Genre: Doom, Sludge, Hard Rock, Psychedelic, Punk
Label: Candlelight Records

You know how sometimes if you’re drawn to a band because it has a member of another band that you like in it? Yeah. Sometimes you run into that snag. It’s that one where the new band that you’re checking out sounds just like the original band that that guy you like is in. Well, City Of Fire has two or ‘em. Both are from Fear Factory: Mr. Burton C. Bell and a Mr. Byron Stroud.

But as luck would have it, City Of Fire actually stood alone for me, for a while. I listened to their self titled debut album about three time, loving it more and more each time… and then I though, “this vocalist sounds awfully familiar…” A quick Google search later and boom! I found my familiars.

I guess it needs to be said that City Of Fire sounds NOTHING like any of these guy’s affiliated bands, not one iota. City Of Fire makes this album feel brand fucking new, yet all too familiar and simply approachable with it’s memorable melodies and cathartic choruses. Not a single song on this album gets too aggressive at all. It’s a pretty chill throughout (especially A Memory. Awesome fucking song!)

Burton’s voice is distinctly brilliant as always. He stays on the cleaner side of things for the majority of the time and only occasionally dips into his trademark gruff shout. As far as the stings go… they manage to bring the mellow on a level that’s almost overwhelming. There’s a weight to every chord that just crushes you if you aren’t prepared for it… which I guess kind of plays against my “chill” remark. But believe me, give it a second listen and you’ll wish the Q-Tip in your hand was a joint! Remember that bit of info when Spirit Guide creeps up on you. You’ll be wondering what classic family movie this album syncs up with…

Not to mention the all too awesome covers of two heavily influential bands songs:  The Rain (by The Cult) and Children Of The Revolution (by T-Rex).

Overall: Aside from some overly ambitious stuff that just didn’t seem to pan out to me (lots of silent breaks or long bouts of droning that just seem excessive), City Of Fire is hot, Hot, HOT!!! Recommended for fans of everyone from doom to hard rock to psychedelic shit to punk. It’s all here and it’s all great!

9.5/10

City Of Fire On MySpace

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Genre: Folk Metal
Label: Napalm Records

It’s been a while since I practiced my Dutch or read anything about Germanic history or mythology… but I don’t think any of that matters since Uit Oude Grond is a headbanging good time!

Uit Oude Grond (meaning, “from old soil” in English) is rife with heavy, crushing riffs and raging basslines that appear to be born and bread for battle! The vocal approach is a sturdy one at that, combining Dutch lyrics with clean and death vocals that resonate off of one another in perfect harmony. As for the token unique instrument, the violin accents everything it was meant to and is a more than welcome addition to the fray. And if you dig magic as well as might, then these songs are right up your alley with content ranging from Nehalennia, the Goddess of trade and fertility, Vlammenzee, a song about a man who dies and has his spear pointing towards his next destination; beside the all-father Woden, Dondergod, the God of thunder and his giant slaying adventures and my favorite, Best Bij Nacht, which means “beast by night”. A vicious tale about a werewolf and his prey!

Overall: Heidevolk breaths new life into a genre that blew up too big, too fast with Uit Oude Grond. It’s a mythology/history lesson that kicks your ass from beginning to end with it‘s folk-y tinge and metal heart! A must own for any fan of the genre.

9.5/10

Heidevolk on MySpace

Originally Posted at E-MetalSpace

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Genres: Folk Metal. Death Metal
Label: Napalm Records

Featuring almost an entirely new line-up (new vocalist, bassist, drummer and rhythm guitarist) Svartsot leaves the tavern and returns to the battlefield with their unique blend of mead fueled folkened death metal in Mulmets Viser! Can it stand up to the critically acclaimed Ravnenes Saga? Let’s read on…

A Danish damnit, if this album doesn’t beat all! Blending heavy death metal influences with flutes, whistles and the odd accordion and eerily in-place mandolin, Mulmets Viser chews through the competition and spits out their bones! The tone is always light and the pace is generally in the area of a five, but the riffs vary from straight up death to melodic. New vocalist Thor Bager sounds like a slightly shorter Johan Hegg after a week long benderl angry and ready for a fight! Like a mad, lone warrior dashing into the fray of war with his axe held high, Svartsot ravages your expectations with this battle-ready outing!

Overall: For fans of booze, bloodshed, oaken shields, battle axes, death metal, folk metal or just looking for a great way to spend forty-nine minutes! Rally your horde with a battle cry and go headlong into battle with a copy of Mulmets Viser by your side!

9.5/10

Svartsot on MySpace

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Genre: Blackened Thrash
Label: Satanic Speed Records

Starting things of with a bang (or in actuality, a demonic belch) Omission sets the pace for Thrash Metal Is Violence with scorching blackened thrash from beginning to end. No mercy is shown for those who like a break to catch they breath! “Fuck you poser!” screams Omission as they collectively sodomize your wishes for respite with razor sharp thrash metal riffs and wicked screams of malevolent ministry!

“Combining evil and thrash has been done to death! How can something so blasé be so cool?” you ask. The answer is simple: Omission does what they do with a purity you can only really find in the granddaddies of this genre (or thrash in general). They have a drive for glory and lust for metal that is admirable to all. Don’t deny this fact, or you’ll be missing out BIG TIME!

Overall: What Omission brings to the table with Thrash Metal Is Violence is… well, violent blackened thrash metal in the vein of Sodom covering Venom with Destruction playing in the background. Only in this case, Sodom, Venom and Destruction aren’t needed to make this band relevant. Omission fucking owns!

9.5/10

Omission on MySpace

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Genres: Thrash
Label: Unsigned

Can you spell thrash? If not, it’s easy! Here, I’ll show you: V-I-C-I-O-U-S-A-T-T-A-C-K!

Chicago’s own beer swilling bastions of all things supersonic present Blade Of The Reaper. Exodus, Testament, Slayer, Destruction and many others would be proud to know that they’ve inspired such a forceful creation! Every song on this EP is an instant classic and is guaranteed to shred it’s way straight into your brain!

Vicious Attack easy, sleep and live thrash! And it shows with the blistering pace they play at and with songs that carry true thrashin’ appeal. Such as Infestation with it’s memorable chorus.
“Swarm of insects in your room! Their very presence spells your doom! Etc..”
There are wrist snapping riffs and finger melting solos dusting the entirety of this EP, so speed freaks need not worry. Blade Of The Reaper’s only hindrance is that it’s only four tracks long, so it may feel like a bit of a tease to some of you out there. But let me tell you, the blue balls are totally worth it!

Overall: I predict big fucking things for these thrashing maniacs! Namely: a big fat contract with Earache or maybe Slaney Records! *HINT*

9.5/10

Vicious Attack On MySpace

Originally posted on E-MetalSpace

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