Wretched - Beyond The Gate

Wretched's brand of death-stained melodics are something that comes almost like a breath of fresh air from the younger generation of musicians. Before I get on my soapbox I would just like to point out how nice the leads on this album sounds; their crisps, clean tone flow nicely throughout the album while the drums and bass pound away some pretty interesting rhythms in the back. The opener on this album starts out fast, dropping you pretty much in medias res with riffs slicing at your throat as soon as she kicks off. The album has a nice runtime at just over 40 minutes, it only slows down to set the stage for the larger tracks. The interludes on here are also pretty nice, lots of good ideas that seem to end before they're complete but whether or not this is a good or bad thing (intentional or not), it definitely adds a lot to this album and makes it stand out. So if you're looking for a magic combination of Decrepit Birth's 'Polarity' and The Black Dahlia Murder's 'Nocturnal' well...then this might get you gubbins moist.

STEAL

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Revocation - Existence Is Futile

While thrash may be quite dead (despite revivalist effort) there are bands operating in the genre that still create an interesting new playing field for any other bands soon to follow. Revocation levels the board with their blend of technical guitar and bass playing and upbeat rhythms/riffage. Combining the old trimmings of bands like Megadeth and Slayer with the later work of Voivod, Death, Between The Buried and Me and Aspid this band makes a new beast all of their own device. There are a lot of bands out there trying to reimagine thrash and let's face it, these guys are getting right in ways I could never have imagined. Superb musicianship, radical songwriting and high-flying leads filled with an odd sense of (dare I say) whimsy and hope. Surprisingly catchy song-structure makes this album one hell of a new release. Nice to see a young band tearin' it up.

DISMANTLE MY DICK-TATOR

Part Chimp - Thriller

When it comes to noisy rock music of the stoned out variety, normally I know my deal but surprisingly this band slipped under my radar. Coincidentally I saw the cover of this record somewhere before and I tried to make a mental note to download/buy it somewhere but sadly (as my memory is rather shit these days) about a year later I still couldn't remember. Luckily Steve Brooks (America's Sweetheart of Torche/Floor fame) posted them on his page and my mind went all a twitter with excitement. Upon listening to it for the first time, it had everything I could ever want. Dreamy guitars with fabulously HEAVY low-end and nimble-but-punishing drums. The vocals slide and drip over this big stoner-sundae like 'butters drippin' ovah hot biscuits'. Nothing sounds better to my ears right now. Epic in every sense of the word.

Let me put it into words:

If the magazine 'Heavy Metal' had a soundtrack, this would be it. That's right; the only album ever to really match the awesomeness of monster slayin' babes and hunks behind the controls of a massive starship and maybe even a dragon fighting an eagle or some shit. It's just THAT good.


Imagine if you will, a world where Floor, Melvins, Big Business, Sonic Youth and Black Sabbath were all one and the same.

I'M GOING TO MAKE YOUR ASSHOLE LOOK LIKE A USED TIRE

Leviathan - The Tenth Sub Level Of Suicide

Leviathan is one of those one-man-bands that manages to crank out interesting and layered music with each release, this one in particular is fantastically stellar right down to the amazingly nimble basslines that dance under the ethereal guitars like witches at the Sabbat. Everything here is done right in ways beyond imagining; the vocals are potent and vicious while the drums keep their pace excellently even in the more haunting passages between blasts, the bass is perfect in the mix and the guitar maintains its lo-fi "chill" while sounding vibrant and lively. Definitely a great release to keep you company during these cold winter months.


Kill Yourself

Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini

Enslaved are back with their Prog-infused Black Sword swinging high over their heads. No holds barred experimentation (albeit not to the level of SOOOME bands we listen to) and some nice vocal dynamics make this album a real trip. With the soothing singing mixed with the blood-curdling growls over a typhoon of riffs backed by blistering drums while flighty guitar leads soar like blackbirds over this sonic battle field. As someone of Norwegian descent, it's refreshing to see a band portraying the wisdom of Odin and his followers as more than "KILL, MAIM, BURN" type shite (not that it's not enjoyable) but this combines all the majesty of the land of its origination. The cold atmosphere mixed with the unspeakable beauty inherent to the snowy wastes and mountain-highs. This record builds on the sound of 'Vertebrae' and brings even more to the table. Once again, this is a band with a lot under their belt and a lot more to add to their trophy case.

DRINK FROM THE FOUNTAIN

Melechesh - Sphynx

Progressive Sumerian Black Metal? You bet your mother's burka it is! This band has been in and around my radar for quite some time and here and there I've dabbled in them with varying results each time but since it is NOTHING BUT BLACK METAL NOVEMBER it's really put me in the prime listening to mood for this type of stuff. With primo guitar tone that combines the mighty Deathified-black thrash attack of later Behemoth with the Saurian-monolithic guitar stylings of Nile. Instruments from the country of inspiration are present throughout, with tablas (and possibly others I'm unaware of) weaving in and out of the music, bringing with them the taste of bloody sand stuck in your teeth as the scarabs tear through your soft, sun-baked skin. If you like monstrous riffs, precision drumming and originality; this band is for you. A must have for any fan of Black Metal or Metal PERIOD. A great release, it's a shame it took me this long to find it.


PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!