Polish death machine Hate have been crushing all comers since 1990 and in recent years they've adding more variety to their sound with orchestrations (from Michał Staczkun) and choral vocals. This has put me in mind of Septicflesh who utilise those elements well against an unrelenting death metal assault. Unrelenting is definitely the word on this record as drummer Nar-Sil barely eases off the full blasting, like a meat grinder without an off switch it's a constant barrage of percussive power.
Because of this the nine songs on Hate's thirteenth album are probably their heaviest but also lack a little in variation. Technical death masterclasses the aggressive riffing from bassist Tiermes, guitarist Domin and guitarist/vocalist ATF Sinner is again just non stop, aligned to many of the modern death metal bands as the slick, almost clinical production from David Castillo has makes it decidedly contemporary.
Combining the blasts, the riffs and the production means that Bellum Regiis is an intense experience for the listener, a personal record for the band you hear ATF seethe with his shouts and growls, counterpointed by Eliza Sacharczuk, who adds some melancholic melody. The theme of how we achieve power prominent on every song, the album asks hard questions and delivers the answers in the heaviest way possible.
30+ years of music and Hate are at their heaviest, it does mean that the variation suffers a little as many of the tracks segue into another set of blasts, techy guitars and growls but this Polish metal machine keeps rolling on album 13. 7/10
Dark Solstice – Where Black Stars Beckon (Self Released) [Liam Williams]
German dark metal band Dark Solstice hit all the right marks with their debut 3-track EP, Where Black Stars Beckon. With a traditional style of metal combined with elements of thrash, groove and black metal, they have crafted 3 songs which each offer something a little bit different from each other without diving too deep into any particular style.
Track 1, Pathways, is a nice opening track which shows the band maybe playing a little too safe and having more of a definite “heavy metal” sound. It starts with some nice clean guitars which is accompanied by the bass, and then the band comes in for the main riff which leads nicely into the first verse. The harsh vocals go well in the verses but I do like the clean vocals coming in for the chorus. There’s a good little instrumental bridge section with the vocals coming in for the second half before the guitar solo comes in. Instead of a 3rd chorus, we get the main riff coming back in for the outro of the track.
Next is Open. This one feels a lot more experimental with an almost doom metal sounding intro, groovy verses and a really good little thrash metal inspired instrumental bit after the chorus, leading into the second verse. The second time around, the thrash part goes on a bit longer and ends up going into a more black metal sounding track all the way until the end, with a spoken word part speaking over the chaos just before the track ends.
Finally we have the title track. This one is a very interesting track. A nice chuggy intro which is joined by a synth lead. The verses are really heavy, kind of death/black metal sounding. The synth lead comes back in before the chorus. In the chorus they use a mix of clean and harsh vocals which sounds really good. After the second chorus, the synth lead goes right into another nice guitar solo. Then we have the final chorus which plays on until the end of the track.
A great first EP, a little bit rough in terms of the mix. But the songs are good and it’s nice that the band are experimenting with different sub-genres this early on. It gives us a taste of what they can do and it gives them a chance to further develop their sound and not limit themselves with just one particular style. Good stuff! 8/10
Youth Code - Yours, With Malice (Sumerian Records) [Matt Bladen]
Industrial/Electronic metal band Youth Code have gone through the wringer over the past few years and they want to shout about it. This EP is full of uncomfortable, twitching electronics, pulsating, claustrophobic beats and intimidating vocal shouts. Compared to prime-era NiN fused with middle period Ministry as well as the Avant garde Cabaret Voltaire, Youth Code are an L.A based duo who induce nightmarish visions with their industrial soundscapes.
There's something of a soundtrack quality about the record, the stomping Wishing Well and the jerky In Search Of Tomorrow reminds me of those late 90's action flicks that contained too much leather and po-faced seriousness. Partners Sara Taylor and Ryan George began the project with inspiration from New Order and Depeche Mode, the code to their youth if you will but over the years they've hardened.
The vocals have gotten rawer and more acidic in their delivery the music meanwhile is hallucinogenic and disquieting Make Sense dropping beats against sweeps of dissonance while I'm Sorry is punishing right at the end. Their Sumerian is the true sound of Youth Code, writing this review on World Goth Day had to make it hit a little harder. I can see the neon already! 7/10
Larcenia Roe - Extraction (Unique Leader Records) [Liam Williams]
American deathcore 5-piece, Larcenia Roe are making waves with their sophomore album Extraction, just 1 year after the release of their debut. This will be a short review because after several listens, I’m still unsure how I feel about this album. In terms of production, this album is really good! The band can definitely play and the vocals are brutal. But when it comes to the actual songs, it’s a bit difficult to go into detail with what I’m hearing. It’s fast, chaotic and heavy as hell with some chugging and groovy bits in between. That’s all I can really say.
Youth Code - Yours, With Malice (Sumerian Records) [Matt Bladen]
Industrial/Electronic metal band Youth Code have gone through the wringer over the past few years and they want to shout about it. This EP is full of uncomfortable, twitching electronics, pulsating, claustrophobic beats and intimidating vocal shouts. Compared to prime-era NiN fused with middle period Ministry as well as the Avant garde Cabaret Voltaire, Youth Code are an L.A based duo who induce nightmarish visions with their industrial soundscapes.
There's something of a soundtrack quality about the record, the stomping Wishing Well and the jerky In Search Of Tomorrow reminds me of those late 90's action flicks that contained too much leather and po-faced seriousness. Partners Sara Taylor and Ryan George began the project with inspiration from New Order and Depeche Mode, the code to their youth if you will but over the years they've hardened.
The vocals have gotten rawer and more acidic in their delivery the music meanwhile is hallucinogenic and disquieting Make Sense dropping beats against sweeps of dissonance while I'm Sorry is punishing right at the end. Their Sumerian is the true sound of Youth Code, writing this review on World Goth Day had to make it hit a little harder. I can see the neon already! 7/10
Larcenia Roe - Extraction (Unique Leader Records) [Liam Williams]
American deathcore 5-piece, Larcenia Roe are making waves with their sophomore album Extraction, just 1 year after the release of their debut. This will be a short review because after several listens, I’m still unsure how I feel about this album. In terms of production, this album is really good! The band can definitely play and the vocals are brutal. But when it comes to the actual songs, it’s a bit difficult to go into detail with what I’m hearing. It’s fast, chaotic and heavy as hell with some chugging and groovy bits in between. That’s all I can really say.
There’s not really any parts which stand out for me. Now I love my heavy music, but I think I might have just found my limit to how much heavy my puny brain can handle. Too heavy for me. I suppose that could be considered a compliment! If you love your proper chaotic music, this might be the band for you! Maybe I would enjoy it more if I ever get the chance to see them live. Not terrible, but not my cup of tea. 5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment