Written in Blood: March 1998
Archived
Stuck Mojo
Rising
Century Media
Stuck Mojo’s most recent appearance here in Salt Lake could have been in any of three places, on either of two selected nights. The band’s label or agent couldn’t offer any exact info because they didn’t know themselves. The promoter? No one knows what was going on there. I didn’t find out for sure where or if the show was going to take place until about four hours before the start of the show. If this sounds like the type of nightmare experienced by anyone that’s ever been in a band, it is — and was for the band Stuck Mojo.
Stuck Mojo is currently headlining a tour in support of their new album Rising, due out on March 3. The band traveled from Boise, where they had played to over 400 people on the previous night, to Salt Lake where there were a handful (maybe) of people in attendance. The band chalked the experience up to “shit happens” and hit the stage at Ichabob’s with as much energy as I’ve ever seen from a band playing live. There was an easy going mood to the show. When the band wasn’t busy mesmerizing all that were lucky enough to be there with their musical fireworks, they were passing their instruments and mics around to anyone that wanted to try their hand. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The audience was also assaulted with the seemingly endless repertoire of cheesy ’80s metal renditions by guitarist Rich Ward. When Stuck Mojo returns to Salt Lake, and I’m sure they will give this town another try, DO NOT miss them. The band’s third album Rising is their best to date. This is coming after an impressive first release (Snappin’ Necks) and an even more impressive second release (Pigwalk). On Rising, Stuck Mojo have taken the mix of rap and metal to a whole new dynamic level. Razor sharp guitar passages glide over a solid, grooving rhythm section. Bonz has expanded his rap-style vocals, which have evolved into much more than just rap. Other vocal highlights include the rest of the band getting involved with singing live and on the CD (The death backing vocals are the best!) Where I would normally be quick to compare a band to another for ease of illustration, Stuck Mojo is like no other! Look for a video for the song “Rising” on MTV in the spring or summer. The video was done with WCW stars Diamond Dallas Page and Raven, and has attracted the attention of MTV.
Defleshed
Under The Blade
Metal Blade
Put Defleshed’s Under The Blade on my extreme metal “best of” list for ’98. It may only be February (at time of writing), but with a name like Defleshed — make no bones about it. This release caught me off guard much in the same way Rotten Record‘s Damaged did. You can tell after listening to the first note played that this release is going to be ultra extreme. The difference between Defleshed and its weak contemporaries is that these guys don’t completely focus on being extreme. Defleshed knows when to add a little groove, when to mix up the tempo, and when to use a little technical know-how while operating their heavy machinery.
Pro-Pain
Mayhem
New York City’s Pro-Pain, the workhorse of the industry, is back with their fourth full-length release. Pro-Pain will embark on a 70-date U.S. tour in early spring, which will probably serve as a warm-up to the 250 shows the band averages during a year. I was told to count on the band making an appearance here in Salt Lake since album sales have been positive in the area. The self-titled release is full of songs that fully convey the band’s honest, “in your face” messages. This self-produced release reflects the band’s work ethic and desire to be in control of their own destiny. All of the guitars and vocals were recorded by Pro-Pain guitarist, Tom Klimchuck in the studio that the band set up in Rob Moschetti‘s (other Pro-Pain guitarist) house. Next to none would be the best way to describe the effects used on this album. An occasional delay and a chorus effect used on the vocals at the beginning of “Time” are about all that come to mind. The solid structure of the eleven tracks contain lots of memorable hooks and unforgettable riffs. Personally, I look forward to the day that I’ll be able to sing along with Pro-Pain “Yes, some I love, but most I hate. Yes, some I love, BUT MOST I HATE!!!” (“Love/H8”).
World Of Silence
Mindscapes
Black Mark
Germany’s Black Mark Productions has released the second full-length from the progressive-metal band World Of Silence. The average length of each of the six songs featured on Mindscapes is over seven minutes, giving the band plenty of time to develop and diversify within the songs. I would say the closest North American counterpart of World Of Silence would be the band Dream Theater. One of the similarities being the use of keyboards doubling guitar parts, and at times in place of some of the guitar parts, instead of the keyboards just being relegated to the background.
Union
Mayhem
I got excited when I saw the promo cover of the debut Union album. I looked at it and thought one of the guys in the picture was Vivian Campbell (ex-Dio gunslinging guitar player). Anyway, the guy I thought was Vivian ended up being Bruce Kulick. Let’s see here, it says in the bio, “To say that the debut album from Union is one of the most anticipated albums of 1998 is an understatement”. Come on now!! Bruce Kulick is from Kiss (laughable at best) and the other “big” name from this band is singer, John Corabi from Mötley Crüe (Sorry, the E-Center in West Valley wasn’t far enough away from Salt Lake.) The other two members of the band were LA locals scooped up by John and Bruce. So I listened to the album, and to be honest with you, it’s not bad. At any rate, it’s ten times better than anything John or Bruce did with their previous bands.
Gods Of Darkness (Black Metal Compilation)
Nuclear Blast America
The forces of good and evil must be locked in furious battle once again (Will those two ever get along?). If the recording industry is any indicator, evil must have good in a head-lock because there are tons of black metal CDs corning out. Well, if you think the name Dimmu Borgir sounds like something you saw on a Chinese menu or Bal-Sagoth is a condition you didn’t expect until you were 70, there is some help here to straighten you out. Nuclear Blast America has compiled fifteen black metal bands from around the world on one convenient CD. Oh, mommy!
Firestarter (Black Metal Compilation)
Century Black
Another black metal CD. I doubt you could swing a dead cat around without hitting one of these things (not that I would condone such an activity). Anyway, Century Black has put together a compilation CD of 15 black metal bands. 15 must be the going number when releasing black metal compilation CDs. One thing that is different about this compilation is that all of the bands are actually on the Century Black label. Firestarter is only going to set you back $3.98, which is pocket change in most circles. One thing to remember if you do start adding these CDs to your collection…when the demons come knocking — it’s not Halloween.
Mithotyn
In The Sign Of The Ravens
Death
No sir. I didn’t like it….next…
Gates of Ishtar
The Dawn of Flames
Death
I’d bet the thing these kids are the most proud of concerning this release is the fact that they got to have boobies on the front cover (there is a topless barbarianess holding some sort of weapon, waiting to plunder something — neato). The Dawn of Flames is the second album from this Swedish band.
The Everdawn
Poems – Burn The Past
Death
This is one of the better black metal releases I’ve heard in awhile the Everdawn is made up of Swedish, guitar-dueling brothers Patrik and Pierre Tornkvist, Oskar Karlsson on drums and Niklas Svensson on bass. The band was formed in 1990 with the name originally being Decortigation. I like this album because The Everdawn has much more to offer than the usual black metal band. Great production and playing ability — maybe these guys will start a new trend in the black metal world.
Midvinter
At The Sight Of The Apocalypse Dragon
Death
According to the bio, this band went through a whole slew of crap and misfortune trying to get this album recorded. The moral of the story is if you get this album you better damn well enjoy it. The release was engineered and produced by King Diamond guitarist Andy LaRocque (I never knew Andy could drive a train!). —Forgach
Read more from the archives:
Records: February 1998
Written in Blood: February 1998
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