Single
taken from the bands upcoming full-length album
Released
2nd May 2015
Effing Brutal!
Mortishead – Bristol, UK
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Mortishead
Genre: Disgusting Metal
Biography:
"Bristol
based bastards 'MORTISHEAD' are
redefining heavy groove with a barbaric assault of brutal riffs, teeth-gritting
drops, and a guttural dominion that will tear you a new one"
Handsome bunch of bastards!
4
minutes 31 seconds and counting every minute where Mortishead are concerned. Bristolians be aware that Mortishead are in your part of the
world – you lucky bastards!!
The
pure agitation and ravaging grooves kick hard on this single as it explodes
into a tumultuous affair. The vocals by Luke sounds like he is gargling razor
blades!! And the music sounds like it was freshly spewed out of Satan’s
basement!
I
mean that in a positive way as well, as if I need to explain myself! This track is a ‘heavy as fuck’ composition
that is mesmerising and oh so delicious – so savour it or be condemned to hell
for all eternity!
Blood thirsty!
The
evil emanates from every disgusting pore that the band have created. This is a ravaging hotbed of coarse tonsil
inflicted malignancy that borders on hysteria!
Its
melodic core is nothing but caustic and highly potent and most definitely
addictive in every sense of the word! It must be as I have listened 666 times
already! Hmmm that number seems familiar!
Talk
about appetite for destruction – the viciousness is unbridled, uncontrolled and
undisciplined and is likely to send you berserk and your neighbours too as your
fingers reach for the repeat yet again so you can wrap yourself in the violent
fracas that invades the aural so explosively!
It
more than embraces ferocity it lives it in every breath and every rhythm that
is forcibly vomited from its rabid belly!
The
malignant surge of vile secretions are brutal and equally as savage are the
barrage of drums that desperately try to stop the track from facing its own
oblivion by keeping it focused.
The
rousing riffs are seriously compelling and stir up emotions of pure hate and
sonic emotions that are passionately embedded within the potent layers of its unique
magnitude.
Enriched
with tenacity and vehement torture this track is perfection personified, permeating
sheer madness that is bolstered by dominance!
Looking
forward to getting my claws into the full-length album for sure – the neighbours
are gonna love me!
“Serpentyne was
created in London in 2010 by founder members Maggie-Beth Sand and Mark Powell,
inspired by a combination of early music, folk, Celtic, world and rock.
They
recorded their first album, "Stella Splendens" that year, basing it
on traditional mediaeval texts and tunes from England, Spain and France,
arranged in their own style and blending instruments such as cittole,
hurdy-gurdy, harmonium, portative organ, medieval drums, crumhorns, recorders,
and Maggie's voice.
Serpentyne has now
grown into a 6 to 8 piece band and has now released its second album,
"Myths & Muses" which is based on medieval, traditional and
mythic themes, this album has a stronger rock element!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Occasionally
an album gets sent over that you simply cannot ignore and this is one such
time. Serpentyne have created an
amazing album that uses instruments that aren’t in every day use like the Didgeridoo,
Horns, Cittole, Bouzouki, Nickelharpa and Hurdy Gurdy, and composed 11 of the
most beautifully inspiring tracks ever.
Although
you will have your favourites, but each time you listen to a track you can hear
various sounds that don’t normally hear on an album and that is diversity to
the max!
The
mere fact the band incorporate techno with folk is something to behold and you
don’t have to dig deep to appreciate it!
A Rosebud in June
A
luminous light shines from the sky above angelic voices. The earthy tones and
lilting rhythms fit like a jig saw puzzle. The blend of some unheard of musical
instruments keeps the medieval theme alive, so throw caution to the wind and
get involved in its joyous sounds.
Alexandria
The
unusual sounds of a hurdy gurdy and mature female vocal is likely to send shivers
down your spine. The tones and jaunty rhythms are diverse and interesting
within the confines of the tracks and indeed very catchy.
Boudicca
This
track just bristles with creativity and magic and sweeps you back to ancient
times. The haunting vocal is tempered as well as dynamic amid a skittish array
of foot tapping melodies, glorious harmonies and hooks to match, that are brilliantly
executed and my favourite track so far.
Superb track!
Douce Dame Jolie
Gentle
flute floats on a bed of dark ambient sound and sung in French adds that
seductive touch. The rhythms sway carries you into a dream-like world of
imagination and rich landscapes.
Freya’s Firedance
Straight
away this captures the soul and imagination with its rumbling rhythmic coaxing
and outstanding melodic combat! It’s distinctive, exciting and totally
unpredictable! The lilting female voices shroud the track in a hazy intrigue
that is pure bliss to experience.
Gaudette
Takes
its time and holds a rather sinister edge with single bells tolling amid gentle
harmonic voices – it does sound rather sad and poignant unlike the previous track,
although it picks up pace a little further on when male voice join in the
harmonies.
