6 is poor!
66 is average!
666 is worth playing to the ANCIENT ONES!
Musik Reviews by Vulgardemon and Lucifera
Abyssos-Together We Summon The Dark
More vampyric black metal, musically in the vein of DISSECTION. Songs ranging in the 65 minute mark. This is a 3 member group, excellent packaging and great debut album. I’m impressed. Good guitar work, not overly done keyboards. Songs like Misty Autumn Dance and Banquet in the Dark (Black Friday) show great talent, also included Land of the Somber Reborn, and In Fear They Left The World Unseen a worthy purchase.
66
Cacophonous
Vulgardemon
Acheron-Those Who Have Risen
C.O.S. black metalists offer us a brand new full-length album. It’s a vast improvement from their previous CD and finally a label that can promote them better, while feeling good about release an album. 9 songs plus intro by the infamous Peter Gilmore (editor of the Black Flame). Vocals that remind me of David Vincent (could that be because he’s a guest on this album). The music is still Acheron. Interesting guitar solos and overall production makes this a worthy purchase. Plus special appearance by Gorge Fisher of CANNIBAL CORPSE and as I stated before David Vincent. The album’s main focus is about Temple of the Vampire.
66+
Full Moon Productions
Vulgardemon
Amon Amarth-Once Sent From The Golden Hall
Viking death metal, melodic in the vein of HYPOCRISY meets AT THE GATES. Eight songs which are extremely well put together. Excellent guitar solos, memorable rhythms. The lyrics are cheesy but the vocals handles it all very well. Songs like Ride For Vengeance, Without Fear, and Victorious March are brilliant. Personally speaking, this blows At The Gates away. Get your hands on this one.
66
Metal Blade
Vulgardemon
Angel Corpse-Exterminate
Second album for the mighty Angel Corpse, it’s very reminiscent of MORBID ANGEL’s Alters of Madness. Excellent musicianship! All rhythms and leads are very well executed, drumming is superb and vocals are aggressive as ever. This blows their first album away. 8 songs among the best ones are Christ Hammer, Wartorn, Phallelujah, and Songs of Vengeance. Intelligent metal/ black death. For the elite minds. Join them into the storm of seal if you dare. You are forwarned. Godly.
66+
Osmose
Vulgardemon
Arch Enemy-Stigmata
Second album of melodic death metal outfit featuring ex-CARCASS guitarist, Michael Amott. It’s very technical and very reminiscent of Carcass stuff (solos, rhythms). I hear a lot of Malmsteen and Andy LaRoche influence in the solos. The vocals are harsher than Jeff Walker of ex-Carcass (and ex-vocalist of Carnage). Nine songs mixing their influences and Carcass (Heartwork) but its not better than Heartwork. It’s a good effort. Songs like Beast of Man, Dark of the Sun and Bridge of Destiny show brutality on a melodic level. Just like their previous release Black Earth. It’s a stellar effort.
66+
Century Media
Vulgardemon
Behemoth-Pandemonic Incantation
Behemoth from Poland are back once again with more black metal. Eight songs, well put together. The guitar song reminds me of VADER and you will notice a NECRONIMICON influence. It’s played with conviction and determination, a worthy release which will not disappoint.
66
Solistitium
Vulgardemon
Bethlehem-SUIZID
Hey everybody it’s Bethlehem from Israel…no just kidding. They’re from Germany. This is Blackened/ Doom metal. Their 3rd release, I believe. It contains 9 songs with a very extreme female vocalist and a male vocalist. It’s a depressing album but the only way you will commit ‘suizid’ is if you drink yourself to the point of passing out, you just lost a love one and your sitting in your room listening to this alone. What the fuck am I saying?! Our parents will read this and blame me because you’ll be dead. Anyway, enough stories. At some points this has a similar sound to TYPE O NEGATIVE’s Slow, Deep and Hard (Yeah baby, our perve Xastur will love this-Lucifera) but it’s not hardcore. The lyrics are in German, the music is complex, not many people will appreciate this release because it’s not about moshing or headbanging. It’s about understanding and listening. Try it! For the utterly suizidal.
66+
Red Stream
Vulgardemon
Blood Moon Order-Blood Moon Order
First of all this is not a black metal band which is what comes to mind when one sees the name. This is remarkably aggressive, ritualistic/ vampyric goth/ industrial metal crossover music. The quality of the demo can be better but it doesn’t take away anything from the bands excellent musical delivery. Anthony can shout through a song as well as sing through a gothic piece with a hypnotically beautiful voice that reminds me of Rozz Williams (singer of Christian Death) on the song Someone Else’s Angel. The music is dark, danceable and incredible. Turn on a room full of black and read candles and throw this tape on.
