Band: Tad Morose
Album: Modus Vivendi (Century Media)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.tadmorose.com
Rating: 10/10
Sweden's Tad Morose have been churning out quality albums for a while now, but have never quite received the praise or reached the heights of stardom as they deserve.
"Modus Vivendi" is yet again another masterpiece of heavy/power metal. It's a little heavier that previous releases but still contains all the TM trademarks and brilliance, it's basically Power Metal without the cheesiness. The twin guitars create some excellent melodies and harmonies and churn out some great heavy riffs, a solid rhythm section that just sits back nicely and is absolutely faultless and the vocal work is truly amazing, a must for all fans of metal in general.
The album is a joy to listen to from start to finish, all the songs are great standout, super-catchy pieces and there is just so much to listen to on the album I would be surprised to see this album receive a negative review anywhere. Another fine album a by a truly unique band.
Band: Taliandorogd
Album: Neverplace (Adipocere Records )
Year: 2002
Website: http://taliandorgd.free.fr
Rating: 9/10
Combining Symphonic Black & Gothic Metal, obvious sounding influences range from the likes of Samael, later day Emperor and Rotting Christ, Taliandorogd have created something great with “Neverplace”
| I don’t know anything about the French Drummer scene, but I think that Dirk Verbeuren has to be one of the best in France. I can’t really find much info about the band, and can’t find any reviews outside of France, so I cant tell you much more. |  |
Band: Tamplin, Ken & Friends
Album: Wake the Nations (Mascot Records)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.kentamplin.com
Rating: 7.5/10
I've never heard the name Ken Tamplin before but I've been told his best known for his work in the Christian Rock bands Joshua and Shout and has been asked to sing for such artists as Motley Crue, Geezer Butler, Accept and Peter Frampton. This is the ninth studio album from Ken's solo project and includes guitarists such as Marty Friedman (ex-Megadeth), Doug Aldridge (Whitesnake/Dio/House of Lords), Kee Marcello (Europe) and Reb Beach (Winger/Dokken/Whitesnake).
18 tracks and nearly 80 minutes of melodic metal/hard rock, the songs are like those one you hear on films from the 80's but never know who its by, the probably all from this guy! There are some great songs on here and the guitar work is amazing, some tracks are heavier than others, most a good songs but there are a few that are just silly "We've Jihad Enough" and "Cell Phone Freaks" are examples of a few of tracks that ruin the flow of the album and brings it crashing down.
So, after the initial shock of the intro to the first track (techno/dance thing!) "Wake the Nations" turned out to be an enjoyable listen, not a masterpiece but should appeal to 80's hard rock fanatics!
Band: Tankard
Album: The Beauty and the Beer (AFM Records)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.tankard.org
Rating: 8.5/10
When talking about classic German Thrash, you will always hear the names Kreator, Destruction, Sodom and of course Tankard mentioned.
For nearly 25 years now, these Beer loving thrashers have been hitting us with solid albums, and their 15th, "The Beauty and the Beer" is no different. Excellent old school thrash with a Beer and Metal theme, it's a proper fist in the air, head banging opus. With songs such as "We Still Drink the Old Ways", "Frankfurt: We Need More Beer" and "Shaken Not Stirred", I would call them actual anthems, rather than tracks. To wrap things up simply, "The Beauty and the Beer" was an enjoyable and fun listen from start to finish.
It may not be that groundbreaking, but there are simply no weak tracks on here. Any self-proclaimed thrash fan should go and check this out!
Band: Temple, The
Album: Diesel Dog Sound (Copro Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://thetemple.com.pt
Rating: 6/10
Well, full marks go to The Temple for trying something that's a little different.
The Temple have been together for over 10 years now, and play a style that can only be described as a mixture of punk and Nu-Metal with a thrashy/metallic edge to it. No bands instantly come to mind when making comparisons other than the occasional Therapy? here and there. Sure it may be diverse, but I feel that "Diesel Dog Sound" is a little too inconsistent, and ultimately becomes a little boring.
It may be the album is too long, it starts off fairly intense, but it loses it's potency and becomes predictable as the record goes on. For those of you who read Kerrang and treat it like some kind of bible, they have called this "one of the most intense, intelligent records you'll hear all year".
Band: Temple of Baal
Album: Servants of the Beast (Oaken Shield)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.multimania.com/templeofbaal
Rating: 7.5/10
After several very limited numbered demo's and EP's, Temple of Baal return with their debut full-lenghter "Servants of the Beast" on the very impressive Oaken Shield/Adipocere label.
7 tracks of raw mid-paced black metal without any hints of keyboards or orchestra's, more like the bands of the early 90's (Bathory for example) than say the likes of Marduk. Unfortunately, there is nothing here that I haven't heard before. It's good but not ground breaking.
Since the inception of the band, there has been gigs with Enthroned, Impiety, Abigail, Arkhon, Infaustus and Antaeus to name a few. To sum it all up, this is a harsh, evil piece of true black metal that, if you are a fan of black metal, you should add to your collection and will be pleased about. But if you're new to the genre or maybe are looking for that something a bit different, then I would suggest you look for more well-known bands before coming back to this.
Band: Tenebre
Album: Hearts Blood (Regain Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.tenebre.com
Rating: 4.5/10
Heart’s Blood is Tenebre’s fifth CD, which sees them drifting further from their roots and into full on Goth rock mode.
Nice melodies and all very bleak and depressing, but just how many bands are there that sound like this?.....Lots, and it takes that something special just to get your head above the rest, and if I'm honest "Hearts Blood" is done well enough, but it lacks any real originality, depth or complexity. Maybe it's just the Gothic genre in general, but I found myself losing interest a couple of songs in, as everything starts sounding familiar and repetitive.
