New Heavy Metal Album Reviews: September 24, 2013
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Genre: Doom Metal
On their debut EP Mirrored Confessions, LA’s Pendulous play a morose and oft-times emotional brand of plodding doom metal. Of the four tracks, the intro “Disheveled” and the outro “Mislaid,” are depressive monologues. Sandwiched in the middle, “Reflections” and “Seeds” are the tracks doom fans should seek out.
Lead singer E.R.M. balances an unsteady clean singing voice and a harsh guttural roar. While the clean is tortured and effective, it also may be the record’s divider – that and the clumsy confessionals. Musically, though, this is quite impressive, occasionally beautifully played doom. The potential is glaring, and it drips with the heavy melancholy of Pallbearer and My Dying Bride.
Rating: 3.5
(Evan Mugford)
Genre: Black Metal/Heavy Metal
Comprised of a who’s who list of Norwegian black metal musicians, and eponymously led by the band’s bassist Sarke, the act’s third full-length release Aruagint continues where Oldarhein left off, but with a notably more distinct percussive attack.
Fusing a chilled black metal aesthetic with a brooding doom metal and early Celtic Frost temerity, Aruagint is an even and exceptionally groove-laden reformation of the tried-and-true that succeeds in part to its increased weight, atmosphere, and the strong and gravelly vocals of Nocturno Culto. A cold and groovy affair.
Rating: 3.5
(Evan Mugford)
Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Hailing from the land Down Under, both literally and figuratively, Temple Nightside conjure up a spirit most foul on the debut, Condemnation. The Aussie duo of IV (Nightside Acolyte, Craft) and Basilysk (Pestilent skins) make one unholy racket of lo-fi blackened death metal.
Eight track of spectral howls and growls, blasting ritual percussion and relentlessly evil guitars take the listener beyond this pale existence to regions of darkness and chaos. A hum of dark energy permeates every second on this highly atmospheric and unsettling record. Condemnation sound cavernous and ancient, as if directed by the nature of darkness itself. Deep. Serious. Condemned.
Rating: 3.5
(Matt Hinch)
Genre: Black Metal
The German duo Vom Fetisch der Unbeirrtheit get very experimental on their sophomore full-length. Vertilger has moments of melody and traditional song structure, but the majority of the album is much more adventurous and experimental.
Electronic elements take front and center for a good portion of the 20-plus minute "Schabenbrut," as do dense guitars. "Multiformale Leiberdimension" is a downright dance track, while the epic closer "Prothesensucht" brings back the guitar. It's a bizarre journey with some misses along the way, but plenty of hits as well.
Rating: 3
(Chad Bowar)
Genre: Blackened Folk Metal
Combining folk influenced instrumentation with black metal tendencies has exploded within the metal community. Finland’s Vorna were formed in 2008 and after releasing a handful of EP’s, they have returned with their full-length debut Ajastaika. The music is dynamic and carries a good balance between melody and aggression.
Vocalist Vesa Salovaara sings in Finnish, which blends with the atmospheric assertive music perfectly. The utilization of their native language gives an authentic feel to the songwriting. The songs all have an epic vibe as fast tremolo picking mixes with landscape piano and orchestration. The bass guitar is mixed too low and the record is lacking some bottom end.
Rating: 3.5
(Dan Drago)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Led by Mark Sweeney (ex-Crystal Ball) and Michael Voss (Mad Max, ex-Casanova), the German heavy metal super group Wolfpakk have returned with Cry Wolf, a fist-pumping sophomore album with another stud cast of guest musicians and a slew of rousing 1980s inspired ballads.
Although some of the melodies seem a bit familiar, there’s no refuting how excellent they sound or how well they’re performed. Sweeney and Voss throw everything but the kitchen sink at the listener, hurling song after song of viral, emotionally sung heavy metal. With shades of Dio, Judas Priest, and Scorpions, Cry Wolf is an engaging homage to nearly every rock and metal subgenre of the ‘80s.
Rating: 4
(Evan Mugford)
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Pendulous – 'Mirrored Confessions' (Baneful Genesis)
Genre: Doom Metal
On their debut EP Mirrored Confessions, LA’s Pendulous play a morose and oft-times emotional brand of plodding doom metal. Of the four tracks, the intro “Disheveled” and the outro “Mislaid,” are depressive monologues. Sandwiched in the middle, “Reflections” and “Seeds” are the tracks doom fans should seek out.
Lead singer E.R.M. balances an unsteady clean singing voice and a harsh guttural roar. While the clean is tortured and effective, it also may be the record’s divider – that and the clumsy confessionals. Musically, though, this is quite impressive, occasionally beautifully played doom. The potential is glaring, and it drips with the heavy melancholy of Pallbearer and My Dying Bride.
Rating: 3.5
(Evan Mugford)
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Sarke – 'Aruagint' (Indie)
Genre: Black Metal/Heavy Metal
Comprised of a who’s who list of Norwegian black metal musicians, and eponymously led by the band’s bassist Sarke, the act’s third full-length release Aruagint continues where Oldarhein left off, but with a notably more distinct percussive attack.
Fusing a chilled black metal aesthetic with a brooding doom metal and early Celtic Frost temerity, Aruagint is an even and exceptionally groove-laden reformation of the tried-and-true that succeeds in part to its increased weight, atmosphere, and the strong and gravelly vocals of Nocturno Culto. A cold and groovy affair.
Rating: 3.5
(Evan Mugford)
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Temple Nightside – 'Condemnation' (Dark Descent)
Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Hailing from the land Down Under, both literally and figuratively, Temple Nightside conjure up a spirit most foul on the debut, Condemnation. The Aussie duo of IV (Nightside Acolyte, Craft) and Basilysk (Pestilent skins) make one unholy racket of lo-fi blackened death metal.
Eight track of spectral howls and growls, blasting ritual percussion and relentlessly evil guitars take the listener beyond this pale existence to regions of darkness and chaos. A hum of dark energy permeates every second on this highly atmospheric and unsettling record. Condemnation sound cavernous and ancient, as if directed by the nature of darkness itself. Deep. Serious. Condemned.
Rating: 3.5
(Matt Hinch)
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Vom Fetisch der Unbeirrtheit - 'Vertilger' (Temple of Tortuous)
Genre: Black Metal
The German duo Vom Fetisch der Unbeirrtheit get very experimental on their sophomore full-length. Vertilger has moments of melody and traditional song structure, but the majority of the album is much more adventurous and experimental.
Electronic elements take front and center for a good portion of the 20-plus minute "Schabenbrut," as do dense guitars. "Multiformale Leiberdimension" is a downright dance track, while the epic closer "Prothesensucht" brings back the guitar. It's a bizarre journey with some misses along the way, but plenty of hits as well.
Rating: 3
(Chad Bowar)
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Vorna – 'Ajastaika' (Inverse)
Genre: Blackened Folk Metal
Combining folk influenced instrumentation with black metal tendencies has exploded within the metal community. Finland’s Vorna were formed in 2008 and after releasing a handful of EP’s, they have returned with their full-length debut Ajastaika. The music is dynamic and carries a good balance between melody and aggression.
Vocalist Vesa Salovaara sings in Finnish, which blends with the atmospheric assertive music perfectly. The utilization of their native language gives an authentic feel to the songwriting. The songs all have an epic vibe as fast tremolo picking mixes with landscape piano and orchestration. The bass guitar is mixed too low and the record is lacking some bottom end.
Rating: 3.5
(Dan Drago)
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Wolfpakk – 'Cry Wolf' (AFM)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Led by Mark Sweeney (ex-Crystal Ball) and Michael Voss (Mad Max, ex-Casanova), the German heavy metal super group Wolfpakk have returned with Cry Wolf, a fist-pumping sophomore album with another stud cast of guest musicians and a slew of rousing 1980s inspired ballads.
Although some of the melodies seem a bit familiar, there’s no refuting how excellent they sound or how well they’re performed. Sweeney and Voss throw everything but the kitchen sink at the listener, hurling song after song of viral, emotionally sung heavy metal. With shades of Dio, Judas Priest, and Scorpions, Cry Wolf is an engaging homage to nearly every rock and metal subgenre of the ‘80s.
Rating: 4
(Evan Mugford)