Jack the Stripper - Raw Nerve - 11 Track Album - Polymath - Independent - Release Date 1st August 2016

Jack the Stripper

Raw Nerve

11 Track Album

Polymath

Independent

Release Date 1^st August 2016

Jack the Stripper – Melbourne, Australia

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/jtsmusic

Genre: Metal

Biography:

“Formed in 2007, Melbourne’s Jack the Stripper have cemented their reputation in Australia’s metal scene with their fierce and innovative brand of chaotic hard core, a relentless work ethic and an atypical, ferocious on-stage prowess. Considered by many to be a boundary-pushing, total sensory-inclusive, interactive extreme experience, and one of the most incredibly intense live shows on the circuit today. 

The band’s candid and visceral approach has gained them many plaudits from both fans and critics alike, leading them to be listed as “The best heavy live performance in Australia” by Triple J. The band released their first E.P “Black Annis” in 2009. The band proceeded to tour Australia and began building a name for their stunning live shows. They released their first full length “Raw Nerve” in 2013. A record that ‘I Probably Hate Your Band’ proclaimed as “up there with the giants of the genre”

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There is rather an epic feel to Jack the Strippers blend of metal, as it roars intensely and swaggers to its own tune! The name suggests a comedy take on a serious subject which is quite clever although probably gives off the wrong vibe where metal is concerned, although the album cover relays a lot of mixed emotions.

Raw Nerve – One minute and ten seconds of engaging metal can be experienced here, and just whet’s the appetite for what is about to follow…..

Nibiru – The damming vocal hatred is surrounded by a grueling beat and raucous rhythms that take the fever pitch to monumental heights. The monster has been unleashed!

United in Guilt – is a startling rampage of fueled malignancy as the vocal scourges singe the tender flesh of the ears and compels the listener to an inch of their lives in a brooding contagion.

Track Marks – very bold and forthright the discordant ear-piercing vocal squawks out a brutal and un-harmonious endeavor, although the music is quite melodic in its own way and is very addictive!

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"Metal porn for the ears!"

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Black Hole Fetish Love is Cheap – the essences here are brutish, raw and damming! The climate is one of extreme aggression with nightmarish scathing vocal.

Long night in Hades – the chanting makes this track appealing in a raw sense of the word. The high pitched noises and low toned growls snarl every which way in a compelling melee of emotion!

Torrance – sees the introduction of a female voice sample that is quickly replaced by a thunderous roar. Its tinny mish mash of guitar and drums are an instantaneous hit as it seethes to its close.

Out of your Reach – The rawness continues with unabated hatred and anger as the far reaching screams push the boundaries with eager intent. The music is compelling and once again reveals its angry nature on the innocent.

Aghast – will strike the fear of terror into you make no mistake! The fast paced fever pitch returns once more in a frenzy of smouldering metal that sounds sinister in approach and devours on impact.

Nothing Changes – begins with an eerie squeak of frets that morphs into a forthright drum beat. The vocals are unyielding and contain more power than a nuclear power station.

Grinning Death – plunging the listener into a nightmarish revelry, one can only hope they make it through the other side unscathed! Hardly likely as the music grips with a cast iron fist and does not let up until its grisly end.

Summary

The slings and arrows from Jack the Stripper are superbly rhythmic and contagious and they really alert the senses in a striking and bold way. The vocals are deliciously grating and virulent along with the music.

Energetic and punchy it comes together in one swarming mass of unadulterated metal that more than whet’s the appetite for people with sheer combustible imaginations!

It does contain melodic pangs although it concentrates more on being totally hellish and raw, certainly living up to its title.

With this type of metal the diversity can only be stretched so far, although it does give off a riveting character that screams in all the right places.

No matter where you turn there is always more brutality to be had on ‘Raw Nerve’ and Jack the Stripper know just how to turn on the charm and engage fully with its audience!