B.M.O-PO Box 701, Westfield, NJ 07091-0701 USA
Lucifera
Choronzon-Magog-Agog
I got two copies of this CD, one straight from Samoth’s label, NOCTURNAL ART PRODUCTION and one from the devilish artist P.E. Williams himself which show how strongly this is being promoted. I had already heard Choronzon before so P.E. Williams said, " I reall, the review of the demo in Endemoniada wasn’t the most positive but I think you might agree this is a bit more developed. " I have to agree 100%. Choronzon has become even more experimental. Absolutely, the most eerie blend of psychedelic black/ gothic metal with wild hints of industrial and traces of thrash metal. This is BIZARRE METAL! From it’s Intro: Dust to Choronzon you can tell there is a deep intrigue with Aleister Crowley and H.P. Lovecraft. Not only is this a one-man project by Mr. Williams but he also does his own unusual and equally bizarre form of art (seen within past issues of Endemoniada fanzines). It had my cat looking for forms and things that were not visible to me. His biography states, “ the concept of Choronzon is based on a long relationship with demon-chaos magick. The inspiration comes from occult study, ritual practice and psychotic and LSD-vision’. Absolute chaos magick, worthy of those with similar views and tastes. If you are unordinary than this is for your dark soul. My favorite songs here is Crimson Awakening where the goth/black experimental sounds are more prevalent!
666+
Foamin Bone Productions/ Nocturnal Arts Productions
Lucifera
Cradle of Filth-Cruelty and the Beast
Vampyric black/goth metallers are back once more with their fourth CD. It’s by far their best one. These songs have such memorable melodies that you’ll have in your head days after. It has that Maiden influence in the music, the vocals are a bit more varied not just that typical screech, the production is flawless and the drumming is unmatched. Absolutely an excellent release. Highly recommended.
666
Mayhem/Fierce
Vulgardemon
Cold As Life-Demo 1997
5 songs about shout outs, revenge, hold ups, hard times, and other themes about the difficulties of life. Hardcore music with barked vocals. They do crossover into punk with some songs. The use of an intro that has absolutely nothing to do with any of the songs. A demo of poor quality. I couldn’t get into this at all.
6
Fist Fight Records
Lucifera
Covenant-Nexus Polaris
Norwegian, two member black metal group becomes a six member supergroup featuring Nagash and Astennu of DIMMU BORGIR, Sverd of ARCTURUS, Hellhammer of MAYHEM and Sarah Jezebel Deva of CRADLE OF FILTH. This CD is so much different than In Times Before the Light. Another comely black metal CD it has influences like classical disco or techno, it’s eccentric and it also has an Arcturus feel to it. It’s not a typical black metal release. Not a lot of people will like this one. Get this only on an open mind. Listen to it and this will sink in. 8 songs with great cover and clear production. A great musical mix.
66+
Nuclear Blast
Vulgardemon
Dark Funeral-Vobiscum Satanas
Second album by these black metal warriors. This contains a totally revamped line-up with the only original member being Ahriman. Some of you think that it wont be as good as Secrets of the Black Arts. You’re dead wrong! This album tears Secrets… to shreds. It’s overall production is awesome. The songs are structured extremely well. Vocals are better on this one plus the songs like opener Ravenna Strigoi Mortal and Enriched by Evil have haunting riffs which will linger in your mind. It also includes Evil Prevail and the title track Vobiscum Satanas (which means ‘Satan’s Blessing’). There are eight classic songs of well played black metal. A top notch album which deserves attention to all type of extremists, thy legion come.
666
Mayhem/ Fierce
Vulgardemon
Dawn-SlaugtherSun (Crown of the Triarchy)
Instant classikkk! This CD is unreal! The musicianship, it’s so damn together, so tight! Wow! I’m stunned! It reminds me a bit of DISSECTION but no too much. They have come up with a sound of their own. Great production, prominent vocals, excellent drumming and cold grim lyrics about the dark cloud that’s over our race. Intelligent minds. Not for everybody, this buries all trends! True blackened death metal. 7 songs raging one hour playing time. Unfuckin’ real!!!
666+
Necropolis
Vulgardemon
Dehumanized-Prophecies Foretold
9 songs of straight forward death metal, no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it! Jerry (the vocalist), I’ve got to congratulate you, you made an excellent move by choosing to sing for this band. Intense growled vocals and aggressive music to compliment Jerry’s vocals. This is a little better than your average death metal band. Four of the songs on this are from their Terminal Punishment demo. Check these guys out if you haven’t already. Great production.
