GIG REVIEW: MGLA + In Twilight’s Embrace + Odium Humani Generis

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Bands: Mgła, In Twilight’s Embrace, Odium Humani Generis

Out of all the years of going to metal shows, I’ve never actually been to a Black Metal-only gig but chance and happenstance have brought me to the right place and the right time to catch this rare show. The heavily delayed, rescheduled and relocated show from one of Black Metal’s darkest stars: Poland’s Mgla. Originally planned for the Audio under Glasgows central station, this gig quickly sold out and was hastily moved to the larger Slay, releasing more tickets this was extremely lucky for me. However, it seems, that the change of venue meant a longer than predicted wait in the rain than advertised. Once inside and down into the basement, the fun began in earnest.

Opening the tempest like the rain outside, was the Polish corpse painted gang Odium Humani Generis (translation: Hatred of the human race) who started the show with powerful droning notes, before bursting into a slow-burn, atmospheric black riffage. Combining marvellously several blackened styles together. Thick and melodic-edged Black n Roll making way for furious blast fests firestorms, before drifting back into blackgaze and ambient passages, and onward to a fruitful and crisp melodic black paletted version of Krieg grimness.

Roaring and screeching vocal lines produced potent fury though distant and yet undeniably harsh and piecing in the gloom. Bass passages are certainly easily not skipped over as the necro-tones gave shivers with the rumbles and the talented strokes. The drumming was the right combinations of blastbeats, cymbal-bell touches, and driving grim hi-hat and snare grooves that carried the riffs on speedy winds.

Streaming ahead by far though was the versatility of the guitars, as they took us from one well-crafted position to another with seeming ease and speed. All their skills combined made their lengthy composed pieces, epic movements, and daring tracks, massively enjoyable and superbly amusive. Although dipping into blurry by the end-fifth of their set as the songs seem to merge and reach the other side of the bell-curve of attention spans. Overall ONG set the satanic feast off on the exact right footing for an intensive night of blasphemy. [7/10] facebook/odiumbm

In Twilight’s Embrace, also from Poland were next, and wasted no time in firing out their extremely potent brand of hellfire and norsecore worship that bordered towards war metal in its blatant decibel destruction. “Panzer”-era Marduk style riffage and constant blast beat maelstrom summoned the first moshpit action as they inflicted grievous damage to necks and other parts. Violent and single-minded the focus of this act was on sonic brutality with an almost constant pedal to floor ripping speed and tearing black riffs. Only minimally slowing to give us dark craggy passages of atmospheric dissonant and Dissection-ed melodic temptations.

Vocalist Cyprian Łakomy was definitely the most memorable lead at the gig as his pissed-off demeanour, sneers and prompts gave the impression that the crowd just wasn’t violent for his liking despite big efforts in the pit. The stream of crowd surfers going toward him was greeted with a barrage of fearsome growls and shrieks from his messy corpse paint capturing the absurdity of black metal in ball-lightning form. Groaning and rumbling thick bass tone here from the slightly out-of-place looking bassist complemented the guitar work disgustingly well and as it ground and scraped along the buzz-saw guitarwork gouged path.

Twilight’s Embrace set was the strongest so far, providing a cacophonic and chaotic pitch-black version of modern black metal. A decimating display that only suffered slightly to Songlist missing a touch of variation in all the blast-fests. But I feel this is a consequence of an act that leans and embraces playing out the power fantasy of brutal black metal to its fulfilled potential with fascinating and gruesome results. [8/10] facebook.com/intwilightsembrace

Finally, it was time to greet the hooded menaces of Mgła to the stage. The anonymous blackened figures quickly stood as monoliths to the jostling moshing crowd as they pumped out their craft to a fixated room. Smothering the room in harsh yet deeply hypnotic riffs, layered with blasting thunderstorms cloaked like its members in a shroud of darkly depressive atmospheric touches. The Burzum-like lapping and layering movements marking clearly their influence and direction pretty much instantly as they branded their own distinct take on black metal. Though the watchful eye of Varg never seems to be too far away, the band’s uniqueness is definitely an upgrade to the Vikernes method with a full band complement.

