Horned Amighty - World of Tombs - 10 Track Album - Scarlet Records - To be Unleashed 1st September 2014

Horned Almighty

World of Tombs

10 Track Album

Scarlet Records

To be unleashed 1^st September 2014

Superb album - unleashed soon (ish) but not soon enough!

Written for RamZine

Horned Almighty – Aarhus, Denmark

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/hornedalmighty

Discography:

- NECRO SPIRITUALS CD&LP Candlelight Records 2010

- CONTAMINTAING THE DIVINE CD&LP Obscure Abhorrence Prod 2009

- LIVE EXSANGUINATION 10” Art of Propaganda 2007

- THE DEVILS MUSIC CD&LP Infernus Rex 2006

- BLACK METAL JESUS CD&LP Infernus Rex 2004

- TO THE LORD OUR LIVES/IN RUIN AND DESPAIR Split LP/CD Moribund Rec. 2004

- IN THE YEAR OF OUR HORNED LORD 7" Ep Infernus Rex 2004

- HELLHORDES Demo 2003

Genre: Black Metal/Punk/Death Metal

Biography:

“Originally formed in early 2002 by S. and Hellpig, both active in the extreme metal underground since the early nineties, the filthy ugly beast that is Horned Almighty was puked from the gutters of Hell initially as a duo. First intended as a side project, Horned Almighty quickly became first priority and shortly after the first primitive demo had been recorded, the drum-throne was seized by Harm.

These Vikings are out for blood! 

The music is intentionally written to destroy all boundaries on stage, crushing all doctrines and rules with their “Don’t give a shit” take on black metal, as a testament to all that is extreme!”

Well we all love a bit of the “extreme” don’t we? most of all myself. I just can’t seem to get enough of it these days! So quite looking forward to nestling into my own little pit, turning the volume up to nose bleed level and revelling in a vat of molten metal fury! Let the carnival begin...

Intro

Well, the intro on this album is just a complete waste of ear-time and air-space to be perfectly honest. Just a few wisps of air, a lot of hissing, and little else really, although saying that it does sort of give out an air of expectancy, as to what is about be unleashed, so we shall see...

World of Tombs

Ah that’s more like it! Racked with a large slab of melody and a nice gnarly growl this track oozes a constant heaviness of the good old metal kind – what else? Spiced up with a sizzling guitar riff and a steady drum beat it hosts startling appeal and lures with ravenous intent.

Diabolical Engines of Torment

A determined flurry of madness prevails in yet more metal relentlessness which is just up my street! The rhythms have that perfect stabbing motion and give the listener a riveting encounter, washed down with a hearty guttural and volatile embrace – fast, furious and frenzied and then some!

Unpure Salvations

A slightly slower encounter although still rabid with luring appeal. It certainly sizzles the audial cortex to perfection and offers a lingering madness that is packed with melodic tenacity.

Plague Propaganda

Three words describe this – heavy as fuck! The ignition is set to explode with a potency fit for a nuclear bomb! Compelling and forthright with plenty of intensity! It is vocally raw and savage like, so much so, it has just caused a speaker to blow!

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“It is certainly an enthralling and riveting listen and so impossible to ignore this superb album. It breathes very dark matter into the listener with its volatile gait, fluctuating rhythms and vicious sinews that tear relentlessly at the senses and ferociously attacks, however it also adds a deliciously thick spike of melodic potency!”

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Of Flesh and Darkness

Menacingly bloody awesome! This rampages ferociously across the senses and is a musical battering ram, ready to take you to the ‘other side’ and you won’t even know how you got there! Feisty until the end!

In Torture we Trust Part II

This track will rip your ears completely from your shaking head! A true metaller’s way to die with dignity!! Extremely passionate it offers a rhythmic slurry that will wash over you and choke you with varying degrees of malice.

