Pagan Hel Reviews..

Derelict Sermon - Callousness and Deviance 8 track - Bleakscape 2012

2012-02-25T06:49:00.004-08:00

Derelict Sermon

Callousness and Deviance

8 Tracks

Bleakscape CD 04

2012

Derelict Sermon - London

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/derelictsermon

Genre: Extreme Avant metal/Wardy-doom/electronics/black drones/progressive/soundtrack Scapes.

Martin Daniels is the one-man project behind Derelict Sermon. The themes are brutal as terrifying and will transform your world into a minefield of extreme torture, sadism, killings, and kidnaps ripe for viewing on mainstream TV. Derelict Sermon will transport you into this feverish world of indulgent crimes carried out by strong female enforcers only to spit harshly in your face.

Martin is heavily influenced by horror and crime and has cleverly been summed up within his powerful and intense music. The strong female enforcers play a big part in most if not all of Martin’s fiery imagination.

The mere title of Martin’s now forth CD release will point you in the right direction of what lurks within this man’s mind. It can only get more extremely brutal and sadistic as another of these CD’s gets released on the general public and this is NO exception.

We have death metal, we have goregrind, we have pornogrind and yes – now we have Derelict Sermon. It cannot really be categorised into a specific kind of genre as Derelict Sermon is a genre all its own, as you will find out. Although for people who have already braved the depths of the last three CD’s from Derelict Sermon they will have a pretty good guess at what is about to become apparent. But it cleverly converges on all the above genres at some point or another and is a truly frightening but wonderful experience.

This CD however, has increased in intensity and diversity to the point of “shocking!” You really have to savour and sample to enhance the experience to a greater level of understanding the workings of a demon mind.

The cover doesn’t really tell you much and is quite ordinary but what is contained within the CD brings you onto a new plane entirely and it is doubtful that you will never return to where you were before you listened. Now prepare to be enlightened or driven insane...

Callousness and Defiance

Not sure what language Vera speaks at the beginning of this track but sounds Russian although I could be wrong but she sounds like she means business! The clanking noise along with the drum beat is a nice added extra and this track does have melodic traces, albeit in small proportions.

Killed by Child Assassins

This is a definite slam track with slow grooves and hypnotic beats – but the vocals are anything but groovy – Bordering on callus and thought provoking they definitely are although I still haven’t managed to sus out the lyrical content yet but the title says it all - Intimidating and black are just two of the words I could say about this but satisfying none the less.

The Security Gassings

Stupendous opening with a mix of constant high pitched wails from Lopa Kothari to a murderous drum beat and hits insanely through-out. A definite groove in there too! Dark, fiery and heavy! An infusion of slam, groove and black it really boosts the blood pressure and has an intensity all its own.

Faeces Mask of Ms Blue

With menacing abandon this track kicks into action with astonishing effect. The maniac behind the mic, sounding like he just brought the devil out to play and with resounding success. A true veteran in his field – this track goes way beyond just plain satisfaction with its solid and demented hypnotic riffing!

Rubber fingers rip open mouth

Thundering to life or death as the case may be, this bizarre track delivers a mesmerizing onslaught to the ears in astonishing fashion. This sounds like another tortured soul going to hell and taking the back door to do it! The evil sound is truly inspiring and leaves little to the imagination with clever use of incidental sounds.

Leering Completion

Icy chills and atmospheric noises unrelenting and powerfully intense leaves you wondering what Derelict Sermon are about to do next! Dark and foreboding it prolongs the suffering as the eerie noises unfold. A distant bell sounds – it captures the resonating intensity like a smack in the mouth. Bizarre, but yet compelling! No real music can be heard or lyrics just a droning cacophony of eeriness – the sporadic screams and evil laughs further on in the track endeavour to serve up something special to the listener. This is indeed the nastiest thing I have heard to date on a CD. It will indeed drive you to the darkest recesses of your decaying mind. Definitely NOT a one-time listen though, this is truly an amazing listen! Breathtakingly shocking! Towards the end of the track the drums serve to give it a more driving and hypnotic feel amidst the bleak screaming vocals and will leave you in no doubt that this is evil personified. Fantastic track but not bedtime listening!

Entry of Empress

Some immense sounds spew forth with pounding drum beats. The reverb on eleven and a spoken voice utters some unintelligible words but that of female Vera Bremerton. The sounds cloak the vocals but whether that was done on purpose I am not sure but a brilliant addition to the track. More unintelligible spoken words can be heard behind the fiery thundering of sounds and again very powerful and compelling.

Wardylight/Mrs Sands

Subtle embracing strings spring into action – does this mean light at the end of the dark and eerie tunnel? Is it a new beginning? - A new end perhaps? Or maybe more unrelenting human bleakness in the trappings of a tortured mind? I will leave you to decide.

This is really a powerful concept that embellishes the mind and infects it like a plague festering virus. It really doesn’t get any more intense or evil than this.

If you like your music truly inspiring and different in gigantic proportions then sample this beast and see you in hell because this is where it will take you if not there already! Different it is and very cleverly executed by Derelict Sermon – it has indeed buried itself into a nitty gritty niche in my brain and once sampled will consume your very soul. You have been warned!

Track List:

Callousness and Deviance

Killed by child Assassins

The Security Gassings

Faeces Mask of Ms Blue

Rubber fingers rip open mouth

Leering Completion

Entry of Empress

Wardylight/Mrs Sands

Members:

Martin Daniels – Vocals/Guitars/Bass/Drums/Concepts

Vera Bremerton – Additional Voice/Vocals tracks 1 and 7

Lopa Kothari – Additional vocals on track 3

Filial Cannibalism - Guttural Congregation - 11 Track CD 2011

2012-02-23T05:23:00.003-08:00

Filial Cannibalism

Guttural Congregation

2011

Filial Cannibalism – Wigan

Links

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Filial-Cannibalism/175688629142776

ALBUM DOWNLOAD - Yes get it here people!!

http://www.mediafire.com/?wm1tbdm0te0e290

Genre: Slamming Death Metal

This four piece band, which at the beginning of 2012 were a five piece and (included Joe ginger ninja Mawdsley on Bass) reside in the Wigan area.

If you like your music gore soaked and vomit ridden then you will love Filial Cannibalism. This band likes to include both humour and horror in their musical content and so this is exactly what you are going to get!

Coming soon is the bands new to be released EP next month, and if this CD is anything to go by we should all be in for a nice little treat!

Shame though about there being no artwork for the CD – although I was sent an A5 poster with the CD Depicting some crazed beasts gorging on a pile of skulls, limbs and intestines! :D

Now gaining popularity, not only in the UK, but Indonesia and Europe too! With a strong 2,096 fan base.

Like most bands starting out the journey has been a slow but steady route and one that the band is currently doing all it can to gig and make wider channels into the music scene.

*A Psychopaths Descent

A nice chilling little opener to launch this CD. Some delicately eerie perhaps ghostly keyboards ring out amidst a thunderous sound. Then all of a sudden hell breaks loose and some blast beats come from nowhere.

Porcine

Now onto the slamming brutality that is FC. Some stupendous guttural growls chant out incoherent lyrics to a grand smashing of blast beats. A fast-paced track, with plenty of balls building to a nice finish.

Smashed up Kids

With a crisp smack on the cymbals this track springs to life. A hypnotic drum beat follows incorporating some nice guttural growls that sound just as evil as the last track. Again a slow tempo is adopted embellished with nice rhythm. A low voice of a man talks about removing his clothes so as not to get blood on them and choking a woman to death he then cuts her up explaining that he didn’t fuck her although he could have done and that it took him nine days to eat her entire body - she died a virgin. Remind me not to come round for dinner guys!

Necro-cannibalistic Artery Consumption

A lot of brutal slamming beats and crazed guitar embellished with a superb guttural secretion. This track is very hypnotic and will eat your brain.

Kitchen Slut Dismantlement

This track picks up the pace somewhat and the vocals chant and growl in a vicious manner to some really chunky guitars. The fastest track on the CD with more balls than a snooker table!

*Wake up Missing

Beautiful strings accompany this track and the vocals mutate into gentle growls which is extremely superb. Slow paced and riveting. A very cleverly executed track by the band with a fade-out finish.

Writhing in Carnivorous Larva

A slow start to this track that brings a crescendo of the most severe of evil sounds. Eerie as hell on a good night! Blast beats galore and more of the growling and crazed guitar. Picks up a great pace and leaves the listener spellbound within its magic.

Regurgitation of the Stillborn

Plundering beats with a hypnotic rhythm fiery guitar and fantastic vocal content. Neither, fast or slow. The gargling continues... with a superb finish.

Vicious Excrement

A very fast opening. It races and then as the track unfolds takes on a slower pace. Yet another little hypnotic and rhythmical Filial Cannibalism special. The guttural gargling is superb.

Severed Intestines

Intense guitar with a growling chanting vocal. Nasty and evil this spews forth again a very rhythmical and slow beat that now shows us what Filial Cannibalism are capable of with relish!

*Guttural Congregation

An evil mix of nasty with these intense sounds that bring to mind someone in the bathroom after a night of heavy drinking and a curry! The odd growl can heard and the sound of someone eating something or other (probably some rotting guts!) and the occasional blast of thunder in the background to wish them well as they do it! It does send a tingle or two down the spine as the sounds intensify – this epitomises the darkest recesses of hell. The strange sound phenomenon that is appearing all over the world on YouTube that nobody can fathom – is in fact – Filial Cannibalism.

A good all round balanced CD with 11 tracks of the most severe and darkest of sounds. I particularly like the string arrangement on “Wake up Missing” that was a nice touch guys. But of course it goes without saying that the “Guttural Congregation” has to be my favourite track - it really is different and incorporates a lot of nasty sounds and cuts to the bone. “Literally!”

This CD certainly borders insanity in its highest form despite being well balanced in sound. The contents will probably give you nightmares for months to come!

It is worthy of mentioning that the band are now looking for a bass player to complete their line-up. So if you know anyone who may be interested please contact the band on Facebook.

Track List:

*A Psychopaths Descent

Porcine

Smashed Up Kids

Necro-cannibalistic Artery Consumption

Kitchen Slut Dismantlement

*Wake up Missing

Writhing In Carnivorous Larva

Regurgitation of the Stillborn

Vicious Excrement

Severed Intestines

*Guttural Congregation

Members:

Gavin Ashworth - Vocals

Phil Hunter - Guitar

Dave Robb - Guitar

Mike Wilson - Drums

It could be you! - Bass

Go and witness them live at Basement 20 on the 18/5/12!!!

Fury - Burn the Earth - 4 track CD - 2012

2012-02-20T09:43:00.000-08:00

Fury

Burn the Earth CD

2012

Fury - Worcester

Links:

http://furyofficial.bigcartel.com/product/fury-burn-the-earth-ep-compact-disc

https://www.facebook.com/furyofficial

Genre: Metal/Thrash/Power/Speed

Hailing from the Worcester area these four metal speed thrashers of NWOBHM are coming to get you! And get you they will...

Well you cannot help but love these guys. 11,906 people can’t be wrong. I have watched this band transform from virtually unheard of to now quite well known and the jump has just been incredible.

Now on track - and the right one these guys are just ready for the attack! I feel very humbled to be doing yet another review of this band simply because they are such down to earth hard working and superb musicians to boot. I feel they have already made the grade. The army of “Furyians” just keeps on expanding and I am so proud to say I was there – if not in person – two years ago, and meeting and seeing the band play live last year in Birmingham was such an awesome experience for me.

Seeing their live performance at the Snooty Fox a few months back on the live stream was also a wild and thrilling experience and one which I didn’t want to end. No matter where you see these guys they go on delivering at break neck speed and always give 100% at their shows.

The art work is just as incredible as are the band themselves which is worth a mention and defines the band perfectly and in keeping with the music. Brilliantly crafted by non-other than the Maggot-Meister. https://www.facebook.com/All.Things.Rotten.Maggotmaster

BURN THE EARTH does what it says on the label. It is a no nonsense approach to metal. These four guys have in my opinion done more than burn the earth with their insanely crazy beat ridden and power hungry style of music – they have incinerated it!

The jump from their last five track EP to Burn the Earth has indeed been an immense leap and if the phrase “one small step for man one giant leap for mankind” had not been already said then I would use it in this instance.

The first EP was stunningly fast and superb and now become a personal favourite of mine to play but Burn the Earth has surpassed that in mega proportions.

Burn the Earth

Blindingly superb – this track springs to life. It is creative and compelling listening. The guitars are just calibrated to perfection and seemingly effortless. It gathers a massive momentum and brings back the nostalgia felt at the gig last year. No wonder these guys are becoming more and more successful. Consistent and powerful this track it’s like the express train you just didn’t see coming down the track.

Dangerous World

This is the one I have heard the most and it has had its outing on Infernal Rock Radio courtesy of DJ Beasty. The persistent beat thunders relentless and proud. I am like the perpetual magnet – drawn to the metal! I can’t get enough of this track. Into the labyrinth it carries you further into the realms of Fury like a black hole and engulfs you with every riff. The intense whispers “I am the light – I am shadow” is really ambient and chills you to the bone! The breakdown is immense and just triggers the finger back to the replay and repeat button. A truly awesome track.

Into the Dark

Dark and intense the guitar and the drums working consistently to bring this track alive in such a creative way. The vocal just cuts like a knife. The catchy melody and solid melting Bass line is just terrific in every sense of the word. Indeed another track that has found its way onto the airwaves and damn straight. This track just builds to an enormous crescendo of frenzied guitar and thunderous blasting beats. It leaves tingling highs right down the spine long after the song has ended.

Life Eternal

This track doesn’t lose its grip on the throat musically or vocally either. It still carries the Fury trademark of frenzied guitar and awesome drum beats and is another tremendous “leap in the dark” from the bands previous extravaganza of metal. (Yes I know repeating myself) but I am baffled by the dexterity of the guitars and how the guys can keep up the momentum at such speed? – but then again we are talking FURY here so I should not be surprised in the slightest. This track delivers and then some.

Fury capture an essence all their own with their unique complexity, style of speed, thrash and power infused metal. The only thing troubling me now is can they get better than this? Knowing FURY the answer to that is a big fat resounding yes! But we have to wait until they dish out the next CD to see just how far they will have leapt up the scale the next time – I for one just can’t wait! But for now I am just going to hit the repeat button and indulge myself once more.

A truly exciting listening experience can be had by one and all here. So you are all encouraged to seek out FURY, like Fury, love Fury, and go fuckin’ see Fury Live!

Track List:

Burn the Earth

Dangerous World

Into the Dark

Life Eternal

Members:

Julian Jenkins Vocals/Guitar

Joel Peters - Guitar

Martin Trail - Bass

Alasdair Davis - Drums

Edge of Ruin - Last Line of Defence - 2011

2012-02-20T04:09:00.000-08:00

Edge of Ruin

Last Line of Defence

4 track EP

Released 9^th November 2011

Edge of Ruin – Reading – Berkshire UK

Links:

http://www.edgeofruin.co.uk/

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Line-of-Defence-Explicit/dp/B0065GGP8O/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1320999177&sr=8-11

ITunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/last-line-of-defence-ep/id479698944

Genre: Groovy, Thrash Metal

Edge of Ruin started out in the summer of 2009 and hail from Lincolnshire area but is now settled in Reading Berkshire. 2,463 fans is indeed an impressive figure for an unsigned band.

The cover depicts a drawing of an evil looking monstrous face with clever use of colour and clearly tells the listener what they are in for – something gory and menacing. I am immediately interested. The back cover is a silhouetted photograph of the band with an eerie backdrop – but not much information i.e. lyrics inside the CD case, apart from four nice signatures :D - so now to see what Edge of Ruin have unleashed on us all...

Zombie Throw down

This track is tantamount to evil personified. The vocal is extremely savage and raw. Musically it is austere meaning savagely simple in content but it works. Rhythmically challenging, repeat worthy and possesses a slow but none the less interesting beat, which does quicken further on in the track. The guitar is immense and the change in tempo changes within the blink of an eye, which means this track, holds the listeners attention.

Wall of Death

This one will definitely incite the track title at a live gig. It has a hypnotic beat and you can just imagine the bodies in the pit “slamming” to this one! This track holds a regimented beat that really does pulverise. Incredibly tight and solid and drops in tempo briefly to allow the listener to catch their breath, before surging into a frantic guitar solo and raises the notch another level. The devilish vocals are unimaginably just superb!

Sever the Limb

The groove element has certainly been captured here. The intensely insane beats are infectious and out of this world brutal. This track is haunting on all levels and really screams violently of innovative use of guitar. The tempo’s change again and produce a superb cacophony of slamming metal.

Last line of Defence

A really break neck, up tempo track again reflective of groove and insane beats. The breakdowns are relentless and uncompromising. The energy drops temporarily but only to supersede in a cleverly balanced and brutal array of sound offering dimension and sophistication.

It is a well-produced and superb CD from Edge of Ruin. The groove/thrash element works really well and is very intense listening which finds me reaching for the repeat button yet again. If you want to purchase your copy click on the links above – it is more or less available everywhere.

Hope the band manages to come to the North West at some point in their career, as I can imagine these guys to kick some ass on stage and I for one would love to see them.

Track List

Zombie Throw down

Wall of Death

Sever the Limb

Last line of Defence

Members:

Matt - Vocals

Ozzy - Lead Guitar

Owen - Bass

Damean - Drums

Disciples of Extremity - UKEM Records 2012

2012-02-19T08:30:00.000-08:00

Disciples of Extremity

Volume 1

2012

UKEM Records

Genre: Grind, Grind and more Grind

This has got to be one of the most extreme offerings I have heard in long time on CD. The titles are something to be very proud of as they just capture the essence of what grind is all about and that is incomprehensible grunts and growls and high pitched squeals with abrasive up tempo blast beats and shrieking guitar. Lots of sub-genres have appeared since the mid 80’s such as Noizegrind and Pornogrind to name but two, but each one of them offers the scene this putrid extreme form of metal that instils hundreds of mosh and circle pits across the country and indeed the world.

I think the most annoying thing in the grind genre is the length of which some of the tracks last. Some of them hardly give you the chance to lift your head up before it finishes. This is also a bug bare of DJ’s playing the tracks on air (as my other half DJ Chaos found out whilst doing his brutal show on Infernal Rock Radio) – but the positive thing is that you can at least fit more into an hour than with a track of normal length. Clever!

I never got into the likes of Slayer or Metallica back in the 80’s. Being the original “Rock Chick!” and loving Zeppelin and Sabbath, I never gave Slayer a backward glance, but some of the bands I have heard today – mainly unsigned bands I realise that the above bands have indeed left a big metal footprint and no wonder unsigned bands look up to them for inspiration.

This CD is truly superb and is indeed supporting underground metal. It is far too long to actually review all the said tracks but let’s say that each one is grotesque and extreme as the track before it.

For some it will just sound like a regurgitated noise and to others like myself it brings a fuelled and profound insight into this extreme kind of metal. Seeing it live is another “experience” altogether.

Chris Newby has indeed captured all of this brilliantly on the Disciples of Extremity Volume 1 and is now moving on to bring more of this extreme and brutal grind to the scene through UKEM Records.

Feel the blood bubble and rise in your veins as this compilation hits and infects like a rabid dog.

If you are feeling depressed and listening to doom (no offence doom-heads I like some doom too! But I kinda have to be in that frame of mind) – just turn your attention to grind and feel your mood change almost immediately. You will no doubt feel warmth spread through your body and it will awaken your very sense of being.

Everyone should open their minds to this genre of metal. When listening to Dr Aids for instance you cannot help but feel a perpetual grin spread across your face as Agz just screams out the lyrics to their fuelled hate lyrics towards Katie Price, but saying that the track is very cleverly written and it takes a lot of energy to be able to perform in this intense manner but it must also be a lot of fun.

No wonder things get a bit violent at the grind gigs. It is hard not to have hate lodged in your brain and the feeling of pure contempt as the vocals spew forth in a high degree of intensity along with some of the most amazing and extreme sounds you can ever imagine – I know I can’t. – But saying that they are indeed the friendliest bunch of people you will probably ever meet – well they are of course metal-heads!

Whatever your genre, listen to the grind and buy this CD and support underground metal – It is the least you can do for the scene! Watch out for further releases from UKEM Records. You know it will be a blast!

Track Listing:

Scordatura – Visceral Disembowelment

Chromosome Needle – Cascades of Decay

Nexilva – Defile the Flesh of Innocence

Unfathomable Ruination – Echoes of Universal Futility

Foul Body Autopsy – Left to Rot

*Dr Aids – Katie Price Fuck Off to Jordan

*Revokation – Shards of Piety

Gore Sanctum – Gutting the newly decayed

Northern Oak – In these hills

Eastern Front – Stalinorgel

Engorgement – Full body prolapse

Winds of Genocide – The arrival of apocalyptic Armageddon

Humanity Depraved – Defilement of Purity

Sanhedrin – Now I see the Truth

Fulci Holocaust – City of the Living Dead

Bloodshot Dawn – the end of all

Oblivionized – Abhorrent Evolution

Maelstrom – Legacy of a burning throne

Laceration – Traumatic Insemination

*Seen Live

Rozetta Stone - 4 track Demo - 2012

2012-02-18T10:45:00.004-08:00

Rozetta Stone

4 Track Demo

2012

Rozetta Stone – Liverpool

Links:

www.reverbnation.com/rozettastone

www.myspace.com/rozettastoneuk

UPCOMING SHOWS:

Fri 24th Feb- The Krazyhouse supporting Always the Quiet Ones, Doors 10pm

Genre: Rock

Rozetta Stone (with a Z folks) are a five-piece rock outfit and hail from Liverpool. There is no getting away from that “Old School” feeling and despite not being a Guns and Roses fan I simply love Rozetta Stone... because of their down to earth approach but when they get on stage and really “enjoy” themselves it shows and if the band are enjoying themselves, then it goes without saying that the crowd will follow.

Pat O’Shaughnessy the sound extraordinaire and wizz behind the sound desk at the Zanzibar produced the Demo and he has done an amazing job on it. I had a sneak preview before the band :D

It is just a shame that the band have not got any artwork to accompany the contents of this CD – but no doubt that will follow – one step at a time.

My only problem is that listening to the CD, I keep imagining the band - live!

Raging Sun

Starting with some really clean and classy strings I really love this track as much as Give me More – Louis has that vocal nailed and his voice so suits the genre of the band. Chris and Dil just plough through this track like an express train. Without a doubt, Rozetta Stone will be able to outrun other melodic bands of their kind if they keep to their current form of A1 excellence! Fast becoming my favourite track even above “Give me more”

Give me more

I just simply adore this track. It has me moving and singing along every time I hear it – It’s a great live track too – so I hope the band don’t pull it from the set any time soon. The guitars are just awesome – it makes me wanna rush out and buy a guitar, learn and join in! (Pity I never carried on in the 80’s) Shredded and deaded! Jay’s bass is just thunderous and Ash’s drumming ferocious. Devilishly delicious! The complexities of this track are really superior. Louis really launches his vocal prowess on this track! Damn going to have to listen again!

Save Me

A really great bluesy track! Louis’s vocals sound like black velvet. Then all hell breaks loose – the guitars come into their own and really balance the track – But as good as the track is – it isn’t my favourite one on the CD as I like tracks with a more up tempo beat, but it is nice to have that change and proves that the band can be diverse.

Girl of my Dreams

As soon as this track starts and the beat kicks into action you know you are going to enjoy it. There is some crazy guitar work on this track that chugs into life and then simply blows you away. The harmonies are really special. When this track slows it captures the essence of the track and then builds to such epic proportions – it gets very crazy towards the end of the track and is just superb!

This 80’s feel is just transporting me back to the days when rock really came to life for me in the unsigned vein so to speak. It is why I love these guys so much.

Simply superb listening! I am looking forward to a full album from the guys at some stage. This CD demonstrates just how talented these guys are and if you love the “old school” genre you will love these guys without a shadow of a doubt. Their personalities are completely in tune with each other and that comes across when you see them live!

Track List:

Raging Sun

Give me more

Save Me

Girl of my Dreams

Members:

Louis Jackson-Payne: Vocals

Chris Dixon: Guitars

Dil: Guitars

Jay Lash: Bass

Ashley Janes: Drums

Jordana Divinorum - The End of Entertainment - 2011

2012-02-17T09:18:00.000-08:00

Jordana Divinorum

The End of Entertainment

2011

Jordana Divinorum – Thunder Bay - Canada

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jordana-Divinorum/135444279842432

Genre: A nice mix of Goth, with some punk elements, industrial elements, melodic metal/hard rock with a sprinkling of doom and psychedelic.

