New Reviews 11/28/2009 @ Absolute Zero Media

Sigh- Scenes from Hell-CD (The End Records)

Sigh has always been one of those bands that is love hate by all that hear them Early Sigh I never got with it was over Avant Black metal with an extremity that just seemed out of place. As the years have gone by Sigh have gone way more Post Black metal with very Oriental and Jazz element and this is really where they have found a home. If you could mix Bal Sagoth, Arcturus and Mr Bungle into one band you would have where Sigh have really found there nitch if you can even really say that. Symphonic, Jazz and Scathing Black metal on paper something that would never work but some how Sigh makes it happen. This is always an art film sound track in the making with the Spaghetti Western vibe going on as well. When the band goes raw BM its still in a most 70's freak out of ways. They like to add very trippy elements to it all then I swear Danny Elfman is a member of the band at times. What more is there really to say Sigh is extremely fucked up as a band and listening experience but I would have it truly no other way. Long Live SIGH!!!!!

http://theendrecords.com/




Fatalist- The Depths of Inhumanity-CD (Ibex Moon Records)

This piece of Old School Swedish Death metal mastery is just what the doctor ordered for this listener. Are you fan of Entombed or Dismember then do not pass go and get your funds ready to buy a release that is going to firmly kick you in the ass. The low end bass and guitar tone. The clearly growled vocal style and the amazing harmony guitar riffs that you would old hear in bands of that genre. Fatalist maybe from California in the USA but this band knows how to make this classic Death metal sound all there own. I love the uber fuzzed out guitar mixed with the mid tempo double kick drum attack. This makes me long for the old earache days my friends.. I will end the review with this .... Long live the days when Death Metal was a way of life not a fashion statement.....

http://ibexmoonrecords.com/




Urgehal- Ikonoklast-CD (Season of Mist)

Raw , dirty and primitive in all of the best fashions is what Urgehal gives you for your listening pleasure or displeasure in the Black metal realm. This is nothing flashy or scenic about this journey this is on the hateful and powerful side of the darkened visions the members of Urgehal are presenting to you. You can feel the pain in the vocals that are coming out here there is a war like hunger that needs to be express as well. The vocal are washed in that nasty verb that works so well with the edgy vocal style a band like this gives. Ikonoklast gives me that feeling labels like Osmose, Avant-Garde, Misanthropy and Moonfog gave me in the mid 90's . The production is very pure and full for the much more guttural feeling a band like Urgehal presents. There is even some tasteful solo work going on here. Where the rest of the music is much more for the throat in they approach they give you. Season of Mist has a really classic in the making here.

http://season-of-mist.com/




Rimfrost- Veraldar Nagli-CD (Season of Mist)

Black thrash has seemed to become a big thing in the euro nations over the last 10 yrs and hasn't really caught on as much here in the USA. Rimfrost is very much that in total mix the 80/90's Thrash attack of bands like Kreator, Sodom and Exodus with the Black metal of bands like Saytricon and Darkthrone and you come damn close to what this band is trying to create. I love the very bombastic creation on how this release was done in whole. There is again a feeling of pain and aggression all at the same time and that is where all the good extreme metal bands come from. There is a strong kinship with a band called Khold for my ears as well. There are some very driving riffs going on here. Rimfrost at times even hits what I would call full on viking metal fury and there is nothing more near and dear to me then this metallic sound coming from the guitars and drums of any band. Check out Rimfrost I think they will not only surprise you but win you over in no time at all.

http://season-of-mist.com

HIRAX - El Rostro de la Muerte-CD (Black Devil Records)

Hirax are the missing link to Thrash to Death Metal this is one of the few bands what was a brutal enough thrash band to make the Death metal fans have a jaw dropping event as well. Hirax is a wall of sonic madness that is just amazing . If you like the more extreme moments of bands like like Overkill , Testament, Nuclear Assault and Forbidden then this will be the band that will kick you to the floor each and every time . The ultra deep chugging riffage of the bass and guitar work so well with the thrash attack on the drums think of Slayer in a lot of the musical manners going on here and the vocals are throaty and strep as hell going on here and the work oh so well. Thrash in the greatest of lessons is being created here. Hirax is one of the few bands that can just keep that Thrash flag flying higher and higher. Check this release out or you are mission on a legendary band still in there songwritting prime..

http://www.blackdevilrecords.com/




Sikfuk - Shitfisted Superman... The Man of Stool-CD (Comatose Music)

I will give you this for being a one man death / gore metal force Comatose loves to work with them as they have the brilliant Bloodsoaked . This is very different in as he is going more for the Meatshits, Analblast or Embalmer side of the metallic spectrum. The music is very well done the guitar is very techincal but I just can not get into the porn loops or silly movie samples also the gurgle metal vocals just don't ever do anything for me. If this had more traditional death metal vocals I think I could have respected this so much more. I going to have to pass on this .

http://www.comatosemusic.com/



Coathanger Abortion- Dying Breed-CD (Comatose Music)

Again this is the case with Comatose bands . The music is very technical and impressive I just can not get past the vocals of the ultra low and gurgled style. Coathanger Abortion a name as brutal as the band so in this case it fits them perfectly is the sum of two parts my friends. The music is fast, complex, multi layers and takes real damn skill to present in this talented of a fashion. The vocals seem like they are just thrown over the top in the last minutes of recording just to add extermity to the picture as a whole and almost seem not needed in any way shape or form. All the bands in this ultra extreme genre seem to need or have a love of movie samples and loops to start off all there songs. I really don't get that need. Coathanger Abortion with out the vocals I would give 9 out of 10 as a killer death metal force with the vocals the best I could do is 5 out of 10 the vocals really hurt this project more then you know.

