Band: Nailbiter
Album: Abused (Hardcore Holocaust)
Year: 2003
Website:
Rating: 6.75/10
Brutal yet intricate Scandinavian meets Japanese styled hardcore that's based in the UK, with members from Brazil and Italy. Their sound can be broken down into a large dose of Deathside and Anti Cimex with a bit of Motorhead influences, which creates undeniably unique lead filled devastation!
"Abused" is a fairly short affair, just clocking in at just over 20 minutes . There take on hardcore with metallic influences with plenty of metal leads is great, what let's them down though is the lack of variety over the 7 tracks. As a band they are very competent indeed, and capable of writing some good stuff, but the songs do sound similar. I think what really saves these songs is the quality lead work, which really do make the songs that little bit more interesting.
Nailbiter do things simple, nothing flashy and barely over four lines of lyrics for each song. Although there's nothing groundbreaking on here, "Abused" has left me wanting to hear other stuff by the band.
Band: Naio Ssaion
Album: Out Loud (Napalm Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.naiossaion.com
Rating: 6.5/10
"Out Loud" is the second album from these Slovenian youngsters, and their debut for Napalm Records.
Naio Ssaion are a female fronted Gothic band with Folk and Nu-Metal influences. The cleanly sung female vocals don't quite reach the operatic range of similar Gothic bands and the music is fairly simplistic, with the typical sounded down-tuned Nu-Metal riffs. What could possibly make them stand out though, is the use of an electric violin which really makes the songs a little more interesting. The whole album is catchy and very mainstream sounding, you can easily imagine any of these songs appearing on the radio.
If you like the female fronted stuff, especially Evenescence, Lacuna Coil and Leaves Eyes you'll probably appreciate this, although I'd say Naio Ssaion are perhaps a little more "poppy" sounding. They definitely have something interesting about them, I can easily sit through and enjoy this but apart from a couple of tracks its not that really memorable. With stronger material, I reckon that they can get somewhere.
Band: Napalm Death
Album: The Code is Red...Long Live the Code (Century Media)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.enemyofthemusicbusiness.com
Rating: 9.5/10
Napalm Death, a band that needs no introduction. The founding fathers of grindcore, they've been at the forefront of the genre for nearly 25 years, and has housed such prolific artists as Bill Steer (Carcass), Lee Dorian (Cathedral) and Justin Broderick (Godflesh).
The follow up to 2002's "Order of the Leech" sees the band down to 4, as guitarist Jesse Pintado is currently battling personal problems. They may stick to a tried an tested formula, but by god it works. In fact, since leaving Earache, the band have never sounded better! They've moved away from that thrashy sound, and returned to their grind roots.
There is absolutely nothing on here that disappoints, fans of old will be amazed at just how aggressive they sound. Spot on vocal performance, Brutal, yet groovy riffs, heavy bass lines and crazy blast-beat drumming combine to create which is quite possibly there best album to date. If that is not enough, special guests include Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed, Jeff Walker of Carcass fame and even Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedy's. When the 2005 album awards comes around, "The Code is Red...Long Live the Code" will without doubt be mentioned.
Band: Napalm Death
Album: Leaders Not Followers 2 (Century Media)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.enemyofthemusicbusiness.com
Rating: 9/10
When I heard the other day that Napalm Death had signed to Century Media, I knew it was going to be good for both parties, and "Leaders Not Followers 2" is a great way to open proceedings.
I remember buying the first "Leaders Not Followers" MCD, and thinking it was a bit on the short side for paying homage to some of their influences. It did have some great tracks on their though from Repulsion, Death, Dead Kennedy's, Pentagram, Slaughter and Raw Power, overall it was a short but direct intro to some amazing bands over the years. Now we have part 2, an enormous 19 track tribute to such acts as Cryptic Slaughter, Hellhammer, Discharge, Kreator, Massacre and Sepultura to name but a few, it also features the band’s first bass player, Jim Whiteley, performing on Discharge’s "War’s No Fairytale" and Anti Cimex’s "Game Of The Arseholes".
If you like extreme "Leaders Not Followers 2" is just one of those albums that you must have, I've always said that cover albums are usually hit or miss affairs (mostly miss!), but this pays homage to 19 great bands be it from Death, Grind, Hardcore, Metal or Punk and is a brutal listen from start to finish. "Leaders Not Followers 2" definitely gets a thumbs up from us here, highly recommended!
