A.D. Massacre - Insignificance
Anal Orgasm - Demo
Apeiron - The Cruel Crime
Bestial Devastation - Your Vagina is Sick...
Bethroned - Warlords
Burninside - The Perfect Sin
Deathrow - Gateways To Oblivion
Depraved Indifferance - Promo
eyeSEEred - Demo
Gorethroat - Promo
Guilles de Rais - Is this how you envisioned your life
Inerthe - Enter Exterminatron
Infinite Defilement - Perpetual desecration of Being
Internal Torture - Demo
Izeovasis - Izeovasis
Lumiere Nocturne - Avant la nuit
Maia - Total Terror
Profundum Vita - Essence of Nihility
Pyr Exoteron - Demo
Religious Nightmare - The Junkyard of Infinity
Resistance - Bang Your Fucking Skull
Seelenfrost & Baerenzorn - Split
The Conquering - A Home We Lost
To Die - Sikap Lebih Penting daripada Kecerdasan
Travma - Demo
Vaulting - Demo
Vedmak - Attack to Hate
Wolfhollow - Dead Winter's Curse
Band: A.D. MASSACRE
Country: Australia
Title: Insignificance
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Death Thrash
Review:
A.D. Massacre started 3 years ago as a duo, but later expanded into a full line-up band, and they started releasing stuff. After 2 demos it was time for a full-length album, which is the one I have here for review. Their music is a combination of different genres, quite strange I might add because most of the time the rhythms are slow, almost the kind used offenly as first parts (the ones that put you in expectation), with a doomy feel. When they are not slow, they reach a mid-tempo thrash infused rhythm with simple but effective riffs, melodic guitar leads, but the sound could have been much better because at times it gives you the feeling you're listening to a rehearsal live recording. Also the mixing could have been better. The music is powerful, it has a certain feeling linked, so I don't see any reason why this band should not search for a better studio and try a worldwide distribution. Maybe this album is mixed and mastered the way they wanted, raw and primitive, but for Europe for example they would need another, more professional one. As a conclusion A.D. Massacre has the elements to reach a higher audience (just listen to the brutal 5th track, which is the best in my opinion), but not with this record, so hope for a better one next time. If you like your metal raugh and dirty, try this album, it's not a gem, but you'll get the right amount of brutal vocals, catchy riffs and melodic leads.
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Band: ANAL ORGASM
Country: Mexico
Title: Demo
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Cyber Grind Gore
Review:
Anal Orgasm is a two-piece project that comes from Mexico. From a country with such a brutal metal scene we can only expect extreme releases and Anal Orgasm isn't an exception to that rule. This cyber porn gore duo released their debut demo this year after being featured on some good grind/gore compilations and splits. 8 tracks, around 17 minutes, brutal, disgusting, extremely low tuned gore grind almost completely made on computer. Maybe too synthetic for my tastes, at some points you can't hear anything beside the pounding drums and the low-tuned grunts (used instead of vocals)... Still some effects are really good and the band should exploit them more. A track as "Atmoic Penetration" with more work on it, should be a blast. It has even some techno-like beats, so that's a proof they have ideas. It all depends now on how much they are willing to spend on working more on music. I like the movie cuts also, but a porn band should use the porn-movies more. Give them a chance if you're into dirty, raw and low-tuned gore grind.
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Band: APEIRON
Country: Italy
Title: The Cruel Crime
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Melodic Technical Death Metal
Review:
Apeiron was formed in 2001 in Milan and as far as I understand they've always followed this melodic death metal path, which is good as there's still a lot to be said in this area. Their melody is created by complex guitar leads, but it's also supported by an aggressive part so that there's a great balance inhere. They seem to be inspired by the Sweedish melodic death that started out with Dark Tranquility and In Flames, but still they have a fresh sound. Various rhythms, excellent sound, melodic parts, thrash inspired guitar riffs (sometimes even with a black death feeling), very good vocals, complex drums and bass lines, a very good release, their second one to date, a release that anticipates their debut full-length. Italy always had one of the strongest underground metal scene, but now it seems to get stronger and stronger. The bands used to have an "Italian" sound, but not anymore, and there are countless acts that prove that. Just try Apeiron, you might have a pleasant surprise. Awesome artwork, too!
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Band: BESTIAL DEVASTATION
Country: Italy
Title: Your Vagina is Sick...
