){kind=link}
Flesh Born – 'Han' (Skeletal Lightning)
Genre: Experimental Hardcore
Texas crew Flesh Born certainly aren't ones to pin themselves down on their first EP since changing their name from Elesh Norn. Han's eight tracks in 11 minutes run the gamut of screamo, post-hardcore, black metal and plain old chaos. They do each of those things with conviction, but it can feel disjointed at times.
Torn-throat vocals administer bitter, tortured and depressing lyrics over scrappy black metal/hardcore rife with emotional melodies. They definitely know what they want to do and there is some technicality there, but Flesh Born rely more on heart to get their message out. There's potential here, but don't be surprised to see skinny jeans and swooped bangs at their shows.
Rating: 3
(Matt Hinch)
){kind=link}
Hrizg – ‘Individualism’ (Moribund)
Genre: Black MetalHrizg, a one-man black metal act from Spain, is releasing his third full-length album, Individualism, a befitting title seeing as how lone player Javier Sixto plays in three other singular outfits. Hey, if you want something done right, you might as well do it yourself. Right?
With a name meaning pain in ‘Orcish,’ Hrizg plays stripped-down black metal with hints of folkish melody and the occasional bouts of doom and gloom. The record’s penchant for middling tempo lends the atmosphere a suitably unhealthy aura. A track like “The Hall of Falseness and Impurity” hears Hrizg successfully blending melody with torture, but creative savagery is at a minimum here. However grim, Individualism is oddly quiet and in need of some teamwork.
Rating: 3
(Evan Mugford)
){kind=link}
Hush – ‘Unexist’ (Self)
Genre: Sludge Metal
This debut album from New York’s Hush is brimming with heaviness that appears to be in limitless supply. The band has a Neurosis vibe, from the sludge-covered guitar riffs to the hoarse screaming. Feedback is draped across songs like “Solus,” drowning the listener in fuzz.
Melodic restraint in the opening to “Infinite Recursion” and throughout the ten-minute “Rest/Nonexistence” bolster the music and open up fresh possibilities. A lack of more instances of these vibrant dynamics is the big shortfall on Unexist, which is otherwise a sturdy beginning for Hush’s career.
Rating: 3
(Dan Marsicano)
){kind=link}
Inanimate Existence – ‘A Never-Ending Cycle of Atonement’ (Unique Leader)
Genre: Technical Death Metal
Inanimate Existence will impress, surprise, and maybe even dazzle a few listeners with A Never-Ending Cycle of Atonement. Split into two parts, this album backs its mythical concept with proficient music. The technical piece of their death metal sound is massive, spectacular guitar solos freely making a presence often.
The band accentuates the songs with a heaping of outside influences, from female singing to orchestral flourishes. Unlike their first album, which was boggled down by too many instrumentals at the end, this effort is honed in. It’s hard not to have admiration for these crafty, accomplished musicians.
Rating: 4
(Dan Marsicano)
){kind=link}
Mournful Congregation – ‘Concrescence of the Sophia’ (20 Buck Spin)
Genre: Funeral Doom Metal
After almost three years, Mournful Congregation have brought some gloom to the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere. This two-track EP maintains the lurching tempos and deathly ambiance the band has engaged in since the mid ‘90s. The title track is the selling point here, a 20-plus minute jaunt through thick riffs interspersed with solemn acoustic segments.
“Silence of the Passed” is a solid epilogue of crushing distress, not overshadowing the main attraction. A stopgap between albums, Concrescence of the Sophia is a satisfying tease for whatever is to come next from Mournful Congregation.
Rating: 3.5
(Dan Marsicano)
){kind=link}
Nunslaughter – 'Angelic Dread' (Hell's Headbangers)
Genre: Death Metal
The ever-prolific Nunslaughter are back with their first full-length studio album since 2007. Angelic Dread is 15 tracks of high energy habit-ual desecration. Tight as a noose death metal fused to a punk attitude engages fully on the sonic level and tracks like “Blood Drinker” and “Three Nails, One Liar” give the Christianity-averse something to scream along to.
Included is a bonus disc of material previously available on 7”s re-recorded for this release making for 31 tracks of fierce and wretched blasphemous horror. It makes for a good jumping off point if you're just discovering Nunslaughter. Angelic Dread is nothing to shake a crucifix at.
