RAM - Death CD review

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

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

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

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

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!

“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

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