Posts Tagged ‘Century Media Records’
Tuesday, February 5th, 2013
Beneath the Surface (Century Media)
ALPHA TIGER is one of Century Media Records’ newest bands and have released a quality album for their first release as a signed band to a major metal label. Their origins are in Germany where other great metal bands have come from including HELLOWEEN and RAMMSTEIN. They may soon find themselves accompanying those two bands in the ranks of outstanding German metal.
As soon as “The Alliance” comes on, one can tell STEPHAN DIETRICH is going to become known as one of the stand out voices in newer metal. It’s a strange mix of RUSH’s GEDDY LEE and early IRON MAIDEN vocalist PAUL DI’ANNO.
The band has a mix of thrash and hair metal to their sound. Their instruments are played in thrash style while the vocals and lyrics account for the hair metal half. The band even manages to include some ballad parts into the album. Because of these factors, they tend to sound slightly dated but this is not necessarily bad; it’s a fun throwback to the ‘80s. In fact, one can visualize the cheesy music videos that would accompany such tunes. This is especially the case with “Along the Rising Sun”. However, they must be careful to not have all of their songs become too similar.
Although some songs are lengthy, they don’t tend to feel that way. “From Outer Space” is the track off the album that can be deemed most fun. It shows that the band does not mind being silly sometimes. It is also the first single and will be the first music video. “Eden Lies in Ruins” offers an interesting story that almost DIO like. “We Came from the Gutter” is one of the strongest tracks on the album. It may have worked better as an opener rather than a closer.
The style in which the album cover for Beneath the Surface is done matches the content well. There is something real and sinister about it although it is cartoony enough that there is some lightness to it. The portrayal of laughing business people and burning money reflects a lot about modern day concerns. Having their reflections as skeletons is reminiscent of the classic heavy metal art seen in the 80s.
Beneath the Surface is a promising start for ALPHA TIGER’s career. However, they still have some work to do in terms of separating themselves from the rest of the pack. It is an album worth picking up for fans of classic heavy metal looking for a throwback sound.
 ALPHA TIGER: Not afraid to show their silly side when they rock out! GRADE: B
by Melissa Campbell
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Tags: 80s inspired album artwork, ALPHA TIGER, Beneath the Surface, Century Media Records, Dio, Geddy Lee, German metal bands, hair metal, Helloween, Iron Maiden, light-hearted lyrics, neo-thrash, NWOBHM, PAUL DI’ANNO, rammstein, Rush, silliness, thrash, throwback sounding bands, vocalist STEPHAN DIETRICH
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Tuesday, November 27th, 2012
Gnosis (Century Media Records)
UK Tech Metal band MONUMENTS finally release their debut album after years of searching for a singer. The band had written and recorded the album before discovering vocalist MATT ROSE. The other members have a history of involvement with UK Tech Metal. Founder and guitarist JOHN BROWNE first played with the now disbanded UK Tech Metal pioneers FELLSILENT. In 2011 he toured with PERIPHERY briefly and was even asked to join the band, but declined to focus on MONUMENTS.
The album kicks off with “Admit Defeat”. The track has a cool sort of instrumental intro that sets the tone for most of the album. Listeners hear an immediate resemblance to fellow Tech Metal group TESSERACT. As the record progresses, one wonders if maybe that is a problem. If one was to listen to it without being told anything about it, they would guess that it was a new TESSERACT album. In fact, the first three tracks sound like one extended TESSERACT song. Fortunately the fourth song, “The Uncollective”, breaks it up and the band starts to show individuality.
One of the standout tracks is “Regenerate”. It is the second to last song and is sort of a reference to the second track, “Degenerate”. The beginning captures the attention of the listener and for that reason would be a good opener for the album. Although “Admit Defeat” also has an instrumental intro, it sounds too similar to TESSERACT’S “Deception-Concealing Fate Part Two” intro, in the way that it builds. In “Regenerate” you can hear the bass and drums more which is what stops it from sounding too similar as well. It is also the type of song one can picture the crowd at a show getting excited over.
Something that the band has going for them is the way they present their own philosophy with the music. Their message is a simple one of being an individual and thinking for oneself, especially in terms of existence. The struggle of this is what the album is about. This is evident with song titles such as “Admit Defeat” and lyrics such as the ones in “Doxa”: “born sick commanded to be well / stuck in a losing struggle / it’s a dark existence meaningless and cold / impossible to escape from”.
