JUSTIN'S ARCHIVE REVIEWS PART ONE A-F

Alaska is about to be put on the Rock map as new Roadrunner signing release their debut CD, taking their name from a Jackie Chan film you would expect them to pack a good punch and they do.

They have been likened to a hardcore Deftones and that pretty much describes what we have here, powerful brooding aggression, coupled with a Metallic edge and a tinge of melody to keep everybody happy. Fuelled with a vision they bludgeon their way through a baker’s dozen of the finest hardcore edged Nu Metal this side of last year’s Ill Nino release.

From the start they take no prisoners with “Turn to Ashes”, pummelling their way into your unconsciousness, leaving you thinking, what the hell hit me. “Slit Wrist Theory” starts off with an intriguing guitar riff that is both memorable and catchy but surprisingly doesn’t sound like anything else. Like most of the recent signings to the RR roster 36 Craxyfists have a bright future in store, definitely one to watch, this will fly out of the stores if you give it half a chance.

London band A return with an album chock full of up tempo happy songs laden with more hooks than a trawler on a fishing expedition and it makes such a change from all the serious Metal around at the moment.

Starting off with the single “Nothing” the CD doesn’t let up until it’s finished and if you like the single you will like the rest of the CD as it is representative of the rest of the tracks. “Starbucks” and “Took It Away” are so good you will be singing along with them after only one listen and the latter features digital scratching that sounds just like your CD player has gone up the spout, but trust me it’s supposed to sound like that.

This great piece of Pop Metal is made for listening in fine sunny weather and you can almost feel the sun just listening to it, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t Rock because it does, one listen to the title track will convince you of this and will keep the most ardent headbanger happy. You are times when you want to listen to some happy metal and there are so few bands that do this which means that A has the market to themselves.

Formed around the talents of French guitar virtuoso Stephan Forte, Adagio is a Progressive Metal band in the vein of Yngwie Malmsteen. The rest of the band are members of Elegy, Majestic and all the vocals are ably handled by Pink Cream 69 vocalist David Readman, who sounds really good on all the tracks.

All the tracks are Yngwie flavoured and Stephan admits in the liner notes than when he first heard the man he was so totally blown away by his style he just had to learn how to play the same. If the like Yngwie, then you will love this album and all the musicians perform beautifully. Tracks such as "In Nomini..." "the Inner Road" and the "Stringless Violin" are good song's in the own right and not just glorified burnout's by Stephan. There is even a cover version of the Led Zeppelin classic "Immigrant Song" which is actually very good.

So if you like what you read go and check out the download snippet's available from their website below.

If like me you downloaded the Adema track from the Kerrang site a couple of weeks ago, these guys will already be know to you. I bought this their debut CD on import on the strength of the aforementioned track "Freaking Out" which is included on this.

Sounding like a funkier Papa Roach crossed with Linkin Park, Adema come storming out of the speakers like their career depended on it, which it does. The first couple of tracks wouldn't sound out of place on the Linkin Park album, yes they are that good. "Freaking' Out" the track that was featured on the 14 day's of downloads follows and you should by now know this, if not, why not!

"Do What You Want To Do" is good enough to be a hit single, given half the chance and so is "Just The Way You Like It" with it's angst, melody and good guitar riffs. There are echoes of Korn in "Trust" and the superb "Pain Inside" which apart from "Freaking Out" is my favourite track.

This is a very good album and if you cant wait for the next Linkin' Park album this will fill the gap nicely. The only problem being that it probably won't get released in the UK until next year.

Switzerland is not well know for it's metal but Alastis are one of the best Dark Metal bands around at the moment. Sounding like a cross between Paradise Lost and Moonspell, this brooding album is full of great songs and when the vocalist War D sing's "Everyone Love Me, Everyone Respect Me" he definitely means it. The keyboards and samples add superb gothic splendour while the Dark and moody guitars wail respectivley creating some of the best moments of their career. Standout tracks, Another God, The Sign and And Death Smiled. A very good CD well worth buying.

Sounding like the ill begotten offspring of a liaison between Pantera and Faith No More, 7 piece American Head Charge are the latest of the Nu Breed of metal bands to try for the new contenders crown.

The mixture of the two bands actually works very well crossing Ansalmo’s vocal aggression and Patton’s sense of melody under pinned with some fierce guitar work and a drum sound that others would kill for. Tracks like “Shutdown”, “Pushing The Envelope” and “Just So You Know” are true works of art and would not have sounded out of place on the last Pantera CD, that’s not to say they are copyists, because they are not, they have a subtlety at times that is almost laid back, like F N M and just when you get used to it they come bludgeoning back.

Other very memorable tracks include “A Violent Reaction”, “Wrapped Up” and “We Believe” that starts off with a sound like those Tibetan Monks make before going into a really heavy Riff. Overall this is a very good Debut and I know for certain that this is going to establish them as definite new contenders. They have had a lot of press but take it from me this is not hype, American Head Charge are a very good band.

This is another one of my favourite downloads that eventually gets released, Norway’s Ancient return with their most polished efforts to date. With tracks titles like “Satan’s Children”, “The Witch” and “On Blackest Wing’s” you know what to expect, Black Metal at its darkest best.

If you have downloaded “Satan’s Children” you will know what this band sound like and it’s not unfair to compare them to the big guns of the genre Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir as they have elements of both and many more besides but still manage create their own sound.

