DEEP PURPLE - Turning to Crime review

 

DEEP PURPLE - Turning to Crime

earMUSIC

At a time when I just started to appreciate one of my all time favorite bands moving into a more prog direction out they come with a cover song compilation. Now of course the precursor argument for this is that DEEP PURPLE started out doing covers on their early albums. Ah yeah I know and I love those albums. But they were re-imaging certain songs from blues and pop music acts into a more psych rock friendly style of the time. 

Be that as it may earlier this year SAXON came out with their album Inspirations which was an all covers album. To their credit it was a decent album albeit they stuck to rock music covers. On here DEEP PURPLE goes way out of the box with their choice of songs to cover. I'll get into them in a few but I give em credit for not playing it safe. 

There's also something else important about this album. The band sounds fuckin fantastic and they're having a blast. With the exception of guitarist Steve Morse, everyone else in the band is in their 70's. Speaking of which Steve Morse, who I never really appreciated as I should have while in DEEP PURPLE, sounds cool as fuck on here. His soloing is absolutely killer as well as exciting.

 

Moving on from there I might have said it before but it bare's repeating. Jon Lord somewhere is smiling because of Don Airey. I mean if you've followed Don Airey's career in hard rock then you know he's done great work. And on here he really shows off his versatility. Finally Ian Paice and Roger Glover as the rhythm section are on fire. But Ian Gillan sure you can't scream anymore but you've steal got that bluesy sound which was always cool.

Now as far as their cover song collection well there's cool, surprising and horrible selections. As far as the cool and surprising go well opener "7 and 7 Is" by the late 60's band LOVE is a decent opener. The band pretty much plays it straight on here. "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" by  HUEY SMITH is damm good especially with Don Airey's piano work. Their version of FLEETWOOD MAC's "Oh Well" is cool as well since the band starts off with it being traditional and then Steve Morse rips in with some amazing soloing. He even adds some prog rock style to the old English blues classic.

Some more surprises, "Jenny Take a Ride" the MITCH RYDER classic is done traditionally but with some better guitar soloing and keyboard accents. Paice's drumming on here is fuckin nuts. Next up is also a surprise, BOB DYLAN's "Watching the River Flow". Never heard the original version of it but DEEP PURPLE makes it sound like a jukebox cut worthy of playing at a Texas juke joint. Also I gotta say their cover of "Lucifer" by the BOB SEGER SYSTEM is pretty damm epic. 

  

As far as the bad (or what I don't like) go well to me they're very bad. There's the jazzy "Let the Good Times Roll" from RAY CHARLES. Basically not might type of thing but hey they, mainly Don Airey, do a good job with it. Their cover of LITTLE FEAT's "Dixie Chicken" is somewhat straight forward. I'm sure this was a Steve Morse pick. I've always hated LITTLE FEAT so there you go. Ian sounds horrible singing this cut.

Next up in the bad dept, I'm surprised to say it but their cover of the YARDBIRDS' "Shapes of Things" tries to owe much to the original but switches to the Jeff Beck Group's version in mid song and ends up being boring as it closes. Then there's the whatafuck is up with doing JOHNNY HORTON's "The Battle of New Orleans"? But of course there's CREAM's "White Room" which is their second insult to great 60's rock. Sorry Steve Morse but your solo ain't Clapton. 

The final cut on here is a throwaway jam of touches from the JEFF BECK GROUP, BOOKER T and the MG's, the ALLMAN BROTHERS, LED ZEP and the SPENCER DAVIS GROUP. Yeah gimme a break. The coolist thing I've heard from DEEP PURPLE of late was their jazz inspired rendition of "Smoke on the Water" which I saw on a French TV show. All in all the first half of the album is cool but the ending is questionable.

https://www.ear-music.net/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJpUNGaldCI

TOWER - Shock To The System review

 

TOWER - Shock To The System

Cruz del Sur Music

The "big thing" in metal for 2021 was legacy bands putting out new long awaited releases. Then this album drops and I'm like, really? After one listen to TOWER's second full length I pretty much forgot about the legacy's. TOWER, a five piece act who hail from New York, take their influences from early metal (late 70's/early 80's) and retrofit it with some modern energy.

