* A MIND CONFUSED - “Anarchos” (cd format / NEAR DARK Prod.)

ABYSSOS - “Together We Summon the Dark” (cd formmat / CACOPHONUS Rec.)

ADVERSARY - “The Winter` s Harvest” (cd format / CURSED Prod.)

c/o CURSED PROD., P. O. BOX 302, ELKHART, IN 46515 - 0302, U. S. A.

 ADVERSARY - “Forsaken” (cd format / CURSED Prod.)

Finally the new album of ADVERSARY is out! I say finally because my pal Ray (vocals / bass) sounded just too excited about this one, despite the fact that the band has still not been signed by a label other than his own, CURSED Prod. By comparing to their previous album "The Winter's Harvest", the band sounds far more skilled in "Forsaken". There is finally a real drum kit rolling all over the songs and not a distrurbing drum machine like on their previous efforts. Death metal and drum machines do not really stick now, do they? Once again I am not in the position to fully describe their music. The vocals and the rhythm section are of a death metal origin but additional synths and solos give it a more doomy approach. Pessimistic doom / death metal would be the kind of description I would give them if having as an adding factor their depressive image. The problem with ADVERSARY in not signing on a decent label (without putting down Ray's remarkable efforts in CURSED Prod.) after all these years lies in the fact that their music is just too untrendy to listen to. Real underground on this one! 7,5 / 10

c/o CURSED PROD., P. O. BOX 302, ELKHART, IN 46515 - 0302, U. S. A.

 AL SIRAT - “Signa Tempori” (cd format / METALSTORM Prod.)

Death metal from Poland but unfortunately not of the VADER quality. Formed back in 1994 as HELGRIND and changing it a year later to AL SIRAT they just released their debut album which consists of 50 min of death yet technical and melodic death metal. I must say that new death metal acts do not impress me and the same goes for this one. I'm sure that they have the power to do something out of the Polish standards but as you've read a 1000 times they just ain't my cup o` tea! The songs are well composed with a lot of riffs and variety but in my poor opinion they become boring after a while. A bonus for this cd is the impressive and professionally done videoclip for their "Knife in your Back" song. If you have the opportunity check 'em out! 6,5 / 10

c/o METALSTORM PROD., SCHAUFELDER STR. 38, HANNOVER 30167, GERMANY

ALGHAZANTH - “Thy Aeons Envenomed Sanity” (cd formaat / WOODCUT Rec.)

c/o WOODCUT REC., P. O. BOX 87, 65101 VAASA, FINLAND

 ANGRENOST - “Evil” (cd format / ANDROMEDA Creations)

Simply entitled "Evil" is the debut mcd from Portugal's very own EMPEROR meets COVENANT (lyric wise) clone! All five tracks of this release deal with the universe and the Cosmos in general so do not expect any satanic black metal here but something more sophisticated!? What I like from this band is the contrast between their 3 chaotic fast tunes and the 2 cosmic / ambient songs. The fact that they use real flute and the cover art create a more space atmosphere appropriate to take us to "A Cosmic Journey at the Night Skies". Not a very unique release (music wise) but definitely very promising. 7,5 / 10

c/o ANDROMEDA CREATIONS, P. O . BOX 366, 2775 - CARCAVELOS, PORTUGAL

ANTAEUS - “Cut Your Flesh and Worship Satan” (cdd format / BAPHOMET Rec.)

 ANTROPOFAGUS - “No Waste of Flesh” (cd format / BEYOND Prod.)

Name: ANTROPOFAGUS! Album Title: No Waste of Flesh!! Songs: 11!!! Average Song Timing: 3.30 min!!!! Music:... not hard to identify as it definitely isn't power metal! The band plays pure grind / death metal in a more "melodic" old - CANNIBAL CORPSE approach! It actually has a lot of similarities with the aforementioned American freaks (i.e. fast drumming, low rhythm guitars, guitar hissing, brutal vocals)! The difference is that you can actually listen to what they play on "No Waste of Flesh" if you compare it to "Butchered At Birth" and "Tomb of the Mutilated". I like quite a lot of grind acts but I am not really attracted to the new ones as I find them quite repetitive and uncreative and that unfortunately does not exclude these Italian flesh - lovers! The album also includes a cover version of SLAYER` s "Necrophobic" but in a more grinding version! This album does definitely not waste any flesh but it might waste your money and valuable time (40 min.), especially if you are not fond to this kind of music or even have the ambition to start listening to it! Better try the old ones... 6,5 / 10

c/o BEYOND PROD., VIALE ITALIA 211, 57100 LIVORNO, ITALY

APOLLYON - “Diaboli Gratia” (cd format / FULL MOON Prod.)

3000 C degrees flames and a killer logo from Christophe "logo - master" Szpajel is what the cover shows! This act hails from Denmark and exists since `92 (!). Unfortunately Denmark` s scene has as many black metal bands as my left hands' fingers so this is a somewhat pleasant surprise! The mcd (only 20 min.) offers thee 5 tracks of aggressive and violent black metal (with some blasphemous melodious parts here and there) and no Viking stuff (some Danish band should wake the fuck - up and unleash some odinistic black to us!). Weird to resemble them with another act but from time to time they remind me of DARK FUNERAL. I'd like to listen to a full length and I`m sure I will in the near future! Until then get this piece in yer hands... 8 / 10

c/o FULL MOON PROD., 2039 ROXBURGH COURT, LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33813, U. S. A.

* ARGHOSLENT - “Arsenal of Glory” (cd format / SEMPITERNAL Prod.)

c/o SEMPITERNAL PROD, P. O. BOX 08423, CHICAGO ILL 60608 - 0423, U. S. A.

 ARKONA - “An Eternal Curse of the Pagan Godz” (cd format / FOLTER Rec.)

Bands like ARKONA are definitely doomed forever from an eternal curse of the pagan godz! The fast and furious black metal they perform might be powerful and really enjoyable, but unfortunately for them all songs are kind of similar to each other! Especially the beginning of each track is identically twin to the beginning of the other tracks! The song "Najprostrza Martwica Zgubnej Niemocy" (I bet not even an ork could not read this!) is probably the highlight of this cd mainly because it is mid paced and differs from the rest. Note that the first 6 songs are new while the rest 9 come from their rehearsal demo `94. That` s 15 songs in total and over 1 hour of pure hellish black metal in a quite typical Polish vein! Check them and I wish them luck with their new cd! 7 / 10

c/o FOLTER REC., KOLLWITZSTR. 39, 10405 BERLIN, GERMANY

ARTROSIS - “Hidden Dimensions” (cd format / HALL OF SERMON Rec.)

