Dead Head - Swine Plague

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

#FOR FANS OF: Thrash/Death, Kreator, Sadus

I was taken aback after hearing this! What a speed/thrash killer release! Vocals sound a little like Warbringer's vocalist but a little bit different and the music is top notch. I totally dig the riffs on this one. Definitely innovative for them being that this is my first exposure to this band. I enjoyed the album immensely! Though, there's too many solos for my taste. But the intensity is on just about every track! With exceptions, of course. This album has the grit to be strong the whole way through! I think that's it's deserving of a "B" rating overall. I found it to be straightforward and consistently good!

I really like a lot of the riffs they're spewing out on their guitars! They sound great (the tone). It's perfect crunch tone for quality playing. The whole album seems to be strong with consistent riffs that makes the songs flow like an ever flowing stream! (Dismember) This band is quality and they have many years to go in this genre. Another thing I like about this one is that it's pretty raw. Kind of like Metallica's 'Kill Em All' but not as much, still as a comparison it seems to be like that sound. This band plays some pretty fast and technical riffs.

As I talked about, the production is good just the guitars and sound is raw. But that doesn't ruin the magic of this release. I would take out excessive leads but that's just me. It's another reason why I marked points off from the score. But the vocals fit well with the music. In that respect, it's solid. I'm not a fan of the lyrical concepts, just the music. That seems to be the strongest aspect as to what's going on here. Their music is what drew me into this release. The band has some other albums out that I haven't listened to yet. Actually heard about them from a buddy of mine.

I had to order this CD because I'm hearing way much of what I'm into with thrash/speed metal bands. And just discovering this band by word of mouth makes me want to get all their releases! But anyway, you can listen to the digital copy on Spotify or like me show support for the band and buy the physical copy of this album. There are just so many highlights to this release and the energy is top notch up there! That's what you have to love about this band, their strength in songwriting and aura they send to the listener. Check them out! (Death8699)

(Hammerheart Records - 2017)
Score: 73

https://deadheadhhr.bandcamp.com/album/swine-plague

Haley Bonar - Impossible Dream

#PER CHI AMA: Indie/Folk/Alternative

Un seducente eppure calibrato dream-folk più ("Jealous Girls" – insinuantemente lennoniana, non trovate?) o meno ("Hometown") sonnolento quello della cantante americana di nascita canadese che risponde al nome di Haley Bonar. Forse dalle parti di una Hope Sandoval che s'infila i calzettoni di lana; più ("Kismet Kill") o meno ("Called You Queen") rugginoso, più o meno alla Courtney Love che cerca il barattolo della schiuma da barba. Potreste individuare qua e là un certo fattonz-pop ultramodaiolo tipo Warpaint, specie nei momenti maggiormente guidati dall'elettronica: i Radiohead apotropaici di "I Can Change", i War on Drugs nello spremiagrumni di "Stupid Face". Prestate poi attenzione alla (eccellente) produzione, soltanto apparentemente semplice eppure sovente risolutiva e, spesso, riverberante (prendete ad esempio "Your Mom is Right" o ancora "I Can Change"), a conferire una profondità sonora inaspettata, soprattutto in cuffia. (Alberto Calorosi)