66 ½ +
Dwyer-PO Box 4198, Middletown, RI 02842 USA/ email: DethMetlNY@aol.com
Lucifera
Diabolic-City of the Dead
A 3 song demo of satanik death metal! They blast into your ears with morbid growls with their first song entitled Denounce God then the music becomes deadly for City of the Dead picking up with speed to exit with Vortex. A total adrenaline ride. It’s really nothing new but it sure is something commendable! Check them out as they race through these three songs. Guys , is this a tease or what?! Excellent production so you get a great quality sound.
66+
Diabolic-PO Box 9689, Tampa, FL. 33674-9689 USA
Lucifera
Disembowel-Promo tape 1997
A 4 song promo of excellent death/grind. Growl/barked and shouted vocals with raw, savage and diverse music that won’t bore you to sleep! The production and quality of this promo unfortunately, don’t bring any justice to the musical ability of this band. This is a band definitely worth checking out! An excellent band from Greece. Amazing!!
666
Disembowel
Lucifera
Disillusion-Selections from Beyond Infinity
This 3 song demo is quite intense. The musical style is European wild/ battle death metal. They speed through Battle Within like a madman chopping up a piece of meat with a jingsu knife. Andrew, Darek, and Greg who are from Poland, and somehow ended up in the lost city of New York, are dead serious and it is reflected in this well produced, raw and superb musical chaos. This demo can’t go by unnoticed. One of the best in NY in this vein of music as of today! Take note fiendz and get this gem.
666+
Darek Solarski (email: SILENC3075@aol.com)
Lucifera
The Forgotten-To Walk the Forest Black
Odd, is the first word that comes to mind as I listen to ‘Long Island’s Premiere Black Metal band’. Actually, they are a blend of black/death and doom metal. Excellent lyrics, I must say. The guitar riffs on this demo are annoyingly eerie. The music is chaotic and the vocals growled and spoken, shrieked and screamed. This is just too weird, something you can love and hate at the same time! They are definitely unique! You’ve got to hear it to understand it! All this and it only has 2 songs Black Forest and Beneath The Grave.
66 ½ +
The Forgotten-PO Box 354, Commack, NY 11725
Lucifera
Fuse-Fuse
This demo enters with the surprisingly good Falling Down, you can hear the talented guitar and bass duo unleashing violent hardcore on this song. The vocals are shouted, sung and spoken to add diversity which can especially be heard in The Other Me. Afterwards, there are 2 more songs that are guitar oriented hardcore with moshable beats. These guys are from Queens, NY check them out! Strengthen the quality of the demo and this would be great.
66+
Fuse
Lucifera
Genitortureres-Sin City
The dominatrix Gen is back with her second CD with a revamped line-up including her husband, Evil D (David Vincent) on bass. It’s better than the first CD with more industrial and heavy rock parts in it. It’ not for everyone but if you are into THE ELECTRIC HELLFIRE CLUB and stuff in that vein you will be more than pleased. The opener Sin City is totally kick ass and second song Terrorvision has a creepy feel to it. An excellent CD and one of my favorites other than just black and death metal stuff. This is at the top of my CD collection. Get this.
666+
Cleopatra
Vulgardemon
Gehennah-Decibel Rebel
The drunk, beer drinking, poser wounding thrashers return after the successful King of the Side Walk LP. Very reminiscent of MOTORHEAD with VENOM. It’s loud and tears it up, get fucked listening to this. It brings out the Mr. Violence in you and make you want to Beat The Poser Down which is an excellent operner to the very Motorhead souding Six-Pack Queen. Excellent beer songs. Get it, it fuckin’ rules!
66+
Osmose
Vulgardemon
Goatamentise-promo for Severed Ties
There are 2 songs on this tape which are, No Heaven, No Hell and Book of Lies. The promo was given out for free at Goatamentise’s release party at Castle Heights in Queens, NYC. The promo also contains 2 live recordings, one is of the song Book of Lies and the other is a cover of SEPULTURA’s Slave New World. The recording is of good quality except on the live recordings which sound unstable and only partially interprets how the band truly sounds live. Their style has shifted more towards death metal with strongly influenced SLAYER style guitar riffs. Shouted (ala hardcore) and gutteral vocals can be heard on this promo. They are moving forward with their music while uniting two extreme musical worlds.