Just to point out the obvious, Shock To The System is a perfect title. From the onset of this album and over all of it's ten tracks, this is high energy stuff. Let me add to that. This is kick ass fuckin metal. We're talking full on anger, power and aggression that has long been missed in modern day metal of this type. 

First off you've vocalist Sarabeth Linden who's singing style is akin to a gutsy screamer. The truth is she can wail like a fuckin banshee. Add to that the twin guitar team of Zak Penley and James Danzo who pretty much tear things up via great old school riffs and dynamite solos. Finally there's the newer rhythm section of bassist Jack Florio and drummer James Jones. Both of these guys seem to have melded well into this band and bring the force of the past to the present.

So with a force of talent, a feel for rage and ability to write impressive songs it's obvious TOWER's second album has to be one of the best metal albums of 2021. Aside from everything I've mentioned there's cuts with galloping rhythms, some pure speed metal anthems and some melodic numbers which grab hold of your psyche. From start to finish this album is perfect.

https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/blog/

LISTEN HERE:

https://towernyc.bandcamp.com/releases

KK's PRIEST- Sermons of the Sinner review

 

KK's PRIEST- Sermons of the Sinner

EX1 Records

So do I have to explain this band? OK I will, so years ago KK Downing, guitarist and founder of JUDAS PRIEST, left his long time band. He was suppose to have retired from music. Well not for long because here we have his new solo band. Obviously KK is not done with his former band. Duh! Now to those who are in the know yeah KK is doing his thing which is all PRIEST related and has Tim Ripper Owens on vocals. Les Binks was supposed to be on drums but had to drop out because of health issues. So basically you already get the idea that KK wants to continue on in the mode of his old band.

Now when the band came out with a teaser song/video from the album a few months ago I, as well as everyone else, gave it a listen. After hearing that cut I kinda thought that KK and company were going to revisit PRIEST's Jugulator/Demolition days aka: The Ripper era. But after giving this album a few listens I can say that's not the case, completely. Actually after two listens to Sermons of the Sinner I was not happy with it at all. But I figured lets give it another shot. So I spent two more days playing it before and after work. From that I can say there's some cool things about it as well as the same things I don't care for.

So as for the good things about this album. Sermons of the Sinner is/sounds like a PRIEST album. KK is/was the riff master from that band and on this album he shows it. Then again what else would you expect? After a retro 80's style intro titled "Incarnation", it's KK kicking things off with a signature whammy bar wail which kicks into the opening track “Hellfire Thunderbolt”. Now regardless of the tracks on here, I hear a lot of 70's and 80's era PRIEST style riffs. Of course there's some songs on here which remind ya of PRIEST's post 80's output. The title track could've been an outtake from Painkiller. 

Some other highlights on here consist of the amazing solos by A.J. Mills. Plus KK gets to cut his teeth as well. Then of course there's Tim "Ripper" Owens whose vocals are always good. He's probably happy to get a paying/playing gig and out of his bar. As far as the rhythm section goes, Sean Elg's drum work is steady 70's/80's style with a flair touch here and there. Bassist Tony Newton is also playing it the same but adding a few runs when he can. So yeah that's all the good stuff.

So what is there not to like? Well this album is missing three things. Those three things are Ian Hill, Glenn Tipton and Rob Halford. Be that as it may KK is without his best co-songwriter Glen Tipton so there are some songs which have totally fucked up structures. Remember Nostradamus, well yeah some of that crap is on here. Next up is Ripper, sure you're not Halford and you'll never be. But when you're Ripper and thinking you're still in ICED EARTH you're not that fun to hear.

