Monday, February 25, 2013

Dark Salvation/Der letze Weg/2013 CD Review


  Dark  Salvation are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  melodic  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2013  "Der  letze Weg".

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  as  for  the  synths which  are  only  used  briefly  they  bring  an  atmospheric  and  experimental  feeling  to  the  music.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  melodic  death  metal  riffs  in  the  mid  90's  tradition  while  also  mixing  in  traditional  death  metal  influences,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  to  add  some  darkness  to  the  music.

  Vocals  are  mostly  deep  death  metal  growls  with  some  high  pitched  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Dark  Salvation  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  death  metal  band  and  if  you are a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Tranenmeer"  "Lauf  der Zeit"  "Sekunden  meiner  Macht"  and  "Endzeit".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Overoth/Kingdom Of Shadows/Hostile Media/2013 CD Review


  Overoth  are  a  band  from  Ireland  that  plays  a  very  dark  and  old  school  form  of  death  metal  with  some  black  metal  influences  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Kingdom  Of  Shadows"  which  was  released  by  Hostile  Media.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  with  some  heavy  riffing  that  dominates  throughout  the  recording,  as  for t he  synths  which  are  only  used  briefly  they  bring  a  very  dark  and  epic  sound  to  the  recording.

 Rhythm  guitars  range  from s low,  mid  paced  to  fast  death  metal  riffs  that  are  very  heavy,  dark  and  old  school  sounding  with  some  black  metal  influences  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  at  times,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  dark  and  old  school  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  mostly  deep  death  metal  growls  with  a  brief  use  of  high  pitched  black  metal  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  occult  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  dark,  old  school,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Overoth  are  a  very  great  sounding  heavy,  dark  and  old  school  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should c heck  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Cry  To The  Fallen"  "The  Serpent  Of  Old"  "Pathway  to  Demise"  and  "Upon  The  Altar".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Terrortory/City Of Ghosts/Discouraged Records/2013 EP Review


  Terrortory  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  a  musical  sound  on  this  recording  I  would  describe  as  being  avant  garde  melodic  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of t heir  2013  ep  "City  Of  Ghosts" which  was  released  by  Discouraged  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  with  heavy  riffing  that  dominates  throughout  the  recording.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  melodic  death  metal  riffs  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  soft  and  clean  playing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  death  metal s creams  with  some  clean  singing  that  brings  an  avant  garde  sound  to t he  recording,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes,  as  for t he  production  it h as  a very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can h ear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  recording  from  Terrortory  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "City  Of  Ghosts"  and  "Beheading  The  Serpent".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

  

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Epitome Of Frail/Society/Gunn Records/2012 CD Review


  Epitome  Of  Frail  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  death  metal,  deathcore  and  hardcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Society"  which  was  released  by  Gunn  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  playing   to  fast  playing  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars,  as  for  the  sound  effects  when t hey  are  utilized  they  bring  elements  of  electronic  music  to  the  recording..

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  melodic  death  metal  with  deathcore  and  hardcore  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  as  for  the  lead  guitars  which  are  only  used  on  the  last  song  are  very  melodic  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  range  from  deep  death  metal  growls,  high  pitched  screams  and  some  hardcore  style  vocals,  while  the  lyrics  cover  everyday  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Epitome  Of  Frail  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  melodic  death  metal,  and  hardcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "This  Is  Not  Humanity"  "Desire  of  A  Cursed  Soul"  and  "Society".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

The Modern Age Slavery/Requiem For Us All/2013 CD Review


  The  Modern  Age  Slavery  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  brutal  death  metal  and  deathcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Requiem  For  Us  All"  which  was  released  by  Pavement  Music.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  great  amount  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  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from s low,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  are  very  heavy  and  brutal  sounding  combining  death  metal  and  deathcore  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  range  from  deathcore  style  shouts  and  screams  to  deep  death  metal  growls  as  well  as  some  spoken  word  samples,  while  the  lyrics  cover  violent  and  everyday  themes,  as  for  the  production   it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  and  professional  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  The  Modern  Age  Slavery  are  a  very  great  sounding  heavy  hybrid  of  brutal d eath  metal  and  deathcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should c heck  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Dawn  Prayer"  "The  Silent  Death  Of  Cain"  "Slaves  Of  Time"  and  "Arise"  which  is  a  Sepultura  cover.  RECOMMENDED  BUY.            

Friday, February 15, 2013

Wormed/Exodromos/Willowtip/2013 CD Review


  Wormed  are  a  band  from  Spain  that  plays  a  very  heavy,  brutal  and  technical  form  of  death  metal  with  some  deathcore  elements  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Exodrimos"  which  was  released  by  Willowtip.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  great  amount  of  brutal  sounding  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  with  heavy  and  technical  sounding  riffing  that  dominates  throughout  the  recording,  as  for t he  sound  effects  when  they  are  used t hey  bring  sci-fi  elements  to  the  recording.

