New Reviews 6/27/2009 @ Absolute Zero Media

Destroyer 666- Defiance-CD (Season of Mist)

I don't remember ever really giving Destroyer 666 a chance as it was KK Warslut of Bestial Warlust a raw BM band that never did much for me though after this review I think it will be time to re-listen to the older titles as " Defiance" is one hell of a Black Thrash ride with some amazing melodies and punishing riffs all layers on a throaty meets raw vocal style that is heavily effected and verbed but works very well to create an atmosphere of chaos and speed in the style that is chosen. I'm not sure what the earlier material sounds like but this sounds like a cross between Witchery and Sodom to my ears and that is a damn good thing is this over the top modern death metal being over produced and so trebled that you can hear any of the bottom end anymore. Destroyer 666 has some sick bass line and bass heaviness and crushing melodies that remind me of the mid san fran thrash period Testament, Exodus and Dark Angel... Defiance is a must have metal release on all grounds..

http://season-of-mist.com/



Drudkh- microcosmos-CD (Season of Mist Underground Activists)

I know this band from a few releases on Supernal Music label from UK and now they seem to have joined forces with Frances mighty Season of Mist on a new sub label for more extreme and underground artists called " Underground Activists" . Drudkh to me embody all things that Heathen Black metal should. Reflection to your past, Folk elements, A cold haunting melodic droning sound and the pain and anguish of tormented souls looks for days when the world was not so much about greed and lies. You can fee there Slavic roots strong as ever in the acoustic moments as well as the distant hypnotic way the bass and guitars give almost a eastern prog element to they way the are textured and arranged. There is a very ritualistic and mystic feeling that comes from the complex layers and sounds that are very carefully created. Drudkh remind me if you could has more melody to Burzum and make Falkenbach a bit more dark and aggressive this project meets in the middle of that. Drudkh music are for those that love there solitude, nature and the Gods that most of you have forgotten. Thank you for this journey down a path I hope continues for decades to come from this amazing band...

http://season-of-mist.com/




Lightning Swords of Death - Lightning Swords of Death / Valdur-CD (Cult War/ Bloody Mountain Records)

I'm a bit confused by this release but is seems to be a split between two projects Lighting Swords of Death and Valdur. The release seems to bring us Lighting Swords 1st and these madmen come at you all swords pointing at the juggular. I would call this more war metal then black metal as its comes at you in the same way Marduk or Panzerchrist does with a very full bass heavy sound and giant vocals but Lighting swords seems to like to add a heavy avant progressive tone with the very clear bass and synth arrangements. Lighting Swords can get very Dark metal and mid tempo as well but always keeps the blackened soul of its essence well in your face. At times reminds me very much of Ancient Wisdom maybe there Black doom as well . Valdur is a very different beast all together more a raw atmospheric BM band that remind me a lot of early Polish and German Black metal were the barbaric element was alway keep in the fires of what there mission were to create. The synths and mix were and are lo fi but in a good way very simple drums and almost a spacial feeling coming across in the songs. Then when the blast come in is almost a 4 track recording in sound were all the pieces blur into one wall of nightmarish landscapes. Two bands have very different outlooks on Brutality and Bleak visions of where Black metal will take you but together complete a very impressive release.

http://bloodymountainrecords.com/




Merauder -god is I- CD (Regain Records)

There is just something you know about east coast hardcore when you here it Sick of it all, Cro-Mags, Madball, Leeway, Murphy's Law, Biohazard, Sheer terror etc. Its just got that fuck you fist in the fast metallic taste that other Hardcore could never and will never have well with Merauder its back in full vengeance my friend. The stomping beats and chugging riffs that just make you want to pit to the point of passing out and the vocals of a master at the peak of his form Jorge is hardcore my my friends. I think that Century Media just didn't know what to do with many non metal bands they hurt bands like Mucky Pup, Merauder more the then helped. Regardless of this These Brooklyn boys are back on Regain this time out to show you that its time toe pay the piper for the error of your ways. " God is I" is so heavy and bombastic I just hope we get another Cromags or Leeway CD out of the east coast scene. I makes me want to re-live the Sunday hardcore matinees in NYC in the 80's and 90's good good times. Glad to have Merauder back...

http://regainrecords.com/





CULTED- Below the thunders of the upper deep-CD (Relapse Records)

As I'm reading I'm completely blown away by the fact that the four members of Culted have never met in person or been in the same room but have created a release of Black Industrial Doom on levels that are mastered by few. Culted wear the influences on there sleeves but this is a good thing. I hear four elements in there music a lot. Deinonychus, Godflesh, Neurosis and Dolorian. Culted are a viral sound of madness, saddness, sickness and self loathing in a way you have not heard on relapse in a very long time. The closest band currently on the roster would be Unearthly Trance. Culted have a very cool feel at time to my ears with Burning Witch too esp in the vocal sound and movements. This is not a band to be played around with. If they every get together and play live the building it happens in will never be the same and may not be standing once the opening movements are projects through the speakers... You and just feel the Hate and Bleakness in every moment of this projects exsistence. Relapse has a major force here..... and there name is CULTED!!!!

http://relapse.com/