THE DEAD GOATS - Don't Go in the Tomb (2015)

The Tomb Impression: More Filth in the Blood

 

 

This front cover that comes into the view, may lead into an error, as it is a proper picture for black or death metal with occult touch. Fortunately The Dead Goats doesn’t change its style, and the members don’t carry such creative pseudonyms like “Caller of the Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Northern Blasphemous Storms of the Unholy Majesty” either. Man, this band still impresses me a lot, being not only one of the best crews that spread the Swedish old-school sorcery into the soil, but just a metal outfit generally. Their last vomits are rather short ones, and this Ep isn’t an exception, lasting circa eleven minutes. But what a nice piece of music it is!  

Ha, I wrote about eleven minutes, that’s right, but the opening title track starts off with a minute spoken intro. Then the next minute of rather slow tempo passes by, it’s like a knock-up before relentless sonic ravage, such a full of overwhelming filth. Yes, the sound realization took care about such impressions, as the music that pours out from the speakers is dirt, infected and contaminated with a reek of an old tomb. What a nice reference to the title! And if musically Goats made great play with Dismember second and third full-length, it’s good listening to some fragments of drums blasting fury (beginning and ending part of “Featherless”, or using Repulsion cover). For sure those two authorial shots are made to be a strong part of the upcoming gigs. That’s no surprise for me as it contains of this evident natural kind of melody, moving and catchy riffs, however in “Featherless” there is a breathing space put in the middle being best example how crushing bass lines are! Generally, Jawor’s mind-whipping instrument is another thing to be praised of.

Following the non-Swedish cover path, “Festering Boils” of Repulsion completes the thing, striking with frenzied drum works in last seconds. These eleven minutes run as fast as you can only think about, forcing to put the finger on button ‘play’ once again. And while looking on band’s discography, it’s clear the Goats dose the rotten ideas little by little, maintaining the concentration in blood on detectable label luckily. Something like The Dead Goats Slow Release® or Prolonged®. But guys, the next 2016 year needs more, just more stuff to listen to, maybe with The Dead Goats Forte® full version? I hope for the best. 

80/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in December, 2015)

  

 

ZAMAK - The Dark of the Sun (2015)

Zamak Has Come

Completely unexpectedly Mexican beast called Zamak trampled my nice garden-plot. Unexpectedly, because I didn’t expect such a ravager meeting. What is more, even if the band being under command of Antonio Ruiz is twenty years old crew with four full-lengths in its curriculum vitae, this material is the first title with Zamak’s name in my collection. “The Dark of the Sun” consists of two new tracks and two re-recorded versions of the old ones, all clocking in 20 minutes, bringing a piece of solid metal craft. As for production side, the band decided to entrust it to familial duo from MAT studio. And the sound realization is just an added value, yet it doesn’t disturb the overall impression and throws away any kind of nowadays soullessness.

Musically Zamak is rooted in death metal dimension, although its branches reach black metal too, especially when the riffs construction is concerned. And two Swedish bands come to my mind: Dawn (from “Slaughtersun” era) and Dissection with the “Storm of the Light’s Bane” monument. Beyond doubt, the base here is the fast furious tempo, but the guitar layers have audible proneness to aforementioned Swedish names, creating quite memorable tunes. Venomous vocals of Antonio are very clear and well-marked, yet it is another thing that guides the band into the black side. Two first songs conquer my mind very efficiently and they’re just a good visiting-card of the band. Both consciously built and executed, with many successful guitar leads. But something different comes from the old songs, as they show some too melodic fragments that soften a bit the whole. But, that’s right, in “The Scars Remind Us”, those parts are mixed with obsessively fast drums as a proper counterweight.

Maaany long months have passed from the last “Hate Dominion Revenge” album, and this year was a high time to unleash something new into the underground. After the line-up changes, Zamak decided to record a safe production with four tracks only, yet I do hope it is a sign-post for better and fruitful future, especially when all refers to the newest killers. This stuff has its own charm, it hit my heart not only by impulsive and well-arranged portion of music, but also showing this Swedish touch I have been praising since ages. Minutes go very fast, with no yawn whiles, delivering bloody madness. And one more thing concerning band’s name on the end, if read backwards, it turns into ‘Kamaz’, Russian heavy lorry. The overall impact isn’t fully murderous as compared to sudden end-on collision, although Zamak is able to cause some serious injuries as well.   

78/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in December, 2015)

SORORICIDE - Demo 1 (1993)

The Geyser Injection

Iceland isn’t a country I have got countless metal items from. On the contrary, discussed demo is the only Icelandic piece in my collection, what is more, this vicennial tape (!) is still in good condition. The band started its way with fantastic debut “The Entity” (released in 1991) which is an extreme rarity in my ‘must-have’ titles, just like another ones, especially Ep released in 2009 with old songs. And maybe I cannot understand fully the band’s cult status and completely exorbitant price for the debut cd, this three-piece demo is a really strong release, even after such a long time. Its power is easily perceptible in nowadays old-school flood.

