New Reviews 3/6/2010 @ Absolute Zero Media

OOMPH- TRUTH OR DARE-CD (THE END RECORDS)

There is something about the Germany Industrial Rock scene and they all have a similar sound. OOMPH though rather unknown in the USA they seems to have well known base in Europe over a dozen or so releases. OOMPH reminds me a mix of Rammstein, NIN and Stabbing Westward. I ready like the heavy guitars mix with male and female vocals and the NIN/Stabbing Westard electro piano/ synthwork. There is a feeling of Later Theatre of Tragedy and Tiamat and The The ( band some of you may not know but should) . OOMPH will fit well on a roster with such fringe bands as Tubring , Sleepytime gorilla museum, made out of babies and Ulver ... OOMPH sound is really infectious if you give it some time. Metal, Rock and Industrial fans will all find something interesting here.. The more I go through Truth or Dare there are sounds that reminds me of KMFDM, Marylin Manson and others too long to mention. This can be The End's 1st out right Commercial success if the get it to the right channels I can hear these songs on Radio, TV shows and Movies very easy... Win Win album here I will be listening it to often right now. OOMPH as won me over for sure...

http://theendrecords.com/



Morphine Killer- Nightmares-CD (Final Breath)

So this is a duo from Calif of Belle and Eski. Can you use the term Thrash Industrial metal??? As this band vocals mixes The male vocals of Obituary and DRI and the Female vocals remind of something you would hear in a Gothic metal force of maybe The Gathering ... Music is very rooting in the 90's thrash movement with a help of Industrial synths and drummer as its clearly programed drums but this doesn't make it sound cheap or lo fi at all. The Production on this what is clearly self released is still very strong and the songs while they could use a bit of polishing are better then 85% of the DEMOS I GET!!!. As Morphine Killers grow as a band I think they will be come even more creative and inventive. This is a very well done self release for sure.

http://www.myspace.com/finalbreathrecords




Heathen - The Evolution of Chaos-CD (Mascot Records)

THHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAASHHHHHHHH METALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL. Is there really more that needs to be said about the legendary band called Heathen. If you like bands like Death Angel, Forbidden, Exodus, Destruction and Testament then this band should be burned within the ears of all you have ever listened to. This is Thrash metal ... Heathen have not failed at all with this release. Now be thankful there still around and get the fucking album already......

http://www.mascotrecords.com/



SALEM-Playing God and other short stories-CD (Pulverised Records)

This is one of the few Death/Black metal/Ethno metal bands out there to begin with and being from the trebulent area of world know as Israel is just another original factor of this band. Salem have long been under rated for what they do. Salem like to add a groove to there death metal the same way a band called Orphanage did and Septultura did as well. I love the very guttural metal vocals mixed with the eastern sounding female vocals going on here. Maybe with this label Salem with get the respect they so rightfully deserve. With Orphaned Land being just as inventive as this band just in a more Doom/Eastern Progressive Metal sound. I should really check out more bands from Israel. Salem even has there Martial moments here and there. Salem is one the better more interesting Death metal bands out there and with this release should take there name even further to the metal world and beyond.

http://www.pulverised.net/



Heidevolk- Uit oude grond-CD (Napalm Records)

Napalm is in well known lands with a band like Heidevolk. This is Heathen/Viking Metal in the highest of orders. For fans of Falkenbach, Korpiklaani, Skyclad and Tyr. Full of sing along songs, crisp acoustic guitars, string and woodwind sounds mixed with Power metal guitars, drums of doom and black metal elements that are so traditional for this style and ideal. These kind of bands take you back to a time when the world was much more simple and man and his God and nature really meant something. I really love the powerful clean vocals here they work very well . They really have a kinship with Falkenbach in this. Other then that in closing another fine Pagan metal release I really don't grow tired of these unless the vocals or guitars are thin. Neither can be further from the truth here...

http://napalmrecords.com/



Varg- Blutaar-CD (Noise Art/Napalm Records)

This is Black Viking art tride and true. The bleak and gut wretching Blackened/death vocals. The catchy traditional Black riffed in a sea of Manowar and Blind Guardianish guitar arrangements. I just awoken I think to how much viking and power metal are sisters eternal in sound and style. Varg is another one of those bands that make me want to raise my ale horn and toast to them to the kingdom of Asgard... The solo are just so stellar on Blutaar they almost make me weep. This is for our forgotten forefather in honor of them. Varg is one of those bands very similar to Manegarm or Suidakra once you hear them you know who they are instantly. Black pagan folk metal is a style I hope will never disappear long live Varg and there musical visions..

http://napalmrecords.com/



Ereb Altor- The End-CD (Napalm Records)

Epic this album is epic, crushing and depressive all in the same song. Viking metal mixed with Doom/death. There are touches of Gothic overtones here as well. Both members of this band are is Doom metal force Isole so its very clear where the My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost elements come from but there is so much more going on here the vocals are massive and flawlessly sung at times. Ereb Alter have a very Gothenburg Melodic Death metal sound going on as well with the Viking themes all in tact... The End is a spiritual journey in the most personal of levels. Ereb Altor is almost hypnotic in the approach to the way the songs are presented to us. The synths sweep and blanket the over all song to make the songs even that much more EPIC!!!. I truly feel if you miss out on this album your life will be that less rich... Brilliant album and Legendary in the making of a band...

http://napalmrecords.com/