Here each of the darkened figures plays its part magnificently: from the harsh icy shrieks to the dynamic grim tones of the bass and guitars, to the bombastic tight drumming assaults. All working in black harmony in the fog to stunning perfection. Combining eerie melodic paths with gloomy atmospheric droning riffs, and blazing blasting blocks the powerhouse act here carved a giant in the gloom. Voiced in horrific growls and screams brought visions of pained misanthropy through the vocals adding that extra nudge towards what makes for the best in true black metal art.

It is no wonder that this act has climbed the ranks so quickly in the leagues of black metal to be one of the premier prevailers of the cosmic arts. Thanks to this terrific band this is one metal show I will not forget in a hurry. [9/10] facebook.com/mglaofficial

EP Review: All Consumed – 5 Track Demo

As I have already touched on this band with a brief mention in my Collapse review and these two bands seem to be irreversibly linked in my brain. And it’s only fair that I give All Consumed a turn and review their wares. The main reason these bands are so strongly linked in my head as they have both blown out some fantastic sets in Dundee. The bold and upfront style of death metal dipped metal makes for an exciting sound

A super-strong old-school flavour is here as a mix of Morbid Angel / Incantation thick heaviness while adding some thrashing Slayer beef to the barbeque. The riffing attacks here are top-shelf brutality while still being within arms-length of accessible for non-extreme metalheads. Tracks such as “Skin Teeth” bring out prominent bass lines, while the rough harsh growls on the legible left side of corrosive and acid-tongued. While in tracks such as the opener “Enraging” they go for the jugular with an almost goregrind style of deep growls and packed with squishy grooves; Brutal!

As this is the band’s opening round it does suffer minorly with the demo production aesthetic – sounding pretty raw and bloody in places but this just added character to me as it follows the band’s oeuvre quite well. Their brand appears to have a wide catchment going from addictive groove metal right up the heaviness scale toward the extreme end of death metal. Powered by the right amount of blast-beat and technical drumming. Overall it’s a little short but it’s direct! To the point like a stabbing knife. [7/10]

GIG REVIEW: Immortal Omen Single Launch

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Bands: A Life Without You, Volcano X, Immortal Omen

Before I got stuck into this gig I first had to sample the delights of the hosting venue (formally known as Conroys and its Basement): the Vegan Restaurant Rad Apples. I can certainly give props to many elements of what I was served. Asking for a “quick-bite” from their menu I ordered the “Bacon” Mac n “cheese” sub expecting something modest, what I got was certainly felt large in portion and flavour. It was filling, well presented, quickly delivered, tasty, and unexpectedly spicy (Obligatory Instagram shot below) [8/10]. These elements and more outlined is was exactly what I was expecting to hear from the evening bands in the basement below.

As you can probably tell I am not a food critic, but a music one so onward to the music downstairs. Starting off the music is some new blood of emo/pop-punkers: A Life Without You but with a twist. Similar to what happened with Iron Seawolf (at this show) or more sound-relevant Hopes Up High (at this show) this band was reduced to an acoustic duo. With half the band catching Covid-19 leaving the drummer and guitarist to play an unplugged set: a strategy that I recommend over pulling out, especially when It is this tightly played and delightfully raw.

With an unexpected dose of the intimacy of the setting/format came an additional emotion in the songs that are well-crafted Emo hormone ballads that you can tell (in the right audience) rip in their final form. Despite being a touch immature for my tastes, the passion, hardcore spirit and sense of humour shown in their set was evident from the beginning. The guitar work from Will Byers from Stranger Things complemented well the gentle singing of the Arizona Cardinals-clad “other” one. Whose work here shatter the cliches about drummers with talents in tone and acoustic mastery. A Great job from these young-uns that show they have the musical cuts to get the teens moving and grooving. [7/10] https://www.facebook.com/ALWYband

Next up is where the electricity starts with Volcano X firing up amps and hearts for those here for some proper metal. Something that these M2TM semi-finalists know how to deliver. Always in top gear and top spirits, this set was another great outing for their classic brand of old-school metal beef and chips. Blazing out ripping twin guitar harmonies, thunderous bass, and soaring high vocals all set to the gallop of yesteryear. A spotless classic metal combo.

