Matricide - 2004 - Blasphemic Fire

Swedish Black Metal act Matricide has offered us seven tracks on this cassette, which is a re-release of their 2002 demo with three bonustracks added, including a Von cover. The music is mid-paced to fast and the first four tracks remind me of a tighter version of early Emperor and Sorhin. The vocals on this part sound very much like the vocals of Sorhin.

The bonus material shows some progress toward the newer Swedish Black Metal sound similar to the likes of Watain, Ondskapt and Funeral Mist, with the vocals sounding reminiscent of those of
Ondskapt. The first four tracks have a considerably worse soundquality than the bonustracks, the music can be heard somewhere in the distance, but the feeling in these tracks is just amazing.

Be sure to check out their recently released debut album Black Mass Gathering.

Standout tracks are "Blasphemic Fire" and "Seven Daemons".

Friday October 29 2004, 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: