LIFELESS-Forward to Suffering
5/5

    I was completely Amazed when I got this in my mailbox, I had no prior idea that I was going to recieve this but thanks to the demons I did. This is FUCKING UNBELIABLE! Lifeless is a one man project fronted by Marc Kieffer (Pictured here) (Vocals, Guitars, Basses, Keyboards, And Drum machine) striaght from Germany. 
 
LIFELESS, "Forward to Suffering" contains 11 songs that were recorded in 24 hours at a professional studio on a 24 track by Marc himself. Marc also produced/recorded this himself and is very talented sound engineer. This Record very reminicent sounding to Death, Pestilence, Arch Enemy,Cynic, Atheist and other jazz/fusion metal bands as well the Carcass influence can be heard. The Vocals are Death metal but very unique and gruffy low sounding but understandable. There is one hell of a European Sound here with lots of Progressive Riffs and Melodic melodys composed by Keyboards, the riffing is very well structured and catches the same emotions on the same levels that Death's record "Human" or Pestilence "Testimony of the Ancients" more than any other.  But this album differs in a different more technical sounding way with more ability shown in a slower way listen after listen with less intense drumming "very little Doublebass or insane ride pattern here" like Sean Reinhart or Gene hoglan present, my one and only complaint, but other great drum patterns can be heard. A more Pestilence sounding album with vocals that sound very reminiscent. The guitar playing is AWESOME, however not many solos on this one which i think is great!

    There should be more emphasis put on the songs then guitar masturbation and traditional heavy metal ways of doing things a solo in every song. The bass playing here is present also.  The lyrics/song titles are on the Darkside with such titles as "Mistress Storm" to "Intercourse" with very interesting subjects, that are not Striaght foward Death metal lyrics of the old school but once again the Chuck Schuldiner/Patrick Mameli (Pestilence) influence is here even in the writing of lyrics, intriguing. I have to say this Band is the EUROPEAN answer to DEATH. The other instruments Drums even sound very impressive especially from someone who is not a drummer. "THIS IS PROGRESSIVE DEATH METAL AT IT'S FINEST". Marc seems to be skilled in every instrument and knows very well what he is doing and what elements/atmosphere he wants to create. This band is definitely on the verge to greater things. Marc is working on his first book which seems to canceled right now but the release of the video entitled 'frightened' i completetd.  You can find more info about it and other Lifeless music at the Official site.
MORE INFO AT:

Lifeless

 DICHOTIC- COLLAPSE DESPAIR 5/5

From Halifax, Canada comes "Dichotic" with a 7 song cd 33:58 in length "Collapse into Despair" and they prove themselves as being one of the best Extreme Death metal Bands i heard in a long while. Suffocation "Effigy of the Fogotten"/Breeding the Spawn" vocals and overall playing obviously a big influence and present throughtout the enitre album. The lyrics stand above the many  Suffocation clones out there. The lyrics however, are definitely "Pierced from within" structured songs with interesting intellectual topics. This is the first thing i noticed being the SUFFOCATION fan that i am.  None stop brutality, fit for the EVILGODS. This band is yet another band that will recieve great attention in time to come, I suggest you guys discover these guys now you will not regret it, pick this album up. This is a "DEATH METAL TREAT" all over. The influences are very varied. I can even here a touch of Jazz in "God Complex" half way through the song then all of a sudden blast beats everywhere, then a great kickass bass line which sounds like Lost in Spaces theme music which is very interesting and impressive then the Brutality start again. INCANTATION brutality can be heard here, Slowness with yet perfect timing and intricate picking patterns. The guitarist are the most impressive, These guys definitely did there homework with the random time changes every five seconds. This band if i wasn't told I would mistake these guys for Great NY DEATH METAL but yet these guys are from Canada how odd. These guys are a hella of a lot heavier no shittin!!!!! Progressive riffing all over the fucking place, no stop fucking brutal drumming, and Sick Vomit understandable FRANK MULLIN like vocals, These guys are Definitely worth checking out. The Churn out very scribed death metal unbeliveabily unique and like no other. AGRESSION, FRANTIC MADDNESS this album has it all. The production is very top notch, every instrument is heard very clearly which is the problem 666% of the time for most band's of this Genre. These guys definitely deserve Great thing's to happen to them, this Band i know will be around for a long time These guys will acheive much status guaranteed and will define The Canadian Scene further. For more info check out there official site and there Label at:

