Destruction - Under Attack

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

#FOR FANS OF: Thrash Metal

Pretty divulsion of packed thrash revolution, as they would most likely utter. One of the few left with Mike on guitar being the founding member since '82 or '83. Schmier now is one of the only founding member of the band. Still on here for guest lead guitars have Harry (ex-Destruction) who's been superb the whole way through his career with Destruction. The songs here are definitely quality! It's probably a better LP then their current on 'Born To Perish'. They put forth one great concoction of songs that totally kick ass. I thought it definitely stronger than 'Metal Discharge' and 'Spiritual Genocide'. One of their better ones!

The riffs are really cool though not as catchy as the early Destruction or late 80's work by the band. I felt that 'All Hell Breaks Loose' and 'The Antichrist' were some more modern full-lengths that caught Destruction to the core. I like the fact that they had multiple guest musicians on here except that their follow-up album from this one 'Born To Perish' features them as another 4 piece that was like in the late 80's as on 'Eternal Devastation/Mad Butcher' and 'Release From Agony'. I enjoy their era with Harry Wilkens as member of the band. He was also featured on 'Live Without Sense'. I feel that they're stronger as a 4-piece.

The sound quality on here is top notch! And the riffs are probably some of the better that dates back to early '00-'01. They diversify as well, it isn't just solely thrash, they mix it up with some clean guitar as well. Schmier sounds like Schmier where during the earlier days he has a little bit of a higher pitch voice and on their latest live CD 'Live Attack' he's a pitch lower it seems. I like him on here and the energy to this album is high! They seem to tear it up in the riff department. The vocals go well with the music. Everything goes and flows smoothly the whole way through! There wasn't a track on here that I disliked.

You can get this on YouTube, I'm not sure if Spotify has it streaming. It doesn't on mine but in any case I bought the CD. I felt like it's Destruction so there's hardly a chance of them disappointing. And I was correct! Every song on here is full of energy and great riffs. I felt that they were way strong on here though they get a good "B" rating on here. Definitely Destruction infuriation galore. These guys have the energy and originality in their songwriting. They don't let up on here and the cover track on here which I believe is Venom was well played out. And of course the outro being "Thrash Attack." Own this one! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2016)
Score: 75

https://www.destruction.de/

Pirate - Left of Mind

#PER CHI AMA: Math/Prog Rock

Era il primo agosto del 2012 quando recensii questo disco. E la Bird’s Robe Records, nell'ambito della sua filosofia del "riscopriamoli", ecco riproporre una band fuori dall’ordinario. Sto parlando dei Pirate e del loro album di debutto 'Left of Mind', disco uscito in realtà nel 2009. La band si distingue dalle altre produzioni della label di Sydney con una proposta musicale alquanto originale, una fusion di stili e sfumature che partendo dal prog anni ’70, si fonde con colonne sonore e math rock, in cui concedere poi ampio spazio alla follia delirante di un sax impazzito, come accade nella opening nonchè title track, nella psicotica strumentale “Rough Shuffle” o nella stralunata ed oscura "Creepy". Fighi, lo dicevo allora, lo ribadisco oggi a distanza di anni che non ascoltavo questo lavoro. Sicuramente influenzati dal buon Mike Patton e da una qualsiasi delle sue creature, Mr. Bungle o Fantomas, i Pirate nelle otto tracce a disposizione, si divertono non poco a proporne di ogni colore e forma. Non stupitevi pertanto se in “Animals Cannibals” emergono echi di Faith No More o di un certo cyber alternative rock a stelle e strisce, comunque sempre contaminato da suoni freschi e moderni, qui dal piglio anche elettronico con un bel po' di synth a farla da padrona. Ma le qualità dell'ensemble non si discute e potrete anzi apprezzarla ovunque nel corso dell’ascolto di 'Left of Mind': dal basso tonante in apertura di "In the Balance" che ammicca ai A Perfect Circle, all'imprevedibilià alla The Mars Volta di "Daggers", ove avverto anche un pizzico del delirio dei Primus, in una song che, complice la presenza del famigerato sax, diventa anche la mia preferita del disco per il suo moto ondoso instabile. Si, insomma 'Left of Mind' è qualcosa che va accuratamente ascoltato e ponderatamente digerito, perché di certo non rimarrete delusi di fronte a cotanta ispirazione e genialità. Chiaro, riascoltarlo quasi dieci anni dopo mi fa sentire molti altri richiami che in passato non avevo colto e forse per questo mantengo il voto un po' più basso rispetto alla mia prima recensione, comunque una certezza. (Francesco Scarci)

