REVIEWS 6 (Vanya)
VASTION
“Closed Eyes To Nothing” CD
RETRIBUTE Records
This American band presents hellish fast and monotonous Death Metal with technical layout and Grind influences. This is their first album and I think it’s quite acceptable for a first release. There’re some screaming vocals, but as a whole they are very raw and vicious grunts. I liked the fast passages of the drums and they’re predominant. Check out this album if you look for intense and fast US Death Metal!
Contact: Retribute, P.O. Box 76, New Ferry, CH63 0QT, England.
Diliana Iankova . 6,75
ALGHAZANTH
“Thy Aeons Envenomed Sanity” CD
WOODCUT Records
After two demo recordings the Finns ALGHAZANTH (first formed in 1995) assault with their full-length “Thy Aeons Envenomed Sanity”. Once raised in Tico-Tico Studio this CD now exhibits fast Black Metal completely consistent with the current tendencies. Nine forgettable tracks, despite the guestship of Blastmor (THYRANE). Anyway the things may change further – “Thy Aeons Envenomed Saints” is the debut album of ALGHAZANTH though.
Vanya Marinova . 6,0
VIOLATION
“Moonlight’s Child” CD
RED STREAM
“Moonlight’s Child” – a grim matter of melodic Death with a mesmeric atmosphere, emerged from the German Metal Underground and recorded in the Swedish untrodden woods at Peter Tagtgren’s sound-recording headquarters. The members gathered in 1993 to pay tribute to their music gods, but soon the project turned out to be quite a promising one and praised by the masses as well. Their second album continues their music quests in the vehement Death Metal field, lining them with charming melodies. This moonlight entity is woven by frequent changes in the bloody, hacking guitar riffs and nailing-down drum explosions. The faraway keyboard reveries bring shelter amongst the brutal sound. The apt interaction between the monstrous and conquering leading vocals and the desirous whispers and raising signing of the keyboarder Claudia are like a vital flush, which gives live to the whole creature. Fascinating album, especially at the finish, where the soothing outro takes you along the lunar path without ever coming back.
Trivia . 8,5
DECAYED REMAINS
“One Man’s Fate” CD
CDN
DECAYED REMAINS attracted my notice over their music. I admire the strange fusing of Thrash/Death and Black Metal with a wide using of keyboards and unique ardored atmosphere.
Thrashy riffs are merged with Death passages in a middle tempo. The vocals are typically growls and dominate over the screams and the clean voice. There’re long and emotional solos. “One Man’s Fate” contains 9 tracks for more than 48 minutes gathered in a fantastic production.
Contact: CDN, 1010 Morand Streat, Windsor, Ontario, N9G 1J6, Canada.
Diliana Iankova . 7,5
ROTTEN SOUND
“Drain” CD
REPULSE
Wow! Finland shows teeth! Rising from beneath ROTTEN SOUND is to “Drain” you all to the dregs! Recorded at the well known Sunlight Studio the second album of this band offers a vortex of haunting rumbling, unpredictable chord-lashing and schizoid outrage. Hell is here – Grinding To The Core!
Contact: Repulse, P.O. Box 50562, 28080 Madrid, Spain.
Vanya Marinova . 7,5
EISREGEN
“Leichenlager” CD
LAST EPISODE
Obviously the German extreme scene hasn’t brought forth Gothic, Heavy and Industrial prodigies only. And EISREGEN is a vivid proof of my words, because “The Corpse Camp (Leichenlager)” represents an experimental and standing away from the trends effort, which comes to be the third successful stroke of the band. The guys from the “Ice-rain” present an interesting interpretation of Black Metal with Death touches yet some Industrial beats and doomy spirit here and there. Very sharp and wrathful Metal combined with malevolent verses in German, which express the black humour of their creator – M. Roth. The complex structures of the songs are decorated with violin winds that carry you in a psychic dance. Meanwhile the acrimony, pouring from the rocket guitar passages, the subduing Black Metal bawls and the deafening drum assaults, spreads lightnings like a pest, which destroys every cell of your brains and freezes your souls. No matter what you try, you can’t escape from its cold predatory claws (since once you’ve set it free, playing this album on your CD player)!
Trivia . 8,0
SACRIFICIAL
“Erect: Eloquent: Extinct” CD
MIGHTY MUSIC
On January 2000 the land of INVOCATOR, CAUSTIC and (last but not least!) MERCYFUL FATE quaked again. Main cause: SACRIFICIAL. The band, once erected in 1990 strikes back with technical Death/Thrash Metal in vein of THE HAUNTED, ARCH ENEMY (“Burning Bridges”) and the legendary DARK ANGEL. The epistle of Meier Bros & Co is ELOQUENT: only losers EXTINCT!
Vanya Marinova . 7,5
BELEF
“Deathwind Legion” MCD
CRIMINAL Records
A harrowing intro! Slowly, but steadily it sucks into your mentality and breaks bloodthirstily your will. A raging tornado of torturing noises, inhuman wails and moans, which gradually grow into maddening, uncompromising and ferocious Black Metal (with slight Death influences). With their music the French men open the bowels of the earth to set free the raging hordes of the night to drown your darkest nightmares in blood. Rawness and genocidal urges are lying in ambush in the blasting guitar scrapes, hurricane battery and scorching, devilish howls. Extremely fast and blasphemous Black Metal crushing your senses!