It is too bad that MONUMENTS seems to sound similar to other UK Tech Metal acts. Perhaps they have not yet found a way to separate themselves from the rest since this is only their debut album. This has the potential to become true as the band has already outlined this goal in the beliefs they present on this album.
 MONUMENTS: They will be great, eventually. GRADE: B
by Melissa Campbell
Tags: Century Media Records, djent, FELLSILENT, Gnosis, great lyrics, guitarist JOHN BROWNE, monuments, periphery, Prog Metal, progressive metal bands, Tesseract, UK Tech Metal, vocalist MATT ROSE
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Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
While at Warped Tour, I thought I would stop by and interview the insane group known as iwrestledabearonce, a band that seems to draw criticism and adoration all at the same time. Read on to find out more about their movie, what goes on behind the scenes of writing, and the story behind the now infamous black metal prank. (Editor’s note: this interview took place before Krysta Cameron dropped off the Warped Tour and Courtney LaPlante replaced her).
MAA: The unique insanity you all bring to the table of metal is loved and hated by thousands of people. Yet in the end, you all have fun doing it. How is it you all decided on doing things like throwing in fucking seagulls on “You Know That Ain’t Them Dogs’ Real Voices” and a choir in “Deodorant Can’t Fix Ugly?”
IWABO: Sometimes it’s the basis of a song. We’ll put something dumb in it and build around it. We’ll get done with a song and think “You know what needs to do right here? Seagulls.” We were really drunk when we came up with that. It’s just, lots of stuff happens when you’re high, but even if everyone in the band is totally sober, we can sit and think of crazy shit.
MAA: High on life haha. So why is the new album called Ruining It For Everybody?
IWABO: Because it’s what we do. It’s like you said before, people either love us or hate us, so we just give in to the hate and try to make it funny. We read reviews sometimes and we will see “It’s ruining metal, it’s fucking it all up, you’re ruining it for everybody.” So we figured, welp, Ruining It For Everybody. We always say that too, like if someone does something stupid, we just say “Well, thanks for ruining it for everybody else.” The actual coining the album of that name was a Jeff Foxworthy skit. I just like how a bunch of people think a few guys and a girl who care about nothing more than giving people high fives are “ruining it for everybody”.
MAA: Are you considering putting out more remix releases like you did for It’s All Happening?
IWABO: I think so. When we did the original remix album for It’s All Happening, it was like no one was really doing them yet, and now it’s like a huge thing, so I don’t know. We’re the kind of assholes where once something starts catching on, we are just like we don’t really feel like doing that anymore. But at this point, our band has a good eighteen or so remixes for the fans, so I think we may be good for now. We might do a couple more honestly pretty soon.
MAA: Have you wrote any new songs since releasing Ruining It For Everybody?
IWABO: Yes. We never really put things together until the very last minute, I swear to God. We don’t finish songs until we’re literally recording for the record. The last record we did ourselves, so it was like “oh, nothing wrong with doing guitars at four in the morning.” It wasn’t a tight schedule or anything like that, so it wasn’t stressful. We tour together so damn much, it’s really hard to piece together everything. It’s easy to write on tour, but not to really record or put together anything. We will write out little ideas on our computers and email them to each other, then someone else will take it and, say, put guitar on it. By the time we get into the studio, we have all these parts. Now to put them together. But we can work well under pressure. Most bands that can’t need to discover medical marijuana.
MAA: What is the song “It Is Bro Isn’t It” all about?
IWABO: The lyrics or the title?
MAA: Both.
IWABO: The title is an inside joke among us, like most of our other songs. It’s just that people go around and say bro all the damn time like “Hey bro,” or “What’s up bro?” So the song title just makes fun of that. But even we say bro all the time, so we feed into our own jokes. So were always making fun of stuff, but we make fun of each other a lot as well. Lyrically, you would have to ask Krysta. I think it’s about robots or aliens enslaving humanity or something like that. That song is the most screaming song, I guess, so we’re not too sure what it’s about haha. I know the words she’s saying, I just don’t know if she’s actually saying them. But she will say it’s open to interpretation, so when someone comes up and says “I love this song, it’s about this and it helped me through so much” and we’re just like “What the fuck? Cool, it’s great it helped you out, but that’s not what the song is about.”
