Weirds - Swarm Culture - 10 Track Album - Alcopop Records - Release Date: 12th May 2017

Weirds

Swarm Culture

10 Track Album

Alcopop Records

Release Date: 12^th May 2017

Written for RAMzine

Weirds – Leeds

Genre: Psyche grunge

Despite playing outside the Tall Boys Beer Market in Thornton's Shopping Arcade at 10.30 pm on a Saturday night everything seems normal (ish), although the music is exceptional, holding that deep heavy swipe of psyche stirring something irresistible deep within your soul defines a swarm in the world around us, painting vivid pictures of light at the end of the tunnel but not before crawling through it on your hands and knees first.

9/10

Track List:

Things that Crawl

Valley of Vision

Old World Blues

Black Desert

Phantom

Weird Sun

Crows

Salamander’s Sister

Tunnelling

Past Life

Line-up:

Matthew Vaughan – Bass

Aiden Razzall - Vocals

Zachary Thomas – Guitar

David Nash - Drums

Voice of Ruin - Purge & Purify - 10 Track Album - Tenacity Music - Release Date: 12 May 2017

Voice of Ruin

Purge & Purify

10 Track Album

Tenacity Music

Release Date: 12^th May 2017

Written for RAMzine

Voice of Ruin - Switzerland

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/voiceofruin

Genre: Metal

Biography:

Voice of Ruin was created in late 2008 urged by a common desire: to get on stage and have access to the highly coveted and idealized backstage room were alcohol and other illicit pleasures of rock stars are at hand.

Although disappointed by a disconcerting reality, the Swiss quintet continues to persist and ends up being nominated among the 5 best metal bands of the country at the 2013 Swiss Live Talents.

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From the off this will really captivate you on every level. The sheer musicianship is jaw-some! Demanding and bold it carves lumps out of your flesh and devours it like fresh meat from a butcher’s shop! Taunting and teasing it imposes its worst nightmare into your most vivid dreams and makes them a reality. The music represents the band with a very impressive energy and woven into its core are damming results!

10/10

Track list:

Disgust

Horns

Blood of Religions

Snakes in my Head

All Hail the King

I Confess

Voices from the Ruins

Animal Kingdom

Time for Revenge

Piracy

Line-up:

Randy - Vocals

Nico - Guitar

Darryl - Guitar

Erwin - Bass

Dario - Drums 

Varg - Götterdämmerung (God’s Dawn) - 4 Track E.P Napalm Records - Release Date: 14th April 2017

Varg

Götterdämmerung (God’s Dawn)

4 Track E.P

Napalm Records

Release Date: 14^th April 2017

Written for RAMzine

Varg – Coburg, Germany

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/VargOfficial

Genre: Wolf Metal

Immediately you can feel that vibe as German Metallers Varg take to the speakers and rip you a new one. That Pagan beat and melodic groove that allows you to flirt with it before it takes control of your very being is just ground-breaking! Vocally seething and raw it bites like a champion pit bull, however, it does contain its slower, softer moments that are eerie and ambient with plenty of surprises along the way.

The harmonies blend superbly and gives the track depth and immense likability. This one doesn’t intend to let you win it will leave you standing.

Hel now there’s a name to conjure with (I still write under my old name of Pagan Hel) The Norse Goddess of the Underworld and this track does the name justice, make no mistake. Its enjoyable proposition is tempered with dark slabs of intentional animosity – however, it is also a welcoming track because of the deep and rich melodies attached to its endeavours. It throws a familiar spice into the mix that adds more than good seasoning but a bulbous and barbaric tone that is vicious and yet still moreish. It is the death metal challenge it never ever fails.

Beissreflex is jaw dropping as the riffs and vocal magic pull together under a German tongue it is cruel and unyielding but highly pleasurable to listen to. Whipping around the senses it cocoons its prey with bold and persistent temptation that nobody in the right minds could resist. I am not even going to attempt resistance because it is futile.

The title means bite reflex and boy oh boy can this track bite like no other, it holds evil intent but there’s no escaping it, no matter how hard you try, but, I am not really trying too hard though!

Knochenpfad strange title that I can see as being called Path of Bones or Bone Path, although this is what will be left after listening to these four tracks. There is something menacing about the German accent that is what I love about it and it is just right for death metal it adds its severity to the music and is all the more dramatic and appealing. I cannot understand anyone not loving the German accent, it is so guttural and teasing just like this utterly wicked track that throws out its unrivalled devilry in abundance! Absolut ansteckend und unbarmherzig!!!

