traditional melodic heavy metal: Tierra Santa (Spain): "Mi nombre será leyenda"

traditional melodic heavy metal: Tierra Santa (Spain): "Mi nombre será leyenda"

Some people have called Tierra Santa the "Spanish Iron Maiden," but that has not been a correct description for years and years now. This is their 9th album since 1997, and at this point in its career, Tierra Santa articulates a more unique, midtempo, traditional, heavy rock-based sound, rather than the speedy, fast-paced power metal for which they used to be known.

The central members of the band are the same, there is no big shift in lineup to announce, so everything is 100% good on that score. The talent for songwriting has become more experienced, and the talent for the execution of the songs is definitely that of confident veterans, who in the long run, have found a more specific sound that is Tierra Santa's identity.

However, it is important to be honest from a metal perspective, Tierra Santa has toned down the heavy metal substantially compared to their classic, power-metal glory albums like "Sangre de Reyes" (2001) and has even brought it down a notch from "Apocalipsis" (2004) which is a great album, with a less power-metal approach. Specifically, on this 2013 album, the guitars have been pushed into a less prominent position, and keyboards are more upfront. Secondly, the drumming is midtempo, and it's difficult to hear any double bass work.

Thus, you should look into this album, ONLY if you are ok with Tierra Santa's more heavy rock, less power metal sound, and you like to give bands a chance when they make changes as they grow older.

Of course, of course, they are very capable musicians and they function at a high level of professionalism, and this album represents the quality songs they have been doing for a long, long time.

Here's a breakdown of the rockers and semi/ballads.

uptempo heavy rockers:

Mi nombre será leyenda

Héroe

Perdido en el paraíso

Ghenghis Khan

Hasta el amanecer

El último

midtempo/slow:

Más allá de la vida

Solo se vive una vez (semi-ballad)

El cielo puede esperar (another ballad-ish song)

Si estás allí (very, very AOR, 80s ear candy, like Journey and Survivor)

Héroe (acoustic version)

In summary, despite the fact the drumming is the weakest, least creative I have heard on any Tierra Santa album, it is ok and I'd give the drumming a grade of a 70. The songs are fun and Tierra Santa-like, which, for me, is the most important aspect.

If you are a rather open-minded listener of Tierra Santa, then here's another very good album by the experts.

www.facebook.com/tierrasantaoficial

rock stars and joy destroyers: Guns n' Roses (U.S.); Altaar (Norway)

rock stars and anti rock stars: Guns n' Roses (U.S.); Altaar (Norway)

Guns n' Roses: "Chinese Democracy"

I know that everybody seems to have heard this album years ago or whenever it was released, but I had not.

To me, this album sounds like an effort to please the old fans, while attempting to sound current or updated, whatever that means.

For example,"Shackler's Revenge" sounds like industrial L.A. dirty rock, a bit techno, a bit bluesy. It would be inaccurate to say that it's a memorable song, to me. I find it to be very 90s, like blues-rock with a bit of that "alternative" or "industrial-techno" stuff that big, famous bands did.

"If the World" sounds like soccer-mom-and-dad radio light rock. Kind of whiny, nothing too outstanding, but just mellow, background music, but, like I say, with whiny singing. Music for crowded restaurants that need some background sounds going on.

Anyway, here and there is a bit of "rock and roll," but mostly it's a mixed bag of whiny-nasal singing with midtempo songs that don't have much uptempo energy, so, really, not much rocking. I guess millions of people find it to be fun, but my ears are telling me that this is about as exciting as a vegan having to listen to people talk about the different types of steak that they like to eat.

That's what I hear, anyway. Personally, I was pretty bored and I cannot imagine listening to this again. Just a metalhead's perspective, I guess.

Altaar: "Altaar"

And now for something completely different!

I'll just get to the point. Altaar is shoegaze. If you do not like shoegaze, this is where get out of this bus, and wait for the next one.

And for those that are still reading. OK, so, Altaar is not really just "shoegaze," it's a fresh-sounding, new-kids-in-town super, duper, cooper, over-the-top doom and gloom snail sloth music. Now, I know that recently I have been telling you about some death doom bands and other doom bands and all sorts of slow music.

Altaar is beyond funeral doom, beyond slow. Time stands still with this music. Altaar has pushed slow to the absolute limit. If they play any slower, it is because they all just went to sleep standing up onstage.

There are two songs. One is like 19 minutes and the other is some 14 minutes. Supposedly, there are rumors that somewhere in here, somewhere in these songs, there are vocals.

But you might miss them because you might fall asleep listening to this. I have not heard vocals on the first song, which is called "Tidi Kjem Aldri Att." (which means, "We hate having fun and we detest rock and roll and we just want to sleep all day and sleep all night. We hate life.")

And they wait some 4 and a half minutes before the vocals (punk-ish yell-growl) kick in during the second song, which has a long title, but it probably means that they do not like you and they do not like your stupid friends, either. And they think I'm stupid, too. They also hate themselves because they are stupid, too.

This second song has a bit of rocking.

That totally shocked me! I thought it was the end of the world that they did that!

Let's not get too excited, though, because they go right back to the super slow music and everything feels normal, good and happy (depressed) again.

Phew! I'm glad (depressed) that they did not get all uptempo and joyous.

You like slow, really slow music? Altaar is another band that you need, you must check out.

By the way, you might want to consider taking some medication. I think your family and friends are right about you. There is something going on with you and a bit of medication or maybe just talking to a therapist will help you. It's not normal (yes, normal) to sleep all day and sleep all night, you know? There is daylight for a reason.

www.facebook.com/altaarnorway

crooners and rockers Volbeat (Denmark): "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies"

crooners and rockers Volbeat (Denmark): "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies"

The fact that the singer for Volbeat, Michael Poulsen, is a major crooner--somewhere between Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, alternative rock-era "Load/Reload" James Hetfield, Creed and other similar post-grunge/alternative bands, Glen Danzig, Elvis, and perhaps country singers like Toby Keith--backed up with a well organized, careful hodgepodge of melodic thrash, classic and radio rock melodies, creates the impression of a unique sound.

Mr. Poulsen shows a great deal of personality, that of a good-looking, biker rockabilly punk crowd pleaser, and this aspect has proved to be a winner in concerts.

These melodic, uptempo, radio-friendly tunes are catchy, ear candy by themselves, and pretty good, but they are topped off by the vocals, which is the element that takes center stage for Volbeat.

