Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genres: Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock
Label: Armoury Records, Mystic Production

Votum were the first of three CDs I chose to review from this package from Eagle Rock, if for no reason it just happened to be the first one I grabbed. And I’m glad I did. This CD is just fucking awesome. It’s like Opeth and Anathema, who the band cites as big influences, but it’s also got some more going on. Mostly due to Maciej Kosinski’s voice, which is deep and full of power, and also Zbigniew Szatkowski’s keys, which are in part atmospheric and ambient, but also at times more traditionally rhythmic. Sometimes atmospherically rhythmic.
The shortest song is just three seconds short of four minutes, with a pair in the 6+ minute and a pair in the 9+ minute range, but they don’t drag on, which is a relief. There are some bands that can do longer song structures, and some that can’t, but Votum are aces at them. I’d love to hear them do a 15 minute song.
As an added bonus for prog rock fans, it’s a concept album in music, lyric, and art, all tied together to give the listener something not just to hear but something to hold dearly to while the somber, dark tunes drag you to a pit of gorgeous bliss.
8.5 out of 10.

Genre: Thrash
Label: Slaney Records

Hmm… “Beware Of The Snake”. My college roommate put a sign on our door that read “Beware Of The Snake” …I didn’t much care for him.

Snake Eyes’ debut album of the same name on the other hand, I happen to dig on a hardened thrash scale! Speedy, lethal Polish thrash that only has one goal; to shred your face clean off your skull (maybe world domination too, but I‘m merely speculating on that point)! If fancy a little Kreator, Destruction or Sodom in your thrashin’ catalog, then odds are in favor of you’ll want Snake Eyes to be right along side of them.

The vocalist has a perfect blackened thrash rasp and the lyrics jump back and forth from English to Polish (alternating about every other track) without losing any momentum.  Surprisingly, the mixing is balanced in such a way that you can actually hear the bassist! And friends, this guy makes it seem reasonable as to why they usually drown it out… sometimes, the bass is just TOO THRASHING to be contained! This is one of those instances. The producer gambled and won!

Overall: Beware Of The Snake aims high and will score a direct hit with fans of Teutonic blackened and old schools of thrash fuckin’ metal! Bangovers, here we come!

I figured that this would be a good place for some sort of G. I. Joe reference. So here’s one of my favorite Snake Eyes quotes: “…”

8/10

Snake Eyes On MySpace
Also Posted On E-MetalSpace

Genres: Death Metal, Thrash
Label: Independent

Consisting of tracks from an LP and some live songs, the Whore EP from Bloodwritten is pretty badass. It’s a thrashin’, deathin’ attack of big sounding proportions. I just wish I could hear the full LP.
In all, a super easy review. Bloodwritten are a good, solid band from Poland, and I’m sure they will be making a big name for themselves with this kind of evil thrash songwriting.
7 out of 10.

Bloodwritten on MySpace.

Genres: Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash
Label: Ibex Moon

This little gem came out November 7, 2009, and fuck does it kick ass.
It’s nice and heavy, like good thrash, but it’s hard as hell like black metal and death metal. “Total Annihilation” will appeal to all you Exodus fans, while the title track (which for those that aren’t in the know, is Polish for ‘poison’) will be more for all you Beherit fans.
But all of you will agree that there is something very special about this release, and it’s not just because it’s the first one in five years. It’s because the entire way through it is solid and not completely sane.
Metalgasmic solo at 3:06 into “Total Annihilation”, one of many throughout the album.
In fact, I think “Total Annihilaton” is my favorite track, followed closely by “Trücizna”.
In all, the album’s walking away with an 8 out of 10.

Witchmaster on MySpace.

Genres: Metal, Punk
Label: Ukragh Productions

I really kind of wonder what this is. I like it. But I can’t dance to it.
It’s almost like if system of a Down didn’t sell out after the first album, mixed with a bit of Weird Al Yankovik and way too many drugs. But that doesn’t even fully explain it.
Either way, if you’re in an adventurous mood and you like to have fun with your music and that can mean your choice of song titles are “David Lee Gorgoroth”, “Dirty Danzig”, and “Diabolical FullSun Hedonism”, as well as more oddities, then check out Cremaster. 7 out of 10.