VON GOAT - Septic Illumination CD review

VON GOAT - Septic Illumination CD
Nuclear War Now Productions

Before I delve into this release I'd like to put some things into perspective about the original band named VON. They emerged from San Francisco in 1992 with their now cult status demo Satanic Blood. Although they reportedly started out in 1988 and had a 1990 demo, Satanic. It's their Satanic Blood demo which is routinely referenced or name dropped. Over the years, especially after so many CD and cool vinyl reissues, they've become a major topic of debate within extreme metal circles as well as a subject of fascination on hipster metal forum sites. I believe VON's significance and influence in the realm of black metal is somewhat overstated. Bands like Brazil's SARCOFAGO, Canada's BLASPHEMY and Sweden's BATHORY all released raw lo-fi style black metal prior to VON and I might add with better quality.

If VON made any significant influence it was by showing people you could create and record minimalist primitive sounding black metal in a basement/bedroom with little or no musical talent. I know my saying that is the equivalent of shitting in some VON worshipers mouth but some people need to stop striving for enlightenment and try achieving consciousness. There was nothing surreal, atmospheric or ground breaking about VON. If you look past the imaginary mystique being portrayed by sycophants with dubious motives you find some extremely sterile and repetitive sounding material. The bands who came afterwards, who cite VON as an influence like Finland's BEHERIT, took the style and expanded upon it with better results.

So here we are now many years later and the mastermind guitarist/vocalist of VON, S. von Goat aka: Shawn Calizo is back. Technically this is a side project since sporadic reports state that VON has reunited, there's a 7" EP out and some sort of drama concerning the VON Music Group. Whatever the case may be Wrest of LEVIATHAN fame is involved on here and I suspect is responsible for dragging Calizo out from whatever hole he was in to bring this to the forefront. To put it bluntly this is VON gone psychedelic which is not very surprising since psych black metal is all the rage with hipsters. Now before I go on a tangent equal to punching a hipster in the face I will say that Septic Illumination is interesting. It will take four or five listens to get to that position because at first you just might turn this into a frisbee. Secondly there are some decent cuts on here that will pique your interest long after the hipsters leave for whatever the next fad band turns out to be.

Like I mentioned earlier this is blackened psych damage which is far beyond what Calizo stumbled with years ago. I dare say this was recorded in an actual studio but made to sound low quality. Wrest's drumming sounds fairly mechanical early on which keeps with the VON theme. Songs like "The Gathering" and "Thru Your Skull" are nightmarish. It's not till you get to "My God Your God" that the mood is far more doom laden-ed with highly distorted guitars laying down a background foundation and Calizo gurgling out lyrics incohesive. "Syringes" actually involves melody amidst it's battery of blast beats but has a cool 60's guitar psych intro. "Spiders" is one of the best tracks by far with "Voodoo Word" a close second and anyone into PROFANITICA, TEITANBLOOD or PERVERSOR will agree. As far as the rest of the material on Septic Illumination, I kinda look at it like entering Hell while still high on narcotics.


Label: http://www.nwnprod.com

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/lordgiblete

THE CROWN - Doomsday King CD review

THE CROWN - Doomsday King CD
Century Media Records

Century Media is starting to resemble a professional sports team with their recent actions. They're not happy with the performances of their younger players (yeah I know who would?). So the label has gone out to hire on veteran free agent bands who had a heyday around 10 years ago. On here we have the semi-new CROWN in that everyone from the past is back except original vocalist Johan Lindstrand or even their seminal behind the mic stand-in Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES, DISFEAR). Doomsday King introduces everyone to new vocalist Jonas Stalhammer whose been straining his vocal chords with a number of bands prior to this. But even with the new blood at the helm this sounds just like THE CROWN of old. To me that's not really a bad thing. Someone needs to check for a pulse or at least hold a mirror up to the noses of these bands before they pull over the shrouds and close the box. They're not dead but just in a creative coma till a new trend or in their case a revival comes.