This Unholy Dwelling

And if you are thinking that’s it – think again! The infectious throaty growls are immense and feverishly scrape you from out of your comfort zone, which is emotive and emotionally draining in the most awesome way. The savage beats are absorbing and unrelenting – you can feel the rigamortis settling in nicely as your body tenses to the exacting infection.

Blessed by Foulness

As if the band haven’t done enough damage here to one’s failing audial canal – they insist on spreading further dark infection – testing and challenging the listener to further predation this is going to eat you whole, with its constant melodic swagger and deep incessant gnawing.

Twisted Mass of Burnt Decay

Deeper into the pit of lost souls, don’t expect to find yours! This is all empowering, infectious and evil. It holds plenty of hostile rage with menace, even the guitar is screaming for mercy!

Summary:

I feel like I have been dragged into Satan’s pit and back into a worthless existence after experiencing this album.

The intro I now feel was quite clever, because it gave nothing away and left you thinking shall I or shan’t I switch off? Although there is that sneaky demon sitting on your shoulder challenging you to sit back and shut the fuck up!  Of course I listen to my inner demons and this one was apparently right!

This album is more along the lines of death rather than black as its sounds are more melodically appealing and more importantly keep you well focused and in the ‘zone!’

It is certainly an enthralling and riveting listen and so impossible to ignore this superb album. It breathes very dark matter into the listener with its volatile gait, fluctuating rhythms and vicious sinews that tear relentlessly at the senses and ferociously attacks, however it also adds a deliciously thick spike of melodic potency.

So strap yourself in and listen up, the turbulent ride will be so well worth it!

Horns high for the Horned Almighty!!!!

F

10/10

Track List:

Intro

World of Tombs

Diabolical Engines of Torment

Unpure Salvations

Plague Propaganda

Of Flesh and Darkness

In Torture we Trust Part II

This Unholy Dwelling

Blessed by Foulness

Twisted Mass of Burnt Decay

Members:

S - Preaching & Hellfire

Hellpig - Guitars

Haxen - Bass

Harm - Drums

Insight after Doomsday - The Way to Nihilism - 13 Track Album - Art Gates Records - Released 16th June 2014

Insight after Doomsday

The Way to Nihilism

13 Track Album

Art Gates Records

Released 16^th June 2014

Out Now!

Written for RAMzine

Insight after Doomsday – Barcelona, Spain

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/insightafterdoomsday

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Ricardo Estrada in 2014 at IAD Studios from Barcelona, Spain.

Genre: Melo-Death/Progressive/Post-Hard Core

Biography:

Formed in 2002 “Insight after Doomsday are the result of a long musical journey of certain components and their evolution.  Changing their name from ‘Insight’ to Insight after Doomsday in 2010. ‘The Way to Nihilism’ is the bands fourth album to date”

The way to Nihilism

Quite an unexpected opening that sounds as if it should be labelled as a classical genre, however it is a very beautiful composition, but only a brief respite.

Departure

In contrast, this is likely to snap a few necks and burst a few ear drums. It a fiery explosive track with very mature clean vocals and potently catchy rhythms that bask in a ferocious magnetic elegance.

The Unexpected

Again, very diverse with keyboards making their presence felt amid a raucous beats and pent up guitars.

Afterglow

The synths really slice into the aural with their shrill entrance – so making sure the volume is not up so high next time!! The tracks rips and tears itself up through a feisty onslaught of progressive and melodic passages.

World Demise

Nice and fast with plenty of synths to pave the way – this has struck a ‘chord’ and now fully interlocked with its mighty gait that pushes the boundaries in such an engaging way. – Really high octane track and a favourite so far.

SPG

Dark, ambient and haunting it bursts forth into a mad frenzy and gives an all- out metal feast of goodness. It’s muscular strength and solid riffs are energetic and addictive – yes this is another favourite! Check out the entwining harmonies, real master class!

