I managed to get this from esteemed and prolific Greek drummer Nick Samios, who did a couple of guest guitar spots on the album.... Speedrush are an old school thrash band in the fine tradition of Sodom (Agent Orange / Persecution Mania era) and Destruction and to a lesser degree Kreator ... They do a mighty fine job of it too I must say! The boys have been achieving some great things in their homeland of Greece with supports slots (including an upcoming gig with Sinister) and some big gigs and write ups in notable magazines as well as the release of this baby on vinyl by Floga Records.
Speaking of this record, the guitar work is what stands out about this most of all... Lightning fast guitar riffage and absolutley blazing guitar solo's are the order of the day with precision execution and crystal clear production make this a thrash guitar fans dream come true. The guitar work of Thanos trading off solos and rhythms is nothing short of brilliant, I would soooo love to see this live! The vocals are clear and aggressive with a similar nod to Kreator, Sodom etc... overall I have to say I'm a huge fan of these guys from the initial listen!
In a way this might be the next level for thrash fans and the lads have had the benefit of growing up on steady diet of 80's thrash and I think they've really pushed the extremities of riff shreddage to another level that their influences were not able to to back in the day!
Andreas the drummer has done a great job behind the drum seat and his rapid double kicks really shine through on this rounding out a great package rather nicely!
Overall this release was nothing but a pleasure to listen to and it really took me back to special time in thrash, the boys even have retained that feeling with the cover art as well!
Writer: Jay 'METALNECK' Lucas Drummer of THREE KNUCKLES DEEP (3KD) Psykotribe
A Psyco induced musical journey, with seductive driven lyrics......'METALALNECK'..... ...2017 Psykotribe is a band based out of Tampa Bay FL, which formed back in the darker days of metal in 2008, in which I have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with, ,, as well as experience them first hand as a fan on numerous occasions. My first time not only meeting them, but sharing the stage with them, was quite the experience to say the least. We booked a gig out at the West End Trade Co. in Sanford, FL which they were already booked on. I had been turned on to them previously, and had been awaiting this oppurtunity to jam with them As the evening came upon the Psykotribe set, it came to be no disappointment just as expected. With Devilish stage presence , along with seductive, but ghostly lyrics; Psykotribe; without a doubt, delivers a blow to all whom embraces the tribal code. BIO: Psykotribe is the brainchild of vocalist Dana Darkly. Her vision of empowerment through the intensity of sound was inspired by some really dark moments in her life. As a child she was always considered the quiet one who often sat in the darkest corner of the classroom in the hopes that no one would talk to her. One thing she has learned through her experiences in life is that she is not alone. There are many that live, hiding in those very same shadows that she did and her greatest hope is that her music can be an inspiration to anyone who feels like they are not good enough and that each of them understand that they are the one's who hold the power to slay the demons that hold them back. Part of her empowerment comes from surrounding herself with family….Psykotribe is just that, family. Psykotribe is: Dana Darkly - Vocals Jakob Sin - Vocals Jamez Madness Harrison - Guitars Chris Lewis - Guitars Chad Zielesch - Bass Adam Zielesch - Drums Dana Darkly......