http://www.comatosemusic.com/




Engaged in Mutilating - Population: Zero-CD (Comatose Music)

Now this is some ass kicking Brutal if not Ultra low death metal majesty. This works on all levels for me . Its beyond fast, nasty, bassy and very very complex in the arrangements in an almost jazz like way. If Opeth was guttural death metal band this is what they would sound like. Engaged in Mutilating is just fantastic at what they are presenting to the listener and the vocals even though low and super guttural they are powerful and can be heard properly and really fit as a full piece of the overall sound of the band. I really love when the bass is active and doing so much more then just being the beef for the guitar. There is so much going on with Population Zero several listens are demanded to really get a full picture of this. This is a great release for The band and a very good death metal label like Comatose. I will be looking for more from Engaged in Mutilating in the future...

http://www.comatosemusic.com/




Abraxas- Wretched Existence-MCD (Relapse)

Why is it alway 4 song Eps that are the most amazing from bands of a ultimately extreme nature. Abraxas to me is the best in Brutal Death, Grind and Jazzcore . There seems to be members from PYREXIA, HATE ETERNAL, MONSTROSITY and VILE in this supergroup of the Death metal world. The production is second to none here and the tracks sound like an army of the undead are recording it all at the same time. if Nile or Morbid Angel were of the more Grind and Progressive metal sound I would say that Abraxas would be their name. There is very Edge of Sanity sound to all they do as well. Again it all comes back to a brilliant 4 song EP that I hope they can live up to and crush. Relapse has a album that will rip the walls of the very metal scene apart. Simple a great release.

http://relapse.com/




Chaos Invocation - In Bloodline With the Snake-CD (Canonical Hours )

Occult Black metal in the highest of orders. There is a very haunting / unnerving sound coming from this Germanic Force of Dark occult metallic sounds it does remind me a lot of Watian and Death Spell Omega in many different moments. There is a thrash element to the release as a whole as well. It's not always blistering which is something I really like with the more Avant/ Post Black metal style. Chaos Invocation works in the slower twists and turns in with the very straight forward raw BM mixed again with a cold melodic overtone. The vocals remind me very much of what legion did in Marduk the slit throat vocal sound of Black metal. The very clean chorused guitar are a big addition to the over all sound of this band. There are rituals inside rituals going on with this band and I love the chanting vocals that come through as we still have. the very harsh vocal mixing into a total blitzkrieg on sounds on the senses. In the Bloodline with the snake is not a simple listen and never should be. This is something that you will understand and be proud to have by your side or it will send you off the deep end into fear, regret and madness.

http://www.canonicalhours.com/

New Reviews @ Absolute Zero Media Magazine 11/22/2009

LOCRIAN : rain of ashes-CD ( Basses Frequences)

Neoclassic/ Ambient Drone is something very hard to produce properly very few projects have brought the sound out in a way that works very well. If your a fan of Maeror Tri, Sonic Youth and Robert Rich all at the same time then Locrian is going to simply blow your mind. The waves and layers of sounds that this projects creates just washes over you in the most unforgettable of ways. The deep drones, the delicate pulses that flow over every track and the simple and sometime child toy like electronics that are incorporated in to the project as a whole are great esp with the Avant guitar moments. Locrian have this time giving us 2 very long live tracks without edits or overdubs which makes this all the more interesting to the musician side of me listening to " rain of ashes". I know very little about Basses Frequences other then this is a very quality release with minimalist artwork showing Locrian in there live surrounding mixed with scenes of nature in a 8 panel jewelcase setting. If you have never heard Locrian before then your missing out as at time they have a very noisy backdrop as well almost metallic guitars going on like Gravitar or Band of Susans did back in the day. I hope to be lucky enough to perform with these gentlemen if the come to play the southwest esp AZ anytime in the future.

http://www.bassesfrequences.org/




Brown Jenkins -Death Obsession- CD (Moribund Cult)

Brown Jenkins mix two of the styles of music I love the most that should never properly work together. Post Black Metal and Dirty Indie Noise Rock. Imagine if Polvo or Rodan were a Black metal band or again if Sonic Youth mixed with Burzum this is such an odd combo but works so well. Its Haunting, Maddening and just down right brilliant all at the same time. I've heard that this maybe the last Brown Jenkins release if so I will be very sad to say the least. I love the clean dissidence on very verbed and fuzzed out guitars mixed with raw lo fi drumming and a very punchy bass line in all of this and the vocals to me are part Blackmetal then we again go in to that very Chicago Touch and Go/ Minn Amrep sound for those in the know you get the point right away by listening to Death Obsession. The Punk ethic lives strong and proud in this unit. Moribund all I can say in closing is hats off and horns up!!!!!

http://moribundcult.com/


The Chinese Stars - Heaven on Speed Dial- CD (Anchor Brain)

I have no clue who The Chinese stars or anchor brain records are but I can tell you one thing for sure The Chinese Stars are from my old stomping grounds of Providence RI and kick ass as an indie rock force. The Chinese stars are really fucked up in sound if you mix Pop Punk, Dance Rock, Post Hardcore and Classic Rock all at the same time I think you maybe close to what these madmen are working on. The remind me a lot of a band called Tub Ring in what there doing . Anchor Brain seems to be a new label supporting RI bands and the 1st 3 are from that area. I love the frenetic and just odd ball approach to Indie and Anti Rock movements. This band would band people like Beck and Neil Young very proud. The Chinese Stars must be listened to to be fully understood so its time to check them out ASAP....
http://anchorbrain.com/



