of the year to prepare for gigs and hit the studio in November/ December to record their debut EP, 'Purity In Violence'.

You may have to cast your mind back sometime to the heyday of Slayer and Megadeth, when Thrash metal was this good and perfectly executed, each song full of energy, superb drumming, killer riffs and agressive vocals, well this EP does just that and for the same reasons.

To pick out 2 here i would opt for 'All Is Lost' with its superb acoustic style intro full of laid back melody and bluesy guitar that leads into a classic pounding thrash piece, a real headbanger of a track.

The other is 'Purity In Violence', starts with a great drum beat, then bursts into full on speed metal, half way through the whole mood changes for this really slow and moody guitar breakdown, followed by a really epic solo, before ending with some thrash metal.

Just a brilliant EP!

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, Evile

Oppression - Scars 1988-1990 (CD Review)

01.A Majesty, A Joker
02.Alone
03.For No Reason
04.Within Six Walls
05.Punishment From The Gods
06.No Day After
07.Oppression
08.Into The Dark
09.Immortal Objector
10.Parasites


Lare Nieminen (Guitar)
Marco Holstein (Guitar)
Janne Nuotio (Bass)
Harri Luoma (Drums)
Mika Luoma (Vocals)
Santtu Laakso (Vocals on tracks 5-10)

Re-issue of all the demos & 7”EP recorded between ‘88-’90 by the finnish thrash metal band with a technical edge inspired by bands like INFERNÄL MÄJESTY and CORONER.

Well if you want a cd of poor sound quality average, plodding thrash metal, mid paced and sludgey, by a band you have never heard of, then this is the cd for you.

Only good track here is 'Within Six Walls' and thats because some thought appears to have gone into it, from a nice acoustic start to various timing changes creating some intresting sounds and musical variation, otherwise you have to wonder why a record company would even bother with this when there are hundreds of talented bands out there who deserve a chance to get an album to the masses.

Rating 5/10
For fans of: Thrash metal demos

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

SFD - The Complete Works (CD Review)

Daryl Taveira (Bass)
Grant McKinnon (Drums)
Paul Giltrow (Guitar)
Jax Murray (Guitar)
Chris Robson (Vocals)

S.F.D. were an Australian Thrash Metal band active from 1991-1993.
This is a 2-CD set bringing together all their demos and releases, being hailed as something of a "legend" creaing music in the classic thrash of Bay Area in parts, old Teutonic thrash, as well as the more technical kind such as CORONER's style of thrash.
Did a bit of research on them, well attempted to, couldnt find anything apart from a few pics of the demos and a you tube video, not even a picture of the band and the record company didnt have one either, also they were unsigned, not quite sure that the term "Legend" is going to very relevant for a band who i'm guessing did little outside their local area.

So hitting play on disc one and the first couple of songs are pretty rough, when track 3 'The Saviour' starts though we get some intresting music, starting with some keyboards which then moves into some nice well played melodic thrash that builds layer upon layer until bursting into life and a full on assault.

As the disc moves on we get a mixture of old school thrash, some silly and pointless instrumentals and some rough sounding songs, seems there is two styles here, on the one hand we have well thought out songs with melody and agression and some plain noisey ones with rough vocals.

As for Disc 2, you can hear the progression in the bands sound as they try new ideas in an attempt to move forward, more technical playing and some very impressive bass playing at times, the vocals continued more on the harsh side.

So an intresting collection, one for fans of the genre and it's history, but hardly "legendary".

Rating 7/10
For fans of: Exodus, Testament, Dark Angel, Metallica, Slayer

Cyrence - The Hospital EP (CD Review)

01.A New Begininng
02.Dystopia
03.This Life
04.The Hospital
05.I Won't Fall
06.You Kill Me
07.Purity Control


Tim Grathwohl (Vocals/Guitar)
Dominic Millett (Guitar)
Chris Hammer (Bass)
Thomas Goldberg (Drums)

Started in 2006 as a solo project of Tim Grathwohl (Vocals and Guitar, Ex-ONE MORE DAY/Ex-GATECRUSHER). In early 2009 they became a full band, featuring bassist Sebastian Moser of SHAPESHIFT/CYNICISM and Chris Boenisch on drums. In late 2009, drumming duties were handed over to Lenz Scharf (SICK SOUL/Ex- A-RECORDZ/Ex-GATECRUSHER).