Band: Narcissus
Album: Crave and Collapse (Century Media)
Year: 2003 (Release Date: 23.02.04)
Website: http://www.narcissusrock.com
Rating: 5/10
Narcissus have not long announced the end of the band, so "Crave and Collapse" is ultimately their final say.
Four songs is all that I could manage. There is nothing at all I can recall jumping out and grabbing me, nothing at all memorable or remarkable. Mostly out of tune, whiney, a bit screamy post hardcore/emo whatever you want to call it. I was told to think of Cave In, Poison the Well and Thursday performing together and I'll be in the backyard of what Narcissus are creating, well, I've not heard of any of those bands but if they're anything like this, I'm sure I will hate them too.
I think there was one or two tracks of some interest, and other than that, although I tried I just could not keep listening to it. It could very well be that I'm not a big fan of this genre and this might be the greatest album in that style, but for me it was just annoying. Nothing else to say really.
Band: Nebel
Album: Hymns Of Destruction (Oaken Shield/Adipocere Records )
Year: 2002
Website: ?
Rating: 8/10
Nebel were a hard-hitting black metal band from France. After struggling with musical divergencies the band decided to split. Nebel were the band of only one album….and what an album it is.
Pure hate ridden, evil black metal. wild riffs, brutal rythms and crushing vocals. After listening to this you will realize what a same it is they have split up, personally I feel they could have gone on to much bigger things.
Nothing much more to say than, this album takes all the best element of black metal and creates an intense listening experience. Lets hope for a reformation soon.
Band: Necromancia
Album: Check Mate (Mausoleum Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.necromancia.com.br
Rating: 7.5/10
Whilst their never going to win any awards for originality, Necromancia are ideal for fans of Sepultura and Machine Head.
Speaking of their fellow country men Sepultura, the album is produced by non other than Andreas Kisser, he also guests on a couple of the tracks, so you can probably imaging where most of their influences come from. Not only are their some pretty decent riffs and powerful tracks, were also treated to a great cover of Motorhead's "Overkill" which makes for an entertaining listen, especially when they take things up a notch speed wise.
There are one or two moments, but there's nothing really groundbreaking about "Checkmate", but if your into the mid-paced, catchy, heavy riffing then Necromancia are well worth checking out. Also recommended if your into Sepultura, Machine Head and bands like them.
Band: Necrophagia
Album: Goblins be Thine (Red Stream)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.necrophagia.com
Rating: 2/10
To put it so simply: What the fuck you thinkin’ Killjoy?
"Goblins Be Thine" is like a mix of bottom-barrel z-side muck Necrophagia meets Enoch. Terrible keyboards intended for atmosphere and eeriness (or tongue in cheek horror) glob their shittiness all over every dimension of this release. In addition there is nothing productive emerging from the guitars, drums or bass – there is absolutely no guitar power on here. No riffs, no "throw your fist in the air" or headbanging quality whatsoever. It is the soundtrack to a crap b-movie not even worthy of Full Moon distribution. This is the worst Necrophagia album ever recorded. And this is coming from me, a long time supporter of the Killjoy cause.
So please, I warn you all – stay far, far away from this one. And to all the members of Necrophagia – please allow Goblins Be Thine to remain a one-shot experiment. Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Necrophobic
Album: Hrimthursum (Regain Records)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.necrophobic.net
Rating: 8/10
Despite various line-up changes and problems with record labels, Necrophobic have managed to hold out for over 15 years now, and "Hrimthursum" is their fifth full-length album and their first in 4 years.
The album gets of to an eerie start with the intro "The Slaughter of Baby Jesus", a haunting sounding intro with tribal like drumming, keyboards, operatic female vocals and a baby crying throughout. The rest of the album is arguably their most varied to date, both musically and lyrically. It's a long album on the whole, with tracks ranging from 4-6 minutes, and not once can I recall it becoming repetitive or dull. The thing that really makes the songs though are the riffs and solo's, if you happen to come across any samples, you'll know what I mean. There is so much going on here, a bit of Symphonic Black, Melodic Death and even a slight Viking feel to things. And with the massive atmospherics, you can't help but feel impressed when you hear it.