The Peoples Republic of Europe- Babylon-CD (Vendetta Music)

I'm sure I'm the last person on earth that should be reviewing electro industrial music of the dance variety. The only think I listen to that is even close to this would be Terrorfakt so this is what I hear while reviewing this CD or maybe early Ministry mixed with a bit of NIN from pretty hate machine. I would say they have moments of what Skinny Puppy and Nitzer Ebb do as well but other then that . I would say its very Martial and Battle like in a electronic fashion . The Peoples Republic of Europe is very beat driven as well but I seem not to hate it so that is a very big plus as well. Check them out there is a very dark side to the band I will dig a bit deeper and see if a new genre of music really becomes something I fully enjoy...

http://www.myspace.com/vendettamusicthelabel




W.A.S.T.E. - A Silent Mantra Of Rage- CD (Vendetta Music)

Vendetta Music a home of Electro driven Power Noise where it's very beat driven and heavy and harsher tones mixed in with war like tempos . W.A.S.T.E fits very well into this scene with all that was just mentioned. There some vocal moment but they are more just a backdrop to the chaos at hands. I would think this would make a great soundtrack to most Zombie or Post Apocalyptic war files. Why do all these bands has such a love for land of rape and honey Ministry but they really seem too just want to rework and revisit that album a lot. I could see myself using this a back music to playing a game or reading a book as it will just enhance the mood to a good Sci fi, Horror or Fantasy Novel. I don't have much more to say other then W.A.S.T.E is growing on me more then the last Vendetta release I reviewed it has an odd old CMI and Dark Vinyl bands feeling to it esp Puissance..

http://www.myspace.com/vendettamusicthelabel


True Widow-True Widow-CD (End Sounds)

Shoegazers and Ambient Drone Rockers unite as we have an amazing release coming from a band called True Widow. This is equal parts Slowdive, Swervedriver and My Bloody Valentine going on here with the mail and female vocals going on and lets not forget the huge nod to the Pixies going on here . If the Pixies needs a band to take the torche and continue that amazing style then here is True Widow. The fragile sounds mixed with the white washing of Shoegazing tones just makes this a beautiful and haunting release all at the same time. This is some I would expect to be on Projekt . 4AD or even Matador in this day an age. I feel a bit of sonic youth coming out here to. 3 rd time that name has it the reviews today. They are still one of my favorite all around band to me to this day and have influenced so many too. I love the wavering guitar tones here with the fuzz of a ultra warm bass line and the drummer never over playing to the music that is the sign of a project with the member making the song more then parts of the whole. True Widow I don't know how many albums out you have but you have done what Low and Russian Circles made me do search out all your albums and releases now.

http://www.endsounds.com/




Dark funeral - Angelus exuro pro eternus- CD (Regain Record)

Dark funeral is Dark funeral this is never going to change this is a blistering black metal force that are in total for the dark one and there satanic vision. There is a very epic sound and style to Dark Funeral but still the speed and nightmarish power that will close to tear your face off with there ultimate aggression. If your a fan of Marduk then this is a must own they have always followed a similar path. This is not for everyone I know as Black metal most times in this day and age comes across as just over the top at times. With Dark funeral you can see they are true to there cause and will not be turned from there course. Angelus is a huge sounding release with an army of guitars, drums and vocals that will drag you straight to the pits of the dark realms . As I said by now you either know Dark funeral or will never its that simple. They are a fantastic example of Bombastic epic Black metal .....

http://regainrecords.com/




Gate- No Exit-CD (Fluttery Records)

Ah Jap Noise its always an adventure no matter who creates it Merzbow, Masonna, Melt Banana and Incapacitants etc. Gate is just the same where they try to add a bit of freeform jazz elements into there nutty collection of tones, rumbles, blips, feedbacks other forms of various broken and rewired pedals and odd laptop effects. No Exit will drive most to the point of ultimate madness but to the fans of this style myself loving this . I would say if the brilliant Jap noise label of SSSM was still around this would be a highlight to its roster. So I'm glad a newer label like Fluttery Records is keeping this style out there to the masses even if there are just a few thousand of us out there. I look forward to many more challenging releases from Fluttery and Gate...

http://www.flutteryrecords.com

Ideamen Interview is up 11/16/2009

Ideamen Interview ~ with bassist Mark Vasquez

http://www.myspace.com/ideamen

1. For us new to Ideamen tell us a bit about the band?

Ideamen is a 5 piece rock band inspired to write & perform music that's artistic and accessible, yet a bit unreal and outragous. We love to perform as often as possible & we're usually fans of the bands we get to tour with. We recently signed on with Rotten Records & we're gearing up for touring in 2010 to support our new album, "May You Live In Interesting Times".


2. Your music is a mix of so many styles ~ Pop, Jazz, Blues, Post Hardcore and Experimental sounds. I love the vocal harmonies and the Beachboys meets Queen meet Faith No more sounds. Is it hard to get a fan base with so many sounds and styles going on?

