Primus - Green Naugahyde

#PER CHI AMA: Funky Rock

Era il 2011 e 'Green Naugahyde' rappresentava il telefonato ritorno degli autocompiaciuti fautori del funky-prog-crossover-eccheccazz-metal tanto gradito alle world-orecchie dei metallazzi anni novanta, transita attraverso la riproposizione di un certo numero di vecchi clichè, partendo dalla copertina di plastilina per arrivare ai suoni costruiti sui consueti filamentosi tappeti elettrici emananti dal basso di Les Claypool con la nevrotica batteria di cartone di Jay Lane (già in formazione nell'88 ma finora invisibile su disco) e il chitarrismo avant-freak di Larry LaLonde a fungere da estemporanei generatori di stravaganza. Si spazia (si fa per dire) dallo spotlight-funky alla R-H-C-P di "Tragedy's a' Comin'" ai classici Primus-salterecci ("Lee Van Cleef"). Lunghi passaggi jammosi ("Extinction Burst") e psych-floydiani ("Last Salmon Man"), qualche furba inversione chitarra-basso (al 2° minuto di "Jilly's on Smack", per esempio) e, di tanto in tanto, qualche geniale riff (la scorreggia brodosa di basso che domina "Eyes of the Squirrel"). Mettete su questo disco se non vi disturba l'idea di ascoltare esattamente il disco che vi aspettavate di ascoltare da parte di quella stessa band che anni fa vi entusiasmava proprio perché ogni volta era qualcosa di assolutamente diverso da ciò che vi aspettavate. (Alberto Calorosi)

(Prawn Song - 2011)
Voto: 70

http://www.primusville.com/

Kreator - Hate Über Alles

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Thrash

What a solid follow-up from 'Gods of Violence'. That one just grew on me. But this one is solid in every way! Mille sounds great on vocals. And the riffs are sick. Fresh and well thought out! The overall quality is not only the music but the sound quality as well! Kreator's career stretches over 40 years and long-time members (Mille & Ventor) are still hacking it. As long as Mille stays on rhythm, cannot go wrong! Sami does a good job in the lead department but not as good as Frank Blackfire (the old lead shredder). This one has a mountain of aggression and technical thrash riffs. They just simply tore it apart here.

I don't necessarily like the lyrics though I never did like their concepts. But the music and overall sound kicked ass. Wish I could see them once again but I'm not sure if that's going to happen. A friend said they're Saxon sounding on this one, though I've never really explored that band. I've just been into Kreator since the late 80's. I'm one that's always hell stuck on 'Coma of Souls'. But they have a lot of good albums to explore such as 'Phantom Antichrist', 'Enemy of God' and 'Violent Revolution' (not in order by release date). Their previous had some good songs as well though overall this one is the key solid release!

I think the compositions themselves are what makes this one so admirable. They really do have it here! They're in their 50's and like fellow thrashers Destruction are still putting out good quality music. There was a brief time when Kreator took a dive with 'Renewal'. I thought that that was the last of them after I heard that one. I was wrong and since they've been thrash which is their roots! I think they've hit a wide array of fans once again showing that they will not compromise! The riffs on here were the highlights the melodies and rhythms simply kicked major ass from all aspects!

Well, I cheated and downloaded the album in skepticism after hearing a few music videos then I heard the whole album! So I made sure to get this on CD! I'm glad I got their physical copy and am no longer skeptical of this one. The music is really strong here. Maybe because they took around 5 years of getting it put together after 'Gods of Violence'. This one is way tighter and more melodic in my humble opinion. Kreator is as strong as ever and this album just shows us that. I know there will never be another 'Coma of Souls', but this one is pretty close! Long live Kreator! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2022)
Score: 80

https://kreator.bandcamp.com/album/hate-ber-alles

Entrails - The Tomb Awaits

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School, Dismember

This album has the classic Swedish style death metal of the early 90's. It's very much in the vein of old Entombed and Dismember. But they've weaved in their own sound. The riffs are fresh and killer. So is the energy surrounding this release. It's invigorating! I liked this whole album all the way through. The musicianship is insurmountable. It's great that this Swedish death metal sound has stayed alive in modern bands. The music is downright brutal though. The vocals and the guitar riffs are explosive. I would venture to say this is a top release in the year of 2011. Amazing it's that old now.