So that's my not so humble opinion on Sermons of the Sinner. Half of it is decent while the other parts are horrible but there's sections which try to bring it up to stuff. So KK Downing's debut is a worth while release for any PRIEST fan from the old days. But for some strange reason I wanna listen to Turbo. I'll give it a decent because it's a debut. A friend of mine called it a demo for PRIEST in order to let KK back in the band. I doubt that will happen but ya never know.  

https://www.ex1records.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkcrWhGyZFs

VARIOUS ARTISTS - 4 Way Split compilation review

 

VARIOUS ARTISTS - 4 Way Split compilation

Sludgelord Records

Welcome back to the wonderful world of four band compilations. Instead of four bands contributing one song a piece, which kinda sucks, These acts get to include a handful. So basically it's like getting four EPs on one disc. By the way that's a good deal.

As far as the bands go you've got WALLOWING who are a blackened sludge act from England. Sludgelord Records released the band's debut full length, Planet Loss, back in 2019. Their two tacks on here are decent as far as bands performing in that sub genre go.

Next up is a band called THIN and I have no info on them. Basically their a grind band of the newer school chaotic style. Their eight cuts on here are nothing to scream about unless you count what their singer does which is screaming. Their contribution goes into the headache pile. 

They're followed by SLABDRAGGER, a three piece sludge metal act from England. What is up with England's new found sludge rock mania? Basically they're a cross between EYEHATEGOD and the MELVINS on a good day. Their three songs on here are representative of an OK day.

Finally there's VIXEN MAW who again I have no information about. But musically they're noise, grind or whatever the fuck horror inspired experimental stuff you care to call it. I did hear a female voice scream on one of their songs. Personally not my thing but hey you might like em as well as this compilation since the variety is awesome.

LISTEN HERE:

https://sludgelordrecords.bandcamp.com/album/4-way-split?from=fanpub_fnb_pr

VAHRZAW - The Trembling Voices of Conquered Me review

 

VAHRZAW - The Trembling Voices of Conquered Me

Transcending Obscurity Records

Since it's inception as an extreme music genre blackened death metal was usually recognized in two ways. First off you had the harsh yet melodic style and then the dark brutal stuff. So around 10 to 15 years ago bands started to expand from that template in order to incorporate more in order to come off as original. Most of that was bringing in doom or tech death elements. 

But recently there's been some bands who twist the template in experimental ways which will make you say "Whatafuck". That's where we are now with this fourth full length by Australia's VAHRZAW. The band has been around since the mid-90's and who knows what they were doing years ago. This is my first time hearing them. Obviously they've been honing their craft in order to get where they are now. Of course I'm guessing on that last point because after listening to this they would've made their mark already.

So musically take your blackened death template then add a chaotic twist. That twist contains atmospheric breaks, tech death song structures, a mix of harsh and brutal vocals, guitar solos which are either dive bomb, melodic/hypnotic or prog based. From there add death doom, thrash and some sludge metal. That's your recipe for this album. It's book-ended by two acoustic guitar intro pieces, there's another prog element. I'm still at that "Whatafuck" stage.

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://vahrzawband.bandcamp.com/album/the-trembling-voices-of-conquered-men-death-black-metal

NATTVERD - Vandring review

 

NATTVERD - Vandring

Osmose Productions

Now before I get into this one there needs some explaining. This is the third installment of a trilogy which NATTVERD started back in 2019 with their EP Skuggen. The second part came with 2000's Styggdom full length. So basically it's a package deal but if ya want to start here you would not be wrong. 

For those of you late for the trilogy party, NATTVERD are a black metal act from Norway. Yes it's Bergen, Norway to be exact. Yeah I can just see the excitement in your eyes over that truth bomb. The band has been around for over a decade. But their debut release was the Vi vet gud er en logner full length from 2017. 

Instead of going through the past parts of this trilogy and making comparisons. I'm just going to point out what's decent about this release and the band overall. Then later I'll add some commentary on the trilogy. Musically NATTVERD truly follow in the footsteps of their fore-bearers. The basic template is second wave black metal with all the bells, whistles and generic structures. but then it gets better.

A few times NATTVERD will kick into some black n roll which sounds so fuckin cool. They temper their aggressive blast-beat / tremolo riff action with some fine atmospheric elements as well as sincere melody. If you're familiar with the first two installments of the trilogy then you're thinking they saved the best for last or the band just progressed to a higher plane.

Personally all I can say is that this is the best thing I've heard from NATTVERD. Then again in the grand scheme of black metal 2021 it's not overwhelming. If this band could hear me I'd say no more trilogys. Just take what you do on here with the amazing drumming, the varied vocal style of harsh and satanic frog as well as the cool song melodic yet punishing song structures and advance it to the next level. 

Chances are NATTVERD are already working on that so I can't wait for that one. But as far as this goes if you've followed the trilogy from Skuggen onward then you'll like this. My thinking is that Osmose Productions will eventually release the trilogy as a box set. If you're gonna wait for that then never forget NATTVERD.

https://www.osmoseproductions.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/vandring

BESATT - Supreme and True at Night review

 

BESATT - Supreme and True at Night

Witching Hour Productions

So if you're into black metal, and frankly who isn't, than Poland's BESATT is a house hold name to you. They were for me years ago but unfortunately I kinda lost track of em. Still I consider their albums from most of the 2000's to be damm good. I'm talking about Hail Lucifer, Hellstorm, Sacrifice for Satan, Black Mass and Triumph of Antichrist. Just for the record I never did get a copy of their 1997 debut In Nomine Satanas. I know fuck me right?

After that is where I lost touch with the band until I got 2012's Tempus Apocalypsis which was pretty damm good as well. But I lost touch with em again until now. So here we have the eleventh full length from BESATT. Now remember people they do have all those short form releases, which I never bothered to collect. So for starters there's a couple of things going on here which I'll go into.

First off this is the new BESATT with Beldaroh (bass and vocals) as the only original member from back in the day. The other three band members have been around for the past ten years. The second thing which I think is important is that they really haven't changed at all. BESATT 2021 (or at least Beldaroh) are still carrying the torch for second wave black metal. I mean the band started out originally in 1991 so we're talking legacy here. 

But as far as this modern version goes I've gotta say Beldaroh still sounds like a blackened banshee with those screams of his. To me as a fan that was always the point which pulled me in. The second point is when he does those spoken word invocations as if he's a drunken priest. To me that adds so much beauty as well as interest to the vocals. 

Third and the real important point is how BESATT still come up with ways to make second wave black metal exciting. I mean what set them up in the first place was their way to invoke savage sounding tremolo ice covered riffs and rhythms. But then quickly switch to a melodic and atmospheric style. And on here those parts are played well with some tasty guitar solos which bring beauty to this hate filled beast.

This year has been interesting for any black metal fan. The newer acts, in my not so humble opinion, have not shown any depth other than copy and paste from the past. And yet you've got BM acts from the past putting out amazing music which will carry on for decades. This latest album by BESATT is obviously one of my favorite BM albums of this year. 

  

https://store.witchinghour.pl/

LISTEN HERE:

https://besatt666.bandcamp.com/album/supreme-and-true-at-night

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Death Metal Power From Beyond compilation review

 

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Death Metal Power From Beyond compilation

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Honestly when it came to extreme music in 2021 it's only been hearing new death metal which has given me enjoyment. If you think that's odd well for me it ain't. Listening to this reminds me of an episode from my past. It was decades ago I was in a drunken pissed off rage. This couple lived with me at the time and the girl was trying to calm me down. She was saying "But Wolf what about your friends?" To which I replied "Friends? I have no friends. My only friend is death!" That's when the guy said "Man that's funny as hell. That would be a great album title." I agreed, smiled and wasn't so mad anymore.