MAA: How did that whole black metal prank come about?
IWABO: We just thought it would be funny. Jeremy Saffer, a photographer whom we’re good friends with, was like “I got it. I have a bunch of gauntlets, leather, and shit,” so we just got together and did it. Everybody does photos that are, for the most part, really lame and cliché. Everyone is looking up or to the side, against a wall or an old building, and there’s only so much you can do. Another reason was that we were looking at a book of his and we just said “Wow, you do all of these brutal death metal bands and then you have us doing the lamest shit.” So we thought that we should do photos like this, and why not? Why can’t we wear this shit? Do we have to be a black metal band? Image doesn’t matter and black metal people are so funny about that. They’re supposed to be the complete opposite of having any sort of image and going against society’s norm. I mean, how long do you take in putting on that paint and leather? I’m not dogging on it, but don’t give a fuck about what everyone else does. We all love our moms and we all drink beer. There might be some of that in our movie…
MAA: Yeah, tell me about the movie? When is the release of that expected and what will it contain?
IWABO: It’s the most offensive movie ever made. The most swear words you will ever see in a movie. A lot of nudity, and a lot of shameful things that we’re on camera doing. But I will say that it’s all acting… It’s not real, I’m doing it for my “career.”
MAA: Yeah, that’s what they all say bro ahaha.
IWABO: I mean, look at Brokeback Mountain. Look how good Heath (Ledger) did there. *Steven to Mike* which means that you’re going to die after or before the movie is released. I forgot where I was going with that, now all I can think about is Brokeback Mountain. Clown from SLIPKNOT is in the movie, he’s actually in it for a good bit. We built the sets, tore them down, and even used those multi-thousand dollar “red cameras” that are all the hype now. So it will be Blu-Ray quality. The acting is questionable.
MAA: When will it be released?
IWABO: We don’t have an exact date yet, but it will be in the fall. Probably…
MAA: Any last words for the fans and people who came out to see you all live?
IWABO: Thanks. Come by the merch tent and get a high five. If you give a shit about our band, then that makes you awesome.
by Ridge “Deadite” Briel
Tags: Century Media Records, iwrestledabearonce, metal, Rickshaw, Steven, whutmetal
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Wednesday, June 20th, 2012
Daybreaker (Century Media Records)
One thing that sets ARCHITECTS (UK)’s new album Daybreaker apart from the others right off the bat is the upgraded level of technical riffs. It still has that old school hardcore meets modern metalcore edge, but with a dose of SiKth added in. “Alpha Omega” is a prime example in this, with the composition of how the riffs are arranged and played. This entire album is a huge step up in terms of song writing. The experimentation that must have took place for these recording sessions must have been a lot of fun.
The melodic parts are better than before. Sam’s clean vocals are much more in tune on the new album, but his screams seem a bit lacking on the first few songs. “Daybreak” is a better example of his screams than the first few, sounding as though they come out more naturally without much exertion force. To scream like that makes everything sound much better. The music is straight metalcore until you get to two thirds of the way in, which goes off into a slightly atmospheric transition that is unlike anything they’ve really done before.
This album really isn’t my cup of tea, but I can see all of the good things this album represents. But overall, this album is balls to the wall metalcore with a few moments of outside elements that completely throws off the balance of the aggression, such as the track “Even If You Win, You’re Still A Rat.” Give it a listen and check them out. If you’re into metalcore, then this is the album for you.
GRADE: B-
By: Ridge “Deadite” Briel
Tags: architects uk, Century Media Records, hardcore, metalcore
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Wednesday, June 13th, 2012
The Treachery Of Senses (Century Media Records)
ODDLAND’S Century Media debut The Treachery Of Senses is for people who have a peculiar taste. While the music is arguably a blend of TOOL mixed in with GOJIRA with added clean singing vocals, this isn’t just a run of the mill progressive metal band. As the name would suggest, this band is an entire breed of their own. No song sounds the same, yet they all have a similar sound. One thing that truly stands out above the band is Sakari’s barrier piercing clean vocal style that goes beyond the death growls that so many are accustomed to hearing.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this turns out to be the underrated album of the year. While the music is excellent (and I will get more in depth later), the vocals has that either-you-love-them-or-hate-them effect. I for one am hoping for the former effect to rub off on people over time. Sakari has an instantly recognizable voice that will hopefully make him stand out among other clean metal singers. Now to the music, it’s a middle tone range. Not too heavy, but not too light on the sound syrup, right there in the middle.
