Originally published in ‘zine issue #10, 1994
Carcass Heartwork
(Columbia/Earache)
After getting over the much-lighter approach, this is a pretty good metal album full of catchy, memorable riffs and guitar-thick production. They heyday of Symphonies of Sickness is long gone, but on its own, Heartwork stands up. It’s better than Necroticism, anyway.
(by Editor) ■
Entombed Wolverine Blues
(Columbia/Earache)
I can’t stand this band anymore. After leading the pack in Euro death metal, these Swedes have put out an album of Helmet/grunge metal. The bullshit promotion campaign just makes matters worse. That’s what happens when you see dollar signs.
(by Editor) ■
Exit-13 Don’t Spare the Green Love
(Relapse)
A compilation of this weirdo eco-grind band. The tape contains two 7”es, the LP, and some rare tracks, going back to 1989. Go for it!
(by Editor) ■
Genital Deformities Who Did This To My Sister? advance CD
After an interesting intro, the album kicks into a mid-paced heavy guitar/low vocal fest of old-school HC/metal. Unfortunately, it’s completely boring. The older stuff is much better. (England)
(by Editor) ■
God Forsaken ’93 promo
A solid four-song tape of catchy, Sabbathy rock. The band’s newer stuff isn’t as doomy as before by a long shot, like what happened with Cathedral, except that this is actually good. Thumbs up! Get the band’s LP while you’re at it! (Finland)
(by Editor) ■
Grave … And Here I Die … Satisfied
(Century Media)
Containing two new ones, a demo song, an unrelased one from the comp., and two remixes from the first LP, this slab rules! Basically, if you love Grave, old or new, pick up this fucking EP! It’s great straight-ahead death metal anyway.
(by Editor) ■
Incarnis Forlorn: The Graven Veils
Evil! All you black metal types, listen to this if you want evil. Incarnis takes its sound into new territories while still retaining its godlike sound. The demo is filled with plenty of speed picking and upbeat tempos. A must have. Ask about its other releases as well. $2. (USA)
(by Editor) ■
Mythic Mourning in the Winter Solstice 7”
(Relapse)
This band just got better and better and then broke up. Dana is on the black metal bandwagon with her new band, Mary has a killer punk band, and Terri has some othe rproject I don’t know about. But the 7” is total god doom metal with really low growls.
(by Editor) ■
Pitch Shifter desensitized
(Earache)
While I loved the debut, this follow-up from the Nottingham industrialists might grow on me, but for now the lyrics are weaker and the songs have too much of a techno influence, which ruins the potential heaviness, as does the increased budget the band has to work with.
(by Editor) ■
Revelation Mourning Son
A preview of what’s to come on the next LP for Hellhound! Oh my god, I love this doom band! The new stuff on this demo sounds like God Forsaken. Incredible harmonies and riffings, crisp sound, heavy songs … it’s all here! I hope they can start playing gigs again soon! (USA)
(by Editor) ■
Scorn Colossus
(Earache)
I absolutely love the ambient wall of sonics put out by the Birmingham bunch. The LP is a complete trip. Techno influences and spacey production along with heavy, schizophrenic riffings and drums all add up to an artsy creation you just have to hear! What more can I say?
(by Editor) ■
Shadowed Veil Resist the Punisher
Heavy social, political, animal rights words accompanied by music in the forms of raw industrial-like noise to punkish, acoustic-style folk jams. Samples galore and a really annoying outro … aarrgh! But overall, worthy of three dead presidents. (USA)
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Unleashed Live in Vienna ‘93
(Century Media)
After an odd beginning, I can see this is a very good recording! Unleashed fans will eat this up. It contains selections from the first two LPs and the two covers they do. The band is in top form on this tape and the sound is superb!
(by Editor) ■
Unleashed Across the Open Sea
(Century Media)
I love this even more than the last LP! It sounds like the first album and the second one mixed, in fact. The Swedish Norsemen have astonished me again. Totally killer and a Priest cover to boot. Plenty of fast and slow, heavy tracks! Buy it now.
(by Editor) ■
Various Artists Corporate Death
(Relapse)
What didn’t I like about this tape? Yes, that is the question. Choice cuts fro all your fave Relapse bands, including unreleased tracks by Incantation, Mortician, Convulse, Disrupt, Phobia, and Exit-13. 29 songs in all. Buy it or suck my bobo!
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Below is a “warning” R. Mason wrote to bands who were sending demo tapes for review in the ‘zine that I included in issue #10.
—Editor
Photo: Scorn (courtesy Earache)
