Bewitched (Sweden) - Pentagram Prayer
100% Traditional Metal done right. Bewitched pay tribute to Judas Priest, Helloween, Venom and so on, but somehow never sound like they’re ripping them off. Maybe it’s the raspy vocals that help to give Bewitched their own sound. Whatever it is, it works. For fans of the “Classic Metal Sound” this is a Satan-worshipping, slut-fucking wet nightmare.
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Bewitched (Chile) - Dragonflight
Now before you freak out, this is not the same band that’s on Osmose. Apparently these Chilean maniacs have been together since 1991, so you can’t exactly say they stole the name. Ironically, this Bewitched also play a retro form of Metal. It’s a cross of Traditional Metal and Thrash, with occasional Black Metal overtones, sometimes sounding like a more evil Candlemass. Their Mercyful Fate cover (“Black Funeral”) is hardly surprising. Unfortunately, the singer tries his best to imitate King’s range, proving once again that no matter how dead-on the music is, there is only one King Diamond. Other than that one tactical error to bring them down, I’m not sure if I’m more impressed with their musical ability, or the fact that they know when to show it off, and when to keep it reigned in.
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Belphegor - Blutsabbath
I believe this is the second album for Belphegor, but I’m not sure they’re the same band I’m thinking of. Either way, this is a pretty heavy, brutal fucking album. These guys really know how to raise some Hell. Musically, this one reminds me of the legendary Altars of Madness album (if you don’t know who it’s by, fucking kill yourself now!!!) with a Black Metal singer doing the vocals. Unfortunately, while listening to this band, you can’t but compare it to Altars… because that’s almost exactly how it sounds. Belphegor is tight and they really shred, but they aren’t all that original in terms of sound. Fortunately for them, this style really works for them and if you like your Metal in the old Florida fashion, this is one to look for.
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Below - Below
Below was described to me as a “solo project” and if one person is really doing everything, then this is even more impressive. This moody and intense Thrash has kind of Death-style growled vox buried in the background. The technical nature of this is sometimes a little too forced, as with the extended guitar solos, but the rest of it can’t be beaten.
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Battlelust - Of Battle and Ancient Warcraft
Raw, fast, and intense Black Metal. Cool packaging, too.
[Metal Curse #11 had an additional loose page (“Last Second Additions”) inserted into the centerfold of the zine, featuring a bunch of even-shorter-than-usual “bonus” reviews of stuff that arrived after the deadline for that issue. This is one of those “Last Second Additions” reviews.]
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Barcode - Hard Jet Super Flash
I guess that Victory Records doesn’t have the patent on Hardcore. Barcode proves that with a vengeance, with every song on here. It’s Hardcore at its finest, with a little Metal injected sometimes. Plus a cover of the Twisted Sister, uhh, classic “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
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Barathrum - Infernal
Raw Black Thrash. Very intense.
[Metal Curse #11 had an additional loose page (“Last Second Additions”) inserted into the centerfold of the zine, featuring a bunch of even-shorter-than-usual “bonus” reviews of stuff that arrived after the deadline for that issue. This is one of those “Last Second Additions” reviews.]
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Baltak - Zaginstiot Grad (The Lost City)
The title of this album means “The Lost City” in English, and if you’re like me, the translations are a welcome addition. Unfortunately, lyrics aren’t included. What is included, however, is a rather nice little piece about how great the Macedonian people were. If you’re Greek, you may want to pass on this album because the history lesson is pretty much anti-Greek, pro-Macedonian. We get a pretty detailed account of all the great Macedonian leaders, philosophers and achievements (most of which are credited to the Greeks) and a rather nice batch of pictures and information. Whether this info is correct is another story. I don’t know and I really couldn’t give a fat shit whether the Macedonians or the Greeks were the better bunch down in the Aegean Sea area. Musically, Baltak has stayed true to the formula created on Macedonian Darkness and Evil and still has that hyper-fast drum machine going. The riffs are catchy and the atmosphere of this album is very manic and aggressive to be sure. The only problem I can see with this release is the fact that a lot of the songs seem the same. Maybe adding some tempo changes or something would be an idea worth exploring. The whole album (all 8 tracks) blasts along at speeds only Immortal has dared before this.
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Bad Brains - Omega Sessions
This “Rasta Punk” isn’t horrible, but what’s the big deal?
[Metal Curse #11 had an additional loose page (“Last Second Additions”) inserted into the centerfold of the zine, featuring a bunch of even-shorter-than-usual “bonus” reviews of stuff that arrived after the deadline for that issue. This is one of those “Last Second Additions” reviews.]
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