Funeral Rain Press Corps

Ah, Shaytan Productions. You’ve been so patient with me over these past couple of months. You see, I’ve been sitting on this review for about three months now and I’m FINALLY getting around to listening to it. I don’t know why, either. It’s destructive Italian black metal with some English and German lyrics with an Egyptian theme… *whew*

With that being said, there are a lot of other things that I could say about this offering. A LOT of things. But instead, I’ll sum it all up with this simple statement: HOLY FUCKING SHIT THERE’S A LOT OF AWESOME STUFF GOING ON IN THIS EP!!!  …Ok, you’ll probably need more than that to go on, won’t you?

First off, let’s talk about those vocals. Fucking killer! Quintessential black metal vocals that range from typical shrieks to tortured throaty screams! Every bit of which is used very effectively to tell various stories about mummification, purification and the end of the world! The guitar in this is more on the minimal side of things, but is once again, used very effectively. The riffs are tuned way down low, giving us that earth rumbling, “the end is nigh” sort of feeling. During the course of Awaiting The Golden Age, I had to keep checking the sky to make sure that it was really falling or turning blood fucking red! And now, the background meat of this EP: the synths and the like. Whenever there is programming in my black metal, I tend to get a little iffy about it. “Ewww.” I think. But solo honcho Hell-IO-Kabbalus managed to make what should of been a tinny, unattractive offering into a powerhouse of auditory awesome with orchestral stings, xylophones and various strings populating this twenty one minute EP. Somehow, H-I-K made Mantra For The End Of Times feel much longer in the process as well. Not that it really matters though. You’ll probably do like I did and just keep it on repeat for a day or two, looking for and find new things to love about it many times over.

Simply epic. Every note.

Overall: This is one of those releases that you just cannot in good conscience, let people not know about and can’t seem to recommend enough. I implore you good readers (at least, those of you who even kinda like black metal), track down this EP and snatch it up! You won’t regret it!

10/10

Kalki Avatara On MySpace

Genre: Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Power Metal
Label: AFM Records

Oh my, oh my. What to call this? Good, for one, that’s obvious. But really, genre wise, what should I say? It’s got a ton of Power Metal, some Gothic Metal, Symphonic Metal, and Progressive Metal. And I think there’s even some thrash elements smacking my eardrum here.
How about this: Neverland bring a Progressive Symphogoth Power Metal to the listener that hearkens to Judas Priest-meets-Lacuna Coil-through-Metallica-covering-Iced Earth. Sound fucked up enough for you? I assure you, skeptic, that it works. Wonderfully. I’m genuinely liking Neverland a lot, and their awesome sound on Ophidia. It’s got Metalgasmic solos, a stunning rhythm section, and some seriously awesome traditional metal vocals.
If you call yourself a metalhead, you’ll like this. If you worship at the Temple of Trad, you’ll love it.
7.5 out of 10.

Neverland on MySpace.

Genres: Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal
Label: Candlelight

Well holy shit. Honestly I figured I’d be throwing on some thrash when I played this but that is a big resounding no. This is some bonecrushing proggy stuff that’s part Meshuggah and part Dimmu Borgir, who Xerath name drop as influences. Thunderclaps and beautiful keyboards drop off into a maelstrom of brimstone scented riffs and you’re tossed around like a rag doll in a tornado, unable to stop banging your head. Until “Interlude” comes in, at least. It’s a gorgeous keyboard tune that really fits with their “chug-score” style of playing.
If you’re into metal that makes you think, you should check out Xerath. And if you just prefer metal that you can beat the shit out of people in the pit to, Xerath fits that bill too. They’re fucking good.
Favorite tracks are “Nocturnum”, “Interlude”, “False History” (watch for a video of this song sometime soon), and “Abiogenesis”.
7.5 out of 10.

Genre: Gothic, Black Metal, Symphonic
Label: Napalm Records

The brainchild of Morten Veland (that guy from Sirenia, Elusive and ex- Tristania), Mortemia blends elements from black metal, gothic metal (if that’s really even a genre) and even death metal to present to you, the listener, Misere Mortem. Can he pull it off without sounding too much like a Dimmu-Therion clone? Let’s read on…

Ok, so there are certain things you expect from a guy like Morten: melodic guitars, harsh vocals and clean structures. Mortemia has all of this so fans of his previous work won’t be disappointed one bit. There is an engulfing symphonic tone to it all as well that is helped along with the addition of a gothic choir that chants the choruses and accentuates the powerful riffing and semi-clean vocal approach. The thought that one man can put all of this together is inspiring to say the least!

Overall: Dark, powerful and overwhelmingly beautiful, Misere Mortem is a jewel in the already studded crown of Mr. Veland. If you dig the darker side of metal but don’t want the pretentious Satanism or to have to associate with pissy the black metal elite, then this is your album.

8.5/10

Mortemia On MySpace

Originally posted on E-MetalSpace

Genres: Black Metal, Depressive Black Metal
Labels: I, Voidhanger Recordings, ATMF

Alright then. So Midnight Odyssey bring out a disc full depressive black metal, with symphonic leanings. And I’m having trouble getting into it.
I think it’s mostly the vocals, which are not all that “Burzumish” as being marketed as. The music itself is pretty, and played well. But almost mechanically. Almost like Dis Pater is not feeling the depression that his album is supposed to be made of.
In all, an okay album, but I’d rather spend money on something else.
6 out of 10.

Midnight Odyssey on MySpace.