METALNECK: Can you please tell me there Ms. Darkly, I know this band originated from the realms of the Darkly Darkness, but did you yourself, or may I ask who did, come up with the name, and the whiole 'Psykotribe theme, and what year did it originate? Dana: The band name actually came from Jamez. We were going through possible names for the band, Lillith was actually the original name we considered but then Jamez came up with Psykotribe and it was all over. METALNECK: I personally have experienced not only just on sharing the stage with Psykotribe, but as a fan in the crowd also, the Psykotribe madness, and I find it to be a bit mixture of Powerful Seductness, with a taste of Chaoticness if I may, which has always been a pleasure for me to attend, but how in your mind, thinking as a fan, would you describe your style, stage presence and musically, and who were your main influences? Dana: I have lots of musical influences but I think my stage presence and even music is mostly inspired by horror, both movies and stories. I’m a Sci-Fi channel nut, I love the cheesiest horror movies as well as the scariest. The more blood and gore the better, the more twisted the better. From the fans side I guess they would think we’re fucking nuts, like looneys that escaped the nut farm. I guess that’s kind of who we are. In many ways who we are onstage is not very different from how we are in real life. I know it seems funny to say but we really are dysfunctional as hell. We never practice our stage stuff, that shit just happens naturally. I guess that’s because we’re family and it’s natural for a family to be free and goofy without concern for what people think. I guess the main thing people get from us is that we don’t give a fuck and I think most people can relate to that. METALNECK: For myself wasnt lucky enough, or may really be fortunate not have (loll), to have not only 1 member of the fam , but 2 family members in my band with me. Can you please elaborate on the experience and the patience it takes to stay strong/bonded enough to keep creating such influensial music? Dana: Wow, thank you!!! I think its love and trust. There is a strong bond that holds us all together like any family But your right, it’s very different to be in a band like this. Tbh I don’t know of any other way to do this since Psykotribe marked the beginning of my musical journey. I couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. METALNECK: Last but not least, please tell your fans what they can expect in the future, from the Ms. Dana Darkly talented collection of artwork, but from the whole Psykotribe experience to come? Dana: We finally finished tracking our soon to be titled full length album with Alex Vincent and Mung Parker at AV Studios in Clearwater FL. We are looking at a late spring, early summer release. We are currently booking our summer dates up the east coast and are ready to spread our psyko everywhere. I have been busy working on lot’s of new paintings and am currently working on producing prints of my artwork so I can share my art all over. Being able to combine my family, my music and my art into one thing is fucking awesome.
Jamez Madness.....
METALNECK:So tell me there Mr. Harrison, when you and the wife met,(Dana Darkly), were you both already in bands, or was that something that evolved in time with both if you? Jamez:I’ve played guitar since I was a teenager but being in a band didn’t really interest me at first. I just loved playing guitar. When I met Dana I was in a weekend jam band but we didn’t take it too seriously. I remember that I got a call from a friend who was in a band called Bastard, they had a show scheduled in Tampa but their Bassist was going to be out of town and couldn’t perform. He asked if I thought I could learn 8 songs on bass in a week and if I would be willing to perform with them. I agreed and mastered playing their songs in 5 days. This was my first time playing onstage so I was extremely nervous...especially since I was not really a bass player. The moment I stepped out onto the stage my addiction to the stage began. I took my jam band, made some member changes and began taking it more seriously. The band was Kronik Disorder and it became my passion over 5 years. Through this time Dana began to express her desire to perform. I had never heard her sing or scream so I never really put much thought to it. She threw me a surprise party one weekend and invited a lot of my band friends over to have an open jam in my garage. She grabbed the mic and began to scream. I didn’t know who was on the microphone at first and even when I saw her doing it, I questioned where the sound was coming from. Yeah, that was pretty much the moment I decided she needed a band. I helped her put together a band but I was not originally part of the lineup. I watched her perform her first show and I was absolutely mesmerized. Not only at her vocals but also her ability to bring in a crowd, she is extremely genuine and it really comes out onstage. It was at that moment that I realized that I was in the wrong band. METALNECK:What makers of guitars are your favs, type of strings you use, and at what age did you pick one up and what influenced you? Jamez:My current arsenault includes my Dean Vendetta, LTD M103, Schecter Damien and my custom Killer B Guitar. My favorites are my Killer B Custom and my Dean….they are my babies. I play with and swear by my Von York Kelvinite Guitar Strings. My first stringed instrument was the violin. I started playing when I was in Kindergarten and played up through Middle School. I had the opportunity when I was young to play and be tutored by members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, it was my passion until it just wasn’t cool to bring a violin case to school anymore. It was at that point I switched to guitar. I started playing by learning tablature of Slayer, Metallica and Megadeth songs and played them on my first