(Gndwire/Memphis Industries - 2016)
Voto: 75

https://haley.bandcamp.com/album/impossible-dream

The Big South Market - Muzak

#PER CHI AMA: Hard Rock

Si esordisce con un groove intimidatorio, compatto e rissaiolo, rintuzzato da semicelate evoluzioni batteristiche da vecchio thrashettone impenitente ("Big Deal"). Nella diametrale "Before (You Make it Deeper") invece languono sensazioni eminentemente alt-metal, forse per via del trattamento distorsivo riservato alla traccia vocale, forse per mero spirito di contrapposizione. Il resto dell'EP dirige la prua nella confortevole direzione di certo magmatico hard rock novantiano ("Moondrink"): a proposito della proposta dei The Big South Market, ve li ricordate ancora i Pride and Glory? Di certo blues suburbano riscaldato sul cucchiaino nella maniera, per esempio, degli Alice in Chains (ascoltate il mood di "Red Carpet" o la anagraficamente desertica "Desert Motel"). 'Muzak' è la musica per ambienti: musica da parrucchiera, da dentista, da ascensore, da centro commerciale. La musica di merda, insomma. Quella finalizzata unicamente a coprire il silenzio. 'Muzak' era una autorevole rivista indipendente di RPI. Segue un estratto dal manifesto culturale pubblicato sul numero 1 della rivista: "Con questa parola gli inglesi indicano la musicaccia. Quella di Orietta Berti. O Engelbert Humperdick. O David Cassidy. / ... / E perché no? Anche i Beatles. Anche quelli disguistosamente muzak di Michelle...". (Alberto Calorosi)

(Red Cat Records - 2016)
Voto: 50

https://www.facebook.com/thebigsouthmarket/

Enforced - At The Walls

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

#FOR FANS OF: Thrash/Crossover

The only thing that lacked on here, was a good production sound. There seemed to be somewhat of an echo to the vibe, but the music is top notch! I like the fact that they're a 5-piece. These types seem to be the best there is! I love the riffs on this one too! They're fast and furious, definitely an album worth checking out. The music is quality. And the vocals go well with the music, too! They did a good job with the lead guitars as well. But the rhythms I key in more than anything else! Totally original riffs and songs filled with ultimate vigor! Their energy on here was phenomenal!

This band is definitely underground! I'm not too familiar with crossover metal but I do know that Power Trip is one also. Enforced had a definitely stronger production sound on the new album, but this one might've been on a lower budget. Though these guys tear it up! Everything on here is quality and I'm sure hearing the songs live would sound better than this recording. I'm not sure about that, I just know that is why I took points off from this release. It could've been longer, too. It's clocked in under 30 minutes in length. It's still good, though! I like this album and band quite a lot, that's for sure!

As I've pointed out, the production could've been better, but the mixing was good. You can hear everything quite well. And the music on here is tops with me! The riffs original, the vocals unique and the overall sound the music has to it is above average! I will continue to support this band! They seem like down-to-earth people and their music is enjoyable to listen to! I think thrash is my favorite genre and that mixed with crossover is a definite boon to this quality debut! I have no beef with the guitars or the vocals. Everyone seemed to do their part in this recording. I'm just surprised that I found out about them a little bit later on in their career.

I have yet to get this on CD, right now I'm working with the Spotify version of the album. I still think that CD's are better when listening to an album. I think I'm right in saying that! Anyway, this one is definitely worth checking out. The riffs are what hit home with me! I just wish the album was longer, it's under 30 minutes. I suppose they wanted to put what they had at the time out there just to get in with the metal community. Everything else is fine, I talked about the production being sub par. It's not the greatest, but at least you get to hear the riffs and everything else in quality form. Check it out! (Death8699)

(War Records - 2019)
Score: 75

https://enforced.bandcamp.com/album/at-the-walls

Carcass - Torn Arteries

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

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

It took a lot of spins to come up with a comprehensive text and score for this album. I wanted to be as fair as possible. This one holds in the ranks of not Surgical Steel but Swan Song where that one left off. It seemed easier to like 'Surgical Steel' because it was fairly straightforward and catchy. 'Torn Arteries' is an acquired taste. It's a mix of melodic death with death 'n roll. So watch for those two styles meshed into one. The whole 49 minutes became interesting after a while. That's why I hesitated before I scored this and simply waited. The rhythms are just a little weird. They weren't entirely catchy, though some things stuck!

Jeff's voice doesn't change on here and there were a little back-up grunts (not many) though it was mainly the raspy vocals. They went good with the guitar riffs, they seemed to flow. I just think that Bill could've done a better job in the riff department. However, they were riffs that weren't duplicated on previous releases. Bill felt that the split that they had in time when they reformed he felt that it'd never happened because he failed in music (he's contention). It was because Carcass never amassed the popularity that At the Gates and In Flames did. It was based on a two-part YouTube interview less than 10 years ago.

