Varg - Das Ende aller Lugen - 10 Track Album - Napalm Death Metal Records - Released 15th January 2016

Varg

Das Ende aller Lugen

10 Track Album

Napalm Death Metal Records

Released 15^th January 2016

Written for Ramzine

Varg – Coburg, Germany

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/VargOfficial/?fref=ts

Genre: Wolf Metal

With a rumble and a German sampled voice the album is underway. I love the German lingo – it really gives your tongue a good workout! This track is speaking over some intense music as the voice gets angrier you find it is in keeping with the title.

The snarling vocal and angry grooves plough through the track with never ending energy in abundance and never tires of its gruelling emotional encounter of addictive melodic status.

This track is more deliberate in its delivery, however, it works up a good sweat as the rhythms and riffs ignite with speed and a determination that becomes gripping, but not as melodic as the previous track.

This is quite an interesting track that is a tirade of riffs and German lyrics that cannot be likened to Rammstein as it is far to ‘nicey’ with a classical music feel behind it.

As the title suggests Achtung – Danger has a warning attached to it and sounds urgent in its brutal delivery. It holds a superb chug that in turn holds its own and is extremely striking as it is exciting.

Dunkelheit – Darkness is quite a compelling track that maintains a sleek and sinister hue. The vocal scourges are gnarly and evil sounding and allows the freedom the music gives to it.

Playing out to some intriguing little notes and sung by an unknown female vocalist, helped along by the rousing male vocals that take over further on in the track. The male and female vocals take it in turn to flaunt their talents.

This one is a sing a long track of sorts that also contains a lot of anger that scathes and sweeps the depths before blatantly returning to its sing a long factor.

No let up from its barbarous cruelty as the drum beats take over with some meaty blast beats. It is rather a predatory track as it stalks with intent to thoroughly swamp the aural with potent caustic jabs.

To finish this ten track album the band have calmed things down a tad, at least at the start of the track. Vocally whispering through its lyrics, to an amble of persuasive rhythms. It perks up more toward the middle of the track with uplifting vocal edge with beautiful melodic seduction.

This is a good strong album bringing a plethora of varying tracks, although most of them are brutal in their own right!

9.5/10

Track List:

Der Grosse Diktator

Das ende aller Lugen

Revolution

Streyfzug

Achtung

Dunkelheit

Totentanz

Einherjer

Wintersturm

Ascheregen

Members:

Fenrier -

Freki -

Hati -

Managarm -

Skoll - 

The Wakedead Gathering - Fuscus: Strings of the Black Lyre - 7 Track Album - I Voidhanger Records - To be released 5th February 2016

The Wakedead Gathering

Fuscus: Strings of the Black Lyre

7 Track Album

I Voidhanger Records

To be released 5^th February 2016

Written for Ramzine

The Wakedead Gathering – Cinncinati, Ohio, USA

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/thewakedeadgathering

Genre: Dark Death Metal

Biography:

“Deep in the primordial darkness of the swamp, the Great Grey Witch watches and waits for her time for revenge...

THE WAKEDEAD GATHERING's third full-length album, “Fuscus: Strings of The Black Lyre” presents the story of a witch hunt that turns hunter into prey and the children of those so-called “righteous” perpetrators into something… not entirely human! Visually accompanied by the terrifying artwork of Karmazid, the sounds and screams on this album portray the anguish of victim and aggressor alike.

Although the lyrical contents could remind of King Diamond's horror concepts, with “Fuscus: Strings of The Black Lyre” THE WAKEDEAD GATHERING continue on the usual path of dark death metal, veering from time to time into strange territories tinged with black metal (“Blood From The Earth”) and even funeral doom (the incipit of the album's closing track, “An Ancient Tradition”). Tortured vocals and murky tones emanate from the swamp and out through the night air to invade the minds of those unfortunate enough to bear witness to the nightmare.