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY have definitely set - up their own "school" and someone can definitely detect that by all these bands that got influenced from them! ARTROSIS has some elements from the THEATRE OF TRAGEDY - syndrome, especially concerning the female vocals of Magdalena. Don't be amazed if she is as beautiful as her vocals are! Personally I think that she has more abilities from Liv Kristine mainly because hers are more powerful! Now concerning ARTROSIS' music, what you get here is 50 minutes (10 songs) of atmospheric and emotional gothic metal in a THEATRE OF TRAGEDY vein (but with no male vocals). However, ARTROSIS have the advantage of not being another THEATRE - clone as they have a lot of innovative ideas. Order the cd from THRONE Prod. 7,5 / 10

c/o FRIXOS DEMETRIADIS., P. O. BOX 414, NICOSIA 2152, CYPRUS

ATANATOS - “The Oath of Revenge” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

This LAST EPISODE cd I got in my hands isn't unfamiliar. ATANATOS is one of my fave German black metal bands. Their new cd is definitely the best release so far. It's called “Oath of Revenge” and contains (apart from the killer intro) 5 new tracks, the song “Dark Age” which was also featured in their “Ancient Blood” demo and “Doomed to Death” which was featured in their split ep with IMPENDING DOOM, both reversions. The artwork is also killer, like in their previous cd. If you are familiar with ATANATOS and you like their earlier stuff then you shall adore this one. If not then step aside! 8 / 10

c/o LAST EPISODE PROD., IN DER VORSTADT. 114, 73529 SCHW., GMUND / GERMANY

AURORA BOREALIS - “Praise the Archaic Lights Embrace” (cd format/ Self Released)

Finally the new AURORA BOREALIS is released, again by Ron himself! This one is truly a step forward for the band. The songs are better composed, more melodic with a variation of themes! The cd is recorded in the infamous Sound Lab Studios and I must say that it killz! All 9 songs are very good but I separate "Offerings of Jade and Blood", "In the Depths of a Dynasty", "A Gaze Into Everdark" (killer!) and "Calm Before / The Storm". All in all a very good job! AURORA BOREALIS plays ultra fast black / death metal in the old vein! Support this band because this is the true underground of 1998! 8 / 10

c/o RON VENTO, P. O. BOX 1327, CLINTON, MD 20735 - 5327, U. S. A.

AURORA BOREALIS - “Northern Lights” (cd format/ NIGHTSKY Prod.)

The ancient Hellenic temple on the front cover is surrounded by an obscure night sky, a sign that not only marks the revival of the ancient but also the release of AURORA BOREALIS` third album, an album that once again gets closer to the ancient ideas and beliefs! An album that once again offers some true underground sounding black / death metal made after a lot of time and hard work. There are not many differences from Ron` s two previous releases and especially the killer "Praise the Archaic Lights Embrace". Everything is in the same vein. The music is fast, the lyrics about the past, the singing is harsh and even the cover artwork which this time has a logo for each song title making them look more in band names than anything else. "Northern Lights" is just one more crushing release from Ron himself with music that carries a mark of his particular way of playing! Invest on this one for that there are only a few bands left playing this sort of non - commercial metal music. Ron might never sign on a big label if he continues playing like this but he will definitely get more fans. It's up to you... 8 / 10

c/o RON VENTO, P. O. BOX 1327, CLINTON, MD 20735 - 5327, U. S. A.

* AVERNUS - “Where the Sleeping Shadows Lie” (cd format / CURSED Prod.)

A compilation of the most interesting songs of this band that spans through 78 min. of real music. I don't think that compilations are that necessary, but the case of AVERNUS is exceptional! Being familiar with only one song of theirs (I heard this one from some underground comp. tape 5 years ago and struck me up to date!) called "The Faustian Heart", I was quite pleased to get hold of this gathering of material. The band has probably suffered a lot during their career (like most of the real underground acts did and still do), so I am almost sure that this material would be hard to obtain in their original form, even from the most underground of distros! AVERNUS' music is not that far from MY DYING BRIDE's early material. A constant "crying" violin follows most of their doomy / death metal riffs, making these English masters an unavoidable influence for AVERNUS. Some songs are accompanied by female vocals and acoustic parts hence do not expect this band to be that brutal by any mean. The most brutal thing here are the vocals of their founding member and nothing more! This material (according to the biographies and personal notes in the booklet) consist of their "Sadness" demo `94, some unreleased / promo songs, leftovers from albums etc. and deal with the 1993 - `99 era. Worth checking songs indeed but am not sure if these are just the band's highlights or low files. I mean, I cannot comment on if "Where the Sleeping Shadows Lie" is a "best - off" or a compilation of raritiess! Whatever it is, if you are into depressive doom metal with death elements, this act will satisfy all your deeds! 8,5 / 10

c/o CURSED PROD., P. O. BOX 302, ELKHART, IN 46515 - 0302, U. S. A.

AVERSE SEFIRA - “Homecoming` s March” (cd format / ARROGARE Rec.)

Beware you sinful mortal... this is Americas new blasphemous black metal offspring! A band that has or will be establishing its name very soon! I assure ye! This is their debut cd on the unknown in my opinion ARROGARE Rec. but on the other hand, who knows about AVERSE SEFIRA? Of course that does not mean that the band also deserves to stay unattended, by no means! The first thing that makes this band so special is their sound and riff structure. Nothing do with Sweden, definitely no comparison to Finland, no Hellenic mid tempos here neither any American ABSU, JUDAS ISCARIOT, ANGEL CORPSE ETC. influences. Their sound, in my opinion, is very unique and can't be compared to others apart from the Norwegian scene a bit? All songs are very fast and grinding with small chaotic intros sick / perverse vocals from the bloodsworned duo (i.e. Sanguine and Wrath). Unfortunately this fact also leads to a machine drummer but who cares? 8 / 10

c/o ARROGARE REC., P. O. BOX 18789, ROCHESTER, NY 14618 - 8789, U. S. A.

* AZAGHAL - “Helvetin Yhdeksan Piiria” (cd format / EVIL HORDER Rec.)

The album` s title might not make sense in its original Finish version but if someone translates it in English he will find - out that it is called "The Nine Circles of Hell". Another number in an album title! Another band using a number! But who gives a shit anyway... as long as the music is respectable everything else is of no importance. AZAGHAL is familiar to my alter ego` s alter ego (which means to me) from its first demo steps. Rehearsal tapes and demos followed and I always said that this band has a future! The guys were always rehearsing and sending me new material and I was sure that one day they would reach a high acclaimed position in the underground scene. So, here they are with two albums on their back! “Helvetin Yhdeksan Piiria” contains 9 hellish tracks all in their usual vein, just slightly more mature. This can easily be understood by comparing the album` s songs with their old demo version (most of the tracks of the album are old!). Here we have furious black metal with sudden acoustic breaks (reminding of ye olde SATYRICON) which are not accompanied by synths. Pure black metal in other words from the cold Finnish lands! From now on Finish black metal will not only consist of the unholy eight (i.e. BEHERIT, IMPALED NAZARENE, HORNA, BARATHRUM, WARLOGHE, PEST, BLACK CRUCIFIXION, ALGHAZANTH...) but also by a ninth warrior named AZAGHAL! Hopefully their new album will include some new material! 7,5 / 10

c/o EVIL HORDE REC., P. O. BOX 4912, CURILIBA, PR 82530 - 970, BRAZIL

* BAZZAH - “Death is All I See” (cd format / NEBIULA Prod.)