Hymn to Cynthia
Another
wave of bubbling rhythms with flute and organ and a host of other unmentionable
instruments come into play. The track employs a haunting ambience that is
amazingly uplifting.
The
powerful grip of the track paints an interesting picture of medieval Britain.
The harmony and peace is levelled with French lyrics and is a striking piece of
writing and musicianship.
Les Garcons de Montagne
The
underlying tones of this track breed a certain solitude that allows you to
engage in its beauty, until it gathers momentum and throws its own party. The
rhythms never lose touch with the listener and sparks up a bond that cannot be
severed.
Pastyme with good Company
This
has a more modern feel to it even though the same instruments are used to
produce the sounds. The beat is fiery and invigorating adding spice as it
emotively forges ahead with its embracing fluid structures that are highly provocative.
Another terrific track!
Valkyries
This
track again offers a more modern twist of sound with edgy beats and permeates
an appealing captivation that absorbs the senses and emotions. It lays down
taunting melodies and sweet angelic voices that melt with the tumultuous
rhythms.
Summary:
A
highly unusual album that gnaws at the ear lobes and captivates with a full on
presence.
It
simply keeps your mind, body and soul engaged and fully occupied as the
haunting contagious rhythms encompass you and make you obey their rules.
It
invades with crippling effect as the sounds are compelling and expressive and
so draw you into their tempting medieval melodies.
It
is virtually impossible not to get caught up in this album as track after track
is like a magnet it seduces and pulls you toward its dramatic encounters. Serpentyne are indeed a force to be
reckoned with and offer some mature sounds that demand attention and will
certainly get it!
The
lingering sounds are captivating in all the right places and an inspiring
listen. Personally I can listen to this
all night – although my favourite tracks are ‘Boudicca’ and ‘Pastyme with good
Company’ because of the vibrant rhythms that have your body under strict
control but still allowing your mind to wander.
The
passion simply oozes from this mesmerising album that is packed with elegant
melodies and steely enterprise.
There’s
a secret ancient writing that stems from an unknown alien civilisation, a
contract between Humans and Aliens about the use of planet Earth. The
government calls it „Omega Diatribe”
This contract says Humans could only use the Earth in a limited time. Overtime
is not allowed. When our time is over they’ll come back and take us to a higher
level planet. Only the open minded people could survive the transmission,
because their mind can undergo the changes of the human body!”
Subsequent Phase
The
band tyrannise with huge slabs of ever deepening grooves and harsh rhythms that
coerce the listener to participate in the overall experience. The hellacious
riffs are caustic and turbulent holding perfect hostile uncompromising
temptation, while the vocals graze with intent to harm!
Extrinsic
With
a battering of powerful beats the track looms larger than life and shows no
mercy within its towering structure. The tirade of cavernous grooves implant
themselves into the brain, making their mark a very memorable one!
The
frenzy continues as the ever ripening riffs grow to their extreme intensity and
ravish the aural cavities with their vibrant blazing adventure. Vocally
unbelievable as they scour the depths of depravity!
Abstract Ritual
The
title track adds yet more spice to an already hot album! The choking riffs and
smothering rhythms niggle and embed themselves into a typhoon of sound that
puts the band right in the spotlight.
The Quantum
The
band slow the pace down at the beginning and through-out, the entirety of the
track. The deep hardened tones make the
skin burst out into goose-bumps as the sampled voice, in its monotone style
lies awkwardly on a repetitive stringed arrangement that combines ambient with
haunting.
Unshadowed Days (Perception
Remix)
This
is quite a surprise as the delicate strings mixed with electric riffs are
gripping and enthralling to witness. It gallops at an even pace that allows for
a thrilling encounter. The vocal contamination is brutal, to the extreme end of
the scale while contagious bass hooks infiltrate the track through-out.
Summary:
The
intense grooving and screamo vocal onslaught are high energy although the
rhythms are heavy and precise but together they work wonders on the ears!
The
sheer brutality oozes and drips with every riff and rhythm that goes into
making a groove more like a ravine!
It
is what I would term a beauty and the beast album. The harshness of its character is beast like
while the beauty remains hidden inside and occasionally showing its slightly
calmer side.
It
is rich in emotions if you love hardened grooves – (which I am particularly
partial to, I may add) so for me it has been a barbarous adventure that clearly
paves the way for a thoroughly pleasurable listen!
It
hits the spot with like a sledge hammer and the brutality never falters for a
moment so keeping you well in the zone, allowing you that orgasmic luxury of unperturbed savagery!
I am happy to report that Metal
is alive and kicking in Hungary!