Label: Meat 5000 Records
Year: 2007
Style: Brutal Death Grind
Review:
If you're into sick Death/Grind and you don't know already Bestial Devastation then you should check them out as this is a not-to-miss act from Italy. They were formed back in 2002 and since then never stopped releasing madness as splits, demos, albums or videoclips, they always bring something new, and that's why is keeping them in the top of the Italian grindcore scene alonside the legends Cripple Bastards. And although they're spitting so much material, their music keep getting better. That's the case of this second album too, a furoius, extremely sick and disgusting 13 tracks assault to your ears. Great sound, great vocal duo, catchy and groovy rhythms, extremely fast drums, pestilent atmosphere, a pleasure to listen to such an album. What can I say more? I recommend it to all of you brutal death/grind sickos outthere! And don't miss their videoclips which are the best in this genre!
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Band: BETHRONED
Country: Croatia
Title: Promo
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Black Metal
Review:
I had a really tough time trying to figure out what this one-man-band sent me because Lord Vargoth said it's "In the Remember of the Fallen Ones" EP, but it's stamped as being "Warlords" demo. Even at this time I'm not sure which one is, but hmm, anyway, this is the last time I accept these "no clue, no info" promos for review.
This is an 18:33 mins piece of Black Metal that starts with an intro that reminded me of one of my fave Italian bands from the '90's, Evol. Remember Evol? Man, those guys did a great job back them... Back to this Croatian band, although it reminded me of Evol, it lacks a bit of atmosphere though, and that's because of the cheap keyboards and the midi-guitars that are not even hidden well enough for someone not to observe or be disturbed by them. The good parts of Bethroned are some vocals and some drums rhythms. Still a lot of work to do for Bethroned, although the image and concept behind it are ok. My advice would be for Lord Vargoth to buy some real, good instruments and try with them.
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Band: BURNINSIDE
Country: Italy
Title: The Perfect Sin
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Melodic Death Metal
Review:
Debut demo of this band from Udinese, "The Perfect Sin" shows us a melodic death metal band that works hard on its tracks. There are 4 of them inhere, lasting for about 23 minutes, so pretty long, but very interesting, with complex ideas and very entertaining. This demo takes inspiration from many metal areas and from many different periods of time, from the beggining of the '90's thrash death guitar riffs, to the end of the '90's keyboards infused death metal, to the beginning of the new millenium's sound (especially on the last track). All in all, the keyboards make a big effect although they are not overused. To be honest I like it a lot, it takes me back in time. :) And the best thing is that they play this music so well you can't get mad on them for not being the next Necrophagist, haha. I hope they will keep this style because there are not so many playing this nowadays. Good, powerful guitar riffs, melodic solos, touching keyboards background, good vocals, catchy music, excellent debut! Ah, and what a great cover artwork...
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Band: DEATHROW
Country: Italy
Title: Gateways to Oblivion
Label: Slava Satan Rec.
Year: 2008
Style: Black Metal
Review:
Thorns, the man behind Deathrow is mad! Man, I never saw a guy with so many bands and projects, so let me list them here: Frostmoon Eclipse, Aptorian Demon, Infernal Angels, In Extremo Spiritu, Hiems, Handful of Hate, and also a session member for Tundra (Ita), Obscure Devotion, Ad Hominem and Macabre Omen. Huh, those are quite a few, right? Don't know where he finds all that time, but that's really great, that proves he's a really dedicated musician. Deathrow is his own child, he plays all the instruments (not computer generated!) and vocals, so that's another notable fact. If you listen to this project there's nothing to make you think you're not listening to a real band. This is mostly slow doom black metal with some mid-tempo parts, so the ones interested in it should look for atmosphere, a quite desolating and desperate one. "Gateways ..." is already his second album, as the project was started back in 2005. Good sound, good atmosphere, an album that must be listened with the lyrics sheet in front of your eyes. Although there are only 5 tracks, they last for 50 minutes, so you can guess how long they are. This one is distributed through Avantgarde, so you'll find it for sure.