Never heard of them... I am familiar with the Malay SIL KHANNAZ, LANGSUYR, AS SAHAR, SENSELESS, HAYAGRIVA, etc. but not with BAZZAH. The album kicks - off with the fast and devastating song "Prince of Darkness". Quite typical black metal with a death vocal touch. The rest of the songs are quite typical too but after a while I understood what the whole idea is about... repetitive and typical black metal in a very DARK THRONE - ish way. The total timing of the album is a bit over 30 min so why not? There are a lot of guns and tanks on the cover so again... why not? If you want some typical repetitive but at the same time "not bad at all" black metal from Malaysia then this is one is for you... 7 / 10

c/o NEBIULA PROD., P. O. BOX 13442, KUALA LUMPUR 50810, MALAYSIA

* BEHEMOTH - “Pandemonic Incantations” (cd format // SOLISTITIUM Rec.)

c/o SOLISTITIUM REC., P. O. BOX. 1210, 26802 MOORMERLAND, GERMANY

BENUMB - “Withering Strands of Hope” (cd format / RELAPSE Rec.)

How can a cd containing 32 tracks in a less than 25 min. duration and a cover depicting a drug addict in his full glory (this represents a social message of some sort) be taken seriously? This is not even pure grind. Grind songs are meant to last 30 sec. - 1 min. but this ain't grind. This is a mixture of punk / hardcore with a touch of grind! I have seen adverts about this release in dozens of professional magazines so I thought that something serious was going on but I was wrong... 3,5 / 10

c/o RELAPSE REC., BRUSSELER STR. 14, 30539 HANNOVER, GERMANY

BETHLEHEM - “Sardonischer Untergang Im…” (cd format / RED STREAM Rec.)

c/o RED STREAM, P. O. BOX 342, CAMP HILL, PA17001 - 0342, U. S. A.

BLACK FUNERAL - “Empire of Blood” (cd format / FULL MOON Prod.)

I was never into Baron Abbadon's music, especially his other 2 “noisy” projects. Of course I respect him as a musician as his work is truly underground dedicated… “Vampyr - Throne of the Beast” was quite ok as an album and the new one “Empire of Blood” isn't that bad either. Being definitely better than the previous one I think that this piece of art is the best think this guy has released. The 7 tracks on the cd are typical BLACK FUNERAL sounded, with the typical hellish sound and atmosphere… Not bad but not something special either. Of course this is just my opinion. If you like his works then you shall adore this one! 6 / 10

c/o FULL MOON PROD., 2039 ROXBURGH COURT, LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33813, U. S. A.

BLACK FUNERAL - “Moon of Characith” (cd format / FULL MOON Prod.)

c/o FULL MOON PROD., 2039 ROXBURGH COURT, LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33813, U. S. A.

BLACK MESSIAH - “Sceptre of Black Knowledge” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

It is more than hard for bands in the underground scene today to create something innovative and unique is order to separate their release from the rest! BLACK MESSIAH is definitely NOT one of them! After the first listening I thought that the band was from Russia because of all these Russian folk elements mixed in their black metal holocaust! But after checking their bio I figured out that they hail from Germany! Finally German black metal is becoming more powerful with bands like BLACK MESSIAH releasing albums like this one! The cd lasts almost 40 minutes in a total of 8 tracks! Buy at once! 8 / 10

c/o LAST EPISODE PROD., IN DER VORSTADT. 114, 73529 SCHW., GMUND / GERMANY

* “BLACK TEARS OF DEATH” vol. 6 (comp. cd / BLACK TEARS OF DEATH Prod.)

I know of no other compilation so precise in its circulation and wild in it`s promotion than the "Black Tears of Death" series. These are also the only two reasons why at present I have in my hands its 6th volume. Most compilation series last just for a few volumes but this Italian one (released under the self - named label) seems that will last till its 666th birthday! However it was not until vol. 5 that it was released on cd versions (well made cdr to be precise) as in the past it was only available for the underground tape maniacs. The latest volume consists of brilliant acts from which 80% (as usual) are Italian like HANDFUL OF HATE, SATANEL, DEATH DIES, ASTRAY (incredible marriage between LIMBONIC ART and ARCTURUS!) and THRONED and the rest from mainly underground Singaporean and Russian acts. The cd keeps a perfect balance between worthy but unknown bands and famous underground bands who already have released some respectable albums. The selection of the songs was very wise in my opinion, thus making the flow of the cd smoother than ever! Just plug it in and let yourself drown in the depths of the underground! It would be nice though if it would also be out on a limited tape version, for the ones that long for the old days! 8,5 / 10

c/o BLACK TEARS OF DEATH Prod., CP 4565, 16149 GENOVA 39, ITALY

BLAZING ETERNITY - “Times and Unknown Waters” (cd format / PROPHECY Prod.)

It is amazing that a country such as Denmark, with some of the most beautiful women in the world, the most inspiring cold weather, its landscapes and its historical culture has not even spawned one black metal band that can be compared to acts from scenes like Norway, Sweden, Hellas etc. I do understand that the women there are amazing but that doesn't mean that the weather / landscapes / history trio does not contribute in musical composition. BLAZING ETERNITY are familiar to me from their debut demo "Over Sorte Heder" (with the amazing title track... also available as a hidden track at the end of the cd... yeees!!!) which had some really good moments of epic black metal madness. However, their debut cd lead to directions and paths that have nothing to do with their past, apart maybe from the screaming vocals. The music now is more or less similar to KATATONIA and PARADISE LOST making their "Nordic Night Metal" label useless for them! The album sounds as mysterious as the title sounds with a total of a bit less than 70 min. of relaxing metal with some black metal feelings here and there. A very, very, very good release but still, I expected a revival of their demo years in a more professional vein! Well, who knows, maybe if their women started listening to black metal maybe then the men would also learn how to play it! 8 / 10

c/o PROPHECY PROD., KURFUERSTENSTR. 5, 54492 ZELTINGEN - RACHTIG, GERMANY

* BLOODCULT - “Pay Day” (cd format / THE DRAMA & SIN Company)

For the ones that are unaware of this once side - project, nowadays full time band, the BLOODCULT consist of the MEDIEVAL DEMON brothers Kostas and Alex Karras and this is their second full - length! The Karras Bros. kicked - off with MEDIEVAL DEMON some 7 years ago and I remember that they were fully devoted in the underground scene by releasing demos every fucking day for both their main band and their project! However, MEDIEVAL DEMON is following some "crionic sessions" at the moment therefore the BLOODCULT kind of took the upper hand nowadays. On this cd you will not find the gothic atmospheres of their debut "The Plutonian Shores", neither the Poe lyrical concept as the titled suggested but a more techno industrial approach. The song structure shows the band has matured as it is more concrete and professional (their debut contained songs from their 2 demos). The whole cd reminds me of N. A. O. S. and DIABOLOS RISING, I don't know why, maybe Magus put his hand again!? The cover art is not bad but it could be better! However, if you buy this cd do not show the inner pictures to your girlfriend except if you plan to dump her that is! Only for open minded and non hard to the core metal fans! 8 / 10

c/o T. D. & S. COMPANY, APARTADO DE CORREOS 677, BILBAO 48080, VIZCAYA, SPAIN

BROKEN EDGE - “Cold Lies” (cd format / NIGHT & DAY Distribution)

c/o THIERRY MARQUEZ, RUE GENERAL BROISSIA, 25290 SCEY - MAISIERES, FRANCE

BROKEN EDGE - “Hate” (cd format / BROKEN EDGE Prod.)

