REVIEWS
August 2007
ALCEST (FRA) - "Souvenirs D'Un Autre Monde" CD'07
(PROPHECY)
No matter how many times it has been said that Prophecy is an unconventional and atypical label, I have always agreed with it. Once again they pleasantly surprise us, this time by promoting the album of a well-known Blacker that goes under the pseudonym of Neige, pretty active within this very scene partly due to his involvement in certain other Metal projects. I had the opportunity to listen to the demo and also a split released a few years ago, and I can say that the sound hasn't pleased me, as it insists on the aggressive and primitive Black Metal, with a few fine melodic ideas, some acoustic and that's all about it. The debut material is completely changed though, transforming the underground Black Metal sound in a totally different new one, extremely melancholic, slow, with calm and quiet voices, rather whispered than sang, even including feminine voices (that's just a guess), plus an infernal noise created by the continuous guitar scratching alongside obvious Pop and rhythmic Rock elements ... something new, quite attractive! It seldom reminds of AGALLOCH (especially the orchestration), but the guitars make me think evenly of BURZUM. More atmospheric and arranged, with a pretty modest mixing, ALCEST succeeds into contouring an exceptional debut, one of a rapturous beauty, yet I might say it is quite controversial, as it is too soft for Black Metal and too Metal for domestic Rock. I have truly enjoyed experimenting this album, as it is a very catchy mixture of Dark Metal and Dark Wave that can be listened continuously without turning wearisome or disturbing. The cover is a distinct one too, and the nuances used for the booklet's imagery unveil a pleasant, slightly mysterious flavour.
www.alcest-music.com
Rating: 0.89/1
HEL (GER) - "Tristheim" CD'07
(DGF)
I admit that I've been waiting impatiently for this release, as Skaldir has proven all the way being a talented musician! I was surprised though, because this very album is a completely acoustic one, without any shade of Pagan or Black Metal! The sound consists solely in cold guitar and piano, accompanied by pear instruments like: violin, accordion, flute, cello. The voices are calm, singing the exclusive German lyrics, except the very few passages spoken by Lars Jensen (MYRKGRAV) on a short track, plus there are choirs in the background... well, a truly mystical sound! It was beyond my expectations of being ever able to listen to a completely acoustic album conceived by Skaldir and Valdr, but it is now proven as being real and it simply cannot derange. Nevertheless, in order to savour this material, a certain state of mind and soul is required, otherwise after a couple of tracks it could all turn weary and linear. It is so serene and unveils such a melancholic aura, a sad one evenly, that patience is essential in order to understand it and to pervade the realm it contours. Obviously, an album alike should have been released by a Non-Metal label in order to set smooth the audience's perception towards it. If I haven't convinced you yet, just do a copy-paste and go back in time, to see that the same path has been followed by EMPYRIUM, which transcended directly towards the acoustic dimension after releasing two Metal albums! Exactly the same: orientation, approach, music. If it is Pagan or Folk, it really doesn't matter... what imports is that we are dealing with a beautiful album, a rather transcendental one, rooted in ancient Nature's springs and influences, that can transpose you within a magnificent realm of mysticism! All you have to do is to find the gates and ford them ...
www.ureuropa.com
Rating: 0.89/1
THE VISION BLEAK (GER) - "The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey" CD'07
(PROPHECY)
Ulf Theodor Schwadorf and Allen B. Konstanz are now presenting a new album, probably conceptual, desired to be mightier and more dynamic than the previous one, released two years ago, "Carpathia - A Dramatic Poem". Obviously, such a sound purely electrifies when performed live, especially that the guitars are explosive and the keyboard abounds in atmospheric passages, everything being framed in a well conceived and at all weary rhythm! I found it hard to categorize this very music, not that it would be necessarily original, but solely due to the fact it matches no criteria. It is a sort of Gothic Atmospheric Metal, with plenty of bombastic orchestral sequences and also filled with all kinds of acoustic guitars, now and then even Death Metal elements are to be spotted! It is like a singing story as the two musicians are transiting us within the entire Metal realm and not solely. The voices are great, normal, mighty, even hymned, saturated in expressivity! I can also spot some Power elements, disturbing my listening, but I guess they are meant to energize the sound and prevent it from becoming common. Even though the tracks do not resemble to one another, as structure, there are numerous associations and common sequences, including the vocal approach. The last track is the most inspired one from my point of view, very rhythmic and representative for the current THE VISION BLEAK sound, especially as somewhere on the background, I uncover scents of the first two EMPYRIUM albums, which I used to love. It seems Markus returns in a certain way to the origins throughout this very album, and it can solely bring me joy by doing so. In conclusion, we have a very stylish album, with a crystal clear sound (as expected) trying to make its way between the two valuable atmospheric Metal. To me at least it does not seem remarkable or inspired, but rather a trendy one destined to please the public during the concerts... am I wrong? Honestly, I expected so much more from my old friend! Anyway, after listening to this album, I have unshelved for an hour time the superb "Songs of Moors and Misty Fields", for an EMPYRIUM remember! And it worth... once again!