(Bird's Robe Records - 2009/2022)
Voto: 80

https://birdsrobe.bandcamp.com/album/left-of-mind

Bloodbath - Grand Morbid Funeral

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

#FOR FANS OF: Swedish Death

This album has an immense energy to it, being as though a totally "morbid" album title and cover artwork. These Swedish death metallers did a great job here musically, production-wise and aura to the album. It's totally in belonging in the underground! The riffs are just amazing and the leads are phenomenal. This band I just discovered somewhat recently. They just kill from every aspect! I like the music and vocals the most. The guitars are way professional, nothing generic about them at all. The riffs are totally innovative and the energy to the album is all there! There's nothing lacking to this "funeral."

I like the fact that they choose eerie openings to songs. It's just to spook the listener out. This album seems like it'd be a sort of concept release, but I'm not entirely sure in saying that. It just seems that it ever-so fits for what they're trying to do here. The tempos to the songs vary and the music is heavy as fuck! The vocals go along well with the music. It's totally thick as shit. They sound way like a Swedish band definitely. Though a little bit different than say Dismember (split-up) or Entombed. This is more modern type of material they just want to slay you! This album captures it all, especially the guitars.

I think the mixing/production is top notch. They really do a good job weaving everything in there. This band sits among the top of the death metal genre. Their fuel for each song is invigorating. They really hit home with me! The music is entirely original and unique. Their hatred that they spew out is ever so blissful. I think this band has a lot of life left to it. And 'Grand Morbid Funeral' is one of their better releases. It's not good the ENTIRE way through, there are some things that I think that they could change about it but still I'm giving it an "A-" rating. They deserve it with all the diversity the album has to it.

I would definitely say to buy this release because of it's brutality, ingenuity, precision and talent! These guys tear it up! After repeated listens to I definitely are a milestone in the death metal arena. It deserves higher ratings for sure! I would venture to say that they will be around for a lot longer especially now is a great time to write riffs. Their songwriting capabilities is immense. Let's show the band some respect and buy their album! You can always stream it if you have Spotify, but owning the CD is probably the best choice of action. It's showing that you respect their efforts in the metal world! (Death8699)

(Peaceville Records - 2014)
Score: 79

https://www.facebook.com/bloodbathband/

Rift - To Quench the Thirst of Wolves

#FOR FANS OF: Atmospheric Black

The Australian band Rift is one of those obscure projects that remained in the shadows so much time since its inception, that some could think the debut album was never going to come. Founded indeed in 2004, Rift has been predominantly the solo-project of Balam, a tremendously active musician, who has been involved in several projects like Drowning the Light or Pestilential Shadows, among the others. Rift released a demo in 2006 but since that time, the project was apparently left at rest, maybe because of Balam’s many projects. Anyway, the musician seems to have spent part of his time composing music for a tentative release, which has finally seen the light. The addition of a permanent vocalist, known as A.S., has for sure played an important role in this final release.

