National Music Reviews
Well, Ozzfest got cancelled due to “scheduling conflicts.” Apparently, “live for metal” isn’t the case anymore. Apparently, the old washed-up bands and the new shitty ones just SUCK too badly to be able to play their individual half-hour sets–two days in a row. How could we all expect more from them? I mean, we only paid $80-$100+ for tickets, right?
Nihilistic Contentment
Wicked World Records
Exmortem = Decapitated + Blood Red Throne + Bloodbath
Exmortem is yet another entry in a newly-forming, long line of bands that are taking the pummeling brutality of Suffocation and adding the sharp precision of newer bands like Blood Red Throne and Decapitated to their sound. While this isn’t their first album, it does indeed blow all the others away. This band isn’t doing anything groundbreaking, but for some reason I was compelled to continue listening. It made me realize I was jaded to death metal, but even though a band like this isn’t doing anything new, they can still catch one’s interest.
Carrion Crawler
Rot Crumble Collapse
Rawker Records
Carrion Crawler = Agoraphobic Nosebleed + Anal Cunt + Cephalic Carnage + Anal Blast Named after a heinous D&D beast, this Colorado band screams forth with all the rage and fury of any self respecting gorenoisegrindcore band. With surprisingly long songs for a band of this genre, this is a pretty quality release. If you’re into the chaotic sounds of Anal Blast, Agoraphobic Nosebleed and other grinding chaos, this is worth checking out because it’s a rotting head and shoulders above many of their peers out there.
Pain
Dancing with the Dead
Megarock Records
Pain = The Kovenant + Deathstars + Rammstein
Peter from HypocrisyABYSS studios returns with his fourth album in the guise of “Pain,” his one man cybergoth metal band. Previously, Pain’s efforts have all been very pleasing in terms of something heavy but different. Clean vocals and a very industrialgoth vein run through all the material, as well as wisely minimized keyboard usage. But, all good things come to an end, don’t they? This album doesn’t suck, but just doesn’t have the magic the previous efforts did. This album just seems like Peter churned out some stuff to get out of a contract, which isn’t too far from the truth, from what I know. Currently, Dancing with the Dead is only available as an import.
Kamelot
The Black Halo
SPV Europe
Kamelot = Jag Panzer + Hammerfall + Edguy
Why am I reviewing one of those sissy European power metal bands? Because, the guy from Dimmu Borgir sings on the opening track! Yeah! No, really… I’m out of stuff to review, so read on. From the beginning, this was just … okay. Then came the obligatory “power” ballad. Ick. Then an actual good song, then another run of the mill riff and wail-fest. Nothing new, nothing great, but nothing horribly shitty. If you’re looking to get into power metal, this is as good a place as any, as most power metal tends to sound very formulaic. One good thing: no songs or artwork concerning dragons or swords, despite the band name.