To those who would dismiss scientific inquiry in favour of dogmatic religious fanaticism, these tracks send a warning and a sense of dread that what you abused and left to rot may come back to destroy you...!”

~~~~~~

Into The Gyre – starts with intrigue and in trepidation! The quick breathing suggests something has happened but you have no idea what has happened if anything!

Blood from the Earth – If you had no idea what happened in the previous track all may become clear here as this track clocks up an impressive dark rhythm suggesting that something bleak is about to happen – the scathing gargles of vocal savagery and the blast beats combined then level out into a progressive amble and then it simply explodes into a mass of malignancy.

Deepwoods Nonesuch – This tends to hold a punchy vibrant rhythm that inventively emerges and suggests something is afoot in the woods today! The twisting rhythms leave a trail of angst in their wake.

Amnioticysts – Gives the organ a spotlight and then the guitar riffs take over giving it a blacker and darker feeling.  The rhythms are jagged and linger with contempt as the track spews out a further intense pulse of sinister edginess.

Lungwort – A fusion of ambiance with dread mixed in for good measure is quite enthralling as it moulds itself into a harsh array of riffage. Spreading its damming core of evil throughout the track and the vocals having a lot to do with it as they softly whisper in time to some cold and acrid rhythms.

The Harrowed Column – The beats and rhythms on this track are highly addictive, with good solid melody attached. The vocals are again low key and although disturbing bring a superb edginess to the vitriolic embrace.

An Ancient Tradition – A crackle of wood on a fire brings the track alive and then followed by some sharp riffs that resonate fiendishly. The track plays out to some bellowing drum beats spreading their charm until a ragged riff enters the proceedings lavishing it with keen malevolence and finishing with a witches cackle.

The atmosphere that surrounds this album leaks into the listeners psyche, flooding it with strange creative ambience that is compelling and forthright.

To think that this album has been created by one person always overwhelms me and is not unlike Hrafnblod – R.I.P.

It holds a lot of melodic strike, varies in strength and rewards with audial fascination. In fact it concocts a dark charismatic hue that lies over it like a misty fog that never lifts, creating plenty of contrivance, so there is always something to latch on to and enjoy.

10/10

Track List:

Into The Gyre

Blood from the Earth (6:18)

Deepwoods Nonesuch (5:30)

Amnioticysts (4:58)

Lungwort (5:03)

The Harrowed Column (4:58)

An Ancient Tradition (9:22)

Members:

Andrew Lampe - All instruments and vocals

Sanktuary - Winter's Doom - 7 Track Album - Self-Released - Released 22nd January 2016

Sanktuary

Winter’s Doom

7 Track Album

Self-Released

Released 22^nd January 2016

Written for Ramzine

Sanktuary – Whitehorse, YT Canada

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/sanktuarymetal/timeline

All songs performed by: Sanktuary

Songs written by: Sanktuary

Produced by: Sanktuary & Jim Holland

Engineered by: Jim Holland at Green Needle Records

Mixed by: Jim Holland at Green Needle Records

Mastered by: Jim Holland at Green Needle Records

Album Artwork: Tyler Grasholm

Discography: 2009

Sanktuary EP 2010

Black Magic Brew EP 2011

Tundrastruck Split EP 2013

Something Fierce LP 2013

Genre: HEAVY METAL FOR HEAVY METALLERS

Biography:

“Power thrash champions SANKTUARY hail from the harsh and blisteringly cold of the deep far North of Canada's Yukon Territory situating themselves in the city of Whitehorse (pretty far north, like the Siberia of Canada eh!). They have been trekking across the country for the past 6 years to bring their fierce and dynamic high speed riffs, catchy hooks, and belted out lyrics to the metal crowds. A collective vision that began in high school with a group of like-minded teens fed up with the constraints of mainstream music who wanted to emulate the lifestyles of their favourite bands. Their straight-forward, no-bullshit attitudes shape their signature brand of heavy metal, which has lead them to release the full length, 2013's 'Something Fierce', which reached #19 on the national college radio loud charts, 2011's 'Tundrastruck' split with Nova Scotia’s Black Moor and Montreal's Metallian plus two EPs 2010's 'Black Magic' and 2009's self-titled!”

~~~~~~

Space Race – Judging by the cover alone you can tell you are in for a good work out of the ears and hair variety! This track just blisters with energy and addictive qualities. A bit unsure about the vocals though as they sound a little flimsy for this track, but we shall see...

Wild is the Wind – Another track that is brought to life with a fantastic chug and a blistering of riffs that skim around the ears in agitation! The vocals sound superb – gnarly and demonic. Definitely one gripping track from start to finish.

Vermin Lord – Is an ambient intrusive stroll into oblivion as the beat takes on a primal energy and whips up a brewing storm of incitement. The vocals take on a chanting role and savagely attack the audial.

Winter's Doom – Not giving the listener a minute to catch their breath this one feeds off a malignant riff that unfolds with a fast and familiar chug that will leave the ears inflamed with thrashing madness.

Open your Eyes – The addictive energy jabs with feverish intent – try as I might I can’t keep still – it is just one of those tracks that leave you exhausted after listening.

Corpse Blockade – Is about as subtle as an express train! It throbs with menacing endeavour and rampages in equal abundance, although the vocals seem so high pitched it takes away from the evocativeness of the track which is a shame as musically it knows just where to hit!

Maximum Authority – This track once again gets to grips with its edgy intensity and locks horns in this final encounter. The riffing is just magnificent and throws the listener into a state of indulgence even the vocal revelry twists with dynamic emotion.

Despite the vocals being slightly off kilter in a couple of the tracks it doesn’t take away much from this kick ass album as the music literally wraps itself around your head and pulverises leaving you slightly disorientated.

It gets you pent up for the next onslaught of riffs and expresses full on creativity as the tracks further.

It is one ravenous album that really takes you by force and blossoms into evil virulence. Each track is a tirade of brutal thrash that you won’t be able to resist as it chugs into life.

Impacting and dramatic it gets under your skin and infects with melodic thrash addiction and potently strikes!

9/10

Track List:

Space Race

Wild is the Wind

Vermin Lord

Winter's Doom

Open your Eyes

Corpse Blockade

Maximum Authority

Members:

Alan Binger - Guitars & Vocals

Cole Hume - Bass

Anders Grasholm - Drums

Glen Emond - Guitars

Gomorrah - The Haruspex - 10 Track Album - Test your Metal Records - Released 15th January 2016

Gomorrah

The Haruspex

10 Track Album

Test your Metal Records

Released 15^th January 2016

Written for Ramzine

Gomorrah – Edina, MO, USA

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/metalgomorrah

Genre: Metal, Thrash, Progressive

Biography:

“Gomorrah was started in 2012 by a group of Missouri boys who moved to Ohio in hopes of becoming a part of a larger music scene. Colton, Mitch and Cody all set out to create a sound that encompassed all of their influences. They self-released an EP "To the Depths" in the fall of 2013. Since then the band has gained a new bass player Ryan Hamman as well as played out extensively in the Cincinnati area and are currently working on their first as of yet untitled full length album. Gomorrah are a combination of modern metal with elements of old school Bay Area thrash and some more groove and doom aspects sprinkled in!”

~~~~~~

As the first track Imperial kicks off the anticipation is nudged in the direction of fever pitch with a resounding and gleeful kick to the groin – the aggressive flanks of vocal metal strive for attention make no bones about that! Nine Kings of Sulphur doesn’t hang about and casts its abhorrent slayings over the ears and ratchets up a flexible dexterity of magical riffs. Carcosa is just as abrasive as the previous track with scathing vocal contagion and lashings of powerful beats that melt into a sinister amble of screeching guitar riffery.  Dismantling the Throne is slightly cleaner cut as it sears to its peak and leaves behind it a trail of debris. The doom element is prevalent and nestles into the vibrancy of this uplifting track.  Sitra Achra throbs with a tormenting vocal and screaming guitar riff that doesn’t let up for a second. It is so tenacious that it moves the blood coarsely around the veins and infects with delicious emotion. Crowns of Flesh takes on a slower pace and ambles beautifully through its beginning’s until it brews up enough gusto to take the listener by brute force! Cerulean has the throbbing beats and outlandish riffs melting together in a fusion of hatred. Vocal expansive and driven with all the muster it can forge within this dynamic track. Venom and Rapture has a melodic beginning that is made good use of and exploited to the full. Taking an audial scenic route it guides the listener through their satisfactory paces, stomping through a sonically induced assault – it is a feisty track that leaves no stones unturned. Architects This track takes stock of itself and plunges the listener into an atmospheric jungle and turning it into a majestic wonderland. The Mark of Veritas finishes the album on a higher note. The drum literally batters out a stomping melee of gluttonous poundings and fused together with a dark and evil vocal lure that smacks of uncontrolled incitement.

This is one such album that doesn’t know when to stop and believe me when I say you don’t want it to either! Drenched in atmospheric resourcefulness and ingenious lures it allows the listener to explore a whole new world through their aural cavities and subsequently unfolds to reveal an awesome breeding of new and exciting grooves.

It indeed packs a raw punch, and if people don’t like this album Soddom – this is Gomorrah!!

9.5/10

Track List:

Imperial

Nine Kings of Sulphur

Carcosa

Dismantling the Throne

Sitra Achra

Crowns of Flesh

Cerulean

Venom and Rapture

Architects

The Mark of Veritas

Members:

Colton Deem - Guitar/Vocals

Mitch Pegg - Guitar

Ryan Hammann - Bass

Cody “The Coyote” Pegg - Drums

Cult of Lilith - Arkanum - 5 Track EP - Self Released 22nd January 2016

Cult of Lilith

Arkanum

5 Track E.P

Self-Released

To be released 22^nd January 2016

Cult of Lilith – Iceland

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/cultoflilithband/?fref=ts

Genre: Groovy Death Metal

Abaddon – holds much pleasure with enjoyable stabs of metal that crucify you on listening and superbly rousing. The vocals are gruff and hit the ground running with equal amounts of instant force!

Arkanum – The bands title track is again forceful and lush. Its emotions are tumultuous and it doesn’t take much to get caught up in its flavoursome enterprise.

Detested Empress – The stuttering rhythms are precise and infectious with an abundance of energy! Its death metal traits are irresistible and the band have created a masterpiece with this track alone, as there is so much to witness with an array of creative riffs.

Night Hag – Merges into a battle of explosive revelry, intense and pleasurable for the death metal ear. Holding quite a potent swagger as it colludes with a tempestuous melodic flavour.

Tomb of Sa’ir – Probably the most diverse on the E.P well in fact it is with its creative opening of classical meanderings until it simply explodes into a feverish melee of forthright drum beats and harsh gargling that appears toxic and savagely spiced with some superb riffs.

Not hearing Cult of Lilith prior to now, I was bowled over by its steely presence and hidden in its gigantic rhythms are a blackness that cuts deep into the soul. The harshness of vocal is steeped in a harsh and unforgiving ubiquity that lavishes the ears with an abundance of virulent emotions.

The Icelandic bands certainly have things covered from all angles. They hold a certain sound that is familiar and work it to within an inch of its life. As I have said before for me Death Metal is all about the vocals, that tough growl sends chills running down my spine and leaves me wanting to hear more and more with each track.

The only negative thing I will have to say about this EP is that on the first 4 tracks things do sound very similar, although death metal is what it is and that is it brings out the harsh reality of music in its genre, although the final track brings a much welcome diversity and highlights the bands creative side to the full.

I am all for a bit of diversity and enjoy hearing different angles on music, like a well-oiled machine, things run smoother and adhere in the right places, so with a bit more diversity Cult of Lilith could become something big!

8/10

Track List:

Abaddon

Arkanum

Detested Empress

Night Hag

Tomb of Sa’ir

Members:

Daniel Thor Hannesson – Guitar

John Hauker Petursson - Vocals

Akasava - Strange Aeons - 6 Track - Self-Released - To be released 2016

Akasava

Strange Aeons

6 Track

Self Released

To be released spring 2016

Written for Ramzine

Akasava – Le Havre, France

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/akasavaofficial/?fref=ts

Genre: Heavy Psych / Occult Rock / Mystic Doom

Biography

“Akasava released their debut EP "Strange Aeons" in May, 2015. Featuring Karmazid's mind blowing and tortured artwork, widely acclaimed among the doom/psych scene, they have been reviewed and feature on popular blogs like Doomed & Stoned, The SludgeLord, and Occult Rock Magazine. Mystical, foggy, atmospheric landscapes will bring you close to the abyss of your mind and hit your soul straight after.

Wild and possessed on stage, they are about to record and release their debut album in 2016, along with a lethal dose of unholy live rituals spreading among the country and beyond!”

~~~~~~

From the off Akasava have captured a dark and sinister feel to their 6 track EP. Join the Ritual - is just a snippet of what is to come but it holds plenty of doomy intrigue! The Deep - again conjures up a heartfelt doom laden treat although the vocals do sound rather rough and unpolished, even out of tune at times, but the riffs swagger with a heavy psych and flirt uncontrollably with delicious stoner atmospherics. Sons of Bastet – Notches up a ripe beat that overflows within a stealth of stirring agitation. The vocals sound in keeping with the track and it all blossoms superbly.  The Witch is rising – Is rather an imposing track that captures further intrigue, and smothers the senses in a twisted slow rhythm. The vocals sound extremely haunting but further on the track explodes into a violent tirade of madness. Black & White Lady - Starts with an amble of decisive beats that entwine around the ears and forge a familiar path of riffs and melodic hues.  And die! – The organ sounds add to the bands sinister upkeep and maintain haunting space in which the band grow their rich sounds, but again it is just a snippet with which the band taunt and tease their followers.

There are some great moments to be had on this 6 track EP but the great moments are hampered with the shortness of tracks that should be in my opinion longer. Sons of Bastet for me is one such track that lasts the course and is indeed a favourite, with it’s up tempo structure and enjoyable riffs, the least favourite track is The Deep as the vocals definitely let it down.

The sinister hues are rife through-out the EP and most welcome within the genre but sadly this EP is not ground breaking and a lot of the sounds are familiar which is disappointing, however the band have an album due out shortly, whereby, they will have a better chance of expressing their doom-laden craft for longer which will go towards helping their cause.

