Koresh - Chump

The first thing that popped into my head when I saw this cover was "Wow, My Little Pony's gone satanic!". Before you say it, I know they're unicorns but seen as they're related to horses, the above statement is valid. Anyway, this is my third reviews in my week long series looking at the latest releases from some of the UK's own extreme bands (fourth if you count my earlier review featuring hardcore band Castellan). I'd not really heard of Koresh until I read that Witch Hunter Records were releasing their CD in association with  Withered Hand Records. Earlier in the year, I'd signed up for their Order Of Zealots deal, so this was one of my picks and believe me, the packaging for this CD is brilliant!

For those that don't know, Koresh hail from London and play a sludgy, hardcore-influenced strand of heavy metal, quickly too!

Tracklist:-

1. StraightEdge Till Morning
2. Wogan
3. Cheer Up Glasgow
4. Bin Juice
5. Adolf Hipster
6. Shitbird

7. You Can Call Me Gaahl

As I said above, Koresh don't hang about. Only one of the seven songs on Chump manages to punch through the two-minute mark. They also have a sense of humour, as their song-titles attest. Opening up with StraightEdge Till Midnight, you get greeted with ringing feedback and a song with plenty of rock n roll swagger. The vocals are vicious though and the mixture of full-throttle hardcore and thick sludge sets the stall out early. Wogan starts with a spoken word sampler before going into a maddening mid-paced stomp. One thing you'll notice with Chump is that the production is pretty rough and ready, which actually suits it. Thankfully you're still able to hear some of the more subtle melodies underneath the bass-rumble. I wonder if Cheer Up Glasgow is a dig! Either way, it's a grimy, sloth-like dirge for the first forty seconds before Koresh hits back with more ferocious hardcore noise. The more the vocals worm their way into your ears, the more vicious they sound.

Bin Juice is not nice, it's rancid. This song is pretty rancid too, but in a good way. It features some awesome riffs buried in the mix. Adolf Hipster keeps the squalid momentum going, as the snare blasts away and competes for your ears alongside deep-bass and screaming treble in the verses, before everything settles down mid-way through as Koresh groove their way toward the end. Shitbird is the longest song on Chump, but it's far from a progressive rock-opera. It's more mid-paced than previous songs but it retains that signature sound. The jazzy guitar is the song adds a sense of variation and quality too the song as well. It's always good to hear a little bit of instrumental expression from a band. This is the song title that made me chuckle the most - You Can Call Me Gaahl. Don't know why, it just did. The song itself is one final blast of intense hardcore. There's some nice ambience in the background, but it doesn't quite have the impact due to the bass-heavy production.  

This is one for people that like their music raw and heavy. It's got a pretty unique sound and Koresh are very adept musicians. I really enjoyed it because of that rawness to be honest.

You can listen to Chump in it's entirety via Witch Hunter's bandcamp page:-

You can get Chump as a pay-what-you-want download from the above bandcamp page, but if you want the physical CD, you can get from Witch Hunter Records at http://witchhunterrecords.bigcartel.com/.

Koresh Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/crippledriver

Castellan - Feeding Tube EP

This is review I wrote up a couple of days ago for the "Animal Defence Records" zine that will be released shortly. Karl from ADR was kind enough to say that I could publish the review here as well, to help promote the band. Castellan are a hardcore band from the South of England, who released this EP in December 2012.

Tracklist:-

1. Hunger Gospel
2. Medicine
3. The Carnage I Am

4. Milk Teeth

Castellan is a hardcore band from the South of England, who released an EP - Feeding Tube via Animal Defence Records at the back end of 2012. Around the same time, they played a show alongside some awesome bands including Birds In Row, Bastions and Razoreater. Castellan inject math and progressive textures into their hardcore, to give them an abrasive sound. EP opener Hunger Gospel has elements of modern hardcore in it, while featuring clever time-changes. It's definitely heavy and mosh-worthy. Mid-way through their math influence comes to the fore with what sounds like a more thought out djent section that lasts only briefly. Their riffs are sometime angular and sometime atonal, but whatever they are, they're atmospheric. They take on a real sense of urgency with the opening bars of Medicine. The initial double bass and faster riffs bring forth a more brutal song. At time they remind me of a certain US 16-legged beast. You know who I mean! Variation wise, Castellan stick to the same formula throughout Feeding Tube. The Carnage I Am is more hardcore than math and reminds me a lot of Last Witness. There are subtle flecks of melody hidden in the mix and talking of the mix, it's well-done and clear, allowing each instrument to come across well.

Feeding Tube ends with something of an epitome, in the form of Milk Teeth. It begins with an intro that sounds like a menacing nursery rhyme, which is brooding and builds in volume until the bands hits full power around a minute in. The emotional energy on show during this song is palpable, with B. Laing's vocals seemingly hitting a new level. The thoughtful instrumentation also helps keep you interested, as Castellan split the song into parts linked together by interludes, like the piano one at three and a half minutes. The song itself is nearly nine-minutes long and while I don't think it's necessarily advisable to play this for of hardcore for so long in one song, Castellan do manage to keep things progressing. Some of the guitar is genuinely loud and has a bite to it. There are breakdowns as well, but these are more progressive ones as opposed to brutal, hardcore ones and some of the textures they weave into the song are just plain head-spinning.

All in all, it's a short EP with some interesting twists and turns. Castellan are yet to truly find their own sound but they are by no means bad. There's loads of experimentation in their music and by trying out new things, they show that they're not afraid to experiment. It'll be really interesting to hear what they produce next.

You can stream the EP on Castellan's bandcamp page below:-

The EP is also available from their bandcamp page as a Name-Your-Price download.

You can pick up a physical CD version of Feeding Tube from Animal Defence Records here - http://www.animaldefencerecords.bigcartel.com/products

From The Depths Entertainment - New Releases

US label From The Depths Entertainment have just announced a host of new releases. As always. they can be downloaded for free from their site, so here's the list and some info. Get stuck in!