One thing I liked about this album is how they used haunting elements (such as the first instrument line of “Above And Beyond”) and combined it with the uplifting vocal ability of Sakari to create this colossus. While it’s not a huge riff fest like other prog-metal bands, they fully utilize their skill at guitars and drums. This fact is heavily evidenced at the instrumental ending of “Above And Beyond,” where they show of their superior song writing and how smoothly everything runs together.
Things get a little on the FAITH NO MORE side when they play the slightly swanky opener of “Past The Gates.” The eclectic yet simple music of this track can provide for a killer mid live show song that will break the mold. The vocals are strong as ever in this track as well, with Sakari singing outward even more than the others. Towards the end, all hell breaks loose with the barrage of guitars that goes down.
Truly a unique album in the progressive metal world, it stands on its own two feet while borrowing little from any other band out there.
GRADE: B+
By: Ridge “Deadite” Briel
Tags: can't miss tour announcement, Century Media Records, finland, metal concert reviews, PMA, Progressive Metal, ragers, sumer tours
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Friday, April 20th, 2012
Throes Of Absolution (Century Media Records/Basick Records)
The highly anticipated new album from 7 Horns 7 Eyes is finally here, and it’s every bit as good as you would expect. Atmospheric progressive metal cannot be done any better than Throes Of Absolution. If you’re already familiar with 7 Horns 7 Eyes because of their 2007 EP, disregard everything you know and listen to this with a completely blank mind to allow yourself to become immersed in their majesty.
Beginning with a broad and dismal atmosphere in “Divine Amnesty,” that soon changes with sheer brutality and composure. The pace of the track is at a slight Opeth kind of standard, but that only touches the tip of the iceberg with this band. They are completely original, which is extremely rare in today’s world. Shiv’s growls are used in tandem with the strings as a kickstarter into layer upon layer of metal that works like a reverse peeling of an onion, although much better on the palette.
Speeding things up a little, “The Falsehood Of Affliction” shows them playing faster riffs that thunders in with a tinge of sludge overtone. It’s like this album was engraved in stone, then played out by the band. The drums is the centerpiece of the atmosphere. No matter how crazy the guitars may get, the drums is the fence no one ventures out of. And if they start to, then Shiv herds them all back. There are some awesome technical riffs played, including an inspiring guitar solo near the end.
Every song begins with a lengthy intro that serves as a beginning of things to come. But by the time you get to the end of each song, you mind is blown by how much they’ve stuffed into each track. Perhaps showcasing the biggest atmosphere is “A Finite Grasp of Infinite Disillusion” is a masterpiece not only in their catalog, but in metal in general. It’s also the most uplifting song on the record, as shown through their choice of guitar licks and tuning.
Definitely another album to add in the running for album of the year. Some people may get turned off by how top heavy this album is, but don’t let that fool you into thinking any less about it. As a music journalist, there is a sense of pride when a band takes everything good from their previous ventures (the self-titled 2007 EP, which was a metalcore release) and completely reinvent themselves anew. This album was well worth the wait. Go here right now and get the album for yourself: http://store.basickrecords.com/product/7-horns-7-eyes-throes-of-absolution-cd
Grade: A+
By: Ridge “Deadite” Briel
Tags: 7 HORNS 7 EYES, Aaron Smith, Atmospheric Metal, Basick Records, Brandon Smith, Century Media Records, Deadite, JJ "Shiv" Polachek IV, Progressive Metal, reviews by Ridge, Ryan Wood, Sean Alf, Throes Of Absolution
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Monday, April 9th, 2012
Last month Metal Army had the good fortune to sit down with Stu Block, lead singer of ICED EARTH before their tour stop in Worcester, MA. As their co-headlining tour of America was winding down, Stu was in a reflective mood where he talked about a great many subjects with us. We have rarely met someone as talented as Stu who was also so humble and appreciative of whatever has come his way in his career.
 Stu Block of ICED EARTH on stage at the Worcester Palladium. MAA: How has the tour been going?