guitar, a Fender Gemini Acoustic Guitar. I learned that you can really build up your finger callouses by learning thrash metal on an acoustic...haha! My first electric guitar was an old Dean guitar, couldn’t even tell you the model...all I remember is that it weighed about 500lbs. METALNECK: So I know Jakob is your son, and Danas step son, which is very talented and in the band as well, but is there any other famiy members that are musucally talented, and if so, what do they do? Jamez: Correct...Jakob is my son and Dana’s stepson. I will never forget when my ex was pregnant with Jakob, he would bump around in her belly to the sound of anything metal. When he was a baby, the only way to get him to calm down was to take him for a ride and blast metal. When he was 5 his favorite band was Anthrax while all his friends were into the Backstreet Boys. Yeah, Jakob is metal all the way. We have five kids altogether (Jakob, Jessica, Marissa, Derrick and Ashton). Every one of our kids has their own talents, not all of them are musical though. Derrick has dabbled with the drums but his true love is his artwork and he also enjoys creating electronic music. Marissa actually starred in our first official music video titled “Take Control”. She plays the deranged Cinderella role. Ashton and Jessica are also very artistic. METALNECK:So what style or genre, would you label Psykotribe under, and if you had to choose a different style to play; What would it be? Jamez: When it comes to the style or genre of our band, aside from being metal I have often struggled with figuring what subgenre to label us as. My influences on guitar are far ranging which may keep me from playing one particular style. I will say most of my influences come everywhere from Thrash to Death Metal to Hardcore Punk to old Acid Rock...I mean, it’s all over the place...haha! Jakob Sin....... METALNECK: So tell me Mr. Sin....At what age did you feel deep down that you were made to be a part of the Whole Tribe Experience, and how easy is it, (if at all), to write music with Stepmom(Dana Darkley) and pops (Jamez C. Madness)? Jakob:When Psykotribe started with the original lineup I would go up on stage and do backup vocals for one song, and I was about 14 when that was going on, and that continued when we reformed to the lineup today. I officially joined Psykotribe when I turned 18 and started going up full time, but our writing time is pretty interesting. Chris will come out with an ideas for riffs and him and my Dad (Jamez), Chad and Adam will work on it from there, moulding it as it fits. Dana writes most of her lyrics ahead if time, and then her and I will help take her lyrics and set the vocal rhythms according to what the music is doing, it's a bit tedious and takes maximim effort from all of us, and seems to work so far...Da hahaha METALNECK:Not only are you a pretty talented vocalist, you are also a pretty tight niched skin beater as well. So do you actually own you're own set, and if so, what kind and how many pieces? Jakob:I own a 5 piece Pearl Form Kit..I actually bought it from Mike, the drummer for The Cunningham Wake. METALNECK:What is you're all time butterfly to the gut A$$ kickin Psykotribe tune of all time? Jakob:My favorite song we do varies but I gotta say "Wicked White Lies"..It's a great song for the pit, cuz the versus are slow and almost makes you gallop, but then the chorus comes and punches you in the mouth..HAHAHAHA. METALNECK:Psykotribe I'm sure, has had numerous, memorable moments on and off stage, but can you reminisce on an all time Jakob Sin moment for you're fans? Jakob:My favorite show moment to date, is when we played Otepfest at the State Theatre. The venue was so packed and at the end of "LEFT BEHIND" we had almost the Entire crowd chanting with us, and that was pretty amazing, and definitely had my blood pumping the test of the n
We were lucky enough to catch up with an underground metal legend Mike Browning (Pictured far right) from the original lineup of Nocturnus, while Nocturnus are dead Mike has resurrected the music under the banner of "NOCTURNUS AD" over the last few years, playing old songs off the first album "The Key", new material they've been composing and some very early "Morbid Angel" material (Mike's first band). As part of their new run of shows they will even be playing a metal festival in Melbourne (Insurrection of Darkness) on the 10/11th of June with Nocturnus playing two sets, headlining both nights and one of the sets will consist of a full set rendition of their legendary first album "The Key"
Hello Mike! Great to have you on board for a few questions! First up, thanks for taking the time to talk to us and secondly thanks for making some truely timeless music!
Actually Thank You for doing this interview with me to for supporting all the stuff that I have done, without support from people like you, I wouldn’t be here right now!
I've saw a post that you guys were working on some new music... I am exceedingly happy to hear this! Can you spill the beans on how this music will compare to the groundbreaking albums you (and the then lineup of Nocturnus) released in the late 80's early 90's?
Yes, we are working on a full albums worth of songs for Nocturnus AD. Right now we are working on our 7th new song and our goal is to have 9 for the album. Four of the songs will continue with The Key story and one will be the followup to Neolithic and another will continue with Lake of Fire and Standing in Blood and the others will be various subjects. As far as the music, it is kind of a cross between The Key and Thresholds.
Your second album Thresholds is a personal favourate of mine, and was probably the first ever 'technical death metal' record I heard. How does a band progress from there? Are you going to keep pushing the bounds of technicality or persue another angle? Do you guys feel the need to compete with younger bands that are playing tech death today?
