Füneral Rain Press Cörps

Genre: Black Metal
Label: Satanica Records

Irreverant Soul are definitely a bit of a strange beast. They’re taking USBM backwards in time, to a When that wasn’t obsessed with wicked production, insane keyboard solos, and soaring epic clean vocals. In fact, there are none of those elements in the self-titled EP from this Montana duo. Raw production with only drums, a guitar, and a grim fucking voice. And some samples, which was a cool thing to hear.
Of the Irreverant Soul tracks (the sixth is a bonus track from Throne of Malediction, a side project), “Dying Possession” and “Moonlight and Death” are my favorites. The Throne song is pretty fucking sweet too. Completely different from Irreverent, that’s for sure. More goth, definitely.
Anyway, I like this band. I think they might be able to go pretty far in the underground (especially if they’re namedropping supporters like Carpathan Forest, Messiah Marcolin, and more).
7.5 out of 10.

Colorado extreme metal troupe ENEMY REIGN will play a hometown show with death metal giants NILE, IMMOLATION, KRISIUN and DREAMING DEAD on Monday, January 25, 2010 at the Bluebird Theater: 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. Click the poster above to see it in its full glory.

In related news, the band will release their critically acclaimed Means To A Dead End EP in Europe through Neurotic Records. The EP was recorded by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio (CEPHALIC CARNAGE, MARTRIDEN, COBALT et al) in 2008 and, until now, self-distributed through the ENEMY REIGN online webstore. The European version of this EP will  contain one newly recorded exclusive bonus track entitled ”If The Truth Hurts…Suffer.” The European version will also have exclusive art work and other bonus materials.

In conjunction with the EP’s European release, the band  will appear on the 2010 edition of the Neurotic Deathfest featuring BOLT THROWER, CARCASS, DYING FETUS, INSISION, LOCK UP, NAPALM DEATH, and ORIGIN (among many others), followed by a tour throughout Europe (dates TBA).

ENEMY REIGN features the punishing lineup of former SKINLESS vocalist Sherwood Webber alongside drummer Andon Guenther (DEADSPEAK; creative director, programmer, and co-creator of Sick Drummer Magazine), guitarist Nick Guenther (BECOMING THE ENEMY, MASAKADO) and bassist Cassie Begay (THROAT CULTURE/THROCULT, DEADSPEAK).

Genres: Death Metal, Grindcore
Label: Free Mind Records Productions

I put this into my car’s CD player and was swiftly blown away. Antichristian Brazilian death metal, with furious riffs, fast as lightning bass, and a pissed off singer backed with inhuman drumming.
I’m in my fucking glory right here!
Mixing elements of grindcore and brutal death with enough technical proficiency for two bands, Chaos Synopsis have a brilliantly produced album in Kvlt ov Dementia.

Standout tracks include “Sarcastic Devotion” (which has some brutally bowel loosening kick drums), “LXXXVI”, and “Blinding Chains”.
Add in the gorgeous artwork by Rafael Tavares, which is worth hanging on a wall, and together Kvlt of Dementia gets an 8 out of 10. I can’t wait for the next album.

Chaos Synopsis on MySpace.

Genres: Hard Rock
Label: Black Lodge

Sweet production helps this album shine, a bright light in a shitty rock n’ roll tunnel.
Think AC/CD and the Cult, and I think you’re about right. They have wicked hooks, strong riffs, and a singer who has the attitude to match.
The opening track, “Dirt Bound”, sets up the album as a trucker’s anthem disc, something to hit the highway to. Just try to stay the speed limit, I dare you. “Hard Livin’ Man” follows, and keeps it going and going, but what classic rock (sounding) album is complete without a slower song roughly in the middle? “Elvis Chapel Blues” fills this requisite, but it’s not even all that slow.
Basically from start to finish Bonafide’s Something’s Dripping doesn’t let up. It’s an ass kicker, 7 out of 10.

Bonafide on MySpace.

Genres: Ambient, Noise
Label: Victory By Fire Records

Noise!
This is one really interesting listen. It’s got elements of harsh noise, tempered by ambient, mixed with a touch of drone and a blackened feel more than sound.
I’d say it’s pretty cool. A little samey after awhile, but it only has four tracks, so it’s only a short while. I think it’d be cooler as a soundtrack to an abstract/ambient film, perhaps even more than just as a CD. It just has that vibe to it, like I (the member of Blood Escutcheon, not myself) was thinking of films when he composed these tracks.
7 out of 10.