Written in Blood: December 1996

Speedball
Drive Like Hell
Energy 

Drive Like Hell is Speedball’s follow-up to their LP, Do Unto Others…Then Split. This Detroit based band chugs through this EP with their muscle car attitude. Drive Like Hell contains four studio and three live songs. This release has a little more of a rock n’ roll sound to it than I usually listen to, but I like it. 

Shaquille O’Neal
You Can’t Stop The Reign
T.W.IsM. 

I have to agree with Gianni on this one. Shaquille’s latest release, You Can’t Stop The Reign, is far heavier than his last two. Though we both agree it epitomizes all of that which is heavy, we went back and forth on what is so great about it. While Gianni felt that the rhythm section was the highlight of the disc, I feel the true genius is revealed by the sheer virtuosity of the guitarists. The double bass fills and rolls were impressive, however it was the sweeps, run and chops of the guitars that really carried this disc musically. Appearances by members of Blue Cheer, Megadeth, and Slayer were also a nice touch. Keep on rock’n Shaquille! 

Nevermore
The Politics Of Ecstasy
Century Media 

I’m just coming right out and saying it – Nevermore’s The Politics of Ecstasy is simply one of the very best albums I’ve heard in the past two years. We got a little taste of what this band was capable of with their last EP, In Memory. Material for the EP and their latest release was recorded around the same time, but the amount of music they ended up with warranted separate releases. Most of the stuff on In Memory was a bit on the gloomy, slow side. As the band promised on the liner notes of the EP, they saved the heavier stuff for this release. These guys have combined the best factors of metal and melody. The music is extremely heavy and technical with incredible guitarists Pat O’Brien and Jeff Loomis, and Warren Dane’s vocals are every bit as impressive. Some pretty deep subject matter is touched on in the lyrics as well. As technology brings man and machine closer to being one in the same, “Should machines be considered a conscious entity?” At least I know someone else out there is losing sleep over this matter.

Morgoth
Feel Sorry For The Fanatic
Century Media 

I started listening to Morgoth back in ’91 when Cursed was released. At that time, Morgoth was joined by other European bands such as Grave, Carcass, and Gorefest in forming what would become modern day grindcore. Morgoth, as well as the other bands that survived the evolution of grindcore from the early to late 90s, started out with something special and have had the insight and ability to change with the times. Morgoth’s albums have always had a heavy dose of experimentation, and an almost orchestrated sound to them. Feel Sorry For The Fanatic is the latest by Morgoth, and shows this band will never stop trying something new. 

Manowar
Louder Than Hell
Geffen 

Whoever signed Manowar AGAIN should be smacked hard and be sent into the streets. Listen to Louder Than Hell to induce vomiting and/or severe fits of laughter only. I used to listen to these guys back when I was in the sixth grade (roughly 15 years ago). Come to think of it, they weren’t any good then either. “Wearin’ leather on a horse of steel I ride. Ain’t waitin’ to get old, I’m runnin’ hot, I’m never cold.” That’s just a sample of the lyrics. I may be mistaken, but isn’t this the stuff that gives metal a bad name? Shame on you, Geffen Records, for promoting such crap. 

Dio
Angry Machines
Mayhem 

Whoever signed Dio AGAIN, should be…just kidding. After a lengthy departure from the music scene, Ronnie James Dio is releasing a new album. This man still has one of the coolest sounding voices in metal. Angry Machines was out on October 15th. Dio was joined by longtime musical partner Vinnie Appice on drums (what the hell is Carmen doing these days?). Ronnie found some unknown named Tracy G. to play guitar for him. Jeff Pilson filled in on the bass, though he’s not pictured on the back of the disc with the other three. Dio was probably afraid someone would recognize him as the guy from that band Dokken (you can never distance yourself far enough from that band). The style on this album reminds me more of Dio with Sabbath than his solo stuff. It’s got a Dehuminizer quality to it. Which proves again – you can take a man out of Sabbath, but you can’t take the Sabbath out of the man. 

Cathedral
Supernatural Birth Machine
Earache 

QUESTION: What is Cathedral’s Supernatural Birth Machine?
ANSWER: It’s the fourth full-length release from the band Cathedral due out in October 15. (Part two) It’s the fourth release by this band that I don’t like. 

Carcass
Wake Up and Smell The…Carcass
Earache 

Wake Up and Smell the…Carcass documents the history of Carcass. From the band’s early recordings such as Reek of Putrefaction, until its ultimately death which was marked appropriately by the album, Swansong. Carcass’s music has always changed the standards for grindcore and extreme music. Wake Up and Smell the…Carcass will take the newer Carcass fan by the hand from beginning to end. For the seasoned fan, you’ll hear unreleased demos from Swansong, live-in-studio versions from the “Radio 1 Rock Show” sessions, songs from Heartwork and Tools of the Trades EPs, and a sample of the material from the Pathological and Grind Crusher complications. A collection of Carcass videos, which I hear clocks in at 108 minutes, is also on the block for release.

Read more Written in Blood by John Forgach:
Written in Blood: October 1996
Written in Blood: September 1996

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