ANGEL PAM WEST
“Evolution”
(rating: 5 of 6)
“1st Mix Demos From The Upcoming “Dweller In The Threshold” CD”
(rating: 3 of 6)
“Evolution” seems to be the first CD from this talented girl, perfectly fitting the “orchestral folk, acoustic rock and psychedelic blues” definition. It’s based on flute, acoustic and flamenco guitars, bassoon, piano… and of course, Pam’s beautiful voice. I guess, ‘angelic’ is the best way to describe it… The music itself (with addition of e-guitar, bass and drummachine besides aforementioned instruments) is rather tremendous and fascinating – sometimes it moves closer to gothic / dark wave stuff in the vein of early THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL, while few tracks sound almost like a pop rock… and finally it strikes as some kind of prog-influenced at times. All in all, it was undoubtedly decent for the beginning. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that “Dweller In The Threshold” will be as worthy and exciting, at least judging by those three tunes featured on “1st Mix Demos…”. They’re too ordinary sounding if comparing to “Evolution”, being more straight-foward pop rock thing. If someone steals “Evolution” from me, I will definitely miss it… but things are different with the new songs. (Herr Stalhammar)

BUFFALO
“Best Of Buffalo 1979 – 1999”
Buffalo Music U.K.
rating: 3, 5 of 6
This is the same case as with Charles McClure’s demo CD, at least I believe so. BUFFALO is no way a band which should be featured in Vae Solis, since they don’t have anything to do with extreme forms of metal (as well as various goth and ambient stuff). Their style is some kind of hard rock, more likely – old-fashioned (or old-styled – choose what you like most) hard rock. All of the songs sound like they were recorded in a garage (in a good garage, though! *gigles*), no keyboards, no orchestral arrangements, like it often happens with bands like SCORPIONS and others of that ilk… I don’t know really… This is not bad, but… but… but… (Herr Stalhammar)

DOG FASHION DISCO
“The Embryo’s In Bloom”
Outerloop Records
rating: 5 of 6
Are you into KORN? And what about PRIMUS? FAITH NO MORE…? MR. BUNGLE…? WHITE ZOMBIE (early one)? Now mix all this into one, add some originality and unique approach to music and you’ll get DOG FASHION DISCO. They define their style as “hardcore circus porno metal” – well, it’s rather exciting description, as well as too equivocal. I mean, you won’t ever understand what this band is all about until you listen to their CD’s. “The Embryo’s In Blood” features very original and fascinating mixture between various styles. It’s some kind of jazz / funky metal mixed with hardcore, mixed in a truly stunning way. The singer, Todd, possesses very good voice and he manages to sing with variety (even too much variety…), while Sennen’s keyboard passages are somewhat reminiscent to those of Ray Manzarek; at least they’re as insane, mesmerizing and… genius. The music in the whole is quite brutal, although it’s not that easy to get into it at the first time. You know, it’s the same case as with MR. BUNGLE or PRIMUS – you have to listen to it twice or thrice to become a fan of DOG FASHION DISCO. Ok, talking about the influences – besides aforementioned styles, I’ve noticed some alternative (of course) lines in their stuff as well as some… ska? Well, I don’t know but it sounds rather similar to it sometimes. The CD comes with a decent artwork, layout and design (the same goes for that top-notch sound), being comprised of ten songs. By the way, I almost forgot to mention their lyrics, which are definitely WORTH mentioning, since they’re really grim and dark, although written with a good sense of humour in the same time. Check out “Siamese Fever”, “Toothless Dream”, “9 To 5 At The Morgue” and “The Satanic Cowboy”. Generally speaking, highly recommended. (Herr Stalhammar)