 Dichotic
 Discorporate Music

 
 
 SKINLESS- PROGRESSIONS TOWARDS EVIL 5/5

    UnGodly, NY Death metal. This is the inhuman tale of SICK BASTARDS, MADMEN, LUNATICS let loose in soceity. On the cover There's a bunch of humans hung on mass noose's there should be a DEATH METAL AMMY given to them alone for this treat alone. This Album can be summed up in two words "BRUTALITY FUCKERS". This band redefines what NewYork Death metal is all about no Bullshit here. This is completely Sick Fucking intense Death/Pornographic Grind. 9 songs of complete Blasphemy, from Sick disgusting DISTURBING titles like "Tampon Lollipops" to "Fetus Ghoulash", Two Brand new songs, and The 7 others are all Refreshed from Previous Demos! Deep Guttural Vocals very Deep created by the vocalist S.Webber and Christ impaler guitarist Noah Carpenter, The guitar playing insane bone crusing riffing a mix of fast and slow. Bass Lines can be heard clearly while the drums hold the tempo with Blast beasts and double throughout the entire album. "Bobbing for heads" is Definitely my Favorite Song off the entire album it kicks my ass every listen.

    Tremlo picking is all over the place here, This album is for the Speed/Grind/Brutality freak that will appreciate this the most. SKINLESS in my opinion are the next BIG ACT to hail from NY. The intro to "Tampon Lollipops" is very sick and worthwhile buying the cd just for this 15 seconds alone! This cd will make you shit your pants, and then when your just about finished you'll shit again, and again and more soiled to fuck. This is uncompromising Death metal Plain and simple as that. No Experimental sounds, Solos, Female vocals, or Guitar intro's this Cd was made for the sole purpose of the listeners destructions so Buy or you'll end up in Skinless's Oven being baked as a lasanga or be served to your own dog sliced and diced in his dog dish, and when he has bowel movement your lips will still have a smile on them.

Skinless

MARTYR-Hopeless Hopes 5/5

    This is what Metal is all about! Death/Thrash/Progressive one of the Best, hailing from Quebec toppling over in great heights the typical Death metal Genre of Quebec and all of Canada. This is where Cynic/Athiest left off. The influeneces range from Progressive to Classical. These are the Real Musicians of Death metal. This Act is Fronted by Two brother's Daniel Mongrain (Rythm Guitarist, vocals) & Franicois Mongrain Bass, & the others Pier-Luc Lampron ( lead guitarist), Patrice Hamelin (drummer). Music Graduates/Schollars of various music departments in Quebec) These are trained professionals that stand out mainly because of there technical ablilties more than anything. Martyr-Hopeless Hopes has a total of 9 songs and is complete with extremely complicated arrangements and various tempo's and time changes. This has it all. The heaviest and most appealling song to all those Death metal Hardcore fans out is without no doubt "Ostrogoth" Which is beyond Bone crunching and Fast the riffing on this is AWESOME.  Other Great note worthy songs include Hopeless Hopes, Prototype, & Inner the Peace. Lead guitar worship for these guys is essential, so start bowing to the Canadian version's of  Dream Theater/Death/Arch Enemy/Carcass/Cynic/Helloween/Iron Maiden and all those Guitar god band's. This is Technical Thrash/Death metal the late 90's style, be aware of this potent Masterpiece now.

Martyr

    I can't give this release any higher than 5/5 but if i could i would. This is A DEATH METAL MASTERPIECE. I've been waiting a long while for this one, every since there Rotting ground breaking "Drown in Rotting Flesh" album. This Cd is indeed Going to be lengendary. The Musicianship is Excellent, The vocals are some the best I every heard of the DEATH METAL GENRE. ROTTING is UNIQUE and Korey the vocalist is 666 of a kind. Glen Benton is envious! This is a must have for any Death metal Collection. The Influences here range from Pyrexia,Gutted, Deicide, Suffocation, to Death. Most of those band they even opened up for epescially DEICIDE. 10 Songs of Barbaric Death metal, played in most Brutal fashion i ever heard Definitely more than worth the Money. The even redo there famous song which they made video for "In Vain" from there first album Which recieved wide Canadian Air play. This is Beyond Godly. The lyrics Are ANTI-CHRISTIAN, ANTI-GOD without a doubt. These guys hail from Newmarket, ontario, Canada and are indeed one of the best in the Scene and Country. This Brutal Release Got it all from Paininflict Blast beats to Porno movie sick intro's, This is not for the faint of heart. This is indeed very Extreme music, that stands out for being what it really is. SICK, BRUTAL, and VERY ENTERTAINING. This is a personal Favorite.