Contact: Criminal Records, BP 85, 06212 Mandelieu Cedex, France.
Trivia . 8,75
TALVISOTA
“Finnish Dark/Black Metal Compilation” CD
WOODCUT Records
This compilation contains only Finnish bands. There’re 17 tracks of well-known acts and newcomers in Dark/Black Metal scene. Most of the songs are unreleased (*). The openers are ALGHAZANTH with “Netherworldly” (*). In alphabetical order follows the rest of the bands: the great…AND OCEANS with “Necromechanic Tripper” (*), BARATHRUM, BEHEXEN, the newcomers BLACK DAWN with two unreleased tracks with an almost demo sound, ENOCHIAN CRESCENT, FLAUROS with “Monuments Of Weakness” (*) – I liked this band a lot! The folklore Black Metal magnificent act FINNTROLL, FUNERIS NOCTURNUM – they’re a bit heavier in comparison with the other bands in this compilation. Followed by HORNA and “Uhrivalkea” (*). Then come bands unknown for me – MOONSORROW, PEST, KYPRIAN’S CIRCLE, MUSTAN KUUN LAPSET and finally some of the best Finnish acts – THROES OF DAWN, THYRANE and THY SERPENT. This compilation is a perfect filling to your collection, so don’t hesitate and get it!
Diliana Iankova . 8,0
ENOCHIAN CRESCENT
“Omega Telocvovim” CD
AVANTGARDE MUSIC
“Omega Telocvovim” is the second release of this band. A neo Black Metal work where euphonious (a bit Garm-like) vocals are combined with guttural outrage on the background of technical drumming & varied solos. The trump of ENOCHIAN CRESCENT is definitely the moderate and appropriate alternation of moods varying from aggression to melancholy. Yet another priority: synths are missing.
Vanya Marinova . 7,75
DREAMS OF SANITY
“The Game” CD
HALL OF SERMON
One big stage; one big player! A protagonist, who is materialized before you to take a part in a never-ending game. Or is it a game really? The conception of the new album of the Austrians DREAMS OF SANITY spins around a creature, which acquaints the spectators with his life, full of sorrow, confusion and pain. Visions, feelings and puzzles pass before your eyes like a dream in the abundant in melody and splendour Gothic with a stable quantity of intensity in it. Elevating emotional music sparkles through the melodic moving solos and harsh drum attacks, while yearning keys stroll gracefully and then rush in an alluring dance among them. And the reflective story is narrated through the multi-potential vanquishing voice of Sandra Schleret, whose enrapturing vocal parts make you forget your inertia and become a participant in the bitterness, soaked in the album. Thus “The Game” soon turns up to be an outlet of your own passions and experiences.
Trivia . 8,5
UNMOORED
“Kingdoms Of Greed” CD
PULVERIZED Records
My views and estimate about music were totally confused when I heard UNMOORED’ s music. They mix Thrash/Death and Black Metal in the most original way. Their tracks are full of boundless spite and aggression. The production is of highest quality, recorded at Abyss Studios, produced by Tommy Tagtgren. The drums were played by Jocke Pettersson (THY PRIMORDIAL, DAWN) – you must be sure that the drumming is full of energy, really technical and outstanding! There’re some clean voices, but the harsh ones are predominant; some classical parts for guitar and after that – turbulent and stern tunes. There’re included also tambourine, violin and keyboards.
Diliana Iankova . 8,5
ASTRIAAL
“Summoning The Essence Of Ancient Wisdom” MCD
DISSIDENT Records
This is the second abruption of the Australians ASTRIAAL. Once formed in 1998 they first show up with the “Glories Of The Nightsky” demo (sold out in 1999). The “Summoning The Essence Of Ancient Wisdom” MCD now offers fast and rough neo-Black Metal in moments acoustically diversified. Nothing new on the whole but everything has its first time. A track of ASTRIAAL has been included in “Under The Southern Cross” – an Australian compilation since 1999 featuring also SADISTIK EXEKUTION, CRYOGENIC, NAZXUL, ALCHEMIST, PSYCHRIST, LORD KHAOS, etc.
Contact: Dissident Records, P.O. Box 333, Kelvin Grove DC, Qld, 4059, Australia.
Vanya Marinova . 6,0
ANDRAS
“Quest Of Deliverance” CD
LAST EPISODE
After Count Damien Nightsky (guitar) and Black Abyss (bass, vocals) have already managed to gain a cult status to their project ANDRAS, now they launch a new release with the help of EMINENZ’ drummer for the drum-arrangements. A sacrilegious Black Metal product, including a cover-version of SODOM’ s “Blasphemer”. The abominable ambience is surely mollified by the tender “Das Klagelied”, representing a glorious interpretation of a legend from Erzgebirge. Hatred and impious altars appear in your perceptions. The biting, twisting solos and the hellishly ferocious and multifarious drum thunders throw you in pitch-dark catacombs, dwelt by the soldiers of twilight. Moreover the deep infernal vocals and demonic laughs are chasing you, while you shiver and crawl, looking desperately for a haven.
