8 New Reviews June 16th 2012

Ishahn- Eremita-CD (Mnemosyne/Candlelight)

So lets start by saying Ishahn is from Emperor and Peccatum fame folks so I hope you understand what your getting . Its Prog Black Death with a heavy avantgarde element going on. If you like the late Emperor this is were Ishahn has gone over the course of a few solo album mixed with moments of full on Prog rock.. Members of Shining, Nevermore and Mr Devin Townsend all guest on this album. Post Prog Black metal for fans of bands like Code, DHG, Arcturus, Opeth and Red Harvest is what I get here. There are even electronic and industrial movements. Ishahn is the reason we can all have hope that even 20 yrs into a career original ideas can be presented in interesting ways. Do not miss out on this Eremita is a jaw droppingly good release with some the strongest most catchy tracks he has ever created.

http://candlelightrecordingsusa.com/

The Wretched End- Inroads-CD (Nocturnal Arts/ Candlelight)

So what we have here is Samoth Guitarist of Emperor, Arcturus and Zyklon B fame presenting his new works which is as prog and complex as Ishahn's but in a much more Death metal meets Heavy Thrash element. This sounds more like what bands like Messuggah and Samael or even Septic Flesh  are and were doing over the yrs very guttural vocals mixed with old school deep classic vocals and blistering Death guitars all with that 90's thrash element of Death angel and Exodus. Really love what Samoth has going on here. Its a fresh presentation on an old sound made so very interesting. These are two sides of a band that made Emperor who they are and you can hear which added which elements very clearly with these to releases .. Horns up for this one for sure....

http://www.nocturnalart.com/

Ephel Duath- On Death and Cosmos-CD (Agonia)

So its been a few years since Davide has shown the venomous head of Ephel Duath this time out his wife and ex Crisis Vocalist Karyn is now the voice of this ep and let me tell you the band has never sounded better or more twisted . There is a strong jazzcore, avant death metal thing going on here is you could mix bands like Pestilence, Shining (NO) and Virus all together you have a very cool and close idea of what these 3 songs are like. As layered and complex as they are brutal and explosive. Karyn's vocals more then works with this release . I just hope its not 5 yrs to hear 3 more songs from Ephel  Duath as I can not stop listening to this EP. Also doesn't hurt to have Steve of (Sadus, Testament and Death) on the bass for these tracks and in the band... There is a hollow beauty to this you don't get any more almost like Post Rock meets Death metal if that makes any sense.. Get this or be lost..

http://www.agoniarecords.com/

Fear Factory- The Industrialist-CD ( Candlelight)

YES YES YES the Industrial death metal machine know as Fear Factory has returned to its full proper vision and sound Dino and Burton and Drum machine pushing down crushing beats and futuristic thrashing metal guitars and Burton heavily effected aggro metal voice you can not ask for more on " The Industrialist" the two main guys that wrote the now classic " Soul of a new machine and Demanufacture" are back at it and it sounds like this is the next album in the evolution of Fear Factory even though 20 + yrs has gone bye. Its good to hear a band play Industrial metal again  and with bands like Godflesh, Trep Pal and Pitchshifter all coming back it seem like this genre may have a huge life again. Fear Factory has made new Anthems in 2012 lets make that clear. All those huge grooves and sing along choruses are back in full.. YES YES YES....

http://candlelightrecordingsusa.com/

Enemy Reign- Between Hell and Oblivion-CD (Self Release)

So there is Death metal and Modern DeathCore styles and both have bands that shine the difference is a band like Enemy Reign not only mixes those two style but then throws in NYC Hardcore, Grindcore and Doom metal into the mix to make something all there own the best way I can explain Enemy Reign is if Incantation, Bolt Thrower and Hatebreed came together with the idea of writing songs in flavor bands like Cavity or Buzzoven did down and dirty with all lack of respect for high production letting the raw elements add to the strong song writing. Yes Sherwood of Skinless is gone but I'll tell you Stevie has better range and more flexiblity to help the band create a more melodic and dark element to their over all sound. This is just great extreme metal...

http://enemyreign.com/

Enabler- All hail the void- CD (Southern Lord)

Post Hardcore madness is what we have here something Southern Lord has been doing for a while now with reissues of some great Crust and Noise Core bands they have been releasing like Black Cobra, Alpinist, Noothgrush and Nails just to name a few but you get were this release is going . Crusty, Dirgey Hardcore with a huge punk rock flavor. This is not going to be for everyone . If your from NYC then you remember Abc No Rio and Wetlands there use to be many of these shows going on all the time there and even CBGB's Enabler is pissed off and in your face and not here to keep you warm at night . There here to show you the dark side of life and were you can slip if your not careful (For good or bad reasons).  Again Southern Lord thanks for another full on to 11 release your good for this more then not... 

http://www.southernlord.com/

Burning Love- Rotten thing to say-CD (Southern Lord)

This is a fucked up release to say the least. So mix Punk, Blues and Sludgecore/Nola elements into a bowl mix to the point where its really not ready but there is no way to back... Bake it up and hope for the best. Eyehategod and Circle Jerk joined forces and let members of Mudhoney work a sick production over all it and you have Burning Love. There is a full on Sickness to this that can only be heard . " Rotten thing to say" is infectious in they way its presented. I miss albums like this they came in the late 80s/ early 90's . Burning love could have very well been on of those Socal Punk bands or The Bowery Punks in NYC.. 

http://www.southernlord.com/

Generation of Vipers- Howl and Filth-CD (Translation Loss)

The Neurosis / Russian Circles worship is strong with this one my friends. Generation of Vipers  is Post Metal in the most honored of words. There is a massive sound of sorrow, passion, pain and aggression going on here that is comes out as a wall of sound with an army of destruction behind it just to mess up you day on the way out. The sonic layers are so huge its almost suffocating in a very good way.. The Vocals are more of a Distorted effect cry out in the night in the same way bands like Kiss it goodbye, Deadguy or D.E.P use to project. There is not really much more to say about this one. Your going to worship or hate this . With albums like " Howl and Filth" its very black and white and sometimes that a good thing folks. Generation of Vipers is another great view of Post Metal in the same way Translation Loss have been with bands like Rosetta and Mouth of the Architect... Get this ...

http://translationloss.com