A lot of people didn't care for this one. But I just thought it's different but it's still them. At least Bill and Jeff are playing new music. I wasn't happy it took about 8 years for this one to be released and I can't for a fact say it is their pinnacle in contribution to the metal community. I just felt it was a "B." I swore that I told my friends it was a 75% but I raised it after further analysis. Carcass of the old era will never be again, especially since Ken is permanently damaged and can't play for Carcass anymore. And Michael is off with Arch Enemy making his contribution to the melodic death metal genre. If it weren't for 'Heartwork' I don't think Michael would've left. I'm not sure.

A review poured out on its debut to the music world and it's taken me weeks to amass an assessment of it. I wanted to be as thorough as I could be. Yes the music is good in higher ranks, the production was solid, the compositions strong, and it's overall essence is positive. For those streaming, I bought the CD. However, I listened on Spotify the day it was released. I thought it good enough to buy but dwelled on this review for almost a month. Not that long, but you get what I'm saying! Be careful in making a judgement of the album, give it playing time and a fair shake before determining whether or not you'd say good things about it! Great effort! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2021)
Score: 78

https://carcass.bandcamp.com/album/torn-arteries

Eclipse - Dorsacharms Venomous Colours

BACK IN TIME:

#PER CHI AMA: Symph Black, Limbonic Art

'Dorsacharms Venomous Colours' è un album di black epico-sinfonico ove sottolineare la presenza di una voce growl che si alterna ad uno screaming, a volte a dir poco straziante. A bilanciare ecco la presenza di una gentil donzella e il suo cantato, pulito e gotico. Diverse melodie disperate si dipanano su uno sfondo assai grezzo, costituito da chitarre sparate alla velocità della luce, e da un basso che rimane un po’ nascosto nella architettura ritmica del disco. Le tastiere, che si alternano alle chitarre cosi lanciate, risultano davvero ispirate al pari di una batteria articolata, dirompente, cupa e variegata quanto i brani inclusi in questa prima fatica dei polacchi Eclipse. Brani che si mostrano come inseguimenti e fughe anche in quei pochi rallentamenti che possiamo scorgere, particolari perchè costruiti da armonie di chitarra, pianoforte e tastiere sognanti, delineando parti intensamente ariose in contrasto all’aggressività proposta, come lo sono per l’album la strumentale iintro e l’outro finale. Un dischetto interessante in un paese dove all'epoca i Behemoth spopolavano con il loro condensato black. (Francesco Scarci)

