Heavy Metal Tribune

Mar 29

Heavy Metal Tribune #009 (April 2013)

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OUT NOW: Heavy Metal Tribune #009

Rotting Christ graces our cover this month, with mainman Sakis telling us more about the process behind their new full length release, Kata Ton Daimona Eaftou. We then have Nader Sadek talk to us about his fascination about petroleum on his project, In the Flesh, and how the all-star lineup came about. Primitive Man is the Sounds of the Underground band of the month, featuring Ethan from Clinging to the Trees of a Forest Fire. Kathir tells us more about his new band, The Wandering Ascetic and how it is different from his main band, Rudra, on our Asian Spotlight column. Finally, we have Italian stoner metal/Southern rock duo Tombstone Highway talk to us about their long-awaited debut, Ruralizer and the brewing stoner/doom scene in Italy.

Read it all here:

View this document on Scribd

We will be announcing outlets where you can grab your copy of #009 soon, so keep your eyes peeled! Foreign friends of Heavy Metal Tribune, as usual, cancontact us for a copy of issue #009 (P+H of USD2.00 applies).

Tags: Agonia Records, Black Metal, Death Metal, Egypt, Folk Metal, Greece, Italy, Nader Sadek, Primitive Man, Rotting Christ, Season of Mist, Singapore, Sludge Metal, Sonic Blast Media, Southern Rock, Stoner Metal, The Wandering Ascetic, Tombstone Highway, USA

May 17

Album Review: Johansson & Speckmann – Sulphur Skies

Categories:

Album Review, Full Length

by hongrui

Johansson & Speckmann - Sulphur Skies

Johansson & Speckmann [Sweden/USA]
Sulphur Skies
2013
Full Length
Vic Records
Death Metal

Rogga Johansson and Paul Speckmann are both masters (pun unintended) in their own sub-fields within the death metal genre, with Rogga being quite a figurehead in Swedish death metal and Paul being the mastermind behind the excellent, long-running death metal band Master. So what better news for death metal fans than that of the collaboration between these two, resulting in a full length release this year, Sulphur Skies, under the banner of Johansson & Speckmann, simple and self-explanatory.

It indeed leaves one rather curious as to what the results are gonna be like, yet at the same time when listening to Sulphur Skies, the results are perhaps not at all that surprising, considering the similarities that Master and Swedish death metal sound at times. The opening riffs of Everyone Rots is already evident of this, and not only the riffing style and the guitar tone, but also the haunting and wailing leads at the background quickly reminds one of pioneering Swedish death metal acts such as Entombed and Dismember. Songs like Spiritual Wasteland for instance brings about some Grave and Bloodbath comparisons as well, and with Rogga’s portfolio this is hardly surprising at all.

But as soon as the characteristic vocals of Speckmann comes in, the band then shifts their sound to a more death/thrash sound that is more similar to Master. The drumming of Brynjar alternates between the d-beat style of Swedish death-n-roll and the more traditional death metal blasting, and these elements fused together help to bring about some slight Autopsy comparisons as well.

With two experienced death metal heads joining forces on one release, there is certainly no shortage of excellent death metal material over here. There are the usual speedy and thrashy tracks like Sulphur Skies and the slower, and more crushing ones like Taste the Iron. However, for the most part it seems that Rogga has had a stronger influence over the songwriting and direction of the band over here, with most of the tracks bearing extremely strong Swedish death metal tendencies. But with the quality of the material that these two monsters have produced, this is hardly a point for complaints at all.

Everything on the record is old school, and apart from the music that points to early death metal, the production of the album is also raw as fuck, topped off by the grotesque artwork that has graced death metal covers since the early days.

Johansson & Speckmann on the internet:
Vic Records

Tags: 2013, Death Metal, Johansson & Speckmann, Sweden, USA, Vic Records

May 16

Album Review: Impalers – Power Behind the Throne

Categories:

Album Review, Full Length

by hongrui

Impalers - Power Behind the Throne

Impalers [Denmark]
Power Behind the Throne
2013
Full Length
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
Thrash Metal

Along with the numerous outstanding thrash metal acts that have spawned forth of late, Denmark joins in the fun with Impalers releasing their debut full length album Power Behind the Throne, with two prior demos under their belts.