Live album recorded March 20th at the
outpost in Kent Ohio
Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Biography:
“BENIGHTEN EMPIRE was
formed by Sean M Kratz and Nathan Kearns in 2008 from the ashes of death metal
band Eviscerated. Over the next few
years the duo released three albums and played a handful of shows, but it was a
studio project at best. Then that all
changed in the summer of 2012 when Sean and Nathan recruited Bassist/vocalist
Brent Harris. Soon after guitarists
Justin Fiorelle and Taylor Reverendo joined the group to take their sound live,
full time, and to the next level. Now
with their line-up complete BENIGHTEN EMPIRE
is prepared to take the world by force with their blackened melodic death
metal...!”
Through Hell (Live)
As
with most live performances the sound can be a little scatchy at best but being
a blackened death metal band they can get away with not sounding too polished
and it adds a certain ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ to the proceedings. The vocals are immense being fiery and
obnoxious, while the music is heavy and riff-fuelled.
Omnipotent (Live)
The
scourge of deep throated growls rip through the festering riffs and barrage of
beats and is a superb exploit by Benighten
Empire. The cruel ferocity can be absorbed and digested by the extreme
metal head with ease.
Descend from Fire and Ice (Live)
The
ferocious turbulence continues with venomous soaked viciousness as the thick
threads are pulled together to produce an impressive confrontation hosting a
pure evil attitude.
Casket (Live)
This
is a shrill sounding track that emerges from murky tempestuous waves of squalor
bringing with it deep unbridled emotions. The tones are steeped in scorched
energetic lures while still maintaining that dark evil edge.
“The
band allows you to get comfortable and then fucks with your mind. Immersing you
into brutal seduction Benighten Empire strikes back with potent enterprise and layers that are quick to impress!”
Making
its presence felt this track delivers a magnetically inflamed rhythmic chunk of
madness that swells with high energy pulses. The vocals are deep throated and
gruff spewing out what sounds like demonic obscenities – Great track!
Live at the Outpost, Kent Ohio 20.3.15
Video courtesy of 13aBy KiLLeR
Flesh ripped from Oblivion
(Live)
This
one twists and turns with a malevolent attitude. The melodic tones are deep seated in
heaviness and inescapable! It is a potent muscular offering that forges into
its own oblivion. The rhythmic persuasion is spellbinding!
Pale as Death
Makes
you stop and think ‘am I listening to a blackened death metal band?’ as the
haunting voices float over the top of a rather angelic tone. Its repetitiveness
is spine-chilling and I am waiting for a raucous frenzy to begin any second...
however, it isn’t forthcoming but the brooding ambience takes over a lot
further on in the track and starts to build, making the anticipation literally
boil over – this is one amazing track that really showcases the bands diverse
writing abilities.
Summary:
As
they say it isn’t all doom and gloom in fact with Benighten Empire you get that and more! The superb vocal enterprise
is swept along on a feast of hungry riffs and distinct attitude.
The
band allows you to get comfortable and then fucks with your mind. Immersing you into brutal seduction Benighten Empire
strikes back with potent enterprise and layers that are quick to impress.
The
sound could be crisper but as mentioned this isn’t really a problem for a band
of this genre who exploit their dark side extremely well and bring to the fore
a deep creativity that subsequently attention grabs, especially with the final
surprise track!
These
four guys bring together a united front which in turn provides the listener
with deep riveting grooves of metal that intensifies and smothers the emotions
in a rich cascade of exciting tones.
It
is a very robust album that turns incredibly fragile at the end! Personally I
think the band should keep this as a trademark!
Genre: Black, Blues Heavy Rock, Dark Old School
Metal
Discography:
Garden
of Darkness January 2014
Of my
Sins September 2013
Biography:
“Blacken Light cast
its first shadow in June of 2011 as a solo project to continue making Metal
Music after a long Hiatus from the scene. With Influences that Include Sabbath,
Priest, Maiden, Pantera, Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, Kansas and many more,
Blacken Light is continuing the Old School Metal tradition.
This
is a Metal/Blues Song that tells the story of how a man struggles to exist,
rather than live, his life!”
With
this ever evolving world we live in, among chaos and turmoil it is comforting
to think that when something changes, if ever so slightly, it can be for the
good and Russ Hulett has been quite
clever in adding changes while still keeping a foot wedged in the door of
traditional old school metal.
This
track is without a doubt old school, there’s no getting away from that, but
added into its familiar guise is a flavour of blues. The hard hitting riffs are
dynamic with a sleazy vocal and tempered beats.
The
grooves are deep but are still slick and flow endlessly throughout the tracks
entirety. It reawakens the past with energy and flavoursome layers built into
its chunky structures.
The
mellifluous melody is heavily blues laden giving it that flowing ebb while the
electric guitar wreaks havoc so all in all, it is an intoxicating listen that
grows from familiar riffs that are deep rooted.
Blacken Light’s other
tracks are very different to the above and are darker in tone and mood casting
an ambient shadow across a well-travelled path.
