EARTH CRISIS - “Slither” (cd format / VICTORY Rec.)

"Anyone that liked P. O. D., SLIPKNOT, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, SYSTEM OF A DOWN or STAIND will want this record". I definitely do agree with the label` s statement. It would be even better to change it a bit to "Anyone that hates P. O. D., SLIPKNOT, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, SYSTEM OF A DOWN or STAIND will want to burn this record". An even clearer statement for persons like me or anyone else that dislikes commercial hardcore with angry vocals (partly screaming, partly industrialised) and melodic flanger based guitar breaks to make the songs even more catchier! I understand that bands like EARTH CRISIS are very successful in their career` s but I am not the one to justify this sort of music. In my ears it is just a continuous uninspired riff with shitty vocals singing about everything and nothing at the same time! This music isn't metal in my opinion, maybe based on rock but not metal. Hope I won't cause any crisis for the band with this review! 4,5 / 10

c/o VICTORY REC., P. O. BOX 146546 CHICAGO, IL 60614, U. S. A.

 EARTHSCOPE - “The Taste of Sin” (cd format / SHIVER Rec.)

With track - titles such as "Plead Forgiveness", "Another God", "It is the Gods" and "The Life of All Flesh is the Blood" that are performed from a British band what the HELL could you expect than pure PARADISE LOST / MY DYING BRIDE - metal? That`s also what their label files them under: "melodic doom (death) metal in the above bands` mentioned vein" The thing is that after listening the whole album in order to detect these influences you won't find them! From the 100% of the "pie - chart" I could only detect a 10% and nothing more. However that`s not a problem in my opinion, as a band is a band so the music is what counts! These geezers perform some kind of aggressive metal and not death metal because of the harsh vocals! The riffs are mainly fast and heavy with quite a lot of melodic breaks! Not bad at all and I must say that the band tries to create its own personal style. The artwork is also amazingly and pro done (compared to previous SHIVER artworks!)! It is both PROfessionally done and PROgressively based! Check it out for yerselves as I can`t be bothered explaining. Look out for them... 7,5 / 10

c/o SHIVER REC., HANS DE WYNGAERT, BOSSEPLEINSTRAAT 6, 3128 BAAL, BELGIUM

ECLIPTICA - “Eclectica” (demo - cd format / SELF -- FINANCED)

The band has been around for a while with 3 demo releases (including the one being criticized by the complex egocentric tastes of yours truly!) and has also established a good name in the Belgian scene, according to their bio statement. These facts however don’t really matter if the music is not worth listening! The demo lasts a good half hour and contains 6 tracks of melodic black metal with fast parts. The riffs are quite dark and well constructed but could sound better overall. Maybe this is due to the sharp sound production or even the false tuned guitars (only in some parts) whose distortion is definitely not the best I’ve heard! Try to accomplish a better guitar distortion and sound production for next time and I bet that you will achieve a more favorable result. 6 / 10

c/o ECLIPTICA, VAN PEBORGHLEI 46, B – 2640, MORTSEL, BELGIUM

EDENROT - “The Land Where the Crow Starves” (cd format / TWILIGHT Rec.)

In order to review this mcd I had to listen to it at least 354 times!!! I don't know why! Maybe because of not being able to categorize their music, or even because they didn't really impress me as DAWNBRINGER did (the other TWILIGHT Rec. album release, also reviewed on this column) or maybe because I had another 20 promos waiting for me to listen to! Anyway, I finally managed to review this one… EDENROT play a weird mix of melodic mid - tempo heavy / thrash combined with scream - like and death - like vocals. Acoustic parts, piano and clean vocals can be found here and there too! It might be a good release but it just didn` t impress me! Sorry, maybe next time… 6 / 10

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

EISREGEN - “Krebskolonie” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

Weird case this band! While listening their 2^nd album there were times that I found them very boring and others that I changed my mind! I don't know why? Maybe because the whole album is sung in German (I like this language but I can't listen a whole record with German lyrics!) or because of the unusual kind of black metal they perform! The album consists of 10 tracks, lasts some 50 minutes (quite a long time if you find the band mediocre) and is produced by Andy Classen (ROTTING CHRIST, NAGELFAR etc.) so expected a clear sound quality. Of course this doesn't help much because as I said before their music didn't attract me! Pity because this is very unique… 6 / 10

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

EMBOLISM - “…And We All Hate Ourselves” (cd formaat / EREBOS Prod.)

Another death / grind album release from Slovakia’s very own EREBOS Prod., a label almost totally dedicated to this musical genre. The band seems to do quite well for their style, despite the problems they faced during the years. Very old school death metal riffs with no melodious catchy parts for the “weak”. A debut album which spans through a total of 15 songs and lasts for just 35 min. making it quite easy listening with all these 2 min. songs. Judging from their songs, titles like “Money, Life and Love, “Everything Irritates You”, There’s No Chance” and “The Wreckages of Life” seem to deal with a more social reality than indisputable facts such as death, diseases, disembowelment etc. A different perspective of death / grind? You decide! 6 / 10

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

EMINENCE “Advance Promos” (cassette format / SELF - FINANCED)

This band comes from Brazil and what they play is definitely very much influenced from SEPULTURA ("Chaos A. D. and "Roots"). The group sent me 2 tapes. The first one contained 2 songs from their demo "Faces" and some live tracks from their gig with MERCYFUL FATE. The other tape contained some more tunes… recorded in studio! Both tapes are more or less in the same vein… deep death / thrash / black vocals, a lot of SEPULTURA liked riffs and a lot of breaks! I fucking enjoyed this although I` m not in this music anymore, as I was 4 years ago! Everyone get in touch with them, you won` t be disappointed! 8 / 10

c/o EMINENCE, CAIXA POSTAL 1270, CEP 30123 - 970, BELO HORIZONTE / MG, BRAZIL

EMINENZ - “Anti - Genesis” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

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

* EN GARDE - “Commedia De L`Arte” (cd format / THRONE Prod.)

This is so fucking cool!!! Definitely the BEST thing that they`ve done so far. Very majestic, gothic, classic metal combined with both operatic male and female vocals! The sound and the compositions are in high standards while the artwork is OK as it is THRONE Productions` 1^st release! Oooh... there is also a cover of Handel's “Ah Mio Cor”! All goth fans, EN GARDE fans, metal fans, etc. fans buy this! It`s so fucking cool and almost sold - out so hurry - up!!!! 8 / 10

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

* ENOCHIAN CRESCENT - “Babalon Patrale De Telecvovim” (cd format / AVANT GARDE Rec.)

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

EPHEL DUATH - “Phormula” (cd format / CODE 666 Rec.)

I liked it when LIMBONIC ART unleashed their unearthly and cosmic black metal holocaust on this repetitive underground world! It was so unique and different, with highly sophisticated riffs and lyrics. Totally impressing! After that, the clones started to appear! First one was MOONSORROW from Finland (a very remarkable act), then SIRIUS from Portugal (signed on the same label as their influencers) and now the Italian EPHEL DUATH, a band that astonished quite a few with their "Opera" demo tape. However, this is not the case (at least for me) with their debut cd. "Phormula" might be a major evolvement for their musical abilities side but it is so complex and progressive that eventually might lead to boredom. The band has definitely wasted a lot of time to create this piece of art (by no means I consider their music as crap!) but the continuous breaks and the avant garde high - pitched solo guitars lead to no definite result but to a 42 minute sum of unmemorable sophisticated yet (!) progressive black metal. To be sophisticated like EMPEROR or even LIMBONIC ART does not mean that you have to exhaust your listener... 6,5 / 10

c/o CODE 666 REC., VIA BILLI 2, 40026 IMOLA (BO), ITALY

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW - “Sinner` s Serenade” (cd format / X -TREME Rec.)

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW - “Chaotic Beauty” (cd format / SPINEFARM Rec.)

EXHUMED - “Slaughtercult” (cd format / RELAPSE Rec.)

It has been some time since I've listened to a new gore / splatter album so I thought this music style has deceased. But on the other hand, if we talk about a new RELAPSE Rec. release then there's not much else to listen to! For me, grind has died quite a long time ago... I mean, all new bands just try to imitate cult acts such as the legendary CARCASS, CANNIBAL CORPSE and so on. Of course, EXHUMED ain`t that new if you keep in mind that they were spawned back in the early 90s! Never have I heard their previous albums but judging from this one, they have quite a lot of CARCASS influences (i.e. double vocals, guitar sound and splatter - themed lyrics) combined with an ANGELCORPSE way of song writing. The band definitely knows the tricks (or tools?) of the trade if it comes to creating a brutal grinding attack, even if it`s the year 2000 Anno Bastardi! 7 / 10

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

* FAERGHAIL - “Horizon` s Fall” (cd format / SHIVER Rec.)

