FLOTSAM & JETSAM
“My God”
Metal Blade Records
(provided by Fono Records)
rating: 2 / 6
Sorry, this review is not available in English. If you speak Russian, check it out by clicking here.

GUERRILLA
“On Target”
self-released
rating: 6 / 6
Well, you know… At least, you SHOULD know that in most cases I just can’t stand thrash metal… and the review on “My God” by FLOTSAM & JETSAM might be a good example of this. However, sometimes something goes wrong, and music of this kind keeps on playing and playing over in my stereo. This is what happened with GUERRILLA’s “On Target”. I have no idea if this CD is their first one or not, but you don’t have to think twice to figure out that these guys have been playing for many years before joining forces and founding GUERRILLA. Ok, it’s thrash metal. Brutal and uncompromising, sometimes even stepping into the realms of death metal, although quickly getting back. Imaginative and exciting all the way through despite the CD’s length (50+ minutes), masterly performed and brilliantly executed. And holy hell, we’re lucky this time for the singer doesn’t squeal. A MUST.
Website: www.guerrilla-metal.com
Email: contact@guerrilla-metal.com
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

SKYCLAD
“Another Fine Mess”
Demolition Records
rating: 1 / 6 (live tracks)
        5,5 / 6 (studio tracks)
I don’t know what’s the big deal with this band. No doubts, they were one of the first to come up with a mixture of metal and some folk, but hey, does “the first” means “the best”? And they weren’t the _very_ first ones, afterall. Besides, there’re way too many acts who do the same kind of thing in a thousand times more impressive _and_ mature way. Actually, it seems like I’m not the only one with such a stance, otherwise SKYCLAD wouldn’t be as “underrated” (as some say). Ok, here’s a live album. Probably these chaps sound better whilst being out of studio? Not at all. Honestly speaking, the music is not that bad – regular cross between melodic thrash and heavy metal slightly spiced with violin, and keys thrown in here and there, - however Martin Walkyier’s, let's say "voice" ruins everything that could be possibly ruined. These barbaric screams, senseless and badly out-of-key… fuck man, does anyone really considers it what singing must sound like?! I couldn’t stand SKYCLAD back in 1995, nor can I six years later. A pile of bullshit.
P.S. However. However, we also have four studio tracks here. Performed with acoustic guitars, synths and violin, blended by surprisingly good vocal lines, “Sins Of Emission”, “Land Of The Rising Slum”, “Alone In Death’s Shadow” and “Spinning Jenny” literally torn my heart out, for they’re AS tremendous as manmade music can be. In fact, this CD is worth buying only because of these bonus tracks (originally featured on “Outrageous Fourtunes” ltd.ed. EP). (Herr Stalhammar)