Everything about this album is worthy of praise. It's brutal, original, production quality solid, everything. I really enjoyed this release. I'm not interested in the lyrics but the vocals just crush. And the guitars have some great original riffs to them. They've brought back this sound and they're taking it seriously! There's multiple time signature changes and all of it takes the side of sheer and utter brutality. They are definitely serious about their music. And the fact that they're getting more well know is crucial. I could listen to this album all day and hear something different every time.

The production quality as I mentioned was outstanding and the slight hint of reverb to the sound is awe-inspiring. The band really hit home here and I think it deserves a perfect score. There's nothing that I would change. The mixing too did justice for all the instruments/vocals. They really are talented musicians hands down. If you haven't discovered Entrails, then you haven't dug deep enough in your collection to bring them into your world. They are a band that is just unrelenting in precision and noteworthiness. All different tempos but everything well put together. That's all I have to say about this.

Get this album, it's really worth it if you're a death metal fan or just like metal in general. And especially if you like that Swedish sound to it. Or you're just looking for something new to try then this is where to start! They venture deep in original sound quality with the help of a good production this album lays it all out for you. The band is just equipped with enough riffs to make your head spin. They are a band that I hope will or if they do stay around for a long while. They're music is insurmounably amazing. They are one of the better bands that's modern with this unique sound. Get it! (Death8699)

(F.D.A. Records - 2011)
Score: 80

https://www.facebook.com/Entrails666

The Decemberists - The King is Dead

#PER CHI AMA: Folk Rock

L'impervio percorso artistico del più ingombrante genio del prog-nu-folk non facente sesso con le groupies, scivola per sottrazione con la stessa velocità di una discesa lungo la coclea di Fibonacci. Ma se è facile sottrarre da 'Crane Wife' (il quarto album della band statunitense) le progressioni progressive e mainstrimate mainstream, se è altrettanto facile sottrarre da 'Hounds of Love' certi arzigogolanti arzigogoli da 'Quesito con la Susi' o da ultimi Porcupine Tree, meno facile è sottrarre alle vivaci composizioni dei primi album dei The Decemberists quella rurale spontaneità che odora di cuoio e merda di vacca. 'The King is Dead' è la (meravigliosamente eseguita e impeccabilmente prodotta) teca di cristallo che espone il songwriting di Colin Meloy al massimo del suo talento creativo. Ascoltate questo album ogni volta che pensate di aver fatto una cosa di cui avete paura di pentirvi. Vale a dire, spesso. (Alberto Calorosi)

(Capitol Records/Rough Trade Records - 2011)
Voto: 75

http://www.decemberists.com/

Shed The Skin - Thaumogenesis

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School

Another brutal one! But this is way tighter and lots of great riffs! The vocals are about the same as the predecessor. But it's stronger hence then 80% score. Even the band was really proud of this release. The quality of the songs were to a greater caliber than any of their existing LP's. It'll be great when I actually get this on CD! These guys cover it all with the tempos it's heavy but slower then faster. They seem to maintain slower riffs/tempos throughout. Sounds like they tune the guitars low. They are totally underground on their compositions. The leads are well done on here too!

This album is under an hour in length but that is how much brutality they are able to put forth through your speakers. Everything about this album deserves to be mentioned because Kyle and crew just slayed! Actually am getting their CD though it's only available on their record label Hells Headbangers Records. I thought that the compositions were way in line with their concept for this release. They themselves felt that the band as a whole went above and beyond with this release. I heard the change from 'The Forbidden Arts' to this one. It's a whole lot stronger they succeeded in their goal of what they wanted to come out with this!