A message from Jordana Divinorum – “Our society is collectively unconscious and obsessed with escapism, but as escape artists, we must paint ourselves new eyes to see the world with a new appreciation. As artists, we are also hunters – we seek to capture beauty. A beauty that is neither beautiful nor ugly, and beyond all superficial ideals. A beauty that is profound, subjective, impacting and unforgettable. This is a representation of my reality. This is a window into my world. This is the end of entertainment, the end of turning away from reality, the end of living vicariously through others”

This is indeed an insight into a world of genres and beautifully portrait by the band themselves within this creative CD.

This quartet hails from Thunder Bay – Canada (They couldn’t come from a more apt place) with additional musicians to boot!

This is an amazing little bundle a full colour glossy booklet inside the CD case reveals all the lyrics to all 14 tracks, which is a great start. No expense spared! The front cover depicts the drawing of a Gothic chick with a lot of hair – simple and yet intriguing. Another nice touch is that the band also split the songs into chorus, verse and middle eight and I really like that a lot!

Quite difficult to describe the genre of Jordana Divinorum as it is a nice mix of everything. It has definitely got a gothic flavour but punk sounding vocals on some tracks with a very macabre feel. It is really unusual and unique. The back cover of the booklet reveals a black and white photo of Jordana with some evil face paint which gives off the impression he is into black metal but the music does not suggest that to me in anyway.

Jordana is quite a unique guy in the fact that he is creative not only in his music but his appearance too. He dresses very feminine on stage and he is great at doing make up, something I haven’t even got the hang of yet! His eyes say it all and those hands have created a pure masterpiece, although he is not alone in creating this CD but his influence is a good 80% have to give some credit for the other musicians featuring on this CD.

The music has a great entertainment value and I cannot compare it to anything else I have heard before. But if I was going to sum up this band I would say Goth meets the Rocky Horror Show.

Dark and eerie it is though – with lots of unusual sounds that have been put together superbly well.

“Hate” opens with an array of beats and an edgy vocal. Definite punk overtones and wailing guitar give it an unusual twist. Very melodic with some fantastic back ground effects.

“Higher than Heaven”

A superb opening on this track the beats are lush and the vocal strong and punchy! An awesome melodic feel through-out with great guitars and a blinding bass line. A real head banger of a track!

“Oblivion”

Opens with the female voice of Nancy McNabb and then continues with Jordana giving it his all. The harmonies are really incredible. The gothic sound is foremost on this track. A Really powerful song with some great drumming that offers a superb ending. Love it! Repeat button I love you!

“Radio Edit”

A nifty little bass line and strong drum beats open this track with some edgy vocal. Synthetic vocals too! Is there anything this band has left out on their performance of these tracks? Answer a resounding NO! It has it all and more! This track “bites!”

“Half good, half evil”

Some heavy riffs bring this track to life and a strong spoken vocal carries it on. With chanting “If you fuck with me then I will fuck with you! I miss the comfort of conformity! The words ring out – hence the parental advisory warning on the back of the CD. But this track is what it says on the label. It’s good listening and it isn’t half evil as well.

“Silver Sun”

A strong relentless guitar and plunderers an awesome drum beat from Jimmy Sin! With a haunting keyboard melody kick starting this track. The vocals are crunching, the guitars aggressive and bubble feverishly amid a solid Bass line from Ryan Suicide.

The more tracks I listen to the more interested I become. You just do not know what to expect as each track starts, but the haunting keyboards and heavy riffs keep the listener’s ears glued to the speakers.

*The music is solid and heavy and yet as on the track “Sleeping under the angels trumpet” (great track name) the melody is just profoundly beautiful and an extreme jump from the first track “Hate” The diversity is absolutely fantastic. This is essential listening for all the keyboard enthusiasts out there. (Thanks Patrick your keys are amazing! as is Erik's piano") Intense, but subtle I just love everything about this track. It has feeling and delicate guitars but the vocal still has exquisite power and surrounded by floating, a gentle ambient haze of sound – these guys have nailed this track!

*“Shadows”

Has that dark, doomy feel with an amazing dark vocal and is very, very addictive, just a pity it doesn’t last longer at 2.12 seconds I feel I have been robbed! This is where the gothic sound prevails in bucket loads. It sends chills down my spine and they reach my toes! A nice aboriginal feel to it as well. The clicking in the background takes you back to a more rural setting. Doomy and melodic another track favourite has landed in my CD player! Gutted this track isn't longer :(

“Clone 5”

Out of nowhere springs this track with an industrial feel to it incorporating a robotic style vocal. Great melodic feel with superb keyboards which are apparent through-out the track – always a winner with me! The vocals are dark and menacing and laced with a shrill guitar – Nice feel to it

Fantastic drumming opens this track, “Over my dead body” with a great melody attached. A punk influence with punk type vocals if that is the right word although not as forced as true punk. Great balanced guitars too and a sneaky little bass line.

“Out of order” is laden with heavy guitars (from the Beef) and has a doom feel to it. The vocals are spoken – a really nice twist there! But later on during the track the vocals are sung as well. Ambiance abound – eerie and dark. Also a nice melodic sound from the keys too! Quite a psychedelic feel – another genre touched. Good job my repeat button isn’t Out of order!

“Entertainment and the continuation of the species”

Probably, my least favourite track on the CD. As it just seems to be a jumble of music and vocal. A little bit too “Jazzy” for me although I do love that keyboard sound of twiddly-ness. A bit lack lustre but saying that it isn’t true Jazz in the sense of the word – it is just too much of a strange jumble for me to comprehend.

“Survival of the fakest”

A song about a celeb – it has a really “punky” feel about it. The vocals are a lot more aggressive and the music has a nice raw edge. The keyboards also give it a nice gothic sound and this adds a nice twist.

“Pillbox”

Some nice jerky strings and thunderous but melodic beats to start this track, but the vocals seem a little weak on this track and in places a little off key at the beginning, which is a shame. Eerie twists and turns musically and the evil whisper gives the track a nice touch!

To sum it all up – a unique sound that has a lot of elements from an array of genres. It may not appeal to the extreme end of the scale but it certainly packs a resounding punch. Jordana Divinorum crams everything into one CD. It has enlightening tracks and deep and heavier tracks too. I have never experienced anything like it before. This CD has had a lot of thought behind it and that is apparent by the sheer musicianship alone, not to mention the lyrics and the fantastic artwork by Kevin Anderson, Meghan Hannam, Brian Stewart and Cody Vallant. Superb team effort and it shows.

This CD is essential listening and it will submerge you into a bubble of dark, edgy sometimes aggressive and sometimes ambient world of sheer delight! The more you listen the more you will be infected by the sound that is Jordana Divinorum.

Check these guys out – you will be disappointed if you don’t!

Track list:

Hate 2.56

Higher than Heaven 4.37

Oblivion 4.27

Radio Edit 5.34

Half Good, Half Evil 4.00

Silver Sun 4.36

Sleeping under the angels trumpet 5.50

Shadows 2.12

Clone 5 3.38

Over my dead body 4.05

Out of order 6.15

Entertainment and the continuation of the species 4.41

Survival of the fakest 3.50

Pillbox 5.55

Members:

Jordana Divinorum – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards

Jimmy Sin – Drums

Ryan Suicide – Bass

The Beef – Guitar

Additional Musicians

Nancy McNabb – Vocals

Patrick Dussault – Keyboards

Scott Ericson – Guitar

Erik Riekko – Piano

Contorted Mutilation split CD - Pulmonary Fibrosis - Gutslit - April 2007

2012-02-14T15:50:00.000-08:00

Contorted Mutilation Split CD

Pulmonary Fibrosis (France)

Gutslit (India)

April 2007

Pulmonary Fibrosis – France

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/PULMONARYFIBROSIS/275999929084709?sk=wall

Genre: Goregrind

Rancid Coprophagous

Some fast but simple beats and this track open up with some contagious growls. The bowels of hell have indeed opened and it is getting very hot in here! The devil has come to dinner and he is feasting on your brain! Sounds like he is enjoying it too!

Lying on my pits

A few taps on the sticks and off we go! Let the grunting commence! Great melody and simple drum beats make this a great listen. The growling sounds as evil as it can get or maybe not... let’s see what unfolds here.

Frying on guts and Vile

This as the title suggests gets a little sicker – well no maybe a lot more sick in fact and a quicker pace ensues with it. The grunting and squealing sounds like an orgy in the dark recesses of hell and I have just been invited to attend!

Rectal Spinal Boiling Slaughter

A nice track to finish on and with a lot more venom! The vile putrescence just flows from this gut wrenching track with a lot of evil sounds emitting from the speakers that have me turning up the volume. The screams tell me that whoever is enjoying it as much as I am.

Track list:

Rancid Coprophagous

Lying on my pits

Frying on guts and Vile

Rectal Spinal Boiling Slaughter

Members:

Adrien : Vocals

Yanosh : Guitar, Vocals

Guyome : Drums, Vocals, Guitars, Bass

Renaud : Bass (previously drums)

****

Gutslit – Mumbai -India

Links:

http://www.reverbnation.com/gutslit

https://www.facebook.com/pages/GUTSLIT/112941812058151?sk=info

Genre: Brutal Death Grind / Brutal Slam

If you love the brutal slam and death grind like me you will love GUTSLIT! I am totally at home with this genre. The blast beats are just sick! I can so understand people wanting to mosh to this. It does infect your veins like a vile and putrid infection and fuels you to want to go commit murder on your next door neighbour – whether they have deserved it or not! Let the anger flow through you – it is such a fantastic experience – Yes really!

Contorted Mutilation (intro)

Some evil screams and grunts open this track and just a little taster of what is about to be unleashed on the listener from Gutslit.

Boiled in Bile

Soft strings “I had sex with her well after that I cut her up into little pieces” tells you what this track is all about. Nasty, evil and down-right delicious! A nice gargling vocal penetrates the ears and swiftly accompanied by raucous guitars and a blinding blast of devilish drum beats. Some awesome pig squeals too – oh how I love Gutslit! That guitar screams in pain like someone eating a broken glass sandwich and with every gulp... well you get the picture!

Eviscerating the Stillborn

It starts with a news-woman explaining about a doctor eating a still born baby. Then the blood curdling vocals kick in and the drum beat just engulfs the listener with ear splitting frenzy. The vocals get even messier there on after.

Catherine Wheel

Sounds like someone being tortured to within an inch of their miserable life! A nice gargling vocal then follows and head fucks you with relish! I love this type of grunting vocal and this track has it all. Screaming frenzied mash of oozing fucked up and in your face death grind. Nobody could wish for such an awesome array of sounds that just go on delivering in such a superb and evil way.

A great split CD and such an enjoyable listen. These guys know just where to hit the spot and they hit it with the velocity and momentum of a flying brick! Blood curdling screams, blasting beats, screaming guitar and pig squeals thrown in for good measure yet it still contains a dark melodic twist. This is how I like my metal – with balls!

As the speakers “grind” to a halt I find myself pressing repeat button as the experience of listening to these two bands warrants yet another listen! Amazing! And even more amazing is the fact that I am quite squeamish (seriously folks) although I am toughening up a bit these days!

Track List:

Contorted Mutilation (intro)

Boiled in Bile

Eviscerating the Stillborn

Catherine Wheel

Members:

Dynell - Guitar (2007)

Gurdip - Bass (2007)

Aditya Barve - Vocals (2011)

Aaron Pinto - Drums (2011)

Mortad - The Myth of Purity - Metal Hammer 2012

2012-02-13T06:05:00.004-08:00

Mortad

The Myth of Purity

10 track CD

(Metal Hammer)

2012

Mortad – London

Links:

http://mortad.net/

Genre: Metal

Well I first clicked on LIKE when I heard Mortad sometime ago in 2010, when they had about 300 fans now that figure reaches well past 42,000. 42,447 (and counting) to be precise. But nothing less than Somi and her band of metal heads deserve. They have worked tirelessly in the past two years and now reaping the benefits of their labour.

When I first clicked on that link I was amazed at the brutality that ushered forth and was even more astounded that a woman could sing with such grit and ferocity. Since then I have seen for myself that women can do just as good a job as any man.

Somi also writes the lyrics that aim toward hypocrisy of religion and government in the face of oppression – and what an amazing job she done!

The Mortad Biog is impressive to say the least and the band is rubbing shoulders with not only Metal Hammer, but Bloodstock, Hammerfest and Alchemy and gaining recognition wherever they perform.

The drive and determination of Somi Arian is really astounding. Hailing from Iran where it states within the pages of Metal Hammer that in her country you can be arrested for owning a guitar. I personally am glad that Somi is in the UK and doing what she is doing, and hope one day to be able to congratulate her in person for her superb offerings to the metal scene – That will be a proud day for me.

