Originally published in ‘zine issue #4, 1992
Agnostic Front One Voice
(Relativity)
The legends are back with another uncompromising LP! One Voice apparently has to do with Roger Miret’s experiences in prison on a general level. The production is strong, the playing is ballsy, and the music is maybe a little slower but still totally catchy, fed up, grooving hardcore. This album really jams, so you should pick it up at once.
(by Editor) ■
Asphyx Crush the Cenotaph 12″
(Century Media)
Yes, when The Rack came out, complaints abounded that there were no old songs on the album from the demo days. Asphyx responded with this new EP. It contains two re-recorded songs from the Crush the Cenotaph demo, one Asphyxian new song (which Martin van Drunen talked about in issue 2), and two live songs from the album recorded in 1991 in Stockholm. The production is top notch, and the packaging has a really neato painting and band photo, but not much else, as far as the CD goes. So anyway, off you go to pick up this truly remarkable EP.
(by Editor) ■
Baphomet Boiled in Blood 7″
(After World)
This two-song 7″ is just completely and utterly one of the best live EPs I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. The production is superb, the playing is tight, and the music is excellent! You cannot afford to let this pass you by! Write for your seven inch at now, for $5 cash or m.o. (USA)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Benediction 8″ live flexi
(Christbait)
This live flexi has two Benediction songs, one being the title track of the first album, the other being “Bonesaw,” off the demo [but you wouldn’t know by looking at the basically nonexistent packaging—Editor]. The recording is killer quality, and if you like Benediction, you’ll love this! Barney sings here, so it’s a must have! Send $3.50 (add $1 foreign). (UK)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Broken Hope Swamped in Gore
(Grind Core International)
This album is your everyday, generic death metal. There’s nothing new happening here at all. The lyrics are your regular consume-bowel-rot type, and the vocals are boring. (USA)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Carcass Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious
(Relativity/Earache)
What malady has befallen the gods of gore? Some of the rumors, as much as I hate to say it, are true. Carcass, the once sickest band around, has forgotten how to grind. The solos are cheesy, the riffs bore me, and (get this) Bill Steer doesn’t say more than a handful of lines on the whole album! Oh my god, I’m ruined. If you liked the first two albums, I’m afraid this isn’t what you’re looking for. It’s like, Reek of Putrefaction was on the total grind side of the spectrum, Symphonies of Sickness was in the middle, and Necroticism is all the way on the opposite side! I’m just sad it turned out like this. Who would have guessed?
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Carrion Lord Beyond the Darkened Waste 7″
(R.C.F.)
The boys in Carrion Lord are back with a new three-song 7″ that is guaranteed to make you feel impressed with them. The vinyl itself is gold, and the packaging includes lyrics. The material is produced well, and surpasses the last demo’s stuff in sheer neato-ness. So send the measley $5 USA and $6 world to get your copy of the new Carrion Lord effort. (USA)
(by Editor) ■
Catalepsy Faces of Death
This demo is sick as crap! It’s got your everyday death metal vocals (don’t get me wrong, ’cause I love ’em) and some killer guitar work. The production is really, really superb. Get this immediately! (England)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Cathedral Forest of Equilibrium
(Relativity/Earache)
This is what one refers to as “doom.” The packaging is lavish and includes a cover painting, band photos, and lyrics. The production is full, as is the playing. The music and lyrics themselves are very depressed and nihilistic. The album contains a Cathedral track from the Dark Passages compilation that singer Lee Dorrian released on his Rise Above label, called “Ebony Tears.” You really should check out this album, with its simply doom riffs and Dorrian’s sick, wavery vocals, which are of course a very far cry from Dorrian’s former band.
(by Editor) ■
Confessor Condemned
(Relativity/Earache)
This album is really weak as far as tunes go, not to mention the vocalist. Condemned’s got opera vocals and “I wish I was brutal” guitar riffs. The album basically gets on your nerves really quick, so don’t torture yourself with it.
