PERVERSOR – Demon Metal CDEP review

PERVERSOR – Demon Metal CDEP
Hells Headbangers
PERVERSOR/MORBOSIDAD – Invocaciones Demoniacas split 12’’
Nuclear War Now! Productions

Here’s a band I got into last year with their full length debut Cult of Destruction, which was released by Nuclear War Now! Productions. Unfortunately it came out in late 08 or I would’ve had it in my best of listings for 09. That release by Chile’s PERVERSOR, who started out in 97, stayed out of the rack ready to play at a moment’s notice for a year. So for now no new full length but instead we’ve got two worthy shorter releases. PERVERSOR are pure unholy blackened thrash that explodes in your face with the fury of a nuclear blast. This is demonstrated excellently at the ending of the cut “Detonate” which opens the Demon Metal CDEP. “Victory of the Legions of the Dammed” sounds like early MAYHEM crossing paths with SARCOFAGO. “Enthrone the God of Blasphemy” could be an outtake from BATHORY’s The Return. The song, “March to the Temple of Doom”, kicks up the speed and suffrage if you’re a loser, only giving a short mid period break. Listening to this I can envision some sick slam pit filled with demons chasing the unworthy (aka: whomever I hate this month). That cut bleeds into “Command” which sounds like blackened Hardcore or what the kids call “crust”. Five songs in seventeen minutes which will burn your sorry ass and hopefully make you drop that kiddie crap from your conscience. PERVERSOR bring back that danger to extreme metal which is surely needed.

On the split with MORBOSIDAD these Chileans are in full thrash and burn mode with six cuts worthy of giving the dark lord sunburn if not blisters. The first three cuts are complete insults to music in general furthering my respect for this band. Their latter three are more in the frame of what I expect aka: fast blasphemous thrash that’s semi understandable. “Metal Massacre” is a cut they could end their shows with and then watch as the club erupts in flames. The Awakening of the Ancient O” is more early BATHORY worship at 45 rpm speed. Finally “Obey” brings back the early MAYHEM. As far as the other side of this platter is concerned, MORBOSIDAD is a band from California who has been around since the early 90s although this is my first time hearing them. These guys are no slouches when it comes to their brand of punishing blackened death. Their side consists of six cuts, although technically it’s four since the second cut bleeds into three. MORBOSIDAD are a Mexican death squad in musical terms that is. The vocals are growled in Spanish while musically the band mixes death grind and some thrash. I like them alot because of their relentless pounding plus the lyrics being sung in Spanish, when there’s no death screams or growls, sounds sinister as fuck.

www.hellheadbangers.com
www.nwnprod.com/

DODSFERD/MORTOVATIS – Until Your World Go Down Split CD review

DODSFERD/MORTOVATIS – Until Your World Go Down Split CD
Moribund Records
DODSFERD – Another Two of your Scars and the World is Dead 7” EP
Obscure Abhorrence Productions

Everyone’s favorite one man Black Metal Greek misanthrope, Wrath aka: Nikos Spanakis, is back surprisingly I might add. Last time we crossed paths was with his Suicide and the Rest of Your Kind Will Follow CD from 09. I figured the time was close for his self inflicted demise and any bystanders around him at the prescribed time. Personally I always liked his black and roll stuff but when he reverts into suicidal mode I’m ready to scream “do it”. In all seriousness I wouldn’t want that, not yet atleast, because he is supposed to finish off his musical trilogy which started with Death Set the Beginning of My Journey in 08. We will have to just await that opus and deal with these two releases.

The first one on Moribund is three cuts by Wrath in DODSFERD mode and one cut from his more experimental BM project. The DODSFERD material is exceptional and if they are what to expect for his next full length then look out. The first cut “Only Thorns Can Embrace Your Condemned Throne” is patented Black n Roll which Wrath has been known for and which got me into him when I first heard the Fucking Your Creation CD. The next cut “Another Two of your Scars and the World is Dead” is again typical Wrath in suicidal mode. It’s a drawn out gothic and depressive affair but still brilliant. The last one by DODSFERD is a live version of “You call it Resurrection I call it a Fairytale for Human Parasites Your Kind” from his Cursing Your Will to Live CD. You’ll wanna stick with the studio version since this live one is a bit spastic. As far as Wrath’s MORTOVATIS side project goes, this is one twenty plus minute cut of drone and experimental noise which sounds like a SUNN O)) throwaway. The 7”er is for collectors only since it’s the studio cuts which also appear on the CD. In other words stick with the CD.