City Of The Weak - White Fire Alarm EP (2013)

Genre: Rock
From: St. Paul, MN
www.facebook.com/cityoftheweak

If you want to help support City Of The Weak, you can purchase their EP from here - https://itunes.apple.com/album/white-fire-alarm 

Aterra Tale - Of Fact and Fiction (2012)

Genre: Rock
From: Princeton, IL
www.facebook.com/aterra.tale

If you want to help support Aterra Tale, you can purchase their EP here - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product 

Beneath The Machine - The Movie EP (2013)

Genre: Metal
From: Haverhill, MA
www.facebook.com/beneaththemachinema

The Movie EP is available as a pay-what-you-want download from the band's bandcamp page. You can stream it below:-

Let The River Swell - Reassembled EP (2013)

Genre: Metalcore
From: Johnstown, PA

www.facebook.com/lettheriverswell

The Resembled EP is available as a free download from the band's bandcamp page. You can stream it below:-

 
Neil To Aldrin - Dear, Beloved... (single) (2013)

Genre: Melodic Metalcore
From: Vidor, TX

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neil-To-Aldrin/261007600583147

You can listen to the single on Youtube here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63TnwHQ5RUs 

Every Man Is An Island - Beyond EP (2013)

Genre: Melodic Metalcore

From: Brazil

www.facebook.com/everymanisanisland

If you want to support Every Man Is An Island, you can purchase their new EP on Itunes here -  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beyond

The Rift - The Rift EP (2012)

Genre: Rock

From: Los Angeles, CA

www.facebook.com/theriftmusic

The Rift EP is available to buy from bandcamp. You can stream it here - 



You can download the majority of From The Depths Entertainment's releases here - http://ge.tt/6Fb73ki  

From The Depths Entertainment Website - http://fromthedepthsent.blogspot.com/
From The Depths Entertainment  Facebook -  www.facebook.com/fromthedepthsentertainment

Swinelord - Life Is Empty/I Feel Fucked 10"

The Saturday just gone played host to the third annual Fuck Fest in Manchester. Don't worry, it's not some seedy adult festival though! It was the annual gathering of bands from the Church of Fuck roster, playing at the Kraak Gallery. It was my first time at the all-dayer and it was my first time seeing the majority of bands. Swinelord were one of the bands that played and they have this killer 10" arriving soon, so I thought I'd make this thew second review in this week's series. It features five new tracks as well as the five tracks from their I Feel Fucked tape, re-recorded. Basically, you've got ten tracks of raging, crust-filled hardcore.

Tracklist:-

1. Sloth
2. Endless
3. Void
4. Letch
5. Spitting Blood
6. Welcome To You're Doom
7. I Feel Fucked
8. Phismosis Death
9. Morning Beer

10. Lad

Sloth: A Slow-moving tropical American mammal or; A reluctance to work or make an effort. Neither of these two definitions paints an accurate description of the opener to this raging 10", because it’s made up of utterly nuts, crusty, sludgy-hardcore. Okay, it may have some slow passages but at a minute-forty, it's hardly slow.

The new material is a lot faster, with the next three songs weighing in at a collective one minute and fifteen seconds. They major more on their crust influences and feature low, hardcore vox. The riffs during Letch are especially low and bass heavy. Spitting Blood plays at a more consistent pace, with crashing cymbals adding to the sense of chaos. It almost sounds industrial, thanks to the pounding, mesmerising rhythm.

The I Feel Fucked side is slower and sludgier from the off. These songs featured on the 2012 demo tape of the same name and here, they sound equally as squalid. Welcome To You're Doom is as claustrophobic as you like. It only picks up in pace at the midway point. The title track on this side of the ten inch is as unrelenting as you'd expect. Much like the cover art for the record, it's dirty and depraved!

The raw-production helps make Phismosis Death sound maddening. The bass-heavy sound and the dual vocals that hit you from both speakers, threaten to deafen you. If you've ever embarked on some hair-of-the-dog action you'll know exactly what penultimate track Morning Beer sounds like. Next time you have a hangover, just stick it on and headbang. I guarantee that the pain will soon disappear! Lad ends proceedings with a brief shriek of chaotic feedback.

If you weren't lucky enough to get your mitts on the I Feel Fucked tape last year, make sure you get this. It's ten tracks of genuine and raw hardcore that could only come from the bowels of Manchester.

Hear it for yourself via Church Of Fuck's ever growing bandcamp page:-



You can still pre-order as copy of the record here - http://churchoffuck.bigcartel.com/product/cof19-swinelord-life-is-empty-i-feel-fucked-10.

What are you waiting for. Get it now and smile as you fester in it's filth!

Swinelord Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Swinelord
Church of Fuck Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/churchoffck

Written In Torment - Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes

In recent weeks, a lot of new records have been announced and even released by some great bands and labels, so I thought it would be good to do a week long series of reviews, featuring some of those records, ending on either Saturday or Sunday. My first port of call in this series is local Yorkshire one-man black metal band Written In Torment. Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is WIT's follow up to the 2006 EP The Uncreation. It's been released by fellow Yorkshire label Glorious North Productions and heralds the first of many new releases from the label. Being 7 years in the making, it's certainly been a labour of love for sole member Leviathan.

Tracklist:-

1. Earth Decimated
2. Eternities of Suffering Endured
3. Beast of The Depths
4. Descent Into Total Madness
5. O' Fortuna
6. Grief
7. Solitude
8. Behold The Trinity Maimed And Rotten
9. A Pig Hung In Golgotha

10. Necessary Evil.

I think that Black metal is the only genre that can truly get away with being played by a sole individual. I've heard plenty of one-man grind bands, which have to use drum machines instead of playing them, which gives the music a fake sound. Thankfully, Leviathan plays all of his own instruments in Written In Torment, including the drums. Opener Earth Decimated is a signal of intent, full of double bass and even a screaming solo. The rhythm guitar during the verses gives off a subtle level of ambience and the vocals are blood curdling. The early pace remains on the right side of intense during Eternities of Suffering Endured. Written In Torment adds more brooding melody this time and a more dramatic solo, which adds an extra sheen of quality to the music. The underlying brass ensemble hints at bands like Drudkh.

I like how Written In Torment is able to switch from the majestic height of songs like Eternities of Suffering Endured to the putrid, blackened filth in the likes of Beast of The Depths and Descent Into Total Madness. The variation, even though slight, makes a big difference to a sound, which feature modern touches alongside more traditional black metal textures. The record was mixed and mastered by Jonny Maudling of Bal-Sagoth and as a result the production is very crisp, yet remain true to the black metal ethos of WIT. He also contributed session keyboard to the album, which you can here at points throughout the record, like during fifth track O'Fortuna. Longer songs like Grief manage to show a more considered side to Leviathan's song writing. It can be hard to keep songs like this sounding interesting to the listener, but the time-changes help, as do swathes of ambience from the guitars. Another brilliant guitar solo also helps the song to standout as one of the best tracks on the record, in my opinion.

It merges straight into Solitude, which is a shorter but more immediate instrumental song. It follows the lead of the opening tracks with infectious pace at the start, before settling down mid-way through. Some songs also have a regimental bite to them, like during Behold The Trinity Maimed and Rotten. With the vigour of Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes's closing tracks, it finishes. It's a hell of a journey throughout and I have to say, it's one of the best one-man black metal records I've heard in quite some time. From the production to the instrumental and song structures, it's definitely one that should be heralded by fans of the genre. You won't hear many more like this all year!

You can stream the whole record here:-

You can order the CD version from the above bandcampo page or from Glorious North Productions at http://www.gloriousnorth.co.uk/.

If you head over to Written In Torment's own Facebook, you can also find out about the CD/T-shirt package that's available.

Written In Torment Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/writtenintormentofficial.

Summer Sounds - Enjoyment Records

Jeez, where does the time go. It's already mid-June and we've just passed the Summer Solstice, which means we're now into six months of constant rain and darkness (probably). This is also my third label feature of 2013, which in itself is pretty rad as I didn't think I get this far, due to my laziness and/or interruptions. Anyway, I've decided to write about a label that I've been repping for a while and who's owner Dale, has been a kind supporter of This Noise Is Ours for just as long. I don't know many other labels that have such a varied roster and with it's 2013 releases coming thick ans fast at the moment it seemed like the perfect opportunity to focus on four of them. I've decided to mix it up a bit as well, by focusing on two new and two not so new releases.

Saint Coltrane/Weird Wives - Split 7"

I thought I'd start with one older releases but one which I think epitomises Enjoyment's roster and approach to releasing music. This split release features Saint Coltrane from Brighton, who play a kind of arty/jangly take on hardcore-punk and Weird Wives, a mad-ass punk band from Miami! Each band contributes one track to the split.

Tracklist:-

1. Saint Coltrane - Iron Dracula

2. Weird Wives - Gila

Saint Coltrane's contribution Iron Dracula starts with some pretty experimental guitar and bass. It's hardcore but not as we know it! I can see it being the kind of punk that Maximum Rock n Roll will dig. I actually own this 7" and it's a great listen when I want something a little out of the ordinary. It reminds me of when I was getting into punk, other than just the normal pop-punk type stuff. Saint Coltrane reminds me slightly of when I first heard Million Dead. They have that same chaotic sound. Good stuff.

Weird Wives carry on the arty vibe with Gila. I may be doing both bands a disservice by referring to their music as arty, but it doesn't fit any mould that I know of. Being from Miami, you'd expect Weird Wives to frequent a basement club, where people in the know go to check out bands. They really compliment Saint Coltrane's side as well, managing a sound all of their own while still somehow injecting an element of British-ness into it.

This 7" may only be a taster of what both bands can create, but if you're new to both bands then it's a great place to start. The record also comes in two rather nice hues. A Red/Yellow mix and a Grey/White/Blue tri-colour version. If you like vinyl and nice hardcore/punk, you can't really go wrong.

Hear it for yourself here:-

There are still copies of both colour variants of this record available on Enjoyment's store and each record comes with a free download code, which features a bonus track from each band.

Store - http://enjoymentrecords.bigcartel.com/product/saint-coltrane-weird-wives-split-7-vinyl-pre-order

Saint Coltrane Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/saintcoltrane
Weird Wives Blog - http://weirdwives.blogspot.co.uk/

Indian Taker/Shortcuts - Split 7"  

This split was released earlier this year. This release was collaborative one between Enjoyment Records, Quote Your Pulse Records from the US and Guys With Beards from Ireland. Indian Taker are a punk-rock band from California and Shortcuts are a melodic hardcore/emo band from Essex, UK. This split was pressed as four different colour variants too, for all of you who collect vinyl. There's transparent red, transparent green, transparent Orange and also violet.

Tracklist:-

1. Indian Taker - Growing Feigns
2. Indian Taker - Interlude
3. Indian Taker - Foxholes
4. Shortcuts - Wonderland

5. Shortcuts - Bowling

This is another 7" that I own (not bragging!). Indian Taker is up first, with three songs, ones an interlude but to me it still counts. Opener Growing Feigns is an upbeat melodic punk/screamo song with verse vocals that remind of La Dispute. The chorus is pure summer though! It's definitely very danceable, but not in a cheesy way. The interlude is just that, a break between songs and if I'm being honest, I'm not sure why it's there. I just want more punk rock! Their second song proper - Foxholes, is another hook filled punk song. The great thing is that Indian Taker don't just sound like a Blink-182 or Green Day clone, as they very much have their own sound. The country-style guitar and the brass instruments that pierce their sound add more variation and make them more unclassifiable than some of their peers.

Shortcuts play more to the point, but still with a great sense of melody and fun. Wonderland's gritty attitude and more rough and ready sound go hand in hand, which is an effect that only UK bands seem to pull of properly. Bowling is very much the same and it helps Shortcuts to compliment Indian Takers cleaner sound. The production though of both sides of this split is great and allows both bands varying styles to come across well. That solo at the end of Bowling is genius too!

Like all other Enjoyment Releases, it's available for full streaming on bandcamp:-

If you're in the UK, you can pick copies up from Enjoyment's store here - http://enjoymentrecords.bigcartel.com/product/indian-taker-shortcuts-split-7-options-available.

Indian Taker Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/indiantaker
Shortcuts Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shortcutsband

Nathan Detroit - S/T 7"

Now, I'm heading into virgin territory. This 7" is one of Enjoyment's newest releases. Nathan Detroit is a pop-punk band from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, UK. This is a little different to previous releases as it's a limited lathe cut record and is the first one that Enjoyment has released. Nathan Detroit are bringing back the good vibes.

