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Friday, February 27, 2004
"'Behind Mankind's Disguise' by Under Threat"
by
Bill Vogel III
February 26, 2004 A.D.
Death Metal should bleed grooves of blunt force intensity. The band Under Threat does that in spades. Their 2003 opus, "Behind Mankind's Disguise" [Conquest Music], is a subtle blend of Powercore and Florida Style Death Metal. (Imagine mid-1990's Pantera crossed with later era Obituary, and you'll get a rough notion of this band's killer sound.)
Thick grooves drive the sound-various guitar leads skillfully add depth. The clear, powerful vocal growl is sometimes enhanced with a countering clean vocal. Occasionally the production falters, as the songs are sometimes broken improperly between tracks.
The best cuts include the visceral "Mirrors Of Dejection," "Face Of Emptiness," "The Ghost And The Machine," the primal forcefulness of "The End Of Grace," and "Gates Of Deception" (which has a nice acoustic intro). Under Threat has a solid, go-for-the-throat intensity. It's an approach that works well for them.
Overall, Under Threat is very good. They're a Death Metal band that's a cut above the rest. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Internal Bleeding, Monstrosity,
Exhorder, Diabolic, Hedfirst, Brick
Bath, Superjoint Ritual, Six Feet Under,
Pantera, Obituary, Konkhra, Entombed,
Hearse, Impaled, Grave, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 9:47 AM
Thursday, February 26, 2004
"'Agony's Lament' by Soulless"
by
Bill Vogel III
February 26, 2004 A.D.
One of finest U.S. bands to ever play Swedish Death Metal has to be the fierce monster named Soulless. This Cleveland act's 2003 opus, "Agony's Lament" [Crash Music, Inc.], easily places them amongst the ranks of greats like Hypocrisy, Carcass, and Entombed. Combining elements of Dark Thrash with Swedish Death Metal, Soulless leaves a wake of total, epic destruction. (It is that good....)
The fusion of frenzied blasts, coupled with bleeding grooves and intricate brutality, gives Soulless a wickedly killer edge. Shrill, visceral growls impale gutting rhythms, bisecting this beautiful freakshow with a horrific glory. Soulless is one of the best new bands around-they're aggressive, agile, and absolutely addictive.
The best of these divine monstrosities includes "Bleeding Darkness," the fearless crush of "Suffer The Fallen," "Exile," "Lament," the vicious brilliance of "Empty Deathness," and the abyss radiance of "Downward" (which is my favorite cut). Soulless is amazingly, savagely cool.
Overall, Soulless is one of the best bands around. "Agony's Lament" is a perfect journey into the radiant darkness. This is a must-have opus for any true creature of extreme, brutal music. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Arch Enemy, Carcass, Soilwork,
Hypocrisy, Dismember, Impaled,
Pestilence, Usurper, Carnage,
Entombed, Sentenced (early), Grave,
Carnal Forge, Darkane, At The Gates,
Headhunter D.C., etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 5:00 PM
"'Under A Stone With No Inscription' by Anata"
by
Bill Vogel III
Friday, February 13, 2004 A.D.
Intricate Death Metal is a lesser praised, yet amazing style. An exceptional act from this genre is Anata, whose 2004 opus "Under A Stone With No Inscription" [Wicked World Records] is a masterfully crafted journey into radiant mayhem. Anata is relentless and powerful....
Fiery, frenzied guitars dripping with hook cleverly dissect massive waves of crushing rhythms. Intense growls, crowned by diabolical shrieks, pierce the frenzied instrumentals with a furious power. Anata is an unfaltering, dynamic assault of sheer, glorious rage.
The best of these burning barrages includes the violent purity of "Leaving The Spirit Behind," "Drowning," the fiery stomp of "Entropy Within," "Dance To The Song Of Apathy," and "Built On Sand" is a primal wonder. Simply put, Anata is stunningly ferocious.
In summary, Anata is one of the very best Intricate Death Metal bands in the world. And "Under A Stone With No Inscription" is their greatest epic yet. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Gardenian, In Flames, Soilwork, Usurper,
Death, Massacre, Cynic, Carnage, Sadus,
Hypocrisy, Arch Enemy, Carcass, Grave,
Obituary, Usurper, Demilich, Darkane,
Nail Within, Eucharist, Divine Souls,
Psychotogen, Throcult, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 12:17 PM
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