We try to actively seek out people who like the same things we do, either on-line or live at shows. (We do this one actual person at a time, with no marketing tools or robot friend adder. It's always someone in the band who hit you up to be myspace friends). Also, becuase of the way we blend our music, Ideamen has the ability to fit in with many different kinds of bands. We've played live shows w/ almost every kind act you can imagine, from bubble gum pop bands, death metal bands, progressive indie bands, experimental jazz bands, hip hop groups, punk bands & catholic boys choirs. If your music is good, we'll listen to it, play shows with you & support you. In turn, there's always someone in the audience or in a band we're playing with who digs what we do. Beyond that, we just try to stay as accessible to people as possible ~ by keeping a visible on-line presence, via the usual Facebook, Myspace, Last FM, Twitter and the rest.

3. How did you come to working with Rotten Records?

Our keyboardist & founding member Tim Swanson toured with Dog Fashion Disco for a short while before they broke up in 2006. Over time, Ideamen started opening shows for DFD's new band "Polkadot Cadaver". We got to play in front of RR's owner Ron Peterson a few times & I think that with a bit of nudging from PDC members Todd & Jason, "Rotten Ron" must have felt that we were right for his label. Rotten Records is good fit for us. We're huge DFD fans & the DFD fans seemed to really like seeing us live & bought up all our copies of the "Progress" EP which is now out of print. Ideamen has really benefited from those guys, to whom we're openly gay for.

4. Do you prefer studio or touring with Ideamen?

I personally can't think of anything more wonderful & yet more grueling than being out on the road. We've been stranded on the highway a handful of times, which sucks. Sleep deprivation is a constant companion, gas costs are high, we want to kill each other and the "oops we booked a BAD show" happens on occasion. Then we come home and have all missed time off work and play catchup until the next time out. But it's beautiful when we play a new town & the people there know the words to our songs. Sometimes we'll have to sleep in our van, but more often than not a friend, fan or family member is in the same city we're playing in, so we usually get fed well & sleep on warm comfortable couches.

5. Do you think Chicago has something to do with your sound so many great avant artists are from there Tub Ring, Tortoise,Big Black just to name a few and labels like Touch and go and Thrill Jockey?

We've truly been influenced by Chicago bands like Tub Ring, Smashing Pumpkins, Cheap Trick, Smoking Popes, Ides of March & so on. We're inspired by their success, breaking out of Chicago & onto the national scene, which is what we aspire to do. We also listen to & support many local Chicago area groups. They don't have to be successful or popular for us to listen to or support them. Shall I name a few??? Nah... go see our top friends on myspace.

6. Is there a running theme on your new CD "May You Live In Interesting Times"

We'll steal from our Bio on this one:
The album as a whole is a commentary on the state of the world today, with injected fiction hinting at where it might be headed. It speaks from a myriad of contradictory perspectives: heroes and villains, rich and poor, leaders and led, concerned and oblivious - all tied together by the also contradictory themes of tyranny and independence, order and collapse.
"It's almost, but not quite, a concept album. The lyrical content does have a running theme throughout. But the primary phrases are just vague enough to let the listener interpret the meanings how he or she sees fit". -Dave Solar, chief lyricist.

7. I know there are members form other projects in this band is this a full time band or an outlet for your other desires that don't fit in your other projects?

Ideamen is a full time band for us or, it's at least our main musical priority. Tim has solo material that he's working on right now. Dave, Phil & I still write music in the vein of our old band "Soulvasq", which is experimental rock that's a bit more bizarre than Ideamen. We still get requests to play Soulvasq songs like "Aliens Ate My Buick". At the same time, we all still have day jobs & in some cases, careers & significant others, so that factors in too. Ideamen is lucky enough to also have a back up member in Chris Gardner to always help out in some way. He's recorded us, toured with us & he's yelled at us.

8. If there was a band you could collab or tour with who would it be any why?

As far as collaboration, it would definitely be Rob & Kevin Of Tub Ring, since we tour together, have similar tastes & since they are so close to us in Chicago. We've talked with members of Now Soon Nowhere from Philly, PA to possibly do some stuff together too.

9. Are Ideamen pro digital age of promotion and musical sales or do you miss the days of print zines, tape trading and traditional radio promotions?

We're not snobs, we use it all. If it weren't for this modern technology, some people may have never gotten the chance to listen to us. Message boards are very important for us it seems. And to my knowlegde, traditional print zines & underground music traders are still out there. Some of our fans are exclusive supporters of experimental & underground music. Ideamen has played many a DIY communist collective anarchist type venue here in the midwest, and even they all have websites & email lists & laptops to surf on.

10. Does your older material if there is any sound like this or has there been a major evolution?

Ideamen is basically Tim from "Duct Tape Mustache" + all the members of "Soulvasq". Tim's band was broken up & we put "Soulvasq" on hold to focus on Ideamen. We all get to collaborate on Ideamen's material. Tim seems to have embraced a style of music that comes off as strangely familiar yet completely original & the rest of us bring our raw ability & experience to the songs. We always have a spin on what Tim writes & that's pretty much how you get Ideamen.

11. The artwork is very interesting tell us about who did the cover artwork and is there a reason it looks the way it does?

We wanted something that looked like comic book art, but didn't know how to approach it at first. Dave had been messing around with a 3D program called Pov-Ray and thought it might be a good way to create artwork that could be used later from different perspectives, even animated. He created a scene meant to be reminiscent of Plato's allegory of the cave with a modern twist. As an accidental result we now have a new mascot in the "Gear Head Kid" character, which, in a long story of deadlines and quick decisions, was never built past a demo version. We decided that simple was good, and they looked kind of cute.