With "Hrimthursum", they have managed to build on the foundation that they created early on, which results in what could be their most Epic album to date.
Band: Negative Reaction
Album: Endofyorerror (Psychedoomelic Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.negativereaction.net
Rating: 8/10
This is actually a re-release of the bands debut album from 1996.
Negative Reaction are fairly new to me, I've heard a couple of tracks on various compilations, but this is the first time I have sat down and listened to them in depth. Well, to put it bluntly, I don't think you can get much more heavier or angrier than this. The muddy production only adds to the heaviness and there are some sick and twisted riffing going on here and some severely pissed off vocals and rumbling low-ends. The whole album is very impressive listening that should appeal to the majority of Doom/Sludge fans.
I don't think this will be to everyone's liking as it's not one of the easiest listening experiences out at the moment, especially when it clocks in at just over 65 minutes, but if you think your man enough, Negative Reaction are a band well worth checking out further, I know I will.
Band: Nehemah
Album: Requiem Tenebrae (Oaken Shield)
Year: 2004
Website: http://nehemah.free.fr
Rating: 9/10
"Requiem Tenebrae" is the follow up to last years masterpiece "Shadows from the Past", an album that you didn't need to listen to multiple times to form an opinion.
"Shadows from the Past" still sounds as great as it did last year, and still plays well alongside any other great black metal album out there, so it is going to take a mighty effort just to match that, never mind better it. Well, coming back to "Requiem Tenebrae", it may not be as instantly great as "Shadows..." and it may not be a better album in general, but the good thing is it isn't just more of the same. "Requiem Tenebrae" is a lot more experimental than "Shadows from the Past", keyboard layers are used to create more haunting and depressing passages, and a little more melody is incorporated resulting in a style similar to early Emperor, especial on the "In the Nightside Eclipse" album.
Over 50 minutes in total with tracks ranging from 7-11 minutes, Nehemah have once again crafted a gem of true black metal.
Band: Nehemah
Album: Shadows from the Past (Oaken Shield)
Year: 2003
Website: http://nehemah.free.fr
Rating: 10/10
This is the best true black metal release I have heard since early Darkthrone! Why aren’t Nehemah huge? Perhaps they are, but I’ve never heard much about them! I really am shocked.
Combining mid-paced and lightning fast riffs, skull crushing drums, heavy bass-lines and demonic vocals, basically everything you want from a true black metal release and some more. This is so raw, so cold, so pure necro. Nehemah, consisting of Corven (B & V), Sorghal, (G) and Dargon (D) are so evil, I believe there is some kind of demonic possession going on here. The album is so cold you will see your breath freeze whilst listening to it. This is the bands second opus, which is a concept album dedicated to the historical & mythological female entities with lyrics about suicide, nightmares and the dark dimension of the spirit thrown in for good measure.
I have been listening to this over and over again for weeks now, and never for one-moment gets boring or repetitive. I cannot speak highly enough about this, and I feel that this will become an underground black metal classic.
Band: Nema
Album: Nema
Year: 2000
Website: http://www.geocities.com/nemaband
Rating: 8/10
Nema (Amen spelt backwards) play brutal death metal, and very much remind me of early Vader. Front man Kannonos, has tremendous vocal power, star quality and a huge presence. The other musicians on this album are Rik Joyel, Erick Chapels & Uzial, all are tremendous musicians playing strictly Old School Death Metal.
Unfortunately the band has gone through some changes; Uziel was only a temporary member and has moved on with his original band, Erick Chapels left for musical diffrerences that was not in the interest of the band.
Nema welcomes back previous bass player BELIAL(former Catastrophe member) who joined temporarily in early/mid 98" now a permanent member. A fourth member(guitarist), JUANCARLOS(former Rupture/Disemboded member) has been added to the lineup to complete the circle. Hopefully they can keep up the execllent and brutal sound on forthcoming albums!
Band: Nevea Tears
Album: Do I Have To Tell You Why I Love You? (Alveran Records)
Year: 2005 (Release Date: 24.01.05)
Website: http://www.neveatears.com
Rating: 4/10
I really can't see all the fuss with this Emo/Screamo/Punk stuff that seems to be coming from everywhere at the moment!
