Roxin Palace – Freaks Of Society

Taking a moment to catch up on highly enjoyable propositions a technology crash meant were missed, we suggest checking out Freaks Of Society, the second album from Italian rockers Roxin Palace. Offering up thirteen slices of contagious rock ‘n’ roll armed with wicked hooks, juicy grooves, and anthemic dexterity, the album is very easy to find an eager appetite for. Its rousing incitement fuses sleaze and hard rock with equally tasty metal and heavy rock essences. They are not always flavours which ignite our appetite generally but it is fair to say Freaks Of Society just hits the spot, barely losing its potency across its tenacious body.

Formed as Modern Middle Ages in 2011 by guitarist Crown, formerly of Revoltons, and drummer Hell, once of Elvenking, the subsequently named Roxin Palace completed its line-up the following year with the addition of rhythms guitarist Slaver, bassist Garret, and vocalist Axel. The band were soon working on their self-titled debut album, its 2013 release backed by a growing live presence with the band sharing stages with the likes of Phantom X, Salamandra, and Jettblack over time as well as make a highly successful appearance at Metal Days (Slovenia) where they lined up alongside bands such as Obituary, Satyricon, and Manilla Road.

2014 saw major changes as Axel, Slaver, and Garret departed with Al and Gian coming in on vocals and bass respectively. Attention then turned to the writing of the second Roxin Palace album, its release coming via Sleaszy Rider Records towards the end of 2016, an arrival still drawing keen praise and fresh hungry ears its way.

Freaks Of Society opens up with its title track, a carnival of theatre with increasing portentousness and threat to its air and presence. Its dissipation opens the way for Monsters Love to bound in, initial melodic mists quickly speared by driving riffs and crisp beats. Al’s vocals are just as eagerly enticing, becoming more excitable as energy boils within the eighties flavoured charger. There is also a thrash urgency and aggression which adds to the fun, the song a strong start though soon and regularly overshadowed as the album reveals its adventurous enterprise.

The insatiable drive of Gangs Eraser has ears instantly alert next, the wiry grouchy bassline especially thick bait as the song brews a melody rich and tempestuous proposal. At times it is a seductive croon and in others a snarl of discontent, a union of contrasts which becomes even more tempting as its drama unfolds and infests the psyche before Thai Of Mine lays its salacious rock ‘n roll upon the senses. Like a mix of Mötley Crüe and L.A. Guns, the song climbs over the body like a wanton temptress and though it does not quite meet the heights of those sandwiching, pleasure is full.

Postatomic Hotel similarly has that familiar eighties groove, their melodic rock hues luring ears with ease though it is the chorus which seals the deal; its catchiness and tone pure flirtation. It is a quality which also lines the contrasting croon of L.A. Mist, its melodic tapestry the seed to fiercer sonic flames and dramatic weaves of energy and emotion. Both tracks captivate but still pale a little against the out and out stomp of Monkey Junkie, a growling, air punching slab of pure rock ‘n’ roll which enslaves within its first horny groove.

Similarly Rockers Of The Eagle has the passions lusty; Gian’s carnal bassline alone instinctive kindling backed by wiry grooves and flirty melodies as beats pound.  The great group vocal backing to Al is a constant strength within Freaks Of Society, and again strong enticement to get involved here with the Crown’s guitar weaving compelling strands of imagination to entwine it all.

Through the southern rock liquored Neighbourhood Stars and Fading idol with its whiff of Thin Lizzy and punk rock raucousness keep pleasure at a high while Freak? backs up their success, if without quite matching their heights, with its flaming theatre and emotion. It only has ears in its melodic thrall though, Crown’s web especially bewitching as it completes a trio which alone shows the adventurous and varied nature of the release as well as further glimpses at inspirations easy to suggest the band draws upon; Skid Row and Shotgun Messiah coming to mind.

The album is completed by firstly F.A.N., an antagonistic rumble pouring attitude and heavyweight metal belligerence into every rhythmic swipe and steely groove. With the bas s again pure carnal pleasure, the track takes favourite status before Little Lizzy completes the release with its stirring dirty rock ‘n’ roll with Al a blaze of vocal dexterity.

Certainly Freaks Of Society is not the most unique thing you will get your claws on this year but in many ways that is not the aim; Roxin Palace creates fresh rock ‘n’ roll with existing ingredients, infusing them with their own adventure which Freaks Of Society proves its highly enjoyable.

Freaks Of Society is out now via Sleaszy Rider Records through most online stores.

Overunit Machine/Roxin Palace Tour Dates

01-04-BOSS GARAGE-KRAKOW

03-04-T.B.A

04-04-T.B.A

05-04-MIKE’S PUB-CLUJ-NAPOCA

06-04-ROCKNROLLA-IASI

07-04-PRESA PUB & GRILL-BUCHAREST

http://www.roxinpalace.com/   https://www.facebook.com/roxinpalace/

Pete RingMaster 27/03/2017

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

Mortuary – Nothingless Than Nothingness

Formed in 1989, Mortuary has been a potent protagonist within the French metal scene, certainly since the release of their debut album Hazards Of Creation seven years later. The well-received release followed a clutch of demos and awoke the beginnings of broader recognition for their brutal death/thrash onslaught of a sound. Now the band release their fifth album in the ferocious shape of Nothingless Than Nothingness, a beast of a record which might not turn the extreme metal world on its head but definitely gives it a rousing roar to contemplate in 2016.

