Written In Blood: Hard Music For a Hard World — August 1996

Stuck Mojo
Violated
Century Media

Stuck Mojo just put out a six song EP to please all of you Stuck fans until their next CD. If you haven’t heard “Snappin’ Necks” yet, then you just don’t know what you’re missing. Violated contains three new tunes, a cover of Sabbath’s, “Sweet Leaf”, and two live songs. Song four “Pizza Man” is a tribute to two of the members previous employment with Pizza Hut. Stuck Mojo combines some of the heaviest, thickest guitar work around, with the rhythmic flow of rap lyrics. The band also has the coolest, death backing vocals I’ve ever heard, courtesy of guitarist Rich Ward. I was told a while ago Stuck Mojo might make it to Salt Lake again.

Soulgrind
A Whole Can Of Whoop Ass
Rorschach Records

I just received Soulgrind’s A Whole Can of Whoop Ass from Mesa, AZ’s Rorschach Records. I can’t tell you a lot about the group because I don’t know anything about them, and because I either lost (whoops) or never got their bio. What I can tell you is Soulgrind sounds like they’ve spent some time tempering a hardcore background with some serious metal chops. This cd has a distinct crossover 

hardcore / metal feel. The disc only clocks in at just over 21 minutes, so maybe it should have been called A Whole ½ Can of Whoop Ass. Whatever it’s called, you should check it out.

Prong
Rude Awakening
Epic

I feel obligated for some reason to let you know what I think about this CD, now that William Athey has already reviewed it. I don’t know about you, but I never know what in the hell he’s talking about anyway. Since this one has already been out for a while, all I have to say is this is by far the best thing Prong has done since Beg To Differ. The band has been struggling in the world of industrial metal for the past couple of years, but they nailed it this time. I really, really like Rude Awakening.

Nevermore
In MemoryCentury Media

Does anyone remember the band Sanctuary from about 7 or 8 years ago? Early hype for the band was fueled by the fact that they were discovered by Dave Mustaine of Megadeth. Dave also did a solo or two on their first album and some of the backing vocals. Anyway, after the band’s second album Into the Mirror Black, they disappeared. What I remember most about the band is that the singer Warrel Dane could sing his ass off. (Now we’re going to jump into the present…Hold on.) Singer Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard of the now defunct band Sanctuary have formed the band Nevermore. The band will be releasing their full length The Politics of Ecstasy is October. I haven’t been given an exact date yet. The band is currently releasing a five song EP which includes a new tune, three older demo songs, and a medley of Bauhaus’s “Silent Hedges / Double Dare.”

M.O.D.
Dictated Aggression
Megaforce 

The band almost everyone has a reason to hate, M.O.D. (Method Of Destruction) is back with Dictated Aggression. These guys aren’t prejudiced, they really do hate everybody. M.O.D started out as S.O.D. (Stormtroopers of Death) back in 1986. The band featured Charlie and Scott from Anthrax. Throughout M.O.D.’s existence, the band had revolved around frontman Billy Milano. All songs on Dictated Aggression were written by Mr. Milano, and it seems he took a different approach this time. The song writing is more serious. Gone are the days of such classics as “Aren’t You Hungry,” “Spandex Enormity,” and “ Clubbin’ Seals.” Most of the songs on D.A. deal with heavier subjects such as war, American pride, violence, etc. I guess Billy wants to be known as a legitimate musician, instead of being the “Weird Al” of thrash metal. 

Iced Earth
The Dark Saga
Century Media 

Tampa, Florida’s Iced Earth are releasing their fourth full length album, The Dark Saga. The band continues on with their form of melodic metal. At the same time, the members of Iced Earth still leave room to shift into overdrive and really rock. I see that the band has Keith Menser on bass. I used to go check out his last band Mystic Force around the Delaware area. The force ruled. The Dark Saga was written around the comic book character Spawn. Artwork for the cover was contributed by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. 

Grave
Hating Life
Century Media 

The band Grave is one of many bands that lead the death movement back in the early 90s. Unlike many bands from that time and genre, Grave is still around. While listening to Hating Life, the reasons for the band’s longevity become evident. Grave’s ability to mature musically, adapt to band members changing, and an over-all refined sound is what has separated them from most of their earlier competition. Hating Life is the fourth full-length output from this Swedish band. You’ll be doing anything but “hating life” while listening to this one. 

Exhibit Eight
New West Records 

If you’re like me, every now and then you like to pull yourself away from the dark, sludge-filled grip that really good death / grind metal has on your soul. During those rare moments, I pull out my Fates Warning LPs and feel like I’m expanding my horizons. Luckily I was in such a mood when I listened to New West Record’s release of the band Exhibit Eight. The band’s melodic feel is a product of solid song writing. It’s nice to hear a band that has guitarists that can play a really good solo. The rhythm section does its job, and the singer, well, actually sings. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I honestly believe the guy from Carcass has a great voice. We’ll be listening for future releases from E8. 

Ancient
The Cainian Chronicle
Metal Blade 

I can stand about one song of this goth / black metal stuff, and that’s it. Once the first song came to an end I sampled the intros to the rest of the songs, and sure enough, each song was pretty much the same. All of the songs have that flowery, orchestrated sound, with plenty of effects to make it sound really spooky. If you’re into this stuff, check it out. At least the production is pretty good. 

—Forgach 

Read more Written In Blood from the SLUG Archives:
Written in Blood: Hard Music For a Hard World — June 1996
Written in Blood: Hard Music For a Hard World May — 1996

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