Tracklist:-

1. Hold On Tight
2. 17

3. Come Home

You know you get those days where you just need something that's not brutal or angry to listen to. The first thing you reach for (if your me) is pop-punk. Punk just like the type that Nathan Detroit plays. The melodies of the guitars are there to smile, the drums hop and skip just like they should and the vocals are clean, with brill harmonies.

Hold On Tight is the perfect opener and it's too the point. 17 is song to help you reminisce about easier days, when you have no responsibilities or cares. Come Home sounds so familiar in its style, yet original at the same time. The production of the record is spot on too. All of the instruments and vocals are clear, as you'd expect with a punk record. You won't be paying attention to that though, as you'll most likely just be lost in the music. Damn I want to see these guys live!

All three tracks are streaming on Bandcamp:-



You can pick a physical copy of this 7" in a double pack with the Second To Last - Vessels 7" here -
http://enjoymentrecords.bigcartel.com/product/nathan-detroit-7-lathe-cut-second-to-last-7-vinyl-combo.

Nathan Detroit Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nathandetroituk.

Axes - S/T 12"

This is the newest record to come from Enjoyment and is a pretty big deal for the label. They are working alongside Big Scary Monsters, who are releasing this record on CD, by releasing a 12" version.  Axes are a London based band featuring members from as far away as Iran and Denmark, as well as Scotland and Essex! They play a dissonant version of indie laced punk and have a penchant for funny song titles, as you'll see below.

Tracklist:-

1. Wet Wet Wet Wet
2. Let Me Tell You Something About Pepe
3. Jon Bonjela
4. Rainbow Bacon
5. Middle East 17
6. Manolis Hadja Manolis

7. Fleetwood Math

That dissonant sound starts straight away with the intro bars of Wet Wet Wet Wet, but it soon fuses into a brass-laden instrumental song, somewhere between indie and screamo. This may sit at the more pop end of the Enjoyment Records roster, but it's exactly what you'd expect the label to put out if you've been following them for some time. Let Me Tell You Something About Pepe has a bit of a country music vibe to it, thanks to some clever guitar work. You're pretty much forced just to sit back and enjoy this, as without vocals you can really appreciate the instrumentation for what it is.

Axes keep you guessing with their musical direction because the amusingly titled Jon Bonjela has a 70s rock n roll feel. After a while it goes all danceable and features some great lead guitar towards the end. It genuinely is hard to categorise Axes and as such, I'm not gonna bother trying. If you want something out of this world to listen to, just stick on fourth song Rainbow Bacon. It has some of the strangest guitar picking I've ever heard in it. You'll know what I mean you listen to it!

I really like their jazz-inspired moments a lot and the fact that you can't pin down a tempo for more than a few bars. It makes the music interesting and keeps you hooked. Even the song-title Middle East 17 made me snigger. Manolis Hadja Manolis follows in the same vein but is more math orientated and is pretty stop-start. Fleetwood Math isn’t, as I'd expect. I thought it would be equally as mathy, but it isn't. It's actually a really pleasant end to the album. 

Overall, this record wasn't what I was expecting. Then again, I didn't really know what to expect. I really like the look of the finished vinyl product as well. It's a chilled out, well-played album, which definitely adds something to Enjoyments existing roster.

Have a listen to the record here:-

You can buy the record here - http://enjoymentrecords.bigcartel.com/product/axes-self-titled-12-vinyl.

Axes Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/weareaxes

So, there you go. A brief look at a UK label who are very much on the up. There are more new releases still to be announced by them but for now, just explore what is already out there.

Enjoyment Records Website - http://www.enjoymentrecords.com
Enjoyment Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Enjoyment-Records

Let It Die/Monolithian - Because The World Is Perfidious, I Am Going Into Mourning Split 7"

This post sees the return of two UK bands who've been featured here previously. Let It Die have featured with both their demo and last year's sick 7". Monolithian appeared earlier this year with their One/Zero 12". There was one constant amongst the two vinyl releases I reviewed and that was UK label Moshtache Records, as they conspired with Church of Fuck to bring us both those vinyl records. Well, they're back again alongside Skin and Bones Records to bring you a mighty new slab of wax in the form of the Let It Die/Monolithian split. Fast as hell hardcore inspired noise rocks up next to bass-heavy sludge-ridden hardcore in a tag team match that will tear out your eardrums and drop your bowels.

Tracklist:-

1. Let It Die - Boredom/Inertia
2. Let It Die - Torture

3. Monolithian - Emaciate Euthanise

Bored...you won't be! Not after Let It Die tear you a new one with opening track Boredom/Inertia. Borrowing subtle textures from their slower comrades in Monolithian, they proceed to pummel you with a sound as thick as the tar. The ringing feedback that acts as wing man to those anguished screams will have the weaker amongst you reaching for your earmuffs. The drums pound, with cymbal crashes flying at you like falling anvils and the low-down riffs will threaten to shake the strongest of foundations. That feedback leads into Torture, which pretty much does what it says in the title. Let It Die hit a faster stride here, which harks back to their 2012 7".  The same thick sound is present and the holy-terror style guitar makes it impossible to tear yourself away. Stuff your cookie-cutter deathcore tripe, you need to be hate-moshing to Let It Die before moshing becomes illegal...oh wait, it already is!

Things take a sinister turn as the bass-heavy tones of Monolithian break through. Emaciate Euthanise builds on the momentum and sound gained by their recent One/Zero 12" and shortens it too produce something equally to the point as Let It Die, while complementing their chaos with something down and dirty. The constant here is the bass and the rhythm section, bellowing beneath the low-growls that drag the tone deeper into the depths of despair. Just when you think it's slowed to a halt though, Monolithian spew up some filthy crust that hits you like a gutter punk that's drunk too much angry juice.

Three tracks is all it takes to remind you that no matter how convoluted mainstream metal gets and no matter how many fringe bands cause furore on the Warped tour, at least you'll have the welcoming arms of the UK underground to come back to. Both Let It Die and Monolithian have seriously upped their game and if you're going to be seeing them on any of their upcoming live dates, you'll be in for a treat.

As the above poster says, the whole split is streaming over at Tight To The Nail here - http://tighttothenail.com/. Go listen now!

The 7" is being released on heavyweight 70g vinyl. You can pre-order it from the following places - 

Moshtache Records - http://moshtacherecords.bigcartel.com/

Skin And Bones Records - http://skinandbonesrecs.bigcartel.com

In terms of live dates to watch out for; Let It Die are making an appearance in Manchester on the 29th at Fuck Fest and Monolithian will be sharing the stage with the mighty Eyehategod on the 4th of August.

For their other live dates and to tell them how awesome they are, head over to their Facebook pages below:-

Let It Die - https://www.facebook.com/LetItDie

Monolithian - https://www.facebook.com/monolithian

Trials - In The Shadow of Swords

Those of you who have been paying close attention over the last few weeks, will recognise the name Trials. I did an interview with Mark and Usha from the Chicago metallers earlier in the year and thought it was time that I posted up my review of their new album. In The Shadow of Swords is Trials second album, having already released Witness To The Downfall back in 2011. Trials play a modern take on metal, with death and thrash thrown in alongside the obligatory groove.

Note: The digital version of the album includes a cover of Judas Priest song Jawbreaker, whereas the CD version contains the track Spirit Leaves. I'm reviewing the digital version.

Tracklist:-

1. Conjoined
2. Believers In Black
3. Blueprints of Metaphor
4. In The Misery Machine
5. With Only Sorrow Now
6. All The Promises
7. Upon This Day
8. Ancestor
9. Embracing Nothing

10. Jawbreaker (Bonus - Judas Priest)

It seems like an age since I actually listened to some proper modern metal. All these sub-genres can get mystifying, so sometimes it's good to sit back and listen to something more familiar. Trials are modern metal of the best kind for me. Their mixture of death, thrash and groove sits really well alongside the melodic choruses and subtle djent influences. Conjoined is an epic call to arms as well, featuring elements of all of the above. The deeper you get into Conjoined, the more you hear symphonic elements too. Believers In Black hints at the rock n roll swagger of the band and definitely highlights why Trials were chosen to support Holy Grail in July. There is a progressive edge to the band as well though. Their songs are longer than those of your average metal band, but their musicality and skill justifies it. Trials keep up a pretty blinding pace without sounding fast.

Their groove and song-structure lends itself to a full-throttle assault. There are similarities between Trials and Scandinavian progressive metallers Scar Symmetry that reveal themselves during cleanly sung passages (to my ears anyway!). The pace does slow slightly during fourth track In The Misery Machine, but it doesn't spoil the bands momentum and it creates a slightly more brooding atmosphere too. That brooding atmosphere continues into fifth song With Only Sorrow Now. It's extended instrumental intro providing a neck snapping groove and a sound, which will definitely prick your ears up. As you pass the halfway and point and get stuck into All The Promises, the variation begins to kick in more, with subtle time-signature changes and more experimentation. This is where Trials begin to flex their musical muscles after the initial full-on assault during the first half of the album.

Their ballad moment comes in the form of Upon This Day. It's a pretty majestic one though and the further in you get, the more that ballad tag becomes irrelevant. Penultimate song Embracing Nothing is a rage too and their longest song. After that, they pluck out an unlikely cover in the form of Judas Priest song Jawbreaker. It gives the album a rousing send off and shows that Trial are not afraid to put their stamp on a classic. Trials play some of the best modern metal I've heard since I reviewed A Wanted Awakening. It reminds me of my early days discovering metal bands and listening to metalcore (when it was good!). It's just honest, killer modern metal that will gain Trials new fans without a doubt. You should check it out.

You can checkout the entire album here:-

In The Shadows of Swords is available to buy both digitally and on CD from the Bandcamp page above.

Trials Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/trialsmusic.

Random Band of The Week - Mors Voluntaria

It's time for another "Band of The Week". To inspire me this time, I checked out the latest band additions on Metal Archives and since I've been listening to more UK based black metal recently, the decision was pretty easy. The band I've chosen this week is Leeds based one-man black metal band Mors Voluntaria.

Seemingly a new band, Mors Voluntaria sprung up earlier this year but has already released a Bandcamp only promo and Tape called "A Pathway Through Forgotten Woods", which has been released by the prolific Ukrainian black metal/ambient label Depressive Illusions Records.

You can listen to the digital two-track 2013 promo via the band's Bandcamp page below:-



The two promo tracks on Bandcamp are raw, hateful black metal with elements on noise and drone thrown in. It's airs more towards depressive black metal with the only ambience coming from the feedback generated by the guitars.

Mors Voluntaria is a mysterious project and there isn't a great deal of information about it, apart from what's on Metal Archives. As with many similar bands, there is no Facebook page as yet either.

In terms of the bands debut tape release, you can purchase "A Pathway Through Forgotten Woods" via Depressive Illusions Records here - http://depressiveillusions.com/mors-voluntaria-pathway-through-forgotten-woods.

http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Mors_Voluntaria 

ZOM - Multiversal Holocaust 7"

Dublin's ZOM have been talked about in hushed tones for some time now. After an initial demo in 2011 that was released by Invictus Productions, they followed with another in 2012 courtesy of Iron Bonehead Productions. They're back in 2013 with their first vinyl record, the Multiversal Holocaust 7". Comprising of two tracks, this brings their unholy black noise to more people just in time for their appearance Live Evil later this year.

Tracklist:-

1. Multiversal Holocaust

2. Terror of The Cosmos 

Multiversal Holocaust features just two tracks, but that's all ZOM need to hammer their rusty nail into your head. Starting with the title track, they settle into their blackened death metal almost instantly. The raw-sound and thrash metal elements make it perfect for those who like extreme metal. It does take a few listens to pick out some of the subtle intricacies within ZOM's music, but once you do it's well worth it. The vocals sound like barks coming from the jaws of Barghest himself and the slower riffs in the mid section create great atmosphere. After a final wave the thrashing grimness, it ends with an unsettling sample.