12. In the 21st century how would you tell a new band starting out how to get known and promote there project to the world as you have achieved a level not many do in this day and age.

We have? That's news to me. The credit for any exposure we've gotten as of late has to go to the bands that take us on the road & our label, who's put our album virtually everywhere. The way I see it, Ideamen has finally made our way up to the bottom & we still have a long way to go. But as far as advice, I'd say to anyone: practice & write great music 1st. If you are going to seek attention, it should be for something that's actually good. Play out, be kind to everybody, find people who like the same things you do, communicate openly, don't fake anything, be as accessible to your friends & fans as possible.

13. Thank you for your time any closing thoughts here..

Thanks for supporting Ideamen. If you, the reader, dig our band, then you should try to do something to help support us. Our Progress EP is out of print, but you can download it on I-Tunes. Buy our new CD directly from us or at Rotten Records. You can get it anywhere but this helps us the most directly. Share our music with friends & your little brothers & sisters. Send your enemies to our website. Repeat.

New Reviews 11/15/2009 (Metal Edition)

Ruins- Front the Final Foes-CD (Debemur Morti Productions)

So I had to review their last CD "Cauldon" from Moribund a few months back now I have some newer material to see where the band is now . This duo has a huge love and respect for Celtic Frost and Satyricon big time on this release as I think Mr Warrior is singing at times. And the music lies between Satyricon and Immortal. The sound and production is top notch this isn't overly extreme just very talented well presented Black metal . At times this release has a stronger melody then the last but still have the strong ties to the Black Death scene they so proudly hold the flag for. I understand there is nothing ground breaking here but does it need to be for an album so simply kick ass within the genre they are so clearly perfect to be in. Ruins is melodic epic Black metal and I need no more.

http://www.debemur-morti.com/


TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM -L'Eterno Maligno Silenzioc-CD (Debemur Morti Productions)

This is a much clearer example of Occult Black metal metal while still in a melodic side the raw elements come out in a much more regular fashion. The guitars and vocals are far rawer at times though we do get the clean chanting vocals that mix in to make Tenebrae In Perpetuum have a very haunting side as well. There is just something sinster about this release as it goes from blistering to a slow plodding black metal ambience that bands like Burzum and Marduk use to use but is really missing in today's BM movement. I think if you a fan of Absu and Mid period Emperor you will be very pleased with this release.

http://www.debemur-morti.com/



VETUS OBSCURUM -Blood Revelations-CD (Debemur Morti Productions)

Much like the band Twilight this is a Black metal supergroup and very similar in sound to Twilight is Vetus Obscurum . We have members from (Krohm, Abazagorath and Drawn and Quartered) . I really feel groups like this love to mix in the avant and dissident sounds with the cold , raw sounds of early black metal assaults. The buzzsaw guitars and very under effected drums work well with the very verbed cleaner guitars, rumbling bass and bleak and tortured vocal style going on with this EP and this another issue I have you put together 4 songs of this level and you just offer an Ep not a full length release. I would have rather waited for a full release and suffered a bit longer. Vetus Obscurum is just one of the best examples of 3 bands styles and sounds coming together and creating a brilliant Black metal release ..

http://www.debemur-morti.com/




WAY TO END -Desecrated Internal Journey-CD (Debemur Morti Productions)

What the fuck is going on here Progressive, Avant Black Noise. I think has fractured my very thoughts of where style lines are draw in extreme music. If Dream Theater, Voivod and Mayhem all formed one group I would be Way To End. With each moment I listen to this I think this band has more in common with later Pestilence, Cynic and Atheist then any other artists just add the black metal vocal arrangements. Debemur Morti is one of these extreme music labels that likes to keep you thinking over and over again. Way to End I hope will allow these digital halls to interview them as I have some very off the wall questions to ask them as there are very jazzy and freeform musical elements going on here. All I can say in closing is if your musical adventurous then this is mandatory need to own period.

http://www.debemur-morti.com/




The Beast of the Apocalypse - A Voice from the Four Horns of the Golden Altar (CD) (Transcendental Creations)

Wow this one of the most barbaric and brutal black metal releases I've heard in a very long time. There is a very noise low fi feeling to this release as a whole. You can hear the most primitive elements of this monster coming out to attack your senses. The Beast of the Apocalypse is very epic in other moments but more in a bombastic nature as they almost hit a punk/industrial/ symphonic feeling like some Beherit/ Samael releases have at their later periods. The vocals are some of the most Tortured Black metal style I've heard in many many years. There is a very strong Pagan/Occult signal being shined here my friends. I will take many listens to understand fully what The Beast of the Apocalypse war cry really is and why its been created. You do get that wow factor often now but in 2009 Transcendental Creation as done it twice 1st with A Forest of Stars and now with this.

http://transcendentalcreations.com/



TOWARDS GLOBAL HOLOCAUST / CHRIST DISMEMBERED – Upon Firmaments of Sacrilege and Genocide-CD (Disease Foundry)