Despite the cramped condition in the basement they still manage to score a minuscule moshpit, and overall they were up to their usual high standard of engaging and rocking. Although their setlist could do with a refreshment as I feel is a touch stale between sets that are set close together. But why change a winning formula? Volcano X are always fun and live up to their firey reputation for dishing out retro-metal thrills. [8/10] https://www.facebook.com/volcanoxmetal

Finishing the line-up, the band we all came to see Immortal Omen take the stage next to a buzzing huddled crowd. This is one of the bands from the local scene I have had a keen eye on for some time as they have grown into one of Dundee’s strongest acts. This night seemed like a celebration of sorts to all they have achieved and their survival through the tough covid-years. With live music firmly back this is where Immortal Omen belong: in front of us and pumping out their jams loudly out to the room.

A determined band was on stage and it showed. Their volume and confidence bleed through in their well-constructed tunes. Filled with unexpected levels of groove akin to a quick Sabbath while blooming into slow doom-like passages, driven by bassist Kev‘s masterful strokes and striking tone. His handle on the songwriting is firmly felt in the material they issued out solid rocking tracks metal. As for guitar conjured by the Ginger-Wizard Frankie is magic on its own, with majestic licks and struts that powered out mid-stream mosh to keep the neck busy. Solos are a particular highlight as tightly weaving actions presented skillful yet tasteful wankery that proves his metal.

The centerpiece (shared with the riffs) of the act is the mellow vocals of Eden whose smooth croons and gentle voice underlined the confidence of the group through her engaging presence. Though she is not without bite, as the shrill shrieks of “Serpentine” attest to, her comfortable midrange is her strength though the extreme is not where this act points toward. The band’s direction is made perfectly clear as they piped out the single they were launching (see below) as the set ender. The track “Until I’m Dead” is a perfectly distilled Immortal Omen brew combining strong groovy riffs, a sturdy backbeat pounding, and rumbling prominent bass thunder.

Ending their set on a high and much too soon for the crowd, Immortal Omen carried more than their weight here. This set is the strongest I’ve seen them play, truly growing to a more than pleasing live act and toward being a formidable force of Scotland’s metal. This was indeed a very tasty night! [8/10] https://www.facebook.com/ImmortalOmen18

GIG REVIEW: M2TM: Scotland 2022 – Dundee Semi-final

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Bands: Grufus, Catalysis, Volcano X, The Goatboy

Scotlands M2TM is coming together rather nicely. Excellently hosted and run by Slow Dragon Music, Caledonia’s fiercest metal acts continue to battle and collide head to head to win their place in the Bloodstock line-up and the coveted set on the New Blood stage. Here in Dundee, it was time for a rematch in the Beat Generator of sorts, and the next important stage of the competition. With two of Tayside’s favorites, again pitted against each other, crowded in with additional accomplished acts for further afield this battle was going to be their toughest yet. With only one place in the final up for grabs, this gig was not to be missed.

Starting with a bang in the difficult opening spot Volcano X, quickly started the night’s metal challenge with the fan-favorite anthem “This Is Heavy Metal” heating the room quickly. Their volcanic spirit, molten speed metal riffs and flurries, catchy songwriting, and vocal lines brought the fire to the chest and eagerly pleased the room. Following this eruption was a molten power metal and classic heavy metal lava “Take the reins” that blazed and engaged the crowd. Thumping and thundering through a set of their finest material.

Super melodic the guitar work (by JP and Mike) was especially noteworthy and impressive with sweeping swooping Maiden-akin turns, with Priest-like precision and synced to a tee. A twin attack pattern in a tight formation with the rhythm section. The vocals, as always were brilliant! Mr. Steel is a master at commanding attention with his natural magnetism. His soaring high singing is in the top tier and slays! But in lower ranges and in the gruffer death growl he employs, there is a little a struggle. However, this may be due to a mixing issue as a lot of the deeper end of the mix seem to be cloudy and indistinct.

Overall this set by Volcano X still sits as one of their stronger performances with nothing super obvious to disagree with. The magic they bring to every gig makes for guaranteed metal amusement and this night they were living up to their strong reputation to rock! [8/10] fb.com/volcanoxmetal

The next band, Grufus, had spiritually already been to Bloodstock, as I remember seeing so many of their stickers plastered throughout the fest, and in so many other weird and wonderful places. As fantastic as their “marketing team” is this night was about the music, and if they would suit the stage at the fest in person. That was the big question. This unorthodox band certainly had a striking image as they powered up and rolled out the tunes to the warmed-up crowd. A masked double-vocal tag-team front this act attached to super normal-looking instrumentalists made a strange watch but the brilliant chemistry with the crowd and each other took the edge off the strangeness of the experience.