SB: It’s going great! I mean, it is actually coming to an end, especially for the shows with SYMPHONY X. It’s been a great, great, awesome tour with SYMPHONY X and WARBRINGER. WARBRINGER are finishing it up all the way up to Joliet, IL. But it’s really fun. We’ve had a lot of great, fun times. A lot of festive occasions let’s say and it’s been great. We’ve all gotten along really good and the co-headlining thing has really worked out awesome. Everyone’s so good at what they do that everyone from the crew to the band, it’s really professional. So I’m happy.
MAA: How are the new songs from of Dystopia going over live so far?
SB: Yeah, the songs that we are playing live people are really digging. “Dark City” is a big hit, “V” is a big hit, of course “Dystopia” is a big hit. Those songs everyone’s singing the lyrics and all that kind of stuff. Even songs like “Days of Rage”- people are really getting into it, starting mosh pits and stuff like that. It’s really cool. So we’re getting a really good reaction.
 Dystopia was released last October, 17th.
MAA: Has the band talked about playing Dystopia in its entirety live?
SB: I think that’d be really cool too. And who knows, I’m sure we are going to all the songs live one day, but as far as front to back I don’t know. We’ll have to see. We’ll see what happens, because we’ve always got to do other records, we want to play those ones front to back too. But there’s so much material that ICED EARTH has, it’s so difficult. If it’s a special one or two night thing, something like that. That would be kind of cool.
MAA: What was the writing process like for you coming from you old band to working with Schaffer and company?
SB: Well, when I was brought on to be the singer he had made it quite clear from the initial phone call that he wanted a writing partner. He didn’t want just some one that can just sing what he comes up with. He needed, not that he needed the help, but I think it was just a relief off of him. Less things for him to deal with because he arranges the songs and writes the songs, and so I was able to contribute. I co-wrote ten songs on this album with him. I’m really proud of that and I think he is too. We grew as writing partners during the process of this album and the chemistry was really, really good. I mean we really had a great time doing it and I think we’re both excited to get to started writing the next record.
 Jon Schaffer leads the charge.
MAA: Who were the singers that inspired you to start singing in the first place?
SB: PHIL COLLINS, I mean was raised on that kind of stuff. I listened to a lot of FRANK SINATRA and stuff like that. Then I started getting into harder stuff. JIM GILLETTE was awesome for me and then of course BRUCE DICKINSON, ROB HALFORD. I loved all that high singer stuff, but I also liked DIO. Of course DIO for just the annunciation and just for the way he, the deliverance and the way he looked. He was so scary, but yet, majestic! (laughs) He did it all! But I don’t know, there were a lot of singers that really influenced me over time. But hey man I’m on tour with one of the singers I really look up to RUSSELL ALLEN. He’s a phenomenal, phenomenal vocalist, not just metal, but rock and roll. The ADRENALINE MOB, we’ve been listening to it non-stop, it’s really killer. It’s a killer record. There’s a lot of great singers that I’ve looked up to.
MAA: Have you ever considered doing an educational singing DVD or metal singing DVD?
SB: I don’t know. I don’t consider…. I just listed a bunch of great singers that should be doing instructional DVDs. I mean, I just do what I do. What I do want to do is- I’m sure there’s other people that can do it, but, I’ve toured it: hybrid-singing. How to transition death vocals to a clean vocal or transition from a death vocal to a high falsetto vocal and that kind of stuff, how to take care of your voice. I mean I’ve never really thought about doing a full-on instructional DVD. We’ll see. You never know. Maybe with a bunch of other cool singers that would be like a collaboration kind of thing, I can contribute what I can and we can all learn from each other.
MAA: Did you feel any pressure when you joined the band about following in the footsteps of two iconic talents?
SB: Yeah. I mean I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was some pressure, of course! But when Jon brought me on to be the singer, I just knew that he had the vision and he knew what he was talking about. He knows his fans better than anybody, better than anybody and when he chose me as a singer, he knew what he was doing. He saw something in me that he knew the fans would like. With him coaching me and of course Jim Morris of Morris Sound Studios. He was a really integral part and the whole process of the recording and the deliverance of vocals, more pitch, and being behind, or before the beat and there’s all sorts of little factors to be accounted for when you’re recording. I think he (Jon) saw something in that and I really worked with it. I came in there like I was a sponge, just ready to soak up any sort of knowledge that they could give me, because these guys have been doing this a long time. So I really, really was appreciative of that. So think that’s why it rang true, that the fans were accepting me in the way that they were. So I’m really really proud of that. I’m proud of this record and I’m going to be proud of all the stuff that we’re going to do together. It’s going to be great.
