Bloody Hammers 'Bloody Hammers' review

BLOODY HAMMERS

'Bloody Hammers'

(Soulseller Records)

Guessing from the artwork of this album, one is sure what he is going to hear: old school psychedelic occult stoner/doom metal. Indeed, this is the musical concept on the first full-length self-titled album of Bloody Hammers from North Carolina. The name of the band derives from the Roky Erickson’s song "Bloody Hammer" found on his album 'The Evil One' from 1981. Some of the band’s influences are Alice Cooper, Pentagram, Black Sabbath, Danzig and Nick Cave, which can be easily understood even from the first song, as well as from the brilliant "Fear No Evil", the hypnotic "Say Goodbye to the Sun" and the astonishing ‘Don’t Breath a Word’. 

'Bloody Hammers' is chock full of powerful horror dark hard rock / heavy metal, with groovy and melodic sound, catchy riffs and clean vocals. Concrete sound, instrumental balance and excellent performance characterize all ten songs of the album. One can also find at times  touches of electro and industrial-type sound, which makes the atmosphere of this work even more sparkling. All these different styles have been blended very well, without significant variations in the musical compositions – something for which one could blame the music as monotonous, hypnotizing the listener and leaving him with a "funky melancholy". [8]

(Dark Alice's nightingale)

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Voidcleaning - reviews pt. 2

Part 2 of what, due to various reasons, is now a regular feature.

Enjoy.

(Part 1)

SATANIC BLOODSPRAYING - 'At The Mercy Of Satan' (Hells Headbangers)

Wow, this is more Impaled Nazarene than Impaled Nazarene themselves have been in years! The review should stop here but I still can't make my head around this band. Part of me likes this (well, I've first heard IN over 20 years ago, scary!) but on the other hand I don't really need what equals to simply be a tribute band to these ears. Let me put it this way - thanks for the promo but in no way I would be paying cash for this album, even on a perfect day...Wolves winning a game, for example, the useless cunts. [5]

Satanic Bloodspraying Bandcamp 

 

BLACKENED WISDOM - 'The Angels Are Crying' (Hells Headbangers)

 

Recorded back in 1993 and only released now, the main draw here is that vocalist / guitarist for the short-lived Blackened Wisdom was none but Bill Taylor, the denim-clad monster from everyone's fave unholy cult, Immolation. Watching him going completely berserk for over an hour when Immolation toured over these parts of the world mere couple months ago was one of my personal highlights from their perfect gig. This three-song 7", however, isn't exactly awe-inspiring, nor exceptionally good - thanks to the booming, sub-par production the songs have been robbed of energy, intensity and memorability, which is bad news if you're going for a menacing death / black hybrid sound. Some good bits scattered here and there throughout the songs but, frankly, Order From Chaos is all you need in that particular genre of metal. [6]

Blackened Wisdom Bandcamp 

 

BRUME D'AUTOMNE - 'Brune d'Automne' (Sepulchral Productions)

Second album for one of the prime examples of Quebec black metal, a two piece band (or is it a side project?) of members playing also in Forteresse and Ur Falc'h. Never heard the latter but the music on this album is pretty much dissimilar to that of the former - Brume d'Automne is way more straightforward than Forteresse are in style and execution - more stripped down, raw black metal impurity and less folklore touches, although those are certainly noticeable as well. The songs are fast and aggressive, the drums have a cool "dirty" sounding about them, the guitar work is effective in a minimalist way, injecting enough melody as to prevent this crossing the line between black and war metal and the vocals are harsh and tortured for sure. While most of this is probably too "90s Scandinavian black metal style" to be highly unique this band does deserve a fair share of praise. [7]

Brume d'Automne Facebook  

 

 

ZEBARGES - 'Stay Barges Or Die!!!' (Ortsid Latem Productions)

The ever-moaning bastard I might be, I love my goofy music every now and then. Haven't seen me bathing in that green slime at a GWAR show? Mess. I love mess. When even that fact doesn't help me enjoying this album you'd know Zebarges have to be real dull. This was supposed to be a punk / metal hybrid but what it sounds like is an inside joke that should have stayed just that, with possible circulation of 3 or 4 CD-R copies to gather dust in the basements / wine cellars of those involved in the recording process. Probably the joke is lost on me due to the French lyrics but then again I don't believe the situation would've been any different. They could be the funniest bunch of maniacs known to mankind, I wouldn't know, but the music is just not there at all. Upped a whole point for their trouble mailing this to me and the photos in the booklet showing some of them wearing Destroyer 666 and Exodus shirts. [2]

Zebarges MySpace

DEVIL - 'Magister Mundi Xum / The Noble Savage' (Soulseller Records)

 

Just what's on the tin - Devil's demo and 7'' EP are now available on CD format. Some of the featured songs had ended up later, in re-recorded form, on the band's debut full-length, 'Time To Repent', still there's plenty of others to practice your best dancing moves to as well. Most of the tunes are farkin jolly good time - Devil's "bluesdoom" has always been hugely tongue-in-cheek and catchy like a masterful spell cast upon your ears by some old hag. It's fuckin whiskey time, matey - watch me ducking and rocking around - I made a pact at the blacksmith's and the blood is boiling! Not essential, and occasionally goofy retro sounding at times, yet a decent enough to crack a smile on everyone's lips at that party you've been invited to the next Saturday night. [7]

Devil Facebook

Vesen 'This Time It's Personal' review

Vesen Facebook

VESEN

'This Time It's Personal'

(Soulseller Records)

Vesen play dirty and aggressive thrash metal, with black metal influences. At times the vocals sound like Satyricon and Meshuggah, but without losing the speed and anger required by the songs. Despite being primitive as fuck this is very well done, never boring for a moment and leaving you wanting to keep listening to this band. In these times it's hard to find bands to come out of the monotony and Vesen proves that there are still creativity and raw power in metal, the album title goes perfect with the band's style that's surprising and powerful. This band is capable of causing a brutal mosh pit, "Where The Children Go To Die" is the sickest song on the album, lyrically and musically - it's an order to check this band out soon!