I also got this one from the band! It` s their `95 ep and contains 4 songs (20 min.) in their own hateful PANTERA / MACHINE HEAD metal music! I preferred "Cold Lies" mainly because it has more metal elements and because the vocals on this one aren` t exactly of my style! They actually remind me of BEASTIE BOYS!!! He he! Anyway, if you would like to listen to BROKEN EDGE and have a good first impression then try their debut full length "Cold Lies". 6 / 10

c/o THIERRY MARQUEZ, RUE GENERAL BROISSIA, 25290 SCEY - MAISIERES, FRANCE

CASKET - “Faithless” (cd format / SERENADES Rec.)

I bet I would never figure out what this band plays without the label` s promotional flyer which states that they play melodic rock / metal. Describing it, I would rather say it is a mix of commercial pop / rock with a few metal elements from THE GATHERING! Well, I adore THE GATHERING but this is too much for me! Maybe if I was with the girl of my life and wanted to make love… enough! This is definitely not for me but I'll review it on a more general perspective. The music is very well composed, catchy and the vocals are sung by the beautiful Karin Trapp! There are some additional male vocals here and there too! Furthermore this is not destined for metal fans no matter the GATHERING influences! Check something else and leave this release for the MTV - freaks! 6 / 10

c/o SERENADES REC., IN DER VORSTADT. 114, 73529 SCHW., GMUND / GERMANY

* CASTRUM - “Black Silhouette Enfolded in Sunrise”” (cd format / FOLTER Rec.)

CASTRUM hail from Croatia and their debut album is also one of the latest FOLTER Rec. releases! The band seems to be highly inspired by CRADLE OF FILTH… actually more in the image than the music, although there are some CRADLE OF FILTH parts here and there! Also title tracks like "For Those Wistfull Moments in the Mist" and "A Symphony of Moonlight and Nightmares" good somehow derive from the CRADLE - concept. Anyway, as I said the band doesn` t really copy CRADLE in the music section and that is good! The album contains 8 killer tracks of fast vampyric and symphonic black metal with a very polished sound quality as it is required for this sort of music! This release is very good in my opinion and don't forget that the band comes from a land where the underground is smaller than my beard! Hope that as my beard is getting bigger the Croatian underground will offer bands like CASTRUM in the future! 8 / 10

c/o FOLTER REC., KOLLWITZSTR. 39, 10405 BERLIN, GERMANY

CATCH 22 - “Alone in a Crowd” (cd format / VICTORY Rec.)

Trumpet, trombone, saxophone, violin and cello in a punk / ska band? Innovation indeed but it sounds to my ears as a comedy soundtrack than anything else. But coming to think about it, all punk sounds funny to my ears and the addition of the aforesaid instruments makes the whole thing sound even more funny and hilarious! Enough with what my ears think. An average ska / punk fan would probably favour this band with their innovative music which must be quite revitalizing for a sort of genre where bands are always the same and the same. BEACH BOYS fans will also adore this album due to the inclusion of a cover song. How come I am not touched by the whole result? 4,5 / 10

c/o VICTORY REC., 346 NORTH JUSTINE SUITE 504, CHICAGO, IL 60607, U. S. A

CELESTIA - “A Cave Full of Bats” (cd format / DRAKKAR Prod.)

This is DRAKKAR` s boss very own band who after a couple of demos (if I`m right) managed to release this mcd. I don't mind listening to mcds but usually their duration doesn't even reach the 20 min. making it hard for me to have a more subjective opinion about the specific band. CELESTIA is also one of these bands so this release offers thee only 18.54 min (4 tracks) of a very personal style of minimalistic yet melodic black metal. It is fast in most parts with some breaks but unfortunately it doesn`t have something to make you persuade that this is the next promising French act. They sound a bit like a Polish band (something which I like) but in my ears they are simply interesting... 6 / 10

c/o DRAKKAR PROD.,BP 420, 84071 AVIGNON, CEDEX 4, FRANCE

CEMETERY OF SCREAM - “Deeppression” (cd format / SERENADES Rec.)

Finally, a band I`m familiar with! “Melancholy” was a great debut with a great doomy / death romantic atmosphere! This is their second album which follows their debut` s path but with more gothic elements, so expect a more dark atmosphere! Eventually the band became less heavy in comparison with their previous effort (like PARADISE LOST and TYPE O NEGATIVE did) but fortunately the album is of high standard. A really good release but I prefer their debut… I was always saying that the Polish scene rulez! Support this act. 7 / 10

c/o SERENADES REC., IN DER VORSTADT. 114, 73529 SCHW., GMUND / GERMANY

CENTURIAN - “Of Purest Fire” (cd format / FULLMOONN Prod.)

It's good to see cds like these coming out, just to keep the flame burning! Dutch CENTURIAN play typical MORBID ANGEL / DEICIDE influenced black / death metal! Nothing more, nothing less! Some might say "this music belongs to the past" and would answer "Fuck - off this rules!!!"! The album might have 8 songs (including "BLASPHEMY" cover from MORBID ANGEL and " Damnation of the Holy" cover of INQUISITOR!) but the total running time is only 25 min. thus a mcd! Bands like CENTURIAN, ANGEL CORPSE, BEWITCHED, INFERNO, GEHENNAH etc. should be highly supported… they keep the fire burning! 7 / 10

c/o FULL MOON PROD., 2039 ROXBURGH COURT, LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33813, U. S. A.

CENTURIAN - “Choronzonic” (cd format / FULLMOON Prrod.)

I think that it is now time for CENTURIAN to establish their name in the present death metal scene. Their debut mcd (again on FULL MOON Prod.) had shown all the signs required for something better in the future. This one is truly an ass - kicker! More or less in the same vein as their "Of Purest Fire" mcd but with a more satanic / death / fuck you attitude if you catch the meaning. Still declining to refuse using their MORBID ANGEL influences (good both for us and for them!) they also manage to torture a bit a of DEICIDE in a sum of 9 devastating desecrations. All the songs are mainly fast with some breaks and annoying solos in the pre - 90s era! Actually this whole release smells of 80s death metal. Even the simple cover art which was "created in a pool of the bands own blood"?!!!??!? Nah, couldn't be? It's too good to be true! 8 / 10

c/o FULL MOON PROD., 2039 ROXBURGH COURT, LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33813, U. S. A.

* CHAINED AND DESPERATE - “Eleven Angles in a Circle” (cd format / HIEROGLYPH Music)

It took almost a decade to release their debut album and they finally almost made it! And I say almost because this cd release in not via an actual label but under their own label HIEROGLYPH Music. It's a damn pity to see unworthy bands signing on labels while cult acts like CHAINED AND DESPERATE (who in fact possess a ten year underground experience) to be unable to release a single album. So, a big cheer to them for not giving - up or loosing their courage and managee to kind of self - release their most professional and mature material up to date! For one more time, the album title had to include a number (have I talked to you about the recent trend in using numbers in titles?) but with a rather smart way. The band has become a bit faster from the past without leaving their mid - tempo ROTTING CHRIST inspired riffs! Maturity can be found in their composition structure (a lot of fresh ideas played with passion, totally defining what their "mythical war metal art" is about!) and in Mr. C. M. AIN` s vocals who finally learned how to sing (he he!) by using a variation of screaming, sick and narration based vocals. From the eleven songs you'll only find one old one taken from their DEMONION "Oracles of the Netherwolrd" demo re - release. If you could check both versions you will easily find out which one is the new one! 8 / 10

c/o C. M. AIN, CHR. SMIRNIS 49, N. FALIRO 18547, ATHENS / HELLAS

CHRIST AGONY - “Trilogy” (cd format / PAGAN Rec.)