66 ½ +
Goatamentise
Lucifera
Gorguts-Obscura
Canadian death metallers are back with their 3rd LP. This time covering more technical ground than before. I mean very technical vocals that are sick, the guitars are fast, stop, slow, pause, fast, abruptly cut off, the drums, fast blast beats. Very intense and brutal, reminds me of Sandoval (Slayer’s ex-drummer). Not all of you will like this one because it’s too complex but I thought the whole complexity of it makes this an intriguing release. 12 songs of very intense complex death metal which is rare. Maybe this is the new wave of Death Metal, starting with this group. Get this, listen to it a couple of times and it will sink in with you. Brilliant.
66+
Olympic
Vulgardemon
Gorgoroth-Destroyer
Their previous album In the Sign of Hell came out not too long ago and immediately Destroyer comes out with even more extremity than before. The music is like going into a as, with tons of war effects in the songs (blasts warships etc.). Destroyer does exactly what it says, destroys everything! Open The Gates and The Devil, the Sinner, and his Journey are very extreme with emotion. They are up there with DARKTHRONE for me. They even cover a Darkthrone song for the Transylvanian Hunger CD. I enjoyed the way they covered that all over the place like a was with vocals as if he were singing from a gas mask. I would say the only thing better this year is MARDUK. But still it’s up there with real extreme black metal. The way it was meant to be played. No keyboards, just extreme hateful music with no forgiveness! Destroy!!!
666
Nuclear Blast
Vulgardemon
Guillotine-Under the Guillotine
This is pure old school KREATOR, the damn vocals sounds like Mille’s vocals and for that matter so does the music, directly off Pleasure to Kill. I guess it’s ok for these guys to sound like Kreator, since Kreator is not doing this thing anymore. So definitely, check out this album, it’s just as good. The sound just sticks to your head with every listen. Opener Executioner will definitely be memorable. Recommended for old school and new. 10 songs.
66
Necropolis
Vulgardemon
Iced Earth-Something Wicked This Way Comes
Old Metallica meets Maiden influenced power /thrashers have returned with 13 songs of their best material to date and contains power ballads to mega-thrashing parts with tons of galloping in the guitars (very Ride the Lightning. Melancholy Holy Martyr is a strong metal ballad and My Own Saviour and instrumental 1776 put Metallica to shame and it’s the same vocalist since two releases ago. He puts James Hetfield to the dirt, Fuck Metallica… Hail Iced Earth!! With another trilogy Something Wicked This Way Comes which is one of the best trilogies I have heard. Excellent!!!
666
Century Media
Vulgardemon
Inferno-Downtown Hades
Old school influenced thrashers are back with another release. Very much in the vein of old DESTRUCTION meets VENOM. 10 songs. If you liked the Utter Hell album, you’ll appreciate this one.
66
Osmose
Vulgardemon
Incantation-Diabolical Conquest
Finally, the new incantation is upon us, I’ve been waiting for this one since The Forsaken EP. Just what I expected, brutal death metal the way it was meant to be played. Diabolical death metal vocals, two very doomish fast guitars and superb drumming. Flawless, even from the first song Impending Diabolical Conquest which just destroys you dead for the second song Desecration (of the Heavenly Graceful) includes Shadows of the Ancient Empire featured in The Forsaken EP. And also the classical closer Unto Infinite and Twilight/Majesty of Infernal Damnation clocking at an impressive 16:47. yes you have here the death metal album of the year.
666+
Relapse
Vulgardemon
Katatonia-Discouraged Ones
I don’t see what’s the hype on this CD, I see great reviews for this everywhere. This record doesn’t do it for me. It’s Katanonia turn goth/doom/grunge. Not a worthy release like Dance of December Souls or Brave Murder Day. Vocals are actually used throughout the whole length of the album. No extreme vocals here. I’m afraid the only song that is worthy is Deadhorse. The album gets disappointing after the 3rd song and that’s if you get that far. Here’s a future MTV band for you along with Paradise ‘get’ Lost!
No six
Avantegarde/ Century Media
Vulgardemon
Katatonia-Discouraged Ones
This si quite different from Brave Murder Day, the vocals are sung in a moribund fashion that fits the sorrowful music it accompanites. I was a bit thrown off by this album. I can’t quite call this ‘goth metal’ as everyone else has been calling it. It’s just not that simple to give it such a label but I guess I can see why people do call it that. The music is depressive, you see, gothic music isn’t always melancholic. The more I listen to this I hear a twisted version of bands such as R.E.M. and THE CURE ala metal and more unhappy than those two bands. There’s something 1980’s in the music I can’t quite pin point. But it is undeniably easy to find yourself enjoying Retention, Saw You Down, and Distrust. Yet there are moments I feel I’m listening to one endless song, that stops abruptly and starts again. This album will leave you with mixed feelings.