1st off I must just remind you how underratedly amazing Towards global Holocaust is. This is one pissed off Black Industrial Death force. There are few that play this fast, angry and allow the occult and experimental sounds meld within there style so mindnumbly strong. The vocal lines are those of a mental patient off of there meds for who know how long. Again with many bands that are so far out there there is a strong hardcore punk vibe to all that TGH do. Along with Sodom and Kreator my friends. This band should be ruling the top selling artists for labels like Osmose or Drakkar as this is where they would just be perfect for the sickness level they create. This is controlled chaos. 4 songs are just not enough from them. Now on to Christ Dismembered I don't know if I would feel the same about them the 1st track is just recorded so poorly and bassy you can hear almost nothing but bass, drums and vocals. Christ Dismembered are going more for the low end Black Death approach just is such a demo tape in sound and feeling it leaves me wanting so much more. With a better recorded product I could tell you more but if this is what they want and this is the production values that make them happy after 3 songs I'm going to have to pass.

http://www.diseasefoundry.com/

Megasus-S/T-CD (20 Buck Spin)

So this maybe the 1st time I just don't like a 20 buck spin release it has nothing to do with the production at all its just I can not get into stoner music and this is fully want Megasus is . They would fit perfect on Rise Above or Meteor City for a release. Just to groove based and drenched in Ozzy period sabbath sounds. I just do like the trippy nature of it all were bands like Samothrace just don't go so hippee in sound and still try to stay noisy sludge doom. The vocal i just fucking hate so much here I can't make it past 2 tracks.

http://20buckspin.com/




Walken-S/t-CD (Self Released)


This seems to be a self promotional machine in the ways of Heavy Hard rock/ Metallic realm. Walken has 2 members of Grayceon who have releases out on Vendlus label. What this band plays is something very similar to bands like Giant Squid and slough feg in they way they arrange classic metal, doom/ death metal , rock and bluesy hard rock into a very catchy over all sound. The band is minimal on the vocals at times but this seem to work well with the building up of tempo and sounds through out each track. Then they go to what I would call a gothenburg Metal sound that very melodic death metal over tone. Looks like Walken have been playing over 10 yrs as well so they have really mastered there craft. You can hear it in the heavy then delicate guitar riffs. the warm bass lines and the druming that goes from powerhouse to similar and subtle when and were its needed. The vocals are melodic and full on death vox sometimes within the same verse. Walken is the real deal its that simple. If they want a label I'm sure they can have many but I sure they chose to be independent and proud to be so. A true San Fran Rock legend from these ears I really want to hear more and you should as well.

http://walkenroll.com/

New Reviews 11/14/2009 @ AZM (Experimental Edition)

Skitliv- Skandinavisk Misanthropi-CD (Season of Mist)

Well this is my 1st time hearing Skitliv the new project of Maniac ex Mayhem vocalist with Shining members and the 1st track reminded me of the old Ritualistic Ambient days of labels like Dark Vinyl, CMI and World Serpent with a bit of trippy oddity thrown in to good measure . Though as we go into the 1st proper track and no an intro there is a Black Doom element on the track that reminds me of bands like Ancient Wisdom or Dolorian both bands that kick my ass regularly in there passion and vision. Love the Doomy guitar elements with Maniacs very expressive Blackened Industrial vocals. Skitliv goes through so many styles and emotions I can see why Mayhem was just to limiting for Manaic. As the next track is a mix of Monster Magnet and Judas Priest with Black metal overtones all with that electronic element the Mayhem had on Grand Declaration of war... There is just a very strong martial industrial element going on too think of Puissance, Of the wand and the moon and Moon lay hidden beneath the moon etc. Skitliv is so much more then 1 part of the whole. A release like this is going to take many listens to even begin to understand. This is for Metal, Industrial, Experimental fans and more. There are so many layers to this beast. Check it out and witness a fantastic journey that seems to only just begun.
http://season-of-mist.com/


Sektor 304-Soul Cleansing-CD (Malignant Records)

Einsturzende Neubauten, Swans & Non come to mind the second this CD started to play with a healthy does of bands like Control and SkinCrime as well. There is a oppressive percussive element going on with a vocal assault going on mix with noise and loops that would match Slogun in thier anger and angst. I also have the same feeling I got listening to bands like Millita and Inade as I get with Sektor 304 this is not a pleasant journey nor is it suppose to be. There is a darkness and doom sound to Soul Cleansing that is almost in the Earliest of Swans releases. Malignant has made a shift in sound and style with Sektor 304 but still staying in a very Industrial laced background I would say this is the most rock based release Ive heard from the label in years. I dont remember guitars and drums so used in a metallic way before. I love the overall live sound of the release too. I sounds like Sektor 304 are speaking to the masses and it works amazingly well. A must own release...
http://malignantrecords.com/

Aspectee - Morben-CD (First Fallen Star)

Welcome to the world of Dark droning ambient that is very much in the love of bands like Maeror Tri, Schloss Tegal, Mindspawn and Coph nia.. The tones are deep and drifting and give you that feeling of being alone in the realms of space. There is a desolation to all of the soundscapses going on here Aspectee have a huge node to Arecibo project as well. If you are a fan of the more mellow Cold Spring, Manifold, Functional and Malignant releases this will take you by full force and make you fall in love with them all over again. Aspectee is sit in the darkness with the flicker of candle light in the late night /early morning hours of the late fall and early winter and just absorb all the ebbs and flows of Morben and what is projecting to you at that moment. Aspectee is 100% mood music so use it wisely as this can be a powerful ritual if done properly for one mind... Wonderful digipak presentation here as well

http://firstfallenstar.com

Innfallen - Three Days of Darkness-CD (First Fallen Star)