Since that first full-length, Mortuary has unleashed a trio of attention whipped albums in Eradicate (1998), Agony in Red (2003), and G.O.D. (Glorify Our Destroyers) (2010)whilst live their sound has scarred stages alongside the likes of Coroner, S.U.P., Obituary, Krabathor, Agressor, Hypocrisy, Hatesphere, S-core, and Severe. As Nothingless Than Nothingness rages against ears and sparks the imagination, the album suggests Mortuary is ready to entice a whole new wealth of appetites with its accomplished and maturely honed anthemic barbarity and step into broader spotlights.

The initial industrial apocalyptic scenery of brief opener Only Dead Witness grabs ears first, its portentous air soon building into a muggy and intimidating confrontation led by the vocal scowl of Patrick Germonville. Amidst raw suggestiveness spread by guitar and bass, the stirring beats of Johann Voirin provoke a more energetic bellow of riffs and intensity before the scene setter eventually drifts off into the jaws of Empty. An unbridled onslaught from its first few breaths, the second track savages and incites as thrash and death metal collude in a punk infested rampage. The bass of Jean-Noël Verbecq prowls this with zeal as the track careers over the senses, sparking an infectiousness soon taken up by a variety of vocals and the sonic enterprise of guitarist Alexis Baudin.

For all its fearsome breeding, the song is ultimately primal rock ‘n’ roll more than matched in success and prowess by both Tube and Above. The first is a hornet’s nest of grooves and nagging riffs with rhythms just as unrelenting in their cantankerously violent way whilst its successor emulates the predatory toxicity with its own exhaustive and vicious barbarism aligned to a groove loaded tempting. As all songs, the pair reveals unpredictability to the addictively infectious elements colouring their walls of hostility and a creative adventure and craft which may get a touch overwhelmed by the tsunami of intensity but leaves the imagination as enthused as ears.

Through the crusty yet refreshing air and rabidity of Pleasuffering and the hellacious ride of U-Man Slept, K-Os Crawled, the album whips up an even more mouth-watering and debilitating storm. Both tracks come thick in rage and striking flavour blending enterprise whilst Yesterdead straight after has a touch of fellow French hardcore metallers Yugal to its brawling, punk infused trespass.

Song by song, Nothingless Than Nothingness just seems to get stronger and more compelling; whether from raising the ante in invention or by the wearing down of the listener and psyche and it continues with the searing rancor and sonic ferocity of K and in turn the hardcore festering enmity of Morbid Existence. The first of the duo also explores calmer, more ambience hued ventures within its diversely textured landscape of varied metal whilst another furious onslaught of passion rousing death punk ‘n’ roll has the listener in its inescapable grip in the second before the brutalising smog of sonic and rhythmic bad blood that is Kingdom surges through ears with the infectiousness that as much as anything marks out Nothingless Than Nothingness as something to eagerly devour. Once more the band push ideas and expectation avoiding turns within the aural tirade, keeping attention and appetite as intrigued as the sheer force of the encounter feeds bloodlust.

It is a mighty end to an excellent offering from Mortuary; an album to heavily please and leave pleasure thick whilst pushing the band further to the fore of extreme metal.

Nothingless Than Nothingness is out now via Goregeous Productions @ http://goregeousproductions.bandcamp.com/album/nothingless-than-nothingness

https://www.facebook.com/mortuarynancy

Pete RingMaster 20/01/2016

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

For more exploration of the independent and promotional services check out http://www.zykotika.com/

Blood Divisions – Self Titled

Blood Divisions, band and EP is the coming together of a host of metal’s talented for a two track encounter that without sending excitement into overload provides one very satisfying offering. The self-titled proposal will also see a portion of proceeds raised by sales donated to Rock & Rescue, a charity helmed by acclaimed producer Jay Ruston, as well as the Warren County Tennessee Humane Society; that alone is worth the investigation and offering of your cents and pennies.

Released via Metal Blade Records, the EP features two cover songs brought to life by the likes of, amongst many, Ralph Santola, Dave Austin, Greg Gall, Terry Butler, and Chris Jericho (full list below); the latter when recently talking about the project stating “BLOOD DIVISIONS is an all-star collection of some of the most talented musicians to ever come from the legendary southern Florida metal scene. Being a HUGE fan of all of these musicians and their legendary bands, especially Nasty Savage, when David Austin himself asked me to lay down the vocals, I responded immediately, ‘YES! What songs do you want me to sing and how many studded leather gauntlets can I wear?’ I’m so honored and proud to be a part of the project and very excited with the results. Trust me, it’s going to tear all of your fuckin’ heads off, in the best possible way!”

First track is a cover of the Nasty Savage incitement The Morgue, a song which has ears and imagination fascinated from its opening breath of keys and sinister dark stringed portentousness. Drama oozes from every choral fanfare and melodically epic enticement as the song grows within ears, it soon settling into a dark chamber of string plucking craft and rhythmic predation lorded over by the distinctive tones of Jericho. Shadows continually come alive as the musical narrative evolves, enthralling ears and attention with only a slight slip of persuasion when the song opens into a more expected heavy metal stroll, though again twists and turns are part of the continuing adventure. There are times it feels like the track is trying to fit in as many of the individual skills of the line-up as it can within the nine minutes or so, and it’s fluidly reflects that a touch but nothing to defuse a thoroughly enjoyable and increasingly alluring encounter.