There's a few moments where they start to shine, but as the album progresses they just go from one extreme to the other. Definitely not one to listen to if you have suicidal tendencies. Couldn't really get into this one!
Band: Tensile
Album: Tensile MCD (Self Released)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.tensileweb.co.uk
Rating: 7/10
Tanks are all the rage on album covers these days, but it’s a fitting visual to describe Tensile’s form of post hardcore madness. On the lead track, "Wounded Thought" the group tears through a bit of gritty slamming material that is crossover in the style of early D.R.I. and C.O.C. Tensile is however, a bit rougher than the aforementioned acts and the abrasive strains of "Erase Me" show an original approach to this style. A stereo fading guitar chugging battle in the middle of the tune is a nice addition that keeps things original and stimulates the more HC part of the jam.
"Follow The Blind" is confrontational and upfront, while "Vanity Unfair" features dissonant guitars grouped with up-tempo pit gettin’ beats. The anarchic grunts, bellows and screams of vocalist Marianne are really well done here as she forcefully spews vicious verbal lashings on a par with the best growlers out there.
More than just your average post HC act, Tensile writes music with dynamic fortitude that is sure to raise mosh pits throughout the UK and beyond. Check out their brash brand of roughed up core for yourself at www.tensileweb.co.uk. Review by Star (Contact)
Band: Terror
Album: One with the Underdogs (Trustkill Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.terrorhc.com
Rating: 5/10
Doesn’t it piss you off when a really boring band steals a really cool name and parades underneath it like they’re the baddest thing the metal community has ever seen?
Guys like Emperor and Slayer deserve it – they earned it. But Terror - fuck man. I’ve listened to "One With The Underdogs" twice in a row now and not a single shred has stayed with me. This is yawn inducing, knuckle dragging generic hardcore of the most meandering variety that was cutting edge about ten years ago before Pantera became the most mainstream influential group in the land. A little better than Hatebreed and Sworn Enemy but not very much so, "One With The Underdogs" is predictable as hell and chock full of "I Hate You Dad" lyrics shouted with a choppy, straightforward Jamie Jasta delivery.
Every time I close my eyes all I can see are fat sweaty bald guys doing spin-kicks and throwing punches in mosh frenzy. Ugh. Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: The9ine
Album: Somnamballistics (Black Phoenix Records)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.the9ine.com
Rating: 6/10
I've been reading quite a few reviews of The9ine recently, and all of them have been praising the band, In some there has even been comparisons to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Yes and The Byrds.
Unless your into this sort of thing, you'll find the whole record very slow moving and at times quite repetitive, I would compare them to Queens of the Stone Age. QOTSA are the sort of band that I find amazing one time and I can't get enough of them and other times, I find them quite boring. The9ine have big stoner riffs and good melodies, that unfortunately only start to get interesting towards the end of the album.
At times they remind me of bands like Coldplay and Travis, you know, the really depressing sounding bands. The good parts on this album are truly exceptional and the bad parts are, well, quite boring. Listen before you buy!
Band: Theatre of Tragedy
Album: Storm (AFM Records)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.theatreoftragedy.com
Rating: 6/10
After becoming one of the leading bands in the progressing gothic metal scene, "Velvet Darkness They Fear" and "Aegis" are still considered by many as classic albums.
After internal disagreements and the departure of vocalist Liv Kristine, Theatre of Tragedy are back with a new album which showcases new vocalist Nell. First of all, "Storm" is a very radio friendly album, very "poppy" and very clean sounding. Whilst its clear Nell can sing, it's nothing really spectacular or memorable, and the computerized male vocals just sound really robotic. The whole album is piano driven, and whilst there are some very nice moments, there's nothing that's going to make you go WOW!
In a genre that contains the likes of Within Temptation and Lacuna Coil amongst others, ToT really need to raise their game a little if they want to stay amongst the competition. If your into Gothic Pop, this is one for you. Will also appeal to fans of the bands I've just mentioned and probably also fans of Evanescence.
Band: Thee Maldodor Kollective
Album: New Era Viral Order (Mercenary Musik)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.maldororkollective.net
Rating: 8.5/10
This is a highly ambitious six man tag team of industrial metal. One second their straight up hellish noise like Terrorfakt or Numb (think "Christmeister"), then hypnotic and EBM-ish as Novakill or Grendel. Then they turn into a complete full-on blackened metal assault in the line of V:28 or Axis of Perdition.
So many creepy atmospheres are prevelant it's like they telepathically robbed Trent Reznor of his darkness. Anyone remotely into abrasive industrial pick this thing up immediately. Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Thee Maldodor Kollective
Album: New Era Viral Order (Code 666)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.maldororkollective.net
Rating: 8/10
Strong thrash rhythms featuring plenty of down picking and chugging. Electronically enhanced black metal vocals. Tripped out MIDI synthesizers. Eerie sampling and special effects enhance this band’s cool twist on the bleakest form of music. Less accessible than The Kovenant, Thee Maldodor Kollective are for those who enjoy black metal, but aren’t afraid to submit their audio receptors to a little experimentation. Some of the vocals are even in a traditional singing style as opposed to those black metal singers with a tendency to rely on pure growling rather than actual melodic structure.
The ambience created on this album reminds me of a black metal Tron, dismally futuristic and darkly adventurous. "Drain-Wound-Cosmos" is a minimalist foray into the most bleak corners of the universe. Its mechanical sensations are illustrated by a cold and distant ambience. Other standout tracks include "La Flamme Vivant" and "Slaughter Mass 2002". Although the black metal purists might shun such an experimental record, more adventurous fans of dark music will find this record to be worthwhile.