These upbeat rock songs have made Volbeat a hot band and their audience is a melting pot of listeners, of both sexes. There is a lot of metal in Volbeat, but they try to have more fun, in a party-rock way, so they do not appear to take themselves too seriously, in the sense that they do not come across as jerks.

Volbeat has hit upon something that works for them and they are riding high their success.

This album is a series of memorable songs, by a band that seems to be getting bigger and bigger in the international metal/rock world. Certainly in Europe, the crowds seem to be beyond enormous at the metal festivals.

the punk rockers Darkthrone (Norway): "The Underground Resistance"

the punk rockers Darkthrone (Norway): "The Underground Resistance"

4 points on Darkthrone: 1.style 2.production 3.execution 4.talent

1.Style. There are 3 songs with King Diamond-imitation traditional, melodic singing, including high screams. There are another 3 songs with punk-crust yelling-growling, in a somewhat Tom G. Warrior-imitation.

The guitar work is a dirty thrash sound, at times recalling 80s unpolished thrash/speed/death/black, but also traditional heavy metal, something like a combination of Celtic Frost and Judas Priest, and all thrashed up.

Therefore, all is as it was, as it is, in the camp of Darkthrone. Now they decided to add a bit of Mercyful Fate/Judas Priest/New Wave of British Heavy Metal and Exodus/Metallica/Slayer in the salad.

2. Production.

Well, it is relatively clear, actually, within the context of an 80s-style, garage-like sound. It is a punk black metal sound.

It's both charming, headbanging and dirty, and you can definitely hear the bass guitar.

3. Execution.

They do what they do and sound good horrible at it. They sound like the best worst garage band you have ever heard.

4. Talent.

The drumming is a loose punk style, like a drummer that is jamming. The guitar work sounds like a huge tribute to the 80s, which it is.

The vocals. The punk-crust-growl vocals may be a bit too punky for some. It is not serious death metal or black metal style, but like the screaming was the first take and they said, "That's fine. Leave it at that."

The traditional, melodic singing sounds surprisingly, remarkably strong, in a garage way.

At times the band does sound like two different bands, one closer to traditional heavy metal, and the other more in line with the early, punk-ish death metal from the 80s.

sloppy joe's death metal: Coffins (Japan): "The Fleshland"

sloppy joe's death metal: Coffins (Japan): "The Fleshland"

Coffins is very good at what they do.

But it is what they do that you may like, maybe you may dislike. Let's find out!

Quick to draw, this is recommended for total Autopsy freaks. And no one else!!!

No, not if you "kind of" like Autopsy.

I mean, you reeeeeeeally like Autopsy, and you have Autopsy music in your collection and you listen to it, a lot more often than "once in a blue moon." You like Autopsy the way that Dismember liked Autopsy.

Coffins plays seriously sloppy, garage-style, gore grunt guttural death metal with a purposefully mud-swamp "production" hatchet job.

Their debut was published in 2005 and this is their fourth (at least) full-length album, and they have about a trillion EPs and splits.

Therefore, Coffins is no spring chickens, they have been around the block, they have rocked around the clock, they love the awful sounds of sloppy, gore death metal that is anti-modern, anti-melodic, anti-intelligence, and anti-a lot of other things.

The guitar tone is a boatful of sludge and slime, they get doom-ish in places and the vocals are about as low as the rumbling of the bass guitar (I'm exaggerating about the low vocals, but not by much).

Also, since this is no half-way project, the artwork for this album is a very, very good and talented gore scene drawing made by that sick, tormented 7th-grader that sits in the back of the classroom and that NOBODY likes because that kid is a major jerk and anti-social individual. Everybody knows he is a potential psychopath.

He definitely needs help from a professional.

So does Coffins. Ah, yes, the lyrics are incredibly stupid and glorify violence.

This music doesn't make people think and it does not make them better people, either.

It only makes them way, way more stupid than they were before they started listening to Coffins.

I have lost millions of brain cells just listening to this.

The music is fun, but the lyrics are garbage and the image is garbage and the whole violence glorification is an IQ reducer.

Let's review: so, how much do you like Autopsy? Would you recognize "Severed Survival" if you heard it? Do you know what song "Destined to Fester" is from? Can you name (without researching) the name of that little ditty of an album from 1995?

Oh, well, then, why didn't you say so?! Coffins is for you! Coffins is no Autopsy rip-off, but they love Autopsy and other sloppy death metal sounds. I just don't want to make a list of those bands right now because I have to go take a nap now and if I start making that list, then this review will go on for the next two weeks. Plus, you have other things to do, too, right?

www.coffins.jp

preteen metal band rocks in New York City: Unlocking the Truth

The preteen metal band Unlocking the Truth has been making the rounds on YouTube as the 11 and 12–year olds who are rocking all over New York City. Look them up on YouTube and you’ll see why they are such a good band! Metal Bulletin Zine caught up with the band to find out more about the music and plans for the future. Jarad (drums), Alec (bass) and Malcolm (guitar) sent back some very interesting responses. As it turns out, there is actually some exciting news that they reveal in this interview!

--

Greetings, Unlocking the Truth! This is Metal Bulletin zine. Metal listeners seem to be finding their way to your videos on YouTube. You have been playing for 5 years. Is this true?

Malcolm: We've been playing for 7 years, not 5.

Jarad, what caused you to want to play metal music? Do you practice almost daily?

Jarad: I started playing drums by beating on tin cans and anything else. What caused me to play metal music is by watching animated music videos and also watching shows such as Naruto, Bleach, Yu-gi-oh. Since I live in an apartment, I had to get an electronic drum kit. No, I don't go crazy like that though I just get into it and feel the vibe of the music. I think I do improvise on what I have to practice on because I'm going to need it. I practice at least an hour a day.

Malcolm, what are you goals as a guitar player? What are some of the earliest songs that you learned to play on guitar?

Malcolm: One of my goals is to become the best metal guitarist. One of the earliest songs was Smoke on the Water and Crazy Train by Ozzie Ozborn. I like Jeff Loomis, Nick Thompson and Dan Donegan. I like Motionless in White, SlipKnot, Escape the Fate, Chelsea Grin and Born of Osiris

Alec, is this your first band? Did you learn to play bass listening to music, did someone teach you? Were you into metal music before Unlocking the Truth?

Alec: Yes, this is the first band I have been in. I started playing bass when Malcolm asked me to join the band. No, I did not learn to play bass by listening to music, Malcolm and Gerard taught me. When I got the basics down, my mom and dad signed me up for private lessons at the Brooklyn Guitar School. Yes, I was into metal music before Unlocking The Truth, because I watched Beyblades and other animation shows that played heavy metal music in the background.

The band is working on two cds currently: “Physical Therapy” and “The 4 Lost Souls,” correct? Do you think that you will finish those recordings this summer of 2013?

Malcolm: We are finished with “Physical Therapy” and we are working on an untitled album. Yes, I think the album will be finished. Hopefully before September.

Alec: Yes, we will finish the songs because we make songs very quickly.

Jarad: Yes, I believe that both should be out this summer. “The 4 Lost Souls” is currently in the mixing process, but “Physical Therapy” will be probably out this fall, hopefully.

Will those songs be online, itunes or somewhere else like Reverbnation? By the way, do you record your music at home?

Malcolm: Well, I want the songs to be on iTunes, but we have to work that out. Yes, I do record my music on my iPhone at home.

Alec: I don't know where those songs will be sold. Hopefully, they will be everywhere. I don't know if the songs will be on iTunes or Reverbnation. We record in the studio. We don't have the equipment yet to record in the basement.

Who is helping you with the recording of the music?

Jarad: We are working with a well-known artist name Steve Jordan and he is recording our music and mixing it in the studio.

Who is providing guidance/help for the matters that are not music-related, such as finances, driving you to shows and dealing with club owners and other business people in the music industry?

Malcolm: My parents are helping us with our music business.

Alec: My parents help with finances and Malcolm’s parents help with finances, driving and dealing with club owners and other people in the music industry.

Jarad: All the parents would meet with each other, but mostly Malcolm's mother and father. We are all putting in work. Tracey (Malcolm's father) drives us everywhere we want to go. He is our tour bus driver. Annette (Malcolm's mom) gets us all the gigs.

What about school? Do you have time to do your homework? Are you still interested in school?

Malcolm: I am still interested in school and I do my homework afterschool, then I can play my guitar.

Alec: Yes, I have time to do my homework. We practice on the weekends as a band and I practice every day for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much homework I have.

Jarad: School is ok, can't wait for summer vacation. No more teachers until September!!!! Homework is always done after school.

Also, what about being bullied or picked on in school because you listen to metal?

Malcolm: Yes, it is still happening, but it is improving because it doesn't happen as much as it used to.

Jarad: There's a boy in my school who claims I'm not doing anything but moving my hands.

Who is helping you with writing lyrics about your experiences in school?

Malcolm: No one is helping me write the lyrics. I just write about my feelings.

Alec: I have not written any lyrics. Malcolm does.

Jarad: Malcolm writes the songs. His mom might help us with a verse and sometimes I will help with the chorus.

Do you have plans to have a vocalist/singer? The videos I have seen on YouTube seem to be all instrumental.

Malcolm: No, we do not have plans to get a vocalist. We are waiting for our voices change.

Jarad: We had a previous singer, but things happened, so he is not with us anymore. But eventually, we're going to sing.

What would be more important: playing Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium?! Metallica played in Yankee Stadium not so long ago, I think, during the "big 4" shows. Maybe Unlocking the Truth is next!

Malcolm: I think performing at Madison Square Garden is a better option, but I really want play the Download Festival.

Alec: Playing Madison Square would be more important, because many of the great musicians and singers have performed there.

Jarad: I believe that Madison Square Garden would be more important because there is a bigger crowd than Yankee stadium where Metallica played.

I live near Seattle, in the west coast. Have your parents told you when you will be allowed to come to the west coast? So far, you have played shows in the east coast only, it seems?

Malcolm: Well, if the right show came up, I don't see why not.

Alec: No, my parents have not told me when I will be coming to the west coast. Yes, so far we’ve been performing in New York City, but that is going to change.

Feel free to mention anything important that I have not asked about, how to get your music or if you have t-shirts, so on.

Malcolm: We're just getting started, so we don’t have that kind of stuff yet.

Alec: Right now we are in the process of recording our music. It will be available in the near future. We are also in the process of looking for vendors to help us create our t-shirts and merchandise. My final thought to all the kids out there: Don't be afraid to express yourself and stay drug free.

www.unlockingthetruthband.com

doomsters Demon Lung summer tour starts...NOW!!

Las Vegas-based doom metallers DEMON LUNG will venture west in the coming weeks to perform selections from their recently released full-length debut, The Hundredth Name. Joining the quintet on select dates will be friends Wounded Giant and Castle. Dates are set to begin June 29th in Salt Lake City and wrap with a hometown show on August 18th.

DEMON LUNG Summer Tour 2013:

6/29/2013 Bar Deluxe - Salt Lake City UT w/Odium Totus

6/30/2013 Red Room - Boise ID w/Mariana

7/01/2013 Duffy’s Hangar - Salem OR w/Wounded Giant

7/02/2013 Tiger Bar - Portland OR w/Wounded Giant

7/03/2013 The Mercury - Seattle WA w/Wounded Giant

7/05/2013 Red Room PDX - Portland OR w/Wounded Giant

7/07/2013 Please for Peace - Stockton CA w/Tales of the Grotesque

7/08/2013 Billy O’s - Ventura CA w/Castle

7/09/2013 Industry Theater - Lancaster CA w/Castle

7/11/2013 Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas NV w/Spellcaster

8/16/2013 The Shakedown - San Diego CA w/Wounded Giant

8/17/2013 Icehouse Tavern - Phoenix AZ w/Wounded Giant

8/18/2013 The Dive - Las Vegas NV w/Wounded Giant

8/19/2013 Burt’s Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City UT w/Wounded Giant

www.facebook.com/demonlungband

symphonic, melodic, modern black metal: Chthonic (Taiwan): "Bú-Tik"

symphonic, melodic, modern black metal: Chthonic (Taiwan): "Bú-Tik"

This is the band's 7th album. Once again, it is nothing, if not professional quality music. They play fast-blasting most of the time, but the constant use of keyboards, symphonics, clean vocals, clean melodic guitars and other instrumentation, they make their songs a bit easier to know, even though it can be a little blurry at times. Not quite instant gratification, but also not monotony.

Consistent and reliable, they continue to walk the path they set out for themselves years ago: melodic, fast black metal. The guitar work is crisp and clear, with their heavy use of play-on/thrashy riffs to play fast, while letting the keyboards add a major component of melody. The guitar solos are more melodic, but the rhythms are that chunky-semichugging-play-on buzzing speed.

Thus, the keyboards and the vocal lines take the main stage in terms of memorability, and the guitars and drums have a somewhat less important role, in that respect. The guitars come to forefront when called upon, and they recede to the background during the speed.

I think the band has done a solid job with the album. To me, they are still searching for the big breakthrough album that will propel them into greatness. By now, this band is consummate professionals, very experienced, and it shows. That breakthrough is still in sight! They are not resting on their past glories, and ultimately, that's what it's all about, working towards the great album.

By the way, the drum sound on this album is very plastic, clicky and highly computerized. It does not sound like real drums. It is a very tight and fast sound, but the drum rolls sound cartoonish-plastic because they sound so blurry-fast that it does not sound real. Of course, this type of drum sound is a HUGE problem in metal music. I wonder if this is the bands' decision, or if the bands are getting pressured by the studio/engineers/producers/record labels/experts to just go with this sound because it's what "everyone" is doing. In that sense, Chthonic is just doing what many, many other metal bands are doing, so it is not a particular problem of this album or band.

www.facebook.com/chthonic

finally over the hump? masterful death metal: Panzerchrist (Denmark): "The 7th Offensive"

finally over the hump?

masterful death metal: Panzerchrist (Denmark): "The 7th Offensive"

They have reached that point where just blasting away, no matter how entertaining, will never automatically equal a great song. One can blast all one wants, but if the guitar work does not have it, then it doesn't have it, and if the song doesn't have it, then blasting doesn't really matter.

The songs first have to be outstanding and give the listener something to remember once the music stops. Otherwise it is an entertaining blur.

Panzerchrist is an old band, mind you. Their debut is from 1996, and this is their 7th album, so the expectations and the standards are pretty high.

What they have done is: they managed to utilize the brutality and blasting for the song. Blasting is not a song, and this band understands that very, very well. It is not necessary to listen multiple times to understand that the riffs are distinctive (lots of tremolo picking), and abundant guitar soloing that sounds fast and a bit melodic, shredding. Add to that, the basic structure of the song, and the result is an album that is comprehensible the first time around, and the listener can hear the guitar work pretty clearly. See if you agree, check out the song "Attack of the Lycanthrope Legion" and see if you think it is "generic" or "ok." I think this is way beyond "pretty good." Panzerchrist deserves to be heard!

Despite the usual metal "macho-man" stupid gimmickry or the "evil" posturing (just look at the pictures) and the glorification of violence, Panzerchrist has made a memorable and melodic album, yet still very much blazing fast, modern and brutal, and all that stuff.

I wish the drums did not sound so plastic and clicky, but I guess that's just my opinion, and the band likes the "modern robotized" drum sound that brutal death metals are using.

Besides, those two points of whining, the band has made a very entertaining death metal album, very professional. If you like death metal bands that emphasize songwriting, then Panzechrist should be pleasing.

Mark down Panzerchrist as a band on your list of quality death metal bands that you need to check out. They are not rock stars, but fame is a different issue. I'm talking about the music, the songs.

www.facebook.com/panzerchristofficial

one-man-chugging-death-metal machine: Nervecide (Italy): "Impermanence"

Nervecide (Italy): "Impermanence"

I can't find a picture of the one-man-chugging-death-metal machine, but maybe this description will do:

Woof-woof, wooooooof! Rooooooooooooooooooar! Ughwowobahdahbahwooofff! Chug-chug, chug-chugga-chugga-chug!! Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, arggggggghhhhh!

That drum programming is blazing fast! Computers can go reeeeeeeally fast!!

Nervecide wants to make Kannibale Kourpse sound like Da Beech Boyz or Da Bakstreet Boyz or Da Won Direkshun.

You want brooooootal?!

You can't handle brooooooooooooooooooooooootal!!

Run away, run away to your parents! And don't ever come here again!!

Music strictly for zombies. If you ain't a zombie, you best get the stepping.

www.nervecide.bandcamp.com

groove-thrash: Destroyers of All (Portugal): "Into the Fire"

Destroyers of All (Portugal): "Into the Fire"

I am not able to post a picture of the band right now, but here's a little a bit about them.

Destroyers of All is potty-mouth, macho-man, vulgar-street-jerk groove-thrash, like lots of Pantera and thrash, with growling. This is an EP by this unsigned/independent band. I would say that Destroyers of All loves 90s metal, from groove Pantera/Sepultura to Machine Head, and a general angry-man attitude.

Not too much melody, instead it is pinch harmonics and groove. Sometimes it sounds like they might like rap-rock, too, but I am not sure. That's what I hear in the song "M4," like the vocalist is borderline-rapping, but that could be just an accident.

This band is also sort of mish-mash of different styles, but everything is inside the structure of groove-thrash. A bit of singing, here and there, and some melodic/growl notes also appear.

But the bottom line: it is all about groove-metal, 90s style!

My ears are telling me this.

www.destroyersofall.com

children of Krisiun, Hate Eternal and groove: Grimus (U.S.): "Omnicide"

Grimus (U.S.): "Omnicide"

Grimus administers a severely violent attack upon their instruments. About as subtle as a bunch of dinosaurs in a candy store, Grimus blasts in the most "brutal" way they know possible, throwing down the heaviest, low-guttural blasting death metal they know how to do.

They love Krisiun, Hate Eternal and all the super fast blazing death metal. They probably think Hate Eternal is "ok," but not "brutal" enough because, you know, these kids are in competition to destroy everything before them.

Nothing is ever "brutal" enough and in a few years they probably will think this album was only "ok," as they reach new level of mastery and "broooooootaliteeeeee."

They have a bit of a groove/breakdown, just a bit, though, because too much of that will slow them down, which they never want to do.

Somewhere, in the small bars of New Jersey, where this band build its abilities, there are kids who have moshed the heck out of these songs and this band.

Now, they are self-releasing this album because that's how they roll. Can't find a company that's interested? Forget it, just do it yourself! Do it yourself, indeed.

www.facebook.com/jerseygrimus

sludge-punks Armed for Apocalypse will play shows in California and Nevada

Very recently Metal Bulletin Zine ran a review of sludge-punks Armed for Apocalypse.

If you are in any of these places in California and Nevada, make a stop at their show, it's going to be heavy and sweaty!

Check out the recent review of this band in the section of grind/punk bands, from a couple of days ago.

ARMED FOR APOCALYPSE will bring their audio battery to the streets next month on a short run of live assaults. The tour will begin July 11 in Chico, California where the band will be performing The Road Will End in its entirety. Entrants will also be given free individually numbered and signed show posters made by Matt Loomis (while supplies last). Additional dates are included below.

ARMED FOR APOCALYPSE Live Assaults 2013:

7/11/2013 Cafe Coda – Chico, CA w/ Death Valley High, Horseneck *ALL AGES. Free individually numbered and signed show posters made by Matt Loomis. The band will also be playing The Road Will End in its entirety.

7/12/2013 SAC: Blue Lamp – Sacramento, CA w/ Death Valley High, Horseneck.

7/13/2013 The Night Light – Oakland, CA w/ Death Valley High, Horseneck.

7/14/2013 Thee Parkside – San Francisco, CA w/ Name

7/15/2013 The Oak Park Boiz House – Sacramento, CA

7/16/2013 Ryan’s Saloon – Reno, NV w/ Glacier

7/19/2013 Lasalles – Chico, CA 21+

horror gothic "extreme" metal: Cadaveria (Italy): "Horror Metal - Undead Edition"

Cadaveria (Italy): "Horror Metal - Undead Edition"

Pay attention to the music, and not the gimmicks. The gimmicks have their commercial purposes, and that's that. However, Cadaveria is no joke at all.

Cadaveria the band is no new-jack-in-town from the metal scene in Italy. In fact, Cadaveria (the person, the vocalist) was in black metallers Opera IX from 1992 to 2001. After that, Cadaveria, with fellow ex Opera IX drummer Flegias (Mr. M. Santos), formed Cadaveria the band in 2001 and this is the most recent album from 2012.

The sound is professional, modern and on the high end of production values, for this type of music. The main things to hear are guitars, drums and vocals. There might be, here and there, some symphonic or other elements, but that's not the key matter. The guitar sound is pretty chunky, with riffs that are thrashy, blackmetal-ish, dissonant-ish in places and sometimes cold-and-dry-ish at other moments. As you can see, there is no particular guitar genre going on.

No matter, though. It's pretty strong stuff. Not too complex, more on the direct-impact range. Some shredding takes place, some melody is found, but not too much. Mostly it's just heavy and groovy.

The vocalist, she does the black metal intonation, and a lower growl, too, as well as traditional singing (not too high and not too melodic), kind of subtle gothic-ish style.

At any rate, recently, it seems, I have been talking about traditional metal and also dooom bands from Italy. Cadaveria is an established name, but more on the "extreme" metal side of things.

This is recommended for listeners who, of course, are into Opera IX history and into the projects of Cadaveria the person. If you have not heard of Opera IX nor Cadaveria the band before, but you like "black metal with a good production," you might like the band's sound and songs. It's not melodic and catchy, but more, like I said, groove-oriented.

It's professional stuff.

www.cadaveria.com

blasting black thrash: Earthling (U.S.): "Dark Path"

Earthling (U.S.): "Dark Path"

Earthling's sound is on the "raw" and real side of things, and has a charm all of its own. The guitar goes between black metal riffs and thrash shredding, and the vocals are growl-snarl, with a drummer that loves to blast.

Earthling is a do-it-yourself-mentality band from Virginia, U.S. They are still in the early process of releasing material. It looks like they have done a split and now this album of a bit over 30 minutes of music.

They get by on their energy and enthusiasm. The songwriting works the fierce side of their sound. It's a pretty good first album for the band. The songs stick out for the raw impact, and not for being super catchy, but for being raging and loud. Earthling sounds like they are they are finding their way towards a more concrete sound, working on their chemistry and direction.

There is one thing that I find distinct about Earthling: the guitar soloing, and the band's desire to highlight the guitar that way. By doing that, with longer solos and longer guitar-centered moments, the music acquires a different energy, not so boxed-in with thrash/black metal-ish sounds. Some parts might sound a bit 70s-rock or even Thin Lizzy-ish, like the guitar harmonies on "Pass into Beyond."

In my inexpert opinion, that right there, that aspect of the guitar is something they should work, nurture and keep running away with it. And if the music sounds less "thrash" or less blackmetal-ish or whatever, then that's fine. It's all good.

It's nice to hear a band emphasize guitar playing, in the old school way of rock/metal that values people's precision and ability to shred on guitar.

www.facebook.com/earthling.virginia

for whom the bell dooms: Grime (Italy): "Deteriorate"; I Klatus (U.S.): "Kether"; Lycus (U.S.): "Tempest"; Crown (France): "Psychurgy"

Grime (Italy): "Deteriorate"

Years ago, one fine morning, after waking up, one of these fellows had breakfast and an idea occurred to him. In metal, too many people play fast, but what happens if you slow down to the maximum degree?

The result?

A vocalist that shrieks (in a black metal-ish way) but slowly chews every sound and extends the shrieking-screaming so that it goes on and on, like a series of looooooooonnngg shrieks (sort of, the longer syllables of singing being replaced by shriek-screaming). To go along with that, the music goes at a snail's pace 99.9999999% of the time, in a spiral-circular motion of monotony-monolith-repetition. Once in a while, there is a very brief drum roll, and it will make you raise your unibrow and then it's back to slowwwwwwwwww drumming.

This is like watching a movie in slow motion, on the slowest setting on the remote control. Ok, well, Grime has that idea for their music.

It is a massive stoner-sludge-drone guitar tone, that is as charming as it is a low-tuned-down wall of slow-buzz.

Now, I know that in the competition for "slowest,heaviest" band on the planet there are lots of contenders. Tonight, I wish not to argue that point because I don't care, really, for that silly argument. It is enough to say that Grime is ridiculously slow and heavy. I'll leave it at that.

The important thing is this, in my view: they sound excited, energized to be playing this and they do not sound tired or bored. Despite the slowness, the energy gets across very well, and the monolith of buzz makes sense, and that's an accomplishment for them, and for me, because I feel like I understand this Grime sound. Yay, for me! I get it! Fans of funeral/drone/sludge might, too!!

www.facebook.com/pages/Grime/209557405747608

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I Klatus (U.S.): "Kether"

I Klatus is part doom/sludge, but there are a couple of other major features that should be mentioned.

1. They do long segments of ambient/mellow sounds which contrast in a huge way from the heavy music. A bit of melody sneaks in that way, and the music can sound spacey. Or/and, they do some bursts of blasting speed, which can clash with the atmosphere of the previous parts, confusing the listener on purpose a bit, maybe. There are also other miss-mash bits all over the place and it can give the impression of wild, weird compositions.

