Death Angel - Act III

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#FOR FANS OF: Prog Thrash/Heavy/Funk

I thought this album was immaculate. The riffs are what stole me! And the vocals. They have 2 ballads on here "Veil of Deception" and "A Room With A View", both amazing. I'm surprised that this album didn't score higher amongst critics. I thought it to be their best album to date!! I've liked this band since High School in the 1990's. This one didn't disappoint at all. I was glued to it when it first came out. That really hasn't changed but I'm drawn to more modern releases by them nowadays. They put on a good show live as well! But anyway, I didn't think this album failed at all. Quite the contrary.

'Act III' I see it dubbed as Death Angel's black album like Metallica's and I don't agree with that at all! They're still thrashing on here despite the ballads. Maybe they softened up a little from previous releases but I just would never call this one that! Some of their best songs come off their album "A Room With A View" is my favorite track out of them all for sure but their thrash based tracks are still solid like "The Organization" (as an example). I used to own this on cassette that's how far back it traces. I'll agree some riffs are b-bop type but not the whole songs. And that doesn't take away from the magic of this release!

Production quality was all right though the audio was a little bit lower so you'll have to crank it on your stereo (if you have one!). This album clocks around 45 minutes in length and it's so worth it. The music and vocals stole it for me. I'm a devout fan now I took kind of a hiatus from the band a friend got me back into them. That's my reason for covering 'Act III'. I felt like it needed justice since I listened to it early on in their career. I sort of lost interest in the band for a while. But they do put on a good live show especially playing some songs from this album! The streaming music that we deal with now doesn't measure up having a physical cassette of this or CD.

I would just say to buy this because from start to end they dominate in the thrash genre! Some songs they're a little quirky on but the main riffs are good as well as the ballads. I like the vocals a lot and that's what I look for in bands as well as the guitars (of course). Death Angel has both and on here you cannot go wrong. I'm surprised they got a "C" average on here and some people even bashing this release. The music was amazing and not duplicated anywhere else needless to say original as all hell. People just buy this show respect for the metal community and it'll keep this band going. Over 30 years in the scene still making guality albums! 'Act III' is their top! (Death8699)

(Geffen Records - 1990)
Score: 90

https://www.facebook.com/deathangel

Noltem - Illusions in the Wake

#FOR FANS OF: Atmospheric Black

Noltem is a tree-piece band coming from Connecticut, US. It was founded in 2003 by Max Johnson and it seems that for some reason, the mastermind spent many years without being particularly active, with only one demo released in 2005. Fortunately, the inclusion of a drummer into the line-up, Johan Kerr, also as singer, reactivated the project with a release of a second EP in 2015. The return to a more active life of the band was finally fulfilled with the incorporation of a third member in 2018, Shalin Shah, who plays the bass. Noltem, at that point finally a trio, worked hard to present a debut album that would make possible to give some notoriety to this obscure project.

Twenty-twentyone is the year when Noctem’s full length has finally seen the light of the day, with the support of the always active label Trascending Obscurity Records. 'Illusions in the Wake' is the title of their debut, which contains seven songs, lasting around forty minutes. The colourful artwork, which depicts a misty mountainous landscape, rightfully represents the band’s musical vision as there is a quite clear strong connection with nature. This closeness is not only lyrically, which is easily demonstrable taking a look to the nature and mystical-themed lyrics, but also musically, as Noltem plays a very personal atmospheric black metal with some folky connections. This influence is not so obvious, although it can be felt in the way the melodies are build and played. The album begins with "Figment", where the guitars play a key role. The riffing is tasteful and mesmerizing displaying a variety of different melodies in terms of textures and richness. The strength of the guitars marks the intensity of the song with some nice up and downs, enriched by some acoustic sections which are simply beautiful. The drums are solidly played and establish the necessary ground for the songs, where the vocals have a deep tone, like being in a mid-point between the death metal vocals and the black metal ones. As said, the intensity varies very frequently, having this song a multitude of tempo-changes, which is always a good proof, when it is done in the right way, that the composition has a great amount of work behind it. The homonymous track offers another menu of excellent melodies, accompanied by slightly more rasped vocals and some clean voices in the background. One of the melodies even has a a bit of medieval touch reminding me the excellent Obsequiae. I don't know if this was made on purpose, but this is what I felt and I sincerely have no complaints about this influence. As the album goes on, the songs seem to take a more intimate tone in certain moments, having a greater contrast between the heaviest sections and the softest ones. This is something I notice in "Beneath the Dreaming Blue", mainly in the initial part which progressively carries to a final heavier section; the opposite is done in "Ruse". This song has a quite intense beginning which hits you, then the pace and the intensity progressively slow down, offering to the listener a clearly calmer and more, as said, intimate tone which is quite hypnotic. The album closer, entitled "On Shores of Glases", includes some hypnotic melodies and even a psychedelic section, making it the most different and experimental track of the whole album. It may not be my personal favourite, but it’s a good way to close thi work, as it keeps the general absorbing tone of this record and it doesn't lack the expected good dose of nice melodies.