This is the new cd of CHRIST AGONY and definitely the best one so far! The music is this one reminds me a lot of some industrial / gothic bands and it is very gloomy and atmospheric! There are 7 tracks in this vein plus 4 bonus tracks from their cult 1992 demo! The cover is also killer and the sound is crystal clear… What I want to say once again is that the Polish scene is definitely becoming stronger and stronger. Buy this release and support PAGAN Rec. for it is one of the best labels nowadays! 8 / 10

COFFIN TEXTS - “Gods of Creation, Death & Afterlife” (cd format / DWELL Rec.)

Ancient Egypt is taking the upper hand once again, mark my words for that! The name COFFIN TEXTS sounds quite silly but if you think about it for a second, it probably refers to the hieroglyphics on the ancient sarcophagus` that lie hidden in the pyramids or even in museums all around the world! Of course I didn't expect this American lot to play their music under the SARCOPHAGUS HIEROGLYPHICS moniker as it sounds extremely silly if you would ask me! Musically speaking, the band has a very mature way of playing their death metal holocaust and it honestly reminds me of the good old MORBID ANGEL and CANNIBAL CORPSE days! Fast with a few breaks, hellish Trey Azagthoth inspired guitar solos and of course the appropriate sound production. Hell this is good! This band will become very big if they would continue playing in this vein. So they should be playing, so it should be done!!! 7,5 / 10

c/o DWELL REC.,P. O. BOX 39439, LOS ANGELES, CA 90039, U. S. A

CREST OF DARKNESS - “Project Regeneration” (cd format / LISTENABLE Rec.)

The fact that this band “belongs” to the bassist of the now dead CONCEPTION, doesn't really raise any form of curiosity in me checking them out. But after a good 4 albums (one of them being a mini) maybe it would be wise to at least give CREST OF DARKNESS a chance in becoming my next favourite black metal band. Ingar Amlien is surprisingly managing all main vocals, guitars and bass on this album and in a very professional manner, revealing to us mere listeners were his roots come from. The problem with this album is not that Ingar is an ex - CONCEPTION member but that his music it is too highly polished to be pure black metal and too personal sounding for my tastes. All 10 songs on this 38 min. attack are very brutal with both black and death metal elements hence excluding any chance for CONCEPTION die - hards to even like this (I already fulfilled this experiment to some power metal fans that were dying to hear this… result: they indeed died!)! A tip with this album… the more you listen to it the more you understand it but although I understood it I can` t say that CREST OF DARKNESS is the very next thing I would invest on. 7 / 10

c/o LISTENABLE REC., B. P. 73, 62930 WIMEREUX, FRANCE

* CROWHEAD - “Love Letters” (cd format / NEODAWN Prrod.)

"Featuring Rym from the Norwegian RAGNAROK..."! Must be some ultra damn fast blasphemous black metal praising Satan, hating love, crucifying Christ and fistfucking God! Well, not even close I'm afraid!!! CROWHEAD is a mixture of gothic and doom metal, two styles I'm not so fond of and now combined in one! Fortunately though, the band only combines the good parts of these styles, i.e. SISTERS OF MERCY (their gothic part) and PARADISE LOST / TIAMAT (their doom side). This makes it a rather interesting release, even for me, the non - follower! For some reason, the band's music is depressive as emptiness, with crying vocals singing about lost and dead loves. Do me a favour and order this demo cdr by sending both money and a woman of your choice for the band members! 7,5 / 10

c/o NEODAWN PROD., PFARRER - STRIEBEL - WEG 11, 88471 LAUPHEIM, UNTTERSULMETINGEN, GERMAN

* CRYPTIC TALES - “The Tales” (cd format / AWAKEN Prod.)

Definitely one of the best mixtures of elements and influences I've heard lately. CRYPTIC TALES (never heard of them!) successfully combine early KATATONIA riffs, LAKE OF TEARS vocals and personal ideas in one cd! Not two, not three but ONE cd (hehe!)! This is really emotional and I must say that I`ve never heard that before from another Polish act apart from maybe CEMETERY OF SCREAM! I'm sure that with a bit more effort they could reach the latest standards and success. All 11 of the album`s songs are of a 8,5 / 10 rate thus I give this album a... 8,5 / 10

c/o DANIEL ROJEWSKI, LUISE - SCHRODER STR. 3, 58099 HAGEN, GERMANY

CULTUS SANGUINE / SETH - “War III” (cd format / SEASONS OF MIST Rec.)

Another of the infamous "War" series, this time with gothsters CULTUS SANGUINE and epic black metallers SETH. Will this work like the killer ...AND OCEANS / BLOODTHORN or not? The only way to find out is by taking things step by step. This is my first audition with the "bloody cult" and probably the last one, as their style is far from any of my musical tastes! By keeping in mind the "War" rules, the band offers us two new yet unimpressive melodic / sad gothic songs, one SETH cover (quite good) and a cover of DEPECHE MODE` s "Behind the Wheel". In other words nothing at all. On the other hand, SETH is a band I was in contact with from their early and underground stages, the demo years with the crappy rehearsal sound and song structure. Then we had the excellent by all means "By Fire, Power Shall Be" mini album (an amazing mixture of early DIMMU BORGIR and the epic HADES!) and if I'm not mistaken this split release. The band here offers two new tracks in almost the same vein as their mcd (long, epic and impressive), a CULTUS SANGUINE cover (why don`t they also play their rest songs? This is very good!) and of course the same DEPECHE MODE cover. So, just a bit before the end of the cd, SETH managed to score once again making it a 1 - 3 against CULTUS SANGUINE. An album with 4 out of 8 good songs ain`t that bad but still nothing to set the world afire! 6 / 10

c/o SEASONS OF MIST, 24 RUE BRANDIS, 13005 MARSEILLE, FRANCE

DARK FAITH - “The Sentence of Satan” (cd format / WAR IS IMMINENT Prod.)

The singer starts vomiting his cursed lyrics from the very first note so the band must have quite a lot to say lyrically! However I couldn't really find a lot of meaning or reason in their music as I found it quite typical and cliche wannabe. Extremely simple over - drived guitar sounding riffs that are backed – up by a “cloned” drum machine beat could never lead to an evil black metal result, or at least the result DARK FAITH would like to achieve. “The Sentence of Satan” (no comments on the title!) could make a fine demo but definitely not a cd! Especially not in this wretched year whose underground scene is possessed by zillions of bands from all over the globe. See you next time… 5 / 10

c/o WAR IS IMMINENT PROD., APARTADO 5069- 35080, SPAIN

DARKNESS ETERNAL - “Dawn of the Suffering” (cd format / DARK SALVATION Prod.)