(Paul Caravasi)

Black Crucifixion 'Hope Of Retaliation' review

'As long as there's hope...'

BLACK CRUCIFIXION

'Hope Of Retaliation'

(Soulseller Records)

Far from being the most prolific band in existence, yet a hugely respected one into the depths of underground metal, Black Crucifixion seem to perfectly understand and acknowledge the status they have earned during the band's 20 plus years journey. By the time of recording and releasing 'Hope Of Retaliation' in 2011 the band had had more than enough experience, technical skill and musical scope, which in turn were cleverly used in showcasing an up-to-date, mature, version of the band. Deep into its core this is still a black metal band, make no mistake about it, but even back in the days when dinosaurs ruled the earth Black Crucifixion have never been of the codified, generic, ilk, much less nowadays. Everything is in near-perfect balance here - the heavy, memorable guitar riffs with their massive tone, the prominent bass lines, the hammering, busy, drum patterns and Forn's distinctive commanding vocals, which will mostly be echoing in your head long after the disc is over - this is high quality metal right there, mateys. The band is not afraid of throwing a curve ball here and there for the listener but it's never overdone or kitschy sounding, just intense songs having a cold, icy, atmosphere about them that become dangerously addictive after couple of spins. Fuck it, I'm not even gonna start bitching for this not being a 'proper' new album, the band's decision of featuring four new songs alongside live versions of five tracks from their previous releases somehow makes sense - showing the bond between 'now' and 'then', and a promise for what lies ahead for Black Crucifixion. Current news is that new recording is underway. Yes, please! [8,5]

(Vladimir Petrov)

Black Crucifixion Facebook

 

Black Crucifixion 'The Fallen One Of Flames/Satanic Zeitgeist' review

BLACK CRUCIFIXION

'The Fallen One Of Flames/Satanic Zeitgeist'

(Soulseller Records)

A day to celebrate here in the Void HQ, as this review marks post number 200 for the zine. I'm not gonna start pouring champagne in a crystal glass and singing karaoke to Abba , no way - this gonna be the genuine article: metal and ice cold beer. Metalheads are universally known for being extra passionate to the music created in their 'formative' years, so this CD release that compiles two separate 1991-ish recordings by the Finnish cult band Black Crucifixion can only be praised by yours truly. Not for purely nostalgic reasons either - one has to acknowledge the band for being on the leading curve of the soon to be exploding (then!) second wave black metal and their connection to Holocausto's Beherit has been well documented. Sandwiched between an intro and outro, the three songs of 'The Fallen..' are a good example of the coming madness - lo-filthy produced, charmingly underdeveloped, filled with crudely cold atmosphere and the famous 'whispering' vocal effect best known from 'Drawing Down The Moon'.''I'm a god now, and the slaves shall serve/Fuck your herd conformity, the noble shall rule", this short excerpt from the lyrics to the mostly excellent cut 'Flowing Downwards' describes the whole mindset of those involved in that particular, and highly influential, scene better than million words. Respect. 'Satanic Zeitgeist', the live portion of the disc, is, quite unsurprisingly, even more viciously raw and morbid sounding, bordering on Impaled Nazarene trademarked chaos in the faster parts of the presented songs. Black Crucifixion have seemingly been wise enough not to fall completely for that trick though, injecting catchy mid-tempo hooks throughout the tracks, as well as an enthusiastic cover version of 'In League With Satan'. Not a must-buy for everyone but a fitting document of an era. Lay down your souls. [7,5]

(Vladimir Petrov)

Black Crucifixion Facebook 

Heretic 'Praising Satan' review

HERETIC

'Praising Satan'

(Soulseller Records)

Well it is odd to me at least that these guys have been around for 15 years and this is the first I had recall hearing of them. 'Praising Satan' is apparently some sort of best of / compilation release that apparently is celebrating '15 Years Of Ultimate Satanic Sleaze'. I can not seem get a handle on whether this is supposed to be a joke band or something serious. Obviously the logo is a homage or simply mocking the logo of Beherit. I seen an interview online and the guy in the interview acted serious in it and said he was a devotee of Beherit, Barathrum, Mayhem, Root, Darkthrone. So I guess I will give the benefit of the doubt there is supposed to be some sort of serious intent behind the band. The whole presentation of the band, album and song titles such as 'Horns of Hell', 'Thunderbelial', 'Pure Goat Glorification', 'Black Metal Overlords' had me wondering though. The music itself is decent for what is, and is simple sloppy punk rock with a metal undertone and some definite Venom worship. Which is always a good thing in my books, being a Venom maniac myself. Nothing amazing here, but I could still appreciate it. Obviously any black metal fans who pick it up that are looking for pure bm or sympho type crap and do not care for punk, will be easily and quickly disappointed. They are certainly unique that is for sure. I would say fans of raunchy punk, Venom and Piledriver type stuff will like this.

(Dale Roy)

 

Heretic MySpace