The second track is a take on the Scorpions classic Top of the Bill, another resourcefully solid version if one which did not take with personal tastes as potently. To be honest our preferences generally never include an appetite for heavy metal/seventies hard rock in their menu but nevertheless and as expected with the musicianship on offer, the track still persuades with a blaze of vocal and creative dexterity in an enjoyable stomp.

Whether Blood Divisions is a one off or something which may as a project evolve we will see, but whichever its EP is certainly worth a moment of your time whilst supporting worthy causes.

Blood Divisions features:

Chris Jericho – vocals

Dave Austin – guitars (Nasty Savage)

Ralph Santola – lead guitar (Death, Obituary, Testament, Iced Earth)

Terry Butler – bass (Obituary, Death, Denial Fiend, Massacre)

Greg Gall – drums (Six Feet Under)

Bill Owen – lead guitar (Purgatory)

John Mahoney – lead guitar (Fester)

Ben Meyer – lead guitar (Nasty Savage, Low Brow, Gardy Loo)

Blood Divisions is available now as a digital EP via Metal Blade Records

Pete RingMaster 31/08/2015

Castrator – No Victim

photo by Jorge Riaño

It is fair to say that the focus of plenty of the carnage and brutality cast by extreme metal songs protagonists are women; ‘weak’ dispensable victims to suffer and be abused as a theme. But now they have a voice and a just as lethal instigator to lead an uprising in the shape of death metallers Castrator, a band turning the tables and dishing out their own unrelenting revenge and creative ruin. The band consists of five pissed-off ladies, but each is also a skilled musician creating a voracious sound and in the shape of the No Victim EP, a debut release to match.

NYC based Castrator is made up of an international and prolific musicians hailing from Colombia, Florida, Mexico, Massachusetts, and Norway. Identities and background are scarce to be honest but the line-up of the band is vocalist M.S., lead guitarist/vocalist P. Serrano, rhythm guitarist M.D. Åkesson, bassist Robin Mazen, and drummer C. Perez. Their sound is sheer death metal ravishment which has led to references to Cannibal Corpse, Cerebral Bore, Dying Fetus, Incantation, Obituary and the likes coming their way. They expel an emasculating extreme brutality which certainly on No Victim rages lyrically, sonically, and emotionally on the listener like a primal tsunami.

     The first intensive examination comes with Honor Killing, a fury of ravenous riffs and excruciating rhythms from its first breath. There is no escaping its ferocious and rabid onslaught, or the melodic enterprise which subsequently veins the tirade of viciousness. The song also has a core swing to its tempest which is as contagious as the predatory riffery driving the incitement, whilst vocally the venomous deliveries have an intensity and uncompromising expression which instils even greater hostility in every syllable spilled. It is fair to say that the band is not worrying the outskirts of originality with the song but it barely matters in the thrilling abusing of ears and igniting of pleasure.

The following Brood has an even heavier destructive breath to its raging, every riff seeming more rabid and rhythm malevolent than the one before, a potency matched by the guttural vocal confrontations. Featuring a guest solo from Immolation guitarist Robert Vigna, the track grows in stature and dark devilry with every minute of every listen, bass imagination and guitar grooves especially flavoursome with their toxic endeavours.

The Emasculator opens on a sample from the film Hostel 2, male destruction the fuse to an unbridled and corrosive sonic devastation of the senses. Hooks and grooves again add inviting spices to the wall of rabid maliciousness but it is an avalanche of sound and rancor unafraid to twist and turn with unpredictable ideation and at times doom bred enmity. It is an outstanding track quickly matched by the EPs title track, itself a cancerous trespass of sound entangled in wiry grooves and blistering sonic spite aligned to a rhythmic tirade and discordance. As its predecessor, the track is a web of at times understated imagination, little turns and sparks of invention swallowed by the onrush of sonic and rhythmic violence but bold enough to still reveal their qualities.

The final two songs offer the strongest uniqueness upon the EP, and all leave appetite and bruised senses hungry for more. ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ the saying goes, and now armed with the craft and attitude of Castrator, the worm has turned within extreme metal with exciting results.

The No Victim EP is available on CD now via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions @ http://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/store/hpgd109.html and digitally @ https://castrator.bandcamp.com/album/no-victim-ep

https://www.facebook.com/CastratorBand

RingMaster 06/05/2015

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

Listen to the best independent music and artists on The RingMaster Review Radio Show and The Bone Orchard on Reputation Radio @ http://www.reputationradio.net

Shadowspawn – Ashes Of Sorrow

Maybe it is no surprise the striking and accomplished presence that Ashes Of Sorrow from Danish metallers Shadowspawn makes given the intensive experience of the band’s members, but that cannot only explain the impressively riveting and ferocious exploits of the encounter. Consisting of six tracks which twist and roar with a technical and creative enterprise as persuasive and impacting as the raw aggression and malevolent charm which soaks the imposing tempest, the Horror Pain Gore Death Productions released Ashes Of Sorrow is a debut swiftly earmarking Shadowspawn as one exciting and seriously compelling proposition.