Last Letter Home

Sends a chill down your spine as it builds its towering rhythms and pushes the boundaries - suddenly it drops into a mournful ballad. However it soon builds itself back up again and smashes through its original endeavours still managing to deliver a gripping track with excellent qualities.

Political Valentine

Keys and drums work so well on this – it’s a real mental challenge that offers intimidating passion and predation, although it is the first time I feel the vocals have let it down slightly being off key – which is a damn shame.

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There are some sizzlers among these tracks that really do warrant attention and the synth really gives plenty of diversity to its mesmerising passages!”

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Calling

A rather dreamy sound-scape can be experienced here with the choppy synth notes fluctuating amid a solid drum battering. It is a track that holds plenty of fire and catchy melodic temperament.

Nightshift

Crisp, creative and imaginative are three words to describe this track that engages and compels with sheer brutal rhythms. Holding a rather seductive beauty and menacing beast to its capturing embrace.

Waiting to fall

Can’t say this isn’t diverse at all! This sneaky track sends you into a false sense of security thinking you are going to get a ballad and then turns into an evil monster that rips through the flesh with no remorse.

In Denial

Holding a rather urgent breath you can feel the anticipation build as the track moves on. The battle between evil and downright monstrous begins and only evil can win this one!

Maniac

And to finish this album is  more melodic madness in the guise of an old time classic by Hall & Oates, although it is slightly disappointing as the vocals do appear to be off key and so ruins it somewhat.

Summary

With not an ounce of doom insight - This album is a bit of a mixed bag, meaning when they are good they are superb, but when they are bad they are ‘off key’ simple as that. 

However it isn’t all bad news – there are some sizzlers among these tracks that really do warrant attention and the synth really gives plenty of diversity to its mesmerising passages.

‘World Demise’ is simply jaw dropping it is like tiny shards of glass penetrating the skull that embed themselves with a compelling urgency. The keyboard gives it a mature sound which shall definitely get another few playing’s just to savor its grandiose qualities, along with ‘SPG’ which is just as dynamic and spellbinding – you can feel your soul lift from your body when listening to these two tracks alone.

So an unpredictable album, diverse and compelling most of the time but not without its flaws.

8/10

Track List:

The way to Nihilism

Departure

The Unexpected

Afterglow

World Demise

SPG

Last Letter Home

Political Valentine

Calling

Nightshift

Waiting to fall

In Denial

Maniac

Members:

Jose - Vocals/Guitar

Ricardo - Guitar/Vocals

Eric - Bass/Vocals

Jordi - Synths/Samples

Victor - Drums

Slaughterday - Ravenous - 4 Track EP - F.D.A. Rekotz - Released 8th August 2014

Slaughterday

Ravenous

4 Track EP

F.D.A Rekotz

Released 8^th August 2014

Written for RamZine

Slaughterday – Leer, Germany

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/slaughterdayofficial

Listen here:

http://slaughterday666.bandcamp.com/

Produced by Jörg Uken at Sound-lodge Studios

Cover Art by Jan Pysander Whitney

Genre: Death Metal

Biography:

“SLAUGHTERDAY was formed in 2010 by Jens Finger - Guitars/Bass (ex-Obscenity) and Bernd Reiners - Drums/Vocals (ex- BK 49) to play raw and sick old-school Death Metal, heavily influenced by bands like Autopsy, Asphyx, Entombed, Massacre, etc. In December 2012 SLAUGHTERDAY recorded a 4-Track Demo called "Cosmic Horror" at Sound-lodge Studios, which was released via FDA REKOTZ. The full length album "Nightmare Vortex" was released on 12.06.2013”

 Slaughterday!

With a name like Slaughterday and their genre being death metal what’s not to like? Even their E.P cover is exciting! By Jan Pysander Whitney.  I know I am ‘ravenous’ to listen to this and who can blame me as I wallow and feast on – well let’s see... oh the tension is mounting...