So yeah in 2021 death metal has been my friend once again and of course this is a great compilation to celebrate a long time friendship. This originally came out in September. It sucks that I'm just getting into it now. I was stuck listening to some legacy band's long as hell album for weeks only to end up calling it a stinker. But as we all know death metal doesn't have a born on date. Out of all the extreme metal genres it never expires. So like with all good compilations there's some bands on here I'm familiar with and others totally new to me. 

Let me tell ya something, out of the sixteen bands on here it's the ones I'm hearing for the first time that are kick ass. Now as far as the bands I know of (and maybe you to) there's RIBSPREADER, UNDERGANG, COFFINS (who do a NIHILIST cover on here), RUIN (the California DM act who feature two former members of GRAVEHILL), ANATOMIA and NOMINON. Their tracks are phenomenal. 

As far as the new bands are concerned the ones on here that are fuckin incredible take influences from past greats like GRAVE, INCANTATION and dare I say HOODED MENACE to name a few. Secondly they're not copycats in fact they're basically taking what was done before and giving it some modern tweaks to make it somewhat their own. 

I'm talking about standout bands like CEMETARIAN from Texas, INFAMOUS GLORY from Brazil, RECKLESS MANSLAUGHTER and SACRIFIXION who are both from Germany and SERAPHIC DISGUST from California. But then again I like everything on this compilation. You should too.

https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/death-metal-power-from-beyond

MORTAL VISION - Mind Manipulation review

 

MORTAL VISION - Mind Manipulation

Redefining Darkness Records

Ever since the Thrash Revival from over a decade ago it's been hard to find plenty of acts doing something worth some long standing impact. As the years have gone by I'll find one per year that does standard thrash well. What I mean by that is that the band has an obvious past influence but manages to inject something new into it and yet keep the excitement of the early days alive. 

MORTAL VISION, a four piece act who hail from the Ukraine, are a band that deserves recognition for doing everything right with modern day thrash. Mind Manipulation is their debut full length and it's pretty damm amazing. As far as influences go the band touches on old SODOM aka: their Agent Orange era. But that's mainly in certain song structures. 

This band uses what I previously mentioned as a stepping stone and climbs up from there. The riffs are savage and yet inventive which makes each cut interesting. The soloing takes on a hypnotic touch. You can actually hear some bass work being prominent. And of course the drum work takes on a savage quality with so many amazing fills . The vocals are a gruff low fi blast furnace style. Add to that a few Tom G. Warrior grunts.

All in all this debut release comes off like a band of veterans delivering their third or fourth release. Obviously practice makes perfection. MORTAL VISION are the new band in the thrash genre that need to be referred to as the top of the line. At least from me they are now.

https://shop.redefiningdarkness.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://mortalvision-ua.bandcamp.com/album/mind-manipulation

SEER OF GALLOWS - Entropy of Holocene review

 

SEER OF GALLOWS - Entropy of Holocene

Iron, Blood and Death Corporation

Well the skinny on this one was it's supposed to be black metal. After the two and half minute opening intro it was obviously not. What we have here is blackend death metal which ain't a bad thing. This Swedish act follows the genre template well but add some interesting parts which gives forth to exciting moments. 

The whole sound scenerio here is one part haunting atmosphere and another part an avalanche of overwhelming sonic riffs. Part of the riff package is tremolo ice where as other parts is flat out DM punishment. The vocals come off as blast furnace speak which I'm always a fan of. It's a sinister death vibe singing style that wins over everyone.

At first I was not into this release mainly because I'm blackened death out this year. But the latter part of this release won me over big time. When the song "No Lingering Stellar Remnants for Life to Cling On" kicks in you're like enthralled into this cold, grim, cosmic atmosphere. You are in it's grip and yeah this is when you say that's fuckin black metal, to a point of course. The album closes strong which is a benefit and makes it worthy to check out.

https://ibdclabel666.bigcartel.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://ironbloodanddeath.bandcamp.com/album/entropy-of-holocene

MASK OF SATAN - Underneath the Mire review

 

MASK OF SATAN - Underneath the Mire

Iron, Blood and Death Corporation

If you're gonna name your band after the title of a great old Italian horror classic then you better live up to that name. After giving this one the once over I'll give it to em. This is the second full length by this Finnish death metal act. Albeit this is the first time I've heard em. This record label is also new to me. But after checking out their website I was very interested in their roster. 

