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Friday, March 12, 2004
"'Legendary' by Zao"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 12, 2004 A.D.
Some bands manifest highly skilled forms of aggression. Others fake it. But the harshly brilliant Zao is the real thing. Their 2004 compilation opus, "Legendary" [Solidstate Records], spans their existence. Zao's flawless style is a fierce hybrid of Hardcore, Swedish Style Death Metal, and Deathrock Metal. This is Metalcore at its finest. And it is amazing....
Zao is pure, beautiful aggression. Loose, intense, and groove-bludgeoning 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 crushing Metalcore epics includes the killer cadence of "Skin Like Winter," the discordant glory of "The Ghost Psalm," "Savannah," "The Race Of Standing Still," the mechanical intensity of "Ember," "All Dressed Up (With No Place To Go)," "The Icarus Complex," the diverse aesthetic of "Angel Without Wings," and "A Fall Farewell." Zao is incredible.
In conclusion, Zao has done it once again. They have masterfully unleashed one of the best releases of 2004. It's no wonder they're "Legendary." 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 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 3:14 PM
"'A Snow Capped Romance' by 36 Crazyfists"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 11, 2004 A.D.
The snowy darkness of the Northwestern U.S. has a blister of aggression called 36 Crazyfists. This Alaskan outfit's 2004 opus, "A Snow Capped Romance" [Roadrunner Records], is a Melodic Aggro Metal whirlwind of sheer, brilliant rage.
36 Crazyfists is the perfect aggregate of melodic agility and pure brutality. Dynamic arrangements propel forward harsh, melodious guitars that smash against progressive, furious rhythms. Clean yells, soft cries, and shrieking growls interplay in vibrant, sublime intensity.
So much for the sophomore jinx....
The very best of these absolutely killer cuts includes the addictively primal groove of "Installing The Catheter," the surreal, eclectic edge of "Skin And Atmosphere," the harsh glimmer of "Kenai," "With Nothing Underneath," "Bloodwork," and the burning "Cure Eclipse." 36 Crazyfists is on like a bomb.
In summary, 36 Crazyfists has become one of the very best Aggro bands around. This release will easily be one of the BEST of 2004. Slipknot may lose their crowns as the Kings Of Aggro.... Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Slipknot, Mudvayne, Static-X, Soil,
Lifer, No One, Flaw, Stone Sour,
40 Below Summer, Chimaira, Simon Says,
Damageplan, Coal Chamber, Hotwire,
Twisted Method, Downthesun, Ill Nino,
Lollipop Lust Kill, Kittie, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 10:09 AM
"'A Snow Capped Romance' by 36 Crazyfists"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 11, 2004 A.D.
The snowy darkness of the Northwestern U.S. has a blister of aggression called 36 Crazyfists. This Alaskan outfit's 2004 opus, "A Snow Capped Romance" [Roadrunner Records], is a Melodic Aggro Metal whirlwind of sheer, brilliant rage.
36 Crazyfists is the perfect aggregate of melodic agility and pure brutality. Dynamic arrangements propel forward harsh, melodious guitars that smash against progressive, furious rhythms. Clean yells, soft cries, and shrieking growls interplay in vibrant, sublime intensity.
So much for the sophomore jinx....
The very best of these absolutely killer cuts includes the addictively primal groove of "Installing The Catheter," the surreal, eclectic edge of "Skin And Atmosphere," the harsh glimmer of "Kenai," "With Nothing Underneath," "Bloodwork," and the burning "Cure Eclipse." 36 Crazyfists is on like a bomb.
In summary, 36 Crazyfists has become one of the very best Aggro bands around. This release will easily be one of the BEST of 2004. Slipknot may lose their crowns as the Kings Of Aggro.... Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Slipknot, Mudvayne, Static-X, Soil,
Lifer, No One, Flaw, Stone Sour,
40 Below Summer, Chimaira, Simon Says,
Damageplan, Coal Chamber, Hotwire,
Twisted Method, Downthesun, Ill Nino,
Lollipop Lust Kill, Kittie, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 10:03 AM
"'A Snow Capped Romance' by 36 Crazyfists"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 11, 2004 A.D.
