“Where metal and thunder clash in ectasy…”

Now, who the hell wants to know what I have to say about a certain band??? I ONLY have been an underground metal fan since 1984... Yeah, I guess I’m not really qualified to say a word about nothing, probably I know bollocks about music, but hey, it’s METAL all the way... Any words that might be offensive are purely intentional to be like that.  So stop whinning and scroll down... Down to the pits of hell...

THE CROWN “Deathking Race” - Metal Blade Records

Fierce death metal with lots of thrash with face-melting riffs...imagine DEICIDE and now add some AT THE GATES and probably you’ll get the idea. Songs like “I wont follow” just simply rage. Sure, they do have a weird “rock & roll” feel, but more akin to early DARK ANGEL and VENOM...get this at any fucking cost. Get ALL their stuff too (their first two albums went under CROWN OF THORNS). Total Satan!!!

WHITE SKULL “Public glory, secret agony” Nuclear Blast Records

Ball-blazing heavy metal from Italy...and this is their FOURTH album...I have the previous one, and it is on the same vein...crushing HEAVY metal riffs with great vocals, courtesy of Federica “Sister”...let me tell you this girl has more guts than many “vocalists” out there...when she wants she goes melodic, BUT also she does rages...probably there are many choruses for my tastes, but the songs are killer, heavy pounding riffs. NOT to be confused with power metal, this is pure heavy metal...

SODOM “Code Red” Drakkar Records

After all the big dissapointments of my former heroes (Kreator, Metallica, Whiplash...) I wondered if SODOM could pull it off, after some really mediocre albums, BUT to my fucking surprise they did!!! “Code Red” is probably one of the best records for an extreme thrash metal band...it’s heavier than ever, and drifts away from the hardcore sound of the last albums...still “Agent Orange” is their best, but this is a strong one.

DESTRUCTION “All hell breaks loose” Nuclear Blast Records

To be honest, I was expecting THE WORST. Being a BIG fan of their early releases I went out and get a copy of their atrocius past efforts after “Release from agony”...bu then, I saw that face...Schmier??? Schmier!!! He’s back, older an wiser to do a big comeback, with a very solid thrash metal album...his vocals changed though, and that was something that at least for me was a trademark, but it’s not that bad, the killer riffs are there, and there are some very good songs...another worthy comeback.

RITUAL CARNAGE “Every nerve alive” Osmose Productions

What a FUCK!!! This is the REAL SHIT. Very extreme deathrash metal in the vein of early SLAYER... This is INTENSE and GREAT. Not your average “retrogarbage” band, but REAL METAL. I found many doses of VIO-LENCE and EXODUS riffs in here... RITUAL CARNAGE does it with a very evil kind of sound (by the way they’re from Japan, although fronted by an american guy) I don’t give a shit if you support them or not, but for hell’s sake I will. GET AT ANY COST.

ULCUS “Cherish the Obscure” Shiver Records

Bands like this makes underground to be a nice place to die. ULCUS from Norway plays the kind of creepy dark metal sure to please both death and black metal fans. I don’t know if it is because of the way they use keyboards, but it makes things to sound eerie...the vocals are also brilliant and the production gots that perfect mix between rawness and heaviness...atmospheric, yet heavy...Shiver needs to grow bigger, with bands like this they are on the right way...

IN AETERNUM “The pestilent plague” Necropolis Records

Fast and furious death metal with some black touches and a similar style to the almighty DISSECTION...but not yet in that league...you see many songs sound alike and the production, while very good, lacks something...probably if this was rawer...the vocals are a bit unidimensional...it’s a good release, but not yet in the monumental vein.

OPETH “Still life” Peaceville Records

The masters have done it again...epic death metal of the highest caliber...it is complex at times, yet it does possess that strange and melancholic aura...so heavy...Mikael vocals are hell-sent...the whole concept, art and music are just magnificent...if you are just a plain asshole you WON’T get this...otherwise, by now this is completing your OPETH collection...essential epic metal...