I sometimes think to myself that all these bands must share the same singer because they all sound so alike vocals wise, the aggressive screams and then to clean, melodic vocals you all know what I mean. It's not my favorite genre, but there are times when bands comes along that just breaks all the boundaries and are worth listening to, California's Nevea Tears however are another band that really don't stand out from the crowd.
I'll give them credit for trying something new with their Techo/Keyboard tinged songs, but unless your a big fan of the style, Nevea Tears aren't really anything to get excited about.
Band: Nevermore
Album: Enemies of Reality (Century Media)
Year: 2003 (Release Date: 28.07.03)
Website: http://www.nevermore.tv
Rating: 9.5/10
Nevermore just don't fit into a category, power metal? heavy metal?, it doesn't matter. What matters though is how great this really is, the heaviness, the melodies, the solo's, the riffs, the uniquely powerful vocals, the whole atmosphere (need I continue?) is sheer perfection.
The whole album moves at a destructive pace, leaving you longing for more. There are no standout tracks as such as they are all as good as each other and they all have there own moments of greatness, the highlights though is the slower moment with the almost sorrowful "Tomorrow Turned into Yesterday", the thrasy "Seed Awakening" and easily the best track on the album "Create the Infinite". This is an album you can easily play from start to finish, and then listen to it again. It simply never gets dull or boring.
This could well be Nevermore's defining moment. The songs are very complex, although they may not appear to be at first. There still may be a month before it's released but, this is an album that any fan of metal should have in their collection.
Band: New Project
Single: Decay (Retinue Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.newprojectonline.com
Rating: 2/10
This two-track offering melds futuristic, post-apocalyptic industrial sounds with a Nu metal formula that’s generally associated with highly commercial acts.
Nevertheless, "Decay" stands as being slightly more sinister than your average Nu metal fare. You can hear the slightest touches of black metal in the vocals of this single's second track, "Sentinel", but contrary to many popular opinions about this particular outfit, the music you’ll find here is much more akin to that of The Project Hate than Marilyn Manson.
A solid candidate for the stupidest metal band name ever, New Project would do well to think their material and in consideration of the band's laughable moniker, the entire affair through before publicly releasing any further product. Review by Erin Fox
Band: NFD
Album: Break the Silence (Jungle Records)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.nfd.web.com
Rating: 7.5/10
This is the first proper release for NFD, which features ex-members of "The Fields of the Nephilim", and is available on either CD or 12" vinyl. The CD contains the tracks "Break the Silence", "No Love Lost", and "Unleashed", where as the vinyl includes the first two tracks but "Unleashed" is replaced by the track "Awaken".
"Break the Silence" is a rather short CD, but it provide an adequate "taster" of what NFD are about. If you like your rock with a gothic touch, then this could very well be for you, the only thing is that the vocals could put a few people off. I can see the rather rough, heavy sounding vocals courtesy of Peter 'Bob' White annoying a few people.
The opening track, the 9 minute epic "Break the Silence", with it's 5 minute guitar solo, recalls all the great things from the British rock of the 80's. The next two, "No Love Lost" and "Unleashed" are more up-tempo and have what only can be described as having a dance beat to them. If your into Goth rock, this could be what your looking for, for the rest of you, I recommend you listen to this before you buy.
Band: Nightmare
Album: The Dominion Gate (Regain Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.nightmare-metal.com
Rating: 8/10
Definitely not a new comer, French Heavy Metal group Nightmare formed way back in 1979, decided to call it a day in 1987, only to reform again in 1999.
I'm not really that familiar with the band, but this is the sort of Heavy/Power Metal that could only come from a band with experience and 20 odd years behind them. It's a different line-up from all those years ago, vocalist Jean-Marie Boix tragic and untimely death see's Amore move up to the mic and his brother David replace him on drums. Completing the line-up is Franck Milleliri (guitar), Alex Hilbert (guitar) and Yves Campion (bass). Although its a decent album, with perfect "metal" vocals and impressive leads and solo's, there are no real standout tracks. They're all good songs, but none really stand out more than others.
None of the songs are repetitive and they all hold their place well, it's just that there is not that truly memorable factor about them. Iced Earth are reference point here, so if your into that kind of Metal, you can do a lot worse than "The Dominion Gate".