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Band: DEPRAVED INDIFFERANCE
Country: USA
Title: Promo
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Ambient Thrash Black Metal
Review:
Another one-man project, Depraved Indifferance is the work of Miscreant, a guy that plays only in this project after some attempts with other bands. This is a promo of what will be his debut album, "Curse of Free Will", due to be out this year. He already notified me that this is a rough mix, and that all needs to have a final mix and master, as well as the album will have some more tracks. And that notice is well posted, as this is really a mess sometimes. There are so many mistakes in handling instruments that you think it's a rehearsal, and a fucked up one too. he tries to create a combination of slow, acoustic parts with fast and complex thrash black metal, but at this stage the later ones need much much more work. The ideas are good, but he needs more time in the studio. The vocals have an industrial touch and when the album will be released I think they will be a plus to Depraved Indifferance. Miscreant also uses a lot of twisted, well-crafted guitar solos to spice it all up, and also some keyboards. After listening to these 7 tracks (around 20 minutes) I remained with the impression that he still needs to do a lot of work when recording, and that even if the tracks are good, he will need to choose a way, to curdle things up.
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Band: eyeSEEred
Country: Romania
Title: Demo
Label: Self-released
Year: 2007
Style: Melodic Modern Death Metal
Review:
This is the first review of a Romanian band in the new Pest Webzine. I try to stay away as I'm playing in a band as well and don't want someone to take it as personal shit and link the review to my band. But these guys are ok, they promised they'll take it how it is, even if I'm publishing a bad review. Anyway, here it's not the case, as this is one of the most promising newcomer bands from here, and that in spite of the fact they were formed back in 2002. Until 2007 they had a slow evolution being concentrated more on rehearsals and on buying good instruments. This is their first demo, a 5 tracks material that keeps you tied to your player for almost 20 minutes. eyeSEEred is a modern type of melodic and technical death metal band, they use lots of their skills and the fact I like the most, they like to experiment on instruments, so you can hear melodic guitar solos, Sweedish like riffs, a tight rhythm section, two talented vocalists that range from clean, alternative vocals to deep death metal to screams. The only fact they are missing here is a more powerful production, a stronger sound, because this one is enough only to make yourselves an idea of their skills and ideas. But that's the point in releasing a demo, right?
I myself can't wait for their debut album, so I truly recommend you this band if you're open to newer sonorities.
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Band: GORETHROAT
Country: Germany
Title: Promo 2008
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Death Metal
Review:
Gorethroat is a three pieces band that comes from Germany and was formed in 2006. I have here a promo of their upcoming demo "Flood of Blood", 7 tracks from which 4 are still unfinished. The finished ones sound pretty good as music: brutal death grind with very good guitar riffs, aggressive growling/screamed vocals and drum machine. Their tempo is mostly fast, but it has some moments of hiatus where some short guitar solos are present. Hope they will more on the sound before finishing the demo as now it's pretty chaotic. Catchy tracks, a band that you should keep an eye on.
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Band: GUILLES DE RAIS
Country: Spain
Title: Is this how you envisioned your life?
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Black Death Metal
Review:
How the hell I've never heard of this band before? They are yet another band I'm enjoying sooo very much, so here we have the winner of "Best Pest" for June. ;) Guilles De Rais comes from Spain and was founded in 2001. Since then they have released one demo-album, "Life is a garden of whores" (2002) and one EP "Eli eli lamma sabacthani" (2005), so this is their first real album, deir debut. From what I hear, they have not changed their style much since the beginnings, they only inserted more technical parts and more melody, although not becoming a melodic band. Their music is a perfect combination of brutality, technicality and melodynone in excess, none less than the others. Great! Memorable tracks, filled with guitar solos touches, technical guitar leads, simple but very effective rhythm section, hateful vocals, and lots of gimmnicks that will make you love this band. This is both a CD and a DVD release, so you can choose, but get it, it worths your money. The acoustic, folkish, touches are really the cherry on this cake, and so are the keyboard based parts that add a desperate atmosphere to the whole. As a conclusion, this is an album to be listened to multiple times, it's so rich in catchy elements... There's a Nasum cover also, and a damn good one. All the necessary elements for a successful release.
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Band: INERTHE
Country: Brazil
Title: Promo
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Black Death Metal
Review:
Inerthe was formed in 2006 as a grind/crust trio, with a different name, Abusive Nekrotraffikh. in 2007 they decided to change their band name and style, so here we have the new Inerthe, a fast and aggressive black death metal band preparing for their debut album. There are only 2 tracks on this promo so yopu can't make a decent opinion on what they want and what they succeed, but still you can clearly see they are skilled musicians with good ideas as the two tracks are very entertaining and memorable based mostly on twisting lead guitars and fast, pounding drummings. I guess their debut will be a blast. A band worth checking out for sure.