The clean guitar lines on album opener Fear helps to build up some uneasiness in the listener, but the band quickly goes into overdrive, and as the first riffs of Impalers hit the listener, the old school thrash influences that the band has in their music sensibilities are immediately obvious. As soon as the band starts to go full speed ahead, one is quickly reminded of the Bay Area style of Testament and Exodus, fused with the extremity of early Teutonic thrash such as Destruction and Kreator. Songs like See What I See even brings about some Slayer comparisons with the speed and seeming chaos on the track.

For instance the lead work of guitarist Thomas at times can get rather reminiscent of works by characters such a Kirk Hammett, and along with the somewhat technical feel of songs like Power Behind the Throne and the vocals of Saren, comparisons to bands such as Lich King and Havok are drawn as well. The solo on the title track even draws influences from old school heavy metal, and his style would certainly fit comfortably on, say, a Metalucifer record without any awkwardness at all, with that sense of melody without compromising any technicality.

The old school feel is summarised and emphasised by the production quality of the album, with the rather raw and unpolished sound helping to provide a nice 80s feel to the music.

With thrash releases of late often bearing such high levels of musicianship, it is hardly any wonder that thrash has once again started to become the genre of great interest to me. While originality is hardly key for such releases, Impalers have certainly proved and displayed their knowledge and proficiency in the genre with Power Behind the Throne.

Impalers on the internet:
Facebook
MySpace
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Tags: 2013, Denmark, Horror Pain Gore Death Productions, Impalers, Thrash Metal

May 14

Album Review: Svart Crown – Profane

Categories:

Album Review, Full Length

by hongrui

Svart Crown - Profane

Svart Crown [France]
Profane
2013
Full Length
Listenable Records
Black/Death Metal

When I first encountered French black metal in the veins of Blut aus Nord and Deathspell Omega, I found it hard to understand, much less enjoy these bands. Fortunately, I chanced upon the somewhat more conventional style of Svart Crown with their first two albums, Ages of Decay and Witnessing the Fall, which felt like a nice bridging album between the styles that I was more familiar with and the uniqueness of French black metal. This year sees the band releasing their third full length album in the form of Profane, and with the pleasant surprises that Svart Crown has presented so far, it has certainly got me rather excited.

The style that Svart Crown has laid down on their previous two albums are still rather clear as the band introduces their sound with the introductory track Manifestatio Symptoms, but with the riffing style of Clement and JB, they manage to bring in a slight Polish sound with that chugging and crushing style, sounding as though Behemoth or Hate were playing French black metal. As soon as the madness starts proper with Genesis Architect, one is treated to a dosage of nice, brutal, yet somewhat experimental and unique blackened death metal, and with the combination of the brutal death metal-styled riffs along with the dissonant chords that are in abundance on the album, one can’t help but draw comparisons to their compatriots Aosoth.

The music on Profane also displays the growth of Svart Crown as songwriters, with a marked increase in the complexity and maturity of the songs. While the band retains the elements that they originally displayed on previous offerings, the songs on Profane are much more complex, with the band going through different styles, time signatures and emotions within a single track. Furthermore, the musicianship and chemistry within the band is also evident with the band sounding extremely tight throughout the rollercoaster ride, displaying the technical mastery of each of the members. Drummer Muller’s role in particular is extremely noteworthy and personally enjoyable, as he provides much of the drive on the album.

The atmospheric aspects are also rather prominent on the album, especially on slower tracks like Until the Last Breath, sending shivers down one’s spine. The constantly high tension in the air, combined with the technicality and complexity on Profane, extreme metal fans who enjoyed the recent Nader Sadek and Ulcerate releases would certainly also enjoy Svart Crown‘s latest opus, albeit with a slightly more blackened touch to it.

Svart Crown on the internet:
Official website
Facebook
MySpace
Listenable Records

Tags: 2013, Black Metal, Death Metal, France, Listenable Records, Svart Crown

May 13

Album Review: Gardarika – Chthonica

Categories:

Album Review, Full Length

by hongrui

Gardarika - Chthonica

Gardarika [Russia]
Chthonica
2012
Full Length
Independent
Progressive/Thrash Metal

The visual aspects of Russia’s Gardarika felt almost like a pagan, folk or viking metal band, but on their second full length album, Chthonica, the band surprises me, instead presenting a proggy style of heavy/thrash metal to the listener.

