GRAVEYARD / ENTRAILS - Split 7" (2014)

The Graveless Ones

Believe me, there is one fundamental thing I cannot understand. Why the hell Entrails didn’t record any new song for this split? Just like the Spaniards did? The song they recorded is a live version of “Unleashed Wrath” coming from their second album “The Tomb Awaits”. But do not get me wrong, I like it, this is the Swedish death metal played the old way without any mercy, with beautiful slow down (yes, Entombed from the debut…). It sounds great, it has a real power to annihilate the living, but it should be an addition to a new song only. I don’t demand anything else listening to such a release. The Graveyard side is different (however the tracks were accidentally switched on the original War Anthem version). In other words, “Silent Whispers of the Graveless” is the next piece of ancient metal, just in the vein of their fascinating “The Sea Grave” album. The Moontower production is more messy and filthy a bit this time as compared to the second album, however everything is audible without any problems. Especially when the band slows down, the power of rhythm section really overwhelms me. And yes, I have a soft spot in my heart to the things Graveyard did record. And this almost nine minute song isn’t an exception. After two long plays and several splits, the next killing show goes on. I tell you, these hard-working Spaniards did it again. I got devastating piece of metal. But the opening brings some calm moments, I could even write about some climatic tunes, however reflective whiles are suddenly broken by eruption of relentless energy and Julkarn screams. And these guitar sounds making me to be a part of time machine. Exactly, I float into well known dimensions…

Yes, this song shows the way it was meant to be played. The band still uses the paralyzing slowing downs, almost doomish moments, but the unexpected cannonades of bursting fury are present too. And the only thing to disappoint me is the ending solo that is silenced here. Could you tell me why? All right, these eight minutes and forty five seconds are just another while invoking Swedish death metal spirit. With such an influence, with own passion, talent and dedication, Graveyard became a really special band in my collection…

While summing this review up, there is a need to mention about the great front cover from both crews. Although I prefer the Graveyard picture maintained in the vein of the two previous albums, I like Entrails part too, as it reminds me of old horror zombie sagas. So, for sure the Spanish part is simply great and I very often take a listen to this crushing monolith. With any Lovecraft tale, it makes a complete thing.

      

 

80/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

 

(written on August, 2014)

GRAVEYARD / ULCER - Of Ancient Metal and Eternal Death (2013)

Dense Death Approach: No Air in Room

 

Only one listening to the „Of Ancient Metal and Eternal Death” 7” split is enough to state one thing: there is something strange with my room atmosphere… as it becomes really dense and fuggy. Of course, it’s not by accident. All is caused by these three songs included with this piece of black wax. Both bands, I guess, treated this material as a good preamble to the next full lengths. Spaniards delivered two tracks “Ye Incantations” and the Celtic Frost cover “The Usurper”. And what can I expected here? The main point is the Swedish scene is the key and Graveyard didn’t fall short of exceptions. Again, I could add… What is interesting, even the track from “To Mega Therion” album got a Swedish charm and perfectly refers to the opening incantation. All the elements, such well known from the past, are included here: characteristic guitar tones, bizarre melodic tunes, dark atmosphere and straight forward metal machine with rather mid-paced tempos. The Spaniards decided to press the senses down and they succeed. The overall impression is intensified by extremely deep Julkarn exhaling vo-kills. In addition, a Swiss classic, being enriched by the touch of Graveyardish talent, became another track from Spanish songs list. A really good, even if I’m not a huge fan of Celtic Frost…

In turn, the Poles attacks with one track only, a faster one. This is my first meeting with Ulcer and the song fits the side A very well. Maybe I cannot find such obvious Swedish influences as compared to Graveyard, the whole old death metal scene stamped a sign on the ulcerish tunes. “No Room in Hell” is swamped in raw guitar sound, faster tempo doesn’t mean a blast, however it has a potential to kill with blunt nails. Destruction is served slowly, to cause a pain, and with this overflowing density. But Poles brings some nice (?) guitar tunes in the second part: lead and the bashful melody on the background. Then, eleven minutes indicate that I have to put side A again…      

Beyond all question Selfmadegod Records did a splendid work releasing this title. Good and in-place Rafal Kruszyk cover art makes a finishing touch. Is it possible to get it now? I seriously doubt.

I am a lucky guy.   

80/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written on August, 2014)

FORBIDDEN - Raw Evil: Live at the Dynamo (1989)

Tiny Chalice of Thrash

It’s pretty funny, but I found this item between pop and rock ‘masterpieces’ in one of the biggest shop in Poznan during my studies. Now it is not important who put it there, the most important is that “Raw Evil: Live at the Dynamo” joined my Forbidden tape collection, however this title is very special: it is the only original one and the only one which survived these all years of listening to. What is more, it still looks and sounds (!) perfect. The title saw the light of the day after the European tour of the band, just after releasing skull crushing debut album “Forbidden Evil”. The similar thing as compared to Testament and their live tracks recorded in Eindhoven in 1987. Here I deal with four song tape Ep that clocks in 26 minutes and shows top form of the band, although the first song is pretty strange to me: “Victim of Changes” by Judas Priest. This song coming from “Sad Wings of Destiny” is a good stuff on the end, but as the opener? No, it doesn’t convince me! Fortunately Forbidden’s interpretation is really brilliant, the song got another better life. I have to mention great vocal lines of Russ Anderson too, he shows enormous talent…

