THE NUTS & Bolts

MONTHLY COLUMN

by Diane Demeter

NUTS, BOLTS & METAL SHAVINGS

Welcome metal heads to a column, proudly celebrating, all that is heavy…

So many new CD releases and I can’t remember a time when I have listened to so many CD’s. Boss-Man Tom has been like Santa, as of late, with all the packages, he’s been sending my way.

Starting this month, I am adding a special section of mini reviews, I’ve dubbed, “Demeter’s Teasers”. The reviews will become a regular part of Nuts & Bolts.

This time around, I am devoting this entire space, to such so I hope you enjoy it!

DEMETER’S TEASERS

FIGURE H8, is a 5-piece out of Chicago. They have a 3- song EP demo I loved from the first listen. It was “GO” right out of the gate! I have to admit, it was in my stereo for two days. The vocals are strong, intense and articulate (think Disturbed).

Heavy Metal with a slight Industrial edge (a fifth member was added for sampling) makes for one kick-ass band. They’ve played with Soulfly, Crowbar and Six Feet Under.

Figure H8 is tight and in your face with a promising future. Do yourself a favor, get off your ass and see for yourself. Support your local metal scene. www.figure8.com

OPIATE FOR THE MASSES

Spore (American Voodoo)

Here’s a 14-song CD full of variety with a mid-‘90’s feel. Spore is heavy, but with some Industrial overtones (Industrial seems to be making a comeback), but with more guitars, resembling NIN, Pitchshifter and Chemlab in a toned-down mode.

Track 12 on the CD, “Interlude #2” is a piano solo with faint screams and rain in the background and is a little distracting, compared to the rest of the CD. Overall, The Spore is pretty good.

SAMAEL

Reign Of Light (Nuclear Blast)

Samael has given up their Black Metal past and traveled to the other end of the metal spectrum and now are playing Neo-Classical, Prog Rock and Industrial. I know, what a combo! Put these bands in a blender – Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Clawfinger and an English version of Rammstein – and you have Samael.

Since they are from Switzerland, their aggressive yet melodic flair has a mostly European sound. There are plenty of heavy moments, but an open mind is needed. They will not appeal to everyone. Nonetheless it fills a void and they are damn good at what they do.

It’s interesting to note, the band says, “…We did not form Samael, it was there and we joined.”

BEYOND THE FLESH

What The Mind Perceives (Screaming Ferret)

Demand for new material spawned their first full-length CD, which is the follow up to their first demo, Flesh and Bone. This East Coast Death Metal (NJ) is totally engaging and very impressive!! They sound like Nevermore, Deaden, Shadows Fall with some Skin Casket tossed in.

Death and Thrash dominate the CD but certainly don’t overwhelm it. Other heavy metal styles are also an influence. This is a thinking man’s metal with so many cool riffs and mind-blowing drumming.

Beyond The Flesh has been working on this project since 2003 and their efforts really paid off. I totally dig this band. Their CD will be spending a lot of time in my player. So go buy the damn thing!

DIVINITY DESTROYED

Eden In Ashes (Escapi Music/Screaming Ferrett)

Another band from New Jersey with a different approach, Divinity Destroyed, interject some melodies, Progressive Metal and some atmospheric experimental tendencies into their sound. These different elements make for a fascinating listen.

There’s a female in the band (keyboards) and it adds something pleasing to the mix. They sound a bit like Symphony X at times and on one particular song, “Empty The Sky”, they capture a real strong YES (the band) vibe. It was totally unexpected and most refreshing.

The label says the band has a bull-headed disregard for compromise. So if you like things a little off kilter, you’ll get off on Eden In Ashes.

THINE EYES BLEED

In The Wake Of Separation (The End Records)

Canadian Thrash Metalcore band, Thine Eyes Bleed were named “Underground Band of the Month”, this past January by the folks at: www.uraniummusic.com

The video for “Cold Victim” aired on MTV2 on Headbangers Ball.

If you’re into Slayer, Kreator, Lamb Of God, Voivod and Shadow’s Fall, you’ll want this for your CD collection. FYI: Johnny Araya is in the band, brother of Tom Araya, of Slayer (it seems brutal is in the family’s blood).

To say Thine Eyes Bleed is speedy as hell is an understatement. You gotta love a band with a track called, “Corpse You Up”.

Till Next Time…ONE NATION UNDERGROUND!

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