Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genre: Black Metal
Label: Regain Records

Norway is one of the best known countries to export black metal, and it’s been doing so since the 80′s. And now, here we are, 2010, and Norway is doing it again: exporting a rough cut diamond made out of black metal.
Unrelenting, Satanic, and old school sounding, Ragnarok are making my day. Primitive riffing with a somewhat melodic sounding lead guitar, with a raw, lo-fi sound that’s starting to cross into hi-fi, and possibly one of the grimmest throats I’ve heard. Favorite tracks are “Stabbed by the Horns”,  “In Honor of Satan”, and the faster than hell title track.
Fans of old Satyricon, Taake, and of course Darkthrone, you’ll probably love this album.
Collectors of the King is a wicked and evil way to damnation, and I’m loving it. This album will definitely be getting quite a bit of listens from me.
8.5 out of 10.

Ragnarok on MySpace.

Genres: Melodic Death, Thrash
Label: Regain Records

My first experience with Arise is proving to be a nice one.
Melodic death done the Swedish way, The Reckoning starts off with a short intro and a fast riff that’s headbangalicious. Breakdowns are heavy as hell, and not cheesy whatsoever. It’s like a good cross of Swedish melodeath and American thrash. But ultimately, it’s not the most memorable album I’ve ever heard. These guys are super talented, but they remind me too much of all the other great Swedes, mostly In Flames and Hipocrisy, that The Reckoning just makes me want to go and listen to their albums instead.
It’s good, but it’s not the best there is.
6.5 out of 10.

Arise on MySpace.

Regain Records has made the following statement regarding their rumored banktruptcy issue”

“Due to misleading rumors being spread through God Seed’s MySpace page regarding the bankruptcy of Regain Records, we would like to clarify to all who have contacted us recently that Regain Records is not in bankruptcy.

“We would also like to make clear that the dispute that concerns Live In Grieghallen only involves Tom Cato Visnes (aka King Ov Hell), Regain Records and Entertainment AB, since a settlement with Kristian Espedal (aka Gaahl) was already reached in 2009. The legal outcome of this trial has no bearing on Regain Records nor does it influence our future in any way. It is also incorrect that Regain Records owes any unpaid royalties to Tom Cato Visnes or Kristian Espedal.

“Furthermore, Regain Records is very content with the fact that we are still working with the band GORGOROTH and the fact that we choose to support the rightful owner of the trademark, namely Roger Tiegs (aka Infernus). This has always been our main priority during the various legal proceedings which have involved GORGOROTH in one way or another.”

Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Label: Regain Records

So Johan Norman of Soul Reaper and Dissection fame runs into Alexander Friburg from Juggernaut and Karneywar and they decide to start up a band. Call up Necrophobic’s throatworker Tobias, a drummer named Jonas, and eventually an unknown guitarist named Ewo, and they’ve got a full lineup. And with that lineup they create an album that is some seriously creepy sounding blackened death metal.
Riffs are fast and furious, with leads that sometimes go a bit slower, to lead you along. The drums are blasting like motherfuckers, and Tobias is a wonderful vocalist for this band. It’s like all the great things about Belphegor, Dissection, and Ackercocke mixed with some Behemoth and Morbid Angel, and retaining that sense of melodicism and brutality that only the Swedish have mastered.
My favorite tracks are “Jaws of Satan”, “Black Velvet Wings”, “Slaves to Anguish”, and the gorgeous super Swedish sounding instrumental track “Blackened Souls”. But of course, what band has a title track that doesn’t kick ass? Because “World Destruction” as a song is unfuckingreal.
This is one band that is not fucking around, and I don’t think that they’re going anywhere but up in the metal world. Taking us to hell every step of the way. And I know i’m going to love the journey.
8.5 out of 10.