Band: ANGELS AND ENEMIES

Country: Germany

Title: GTTKMPLX

Label: Apollon Records

Year: 2010

Style: Melodic Deathcore

Review:

Ok, I'm not the best person to review a Deathcore album, not at all, I have a hard time listening to most of the bands situated in this category and that's 99.99% due to the extremely anoying (for me) vocal type they use. Angels And Enemies is a new (?) Deathcore band from Germany that for my surprise and joy, released an album that I can not only listen to for more times, but also like. yes, I like what these guys (and girl) did on "GTTKMPLX", a very powerful display of groove combined with melody and aggression, and yes, their vocalist isn't as shrieky (is this a real word? haha) as the others and I actually enjoyed his vocal lines combined from time to time with melodic, clean vox on the background. The guitars are the best part of AAE, mixing very metallic, energic riffs with melodic, memorable lines. After listening to this album multiple times I really don't understand how "they" (whoever "they" are) are making the difference between these bands, they all have killer instrumental skills, catchy compositions, could satisfy any kid into this new metal genre; my only expaination to this would be monney, so if you're such a band and have the right (rich) label sign you, you'll become a star. I'm glad I'm not into this shit...

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: BETHRONED

Country: Croatia

Title: U Raljama Zla

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2010

Style: Black Metal

Review:

Holy crap, there are already 2 years since I last reviewed this Croatian band... The time goes by so fast... Anyway, I remember not being so enchanted by their previous work that's why I was curious to see/hear if there has been any improvement to their sound on this new release. 

This is a 5 tracks EP lasting for almost half an hour. It starts with the funerary march played on keys and if they played this and not sampled it from somewhere else I have to congratulate the keyboards guy. Next comes a Melodic Black Metal track with real guitars this time, with Croatian lyrics and a vocal type of playing that's both evil and comprehensive. The next tracksound a bit more epic and could have been a great one if the guitar lines were a bit less monotonous and if the drums had a better mixing, but anyway not a bad track at all. The fourth track starts with samples from a 20th century war, samples that shouldn't be here in any case as Bethroned takes pride of being a Pagan influenced band. The track is the first fast one, with quite melodic guitar lines and complex enough to be enjoyed by any Black Metal follower; although it lasts more than 7 minutes it won't bore you, you'll enjoy it to the end and that a great accomplishment for the band, thumbs up. Next is a medieval intermezzo played on keys, with flutes and harp effects, and the last track is the one that names the band as well, "Bethroned", so it must be a special one to Lord Vargoth and co. Indeed it has English lyrics and as Lord Vargoth's style of vocals is so comprehensive you can follow the whole lyrical line. The track is mid-tempo as the band's style is, with an epic atmosphere and is quite catchy.

Bottom line I'm surprised by the fact this band improved so much and I'm sure if they will keep working like that they'll end up being a strong name in the Black Metal scene. This EP unfortunately lacks a good sound or production, but as a demo is pretty impressive. Recommended!

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: BRILLIANT COLDNESS

Country: Ukraine

Title: Poisoned Reality

Label: Apollon Records

Year: 2009

Style: Technical Death Metal

Review:

What separates Brilliant Coldness from the rest of the Progressive Death Metal bands are the types of vocals Mor (bass/vox) uses, namely low, almost forced-sounding, stuffed growls. Sometimes he walks on Schuldinner's path, but on most of this album Mor has a pretty original approach. 

Brilliant Coldness was formed in 1997, but this is only their second official album, a 9 tracks effort lasting for almost an hour. It's obvious they are good instrumentists and it's great to listen to a band that is not trying to be the fastest around but prefers to work on a more mid-paced approach so you can lay back and relax (or headbang, both are ok on this music) while going through this display of virtuoso skills. I would say this is Ol-School Progressive Death Metal, nothing to do with the nowadays Necrophagist-school. 

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: CATAMENIA

Country: Finland

Title: Cavalcade

Label: Massacre Records

Year: 2010

Style: Gothic Metal

Review:

Sorry but I cannot consider Catamenia as Black Metal anymore, it has lost almost each and every slight touch with this genre (except for some fast and aggressive-wannabe parts in some tracks), and although I liked a lot their '90s albums, I can't say if this new approach is good or bad for them, I have no right to judge them. I guess this is a normal step in the band's life, but since after releasing this album Rikku, the lead guitarist, remained by himself (the other 4 guys left for their personal projects), I can easily say something's not right inhere... Anyway, the good news for Catamenia's fans is that there are already 3 new members in the band and they are moving forward with this new line-up.