FATAL BLAST WHIP
“Seduction”
Blacklight Records
rating: 4, 5 of 6
I guess, “Seduction” is some sort of a forerunner of their upcoming full-length CD, although it also has enough songs to be considered a full-length release. Unfortunately, only four of them are originally performed by FATAL BLAST WHIP, others appear as “Seduction” track’s remixed – by BATTERY, PIVOT CLOWJ, Joshua Bourke and SCAR TISSUE. In fact, FATAL BLAST WHIP’s own version sounds better than any of those remixed, at least in my ears. As always with Blacklight Records, this CD is packed in a brilliant way, at least both, cover and layout seem to be undoubtedly magnificent – and (nearly) the same goes for music. I’m not so good in industrial, however let me dare to say that musically FATAL BLAST WHIP may be defined as certain kind of ‘dark industrial’ in the vein of WUMPSCUT and others of that ilk. I wouldn’t say that I got high on it, however it’s enough grim and anxious to please the dark soul of mine. Those synthetic harmonies bewitch the listener, while vocals sound somehow diqueiting and perturbed… and even ‘sexual’??!? At least, having sex while FATAL BLAST WHIP destroys your stereo might be interesting experience… and more than pleasant, I bet. (Herr Stalhammar)

GAMMA RAY
“Powerplant”
Modern Music Records
rating: 6 of 6
Actually, I don’t know why am I writing this review… Perhaps, you will explain me the reasons which forced me to do it? Well, the outstanding music is the main reason, I believe… And, despite the fact that all of you out there should be familiar with GAMMA RAY, I just couldn’t ignore this CD with a review of mine… and the only thing I wanted to do is to praise this magnificent effort, since it’s definitely the best stuff Kai Hansen and co. ever released! The cover (by Derek Riggs) sucks, but should we care about…? Actually, I don’t know if there’s anything left to be said. Well, ok, “Powerplant” features a cover from PET SHOP BOYS (!), which sounds surprisingly tremendous… And no, here is one more thing: before playing this CD, make sure that you have turned your stereo to it’s highest setting. (Herr Stalhammar)

METAL CHURCH
“Masterpeace”
Steamhammer
rating: 3 of 6
When I saw this CD in the music store and was told that “Masterpeace” is a COMPLETELY new recording from METAL CHURCH, one of the first metal bands I have ever heard, the band whose albums, such as self-titled debut, “The Human Factor” or “Blessing In Disguise”, still make me tremble, I was almost knocked down due to the fact that I had no money with me in order to buy it. I ran back home, took 16$ and bought this CD immediately – went back home again and put this CD into my stereo with trembling hands… And oh fuck, you can’t even conceive how I was disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This album was done in ‘classic’ METAL CHURCH’s lineup with David Wayne on vocals, John Marschall on lead guitars, Kirk Arrington on drums, Duke Eriksson on bass and Kurdt Vanderhoof on rhythm guitars and mellotron, however it won’t ever beat even the worst song of “Metal Church” LP! David’s voice sound more weak and poor than ever, the way I even started to wonder if he lost his ability to sing properly! None of the compositions sounds at least a bit similar to the greatness of “Gods Of Wrath”, “Fake Healer”, ”Anthem To The Estranged” or “Badlands”… Well, some of them are not bad, like “Kiss For The Dead” or “They Signed In Blood” + few others, but… let them stop if they’re going to release suchlike albums in future! I want METAL CHURCH to stay an outstanding band in my memories, not some regular self-plagiarists! (Herr Stalhammar)