With Artur Vladinovskij on Lead Guitar, the line-up was complete from late 2009 until April 2010.
Due to conflicting schedules, Artur left and was replaced by Dominic Millett in May 2010. Unfortunately, Basti and Lenz decided to leave the Band in June 2011, again because of conflicting schedules. Luckily, Thomas Goldberg, former drummer of DEATHFEAR, joined in October 2011. In March 2012 finally they found the right person to fill the gap Basti left behind, as Chris Hammer (Ex-KNOW YOUR FOE/AS MENTIONED BELOW) joined the band as their permanent Bassist.

'Dystopia' starts after another fucking intro to an ep/album!
What we get is a very mature sounding melodic thrash metal influenced sound, vocals sung properly (no grunts and growls), solid drumming and endless riffs.

Next few tracks do exactly the same a precision take on the genre faultless in its delivery with a lavish sound production.

'I Wont Fall' is a seven minute mini-masterpiece starts slowly and just builds layer upon layer, highly rhythmic drum patterns blended with clean chord structures, then some timing changes to slow things down before a new rhythm starts, stop/start drum and vocal keeps things intresting, then full on thrash assault time!

Rating 9/10
For fans of: Metallica, Megadeth, Exodus, Evile, Kemakil

Breathless - Return To Pangea (CD Review)

01.Tectonic Chant
02.Killing-sophy
03.Atomic Waste
04.Introspective Nightmare
05.Return To Pangea
06.Beyond The Ritual
07.Masterade
08.Ursula Has A Tank
09.Breathless
10.Brooding Wraith
11.Spinning Metal

Joan Font (Drums)
Eduardo Moreno (Guitar/Vocals)
Nazareno (Bass)

Spanish thrash metal band formed way back in 1999, yet this is only their second album.

Starting with a pointless intro the music kicks in with a slow and melodic start, but as 'Killing-sophy' progresses we are treated to some quite technical sounding thrash metal with a slayer (ish) vocal.

'Atomic Waste' is a mixture of that classic chugging sound and more upbeat rhythms, but doesn't seem to go anywhere to make you sit up and go "Wow" and that tends to be the feeling I get from the next few songs as well.

A borderline mix of speed metal riffs and traditional thrash is apparent on 'Beyond The Ritual' and has so far proved the best one so far.

The rest is pretty much "Thrash by numbers" it ticks the boxes but fails to push the boundaries or raise it's head above a thousand other bands doing the same thing, maybe thats why its only their second album after so many years?

Rating 5/10
For Fans Of: Slayer, Evile, Elimination

Hamerex - The Last Ride EP (CD Review)

01.Calm Before The Storm/Natures Wrath
02.Ride On Ruin
03.Reign Of Fire
04.Apophis


Steve Blower (Guitar/Vocals)
Andy Firth (Guitar)
Simon Brooks (Bass)
Darren Kelsall (Drums)

The latest offering from the Wakefield band formed in august 2004 who have so far notched up 4 demos, 2 ep's and two albums; 'Rites Of Passage' which got a 9 out of 10 from me in september 2011 (though not actually released till feb 2012) and IX in August 2013 which got a 10 out of 10.
Now with a new bassist Simon Brooks and mainman Steve Blower handling the vocals after the departure of singer Chris Moules they are back with a brand new ep, cant wait to hit play!

Starting with an 8 minute melodic thrash/power metal epic ;'Calm Before The Storm/Natures Wrath', first thing to really notice here is the amazing vocal range of Steve Blower, real power part Bruce Dickinson, part Niklas Isfeldt.
From the melodic opening of gentle guitar it moves into a clever mix of Thrash and Power metal, switching pace and timings to perfection, add to this some great backing vocals and the love of a Maidenesque riff and a blasting solo, and this is just track 1 !

'Ride On Ruin' is much shorter, this one is pretty straight forward, driven as it is by some excellent pedal work, it's one of those heads down no noncence rockers.