One listen to the title track and “In The Abyss Of The Cursed Souls” and you will know that this is quality Black Metal that deserves to be heard. “Beyond The Realms Of Insanity” just leaves you wanting more, the female vocals are interlaced with the bass heavy guitars and underpinned with some well played drums and keyboards just put icing on the cake. The final track “Incarnating The Malignant Deity” is a 9.30 minute epic that leaves you totally breathless.

German Metal band continue their quest to fuse together two totally incompatible juxtaposed forces of total brutal power and majestic emotive melody. Most of the time they end up at one end of the spectrum or the other, either the blitzkrieg of “The Human Bondage”, “Unreal Soul” or the powerful melody of “Disbeliever”, “The Cultman”, (to a song about Ian Ashbury), “Forever” or “Got This Evil”.

However they do succeed in blending the tow together fantastically with “Inhuman”, “Unite”, Freedom Awaits” and “Killer” a cover of the Seal song which actually works very well, so overall this is a very good CD, if you have not heard much of Angel Dust this is a good place to start, go on download the title track from the site below.

Brazilian Progressive Metal band return with a great new album that is very much a return to form as far as I am concerned.

Filled with plenty of keyboard flurries and a guitarist that sounds at times like Joe Satriani, how con you possibly go wrong? "Nova Era" sets the CD off to a fine start and is as good as any track on Holy Land, which was the album that brought them to international attention. "Unholy War" is another track that lets their creative imagination fly and is as good as any track by bands of the same Genre, such as Dream Theatre, Stratavarius et al. Other tracks to look out for include; "Rebirth" and the 8 minute epic "Acid Rain", that brings some South American influences to bare.

If you like well written and well played Progressive Metal you will love this CD, a good and welcome return for Angra.

Canadian band Annihilator have been around 23 years and this is one of their best for years, their brand of Judas Priest inspired Power Metal is described very aptly by Jeff Waters himself in the first track, “Ultra Motion”, “Speed and aggression, become an obsession, coming together as one, in Ultra Motion”.

The power and the riffs come thick and fast and lay waste to all in their path, when “Torn”, “Striker” and “Prime Time Killing” tear out of the speakers almost taking the front grille with them, but it’s not just the music it’s the lyrics that impress as well, “Striker” in particular would make an excellent football anthem and Jeff captures the feel of a good player perfectly.

A welcome return for Jeff Waters and crew it’s not exactly Alice in Hell, which is still a great album even now but it has its moments and there are enough guitar riffs to satisfy any air guitarist, enjoy.

Anyone are one of those rarest of things a sounding band. Taking their inspiration from anything and everything, their music is at once eclectic enigmatic and captivating, you literally do not no what you are going to hear next. This CD is full of light and shade and so dynamic it's like the difference between black and white and Technicolor.

Their sound is almost impossible to describe a there is no band around that sounds remotely like them and so comparisons are at once meaningless and of no use at all. The vocalist Riz Story sounds a bit like Perry Farrell and the lead singer with Suede whose name escapes me at the moment but other than that they sound like everyone and no one at all and this may be their strength or weakness. They are obviously songwriters first and this means that they go where their collective whim takes them one minute Pink Floyd the next and Cheap Trick or Jane's Addiction the next the only way to describe this is Acid Rock for the new Millennium. Tracks such as "Giving Thrills"and "Real" rock out with the best of them while "Lazy Hazy" has a brilliant pop sensibility that begs to be played along with "fly". Filled with jerky rhythms and strange melodies if you are looking for something different that will still intrigue you in 5 years time this is the CD for you.

Stand out tracks, "Giving Thrills", "Real", "Lazy Hazy" and "Love, Peace and Toxic".

Excellent British NuMetal featuring the vocals of Geezer Butler's son, mixing all the current nu metal sounds with dance rhythm's and samples. If you like Fear Factory, Coal Chamber, Limp Bizkit you will love this band, as good as anything by Papa Roach or Linkin Park. Stand out track's Baxkwards, Slicedbeats and Void (which actually features Burton C Bell from Fear Factory).

If you are looking for a great Melodic Death Metal CD than look no further than Swedish band Arch Enemy’s new one and If I say it was produced by one Michael Arnott of Spiritual Beggars you know it must be good.

This is their 4th CD and they just get better and better, the mix of Melodic Metal and Death Metal is a very difficult one to balance and despite changing the lead vocalist a traumatic experience for any band they have come up with some fine songs. New vocalist Angela Gossow is so good she fits into the band as if she had been there for years. You only have to listen to “Ravenous”, “Heart Of Darkness” and “Burning Angel” to realise that this is class A Death Metal that knows how to bludgeon the listener and when to pile on the melody.

I can’t recommend this CD too highly and if you own any of their back catalogues I promise you won’t be disappointed with Angela who can scream with the best of them. If that isn’t incentive enough initial copies come complete with a bonus CD of rare and unreleased tracks.

A welcome return for the Babies it's been a long time since Total 13 and I for one am glad to hear their brand of High Octane Rock back where it belongs, fighting for space in the charts. "Brand New Hate" the first single off the album is representative of the album, only two of the 13 tracks slow doen to almost a ballad all the rest is their brand of Melody with Metal trademark. Comparisons with the Wildhearts and Buckcherry can only enhance their potential popularity and like the Buck Cherry CD is a welcome break from the angst ridden current metal crop and this stands out well. Stand out tracks; "Brand New Hat" co wrote by Ginger of the Wildhearts, "Too Tough To Make Some Friends" and "PayBack"

British band pusing back the frontiers of extreme metal, with lots of narrations a bit like a very cool soundtraack albun at times with lots of Sci Fi and Mythology themes running through all their tracks. If you like Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir this will be right up you street. Pure escapism for extreme mettalers. Stand out tracks, The Splendour of A thousand Swords, Gleaming Beneath The Blazon Of The Hyperborean Empire Part III, The Chronicle Of Shadows and Atlantis Ascendant.