As mentioned the histories of Shadowspawn’s line-up are drenched in experience in the underground metal scene, the band emerging from the union of ex-members of Cinerator and Gods Secret Army late 2012. Aligning all the creative and hostile traits of old school death and thrash metal with a technical expertise and imagination unafraid to taunt melodies and grooves, the quartet swiftly goes for the jugular and psyche with their sound and new album. The accompanying press releases suggests Ashes Of Sorrow is a must for fans of bands such as Asphyx, Benediction, Bolt Thrower, Death, Disincarnate, Entombed, Gorefest, Grave, Napalm Death, Obituary, Sinister, Unleashed, and Vader, a healthy list indeed but quite simply Shadowspawn will appeal to all with a bent for technical hostility and extreme metal bred voracity.

Opener Mind Shut Down instantly smothers ears in an infectious weave of acidic grooves pierced by a similarly impressing bassline, all punctuated further by the vicious demands of the drums. It is a fierce entrance but equally a compelling and inviting one which darkens as soon as the strong guttural vocals savage syllables and senses simultaneously. As the music, vocally the song shows adventure, a cleaner abrasion of voice adding fresh drama and expression to the just as pleasingly volatile and inventive sounds. Unrelenting in its thick snarl and predatory imagination, the track sets the release off in scintillating style, a level as good as matched by Life Is The Way You Die. Its initial coaxing shows a drama and intrigue which alone draws ears and thoughts deep into its impending malice soaked presence. Drums provide a gripping bait from the off too whilst guitars add abrasive toxicity whilst also venturing into a sonic temptation which is as caustic as it is melodically colourful. It does not ultimately have the same irresistible spark as its predecessor but everything about the song bleeds thoughtful provocation and incendiary persuasion as it reinforces the early stature of the release.

Hellavation stalks the listener next; it’s prowling riffs and matching rhythmic predation a controlled but deep rooting trespass into senses and emotions. Vocally another new passage of ideation and strength is forged whilst grooves and riffs collude to create an inescapable infection, given extra spice and majesty by the captivating flight of celestial aiming melodies. The mix of thrash and death metal is a sultry almost torrid but seductive blend on another pinnacle within Ashes Of Sorrow, a peak challenged and surpassed by both Slaves In Delusion and Sins Of The Deceiver. The first of the pair opens with a gut expelled growl and never loosens its intensive examination of the senses thereon in, even with the soothing melodic enterprise and gripping enthralling invention which clads numerous unpredictable turns in the outstanding incitement. The vocals especially impress and excite; another array of deliveries and textures shown to compliment the grind of beats and riffs aligned to tangy grooves and again a progressive, almost spatial endeavour. The second of the two has the imagination hooked from its opening swing of strings and orchestral ambience, the seducing embrace never far away even as the track unleashes its aggressive and rapacious rabidity in sound and character. Shamanic spices and symphonic whispers only add to the whole theatre of the track, a proposal leaving appetite and emotions basking.

The album’s title track brings it to a mightily potent close, a seemingly barren landscape at the start soon the canvas for an epic festival of destructive rhythms, vociferously corrosive vocals, and an epidemic of invigorating and bracing grooves. It all blossoms within a climate of melodic and raw emotional turmoil, creating a tremendous conclusion to an increasingly impressive and persuasive album.

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Shadowspawn alone, Ashes Of Sorrow stirs up a major appetite and attention for itself and subsequently its creators, a hunger you can only see, on the evidence of this stunning debut, being fed with greater exploits ahead.

Ashes Of Sorrow is available now digitally and on CD via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions @

http://www.shadowspawn.dk/

RingMaster 04/02/2015

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

Listen to the best independent music and artists on The RingMaster Review Radio Show and The Bone Orchard from http://www.thereputationlabel.today

The Dead – Deathsteps to Oblivion

Unleashing their third album, Australian death metallers The Dead confront the senses with an energy sapping, senses consuming slavering beast and that is just the first track upon Deathsteps to Oblivion. The title perfectly sums up the corrosive and emotionally damaging journey the band drags the listener upon. It is an intensive examination of thoughts and emotions traversing a quintet of excruciatingly heavy and intensive soundscapes soaked in a pestilential fusion of death and sludge metal filtered through the darkest doom laded climate imaginable. It is a sound which belongs to all three styles yet is uneasy settling in any, creating its own domain of raw originality which is familiar but more so innovative. It is a harsh and demanding proposition but also one unafraid to melodically and sonically explore its imagination and providing potent evidence as to why the band is so revered in many quarters.

Formed in 2005 with a line-up which included members of Obfuscate Mass and Misery, the Brisbane band swiftly released a demo followed by the Armoured Assassin single in 2006. Following a second demo the band’s self-titled debut album was unveiled the following year, an encounter making an instant and imposing impression on the underground scene. With the Nocturnal Funeral EP subsequently under their belt, as well as increasing their live reputation with shows over the years alongside bands such as Behemoth, Obituary, Kataklysm, Psycroptic, and Ulcerate, The Dead gripped greater attention with second full-length Ritual Executions. Widely acclaimed through its independent release and a reboot through Diabolical Conquest Webzine which evolved into Transcending Obscurity and release the new ravenous exploit from the band, the album lured the broadest attention and spotlights, yet as Deathsteps to Oblivion infests the psyche you sense it was nothing compared to the response the new encounter has the potential to trigger. The line-up of vocalist Mike Yee, guitarist/bassist Adam Keleher, and drummer Chris Morse consume and immerse the listener with an aural suffocation which is as inhospitable as it is inescapably captivating, an incitement stirring up shadows and intimidations which seduce as they savage the senses.

