Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genres: Black Metal, Death Metal
Label: Horror Pain Gore Death

Vex up the ante for American metal with Thanatopsis, bringing together a great melding of death metal and black metal. Varied tempos and riff structures (straight death, black metal, doom, and thrash are all here) jack up the levels of awesome, with Metalgasmic solos (“Era of Delusion” especially, reminding me of the late great Chuck Schuldiner) and intense vocals that ride the line perfectly between black and death.
This is perfect for fans of Death, Divine Eve (whom Vex did a split 7″ with), and My Dying Bride’s earlier contributions. My favorite tracks are “Motionless”, “Era of Delusion”, and “Thanatos”, the instrumental opener.
7.5 out of 10.

Vex on MySpace.

Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Death Metal
Label: Pulverised Records

In Mourning’s newest album is a crushingly heavy but beautifully melodic death metal disc. Bringing in little bits of doom, black metal, progressive metal, and straight up rock, I find it hard to find anything bad to say about this album at all.
I’d recommend it for fans of similar fare, such as Opeth, Katatonia, My Dying Bride, and Anathema. Actually, after writing that sentence, I’d say pretty much think Peaceville, and you’ll do fine. It wouldn’t surprise me if Peaceville ended up working with these gents in the future.
8 out of 10.

In Mourning on MySpace.

Genre: Gothic Metal, Pop, Rock, Symphonic Metal
Label: Candlelight Records

Oh Sarah. You look angrier in your promo pictures for this album, but you’re still just as gorgeous sounding as the Angtoria album, and your work with Cradle of Filth. I’m so glad I got to hear this.
Those that don’t know Sarah Jezebel Deva, she’s been the female vocals on all the CoF albums, and has had a successful album with her band Angtoria. And now she’s going (mostly) solo, with friends playing the music but it’s all her pretty much. And man does it show her voice’s range. She goes from sounding like Siouxie Sioux to… well, Sarah Jezebel Deva.
And the album itself is not really a genre specific album, hopping around a little with more rock-influenced songs, and epic sounding stuff too, with some poppy elements, and a cover of Meredith Brook’s “Bitch”, which I really like. I’m definitely a fan. My favorite songs are “The Devil’s Opera”, “Your Wonderful Chair”, and “Bitch”.
I agree with Chase on this album, the songs definitely do stick with you after you’ve listened to them. Very catchy, very good.
8.5 out of 10.

Sarah Jezebel Deva on MySpace.

Genre: Death Metal
Label: Dark Descent Records, Skeleton Plague Records

Those familiar with Funeral Rain may remember The Wakedead Gathering’s track on There Are Pleasures in the Darkness, the first free download comp (which you can download here). For those that aren’t familiar with this track, you’re missing the fuck out.
These guys bring a slightly doomed atmosphere to their death metal, and it’s goddamn wonderful to hear. They remind me a little of Carcass and My Dying Bride coming together, with of course more obvious nods to Death, Immolation and Incantation.
Coming from Ohio, The Wakedead Gathering is one guy, Drew, but it sounds like a full band playing this stuff. And despite not playing shows, Wakedead is selling out their releases, which goes to show the fucking quality of this music.
Favorite tracks are “The Jury”, “Caterwaull”, and the faster-than-hell “Wasps from the Chamber of the Divine”.
And like their labelmates Horrendous, this is on TAPE! One of the best formats ever to listen to music with, and it’s only five dollars from either Dark Descent or Skeleton Plague.
8 out of 10.

Wakedead Gathering on MySpace.
Originall posted on MySpace.

Genres: Ambient, Doom, Drone
Label: Bindrune Recordings

So here’s another review for Bindrune Recordings, a label that instantly became a favorite of mine the second I heard Wodensthrone’s Loss (review).
When I got the opportunity to review the new Blood of the Black Owl, I was fairly excited. And with reason. This is a well regarded band, on a well regarded label.
But when I started to listen to A Banishing Ritual, I must admit, I was a little disappointed. It seemed, at first, just like any other ambient/drone album. 41 minutes of the same shit does get tiring even for me.
Then it got to the 13 minute and 14 or so second mark. And that’s when I really took notice. It’s like Blood of the Black Owl decided to weed out the asshats for fifteenish minutes, and whoever is left listening to the rest will be blown away.
This is one of the finest examples of this kind of music I’ve heard so far. Haunting vocals and some of the doomiest riffs and gorgeous soundscapes follow.
I love it.
Apparently it’s for fans of Ruhr Hunter, The Elemental Chrysalis (both of those bands feature members of Blood of the Black Owl), Neurosis, Celtic Frost, and Swans. But I think fans of My Dying Bride, November’s Doom, The 11th Hour, and Moss will find something to A Banishing Ritual that they enjoy as well.
7.5 out of 10.