Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genre: Death Metal
Label: Ibex Moon

This is something I’ve been waiting for since I found out Lifeless signed onto Ibex Moon. And fuck me stupid is this great. Heavy-ass death metal the way it should be played. These songs are full of riffs, but they aren’t riff collections; they are actually SONGS, with minor melodies and harmonies hidden inside of brutal hooks, as well as blatant melodies that are still intense and in your face. The whole thing is Metalgasmic, from the first song to the end of the last.
Breakdowns that aren’t corny, solos that force your hands to play air guitar, a voice that makes you pay attention, and a breakneck pace throughout this album make it near perfect.
9.5 out of 10.

Lifeless on MySpace.

Genre: Black Metal
Label: Agonia Records

Opening with the track “Tongue of the First Pope (Simon Peter)”, Nefarium spew forth a powerful brand of blackened vitriol at the Church of Christ. Evoking a sound reminiscent of Dark Funeral (whom they tour with) and Setherial (whom they have worked with), Nefarium are a very angry trio. And it pays off in spades; this is the kind of black metal that will spawn awesome circle pits in a live setting, and turn the most sturdy of necks to a rubbery mass after listening.
If you like your black metal a little on the brutally fast and evil side, check out this band NOW.
8 out of 10.

Nefarium on MySpace.

Genre: Avant-Garde Metal, Metalcore
Label: Agonia Records

What would happen if Till Lindeman, Richard Kruspe, and Doom Schneider joined Mindless Self Indulgence? Beissert.
Schizophrenic as anything MSI has ever done, with a slightly classic rock feel (not sound) and a voice that’s quite Rammstein-esq and at times power metal tinged, Beissert are impressive. It seems these guys really know how to play their instruments. It also seems they don’t give half of a shit about what anyone says – this is music written purely by people who have written the music they want to hear. Thankfully I want to hear this kind of music too.
There‘s a ton of different stuff happening here; a love of Pantera is very present, as is an appreciation for piano-based rock ballads, and some hardcore/metalcore. I don’t know exactly how to find the words to describe Beissert, but I do know I recommend you check out this album. It’s fucking good.
7.5 out of 10.

Beissert on MySpace.

Genre: Brutal Death Metal
Label: Ibex Moon

It’s no wonder why Ibex Moon is one of my favourite labels to do reviews for. They’ve got some of the best metal bands in the underground doing releases with them.
Cardiac Arrest is no different from the rest of Ibex Moon’s roster in that regard. These four guys are making some of the most brutal death metal I’ve heard in a long time, and it’s the kind I’m really looking out for too. Kind of dirty in sound production; there’s an old school grit to it. Solos are fast and claustrophobic, vocals are gutteral as fuck but still understandable for the most part (reminding me a little of Chris Barnes and David Vincent), the drums are snappy and full of cymbals, while the bass ties down the low end, making your balls shake.
Yeah, I guess you can say I like Haven for the Insane. It reminds me of what I first came to love about death metal, and it’s helping me to find my way back into the genre.
8 out of 10.

Cardiac Arrest on MySpace.

The following is a letter to everyone from Vincent of Acheron:

Metal Hellions,

After a 22 year run, I am finally putting ACHERON to an end. It has been an interesting journey, but it is indeed over now. I know I have broken up the band in the past, but there is no turning back this time. This musical entity has run its course and I didn’t want to tarnish what ACHERON represented. Some people didn’t agree with my decision, but I feel I know what is right to do.

ACHERON never set out to be the most technical, fastest or heaviest band out there. That was not what I strived to achieve. Those who resonated to our music knew the feeling and spirit it had behind it. And this music was not created for the masses, it was an art form to be embraced by other kindred souls who shared the same likes and interests. That is why the fans have always been very special to me. Their dedication and support fueled the Hellfires! In the end I never really cared what the media thought of us, but I did want the fans to always get 100% ACHERON.

I’m glad we were able to put out our last album “THE FINAL CONFLICT: Last Days of God”. I am very proud of the work we all did on it and was very pleased with the positive response we got from it. How ironic to have such a title. Very fitting, indeed!

I’d like thank all the fans for showing their support throughout the years and keeping the Satanic beast alive for so long. I hail all you Metal Maniacs! I’ve had the chance to meet a lot of you throughout the years and
the pleasure has been mine. I would also like to give special thanks to all the great musicians I have been able to work with the last twenty plus years. Without their contributions I couldn’t have continued to release
albums and played shows. “RITES OF THE BLACK MASS” was recorded in 1990 and it is now 2010. My 20 year pact with ACHERON has been fulfilled. But be assured, I will always be a thorn in the side of all that is Holy! (Ha, Ha)

Originally we were going to play shows until the end of the year, doing the “RITES OF THE BLACK MASS” set. Unfortunately, the line-up I had planned to use for the shows didn’t work out, so all those shows have been cancelled, including the C.I.M. FEST and MICHIGAN DEATH FEST. I apologize to the fans and the promoters, but there is nothing I can do about it. So as of now, ACHERON will no longer be recording or playing shows. It has officially been laid to rest.

Presently, I am slowly working on putting together a new project called CRIMSON HEROIN. And who knows what else I will get into? So you haven’t heard the last of me! (Sorry Media. lol) But I am taking my time and not rushing anything. For now I need a little solitude and escape from the populous. I hope you all keep an eye out for future musical assaults from me. Cheers!

In Blood and Blasphemy
Vincent Crowley – ACHERON (R.I.P.)