Now regarding this album, it contains 10 tracks totalizing around 45 minutes of Melodic Finnish type of Metal music, a Gothic Metal slightly influenced by Black and Death Metal, but mostly bright and shiny, that would have been a killer release 10 years ago, but I don't know if now they will gather more than some new chicks in their fan-base... I've listened to these 10 tracks three times and still I remember nothing from it except for some clear vocal parts that are pretty similar to Lake Of Tears when they turned away from aggressive music. Not an album for my taste, sorry.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: CIMITERO

Country: Italy

Title: Lazaret of the Abyss

Label: Gentle Exhuming Records

Year: 2010

Style: Old-School Death Metal

Review:

I'm always glad when I receive Old-school metal, and that not because I am a trv motherfucker who grew up listening only to the ugliest metal possible and stuff, but because I think I matured listening to Extreme Metal and kinda understood the metal done a couple of decades ago was the most honest so far; and so I've became an old-school addict myself. 

Cimitero is a new name in my collection so I had no idea what to expect from this CD. I'm not sure when they were formed, their website is quite elusive on this matter, but I'm sure this is their first effort, an 8 tracks promo CD lasting for almost half an hour. They are playing Old-School Death Metal indeed, but I don't understand the statement on their website: "addicted to melody-less guitar riffs"... Maybe they are addicted, but their music is a bit different, we can find loads of melody in their riffs and especially in their guitar solos. The riffs are a bit out of date, simplistic and I think they do not rise at the level they would have liked to, they are not so catchy, nor brutal enough, nor original, the only good parts is when the two guitars twin up and the superb guitar solos team with the cold riffs. The vocals are good for this kind of metal, cavernous and evil sounding, but they lack on volume. Also they should have used a different type of drum-machine, this is too modern for their style, maybe even record the drums live in primitive conditions would have been better. Anyway, the potential is there, they sound curdled enough as a band so I have no doubts they will evolve.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: CRUSHING BLOW

Country: France

Title: Cease Fire

Label: Inferno Records

Year: 2010

Style: Traditional Heavy Metal

Review:

Crushing Blow was started back in 1997, but had numerous line-up problems so far and I guess that explains why this is only their second album to date. Compared to the previous one, this full-lenght is recorded with a different female vocalist and that's a huge change for the band as this is a female-fronted band, so no male vocals inhere only as supporting backing vocals. "Cease Fire" is also the first album released on upcoming French label Inferno Records, a label that slowly gathers the creme of French underground metal under its wings. 

Back to Crushing Blow's second album, we're dealing here with an excellent display of hi-class (I have to agree here with their label's statement) Traditional Heavy Metal with enchanting (read catchy) melodies all over, but also with the typical Heavy Metal headbanger-friendly and proud guitar riffs and solos, so nothing is missing here. If you play this in your car watch out the speed pedal... Also I want to mention here the crystal-clear production that makes this album a real treat for Heavy Metal fans. A stong album presenting us a band with huge potential, get it!

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: DIARY OF DESTRUCTION

Country: France

Title: Outside the Shade

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2010

Style: Gothic Metal

Review:

I had a shock at first when listening to this EPs first track, an Electro intro lasting for almost 2 minutes, I thought the band did a big mistake in sending me this EP for a review, but fortunately this was just an intro, the next track really shows what DoD is trying to present in their music: a Melodic but still Metallic Gothic Metal music.

Although formed in 2007 they have already changed 4 members, and the current line-up is composed of 2 guys and 2 girls, but I have no idea if the EP was recorded by this line-up as well. The music seems built around the guitarist, I think he's the one giving direction to the other members as well, or at least that's how this EP sounds. I think the vocalist on this release is Audrey, the actual singer of the band, because she sent it to me. She has a very good, enchanting, feminine voice that suits perfectly with this kind of music and I think her vocals are the real highlights of this band, I would love to hear a track in French played by her, I think that would be the most erotic-sounding track ever. :) Kidding appart she is a very, very good vocalist, but the rest of the band gives the impression there is something missing in their music, maybe a keyboardist. Also there are some male growls on the background sometimes, but their mixing is not the best around, you can barely hear them... 