This band certainly had the spirit of metal in its veins: the attitude, influences, members, and even logo all seem to count toward the metalness factor of the group. Sharing members with groove metalists H8teball the metal is always in arms reach in this lot. However, the music told a different story as they dispensed a fusion of ska-punk, horror punk, and ballsy rock n roll.

Fervent punky guitar work that edges toward the softer end in places, before steering into dark horror rock passages with (goth touches), on into bouncy ska riffs. While hard rock and roll movements veer sharply into surprising hooky areas. With a thick springy bass tone and a tich pulsing backbeat, Grufus keeps you guessing and entertained with strongly written tunes. Topping that is some catchy vocal lines in a rough baritone singing. The kind of comradery between the two singers made their lyrical themes immaterial to the fun they are having being on stage and entertaining the masses and belting out the tunes.

Not really a metal experience but sure enough a fun and energetic one as their bouncy movements and riffs transferred more energy to the spectators. The musicians here are beyond talented in what they make, though a little out-of-genre for Bloodstock‘s stages I feel. What they bring to the table is extra fun, exciting, and deeply refreshing! [7/10] fb.com/grufusmusic

Completing the rematch line-up from my previous gig deathcore powerhouse Catalysis took the stage next with a fierce determination to win their place and it showed. This might of been Catalysis at peak performance as they quickly got on with the job providing easily the heaviest music of the night. Their distinctive sound is a catalog of their passions and influences combining Machine Head/Chimaira groove metalcore with Carnifex filtered through thrashy waves of Exodus energy while still staying true to their own branch of sound.

Feeling extra tight and responsive the 5-piece had a lot to offer from each member, powerful growls and presence in the vocals brought a range of engaging screams and violent gutturals. Guitars brought the right balance between brutal thick riffage and melodic leading solos, backed by a superb tone in the bass, technical swishy drumming, and essential blasts and kick ripples.

The top form here almost deserves top marks with very little to fault; perhaps from some cloudiness in the mix and a blurred line between distinct songs fogging up the setlist and making some tunes seem interchangeable with the next. However, this mattered not for their aim was to entertain and secure a place in the final, I and many others present felt this set achieved both in spectacular fashion. [9/10] fb.com/catalysismetal

Next up was a band I finally got to see in the flesh (after being fashionably too late to catch them last time) The Goatboy. However my increasing drunkenness on the day, unfortunately, may hamper the reliability of the following. So high was my buzz from the last act’s sure victory my memory of the events after was dulled massively by my celebratory mood and increased intoxication. My Apologies.

From what I do remember: The Goatboy provided their own unique brand and take on hard rock and grunge mixed with some alt-rock sensibilities that seem to amuse the room on their own terms. Providing reliable rocking tunes that had many rocking to their beat and enjoying their energy. This is a band I do really need to get my finger out catch live and sober as their confidence and nuances were lost on me in my drunken and distracted state. I was having a hard time focusing and taking it all in. For those more alert, they seem more than impressed with Goatboy and crew despite not quite being “metal” enough to be on BOA stage, but stranger things have happened. [7/10] fb.com/thegoatboy182

And the Winner is… Catalysis who now face an even tougher challenge in the grand final – check it out below.

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EP Review: Ainulindalë – Les chroniques d’Arda

The landscape that is black metal is of a strange shape with many tangled limbs of influences and sub-styles. From brutal hellfire of Norsecore (eg. Marduk) blasted heaths to melodic majesty mountains of Dissection, to heathen hills of folkish and Viking kinds on to the ambient and suicide forests, and so on. On the strange and esoteric fringes, there is a narrow craggy canyon that connects to the outside world of dark ambient that was carved by Summoning, this is where today’s act: Ainulindalë hail from, (as well as from Paris, France).

As remote and as distant these Tolkien lands are from the mainstream metal scene the more curious the waters are, making for very fertile ground. But much with trends that ripen and overpopulate the scene so soon and with dungeon-dwelling hordes that quickly rob the land of diversity in the musical fauna. This in turn makes for some well-trodden paths, with predictable noises, atmospheres, and routines. But this is where Ainulindalë stands out from the dross with their own adaptations in this niche area of extreme music.

