4 CARPATHIAN FOREST - "Morbid Fascination With Death" Kill, murder, butcher, praise hell. Kill for Satan! Drink the devils blood! Murder your neighbor, murder your enemies! Murder the world! Kill everyone! Cut yourself & worship the dark lord of hellfire! These are a few of the incredibly pleasent thoughts that race through my mind as i listen to this aural black metal atrocity! Yes, not much has changed in the Carpathian Forest camp since their last release"Strange Old Brew". The riffs are still hateful, the rhythms, still decayed but savage, the vocals still haggard & demonic. Vocalist & band leader Nattefrost still extols the virtues of self-mutilation, hell upon earth, & dreams of a world made of his enemies bones. The addition of female vocals, courtesy of some blood splattered whore of Satan, featured graphically on the CDs insert, keyboards & most oddly a saxophone doesn't detract from all of the CDs rage, misery & hatred, it actually compliments it! This CD is one of the best black metal releases in years. Nattefrost, apparently not too busy with drinking his own blood, worshipping Satan & dreaming of global apocalypse, recently found the time to release a solo CD "Blood & Vomit" as well. To me, that about says it all! NOX
4 CRADLE OF FILTH - "Nymphetamine" : I will be honest, I have been a fan of this band for years. My fanhood to a certain extent goes beyond the mere quality of the bands recordings. Like SLAYER, I enjoy almost everything about Cradle. There sound, there look, there lyrics & especially, Dani's voice. Unlike most people who harp on about the groups early recordings, but deride there current releases while still claiming to be fans, I actually enjoyed the bands two previous albums, "Midian" & "Damnation and a Day". Both were weak in spots but sustained that special style that one enjoys so much about the band. Cradle always have been unique, even within the crowded circles of the black metal scene there unique combination of classical arrangements, gothic romanticism along with there then innovative vampyric image, genuinly shook the scene in the early '90s. Yes, the band has changed over the years, not only in image but in sound. While the image has always been pushed to the forefront, especially there live show, which complete with naked dancers, sword swallowers & carnival freaks, resembles more a circus side show then a black metal concert. People spend too much time on the bands look & interviews then their actual music, none of which has any bearing on any of there releases. Hopefully the quality of the bands new CD will silence the naysayers because it is fantastic. Dumbed down thrash metal riffs & Dani's no longer extreme vocals not withstanding, this might be Cradle's best CD. Yes a certain abhorrence & terror has been lost with the bands musical transition from gothic provacatuers to thrash metal hooligans, but still, the CD remains dark & persuasive. The bands original sound remains, though frequently only in brief glimpses during the rampaging playing. Dani's innate ability to craft genuinly good songs (something sorely lacking in a great deal of modern black metal) is displayed most expertly on "Her Gilded Cunt" a true barnstormer of a track & a great opener. Yes, the classical & ambient moments might be turned down but it has been replaced with an immediacy of purpose. The riffs are now more modern & basic, more based in the current nu metal sound, but the blade is still sharp, the music is still innovative. One can't blame the band for wanting to experiment the infusion of several new band members, Dani remains the only original member, & a career that spans over ten years is probably responsible. Bottom line, this might not be true black metal, but it is very, very good. NOX
5 DESTRUCTION - "The Antichrist" : Classic old school thrash with more modern sound. Destruction have been around a fuck long of a time & are the originaters of the '80's German Thrash Metal Movement, along with KREATOR & SODOM. Plenty of hooks to go around on this one, as usual from these headbanging Boverians. Destruction are one of the only bands that are able to write a catchy, heavy riff & still keep a decent degree of musical prowess. Definitly recommended for anyone that is breathing & considers themselves metal. The Reaver
4 DIMMU BORGIR -"Death Cult Armageddon" The black metal kings of gothic classical pomp return with this release & sad to say, the results are less satisfying. Like there last CD, "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthrophia", the band entice you with fantastic classical arrangements, brutalize you with savage blast beats, courtesy of now ex-member, Nicolas Barker & slay you with soul searing guitars. Still the striking arrangements and brevity of this CDs material doesn't make up for the lack of quality. Yes, it's fantastic but in comparison to"Puritanical" it's a let down. I had been hoping that groups like DIMMU & CRADLE, both of whom had been heading in a more commercial direction to begin with would, like SLAYER & PANTERA cross over into the mainstream & re-introduce an unknowing hard rock audience to true heavy music. Their inclusion on this years Ozzfest must have come as a complete shock to all the linkin park/limp bizkit fans in attendance! Gothic image aside, something that is a plus within nu metal circles (see slipnot, mudvayne, marilyn manson etc.) The band are in comparison to the average ozzfest headliner, a genuine underground group. Though I honestly had my fingers crossed upon hearing of their involvement, I'm not sure if this CD will be the one to bring black metal into the mainstream. I still have hopes that CRADLE's latest & greatest "Nymphetamine" will do that! While stand out tracks, like Progenitors of the Apocalypse" rage & are capable of standing up to the best of DIMMU's older material, the CD lacks a cohesiveness & purpose. The shortening of this albums songs in comparison to a few of the epic length numbers on there last CD hasn't helped. As to be expected the musicanship is top notch. Shagrath's voice is beyond measure, he's a great singer & way beyond most vocalists within the genre. DIMMU has gone through several line-up changes, losing half their line-up over the years & replacing them all with genuinly superior talent. Only the finest musicians have been allowed to join the bands ranks. It's too bad in between all that brilliant musicanship, Shagrath couldn't find the time to hire a decent songwriter! A great album but still something of a let down. NOX