Opener Maze of Fire immediately confronts and surrounds ears with a web of threatening sinister voices, their demonic roars the lure into a wall of debilitating heavy handed riffs and equally destructive rhythms. Within that trap though there is a melodic coaxing from the guitar which sparks the imagination as still varied and intimidating vocals prowl over thoughts with their intrusive narrative and tones. It is a fascinating entanglement to be lost in, especially with the slip into haunting melodic scenery which is as visually potent as the visceral sounds and vocals which soon share its passage in time threatening. It is a track which inspires different feelings and explorations in the imagination with every listen, something apply to all songs on the album, but a perpetually gripping and challenging persuasion.

The following Disturbing the Dead is just as carnivorous in presence and tone, arguably even more predatory as it crawls with torment laden intent over the senses. Its first half is an unrelenting scourge of doom empowered angst and intensity, a thoroughly appetising violation but from there it without losing funereal despair and malevolence, a sonic and creative enterprise is agitated to lure like a beacon in the thick sludgy tar of the song’s insatiable heart. It is an intriguing and suggestive offering which as its last note lingers in the ear, seems like another world to the one dawning on a rally of gunfire and with destructive and blackened voracity, emerges as The God Beyond. It is the rawest assault imaginable, a caustic sonic haze frequented by hate and fury, but temporary as the battle field returns to provoke a richer and clearer, but no less torturous tempest of sound and exploration. A constant test and provocation, the track is a maelstrom which is uneasy on the ear but wholly seductive upon thoughts and emotions. It is a song which it is hard to get a full handle on in sound and narrative but one inspiring a hunger to find the answers within its cavernous despair.

Terminus swerves in on a rhythmic seduction next, tribal and suggestive beats from Morse transfixing with exotic persuasion whilst bass and guitar flirt with their own sonic teasing. This is again just the doorway into the harshest shadows and challenging depths of the band’s creative rabidity, a serpentine breath accompanying the emerging vocal scarring and ruinous air of the track. Of course it is only part of the picture, melodic intrigue and clean vocal tenacity adding their twists to the sonic mystique and imagination which evolves within the black fog of sound. The track sends shivers down the spine as it seduces and gnaws on the psyche, taking best track award though the closing title track seriously challenges there. It too is a smothering tapestry of threat and invitational suggestion, extremes colluding and toying with each other within a cavern of uncompromising and ravenous aural profanation.

The five years between albums has only seen The Dead find new fears to exploit and nuances to discover in listener and their music respectively. Deathsteps to Oblivion is not for the faint hearted or emotionally sensitive, but to challenge and reward the corners of mind and soul it is maybe the most essential must investigate release of the year.

Deathsteps to Oblivion is available digitally or on limited edition CD now via Transcending Obscurity @ Transcending Obscurity https://transcendingobscurity.bandcamp.com/album/deathsteps-to-oblivion-death-metal-sludge

https://www.facebook.com/lordofthelivingdead

RingMaster 19/11/2014

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

Listen to the best independent music and artists on The RingMaster Review Radio Show and The Bone Orchard from

http://audioburger247.webs.com/

 

Loudrage – Uglier Than Thou

2014 is already getting off to a thumping musical year with numerous impressive releases across numerous genres even though barely into its second week and you can add another gem to the growing list in the towering shape of the Uglier Than Thou EP from Romanian death metallers Loudrage. Five tracks of groove infested malevolence which takes the ears and imagination on a rampant dance of incendiary and devilish contagion whilst gnawing away at the insides. It is voraciously compelling protagonist for senses and emotions and easily one of the most scintillating tempestuous assaults daring to molest the psyche in recent months.

     Formed in 2005 and bringing influences from the likes of Six Feet Under, Debauchery, Sepultura, Obituary, Grave, Bolt Thrower, and Deicide into their horror bred malevolence, the Ludus hailing, Transylvania based Loudrage are no strangers to attention and acclaim being named as Best Romanian Death Metal Newcomer in their second year and playing with the likes of Sepultura, Vital Remains, Godphobia, and Rictus Grin in their first couple of years as well as sharing a split DVD with the last of the four in 2007. The following year saw the release of the Rage Unleashed – Tale of a Murderer EP which followed a self-released demo two years earlier. Shows with bands such as Grave, Belphegor, Nile, Opera Ix, Lividity, Furnaze, Nuclear, and Amethyst to name just a few filled the following years as well as the release of the Pungent Roots demo in 2011. Last year saw the quartet of Molester (vocals), Bestial (guitar), Vomital (bass), and Canibal (drums) enter the studio to record their new release and though wide recognition outside of their home territories still escapes them, given luck and attention it is hard to imagine Uglier Than Thou not providing the hefty key to open up new doors in recognition.

   It is fair to say that as soon as opening track Doomed thrusts its muscular intensive frame upon the ear and an instant predacious groove calls from within the tsunami of sound the band has their irresistible hooks in deep. Riffs gnaw away at the senses with torrential persistence whilst the drums clobber the ears with sturdy endeavour and enthusiastic violence. The predominantly death metal track is an unrelenting nagging driven by the guttural squalls of Molester. It is a potent irrepressible mix, arguably not breaking new ground but is virulently contagious especially as little splinters of grooves entwine the tempest from time to time. It is an impressive start to the encounter with greater assaults to come it soon emerges.

