Gwar . Battle Maximus - 13 Track Album - Released September 17th 2013

Gwar

Battle Maximus

13 Track Album

Released September 17th 2013

Written for RAMzine www.Ramzine.co.uk

Gwar – Richmond, Virginia, USA

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/gwar

Discography:

Hell-O (1988)

Scumdogs of the Universe (1990)

America Must Be Destroyed (1992)

This Toilet Earth (1994)

Ragnarok (1995)

Carnival of Chaos (1997)

We Kill Everything (1999)

Violence Has Arrived (2001)

War Party (2004)

Beyond Hell (2006)

Lust in Space (2009)

Bloody Pit of Horror (2010)

Battle Maximus (2013)

Genre: Hardcore Metal

Short Biography:

Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia in 1984. The band is well known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo themes.

Despite various explanations that Gwar is an acronym for something, band members have insisted from its inception that the letters do not stand for anything. Indeed, the official website of Slave Pit Inc. indicates that Gwar is a shortened version of "Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh", the name the band used originally when opening up for Death Piggy. Another incorrect view is that the name stands for "God what an awful racket!”

I am beginning to like these guys before even listening! Anything described as an ‘awful racket’ is usually a sign that I am going to like it – in fact the noisier the better for me personally.

Gwar have had nineteen years, worth of music so not surprising that they have accrued no less than 271,057 likes on Facebook and having that good old tongue in cheek that we all know and love is always a win among metal-heads, (although joking aside - in the wake of the Ian Watkins Trial I shall not be reviewing track 7 out of the respect for the babies at the hand of this evil sick individual)

Intro

Not as I had expected, but rather a serious slightly tongue in cheek intro. However it is quite entertaining despite its deathly lyrics and atmospheric vibes!

Madness at the Core of Time

A slurry of madness oozes from the speakers in a frenzy of mish-mashed vocal and crazy rhythmic thrusting. Things just got interesting! Gwar have brought with them a good 80’s feel forward into the 21^st Century! Its music you can definitely bang your head to!

Bloodbath

Still in keeping with its roots Bloodbath is a chant like rhythm which has a tongue in cheek groove that is highly infectious. Plenty of energy and continuous roaring...

Nothing Left

Sounds a lot more serious than the previous tracks, with plenty of anger and aggression that prowls and licks at the ear in a tempting fashion.

They Swallow

Hard and heavy groove that ignites from a dark crescendo of menace. Riffs are passionate and absorbing whilst the keyboard possesses a good haunting rhythm that adds a nice intense touch!

Torture

Good strong stalking rhythm with plenty of pent up emotion – everything so far is most definitely to the maximus, and holds even more antagonistic qualities.

Raped at Birth

I, Bonesnapper

Inflaming the passions further this track roars into life with thunderous chugs and thick embracing rhythms with a highly charged invigorating vocal.

Mr Perfect

Sending goosebumps down the spine with chilling sound effects and an intriguing guitar riff – this beast has been unleashed and it will taunt you till the death with a sonic intervention.

Battle Maximus

Title track to the album and containing heavier than a truck load of scrap metal its beastly strings engage from the start. Persuasive and unyielding, leaving a lasting impression.

Triumph of the Pig Children

Mesmerising riffs and another chant like vocal edge comes into play on this track sparking a journey back into the time when metal was happily brooding with tongue in cheek intent! Good pig snorts at the end though, never heard them in the 80’s! Great track!

Falling

Shrill ambient guitar creates an overwhelming ravenous backdrop for the album. Honest and raw with a swagger of rhythm you simply can’t ignore! Vocally sounds like a bunch of pirates on a drunken binge!

Fly Now

Heavily drenched with a fiery passionate groove that brings with it an assault of intensity with that very un-serious tongue in cheek misdemeanour.

To Sum up:

I love the way the band have incorporated the heavy with cheeky! What can I say? It works! Sort of Spinal Tapesque qualities, bringing back the 80’s but on 21^st century terms.  It is quite a clever take on metal with excellent guitar that houses just as good melting riffs and that alone should make you smile, but Gwar has taken it one step further by adding their own stamp – love it! Gwaaarrrgghhlllgh!!!!!!!!

