by Chris Wheeler | Mar 27, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Dark Blasphemer
« Drowning in Depression » (demo)
Self Released/Independent
2012
Argentina is not normally known for its horde of Black Metal outfits paying homage to the dark, but DARK BLASPHEMER certainly has done their homework. Though an album a few years old now, premier demo, « Drowning in Depression » takes the Black Metal template and fuses it with harrowing depressive results.
Coming across as very somber, opening instrumental track gently plucks guitar strings much the same way as Anders « Blakkheim » Nystrom did so many moons ago in KATATONIA’s early days. From there, the twosome, in Nicolas Cisneros and Milton Oscares, introduce listeners to minimalist Black Metal, albeit with rousing depression and brooding tension in songs, « Eternal Sleep« , « Suicide My Mind« , and title track. Each number features lumbering riff ideas that capture the spirit of what the two are hoping for along with miserably, distorted vocals! « Dead Emperor » also exudes this feeling but adds subtle touches of background keys while classical piano brings the song to a close.
Contrarily, DARK PLASPHEMER does reach great heights of fury with « Black Warrior« , « Blasphemer » and « Devastation World« . Here, songs begin in a fevered pitch, often rampaging until the pace is slowed to a mid-paced crawl, perfect for headbanging! What does quickly become apparent, however, is that the songs seem slightly formulaic in their approach and need to branch out a bit more, especially on the slower numbers that hint at greatness! The piano outro on « Dark Emperor« , for instance shows signs of musicianship that crosses genre borders and could use more exploring.
With all the potential to rise beyond their wildest imaginations, the duo of DARK BLAPHEMER definitely prove there is much to discover and enjoy here. As the faster numbers bear all the characteristics of seasoned Black Metal acts before, « Drowned in Depression » includes ideas that may bear some (rotten) fruit if only they capitalize on the details which allow them to stand out.
Standout Tracks: « Eternal Sleep« , « Dead Emperor« , « Drowned in Depression »
7.5/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Mar 24, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Pallor Mortis
« The Art of Terror »
Self Released/Independent
2014
Emerging from the cold, dark depths of the Montreal underground, PALLOR MORTIS are set to unleash their debut full length record, « The Art of Terror« . Brimming with traditional Death Metal malice, the group professes a kindred link to Morbid Angel’s early sound and the assessment isn’t too far off. From their first self-titled EP in 2011, the band has grown to singularly capture the rabid energy and technical prowess to satiate fans of Floridian Death Metal and even a little Behemoth. Bookmarked between an ambient intro and outro, the album sets in motion hyper vicious riffs with militant strife, very similar to what the Polish lads are doing right now, especially on « Vengeance Basks in Vestiges of the Past« .
From there, the songs vary in degree from stop and go rhythms and blast beats in « As Man Behold its Scorching » to a deliberate crunch on « To Sever; the Art of Terror » and « The Chthonian Pyre of Salem« . Meanwhile, album highlight, « Gorged Flesh Adorned Their Shores« , features a stunning bass line scale accompanied by an infectious main riff; technical but not over done. Deep, husky guttural vocals lead the music in lyrical anguish as vocalist, Vince O’Leary relays tales of torture, agony and enslavement in very well written passages that visually set the tone for the album’s concept. Notable too is the soundscape of ocean waves hitting the shore in the instrumental, « Fretum« , a perfect interlude that breaks the barrage of chaos, nicely.
With a debut that will quickly garner the band some significant attention for the songwriting alone, the sound of the record may be on the thin side. With brutal Death Metal priding itself on heaviness, « The Art of Terror » sounds very well produced, but somewhat crisp and « unfeeling », lacking in some bottom end. The musicianship is clearly present and the structures are enough to raise many eyebrows, but the final sound needs a bit more « snarl ». That being said, PALLOR MORTIS certainly have an album that’s worthy of repeated listens and for a debut, heads will bang!