All in all DoD is a good Gothic Metal band with a great female vocalist, but if you're a die-hard Gothic Metal follower I'm sure you would find this EP somehow average.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: DOMINATION THROUGH IMPURITY

Country: USA

Title: Masochist

Label: Epitomite Productions

Year: 2010

Style: Technical Brutal Death Metal

Review:

Since I have a ton of material to review all the time I tend not to listen to any demo/album before starting to write the review just to be impartial, that's why I picked this album eyes closed and honestly I had no idea Domination Through Impurity is the band of two monsters in the extreme metal field: Joe Payne doing all the guitars, bass and vocal lines (from Divine Heresy, also played with Nile or Lust Of Decay) and Jordan Varela on drums (from Shuriken Cadaveric Entwinement, Cesspool Of Vermin, Debodified, also played with Lividity, Lust Of Decay). This album comes after 5 years since the release of their debut album and from what info I can gather from the net it seems its release is already planned since 2007... Regarding its sound and atmosphere, "Masochist" sounds like a childs play and by that I mean it is so complex and intricate that it was certanly a joy for these two to build and record it and even play it live. An album filled with grooves, technical Death Metal guitar riffs and breaks all over, fast to ultra-fast drum constructions, and multiple layers of growling vocals. On my standards I would place this release among Aeon and Hate Eternal, maybe less brutal and more focused on the technical part (better said on the guitar patterns). 9 tracks lasting for about 40 minutes of mid tempo to fast and ultra-fast Technical Brutal Death Metal (calmed down a bit by an acoustic 7th track inserted here like an intermezzo - although I don't see its point or it's connection with the rest of the album...), a must for fans of this genre.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: ECNEPHIAS

Country: Italy

Title: Ways of Descention

Label: Code666 Records

Year: 2010

Style: Black Doom Death

Review:

Ecnephias was formed back in 1996 but released its debut demo only in 2005 and then signed a deal with Nokromantik Records with whom they released an EP and their debut album, "Dominium Noctis", in 2006. Afterwards they got lucky and signed with Code666 and this album is the result of this collaboration, an album containing 9 tracks and lasting for a bit more than 40 minutes. This is actually a concept album about a 17th century Italian priest into occultism, and I must admit that the atmosphere created by them is prefect for such a topic. Although Ecnepias' music is not displaying any extraordinary instrumental skills, the music is very interesting, you end up discovering new and new things with each new listening and I would say the highlight of it is Mancan's way of singing, evil and cold Black Metal like vocals supported by clean Gregorian-like vocals here and there, but I can also highlight the exceptional keyboard work of Sicarius Inferni, work that could also categorize this album as Symphonic and/or Horror. Killer atmosphere, killer story, killer album. Recommended! A band that deserves a lot more attention.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: ELVEN

Country: Italy / Norway

Title: Something Wicked

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2008

Style: Melodic Black Death

Review:

This EP is quite out of date, but since is the band's latest release and they sent it for review I have no objections. 

The first thing that striked me was the absolutely cute (yes, cute) DIY package made out of different pics and a handmade little booklet sticked on the cover, I must admit that's a first time I see such a package and I like it, it's something different. The LP-looking CD is something that's getting more and more popular nowadays, but the package gives you the feeling you got something special, not to mention I have my copy with dedication and signatures from the band mambers, hrrrrrrr. :)

Now getting to the music Elven presents only 2 tracks here, but they are long tracks totalizing almost 18 minutes of Melodic Black Death Metal with Folklore / Fantasy inspired lyrics. The sound and production is a problem here as the volume is not always at the same level and it gets anoying to listen to a music you'd enjoy as composition but not as sound. They have pretty catchy parts and the addition of female vocals, atmospheric keys and acoustic guitars fives their music the melodic edge, but without making the music a soft one, no, they are quite aggressive and at times even brutal. There's a bit for everyone here, and even though Elven is not the progressive type of band I guess anyone can give it a try and decide if they like this combination of different styles layered on a melodic base. My suggestion to them: guys (and girls), next time choose another studio and producer...

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: HELLRAZOR

Country: USA

Title: Soothsayer

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2010

Style: Heavy Metal

Review:

This EP is being released both as regular CD and free download; nowadays that internet piracy is so big all over I'm sure whoever wants to download it for free can do it without the band or label release it like that, so I think this was a fair and clever decision from Heaven And Hell Records. 

