REVIEW : RISEN PROPHECY - SCREAMING FOR DEATH

Risen Prophecy: Screaming For Death

Risen Prophecy are a fine 4 piece progressive thrash metal band from our own native north east shores. Screaming for Death is the band’s first album which i promptly bought after a live show in Durham. Needless to say as far as debuts go, this is pretty impressive.

Opening track Persecutor is one of the shortest song of the album alongside anti-poser anthem `The Faithful Stand Alone`(march or die you fucking pieces of shit we hate your world and all that’s in it!) and Dan Tyrens vocal range is swiftly on show showing both aggression found in 80s thrash metal and soaring high range ability. The cleverly constructed vocal melodies give Dan a chance to show his vocal range. The album itself is tightly recorded and the storytelling in the songs is very effective especially given the long song times. Protect the Border and Damned Nation are a perfect example of this with a continuing storyline that stretches across both tunes it seems. 

The song structures are diverse yet not overly complex in fretwork and there are plenty of interesting and sudden tempo changes within the songs to keep a listener hooked. The main standout for the album for me was title track `Screaming for Death` with its crunching intro before launching into some classic thrash riffing before a memorable soaring chorus section which are perfectly and intricately composed. `Sins of the Fathers` also contains a epic Armageddon sounding memorable chorus section after a very smooth bass intro and concludes with an excellent ancient priest chant sounding outro. Very melodic stuff. 

10 minute anthem `Within Their Hands` does a excellent job at closing the album following the similar yet effective song pattern of many straightforward riffs all put in the song together and mixed in with a variety of tempo changes and thrash riffing. Another interesting musical element found in the album are some very nicely done acoustic segments which are fantastic at creating a sudden atmospheric change to the song in question. 

For a fiver this album is defiantly worth a purchase for anyone with even a vague interest in metal, the lyrical themes also vary well and the storytelling of various fantasy realities found in the songs are perfect for anyone who likes a daydream on a long journey(such as myself). Also at just over an hour long, this album is defiantly value for money and can be bought from a live show or through a facebook link or message the band themselves I assume. A very fine addition to underground thrash with a dash of NWOBHM influences on the side. Continue support of fine bands such as this and farewell dear reader.

4.8/5

For people who like: Thrash metal and NWOBHM mixed in with each other. Bands such as Judas Priest ,Iron Maiden, Kreator ,Megadeth,Exodus

/J

FESTIVAL SEASON

It would appear that festival season has crept up out of nowhere and is now upon us. Expect reports (not good ones) from Bloodstock Open Air and Damnation!

/L

Review : Morbid Angel - Illud Divinum Insanus

I didn't even bother listening to it after i heard 30 seconds of "Radikult".

 For fans of - BMTH, BFMV, Marylin manson, HIM, Emo electric southern hiphop fans.

Rating -5/5 

/F

REVIEW : ANAAL NATHRAKH - PASSION

Anaal Nathrakh, of Birmingham, are not a subtle band. In fact, they are the kind of band who's musical attack is like repeatedly sustaining a heavy boot to the face. The album Passion, released on Candlelight Records, highlights the two band members V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (Dave Hunt, also of death metal acts Benediction and Mistress) and Irrumator's (Mick Kenney also of Fukpig and ex/Mistress) twisted views on the world and humanity in general, with song titles like Drug-Fucking Abomination and Who Thinks of the Executioner serving as a warning to what the listener is getting themselves into.

The discordant opening of the album's first track Violenti Non Fit Iniuria creates an incredible sense of dread, foreshadowing the brutality that is soon to emerge. In the case of Anaal Nathrakh, brutality is a word that can be used without embarrassment, as this couldn't be further from the type of statement so often mistakenly attributed to atrocious deathcore/tech-math-fringecore acts, who care more about maintaining their "cool" image than producing good music. The musical prowess on display throughout this album is nothing short of astounding, with powerful riffs bridging the gap between black metal and grind very effectively.

The onslaught of crushing blastbeats and blitzing tremolo picking is matched by the furious vocal delivery of Dave Hunt, who screams out haunting cries of misanthropy and anguish in a way that is perhaps unlike any other vocalist, although his style could be likened to that of a young Varg Vikernes or Vaehron of Pensees Nocturnes. Emotion and pure disgust is spewed forth in the vocals of this record, in which Hunt shows his diversity by combining piercing screams with melodic sections which creates an interesting element to the band's sound to prevent the relentless aggression ever becoming tiring.

Anaal Nathrakh are far from being a one dimensional band, and they have an incredible ability to link together sections of abysmal atmosphere (like the sections of a crying victim's dying screams in Drug-Fucking Abomination) with the more traditional all out tearing sections of black metal (in a style not dissimilar to acts like Gorgoroth and early Emperor).

One slight gripe about this strong release is the production, as the prominent kick drum sound often engulfs the quality music going on underneath, and marks a departure from the traditional "necro" feel often associated with death and black metal. The often incoherence and dangerous distortion of Hunt's vocals may be a point of division for some, but for me, they suit the mood and message of the music in a way that would be very difficult to achieve with another less potent vocal style.

Overall, this album is another great release by Anaal Nathrakh, who are seemingly turning heads everywhere with their striking approach to metal music, and if you can handle it (it is seriously fucking terrifying in parts) then this is a CD that deserves a place in your rack.