This two-man hobby project freely admits their main influences are from a certain JRR as well as the Austrian Summoning as mentioned above. This gives an excellent starting point to show how this band stretches beyond the bounds of the genre. Firstly this act adds a lot more blackened touches, combined with a whole host of influences from within BM coil. With folky rhythms and Viking heaves and yawing motions that fade in like longships on the waves. With nordic hymns gently hums just top off the sound to a new level. And all this is from the first track “Les damnés de Numénor”, not to mention the tasteful synth-nods and delicate plucked dungeon touches.

The second track “Dagor-Nuin-Giliath” takes a different, yet spicier path with a darker and thicker guitar tone and massive melodic hooks through the riffing and the synth patterns, while not shirking on fury and aggression (particularly with the harsh vocals). Before locking into the next track’s mighty melodic hook for the final bastion “Le geste de Maeglin” which is the most conforming to the scenes norms with a bigger emphasis on that excellent centerpiece keyboard riff and bombastic turn into the fantastical and eerie.

The tracks are all peppered with whispery female voices and interludes but have a bigger part in the final concluding track, which signals the dawning end of the record. This track “Et même les milles cavernes se sont vidées….” with its long-wave synth notes and opera tones seems to feel like it could be building to something more epic than before but sadly just fades out as if out of time. A tad disappointing end to a fantastic release but the good far outweighs the bad in this EP that is over a little too soon. Overall this great and exciting take on a style that this duo clearly has a lot of talent and passion for crafting such as wonderful addition to the metal landscape. [7/10]

https://www.facebook.com/ainulindale.bm

GIG REVIEW: M2TM: Scotland 2022 – Dundee Heat

https://www.facebook.com/events/520466192367369

Bands: Catalysis, Hyperstasis, Kurnel Fist, Volcano X

Here we go again, Metal 2 The Masses is back, and earlier this year, as the metal crowds are back to decide who will represent Scotland at Bloodstock 2022. My first gig of the year is in a familiar place (Beat Generator) and hosted by a familiar face (Slow dragon Music) and brings some of Dundee’s noisiest bands under one roof for an almighty musical bust up! With a line-up full of the local scenes’ most formidable bands this show was going to be a tough one to choose a winner from.

Up first was metallic-groove giants Catalysis who have rarely been seen this low down on a bill in quite some time. The juggernaut’s 5-piece metalcore act was quick to dish out healthy helpings of their signature heavy sound, a balanced and well-crafted mixture of their influences and idols. Groove metal’s top-shelf riffing, smoothy combined on stage with savage and brutal deathcore licks with some thrash sections that really shook off the gig-absence cobwebs. A calculated and controlled sound that was efficiently dispensed to a sadly shy crowd that kept a little too far back from what they normally enjoy. Even with the additional prompting and beckoning there remained gaps and voids in the audience, however, I put this down to first-band shyness that comes with any local show.

This mattered and hindered the band not, as they tore out track after track of professional heavy tunes that had all the right ingredients to make the cut at Bloodstock. With excellent presence, banging tunes, and kinetic energy this act really set the bar extremely high for those to follow. [8/10] f/catalysismetal

Next up and rising to the challenge was another local favourite, happy power metal gang Volcano X whose classic metal sound and flavour might not be everyone’s taste of beer, (especially those more extreme-inclined). But what the miss in brutality the makeup for in energy and solid skills in the craft of rock n roll. This was on full show with this set of banging numbers, that reached back and forth in their discography giving the crowd high-octane speed metal with the classic metal punch of yesteryear that was instantly charming and hard-hitting.

This performance was the band at near peak, delivering sonic power in large barrages, complete with swelling and swirling lead solos, harmonies, and strutting riffage. Guitar and bass work was extra tight and fulfilling with a wonderful dynamic edge. While vocals were the high and mighty sword-wielding kind that complements the melodic speed of their classic-metal crunch. Massively charismatic and engaging, Volcano X got many chanting along to their beat. Overall a massive success of a set that seems to have guaranteed them a high place in the rankings. [8/10] f/volcanoxmetal

Next up was the only band I and many others had no previous experience of Hyperstasis. who quickly became the definition of a “wild card” with their interesting blend of outsider influences. This strange brew of sounds was instantly refreshing in its weirdness. Combining Deftones-esk soundscapes and vocal approaches with experimental noise overdriven-guitar post-rock jams, nu metal-style riffing and industrial backing percussion. There was a lot to take in at first but quickly they eased themselves into my and others’ good graces with a diverse and captivating approach to songwriting and stage presence in its relaxed flow.