66+
Century Media
Lucifera
Marduk-Nightwing
The most extreme Black Metal band on the planet return executing us all with another legendary CD. From Songs like Bloodtide(XXX), Of Hells Fire, Nighwing, and Bathory influenced Dreams of Blood and Iron are just unmatched extremity. They are definitely the top of the throne with Emperor as the greatest Black Metal bands of all time. Ten songs, well produced which continues the Vlad Dracula history from Heaven Shall Burn LP kill all trendier. Musicianship is unchallenged in black metal, guitar playing is unrelenting, bass playing is godly, drums are like a war and vocals are the fintest in the black metal scene. Just rip and ter it all up. The kings to the throne. And the best Black Metal album of the year…Bar none!!!
666+
Osmose
Vulgardemon
Mercyful Fate-Dead Again
Return of ‘Fate’ once again or should I say this is Dead Again, exactly ‘dead’ like Into The Unknown. What’s going on with Mercyful Fate? They can’t make a tleast one worthy album like Time or In the Shadows. The album is overall boring. It just doesn’t sink in for me as quick as aforementioned albums. There’s only two songs that I like from this, it’s Mandrake and Crossroads which sounds to me like vintage Fate. I feel there was no effort put into this. Buy earlier Mercyful Fate albums instead if you are just beginning to listen to this stuff. Michael Denner is missing and you will notice it. 10 songs with a cool cover done by NECROLORD. I recommend King Diamond’s Voodoo, it’s a bit better than this.
6
Metal Blade
Vulgardemon
Morbid Angel- Formulas Fatal to the Flesh
The ancient ones have arrived once again with new vocalist, Steve Tucker, to release another quality death metal album (contains 14 tracks). It’s still Morbid Angel, the vocals are a bit more gutteral than David’s, I don’t think they’re better but it fits the music anyway. Musically, the guitars are tuned down making an excellent heavy sound, overall excellent drumming as always. Songs like beginner Heavy Earth roar by you like a speeding locomotive. Nothing is Not reminds me of Where the Slime Live. Hell Spawn: The Rebirth and Covenant of Death are excellent and also the grand closer Invocation of the Continual One which music was created by Azagthoth in 1984. But still after such good review I’m giving them, it lacks one thing, David Vincent’s presence, the overall vocal style David used was unique, and not many can do, not even Tucker. This is as good as Domination but not better than Altars…, Blessed… or Covenant by a long shot but still a great effort without David. Recommended.
666
Earache
Vulgardemon
Mortician-Zombie Apocalypse
I couldn’t help but fall in love with the cover of Mortician’s new album, which is what caught my attention when Jeda handed me this. And it’s with good reason that my eyes were glued to the cover, it was done by none other than WES BENSCOTER. Other than that this is for those of you into deep gutteral vocals you have to strain your ear to hear accompanied by noisy ‘brutal’ death metal that was inspired by bloody cult horror movies. Nice intros! Musically fast and good.
66+
Relapse
Lucifera
Naglfar-Diabolic
Black /death metal, very well played just like DAWN. Yet they sound more like DISSECTION or the new Dissection here. This is their 2nd LP and I’m very impressed with songs like Horncrowned Majesty and Embracing the Apocolypse which are memorable. The production is amazing with diabolical vocals. I listen to this one very often. 9 songs, great cover and very talented musicians playing real black/death to get to the top of the heap. For legions into Dawn and Dissection. You will surely die for this one. Instant classic!
666
War
Vulgardemon
Nifelheim-Devil’s Own
Long anticipated second album by Nifelheim. Like the first, total old school. To me this surpasses ranges from DESTRUCTION to CELTIC FROST to many Brazilian thrash bands and try to have an original sound which makes this one of my favorites for the year. It’s in your face and destroys you just like GUILLOTINE and excellent old school style. A release with special guitarist on this recording of Jon Nodtveidt and John Zwetsloot. 8 songs of total old school. A total must for all legions.
66+
Nifelheim
Vulgardemon
Nocturnal Rites-Tales of Mystery and Imagination
Power metal played top notch in the vein of Maiden meets Helloween, which also adds its own sound and style. An album that can equal out of HAMMERFALL’s Glory To The Brave as being one of the top power metal releases of the 1990’s. Songs like Rings of Steel, and Test of Time show the true essence of how powerful heavy metal con be. Contains members of Guillotine. This is destined to become a classic.