This band has gone through a mega change from loveable Irish Female pop band to Swedish Satanic Black Metal and they are all now male, ha ha.

No seriously Bewitched have broken through that invisible barrier into the Major league, they have been threatening to achieve this for some time and now the Dark one has granted their wishes and they are poised for big thing’s. You only have to listen to the title track or “Under Satan’s Spell” to realise that they now possess that certain indefinable something that separates them from the rest of the pack. Without compromising their beliefs or music they have injected a more accessible element that will take tracks like “Sacrificed In Flames” and “Victim Of The Cult” into the hearts of Bewitched fans across the globe without the cry of Sell out, This is a totally indispensable Metal CD, put aside any produces you have and open up your ears to some great music. If you like Witchery and Classic Maiden this riff filled opus is for you.

Stand out tracks “Bewitched By Evil”, “Under Satan’s Spell”, “Sacrificed In Flames” and “The Rise Of The Antichrist”.

The masters return with a truly great hardcore album featuring loads of guest appearances from Agnostic Front, Cyprus Hill, Pantera and Type O Negative.

Newly signed to SPV in Germany after being disillusioned by Mercury they are indeed back on top form. One listen to the track "Last Man Standing" featuring Sen-Dog from Cypruss Hill and you just know that its going to be played to death by WWF and all the Rock Clubs across the globe, and "Unified" should be the global National Anthem, totally awesome. Tracks like "Population Control", "Wide Awake" and "Cross The Line" are going to be classics by this time next year.

So overall if you like hardcore with some rap and Hip-hop thrown in for good measure you will love this and if you haven't heard much by Biohazard before this is a good one to start off with.

Rap Metal is a very difficult genre to master and succeed in; too many bands try to walk the tightrope and fall one side or the other and end up pleasing no one. The number of bands that have been successful you can count on one hand, Rage Against The Machine, Body Count, Cypruss Hill and Clawfinger and now to join this salubrious bunch are Bionic Jive.

Mixing the socio-political lyrics of R.A.T.M. with some serious guitar riffs these guys take no prisoners, “Shut Em Down” kicks in with an incredible guitar and drums with some expert scratching that Slipknot would be proud of and some killer Rapping worthy of Ice T but the main difference is that AKO Mack doesn’t keep rapping about how great he is or about killing people but issues that concern all of us and it’s this that puts hem up there with all the afore mentioned luminaries. Check out “I Shot Lucifer” and Rock On” for proof and the other thing that strikes you is the simple harmonies during the chorus’s. “Goodbye” the final track could with the right push be a hit single, it’s that good.

If you like the first R.A.T.M. CD and Cypruss when they rock out that this is the one for you, I promise you won’t be disappointed, this is the REAL stuff. A big thnk’s to my main man Mark at MG Discs in Leicester for recommending this to me, Cheers Mark.

WOW, I have been looking forward to this release since I downloaded two tracks form the Metal Blade website and I can honestly say that I am totally blown away.

German Power Metal quintet, Brainstorm have recorded one of, if not the best album of the genre for a decade. All the tracks are without doubt totally ace and the other thing is that they don't sound like anyone else, only occasionally do you get hints of say, Annihilator or Megadeth at their prime. One listen to "Shadowland", "Into the Nevcr" or "Cycles" and your totally seduced by the pounding double bass drums, (almost thrash at times), the riffmungus guitars and the synth touches and you're hooked.

To single out any track would be a sin as there are NO, yes, NO bad tracks on this at all and there are enough Hammerons, pulloffs and twin lead breaks to keep any air guitarist happy for months. If like me you like a bit of retro now and again I can't stress how good this is, download the two tracks below and e-mail me and tell me I'm totally wrong. DEATH TO FALSE METAL.

Put simply this is just a classic ROCK album. Anyone owho calls their band an anagram of Chuck Berry what else could it be. all the songs are major power chords with plenty of melody and as up tempo as it is possible to be. Their are a couple of slow songs and when they go into this mode they remind me of The Black Crows at their commercial best, ther rest of the time they bring to mind Love/Hat at their prime. Standout tracks include Underneath, Porno Star and the radio friendly You which I played to death on HFM.

Similar Artists: Satyricon, Thorns, Zyklon, Susperia, Akercocke, Mayhem, Behemoth

Background: Cadaver Inc. has actually been around for quite some time. The band released two albums on Earache (Necrosis imprint) under the name "Cadaver" in the early 90's. The original band toured with many of the modern Norwegian acts, including Emperor, Mayhem, Immortal, Enslaved and Dimmu Borgir. Cadaver Inc., the modern incantation of Cadaver, was founded by original guitarist Anders Odden, now going by the name of Neddo, in Oslo in 1999. He recently contributed on Satyricon's 'Rebel Extravaganza' and Mayhem's 'A Grand Declaration Of War' as well as being a member of the darkwave band ‘Apoptygma Berzerk’ in the mid nineties. Joining Neddo is drummer Czral, vocalist Apollyon (both from Aura Noir, Dodheimsgard) and LJ Balvaz on bass. This recording also features guest appearances from Fenriz (Darkthrone) on the track 'Rupture' and Faust (ex-Emperor) whose spoken word vocals on the track 'Killtech' were recorded from prison.