  Rhythm guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  death  metal  riffs  that  are  very  technical,  heavy and  brutal  sounding  with  some  deathcore  elements  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  at  times  as  well  as  some  progressive  time  changes  in  addition t here  are  some  grindcore  influences  being  utilized  at  times  and  there  are  little  to  no guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording.

  Vocals  range  from  deep  death  metal  growls  to  deathcore  style  screams  as well  as  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts,  while  the  lyrics  cover  science  fiction  and  technology  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  brutal  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Wormed a re  a  very  great  sounding  heavy,  brutal  and  technical  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Nonlocality  Trilemma"  "Solar  Neutrinos"  "Darkflow  Quadrivium"  and  "Techkinox  Wormhole".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Lago Interview


1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
We just recorded a Demo in November.  We hadn't released anything in 2 years so we wanted to get something out there to both show our fans, and to use to shop to labels.  We have about one song left to write and our full length will be complete.  Thats pretty much what we've got going on currently.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new ep and how it differs from previous efforts?
It's similar in some ways, but a little more progressive i guess you can say.  We have a lot more chordy black metal stuff.  But its still mid 90's death metal worship.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores?
They aren't themed or anything.  I do the majority of the lyrics and Garrett does some.  Mine tend to be not so much anti-religion, but almost like a questioning life and the things that people go through.  The lyrics for "The Tyranny of Men" off of the new demo are kind of about 2 things.  One being a message of "think for yourself" and not buying into what seems to be religious based governments and their agendas, and it also touches on people who don't take credit for anything they do, and credit everything to God or a higher power.  Just seems silly to me.  I've accomplished a lot of things in my life.  I did it.  Not a god.  I guess some people need that faith or reassurance though.  I don't understand it personally.  Who am I to judge though.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
Our name is from a Clint Eastwood movie called "High Plains Drifter".  The town in the movie is called Lago.  At the end of it Clint Eastwood has them paint this corrupt town red and renames it Hell.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
We've had some pretty solid shows.  The most recent was at The Southwest Terror Fest in Tucson.  We played the smaller stage, and everyone packed into that tiny room.  It was real up close and personal with everyone in there.  I love those sort of shows.  I grew up in punk and hardcore, so i'm all about setting up in a living room and playing a party if it comes down to it.  We aren't super crazy on stage.  We all play instruments, but we rock out as much as we can.  I haven't heard any complaints about us yet anyways haha.

6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
Were looking into getting a van at the moment.  Our main focus is getting the album done.  But were looking to go out for 3 days in June.  Thats kind of our best economic option right now.  Every couple months go out for 3 days and back.  Were hoping that changes soon.

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer music by fans of death metal?
It's been really really good.  The worst review we've gotten on anything is like a 7 out of 10.  We get a lot of "Wow.... where have you guys been hiding?"  People are still just now hearing our "Marianas" EP that we put out 2 years ago.  So were pushing the band pretty hard this year.  I think only good things can come with what the band has going right now.

8. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?
Lago is my main focus.  I have another project i'm gonna start with a friend, Rick (drums) from Connecticut called Blasphegram.  It's going to be similar to Lago.  Brian (our drummer) is in a black metal band from here called Deadspawn, and he also does vocals in a band called Depraved Heretic, which also features our lead guitarist on the drums.

9.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
I see us as having the same sort of progression that Emperor did from their first release to there last.  We aren't going to end up being a Prog band, but i see the songs getting a little more intricate the more we write.  You'll see that when we release the new LP.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Mid 90's Death metal.  Mainly Morbid Angel.  Suffocation, Deicide, Death, Emperor, Immolation, Incantation.  So many.  I can't speak for the rest of the band, but lately i've been into the new Aeon.  I think the only other 2 albums i've bought the last year was the new Incantation, and the new Ihsahn.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
I'm a nerd/jock.  World of Warcraft, comics, Gym, and sports.  Andrew seems to focus on music more than the rest of us.  He's into video games too.  Brian i'm not sure.  He owns his own business and barely has time for bands a lot of the time.  Garrett is a super gamer, mainly Street Fighter.  He actually goes to tournaments across the country, though i think he usually gets his ass handed to him by 14 year old asian kids.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview/
Thanks for giving us a listen and thanks for spreading the word.  Keeps your eyes and ears on us, and hopefully we'll have the new LP ready sometime in 2013.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Lago/Tyranny/2012 Demo Review


  Lago  are  a  band  from  Arizona  that  plays  a  very  heavy  and  brutal  form  of  death  metal  with  some  black  metal  melodies  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2012  demo  "Tyranny".

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  great  amount  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  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  death  metal  riffs  that  are  very  dark,  heavy  and  brutal  sounding  with  some  black  metal  influences  being  thrown  in  the  more  melodic  side  of  the  riffing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  dark  and  melodic  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  range  from  deep  death  metal  growls  to  high  pitched  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  philosophical  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  heavy,  brutal,  powerful  and  professional  sound  for  being  a  self  released  recording.

  in  my  opinion  Lago  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark,  heavy  and  brutal  death  metal  band  with  a  black  metal  edge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  demo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "The  Tyranny  Of  Men".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.