Ravenous

From the bowels of the murky depths this takes a slice out of your head and digests it like the monster portrayed on the cover. Ravaging and filled with a fuelled hatred breath of rambunctious rhythms ripe for ear battering! A very ambient track that prowls in predatory fashion – slow and precise ready to catch its unwitting prey!

Crawling in Secrecy

This track is hungry for attention, and undeniably potent! Its heavy structure is insatiable and power crazed. The flanks of dramatic rhythms are enthralling and will no doubt leave you wanting more.

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“Weaving intense and alluring passages of sheer expression and lingering with intent to molest the audial, it twists and turns offering unwavering potency, as you would expect and this does not disappoint on any level!”

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Abyss of a Nameless Fear

The sadistic gait unfolds in a blood thirsty rampage of malignancy, tearing at the aural and ripping it to shreds. Spawned from an intrusive and all-consuming temper it swipes hard and leaves nothing to the over active imagination.

Ave Satanas – (Acheron Cover)

Not so far removed from Acheron’s original version however this is very black, bleak and thoroughly evil sounding. This version of Slaughterday sounds somewhat less doom and more death orientated as the original is more along the vein of doom.

Summary

For me this 4 Track E.P just scratches the surface of what Slaughterday are really about. It is more of a taster but since listening I have now found a ‘new addiction’

No doubt Slaughterday have found their niche and embedded themselves deeply into it. Their truly evil sound is really impressive! The deep guttural growls signify their genre and excite me all the more!

The cross between the boundaries of Black and Death metal are finely tuned. I love black metal, but death metal is a lot easier to fully enjoy, plus the lows are more heaven than hell to me, if that is the right sentence to use.

The nature of this E.P will cast a warm to explosive glow across the ear drums and will reward and satisfy its listeners so much so that your hunger will just get greedier for more and become a full on massacre.

Weaving intense and alluring passages of sheer expression and lingering with intent to molest the audial, it twists and turns offering unwavering potency, as you would expect and this does not disappoint on any level.

10/10

Track List:

Ravenous

Crawling in Secrecy

Abyss of a Nameless Fear

Ave Satanas

Members:

Bernd Reiners: Drums/Vocals

Jens Finger: Guitars/Bass

Bad Pollyanna - Invincible Girl - Glitch 13 - Official Charity Single in support of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation - Released 11th August 2014

Bad Pollyanna

Invincible Girl

Glitch 13

The Official Charity Single in support of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Released 11th August 2014

Invincible Girl - Single by Bad Pollyanna

Bad Pollyanna – Huddersfield, Manchester & Sheffield

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/badpollyanna

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Epilogue-Invincible-Girl/dp/B00EYA2YDI/ref=sr_1_18?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1407838991&sr=1-18&keywords=Bad+Pollyanna

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/invincible-girl-single/id906700251

http://shop.badpollyanna.com/

Genre: Alternative/Industrial/Electronica/Gothic

** Bad Pollyanna are proudly sponsored by cult make-up brand Illamasqua, with who they are releasing The Official Charity Single: Invincible Girl.

Biography:

“As their oxymoronic name suggests, Bad Pollyanna represents a mix of both beauty and darkness. The band explores and celebrates the duality of love, sex and the human condition through music and art. Bad Pollyanna believe you should be whoever you want to be and are proud to support the Sophie Lancaster Foundation in conjunction with makeup brand Illamasqua.

With their debut album "Monstrous Child", vocalist Olivia Hyde takes us the journey of a young woman kidnapped by a grieving scientist who uses her to resurrect his deceased lover in the form of a doll - with disastrous consequences. Having being transformed into a monster, she sets out on a journey to discover the meaning of love, and the sweet yet bitter taste of revenge!”

I couldn’t let this single go without saying a few words. Having been at the hands of bullies most of my teenage life and narrowly averting suicide myself have only had praise for Sylvia Lancaster whose battle to educate people and change attitudes about hate crimes have been a long hard struggle since her daughter Sophie was cruelly taken by vicious thugs in a park in Bacup on 11^th August 2007.

