|
Saturday, January 15, 2005
"'Most High' by Valume Nob"
by
Bill Vogel III
January 13, 2005 A.D.
Undoubtedly you should expect some big noise about any band that features members from Crowbar, Graveyard Rodeo, Down, and New Religion. But Valume Nob is worthy of all the stir. (The band-members are Kirk Windstein, Marshall Black, Frey Thieler, and Sid Montz.)
Their 2004 opus, "Most High" [Crash Music, Inc.], is about as raw and loud as Noise/Hardcore Metal gets. Powerful and totally unhinged, Valume Nob is pure intensity without transitioning into Metalcore. It's classic Hardcore with a brutal, wild swagger.
These New Orleans legends fuse catchy, primal rhythms with pummeling guitar assaults and raw-edged, slightly growled vocals (more a gravelly roar than anything). It's efficient and totally killer. Valume Nob is insanely cool....
Consisting of four studio cuts and two live ones, this EP is full of gut-ripping hook. The best tracks include the live beating "Friends For Life," "Boots," the anguishing "Pleasant Memories," and "Together As One." Valume Nob is sheer, severe fury burning bright as a blowtorch.
Overall, Valume Nob destroys with Old School style and skill. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Stormtroopers Of Death, Madball, H2O,
Snapcase, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Sick Of
It All, Orange 9mm., etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2005.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 10:34 AM
"'Salvation' by Cult Of Luna"
by
Bill Vogel III
January 13, 2005 A.D.
Cult Of Luna, Sweden's own sons of Epic/Dark Death Metal, have created yet another melodic masterpiece of glorious aggression. Their 2004 opus, "Salvation" [Earache Records], is a coup de grace shotgun-blast to the face of mediocrity. Their sound is cavernous-a massive, powerful force of sublime violence.
Unlike most of the other bands from this region, Cult Of Luna avoids the trappings of Swedish Death Metal. They've forged their own unique style. Solid, deep growls and clean vocals burn through dense, slow guitar roar that steels the ethereal moods that are so vibrantly bled throughout their music. Symphonic samples add a huge, tenebrous atmosphere. And the songs are vast expanses of dark atmospheres.
The most brilliant tracks include the ghostly epic "Waiting For You," "Adrift," the harsh radiance of "Leave Me Here," "Echoes," and the shadowy power of "Crossing Over." Brilliant as the night, Cult Of Luna has a wicked genius all their own.
In final analysis, Cult Of Luna masterfully creates Epic/Dark Death Metal that is awe-inspiring and intense. This one obliterates.... Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Gardenian, Maudlin At The Well,
November's Doom, Morgion, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2005.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 9:37 AM
/// ///
|
|
|