NOCTURNAL RITES
“The Sacred Talisman”
Century Media
rating: 5, 5 of 6
NOCTURNAL RITES is rather new name when it comes to the power metal scene, although I wouldn’t dare to call NOCTURNAL RITES a neophyte band, since they were formed back in 1990 in Sweden, under the name NECRONOMIC, that time playing straight-forward death metal. Some time passed and they changed their direction into traditional heavy metal, also replacing Fredrik Mannberg (vocals, guitars) with Anders Zackrisson, who possessed undoubtedly stronger and more powerful “clean” voice. The year of 1995 witnessed the birth of “In A Time Of Blood And Fire”, their debut full-length CD, unleashed through certain small label, namely Dark Age Music in co-operation with Megarock Records. Few years passed, and “Tales Of Mystery And Imagination” was finally released by Century Media (these guys definitely deserved a serious deal… and they’ve got it!). That CD featured twelve songs of supreme heavy metal, which was surprisingly compared to IRON MAIDEN by many metal mass media critics. Japan’s Toy’s Factory also released this album with addition of an early demo bonus track. Less than a single year passed, and we have their newest recording, this time entitled “The Sacred Talisman”, excellent piece of true metal art, comprised of eleven songs (“Destiny Calls”, “The Iron Force”, “Ride On”, “Free At Last”, “Hold On To The Flame”, “Eternity Holds”, “Where Fire Comes To Ice”, “The Legend Lives On”, “The King’s Command”, “Unholy Powers (Night Of The Witch)” and “Glorious”), which doesn’t cross the borders of ordinary heavy / speed / power metal, in the same time staying a brilliant release. Let me dare to say that even such an outstanding act as HAMMERFALL sounds quite weak in comparison to NOCTURNAL RITES! Exciting compositions, bewitching harmonies and mind-shattering solos, perfect musicianship and excellent production, tremendous vocal lines and memorable melodies, sincerity and even certain doze of originality (the sort of thing definitely hard to be obtained if talking about contemporary heavy metal acts)… Check out this CD as well as the interview with Nils (bass), featured in one of the former issues… (Herr Stalhammar)

RAMMSTEIN
“Singles Collection ‘99”
Motor Music GmbH
rating: 5 of 6
I bet those of you who’re into RAMMSTEIN, these German gods of industrial, have already bought this CD… and those of you who have never heard this band… and don’t want to… just don’t need it as well as this review, hence I don’t really know why am I writing this. The same case as with GAMMA RAY’s “Powerplant”, eh? Yep, I guess so. In short, this CD includes all the tracks from the singles RAMMSTEIN ever released… from well-known “Du Hast” and “Du Riechst So Gut” to “Rammstein In The House”, “Das Model” or “Kokain” – the ones I’ve never heard. Well, perhaps you had, but I didn’t, so I find this release as rather pleasant. At least, it has some unreleased tracks, and since I’m a RAMMSTEIN fan, I would buy it… if I already didn’t have it. (Herr Stalhammar)

SEA OF DREAMS
“Land Of Flames”
Sea Of Dreams Records
rating: 5 of 6
“Land Of Flames” is the second CD from this Norwegian prog / power metal band, among others featuring Trond Are (the one who is known thanks to his producer / sound engineer-work with such acts as CARPATHIAN FOREST and IN THE WOODS… he is also a rock music teacher at school, heh heh). “Land Of Flames” differs a bit from this band’s previous effort, both in positive and negative ways. It starts as extremely complicated stuff, while there’s no trace of power of heavy metal… at least, judging by the first songs. They sound more like a mixture between hard rock and prog stuff, however later it turns into something much more exciting.  Just check out “Last Trooper”, 14-minute epic “Illusions” or “Morning Rain” – these are the best songs off “Land Of Flames”, as well as the best songs SEA OF DREAMS have managed to create so far. Despite that they’re as well very complicated structurally, these tunes are done in the vein of more traditional, though still majestic and sublime power metal, featuring absolutely amazing arrangements and stunning guitar passages. Although there’s a huge problem with the singer – just like on their former CD. His voice sounds really tremendous when he sings in a ‘normal’ voice (in the vein of Kai Hansen and others of that ilk), but when he starts to squeak… arrgghh, I just can’t stand it! You see, King Diamond is the one and only falcetto-singer whose voice appeals to me really well – others should stop doing it, since it sounds just loathsome!!! This guys has a great voice, so why the hell does he pervert it? Ok, enough. Speaking generally, this is excellent effort if you’re into either power metal or prog, others may ignore this CD. By the way, check out the interview in the next issue…! (Herr Stalhammar)

