Azazel - Ride Through the Horizon
Most of the time this Black Metal band stays more toward the “symphonic” end of the spectrum, with lots of keyboards and so on. They even inject a little of the early Necromantia feeling into that, which I especially appreciate. But, they also speed things up occasionally, and have very powerful drumming throughout. I should also mention the excellent guitar work (including a couple of acoustic solos). There are a few passages wherein the vocals seem a little goofy, but it’s never too bad, and that’s more or less the only flaw on what is otherwise an outstanding album.
(0) Comment(s)
Asunder / Like Flies on Flesh - split
A split CD of two Doom / Death bands… Oh boy, my therapist is going to love this. First off is Asunder, a band hailing from the East Bay (Oakland, I think) and arguably the better of the two bands on this CD. If any band comes to mind, I’d have to say it was Thergothon but without the drugged out keyboard parts. This took me by surprise as I’ve seen them live several times and when they’re on stage, they sound like old My Dying Bride. I know there isn’t much difference, but Thergothon was slower and sounded more stoned out than MDB. Compared to Like Flies on Flesh, Asunder has a heavier guitar sound and seems a little more Death Metal oriented. Like Flies on Flesh has a thinner guitar sound and though they seem less heavy, they are still pretty good. The use of female vocals adds some atmosphere and some occasional keyboard parts help too. Still, they just don’t have that same feeling that Asunder has - you know, the one that makes you want to draw pictures on your body with a razor blade.
(0) Comment(s)
Astray - Alone
Uninteresting Black Metal masquerading as Doom. Their lyrics and album covers (always featuring the one hot Goth chick they know) would lead a Doom fanatic as myself to believe there are depressive melodies within. Nowhere near. Four more tracks of bland Black. I pass.
(0) Comment(s)
Ashes You Leave - The Inheritance of Sin and Shame
Usually I like a little more super-heaviness in my Doom, but this band’s more Gothic take (keyboards, female vocals) gets the job done okay. I could list a lot of bands that do this style better, but that doesn’t mean that AYL is bad, just not the best.
(0) Comment(s)
Ashes - And the Angels Wept
Why does Ray give me the hard ones? [Because I’m sadistic? -Editor] There isn’t anything informative I can describe to you about this band, except that they play Black Metal. Some riffs are fast, others are slow. The vocals are screechy. One song starts off by the singer screaming “Rock ‘n’ Roll!” If you’ve never heard Black Metal before, pick this album up, because it’s what about 95% of it sounds like, except the “Rock ‘n’ Roll” part.
(0) Comment(s)
Armored Saint - Revelation
This album is all over the damn place. There are some kind of lightly Thrashy rockers, and softer stuff, too. I was sort of interested to see what John Bush would do back in this band, since I think Anthrax really went downhill fast after his first album with them [Sound of White Noise -Editor]. But as talented as these guys are, I just don’t derive much enjoyment out of this at all. I wouldn’t say it’s bad for what it is, I suppose, and I am glad that there is zero stupid “Nu-Metal” influence, but for the most part, I kept hoping the next song would start soon.
(0) Comment(s)
Arallu - The War on the Wailing Wall
You may recall my review [In Metal Curse #12 -Editor] of what may have been the demo version of this album (or a demo of the same name). What we have here is raw Black Metal that is almost majestic in its speed and simplicity. Man, that has got to be a drum machine! Also, the bass seems to be mixed pretty high, sometimes giving this an almost Necromantia-like feel.
(0) Comment(s)
Apollyon Sun - Sub
According to information I got through various magazines and such, this band was supposed to be experimental and far enough out there that most people wouldn’t get it. Instead, former Frosted Flake Tom G. Reznor (oops, I mean Tom G. Warrior/Fischer) takes us on a spin down Nine Inch Nails boulevard and checks us into the Marilyn Manson hotel. I don’t know about you, but if having your head so far up Trent Reznor’s ass that you can clean his spleen with your tongue is considered “experimental” then I must not “understand” this album enough. This literally sounds like Nine Inch Nails (Downward Spiral era) doing remixed renditions of their favorite Marilyn Manson tunes. Honestly, I expected so much more from these guys considering the fact that Mr. Fischer was one of the guys behind Into the Pandemonium. I guess that after Cold Lake, I should have learned my lesson. Good points, though: nice thick guitar tone, good production and tight playing. Fans of Kovenant, the new Malignant Eternal, Pain and the previously mentioned NIN and Marilyn Manson will probably think this is OK, but I sure don’t.
(0) Comment(s)
Antaeus - Cut Your Flesh and Worship Satan
Noise. [And the most unreadable layout I’ve ever seen. - Editor]
(0) Comment(s)
Page 202 of 388 pages « First < 200 201 202 203 204 > Last »