Black Cyber at it’s best. Review by Star (Contact)
Band: Therion
Album: Lemuria/Sirius B (Nuclear Blast)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.megatherion.com
Rating: (both) 10/10
For more than a decade Therion have been refining their superlative skills in combing metal with classic music elements, some pieces even defying words altogether. 2004 see's not only one new album but two. There isn't any real major changes in style between the albums, but they have to, and should be bought together.
Therion have never been you average heavy metal band, with every release you know its going to be bombastic and over the top, and this time you'll be interested to know that more than 170 musicians and singers were involved in creating "Lemuria" and "Sirius B" and the recording sessions took more than nine months. Unbelievable? Only if you haven't heard them before, you will instantly realize just how much has gone into these. So, two new albums, and for a limited time you can buy them both as a double album for roughly half the price, so go for that one if you can, just make sure you have them both together.
Fans will be very pleased to hear that never before has Therion's albums melded the harder facets of the early years so well with the new bombastic, epic aspects to easily create there best offerings yet. For me to go on an describe everything good about the album would be nigh on impossible, I will leave you discover the truly amazing and magical aspects of these great albums.
Band: Third Degree
Album: Outstay (Selfmadegod Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.thirddegreegrind.com
Rating: 7.5/10
Well, no prizes in guessing who these guys have been listening to in large doses.
If Napalm Death sails your ship, then be sure to check out Poland's Third Degree. There maybe some full on ND worship going on, but the primitive, almost catchy approach works really well on here. The thing I liked about "Outstay" is that, although for the majority they tend to just blast there way through the album aggressively, things never get monotonous with the effective, yet simplistic riffs and the much needed tempo changes thrown in to break it up a bit.
It's nowhere near groundbreaking or original, but one thing it isn't is boring. If you're into the old style Grind such as Extreme Noise Terror and indeed Napalm Death, this could be worth checking out.
Band: Thorn Eleven
Album: Bastard Former Self (SPV)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.thorn-eleven.com
Rating: 7/10
A well put together hard rock song that is radio friendly, Thorn Eleven combines jangly guitars, sustained vocal melodies and a catchy arrangement.
Musically, the intro is reminiscent to mid career Journey until the vocals kick in. Vocalist David Becker has a poppy vocal style that fits the style of music; here he crafts a singable hook that stays with you after the song is over. Despite the song's aggressive sounding title, this is standard modern rock similar to bands like Shinedown and the like. The performance if the band is there, as these melodies are powerful and catchy, but if you're strictly a metal fan this will probably not be your cup of tea.
Still, this is some quality rock music that should receive some decent amount of airplay on commercial rock radio. Review by Star (Contact)
Band: Thousand Points of Hate
Album: Scar to Mark the Day (Casket Music)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.thousandpointsofhate.com
Rating: 8.5/10
Although they only formed back in 2002, Thousand Points of Hate (featuring Simon Gordon (Ex-Xentrix)) have gained a very impressive reputation.
"Scar to Mark the Day" is in uncompromising slab of heavy metal with a very modern edge, image hints of Pantera with the modern touches of say bands like Chimaira and you've got a pretty good idea what to expect. Huge riffs that create some very exciting songs, with plenty on melody throughout to keep things interesting.
Whilst they aren't the most original band out there, they've penned some heavy, hard edged slabs of modern metal that remains enjoyable throughout, even though it is a little on the short side. A band to watch out for this year!
Band: Threat Signal
Album: Under Reprisal (Nuclear Blast)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.threatsignal.com
Rating: 7.5/10
They’ve only been around for the past two or so years, but already they've hit the number 1 spot on GarageBand.com, and have received many awards including best guitars, best drums, best male vocals, best production, song of the week, song of the day, and countless more.
They’ve really hit the big time now, with a slot on the Nuclear Blast roster and a debut album with none other than Christian Olde Wolbers of Fear Factory fame as producer. An obvious influence when listening to Threat Signal is Fear Factory, Meshuggah and at times bands such as Pantera. Although "Under Reprisal" is a decent enough listen, you can't help but feel that there are better things to come. The influences mentioned show up frequently, but they don't really take much of a gamble with new or unique ideas, and generally, it's all played very safely. I've seen them described as Melodic Death, but I’d say they play more of a hybrid of Modern Heavy Metal and Thrash.
I'd say Fear Factory is the main reference point here, so if you like them, chances are you’ll dig this as well. Full marks for effort though, and it's obvious that there is something very special and intriguing about Threat Signal. I predict much bigger things on the horizon.
Band: Throwdown
Album: Vendetta (Trustkill Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.thunderstone.org
Rating: 7/10
Meathead hardcore, no stopping it. Throwdown have become a forefront pinnacle in this generally one-dimensional sub genre.
They've done Ozzfest, SOTU, plenty of others. I thought they're last album was a joke. Luckily they've gotten way better and have indulged their Pantera influence more than anything else. It's still pretty basic, not much for solo's. But the fills linking the riffs are a million times better, the musicianship has increased ten fold.
Everything is better. They're throwin' down. Get it, like beating people up? Hoo ha. Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Thunderstone
Album: Tools of Destruction (Nuclear Blast)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.thunderstone.org
Rating: 9.5/10
Now this is the kind of thing that Nuclear Blast wants to concentrate on, instead of some of that awful stuff I've heard lately.
