Recorded at HPX Studios by O. Speers. Mastered at Moontower Studios.
Genre: Black Metal/Doom Metal/Drone Metal
Biography:
“Hipoxia was born in Madrid in 2009 when JK, E, and K pooled together their interests in Extreme Doom and Black Metal and started to play and drink beer together as a vehicle of Khaos!”
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What is conjured up within the first few passages are definitely drone effect Avant guard and doom? The vocals follow in much later and sound like E may have taken a couple as the unintelligible ramblings are a dirge with literally ‘nothing’ to keep you focused on except the hope that this noise will stop as quick as possible, however, it's only one redeeming feature for me are when the vocals take on a sinister edge and growl terrifyingly, I am beginning to understand ‘Nothing’ now as being ‘something’
The second track doesn’t waste any time in presenting its self in a new black light and is extremely blacker than the night, with very keen vocals at least at the start, although they stop screeching but continue to drive out some unintelligible words that are not remiss of an exorcism! The noise inflicted set up is more than doom-laden, with no direction which can get a little stale, but I suppose it lives up to its title of ‘Oblivion’ quite well.
‘New Aeon of Destruction’ crawls out of its boxand offers the listener a double vocal that’s hardly all singing all dancing, but shouted with an intense pace that is quite horrifying in its own way. Despite sounding restrained in some places, it carries a changing soundscape that is awkward and uncomfortable to sit through, sounding undeniably like a Black Mass!
I can’t say I was bowled over with anything new here, however, I do like the vocals on occasions during the 3 tracks on the E.P but the noise aspect makes it really hard to like the E.P fully unless you are a connoisseur of dark and potent doom-laden noise!
Cyclocosmia is a symphonic/doom metal band from London, UK, founded by British producer James Scott >
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On listening to Part I it's like the Omen all over again – the high shrill pitched voice from Aliki is very haunting and immediately sets to work on making your skin break out in rather large Goosebumps. The music resembles raindrops that drip constantly from a gutter like medieval water torture. Part II the rhythm takes hold with a solid bounce of furtive rhythms. The vocals are quite unique in that suddenly they go from high pitched to low toned growls and exert their pressure on the audial – this can only be described as purely phenomenal and welcoming to my ears with a great contrast from both James and Aliki who work well together on this E.P. Part III is a very soft lull that doesn’t really have a direction for the first part of the track, however, two minutes in the track comes alive with a heartfelt guitar embrace and varying vocals both harsh and unyielding, which in turn keeps you gripped until the end. Part IV is similar to part III with a haunting melodic breath, until the tempo changes to one with quite sinister intentions. The symphonic angle is elevated to grand levels on which it now offers a striking and irresistible creativity. Part I-IV is back to the spooky and malevolent voice that has haunted this E.P and once more – two minutes into the track it shakes off the high pitch vocal and in comes a tempo change and finally that harsh gravitational pull throws you in the direction of some harsh and growling vocal tones and as quickly as they arrived returns to a haunting chill and back again.
This is quite a cleverly written EP. The tracks are simple to remember but try and determine which one is which and you would be hard pushed… However, it is the unexpected that keeps you gripped. It is a very simple EP but they say less is more and this definitely works!
28th May – LEICESTER, Uprising Aftermath @ The Firebug
3rd June - KETTERING - The Prince
24th June – NORWICH, B2
1st July - MILTON KEYNES, Craufurd Arms
More dates to be announced.
Genre: Part Extreme, Part Technical, Part Progressive, Part Metal
Biography:
“Titled ‘Peace in our Time’, this new studio offering from Krysthla sees the British five-piece producing something extremely special. Part metal, part extreme, part technical, part progressive… Aurally this is a metal fan's nirvana. There’s an abundance of aggression on offer, and yet the power of the band is amplified even more with melodic tinges and lighter musical landscapes, which never detract from the powerhouse delivery Krysthla is renowned for!”