Demo starts off without any pyrotechnics. The opener is just a good inviting track, kept in rather slow tempo with short speedy outburst with a clear declaration: fastness is not the main key to grind the listener’s mind. Supported by sordid and raw production, musicians propose a killing mixture of… You know, I read many comments treating this demo (and the band itself generally) as something new on European scene, but being born on Icelandic ground, the band didn’t run away from Scandinavian death metal influences. And that’s great, as its main source is Finnish scene and Amorphis mighty debut album, not only with characteristic portion of riffs but with mesmerizing melodies as well, breathing its life in every single track. It’s necessary to add some Autopsy flavor too, giving nice feelings of putridity to the whole atmosphere. Best track? Definitely the last one “Drown Your Soul”, the most varied and interesting, with romantic-like beginning that brings even some kind of mystery and clean warm vocals (such singing appears also in hypnotic “Within the Depths”), then it turns out into a real deathly crusher divided by smashing slowdowns. Summing the things up: this material takes a run somnolently, but the last two strikes make mind’s mass destruction.  

Changing fortunes caused Sororicide didn’t achieve spectacular success. I mean, contract and a chance to record another albums. And I don’t know if there is a possibility to hear something new from the band, because they are buried now deeply in Icelandic ground. But believe me, this demo is worth the trouble. I know, it clocks in 17 minutes barely, yet it delivers me everything I want to listen to such genre from. It makes I listen to these sounds quite often praising good old times.   

80/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in December, 2015)

DEW OF NOTHING - Outsider (2015)

Dark Green Dew's Rebirth

So, here we go with the newest, second album of Dew of Nothing, recorded after such a long break. Comparing to the old line-up, two players Rene and Martin are still on the stage, supported by Anzvz on vocals. This cd has been released by unfailing American Line in modest digipak form, again with interesting front-cover submerged in dark green, however not fairy-like as compared to the debut. The first impression is just ok, so let’s look deep inside the content of “Outsider”…

…and just forget about the times of the “Doubleueird” album. I know, both albums are divided by the expanse of years, yet I won’t be wrong claiming the new album is just… mature. But let me start from production matter, it is modern straight through, yet without any signs of horrible artificiality. My only slight complaint refers to bass lines, I’d like to hear them more clearly, remembering several crushing moments from the first strike. As for the music itself, Dew of Nothing is a different band now, and although they travel through melodic death metal dimension, their music got simplicity. The main musicians intention is to give direct, straight forward tunes, based on rampant and inexorable work of Martin’s artillery. But I’m far from claiming that “Outsider” is an endless, unreasoning portion of musical butchery. Mexicans act in full consciousness sticking climatic slowdowns among the storm of riffs. And these calmer fragments are perfect counterpoise to the killing shots, they aren’t any nonsensical invention or sham fillers, yet they are another thing to name the whole melodic. Yes, another, because the main component are rhythm guitar and semi-lead parts. Again comparing to the debut, Rene and Martin decided to drift toward Swedish territorial waters. Not being drowned in flames, but definitely more in Dark Tranquillity, Sacramentum or Cardinal Sin kind of melody. And those moments sound really, really good in every track. What is more, “Touched by Evilness” has some line that can be easily referred to the second album of Dissection. And if some names have been given, the entire atmosphere of “Outsider” is similar in very bizarre and hard to explain way to Vinterland’s “Welcome My Last Chapter”. You know, different times, different genres, but feelings and emotions pretty much the same… It’s really amazing as the band isn’t old-school kind of fashionable revival.

For sure two songs steps aside a bit, yet they don’t disturb the general impression luckily. In second song “Leave Him to the Rats” Mexicans serve a handful of broken rhythms and varied riffs, in turn the ending piece “Doomed by Omen Circus” is the slowest one in the family with surprising one-minute lasting… drum solo executed by Martin. I have been following for his talent and passion since the late nineties and believe me, another album with his participation and another thing to praise. And not only drums are Martin’s duty, he takes care about keyboards and excellent memorable guitar leads.   

   

After many meetings with the album, there is very hard to choose the leader. “Outsider” is just very equal and ‘each sound knows its place’ offer. As for the vocal parts, Anzvz is a good choice for the band, he is rather mid-range between growling and black shrieks and he did it really eventfully, being just a suitable for the rest.

A term ‘melodic death metal’ may raise doubts, it’s easy for the band to become banal and childish with their catchy face. Dew of Nothing is the next representative of the genre coming out from Mexico, and even there, the scene is quite overcrowded with such crews. Fortunately, “Outsider” is definitely of a better kind, not only from the Mexican land. It means: strong with ancient Swedish spirit melodic side mixed with uncompromising sonic violence made the modern way. And this mix really works here.    

