AFTER FOREVER
“Ephemeral”
rating: 5,
5 of 6
Brilliant
debut from a neophyte band hailing from Netherlands. I wouldn’t say that
their stuff is ‘extremely innovative’ or anything like that – it’s just
great, and who cares if one can draw some parallels with TRAIL OF TEARS
or WITHIN TEMPTATION…! The female singer’s voice is amazing, appearing
as one of the strongest sides of this band. Furthermore, this CD-R features
undoubtedly tremendous and fascinating orchestral-alike synths as well
as heavy riffage. Ok, some male voices are here too – growling and (almost
black metallish) screams, although it doesn’t do anything bad for AFTER
FOREVER. These parts only enrich the music… I’m slowly exhausting my vocabulary,
while this review still remains rather incomprehensible… What should I
do? Perhaps, end my mental suffering with saying something like “this demo
is a must to have”? Hmm, it seems to be a cliche – but this cliche suits
me really well. “Ephemeral” should be obtained by EVERYONE into metal,
doesn’t matter what kind of it.
Email: afterforever1000@hotmail.com
(review by
Herr Stalhammar)
AZEROTH
“Galereya
Snov”
rating: 3
of 6
As far as
I remember, I didn’t have enough time to review “Doctrine Of Dark Forest”,
a former work by this St. Petersburg-based act. Ha, the sooner the later,
who cares…? Evgeniy (drums) sent me this tape along with a new album from
ORA PRO NOBIS, so here comes the review… the one which could be much better…
unfortunately. “Galereya Snov” comes with five tracks of mid-paced atmospheric
black metal. Well, the unique (?) problem with this band goes for it’s
mediocrity. The music is neither bad nor good, it’s just mediocre. The
same concerns sound quality and musicianship… Guitars are rather weak (also
being in a some kind of background), although I wouldn’t say that Denis
is a bad guitarist… Keyboards? Well, yes, they sound rather exciting… at
times. Vocals? Not a crap, though far from being stunning in the same time.
This tape has only one good tune, called “Hram Teney” (Temple Of The Shadows),
the one which sounds truly bewitching (at least, judging by synth-parts).
Others are… just mediocre. I fear I liked “Doctrine Of Dark Forest” better…
Furthermore, is it black metal? I mean, should we call AZEROTH a black
metal band, if their lineup features few guys from PAINFUL MEMORIES, the
ones who state that they’re christians???? Yeah, that’s rather amusing…
(Herr Stalhammar)
BUTTERFLY
TEMPLE
“Veles”
rating: 6
of 6
I’m still
unsure if this is a demo or an album, however I decided to place this review
in the “demo” section anyway… despite the fact that it sounds thousand
times better (by all terms) than most of black metal CD’s released nowadays.
I don’t know why a lot of people consider BUTTERFLY TEMPLE to be a MOONSPELL
clone – perhaps, due to the fact that they included “Alma Mater” here?
Anyway, this Moscow’s band doesn’t have anything to do with that Portuguese
act, since their style is so different! In few words, “Veles” may be described
as a perfect mixture of heathen black and doom metal, atmospheric and (YES!)