     As Long As I Live soon has things instantly aflame as it stomps into view wielding an addiction fuelling groove which wraps around the ears like a salacious temptress. The stroll and swagger of the song is virulent in the extreme, a wonderful carnivorous bass sound constantly chewing upon the infectious lures laid by the guitars alongside corrosive vocals which get better and more impressive as the EP progresses. With the lyrics parading the nastiest dangerous romance and often slight but always open twists and turns to the invention and gait of the song almost taunting, it is a masterful insidious seduction. Again you can argue that Loudrage are revitalising previously sculpted sonic animosity and venom rather than spawning their own but truthfully who cares when it sounds so good.

    Both Fear Me and Suffo-Kate stalk voraciously the new found plateau of the release, the first a thoroughly ravenous intrusion on the senses. Riffs crawl and antagonise the air whilst rhythms show rigid restraint to frame the savagery though still managing to have moments to add their bone splintering spite too. Again the bass feeds the primal beast inside, its stringed jaws a rapacious aggressor alongside the toxic scrub of riffs. Its successor is no less pestilential and more ferocious in its energy and groove lit rabidity. There is also a crunch to the tone of the song, a metallic intensity which infests and resonates in bone and the imagination, whilst the melodic poison raging through the veins and grooves of the track sear and almost asphyxiate the senses. The pair are again pinnacles which linger and drive a real hunger to hear more from the band now and in the future.

     The EP closes with the groove fest of Intruders; from vocals to riffs, rhythms to those wonderfully infernal grooves the song savages with death metal sculpted hips swaying like a whirling dervish. It is an infection which should be quarantined, though only if we are locked inside with its uncompromising, ferocious devilry. It is a blistering conclusion to an impressively hellacious release. There is nothing to fault the EP over apart from debatably it holding a strong familiarity in some ways to established invention, but as mentioned before it is a minor thought before a major triumph and the moment when Loudrage will be a name eagerly thrust around the metal world.

Go grab Uglier Than Thou as a buy now name your price release at http://loudrage.bandcamp.com/album/uglier-than-thou now!

https://www.facebook.com/loudrageband

9.5/10

RingMaster 10/01/2014

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

Listen to the best independent music and artists on The RingMaster Review Radio Show and The Bone Orchard from

http://www.audioburger.com

 

Verdict – The Meaning Of Isolation

A virulent scourge you will want to be ravaged by, especially if your blood boils for thrash metal, The Meaning Of Isolation from German metallers Verdict is an uncompromising slab of riveting extreme destructiveness and mouth-watering savagery. The nine track torrent of aggression and enterprise takes no prisoners and has little time in gentle persuasion, instead it simply and voraciously pillages the senses whilst rewarding with an underbelly of exhaustive yet captivating invention. The release definitely needs time and work to explore but rewards long-term with some addiction sparking technical viciousness and passionate ferociousness.

Verdict began in 1991 with a technical and melodic death metal intent and rage to its sound. Numerous line-up changes followed during subsequent years from which the band’s sound evolved and developed a deeper wealth of thrash hunger to its attack. Debut album Reflections Of Pain of 2002 brought strong attention upon the band and their emerging sound whilst the following full-lengths, Generation : Genocide of 2005 and Assassin: Nation four years later, only empowered their presence which in  turn has led to eager anticipation for the Verdict’s fourth and new album from a great many. Live the band has not left any physical or emotional stone unturned within either as they shared stages over time with the likes of Destruction, Disbelief, Illdisposed, Dew-Scented, Legion Of The Damned, Entombed, Death Angel, Gorefest, Obituary, Nile and many more. Mastered by Dan Swanö, The Meaning of Isolation thrusts the band forward to the frontline of thrash and extreme metal with a masterful display of malevolence and enterprise. The release may be just misses out on threatening best of lists this year, mainly through an arguably too similar a surface storm across many of the tracks and the lack of diversity in the vocals of Daniel “Ratte” Baptista to match the unpredictability and surprise of the music, but nevertheless The Meaning Of Isolation is a thrilling and captivating devastation which leaves the listener exhausted and deeply contented.

Leader Of The Soulless opens up the absorbing punishment with a haunting entrance; a sinister ambience brewing up a swiftly imposing sonic menace which around an inspiring classical stringed melody, intimidates to temper the simultaneously dark seduction. It is not too long though before an artillery of crippling beats from drummer Florian Bauer corrupts the air closely skirted by melodic flames from the guitars of Marius Pack and Dave Hadarik which scorch the air whilst riffs batter its peace with carnivorous urgency. From here the barbarous persuasion is in full flight, the vocals of Baptista as vindictive and merciless as the sinews driving the sounds. It is an intensive start to the album, one unafraid to delve into dark doomier places within its persistent predation.

Manifest Of Hate and Killing Fantasies both keep the malevolence spewing from every antagonistic note and vocal squall, the first charging over the senses with a violent rabidity whilst grooves and sonic invention entwine their venomous craft around the song’s core whilst the second from a delicious dark and brooding introduction with the bass of Dave Helmstetter a pulsating evocative lure, goes on a creative rampage which bleeds intensity and wastes the welcoming senses. It does not match up to the first two tracks overall but still makes a sturdy encounter leading into the similarly impressive if not jaw dropping Layer Of Lies, a track which has a very close related aggressive and melodic cover to its predecessor and needing deeper focus to reveal its individual bait.