…but at the end of this song he shouts “…see you next time!”. Mind you, it’s a first song here. What is more, there is no continuity, as the songs are divided by man-made tunes of silence. All seems to be haphazard. For all that, this tape is truly valuable, still we cannot find any full-length live recording in band’s discography, so… better a bare foot that none. Anyway, beside the cover song, these five Americans serve absolutely three splendid thrash killers: “Forbidden Evil”, “Chalice of Blood” and “Through Eyes of Glass” unleash its slashing power without any mercy. And to sum this short unique tape up: pure devastating thrash that I still listen to it with delight. No more is needed.

And only one thing is unpleasant: the band, after releasing “Omega Wave” album, is on hold… Again. 

75/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written on June, 2014)

PANZERFAUST 6 (2014)

May 2014, 46/A4 pages, xeroxed, English, interviews: UNDER THE CHURCH, AZARATH, PROFANAL, SLEIPNIR, CHAOS INCEPTION, DEAD BREAD, BEYOND MORTAL DREAMS, PATHOGEN, ECTOVOID, DEATHSTORM, DECAYING, SCENT OF DEATH, INCARCERATION, VOIDHANGER, ETERNAL ROT, SLAUGHTER MESSIAH, ENGULFED.

First of all, it’s a really great idea that Marcin, the chief editor, decided to spread these deathly words through the resurrected Panzerfaust paper zine. I repeat: PAPER, as he is known for running the blog under the same moniker and providing his reviews on Encyclopaedia Metallum page. The amount of over 500 pieces looks really impressive. And it seems it has no end! That’s good, but the better thing is I can write about something real, something tangible right now. As it was clearly stated at the beginning, 90% is taken from the blog however it is not an obstacle for me. As a matter of fact, I know several chats and the best part of reviews, but I have it in the zine, in the place where it always should be! What is more, my eyes have breathed again seeing black font on the white paper at last! Yes, it’s a way better as compared to the blog with the inverse situation.   

Catching a glimpse on the front page and the words on it, one thing definitely should be sure as shooting: death metal to the bone! Yeah, reading band’s names I knew it would fit my tastes perfectly. And amongst all the chats maintained rather in in-depth manner, the interview with Matt Barnes of Chaos Inception is the best one here. He provided very, very interesting answers concerning musician’s life, metal in general and metal celebrities (just take a careful read the penultimate question/answer). What’s next? For sure Decaying (after reading a review of their latest “The Last Days of War” album written by Marcin on metal archives, I bought it immediately and I’m… truly impressed!), Scent of Flesh, Eternal Rot, Beyond Mortal Dreams to name a few. Marcin uses his English in kindly and completely understandable way, yet the questions are well-thought-out and he knows what he is asking for. Simply he listens to the all these crews. And only one interview is a kind of editor’s failure. I mean, Turkish Engulfed placed as the last one really surprised me in a negative way. You know, questions are longer than the poor answers, it made a boring stuff unfortunately. And one can ask: you are such a known band and don’t need a support? If yes, I can understand. It’s pity because Turkish bands aren’t something common in underground press.

The modest layout looks really cool, but there’s more important thing: Marcin added 82 reviews of music and 1 review of zine only, however it took him one whole page. He described pretty in detail the Chilean beast called Compilation of Death #2. Man, I didn’t even know if such a book (more than 200 pages, divided into two separate parts) exists! To put it short: I have to buy it. About music, there are two sections, one consisting of short vinyl releases (EPs, 7”) and the second part, much larger, with the rest of the stuff. Generally I can find only pure underground, no any mainstream names, with only one release with maximum mark (Trench Rot’s demo “Dragged Down to Hell”). And here I definitely prefer when Marcin describes the music carefully and with even some historical touch. I like the way he writes, as he knows a lot about the underground. Passion, devotion, knowledge, metal, all these elements are easy to be found in the pages of Panzerfaust.       

Any complaints? For sure it wasn’t planned putting some repetitions (two reviews in vinyl section, or one question in Beyond Mortal Dreams interview). Also, I don’t consider lack of zines reviews as a serious defect, for sure it would be more interesting to read. The second thing: it’s a pity Marcin didn’t put descriptions of old classic albums in separate part like he did it for metal archives. “Beneath the Remains”, “Left Hand Path”, “Show No Mercy”, Bathory or Asphyx lps and so forth. It would be definitely another strong point of Panzerfaust. I don’t care if such albums are known by heart by metallers, but reading about timeless and immortal stuff is always something magic as far as I am concerned. I hope to see it in the next issue. Maybe whole Dismember’s discography? Anyway, if I am writing about possible next Marcin’s attack, one thing is sure: we, all the readers, won’t read a chat with… Kataklysm. Ha, I got to know Marcin’s opinion about the Canadians, but reading some words on the bygone “The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation”, “Sorcery” and “Temple of Knowledge” splendid times should be exciting, don’t you think? And one more band comes to my mind after the Panzerfaust shot, namely Paracoccidioidomicosisproctitissarcomucosis. If I remember well, this name of Mexican sickos can be found two times on the pages, so maybe it is a good idea to contact them to make some intie? However they seem not be a band from favorite editor’s genre…

