Uziel - 2006 - Long Perished Rebels

Out of Poland comes this horde with their second demo of slightly melodic Death Metal. 5 tracks are presented here, with some killer samples to boot. Musically this reminds me of some Swedish melodic Death Metal bands like In Flames, as well as Behemoth, with some parts reminding me of Nile. Some parts remind me of Swedish Pandemonium as well. As with so many other Polish bands, a keyboard is utilized.

The vocals remind me somewhat of those in Behemoth, as well as those in Nile and Aeternus.

The soundquality is good, if a bit chaotic. The vocals and the guitars are what's more towards the front in the mix, with the keyboards and drums just behind them. I find it a bit annoying that so many Polish bands think they have to use keyboards. Their music could actually manage quite well without the keyboards. The keyboards here are not used too excessively, just mainly adding a layer of sound to add depth to the music.


Standout tracks are "Death by Burning" and "Forever With You".

Monday November 27 2006, by :Vragh:

Gotmoor - 2005 - Pain Provider

Out of Belgium comes this Black Metal horde with their first fullength album, following their demo collection a few years ago. 17 tracks are presented on this disc (some of them being shorter interludes). The music is at times mid-paced, but mostly fast Black Metal reminding me of Watain and Funeral Mist, due to the chaotic feel to it, as well as Niden Div. 187 and Gorgoroth, which is a bit more descriptive of what the band sounds like.

The vocals remind me mostly of those by Ares of Aeternus but also of  those by Nacht previously of Goatlord Corp., consisting of Black Metal vocals with a slight Death Metal growl approach.

The production is slightly muffled and rather chaotic, with the vocals in focus and the drums slightly behind them. This is for sure an intense release. It took me a few listens to get into, which is usually a good thing. Releases that take a bit more time do tend to keep my interest longer, and I return to them more often.

Standout tracks are "Hate Addiction", "Lebensraum", "Family Man" and "Aftermath".

Thursday November 30 2006, by :Vragh:

Dark Legions - 2005 - Awakening of the Legions

Swedish Satanic Thrashers Dark Legions have, after only a few weeks as a band released their first demo unto the underground. This is some seriously good Thrash, and coming from me that's not bad, since I'm not that fond of Thrash in general. They have drawn inspiration from the classics in the scene - Possessed, Celtic Frost, Slayer and early Bathory. Ripping guitars and well played drumming creates a feeling of the bands from the '90ies, as well as the classics, with an updated sound to it. Very nice. This reminds me somewhat of Clandestine Blaze, as well as a bit of the amazing, but very very
 obscure local band Slakters that released a few things on tape many a year ago. The circulation was not that big, so it doesn't really help in describing this band, though, I guess. The music is mostly mid-paced, and seriously groovy.

The vocals sound like early '90ies Swedish Death Metal vocals with a twist of classic Metal. Some parts L G Petrow of Entombed are present, but mostly they are a bit deeper and darker, reminding me somewhat of those by Ares on the later Aeternus albums.

The soundquality is well above that of an average demo recording. The guitars are a bit fuzzy, and the percussions sound slightly weird at times, but other than that there really isn't anything to complain about here. The vocals are more towards the front in the mix, with the other instruments being slightly in the back. These guys know their stuff, and perform it well. If you're into Thrash you could do far worse than buying this demo.

Standout tracks are "Purification", with its heavy groove, and "March of the Legions". "Purification" is a track that easily gets stuck in your head.

Friday January 20 2006, by :Vragh:

Baphomet's Throne - 2003 - Spiritual Evil

Polish Black Metal horde Baphomet's Throne (a great name for a band, I must say)have released this demo on the world. Four tracks of keyboard based Black Metal, including an outro have found their way onto this recording. Musically this sounds like a more organic sounding Limbonic Art (sans the drum machine) with parts later Dimmu Borgir and Metal elements. There are quite a few progressive parts present here. The music is mid-paced and with good harmonies throughout. These guys can handle their instrumens quite well.

The vocals are more towards the Death Metal sound, reminding me mostly of those by Ares
on Aeternus' A Darker Monument album.

The soundquality on this recording is very good indeed, everything can be heard clearly, and the keyboards aren't too high in the mix. Normally I am not that fond of keyboard based Black Metal, but this is actually really good.

Standout tracks are "Spiritual Evil" and "Bitewny Zgielk".

February 13 2005, by :Vragh: