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Thursday, August 21, 2003
"'Oculus Infernum' by Kult Ov Azazel"
by
Bill Vogel III
August 21, 2003 A.D.
Burning in the abyss, twisted and charred black as the raven's blood, inspiration shapes the empty heart. Kult Ov Azazel was born from such an abysmal glory. Their 2003 opus of horrific darkness, "Oculus Infernum" [Arctic Music Group], is Black Deathrash Metal with a refined, highly skilled edge. ("Oculus Infernum," translates from Latin as "Eye Of Hell.")
Kult Ov Azazel has a tight, hyper-energized style. The guitars and rhythms are very, very fast with just enough hook to keep the chaos exploding. The growled vocals have a shrill tinge, but avoid the stereotypical Black Metal ear-bleeding shrieks. It is a rock solid sound, and Kult Ov Azazel does it exceptionally well.
The best of these blistering, bone-shattering cuts includes "Mark Of The Devil," the fierce onslaught of "The Oracle Of Annihilation: Eradicating Sanctimonious Existence," "Rex Infernus In Excelsis," and the vicious "Oculus Infernum." Kult Ov Azazel is as relentless as Hell itself.
In summary, Kult Ov Azazel has an excellent release in "Oculus Infernum." It has a glorious rage. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Aeon, Serpent Obscene, Order From Chaos,
Dimmu Borgir, Acheron, Total War (f.k.a.
War), Marduk, Immortal, Sigh, Blood
Stained Dusk, Beherit, Emperor, Mayhem,
Borknagar, The Deep, Aborym, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 11:34 AM
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
"'Self-Destructive Pattern' by Spineshank"
by
Bill Vogel III
August 20, 2003 A.D.
L.A.'s Spineshank has returned with another concrete-solid opus in 2003, titled "Self-Destructive Pattern" [Roadrunner Records]. They continue to sharpen the edges of their aggressive style, while staying true to their core sound. And Spineshank does this skillfully.
Industrial and Thrashcore elements permeate their Aggro Metal aesthetic-describing them as a vivid, violent mixture of Fear Factory and the Deftones is an apt starting place. But Spineshank is much, much more....
Caustic growls scrape against clean yells and softer vocals. Guitars are brutal and distorted, with a mechanized, crushing cadence. The rhythms are precise, and oppressively heavy.
Songs of exceptional note include "Tear Me Down," "Smothered," the powerful "Slavery," "Beginning Of The End," "Dead To Me," and "Violent Moodswings." Spineshank lets it roar.
Overall, Spineshank has succeeded brilliantly yet again. "Self-Destructive Pattern" is a post-industrial marvel in the Information Age. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Slipknot, Twisted Method, Hotwire, 36
Crazyfists, Mudvayne, Motograter, Stone
Sour, Burner, Sworn Enemy, Lifer, No
One, Simon Says, American Head Charge,
Passenger, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 7:32 PM
"Agony Scene (Self-Titled)"
by
Bill Vogel III
August 19, 2003 A.D.
Rising from the abyss, one of the finest, fiercest new bands I have ever heard is The Agony Scene. Their self-titled 2003 debut, released on Solid State Records, is sheer, perfect aggression. There are many elements at work in The Agony Scene sound, and execute them all brilliantly.
This Oklahoma band shows no vulnerability. Flawlessly fusing together the dynamics of Metalcore, Swedish Style Death Metal, Deathrock, and slight inflections of Melodic Hardcore and Black Metal, The Agony Scene creates a hellish beauty beyond the depths of glory. Guttural growls, chaotic shrieks, and a few clean vocals hammer through intense, caustic guitars. Rhythms are extremely tight, but catchy. A few samples are lightly used. The Agony Scene is absolutely amazing, with an addictive, brutal edge.
This best of this incredible collection of tracks includes the eviscerating beat of "Vivid," "We Bury Our Dead At Dawn," "Eyes Sewn Shut," the bludgeoning "Habeas Corpus," and "Nausea." But the most stunning cut has to be their rendition of the Rolling Stones' classic "Paint It Black." (It gave me the chills.)
In summary, The Agony Scene is one of the BEST NEW BANDS of 2003. They have what it takes to be legendary, not just great. The Agony Scene is one that should not be missed. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Zao, Black Dahlia Murder, Sworn Enemy,
Living Sacrifice, Demon Hunter, Arch
Enemy, Internal Bleeding, Soilwork,
Transport League, Darkest Hour,
Enbodyment, Entombed, Carcass, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 2:03 PM
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
"'Reduced To Ashes' by Deeds Of Flesh"
by
Bill Vogel III
August 16, 2003 A.D.
In the world of Death Metal, few acts can be Technical and Brutal at the same time. One band that can is Deeds Of Flesh. Their 2003 opus of artistic evisceration, "Reduced To Ashes" [Unique Leader Records], resists sacrificing intensity for intricate precision.
Deeds Of Flesh fuses elaborate, frenzied guitars and rhythm sections into the churning blades of blast-beats and ferocious, growled vocals. It's ornate, yet fierce. Elements of Thrash add even more teeth to this fiery whirlwind of hellbent aggression.
The best of these snarling gems includes the roaring assault of "Disinterred Archaic Heap," "Infested Beneath The Earth," the pulverizing "Banished," "Empyrean," and "Avowed Depraved." There is no peace here....
Overall, Deeds Of Flesh has a superb release in "Reduced To Ashes." This one obliterates. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Gardenian, Soilwork, Monstrosity,
Spawn Of Possession, Diabolic, Grave,
Hypocrisy, Death, Dismember, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 7:09 PM
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