FALKENBACH - Tiurida CD review

FALKENBACH - Tiurida CD
Napalm Records
Genre: Viking/Folk Metal
Rating: 4/5



After quite a few years of silence FALKENBACH, aka: multi-instrumentalist Markus Tummers better known as Vratyas Vakyas, has returned to form with this newest release Tiurida which means Glory. It's an aptly titled return for the man who helped develop and shape the Viking Folk metal genre over the past twenty years. His last release of new material was 2003's excellent Ok Nefa Tysuar Ty. In 2005 there was Heralding The Fireblade but that was a re-recording of FALKENBACH's unreleased debut. So for fans who heard plenty of other similar styled bands carry the Viking Folk Metal banner honorably, seeing something new by Tummers garners obvious excitement. Now before you get all crazy and run next door to perform a blood eagle on your neighbor for what his Christian ancestors did to your people (as well as fuckin up your chainsaw when you lent it to him) wait a minute. My use of the words "returned to form" should not be mis-characterized. Yes it's still FALKENBACH and this release sounds fantastic but the atmosphere on Tiurida is more laid back, hanging out with a bunch of friends in your backyard type of sound. Sure it's great to drink copious amounts of adult beverages to with friends during a party but not a war party.

The opening intro does have a Viking feel to it with a bass horn blowing as if announcing the coming of a long boat into the harbor. Obviously it's the return of FALKENBACH and from there the first cut kicks into gear. “Where His Ravens Fly" will be familiar to old fans with it's clean vocals and a decent rolling rhythm balanced well between the metal and acoustic instruments which on this one include guitar, flute and mandolin. The song is very welcoming in a Viking folk way. "Time Between Dog and Wolf" goes into a more heavier direction which include Tummers switching over to his black metal vocals. From this point on the release turns to one defining theme which dominates the rest of the release. It's not a complaint but just an understanding that from the instrumental "Tanfana" on, the atmosphere is relaxed. "Tanfana" does give you the feeling of movement whether it's cruising across the waves in a boat or soaring in the sky like an eagle. Where ever your imagination takes you the song is classic FALKENBACH.

"Runes Shall You Know" returns to the clean vocals, melody and mandolin playing while a majestic sound scape rolls on. Anyone who wants to know where the Faroe Island band TYR got a few influences, here ya go. "In Flames" brings back the heaviness and black metal vocals. There's an acoustic guitar break in the middle part of the song with haunting whispered chants which is pretty cool. Sadly the last two songs "Sunnavend" and the bonus cut "Asaland" really don't stand out. I don't look on it as a bad thing especially if you look at this release as a whole piece and not individual songs thrust together. The beauty of FALKENBACH's music is to transcend the listener to another place of consciousness or time. Tiurida does it throughout. For fans this is just another well done addition to the collection. Newcomers might not get into it at first so I'd suggest going back to the beginning and work your way up. All in all I'd still say this is another great FALKENBACH release.

Label: http://www.napalmrecords.com

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

PSYKOSIS - Toxic Terror Storm CDEP review

PSYKOSIS - Toxic Terror Storm CDEP
Self Released
Genre: Thrash
Rating: 3/5

Someone call Earache or whoever is involved these days in signing the Thrash Revival's second wave. This Irish band actually are not new since they started out a few years back but this is their first demo. At least they waited long enough to perfect their sound. As far as influences go, draw a few old Thrash band names on a wall then throw a dart. There's only three songs here so from what little to go on I'd give it a thumbs up. Has anyone called Earache yet? PSYKOSIS cover all the bases of what was good about 80's Thrash. You've got your real guy rough vocals as well as background gang shouts. The rhythm section pounds away and fret burning guitar solos. The first cut "Toxic Fugitive" is a catchy fucker. "Terror at 3AM" is a total headbanger and the last one "Psykosis Bonestorm" is a long drawn out melodic affair. All in all I'm expecting to hear more from this band because three songs just don't cut it.

