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Mad Minute reviews: Cloven Altar, Exciter tribute Pounding Metal, and ANTICHRIST

5/29/2017

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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
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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/
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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!
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Band FB
https://www.facebook.com/antichristsweden/?fref=ts

Promoter for the LA show
https://www.facebook.com/bornforburningLA/

Label
http://www.ihate.se/
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Mythra -- Still Burning review 

4/14/2017

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Before we start this review Mythra is a NWOBHM band that formed in 1976 and put out the ‘The Death and Destiny EP’ in 1979 and released a few demos after that. In 1998 they put out ‘The Death and Destiny LP’ and in the 2000’s ‘The Darkener’ and ‘Warriors of Time: The Anthology’. Now, having just becoming familiar with them after hearing the compilation they put out the more I was interested in hearing this record ‘Still Burning’. My excitement grew when I found out Bart Gabriel would be producing this record since he’s done a lot of great work with other bands!
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The album starts out with the title track ‘Still Burning’ and it gives you a taste for the feel for the rest of the album. It’s a catchy riff and it’s a great slab of NWOBHM. ‘A Call To All” shows Vince High vocals go for a more melodic tinge compared to the more gruff style in the first song and I really like his voice on this song a lot. ‘That Special Feeling’ is a celebration of that feeling of magic we feel of listening to the music we love.  ‘Ride The Storm’ has a killer twin guitar opening. Also, the riffs on this song are top notch and the guitar parts remind me of a mix of early Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy type of guitar work. ‘Silence In The Sirens’ the chorus is really catchy and stuck in my head long after listening to this song. ‘Victory Song’ has a bit of a stomp to it. The riffs are classic heavy metal sounding and it’s exactly what you would expect from a band like Mythra. ‘We Belong’ is more of a slower song and but it still packs a punch with the riffs and the vocal deliver.
 
So this album shows that Mythra is still burning! They have the fire and I was happy to say this is a solid album from Mythra. Sometimes the fear for NWOBHM fans like myself is that older bands sometimes can’t put out as quality of a record compared to their older material. Yes, Mythra will have their classic material but this album cements their ability to play and keep the fuel going. I can’t wait to see them at Frost and Fire this year!


https://www.facebook.com/mythranwobhm/?fref=ts

https://soundcloud.com/high-roller-records-2/mythra-a-call-to-all-official
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High Spirits -- Motivator review 

9/13/2016

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High Spirits are a band from Chicago! Whenever I think of bands from Chicago I think of bands on the more extreme side of things. High Spirits however play high energy rock. I have seen the name of this band pop up quite a bit but I never really got around to giving them a listen. When I saw they got added to Frost and Fire I was excited to hear them live. Then, I saw they were releasing a new album so when I saw the cover I figured why not review it and give them a listen.  

So after the intro track the first track ‘Flying High’ really sets you up for the mood of this whole album. The track really makes you fly into this record at great speed. With killer guitar riffs and melodies. Every song is high energy rock however there is definitely some new wave of British heavy metal influences that bleed in as well. I really like the song ‘Reach for the Glory’ with the killer twin guitar work. Also, I felt it was very anthemic and I hope they play it live. Another song that really caught my attention was ‘Do You Wanna Be Famous’. I really like the vocals on this song. If I remember correctly the song is about people who just play music to become famous and not because they love it. ‘Haunted By Love’ is a ballad of sorts and another very good track on this album. 

Every song on this album is about three minutes long. So this album fly's by really quick. I guess the cover gives a hint on how it feels listening to this album. It left me wanting to listen to the album again and I’ll end up having to check out their earlier albums. Like I said before this album does have some metal influences but it’s definitely more hard rock. You will hear the Thin Lizzy type guitar melodies and you will also hear some Iron Maiden as well. Basically this album is very catchy and memorable hard rock album. Doing some basic research it looks like Chris Black plays all the instruments. I must say that’s very impressive and I actually thought it was a full band playing on this album. I think Chris did a very good job and I can’t wait to see them live. 

https://www.facebook.com/highenergyrock

https://highspiritsmetal.bandcamp.com/
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Sodom -- Decision Day review 

8/12/2016

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Sodom has been blowing out our ear drums since 1981 with classics like Persecution Mania, Agent Orange, and M-16 these guys have always brought the goods. Belonging to the big three Teutonic thrash titans along with Kreator and Destruction. Sodom have always been my favorite. Actually, Agent Orange was the first album I ever bought from a band from Germany so we can say Sodom has always held a special place in my (metal) heart. So when Sodom announced they are going to release a new record I was excited to hear it. I always expect Sodom albums to be good. However, this is probably the best record since M-16 which to me is a classic record.
 