Trivia . 7,5
MUSTAN KUUN LAPSET
“Prologi” MCD
NOCTURNAL MUSIC
As if I’ve listened something out of this band, but I can’t remember anything. There’s a track included in Talvisota compilation. MUSTAN KUUN LAPSET play Dark/Black Metal with influences from Heavy Metal. Some symphonic parts are enriched with raw vocals and fast drumming. Clean solos and harsh guitar riffs – all is merged into beautiful melodies. Exceptionally standing out bass-parts and grunting vocals – this is the music of MUSTAN KUUN LAPSET. If it sounds alluring for you - get this CD!
Contact: Nocturnal Music, Via B. Longo, 211, 80147 Napoli, Italy.
Diliana Iankova . 7,5
DEEP
“Pieces Of Nothing” CD
PAVEMENT MUSIC
This is the debut for the American quintet DEEP. Jerome Hoofnagle, Nick Koubls and Mark Lopez form the band in 1992. For almost two years the band has been searching for a drummer to fit their style and finds him in the likes of Spike Jackson (DECIUS, UNWISHED). The band has played on the same scene with all big Metal bands that have been in Houston (that’s where the musicians are from): SKINLAB, IN FLAMES, HATEBREED, MERCYFUL FATE, TESTAMENT… They have been on tour with NEVERMORE and ARCH ENEMY! “Pieces Of Nothing” is a very powerful and heavy album – ten crushing Power/Thrash songs. DEEP have achieved a characteristic sounding by combining Power Metal, Death and Thrash.
Atanas Kostadinov . 8,0
SPIRITUAL BEGGARS
“Ad Astra” CD
MUSIC FOR NATIONS
Once considered as being among the representatives of the “stoner rock” wave SPIRITUAL BEGGARS now proves that art knows neither boundaries (what categorization for example is) nor peace! Recorded at Fredman Studio, Sweden, and produced by Frederik Nordstrom (AT THE GATES, CANDLEMASS, OPETH, etc.) the “Ad Astra” CD shows music of a really high quality! Unafraid of extending its full potential SPIRITUAL BEGGARS brings the listener “to the stars” with riffs sensibly influenced by BLACK SABBATH and DEEP PURPLE. No doubt, it’s great to hear an album like this in a decade of confusion and technocracy!
Vanya Marinova . 8,75
CARPATHIAN FOREST
“Strange Old Brew” CD
AVANTGARDE MUSIC
The long awaited new album of the Norwegian CARPATHIAN FOREST - one of the masters in the Nordic Metal scene. The line-up features Tchort – guitar (ex-SATYRICON, ex-EMPEROR); Kobro – drums (IN THE WOODS); Vrangsinn – bass & synth programming (WORLD DESTROYER), along with the founders of the band – Nordaving, who left the band right after the recordings, and Nattefrost. “Strange Old Brew” was recorded and produced by Terje Refsness (GEHENNA, SINS OF THY BELOVED, FORLORN, etc.). CARPATHIAN FOREST perform old-school pure Black Metal with progressive broad-minded. This album has a great power; the melodies are defiant and frigid, exclusively individual. There’re a devastating windstorm of the sound and really aggressive rhythms. The new CARPATHIAN FOREST album is already recorded, but it will come out in spring 2001. Its title is “Morbid Fascination Of Death”. We all will wait for it!
Diliana Iankova . 8,0
SYRINX
“Crystal Cliffs” CD
SEASON OF MIST
SYRINX (Henri Ebeyer – vocals, Xavier Richez – guitars, Jean-Charles Ciffreo – bass, Lahovari Belarbi – drums and Serge Santaliestra – keyboards) offer us some pure Progressive Metal in their album. The musicians like technical bands like WATCHTOWER and DREAM THEATER and the result is ten melodic, very diverse and complex compositions included in this strong debut. “Crystal Cliffs” is a proof to the fact that the 80’s Heavy Metal runs through changes and development and namely its Progressive variant is a borderless and inexhaustible territory. This album is a breath of air for all those who are tired of the blind imitation in Metal music, which we can see in most of the contemporary young bands. “New Old World”, “In My Mind”, the aggressive “Nightmare Of War” and the title track are the tracks I would point out, but this is an album, which should be heard from the beginning to end several times!
Atanas Kostadinov . 9,5
CRIMSON GARDEN
“The Dark Mother” CD
THE DRAMA & SIN COMPANY
“The Dark Mother” probably the full-length debut of this French duo offers 9 tracks entirely accorded to the Dark Gothic/Metal tradition. The obligatory gloomy atmosphere is achieved with suitably arranged synths and emphatically melancholic tranquility of both the guitar riffs and the melodic male and female vocal alteration. Although the people involved in CRIMSON GARDEN expose some interesting musical ideas they do not seem to be a sufficient reason for the dark billows from within to rise. The surface is slightly moved, nothing else…
Vanya Marinova . 6,5