This EP just gives glimpses of what is to come and although not earth shattering the band still deserve a chance to be heard.

The sounds contained within the EP are interlaced with dark intrigue and spine tingling twists building to good proportions and as Sons of Bastet show a good diversity with added bounce!

7/10

Join the Ritual

The Deep

Sons of Bastet

The Witch is rising

Black & White Lady

And die!

Track List

Join the Ritual

The Deep

Sons of Bastet

The Witch is rising

Black & White Lady

And die!

Members

Louis Hauguel - Vocals, Lyrics

Arnold Lucas - Guitars, Organ

Amélie Gavalda - Bass Guitar

David Touroul - Drums

Roadhog - The Rendezvous - 29th January 2016

Roadhog

The Rendezvous

29^th January 2016

Roadhog are:

Graham Lee – Vocals

Kev McGinn – Guitar

Neil Humphrey - Bass

Barry Lowe – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/Roadhog-Classic-Rock-Band

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Winter gigs are nearly always difficult getting people out of the house, mainly because of the rain, howling winds and dark nights, plus money or lack thereof, and last night’s event at the Rondy was no exception.

The venue itself was friendly and welcoming with a decent stage set in a separate room. The door near the stage made it easy to load and unload gear. Sadly the bar in the room was not in use and the main bar area had its flow of patrons, probably some regular, however they did finally open the door leading into the room so people could filter through as the place is a maze of doors!

Most of the time we were left to our own devices trying to find out what switch turned the lights on and off, and shut the blinds that blotted out the bleak cold evening.

The venue is set right back from the road and when driving past The Rondy doesn’t look like a venue, it looks more like a gift shop!

The band set up making the stage look a whole lot smaller once their gear was in situ.

Roadhog didn’t go on stage until around 9.45pm playing until gone midnight, and it seemed like they were going to play, to just five of us until a small metal crowd filtered through into the room.

Two new faces to me were Moz and Denise Fletcher who joined us cheering the band on at the front along with Jeff Hayes who arrived just after them.

Moz and Denise Fletcher

Jeff Hayes

Jane Craig

As the evening progressed one guy was shouting to the band “You’re brilliant!” which was really encouraging to the band as they always put 100% into each and every gig.

Now playing some of the harder hitting tracks courtesy of Barry Lowe from the Scopyons Tribute Band, they have really found their footing and there seems there is no stopping them now, and this is only Barry’s second gig with Roadhog, which is fantastic going in anyone’s book!

 Baz

With the band executing ‘Forever’ at a high octane level, it means that the band are occupying a heavier space than previous and adopting a more metal stance. ‘Warpigs’ sounded dark and sinister, ‘Word up’ had that uplifting tone and ‘Unskinny Bop’ offered a sing a long take on proceedings, although the tracks Roadhog now play just hit the spot – but for me ‘Cold Sweat’ literally raised the bar even higher.

 Neil

 Kev

Roadhog - Kev, Baz, Graham & Neil

Of course it was disappointing for Roadhog not to have a larger crowd to soak up the atmosphere, as it would be for any band who have worked extremely hard to master the classics, but great in the sense that it was more like listening to the band in your living room, as it was a very cosy and relaxed atmosphere all the same.

Roadhog, did their tribute tracks, Holy Diver, Ace of Spades and Cold Sweat to perfection and rated highly with the new faces at the back of the room.

Graham

Kev did his usual walkabout routine, losing himself in not only the music before returning to the stage. The banter still reeling from Graham to the onlookers with Neil joining in is always fun to watch. While Barry concentrated on his drums, hidden behind a vast array of cymbals, adorning his red glittery kit.

 Graham

 Kev

Neil

Baz

Graham & Neil

After seeing Roadhog in rehearsals and knowing just what goes on behind the scenes it was a shame that the room wasn’t filled with support for the band but it was very unfortunate that other events took precedence, people on holiday, people going to birthday parties, people who were ill and couldn’t make the gig etc, but this is what sets Roadhog’s professionalism soaring and that is no matter how small an audience (not that this happens very often) they always give a good performance and last night was no exception to their golden rule and because of it will no doubt expand their crowd of followers.

In fact it seems like they had one of the classic stars on their side last night as Jimi Hendrix decided to play along with the band...

~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to The Rondy Staff in particular Sharon Roughley for making us all feel welcome, Moz and Denise Fletcher – Good luck with your forthcoming operation Denise, hope everything goes well and great meeting you and Moz. Jeff Hayes for taking the plunge and venturing out to see Roadhog in action. Jane Craig for her valued company, the small gathering at the Rondy for adding to the fun of the night and of course to Roadhog themselves on a brilliant performance!