“In Retribution” starts the record off with just a killer thrashy riff. Angelripper’s vocals remind me of earlier Sodom like Persecution Mania which is a big thumbs up for me. The song clocks in at 6 minutes but I swear the song was over as fast as it started it’s just pure Sodom throughout. “Rolling Thunder” is the musical equivalent of a B-52 dropping its payload inside your ear drums. It’s melodic yet crushing at the same time which I think is pretty cool. The title track “Decision Day” is a killer mid paced Sodom track which I really hope they play live because it has just an awesome headbangable riff..


“Caligula” has a killer bass intro by Angelripper and the track is filled with some nasty riffs. “Vaginal Born Evil” well when I first saw the track name I chuckled a bit BUT the music is nothing to chuckle about this song has some killer riffing and drumming. “Belligerence” has some acoustic guitar work but it’s actually one of the most punishing tracks on this record and it really adds to the overall atmosphere to the song. “Sacred Warpath” is slightly more melodic and is mostly a mid-paced song. “Refused to die” has an intro which is in German which I have no idea what he is saying but it’s a killer track and it’s probably the darkest track on the record. I think it’s great they ended the album on this killer track. What can you expect from this record? Well you can expect an awesome Thrash platter from Sodom. The riffs are never dull throughout the whole record. The vocals are absolutely superb. The drumming is killer and I’m happy that unlike most modern records the drumming doesn’t sound like a typewriter thank you for that. I do think its good that Sodom do incorporate melody on this record and aren’t playing the how “fast and brutal” we can be game that so many other bands do. Are there brutal tracks? You bet! But you also got memorable song writing and some melody to boot.
                                                                                                      
Once again Sodom solidifies why they are force to be reckoned with and they will break your neck and make molten metal flow out of your ear holes! 

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https://www.facebook.com/sodomized/?fref=ts

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Running Wild -- Rapid Foray review

8/7/2016

2 Comments

 
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Running Wild our favorite privateer’s from Germany. However I wouldn’t call them the ever so popular term “pirate metal” a lyrical theme doesn’t make a genre! Actually, last year I finally started listening to Running Wild so overall I’m not very well versed with their discography but from the albums I have heard I do enjoy. So when I found out Running Wild was releasing a new record I was excited to hear it and since I haven’t really heard any record past Black Hand Inn I didn’t really know what to expect since I haven’t heard anything after that.

When I heard the track “Black Skies Red Flag” and hearing the riffing and I knew this was going to be good. It’s just classic Running Wild type of songwriting. “Warmongers” is absolutely catchy and one of my favorites off this record. The riff and the vocal lines really hook you in. “Stick to your Guns” almost has an 80’s Accept stomp to it so if you always wanted to hear a modern Running Wild song that sounds that something from back in the day you’ll enjoy this track. The title track “Rapid Foray” is actually now officially one of my favorite Running Wild songs! It sounds like something between Blazon Stone and Black Hand Inn. It’s a kick ass song with very melodic power and speedy riffs. “By The Blood In your Heart” is just a great anthem song that automatically got me to try to sing along. I don’t know if that was the purpose but it’s one of my favorites on this album also they’re some cool bagpipes in the background.  “Black Bart” is another song that sounds more towards the classic era of Running Wild for sure. 


“Last Of the Mohicans” is an 11 minute epic. Over the years I have grown to appreciate longer songs but it can always go either way. What you get in this song is just amazing. The sweet licks and it just hooks you in. Throughout the whole song you never get bored. Also, I always thought it would be cool if someone did a heavy metal song about The Last of the Mohicans and Rolf delivered beyond my expectations on this song. Throughout the whole album you can expect great guitar riffs and hooks and you’ll find yourself headbanging and trying to sing along. Rolf has delivered a great slab of metal. I don’t see why die-hard fans wouldn’t like this record it has all the elements of great Running Wild record and as someone who is generally a new fan I really enjoy it! Rolf manages to push forward and make a killer record while maintaining the classic Running Wild sound!!

https://www.facebook.com/runningwildmusic/?fref=ts
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Avenger Of Blood --- On Slaying Grounds review 

8/5/2016

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Avenger of blood is a thrash metal band that has been one of my favorites out of the newer thrash bands. It's old thrash done by old thrash bastards. This is not your retro-pizza party band. They released an EP a couple years back which was more in the death metal vein and their record Death Brigade was just pure on thrash assault in the vein of the Teutonic bands. So this record to me mixes the best of both worlds.
 