Somi battles the English language each time she writes lyrics – something I find totally amazing not just from Somi but every foreign band that has to do this – languages are my bag so to speak, but writing a song in another language – well that is just superb in my book. Although I would love to hear Somi produce something in her own language – now, that really would be Metal! Although if you listen carefully to the "The Voice" you will hear what Persian sounds like and this is a really good start!

Whenever I hear the name MORTAD – I get a tingle down my spine because I know that whatever they produce is from the heart and will be in the brutal genre – a genre that I am truly at home in. So going out and getting my copy of Metal Hammer was a must! Maybe one day I will get my copy signed by the quartet – here’s hoping!!

All that’s born musty be destroyed

A fantastic opening on this track! The blast beats are just incredible. Somi sounds like a tormented soul. You can feel the metal flowing through the veins as the music unfolds. There is great melody to this track too! The guitars are powerful with a strong bass line and really carve a powerful path along the metal road!

Waste of my rage

Beautiful ambient strings open this track and then the gut wrenching power unleashes through the speakers as Somi’s mighty voice kicks into action. The shrill kick ass guitar wails at intervals giving it that unusual twist, and again the beats are powerful and relentless.

The Heights
A plundering of beats usher forth along with some more dynamic screeches from Somi. A good melody in there too that carries the listener to greater heights. No escaping from the raucous and malicious beats that this track has to offer.

Mirage

This is very unusual as at the beginning of the track Somi actually sings in a soft key that sounds distorted – this is a great twist! Although she does kick in with more ferocious offerings a little further into the track and the guitars spew out some powerful ripping chords along to some more awesome blast beats.

Feels like Suffocation

Somi tightens her grip around the throat and throttles you to death on this track. The melodic twist is fantastic – superb musicianship! A full sound with delicious drum beats and wailing guitars, I love this track to death!!!!!

The Myth of Purity

Wow can this CD get more dynamic? Yes it can! A chant like vocal with some superb guitar and blast beats galore of course, and a mean bass line. This is a great track!

I’m not interested in being interesting

Some awesome vocals from Somi on this track, it’s blindingly brilliant! I am very interested in being interested in this track – for sure! A very unusual song and most welcome on the cd.

By Default

Superb opening that gets the heart racing and the blood raging! That beat is to die for! Guitars are immense! Somi is like a rabid banshee about to eat her pray with very sharp teeth! It has another nice twist - Relentless ferocity and staggered guitars. So enjoy this track!

The Voice

The voice has indeed spoken and it says... this is amazing! It sounds like we are in the deepest bowels of metal underground hell. Somi has excelled herself vocally on this track. Her anger and aggression, becomes more apparent than on the previous track. Fast becoming my favourite on the CD and there are so many tracks to like on it! It has gigantic proportions of intensity and delivers to the end! I know why I like this track, not only because it is the most severe and savage, but because Somi actually screams some Persian on it! :D

That which is humane

A brilliant opening yet again, fast, furious and delivers in all the right places. Firing up to immense proportions! Another track, that has found a place in my heart. Kick ass and stupendous guitars a nasty bass line and more beats than a heart attack! Let the dynamite explode and make your ears bleed.

If you are one of the lucky people to have witnessed MORTAD live – I am jealous! If not and the band are playing near you – go check ‘em out and witness this LIVE. I plan on seeing if I can get them up North so that I too can witness this amazing quartet and feed off the delicious unrelenting metal that they portray!

Fantastic CD – go and buy Metal Hammer now! At just 4.75 it’s well worth it for the CD alone – 10 tracks of pure genius!!! The lyrics are below.

Track list:

All that’s born musty be destroyed

Waste of my rage

The Heights

Mirage

Feels like Suffocation

The Myth of Purity

I’m not interested in being interesting

By Default

The Voice

That which is humane

Members:

Somi Arian - Vocals

Jonathan Hughes - Guitar

Joseph Perumal - Bass

Szymek Lawik – Drums

The Myth of Purity (album lyrics)

By Mortad

All That’s Born Must Be Destroyed

The excess of history is dangerous to the present

History is worth knowing if you rewrite it yourself

Purpose of the past was not to weaken the here and now

To undermine, degenerate, mummify life itself

You can only justify yesterday by what is highest today

What is highest today?

The false sense of pride in an inherited legacy

Where history of your lineage becomes the story

Fabricates the past, the present and future

Saturates mind-sets with audacious arrogance

One must have the strength to break up the past

And wield the present for a superior life

Past is worth condemning

The only rule for mortals

The law of evolution

Evolution (x2)

Past is worth condemning

The only rule for mortals

The law of evolution

All that's born must be destroyed (x4)

Destroyed (x5)

You can only justify yesterday by what is highest today

What is highest today?

All that's born must be destroyed (x3)

-----------------------------------------------------

Waste of My Rage

Hate me nothing gives me more power than your loathing

Bring me down. I’ve seen a depth of darkness that you

Will never be able to grasp even in your - darkest hours

The harder you hit me, the higher I will rise

Pressure’s what turns a rough stone into a diamond

Wasting the force that you do not have trying to

Push me down, so let this tension be heightened

The harder you hit me, the higher I will rise

Pressure’ what turns a rough stone into a diamond

By laughter do I slay?

You are a waste of my rage

Since I’ve learnt to fly

I’ve not needed pushing

To move from a space

The familiar tune that you wished me to whisper in your ears

Yet another piece of contrived image that’s here today

And tomorrow like most of others, it will - disappear

By laughter do I slay?

You are a waste of my rage

Since I’ve learnt to fly

I’ve not needed pushing

To move from a space

The harder you hit me

The higher I will rise

I set my own destiny

No one makes or breaks me

-----------------------------------------------------

The Heights

Doubt befalls me, burns my faith to ashes

This long haul crushes...

Doubt befalls me, burns my faith to ashes

This long haul crushes my soul

You watch as I dig my ashes

Away from below, lower than low

In my mind trust, has no meaning

Justice is lost, so I'll let go

Doubt befalls me, burns my faith to ashes

This long haul crushes my soul

If you never stood by me as I ascend, don't anticipate standing by me

When I conquer the heights

Zeal overflows, as I outgrow

Pave my way through darkness

No beam of light comes into sight

One journey no destination

If you never stood by me as I ascend, don't anticipate standing by me.

If you never stood by me as I ascend, don't anticipate...

The heights

Every minute, every hour, every day (x2)

Every minute, every hour, every day

That passes is a mystery to myself (x2)

Had enough of futile attempts

Trying to define myself (x2)

If you never stood by me as I ascend, don't anticipate standing by me

When I conquer the heights

Doubt befalls me, burns my faith to ashes

This long haul crushes, crushes, crushes, crushes my soul

-----------------------------------------------------

Mirage

Gone are the days of strong convictions and unity

When the heart and the mind remained in synchrony

Sky was pale the soil black, no grey shades in between

Every step dreamed of moving a mountain

Can you recall when darkness was not fearsome?

Shadows at dusk, gazing far were so sublime

Ghost Reflections on brick walls, so mischievous

Seventh Shade - Zanzibar - 10.2.2012

2012-02-13T02:03:00.000-08:00

Seventh Shade

Zanzibar, Liverpool

10.2.2012

Seventh Shade – Liverpool – St. Helens

Links:

http://www.soundcloud.com/seventhshade

Genre: Rock/Metal

Four piece rock band from St Helens were second to take the Zanzi stage. On speaking to the guys outside they informed me they sounded like early Nickelback, so I was quite interested to see what they sounded like on stage and whether or not they did. I definitely think they do, although I don’t really listen to a lot of mainstream bands anymore – tending to go for more underground bands with underground sounds – But not a bad set at all from Seventh Shade.

They are a band that would fit nicely into a radio one play list but saying that they do have their “heavy” moments. But I spoke to front man John about the songs sounding very similar and said that they need to throw in a few changes in order to keep the attention of the crowd, and to which he agreed.

I like the overall sound of the band though and they came across well on stage. I tend to favour a gritty vocal, whereas John’s vocals are very clean but none the less suit the type of material the band play to a T. They are indeed a rock band and NOT a grind act, so all things considered they did a great job on the night.

Be interesting to see if they get heavier or whether they plumb for the more soft rock approach this will remain to be seen, but I hope I get the chance to see them again.

“Your eyes are mine” was a fantastic track and very melodic and they came into their own when playing it, in my opinion. John’s vocals were immense and it proves that they can get a lot heavier if they decide to take that option.

I couldn’t get near the stage to take pics as the Zanzi was nearly packed to capacity – which was fantastic! This was obviously a boost for all the bands playing on the night.

Check ‘em out on the above link!!!

Set List:

Here we go

Your eyes are mine

Never getting away

Torment

Dear Father

Members

John O'Keeffe - Vocals/Guitar

Michael Mellor - Guitar

Simon Lynskey - Drums

Pete Kelly - Bass

Rozetta Stone - Zanzibar - 10.2.2012

2012-02-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

Rozetta Stone

Zanzibar

10.2.12

Rozetta Stone – Liverpool (On stage 9.00 – 9.30)

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/rozettastoneuk

Genre: Rock

Rozetta Stone was the third band on stage at the Zanzi and not first up as advertised – but this was a good sign as the Zanzi started filling up and fill up it did. I have never seen so many people within four walls since the Surface Fest last year! Good job I got a spec up front as I wouldn’t have been able to take some pics otherwise!

The last gig the band played at the Zanzi was just awesome, and this one was no exception either. Although I was slightly bewildered why Alex, Hannah, Liam and Rich never made it down to the front to join in the fun!

Ant, Kev and myself all rocked out with the band as they kicked off with Raging Sun – now a hot favourite of mine! A microphone fell from one of the amps just into the set... probably down to Ash’s mashing of the drum kit, he hits them with such passion under a mop of the most gorgeous blonde hair I have ever seen :D

But Pat came to the rescue and the band played on – to coin a phrase!

Dil was on form with his multi coloured socks and Chris looked as seductive as ever behind his white guitar. Jay supported the most amazing hair colour change possible and it really suited him – Black is definitely “in” and Louis once again really powered into action on stage – just how we like it!

Still not as familiar with “Beautiful Man” but no doubt it will grow on me. “Give me more!” was just as awesome as ever and a really great catchy song to get down and dirty to. I will never get sick of hearing that track. I understand the band’s dilemma as they only have half hour slots and so they want their audience to share in the new tracks but the crowd love the old ones. I don’t think Alex would have forgiven them if they had dropped “Girl of my dreams!” though – but we all have Rozetta favourites. Still nice to hear their new stuff and turn them into favourites too!

Dil dropped the occasional smile amidst the strumming and both him and Chris competed with a guitar solo of their own, but all “friendly” so good to see this on stage and adds to the craziness that is Rozetta Stone!

The band are really starting to gain the recognition they so deserve, which is nice. They are a solid unit and down to earth guys with the craziest senses of humour going and really enjoy their time on stage, delivering the best they have.

I for one will always be a supporter and believe that these young guys will go far. Do check out their music and like their page. If you get the chance to witness their shenanigans on stage then do so, you won’t be disappointed!

Don’t forget – it is worth noting that the band is giving away free “four track CD’s” at every gig!! Grab your copy at the next one at the K on the 24th February. Free tickets available from the band x

Set List

Raging Sun

Beautiful Man

Save Me

Give me more

Girl of my Dreams

Members

Louis Jackson-Payne: Vocals

Chris Dixon: Guitars

Dil: Guitars

Jay Lash: Bass

Ashley Janes: Drums

Horrorcaused - Kaitain - Quadrant - Skyline Ablaze - Dark Matter Events, Zanzibar - 3.2.12

2012-02-07T13:26:00.000-08:00

Dark Matter Events

Horrorcaused – Kaitain – Quadrant – Skyline Ablaze

Zanzibar

3.2.2012

Finally the day had arrived! I had been looking forward to this event after managing to get a slot for Kaitain, and seeing them live at the K on the 13^th January, and loving Horrorcaused and Skyline Ablaze too it was a good opportunity of seeing the genre’s meet and Dark Matters Event take shape.

Arriving early as I always do, and met Steph and her sister outside and the usual frivolities ensued. Sound check started as Kaitain arrived on time and ready for action.

The atmos at the Zanzi was already vibrant and a cluster of people had entered and settled to hear the sound check.

As ever Pat set to work and after two songs from Kaitain the sound was perfect! I expected nothing else from Pat, the wizard behind the desk! The guys were happy and the event was starting to take shape.