www.the-vision-bleak.de
Rating: 0.87/1
IN VAIN (NOR) - "The Latter Rain" CD'07
(INDIE)
I am completely stirred up! Being able to listen to an album for over sixty minutes and not sensing wearisome at all, on the contrary, turning eager for listening to it three more times, to savour at ease all the sequences that seemed at the first audition to unreel far too soon... well, that's something that I haven't experienced in a long time! These young Norwegians are truly talented! Even though the influences' agglomeration induces confusion, the musical concept is indeed a remarkable one! Would it be fair to be called Progressive Black Death Metal? I have no idea! Yet it seems too little to be said about this very music! We've got everything on this album: Death, Black, Grind, Hardcore, Atmospheric, Progressive, Jazz, Melancholic, all sorts of voices that sing and yowl in every possible way, plus the guitars that make me wander from DIMMU BORGIR all the way to YNGWIE or IN THE WOODS...; moreover there are voices either bursting into aggressiveness or turning torpid within nostalgia and melancholia, plus the fascinating keyboard, that, despite the fact it isn't continuous, conducts the sound in a certain way... no, no... it's difficult to detail the entire diversity of scents that this music unveils! As marketing elements, the young musicians invited on this very album two reputed vocalists from Kristiansand (Jan K. Transit and Kjetil Nordhus) to participate, and I can say for sure that the sequences on which we can witness their presence are the most expressive ones. Nevertheless, we are dealing with hazy fragments too, some of them quite intricate and hard to comprehend, but, essentially, this very album seems to me as being one of this year's utter inspired albums! Despite the fact these Norwegians have chosen to prove us their ability to approach a high diversity of musical styles, I am waiting for the future album to bring out the value that is to be added to the Metal scene.
www.invain.org.
Rating: 0.90/1
COLLOQUIO (ITA) - "Si Muove E Ride" CD'07
(EIBON)
There is Gianni Pedretti returning with his project, after several apparitions on the last two CANAAN albums and on the NERONOIA debut. Consequently to the album released in 2001, the four have now recorded a new and very, very weird material! Reminding me of an AMON like Ambient and scenting of Eibon Records' Dark Wave, let's say a la FROZEN AUTUMN, the Italians present us an elegant, calm and mysterious work, extremely relaxed in what concerns the sound effects, yet deeply saturated in darkness... a certain sensuality is aroused by the pessimistic, sad, and slightly depressive dimension... Gianni's calm and remarkably low tonality voice represents the key element of this very album, which I hardly try to characterize yet I haven't found the right description for it so far. It worth to be listened, even if it also harbours less dynamic fragments, but monotonous is certainly not a fair term to call it! It's not CANAAN, neither NERONOIA, it's completely distinct, atypical, arrhythmic, without melody, but rapturous!
www.colloquio.tk
Rating: 0.79/1
ARTESIA (FRA) - "Chants D'Automne" CD'07
(PRIKOSNOVENIE)
The two feminine characters animating this project, Agathe and Gaelle, have quickly conceived their second album, following the same Dark Atmospheric Heavenly Voices direction. Therefore, originating in ARCANA, ELEND, DARK SANCTUARY, QNTAL, DARGAARD or THE MOON AND THE NIGHTSPIRIT, ARTESIA emphasizes the Epic touch, maybe the landscape one too, as the violins, the piano and the synth sound more atmospheric and dreamlike. Structurally, this second album is identical with the first one, with the sole difference consisting in a stronger meditative aura and more accentuated feminine voices fragility. Listening to this album is a true pleasure!
www.artesia-music.com
Rating: 0.89/1
MANES (NOR) - "How The World Came Town" CD'07
(CANDLELIGHT)
Clearly, they are into SF now! Understanding how come a band like this one is still promoted by a Metal label really troubles me! If I am to look backwards, I realize that today's MANES has nothing to do neither with their beginnings nor with the genius "Vilosophe". Far too electronic, chaotic, intricate, diverse, lacked in any direction of their own, and just politely called experimental, the new MANES convinces me into abandoning any glimpse of interest towards their future. I am curious to see how long will they enjoy Candlelight's support into promotion! I doubt that the British label's target in what concerns this new work of the Norwegians will be achieved!
www.manes.no
Rating: 0.70/1
DARK THRONE (NOR) - "New Wave Of Black Heavy Metal" MCD'07
(PEACEVILLE)
Fenriz and Nocturno Culto are in the midst of preparing the release of a new album (F.O.A.D), announced for about two months from now, but now we are dealing with this elegant digipack consisting in four Primitive and Raw Black Metal tracks. As far as I know, there is a certain track that won't be featured on the album, "Hedninger Fra Helvete", alongside two mixed versions of "Wisdom of the Dead" and "Canadian Metal", sounding as bad and rudimentary as most of DARK THRONE's tracks. The CD ends with a TESTORS cover-version for "Bad Attitude", a track just as modest as the rest of this EP. I cannot figure out what are the two desiring to transmit us after 20 years of activity, but I know I am replete into listening common, linear and highly aggressive Black Thrash Metal, showing nothing new, bringing no change, nothing... Some might salute their work, saying that they aren't contaminated with today's modern tendencies. Maybe...