I really had wanted to continue with The Key story lyrically on Thresholds, so since I didn’t sing on Thresholds, I didn’t write very many of the lyrics either, so there were really no connections between the first 2 albums at all like I had wanted to originally do after The Key, so at least now with Nocturnus AD I xan go back to continuing with The Key story as well as the other song connections I had mentioned. I do think our new songs definitely push the limits even more because the new material has elements of both, plus its even heavier and maybe a bit faster too. What we are doing still has a lot of the old school feeling to it and I don’t think there is still another band that you can compare us to, so even with these newer young bands that have a lot of speed and technical abilities, most of the music is very stale and has no originality to it.
As a teenager I read and studied your lyrics rather closely.. How important do you feel the lyrics are in a death metal band.... you guys have a very strong occult / fantasy angle on the band .... is it crucial to the band and why do you do it?
Lyrics are of different importance for everyone, but for me they always tell a story and they actually fit with the atmosphere of the music. That is why I always wanted to have keyboards in the music to give it an evil almost cinematic atmosphere so that fit with the right lyrics make each song like a mini movie. The content of the lyrics are just basically things that I am interested in in my real life, like the occult and science fiction horror.
When you look back on the early days of Nocturnus do you feel the band was underrated?
We were really starting to do well, but because everyone in the band but me wanted to get a front man and go more diverse and less evil occult lyrics, so we did on Thresholds and even though it was a great album, it only sold 1/3 of what The Key did, so I can only imagine what might have happened if we had written The Key part 2 with me singing and writing most of the lyrics, it might have made us much bigger instead.
Nocturnus music is not simple shit... How importantly do you rate musical theory for yourself and other death metal musicians learning the trade?
More of the technical end started with Mike Davis, because before that the band was simpler and heavier, but with new people in the band the music changed and evolved and got even more technical. And the guitar players in Nocturnus AD are both amazing musicians with a different style from each other, but I think that sometimes, especially lately, that the guys in the newer death bands just want to be as fast and technical as possible, but they also sacrifice feeling for technology.
Is Nocturnus embracing the modern era of digital music? Do you like it? Do you use bandcamp/ Itunes or whatever? How do you feel about this stuff?
I don’t mind having a mix of new technology for spreading the music, but I also want to be on a label that will do old school vinyl a cassettes too for the collectors. The one good thing about the digital age is that now musicians songs can be tracked for sales a lot more accurately and at the same time you can reach everyone on the entire planet who has a computer or a phone, so it has made access to your music a lot better.
Nocturnus' records were markedly 'singular' to anything else in the metal scene at the time... I'd love it if you could share some of your influences with us
Since I grew up in the 1970’s I have a big range of influences from stuff like Led Zeppelin, Rush,
Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, then I got more into metal like Angelwitch and Venom and then it got even heavier into Celtic Frost, Slayer, old Bathory and stuff like that.
Be sure to sign up to the NocturnusAD facebook page!
DAY OF DOOM THE SECOND COMING Reviewed by: Jessie “Motor Mouth”
I purchased a copy of Day of Doom’s release, “The Second Coming”, recently (on February 2, 2017), and it blew my mind on the first take. At first, I thought I would be listening to a Doom Metal band (which is my first choice of metal these days). I'm sure many like myself would think this way because of their band name. But the words, "never judge a book by its cover", rang true in this case, yet again.
I slapped Day Of Doom's "The Second Coming” into my CD player (yes, folks I still own one), and it blew my mind This CD brings me back to the old school Death Metal days of cassette tapes. Back then, they released albums where you would have an A side and a B side. Either there were two releases on each side, or the album was split with half the songs on side A, and the rest of the songs on side B. In this case, it was as if you had two complete albums on each side. You’re getting two past albums on one CD with this release that features both “Night of Horror” and “Slaves of Insanity". I would be highly interested if Day of Doom will release this on both cassette tape and vinyl sometime down the road.
I cranked it up to 10, and was in for a brutal awakening. I think many of you will agree this is pure crushing Death Metal from New York. Day of Doom should never go unrecognized with their talents that is sweeping the nations worldwide. Now, most of you heard of bands such as Suffocation and Gorguts, but you never know when something like this is lingering around the USA somewhere out there. It will kick you right in your ball sack, and knock you to your knees. Day of Doom deserves a high and mighty notice and recognition within the crushing brutal Death Metal scene. This is as raw as it comes. The blast beats and rolls made me sink into my current dwellings. I was especially excited to hear a drummer playing away, and not some drum machine or program. It was refreshing to actually hear drums getting played by a human behind a kit, and on another note, it wasn't too trigger happy. Yes, Rich Hervey used some triggers, but it’s not overbearing or overcooked like my girlfriend makes her steaks.
