Dark Fortress are probably one of the most important German bands in the second wave of black metal. They were majestically put to bed with their last studio album Spectres From The Old World, but Dark Fortress played one last grasp before finishing for good. Recording sets at Rotterdam and Bochum to make their first ever live album. When lead guitarist V. Santura heard the mixes back he thought they "sounded incredible" adding that he's "hardly ever happy" with their shows. So the live record impressed the band but will it impress this grizzled hack?
Well yes is the answer, between the intro and the outro there's excellent melodic black metal, the anchor, band founder Asvargr lays down the riffs beside the rhythm section of Hannes Grossmann (drums) and Michael Zech (bass), Catawomb opening the show with a shift from slow ominous beginnings to the speedy trem picking as Linus Klausenitzer's keys add the gothic sounds to The Silver Gate.
Dark Fortress is a black metal band made up by prog fans so with a track such as Isa shows their prog credentials are on display, they play with song construction, slow building one moment then unleashing hell the next. V. Santura's lead guitar adds atmosphere and technicality on Chrysalis with Morean's vocals snarling no matter the back beat, he even growls when he talks between the songs.
These truly are Anthems From Beyond The Grave, Dark Fortress are dead and buried but this is one hell of panegyric. 9/10
Alfavrak - Kass Kontroll (Self Released) [Dan Sierras]
I could not understand one word these Swedes from Alfavrak were singing, but it sounded like they were having a good time and want to rock and roll. Their debut album, Kass Kontroll drips with 70’s rock goodness in the vein of Bon Scott era AC/DC.
From the get go, Alla Tanker Sex is a rocker that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’ll have you stomping your feet and banging your head. They may sing in a foreign language, but good rock is not foreign to these guys.
There’s no slowing down throughout this album, and there’s nothing wrong with that. These guys bring it from track to track. And then, four songs in on 12 Steg, do I hear bongos?!?! I believe so, and man they sound great on this song. And the little slide guitar on the hard rocking track Grisarnas Natt is a nice touch. The track Hjärtat Som Ett Rakblad does take a slight detour, being one of the slower (but still rocking) songs of the album with some horns very prevalent throughout.
There’s no denying the hard rocking goodness throughout this album. Overall, if you’re a fan of loud, 70’s style classic rock, it doesn’t matter what language you speak, Alfavrak brings it! 8/10
Bottlebelt - Toxic Brew EP (Self Released) [Chris Tsintziras]
If you like thunderous guitars and stunning drums style, then Bottlebelt is a very good choice for you. A band from the UK which offers a strong thrash metal journey. Tοxic Brew EP consists of 5 tremendous songs, and each one of them contributes with its own signature. There is an absolute cooperation between guitars, drums and vocals.
These truly are Anthems From Beyond The Grave, Dark Fortress are dead and buried but this is one hell of panegyric. 9/10
Alfavrak - Kass Kontroll (Self Released) [Dan Sierras]
I could not understand one word these Swedes from Alfavrak were singing, but it sounded like they were having a good time and want to rock and roll. Their debut album, Kass Kontroll drips with 70’s rock goodness in the vein of Bon Scott era AC/DC.
From the get go, Alla Tanker Sex is a rocker that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’ll have you stomping your feet and banging your head. They may sing in a foreign language, but good rock is not foreign to these guys.
There’s no slowing down throughout this album, and there’s nothing wrong with that. These guys bring it from track to track. And then, four songs in on 12 Steg, do I hear bongos?!?! I believe so, and man they sound great on this song. And the little slide guitar on the hard rocking track Grisarnas Natt is a nice touch. The track Hjärtat Som Ett Rakblad does take a slight detour, being one of the slower (but still rocking) songs of the album with some horns very prevalent throughout.
