Warpath - Ireland - Malevolent Reprisal 2010

Warpath Ireland

Malevolent Reprisal CD

2010

Warpath – Dublin Ireland

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/warpathire

Genre: Brutal Death Metal

This 6 piece killer band was formed in 2005 and on hearing them you know that nothing will ever be the same again! In 2007 the band released their debut album “Gorefare” and at the latter part of 2010 “Malevolent Reprisal” was born.

They have shared a stage with bands such as Cerebral Bore, Vader, Napalm Death, Prostitute Disfigurement and Desecration to name but a few but the list is endless.

They are now currently writing material for their third album that hopes to gain the band further recognition in their plight to dominate the global metal scene.  Warpath is highly regarded in their field and gained the respect from not only other bands but had various reviews from Magazines such as Terrorizer and Metal Hammer who have given them the thumbs up!

This CD is by far the most stunning and full of information with a 6 page booklet inside dedicating a full page to the lyrics of all the tracks on their album, some great action shots of the band and also features some amazing artwork inside.

I am not surprised that Warpath – Ireland has gained attention as they have reigned supreme and steadily worked their way up to get the respect they so well deserve.  Their extreme brand of brutal death metal eats you from the inside and is definitely not for the faint of heart!

The double kick drums and deep guttural vocals alone will consume you and spit out the remains! No little Irish jigs here but solid no nonsense in your face extreme crushing metal! And bring it on is what I say!!!

Malevolent Reprisal

Unleash Hell is right! The words of the opening track just put you in the mood for a thunderous mosh pit fuelled with extreme violence in the nicest possible way! Those vocals are literally to die for. Expertly executed to bring you the very best in Death Metal.  These guys go on and on delivering music to the extreme and this track is no different. Thunderous riffs, monstrous bass and powerful drum beats with superb vocals

Bloodsoaked Bayonet

This track has my blood racing through my veins, my heart beat has risen and there is no going back. The volume gets turned up a notch and I am already feeling with every pound of the drums the infection coursing through my veins it is extreme with no let up! The guitars are fiendish and dominating in every sense of the word.

Point Blank Execution

Well in the firing line now and feel the deep guttural vocals coming towards me with the most extreme force.  No escape! And who would want to? Turning the volume up another notch – heart beat has risen further and wonder how much more I can take it defies everything in its wake this track is even more extreme than the last! The furnace is now melting me from the inside and is raging! “Holy shit did you see that fuckin’ head come apart man?  I have never seen brains like that before!” I think they are describing my head, they just blew me apart!

Enter my Lair

With more double kick drumming and guttural blasts this track kicks off! Not having recovered from the last track I feverishly turn up the volume another notch – it is full force velocity now and I am starting to tremble violently. My head what’s left of it still wants to move in time to the plunderous beat that it is being thrown at me through the vibrating speakers. I don’t know about enter my lair, more like already there! This is to the core extreme and brutal dare I turn it up to the full?

Kill at all costs

What the Hel? Volume up to 9 and my ears are pleading with me to stop but the brain says no! With four more tracks to go I just want to listen to more and more. Warpath is the drug and I am buying! I want it in copious amounts and that is what I am getting at all levels.  This is brutal shit in the rawest form and that beat never lets up, the guitars screech, the bass is kicking, the vocals raw!  I love being devoured by the extremities of death metal played at its best!

The Red Mist

Volume up another notch this is excruciatingly good! Pulverising vocals and blasting beats I want more.  Breathing in the sounds before me the speakers are crying in pain and moving about on my desk to the thunderous beat within them. I love it! The pulse is jumping, the heart thumping, the head still moving, it defies insanity! Mine!

Extreme Rendition

“See this knife I am going to teach you to speak English with this fucking knife!” whose man are you? Whose man are you?” Fuck! This is getting more brutal by the second I may just have to kill myself! Volume is on 11 and there’s nothing left to give! I am so ready to die and it is happening but I am fighting the urge – hands are trembling to turn the volume up to 12 – dare I?