The sound quality to the album is excellent. I feel like everything was superb! They really did great on this LP. I think the biggest thing is making the guitar riffs much catchier than their last, the music was fresh and original. I listened to this album repeatedly and not once did I get sick of it. It's pretty brutal, but the music in some cases are melodic bit with a load of chunk riffs but overall superb musicianship. This band continues to get better on each succeeding release. It's all that can be expected of a band not fall backwards like say Deicide without the Hoffman brothers in the band. This is Kyle's band and he's consistent.

I ordered this CD as mentioned previously on Hells Headbangers. Hopefully, there's quite a bit of a future for this band. I think as long as their music is being explored, then they'll keep putting out LP's. I believe that this is their strongest album to date. There's songs that are consistent and memorable. I thought that just hearing it on the digital was good to get the essence of the release just getting a physical copy will be fantastic! If you are unaware of this band's albums, they're available on digital try this album and 'The Forbidden Arts' and listen for yourself if it's your cup of tea. This release is fantastic! (Death8699)

(Hells Headbangers Records - 2022)
Score: 80

https://shed-the-skin.bandcamp.com/album/thaumogenesis

Simulacre - Les Voix du Sang / Archvile King - Vile

#FOR FANS OF: Black/Death

Con quattro pezzi a testa a disposizione, andiamo a scoprire lo split album concepito dai Simulacre e dagli Archvile King, questi ultimi apparsi sulle pagine del Pozzo in occasione della loro recente release 'À la Ruine'. La musica proposta dalle due band transalpine volgono lo sguardo, come casa madre Les Acteur de l'Ombre Productions vuole, verso un black/death ferale a tratti sperimentale. Questo è già riscontrabile nell'opening track affidata ai Simulacre, quella "Les Voix du Sang" che dà anche il titolo alla porzione di disco affidata al quartetto di Bordeaux. La proposta della band mi piace, offrendo un black primordiale costituito da lunghi tratti in tremolo picking e partiture atmosferiche super ricercate, sia a livello tecnico che melodico, con un sound che mi ha evocato per certi versi, i nostrani Laetitia in Holocaust. Lo screaming graffiante di Thomas Chassaigne (alias NecroC) completa il quadro dei Simulacre, una band dotata di una certa dose di personalità e violenza. Basti ascoltare la veemenza palesata nella seconda "Tribus", un pezzo che acquisisce una certa fruibilità per l'ottimo assolo in chiusura. Ben altro impatto la più tranquilla (e obliqua) "Time Tombs", un altro esempio di quanto i Deathspell Omega abbiano fatto scuola con il loro sound ultra mega dissonante, arricchito qui sempre da ottime porzioni chitarristiche in chiave solistica. A chiudere la proposta dei Simulacre, prima di lasciare il campo alla one man band degli Archvile King, ecco la diretta "Myste", un bello schiaffone in piena faccia, fatto salvo per un break evocativo a metà brano. Con gli Archvile King e il loro 'Vile' (EP uscito originariamente nel 2020) si torna a galoppare con un death thrash dalle venature black che, nell'opener "The Bastards of the Sea", mi ha richiamato dapprima gli Old Man's Child per poi virare verso sonorità più old school. Un bel riffone thrash metal (scuola primi Testament) seguito a ruota da una ritmica tonante scuola questa volta Celtic Frost ma anche Sepultura era 'Schizophrenia', contraddistinguono "Pax Infernum (Dog of War)". I rintocchi di campana in stile "For Whom the Bell Tolls" aprono "The Feast of the Worm King", un pezzo super diretto e tirato, dotato di un bel assolo conclusivo (con arpeggio incluso). A chiudere il disco la stravagante (almeno per il titolo) "Gwyneth Paltrow Is a Lich" (Lich dovrebbe stare per cadavere/ndr), 156 secondi di chitarre e vocals al vetriolo per un finale tutto in discesa. Insomma, quello dei Simulacre/Archvile King è uno split interessante che vi permetterà per lo meno di capire se il sound di queste due band vi ispiri oppure no. (Francesco Scarci)

(LADLO Productions - 2022)
Voto: 70

https://archvileking.bandcamp.com/album/vile
https://simulacre.bandcamp.com/releases

Overkill - The Grinding Wheel

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Thrash Metal

This one has some "fire" here in its intensity! About 65 minutes of KING thrash. I'm not a huge Overkill fan, I guess Bobby "Blitz" kind of irritates me in excess. However, I do favor more modern Overkill especially this one! I like the "groove" on this definitely some cool riffs! Bobby isn't super annoying on here I thought that the music went well with the voice. Killer production, too! Some of the ratings on this, not many, but some are fully putrid! 40%?! No way, this album is a radical "75%" to me. The whole album kicks some serious ass best to evaluate the whole release not just a few songs, if that!

