|
Friday, April 04, 2003
"'Reason To Live' by Sixty Watt Shaman"
by
Bill Vogel III
April 4, 2003 A.D.
Psychedelic/Doom Metal with a slightly brutal edge, that is what Sixty Watt Shaman is. Their 2002 opus, "Reason To Live" [Spitfire Records], is the best work I've heard from this genre in ages. They burn it all down.
Deep, heavy grooves smash through oppressively crushing rhythms and blast-beats. The clean, deep vocals hammer away at the stentorian darkness-heightened by shrieking growls-as the woeful noise progresses towards some beautiful oblivion. If Black Sabbath was a young, aggressive band they would be Sixty Watt Shaman. It's just as simple as that.
The best of these killer songs include "When I'm Alone," the powerful "Reason To Live," "Horse You Rode In On," "Our Name Is War," "Nomad," and "Long Hard Road." Sixty Watt Shaman is amazing....
In summary, Sixty Watt Shaman destroys the whole hippie loser mentality that surrounds the Psychedelic (Stoner) Metal scene. Go make violence. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Mondo Generator, Black Sabbath, Kyuss,
Acid Bath, Jimi Hendrix, Fudge Tunnel,
Godflesh, Queens Of The Stone Age,
Masters Of Reality, Fu Manchu, Nebula,
Cathedral, Karma To Burn, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 2:51 PM
"Worthless United (Self-Titled)"
by
Bill Vogel III
April 3, 2003 A.D.
Straightforward, old school style Punk Rock is a good thing. And that is what Worthless United delivers in bloody spades. Their self-titled 2002 mini-CD, released on Now Or Never Records, is classic Punk tinged with some Pop Punk polish.
Smooth vocals careen over thundering guitars, and fast rhythms. It's the best of both worlds-simple aggression meets Pop aesthetics. The Ramones would be proud.
The best of these 4 cuts are "Oh Sweetheart," and the slammin' "I Am Nothing." Worthless United keeps it direct and powerful.
Overall, Worthless United kicks it old school style and adds some of the modern elements that the current Punk fans expect. And it smashes the place up. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Misfits, Offspring, Sex Pistols, Black
Flag, Ramones, Green Day, Stiff Little
Fingers, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. Piece.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 9:26 AM
Thursday, April 03, 2003
"'Foreverafternothing' by A18"
by
Bill Vogel III
April 3, 2003 A.D.
When it comes to sheer brutality, few styles are as powerful or as fierce as Metalcore is. One killer band from this genre is A18. Their 2003 opus, "Foreverafternothing" [Victory Records], is as primal as inhumanly possible.
Ferocious, blasting guitar sludge roars across blistering rhythms and deep, jagged grooves. Shrill growled vocals burn through the melodious din, expanding until they explode within this beautiful chaos. This is pure, grinding metallic mayhem designed to obliterate.
Songs of definitive aggression on this slab include "Broke The Blue," "Scars Upon Scars," the primordial "Dig," "With Kind Regards," the punishing "Bury Me Breathing," and "Things I Don't Believe." A18 is a bludgeoning example of creative violence. And it is very, very good.
In summation, A18 will please anyone into Metalcore. So let it grind.... Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Closer Than Kin, Sworn Enemy, Hatebreed,
Hoods, Atreyu, Earth Crisis, Boyhitscar,
A Static Lullaby, Hate Theory, Luddite
Clone, All Else Failed, Dillinger Escape
Plan, Chaos Theory, Boysetsfire, Postman
Syndrome, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 4:51 PM
"'Cabinet' by Spawn Of Possession"
by
Bill Vogel III
April 2, 2003 A.D.
The chaotic world of Death Metal has produced a new act of brutal genius lately. That new act is Spawn Of Possession and their 2003 opus, "Cabinet" [Unique Leader Records], is a thing of vicious beauty. Spawn Of Possession is incredible.
The general dynamic of Spawn Of Possession is a combination of daedal aggression and sublime darkness. They take Swedish Death Metal to an intricate, harsh place. The guitar-work flashes between Thrashy, rapid exchanges and slower, more groove-oriented segments. The rhythms are psychotic--having a vibrant, explosive edge. And the raspy, growled vocals are the crowning quality to this snarling beast.
The best of these killer cuts include "Church Of Deviance," "A Presence Inexplicable," the raging "Swarm Of The Formless," and the burner "Inner Conflict." Spawn Of Possession is Swedish Death Metal at its finest.
Overall, Spawn Of Possession brings a fresh, fiery rage to the Swedish Death Metal genre. They have a visceral radiance that surpasses mere aggression. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Internal Bleeding, Hypocrisy, Gardenian,
Grave, Crypt Of Kerberos, Malediction,
Order From Chaos, Darkane, Arch Enemy,
Carnal Forge, Carcass, Soilwork, Opeth,
Night In Gales, Eucharist, Kataklysm,
Testament, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 12:35 PM
Tuesday, April 01, 2003
"'The End Of All Things To Come' by Mudvayne"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 29, 2003 A.D.
Deviation is beautiful. The 2002 opus by Mudvayne, titled "The End Of All Things To Come" [No Name/Epic Records], has a few added subtle twists. New to the Mudvayne Aggro Metal machinations are some extra, clean emotive vocals with a chaotic, surreal edginess, and some odd-timing psychosis.
Guitar licks wash across bizarre, off-center rhythms at times. Chud's growls are superior-much better than his emotional howls. But for all the weaknesses, overall this is still a very good release.
The best of these visceral cuts include "Not Falling," the violent beauty of "A Key To Nothing," "Mercy, Severity," "A World So Cold," and "(Per) Version Of A Truth." Mudvayne is a furious dynamic of sublime aggression.
In conclusion, this is one fierce slab of Aggro Metal. Let brutality be your guide. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Slipknot, Lifer, Mushroomhead, No One,
Lollipop Lust Kill, Kittie, Ill Nino,
Dry Kill Logic, Simon Says, 12 Stones,
Unloco, Soil, 36 Crazyfists, Stone Sour,
Drowning Pool, Downthesun, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 6:54 PM
/// ///
|
|
|