Mad Minute Reviews is a new segment on my webzine. The idea is for fast and quick reviews for the reader to enjoy! I hope to do these more frequently and review up to 2-3 albums.
This tribute album was a special release for Keep It True this year. The first track is by Attacker with 'Cry of the Banshee' and they do a killer version. Evil Invaders is one of the bands that are similar to Exciter’s sound and they do a great cover of ‘Violence and Force’ and it just sounds really natural for them. Ranger’s cover of ‘Evil Sinner’ is absolutely amazing. They really knocked it out of the park. The vocals just fit the speed metal madness of the song and I always felt like Ranger had an Exciter speed metal elements anyway, so this was really cool to hear. Ram with ‘Beyond the Gates of Doom’ surprised me the most of how good the cover was. Just a lot of power behind it and I was really impressed with their cover. Savage Master with ‘Saxons Of the Fire’ came off with a bit more punky vibe to it compared to the other bands but once again another great cover. Visigoth's cover of ‘Rising of the Dead’ was excellent and it’s a different to the more epic style that Visigoth have on their original recordings but they nail this style and it sounds great. Vulture another killer speed metal band from Germany cover my favorite Exciter song ‘Feel the Knife’ and it’s absolutely amazing and along with the Visigoth and Ranger are my favorites of the covers off this tribute album. A Job well done to Skol records for a great selection of bands to cover Exciter.
Label
https://www.facebook.com/skolrecords/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/gabrielmanagement/?pnref=lhc
This tribute album was a special release for Keep It True this year. The first track is by Attacker with 'Cry of the Banshee' and they do a killer version. Evil Invaders is one of the bands that are similar to Exciter’s sound and they do a great cover of ‘Violence and Force’ and it just sounds really natural for them. Ranger’s cover of ‘Evil Sinner’ is absolutely amazing. They really knocked it out of the park. The vocals just fit the speed metal madness of the song and I always felt like Ranger had an Exciter speed metal elements anyway, so this was really cool to hear. Ram with ‘Beyond the Gates of Doom’ surprised me the most of how good the cover was. Just a lot of power behind it and I was really impressed with their cover. Savage Master with ‘Saxons Of the Fire’ came off with a bit more punky vibe to it compared to the other bands but once again another great cover. Visigoth's cover of ‘Rising of the Dead’ was excellent and it’s a different to the more epic style that Visigoth have on their original recordings but they nail this style and it sounds great. Vulture another killer speed metal band from Germany cover my favorite Exciter song ‘Feel the Knife’ and it’s absolutely amazing and along with the Visigoth and Ranger are my favorites of the covers off this tribute album. A Job well done to Skol records for a great selection of bands to cover Exciter.
Label
https://www.facebook.com/skolrecords/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/gabrielmanagement/?pnref=lhc
Cloven Altar is one of the coolest bands around right now. I’m friends with the singer and songwriter Dustin. But don’t worry I will write this as unbiased as I can. Also, with the name if you think this sounds anything like Cloven Hoof or Pagan Altar I’m sorry to disappoint you but it doesn’t sound like that. However, that shouldn’t matter the music kicks ass! Now, 'Demon of the Night' was absolutely killer and this album 'Enter The Night' is actually a middle ground between Demon of the Night and the EP. 'Heart of the Beast’ is a great opener and a great head banger. I actually can hear a bit of more traditional heavy metal influence like Metalucifer and speed metal tinges. Also, because of Dustin’s punk background it’s more based around verse and chorus type of songwriting which I think is great and it help’s diversify the album. ‘Die for Metal’ is amazing with its cheesy glory and also Dustin is really pushing himself and doing some great speed metal sounding vocals. I also even hear some early Hammerfall influence as well. Cedrick does some great solos and guitar work. Well Cedrick if you guys don’t know is playing all the instruments and he does a phenomenal job. You would never guess Dustin and Ced live a continent away! It sounds as if it was recorded in the same studio. ‘In Worlds Unknown’ is one of my favorites just great stuff and catchy and it reminds me a bit of early Hammerfall for some reason. ‘Streets Of Rage’ is another fun heavy metal song on this record. Once again Dustin and Ced have put out another great album and you should check this out!
Band FB
https://www.facebook.com/Cloven-Altar-1412255482367608/?fref=ts
Ced's page
https://www.facebook.com/rockarollasmetal/?fref=ts
Label
http://stormspell.com/
Band FB
https://www.facebook.com/Cloven-Altar-1412255482367608/?fref=ts
Ced's page
https://www.facebook.com/rockarollasmetal/?fref=ts
Label
http://stormspell.com/
Thrash is a genre which I haven't really been following these past couple of years. However, one band I've seen being mentioned in underground circles is Antichrist. Before this I never really checked them out. However, seeing they are going to be playing LA and have this new record out I jumped at the chance to review it. The intro 'Instruments of Sadism' is very eerie with synthesizers. 'Savage Mutilations' has a cool drum fill intro and then goes straight into the thrash. The riffs are piercing and the vocals are maniacal. 'The Entity' keeps up the assault with great riffing. I don't see how this wouldn't get you headbanging and thrashing around. 'The Black Pharaoh' is totally kick ass. Just a lot power behind the music in general and one of my favorites off this record. 'Chernobyl 1986' is an instrumental which I wasn't expecting. But it totally works. It doesn't leave you bored for a second. I really liked the Russian voices in the background. Which I’m assuming are talking about Chernobyl. The last song ‘Fall of the Temple of Solomon’ ends the record on a strong point. The instruments sound great it has that perfect thrash sound. It’s fast and intense but it’s still heavy! So I must say I’m surprised on how good this album is. I also am impressed on how it managed to keep my attention. Don’t miss these guys when they embark on their U.S tour!
Band FB
https://www.facebook.com/antichristsweden/?fref=ts
Promoter for the LA show
https://www.facebook.com/bornforburningLA/
Label
http://www.ihate.se/
Band FB
https://www.facebook.com/antichristsweden/?fref=ts
Promoter for the LA show
https://www.facebook.com/bornforburningLA/
Label
http://www.ihate.se/