I'm just really into the guitar riffs the most and I thought that there's wicked innovation on that front! These guys know how to make some killer licks and the overall music just slays. I think some of their other releases are pretty strong too like 'White Devil Armory' and 'The Winds of War' also I though they were hits! This one is about the same amount of praise that I'm giving it. There's diversity to it but mostly the guitars were definitely great spectacles. The leads were strong as well. But overall, the rhythms fit just right! As the album progresses, Bobby is less irritating especially keeping an open mind.

The production as I've mentioned is good, but not the best that Overkill's had. It's not like the somewhat "raw" sound of their classic 'The Years of Decay'. These guys have remained consistent over the years. And the guitars are just way fantastic. I cannot stress that enough. Just catchy songs and upbeat tempos. They did well too with the backup vocals as well! King guitars and the beats fit well with the guitars. These songs to me are classics. I'm surprised I didn't write about them a while back. It was just sitting on my CD rack.

In case you're new to Overkill, the three albums here are definitely monuments. You can opt to the older material, but the more recent I find suitable to my pallet. This album is a good one to start with. It's long, catchy and palatable. The guitars are wicked catchy! And the production quality is solid. Killer leads too! This album is streaming so yeah, you don't have to buy it unless you like or collect CD's like me! Worth a listen to, this album deserves praise! I cannot see how they (critics) loathe this one. It's so catchy and admirable. One of my favorites from the band absolutely! Check it out! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2017)
Score: 75

https://www.facebook.com/OverkillWreckingCrew

The Slumbering - Looking for Sorrow Within Ones Fear

#PER CHI AMA: Noise/Experimental

Quello degli statunitensi The Slumbering è un lavoro originariamente uscito in digitale a febbraio 2021 e riproposto in versione fisica nel 2022 dalla Aesthetic Death. L'etichetta inglese prosegue la sua opera di folle ricerca musicale, proponendo questo 'Looking for Sorrow Within Ones Fear', un disco per cui mi chiedo realmente se ne valesse la pena di essere stampato in cd. Credo che nell'underground musicale ci siano infatti un milione di band molto più sensate e interessanti dei nostri, forse la stessa band in cui cantavo penosamente nel 1996, sarebbe stata ben più gradevole. Fatto sta, che le sette tracce contenute in questo album sono semplice e puro rumore di sottofondo peraltro in bassa qualità (a dir poco fastidiosa l'opener "Daddy Doesn't Love You Right?"), accompagnato da vocalizzi distorti, indecifrabili e a dir poco insensati. Non parliamo poi di "Journey to the Cyclops Cantia" o della burrascosa "You Can't Make it Better...", forse nemmeno il nostro Bob Stoner riuscirebbe ad ascoltare questo impervio noise che ha il solo effetto di disgregare quei pochi neuroni che vi rimarranno nel cervello al termine dell'ascolto di questo disco, davvero complicato da avvicinare. Non so se l'obiettivo della band (e dell'etichetta stessa) fosse il medesimo di Oscar Wilde nel suo 'Dorian Gray', ossia "Non importa che se ne parli bene o male, l’importante è che se ne parli", c'è da dire che il disco rimane un lavoro per pochissimissimi che non hanno paura di mettersi in gioco. Io francamente preferisco fare dell'altro piuttosto che ascoltare una proposta simile. (Francesco Scarci)

(Aesthetic Death - 2022)
Voto: 50

https://theslumbering.bandcamp.com/album/looking-for-sorrow-within-ones-fear