Hellrazor is a quartet from North Carolina formed 5 years ago. They have already released their debut album on H&H Rec. 2 years ago, but I haven't listened to it so I don't know what to compare this album to. It is a good display of Traditional Heavy Metal skills with some melodic influences (insertions) here and there, but with the overall suggestion of raw, to-the-bone old-school Heavy Metal built pretty much the American way a la '80's, spiced with a hint of Thrash Metal. There are no real highlights, but the whole band gives its best and the final result is one that can be listened for multiple times without getting bored, they seem pretty mature musicians and their compositions are solid enough to start working on a hit-album. 

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: ICON BLOOD

Country: Sweden

Title: They Will Kill

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2010

Style: Old-School Death Metal

Review:

The biggest difference between a mainstream magazine and a fanzine (like Pest) is that the first is always looking for something new in the scene, as a band you have to bring in something different, something innovator to the scene to be on top, and the the fanzine doesn't (or better said, it shouldn't) make that difference and go for the personal taste, if the reviewer like it, there's a big chance the fanzine readers (used to its style) will like it as well, and I find the second one as the most personal and hones approach. 

Anyway, let's get to the point and start talking abot this demo. Icon Blood steps with it onto this so effervescent Old-School Death Metal scene and promise to build themselves a great reputation. This 3 tracks demo (lasting for 10 minutes) was self released on both CD and tape, and both packages reek old-school. The '90's brutal Swedish Death Metal scene seems to have some great tradition keepers in Icon Blood and what strikes you from the first tones of this demo is that specific guitar tone specially built to crush bones. Fantastic aggression, catchy as hell, an ugly demo for ugly metalheads!

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: INNERGRAVE

Country: Romania

Title: Momigeonspigens

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2010

Style: Brutal Death Metal

Review:

This is actually the very first Romanian band I'm reviewing in Pest Webzine, and of course that's a curiosity since I'm from Romania, but since I have received it from the band, the least I can do is review it, so yeah, I'm glad I finally feature a Romanian band inhere, and I'm more glad because this is a quite talented upcoming name in the Romanian Extreme Metal scene. They are around since 2007 but released their debut only this year. "Momigeonspigens" is a 4 tracks attack of Brutal Death Metal lasting for almost 10 minutes, and although this is an inhouse recording and production, it sounds great, raw and cruel a la US Brutal Death scene. There are not so many bands inhere (Romania) chosing this style, but I'm sure the ones that are now around will start a real scene, of course following the road already opened by Necrovile. 

Anyway, back to this EP, here's what we're treated with: low, guttural pig squeals, two guitarists that most of the time choose the fast rhythms, but they don't leave aside the groove, and supported by a raw, extremely aggressive rhythm section, this is a perfect combination. The final track is a psycho combination of Brutal Death with Techno effects and Punjabi! Killer release, I have enjoyed it a lot so I strongly recommend it.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: IRONWOOD

Country: Australia

Title: Storm Over Sea

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2010

Style: Progressive Folk Extreme Metal

Review:

Ironwood was formed in 2005 as a quartet and since then they had a constant line-up, and that is shown in their mature and curdeled compositions on this album, their second effort to date. This is my first encounter with the band and after listening to "Storm Over Sea" I had to check their bio to see how much time they have worked on it, and surprise, it took them only 1 year, which is outstanding because we have here a real masterpiece lasting for almost an hour prsenting us a complex, sophisticated and exquisite music good for bot extreme metallers and soft-metal followers. 8 tracks that are real soundscapes, real fairytales of sound and imagination. If I were to rate this I would give it a 9.5 and the remaining 0.5 to be worked on for next time, the 0.5 represents the concept behind it all, they could have expressed better the sea-topic. But apart that this album is flawless, it is so interesting it's impossible to discover it all in only a few listenings. Such a high-class mixture of Folk Metal with Black and Death Metal, all under a Progressive spell, and if I add there are 3 vocalists each of them being able to lead any band out there, you'll get what I'm talking about. I have to mention also the extremely incisive and aggressive bass playing, which is not so usual in this field. All 4 of them are great on their instruments but the main conclusion is that we're dealing with a curdled (as said before) team here, they will be surely signed after this album. Recommended!