Unstoppable

“There’s no-one beyond my reach – you hear me? No-one!” The trembling hand reaches for the volume - 13 is deafening and now I am possessed with the brutality that is Warpath – they have infected every muscle, every vein, my blood runs through my veins like tar I am being consumed with every evil beat, every deep guttural growl, every bass line, every guitar riff the smile turns into an evil grimace as the chords strike me again and again. I am amazed that the speakers haven’t died before me! Unstoppable are what these guys are - there is no band that can beat them now!  

Tear it down – Hatebreed Cover

Still not turned the volume down but dare I go to 15? I think I need to! Arghhhhh the pain is excruciating but still I won’t back down.  This is just brutality at its extreme and I refuse to bow to its pain.  Warpath has turned me into a quivering trembling wreak, and now I have to listen again!

Warning this album is just so good it hurts! It must be played at the highest volume to appreciate the mind-blowing awesomness that Warpath has achieved by creating and unleashing this evil monster! Warpath give you gut wrenching riffs, extreme guttural secretions, evil bass and a mutha of double blast kick drums, you may not live to tell the tale but you will go out grimacing in death defying pain – but what a way to go!

No getting away from it, Warpath kick ass and definitely do it with style.  I have never witnessed anything like this on a CD before (except Fallen Fate who has the same gut wrenching feel and style) I bet seeing them live there will be a lot of dead bodies in the pit! If I get the chance to witness Warpath live I must make sure I am near an exit to get enough oxygen as the tempo quickens to such a degree that I can make it to safety... or perhaps it is better to die with dignity in the pit with my fellow moshers!  One thing is for sure I am going to get to see them live at some point – I need this brutal metal fix and f*ing quick!

Amazing album – Go and check them out if you haven’t already, although why is beyond me! Warpath is the true masters of Brutal Death Metal! Hails to Ireland the new home of Brutal Metal!

Track Listing:

Malevolent Reprisal

Bloodsoaked Bayonet

Point Blank Execution

Enter my Lair

Kill at all costs

The Red Mist

Extreme Rendition

Unstoppable

Tear it Down (Hatebreed cover)

Members:

Darren Keogh & Eoin Broughal - Vocals

Joe Merriman   - Guitars

Graham Dunne - Drums

Mark Brophy   - Bass

Karl Mulraney - Guitars

Consecration - Gut the Priest - 2010

Consecration

 6 Track CD - Gut the Priest

Sept 2010

Consecration – Norwich- Norfolk

Links:

www.myspace.com/consecration666

http://consecration.bandcamp.com

Genre: Unholy Doom Death Metal

This 5 piece band are from the East Anglia region of Norwich UK and formed in 2010. A line-up change has since happened.  At the end of 2010 Liam Houseago replaced Chilli Williams who appears on the CD and who actually started the band along with Shane Amies and Daniel Bollans and went off into the sunset to concentrate on other projects.

The band have supported such acts as Desecration, Decrepid and De Profundis and headlined a number of shows up and down the country including Newcastle, London and home of metal Birmingham.

In the bands own words “Do not be fooled by the name, Consecration is anything but sanctifying!” “The use of the word, as in the logo; is intended ironically, and the music will prove to be some of the most unholy noise ever witnessed!”

All the artwork and logos were created by Daniel Bollans.

The front cover of the CD immediately sends a chill down your spine and gives off the impression of doom and gloom.  Depicting an old deserted castle or Abbey high up in the hills, with impending dark clouds surrounding it.  The logo hangs in front of it like an eerie spider’s web – very nice presentation.  The inside cover has all the lyrics to the track listings bar the first and last as they are instrumentals.  The back page has the track listing and member’s information.  The band has indeed covered everything to make this a very eye catching piece of merch.

The Vine

Opens with some very doomy guitar – again that chill descends down the spine at a very low rate making the hair stand up on the back of the neck! It does however possess a really beautiful musical quality too!  I can imagine it being played in the background to an eerie horror movie to the part where you know the killer is going to jump out and butcher an innocent being!

Consecration

Has a very Sabbathy feel about it until the vocals come in with a venomous deep growl.  But enough to scare the crap out of you!  The drums are consistent and powerful.  A definite Sabbath riff, which also possesses a melodic quality. More extremely deep growling vocals that kill off the melodic sound of the guitar as it turns into something more sinister, until it twists into more doom riffs.  Twists and turns are abounding in this track compelling listening and great that the lyrics are supplied.

Gut the Priest

More melodic doom that swathes the listener with more compelling listening as the track comes to life. Heavier sounding guitars bathe you in blood and conjure up more sinister goings on.  A nice constant beat that then turn into a less heavy sound with lashings of melodic doom. Vocals have that nice evil bite. The bass line really comes into its own. Whilst the guitars give out nice consistent riffs that have a more slightly up tempo feel about them.

The Ever Dying

Another doom laden track, that starts off with a guitar riff and then moves up a notch to include the heavy drum beat.  The vocals kick in with more growls a nice touch.  The bass is sneaky in that it is just there in the background and then some fierce vocals interrupt giving it a more evil sound.  Consecration has turned another corner and back into a less heavy but more doom feel. An epic track that delivers the dead to your door!

Cast down for the burning

Some beautiful strings open this track but you just know there is something evil lurking in the background. It has the listener gripped on the edge of their seat waiting.  Thunderous drums kick in with an evil growl, here we go! No, back to the strings again, now extreme powerful vocals, Daniel growls his best the speakers are trembling with the ferocity. The drums kick in with a fierce up tempo beat with tremendous force and then drop back into a more doom laden feel again, but great touch to the track! My favourite one on the CD without a doubt! More twists than a venomous snake – but more deadly!

The Vine – Reprise

The doom continues with some melodic strings deftly vibrating out to end this 6 track CD.  OMG and with some nice growls to finish that was so unexpected!! The last time I experienced vocals of this calibre was Derelict Sermon – now Martin is in a class of his own as he does everything but Consecration has earned the right to stand up and be counted!

To sum up, this CD won’t start any mosh pits because of the more slow paced doom laden feel, but it does have its twists and turns and you never know what to expect.  There is no predictability here apart from the doom aspect which is ever present, but it does compel the listener to further their listening and it does conjure up some sinister images, especially on “Gut the Priest” and “Cast down for the Burning”

Very well produced and definitely worth a listen.  I haven’t experienced a lot of doom death metal but after hearing this CD I will seriously consider exploring.

For just 5.00 English pounds you can have this masterpiece in your sweaty palms.  The artwork alone is worth that! If you like unholy doom death metal then now is your chance to experience Consecration – I doubt anyone would be disappointed with the contents of the CD, although I was surprised with myself as I do prefer more extreme death metal but Consecration has really carved a niche into the doom element and created a monster CD.

Track Listing:

The Vine

Consecration

Gut the Priest

The Ever Dying

Cast down for the burning

The Vine - Reprise

Members:

Daniel Bollans – Vocals

Shane Amies - Bass

Tudders – Drums

Chilli Williams – Guitars

Jordan Grant – Guitars

Helrazer IV - Solitary Confinement - Skum - Santa Venera - Absolence - Gods of War - Skyline Ablaze - Zanzibar - 25.11.11

Helrazer IV

Solitary Confinement, Skum, Santa Venera, Absolence, Gods of War and Skyline Ablaze

Zanzibar

25.11.11

Solitary Confinement - Wallasey

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Solitary-Confinement/196420087074588?sk=info

Genre: Thrash/Metalcore

First band opening up for Helrazer was Solitary Confinement who despite being young, were seemingly confident on the Zanzi stage. They took it by the horns and delivered a blistering set.

Ryan literally busted a gut and delivered such an amazing vocal attack, whilst Danny and Paddy thrashed their instruments with absolute ease, and even managed to head-bang whilst playing! Aaron’s bass was really powerful and the drumming by Lewis really kicked some ass.

The crowd loved them, and who couldn’t? It is quite hard to imagine young guys of the age of 16 getting up on stage but to deliver a set such as they did left one awestruck! Me included!

“Spitting you out” was an amazing track and I had to say my favourite. Ryan’s vocals were spot on! Boy can Ryan growl! The guitars were amazing too! All of us gathered down the front for a good ole head throttling! Their sound is raw and edgy with helpings of thrash too, a definite winner for me!