Steph and Joe (of Goacore) had very little time to prepare for this, but did a fantastic job getting the fliers done and set everything up really well. They were terrific hosts for the event and mingled with everyone.

DME is going to be with us until the end of May with gigs every two weeks in the month filled with the best possible bands, so it is well worth noting and heading down to the Zanzi to support them and indeed the bands. It is also worth noting that after Dark Matter Events comes Attitude with Josh Green – who spins the sound for anything Alternative – Metal – Hip hop and Dub-step, so there is something for everyone!

Horrorcaused – Liverpool (on stage 8.00 – 8.30)

Link:

https://www.facebook.com/HorrorcausedUK

Genre: Heavy Thrash/Metal

Horrorcaused have been banned from most places – but this is why I like them. They are quirky and tongue in cheek out and out rebel metal, but they have slightly calmed their act down from the days of Helrazer, when dolls with burned heads were randomly kicked into the audience – although the fake blood was still apparent.

First on stage and delivering some blistering tracks you can’t help but love em! Each track delivered in their unique way and liked by all the bands playing at the event. Adolf seemed to go into some trance like state, covered in blood, the only one in fact, which was a shame, but there ya go! Dave spent a lot of the time with his back to the audience also a shame. Phily really churned out some awesome guitar, whilst Dibb smashed the drums and Joe for the first time playing bass (although I had been informed of this beforehand) presumed he was joking. But Joe seemed relaxed on stage, he really gave the set his all that night.

At the end of the set just before they played Zombie Killer, Adolf announced we should protect the zombies and a voice piped up “gay!” was particularly funny and sparked laughter in the crowd.

I was hoping for a bit more “full on” action but maybe after all the bans the band had decided to play it safe in order to get more gigs, but if you ever see a poster mentioning Horrorcaused do go and check them out, they are well worth seeing live!

Set List:

Ghouls and Ghosts

Abortion Hell

Myra Mains

Odin

Undead

Nasty Zombie Roller Disco

Zombie Killer

Members:

Dibb Lid – Drums

Adolf Bityer – Vocals

Dave Gardener – Vocals

Phily Atkinson – Guitar

Joe Bromley - Bass

Kaitain – Chester (on stage 8.45 – 9.15)

Link:

https://www.facebook.com/KaitainOfficial?sk=info

Genre: Rock/Metal

Well the guys were as excited to want to get on stage and play at the Zanzi and even for the sound check I was receiving a lot of good feedback for them. One person being Tony himself! (The owner of the Zanzibar)

One guy asked me if it was the band’s first gig... to which I replied no they have been going since 2009, but tended to play more Manchester and Chester areas, but that will change if I have anything to do with it. And Kaitain will hopefully be back at the Zanzibar in April for another Dark Matters Event.

The band was completely blown away with the friendly attitude at the Zanzi, from staff and the other bands playing on the night.

After being given a set list Alan then decided to ask the others if they should drop “Drown” and replace it with “Vicious Circle” so that is what they decided to do. Although I have to say I personally like “Drown”

Once on stage the band kicked in with “Morphia” the beautiful strings surged into action and people stood watching and taking in all they heard.

As the guy’s swapped over guitars – well all three of them actually – it sparked off a shocked gasp as Mark from Skyline who said to me “Wow is that it then? I was just getting into that!) So he was well relieved when the guys started playing again. But it was because Al could not sing to the level the guitars were tuned into, which is fair enough.. So with a quick change and into Hollow Tree, one of the tracks I have heard least in the set, which I will rectify as soon as possible.

Solid and tight the band performed their five tracks with gusto and dedication and it was felt by the people attending the night.

When the guys played “Babylon Rise” my all-time favourite track from the band I couldn’t help but sing along. The catchy melodic but yet heavy feel to the track is unmistakeably KAITAIN. Al’s vocals suit the music perfectly and they are a good solid team who communicate well together and have that no nonsense approach, just powerful rock played at its utmost best! Mark from Skyline actually compared them to Opeth! But I try not to compare bands with any other as each band have their own unique flavour in my opinion unless they are a cover band wanting to sound like the original, and not listening to a lot of mainstream bands I think that it is the way to go as you remain in neutral, but all bands have influences that inspire them – that we cannot get away from.

At the end of the set, the audience were a bit deflated and wanted them to carry on – just as I did. But this has paved the way for more gigs for the band and believe me Liverpool is going to get a battering!

Great set guys - you nailed it!

Set List:

Morphia

No way out

Hollow Tree

Babylon Rise

Vicious Circle

Members:

Alan Conroy – Guitar/Vocals

Jack Gordon – Guitar

Tom Wild – Bass

Si Dodds - Drums

Quadrant – Liverpool (on stage 9.30 – 10.00)

Very little is known of this strange quirky band with high pitched vocalist. Although they were not my cup of proverbial tea, a lot of the crowd seemed transfixed on the stage. The music quality was good but somehow the vocals seemed out of place. I would have put this band on first to open the event as I mentioned to Joe on the night.

There seems no record of Quadrant anywhere that I can see on Facebook to give any links.

Being an “Indie” band I cannot comment any further.

******

Skyline Ablaze – Southport/Liverpool (on stage 10.15 – 10.45)

Link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skyline-Ablaze/102908363091987

Genre: Metal/Shred core

Well Skyline is back with a vengeance! Seeing the band on numerous occasions you cannot fail to be moved by the vicious, ferocious pounding beats that wrap themselves around your ears.

The band is now coming into its own, and bringing a large audience with it. The band had a great rapport with the crowd and presented themselves on stage fantastically well.

There was an extra song added to the set which was “Desert Road” and proved to be an audience fave. The shreds were amazing, the vocals superb, the drumming immense you could not fault Skyline. Track after track just ate you alive. The looks on the bands faces were something to behold as they delivered this brutal set that just carried you on a dark and vicious wave until the end.

The band involved the audience offering free CD’s to who could mosh the best up front – and believe me there were a few up there – hair flying in all directions – well done Haydn :D

Finally “Sever the Ties” a particularly savage track on which to end this amazing night. The guys slaughtered the Zanzi yet again, with fire and determination.

Superb gig, superb band and well worth the tweezers!!

Set List:

Been too long

Take what is yours

Shifts in Perception

Desert Road

Left for Dead

Sever the Ties

Rozetta Stone - Taking down Titans - Killaflaw - Arkaidence - Zanzibar - 14.01.2012

2012-01-18T12:49:00.000-08:00

Rozetta Stone – Taking Down Titans – Killaflaw – Arkaidence

The Zanzibar, Liverpool

14.1.2012

Rozetta Stone – Liverpool

Links:

www.twitter.com/rozetta_stone

www.reverbnation.com/rozettastone

www.myspace.com/rozettastoneuk

Genre: Rock

Rozetta Stone is a five piece band from Liverpool and somewhat kicking a few asses judging by their performance on Saturday! From start to finish this performance was epic!

They played two new tracks “Beautiful Man” and “Time” which were tremendous. Well executed and delivered to an eager waiting and watching crowd.

At the start of the show two bands appeared and nobody moved close to the stage but as soon as Rozetta Stone came on everyone just launched at the stage which was great to be a part of.

Dil and Chris did their usual scissor/paper/stone routine and when Chris won Dil mouthed “You bastard!” with a big grin on his face.

Louis the bands front man just let rip this time round and I can honestly say that I have never seen him so vehemently aggressive before on stage, but this just fuelled everyone else around him.

Ash lost a snare and broke both drum sticks which he wasn’t happy about but he needn’t have worried as everyone really enjoyed their set.

Dil was wearing some great socks one stripy one and one spotty one and leapt around in the usual manner with a frenzied look on his face. Jay just kept his head down and got into the groove, whilst Chris looked very seductive behind his guitar.

Completely enjoyable set – the sound was superb – thanks to Pat again who now know the bands’ sound inside out, due to producing their new 4 track demo E.P. (Thanks for my signed copy guys – I so love you all!)

As the band finished I went outside for a smoke and there wasn’t one person there. That was such a great feeling knowing everyone had been inside enjoying the fruits of the bands labours. As more people then came outside the word on their lips was how well Rozetta Stone played their set and as the band members followed there were lots of pats on the back, handshakes and shouts of “Well done guys!” Which was well and truly in order as Rozetta Stone certainly nailed it. Best I have seen them play and with a lot more confidence and zest.

Get in touch with the band if you would like an E.P. it is well worth the listen as this recording is near on excellent.

Set List:

Raging Sun

Save Me

Beautiful Man

Time

Girl of my dreams

Members:

Dil Lewington – Guitar

Chris Dixon – Guitar

Ashley Janes – Drums

Louis Jackson Payne – Vocals

Jay Lashbrook – Bass

**********

Taking Down Titans – Wirral

Links:

http://soundcloud.com/takingdowntitans

http://www.twitter.com/#/TDTitans

http://www.youtube.com/takingdowntitans

Genre: Rock

After hearing Jay and Si on their band page on Facebook I was completely stunned! Jay has a voice like velvet, and the sound that surrounds his delicious vocals was crisp, heavy and very catchy!

As he got on stage with Si the crowd gathered and both Hannah and Alex (friends of mine) were captivated by his vocal and who couldn’t be?

Jay played an acoustic guitar but despite this the sound was still meaty but I would have liked him to have played electric guitar as I feel it would have been a lot heavier.

Taking down Titans have such a simple no nonsense sound that just rocks and draws you into it.

Considering there are just two members in the band they did have a really full and superb sound. The tracks were well put together and delivered with clout!

Jay has a great personality that just shone on stage. You can tell he loves doing what he is doing just by the grin on his face. The crowd really were enjoying the set for sure!

The drums from Si were really edgy and beat perfect! Jay’s vocal just wrapped itself around you and his guitar blasted out some awesome chords. It was spell binding to watch.

It was Jay’s birthday too! And there were lots of shouts out wishing him happy birthday and what a great night he must have had with the crowd enjoying every minute of the set.

As everyone who knows me knows I like a lot of brutal shizz but there is always an exception to the rule and Taking down Titans is that exception!

They played “Bones” which is one of my favourite tracks – so catchy and melodic with some amazing strings at the start. Jay’s voice mellow yet it possesses such a great tone and a great range. It had me singing along anyhow and that guitar when it fired up was just immense and wondering what the guys would sound like with electric guitar in place – mind-blowing no doubt!

Each track was catchy and really struck a chord in the hearts of the on looking crowd.

I really enjoyed every track that Jay and Si played on Saturday. The atmosphere was really alive and everyone was in a great mood and it reflected on the bands playing. Two great musicians indeed.

Great set Jay and Si – looking forward to seeing you playing live again!

Look out for the name Taking down Titans and go and see them live if you get the chance. You are in for a treat!

Next gig is Saturday 4^th February at The Picket for Battle of the Bands 2012.

Set List:

Downtown Tonight

Bones

Goodbye to the Wind

Pure Confession

God Bless

Pressure

Times like these - Cover

Members:

Jay Roberts - Guitars & Vocals;

Si Blades – Drums

***********

Killaflaw – Liverpool

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/killaflaw

http://www.facebook.com/killaflaw

http://www.youtube.com/killaflaw

Genre: Electronica/Rock/Blues

And now for something completely different! Pat gave me the heads up on this band by saying “You are gonna love these guys!” He wasn’t wrong either!

Killaflaw like Taking down Titans have only two members in the band. But that is where the similarities end.

Being a sucker for the keyboards as I am – I couldn’t wait to hear these guys and as they set up on stage Alex and I found a nice spec up front and waited.... as the first thunderous beat started I felt myself shake with excitement.

The sound engulfed us both and I for one couldn’t stop my body from going into some sort of trance as the music started and it just carried me from then on in.

Open mouthed the crowd lapped up every chord and every beat with hunger relish. Benn’s voice had a Bon Scott flavour whilst Andy on keyboards churned out the most amazing electronic accompaniment of sound.

I have waited a long time to see a band play this kind of stuff and now it was happening.

Each song was just breath-taking and addictive. Never having heard the band before I had no idea what to expect but the hunger to hear more was apparent.

Both Benn and Andy came alive on stage as they produced an amazing set. Benn jumping around striking his electric guitar feverishly whilst Andy made the keys sing out in foot stomping mode!

It was an amazing set! As the end drew near I literally felt a “Downer” coming on, and commented to Alex that I could listen to them all night.

Really unique in sound, very different to the previous bands - although it was a perfect mix of rock – so congrats to Tony for pulling together such a great gig.

