SINCERA
“Cursed And Proud”
(Abyss)
I think I remember Fester. I know I bought that first Fester album simply because it was released on No Fashion Records, along with Marduk’s first album. Sincera is as far as I understand some sort of continuation of Fester. I had kind of expected a more retro oriented album but this turned out to be quite contemporary in its dark/black metal approach. Continue reading
SINGLE BULLET THEORY
“IV”
(Goomba)
There is a certain charm to the band name Single Bullet Theory. It is a statement of intent if any. I kind of expected Single Bullet Theory to be along the lines of Machine Head’s debut album but this turned out to be something totally different, yet equally good. Continue reading
Fornost Arnor
“The Death Of A Rose”
(Witch-King Records)
Not quite as insane as The Dillinger Escape Plan but still well off the wall comes England’s Fornost Arnor who aren’t named after some quaint little village covered in roses, but a city from Tolkien’s Middle Earth! Thankfully they don’t sing about Orcs either but seem to have drawn inspiration from the likes of Opeth in producing epic musical experiences – in this case fusing blackish riffs a la Emperor and Mouth Of Sauron vocals coupled with prog melodies, acoustics, soft passages and even femme vocals. Continue reading
Speed Limit
“Unchained / Prophecy” 2CD REISSUE
(Karthago Records)
Despite being neighbors to the mighty metal market of Germany, little is known other than to connoisseurs, about the early 80s Austrian metal market? Well Speed Limit were one of the forerunners, beginning in the late 70s, releasing their debut “Unchained” in the mid 80s and its follow up “The Prophecy” in 1988. Continue reading
The Browning
“Burn This World”
(Earache Records)
Straight outta big D (Dallas) comes The Browning – strange name whether it’s from one of the band members streets or the firearms company! Even stranger still is the band’s sound – a mixture of metal and electronica or ‘ravecore’ as they are now being labelled by their fans. Continue reading
Screaming Shadows
“Night Keeper”
(Jolly Roger Records)
Wow, I hope this album gets wider attention because it is a power / classical metal album par excellence! Screaming Shadows are a little known Italian band despite this being their 3rd album but I hope “Night Keeper” cracks it for them because it truly rates a triple A: superb musicianship in all depts; intelligent song arrangements; excellent use of melodies and most of all, played with passion and style! Continue reading
Puddle of Mudd
“Re:(Disc)overed”
(Goomba Music)
Allegedly named after the Missouri River flood of ’93, this post grunge band having been going it solo for close to 20 years. Prior to working on a new album in 2012, the band have released “Re:(Disc)overed”, an album of no less than 13 classic rock covers – yes, covers! Continue reading
Nile
“Worship The Animal (1994 -The Lost Recordings)”
(Goomba Music)
Man, talk about a blast from the past! I wouldn’t exactly say these are ‘lost’ recordings but this is essentially Nile’s demo from back in 1994 which means some of you out there might not have been even born LOL. I have a special place in my heart for Nile given they were fatefully signed by Relapse Records at the Expo Of The Extreme in 1996, an event I had some involvement in at the time – as I recollect we almost didn’t allow the label into the venue owing to a mix up! Continue reading
Saltatio Mortis
“Sturm aufs Paradies”
(Napalm Records)
Napalm are amassing quite a buncha these bands that feature bagpipes a plenty – from the jolly pirates of Alestorm to the jovial folks of Svartsot. Now come the Germans in the form of Saltatio Mortis (meaning dance of death) who take their inspiration from the dark ages! Continue reading
Wolfpakk
“Wolfpakk”
(AFM Records)
Whoa – thundering heavy metal courtesy of alpha dawgs Michael Voss (Ex-Casanova, Mad Max) and Mark Sweeney (Ex-Crystal Ball)! Screaming vocals, smashing drums, wolverine vocals, crunching guitar and keyboards that don’t bleet like sheep – yeah, this is just what the heavy metal doctor ordered on songs like ‘Slam Down The Hammer’, ‘Ride The Bullet’ and the kinky ‘Reptile’s Kiss’. Continue reading
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