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: KOMMANDANT

Country: USA

Title: Kontakt

Label: Planet Metal

Year: 2010

Style: Black Metal

Review:

Chicago's Kommandant keeps attracting attention these last years and it seems to be a pretty active band from the promo point of view, I always see their name here and there in countless reviews, interviews, specials. This means they deserve all this attention, it means they work a lot to build and consolidate their band name in the extreme metal scene. This one is the follow-up to their 2008 album which I had the chance to review some time ago. 6 tracks lasting for 20 minutes of cold, powerful Black Metal with a War-like atmosphere all over, or better said a military atmosphere where everything is at its place, calculated, malicious and deliberate assault of razor sharp guitar riffs, extremely fast rhythm section, evil hoarse vocals. A destructive atmosphere with a good enough sound. This is a very good band that will grow for sure. Recommended!

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: LED TO THE GRAVE

Country: USA

Title: Sent to Burn

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2010

Style: Speed Thrash Death

Review:

I'm glad I have the chance to review this EP because it is such an enjoyable piece of Death driven Thrash Metal played with extreme passion. The tempo of these 5 tracks (almost 20 minutes of playing) led me to think they incorporated some Speed Metal influences as well and they did. "Sent to Burn" is the followup of their debut album released back in 2008. we're dealing here with a band that's basing their music on a massive amount of complex Thrash Metal riffs from old-school to new types, and builds it to a point it presents a raw, aggressive, cruel atmosphere exactly what each and every band in this genre should do. The two guitarists are getting along very well here and I honestly don't understand why they are still unsigned. I would suggest this band to the Heavy Artillery management, they should at least listen to Led To The Grave. Good band, good EP, I hope they will follow up with a new full-lenght better recorded pretty soon.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: MONDVOLLAND

Country: Holland

Title: d'Olde Roop

Label: Painkiller Records

Year: 2010

Style: Folk Black Metal

Review:

Folk Metal and Pagan Metal are so in fashion nowadays like Black Metal was 5-10 years ago or Gothic Metal was 10-15 years ago. I guess band playing this music have the biggest sales figures these days and that's great for the scene, but it is also the start of its decay. With so many bands appearing every day, most of them only to profit from this situation, it's just a question of time for this Pagan / Folk Metal scene to get back to underground where it belongs. Luckily enough Mondvolland isn't one of those newcomers with nothing to say; the band was started back in 2005, released 2 demos and an EP before being signed by Painkiller Records and having the chance to release this debut album in professional conditions. Mondvolland's drummer is Ask Ty Arctander better known for his work in Kampfar, but I wouldn't consider this as his project, Mondvolland proves to be a full-time band. 

"d'Olde Roop" is a 9 tracks effort lasing for more than 50 minutes of Folk influenced Black Metal. Yes, the main structure in Mondvolland is Black Metal, fast, aggressive and quite raw supported by melodic insertions of violins, epic clean vox and acoustic guitars. The production could have been much better, but nonetheless these 5 Dutchmen proove they have what it takes to make it in this scene as their country mates from Heidevolk. This is not that happy Folk Metal so cherished nowadays, it's actually a grim piece of catchy Folk Pagan Metal. As a highlight I would mention also the bass work which is absolutely great, very active and intense, a real pleasure following these bass lines. Hope their next album will benefit from a better mixing and mastering. 

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: MOON

Country: Australia

Title: Caduceus Chalice

Label: Wolfsvuur Records

Year: 2010

Style: Ambient Black Metal

Review:

I guess Miasmyr (the man behind this project) started Moon in 2007 and since then he has been quite active in the scene, I like these hard-working projects that prove that even though they do music at home they are putting an effort to make themselves a name in the underground. Now what I have here is Moon's debut album, Caduceus Chalice, a tape released by Wolfsvuur Records in a strictly limited handnumbered format of 100 tapes this year. Caduceus Chalice is a 6 tracks effort lasting for about 50 minutes, and I must say that although this was my first encounter with this band/project, I liked what I've heard. The sound is raw, unpolished and quite amateurish and that took away part of my joy of listening to such compositions; the sound is stuffed, makes all the instruments and vocals seem like they are hidden behind a wall of water. Musically speaking Moon is a deep Ambient influenced Black Metal played mostly slow to mid-tempo, with lots of acoustic parts, lots of melancholic moments that makes it worth your money. The whole is quite depressive, hopeless, desperate, cold and extremely grim, a perfect atmosphere for such a band. I would recommed this band to all Ambient Black Metal followers for its atmosphere and I hope Miasmyr will record in better conditions next time. My fave track: Chalice. Give this one a try!