“On Slaying Grounds” just by the cover and title you know this is just going to pour molten metal into your brain. So the first track is just a pure thrash assault. With the heaviness and crushing tone of death metal. “Warbound” is bound to break your neck. It’s just a crushing song that I can see them playing live. “Aggressive Psychotic Behavior” has this frantic feel to it. It makes sense especially with that title and it has a great thrashy riff and it kinda reminds me of the Swedish band Hypnosia. Under The Death Cross is just a kick ass title and it delivers. It definitely has quite a bit of death metal riffing and the drumming is excellent on this song. The closer “A Curse From the Grave” is an excellent song to end off on. This whole album is pure death/thrash awesomeness. 

Avenger Of Blood have once again solidified why they are a force to be reckoned with. This is album is basically what happens when attack dogs get titanium teeth. It’s more brutal than ever before and it goes straight to rip your throat out. So for the people who don’t want to hear your usual bay area thrash rip off this year check out this record. If your put off that they are a (semi) newer band don’t worry these guys aren’t the kids you see with Nike hightops. It’s metal for people who like to bang their necks until they bleed! Avenger of Blood have managed to hit that perfect medium of thrash and death. Kick ass band and kick ass record. 

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https://www.facebook.com/aobthrash/?fref=ts
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BAT -- wings of chains review 

4/30/2016

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Bloodhounds" is a kick ass song and pretty much sets the temp for the rest of the record. Just great vocals and gravly vokills from Ryan. "Code Rude" is a song from the demo but now re-recorded for this album and it sounds just as good. "Master of the skies" is awesome and the riff is almost going to borderline into more thrashyness but not their yet which I totally like and a kick ass solo. “Primitive Age”, “Condemner”, “Ritual Fool” keep up the intensity. I do think “Condemner” is the most “punk” out of the whole record maybe with “Total wreckage” the next in line for that. 

“Wings of Chains” the title track is the most to me straight forward like heavy metal song more of an nwobhm influence but also some rocky riffs as well. “Rule of the Beast” seems ever so slightly sped up and the riff sounds like a classic Venom riffing so I can’t complain. “Cruel Discipline” is one of my favorite tracks. I love the 7” single version as well and this version just kicks your ass. They end off with the song “BAT”. They added a cool intro with a little bit a keyboard but overall it’s the same as the demo.


One of the many thing I really like about this album is the vocals. It kinda reminds me of Hellhammer not that Ryan sounds like Tom but the reverb sound on the vocals I think is awesome also there was some “oughh” thrown in there.. The guitar and bass riffs are very audible. The drums are more in a punk vein of things. The production is great, it’s raw but everything is very audible. I can’t wait to get this on vinyl because this album needs to be listened to on that format. Also, none of the songs clock in over 4 minutes. So if you’re a fan of Venom, Tank, Motorhead, and Warfare I don’t see why you wouldn’t be a fan of this... 

10/10

​https://www.facebook.com/bewareofthebat

Interview I did with Ryan a while back
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi2GuR21CZE
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Crematory Stench EP review

4/23/2016

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Crematory Stench are a death metal band from Southern California which formed late last year. I’ve been very excited to hear material from them. I was able to see them live where they were giving out promos to their EP which they said is going to be released in May. Live Crematory Stench was very good so I was very excited to hear this EP. I knew this was going to be good because in the back it said “Real Old School Filth” and contains “Non-Triggered Drums”.

The first track “Fermented Remains”, is a great song the opening guitar riff reminds me of early Pestilence a bit. The rest of the song it just full of great riffs and it has it slower parts which I also really like. "Desolate Grave" reminds me of like early Dismember it’s just really aggressive death metal and nice and dirty sounding which kicks ass. "Resurrection" and "Lobotomy" just keep up the death metal onslaught. The drumming and the riffing are just top notch the bass sound is dirty and raw. The vocals are more in the Martin Van Drunen style but not like a total copy or anything but more in that area which is actually my favorite style of death metal vocals so that’s a plus for me. To me this band is just raw and dirty death metal if you like bands like Dismember and Autopsy I highly recommend this. This EP is for the corpses from the crypts! 


https://www.facebook.com/crematorystench/?fref=ts
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Savage Master -- With Whips and Chains review

4/22/2016

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Savage Master are a heavy metal band from Kentucky. This year return with a new studio album "With Whips and Chains" their last studio album "Mask of the Devil" was very well received and they embarked on a U.S tour and tore it up. Now, they are heading to Europe and then back to the U.S to put us into submission with Whips and probably some chains as well..

