HELLFIRE, Volume 2
& 3
“Russian Storm” /
“Bestial Attack”
CDM Records / Sound
Age Productions
rating: 3 / 6
Actually, I don’t
see any sense in bringing forth the light compilations like this. Both
volumes are comprised of such acts as ROSSOMAHAAR, CHARON (now STIGMATIC
CHORUS), DER GERWELT, AZEROTH, i.e. already well known bands, at least
when it comes to Russia. And if it wasn’t enough, all the songs were taken
off their “official” releases, therefore “Hellfire” and “exclusivity” obviously
don’t have anything in common. INFERNAL SATANIC ORCHESTRA (what a name!)
and UMBRAL PRESENCE appear as the only ones I’m unfamiliar with, but who
cares… Consequently, this compilation would be of interest only to either
those who live outside Russia, or the ones who still don’t know what the
hell Russia’s black metal scene has to offer.
Email: cdm-records@mail.ru
(review by Herr Stalhammar)
I AM VENGEANCE
“The Revenge Biography:
The Official MeteorCity Soundtrack”
MeteorCity
rating: 5,5 / 6
“Richard R.Anasky’s
“I Am Vengeance”. Starring: Joseph Michael Lagana, Greg Freeman, Sabrina
Leigh, with Chuck Gallagher, Mike Lachance, Gabrielle Lomerson. Screenplay
by Richard R.Anasky. Produced and directed by Richard R.Anasky. NR: This
picture contains scenes of graphic violence, drug abuse and nudity. No
one under 18 admitted.” What the hell am I talking about? Wasn’t this section
meant for reviewing purposes? Reviewing CDs, and compilations in particular?
Well, yes. And this one is not an exception. It’s just the unique thing,
a compilation which actually serves as a soundtrack for the B-series horror
movie. What’s even more attractive, weird and in the same time unique as
well: this CD is solely comprised of artists delivering stoner rock / doom
and similar kind of music. Wondering who’s the best one? Personally I’d
mark out LOWRIDER’s “David William Hughes” which appears as perturbing
stoner with no vocals but spoken words, NAEVUS’ “Lost Confidence” – groovy
and somewhat even brutal, straightforward sort of stoner with a singer
who doubtlessly had a tough childhood (at least, judging by the way he
sings ;)) ), sHEAVY who delivers a certain kind of ballad with unusually
high-pitched but still highly enjoyable voice (the same goes for music),
Dan Fondelius’ (the mastermind behind COUNT RAVEN and DOOMSDAY GENERATION)
synth efforts, BONGWATER666 who come up with semi-ballad featuring excellent
“clean” voice (no resemblance of Ozzy this time, thanks god in hell!),
RAINMAKER888’s “Killing Words” – this time it’s not even a stoner, but
more likely a mixture of HEAVY and doom metal, somber as hell itself… and
of course infamous COUNT RAVEN (I thought they ceased to exist long time
ago. Fortunately, I was wrong), as well as THE QUILL’s “Mind Drifter”.
As to drawbacks and disappointments, they are almost non-existent when
it comes to this comp. Actually there’s one, to be exact: Japan’s ETERNAL
ELYSIUM. Strange, since I liked a lot “Spiritualized D”, the latest work
of theirs… perhaps it’s all because the song featured here is taken off
’92 CD? Anyway, “I Am Vengeance” strikes as one of the most intriguing
compilations I’ve heard so far… At least, the idea behind it is new and
thus appealing. As to the movie itself… Well, the booklet (perfectly designed,
by the way) has enough info, so you’d better check out both, the CD and
the actual film.
Website: www.meteorcity.com
Email: info@meteorcity.com
(review by Herr Stalhammar)
MUSICA
Mustdie Productions
rating: 5 / 6
Hey, what’s the big
deal with this comp, huh?? Well, it’s definitely a big deal itself, and
you’d better remember that. “Musica” probably is the first more or less
pro-done compilation featuring bands exclusively of Russian origin, therefore
purchasing it might be a good chance to figure out what’s Russian metal
scene alike, who deserves your support and who doesn’t. Ok, closer to the
subject: this CD starts with an instrumental track by GLAZEMAKER, which
is absolutely of no interest. SEDUCER’S EMBRACE _are_ of interest, though.