As soon as I got home I searched for the band and started to listen to the tracks again. In fact I have not stopped listening. My favourite tracks are “Set me on fire” “Broken Idol” and “Holy Funk” three amazingly heavy and interesting tracks that just fuel me to keep hitting the repeat button.

See the band live at the Krazyhouse on 17^th February – you may see me there getting down and dirty!

Set List:

Broken Idol

Revolution

Milk and Whiskey

Already Dead

Holy Funk

Set Me on Fire

Members:

Benn Helm – Vocals/Guitar

Andy Paton - Keyboards

***********

Arkaidence – Liverpool

Links:

www.myspace.com/arkaidence

www.twitter.com/arkaidence

Genre: Progressive Rock

Arkaidence a five piece progressive band from Liverpool were last to grace the Zanzi stage. They mentioned that they had cheap keyboards that had replaced their usual keyboards due to them being repaired, but it didn’t make a difference, as their sound was still immaculate and strong in my opinion.

I first saw these guys a while back at the Zanzi at the Metal Assault on the 2.7.2011 and they were superb.

The guys played “Erosion” one of my all-time favourite tracks from the band. The beautifully intense keys and intricate strings surrounded by a full on blasting drum beat and Alex’s clean but strong vocal were really well performed.

As I mentioned previously on an earlier review of Arkaidence they do sound slightly like Spires (a three piece band from Manchester, whom I have seen perform on numerous occasions) but without the growling vocals, but the music still carries you to another dreamy level entirely.

I was glad to see that Pete hadn’t had the locks chopped – as he is the only one supporting long hair! :D Well done Pete!

Arkaidence is quite seriously intense listening and pulled no punches on Saturday night. A great finish to the power packed evening.

The mix of the bands were rock orientated, but in various styles which was superb – well done Tony for getting this collection of bands together which proved to be a really pleasurable evening all in all and of course to Pat the sound tech extraordinaire without which the bands would not have sounded so crisp and powerful on the night. Great gig!

Set List:

Somatia

Erosion

Terminus

Rope – (Foo Fighters Cover)

The Forgotten One

Members:

Alex "Danger Al" Nolan - Lead Vocals

Michael "Mickey Tiddles" Threlfall - Vocals/Guitar

Richard "Ricardo Cojones" Jones - Bass

Jordan "Jordgasm" Dunbar - Keyboards

Peter "Turbulent Gropist" Roper - Drums

Kaitain - The Krazyhouse - 13.1.2012

2012-01-16T10:25:00.000-08:00

KAITAIN

The Krazyhouse

13.1.12

Kaitain – Chester

Links:

http://www.Myspace.com/Kaitain666

Genre: Rock

Despite being Friday 13^th I couldn’t Kaitain myself when I found out that the band were playing at the Krazyhouse. After hearing them on Myspace it just seemed the best possible treatment to feed my enthusiasm and I wasn’t disappointed not in the least!

It is very difficult to put the highly contagious Kaitain into any specific category as they are very diverse which isn’t a bad thing at all.

The band kicked off with my favourite track “Babylon Rise” although some of the vocals were lost, due to the sound not being what it should be, but despite that the rest of the set just came to life!

Kaitain are indeed heavy and in your face, but with bags of melody! I was however surprised that the band decided to play older tracks rather than the newer ones, as the older ones don’t seem to be anywhere online, which is a real shame, but it was however it was good to hear their older tracks.

The music does indeed grab your attention and draws you into its spellbinding riffs. Listening to the new stuff and hearing the bands older stuff made me realise that Kaitain are definitely moving forward. The newer tracks hold more of a punch laced with rhythmic aggression whereas the older tracks seem less powerful and slightly more delicate but still redeemable enjoyable and exciting especially live.

Kaitain are at home on stage and settled into their 30-35 minute set with ease. Their solid and diverse sound apparent throughout. In some places quite progressive and in others more hard-edged. I for one love diversity and you get that and more with Kaitain.

Still room for improvement though and no doubt the band will succeed being just three years old they are striding forward.

I have it on good authority that the tracks on the Babylon Rise E.P. at the moment are due to be re-mastered at some point which will be good to hear and compare with the old copy.

They do have their own “Flavour” and indeed possess an all-round sound incorporating ballads such as “Lachrymose” such an amazing track that doesn’t lose sight of interesting riffs and melody, whilst “Drown” is a lot heavier and up-beat.

The Drum beats are solid and uncompromising whilst the vocals clean but still have that edge, the guitars just hold a superb rhythm and the bass has power. It will appeal to a lot of people who enjoy a good melody and rhythm. Myself included!

Catch the band live if you can because they will not disappoint and they are fantastic live! Check the dates and venues on the poster and go and support them if you get the chance!

I know I am really looking forward to seeing these guys again and sampling the later stuff too... “Lachrymose” for one! Now check out the link above and go and listen for yourself – and see if you can KAITAIN yourself!

Set-List:

Babylon Rise

No Way Out

Superheavy

Hollow Tree

Drown

Vicious Circle

Members:

Alan Conroy - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals

Simon Dodd - Drums

Jack Gordon - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals

Tom Wild - Bass/Backing Vocals

Kaitain - Babylon Rise - 18.04.2011

2012-01-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

Kaitain

Babylon Rise EP 18/4/11

Kaitain – Chester/Macclesfield/Warrington

Links:

http://www.Myspace.com/Kaitain666

Genre: Metal

Formed in 2009 this 4-piece released their first EP entitled Babylon Rise on the 18/4/11. On listening to the band it is apparent that they do not fit into any category and have indeed brought something “fresh” to the metal scene.

Morphia

Beautiful strings blending with some crisp drumming and a great way to open a track. It thunders into life and brings with it some intensity of mega proportion. The vocals are clean but none the less contain a certain grit that becomes more apparent as the track unfolds. A great beat with an immense sound follows and compelling listening. The breakdowns are just crazy!!!

Lachrymose

Slower paced at the beginning but the strings are just so beautiful, they literally bring tears to my eyes. It picks up tempo and then drops back into the slow groove again. Crisp clean vocals that suits the track so perfectly. Again it builds up to immense proportions and has an intensity all its own. It offers dark compelling and epic all in one! I love this track

Raze the World

Thunderous drumming with a thudding cymbal the track blasts into life. The vocals are amazing! The chords fire up into more immense listening. It gets under the skin and rips through the nervous system like a frenzied virus. The bass kicks ass through-out the track. Slowing to bring you some more awesome strings and some softer vocals. I can imagine the crowd holding the lighters high to this track!

Drown

Again this track just fires on all six with intensity and power. You never know what to expect from Kaitain. But you know it is going to be something special. It is very serious listening but you don’t have to be in the mood to listen as it just carries you to a different plane of thought. Definite ear candy for anyone who likes something different! The breakdown is just phenomenal here, it has crushing rhythm and beats galore, only to slow and build the twists to this track are amazing, but somehow the word “amazing” just doesn’t cut it and seems lame to describe a monster track that will pulverise the listener to grand proportion.

Babylon Rise

I love the dark gnawing ambient sound as the track opens. Immediately it gets the blood surging through the veins. An unholy mechanized beat ushers forth and wraps itself around your ears. Vocals One world, one world order, new world order, Babylon Rise! A great catchy melody but it possesses a frantic raw edgy and superb all round sound. Indeed my favourite track on the EP. I will be singing this for a long time to come!

Well one of my New Year Resolutions is coming true tonight as I am going to see this amazing band LIVE tonight! So looking forward to this...

This is indeed special metal and can be sampled on the above link, but beware it is elitist metal and epic in every sense of the word. You may find yourself pressing the repeat button more than once.

Conformed to Kaitain but dying isn’t an option!

Track Listing:

Morphia

Lachrymose

Raze the World

Drown

Babylon Rise

Members:

Alan Conroy - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals

Simon Dodd - Drums

Jack Gordon - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals

Tom Wild - Bass/Backing Vocals

Chronicles of Violent Work of Art 1995 - 2010

2012-01-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

The Chronicles of Violent Work of Art

Violent Work of Art

5-track Demo – VWOA 001

1995

Violent work of art – Växjö, Sweden

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/violentworkofartofficial

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Violent-Work-Of-Art/203884703001760

Genre: Industrial

Amazing how clicking on a link can change your life! Ever since hearing “The sky comes falling down” by VWOA I have been hooked, and it is with great pleasure to review these five CD’s from the band.

VWOA have been around since 1994, yes you heard right that is 18 years of VWOA and I have been very lucky to have been sent five CD’s to review, that is a lot of listening and now they are also preparing for their 20th anniversary album to come out in late 2014....

The best way to review this lot is start from the beginning so reviewing the band’s first CD from 1995. So please take note of the various line up’s changes through-out each of the band’s career when listed on the CD of course!

The Industrial genre is one I feel that is vastly overlooked which is a shame as the sound is just raw and really cuts to the bone with the thunderous riffs and no nonsense in your face industrial metal sound.

VWOA have really got it right on all levels, although they seem to be doing well without the help of a big record label behind them. They are now signed to a small label Swedemetal Records and signed in 2005.

All of these CD’s are very professional in appearance – the artwork is very industrial and space-age and the engineering is just superb. Let the countdown commence!

UNeMOTIONAL

Dark and moody this track reaches into the far corners of your mind and reaps havoc. The vocals are gutsy and the guitar gives out that evil industrial flavour whilst the drums blandly smack out to a constant beat.

*MeLT*

Some great keyboards and a catchy hook line from the guitars to a chanting type of vocal. Drums are a lot more upbeat and raunchy to say the least. The vocals are a lot more vengeful and aggressive. A lot of ambient dark sounds really compliment this track. The bass is just awesome!

FAILURe

Now getting more aggressive, as the track unfolds. This is vibrant with a lashing of hard drum beats and more rawkus vocals. A delicious work of art I would say, with some fantastic shredding this track goes on delivering right up to the end.

WORM

Fancy drum work at the beginning it plunders into a more melodic track with great vocals. Again a great hook line in there that just gets the head moving. The guitars fusing together to release another very vibrant track, laced with some more awesome shredding and blast beats.

STRANGe PLAY

Some epic guitar at the beginning of this track with some nice heart beat sounding noises thrown in. Then the drums come into play. A slower paced track, but none the less powerful and hard hitting.

Track Listing:

Unemotional

Melt

Failure

Worm

Strange Play

Members:

Tobias Eng (Vocals),

Viktor Eng (Bass),

Magnus Pettersson (Drums),

Wincent Person (Guitar),

Anders Gyllensten (Guitar)

Tobias Thuresson (Keyboard).

**********

Violent Work of Art

HARD

1996

5-Track CD

VWOA 002

Can it get any better??? Well indeed it can and a lot more hard hitting than the previous CD too!

*ANOTHER DREAM*

It starts off with some bass... dark and moody then all hell breaks loose with some great guitar. Nice industrial noises “Give me some more!” the vocals scream out. A really unique track. Fast paced and really hard core! Love it!

POISONED

Crisp guitar and drumming begin this track and it builds to epic proportions. Nice blast beats intervene. Great strings and some odd noises to follow that again plunder the depths to more gigantic sounds in abundance. The vocals scream out the word “Poison!” in such an evil aggressive tone! Poison is indeed what you have in its purest form when you listen to this track.

GRINDSTONE

Industrial noises galore open this track. It is getting more brutal as you can expect with VWOA. They haven’t disappointed so far. Down and dirty this band deliver the goods with eager aggression.

*WRITTEN IN BLOOD*

Some beautiful haunting strings and a blast of beats open this track with more coarse vocals. Never losing sight of their industrial roots – that is apparent! The bass just rips and the guitars melt with a chugging cacophony of sound. Vocals are immense! Another great track from VWOA! So enjoying this!

WITHIN

Some immense blast beats kick this track off along with some more powerful vocals that really infuse with some thunderous guitars and pounding bass. Just as evil as the previous track but has a good melodic feel to it. A real head banger of a track with a great ending!

Track Listing:

Another Dream

Poisoned

Grindstone

Written in Blood

Within

Members:

Tobias Eng

Victor Von Doom

Wincent Persson

Magnus Pettersson

Tobias Turesson

Anders Gyllensien

**********

Violent Work of Art

The Worst is yet to come

9-Track CD

Swedmetal Records

2005

Jumping to 2005 now and seeing the band signed to a small record label called SwedeMetal Records – This CD has a very industrial cover and is again a full on metal industrial assault theme. Sadly it doesn’t mention the band members though!

And yes it does get better... this band have gone from strength to strength in just three CD’s and so far this is the best one, but that could all change as I move on to the next..