With the support of the Australian label Seance Records, Rift, now as a duo, released its debut album entitled 'To Quench the Thirst of Wolves'. The evocative album artwork is quite representative of the music we will find inside, which I must admit, it has been a nice surprise. For some reason, I was expecting some straightforward and brutal stuff, but contrary to my expectations, Rift plays a black metal rich of atmosphere and with a certain melancholic touch, although it doesn´t lack some epic moments and a necessary degree of fury. In any case, the album escapes from the speedy monotony of some albums as it focuses its main attention on the mid-tempo sections. Production wise, the album has a good balance between vocals, guitars, and the rhythmic base. The raw touch is there, particularly in the guitars with this characteristic “fuzzy” sound, although the riffs are thankfully distinguishable. The atmospheric arrangements in the form of keys in the background are also audible and give an extra point of an evocative ambience. The vocals have the traditional echoing production with a very solid performance. The album begins with strength and speed with the song "Acolyte of Worms". The early perception could make us thing that this is going to be a monotonous album, pace wise. We couldn’t be more wrong. The song rapidly introduces some tempo-changes and a distinctively melodic touch in the guitars, which are composed and executed with a great taste. The tempo varies between the aforementioned fast sections and the increasingly present mid and slow tempo sections, including some nice interludes which make this song even more immersive. The contrast between fury and atmosphere is even greater in the following track, "Night Glare". This one is pure atmospheric black as its very best. Captivating keys embrace the rest of the instruments, giving profundity and atmosphere to the song as the galloping guitars and drums progressively slow down their initial impetuosity. Here, we can find one of those moments where Rift sounds even epic with a very nice guitar riff, an excellent track without any doubt. The longest tracks, like the self titled one and "Posthumous Rapture", focuses specially in the mid-tempo sections, although they introduce some variations which include interludes or slightly more vibrant parts. All this is made with the purpose of keeping the listener interested and, at the same time, creating a hypnotic piece of music. On the other hand, tracks like "Innards of Malevolence" and "Sermon of Blades" are the heaviest ones, with speedier sections, here more prevalent than in the rest of the album. Despite of this, the melodic and atmospheric essence of the whole album is still retained here, so these songs can be seen as the spiciest side of a dish with different flavours.

'To Quench the Thirst of Wolves' is definitively an excellent debut and a pleasant surprise. The combination of rawness, melody and atmosphere is excellently executed. The somber tone of the compositions is enriched by a beautiful atmosphere and some small touches of majesty. Highly recommended. (Alain González Artola)

(Seance Records - 2021)
Score: 83

https://seancerecords.bandcamp.com/album/to-quench-the-thirst-of-wolves

Malo Moray & His Inflatable Knee - Improvisations from the Solar System (and other Solo Pieces)

#PER CHI AMA: Ambient/Noise/Experimental

E giunge fino a noi dalla lontana galassia tedesca, direttamente dalla colonia spaziale della città di Lipsia, un nuovo lavoro dal vivo, del collettivo Malo Moray & His Inflatable Knee. L'autore e fondatore, Martin ‘Malo’ Riebel, conferma che l'intento di questa opera, è di mettere in musica la profondità di un cosmo sconosciuto, di galassie infinite e silenziose, ponendole in parallelo alla depressione e alla solitudine (vissuta anche in prima persona dall'artista in epoca recente) in cui versa l' umanità odierna. Il contrabbassista tedesco gioca con loop, elettronica e strumenti auto costruiti per intavolare un viaggio sonoro suggestivo, in perfetta simbiosi con i canoni della musica ambient spaziale, futuristica e d'avanguardia. Quindi, tra rumoristica cosmica, neo classicismo e sperimentazione, cresce progressivamente la curiosità dell'ascoltatore per quest'album, brano dopo brano. Realizzato come una lunga colonna sonora che si snoda tra sentori jazz, riadattati in direzione dello stile ambient di Brian Eno e l'avanguardia di Edgar Varese, il tutto filtrato da una vena molto cupa e dark oriented, che offre un tocco assai sinistro all'intera opera. Piccoli rumori colti in ambiente danno una prospettiva filmica ai brani, così, l'iniziale " Intro (A Gentle Sunrise Kisses the Surface of Mars)", già dalle prime note, mostra l'ambiente sonoro che si andrà ad affrontare lungo i solchi del disco, un assaggio di estatica, fluttuante, malinconia intergalattica, che si propaga nella sua ottima produzione di alta classe. Nella lunga e affascinante "Building Skyscrapers on Jupiter", si esaltano rumori e atmosfere inquietanti, visionarie e oscure, giocate su di un linguaggio extraterrestre destabilizzante, un tappeto musicale che vira profondamente verso melodie adatte ad un film thriller, intense e cariche di suspense. L'astratta bellezza della trama jazz che contraddistingue il brano "A Busy Suspension Bridge Floats Over a Deserted Area on Venus" è scarna e desolata come lo spazio più profondo. "The Secret of Saturn's Hexagon" mostra tutto il carisma e gli intenti neo classici di Malo, immaginandolo seduto su di un anello di Saturno, avvinghiato al suo contrabbasso che, archetto alla mano, sperimenta suoni misteriosi trasudanti sentori sinistri. Tutto, di questa lunga colonna sonora, si evolve in maniera ispirata ed omogenea. Il sound è sempre raffinato ed anche nella sua oscurità, mantiene una forte personalità intellettuale, ricca di composizioni ragionate e ben studiate, pur trattandosi di una performance live, registrata in maniera egregia, a Barcellona nel Febbraio del 2021. In questo album appare anche la singolare reinterpretazione della cover della magnifica "Listen to the Hummingbird" di Leonard Cohen, dal titolo rivisitato "Nature's Call (Listen to the Hummingbird)", brano che completa un già ottimo insieme di creazioni sonore. Un disco che è un'esperienza d'ascolto e che introduce nel modo migliore il successivo album, registrato sempre dal vivo, uscito da pochi giorni e intitolato 'Das Weltall', ovvero l'Universo. (Bob Stoner)

