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Massacre/Sound Pollution

East Germans (yes, they´ve been at it since 1985) are the epitome of bad luck and oppression. Being one of the first on the East side of the famous Berlin wall they toured like crazy and won heaps of fans. But the regime banned them, and when that finally changed in 1989, their lead vocalist Detlef Wittenburg committed suicide and the band split. One reunion later, in 1993, drummer Rico Sauermann took his own life. The body count almost matches that of Shakespeare´s drama. Another decade passed, but then another return, then as now with bassist Hanjo Pabst and guitarist Ralf Klein, the ubiquitous members. Newer boys on the block are vocalist Olli Hippauf, guitarist Alexander Kopp, and drummer Simon Mengs. Who came aboard after their second album...

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Black Lodge/Sound Pollution

HYSTERICA are back for a second stab at world domination. This album is said to incorporate classic metal, melodic metal, doom and power metal, that ought to have pretty much all basses covered? Since last time keyboard player Marydeath has joined, but is the all-round approach right?

The general feeling is not that of classic metal, since there is sharpness to the sound, and, quite often, a bit of growl that I did not detect seeing them live at Sävsjöfestivalen in their early days. I also find the album lacking refrains, and it takes until the rather beautiful “Message” before I find anything on offer interesting. Unfortunately the last half of the album only raises hell in “Force”, as they leave out the growl and provide a reasonable refrain...

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Being a modern youth(ish) it is fair to say I come supplied with a degree of self-obsession. So when I saw a band called Te’ were up for review, I of course assumed it was some sort Yorkshire thing and having spent most of my formative years in Yorkshire I thought “aye, I’ll ‘ave a bit o’ that love”, under the assumption it was ‘te’ as in “I’m off te’ park” or something similarly colloquial. Incorrect, well just goes to show I should pay attention to the wider world and maybe read more. Te’ are definitely based in the wider world, hailing from Japan the band formed in 2004, ‘Therefore, the illusion of density breach, the tottering world “forget” tomorrow’ is their fourth album, and notably to followers of the band, it is the first album to feature new bassist Matsuda...

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A review of SYN:DROM’s Iconoclasm

By Amanda Beadman

Iconoclasm is the latest offering from Swedish death metal band SYN:DROM. The release launches itself at the world without a backward step in the opening song, Black Dawn, with a brain drilling drum assault that sets the pace and the standard for the unravelling of the first two tracks.
There are occasional disruptive jolts to the relentless rhythm and growling, intense vocals, with these deviations more often adopting a cut and thrust formula where the guitar spirits itself out from beneath the density of the vocal layering to momentarily take centre stage – before ushering the commanding vocals back into their centrifugal position of dominance.
There are moments when the frenetic pace of the drums seems almost matched by the guitar,...

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Classic punk-rock music is not always the easiest thing to find nowadays. Often, the sound is mistaken for the likes of boy-band, pseudo punk types who croon about lost loves and past transgressions; and many would claim the true, gritty punk sound has left the music industry.

But that is not always the case. English band The Machines newest release, The Machines is not a far cry from the classic punk sound. The band, from Southerland-on-Sea have been playing together since 1977, so it is no surprise the album hails towards a more authentic punk-rock sound.

The album opens with Racing. This song provides an energetic sound with a strong opening...

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A review of Motorfinger’s Black Mirror

By Amanda Beadman

If we accept a linear interpretation of the way the loudest, heaviest music came to be – first there was rock, then hard rock, then heavy metal – then all the variants of metal splintered off, each vying for a new place in the evolution of powerful, intense musical genres.
If bands didn’t diversify their style and move away from metal as they evolved, they necessarily became heavier, darker, scarier, louder, angrier – or they just became Nickelback.
But some bands find what they like, work out how to do it well, and then they stick to it.
This is the case with Norwegian hard rock outfit Motorfinger.
You won’t find anything new here, but that won’t necessarily bother any listener who fondly remembers the era of Soundgarden, Al...

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Hänsel & Gretel/MIG Music

ANTHRAX guitar slinger Dan Spitz returns from the world of clocks with a new band and a new album in league with Dave Mustaine of MEGADETH. Apart from guitarist Spitz and co-lyricist/producer Mustaine the band consists of vocalist Don Chaffin, drummer Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, WASP), and Chris Vrenna of NINE INCH NAILS and MARILYN MANSON fame supplies synthesizers and programming.

MEGADETH sure has lent and arm and a leg to the overall sound of this album. Vocalist Don has a more than slight resemblance to Dave, and the overall sound is that of MEGADETH in the nineties. There are a few differences in song openings, Dan sure knows how to create riffs and quite a few guitar patterns are very enjoyable...

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Massacre/Sound Pollution

SINISTER has seen a lot of upheaval in the ranks. Since 2011 the band is spearheaded by Adrie Kloosterwaard, who has recruited guitarists Bas Brussaard and Dennis Hartog, bassist Mathijs Brussard and drummer Toep Duin. They also form the project band ABSURD UNIVERSE. The rest of the SINISTER of old are gone. But is the sound gone? NAPALM DEATH has survived in spirit with no founding members left. Proof of either this or that come in the shape of a 2 disc album, a full disc of new material, and a bonus disc of cover of the likes of WHIPLASH, POSSESSED and CELTIC FROST.

One intro later the churning refrain of “Unheavenly Domain” says that SINISTER has survived...

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Napalm Records/Sound Pollution

Back in 2010 I had the pleasure of listening to THE GRAVIATORS for the first time. Their debut was filled with doom, but also with a wee bit of stoner too much. Impressive nevertheless. But this time around they are on a bigger record company and have a more flashy info sheet. I hope for the best in doom and 70-ies of cause.

First up, THE GRAVIATORS have made some small adjustments, and will be a contender for heavenly 70-ies doom in 2012. Just don´t get too worked up about the somewhat lackluster opener “Soulstealer”. The title track should have been in its place, and all would have been swell. The cool refrain has something psychedelic about it and all is well...

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German metal legends Gamma Ray are releasing a new live album – ”Skeletons & Majesties Live”. The album was recorded at the band’s show at the Z7 venue in Pratteln, Switzerland from April 29th, 2011. ”Skeletons & Majesties Live” is being released on 2CD, Blu-ray and DVD. The DVD and Blu-ray feature additional bonus tracks, lots of behind the scenes bonus material, rare archive material and interviews with the band.
The double CD includes a total of 18 songs (plus intro & interlude). The DVD and Blu-ray versions feature six additional bonus tracks with alternative versions of ‘The Spirit,’ ‘Wings Of Destiny,’ ‘Farewell,’ ‘Gamma Ray,’ ‘Time To Break Free’ and ‘Insurrection,’ all recorded at another show at the Zeche in Bochum, the day before the Pratteln show ...