Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genres: Death Metal
Label: Lifeforce Records

So for whatever reason, probably the cover art, I was thinking this album was going to be the same deathcore/scenecore as Waking the Cadaver. But I was wrong.
The Last Felony are brutal, with absolutely no melody, but it’s also not a half hour of breakdowns with some clean singing. It’s just straight forward bludgeoning to the face and body with some pretty talented writing. Their singer actually enunciates and is relatively understandable (let’s face it folks, it’s still death metal, not the easiest genre to decode the lyrics to). The guitar work is fast, with a bassist that doesn’t just copy and paste the riff. The drummer’s foot and hand coordination is on par with someone who actually listens to music rather than jackhammers. And finally, it all comes together into songs, not collections of cool sounding riffs.
Which to me spells good.
These guys aren’t the best out there, and this isn’t the most memorable death metal album of all time. In fact, I’ll probably honestly not reach for it again, unless it’s in the car; but I have a feeling they will get better and stronger songwriting will emerge, bringing them closer to the front of the huge death metal heap they are in. In all though, I like The Last Felony, and I’d like to see them live.
6.5 out of 10.

Genre: Death Metal
Label: Pulverised Records, Blood Harvest Records

With a name like Bastard Priest you can’t really go wrong, right? Right? Kinda.
See, this here album Under the Hammer of Destruction is pretty kickass. It’s an old school death head’s wet dream, something that could fit in your collection with Death, early Deicide, Grave Ritual, Gravehill, Darkthrone, etc. But it doesn’t really bring anything new to the scene at all, unfortunately. And maybe that’s the point, and I’m just crazy.
But, at the same time, it does have some really killer solos, and some intense tones. Nothing too fancy as far as technique goes, keeping the main riffage simple and effective. But least affective is the vocals. Rather buried in the background at times, and a little on the samey side, with similar delivery each song, they could have had some variation going on.
In the end, Bastard Priest are pretty good. Nothing I’d reach for on a regular basis, but this is definitely some of you reader’s preferred choice I’m sure. Check ‘em out yourself.
6.5 out of 10.

Bastard Priest on MySpace.

Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Label: Independent

German melodeath? Sweet! I was totally stoked when I got this CD in my mailbox, and now I’ve finally gotten the chance to actually LISTEN to it. And I’m really liking it.
Creeping Maid aren’t 100% original in their delivery, but when it comes to the odd keyboard work, they’re at least 80% original. The keys really stand out for me because they are somewhat symphonic while the guitars, bass, drums, and vocals are death. Really cool mix.
I’m also really happy with the definite lack of anything that ends in ‘core with this album. It’s pretty much just straight up melodic death reminiscent of Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, and maybe a bit of Opeth’s old material, all with a much gruffer voice courtesy of Christian Hardies, who also plays guitar. They cite Obituary, Dismember, and Bold Thrower as influences.
In all, Creeping Maid have put out a great listen that I’d recommend to fans of Swedish and German melodeath. You can get it through the band, just message them on MySpace.
6.5 out of 10.

Creeping Maid on MySpace.

Genre: Black Metal
Label: Independent

An auditory violence ensues when listening to Entering Hell’s demo. It’s noisy, blackened, and thrashy riffing, with a grim voice that reminds me of Cory Taylor on Slipknot’s self-titled at times. It’s definitely odd, and fairly good, but it’s not my first choice for listening.
If you’re a fan of Necrosadik, S.O.D.D., or similar bands, you might like Entering Hell.
6.5 out of 10.

Genre: Depressive Black Metal
Label: Ketzer Records

Germany’s Pest are not going to revolutionize black metal. They will not cause riots to spontaneously form if their albums are not stocked at HMV or similar stores. They will not be taking the Book of Black Metal Rules down from it’s shelf and rewrite it in their own image.
But right now, in 2010, they are releasing a very depressing sounding black metal that, although not totally original, is still pretty damn good. They move a little slower for the most part, full of minor chords and a simplistic structure. A grim atmosphere pervades the entire album, even in the faster songs like  “Decontamination”, and they feature some intense as hell vocals.
I’d stick them in your collection next to Lilyum, Nebrus, and Demorian. They’re not for everyone, but diehard fans of obscure depressive black metal will lose their shit for this.
6.5 out of 10.

Pest’s Official Site.