Packaging: I only have the promo, so I don’t have any first hand knowledge of the packaging. I have been informed by others that the CD does contain all the lyrics and comes packaged with a business card of one of the band members. This is related to their website which sarcastically promotes Murder Scene clean-up and lists their address as the Norwegian Parliament

Production: "Discipline" was recorded and mixed in Sonic Electronic (November 2000). It was engineered by Bjorn.F, produced by Anders Odden and mastered at Livingroom by Espen Berg (January 2001). The production is appropriate for what they are trying to accomplish, it has a raw feel to it but not as sterile as the latest Satyricon or Thorns recordings. It has a "real" sound, as if it was recorded live in the studio. There does not appear to be any polishing of the sound whatsoever, therefore it retains its raw edge. The sound most reminds of the "Hell Awaits" era Slayer.

The Music: This recording just plain kicks ass. It is fast and aggressive but still retains a lot of underlying melody. The vocals are a mix of black metal tortured shrieks and computer enhanced gargled screams. What I really enjoy is how the band combines the brutality of death metal, the melody of black metal and the fist-pumping of thrash while incorporating some computer-enhanced digitized effects. This is not for the squeamish and is definitely not "pretty". Don’t expect symphonic black metal, on their website the band eagerly reminds you that there are no keyboards utilized here.

Recommendation: I tend to gauge how good a recording is by how often I want to hear it. This one has repeatedly found its way back into my stereo since I acquired it. This is something that you want to listen to when you have that urge to just totally jam out. Visit their website for some samples and take the time to download the video for the song "rupture" which is one of the best songs on the album. Highly recommended.

Review by Andrew Deikin

Scandinavian Cybermetalers return with their unique brand of funked up metal, though not as immediate as their last self titled CD it may not bring them any new fans but it will certainly keep the faithful very happy.

Right from the offset they start as they mean to go on and "Out To Get Me" and "Nothing Going On" are very much business as usual and it is physically impossible to listen to these tracks and not feel the urge to dance.

Standout tracks "Burn In Hell", "Confrontation" and "Paradise" are Clawfinger at their best, fierce guitars and rhythmic drum patterns juxtaposed by those scathing vocals we have come to know and love. Once again the finger have come up with the goods and expect to hear these tracks at a Rock Club near you soon, if not you're in the wrong club.

I know a lot of fans were disappointed with Chamber music although personally I thought it was a much stronger effort than their debut but this is a definite return to form and I know a lot of people will be will pleased..

One of the criticisms levelled at their last effort is that it lacked the menacing insanity of their first CD so if that was your opinion too then I can honestly say that it has returned with abundance. You only have to listen to “Friend”, “Fiend”, “Dark Days” or “One Step” to convince you that Dez is back on top form and as manic as ever. The tortured soul guitars are back and despite a personnel change the bass growls like a junkyard dog that hasn’t been fed for a couple of days, spread the news the Chamber are back and on form.

If you want to check it out yourself why not go to the RR site below and send for a free, yes I said FREE CD with a new track form Coal Chamber on it.

Melodic Power Metal form Japan , this live album is what the title say's The End Of The Beginning. Classically inspired similar to Malmsteen, crossed with Rainbow this live opus is a celebration of the bands career to date. Sung in Japanese it maybe but that doesn't distract from the great music that they perform with lust and vigour. Standout tracks , Take You To The Moon, Fight To the Death and Alone In Paradise. Inital copies of this come with a 53 min MPEG live video so you can see them as well. This is what the soundtrack of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon should have sounded like.

Following on from last year’s superb Brutal Planet, Dragontown see’s Alice continue in good form and rocking like the proverbial mutha and not a Desmond Child song in sight.

Alice really is back with his scathing socio-political story lyrics and with a guitar sound others would kill for, you only have to listen to “Triggerman” and the title track “Dragontown” to realise that this is not a seventies star re-living past glories but a viable Rock star re discovering his roots and sounding hungrier than he has for over a decade.

Alice’s live shows have always been second to none and with his much imitated theatrics (and if I mention the name Marilyn), you know what I mean and with great songs like these to back him up he can't go wrong. He always throws in at least one ballad and Dragontown’s is called “Every Woman Hs A Name” and is the best ballad he has written since Only Women Bleed.

Stand out tracks include, “Triggerman”, “Dragontown”,“Sex, Death And Money” and “Sister Saka”, Alice is Rocking and I can't wait to see him do these live.

This album marks the end of another phase in the Cradle world domination. Made up of new and re-recordings of the best tracks off the first CD and these have benefited well from the experience that the band has accumulated over the past few years and from a better production job. The Sisters cover "No Time To Cry" is a good choice as it fits the band well, they have possessed it and made it all their own. The new tracks are as good as most of the songs on Midian and if their first for Sony goes well their future looks seccure, my only worry is that Sony will try to tame them as their track record with Metal is not very good, Danni PLEASE GO WITH YOUR INSTINCTS AND IGNORE ALL THE MONEY MOGULS. All the new tracks are good but my favourite is "Scorched Earth Erotica", this is C O F at their best Black Gothic Metal with a haunting guitar riff in the background. Cradle Of Filth are arguably the best British Extreme Metal band and long may they continue, PLEASE GUYS DONT MELLOW, STAY YOURSELVES.

Re issue of the last album for Music For Nations and to most fans probably their best so far.

On this album they got everything right by making all the songs more accessible without selling out, commerciality without compromise. You only have to check out "Cthulhu Dawn" to hear what I mean, it's as aggressive as any of their earlier tracks but manages to come across easier to listen too but still extreme. The other stand out tracks "Her Ghost In The Fog", "Lord Abortion" and "Tortured Soul Asylum" have now become live favourites and their ability to re create these live proves that they are very creative and able musicians.