The Lashbrooke’s are no strangers to music.  James Lash plays Bass for the amazing Rozetta Stone and Rich was there to enjoy the 80’s scene like myself, so as they say “The futures bright the future is... well “The Lashbrookes!” Be prepared for a take-over bid of the metal scene!

Solitary Confinement are gathering speed and also interest from a lot of people and rightly so! Good luck for future gigs lads you played to the extreme – just how we metaller’s like it!

Now go and check out their page, like it and see what others have written about them!!

Set-List:

Asylum

End its life

Spitting you out

The Blackened

Members: 

The Lash (backing vocals, Rhythm guitar),

Lewis murphy (drums),

Paddy (Lead guitar)

Aaron Mercer (bass)

Ryan Merral (lead vocals)

Skum - Wallasey

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skum/301138193245531?sk=info

Genre: Sludgecore

         

Skum were just something else! Since The Clapp split two of their members joined forces and Skum was born.  They were fierce and unstoppable on stage. Vocals were totally sick and really enjoyable. 

Sludgecore at its best, and had the mosh pit going crazy! “Thanks Jack!” Crazy mutha! I defy anyone not to like this band, straight forward, no nonsense sludge to the core.  It justifies the body in the fact you can’t stay still – which is a bugger when you are trying to take snaps of the band   :D

Half way through their amazing set someone shouted out “It’s a tampon!” and I hadn’t got a clue what they were on about... It turns out it has something to do with Liam’s tatt... although I never saw it...

Skum is also my fave track from the band – the plunderous bass line courtesy of Crado sinks its teeth in and doesn’t let go.  The slower paced drums from Witch ate into you and left wounds! The pit was a bit fierce to say the least and after a bottle was broken the splinters of glass trembled on the ground as heavy feet moved in time to the awe inspiring beat – was a pleasure to behold.

Believe it or not this was the band’s debut gig as Liam/Lion from the band informed me afterwards.  Again hard to believe that they could get the tracks down in such a short space of time and deliver a set as brilliantly as they did!

Well done guys looking forward to seeing you tear up the next place!

Set-List:

War

Skum

Three Consumed

Unknown

Members: 

Lion (vocals)

Witch (Drums)

Crado (Bass)

Skunk (Guitar)

Santa Venera - Liverpool

Links:

http://www.santavenera.co.uk/

Genre: Southern Rock/Metal

After seeing Bo and Connor supporting a lot of the local bands it was now my time to support them. Great seeing big bad ass Bo on the bass and Connor on guitar and vocals.  Loved the opening cover track “I don’t wanna stop!” a great Ozzy track.  Connor enticed the audience to sing a long and Bo handed the mic to Ash from Rozetta Stone and he did an awesome job singing along, considering he is a mighty fine drummer, his vocal chords were in fine fettle at Helrazer! His screams are (now) legendary!

Rob the band’s guitarist played some brilliant riffs on his very eye catching guitar, whilst Chris pumped out some really great bass! The new song “Judgement Day” was fantastic! I so enjoyed hearing the new track from Santa Venera. No wonder they have been signed!!

These guys have tirelessly supported other bands and stay to the end of gigs which is worth mentioning, and great to see more friendships forming during and after the gig.

Great set by the guys and enjoyed by all who attended Helrazer. Won’t forget this one in a hurry!

Check out the above links and go and like their page, listen to some Santa Venera and support them at their next gig! You know it makes sense! Be part of their journey!

Set-List:

I don’t wanna stop - Cover

Hold on me

Inhaled Sanity

Judgement Day – New Song

Hardcore Cowboy

Simple Man

Members:

Connor Hopley – Vocals/Guitar

Rob Wynne - Lead Guitar

Chris Cain - Bassist

Dan Railton – Drummer

Absolence: Moreton - Wirral

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/absolence

http://www.absolence.net

Genre: Metal

I have been an avid Absolence fan for quite some time now and was chuffed to bits when they said they would play Helrazer IV. 