10/10

Tracklist:

Götterdämmerung

Hel

Beissreflex

Knochenpfad

Line-up:

Fenrier - Drums

Freki – Vocals, Guitar, Song writing, management

Hati - Guitars

Managarm – Vocals, Guitars, Song writing & Bass

Skoll - Bass

Lakeshore - 41 8 Track Album - Metal Blade Records - Release Date: 21st April 2017

Lakeshore

41

8 Track Album

Metal Blade Records

Release Date: 21^st April 2017

Written for RAMzine

Lakeshore – New Fairfield, Connecticut

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/41Lakeshore

Genre: Metal Core with new energy

Biography:

“Lakeshore is an active rock band from New Fairfield, CT Headed by brothers Ben and Joe Lionetti (guitarist & drummer) who originally founded the metal core giants Emmure. The band has deep roots in music and combines a very powerful and melodic sound with a fresh new touch, unlike any other.

Lakeshore ushers in a pure new energy with a nostalgic feel, formed by a relentless cast set on defining a new era of music!”

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Heart isn’t like anything I have heard before similar. It definitely embarks into another realm as the power builds to a feverish pitch and quite startling. It makes your reflexes knot into tight spasms and I honestly don’t think they can’t really be pigeon holed. The vocals sound youngish while there are harsh resonating vocals to accompany alongside so I suppose you could say they could be metal core –  but, you decide!

9/10

Track List:

Heart: to the fans

Future

Taking

Control

Welcome to Oz (Interlude)

Kings (The Reawakening)

History

Imagination

Line-up:

Shawn Adams - Vocals

Ben Lionetti - Guitar

Mitch LoBuglio - Guitar

Joe Lionetti - Drums

Chris Segovia - Bass

He is Legend - Few - 12 Track Album - Spinefarm Records - Release Date: 28th April 2017

He is Legend

Few

12 Track Album

Spinefarm Records

Release Date: 28^th April 2017

Written for RAMzine

He is Legend – Wilmington NC

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/HeIsLegendNC

Genre: Rock

Biography:

This is the bands fifth album to date on Spinefarm Records. The band hail from Wilmington NC and go under the genre of rock. Croom had this to say:

“This is dedicated to the people who supported us through everything,” “I was inspired by the words of Helena Blavatsky. She’s basically the godmother of the occult, and she dedicated one of her books to the few. Basically, that means the few that follow the way. I thought it was very fitting for what we do. We left it up to them.” And by leaving it ‘up to them’ didn’t mean choosing the tracks it meant funding the project on crowd funding campaign Indiegogo and as they raised 124% in December 2015 they retreated to a remote cabin in Carrboro, NC and that is where their inspiration flowed.

The bands sounds is as inspiring as it gets despite being a little mainstream it still has a kick like a mule and pulsates like a fast beating heart. Looking at their cover I can see they haven’t really spent a lot of time on it and concentrated more on the music aspect, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Although the name of the band “He is Legend!” throws a spanner in the works as to who He is, I think it may mean Satan judging by the sentence involving Helen Blavatsky, but who knows – as this music isn’t dark in the sense of doom, so that’s something else to think about!

8/10

Track List:

Air Raid

Sand

Beaufort

Silent Gold

Alley Car

Jordan

Gold Dust

Call Ins

Eastern Locust

Fritz the Dog

The Vampyre

The Garden

Line up:

Schuylar Croom - Vocals

Denis Desloge - Guitar/Backing Vocals

Adam Tanbouz - Guitar

Matty Williams - Bass

Gurt - Skullossus - 11 Track Album - When Planets Collide - Release Date: 1st May 2017

Gurt

Skullossus

11 Track Album

When Planets Collide

Release Date: 1^st May 2017

Written for RAMzine

Gurt - London

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/GURTsludge

Genre: Party Doom

Biography:

“Since their creation in January 2010 GURT have released 1 LP, 5 EPs, 3 splits (With Dopefight, LIMB & Trippy Wicked) 2 Christmas Singles and a number of sludgy covers.

Relentless touring across the UK and Europe has seen GURT perform with some truly great bands. Highlights include a 23 day European tour with Canadian sludge legends Dopethrone, a 7 day Euro tour with our bros in Diesel King, a 10 day UK tour with our BFFs Bong Cauldron and Pist, supporting Weedeater in Paris, The Sword in Salzburg, Red Fang at the Black Heart and Black Tusk in Paris, as well as performing to packed out audiences at Desertfest 2013 & 2016, opening the 2nd stage at Bloodstock 2014, playing the main stage of Stonerhead Festival in Salzburg and also laying waste to Hammerfest in North Wales, In Flammen in Germany, FOAD fest in Manchester, Massafest in Holland and Riff Fest in Bolton!”