The cover concept is quite blasphemous and depicts the classic and "touching" (hahaha!) scene of the newborn Christ in Mary`s arms yet with a slight change in the infant presence who is slightly replaced to a rather underworld looking monster! However, the execution of this scene is not that professional, maybe because the guy who made this drawing is the same guy who handles the vocals, the guitars, the bass, the drums, the music, the lyrics and last but not least all the necessary arrangements in DARKNESS ETERNAL! George Valaetis (aye, he is a Hellene... living in Canada!) might not be a good painter but he is definitely a good death metal musician as he managed to present to this scene a quite remarkable piece of blasphemous death metal art, filled with atmosphere all over its 50 min. duration. This is not the best death metal album of the year but with a better production and promotion it could most definitely have been a very good album and would reach more people than it has achieved in present. There are 10 songs on this album, all of them in an anti - Christian and a doomy / pessimistic fashion. I am surprised to see a Hellene individual living in Canada and making such kind of efforts, while here in Hellas, the truly good death metal bands can be out - numbered on my right hand's fingers! 7 / 10

c/o GEORGE VALAETIS, P. O. BOX 5002, SPRUCE GROVE AB, T7X 3A2, CANADA

DARKSTORM - “The Black Stone” (cd format / THE RITUAL Prod.)

Polish DARKSTORM released their debut cd from the label of my Dutch pal Jasper, THE RITUAL Prod. This mcd contains 6 fast, raw and primitive black metal songs plus intro / outro and 2 bonus tracks from their debut demo “The Pat Forgotten”. In their music they also put some cool synth parts which help the band to create a more dark feeling. All in all a good effort as bands playing raw black metal nowadays are becoming less and less. Check this out now! 7 / 10

* DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED - “Autumn Roars Thunder” (cd format / SOLISTITIUM Rec.)

"Autumn Roars Thunder" is undoubtedly the best song to start this album with. It`s like it has been taken from BATHORY` s epic albums and will definitely strike you with emotions of nostalgia and sympathy (as there are not a lot of bands nowadays of equal quality). The rest of the songs are more or less in the same vein if you exclude "Nighthowl", "The Conspiracy of the Pagan Cult" and "I Burn on the Stake" which try to approach a more Norwegian black metal structure. It is nice to see that the Viking spirit is still alive in Finland whose scene is mostly packed with raw black metal acts such as IMPALED NAZARENE, HORNA, WARLOGHE, PEST, AZAGHAL etc. Although a quite old release do not avoid purchasing it if you encounter it. 7,5 / 10

c/o SOLISTITIUM REC., P. O. BOX. 1210, 26802 MOORMERLAND, GERMANY

* DAWNBRINGER - “Unbleed” (cd format / TWILIGHT Rec.)

Although I'm very involved in the underground scene and know a hell o` labels, I must admit that I've never heard of TWILIGHT Rec. Got their pack recently with this cd and really got amazed by the label` s professionalism so I wish them the very best of lack! About DAWNBRINGER, they might come from the U. S. but their music is 100% Swedish inspired (DARK TRANQUILITY, IN FLAMES etc.) with some MAIDEN, MEGADETH and MOTORHEAD influences here and there! I liked their music a lot and all 10 songs are of equal quality! Note that there is also an OMEN medley somewhere hidden!!! Definitely a good cd to give it a shot. Support them… 7 / 10

c/o TWILIGHT REC, P. O. BOX 416, DEVAULT, PA 19432, U. S. A.

* DEATH DIES / SATANEL - “When The Death Died” / “Under A Scarlet Night” (cd format / MAGGOT Rec.)

I think most of you underground maniacs out there are familiar with MAGGOT Rec., a quite old label which has released the 7" of LIAR OF GOLGOTHA, the debut demo of EVOL and some other cult stuff I can` t recall right now! This split cd is one of their latest and best efforts up to date! It starts with the Italian band DEATH DIES who play some kind of romantic epic medieval black metal! Really great stuff! SATANEL (also Italians) play devastating unpure black metal which is quite good and recalls to the listener the mighty underground spirit! As far as I know both bands have some EVOL members involved so this should be another "selling point" for this release. The sound and the overall quality for both bands (especially for the first ones) are above average thus making this cd very essential to you underground maniacs out there!!! 8 / 10

c/o DANIELE CASTAGNETTI, VIA PAGANINI 34, 20052 MONZA (MI) ITALY

* DECAYED - “The Book of Darkness” (cd format / DRAKKAR Prod.)

How can a band be considered as a cult? Well, firstly from still being unknown after all these years and never ever stopping their mission! Secondly, from their endless thanks - list (prove that they have been aroundd for quite a while) and last but not least from the amount of their releases! I'm not sure which release this is but it`s the latest one for sure! In fact this book of darkness is quite big with over 70 pages (I mean minutes!) and a total amount of 16 tracks! "Death Chimes of Armageddon" is the one opening this cd and lasts for just 21 minutes! A track taken from both the epic and black metal period of BATHORY! A pure masterpiece! The tracks following are more VENOM / BATHORY influenced and quite shorter (3 - 4 min. average!). The album goes on till track number 7 where it officially ends... but not yet! Then you'll get the true surprise... 9 extra cover songs of black metal classics and not only! Impressive covers from CELTIC FROST` s "Into the Crypts of Rays", BATHORY` s "Call from the Grave", AC / DC, VENOM, DEATH, SODOM and so forth! All in the sick and cult DECAYED vein! Pretty please, with sugar on top... buy this cd!!! 9 / 10

c/o DRAKKAR PROD.,BP 420, 84071 AVIGNON, CEDEX 4, FRANCE

DEEDS OF FLESH - “The Path of the Weakening” (cd format / EREBOS Prod.)

Straight - forward CANNIBAL CORPSE influenced death metal, mainly of the Barnes' era with a slight touch of late DEICIDE in their riffs! I have heard the name DEEDS OF FLESH for a while passing through my ears once and so forth and it was about time to get hold of something from them, even if it’s their 4^th album! “The Path of the Weakening” is the type of album that you’ll shake your head very fast in the beginning, get slower in the middle and probably stop at the grande - finale as it ends - up consisting of 9 tracks that could be one after all. This one track album (only kidding!) is very well played and constructed but could have some more groundbreaking riffs just to make this record a little bit more special from all other recent death metal releases! 6 / 10

c/o EREBOS PROD., P. O. BOX C 8, 01001 ZILINA, SLOVAKIA

DEEP - “Pieces of Nothing” (cd format / PAVEMMENT Music)

Not sure where they come from but judging from their guitar sound and acoustic guitar breaks and solos, I’d say and even “bet” a 1000$ that they are Swedish! Then again, the surnames Lopez and Jackson sound to “universal” to be Swedish so I’d better withdraw gambling and focus on this review. DEEP is probably an American act that wants to be a part of the Swedish scene by playing death metal in the familiar and favored by most of us, Swedish vein. Their singer reminds me of Chuck’s old DEATH efforts and this is the part were DEEP can confuse the listener about their country of origin. There are a lot of decent and refreshing parts in this album that will make your head bang straight to the core! Highlights include the songs “Hear their Own”, “Ash and Dust”, “Peril of Life” and “In Tears of Depravity”. Overall, an impressive death metal release. 7 / 10

c/o PAVEMENT MUSIC, P. O. BOX 50550, PHOENIX AZ 85076, U. S. A.

DENATA - “Departed to Hell” (cd format / GHOUL Rec.)