2.The vocals are punk-shouted (not growl, per se), kind of yelled out, and sound a bit random, sort of like "some guy yelling down the street" in the neighborhood. People might say, "What's wrong with him?!" And the response is: "Nothing! That's the way he is. He lives around here and just yells like a crazy person at certain times of the day."

3.These are not so much actual songs as they are exercises in experimentation. People recording music, heavy, doom-ish music and then adding other things in there and just seeing what happens, and let the chips fall where they may.

Recommended only for the most adventurous of listeners.

www.iklatus.com

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Lycus (U.S.): "Tempest"

Lycus is "funeral doom" in the proper and traditional sense of the word. So, NOT sludge, not drone, not shoe/blackgaze. Funeral doom.

They have 2 songs about 10 minutes long (or so) and 1 song that is over 20 minutes long. Basically, you gotta have faith, and hope, and patience that these songs will work out in your mind when you listen to this. I mean, 20 minutes, hey, if can't commit, then you should quit. You're right, this is not about "headbanging" or "rocking" or anything like that.

They have parts of these songs where it's just sleep music. Is the drummer going to wake up? When is he going to hit the drum again? It's been minutes since we last heard from him. What did he do during the recording of this music? Did he hit the drum one time and then drove back home, made himself a sandwich, took a nap, ate another sandwich, drove back to the studio, and sat back on the drum stool and finally picked up the drumstick (only needs one; two would be "too happy") and hit the drum again?!

And wouldn't you know it?! Like champs, Lycus is so good at what they do. They are one high-class funeral doom band. Elegant in their heaviness. The vocalist growls, but he doesn't sound like a chump. He sounds like a friendly cave monster that is misunderstood by everyone. He is ugly. Actually, he is fugly, an eyesore, but that monster growls with such beauty that you begin to comprehend that the monster is just playing music, trying to make you happy by playing slow, melancholic sounds.

If you have the patience, I think that you will discover the atmosphere of Lycus and will appreciate it. They a few small surprises, too, in their songs. But you should hear for yourself. They are good surprises.

Funeral doom fans, here is a band after your own hearts! You will love Lycus and Lycus will bring you sweet misery in return.

www.facebook.com/pages/Lycus/156095311142662

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Crown (France): "Psychurgy"

OK, so, I will try to make this one easy on you.

How do you feel about drum programming/drum machines? Do you care or not? Is it a hard principle or does it depend on the band/music?

Crown is, to my ears, more than anything, perhaps closest to a doom-ish band, BUT:

The drum machine gives the music an electronica/industrial feel. That's one thing.

Another thing is: they do things like "robotic voices," and just generally experiment with different sounds in the electronica/industrial/robotized/computerized-music//whatever field.

The guitars are heavy and the vocals are growled, in the funeral death doom style, but they do other things that go beyond that, obviously.

After telling you about all these doom bands, I think you get the picture about Crown and doom. I hope. Crown is a well thought-out musical enterprise and has a strong identity.

Whether doom fans will be also be exploring the sounds of Crown, that's another matter. It depends on how willing the listener is. Crown has put out a commendable effort.

It is your turn now.

www.facebook.com/CROWNBAND

funny-humorous-comedy-moronic-superstupid rock: Ghoul (U.S.): "Intermediate Level Hard-Core"

Foul-mouthed, low-intelligence, Rush Limbaugh-like, proud-jerk basic rock and roll.

This is 5 cover songs from bands like Gwar and other bands that are old and gone, I think.

If you love rock music with a jerk-comedy twist, then Ghoul should prove funny.

It's punk rock in a Misfits/classic rock sort of a way, in a 70s style of punk. This is meant to be stupid, and this band definitely is. Mission accomplished. Don't look into this is you are too serious and you hate nonsense. Nonsense = Ghoul.

www.facebook.com/GhoulunaticsAsylum

out there in left field beyondweird: Bangladeafy

Bangladeafy (U.S.): "The Briefcase"

I'm just going to attempt to illustrate what you are in for.

A drummer and bass player getting down and funky and weird and technical, with some crazy-screamed vocals and keyboard/electronica/whatchamacallit sound effects.

This is NOT for the narrow-minded at all.

Does this band sound like some people just messing around and getting loose and crazy? Yes, it does sound like two wild and crazy guys. They sound like math geniuses or physicists or... something.

Please put on your helmet. Your skull will need protection from the crazy you are about to hear.

For those readers who watch the tv show "Friends" and who want an image to go with, here's one:

Do you remember that episode in which Ross plays his "music" for his friends and the people at the cafe? Do you remember when he was making all those sounds on his keyboard and people were, like, "what the heck was that?!" OK, this is like this, except that Bangladeafy is very serious. Ross would be proud. Geddy Lee from Rush might be proud of the bass on here. It is some loud, in-your-face bass!

www.facebook.com/Bangladeafy

heavy, doom-ish growl "hardcore": Reproacher (U.S.): "Nothing to Save"

Today I posted about a bunch of punk/hardcore/grind/whatever bands. A lot of interesting things are happening. But I forgot to include Reproacher in that section!

Reproacher (U.S.): "Nothing to Save"

Consider Reproacher a tons-heavy growled hardcore band with doom passages, in a "brutal" way, with a bunch of other tidbits, such as grinding parts, and crust, filthy segments and an energetic, intense, rumbling production.

In metal, people talk about heaviness and "brutality," but often those terms are not used for "hardcore," only for death metal or doom.

This music is heavy. Heavy as it gets and "brutal," too, but the difference it doesn't have all the macho, homophobic posturing about "killing" this or "murdering" that or glorifying violence or stuff about zombies and whatnot.

It's a different type of energy, without that whole "manliness" thing.

And don't forget that this sounds "human," and not all robotic, perfect with studio "magic."

www.facebook.com/repr0acher

the punk/core/crust/grind/death has arrived: All Pigs Must Die, Armed for Apocalypse, Centuries, Honduran, Mammoth Grinder, Quest of Aidance, Squash Bowels, Ramming Speed

These bands do not sound alike! They all have their sound. The reason they are all congregated here is because they have an obnoxious punk attitude. Some are grind, some crust, some hardcore, some a bit more thrashy, and some just don't give a flying flip about any genres and simply play loud.

Let's get to the details!

All Pigs Must Die (U.S.): "Nothing Violates This Nature"

(pic by Reid Haithcock]

With a name like that, this band better be as aromatic as a garbage dump and they better be abrasive. Sure thing, it's the type of punk in the neighborhood of grind, crust, death metal, hardcore and bags of garbage. They can blast and do so, but blasting is not the only thing they do. Just FYI, the blasting sounds so awesome!