So why the re release I hear you say, well it's in a special packaging, has an extra track a cover of a Sabbath cover "For Those Who Have Died" and also thoughtfully includes a CD ROM video of "Her Ghost". Fans will buy it for these two extras; me included but if you have only caught on to Cradle since Bitter Suite then you are in for a treat, just in time for Xmas.

Picking up from where Alice In Chains left off, Creed seem to have cornered the American market for Melodic Grunge rock and this their 3rd outing is a lot heavier than their previous efforts, but the formula that has been successful so far has not been changed too much.

The one thing that strikes you when listening, is their sense of dynamic's, they don’t come in all guns blazing from the start but gradually build things up to a magnificent crescendo. This is demonstrated beautifully by the track "Who's Got My Back?" which starts off with an American Indian chant, some atmospheric keyboards kick in and the vocals start and before you know it the guitar's there and eight and a half minutes later you are left totally breathless wondering what hit you.

There are shorter rockier tracks like "Signs" which are much more to the point and simpler in construction so as you can see this is quite a variable CD. Their characteristic ballad's are here but not as many but you can bet that the radio will play these instead of the more up tempo tracks.

Overall this is a good CD and if Staind can make top 20 in the UK I see no reason why Creed should not do the same. Even if you don’t like Creed usually this one might change your mind and you must hear "Who's Got My Back?".

If I was to ask you to name one Chilean Metal band, unless you live there you wouldn’t be able to, well not until now because Criminal are going to change all that. Putting Chilie on the Metal map in the same way that Sepultura did all those years ago.

The Sepultura comparison is not too far off the mark as they have the same power and aggression that they had when they first started and this CD is full of top class Metal.

Starting off with a track that has been in my top 10 downloads section ever since it was put on the net, “Cancer” is as fine a Metal anthem as you will find anywhere and it’s not the only good track either. “Force Feed” and “Alma Muerta” are just as good and prove that Criminal can Rock it up with the best of them. I have been looking forward to getting this for a couple of months and I can say that I am not disappointed it’s just a shame that it’s rather short but overall an excellent album and one that will put Chilie on the map.

I must confess when I heard about the Cult reunion I dismissed it without a thought because unless you were a die hard Cult fan, 94's self titled album did nothing for me and the last killer album they released was the Bob Rock produced Sonic Temple back in '88, so when I saw this release was produced by the same famed producer my ears pricked up. And lo and behold I was pleasently impressed by what I heard. This is greater than most of the stuff that they have so far released and is definatley not a band trading on former glories. The garish red and green cover stares back at you and looks about as trendy as a parker on a hot day but don't let this deceive you for the contents are the Cult at their Rocking best, the guitar sound bringing to mind Cathedral at times and Ian's vocals sounding as good as ever. Lead track "War" kicks off in fine style sounding like the Cult alway's promised too but never did. "Rise" is as good as it gets and if you have seen the video on Kerrang TV you will know how good it is, this will sound great coming out of the Radio if it get's released as a single, hopefully with the Video as an enhanced extra. There are no bad tracks and all of them except 2 rock like the Cult mean business, while the others are a little slower with that much missed Ashbury harmonies. Stand out tracks; "Rise", "American Gothic" and "Speed Of Light".

The new Darkthrone release is with us and thankfully, there’s nothing new here. At a time when Black Metal is going off at all angles, it’s wonderful if not essential that we have bands like Darkthrone who stick to the true form of Black metal.

To review the album properly, a quick history lesson if you don’t mind.

The first Darkthrone album "Soulside Journey" was really a "Horror Death Metal" release with pretty good production and gruff vocals. The band then met "Euronymous" and went True Black metal, corpse paint, name changes releasing "A Blaze In The Northern Sky" the vocals changed on this release to the screechy type vocal of Black Metal although this is many peoples favourite album it is still quite bouncy. I feel their best was yet to come "Under A Funeral Moon" was an absolute classic, Cold and Nasty giving us such classics as "Natassia In Eternal Sleep" and "Crossing The Triangle Of Flames". The media eyes were firmly on Norway during the next period and all that was going on with the satanic inner circle when Darkthrone released "Transylvanian Hunger" another stripped down "LOW-FI" cold sounding album and their last for Peaceville who refused to promote it due to political shit.

Following on from (all on MOONFOG) that came "Panzerfaust" a similar sounding record then "Total Death" an unlikely sounding clear record with some lyrics written by Emperor man Ihsahn. Next release was "Goatlord" a demo that was going to be their second release with vocals added at a later date a startlingly cold sound on that one. Fenriz did his Isengard project Nocturnal culto played on the finest black metal album Satyricon’s Nemesis divina under another name other bands played tribute to Darkthrone on Holy darkthrone and Peaceville released a compilation. Darkthrone then released "Ravishing Grimness" a fantastic (if short) return to form "Across the Vacuum" standing out. That brings us to the here and now.

Thank God? They have not changed, although the corpse paint is off and Fenriz is as likely to talk about Inspector Gadget as he is Satan but the music is cold under produced and perfect. You are not often going to have favourite tracks with Darkthrone but favourite albums because they are records to immerse yourself in and this is a dam good one.

REVIEW BY ARATHORN

28/05/2001

Female fronted Nu Metal from Corby with a similar sound to Landmine Spring and Rageing Speedhorn but with the angelic vocals of tiny Gen who sings like an angel one moment and screams like a demon the next. Conparisons to Kittie are bound to be brought up but to my mind Defenestration are better. The guitars are upfront and despite Gen's screaming vocals all the melodies are quite singable. An essential purchase. Standout tracks are, Thrill Of the Chase, Mushroom God and Stitch.