I do remember this band from their 7” which didn't really touch me as their side project SCREAMS OVER NORDLAND did! Things have changed though and here we are again with a good 10 songs of pure thrash metal. Everything is here… short 2 – 3 minute songs, sharp thrashy old school riffs and vocals reminding me sometimes of BEWITCHED and sometimes of a few Japanese retro bands that still hold the thrash spirit in them! The sound isn't very special, despite the fact that DENATA hails from Sweden and could definitely invest on a serious studio but this helps the whole situation for pure head - banging! The whole album sounds so simple but at the end of the day, all good thrash blasts were simple! A very pleasant surprise to see a 7” band to develop to such an extend and release their debut album. Do not underestimate this very good album that covers the Satan, beer and metal concepts in just 10 songs! 7 / 10

* DESASTRIOUS - “Loekr Inn Niflheim” (cd format / DESASTRIOUS Rec.)

I firstly got familiar with this underground act via their debut demo which I must admit was quite good underground black metal with probably the weirdest distorted vocals I`ve ever heard in my life! "Loekr Inn Niflheim" is their debut album which contains 14 songs and is limited to 1000 copies. So far, so good... but what about the music? I must say I was disappointed! The sound is even worse than the demo (which in fact was of respectable quality) and the drumming (must be a drum machine!) is FUCKING THE SAME ALL THE TIME! There are some good tunes with some "Transylvanian Hunger" and BURZUM influences but the rest is so much alike that makes you want to listen to something else! However this is a respectable and honest release. Without these bands there would be no underground! But for next time Nocturnus, try to improve the sound and the drumming! I'm sure you can do a hell better!!! 5 / 10

c/o DESASTRIOUS REC, P. O. BOX 821403, DALLAS TX 75382, U. S. A

* DEW OF NOTHING - “Doubleueird” (cd format / SEMPITERNAL Prod.)

Despite the first (and not so positive) encounter I had with this cd, after a few more listenings it sounded better to my ears!!! The band plays typical old school death metal... Nothing more, nothing less. No melodic NWOSDM parts, no female vocals, nothing. There was a period I adored this music and I still do but only the bands I used to listen to. New acts of this particular genre do not impress me that much, except if they have something unique I missed from that era! DEW OF NOTHING were formed at the end of the year 1996 and this is their debut album on SEMPTITERNAL Prod. who also released the very interesting split cd of OCCULTUS / ESGAROTH (check it out!). Now concerning this act, the only mark I could give them is the following. Hope that their next release will be more varied and inspiring... 6,5 / 10

c/o SEMPITERNAL PROD, P. O. BOX 08423, CHICAGO ILL 60608 - 0423, U. S. A.

DIABOLI - “Towards Damnation” (cd format / FULL MOON Prod.)

New cd from DIABOLI! I really adored this band from it`s early demo years! Great stuff! The new cd is called “Towards Damnation” and in my opinion it's better than their debut “Mesmerized by Darkness”. Not that it didn't kick ass but I think that somehow the songs where quite similar in structure… something which doesn't happen here! The 8 tracks of this cd vary from the usual DIABOLI fast black metal to mid tempo BATHORY influenced ones to synth ones! This helps the listener to absorb all music with interest! Buy this one and support this true underground act! 8 / 10

c/o FULL MOON PROD., 2039 ROXBURGH COURT, LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33813, U. S. A.

* DIABOLICAL MASQUARADE - “Nightwork” (cd format / AVANT GARDE Rec.)

How the hell can he do that? I` m talking about Blackheim and his new solo album "Nightwork"! How the fuck can he create such masterpieces? This one is definitely containing some of his best musical efforts up to date and is probably one of the best albums for `98!!! No exaggerations! His previous 2 albums where of a high standard but this one, in my opinion, is higher than that! Black metal it is but with with a thrilling atmosphere created by some majestic synths! The riffs vary from black metal to heavy! "Thiz iz a mazterpiece" if it was up to Blackheim to comment on it... 9 / 10

c/o AVANT GARDE MUSIC, P. O. BOX 19, I - 20010, VANZAGO (MI), ITALY

DIE ALLERGIE - “Virus III” (cd format / RISE - UP Rec.)

German is a very nice and aggressive language, something that lacks with the gay French or the chicken sounding Turkish! But when it comes to rock or metal, German sounds more like a crow that tries to sing or even with RAMMSTEIN! All German singing metal bands sound like the hateful RAMMSTEIN making their music quite repetitive and boring! Even IN EXTREMO have some of these elements but this band is definitely not in my list of dislikes as their folk elements over cover the bad ones! DIE ALLERGIE on the other hand have no folk IN EXTREMO - influenced riffs but just boring industrialised metal - core songs with German lyrics and vocals like yours truly (i.e. RAMMSTEIN!). I would definitely never sit down and listen to this sort of music but even with a fake open - mind, this album could never be heard from my ears all in one time. Probably a very successful band for its field but for its field exclusively! 5,5 / 10

c/o RISE - UP REC., IN DER VORSTADT. 114, 73529 SCHW., GMUND / GERMANY

DIES ATER – “Through Weird Woods” (cd format / Last Episode Rec.)

If it is a German black metal band it could hardly be unsigned on LAST EPISODE Rec. hence DIES ATER are of no exception. The label has been accused by quite a lot of “reviewers” as a label that signs crappy German bands with commercial attitude. After collecting most of LAST EPISODE's albums, I am in the pleasant position to announce that most of their releases are of high quality with great music and exceptional cover arts! It is a fact that most of their bands are not very distinctive concerning their music but the overall quality is still good. Same case here… DIES ATER reminds me a lot of ABYSSOS` debut killer (with no vampyric references whatsoever!) but it is so wisely composed and produced that it is more than worth listening to! There are furiously fast black metal parts cleverly combined with majestic synth melodies that could mystify your spirit straight to the middle - ages. Just the intro is one of the best pieces of music I have heard lately! Being their second effort, the band could have focused more in originality. I am not accusing them in ripping - off other’s music but DIES ATER has the ability to perform compositions with class that are even nearer to themselves. 8 / 10

c/o LAST EPISODE REC., BUCHER WEG 12, 73529 SCHWABISCH, GMUND / GERMANY

DISARRAY - “A Lesson in Respect” (cd format / ECLLIPSE Rec.)

Seldomly do I get promos from bands playing SEPULTURA / BIOHAZARD influenced music. Not that I want to anyway but I feel a little outdated from this type of music. I only have SEPULTURA's albums up to "Roots" and that's about it. No other similar acts of this type of music are allowed to enter in my precious and ever growing 1000 - vinyl collection (I had to say this!)! The album kicks quite powerfully with the first few songs sounding interesting to my ears but that`s about it. The rest are just the same like the first songs or my ears are not well adjusted to this music. Ohh, and then we have that Skynyrd cover of "Free Bird" which makes the whole thing even more shitty. At least, they should have covered "Sweet Home Alabama" which is at least a listenable tune but not even close! Only for hardcore bangers and no one else. 5,5 / 10

c/o BIG DADDY MUSIC, 71 NEWARK WAY, MAPLEWOOD NJ 07040, U. S. A.

DISGORGE - “Forensick” (cd format / REPULSE Rec.))