With fluid motions and dynamic movements the spacey jams and heavy soundscapes, they heaped forward made waves in the room, while also not being afraid to slow down and isolate their respective elements into almost post-punk and post-hardcore trickles and touches. All this made their set a master-class of curveballs and clever slight-of-ear tricks. Giving them an unexpected boost in the ranking and making them a contender against the more established act on the bill and I had a feeling they will do well beyond this nights’ gig and beyond. [8/10] f/hyperstasisband

Unfortunately hindered by a lot of tech issues eating into a large portion of their already tightly timed set, the next act, Kurnel Fist had the potential to be the heaviest act on the bill (despite the lack of any extreme metal influences here). This stoner metal trio kicked out their signature super-weed jams loud into the room with immediate effect on the neck and down to my tapping toes. Addictive and deep their grooves penetrated easily with their sludgy ripples and quaking desert tones was engaging in its sonic excess.

However, it seems like by this point the night and crowd were running low on steam and looked much reduced at this point the night, which hampered their impact somewhat. And it seemed to dawn on the trio too that they might not be not in the runnings, out stepped perhaps by more fortunate previous sets on the night. Keeping their spirits notably high, they carried on doing what they do best and continued blasting out their passionate art in all its glory. A great set, just unfortunately fate was on the wrong side for this fine band of brothers. [7/10] f/kurnelfist

And the winners are….. Catalysis and Volcano X granting a well-deserved place and recognition as they proceed to the next round of the competition!

Album Review: Dog Tired – Titan

Dog Tired discography review: Part II

Onward and upwards was the Penicuik’s groove metal reprobates Dog Tired trajectory on their 2nd album from 2013, just 2 years after their debut. But just how have 2 long years affected this act?

Well, certainly not any changes in line-up as they retain all four members from the release. What is a massive change here is that this album retroactively made the debut feel like a demo in comparison to this superior release. From the moment opener and dog-classic “God Disease” hits is clear how much this band has grown. Starting with the riffage that is bigger and bouncier than ever. The riffs are in-line with the themes as they are titanic here, supplied by lead guitar shredder Luke “goblin” James in huge portions. Lukes’s skill here on the frets is on show through gliding solo and mighty chugging riffs. The guitar work comes into their own with more memorable lines and less leaning onto Dimebags stance, creating their own flavor and sting. It’s here that is he also picks up more and backing vocal duties.

Providing a double attack pattern the vocals are paired with lead duties from Chris who shower the listeners with hefty grunts and growling gurgles of sludgy shouts. The vocals are effective and intelligible in the noise but are not the main focus (the mosh-friendly grooves are), but do touch on interesting topics. “Mad Jack” is about wild yet looney WWII badass Lt. Con Jack Churchill and his exploits, while “Iron Sky” depicts a devastating air attack of apocalyptic proportions, and “The digital plague” laments the ills of a society hooked on the internet.

At the back of the barrage, this is the rhythm section: the drumming here by “Keef” is captured almost perfectly and is finely detailed in its many strokes and thunderous double-kick rumbles and expressive and impressive techniques giving more than just the driving thrust to the sound. While bassist Barry is given more than his fair share of moments to shine in this LP while piping out the essential through-line of beefy bass bundles and bulldozer low-end battery.

All this is massively helped by an upgrade in production. This is like chalk and cheese in terms of recording quality a much sharper sound and a layered approach is implemented here that really brings out all of the elements of their sound. Creating an album that is a great leap forward in style and substance for this band. A more rewarding listen than the debut, this super-neck-unfriendly record is one to mosh and stomp to with its clear intent to energize and decimate. Another big step up in design with the cover draped in the fantastic Artwork Christian Sloan Hall who gives this album is a great visual identity. This album is one not to be skipped in their mighty discography, as the improved sound, songwriting, and skills testify. Bang this on and Enjoy! [8/10]

Album Review: Zyklon ‎– World Ov Worms

With the OCD-inspired way, my mind works when it comes to selecting what music from my collection to review, this disc was (until I bought some ZZ Top) going to languish at the bottom of the list for god knows how long. So I thought, I’d just jump to the chase and get it out of the way.