Deicide have always been as uncompromising as the Death Metal that they play and after 10 years and 8 albums later nothing has changed and they revel in the fact that they are still underground.

Right from the first note of the title track you know where you are with Glen Benton, if you took away the keyboards and female vocals of Cradle Of Filth this is probably what you would end up with, good honest Death Metal that bludgeons it's way into your primeval subconsciousness. Too many people listen to the first few notes of this type of music and dismiss it out of hand by saying, "it's a total racket" and fail to see that that is precisely the reaction they want to put off those who are not prepared to listen with an open mind.

I was talking with a friend of mine at work called Russell and we were discussing Death Metal and it's sometimes gory imagery and how all that it is doing is reflecting the negative side that exists in all of us and only those foolish enough to try and pretend that Humanity does not have a dark side are storing trouble for the future, by not accepting that we do have a dark side and try to utilise this negative aggressive that is in all of us and channelling it into something creative or useful and this is where music like this can be a God send, (pun intended).

This album is just under 32 minutes long and as far as I am concerned as good as their first album in 91 and I hope that they will continue to make music such as this for years to come, if you have dismissed this sort of music out of hand open your mind and ears and listen. Stand out tracks, "In Torment, In Hell, Vengeance Is Mine and "Let I Be Done".

This is Destruction’s 4th CD and they get better and better, one listen to the opening track “Dictators Of Cruelty” and it wont take you  long to realise that is a thrash album.

The second track “Thrash Till Death” leaves you in no doubt and I can see the Moshers amongst you will lap this up like there is no tomorrow.  The guitarist lets loose riff’s faster than a speeding bullet and the drummer must be totally whacked after playing these, I bet he sweats buckets live.

If you like the current Slayer CD and Pantera or Hypocrisy this is definitely for you, there are no ballads on this Metal mayhem and no fillers either.

Standout tracks; -“Thrash till Death”, “Bullet’s From Hell” and “Nailed To The Cross”, this is a fine follow up to All Hell Breaks Loose and should bring them a few more fans and their loyal followers will be highly delighted. Full Marks Guys.

Let’s face it you can’t go wrong with a best of can you by their very nature they cut away the dead wood and leave you with only the choice cuts, a bit like a top steak.

Bruce’s solo career was an accident and if you get the 2xCD limited set he even admits it himself but that doesn’t distract that this is a quality album. Tattooed Millionaire was Bruce’s first effort and the title track and “Born In ’59” are both included here and I must admit both have stood the test of time well and are both very good Pop Rock songs.

There are 2 tracks from Balls to Picasso a live version of “Laughing in The Hiding Bush” and the utterly brilliant “Tears Of The Dragon” probably Bruce’s finest solo moment to date.

“Back From The Edge” from the Skunkworks CD is a truly superb Rock song and shows what Bruce is capable of when freed from the restraint of Iron Maiden and is almost Nu Metal in places preceding that particular genre by at least 3 years.

Accident of Birth is represented by the title track and “Dark Side Of Aquarius” by the time this album was released Bruce was pleasing himself and wrote some very expressive and totally rocking tracks. The last studio album “Chemical Wedding" was critically acclaimed and rightfully so if you don’t know much of Bruce’s solo work if you do anything, buy this CD, you will not be disappointed.

The two unreleased new tracks “Broken” and “Silver Wing’s” are from the last sessions with Roy Z and are both excellent. If you get the limited edition CD you get twice the fun for the same money and all are rare or unreleased so you can’t go wrong, overall this is a Best Of that really is.

It’s been 7 years since this Metal supergroup released their debut, trends in Metal have come and gone but NOLA still remains a classic album and the 2nd is just as good, if not better.

The music is full of passion and fire and you can tell that it’s a true labour of love; this is a Heavy Metal record, no mistake, steeped in the Blues and traditions of New Orleans and smelling of cheap burbon and strong cigarettes. The guitars are fierce and riff laden and the vocals are full of conviction, screaming when they have to and melodic when the mood of the songs dictates. This is by no means a full on record, at times the pace slows down and the heavy blues comes shining through and there are even a couple of times when they experiment with Bluegrass, you wont like every track straight off, but in time you will relish every moment and after all this may have to last you another 7 years but one thing I know for sure, after Nu Metal has gone and a thing of the past and looked on kindly like grunge is, this will be held up as a true Classic Metal CD.

Stand out tracks, include “Beautifully Depressed”, “New Orleans Is A Dying Whore”, “There’s Something ON My Side” and “The Man That Follows Hell”.

One of the new signings to Roadrunner Records Nu Metal with a somber twist Soundgarden crossed with Linkin Park. Plenty of melody and generating enough power to light up a small town. Hailing from the States this band has had plenty of Air time on my shows at HFM and even Steve Lamaq has played The Last Time on Radio One. Highly reccomended it's not hype if it is as good as people say and it is. Stand out track's inc. Bi-furious, The Last Time and Speed Teeth.

Another compilation from the Roadrunner team the 4th in the series Value for Money at under a fiver and a good sampler of what the RR team have acheived recently. You get tracks by new bands, Dry Kill Logic, Ill Nino, Dislocated Styles and Nickleback as well as new tracks by established artist's Soulfly, Sepultura, Fear Factory, Spinshand and Glassjaw as well as a CD rom video of the Fear Factory track Linch Pin. Cheap it may be and you will be cheerful listening to all this great music for such a small price. Well Done Roadrunner, Keep up the good work, looking forward to the next one. The only thing missing from this is a new track from Slipknot, however there is a live version of Surfacing.

