Marduk -- Frontschwein review

I must say I'm not too familiar overall with Marduk’s discography I have heard a few songs here and there I have listened to Dark Endless in its entirety. So really this is my first major exposure to the black metal Marduk. I know they are a pretty influential band so I was excited to here this new album. I wasn't disappointed this is a great black metal album definitely one to make a lot of peoples list this year. So let’s go to the front!

The first song starts off being the title track hooked me into listening to this album. It really lays down the standard for this album. That being fast, heavy, and some melodic (riffing) black metal. They go full speed on the first song and slow it down on “The Blond beast”. “Afrika” is probably my favorite a lot of great riffing and the vocalist does a great job on this song.“Rope of Regret” is another stand out track with a lot of memorable riffing throughout the song. “Nebelwerfer” is a slower punishing song. It’s filled with a lot of anger in the vocals. This is probably my second favorite song on the album.

The drummer does a pretty good job in all of these songs. One thing I like is that the drums are obvious ally not buried in the mix but all the elements are equally represented. I've heard some black metal albums where the drums are louder than the other elements. This is not the case in the slightest. The guitars have a great sound as well. I’m a fan of his bands Death wolf and Devils whorehouse. The vocalist really lets loose on this album. This is a really good black metal album. I haven’t listened to one in a while so it’s good to hear something really good. Probably will have to check out more albums they have released.

Something I really like about this album is that there is a lot of song differentiation. It doesn't seem like I’m listening to one long song. I can tell the differences between the songs. So that’s something I really like about this album. Also, the WWII theme is something I really like a lot. Anything about WWII I’m pretty much interested in. I know Marduk had an album about WWII called Panzer Division: Marduk I can’t compare them since I haven’t heard that album. However, this album is great. Any fans of black metal should check this out you will not be disappointed.

https://www.facebook.com/Mardukofficial

http://marduk.nu/

http://www.centurymedia.com/

8.5/10

Night Demon -- Curse of the damned album review

Night Demon is a band from Ventura, California and when I saw them play live they absolutely blew me away. Now, there is a lot of bands who have have this old school style of metal. Night Demon however is different they don't sound like a copy they have their own sound and really stand out from the rest of the pack.

This album rips and goes straight for the throat with the first song "Screams In The Night" and already gets you head banging and fist banging. Some great riffing throughout this song.
The second song "Curse Of the Damned" is so freaking catchy. The bass work is amazing. Brett's solo on this song is one of my favorites on the album. The drummer Dustin does a great job on this one."Full Speed Ahead" sounds like a pumped up Thin Lizzy song. Really liking the bass and guitar in this song.

"The Howling Man" is in one word EPIC! I can't get enough of this song. Jarvis really showcases some great bass work. My second favorite solo by Brett is on this song. Dustin's drumming is absolutely spot on as well! This song may be 6 minutes but it goes by very quick and it has become one of my favorite Night Demon songs for sure.

"Heavy Metal Heat" sounds like hard rocking heavy metal song from the 70's. "Run For Your Life" has some really good hooks. The last song "Save Me Now" I really like. It starts with an intro that reminds of something from the 80's and then once the song kicks in its filled with a hooky bass lines and guitar riffs. A great way to end the album.

Now the production sounds absolutely great. It's clear and all the instruments can be heard. However, it still has the raw metal element we all know and love. The musicianship is top notch, all the band members obviously know what they are doing. Jarvis sounds fantastic on vocals definitely reminds me of Sean Harris from Diamond Head. I can't wait to hear these songs being played live, I think they will sound amazing.

Pick this up and you will not be disappointed and for all the vinyl collectors there will be a cover of Riot's " Road Racing" exclusive just to the vinyl. Make sure to catch the band on their current U.S tour with Skull Fist and Elm Street. They will be playing two headlining shows in California.

10/10  Every song is great all KILLER no filler! Up the Demon!


Night Demon links:
http://www.nightdemon.net/
https://www.facebook.com/nightdemonband

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