Written in Blood: Hard Music for a Hard World – October 1996

Vision Of Disorder
Roadrunner 

I always thought Vision Of Disorder was merely the result of a Saturday night beer binge. According to Toni at Roadrunner, it also happens to be the name of Long Island’s Vision Of Disorder. V.O.D are releasing their self-titled debut and receiving much praise from Ray Cappo’s (Shelter) label, Supersoul. The band is very heavy, with vocals alternating from grating and abrasive, to clean. Tim Williams (vocals) sounds at times like the guy from Integrity, and at others like the guy from the Offspring. Musically, V.O.D keeps it tight. 

King Diamond
The Graveyard 

Mercyful Fate
Into The Unknown
Metal Blade 

Light your black candles, dust off your copy of Necronomicon, and prepare to sell your soul. Doing all this could only mean one thing, King Diamond must be releasing a couple of albums. The albums come in the form of Mercyful Fate’s Into The Unknown and King Diamond’s The Graveyard. The biggest difference between these two bands is who happens to be in them at the time. Over the years, these bands have swapped musicians way too many times for a person to keep track. Mercyful Fate released Don’t Break The Oath in ’84, and was then laid to rest until the ’93 release of In The Shadows. King Diamonds band took over where the Fate left off with Fatal Portrait in ’86. Diamond’s band is a collaboration between himself and guitarist Andy La Rocque. La Rocque had been with Diamond since the beginning (expect for a short stint with Death). Mercyful Fate’s material is written by Diamond and the band’s two guitarists Hank Sherman and Michael Denner. These albums are typical Kind Diamond. They are not the “groundbreakers” each band’s early recordings were, but they are King Diamond doing what he does best – EVIL. 

Stuck Mojo
Pigwalk
Century Media 

Well, this is the third release I’ve reviewed from the band Stuck Mojo since their appearance here in Salt Lake about a year and a half ago. How much can one mad rave about a single band? I’d say I’ve texted the limits. What do I get for it?…you’re probably asking yourself. Did the band call me to say thanks? Did I get a cool Stuck Mojo t-shirt in the mail? Did they even come back to Salt Lake to play like I was told they would? Hell no! Nothing, nada, zip. That’s it, no more Stuck Mojo in SLUG until I get satisfaction. You won’t see the name Stuck Mojo on these pages anymore. That’s the last time. (Stuck Mojo). Hear my voice ring out. Oh, by the way, Pigwalk rocks. P.W. will be in stores on Oct. 8

Samael
Passages
Century Media 

Samael have brought their keyboard laden brand of dark, doom/goth/metal to the light once again. Passages is the third album by the band to be released by century media. I’m not familiar with any of Samael’s previous recordings, but according to what I’ve read, the band has matured musically on Passages. The choice of producer, Waldemar Sorychta (former guitarist of Despair, current guitarist of Grip Inc.), proved to be a success as the disc has a large, full sound. No live drums were used during recording, rather, they opted for the high-tech convenience of a drum machine. Xy (drum programmer / keyboards) feels this keeps Samael on the “cutting edge.” Personally, I feel it leaves the drums sounding a bit simplistic and flat in areas. Despite the drums, or lack of them, this is a good album 

Pist-On
Number One
Fierce 

Don’t get the wrong impression from the name of Brooklyn’sp Pist-On. When I got Number One I figured it would be something extremely raw and unrefined. I guess what I’m trying to say is I was surprised by the amount of melody and harmonies from a band named Pist-On. This guitar-heavy unit put together songs that are both heavy and radio friendly. Producer Josh Silver (Type O Negative) helped the band capture a sound that had the potential to attract the ear of the mainstream, and luckily, the songwriting is strong enough to warrant all the attention they get. 

Human Remains
Using Sickness As A Hero
Relapse 

Human Remains was Paul (vocals), Jim (guitar), Steve (guitar), Will (bass) and Dave (drums) – “was” being the keyword here. Before the inlay was even printed, the band had broken up. It’s a damn shame too, Human Remains is the most serious musical I’ve heard that has come from a band of the “ultra-extreme.” In the wake of Human Remain’s demise, Steve, Dave, and Paul are forming the band The Sky Is Denied. There’s still hope for those of us that like our music technical and very heavy. Until The Sky Is Denied is recording, you can check out Human Remain’s latest and last EP, Using Sickness As A Hero. You can also catch Jim playing with Deadguy and Will with D.G.C. 

Brutal Truth
Kill Trend Suicide
Exit 13
Smoking Songs
Relapse 

Danny Lilker of Nuclear Assault fame (ahh, I miss Nuclear Assault), is releasing records with his band Brutal Truth and another band he’s involved with, Exit 13. Kill Trend Suicide is the fourth recording output from Brutal Truth. If you’ve liked Brutal Truth in the past, then you’ll like them now. The songs will pull you in with a bit of groove, then when you least expect it pummel you with discordant, grinding, noisy, industrial blow to the chops. If that doesn’t win you over, lyrics like the ones in “I Killed My Family” surely will. The band Exit 13 is a bit different. This band is so fascinated with the very prospect ofsmoking weed, that they have dedicated an entire CD to the act. Exit 13 has taken jazz and blues tones from the 20s, 30s, and 40s, and twisted them into messages for the advancement of marijuana. Maybe if they got the bong out of their faces, their musical careers would advance. Just a thought. 

Abscess
Seminal Vampire And Maggot Men
Relapse 

Beware – the band Abscess have released their full-length debut, Seminal Vampire And Maggot Men. Songs such as “Stiff and Ditched,” “Pinworms,” and “Worm Sty Infection” will easily win this band October’s sickest, most demented album of the month award. The lyrics are so offensive I was surprised the promotional copy didn’t come with a parental advisory sticker on it. Musically, there isn’t anything particularly spectacular going on here. The music is grinding and loose, and at certain points even reminds me of old Motörhead. Ugh. 

Read more Written in Blood from the SLUG Archives:
Written in Blood: Hard Music for a Hard World – September 1996
Written in Blood: Hard Music for a Hard World – August 1996

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