www.darkthrone.no
Rating: 0.70/1
KATATONIA (SWE) - "Dance Of December Souls" CD'07
(PEACEVILLE)
I remember it was in 1992 when I first listened to KATATONIA! "Jhva Elohim Meth" MCD foreshadowed me that the two Swedes (Blackheim and Lord Seth) will make a difference in that Metal scene, mostly a Death Metal one back those times. Even if KATATONIA debuted as a Death Metal band, this very EP disclosed me a distinct side in the Swedes musical views, one unveiling melodic influences, probably inspired by PARADISE LOST. In fact, throughout a somehow unprecedented approach, based on a Doom Death Metal structure, consisting in plenty of Atmospheric but also unwinding a hypnotic melancholia, KATATONIA truly exploded with this very debut, released in 1993! This is one of the most beautiful Dark Metal albums ever!!! I'd wish to believe that you can imagine the ascending feeling that I've just experienced, relistening now to "Tomb of Insomnia", "Velvet Thorns" or "Gateways of Bereavement"! Moreover, on this release has also participated the bassist Israphel Wing, while in the background Dan Swano elegantly landed his mark via the keyboard and through the mixing process, all making the delight of this very album, alongside the guitars' cry! I salute Peaceville's decision into reissuing this jewel, especially as now the digipack edition also includes as a bonus their first EP which I've mentioned above. I still don't understand how come their most appreciated album continues to be "Brave Murder Day"! For me, this very debut remains the best KATATONIA album, despite the fact their last two releases seem to enjoy a fabulous success, particularly as the sound became more alternative, more melodious, evenly Gothic/Rock and lacked in any Dark underground scent! Either I am too nostalgic, or the album is a masterpiece... My choice has been done, what about yours?
www.katatonia.com
Rating: 1/1
ABUSIVENESS (POL) - "Hybris" CD'07
(HEAVY HORSES)
Twelve years ago when I was in a very spick and span Metal shop in Krakow it was the first time I've heard about this band. It's true, that Death Grind hasn't enchanted me at all so I skipped it. I understood that they've released many albums during the sixteen years of activity, yet this is the first time I write about them. I must admit that the sound of those four is an extremely explosive one, with a battery that reminds me of early CARCASS, boisterous guitar riffs but also many solos alike the ones specific for the American Death bands, having those honkers as vocalists which yowl and act in every imaginable way... well, this sonorous assault that I'm trying to present you is accompanied by an intelligently used keyboard, hauling the sound towards a majestic Black Metal, but the general debauchery, the neverending uproar and rapidity are the elements that contour ABUSIVENESS chaos. We can solely speak of well executed Fast Death/Black Metal, lacked in intrinsic direction and identity!
abusiveness.metal.pl
Rating: 0.78/1
FOSCOR (SPA) - "The Smile Of The Sad Ones" CD'07
(TEMPLE OF DARKNESS)
Even though they now gather ten years of activity, the four Spanish (Catalonians in fact, but I won't enter those spiny details) have so far succeeded into releasing a sole album, in 2004, reissued by Adipocere at this very moment. Using a new formula comparing with the previous material, FOSCOR returns with a new Black Metal chapter, in the Norwegian style, uncovering lots of EMPEROR or SATYRICON influences. True all right, it sounds pretty good, and is in fact a spruce and well arranged album, saturated in rhythm and atmosphere, but also in violence and rapidity, finally a fine sound for those yearning for such sonorities. There are also some Experimental Black Metal elements, something alike CODE or VED BUENS ENDE, maybe some avantgardism is present too while the most intricate and atypical track certainly is "The Shame and The Spectre". Aside that, continuous guitar uproar, demonical bass voices, plenty of guitar riffs, a pretty modest battery... and that's about all regarding FOSCOR. Nothing new under the sky and, even if I didn't get weary it is not an authentic album to me, but rather a Northern clone! I should also mention that the band members are involved in other Metal projects alike: DAWN OV HATE, FAYRIERIE or SHEMHAMPHORASH.
www.foscor.com
Rating: 0.84/1
THE SEVENTH (BEL) - "Cursed Earth Wasteland" CD'07
(SHIVER)
After a very calm and melancholic intro, the musicians show their true nature and continue in a forte manner, with a mighty voice, yet seemingly too yelled and unnatural, alternating with a guttural one (somehow more adequate to the sound), extremely rapid guitars and plenty of battery. Probably the five Belgians experiment Melodic Death Metal, while there is a high quality to be observed both in sound effects and mixing process! They remind me about the Swedish school and in that area we can spot numerous bands alike. Even though it is well arranged and executed, this album hasn't impress me, it's just an average material, that is going to reach some echoes now due to its fresh release but afterwards, complete oblivion!
www.theseventh.be
Rating: 0.80/1
DECAYED (POR) - "Hexagram" CD'07
(FOLTER)
Does this band still exist? It seems I know them for ever... since the beginning of the 90's! They've released about five albums, all in the underground Black Metal approach, the last one issued somewhere around 2003 if I'm correct. I also remember that they, alongside MOONSPELL, were at a certain moment back in time the most emblematic Black Metal bands in Portugal... afterwards, solely MOONSPELL found the lucky number. Since then, I have never heard anything interesting about DECAYED. Going through numerous member replacements, they failed to impose in any way during seventeen years of activity. What does the new album bring? Just the same old and primitive Black Metal sound, at all bombastic, with Thrash and Death Metal elements, at all inspired, as it would have been done on the conveyor belt. I was expecting more, but it seems my expectations do not meet their visions. This Black Death Metal might be appreciated by DARK THRONE's fans. To me, it smells of futility.
come.to/decayed
Rating: 0.71/1
VARDAN (ITA) - "Hidden In A Tomb" CD'07
(FOLTER)
Once again Raw Black Metal, this time perhaps better performed and richer in execution's variety, so it might not be entirely common. Vardan is the one behind all instruments and I find out that this album has been conceived in 2000. It seems, since then, Vardan has also composed four other albums that are going to be released by the same German label. For those interested, the titles are: "Buried by Myself", "Alone under a Dying Earth", "Inverted Cross/Thunderbolt" promo and "Forgotten Songs - Chapter". There aren't many things to be said about VARDAN, as his music is quite simplistic, with guitar riffs scratching the hearing, a battery that proves to be both extremely rapid and also unhandy, plus a common Black voice not showing any special inflexions... It was intended to insert some elements scenting of early BURZUM, where rapidity is not the key, but the atmosphere created by a slow - mid tempo, generated through the use of guitars. So, we can say that we are dealing with pure Satanic Black Metal, the old way, without any nonconformist influence... or better said Misanthropic Black Metal as it's the preferred categorization nowadays. Why not call it Narcissist Black Metal?