Imagine opening your flat’s door and a sudden blast of wind and rain explodes on your face due to heavy storms you have not noticed before! This is exactly what happens with this Mexican outfit after putting their second album in your cd player. The difference is that you already expect what you will get, as this band is signed on the sick Spanish REPULSE Rec. Ultra brutal gore grind death (as their label describes their music) is exactly what you will get in this 36 min. massacre and I absolutely agree with this non – commercial music – style etiquette. There are titles such as “Jism Adipose Carbonization”, Urethrive Decortico – Xanthomatose” or even the unmemorable “Haemorph Endarteriectomized Punzed Eozinophille” that immediately bring in mind CARCASS` legendary years but I have to disappoint you that DISGORGE` s music makes CARCASS sound like a crying infant! I’m curious to find out how this band sounds live! Entertaining… 6 / 10

c/o REPULSE REC., P. O. BOX 50562, 28080 MADRID, SPAIN

DISGORGE - “She Lay Gutted” (cd format / EREBOS Prod.)

So, here we go again!!! “Imagine opening your flat’s door and a sudden blast of wind and rain explodes on your face due to heavy storms you have not noticed before! This is exactly what happens with…”. However, these sickos are not Mexican but hail from California instead. Musically they are quite identical as they are playing the same type of music (a bit more CANNIBAL CORPSE influenced) and have the same lyrical content (less medical related though). This album lasts for just 25 min. so I am not sure if it is supposed to be considered as a full - length or as a mini. No matter what, it could most definitely have been the debut for the Mexicans, while the abovementioned one the second and future album of these Californian ones. Grinders and deathsters do buy these albums. All the rest, keep the hell out of it! 5,5 / 10

c/o EREBOS PROD., P. O. BOX C 8, 01001 ZILINA, SLOVAKIA

* DOOMSTONE - “Satanavoid” (cd format / TIRADE Rec.)

It is nice to listen to a band`s own way of expressing satanic heavy / doom / black metal without being a) boring like most of the truly doomy bands and b) repetitive by using a single riff in a whole song! Alright, I must admit that this is not 100% doom as there are a lot of fast parts for this type of music but even their slower ones are highly touching! The guy who sings here can`t be anyone else than a cousin of Cronos but trust me on this, the whole result is very successful reminding me of the good old fashioned VENOM yet in a slower non - noisy version!!! As commented before, there are quite some fast parts slightly reminding of a black metal band but there are also some quite slow (in both heavy and doom aspects) parts that make this whole thing quite different from the rest of the scene. The band despises bands such as CRADLE OF FILTH and EMPEROR and has it`s own perception of how this music should be handled! Band members with the names Priest Killer, Blacklord, Hellstorm and Cross Turner Upside Downer (hehehe!) remind me of only one era... 7,5 / 10

c/o TIRADE REC., 1636 DIAMOND SPRINGS RD., SUITE 102, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23455, U. S. A

* DRASTIC - “Thieves of Kisses” (cd format / BEYOND Prod.)

Most of you underground maniacs out there must know the kinda "cult" Italian compilation series "Black Tears of Death", am I right? It is from its first part that I got familiar (and at the same time impressed) with this Italian / Polish act! Back then I listened to a song from their debut and only demo "Creator of Feelings", which obsessed my soul with lust for more! I finally got their debut cd in my hands and my impressions are exceeded! The band performs some amazingly electronic / cosmic black metal (not a COVENANT - clone this time!) with the use of Unearthly female vocals (!), Marsynths (!!), Uranusounds (!!!) and Venushouts (!!!!). The proper album version comes in deluxe silver 8 - page digipack including a bonus track! Definitely one of the most promising new acts in the scene! 9 / 10

c/o BEYOND PROD., VIALE ITALIA 211, 57100 LIVORNO, ITALY

DREAMS OF SANITY - “Masquerade” (cd format / HALL OF SERMON Rec.)

New cd from DIABOLI! I really adored this band from it`s early demo years! Great stuff! The new cd is called “Towards Damnation” and in my opinion it's better than their debut “Mesmerized by Darkness”. Not that it didn't kick ass but I think that somehow the songs where quite similar in structure… something which doesn't happen here! The 8 tracks of this cd vary from the usual DIABOLI fast black metal to mid tempo BATHORY influenced ones to synth ones! This helps the listener to absorb all music with interest! Buy this one and support this true underground act! 8 / 10

c/o FULL MOON PROD., 2039 ROXBURGH COURT, LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33813, U. S. A.

DREAMS OF SANITY - “The Game” (cd format / HALL OF SERMON Rec.)

Lyrical concepts were never above or below music for a band like DREAMS OF SANITY! Both had to balance. This fact can be observed from their previous two releases, were concepts such as “The Divine Comedy” and “The Phantom of the Opera” have been used all along the album. This time, the band decided to create their own concept which is dealing with the enigmatic meaning of life (nothing to do with the divine Monty Pythons edition!) as a whole game! Lyrics are not available to argue more on this concept but judging from their mysterious song titles (e.g. “We.ll.sea”, “…Time to Set the Stones…” etc.), the whole concept cannot be that easy to comprehend! It`s rather too absolute to agree with them that life is nothing more than a game! Anyhow, Sandra's vocals and Michael's musicianship are once again superb and not far away from their previous releases. The former has definitely practiced a lot with her splendid voice and has reached a very mature stage were she is able to control her vocals in whatever way she wants, from grandiose operatic to sweet soft ones! Both this release and their previous one are of the same level but I favour “The Game” to a bigger extend! 8 / 10

c/o HALL OF SERMON GMBH, POSTFACH 749, CH – 4310 RHEINFELDEN, GERMANY

DUNKELGRAFEN - “Schatten der Ewigkeit” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

Another LAST EPISODE cd from a band I never knew before. I really don`t know why I`ve never heard this name before as they have released quite a lot in the past. Anyway, this is their first full - length… it starts with a very promising Evil intro which creates the appropriate Dark atmosphere in order to fully get into the cd's climate. The band plays fast black metal with a lot of atmospheric parts. I really liked the songs “Damonen der Seele” (Demons of the Spirit), “Schatten der Ewigkeit” (Eternal Shadows), “Der Seher” (The one who Sees) and “Herr des Schweigens” (The Master of Silence). The band somehow reminds me of a mix of BEHEMOTH and GRAVELAND. Overall, not a bad release, just needs a bit more work to separate from the other great black metal bands of their country (i.e. DESASTER, ATANATOS, etc). 6,5 / 10

c/o LAST EPISODE PROD., BUCHER WEG 12, D - 73529 SCHW., GMUND / GERMANY

DUNKELGRAFEN - “Triumph Des Fleisches” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

It has been sometime since I`ve heard from them. The "Triumph of the Flesh" is the band's third strike and according to the label's selling points, a real inferno! I liked the raw outcome of their debut album "Schatten Der Ewigkeit" but after two full lenghters they ought to sound a bit more concrete and solid. This one here sounds quite empty to my ears and not that professional for a band like this, with three albums and a handful of underground releases! The only way to enjoy this release and consider it as something valuable is by following this little guideline on how to listen the album. Put the cd in your cd player, check the intro, skip the first two crappy songs, listen to the fourth track "Sklavengott" (if only this release would consist of songs like this one!), listen the fifth track, leave track number six for later and finally listen to the last two tracks (last one is an outro)! This album consists of an intro, an outro and 3 very good songs and that mainly differ from the other because of the help of synths. I am 100% sure that DUNKELGRAFEN would make a remarkable black metal act if they would use synth rather than trying to sound raw like MARDUK and the like. Mein freunden, try this next time! 5,5 / 10

c/o LAST EPISODE PROD., BUCHER WEG 12, D - 73529 SCHW., GMUND / GERMANY