Now of course since I'm an old fucker, a DM fan of old and a collector of early Finnish death metal I can clearly say these guys don't hold any semblance from their homeland fore-bearers at all. But hey what else is new. To be honest this band has a death n roll feel to em. They also add a bit of groove to their agenda. They also know how to rip your head off with speed. And oh yeah I kinda like it a lot.

We're talking about a band whose sound is covered in grim. You've got yer brutal styled vocals which come out in line with the music. Sound-wise the band come off rough and it sets them apart from most new DM whether it's OSDM or the more polished sect. Their riff selection is fairly diverse featuring beating people up type of groove and some trudging stuff which builds into more beating people up type stuff. 

In the end I'm kinda floored by how great as well as uncanny this band is when it comes to their style of DM. I mean it's nine cuts long and when you get to that last song "The Black Goat" your mind will be blown. If they're vying for the death metal throne of Finland then they've got my vote.

https://ibdclabel666.bigcartel.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://ironbloodanddeath.bandcamp.com/album/underneath-the-mire

INSIGHT - Chapter I: Before the Trial EP review

 

INSIGHT - Chapter I: Before the Trial EP

Dying Victims Productions

Personally I hate trilogies. You get two decent releases by the band. Then by the time the third one comes out the band seems tired of it. So they throw out some crappy ending to it all. Trust me I've got a bunch of band releases in the three part zone which all end up sucking. 

So when I saw this Chilean band's release as Chapter One I was not even willing to give it a chance. Of course after one listen my attitude changed a bit. The genre skinny on INSIGHT is that they're a speed metal act who started out a few years back. Sure the timeline is right but musically they're early power metal influenced which sounds cool as fuck!

Musically this four piece act is pulling every past influence out of the way and then reclaiming it in their own dynamic. First and foremost are the vocals by Dante Dubo. His vocals would be perfect if this was doom. But no because he sets that clean howl over some aggressive riffs as well as amazing power metal song structures being put forth.

Sadly this is only a four song EP. I mean at the end of the last cut "The Fall of the Forgotten Ones" it was like a friend had crossed the street, was hit by a bus and just died in front of me. No that's not how you end it but hey it's a trilogy right? 

https://www.dying-victims.de/

LISTEN HERE:

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/insight-chapter-i-before-the-trial

SEXMAG - Sex Metal EP review

 

SEXMAG - Sex Metal EP

Dying Victims Productions

There are those times when I ask myself, normally whenever I'm listening to some crazy band's release, WHY? I mean seriously why do I write about what is essentially underground music when I could easily be a scribe repeating bullshit for mainstream pop music. I mean sure I'm not some college radio loser who figures writing PR for labels will get them into the big leagues aka: yellow journalism for a free weekly.

Why? Because I'm essentially a sick fuck who feels a kinship, to a point, with the musicians who create this music. Case in point, if you saw that a band named SEXMAG was playing at a local venue and you had a choice to see them or say METALLICA at a huge arena who would you go see?

So let me tell ya about SEXMAG, there's your answer. This four piece act hail from Poland and are a sleazy sounding thrash act that have more of a punk/hardcore edge than you would guess. Like many other releases from this label the sound on here is raw to the point of demo quality. That's not a rub because this label puts out non-bullshit releases. You will not get Andy Sneap over-produced schlock or  Joel Grind generic stuff.

SEXMAG are definitely in the depths of low-fi which is cool especially if you're old like me and remember bands who just didn't give a fuck about production standards or label / genre adherence. Just play what you want and let the losers walk away while the rest of us start a pit and slam into each other. 