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Corpus Rottus Rituals of Silence
(With Your Teeth)
This album rules! Corpus Rottus from Delaware is original death metal, with sick vocals as well as lyrics. The drum beats are unpredictable, and the guitar and bass stuff is great! Definitely, no matter what, send for this album now! It’s eight bucks to With Your Teeth. (USA)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Deceased Luck of the Corpse
(Relapse)
For those of you who haven’t had the honor of being subjected to the unique diversity and originality of death metal classic, Deceased, it is purely the essence of ghastly tunes. The vocals are grungy as hell, and add a twist of horror to the music. The guitars surpass everything to which I’ve been exposed! They offer some gross sludge riffs, some grinding blast beats, and absolutely everything in between! There’s a lot of insane bass lines as well, along with the god drumming. This completes the creation of clearly the best death metal out there! Pick up this masterpiece of death metal from the grave!
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Demigod Unholy Domain
This is a really good, slightly Grave-ish band. Downtuned guitars, excrement-gurgling vocals, direct, deathy riffs, pounding drums with blast beats included … excellent! This four-song demo is neato-keen, so what are you waiting for? Send $5 Europe, $6 USA to get this demo, or send a blank tape plus $2 to get the demo and the official ’91 rehearsal with five different songs. Cash only. (Finland)
(by Editor) ■
Demolition Hammer Tortured Existence
(Century Media)
If you’re really into thrash stuff, then you’ll like this album. It’s pretty good as far as that kind of music goes. The vocals sound like Atrophy’s vocals to me, but a tad bit heavier. Check this album out, it’s pretty good.
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Despair Decay of Humanity
(Century Media)
This is Despair’s second release on Century Media, and I’m afraid is probably its last. Despair plays very techno thrash but doesn’t have any songwriting talent. The drummer must have mixed the album, as the drums are overpowering. The guitarists are great lead players but don’t know how to write riffs. The singer sucks; he sounds like Chuck Billy. A very boring album.
(by Mike Smith) ■
Doomstone Possessed Cemeteries
Buy this now! This six-song demo comes complete with professional packaging and a sticker! This is doomy death metal from hell, and I swear, it’s crazy! I love it, and I’m sure you’ll shrivel up into a worthless clump of flesh if you don’t send $5 [and ask about Death Vomit ‘zine—Editor] to Jeff “Vomit.” (USA)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Drowning In Solitude Paranormal
Yeah, it’s another one of those one-man outfits. It’s bloody great! The production is strong, the songs (eight in all) are tripped out like anything, and the playing is aggressive. Paul Pfeiffer, the man behind the mayhem, does all the instruments, and includes effects-dripping vocals and lots of surreal voice sampling on the tape. Lots of crunch, grunge, and shredding on this demo, so write! He also does Obzine and Writhing With Despair, so ask about that when you do. (Canada)
(by Editor) ■
Edward Ka-Spel Tanith and the Lion Tree
(Third Mind)
Now this is the first band I’ve heard try to rip off Pink Floyd. The music is really computerish, the lyrics tell bed time stories, and the vocals put you to sleep. Nice try, guys (yeah, right)! The level of imbecility this album escalates to is high. I can’t take any more! (UK)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Embrionic Death Dead Rotten Corpse
This demo has pretty bad production. You really can’t hear much at all. What you can hear is pretty boring and elementary, and has been done many times before. As far as I’m concerned, this is a pretty weak demo. [The band is working on a new demo, however—Editor] (USA)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Entombed Clandestine
(Relativity/Earache)
The newest release of Swedish gods Entombed is out now, and waiting to fill your ears with more perfect riffs and more complicated drumming than before. And best of all: new vocals. They are so great! They’re a cross between hardcore and death metal, and are filled with hatred. I love this album, and as God as my witness, so will you!
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Exhorder The Law
(RC)
Exhorder is a thrash-oriented band with some killer songs. This New Orleans band is pissed off and hates such things as government laws. It’s just released The Law, its second album, the follow-up to its controversial first album, Slaughter in the Vatican. There are slow, fast, technical, and seriously slammable rhythms on The Law. Surprisingly, the production on Slaughter seemed to be better than that on The Law. I recommend checking out The Law as well as the first album.
(by John Mays) ■
Exodus Good Friendly Violent Fun
(Relativity)
I’m not a big Exodus fan (if fact, I’m not a fan at all), but if you dig its stuff, then I suppose you’ll like this album. It’s got eight live tracks [including an AC/DC cover—Editor], and the recording is pretty good quality. If you like these guys, then think about this album.