Proving that Rhapsody aren’t the only good progressive Metal band in Italy, Dragonhammer are gracious, over the top and Classically inspired true Metalers that invoke Sword and Sorcery images.

If like me you like over the top True Metal in ;the vein of Manowar and Rhapsody you will love this, vocalist / Guitarist Max Aguzzi sound a bit like Klaus Mein if he was Italian and the multi part harmonies, Classically inspired Keys are expertly done.

All the subject matter for the songs is Science Fantasy and it doesn’t say so in the Booklet but I would bet that they have read the Elric series of books by Michael Moorcock and the song “Black Sword” is a bit of a give away but never the lass all the songs hold your attention and explore the total dynamics that this style of music allows, form Operatic style vocals, classical chord sequences and all under pinned with Rock guitars.

Tracks like “Legend”, “Black Sword” and “Blood In The Sky” are all top notch and just as good as you will find on any Rhapsody album , this is Euro Metal at it’s very best, buy , listen and get totally lost in the universe of Dragonhammer.

Eric Peterson is best known for his work with Testament but this Black Metal side project proves that he is no one trick pony. Downtuneing his guitar and handling the vocals himself, this not surprisingly well written and gives the likes of Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir a good run for their money and if this was a permanent band, they would both be worried.

Opening with an atmospheric keyboard piece, as most seem to do it sets you up nicely for the rest of the CD and all the tracks are excellent and would not sound out of place on either of the aforementioned bands current albums. Eric's guitar playing is going to be what most Testament fans are interested in and this is as always faultless.

The only problem I have with this album is that it's too short, clocking in at just over 35 minutes. Some of the tracks could have been longer or maybe a couple more wouldn't have gone a miss, but these minor gripes aside this is a very good album and the artwork is stunning as well. Standout tracks include, "Tradition And Fire", "Judgement Failed" and "Spirit's In The Mist".

Another Nu Metal band from the States at the harder end of the spectrum, similar to Chimaira / Disturbed with a vocalist that reminds me of the guy who sings with Tool and that can’t be bad.

Right from the first track “Sinner” they hit you with their awesome power and melody which has made this new batch of Metal bands so popular and like Linkin Park and Papa Roach one listen to “Tear Away” will have you singing along to the chorus of “I don’t care for anyone else but ME” at the top of your voice, with much annoyance to the neighbors, sorry about that. The second track “Bodies” is just as good and just as memorable and all of these tracks could and probably will be on Kerrang TV very soon if not now as I type this review and as for as I am concerned it con only be good.

Overall this is a very good CD and well worth the tenner that I spent on it, if you like all of the aforementioned bands then you will love this and like the Downer CD that came out last year it get’s my Budgies attention and a better recommendation than that you cant get.

One of the new signings to Road Runner and a band to watch out for in the very near future. After having to change their name from Hinge to Hinge AD they finally settle on a unique name that strangely fits their sound. Blending all the curent Nu Metal noises with some strange twists of their own. Lots of growling voclas and melodies, bone crusing guitars and spine tingling drums. Sonding at time like Coal Chamber with Korns angst thrown in. CHECK IT OUT. Look out for the very stylish but/strangley disturbing artwork on the CD. Standout tracks incude, Assfault, Give Up, Give In, Lie Down and Nightmare.

Canadian Power Metal band with their 4th album, plenty of heavy riffing anfd twin guitar licks, enough to keep the most ardent metal fan happy. Influences are hard to pin down but the heavier moment's Dream Theatre and classic Pantera spring to mind. This is heavier than their last CD Nightmare World which had more lighter moments than this one, which is relentless from the off. Standout tracks are hard to pin down as they are all equal but Lords Of Desecration, Feed The Machine and the title track Hallowed Appartition are faultless.

A Norweigan band who I interviewed on my Rock Show who's influences are many and varied, Black Sabath, Cure, kyuss. dragging Stoner rock into the new Millenium, but to call them just a Stoner Band is too do them an injustice, with a very distinctive sound of their own. Look for the distinctive red cover with a skelenton on it,, when I asked Olyvin why a Norweigan band had a Mexican name he said "why not". Stand out cut's Cosmic, I'll Play and Monster.

The last Emperor CD (wasn’t that a film?) is probably the most difficult to get to grips with, mixing avant garde chord sequences with atonal structure and Death Metal thrown in for good measure. In fact listening to this a bit like listening to at least 2 different things at once, there is the classical structure in the background and the bludgeoning Metal in the foreground.

When listening to a piece like “In The Wordless Chamber” you think you have got to grips with what they are trying to achieve and then they go off at a complete tangent in a totally unexpected direction. “The Prophet” is the most easily accessible track to get to grips with there is so much going on that I get the feeling it will take a few months to get to grips with this last opus.

This is probably going to go down in Rock history as a milestone for extreme music, genetically fusing types of music that would not normally go together in the normal course of things. Overall this is a very challenging CD and it is definitely not Easy Listening, however if you enjoy pushing back your musical boundaries there is no other CD that I know of that will challenge you as much as this will. A total masterpiece that is inspired or rucking fubbish, you decide.

Swedish Metalers Entombed have been around since '87 which is a long time in Metal and with this new release they will continue as this is a very good album.

