Reviews: Sodom, Stormwarrior, Oni, Birdeatsbaby (Reviews By Paul Hutchings)

Sodom: Out Of The Front-Line Trench (SPV/Steamhammer)

It’s been three years since 2016’s Destruction Day, an album that pleased me in its consistency and classic thrash approach. Sodom now return with their refreshed and revised line-up, including guitarist Frank ‘Blackfire’ Gosdzik who is back for his first album since 1989’s Agent Orange. Alongside him, guitarist Yorck Segatz and Asphyx drummer Stefan Husky" Hüskens make their debut. It’s Tom Angelripper who remains the glue in Sodom though, his blistering bass and guttural roar shortly to enter their fourth decade and he still sounds as energised as ever. Genesis 19 kicks of the five-track EP, and it’s a bruising beast which unsurprisingly takes no prisoners. New songs Down On Your Knees and the haunting but annihilating title track follow the traditional blueprint and unsurprisingly smash hard. A reworked and blistering Agent Orange reminds you that Sodom remain one of thrash metal’s all-time classic bands whilst rounding things off, a live version of Bombenhagel from the band’s 2018 hometown show in Gelsenkirchen. Sodom continue relentlessly, Angelripper never resting in his quest to drive the band forward and for that we should be grateful. Their new album in 2020 could just be the biggest in the band’s stunning history. 7/10

Stormwarrior: Norsemen (Massacre Records)

It’s highly unlikely that Stormwarrior could be anything else but a power metal band. Formed in 1998, Norsemen is their sixth album from the Germans and once more it follows a Viking theme. It’s a bit like Amon Amarth but on warp speed ten. Every track is played at the most blistering pace, the high harmonies reminiscent of fellow countrymen Blind Guardian. The band initially drew their influences from 80s outfits Helloween and Running Wild, but I’d suggest that Norsemen can outrun either of those bands, such is the speed and energy on display here. Founder member Lars Ramcke’s vocals are a little irritating, but that’s more a personal preference than anything critical. His guitar playing however, alongside current fellow guitarist Björn Daigger is as fluid and impressive as any top power metal shredder today.

The water-tight rhythm section of Jörg Uken (drums) and Yenz Leonhardt on bass propel everything forward at astonishing pace. The opening introduction To the Shores Where We Belong provides a classic lead into Norsemen (We Are), an anthemic rip-roaring opening which soon segues into a perfect power metal track in Storm Of The North. The album continues to impress with Shield Wall drawing instant comparisons with Amon Amarth’s song of the same name. Focusing on the same topic, it gives another take on the defensive weapon which served the Vikings so well in their conquests. It’s also delivered at scorching pace. I’m not power metal’s biggest fan but I enjoyed this album immensely. Its crazy pace, the technical ability and the overall heaviness make it one that all metal fans should really give a go. 8/10

Oni: Alone (Metal Blade Records)

2016’s Ironshore saw Rich rave about the Canadian progressive outfit. In fact, he deemed it a “modern metal masterpiece”. Former writer Lee was almost as effusive at their support slot for Devil You Know a year later. Well, three years on Oni are back with their new EP Alone. It combines progressive metal with the Djent and metalcore genes and whilst I wouldn’t say it’s anywhere near the music that I would choose to listen to, there is certainly enough here to maintain the interest. The title track is dominated by the staccato bass chug of Chase Bryant and the clean vocals of Jake Oni. Rift isn’t as instant, the jagged rough singing contrasting with the cleaner vocals; again, not my favourite style and one that seems to be very much in vogue these days.

The intricate guitar work impresses, whilst the fleeting Xylosynth work adds depth. However, track four Breathe Again really gets all the antenna twitching. It’s a massive tune that kicks off with roaring guttural vocals, soaring guitar work and that bass sound to the fore before racing away at pace. With the Xylosynth at full bore and fully engaged in the mix and clean vocals that at times echo early Chester Bennington. At 24 minutes in length, this isn’t an EP that overstays its welcome but is crammed full of quality. It may not have got me quivering as much as Rich, but I cannot dispute that Oni are an interesting and powerful band who have produced a solid second release. 7/10

Birdeatsbaby: The World Conspires (Dr Music Records)

This is a fabulous release. Bursting with energy, emotion and carefully crafted melancholic soft melodies. There are changes of direction and style in every song. Although they were new to me, this is their fifth album from the Brighton outfit and provides the listener with 67 minutes of dark progressive rock which interlaces with a myriad of other influences. There are strings that soar, powerful drumming and even bludgeoning riffs which juxtapose neatly with less aggressive songs. Painkiller has an Eastern feel but is viciously heavy at times; there is a steampunk feel to Kill No One The electronic style of Zero Fortythree slowly builds, with the enchanting vocals of Mishkin Fitzgerald supported by Hanna Maria and Garry Mitchell. The emotion is clear in Box Of Razor Blades. References to dark cabaret are understood, and captivating tracks such as Lady Grey and Dido’s Lament (with guest vocals by Feline Lang) keep you entranced. Birdeatsbaby comprises Mishkin Fitzgerald: vocals, piano, accordion, synthesizer, Hana Maria: violin, cello, vocals, harp, barrel organ, Garry Mitchell: bass, guitar, vocals, double bass, Rhodes organ and Anna Mylee: drums and percussion. This album benefits from a crisp production from the legendary John Fryer (Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, HIM). The World Conspires is an album that should entice and ensnare fans of ambient atmospheric progressive rock. 8/10