Doug Randazzo's, guitar sections were brilliant with fast delivery and sickness. Both the leads and rhythms sounded like they came from beyond the abyss of hell.
Sam Lara’s bass lines were not hidden or buried six feet under. The lead growls done by Sam were deep and clear. Definitely the kind of vocals that hit you like a hard punch to your throat. At times you’ll hear different vocal changes within each song. I had wondered if each member was taking a few verses. This is a testament to the well rooted backing vocals of both Rich and Doug. Each growl, whether it was the leads or backing growls ripped my spine out. Day of Doom are the true breed of what crushing old school Death Metal is all about. And they possess a unique style that is definitively their own. They are in a league of their own, in my personal opinion as a fan of the Death Metal scene.
As I mentioned earlier you’re in for a treat with this double album. "The Second Coming” contains two of their rare first releases making this one hell of a release all rolled into one. I look at is as them giving something back to the death metal family, and to its fans. Whether you are an old school fan, or are only recently getting into our scene, I recommend contacting Day of Doom on Facebook to get your own copy for your personal collection.
When first listening to “Night of Horror” (which I considered Part I), my favorite songs were “Tempest of Revenge”, “Nightmare Child” and “Womb of Hell”. Each of these songs were blasphemous and demonic from every note to the darkest growls. All seven tracks from this release were intense, sick, well-written, and stood the full course in representing what crushing death metal should be offering.
Now this brings me to “Slaves of Insanity". With another 7 tracks that were re-recorded, I almost wished I had heard the first release of this album so I could give a short comparison to see if they made any changes. In most cases, its usually on the production end these changes occur since we didn’t have all the modern technology we have now back in the day. All though it's re-recorded, it does not lose that rawness or thin out at all. Again, you hear pure drumming skills coming from a drum kit that sounds miced up. Lunatic drumming, flaming guitar riffs, wicked soloing, thick bass lines, and the to perfect growls are all present here as well. Not one track gets boring, but the release intensifies and thickens as it plays on too. By the time it's done, I'm left feeling very impressed which is something that doesn’t happen to often these days.
Well... I just had the honour of talking to Venom Inc. front man Tony (The Demolition Man) Dolan about about the huge news that they have been singed to Nuclear Blast Records.... For those that may not be aware Venom Inc... features original Venom founding members Tony Bray (Abbadon) Jeff Dunn (Mantas) and of cours bass player / vocalist Tony Dolan (who replaced Chronos after the original lineup of Venom fell apart in the mid 80's)
You just broke the news that Venom Inc. will be signed to Nuclear Blast Records.... This is a big fucking deal!!! so whats the plan of action from here?
Yes, well, we were already working towards the album demos so now it is all systems go to get the albums completed and out as soon as possible..as we have a full year of touring already looming...
Venom pretty much shaped every black /death / thrash heads childhood does it get weird when people come up to you and ask you wierd shit like im doing now?
Hahahahaha.....we were ALL from an extreme area of industry at a shit time so it shaped all of us...is it weird? No, it is humbling to us all and an honor that anyone has influenced anyone through their art
I have heard on the interwebs you guys and Chronos aren't exactly seeing eye to eye with the usage of the name 'Venom' are you going to keep using this name and what are your thoughts on Chronos' protestations?
A: No thoughts at all, he can moan for the rest of his time if that makes him feel happy, we are just doing our thing and the rest is of no importance. Seeing eye to eye? Well, we just tell the real story, he chooses a kind of strange series of alternating facts. The official biog on his site that he administers himself has changed 6 times in 10yrs so it is hard to keep up to be honest. He does what he does and hopefully he still does it well but beyond that we don't care. The name was given to us and the logo we use is the one Abaddon designed originally with the addition of Inc. We don't do as he does and spend time in interviews and onstage to audiences, disrespecting anyone...it's just not who we are..
A little about yourself Tony.... what musicians inspired you to play as a young fellow?