666
Century Media
Vulgardemon
Old Man’s Child-Ill Natured Spiritual Invasion
3rd album by this Norwegian black metal outfit or should I say, just vocalist and bass player-Galder and special guest on drums, none other than Gere. He’s not a new member. He was payed to do the tracks. Overall, it’s very much one type of black metal. It has thrash and power metal influences. I listened to the first 2 songs, which caught my attention. I like Pagan Prosperity much better and is better structured. Although this one is an ok release, nothing to get crazy about.
6+
Century Media
Vulgardemon
Opera IX-Sacro Culto
What! You still don’t have this!?! You should be hung! Opera IX is growing and they are headed in a fast forward and steady direction toward the gates of hell! Cadaveria is showing even more of her vocal abilities on this album. And the music is brilliant! The music is also atmospheric, melodic, paganistic, and malevolent! This album inspires images of haunted sites where pagans would chant, dance and perform their rituals in the darkest hours and then fade into a tragic end. These guys are Italy’s best kept secret and the band with the longest songs that definitely will not bore you. Pay no attention to those that say that this is not good, they are dead wrong. "The five edged star adorns my breast and my hands clutch the club. We are wolves in the sacred wood of life." Vlad, Ossian, Lunaris and Flegias definitely know how to compliment Cadaveria’s voice with their furious moody, eerie musical attack. Get it and prepare yourself for paganistic battle opera you won’t forget!
666
Shiver Records
Lucifera
Overcast-Begging For Indifference
A 4 song EP that I bought at a CASTLE HEIGHTS show on July, 18th 1998. This is aggressive, I’m listening to it and they sound like a mix of death metal and hardcore, there’s a moment when Leeway comes to mind, at the same time their musical style is strange. The vocals are varied throughout the songs. Overcast has a lot to offer, they are talented and give immense variety to their music. They fit in with bands like Crisis, Starkweather and Candiria and leaving very little for one to pigeonhole them with a musical style. Strange, aggressive and good music from this MA band!
66+
Overcast
Lucifera
Pissing Razors-Pissing Razors
Two song promo. Unoriginal, boring wanna be something like PANTERA.
6
F.A.D. Records
Lucifera
Primal Fear-Primal Fear
It sounds just like JUDAS PRIEST! New band by former SINNER members and ex-GAMMA RAY vocalist Ralph Scheepers (sounds similar to Halford). The first song Chain Breaker reminds me of Judas Priest’s Jaw Breaker. This contains 12 songs which will be loved by Judas Priest fans who didn’t like Jugulator or Painkiller. Then this CD will take you back to the days of Defenders of the Faith. Yep, this is Defenders of the Faith of the 1990’s. check this release out. I promise it will not disappoint, every song kicks major ass.
66+
Nuclear Blast
Vulgardemon
Primordial-A Journey’s End
Irish black metallers are back with a new LP. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from them. Music has a gloomy feel to it. They mix doom/black metal with tonz of clean vocals and acoustic parts. Very metallic emotional parts, all the songs have a depth in them. I like this better than their first LP. 7 songs ranging in the 47 minute mark. You also have to have an open mind for this one.
66
Misantrophy
Vulgardemon
Proof of Purchase-demo 1997
This is a great female oriented hardcore band from Bronx, NY that are hyperactive and vicious on stage! Unfortunately, the quality of this demo does not capture the bands vividness it was recorded too low, vocals too high and music too distant. The lyrics are rebellious, such as with the song Barcode and some need to be more developed in my opinion. Jose of the hardcore band Starve plays guitar for these galz. Give it a listen and give them time, most of all check them out live.
66
Proof of Purchase
Lucifera
Rain Fell Within-Solemn Days
Dawn enters with her moribund but angelic /opera vocal luring you into the web of progressive gothic metal. Their music is definitely ‘solemn’, slow and melodic. Their focus is ‘personal despair and sorrow’. You can hear elements of heavy metal and they are reminiscent to THE GATHERING. Dawn’s vocals are amazingly beautiful but the music needs more emotion to compliment her voice. The music gets a bit dull at times. Yet this has excellent expectations! Five songs professionally produced and high quality presentation of the bands. Beautiful, worth checking out. The CD is also available.