9/10

Track List:

Raw Nerve

Nibiru

United in Guilt

Track Marks

Black Hole Fetish Love is Cheap

Long night in Hades

Torrance

Out of your Reach

Aghast

Nothing Changes

Grinning Death

Members:

Luke Frizon - Vocals

Julian Renzo – Guitar

Adam Harris - Guitar

Tim Anderson – Bass

Max Reps - Drums

Natanas - Best of Collection 2014 - 2015 - 17 Track Album - Release Date 17th July 2016

Natanas

Best of Collection 2014 – 2015

17 Track Album

Release Date: 17^th July 2016

Written for Blackened HordeZine

Natanas – Rock Springs, Wyoming, USA

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/xNatanasx

Additional Information:

All instrumentation and vocals performed by Namtaräum, except vocals on Soul Retrieval which were performed by Lord Narcissus of Ulfrinn (lordnarcissus.com), also the vocal track on Anneliese Wept is a sample of an exorcism tape from the 1970s of Anneliese Michel. Recorded in 2014, 2015 at Natanas Studios in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Genre: Black Metal

Biography:

“Natanas have released twenty two tracks between 2014 and 2015. This is the abridged essence of that time period and represents his favourite material. All tracks are remixed, remastered, some changed quite a bit. The early tracks retain their original drum tracks unmolested, because the imperfections therein are part of the soul of those releases. The evolution of the sound is tracked herein. Also included is a bonus song recorded for this compilation entitled Soul Retrieval featuring Lord Narcissus from Ulfrinn on vocals!”

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Like with most black metal it is gnarly and oppressive, although the first track on this album holds a dark whistling vocal, almost like heavy breathing and a repetitive edge that is quite addictive. The next track Treachery from Treachery is slower and spasmodic in its dark delivery, but holds some amazing strings that are quite delicate and lift the track from its black metal roots if only slightly. Transcend from Смертность holds a robotic sampled voice and then surges into a nasty gargling vocal with scratchy riffs attached, which is more in keeping with its black metal fundamentals. Viscosity from Xylophar simply ambles through a black haze of dream-like chords that are steadied by a monotonous rhythm. G1 from Ghirelliam (Йиреллиам) is spiced with brooding and striking chords and added solid bass, that gives it a sad and melancholic feel that further on turns dark and atmospheric. Mutual from Chæphron (Кифрон) resonates with a powerful black judder of notes and a vocal that scythes through its paces in a deep cutting tone. Drift from Splitting the Serpent's Tongue opens with joyful birdsong amid a haunting keyboard and various other little incidental noises before conjuring up a blackened groove and the perpetual grinding whispered vocal encounter, but possessing a good strong melody. Misadventure is quite epic in its delivery with sophistication and use of an orchestral building of instruments that grow amid a sobering damming vocal. Entropic from Entropic lets rip with steely intentions and a certain rebel rousing that is consumed in a murky haze sounding extremely demonic. My Sinew Constitutes Desolation from Sodom et Rex Infernum has angular riffs that are sparse, cold and sombre, although it does take on a quickening pace early on in the track and delivers with a sickening blow to the gut. Don't Let Me Linger plods on its way with foreboding strings before the vocals come whistling in and giving off a vibe of demonic possession. Useless (Chugger Pump) has an eerie edge that is choked in ambiance and sombre leanings although the uplifting haunting melody keeps it from sinking totally to the depths. Two Ounces of Diphenhydramine is probably what you need when listening to this as it takes its bold steps into the darkness and emerges amid a smokescreen of obscure contagion. Anneliese Wept is a track that looks at the demonic possession of Anneliese Michael. Being ravaged by a stark drum beat and haunting strings it does brood and conjures up a dark force all its own but not as devilish as it could be to really sense the feeling of what the girl went through. Nunc Occidere Me from Pleromic Entrapment the initial opening is one of electric strings that resonate profusely with jabbing drum beats and doesn’t seem to lift from its monotone raptures. Choronzon Takes Aim once again a strong riff generates amid a haunting female sampled operatic voice adding to the tracks eeriness. Soul Retrieval ft. Lord Narcissus embarks on a deadly stint of moodiness with essences that brood malignance with an outpouring of antagonistic vocals.