(Self - 2021)
Voto: 80

https://malomoray.bandcamp.com/album/improvisations-from-the-solar-system-and-other-solo-pieces-2

Aemeth - Demo 2002

BACK IN TIME: recensione gentilmente concessa da Nihil Zine

#PER CHI AMA: Death metal, Deicide

Death metal rabbioso che sfocia nel grind per questa band italiana. Una voce cavernosa ed una buona velocità contraddistinguono tutte le canzoni. La produzione è più che discreta, un po’ secca forse, ma che tuttavia esalta il suono di tutti gli strumenti. Sei pezzi, tutti piuttosto originali, ben arrangiati soprattutto per quanto riguarda le chitarre. Non ho alcuna nota biografica per questo gruppo, fatto salvo l'origine del quintetto che dovrebbe condurci dalle parti di Cagliari. Inoltre, il produttore di questo demo è Joe Testa, che firmerà anche un assolo come guest star nella quinta traccia, “The Path Of Losers”. La band se la cava bene anche nei mid-tempos dove i nostri creano interessanti atmosfere. La ritmica comunque si fa sentire davvero bene in tutte le tracce con un qualcosa che, anche se un po’ lontanamente, sembra evocare i Deicide. Un discreto lavoro, consigliato non solo agli affezionati al death.

(Self - 2002)
Voto: 65

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Aemeth/26840#band_tab_discography

Living Colour - Stain

BACK IN TIME:

#PER CHI AMA: Funk/Crossover

La caleidoscopica (ma indubitabilmente genuina) velleità crossover ostentata nei primi due album (diciamolo: a partire dalla copertina), poi esorcizzata nell'ossequioso e doveroso EP tributo 'Biscuits', acquisisce con questo terzo album una differente estetica. La pirotecnica intersezione dei generi è mano a mano circondata, allagata e infine sommersa da un nuovo sound identitario e granitico. Il quale, di volta in volta, subisce sì suggestioni passate ("Mind Your Own Business" si allinea a certa furenza hardcore riscontrabile soprattutto su 'Time's Up' - a partire dalla taitoltràc; "Nothingness" reinventa certo - allora già defunto - soul-pop fineottantiano; la strumentale "WTFF" deflora i R-H-C-P di 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' utilizzando una protesi plastica ideata dai Devo mentre la successiva "This Little Pig" si colloca nel fatiscente e pericoloso crocevia tra speed/thrash metal e NWOBM) o presenti (la furenza grunge esternata nella introduttiva "Go Away" e, poco più avanti, nella eccellente "Auslander"), ma principalmente tende a coagulare l'attenzione attorno a se stesso, con un'efficacia a tratti impressionante ("Ignorance is Bliss", "Leave it Alone" o il singolo "Bi" e ancora "Postman") frutto anche e soprattutto di un songwriting in stato di grazia. L'album, l'ultimo per un decennio circa, traccerà una rotta per tutto quello che avverrà a seguito della loro reunion. (Alberto Calorosi)

(Epic - 1993)
Voto: 80

http://www.livingcolour.com/

Power Trip - Manifest Decimation

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

#FOR FANS OF: Thrash/Crossover/Hardcore

Definitely a better release than their newer material in my opinion. The vocalist (RIP) sets the tone for this one. And the guitars are simply astounding! The production was a little raw, but I think that that's what they wanted. I liked all the songs on here and I think that they have a lot to offer the metal world. I like this crossover/thrash genres blended. Seems to work well for them. The vocals are going good with the music! And the lead guitars were sick. I love the riffs on here! Definitely a boon to the release. Everyone is contributing something positive to this release! An immensely awesome album!