Standout Tracks: « To Sever; the Art of Terror« , « Gorged Flesh Adorned Their Shores« , « The Chthonian Pyre of Salem »
8/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Mar 17, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Garagedays
« Passion of Dirt »
Rocksector (UK)
2014
Emerging from Austria, the foursome of GARAGEDAYS make no bones about it, they are truly indebted to the spirit and rebellion of 1980’s Heavy Metal!! Their latest effort, « Passion of Dirt » is such a tribute and indeed a throwback to the glorious days of yore, that even Andy LaRocque of King Diamond found his way to mix and master the album along with Ralph Scheepers and the band themselves at the helm of production.
Coming off their last full length, « Dark and Cold » in 2011, the band have upped the ante in execution and passion and blasting the listener with « It Rules » and « Never Give Up« , songs that imbue the sleaze/rock aesthetic along with a dirty bar/rock feel too! In a similar vein, « Road to Madness » captures a more pulverizing and aggressive tone, reminiscent of early MOTÖRHEAD, while « Bleeding Days » is also voracious in its execution.
What makes « Passion of Dirt » so enjoyable is the flow by which the songs are placed. The album’s sequence of heavier and slower tunes is in perfect tandem and never offers any redundant « filler » but a logical pace of development. Besides the heavier numbers, there are moments of sheer emotion that capture the « softer side » of GARAGEDAYS. The title track, « Streets » and « The Unknown Feeling » all include powerful, yet subtle, nuances of heavy rock balladry, especially the latter, which is certainly a standout track. Here, beautifully strummed chords and docile vocals make for an ode fit for lit lighters held high in praise! Meanwhile, « Streets » is befitting of acclaim in its plucked strings that give way to the band’s signature heavy assault and epic guitar solo.
Being a group that has released this, their second complete album, GARAGEDAYS will surely have heads rolling as fans hear « Passion of Dirt » for the first time. Brilliantly produced, the quality of the songs is top notch and will go a long way in securing the band’s reputation for bringing back the old spirit/defiance of the golden days of ‘80’s style Heavy Metal. Packed full of memorable songs, fans that lived through that period along with new fans will surely have a lot to celebrate in this album, which would best be heard live, in an open air festival this summer. Buy your tickets now!!!
Standout Tracks: « Road to Madness« , « Razorblade« , « Streets« , « The Unknown Feeling »
9/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Mar 16, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques de Shows
Review of Murphy’s Law Show with special guests, Shotcallers, Bourbon DK, Overpower and Street Troopers.
Katacombes, 1365 St. Laurent, Montreal Friday, March 14th 2014.
With smiles, hugs and positive vibes permeating the air, Punk Rock/Hardcore fans shuffled gleefully into Montreal’s Katacombes around 8pm to witness their friends and legendary acts perform and share a beer over music, laughter and good times.
No stranger to the Punk Rock scene in Montreal, city natives, SHOTCALLERS excelled in laying down the foundations of what would be a truly memorable evening. “Happy-go lucky” sounding rhythms sums up what the quintet are all about, providing short, jaunty numbers mixed with ever so slight N.W.O.B.H.M. influences that continued to creep in throughout their set. Case in point, their stirring rendition of Judas Priest’s, “Breaking the Law” may have been out of place, but how the troupe added their own unique way was something out of the ordinary and a welcome surprise! “Emeute” went down in great toe-tapping fashion while “Sans Furtur” went down equally well and was introduced as a new song. The band’s self-titled song, “Shotcallers” featured an infectious bass line and elements of rousing Ska. A nice start to the night’s proceedings…
Ontario’s BOURBON DK aggressively attacked the crowd with their brand of straightforward Hardcore/Punk. The Canadians made sure that those in attendance would stand up and shout along to their virulence as an element of dark humour ran inconspicuously behind their wall of noise. In addition, the heaviness was only made forceful with the audible bass that strengthened the slower moments. A rough, throaty shout helped singer, Curb Stomp Cooper push songs, “Hate the Racist”, “Hooligans” and “Last Call Brawl” all to tumultuous effect! With BOUBON DK, the moshing was finally underway!
Living up to their name, OVERPOWER were next to decimate the crowd with songs, “Hogtown”, “Wrong Side” and “Good Fight”, among others. Playful heckling from the crowd didn’t deter the band from pulling out all the stops especially when singing “Happy Birthday” to a fellow friend in the audience. The rhythm guitarist, who also performed with SHOTCALLERS to open the evening, had a grin from ear to ear basking in the good natured pestering from those on the floor. This set saw the crowd more stoic in movement but enjoying themselves nonetheless.