Band: Nightrage
Album: Descent into Chaos (Century Media)
Year: 2005 (Release Date: 21.02.05)
Website: http://www.nightrage.com
Rating: 9.5/10
After the success of 2003's "Sweet Vengeance", it was going to take a lot to top it, especially with the departure of both Drummer Per M. Jensen (The Haunted) and Bassist Brice Leclercq (now with Dissection).
Good news, those departures haven't hindered the band one bit, in fact, they sound better than ever. With the new look Rhythm section, ex-Septic Flesh drummer Fotis Bernardo and the talented youngster Henric Carlsson (also in Cipher System), the band are now able to tour properly to support the album. The rest of the band is the same that appeared on Sweet Vengeance, Gus G and Marios Iliopoullos on guitars and vocalist Tomas Lindberg.
Well, "Descent into Chaos" not only matches "Sweet Vengeance" in terms of quality, it beats it in every way. It's harder, heavier, more melodic and there's plenty of leads and dual guitar work to keep even the most picky of Melodic Death fans happy. Can it get any better than this, I doubt it very much!
Band: Nightrage
Album: Sweet Vengeance (Century Media)
Year: 2003 (Release Date: 30.06.03)
Website: http://www.nightrage.com
Rating: 9/10
Oh yeah! As soon as I heard the first track I knew it was going to be good.....and boy was I right. If you were disappointed in The Haunted's most recent album, then this is the one for you, superb and has At The Gates written all over it.
This "super group" consisting of drummer Per M. Jensen (The Haunted, Invocator), melodic vocalist Tom S. Englund (Evergrey), main vocalist Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates, The Crown), lead guitarist Gus G (Dream Evil, Firewind), rhythm/lead guitarist Marios Iliopoulos (Exhumation), and bassist Brice Leclercq, entered the famous Studio Fredman in the band's new hometown Gothenburg with producer Fredrik Nordström (In Flames, Arch Enemy, Opeth, Hammerfall, Dimmu Borgir, etc.) and has released what could be the melodic death metal sensation-debut of the year.
Trust me! This album will not disappoint, melodic riffs thrown at you from every possible angle and yet it's ultra aggressive. Still not sure? head over to the Century Media site and check out the MP3.
Band: Nile
Album: Annihilation of the Wicked (Relapse Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.nile-catacombs.net
Rating: 9/10
Nile have been called the Saviours of death metal. For those that don’t know, Nile play brutal death metal with elements of Egyptian mythology, and their penchant for both slow burning epics and (relatively) short blurs of speed and intensity. Thus far all of Nile’s albums have been amazing and Annihilation of the Wicked is no different, in fact it may be the best album of their career to date.
Nile are still defined very much by the Egyptian influence however the pomp and ethnic instruments that were in evidence on the last album “In their Darkened Shrines” have been dropped back to a lesser degree and what we have instead is a much more riff-orientated metal album, with the likes of Lashed To The Slave Stick featuring some massively addictive hooks. A excellent mix of blastbeat orientated songs and slow burning epics that we have come to expect.
Annihilation Of the Wicked sees Nile at their most focused not least because of the addition new drummer George Kollias to the existing Nile base of Karl Sanders and Dallas Toler-Wade, his drumming is nothing short of immense. The general musicianship is more intricate, but focused and the vocals are are the same level of brutality we have come to expect. The production is cleaner, more clinical sounding, with each individual instrument easily heard. Best album since their debut? Definately! Best album of their career? Very possibly! Review by Joe Freeman
Band: Nine
Album: Killing Angels (Burning Heart Records)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.killingangels.com/www/
Rating: 9/10
To put it simply, Nine ROCK! Monster riffs, aggressive vocals and a newfound sense of melody give shape to an album full of hardcore with a Scandinavian twist.
Nine sound very influenced by Entomed (front man L.G Petrov even makes an appearance) but add their own hardcore style to create a very unique sounding which is completed by the excellent production work courtesy of Daniel Bergstrand (In Flames, Messhuga, Strapping Young Lad) and artwork supplied by Converge's Jacob Bannon. Everything on here fits perfectly together, the songs flow well, the riffs are just churned out song after song and the vocals are great. Vocalist Johan Lindquist is one pissed of guy, his vocals are dark and brutal but never get monotonous.