I first saw the guys play at the Zanzi last year and was immediately hooked on their own unique style of metal. Mike does a lot of the vocals along with Chris and Steve which is quite unusual but it works well.

Carpathian Resolve was just an immense track and performed really well but my old time favourite is definitely Stay Away.  The catchy chorus is just that! Catchy but it still possesses that brutal edge. 

Steve’s hair is like Rapunzel’s and even the blokes wished their hair was that long let alone the girls. Although, the band like any other enjoy a bit of banter on stage they clearly take their music seriously and gave the performance 100%.

They had a lot of interested parties commenting on their performance after their set and no doubt there will be more such comments at their next gig as they do stand out with their own unique brand of metal.

Out-standing performance and look forward to hearing the guys play again in the not too distance future, as with all the bands at Helrazer you can tune into www.infernalrockradio.com and request them on one of the shows.

Set-List:

Give In

Needed To Be Wanted

Left Here

Carpathian Resolve

You are the Disease

Stay Away

Members:

Chris: Lead Guitar/Vocals

Steve: Lead Guitar/Vocals

Dave: Bass

Mike: Drums

Gods of War - Liverpool

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/godsofgar

Genre: Metal

Well Danny Hell was once again leaping around the Zanzi stage and brutalising the ear drums of everyone looking on!  Gods of War time again folks! :D

These guys have an endless amount of energy on and off the stage.  Their songs have a very definite “Viking” feel and they are always in the mood to “get up and play!” Rich just shone on the bass and delivered some amazing bass lines whilst Kris really savaged his drum kit.   Daz gave out some awesome riffs.  There was such a tremendous amount of movement on stage that it was hard to keep track of them!

Danny leapt about from one side of the stage to the other and leapt into the air on several occasions, it made me feel quite breathless watching him as it always has and how he manages to keep singing so brutally was beyond me. 

Pillage and Plunder has to be my all-time favourite from Gods of War, for its catchy chorus and audience participation! The riffs on this track were just thunderous and that bass line was amazing! – Great live track!

The band have been busy recording a new 4 track EP entitled “Litanies of Battle” which can be downloaded for free here http://www.mediafire.com/?9iay78m6kupmesj

Thoroughly recommended listening – get clicking metal-heads! You are in for a real treat!

Set-List

Mourning the departed

Ignite

Odin’s Chariot

Pillage and Plunder

Foes who oppose me

The Arrival

Apocalypse

Termination Program

Members:

Danny Hell (Lead Vocals)

Daz Hammer (Lead guitar/backing vocals)

Rich Halestorm (Bass/lead backing vocals)

Kris Dobson (Lead drums and Alien noises)

Skyline Ablaze - Liverpool

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/skylineablaze

Genre: Metal

Skyline Ablaze was the last band up at Helrazer IV and sadly a lot of the crowd had left, but the die-hard fans of metal were still there until the end to witness what was an absolutely awesome set from Skyline Ablaze.

Track after track just kept coming attcha with venomous ferocity. Even Pat (the sound tech) said at the end of the gig “I loved Skyline Ablaze!” and I could see why!

Their tracks are really brutal and in your face! Kenny’s vocals are really deep and powerful, and I love Olly’s drumming.  I have liked it since he was in Phoenix Down. Mark and Paul’s guitars were just excellent and to the extreme and Andy thumped out some screaming bass that rocked the Zanzi.

Superb set on which to close Helrazer IV and put it to sleep forever! Shame the band never got the chance to play “Sever the Ties” but the time ran out sadly and as the last chord struck, I felt quite depressed.

Hope to catch you guys live again soon – great set, great tracks, and great guys! Please check out ALL the bands on the above links and judge for yourself. Infernal Rock Radio will be happy to play any of the above bands – just go and request them, simple as that!

