Listenable Records/2011 Sampler Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  sampler  from  Listenable  Records  that  came  out  in  2011  and we  will  review  the  songs  one  by  one.

  Starting  of  the  compilation  is  Tornado  with  "Hate  Worldwide"  a  song  that  is  very  much  in  the  early  80's  power  metal  vein  which  sounds  like  it  could  of  been  recorded  back  then  since  there  was  nothing  modern  about  it.

  Next  up is  Gojira  with  "Yamas  Messengers"  a  groove/death  metal  hybrid  song  that  is  to  mainstream  for  my  liking  but  would  appeal  to  fans  of  this  style.

  Next  up  is  Stephan  Forte  with  "Duat"  an  instrumental  metal/hard  rock  hybrid  song  that  mixes  in  the  heaviness  of  groove  metal  to  update  the  instrumental  metal/hard  rock  genre.

  Next  up  is  Sarah  Jezebel  Deva  with  "The  World  Wont Hold  Your  Head"  a  symphonic  gothic  metal  song  from  the  album  that  came  out  a  few  months  back.

  Next  up  is  Betraying  The  Martyrs  with  "Martyrs"  a  symphonic  brutal  technical/death  metal  which   is  very  different  sounding  and  while  it  has  its  brutal  elements  the  nu  and  groove  metal  influences  ruin  the  song.

  Next  up  is  Katana  with  "Phoenix  On  Fire"  a  hard  rock/metal  sound  that  would  appeal  to  fans  of  hair,  traditional  and  power  metal  since it  mixes  elements  from  all  of  those  genres  and  this  song  could  of  easily  came  out  in  the  80's  but  generic  sounding  compared  to  the  better  bands  of  that  era.

  Next  up  is  Svart  Crown  with  "Into  A  Demential  Sea"  a  brutal  black/death  metal  hybrid  song  which  is  a  very  great  song  and  an  improvement  from  the  other  songs  I  previously  mentioned.

  Next  up is  Hate  with  "Lux  Aeturna"  a  great  and  brutal  occult  death  metal song  with  a  blackened  edge.

  Next  up  is  Heavenwood  with  "Once  A  Burden"  an  atmospheric  gothic/doom/death  metal  song  which  is  another  great  addition  to  the  compilation.

  Next  up  is  Izegrim  with  "Deathstrip"  a  brutal  melodic  death  metal/thrash  hybrid  song   that  came  of  their  recent  album ,  another  great  song  for  this  compilation.
 
  Next  up  is  Kruger  with  "Villians"  a  mainstream  sounding  groove/stoner  metal  song  which  is  not  really  my  style.

  Next  up  is  Panzerchrist  with  "Impact"  another  great  brutal  sounding  death  metal  song  with  a  blackened  edge.

  Next  up is  Tormented  with  "Come  Back  From  The  Dead"  a  very  great  classic  sounding  Swedish  style  death  metal  song.

  Next  up  is  Order  Of  Apollyon  with  "Never"  a  very  great  and  brutal  sounding  occult  blackened  death  metal  song.

  Next  up  is  Cavus  with  "Death  Rattle'  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  primitive  black  metal  song.

  Next  up  is  77  High  Decibels  with  a  song  that  sounds  like  an  AC/DC  rip  off  with  an  influence  from  NWOBHM.

  Next  up  is  Darkane  with  a  live  version  of  "Convicted"  a  very  brutal  and  melodic  sounding  death/thrash  metal  song.

  Next  up  is  Livarkahil  with  "Flesh Of  The  Damned"  a  brutal  blackened  death  metal  song  that  has  a  metalcore  edge  to  it.

  Next  up  is  Electric  mary  with  "OIC"  another  classic  sounding  hard  rock/metal  song.

  Next  up  is  The  Red  Shore  with  "The  Seed  Of  Annihilation"  another  decent  sounding  technical/brutal  death  metal  song.

  The  Order  Of  Apollyon  return  with  "Word"  another  great  brutal  blackened  death  metal  song  from  this  band.

  Closing  this  sampler  is  Serpent  Cult  with  "Growth  Of  The  Soil"  another  great  sludge/doom  metal  song  from  this  band.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  an  ok  sampler  from  Listenable  Records  with  some  good  songs  as  well  as  some  songs  that  where  not  great,  and  while  I  would  not  spend  money  on  a  compilation  like  this,  I  would  still  add  it  to  my  collection  and  go  out  and  buy  albums  from  the  decent  bands  on  this  compilation  which  I  already  own  most  of  the  albums  on  this  recording.  