Rating: 0.77/1
STRIBORG (AUS) - "Ghostwoodlands" CD'07
(DISPLEASED)
In reality, this mysterious Sin-Nanna (name taken from the Sumerian mythology) is hiding somewhere in Tasmania and during his 13 years of activity he released about six albums plus a bunch of demos and apparitions on various compilations. I come to the point of understanding that STRIBORG is already considered cult within the Black Metal scene and perhaps he is. Yet, after listening all the way to this very album let me tell you my sense out of it: a sinister battery that contours nothing, an infernal guitar noise that has the same effect as scratching a nail on a sheet, plus a tortured voice, evil like one and a mysterious keyboard on the background trying to bring a certain melancholy to the monotonous and primitive Black Metal sound. The keyboard seems to reach now and then some Ambient touches, just in order to intensify even more the sinister and obscure atmosphere, but that's all about it. Well, I must admit that in a horror movie, watched with the lights off and in complete solitude, perhaps in an abandoned castle, this music might raise some fear feelings or even more than that. Yet, if listened in an opposite context, the album may turn weary after two consecutive auditions, at the most.
Rating: 0.79/1
SALTATIO MORTIS (GER) - "Aus Der Asche" CD'07
(NAPALM)
This time, the German band presents a Medieval Rock approach that is distinct comparing with the previous albums, perhaps partly due to the changes that have occurred in the line-up. The new sound seems more cosmopolite, with more Rock touches and energetic guitars, while the traditional instruments only reach the second plan, even if the bagpipes and the percussions remain the key elements for the band. I don't know if the new album is more Epic, but it certainly is more expressive, presenting evenly some ballad valences, while the Punk elements seems to have vanished, plus that the whole atmosphere is dominated by a constrained voice, rather roared than sung... It doesn't sound bad at all, yet it seems to be the most commercial and Heavy of their albums so far, and I guess this new direction will bring them plenty of appreciation, especially as melody and rhythm will make these mountebanks be closely followed by the real fans, German ones mostly.
www.saltatio-mortis.com
Rating: 0.80/1
FINSTERFORST (GER) - "Weltenkraft" CD'07
(HEAVY HORSES)
Interesting debut! I was tempted to believe that the band comes from the Northern lands, Finland maybe! This fully Epic sound, with a continuous accordion, instantly reminded me of FINNTROLL, MOONSORROW or ENSIFERUM! The truth is that the instruments sound tremendous! Quite talented these musicians! If it is Pagan, Atmospheric or Folk Metal, I don't know! But I can state for sure that it is a very bombastic Melodic Metal style, with plenty of keyboard, guitars that do not exceed in virtuosity but they sound fine in whatever they're doing, including the cold sequences, plus an excellent drummer, a truly beautiful accordion, alongside inspired interludes with flutes and other traditional instruments, and unfortunately, a voice that disconcerts almost everything! Its aggressiveness, rather constrained and roared, fades this sound instead of enhancing it, as special as it is! This kind of voice does not disturb, but it is far too linear and bereaved in imagination! On the last track though, "Verlorene Seelen", you can unearth some imposing choirs that foster a distinct dimension, far more sombre and elegant! We have over 75 minutes of abundant Metal in just ten tracks, some of them of considerable length and truly elaborated (just the way I like) so it becomes obvious that this particular album is one that has to be listened! Well, if Michael Flately would have appeared dancing on the last track, than completion would have been granted! Therefore, we are dealing with an unoriginal but fully inspired album, with a crystal clear sound that succoured me into evading the quotidian for more than two hours, respectively for two consecutive auditions.
www.finsterforst.de
Rating: 0.91/1
MESMERIZED (POL) - "Coronation" CD'07
(HEAVY HORSES)
Wow, such velocity, so much violence! Probably due to VADER sequels, these musicians decided to mix Thrash and Death in a killing formula, where nothing stands still and no one breaths! The thirty apocalyptic minutes, gathered in ten tracks, seem to be just a continuous one, and solely the cinel reminds about the existence of sound! Otherwise, common Fast Death Metal, no originality, zero imagination, just virtuosity (plenty of it, due to their over ten years of activity) and aggressiveness ... useless to say further that the voice follow the same direction, bringing Luc Lemay (GORGUTS) to my mind.
Rating: 0.79/1
UNLIGHT (GER) - "Eldest Born Of Hell" CD'07
(HEAVY HORSES)
A band existing for more than ten years, very appreciated in Germany due to their numerous live performances. They have two albums released and some EPs, but I'll strictly refer to the last one. There is nothing attractive for me in this Aggressive Satanic Black Metal sound! If we add the abundant Thrash elements, we'll discover a material trying to mix Black Norwegian style with the Swedish Death Metal, so AMON AMARTH is the nearest example I can find now. It is obvious they're good into playing Black Metal and do it quite fine, I cannot spot any non-synchronizations, the sound's quality is high, the evil voices are perfect, everything is ok... it's just that we're dealing with another Black Metal clone! No shade of stylistic personality... pity, they certainly know how to play.