Opening track Hive Mind quickly puts one in the right perspective, as the galloping riffs of Ivan hit the listener, and the catchiness in the music instantly gets one bobbing his head along with the band. The talent is immense over here, and each of the members in the band certainly display that throughout. Guitarist Ivan’s fretwork is impressive, and he displays his versatility, going from neoclassical-inspired shredding styles to more melodic and emotional soaring solos, especially on title track Chthonica. Bassist Serge is also outstanding on the album, with his bass presence being rather high throughout, and with plenty of moments on the album giving him time to display his chops like on Nevertheless where he displays his lead style of playing.

Throughout Chthonica, the band’s songwriting skills are also constantly displayed, fusing melody and catchiness with some slight progressive elements, with some rather complex passages that are littered throughout the album. There is also a nice balance of different styles and emotions on the album, and while the first two tracks present a galloping, neck-breaking experience, the band suddenly goes into ballad mode on The Night and Unbending Intent, with the strong emotions reminding me of ballads by power metal bands such as Sonata Arctica, especially in the progression of the track and the melodies on it. This 9-minute long track even brings in some rather operatic elements, creating a large sound that easily overwhelms the listener.

My only real gripe of the album is Alex’s vocals, and this honestly took me quite a number of listenings to get used to, though there are moments where the entire feel and sound of the band bring to mind legends such as Control Denied, and on the ballad he definitely manages to bring out the emotions.

As might be expected, Gardarika‘s main focus on Chthonica isn’t really on the heaviness of the music, but the soothing melodies of the songs on the album have definitely made this a rather enjoyable experience, though if one were to place more attention on the crafting of the song, one would easily realise that there is more than meets the eye on this deceivingly easy-listening album.

Gardarika on the internet:
Official website
Facebook
MySpace
BandCamp

Tags: 2012, Gardarika, Independent, Progressive Metal, Russia, Thrash Metal

May 11

Album Review: Volbeat – Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies

Categories:

Album Review, Full Length

by hongrui

Volbeat - Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies

Volbeat [Denmark]
Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies
2013
Full Length
Vertigo Records
Heavy/Groove Metal

I’ve heard Volbeat‘s name being thrown around for quite some time now, but never really thought of checking them out until a friend brought them up a couple of months back, telling me to check their performance at Wacken 2012 out. Since it was professionally filmed footage of their entire set, I thought “why the hell not?” and got instantly hooked on their groovy yet heavy music.

So here we are with Volbeat‘s new album, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, and I have to say there is not a single moment where I don’t find myself enjoying the stuff that the band has placed on the album. The album Intro quickly gives a quick hint to the band’s country/Southern tendencies, and the acoustic guitars and the harp all give a nice buildup in the album. And as soon as Pearl Hart begins, it is one non-stop groovy journey for the listener, as the familiar and charismatic voice of Michael Poulson (the very thing that attracted me to Volbeat in the first place) comes on the audio.

The stuff that is on Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies see the band further polishing their style, with the big riffs and hooks being extremely radio-friendly, yet maintaining the heaviness and intensity that makes them such a charming act, with songs like Cape of Our Hero. Also, as usual the band has managed to bring in a rather wide range of influences on the album, ranging from the usual country influences, to rock and roll to early Metallica-styled thrash metal, like on the heavy riffs on the intro of Dead but Rising. Along with that there are the also rather subtle displays of technicality, in particular the drumming of Jon who manages to switch styles with complete ease.

There is also a whole host of guest musicians that are present on the album, and perhaps the most prominent one is King Diamond on Room 24, lending his vocals to what is already an excellent album. It is also here where the band displays their ability to write any form of music at all, with the sections with King Diamond‘s vocals being rather suitable for his classic brand of heavy metal, reminding me of my first encounter with Abigail, easily sending chills down my back. Sarah Blackwood’s vocal contributions on Lonesome Rider also adds some nice sex appeal as well, with her vocals being extremely enchanting, and with songs like that on the album, it ensures that one’s ride will never really be lonesome.

Volbeat on the internet:
Official website
Facebook
MySpace
Vertigo Records

Tags: 2013, Denmark, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Vertigo Records, Volbeat

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