by Chris Wheeler | Déc 19, 2013 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Neongod
« Cleareyes » EP
Self Released/Independent
2009
When he’s not blasting away on Carpathian Forest numbers, drummer Anders Kobro can be heard in NEONGOD, a band he joined in 2009, following their inception in 2005, and which also features Ivan Gujic from Blood Red Throne. Norway has long been affiliated with the classic Black Metal template, but NEONGOD is an entirely different beast altogether! Released in 2009, “Cleareyes” exudes confidence and attitude while pushing the limits of thrash Metal laden with tons of groove!
“Zitadelle” begins with grit and caustic discord slightly similar to Slayer, especially in how the vocals are delivered, fast paced and shouted with furious intonation. Title track, “Cleareyes” conveys much of what the rest of the record relies on; groove and attitude. “Stop and go” riffs abound while the chorus is catchy and will no doubt have fans head banging in unison live! “Fragments of Blood” is loaded with vitriol and high energy “moshable” rhythms as well.
What allows “Cleareyes” to be so enjoyable are not only the infectious patterns but the “shout along vocals” that surely garner NEONGOD a rabid crowd during live performances. “Safe Report from the Breeding Station” perfectly demonstrates this along with “Stalingrad”, the only song to include a brief blast beat behind a punchy lead riff. The albums solos are to be recognized as well for being unconventional and frantic, notably on “Fragments of Blood”.
For fans of Pantera and 1990’s era Thrash, NEONGOD’s “Cleareyes” will leave you exhausted after a short, spirited bout of contagious rhythms and aggressive tempos! Not highly technical or fast, the mid-paced leanings will certainly be memorable for fans with a penchant for catchy Metal on overdrive! To be enjoyed with friends over a few beers!
Standout Tracks: “Cleareyes”, “Safe Report from the Breeding Station”
8/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Déc 10, 2013 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Incandescence
« Abstractionnisme »
Deathbound Records
2013
Emerging from the depths of technical Death Metal wizards, BEYOND CREATION, drummer Philippe Boucher and free agent vocalist, Francis Desrochers have joined forces to form INCANDESCENCE! Releasing their premier album, “Abstractionnisme”, the Montreal dual forge ahead with awesome power and potent Black Metal to great effect!
Harboring a crisp sound and production, the album starts simply enough with an intro. that preludes competent musicianship, courtesy of P. Boucher who plays all the instruments. Title track, Abstractionniste is melodically busy punctuated by manic drums and riffs aplenty. Drama is added by the occasional blast beat, all the while maintaining a controlled rhythm. What is striking about the sound, is that even though keyboards or string instrumentation aren’t used, the sound is oddly symphonic! The quality of Francis Desrochers’s vocal with the guitar riffs and drums give the impression of a background orchestra at work. Glorieuse Dégénérescence also showcases a similar effect and can be likened to French Black Metallists, ANOREXIA NERVOSA, both in vocal style and aural intensity.
Meanwhile, the two bring the momentum down at times to a slow plodding crawl as is evident in La Valse des Ombres. Here INCANDESCENCE displays an ability to perform full tilt but can add variation to the equation nicely. Boucher’s drumming greatly accentuates the song’s drive as Desrochers’s rasp spits forth reflections of nature`s imposing beauty in his poet lyrics. L’Abîme du Rêve begins with clean guitar strumming and nice bass line before entering into a galloping tempo and blast beat throughout only to book end the song with the familiar clean guitar. Juxtaposed styles characterize final cut, Prophétie de la Lune de Sang as a straight forward approach is adopted musically and features a “dreamlike” quality. While there are more quiet moments (the song boasts three movements), the fury does rear its head once again. “Abstractionnisme” is a beast of a record full of dynamic flare and although there could be a bit more bottom end in the final mix, INCANDESCENCE has truly released a gem! Though, not completely obvious upon first listen, this is a complex, demanding album that will continue to grow and present itself to be a fan favorite for the Quebec Metal scene and beyond!
Standout Tracks: Abstractionniste, L’Abîme de Rêve, Prophétie de la Lune de Sang (i. Manifestation ii. Posession iii.Ascension)
8.5/10
Chris Metalreviews Wheeler
by Chris Wheeler | Déc 8, 2013 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Aepoch
Demo
Unsigned/Independent
Hailing from Cambridge, Ontario, AEPOCH use traditional Death Metal dynamics with progressive touches unpredictably! Releasing a three song demo, these Canadians do a fine job in using a worn and tired template but branch off the beaten path to experiment with something unique.
