Give them the Maryland seal of quality while the ink’s still wet, fellas, because that state can do no wrong as far as quality extreme music. From the Deathgrind virtuosos MISERY INDEX, to the indomitable DYING FETUS, and the fast growing Hardcore act COKE BUST, it’s safe to say that STRONG INTENTION will naturally follow suit and be awesome. the only thing I’d change about this release is the cover art, but that’s a rant I’ll save for someone more judgmental than I. SI have been around since the mid-nineties, but mysteriously haven’t gotten as big as their aforementioned contemporaries. Something went highly amiss, as their mixture of CHARLES BRONSON/SPAZZ style Powerviolence with the new-school Thrash sound that’d find a home on the latest TOXIC HOLOCAUST joint, alongside a hearty dose of Southern fried Sludge should have hooked this godless country by the nose.
This EP immediately opens up with its title track, a Sludgy number with Mike Williams of EYEHATEGOD infamy performing the bulk of the vocals. It dips in and out of a Thrashcore inflected MAGRUDERGRIND vibe, which is honestly something I didn’t think that Mike Williams would ever sign up for, being accustomed to muggy, heroin induced grooves that can only be properly born south of Virginia. Mike’s on top form as far as sounding angry and acrawl with various diseases, so this change of speed actually suits him, and I’d like to see him (and any other willing Southern Metal vocalists) try it more often.
“Messiah Whore” begins immediately with the musical equivalent of artillery rounds entering your home while you sleep. Here they also showcase a bit of Death Metal influence as well as their dirty brand of what I’ll dub Grindviolence, with punishing blasts and sporting a riff that sounds not unlike some I’ve heard on EXHUMED’s Anatomy Is The Destiny. The breakdown is highly reminiscent of some I’ve heard by MISERY INDEX, which is not odd, as bands in that area seem to swap sounds as bored teenagers sexually transmitted infections. A solid track overall, and probably one of the standouts.
“Holes In The Wall” boasts a more straightforward Crossover style; think of the vocalist of BANE if he jammed with the band members of PUNCH and MUNICIPAL WASTE. The riffs that kick in at the very end are probably the most melodic thing to happen on the album, as they point towards SI’s ability to lock into killer grooves. I was a bit sad to see this track end so abruptly, as it promised a bit more variation from a mental nailbombing, but instead leads to the next track.
Mike Williams appears also on “3rd Space Gorilla Generator”, which is a title that shall give me nightmares for years to come. Pure DADA. This one’s a bit more by the numbers Hardcore, with the vocals being more like Jay Randall of AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED. Aside from a small Sludge section where Mike steps up to the mic to howl in pain, it’s pure circle-pit mayhem.
“Rat Factory” continues the vocal tradition of the last track, which gives me the impression that either the vocalist’s larynx morphed over the course of the EP, or someone else stepped in due to an unfortunate neck-related incident. Curious indeed. This track is the second shortest, but packes a helluva punch, with a breakdown at the end that could knock down buildings.
“Slaughter Intelligence” is quite similar to the last track, but ends much more abruptly at only 54 seconds as opposed to “Rat Factory”s even minute. It makes me almost go against my very instincts, which aren’t a fan of the slow, 3-4 minute down-tempo tracks that Hardcore influenced bands usually toss in, often at the end of their releases, but this band actually made me hunger for one. Yes, EPs are short, but this was almost demo length, and was the equivalent of being given a handy when you expected whole night in Paris. That was gross, and I sincerely apologize.
The Verdict: It becomes more of a teaser than an actual appetizer for an album, but overall it’s still a sweet treat from the balmy climes of Maryland.
USA and Canada peeps (only), we’ve got your last chance to win free tickets to see the SHOCKWAVE 2012 TOUR from Metal Army. It will be this MondayTODAY on our Facebook page. We appreciate everyone who has participated so far so thank you for supporting us. We’ve listened to you folks after the last round and to make things easier on you, the last stage of the contest will be on our Facebook page. No private messaging, no hoops to jump through, other than a trivia question. Check our Facebook page at 12 Noon TODAY (6/25) PST to enter to win. Yes, it will still be a trivia question, because we can’t make it that easy, now can we? I think not! If you want to see FEAR FACTORY, VOIVOD, CATTLE DECAPITATION, MISERY INDEX, HAVOK, along with, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, & THE BROWNING. Check back here often, Like us on our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter too and share with all of your friends to increase your chances of winning.
USA and Canada peeps (only), we’ve got your next chance to win free tickets to see the SHOCKWAVE 2012 TOUR is right the fuck right now! Just answer this weeks’ metal trivia question to win a pair of tickets to see FEAR FACTORY, VOIVOD, CATTLE DECAPITATION, MISERY INDEX, REVOCATION, HAVOK, along with DIRGE WITHIN, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, VILDHJARTA, THE BROWNING & FORGED IN FLAME. Check back here often, Like us on our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter too and share with all of your friends to increase your chances of winning.
