Destroyer 666
Phoenix Rising 
[Seasons of Mist]
Destroyer 666
Phoenix Rising
[Seasons of Mist]
Solace Denied
self titled
[self-financed]
Coming from London, this self-financed demo MCD from Solace Denied, which many of you probably are unfamiliar with. The music itself is a mixture of mid-paced black/death, all of which is done and presented very well. Further, the music is catchy and memorable, the latter somewhat of a rarity it seems these days. The second song of the four is a cover of their country mates Iron Maiden, 'Flight of Icarus,' which as far as death/black metal bands doing remakes which obviously sound very different from the heavy metal originals, I'd say it's an interesting remake. The remaining two songs are fast and furious, well-played and arranged, making this quite an impressive demo. There are many diverse influences apparent here as well, put together extremely well. A great demo which comes very recommended.
Immemoreal
Toward 1347
[self-financed]
From Sweden, Immemoreal play extremely fast and aggressive black metal. With a pretty typical Swedish sound for a BM band, they do however play and present the music very well, although it's not very high on the memorable side of things. This is their third demo afterwhich they have signed to Blackend/Plastichead, so we'll see where they go from here.
Ravens over Gomorrah
Darkly Melisma
[DEMO]
A less-known band from the USA, Ravens over Gomorrah was formed by ex-members of Noctuary and Summoned in 1996. This is their second demo (recorded in August 1999), consisting of three songs, entitled 'Darkly Melisma.' The style of this band isn't typical, it is very far reaching, from violently fast to acoustic slow. Their are a lot of moments in this recording which give glimpses to the bands vast potential, yet I'm left with the feeling that they have yet to find their direction or definite style, which is normal for a demo. Currently songs are being written for a new album, which will be interesting to hear their progress. Definitely a band to look out for in 2001.
Temnozer
Sorcery is Strengthening the Black Glory of Rus'
Himinbjorg
Third
Cabal
Midian
Yamatu
Dalkhu Zilittu
[DEMO-Stellar Winter Records]
This demo from Russia was recommended to me as a great black metal band. Great it is indeed. It is also one of the best black metal demo's I have heard in a very long time, no exaggerating, that is how refreshing and interesting this band is. The nine tracks contain an array of elements, from vicious black metal style vocals, to some of the BEST clean sung vocals I've personally ever heard come out of the underground. All lyrics and vocals in Russian, which is rather unique to these ears. Keyboards, flute, lot's of variation, each song has its own characteristics with no two sounding alike. A fabulous work. Reccomended! If you order but one demo a year, this is the one to obtain!
[Red Stream]
On this MCD Himinbjorg return with a slower and tighter work than before, although the songs do pick up to mid-paced as the disc plays. It's not quite the mesh of styles and directions of the latter, it seems more focused. Track five 'The Moment' seems to shine the brightest, with a great feel. The negative aspect of this is I can't help but feel they are heading in a more mainstream, softer direction. The cover graphics and title even seem to lead one to this vibe. The last song, cleanly sung, is quite unimpressive, it does not sound like it should even be near this CD. However, I would say Himinbjorg have improved here, but there are certain elements of this release which they decline. If they could polish what they do best they might be something quite great, like their past releases, there is a lot of energy here.
[Red Stream]
This CD, recorded back in 1990 at Morrisound Studio, features Killjoy of Necrophagia on vocals. I'm not sure if this was released before on another label back then or what, but Red Stream released it this time around in digipack format. Sound wise, it's definitely got an early 90's death/thrash sound and feel. Its sound is kind of a mixture of early Slayer/Atheist... I must say, it is done impressively well. It is unfortunate that this was recorded over ten years ago, this being the one and only recording, because the more I'm listening to this, the better it sounds. An overlooked vision back into a glorious era of metal. Impressive and recommended!
[Ultima Comparatio Productions]
You might know the sole musician of this band by his works under another name with the great band ...The Soil Bleeds Black. Let us begin by saying, Yamatu is like day to night as compared to T.S.B.B.. This CDR, the 'Abridged Edition' is ultra limited to 50 hand-numbered copies. It comes in a black booklet form, with pages explaining its conception and aim, done richly on parchment-like paper. Once again, the high standards and ability of this artist are amazing. Finally, to the music... it is quite dark, atmospheric, raw and mood-setting. The vocals that stretch throughout this recording are varied, but might fit into a raspy black metal vein, yet retaining a uniqueness. In its entirety, this is one of the best ambient projects I've heard come out of America. The 'Abridged Version' will be released in 2001 by Baphomet Records.