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Band: INFINITE DEFILEMENT
Country: Australia
Title: Perpetual Desecration of Baing
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Guttural Death Metal
Review:
Jacob Smith is the only man behind Infinite Defilement, he started working under this moniker in late 2007 and this CD here is his debut demo containing 4 guttural mid-tempo tracks. The first one is an instrumental one, somehow an intro to the whole sickness. Then Jacob continues with three simple but brutal tracks, with raw but good sound. The man puts a lot of work in Infinite Defilement and that can be seen, but even if it's a nice thing to include the lyrics on the booklet, there's no chance in following them, so I think those are printed only to give the music a lyrical background for the readers/listeners to immagine their own scenaio. Anyways, although it has no special points, this demo will be a pleasant one for fans of Putrid Pile (only this is less violent and has only the guttural type of vocals). I.D. will release its first full-length this year. If it were for me I would like Jacob to add a bit more complex guitars, the rest is ok.
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Band: INTERNAL TORTURE
Country: Phillipines
Title: Demo
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Guttural Death Metal
Review:
Actually this is not only a demo because the tracks on it will be featured on a split with Malaysian Incarcerate, due to be out in September this year through Reverb Prod. So we are dealing here with an extremely brutal guttural death metal band, a mix of Devourment (in what concerns brutality and the gurgling kind of vocals) and Stabwound (mostly for the rhythm section), a band that would make California proud to have. Sick mid-tempo, low-tuned, groovy and devastating stuff, but still the sound could have been better. Three tracks lasting for more than 16 minutes, quite long but very catchy. Very good start, be sure to check out their split, I myself can't wait, I'm sure it will kill.
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Band: IZEOVASIS
Country: USA
Title: Izeovasis
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Deathcore
Review:
Don't know who first said this type of music as being Grindcore, or even related to it, because it isn't, and here I name the new modern type of extreme metal combined with hardcore which I think the term Deathcore would be the best to be labelled. Anyway, here we have a young band, really young (I think they are in high-school or college), that plays this modern type of extreme metal, and they do it really good. Although they're young, their skills as musicians don't let you have any problem with that. Izeovasis is brutal and technical deathcore with extremely complex guitar paths, powerful drums and extreme, hateful vocals. There are so many bands nowadays struggling to get noticed from this huge pile of deathcore, but I really think Izeovasis have a good chance to do it. Hope they'll keep their way and progress, there's no chance they'll remain unsigned.
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Band: LUMIERE NOCTURNE
Country: Switzerland
Title: Avant la nuit
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Atmospheric Black Metal
Review:
Lumiere Nocturne is a duo based in Switzerland. This one is their first demo-album, I call it this way because it has no quality to be considered a real album. The recordings were done at home, so this is not the best sound you can get, but it's good enough for a demo. The problem is their music is tooooo simple and linear, mostly the vocals which go on the same line with the guitar riffs and drums and are not sung, but spoken. If they will concentrate more on the atmosphere (the keys are giving you a hint they can do better), and on making the guitars a bit more complex, they will attract more ears.
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Band: MAIA
Country: Indonesia
Title: Total Terror
Label: Selfish Appetite Records
Year: 2008
Style: Grindcore
Review:
Yeah, Maia is one of my all times fave Asian bands and they have been around for a year only, and this is their first official release, but there's something about their music that makes me spin their tracks more and more. Maia is a great combination of old-school grindcore with groovy rhythms and absolutely memorable guitar riffs. It's brutal, aggressive, but the right amount of both, that will make fans of grind, death and even hardcore enjoy it. If they willk work in a better studio next time, their debut album will kill! In the meantime try this EP, it consists of 5 tracks lasting for a bit over 6 minutes, so it's just a small bite of what will come. Hope the album will be out very soon!
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Band: PROFUNDUM VITA
Country: New Zealand
Title: Essence of Nihility
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Ambient Black Metal
Review:
Profundum Vita is a one-man-project from New Zealand whose approach reminded me of the Italian Frostmoon Eclipse. Why? Well this here is its debut album, a completely dark ambient piece of work, but the next release, also scheduled for 2008, will be completely black metal, so Namhaid really likes to experiment. "Essence ..." as I was saying it's a dark ambient release with terrifying atmosphere around it. It's not monotonous, that's why I like it. It has lots of effects and vocal elements here and there, but the guitar backgrounds have a horrible sound, also the drums are not perfect in sound, but the atmosphere created by Namhaid makes this project one worth checking for sure. 5 tracks, around 25 minutes of playing, recommended to the ones of you into depressive, dark music.