Rating: 0.79/1
ANGANTYR (DEN) - "Haevn" CD'07
(DGF)
After a CD that impressed me not, this Danish guy (Ynleborgaz) comes with a new album, somehow more profound than the previous one, with plenty of traditional influences, yet completely anchored in the same Northern Black Metal, with the rasped voice and the Heavy guitar riffs... I can spot some melodicity in the background, trying to contour the specific style for them, yet it is too timidly executed. Listening to ANGANTYR, I recall a band sounding identical: TAAKE! So, music alike seems to be properly described by: Grim, Cold, Furious, Christslaying Black Metal... I just want to add that the recording and mixing are quite modest, everything sounds too weak and confused.
www.angantyr.dk
Rating: 0.79/1
VREID (NOR) - "I Krieg" CD'07
(INDIE)
It seems that after the dissolution of WINDIR project, the three members have turned productive over night time, conceiving three albums in three years, the first two "Kraft" and "Pitch Black Brigade" released by another label, but still a Norwegian one. The new material doesn't overrun the former ones; moreover it gives me the feeling that the Nordics are completely lacked in inspiration, not to say limited, failing to express anything new throughout these materials. Mingling Black Metal with Viking and Folk Metal, and adding some Rock'n'Roll elements doesn't impress me at all. It isn't a monotonous album; there is melody but also super-aggressive fragments, there are rhythm breakings, voice alternations... we have an impressive spectre of scents, yet something's missing. I have the feeling that they are too intricate for themselves. I would have liked to uncover an experimental dimension within this sound, but I fear this album doesn't do it either, I couldn't find it anyway. There is a plus though for the track wafting the album's title, as it brings extra value to the material and it's well curdled.
www.myspace.com/thepitchblackbrigade
Rating: 0.80/1
STORMFAGEL (SWE) - "Ett Berg Av Fasa" CD'07
(COLD MEAT)
Consequently to a debut that I've superlatively appreciated, the Hungarian - Swedish duet brings another masterpiece to light, one inserting me into virtual coolness shades, because a music of this kind flings me someplace within Nature, in a thickset forest where the sun can hardly penetrate. This is an original, captivating, mysterious and charming music. The mingling of Ritualistic Martial with the Ethno orchestration, plus the violins, cellos and several other traditional whistles, alongside Eva's mighty voice, embedded in the same Pannonian aura, essentially enhances an unprecedented Dark Romantic realm! Andreas Neidhardt and Eva Mag prove once again that STORMFAGEL is a project that simply cannot be missed, even though the atypical music style uncovered by this album, can surprise or maybe even disappoint on the first listening, seeming too cold and barren...
www.stormfagel.com
Rating: 0.90/1
EILERA (FRA) - "Fusion" CD'07
(SPINEFARM)
Unbelievable: the Finnish label now promotes a French band! That's quite rare! After "Facettes" demo and "Precious Moment" EP, Eilera and Loic Tezenas officially released the debut that will certainly quake the Metal scene! Eilera's voice is crystalline, clear, and mighty but also melancholic, reminding me about the impact Anneke's voice (THE GATHERING) had on "Mandylion". The mix of Gothic, Melodic, Atmospheric with Celtic and Electronic elements generate a bombastic Metal album in the end, with a perfect sound and an exceptional feminine voice that veils the sonorous realm... truly beautiful are also the cello sequences, especially as some of them are accompanied by electro effects, a combination that's completely innovative for me. We are dealing with an extremely comprehensible material, bringing a commercial sound, very rhythmic and atmospheric, pleasantly perceived from the very first listening and influenced by many Metal/Rock bands, where the feminine voice does it all... the new element is brought by the continuous use of cello, remarkably mixing Gothic with Celtic!
www.eilera.com
Rating: 0.90/1
V/A - "Might Is Right-Nordic Warchants" DCD'07
(DGF)
A truly interesting compilation, as the chosen bands approach the same style, some of them having already released material at DGF, other being on their way to do it at the German label, while the rest have certain collaborations with different labels. This double CD's advantage consists in the fact it offers you the opportunity to listen to same bands that perhaps you've never heard before: ANCESTORS BLOOD, VARG or GRIFTERFRID. I also want to mention several bands whose albums are about to be released by DGF in the following months: IRONWOOD, FIRMINSUL, YGGDRASIL or VRANKENVORDE. The digipack's dimension is bigger than a normal CD, and the few words presented in connection with the bands might give you a useful hand. In conclusion, there are two helpful CDs.
www.det-germanske-folket.com
Rating: 0.80/1
CRIONICS (POL) - "Neuthrone" CD'07
(CANDLELIGHT)
Again Black Death Metal, this time excellently executed! The keyboard is present now and then, not necessarily for enhancing the atmosphere, but in order to enrich the sound, unveiling a symphonic dimension. It seems that in Poland is contouring an inland Modern Death Metal current, highly qualitative from the interpretational point of view. This very album is a fresh one, full of energy, dynamism and rapidity, perfectly adequate for this kind of sonorities. Yet, this band has also missed the originality class, and this brings me deep disappointment as the four musicians are quite handy with the instruments, even with the vocal technique. I guess the aggressive Death and Black Metal admirers won't be let down, especially as the comparative bands would turn to be MORBID ANGEL and DIMMU BORGIR... well, this is more Black than the first, but utterly Death in relation with the second one!