To conclude, 'Illusions in the Wake' is definitively a very good platter with a quite personal sound thanks to the great amount of work put in the compositions. The guitars are excellent and always display a great palette of colours in terms of melodies. The compositions try to avoid sounding stereotyped and create a quite absorbing atmosphere. (Alain González Artola)

(Trascending Obscurity Records - 2021)
Score: 80

https://noltemband.bandcamp.com/album/illusions-in-the-wake-atmospheric-black-metal

CroMagnum - Born Free

#PER CHI AMA: Thrash/Groove

Nati liberi, ecco come si definiscono i CroMagnum nel loro nuovo EP che contiene cinque nuove tracce. La band canadese, formatasi nel 2013 e con all'attivo un solo EP omonimo nel 2014, torna a distanza di ben sette anni a far sentire la propria voce, con un disco thrash carico di groove, 'Born Free' appunto. Si parte con una breve intro e a seguire il mosh incessante della title track, dove assistiamo al featuring di Alain Londero (Fatality). Buone le ritmiche, ancora meglio le melodie, e ancor di più l'assolo, non fosse altro perchè ha un taglio alquanto originale che focalizza la mia attenzione. La terza "Waterval Boven" è un po' più deboluccia musicalmente ma l'assolo strabordante ne esalta nuovamente i contenuti qui un po' più orientati all'heavy metal. Ah dimenticavo, qui il featuring è di Justyn Vynn, chitarra dei Snäkeskyn Whiskey. "Tunguska" è un bel pezzo thrash diretto nel muso, che ha il pregio di evocare i Motorhead quanto gli Artillery, questi ultimi anche a livello vocale. Qui niente guest star, poche chiacchiere e tanta sostanza. Quella che non manca nemmeno alla conclusiva "Congregation", il pezzo più lungo del lotto, con i suoi cinque minuti e mezzo di linee melodiche, e testi che trattano di storia, corruzione politica, leggende e filosofia, a mostrare le qualità di una band interessante non solo musicalmente. Niente male. (Francesco Scarci)

(King Metal Records - 2021)
Voto: 70

https://cromagnum1.bandcamp.com/album/born-free

Meridian Dawn - The Pagan Poetry

#PER CHI AMA: Melo Death

I Meridian Dawn sono uno di quei collettivi che inglobano musicisti provenienti da ogni angolo del globo e da quanto ho capito, includono membri di molteplici band (tra cui i Nightrage) provenienti da US, Grecia, Finlandia e Belgio, per una release alquanto particolare, e ve ne spiego subito il motivo. 'The Pagan Poetry' comprende infatti cinque brani, di cui ben tre cover ed è proprio con una cover che i nostri decidono di aprire le danze, con un'irriconoscibile "Pagan Poetry" di Bjork, riletta in chiave melo death, manco fossero i Dark Tranquillity a suonarla. Davvero una figata, conoscendo peraltro il genere alquanto ostico dell'artista islandese. Il combo internazionale le ha dato una luce diversa, pure troppo, però permettendo al pezzo di essere davvero godibile. La seconda "The Moonlit Path" è invece un brano nuovo dei nostri sempre all'insegna del death melodico, con una ritmica veloce, assai piacevole, growling vocals e un ottimo assolo a mostrare le capacità esecutive dell'ensemble. Un altro nuovo pezzo è rappresentato da "Goodnight, Tonite", stracarico di groove nel suo stile che ammicca agli ultimi In Flames. Niente di innovativo sia chiaro, ma la facilità delle melodie di imprimersi nel cervello, ha un che di miracoloso. Si prosegue con le cover e a seguire ecco "Dissolving Bonds" dei Katatonia dal capolavoro 'The Great Cold Distance'. Come per Bjork, anche questo pezzo prende notevolmente le distanze dall'originale, proponendo eteree atmosfere ed un cantato pulito, in un azzardo alla fine solo da premiare. A chiudere "Sleepless Nights" di King Diamond, in un'altra stravagante, potente e originale revisione dei nostri del Re Diamante, con tanto di reinterpretazione in stile prog death, scuola Cynic. Complimenti ai Meridian Dawn che hanno avuto le palle di rischiare con pezzi non proprio semplicissimi da proporre, peraltro con ottimi risultati. Bella sorpresa, devo ammetterlo. (Francesco Scarci)

