SCUMFEAST METAL 666

RAM - Death CD review

2012-02-28T22:14:00.002-08:00

RAM - Death CD

Metal Blade Records

Genre: Heavy Metal

Here's another Swedish act who have taken the late 70's / early 80's heavy metal scenic route as an influence. Death is their third full length but first for Metal Blade who already have a few similar styled acts in their stable. I totally missed out on their previous releases so I'm wondering into their present territory. Straight to the point these Swedes like their PRIEST, MAIDEN and of course MERCYFUL FATE. This release of theirs is hell bent for leather as well as a few other things.

Oscar Carlquist is not in the category of the frontman who led the above mentioned acts but still has a decent enough vox. The duel guitar interplay (ala Tipton and Downing) works well on most of the cuts. There's little nuance on this release. Basically if you're not a fan of early heavy metal then you're not going to like this (and you'll be taken behind the building and shot for it). On the other hand since I am a fan, obviously since I lived through those years there's some real standouts on here. Songs like "Release Me" and "Defiant" are favorites but "Flame of the Tyrants" is the definitive PRIEST like anthem.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.metalblade.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rammetal

MOVE OVER MANOWUSSIES, THESE SWEDES ARE TRUE METAL! This is the video of the year as far as I'm concerned

TERRORIZER - Hordes of Zombies CD review

2012-02-28T21:38:00.002-08:00

TERRORIZER - Hordes of Zombies CD

Season of Mist

Genre: Death Metal

This was another one of those "most anticipated albums of 2012" although I believe the anticipation was more about whether or not it was gonna suck. Now I'm not gonna get into the fuckin official history of TERRORIZER. If you're reading SFM666 then you know it but if you don't then go look it up yourself. I'll just point out that if you're an extreme type then you remember their 2006 comeback flop, Darker Days Ahead. The irony of that was guitarist Jesse Pintado had lost his fight with diabetes and died shortly after that album's release. So from a logical standpoint the band should have been laid to rest with Jesse.

Well somebody decided not to (?) so enter TERRORIZER 2012 featuring the only original member Pete Sandoval on drums, David Vincent on bass (who was actually a session bassist who simply assisted on the recording of 1989's World Downfall because the original one was in jail), Anthony Rezhawk (who sang on Darker Days Ahead) returns on vocals and filling in on guitar is Katina Culture who also plays with the punk band RESIDENT CULTURE. I'm not gonna use the word replacement because you can't replace Jesse Pintado. Personally it would be better to look at this not as TERRORIZER but considering the people involved and they did re-use the name I've got no choice.

Without going into every freakin detail about this album lets just keep with the basics (don't wanna do any editorializing now). First off Hordes of Zombies is a better album than their last comeback. It's also faster which you could chalk up to Sandoval feeling a whole helluva lot better. Also credit goes out to Katina Culture who does a damm good job creating some sick and vicious riffs on here. Jesse Pintado would definitely approve since she keeps within the band's original sound and fury. As far as Vincent goes who cares you can't really hear him. I really didn't care for Rezhawk's vocals on the last album. Six years later he's still soulless most of the time sounding like a zombie singing. It's only when he shuts the fuck up that you can enjoy the music on here.

Now with that said and the talents of Culture and Sandoval dearly noted, this album is fairly average. I'd say a third of Hordes of Zombies is pretty good. Songs like the title cut, (but not the opening intro cause that blew) "Ignorance And Apathy", "Broken Mirrors" and "Forward To Annihilation" all have that some what exciting TERRORIZER feel of old. As far as the rest of this album is concerned it's all filler. The material blends so close together that I don't know why they even bothered to stop in between songs. They could've put two or even three cuts together and shorted the song list. The only thing good that could come out of this is if Katina Culture gets another gig with a band that would allow her to show more of herself instead of following a legend. Also as far as this band's legendary status goes, get the first demos and World Downfall will take a backseat.

RATING 2/5

Label: http://www.season-of-mist.com/

Official: http://www.terrorizergrindcore.net/

CHRISTIAN MISTRESS - Possession CD review

2012-02-28T16:49:00.002-08:00

CHRISTIAN MISTRESS - Possession CD

Relapse Records

Genre: Heavy Metal

The more I listen to this release the more I scrap everything I've previously written down for notes and start over. I'm sure there will be a lot written about this band with references made to NWOBHM, female fronted bands of the past, metal guitar duels, et al. I'm going to cut away from all of the dense crap which will be filling up future webspace and give you a quick an honest rundown. CHRISTIAN MISTRESS are the type of band who I commonly refer to as "sounding like they have stepped out of a time machine". Sure any band could pull influences from some past act and be a copycat but that's not the case here. This Olympia, Washington five piece have grasped the essential elements of mid to late 70's metal greatness and are repeating it beautifully today. Genre purists and wanna-be journalistic taste-makers are probably pulling their hair out (and not necessarily from their heads) trying to pigeonhole this band. I'll make it easy for everyone, CHRISTIAN MISTRESS are a Heavy Metal band, nuff said on that topic.

On Possession, their second full length, CHRISTIAN MISTRESS repeat as well as enhance some of the strengths they showed on their 2010 debut Agony & Opium which came out on 20 Buck Spin. The band plays like a well oiled unit leaving plenty of room for everyone to shine. Musically I disagree with all those who wanna tag this band as NWOBHM revivalists. When I listen to this I think of two bands from the 70s, UFO and JUDAS PRIEST, who were cranking out great music prior to the genre term creation. CHRISTIAN MISTRESS follow a template forged by those two acts. They create a diverse mixture of songs with varied rhythmic flourishes and dueling guitar showmanship by guitarists Oscar Sparbel and Ryan McClain. Vocalist Christine Davis is more than just a front woman / singer. You would be hard pressed to find someone in the metal realm who compares to her vocally. I was looking at soulful punk acts or garage bands from the 90s for comparative singers since Davis's style is so unique and powerful.

As far as songs go, in my not so humble opinion, Possession is perfection from start to finish. You learn that quick when opener "Over & Over" comes flying out at you like a man on fire. Notice that CHRISTIAN MISTRESS's music is not about the riffs either, albeit there are some decent flurries, instead it's about the solos and the licks. Witness this on cuts like "Black to Gold" or "The Way Beyond". One big surprise on here is that the title track is actually a cover from an obscure Swedish band FAITH. (For you collector scum look for the Hymn of the Sinner 7"er from 1986) As for all out old school rocking "Conviction" fits that bill in a UFO type of way. While on "Haunted Hunted" Davis adds some strong sultry swagger to her already amazing vocal repertoire. When the final cut "All Abandon" fades out you will be pleading for more.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.relapse.com/

Official: http://www.christianmistress.com/

Scum News: Black Metal greats INQUISITION sign with Season of Mist

2012-02-28T15:47:00.003-08:00

Black metal powerhouse INQUISITION just inked a deal with Season of Mist! The Americans' sixth album will be released on the Underground Activists division.

HERE'S A FAVORITE OF MINE FOR YOU TO LISTEN TO WHILE YOU READ:

Frontman Dagon issued the following statement: "For many years INQUISITION has loyally walked upon the path of Black Metal deeply devoted to its spirituality and magic while growing and maturing our craft, yet always preserving the essence that ignited us since our beginning, always keeping us rooted in the elements that make us what we are now and who we were in the past. Time is relativity and this relativity is affected by choice and selection during our time of existence as INQUISITION. Therefore our careful choice of a new label as a means to take us further into our journey, and your journey, extending this path we walk upon into deeper dimensions and allowing us to heighten our potential will be placed in the hands of Season of Mist. At this time we are heavily devoted to the composition and arrangement of our next opus. We know what we want, we know what you expect and we look forward to 2012 being the year of creation and production of this upcoming ritual. With pride we announce this new relationship and with pride we will continue to deliver INQUISITION at its finest... Hail the cult."

Scum News: VATTNET VISKAR Announce March Tour

2012-02-28T15:12:00.001-08:00

New Hampshire's darkest export, blackened doom alchemists VATTNET VISKAR, will be hitting the road in support of their Broken Limbs Recordings debut, a self-titled EP that marks the band's first foray onto vinyl. They'll be winding their way down the East Coast, playing with the likes of WOE, TOMB & THIRST, and more, rampaging through the Southeast, then looping back up to wrap things up with an album release show at NYC's Lit Lounge on March 19th. Catch them while you can!

The record officially drops on March 15, 2012, and is graced with ethereal cover art from San Francisco artist Bryan Proteau, whose gorgeous creations have illustrated DEAFHEAVEN, PALLBEARER, ATRIARCH, LYCUS, and OBOLUS. The album was recorded and mastered by Brett Boland (HETFIELD & HETFIELD).

VATTNET VISKAR MARCH TOUR DATES:

March 8, 2012 @ Ralph’s Rock Diner :: Worcester MA
March 9, 2012 @ Elm Bar :: New Haven CT
March 10, 2012 @ Pickwick Pub :: Poughkeepsie NY
March 11, 2012 @ Kung Fu Necktie :: Philadelphia PA
March 12, 2012 @ Garfield Artworks :: Pittsburgh PA
March 13, 2012 @ Tommy’s Pub :: Charlotte NC
March 14, 2012 @ Slim’s :: Raleigh NC
March 15, 2012 @ The Muse :: Nashville TN
March 16, 2012 @ Underdogs :: Lexington KY
March 17, 2012 @ 130 Jackson :: Blacksburg VA
March 18, 2012 @ Crayola House :: Harrisonburg VA
March 19, 2012 @ Lit Lounge :: Manhattan NY

VATTNET VISKAR recently joined forces with underground music portal Cvlt Nation, who cemented the bonds between the two entities by inviting the VV camp to create an exclusive "mixtape" as part of Cvlt Nation's ongoing Sonic Cathedrals Mixtape Series. ". The site also recently premiered a track off of the band's upcoming Broken Limbs Recordings debut, streaming at: http://www.cvltnation.com/weakness-vattnet-viskar-new-track-premiere/

"When you hear VATTNET VISKAR's music, you realize that something is special about this band..." - Cvlt Nation

"If they were from Vermont I'd probably hold something against them. Then again Vermont would have disowned them anyway for sounding too good, plus liberals in Vermont think the term blackened doom is considered a racial slur." SCUMFEAST METAL 666

The band's previous release, a two song demo, was met with praise by both fans and the press, landing on several "Best of 2011" lists including American Aftermath's "Top 5 Demos of 2011." Their new material continues the momentum and malice, as VATTNETVISKAR ready themselves to take their place amongst the best and brightest of a new breed of USBM acolytes.

https://www.facebook.com/vattnetviskar?sk=info

http://www.vattnetviskar.com

Scum News: CORROSION OF CONFORMITY: New Album Out Today!

2012-02-28T14:47:00.002-08:00

“The Moneychangers” Video To Premiere On Headbangers Ball; U.S. Tour To Commence This Thursday

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY’s self-titled new studio offering is out NOW. Released via Candlelight Records, Corrosion Of Conformity was recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles, produced by the band in cooperation with long-time collaborator John Custer, mixed by John Lousteau (Foo Fighters) and features artwork by Seldon Hunt (Melvins, High On Fire). Featuring the esteemed Animosity lineup of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin, the album’s release closes a six year recording gap and completes over a year of concentrated writing and recording for the band.

Said SCUMFEAST METAL 666: "The band combines sludge, stoner grooves, real hardcore and raw metal into one huge monstrous beast. I think this release will appeal to old fans as well as brand new ones which I think is cool as fuck. For those of you who got into COC in the mid 90's well maybe not. Either way this new revitalized and retro-fitted COC release shows that these guys have a new lease."

SCUMFEAST METAL 666 also gave CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's self titled release a 5/5 rating which also means it's one of the best extreme metal releases of the year.

In conjunction with the record’s release, the Raleigh, North Carolina legends will embark on a full U.S. headlining tour beginning this Thursday at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City. The trek will hit 16 cities including two performances at this year’s SXSW Music Conference in Austin. The band will be joined by Torche, Valient Thorr and A Storm Of Light unless otherwise noted.

And the fun doesn’t end there! Coinciding with the tour kick off, a video for “The Moneychangers” will make its worldwide premiere via Headbangers Ball on Thursday, March 1. The video was filmed in Raleigh by Charles Cardello and features the band in a storyline that brings the song’s lyrics out visually (even Jesus makes an appearance). To check out the video, visit Headbangers Ball at http://www.mtv.com/shows/headbangers_ball/series.jhtml on Thursday!

OR IF YOU THINK HEADBANGERS BALL IS STILL FOR LOSERS YOU CAN JUST WAIT 5 MINUTES AFTER IT'S POSTED ON THERE THEN LOOK FOR IT ON YOUTUBE.

http://www.coc.com

http://www.facebook.com/corrosionofconformity

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com

Scum Video and News: AUTOPSY release All Tomorrow's Funerals

2012-02-28T09:09:00.002-08:00

Brand new studio recordings from the death metal gods, plus newly remastered collection of all the classic Autopsy eps & rarities.

All Tomorrow's Funerals', is the latest chapter in the history of the death metal legends. This monstrous release contains four new studio tracks recorded late 2011 - including a re- recorded version of classic oldie 'Mauled to Death' - plus all of Autopsy's past EP's and rarities, which have been specially remastered by the band themselves, totalling 22 tracks all together, resulting in over 73 minutes of sickness.

Everything from 'Retribution For The Dead' & 'Fiend for Blood', to the now sold-out EP 'The Tomb Within' is present, including liner notes from the band and new cover art from renowned artist Matt Cavotta (also responsible for the 'The Tomb Within' cover).

Autopsy have influenced a whole generation of extreme metal bands, from Entombed and Dismember to Darkthrone, and are among the biggest and most respected names in the genre's history.

Release Date 20th February 2012

TRACKLIST
1. All Tomorrow's Funerals (NEW TRACK)
2. Broken People (NEW TRACK)
3. Mauled To Death (NEW TRACK)
4. Maggot Holes (NEW TRACK)
5. The Tomb Within
6. My Corpse Shall Rise
7. Seven Skulls
8. Human Genocide
9. Mutant Village
10. Horrific Obsession
11. Feast of the Graveworm
12. Funereality
13. Fiend For Blood
14. Keeper Of Decay
15. Squeal Like A Pig
16. Ravenous Freaks
17. A Different Kind of Mindfuck
18. Dead Hole
19. Retribution For The Dead
20. Destined To Fester
21. In The Grip of Winter
22. Sign of the Corpse

Scum Video: RAM Flame of the Tyrants

2012-02-28T08:32:00.002-08:00

Meet Sweden's latest Heavy Metal Kings.

Scum Video: Deicide Release "Conviction" Music Video

2012-02-27T21:43:00.002-08:00

Deicide have just premiered a new, claymation-style music video for their song "Conviction." Watch it below.

The clip features Glen Benton chasing after Jesus in a bizarrely animated world. The clip was directed by David Brodsky and Tim Kellen, with Kellen handling the animation.

"Conviction" comes from the band's most recent album, To Hell With God, which was released last year on Metal Blade.

Scum Video: Chainsaw Guitar Solo

2012-02-27T21:09:00.002-08:00

I'VE GOT PLENTY OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH A CHAINSAW ON AND OFF STAGE BUT THIS GENTLEMAN HAS ME BEAT. TAKE HEED OF THE WARNING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO. ALTHOUGH IF YOU DO PLAN ON COPYING THIS GUY WITH YOUR OWN YOUTUBE VIDEO DON'T FORGET TO SAY THE MAGIC WORDS "HEY GUYS WATCH THIS".

Scum News: Thrashtastic Party Brigade IN DEFENCE Hit the Road for US Tour

2012-02-27T12:56:00.002-08:00

Profane Existence is proud to announce that Minneapolis defenders of the faith... er, defenders of tacos & circle pits, IN DEFENCE, are headed back out on tour. This time they are bringing their destruction and mayhem to the Southeastern section of the United States. This is an area of the country they have not been to in several years and the boys are excited to get back in town. They will be touring in support of two new albums 'Party Lines and Politics' and 'Don't Know How To Break Dance', both recently released on Profane Existence. If you live in or near one of the towns they are playing we highly recommend checking them out as their live shows are a lot of fun!

IN DEFENCE TOUR DATES

Feb. 25 - Maplewood, MN @ Deans Tavern
Feb. 27 - Minneapolis, MN @ Memory Lanes
Feb. 28 - Des Moines, IA @Vaudeville Mews
Feb. 29 - Columbia, MO @ Cafe Berlin
March 1 - Fayette, AR @ JR's Lightbulb Club
March 2 - Dallas, TX @ Queen City Tattoo
March 3 - Austin, TX @ The Annex
March 4 - Houstin, TX @ The White Swan
March 5 - Lafayette, LA @ JP's Hookah Lounge
March 6 - Pensacola, FL @ The 309 Haus
March 7 - Tallahassee, FL @ The AF Haus
March 8 - Gainesville, FL @ TBA
March 9 - Sarasota, FL @ The Darn Barn
March 10 - Fort Meyers, FL @ Cool Hand Luc's
March 11 - Miami, FL @ Churchill's Pub
March 12 - Tampa, FL @ Transition Art Gallery
March 13 - Savannah, GA @ The Orphan Cage
March 14 - Chattanooga, TN @ Sluggo's
March 15 - Birmingham, AL @ Spring St. Fire House
March 16 - Nashville, TN @ CoCo Cafe
March 17 - Bloomington, IN @ Fort Vegan
March 18 - Milwaukee, WI @ CCC

FOR MORE TOUR INFO VISIT: http://www.facebook.com/indefencepunx

FOR IN DEFENCE RECORDS & T-SHIRTS VISIT:

http://www.profaneexistence.com/search.php?search_query=in+defence&x=0&y=0

Scum News: High on Fire To Release New Album De Vermis Mysteriis on April 3

2012-02-27T08:52:00.003-08:00

High on Fire will release its new studio album De Vermis Mysteriis on April 3 via eOne Music (and we hope it's not a soulless turd like their last one.)

Recorded in Salem, Massachusetts' GodCity Studios with producer and Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou, the 10 song effort -- touted as "direct, eye-opening and powerfully supernatural" -- is the band's sixth studio recording and the follow up to 2010's Snakes for the Divine which debuted at #62 on the Billboard Top 200 and has been called "wonderful" by The New York Times and "an exhilarating rush" by The Chicago Tribune. (yeah those are two huge purveyors of everything extreme.)

De Vermis Mysteriis (or "Mysteries of the Worm") takes its title from a fictional grimoire created by Psycho author Robert Bloch and incorporated by H. P. Lovecraft into the lore of the Cthulhu Mythos. Lovecraft mentioned De Vermis Mysteriis as one of the books that "repeat the most hellish secrets learnt by early man". (please note that H.P. Lovecraft is to modern metal band influences as water is to thirst.)

The album carries a deeply mystical undercurrent, incorporating fantastical themes and lyrics detailing, among other things, time travel, a serum called liao that is made out of a black lotus and "a Jesus twin who can see the past through his ancestors' eyes." And that's just scratching the surface!

Musically, De Vermis Mysteriis is absolutely explosive, showcasing the California power trio's thundering roar and expanded harmonic and rhythmic palettes while the songs move confidently through multiple riffs and movements. High on Fire construct tough, burly stoner metal that is at once devastatingly epic and mercilessly metallic as superstar guitarist Matt Pike's sizzling ax and avenging-angel riffs fuse with Des Kensel's double-kick-drum onslaught and Jeff Matz's concrete crushing, Burton-esque bass guitar.

Over the course of forty-five minutes, High on Fire have created an amalgamation of fantastical lyrical ideas and brute force musicianship anchored in an endlessly captivating, punkishly frantic sound. Simply put, the band generates awesome on demand and has a virtual chokehold on monolithic-sounding, masterfully crafted epic music. High on Fire is a savage bull in the china shop of modern metal.

When asked for comment on De Vermis Mysteriis, Pike somewhat cryptically replied, "Prepare for your dark journey."

The track listing for High of Fire's De Vermis Mysteriis is as follows:

1.) Serums of Liao
2.) Bloody Knuckles
3.) Fertile Green
4.) Madness of an Architect
5.) Interlude
6.) Spiritual Rites
7.) King of Days
8.) De Vermis Mysteriis
9.) Romulus and Remus
10.) Warhorn

WE'LL SEE?

Scum Video: ANGEL ROT live 2000

2012-02-26T18:29:00.003-08:00

ANGEL ROT was guitarist Tom Five's band after leaving WHITE ZOMBIE. The style is the obvious precursor to WHITE ZOMBIE's pre-MTV sound. Here they are live at a Raleigh, NC club called Kings 9-21-2000. That's Gyda Gash, now of JUDAS PRIESTESS, on bass. I was at this gig and the place was dead. Two reasons for that, first off the QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE were playing in Chapel Hill that night which meant that everyone who hung out at this club went to see that other crap. Two this was a real indie rock loser / poser club which preceded hipsters by a few years. Another thing contrary to now popular hype, people (aka: indie rock losers) in the Raleigh, NC area were not into Doom just MTV hype bands.

CASKET ROBBERY - Shrouded In Darkness EP review

2012-02-26T18:02:00.003-08:00

CASKET ROBBERY - Shrouded In Darkness EP

Self Released

Genre: Death Metal

I had a choice tonight to either blast this band's EP or the new one by TERRORIZER in the purposes of writing a review. What the hell these guys are from the Midwest and they're new while Dave Vincent is a douche so here we go. CASKET ROBBERY, their name conjures up images of a horror punk band clad in Goth make-up and MISFITS t-shirts all purchased at Hot Topic. Fortunately they're not one of those. This band hails from the great Midwest aka: Madison, Wisconsin and would probably beat up the goths. Musically this is the band's second EP and with just four songs to fill a long evening of listening. First off CASKET ROBBERY is not doing your typical brand of DM. Although the bludgeoning factor is there these guys are experimenting with non traditional time signatures, core melodies and industrial beats plus sample additions.

Personally they need to be thinking about how to fill a full length release because true weirdness in death metal is in need. MACABRE can't have all the fun. CASKET ROBBERY is actually a two piece DM act featuring Cory Scheider who performs all the instruments, plugs in the drum machine and his claim to fame is that he was once in a band with a chick lead singer. Dustin Foesch is the vocalist and self described Pabst Blue Ribbon beer drinker. He'd probably shit if he knew who was reviewing his release. Either way I think the name dropping of MACABRE speaks volumes which is more than what's on here. Midwest American death metal bands always have a sickness about em and CASKET ROBBERY follows suit.

RATING: 3/5

Bandcamp: http://casketrobbery.bandcamp.com/album/shrouded-in-darkness

Facebook: www.facebook.com/casketrobbery

Scum Video and News: FDA Rekotz to Release Revel in Flesh's Deathevokation on March 23rd

2012-02-26T17:49:00.002-08:00

German Deliverers of Death FDA Rekotz have set March 23rd as the date on which REVEL IN FLESH's Old School Death Metal will be introduced to the world with the release of Deathevokation. The album will also be available as a digital download on Amazon, I-Tunes, Spotify and others. Featuring members and former members of IMMORTAL RITES (R.I.P), DAWN OF DREAMS and APOPHIS, Germany's REVEL IN FLESH formed in 2011 to pay tribute to the impure way of classic 90s European style old school Death Metal!

The album was mastered by Dan Swanö who had this to say about Deathevokation: "An excellent offering to the Gods of SweDeath, complete with one of the most accurate re-creations of the crushing guitar tones of the early Sunlight era."

Deathevokation is about pure passion for the style and features 10 tracks defined by an addiction to the way Death Metal was meant to be: ferocious and filthy! Recommended without hesitation for all fans of Nihilist, Entrails, early Entombed, and Dismember!

Check out this promo clip for their song "Wings of Death":

REVEL IN FLESH was formed to pay tribute to the impure way of classical 90's European old school Death Metal! The line-up consists of former IMMORTAL RITES (R.I.P), DAWN OF DREAMS and APOPHIS members.

The band's debut album Deathevokation was recorded during several sessions in the autumn and winter of 2011 at VAULT M. Studio. The songs themselves were written in a period between 2007 and 2011. Deathevokation is about pure passion for this particular style and features ten tracks addicted to the way Death Metal was meant to be.

Deathevokation was mastered DAN SWANÖ at UNISOUND Studios (Sweden) in January 2012. Cover artwork comes courtesy of Spanish underground artist Juanjo Castellano (VOMITORY,BLASHPERIAN, SATHANS).

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Revel-in-Flesh/304228902958414?sk=wall

http://www.fda-rekotz.com/gx/

DRUDKH - Eternal Turn Of The Wheel CD review

2012-02-26T15:36:00.003-08:00

DRUDKH - Eternal Turn Of The Wheel CD

Season of Mist

Genre: Black Metal

If you've been a long time fan of DRUDKH (aka: from 2003 to 06, their classic early era) than when the announcement for their new release came out late last year you probably had a presence of deju vu. Over the past six years you've heard that announcement many times. So when the day finally came you listened to the new release and you were questioning (Songs of Grief and Solitude from 2006) satisfied (Estrangement from 2007) surprised (Microcosmos) and down right disgusted (2010's Handful of Stars). That latter one even garnered accusations of selling out to the post black metal / non metal crowd. I thought that Handful of Stars sounded like a blackened version of SONIC YOUTH. Therefore I had to agree with the naysayers that DRUDKH had indeed left their early dense, earthy black metal riffs which was more about the land and atmosphere then appeasing some hipster retards / indie rock losers who believe the local city park to be woodlands.

So what's the early verdict of Eternal Turn Of The Wheel? I can put your fears to rest by telling you that the Ukrainian underground legends do well with their ninth album. The release starts off in typical DRUDKH fashion, "Eternal Circle" is a short yet beautiful acoustic instrumental opener closed with nature sound samples. The first of the four long epics (another DRUDKH tradition) is "Breath of Cold Black Soil". It's mere seconds into the cut when you realize that DRUDKH has reached back into their icy past for inspiration. At once the song's brisk riffs and blast beats create a storm which lifts up into it. The furious waves of atmosphere assault your body, ripping away clothing and leaving you naked to be carried away on the frozen wind like melodies. That beautiful guitar and keyboard created blizzard is back with the ever memorable caustic screamed vocals as our guide.

"When Gods Leave Their Emerald Halls" brings out the pain and sacrifice where as "Farewell to Autumn's Sorrowful Birds" sorrow. The latter cut has a melody reminding me of KING CRIMSON's "Epitaph". Both cuts ground you in a place of cold solitude where all of the world's sadness, which once flowed free, is now frozen solid and locked in place. The next cut gets bled into by the footsteps of someone walking through snow. Welcome to the finale "Night Woven of Snow, Winds and Grey-Haired Stars" another epic of brooding grimness, icicle beauty and North wind riding which carries you along in a catatonic state over the frozen landscape back to the dark iced crypt. Eternal Turn Of The Wheel might have the concept of seasonal change although that final sound you hear is the wind. The end is never pretty also the only return to form I care about was DRUDKH's. They're back.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.season-of-mist.com/

Myspace: www.myspace.com/drudkhofficial

BADR VOGU - Exitium CD review

2012-02-26T12:17:00.002-08:00

BADR VOGU - Exitium CD

Memento Mori

Genre: Stoner / Sludge

These days a stoner sludge band coming from Oakland, California is about as surprising as finding Chinese food in China. Former home of stoner / sludge vinyl oddities, Man's Ruin Records, called San Fran home which is just a little ways away so I'm sure their influence flowed a bit on the wind or club scene to Oakland. Whether or not BADR VOGU is a devotee of that former label's catalog, their sound is far from average. Any fledgling musicians out there in this not so wonderful world who plan on starting a stoner sludge band should pick up this release prior to them taking the plunge. What we have here is a learning tool or teacher's aid. This is how you create a unique off kilter take on a well worn music genre and get away with calling yourselves some what original.

To the oblivious music listening bozos out there, whom may or may not be some of my close yet jaded friends, what BADR VOGU is actually doing on this their debut full length might seem like just basic stoner sludge. Thankfully my well trained music instincts say otherwise. BADR VOGU do have all of your basic genre tools ie: Sabbathian blues song structures, down tuned despondency and an eclectic song pace equal to that of watching a bunch of fucked up hippies in a foot race. The differences they add in are actual song writing chops, barked bellows throated vocals, samples pinched from movies or the local college audio department that actually fit the songs (good job on "Nomad", is that Emperor of the North Pole?) and finally they're more crusty aka: more ASBESTOS DEATH than SLEEP, more southern hostility than southern sludge and comfort.

All of that thrown together plus BADR VOGU manage to create almost fifty minutes of music in 7 songs, without tapping the boredom setting. Frankly I find that freaking amazing considering what usually passes my way when it comes to stoner sludge is equal to drinking a cup of sleepy time tea to wash down the handful of barbiturates. Then again when you have fierce sounding riffs paired up with thundering bass and self flagellating vocals it's hard to nap out. The last two cuts on here, "Slumlord Blues" as well as "Barons of Filth" is where that prior assessment meets this band and sets them apart from the chattel. Definitely a band to keep an eye on who has not been caught in the hype light.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.memento-mori.es/

Bandcamp: http://badrvogu.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/B%C3%A4dr-Vogu/110102062369701?sk=wall

GRIMNESS 69 - The Bridge CD review

2012-02-26T12:00:00.002-08:00

GRIMNESS 69 - The Bridge CD

Xtreem Music

Genre: Death Metal / Grindcore

While listening to the opening cut "White Room" along with staring at the cover art work of this release I couldn't help but get this unnerving feeling about the whole thing. GRIMNESS 69 might be a death grind act but their doomish down tuned sensibilities along with the vocalist's affection for inhuman vocal patterns makes listening to this release equal to an uneasy sickness. Hopefully this Italian band doesn't take that last comment in a bad way. I doubt their goal when recording such bestial non-ballads like "Illheaven Hells" or "Chariot of Acrimony" was to leave listeners cheery.

I could also chalk up my present uneasiness to something I ate as well which brings up another subject. Is it safe to listen to this type of extreme ugly music after eating? Maybe not since The Bridge, which is GRIMNESS 69 's third full length since starting out back in 2001, is a sickly affair. While the band's grind parts have been simmered it's the putrid filth of their death metal pedigree which is like poison overwhelming the body. GRIMNESS 69 employs a barrage of complex riffs, tech death structures and beastly growls / screams to entice the healthy into extreme albeit sickly pleasure.

The material on The Bridge is an enticing brutality. Yes I know it sounds weird but there's addictive nature to GRIMNESS 69's sound. Old school sounding death metal brutality meets technical grind proficiency. Although it's nothing new under the sun it can be an intriguing listen for the first half of the album. I kinda missed the purpose of what's going on in the second half. After an instro cut the song patterns seem to be repeated then lost to silence. The album's finale "Doomsday Carillon" is it's saving grace. All in all GRIMNESS 69 are a deadly contagion which could spread to all areas of the world.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.xtreemmusic.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/grimness69

ABAZAGORATH - Self Titled EP review

2012-02-24T22:19:00.004-08:00

ABAZAGORATH - Self Titled EP

NoVisible Scars

Genre: Black Metal

Well here's a band I haven't heard a sound from in ages, although the reason is obviously my own. I have their full length from 1997, Tenebrarum Cadent Exsurgemus, but while I slept they continued on to produce a few more releases. This is their latest release but before I even get into it I must say this. (oh no he's editorializing again) Many in the present day metal music media are clueless to the greatness which was the early days of USBM. I mean most of the crayola scribbled notes by present day scribes in the media never make mention of the black metal acts of yore which came out of places like Texas, Florida, North Carolina or in this band's case, New Jersey in the nineties. By the late nineties the old European black metal guard was mellowing out. In the states you had a handful of really good bands who were playing music which equaled or exceeded what their overseas peers were doing. ABAZAGORATH's Tenebraum Cadent Exsurgemus debuted in 1997 and quickly became a landmark album for USBM.

So here we have their latest release, a simple self titled five song EP. That's as far as the simplicity goes because this surpasses their past release I have easily with intensity born from Europe but honed to perfection here in the states. ABAZAGORATH comes off sounding like a retro fitted version of EMPEROR with the battle hardened ambiance of cascading melodies meeting the pummeled survivors out around the blasted bomb craters in no man's land. Only bassist Nyarlathotep and drummer Warhead have returned from this band's past. Half of the old band is better than one but I must mention how the newest member with a guitar in his hand,
Maelstrom, is incredible. The riffs this man has created are just as savage as the thing on this release's cover. The solo work he adds sounds sick and macabre like. This is raw, melodic black metal which ABAZAGORATH was always known for but there are no keyboards on here. That's definitely a change along with a harsher vocalist in Nihilist.

All in all this EP floored me literally because of it's monstrous sound quality. It starts off with a subtle entrance on the beginning moments of "Conjuring". Twenty five seconds into the instrumental the onslaught has begun. The thing has arrived and loosened upon all the unsuspecting. To me this EP sounds like a concept piece about an apparent demonic summoning gone wrong. Then again the question begs to be asked, is there a right outcome for a demonic summoning? I'll have to look that one up later. While the various cuts on here come forth like detonating artillery explosive ordinance it's the final cut, "Storms of Destruction", which is an absolute masterpiece. Be all of that as it may by the end of the cut I had to have more from this second coming of ABAZAGORATH. Unfortunately all I was left with was a hope that this would not be the last. This self titled EP has set the bar so high for this band that going back to their debut full length would be punishment.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://nvslabel.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Abazagorath666

COUNTESS - On Wings Of Defiance CD review

2012-02-24T19:40:00.003-08:00

COUNTESS - On Wings Of Defiance CD

Barbarian Wrath

Genre: Black Metal

The Swedish had Quorthon, Norway still has Varg but the Netherlands has Orlok who since the early nineties has made his act COUNTESS the in between band to BATHORY and BURZUM. To his credit Orlok, who performs all instruments and sings, has kept COUNTESS not only alive for close to thirty years but has released over a dozen full lengths as well as other material on short format. Plus there are countless numbers of rare unreleased material always lurking about. For the most part Orlok has also always stuck to the traditional black metal template. That of course has made him a man with no middle ground dwellers between those who like COUNTESS and those who don't. I'm one of the strange ones who has liked his material ever since The Return of the Horned One. Therefore any new COUNTESS is probably going to be interesting as well as expected.

On Wings Of Defiance is another COUNTESS release which will not surprise anyone who has been keeping up with Orlok's more recent releases. The man is growing more epic in his age these days and it shows on here with a release moving closer to BATHORY territory. For starters the cover art is amazing and everything you wanna know about the music lies within what you see on the cover. Instead of vikings Orlok concentrates on the barbarianism of older European tribes and the battles they fought. I believe Wings Of Defiance is more of a concept piece heaping praise on the pagan. Of course this could not be carried out successfully if it wasn't for the key elements, Orlok's harsh inhuman vocals joined with his sweeping guitar leads as well as hornets' nest atmospheric rhythms and plenty of keyboards to hold everything together. That's something the drum machine Orlok employs on here can't do.

Just to ruin your groove On Wings of Defiance slowly builds up over the first seven tracks till the two most important ones, "An Emperor's Stand" and the title cut leave you pounding your chest readying yourself for a real battle. May I suggest joining the Army. Look how well I turned out. Speaking of which after all the battlefield carnage is done with there's two more cuts. Both cuts are covers which bring about the feeling of a celebration. Although I thought the sixth cut on here, "Foggy Dew", was also a cover as well as being an old Irish folk tune. Either way Orlok lets loose with a DEMON cover of "Night of the Demon" followed by the most filthiest cover of VENOM's "In League with Satan" I ever heard. The thing was so raw you could get a piece of bread and soak up the blood from the plate.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.thebasar.org/

Order info: http://www.witches-brew.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2792

OVERLORDE S.R.- Medieval Metal Too CD review

2012-02-24T16:05:00.002-08:00

OVERLORDE S.R.- Medieval Metal Too CD

Heaven and Hell Records

Genre: Heavy Metal / NWOBHM

This is for those of you out there (that would be fans of the music and not collector scum) looking for obscure metal bands from the 1980's. The purveyors of everything classic, North Carolina's Heaven and Hell Records, has dug up another dirty diamond from the past. Overlorde was a band from Fayetteville, North Carolina (not to be confused with the one from NJ) who in the mid-80s released a four track demo titled Medieval Metal. That release would gain the band enough attention to get their song "Keeper of the Flame" placed on the Metal Massacre VIII compilation in 1987. OVERLORDE sound was based on the twin guitar attack, layered vocals and catchy rhythms all of which was key to the whole NWOBHM influence.

As always with bands determined to having cult status OVERLORDE disappeared from sight. Then again by the late 80's their style of metal was out of sync with conventional tastes since NWOBHM was dead, thrash was dying out and death metal was on the rise. Fast forward to the present day and now we have this gem. Medieval Metal Too contains the band's four song Medieval Metal demo, which during it's original release sold 10,000 copies. Along with the earlier mentioned "Keeper of the Flame" that demo also had the upbeat head banging "Full Speed Ahead", the more classic 70's metal stylings of "Enchantress of the Night" as well as the Zager & Evans cover from 1968 "In the Year 2525". The release is filled out by a few unreleased cuts plus the Metal Massacre compilation version of "Keeper of the Flame". By the way the S.R. at the end of OVERLORDE's name means Still RockN and to differentiate them from the NJ band of the same name.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.heavenandhellrecords.com/

Official: http://overlordesr.com/home/

ASPHYX - Deathhammer CD review

2012-02-24T15:49:00.003-08:00

ASPHYX - Deathhammer CD

Century Media

Genre: Death Metal

Not all legendary bands from the past put out Goth records or water down their sound in order to appeal to the lesser contagion. In fact this could be looked upon as a worship or die pronouncement from these Dutch death metal masters. That's pretty amazing considering the fact that it's been only a few years since half of the band's classic early 90's lineup got together. They added two new members and resurrected the band from a silence which lasted over five years. Then in 2009 the silence was finally broken with Death The Brutal Way, a full length that shattered both fan expectations and naysaying critics. ASPHYX was back with a vengeance.

Making a follow up to Death The Brutal Way was a formidable challenge. If you think a band putting out it's sophomore release is a challenge then multiply it by two. So ASPHYX took their sweet time with this one and give us what I consider an absolutely solid release in Deathhammer. This thing holds true to their past efforts not only faithfully but devastatingly. Modern day ASPHYX produces crushing Death Doom and fast paced headbanging crusty riffed death metal like few others. The sound on here is as raw as modern production standards can muster. 2011 might have been the year when all of the OSDM (old school death metal) newbies strutted their audio stuff. Now it's time for another veteran act to show off.

Martin van Drunen's tortured vocal style is still incredible sounding. Guitarist Paul Baayen 's (also in HAIL OF BULLETS with Drunen) biggest credit is that not only are his riffs as well as soloing very good but he has stepped into former guitarist Eric Daniels' role perfectly. Baayen not only recaptured this band's death doom sound on their previous release buts adds a sharper edge to Deathhammer. Former PULVERIZER bassist Alwin Zuur takes over for departed Wannes Gubbels and adds a little heavier assault with fellow rhythm partner drummer and longest original member Bob Bagchus. These four guys deliver ten blasts which I could say are skull crushing but that would be redundant.

This release is one of the best things you're going to hear this year in the death metal realm. Whether it's the fast yet diabolical slashers like opener "Into The Timewastes", the d-beat insanity of the title cut, sluggish doom ridden beasts "Minefield" and the hilariously titled but punishing “We Doom You to Death”, there is not one poor track on this release. So the question is are you going to bow down in respect or are you going to receive the Deathhammer with extreme prejudice?

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www2.centurymedia.com/

Official: http://www.asphyx.nl/

Just for the hell of it here's a second video for the Asphyx vs. Thanatos split. Asphyx covers Bestial Vomit by Majesty.

Scum News: Razorback Records signs LOATHSOME

2012-02-22T21:14:00.000-08:00

How could I not help out a band whose Facebook url has a few 666's in it.

Of course I checked out their music first, I'm not a fuckin boob. So should you if you like, I MEAN REALLY LIKE extreme sounding old school death metal. Go to their Facebook page and give the two songs they have streaming, "Into the Sanatorium" and "Alone in the Woods" a listen.

https://www.facebook.com/Loathsome666666

LOATHSOME was created from a jam session between DECREPITAPH members. (a SFM666 favorite) After several tracks were recorded the band then asked members of KAIJU and WOODENSTAKE (another SFM666 favorite)to add their talents to record the Lepers of the Loathsome demo.

LOATHSOME is currently working on their debut full length which will be released via Razorback Records.

http://www.razorbackrecords.com/

Scum News: Neurotic Deathfest, March 2-4, Tilburg Netherlands

2012-02-22T20:28:00.000-08:00

NOW THAT'S A FUCKIN DEATH FEST!

