Originally published in ‘zine issue #8, 1993
6L6 demo
Just another plain old hardcore band from MA. This demo contains four songs of pretty boring hardcore stuff with vocals that sound kinda like Lee Ving of Fear. This tape is alright but nothing special. Only two bucks, what the fuck.
(by Craig Lenc) ■
Astral Rising Alpha State 7″
I’m liking this a lot. Two songs, “Dark Clearness” and “Sculpture,” make this band sound real promising. It’s death metal that’s well textured and there’s some good tempo changing. Definitely worth dropping them a line so they can hook you up.
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Angelkill Garden of Crosses
I was surprised by this release; I thought the first demo was totally cheesy. I never heard the second, but this demo I kinda like. In the old-school style with no “grr” vocals here. This demo contains nine songs in the style of old Mercyful Fate. Not the same o’ same o’, so contact Angelkill.
(by Craig Lenc) ■
Biovore Autumn Rot
Alright, not bad, man! An improvement since last time and with a style change over to Voivod-influenced death metal, Biovore impresses. Aggressive stuff and weird too—the band definitely is doing something interesting here. $2 and a blank tape plus postage.
(by Editor) ■
Cancer The Sins of Mankind
(Reckless)
This release is kinda cool. A bit too thrashy for my blood but the lyrics are really cool. This tape has its moments (and is well produced) but I like the first album much better. The band is just another plain old death metal band now.
(by Craig Lenc) ■
Catacomb In the Maze of Kaddath
I’d be a fool not to like this. Powerful, dreary death metal, four songs. The vocals are a real treat ’cause they’re real gruff, low-end sounding. They even have a keyboardist. $7 France, $8 elsewhere.
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Deathless Judgement Ignorance
I don’t like the vocals from the first uttered word. Another weak thrashy death metal band. If you’re into all these well-produced, mainstream death bands, then this is for you. Thumbs down!
(by Craig Lenc) ■
Eructation Day of Confusion
Yet another band from Sweden; not my favorite but not another Entombed clone. I think it’s cool for that reason alone, although it is really good. Great production, professional cover, and everything. Right on! $5.
(by Craig Lenc) ■
Hatred Suffer
Good thrash from VA. Four songs in all and the production’s not bad. My favorite was probably “Mass Genocide.” Still, I think $6 is a lot to ask for it.
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Human Waste Promo Tape ’93
Five songs of ugly and sometimes technical death metal. I can’t say that I’ve heard many bands that sound at all similar to Human Waste as far as its style goes. My favorite tracks were “So is Death” and “Pool of Tears.” Real mean.
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Lost Century Natural Process of Progression
This one opens with an acoustic thing and then goes into a thrash or heavy metal type thing. The vocals sound like the person is trying to be a vocal star or something. Not my cup of tea. I would toss this tape out of my car window. $15 for CD.
(by Craig Lenc) ■
Mercyful Fate In the Shadows
(Metal Blade)
Fans of newer death metal and grind, stay away from this record! Fans of traditional metal have been waiting for an album like this for years. Mercyful Fate, a band whose influence on death metal has been felt directly and indirectly, is back to live up to the legacy it left behind in 1984, when it broke up at the height of its popularity. It’s not often a band can get back together and not only recreate its sound but offer fans something new as well. Mercyful Fate combines both heavy and melodic riffs with complex changes to make songs that grow more amazing with repeated listens. Guitar players who have grown up on people like Vai, Satriani, etc., should listen to this album, as they can learn a lot from Hank Shermann and Michael Denner. A great album full of the true spirit of heavy metal.
(by Mike Smith) ■
Mind Over Four Half Way Down
(Reckless)
This tape is one that I wouldn’t listen to more than once. If you’re into shit like Alice In Chains, you might like this. I could easily see this shit on Headbangers Ball on MTV, if it’s not on it already. This shit sucks. Thumbs down!
(by Craig Lenc) ■
Oddmöngers Experiment
(Arkham Prod.)
Quite a unique sound. Metal riffs of all kinds (thrash, death, even rock). The guitar sounds strange from time to time. It defies genre classification. It’s humorous as well. Seven songs in all, my favorite being “Mindrapping Psy-Clones.”
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Radiohead Pablo Honey
(Capitol)
Oxford alternative pop-rock with three guitars whose potential isn’t used a whole lot. The band is better when it’s playing intensely, which isn’t done a lot here. Nothing striking here.
(by Editor) ■
Regredior Born in the Coffin
Regredior, a four piece, is really decent. Nine songs in all. Thrashy death metal with some nice acoustic stuff here and there. The production makes it sound a bit thin, but still, this is quite good. $5.
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Saint Vitus C.O.D.
(Relapse)
Great doomy material, a lot like its stuff on SST. Heavy as fuck. If you don’t mind the vocals, you’ll really dig this album.
(by R. Mason) ■
Sarcophagus ’93 demo
This is some alright death metal. Cool cover, three songs, and nothing too incredibly special. Suffocation-type vocals and heavy jams that kinda sound like Obituary. $5.
(by Craig Lenc) ■
Sindrome Vault of Inner Conscience
Whoa. Great thrash. Heavy, fast, and lots o’ tempo changes. Five songs in all, and just wait till you hear them. Proficient as all get out and the vocals are great, somewhat reminiscent of Sacred Reich’s singer. Get this. $7.50 USA, $8.50 elsewhere.
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Skin Chamber Trial
(Roadrunner)
A great follow-up to Wound, this is really powerful and really will disturb you. I guess you could compare the two-piece sort of to the likes of Godflesh, but it’s got its own sound. And wait till you hear “Swallow Scrap Metal (Part 5)”—killer white noise!
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Toxic Shock Feelin’ the Pain
Though well-executed thrash is a thing of the past, this is very good, powerful metal. Basic riffs are aplenty but the conviction is there. Great production and packaging make it more enjoyable also! $5.
(by King Fowley) ■
Unprovoked Population 0
The music is kind of cool, but other than that I think this demo really sucks. Lame vocals. I don’t dig this Testament kind of shit. Cheeseballs!
(by Craig Lenc) ■
Winter Into Darkness
(Relapse)
Heavy and weird—what a combo! For those unfortunate to have never heard this masterpiece, you must run out and get it! At least one of the members is now in a band with ex-Nausea (NY) members called Thorn. Haribol!
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Yall So Stupid Van Full of Pakistans
(Arista)
Good stuff for its first release. Old-school hip-hop. Definitely not gangsta or hardcore style when so many others are trying to be. Humorous but it also touches on real issues such as racism and crooked police. So what’cha waitin’ fo’?