Her unprovoked death rocked the country and brought the Goth and Metal community closer together. There isn’t a soul out there who hasn’t heard of the name “Sophie Lancaster” at least not in the Goth/Metal community and her name will never fade away, because each year the memory of what happened on that fateful and tragic day in August is just as raw as it was when it first appeared on our TV screens.

Sophie’s sweet little face smiles out amid a startling array of red/black braided hair and numerous facial piercings.

Because of the sheer brutality in which Sophie's life was cruelly snuffed out, bands came together and created songs in her memory and Bad Pollyanna are the latest to create this beautifully poignant track entitled “Invincible Girl” The single can be purchased through the above links.

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“It’s a very fitting tribute to one “Invincible girl!”

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The bands long awaited debut album “Monstrous Child” was released on the 28^th August 2013 and contains the Official Sophie Lancaster single “Invincible Girl! You can buy the CD and T Shirt plus poster and wristband by following the link: http://shop.badpollyanna.com/album/monstrous-child

Bad Pollyanna's Debut Album

I have never had the chance to see Bad Pollyanna live but been a follower for some time after seeing the bands video “Liquid Lover” as their video’s as well as tracks are spine tingling, fresh and offer so much meaning. The tracks literally blossom with so much polish it is hard not to get fully immersed.

The single “Invincible Girl” is sung with the visions of Sophie Lancaster playing out in your head. It is so hard not to show emotion whilst listening. Liv’s lilting voice is haunting and lingers over the ears as the piano melody strikes a chord in your heart and will forever leaving its mark, just as Sophie has and it’s a very fitting tribute to one Invincible girl!

This is one superb track that everyone should hear and most of all buy as the monies collected are going to one of the best causes ever. Remember: Stamp Out Prejudice, Hate & Intolerance Everywhere.

We shall never forget!

Hollow 3:47

Awake Now 3:30

Monstrous Child 4:16

Liquid Lover 3:38

Where Does It Hurt 5:10

Letting You Go 4:32

My Incubi 3:56

The Living Dead 4:11

Chase the Demons (From My Bed) 5:30

Epilogue (Invincible Girl) 3:57

Members:

Olivia Hyde- Vocals/Piano

Nikki Kontinen- Bass/Programming

Stephen Kilpatrick- Guitars

Valerian Adore- Drums/Percussion

God Destruction - Illuminatus - 13 Track Album - Engraved Ritual - Released 30th April 2012

God Destruction

Illuminatus

13 Track Album

Engraved Ritual

Released 30th April 2012

Deadly!

God Destruction – Mexico

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/GodDestruction666

Genre: Industrial/Electro/Black Metal

Having had the pleasure to indulge in God Destruction's latest album, “Novus Ordo Seclorum” and had my ears truly blessed by it, I thought I would delve deeper and see what other delights the band have produced and was sent this, so without further ado...

Lvzbel

With cold-hearted and relentless exploration it begins with sampled voices and haunting wails. The beats wade in, in a mutated aggression, the dark ambiance is like a cold finger with sharp nails drawing itself down the spine. The vocal terrain is still just as devoid of warmth and is steely and attention grabbing.

Non Human

Again beginning with sampled voices but this time the track broods a more urgent appeal. Its virulence is engaging and just as haunting so the blackness broods with a far reaching consequence and sinister guidance.

Become Death

The low grunts are from the depths of hell and bred to fiercely impress. The lustful responses are felt through an addictive rhythm given out by a sonic expression of keyboard, along with the vocals that doesn’t let up through its vengeful antagonistic pleasure.

In Nomine Dei Nostri Satanus

Let the blackness wash over the aural and it will, as it is a brawl induced encounter that sweeps feverishly with towering endurance. Caustic and malevolent it is a good detox for the mind filling it with the stench of death and madness that disguises itself as a melodic rampage.

