PANZERKRIEG 666 - Wolfpack EP review

 

PANZERKRIEG 666 - Wolfpack EP

Human Noise Records

This is a band that I learned about last year via their self titled debut EP. PANZERKRIEG 666 are a two piece black metal act hailing from Germany. At the end of my review of their debut I had written that I'd like to hear a full length by them or just keep these amazing blackened EPs coming. Obviously I got the latter.

Be that as it may what I found interesting about PANZERKRIEG 666 before was their major lyrical/song ideas which were about war. Part of which was about the whole war concept while other songs were about historical events. Of course this is from a band who, if you're up on current European events, is seeing a modern war play out at their back door. 

On this release the band, HvS who performs all the instruments and MvM who is the vocalist, pretty much repeat all the cool things from their debut. Musically they're a rough version of mid period MARDUK. In other words the production values are modest. As a vocalist MvM does have a harsh delivery which is cool. Musically the riffs are decent but of course it's the songs which matter.

Opener "Flamethrower 41" is a face burner, pardon the pun, that gets this thing going. "My Lai Massacre" includes some sound bites which I believe come from CBS news. It's my favorite cut on here with it's varied riff speed. Trudging riffs paired off with thrash style runs. The rest of this EP is just speed driven black metal fury. Great stuff but of course better production and a full length would be killer.

https://www.human-noise-records.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN9LSyI9bt8

BUZZARD - Gambler reissue review

 

BUZZARD - Gambler reissue

Dying Victims Productions

Of course the greatest thing about doing this blog is discovering cool new extreme metal. But on the other hand it's also cool to hear about something unearthed from the past. Case in point Belgium's BUZZARD who released this their only album back in 1984 on Atler Records. I believe Dying Victims Productions deserves major props for this reissue because this album rocks.

I've been stuck listening to this reissue for a few weeks now, yeah every day. I say that because it's pure sounding metal from 1984. It's got plenty of straight up rockers for example opener "Stone-Hard and Loud" which just grabs ya by the collar and screams "METAL" in your face. Yeah you've got great 80's era riffs, cool fiery solos plus real guy vocals. If there's one song on here that describes this band it's the album's second cut "We Are Heavy Rockers".

A quick history of BUZZARD is that the band started out in 1979. As is expected the band went through a fair amount of line-up changes over the years up to the recording of this album. And from what I've read it continued after this album came out. Prior to this the band did put out a demo in 1983 titled A Strange Gang.

I listen to this album and think OK sure it's from 1984 at a time when PRIEST, MAIDEN and DIO were kings as well as METALLICA and SLAYER were in the wings. But this album just fuckin rocks. There's a couple of melodic numbers but they're not ballads, thank you very much. The rest of it just fuckin rocks. And I say that with plenty of enthusiasm because I remember 1984 so well. 

So why did this band die after putting out something so great? Well the album was released at the end of October 1984. The following week their guitarist Steev Deceuninck was involved in a motorcycle accident and was in a coma for a week and a half, requiring three months of rehabilitation. When he recovered the band returned to doing shows. They did work on a follow up album but in February 1986, they decided to call it quits.

Be that as it may this is a hidden gem.

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

LISTEN HERE:

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/gambler

IRON KOBRA / ATOM SMASHER – Split review

 

IRON KOBRA / ATOM SMASHER – Split 

Dying Victims Productions

I feel like I've gone back in time to my days of writing about and reviewing two song 7"ers for print fanzines. For you younger readers I'm speaking of those pre-internet stone age times. You might've heard about em along with a thing called a typewriter. 

And speaking of old times (ya like that segue) here we have two German bands who sound-wise love the 80's. They each contribute one song each. First off you've got IRON KOBRA who for are a band that's been around since 2009. They fly the flag of true heavy metal and over the years they've come out with two full lengths (both of which you can get from this label) as well as a slew of short form releases. Their contribution here is a cool song "Malicious Magician". They have a MAIDEN-esque sound with soaring vocals.

