Grave Robber -- Straight to Hell E.P review

Grave Robber is a horror punk band from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Now, Grave Robber isn't your average "horror punk" band they add in some metal influences for example (Curse of the Werewolf and Fill This Place With Blood which the opening notes and the song title is taken from the Vengeance Rising song of the same name) and even at times I can hear an Alice Cooper influence.  So Grave Robber has a lot to offer. Now, a while back Grave Robber had a kick starter campaign and I contributed, this is why I'm able to hear to these new songs. 

The first strong "Straight to Hell" is one of the best Grave Robber songs, definitely going to have to be a song they play live. It has very much an Earth A.D/Wolfs Blood era Misfits style going on. Think of songs like Death Comes ripping or Devil lock and that's the best way I can describe this song. Everything about this song rules. I will say this is one of the more abrasive and darker Grave Robber songs. The guitar had more of a metal type chugging at times kinda reminded me of Doyle's guitar sound during the Graves era of the Misfits.  

Hunger haunts is a really great track and it even has a creepy organ part. This song is being used for a Canadian feed the children campaign you can check it out here: http://www.canadianfeedthechildren.ca/landing-pages/hunger-haunts. This song is a bit more upbeat but it's still a great Grave Robber track. 

Beast of Busco is a really good simple straight up Punk rock song it kinda reminds me of the Ramones a bit. The song is about a gigantic snapping turtle in Indiana which they could never find. Great song and cool story.

The last song Mummator is shortest song on the whole E.P. It's Grave Robbers take on the theme song "Mummator & the Conquerors of the Cosmos" It's an awesome song and a good way to end off the E.P. 

In conclusion get this E.P you will not be disappointed. It's Grave Robber it's Punk and it's awesome!  Score: 9/10

 http://rottweilerrecords.bigcartel.com/product/grave-robber-straight-to-hell-7-vinyl-limited-edition-200-copies 

https://www.facebook.com/Graverobberpunk2

Midnight -- No Mercy for mayhem

Midnight’s new album "No Mercy for Mayhem" is awesome. I remember when there first album dropped in 2011 and I’ve been waiting ever since for a new album. So now it’s 2014 and we get some new music from Midnight. Now, Midnight as usual has a Venom and Motorhead sound but there are other NWOBHM influences that come in. Also, the punk attitude runs clean through this record. Which is something I really like if you ever seen them live (I have once) you can see that onstage as well.

The first song "mercy curse" is just an intro and then we go into “Evil Like a Knife” and it’s a great song really catchy riffing and a hooky chorus. With a ton of attitude and aggression a total fist and headbanging song for sure. “Prowling Leather” slows down to more of a mid-paced song. With some great lead guitar work throughout. My next favorite song is “Degradation” it definitely has that “Rock N’ Roll” Motorhead type feel in the beat and guitar work. Also, it was cool that they put “Destroy Tsunami’s power” as a bonus track since it’s really great song.

One of the many things Midnight/Athenar does well is he knows how to write aggressive songs with a hook. Also, the bass tone sounds great on this record. All the instruments are heard loud and clear. As with Satanic Royalty they nailed it with the production. It’s raw but yet clear at the same time which is another plus for me.

The second disc is Midnight Live in Cleveland and this is raw, loud, and pure Midnight. There is a great selection of songs and some funny stage banter from Athenar. This second disc is only available with the first initial pressings of the CD for this album.

9/10

*Highlights Evil like a knife, Prowling Leather, Degradation, Try Suicide, Aggressive Crucifixion. 

Pestilent Death -- Cemeterial Befoulment demo review

This is some crushing death metal from Los Angeles. Their demo “Cemeterial Befoulment” is maybe only two tracks but I think it shows a lot of potential. Is Pestilent Death trying to “re-invent” the death metal sound? No, they aren’t. Are they old school death metal to the bone? Yes, they are.

I really like the guitar sound it’s chuncky and very heavy. It kinda reminds me of Bolt Thrower guitar tone but that’s just me. Vocal wise the first thing that came to mind is Mortician or General Surgery very much soaked in blood and it fits well with the music. The title track has a cool intro to it it has a slower opening part then we into a fast part with some crushing riffs. The drumming is quite good as well. The second track premonitions of misery is very cool. I really like doom/death opening part. The production is pretty good for a demo better than alot of other demo's production I have heard before. 

Overall this is a pretty solid demo and I'll have to keep my eye out for new material by this band. If your in LA check this band out and hopefully seem them live. 

I'm feeling a solid 8/10

Night Demon -- S/T EP expanded edition review

                        

                              Night Demon – EP expanded Edtion

How can I describe Night Demon in two words? “HEAVY METAL” These guys just rip. Now I figured I do a review of the expended edition of this EP. I would suggest you try to get your hands on a vinyl copy before they are all sold out from High Roller records.  OK let’s start with the review.

