Sunday, August 17, 2014

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. 

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

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