“Call of the Master” is the opening track which is some acoustic guitar and an incantation summoning the dark lord from your speakers. Then it goes into the song “Dark Light of the Moon” which already starts up with the headbanging riffs! Already, this album is starting off on a high point. “With Whips and Chains” is very much an anthem song with hooky riffs and vocals. Also, some cool bass work in the middle of the song. I remember when they played this song live everybody was fistbanging and really getting into this song. “Path of the Necromancer” is great. “Vengeance is Steel” I first heard on the Heavy metal mixtape and it's a kick ass song to slay your enemies too. “Looking for a Sacrifice” I can see becoming a song a lot of people are going to want to hear live. It has the qualities of just being a fan favorite off this album. 

Really there isn’t a bad song on this album. I really enjoyed them all. You get an old school horror feel throughout the album. Especially with lines like "Every Room is like a living tomb." obviously this band is inspired by Black Sunday but you know they're is that horror element of the Old Italian films and the hammer horror stuff something I very much enjoy. Musically you’re going to get what you would expect from Savage Master. However I do feel this album is actually better than “Mask of the Devil”. I think Stacey’s voice sounds more powerful and the riffs are a bit more memorable this time around. “Mask of the Devil” is good,but this album kicked my ass more. Also, the production is awesome. It was recorded on analog so to me that even adds to the charm of this album.. It just has that old school sound and Savage Master has risen from the crypts to deliver they’re sound.
So in closing pick up this record it kicks ass! 

https://www.facebook.com/savagemaster666/?fref=ts

Check out my interview here with Stacey Savage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkg3DSSL_kA

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Gehennah -- Too Loud to Live, Too Drunk to Die review

3/1/2016

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Gehennah is to me a legendary band. They formed in Sweden in 1992 and through the 90’s beat the posers down with their sound. They also founded the head bangers against disco campaign and contributing the classic song “Disco death”. Gehennah have pretty much done more with four albums than other bands do with ten! “Decibel Rebel” was the last album they put out in 1997 and then after that they put out a two splits and an EP. Then in 2014 Gehennah put out the EP “Metal Police” which I’m glad I picked up a copy of the 7” version. This was but a taste of what they would unleash on us with this new album. So finally in 2016 after all these years the Hardrockers have come back with an album that is an iron fist to your face!
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“Still the Elite” is a great way to start off the record and it sums up Gehennah’s attitude! They are still the elite and they’ve come to wring your neck. “Life Metal must die” is a great follow up and you can hear the Motörhead influences. Not like that’s a problem because Gehenah’s music is kept dirty, raw, and obscene! I can’t find anything wrong with that! “Too Loud To Live, Too Drunk To Die” is bad ass a total headbanger and filled with great riffs! This song on the first listen got me fistbanging and headbanging, what else do you need? 

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“Scumbag” is probably one of my favorite songs. Yes, the music kicks ass but lines like “Waking up on the couch with empty beer cans everywhere my place hasn’t been cleaned in years but I’m too lazy to care.” Seems to kind of sum up my current situation.. Because I’m a scumbag! Just let Gehennah destroy your life... “Cause We’re a Street metal band” sums up musically what Gehennah is all about speed, aggression and put on this earth only to destroy. “All of the Decadence and none of the success” is an excellent song to end this album off. Gehennah may not be doing world tours but to me they are legends in my book. Respect to a band keep it real through all these years.

The biggest difference I would say from this album compared to the older ones is it’s a bit more rock n’ roll solos and riffs that have always been there. This time around it just seems a bit more prevalent.  Also you have Knuckleduster (new member) writing songs as well. Stringburner, Mr. Violence, Hellcop, and Knuckleduster released a great slab of metal and it’s going to be in my top 5 of the year easily. Also, something I really like about this album is the rawness of it. If my memory serves me right they pretty much recorded this album live and you can hear that. In the age of triggered drums and such this is quite the opposite and I really like that. So pick up this album you will not be disappointed! 

10/10

https://www.facebook.com/gehennah.metal/
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