"Tools of Destruction" is the bands third album, and follow up to 2004's impressive, 9/10 rated "The Burning". This should be the album that takes the band up the Power Metal ladder, the album that makes people stand up and take notice. I would say that this is slightly ahead of there last album in terms of impressiveness, not only can they pen a great up-tempo Power Metal song, there are also some decent slower, power ballad type tracks which, all in all, results in a very varied album.
They've also slowed down their songs a bit, and opted for a much mature sound. There's still pacey songs on there, but just not the hyper speeds of some of the power metal bands. With this, they've actually added there own touch to things, which distances them away from the usual Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica comparisons. Great Album!
Band: Thunderstone
Album: The Burning (Nuclear Blast)
Year: 2003 (Release Date: 12.01.04)
Website: http://www.thunderstone.org
Rating: 9/10
Fans of Stratovarious and Sonata Arctica should be at the front of the queue when this comes out next year.
There has been some really great band coming from Finland over the past few years, and Thunderstone are another yet again, and I don't mean that in a bad way. It's almost as if every album I get from a band that comes from Finland, I know it's going to be good, and "The Burning", the bands second album is exactly that. The bands debut album from last year received praising reviews from nearly everywhere, unfortunately I haven't heard it, but I can't image it being any better than this!
Thunderstone don't really do anything new or groundbreaking, but their heavy riffs, catchy melodies and incredible choruses minus the cheesiness are everything that I look for in a great power metal album, not only do you get fast, up-tempo songs, there is also plenty of epic tunes and even pure melodic hard rock. Order yours now!
Band: Thyrane
Album: Travesty Of Heavenly Essence (Candlelight USA)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.thyrane.org
Rating: 7.5/10
Thyrane continue to build upon a black metal model, allowing symphonic elements to penetrate into their sound, yet never failing to focus on the band’s true spine — blistering, blackened thrash metal.
Rarely taking cause to let up from delivering blasting bombardment, bold imperial atmospheres and wall-of-sound rhythms, the Finnish foursome bashes out "Parasites Of Submission" with forbidding perseverance and vicious assurance. "Decay Of Christian Empire" settles into a groove-oriented dark march, while also adding scalar harmonies to give the song plenty of depth. Whether cruising along at a rapid pace, as during the title track, or focusing on more atmospheric elements, as during "Lost In Reflection", Thyrane stays on target with the goal of the personification of aural wickedness being prevalent in the group’s furious barrages. Blastmor does an excellent job at accenting the intense assaults with drawn-out barking and adept guitar acrobatics. During "Divinity Under Will", the vocalist’s snarling venom acutely reflects the aggressive nature of the group's brash instrumentation.
Although "Travesty Of Heavenly Essence" is well-recorded, it’s near-mistake free delivery will be of interest to those who appreciate advanced symphonic black metal, while some NSBM followers may doubt the professional approach this band takes to sonic devastation, one thing is certain. This suitably boisterous quartet is most assuredly worthy of a closer look. Review by Erin Fox
Band: Thyrfing
Album: Farsotstider (Regain Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.thyrfing.com
Rating: 9/10
"Farsotstider", just like their previous album "Vansinnesvisor", see's the band moving even further away from that keyboard driven sound.
They've once again opted for a more darker, heavier approach, but whereas I needed time to fully appreciate "Vansinnesvisor", this one instantly blew me away. Sung entirely in their native Swedish, which gives that extra unique touch, the album is more heavy and riff orientated, and whilst the keyboards on the album are still noticeable, they sit nicely in the background and create some nice touches. For such as aggressive album, it flows nicely right the way through with some interesting melodies and melancholic atmosphere's.
Without doubt one of, if not THE finest Thyrfing album to date. No real need to go any more in depth, because basically, this is Viking Metal at its finest!
Band: Tiamat
Album: Prey (Century Media)
Year: 2003 (Release Date: 27.10.03)
Website: http://www.churchoftiamat.com
Rating: 9/10
The last time I had heard anything from Tiamat was the dire "A Deeper Kind of Slumber", and before that was the absolute classic "Clouds" way back in 1992, which is still an album I still play today, so when their latest album "Prey" arrived I had the opportunity to see what I had (or maybe not) missed out on.
Front man, and the brains behind Tiamat, Johan Edlund has been described as a chameleon, a musical genius with many faces, which at times can be annoying and others very interesting, Tiamat simply refuse to stick to one pattern. So, onto "Prey", first up is the first single taken from the album called "Calm". "Calm", with it's acoustic intro and birds singing in the background blasts into a later day Katatonia wall of guitar with very Pete Steele sounding vocals, which at first didn't really impress me, but after a few listens, it grew on me more and more which now turns out to be the prefect choice for the first single.
Personally, I think that this is Tiamat's best work to date, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. The whole of the album is simply exquisite, from the intricate acoustic passages, to the melodic guitar work and the very moving vocal performance. "Prey" is a very atmospheric and personal album that is sure to please fans and critics alike.
Band: Tidfall
Album: Nucleus (Nuclear Blast)
Year: 2003 (Release Date: 04.08.03)
Website: http://www.tidfall.net
Rating: 6.5/10
Another black metal band that rely heavily on Synths, I've got nothing against them if there used properly but if a band over uses them, I think it can really destroy the overall sound and the atmosphere of an album.
"Nucleus" is the third album by Norway's Tidfall and it a bit more varied than previous releases. There is some really great parts on this album, but the synths and electronic beats are overused for my liking and ultimately swamp out the aggressiveness and gets way too repetitive towards the end. Tidfall are similar in some ways to bands like Zyklon, Dimmu Borgir and Myrkskog but add there own, almost futuristic feel to black metal that is great when the synths die down.