Years ago someone once described THE CROWN as Sweden's version of SLAYER. I never really followed up that suggestion with a thorough examination but after listening to this new one I'm now in agreement. I'm not just saying that because the second cut on here is "Angel of Death 1839" either. It's a pretty damm good song too. The whole release reeks of SLAYER meets AT THE GATES in Stockholm slam pit which begs the question is this geared more towards deathcore? Songs like "Age of Iron" and "Soul Slasher" are straight up thrashers with Stalhammer providing a decent death growl from tortured tonsils. That guitar crunch provided by Marcus Sunesson and Marko Tervonen sounds incredible. The drum triggers could drive you insane though. The longer cuts like "The Tempter and the Bible Black" are a welcome slow down between pummels. That's where the band shows off their melodic death leanings. I'm sure they'll go over well at huge festivals. Doomsday King is a decent release for about two listens and then it gets on your nerves.

Label: http://www.centurymedia.com

MySpace: http://myspace.com/thecrownonlineswe

WITCHERY - Witchkrieg CD review

WITCHERY - Witchkrieg CD
Century Media Records

Does anyone in WITCHERY know how to play a guitar solo? I figured the question had to be asked since there's a Extreme Metal "who's who" of guest guitarists all adding solos on here. Bassist Sharlee D'Angelo got his old MERCYFUL FATE band mate Hank Shermann and KING DIAMOND's Andy LaRocque to add some six string help on two songs. SLAYER's Kerry King gets to add a solo on the opening title track. Both Gary Holt and Lee Altus from EXODUS work on another cut and Jim Durkin from DARK ANGEL adds a solo to another. Ladies and gentlemen (and you others) there's ten songs on here and half have guests playing on them. Hell why not add new vocalist Legion aka: Erik Hagstedt as a guest since he's been bouncing around from band to band of late which is a typical ex-MARDUK type of thing. You can't swing a dead melo-death fan in a Swedish nightclub without hitting an ex-MARDUK member. Obviously this must be part of some diabolical plan to return this band, who had some short lived glory in the late 90's with the releases Restless and Dead plus Dead, Hot and Ready, back into the limelight. It makes a difference with the phrase "Oh a new WITCHERY release" by turning it into "Oh a new WITCHERY release and look who the hell is guest playing on it". It also works to have you ignore the fact that the band has been gone for four years and the ridiculous makeup Legion is wearing. Is he wearing that on stage as well or just for promo photos and videos?

With all of that said Witchkrieg is actually a decent release with it's modern Thrash chugging guitars, pounding drum work and of course having Legion behind the mic helps. Replacing former vocalist Toxiene aka: Tony Kampner was no easy feat since his sick vocal rasp style was part of the appeal of the early releases I mentioned. Now Legion adds his brutal chords and frankly how could you not enjoy that? Go on any chat room to take requests for favorite MARDUK releases and chances are you'll get all the one's from Legion's era. The opening and title cut has that SLAYER influence which just fucking grabs hold of ya plus Kerry King doing the solo. Other tracks like "Wearer of Wolf's Skin" and "Hellhound" are short, under the three minute mark, bursts of headbanging fun. They slow things down on "The God Who Fell from Earth" and turn more epic plus a lengthy Hank Shermann solo. "The Reaver" with guests Gary Holt and Lee Altus sounds like Legion fronting EXODUS. By the time you hit the latter half of the release you realize that there's alot of homage being paid and that's the reason for all the guests appearing. "From Dead to Worse" is total KING DIAMOND worship including Andy LaRocque's added solo. "One Foot in the Grave" with Jim Durkin providing a solo does sound similar to DARK ANGEL. "Conquer's Return", which could also have been a title track, is one of the best songs on here. There's one thing screwed up and that's when I was looking for a video on YouTube to accompany this review. The band recorded a song, sans guests, titled "Hung Drawn and Quartered" which is another short cut that bludgeons the listener. Unfortunately I found out it only came on the limited edition version. Yeah well anyways this is a great comeback release for WITCHERY. One has to wonder who will they have guesting on their next release, hmmm?

