|
Friday, June 20, 2003
"'All Else Failed' by Zao"
by
Bill Vogel III
June 20, 2003 A.D.
Some bands manifest highly skilled forms of aggression. Zao is one such band. Their 2003 opus, "All Else Failed" [Solidstate Records], is a fierce hybrid of Hardcore, Swedish Style Death Metal, and Deathrock Metal. And it is amazing....
Loose, intense, and groove-bludgeoned guitars pulsate through the beautiful cacophony. Shrill, growled vocals charge the primal, musical roar. Softer introspective moments sharpen the caustic, jagged assaults that are the blood of the Zao style. Some samples and clean vocals are used, but infrequently.
The best of these stunning tracks includes the rampaging glory of "Endure," "Growing In Grace," the Slayer-ish "Exchange" (the guitars are astounding), and the crushing "In Loving Kindness." Zao is simply killer.
Overall, Zao has unleashed one of the best releases of 2003. This is what brutality is all about.... Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Dead To Fall, Konkhra, Hoods, Entombed,
Darkest Hour, Dominus, Grope, Carcass,
Atreyu, Living Sacrifice, Believer,
Demon Hunter, Hate, Headhunter D.C.,
Marduk, Hatesphere, Deicide, Gutted,
Soul Embraced, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 5:14 PM
"'Ruin A Good Time' by Awkward Thought"
by
Bill Vogel III
June 19, 2003 A.D.
Somewhere between Oi Punk, Powercore, Thrash Metal, and Hardcore is where Awkward Thought stands its ground. Their 2003 opus, "Ruin A Good Time" [Thorp Records], is one solid, kick-in-the-face piece of musical aggression. Awkward Thought is anything but awkward...more like powerful and frenzied.
Fierce, blistering rhythms form the skeleton of the sound. Dense guitars, paired with a raw vocal yell, finishes this pummeling display of artistic hostility. Awkward Thought makes all work well.
Songs of worthy note includes the rabid "Reliable Source," "Lights Out," "Please Be Gone," "Take Your Music And Shove It," the relentless "The Way It Is," and "Tell Me." This is raw, heavy, and blistering Punk.
In summary, Awkward Thought opens-it-up and lets it rip "Ruin A Good Time." What more could anyone ask for? Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: How It Ends, E-Town Concrete, Bloodlet,
Two Minutes Hate, Static Lullaby, Sworn
Enemy, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 5:04 PM
Thursday, June 19, 2003
"'World Funeral' by Marduk"
by
Bill Vogel III
June 19, 2003 A.D.
Marduk has achieved a legendary, epic status amongst the Black Metal hordes. And after hearing their 2003 masterpiece, "World Funeral" [Regain/The End Records], it's no wonder. This is the best Black Metal I've heard in aeons.
Marduk incorporates many elements into their style-Epic Black Metal, Death Metal, Swedish Style Death, and War Metal. Using killer hooks, they implement a more powerful sound. They don't rely solely on speed. Melodic, tragic, and dark-Marduk has perfected Vampiric Black Metal.
They use keyboards and samples, but the guts of their intense roar is their blasting, intricate guitar assault. The vocals alternate between shrieks and jagged growls. And the rhythms are stitched tight.
The best of these ruinous odes includes the wickedly cool "Castrum Doloris," the manic "Blessed Unholy," "Bleached Bones," the epic instrumental "Blackcrowned," and "Hearse." Marduk easily surpasses the mighty Cradle Of Filth.
Overall, this is an excellent, addictive opus. Marduk could easily be the next kings of Black Metal. And what a funereal experience it will be.... Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Aeon, Emperor, Order From Chaos, Mayhem,
Serpent Obscene, The Deep, Fog, Aborym,
Total War, Acheron, Borknagar, Blood
Stained Dusk, Beherit, Throes Of Dawn,
Nokturnal Mortum, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 5:41 PM
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
"Motograter (Self-Titled)"
by
Bill Vogel III
Friday, June 13, 2003 A.D.
...As the abyss shines. Just when you thought the Aggro Metal scene was dead and gone, the genre gets a revitalizing shot of skilled aggression from the beast that is Motograter. Their self-titled 2003 debut, out on No Name Records, is as melodic as it is caustic. And it is good.
Sometimes relying too heavily on soft, dark moments for oblique contrast, it tends to counteract the overall power on occasion. But having said this, Motograter's brand of Techno/Tribal Aggro Metal is still exceptionally cool. Powerful, tribal tinged drums weave together the onslaught of clean, deep vocals, acidic Death growls, blasting guitars, and samples. It's as addictive as it is aggressive.
From this killer set of bludgeoning odes of intensity comes such blistering wonders as "Mutiny," the 11 minute barrage of "Fight," "New Design (Start Over)," and the mournful epic "No Name." But the very best cut is the blasting, hook-drenched monster "Suffocate."
In summary, Motograter has created a truly worthy debut. And is easily earns them a spot as one of the BEST New Bands of 2003. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Slipknot, Mudvayne, Static-X, Chimaira,
Lifer, American Head Charge, No One,
Sworn Enemy, Dry Kill Logic, Ill Nino,
36 Crazyfists, Downthesun, Simon Says,
Flaw, Hotwire, Soil, 40 Below Summer,
Jack Off Jill, Kittie, Drycell, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 1:03 PM
/// ///
|
|
|