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Band: PYR EXOTERON
Country: Greece
Title: Musica Redivivat Bestiam Feram
Label: tape by Coldinside and BlackBlood Recs / CD by Kvlt666 Production
Year: 2008
Style: Black Metal
Review:
Anothe one-man project, this time from Greece, and yet another great release. Even if there are only 2 tracks on this demo, it's still a great release, and it seems that some labels already noticed that, as it's released by three of them. I would say Pyr Exoteron is a dark majestic piece of black metal, with a terrifying atmosphere surrounding it. Fast, complex guitar leads combined with some mid-tempo riffs, good drummings, great vocals, and majestic keyboard backgrounds, it really is highly enjoiable. Too bad there are only a bit more than 8 minutes of playing. The second track, "Lord of Suffering" is great! If Pyr will keep it this way, this will become one leading project in the scene.
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Band: RELIGIOUS NIGHTMARE
Country: The Phillipines
Title: The Junkyard of Infinity
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Crust Grindcore
Review:
This is said to be the band's debut album, but it's not really an album as it has less than 12 minutes of playing. Anyway, Religious Nightmare come from the Phillipines and were formed in 2003. This guys are forming a really aggressive band, one you'll love to hear. Their brutality is so well composed that it's a joy listening to such a product: extremely fast blasting drums, insane screamed vocals, kick-ass death metal guitar riffs and a quite good production, so you won't get that garage, dirty sound here. You'll be able to easily distinguish the instruments but still making a very clear opinion on what's the band's music all about. They are searching for a label to release this album, but I think it would better be used for multiple splits. Good, intense stuff, guys!
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Band: RESISTANCE
Country: France
Title: Bang Your Fucking Skull
Label: Emanes Metal Records
Year: 2008
Style: Thrash Metal
Review:
Hell yeah, are you nostalgic of the '80's metal, thrash metal? Resistance is a solution. Formed in 1998, this band keept it quite quiet until now as this is their first album. They recorded it in an analogic way 100%, just to have the old-school feeling and they have succeeded. This album is pure thrashing madness spiced with many speed moments and epic leads, plus an operatic vocal that gives it personality. There's all you can expect from such an album inhere: very aggressive and catchy guitar riffs, an explosion of fast yet melodic rhythms, madness-infused guitar solos, slow intermezzos and even a great cover of Manilla Road's "Necropolis". The last track has also a doomy feeling to it, but with sharp, hellish, aggressive guitar riffs on it... A great album for all of you nostalgic of those times! Pick it up fast, it's limited to only 500 copies. A last word...madness!!! \m/
Contact:
Resistance
Emanes Metal Records
Band: SEELENFROST / BAERENZORN
Country: Germany / Germany
Title: Die Boten der Toten / Waldheyt und Totenkalk
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Black Metal / Folk Black Metal
Review:
A split CDR coming from germany, co-released by the 2 bands on it in limited edition of 100 copies. I don't think it will be hard to spread as underground black metal goes well these days. The band that opens this split is Baerenzorn, a duo trying to play flok black metal, but except for slow, groovy guitar/drums parts (on the 4th track) and the two ambient keyboards tracks (the first and the last), I don't see anything different than black metal. So let's take it how it is: mostly mid-tempo black metal with quite good vocals (German language), a sound that could have been much better, and likewise execution as there are some mistakes here and there when playing their instruments. Overall, a good atmosphere, but they need to do more to get out of this so overpopulated underground black metal scene.
Second band is Seelenfrost, again a duo, but they have guest musicians, too, so it's almost a complete band. Their part starts with a quite monotonous "Prologue" but it's continued by some brutal mid-tempo black metal, much more low-tuned than Baerenzorn, with a good atmosphere (I think they created those monotonous guitar leads on porpose), cavernous vocals (a really interesting aproach), but with a not so good sound, but if you're looking for old-school black metal this may be your cup of tea. I like the fact that this product is very dark and creepy, the way it should be.
Contact:
Seelenfrost
Baerenzorn
Band: THE CONQUERING
Country: USA
Title: A Home We Lost
Label: Self-released
Year: 2008
Style: Black Metal
Review:
Wow, this band is 10 years old now and this one is their 5th album! A good surprise I'd say. Their music is a kind of black metal with heroical themes, combined with some death/thrash elements (especially in guitars and bass) and some acoustic, majestic parts. The vocals range from black metal angry vocals to pagan-like vocals, they have a good sound, but there is still something missing from the whole, I don't know, it's not filled at its maximum. Still, as the album progresses you really get into the mood and enjoy it. The sound is more suited for a thrash/death band than for a black metal one, so I think that is what they should change in the future.
