This two-song tape is packaged in an all white o-card, like a cassette-single [if anyone remembers those abominations -Editor], and while the production is very clear, and thick, the songs are sort of all wrong. It seems like these guys simply listened to some Pantera, then decided that they could write some songs.

This band has lost some heaviness, but these three songs are all very memorable. I’m not sure why they thought they needed to trade some brutality for memorability, since they were always catchy. I still like it, though, but would have liked it more had it been as heavy as previous releases.

I actually like this album, but it’s pretty hard for me to respect anyone who lists “the entire Pantera organization” on their “Thanks List.” And speaking of those useless bastards Pantera, Crowbar are of the same Exhorder school of “Power Metal,” as it has come to be called (groan) [At some point someone thankfully must have realized that the term “Power Metal” already meant something else, so this Southern-fried sound became known as Sludge, at least for this band. -Editor] but thankfully without Pantera’s posing and vocal effects. I do hope they check out some Dark Angel albums before naming their next disc, or it may be called Darkness Is Coming Down.

Two songs for two bucks. That’s pretty cool, and these guys do manage to occasionally get really interesting. However, for the rest of the time, it’s very standard Death Metal (with impressively brutal vocals), which is really fine, but a little more identity would be a plus.

Horrible sound, the most basic of songs, bad playing, and screechy vocals. Is this supposed to be Black Metal? Let me check the flyer. Oh, it’s “Ancient Pagan Metal.” Well, whatever they want to call this mess, it’s a total waste of tape.

These guys used to be called Bleed and put out a 6-song CD called Womb. Five of those songs are on here, along with four new ones. So if you already have Womb, $14.99 might be too much to pay for 4 new songs, however the old ones are of course re-recorded. Anyway, all that aside, this is amazing. Cool samples, and very clear, heavy, sound. The band is extremely tight, as you would expect, since they use a drum machine. They really do a nice job with the programming. The only thing I’m a bit curious about is the vocals. Sometimes Tom is clearly going for a Death Metal style (and doing a good job) and others he sounds like the guy from Helmet.

Occasionally Crawcell come out of their “Death-mode” and throw in a very Groove-oriented riff, which they seem to be quite good at. An interesting and somewhat memorable sound, although this recording is hampered by being mastered too loudly and in addition to sounding “muddy,” the level peaks and distorts the sound in more than one place.

Raw Black Metal, that’s generally more slow than usual.

[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.]

A few new tracks and a bunch of old ones. This is a good sample of their albums, I guess, but the thing I wonder about is why on the press release it said that this was a new album, when in reality this is nothing more than a “greatest hits” package. If you’ve never heard the heavy Thrash stylings of these fine gentlemen, then you should check this out.

Occasionally the singer reverts back to a Poison-like squeal, but mostly pretends to be a little tougher, like maybe Gene Simmons. The music is sometimes interesting, but on about the same level as the Scorpions. At least these guys are trying to be heavy, I guess, but it seems pretty hollow. Perhaps if the songs were instrumentals, or they had a different singer, I might be able to tolerate this.

These guys are great musicians, but who cares when their Hardcore Lite is just less filling?

Out goes whatever heaviness and aggression Clutch ever had, and in comes all the bad parts of a half-assed Faith No More tribute band. Pathetic.

I was wondering when I’d hear some Japanese onslaughts that weren’t of an explicitly Noise-related school. Artists like the Boredoms, Keiji Haino, and Merzbow have long been favorites in my underground lair, but until now, only the mighty and mystical Sigh have represented the Jap Metal scene. Now that’s all changed with the deadly attack that these freaks have unleashed on my poor brain. 20 songs in 38 minutes, richly textured and intense, kinda like Brutal Truth in style, but maybe even better.

Majestic and very memorable Death Metal.

[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.]

Their press release really plays up the fact that new singer, Kate French, is a mega-babe, so I was pretty sure that must mean that this would suck. Then I noticed that Dennis Lesh is their new skin basher. Well, I always liked his previous band, Chicago’s Stygian, so I gave this a shot. I was immediately shocked by the raw guitar sound. Most guitar “heroes” have a fairly clean tone, but David’s guitar sound is sick and filthy. Kate’s voice sort of makes Chastain sound like Fear of God, in the way that she (sometimes) multi-tracks her vocals, although these guys are not as heavy, or interesting. Not bad, but really nothing too special. It’d be fun to see them live though, I’d bet.

Mournful, suicidal dirges give way to bursts of Dissection-like technical speed, or complex acoustic passages Anguished screams rip their way to the surface, and tortured whispers lurk in the shadows. The decimation is absolute.

Ok, take some throaty Hardcore vocals, and put ‘em over something like Rigor Mortis. That is kind of the sound Charnel House have. Their songs are also really memorable, thanks to the somewhat groovy riffs, and terrific drumming. It’s a fairly original style, which is hard enough to have these days, and do an excellent job. I’m looking forward to hearing more from them.

This will fucking crush your soul. Into the Autumn Shade is the most powerful Doom I’ve heard since Skepticism’s flawless Stormcrowfleet. Ceremonium occasionally speed up a little, or take a more excruciated vocal approach, but these vehement alterations only serve to highlight the destructive force of their masterful style.

Dark and heavy, but not really Doom, although these two tracks are often slow. This style works really well for them, and the addition of the really raw vocals only helps. The cool purple vinyl is a nice touch.

Following the path of Cathedral, this EP sees the once mighty Celestial Season get too much Groove for their own good. And the new singer, Cyril, who never uses the Death growl, sounds a bit like that dork from Alice in Chains sometimes. Thankfully the music is still interesting, if not really heavy. I think that if a band changes their sound this much, they should also change their name.