Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genre: Instrumental Psychedelic Rock
Label: Independent
Format: Digital Promo (Freeman Promotions)

Ninth Moon Black hail from the USA, specifically Eugene, Oregon, right in the Pacific Northwest, and they are currently promoting their latest release of psychedelic rock instrumentals.
Having never heard of these chaps and lady before, I was very intrigued when I saw the album cover. I love the band name, and with a translated title to mean Time Eater, it just seemed right up my alley. Barely two minutes into the first track, “Renascentia”, and I knew I was going to like this.
The music really reminds me at times of Tool (especially their Lateralus era), and then the Pink Floyd elements kick in, opening whole new sound palettes that Ninth Moon Black explore. The songs all meld together, creating one gapless track in essence, but each song is truly it’s own at the same time, and it’s good enough to throw onto repeat for a few listens in a row.
One of the bonuses for everyone is that the album is available at Bandcamp for a Pay-What-You-Want. The link is below. Also, it will hit vinyl soon through Orca Wolf Records.
Favorite songs are “Via Dolorosa” and  ”Mors Carnis”.
7 out of 10.

Chronophage Tracklisting:
1. Renascentia
2. Via Dolorosa
3. Bestia Devorat Tempus
4. Mors Carnis
5. Animus Lumino
6. Numeratio

Chronophage Personnel:
Erin – Guitar/Visuals
Caleb – Bass
Kasey – Drums
Eric – Keyboards
Atom – Guitar

Ninth Moon Black Official.
Ninth Moon Black on Facebook.
Ninth Moon Black on Bandcamp.

Genres: Depressive Black Metal, Progressive Black Metal, Progressive Metal
Label: Hypnotic Dirge Records

Ekove Efrits presents a strange listen, one that is somewhat hard to get through without rewinding it once in awhile to catch something that caught your ear. The core is based around black metal, with a depressive lean, but it’s so progressive in ways that it’s hard to call it black metal at all in some sections.
Strings and keys play a huge part in the overall sound, with a slightly longer song structure averaging just over six minutes. Slower paces and spoken words, whispers, and immense atmosphere really help drag you into the music. I wouldn’t recommend playing this at your next party, unless you were planning a Jim Jones tribute.
Fans of Nine Inch Nails (especially The Fragile), Kraftwerk, Opeth, Morgul, and HDR’s other releases should not miss out on this one. It’s really good.
7 out of 10.

Ekove Efrits on Facebook.

Genre: Punk, NYHC
Label: Punk Core Records

Seven years after forming, The Casualties put For the Punx out, their first LP. Straight forward street punk anthems that hearkened to bands like GBH and The Exploited.
The original release from Tribal War Records had twelve tracks, but this version that I have from Punk Core Records (who seem to be defunct) has four bonus tracks, recorded in a radio studio.
This is not the radio friendly pop punk that seems to be what people think when they view punk; it’s the raw, vicious stuff that is politically charged and socially aware. One thing I’m really noticing about this album is that The Casualties also sing about the scene, the punk scene where they were born and punk rock in general. In a Digipak, the booklet is pretty sweet, full of live pictures and promos, and some of the biggest fucking mohawks I’ve ever seen.
This is the epitome of punk and should be owned by anyone who’s a fan of NYHC. And if you get the chance to see them live, do it! I saw them opening for GWAR in 2010 and it was a fucking smash!
7 out of 10.

The Casualties on Facebook.

Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Stomp Records

Byron Stroud, best known for his work in Strapping Young Lad and Fear Factory, started this band from the reunion of Caustic Thought, and brought Burton C. Bell in when the original singer decided not to take part. So what ended up happening is a strange little bastard child was created with City of Fire – its a beast with a very diverse set of teeth.
Opening with the particularly catchy/nut punching “Carve Your Name”, a mood is definitely set for the album, and it’s obvious it’s not a cheery one. The music seems to be taking cues from death metal, with maybe a bit of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest influence (a nod to trad metal song structure/tone) or even Canadian hard rock from the 90′s (hm… strange that…).
There’s even some touches of Type O here.
Overall, there’s tons of stuff going on with various tempos, moods – usually angry or melancholic moods – and textures in the general sound of the album. A great thing about this is it’s catchiness. It wouldn’t surprise me if you checked it out and was singing choruses the next day.
At first listen, however, I hated this. I even wrote a different review that ripped this album all new sets of assholes. Then I listened to it again, and realized it’s pretty damn good. And that I shouldn’t listen to review material when I’m in a bad mood.
Favorite tracks: “Carve Your Name” and “Rising”. The latter s a great hard rock tune while the former is an angry metal song that will definitely get stuck in your head.
7 out of 10.

City of Fire on Facebook.

Genre: Pagan Folk Metal
Label: Napalm Records

Oh Arkona. Where else can an accordion and flute sound so fucking metal? Throw in lightning fast guitars, bass, and drums to create a most unusual – and thoroughly enjoyable – experience.
Despite not having a clue as to what’s being said (it’s all in Arkona’s native Russian), I’m sure the lyrical content is just as epic as the vocals themselves. Sung by Masha, who’s impressive vocals are somewhat chant-like, and hypnotic at times. Her death growls are awesome, and truthfully I thought they were done by one of the men in the band.
The EP itself is to prepare fans of Arkona for a new full length, coming out soon. It’s got a couple new tracks, including “Skal”, which features Varg and an acoustic version of the title track off their last LP, Goi, Rode, Goi! It’s probably not essential unless you’re a big fan, or a more inexpensive way to introduce yourself to the music of Arkona, but I definitely recommend it.
7 out of 10.

Arkona on Facebook.