Rotting

BLOOD OF CHRIST- 98 Promo 5/5

 

     Hailing from London, ontario, Canada this Super young act fusing Black/Death metal defined by themselves as being the Purveyors of Black metal has created the ultimate sound and Depressing/Morbid/Cold atmosphere. The vocals are extremely heavy and deliver the preaching of B.O.C. in the most serious fitting! This band has progressed a great deal since there early stages of there Frozen demo tape which was primarily Death/Grindcore. This Promo 4 song sampler is even influnced by the epic tale and box office hit "BRAVEHEART". There seems to be segments taken throughout the entire promo and bag pipe music can be heard.  Hyperblast drum beats in the vein of Kataklysm/Cryptopsy can be heard, by the who they happened to play numerous shows with as well as Morbid Angel, Incantation,  and more. This 4 song promo recorded at the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology  (July 1998)  has incorporated many great elements into there music throughout. Interesting provocative song titles, Progressive complexive guitar riffing, excellent pulsating drumming using unorthodox methods which certainly add to better each song, melodic sounds flow together as if this was a reality, and catchy rhythms make this promo a must have for the most brutal fan. The lyrics penetrate the darkest soul and enlighten the listeners into the souls of Creators of this musical onslaught. Talented, and above everything else one of a kind Death metal played at it's Heaviest created to prove a point that this is one band that actually live there music! My only complaint I wish this was longer, I can't wait for the next Touch of musical Armaggedon from the Longo brother's and company (Greg).

Blood Of Christ

MALAMOR- Condemn the Rising 5/5

    "WILL YOU DIE FOR HIM" take from opening track on Side B "In the name of" Obliterating Oblivion at it's heaviest, once again yet another band from Death metal United States Capital NY. This Demo a length of 17 minutes (roughly) has it all. Brutal Vocals, Non Stop Guitar/bass Rythms, Interesting Drums patterns obviously a Death metal Drummer influnced beyond on the metal realms which make this a worthwhile listen! Deicide, Immolation, Malevolent Creation, Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, these guys are aftering playing with all of these GODS in over a hundred shows. This Demo consising of 5 songs recorded in '96, is a trip within a trip of NY style DEATH METAL which is once again something different than the average clones out there. "Burning Congregation" I think is the best song out the entire demo, this song has it all incorporated into it. This band is more interested I think in creating great kick ass songs than technical playing, But don't get me wrong there is hints of technical playing in there OF course that's what DEATH METAL is all about. This is the first band I've seen yet with thanks for influences from the lengendary band in my opinion "FALLEN CHRIST" going out to Alex Hernendez the now drummer of IMMOLATION!. Malamor define tightness this is material worthy of the Satan. This is Slamming Death metal in the like of Internal Bleeding this is indeed something that go to be lengendary! The next album features Frank of SUFFOCATION doing guest vocals on  their next full length CD "Dead To The World". I Can't wait for this one!