Label: http://www.centurymedia.com

MySpace: http://myspace.com/witcherytheband

Official: http://witchery.se/

SATANIC WARMASTER - Nachzehrer CD review

SATANIC WARMASTER - Nachzehrer CD
Werewolf Records/Northern Heritage Records

This cold and cruel return of SATANIC WARMASTER is like a four foot long icicle shoved up your ass on a cold Winter's night. For those of you out there who don't understand, that's a good thing. Right now it's a balmy 17 degrees outside while I listen to this in the warmth of my humble abode. I honestly believe the temperature in the house is dropping as I play this, loudly, on the stereo. It's been five long years since we've had a new full length by Satanic Tyrant Werewolf aka: Nazgul. Oh sure he's given us, people who actually like Black Metal, plenty of EPs, split releases and a few best of compilations to keep us busy torturing friends, neighbors and unsuspecting strangers who come to the door. The title of this release, Nachzehrer, fits perfect in the scenario of modern day Black Metal. It refers to a type of vampire that devours dead flesh instead of blood. In a similar way Nazgul has returned to consume some of the lifeless crap which masquerades as Black Metal today and there's plenty for him to feed upon. SATANIC WARMASTER has always been raw blasphemy Black Metal at it's finest which is something bands from Finland always excelled at. This newest addition from this Finnish one man Black Metal institution continues on with the tradition.

Nachzehrer is simply a perfect release from start to finish and then replay it again. Every track on here is superb but there are a few standouts. "Bestial Darkness" is definitely one with it's haunting doom like organ opening while Nazgul lets loose a sickening scream. From there the song goes into a machine like procession with a scythe like riff plus a pounding drum beat all ending with a solo that will slash your face. "Warmaster Returns" starts out with this beautifully melodic tremolo picked distortion then kicks into a low-fi riff that steps back holding the song together as drums pound away and Nazgul's screeches through the lyrics. There's a mid-point where he returns to the melodic tremolo picking distortion then cuts loose with another jarring solo. The song "One Shining Star" is another standout track with a riff sounding like a bee's nest being taunted. Credit goes to Nazgul for knowing how to get that pitch perfect sound in the production. It's got that early BATHORY hiss in the mix which drives music snobs insane but leaves real Black Metal fans in ecstatic delight. The only thing better would be to view a hillside lined with burning upside down crosses with the figures of their foes nailed upon them screaming in torment.

The final cut on here "Utug-Hul", written by Akhtya Nachttoter from BLACK FUNERAL, is a somber keyboard only number with a spoken word invocation which brings everything to a conclusion. Although the meaning behind the words are meant to bring forth the ancient spirit of Ea to enter one's body. I found it musically at least to have a beautiful sadness to it which you can't escape. It's as if you're left to ponder the cruelty which has just surpassed and allowed a three minute pause to consider everything but beg for more. Nachzehrer is a perfect example of what the differences are between extreme music and everything else. Even people who say they like Black Metal might be totally offended by this and to me that's a good thing. Words like "troo", "kvlt" and "krieg" are laughable at times but there is an underlining truth to it all. SATANIC WARMASTER has always been Black Metal that's real. It hearkens back to the days of early BATHORY, HELLHAMMER and to some extent DARKTHRONE as far as sound and style. The difference today is that there's a thick layer of sadistic intent within the music and a mystery left intact of it's creator. That's something you won't find in your mall rat friendly, eco-ideological, politically liberal thinking, blackened pop for the hip masses to listen to while they nod all of their heads in unison to the beat like pathetic sheep.