Fans of Dimmu Borgir and maybe even Zyklon may show some interest in "Nucleus", if this is what you like then this is the one for you. For those looking for an aggressive black metal album, I think your in the wrong place.
Band: Torman Maxt
Album: The Foolishness of God (Mars Hill Records)
Year: 2002
Website: http://www.tormanmaxt.com
Rating: 8/10
Looking at some info about the band, I noticed "Christian Music Scene" and "Prog Rock" came up alot. Not what I usually listen to but I thought it would make a change to what I usually listen to. Led by the three Massaro brothers, "The Foolishness Of God" is the second album from Torman Maxt
I didn’t really know what to expect with this, nor did I remember how they got our address. Putting that to one side, obvious influences include the likes of Yes, Queensryche and Rush, I must admit I did like this.
The very complex, well-structured and "catchy" songs make this a very strong album and an enjoyable listen from start to finish.
OK, there are some songs that stand out from the others, and there are some that you want to just skip, but great stuff nonetheless.
Band: Torment
Album: Tormentation (Magick Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.tormentation.de
Rating: 7/10
The promo photo has got these guys in bullet belts, main man in a glowing Misfits skull shirt clenching a chainsaw. The cover has hot devil chicks chilling at the gates of hell while the band nonchalantly hangs with Satan.
So as you can guess, we got hard drinking, bass-rabbling Venom worship. You'd swear up and down this was Motorhead if that singer didn't ever come in. The vocals are kind of sloppy sounding, a little too "cookie monster goes speed metal" for me. Some decent leads, but it's almost exclusively speed metal meets hardcore punk, especially in the drums. It's pretty basic three or four riff stuff, hooky and intentionally goofy. Reminds me of the more basic GWAR material they were churning out in the mid-90's.
Bands like this are a dime a dozen, but if this is your bag, you'll probably dig it easy. Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Tormention
Album: A Display of Chaos Demo
Year: 2002
Website: http://www.tormention.net
Rating: 7.5/10
Regulars to Metal Mayhem will know that I have been waiting for this for ages! and I'm not disappointed. An excellent blend of Thrash and Death Metal, which left me wanting more.
They sound like a much heavier Sodom/Destruction etc, with the occasional Death Metal riff. The first track "Your Scared Reality" sounds like a classic 80's thrash track but much little heavier. Now, my favorite track "Damned Existence". The opening riff to this is heavy, this is definitely a crowd/mosh pleaser! EXCELLENT!!!!. The third and final track is "Preemtive Misery", again another classic Death/Thrash riff, starting off very eerie.
A very well produced cd and excellent musicianship. A demo to be proud of.
Band: Torture
Album: Storm Alert (Escapi)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.tortureband.com
Rating: 9.5/10
Torture released two albums in the late eighties — the "Terror Kingdom" E.P. and "Storm Alert" full length. It is 2006 and Escapi music has reissued the forgotten thrash gem "Storm Alert". Why did this potentially classic thrash album go unnoticed? Could an over saturation of bands in the genre be the problem? Whatever the reason for its one-time obscurity, it is back now and at the perfect time. Thrash is currently going through a revival with legions of bands playing slayer riffs, donning old-school Metallica shirts for photo shots and live performances, and Ozzfest finally opening the door for real metal bands. Not only has "Storm Alert" been unleashed unexpectedly upon headbangers, it has received an upgrade. Production legend, Neil Kernon (Judas Priest, Cannibal Corpse, Nile, Nevermore) has manned the controls to create a remarkable remix. Alan Douches (Sepultura, The Misfits, Shadows Fall, Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan) mastered the album, and Bill Metoyer (Slayer, Sacred Reich) produced two unreleased tracks. Adding to the list of accolades is the proclaimed world fastest guitar shredder, Michael Angelo Batio showing off his amazing solo skills on one of the album’s best tracks "Dwell in Surreality".
The album’s intro makes the quality of the album's sound apparent. Dramatic keyboard passages and "Omen" like choirs sound good enough for use on any film score. This theatrical beginning may get mind to open its metal file recalling the spectacular intro to King Diamond’s mega-hit album "Them". "Ignominious Slaughter" is a thrash metal sprint, racing against speed metal legends like Possessed, Dark Angel, and Nuclear Assault. Justin Dudra challenges the arm-cramping speed of Dave Lombardo on the fastest moments of "Reign in Blood". Tortured Tom truly sounds tortured on the King Diamond-like piercing wail he lets off after the first chorus. The tortured one's vocals are very palatable. He uses the trademark 80's thrash vocal snarl, but his voice has a lower, gruffer pitch. "Dwell in Surreality" is over-the-top Tortured Tom death metal growling such lyrics as, "Close your eyes/and dream of happy things/like wonderful waterfalls/and colorful rainbows". His accent of the last syllable of "rainbows" is very ironic. This must be the first time a death metal singer growled "rainbows" and "waterfalls". He sounds a bit like Beavis, which in a way makes this track even more demented. The grinding, low-end death metal riff was probably inspired by Death or Pestilence because not many other bands, if any at all, were riffing in this style in 1989. The chorus is psychotic yet humorous, It has the same type of off-the-wall madhouse shenanigans as Exodus’ "Deranged".