There’s no denying the hard rocking goodness throughout this album. Overall, if you’re a fan of loud, 70’s style classic rock, it doesn’t matter what language you speak, Alfavrak brings it! 8/10
Bottlebelt - Toxic Brew EP (Self Released) [Chris Tsintziras]
If you like thunderous guitars and stunning drums style, then Bottlebelt is a very good choice for you. A band from the UK which offers a strong thrash metal journey. Tοxic Brew EP consists of 5 tremendous songs, and each one of them contributes with its own signature. There is an absolute cooperation between guitars, drums and vocals.
Don’t Drink And Die is the introduction of the album. From the very beginning, the thrash mindset of the band is clear. Next in line is the homonymous Toxic Brew, which is the music signature of Bottlebelt.
Following from here, the powerful Beer Fuelled Fury is coming onstage. What characterizes this song, along with the rest of the songs, is that keeps listening to the EP in high levels. Something that gives an extra thumbs up to the band. Like all beautiful journeys, the Toxic Brew one comes to an end. Your Misery is not a filler. But the band’s promise that there is more to come.
A modern touch to thrash metal is imminent….Stay Thrash!!!!!! 8/10
The Blackwall - Spooky Tunes And Haunting Stories (Club Inferno Entertainment) [Rich Piva]
The brief description in the promo box for the debut record from the UK band The Blackwall was simply “goth prog”. How am I supposed to not take their album, Spooky Tunes And Haunting Stories, to review with those two words pushed together? Well, I did, and I am not sure what’s going on here but I am not so sure it is “goth prog”. More like modern metal with occasional prog leanings and some silly ghost stories for lyrics plus some cool 80s goth leaning tracks that if they did a whole album of, I would be all in.
I am sure these guys have the early Manson records in their collection, maybe some Sister Of Mercy too, but the is something a bit too formulaic here for me, while also being all over the place, if that is even possible. The production is too slick for me as well, but the band sure is trying, and I give it to them for that. I dig the track Skal, that reminds me of a more metal Murder By Death in parts. The Blackwall do produce the spooky as promised on Maledictions, where they abandon the “metal” and lean more on the 80s goth stuff, which is where they should stay, because they seem to really get that style.
A modern touch to thrash metal is imminent….Stay Thrash!!!!!! 8/10
The Blackwall - Spooky Tunes And Haunting Stories (Club Inferno Entertainment) [Rich Piva]
The brief description in the promo box for the debut record from the UK band The Blackwall was simply “goth prog”. How am I supposed to not take their album, Spooky Tunes And Haunting Stories, to review with those two words pushed together? Well, I did, and I am not sure what’s going on here but I am not so sure it is “goth prog”. More like modern metal with occasional prog leanings and some silly ghost stories for lyrics plus some cool 80s goth leaning tracks that if they did a whole album of, I would be all in.
I am sure these guys have the early Manson records in their collection, maybe some Sister Of Mercy too, but the is something a bit too formulaic here for me, while also being all over the place, if that is even possible. The production is too slick for me as well, but the band sure is trying, and I give it to them for that. I dig the track Skal, that reminds me of a more metal Murder By Death in parts. The Blackwall do produce the spooky as promised on Maledictions, where they abandon the “metal” and lean more on the 80s goth stuff, which is where they should stay, because they seem to really get that style.
Best track on the record. The problem is that it is followed by the worst one, Blue Tree Meadow, in which I have no idea what they were going for. Then you get a track like Python, that brings it back to the goth side, once again with good results, seriously channelling Peter Murphy vocally. However, you are brought right back to the silly stuff with Spooky Stories MMXXIV. The track Old Vinyl tries too hard and the closer, The Witch has a cool riff but is more like dress up than anything else.
I am not scared of The Blackwall as promised, but I am intrigued by their goth leaning tracks and put off by their version of modern metal. Give me ten of those Thursday Goth Night at Club Malibu style songs and I will be all in, but this one is too all over the place for me. 6/10
I am not scared of The Blackwall as promised, but I am intrigued by their goth leaning tracks and put off by their version of modern metal. Give me ten of those Thursday Goth Night at Club Malibu style songs and I will be all in, but this one is too all over the place for me. 6/10
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