Craving bludgeoning death metal? Look no further! Neurotic Deathfest, set for March 2-4 at the 013 venue (home of Roadburn), Tilburg, Holland, will send you into a total headbanging frenzy!

Neurotic Deathfest is Europe's leading indoor festival for extreme metal and this year's lineup is massive, including Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Napalm Death, Suffocation, Origin, Asphyx, Cattle Decapitation, Legion of the Damned, Blood Red Throne, Gorguts, Misery Index and Morgoth.

What do you mean you want to go but can't due to prior commitments? Just tell 'em you're sick...very sick... See you there!

For tickets go here:

http://www.neuroticdeathfest.com/

For tentative running order go online here:

http://www.neuroticdeathfest.com/timeschedule/index.php

CRIMSON CULT - Tales of Doom CD review

2012-02-22T18:16:00.000-08:00

CRIMSON CULT - Tales of Doom CD

Label: Pure Legend Records

Genre: Heavy Metal

There's a horror / satanism movie from 1968 called The Crimson Cult. It was also called Curse of the Crimson Altar and starred Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee plus the incredible Barbara Steele. Yes I'm a huge fan of hers. Unfortunately this Austrian band is not influenced by that movie as far as I can hear. Although this band has a lot going for it that makes for a decent metal listen. The band has got the title right for the most part. CRIMSON CULT meld progressive power metal, yes there's keyboards, with basic doom. Walter Stuefer has a powerful voice invoking comparisons between Dio and Messiah Marcolin. Guitarist (and also keyboardist) Gunter Maier is the virtuoso as he pairs down-tuned riffs with piercing solos that fire out and into your skull like laser beams. Gunter has that classic metal touch part Yngwie part Blackmore. You can't go wrong with that.

Tales of Doom is this band's second full length. Their first one, a self titled release, came out in 2009. I have no idea how that one was but I'd say this is pretty good. I don't know how they pull these songs off in concert without a live keyboardist and peddles or background taped music doesn't cut it in my not so humble view. As far as their music highlights go this release opens fairly well. "State of Fear" is an all out rocker, very powerful and melodic. This is definitely a kick back to the 80s. Later on the release "Second Life" is almost a fast tempo reprise of the opener. On "Behind the Curtain" is where we immediately get that doom feel thanks to Gunter's mammoth riffs. He pulls the same magic on "Choshinja". The Dio factor kicks in strongly on the nine minute "The Long Way Home as well as the doom laden battle hymn "Warrior Son".

Unfortunately not everything is so epic and rocking on Tales of Doom. My disdain for ballads was resurrected when the band brought out "On the Edge". Impressive soloing by Gunter still couldn't change my mind. The same went for "Crimson Empire" and "Institution Christ" which wasn't bad just out of place. The closer "The Inquisition" is an Yngwie inspired instrumental which would fit nicely in their live set prior to their closing number of course. The CRIMSON CULT are the kind of band that gets that miserable middle slot of a gig. They do grab your attention enough to stand there in awe for most of the time which ain't a bad thing either.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.puresteel-records.com/

Official: http://www.crimsoncult.com/

PACT - The Dragon Lineage of Satan CD review

2012-02-22T18:08:00.000-08:00

PACT - The Dragon Lineage of Satan CD

Moribund Cult

Genre: Black Metal

Well it's a brisk twenty five degrees outside and I'm inside, where it's slightly warmer, blasting some new black metal from the USA. The things I do for the cause. Any way this is not your typical new USBM that gets swooned over by hipster numb nuts. It's actually good since they stay away from the silly avant garde experimentation and stick to the template. The Dragon Lineage of Satan is the debut full length by PACT an act who hail from Pennsylvania but sound like they're Norse. This is not far from Panzer Division era MARDUK territory with it's blitzkrieg assault. From opener "Litany to Satan" to the final salvo of "A Vast Eternity" the PACT are relentless on this forty seven (close enough) minute attack of full on blasting. Most notable on here are Wretch's riffs which sound like one huge pissed off hornet's nest. Also Heg's vocals are truly sick as if his throat has been burned with acid. This is a total hate fest and I love it.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.moribundcult.com

EREVOS - Descensus Ad Inferos CD review

2012-02-22T17:37:00.000-08:00

EREVOS - Descensus Ad Inferos CD

Orkestral Promenade Productions

Genre: Black Metal

The legacy of the Greek black metal scene is that the prominent bands always had a unique take on the genre. Think of bands like ROTTING CHRIST, NECROMANTIA, DEVISER, old SEPTIC FLESH and ASTARTE as well as my favorite anti human friend DODSFERD. All of these bands took outside influences (who doesn't?) and melded them with their own heritage. I could name more who really pushed the uber Greek heritage thing but I'm not gonna go pull em all out. I'm making that point because EREVOS is from Greece and their sound on here is cliche symphonic black metal with other baggage which I'll get to later. Yes I know symphonic black metal is pretty cliche to start with but this band goes one further by having a chick on keyboards. Now don't get me wrong. I have nothing against women in metal. Hell I blushed the first time I met Doro. Then I asked what her policy was with male groupies and she blushed. But having a female keyboardist in a symphonic black metal is a page out of Hot Topic. At least this woman,Tisiphoni, isn't wearing a push up bra with a dress opened deep down front to emphasize her cleaves. Not that there's anything wrong with that either but let's call it what it is, eye candy.

EREVOS' brand of the black leans heavily on Norway 1996/97 with hints of straight up metal, thrash and melodic death metal. That latter influence must be from one of their guitarists, Abraxas, who was once in the Greek blackened death act INCEST IN HEAVEN. (great band name) While going through this band's songs it's more of an endurance test to not make rude facial expressions. "Under the Wings of Thanatos" is more under the influence of DIMMU BORGIR minus the Greek Philharmonic Orchestra of course. Throughout most of Descensus Ad Inferos the keys are in charge of the atmosphere. "Kires" is actually a decent cut for a hard rock number goth-ed out with mild blast beat action. "Kerveros" is somewhat enjoyable but that's about it. I remember some band from last year that I called blackened power metal. Sorry I forgot their name (go figure) but EREVOS is fairly close to that example. They throw everything at you that they carry in their luggage except the keyboardist's panties. Then again I haven't seen em live yet. This is the band's debut full length after being around since 2005. How they missed out on the late 2000's symphonic black metal bandwagon I'll never know. Chances are they will turn out to be huge when they hit the European metal festival circuit.

RATING: 3/5

Label: http://www.orkestral.gr/

Official: http://www.erevosblack.gr/

Scum News: Angel Witch New Album Details Revealed New Track Available For Streaming

2012-02-21T10:45:00.000-08:00

Legendary British metal act ANGEL WITCH is set to release their new album As Above, So Below on March 20 via Metal Blade Records. The CD unites newly-penned yet timeless-sounding material such as 'Geburah', 'The Horla', 'Brainwashed' and 'Upon This Cord' with four long-lost tracks from the classic-era. 'Dead Sea Scrolls' and 'Witching Hour' both date back to 1983 / '84, while 'Into The Dark' and 'Guillotine' are older still. Both were live favorites during Angel Witch's late-1970s heyday; indeed, 'Guillotine' was actually intended to have appeared on the ANGEL WITCH album.

Take a listen to "Dead Sea Scrolls" below.

http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F36904104&show_artwork=true

Scum News: ELIZABETH - Artwork and two tracks off "Where Vultures Land"

2012-02-19T20:08:00.000-08:00

NOW THAT'S AN ALBUM COVER!

Switzerland's ELIZABETH have posted two tracks of their upcoming EP "Where Vultures Land" to be released on 4th April. This hardcore/crust outfit (for fans of Rise And Fall, The Hope Conspiracy, Converge), led by ex-NOSTROMO vocalist Javier Varela, will release this 8-tracks EP on 12" vinyl on via Throatruiner Records and I For Us.

Free download and pre-orders will start on early march. Discover those two new songs here : http://throatruinerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/where-vultures-land

KING - Forged by Satan's Doctrine CD review

2012-02-19T19:06:00.000-08:00

KING - Forged by Satan's Doctrine CD

Deathgasm Records

Genre: Blackened Death Metal

The world of extreme metal can always use another Satanic South American Death Squad. This one here, KING, hails from Colombia and likes their torture treatment under strict blackened death guidelines. After the obligatory conjuring of blackened hell demons opener, "Summon Shub-Niggurath Ye Black", these guys go straight into punishing territory earlier plowed by KRISIUN, albeit much more crude. Beware of the crunchy jack booted trudgery of "No Pray, No Mercy, Just Death" (Unpromised Satan) which reminded me of the wedding vows from my first marriage. "Kill the Posers Like Fucking Christians" is thoroughly devastating along with being cliche. From that point on it's your average growls and squeals, chugging riffs and blasted drum pounding. A slight step above the brutal for the sake of brutality variety.

RATING: 3/5

Label: http://www.deathgasm.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kingbathroz

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - Self Titled CD review

2012-02-19T18:56:00.000-08:00

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - Self Titled CD

Candlelight Records

Genre: Metal

I live in Raleigh, North Carolina so I've had the pleasure of seeing COC quite a lot. To just give you a rough estimate I'd say well over a dozen but less than twenty. Of course the majority of those shows was when they were a three piece (aka: Mike Dean on bass & vocals, Reed Mullin on drums & vocals and guitarist Woodrow Weatherman) doing a few songs from Eye for an Eye but most from Animosity. I also saw them with Simon Bob singing during their Technocracy era. All of those shows were at a club called the Brewery which has recently been torn down. I also saw their Blind era lineup once at a larger local venue back in the day. I never saw COC after that which I refer to as the "Pepper years". Moreover I was not a fan of that material as well since for me COC's best record was Animosity.

This brings me to an obvious point which is that most bands who have been around for a long time (COC has endured for 30 years) will have fans who favor one era over another. Ever since COC returned to form it's obvious that old fans from their hardcore days (that would be me) are excited, whereas those fans who got into them during their later years ask "where's Pepper?" I've even (by accident of course) had the displeasure of catching two early reviews of this new one. The first by an obvious later years fan because the writer spent the whole first paragraph complaining about Pepper not being on this release. (And people say I editorialize) The second one was from the local indie rock paper where the hipster douche bag scribe submitted three paragraphs of dense, pretentious and barely readable analysis of one Soundcloud preview cut. Thankfully I'll give you something better but beware I've already admitted my bias. I've also listened to this for ten hours straight.

First off when I interviewed Woody in December he said that this new one will have influences from all of their eras. Well he was right about that. On opener "Psychic Vampire" is SABBATH on speed with a few bong hit mellow breaks and ending it with their modern era Southern groove. This is followed up with "River of Stone" a complex song with enough time changes to snap a vertebrae which is pure latter era COC. "Leeches" is a little over two minutes of Animosity era ferocity. A warning for old fucks like me, don't do any stage dives off the furniture. Next up is what I call their experimental moment. "El Lamento de las Cabras", which translates into The Lament of the Goats, is a doom instrumental which shows the band stepping out of their traditional element. I was surprised to see them include "Your Tomorrow" as a regular track. It's a great song but has already come out on the 2010 EP. "The Doom", one of two early leaked cuts, is another melding of SABBATH riffage with hardcore break outs. It's my favorite cut on here.

The latter half of this release is more of the same great material. Not taking each one in order let me just say it's an assorted bag. Songs like "The Moneychangers" and "What We Become" are latter era influenced classics with grunge accented rhythms. "Rat City" is another hardcore pit starter. Were as "Come Not Here" and "Time of Trials", another leaked song, display more of the band's modern (as in now!) direction. When it came to defining this eponymous release I just had to call it metal. The band combines sludge, stoner grooves, real hardcore and raw metal into one huge monstrous beast. I think this release will appeal to old fans as well as brand new ones which I think is cool as fuck. For those of you who got into COC in the mid 90's well maybe not. Either way this new revitalised and retro-fitted COC release shows that these guys have a new lease.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk/

Official: http://www.coc.com/

NOCTURNAL TORMENT - They Come at Night CD review

2012-02-19T18:27:00.000-08:00

NOCTURNAL TORMENT - They Come at Night CD

Deathgasm

Genre: Death Metal

What Hell has the Midwest wrought to have vomited this upon unsuspecting listeners? I was literally knocked back when this thing initiated it's diabolical start. From that point on I was glued to my seat until all fifty minutes of They Come at Night played through. Then I played it again just for fun since I'm into that shit. Indiana's NOCTURNAL TORMENT are not your typical OSDM (old school death metal) revival act. You won't be pummeled once again with INCANTATION left overs or treated to more ENTOMBED tribute band recitals. This band harnesses the good ol' American Midwest death metal spirit (slight flashes of thrash) with some lessons from an old Buffalo, New York gone to Florida act (who still sounds good today) MALEVOLENT CREATION and one technical Dutch DM legend of yore (yore is right cause they ain't of late) PESTILENCE.

Of course much of this band's sound can be attributed to their history. Yes this is NOCTURNAL TORMENT's full length debut but they originally formed in 1988. Prior to that they were a thrash band (hint hint) and then afterwards concentrated on other side band projects (I'm guessing death metal as well). Now with all of that history under their belts this comes forth like the gates of the underworld exploding open and unleashing every fucking nasty bastard from that address. I'm sitting here listening to this screaming "holy fuckin shit"! This is pure fuckin face ripping percussive blasting death metal dammit! Think of everything you like about death metal all combined on one release by one band. They Come at Night is a feast of maniacal vocals, artillery percussion, filth encrusted riffs, and piercing solos. It's progressiveness and old school bluntness joining forces for an almighty battle. Perfection.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.deathgasm.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/eternalnocturnaltorment

Scum News: MC5 bassist Michael Davis dies aged 68

2012-02-19T11:24:00.000-08:00

Michael Davis, the bass player of the legendary as well as influential MC5, has died of liver failure at age 68. The announcement was made by his wife Angela Davis who said plans for a memorial were pending. Along with his wife Davis is also survived by their three sons and a daughter from a previous marriage. Davis died at Enloe Medical Center in Chico, California, on Friday following a month of treatment for liver disease.

I was a big fan of MC5, first getting into them back in the early 70's when I was a kid. Even to this day their music still electrifies the senses. What follows is the obligatory video music remembrance. This was always my favorite song by the MC5 although I liked all three of their LPs:

HARD RIOT - Living on a Fast Lane CD review

2012-02-16T22:28:00.000-08:00

HARD RIOT - Living on a Fast Lane CD

Pitch Black Records

Genre: Hard Rock

This reminds me of WHITESNAKE from back in the 80's minus the power ballads and Tawny Kitaen meets NIGHT RANGER plus another pop rock / metal act to be named later (although I doubt it) from that same horrible era. I had to go to this label's website to see if this German band looked like something I would have seen in the back pages of Kerrang circa 1984. They don't but still that doesn't change the fact that Living on a Fast Lane completely embraces the sound of 1980's hard rock / heavy metal in the pop vein. Once in a while they will toss in something palatable, like an ACDC riff or a Klaus Meine vocal melody.

HARD RIOT is a band who sound like they stepped out of a time machine. This eleven song release is a throwback to the MTV / radio friendly days of the early 80s. Even the production, done by someone named Vagelis Maranis, is perfect in recreated quality. Give that guy a cookie. Now don't get me wrong this band is talented. Obviously if you still yearn for those days gone by like the three guys from VH-1's That Metal Show then this is for you. Who needs a tribute act when you've got four guys willing to bust out some new hits. This is definitely for fans only and Tawny Kitaen who's a notorious cougar now when she's outta drug rehab.

RATING: 2/5

Label: http://www.pitchblackrecords.com/

NEOANDERTALS - Australopithecus CD review

2012-02-16T20:52:00.000-08:00

NEOANDERTALS - Australopithecus CD

Self Released

Genre: Primal Jazz Fusion

I was just telling someone today that doing SFM666 was cool because every once in a while I learn about a new exciting band from somewhere I've never been. I should be more careful of what I wish for. On first listen the NEOANDERTALS sound like Estonia's Tony Levin and Bill Bruford. For those of you who don't know that's the rhythm section for the Discipline jazz fusion era of KING CRIMSON back in the 80's. The NEOANDERTALS are a two piece act consisting of Rain Pohlak on bass and Sandra Vungi on drums. (although when this was recorded Roland Seer was on drums) This is an instrumental jazz fusion release albeit with a twist.

While I was absorbing all of what Australopithecus had to offer I was also doing some research on NEOANDERTALS in order to get an understanding. Musically it's fairly tribal as well as primal in structure which goes with what I found. Essentially this duo are back to nature types who live in their own self built cabin out in the country. (there's a documentary clip filmed by the Estonian National Television on Youtube) Ironically you need electricity to plug in your amps as well as record your music but that's neither here or there. The band has two previous full length releases: Neanderthals Were Master Butchers in 2007 and Ebu Gogo Gutting the Child from 2010, both of which had vocals.

This new one has no vocals then again I'd be hard pressed to imagine applying vocals onto any of these tracks. If I was a toker (you know what I mean) then I could see relaxing, spacing out while listening to these neolithic jams fill the air with eclectic rhythms. There are times when the bass rumbles like the bubbling of primordial ooze. The drumming is a sort of long range tribal communication from pre-language times. Yeah I'm giving this my best shot at objectivity although I can just wonder what others have said about this band. In all honesty I didn't know how to exactly describe this.

After multiple plays you do feel relaxed as the beats make for a decent background atmosphere. I had it playing for three hours tonight. Near the end I stepped outside for a smoke along with enjoying the foggy night atmosphere. While out there I thought I saw Bigfoot dancing in the tree line. My thoughts were "oh great I better turn the music off before it brings all the primates out of the woods. The next thing you know is that I'll have a whole back yard full of em dancing in a hairy hoedown." NEOANDERTALS are definitely unique, good at what they do and for fans only.

RATING: 3/5

Bandcamp: http://neoandertals.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/neoandertals

Here's part of the documentry on the band

ON TOP - Top Heavy CD review

2012-02-16T17:02:00.000-08:00

ON TOP - Top Heavy CD

HPGD Productions

Genre: Heavy Metal

"Hello Philadelphia we are ON TOP and we're here to rock your world!" Yeah I'm sure that's been yelled from a South Philly bar's stage a few times by this act. If you haven't already guessed ON TOP are from the place I affectionately call Hostile City USA aka: Philadelphia, PA. But I won't hold these guys back by calling them just a South Philly bar band. I'm sure they've done the whole Wilmington, Delaware, Upper Darby and Lehigh Valley, PA nightclub circuit. ON TOP are a proto thrash meets Ted Nugent sounding trio whose goal is to bring 80's metal nostalgia in your face.

Top Heavy is their debut album and just from that above mentioned standpoint alone yeah it's decent. This sounds more like a self produced demo than an actual full length. Then again if you're cruising down the mainstreet of your local burg in the Nova with the music blasting to impress the chicks who cares right. Of course they have all the 1980's tribute band attributes working for em. They've got a guitarist who can rip a decent solo, a hard pounding drummer and a bassist who can also slip in a solo as well as keep a rhythm. The vocals are what remind me of the Nuge which are sung by the bassist.

When it comes to this modern day revival of vintage 80's metal, ON TOP are not far from what CAULDRON are doing. Don't expect a variety of sounds when blasting this one. Then again that is what it all was about back then. Loud blasting sounds, edgy vocals, wild guitar soloing and hot young chicks in front of the stage pulling up their shirts which unfortunately you don't see anymore. I'm talking about that last part of course. Plus they've already got their radio approved hit with "Into the Night".

RATING: 3/5

Label: http://hpgd.comoj.com/index.html

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ONTOPOFFICIAL

Scum News: IDES OF GEMINI To Release New Full-Length Via Neurot Recordings

2012-02-16T14:32:00.000-08:00

THIS SHOULD BE SUBTITLED "When Journalists step out from behind their keyboards and become Musicians."

IDES OF GEMINI is a collusion of musical forces precipitated by the haunting and inimitable vocal prowess of singer/bassist Sera Timms, also of Los Angeles dark-psych alchemists BLACK MATH HORSEMAN (who are great by the way). The compositions are the long-simmering mental fallout of veteran music and film journalist J. Bennett (guitar/backing vocals), who has spent most of the last 14 years writing for such publications as Decibel, Terrorizer, Revolver, Alternative Press and Thrasher. (Editor's Note: I'm a big fan of Bennett's journalistic ability especially from his work in Decibel.) The third and final corner of the triangle is Kelly Johnston, whose martial drumming techniques and soaring backing vocals literally brought IDES OF GEMINI to life as a performing entity.

Last year, Timms and Bennett recorded and self-released IDES OF GEMINI’s four-song EP, The Disruption Writ, which was anointed “My Favorite Demo of 2010” by the highly influential music blog Invisible Oranges. (well that figures) Lyrically, the songs detailed the terrifying permanence of dismemberment in all its unsettling forms: psychological, emotional and physical. Musically, though? Someone on the Internet called it “dream doom.” (which is fairly ignorant and hipster retarded) Nobody likes to be pigeonholed, but IDES OF GEMINI will gladly take up temporary residence in that particular nook for the sake of shorthand. Which is to say that “dream doom” will do the trick for now. And now is nothing if not fleeting. Mostly because IDES OF GEMINI are about to unveil their full-length debut, Constantinople, via Neurot Recordings.

Set for North American release on May 29, 2012 (May 28th in UK/EU), Constantinople’s nine-tracks were produced by IDES OF GEMINI, engineered and mixed by Chris Rakestraw (Danzig, Skeletonwitch) at Sunset Lodge Recording in Los Angeles and features striking cover art collaboration by Timms and Bennett.

Comments Bennett of the soul-searing offering: “To say that this album is the result of blood, sweat and tears is the understatement of the year. This record exists only by the sheer will and determination of the three band members. Personally speaking, I wrote about half the music during the five months of 2011 in which I was unable to walk. Constantinople means many things to Ides Of Gemini, but it is primarily an example of victory over horseshit.”

Look here people I took all of my bias outside and went to their Bandcamp site here: http://idesofgemini.bandcamp.com for a listen and loved what I heard. Screw that "dream doom" tag this is female fronted psych and doom which is haunting. I think it's damm good. You should check it out.

Here's another cut for you to savor

http://idesofgemini.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/IdesofgeminI

http://www.neurotrecordings.com

Scum News: WINDHAND Announce March Tourdates and Updated Release Info for Forcefield Debut

2012-02-16T14:06:00.000-08:00

Finally the time has come! After myriad setbacks and issues beyond their control. the mighty WINDHAND have set the release date for their debut LP in stone. On March 21, 2012, their critically acclaimed eponymous album will be available for purchase from Richmond, VA's Forcefield Records (with UK/European distribution handled by Mordgrimm).

Richmond, VA may be known primarily for its wicked thrash and crust punk scenes, but there's something evil lurking within that doomed old capital. Psyched-out ultra-Sabbathian amplifier worshippers WINDHAND, who boast ex-members of heavy riffters FACEDOWNINSHIT and ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY within their ranks, have risen. Slated for a March 21, 2012 release, the record will be available in a limited gatefold pressing of violet wax, and was recorded/mixed by Garrett Morris (PARASYTIC, BASTARD SAPLING) at the Dark Room with Slipped Disc Audio's Bill McElroy (PENTAGRAM, AVAIL, ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY) handling mastering duties.

SCUMFEAST METAL 666 has touted this band from the onset. WINDHAND was formed in 2008 in Richmond, VA and self-released their first demo in 2010, which I raved about here on this site. Original drummer, Jeff Loucks, parted ways with the band in early 2010, with current drummer Ryan Wolfe joining shortly thereafter. Their mammoth debut LP will be available on March 25th - stay (down)tuned!

The band have also announced a short run of dates up and down the East Coast alongside PILGRIM (Metal Blade) and NATUR (Earache), as well as a string of additional gigs come March. Dates are below:

WINDHAND ON TOUR:

2/29 Baltimore MD- The Sidebar w/ The Pilgrim (MD) & Heaviness of the Load
3/1 Brooklyn, NY - Public Assembly /w Natur, Pilgrim, & Magic Circle
3/2 Philadelphia, PA - JR's w/ Natur, Pilgrim, & Pagan Wolf Ritual
3/3 Washington, DC - St. Stephen's Church /w Ilsa, Natur, & Pilgrim
3/4 Richmond, VA - Strange Matter /w Natur, Pilgrim, & Humungous
3/5 Savannah GA - Orphan Cage
3/6 Gainesville FL - The Wayward Council
3/7 Tallahassee, FL - AF House w/ In Defence & Dickkicker
3/8 St. Petersburg FL - The Fubar w/ Set and Setting
3/9 Atlanta GA - Archive Gallery w/ Halmos
3/10 Raleigh NC - Slim's w/ Balaclava

Just a reminder on how great this band is:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windhand/115952841804204?sk=info

Bandcamp: http://windhandva.bandcamp.com/

MAZE OF ROOTS - Maze of Roots and Earthen Castle EPs review

2012-02-16T13:47:00.000-08:00

MAZE OF ROOTS - Maze of Roots & Earthen Castle EPs

Self Released / Satanica Productions

Genre: Doom

A friend of mine who also does a music website posted something today on Face Crack about being bored with writing and didn't know what to do. I commented that I too get that way every few months. I mean lets be honest here. My criteria for music on SFM666 is pretty ridged. Readers pretty much know what they're gonna find on here. It's not like something completely off the wall is going to find it's way on this page. So yeah boredom sometimes sets in but then out of nowhere a release will come my way which brings back that excitement as well as reasoning behind why I do this website.

Case in point, MAZE OF ROOTS, a one man doom act from Finland. The mainman multi instrumentalist / vocalist behind this project, Joel Aukusti Peksujeff, sent me both of his acts EPs to check out. He probably wasn't expecting to make my day but he did. The first one I checked out was the most recent Earthen Castle EP, a four song release from 2011. What emanated from my speakers was this macabre occultish sounding doom which trudged along like a fiend dragging a body from a graveyard. His vocals were even more bizarre like some wailing inmate from an asylum. That was just from the first cut "They Came from Below".

All of Earthen Castle follows a similar pattern with the song "Goats Do Roam" adding a little more bombast. The key to this release is Joel's perfectly arranged instrumentation. The keyboards are perfect as an atmospheric back drop for most parts while at other times becoming a solo instrument like some macabre carousel tunage. The riffs have that crispy electric crackle. The bass and drum work is overwhelmingly monolithic. This was also a low-fi recording which adds to the creepy vibe that permeates this release. Although the title cut was decent it's the final piece "Timeless I Am" which was like a call from the ancient crypt of the dead. This is definitely a haunting release.

The self titled EP, released in 2010, is far more bleak than Earthen Castle. Joel must have been having a bad year. Although this release is slightly longer it comes across like one long agonising cut. The highlight for me was opener "Where Only Rats Claim Their Home". Certainly rough around the edges with the production bass heavy and the vocals more subdued. The whole release has an atmosphere of a torture victim's soliloquy. I'd like to find the intercom system of some huge mall, remove the elevator music and placed this thing on just for laughs.

I believe Joel needs to find a way to get both of these EPs placed and packaged on one CD. After which take all of them then bury everything in a grave for about a year to get the earthy scent. After that put them on the market. This is full on gothic / occult doom for the perpetually grim. The self titled EP is decent but the Earthen Castle is excellent.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.satanica.org/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mazeofroots

Scum News: UNDEAD PANDEMIC reveal album cover and release first single

2012-02-16T11:51:00.000-08:00

UK based Blackened Death Goregrind project UNDEAD PANDEMIC reveals the cover artwork for its upcoming full-length release. UNDEAD PANDEMIC's second full-length album will be titled "Nunslut" and promises to be even more extreme and offensive than its predecesor, "The Rising"!

The first single off UNDEAD PANDEMIC's upcoming effort, "Thirty Thousand Fisted Nuns" is now available for free streaming at

http://soundcloud.com/pestpromo/undead-pandemic-thirty

The band is currently looking for a serious label interested in producing its new piece of blasphemy.

http://www.facebook.com/undeadpandemic

FUNERAL WHORE - Step Into Damnation CD review

2012-02-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

FUNERAL WHORE - Step Into Damnation CD

Chaos Records

Genre: Death Metal

Let's see what we have here, a Dutch band playing OSDM (old school death metal) and the release is on a Mexican record label. Well I'm in my happy place. After putting out a handful of short format releases over the past few years FUNERAL WHORE finally comes out with their debut full length. This band doesn't waste any time setting the tone which is brutal. Imagine sitting in a bar when suddenly the front door is kicked open and in walks a seven foot tall three hundred pound brute who proceeds to lay waste on every patron inside. That's what opener "Wasteland of Corpses" reminds me of and the carnage continues throughout this eleven song hate fest.

As all of you readers know by now my ancestral heritage is Dutch. I also have an affinity (obviously) towards Dutch death metal acts like ASPHYX, HAIL OF BULLETS and PESTILENCE. This act sits well with those legends albeit their sound leans more toward Sweden's GRAVE more than their nation's DM peers. Still You can't go wrong with that. Other than just crushing your skull with pure unadulterated old school brutality FUNERAL WHORE also include plenty of head banging groove. Songs like "El Salvador Death Squad", "Buried In Hell" and "Camp Blood" hint of some USDM influence like OBITUARY. Other times the band has tendencies to give off a pure INCANTAION vibe. No complaints here since going by the playbook of heavy riffage, crusty d-beat drumming and beast like vocals is fine by me. Yeah I'm bias so what do you have a problem? I'll see you in the bar.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://chaos-records.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/funeralwhore

Scum Video: NOX VORAGO - Voidshrines

2012-02-15T20:58:00.000-08:00

After a long time of silence Nox Vorago is glad to present to a teaser of what's to come! On the first of May they will be entering Grand Recordings Studio to record their first full length album.
Voidshrines was recorded in Janne Jalomas home studio and mixed and masterd by Wictor Lindström.
The band wants everyone to know, "Be prepared for some approaching ear-orgasms"

Follow them on:
https://www.facebook.com/noxvorago

http://www.twitter.com/noxvorago

http://www.noxvorago.com

Scum News: Listenable Records Offering Free 22-Track Sampler

2012-02-15T20:33:00.001-08:00

Listenable Records is offering fans a free 22-track sampler, which is now available for streaming and download at

sampler.listenable.net.

The album, which features tracks from many Listenable's dynamic and diverse roster of artists - past and present - includes Gojira, Svart Crown, Sarah Jezebel Deva, 77, Hate, Serpent Cult and many more. Full sampler tracklisting below:

01- TORNADO
"Hate Worldwide" taken from the album "Amsterdamn Hellsinki"
02- GOJIRA
"Yama's Messengers" taken from the album "The Way of All Flesh"
03- STEPHAN FORTE
"Duat" taken from the album " "The Shadows Compendium"
04- SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA
"The World Won't Hold Your Hand" taken from the album "The Corruption of Mercy"
05- BETRAYING THE MARTYRS
"Martyrs" taken from the album "Breathe in Life"
06- KATANA
"Phoenix On Fire" taken from the album "Heads Will Roll"
07- SVARTCROWN
"Into A Demential Sea" taken from the album "Witnessing the Fall"
08- HATE
"Lux Aeterna" taken from the album "Erebos"
09- HEAVENWOOD
"Once A Burden" taken from the album "Abyss Masterpiece"
10- IZEGRIM
"Deathstrip" taken from the album "Code of Consequences"
11- KRUGER
"Villains" taken from the album "For Death, Glory and the End of the World"
12- PANZERCHRIST
"Impact" taken from the album "Regiment Ragnarok"
13- TORMENTED
"Come Back from the Dead" taken from the album "Rotten Death"
14- THE ORDER OF APOLLYON
"Never" taken from the album "The Flesh"
15- CAVUS
"Death Rattle" taken from the album "Fester And Putrefy"
16- 77
"High Decibels" taken from the album "High Decibels"
17-DARKANE
"Convicted ( Live )" taken from the live cd /dvd "Layers of Live"
18- LIVARKAHIL
"The Flesh of All Damned" taken from the album "Signs of Decay"
19- ELECTRIC MARY
"OIC" taken from the album "III"
20- THE RED SHORE
"The Seeds of Annihilation" taken from the album "The Avarice of Man"
21- THE ORDER OF APOLLYON
"Word" taken from the album "The Flesh"
22- SERPENT CULT
"Growth of the Soil" taken from the album "Raised by Wolves"

AZAGHAL - Nemesis CD review

2012-02-15T20:19:00.000-08:00

AZAGHAL - Nemesis CD

Moribund Cult

Genre: Black Metal

Last year when I saw this was an upcoming release on the Moribund website (which is like a candy store for black metal fanatics) I knew what to expect and that I was going to like it a lot. From the opening salvo which is "In Deathlike Silence", it's like being stripped naked and thrown into the North Sea. Yes AZAGHAL, legends to many true believers since they've been around since the late 90's, have returned with yet another great full length. Like I always remind people it's the Finnish who push the envelope when it comes to Northern European black metal brutality. On Nemesis this band envelops you in a cold terror as virulent as ever.

For some people (re: losers) AZAGHAL's latest will not be progressive enough for their "forward thinking" tastes. I almost fell out of my chair and onto the floor laughing after typing that line. The fact is songs like "Hail the Whore", "Satanic Devotion" and my favorite from this new one "Black Legions of Satan" will not be on any liberal minded music fan's playlist. That's a good thing in that those types of people are supposed to be frightened or worse underwhelmed by the music we extreme types love. AZAGHAL plays in a formula which at times is crushing like an avalanche or thrashing with the rage of a berzerker. I've like everything they've ever released. Guess what, this goes into the collection because of consistency.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.moribundcult.com

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/azaghalterrorcult

AUGRIMMER - Nothing Ever Was CD review

2012-02-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

AUGRIMMER - Nothing Ever Was CD

Northern Silence

Genre: Black Metal

Here's a German black metal act who actually sound like a German black metal act. Laugh as you might you ignorant unsophisticated fucks but there is a certain sound and style to German black metal. Just like their neighbors who have a unique take on the genre so do the Germans. Take the traditional style, add melody, war like aggression plus an air of orchestral precision and perfect timing. AUGRIMMER are the latest in a regimented group of acts from that nation who can create black metal that has astonishing beauty as well as bestial ferocity.

Nothing Ever Was is this band's second full length and a slight step up from their previous outing, 2009's From the Lone Winters Cold. On here the band's aggression is under control resulting in a more melodic as well as mature sound. There's that Germanic pagan black metal traditionalism flowing throughout the nine cuts (actually 8 cuts an a obligatory opener "Shadows") A few cuts bring forth structured melodies as well as clean guitar soloing usually found in that nation's power metal acts.

Instead of sitting back being transfixed by cold and frosty lines AUGRIMMER offers up the warmth of head banging from a salvo of chunky riffs, galloping rhythms and a few atmospheric breaks in order to catch your breath. Vocalist Satan (yeeesss?) sounds like a younger Attila. There's a classic metal spirit that runs through all of these cuts yet it's still a blackened primordial aura that emanates from this. Nothing Ever Was is beautiful yet malicious like starring into the Black Forest.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://northern-silence.de/

Official: http://augrimmer.de/

Scum Video: SIGH - Far Beneath The In-Between

2012-02-15T19:23:00.000-08:00

When it comes to extreme metal Japan's SIGH are basically sick freaks. Yeah I like em and they're set to release their ninth studio album in March called In Somniphobia. This 11 track release features guest appearances from Massacre’s Kam Lee and Meads Of Asphodel’s Metatron as well as cover illustration by renowned artist Eliran Kantor which you've already seen above, cool ain't it.

SIGH has been around since Black Metal's Second Wave, starting out in 1990 and known for their nontraditional (aka: experimental) approach to extreme metal / music. Supposedly such is going to be the case with their latest endeavor. The band promises that this new one will be their most musically varied and plainly enthralling recording to date In Somniphobia will incorporate everything from heavy metal, classical, jazz, traditional Indian music, Stockhausen, and Xenakis. Yeah I'm clueless about those last two as well. This one will be a pure, sonic nightmare that lasts more than an hour and an album long time fans are sure to embrace.

Commented vocalist/keyboardist Mirai Kawashima: "This is your sonic nightmare. This is the music that lies somewhere between your reality and imagination. This is the heaviest, scariest, craziest and by far the best album by SIGH in every aspect. Be sure to smoke first then listen to this with headphones. Bad trip guaranteed."

In celebration of the record’s upcoming release, today Scumfeast Metal 666 premieres the band’s video for seventh track “Far Beneath The In-Between.” Prepare for a freak out.

In Somniphobia will be released in North America via Candlelight Records on March 13, 2012.

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com

SLEEPY HOLLOW - Skull 13 CD review

2012-02-15T18:43:00.000-08:00

SLEEPY HOLLOW - Skull 13 CD

Label: Pure Steel Records

Genre: Classic Metal / NWOBHM

Here's a band from an address of which I came into this world. SLEEPY HOLLOW hail from my birth place of New Jersey and are contemporaries of another old "Jersey Steel" act called ATTACKER. (I'm sure they knew VALKYRIE from the late 80's as well) Both bands shared the same vocalist Bob Mitchell. Anyone out there who owns a copy of the compilation Metal Massacre 5 knows the song "(Call On) The Attacker". I know my good friend Andy Miller owns a copy of that one. Not that long ago I was over his place and he played it along with the rest of the Metal Massacre compilations. Also ATTACKER actually had a career.

Yes well SLEEPY HOLLOW originally started out back in 1989 trying to revive the metal music sounds of the late 70's / early 80's. They did manage to get one full length out which was their self titled opus from 1991. For you collector scum that record is one rare slab and there are plenty of bootleg copies of it floating around as well so don't get ripped off on Ebay. Getting back to the story at hand, the band called it quits kinda fast leaving behind something of a cult status legacy. Now after two decades they're back with their second full length and still worshipping at the altars of SAXON, RAINBOW, METAL CHURCH and FATES WARNING.

First off if you remember this band from back in the day and wanna shit a brick then here you go. This is the same line up from 1991 (Bob Mitchell on vocals, guitarist Steve Stegg and drummer Tommy Wassman) with the exception of new bassist Mike LePond who use to play in (holy crap) New Jersey power metal legends, SYMPHONY X. Okay how about shitting two bricks on that one but if you wanna try for three well this new release sounds pretty damm good. I mean if you forget some of the ballad type of material on here then this will surprise you.

Right now there are a slew of young acts out reviving metal's early sound and style. These guys are like their parents who have produced a release which actually sounds equal and fresh as anything from those new jacks. If the production wasn't so modern sounding then this too could be a long lost gem from years ago.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.puresteel-records.com/

SHROUD OF DESPONDENCY - Pine CD review

2012-02-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

SHROUD OF DESPONDENCY - Pine CD

Self Released

Genre: Black Metal

There's a quote from an indie rock loser scribe I refer to a lot which states "in order for black metal to stay relevant in needs to progress." That person really meant that black metal needs to be less metal and more dull, redundant crap like what indie rock represents. If black metal is going to be progressive (which it already has done many times before you indie rock idiots) then it's best when it uses the tools at hand which so happen to be made of or with metal. Wisconsin's SHROUD OF DESPONDENCY knows that all too well and on this release it shows.

Not willing to be complacent with present day USBM cliches the band incorporates an incredible amount of lush folk structures, old school death metal, funeral doom and ambient prog elements to their sound. All of these things have been used prominently by the blackened hordes from Europe. To hear them all combined within the framework of an American band's release is somewhat amazing. The end result is a unique musical tapestry displaying various textures and atmosphere.

On here the band layers their dark sound with keyboard interludes, effects as well as spoken word samples. This does not bleed well from one cut to the other but it certainly shakes the foundation and adds variety from the more blasted cuts. The more I listen to this the more I consider this band an Americanized version of SIGH, SHINING and to some degree TAAKE. Although this is far from being a bastardized version of those others. When the band starts employing thrash riffs in a few cuts like on for example "Nameless End" or even the hardcore blasts in "Light Words / Dark Graves", it's clear where these guys are coming from.

Pine definitely comes across as a deep conceptual piece with the goal of creating a aural landscape of bleak despair as well as mental anguish while using as many musical aesthetics as possible. The spoken word pieces left me questioning my own sanity of when I speak out loud in a situation of alienation. The final cut "The Unchaining of an Animal" blew my mind when I first heard it. I'm not gonna ruin the surprise but I'll just say it's as significant as the sound of a shotgun blast at the end of a sad drinking song. Even with all of that there are some things about this release which are not so enjoyable.

SHROUD OF DESPONDENCY do throw too much at the listener in their compositions which tends to throw you off interest. The production alone is deliberately raw and demands you to focus intently on the music as if in a vacuum. One moment of distraction leaves you to stop and start over. It was like watching a movie after certain scenes had been deleted leaving you guessing. Although that could lead to many more listens which just might be what this band had in mind. It all reminds me of an old man I knew years ago. I'd ask the guy a serious question and he'd give me an off the wall answer but the look in his eyes told me he was hiding a lot more than he was willing to expose.

RATING: 4/5

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/shroudofdespondency

BIIPIIGWAN - God's Hooks CD review

2012-02-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

BIIPIIGWAN - God's Hooks CD

Handshake Inc/Independent Release

Genre: Doom / Sludge

When someone from a label you like and respect tells you a release is "some of the strongest material [they've] heard in a long time" then drops three heavy weight bands from post hardcore, doom and noise rock as comparisons you take it seriously. In this band's case the names dropped in comparison were NEUROSIS, YOB and UNSANE. As someone who has been accused of hyperbole and ridicules hype as easy as breathing, this was one of the few times I shut my attitude off, sat up straight and listened intently.

After a few listens I'd say that this Ottawa, Ontario act's sum is not stolen from the above named bands. On the contrary BIIPIIGWAN are in equal standing with those bands simply because they are heavy as fuck and make an extreme amount of racket. Okay I'm not gonna bullshit you here there's some borrowing going on. Hey come on now purists no one is a saint in extreme music and the further out in left field you go the worse you sound. God's Hooks is clearly on that intense sludgey post hardcore vibe from the first blast on opener "Beaches" to the trudging of closer "B'il Sabab". There's no wasted tracks of the seven on here.

Surprisingly this is a short release since it only travels on for a little over twenty five minutes. Pure intensity is wasted when you drag things on for too long which is what BIIPIGWAN does not do. This is angry stuff here folks with vocals howled by someone caught in a bear trap. Doomy riffs strummed by individuals with hate on their minds and vengeance in their sight. Nothing is over worked from the technical sense in order to impress the pretentious. This is just a raw and emotional slab of perfection.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://handshakeinc.com/

Bandcamp: http://biipiigwan.bandcamp.com/

PALLBEARER - Sorrow and Extinction CD review

2012-02-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

PALLBEARER - Sorrow and Extinction CD

Profound Lore Records

Genre: Doom

Here is one of the many releases that I picked in December as being a extremely anticipated release for 2012. Of course my opinion was fueled by the great impression I got from listening to this Arkansas band's three song demo. That gem originally came out in 2010 but didn't go viral until last year when two influential Doom metal websites literally discovered it as well as heaped their praise. I quickly checked it out (since I respect those other site's opinions) and followed suit with my own review in April which basically called PALLBEARER a decent US act in the European doom tradition. It wasn't long before the rest of the metal blogesphere as well as the mainstream indie sites jumped on the bandwagon. Hey even a blind cat can catch a mouse once in a while but it was good to see a band from a place the media considers "fly-over country" get some good press. So by Fall of 2011 this band was buried in a ton of accolades all for a repertoire lasting roughly twenty three minutes in length.

So here we have their full length debut on the oh so prestigious Profound Lore Records and after a few listens I can say that my expectations for this band were met although I do have a few qualms with it. Starting with the 12-minute opener, "Foreigner", which meanders around for a few minutes with an acoustic guitar melody. I understand its being used to set a mournful tone but once the metallic portion rumbles forth we get it. Break out the handkerchiefs because doom and gloom is in full swing. "Foreigner" cruises along at a pace which would make a tortoise out to be a sprinter. Then there's the vocals by guitarist Brett Campbell who sounds like a teenage choir boy Ozzy. Last time around I suggested he was like Ozzy before all the coke and Sharon. Albeit SABBATH is always going to be an influential doom footnote for bands playing in the traditional style. PALLBEARER is no exception but their place is also in the seats next to classic MY DYING BRIDE and to some extent the present material by 40 WATT SUN who also had a great release in 2011.

I was not surprised to see that the band include two of the three tracks from their demo on here. Only their cover of "Gloomy Sunday" is missing. For those of you who missed out the first time around the band reprises their SABBATH ode "Devoid of Redemption" as well as the hypnotic "The Legend". These were the tracks that displayed PALLBEARER's knack for producing heart crushing epics that were not something expected from anyone here in the new world. Then again may I remind you that I spent six miserable months in Little Rock, Arkansas years ago. Therefore I know the undeniably hell they come from and yes it's influential to the point of producing such sad sounding metal. Just plunge your head into the simmering cauldron of melancholy from another new track, "Offering of Grief". Similar to the opener this newer cut is also submerged in crispy distortion and drags you along like being tied behind a snail. It's at the cut's midpoint where the crushing riffs subside and we're greeted with the combined salvo of a intricate soloing then an acoustic reprise. This only lasts mere moments when the song continues on it's soaring flight of sadness.

It's only the final track on Sorrow and Extinction, the gothic tinged "Given to the Grave", where the band breaks out into something new. The song is highlighted with atmospheric keyboards which gives off an air of European progressive funeral doom. It's an absolutely fantastic arrangement that quickly breaks from the subdued keyboard tones into a crunch of distorted guitar riffage plus clean guitar soloing. It's on here where we finally get into this band's Americana roots with an ending similar to any psych jam. Believe it or not Arkansas does have a hippie / new age contingent in their population. Aside from "Given to the Grave" there's nothing on this band's debut which will surprise anyone who has their demo. So for you then this is mandatory if you wanna get your hands on home grown talent playing by Euro doom's structures. As for me well yeah this is a damm good release even if half of it is reprise. Since I thought their demo was decent then this goes to perfection for now at least.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.profoundlorerecords.com/

Official: http://www.pallbearerdoom.com/

Scum News: Handshake Inc. VHS Series debuts

2012-02-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

“Handshake Inc. VHS Series” debuts - Limited Run Films, Shorts and Albums on VHS, Packed in Dirt.

A series of films, albums and experimental film work lovingly transferred to VHS from their digital masters. Uber-limited, one-of-a-kind, rectangular pieces of art, hand numbered and guaranteed to kill your ennui right in the face.

Handshake Inc., the film and music video production company behind the ‘Maryland Deathfest the Movie,’ franchise, Pentagram’s live DVD “When the Screams Come,” and the forthcoming four-hour film “The Executioniz Comes Tomorrow: Jucifer live at Call the Office,” has announced the launch of its ‘VHS Series,’ a collection of films, experimental shorts and albums on VHS.

Each title in the series will be issued in ultra limited quantities of 3, hand numbered, and packed in a box of dirt stolen from director David Hall’s neighbor’s garden.

“Anyone who collects vinyl, knows the joy of holding a record in your hands, examining its jacket and artwork, and the pure, materialistic bliss of not just listening to music, but possessing it,” said Handshake Inc. founder David Hall from his London, Ontario office. “I hope to create the same sensation with my series of films and albums on VHS - a scenario where one can enjoy the packaging of a film almost as much as the film itself.”

Hall will also be creating a number of new films and experimental video work to accompany albums by select bands, also for release on VHS. So far, Sulaco’s “Build and Burn,” and Total Fucking Destruction’s “Hater” are set for the VHS Album treatment.

For the launch of the VHS series, Hall has created five new experimental shorts: ‘VHS Red1,” VHS Blue1,” “VHS Orange1,” “VHS Love is the Enemy,” and “VHS Time.” Each short described by Hall as “disturbing canvases of time, color and sound.”

Also a part of the series, the Today is the Day film is of Eden the Feature Film,” and Hall’s first independently produced feature “The Romance is Dead, (2006)” will be made available for the first time on physical media. Non VHS copies of “Axis of Eden the Feature Film,” can be purchased at Today is the Day’s recently launched and revamped website

WWW.TODAYISTHEDAY.US

Watch the premiere of “No Lung Baby” - a scene and the song - from “Axis of Eden the Feature Film,” by Today is the Day, at Brooklyn Vegan www.brooklynvegan.com, and watch clips from the VHS series on Handshake’s newly created “VHS Series Preview Channel” at www.handshakeinc.com.

For a full list of all titles available for purchase in the Handshake Inc. VHS Series, please visit www.handshakeinc.com.

Handshake Inc., was started in 2008 by David Hall and has since produced music videos for Today is the Day, Fuck the Facts, Sigh, Hail of Bullets, Brutal Truth, Jucifer, Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Rottenness. Handshake has also produced films for Today is the Day, Fuck the Facts, and, the Maryland Deathfest the Movie Franchise. In October of 2011, Hall launched a record label division of Handshake, with Catharsis PR’s Kim Kelly, focusing on digital and vinyl albums, the first release being Sulaco’s “Build and Burn.” This May, Hall will return to Baltimore to film the final installment of the Maryland Deathfest Movie, ‘Maryland Deathfest the Movie: 3.

In the meantime watch these

"Contempt" - Jucifer from Handshake Inc on Vimeo.

"Free At Last" Today is the Day from Handshake Inc on Vimeo.

Scum Video: SHOWSTRIPSILENCE "The Creature" OFFICIAL VIDEO

2012-02-13T17:58:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought SCUMFEAST METAL 666 turning into an extreme music version of MT "fuckin"V or even VH-1 without the obligatory KISS live concert footage. I mean we're going video nuts on this site. So here's another. Meet SHOWSTRIPSILENCE, whose second album Thirteen Tales of Love and Death on Sleaszy Rider Records came out on the 13th of January 2012. Yes we gave it a good review and why the hell not dammit. The band has just released a video of the first single, THE CREATURE. Take a look see for yourself extreme voyeurs.

Remember the 90's when hard rockin punk from bands like TURBONEGRO and the HELLACOPTERS was the baddest stuff in the underground? Well SHOWSTRIPSILENCE are cut from that same cloth and they rock! You can check out more by going to their sites

http://www.facebook.com/SHOWSTRIPSILENCErocknroll

www.myspace.com/showstripsilence

www.showstripsilence.com

Scum Video: IN DEFENCE "Black Metal Mania" Official Video

2012-02-13T15:29:00.000-08:00

And now a little satire for Black Metal History Month. Meet IN DEFENCE a crossover band from St. Paul - Minneapolis, Minnesota. IN DEFENCE have a way with wielding satirical themes within their fast chunky blasts. Check out their recent release Party Lines And Politics, available from Profane Existence Records.

They take shots at quite a few poster children with songs like "The Police Are Fuckin' Rad", "Moshelle" (Mosh You To Hell, and of course this one "Black Metal Mania". Lets all be honest here people. There are those in the blackened community who take themselves way too seriously. Now I'm not just talking about Myspace morons, that idiot from LITURGY (who are not Black Metal) or your garden gnome variety hipster retard / indie rock loser who wears a MAYHEM shirt to look risque. I'm referring to those hardcore types who hang out on metal forum sites all day complaining, whining and lying. Yes some of those people really need to get lives based in reality.

Look I love Black Metal. There's no disputing that fact but it doesn't rule my life and I enjoy many other metal genres as well along with other styles of music. I take Black Metal serious to a degree which never goes over board. Of course Black Metal is not alone when it comes to a music genre whose fans take themselves too seriously. Those of you in denial (which is not a river in Egypt) take a good look in the fuckin mirror before you mock the corpse painted grimness. Be that as it may this video is not only great but is needed. Enjoy.

Scum Fun: PENTAGRAM ultra rare Show 'Em How LP sale

2012-02-09T14:38:00.000-08:00

Well the first thing I thought was "Holy Crap that looks cool as fuck!" Then I saw the price and figured no way was I gonna blow that much cash (because I'd want two of em)on it. All I can say is good for you Bobby.

For interested parties it's ULTRA RARE-HAS BEEN SOLD OUT FOR MONTHS! Show 'Em How on limited edition ruby red translucent vinyl w/ a custom gatefold cover w/ new artwork.

Email if interested:
kaarme.concepts@gmail.com

Or you can go to Bobby Liebling's Facebook site as well at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001083085341&sk=wall

Show 'Em How was never made available in the U.S. and this version was only available on the PENTAGRAM merch table during the last Scandinavian tour. (I kinda missed that one)The LP package includes two large posters: one is 2 feet by 3 feet and full color, the other is 12x12 with never seen black & white photos of the band.

Unlike the original cover, this new cover is embossed and has silver detailing which gives it a very nice "mirrored" effect. Show 'Em How (a very difficult album to get in the first place) will not be reissued in any form. The limited edition LPs we have available are $100 including domestic and international postage. If you choose, Bobby Liebling can autograph and/or personalize your LP to you.

Scum Video: IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT Stormgod premier

2012-02-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

As with all other Interweb sites who deal in the topic of Metal I get my fair share of videos (basically the same ones every other website gets) sent in to be posted as premier primers for metal fan public consumption. Since this one is from Vimeo you should understand two important things. First off there's probably nudity in it and secondly it's probably better quality than your typical YouTube band video.

I must thank Ilya Goddessraper, guitarist, vocalist and primary songwriter of IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT, for sending this in for posting. IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT is a black metal band hailing from New York City. After watching this video some of you might question their actual residence choice since no one in the video looks like they hang out at a typical gentrification neighborhood bar. I know I was, although it is Black Metal people. With the exception of Abbath and Demonaz (as well as those annoying mimes) no one else walks around like that on a daily basis. Also your eyes are not deceiving you since that is a cello being played in the video by IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT band member Amarok Myrvandr.

The song "Stormgod" is from their six song self released 2010 EP Obeisance which I'm sure if you go to the band's Face-Crack page at http://www.facebook.com/imperialtriumphant they will be happy to let you know how to procure one. Their release was produced by Colin Marston of KRALLICE and BEHOLD THE ARCTOPUS fame, if name dropping means anything to you. Marston also played session drums on some of the EP's tracks as well. The video itself was directed by Jorge Torres-torres. I have no idea who he is but anyone who includes a mild amount of nudity in a black metal band video, without it being stupid porn, is a great artist in my book.

Watch and enjoy people because it's time to get back in a New York Grim.

Imperial Triumphant - Stormgod from Imperial Triumphant on Vimeo.

LETHIAN DREAMS - Season of Raven Words CD review

2012-02-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

LETHIAN DREAMS - Season of Raven Words CD

Orcynia

Genre: Doom

There are those times when you just want to relax, throw on some soft majestic music, then lay down as the sounds carry you away. It's times like that when you need LETHIAN DREAMS. Hell I'm feeling the pinch just sitting here trying to write about this while it's playing in the background. The funny thing about this release is how the vocals play such an important role in shaping it into the genre form. On here this is atmospheric doom with Carline Van Roos hauntingly beautiful vocals. But if someone else with harsh shrieks was to be singing then someone could call it atmospheric black metal. Some guy at Pitchfork might even name it transcendental, post-shoegaze or even black-gaze then go into the mens room and blow his editor. I would not be surprised if someone compared this to their fellow countrymen, ALCEST, which would be a compliment albeit a kneejerk one as well as being completely off base. LETHIAN DREAMS is a doom metal band and ALCEST hasn't played metal since their first album.

The reason why I introduce such thoughts is that the soundscape on Season of Raven Words is so layered with distortion and guitar treble that it's very close to black metal. Then again if it was a male voice adding growls then it would be funeral doom. Never discount the vocal performances people since they hold more things that are truly amazing. Speaking of which France's LETHIAN DREAMS started creating their brand of dark sounds back in 2002. The band is actually a two piece consisting of Carline Van Roos who contributes the a fore mentioned beautiful vocals as well as performing on guitars, bass, keyboards and the drum programming. Also there's Matthieu Sachs who's responsible for the hypnotic guitar work as well. In their first seven years together the duo (with help from past band members) only released two demos. Then in 2009 they released their debut full length Bleak Silver Streams. To say it was an amazing release is putting it mildly and I'm not alone in that crowd.

So now after a few years, although for some fans it was like an eternity, the duo finally releases their sophomore effort. Season of Raven Words is quite different from the debut. Personally I like this a lot. First off Carline is all by herself in the vocal department on here. (Carlos D'Agua from the debut is not to be found) when you combine the bleakness of the melodies with the vocals Carline comes off sounding sad in a past tense poetic way. Secondly Sachs' guitar work on here is a mixture of being majestic, ethereal and at certain times raw. Even though it all comes forth in a dreamlike quality this release will hold your attention throughout. Dark metal music has a way of seducing the listener and Season of Raven Words does just that.

RATING: 5/5

Official: http://www.lethiandreams.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lethiandreams

Scum Fun: Satanic Brews

2012-02-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

DRINK UP

It's Always Happy Hour

in HELL

Scum News: Electric Wizard Set To Release New Single

2012-02-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

ELECTRIC WIZARD, a band who has been relatively quiet in the aftermath of giving us all that turd Black Masses in 2010, will release a new 7” single on March 31 entitled Legalize Drugs And Murder. And which will be for sale at an exorbitant price a week later on Ebay.

The single, the first of a series being planned, (aka: Sub Pop Singles Club Redux) was recorded at Foel Studios in Wales and features the title track and a B-side called ‘Murder And Madness’.

Band leader Jus Oborn says “We’ve started recording the new album but basically I can’t see it getting finished before the end of the year. So we thought rather than giving it a year before anyone gets some new songs, let’s put out some 7”s as we go along.”

On the tracks Jus added, “We’ve aspirations of it being like "Paranoid" or "Sweat Leaf", a real classic anthem. The title is a hail to the fans and part of our whole ethos.”

Meanwhile Murder And Madness, according to Osborn is “experimental” and “oppressive”. (?)

“We’re always watching horror movies and we thought we’d have a stab at a gothic horror 70s thing, Italian-style. It’s a real oppressive number, it’s got a very ‘turning-the screws’ feeling.”

Scum News: OPPOSITION RISING Release Free Download

2012-02-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

& Vinyl Details for 'Aftermathematics'

OPPOSITION RISING is a new Boston-based DIY hardcore punk band (featuring members of TOXIC NARCOTIC and MOUTH SEWN SHUT).

WITH SONG TITLES RIPPED FROM AN OCCUTARD'S BLOG!

Oakland metalpunk powerhouse Tankcrimes are gearing up to release an exclusive 100 hand stamped copies of the band's debut, 'Aftermathematics' as a gatefold LP on crystal clear vinyl (includes poster and punk patches!) and OPPOSITION RISING have already posted the entire album up for FREE DOWNLOAD here: http://oppositionrising.bandcamp.com/

Formed in December 2010 by four seasoned veterans of the Boston punk/hardcore scenes with the intent of mixing their favorite elements from all the sub-genres of punk into one aggressive and brutal yet catchy sound with a strong DIY ethic and intelligent lyrics, OPPOSITION RISING hit the studio to record their debut LP. A collaborative release between the band's own Opposition Records and pals TANKCRIMES, Active Rebellion (UK), Crash Assailant, Pirates Press Records, Riot Ska Records (UK), and Rodent Popsicle, 'Aftermathematics' was mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering.

Scum Video: SPIRIT CARAVAN live Raleigh NC 4-18-02

2012-02-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

I REALLY DON'T NEED TO SAY ANYTHING. JUST WATCH.....

Bet you liked that didn't you, DIDN'T YOU?
Special thanks to mu good friend Andy Miller for posting these on his Youtube site as well as standing at the show filming this.

Scum News: EXHUMED Announce U.S. Tour Dates With Cannibal Corpse

2012-02-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

EXHUMED Announce U.S. Tour Dates With Cannibal Corpse,

Additional Headlining Shows and more!

Adding to a maniacal live takeover that includes a short South American run with Aborted, the Grind Over Europe Tour with Rotten Sound and Magrudergrind, a U.K. journey with Anaal Nathrakh and a handful of stateside headlining dates, California goregrind ministers EXHUMED are pleased to announce a near month-long bout of U.S. dates with death metal icons/headliners Cannibal Corpse! Joined by labelmates Abysmal Dawn and Arkaik, the live rituals will commence on April 5 in Jacksonville, Florida and include an appearance at the The Cincinnati Metal Fest on April 14 as well as a special show on April 28 where the brutal caravan will merge with the Decibel Magazine tour featuring Behemoth, Watain, The Devil’s Blood and In Solitude.

Comments vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey: "We are totally stoked about this tour and look forward to seeing some smiling, blood-streaked faces in the front row every night. It's a great tour package to be a part of, and anyone within barfing distance should cruise out and grab a beer with us! It's truly a pleasure to support a band that has as much longevity and integrity as the gentlemen in Cannibal Corpse, so we'll try extra hard not to go out there and stink it up every night. Our livers, brain cells and dignity are about to be sacrificed on the altar of death metal once again -- see you all out there!”