City of Statues, sees AEPOCH melodically deliver an accessible performance that is both catchy and well developed. Midway through, the song’s structure breaks to feature “left field” progressions as lead guitar spins a harrowing solo! M.D.M.A. displays a more rigorous, abrasive approach that will certainly have fans thrash in the pit to the rhythmic crunch of the main riff. Blast beats and manic mid-section will secure the band’s place in musically adept company. Final cut, Plummet may not possess the production’s consistency of the two other tracks, but the ideas remain intriguing highlighted by a chuggy drive that recalls Lamb of God!
Though playing this style of Death Metal may not be new, AEPOCH do a fine job in incorporating progressive leanings to set themselves apart. Maintaining a knack for vigorous riffage, the vocals combine a deep hearty bellow with a higher pitched screech to round out a sound that will no doubt attract new fans looking for something a tad different than the norm. The future looks bright….
7/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Déc 7, 2013 | Critiques, Critiques d'Albums
Despondent Soul
« Conspiracy of Torture »
Here After Productions
2013
Out of the cold, wintery darkness of Finland comes DESPONDENT SOUL, a juggernaut of a one-man band whose debut album, “Conspiracy of Torture” will certainly make wanton fans’ ears bleed! Creative force, S.J. has done his homework in brutal death stylings with absolutely no remorse or refinement! Often Finland’s Metal exports have garnered the country attention with melodic, highfalutin sounding bands, but DESPONDENT SOUL seeks to break the stereotype.
“Limbo (of Souls and Spirits)” propels the album into familiar territory with resplendent keys and monstrous vocal overdubs only to unleash the REAL beast, “Conspiracy of Torture”, a firm indication of where S.J. creative ideas stem. Here, a claustrophobic wall of fuzz dictates the overall sound as slight orchestral flourishes coincide with brutal death mayhem. It is immediately apparent that a drum machine has been used but the sound isn’t entirely “mechanical”. Deep, vicious growls linger atop a rhythm section that could be brought up slightly higher in the final mix as lead riffs often drown it out. As “Death Was Our Companion” and “The Suffering of Others” march on, the listener is treated to some harrowing riffs and caustic pandemonium not too far removed from the sound /riffs heard on Morbid Angel’s “Altars of Madness” Lp. or Mithras’s aural fury. The riffs are unpredictable and often off-kilter, leaving the listener either completely entranced or seemingly confused. That’s not a bad thing. DESPONDENT SOUL creates an audibility that won’t be understood easily and will require further spins!
The only respite appears on “Children of an Immolated God”, where the tempo is brought down a notch to a more accessible cadence while, “At the Temple of Human Darkness” treats with uncharacteristic acoustic guitar and gloomy ambiance before reaching for the rampaging discord of previous numbers. While Finland boasts many popular bands critically heralded by the press, DESPONDENT SOUL breathe new life in the scene with, “Conspiracy of Torture”, that is anything but catchy, melodic or female-fronted. This is an album seething with hatred and aurally malicious! Fans looking for something off the beaten path that caters to the “brutal death” tradition but takes it up several notches, look no further….
Standout Tracks: “Suffering of Others”, “Children of an Immortal God”, “At the Temple of Human Darkness”
7.5/10
Chris
by Chris Wheeler | Nov 28, 2013 | Critiques d'Albums
Irkallian Oracle
« Grave Ekstasis »
Bolvark
Gothenburg, Sweden. The place is renowned for many melodic Death Metal acts that emerged from the metropolis in the early 90’s. Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, Arch Enemy and At the Gates have all found glory beyond the city walls, but one act who’s emerged to break the “Gothenburg” sound stereotype is IRKALLIAN ORACLE. Releasing debut album, “Grave Ekstasis,” the band’s story is shrouded in mystery preferring to let the darkness tell the tale. Title track, “Grave Ekstasis”, begins as a punishingly slow burn that achingly builds in momentum to culminate in a wall of static guitars and juggernaut drumming. Dirty and dirge-like, the song boasts a combination of Crust and Black/Death. The repetition of its rhythm helps demonstrate the feral quality as deep throated growls propel the song ever deeper into the abyss!
By contrast “Iconoclasm” burst forth with a no-hold barred approach basking in the darkness from with it came. Blast beats and tremolo guitar picking accentuate the song before tapering off into mid- paced territory. Vocally, the erotically dismal lyrics possess a slight echo to their delivery while the overall sound has more in common with Norway’s Aeternus than the commercial melody of In Flames. Still, the song displays a penchant for the repetitious and sinister as the pace never fully speeds up but rather lumbers on to its conclusion. What we have here, is a mystery in IRKALLIAN ORACLE that’s bound to leave rabid Black/Death fans chomping at the bit, while waiting for the opportunity to see this enigmatic band live!
8/10