Their sound is heavier than it has been for quite a while and the opening track "Chief Rebel Angel" kicks the album off to a fine start and starts off with a cheeky pastiche of the self titled track by Black Sabbath, with the tolling bell replaced by a heartbeat and the opening chords sounding not too dissimilar. Don't let anyone say that they don't have a sense of humour, nice one guys but that's where the similarities end. Following tracks "Eye For AN Eye" and "Bringer Of Light" are full on Metal and are Entombed firing on all cylinders.

Those of you who have followed Entombed form the Left Hand Solution days or earlier will love this album as it really is a return to great form, there is even a nod to the old days when they were called Nihilist with the track "Yong Man Nihilist", I don't think this is just a coincidence, or is it, I will have to ask them, if I get the chance.

Overall another great album from Entombed, stand out tracks, "Chief Rebel Angel", "Ensamble Of The Restless" which thunders along at a terrific pace, "Fractures" and "Mental Twin" which thunders along like an unstoppable Metal Monster.

First released in 1996, Swim was Feeders first mini album and has been re released with extra tracks and 2 CD rom videos.

All six of the original tracks have stood the test of time well and for those who only know Feeder from "Echo Park" won't be disappointed with what they find inside. Kicking off with the brilliant "Sweet16" just shows that they have always had that pop sensibility, as does "Stereo World", Feeder at their best. The track "Descend" is a very early version of "Suffocate" but is not a work in progress version but rather a different slant to the song. The title track "Swim" is a beautiful song with just acoustic guitar and vocals and is well written and reminds me of the great John Lennon himself, yes it's that good.

The extra tracks are culled form the same era and don't just pad out the album they are all good tracks in their own right. Most of the extra tracks have not seen the light of day since they appeared as extra tracks on CD singles.

The CD ROM videos are "Cement" and "Crash".

Second album from 70's inspired Rock band, they don't so much as recreate the sound of the 70's, they reinvent it more like. The guitar sound is absolutely incredible, no distortion or overdrive pedals just the dirtiest guitar sound I have heard this side of 1973, I wonder if it's a Gibson Firebird.

All the songs are well crafted and lovingly recorded with feel and with depth, they don't live in the past, they just like the sound or simplicity that it represents, not a nu metal riff in sight, just good old fashioned blues inspired Rock like Free and Bad Company and Humble Pie used to, only better recorded with a modern feel to it. One listen to the track "Slow Blues" with it's distorted guitar and over recorded Harmonica, you can tell these love this sort of Rock and are putting all they have got into it.

When the organ on "Miles From Nowhere" kicks in its sheer bliss, tracks such as "Dirt Trap" and Sinner Takes All is Firebird at their best. Overall this is a very credible second album so if you are looking for something a little retro with more than a touch of real feeling this CD is definitely for you. I can't say they don’t make them like this anymore as Firebird plainly do and this from the pen and guitar of Bill Steer ex Carcass and Napalm Death man.

If like me you read the recent Kerrang review of this CD, you could easily dismiss this one but not for the first time Kerrang haven’t just lost the plot, they miss the point completely.

Yes this has all been heard before and their blend of At The Drive In meets Faith No More is not original but this does not distract form the fact that this is a damn fine CD and neither of the 2 mentioned bands have the aggression that Five Pointe 0 possess and isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery?

They may not be the saviours of Metal but this is a very good CD and if tracks like “Double X Minus”, “King Of The Hill” and the hit single potential of “Freedom” don’t move you, you are listening to the wrong music or you are getting old. Not that they are all full on aggression, they hold the bludgeoning riffs back to great effect on “Sympathetic Climate Control” and only unleash the power when the time is right. If you like any of the bands mentioned earlier but thought they were not heavy enough for you, then this is the CD for you. Don’t let the Kerrang review put you off this is another fine new band Roadrunner have added to their roster and if you give them a chance you won’t regret it.

Mixing the heaviness of Slipknot with the angst of Staind, Flaw are the latest Nu Metal contenders and their Jazz tinged harmonies are set to grace MTV and American Radio alike.

The sorrowful harmonies remanissant of Alice In Chains are grunge like and songs like "Only The Strong", My Letter" and "What I Have To Do" ooze out of the speakers in a mournful but heavy way that is strangely appealing. The emphasis is definitely on the songs but that's no bad thing as Dry Kill Logic and Ill Nino have found out and look at the success of Staind in the UK and the US, so I see no reason why Flaw should not join these on the road to the top.

If you like the Staind CD, a few really heavy songs interspersed with some slower moodier ones then this is the one for you and you can tell all your friends that you were their first. Stand out tracks include "Best I Am", "My Letter" and "Only The Stirring" which I suspect will be the first single as it has hit potential written all over it. This is an album to listen to late at night in its entirety.

Like them or loath them Fu Manchu just don’t give in and if this is anything to go by it’s a good job too as this is a real gem. If you are looking for innovation and originality look elsewhere, if however you are looking for some no nonsense Stoner Rook that just get’s on with it then this is the CD for you.

To get the most enjoyment out of these guys you really need to be cruising down the motorway/ autobahn/ freeway, delete where applicable with the volume of the stereo set to kill, only then do song’s like “Separate Kingdom”, “Hang On” and “Wiz Kid” truly come into their own, with the relentless pounding of the guitars and drums and that un mistakable Fu sound, true magic. It just doesn’t sound the same on my walkman on the 104 Bus to work. “Squash The Fly” is pure Fu Manchu and is the obvious single, wouldn’t it be good if the radio stations picked up on this and it became a hit, if Queens Of The Stone Age can do it so can the Fu’s and if you like Queens you will love this.