Next up there's ATOM SMASHER who have been around since 2010 but didn't record anything till recently. In 2020 they came out with a two song EP The Age of Ice. Then a year later they appeared on a four way split titled Iron and Hell Vol. One. Their two song contribution to that was their songs from the EP. On here their track is "The Law", as in "Metal is The Law". Musically ATOM SMASHER come across as a quirky NWOBHM sounding act. The guitar soloing as as bass soloing are amazing. So yeah I'd like to hear a full length by em.

Now of course with split release reviews I treat em like wrestling matches. On here I know who should win but hey ATOM SMASHER wins.

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

LISTEN HERE:

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/malicious-magician-the-law

FROZEN DAWN - The Decline of the Enlightened Gods review

 

FROZEN DAWN - The Decline of the Enlightened Gods

Transcending Obscurity Records

For those of you who are fans of Black Metal, and frankly who isn't, then this release might be something of a surprise. Now for me personally over the past decade or so the BM genre has done well in progressing further then expected. Also it was done by the musicians and not prodded by outside instigators pushing a non black metal agenda. Sure you're always going to have the stalwarts screaming infernal hails. and of course I like that a lot. But nowadays you're hearing certain acts creating epic soundscapes suitable for some cosmic Sci/Fi horror film scores. But this album has known of that.

This is the fourth full length by Spain's FROZEN DAWN. They've been around since the late 2000's. They're a three piece black metal act who like the mid 90's melodic style of the genre. But to their favor they're not a generic throwback to the past. And frankly I'm getting a little bored with the whole throwback thing. On the contrary FROZEN DAWN make this style of BM more relevant to your modern BM listening audience. The band takes the style of the past, injects their own personality into the music and tosses in a lot of cool shit. 

Throughout this ten song album (nine originals and a NECROPHOBIC cover of "Blinded by Light, Enlightened by Darkness") you're like hell yeah this is an old school sounding treat. I mean it's got it all as far as icy tremolo picked riffs, solid drum work and harsh fiery vocals. But then the crazed guitar solos kick in. That's when your generic tinged mind goes "wait a minute". Then again the band throws in song structures differ from melodic BM as well. "Frozen Kings" is a cool sounding thrash influenced track which is damm good. "Wanderer of Times" also pushes a blackened thrash element. I think in the end this is worthwhile to check out. 

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://frozendawnbm.bandcamp.com/album/the-decline-of-the-enlightened-gods-black-metal

LEPER COLONY - Self Titled review

 

LEPER COLONY -  Self Titled

Transcending Obscurity Records

So if you're a Rogga Johansson fan, and after all of these years of me writing about em who isn't. Then you might want to clear another CD shelf in order to fit in this one. I feel sorry for those vinyl collectors out there who live in two bedroom apartments. But be that as it may I've said it before and it always needs to be repeated. Rogga Johansson is the most prolific death metal musician in Sweden. 

Now with that said and considering the fact that his main band PAGANIZER put out one of the best albums of 2022, aka: Beyond the Macabre. You would think Rogga would take a fuckin break. Well no and that's why we have here the debut album by LEPER COLONY. This band consists of Rogga Johansson on guitars and bass. Plus there's Marc Grewe (formerly of Germany's MORGOTH) on vocals. And finally you've got drummer Jon Skare from the Swedish death metal band CONSUMPTION.

As far as this debut goes it's really like MORGOTH 2.0. Now that's not a bad thing. I like MORGOTH's first two albums (aka: Cursed from 1991 and Odium from 1993) but that third album sucked. Now MORGOTH, minus Marc Grewe, did put out an album some years ago but I never checked it out. So yeah this is MORGOTH 2.0 and it's damm good. 

Now seriously it's Rogga Johansson who is the star in LEPER COLONY. Sure the guy is the absolute king of Swede Death. But listening to his riff package on this album. It's clear he went back to the early MORGOTH albums and the guitar work of Harald Busse and Carsten Otterbach who passed away a few years back. I absolutely love what he's doing on this album whether it's the intense riffs, the slight melodies or the minor solos. Plus the bass work which shines through.