To cut it short: I had many pleasant moments while studying the content of Panzerfaust work. I have missed its previous issues somehow, but I will buy the next one for sure. And when I think over the Polish underground press, I find these months a very good period as so many killing titles walks around: R’Lyeh on December, then the resurrection of Infernal Death and the next Necroscope and now Panzerfaust joins the team. Dealing with this Marcin’s armoured offer, I state to all of you that it wasn’t a waste of time, moreover this vinyl maniac seems to be a shepherd amongst the flood of new countless exhalements of the underground scene. Thus if you don’t feel like an orphan, follow this guy. You won’t be disappointed.     

m_olczak@wp.pl

http://www.panzerfaust666zine.blogspot.com/

8,5/10

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written on May, 2014)

     

MANITOU - Wounded Knee (1993)

My Heart Is Crying at Wounded Knee...

Taken from the tape booklet: „It’s beyond understanding – all Indian gods, who were always loved by redskins and were never hurt by them, appeared to be too weak in the presence of the only god, who helped pale-faces though they, when he descended on Earth, crucified him. How can we fight against such a god, who fell in love with his own murderers?” All right, the next thing: look at the band’s name and the album’s title or members names. Is everything clear? I hope so. The members of this Polish band from Ostrołęka city are the eulogists of culture and traditions of North American Indians. Is it honest or not, I’m not going to be a judge of their consciences. And to put it briefly, Manitou is very…

…mysterious crew. Yes, I found only two mentions in the past, one in Cursed zine #2 and another in Polish edition of Metal Hammer from 1993 from which I took the address and wrote a letter to the band. The rest is simple. But let’s back to the musical side of the “Wounded Knee” debut album. For sure it is not a thing for modern kind of metallers. For sure the worshippers of nowadays ultra-technical productions can forget about these tunes, because I deal with very archaic method of sound realization. But it is not an obstacle, this material is just another album which has been produced on the beginning of the 90s. And what is more, I’m truly obsessed by it, especially when the bass lines fill the air and dominate the rest of instruments. Really, it is rather seldom to hear such bass recording coming from those dark times, of course I don’t write about big names, as Manitou was in deep underground. Ok, bass is perfect, but the guitars should be louder a bit, especially when they are kept down by the drums.

Musically no surprises can be found while listening to it. The term death/thrash describes the style in a good way, but I want to add doom as well. The Poles took the main part of influences from UK death metal scene (old Benediction, Bolt Thrower), but Swedish touch is also perceptible especially in the only instrumental title piece. Those mentioned death/doom shades reminding me of the very first The Chasm releases appearing in slow yet quite melodic guitar layers. The main information concerning the musical quality is that there is no song with the identical tempo. The musicians give a full kaleidoscope of rhythms and paces in every track. Each step seems to be well-thought-out, just take a listen to the guitar leads, they are all almost mid-paced, heedful and precise, only “Excalibur” contains the fast one, a bit chaotic. Melody is given in a proper way, it is not impudent or sweet and doesn’t soften the sound, yet it brings some kind of secrecy and revery (“Begin from the Sin” or the opening of “A Blaze of Ritual Fire”). Vocals of Ta - Tunka Scah are maintained in middle range of typical growls, however there is nothing to be ashamed of, also in “Dead Indian Traditions” some verses are sung in Polish and I consider this as a really good move. In turn in “Begin from the Sin” vocals are overlapped.

My complaints refer to two things only. The first one is the unconvincing opening intro “20. 12. 1890” (I have been always wandering about this date, as the Wounded Knee massacre took place on December, 29^th) played with very average keyboards parts and this isn’t good start definitely. Such an opening with this title has to break my heart, oblige to feel the atmosphere of those tragic whiles. In the case of this one minute intro nothing of that sort can be experienced unfortunately. The second thing is less unpleasant and concerns the last track. “Mass Depression” is the longest one amongst the rest with all the positive stuff I mentioned above. Anyway the ending twenty seconds of the song are calm and not so furious moments and the album ends unexpectedly. I have just been left alone in the surrounding silence… and I don’t like it. Through all these years with “Wounded Knee” still I have the similar feelings as it was on the start: wrong intro and ‘strange’ closure.

To sum all the things up: it’s a good portion of ancient music for every metal hunter. Manitou is a really forgotten band, yet it’s worth a listen definitely. Crude, raw and varied uncompromising sounds, all are good definitions. For sure it was something new on the scene: without Satan, hell, church burning, killing sadness and melancholy. The band had completely original concept on the Polish (world?) scene and it didn’t become banal or childish. Sadly, the band died without any words of explanation. My huge sentiment to this tape has also an influence on the final mark. The tape which is 21 years old and still alive! And still I have many pleasant moments during listening to it.      

80/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written on April, 2014)