The B-side is Terror of The Cosmos, which follows on and maintains the unsettling atmosphere that ZOM set out to create. Ringing feedback plays alongside the sampled voice, before the low-end makes it's presence well and truly felt. The riffs here seem to take their cues from traditional heavy metal but once they are stood next those ungodly vocals, they change and sound nastier. It strikes me that with the sheer amount of extreme metal about now and with new bands appearing all the time, it's hard to plough a furrow for yourself, which is original. ZOM seem to manage it and exceed the expectations of the baying throngs by playing what they want to and by creating such a very all-encompassing sound. This 7" may be short, but as an introduction to the band or a sign of their progression from previous releases, it shines above all. Grimness isn't always black!

Listen to the title track at Iron Bonehead's Soundcloud page below:-

https://soundcloud.com/iron-bonehead-productions/zom-multiversal-holocaust

You can purchase the 7" from Iron Bonehead Productions at http://www.ironbonehead.de/shop/.

Analogue of The Sun - Eardstapa

I've talked loads about my admiration for bands north of the border and am always excited when another bursts it's way through the undergrowth. Analogue of The Sun are a band that came to my attention last December, but that I'm only just getting around to writing about now. They sent me a link to their debut album Eardstapa with promises of sludgy, ambient post-metal vibes. A hint to their sound may come from the fact that they supported the mighty *Shels in Glasgow in June of last year.

Tracklist:-

1. The Wanderer
2. Snow on The Hull
3. What The Thunder Said

4. Synonymy

I always think that Scottish bands present some of the most majestic soundscapes. If you listen to bands like Prelude To The Hunt and Of Spire And Throne, while in different genres, they both reach incredible heights. Analogue of The Sun are the same. They start of quietly with opener The Wanderer, with gentle guitar and clean singing, before throwing in intermittently heavy bass. You feel like they are building up to unleash a Cult of Luna-esque wall of noise and as such you're always anticipating. They kind of do at the midway point, but sitting atop of the heavy instrumentation are clean vocals, which add tonnes of atmosphere. There are flecks of indie, screamo and Neurosis-esque moments throughout and this is just the opening song!

After that grand opener, Analogue of The Sun switch into a sort of improv/ambient intro to Snow On The Hull before twisting into more indie inspired instrumentation. It's pretty rad that their music can sound so experimental yet danceable at the same time. Some people may baulk at the artsy tag, but these guys pull it off well, without sounding too madcap. Snow On The Hull sees them going down a really twister-jazz route, with some vocals which seem off-key but actually work really well with the sound clash beneath them. What The Thunder Said, much like Snow On The Hull, is a shorter piece. This has a more menacing atmosphere thanks to the crashing cymbals and rumbling bass. It's stop-start and pretty much unclassifiable. For the most part it's instrumental, so it gives you a bigger insight into the song-writing skill of the band. After the initial chaotic section, they settle down and play something quieter and more laid back, which becomes more feedback-ridden and dissonant as the song reaches it's conclusion.

It all ends with Synonmy, which weighs in at almost twelve minutes. By now, you don't have a clue what to expect but you can't dare take your ears away from the speakers. The song starts of gently, with a kind of pop-vibe and what sounds like programmed drums, though I can't be sure. There are strings in the background, piano and cleanly sung vocals with soaring harmonies. This song may seem at odds with those before it, but it's a perfect way to end the record. The dissonance from previous tracks does show itself about five minutes in and at time after and they do throw in elements of the jazz, but for the most part it's a more straightforward song in the way it's structured. It gives off a sense of drama and warmth, which stays with you. 

I came into this with an open mind, not knowing what to expect and was really surprised by the breadth of ideas and textures that Analogue of The Sun weaved into the record. I don't want to pigeonhole it as post-metal as I think that's unfair. It's just good, different music that takes influences from different genres including metal. It's original.

Listen to this for yourselves here:-

You can purchase Eardstapa digitally or on CD from the above page as well.

Analogue of The Sun Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/analogueofthesun

Dead Church/Suffering Mind - Split 5"

I love fastcore, grind, powerviolence or whatever else you want to call fast music. I also love vinyl so this little release from 7Degrees Records is pretty much perfect. It brings together Michigan's Dead Church and super-prolific Polish grinders Suffering Mind, for a quick fire two-track blastathon. Dead Church recently played alongside Full of Hell and Seven Sisters of Sleep and Suffering Mind are due to hit the UK imminently with UK PV band The Afternoon Gentlemen, so both bands are keeping their live reps well and truly in tact.

Tracklist:-

1. Dead Church - I Want Nothing

2. Suffering Mind - War Street/Wall Street

Dead Church are furious from start to end. After their initial thick riffing intro, they launch into a hardcore-led blast of grind madness. The mixture of high screams and low growls give it an edge and while it's short, it's still a rager. Suffering Mind has a less thick guitar sound but like Dead Church, they throw in elements of sludge into the mix and some incredibly fast kick drumming to boot!

There's really not a lot I need to say about this record, other than that it will do more damage to you in it's sub two-minute playing time than most grind albums will do in their entirety. Some people may find the 5" format too short, but whether you're an avid follower of both bands or you're looking for a place to start, you'd be foolish not to pick this up.

Hear it in it's grinding glory here:-

7Degrees have made this split available to buy digitally from the above bandcamp page, though I'd strongly recommend you to go for the physical 5" if you can afford it. It looks immense, as does that artwork!

Dead Church Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadchurch
Suffering Mind Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suffering-Mind
7Degrees Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/7DegreesRecords

Jellywatch - Demo 2011

This is my second review featuring a release from French/Belgian punk label Never Trust An Asshole. This time, I'm writing about the 2011 demo from Jellywatch. I'm not fluent in French, but by reading their Facebook bio I can just about make out that they formed in 2008. This seven-track demo was released in February 2011 and has been their only recorded output to date. They seem to have played a fair-few live dates and look like a fun bunch of dudes, so I'm hoping this demo will be a little more lighthearted than some of the music I've been listening too recently.