EXHUMED w/ Aborted
2/16/2012 Beco – Porto Alegre, RS
2/17/2012 Music Hall – Belo Horizonte, MG
2/18/2012 Hangar 110 – São Paulo, SP
2/19/2012 Hangar Bar – Curitiba, PR
2/20/2012 Armazém do Café – Catanduva/SP

EXHUMED Grind Over Europe Tour 2012
w/ Rotten Sound, Magrudergrind
2/24/2012 Estraperlo Club – Barcelona, Spain
2/25/2012 TBA Spain
2/26/2012 Sala Jala Jala – Almería, Spain
2/27/2012 Revolver Bar – Lisbon, Portugal
2/28/2012 Hard Club – Porto, Portugal
2/29/2012 Sala Heaven – Santander, Spain
3/01/2012 Salle Des Fêtes De Labège – Toulouse, France
3/02/2012 Kulturwerk 118 – Sursee, Switzerland
3/03/2012 Les Caves Du Manoir – Martigny, Switzerland
3/04/2012 Lo Fi Club – Milano, Italy
3/05/2012 Mochvara – Zagreb, Croatia
3/06/2012 Dürer Kert – Budapest, Hungary
3/07/2012 Euphoria Music Hall – Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3/08/2012 Nova Pekaren – Nitra, Slovakia
3/09/2012 Black Pes – Prague, Czech Rep
3/10/2012 Barrak Music Club – Ostrava, Czech Rep

EXHUMED
w/ Anaal Nathrakh
3/18/2012 Fleece – Bristol, UK
3/19/2012 Bogiez – Cardiff, UK
3/20/2012 Voodoo - Belfast, UK*
3/21/2012 The Pint - Dublin, Ireland *
3/22/2012 Moho - Manchester, UK
3/23/2012 The Garage - London, UK

* - No Anaal Nathrakh

EXHUMED Headlining Dates

w/Abysmal Dawn, Arkaik

3/30/2012 The Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ
3/31/2012 El Rey Theater - Albuquerque, NM
4/02/2012 Warehouse Live - Houston, TX
4/03/2012 Siberia - New Orleans, LA
4/04/2012 C-Level - Panama City, FL

EXHUMED U.S. Torture Tour 2012

w/ Cannibal Corpse, Abysmal Dawn, Arkaik
4/05/2012 Freebird Live – Jacksonville, FL
4/06/2012 The Soapbox – Wilmington, NC
4/07/2012 Lincoln Theater – Raleigh, NC
4/08/2012 V Club Live – Huntington, WV
4/09/2012 The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
4/10/2012 The Canal Club – Richmond, VA
4/12/2012 Higher Ground – South Burlington, VT
4/13/2012 The Club At Water Street – Rochester, NY
4/14/2012 The Cincinnati Metal Fest @ Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH w/ CANNIBAL CORPSE, The Black Dahlia Murder, Nile, Exhumed, Skeletonwitch, Abysmal Dawn, Hour Of Pennance, Arkaik
4/15/2012 The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
4/16/2012 People’s Court – Des Moines, IA
4/17/2012 Slowdown – Omaha, NE
4/19/2012 The Scene-ary – Wichita, KS
4/20/2012 The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
4/21/2012 Mesa Theater & Club – Grand Junction, CO
4/22/2012 Top Deck – Farmington, NM
4/23/2012 The Rock –Tucson, AZ
4/24/2012 Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX
4/25/2012 Jake’s – Lubbock, TX
4/27/2012 The Blue Note – Columbia, MO
4/28/2012 Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK w/ CANNIBAL CORPSE, Behemoth, Watain, Exhumed, The Devil’s Blood, In Solitude, Abysmal Dawn, Arkaik
4/29/2012 Newby’s – Memphis, TN
4/30/2012 Exit In – Nashville, TN
5/1/2012 Zydeco – Birmingham, AL
5/3/2012 Double Down – Gainesville, FL

EXHUMED continue to sever souls with the 11-track All Guts, No Glory full-length, issued last year via Relapse Records. To stream All Guts, No Glory in full visit: http://www.exhumed.bandcamp.com.

Scum News: Marduk: ANNOUNCES TITLE OF NEW STUDIO ALBUM

2012-02-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

Damm what a buzz kill this was. Your favorite Swedish black metal band and mine (of course) MARDUK are currently in the studio finishing the recording of their 12th studio album, entitled Serpent Sermon. Did you read that right, it's Serpent Sermon. The album is set to be released in late spring 2012. If you wanna see some in studio picks of MARDUK then go to their Facebook page. You don't need a fuckin link to do that or do you???

Serpent Sermon's track-listing and other additional information about the album will be unveiled shortly, so stay tuned for more news about this upcoming release coming soon! Yeah like I said a buzz kill so listen to this.

LOUDRAGE - Pungent Roots Demo review

2012-02-08T17:14:00.000-08:00

LOUDRAGE - Pungent Roots Demo

Self Released

Genre: Death Metal

I remember this Romanian band sent me their Rage Unleashed EP years ago and even though it wasn't anything new under the shadow of the Carpathian Mountains I still thought it kinda cool. I'd swear they were from Transylvania but my memory could be wrong and I'm not going on a site search. One thing I do remember was a video from their performance at some dive of a club. Their singer, Molester, walks up to the mic stand, rips his shirt off and then the band proceeds to rock out as if they were Eastern Europe's version of OBITUARY or someone close to that effect.

Here we are around three years later and things haven't changed except that there's only three cuts on Pungent Roots. The cover looks disgusting as well. What the fuck is that? I wouldn't stick my fuckin hand in that, I'm telling ya. LOUDRAGE still sound disgusting as ever. Brutally sick and groove laden death metal although I figured they would have something in the long player size, like a full length.

RATING: 3/5

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/loudrage

an Oldie but a Goodie

STEELWING - Zone of Alienation CD review

2012-02-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

STEELWING - Zone of Alienation CD

Noiseart Records / Nuclear Blast

Genre: Classic Heavy Metal

Here we have some more Swedes bursting out like it's 1980 again featuring great vocals by Riley (yes he can scream) as well as a twin guitar attack. Yes they sound like JUDAS PRIEST in many ways, albeit the early version. You could also name drop METAL CHURCH as well. This thing bleeds denim, leather and you can toss in the spandex as well. Zone of Alienation is STEELWING's second full length. Their first one, Lord of the Wasteland, came out in 2010 which is when I predicted that the next big revival was going to be old school metal. Now how long this wave will last I don't really know. As long as bands put out these flawless releases then who knows?

Well I wouldn't call this one perfection since all of the tracks on here are NWOBHM classics except for one. Then again it just follows the 80's metal template to include a fuckin ballad. On here it's the song “Breathless” which could be looked upon as a flaw or something to skip over. Then again it could be the band's way of being truly authentic. Add to that the power of cuts like “Tokkotai" (Wind of Fury) which seems to be the obligatory wave to Japan cut which some acts did back in the day and now it's being repeated. After the instro opener "2097 A.D." things kick in with the galloping "Solar Wind Riders". As I said except for the ballad everything on here is cool.

Another important highlight which I have to mention is the last two cuts, out of nine, on here. “They Came From the Skies” is an instrumental which adds some older MAIDEN structure to this release. It's something which I thought was missing on the first part of this release. Although it doesn't stop there since the last cut, "Lunacy Rising", is an epic and long (slightly over ten minutes) journey with plenty of MAIDEN twin guitar theatrics. The bottom line is that if bands like ENFORCER and IN SOLITUDE got you raising your fist in horned salute then so will STEELWING.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.noiseart.cc/

Label: http://www.nuclearblast.de/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/steelwing

LACERATION - Tortured Inauguration EP review

2012-02-08T11:18:00.000-08:00

LACERATION - Tortured Inauguration EP

UKEM Records

Genre: Death Metal

A few years back my favorite metal publication, Terrorizer Magazine, did an issue which showcased all of these new British death metals acts which were erupting from the underground scene. It was their way of saying that the Brits don't receive the same kind of respect that other nations do like Sweden and the US when it comes to death metal. Therefore the mag decided to stick it in their reader's faces. They also included a CD which along with the usual fare had extra tracks of UKDM. I don't have that damm issue at hand right now (it's in a box upstairs). But for some reason I believe this band was on that comp.

Speaking of which this eight song release, Tortured Inauguration, is also a compilation from the band that contains material from a previously released demo and an EP. they also toss in some live tracks just to fill the damm thing up. The British shouldn't feel second rate when it comes to their homegrown death metal acts. They've had some great ones in the past. Bands like LACERATION are their extreme musical future. So listening to this was pretty interesting. First off the band comes off more brutal sounding than what I've come to expect from the Brits. Although LACERATION are not just brutal for the sake of brutality.

As far as this release goes the band stays within the template but adds a few accents of their own. The vocals are varied from your typical low growls to sounds you just can't picture emanating from a human being. Musically you've got your fast face ripping blasts to the slow chugging which sounds like an old truck trying desperately to make it up a hill. Just for the record this is another one man death metal project. Why should all the trust fund babies in the states have all the fun, right? Even though there's no new ground being covered or older areas well re-seeded, I think this is a decent release and hopefully will hear more in the future.

RATING: 3/5

Label: http://ukem.ucoz.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thetruelaceration

MARCH OF THE HORDES / ESCAPE THE FLESH Split CD review

2012-02-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

MARCH OF THE HORDES / ESCAPE THE FLESH Split CD

Lavadome Productions

Genre: Death Metal

This is the type of stuff I like, crusty death metal filth. There's no pretentious bullshit, no mood inducing intros, story lines or what have you, it's just full on aggression. It's beating people up music. Both acts on this split release hail from the Czech Republic, contribute two cuts a piece and sound quite similar to each other. The basis here is OSDM (old school death metal) being dragged through the streets for an extra added degree of crude. Both acts don't shy away from the influences of their peers from the past. In fact it's as if they're swimming and playing in the filth in order to create a bigger mess.

The first act MARCH OF THE HORDES are the speed demons of this pair. Not to say they play fast but it's (the song "Frozen Void")
just perfect for slam dancing and headbanging. Obviously Swedish DM grooves are what these guys favor since that old style incorporated a lot of hardcore / crust. In fact it's so thick on here you would need a chainsaw to cut through it. Their second cut "Last Stand Of Heaven" is mid-paced yet slowly builds up this thick atmosphere of dread. Crunchy guitars and tar coated vocals, how could you not like that.

The second band, ESCAPE THE FLESH, is more steeped in the death doom grooveness of creeping across the landscape to invoke heads to shake wildly. Their first cut "Pestilential Throne" is like a monstrous snake which crawls along until it finds it's victim. At it's mid-point the song breaks into a faster beat which is akin the snake catching something and feeding upon it. Afterwards the original pace continues as well as the search for prey. Their second cut "The Black Fog" is slightly reminiscent of it's title. The song varies in speed, switching from slow and choking to a hurried pace as if to try out running the coming darkness. Unfortunately it overtakes you and it's goodbye. Great stuff from both bands.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.lavadome.org/

YOG - Half the Sky CD review

2012-02-08T00:35:00.001-08:00

YOG - Half the Sky CD

Division Records

Genre: Grindcore

Prior to giving this Swiss band's release a listen all I knew about what to expect was from the promo info which stated this act is "grind as fuck". Yeah okay well ladies and gentlemen (and you others) let me remind you that there's various aspects to grindcore nowadays. I personally like the style which is steeped within the death metal framework. Others like the pure no holds barred hysteria from its early hardcore beginnings which I definitely remember. Then there is this revised edition of the genre which has a lot of post hardcore and math rock influence. Would you like to guess which designation YOG falls under? Yeah the last one.

YOG are a band who have been around since 2000. That's all the history I know about them. Musically this is a dozen tracks by a band who view extreme aggression on equal terms with breathing. Half the Sky is a serious head-fuck in both speedy technical proficiency as well as pure power violence. It's not music per say. It's more like an endurance test in reacting to intense trauma. The music is blasted and the vocals are basically insane screaming. I always wonder how a vocalist in this type of band sounds the next day after a gig.

Whatever the case these Swiss madmen make no pretensions about their creation other than producing virulent fury. There are times when I think most of this reminds me of DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN meets some mid-90s era metalcore act to be named later. (both of which I despise) In all honesty from listening to this (listening? hah!) I'm not a fan of YOG. Actually I hate them. Be that as it may this is most likely going to be one of the most extreme music releases of 2012. Someone needs to call the military and tell them about this audio weapon of mass brain function destruction. If you're in for a thrill you've been warned.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://divisionrecords.blogspot.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/yogrind

Here's something old from YOG

CRUSHER - Endless Torment CD review

2012-02-08T00:24:00.000-08:00

CRUSHER - Endless Torment CD

Total Metal Records

Genre: Thrash

Hailing from the Ukraine we have this three piece thrash outfit who would reign supreme, at a second tier level of course, if it was 1985. They even include a SLAYER cover, "Jesus Saves", just to show you their hearts and minds are in the right decade. If you look them up on Youtube you find live videos of them covering PANTERA and MOTORHEAD as well. Unfortunately we're not in the 1980s and as much as this release shows grit and dirty determination it's still 2012.

CRUSHER are akin to a garage thrash band who will pack a local dive but that's about it. Actually there's nothing wrong with that since where I live there's plenty of local acts who can pack a local club. While on the other hand they couldn't fill a convenient store bathroom when they dare to go out on tour. I'm not gonna mention any names but I've heard how one local act traveled to a major city with a population of over a million and only six people showed up to see them in the club. I'm sure CRUSHER does better than that.

RATING: 3/5

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/crusherkiev

NEKROMANTHEON - Rise, Vulcan Spectre CD review

2012-02-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

NEKROMANTHEON - Rise, Vulcan Spectre CD

Indie Recordings

Genre: Thrash

On the surface this looks like an OBLITERATION side project since it contains two of their members; Arild "Arse" Myren Torp on guitar and Sindre Solem on bass. Both of them contribute on vocals. The band is rounded out on drums with Christian Holm who was once in another thrash act AUDIOPAIN. The truth is that this is just a side band that's been around close to as long as OBLITERATION has. This is basically their other band which since 2007 has put out an EP, two splits and a full length in 2010. I never heard any of their previous releases but since I get material from Indie Recordings on a regular basis, lets start here.

Although NEKROMANTHEON call Norway home the band's sound is heavily influenced by Teutonic and US thrash. I'm hearing KREATOR and lots of SLAYER coming from this trio which is not a bad thing. Who doesn't get into the nostalgic mood whenever these thrash revivalist bands plug in and turn it up. NEKROMANTHEON are not clean and pretentious like some acts from the neo thrash revival from a few years back. (yes it's over dammit) No these guys sound filthy and evil the way it should. The rhythms are fast, the soloing cutthroat and the vocals low as well as deathly. Is it perfection? No since after a few plays the influences from the past tend to jump out. If you were a thrash nube then this would be the greatest thing since sliced bread. As for veterans like myself yeah it's cool to see the kids are alright.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.indierecordings.net/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/nekromantheon

COLOSSUS OF DESTINY - Eden EP review

2012-02-08T00:04:00.000-08:00

COLOSSUS OF DESTINY - Eden EP

Self Released

Genre: Sludge / Post Hardcore

Frankly I found this Parisian band's second EP release to be an enigma. First off their name is also that of a horrible live album put out by the MELVINS in 2001. Secondly the info I received on them cites MASTODON, BARONESS and KYLESA as comparisons. How unfortunate it is that those are three acts I really don't care for at all. I'm not gonna slag em for that. Fact is out of those three acts they have a similar sound and style to MASTODON. Luckily for them this EP has only four cuts, any more then I'd be bored as if it was the real thing. So if you think any song by MASTODON is exciting after the first minute then you'll like this.

Of course this band was also tagged as being Sludge and Post Hardcore. Frankly I think the former is a misnomer. Just like one of their comparisons, COLOSSUS OF DESTINY transcend typical sludge with a progressive edge. They have that heavy groove meets tech metal style going for them. The vocals are yelled yet are not gratingly emo or phoney sounding like most New York post rock bands do nowadays. Over the past year I've learned that the French post rock underground has some of the most intense acts on the face of the Earth. It's as if they've created a revival of American post-isms in music, added some real revolutionary angst then handed it back into our fat faces with the words "manger ce". Well if you were not happy with the Hunter then here you go.

RATING: 4/5

Bandcamp: http://colossusofdestiny.bandcamp.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/colossusofdestiny

COLLAPSE - A Mano Armata EP review

2012-02-07T23:56:00.000-08:00

COLLAPSE - A Mano Armata EP

Self Released

Genre: Thrash

Well at least their band name doesn't represent their musical out put. This Italian five piece act blast forth with four cuts in less than fifteen minutes. Their brand of thrash is more akin to hardcore / speed metal ethos of the past. Which means back in the day this would have made one decent 7"er. It's a very likeable release sounding like a RAW POWER / EXODUS hybrid. The production is gritty demo quality which is also a plus for those neo-thrash fans looking for faux authenticity.

RATING: 4/5

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/collapseflorence

Bandcamp: http://collapseflorence.bandcamp.com/

MASSIVE ASSAULT - Death Strike CD review

2012-02-07T23:46:00.001-08:00

MASSIVE ASSAULT - Death Strike CD

FDA Rekotz

Genre: Death Metal

For all of you people waiting impatiently for that new ASPHYX release to come out (myself included) here's their children. MASSIVE ASSAULT is a Dutch death metal act who started out around a decade ago then released their debut full length Dystopian Prophecies in 2009. Here's their follow-up and it looks (and sounds of course) to me like they're still looking forward to a negative version of utopia. Personally I think their song titles read like a description of my first marriage and that was in the past. Be that as it may MASSIVE ASSAULT are OSDM (old school death metal) by the book with a heaping amount of the crust layered throughout. Of course that means part of their sound will remind people of a pissed off nest of hornets. That's what happens when your act is forged in the good ol' Scandinavian tradition.

MASSIVE ASSAULT are not only painting within the numbers on Death Strike but there's not one new page in the book. Sure their sound is thick with mid-paced cuts heavy with the typical inhuman grooves. Hey look I like that. The vocals are guttural to the point where their singer must swallow a bucket of coal oil to get the right tempo. Again that sounds cool to me. The one problem I have with this release is that the band is focusing more on sounding like a tribute act instead of an original band. I understand there's a thin line between the two when you're deliberately doing something done a hundred times over. I don't remember how many new OSDM type band releases I listened to last year but there were quite a few that crossed the line by adding themselves to the whole revival. That's the key which this band doesn't have yet. Sure they're good, at playing someone else's music.

RATING: 3/5

Label: http://www.fda-rekotz.com/gx/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/massiveassault

Scum Video: JERMFLUX live from the Caboose

2012-02-07T03:31:00.000-08:00

Here's some more stuff from the Live at the Caboose Archives which were video taped by my good friend Andy Miller back in the day. The Caboose was a small bar / dive just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina. From 1995 to 1999 it was the home of extreme music in this area where I live. Punk and Metal were on the music menu at the Caboose. I use to work there as well as the fuckin bouncer. (I was a good one as opposed to the usual assholes) So I got to see all of these great shows.

Unless you are from Hampton, Virgina or the greater Raleigh, NC area then chances are you missed seeing JERMFLUX back in their late 90's heyday. JERMFLEX were a progressive sludge band long before anyone ever thought sludge could be progressive beyond stoner jams and NOLA influence. Yet JERMFLEX were that and more. They put out a few great 7"ers and their live shows were heavier than an elephant standing on your nuts.

Scum News: UKEM Records announce its third release

2012-02-07T03:12:00.000-08:00

UKEM Records has announced that their third release will be another compilation CD.
Following the massive success of their first release, DISCIPLES OF EXTREMITY Vol.1 (a 19 bands compilation CD - SOLD OUT!!!), and their second release, LACERATION - TORTURED INAUGURATION (Brutal Death Metal digi-pack release - OUT NOW!!) the label is releasing a 13 bands compilation CD featuring some of the UK's best Black Metal acts.

Bands appearing on the CD are: PRIMITIVE GRAVEN IMAGE, EASTERN FRONT, OLD CORPSE ROAD, HAAR, HELVELLYN, ULFARR, NINKHARSAG, SACRELIGIOUS THRONE, IMMORTAL EMPIRE, HEXEN, TWO RAVENS, SERMON, BLUTVIAL. Great bands covering many aspects of the Black Metal genre, from suicidal depressive Black Metal all the way through to wartorn brutal Black Metal!!

