Sarcasm 'Crematory' review

SARCASM

'Crematory'

(On Parole Productions)

'Crematory', the much loved and talked about in the underground circles, album by Sarcasm has been reissued once again, this time featuring 5 demo bonus tracks to justify the 'Anthology' tag used by the label. Kudos to On Parole for keeping this obscure little gem in print - na zdravje!

Ooooh, never heard of Sarcasm? That's fine, they are hardly a household name nowadays, but pretty much used to be just that for the metalheads in former Yugoslavia in the tail end of the '80s. 'Crematory' was originally released on tape in 1989 and I can boldly say the adolescent charm of these 8 tunes holds up well to this very day. Not a bad achievement for a bunch of high school guys from some small Slovenian town, one has to give them that.

It's been said that metal is predominantly young man's game and 'Crematory' is proof positive of the statement - the energy level is off the scale, and what the tunes might be (veeery slightly) lacking off in the technical department is more than compensated by the pure conviction and enthusiasm of the band. Musically, this is a rather odd sounding animal - Sarcasm's thrash is anything but straightforward speed assault, and there's enough variation to keep you pay close attention to the tunes. C'mon, side by side to the thrash 'n bash of songs like "The Krüger Story" and "Thrash Tonight" we have the rather cheesy quasi-Accept / quasi-hair metal oddball that is "Love At First Sight" and the closing pair of "Fate" and "Runaway" that somehow bear similarities to Jello Biafra and Dead Kennedys - beat that!

Dated sounding? Yes, in a good way. Groundbreaking? Hardly, yet a fun record and not solely due to nostalgic reasons. [7,75 / 10]

Sarcasm on Facebook 

On Parole Productions 

NunSlaughter / Antiseen Split 7" review

NUNSLAUGHTER / ANTiSEEN

Split 7"

(Hells Headbangers)

Inevitable just like our beloved civilization's collapse - another split thingy featuring NunSlaughter, ladies and gentleman. With Antiseen on the flip too, in case you've been wondering what would it take for things to become better worse. Two new and exclusive songs per band, available on either traditional black or red / brown wax - Hells Headbangers seldom disappoints.

Alike with NunSlaughter, especially when we're talking 7" vinyl. The format seems to be tailor made to the band's needs, allowing their short, and straight to the point, thrashy and punked up death metal neck-breakers to shine in all of their dirty, religion mocking, glory. Focused, instantly recognizable, aggressive - both "So Vile" and "The Burning Times" are yet another good example that NunSlaughter do have fun. Solid, if not spellbinding. 

Antiseen at first glance might look like a weird pairing but there's method to the madness. Strip out all genre tags, trends and fads and in most cases you get to the raw, rebellious, nerve of genuine Rock 'n' Roll. And rocking hard Antiseen certainly do - coarse vocals, energetic rhythms and mean guitar distortion, a recipe proven to work wonders to the adrenaline levels of all those young at heart. "Air Of Opportunity" wins it for me, being grittier and faster than "Down To The Bone".[7,75 / 10]

NunSlaughter on Facebook 

Antiseen on Facebook 

Imprecation 'Satanae Tenebris Infinita' review

IMPRECATION

'Satanae Tenebris Infinita'

(Dark Descent Records) 

It has long dawned on everyone that sooner or later all bands from the past are bound to return, in one form or another. No prejudices here and no bias, as long as the newly penned tunes deliver there will be enough people paying attention / parting with their hard earned cash. Too bad for you if you are doing it the half-assed way, though - it's a dog eat dog world. Any Carcass member aware of this by chance? Sound chaps, cheers.

Speaking of comebacks, Imprecation certainly have unfinished business to take care of, this being their proper debut full-length album, after spending years in Hell (aka Texas) following the release of the 'Theurgia Goetia Summa' compilation of early demo / EP tracks in 1995 on the up and coming (then!) Repulse Records. Going straight to the core question - yes, 'Satanae Tenebris Infinita' is a great album, and yes - it would mighty help you to enjoy its qualities if your taste does cater to the death metal sound of old. In no way Imprecation are phoning it, I'd assume they just don't want it any other way but riff heavy, mid-paced, memorable and dripping with blasphemous atmosphere. What's best is that by slowing the pace down and concentrating on pure heaviness and clarity Imprecation do stand out with their style, giving a much needed break from the "more technical and faster than thou!" boredom fest that's so mistakenly been heralded as death metal for years. Nine quality hymns of true and tried death done right - 'Satanae Tenebris Infinita' does place Imprecation alongside early Acheron on the top of the list if one's tempted by this particular, and similarly sinister, style and sound. [8 / 10]

Imprecation on Facebook