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Welcome to the shit is a wake-up call and definitely makes you think as the sampled voice plays out to an eerie tune that fades in and out. Gimme the Night any day takes the task in hand and delivers on full throttle. There is however a teeny weeny bit of tongue in cheek on the next track Battlepants I mean there just has to be… doesn’t there? Although the music is obnoxious and gives little away other than morbid repugnance and extreme savagery. Double Barrelled Shot Pun come on anyone with me on this one? It is tongue in cheek isn’t it? I do happen to like the hum of the bass as it kicks out a great hook and molests the ears with eager intent. The Crotch Wobbler let’s say I finally hear the doom element within this bands niche however, I am loving their spontaneous riffs and feel quite upbeat if that’s the word! Existence is pain yes, I can go along with that title and relate very well, and again we are hearing the doom spread like a virus once again, however, it is a powerful vibe that holds a lot of intensity and glorious captivation. Broken Heart Herion Man forgets its genre and takes a leap of faith to the other side of extreme on this death defying seething track. It is filthy harsh and noisy just right for a party! Meowing at the Fridge (who let the cats out?) I don’t know about cats but this feels more like a herd of elephants stampeding and invading your space. However, it is highly pleasing and unusual in the fact it holds a superb brutal ambidextrous vocal that has plenty of range to leave your ears feeling like they have been swilled out with caustic soda. John Gar see you later no idea who John Gar is but if the music is anything to go by he must be a star! This is just an amazing track that will increase mobility without the pitch fork up your ass! The Ballad of Tom Stones & Reg Montagne now these two sound like a pair of guys you don’t mess with as the ambiance flows with an eerie and contemptible feeling you get the disturbed reaction that these guys are not as jolly as John Gar and appear a little menacing – Great album of intrigue and unexplained twists!

9.5/10

Track list:

Welcome to the Shit

Gimme the Night any day

Battlepants

Double Barrelled Shot Pun

The Crotch Wobbler

Existence is Pain

Broken Heart Herion Man

Meowing at the Fridge

John Gar see you later

The Ballad of Tom Stones & Reg Montagne

Line-up:

Gareth Kelly - Growth - Mouth.

Rich Williams - Sedulurt - Riffmonster.

Dave Blakemore - Spice - Bassmaster.

Bill Jacobs - The Scorpion - Bashing.

Fumigation & The Path to R'lyeh - Invasion - 8 Track Split Album - Release Date: 28th April 2017

Fumigation & the Path to R’lyeh

Invasion

8 Track Split Album

CDN Records

Release Date: 28^th April 2017

Written for RAMzine

Fumigation – Ottowa, Canada

The Path to R’lyeh – Montreal, Canada

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Fumigation

https://www.facebook.com/PathToRlyeh

Genre: Death Metal

Biography:

Why the name Fumigation and the obsession with insects, rodents and chemicals?

Today's metal scene lacks bands with a constant theme, or at least an interesting one. Through this void enters Fumigation. The theme of insects, rodents and chemicals is entertaining, insightful, and humorous all at the same time. From phobias to infestations, harbouring to feeding habits, Fumigation will dissect the situation and select the best method of control. This method usually comes in the form of groove laden death metal.

Exterminating since early 2008, Fumigation is a 5 piece metal band from Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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“The Path to R'lyeh devotes themselves passionately and with abandon to prepare brutal, opaque and grim tales that will transport you into a nightmarish yet fascinating world where the holy does not exist and the wicked comes from distant worlds!”

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Fumigation

Already there is that anticipation building and intensifying ready to make your brain explode although this sounds quite experimental than death metal at least at the start, however, it soon twists into huge strides of beautiful death metal as the track unfolds Arachnophobia is just as nasty as it sounds!

Forced Vaginal Harbourage where on earth do they get these titles from? Beats me, however, it wouldn’t be death metal if the titles were ‘normal’ would it? I mean who wants nicey, nicey, when you can have a bit of forced vaginal harbourage? Quite a potent track all being said.

Earwigs & Earwax who would have thought it? A sample with regard to pest control to be washed down with an incredible growling roar that is just as sick as its gory title. Sometimes it is good you can’t hear the lyrics especially when you have a very weak stomach!