Up next another 7 minutes of metal with 'Reign Of Fire', ahh but wait this one gets dangerously close to a ballad, one helluva passionate vocal full of power, hits the high notes and then oh yes ballad nightmare overted and the band kick in with some punchy riffs.
Overall a much slower paced song, love the dark guitar riff that breaks up the song to allow the vocal to fill the speakers.

'Apophis' little guitar intro then into another mid paced thrash piece, really nasty sounding riff powers through, more superb vocals reign out, then that killer riff returns, slow and pounding, just waiting for a screaming solo and i am not let down, it comes and it is good.
Just to nail the point home the songs ends on some full on hi-speed thrash.

Strikes me that this band just want to keep pushing forward and each time they do they produce something worth listening to time and again.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Iron Maiden, Helloween, Metallica

Detente - Recognize No Authority Expanded Reissue (CD Review)

Disc One
01.Losers
02.Russian Roulette
03.It's Your Fate
04.Holy Wars
05.Catalepsy
06.Shattered Illusions
07.Life Is Pain
08.Blood I Bleed
09.Widow's Walk
10.Vultures in the Sky
11.Blood I Bleed (Tiina Teal 2010)
12.Genocide (Tiina Teal 2010)

Disc Two
01.Shattered Illusions (Demo I 84)
02.Vultures In The Sky (Demo I 84)
03.Widows Walk (Demo II 84)
04.Holy Wars (Demo II 84)
05.Chemical Joy (Rehearsal 85)
06.Murder Inc (Live 05/12/85)
07.Diseased (Demo III 87)
08.Wasted Time (Demo III 87)
09.All That Remain (Demo III 87)
10.Red To Grey (Demo IV 89)
11.Coming Down (Demo IV 89)
12.Loves Death (Demo IV 89)

Catalepsy
13.An Offering (Demo I 87)
14.Evil Within (Demo I 87)
15.Obituary Fear (Demo I 87)
16.Under The Influence (Demo II 88)
17.Law And Disorder (Demo II 88)
18.Who Can You Trust (Demo II 88)
19.Piece Of My Heart (Demo II 88)

Detente (Original Line Up)
Dawn Crosby (Vocals)
Ross Robinson (Guitar)
Steve Hochheiser (Bass)
Caleb Quinn (Guitar)
Dennis Butler (Drums)

Catalepsy:
Veronica Ross (Vocals)
Ross Robinson (Guitar)
Steve Hochheiser (Bass)
Caleb Quinn (Guitar)
Dave McClain (Drums)

Detente (2009 - 2015)
Tiina Teal (Vocals)
Dennis Butler(Drums)
Caleb Quinn (Guitar)
Steve Hochheiser (Bass)

Detente were part of the thrash/speed metal scene that came out of America in the early 1980's, female fronted they were in an exclusive group of bands alongside Znowhite and Bitch.
They formed in 1984 in Los Angeles, California. The group's original line-up included Dawn Crosby on vocals, Steve Hochheiser on bass, Dennis Butler on drums and Ross Robinson and Caleb Quinn on guitars.
Their first album, Recognize No Authority, was released on Metal Blade Records in 1986.Within days of the debut album's release, the supporting tour had to be cancelled when drummer and co-founder Dennis was severely burned in an industrial accident, resulting in more than three months of hospitalization.

Singer Dawn Crosby went on to form Fear of God, who were eventually signed to Warner Bros. Records. Ross Robinson later became a producer whose credits include Korn, Sepultura, Slipknot and many other top acts.

Dawn Crosby died in 1996 of liver failure associated with a history of alcohol and drug abuse.

In 1987 Detente reformed under the name of Catalepsy with vocalist Veronica Ross from Canada. With Veronica writing the lyrics and vocal melodies for the songs "Evil Within", "An Offering", "Obituary Fear", "Law and Disorder" "Who Can You Trust" and "Under the Influence". The demos, recorded at Baby O' Studios in Hollywood, California, climbed to the number one spot on the WVVX-FM Underground Radio. The band was set to release a new album titled Beyond the Threshold under a resigning of Metal Blade Records, however, the band members each went in new directions before the album was released.

In 2007 Detente reformed with Hellion vocalist Ann Boleyn, in 2009 she was replaced by  Tiina Teal and they continue to tour and release albums.

This 2 cd set includes the original album and demos and all the Catalepsy demos.

Starting with the original album, have to say its early speed meets proto thrash metal still sounds fresh, Crosby had one helluva voice, the music is clean and fresh sounding.
Intresting that the last 2 tracks with vocalist Tiina are included, vocally so very close but musically a tad more refined and slightly faster.

The demo disc is quite something as well, considering they are just "demos" the standard is high, the music is just bas good as the debut album.
While the quality of the 1987 demos is a little poor in places the music is different, more towards mainstream heavy metal, even an acoustic ballad with 'Diseased', an intresting progression.
The 1989 demos have an even worse sound quality, and the music seems to be trying to recapture their early sound yet trying to be something different at the same time.

The Catalepsy demos are fairly typical of late 80's post thrash bands, vocalist still sounds like crosby.

This is an excellent cd set, one not only for fans of the band but for fans of the thrash/speed genre and its roots.

Rating 10/10
For Fans Of: Bitch, Acid, Znowhite, Arch Enemy, Testament, Exodus

Worselder - MMXIV EP (CD Review)

01.The Sickening
02.Home Of The Grave
03.The Haven

Guillaume (Vocals)
Mitch (Drums)
Yannick (Bass)
James (Guitar)
Yoric (Guitar)

French heavy/stoner styled band have now made their album 'Where We Come From' released in 2011 and this EP from late last year available for free download on their bandcamp page.
They are now recording their next album due out later this year.

An eastern tone to the music gives this quite a 70's feel, yet 'The Sickening' is totally in the now, at times its like early Monster Magnet with elements of black album era Metallica thrown in.
Great vocals and backing vocals bring to mind the dual sounds from Mushroomhead (without the rapping!).

'Home Of The Grave' well the opening guitar is pure Judas Priest's Victim Of Changes intro, even the vocals are more high pitched, then moves into more chugging mid tempo thrash chords and a few frantic timing changes.
All this is held together perfectly by some very impressive vocals once again.

Last track on this EP is 'The Haven', the more i listen to this i cant help but feel that they have such a clever mix of styles that this really is some kind of "Progressive-Neo Thrash-Fusion", it really does have all sorts of elements from just about every sub genre of heavy metal from the last 30 odd years.

So after this i listend to their old album from 2011 and you can see how they have move forward, though the album is still the same band its a lot rawer and at times more agressive, but i suggest that you go grab them both and then wait for the new album i have a feeling its going to be huge!


Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: Monster Magnet, Soundgarden, Metallica, Mushroomhead, Down, Devildriver

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

Bestial Invasion - Silent Wonders (Single Review)

01.Silent Wonders
02.Damien

Unknown Nastya (Vocals)
Metal Priest (Bass)
Evgeniy Maestro (Guitar)
Ivan Semenchuk (Drums)

Bestial Invasion from Ukraine were formed last year by the ex-bass player of VIOLENT OMEN.
The info supplied states "real old school technical thrash metal in keeping with the best traditions of MEKONG DELTA, ATHEIST, CORONER. The microphone stand is possessed by the charming Anastasia, whose voice reminds Dawn Crosby (FEAR OF GOD) or Melanie Bock (MEGACE), and it distinguishes her in favorable manner from sterile ARCH ENEMY copies, which flooded the scene recently. On the threshold of a full-length album’s release, the band makes their first appearance with a vinyl single 'Silent Wonders', whose B-side assigns MORBID SAINT’s cover version. Produced by Don Doty (ex-DARK ANGEL)."

The music on both btracks is really good, definatley does have that authentic old school feel, great raw drum sound, crushing basswork and quality riffing and solos, but the vocals? Well they really dont suit at all, maybe if she had gone for a Arch Enemy style would have fitted better, but still cant really base everything on 2 tracks will have to wait for the album.


Rating 7/10
For Fans Of: Otep, Raven, Voi Vod, Mekong Delta