Insect Ark - Portal Well (CD Review)

01.Portal-Well
02.The Collector
03.Lowlands
04.Octavia
05.Crater Lake
06.Taalith
07.Parallel Twin
08.Low Moon

Dana Schechter (All Instruments)

Debut album from composer/multi-instrumentalist Dana Schechter.


Schechter has a deep and unshakeable relationship with music that has seen her criss-crossing over the United States, and for a prolonged stint living in Europe as she explored creative avenues with her previous projects and passions. From being offered bass lessons by Cliff Burton at aged 15, to self teaching herself piano, guitar and drums, Schechter's talent and abilities have led her down a diverse array of artistic paths.

Having co-founded instrumental band Gifthorse with drummer Jef Whitehead and guitarist Douglas Hilsinger in her early twenties, Schechter has also lent her bass skills to Michael Gira (Swans), American Music Club, Keren Ann, and many others; in her band Bee and Flower, she's worked with artists such as J.G. Thirlwell, Thomas Wydler, Bertrand Burgalat, Martin Wenk (Calexico), and Toby Dammit.

Although the fruits of her collaborations brought artistic satisfaction, the ease of creating alone appealed to Schecter, and over the year in which Portal/Well was borne, Schechter wrote and recorded alone, at all hours of the day and night. The album was built with careful attention to immaculate detail, but also takes chances, pushing beyond personal barriers. The album is the product of a journey into composition and sonic exploration using a small but dynamic palette of instruments and a singular compositional voice.

Upon completion of Portal/Well, Schechter felt the addition of a live drummer would further push INSECT ARK  to expand sonically, both in the studio and live. In January of 2015, San Francisco Bay Area drummer Ashley Spungin (Taurus) joined as a band member. The duo performs together when possible; when apart, Schechter plays solo.

An intresting collection of Instrumental doom with some hints of electronica and some almost ambient interludes and one track 'Low Moon' so ambient you can barley hear it at all until towards the end.

Each piece creates mood, as if part of a soundtrack to some strange underground gothic horror film.

Take 'Octavia' as a prime example, starts with some synth pulses, in comes a slow drum beat, more synth adding different layers of sound and texture, to this add some guitar, simple chords full of phasing, what sounds like some whispered vocal, as the piece progresses add some weird sounds, distortion and occilation and then a few more power chords and then it ends.

Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: Mekigah, Boris, Sunn 0))), Wolvserpent, Selim Lemouchi, Aphonic Threnody

Lockersludge - Drawing Lessons EP (CD Review)

01.Burden Of Pain
02.Guilt, Anger And Agression
03.Drawing Lessons
04.The Beard Of Doom
05.Burn In Hell


Mark Lockyer (Vocals/Drums)
Andy Lockyer (Guitar)
Brew (Bass)

3 piece doom/sludge with a hardcore edge from South Devon formed circa 2011.
Lockersludge essentially started out as a side project for Mark and Andy they have now recruited bassist Brew so they can begin rehearsals and take the project out live. Mark and A having been playing together since 1993 also enjoying slow, sludge (bands like Melvins & Eyehategod) power metal (Pantera) as well as an appreciation for the old skool hardcore scene (Madball, Biohazard) & the hardcore scene of today (Terror, Sworn Enemy) believing that there is no heavier form of music.

Maybe it's because of the punk vocal style and the lack of doom structure, i really don't get the doom/sludge tag here at all.

The first four songs are more of a grunge/sludge hybrid, nice raw sound with the instruments, but because of the shout it out/sneering vocal style this sounds more like Cockney Rejects play metal, Oi Metal???
It has a real dont care/fuck you attitude, simple punchy riffs over a basic drum beat and then short burst guitar solos.

It's not agressive enough to have a clear Hardcore tag either, really the more i listen to these songs i just get punk every time.

Now with that said the last song 'Burn In Hell' has a different feel, slow rhythmic drum pattern and obvious doom guitar, now here's the thing the lyrics are those of a certain Mr Dorain and this does "Borrow" quite a lot from Hopkins Witchfinder General, a hell of a lot, most of it actually, yet they still make this a punk rocker of a song.

Weird bunch can't quite work out what they are or what they want to achieve with the music.

Rating 8/10
For fans Of: Viking Skull, Anti Nowhere League, Warfare

Black Pestilence - Outsiders (CD Review)

01.Cult Class
02.Silent Assassin
03.Unseen Force
04.Horns For The Devil
05.Sonic Static
06.Cellblock
07.Razing Taboo
08.Voiceless Generation


Valax (Bass/Vocals)
Viktor (Guitar)
Little V (Drums)

Canadian band formed in 2008, Black Pestilence combines grimy punk rock with electronic noise, all through the devastation of black metal. In 2009, Black Pestilence's first full­length album, "Vice" was independently released. “Vice” was originally released as a one­man solo project. However, later on Valax recruited live members in order to take the music to the live stage. Founding member, Valax simply describes the music as "black metal built on punk and noise."
In 2011, "Tradition is Obsolete" was released. This album is a representation of Black Pestilence's more experimental side with a strong emphasis placed on electronic noise and samples.
In 2013 Black Pestilence released their third full­length album, “In Defiance”. This album was by far their fastest and most fierce release, it featured intense speed from street punk, all presented through the furious lens of black metal and otherworldly samples.

Wow what an intresting mix of styles, listening to 'Cult Class' we get a sampled start, then the drums kick with some brilliant bass work, like early 80's punk bands, then as the speed picks up even more it gets this Motorhead vibe, the vocals are very rough and the backing is very "shout it out".

'Silent Assassin' begins with some electronic samples and then turns into a very punky metal song, again really ahve to pick out that bass playing, its got a great live and raw sound.

So from the punk/metal genre we now move somewhere totally different with 'Unseen Force', this is a slow an almost symphonic/goth sounding song, except its very electronic and has a vocal tubed effect on it, the heavier elements come in with death metal precision, this could almost be Fear Factory or Ministry.

The next few songs return to the punk/metal style and then finally we end with 'Voiceless Generation', a mid paced mix of samples over bass and drums then towards the end when the keyboards come in it gets symphonic.

I dont know which band member is the samples/keyboard guy but he really does this very well, this is a great an very unexpected album, electronic punk, the one thing i didnt get from any of the songs was black metal, so this is not in "Aborym" territory.

Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: Anything from Ministry to UK Subs!!!!!

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