I want to say that Innfallen comes in a brilliant texture A5 digipak and for that alone made me want to open it look at it and take a listen to the project the brown and sepia tones are perfect fit to the Dark Ritualistic Drift material on the CD well at least on the 1st track I'm hearing. Innfallen reminds me of an ambient horror soundtrack something 30 days of Night would have loved or Darker Sci-fi such as Riddick, Blade Runner or even something like Signs would have used to just disturb the mental edge of the watcher. Innfallen to me sound like there letting the dark master approach by the very invokation they are letting lose on us. They are for sure keeping the sounds bands like Endura, Valefor and Kerovnian brought to the forefront of this very eeriee ambient sound. I just worry that Innfallen will have a hard time following up to this release as it is so massive and expansive in sound and textures. Only time will tell where the next release will take us..

http://firstfallenstar.com

Allseits-Hel-CD (Cyclic Law)

1st off this release is going to be near and dear to my soul being a believer and supporter of the Asatru faith. With song titles like Yggdrasil, Garm and Modgudr. This is Occult Dark Drone ambience at its best Allseits is a solo project a female powerhouse named Nina she has just done a collab work with the mighty German Drone duo Troum. This is a bit more active and haunting in nature then traditional drone. Allseits reminds me of Aghast in many way musically and stylisticly. There is a overtone of early Sanctum and Valefor again just is the occultist way all is arranged. If you like Post Scriptvm as well this another project that I feel has a strong kinship in sound. As with all Cyclic law releases the production is second to none. There is always a strict code to all Cyclic law releases and this doesn't miss a moment in art, sound or vision. Allseit is another must listen for any fans of ambient/drone music in the dark arts...

http://cycliclaw.com/

Pelican Interview 11/12/2009

http://www.myspace.com/pelican

1. Pelican has been around for while now; why the can from Hydra head to Southern Lord? Is there a big difference between the 2 labels?

There's not a huge difference between the two labels. We weren't looking for a bigger label, or a drastically different one, we just wanted a try something new with this record. We still have a great relationship with Hydrahead and will continue to.

2. Do you feel you fit more with Post rock, Post Hardcore or metal scene? You seem to mix them all to me...

I feel we mix them all together. We've never really cared about staying true to a genre, we write music that feels natural to us at the time. I don't really listen to much post rock, and I used to listen to hardcore occasionally, and still listen to metal. I think all those genres that you mentioned, come out in our music. We all very have eclectic tastes, and it shows in our music.

3. Does the fact there are no vocals does it make it more of struggle to get people to give Pelican a chance?

I'm sure it turns some people off. But, people who sit down and are patient with music, make better fans. I'm glad that those are the people listening to us, and not some dude that just wants to hear a catch phrase.

4. Are live shows very different from recordings? Do you improvise more as there isn't a vocalist there?

The live shows don't change much from the studio to the stage. They might be a touch faster or slower, but mostly we play them exactly how they were recorded. We really try to recreated the recorded songs live, we've never leave any room for improv. The songs are fully written and end up being long enough as is, we don't need to add a 10 min jam out to March into the Sea!

5. I find a strong love of bands like Neurosis, Mogwai, Isis and Porcupine Tree all mixed together in Pelicans sound. Where did that sound come from in the bands eyes?

Well, when we started the band we were thinking more along the lines of Goatsnake and Godflesh. Goatsnake was a big inspiration for Laurent when he began writing the first batch of Pelican songs. For me, I always looked to Neurosis for heavy bass tones. I really had no idea who Porcupine Tree was until about a year ago, a friend of mine gave me a CD in Chicago.

6. Would the band like to have a long form video or DVD released? Your music is very visual to my ear.
We released a DVD a few years back, it was a live show from London. We also just did a limited run of the new record which comes with a DVD with studio footage and some live stuff. A video is in the works for "A Final Breath," so yeah, we are into trying out visual ideas.

7. "What we all need to come" has a lot of guests on it from Mr Anderson of SunnO))/ Southern Lord to Aaron of Isis/ Hydra head etc . How did this all come to be? This release seems a lot more diverse then other titles too - was that all part of the plan?
I guess it was part of the plan, we just wanted to ask friends to help out. I think working with Dylan Carlson on the "Ephemeral" ep got us going on the guest idea. We started thinking of the songs we had written and who would work well on them. We just started asking around, and everyone we asked said yes.

8. Being from Chicago, and the Midwest in general, did the Touch and Go / Kranky/ Thrill Jockey/ Amrep sound influence the bands sound a lot?
Totally, I'm a big Jesus Lizard fan and I grew up listening to a lot of Thrill Jockey releases. I was a little late on the Am Rep stuff, but I came around 5 years or so, ago. Now all of that comes out in my playing lately.

9. Are the Members of Pelican fans of the digital age or is it a downfall of the indie music scene for you?
It has is pro and cons. The digital age has made music so accessible that people in Russia or New Zealand can easily listen to a band from the states, and vice versa. A lot of our success is due to digital media. On the downside, the tangible aspect of music is becoming lost, like vinyl and cover art. People don't read liner notes and don't know who recorded or put out a record. I'm always stuck in the middle on this question. I was around before cell phones and the internet, so I know we can function without these things. But, I know my Iphone is pretty fucking cool!

10. What US economy is the toilet has this tour been a struggle or are Pelican fans still coming out in strong numbers?
The economy is definitely having an effect on turn outs at clubs all over the country. I hear it from all the promoters, but they keep booking shows. A lot of places have closed this year, even the Knitting Factory closed.