Other highlights include the melodic passages found on "Blood Portraits" and "Storm Alert". "Terror Kingdom" is Torture at its creative peak. The said song begins with a narrator speaking in an unknown tongue to the tune of black mass keyboards and thunder booming in the background. His words sound like a ritualistic passage from the "The Satanic Bible". Every member of the four-man band fly along at the same dizzying pace Slayer perfected on neck snapping tracks like "Reborn" and "Hell Awaits". Torture flawlessly shifts the tempo, using a most fitting lyric for a tempo break, "I will take you down", which leads to a steadfast, thrash gallop. "Storm Alert" is a trip back to the days when heavy metal was about longhair, jean jackets, converse high tops, white jeans, Members Only jackets, leather, silly poses, and no bullshit metal. The fads of the time are shown within the album’s linear note. Except for the added notes, the lyric sheet was surely taken from the original tape because they have that tape look that many a Combat Records tape contained with the same small, white font style. The packaging enhances the feeling of nostalgia listeners who grew up listening to metal in the 80's are bound to feel. The music is an alluring type of music that many bands try to recreate, but just can’t retain that past feeling. "Storm Alert" is the real fuckin’ deal! Review by Darren Cowan
Band: Torture Killer
Album: SWARM! (Metal Blade)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.torturekiller.com
Rating: 5.5/10
Loved Corpse, but Six Feet Under never did much for me apart from random tunes.
Torture Killer is Chris Barnes with a fresh pack of musicians playing basic chugga-chugga death metal that feels like a tired tribute. Still, I'd listen to this on repeat for twenty years before having to sit through that fucking AC/DC cover album again. Cover art is great, classic scenes of supremely detailed rot and decay. There are some decent riffs here and there, but it almost always stays predictable and offers nothing all that fresh.
I'd spend more time on this record but nothing really stayed with me. Ryan Bartek
Band: Tortured
Album: Endless Human Resource (Sampler)
Year: 2002
Website: http://www.tortured.org
Rating: 8.5/10
This three-track sampler of "Endless Human Resource" is well packaged, well produced and brilliantly executed.
If S.O.D, Raging Speedhorn & Cryptopsy all came together to record an album, I’m sure it would sound like this. The two vocalists work well together especially on the opening track and the highlight of the album "Clarity".
The second "Generation Loss" starts very slowly with quite rappy vocals and then just whips into a frenzy of blastbeats and lightning fast guitars, and last but by no means least is the much more funky "It all has to end sometime".
Overall, an excellent album, by an excellent band. My only down point is, maybe there could be a few Guitar Solo's in there somewhere (the band seem talented enough!) Cant wait to hear the album.
Band: Totalisti
Album: Slave to None (Magna Carta Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.totalisti.com
Rating: 7/10
Not only is Totalisti a technically proficient act, the group has the common sense to know when to back off and let a groove ride out. This important skill gives the band credibility as players. They break out the technicality when need be, but never allow their musicianship to override a song part. On "Slave To None", Totalisti captures everything that’s attractive about hard-edged music and in doing so, has created an album that will appeal to fans of everything from modern Metallica to devotees of progressive metal bands like Tool.
Produced by Scott Rockenfield, who is best known as the drummer for Queensryche brings a thick yet crisp sound to tracks like the rough-edged "Sick Of It All" and the flowing then vicious, astute "ETA". While the performance of Totalisti is the most noticeable aspect of the record, the way in which Rockenfield has presented it makes all the difference in making "Slave To None" relevant and worthy of attention. Frontman Mark Stockwell has a powerful baritone voice that matches perfectly with the band's meaty instrumentation on "Severed Ties". From a foreboding growl to a smooth croon, Stockwell puts forth a commanding performance on the microphone, especially on this particular cut. Breaking down into Middle-Eastern scalar patterns and manipulated, buzzing bass tones and polyrhythms, "Severed Ties" is a prime example of the ability of Totalsti to remain dynamic yet intense.
On the whole, this record’s quite a good listen. While not approaching any sort of album-of-the-year status, the diversity of Totalisti is reason alone to give this one repeated spins. Review by Erin Fox
Band: Toxic Bonkers
Album: Blindness
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.toxic-bonkers.prv.pl
Rating: 7.5/10
All the way from Poland, Toxic Bonkers play heavy Hardcore/Death with Punk influences and if I had to compare them a band, I would say they sound very much like early Napalm Death.
Their fast blast beats, heavy riffing and brutal vocals create a very enjoyable listen, there are a couple of songs that sound like each other but that shouldn't really bother anyone as the 17 tracks on here should contain something for everyone. This version of the bands second album, has two bonus tracks unpublished from the new album. I'm not sure if these are on the proper album or they have just been added to my CD-R copy.
Toxic Bonkers have been around for nearly 10 years now, and I really do think that they can go far. The band are very tight musically and know exactly what they want to do. Its heavy and it's extreme, Poland really is becoming a hotbed for new extreme bands. Toxic Bonkers are a band to keep your eyes out for in the future.
Band: Trail of Tears
Album: A New Dimension of Might (Napalm Records)
Year: 2002 (Release Date 16th September 2002)
Website: http://www.redheaven.com
Rating: 8/10
TRAIL OF TEARS have been rocking festival stages across Europe: Dynamo Open Air (NL), Wacken Open Air (D), Eurorock (B), Quart Festival (N), and Metal Dayz(CH) to name a few with there atmospheric and symphonic goth metal.
The two vocalist blend together well and never seem to clash or get in the way of each other, the one exerting depth and strength, the other, female voice brings a very operatic style.
The powerful guitars, heavy bass lines & drumming are all bought together by Synths and Keyboards which add the final touch excellently to nearly all the tracks apart from maybe a couple, but that's just a minor gripe as the positives well outweigh the negatives.
If you're into atmospheric extreme metal, I'd hunt this down as you probably won't find anything better than this at the moment.