"Rapture Addict" and "Leper Colony" are my favorite tracks on here. And yeah Marc Grewe sounds damm good after all of these years. Plus Jon Skare delivers some killer drum work throughout. So yeah this album nails everything in my not so opinion of perfection. This is one of those albums you could/should listen to for a long fuckin time!

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://lepercolonydm.bandcamp.com/album/leper-colony-death-metal

GATEKEEPER - From Western Shores review

 

GATEKEEPER - From Western Shores

Cruz Del Sur Music

So a few years ago (2018 to be exact) this Canadian band came out with their full length debut, East of Sun. Musically it was in the vein of that past epic heavy metal sound. Yeah I'd also say they were leaning into power metal. Toss in some MANOWAR influence as well as some others, yeah too many to name, and you had a decent album. Yeah it was cool and had plenty of variety in the song writing style. 

The band's mainman, guitarist Jeff Black, had started GATEKEEPER in 2013. Their debut EP, Prophecy and Judgement, from that year is still highly praised to this day. So when I saw that this new album was coming out I was seriously interested. Then I started listening to the release and thought hey this is different. Yeah in the interim between albums Jeff Black made some line-up changes. 

For starters you've got new vocalist Tyler Anderson who I'll say is better suited for the whole power metal sound then previous singer Jean-Pierre Abboud. Also there's a new guitar slinger in Adam Bergen who replaces Kenny Kroecher. The rhythm section of bassist David Messier and drummer Tommy Tro are still in the fold. 

Listening to this album I'm automatically reminded of how ICED EARTH and HELLOWEEN started out but made subtle changes in their progression soon afterward. GATEKEEPER is in that vein of moving forward from just being a cool sounding throwback act to full on power metal greatness. OK sure I'm pushing the hyperbole again so they're not in that camp of major greatness yet. But From Western Shores puts them in the fight for 2023 at least.

There's eight cuts on here. The album opens with the title track. It's a powerful one and when the chorus hit I was like hey that's a different singer. Of course musically it's great with a solid guitar solo. What follows is a mix of melodic numbers with a slice of viciousness here and there. Jeff Black delivers on some solid riffs throughout. But I got to give it to the additions of vocalist Tyler Anderson and guitarist Adam Bergen. They've made this band better.   

https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://gatekeeper.bandcamp.com/album/from-western-shores

SARCOPTES - Prayers To Oblivion review

 

SARCOPTES - Prayers To Oblivion

Transcending Obscurity Records

A few decades ago it was one man black metal acts being touted for creating amazing arrangements. But after a while their limitations started to show. Nowadays it's the two piece acts which are the real mind blowing phenomenon. Case in point here we have this two piece black metal act from California. 

The band is made up of Sean Zimmerman who handles guitar, bass and keyboards. Then you have Garrett Garvey who is drummer and vocalist. Together this duo creates some ferocious sounding thrashy black metal with subtle symphonic touches. Now if I had to guess just from the releases' overall sound. I would've thought this was a five piece act. So it just goes to show never doubt the abilities to dedicated musicians.

Prayers to Oblivion is the second full length by SARCOPTES. They do have two EPs as well. The key to this dynamic duo's music is savage guitar riffs, maniacal precision drum work and violent raspy vocals. The added synths bring on the symphonic touches but as I mentioned earlier it's subtle in a timely manner. It all comes across well arranged and with some superior production.

 

This album contains five cuts with three of em going over the thirteen minute mark. When was the last time you heard a blackened thrash act do a thirteen minute opus? Next up is that all five cuts on here deal in the subject of war and tragedy in specific ways. Opener "Trenches" deals with World War 1. "Spanish Flu" obviously deals in the subject of that early 20th century disease outbreak. "Tet" and "Massacre at My Lai" both deal in Viet Nam War history. I haven't figured out what "Dead Silence" is about except for forgetfulness of those who perished under these tragedy's. It also contains the one great stand out guitar solo on the album.

All in all Prayers To Oblivion is a pretty amazing release. While listening to this multiple times I couldn't help but think of ABSU. Maybe I see them as an influence because of the drummer / vocalist thing as well as having a running theme to shape the album. And their previous releases also fall into that perspective. Add to that the overall impact of the song writing and the power in conveys upon the listener. I can't imagine how they can recreate this in a live setting. But either way it's a great listen.