11. The artwork for "What we all need to come" is amazing. Does it file the theme your trying to go for in the music and who did this artwork as well?
Its a photo from a guy in Tempe, AZ named Andrew Weiss. The color and manipulation was all done by Seldon Hunt.

12. What are some of the bands that Pelican are listening to on regular basis these days?
I've been rocking Grails "Doomsdayer's Holiday" quite a bit. Satyricon "The Age of Nero," and Thin Lizzy, any of the the late 70's recording, I prefer "Fighting" while I cook.

13. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts here..
Yeah, I just made the best braised red cabbage I ever ate!

New Reviews @ Absolute Zero Media 11/7/2009

RAISE THE RED LANTERN S/T CD (At a loss records)

At a loss is a label that just kick ass to me they have all the great Post Hardcore, Sludge and Noise Rock bands before the goto the major indie leagues Raise the red lantern is no different. Kylesa, Black Cobra, Dead Bird and Baroness have all made this label home before the move to bigger and more poweful. Raise the red latern remind me a mix of the best sludge and most under rated of all bands Crowbar mix with a heavy dose of Prog Metal mix with Experimental elements from bands like Mastodon , Zombi and Giant Squid. I think you get the idea I'm going with here there a strong Voivod style in the guitar and drumming arrangements too. The point being that this band kicks ass and it won't be long till the sign to Relapse, Hydrahead or Century Media and take over the world.

http://www.atalossrecordings.com/

AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS- Black Medicine / Fekete Orvossag CD (Paragon Records)

Experimental Black Death is what we have from AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS . There is a strong love of Khold, Satyricon and Taake for my ears. There is a raw yet Progessive BM vibe going on here all in the same track . I really enjoy the clean melodic moments then they go to a raw blasting riff with the deep guttural Black Death vocal and back to the torn throat style. Then at the next turn I swear there is something you would hear out of a Edge of Sanity track. AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS are a band from hungry they only other kick ass band from Hungry I know are Negura Bunget and both are in the black metal realm but very different. I do hear a strong Immortal love going on here as well. Paragon is a US label that very rarely dissapoints and that is very rare these days. Hell they even do a great cover of the Marduk song "Black Demon"

http://paragonrecords.org/

Defiance- The Prophecy-CD (Candlelight Records)

Remember this band they were a good solid bay area thrash band bay in the 80/90's. Well with the trash revival at its peak again this unit with members that went on to Skinlab, Violence and Forbidden to name a few are back. The Prophecy CD reminds me a mix of old days Testament and Dark Angel. Steev the vocals is in love with Chuck Billy's vocals as at times I swear he sounds like Practice what you preach period vox. There is nothing ground breaking here but for fans of good thrash metal is is actually a more powerful statement then anything they have done before this. I would say if he has a choice stick with Defiance as Skinlab really ran it course a few albums ago. I'm really a sucker for melodic thrash guitar with a technical rhythm section and this has all that and more..

http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Månegarm - Nattväsen-CD (Regain Records)

Swedish Viking metal with a strong touch of Black metal hell ya get the ale horns raised high and sign the praises to Wodan and all the Asguardians above.. If you have a love for good viking metal Older Thrfying, Mithotyn, Falkenbach and Einherjer then you have the very essence of what Manegarm is going for the seem to have found a strong home with Regain and they have a strong love for the sounds of the heathen and viking as well. This Manegarm as a bit more of a power metal vibe in the Blind Guardian/ Angra feeling but that just adds to the magic of the release as well. There is great acoustic and sing along viking moments going on through out this majestic title. This is a title not to miss out on I will be adding this to my digital audio player tonight for repeat listening.

http://www.regainrecords.com/

Ideamen -May You Live In Interesting Times-CD (Rotten Records)

Rotten Records has beens all over the place Punk, Indie, Metal and just down right avant. I fucking love Ideamen!!! If you can mix 4 of my fave bands into one band you have this in Ideamen. You have Faith No More, Tub Ring, Polka Dot Cadaver and Kings X . There are so many more styles then this too ( Ben folds five comes to mind ) but Ideamen mix Pop, Metal, Jazz, shoegazer, electro, blues and post rock elements all into one band that just blows my mind. This band should be huge they should rule the world but as we all know band this fantastic all just get cult following and get pick apart by a watered down verison of the similar idea and they sell 10,000,000 cds. My case and post is Dog Disco Fashion a band that was so amazing and never broke through. Rotten Records you need to get this to commerical radio and videos on M2 and get them to play on shows like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.... Mark my words this band could be the saviors of the indie music scene they are just that god damn good..... I'm floored by this band a must own or your missing out on our generation of the Beatles or Beach boys....

http://rottenrecords.com/

Insomnium- Across the dark-CD (Candlelight Records)

This is the perfect mix of gothic, doom metal and melodic death metal to mix your very soul weep. The mix the elements of a few very well know projects to my ears, Amorphis, Dark Tranquility and Katatonia into a mix of sounds that are almost hypnotic at times . The guitars are massive and subdued all at the same time. There is the warm mid tempo that all good gothenburg death metal has and the delicate piano and string movement work so well with the raspy almost haunting death vocals. There are moments I swear this band is little brothers of many of Swedish bands in the metal scene. Insomnium also have a large love of Dan Swano and Opeth don't fool yourself for a moment. I can see why Candlelight is hyping this band so much they can fit so many metallic side of many many scene and bring them all together. Winner Winner here.

http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com/