Band: Trauma
Album: Imperfect like a God (Adipocere Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.trauma.metal.pl
Rating: 9.5/10
Ah, another Death Metal band from Poland. With the sheer quality coming from there for a while now, I had a feeling "Imperfect like A God" was going to be good.
Trauma are certainly not new comers to the scene, they released two demo's under the moniker Thanatos back in 1988 ("Deo Optimo Maximo") and 1989 ("Out of Sanity") before changing to Trauma and releasing 6 albums, not including this one which is number 7. For those of you who like your Death Metal technical, and indeed are fans of Death, "Imperfect like a God" will both surprise and shock you at just how much quality is on the album. The album at times reminds me of Decapitated's "Nihility" (ie, the up front double-bass drumming) but for the most its far more technical and superior.
Trauma is a breathe of fresh air and should be heard by all death metal fans. The whole album sounds perfect, the production work is clean and everything stands out, top notch. There is also so much variety, plenty of tempo changes and melody to complement the technicality of everything. There is also a certain amount of catchiness, especially when they slow things down. If you like the later era of Death, then there's no doubt at all whether you'll like this.
Band: Trendkill
Album: No Longer Buried (Regain Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.trendkill.se
Rating: 6.5/10
Metalcore! Not really my favorite style, but there are some decent Metalcore bands around at the moment, but mind you, they would have to be pretty great for me to really listen to them.
Whilst credit is due for them presenting their own take on metalcore, with hints of Pantera, Machine Head and Meshuggah, I found "No Longer Buried" a little hard to digest. There's plenty of kick drumming, off time riffs and heavy breakdowns, which in the end results in a big blur. There are some great ideas, don't get me wrong, but a few of the riffs sound recycled, leaving you thinking to yourself on a few of the tracks, that you've just listened to it earlier.
Some nice ideas, but all-in-all a distinctly average album. Will be interesting to see where they go from here.
Band: Trephine
Album: Trephine (Public Guilt)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.trephinemd.com
Rating: 9/10
What do you have when you cross Dysrythmia, Wetnurse and Mastodon together? No, not the legendary sXe hardcore band from mid-90's Detroit.
This Trephine is one bizarre blend of styles in a totally instrumental package. It kind of bothers me cause if this band had an amazing vocalist they would be gods in the underground. But staying instrumental is the commercial sacrifice of the truly bizarre. And one can't really blame them, cause at the same time this would be near impossible to map out lyrically. There are so many spasmodic changeups the poor guys head would be spinning in circles.
Anyway, this thing is genius. Buy it, burn it, steal it - just get it! Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Tribute to Nothing
Album: Act Without Words (Lockjaw Records)
Year: 2003
Website: http://tributetonothing.com/
Rating: 8/10
Post Hardcore revolutionaries 'Tribute To Nothing' were awarded a place in Steve Beebee's top 20 albums of 2002. 'Act Without Words' was placed in Steve's top albums of the year in Kerrang! along side 'Hundred Reasons, The Vines, A, Queens Of The Stone Age, Feeder' and more.
TTN was unleashed on an unsuspecting British public almost 10 years ago. Brothers Ben, Jim and Sam soon built up a frenzied live reputation following early shows around their home town of Worcester and after The Mean Fiddler gave them their first London show there was no stopping them. TTN's first release on Lockjaw, "Finding my own Mind" was named "single of the week" by Kerrang, and Metal Hammer's guest reviewer "ICE T" gave them a well-deserved 5 out of 5. Melody Maker simply proclaimed them "Completely Ace". Their new sound had established itself.
What do I think I hear you asking? Well, I totally agree! TTN are a very unique band, their style of frenzied guitar led cross between punk and post hardcore is totally crazy. The bludgeoning blend of riffs and time changes are amazing. The only downer on things is the vocals can tend to get a bit too harsh. Not harsh in the death metal style but too shouty if you know what I mean. TTN are the UK's answer to At the Drive-In.
Band: Tristania
Album: Midwinter Tears (Napalm Records)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.tristania.com
Rating: 7.5/10
Epic Goth rock that is so well constructed you can't dismiss it that easily.
It's never been my favorite genre, but that side of me that fiends out to play Magic: The Gathering and run around Renascence festivals dressed up like a Genghis Kahn extra is more than placated. Lots of operatic female vocals, some monk-like chanting. A "Stormblast"-era Dimmu flavor in the guitar, some nice traditional folk instruments thrown in the backdrop with slivers of Korpikilaani and the better elements of early Cradle of Filth. It starts off pretty standard like most of these discs do and then progressively gets weirder and more challenging.
Some of the songs clock in at 7-9 minutes, some are 4 minute singles. The keyboard work is impressive all around. Not too shabby. Genre fans should be pleased Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Tsjuder
Album: Demonic Possession (Drakkar Productions)
Year: 2002
Website: http://www.tsjuder.com
Rating: 8.75/10
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Norway’s Tsjuder have always played raw and brutal Black Metal, and "Demonic Possession" continues in that vein. For those of you that are interested, Tsjuder were a people that lived in the north of Scandinavia about 1000 years ago (not to be confused with the Vikings). They were brutal people, just murdering/slaughtering, stealing, raping, torturing, etc. They wore black leather, and used brutal weapons. All in all they were a brutal people, and this fits for a brutal band!
Musically, Tsuder play fast, raw and brutal black metal, ditching the keyboards that are becoming more common in black metal nowadays. With the Satanic/Blasphemous lyrics, they have created an excellent album. I rank Tsjuder along with the likes of early Marduk and Dark Funeral. One of only a handful of bands that I know of, keeping the old sound alive! |
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Band: Turisas
Album: Battle Metal (Century Media)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.turisas.cjb.net
Rating: 8.5/10
Every now and again I love a little bit of "Epic"ness, something totally crazy, I had it with the new Fintroll album a few months ago, and bands like Bal Sagoth are always good to listen to.