Tracklist:-

1. Derrière le mur
2. Quoi d'autre? 
3. A La Carte
4. Roulettes et contreplaqué 
5. Song of The Dead
6. Seeing Red (Minor Threat Cover)

7. Kids for life (bonus réédition) 

Jellywatch open with Derriere Le Mur and an extended guitar intro before launching into a fuller, more melodic verse. Their sound has a garage-punk slant to it during the verses but tends to be pretty danceable in between, featuring some cool guitar harmonies. Quoi d'autre features some really cool ska-punk saxophone. A La Carte starts with a more measured approach. This approach doesn't last long though, as Jellywatch quickly launch back into their quick-fire punk. The rhythms are pretty tight and the recording/production is more on the live side of the fence, which helps bring out the band's energy.

Roulettes et Contreplaque will have you pogoing along in no time, with it's NOFX-esque harmonies and upbeat drumming. It's probably the standout track on this demo for me. Up until now all of the songs have been sung in the band's native tongue, but Song of The Dead sees them switch to English. This is a scuzzy punk song that last nearly twice as long as song that came before it on the demo. That doesn't stop it from being raucous fun though!

Jellywatch then spring out at you with their own take on Seeing Red by Minor Threat. Their last song Kids For Life is a nod to hardcore punk, with more attitude and a sound akin to AFI. It's another fast and scuzzy number that ends their demo in suitable style. If you're after some punk that's played with abandon and without being too clinical, look no further than Jellywatch's demo. It would be interesting to hear how they progress with future releases, if any do materialise. For now though, just stick this on and enjoy it.

Have a listen for yourself below:-

The EP is available to by both digitally or physically from the above bandcamp page.

Jellywatch Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jellywatch
Never Trust An Asshole Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Never-Trust-An-Asshole

Not My Hero - S/T EP

I thought I'd have a break from extreme metal for a little while and check out some good old hardcore. A while I ago I was sent an e-mail from a French DIY label called Never Trust An Asshole, letting me know about their label and the bands they've helped out. Not My Hero were one of those bands, so I thought I'd check then out, although reading their Facebook page tells me that they've called it day now. When they were a band, they played hardcore in a similar vein to Comeback Kid and shared stages with bands like A Wilhelm Scream. This four-track actually came out in late 2011.

Tracklist:-

1. Fire
2. Amnesia
3. Dead Heroes

4. My Gucci Eyes

I've not heard a lot of melodic hardcore like this for a while. Not My Hero play hardcore with punk twist and it sounds pretty refreshing. Opening song Fire is a short, sharp intro. Amnesia is a fierce hardcore underpinned by fast drums and melodic guitar. They even throw in some cool gang vocals too. It's pretty much all you want from a hardcore band really, something fast and upbeat to get you moving. Not My Hero continues with same level of energy during Dead Heroes. This time injecting more clean vocals into the song and even a subtle Boysetsfire influence, which is nice. They don't seem to take themselves too seriously either and don't come across all “tough guy”, which is again pretty refreshing.

The last song is the amusingly titled My Gucci Eyes. It's a rager too! The lyrics too all of the songs here are in English and are audible, so you can hear what’s being screamed without needing to read along to the lyrics. They throw an introspective part into the song about three-minutes in which settles things down before building up to a crashing crescendo which ends the song abruptly. This is a short and killer EP from a band that I wish I'd known about before. This is going to be on repeat for weeks to come!

You can checkout the EP here:-



Never Trust An Asshole put on gigs, write zines and release music. You can buy this EP digitally or physically from the link above.

Not My Hero Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Not-My-Hero.

Pseudogod - Deathwomb Catechesis

Black metal for me has two sides. On the one side there's the bands that prefer image over music and on the other side there's those who prefer to let their music do the talking. That may be a farely generic statement I know, but It's one which I've stuck by since I started digging deeper into the black metal realm. Pseudogod are on the latter side for me. This Russian four-piece formed in 2004, released their first demo in 2006 and after a few split records and other releases, unleashed their debut full-length in 2012 via Hells Headbangers and Finnish label Kvlt Records. Deathwomb Catechesis features eight hymns full of death infused black metal.

Tracklist:-

1. Vehement Decimation
2. Malignant Spears
3. Saturnalia (The Night of The Return)
4. Azazel
5. The Antichrist Victory
6. Necromancy of The Iron Darkness
7. Encarnation Del Mal

8. The Triangular Phosphorescence

I get the impression that Pseudogod approaches their black metal in the same way that many South American bands do, instead of choosing to mimic their Scandinavian cousins. After the choral intro to Vehement Decimation, you're presented with chaotic blackened noise. The drums and guitars seem to be intertwined underneath a strange fuzziness, which gives them a raw sound. The deep growls are more prominent but still sit within the mix a little. That fuzziness in the production seems to detract slightly from Pseudogod’s black metal attack. That fuzziness is less noticeable during Malignant Spears, as Pseudogod's approach becomes more aggressive. Musically they're impressive. They play at a hell of a speed and the drums are especially fraught during their faster moments. They inject some menacing guitar riffs into their mid-paced passages, which give them an extras sinister bite.

Pseudogod's tone throughout Deathwomb Catechesis is one of abject misery and hatred. Saturnalia (The Night of The Return) seems to drag you further into their blackened abyss. There are some great guitar harmonies nestling in the song though, but it might take your repeated listens to truly appreciate them. With Azazel, Pseudogod seems to inherit a slightly more industrial sound, certainly in the opening bars anyway. When they hit top gear, that sound seems to disappear and is replaced by their more familiar blackened hue. The brooding guitar solo during Azazel adds mystery and a touch of real instrumental flair to the record and is one of the outstanding moments for me. The Antichrist Victory passes by in a whirlwind of growls and low-end rumble, with some pretty cool structure to boot. Pseudogod then fling themselves straight into Necromancy of The Iron Darkness, which is almost a battle stomp. You can just imagine soldiers marching to the front line, which this blasts in the background. The sound of menacing victory and fear all rolled into one!

Pseudogod stretch their legs with their last two songs. Encarnacion Del Mal is pure blackened-thrash fest. It leads nicely into The Triangular Phosphorescence, which is nearly eight minutes of writhing pain. As with previous tracks, there is a seamless switch between the last two songs, so as not to lose the band momentum. The Triangular Phosphorescence is a slower song all round, borrowing some tempos and atmosphere from doom metal along the way.  Overall, Pseudogod has done well with their debut album. I feel that the production does let it down slightly but then again, no black metal album should sound like a pop album!  There's plenty here for fans of black and death metal to get their teeth into for sure.