CRANIUM “Speed metal sentence” Necropolis Records

Don’t laugh...at first sight it seems like “oh, another retrothrash band”...man, even they claim to have “lead german vocals”...but, oh, this is actually VERY good...obviously it is more in the deathrash/black vein with many speed metal riffs, and very stupid lyrics, but that is how it must be...idiotic, yet excellent...as a band on it’s own, it fucking rules, and among the bands resurrecting the old feeling, this is the best.

VADER “Litany” Metal Blade Records

How many years since I received the magnificent “Morbid Reich” demo??? Hell, long time ago, and yet this polish death machine doing great music...still I think the vocals could be better and have more variation, but the music is so intense, so tight...this gives REAL death metal a new form...VADER is a trademark for quality and extreme death metal.

KRISIUN “Conquerors of armaggedon” Century Media Records

Satanic high speed death metal, pretty much in the early MORBID ANGEL vein...blasting all the way, Brazil’s KRISIUN does a great job in sounding tight and brutal, while having those dark and mounstrous riffs of pure violence...hard to compare them to any other band, as they have their very own feeling...a non-stop salughter with great songs and musicianship. Rise your hate level to hell with this one...extreme metal at it’s best.

IN QUEST “Operation: Citadel” Shiver Records

Pure brutal death metal in the american vein...now, if a band member uses a KORN t-shirt something might be very wrong...whatever, this is well done, but not very exciting, they could use some more imagination in their songs, it’s OK to be brutal, but do it with some style...they need to improve more to gain some attention.

THE CHASM “Procession to the Infraworld” Dwell Records

Th cult of death lives...this is, without doubt a great album and their best work to date...while there is melody, there is always pure hatred... they gain strenght form all kinds of death metal and turnes the rage-o-meter to 11... take in early SLAYER forge it with more actual black/death and you might get an idea... Heavy punding metal of death, to conquer the weaks of soul...beware...

BURIED DREAMS “Perceptions” Oz Records

Second CD of this mexican band that tries to mix power and death metal. The music is very much in the melodic swedish “death” metal vein, with many touches of BLIND GUARDIAN-like power metal. They went all the way to record at Fredman Studios, so the sound is good. They do have some good songs like “At the end”, and sound very tight. For  DARK TRANQUILLITY and IN FLAMES fans. Well done but nothing out of the ordinary.

SOILWORK “The chainheart machine” Century Media Records

This is as close as AT THE GATES you can get today. Melodic, yet aggressive riffs and heavy pounding sounds. They do have keyboards, but they use them more like a back-up instrument rather than a main one. It is less heavy metal inspired and more thrash sounding, but not all that consistent at all. Maybe if they get rid off their more melodic sounding riffs and got angrier it would really kill. 

KING DIAMOND “House of god” Massacre Records

For the King it must be difficult to top “Abigail” as it is probably one of THE GREATEST heavy metal albums of all time. This one is up to the great sound of “Fatal protrait”, and showcases a more direct style, more traditional, that in this case is very good. Containing great eerie songs and killer riffs “House of god” stands as one of the best KING DIAMOND albums, and surely will satisfy any real dark metaller.

NIGHTWISH “Wishmaster” Spinefarm Records

Their past albums, were OK, if you qualify it as more “Symphonic” metal. I just thought it gots many lead female opera vocals. Oh, shit, it is ALL female opera vocals. I like the fact that the guitars are really heavy, and showcases a heavier background of the band members.  And to be honest the vocals goes very well with the music. The whole concept of this album is a good one., but still I need something more aggressive.

NECROPHOBIC “The third antichrist” Black Mark Records

Probably this band went ahead of their time with their first album “The nocturnal silence”. Two albums later, they still have the shadow of that masterpiece lurking. Actually this is better than “Darkside”, they do have heavier songs like they used in their first album. Still many songs sound a bit alike. They really need a heavier guitar sound. Still it is one good death/black metal album, with some killers songs.  Christian days are counted...FULL ATTACK!!!

DEE SNIDER “Never let the bastards wear you down” Koch Records

This former TWISTED SISTER frontman releases a CD of songs that actually never made it to the band, and some solo projects. So, it is more a compilation than anything else, but recorded in one stand. There’s some heavy rock songs, as well as some blues influenced songs on it.  I do hear his vocals less aggressive than he did with the SISTER, probably blame it to time. For diehard followers only.