For a debut, this is incredible, so Epic, so Majestic, so HUGE. Upfront keyboards, violins, flutes and just about every instrument possible to create some amazing atmosphere and melodies. If you like a bit of cheese, folk, general craziness and bands like Fintroll, Bal Sagoth, Ensiferum, Thyrfing you can stop reading now and just go and buy it. I really don't know what else to say about Turisas, I can really imagine this being played during one of the huge battles that took place during the middle ages. Their website has them posing with swords and axes and wearing animal skins like the warriors of yore, which many will laugh at and totally dismiss at not being cool, but I urge you to at least give them a listen.
It won't be to everyone's liking, but Turisas are one of those band that come along every once in a while that does something different and goes against the norm. The battle is just about to begin, so grab your sword and join the ranks of Turisas marching for war!
Band: Twilightning
Album: Delirium Veil (Spinefarm Records)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.twilightning.net
Rating: 9.5/10
Twilightning's debut album "Delirium Veil" is a very catchy blend of Power Metal and 80's Hard Rock, and get's my vote for the best debut of the year so far.
Everything about the album is over the top, and I don't mean in a "Cheesy" or a bad way. For such a young band, Twilightning definitely have their heads screwed on, and they have created some truly great music. The melodies, the synths, the riffs and the powerful vocals of Heikki Poyhia are all very impressive, all it took was one listen and I was hooked, there is honestly not one weak track on this album.
Finnish Power Metal is very strong at the moment and Twilightning are another great band that is added to the list, their Influences range from the likes Stratovarious and Sonata Arctica but the band have enough of their own ideas and creativity to go very far. "Delirium Veil" is a great album full of 5-Star songs, and is a must for Heavy Metal/80's Metal and Power Metal fans
Band: Twilight Guardians
Album: Wasteland (Spinefarm Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.twilight-guardians.com
Rating: 7/10
Man, Finland has produced some great Power Metal bands over the years, and there is still plenty of talent coming out on a regular basis.
With Twilight Guardians, the talent is clear, its just that "Wasteland" doesn't offer anything you won't have heard before. If your happy with your regular Power Metal and not too fused about originality, then you are going to be impressed with "Wasteland", but if like me your after that little bit extra, you won't find it on here. Whilst it's not the greatest power metal album, it would make a great introduction to Power Metal for the uninitiated.
I'm not saying that Twilight Guardians cannot go that extra bit further, because there are few magic moments on here that really show a band that could go far, it's just that they're not going to get there with "Wasteland".
Band: Twilight Opera
Album: The End of Halcyon Age (Crash Music Inc.)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.twilight-ophera.com
Rating: 6.5/10
Another Symphonic Black Metal band, not my favorite category by all means and there has just been to many mediocre albums making their way over to us. I liked Dimmu's "Death Cult Armageddon" from last year, but other than that I can't remember the last thing that stood out for me.
"The End of Halcyon Age" is a mixed bag, there's signs of genius, and there's times when things seemed to drag on for too long. Sure, they may be great musicians, and there some pretty decent atmospheric keyboard work, but there are so many bands doing this it's a little predictable. There's one or two noticeable points, but it took until track 4 for anything interesting to surface. The harsh black metal vocals, are now complimented with a clean male vocal, which really makes this a little more interesting (for me anyway!)
A competent releases, but with so many bands emerging, it's hard to make yourself stand out from the crowd.
Band: Twisted Method
Album: Escape from Cape Coma (MCA Records)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.twistedmethod.com
Rating: 7/10
As Nu-Netal seems to be dying out at the moment, it's a shame that "Escape from Cape Coma" wasn't released a year or two ago.
Although this this album is a bit like painting by numbers, as in it follows the usual Nu-Metal formula, there are a lot of interesting moments that say to me that Twisted Method have potential. This is only their debut album and they are still a fairly young band, they are sure to improve and develop an originality which will bring the band greater success. Another good point which they should take away with them is that they compose fairly mature melodies and have good songwriting skills.
Twsied Method are having a lot of commercial success in the states at the moment, especially having radio play and appearing on the 2nd stage of this years Ozzfest. This will ensure this album is a hit, but if they want to enjoy longevity, they need to inject a bit more originality into the next release.
Band: Twisted Sister
Album: Still Hungry (Demolition Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.twistedsister.com
Rating: 8/10
"Still Hungry" is the 20th anniversary re-recording of the classic "Stay Hungry" which has been produced by the bands own Mark Mendoza.
Not only do you get "Stay Hungry" in its entirety, you also get two lost tracks from the original sessions and 5 additional brand new 2004 studio tracks which are re-recordings of some older songs. Compared to the original, "Still Hungry" is a lot more polished, more bass driven, and has a heavier sound to it all. If your new to Twisted Sister, whilst Still Hungry sounds great, I'd still have to recommend getting the original Stay Hungry just because of the sentimental values. Whilst it's a great listen, tracks like "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock" will sound odd, because you'll be so used to hearing the originals, which we've all heard a million times on films and various compilations.
This really is for fans of the band, who will no doubt be glad to hear the couple of tracks ("Never Say Never" & "Blastin Fast and Loud") that never made it onto the original, both of which are great songs. They were wise to add the bonus tracks because it doesn't look as much of a cash in, which ultimately ends up as a nice package.
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