innovative. Most of the lyrics are in Russian, although “Veles” features
two tracks in English (“Abscent” and “Hymn”) – and these ones are the best
tunes here! The music is mostly rather mild and melodic, with low-pitched
male vocals (“clean”), some growls and typical black metal screams as well
as brilliant, nearly outstanding female voices… plus Abrey’s “clean” voice,
a bit reminiscent of power metal acts… powerful and tremendous voice. Add
few saxophone’s parts and piano passages, bewitching guitar leads (no pussy
metal here, though!) and you’ll get (almost?) a masterpiece… No doubts,
this is one of the best efforts from Russia I’ve heard lately. (Herr Stalhammar)
CHARLES McCLURE
Self-titled
demo CD
rating: 1
of 6
I could expect
anything but not this one to find in my mailbox. Yes, I received plenty
of efforts which had nothing to do with metal and this fact still makes
me wonder if people know what is Vae Solis all about? Ok, I can stand when
somebody sends me ‘alternative’ or ‘hardcore’ stuff, but this one… This
man (he seems to be 40 years old or something like that!) composes and
performs everything himself, while his stuff is some kind of 50’s rock’n’roll
heavily influenced by such people as Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison with
plenty of bluesy reminiscences. Well, despite that I’m not very good in
blues, I like this genre, however everything’s very different with Charles…
First of all, this CD-R features AWFUL production – vocals were put in
a deep ass, and instruments muffle each other, so it looks like Charles
is extremely bad sound engineer. And his studio really sucks. Man, I just
can’t understand it! Even totally underground black metal bands f.ex. of
Kongo’s origin have better recordings with much better sound! Vocals are
hardly heard (too bad, because Mr. McClure is a damn good singer), guitars
are incredibly weak and, all in all, this stuff irritates me a lot. The
cover says that these six tunes were over five years in the making… Hey,
one could create a masterpiece during this time! And what is this? Some
lousy blues / country / rock’n’roll crap – no more, no less. If anyone’s
interested, write to: Chas. McClure / 6308 Corbly St. / Cincinnati / Ohio
45230
(review by
Herr Stalhammar)
LILITU
“Promo 1998”
rating: 4,
5 of 6
I don’t know
if LILITU has released anything else, however I’d like to, since this tape
is rather stunning. Beginning with a nice intro, it starts like some kind
of pleasant gothic / dark wave stuff with splendid “clean” voice and then
surprisingly turns into a mesmerizing mixture between dark wave and black
metal. Both songs, “Seventh Aeon” and “Dead Yesterday”, appear as really
great tunes, well thoughout, featuring good lyrics and dark, though romantic
and still depressive atmosphere, however the sound quality could be better,
especially when it comes to guitars which almost can’t heard here. In the
whole, despite that this tape has few drawbacks, I like it, hence check
out the interview in this issue as well as their upcoming CD…
Band’s contact:
Derek Bonner / PO Box 1795 / Hardwick, GA 31034 / USA
Email: Lilitu7@hotmail.com
(review by
Herr Stalhammar)
MISCREATION
“Debut Demo”
rating: 5
of 6
What a non-typical
title! But ok, this is not the kind of thing I should cavil at. MISCREATION
hail from Australia and this is their (guess what?) debut demo, packed
the way most of major labels pack promo CD’s. Ok, the artwork is great
and song titles (like “Cathedral Of Vomit”) are really exciting, ha ha!
This CD features four songs of incredibly brutal, harsh and hateful death
metal at it’s best. Do I really need to say anything else? Death metal
maniacs will certainly cum after first few minutes of listening to this,
undoubtedly splendid, effort. The sound is great, as well as musicianship
– my only complaint goes for the first song (“Miscreation”); I guess, the
singer should start… erh… singing (?)… well, more likely, growling) a bit
earlier. By the way, I feel I should give ‘em one more bonus – for that
inhuman, guttural voice… All in all, this is pure excellence, at least
for a beginning!
Email: odo@mpx.com.au
(review by
Herr Stalhammar)
ORA PRO NOBIS
“Sny O Vechnom”
rating: 1
of 6
Oh… what
a crap. I liked a lot their previous recording, “Dedication” (released
in the shape of MC-album through Metal Agen Records), and awaited this
one with huge impatience… and what have I got??? Musically, “Sny O Vechnom”
is more or less pleasant, however vocals ruin everything… Kinda ‘sovok-metal’
in the vein of ARIA, you know… (if you come from Russia, you should understand
the afore-cited words). Lyrics appear as quite incomprehensible, while
all the songs are extremely boring, so I wish I could stop playing this
tape long before it was over… And yes, they contrived to perform “Oy Moroz
Moroz” (Russian folk song) in an utterly disgusting way! “Krasna Devka”
(what a title!) is the only tune worth attention here, but tell me – is
this why we should pay attention to this piece of shit??? (Herr Stalhammar)
ORNAMENT
“Kak Nebo”
rating: 4
of 6
Funny. This
a project featuring a certain girl on vocals by the name Alla, who appears
as Sergey’s wife - the same Sergey who is also known as Lazar (STONEHENGE,
ROSSOMAHAAR, NARGOTROND), hence guess who plays guitar here! Yes, it’s
him, with Ruslan (a.k.a. Baalseguothstarius and Knez’) on bass and Dmitry
on drums (both from STONEHENGE), while the music is… surprise, surprise!