Black metal can be extremely boring at times sounding disjointed and familiar with no real direction other than one way and that is to hell usually, however Natanas has captured a brooding essence of black magic shall we say, as each track although dark, evil and foreboding possesses a real tenebrous cloud that follows it through-out the album.

The uplifting riffs keep the tracks from sinking into their devilish pit and put a sinister edge on things with haunting consequences.

It is quite a depressing album though with lots of sombre incantations and moody presence but it is what you would expect of this genre. If you allow it to embrace you then you find things within its confines that quite easily will astound you, if on the other hand you refuse to listen as it isn’t your bag, you will never understand the black magic twist that lies in wait.

9/10

Track List:

Guilt Rotting in the Gut from All Is Permitted [2014]

Treachery from Treachery [2014]

Transcend from Смертность [2015]

Viscosity from Xylophar (Зилофар) [2015]

G1 from Ghirelliam (Йиреллиам) [2015]

Mutual from Chæphron (Кифрон) [2015]

Drift from Splitting the Serpent's Tongue (Natanas / Music Distroyer Split) [2015]

Misadventure from Natanas / Ulfrinn Split [2015]

Entropic from Entropic [2015]

My Sinew Constitutes Desolation from Sodom et Rex Infernum [2015]

Don't Let Me Linger from Natanas / Bukavac Split [2015]

Useless (Chugger Pump) from Natanas / Vore Split [2015]

Two Ounces of Diphenhydramine from Pedicabo eam omnes (bonus track on that release) [2015]

Anneliese Wept from Pedicabo eam omnes [2015]

Nunc Occidere Me from Pleromic Entrapment / Mustan Roihun Demot (split with Nekroverse) [2015]

Choronzon Takes Aim (Sinking Deeper) from Dolor [2015]

Soul Retrieval ft. Lord Narcissus (bonus) [2016]

Members:

Namtaräum - Vocals and all instruments

Howling Giants - Black Hole Space Wizard - 4 Track E.P - Release Date: 12th August 2016

Howling Giants

Black Hole Space Wizard

4 Track E.P

Release Date: 12^th August 2016

Written for Demented Magazine

Howling Giants – Nashville, Tennessee

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/howlinggiant

Genre: Rock

Biography:

“Howling Giant is what happens when three nerds write about space travel, doomed seafarers, and a sentient android hell bent for a camel killing death crusade. Howling Giant plays self-indulgent, drop-tuned, fuzzed out riffs that could curdle milk. Slingin’ riffs like they're getting paid for it!”

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Growing up in Nashville – home of Country Music, I fully understand why the band chose to take a path that lead them to rock music and choosing a name that supports their special blend of rock as Spokesman, drummer Zach Wheeler explains: “The name is no accident and reflects the band’s music. Howling Giant sounds a lot like a loud beast, which is what we strive to do musically. We aim to create a full sound that people might normally expect from a five-piece rather than a power-trio. Indeed, by employing the three-piece format, Howling Giant is following in the footsteps of legends like Motörhead, MC5, Cream, and Corrosion of Conformity; good company to be in! As the band’s philosophy would have it wisely: Teamwork makes the dream work!”

Clouds of Smoke – with a very clean rock vocal there doesn’t seem to be much howling going on here! It is rather an ambient ‘spacey’ track holding some deep sonic psychedelia. Its slow paced amble beckons with a flexible groove, backed by a boisterous drum beat, wicked bass hook and solid harmonies, but it certainly grows on you the more you listen.

Dirtmouth – gets down and dirty with an extremely flexible fingered riff that consumes with powerful and dramatic effect! The vocal does in fact howl a lot more on this crazed track. The sonic battering of beats are profound, mixed into its strenuous encounter are ravenous bass licks that really brings the track alive.

Exodus – holds a lot of ambience and sinister infestation courtesy of a bristling rhythm that escort’s a brooding harmony of voices. The track reaches its peak with far reaching endeavour with epic riffs and thunderous beats that compel with urgency.