*DIFFERENT PROBLEM SAME SOLUTION*

A nice heavy blast of drums and guitars and awesome keyboards fire up this track. Vocals are just amazing. That keyboard although in the background just haunts. The track itself is just vicious and rife with great velocity and tempo! The volume has already hit top notch!

*REASONS TO HATE*

Superb keyboards and drumming on this track! It will eat you alive in a frenzy of beats and keys alone. Vocals show a lot of extreme aggression and there’s no let up as it continues. It is a great epic track of extreme industrial sound. But I honestly have no reason to hate it. I love it with an extreme passion. If I could bathe in this track I would drown! Just superb listening!

*THE WORST IS YET TO COME*

This should be called “The best of the worst is yet to come!” Extremely beautiful haunting melodic keyboard. Vocals start off slow but build to a higher degree, and bring chills to the spinal column until they just rip your spine out altogether!

*WASTED*

Pure orgasm material what more can I say about this – it’s catchy, melodic, raw, powerful, and energetic. Sinister opening with some great keys that are melodic and catchy then that addictive beat thunders to life and after that my finger keeps hitting the repeat button... damn it is so goooood! I am going to have this beat running around in my head for a long time to come I think! My favourite all time track!

SHARING MY DISEASE

Very quirky opening and slow paced with vocals that are more or less talked than sung. A very epic track with a fantastic all round sound. It really grabs you with its intensity. Strong bass with crisp drumming that melts into a more serious beat. I am so glad they shared the disease!

COMA

Great keyboard opening with choppy sound and a nice series of beats. This will have you moving in seconds. Lively and vibrant with sound and some pure evil vocals that pierce the ear drums with sheer aggression. There are some serious chords as well on this track. These guys mean business.

DIVINE

Another great opening on this track with some great keyboard and real industrial noises. Vocals chant out to another brilliant cacophony of sound. Some simple keys appear during the track but the vocals give it that evil sound. That industrial feel builds to immense proportions and delivers with a smack between the eyes. Raw and ferocious and has a kick like a mule! Most definitely and without a doubt, a very divine track.

*NAKED*

Great melodic catchy keys open this track and almost immediately the wall of sound emanates from the speakers. A crashing of beats with a strong bass line and more serious chords this is powerful stuff! That catchy keyboard just throttles you with intensity as the track unfolds and coupled with a clean and grisly vocal it does indeed make you feel naked and vulnerable as the constant sound just engulfs you with an almost pure evil.

*WARS TO WIN WARS TO LOSE*

This is fast and ferocious. Great powerful drumming and mean guitars with a strong bass. Vocals stronger than ever and even more grisly than the previous track! I think they definitely won the war with this track and another real favourite!

There is not one track on this CD that I don’t like. It’s expertly produced and awesomely played. Judging by this CD it’s going to take me a while to move on to the next one as this is just sooooo good! This whole CD just amazes me from start to finish and a lot heavier than the last two! I have listened to this CD about ten times over now and as it nears the end I have that sinking feeling and just have to listen to it all over again.

Can this band get any better? I hope I can leave the repeat button alone to find out!

Track Listing:

Different Problem same solution

Reasons to Hate

The worst is yet to come

Wasted

Sharing my disease

Coma

Divine

Naked

Wars to win and wars to lose

*********

Violent Work of Art

Tales of Distortion

6 Track CD

SwedeMetal Records

2009

Finally moving on to the next CD from 2009 entitled “Tales of Distortion”

Unfortunately I do not have the cover for this CD so I also do not know who plays on this CD sadly.

*HAPPY WITH MY PAIN*

Outstanding track – this really fires you up and leaves you gagging for more. Bludgeoning beats, chunky keyboards, strong bass and superb guitars. This has clout! Superb vocals too! I am just “Happy with this track!”

SIMPLETON

Ample keyboards, just how I love my industrial metal. Still with that evil ferocious feel and damning vocal content, this track doesn’t fail to impress. Dark, ambient and evil this pulverises the brain with immense power! VWOA just know where to hit and how hard!

*BI-POLAR*

Vibrant, energetic and lively! with enough power to fuel the world in its entirety. This is colossal in sound, with everything coming at you at once! Superbly mixed, and produced. It certainly raises the blood pressure! Serious beats and amazing guitars with great effects!

*BACKSTABBER*

Fook!!! This is immense! Those keyboards are just fantastic. The drumming is amazing, the vocals superb, and bass awesome! I can feel the repeat button looming once again. This is just such a beautiful track. I am totally overwhelmed with industrial metal.

REDEMPTION

Wow, this just keeps getting better and better. I doubt I will come out alive from this. Extreme and awesome in every sense of the word. The keyboards add that lovely melodic feel whilst the drums hit to extreme levels and the vocals just rip your head off!

*THE REAPING*

Dark and foreboding opening that spark off some choppy keys giving it an all over immense sound. Slow paced vocals that hammer out in their evilest form. Superb listening!

Great CD – a few definite favourites here and well worth listening to again!

Track Listing:

Happy with my Pain

Simpleton

Bi-Polar

Backstabber

Redemption

The Reaping

**********

Violent Work of Art

The Dark Within

5 Track EP

SwedeMetal Records

2010

ENEMIES

Powerful opening with epic keyboards and thunderous beats – absolutely stupendous! Nice gnarly vocals too! Melodic chugging rhythm just belts out in true VWOA style. Also possesses a nice ambient dark feel that is so industrial and delicious!

THE BLEEDING

A doomy sinister start to this track with shill keys with a melodic rhythm to boot. Slow paced with “not so” grisly vocal, which is a change for the band. A very epic track all the same.

SELF BETRAYAL

A tinny drum beat with a mix of guitars and keys. Vocals are aggressive and fiery. Not one of my favourite tracks though which has to be said, as it sounds very different than the previous tracks – but maybe it will grow on me.

THE VIRUS

Interesting start with some slow drums and symphonic keyboards with a cheeky melodic hint that the vocals drone along to.

*HAPPY WITH MY PAIN*

Outstanding track – as first heard on Tales of Distortion – this really fires you up and leaves you gagging for more. Bludgeoning beats, chunky keyboards, strong bass and superb guitars. A clever move on the bands part by putting this track at the end – just teasing you to listen again.

Although not my favourite CD from the band – That must go to “The Worst is yet to come!” But four CD’s liked out of five isn’t bad at all.

They are extremely addictive and if you love industrial as much as I do then you will not be disappointed when hearing this band.

Superb production, great CD Covers and awesome music – now you couldn’t wish for more than that!

Looking forward to hearing what VWOA will come up with next! It should be very interesting indeed!

Well I finally got to the end of the chronicles of VWOA and what a journey it has been! The hardest part was taking “The worst is yet to come” out of the CD player, but it is now back again and ready to play again once more! :D

Even if the tracks do not have a * by them I still think some are fantastic listening but of course we all have our favourite tracks – so you pick yours! There are many to choose from! Go check them out on the link above – you cannot fail to be impressed with VWOA they are indeed a musical art form from start to finish.

It is also worth noting that the band have produced some material as a tribute to AC/DC in 1997 as well as an AC/DC tribute in 1998. I do not possess these CDs which is why they have not been reviewed.

Track Listing:

Enemies

The Bleeding

Self-Betrayal

The Virus

Happy with my pain

Members:

Sadomachine - Magnus Karlsson - Vocals, programming, song writing...

Goldenstone - Anders Gyllensten - Guitars.

Maria Simonsson - Synth / Machines - Programming, Song writing.

Set upon Invasion - Reaper - Kedollasha - Zanzibar - 28.12.11

2011-12-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

Set upon Invasion/Reaper/Kedollasha

Zanzibar

28.12.11

Set upon Invasion - Liverpool

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/setuponinvasion

Genre: Metal/ Metalcore

Been wanting to see SET UPON INVASION for a while now but somehow they had eluded me, and had no idea they were playing the Zanzibar until I saw a post, so was extra happy to attend this gig.

Joe has only just joined the band and so it was his debut with them. Despite only doing four songs and the first is so new the band hasn’t even got a title for it yet! Joe did a commendable job although at times his voice was lost over Nick’s guitar... maybe because Nick had just that day bought a new amp, so the sound was really powerful.

Nick is indeed the power behind Set upon Invasion. His spidery fingers just melted that guitar of his. After jumping off the stage and murdering his guitar in front of three crazed metal heads plus myself you can see he is comfortable doing what he does with incredible ease.

Dan a definite master of the bass strings and Sean announced as the “baby” of the band smashed that kit with a passion. All four members of the band really got into their stride despite only being a four track long set, just hammered out the riffs with ease and aggression.

They didn’t disappoint and by the time the band finished their set, I was quite sad not to have heard further from them – but looking forward to hearing them again and the next time Joe will have really found his niche with the band.

Well done Joe – you did a great job!!

Members

Joe Speak - Vocals

Sean Carson - Drums

Dan Smith - Bass

Nick Harris – Guitar

Set List:

New song (untitled)

Unholy Confessions (Avenged Sevenfold cover)

Runaway

The Diseased

******

Reaper – Liverpool

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/RipRawReaper?sk=app_178091127385

Genre: Thrash metal/Metal

Wow! Where do I begin with this review? From start to finish REAPER were just awesome. Chord for chord was just perfection and nailed shall we say!

Adam’s eyes were red and lizard like due to some spectacular lenses – they really did look cool.

At the start someone shouted out “Don’t fear the Reaper!” but after hearing these guys live – I think you should be afraid – very afraid! Because they will take your head off and they don’t need a scythe to do it. Just awe inspiring riffs do the trick just as good.

Danny, although with some infection or other screamed out some terrific vocals but after four tracks handed the vocals over to Ant their amazing guitarist, who got down and dirty with the mic as well as smashing that guitar with some fantastic shredding. It had to be seen to be believed.

Even their Motorhead, Sabbath and Megadeth covers were actually better than the original bands and they really turned the tracks into their own. Never heard Paranoid played so fast before, it really blew me away at the ferocity of which these guys played. Not that I am a lover of covers but these guys just gave them a new lease of life, instead of just playing them. Something I haven’t witnessed to this degree before.

Ant reminded me of a young Steve Mann who was with Lionheart back in the 80’s, with his mane of blonde curls and who incidentally also plays guitar.

Chord by chord, shred by shred Ant delivered a blinding set. Danny’s vocals really kicked some ass, Adam did more than just hit that kit, Matty killed his bass and together they just more than nailed the set.

It amazed me how these young guys just put together such a professional set. The musicianship was just extreme and jaw dropingly good. Danny’s expressions as he struck the strings were awesome. This was a thrash and be thrashed set which exploded with all the force of a nuclear bomb plus!

“Sick circle of Hell” was also an awesome track and right up my street. The sheer power in it alone was something to behold and of course one of their songs. Nothing like hearing a bands own songs.

The night has to go to REAPER – four guys with more balls than a snooker table and more power than the national grid on over drive! I am going to be driven insane if I don’t see these guys play live again... It is a total must for me and if you love your metal you will make the effort to catch them live.

The grit and power exuberated from these guys has to be witnessed. It’s just savage indulgence and an indulgence that personally I want to indulge in again and again!!!

Superb, brilliant and just breath-taking - come back soon guys – I like it when my blood pressure rises and my head explodes with a passion! REAPER is my new fix!

Members

Daniel Moran -Rhythm guitar/vocals

Anthony Dalton Lead guitar/backing vocals

Adam Toumi - Drums

Matthew 'Titch' Pruden - Bass

Set List:

Ace of Spades (Motorhead Cover)

Area 51

Wartorn

World at Redemption

Sick Circle of Hell

Holy Wars (Megadeth Cover)

The Punishment Due

Paranoid (Sabbath Cover)

******

Kedollasha – Liverpool

Links:

www.kedollasha.webs.com

Genre: Hard Rock/Rock

Luke already had the “look” and great stage presence, complete with hat, shades and curls to die for. Whilst Ant supported the most gorgeous long black hair I had seen in ages. Anyone who knows me will know I have a hair fetish, it is no secret, but of course it has to be on a dude with muscles!!

Their style reminded me a bit of southern sleaze 80’s style rock. Great sound indeed. Some amazing chords from Nick and Paul who deftly carved the way for their great style of rock!

Their first track “Take your time” just had a sneaky little hook line it that just literally hooked me. Those guitars just sung out in rhythm – I didn’t want it to stop! Listening to Kedollasha online does really nothing for the band they have to be sampled like a good wine, before you truly appreciate the rich flavour. But this track is I think my favourite – it totally rocked!

Ant dedicated the third track to a guy that had died and inspired him to play drums, but sadly I couldn’t hear who it was.