Even though I know the guys personally for a pretty long time, I haven’t
ever heard what they stand for, musically. Well, now I have – and it was
rather enjoyable experience, by the way. In short, “As The Forest Weeps…”
strikes as a cross between melodic black and death metal, one of the best
I’ve ever got myself acquainted with, at least when it comes to Russian
combos. Next we have SAMHAIN, which, in terms of perception, are closer
to GLAZEMAKER than SEDUCER’S EMBRACE. Got the point? WISHMASTER… Oh, holy
shit! Fast-paced pseudo-melodic pseudo-black metal with a wretchedly programmed
drummachine, badly out of key… Horrible. LEAD WEIGHT are a step above,
but only a step. This pseudo-intellectual, pseudo-death metal left me cold,
although “For Thine Is The Kingdome” is of course not as disgusting as
“Betrayer” by the band discussed few lines above. RADIGOST? Hmm, once I
considered ‘em one of the best (if not the best) sympho-black metal act
in Russia… now I don’t. If their second work is comprised of tracks like
this, it will be no less than worthless. Plastic CoF imitation with plastic
guitars, plastic vocals, plastic keyboards and plastic drummachine. They
have a nice-looking website, though. HOSTILE BREED? Better check out the
review on “GreenWound”, the latest CD of theirs. What’s next? Ah, regular
black / death metal by EXHUMATION. Ok, it’s not utterly bad, nor it is
highly impressive. Just mediocre. With VORTEX we finally have a little
jewel: stunning power metal featuring (what a surprise!) a singer possessing
a good-sounding voice. Nevertheless, these chaps have to work more on arrangements.
REQUIEM? Doom-metal-smth. ELISIUM? Goth-pop-smth. TVANGESTE? Sympho-black-metal-smth.
Who would be the 13th? Obviously, a black metal act – and here comes ROSSOMAHAAR
with a song off the second CD due for release this Winter. I guess, it’s
needless to say anything regarding this band – they should be listened
to. What I can’t but mark out though, is the sound execution: the best
one on “Musica”. ABSURD occupied the 14th track with “Where Time Has Died
Away” off “Beyond The Dawn” demo. Top-notch death / black metal the Swedish
way. “Sarjaylau” by Jamilya Serkebaeva & FORREST GUMP end this compilation
with a excellently brutal and simultaneously charming folk piece. All in
all, “Musica” perfectly reflects the crisis Russia’s metal scene currently
endures. Lotsa bands, but only six of them doubtlessly good ones (SEDUCER’S
EMBRACE, HOSTILE BREED, VORTEX, ROSSOMAHAAR, ABSURD and Jamilya Serkebaeva
/ FORREST GUMP).
Website: http://musica.mustdie.ru
(review by Herr Stalhammar)
TO MAGIC… 2
Prophecy Productions
rating: -
“Best label dealing
with metal amongst the non-metal ones”. Don’t remember who told me that,
but this definition fits Germany’s Prophecy Productions just perfectly.
The same goes for this compilation, already second of a kind, even though
I wouldn’t say that all of the acts whose tunes this CD is comprised of,
appear as “metal”. Nevertheless, it’s a perfect chance to get yourself
familiar with this, no less than unique, record company and it’s roster.
Most of the songs featured on “To Magic… 2” have been taken off the “official”
CDs, consequently we have only few unreleased tracks (and unknown names)
to check out. Such as, for instance, THE VISION BLEAK, appearing as what
narrow-minded ones use to name “gothic doom metal” with excellent low-pitched
“clean” male voice and imaginative musical canvas, reminding me a bit of
their fellow countrymates, SECRET DISCOVERY. Catchy and memorable, all
in all – excellent. Secondly, BETHLEHEM, or more likely it’s reincarnation.
Definitely weird stuff having almost nothing in common with what this band
had been known for, before (sorry for the pun). Imagine mid-nineties’ CREMATORY
adding various loops and samples, as well as black metal elements and anxious
atmosphere. This is how nowadays’ BETHLEHEM sounds. Ok, finally we have
anxious mixture of goth, industrial and dark ambient – an enjoyable one,
performed by SOTS. Sounds like it’s taken from a certain soundtrack to
a horror or (more likely) futuristic movie. A film set on a novel by William
Burroughs would be fine too. OF THE WAND AND THE MOON? Folk noir at it’s
best. PARAGON OF BEAUTY? Unique as always. AUTUMNBLAZE? See above. DORNENREICH,
CANAAN, NAERVAER, ORPLID, TENHI, LEAKH, EMPYRIUM, BLAZING ETERNITY, IN
THE WOODS… Looks like, together with US’ The End Records, Martin and Prophecy
Productions contrived to become a substitute for Holy Records, who once
have been unleashing unique works for the eyes of the world… (Herr Stalhammar)
WELCOME TO BRUTAL,
TX
Skin Puppet Records
rating: 3,5 / 6
Skin Puppet’s very
first CD, I suppose. Well yes, it must have been a compilation. Or what
else…? Yes, this is a compilation indeed. Bands of Texas origin exclusively.
Well, I’m sorry to say, but Texas doesn’t seem to be famous for it’s outstanding
bands, at least amongst the ones we usually reckon to METAL. I always knew
that US’ bands have a very-very long way ahead to whether reach or gain
anything at all, and needless to say, this comp only justified my expectations.
At least, EMPORERS BLOOD and ADUMUS (both black metal) are the only acts
I can hardly mark out here. Others aren’t exactly worthless, however not
exactly good either. Anyway, a nice attempt to push native state’s scene
forward.
Snail mail: Skin
Puppet Records / 9607 Aguila Houston / TX 77013 / US
(Herr Stalhammar)