When checking this band's line-up and seeing you're dealing with a project of a member of Epoch Of Unlight (Hellspawn from Genocide Winter is B.J. Cook from Epoch Of Unlight) you thinking you'll get some great music, and that is partially true if it wasn't for the vocals. I don't know how one can have such a tight, killer voice on one band (E.o.U.) and such a weak, childish one on another (G.W.)... Anyway, Genocide Winter was founded in 2007 and this is their debut album, an 8 tracks (41 minutes) effort into raw Black Metal with a bit of a Depressive feeling on some parts (although not the overall atmosphere). There are some good riffs, leads and drums parts, and the composition is interesting, it gets you follow the whole album just to see what's next. regarding the sound, imagine a good rehearsal sound, I don't think this is studio recorded. Back to the vocals, Hellspawn seems like he's trying too much, he doesn't sound natural at all, and at some point it makes you think he's going to choke... maybe would it be better for him to just use his normal voice insead of trying to be someone he's not.
If you're into Underground Black Metal with lots of variations and think you can pass over a bad vocal and appreciate guitar and drums skills in a band, you might try this. I don't like it.
Band: GHORNUMN
Country: Russia
Title: Misantropical Dreams
Label: Rigorism Prod.
Year: 2009
Style: Atmospheric Black Metal
Review:
It's a long time since I've last listened to an Atmospheric Black Metal horde, and here's my chance again. Ghornumn is a one-man-band from Russia established in 2003, and here I have their debut album self-released in 2006 and re-released by Rigorism Prod. in 2009 as a limited 100 copies edition. Misanthropical Dreams is a 7 tracks, (42 minutes) effort into fast Black Metal with important Atmospheric keyboard lines all over. The mix between the two elements could have been a bit more consistent as from time to time it gives you the feeling the guy doesn't know which one to pick, the fast, raw Black Metal path or the Atmospheric, Melodic Black Metal one. this is an interesting album offering not few catchy parts, and I guess this could be embraced by any type of Black Metal follower. the sound is good enough to allow you to follow all instruments and the melodic lines without problems. I like the atmosphere created and strange enough, the drum-programmings don't bother me at all, they are not too synthetic.
Ghornumn released its second album last year, but you can give this one a try too, if you're lucky to still find it anywhere.
Reviewed by Adrian
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Band: HIGH ON FIRE
Country: USA
Title: Snakes For The Divine
Label: E1 Music
Year: 2010
Style: Stoner Doom Metal
Review:
Snakes for the Divine is the sound of High On Fire at their most aggressive best and the glossy production actually pushes the sonic envelope even further. The production was done by courtesy of producer Greg Fidelman, the man responsible for the most recent Metallica and Slayer albums and while this was a worry for some people, it has proven to be a wise move. The sound on this disc is a savage barrage of monumental riffing and Matt Pike is at his roaring, bellowing best on vocals. The album-opening title track is a beast, it kicks off with a riff that sounds like a AC/DC riff on speed before the breakneck thrashy riffing and pummeling drums slammed you up against the wall. Its a relentless approach that never quits throughout the whole song, the vocals are savage and Pike sounds like his axe work has been taking up a level in terms of technical prowess. "Frost Hammer" which has been uploaded on various sites already is a metal pounding, neck snapper. Taking the usual influence from Celtic Frost, a influence the band has always had but High On Fire take it to a new plateau of sonic abrasiveness. "Bastard Samurai" has a un-assuming intro before a almighty sludge / doom riff is unleashed, featuring some dirty low-end sounds coming from the bass, this is some pure heavy. The vocals actually has Matt Pike inserting some raw melody into his guttural bellowing style and there is even some melodic lead breaks blending well with his un-relenting shredding. "Ghost Neck" takes it back to the more typical sludge meets thrash approach which High On Fire are renown for, this is surely the most aggressive album the band has done so far but its not just Pike, the whole band is playing with a energy and passion way beyond anything they have previously recorded. The riffing is also more complex this time around, there is noodling parts blending in perfectly with the pounding riffage and its all super tight. "The Path" is played in pure classic rock style and is short but blends nicely into "Fire, Flood And Plague" which is a mid-tempo bruising track. A stomping drum beat and double kicks keep up the momentum and there is more sizzling Pike guitar solo work but once again, its the riffs and this song has a killer one. "How Dark We Pray" is a 8 minute monolithic track, a slowly building intro section and melodic guitar work takes the listener to a place you don't hear usually on a High On Fire album. There is a certain moodiness to the song and the jaunty harmonics that are spread throughout this song and the entire CD may surprise some people. The track switches gears between wailing melodies and thrashy sections that build up to a epic thrashy crescendo. "Holy Flames Of The Fire Spitter" takes the album back to where it started, no holds barred sludge, thrashy goodness. The conclusion i reached with this album is this is their most accomplished piece of work thus far, there will be the usual people that will find the production too polished but really that is a kind of a pathetic viewpoint. This is the album that will for good or bad take the band to the next level of acceptance in the metal community which is fickle at the best of times. It is certainly not a sell out in any form, it is the sound of a band stretching themselves and pushing themselves to a new level of musicianship. This album will be huge in a month or two and is sure to be on top of everyone's play-lists. Their most varied release to date, the most well played and produced. The line-up of Matt Pike-guitars, vocals/, Des Kensel-drums and Jeff Matz on bass must be happy with this album, it continues to blow me away daily.