A Beard Full of Maggots the thought is none to pleasing, however, the music manages to produce a wry smile and a bit of head banging! It is matched with a colossal riff and powerful blast beats that impose a vicious threat while captivating and intoxicating - Beards are awesome.

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The Path to R’Lyeh

Dream Eater begins with a certain pounding alerting you to its mean and caustic side and swings the axe towards your skull in the hope of crushing it with molten death metal. Tempered by a web of intriguing dynamics it certainly isn’t afraid to bite viciously and with utter venom.

The Book Made of Human Skin holds a lot of captivation that is withheld in its outstretched arms and seems to coil around your whole body and smother you with tendrils of pure woven intensity. The vocals hammer home with wind tunnel madness and high pitched screeches pushing its boundaries.

Extra-Terrestrial Abomination and here’s me thinking ET was cute! However, this ET is probably not on the same par as our little ET judging by the vocal entourage of squealing power that has hidden depths. Challenging and stirring this is one mean track that won’t diffuse aggression, but fuel it.

Y’ha-ntlei’s Awakening no idea what this track is all about. I thought in Canada one spoke English, however, exceptions can be made where death metal is concerned and this track again peaks the interest levels with flirtatious groove and melodic rancour. The essences melt together and form a pleasing listen.

10/10

Track list:

FUMIGATION

01. Arachnophobia

02. Forced Vaginal Harbourage

03. Earwigs & Earwax

04. A Beard Full of Maggots

THE PATH TO R’LYEH

05. Dream Eater

06. The Book Made of Human Skin

07. Extra-Terrestrial Abomination

08. Y’ha-ntlei’s Awakening

Line-up:

FUMIGATION

Mat Desjardins - Drums

Jay Donnelly - Vocals

Tom Hansen - Guitar

Chris Humeniuk - Bass

Matt MacIvor – Guitar

THE PATH TO R’LYEH

Alain Cloutier - Guitar

Milann Vaidya - Drum

Yan Chatel - Vocal

Jonathan Lattimore Desabrais - Guitar

Fleshdoll - Hearts of Darkness - 11 Track Album - Great Dane Records - Release Date: 1st March 2017

Fleshdoll

Hearts of Darkness

11 Track Album

Great Dane Records

Release Date: 1^st March 2017

Written for RAMzine

Fleshdoll – Toulouse, France

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/fleshdolldeathmetal

Genre: Death Fragging Metal

The rabid tones of Fleshdoll are indeed a missing link to a more brutal world and one that cannot be tamed, no matter how hard you try – it will not relinquish its powerful reign on the ears and so controls with boasting passion and inflamed ferocity. Nobody said this was going to be an easy ride, it certainly isn’t smooth, nobody expected it to be as GDR once again delivers another fiendish release.

Having reviewed Fleshdoll some time back Feeding the Pigs 14^th April 2014 and Blood Red District 21^st June 2016 both getting a perfect score of 10, I already know that this will receive the same accolade as its previous albums as Fleshdoll are one unmerciful bunch of muthafuckers who know just what buttons to press to get a full on reaction.

They can be extremely brutal and yet they can magically twist things on their head and send out softer tracks when the mood takes them which isn’t very often, however, I will stick to the extreme end of the scale if you don’t mind because I like to scratch my itches and Fleshdoll do that well without the back scratcher!

The boisterous and never ending tenacious beats burn into the landscape like a molten lava flow showing that Fleshdoll know how to cut their teeth as well as carve a path to success in one movement.

Constantly impressing you are hearing something great on every track and is like a waiting time bomb ready to explode be it with creative guitar and hardy bass licks rather than shrapnel however, the effect is the same and is one of sheer devastation.

Nobody can really predict what Fleshdoll are going to do next, it is hard to imagine what dirty rhythms they will come out with next and what effect it will have, although, no doubt it will be a good one!

Great Dane do not release albums that make no impression, they believe in making a swift impact and look after their bands like royalty, which in turn gives the bands no reason not to fulfil their dreams and Fleshdoll are only one of GDR’s babies.

This is a very intriguing album full of twists and turns at each corner making it a respectable and pleasurable listen!

Fleshdoll are hellacious, and unpredictable. They won’t stop until every stone is upturned and their boundaries pushed to the extreme!

10/10

Track List:

Silent faces of Stone

Room 101

Tanka

Ophidian Slough

Into the Abyss

Octantis

Blood Red Path

Into the Pit (Testament Cover)

Beast in You

At the Heart of Darkness

Black Formulas

Line-up:

Bastich - Vocals

Chili - Guitars

Billy - Guitars

Judas - Bass

Michaël Martin - Drums