A big thank you to all the bands that played Helrazer IV. A big thank you also to Ian laver, Danny, Carmel O’Hagan, John Beeson, Jake Perrin, Jack Munnerley, Mike Hardy, Daniel Lysek, Agnes Kowal, Andy Hughes, Phil Vidamore, Hamid, Mike Carey, Dil Lewington, Chris Dixon, Louis Jackson Payne, Ash Janes, James Lashbrooke and Rich Lashbrooke for your valued support – it was really appreciated. Thanks to Pat for the amazing sound as always, Paul for looking after us all, the bar staff who were really friendly and to Tony for giving me the opportunity of putting the bands on in a first class venue! Thank you all!!

Set-List:

Hell Awaits

Been too long

Forgotten

Shifts in Perception

Take what’s yours

Left for Dead

Desert Road

Members:

Kenny Powell - Vocals

Paul Vixen - Guitar

Mark Seaford - Guitar

Andy Watson - Bass

Olly Silvester - Drums

Photo's courtesy of John Beeson

Scare Tactics - Ages 4 track EP - 2011

Scare Tactics

Ages EP 2011

Scare Tactics – Liverpool

Links:

www.myspace.com/scaretacticsband

Genre: Groove Metal

Scare Tactics is a 4 piece groove metal band from Liverpool. “Groove” being the operative word here!  Their style is like no other band I have heard in their genre, but these guys just memorize on stage, with their witty banter and great lively performances, you cannot help yourself but to get involved in their shows.

I think the title “AGES” is very apt as that is how long it has taken me to get around to reviewing it – so my deepest apologies to Scare Tactics  for the delay.

The cover is very eye catching and depicts a tattooed female warrior scantily clad carrying a spear with a dark cloak merging into the purple background and the large hazy moon with the Scare Tactics logo in the middle of it – It is very beautifully drawn by Alicia Aviles. The inside of the sleeve has four pictures of the band members and thank you’s to various people one being Geoff Barker who has always been the silent voice in the background and deserves a mention for all his support and indeed friendship to myself and Nic.

Right Hand Man

Opens with a blistering groove that immediately sets the body moving as well as the head and feet truth be known! Andy bellows out to some amazing drumming courtesy of Stu.  The chorus is very catchy as with the nature of the band’s tracks, but never losing the edge that is straight forward and intense!

Wrong but Righteous

Fantastic fret work opens up this track, with some thunderous beats.  Gripping you by the throat and never loosens its grip through-out.  Paul provides the rhythm section and the harmony.  The bass courtesy of Danny just thunders through the track like a hurricane! And great live too!

Ludicrous Speed

Not heard this track before and it certainly lives up to its name of Ludicrous Speed.  Fast, ferocious and intense in every aspect. It slows briefly only to come back twice as fast and with blistering assault. The guitar is absolutely first class.

The harmonies are superb and mould this track together nicely.  I always thought “Drunk Fuck” was my favourite track from Scare Tactics but I think this one has just taken over! 

Not Again

The guys are no strangers to the groove element and there is tons of it in ample proportion through-out this EP.  The chorus is just truly amazing and so captures the energy that is so beautifully Scare Tactics.  These guys may have a laugh on stage but they get down to serious business on this track.  The strings are just “in your face” with sheer brutality but yet they possess something quite extraordinary in the fact that the chorus slows and is epic in gigantic proportions.  The drums are powerful and energetic whilst the bass pumps constantly in the background. This track delivers and then some!

The band have informed me that they are not playing around Liverpool as much now as they don’t want to go stale and so moving out of town and this disturbs me somewhat because Scare Tactics are like some kind of wonder drug.. And the thought of not getting my fix – well it makes me feel restless to say the very least, but I will make damn sure I get to see them when they decide to play in Liverpool again that’s for sure.

A well-produced EP that vastly plunges the listener into a nice niche of awesome groove “what else!” with the added bonus of some stunning guitars, good strong bass lines, powerful drumming and not forgetting the vocals that steam their way through the tracks offered on this EP.  Compelling to the very end, they achieve the level of interest that will leave you in no doubt that these four guys have got what it takes to win you over!  They have my vote every time!

Track Listing:

Right Hand Man

Wrong but Righteous

Ludicrous Speed

Not Again

Members:

Danny Williams – Bass

Andrew Barker – Lead Guitar & Vocals

Paul Charnock – Guitar & Vocals

Stuart Barker - Drums