Label: vladpromotion@gmail.com

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

ARTAS - Riotology CD review

ARTAS - Riotology CD
Napalm Records
Genre: Metalcore
Rating: 0/5

Welcome to the continuing saga of Napalm Records trying desperately to shake off their epic variety metal pedigree. This one ain't as bad as the STUCK MOJO release they put out (what could?) but it's close. This is the second full length release by Austria's ARTAS. I never heard their debut, The Healing, from 2008 also on Napalm but I'm kinda glad. The promo material for this describes ARTAS as "modern metal" which obviously set off my bullshit detector. Then I took a listen only to find that modern metal means metalcore. I totally feel sorry for the poor soul who regularly buys Napalm stuff (which I once was) only because they knew that the label specialized in releasing black metal, battle metal and epic progressive stuff, and then finds this. The packaging will throw most people off the trail of disgust, it did me.

Label: http://www.napalmrecords.com

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

TIBERIUS - Born Hope CDEP review

TIBERIUS - Born Hope CDEP
Self Released
Genre: Death Thrash
Rating: 2/5

So I'm listening to the first cut off of this Polish band's EP and I'm thinking yeah this ain't bad death thrash. You know what to expect from this genre. It's basically death metal with thrashy riffs albeit almost groove infused plus growled vocals. All of that was evident within the first two minutes of the song "Enslave the Reason" until the clean sounding melodic vocals kicked in then I started growling. OK I take that back I was really moaning in a sick way. It's like if you go out to get a sandwich then you take the first bite and it tastes good. Then you take another bite and you get that bad tomato. It ruins the whole dining out experience. That's my feeling about this release with its five cuts. They all start out promising but then something rotten pops in to ruin everything. On the second cut "Entity" the vocal styles are reversed and it still finds a way to fuck up. This time they slip into that metalcore groove, ugh. On “Mizantrophe Breed” it's the same pattern as in great beginning then they break it down for those clean vocals. "Tiberius", the song, is probably the best headbanger on here but why add the clean almost power metal vocals? The final cut "At the Gates" sounds like a continuation of the previous cut. Someone call up Century Media and tell em about these guys. The next thing you know they'll be signed to a three CD deal and opening for SUICIDE SILENCE on a Summer tour. Look as far as talent goes yeah TIBERIUS are very good at what they do. It's on the melodic side of the road so when I rate this for fans only I mean it.

Label: vladpromotion@gmail.com

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

TYPHUS - Grand Molesters of the Holy Trinity CD review

TYPHUS - Grand Molesters of the Holy Trinity CD
Pestilence Records
Genre: Black Metal
Rating: 3/5

This band's claim to fame comes in the form of their 2005 release Profound Blasphemous Proclamation which was a real piece of work as far as pure unadulterated hate goes. That masterpiece in bad taste came out on Lord Typhus' label, Dark Horizons Records and frankly why not? Why let someone else have all the fun? Now if the theme of that release was I Hate God than on this latest it's I Love Satan. Grand Molesters of the Holy Trinity is the kind of release for anyone up for a ride in the Luciferic love boat. For those who think I'm taking them lightly you're wrong. I really believe Lord Typhus is the kinda person who would give a gauntlet back hand slap in the face to a nun. Secondly this one sounds a lot better than their debut. Dare I use the word progressed? I don't think that's offensive to the self proclaimed "most blasphemous band on earth." They did release this on December 25th. TYPHUS are still influenced by their peers from European's second wave. You will not find any more songs about doing nasty things to the virgin mary or excreting bodily fluids upon religious figures. Like I mentioned earlier this is a Satanic lust affair. Also you must remember there's three types of USBM. You have the really brutal and technically proficient stuff. Then there's the crap that hipsters and Hot Topic mall kids like. Finally there's the necro black filth which is what TYPHUS was and shall always be. You have been forewarned.

