Kill: Devil Mass (Amor Fati Productions) [Zach Williams]
I have a theory that the main reason the Tories are so intent on leaving the European union is that they fear British black metal just isn’t up to the standards of our European counterparts (to clarify, I like British black metal – the Tories are the bad guys here). If that's the case then Devil Mass – the latest offering from Swedish black metaller’s Kill – must have left them scared shitless. Devil Mass is six tracks of grim, esoteric black metal. The opening track Initiation is a swell of screaming feedback that relishes in letting you know what the album has in store for you before ending in an abrupt, deathlike silence (who said black metal can’t be funny?). The opening bass line of Renunciation is just about the doomiest thing I've heard all year, the laughing at the end of A Black Covenant is truly terrifying and the middle of Wilderness Feast sounds like a blackened Iron Maiden which is something I can truly get behind. There is a lot to like about this album (besides the fact it would make Boris Johnson wee his pants). 9/10
Kursk: S/T (WormholeDeath Records) [Matt Bladen]
Now this is a bit of alright! Suffolk's Kursk are a four piece riff machine that sit in the NWOBHM school of music with nods to the originators of Sabbath. Their self titled debut kicks off with some properly great riffing from Jack Mitchell and Tom Baker, as they trade off throughout the 6 minute run time of the first track, shifting between numerous styles from thrash to doom, things do get a little more traditional on Claw Of The Hammer which is a battle metal song led by Luke Drew's bass and Zoran Fisher's percussion. Now I will say that the vocals here a little Marmite Tom has a very deep vocal and he bellows more than sings most of the time, still there's nothing wrong with that but some may find it a little bit different to the other classic metal singers out there.
However this album is very much about the instrumental passages with some nifty twin axe attack and a hearty gallop on King Of Storms. These songs have been around for a while before the formation of the band which came about after they though their previous band wasn't heavy enough. Kursk are heavy, they have written some very interesting metal music that draws from it's influences and is chock full of guitar prowess. If you like bands like Absolva, Primitai or even Fury these Brit metal newbies will hopefully be gracing your stereo soon. 7/10
Duskwalker: All They Know Is Fear (Self Released) [Zach Williams]
I love metal and horror films. It seems like a cheap and easy way to skirt round developing an actual personality but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Give me my riffs chuggy. Give me my Evil Dead. If you, dear reader, are of a similar disposition then may I recommend All They Know Is Fear – the latest album from self-proclaimed ‘horror/ sci-Fi themed beasts’ Duskwalker. It opens with the kind of classic horror synth you’d expect from a John Carpenter movie before making way for what the album is truly about. Thrashy death metal goodness. The riffs are abundant, the drums are relentless and the vocals are just plain grim. There is a certain stomp to The Crawling Tongue that was stuck in my head for days; it is the perfect blend of hooky and heavy. Domus Volant Noctuae is a genuinely beautiful piece of guitar work. This album is confident, in your face and evidently a labour of love. 8/10
Celesti Alliance: Hybrid Generation (Self Released) [Matt Bladen]
More traditional metal here as Celesti Alliance cite their influences Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept and Helloween, which you'd expect them to be a 80's styled speed metal that moves into thrash and power metal, with a distinct British/Teutonic sound. So you'll get blast beats, supersonic guitar rundowns/twin guitar harmonies, punchy synths and vocals that reach the stratosphere. Hybrid Generation is their debut album following from two EP's, here they have tried to vary things a bit more but they do tend to sit comfortably in that 80's metal sound with riffs that will get you moving in perfect synchronicity with those who are also listening to it. Now Shadow Children is that variation as it's got a Dio vibe to it due to the keyboard opening, it retains the 80's sound in the production as things get a bit melodic on Broken Memories while Solitude is dramatic and full of synths though it does drag on. The second part of this album brings more modern sounds to it and it closes with the 10 minute epic title track that shows the band at their impressive best with this space age metal opera. Celesti Alliance have released an admirable debut album harking back to a bygone era. 7/10
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