THY PRIMORDIAL”The heresy of an age of reason” Pulverised Records

Third attack of pure black metal from Sweden. This is more traditional fast paced black metal, with less melody than today’s black metal bands, BUT with a very good production. Raw and primitive are some words to define it. Just it seems that the album is one long song, as most of the (fast) pace is the same.  Think of a more straightforward MARDUK and you’ll get the idea. Very common, yet well done.

UNMOORED “Kingdoms of greed” Pulverised Records

Weird. Actually it is hard to define the sound of this swedish band at all. Sure it is rooted on brutal death metal, but some riffs have a weird mosh-like style. Or maybe it is because they try to be too technical at times. As a whole it turns out to be an interesting album, with a diverse sound, but if they tried to go the early ATHEIST way, they still have to do more. Great cover art by the once praised Dan Seagrave.

IMMORTAL “Damned in black” Osmose Productions

At first it was hard to get into this one. It is less straightforward than their last masterpiece “At the heart of winter”, and that is what makes this a hell of an album. Each time you listen to this intense black metal assault you’ll discover something new. With a MASSIVE production and a very aggressive approach, they have created a pure musical onslaught, with killer riff after killer riff. Bow before one of the best black metal lbums ever.

ETERNAL OATH “Through the eyes of hatred” Pulverised Records

Mid-paced death metal, with a strong melancholic doom metal influence. Not brutal or fast, but played with more emotion. It reminds me of when PARADISE LOST  was death metal. There is an overall sad atmosphere in all  the songs. There is hardly something new or exciting, but for once it is good to see someone doing a music style that very few continued on. Doom/death metal fans will be delighted. 

AVALANCH “Llanto de un héroe” Discos Misha

I expected the worse. It is sung in spanish and they told me it was power metal. BUT to my surprise this is better than I expected. A LOT BETTER. No doubt they want to be HELLOWEEN from the “Keeper pt. 1”,  but they do play with emotion AND heaviness. And the vocals are good, EVEN if they are in spanish. More metal sounding than many bands out there, I just hope this spanish band chooses to sing in english. Very good release.

OLD MAN’S CHILD “Revelation 666: the curse of damnation” Century Media Records

Another case of creating a better album before and not being able to top it. “Ill-natured spiritual invasion” is one of the best black metal albums, mainly for melting more traditional metal with aggressive black/death metal. Now, “Revelation 666” is good too, but it somehow lacks the massive riffs and overall atmosphere of the aforementioned album. Still, it is a very good addition to any metalhead collection.

A PERPETUAL DYING MIRROR “Towards a constellation view” Nightgaunt Records

Heavy, slow doom/death metal with deep vocals. This is a demo-tape with a very professional presentation from this sad metal band from Mexico. It reminds me to the early works of MY DYING BRIDE and ANATHEMA although with a personal touch. Not really intense or aggressive, but it’s heavy and atmospheric. Doom fans will surely dig this one.

NECRODEATH “Matter of all evil” Scarlet Records

Oh my...I just remember now how this band second masterpiece “Fragments of insanity” was my fave for a while...their first album was great too, but I always prefered the second...then came silence, and now this italian black/deathrash combo is ready for killing. A vicious and brutal comeback with one strong album...yeah it sounds “oldie”...so are these guys...among the revivals, this is probably the best one. All hail the mighty death of the dead!!!

ROTTING CHRIST “Khronos” Century Media Records

They say this one is back to the roots of their first godly album...well, almost. It is less atmospheric than the previous albums, and obviously faster, but still something is lost...they have grown as musicians and the production is top notch, yet there’s still the ghost of their goth-like sound...as it is now, this is a good step, but I would prefer it to be more brutal and mystic.

MANOWAR “Hell on earth pt. 1” video, Metal Blade Records

...and once again the elders must come and give the youth a lesson... this is by any means a MAGNIFICENT video of one hell of a band...I was a regular follower of them, but this seriously will change things...and they are die-hard metal all the way...If you think that MANOWAR does ballads, think again...do ballads tell about brave battles and death? HELL NO...get this video AT ANY COST...I won’t tell you that you can die happily after seing MANOWAR live...you must.

NAMTARU “The plagues of namtar” Gothic Records

This four song MCD contains brutal death/black metal with some thrash sound...for an american band, it is good to hear something like this. My main complain is the production, which is not powerful enough. Still, the band is not tight enough and without a proper identity. I sense some good potential here, but they must work hard to develop a sound.

ANCIENT “The halls of eternity” Metal Blade Records

Atmospheric traditional black metal. It is well played, with a good production, yet it is very generic. Take IMMORTAL for example of how to keep black metal sounding frech, yet still very dark. This is not heavy at all, and does rely a lot in very basic riffs. It is hard to believe they have released a couple of albums and still none of them is really good.

ANAEMIA “The second incarnation” Endtime Productions

Take heavy music like BLACK SABBATH, some early thrash ala EXODUS and put on some death/core shouting and you get the idea. With a heavy and thick production, ANAEMIA puts a powerful and diverse disc. It reminded me at times to the more punk elements of early CELTIC FROST. Fans of CROWBAR might find this one fo their liking.

NIFELHEIM “Servants of darkness” Black Sun Records

Barbaric, yet stupid. So, what makes a band cloning old SODOM and SARCOFAGO that  great? That it gets the sound of a deathmachine rolling through human bones. This makes metal again dangerous and not for everyone. Add to that a good production and musicianship and that’s all a metaller needs.  Get this one on vynil and praise the beast !!!

LENGSEL “Solace” Black Sun Records

Proggressive. Weird and haunting. Yet it is at it’s core raw black metal. Think of OPETH but rooted more on traditional black metal. It is extremely well played and skillful, full of chilling atmospheres, yet intense aggression. This swedish trio makes us travel through 8 songs of epic metal. For those looking for something quite different, Really good.

OCEANS OF SADNESS “For We Are” The LSP Company

This kind of music I don’t usually give a damn. Doom/death/black metal and the bios says influenced by old TIAMAT. I was really expectin boring stuff. Much to my surprise this band is great. Take the aforementioned band, mix it with some old SENTENCED and some CHILDREN OF BODOM. There you go. The final result, while not brutal or evil, is without doubt very emotional. A great surprise.

FAERGHAIL “Where Angels Dwell No More” The LSP Company

This is the second album I listen from this finnish band. It is a quite good melodic death/black, with some more traditional heavy metal sound. Not too bad, but songs tend to sound the same. I’m sure those CHILDREN OF BODOM fans will also like this one. Good layout and recording.

STRATUZ “Spirit Seduction” The LSP Company

From Venezuela, this is good death metal, played very good and with melody. The production is also very good. It is not exactly fast, but it is intense. Think about a mix of brutal death metal with lots of influence of melodic doom. Interesting and also quite promising.

NEVERMORE “Dead Heart in a Dead World” Century Media

If their last work was good, this defies imagination. MAGNIFICENT. Heavy, epic, brutal. And they’re not a death or black metal band. It’s hard to describe their extremely heavy and powerful sound, but NEVERMORE is doing things others just dream. Some might call it power metal, but this is way beyond that. Extreme, paramount heavy metal. One of the BEST discs around. ESSENTIAL.

GEHENNA “Murder” Moonfog Productions

Forget their keyboard doomy black metal. This is pure DEATH METAL. In fact imagine SLAYER gone berserk. That’s the new sound of GEHENNA which is just a natural progression of the last one. It is very good, but two things kinda stops this from being great: the vocals are way too low on the mix and the final result could be stronger. Anyway, a very good release.

THIRD MOON “Bloodforsaken” Napalm Records

Never heard of this band form Austria. This I think is not their first album, and it is a very good one. It remind me more to AMON AMARTH than to AT THE GATES. It is aggressive and melodic, and the vocals are variated. I like the fact that is more somber than many “happy” sounding “death” metal bands. Give them a try, they might become among your new faves.