MAA: Have you kept track of INTO ETERNITY and what they are doing now?
SB: Sure, Tim Roth is my best at my wedding coming up this September, I mean, they’re all coming to my wedding and they’re all friends, and when I come home we’re all buddies. They’ve got to do as a band what they need to do, and Tim Roth is a driving force in that band and he will succeed. And if it has to be with another singer for right now then that’s what it has to be with. I’m doing ICED EARTH, I’m very dedicated to ICED EARTH right now, and, not even just right now, I’m very dedicated to this band. I fit in really well, not that I don’t in INTO ETERNITY, but it’s a different thing for me right now. But I love INTO ETERNITY, but it’s a whole different beast. It’s like comparing, apples to a date. I mean it’s totally different. I have very equal love for both bands. The INTO ETERNITY guys, we’ve done a lot together. I love each and every single one of them as my brothers and I would do anything for them. And I am very,very fastly becoming a great brotherhood with the ICED EARTH guys and we’re writing great music together, it’s awesome. But I have to do what I need to do, and this is a great step in my career. Now ICED EARTH can tour a lot, and we can go forward and conquer the world. I think it’s going to be amazing, and Jon is such a great visionary, he’s been doing this for a while and he knows what he’s talking about. The decisions he makes, he makes them for the better good. And he’s a very, very, very smart individual about a lot of things. I really look up to him. He’s a great human being. I’ve seen him take his ICED EARTH hoodie off of his back in Calgary and give it to a bum; I saw that. You know what I mean? And that’s the type of guy that he is. As for me I’m getting married, I want to make a good career doing this, and there’s a lot of sacrifices you need to make as a musician to do those things, but if you do them tactfully and you do them with love I think it all works out in the end.
MAA: No doubt! Thank you again for your time, good luck with the tour!
SB: Thank you man!
(Special thanks to Stu Block, Jon Schaffer, ICED EARTH, Century Media and Photos by Echoes In The Well)
by Keith (Keefy) Chachkes
Tags: bruce dickinson, Century Media Records, Concert Photos by Echoes In The Well, death growls, dystopia, falsetto singing, FRANK SINATRA, high pitch singing, Iced Earth, Into Eternity, JIM GILLETTE, Jim Morris, Jon Schaffer, metal interviews with Keefy, Morris Sound Studios, PHIL COLLINS, power metal, rob halford, rock and roll, ronnie james dio, Stu Block, Symphony X, thrash, Tim Roth, warbringer
Posted in Feature Interviews, Interviews | No Comments »
Thursday, April 5th, 2012
Téras (Century Media Records)
Five years after the release of their last album (which many consider their masterpiece) Harvest, Naglfar have finally released Téras. After just a few minutes into the album, you can clearly see where these guys stand in the metal world. There’s just something so much better when a musically talented black metal band records with good equipment instead of opting for that lo-fi crap some bands call music these days. This album can easily be considered their new masterpiece as it tops Harvest in every way.
The opener “Téras” is a melodic intro into the abyss you will soon find yourself. “Pale Horse” is when things get real. Ferocious music that is compromised of blast beats and guitars that almost go into progressive territory, yet doesn’t. Pretty noteworthy that guitarists Nilsson and Norman have found that fine line between the two genres and doesn’t cross it. It covers both old school and modern black metal as well. The first forty seconds of the song are done in the old school style with off beat drums and mood setting guitars. Then Wrath kicks in with an echoed scream before all hell breaks loose. His vocals are second to none in the black metal world and are a force of their own.
Just when you think all stops were pulled on the first track, “III: Death Dimension Phantasma” proves wrong. While Dirk Verbeuran was only the session drummer for the album, he fits perfectly with the band with his tenacity to go one hundred percent with the flow of the band. Their use of transitions between different musical sections within the song flows like water while encompassing a phenomenal range. Then halfway in the song, there’s a haunting and talented solo that gives away to a heavy bass driven verse that’s rarely seen in black metal, yet it’s done in that style.
One line they arguably crossed slightly over into is the thrash realm in “An Extension Of His Arm And Will.” It follows closely with old school Celtic Frost type of thrash, but giving it more of a heavier black metal makeover. The opening guitar lines just bring you back to 80’s thrash in terms of tone, until Dirk’s insane drumming skills kick into gear and lay waste to everything (in a good way of course). Wrath’s vocals are a tad lower than usual, which fits this particular song perfectly.