I think that the riffs hit home with me more than anything else. I'm new to the crossover genre, I suppose they captured that and thrash alongside it. Both genres are killer, they just killed it here! I enjoyed this whole album! These guys I hope will be around for a long time and I hope that they're going to find a replacement to their deceased vocalist! He was great, sad to see him leave this Earth. The music on here is top notch impeccable. I took note to the guitar riffs the most. But all members seemed to have contributed much to this album. They are definitely tops with me, ABSOLUTELY!

The production was a little raw, but not by much! They did their job well on here. From all aspects, I say that this is their best release. It's over 30 minutes and it's straightforward in terms of music/guitars. Everyone did their part, I'm glad I found this release! It captures some great music and what makes a quality release possible. I liked all of their material on here. The tempos, the meaty riffs, the leads, vocals, drums the whole works. They killed it on here so to speak! They definitely are ahead of their time with this. What a great contribution to the metal world, it's a shame their vocalist died!

I haven't bought this CD yet, but I might. I'm trying to downsize my collection and maybe just go digital. But I still think buying the CD to benefit the music industry is a must. I know all this is streaming but the physical copies to me are always the best. However, a wide majority of people just stream music through Spotify but showing the band that you really like their music. Get the CD, this one doesn't lack in any respect! Actually, I just bought the CD to show support for the band. I took my own advice and did it! We need listeners to remember CD's will never go out of style! Check out this LP! (Death8699)

(Southern Lord Recordings - 2013)
Score: 77

https://powertripsl.bandcamp.com/album/manifest-decimation-2

Kavrila - Mor

#PER CHI AMA: Punk/Hardcore/Doom, Down

Dopo averci deliziato con il sound intelletualoide dei Dying Hydra, la Narshardaa Records ci prende ora a schiaffoni con i tedeschi Kavrila e il loro nuovo album 'Mor'. Dieci pezzi, dieci schegge impazzite di hardcore e non solo, per un totale di 28 minuti di suoni a dir poco caustici. Ci avevano già impressionato con l'uscita, peraltro sempre quest'anno, di 'Rituals III', e i nostri tornano a colpirci con questo nuovo capitolo in cui nel primo pezzo, "Watershed", la sensazione è quello di farsi la doccia con una bella dose d'acquaragia ed il loro classico concentrato abrasivo di punk hardcore. Con "Halfway Vanished", le carte in tavolo vengono ribaltate anche se la prima metà (sto parlando di un paio di minuti complessivi) si mantiene nei paraggi del punk, mentre la seconda si muove dalle parti di un dronico e asfissiante doom. Con "Nebula", la proposta sembra invece includere un mix tra i primissimi e acidissimi Nirvana, e ancora punk e post-hardcore. Più robusto e sludgy il sound di "The Facts", sebbene quelle arcigne vocals ci ricordino sempre da dove i nostri musicisti teutonici arrivano. Più ritmata e gradevole "Tremor", sicuramente meno "supposta in culo" rispetto alle precedenti tracce e per di più con un inedito break atmosferico che prende parecchio le distanze dai primi pezzi. Esperimento interessante. Un bel basso di pink floydiana memoria ("One of These Days") apre invece la title track, la song più varia e divertente del lotto, grazie a quel suo bel piglio melodico che colpisce dritto nel segno. Carta igienica con effetto carta vetrata invece per le sonorità killer di "Flay", e quel suo sporco punk nella prima parte, mentre si presenta oscurissima e pesantissima nella seconda metà. Il disco ha ancora da regalare la stralunata "Endocardium", cosi ricca di groove, "RIP" che ci assale con un violentissimo attacco thrash e in chiusura, ecco "Retribution", il pezzo più lungo del disco, ma anche quello più melodico, apparentemente ruffiano, ma che mantiente comunque intatto lo spirito indomito hardcore dei nostri con quel loro fare tra Entombed e Down che sembra non passare mai di moda. Ben fatto ancora una volta. (Francesco Scarci)

(Narshardaa Records - 2021)
Voto: 75

https://narshardaa.bandcamp.com/album/kavrila-mor