SINERGY
“Beware The Heavens”
Nuclear Blast Records
rating: 6 of 6
SINERGY… The band, whose lineup is comprised of such personalities as Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM, guitars), Kimberly Goss (ex-THERION, ANCIENT, DIMMU BORGIR, keyboards) Jesper Stromblad (IN FLAMES, guitars), Sharlee D’Angelo (MERCYFUL FATE, bass), Joacim Cans (HAMMERFALL, vocals)… Couldn’t we expect a pure masterpiece from them? Yes, we could. And we got it. “Beware The Heavens” is one of the best power / speed metal albums I’ve ever heard, at least when it comes to nineties. Joacim possesses unbelievably clear voice and don’t even try to argue me when I say that he’s perfect at singing! Kimberly’s synth arrangements seem to be stunning, Jesper’s and Alexi’s guitar passages and leads simply shouldn’t be discussed… Drumming is beyond any critics… as well as Sharlee’s bass… as well as definite originality… as well as perfect production… Once you play this album, you just can’t stop. You play it over and over again… it becomes a drug, well, worse than any kind of drugs! Such tunes as “Born Under Fire And Passion” or “Venomous Vixens” are no less than amazing… and what about that killer ballad-alike “Razor Blade Salvation”??? HAMMERFALL (a killer band themselves) can’t be even compared to this one! A MUST! (Herr Stalhammar)

TESTAMENT
“The Gathering”
USG Productions
rating: 6 of 6
This is a masterpiece. Listening to TESTAMENT’s former releases (the ones, unleashed before “Demonic” and “Low”), I couldn’t even fancy that this band will stay alive and ever release such as groundbreaking effort as this one seems to be. Well, I know that lotsa people considered “Demonic” to be a death metal CD, and yes, I was one of them. However, “The Gathering” sounds less death metal, more like extremely brutal thrash… The sound quality is THE BEST ONE I HAVE EVER HEARD IN METAL MUSIC IN THE WHOLE (well, maybe with an exception for METALLICA)! Unfortunately, I don’t know what studio they have recorded in, but I’d like to! The songs themselves are very different and sound great – each of them! Various, brutal and exciting… I don’t know… It looks like “The Gathering” is the best thrash metal album of the decade! GET IT! (Herr Stalhammar)

TORN SKIN
“Mislead”
Blacklight Records
rating: 4 of 6
This is the second CD from Blacklight Records I got in the same package and unfortunately I can’t say that it’s as exciting as FATAL BLAST WHIP. TORN SKIN’s style is rather typical industrial with both, male and female voices (distorted, of course!) with an emphasis on guitars, also sounding very diffirenent to what they should be alike originally. Just like with “Seduction”, “Mislead” features few songs performed by TORN SKIN themselves and title track’s interpretations by various acts of the same genre, such as FATAL BLAST WHIP, PIVOT CLOWJ, 16 VOLT, COLOSSAL SPIN, FISH TANK 9, Jan Carleklev… and CULTURE WHORE, whose version is the best one here, no doubts. Actually, I don’t know if it’s fair to judge this band by “Mislead” – let’s better wait for their debut full-length effort. (Herr Stalhammar)

WHITE SKULL
“Asgard”
Underground Symphony
rating: 5 of 6
I’ve never heard of this band before, however the rumours spread by the friends of mine say that WHITE SKULL have been around for some (rather long) time, while this MCD only prepares you to face their second (?) full-length CD soon to be released by one of the major labels (Century Media or Nuclear Blast – don’t remember exactly). Well, I don’t know if it’s truth, the only thing I know is that “Asgard” is an excellent piece of ‘in-your-face’ heavy metal, true to the bone… Surprisingly, vocals are sung by woman, however it’s not that ‘angelic’ singing you expected, Federica “Sister” De Boni’s voice is quite raw though still rather beautiful, and the same goes for music. It’s fast, powerful and somewhat fierce, in the same time being melodic and tremendous, featuring song titles that would better fit some goth / black metal band like CRADLE OF FILTH and others of that ilk (“Asgard”, “Hagen The Cruel”, “Tears By The Firelight”, “Adramelech”)… Furthermore, the second song has some vocal parts performed by infamous Chris Boltendahl of mighty GRAVE DIGGER! Great MCD! I will wait for the upcoming full-length work more than impatiently… (Herr Stalhammar)