Label: http://www.pestilence-records.de/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/typhus666

BUZZKILL - Damned By Faith CDEP review

BUZZKILL - Damned By Faith CDEP
Self Released
Genre: Punk Rock n Roll
Rating: 3/5

Not to be confused with the UK band of the same name, this one hails from Pennsylvania. The band info I received read Philadelphia. For some reason their name sticks out in my mind as if I saw this band once (could have happened, I do drink) or at least a local show notice saying they were playing a local club. Maybe they're familiar because their vocalist Ryan Williams sounds like Michale Graves aka: the MISFITS' second singer. In fact I'd say there's quite a bit of MISFITS' influence going on in these songs but not in a bad way. This three song release by BUZZKILL is far from being a copycat sounding act. The guitar solos by Mike Grasty as well as the song structures are far beyond the MISFITS' three chords and an attitude formula. I'll credit the rhythm section of Brian Yorkus on bass and drummer Kevin Yorkus for the influence check. BUZZKILL sounds like they stepped out of a time tunnel from the late 90's. Back then there was this uprising of cool sounding bands revising Punk Rock n Roll. Of course only the coolest of the cool knew and had written about it. Yeah like yours truly thank you (in the pages of Scumfeast fanzine) as well as Jeff Bale with his zine Hit List and some others who liked the "rock" in Punk and not the silly stuff that sometimes came with it. But anyways the three cuts on here are catchy as fuck and would make a perfect 7"er on colored vinyl.

Label: vladpromotion@gmail.com

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

CROWBAR - Sever the Wicked Hand CD review

CROWBAR - Sever the Wicked Hand CD
E1 Music
Genre: Sludge
Rating: 3/5

Before I even get into the music I'd like to point out a few things in my not so humble opinion. I think E1 Music (Entertainment One) is a label where good bands go to become average. Remember those releases last year by ZOROASTER and HIGH ON FIRE? Yeah so when I saw this was on E1, I literally mumbled "oh no". Secondly since it's been six years since CROWBAR's last release I'm guessing every review from here on out that you read will start out with the words, "it's been six years since CROWBAR's last release". Finally CROWBAR has always been a decent band but unfortunately was overshadowed by others. For years it was EYEHATEGOD, whose drummer Jimmy Bower also played in CROWBAR, and of course DOWN, who Kirk Windstein also plays in. Still they have garnered a dedicated fan base who have latched onto their slow to mid-tempo sludge metal with Windstein's bellowing vocals and joyless lyrics.

With that said Sever the Wicked Hand will be nothing new to the ears of fans. The opener "Isolation" is typical CROWBAR mid-tempo sludge with those chunky riffs that everyone copies nowadays. They just don't sound right unless you've got Windstein's vocals backing em up. "Isolation" bleeds well into the faster paced title cut, so well that it could have been one longer song instead of two. "Sever the Wicked Hand" is a good reminder of their past when flirtations with hardcore were common place. "Liquid Sky and Cold Black Earth" is more familiar territory revisited but this time it's back to the MELVINS influence. Windstein's voice invoking more pain and sorrow in one song than in most people's lifetimes. It's at this point in the release where things start to change and I don't think in a good way. "Let Me Mourn" sounds a little too QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE especially with the multi-tracked vocals early on. Even with the heavy handed riffs it still sounds like "radio friendly" pop groove metal destined for more mainstream than extreme. "The Cemetery Angels" starts off good with another hardcore influenced riff but once again it's those on again off again multi-tracked vocals which turn it into pop crap. The best part is how it ends with solid sledgehammer riffs that slip away.

"As I Become One" brings things back to the green by finally adding some defined and well perfected NOLA sound to this release. DOWN fans will appreciate this cut. "A Farewell to Misery" is a wispy instrumental, except for the choir vocals hanging in the background. It's a throwaway track that could have been done on piano alone and on someone else's release. "Protectors of the Shrine" and "I Only Deal in Truth" are more sludge rock with no real excitement save for a short Iomni inspired solo on the latter track. "Echo of Eternity" is probably the most depressing cut on Sever the Wicked Hand, in a good way of course. It has that crushing slow riffage with Windstein's vocals crying out like a depressed beast. "Cleanse Me Heal Me" is more chunky chuggy modern hardcore, like a leftover from KINGDOM OF SORROW. The last cut on here, "Symbiosis", with it's syrupy SABBATH inspired sludge is another winner of a track. That's one way to keep people listening all the way through in an era when people decide whether they like or dislike a release based on the first three cuts. Since I've touched on the matter Sever the Wicked Hand is a decent release. Long time fans will no doubt agree on that assessment. Everyone else, well they use shovels.


Label: http://www.e1music.us/

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