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: P.H.T.O.

Country: France

Title: Affliction

Label: Immortal Frost Prod.

Year: 2010

Style: Depressive Black Metal

Review:

My friend and collaborator from France, Alrinack, plays bass and backing vocals in this band that started in 2008 (I think) as a solo project and slowly became a real band, a quartet. This is their debut release, a maxi-single (why maxi-single and not EP I don't know) containing 5 tracks and lasting for almost 40 minutes. P.H.T.O. is a Depressive Black Metal band with quite a lot to express in their music, they seem pretty solid as a whole so this might be the release to bring them a good label deal. The vocal part is great: desperate, tormented screams supported by clean vox sometimes; the guitars are perfect as well: monotonous (but not boring), haunting riffs creating a deep, cold atmosphere; the bass has a very upfront, powerful approach and you'll hear it present everywhere, and the drummer does his work without too much fireworks but such a genre doesn't allow him to do it. The sound isn't the best around but for an underground release is ok, it lets you discover the band and its abilities and composition skills. 

At the end of this review I have to excuse myself for not observing that they are already signed and will release their debut album on Tasmanian underground label Immortal Frost somewhere in 2011. Can't wait to hear the full-length.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: PLAGUE ANGEL

Country: Sweden

Title: Stagnation of Christ

Label: Sevared Records / Butchered Records

Year: 2010

Style: Death Metal

Review:

Plague Angel is an upcoming Swedish Death Metal monster, although they were formed back in 2005. This is their debut album, and they have only one demo out before the release of "Stagnation of Christ", so this is their first big step on the Worldwide Death Metal scene. And this is a pretty good step being produced by Butchered Records, a sub-division of Sevared Records, one of the most respected Death Metal labels nowadays. So if you're buying this CD you know what you'll get: classic offensive, blood-filled, Death Metal cover and booklet. 

"Stagnation of Christ" contains 10 tracks of mid-tempo to fast Old School Death Metal perfect for any classic Death Metal followers. The 10 tracks are pretty short, totalizing less than half an hour, that's why they have decided to add their 2008 demo "Raped by Lies", a good addition I must say. As mentioned Plague Angel plays that classic style of Death Metal with aggressive, crunchy riffs, headbanging-friendly, pounding drums and incisive bass, plus a hoarse growling vocalistwith some screams as background support here and there. I like the fact they decided to add choruses in their lyrics, as the '90's bands used to do. This is not one of those CDs that are made to be something different, because this simply isn't anything different or progressive, but it's a good aquisition in any Old-School Death Metal followers and it has the potential to become one of the most played CDs inthere.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: SANGUINARY MISANTHROPIA

Country: Australia

Title: Diabolic Gnosis

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2010

Style: Satanic Black Metal

Review:

This is my first encounter with Sanguinary Misanthropia and when I've received their promo material I was pretty sure they are signed, but I was wrong. Their second EP, "Diabolic Gnosis", is actually a digipak, a not so common practice in the underground nowadays, so from the "look" point of view they are flawless, professional and hardworking, now let's see what about the music on this EP. There are 3 long tracks featured totalizing 20 minutes of fast Black Metal the old-school way, with very good work on guitars (multiple rhythms, varied riffs, leads, solos, a real treat for extreme metal followers), evil vocals (creams with some cavernous growl parts as well), but the drums here seem to have a real problem (if not, I'm sure I have a real problem), besides being quite monotonous, they tend to loose pace here and there and that's definitely not a good thing, especially when the guitar work is so intense and tight. So yes, to sum it up, this band is based and should continue to be based on guitar twisters, on a whirlpool of riffs and leads, fantastic work. A band that presents its Black Metal raw, grim and without any trace of compromise.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: SATINBLACK

Country: Germany

Title: Martyr's Paradise

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2010

Style: Melodic Heavy Power Thrash

Review:

The guys from Delusive Dawn (German Old-School Death Metal) gave me this CD for a review, and to tell you the truth I was expecting a hard time reviewing it in Pest Webzine as from the band's look you can bet your hat they are Glam Rock, and although I do listen to all sort of music I don't feature other styles than extreme metal related. Well I was wrong about Satinblack, they are actually a Traditional Melodic Heavy Power Metal band with some Thrash Metal hints here and there, and after listening to this self-released EP (more like a demo to me, though) a few times I'm glad I have it. :) It's a nice, nostalgic effort, well maybe too melodic for many of you, but I would recommend it as a way to diversify your daily dose of Metal. Satinblack is made of: a very good Hard'n'Heavy vocalist, catchy guitar riffs supported by lots of intricate, technical but also melodic solos (twin guitars), a powerful, very active bass line and computer generated drums (I think), but the main feature in their music I would say is their joy to play, their honesty. This is an underground release with raw (but very good) sound, and true Heavy Metal feeling. I liked it a lot. I hope they won't sell out.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: STONED JESUS

Country: Ukraine

Title: First Communion

Label: Solitude Productions

Year: 2010

Style: Stoner Doom Metal

Review:

Stoned Jesus was established last year as a trio and they were pretty quick in releasing two demos and getting a deal with Solitude Prod. right away. This year was time for their debut album, the one I'm listening to now, a 4 tracks efforst lasting for around 40 minutes, so quite long tracks. The first one, to be honest, seems to me like done in a hurry, to complete this album, for me the 10 minutes of this track were pretty boring and that's why I have listened to it only once. The second track is the winner of this album, a Stoner Doom masterpiece, a Black Sabbath influenced track that keeps you focused from start till the finish. "Black Woods", the third track, although based on repetitive rhythms, is the second best track, still Sabbath influenced, quite slow and groovy, and even bluesy sounding, nice combination of sounds. The last track on Stoned Jesus' track is almost as monotonous as the first one, but the vocals are better, more interesting variations and twists, so I would give it the third place. For Stoner Doom fans this might be a real treat, but I would recommend to the rest to at least give a listen to the 2nd track, "Red Wine". 

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: THRONE OF MALEDICTION

Country: USA

Title: Ceremonial Blood

Label: Ziekte Records

Year: 2010

Style: Black Death Metal

Review:

Throne Of Malediction seems to be a pretty active band in the Underground nowadays hooking up their tracks on as many compilations as they can and the fact they have signed with Ziekte Records for the release of their debut album is the proof that they intend to be involved as much as possible in this scene as Ziekte is known for signing bands that know to promote themselves and their work, who aren't basically lazy asses. 

Back to ToM, this is a quartet from Montana formed in 2006. This is trheir debut album, as already mentioned, released by Ziekte Records this month. 14 tracks lasting for 1 hour that will present the listeners all different (very different) sides of ToM, ranging from Black Metal to Death Metal to Groove filled Extreme Metal, they play it all, without any boundaries. The sound is '90's demo-cassette-like, somehow stuffed, so I hope this will be released on tape as well. These guys (and girl) are good musicians and their style of composing is quite unique, it has influences from any and all types of extreme metal (and not only), so it's a bit for everyone: Black Metal types of screams supported by clean male and female vocals, groovy drum lines, powerful bass, melodic but still metallic guitar riffs and leads, ambient keyboards and effects creating a cold, dark atmosphere, cool release.

Reviewed by Adrian

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ABand: THY HASTUR

Country: Poland

Title: The Ancients

Label: VittiV Records

Year: 2010

Style: Atmospheric Dark Metal

Review:

When you think of Poland's metal scene you think of extremely talented and inspired musicians that are not afraid to experiment, you think of one of the best European extreme metal scenes nowadays. VittiV Records is a new label from Poland that debuts with the release of Thy Hastur's third album. The band has been around for 10 years now but this is the first album out on a label, the first two being self-produced.

"The Ancients" presents us 9 tracks lasting for around 40 minutes, a combination of Black and Death Metal under a veil of Atmospheric Dark. Unfortunately the sound is not the best around and that hides a lot from Thy Hastur's potential. The guitars and drums are following a typical pattern of this genre so nothing to really highlight, but the obvious points of interest in Thy Hastur's music are the keyboards and the bass lines which could have been used more. The hoarse vocals remind me of some Russian Black Metal bands from the '90's, good ones. Try it if you're into underground Black death releases only, the band has potential but they need to work with another sound engineer next time... Pro CD with nice booklet containing the lyrics.

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: WEDDING IN HADES

Country: France

Title: Elements of Disorder

Label: Bad Mood Man Rec. / Solitude Prod.