I was raised on Rock N Roll, then lived during the Glam period in the UK as we as hearing the likes of Kiss and Aerosmith etc...when we moved to Canada in the mid 70's but truly, I was inspired by the US punk outfit the Dickies, who pay fast and furious in 1978!! Then I heard Motorhead and it was a over...THAT bass...THAT Man...I was sold. Many bassists are influential to me but to just get up and play it was him and his band...When I formed my own Metal band I thought...what if the speed of the Dickies met the sheer volume and power of Motorhead...and years later, who would have guessed what was to happen in our musical world
How important is the spiritual aspect of music for you ???..... I believe I read somewhere that you are a satanist (don't worry I am one too.... and I won't tell anyone...) is this a sideline or a core aspect of your life and music?
CORE....how important....it IS ALL
You started playing bass in a band called Atomkraft... What was life like then and how has it progressed now (you had great hair back then by the way!!!)?
Hahaha...great not sure but hair...ahhhh yes...lol. I started as Guitar/Vocals but switched to bass/vocals when we lost our bassist before some shows...and never looked back. Life was adventurous then and full of excitement and hope...now? It is exciting and full of pleasure...I was rushing to eat up the word back then and it passed too fast...now I am taking my time to dine properly
How did you get involved in Venom in the first place?
I was waking down the street when.......lol. We had a close association since the start and when Cronos wanted to move away from the heavy dark stuff and be more like the Dave Lee Roth kind of thing...he left and there was a deal on offer...I was approached by Abaddon (who had been part managing my other band and also had just completed a tour with us as tour manager...and along with the Venom Manager...they offered me the job. They thought I was best qualified in Knowledge and style...I then helped bring Mantas back as I said there had to be 2 for it to be legitimate in my eyes...and WE were born again.,
What do you think about the black metal bands of today? Most of which are influenced by Venom... Do you feel any affinity with them?
Do I? No...are we ALL connected...hell yes...as a father teaches the son or daughter to take what he has done and make it better and expand on it...so goes the influence...in all things extreme, they all followed the path laid by Venom and Motorhead but influenced along the way by King Diamond, Chuck Schulder, Bathory, Tom Warrior etc etc....the greatest thing...they made Black Metal, the genre, their own and a proud style of extreme music...THAT is incredible
Regarding Jeff.... Can you give us some background on what makes him tick? Fave bands? influneces etc.... he is a ground breaking gutiar player and many would like to know!
Tea.....Martial Arts.....his music...playing...he lives to pay his guitar...a prolific writer, always doodling riffs..lol. He now has his home studio and is into producing BIG time...loves it...spends days in that cave hahaha....fave bands? He Loves KISS but main, Judas Priest...influences are many favs...Gary Moore and Zak Wild he likes a lot but direct influence? There can be only on and that is KK Downing....He never see's himself and groundbreaking but that is why he is my brother....I like humble...when so many are arrogant for no reason deserved...he is not...
I'm not sure if this question effects you or the other guys in the band but obviously venom influenced some big bands (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth ... and not to mention my own band hahah) does it shit you up the wall to see these dudes become world wide sensations? I don't think venom ever got the recognition they deserved from either the original lineup or the lineup that you were in? What's your thoughts on this?
Well, I think for them more than me that does smart a little but it was just situations and decisions that were to blame...as friends and peers...I think there is always the greatest respect....and NOW anyway....We will be joining them again....albeit a tad later than expected but...we always prefer to make and entrance!! lol We are the guys who don't care whose party it is...we'll come take everything anyway....
In regards to M:PIRE of EVIL (the guys last band before rebranding to "Venom Inc...") how would you say the sound and playing has progressed?:
We we still have that album almost competed so we' get to that too..we are not that band re-branded as this band...that band is different, we do what we want...in every way...unrestricted...and that may seem odd as if VENOM INC is restricted but what I mean is...there is no particular theme with the one and a definite theme with the other...Musically....we have liberties we may expand on with M:PIRE we will not with VENOM..
Your predecessor (Chronos) was an intimidating and larger than life front man... I would love to hear how you stepped to the plate and faced the music as the new front man of venom... it must have been scary!