Fan favorites and local “heroes”, STREET TROOPERS, were next and made sure nobody was left “unslammed”! “Don’t Let Them Win”, “We Won’t Give In” and “On the Streets of Montreal” all ensured gang shouts from the audience, body surfing, moshing and overall good-time mayhem! “You Survived” took the band into “serious” territory as the singer, announced the song was originally written in remembrance of friends he had lost when he was younger. Marching from side to side of the stage, he commanded attention and audience participation resulting in a highly successful set brimming with determination and purpose!
Headliners and New York Hardcore institution, MURPHY’S LAW, was hell bent on making sure everyone in attendance was not leaving without having a great time, and a great time they had…well , until the final moments. Playing to French Canadian clichés, singer Jimmy Gestapo, frequently celebrated the domestic beer and Canadian Hockey in between songs, but the banter soon grew somewhat tiresome, with even a female onlookers shouting out, “Shut up and play a song!” Regardless, Gestapo’s charisma and positive attitude far outweighed anything else. In between songs, he invited a fan in a wheelchair to come up on stage and join the group for beer drinking and participate in the “action”, to which the fan climbed out of his chair, mounted a monitor and leapt into the crowd! Musically, MURPHY’S LAW added a new twist to the “Hardcore Punk” sound by including a saxophonist whose played notes acted almost like a second lead guitar! Very “urban” aurally, the combination of the sax and the bass line groove lent many songs to swing between reggae and freeform jazz. Cuts like, “Barbecue”, “Anti-Facist” and Skinhead Rebel” all firmly made the point of inclusion and cultural understand/empathy.
Finally, as an encore, Gestapo, intent on rallying the troops for three last songs, was unfortunately cut short before the first could be completed due to a potential fight that manifested in plain sight. Cue the lights, MURPHY’S LAW abandoned ship after being unsuccessful in breaking the fighters apart and thus ironically ending a night that was supposed to bring fans together but instead may have dampened a few spirits….not mine however nor those around me!
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Mar 4, 2014 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Hybreed Chaos
« Dying Dogma »
PRC Music
2013
Bursting out of Montreal, Quebec, HYBREED CHAOS have released an EP of epic proportions, bludgeoning listeners with brutal, technical and slow building numbers on their debut ,“Dying Dogma”. Being issued through PRC Music, a label renowned for their affinity to caustic underground Death Metal, HYBREED CHAOS fit right into the sound of off kilter, jazzy, disjointed rhythms, and the likes of which GORGUTS would be proud!
Immediately apparent is the purposeful charge of “A Machine for Pigs”, a song exuding force and hectic blast beats all the while maintaining sections of groove and melody. An anomaly, the fast pace nature of the cut rarely reappears, with the exception of the final seconds of “Dismembered Purity”. What the foursome DO adhere to on this EP, are slow, lurching melodies that inspire much toe-tapping and headbanging galore! “Dismembered Purity”, “Emperor”, and “Charogne” all channel a veritable feast of groove-oriented Death Metal with enough “filth” to satisfy many listens.
Standouts, “Defiled Servitude” and “Silent Agony” both do well to combine the “syrupy” rhythms with loads of bizarre time changes, cool baselines and jazzy riffs that will certainly leave some scratching their heads. Though not particularly easy to “get” upon an initial listen, the more the records is spun, the more the poly-rhythmic patterns start to sink in. Songs are layered with many detailed ideas, while vocalist, François Toutée’s, smokey, husky growl perfectly complements the music and adds to the overall “dirtiness” of “Dying Dogma”. For Death Metal aficionados with a penchant for “outside the box” song structures and technical wizardry, HYBREED CHAOS has cut a very interesting album in “Dying Dogma”. Dripping with slow burning menace, the Montrealers no doubt have set their sights on conquering the Metal elite. Let’s hope the determination and originality continues on subsequent follow ups!
Standout Tracks: A Machine for Pigs, Defiles Servitude, Silent Agony
8/10
