False Prophet has a rather unique sound. Comparable to very early Death Angel or Megadeth (but musically heavier than the latter). It’s interesting to hear Death Metal music with a more traditional Thrash vocalist. The members of False Prophet are: Paul Ray (vocals/guitar), Chris Lyndon (bass), Mike Morrison (guitar) and Raymond Martin (drums). My favorite of the four tracks on this demo is the last one, “False Prophecy.” This tape shows a lot of promise. I understand that their new demo should be ready soon (if it’s not now), and I’m looking forward to hearing the new stuff. Sign of the Cross is not to be missed, so write ‘em and tell ‘em I sent you.

This demo is extreme Death Metal. The production is pretty bad and the mix is really freaky. However, the vocals are the rawest, heaviest, harshest and most brutal that I have ever heard. The songs are as Death as it gets. Exulceration is possibly the most extreme Death Metal band in the world. ‘Nuff said.

I don’t know much about this band, but I do know that they have been around for awhile, and I would be willing to bet that this is the kind of Punk that inspired Thrash. It’s fast, the vox are screamed and the lyrics have a social message. In short, this is pretty awesome. Yeah, they repeat the song titles way too often, but it doesn’t quite grate on my nerves for some unexplainable reason. One of the last Punk bands left, so show ‘em your support.

Wow, four albums and still no ballad! Big shit, and by the way, a ballad is not necessarily a slow song: a ballad tells a story. I wish people could get this straight. Anyway this LP sees the addition of new drummer John Tempesta, who is apparently only average. This is not a bad LP, but it does have a few problems: In some places Zetro’s vocals sound uninspired or briefly annoying, there is little variance in the drums, the beginning of “The Lunatic Parade” is stolen from S.O.D.’s “March of the S.O.D.” (which is not a cool thing to do), and sometimes the lyrics seem rushed as if the guys were hard up for words. On the up side, the guitar sound is very heavy sounding and cool as fuck. The solos are outlandish, I knew that Gary and Rick had this in them and here’s where it comes out. The music is heavy, which is what Exodus wanted, but don’t expect Bonded by Blood Part 2. This album would be very good from another band, but I expect more from Exodus, they practically invented Thrash. Maybe next time they will reinvent it.

{I’d guess that anyone reading this knows that Exodus reformed with more-or-less their original line up, played some shows, and released a live album of classics from the Bonded by Blood era. So, I guess they never did “reinvent” Thrash, and have settled instead on trying to just relive it.}

[Notes in {curly brackets} are from the Metal Curse 1 - 4 Collected Edition (1999)]

This is an above average Thrash-Death album. Musically the band is talented, although not much jumped out and killed me. Lyrically this is a bunch of twisted dudes. There are no less than three references to killing the Pope. One song is about a “butt-slut,” as far as I can tell (the lyrics to that one, “Anal Lust,” are omitted). Only one song, “Legions of Death,” really stands out. Musically, Exhorder plays some heavy, occasionally speedy stuff. The vocalist, Kyle Thomas, has an interesting style that is not quite as much in the Death style as the music. At the time of the recording of Slaughter in the Vatican, Exhorder apparently was lacking a bassist, because the bass tracks are all credited to the two guitarists: Vinnie LaBella and Jay Ceravolo. Since then a bassist has been added. This is a decent album that shows much promise. I will be waiting to hear what the next album sounds like. I hope they don’t lose the aggression, it’s their edge.

{If I had only known then what would happen with this band and style… As you must know, the supreme poseurs Pantera slowed this album down and copied it note for note, and somehow got rich and famous doing it. But Exhorder were the innovators, and played with honestly and sincerity, which are two concepts that Pantera know nothing about, no matter who they have fooled into thinking otherwise.}

[Notes in {curly brackets} are from the Metal Curse 1 - 4 Collected Edition (1999)]

This four-song demo has excellent production, I have heard albums from bands signed to major labels that didn’t sound this good. The cover has two colors, band photos, a thanks list and all the lyrics. Very professional throughout. Musically, Eidetic is Thrash. Usually fast and pretty memorable, but the guitar sound is not especially heavy- the distortion is smoother than what I normally hear. The drum sound is the best I have heard recently on a demo. Now we get to Morten’s vocals. He sings, not as much as Russ Anderson (Forbidden), but it’s singing and I know some of you don’t go for that. The vocals fit with the music, however, and it would sound wrong if either were heavier individually. All the songs are interesting and I think you should check ‘em out.

Drop Dead are back with their third demo. They are down to a three piece now and have never sounded better! Musically they are very tight, and accomplished. Lyrically they are apparently trying to show that Death Metal (if they don’t mind the term) can have a positive message. Although they are, in certain cases, rather preachy. Still, it’s interesting to hear someone even try this. Kevin Mabry’s vocals are what really grabs your attention. They are not super raw, but they are no where near smooth. It sounds like he might be using a delay or a flanger in some places. The effect is very strange, but fitting with the music. This eight song tape has a full color cover and band picture, as well as lyrics and a thanks list. Don’t pass this up!

This is a concept album about a place similar to the one seen in Quiet Riot’s “The Wild and the Young” video. Several of the references to this world remind me of things I have heard about Brazil, where the band hails from. I’m not sure what’s fact and what’s fiction, but the place sounds like Hell. Musically Dorsal Atlantica is tight, bassy and fast. The vocals, however, often times sound like they are on another song. It definitely needs work in that area. Some short bursts of guitar impress me. The drums and bass do a fine job. The next release by Dorsal Atlantica will be a contender if they fix the mesh between the vocals and the instruments.

Dissident Aggressor is a California band that has been described as Power Metal. I would shy away from that term in regards to this band, I would say they are in Megadeth’s league. I also heard that the singer sounds like Hetfield. He sounds like everyone, including James. The first tune, “Thrill Can Kill,” starts a little slow but picks up. I love the lyrics, and the guitars are excellent. Track 2, “Derelict,” sounds vocally like Mike Muir, but does not detract. The third tune contains voices which I am always impressed with on a demo. Song 4, entitled “The Hill,” is musically fast but vocally slow. The vocals sound like the vocals on Sentinel Beast’s song “Mourir.” The song “Bugs” literally made my skin crawl. Once the music starts it flies, fast. This is about the only song that repeats the title innumerable times, yet impresses me with it. “Blessing in Disguise” is cool. The final song, “Second Coming,” breaks, and snaps my neck. Over all I feel this is a strong album. Dissident Aggressor is a band who is serious about the music and it shows in their work. Whoever writes the lyrics is a power source. Additionally, the music couldn’t get much tighter; I wouldn’t expect this much from a demo.

{At the time of this demo’s release, DA were being hyped as the second coming of Metallica, but to my knowledge they never did anything beyond this. Which is too bad, really, because even after all these years, “Blessing in Disguise” still comes to mind every once in a while.}

[Notes in {curly brackets} are from the Metal Curse 1 - 4 Collected Edition (1999)]

[Please note that the reviews in Metal Curse #1 and #2 did not have numerical ratings.]