Téras is easily one of the greatest black metal albums ever made. In terms of all the grounds it covers with its innovativeness and musical design, its decades of black metal rolled into one epic package. You would be a fool to pass up listening to this album. Go pick up a copy at the CM Distro link below and do treat yourself to something amazing.
Grade: A+
By: Ridge “Deadite” Briel
Tags: Andreas Nilsson, black metal, Century Media Records, Deadite, Dirk Verbeuran, Kristoffer "Wrath" Olivius, Marcus "Vargher" Norman, Naglfar, reviews by Ridge, Téras
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Thursday, March 22nd, 2012
Urd (Century Media Records)
Black metal blended with power metal is the best way to describe Borknagar’s latest album Urd. In a nutshell, it has the distorted guitars and the type of drum tone that is typical with black metal, mixed with epic singing and musical compositions that is synonymous with power metal. But the singing isn’t all power metal, it switches to a echoing growl to really mix it up.
It’s like as though the singing brings the light within the songs, and the growls bring the darkness. Case in such, “Epochalypse.” For the most part, the music (mainly the drums) is constant, with only slight differences that transcends into the two singing styles, with the guitars on a tremolo picking binge. Some slight synths help build up the epic singing whenever it’s shown as well. It’s probably the best track of the album and is a great way to show exactly what these guys have to offer.
Starting off with a dismal mood setting guitar lick, “Roots” soon moves into minimal guitar, drums and piano driven music that then switches into rapid drumming. With certain musical hits that gives away the transition between the two singing styles before it, making this track pretty predictable. But predictable is good in their case, as one couldn’t see this type of music making anything too spastic. It would take away from the magic they make here. A high note guitar solo accompanies this song about three minutes forty five seconds into the track as well, which gives away into a beautiful guitar string strumming little ditty, which shows the vocals and drums working as one.
The song “The Earthling” moves at a doom metal pace with black metal guitar tone, along with droning singing that gives off an ambient setting. There’s lots of experimentation that you can tell the band was playing with in the studio, mainly in the random guitar notes and chords that seem thrown together, yet compliment each other perfectly.
This album isn’t for everyone, but it’s a great and wholly unique album nonetheless. The music is well written and very tightly composed. The random arrangement of other instruments, such as the violins in “The Plains Of Memories” and the piano in “Roots” without it all crossing over is unique in nature. If you’re an open minded individual, give this album a shot and see what you think.
Grade: B
By: Ridge “Deadite” Briel
Tags: black metal, borknagar, Century Media Records, Deadite, epic metal, power metal, reviews by Ridge, Urd
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Thursday, March 8th, 2012
Utilitarian (Century Media)
Utilitarian is one hell of a album. From the extra heavy and doom-ish intro “Circumspect” to the insane and random noises inserted in the song “Random Pox,” they bring genuine, authentic grindcore to people who are so bent on the next breakdown it’s pathetic. “Circumspect” is something that Napalm Death has never done before and must be experienced through surround sound.
But that ends when they through you in the grind pit with “Errors In The Signals.” Insane riffs and spastic guitars are rounded off with the intense drumming that Danny Herrera brings to the table. It’s perhaps the most retro ND track on the album as it has a lot of the same influences that classic albums like Scum had. It’s refreshing to know that these guys can still make the same kind of music and not run out of new directions to bend and twist the grindcore genre to their liking.
Best song on the album goes to “Protection Racket.” Probably the most sinister sounding song on the album, it reflects grindcore with an infusion of d-punk that makes a somewhat more straight forward song structure. Of course, it’s about as straight forward as Napalm Death can get. It has that raw and gritty old school punk sound with more new school punk bass and grindcore guitars. Could this be considered G-Punk? With more of the growling vocals as opposed to the shrieking vocals, it brings forth pure mayhem that are followed by the chaotic drums later in the track.
This record is chock full of some of Napalm Death’s finest songs ever. Easily one of their best albums to date, you would be a fool to miss out on this.
Grade: A
By: Ridge “Deadite” Briel
Tags: Century Media Records, D-Punk, Deadite, Death Metal, Grindcore, napalm death, reviews by Ridge
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