www.moribundcult.com
www.obscure-abhorrence.com/

ENSLAVED – Axioma Ethica Odini CD review

ENSLAVED – Axioma Ethica Odini CD
Indie Recordings

I’ve never been a huge fan of this band’s post black metal work. I consider their first three full lengths as essentials. When they started moving away from that into what I now consider progressive metal with black metal elements ala “gray metal”, my appreciation for them faded. I don’t think of their progressive material to be total shit since ENSLAVED have a black metal past and it’s clearly evident when listening to their releases. They’re just one of many who have decided to push the envelope and have become synonymous with what people consider post black metal. What’s really funny is how DIMMU BORGIR, whose latest dud of a CD I reviewed a week ago, has followed a similar path since they too have progressed far from what they originally started out as. The difference being that in certain BM circles DIMMU BORGIR gets trashed while ENSLAVED gets heralded. Both bands ride the black metal fence and yet you have people on opposite sides trying to push each one over. DIMMU BORGIR, who considers themselves BM, is trying to stay while people are pushing them out. On the other hand you have ENSLAVED, who really don’t consider themselves BM anymore, wanna get out but people are pushing them back in.

Something else of interest is that for every older fan lost they’ve gained a newer one who sees the gray and likes it. Out of all of the bands from the early Norwegian BM scene, who are still around, only ENSLAVED are today looked upon by these individuals (mainly Indie Rockers into metal) as being worthy of greatness. Also there’s this attitude amongst some people which started when the band released Isa in 2004 that has set my bullshit detector on constant alarm. You have these snobby little gay pop pedigree fucks that look down their nose at this band’s early greatness as if it were adolescent garbage along with everything else in the early history of Norwegian Black Metal. They look at Isa and everything up to 2008’s Vertebrae, which I didn’t like at all, as greatness from a band who climbed out of what they consider the gutter of Norwegian Black Metal. It’s because of this attitude that I became suspect of what was being written about ENSLAVED over the past five years. I’ve said it many times but it bears repeating especially in this case. Its one thing to expand the parameters of a music genre but there comes a point where the sound has been diluted. ENSLAVED has always been a unique band. They started out from inside the dark woods and now have clearly passed the edge of the black forest.

During the time I was home over the weekend I had this playing while I fucked around doing chores. I think I must’ve listened to this dink over twenty times. As far as Axioma Ethica Odini goes, it sounds like a potentially good black metal release ruined. The opening cut “Ethica Odini” is a perfect example as a song which represents the bad pattern of this release. Things start off at a blackened tremolo picked gallop with harsh vocals and a good solid rhythm but then the storm clouds suddenly break to let the sunshine in. Your evil comfort zone gets upset with melodic clean vocals and the prog elements. Imagine sitting at home listening to some decent extreme metal then your roommate walks in, turns it off and pops in Love Beach by ELP. We’re talking about an abrupt change in styles here which ends up in a fight to see who outlasts the other. The second cut “Raidho” follows the exact same pattern except this time the two distinct vocal styles mirror what you hear with deathcore as in harsh vocal/clean vocal. I really hate that crap. On the third cut “Waruun” they repeat the process. ENSLAVED have clearly run out of new ideas and are now just following a recipe making sure each ingredient is measured perfect. “The Beacon” is probably the only song on this release which harkens back to this band’s early Viking black metal days. “Axioma” is two plus minutes of ambient FLOYD worship. “Giants” sounds like some decent epic doom found on the recording studio floor after AMORPHIS left the building. The song “Singular” follows suit but is epically ruined by prog. Once you reach “Night Sight” you’re ready to move the fuck out and you still got one more cut to go. “Lightning” adds more FLOYD worship. By the way PINK FLOYD only had one record that I liked/still like and it wasn’t progressive 70’s rock. Care to guess which one? As for this release I think it’s perfect for Indie Rockers or Progressives. If you had any question whether or not ENSLAVED have moved on from black metal then this should answer it. Mine was answered years ago.