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Band: TO DIE
Country: Indonesia
Title: Sikap Lebih Penting daripada Kecerdasan
Label: Self Released
Year: 2008
Style: Grind Noisecore
Review:
This band seems to be a legend in the Indonesian underground scene as they have 5 demos, 12 splits (!!!) and countless apparitions on compilations from all over the world. This DIY way they're into seem to work pretty well for them. Up until one point they were a hardcore band, but they have changed their style into this aggressive, groovy noise grind with punk touches, very enjoyable, correctly executed, fast and furious. Two vocals, poverful guitars, fast rhythms, that's what To Die stay behind. this demo has 6 tracks but it lasts for only 5 minutes, so I've listened to it a lot of times during the conception of this review. Their Myspace page has no music on it, so you should ask them some if you want to hear a good Indonesian DIY band.
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Band: TRAVMA
Country: Italy
Title: Demo
Label: Self-released
Year: 2006
Style: Thrash Death Metal
Review:
Furious combo from Bologna, Italy, Travma started out as a quartet but now they are a three pieces band. This demo is rather old, but it's their latest work, I think as long as they have sent it for review it still represents them. This is a good band a bit different from what is being played nowadays worldwide in this thrash death scene. They are more on the speed part of this genre, they try to create the fastest rhythms around even if sometimes the music relents into mid-tempo thrash metal. They have very good, memorable riffs, but unfortunately the drums sound is very poor to support the music as it should do. And the interpretation is not faultless as well, but at least we can get an impression on what they are playing through this demo. Personal fave track: "Symphony of Blasphemy" that reminds me of the late '80's thrash death scene, nice feeling.
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Band: VAULTING
Country: Germany
Title: Demo
Label: Self-released
Year: 2007
Style: Brutal Death Metal
Review:
Good band from Germany, Vaulting is presenting here their first and so far only demo, released in 2007. Their music is extremely brutal, borowing some elements of grindcore here and there, and the funniest thing, on the third track there's a midi track like the ones used 15-20 years ago in Arcade games. :) That shows they have a hell of a time playing in this band and that's the most important thing. The rest is brain-smashing brutality,mostly fast tempo. 5 tracks, almost 13 minutes of playing, it's enough to get an idea on what's this band all about. yes, their music is aggressive as hell, but they have no fear experimenting within the extreme metal sounds, so their kind of death metal becomes very twisted and complex. With a better sound this band will become a revelation for the underground freaks. Check them out.
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Band: VEDMAK
Country: Russia
Title: Attack to Hate
Label: Self-released
Year: 2004
Style: Old-school Black Metal
Review:
Vedmak is a 4 pieces band coming from Russia. This one, although it's old, it's their latest material to date, so as they sent it, I'll review it nontheless, but it seems this year they'll release a new album. Anyways, what we have here is a 40 minutes, 9 tracks full-length that can be labelled as primitive black metal with acoustic/folk touches. The sound is very poor, I think they have recorded it at home and in a rush, as there are some instrumental mistakes here and there. The music is very good, extreme, aggressive and cold black metal for the followers of "trv" black metal. Very good atmosphere also, despite the sound, these guys really know how to compose this kind of music. The guitars are doing the best job here and the vocals are ok too, but there should be more work on the rhythm section. I don't know if this album is still available, but you should ask the band for a copy if you're into old-school, raw black metal.
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Band: WOLFHOLLOW
Country: USA
Title: Dead Winter's Curse
Label: self-released
Year: 2007
Style: Primitive Black Metal
Review:
Wolfhollow is a band, or project, as they are only 2 (a guy and a girl), that plays fast primitive black metal. The sound on the first metal track is poor, that kind of sound that doesn't allow you to distinguish the instruments very well. I said metal because half of the album is black metal and the other half is ambient or acoustic. A good combination because that way it won't rick to bore you, but still there is some work to do on compositions as they are rather simple and sometimes even monotonous. If the sound was better this could have been a good album for the old-school black metal maniacs. I like better the soft tracks which don't require a great sound to be enjoyed. The Burzum cover "Hermodr a Helferd" at the end is great!
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