Mothership – is a rampage of riffs that excite with blazing quality! It sounds quite progressive in its devilish delivery and possesses psychedelic flavourings that are peppered through-out its epic creativity. The addictive rhythms are emotional and pulse with a deep appetite.

Summary:

I wasn’t convinced at the start of this E.P from Howling Giants, however the further on I have listened I realise the true potential of the band. It is definitely more groove metal than rock with flavourings of psychedelia etched into its thunderous myriad of riffs and rhythms.

It is rather creative, although done before so nothing new to the ear, however its addictive qualities have had me replaying the tracks over and over. My favourite track being Mothership for its exuberance and tenacity, plus that melodic flair that tells me there is a lot more to this band that meets the eye.

9/10

Track List:

Clouds of Smoke

Dirtmouth

Exodus

Mothership

Members:

Tom Polzine – Guitar/Vocals

Roger Marks – Bass/Vocals

Zach Wheeler – Drums/Vocals

The Mighty Kale - The Terrace Inn Penkhull - Stoke on Trent - 16th July 2016

The Mighty Kale

The Terrace Inn,

Penkhull, Stoke on Trent

16^th July 2016

The Mighty Kale – Stoke on Trent

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/groups

Genre: Rock Covers plus Kale Original Music

L-R: Nick, Paul, Cabo, Rob and Chip

Have you ever thought you are not getting enough of your five a day? Well this did cross my mind and to rectify this Graham and I decided to take a trip to Stoke on Trent to partake in a bit of Kale! Not the veggie kind though, but more the musical kind!

It started some six years ago with the arrival of a free Kale CD and progressed from there seeing Cabo go through some personal changes, getting engaged, getting married and now soon to become a daddy! But before this Cabo and Steph did a sky dive to raise money for Lee Rigby the Army soldier who was murdered near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, southeast London. This made them both heroes in my book!

Having been friends with The Mighty Kale for so long, I thought it was high time we paid them a visit and as they were playing at The Terrace Inn in Penkhull we thought ‘this was the perfect opportunity!’

The Terrace Inn sits on a hill with the most breath taking views. The place gives off a warm and happy vibe, made even happier with the banter from The Mighty Kale! The décor was inviting and airy and the layout was just superb, just right for bands!

The stage was a good size too and it has easy access to the car park, so no trailing gear through the pub, always a bonus!

Of course we didn’t want to spoil the surprise meeting, so we didn’t let anyone know we would be popping in. Apart from a very cryptic message on Facebook! The journey was good and on arrival we made our way inside to be met by Rob, Chip, Paul and Nick who were in the lounge area.  I asked was there a ‘Cabo’ around, and Rob told me he was running slightly late, but instantly recognised me – although like with Cabo, Rob and I have been friends on Facebook for more or less the same amount of time. Then Rob suddenly pointed over to the car park and there was Cabo unloading the car.

Making our way outside to finally meet the elusive ‘Cabo’ who was slightly distracted I walked nearer to the car his face became more focused and he took a double take and announced “Oh my God Pagan!” and immediately walked over to give me a hug and Graham a handshake, and where we proceeded to hand him a gift bag for the forthcoming arrival, as Cabo recently tied the knot and his Mrs Steph is now in the club! Sadly due to this factor Steph was unable to make the gig, but we all hope she is feeling better soon!

Cabo and me 

Photo courtesy of Graham Lee

After our introduction, we let the band set up for the evening’s entertainment and found a spot near the front of stage.

As we arrived early there was about 2 hours before the band were due to hit the stage, but that allowed us all time to chat and get to know one another better. It was during that time that we met Stu and Hope – two very warm and engaging people whom we got on with immediately! We also spent a lot of time talking with Rob the bands drummer before he was whisked off for a sound check.

The sound check was not too loud but it was suggested they turn the vocal down a tad but once rectified sounded perfect.