Year: 2010

Style: Gothic Doom Death Metal

Review:

I've listened to this album multiple times before starting to write this review and to be honest I still don't know if I like it or if I don't, but there is a certain fact, I hate the cover artwork, the pictures look like bad, very bad photocopied pics from the beginnings of xerox... But it's their choice, who can argue with that? Musically speaking Wedding In Hades plays a combination of Gothic metal, Doom Metal and even some Death Metal inserts here and there, and it gave me the impression their biggest influences are Paradise Lost and Type Of Negative, but that mostly because of the vocalist. The music is mostly mid-tempo, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who's not a regular listener of Gothic Doom because most of the time it gives the feeling this is just a prelude to the real music and keeps you waiting and waiting. Also most of the time the music is too simplistic for this genre, for nowadays. I would lean more on the "don't like it" side though...

Reviewed by Adrian

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Band: Various Artists

Country: Various

Title: Melancholic Epiphany

Label: Hypnotic Dirge

Year: 2010

Style: Dark Doom Black Metal

Review:

This is an online compilation available for free download from Hypnotic Dirge Records, label based in Canada, dedicated to promote Dark and Experimental music. This compilation is a huge effort from the part of H.D.'s owner because it contains an audio part (well, that's normal), a video part, visuals (complete cover and booklet artworks) and lots of bands descriptions, plus three essays, a real treat for any Black Metal / Dark Metal follower out there. Good job, but now let's pass to the bands and tracks featured here.

The audio part:

The Foetal Mind - a quite successful melancholic Doom Black Metal from France with good (although not original) guitar leads, multiple types of vocals, complex drumming, and a catchy overall atmosphere, I liked it

Funereal - side-project of a guy also involved in Exiled From Light, Funereal presents us a mid-tempo, heavy kind of Doom Metal with deep growls and melancholic keyboard background

Funeral Fornication - solo project from Canada established in 2003, so I can't argue with its experience, but this track only showed me the guy behind it, Vultyrous, has good ideas, but needs more practice on the instruments and also a much better drum-machine; Funeral Doom with some Death and Black influences

Exiled From Light - I've mentioned them before, in talking about Funereal, and I see there are not so many or even important differences between the two acts; still I prefer Funereal more

netra - nice surprise, a truly hypnotic combination of Alternative Rock and Doom Metal with a progressive edge to it; solo project from France that will release its debut album on H.D.R. this year, I can't wait to listen to the whole work...

Ancient Tundra - this is the solo project of Skog, the man behind H.D.R.; minimalist Ambient music with a fantasy-like edge; track written and released for this compilation only; very good job portraying dreamy soundscapes

Njiqahdda - I have reviewed this band before, and I find this track on the same line: chaotic Ambient Black Metal; not one of my faves for sure

Neige Et Noicoeur - Ambient Black Metal Quebecoise, fast and aggressive, with industrial-like vocal sound, but I will skip this track next time so I guess you unedrstand my opinion on it...

Funeral In Heaven - slow to mid-tempo Depressive Black Metal from Sri Lanka, nothing you haven't heard before, but it has the right atmosphere and catches your attention, so all in all a good effort

Autaric - I have no info on this band, but it was a surprise, I didn't expect to come across a Death Metal band on this compilation; demo-sounding quite aggressive Death Metal with a Progressive edge on guitars and a scarry atmosphere surrouning it; this one gets my vote

Old Forgotten Lands - the closing track, monotonous minimalist acoustic Dark Ambient; didn't capture my attention for more than one listen.

The video part of this compilation:

Exiled From Light - promo video for their upcoming album - this actually sounds very good and increased my interest for their album; this is actually a collage of photos, not a real video

netra - very good video, with footage from what it seems a real movie; this band/project makes really interesting art! Recommended!

Njiqahdda - just having an interesting name doesn't make this band a good one and this applies to its video also (and believe me, I have nothing against them, nor I ever had any disputes with them - I add this just in case someone thinks I'm being mean for some personal reason)

Old Forgotten Lands - simple amateur camera footage in the woods edited at home, nothing more

The Foetal Mind - 2 videos - the first is a really good video, with a plot and it keeps you tied until the end - this actually shows they are working hard on this band; the second one is the video teaser for their upcoming album on H.D.R.

I won't comment on the essays added on this great online compilation, I will let you discover and judge them by yourselves.

Congrats to Skog for his work. Download this release, it's free of charge and has goods for anyone out there.

Reviewed by Adrian

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