BIOMECHANICAL

UK metallers Biomechanical have released the follow-up to Empires of the World, called Cannibalised. The minute you put this disc in the player your eyes will probably bulge out of your head and you'll scream, "HOLY FUCK!" The opening track Fallen in Fear is a maniacal track that has you wondering whether it's coming or going. Singer, John K's screams and yells remind me a lot of music I used to despise back in the day before becoming a huge metal head. These songs my classmates, that were metal detractors, used to make fun of; constant noise and not knowing what the hell they are saying. However, since I started liking this music at the tender age of seventeen, I have come to appreciate that noise. This album would be no exception.

THRASH YOUR ASS OFF! You can't dance to it, it's not very melodic even though at certain points like the track Breathing Silence, there are some classical overtones. However, throughout the piece, John K and company release some of that frantic energy that stems from a falling out the band had last year. I particularly can hear, the Geoff Tate/Bruce Dickenson like vocals that John K displays, which seems to fit along with the chaotic pace of the record.

Cannibalised, seems to be the perfect title for this album. You feel like you've been eaten and spit back out or you feel like chewing on someone for pure enjoyment. The ferocity of it might be hard to match. If anyone can, then they should get a fuckin medal.

DEATH ANGEL

Killing Season

Nuclear Blast Records, 2008

Reviewer: Sharita

California thrashers Death Angel return with their first release since the Art of Dying, Killing Season. Being a big fan of theirs, I knew that the album would be a hard hitting, in your face piece with melodic riffs. From the opening track, “Lord of Hate” to the last track “Resurrection Machine”, Death Angel shows that they have not lost a beat. The album is produced by Nick Raskulinecz who also produced Foo Fighters.

As per usual, vocalist Mark Osegueda delivers the thought provoking vocals that fans have come accustomed to throughout every song. Not to mention guitarists Rob Cavestany and Ted Aguilar provide the complex riffs that mesmerize even the most astute guitar players. Dennis Pepa and Andy Galeon hold it together on bass and drums respectively.

On every track, you can hear the trademarks that have made Death Angel famous and damn near legendary. “Dethroned” is by far my favorite track. It reminds me a lot of what Metallica used to be, strong vocals with musical arrangements that everyone would be trying to play. Other tracks that kick ass include, “Soulless”, “When Worlds Collide” and “Sonic Beatdown”.

This album is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it's for those fans who are still into old school thrash that made you want to kick somebody in the face and mosh ‘til morning. If that is you, then you'll enjoy this album. Hail to the one of the original kings of thrash!

EYES SET TO KILL

Reach

Breaksilence Records, 2008

Reviewer: Matt Nadbrzuch

This is an album which I’m almost embarrassed to like as much as I do. The male members’ floppy haircuts and ironic T-shirts betray the band’s screamo status, a sub-genre I generally revile. This Phoenix, AZ quintet brings a lot more to the table however. Eyes Set to Kill was founded by twins Alexia and Anissa Rodriguez who share guitar, bass, and vocal duties with Brandon Anderson. The band’s most striking component is the juxtaposition of the ladies’ silky-smooth singing with Anderson’s tortured (or is it whiney?) yelp. This constant change of tone keeps the listener on their toes and leads to some of the album’s catchiest moments. The vocals are also accompanied by several honest-to-goodness guitar solos as well as the occasional keyboard run. Lyrically the album centers on relationships and their pitfalls disguised within flowery, Gothic poetry (thumbs down on the requisite vampire references.)

KEEP OF KALESSIN

Kolossus

Nuclear Blast Records, 2008

Reviewer: Karma

Billed as “the next big thing” Norwegian four-piece powerhouse Keep of Kalessin puts their money where the hype is with their fourth mammoth release Kolossus. This CD more than lives up to the flurry of pre-release media blitz and propaganda and definitely will put this band on the map, which is encouraging. Without a doubt, this band will not dwell in the underground any longer! From the beginning, you are instantly drawn into the enthralling darkened dreamscape Keep of Kalessin so eloquently paints. From opening track “Origin,” the onslaught of asskickery continues until the dragon’s claw has released you some fifty-one minutes later closing with “Ascendant” which slices through your senses like a white hot knife. Kolossus will sear your flesh with it’s sheer… supremacy!

Keep of Kalessin have refined their style as Kolossus boldly stands out amongst the fold of the barrage of recent characterless mundane and familiarly brutal releases just for the sake of being…brutal not to mention their previous releases. This CD is infused with the perfect meld of gritty “passion and aggression” containing some pretty original arrangements with beautiful piano work and orchestral parts in “Rising Sign” offering a brief break from sweet brutality, not to mention the crushing solos contained within. The lushly blackened opus “Origin” perfectly sets the tone for the entire CD. The anthemic “Against the Gods” contains some infectious and uncompromising hooks; it comes close to sensory overload! There are other surprises like the track “Warmonger” sounding VERY Gothenburg Sound-like…dare I say In Flames-eque (nej, nej, nej...the good era) but with a darkened, diabolical twist making it their own! Title track “Kolossus” is a wickedly funk-infused testament to this band’s immense talent.

The most impressive part is that the band is able to capture their mind numbing live set into studio form. We all know not everyone has the capability of doing so. Throughout the CD frontman Torbjørn Schei, excuse me, Thebon’s infectious vocals remain strapping! Speaking of brawn, Obsidian C. (Arnt Gronbech) flexes his musical muscle on guitar as well as the keys. Bassist Wizziac unbending performance adds to the oratory landscape as well as the unabashed and uncompromising drums of Vyl (Vegard Larsen). Kolossus shows the immense depth of Keep of Kalessin’s musicianship as they have released one helluva complex yet simplistic opus! And here I thought Armada was the shit but inarguably, Kolossus is my favourite album of this year; once you have a listen, you will have the same opinion…not to mention you’ll more than likely be angry, unable to disengage yourself from Keep of Kalessin’s blackened magick!