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Wow! I think I am in shock as I recognised the Krysthla name but did not realise that is was around August 2015 just over a month before the release of ‘A War of Souls and Desires’ that I wrote a review for the band through RAMzine, and now another 8 track album is due to materialise on the 7th April 2017.
The Minor Mystery of Death is a solid opening track that brings some fantastic melodies to the forefront as well as some mighty riffs that fuel-charge the vocal dynamics. Krysthla were always a band to capture as well as create attention that is pretty obvious from their last album, however, they have indeed turned it up a few notches this time and added a little extra potent ingredients. ‘Yawm al-Qiyamah’ takes off with a raucous intent on repeating itself a few times before exploding into a turbulent adventure and wreaking havoc with more than a few unruly riffs and extreme vocal intensity. ‘Depths’ is the track the band have taken from the album and released as a single. It is a very different track than the previous two tracks already listened to. This is most definitely a contrast with a slow pace and… yes, I got caught out with this one! It suddenly jumps back into its bed of comfort and drags you to into its depths. It force feeds you extreme metal without the aid of on IV – this is straight for the ears and down the throat approach! if watching the video, the slow pace makes a lot more sense! Be prepared for deep impact!
‘Make disciples of the Nations’ if they did then it would be another hurried affair as this track is again a force to be reckoned with. Krysthla doesn't believe in doing things at a ‘normal’ pace, but rather one that sweeps you into a black hole and leaves one agog and not quite knowing what just hit them. ‘Within the lie of all lies’ throws out some thumping rhythms that nobody in their right mind, would say no to! Merging with infinitive motion, a driven command for imposing riffs and a drum beat that is futile to ignore – the magnet simply pulls everything together! ‘In Death, we shall not die’ the foreboding rhythms keep on pounding mercilessly while the riffs hammer out a structured path of sheer brutalism. ‘Age of War’ opens with a solid texture of rampant rhythms and crazy blast beats. The vocals take on a chanting ramble but still sound menacing as they wrap themselves around the ears and smother with intent – I still don’t understand how Adi manages to scream in perfect tune? That is a complete mystery to me ‘Eternal Oceans’ No I am not getting carried away again by a slow start, although it does capture eerie very well. I was right not to fall for the slower pace gamble as this is as extreme as it gets vocally, while the music is intense and aggressively thunderous, creating a passage of metal rivets that are forced into their home on sound alone, no need for a hammer here!
Krysthla Have definitely paved their way with a ticking time bomb that their fans are impatiently waiting to go off, as it is not hard to lose yourself in the extreme creative presence that Krysthla has produced. The intensity is all powerful and gives off a raw unpredictable magnetism that is simply insatiable! Meaning you can never have too much Krysthla and what they bring to an already full table. They are still giving out their deathly non-compliant causticity, which is great for all extreme metal heads everywhere!
WIDOWS recorded their first full-length album at Moot Group Studios, Nottingham
2010
WIDOWS debut E.P. officially released through Bad News Records
WIDOWS independent E.P. release
2009
First Show
Genre: Hard Rock/Stoner
Biography:
“Formed in 2008 in the troubled UK town of Nottingham. WIDOWS play music you can raise a beer and swing a fist to and they do it hard fast and loud, with bone crushing grooves and undeniable swagger!”
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There is no mistaking the deep resonating sounds of stoner rock, none what so ever. Its bass-ridden swagger lures you into its tempting, sultry lair and feeds you good wholesome beats! At times it is so captivating all you can do is sway in appreciation to its magnificent melodies.
Nobody needs to be stoned to listen to Stoner Rock, as what stands before us is an all singing all stoner swaging album with plenty of edges and pumped up vibes, having that impending lift that ultimately compels and intrigues, which always makes Stoner good to listen to. I personally love Stoner for the flashbacks of Sabbath that you cannot escape from and neither can the bands whose genre is firmly planted and seeded to grow into more tempting albums for the general public to appreciate.