WEEK TWO QUESTION: How many songs does PARADISE LOST have with the word Goth in the title?
This is a question that will likely make Nick Holmes frown or Greg Mackintosh punch me in the goddamn face. Sorry guys! Think you know the answer? Here are the rules so you can win the tickets:
2. Share our page with all of your friends on Facebook! Extra points for sharing on Twitter too!
3. PRIVATE MESSAGE us your answer. Posting your answer on our timeline gets you disqualified and we will make fun of you for being illiterate.
4. Be creative! Post a pic with the answer! Corpse paint it up! Write us a short, epic poem! Shred a keytar solo! Growl the answer at us, being all kvlt! Thinking outside of the box gets you the tickets.
5. Again, the winners are being picked randomly, so try to catch our attention. The winning entry will get posted on our timeline too!
6. USA and CANADA entries only this time, eh. Sorry, but that is where the tour is going. Also, look at the tour dates on the poster above and make sure you can get to the show in your area before hand. Next time we’ll try to include the rest of the world. We swear on Adrian Erlandsson’s drumsticks!
Your next chance to win free tickets to see the SHOCKWAVE 2012 TOUR is this Monday! Just answer our metal trivia question to win a pair of tickets to see FEAR FACTORY, VOIVOD, CATTLE DECAPITATION, MISERY INDEX, REVOCATION, HAVOK, along with DIRGE WITHIN, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, VILDHJARTA, THE BROWNING & FORGED IN FLAME. Check back here often, Like us on our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter too and share with all of your friends to increase your chances of winning. Don’t miss out, check back Monday 6/18 at 12 Noon PST.
Now is your first chance to win a FREE ticket for you and one friend to get into to one of this summer’s biggest metal tours- SHOCKWAVE! Once a week for the next three weeks we are giving away one pair of tickets to see this tour featuring FEAR FACTORY, VOIVOD, CATTLE DECAPITATION, MISERY INDEX, REVOCATION, HAVOK, along with DIRGE WITHIN, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, VILDHJARTA, THE BROWNING & FORGED IN FLAME. All you have to do is answer a simple, (but far from easy) trivia question and follow the rules below to enter and win. Winners will be chosen at random, so please no whining and crying if you don’t win, because there is no crying in metal!
So without further ado….here is this weeks’ question….
WEEK ONE QUESTION: At any one time, what is the largest number of members DYING FETUS has ever had?
That’s not a super-stumper, but it’s no gimme either. No jokes about the wording of “largest” and ”members” and DYING FETUS together or John Gallagher will personally come to your house and stomp you out. Okay, no he won’t. Think you know the answer? Here are the rules so you can win the tickets:
2. Share our page with all of your friends on Facebook! Extra points for sharing on Twitter too!
3. PRIVATE MESSAGE us your answer. Posting your answer on our timeline gets you disqualified and we will make fun of you for being illiterate.
3. Be creative! Post a pic with the answer! Corpse paint it up! Write us a short, epic poem! Shred a keytar solo! Growl the answer at us, being all kvlt! Thinking outside of the box gets you the tickets.
4. Again, the winners are being picked randomly, so try to catch our attention. The winning entry will get posted on our timeline too!
5. USA and Canada entries only this time folks. Sorry, but that is where the tour is going. Next time we’ll try to include the rest of the world. We swear on the precious!
Good luck and make sure to pay a visit to SHOCKWAVE’s Facebook page and website too. Tell them how excited you are for the tour and that Metal Army America sent ya!
Now is your first chance to win a FREE ticket for you and one friend to get into to one of this summer’s biggest metal tours- SHOCKWAVE! Once a week for the next three weeks we are giving away one pair of tickets to see this tour featuring FEAR FACTORY, VOIVOD, CATTLE DECAPITATION, MISERY INDEX, REVOCATION, HAVOK, along with DIRGE WITHIN, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, VILDHJARTA, THE BROWNING & FORGED IN FLAME. All you have to do is answer a simple, (but far from easy) trivia question and follow the rules below to enter and win. Winners will be chosen at random, so please no whining and crying if you don’t win, because there is no crying in metal!
So without further ado….here is this weeks’ question….
WEEK ONE QUESTION: At any one time, what is the largest number of members DYING FETUS has ever had?
That’s not a super-stumper, but it’s no gimme either. No jokes about the wording of “largest” and ”members” and DYING FETUS together or John Gallagher will personally come to your house and stomp you out. Okay, no he won’t. Think you know the answer? Here are the rules so you can win the tickets:
2. Share our page with all of your friends on Facebook! Extra points for sharing on Twitter too!
3. PRIVATE MESSAGE us your answer. Posting your answer on our timeline gets you disqualified and we will make fun of you for being illiterate.
3. Be creative! Post a pic with the answer! Corpse paint it up! Write us a short, epic poem! Shred a keytar solo! Growl the answer at us, being all kvlt! Thinking outside of the box gets you the tickets.
4. Again, the winners are being picked randomly, so try to catch our attention. The winning entry will get posted on our timeline too!
5. USA and Canada entries only this time folks. Sorry, but that is where the tour is going. Next time we’ll try to include the rest of the world. We swear on the precious!
Good luck and make sure to pay a visit to SHOCKWAVE’s Facebook page and website too. Tell them how excited you are for the tour and that Metal Army America sent ya!
Metal Army America is teaming up with Red Rocket Entertainment to bring you a contest with your chance to win free tickets to see the SHOCKWAVE 2012 TOUR! Some of the genres best bands such as FEAR FACTORY, VOIVOD, CATTLE DECAPITATION, MISERY INDEX, REVOCATION, HAVOK, along with DIRGE WITHIN, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, VILDHJARTA, THE BROWNING & FORGED IN FLAME are hitting the road, crisscrossing the US and Canada to kick your punk ass ears in every night. You are gonna need to put your metal thinking caps on, because this contest is a trivia contest. Fear not troops, you will have three, count `em three chances to win before the end of June. Check back here often, and on our Facebook page and our Twitter account too and share with all of your friends to increase your chances of winning each week starting this Monday 6/11 at 12 Noon PST.
The first death metal masterpiece of 2012 has arrived and just for laughs it tells tales of the end of life as we know it. Would you expect anything less from ABORTED and their twisted mastermind Sven DeCaluwé? With few exceptions, I have been anticipating this album above all others for the first quarter of new metal releases. If you are like me and you have waited patiently for ABORTED to drop a new record, your faith will be rewarded in blood and body parts. They are back to satiate your hunger for all things gore and eardrum damage inducing aural punishment!
The opening track “Omega Mortis” is a portend of what’s to come with panicked news reports talking of the war, zombies, plagues and famine decimating the earth. The eerie music sets the tone for the mountainous riffs that are about to fall on your head. The title track lurches to life like a real monster ripping his restrains off and murdering the entire lab. As soon Ken Bedene’s (ex-ABIGAIL WILLIAMS) insanely fast double kick beats lift off and the main riff kicks in, it becomes a musical clusterfuck, in a good way. Svencho decries the state of mankind and its swift descent into oblivion over the course of a little over three minutes of crazy blast-beats and grooves. As usual Sven’s vocals are harsh, yet he is one of the most understandable vocalists in all of metal. This to me is a plus since he is a gifted wordsmith. Track three is the single, “The Origin of Disease”. The song is a non-stop blast and gore fest with Julien Trunchan of BENIGHTED joining in for some sick duel lead vocals. In addition to some cool distorted bass lines from JB Van Der Wal, the track features some stunning work from guitarist Eran Segal who shines throughout the album. Segal is joined by Bedene’s old band mate Mike Wilson who also jams out, contributed some songs. “Coronary Reconstruction” gets a savage face-lift and is now more brutal than the EP version. The shift between Sven’s shrill scream and low howls is terrific and the solos by Segal are some of the many highlights for me here. He has really stepped up and asserted himself in the band as a writer and as a player. “Fecal Forgery” and “Of Scabs and Boils” both have a certain grindcore flavor with the later occasional revealing crust/grind beats and almost punk rock chords. Don’t worry though, the bands penchant for breakdowns, quintuple-time endings and the occasional bass drop are all still intact. My favorite track on the album is “Vermicular, Obscene, Obese” and features Trevor Strnad of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. The two master level front men working against each other is just madness. The track is so rough that when it breaks in to a brutal, near hard rock type groove, it just works. “Expurgation Euphoria” is slow and demented sounding like a bad trip. The piano part at the end is really haunting and lonely. Coming right back with “From A Tepid Whiff”, we have the other top track from the EP, ratcheted up with 100% evil density. “The Kallinger Theory” is another grind and groove workout. Other top tracks include “Our Father Who Art Feces” featuring Keijo Niimimaa from ROTTEN SOUND, “Grime” featuring Jason Netherton of MISERY INDEX and the nihilistic guitar-epic closer “Endstille”. Everything you love about this band is present on this recording from the songs, Jacob Hansen’s production and the gross artwork. Even the bonus tracks rule! What a treat for old and new fans a like.
Somehow, this slipped through the cracks! This video is fucking incredible, as is SKELETONWITCH! Check them out this winter with JOB FOR A COWBOY and MISERY INDEX and pick up their latest album, ‘Breathing the Fire’, OUT NOW!
It is with heavy hearts that we report on the recent announcement that RELAPSE RECORDS’ European office and warehouse building burnt to the ground on the morning of Wednesday, September 2nd in the Netherlands. While no one was injured, the entire office (and other complexes in the area) were completely destroyed.
The METAL ARMY AMERICA family would like to extend our condolences to RELAPSE, their employees, artists and more! We are sure they will rebound from this and continue to deliver some of the most punishing records of 2011 and beyond!