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Funebre Demo ’90
These guys rule! This three-song demo is grungy as well and its vocals are sick! I definitely love this piece. The production is pretty good and the songs are superb! It’s pretty original and pretty sludgey! This is another demo to add to your collection today! (Finland)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Gang Green King of Bands
(R/C)
King of bands my ass! This rock & roll band sucks! If I wanted to hear someone preach about sex and beer, I’d go to a cheap bar! At least there I wouldn’t be assaulted with terrible music on top of stupid lyrics!
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
King Diamond In Concert 1987 – Abigail
(R/C)
I’m not a big King Diamond fan, but this album, to a bigger fan, would be great. I believe the whole Abigail album is played on this live, so if you’re into King Diamond, go grab this one.
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Lawnmower Deth Ooh Crikey It’s …/Kids In America
(Relativity/Earache)
If I wanted to laugh I’d read Calvin and Hobbes, not waste money on a complete loser of an album. This LP is a complete joke. The lyrics suck and the music is giddy. The whole thing is a waste of space.
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Malhavoc The Release
(Metal Blade)
This is just another dancy industrial tape, but it sure as hell is original! It’s really weird. I can’t really explain it; it’s just strange. If you’re a dance club kind of person, you should pick this up. I myself hated the crap out of it, but I hate dance clubs as well.
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Mark Wood Voodoo Violence
Various Artists Guitar’s Practicing Musicians Volume 2
Various Artists Resume Volume 1 – Burnin’
(Guitar Recordings)
I had to condense all these albums into one review. First off, they all suck. How can so many guitar players out there all sound the same? Even Mark Wood, who plays electric violin, has managed to sound like all the others. You can’t really even tell it’s a violin. They all write lame, boring rhythms and then solo over them. This stuff does nothing for me. Learn to write a RIFF!
(by Mike Smith) ■
Michael Dowell Demo 2
This is a three-song rock & roll piece which has a couple catchy tunes. I myself detest most rock & roll, but if you don’t, send $3 to Michael Dowell. (USA)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Monstrosity Theatre of Operations
This is not Florida’s Monstrosity but a mere Asphyx-sounding band from Finland. This four-song demo is pretty killer and has pretty good production. These guys definitely deserve your support! So to obtain this great demo, write to [Monstrosity]. (Finland)
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Obituary The End Complete
(R/C)
Yep, it’s Obituary all right, but this time with Allen West back in the band. The guitars erect a wall of electric mud through which no bass can be heard, but despite which John Tardy growls, gurgles, and screams actual verses and choruses (in places) and Donald Tardy pummels the drum parts. The material itself is quite good and a bit repetitive in places. No intros this time around either. Obituary freakazoids will die over it, I’m sure, for the most part.
(by Editor) ■
Skin Chamber Wound
(R/C)
This industrial band is pretty good in my eyes. It’s not quite as heavy as old Godflesh, but it definitely floats my boat. If you are an industrial kind of person, then go out and purchase this one. You’ll like it.
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Sorrow Forgotten Sunrise
(R/C)
Formerly Apparition, this band is doomish death which I myself enjoy. It’s not the best band around, but it’s pretty good. This four song EP is the only thing I’ve heard from these guys, so I can’t say much, except that this EP is pretty good.
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
Tiamat The Astral Sleep
(Century Media Records)
One of the hardest things for a band to do is inject atmosphere in an album. Sweden’s Tiamat has brought a true dark feeling to its second release, The Astral Sleep. Instead of taking the easy way out and going to Sunlight Studios, Tiamat went to Germany to get away from the Swedish sound that’s becoming so popular. The production of the album is excellent, and with the use of keyboards, acoustic guitars, and dark fantasy lyrics, Tiamat has produced an album drenched in atmosphere. I can hear traces of Mercyful Fate and other old black metal bands in its sound, but Tiamat ain’t just reliving the old days. This band is very original and brings its own unique style to the rapidly growing death metal scene. This band is not about brutality but about thoughtful songwriting and performance. This is one of my favorite albums from a band that’s not afraid to stick to its beliefs to do something different than everybody else.
(by Mike Smith) ■
Various Artists Guitars That Rule The World
(Metal Blade)
This tape has solos from various artists like Alex Skolnick and Zakk Wylde. This is the worst piece of cheese I’ve ever heard out of Metal Blade! The artists are pretty boring, and on top of that, the songs they wrote suck! I believe this is the biggest waste of my time since MTV!
(by Nick Mertaugh) ■
