Written in Blood: February 1998
Archived
In Flames
Whoracle
Nuclear Blast
While listening to Whoracle by Sweden’s In Flames, it becomes apparent that this band was formed by a guitarist. Unable to fully express himself with his previous band Ceremonial Oath, guitarist Jesper Stromblad formed In Flames in the early ’90s. This album definitely emphasizes the guitar work, but not in a showcasing type of way. The guitarist’s’ contributions on this album are highlighted because they elevate the musicianship and technical aspects of the songs. The music is complex, the production is large and the songs are good. One of my favorites is the Swedish folk-sounding instrumental on track 4, “Dialogue With The Stars.”
Beauty In Darkness Vol. 2
Nuclear Blast
If you need a good dose of goth/metal, then this release is for you. For anyone out there that knows as little as I do about goth, just imagine a bunch of death bands coming together and recording ballads. Actually, to use the word ballad would be an exaggeration, although a couple do appear on the CD. The songs are dark and brooding and most of the bands have slowed it down from their usual frantic pace. Anyway, with seventeen bands being featured and 80 minutes of music, you’ll have plenty of time to figure out what this stuff is for yourself. Peter Tagtgren‘s project, Pain and In Flames are a couple of bands that appear on the CD that really turn up the heat. Other notable mentions would go out to Theatre Of Tragedy, Dreadful Shadows, and Sentenced to name a few.
Morbid Angel
Formulas Fatal to the Flesh
Earache
Morbid Angel released their first two albums, Altars of Madness and Blessed Are the Sick on Earache Records. Later, the band made news by being the first death metal band to be signed by a major label — Giant records (was/is? part of Warner Bros). Anyway, the band has come full-circle and are releasing Formulas Fatal to the Flesh on Earache. What does this mean to you? Well since the band isn’t on a major label anymore, you probably won’t be able to pick up the latest Morbid Angel at a K-Mart or Walmart anymore, which blows the entire marketing scheme of their former label. I heard that Giant’s entire marketing plan was based entirely on the little known fact that fans of death metal are mysteriously drawn to electric fan displays. Formulas Fatal to the Flesh is a big release for guitarist Trey Azagthoth. Trey produced the album, played all of the guitar and keyboard parts after he canned rhythm guitarist, Erik Rutan, and also had to write all of the material after a long time, former front-man, David Vincent quit. Trey hired former Ceremony/Internecine vocalist and bassist Steve Tucker to fill in for Vincent. While Vincent evolved into a more dynamic death metal vocalist incorporating more character in his singing style over the years, Tucker took a more traditional, straight death approach to singing. The music still has the signature Morbid sound which alternates between blinding speed and slower, sludge-filled riffs. With Trey now controlling all of the lyrical writing responsibilities, all of the songs are about or were inspired by the Gods — Chth hul hu, Habsu and Amah Ushumgal Anna. You’ll just have to read the lyrics. F.F.F. will hit the stores on February 24.
Sinister Footwear
Be Me You
DSFA Records
I am really enjoying this album. These guys kind of remind me of Corrosion Of Conformity. Sinister Footwear’s Be Me You was released by DSFA Records of the Netherlands. Be Me You is Sinister’s second full length, previous recordings being ’93s Still Got My Boots E.P.and ’95’s Who Died And Made You God? Well, that’s about all I know about this band. The bio is pretty short and to hell if I’m going to make phone calls to the Netherlands. Sinister Footwear is a pretty straight forward bluesey, metal, rock band. Overdriven guitars wallow in the low end and provide a potent kick. Vocalist Koert keeps it pretty clean and clear with his strong singing style.
—Forgach
Read more Written in Blood:
Written in Blood: January 1998
Written in Blood: December 1997
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