The snowy darkness of the Northwestern U.S. has a blister of aggression called 36 Crazyfists. This Alaskan outfit's 2004 opus, "A Snow Capped Romance" [Roadrunner Records], is a Melodic Aggro Metal whirlwind of sheer, brilliant rage.
36 Crazyfists is the perfect aggregate of melodic agility and pure brutality. Dynamic arrangements propel forward harsh, melodious guitars that smash against progressive, furious rhythms. Clean yells, soft cries, and shrieking growls interplay in vibrant, sublime intensity.
So much for the sophomore jinx....
The very best of these absolutely killer cuts includes the addictively primal groove of "Installing The Catheter," the surreal, eclectic edge of "Skin And Atmosphere," the harsh glimmer of "Kenai," "With Nothing Underneath," "Bloodwork," and the burning "Cure Eclipse." 36 Crazyfists is on like a bomb.
In summary, 36 Crazyfists has become one of the very best Aggro bands around. This release will easily be one of the BEST of 2004. Slipknot may lose their crowns as the Kings Of Aggro.... Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Slipknot, Mudvayne, Static-X, Soil,
Lifer, No One, Flaw, Stone Sour,
40 Below Summer, Chimaira, Simon Says,
Damageplan, Coal Chamber, Hotwire,
Twisted Method, Downthesun, Ill Nino,
Lollipop Lust Kill, Kittie, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 10:03 AM
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
"'Diabolical' by Naglfar"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 10, 2004 A.D.
In the chaotic brilliance of Melodic Black Death Metal, one band leaves the scorched earth in their trail. That act is the amazing Naglfar. Their 2004 reissue of the classic 1998 opus "Diabolical" [The End/Regain Records], heralds them as one of the greats of this genre. They are eclectic, powerful, and fierce as Hell....
Naglfar uses a combination of Old School, Blackened Thrash ferocity and modern, melodic elements (e.g. keyboards, piano, Gothic, etc.). What's really striking is the amount hook their songs have-many Black Metal bands sacrifice this for additional aggression. That's how talented Naglfar is.
They incorporate highly skilled keyboard arrangements with fierce guitar blasts and frenetic, hellish rhythms. The vocals are a whirlwind of razorblade shrieks. The result is dynamic, and sublimely apocalyptic. And it is totally killer.
The best of these shredding wonders includes the snarling, explosive "Blades," "Into The Cold Voids Of Eternity," the harsh glory of "When Autumn Storms Come," and "Embracing The Apocalypse." And the piano instrumental, "A Departure In Solitude," is absolutely amazing. Naglfar has a truly epic quality in their art. (This release is an essential classic!)
Overall, Naglfar has earned a claim on the throne of Melodic Black Death Metal. And "Diabolical" is just one of the many reasons why they deserve it. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Emperor, Throcult, Kult Ov Azazel,
Noctiferia, Marduk, Beherit, Mayhem,
Borknagar, Mystic Circle, Dimmu Borgir,
Kovenant, Cradle Of Filth, Aeon, Hate,
Serpent Obscene, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 1:03 PM
"'Best Of' by Deicide"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 9, 2004 A.D.
The ever controversial Black/Death Metal act Deicide has had their moments. Their 2004 collection, "Best Of" [Roadrunner Records], assembles most of them into one razor-sharp package. Let the blast-beats begin....
Regardless of their views, they make some great Death Metal. Combining Blackened Thrash and Florida Style Death Metal, Deicide fuses speed, power, and groove-dredging aggression. This is pure, apocalyptic hostility unleashed. (The lyrics are offensive...so you have been warned.)
The best of these gut-wrenching cuts includes the hyperkinetic "Dead By Dawn," the burrowing groove of "Serpents Of The Light," "Dead But Not Dreaming," and "They Are The Children Of The Underworld."
Overall, this one fiery retrospective of the band Deicide. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Fog, Cradle Of Filth, Kult Ov Azazel,
Sepultura, Throcult, Horrified, Order
From Chaos, Mayhem, Naglfar, Marduk,
Emperor, Venom, Death, Believer, Throes
Of Dawn, Aborym, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 10:40 AM
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