The first song Night Demon is definitely an anthem that will get you headbanging and fistbanging. You got some great riffs and also I love the bass tone in this song. I like how in the middle of the song the bass and guitar are playing the same harmonies together and it reminds me of early Maiden. The Chalice has some cool bass work especially with the intro. It seems this song is becoming a live staple for them. Ancient, Ancient Evil!! This song just gets me everytime. It’s so darn catchy. Ritual has some great guitar and this song just sounds very Diamond Head influenced (which isn't a bad thing it’s a compliment).

Now if these guys were older and it had an older recording quality I would have told you that these guys were a lost N.W.O.B.H.M gem. 

There are a lot of new bands but this is the first band I can say with a 100% conviction that sound like that they got transported from 1980 to now. If you listen to the guitar tone and the vocal’s and vocal lines it just screams N.W.O.B.H.M. I think the singer Jarvis sounds like a harsher/harder version of Sean Harris of Diamond Head.

On the Expanded edition you get two covers and two live tracks.their cover of Lightning to the nations it’s just awesome. Really the best Diamond Head cover I have heard so far. You can tell they really tried their best and they absolutely delivered on it. I was glad to hear Axe Crazy by Jaguar I think they really gave the song justice and it’s cool to see them covering a bit more obscure N.W.O.B.H.M song. The two live tracks from their first gig Radar Love and Ritual both sounds fantastic. Even if you have the EP these songs just make buying the EP totally worth it.

This is one of the best EP’s every released in my honest opinion. I own three versions of it. I think I’m tad obsessed with this EP (hahaha). So pick it up and if you don’t you will be regretting you didn’t.  10/10 flawless 

Night Demon website

http://www.nightdemon.net/

Night Demon FB

https://www.facebook.com/nightdemonband

Here's where you can pick it up

http://www.hrrshop.de/NIGHT-DEMON-s-t_1

Vindicator -- Sleeping with Evil E.P review

                                       

I've been meaning to review this but I forgot to but as you can see I remembered. This E.P rips from beginning to end. Vindicator has been band I actually re-discovered. So once I finally got back into them and discovering they got Vic Stown on vocals I was even more of a fan of them now than before. So let’s get into the review.

The Succubus is a cool intro opener to this E.P. Then you get hit with the opening riffs of Sleeping With Evil it’s pure headbanging from then on out. Vic’s vocals at time reminds me of John Connely of Nuclear Assault and at other times Dave Mustaine. Riff wise it’s pretty solid thrashy but also catchy riffs.

Hockey Stick Vengeance is fast paced thrash song definitely with a bit of tongue and cheek humor in it “smashing your face with a hockey stick is the only tool I need.” In a live setting I could definitely see the crowd really like this one, and who wouldn't?

New Clear Assault: End of an Error this is a re-recording because this song is from Let There Be Blood. This was actually the first Vindicator song I ever heard quite a few years ago. The intro they added was really cool, now this is my favorite version of this song. I think the vocals and production is way better. If this song doesn't get you headbanging or going crazy then I feel sorry for you.

The last three tracks Destruction of Justice is a cool instrumental with a very cool solo. Rampage is a demo and it sounds pretty good. The last song is “Vindicator” live.

I don’t have anything really negative to say about this. It’s a great E.P and I think the songs are solid. The production is really good it’s still raw but it’s also clear so nothing really sounds muddy. The only tracks that don’t have the same production are obviously the demo and live track.

Why Vindicator aren't more known? I have no idea, they are way better than Havok and a lot of other bands. They have great songs and catchy riffs. Buy this E.P you won’t be disappointed and check out their back catalog.    9/10

Hirax -- Immortal Legacy review

So, I finally got my hands on this album. I went to L.A to go see Possessed live at the Whisky a go go (great show) so I stopped by Amoeba records and I saw this album so I had to buy it. In one word this album is "METAL!". Hirax know's how to write great songs and they are very good at delivering quality metal to the mass of headbangers ready to have a broken neck!

The first song is Black Smoke and immediately they hit you with a catchy intro riff before hitting you full speed ahead with some awesome thrash metal! Victims of the dead man this song is so catchy not in the pop sense obviously but they know how to write just great riffs that stick with you and even after I turned off this album I kept singing "Release the victims of the dead!!!!" it's a pure 100% headbanging and fistbanging song.  La boca de la bestia is another one of Hirax's thrash assault and it will throw you into the mouth of the beast.
Tied to the gallows pole is possibly tied for my favorite song off this album with Victims of the dead. Once again those twin guitar riffs are just awesome. Also you can't forget Katon's vocals and his wails! Katon is just one of the vocalist once you hear him once you will always remember him.