For fans of - Gorgoroth, Fukpig, Mistress, 1349, Marduk - or anything else chaotic, noisy and aggressive beyond belief.

Rating - 4/5

http://www.myspace.com/anaalnathrakh

/L

Review : Mörk Gryning - Tusen År Har Gått

You may have noticed by the title of this post that this band is not English but in fact Swedish, Which may cause most of you's to bitch and moan about it not being a UK band on a UK blog. well its simple. Shut the fuck up.

Mörk Gryning meaning "Dark dawn" in Swedish are a duo black metal group formed in 1993 when both members Goth Goron and Draakh Kimera were only 14 and 16.

Both teens were extremely talented for there age i mean they wrote this fucking master piece within a year of being together, Goth Goron on the recorded all the Guitar,bass and keyboard parts at the age of 15 and Draakh Kimera was only 17 when he recorded the drums at vocals for this album.

The full length Album Tusen År Har Gått (Thousand years have passed) contains 9 intense tracks taking up a total run time of 34 minutes is one of the most underated black albums within my eyes. 


The opening track Dagon kicks the album off straight away with a small 59 second epic composition this first track basically makes you want to say 'lather the world up in Perma frost and take me to the tallest mountain in Norway!' following that is the first true song in the album and wow its the definition for me of the perfect mix of great black metal. the track starts out with intense riffing and blistering drums blasted behind it the track also contains the first sample of the fantastic keys recorded by Goth Goron, this track sets the entire standards for this album to come the whole album.


One of the tracks that sticks out the most in the album is Aramagedon has come to pass... This for me has one of the greatest intros to a track ever, it is an acoustic track lasting only 1 minute and 44 seconds, when listening to a track it simply gives you an image of a waste land destroyed by war.


The stand out track on the album for me has to be Min sista färd (en visa om döden) Meaning in English "My Last Journey (A song about death)" i think this is a fantastic ending to an album due to it being the most adrenaline pushing track you can hear so many diffrent genre influences within one track (Death,jazz,classical,blackmetal,thrashmetal) all within an 5 minute epic. i also find it great how the intro song and the final song link up, as the first track is "Journey" and the last one is "My last journey" its a great finale to an amazing black metal master piece.

Sadly Mörk Gryning disbanded in 2005 due to lack of interest into 'Extreme music' which is a shame but they have left behind a gold mine of great material that i highly recommend you check out!
For fans of - Immortal, Death, dissection,Britney spears,Venom,Watain,Wintersun

I would give this album 4.6/5 - I would be giving this album a 5/5 if it was only it contained a bit more content but hey everything they delivered on this album is golden.








All song title translations done by Veronica T.
Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB2i6O7cAG8
/F

REVIEW : WINDS OF GENOCIDE - THE ARRIVAL OF APOKALYPTIC ARMAGEDDON

If you are not already impressed and intrigued by the title of this EP release from Durham City's Winds of Genocide then you should probably stop reading now.

Winds of Genocide are a band that are attacking and destroying on many different fronts, ferociously combining the crushing heaviness of death metal with the raw power and aggression of crust punk, along with the kind of evil lyrical imagery that would not be out of place in a black metal band. With such a broad spectrum of influences, ranging from the all out punk assault of bands like Discharge and Skitsystem to Swedish Death Metal greats like Entombed and Dismember, Winds of Genocide are the kind of band that should appeal to fans of all music extreme.

The EP entitled The Arrival of Apokalyptic Armageddon contains six raging tracks, and is independently released by the band themselves. The tracks are diverse in nature and explore many different avenues in a variety of genres, whilst staying consistent to the savage Apokalyptic Death Crust theme.

The first track, Doomsday Soldiers, features a pounding introduction which creates a suitable atmosphere of dread on which to open the record. This sense of foreboding, a warning of the onslaught to come, is sliced apart by a fierce growl from vocalist Kat, who throughout the record showcases her vocal range and diverse style to great effect, and this signals the start of a fast barrage of instrumental chaos. The catchy chorus riff is accompanied by deadly prophecies of "Pestilence! War! Famine! Death!" spat out by a thick growl in tight unison with the strong rhythm section, and this kind of hook is consistent throughout the record, giving it lasting appeal.

The intensity of the beats provided by drummer Linus, alongside the inventive and powerful basslines of bassist Dan, acts as a perfect partner to the solid and atmospheric riffing of guitarist Glynn, who impresses throughout with catchy riffs and interesting harmonies in a rhythmic attack.

Arguably the standout track of the EP is the title track, which opens with a riff that almost has a voice of its own, such is the extent of its unique atmospheric feel, before a pounding blastbeat kicks in and really sets the pace for the rest of the song, which utilises fantastic guitar and bass work to create a suitably evil mood beneath the vocals which strike with deathly force.

Overall, this EP from Winds of Genocide is a great release which should appeal to a wide range of people from across the dark spectrum of both extreme metal and hardcore punk, and with a split with Japanese Black/Thrash legends Abigail in the pipeline, make sure you keep your eyes on this band!

For fans of- Doom, Amebix, Hellhammer, Discharge, Entombed, Skitsystem, Massacre, Benediction, Extreme Noise Terror, Dishammer... Punk and Metal in general

Rating - 4.5/5

http://www.myspace.com/windsofgenocide
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winds-of-Genocide/187999007899518

/L

Northern Chaos

There's some seriously good music coming out of the United Kingdom at the minute, and we are going to have a bit crack on about it. Watch this void.