666
R.F.W. –PO Box 222713, Chantilly, VA 20153 USA
Lucifera
Ruiniation-Visionary Breed
I deeply enjoy this kind of music. A diverse blend of doom/ death metal with no boundries. This Lithuanian quintet offer their enchanting 15 songs to an unsuspecting audience. They do sound a bit like a mix between PARADISE LOST and MY DYING BRIDE. Engineered and produced by Peter Tagtren, the quality of this is exceptional. Described by their label as ‘powerful and melodic metal, they mix doom atmosphere, heavy melody and the above mentioned to their advantage. ‘Ruination will ruin all boundries between the so called West and East European scene’, well that is yet to be seen. This is music for the morbid and loners as emphasized by the title of their songs such as Loss of Hope, Never, and A Loner. All the songs are in English with the 40 seconds of Meskos Dykumoj. Truly interesting. I’ve heard this 10 times already. Best when heard at moribund moments. Ad more aggression and this will be hellish! Depressive but upbeat at moments.
66 ½ +
Goldtrack Records-PO Box 37062, 28080 Madrid, Spain
Lucifera
Sacred Steel-Return to Steel
Power/Thrash Metal. Great rhythm, very METALLICA like Ride The Lightning type stuff. Good music but the vocals must go, they get very annoying. Not a really outstanding vocalist here for such good music. Try it if you want to collect this.
6+
Metal Blade
Vulgardemon
Sargatanas-Promo ’97 for The Enlightment
Mexico’s black metal trio has released this brutal-satanik piece. This is influenced by 1980’s thrash metal. They included a cover of POSSESSED’s Satan’s Curse, there are five dark tracks that will be pleasant to every Satanists ear.
666
Conquistador Records
Lucifera
Septic Flesh-A Fallen Temple
Four new songs plus a reincarnation of their demanded mini LP Temple of the Lost Race. Just like the previous Septic Flesh album, it falls into the gothic/death metal realm with emotional parties on some songs like The Eldest Cosmonaut, which includes no growls just straight forward brutal death metal with emotion. Worth getting. It is very distinguishable musically and vocally it’s very creative.
66+
Holy Records
Vulgardemon
Sigh-Hail Horror Hail
Japanese legendary black metal band is back! This is different and I mean different! Black/horror metal with jazz meets death and Frank Zappa influenced music. It’s more like a horror movies on CD every song is like a part in a movie. Very complex and diverse just like ARCTURUS’ La Masquerade Infernale even more complex than that. It’s too hard to put to words. Like opener Hail Horror Hail is so rockish with black metal vocals you can hear the Zappa influence in it. It’s not for everybody, you must have an open mind and the absolute beauty of this art will capture you. The only thing more frightening than the last 2 songs are the first 2 songs. A brilliant release.
666
Cacophonous
Vulgardemon
Silent Voices-Hero of Idiots
At first when I played this CD I was like ‘Yulk, what’s this?’ Now I know what it is. It’s heavy metal 1980’s type with boring ballads and guitar solo. There were moments this had tendencies to be good but then something would just make everything clash and I was back to thinking, ‘Yulk what is this?’ So, hey if you’re into heavy metal maybe you should check this out and judge for yourself but I’ve heard many better heavy metal bands. Everyone else steer clear of this one
6
J.S. Enterprise Corp.
Lucifera
Solid-A Free Promo
It’s from RELAPSE with 28 songs by 20 diverse noise-infested grind death bands. The best on this CD are NILE and DECEASED. But you will recognize MORTICIAN, ABSCESS, MINDROT, BRUTAL TRUTH, UNSANE, INCANTATION, SOILENT GREEN and the ever so annoying ANAL CUNT. Did I mention that it’s FREE! I’m not rating this ‘cos I don’t really care for this CD but if you get it, give it a listen and judge for yourself.
No rating
Relapse (call 1-800-303-0606)
Lucifera
Steeple of Fyre-Steeple of Fyre
Another atmospheric project sent to me from Ventricle. This blend of gothic melodramatic sound effects and strange psycho-erotik vocals by Stacy Snowleopard is completely eerie reminding one of ghosts stories and other strange moments. Excellent for dark and lonely moments or ritualistic pleasure. Very similar to MAUVE SIDESHOW probably because Dusty is involved in both projects.
66 ½ +
Ventricle-PO Box 19523 Seatle, WA 98109 USA
Lucifera
Therion-Vovin
The neo classic operatic metal outfit return with even more melodic guitars, tenors, and sopranos, cellos, violins, viola, etc… This is their best album to date everything is put together, perfectly done with tons of feeling and emotion. The passion of this art is unreal. It’s much better than Theli. Production is great. 11 songs contains Birth of Venus Illegitima, Clavicula Nox, and Eye of Shiva. Also guest musicians Sarah Jezibel Diva from CRADLE OF FILTH / COVENANT and Ralph Shceepers from PRIMAL FEAR. The meaning of a real masterpiece. Purchase or die!!!
