What do you get when you combine Death Metal and World War II? Not much. Now what happens when you combine these two subjects along with several pioneers of Dutch Death Metal? You get Hail Of Bullets! Featuring Martin Van Drunen (Asphyx, Pestilence), Ed Warby (Gorefest) and Stephan Gebédi (Thanatos), this so-called Death Metal Supergroup unleashed one of THE heaviest albums of 2008,"…Of Frost and War", which dealt with the Russian front. Now the band has turned their attentions Eastward with "On Divine Winds", another WWII-themed album that deals with the Pacific Theater. Like its` predecessor, this new disc is a Master Class in Old School Death updated for the 21st Century; grinding, impossibly heavy riffs and and crushing rhythms delivered in a manner only these guys could pull off convincingly. Though most of the time relentless, there are plenty of slower, more somber passages that bring to life the horrors of war just as effectively as the more raging portions. As with the previous CD, the production here is very loud and very clear, allowing HOBs` music to sound even MORE massive, rather than focus on growls, screams and speed, though there`s plenty of THAT present, as well! And as with the previous album, such themes, in the wrong hands, could have come off sounding inferior or just plain ludicrous. Fortunately, these guys helped create Death Metal the first time around, so rest asssured; this ain`t amature hour! From the instrumental opening "On The Eve Of Battle", to “Ordered Eastward”, “On Coral Shores’, “Unsung Heroes” and “Tokyo Napalm Holocaust” and the closer “To Bear the Unbearable”, it`s plain to see [and hear!] that Hail Of Bullets has another notch to add to their studded belts. And while it`s impossible to determine how long this group Death Metal stalwarts will last, if they folded tomorrow their place in Metal will be secured!
When news of a new Accept album [with a new vocalist] first broke, I met it with more than a little indifference. After all, the last time the band used someone other than Udo Dirkschneider, the results didn`t exactly set the world in a tailspin. Plus, after "Balls To The Wall", as well as a couple of decent tracks on "Metal Heart", their output left me feeling underwhelmed, to say the least. Then I caught the video for "Teutonic Terror" on Youtube and that was all she wrote; zip over to one of my favorite online CD shops, click "Buy"! "Blood Of The Nations" is the album Accept SHOULD have made after "Balls....", but let`s not cry over spilt milk. Former TT Quick vocalist Mark Tornillo fits the band like an iron fist in a studded leather glove, and along with Wolf Hoffman we have Peter Baltes and Herman Frank back in the fold! Best of all, the album kicks holy ass! First track is "Beat The Bastards" and it`s clear the band are giving no quarter this time. Pure, classic Accept all the way. Next is the aforementioned "Teutonic Terror", which REALLY sets the tone; it`s like they never left! Producer Andy Sneap is obviously a huge fan and went all out to make sure the "classic" Accept sound was brought out in a modern context, and he has succeeded. Other choice cuts include "Locked And Loaded", "Rollin' Thunder" and "No Shelter". Yes, Accept has REALLY returned, not with some lame "comeback" album but an album worthy enough to take its` place among the bands` very best. "Locked And Loaded" indeed!
"Judgement" is the 3rd studio release from Kentucky`s very own Hydrogyn. The band have always straddled the fence between straight ahead Hard Rock and Metal, usually with greater success than most other bands mining the same territory. Their latest CD is no exception, and is their most realized yet. First up is "Lost Reality", a brutal Modern Metal-flavored track that balances Julie Westlake`s powerful and passionate vocals with some Male Hardcore-style growls and screams that only enhance the musical frenzy. "Right Thing Now" is the type of 21st Century Blues Rock which dweebs like John Mayer could only dream of writing, while "Alone" is more mainstream Hard Rock with a great hook and knockout performance by Julie. Then it`s back to the heaviness with "Self Destruct", while the cool Fleetwood Mac cover "Gold Dust Woman" finds Julie channelling Stevie Nicks, putting her own spin on the song while remaining faithful to the original. Other highlights include "Big Star", featuring an appearence by King`s X Doug Pinnick, while "Don’t Be My Judge", showcases the bands mellower side to great effect. "Candles Light Your Way" is a great semi-ballad [I was gonna say "quasi-ballad" but semi-ballad sounds less anal, don`t you think?] really showcases the bands` diversity. Special mention needs to be given to guitarist Jeff Westlake, who packs this CD with enough cool riffs, catchy hooks and killer solos to spoil even the most jaded shred-head. The "King Of Gunndore" is an instrumental that offers ample proof of Jeffs` 6-string skills. All told, the "Judgment" for this album is that it`s Hydrogyn best and most diverse album yet; go buy it and YOU be the judge! [A very, very special thank you to Jeff Westlake for the CD; you RULE, brother!!!]