  

Revel In Flesh/Deathevokation/FDA Rekotz/2012 CD Review

  Revel  In  Flesh  are  a  band  from Germany  that  plays  a  very  brutal  form  of  Swedish  style  death  metal  without  sounding  like  a  copy  of  that  scene  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Deathevokation"  which  was  released  by  FDA  Rekotz.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  alot  of  brutal  sounding  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  on  the  last  song  they  sound  very  powerful.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  Swedish  style  death  metal  riffs  that  are  very  brutal  sounding  with  a  good  amount  of  melody  and  thrash  influences   while  the  lead  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  are  very  dark  and  melodic  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  deep  death  metal  growls  and  high  pitched  screams  with  a  good  amount  of  samples  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  powerful,  strong  and  heavy  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Revel  In  Flesh  are  a  very  great  sounding  Sedish  style  death  metal  band  and  if  you are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Shadowbreeder"  "Bloodfeast"  "Crowned  In  Darkness"  and  "Subconcious  Error".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Nocturnal Torment/They Come At Night/Deathgasm Records/Orchestrated Misery Records/2012 CD Review

  Nocturnal  Torment  are  a  band  from  Indiana  with  members  that  are  veterans  of  the  underground  metal  scene  with  a  history  that  dates  back  20  years  that  plays  a  mixture  of  old  school  death  metal  mixed  with  death/thrash  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "They  Come  At  Night"  which  was  released as  a  joint  effort  between  Deathgasm  Records  and  Orchestrated  Misery  Records.

  Drums  range  from  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  being  thrown  in at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  mid  paced  to  fast  old  school  death  metal  riffs  mixed  in  with  a  good  amount  of  thrash  influences  while  the  lead  guitars are  very  chaotic  sounding  early  90's  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  mostly  deep  death  metal  growls  with  some  high  pitched  screams  being  thrown  in  at  times,  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  dismemberment,  gore  and  pain,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  early  90's  type  of  production  to  it  while  still  having  a  powerful and  heavy  sound.

  In  my  opinion  Nocturnal  Torment  are  a  very  great  old  school  sounding  death  metal  band  with  a  thrash  edge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Vile  Affliction"  "Fresh  Flesh  Fetish"  "Bleeding"  and  "Forever  Eternal  Darkness".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Funeral Whore/Step Into Damnation/Chaos Records/2012 CD Review

  Funeral  Whore  are  a band  from  The  Netherlands  that  plays  90's  style  Swedish  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Step  Into  Damnation"  which  was  released  by  Chaos  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  being  thrown  in  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  Swedish  death  metal  riffs  that  also  utilize  a  good amount  of   dark  sounding  melodies,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  chaotic  and  melodic  sounding  death  metal guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  all  seep  death  metal  growls  with  a  brief  use  of  samples,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  gory  and  anti  christian  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  heavy  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  while  Funeral  Whore  are  not  very  original  sounding  they  still  put  out  decent  Swedish  style  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Wasteland  Of  Corpses"  "Buried  In  Hell"  "Failure  Of  The Sacrifice"  and  "Camp  Blood".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Crypticus Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

In between mixing stuff for other bands I've been slowly tweaking the mix for the new CRYPTICUS album "The Nexus of Death" which is about 90% finished. I was not satisfied with the production on the last album, so I'm working hard to make this one huge, heavy, & threatening. Meanwhile, we're also planning new songs for the next online release via Bandcamp.

2. How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the split and how it differs from previous

recording?

It's a bit closer to the style of our first album "Dedicated To the Impure," in that it's less technical, more

heaviness & groove with a thicker sound than before. Most material is new, but one is a recreation of an old demo track, so it represents how CRYPTICUS used to sound, also how we will sound on the next album.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?

The general theme is: the consequences of ignoring dark forces. Things that lurk beyond our veil of perception do not hold humanity in high regard & I tend to agree with them. One song metaphorically addresses a dark period of depression I suffered & the horrors it taught me. Another is a joyous song of destruction sung by a bloodthirsty Orc. I'm hugely influenced by horror literature, so I chose to adapt T.E.D. Klein's novella "Nadelman's God" into a short & heavy song. Another is based on my combined love of Lovecraft, Poe, EC comics, & psychedelic experimentation.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name/

CRYPTICUS was a word I thought I had invented, but I came to discover it meant hidden/concealed/secret, so it fit my original intent anyway. The name was originally given to a creature I drew when I was young - kind of ghost/golem thing that manifested from rotting bodies. Now, it represents my struggle to recover secret knowledge beyond the laws of Man.

5. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future/

The only position I would consider is a permanent bassist. Brynjar gets what I'm doing & he adds his own influences & flourishes. I would be extremely happy to find a bass player with the same qualities. If anyone reading this plays like Johan Berglund & can record themselves, send me an e-mail!

6. I know that H.P Lovecraft is a huge influence on the music, what is it that interested you about this author/

I was a very sullen child, attracted to art created by weird people. So when I learned about Poe in school, he

captured my imagination. At the same time, I was falling in love with the Stewart Gordon Empire pictures. When I learned they were inspired by the writings of an old pulpist in the tradition of Poe, I was intrigued. Then, I heard the METALLICA songs inspired by him & I knew I must find his works. The first story I read was "The Outsider," which is, appropriately enough, Lovecraft's attempt to write a feverish tale of obsession in the style of Poe. The story was only five pages long, but it changed my life...

7. On a worldwide level how has your music been received by death metal fans?

I've been very lucky to have been heard all over, but besides America, I get the most crazy fans from India. Those guys are serious about Death metal & have a scene that is starting to explode. I've made many Indian friends online & they have always gone out of their way to support & help spread my music.

8. Are there any current side projects?

Brynjar's prime band is LIKLUKT, which he has been doing for many years, but he's also in THE GROTESQUERY with Kam Lee. I play guitar & bass in TOMBSTONES with Stevo from IMPETIGO, I've played lead guitar for RIBSPREADER, & I am working with a friend on a Grind project called ADAM FUCKING WEST, in which Adam "Fucking" West, himself, will be thrashing the drums.

9. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases/

Darker, heavier, & stranger. I'd like to bring in more horror soundtrack elements. Maybe longer, more experimental songs. Our free online EP "The Rites of Infestation" is a good forecast of our future direction.

10. What are some bands and musical styles that have influenced the newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

RUNEMAGICK & MORGOTH were a big influence on the atmosphere of CRYPTICUS, DECEASED & CARCASS inspire my songwriting, Dan Swano & Bill Steer inspire my guitar playing. Clearly I love Scandinavian Death Metal, but I also indulge in Prog, Gothic Rock, & video game soundtracks. I've just recently discovered Spotify, so I've found many new bands. Currently, I love EXECRATION (Nor), FERAL, MORBUS CHRON, & INSTINCT OF SURVIVAL. Also, many of my friends have great bands like ENEMY REIGN, HOODED MENACE, DEMIURG, THE GROTESQUERY, RUINEBELL, & HORRENDOUS.

11. What role does Occultism play in the music?

It has always interested me & I have spent many years investigating aspects of it. My personal findings are secret, but I metaphorically address them in my lyrics. I also just really enjoy over-the-top occult imagery & its trappings, so I strive to portray a Gothic occultism. But with a tongue-in-cheek spookiness.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

I'm a bit anachronistic, so I love the old-school American manliness of my fathers' generation - booze, cigars, & boxing. I love Spaghetti Westerns & their soundtracks, 8-bit video games & their soundtracks. Big fan of horror in all forms - comics, films, books, games. But my greatest emerging passion is mixing other people's music. Nothing more satisfying than creating a crushing guitar sound.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Just to say thank you to Billy, Vanessa, & Wayne for doing this split with us, Selfmade God for releasing it, & you for the interview. Any bands who want to do a split, or any labels inte

Crypticus/Scaremaker/Selfmafegod Records/2012 Split CD Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  albumm  between  Colorado's  Crypticus  and  New  York/California's  Scare  maker  and  we  will  start  of  the  review  with  Crypticus  that  plays  a  very  very  guttural  from  of  death  metal  with  a  thrash  edge.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  being  thrown  into the  music,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  death  metal  riffs  that  have  a  Swedish  feeling  to  them  mixed  in  with  some  dark  sounding  melodies  and  thrask  influences,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  morbid  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  all  deep  guttural  death  metal  growls  with  some  samples  and  spoken  word  parts,  while  the  lyrics  cover  H.P  Lovecraft  and  Black  Magick,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  heavy,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Crypticus  are  a  very  great  sounding  guttural  death  metal  band  with  a  thrash  edge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  "Beuty  And  Deceased"  and  "Baron  Of  The  Dark".  RECOMMENDED.

  Next  up  is  Scaremaker    aband  that  mixes  death,  black  and  thrash  metal  together.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mi  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  death,  thrash  and  black  metal together  with  a  good  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  dark  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads  with  a  good  amount  of  melody  being  thrown  into  the  music  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  deep  death  metal  growls  and  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  with  a  brief  use  of  clean  singing  female  vocals,  while  the lyrics  cover  horror  film  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Scaremaker  are  a  very  great  death/black/thrash  metal hybrid  with  the  best  music  on  this  split  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "From  The  Coffin"  and  "Demon  Slave".

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  album  and  I  would  recommend  to  all  fans  of  underground  raw  and  primitive  sounding  death/thrash.  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Ominous Crucifix/The Spell Of Damnation/FDA Rekotz/2012 CD Review

  Ominous  Crucifix  are  a  band  from  Mexico  that  plays  a  very  dark  and  brutal  form  of  anti  christian/occult  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "The  Spell  Of  Damnation"  which  was  released  by  FDA  Rekotz.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  fast  playing  or  blast  beats,  while  the  bass  guitar  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  tone  with  some  brutal  death  metal  riffing,  as  for  the  synth  which  was  only  used  on  the  intro  and  briefly  on  one  song  brings  a  very  dark  and  evil  sound  to  the  music.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  death  metal  riffs  that  are  very  brutal  sounding  with  some  dark  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  music  while  the  lead  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  are  very  chaotic  sounding  death  metal  guitar  leads .

  Vocals  are  mostly deep  death  metal  growls  with  some  high  pitched  screams,  spoken  word  parts  and  samples,  while  the  lyrics  touch  on  anti  christian  and  occult  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Ominous  Crucifix  are  a  very  great  sounding anti  christian/occult  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Third  Day  Resurrection"  "Secular  Omens  Of  Doom"  and  "The  Spell  Of  Damnation".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.