“Separate” had some amazing guitar and brilliant beats, the bass courtesy of Chris just thumped out and Luke’s vocals really paved the way for this track. The shredding was just immense and great to see live and made a great impact.

The crowd had sadly diminished somewhat at the beginning of the set but slowly more people started filtering back into the venue, which was a good sign. I had heard the band online previously but not had a chance to catch them live, but so glad I have now!

Sadly the band were running low on time and so never got to play “Die” which I would have liked to have heard. But I was surprised they never played Disillusioned their demo track as I think that is just epic!

Looking forward to seeing Kedollasha again at some point they did leave their mark!

Great gig, great bands, great time! Who could ask for more!

Members

Luke Daly-Groves - Vocals/Guitar

Chris Lillie - Bass

Antony Gibbons - Drums

Nick Cropper - Lead Guitar

Paul Davies - Rhythm Guitar

Set List:

Take your Time

Slither

Distant Memories

Separate

Warning

Yesterday’s Tomorrow

Hollywood Steel

Horrific Sexual Atrocity - Full on Fallopian Fungus Demo - 2011

2011-12-29T08:25:00.000-08:00

Horrific Sexual Atrocity

Full on Fallopian Fungus Demo

2011

HSA – Liverpool

Links:

http://www.reverbnation.com/horrificsexualatrocity

Genre: Porno Gore Grind

Horrific Sexual Atrocity or HSA for short were regurgitated into a bucket in July 2011 and have gone on to produce some amazingly ugly and most putrid tracks ever written, and this Full on Fallopian Fungus Demo is just the start of it – it may get extremely ugly as time goes by and knowing these guys it will!

Indeed HSA is just something else! In their own words a two man gore-grind assault unit, and what a duo! Not for the faint of heart and definitely not for the prudes amongst us! As the aforementioned tracks will tell you.

Ginger Joe is also the drummer for the amazingly extreme Dr Aids as well as playing guitar and doing vocals for his own side project Horrific Sexual Atrocity, which has now found a niche in the slop bucket of humanity. Wogg Head is the second member and also does disgusting vocal noises for the band as well as starting the most extreme mosh pits ever known to man and beast! Joe is also his accomplice on inciting extreme mosh pits and has been known to go down 8 times and still want more!

Heavily influenced by Ketamine (A powerful horse tranquilliser) and Tesco’s Value Cider these two reprobates have got together and produced a free demo for all you hardened porno gore grind lovers out there, and as stated on their band page “expect to see them on the sex offenders register soon!” Hardly surprising with their antics too!

After receiving my copy I nearly threw up and have to keep the front cover firmly face down on the desk... I will need rehab after this!!!

Witnessing this band for the first time I was shocked, disturbed, unsettled, and totally in awe of Ginger Joe – the multi-talented dread locked front man and at that time the only man in the band, destroying his vocal chords and guitar to an equally shocked, disturbed and unsettled audience at Basement 20. Wogg Head (Vocals) and Lee Jamieson (Drums) joined him on stage for a one off track which was just as brutal and ugly as you would expect from them.

Sharing a stage with none other than Cerebral Bore, Disentomb, Gorebound, BTK, Cancerous Womb, Defecal of Gerbe, Satan's Revenge on Mankind, and Attack of the Mad Axeman these two guys are going places – Hell no doubt! And once seen you will never forget them – for sure! I still have nightmares and have to go for counselling every week!

Out of the madness though, Joe and Wogg have come up with a winner. This nine track demo is to the very extreme, brutal, ugly, menacing and fucking awesome! All porno grind lovers will be revelling in the blood, shit, piss and puke that are HSA with extreme pleasure, and I have to include myself in that as I love something brutally insane and different. I actually have it in abundance here!

Let the carnage commence!

Blood, shit, piss, puke cocktail

Wow the pig squeals alone on this track are worth every second with those insane drum beats – deliciously epic!

Cold Turkey

Superb squeals and grunts nasty and so amazing. Insane drumming and ugly immense riffs, plus some wind tunnel vocals too – now you are spoiling us!

Dry Bummed by the Parish Council

Great title, but conjures up some nasty images about priests molesting 14 year old boys. Awesome screams, grunts and pig squeals nasty as fuck just like the Parish Priests!

Fat Fuck Dog Fucker

Talking of experiences, two women share the experience of being fucked by a dog. Evil track that will have your tongue hanging out if only for the pig squeals! Or is that the dog begging for more? You decide! I think the woman enjoyed her experience as she says “OMG I think I am going to have puppies!”

Give me all your fucking drugs

More squealing and nasty shit here… it’s all going down boy and you had better believe it! The carnage is rife! And I am not talking about Priests here either!

Shit in your mouth and fuck it (Copraphilic Throat Job)

“I will rip out your eyes and piss on your grave!” Bring it on! Blast beats are fantastic. Chugging riffs and expertly done too!

Sucking shit through a wet sock

“I have a bad case of diarrhoea” – as chanted by some eastern tarts! Evil vocals here as you would expect and it sounds like they do indeed have a bad case of diarrhoea.

Sunday Morning shit stomper

This is a right pooey mess! Good job it only lasts for about 3 seconds otherwise we would be buried in shit!

The Innocent butt plug

Interesting opening for this track... nice grunts and squeals and noises that sound like farting – done to some crazed drumming and evil riffs all taking place in what sounds like a wind tunnel.

The thing with porno-grind as indeed most grind in general only last for a brief time so it doesn’t really let you get comfortably into the track before it is finishing and sadly that is the case on a few of these tracks which is a shame as I like to get down and dirty with the old porno grind. Bizarre, extreme, brutal are just some of the words that you can expect people to say about HSA along with evil, grim, nasty, awesome and downright weird!

Have to love these guys they are really something special and always deliver the goods in the most sickening way possible and this CD is definitely sickening! :D The guys signed the front cover so when I want to smile (or whatever) over the signatures I have to look at the cover and then I feel very sick indeed – what bastards! :D

But do go and experience these couple of sick demented, twisted evil muthas though as you will never experience anything like it again – ever! Brutality and sickness in one – who could ask for more!!!

If you are not on drugs at the start of this CD you will be by the end of it... and I am not talking painkillers here.

Track Listing:

Blood, shit, piss, puke cocktail

Cold Turkey

Dry Bummed by the Parish Council

Fat Fuck Dog Fucker

Give me all your fucking drugs

Shit in your mouth and fuck it

Sucking shit through a wet sock

Sunday Morning shit stomper

The Innocent butt plug

Members:

Ginger Sodom - Guitars, Drums, Noises.

Wogghead -Noises/Genital Exposure.

DIGIFLESH 3 tracks 2011

2011-12-18T03:30:00.000-08:00

DIGIFLESH

3 tracks

Digiflesh – New Jersey – USA

Links:

www.digiflesh.net

www.twitter.com/digiflesh

Genre: EBM/Industrial

So new there isn’t much information about on Rob Digiflesh but I plan on changing that.

Facebook even with its glitches and spammers has not only given me some awesome new friends BUT brought to my attention the ever increasing talented musicians that just keep appearing out of nowhere and expanding my musical taste. For which I am extremely grateful to Mr Zuckerberg!

One such band is DIGIFLESH a one man EBM/Industrial project. As many will know Industrial is one of my favourite genres due to the fact it is just so hypnotic and lodges itself into the brain.

From the first moment I clicked on the DIGIFLESH link I was blown away with immense ferocity and paralyzed by the awesome electronic beats hitting my ears. It’s my food for thought and I could live on it, no problem!

No matter what mood I am in I can lash something Industrial based on the computer and just lose myself in the grip of it. DIGIFLESH is one such project that has been brought to my attention and I am not letting go!

NOTHING REAL 3.30

Is a vibrant catchy and melodic track that pulls no punches! Rob’s monotone voice goes perfectly with the snappy drum beat. It warrants at least twenty plays a day and is like a virus, but indeed a good one that just infects the mind and body in such a way that you can’t stop moving to it. It has perfect balance and although has a synthetic drum beat it just pummels the brain to such a capacity that you don’t want it to stop.

RIPPED AWAY 3.42

The hypnotic beat indeed rips away at the soul as it thunders constantly embracing a rich tapestry of beats and melodies. Just amazing track and great played in a dark room where you can just lose yourself in its offerings. I just cannot find anything negative to say about any of these tracks at all. But then again I am one of the converted and loving a synth sound helps, but this is dark and catchy just how I like it.

LOCKED INSIDE 3.30

There is really no place to hide, as this immense beat gets locked inside! The lyrics are just superb as the cyber beats come constantly at you from all angles. It sort of eats you from the inside and gnaws away on what’s left! It is a great track to play loud as you get consumed in Rob’s hypnotic voice, which never changes tone it just melts into the music that surrounds it. It will appeal to a lot of people who love cyber industrial and may even pull a few more fans into its darkened trance like beat.

DIGIFLESH just takes you into a virtual reality world nothing is real except the sounds that penetrate the mind and take you one step further into oblivion – this is my world and I love it with a passion and the only thing that takes me to another zone is metal but I could never get bored of listening to industrial – there is just too much to like!

If you love your industrial then get listening to these tracks and there is a plus side they are all up for grabs on a free download here: https://www.facebook.com/digiflesh?sk=app_204974879526524

My only gripe is that there is just over ten minutes of this amazing stuff so hurry up Rob and produce some more! I want to sink my teeth into some more DIGIFLESH!

Right I am off to practice some more dance moves...

Tracks:

Nothing Real

Ripped Away

Locked Inside

Member:

Rob Digiflesh

Impaled Existence - These Lifeless Plains 5 Track CD

2011-12-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

Impaled Existence

These Lifeless Plains

Impaled Existence – North Wales

Links:

www.myspace.com/impaledexistence

Genre: Progressive/Groove/Death Metal

This 5 piece progressive, melodic death metal band from Wales, are influenced by Whitechapel, Fear Factory and Scar Symmetry to name but a few and played on stage with bands such as Swallow the Sun, Annotations of an Autopsy and Suicide Silence amongst others were formed in 2004 and demonstrate an intricate riff edged inspiring take, on aggressive brutal and melodic death metal.

The cover is really eye-catching and resembles a sort of eerie mini Stonehenge of sorts, with branches growing out of a large solitary rock that holds centre of the CD. Clouds form around the branches and set on a dark plain with very clever use of light. I don’t know if it was intentional or not, but the centre piece in the picture looks like a carved warrior standing proud amidst the gnarled branches that protrude from the rock. Their logo is extremely impressive with the “E” reversed at the end – clearly thought out and very distinctive and I haven’t even listened to the CD yet!

Between sensation and reality intro

Eerie piano keys at the start of the track the sensation builds with interwoven and inspiring harmonies that brings some very haunting melodies into reality!

Fictions within the mind

A rapturous beginning with some amazing drumming and dark growling vocals that consistently give this track a nice edge. It grabs your attention and when push comes to shove certainly pushes the boundaries and shoves metal up your ass in epic proportion, to a gut wrenching climax! Head fuck time!

If error were true

The guitars are spiky and shrill and the drumming gigantic in sound as the blast beasts gives an all-important knee jerk reaction to the groin. The melodic feel bursts forth into an amazing arrangement, whilst the vocals give it that power and intensity I love. Implode or explode this track has it all and gives the listener both in sizeable amounts!

Through stinging eyes

Excellent atmospheric and embracing start to this dark track, which simply bursts into some shrill guitar and displays some thunderous beats. A vocal to be proud of that just haunts as the melodic feel becomes apparent and is over powering in sound and intensity. Some awesome breakdowns complete the track. If this doesn’t leave your eyes stinging nothing will!

Worthy of remains

Laced with superb powerful bludgeoning blast beats, and a vocal that haunts with savagery, this amazing track takes you one step further! Chugging frantic paced riffs that melt the brain and a pounding bass that no doubt carves its way into your very being this is an immense track that just after all the build-up simply fades away but leaves a mega imprint. Jaw droppingly awesome!

All in all a nice bundle of tunes and anything but “lifeless” whets the appetite. Great presentation and production on the CD and well worth getting hold of a copy. This is going to be in the player for a while... Stick the headphones on because you won’t want to miss a beat!

Track Listing:

Between sensation and reality intro

Fictions within the mind

If error were true

Through stinging eyes

Worthy of remains

Members:

Danny Hughes – Vocals

Mikey Dykins – Guitars

Craig Phillips – Guitars

Sam Walker – Bass

Nathan Richards - Drums

L to R Danny, Mikey, Craig, Sam and Nathan