www.indierec.no

BLACK FUNERAL – Vukolak CD review

BLACK FUNERAL – Vukolak CD
Behemoth Productions

It’s been a few years since these entities actually put out something musical instead of just hawking satanic trinkets and artwork from their Myspace page. Vukolak is their eighth full length and if you’ve heard any previous releases by them then you know what to expect. If you haven’t well, you ever been to an insane asylum during a Hellraiser DVD marathon? Yes I do like BLACK FUNERAL in fact it is because of my playing of one of their CDs at a party years ago that a close friend claimed I have an unhealthy obsession with sick, twisted and necro black metal. I can’t lie because it’s true and if whatever mainstream/Indie Rock fag pop blackened lite bands are at one end of the spectrum then BLACK FUNERAL sits proudly on the opposite. Plus how many other bands include with their CD a demon card and an actual invocation on fancy parchment paper? I framed it and hung it in my bathroom.

If I were to make a list of great USBM bands then BLACK FUNERAL would be in my top five and some people who claim to like black metal would balk at it. If their displeasure with BLACK FUNERAL is based solely on their music then I’d understand, it’s not for the meek. Their sound and style is based on the early raw BM attributes. There are no vocals in the sense of actual singing. These are literally screams of torment that make what some of their European contemporaries have done seem tame. Musically it’s the opposite since BLACK FUNERAL do borrow much from those same European acts but production value is lacking with them. Words like “raw”, “primitive” or even “basement sound” do apply to their recordings past and present. Vukolak shows that they have not changed much since starting out back in the early nineties. Something else of note is that Michael Ford aka Akhtya Nachttoter (screams, bass & noises) and Marchozelos (guitars, bass & drums) are not just recording music for fans. They are creating apocalyptic sounds based on a Luciferian belief with vampyric overtones. I know this might come as a shocker to some people but orthodox Satanism or any dark religious belief system is not ambient, symphonic or melodic nor does it sound pretty to the ears.

Nowadays there are far too many people who have gotten all of their Black Metal knowledge from Vice magazine and can’t wait for the movie version of Lords of Chaos. People like them would not understand BLACK FUNERAL or even tolerate Vukolak. (Except Nazgul from SATANIC WARMASTER since Ford contributes an incantation on his latest.) It’s a very harsh sounding piece of work. Michael Ford has outdone his previous releases but only slightly in the musical department. It’s his conviction to the research involved in producing lyrics which are religious in nature, blasphemy to all that some consider holy. Ford is also an accomplished author who has written books on Occultism and Luciferian beliefs. There are far too many liberals, faux atheists and closet deists in the metal media who simply don’t understand the orthodox religious aspects put forth by bands like BLACK FUNERAL. To them it’s just another religion for them to mock like all other religions, except Islam because they’re afraid of them and it would be politically incorrect. If you consider the opinions of cowards then pass on this one. On the other hand (the left one) if you feel like searching for something intriguing or cultist in black metal then everything about BLACK FUNERAL and this release will peak your interest. Let your faith guide you, ha!

http://www.behemothproductions.net/

BLASPHEMOUS – Bearer of the Darkest Plagues CD review

BLASPHEMOUS – Bearer of the Darkest Plagues CD
Baars Records

This band hails from the Philadelphia and South Jersey area which I know first hand is definitely a place that’s grim, black plus full of death and those are just the things you see in the row houses. It’s a perfect place for a hate filled band to come from because influences abound. I don’t know about a full on black metal band though which BLASPHEMOUS would like everyone to believe they are. I just get visions of some overweight slob in corpse paint wearing an Flyers jersey and stuffing his face with a cheese steak. Then again it could be skinheads in bomber jackets who got off hearing AD HOMINEM and wanna recreate it. Either way Bearer of the Darkest Plagues is a ten cut filthy sounding release which bounces around as if genres were lottery balls. Unfortunately the winning numbers on here are not in the black. BLASPHEMOUS actually sounds better when they cut into blackened death thrash mode and rip apart at the seams. “Path to our Demise”, “Entering Oblivion” and “Among the Wolves” are perfect examples of when things run well. Otherwise the only thing going for them in the black metal department is catchy song titles like “Raped Upon the Altar”.

