Genres: Death Metal, Thrash
Label: Pulverised Records

All hail the Master of old school death metal!
Master’s newest assault on the senses is fast, brutal, and politically charged. There’s great riffs, great solos, and great vocals. But at times it touches cookie-cutter territory, taking the same riff for too long, or similar riffs used in different songs. Thankfully, these times are few and far between, leaving the listener to bang their head to good stuff like “Twisted Truth”, “Suppress Free Thinking”, and the album closer “Impale to Kill”.
If you’re looking for American death metal the way that it should be played, while adding in some thrash and punk elements, look no further than The Human Machine.
7 out of 10.

Master on MySpace.

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Genres: Ambient, Metal, Rock, Shoegaze
Label: Independent

A CD that was unexpected in my mailbox, Auternus was not unwelcome. Their soundscapes are very much reminding me of a cross between A Perfect Circle, whom they cite as an influence, and My Bloody Valentine, with some Isis for flavor.
According to their promo package, they’re playing a lot of shows, getting distributed, and just all-around trying to get their music out there. These guys are working their asses off, and I’m sure that if I didn’t review this CD, you’d still hear about them in time.
If you’re into ambient that’s not boring, or metal-edged rock that makes you think a little, check out Auternus.
7 out of 10.

Auternus on MySpace.

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Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Label: Independent

German melodeath? Sweet! I was totally stoked when I got this CD in my mailbox, and now I’ve finally gotten the chance to actually LISTEN to it. And I’m really liking it.
Creeping Maid aren’t 100% original in their delivery, but when it comes to the odd keyboard work, they’re at least 80% original. The keys really stand out for me because they are somewhat symphonic while the guitars, bass, drums, and vocals are death. Really cool mix.
I’m also really happy with the definite lack of anything that ends in ‘core with this album. It’s pretty much just straight up melodic death reminiscent of Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, and maybe a bit of Opeth’s old material, all with a much gruffer voice courtesy of Christian Hardies, who also plays guitar. They cite Obituary, Dismember, and Bold Thrower as influences.
In all, Creeping Maid have put out a great listen that I’d recommend to fans of Swedish and German melodeath. You can get it through the band, just message them on MySpace.
6.5 out of 10.

Creeping Maid on MySpace.

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Genres: Death Metal, Doom
Label: Candlelight Records

Fuck I love doom, as anyone who’s read this site for awhile can tell you. My favorite album of all time is doom, and it spawned half of the name of the label that Typhon and I run together (Deathless Reality Records). My fourth favorite album of all time is doom too, and now, a new favorite is discovered.
October Tide is a band with tons of history, and only three albums. They formed during a short break-up of Katatonia, founded by Frederik Norrman and Jonas Renske, and they’ve barely done interviews or played live, only keeping a low profile and achieving a real cult status in the underground. And now they’ve released a new album with Candlelight, and it’s awesome.
Musically, it’s very doomy, melancholic and a little bit just plain depressing. But it’s the vocals that really take the front for me. Deep, throaty death/doom vocals, courtesy of Tobias Netzell. It’s perfect for fans of Griftegård, Draconian, and Paradise Lost.
9.5 out of 10.

October Tide on MySpace.

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Genre: Black Metal
Label: Negative Existence

Their first album in ten years(!), and Maniac Butcher still haven’t lost their touch. This is just goddamn insane straight up black metal, and it’s perfect for those that like an almost more death metal approach to the genre, without entering blackened death territory. Think Marduk, if you’ve never heard Maniac Butcher before, or some of Belphegor’s output, and at times old Peaceville-era Darkthrone.
The sound is raw, trebly, with excellent riffs that stick in your head long after the album is done. It makes you want to keep listening to it, over and over again. Now if only I understood the lyrics; they’re all in Czech.
My favorite tracks are the insane “Bezbozne rouhani…” and the riff-laden “Rozhodnuti nezvratne…”.
8.5 out of 10.

Maniac Butcher Official Site.

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