Hailing from my neck of the woods [Central New York], Elephant Mountain is a 6-piece made up of two former members of Brand New Sin [vocalist Joe Altier and guitarist Brian “Slider” Azzoto] along with guitarist John Hanus, drummer Lewk Detor, bassist Dave Hoyt and B3 organist Lou Segreti. Their debut CD, "The Last Days Of Planet Earth" was recorded at MOLETRAX STUDIOS in Syracuse, NY with Jeff “THE MOLE” Moleski at the helm. Unlike Brand New Sin, Elephant Mountain are steeped in more traditional "classic" Rock; at times they remind me of mid to late `Seventies Southern Rockers like The Outlaws, Molly Hatchet and especially Blackfoot. Not in the obvious ways, like so many bands trying to play this style do; you know, the whole stripped down, Les Pauls and Jack Daniels affectations, all pose, no content. Such is definitely NOT the case here; this band is all about passion and a genuine love for what they do. Anyone can stick a cigarette in their mouth, a bottle of JD in their hand, squeeze out a few 10th generation BB King licks and declare themselves a hard livin` rebel without a clue; but nothing can give them heart,a quality EM has in spades. Take a listen to "North Of Nowhere", "Heaven`s Bleed", and "Words With Friends" among others. No doubt a band to watch!
I`m somewhat wary of so-called Stoner groups, as they tend to come off like Cypress Hill with downtuned guitars; you know the type. Bands of marginal talent writing droning songs that are basically excuses to praise the virtues of "The Herb". [Think Sleep and their later incarnation High On Fire]. Austin, Texas quartet The Sword are a bit different. And while originality and technical ability aren`t exactly in huge supply, talent and imagination are. Their third album, "Warp Riders", is an actual Sci-Fi concept album, though I`m not entirely sure what the concept IS. Small matter though, as The Sword manages to pull it off quite well. Unlike much of their brethern, The Sword tend to lean toward the Metal end of the spectrum, though more often than not they favor the "heyyyyy maaaaaan!" Stoner approach, as well as that of many obscure early Seventies Metal groups like Jerusalem, as well as time-honored Blues & Boogie based riffage. It`s the way they put these riffs together that sets The Sword apart from much of their peers. So if all this appeals to you [as it does me], then by all means pick up The Sword today [the "Warp Riders" CD, not the actual weapon!].
One of the most prolific German Power Metal acts returns with "The Clans Will Rise Again", a Scottish-themed 14-track affair that, stylistically, sees the band picking up where they left off on "Ballads Of A Hangman"; though some felt that album, along w/ its` predecessor, "Liberty Or Death", were lackluster [I was not one of them], even those people have praised the current disc as a return to form. The album also marks the debut of guitarist Axel Ritt [Domain]. His addition has definitely brought a new depth to the traditional Grave Digger song-structures, without diminising their trademark sound. And of course the vocals of Chris Boltendahl, the heart and soul of the band, remain unchanged after all these years. After the instrumental "Days Of Revenge", the band dives right in with “Paid In Blood”, a soon-to-be classic Grave Digger track both ferocious AND catchy. "Hammer Of The Scots", the title cut and "Highland Farewell" keep the ball rolling, while "Whom The Gods Love Die Young" changes pace a bit before unleashing "Spider", [which concerns a legend regarding Robert The Bruce having been inspired to continue his struggle against the English by watching a spider try and fail to build a web until it eventually succeeded]. Judging from the positive reception, "The Clans Will Rise Again" is yet another fine entry in the Grave Digger canon. Hell, a fine addition to Metal, period!