Lack Of Insight marks a new upturn in originality and invention within the album, the guitar twisting with bedlamic adventure to cast the first web over the ears before fusing into a resourceful and magnetic weave of intrusive and spellbinding antagonism. The track is certainly no less hellacious than previous songs but unveils a greater exploration and imagination of textures and invention which prevails through the likes of the blistering First To Fight and the creatively pungent Through The Eyes Of A Dead Man, both tracks with grooves and progressive intrigue to light fires within the imagination. The first half of The Meaning Of Isolation is an intense and formidable offering but is definitely exceeded by the second half and it’s more potent daring.

The Meaning Of Isolation returns the senses and dull peace back to its recipient but only after the barbarous Nemesis Of God, the song an exceptional beast which stalks and gnaws the listener from the inside, and its title track which provides another prowling intimidation prone to inventive sonic lashing outs and ruinous brutality, takes their pound of flesh. They complete an excellent album which from an impressive opening stretch emerges as a sadistically pleasing treat. For all thrash fans especially with those holding darker preferences in their hearts, Verdict has given the year an inventive pestilence which leaves no one disappointed or in one piece.

www.verdict.de

www.facebook.com/verdictthrashmetal

8.5/10

RingMaster 12/12/2013

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

Listen to the best independent music and artists on The RingMaster Review Radio Show and The Bone Orchard from

http://www.audioburger.com

Ulvedharr – Swords of Midgard

Constantly snarling at the ear, the debut album from Italian metallers Ulvedharr leaves a wealth of satisfaction in its wake as powerful and invigorated as the thrash/death metal fusion which inspires it. Charged with the blood of Vikings surging through its muscular insatiable veins, Swords of Midgard is an uncompromising and raw slab of brute force which ignites the rampage in all of us. Certainly the nine track release is not breaking into new battlefields of invention but it lays waste to those established with contagious confrontation ripe with captivating aggression.

Founded in February 2011, the Clusone band was initially intended as a solo project by vocalist/guitarist Ark Nattlig Ulv, but as songs were written he pulled in other musicians to bring them to life, Ulvedharr ultimately being completed by lead guitarist Fredreyk, bassist Klod, and drummer Mike Bald in line-up. Their first EP Viking Tid followed as well as a European tour with Blood Red Throne and Cattle Decapitation the next year, with the quartet expanding their growing recognition at home and further afield. The signing up with Moonlight Records for their impressive and antagonistic debut album has given them a platform build from which they have seized hungrily.

The album’s intro sets the scene, its sinews flexing as crisp bone splintering rhythms, a carnivorous bass growl, and prowling riffs badger the ear until tender and prime for the taking by the following Lindisfarne. The track instantly segregates the senses from safety with intensive riffing, exhausting energy, and a barrage of drum forged abuse which is skilled and hungry. Into its rapacious stride the band opens its muscular intent wide for the corrosive tones of Ark to scowl and bend the will of the listener with a brutal but compelling vocal delivery; imagined Viking facial hair and vindictive malice enclosing every brutalised and captivating syllable. The impressive start instantly brings thought s of bands such as Entombed, Blood Red Throne, Obituary, and UK’s Saqqara, its rampaging perfectly crafted assault as irresistible as it is knee buckling.

The following Odin Father Never Die and War is in the Eyes of Berserker continue the immense start with equalling ferocity and appeal, the first thrusting riff sculpted grooves in to the heart of the already fully brewed urgent appetite for the release whilst savaging the ear with further addiction drawing rhythmic abuse from Bald. His framing alongside the bass and guitar manipulation of primal bred notes and chords combines for a test which is uncomplicated but wholly effective. The second of the pair slips a delicious almost stoner seeded groove into the initial invitation, the chugging riffs stalking its presence before thrusting it aside for another tremendous thrash forged impressive slaughter. The unbridled attack now at large is not without mercy though and midway into the song it steps aside for a glorious sonic fire of melodic seduction from Fredreyk to recruit the last ounce of submission from the passions. As mentioned already there is nothing new on the loose here or across the album but as it feeds the ear for the umpteenth time whilst writing this piece, it is hard to offer any similarly gaited release as one which is as rewarding or exciting as Swords of Midgard.

Onward To Valhalla stands as the next pinnacle upon the release, arguably its finest moment, the anthemic lure of the chorus and its mass demanding harmonies a thrilling crescendo to a constantly building intensity carved by the persistent riffs, gravel expelling vocals, and as is the norm a rhythmic attack which leaves bruising with every bitch slap and barbed percussive swipe.

There is for personal tastes a slight lull to the might and stance of the album across both Beowulf & Grendel (Part I) and Ymir Song, and though neither track lacks quality or skilled persuasion, they do not light the fires inside as dramatically as their predecessors. The first of the pair features a guest appearance from Lorenzo Marchesi (Folkestone) and is riddled with infectious grooves and melodic beckoning within the skeleton of steel forged rhythms and greedy riffing whilst the second brings a more melodic tenderness to its still eye to eye metal encounter and compelling drive, with the glorious vocals of Lisy Stefanoni (Evenoire) bringing a rich potency to the climax of the song alongside the folk metal march and the scarring scowls of Ark. As stated both tracks are strong and more than decent but sandwiched between what came before and their successor the excellent The Raven’s Flag, they lack a dramatic punch.

The Raven’s Flag gnaws on the bones of the listener, its anthem enriched breath and provocative confrontation joined by a blistering drum testing and a rabid fury of persistent riffing. The band equally seduce with the melodic and sonic fascination which veins the barbarous encounter whilst its closing run through to the finale of the album is wonderfully barbaric tenderising the listener for the sneering riff fest of Harald Harfagri, a track leaving a final uproar with its outstanding group vocals, with those of Ark singularly at their most diverse and impressive, and an unrelenting chewing of the senses.

Swords of Midgard may not bring new realms to conquer but is one familiar battle which could not be more enjoyable and rewarding.

https://www.facebook.com/Ulvedharr

9/10

RingMaster 11/05/2013

 

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

Listen to the best independent music and artists on The RingMaster Review Radio Show and The Bone Orchard from

http://www.audioburger.com

Overoth: Kingdom Of Shadows

Originally self-released in 2010, Northern Ireland band Overoth has unleashed their debut album Kingdom Of Shadows a second time through Hostile Media, and for those like us who missed it the first time it is a definite blessing. The album is a beast of a release, a carnal seducer of the senses and passions driven by a death metal as eager to groove as it is hungry to corrupt and savagely devour. With a brand new album in the works, the re-release of Kingdom Of Shadows is the perfect time to introduce yourselves to an impressive emerging aural predator.

Hailing form Belfast, Overoth was formed in 2005 by a quartet of friends with ‘a raw passion for no frills death metal’. An early demo release and their impressive live performances brought plenty of attention upon the band which was easily exceeded by the release of the Death Personified EP in 2007. Recorded in the spring of that year, the band was soon approached by Rundown Records, who eventually released the EP in the November. Its appearance was supported by a tour of Ireland and the UK, which included a gig supporting Massacre & Extreme Noise Terror. The next couple of years saw the band relentlessly gigging, with the sharing of stages with the likes of Obituary, Cerebral Bore, Origin, and Onslaught, tours around Ireland and Europe alongside bands such as Shadows Far, Godhate, and Volturyon, as well as festival appearance like Day of Darkness alongside bands alike Unleashed and Watain, the Irelands Low End Festival with artists such as Napalm Death and Primordial, and the Cork Winterfest sharing the bill with Grand Magus, Mael Morda, Hail Of Bullets and more. It was a hectic and fruitful time with the band in 2009 also recording Kingdom Of Shadows with its release coming early the following year. Since its first release, the band has continued to impress with shows and appearances alongside more bands such as Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation, Bolt Thrower, Sinister, Fleshrot, Rotting Christ, Sodom, Rex Shachath and many more. The band has built a formidable reputation with their sound and intensity, a force which now can be felt and greedily consumed by the re-appearance of their excellent album.

Tolling bells and a brewing distressed ambience opens up the title track to start things off, the impending voice of the song soon thrust aside by ravaging riffs, sadistic rhythms, and a deceptively addictive groove to vein the heavy intensity. The vocals exhaust the air with their caustic breath and intrusive tones bringing a full malevolence to the already overpowering and contagious sounds. Having already secured a strong persuasion with its destructive presence the track hands over to the equally vindictive I Am One, I Am All. With riffs gnawing the ear with potent malice from the off, the song prowls and seduces with bulging rhythms from the drums and a resonating snarl from bass whilst further riffing chews with a presence which is as primal as it is addictive. Continuing the immense start the song, like the release, is arguably not stretching barriers but undoubtedly it casts a creative presence which impacts with accomplished craft and invention alongside an imaginative violence posing as temptation.

The consistent quality and lure of the release is continued with ease through the uncompromising Summon The Cursed where not for the first time the bass steals the passions with its dramatically bestial voice, and further elevated further with the outstanding The Serpent Of Old. The song stalks the ear with antagonistic rhythms and riffs which are equally attitude driven, whilst the vocals combine a malicious intent and an infectious swagger which compliments devilishly the ebbing and flowing intensity of the music. With a furnace of a climax which climbs all over the senses like a ravenous plague to pull apart and captivate its victim, the track is a pinnacle of the release.

It has to be said there is a surface similarity across many tracks which defuses their potency as individuals without deliberate focus into their hearts but not enough for the release to lose its impact at any point. It to be fair, points to the fact that the band is still emerging its distinct presence and that makes their forth coming second album a very exciting prospect. The likes of Led To The Slaughter and the Pathway To Demise with its insatiable repetitive groove and niggling sonic persistence enflame the senses further whilst Obsidian Blade stands like a leviathan of venom with overbearing energy and matching intensity for a fire of death driven metal. With Upon The Altar also leaving strong passion for its great melodic keys which enchant as potently as the sirenesque whispers within Obsidian Blade, Kingdom Of Shadows is an excellent release dripping immense potential whilst leaving rich pleasure in its wake. Roll on album two.

https://www.facebook.com/overothband

8/10

RingMaster 29/03/2013

 

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

Listen to the best independent music and artists on The RingMaster Review Radio Show and The Bone Orchard from

http://www.audioburger.com