www.crionics.rockmetal.pl
Rating: 0.85/1
ISKALD (NOR) - "Shades Of Misery" CD'07
(INDIE)
Black Metal in its most Northern version, sounding alike the 90's style, completely lacked in originality! I am really bored by such sonorities! Analysing it pragmatically, the album sounds fine, oscillating between Heavy and Thrash, with Norse Black Metal scents, pretty dynamic, with rasped and angry voices, explosive guitar riffs and sinister atmosphere. Listening to the album gave me the feeling of turning back in time, fifteen years ago, when I was daily receiving promo-tapes and demo cassettes with young Norwegian bands dedicating their music to Euronymous... and they've all sounded the same way.
www.iskald.com
Rating: 0.75/1
DESIDERII MARGINIS (SWE) - "Seven Sorrows" CD'07
(COLD MEAT)
"Be silent in that solitude, which is not loneliness"... this is what I read on the cover of the sixth album of one of the most respected projects from Cold Meat Industry. Johan Levin is a Dark Ambient genius, which is now returning in power after an elegant material released in 2005, "That which is Tragic and Timeless", revealing new sequences of rapturous beauty! While listening to one track after another, you transcend towards an adimensional realm, without any anchor or need, where solely relaxation and dreaming exist! Calmly spoken words on a fairy background, just seldom perceived throughout the piano intermezzos or the melancholic guitars which obstinate into keeping you connected to what is about to happen, plus a rich sound effects' palette: rumbles, echoes, multiple crossovers, everything is magisterially executed. All these sonorities sculpture a true sonorous masterpiece. "Lifeline" for example, is a track that mingles solitude with melancholia in an equally sinister and romantic form! Excellent!!!
www.desideriimarginis.com
Rating: 0.92/1
ASTAARTH (FRA) - "Gloria Burgundia" CD'07
(BLOOD FIRE DEATH)
We are dealing with plenty of bright and innovative ideas for the Black Metal scene. Especially as this duet originates in France, more precisely in the region you can spot within the album's title and it is all desired to become the Burgund version for Folk Pagan Black Metal! There are many influences from the local folklore, alongside different choirs, multiple traditional instruments (accordion, whistles, violin, flute, tambourine, harp, hurdy-gurdy, spoons), sieved through a quite brutal Metal filter, with a squalled voice that disturbs the ears because of its linearity, accompanied now and then by a normal and a feminine one; in conclusion, ASTAARTH proves by this very album that they have a fine potential, but so far all they've done is brutal, unrefined, just a continuous and unharmonized copy-paste. Yet, I repeat: these guys clearly have a vision of their own and I am convinced that the new album will come along with their expected ripening.
www.astaarth.metalliens.com
Rating: 0.83/1
COPH NIA (SWE) - "The Dark Illuminati: A Celestial Tragedy In Two Acts" CD'07
(COLD MEAT)
Aldenon Satorial overruns himself with this new album. In fact album is somehow a too generous word, because we also have some cover-versions, among which "Sympathy for the Devil" sounds so odd that even Mick Jagger would have to harass into listening to it and furthermore, recognize it! Dark Ambient dresses in Martial cloths now, choosing some Epic dimensions too, but the second part is far more accessible, melodic, melancholic and warm comparing with the first one, which is characterized by a confusing and sinister, even frightening Dark. Aldenon highly relied on his colleague's, Linus Andersson, percussions (including a sinister trumpet), but also on Karina My Andersson's fragile and mermaid like voice. It seems that, at the age of 41, Aldenon succeeded into conceiving another fully attractive new COPH NIA chapter, as intricate, abstract and abstruse for the most... Thelema and the other sources of inspiration seem to be hard to comprehend by the unconnoisseurs, therefore me myself cannot unclose too much details! But I can state for sure that "Religion" is a fascinating track, where the cold, callously expressive masculine voice communicates for over seven minutes with the feminine one, and this very duet open new paths for COPH NIA's sound.
www.cophnia.com
Rating: 0.90/1
EERINESS (SWI) - "Paths" CD'07
(NON STOP)
Ten tracks, a passionately and slightly skilful performed Gothic Metal, a sensational opera feminine voice alongside an awkwardly constrained masculine one, bombastic keyboard, melodious guitars, plus a hardly technical battery and a sublime cello. These characterize the seven Swiss and this very album is highly important for the band, especially as the previous one "A Life beyond the Shades of Time" hasn't quite reached any recognition. Quartered between the early THEATRE OF TRAGEDY and NIGHTWISH, EERINESS has now proven that also from Switzerland can be generated modern Atmospheric Melodic Gothic Metal echoes towards Europe and the rest of the world. Interesting, yet limited.