Zyklon
World ov Worms
Failed Humanity
The Sound of Razors through Flesh
Extreme Noise Terror
Being and Nothing
Rites of thy Degringolade
The Caryatid
Disinter
The Beauty of Suffering
Disinter
Welcome to Oblivion
Benighted
Harbingers of the Victorium Aeternus
[Candlelight]
Supposedly, this is 'a new band, and not a reincarnation of Samoth's old project Zyklon-B.' Although it isn't confirmed, it probably wouldn't be admitted either, the obvious reasons behind this statement issued on the CD. Zyklon-B got a lot of slack because of the infamous name they chose to represent the band. So it appears they changed it to avoid those problems. If this is true, you don't need me to tell you that was a weak decision. Samoth seems to have undergone a name change as well, now he's 'Zamoth,' OK, sure whatever. The inner CD sleeve reveals yet another lame pose with a band member brandishing a handgun. Finally... to the music. After all the negative criticism so far, I can begin by saying this actually is pretty good, at least a lot of it is. Not only that, but this CD is probably one of SAMOTH's best works in recent years, forget about all the other boring releases he's taken part in. It's quite fast and aggressive, extremely varied and ever changing. Still not exactly my style however.
[Candlelight]
Although this is the first I've heard of this band, the bio says they were conceived in 1994. This CD is quite typical of early 90's death metal, but without that edge. The vocals of deep and guttural, like early Cannibal Corpse. There is nothing really too catchy here or memorable. Is it bad? Not at all. But it suffers from the same problem many, many bands from all genres suffer from. It is good to hear a straightforward death metal band though, done right, it's just not too exciting anymore when you've heard it all so many times before.
[Candlelight]
Founded in 1986, this band sports quite a history of performances and band-changes. The experience shows at times, at others its just more bland death metal. Vocal wise, it has indecipherable growls and the screeching style additions Chris Barnes made a trend with his later Cannibal Corpse releases. All in all I think death metal fans will not find anything new in this release, yet it will satisfy during this rather long period of wait for something more fierce and original.
[Self financed]
You might be familiar with Rites of thy Degringolade if you know of Paulus' past participation in the great Canadian band Sacramentary Abolishment (RIP). He is the sole musician on this seven song CD. I've been wanting to hear this band for some time after learning about it through his ex-band mate from S.A. who is now doing Axis of Advance. To begin, I was not disappointed at all. This CD is crude, harsh and raw, the way it was obviously intended, and contains a very unconventional approach to this genre (with a sound somewhat akin to black metal). One cannot readily compare it with others, which is refreshing. There seems to be a strange vibe accompanying this CD which is hard to pinpoint, although many bizzare styles of music/voice and sounds are within this release, I think moreso the entirety of this release is very unconventional. A welcome release. Reccomended!
[United Gutteral Records]
This five song shaped MCD features five songs from Chicago's Disinter. Two of these songs appear on their next CD Welcome to Oblivion, which is reviewed next. The others tracks, an instrumental which opens the CD, a track called 'With the Blood' much in the same high caliber brutal death metal as the two from 'Welcome to Oblivion,' and lastly a keyboard based track, which wasn't very remarkable. As I'll say below in the review of the full length, these band shines brightest when they concentrate at what they're very good at: Death Metal. Sometimes they seem to add too many frills, like samples, but this isn't much of a problem for this great band to overcome.
[United Gutteral Records]
From Chicago comes Disinter, a yet widely unknown band playing a mix of death and black metal, fortunately leaning a bit more on the former style of death metal, as that seems to be where there strength lies. Welcome to Oblivion has many strengths, song writing, the bands musical talents, great production... most importantly, it is not boring like so many other releases these days. There is a definate sharp edge to this band which slices through hundreds of others in this genre. My only complaint would be the 'black metal' style voice utilized sometimes in this recording, personally I think it distracts, but not too terribly. Disinter is impressive, talented and highly reccomended to any death metal fan!
[Arcadia Productions]
A handful of great bands hail from North Carolina, bands like Demoncy and Darkmoon, etc.. and while Benighted aren't quite up to the caliber of the mentioned two, they are quite proficient in what they do. Benighted basically play a keyboard laced style of mid-paced black metal, with a bit of female voice sometimes, fortunately not too often, as it didn't seem to fit. This six song release ends with a great cover of Bathory's 'Satan my Master.' Overall a good release and definately a band to keep an eye on. Visit the webpage of their label at:
Merrimack
Horns Defeat Horns rehearsal
Ork
Blessed by Evil
[CDR]
Another great black metal band from France, while not yet very well known, Merrimack stands with the best of them when it comes to raw and primative black metal. Although the CDR we recieved is only a rehearsal, one can easily witness the energy and viciousness of what is to come. This should be released sometime soon on Drakkar Records. Much anticipated and recommended!
[Folter Records]
From Bulgaria on Germany's Folter Records, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this band and was pleasantly surprised. The name seems rather odd, but this is great black metal through and through. Indeed, I have no negative criticism at all really for this band. It's interesting, balanced and all around a great band which I'm pleased to have been introduced to. Not your typical and sure to please many. Recommended.