Label: http://neuntoter.org/

MySpace: http://myspace.com/opferblut

DEATH ANGEL - Relentless Retribution CD review

DEATH ANGEL - Relentless Retribution CD
Nuclear Blast Records

It looks like DEATH ANGEL has finally gotten the "reunion" bug out of their ass and are now on a roll. Unfortunately some fans might not like the place where they're going on this new one. DEATH ANGEL has always been known for not toting the Bay Area Thrash line. Even on 2008's Killing Season the band showed signs of moving away (again?) from the Thrash template to more of a groove style. That was something which I thought took away from a release that had promise. Now, well it's full on New Wave of American Metal (NWOAM) time or what I so unaffectionally call "cable metal" which refers to the style of metal played on the local cable station's nine hundred channels. The opening song is a completely weak thrasher and from there you're serenaded by some melodic metal crap, a ballad (?) and more mediocre thrash. Considering this band's music career legacy is based on one release from 1987, which is not much different than EXODUS and TESTAMENT, I can understand wanting to move out from that stigma. They've done it before and failed to bring along fans. This time they couldn't bring long time bassist Dennis Pepa and drummer Andy Galeon along on this ride to crap metal fame. It was nice knowing ya, goodbye!

Label: http://www.nuclearblast.com

MySpace: http://myspace.com/deathangel

Official: http://www.deathangel.com/

AUTOPSY - The Tomb Within CDEP review

AUTOPSY - The Tomb Within CDEP
Peaceville Records

I was kinda hoping they would've pulled a full length but half of one is good enough. (Yeah I know it's on the way) Ever since their announcement of reuniting to actually do some real recording months back (and not just two songs) I was of the crowd who expected something good. I know that classic bands who reunite after a long time are more like ghosts coming back to haunt us. But once in a while you get a surprise. There's no way AUTOPSY is going to surpass the greatness of Severed Survival or Mental Funeral in 2010 nor should they be expected to. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a complete idiot. All that needs expected is something decent which reminds us of "their" past and not ABSCESS. The Tomb Within does just that.

The opening title track is pretty much a shock to the senses with it's tortured guitar noise and then Reifert's vocal delivery kicking in. He sounds a little gruff now but that's cool. Right from that point on I'm thinking OK this is good. Yeah this is classic AUTOPSY death doom pummeling and I wanna start a pit. "My Corpse Shall Rise" is more of the same, great scream by Reifert to start things off plus fierce soloing by Eric Cutler and Danny Coralles so hot it will melt your eyes in their sockets. The third cut "Seven Skulls" is the signature cut on here with it's early tension building and finally blistering full on assault. It kinda makes you wanna jump outta your chair and run through a wall. "Human Genocide" is a cut from their 1988 demo brought to life on here which comes closest to reliving Severed Survival. The final cut "Mutant Village" is a death doom beast with quick bursts of fiery tempo blasts.

I believe whatever doubts about this AUTOPSY reunion will be quickly squashed after you listen to this five song teaser. The sound quality is the past revisited. If this was polished I'd have a problem since AUTOPSY are supposed to sound like utter filth. The songs are over the three minute mark. The band performances on here are superb, considering. There's no ABSCESS gore/grind seeping in. All in all if you're a fan then you will not be disappointed.

Label: http://peaceville.com

MySpace: http://myspace.com/autopsyofficial

Official: http://www.autopsydeathmetal.com

Photo Memories for 2010

HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS FROM MOMENTS IN 2010 THAT i THOUGHT WERE COOL FOR MYSELF AND LOCAL FRIENDS. LIFE IS ABOUT HAVING FUN EVEN IF IT IS "OUT OF THE NORM".

MC at SCUMFEST/CABOOSE REUNION 2010 at Volume 11 Tavern.

SCOTT CORKIN from the SPO-ITS and myself at SCUMFEST/CABOOSE REUNION 2010 at Volume 11 Tavern.

Turkey Day and yes I killed it.

The Infamous KNOWLEDGE IS FOR FOOLS show at Sadlack's Heroes.

PABSTMAN with my friend ANDY (aka: JAMES AT 15 THE NOTORIOUS PRANK CALLER of the band KIFF (KNOWLEDGE IS FOR FOOLS) chainsawing a guitar on stage at Volume 11 Tavern.

PABSTMAN singing "Drink Fight & Fuck" at Volume 11 Tavern

FUCK YA ALL Garden Party early shot in the back yard.

FUCK YA ALL, the Spring Garden Party at my house.