MINISTRY & Co-Conspirators(3.666 Pentagrams)

Cover Up

13th Planet/Megaforce, 2008

Remember what lured you into industrial music in the first place? Well, those points are documented on Ministry’s last hurrah, Cover Up. Yes, this is in part a cover album (boo, hiss) but there are some of thee BEST renditions you’ll ever hear and what better way to hear them than in an industrial interpretation.

Cover Up is the party to end all parties. Example: “Roadhouse Blues. Just Got Paid.  Space Truckin’’. You will be involved in a few libations and a circle pit or two in the near future after listening to Cover Up! You have been warned. “Under My Thumb” has Fear Factory’s Burton C. Bell behind the wheel with an awesome Gary Numan influenced rendition. Prong’s Tommy Victor is in the driver’s seat for a couple of ditties, “Mississippi Queen” being in a faster tempo than other recordings I’ve heard to date, are a delight. And not to be under minded, Dr. Al delivers a few seductively seedy spins on some old classics in rock history. “Lay Lady Lay” at the top of the list. Don’t you love how Al brings people together? And as an extra treat, a clean well-mastered version of “Supernaut” performed by 1000 Homo DJ’s makes an appearance. All of these classics were mastered at Al’s 13^th Planet Studios with a warm, sweaty undertone made to make you feel, well, nasty. Good times indeed! With the politically charged release of The Last Sucker, being the last legitimate studio album being released, Cover Up is unquestionably a great closer to an influential reign in music history.

By far, the perfect ending to this album is the strategic placement of a gritty performance of “What A Wonderful World” that leaves you a little misty-eyed. What better way to end their industrial tenure by inviting some other established entertainers to the finale. Cover Up is being released to coincide with Ministry’s C U LaTour this spring. Ministry has been kicking ass & taking names for about as long as most of us have been alive! Laying the pavement for other aspiring industrial wannabes from across the globe. Thanks for the ride. Paul Raven, this one’s for you, bro. R.I.P.

THIS IS HELL

Misfortunes

Trustkill Records, 2008

Reviewer: Kate

This is Hell’s second hardcore album Misfortunes sets itself aside from the typical New York hardcore that is out there. The album is made up of aggressive songs and fast hardcore tempos but still is able to remain melodic, which you can definitely hear in tracks “Disciples” and “Without Closure”. There is a new metal influence which might bother some true hardcore fans who are expecting something more along the lines of Sick of it All but I would not dismiss Misfortunes altogether.

The second track on this album, “Infected” comes at you fast, brutal and pretty pissed off but then you have track seven, “Remnants” that shows off more of the melodic talents of this band. When I say Misfortunes is not your typical hardcore band, it’s true; these guys know how to think outside of the box. They bring I a fresh new sound; they give you some heavier chunks, some faster riffs and some interesting lyrics. For example in “You are the Antithesis” Travis Reilly says: “Your turn of phrase rings hollow, I can’t trust a word you say, what are we to do when the last great poet has thrown down his pen?” Pretty damn impressive if you ask me!

Misfortunes is a solid release and I think that true hardcore fans out there will still be able to enjoy it regardless of its lack of violence or brutality. They’ve risen to a new level on this album and you’d miss out if you didn’t give it a chance!

Delusions

Candlelight Records, 2008

Reviewer: Kate

To-mera is a group of musicians that are so incredibly versatile and complex that are not easy to take in all at once or to follow. You might not be sure if you like them or not at first, you might not be sure if To-mera is something you can handle. Hell, I wasn’t sure at first but I stuck with it. “Delusions” is a complete mind exercise. It’s like hearing Albert Einstein and Leonardo Da Vinci speaking at the same time. It’s like going into warp speed and it’s like…it’s like nothing I really heard in a long time. To-mera is a progressive band that makes their sound as rich and as thick as possible with full riffs, heavy bass and overtone of symphonic sounding keyboards.

I have to say that Julie Kiss is an extraordinary vocalist. She is so versatile and does not really follow the traditional singing style of melody and rhythm. That’s not saying it’s a bad thing, not at all. It more takes you on an adventure with every track and she is a terrific balance to the music and brings a little bit of order to what seems to be a chaotic nature to the songs.

The songwriting is absolutely something different; it is constantly changing and flowing back and forth from one extremity to another. One being a forceful wall of sound full of aggressive brutality, the other being a calm breather with jazzy interludes and gentle vocals. It can be a bit much to take in at one time. I felt like I was two steps behind when I was listening to the songs only because everything kept changing so quickly but it is a worthwhile effort and a fantastic listen!

WARBRINGER

War Without End

Century Media Records, 2008

Reviewer: Matt Nadbrzuch

There’s no sweeter sound for a metal head than vintage ‘80s thrash. Long thought a thing of the past due to the rise of black and death metal, this hallowed sub genre is making a comeback in a big way in the form of bands like Warbringer. Its members have replicated the thrash sound and look to a T. Each track on their debut, War Without End, gallops along at the standard up-tempo pace, which admittedly can become wearisome over the course of the album. Lighting fast riffing and chaotic soloing courtesy of guitarists John Laux and Adam Carroll is complemented by the singing / growling of vocalist John Kevill. Lyrical themes concentrate almost exclusively on one subject: war. Do not expect any in depth analysis of violent conflict, however, as the lyrics never delve deeper than what amounts to an über-violent episode of G.I. Joe.