They sometimes they slow down for some super heavy passages of sludge doom shoe/blackgaze drone. The guitar can sound metallic or punk-ish in a black metal-ish way or sort of hardcore in a metal-ish way or metal-ish in a hardcore manner...forget it, it's fierce, and I like it because of that.

Here's a little homework for you: when you find out who is in this band, you will know why they sound so experienced at playing stinking, rotting punk. That's because these people know.

www.facebook.com/apmdband

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Armed for Apocalypse: "The Road Will End"

What a filthy doom stoner punk crust whatever mix Armed for Apocalypse is! The screamer is painful furious anguish, kind of taking the time to enunciate-growl slowly the things that the band won't stop yelling about. This music appears to hate beyond hate all the "modern" hi-tech "perfect" recordings! It is raw, dirty, like a heavy garage growl punk just dooming and droning and sludging all the way to California and back...or Mars or wherever they got this cool sound from.

They even add a bit of melody, like on "The Well," but the sludge is so heavy that you won't even notice how sensible some of this segments are. You want nasty and heavy? Come and get it here. Please do not shower for a week before you come here because this band will notice the smell of clean and they won't like it. The last time they showered was back in 2005, and that was by accident.

www.facebook.com/armedforapocalypse

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Centuries (U.S.): "Taedium Vitae"

Ha ha, this is a "hardcore" band? I have no idea what "hardcore" is! The vocalist is a raspy, growling (not too distant from black metal, actually) lunatic, and the guitar work is this ultra heavy, windows-rattling sound, in the shoegaze-drone-doom-punk (what?!) played fast and loud (that's what's important).

What is really crucial here is the massive-aggressive sound, both heavy and fast at the same time, huge, big guitar sound and the energy of a band just being as honest as they can.

Don't try to avoid banging your head or nodding along or otherwise moving to the music because you will fail.

Overall, the charm of Centuries is the fact that they play an uptempo style of "hardcore" that even people who don't like "hardcore" will enjoy once they listen to this energetic performance. I'm not expert on "hardcore," but I don't think that that label is very appropriate for Centuries! But what do I know! Anyway, this sounds more like d-beat or crust punk, because of the speed, and they have an extra something different that makes it not really fit into any stupid box. It's familiar, yet different, to me.

www.facebook.com/centuriesfl

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Honduran (U.S.): "Street Eagles"

These Portland bums roar, scream, blast and rampage through their album. The growling and shrieking will make you think back to a happier time when you could throw a temper tantrum and nobody cared, they would just let you twist and scream on the floor until you got it out of your system.

Blasting sometimes, sludgy sometimes, metal at times, punk all the way, and 500% mutant rock. Just don't ask them what they genre they belong to because they are from Portland and bands like this will throw tomatoes at you for worrying about the genre. Just get in the pit or grab a beer or some orange juice and chill, what do they care.

Tons of heavy. Boatloads of abrasive. Genuine. Oh, and they have a song called "Hiding from the Idiots"! Yes!

www.facebook.com/honduran

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Mammoth Grinder (U.S.): "Underworlds"

Mammoth Grinder is definitely way more straightforward death metal/grind/crust. They have these brief guitar solos and a wonderful guitar tone that is both catchy and filthy. Mammoth Grinder writes songs that are more direct and to the point, and easier to remember. The more linear approach works wonders for the band. The on-point performance shines through big time. Mammoth Grinder is professional stuff. The drumming is the heartbeat of this band, and it centers the metallic riffing. By the way, this guitar is deceptively easy: heavy, metallic and punk, but memorable in a strong way.

So, you do not know Mammoth Grinder? I did not until now, either. What a professional performance they have delivered here.

Recommended for those into filthy punk/crust and rotting death metal. If you say that Mammoth Grinder is a death metal band, you are right, like old school death metal by people who hate the state of "modern" death metal.

Very well done. You might hear a bit of early Entombed here, and that's not so bad, now is it?

www.www.facebook.com/MammothGrinder

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Quest of Aidance (Sweden): "Misanthropic Propaganda"

What is melodic, tech grind?

I don't know, either!

To educate my ignorant self I listened to Quest of Aidance and I think I know a little bit better now.

Here is the deal: the production is very hi-tech with robotized-precision drumming that sounds like a machine blasting away; there are keyboards here, yes, keyboards and that will melt your brain. The vocal seem to be pretty much just growl-every-minute-of-the-day style. The vocalist here appears to be one ex-Scar Symmetry singer Christian, but these vocals sound different, so you can check for yourself what the deal is.

Quest of Aidance might sound a bit like blasting, melodic symphonic black metal, in some places.

Quest of Aidance is a very digital, computerized form of blasting metal, and do not fit in this review section, but now that they are here, I might as well tell you about it.

Hey, it's Wednesday, relax, the weekend is in sight. Quest of Aidance is not punk, not grind, but whatever. It's blasting, but the attitude is "modern metal."

www.facebook.com/questofaidance

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Squash Bowels (Poland): "Grindcoholism"

Just like Squash Bowels, I'm going to make it short and direct. Guttural growling, screaming, a low tuned guitar tone, and blasting like today is the last day that blasting will exist. No-nonsense, no-time-wasting grinding. Not as filthy as crust, but fast and brutal all the same, in a "modern" death metal and grind style. This band is not kidding around with their grind. Total grind freaks they are, to total grind freaks they will appeal. Roarrrrr! Grrrrrrr! Aarrggg!!!

www.facebook.com/squashgrind

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Ramming Speed (U.S.): "Doomed to Destroy, Destined to Die"

Oh, no, wait! I'm done yet! I have one more band to tell you about! Ramming Speed is a thrash/punk band. The vocals are growled and screamed. More than anything, Ramming Speed is fun. The riffing is a bit of party-thrash. They do a bit of blasting in certain places, but they have a good time all of the time. No big agenda, just a band that wants to thrash, drink some beer (or orange juice), and gang-shout their way across the country playing their thrash until everybody goes home tired and sweaty. They might want you to think they are a bunch of morons, but they play their thrash seriously!

Fans of the crossover thrash/punk sound will like Ramming Speed a whole lot!! Get in the pit right now!

www.prostheticrecords.com

traditional, old school heavy metal: Night Demon; Sinister Realm; Circle of Silence; Twins Crew

All these bands have something in common: traditional heavy metal: Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Saxon, Accept, U.D.O., Scorpions, Angel Witch, Raven, Blitzkrieg, Armored Saint, Savatage, Omen, Primal Fear, and lots of other upfront, rocking heavy metal. The bands reviewed here have listened to classic heavy metal and decided to take matters into their own hands and make their very own heavy metal.