Malamor

DEHUMANIZED-PROPHECIES FORTOLD 5/5

    Dehumanized, Consisting of ex-FALLEN CHRIST member the Bassist Sean, hailing for NY. Are without no doubt, headlining for the throne of Death metal in New York. Powerful double bass-blast beat drumming, great skillfull guitar work, Undescribable guttural vocals that keep you begging for more & more. Crunch, Crunch crack the bones of the meek upon each burst of sonic waves of torment. The Vocals, ripp your flesh apart first song to the last.  The Double bass starting off "Kingdom of Cruelty" is most impressive, the overall drumming is ala Mike Smith original Suffocation drummer style the fucking way it should be, but George is definitely his sick self and fucking dedicated drummer you can tell! George (drummer) certainly has what it takes to drive his band forward into another millenium just like the other greats before him. The blast beast are timed perfectly, with the rest of the band, this band in my estimate should win a fucking DEATH METAL emmy also for this performance. "Infinite Despair" I think is very Godly this extremely heavy and must be heard to be believed!These Bastards have what it takes. The shear brutality, uncomprimising, Relentless beating this album 35:54 total time  gives it's listener is something to kill ro be killed for. There first demo "Termintal Punishment" 96 is also available added on as bonus tracks on this cd with a total of 9 kick the shit out of you songs 5 new songs and 4 old ones. The opening intro is something to Haunt listeners for generations to come Saying "What is it you want us to do" And this demonic voice repeats in a slow evil atmospheric way DIE, DIE, DIE. That's what will happen to you if you don't get this album, This Cd is a break thru in the Death metal Community! These guys last year were the only NY band to open for DEICIDE when they played. Enough said. The same way DYING FETUS/INTERNAL BLEEDING/PYREXIA moshing riff influences are so devastating live on stage Dehumanized prove to be another unique, Death metal band in it's prime.

Dehumanized
 

PROPHECY- FORTOLD, FORSEEN 5/5

    Coming from texas, Prophecy since there formation have been involved in #1 and #2 "Death Fest West" 96 and 97,"Milwaukee Metalfest XI 97,The "Michigan International Metal Fest" 98, The Texas Grindfest 98 and toured with Toured with such bands as Dying Fetus, Deeds of Flesh and Divine Empire as well as performed with many Internationally and regionally known bands. A new age Death Metal, straight from Texas. This is a mixture of extreme Death metal with progressive Death metal riffing, complex impressive drumming not typical, deep sick vocals, interesting bass working, and very inspirable solo's. This Cd is another unbeliable effort put out by another Great upcoming band. This band is more varied than others, and this makes them extremely unique. They definitely are one of the GREATEST new bands I've heard in a while time. I think this guys are the shit. This Cd has eight tracks, one with a ten minute unforgetable song "Prophecy" which has to be my favorite. The lyrics are very dark/inticing and extreme. This band is all about EXTREME BRUTALITY, The talent is certainly here. Prophecy is the next Wave where DEATH METAL will go, Gauranteed. International success is the next thing in there feeding troughs. Check these guys out now, only of course if you want to be impressed beyond belief.
 
Prophecy

 
LUNATIC GODS- Inhuman & Insensible

    Cynic has some major competition! This Band is a mixture of Technical Progressive metal at it's best with DEATH METAL vocals, and even high melodic HELLOWEEN vocals this is CLASSICAL/PROGRESSIVE STRUCTURED DEATH METAL. This band has definitely impressed the shit out of  me! This stuff is unbeliable. These musicians are very similar to those of CYNIC  the musicianship is very professional no amateurs here. The  melodic atmosphere is present but  the aggression is constantly in there with top notch playing from every member. Innovation fits the description too every song. Lunatic Gods have succeeded to create their own style & music. Using some choir, female vocals, interesting lyrics/songtitles, some keyboards as well as loud guitars, their music goes in various direction close to numerous metal style's not just the DEATH METAL GENRE but Blast beats are still present. Sometimes really melodic, sometimes really aggressive  the different musical approach of Lunatic bands sets it as an unclassifiable band filled with atonishing qualities. The guitarists, Drummer are GODLY, neo-classical guitar freaks got to hear this! Classical Music influences throughout can be heard, the structure is similar to the Classical music period this is a must hear for those of you wishing to experience, new and creative DEATH METAL!
Slovakian band created in 1996. First named Bestialit which played brutal grind death metal before getting the name of Lunatic Gods.

    They relesed as Bestialit a split C with Dehydrated for Metal age productions in 1994. More than 1200 copies were sold ! The line up changes leads the band to change their name. Then Polyphemus records signed them in 1996 & Lunatic Gods released « Inhuman & insensible ». It was the first time a slovakian band were releasing an album on foreigh countries. More than 3000 copies were sold.  THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS I'VE HEARD IN A LONG WHILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lunatic Gods
pavel@rebeca.sk