(Self - 2021)
Voto: 74

https://www.facebook.com/meridiandawnofficial/

Demolizer - Upgrade

#PER CHI AMA: Thrash, Exodus

Danimarca, patria degli Artillery, band alla quale i Demolizer devono aver rubato più di un segreto. Il quartetto di oggi arriva da quella terra, da Copenaghen per l'esattezza, proponendo un sound debitore al thrash dei già citati master danesi ma anche di gente del calibro di Exodus e Annihilator e non tanto perchè la quarta traccia, "King of the Kill", è una cover dell'act canadese. Comunque, quattro sono i brani a disposizione dei Demolizer in questo EP intitolato 'Upgrade', che arriva a distanza di un anno da quel 'Thrashmageddon' che ha permesso ai nostri di mettersi in luce. Il sound dicevo è un bel thrash old school con ritmi indiavolati, almeno nella infuocata opener "Ghoul" e giù martellate nelle gengive. Molto più compassata invece "Torture Insanity" almeno nella prima metà, con una ritmica rallentata, prima che improvvisamente l'aria prenda fuoco e le asce si lancino in un assolo funambolico di scuola Slayer, e la voce del frontman Ben Radtleff si muova tra urlacci e growl vari. Frustate di batteria aprono "Get Out of My Way", un'altra cavalcata anni '80 che per la presenza di una serie di coretti e una sezione ritmica cingolata, mi ha evocato gli Over Kill di 'Under the Influence'. Giungiamo infine alla cover degli Annihilator e la band sembra riproporla con una certa personalità, senza tuttavia strafare, confermandosi alla fine ottimi musicisti (fantastico l'assolo anche in quest'ultima traccia) ed amanti di un certo thrash retrò che farà la gioia dei nostalgici del genere. (Francesco Scarci)

(Mighty Music Records - 2021)
Voto: 67 

 

https://www.facebook.com/DemolizerThrash/

Morgoth - Ungod

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#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

This is a killer release featuring riffs that are impeccable. The sound quality of this album is also superb. Everything seemed to fit on this one. I don't own much of their material aside from digital, but I'll tell you this...it is a monument of an album 'Ungod' devastates. It's too bad this band is defunct. They really would've had a lot of years together. I get it if you lose the passion but they left the music scene on a great note because 'Ungod' is impeccable. I have nothing bad to say about this release. The music is amazing. And original sounding to the utter maximum degree! An array of metal perfection!

I like the guitar riffs and vocals plus the sound quality is illustrious. I think that this is one of the better death metal albums from 2015. They reached the pinnacle in the songwriting. Nothing shy of just an utter gem! The music is what takes it away and gets you in the realm of yes Morgoth. I haven't heard much of their earlier material but I'll be that it's good if not better than this one. I don't think that's possible though. 'Ungod' is an unmistakable album of perfection. Make no mistake about it the guitars and vocals just steal the listener. At least they did that with me. So much of a landmark.

I don't mind the vocals really, I actually thought that they complimented the music very well! And I can hear the tint of Industrial mixed with the death metal here. But overall, the riffs are totally death metal. I like the harmonies too, they enhance the rhythms. The riffs themselves are just so diametrically sound. They really did a great job in the songwriting. I wish a lot of death metal bands wrote like this. Just original, catchy, smooth, and ever flowing. They may come back to the music scene, who knows?! I'm just glad that I had a chance to review and appreciate this album their music.