Night Demon (U.S.): "Night Demon"

Oh, wow, Night Demon is so dedicated that they sound like their favorite heavy metal is the 1979-1981 New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Angel Witch and Blitzkrieg would be two examples of the sound they approach: energy, enthusiasm and rocking heavy metal. It sounds like do-it-yourself, street heavy metal. The singing is not super high and not polished, and it's a street-punky singing.

Enthusiasts of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal will be so very pleasantly surprised to hear a band from today playing it so genuinely.

I know you probably don't believe it, just as I did not believe it at first. Oh, but how wrong you are, as I was wrong.

One rocking riff right after another, and next thing you know, it's over and it's time to hear it again.

www.facebook.com/nightdemonband

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Sinister Realm (U.S.): "World of Evil"

Sinister Realms sports a sound in which the bass guitar is very audible, and their traditional heavy metal balances the rocking with quality guitar work. The production makes it easy to like Sinister Realm, the instruments can be clearly heard and the songs speak to the listener in a way that is instant.

Shades of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden are present throughout the album, but Sinister Realm is a bit more "battle heavy metal" in its sound and focus. The singer is a midrange vocalist, and not a super high screamer. Sinister Realm, here and there, pays tribute to the foundational legends, but they sound like they have made much headway in finding their sound.

Fans of old-school heavy metal and bands that are not well known will want to hear this Pennsylvannia band, as they defend traditional heavy metal with gusto. They just need more people to check them out.

www.facebook.com/sinisterrealm

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Circle of Silence (Germany): "The Rise of Resistance"

Circle of Silence has upfront, punching riffs and a generally tougher form of heavy metal. The melody is there in measured amounts, while the energy and intensity are kept high, again in the Priest, Primal Fear direct-heavy-metal way.

The singer has a bit of grit and it's a bit "macho" or "tough guy" in the performance. Circle of Silence works their sound so that the music puts the listener in a better mood rapidly. This music you can take to the gym to work out to it because is a solid level of energy throughout. "Wimpy" heavy metal is not something that Circle of Silence wants people to think about this music. That is the reason why they sound so professional.

Before this album I had never heard of this band, but after this title, I won't be forgetting them.

Recommended for those into Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Primal Fear, and Brainstorm.

www.facebook.com/circleofsilence

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Twins Crew (Sweden): "The Northern Crusade"

Twins Crew is nothing, if not catchy power metal. Listeners who love power metal in a big way are going to be banging their heads into oblivion with Twins Crew. Harmony guitar parts, galloping play-on riffs, high singing and quick drumming.

Twins Crew uses the word "steel" and has a song called "Loud and Proud," so they are quite the loyalists to "true metal." They flash the metal horns any chance they get, and the two guitarists, David and Dennis J., are twins. "Twins Crew," get it? Nice, eh? Hopefully Twins Crew will get more attention because with this album they have done very, very well for themselves.

Here's an opportunity to check out a band that is not a household name, but that may be if they keep it up. There is a tradition that Twins Crew has in mind in their music. They are not yet legendary-status, highest-level power metal, but this is a strong step in the right direction. Good album, indeed.

Recommended for people into HammerFall, Stratovarius, Helloween and upbeat heavy/power metal that the listener understands on the first listen.

www.twinscrewband.com

epicus doomicus metallicus: Demon Lung; Mirthless; The Vein

3 bands that take doom to the heaviest of places. Let's find out what's going on.

Demon Lung (U.S.): "The Hundredth Name"

Demon Lung has taken a strong step forward from their 2012 EP "Pareidolia," which was a decent stoner/doom recording.

In my view, their music now sounds like they are ready to run with the big dogs of doom.

To me, everything has improved. A lot. It is great to hear the band playing at this level and sound so good and so confident.

Demon Lung's doom metal now has ditched the stoner tendencies (that's what I hear, anyway), which to me was holding them back in terms of heaviness and making them sound too garage, for my taste. I also thought that the vocals needed more energy or more attitude, perhaps. There are 70s doom values here, but it does not sound like retro or stoner to my ears. It does not sound contrived, either. Demon Lung is the real deal.

Now, Demon Lung has sharpened up their sound to a ton of heaviness, in the Candlemass sense of the word, and Shanda Fredrick now sounds a lot more secure, or more comfortable in the role of singer, of the voice of despondency and doom.

I'm telling you all this to get to a point: Demon Lung ought to be interesting music to the listeners that want to hear traditional doom, with clear singing, with a heavy feel in sound, with a straightforward slow and heavy approach, and with a more organic or human production.

This is not fast music, of course, and it is all gloom and doom. It's so good, though!

Demon Lung will appeal to the traditional doom listener (no symphonic, no growling and other hip things) into tons of heaviness.

www.facebook.com/demonlungband

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Mirthless (Peru): "A Dirge for Your Suicide"

Mirthless is only for the seriously devoted listener into super doom.

Mirthless goes for a production of early 80s death/black, dark and blasphemous, and the music is on the slow side of life. They will surprise you with bursts of death/black speed in places, only to bring things back to the slow-motion misery that they are specialists in.

In that sense, Mirthless is raw doom band, and will not appeal to those that demand a fancy and shiny production. It is a good sound quality and I do like this sound, but I understand that it's not for everyone. This music sounds like it is played by real human beings, and the studio magic and tricks are not the thing that Mirthless does.

If you give it a chance and are patient, you will find, as I have, that Mirthless has many, many charms. Depressive, slow fun.

www.dunkelheit-produktionen.de

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The Vein (Denmark): "Scouring the Wreckage of Time"

Monstrous death doom that works a steady beat of slow and midtempo super heavy duty, low, guttural growling, with a bit of raspy vocals in selected places; the guitar work offers a substantial amount of melody, actually.

Do you like early 90s death doom like Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride? If you think that it's been a while since you heard death doom that does emphasize the doom and you are interested in a melancholic, but still super heavy band, then I cannot imagine how you would not like The Vein.

Here's the good news: The Vein is not just heavy, The Vein has enough melody and catchy elements to add some spice to the misery. Perhaps The Vein is strictly for death doom zealots, but the strong songwriting is impressive, beyond its genre.

www.reverbnation.com/theveinband