The tracks were a mix of the bands own tracks and covers – I would have preferred to hear more Mighty Kale tracks than covers as it is always better hearing new stuff in my opinion, but the covers had everyone singing along and pushed the atmosphere further up the scale.

The Inn really filled up quickly, people stood at the back as well as occupying the seating to its full capacity and great to see the band getting its warranted support, though conditions at the Inn were like a Swedish Sauna, you could hardly breathe in there!

The band played ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ a song Cabo wrote for his best mate Danny who sadly passed away. They sang and played it with the conviction it deserved, and it was very moving amid bursts of dry ice that appeared from behind Chip.

I was amazed at how fast paced The Mighty Kale were and never heard ‘Comfortably Numb’ played with such acceleration before, so that was a ‘new experience’ perhaps changing weed for speed could describe it!

Cabo played and sung with gusto although I couldn’t help but feel he was probably a little nervous as we sat watching him for the first time. Rob was in a world of his own and as Graham said ‘You can’t turn the drums down!’ Paul was grinning from ear to ear as he moved about the stage playing his bass, Chip stood firmly in his corner playing his Flying V, occasionally looking out into the crowd and Nick every now and then simply burst into fits of laughter when he didn’t come in on his cue and had a beer mat thrown at him by Stu – it all gave us a close up and personal view of The Mighty Kale who gave out a good evening’s entertainment, despite a few flaws but that only added to the night’s entertainment and gave us plenty of laughs as Stu much later compared him to Stoke’s version of Les Dawson!

 Nick, Paul, Chip and Stu

 Cabo and Nick

 Rob

 Cabo, Nick and Paul

 Cabo

 Nick and Paul

 Cabo

 Nick and Paul

 Paul and Chip plus Stu

 Cabo and Paul

 Chip

 Cabo, Nick and Paul

Nick 

As the band were nearing the final few songs Cabo gave us a mention saying “There are a couple of people from Liverpool who have come over to see us, Pagan and Graham” and then launched into Eleanor Rigby. When we realised it was a Beatles track we sort of winced a bit, as that is all Liverpool goes on about and has done since time immemorial but The Mighty Kale rocked it up a bit so it had much more meat on its bones, and pleased us greatly!

The Mighty Kale played two very full sets that took them well past midnight but the crowd was still shouting for more. Apart from a few little mishaps partly due to the fact the band have been unable to practice since April/May the gig was a success and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it, plus being able to put faces to various names after six years was well and truly worth the trip to Stoke and thus making new friends is always a positive thing! Hopefully our friendships should blossom further with trips back and forth on both sides!

Set List:

1^st Set

14 Weeks

Wicked Game

Confused

Nothing Lasts Forever

The Reason

Word Up

In your World

Comfortably Numb

Sweet Dreams

Something Else

Eleanor Rigby

Where did you sleep last night?

15 years

Nights in white satin

2nd Set

I Spy

Never happened to me

Prime Mover

Bad Things

Rainy Day

Ice

Someone like you

Screamager

Perhaps, perhaps

Always the Innocent

Planet Earth

Kids in America

Stand and Deliver

In the Fields

Turning Japanese

Swords of 1,000 Men

Ever Fallen in Love

500 Miles

Encore:
One Way

Chasing Cars

Start wearing Purple

Back of my Mind

20^th Century Boy

Members:

Nick Goodwin – Vocals

Rob Moran – Drums

Craig Cabo Cartlidge – Guitar/Vocals

Rob Chip Mellanchip – Guitar

Paul Grey – Bass

A big thanks to The Terrace Inn, for being a welcoming venue, Stu and Hope for engaging with us, giving us some great conversation and food for thought and of course to The Mighty Kale (Cabo, Nick, Rob, Paul and Chip) for their take on some good tracks plus their own and of course to Graham (My Oggy) for without him there would have been no gig!

 Oggy

 Stu and Hope

 Cabo and Rob

 Cabo, Nick, Chip and Rob (Band of Brothers)

Cabo, me, Nick, Chip and Rob