www.myspace.com/blasphemousmetal

WARBEAST – Krush the Enemy CD review

WARBEAST – Krush the Enemy CD
Housecore Records

WARBEAST comes straight out of Texas kickin ass and taking names (yeah that’s an ANTISEEN lyric) which they do with punishing ease on this their debut full length. The band plays mainly aggressive old school Thrash but various genres are explored, beaten upon and finally kicked across the room. Their twin guitar attack from Scott Shelby and Rick Perry invokes early SLAYER with fierce riff abandonment plus dual soloing included. The rhythm section of bassist Alan Bovee and drummer Joe Gonzalez supplies enough bombast to keep your head banging along. Finally there are the vocals by Bruce Corbitt which range from pissed off to angry then angrier. There’s something else which is important to note. This is not some new Thrash revival band copying a template from the past greats.

WARBEAST are veteran thrashers from the lone star state consisting of former GAMMACIDE members and Bruce Corbitt former vocalist of RIGOR MORTIS. They’ve been playing together since 2006 under the moniker TEXAS METAL ALLIANCE but in 2009 they decided to change their name and were quickly signed to Housecore Records which is a label run by Phil Anselmo, no introduction needed with him. Not only did Phil sign them but he also produced this release. I’m guessing RIGOR MORTIS and GAMMACIDE shared a few show bills with one of Phil’s bands in the past so it all looks like a friends club. Either way the ten cuts on here represent something that I see definitely missing with alot of these newer Thrash bands and that’s hunger. Krush the Enemy sounds like an older band trying to make a comeback release and willing to tear through anything to get fed. The Thrash revival is over with as far as any surprises go and now all we have are bands opting to be top dog at the pound. WARBEAST just entered the fray and has made all the other new pooches look like pussies.

http://www.thehousecorerecords.com/

HIGH ON FIRE – Snakes of the Divine CD review

HIGH ON FIRE – Snakes of the Divine CD
E1 Music

Their 2007 release Death is this Communion on Relapse Records was one of that year’s best and showed by appearing in many end of year top ten listings. That was three years ago and since then they’ve switched labels plus don’t have producer Jack Endino, who many cite as the defacto reason for that release’s greatness, twisting the knobs on here. I guess the big questions on the minds of their admirers are what will they do to surpass it, will they change directions or will they wimp out to the mainstream/hipster/Indie Rock scene like so many others. With all that said after one listen I can say that they haven’t changed at all. Their patented Sludge Punk/Thrash sound is intact to a point where there’s not much difference from their previous releases. What is unfortunate is that it’s taken me many listens to actually sit down and write about it. When a release sits around for weeks gathering dust until it’s time to give it another spin for writing inspiration is an obvious indication that excitement is not on the bill.

The opener and also title cut starts off with a breakneck riff that carries along until the trio breaks momentum and skids along a pool of sludge. There’s a noticeable difference in production quality from their previous opus although not a huge point of contention. The band has become a well oiled machine with their sound. That spark from the past has been harnessed and is now simply keeping the lights on. Once you are thoroughly past the opener then things start falling into place like a routine. There are some good standout cuts like “Holy Flames of the Firesplitter” and “Frost Hammer” which are both mid-paced rockers that years ago I would’ve started a pit to. “Bastard Samurai” is probably my favorite cut as it slithers along like a doom dirge maggot across a filthy floor. The rest I’d place in that yeah it’s ok file or skip over completely.

I remember reading the band’s studio diary when they were making Death is this Communion and their working relationship with Jack Endino. According to Matt Pike (guitar/vocals) Endino didn’t push them but did get the best out of them. I’m wondering if Endino would’ve allowed the filler interlude cut “The Path” to appear on here if he were still behind the console. I could also say would Steve Albini, who produced their incredible Blessed Black Wings, allow a track like “How Dark We Pray” to pass without atleast punching it up a bit. Matt Pike, bassist Jeff Matz and drummer Des Kensel are Extreme Music’s modern day power trio who are unashamed to wear a few influences of similar three piece bands of the past. I always likened them to MOTORHEAD gone sludge punk. I won’t say that Snakes of the Divine shows the band running on fumes but maybe a tune up is in order. There going on tour in a day so most of these cuts will probably go over better live.

http://www.e1music.us/