Scary???Ahahaha...erm no...I/m not trying to be disrespectful at all but I wasn't on the same side of the fence as you...so for me...intimidating? No...larger than life? Yes...Funny, nuts...always jumping around...all of that has gone now of course...and it's a shame but...who cares...life moves on...I never gave him a thought once...I don't FOLLOW people....I am just ME...that's what you get....I was me when I came in...because I was me before...I left as me and I am here as me..like it...good..thanx , cool, don't ok...no worries...see ya..., we all have things we like and dislike..that's the beauty of life..always full of choice.,...I joined as me and wrote my songs and attacked the old songs with the passion I felt for them....just like I do now...I play from the heart and with honesty and the songs need to be slammed into you not done as a cabaret medley, this was never the Rolling Stones...hahaha
Your recently announced Sign up with Nuclear Blast could really put your guys back on the map and show a lot of young players (and even a former member) how its really done... Is there anything you have in mind that will stamp the boot of trad metal down on their faces? Whats the plan? I hope Nuclear Blast gives you guys the respect you deserve!
NB are the best...we ALL know that and I have wanted them for over 8 years for us and 15yrs before....loyalty is all and we will deliver the best we can possibly give...This band is REAL...this band MEANS it and this band will show why Metal was and is and will be so important to generation after generation of young people who need to feel less alone and that when you need to scream....you can....louder than anything and heavier than you thought possible.....all anyone has to do is join us....and feel it burst right into your soul....ALL HAIL
Rake-Off from Italy play short sharp bursts of angry hardcore... The guys play well tough and do a convincing job with some quite tight and to the point bursts which stay entertaining the whole way through. The boys got together out of various bands from the local scene at the start of 2016 and by the end of the year had recorded and released the demo you see linked underneath this review. This is a well produced and great sounding little affair too, which serves well as a demo and a great teaser for whats to come next....... I gather it was only released on a limited run cassette late 2016 but now made available through bandcamp real cheap. This might appeal to fans of madball, agnostic front and the like. You could do a lot worse than give this a listen!
https://rake-offhc.bandcamp.com/
Impavidus formed out of the UK in 2015 but even though they are a new unit the members have all previously been in bands and you can tell from the initial listen this is no beginner band! The sound of the sits somewhere along the lines of Arch Enemy with some quite techie music with vocals that sit fairly similarly to that of Angela Gossow, but with some clean vocals thrown in which I think gives the music a bit more of an accessible and memorable edge than just being an "Arch Enemy" clone, which lets face it a lot of bands tend to do! Anyway this here is their debut EP which was recorded in 2016 for your enjoyment!
https://impavidus.bandcamp.com/album/impavidus
Cyber Hate: Here's something different ,,, its a hard one for me to review (as I don't listen to much in the way of industrial metal) there are a lot of techno parts in this and I can see how this would alienate many listeners but if you can get past that and listen with an open mind this isn't too bad... In fact its quite enjoyable. This is my second listen to it now and I'm starting to understand what the band is trying to achieve. To my ears it reminds me of Korn / Fear Factory in both their metal and techno phases but that's really because I can't think of much to compare it to. When the boys do get rocking there are some really cool metal bits which cross over into melodic metal / death metal territory at times with some great keyboard/ piano work spread through it. It's really a tough one to pin down, with so many different angles that the guys approach things from. Everything is recorded and presented rather professionally and rather easy to listen to. This won't be for everyone by any stretch but these guys are good at what they do and definatley worth having a listen to find out if you like it or not!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYwBtTRFEEA
Here's another batch of Heavy Metal Reviews for you! This time round we got Endless Curse from Germany, Set Before Us from Sweden and Deified from the UK! Read on dear listener....
Endless Curse Album review:
This is some old school crusty death metal from Germany. I have to confess I listened to the wrong album first (which I think was an earlier demo) and thought to myself "these guys would be pretty cool if only they had decent production" Thankfully by the time I figured out which was their new stuff I was supposed to listen to, the production had improved markedly! I still think this release could benefit from some pro mastering (I think the album was self recorded) but to my delight the musicianship has also improved a long way as at least one of the songs was on both releases and allows this reviewer to compare the progress the band has made. The music is old school death metal in the vein of early death and a million old school death bands (like baphomet, incantation, immolation etc...). Its hardly groundbreaking stuff, but overall a very enjoyable to listen to and great to see bands still doing this stuff .... https://www.youtube.com/user/EndlessCurseTV
Set Before Us are another relatively new band hailing from Stockholm, Sweden... Their sound is a modern death / metalcore with influences like parkway drive / August burns red etc.... the band have been making quite a name for themselves touring Sweden, Germany and the surrounding regions.
