Written in Blood: September 1997

Strife
In This Defiance
Victory

Three years after the release of One Truth, the band Strife has released their politically and socially charged music on In This Defiance. The music is played at a frantic pace and the lyrics are sung to sound like these boys have something to say. I don’t have a lyric sheet, and while listening to the disc can’t really understand everything said, so I’ll just have to go with the feeling on that. The front cover depicts a person in chains, surrounded by pictures of hypodermic needles, a gun, smashed liquor bottle and money — maybe that was my first clue.

Shelter
Beyond Planet Earth
Roadrunner

I missed the last Salt Lake appearance by Shelter because the folks were in town and I had to do a little entertaining. Which, by the way, I did without ever bringing up the fact that it was killing me inside to miss the show (what a good son I am). Luckily, with parents two thousand miles away, I was able to go to the August 16th performance of Shelter at the Bricks. Despite the initial lackluster response from the crowd, Ray Cappo, Porcell and Co. charged on through many of the songs from their last album, Mantra. Due to time constraints, Shelter was only able to perform about eight songs (heaven forbid the “boys” be deprived of any of their disco dance). Ray proceeded, in true hardcore fashion, to get involvement from the crowd. After a few songs, the front of the stage was crowded with Shelter fans that were singing along — Ray was no doubt pleased by this showing of support. Beyond Planet Earth finds Shelter spreading its musical wings more than ever. This release has a much more dynamic sound and feel to it. Though most of the disc is filled with straight-forward hardcore grooves, different styles and sounds were experimented with. Serious Shelter enthusiasts will be pleased with the sing-along potential of most of the songs . It almost seems like Ray keeps that in mind when he’s writing his songs. Ray Cappo — the nicest guy in hardcore.

The Quiet Room
Introspect
Dominion

I want to make sure I get across how incredibly good this release is. Only maybe one in one hundred CDs that I get impresses me as much as Introspect by The Quiet Room. Introspect is a progressive metal monster. This Denver-based six piece displays a semi-full of technical ability, individual mastery of their instruments, a true understanding of song composition, and the ability to tie it all together into a unique musical offering. One of the aspects of this disc that I enjoyed the most (other than the serious gun-slinging guitar solos) was the fact that this band knows the importance of keeping it heavy. I’ve seen many good bands of this caliber put too much emphasis on being dark and moody in an attempt to be artsy, and then the emotions that were to be conveyed are lost in all of the boob’n. This isn’t the case with The Quiet Room. I think the disc should have been titled, Introspect (then I’m going to whack you in ‘yo damn head with a crushing guitar riff or two).

Purged
Form Of Release
Metal Blade

The Australian metal band, Purged, have released their debut on Metal Blade. This release is pretty good. It’s not great, but a good first release. I hear some good things going on, but the band needs to work on honing their own sound more — especially the vocals. Purged has enough going for them that I’m sure this will come in time. I wish I could stay away from the comparisons on this one, but the Metallica similarities are undeniable. That is, earlier Metallica, before they became a southern rock band.

Iced Earth
Days Of Purgatory
Century Media

Iced Earth’s fifth album, The Dark Saga, found the band enjoying some of the recognition that they deserved. At this point in the band’s career, they felt that their early material was just a distant memory. In an effort to rectify this situation, Iced Earth decided to re-release some of their earliest material — with a twist. Instead of just releasing old material, they have reworked the original material. The original guitar-work was used, giving the songs that raw ’80s metal feel. Most of the other instruments and the vocals have been updated to give the early material the benefit of the band’s added experience and the vocal abilities of Matthew Barlow (added since the material was first recorded). This is for the metal fan that needs a good Iced Earth history lesson. The songs have a dated sound as they should, but the updates were a nice touch.

Hecate Enthroned
Upon Promethean Shores
Death Records

I sat down to read the bio for the band Hecate Enthroned. It went something like this: The band Daemonum was formed in 1993 with Jon on bass and vocals, Nigel and Marc on guitars, and someone on drums. After a year Jon left to join Cradle Of Filth, but the band kept on playing their death/black metal with someone new on bass and vocals. A year and a half later a new drummer joined the band, and Jon returned to take over the vocals. At this point, the band changed their name to Hecate Enthroned. H.E. recorded the demo “An Ode for a Haunted Wood,” which would later be remixed into Upon Promethean Shores, but before the release the drummer, keyboard and bass player were replaced with Michael on keyboards and Paul on bass… Does anyone know how I can get the last thirty minutes of my life back?

The Gathering
Nighttime Birds
Century Media

After the 1995 release of Mandylion, the six musicians from Holland that make up The Gathering are releasing Nighttime Birds. The band originally started out playing death metal, but with the eventual lineup changes and differences in musical direction, The Gathering can hardly be categorized as easy anymore. With all six members returning from the last release, fronted by vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen, the band has further solidified its somber, “atmospheric” sound. Anneke has every bit of the vocal abilities of an Enya or Amos, but instead of a bunch of crap going on in the background, the five remaining members create a soundscape that elevates and compliments Anneke’s flowing vocal style.

Dark Funeral
The Secrets Of The Black Arts
Death Records

Man this music is black, black, black. This is as black as black metal gets. It’s black dammit, and with songs like “When Angels Die Forever,” “Satan’s Mayhem” and “Satanic Blood,” I would say my point has been amply driven home. I just wish the lyrics were printed on the cover. Sickness. What could the neighbors possibly be thinking when I’m listening to this stuff for review? “…I don’t think he can get to us with the doors locked! Did you happen to pick up that eighty pound bag of garlic yet? Have you seen the cat lately?”

Dead By Dawn
After I Eat Your Brains

When I received a delivery notice and saw that the sender was Dead By Dawn, I thought “What in the Hell?” I went and picked up the package from the P.O. and found it was from Canada’s Dead By Dawn. How a band from Canada would get my home address I’ll never know, but let me take a moment to make a point. I’ve received many releases from unsigned Canadian bands (or at least a couple), but haven’t gotten a single thing from a heavy local band. What’s with that? Use the resources right in front of your face. Anyway, Dead By Dawn and their “alter egos” have put together an impressive musical package. From the looks of the band, it appears these guys are vying for position to dethrone Marilyn Manson. I couldn’t tell you if they sound like M.M. though — I’ve only heard the M.M. remake of the Eurythmics song on MTV that should never have been recorded in the first place, and only as much as they can squeeze in before I can grab the remote. Dead By Dawn play their nightmarish, ghoul summoning, blood curdling music like they mean some serious business. Any further questions? Write DBD at P.O. Box 90057, 1436 Queen St. W., Toronto, Ontario, M6K 1M2.

Biohazard
No Holds Barred
Roadrunner

If you didn’t get enough Biohazard live when they were in Salt Lake, then you’re in luck. No Holds Barred, the first live album from the band, should make even the most hardened Biohazard fan happy. The 63 minutes and 24 tracks played should also have been enough time to get the band’s “positive”, New York-thug-style message across to the German audience. NHB features songs from all four of Biohazard’s albums, as well as their cover of Black Sabbath’s “After Forever.” —Forgach

Read more Written in Blood by John Forgach:
Written in Blood: August 1997
Written in Blood: July 1997

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