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://sarcoptesblack.bandcamp.com/album/prayers-to-oblivion-black-metal

SATANIC WARMASTER - Aamongandr review

 

SATANIC WARMASTER - Aamongandr

Werewolf Records

So this one came out at the very end of December 2022, December 30th to be exact. I gave it one listen but was involved in everything else that came out previously in the year as an end with a listing of the top releases. Here I am a few days later blasting it and well I'm liking it enough to say it could've been one of the best black metal releases of last year. But then I am bias when it comes to SATANIC WARMASTER as well as Finnish black metal.

My respect of this band, well it's basically mainman Werwolf, goes back a while. I got into em back in 2001 via the Strength & Honour album. From that point onward I've picked up every full length plus a decent bunch of the short form releases (EPs and Splits). I don't have the full collection but I'm content with what I have so far. The last album by SATANIC WARMASTER, 2014's Fimbulwinter, was to me a step out of the typical necro Finnish BM style. I like that album a lot and expected more. 

Unfortunately time has dragged on. So here we are many years later and Werwolf returns as if he has something to prove. And on this his sixth full length, that's not to mention all of those short form releases, he's proved quite a few things. First and foremost he's not wimped out by watering down his sound in order to appease the naysayers. And if you're a fan then you know who I'm talking about. There will be no Sauna Metal for Werwolf. 

Aamongandr is a showcase of old school necro blackened Finnish metal filth plus a touch of symphonic elements. Werwolf has not all out embraced early EMPEROR but there is a more grandiose feel to certain cuts. The opener "Bafomet" is a reminder of the past. But what follows on tracks like "Duke's Ride" or "Beserk Death" shows some style changes which was evident on the previous release. 

It's not just the sound but the overall songwriting style which allows for more melody and atmospheric breaks to clash with the overall harshness which you expect from Werwolf. I like he uses the keyboards as a far in the background rhythm sound. A totally great late 90's technique which has been lost. Of course the riffs are ice covered tremolo picked magnificence. Yes they are amazing and the pace is brutal.

The best way I could end this description is that Werwolf is in a better mood. Aamongandr is a powerful release still beholden to the old school BM Finnish tropes but at times seeking outside influences which about really cool sounds. Now I have a new favorite SATANIC WARMASTER album.

https://www.werewolf.fi/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zViV_K8FhHU

71TONMAN - Of End Times review

 

71TONMAN - Of End Times

Transcending Obscurity Records

The band's name pretty much tells you almost everything you would expect. What we have here is an exploration through the center of a black hole. Yeah this is heavy and dense atmospheric sludge metal. Trust me I'd love to have cranked this one on the outdoor back deck speakers on New Years Day morning say around 8 AM. My neighbors with hangovers would literally die of cranial trauma. Heads would explode! 

This is the third full length by Poland's 71TONMAN. I first learned about em back in 2021 with their War Is Peace /Peace Is Slavery EP. Now I've mentioned it a few times over the years that I'm personally sludged out when it comes to this genre. But every once in a great while a newer band will bring back my interest in the genre. 71TONMAN did that with their EP and now we have this new full length.

What you have here are four long drawn out cuts spanning just short of forty minutes in album length. As the title Of End Times indicates the four cuts are all about the end of it all literally. And in using sludge ridden doom to illustrate the point. The band manages to create suffocating and dismal interpretations of "Conquest", "Plague", "War " and "Famine". Those are the titles of the songs on here.

Please note that this band are not breaking new ground in this genre. But they are all about breaking things, mainly souls. The riffs just fuckin crush in a unforgiving torturous way. Misery hasn't  sounded this good in a while for me. The vocals still come off as if sung by a drunken bear. And I mean that in a good way. Finally I love how well the drum work is delivered on these cuts.

What a great way to start the new year with a not so fresh optimistic attitude.

https://tometal.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://71tonmanband.bandcamp.com/album/of-end-times-sludge-doom-metal