Zyklon is the first successor band following Emperor‘s initial breakup in 2001 and is not to be confused with Zyklon-B, which was a past side-project by Emperor with slightly dubious morals. This Zyklon (German for ‘cyclone’) is a non-political entity and is here to spread the evils of organized religion to us all with this band’s debut album.

Once again, due to OCD-related symptoms, I did furiously over-listen to this record when I first got it, so a lot of the shine has been brushed off this record through repetition. What is left still gratifying in its brutality. There is an air of the war black metal breed to this record with its mix of black and death metal, but the industrial overtones sterilized the sound too much to clinical polish, which feels almost too clean, like an Apple store.

Talent and skill are not in short supply here; in fact, it’s an overdose, with this being a sort of super-group team. The riffage here is moderately catchy in the vein of Morbid Angel gone blackened and (successfully) industrial. Samoth‘s guitar feels a touch wasted here in the clinical nature of the industrial black metal, bubbling over towards more death than black (where his skills lie). Vocals provided by Secthdamon of Myrkskog give the right bark and grunt to the band’s battle against organized religion and the supremacy of satanism. The perfectly synced and oiled gears of the battery percussion (by Emperor‘s Trym Torson) are magnificently heavy and overwhelming at times with high-speed blasts and triggers, akin to cleaner Anaal Nathrakh in fury.

This is where the fun really is with this record, the punishment of relentless blasts and high-octane brutalist methods really kick arse, but unfortunately, there is a bit of slack to some of the structure as a lot of tunes seem to be too chaotic for their own good. Coming across as a little muddled and missing noticeable hooks. Overall, this is a decent LP from a kind of forgotten project that is no more. Worth a listen. [6/10]

EP review: Chaoshorde – Hordes Arising

It’s funny how serendipity works. One minute I’m severely drunkenly wandering at bloodstock 2021, I find myself randomly, speaking to none other than Nik from manchester’s defuncted blackened thrash act Verm. And now I am in listening to some top self black/thrash courtesy of Nik‘s kindness and from his label: Vicious Witch Records. Who is producing their first-ever release that is now filling my ears. A label that specialises in all things. thrash and thrash-adjacent styles of metal, this EP, is exactly what this label is aiming for.

The label debut is a re-press/reissue of the 2018 EP bringing the album to CD format for the first time. “Hordes Arising” itself a debut from this project. Side-gig of Greece’s, Dimator Dimitrakakis of Biotoxic Warfare and Lampros Skrekos (Flesh Martyr) the project was formed out of mutual love for black-thrash in the vein of Toxic Holocaust. And this release can certainly keep up with the best of the new breed Mr Grind has inspired (Hellripper and their many imitators). Choashorde, though only a duo here is uniquely talented in bringing their own helpings of characters to this well-trodden sound. With the pair here pumping in extra splashes of death metal into the sound, with rapid drumming and uber-speedy kicks, and deeper growling vocals.

Strongly influenced here by black metal’s dissonant and deviant guitar tone, the riffing here takes the grimy end of black metal with the speed of the fastest classic speed metal acts influences without sacrificing, grimness and grunt, or bowing to overindulgence in the solos. The guitar work is all you need to keep engaged to their energy, with catchy riffs and its heavy brash attitude toward the old-gods making more just a passing listen. The bass sound on this EP is mixed to perfection with the right volume, tone and impact to be super-filling and memorable, adding much to thrashing madness as it unfolds.

It’s is only a short listen, at under 20minutes it’s all over before you quite get enough of the buzz the pair produce, facilitating multiple spins. It’s a frantic, fast and fully engaging listen as the skills and talents provided here are supreme. Though in an admittedly overcrowded scene it is hard to get noticed, with cuts as blood raw as these two greeks make, only one bite is more than enough to bring on the craving of tasting more from Choashorde. [8/10] f/CHAOSHORDE / f/viciouswitchrecords/

GIG REVIEW: Evilution Apocalypse Launch Party

Bands: Virus, Subvision, Evil Blood

https://www.facebook.com/events/232734492243748

It feels like the Dundee metal scene have come full-circle, as this gig was the rescheduled event that was going to be my next gig. A Virus launch gig for their most recent thrash-attack album “Evilution Apocalypse”. That was just before another virus hit and wiped out metal shows for too long. The original show was set to a banger with an extended line-up (including Co-Exist, Circle of Tyrants, Black Talon, and more) the replacement version with a shortened bill however is just as tasty: just in a slightly different flavour.