4 DRUDKH -"Forgotten Legends" : This band creates a chilling atmosphere very reminiscent of BURZUM. The droning atonal buzzing from the guitars generates such a suicidal melody, one cannot help but to instantly become obsessed with this band. I had to purchase both DRUDKH albums & I can hardly await the new one to be released. I would STRONGLY recommend this release to any fan of black metal. Not a clone band!!!!!! This is Ukrainian black metal filled with pagan spirit!!! Priest
5 DRUDKH - "Autumn Aurora" : Pagan, Occult, Aryanism are themes concerning this band& it consists of members of HATE FOREST, ASTROFAES, & LUCIFUGUM. Throw in those bands connections to NOKTURNAL MORTEM, & you've got my attention regardless of any other factors. The Ukrainian Black Metal scene is flourishing as of lately & they know how black metal should be done. This is DRUDKH's second opus, & the better of the two in my opinion. The album begins with the sound of the forest, slow acoustic guitar sets the mood for pure pagan black metal."Autumn Aurora" is a powerful hymn to the forest that leaves the listener in awe of its sheer brilliance. I do not know much about this band besides the fact I'm forever hooked on this shit! DRUDKH means 'WOOD' in Sanskrit, thought to be the original language of the Aryan race. "Lebedyna Dorova" is in process of recording & will be out, 21st Feb through Supernal Music. Priest
3 EDGUY - "Hellfire Club" : Somebody should tell these guys (or edguys), THERE'S NO SMILING IN METAL! That aside. The first track kicked my ass, reminding me of a more ballsy Iron Maiden. Actually more like an old Helloween rip-off with some bass blues riffing in track 2 for good measure. Track 3 (We don't need a hero) is my favorite, just for the fact it made me really miss old Helloween. (Can anyone say Future World, I know you can.). Edguy is very musically proficient & this release has stellar production but there is nothing here that hasn't been done before.
The Reaver
5 EVERGREY - "The Inner Circle" : This release came in a limited edition book form digipack. I have to admit that I heard nothing from this band other than different guest apperances from it's members, most notably, Tom S. Englund on the Nightrage disc. A performance I personally didn't care much for, but this album is very surprising with Englund more in his element. Fantastic guitar work, journeying from technical splendor to minimalistic phrases to create the mood that the songs were meant to portray. This release is a total surprise for me, knowing that Evergrey, being a power metal band, yet within the 10 tracker's compositions I hear subtle radio "almost" elements. Also, female soul singing. YES, soul singing, something that would normally demand that I turn the disc into a drink coaster, but it is one of the elements that propelled track 3 into memory. "The Inner Circle" is definitly a CD to pick up for the times you wish to mellow out from all the gurggelly, venomous releases straight from Satan's anus. Emotional & musically profound power metal from Sweden. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to hit my local singles bar to reaffirm my heterosexuallity. The Reaver
4 / 3 KRAINA BEZ WIATRA / PERUNWIT - Split CD : This is a split CD of primal heathen trance folk music from two Polish lads (with guests). Kraina bez Wiatra's "Niccha Przemowiq Runy" contains 7 tracks of mostly keyboard laden material. The same goes for Perunwit's "Ezy i Krew". KBW's material does an excellent job of putting you in 12th century Europe, as long as you have a sliver of imagination. Perunwit's material on the other hand is more synthetic, foresaking KBW's preferance for an actual acoustic guitar to use an electric played clean & not as well I might add. Perunwit's track "Bol nienawisci gdy chrzescijanski miecz przebije piers" (try pronouncing that one, I dare you.) is the best, yet with it's synthetic sound, seems like it belongs more in a Lord of the Rings movie than at a medieval festival. This is released on the Red Stream Records off shoot Cicatrix, & I'm sure is probably a rare find right now, but if you like your metal pre-electricity, this is the closest you'll get to that. KBW, Piotr Alankiewicz, Os. Przemystawa 16 A/2, 61064 POZNAN, Poland or Perunwit, Aro, ul. Graniczna 3/6,60-712 POZNAN, Poland The Reaver
4 LOITS - "Ei Kahetse Midagi" : This band has been around since 1996 & is Estonian National Pride. They play black metal in the old Satyricon vein but the keyboard / piano accompaniment is way better than their Norwegian brethren, courtesy of Karje. Actually everything about this band is better than Satyricon. Loits utilizes alot of the same ideas but perform them with a more razor sharp approach that Satyricon is unwilling or unable to pull off. A guarenteed multiple spin for any fan of Satyricon. www.loits.org Calhoun
4 NIGHTRAGE - "Sweet Vengeance" : A super group composed of 2 Greeks & 3 Swedes. A very good first album from this band. A little leaning toward the metal-core genre for my personal taste, but still mean enough for the death metal fan. What can be said about Tomas Lindberg's vocals that haven't already been said. Guitar work is very cohesive & the drumming pushes (or punches) the songs forward ferociously, courtesy of the Haunted's, Per Jensen. The only low point being Tom S. Englund's vocals on "Circle of Pain" & "Hero". I think this is only due to the fact that Nightrage, more likely, Tomas's style are so different, it's like apples & oranges. All in all a very good listen. The Reaver