It's very difficult to find this album maybe eBay because Amazon is just ridiculous as to what they want for this album. About $200 on Vinyl. Like I said, ridiculous. I may buy it on eBay, that is if I want to dish out $40 for the CD. It is good enough to spend that much on it rather than to just have it downloaded on Spotify. But in any case, it's an album well worth checking out. I had nothing ill to say about it. Everything seemed to flow. Enjoy this release if you come by it on Spotify. Then form your own opinion on it and I'm sure you won't be disappointed especially if you're into metal. Check it out! (Death8699)

(Century Media Records - 2015)
Score: 80

https://www.facebook.com/MorgothOfficial

Children of Bodom - Follow The Reaper

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#FOR FANS OF: Power Death

What a powerful performance on all fronts! Long live Alexi Laiho! Just getting to reviewing this now, and wow, what a series of positive melodic death/power metal! The music on here is epic, I like it a little bit more than 'Hate Crew Deathroll', well...maybe. I think the compositions on here are sublime. They really did the listener good with this recording! The riffs, synthesizers, vocals, drums and production quality is more than adequate! The tear your speakers apart! Alexi was great on here rhythm and lead guitars. I think that this is the most thought out COB release ever. They tended to go downhill after this.

The music a divine music is what's on here. They did everything right on this album. Everything sounds original and to the point riff-writing wise. I think that it's pretty technical as well. Fast, ripping, and relentless. Such a great album. All was right when they wrote this release. I think the music is some of most original melodic death metal they've put forth! I dig the power metal element as well. They mix the instruments quite well and they are just relentless in terms of the energy! It's rapid fire music here, and Alexi's vocals are fantastic! Everything on here hit home with me nothing on here that I'd change.

The sound quality was top notch. Everyone on here sounded great and like I said I'd change nothing. It's a divine masterpiece. They knew exactly what to do with the songwriting. I don't know why they fell after this. Maybe the aggregate of fans then they got a little bit lazy perhaps. With the 'Hate Crew Deathroll' and 'Halo of Blood' I think were good solid albums but not to the equation of excellence that this held forth. They really did hit a pinnacle release here just wish they didn't regress all up until Alexi's death (RIP). It's rumored that he had a bad alcohol problem hence the nickname "Wildchild."

So to sum it up, 'Follow the Reaper' is probably the best COB in their entire discography. They hit home on every track. The aggression, hatred and vibe is totally sick. They definitely worked hard on this and what an output! From every aspect, they conquered. They didn't do anything wrong on here, simply said: NO MISTAKES. It's amazing the talent that the band had all up until the end. It's a sad reality that there will be no more COB. All we have now is to appreciate the memories by playing this classic and 'Hate Crew Deathroll'. I'm biased with that one though. Own this! (Death8699)

(Spinefarm Records - 2000)
Score: 90

https://www.facebook.com/childrenofbodom

Vøidwomb - Altars of Cosmic Devotion

#PER CHI AMA: Black/Death

Arrivano dalla semisconosciuta Barroselas (Portogallo) questi Vøidwomb, oscuro e pericoloso quintetto dedito ad un black death old school, nonostante la band sia di recente formazione (2019). La voglia di ripescare sonorità mai dimenticate, viene a galla nella ritmica di "Summon of Utu-Shamash", che segue con le sue roboanti chitarre un'intro dal piglio liturgico. Poi spazio ad un sound old style tra chitarroni death thrash e vocalizzi d'oltretomba. Nulla di originale come potrete intuire, nemmeno a livello solistico, con un assolo di scuola floridiana (stile Deicide) davvero poco efficace. E allora si riparte con "Descent to Ersetu", tirata all'inizio e poi mid-tempo nella sua parte centrale, dove in sottofondo mi sembra di scorgere dei chorus celestiali, mentre la sei corde miete vittime con rasoiate di scuola black death svedese. Si prosegue con la cupezza sonora di "Architects of World Demise" e con quel suo incipit death doom a mischiare ancora una volta le carte in tavola, anche se poi i cinque lusitani si lanciano in ritmiche tirate (e poco melodiche) guidate dal growling cupo e a tratti acido di M.S.Vøid. L'ultima traccia è affidata alla title track e a quel suo inizio tribale che sembra mostrare un lato più personale della band, troppo poco per ingolosirsi di una release come questa, da consigliare esclusivamente agli amanti di sonorità qui troppo derivative e obsolete. (Francesco Scarci)

(Iron Bonehead Productions - 2021)
Voto: 60

https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/album/v-idwomb-altars-of-cosmic-devotion