First up in the darkened hall of Church was punk/metal hybrid assemble Subvision who brought the first barrages of speed and thrash to the nights ears. This setlist was geared towards more of the metal side of their sound with thrashy and groove riffing numbers, atop the beefy punk grunts of the vocals. Feeling a lot like a thrash metal band in denial, with the two sides of their coin battling it out in front of me, though neither side really edging out the other. D-beating drums pummelled and battered their way throughout their set added that all-important rough hardcore stanzas, while thicker groove, and half-thrash riffs dominated their sizable tracks. They even tried a touch of atmospherics with their own smoke machine blasting me in the face periodically, which added a touch more depth to the experience.

With massive creamy basslines and strong punchy attacks, Subvision made a grand display on what can be done to expand ones sound without losing your charm, ethics, and punk roots. A superset of tunes, that got my sober-ass right into the mood for moshing. A Solid job lads! [7/10] f/subvision.ok.1

Next up, and the only band to still be on the line-up from a year ago, super old school Croatian legends Evil Blood. Titans of the old school and the old ways, a band that debatably (according to themselves, and Abaddon of Venom) invented thrash way back in the early ’80s. This is where the metal unambiguously began as they pumped out their evil sounds to the room.

Combining that proto-black first wave sound with its own, Evil Blood dished out and dispensed catchy, heavy, and memorable tunes from their extensive back catalogue of bangers. With some heavy and apparent influences from Venom through Sodom and on to first-album Slayer: this was kind of black/thrash that the metal internet (reddit) raves about and younger acts like Hellripper has the esteem to inspiration pull from.

Dense ripping riffs with satisfying melodic meathooks guitar tone and threatening thrash-blooded interplay thrilled the room from a distance. Vocals from what I could hear (vocal mixing was poor) was grunting snarls from Bat Conan about satan, evil women, pagan forces & heroes and sodomy that were fierce and forward shouted and belched. Undead bass-lines punted out the Slavic bassist added that all-essential feral rumbles and thudding pulse to their varied speed metal output while pounding drums from the back crash and rake out infecting gallops.

If you could not tell I was extremely pleased to see these legends back on stage and firing on all cylinders and this was a terrific set that made for very stiff competition for the main act of the night: Virus. Simply, Evil Blood was awesome and only let down by a less than stellar mix. [8/10] f/groups/187647946732

Next and answering Evil Blood challenge with might and gusto Virus take the stage and belted quicky out what they were born to do: Crank-out old school “thermonuclear thrash”, as they have been doing on and off since 1987! Albeit with a lot of different faces through the years, with only one single constant Coke Finlay and his insatiable lust for thrash metal.

Frenzied relentless riffs quickly engulfed the sadly shy audience that strangely kept their distance in the hall. While the twirling and sweeping guitar work carried Me through a cavalcade of old 80’s style thrash greatest manoeuvres. Guitarist Coke and Rob leads and chemistry was instantly apparent with their skills. But, disappointingly the mix for Coke‘s Vocals, and solo’s was far from ideal as buried backwards they stayed. This front-man was unhampered by this to still get his message across in and between the songs, as he thanked and praised the room. Making a pointed tribute to Co-Exists & Bacchus Baracus fallen drum hero Quzzy who died between the 2 dates (Rest In Power).

Hyperfast pounding rhythms from the relentless and remorseless Drummer Liam and the bloody raw breakdowns with intense guitar leads made a swelling impact. Thundering and throttling bass tone and the talented strumming created heavy storms of notes and dark moods. All this just made the lack of movement from the crowd more awkward. With plenty of super-headbang-able movements with decapitating intensity thrilled and killed my neck muscles in little time.

The song choice was an interesting bag of bits, sticking to more serious and daunting numbers, that was as heavy and brutal as their topics while keeping a serious tone. That’s until they cracked out somewhat of a novelty track. Including the Inspector Gadget pastiche piece “Defective Detective” seem to break the seriousness tone down as they approached what seemed the ending of their set. However, they did go on evoking more tracks from their bag of tricks, as they ground out and powered on to the end, only slightly sapping some of my energy by its close.

Thrash as I’ve said before when it’s this good, it’s simply impossible to escape its buzz that hits your soul. Infecting you much like another virus we all know. However, this Virus is one we don’t to “Fuck Off” anytime soon. [8/10] f/virusthrash