Reviewed by Ed
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Band: ILLIDIANCE
Country: Russia
Title: Synthetic Breed
Label: Hellcome To Dollywood Rec.
Year: 2009
Style: Cyber Metal
Review:
Formed in 2004 as a Symphonic Black Metal band Illidiance slowly turned to a Cyber Metal path, a more accessible path, but still I wouldn't say commercial. This is still metal, and a pretty aggressive one despite the fact their whole music is dressed in sheer melody. Their Cyber Metal label means an Electro based Blackened Metal, very professional, crafted to perfection, and very catchy work: blackened, wicked vocals supported by clean vox from time to time, electro synths all over, sharp and quite fat guitar riffs and a complex rhythm section that makes a lot for this band. The songs are powerful, have their own identity and proove why they are such an important player in the Russian metal scene and that they have all the elements to make it on a bigger scale also.
Right after releasing this 5 tracks EP Illidiance released their second full-length, so I don't really know if this EP is for sale also or just for promotional use but it has the look and production of a "real" release. Anyway, if you're into Electro Metal give this band a try, you won't be disappointed.
Reviewed by Adrian
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Band: KHANATE
Country: USA
Title: Clean Hands Go Foul
Label: Hydra Head
Year: 2009
Style: Drone Doom Metal
Review:
I know this album is now over a year old but i recently bought the digipak version of the album which comes with a bonus DVD named "Capture & Release". This has pushed me to do this review as a tribute to one of the greatest, most underrated bands that should have never split up. I am still mourning the loss of this band, the world of droning doom will never be the same. Khanate was a more or less a extreme doom metal supergroup that brought together James Plotkin and Alan Dubin, two members of the defunct band OLD, as well as Tim Wyskida (of Blind Idiot God and Manbyrd) and Stephen O'Malley (of Burning Witch and Sunn O))) fame). Formed in 2000 they released 3 ear-shattering albums that sounded like a concrete mixer churning out some of the most destructive doom dirges ever recorded. On September 24 2006, Khanate was split up, with Plotkin stating that the "lack of commitment from certain members" led to the split but he promised one more recording from the band that finally surfaced in January 2009 called "Clean Hands Go Foul". There was talk of a reunion but it never happen which left a lot of hardcore fans bitterly disappointed. Khanate were always one of the most extreme bands in doom with disjointed distorted riffing and psychotic sounding vocals backed up with one the most filthy bass sounds ever created. This the final release from the band sees the band in a more ambient mood but no less damaging to your senses. There is still the droning riffs and weird timings that Khanate are famous for but there is also a even more experimental approach especially in the final track "Every God Damn Thing". This 33 minute epic is a deal breaker in terms of listening pleasure is concerned. Extremely hard to sit through this one especially considering when the first 10 minutes the song really goes nowhere. It is based around noises rather than a actual band playing and the vocals are whispered at times to the point where you can hardly hear them at all. At other times there is screams but they sound miles away from the rest of the band, again making them seem distant from the actual piece of music. This is a track that can turned people off from a band like Khanate so its a good thing that its the last track on the album. Its also fitting that its the final track because it literally sounds like a band dying, running out of ideas and in turn that is maybe what exactly happened. "Wings from Spine" is beautiful in a disturbing way, it is the most "normal" sounding song Khanate ever recorded and is also very short which is very unusual for this band. It still has a lot of the Khanate trademarks, deep bass drones and Dubin letting loose with his signature screeching vocals. There is dissonant minor chords and the use of controlled feedback. "In That Corner" continues on in a similar vein and if the hairs don't stand up on the back of your neck while listening to this, then you must be dead. The other track on here is "Clean My Heart" and this is typical Khanate, extremely doom-laden, this track is right up there with older classics like "Skin Coat" and "Pieces of Quiet". That leads in the final epic track and that is where the album falls apart. I have always been a huge fan of Alan Dubin’s vocals and he is in great form on "Clean Hands Go Foul". He clearly has one of the most disturbing voices in doom and drone, he can be chilling, frightening, intense and morbid all at the same time. Steven O’Malley is a master of getting different sound textures out of his instrument and avoiding nearly all the usual doom cliches. Rather than focusing on crushing riffs, he blends atonality, feedback, and drone to create a wall of scary atmosphere. The bass and drums are also unique, while the bass is droning, the drums are based around cacophonous sounds avoiding the need for beats etc. They add certain dynamics to the sound and work as a perfect backbone to Dubin's and O'Malley's crazed experimental doom dirges. As i write this, i am struck by the fact that i can't see any band replacing Khanate. They were a one of the kind even though there is many bands around now copying their style with various degrees of success. "Clean Hands Go Foul" was a good way for Khanate to go out despite the final track which i have to admit is pretty boring. Its a great piece of unsettling doom history that will be remember in all its sick, demented glory. The bonus DVD contains the brilliantly disturbing video for "Dead" and 4 live tracks and is essential viewing.
Reviewed by Ed
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