Revolution
[Wewelburg-rec]
Ein Fuhrer
[Arisches Reich Productions]
"B.Z.L.T.B."
[Micetrap Records]
Vart Svenska Lynne
[Nordvind Records]
Here We Are
[Pit Records]
Last Act of War
[Hate Division Records]
Circle of Blood
[V7 Records]
Life Beyond the Grave 1992-1994
[Elegy Records]
The Devourer of All
[self release-promo]
Carnival Arcane
[Linfaldia Records]
Devil's Breath
[Bigmud Records]
Redrumorder
[self]
On Wings of Defiance
[Barbarian Wrath]
The Godslayer
[self-release]
Witchhouse
[Necrophilia Orgasm]
[Hand-numbered to 50 copies]
Enodia is a dark ambient project from Germany. The opening track 'The First Night' sets off this 11 track release well. In the background of 'The First Night' are strange, unsettling sounds, a sort of animal wining/whimpering noise, just barely discernable, but enough to blanket the track in eerie ambience. Another good track is 'Like Butterflies in a Spiderweb', with its ghostly female voices. It is evident that a lot of work and creativity went into this, missing from so many bands these days. This release is full of strange, dark energies, ominous and complex. The look and feel of the layout and artwork is also interesting, with its burned out houses and peeling missing children posters. An interesting release.
[Back]
[CD]
Breathless
[Madamadore Publishing - Discographic]
Hailing from Tuscany, in the land of the Romans, 80's sounding metal must be very popular in Italy, because I have heard many as of late from this country. The first track is unintentionally funny, as the vocalist chants 'Jigga-boo, jigga boom boom' Ha! I wonder if he knows that this is a racial slur in America? Although this is not my cup-of-tea, its remarkable how many talented Italian bands there are. Musically, this band is very good at playing their instruments and song-writing and is not short of talent. But alas, its hard for me to review stuff like this because it is not my forte. Maybe it is yours? In that case, enjoy the Sushi Rain but watch out for the salmonella!
The Prophecy
[self-produced ©2011]
From Centurian, South Africa, come Octainium. This was actually the third CD that was sent to us for review before we finally got it, such is the thieving mail system there. But South Africa has a lot of problems other than the mail system! Well, it was worth all the trouble. Octainium is a very tight, technical and aggressive sounding band. I was impressed from the beginning with this CD's melodic heaviness and death metal vocals. And unlike many bands these days, the periodic clean vocals found here are actually well done, not distracting. The singer's voice has great range and feeling. The intelligent lyrics deal with important topics, not only regarding the immense problems of South Africa, but the world. My favorite tracks are actually those that focus a little more on the clean vocals-they are that good, but the heavier tracks are good in their own right. This is a fairly young band, still unsigned, which is remarkable to me, and probably won't be unsigned for long. Bands like this stand above the endless legions of bands these days. While there are unpolished bits here and there, that is found with any young band, but as a whole this is a great release which shows outstanding promise.
[CD liner]
Poinium Cherem
[self-produced ©2012]
Now here is a strange one. But first, the details. Hailing from The United States-Alabama to be precise, comes the one man band of Babylon Mystery Orchestra, done by a guy named Sidney Allen Johnson. The creator of this is a very angry Christian who has a bone to pick with planet Earth! I know this sounds funny, and ironic, but if Christians really believed what they professed they would all be angry like our Sidney here. But first, what does it sound like?
Well, kind of a metal sound, with melodic guitars, but harshly spoken vocals, or perhaps narration would be a better word. It is full of angry biblical quotations and political and sociological protest. Much of the themes explored here any intelligent person could agree with. Topics like anti-Communism, government oppression, dwindling personal freedoms, modern man's stupendous ego and the celebration of homo this and homo that.
In today's diseased society criticizing these topics is taboo and controversial. I can't imagine many Christians enjoy the works of Babylon Mystery Orchestra, many of them would probably be terrified of it in fact. Not just of the harsh vocal style and heavy music, but mostly of one of their own coming out and having the balls to speak out against this decaying world.
I leave you with the words of Mr. Johnson, from the track 'Seething.'
'Everybody's got an axe to grind, Homosexual speak your mind
Fill your screams with "equal rights" and turn the truth into a lie
Lesbians kiss at the school prom and little Suzy's got two moms
The incorruptible is made corrupt, so don't be shocked by what errupts
A self loathing parade of pride, a bearded man is called a bride
You play the victim of false oppression, it justifies your ill obsession'
[CD liner]