It can be slow or fast paced there isn’t a law against either but it is all heavy – no doubt about it. The vocals are deep and husky and propelled by a bass-laden rhythm and sonic riffs that creatively blend the concoction of catchy drum beats together into one mesmerising delicious tone.
I can’t find a negative track on this album, but feel that it is over too soon – they do say ‘time flies when you are having fun’ and this album has provided that in abundance, although I am wondering at the lack of anything happening since 2012 on the band page, hopefully the band will find a new lease of life once the new album is released and hit more milestones, as the hooks and melodies are all embracing and cause a smouldering defiance that certainly has plenty of spice contained within its core and no doubt should double the band’s fan base overnight once it is unleashed in April.
Who knows just what will end up being sent over for review next and as it happens on checking the ‘other’ message box I received this from Adam Probert. The first track“The light that burns my eyes!”would have you thinking it is straight from an episode of Dr Who. It has all the right sound effects, not sung, but spoken in time to a very hypnotic rhythm. “I am war” gives us samples and exploding sound effects from the Second World War and yet more poetry, although this is hardly relaxing. It cuts below the belt the way it is supposed to and leaves a really bitter taste in the mouth. ”Take your Fucking Medicine” is probably one of the most hard-hitting pieces of writing about cancer I have heard – the music is sinister just like the evil pharmaceutical companies, who think it is fine to kill for money – in musical form this really hits home with the force of a large cricket bat!
“The Mob (Feat: Katy Watkiss)” A stereo version male and female speak out about the Mob to overly loud resonating sounds, which make it difficult to concentrate on what is being said. “Osama Obama” are they the same person? This piece of poetry outlines things very clearly. The jagged sounds are startling and chilling.
“What you have to hide (Feat: Mark Perryman)” More twisted words that will awaken you to the nosey New World Order and just what they are doing in front of our noses! Problem – Reaction – Solution …It is enough to make you paranoid!
Adam Probert Live at The Grapes in Stafford
“Justice” is there such a thing? There doesn’t seem to be in this lifetime anyway! “Monotony” There is so much truth in these words – Groundhog Day – open your eyes! Are we really enjoying ourselves? It makes you think! “Population Control” I can already see (and hear) what’s coming – I know it is true! Having heard this information some years before – look at the skies, our food, our water…Una Stubbs and Dandy Nichols – although they speak in jest, they do raise a completely valid point “The only time the Government has a use for us is when they want a war, the rest of the time they can do without us!”
“The Flying Dutchman” is this about the real Flying Dutchman or an imposter? I haven’t quite decided! “Famine” reveals some harsh and resonating sounds along with a very pronounced voice that stirs up some shocking images.
Listening to such intense poetry that is embedded in a shady background noise, does prompt one to listen and listen carefully – Adam is another person who knows the truth. This is another response to his album!
Today, I had a wake-up call
It’s what I have always believed
That high up in the Government
Are nasty vicious thieves
Polluting all our water
Messing with our food
Feeding us disgusting lies
And changing all our moods
A vaccine for this
That won’t prevent squat
But take it anyway
It’s all that you got!
You will get Cancer
But we have the Cure
Take your Chemotherapy
It won’t help… for sure
It will keep you ill
It will make you weak
You will lose your hair
-You poor little freak!
The New World Order
Is pulling the strings
So make sure you’re aware
You know all these things.
On finding out more from Adam, he reminds me a lot of the Late Rik Mayall although this isn’t funny – this is a reality!
9/10
Track List:
The light that burns my eyes
I am war
Take your fucking medicine
The Mob (Feat: Katy Watkiss)
Osama Obama
What you have to hide (Feat: Mark Perryman)
Justice
Monotony
Population Control
The Flying Dutchman
Famine
Members:
Adam Probert – Lyrics
Johnathan Watkiss - Flesh eating Foundation - Soundscapes