The songs are sung in Polish. The vocals are a mix of caustic screams and guttural vocals. The guitar lines are actually exciting and almost have a surf music quality to em in the rhythm riff department. The soloing falls into that insane dive bomb versus face ripping mode. And of course the rhythm section, especially the drumming, pulls off the insane job of making it all come together well.

https://www.dying-victims.de/

LISTEN HERE:

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/sexmag-sex-metal

HOUR OF 13 – Black Magick Rites review

 

HOUR OF 13 – Black Magick Rites

Shadow Kingdom Records

I love how the promo for this reads "Shadow Kingdom Records is proud to present HOUR OF 13's long-awaited fourth album, Black Magick Rites." Ah yeah well actually this was a self release from a year ago. But anyways it's good to see this band available to the masses again in a full length status. That's as opposed to the many compilations and short form releases we've seen since 2012's 333 full length. 

Originally HOUR OF 13 were a North Carolina doom band from the late 2000's. That's were I came in to liking them. Everyone loves a local. Basically it's always been a one man project by multi-instrumentalist Chad Davis. The band's early releases had Phil Swanson on vocals who was an amazing singer. But that duo didn't work out. So over the remaining years Chad has taken on the full time vocal duties which appear on all of the short releases he's done since the last full length. 

Once again on this full length HOUR OF 13 come away with a sound which is touched with one foot in the majestic past and the other stepping forward. Musically for part of this seven song release Chad pushes the melodic doom approach from past releases. His vocals come off more like punk gothic than what any fan of past works with Phil Swanson are use to. 

Over the time this release moves on to a pattern of old school doom (but not SABBATH) simplicity which does inject some life with a energetic guitar solo or two. But the barren landscape of copying past greats gets it's fill put forth to a point where you're like OK enough. As much as I like 70's influenced and early 80's doom, as well as bands emulating it. I'd rather not spend my time listening to a release where I try to guess which past artist is this modern recording copying.  

https://www.shadowkingdomrecords.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-magick-rites

THYRFING - Vanagandr review

 

THYRFING -  Vanagandr  

Despotz Records

The last time I was listening to THYRFING was a few weeks ago when I pulled out their Hednaland early demo's compilation from 1999. Great stuff on that release which I didn't get until around a decade ago. Be that as it may I've been a fan of this Swedish Viking inspired black metal act since their self titled debut from 1998. 

I followed their career as a fan up to 2005's Farsotstider. But after than my appreciation for em waned. When THYRFING released Hels vite in 2008 it was their subtle change album. The band had lost frontman Thomas Vaananen and guitarist Henrik Svegsjo. The big change was the introduction of new vocalist Jens Ryden (formerly of NAGLFAR) as well as a darker, moody sound. Although it was not bad I was still stuck in their past.

Fast forward to the here and now. This is the band's eighth full length. Their last one, De odeslosa, came out in 2013 and which I ignored. So I figured there's been plenty of time gone by and maybe my ignorance from years ago about em might have changed. After giving this a listen I went back to my copy of their Hels vite CD and compared. Of course if you're into the whole Viking influenced black metal genre you're main worry is the bands you like go into the whole prog route.

Thankfully THYRFING hasn't fallen to where their Norwegian peers have gone. Right from the opening track on here, "Dop dem i eld", it feels like I've come home to an old friend. Yes Viking black metal with some epic touches along with folk influence. The songs are simple but the keyboards make em feel majestic. The melodic song structures come over as inviting. I really do like Jens Ryden vocals on this one as opposed to years before. 

In the end Vanagandr is pretty damm good. It's like the band took a step back to their roots and found a good way to make it new for most of the album. They combine the darker elements well with the melodic blackened atmosphere. That latter sentence deals mainly with the final cut on this album, "Jordafard". It's a fantastic as well as epic way an album of this kind. 

http://despotz.se/

LISTEN HERE:

https://thyrfing.bandcamp.com/