9/10

Track List:

Intro

Madness at the Core of Time

Bloodbath

Nothing Left

They Swallow

Torture

Raped at Birth

I, Bonesnapper

Mr Perfect

Battle Maximus

Triumph of the Pig Children

Falling

Fly Now

Members:

Dave Brockie (Oderus Urungus) Lead Vocals (1985–present)

Brent Purgason (Pustulus Maximus) Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals (2012–present)

Mike Derks (Balsac the Jaws of Death) Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals (1988–present)

Jamison Land (Beefcake the Mighty) Bass, Backing Vocals (2011–present)

Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da Gusha) Drums, Percussion (1989–present)

Ten Foot Wizard - Return to the Infinite - 10 Track Album - Beard of Zeus Records - Released 2nd May 2013

Ten Foot Wizard

Return to the Infinite

10 Track Album

Beard of Zeus Records

Released 2^nd May 2013

Artwork by Gary Wizard

Ten Foot Wizard – Manchester

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/tenfootwizard

Listen here:

http://tenfootwizard.bandcamp.com/album/return-to-the-infinite

Genre: Stoner/Rock/Blues

Biography:

“Ten Foot Wizard initially formed in Manchester, England as a side-project by members of ‘Bisonhammer’ in 2009. Since then the band have played just a handful of gigs each year but have garnered a reputation for putting on an incendiary live show, recently supporting Karma to Burn and Witch Mountain.

 Seddy

 Adam

Gary

The band play their own brand of heavy blues rock that owes as much too classic bands such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin as to more modern bands such as Clutch, Queens of the Stone Age and Fu Manchu”

Ten Foot Wizard first seen at Metro Fest recently in Liverpool have certainly made their mark. It’s very professional sounding stuff that grabs your ears and throttles you with its addictive qualities.

I was introduced to Stoner back in 2012 at the live Bach Fest on Infernal Rock Radio which was broadcast Live from Wisconsin and managed the all night listen with the time difference finishing around 6am UK time... a lot of bleary eyes were had that day I can tell you!

There is certainly a lack of Stoner/Blues bands around Liverpool so finally catching one – bliss! A big thanks to the amazing Saul Godman from Metro Manila Aide for that!

Rise from Your Grave

Thunderous riffs and penetrating groove leave one mesmerised by its powerful thrust! The deep cavernous qualities have resonating tones of energy. A gritty vocal compliments the sound – a very provocative track that is laced with contagious intensity.

Vulture Bitches

Stupendous drum beats are ripe with rapacious riffing and deadly rhythms. One insatiable treat for the ears that will stalk you through the entire track!

Real Love

My ultimate favourite on the album for sure with its emotional riffs and catchy vocal that ploughs into inspiring thoughts and deep imagery blended with the heavy sonic electric vibe that has been repeated more than several times over and likely to be repeated several times more!

Medicine

Whilst engaging the imagination this track challenges with irresistible charm of rich and mesmerising ample groove. The primal rhythms keep coming at you with relentless abandon especially further on in the track when it reaches its climax.

Six Feet Rising

This will not only lick the ears but suck them into oblivion. Those bass lures smother and engulf with a thick provocation and passion whilst the rhythms incite with a powerful intensity.

Saturnalia

Another depth charge of a track, with compelling riffs and deep strong drumming. The track holds its own right up till the end and is awash with invigoration.

Fuck!

If this don’t have you joining in nothing will. The tempestuousness of the track surges into a fierce and addictive beat that will eat you alive.

The Storm

Very apt for this time of year, however this Storm is only cataclysmic in the sense of ravenous rhythms and crazy riffs with a chasm of strong beats that in their own way will leave their devastating mark.

End of the Line

This track houses a bluesy feel coupled with its stoner counterpart that the body may feel the need to move to. It will no doubt stalk you right up to its primal end with not only fast but a slower pace that in turn is contagious and will nibble ferociously on the senses.

Return to the Infinite

A thickly persuasive track that winds into a snake like rhythm encapsulating its victim with sinister consequences. Slow and winding but with passionate qualities that are drenched in dark ambiance.

To Sum up:

Totally mind blowing album from start to finish with full on emotion and driven intensity. Blossoming into a dark and prominent stance that in more than one way leaves its mark. Definitely gripping as it spirals and winds into a malevolent dark force of ambient groove, richly aspiring to create a full on explosion of devouring assault.

Stoner/blues rock has its slow and cumbersome moments but they are however fuelled with intensity and just as important as the faster moments. It paints a collage of intrigue – not knowing what is coming next apart from a deep ravenous groove that is not afraid to pounce on its victim which is what makes the Stoner genre so gripping and pleasing to many and this is one such album.

Ten Foot Wizard is most definitely a live experience but the album also possesses good strength and definitely a band to keep your eye on in the future! And as I said before "More bite than a hungry snake!"

10/10

Set List:

Rise from Your Grave 03:40

Vulture Bitches 05:01

Real Love 02:40

Medicine 04:17

Six Feet Rising 08:19

Saturnalia 02:56

Fuck! 04:43

The Storm 06:21

End of the Line 07:04

Return to the Infinite 09:09

Members:

Adam Hendry - Guitar/Vocals

Gary Harkin - Vocals/Guitar/Theramin

Jonny Banyard - Drums/Percussion

Seddy - Bass Guitar

Deathwave - Iniquity, Hideous Divinity, Unfathomable Ruination, Crepitation and Scordatura - The Lomax - 7.12.13

Deathwave

Iniquity, Hideous Divinity, Unfathomable Ruination, Crepitation and Scordatura

Lomax

7.12.13

A few words from Deathwave:

“The year 2013 marks the 15th anniversary of the release of the E.P "The Hidden Lore" and the 10th year after the final split-up... in that occasion and after encouragement from numerous fans the line-up from 1996-1998 (Frost/Lee/Eriksen/Rosendahl) has decided to reunite Iniquity for a limited time only to play a series of shows and festivals and DeathWave managed to bag a date.”

Overview:

Like with a lot of gigs the bands didn’t go on stage for their respective time slots so the gig was over running a bit and it wasn’t without its technical and sound issues but somehow this mattered little as everyone that had crammed themselves into the confined space at the Lomax were thoroughly feeding from the rapacious growls and pig squeals that fell before them on the stage and freaked out violently, as you would expect! I only sustained a bruise to my shoulder and foot... and I was not even in the pit!

Scordatura - Glasgow, UK 7.20 – 7.45 (25mins)

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Scordaturaofficial

Genre: Death Metal

Scordatura opened up - this was the band’s debut outing and the rumble of the tempestuous uncompromising music burst from the stage like an open festering wound. The crowd were eager to participate and as the band started up bodies were spasming wildly to the low growling – it was like everyone had been hypnotised by the violence and I could well understand that! – the music found its way under the skin like a rabid infection  that affected the brain and turned everyone into musical zombies that fed off a diet of rabid growling and deep cataclysmic rhythms.

 Scordatura

 Darryl - Scordatura

 Scordatura

 Scordatura

Scordatura

Darryl’s hair cascaded down his back and was like a raging sea once he picked up that mic, charging through a dominant vocal that was appreciated by all - and that Glaswegian lilt never far away!

Four tracks in, found Enrico from Hideous Divinity joining Darryl on stage and adding his take on things. The camaraderie at these gigs are prevalent and great to witness. This gig was no different! All were unified in powerful and unmerciful rhythm!

Well balanced and sharp the speed rife and uncompromising, fuelled by a surging horde of onlookers, this was certainly a great start to a fuel packed evening!

Set List:

Incestual Convulsions

Torment of the Weak

Godforsaken Castigation

Visceral Disembowelment Enrico

Neurotic Aberration

Malignant form of Inhumanity

Members:

Tam Moran - Drums

Owen McKendrick - Guitars

Dave Coia - Guitars

Daryl Boyce - Vocals

Mark Scobie - Bass

******

Crepitation - Various places, UK 7.55 – 8.20 (25mins)

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/CREPITATION

Genre: Brutal Death Metal

Crepitation took longer than the crowd expected and so it agitated everyone somewhat, with shouts of ‘hurry up!’ But I felt the same way. We all needed that punch in the gut to fully appreciate the slaughter and mayhem that we wanted to wrap ourselves in and soon Crepitation were on their way although short lived as Matty broke a guitar string along the way – to shouts of ‘There’s always one!’ But Matty was helped out by one of the guitarists from Unfathomable Ruination – superb!

 Crepitation

 Matty before his string snapped

 Crepitation

Joe the Ginga Ninja

The monstrous scathing riffs bounced off the walls and reigned down with sheer abandon, which in turn was complimented by the bodies and hair flying in all directions.

Two vocalists set the scene for Crepitation and they complimented each other superbly on stage. Snorting pig squeals and low cavernous growls – music for the gods – well ok the peasants, but we felt like gods as the nectar hit the aural.

Dual vocals for Crepitation

Again, another band debuting Liverpool although Joe (the ginger ninja) has played for a number of other bands including Dr Aids and Horrific Sexual Atrocity – yes the very same man!

Set List:

No set list available

Members:

Joe Mortimer - Bass

Joe Mawdsley - Drums

Paul McGuire - Guitars

Matt Jones - Guitars

Chris Butterworth - Vocals

Mark Pearce - Vocals (low)

******

Unfathomable Ruination - London, UK 8.30 – 9.05 (35mins)

Links:

http://www.facebook.com/Unfathomable.Ruination.Official

Genre: Brutal Death Metal

Absolutely first class Unfathomable Ruination were outstanding! Not a still head in the house as the raucous and rigorous frenzy hit fever pitch but sadly the low thunderous growls were none existent for the first two tracks which was a damn shame as the music warranted those growls and pissed a few onlookers in the audience off somewhat – however the start of the third track saw it all come together and the inner core of total madness ensued with expansive track structures and sonic enduring heaviness – bodies flung themselves around the Lomax with little regard for anything other than to feast upon the pleasurable deathly banquet and once finished they only wanted more!

It is well worth noting here that Doug the band’s drummer wore a cute baby pink piggy onesie for the event – very fitting for all those pig squeals I must say!

Snorts of laughter

The brothers of metal stood with their arms held high in unison (nothing to do with Gangnam style though even though it was played as a filler track in between the bands performing) and the crowd repeated the act – certainly a good show of support.

Brothers in Arms - Unfathomable Ruination

Darryl from Scordatura joined the band on stage just as Enrico from Hideous Divinity had joined them and again outlining the camaraderie that was felt during one of these intense gigs.

Darryl joining Unfathomable Ruination

A totally sadistic time was had by all including the band who gave an ear feasting performance of untamed intricacy that knew no boundaries.

 Unfathomable Ruination

 Frederico

 Daniel

Unfathomable Ruination

Set List:

Intro – Top Gun

Dantheonic Synchroscheme

Consequential Failure

Suspended in entropic dissipation

Monochrome Obedience

Futile Colossus Decapitated

Carved Inherent Delusion

Hail and Kill

Members:

Federico Benini - Bass

Doug Anderson - Drums

Daniel Herrera - Guitars

Daniel Neagoe - Vocals

Rosario Piazza - Guitars

******

Hideous Divinity – Italy 9.20 – 9.55 (35mins)

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/hideousdivinity

Genre: Technical Death Metal

*Featuring Ex-Hour of Penance members.

Replacing Katalepsy on the bill Hideous Divinity more than made up for it with their brand of technical death metal building to a subsonic frenzy of literally battering everything in sight and not just the ears.

 Hideous Divinity

 Enrico - Hideous Divinity

Hideous Divinity

Cans started to fall from tables but not sure whether that was just the music or from the amount of bodies hurling themselves around the building showing their admiration and moulding a solid relationship with what was unfolding before their eyes! Probably a mixture of both!

The desire to show relentless and manic prowess Hideous Divinity took the breath away and weren’t going to give it back any time soon with plenty of carnage – as you would expect!

Set List:

No set list available

Members:

Enrico "H." Di Lorenzo - Vocals

Enrico Schettino - Guitars

Giulio Galati - Drums

Stefano Franceschini - Bass

Antonio Poletti - Guitars 

******

Iniquity – Copenhagen, Denmark 10.10 - 11.00 (50mins)

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iniquity-anniversary-reunion-2013

Genre: Technical Death Metal

*Reunion of the 1998 line up.

I just had to come and see these guys live after numerous chats with Martin online and finally meeting the man mountain what can I say? But absolutely breath-taking performance that scathed and permeated the ear drums with ear shattering effect!

 Iniquity

 Iniquity

 Iniquity

 Iniquity

 Man Mountain Martin

Martin

Iniquity

Annihilation to the first degree and beyond with wonderful tonal clarity despite a few sound hiccups which Martin apologised for although he needn’t have judging by the looks on everyone’s faces around me, everyone was clearly enjoying being raped by the feverish rhythmic swathe of pure and distinct extreme metal. 

The dynamism between these four guys was exceptional. Expertly played and executed to perfection.  The dominance portrayed by Iniquity never strayed for a second and left you feeling safe in the knowing that you were going to be surrounded by aggression and that you were indeed all part of their big plan.

The hordes loved Iniquity so much they shouted for ‘one more song’ and after Martin jokingly (or was it?) Said ‘Just don’t ask us to play another’ to which the crowd started chanting ‘Three more songs’ the look on the band’s face was priceless! Needless to say that was our lot! L

An absolutely stunning performance only made better by their tour manager whipping a Deathwave poster from the wall and having it signed by the band for me and getting two CD’s from Jesper which will of course warrant further investigation and review to follow at a later date!

So with rapturous applause Iniquity finally left the stage to join the others in an after party which no doubt would be a brutal affair!

Set List

Intro/Tranquil Seizure

Spectral Scent

The Hidden Lore

Encysted and Dormant

Desidered Profligacy

Serenadium

From Tarnished Soil

Sidereal/Achromatic/Mockery/Notable

Son of Cosmos

Encore

Members:

Martin Rosendahl - Bass, Vocals

Jesper Frost Jensen - Drums

Brian Eriksen - Guitars

Jens Lee - Guitars

***Special thanks to Andy of Deathwave for putting on a first class gig, Frank and Kath at the Lomax for their unending hospitality, Phil Vidamore for the photography, Pete Byrne for supporting. Iniquity’s Tour Manager for just being awesome, Good seeing Benn there from the mighty Coronach too! and to all the bands who made this night one to remember Scordatura, Crepitation, Unfathomable Ruination, Hideous Divinity and Iniquity. Well done guys – brilliant! Even having Bronchitis didn’t stop me from attending this gig - such a brutal evening!