Contagion - Subconscious Projection

Posted on Saturday, October 02, 2010

This demo contains four songs of above average Death Metal. The production is there and the songs are all okay, but something is missing. Nothing reaches out and kills you. And this is in the recording, not the band. I have seen Contagion live and I was very impressed. Somehow quite a bit was lost in the translation to the studio. I would assume that the problem is money, or lack thereof. However, the tape actually sounds pretty good, but compared to them live, it’s a bit of a disappointment.

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Confessor - Condemned

Posted on Saturday, October 02, 2010

Condemned is an amazingly well produced debut, and the songs are surprisingly heavy and complex. However, their singer, Scott Jeffreys, simply doesn’t belong in the band. He reminds me of the guy from Toxik (RIP), but ten times less restrained and professional. Ignoring the singing, if you can, the other members are all excellent musicians. Crunchy guitars backed by an astounding rhythm section. I’m especially impressed by drummer Stephen Shelton. Check out the title track for a sample of his thundering, Doomy backbeat. Anybody have a mixer to eliminate vocals? Without vocals this would get an 8.5 rating…

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Cianide - Second Life

Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2010

Slow Death. Slow, heavy, Death. This 3 piece band more than makes up for their lack of speed with heaviness. Mike’s vocals are also heavy and raw. It’s almost impossible to understand the lyrics, but I’ll bet they’re mean. The production is really good and this is a professional looking package. Musically, I am reminded of Autopsy or a slower Exmortis. Second Life is impressive from the intro before the first song all the way to the very end. Everything here fits together well and this is definitely worth checking out.

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Cathedral - Forest of Equilibrium

Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010

Did you expect Lee Dorian’s new band to sound exactly like Napalm Death? Wrong! This stuff is slow, kids. I’m talking Doom, with a capital “D.” One word of warning: if you listen to this straight through, you will probably go insane. Take it a few tracks at a time. Now, don’t get me wrong, in no way am I knocking this disc, but holy shit, Batman! This stuff is slow! I like it! My favorites are “Ebony Tears” and “Soul Sacrifice.” Napalm Death it ain’t, and a new wave of music it is.

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Catacomb (France) - The Lurker at the Threshold

Posted on Sunday, September 26, 2010

These four songs are instantly deadly. Raw, powerful Death Metal vocals, and memorable, ominous music. This comes off sounding sorta Black Metal, but I don’t know what the band would have to say about that (the liner notes do say, “Give your prayer to Satan”). I guess I’ll have to send them an interview. Anyway, don’t miss out on this.

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Carrion Lord - All Paths Lead to Chaos

Posted on Sunday, September 26, 2010

Shit, these guys blew me away! I love this demo. The singer is awesome. He sounds like the dude from Deviated Instinct. All the songs are good, but the best is “Consumed by Rot.” One song is even an instrumental. The production isn’t that great, but this is still one of the best.

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Carnival of Shame - Tortured

Posted on Sunday, September 26, 2010

This band combines elements of such legendary bands as the Misfits (and Danzig, too), Billy Idol, and occasionally Dead Kennedys. Musically, CoS is really interesting, although rather difficult to describe. Sometimes bordering on Thrash, sometimes more like early Punk, and sometimes more like straight ahead Rock. Vocally, I’m reminded of Glenn Danzig, but that’s not quite all there is to it. The vocals are more aggressive when necessary, but always fit exactly with the music. And that is one of this band’s greatest assets- they are extremely tight. It all fits together perfectly. Another asset is that all 13 songs stick with you. And finally, this band radiates an awesome amount of energy. I would bet that the Carnival is god live. Anyway, this LP is a bit different than their first LP, Go Tell Mother, it’s more polished, but not overdone. I really like this and I think anyone with an open mind will too. Favorite tracks: “Bad News Travels Fast” and “Naked Again.”

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Caricature - Emptiness

Posted on Saturday, September 25, 2010

The vocals remind me of Pungent Stench, but the music is mostly Thrashier than that (or maybe speedier). Anyway, this is pretty cool.

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Cannibal Corpse - Butchered at Birth

Posted on Saturday, September 25, 2010

This is the second release from this New York Death Metal band. If you thought Eaten Back to Life was psychotic, then get this: The band has matured nicely, finally finding its niche. This band is one of the sickest you will find. Weaving vocals of sheer gore, with music of a brutal intensity, and Chris Barnes’ vocals and lyric writing; they have become a well-oiled killing machine. Vocals range from bestial to demonic. With backing vocals from Glen Benton, “Vomit the Soul” is one of the better tracks, along with “Covered with Sores,” “Gutted” and the title track. Try reading the lyrics when you listen to the tape. The vocals are too fast too keep up with. Overall, I think Butchered at Birth is a vast improvement from their last effort. —News flash. The original artwork for this LP has been banned! The new cover is all white, with no artwork at all! A coupon is enclosed so you can order the real art, but this is total bullshit! What ever happened to the “Land of the free?” Tipper Gore must die!—

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