90/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in October, 2015)

DEW OF NOTHING - Doubleueird (1998)

Almost like a (Daily) Dew

This title belongs to the big group of tapes I got from Joel Morales through the countless trades in the past. It has arrived without my order, being just another thing from the land of Mexico. And at once it intrigued me: strange band’s name and album’s title (try to spell it after fifth beer…), almost fairy front cover that should be proper for any Narnia-like tale. The opening track can lead someone into error, it’s a good tune for atmospheric or gothic outfit, fortunately “Seven Caves” blows it out. And yes, the whole can be described as death metal with melodic fragments done by means of some acoustic parts of guitars or keyboards, appearing in almost every track. The base here is rather fast tempo (but no blasts), riffs are expressive, sometimes catchy and supported by crushing, almost leading, bass lines occasionally, but as compared to melodic death crews from Gothenburg, the Mexicans are simply more brutal and ruthless.

If the realization of sound is concerned, I’d like to write it completely prepensely, as the whole is very similar to… “Prehispanic Beg” executed by Xipe Totec, even the cartoon-like drums (although I’m not surprised because one guy Jose Luis Ledezma Fernandez is responsible for that…). But the name of Mexica eulogists refers to music itself as well. I would say, it is not a surprise again, take a look on the line-up, two members of Xipe (Martin Martinez and Pablo Hernandez) are involved in Dew of Nothing. Granted, those musical similarities are obstacle to give “Doubleueird” more than good mark. All right, just take a listen to “Proud of Damned” with the riffs reminding me “Tzompantli”, or lead guitar part from “Nightmare’s Lake” very much the same as from the second lead of the title “Prehispanic Beg”. Or “Art upon Perception of Time” except for an interesting intro and acoustics. However I cannot say that this album is a copy. As compared to “Prehispanic Beg”, it is not so crude and bestial, without excursions to the Nahuatl world, with different appoggiatura I have just mentioned above that lead the band into something different. And for sure one track “Intruder and Holy Hate” shows a bit diverse face with clear signs of its own identity. Well, “Doubleueird” isn’t a title I listen to every week, yet of course I have still in my mind this release. Not an exceptional for Mexican scene, but a decent slab of death.  

Released by a small label (tape by Toaj Records and cd by Sempiternal Productions), this title came to naught I guess. The scene was overcrowded, even in Mexico, by the bands performing such a genre. As the last breath, the band managed to record one more Ep and split up at last. The musical pause has been lasting 13 years and Dew of Nothing has been born again in 2014. With different line-up, with new label, with new great (I hope) ideas as the band brings another full-length this year. So, let’s see what “Outsider” is all about…

  

70/100

- Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in October, 2015)

VAGINALLUFTWAFFE 6 (2014)

November 2014, 50/A4, hand-numbered, xeroxed, Polish, interviews: ANATOMIA, NECROIST, BOKLUK, DENOUNCEMENT PYRE, ENERGUMEN, INNSMOUTH, SARTEGOS, SADOMATOR, W.A.I.L., BLOODY VENGEANCE.

This is my first meeting with this zine, although its name has been known for several years to me. This title was reviewed oftentimes in the underground press, yet Vaginalluftwaffe hasn’t been at the top of the tree. At least I decided to give it a chance and ordered a copy. So, according to its name, mix of woman anatomy and engineering idea landed on my desk without any problem. And what about the first impression? This machine doesn’t look good: poor work on the cover made me think about my daughter making such a picture, however with some pink Shetland ponies… Ok, let’s dip into this zine and… yes, everything is just better. I am invited by nice hail goatfuckers! , then Pawel takes me to the… bygone times. Yes, all layout looks pretty old-school, with cut’n’paste method, not diving into visual chaos luckily. Unfortunately interviews haven’t been preceded by any words of editor, although Vaginalluftwaffe doesn’t deal with poor or shitty chat, what is more, it is always good to mention others who didn’t answer at all. And with those the best ones I would like to point out Innsmouth, Denouncement Pyre, Anatomia and Sartegos (pretty popular crew in UG press). From the other hand W.A.I.L. is saying about “United Aryan Evil” as one of the greatest masterpiece (?!) coming out of Poland. I have just felt from my chair laughingly! Generally speaking Pawel provided interesting questions, sometimes non-musical, yet it seems the whole is permeated by the Lovecraft immortal spirit. I liked it a lot! What else? Simple layout, modest look with some nice gore fairy stories, it makes me flowing quite smoothlythrough the pages. Some tiny misprint occurred, one is really interesting with conjunction “i” (in English ‘and’) that is capitalized often.

If the review section is concerned, I have been just bowed down with large quantity: 207 reviews of music and 54 (!) of press! It was a real treat to confront the whole text. Pawel didn’t minced maters and show immediate, straight-forward point of his view, like a machete in virgin jungle. Even many reviews explodes with a huge dose of enthusiasm, there are very critical shots as well. In addition I found few live reports (but here I would prefer to read in more ‘detailed account’ vein). The last thing, maybe in incomplete form, the Cotard delusion has been described. I realize Vaginalluftwaffe doesn’t pretend being a pathopsychology manual, yet it would be really cool to read about such cases on metal scene. Depressive black metal? Yeah, did I hit the mark? All right, to cut the thing short: good interesting read, in defiance of editor’s words about zines and bakery, he baked good garlic bread. Nourishing, salubrious and tastable. 

cold666@tlen.pl

 

8,2/10

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in October, 2015)