666
Nuclear Blast
Vulgardemon
Tura Satana-Relief Through Release
Three song promo. This is the new project of vocalist Tarrie B. She used to song Hip Hop or something, then tried Hardcore ala Hip Hop in a band called MANHOLE and that didn’t work and now she’s trying Metal. Does it work? NO!!! This is so unoriginal, it sounds like wanna be SONIC YOUTH mixed with a dash of NIRVANA (so, she should have gone for the alternative crowd and stay there). Tarrie screams and screams and sometimes tries to produce a sensual voice but none of it conjures up any emotion. It is purely dull. This is not worthy of using the moniker TURA SATANA, Tura’s image in FASTER PUSSYCAT, KILL, KILL is not the image Tarrie tries to conjure up with this effort. Yawn!! I don’t see what the hype is all about with this woman, there are so many in our scene doing a thousand times better than this! This label better get a good band fast.
6
FAD Records
Lucifera
Tyrant-Under the Dark Mystic Sky
Japanese black metal with Ayumi (their female keyboardist) adding a mystic and majestic atmospheric aura to their music. This CD has been out since 1997 but I thought I’d inform those of you who didn’t know about it to take this and listen to it. Singing of dark legends and myths both in English and in Japanese. They have a very bad reputation in Japan but their music is worthy of ‘ the god of winter’. They use devilish chorus in their songs along with wild screaming vocals infamous to the black metal scene. At times the vocals are doomy and at other times even influenced by thrash metal vocals with musically raw and possessed drumming while the guitar and bass playing is merciless. From Prologue To A Tragedy to Mirage Beneath the Black Moon these Japanese fiends will take you through a wild ride in the night sky with their intense and perfected style of Norwegian black metal and some elements of heavy metal. Not very different from other black metal bands but still quite excellent.
666
Pulverized Records-PO Box 109 Yishun Central, Singapore 917604, Japan or email: ashes@pacific.net.sg
Lucifera
Vasaria-Vasaria
Ok, so you look at these guys and think they wanna be TYPE O NEGATIVE only to find that their style is gothic rock crossover metal (isn’t that what Type O. is?). Anyway, They remind me of CHRISTIAN DEATH, SISTERS OF MERCY and FIELD OF THE NEPHILIM with C. Death being the most predominant influence. Baron Joseph (who has the longest black hair I’ve seen in New York City, wow!) is the singer/ bassist but sometimes his vocals seem to disappear into the music. But this band is good. Xastur will be in love. Unfortunately, the down side is that it gets boring after a while, musically it starts to drag and so it doesn’t live up to the gothic bands I mentioned earlier. I saw them live and got the same feeling.
66
Vasaria
Lucifera
Vicious Circle-Live, Long and Suffer
Loud, noisy, fast and yes ‘vicious’ music from New Jersey. They are death metal full of twists and changes. Shouted vocals and music that sounds like an attack of madness. Too bad they didn’t get to play the KING DIAMOND show at Coney Island High in NYC, they would have been interesting to watch. Talented and diverse.
66+
Vicious Circle
Lucifera
Virgin Steele-Invictus
They’re back and I mean back! They put together an excellent album that contains 16 songs that deal with mythological gods. It’s a concept album that sounds very much at times like MAN O WAR. But they expand much more musically than Manowar. Production is a bit too too good which doesn’t give the sangs the raw feel but the songs are really heavy metal with a lot of power in them. Songs like Mind, Body, Spirit, Through Blood and Fire and the classic 10 minute closer Veni, Vidi, Vici are intelligent. It’s a worthy album to purchase to put in your CD collection.
66+
Noise
Vulgardemon
Voltaire-The Devil’s Bris
Vulgardemon and I saw Voltaire live a while ago with LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT and shortly afterwards this CD was obtained. Here you’ll find devilish gypsy music ala gothic. Voltaire has a sarcastic and dark from of humor within the lyrics. This fine piece of work includes Voltaire on violin, Matthew on cello, and Grisha on drums brewing an interesting folkish goth music that you can definitely picture the great god Loki dancing and doing mischief to. Enjoyable! Hell and these guys are from New York!
66 ½ +
Project-P O Box 186 155, Chicago, IL 60616 USA
Lucifera
War-Total War
All star black metal featuring members It, All, Peter Tagtgren and M Hedlund of Hypocrisy and ex-Dark Funeral’s Bloodmoon. 7 song EP. This is just effortless black metal, not really any feeling and it doesn’t seem the songs have been practiced at all. Just make a riff quickly and record it. It’s too simple for me, but I don like the lyrics of the song I am Elite. Buy at your own risk.
6
Necropolis
Vulgardemon
