Carcass - Wake Up and Smell the Carcass
This is an odd retrospective, since it only has three tracks from the band’s pre-Tools of the Trade days. There are five tracks from the Swansong sessions that are in the same Hard Rock/Metal style as that album. Next are four somewhat heavier tracks, recorded for the BBC’s Radio 1 show. That’s all the unreleased material, but the tracks from the Heartwork and Tools of the Trade EPs are also on here, as well as the band’s songs from the Pathological and Grindcrusher compilations. Since it has so much unreleased or hard to find material, this is nice for Carcass fans, but I am disappointed that there was so little material from early in the band’s career.
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Carcass - Swansong
Well, it’s over. One of the best Underground Death Metal acts in the history of existence has broken up. I’m not 100% sure why, but if they were going to continue on making albums like this one, then it was for the best. By no means does this album suck, but it’s simply not Carcass. It’s not the ultra fast and sick Reek of Putrefaction Carcass, nor is it the tuned-down, toned-up, precision Death machine Heartwork Carcass. But it is the last Carcass album, and whether or not that is cause to buy it is totally up to you.
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Cannibal Corpse - Vile
New vocalist George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher has done almost nothing to change this band’s sound. As always, the Corpse-men deliver on their promise of brutal Death Metal. I don’t really think that this will win them any new fans, but anyone who was worried that Vile might see this band heading in a more commercial direction will be delighted to find out that this is more intense than The Bleeding, although less memorable (which is mostly due to it being mixed with the bass lower, and the vocals louder). I know that this band is popular with a lot of dorks who also like Panty-tera and White Zombie, (and thus it is trendy for those into more Underground bands to not like them) but that’s not Cannibal’s fault. They have never moved from their commitment to provide gory Death Metal, and I respect that. While I would like to torture quite a few of their idiot fans, I stand behind this band, and this release.
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By the Grace of God - For the Love of Indie Rock
While these guys are probably a little less intense than most of their label-mates, they are still every bit as interesting. BtGoG write extremely memorable songs, and their playing is stellar. I couldn’t ask for much more, really. [Maybe a better band name! -Editor]
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The Buttneckks - Live!
Finally a Spinal Tap for the ’90s. They expertly cover Chuck Berry, Cheech & Chong, AC/DC, and Neil Diamond, amid their slew of originals. Doubtless from the same school of thought as Ludichrist, although not as heavy. Very entertaining, especially when they’re making fun of Nirvana or the Beastie Boys. I laughed out loud.
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Brutality - In Mourning
In these days of sell-outs and wimp-outs, hearing an album like In Mourning gives me the strength to continue. This is every fucking bit as intense as their masterful When the Sky Turns Black, but this time the playing and writing are slightly improved (I say “slightly” because there wasn’t much room for improvement in the first place), and some chances are taken - mostly in the occasionally very innovative guitar solos. And as far as I’m concerned, Scott’s somewhat understandable Death growls are impeccable. There are a few minor imperfections, but this is extremely close to being a flawless album.
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Bruce Dickinson - Skunkworks
Well, if you are expecting this to sound like Bruce’s former band, Iron Maiden, or his previous solo albums, you’re in for a big fucking surprise. Some have described this album as “Alternative,” but I really don’t think that’s accurate. Imagine the last 2 studio Maiden releases translated into a more “Rock” mode (also, sadly, without the inspirational bass-work of Steve Harris). Bruce’s new band (supposedly a permanent line-up) is super tight, and every one of these songs is richly textured, and generally very memorable. Perhaps it’s the years of banging my head to “Powerslave,” “Flight of Icarus,” and the rest, but I’ve always been a huge fan of Bruce’s voice, so nearly any time I can hear him sing, I’m all for it. Although a fine album in its own right, I would honestly rather be listening to his solo live double album, or Balls to Picasso, or virtually anything he ever did with my heroes, Iron Maiden.
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Boris - Absolutego
This is the slowest, heaviest, most lethargic Sludge I’ve ever heard, and probably ever will hear. There’s a single 1 hour track on the CD, and I’m sure it would mean suicide to listen to it all at once. I don’t know how to rate this, and I don’t know what else to say, except that those looking for the most extreme in mind-crushing, soul-numbing dirge soundscapes - here it is.
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Bongzilla - Mixed Bag
Until the horrible vocals started, I was impressed by the sludgy heaviness of the music. Sadly, the music itself moves almost into the background to make room for the vox, but that’s more the fault of whomever mixed this than of the band. I wasn’t impressed by all the weed-worship, either. If this had been all instrumental, it would be getting a much higher rating.
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