Rating: 3.5
(Matt Hinch)
’ (Metal Blade)){kind=link}
Powerwolf – ‘The History of Heresy I (2004 – 2008)’ (Metal Blade)
Genre: Power Metal
Over their last two releases, Germany’s Powerwolf have launched themselves to the top of the power metal genre. Their latest release The History of Heresy I (2004 – 2008) is a celebration and a look back at the early part of their career. The set includes their debut release Return In Bloodred and sophomore follow up Lupus Dei in its entirety.
Also included is the full live DVD performance The Wacken Worship and a 112 page hardbound booklet with personal notes by the band. There are also eight unreleased live tracks included. The early material of Powerwolf is just as powerful as their latter material and captures more gothic overtones in their music. There are bona fide classics on this must have box set like “Mr. Sinister,” “Lupus Dei” and “Saturday Satan.”
Rating: 4
(Dan Drago)
){kind=link}
Rog & Pip – ‘Our Revolution’ (Rise Above)
Genre: Hard Rock
This is a surprisingly good record that was almost never heard. Recorded in the ‘60s by the British duo The Sorrows, Our Revolution by Rog & Pip is a time stamp that does not seem dated at all. It is rock and roll at it is absolute purest and just way too cool to overlook.
Before the genre spiraled into many directions there was this, straightforward rock and roll. Though nothing came of these recordings originally, they are here now for a world to discover.
Rating: 3
(Edward Banchs)
){kind=link}
Ronny Munroe - 'Electric Wake' (Rat Pak)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Ronny Munroe is the lead singer for the recently reformed Metal Church, who released a new album last year. Munroe has been with the band since 2004, and Electric Wake is his third solo effort.
The music on the album is straightforward heavy metal in the vein of Metal Church. Heavy guitars and Munroe's distinctive voice deliver potent melodies. There are also guest musicians including shredder extraordinaire George Lynch and singer Pamela Moore (Queensryche's Sister Mary). Fans of Metal Church and classic metal will find plenty to dig their teeth into.
Rating: 3.5
(Chad Bowar)
){kind=link}
Vicious Rumors – ‘Live You to Death 2: American Punishment’ (SPV)
Genre: Power Metal
Long time power metal titans Vicious Rumors are back with their latest live release, Live You to Death 2: American Punishment. This comes just a year and half after the first installment. The biggest issue I have with the album is that six of the songs are repeated on this release. The band could have reached into their extensive back catalog and put out a completely different setlist.
The band has a long history of changing vocalists and once again introduces new frontman Nick Holleman. The band had gained some momentum with their last two studio albums, as Brian Allen’s vocals fit well with the hard driving riffs the band is known for. Allen’s vocals are more powerful and aggressive than Holleman’s. This release is for die-hards only.
Rating: 3
(Dan Drago)
){kind=link}
Virgin Steele – ‘The Marriage of Heaven & Hell I+II’ (SPV)
Genre: Power Metal
Virgin Steele didn’t hit their creative peak until the mid ‘90s when they released a trilogy of albums dealing with man’s relationship with divinity. They have now reissued the first two chapters, The Marriage of Heaven & Hell 1 & 2 in one comprehensive package. Thirty-two songs are featured, as both full albums are included with the addition of five bonus tracks.
Both records are some of the best power metal the band has released with Part Two being slightly more consistent. The band’s musicianship is stellar throughout. Each disc pushes 75 minutes worth of music and if you have never experienced Virgin Steele’s brand of Manowar inspired metal, this is the perfect place to start.
Rating: 4
(Dan Drago)
){kind=link}
Virgin Steele – ‘Invictus’ (SPV Records)
Genre: Power Metal
Virgin Steele in the mid ‘90s released a trio of concept albums that were far and away their most consistent records, Invictus being the final chapter in this impressive trilogy. The band shares a lot of similarities with Manowar, especially longtime vocalist David DeFeis, who is eerily similar to Eric Adams. The album is being reissued with a bonus disc that features sixteen unreleased live tracks with one new song.
Some of the band’s strongest material is included as the record is gigantic and complex in nature. “Dominion Day” is Virgin Steele at their best with a great vocal performance by DeFeis. Another legendary track is the blazing “Defiance” as it is filled with larger than life riffs and a memorable chorus. Invictus ranks at the very top of Virgin Steele’s iimpressive catalog.
Rating: 4
(Dan Drago)