www.eeriness.ch
Rating: 0.82/1
AS LIGHT DIES (SPA) - "A Step Through The Reflection" CD'07
(MONDONGO CANIBALE)
There two sides for the story of these musicians' debut. Firstly: a very complex sound, wandering through almost every modern musical styles, starting with Black, Death and Doom Metal all the way to Folk and Progressive, using VED BUENS ENDE, CYNIC, OPETH or ORPHANAGE as landmarks. Secondly: a too diverse sound, with lots of rhythm syncope, some of them quite annoying, that failed into creating me the sense of dealing with a conceptual album, well structured and curdled... rather it gave me feeling I was experiencing an amalgam of tracks, each one using a language of its own and that's all. If I've told you that this is an intricate album, than do expect almost everything that crosses your mind: super-aggressive sequences, atmospheric evenly melancholic interludes (alike ANATHEMA's), guitars sounding quite fine on the Progressive fragments, various voices, some of them truly felicitous... If we are to consider the over seventy minutes length too than we are entitled to turn tolerant, even indulgent with this material. Even though I wasn't convinced by these Spanish, they've succeeded into arousing my interest, so I'll be in the waiting to see which direction will they follow in the future.
www.aslightdies.com
Rating: 0.81/1
ATARAXIA (ITA) - "Kremasta Nera" CD'07
(ARK)
The long winded and inspired Italian band has conceived another album, this time under an Italian label's banner. If their previous album, released by Cold Meat Industry three months ago, completely confused me as the theatrical dimension seemed unearthly, the new material is more atmospheric and tangible. Pathed towards the superb "Lost Atlantis", "Kremasta Nera" begins in a very friendly manner, as the tracks are focused on the medieval, even romantic, aura, saturated in Folk and traditional influences; moreover, the splendid feminine voice is enhanced (Francesca has one of the most talented voices that I've heard so far) alongside a distinct orchestration illustrated solely by ATARAXIA. Some abstract and intricate elements are to be disclosed in the second part of the album, destroying the Charm enlivened by such a serene and relaxing sound! It is not a remarkable album, but is doesn't glide down the average either. It is ATARAXIA, and the ones familiar to this very musical style shouldn't be disappointed by this last release... "Lost Atlantis" remains my favorite though...
www.ataraxia.net
Rating: 0.85/1
WINDS (NOR) - "Prominence and Demise" CD'07
(THE END)
To wait an album for two or three years in order to experience disillusion! That's a sore feeling, trust me! Andy Winter seems to have chosen to weaken the keyboards and the piano, as this time the guitars alongside the de voices make the rules, but yet in vain! What happened to WINDS? Have my fears come to life? I used to say that the Progressive these Nordics approach is a finely experiencing one because the Dark and the Atmospheric dimension are at their most, while the guitars' velocity excellently communicates with the violins and the piano, unveiling plenty of melody and rhythm... essentially: beauty. On their new album, WINDS solely insist on Progressive, with stressing rhythm transitions and crotches making the voice turn fade, the troll out is dominant, while the guests' presence is sensed but not in an astounding way. If there is something finely enhanced, than I certainly should point out Hellhammer battery, as this genius has amazed me once more. Trying to reach the positive sense out of this album, I will prominent some beautiful sequences where all the instruments harmonize and the voices strike throughout the multitude of tonalities ("The Grand Design"), plus the rhythm seems to be less interrupted and therefore the sound becomes cursive and less intricate. This album might be a tiny jewel for DREAM THEATER's admirers. As for me, I really don't know what to say, I loved and I still do love WINDS, but, I simply cannot placate with this very album... yet! It's far too technical, too complex, and melancholia, melody and atmosphere have all collapsed! The piano sounds so elevating on "When the Dream of Paradise Died"! Not to mention the guitars... or the masculine voice resonating on certain sequences with the violin and the battery! If until now I have enjoyed everything within WINDS, I fear starting this moment I'll only select the parts I love! Or is it that the album requires longer and deeper listening and sentience in order to be fairly comprehended and enjoyed! I understand that these four Norwegians desired to ascend new dimensions, to disconcert any glimpse of repetition, but still, why did they choose technical prevalence? It's a pity! Otherwise, valuable musicians, high quality recording and mixing, true musical professionals!
www.winds.ws
Rating: 0.88/1
LA DIVISION MENTALE (FRA) - "L'eXtase des fous" CD'07
(THE END)
This is the story of two young French guys, that succeeded into releasing their debut album years after they've started as a band and consequently to a demo material. I have carefully listened to this music but I've discovered almost nothing. Conceiving under an Industrial Black Metal structure, the two approach the Noise dimension too, so that the final sound is a boisterous aggressive one, enhancing a controlled chaos. The sound is fine, evenly ok for a single audition, but I doubt that's all it takes in order to rate it positively. If I would insist on several listening, it might turn tedious.
guerillablog.free.fr
Rating: 0.80/1
THRONEUM/REVELATION OF DOOM - "Total Regresion!" split CD'07
(PAGAN)
Two resembling bands, except the fact the THRONEUM also insists on a bizarre atmosphere. Otherwise, rapid Death Thrash Metal, alike MORGOTH, HELLHAMMER, early CELTIC FROST or DESTRUCTION! Extremely Heavy guitar riffs, demonical voices, plenty of aggressiveness. We are dealing with that particular underground, primitive and raw sound, at all complex and lacked in any modern touches, that true hell where guitars replace the drilling machines and the battery puts an end to everything. I've made a trip back in time for over twenty years ago and thirteen tracks and... I've had enough! Uhhhh, so much hate, extreme violence! That's a split recommended for those yearning for cruuuel Death Thrash Black!