(Blackend - 2000)
Voto: 68

https://eclipse11.bandcamp.com/releases

Oneiros Way - The Dawn is Near

#PER CHI AMA: Dream Pop/Ethereal Wave

Non proprio il mio genere quello dei milanesi Oneiros Way e forse nemmeno il luogo più adatto quello del Pozzo dei Dannati per parlarvi del loro debut 'The Dawn is Near', tuttavia il disco è fra le mie mani, tanto vale rendervi edotti su questa release. Un lavoro che ci condurrà attraverso le maglie del dream pop, suonato peraltro attraverso l'uso di strumenti analogici, pianoforti acustici, synth, banjo e molto molto altro, il che sottolinea immediatamente come il duo, costituito da Regina e Claudio, faccia della sperimentazione sonora il proprio credo. Una sperimentazione che affonda le proprie radici nel trip-hop dei Massive Attack, cosi come nell'ethereal wave dei Cocteau Twins, ma fortunatamente qualche fraseggio post rock si riesce anche a ritrovare nel corso del disco. L'apertura affidata a "Scura" delinea immediatamente le caratteristiche della band, cosi dark nel loro approccio etereo darkeggiante, con un sound minimalista, delicato e suadente. In "Luna" compare la voce angelica di Regina in apertura ed è come se mi cullasse l'anima, accarezzasse lo spirito, poi è in realtà Claudio a guidare la song attraverso sua voce ed un flebile flusso armonico. In "Glass Bell" emerge qualche stravagante sonorità elettronica con le voci dei due musicisti ad accompagnarci, attraverso il cantato in italiano, in una sorta di fiaba, amplificata da un'effettistica che prova a scuotere un sound, forse talvolta troppo timido. "Alba" prosegue sulla stessa scia delle sonorità delle prime tracce, però il disco, per quanto peculiare esso sia, fatica a coinvolgermi ed emozionarmi. Sembra manchi un guizzo, una melodia vincente, un qualcosa di abbastanza catchy in grado di rapirmi. Questo per dire che c'è ancora molto lavorare per raggiungere vette qualitative. Certo, non mancano spunti interessanti: in "Raining Frogs", ma più in generale, preferisco quando è il cantato femminile ad avere la leadership, cosi caldo, delicato e sensuale. In "Rainfall", i nostri palesano le loro qualità nelle partiture strumentali e nella cinematicità di un sound forse qui più ispirato che altrove, in un incedere comunque oscuro e malinconico. "Immersion" è il singolo scelto dalla band per rappresentare il disco, un esempio di elettronica nebulosa e decadente, che ha qualche passaggio interessante, ma che in linea di massima, è lacunoso di quel quid indispensabile a farmi balzare dalla sedia. Bello poter sperimentare con tutta quel vasto armamentario di strumenti, ma io avrei francamente osato un po' di più, il rischio di sprofondare in un torpore durante l'ascolto di 'The Dawn is Near' rischia di essere molto elevato. (Francesco Scarci)

(Dischi del Minollo - 2021)
Voto: 67

https://soundcloud.com/oneirosway/sets/the-dawn-is-near/s-anALmIJEUGX

Lutharo - Unleash The Beast

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

#FOR FANS OF: Heavy/Thrash

This EP has been monumental in Lutharo's discography. It's just entirely amazing in composition. Clocking in at about 25 minutes in length and 5 songs (technically 4 plus the intro), I really enjoyed this fresh heavy/thrash metal vibe with utterly spellbinding vocals. The music and vocals draws you in entirely, somewhat resembling Alissa White-Gluz but with more variety! The riffs are like magic too, utterly captivating! This album isn't immensely fast, but it's just captivating! The riffs are balls out intense and the lead guitars are QUALITY. They're just somewhat new into the metal world, but with this they've made a monument!

I enjoyed this whole EP and I would venture to say there's nothing wrong with the songs at all. The vocals make the music more rectified. Really great songs on here and a Canadian based band, another has struck the metal world. That's a good thing! I'd have to make note to say that they're a little metalcore-ish as well. That's not listed in the type/genre but it does have those elements. The music and intensity are way there throughout this entire release. I'm totally immersed in this EP, there's really nothing I'd discount or take away in the release. Everything is just perfect. The leads could be a little better, but still I think everything is pretty solid!

Production quality was top notch! Everything is worthy of utmost praise and glory they're drowning in! I would have to say that upon hearing this i had no idea it would be so great in composition. Definitely a great contribution to the metal world and for the band getting themselves started in an upmost luxurious manner. They don't fail at all on here everything is up to par and fits together totally. I'm surprised that they've not gotten more press that 1 review for this. I'm about in the ranks of the current score on this site, 1% higher in rating because I only took off points for a few minor things, nothing major.

I found this on Spotify and have been hooked! These guys really know how to hit home in their genre(s), they did a great job with this. The vocals and the music is what grabbed me the most! I felt that the sound quality was top notch as well! The vocals were way grand! So yes, this hits home on my end or final evaluation. If you just like metal itself aside from all of the different styles, I think you'll like this. It's so immensely diverse and catchy, they were at the pivotal best. I'm not sure if Amazon carries this or if it's entirely digital, but definitely check it out and low behold the BLACK SCORPION! (Death8699)

(Self - 2018)
Score: 78

https://lutharoband.bandcamp.com/album/unleash-the-beast