The ten tracks aren't that technical, in fact they are quite simple, but with the sheer amount of riffs, who cares? it's raw, aggressive and heavy, what more can you possibly want? This is possibly one of the best CD's I've heard so far this year!
Band: Nocturnal Rites
Album: Lost in Time - The Early Years of Nocturnal Rites (Century Media)
Year: 2005 (Release Date: 21.02.05)
Website: http://www.nocturnalrites.com
Rating: 7.5/10
"Lost in Time - The Early Years of Nocturnal Rites" celebrates the bands 10th anniversary, and is a 2CD collection of the bands hard to find first two albums, along with a few extra goodies thrown in.
So, what you get is "In A Time of Blood and Fire" and "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" both in their entirety, two rare Japanese bonus tracks ("Lay of Ennui" & "Living for Today"), brand new 2004 versions of the tracks "In a Time of Blood and Fire" and "Winds of Death" with current vocalist Jonny Lindqvist and a 10 minute "10th Anniversary" video that contains live footage and some obligatory, random insanity.
You also get a great booklet that contains the original cover art for both albums, liner notes by the band, old photos and complete lyrics for both records. Overall, it's a nice little package that I highly recommend for fans of the band. Both albums have their highlights, but for the majority they are solid, but not really fancy Power Metal albums that don't really rank alongside the bands later work. As I've said, they're not the bands best albums, so I would urge newcomers to go check out one of their later releases before coming back to this.
Band: Norther
Album: Solution 7 (Spikefarm Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.norther.net
Rating: 9/10
Here's an amazing EP that picks up right where Norther's outstanding "Death Unlimited" left off, a train wreck of Children of Bodom-style riffing, Faith No More vocal harmonies and the new age incorporations of Raunchy. Rarely is an EP worth forking over your hard-earned cash these days, but this 5 cut metal gem is not merely a collection of oddities to tide you over until the next platter from this Finnish war machine, but a mini-album that’s pure quality metal.
Look toward the overtly melodic "You Don't Know Shit" to find Norther at their cold-hearted best. A wall of sound riff meets technologically advanced key work and when Petri Lindroos croons in a decidedly Mike Patton-fashion above the ear-grabbing chorus, the impact of the band’s split personality is devastating. While, Norther often sound like a melodic death metal band, they slot in enough rock sensibilities to make their music appealing to all types of metal heads.
Meanwhile, the sheer abrasiveness of "Thorn" is enough to set most head angers into a complete rage, with thick, stop-action guitar work and a forward thrusting rhythm that’s perfectly geared toward the track’s spiteful lyrical content. But, it's the frantic opener "Hellhole" that most well-represents the diversity of Norther as the band shifts between futuristic sounding modern death crunching, thrashy, precision licks and of course, a lead that rips so wildly, you might expect the CD to come flying out of your player in a super-charged explosion of energy. Review by Erin Fox
Band: Norther
Album: Death Unlimited (Spikefarm Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.norther.net
Rating: 8/10
Norther are quite hard to categorize, I'd file them under death metal as there similar in style to Children of Bodom, but take away the aggressive, shouted vocals, your left with keyboard driven power metal in the vein of Sonata Arctica.
Whilst there's nothing groundbreaking on "Death Unlimited", it's very hard to fault the band anywhere. The songs are catchy as hell, and there are some great melodies and harmonies, yet plenty of aggression to keep things interesting. There's no doubting Norther are a talented bunch showcasing great musicianship throughout.
Norther are very similar in style to the modern day In Flames, if you enjoyed their "Soundtrack to your Escape" or "Reroute to Remain" albums, then Norther are another band you should go and pickup, you won't be disappointed.
Band: Novembre
Album: Materia (Peaceville)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.novembre.co.uk
Rating: 7/10
I had high hopes for Novembre. Not only is the album released by Peaceville, who, have been releasing some quality stuff over the last few months, it also features Carmelo and Guiseppe Orlando, also known for their work with Klimt 1918 and Deinonychus.
These Italians get off to a great start, think along the lines of Katatonia, My Dying Bride and to some extent, Opeth, and you can get a pretty good picture of what Novembre are all about. Even death grunts make an appearance, something which they should do more of, because with album clocking in at over a massive 68 minutes, things tend to get a little repetitive and as the album progresses, you can't really tell one song from another.