No, it’s not black metal. And it’s not even doom / dark wave. ORNAMENT
appears as some kind of a pop / rock band, rather mainstream musically…
though still good enough. Alla is capable of singing properly, although
her voice doesn’t appear as anything special. She’s not Kari Rueslatten,
you know (*gigles*). Recorded at Sergey’s own CDM Records Studio and well
arranged, this may appear of interest even to some diehard metal fans.
Email: serge@stonehenge.wm.ru
Phone: +7
(095) 399 40 66
(review by
Herr Stalhammar)
PAINFUL MEMORIES
“Memorial
To Suffering”
rating: 5
of 6
“Remember
the death” – this is the slogan (?) featured on the cover… Hmm, I guess
“Memento mori” sounds better… Anyway, PAINFUL MEMORIES is one more band
featuring Evgeniy (also AZEROTH, ex-ORA PRO NOBIS) on drums… although drumming
on “Memorial To Suffering” was performed by some other human. Actually,
this tape is rather old (released back in 1996) and, as Evgeniy says, PAINFUL
MEMORIES’ current style differs a lot from “Memorial To Suffering’s” creations…
too bad, since I like this demo a lot. This is some old-school doom / death
metal - surprisingly good one. It reminds me a lot of older ANATHEMA (circa
“Serenades”), however I’d better listen to this one instead of trying to
get into “Serenades” once again… Even though I like ANATHEMA a lot (especially,
their later albums), PAINFUL MEMORIES sound more pleasant to my ears. “Memorial
To Suffering” brings six tracks (“Memorial To Suffering”, “Why?”, “In My
Tomb”, “The Weeping Of The Unborn Children”, “Rover Of Sin” and “No One
Remains”) of plain, atmospheric doom / death metal, very good one, and
what’s most important – sincere. If you’re craving for something original,
stop reading this right now. But if stuff like old MY DYING BRIDE, ANATHEMA,
CELESTIAL SEASON, THE GATHERING (“Always…”) and ORPHANAGE is of interest
to you, check it out now! (Herr Stalhammar)
WITHIN THESE
WALLS
“Garden Of
Twilight”
(Demo I 1999)
rating: 4
of 6
Nothing special
here, my friends… though I feel I should say that I somewhat liked this
demo. WITHIN THESE WALLS (finally a non-standard bandname!) is a brainchild
of one man, namely Tapio Ahola, while “Garden Of Twilight” features five
tracks of minimalistic ambient, rather romantic – and grim. The first four
songs seem to be quite mediocre, however the last one, “Gardens Of Twilight”
is much better – more various musically, more atmospheric and better composed.
It’s hard to say if this band has a bright future… one thing I can say
for sure consists in the following: this demo is pleasant to listen to.
Check it out if you like such acts as RAISON D’ETRE and others of that
ilk…
Email: ta61342@uta.fi
(review by
Herr Stalhammar)
ZORP
“Liquid Aqua”
rating: -
What do you
expect me to say about this??? You know, I can’t even tell you what is
the ZORP’s style! Sometimes these Germans’ sound is close to that, of PRIMUS
– the same emphasis on bass, the same a bit avantgardistic moves and weird
vocals… Perhaps, it’s a wicked form of vanguard ‘alternative’ stuff? Yes,
‘perhaps’. But only ‘perhaps’. Honestly speaking, I can’t really say if
I liked them or not! Some songs sound great, however others suck… Yes,
I confess, it was me who asked Oli to send me this CD-R, but I couldn’t
even conceive that their music will turn out this way! Don’t get me wrong,
I’m not saying that it’s bad… more likely ‘good’… but not for me. I wish
I could let someone else to review this effort…
Contact address:
c / o Oli Gaimm, Fohrenbuehlstr. 129, 71067 Sindelfingen, 07031 / 807039,
Germany
(review by
Herr Stalhammar)