Written in Blood: Hard Music for A Hard World

Hostility
Brick
Century Media

The band Hostility hails from the wheat fields of Kansas. Though they don’t have the cruel streets of a big city to inspire them, the band claims that there is plenty to hate in the Midwest. I think the guys are just harboring resentment to the fact that there wasn’t any nudity in “The Wizard of Oz,” which as we all know took place partially in their home state. The band reminds me a little of Pantera. Most of the songs on the album chug on with a moderate tempo, and detuned heaviness. Of course, there is an exception on track six, when the band sneaks in a ballad. The song is a tribute to their late father, so I guess I’m going to have to cut them a break. If you found coal in your stocking this Christmas, instead of a copy of Hostility’s Brick, then you just may have to go out and get one for yourself.

Galactic Cowboys
Machine Fish
Metal Blade

The Galactic Cowboys, Machine Fish, could be best described as a rock album. Yes, I could go on for the better part of this page whining about how it’s not heavy enough, or that there’s not enough of the obligatory references to Satan — but I’m not going to. I’m trying to keep some sort of “golden rule” in mind. I would also rather save the crappy reviews for the releases that really deserve it, not because I don’t care for the style of music. So, if MTV style, feel-good rock and roll is your cup of tea, then take a sip of Machine Fish, courtesy of the Galactic Cowboys.

Merauder
Master Killer
Century Media

New York City has produced another heavy, gang experienced, metal band. The band will probably be compared to bands like Biohazard, though there is one big difference between Merauder and all of the other bands with similar styles and histories. Merauder happens to actually be good. No, scratch that. They are one of the better “metal” bands I’ve heard in a while. Master Killer, the band’s first full length release, has laid a solid foundation for Merauder to build upon. Master KIller  is pure, power metal. This is one band to look out for.

Paradise Lost
Draconian Times
Music For Nations

I made it through song three. I just didn’t have the strength to go on. I didn’t want to lose the will to live all together by listening to more. Oh, gee, am I being negative? Let me try this then. Maybe you’ll like it, but I doubt it.

Sacred Reich
Heal
Metal Blade

Sacred Reich’s Heal is the band’s fourth full-length release in their nine year history. The album is packed with all of the intensity and thought provoking lyrical messages that you would expect from a Sacred Reich release. The sixth track, “Jason’s Idea.” even has a miked bong hit to intro the song. Inventive guys. Many bands have used drugs to inspire their artistry, but these guys have incorporated actual drug use into their songs. Neato. This band has been around for a long time. Their first album, Ignorance, came out in 1987… Sacred Reich was one of the few bands at that time that helped pull the ass of metal out of the fire when it was really starting to suck. 

Terminal Sect
The Gun Worship EP
None Of The Above

Terminal Sect’s latest industrial offering, The Gun Worship EP, gets this month’s award for value. Didn’t know it existed now did you? The release is packed with over seventy minutes of music, and features remixes by: En Esch (KMFDM), John Bergin (Trust Obey), Cris Moriarty (Controlled Bleeding), and Coin of the Realm. I’m assuming the remixes are of songs which appeared on Terminal Sect’s first release, Thehumansconditioned. The Gun Worship EP also contains three new tracks. I wonder how they found space on the CD for three new songs with only seventy minutes to play with?

Thought Industry
Outer Space Is Just A Martini Away
Metal Blade

I will admit, when I first received Thought Industry’s latest, OUTER SPACE IS JUST A MARTINI AWAY, I was sure I wouldn’t like it. It took weeks for me to even take the CD out of its case. Before listening I thought it would be another crappy, artsy attempt at trying to come up with something new, that would end up falling pathetically short. When I finally committed myself to listening to the album, I put the CD in the player, and found myself enjoying what I heard. At one point, I even caught myself strapping on my……(Oh you people are sick!) strapping on my air guitar. This release is most definitely different. It’s a very well put together album. Thought Industry combines plenty of aggression and intensity with finesse. The band’s style is hard to label. Something I’m so fond of doing. Metal Blade, the band’s home, describes Thought Industry as “hardcore – new wave”. Thought Industry have been found on tour with bands as diverse as Prong and Slayer, to Hole, KMFDM, and the Afghan Whigs. –Forgach 

Read more from the SLUG archives:
Feature Band: Ruth Ruth
The Pinch