The music is just great with very good riffs and all the instruments are heard clearly. The production isn't muddy or anything like that. You can hear Katon's vocals great he's up front and center. However don't expect this album to have a squeaky clean production it still has a raw sound to it. Lyrically you can expect the usual Hirax type of lyrics you know songs about War and history.  For example the song "The world will burn" is about the Great fire of Rome and I remember reading in an interview that La Boca De La bestia was about a military unit please correct me if I'm wrong. One thing I like about Katon's lyrics is that he isn't trying to preach to you or anything but like he said in an interview the lyrics are more of a warning to people that if we don't try to understand each other and figure out how to get along, we'll end up killing each other.

In all I think this a very good album, and when you have the time pick it up. I want to see them live so bad so hopefully they do a U.S tour soon. One last thing is this album better than The New age of terror? I think it is. Better than El Rostro De La Muerte? I think at the moment It's tied.

 I'm feeling a strong 9/10

Hirax Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/KatonHIRAX

Hirax: official website: http://www.blackdevilrecords.com/

Monolith -- Embers of Resolution review

Monolith -- Embers of Resolution

 I received Monolith’s first debut album Embers of Resolution from there guitarist Kris (cool dude btw). However he told me the album I received will not be the official version released because that one will have a few tweaks but overall this is the finished project. So I’ve been wanting to review this album but I was a bit nervous since I know them personally. However as you can see I’m doing it and here we go.

The first song “Ice” comes in with a very Metallica influenced riff and it’s pretty catchy after hearing it a few times. The solos really caught my attention. However my only gripe is that the intro part last’s 3 minutes and 48 seconds. Finally when the song finally kicks in to the main riff it’s a very good song. I just think that part needs to be cut a bit since the song is 9 minutes and 6 seconds. The song is good though and Kris’s vocals sound great and David shreds in the solo (at least I think it’s David).
Trial of time is your usual thrashy song off this album with the trademark E string fast chugging riff.  Bring the Pit had to grow on me but it has become one of my favorites off the album and now thinking about it, this song sounds very good live. Blood on the rocks is one of my favorites from this album easily. The first beginning guitar parts sound very cool and I think Kris’s voice sounds great throughout the whole song. This possibly might be tied for my favorite Monolith song of this album.

Remember the day is your get everybody crazy in the venue type of song. It’s good but you can tell it was written very early on in Monoliths career. Rise with the Fallen I absolutely was really looking forward to hearing this song on this album however I was a bit disappointed since I personally prefer how the demo version had the bass and drums play along with the first guitar part. Not a bad song at all but I think that should have been included.


General of Thieves is a song I first overlooked but I have come too really like it. The bass and guitar work is great in this song which really caught my attention. Another song tied for my favorite is Being Led Blind. Dang this song is catchy. Not in the pop sense but it’s just really great songwriting on this song and it really shows. Behemoth ends off the album with a really dark droning track. Black metal inspired obviously by the name of the song. I think it’s a really good Monolith song and it’s cool to see the band trying different things.

OK now here’s in short the positives and negatives to tell you.
The Positives: Great sound of the album
All the instruments are heard clearly
Vocals are great
Guitars sound good
Bass work and sound is good
Drums sound good as well
Productions isn’t muddy

Negatives: Song lengths (Then again I’m not a prog rock/metal guy so it might be just my weirdness with song lengths.)
At times it was hard to differentiate between songs

This band is good and they definitely have a lot of potential. They sound way better than like 99% of all the other local bands around my area I am not going to list names but you get the idea. So I hope you guys enjoyed my review (let’s hope the band doesn’t get pissed at me) and have a good one.  So I’m feeling a solid  85% for this debut album and I would highly recommend picking this up.

Nocturnal Fear/ Seges Findere split. Allied for the Upcoming Genocide

Nocturnal Fear/ Seges Findere Split review

I just recently picked this up and it's awesome!! Nocturnal Fear contribute 4 tracks of there brand of crushing metal and Seges Findere have two tracks so it's a 6 track split.

Nocturnal Fear is like a black ops military unit. They come and destroy all in there path. Blood on the Battlefield shows some great riffing by Slavehunter also great drumming by Witchammer. Slavehunter plays a great solo on Infernal Nuclear Warfare (great title for a song). Slavehunter is an old school metal veteran and he knows how to write just great riffs in the best old school style. If your into Violator and that kinda stuff this isn't for you this isn't "retro-thrash".  Cast from Heaven is from there album Metal of Honor and I like this re-recording just as much as the original  however I think the drumming is better on this one. Invade to Conqueror (pt.2) is a crushing instrumental. The two first tracks will be on the next Nocturnal Fear album. "Sadistic Inquisition" on this split Nocturnal Fear is on DEFCON level 2 (Next step to nuclear war) with the new album with songs like "Seal team 666, Bite the curb, Operation Trinity" there going to DEFON 1. 

Seges Findere is a band from Brazil and they play in the black/death metal style there music is way more chaotic. I can't really find a band to compare them too since I don't listen to much of that type of metal but it was good none the less. I will probably have to check out more stuff by this band since I did enjoy the tracks on this split.

So in short buy this split when you get the chance you will not be disappointed.