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Nuts and Bolts |
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NUTS, BOLTS & METAL SHAVINGS
by Diane DeMeter
“Tis the season to be thankful, for the METAL you’re about to receive!” – Demeter
HEAVY HAPPENINGS...
Beating out some stiff competition, Mouthful Of Flies (London) are the 2005 Heavycore Core Wars winners. During an interview with Heavycore’s Brutality Report (www.heavycore.net), the band was asked, what’s the definition of a poser? Their reply: “Posers use metal as a vehicle, but they’ll never enjoy the ride!” As I Lay Dying (Metal Blade) was recently named, Artist Of The Year, at the San Diego Music Awards, voted on by fans. Sean Vandergrift of Vehemence will be replaced by Adam Cody, who also does vocals for Glass Casket and Abacus (Century Media). Cody filled in on the spring tour with Crematorium and The Red Death. In September, Vehemence, remixed/remastered their first full-length CD, The Thoughts From Which I Hide. The disc includes new packaging and is only available at their shows and on the website. DEMETER’S TEASERS
BARCODE Showdown ~ (Nuclear Blast)
Who would have thought hardcore at it’s finest, could hail from Denmark!? Barcode is hell-bent, aggressive and full of energy, on all 16 tracks of this disc. They’ve been around for a decade and are still unyielding to anything conventional. Guitarist, Dr. J (also front-man for the death metal band HateSphere) produced this CD and did a great job. You just can’t sit still while listening to this. If you dig Biohazard, Madball, or Pro-Pain, do yourself a favor and buy the damn thing!
EKTOMORF Instinct ~ (Nuclear Blast)
The name Extomorf means edgy and aggressive, according to the three body types, of ancient Greek civilization. The name fits! Founded in 1994, by two brothers, this band displays an eruption of emotions and anthem-like assaults. It doesn’t take much of a listen to stir something up deep inside! I assumed they were Latino (reminiscent of Soulfly and Brujeria) but alas they are Hungarian. The drumming is very precise with some tribal/exotic beats; delivered with so much power I can’t believe the drum kit survived the onslaught. They pulled off the task of thrash/hardcore/grind, complimentary Middle Eastern influences and progressive metal, with ease. The metal-head mentality is hard to miss and something you will cherish. Even though this is their sixth recording, it has all the unbridled energy of a debut! I’m doubly impressed with Instinct and give them, 11 horns out of 10!
COMMUNIC Conspiracy In Mind ~ (Nuclear Blast)
This trio from Norway is polished, yet provoking on their debut CD. Diversity is their forte’ as they dive into progressive/traditional metal. Strong vocals, choruses and extremely smooth/seamless transitions from one style of metal to another, will definitely make an impact on the metal scene. Imagine Pantara, Helloween, Iron Maiden and Amorphis, all rolled into one big one! The production is rich, layered and full-bodied, on all seven tracks. The songs clock in between 6:48 min. – 10:54 min. but it’s not overdone. In the two years since they formed, they seem to have found their niche and it can only get better. I believe they have some real staying power.
ARCH ENEMY Doomsday Machine ~ (Century-Media)
If ever a metal band deserved to be on the Second Stage at Ozzfest, and rightfully gain new fans, they are it! Arch Enemy displays a mutinous marriage of melody and brutality, which is their trademark. This mesmerizing CD has its fair share of inspiring guitar solos and totally shredding vocals spewed forth by a woman! Hell yeah to Angela Gossow! Given 20 years of practice, most bands could never aspire to this quality of metal, and might as well curl up and die now and get it over with. The album was mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (Killswitch Engage, Nevermore and Opeth), which explains the luscious heavy sound. It’s a little hard to know when a new song starts or ends, not that it matters or it interferes with your listening enjoyment. It has to do with the way the tracks are numbered: 1,5,13,21,31,39,49,59,69,82 and 91. I’m not sure of the significance, just something else to peak my curiosity. This is a “must have” for your CD collection or for that matter, your friends’, your mother’s, etc.
Till Next time…ONE NATION UNDERGROUND!
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