Follow the link for a taste of what to expect:
http://soundcloud.com/ukem-records/ukem-primitive-graven-image

Official: http://ukem.ucoz.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ukemrecords

ORANGE GOBLIN - Eulogy for the Damned CD review

2012-02-07T02:50:00.000-08:00

ORANGE GOBLIN - Eulogy for the Damned CD

Candlelight Records

Genre: Doom / Stoner Rock

Seeing that this is their first release since 2007, as well as being their first for Candlelight, I'm hoping since that time some people's attitudes toward this consistently great band might have changed. ORANGE GOBLIN are a British act who for years got the "too good to be true" snub attitude from critics, the same ones stupid enough to like THE SWORD, go figure? While at the same time they garnered a dedicated fan base who to this day consider their six previous full lengths to be exceptional. I personally consider 1998's Time Travelling Blues to be an essential. Therefore Eulogy for the Damned is a perfect album title since it reflects this band's history of releasing exceptional material and yet never getting the credit they deserve. This latest one does not stray away from their standard pirating of Americanna sounds (ie: southern sludge & desert sessions stoner rock) while adding the obligatory Iommi riffage and 70's classic hard rock influences.

Their 2007 release, Healing Through Fire, showed that these Brits were not limited to the constraints of the stoner rock genre. Eulogy for the Damned is a continuation of that vibe holding true to their love of American Southern Rock as evident on the title track as well as cuts like "Stand for Something" and the LYNYRD SKYNYRD influenced "Save Me from Myself". Personally I've always liked it when they ripped into their stoner version of MOTORHEAD meets Deliverance era CORROSION OF CONFORMITY while retro-fitting some late 60's biker rock. There's plenty of that on here starting with the opening cut "Red Tide Rising" and the groove layden "The Fog". Although my favorite is "The Filthy and the Few", a sonically charged ode to the one percenter easy rider out there who still gets hassled by the man.

Finally this wouldn't be a proper ORANGE GOBLIN release without some cosmic blues numbers. Although their days (or is it daze?) of epic LSD trance inducing sagas is over they still kick out some jams. On "Death of Aquarius" and "The Bishops Wolf" they add a subtle ZEPPPLIN meets SABBATH influence while covering territory more akin to the sounds of KYUSS as well as SPIRITUAL BEGGARS. As per recipe these cuts come near the end of the release. A few years might have passed but this band hasn't changed sound wise since we last heard from them. Their unwillingness to compromise in order to please flavor of the month obsessed critics is why their fanbase is so dedicated. Maybe now that their brand of rock is in vogue with the lesser posing schmucks in the media we'll see former haters falling over themselves in order to play catch up on this act's greatness. It's about fuckin time for them to come around. We always knew it was good.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk/

Official: http://www.orange-goblin.com/

FUNERAL IN HEAVEN / PLECTO ALIQUEM CAPITE - ASTRAL MANTRAS OF DYSLEXIA Split CD

2012-02-07T02:36:00.000-08:00

FUNERAL IN HEAVEN / PLECTO ALIQUEM CAPITE - ASTRAL MANTRAS OF DYSLEXIA Split CD

Dunkelheit Producktionen

Genre: Black Metal

There are plenty of European black metal acts who add some of their nation's traditional folk music into their overall sound. So I'm not really surprised to hear some Hindu musical influence as well as instrumentation coming from two bands who hail from Sri Lanka. The FUNERAL IN HEAVEN section of this release starts off with a completely traditional Hindu instrumental track that had me dozing off to the point where I dreamt about curry. The second one in "Bandhana" (Gatahaththey Kathaa Wasthuwa) is textbook BURZUM with some violin added as well as spoken word parts combined with the tortured vocal smorgasbord. The third cut "Buddhang Saranang" sounded like some 70's hard rock with an acoustic drum beated for percussion purposes.

Our second Sri Lankan act on here PLECTO ALIQUEM CAPITE starts off their section with an ethnic influenced instrumental track, so much for nuance. It's followed with the psychotic "Stoned Guru Ramblings". This cut starts off with some vocal radio samples which bleed into shrieks by the band's vocalist (I hope, ah no I don't) that's accompanied with more instro schlock. "Cemetary of the Deep" sounds like the a doom band playing while an exorcism is being conducted. Obviously it's my favorite cut on here. The final blast treat on this split "Crestfallen: Immolating Shakthi" combines both acts bringing everything together like a psychotic free for all. In all honesty I have a hard time taking this serious.

RATING: 3/5

Label: http://www.dunkelheit-produktionen.de/

MYSTIC PROPHECY - Ravenlord CD review

2012-02-07T02:27:00.000-08:00

MYSTIC PROPHECY - Ravenlord CD

Massacre Records

Genre: Power Metal / Thrash

Those of you into the power metal scene (present company excepted of course) will undoubtedly know this band since they've been cranking out releases for the past decade. Ravenlord is this act's seventh full length and from what I came to understand is supposedly a departure for them from the stuff they've done on past releases. What we have here is a mixture of DIO - esque melodic metal meets darkened thrash. Vocalist Roberto Dimitri Liapakis has no problem channeling a little RDJ on the SABBATH-ian "Wings Of Destiny" or making the OZZY cover “Miracle Man” his own.

As far as the faster tracks go MYSTIC PROPHECY switch into overdrive by combining thrash and some melodic death on cuts like “Die Now”, “Damned Tonight” and “Endless Fire”. All good stuff with chunky riffs, angry vocals and solid lead work. Look to be honest with ya I think you would be hard pressed to not find something good about this one. Once you get passed the self titled opener, which is the only low point on here, then you will be amazed.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.massacre-records.com/

Official: http://www.mysticprophecy.net/

Scum Video: Orange Goblin - Red Tide Rising

2012-02-06T07:31:00.000-08:00

It's starting to feel like MTV is back with all of this video release prior to an album hitting the streets. Case in point we're just days away from the official street release of A Eulogy for the Damned, the latest from London's stoner hard rockers ORANGE GOBLIN. Why is this so important? Well for those of you not into history then let me explain something to your under educated minds. Years ago an announcement of a new ORANGE GOBLIN release would have gotten as much attention as a gnat's fart. Fast forward a few years and now they're being hailed as purveyors of traditional British steel (aka: Metal). Isn't revisionism great? So just for the human tapeworms out there I'm posting this video. Personally I've been a fan of ORANGE GOBLIN and even consider one of their past works to be an essential. If you don't know which one I'm talking about then tough. You'll have to buy all of the band's releases and figure it out your self. It's the least I can do for them. Here's the video.

VENDETTA - Feed the Extermination CD review

2012-02-05T06:08:00.000-08:00

VENDETTA - Feed the Extermination CD

Massacre Records

Genre: Thrash

When it comes to Teutonic Thrash, VENDETTA were always the good brother compared to their blackened thrash brethren. They had their heyday back in the late 80s with two like able releases but failed to keep going into the 90s. Then in 2007 the band, original guitarist Frank Scholch and bassist Klaus Ullrich, returned with a new drummer and vocalist in tow to release their comeback album HATE. Obviously they were trying to catch some coattails since the neo-thrash revival was just starting out. Unfortunately that release blew because it was a band trying to reclaim their past glory (what little it was) yet only putting out some mediocre material.

Welcome to part two of another mediocre attempt at trying to grab some rejuvenated glory. I'm not gonna fault singer Mario Vogel, who replaced former vocalist Achim Homerlein aka: Daxx prior to 2007's Hate, since the guy is just trying his best to copy his predecessor. It's the songs on here which simply are not that explosive. One huge surprise is that Dan Swano produced this thing. I'm guessing he was sleeping in the chair since this sounds closer to a demo then the type of releases he's known to have worked with. I'm not talking about the sound quality here people. I'm talking about the ten lackluster cuts on Feed the Extermination which even a less experienced band new neo-thrash act would not have made.

RATING: 2.5

Label: http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Official: http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Scum Video: KARMA TO BURN live from 1998

2012-02-05T05:43:00.000-08:00

Scum Video: KRISIUN live from 1999

2012-02-05T05:28:00.000-08:00

Really there's no words to say then just that I hoped you enjoyed the South American Death Machine.

Scum Video: SOURVEIN live 1996

2012-02-05T05:06:00.000-08:00

For those of you who know the band now as a Southern Sludge act you must be surprised to see SOURVEIN started out copying BUZZOV-EN, even down to the bad drug habit. In the early portion of the video when T-Roy is asking if anyone was in the club from Durham, the thing is Durham is where people would go to buy their heroin.

You can make your own judgement on whether or not T-Roy is fucked up in this video or not.

They were opening up for ANTISEEN this night.

Interview: RAWDOG, not afraid to offend you

2012-02-04T19:44:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't call RAWDOG a metal band by any means. The truth is that RAWDOG is a eclectic punk rock act in the vein of some of those old Alternative Tentacles Records artists. Long before punk rock adopted fashion rules, speech codes and a tyranical political ideology which was kept in place by their KGB agents at MRR magazine, punk rock artists were allowed to push the limits as well as invoking satire and self critique upon themselves as well as the scene. RAWDOG simply returns to those days as a one man band.
interview by mr. wolf

SFM666 - When you're writing a song are you trying to come up with lyrics that will be humorous to some and offensive to others on purpose or does it just come out that way?

RD - The lyrics usually come to me in segments. Sometimes I aim to be demented without using profanity and sometimes I love to be crude. I've always had a wild sense of humor....it's a byproduct of some personal rebellion against a socially conservative upbringing. While I prefer to make people laugh, if my lyrics offend some uptight people, CONSERVATIVE and LIBERAL, so be it. Most of those people need to be knocked out of their 'ivory towers' anyway.

SFM666 - When did you decide to be a singer / songwriter as opposed to just someone performing as part of a group?

RD - Probably about late 2008 or early 2009. While the other "members" of RAW DOG have contributed to the songwriting/performance of the music, none of them could commit to it full time. This project started with two drunk guys(BIG D and myself), a CASIO keyboard, a cheap Karaoke microphone, and a drum machine. ANA MONZON and ILL BILL also contributed to some songs. But because they all had other bands or obligations, I knew that if the project was gonna have any kind of future, it would be up to me.

SFM666 - The reason I wanted to do this interview was because of an incident I heard about involving an audience member at one of your performances coming up to the stage and demanding you stop playing. What exactly happened?

RD - The crowd was pretty shitty. Most of them didn't "get it". Some dumb redneck jerk-off grabbed my mic stand and started yelling that I was "done" and that it was supposed to be a "family show". There were NO CHILDREN present at the time. I thought the guy was the owner of the club. Turns out he wasn't. Ed (from the band YEA(H) pulled the guy aside and gave me the mic back. That Redneck was kicked out and I played another song.

SFM666 - Was that the first time an audience member actually confronted you about your music?

RD - For some strange reason, it was. After 27 shows in 3 states, this was the first time anyone ever tried to stop me. Most people either "get it" and laugh their asses off or they don't. I've never been "boo-ed" or had my sound cut.

SFM666 - When you played Scumfest a lady friend of mine asked me what you were like musically. I told her you were like a car crash. It's horrible but you've gotta look. She liked it. What do you think about that?

RD - Hahaha! You're the 2nd person to compare my music to a car crash. I'm glad she liked it. The fans make all the sacrifice worthwhile.

SFM666 - Another sick individual from the underground music infamy, King Spo-it of the SPO-ITS likes your material. Are you planning any work with him in the future?

RD - We're playing a show together in Savannah, GA, at The New King's Inn, on April 13th. He's doing his stand-up act and I'm doing my thing. We haven't talked about doing any songs together, but I certainly wouldn't be opposed to it. We have similar tastes in music. He's a great guy and he's helped me out a bunch. Plus, the SPO-IT'S are awesome!!

SFM666 - When I reviewed your release I believe I compared you to EL Duce, Zoogz Rift, GG and Roky, albeit in a younger form. Are they influences on you?

I like all of those guys. To be honest, I'd never heard of ZOOGZ RIFT until you compared me to him....but now that I've heard part of ISLAND OF LIVING PUKE and FIVE BILLION PINHEADS CAN'T BE WRONG, I'm a fan.

SFM666 - You have gone on a tour of some type right? Was that RAWDOG or were you performing in another band?

RD - I've played out of town shows, but I haven't toured yet. I think the show you're talking about was the one I did with THE MUSSY CLUVES in St. Louis. We wrote a song together called "BLUMPKIN" and performed it there, but we still played separate sets. I do perform in another band though. I play drums and do some vocals for the Durham punk rock band, DEAD TO SOCIETY.

SFM666 - So what plans do you have for RAWDOG in 2012?

RD - I'm currently searching for a record label and a booking agent. I've already got enough material for 2 more albums. I recorded a few songs with THE MUSSY CLUVES last year. BIG D and I plan on recording more stuff next month too. I'm also going to try and perform as much as possible. Despite a few negative reactions, most of the responses I've gotten have been positive, I've had women tell me they loved it and I've even had some fans buy me drinks on occasion. That tells me there's an audience out there for me....I just gotta build it.

SFM666 - How can people order your CD?

They can contact me at manning.kimmel@gmail.com. I've got at least 400-450 copies of the new album, PROUD TO BE WEIRD/PROUD TO BE WHITE TRASH, that I'm giving away. But because of limited funds, I may have to ask for postage. People can also download my songs at http://www.reverbnation.com/rawdog. I've got some stuff up there that isn't on either of our 2 albums and I've got more to add if people request it.

COPROSTASIS - D.E.A.T.H CD review

2012-02-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

COPROSTASIS - D.E.A.T.H CD

Self Released

Genre: Death Metal

The very best thing about doing SFM666 is learning about these cool bands from all over the world who you never hear about (the mainstream metal media is always slow) let alone know of their incredible scenes. I checked Youtube for anything on this Bulgarian Death Metal act and found a cool live video from one of their shows. I'm including it at the end of this review since it's a must watch. Just looking at the audience going crazy reminds me of good times from my past at shows (not like that around here any more) as well as showcasing the effect this band has on a crowd.

D.E.A.T.H is this band's second full length, their first being 35 Minutes of Skull-Smash-Terror Metal which came out in 2007. Sorry I never heard it. As far as this one goes COPROSTASIS, who originally started out in 2002, creates a brand of death metal with a sound more akin to old school US acts than that of their closer neighbors. Sound wise it's close to the first albums by OBITUARY and DEATH (minus Chucky's guitar theatrics) plus a Midwest death metal act to be named later. Although this band is a three piece They do lay down a formidable sound with chunky load bearing riffs. There's the obligatory slow-mo grooves which meet mid-paced blasts, cookie monster vocals, all perfect for old school slam dancing of course.

The most uncanny thing about this band's release is their sick sense of humor. Pardon my ignorance upon modern Eastern European social norms but I would not of thought that a band from there would be cranking out short fast blasts like "Porno In Purgatory", "Let Me Eat Your Meat" or "Death Metal On Drugs". Then again it's amazing what you learn doing this webzine, especially when you're willing to admit it. The rest of their material is not not over the top then again it stays away from all the pretentious brutal for brutality's sake kind of crap which has become a staple in the genre of late. They actually sound like they're having fun so I'm guessing they must put on a great show. This release might not be available through the usual outlets so interested parties might wanna dig for it. Definitely worth it.

RATING: 4/5

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/coprostasis

ALL HAIL BLACK METAL HISTORY MONTH

2012-02-03T05:59:00.000-08:00

I have a dream that my grandchildren will live in a hipster free world.
I have a dream that all the members of Liturgy, Horseback and all indie rock acts who call themselves Black Metal will be thrown in ovens.
I have a dream that all mainstream media types who write about Black Metal will suddenly die afterwards.
I have a dream that all collaborators with the mainstream media who are trying to water down our purity will suffer and die from a sexually transmitted disease which they got at the Pitchfork office.

DO YOU HAVE A DREAM?

Scum Video: THE HORDE Release Video For "Odin's Blood"

2012-02-03T05:27:00.000-08:00

Illinois-based Vikings thrashers THE HORDE have released a video for the song "Odin's Blood" off their latest release, Thy Blackened Reign; out now on Stormspell Records. The band is currently working out the details for an East Coast tour in support of Thy Blackened Reign set to take place in the Spring of 2012.THE HORDE is also hard at work on their as-of-yet untitled third album. Guitarist Tim Matthews comments, "Three songs have been written and from what we have gotten so far the next album is going to be even more epic and violent!"
THE HORDE was formed in 2006 and released their debut album From Empire to Ashes via

Scenester Credential Records in June of 2008. Thy Blackened Reign,which was released in 2011, was engineered, mixed and mastered by John Hopkins and John Svec at Minstrel Studios in Iowa City, IA using old school technology married with new school production values.
-------------------------------
I (MR.WOLF) LIKED THEIR RELEASE, SO SHOULD YOU!

PERVERSOR - The Shadow of Abomination EP review

2012-02-03T01:57:00.000-08:00

PERVERSOR - The Shadow of Abomination EP

Hells Headbangers

Genre: Blackened Death / Thrash

Seeing that this is on Hells headbangers you already should know it's gonna blow away 90% of everything else out there in the metal realm. Originally released in Chile on Pacto Records last Fall this EP finally finds it's way to the states as well as the rest of the world via this great label for those of us with extreme tastes. I became a quick fan of these Chilean overlords with their 2008 debut full length Cult of Destruction. Since then they've just released another EP and a split. Either way I'd rather have these five blackened thrash blasts then nothing at all. Speaking of which PERVERSOR takes the basic Teutonic Thrash template adds some traditional S. American Satanic bestiality and the rest is here in pure violent ecstasy. Need I say more? I shouldn't have to unless you're an idiot.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/

NOMINON - Manifestation of Black EP review

2012-02-03T01:39:00.000-08:00

NOMINON - Manifestation of Black EP

Deathgasm Records

Genre: Death Metal

In my not so humble opinion NOMINON are one of Sweden's best death metal exports who started out after the initial explosion. Remember people the band started out in the early nineties releasing demos from 1993 to the end of the decade. Their debut full length, the amazing and essential Diabolical Bloodshed, didn't come out till 1999. At that time the metal music media was hyping bands who were influenced by the ghetto and jumped around on stage as if they had gerbils up their rectums. (aka: nu-metal / rap metal) Maybe if you missed that one maybe you should go back and check it out. Don't stop there either since all four of this band's full lengths (yeah you can throw in their short form releases as well) are amazing if not essential to any death metal demon. That's why I am looking forward to NOMINON's as-of-yet untitled new full length release expected to come out sometime in 2012. As for now this will do.

For all of you out there who are fans (and potential new ones) you will understand that this band's EPs are like mere crumbs of substance to the starving throng who are willing to kill for the full loaf. We know that these two cuts, "Manifestation of Black" and "Burnt Human Offering" are going to be on the new full length. Hell any one of them would make a great title cut as well. Both cuts are great since they hold true to this band's murky dark death blows. NOMINON were never really clones of their nation's death metal peers. In fact I've always considered them that foil between the pure old school sound and the melo-death which started in 1993.

Either way these cuts are great and on here we get introduced to the new line-up (yes again). basically the biggest change is in new vocalist Henke Skoog from one of Sweden's new OSDM sounding acts EVISCERATED. Longtime main man and guitarist (now on bass) Juha Sulasalmi has found another way to keep this act going strong. Great death metal stands the test of time it also helps when you bring in new blood enthused with noxious bile as well. Yes I'm bias but at least I'm bias about good bands like NOMINON as opposed to

RATING 5/5

Label: http://www.deathgasm.com/

Official: http://www.nominon.com/

ROYAL TALONS - Self Titled EP review

2012-02-03T01:27:00.000-08:00

ROYAL TALONS - Self Titled EP

Handshake Inc/Grindcore Karaoke

Genre: Stoner / Sludge

I think by this point in the musical game a band like ROYAL TALONS fits in well since they just throw everything heavy at your head. Later on you can pick out what you like the least but for now you're getting it all at once. This power trio hails from Denver, Colorado a place already known for spawning some unique, extreme music bands in the past. This one is just the latest. The ROYAL TALONS sonically charge their brand of sludge and stoner psych. Which means there will be no sleeping or trance meditating here people. This five song debut of theirs is a diverse batch of material which is best served while you're fully coherent.

When listening to this release I can't help but feel that this band's natural environment is it's biggest influence within their music. The vocals sound like screams from atop the mountain which echo down into the valley. The music is like a forceful wind gust bending trees and shaking infrastructure throughout the land. The guitar riffs sound distorted to the point that it sounds like bacon frying in the pan. And when they indulge in a solo it's like the soundtrack to watching an eagle soaring in flight. That's just on the first cut "Shark Skull". All of the songs on here are long epic workouts that start with an atmospheric vibe which leads on into a more aggressive finale.

"The Scroll" is another perfect example with it's atmospheric plucked bass opening with leads into some sludgey power crunch. The song finalizes with this ethereal psych beauty. The solo at the three quarter mark will send ya fuckin chills, amazing shit here. This whole release is masterfully done with not one track leaving you wanting more. No reinvention of the genres is at play on here. The band simply takes plenty from others and remolds it into their own perception. Overall it's a combination of OM and GRIEF since the band likes keeping things diverse. Not only is this interesting as well as a great listing experience (it took me ten listens before I could write one one word about it). I also consider this to be one of the best releases you will here in 2012.

RATING: 5/5

Label: http://handshakeinc.com/

Interview w/ Scott "King Spo-it" Corkern of the SPO-ITS

2012-02-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

(above SCOTT CORKERN of the SPO-ITS with the infamous "Grind Guitar", photo taken by Mr. Wolf)

When you think about Rock n Roll meeting debauchery, destruction and perversion one name should come to mind, THE SPO-ITS. They are the band who put the X in X-PLOITATION. You could also add hot violence, noise terror and extreme destruction to that list. While their CD releases were of definite interest for extreme minded listening pleasure it was their live performances which have become legend for fans and nightmares for pleasure haters. I was lucky enough to have witnessed six performances by the SPO-ITS. All of which were uh interesting, two legendary (since I worked at the club) and their last one I actually feared being physically maimed for life, and I wasn't the only one.

There's one underlying fact and that's a SPO-ITS' show was always memorable.

Case in point watch this

Spo-it's Free Sex Scumfest 98 from scott corkern on Vimeo.

To quote Scott, "The show that Closed the Old Caboose. This is perhaps the most perfect Spo-it's show ever. I considered disbanding the group after this as we had attained perfection."

I was at that show and in all honesty I'd say it's in my top five of greatest performances I've seen and I've seen a lot. Also it didn't close the club down per say since the band returned in a year later for Scumfest 99. Although the performance from 98 was captured on VHS and was for sale at the the club that night. Rumor has it that the local authorities did get a hold of a copy and in late 99 the club did close down.

It was back in the late 90's that I originally interviewed the SPO-ITS for Scumfeast the print fanzine version after one of their safer shows. (the one with the robot) Since then I consider Scott a good friend, a person I respect as far as his intelligence and creativity goes and someone who truly embodies the word "extreme". Recently Scott has been working on a self produced documentary on the SPO-ITS. He's been traveling around collecting interviews which brought him to town in order to interview Andy Miller (former club promoter and now vocalist in the band KIFF) and myself. Afterwards I figured why not do an interview with King Spo-it about the documentary he's working on, especially after seeing some of the interview material. Come along and read about such things as mouse cannons, working with nude women on stage, getting banned from clubs and all sorts of hysteria.

SFM666 - For those people out there who don't know about the SPO-ITS can you give a brief history?
I started the Spo-it's in 1990 with Jason Gibbs as a two piece. we called it originally the John Wayne Gacy five. but after our first show we added a second guitar and two chicks and changed the name to SPO-ITS. We were initially a poetry and noise band. I also loved to hire players who did not know how to play their instruments. The SPO-ITS is based on the Idea of Radical personal freedom. I would include any stupid stunt in the show anyone wanted to do. Before long we had people getting beaten, cutting themselves breaking television sets, getting nude, having sex on stage. I was showing video's of porn and bestiality mixing the sound into the show. To my shock eventually the band members that stuck around learned to play their instruments and we got more of a jazzy noise punk sound.

Our big break came when we were touring with the MENTORS and we got the chance to get on the Jerry Springer show for " Shock Rock". After that we upped our already crazy shows to the point of madness. our best years were from 1994-2000. About 2000 - 2001 a lot of the band members moved away from Savannah. We never ended the band but I only booked a few shows like the 2003 GG ALLIN death anniversary show with the MURDER JUNKIES with Jeff Clayton of ANTISEEN singing. Also we played the White Trash Luau in Virginia.

When 2010 came around I decided we should do a 20th anniversary show. I got the whole crew together Chuck Metaxus from NYC on guitar , Ash from Wisconsin on Sax , Rik from Charlotte on Drums. Then we added John Dunn an old friend of mine and the old bass from TRUCKADELLIC to play bass. We also added two stripper friends of mine to be spo-it's girls, lauren and LIz . We ended up tearing up the club, the Wormhole in Savannah, and got banned from yet another venue, the audience rioted, we set Ash on fire for an 18 second burn. It was just like the old days. After that we decided to play one more show. We came up and fucked up SCUMFEST 2010, again getting banned from Volume 11. The band has three CD's to it's credit "And Your Little Dog Too"," Free Sex" and "Live at the Knitting Factory". I have another CD "Full Retard" which I have written and have started the process of recording the tracks.

SFM666 - When did you decide upon doing a documentary about the band?
I had the idea for a Spo-it's version of a hard day's night for a long time.
It was just before the 20 anniversary show that I thought of the idea of doing a film about the band using all the crazy video I have shot over the years. We had three HD cameras shooting the 20th anniversary show and we had some stupid fuck that was supposed to follow us around filming for SCUMFEST 2010 but he just fucked off on his job. I did not get nearly the amount of video I would have liked to get.

SFM666 - How far away are you from completing it? So what should people expect when it's completed?
I am about 2/3 finished with the interviews I need for the movie. I need to take a trip to California to interview Jay from DICK DELICIOUS and Robert from CAPTAIN BEEFHEART. I also need to get up to NYC and Boston to interview Chuck and Karla. I am guessing if my money hold out I can finish shooting by the end of this year. Then I am having the film professionally edited.

SFM666 - Who are some of the more notable people in the music biz you interviewed for the documentary?
Brent from MASTODON, Merle and Dino from the MURDER JUNKIES,I have some old interview footage of GG ALLIN where I give him the first SPO-ITS Tape, Ruyter from NASHVILLE PUSSY, T-roy from SOURVEIN, Dixie from BUZZOVEN and WEEDEATER, Kirk from BUZZOVEN, Gary Mader of EYEHATEGOD, Trademark G from the Evolution Control Committee
and of course Jay and Scott from DICK DELICIOUS and the TASTY TESTICLES. I'm hoping to catch Jeff from ANTISEEN when they play Savannah later this month. And I need to go out to California and interview Robert Williams the drummer from CAPTAIN BEEFHEART who played on our second CD. All of these folks have played with us or have been at our shows.

(Here's a clip)

SFM666 - When you were doing the interviews did you get any from people who have negative memories of the SPO-ITS?
I have not got any of that yet. I very much want some of it; I want to interview Phillip of KYLESSA about the time he tried to punch me out at a big gas cycles show. There are also some know haters I want to interview. But the folks that do not like The SPO-ITS usually don't like me personally either and they avoid me.

SFM666 - Since the SPO-ITS shows were known to have some nudity involved once in a while I'm guessing the documentary will contain some nudity as well. Will that be the case?
I am including tons of nudity in the film. Sex acts too!!. I also have a photo montage a La ken burns which will feature some of our best stills.

SFM666 - Now I worked at a club that did not mind the type of extreme performance that the SPO-ITS were known to do. In fact I believe we (at the Caboose) cooperated fully.I'm sure there are some venues which didn't care for the SPO-ITS. Are you at liberty to mention those places and will they be mentioned in the documentary?
The most famous place we ever got thrown out of is the Whiskey A Go Go. I don't have any video of that because the bitches wanted 50 bucks to allow us to video tape. I just would not do that on principal . In my own interview I will go in depth. The suck ass clubs in Savannah that would never have us play. I can truly say I got next to no support from the suck ass Savannah GA music scene. Like Jeff Clayton Says " I got this far without you".

(another SPO-ITS live clip)

Spo-it's Sabbath ripoff smashing song Scumfest from scott corkern on Vimeo.

SFM666 - In the documentary will you go into detail on how the Grind Guitar came to be as well as your experiences on stage with it?
There will be a whole segment on the grindertar. I got the idea in 1991 watching jim O'rourke in Atlanta play a guitar on a table with lots of pedals and motors that he would put on various parts of the guitar to get strange sounds. I though "that is so cool............ but it does not rock" so I started experiments with attaching things to my guitar which ended in me buying a grinder and attaching it to the guitar head. Tricked out with the pedals attached right to the guitar itself it makes a real sonic weapon. Most guitars can make you deaf but this one can make you blind as well.

(editor's note: it can also hurt you.)

SFM666 - Here's a few more SPO-ITS' stage performance devices which I believe need explaining; The Mouse Cannon, Shooting Fireworks into the Audience, Smashing TV sets?
Mouse cannon. Well , we got asked not to do fireworks into the audience so I thought of hitting them with vermin. Mice are always rescues from the snake food cages at the pet store. Even though there is some danger to the mice they have a great chance of getting away or being adopted at the show. Better than their chances with the snake. So mice are light and you can fire them easily using a bellows and a tube. It is great because lots of times women will throw up when hit in the hair by a mouse.
Fireworks.... Well , we did jumping chasers at our feet for a long time. But it was not long till I did not want to hog all the fireworks to myself and share with the audience. I especially like setting off rockets in banks of 100 in very small crowded clubs. It really looks more dangerous than it is. We have had some burns and I did set dixie's dreads on fire once in Virginia but no blindings yet. I want to Make the audience be part of the show.
The Television thing I really stumbled on. Wendy O (of the PLASMATICS) had been chainsawing tv's but I never thought of copying her. We started by gluing shards of broken bottles to television sets like porcupines and bringing them to shows to raffle off. They were so dangerous we would always get cut moving them. One day in 1990 the guy who had won the tv did not want it so we busted it up with a crowbar. When i saw the crowd reaction to breaking a television ..... they were like "I could have watched Baywatch on that" it was really effecting. Soon we had to do it at every show. Now though the tube tv is an antique and our show segment will go the way of the dodo bird unless we break into communications museums to destroy their collections.

(Here's the SPO-ITS live at CBGBs)

Spo-it's Dead girls don't say no CBGB's from scott corkern on Vimeo.

SFM666 - Were there any major problems with finding people you wanted to be in the documentary?

Yes I am out of touch with several of the SPO-ITS like Jason who started the band with me. It has been 15 years since I have heard anything from him and I do not even know where he lives. Also perhaps he does no use computers like a normal person. Perhaps he is dead. Jim Kelly our first drummer is somewhere in Atlanta and disappeared before our Clermont show when I was going to get him on video. Dawn the SPo-it's girl from 1998 stole a mexican's car and lit out from HIlton Head. She stopped in Atlanta to fuck Jay and then rode off into the sunset. If you are near a pole check and see if she is dancing on it.

SFM666 - Is there a website for the documentary or some where on the web people can contact you about it?
I do not have a doc web site yet. best place if you have a spo-it's story you want to tell for the film is my spo-it's Facebook page or my Scott corkern Facebook page.

SFM666 - Are the SPO-ITS done or is this just a stopping point for now until the right opportunity arises to do it again?
No I am going to keep doing SPO-ITS until I am prevented by the law. I have an idea I will send the film to festivals and if it gets in I will book the band to play that night or the next night.

SFM666 - What was one of your favorite SPO-ITS performances where everything just clicked and the audience left amazed?
My favorite performance is and always will be Scumfest 1998. Great crowd great spo-it's line up with Chuck and the Dick D crew. Lots of great angry nude women and sex acts on stage. The only thing that could have made it better is 200 rockets firing into the audience. But at that time caboose had shut us down from doing fireworks that show.

Spo-it's Bitch betta Have my money Scumfest 98 from scott corkern on Vimeo.

Scum News: THE GARDNERZ Begin Recording New EP

2012-02-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

Swedish deadly doomsters THE GARDNERZ have started recording new material for an EP that will follow up their debut album, The System of Nature, which was released last year through Abyss Records and Mechanix Records.

Drummer Vedran Benčić recently entered Armageddon Studio, in Osijek, Croatia to lay down his drum tracks for the five-track death/doom masterpiece. Soon guitarist Wilhelm Lindh and bassist Francisco Martin will once again head over to Funky Cat Studio in Landskrona, Sweden to lay down their epic tracks. Vocalist Niclas Ankarbranth will record his tracks at Ninja Studios in Malmö, Sweden. The EP is tentatively scheduled for a mid-2012
release through Abyss Records.

Guitarist Wilhlem Lindh comments, "This time around the songs are a bit slower and darker then on the system of nature, we tried to continue on the path we have chosen. We have found our niche and have no reason to stray , so if you liked our first release you will like this. This time it was a bit more of a group effort and I think that made the songs stronger."

Here's a clip of Vedran at work in the studio.

Wanna hear some music? The System Of Nature is currently streaming in its entirety at www.TheGardnerz.com.

SUTEKH HEXEN - Larvae CD review

2012-01-29T22:14:00.000-08:00

SUTEKH HEXEN - Larvae CD

Handmade Birds

Genre: Noise

In a nutshell this is basically two guys on guitar playing black metal structured riffs along with adding plenty of feedback and distortion while the third one messes with pro tools on his laptop. Through all of the noise there's somebody screaming as well. All of that comes in three cuts which lasts around thirty minutes. Now I'm sure some other people in the lamestream media could take the sum of this act's parts and write a six or seven hundred word review about this release. (they better since they're being paid eleven cents a word) As for me well I hear things in reality.

I first learned about SUTEKH HEXEN a few years ago when I listened to their two cut Ritualistic demo. At the time I thought it was utter blackness and still do. Larvae follows suit but I just can't get past that musically it's basically noise manipulation. This came in under the heading of raw black metal. Now that's a tough one. There are aspects to SUTEKH HEXEN's sound which reminds me of certain acts in the blackened realm. The difference being that those bands have actual drums, rhythms, vocals, lyrics and of course song structure plus atmosphere. This release has neither although there's plenty of reverb and distortion looped over again and again.

To me this is actually a plasticine version of real music with the electronics, field samples and tape manipulation taking the place of the musicianship. It's why I have a problem with all of this "experimental" or "computerized" metal. Once you strip away everything human than you're left with something soulless. Black Metal or at least dark sounding music is suppose to bring about a sense of fear and foreboding and it's missing here. Some people will lay blame on SUNN O))) for all of this experimentation within the darkened side of the metal genre. But at least on their last one they had Attila doing some vocals and he's one of the best. That put a human face onto the music which was horrific. With this one the only face you get is the Windows logo. How scary is that? Larvae might be good enough for some background music on Halloween but that's until it gets yanked for it's annoyance.

RATING: 2/5

Label: http://handmadebirds.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sutekhhexen

Sorry nothing new but here's something decent.

HALLOWEEN - Terrortory CD review

2012-01-29T21:50:00.000-08:00

HALLOWEEN - Terrortory CD

Self-Released / Pure Steel Records

Genre: Classic Metal

For all of you people out there who consider yourselves 1980's heavy metal aficionados, you're surely lacking if you don't have a copy of Don’t Metal With Evil in your collection. If you did then chances are it's sandwiched between GRIM REAPER and IRON ANGEL. That was this band's debut from 1985 and is a classic as far as American second tier heavy metal goes. I'm obvious not an aficionado since I don't own a copy of that album but I know 3 friends who do have it. They've also seen them live back in the late 80s in some clubs which I've been told were legendary shows. HALLOWEEN was this four piece act out of Detroit, Michigan who dressed like MOTLEY CRUE and had an Alice Cooper influence to their sound which was a big part of their horror inspired musical style. If you're curious than there was a compilation release from 2008 titled 13 Tracks of Horror which should get you up to speed.

When this came in for review I was surprised as hell. First off I didn't even know they still existed. Secondly I didn't know they had more than one full length release. I knew there were cassette tapes floating around but along with their debut HALLOWEEN also put out full lengths in 1991 and 97 plus in 2003 and 06. All I could say about that was "wow", then I heard this and well? There are times when old bands come back to remind us of our past and maybe reinvigorate the present. Then again there are those who come back like ghosts to haunt us in their horrible guise. After listening to this I believe the latter is true here. Even though HALLOWEEN continues on with original vocalist Brian Thomas and bassist George Neal I can't see this as more than just a fans only type of release. Being that only a true fan could get through all of it.

The main problem with Terrortory is it's lack of a foothold. HALLOWEEN seems to be tracking the musical landscape. They try to bring back the 80's feeling in their sound on the rocking cuts but add to much modern touches. There's a couple of ballads on here as well. Their longer numbers drag on far too much. Worse yet is the production on here which has the vocals out in front too much of the music. Thomas is a decent enough singer that he shouldn't literally overshadow everyone else. Since I don't know what their other material sounded like I'm only going on comparing them to their mid-80's output. This sounds like an old band trying to be relevant in the modern world which it can't. Even the top tier acts from the 80s who are still around today can't break their new stuff in which is why they've become oldies but goodies bands.

RATING: 2/5

Label: http://www.puresteel-records.com/

Official: http://www.halloweentheband.us/

Here's a classic

And another classic

RITUALS OF THE OAK - Come Taste The Doom CD review

2012-01-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

RITUALS OF THE OAK - Come Taste The Doom CD

Eyes Like Snow / Northern Silence

Genre: Doom

I've only become a fan of Australia's RITUALS OF THE OAK since last year after I listened to them on another Eyes Like Snow release. That one was the 3 way split release with them, APOSTLES OF SOLITUDE and THE FLIGHT OF SLEIPNIR. All three bands were good of course but where the other two bands contributed two tracks each, RITUALS OF THE OAK's had just one long track on it. That was the over seventeen minute epic "Hallward". Of course what captured my attention besides the crushing riffs and subtle bass / drum interplay was the band's vocalist Sabine Hamad. It's not that Sabine does anything outstanding or different from most other female vocalists in doom circles. Basically she has a great voice and didn't do anything quirky or ridiculous to turn off the listener, aka: me.

So here we are with a new full length, the band's second one since starting out in Sydney from the ashes of two other acts, LYCANTHIA and TRANSCENDING MORTALITY back in 2008. I haven't heard the band's debut, Hour of Judgement, from 2009 although from what I've read it was not so well received. That shouldn't be the case with Come Taste The Doom. Sure it's a cliche title but a lessor band couldn't pull off calling their release that, RITUALS OF THE OAK can and does throughout with these five cuts. Much like their peers the WOUNDED KINGS from England, the guitar, bass and drumming take up most of the time within their cuts. That leaves little space for vocalist Hamad except to shine for every second she's on tape which she does. I really like her vocals because she's not trying to be a witch or gothic. She comes across with a natural singing voice that adds melody to the crushing doom around her. Great stuff.

RATING: 4/5

Label: http://www.northern-silence.de/

Official: http://ritualsoftheoak.blogspot.com/

Scum Art Video yes there's nudity involved

2012-01-29T08:51:00.000-08:00

Here at SFM666 we appreciate art especially when there's music involved and nudity. Case in point, I was looking for a specific BENEDICTION song on YouTube and this "art video" popped up in the suggestions. Well after about five views I figured this was Scumfeast worthy for a number of reasons.

First off the music could be considered Drone. Okay it's not but than experimental music is not metal either.

The mannikins represent hipsters and the model is a normal human being which means hipsters have no sexual organs.

Some indie rock loser who writes for Pitchfork trolls onto my website in order to find out what is really good in metal music. Here's something that will offend his liberal sensibilities.

A nude woman in boots, need I say more.

Scum Video DISTRAUGHT and the VARUKERS live at the Caboose 1995

2012-01-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

Here's an example of Hardcore at the Caboose in North Carolina. Just for the record for a few years Hardcore was dead in this area. One club that had a lot of great bands who came through town closed. Another club stopped booking Punk / Hardcore acts because of the no money being made. Whatever? At the Caboose we never had a problem and the great shows proved that. Here's two examples:

First up DISTRAUGHT

Next up THE VARUKERS:

Scum video DARKMOON live at the Caboose 1998

2012-01-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

Here's another DARKMOON video this time they're covering SLAYER's "Black Magic".

Scum Video SLUGNUT live at the Caboose 1998

2012-01-28T20:23:00.000-08:00

Here's one local band from that era, SLUGNUT.

SLUGNUT were extreme metal before the term was coined. They were thrash, groove, hardcore and death all rolled into one serious onslaught. Obviously from the video you can see they had a decent local following. Whenever they played the crowd would go nuts. Good times!