Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genre: Digital Black Metal
Label: Independent

This is a live demo from Algol, and after hearing Sorrow’s Twilight, I was pretty excited to hear this.
In general, it has a slightly less digital sound, and much less depressive black metal sounds. The songs are more varied, somewhat, and still really good.
I wish it was longer, by about two tracks, and of a more polished quality. If Algol rerecorded these tracks in a studio, I’d be a lot happier, and it would probably get a higher rating truth told. I’ll admit I’m fairly biased against live recorded music, because I’d rather be there.
6.5 out of 10

Track By Track:

Hanging the Universe – Less digital sound, still has a digital feeling. Cold and distant in a way. I like it.

Damned Devoid of Light – This one is more of a digital black metal sound than “Hanging”, that’s for sure. The drums do seem slightly more organic on this release, but falsely so. I like this song more than “Hanging the Universe”.

Decomposition – Starting with drumming, it goes into a slow dirge guitar riff with a fast beat. This song reminds me of “New World Order” by Ministry, by the sound not the style. And not even the sound of the whole song, just sounds within the song. Good stuff.

The Demon Star – This song is strongly mechanical, and I’m liking it a lot. It’s one of the best songs on the demo, and it’s also one of the most violent sounding. It’s not particularly faster or anything, just has a more menacing sound to it.

Genres: Depressive Black Metal, Digital Black Metal
Label: Independent

Algol sent me a pair of demos forever ago, and finally I get a chance to hear them. The first demo, Sorrow’s Twilight, opens up with a nice intro, full of chorus effected keys and a metronome sounding beat. It then goes into “Torment Through Mutilation”, a really cool digital black metal song, a very marked difference from the intro.
The screams are pretty good, and musically it reminds me of Ministry gone black, or the UK’s Hegoxuri, who also play digital black metal. Obviously, since it is digital black, if you’re a purist or don’t like drum machines, this release wouldn’t be for you. But, it is for those that want some experimentations, some new thinking in their metal.
I’m really liking Sorrow’s Twilight, and I think I’ll be making some repeat listens for sure.
7 out of 10.