Anticristo

Again more use of sampled angry voices cry out and then are over-run with a tempestuous flurry of keyboard. The seething and immense screeching vocal rips vehemently with an expressive anger and hatred, whilst the haunting keyboard drags it back into the light kicking and screaming.

Illuminatus

Is both dark and haunting in production. The strong unyielding rhythms are flanked with musical imagination that is drenched in formidable and distinctive energy. The throaty and devilish vocal is leering and mesmeric and not lost its appeal through-out the album so far and just gains strength through this dark predatory track.

Prometheus

Another sobering track that holds bite with venom. It bounces with rhythm however underlying are the familiar sounds of a haunting keyboard that lashes out at the aural and feeds ravenously upon it. Bordering on insane melodic hues and tempered precision it lacks nothing what so ever.

Imperor

Keyboard twiddling, samples a plenty and rambunctious rhythms enhance its structure with an irresistible bait that coaxes the ears into a black submission, helped along by an absorbing vocal tract that spews a contagious charm.

Armageddon

Is probably the heaviest and more metal provocation on the album so far, sending out a stirring apocalyptic smack to the senses as its strong slabs of ferocious rhythms whip up a frenzy amid a sampled voice shouting “Dirty rotten scumbag?” in a harsh and menacing tone. The underlying growling voices snarl with eager bitterness.

Son of Satan

A rather disturbing beginning sounding like a record being played backwards amid unusual incidental noises and a pounding beat that is interrupted by a depraved vocal onslaught. It rips into the aural with a fevered exploit and is an ambitious track that grips and holds extreme excitement.

Across the Light

Is a slower track that harbours sinister malevolence that is until its choppy little synth notes become apparent and then it runs through a shrill malignant sound scape of astringent rhythms that are magnetic and coaxing amid superb melodic hues of electronic vibrancy?

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“At the beginning of the album you have an idea of where this album is at but at the end of it you have no idea where you are at.  It twists the knife in several times and removes various parts of the human psyche like a mad surgeon!”

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In Nomine Dei Nostri Satanus (Reaxion Guerrila Mix)

Brooding with sheer contempt for its victims, the possession of the soul is nearly over with a run of scaled madness it bounces with sheer force commanding energy from the living being to enhance the torment for the dead. Ravenous gnawing can be experienced and is pure devilry in the making.

Become Death – (Touched by Stahlnebel & Black Selket)

Another disturbing encounter as the vocals whisper in a shrill ear crushing malevolence whilst the track uses up its feverish energy to spew forth vivid thunderous pounding beats and tempestuous rhythmic grandeur that manhandles the senses somewhat.

Summary:

This album is engagingly destructive and corrosive and just as deadly as their second album. Creating a storm of death and pestilence its blackened roots of electro infused lust goes crazy and drenches the aural in feisty anarchistic flavours.

At times the tracks prowl sneakily and other times they rampage without any provocation but just because they can. The vocal extremes are powerful and energetic dramatically warranting attention that they deserve.

At the beginning of the album you have an idea of where this album is at but at the end of it you have no idea where you are at.  It twists the knife in several times and removes various parts of the human psyche like a mad surgeon.

Its dramatic structures give rise for raised temperatures that ignite as soon as the play button is pressed with an ever quickening heart beat that follows.

By the end of it you know who the masters are and will succumb and admit your defeat gracefully. The mental beatings and savage torture is prevalent through-out its thirteen track hate filled breath and therefore another solid enjoyable album from the amazingly consistent and deadly satanic assassins God Destruction.

10/10

Track List:

Lvzbel

Non Human

Become Death

In Nomine Dei Nostri Satanus

Anticristo

Illuminatus

Prometheus

Imperor

Armageddon

Son of Satan

Across the Light

In Nomine Dei Nostri Satanus (Reaxion Guerrila Mix)

Become Death (Touched by Stahlnebel & Black Selket)

Members:

Imperor

Charles Black

Muteitor