Rating: 0.81/1
SATHANAS - "Flesh For The Devil" MCD'07
(PAGAN)
Solely six tracks, a classic Thrash Death Metal minialbum, exactly alike old good times, meaning music back 25 years ago! Just velocity, maximal blatancy, sick bawls... a continuous infernum... there's absolutely nothing new, but i would have been surprised to see that this Cult band (a legendary one too) is able to conceive and play differently!
www.sathanas.net
Rating: 0.78/1
DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA (SWE) - "The Butcher's Ballroom" CD'07
(CANDLELIGHT)
Uhhhh! What kind of a music is this? Coming from Sweden, the six present us a novel and quite attractive mix of Metal with Operatic, Jazz, Mexican Mariachi... the guitars' riffs are the sole ones that keep the Metal line alive ... perhaps some battery does too... in rest, it's an innovative style, with soprano voices reminding me of Tarja. In fact, the Metal elements remind me of Nightwish in their rapid sequences, but that is the only similitude I can make. Otherwise, thirteen very dynamic and diverse tracks, having a remarkable specific contour, dominated by that wonderful feminine voice and a brightly played keyboard oscillating between the 60's - 70's accords and the modernist ones, bombastic and fully atmospheric! The cold guitars unveil their own Latin - American beauty... and I also discover some violins that give me vertigos in the Operatic and Neoclassic background! A damn hard to describe band, that's what it is! We have a non-conventional, nonconformist, hallucinating and very complex album unveiling influences from everywhere. I can already imagine them conceiving a true symphonic Rock opera, maybe even alongside THERION.
www.diabloswing.com
Rating: 0.90/1
KRODA (UKR) - "Fimbulvinter" CD'07
(HAMMERMARK)
To my shame, this is the first time I am listening to this duet! And there are plenty reasons for my regret, as the pure Black Metal that they're approaching is an excellently conceived and performed one! Not to say that I've felt in love with the CD's booklet as it is simply extraordinary! Images of Carpathian Mountains, wintered ones... Cold True Black Metal indeed! Even though they sing in their language, I can also read the lyrics' translation, standing as a proof for the fact that they're a conceptual band. If I've also found terms alike Odin or Valhalla, that a completely different story, a disappointing one for me, but it seems to be still on vogue to use Northern Gods and Their runes as inspirational elements, no matter which country you are coming from! I see KRODA as the Ukrainian version of NEGURA BUNGET, as their music resembles NEGURA's first albums! Eisenslav voice has some similarities with Varg Vikerness's, but this one also reaches various inflections, even succeeding to stay in line on the extremely rapid sequences when the guitars dominate! In the background I can uncover traditional instruments, all sorts of whistles and other elements adding distinct vividness to this aggressive Black Metal which, aside from the battery that sounds rudimentary, is excellent. A true surprise this very band which, I solely now come into knowing, has already released some other albums, some say just as good as this one! About them, another time!
www.kroda.com.ua
Rating: 0.90/1
OBITUARY (US) - "Xecutioner's Return" CD'07
(CANDLELIGHT)
The brothers Tardy and Trevor Peres seem to never get tired, so they keep on releasing one album after another. If Roadrunner closed up, the Americans signed with the British Candlelight and so we can hold a new material in our hands. Honestly, from the first accord to the final one I couldn't spot a single scent of new, as it is the eternal American Death Metal, without any shade of novelty or change, both in what concerns the conception and the interpretation. Maybe this album will be enjoyed by Death Metal or OBITUARY fans! It solely represents to me a modest album, lacked in inspiration, one that had to be done and perhaps get an observation note somewhere!
www.obituary.cc
Rating: 0.83/1
SUFFERING DOWN (ESP) - "Massive Genocide, Collective Suicide... Hurting Katharsis" CD'03
Eol sent me this CD that has been released four years ago, alongside other CDs with the projects he has participated to or still is involved in. In this particular case, we are dealing with fully atmospheric Black Death Metal, very high performed and so I cannot understand how come no label offered them a contract so far! The masculine voice is thick and brutal (alike the specific Death Metal one) somehow reminding of SEPTIC FLESH's first two albums. The keyboard is bombastic, there is rhythm also melody is present so, even if it's not an original sound, it is placed above the average. Despite the fact the album is rather old I do believe a reminder is welcomed.
www.sufferingdown.com
Rating: 0.85/1
AMORAL (FIN) - "Reptile Ride" CD'07
(SPINEFARM)
The third album of these Finns also celebrates over ten years of their activity and it seems this is valued by the label which offers them massive promotion. This Melodic Death Metal also enhancing Thrash and Technical elements doesn't sound bad at all, instrumentally speaking. As far as ideas and conception is concerned, AMORAL is a modest band, incapable to detach the rest of the bands alike, maybe except the mastery of those finely sounding guitars. The grim voice, classical for Death Metal, is an extreme but linear one, making the whole album seem common, as the tracks highly resemble one another. An arch album, nothing else.
Rating: 0.82/1
TULUS (NOR) - "Biography Obscene" CD'07
(INDIE)
An eternity has passed since I've last heard of these Norwegians. I know they've focused on KHOLD, OLD MAN'S CHILD and SENSA ANIMA and that this project, enlivened fifteen years ago, has been freezed. Now, they've succeeded to defreeze it, so Sverre, Bergli and Victor released a new album, in the same Norse Old School Black Metal manner, yet also entwining some new elements, violins and trumpets featured on the intro sequences, just in order add some extra flavor to the sound. I wonder if i should continue writing about a band that started quite fine somewhere in the 90's and now returns to recount us (musically of course) what they've used to think back fifteen years ago. Just average Nordic Black Metal, that's all it is.
Rating: 0.80/1