While this is not my chosen alloy of metal, I have to admit the boys are good at what they do, the songs I've heard are well written played and recorded and more importantly very easy to listen to. Some really cool melodic guitar solos punctuate the dropped down riffage adding some great contrast to whats going on. Some clean vocals and occasional keyboard breaks also spice things up nicely.
Definately worth a listen if you're into metalcore but also if you're not into it this could be a great way to get aquainted with what the kids are listening to :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8g4I_FFuhU
Deified..... HOLY CRAP! U.K's Defied have certainly got an intense sound going on ... for my ears it sounds like a cross between death metal / thrash / and tech death... but it is a rather accomplished release. These guys do not piss around and a release like this can only come about through hard work and perseverence... well done guys! Some ultra tech 'angular' riffage (for lack of a better word) and drumming that can stop on a dime and start right back up again like nothing happened.
I like this vocalist too ... great projection and presence ... obviously I'm not the only one as it topped the OCZ reader polls a while back.. and more importantly scoring a slot on the BLOODSTOCK metal fest.
Over all this is a very classy act and I wish the guys all the best, the future is theirs! Don't take my word for it tho.... check the guys bandcamp page and hear for yourself! https://deifieduk.bandcamp.com/
At Obscure Chaos Zine we've been getting a whole heap of material to review... here's some of the latest stuff we've been getting in! links are provided so feel free to check out and listen to some great new bands!
@officialldemonsinside are a Brazillian band that combine a few influences the guitar riffage of pantera and megadeth with some dirty rockin' female vocals. The overall feel of the band reminds me of a band meldrum. The bands aim is to create something unique and they've come pretty close, The band is still relatively new and in some respects probably still finding their feet, but in this short period of time since forming in 2014 have created something pretty cool, and varied (I've been checking out their soundcloud page as well) I look forward to seeing what these guys can do in the future
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUPT02Bh8TM https://www.facebook.com/pg/OfficiallDemonsInside https://soundcloud.com/demons-inside
Eighty88eight are an alternate / rock / metal combo from Milano, Italy formed in 2012 and releasing their first release, Step by Step in 2013 and a second EP which has yet to be released was recorded in 2015 which features this newly recorded video, MONSTER!
Its not the heaviest tune that we featured by any means but its not a bad listen at all for those that appreciate the more rockin' alternate end of the metal spectrum. Great sound, riffage and production and an immensly watchable video defainately make this worth checking out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7eDxLUdrro
Problem With Dragons are a doom/sludge band from massachusetts USA... they combine riffage with some dissonant soundscapes its more than just doom tho as there are some faster metallic / punkier bits but all through the album that sludgey doom sonic range is present with lots of delicious feedback. The vocals can be harsh or eeiree/haunting affairs with some cool multilayered effects. This is not going to be for everyone but if you can imagine a cross between earlier bloody kisses era Type O Negative and Pentagram with all your favourate sludge thrown in this may be just the ticket for you!
https://problemwithdragons.bandcamp.com/album/starquake
Kold Creature are a vairied and interesting act featuring some heavy and powerful vocals that range from a nu-metally Korn to an older school Testament style heavier vocals... with some quite interesting riffage with a great command of lighter and heavier styles and which might appeal to fans of machine head and some dynamic drumming these lads from Queensland, Australia are making some pretty cool noises .... definatley worth a look and a listen!
https://www.reverbnation.com/koldcreature/songs
HEATHEN DEITY - RELIGOUS PURIFICATION THROUGH FIRE DEMO
Heathen Deity are Black Metal from Merry old England.... their album starts out with the usual atmospheric intro that many band before them have used.... and then into the real stuff .... nothing unique or particularly groundbreaking but I have to admit the boys are pretty good and know how to construct a good song. Quite solid stuff... Kinda reminds me of Satyricon but most black metal fans would get something out of this.... the third song however starts to set them apart some very emotional old english style acoustic and clean tone electrics make for a very atmospheric listen showing how much talent these guys have. The recording is suitably grim but clean enough to let the listener comprehend what is going on which I think is important... this isn't your usual 'recorded in a toilet demo' it actually sounds pretty good and conveys the black metal feeling rather well.