You can stream whole of Deathwomb Catechesis here:-

You can buy the album digitally from the above page or you can buy both vinyl and CD copies from the following stores:-

Hells Headbangers - http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/
Kvlt - http://www.kvlt.fi/shop

Pseudogod Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pseudogod.official

Laser Flames on The Great Big News - Lambs

I'm off on a stag do later today, so  I thought I'd jam some music to get me in the mood for the copious amount of drinking that will no doubt take place. I decided that a fitting place to start this morning was with Tennessee rocks Laser Flames on The Great Big News and their debit four-track EP Lambs, which was released last summer by Handshake Inc. Laser Flames... play Southern rock with a heavy side, influenced by a wide variety of bands from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Metallica to Deathspell Omega!

Tracklist:-

1. Monster Truth
2. Dead River
3. Faith of The Black Heart

4. Not Living

I approach this EP, not really knowing what to expect. As Monster Truth rings out, the first thing you feel is the semi-sludge riffs and then the vocal melodies hit you. They almost remind me a bit of the harmonies that Fleetwood Mac would weave. This is pretty laid back for an opener, the viola and the easy instrumentation makes it a great listen, then when the guitar solo's come in, they add to the sound. This is the sound of slowly cruising down route 66!

Dead River has a slightly harder-hitting intro but there's still that undeniable Southern rock vibe going on. It's really groovy and melodic. I don't really want to try and compare to any modern day metal/rock bands because I think it's really unique. The Sword has though endorsed them, so I guess that could be a reference point for those of you who only like bands based on the "For Fans of" recommendations!

Faith of The Blackened Heart is a complete u-turn for Laser Flames. It's an amalgamation of occult chants, black-metal vocals and Southern sludge. The time signatures are also hard to pin down at times, just like they used to be when Mastodon first came into your consciousness with Remission. After the initial duo of tracks, this is a surprise and may put some people off, but it just shows the length and breath of Laser Flames experimentation and influences.

They slip back into grooving territory with Not Living. It's all riffs and deep, bellowing vocal melodies. With so much going on across these four songs, you'd expect it to be quite hard to listen too but it's not. The production allows all the instruments and voices enough space to breath and it sounds really warm, especially when the viola comes to the fore. If you're looking to listen to something a little out the ordinary and varied, then Laser Flames are definitely worth tracking down. This EP is immense on so many levels and even if it leaves you confused by it's mix of genres, it'll leave you smiling.

Lambs is streaming via the Handshake Inc bandcamp page:-



It's also available from the above link as a pay-what-you-want download.

You can purchase physical copies from Handshake Inc here - http://shop.handshakeinc.com/main.sc

Laser Flames on The Great Big News Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laser-Flames-on-the-Great-Big-News

Witchtrap - Vengeance Is My Name

One thing you'll never be without in extreme music is blackened death and thrash metal. That mix of Bathory-forged hatred and Slayer-like pace, which has been sewn together over the last twenty years to produce a hellish sound. One of the genre's biggest proponents of this sound is Hell's Headbangers. This label has an uncanny knack of unearthing bands from across the globe, especially South America, where it takes on a new level of evil. Witchtrap are one such South American export. Witchtrap begun in 1992 as Dark Millennium. In 1993 they changed their name to what it is now and also changed their style from death to thrash metal. After two full-lengths and a number of EP,s and reissues, Vengeance Is My Name emerged in 2012. Witchtrap take you back to the days of day-glo thrash and bullet belts, reminding you that thrash used to be raw and dangerous.

Tracklist:-

1. Intro
2. Winds of War
3. Damned To The Core
4. Put To Death
5. The Queen of Hell
6. Venomous Breath
7. Metal
8. Vengeance Is My Name
9. Pay In Blood

10. I'll Take Your Head

Witchtrap kick things off with a gentile intro of great melodic guitar, plucked thoughtfully to draw the listener in before they launch into their full on thrash attack. That thrash-attack comes in form of first song proper, Winds of War. What you get here is rip-roaring drums, guitars that sound like they're gonna explode and vocals that could give Mille Petrozza of Kreator a run for his money! It's undeniably South American in its delivery, full of raw attitude and killer solos.  Damned To The Core slows the pace of proceeding slightly, with a measured instrumental build up but it's not long before the whirlwind begins again in earnest. You can't help but bang your head as the main verse begins, thanks to the furious leaping drums. The melodies in the riffs add variation, stopping the song from sounding stale.

One thing you can always guarantee with thrash metal is that it won't hang around. Bands that don't care for noodling or beard-stroking artsy crap and Witchtrap are no exception.  Their songs are all around the four-five minute mark and they all follow a well-trodden formula that works. Put To Death doesn't lean to heavily on the vocals this time, relying on the rapid instrumentation to do it's talking, with a sound that seems to thicken as it progresses. If had to draw comparisons between their sound and that of the genres better known acts, I'd have to say it's closer to that of Kreator than any of the big four. That should come as a relief to some, as it shows that Witchtrap's music isn't as watered-down or clinical, but instead heavier and more natural. None more so is this difference in sound obvious than during The Queen of Hell.

Witchtrap get more preposterous as they pile-drive through Vengeance Is My Name. The solo during Venomous Breath is probably the best solo on the whole record. The odd falsetto vocal raises the temperature as well. One of their most powerful songs is the song titled only as Metal. It pretty much sums up where Witchtrap are coming from. They even step up the grandiosity with the title track, by throwing some great sweep picking into the intro. It's hell of a track! Listening to both Pay In Blood and closing track I'll Take Your Head makes me sad that I don't have long hair, as I can't mosh with my hair in a circle. The thought was there though!

If you're a fan of old-school thrash, this is another album you should be checking out. It's got energy and more importantly, balls!

Vengeance Is My Name is streaming in full via the Hells Headbangers bandcamp page:-

You can purchase a digital download copy directly from the above link for $6.66 or buy physical copies from Hells Headbangers at http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/releases.asp.

Witchtrap Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/WITCHTRAP/.