Füneral Rain Press Cörps

Genre: Power A Cappella
Label: Napalm Records

I was a little more than excited when I saw that there was a download link waiting in my Inbox from Napalm Records. Why? Because I had heard earlier that day that I should be receiving the (then) upcoming album from the world’s greatest a capella  metal group, Van fucking Canto!

My initial thoughts on the album based entirely on the promo info, before I actually listened to it (past the deafening “SQEEEEEEE” sight reaction) were as follows:

- Did I accidentally download a Dragonforce album? The cover says “yes”.
-  Could they of chosen a more generic album title?
-  A cover of Sabaton’s Primo Victoria featuring guest vocals by wildman Joakim Broden? Too much!!!

And now, after listening to it for a couple of weeks straight:

After getting over a bit of a sour patch with this album (since I wasn’t instantly enthralled with Break The Silence like I was with Tribe Of Force, fear that all of those “poser metal/gimmick metal insults were true) I had come to find that it is in fact a robust album, full of catchy melodies and a metric ton of fun! Album opener If I Die In Battle sounds like it could be yet another tribute to Manowar… which it isn’t… at least I don’t think it is. Either way, it’s a great way to start things off.

I mentioned a Sabaton cover of Primo Victoria earlier. Yeah. This cover fucking kills! I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it dwarfs the original in terms of awwwwwwesome (no disrespect to Sabaton at all since the song wouldn’t exist without them). After that, Black Wings Of Hate is a beautifully track where Inga takes the lead and just owns it all.

I noticed that in a lot of the reviews about Van Canto feature either no mention of the rakkatakka or they bash the guys who belt this shit out. I think these guys rule! How many of us can honestly do what they do? Honestly, I think they have a much harder job than anybody else in the band (especially Ingo! Up to about five minutes of DOOMDOOMDOOM would destroy a lesser man!) Also mysteriously missing from the spotlight in other reviews, drummer Bastian Emig. The man is a machine and nobody seems to care! Well, I for one salute this (probably) mechanized percussionist for his energy throughout the album and albums past!

Overall: I wasn’t nearly as initially impressed as I was with Tribe Of Force. But after a couple of listens, I found that they are equal in quality. Break The Silence is an excellent album from a band that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves in the metal community. Hopefully this review will change a few minds and bring a few more fans their way. They deserve it all.

8.5/10

Van Canto On Facebook

Genre: Tech-Death, Deathcore

Label: Metal Blade Records

The Red Chord – Fed Through The Teeth Machine
Metal Blade Records – 2009

It’s album number four for Metal Blade darlings The Red Chord! And that’s saying something I you’re not a straight forward death metal act from the 80’s… or Gwar.

Fed Through The Teeth Machine is a powerful punch to the nuts after that meh-fest known as Prey For Eyes (which had me hearing the term “jock metal” way too much… which it wasn’t which made me even more confused and angry! All the strengths and none of the real weaknesses of The Red Chord are present in this album: technical riffs, complex drums, off timing to keep you guessing and the Revere foursome’s patented blend of intellect and brutality! Always political, no-holds-barred and a little psychotic, Guy Kozowyk’s lyrics are the focal point of Fed Through The Teeth Machine. These aren’t schizophrenic ramblings or visions of rape, dismemberment or rape. They’re cogent arguments for the conservatives at the ready. And yes, his vocals are still fucking brutal!

Overall: This album’s got teeth! And they’re bared from beginning to end, just waiting for a chance to sink themselves into you and pull you though their machine. CHOMP CHOMP! But I’ve got to say, being digested never seemed so goddamned AWESOME!!!

9/10

The Red Chord On MySpace

Also Posted On E-MetalSpace

Genre: Death Metal, Thrash
Label: Independent

You’ve read the interview, now read the review! Diabolical Demon Director: The Movie!!!

Just fucking around… anyway, I guess the Awesome Aussie Trio of Death Justice, Death Angel and Necrohammer, decided to let me have another shot at their library, so I present to you, The Demon Chamber: The Review!

Keeping true to their metallic nature and to the beloved genre of metal as a whole, Diabolical Demon Director play they’re souls black in The Demon Chamber. The most noticeable difference since their last effort, Inside The Cistern, the production value has risen tremendously! Other than that, it’s the same rippin’ metal that I fell in love with a few months ago; heavy, shredding riffs, throat searing growls and gravels, Earth splitting bass and megaton drumming. If I had room on my vest, I patch these guys on up! Diabolical Demon Direct lives, breaths, eats and shit METAL!!!!

Overall: As unpleasant a time it seems like it would be in The Demon Chamber, it fucking rules! Blackened, thrashy death metal that scorches the soul and feed the beast!

9/10

Diabolical Demon Director On MySpace

Originally posted at E-MetalSpace

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

Genres: Thrash, Death

Label: Roadrunner Records

Let me get this out of the way please: 1) Lame fucking name for a band. No matter who you are.  2) Misspelling album/song titles is equally lame. *Whew* I’m glad all the negative shit is out of the way. Now I can finally get to the positive stuff. But seriously, it’s like Soulfly and the shit end of the Sepultura discography never existed! The brothers Cavalera are back and boy are they pissed! (as per usual. But who cares!) It’s fucking awesome to hear Max’s throaty scream coupled with bitchin’ thrash riffs again! And Igor is once again beating those skins mercilessly in an organized chaos only he can create. Best of all, no fruity tribal beats or needless chanting! (Ha! Those pygmies can choke on it for all I care!) It’s nothing but a (un)healthy dose of brutality for this album! At least the first three tracks delve into killing everybody (who am I kidding, the whole album is condoning mass murder. Hooray!) and as far as I can tell, they never even attempt to stop and contemplate the mere speculation of remorse or regret for butchering everything and everyone everywhere.

Overall: It’s an auditory bloodbath! It’s thrash walking terror! It’s the motherfucking return of Max and Igor! What more did you expect? Man this album is awesome!

9/10

www.myspace.com/cavaleraconspiracy

Originally posted at E-MetalSpace