It is an interesting listen though, I do have to admit, but with the last Katatonia and My Dying Bride releases being a pair of amazing albums, you can't help thinking that you've heard this done better. It's not bad though, but maybe the album was just to deep and meaningful for me as I couldn't really get into it.
Band: Nuclear Assault
Album: Third World Genocide (SPV)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.nuclearassault.us
Rating: 8/10
I used to listen to alot of Nuclear Assault back in high school but haven't been up on their stuff for a few years.
Finally we got some new material after about a decade and it looks like they've evolved with the times. The opening track "Third World Genocide" has some really crazy sounding death metal parts, a lot of sludgy mosh. The vocals are just as obnoxious as always (or aquired taste, whichever you prefer). Nothing too groundbreaking going on but a lot of the classic NA sound with some new influences steeped in. The content is just as social/political as per usual. The riffs are mostly chug-a-chug-a.
Any oldschool NA fan will like it regardless. The deeper you get into the album the better it gets. Still, I'd rather opt for "Game Over" or "Survive" though any day. Hope they tour in the USA soon Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Nunslaughter
Album: Goat (Hell's Headbangers)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.nunslaughter.com
Rating: 7/10
Nunslaughter’s newest release, "Goat" chugs along with a mouth full of death and fingers full of thrash, traveling at the velocity and impact of a fully-loaded "Orgasmatron". Perseverance and hard work are two traits these jean-jacketed death thrashers use to their advantage in putting out a quality release like "Goat". Having formed in death metal’s early days—1987—Nunslaughter retains many of the characteristics of death metal and raw thrash bands from that era like Cannibal Corpse, Possessed, Macabre, Death, Pestilence, Nihilist, and Sodom. Also, the tongue-in-cheek humor present on all Macabre albums and Cannibal Corpse' "Eaten Back to Life" are also found here. A good example of the band's use of black humor comes with pun heavy band member names like front man, Don of the Dead. Macabre's Corporate Death would surely applaud drummer’s Chris 213 stage title allusion to Jeffrey Dahmer. 2005 has been what the band describes as "shaping up to be a record releasing year", having released so many albums this year it would take Rain Man to count them all. All this hard work should pay off for the band when this many releases are made available to the public.
As stated before, the length of time these guys have been around surely helps shape the sound they want. Fans of the abovementioned bands cannot go wrong in purchasing "Goat". "She lives by the Night" begins with an Apsu-rolling riff in the vein of death metal progenitors Morbid Angel and bridges into up-tempo speed metal riffs and drumming. Near the end of the track, guitarist Blood borrows a lick or two from the archives of Obituary with his palm-muted, mid-tempo death chug. The next track, "Sacrificial Zombie" is a title that reads and sounds like an early Death song. The said track definitely gives off a "Scream Bloody Gore" feeling. "Thou Art in the Kingdom of Hell" is perhaps the best track on this album. Blood uses this track as a vehicle to show off diabolic bar chord riffs set to the story of black magic witchery. More treats for students of the occult are found in the lyrics of "The Sephiroth".
Nunslaughter isn’t exactly the biggest name is death metal and blackened thrash, their name is probably rarely mentioned in the same sentence as the bands they worship like Celtic Frost, Possessed, early Slayer, Morbid Angel, and early Sepultura. Fans who have closely followed the death metal scene since its bloody incarnation probably have bandied their name around a few times. For those who haven’t heard them, hopefully the song descriptions mentioned above will give you an idea if this is an album you should pick up. Review by Darren Cowan
Band: NYIA
Album: Head Held High (Candlelight Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.nyia-team.com
Rating: 8/10
Death grind as rough as a condom made of broken glass!.
Equal parts Spazz, Nasum, Wormed, Origin and Sadistic Execution, NYIA is a project formulated by current and ex members of Vader, Yattering, Kobong, and Prophecy that have all come and gone with the frequency of a Pigface lineup.
This shit is off the charts in terms of viciousness, drum blasts, guitar/bass playing and larynx gutting vocals. The curse of prog rears its ugly head – no real tunes, just disjointed speedball aesthetic. Which in my opinion ain’t all that bad. There is only one NYIA – get it. Review by Ryan Bartek
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