For the ones that didn`t manage to get hold of their impressive demo "Dark Oceans Calm" can order their debut album out on SHIVER Rec. which apart from 8 new tracks, also includes the demo. That equals to 12 (!!!) tracks and therefore one hour of pure melodic black metal! The band has evolved impressively and you can notice that by listening to amazing compositions such as "Reverie's Night" (with an amazing MITHOTYN - like synth riff!), "Frostmaiden` s Veil" and not only! The sound both on the album and the demo is really good and so does the song structure... Therefore the 4 bonus tracks seem like being part of the whole cd and not something that has nothing to do with the whole concept! All in all a "definitely worth buying album from a great new upcoming Finnish act"! 8 / 10

c/o SHIVER REC., ANTWERPSESTEENWEG 106, B - 2350 VOSSELAAR, BELGIUM

* FAERGHAIL - “Blood Will Follow Blood” (cd format / NORTHERN SOUND Rec.)

Shoot, my biggest rival NORTHERN SOUND Rec. is back once again with another superb release. This time it`s the turn of a Finnish band and a very good one, I assure you! FAERGHAIL is the band that previously released their impressive (in my miserable opinion) debut album, "Horizon's Fall". An actual full - length that also contained their 4 - track demo as bonus. The band strikes back after a couple of years of absence offering their fans a fantastically fresh composed piece of heavy / black metal art! The band has vastly evolved in both musical and playing aspects and one has to keep in mind their young age. In times reminding of a less complex version of their country - mates CHILDREN OF BODOM meeting the crazy Swedes IN FLAMES in a chain - reaction of influences that eventually lead to IRON MAIDEN! All this is evidently revealed in the highlight of this release "Daughter of the Storm". It is truly a pity that this is only a mini album with just 20 min. of music. Hope their following one will not take more than a year to be released, otherwise blood will follow their blood!!! 8,5 / 10

c/o NORTHERN SOUND REC., P. O. BOX 60, 37601 VALKEAKOSKI, FINLAND

* FAERGHAIL - “Where Angels Dwell No More” (cd format / LSP Company)

What an innovative band these Finns! All of their songs consist of superb melodies that are impossible to compose just like that. This is talent we are talking about here, no matter their young age! Another album here from this melodious yet extremely sang metal outfit but not their latest... the band is once again spending time in the studio to record their 3rd full - length. Every new release of theirs finds the band closer to acts such as CHILDREN OF BODOM. No cheap copies here, just pure influences and good ones too! Each song consists of a billion different riffs (not as technical and fast as CHILDREN OF BODOM's though) that eventually lead to killer memorable metal hymns. Like CHILDREN OF BODOM, this band is more related to melodic metal than black metal or anything similarly extreme. The vocals might sound a bit too harsh for a metal outfit but their music as it stands alone could easily be of an IRON MAIDEN origin! I bet their songs would sound awesome on a festival or something. Of course some might find this outfit trendy or commercial but if they are good at it, why not? Give them your full support!!! 8,5 / 10

c/o LSP COMPANY, ANTWERPSESTEENWEG 106, B - 2350 VOSSELAAR, BELGIUM

* FALL OF THE LEAFE - “August Wernicke” (cd format / ICARUS Rec.)

Always close to my hard this band, from their debut demo “Storm of the Autumnfall” to their `98 “Evanescent, Everfading” album. Of course, nothing very extraordinary has changed with this killer release apart from the level of professionalism and the sound production. The music still lies in the same PARADISE LOST inspired melodies, the old KATATONIA atmosphere and way of singing and of course the “necessary” AMORPHIS influences here and there (“we are Finns remember?”)! All songs differ from each other and are mostly melodic with fast breaks here and there giving their music a rather brutal finishing touch. It is fairly weird to see such a high quality album released by a label so distant, not even being located from the farthest corner of Europe. “I don't mean no disrespect here” (just to quote De Niro here!!!) but it is weird to see an Argentinean label presenting such a fantastically laid – out cover design and professional promotion. It’s just hard for me to comprehend how no European label has signed them already. Oh well, I bet they will be on CENTURY MEDIA next time!!! 8,5 / 10

c/o ICARUS REC., CC. 1593, C1000WAP, CORREO CENTRAL, BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

FINAL TRAGEDY - “Trial of Tears” (cd / SELF - FINANCED)

I hate progressive and I dislike gothic and unfortunately for the band, this cd is a kinda 2 in 1!!! Progressive metal with some gothic elements is what the band plays! The band consists of 2 members: Delphine (lead & background vocals) and Jean - Luc (guitars & programming). The music is well composed and the fact that this mcd is self - financed is remarkable! But what makes this cd to get such a low mark from me? The reason is mainly because of Delphine's vocals and the sound production. I find Delphine's vocals a bit not so steady, especially the high pitched parts! They definitely need more work and rehearsal! The band should also use some reverb with the vocals because in comparison with the music the final production sounds like a karaoke attempt! Good luck for them next time! 6 / 10

c/o DELPHINE COCHAND, 1 BIS RUE DU CHENE, 25230, DASLE, FRANCE

FLEURETY - “Department of Apocalyptic Affairs” (ccd format / SUPERNAL Music)

To experiment is one thing, to over - experiment is something else but to start playing shit is something utterly different! Norwegian bands lately try to experiment and “evolve” in different dimensions. Some of them are successful and exceptional while others reach a level of ridiculing themselves. FLEURETY is one of them and definitely the worst! Back in `94 I could never imagine giving this band a bad review after some very good releases such as their “Black Snow” demo, the “Darker Shade of Evil” 7” which was characterized by the singer’s high pitched banshee shrieks, or even the “Min Tid Skal Komme” album. The time indeed has finally come for this band to depart from this scene or even change their name if they would continue playing in this manner. I am not sure if their previous mini album on SUPERNAL was like this but do not expect to appreciate “Department of Apocalyptic Affairs”. An album that despite the ambitious cast (which includes Hellhammer, Maniac, Garm and some other ULVER, DODHEIMSGARD and BEYOND DAWN members to name but a few!!!) has nothing to offer to the history of music! This is a mix of crappy jazz riffs with electro beats and “cheap” avant garde parts! Female and male vocals can be detected here and there probably singing about matters relevant to the music hence about bull - shit! To sum – up, this is worse than DODHEIMSGARD's skirt pictures. It is unquestionably the WORST album ever created from Norway!!! 2,5 / 10

c/o SUPERNAL MUSIC, 27 FORTIS GREEN, EAST FINCHLEY N2 9JL, LONDON / U. K.

* FOREVER WINTER - “Revenge” (cd format / UNISOUND Rec.)

This is one of the latest UNISOUND releases (anno 1999) and unfortunately both for the band and label not a good one. Finland has a lot of acts but not all of them are good. I think that FOREVER WINTER were a bit hasty to release their debut album. The band plays some power / heavy metal with a bit of MANOWAR and RUNNING WILD elements here and there. The vocals are a bit harsh too so this is not a 100% heavy metal band. The problem is that the song compositions (which fortunately get better as the cd goes on) aren`t that good, neither is the sound and the vocals too!!! I like the bass on this one and 3 - 4 (from the 11) tunes but that`s all. They have a new album ready, this time not on cd but on tape... released by yours truly! That's exactly how they ought to sound like!!! 6 / 10

c/o KIMMO LIUKSIALA, KESKIKENKATU 6 G 40, TAMPERE 33710, FINLAND

* FROSTMOON ECLIPSE - “Supreme Triumph in Black” (cd format / BLACK TEARS Prod.)

Well, that's more like it! This band is one of the few Italian acts that have the ability to overcome the somehow typical Italian sound and include themselves in the general black metal scene. Unfortunately this mcd is once again less than 20 min. (why don't you FUCKING include one more song? hehe!) but I must say that it is far more enjoyable than I firstly thought. The band (which was formed sometime in 1994) manages to create some really atmospheric black metal with a lot of fresh ideas and riffs. I am not familiar with their previous demos but this digipack - formed mcd here is really a killer so I`m sure that they will continue like that. The band is now in search for a 7" release and an album deal so labels... do proceed! 8,5 / 10

c/o PASCALI DANIELE, VIA GB MONTI 6 / 24, 16151 GENOVA, ITALY

“FROZEN DAWN” vol. 3 (comp. cd / FROZEN DAWN Rec.)

FROZEN DAWN Rec. from U. S. A. has released 3 comp. cds and this one is its latest. Fuck!!! The cd contains around 70 min. of pure underground death metal holocaust. 7 bands and 31 songs! Some of the bands are FROGHEDA, VIOLENT FURY, GOLIAH, EXCEED and SHREDDED CORPSE. The influences of each band vary from CANNIBAL CORPSE to MORBID ANGEL and so on. It`s good to see that death metal is still alive and kicking. I quite enjoyed this one but it becomes a bit boring after a while… maybe because it only contains 31 songs???!!! Get it for only 10$ from 6 / 10

c/o DAVID SROCZYNSKI, 809 TOWERING OAKS, JACKSINVILLE, AR 72076, U. S. A.

FUNEREAL MOON - “Grim... Evil...” (lp format / DIFUNTES Prod.)

Probably one of the most “popular” acts from Mexico. Their demo “Silent Moon of Fullmoon Shine” had a very good response from the underground fans, although I didn't like it that much! My friend Fransesco from DIFUNTES Prod. managed to circulate his first release (only in vinyl form for the moment). I wasn't sure if I would like it but I must say that it was a hell better than the demo! It had a really dark and occult atmosphere! 5 songs that will haunt you! Good one!!! Get it for 16$ from 8 / 10

c/o FRANSESCO GARCIA, P. O. BOX 252, SANTA ANA, CA 92702 - 0252, U. S. A.

* FUNERAL RITES - “Necroeater” (cd format / PAINKILLER Rec.)

Definitely not the most unique name to come - up and at the same time baptize your own band with it but if you take into account that this Japanese act has been around since 1994 then you can`t really blame them! Also the fact that their music is still drifting in the late 80`s to early 90`s era black / thrash metal makes it totally unnecessary to come up with an extraordinary moniker! To cut this short, FUNERAL RITES has managed to release their debut album after 6 years and 3 (sold - out by now) demos. For the ones that are unaware of their early stuff (I have only got their 3rd demo tape called "Weird Tales" which in fact is great!) this is a great opportunity to listen to six of their demo tracks and a new one. All the songs have been re - recorded and re - produced so don`t expect a shitty "best - of" type of release with a muddy production! What I like from this band is that all their songs have got a character thus differing from each other! They vary from 80`s thrash metal with vocals reminding of SIGH's very own front man to BURZUM - esque black metal opuses! Composition wise you will also detect a dose of weirdness along the songs (e.g. sudden long and depressive piano solos) but always reminding you that this band comes from Japan and nowhere else! 7 / 10

c/o LAURENT PIETTE, RUE LE HALLEUX 18C, 4550 MANDRIN, BELGIUM

* FURVUS - “Deflorescens Iam Robur” (cd format / BEYOND Prod.)

Another BEYOND Prod. release, so let` s see if it will meet the standards of their previous almost excellent stuff! Mr. Luigi M. Menella (Is he Italian? Can`t be!!!) is the only individual "behind" FURVUS and judging from the bio he is also "beyond" limits!!! His activities cover a vast variety of arts such as being a painter / cartoonist, a clay - modeller / engraver followed by photography, poetry, writing, some other bands and now FURVUS! So, let me get this straight... if I consider myself being an artist because of composing music and writing lyrics, what should I call this guy? I leave this one on you as I'm speechless at the moment. And I`m not just speechless because of all his activities but also because he also managed to perform them well! I`m talking about this FURVUS album which is an absolutely, positively impressive piece of high - quality majestic synth music. This is truly one of the best releases of this sort of music and even better than the average COLD MEAT INDUSTRY acts! It is definitely not just another guy "hammering" on his keyboard and considering his creations as music. This concept - album is subdivided in 4 parts (books) and is of a total of 20 songs (chapters). These parts cover the subjects of music from the early Roman Imperial Epoch to the late Renaissance era. The actual songs are filled with a lot of folk instruments, operatic vocals and a general dark feeling! What this FURVUS album represents is a big lengthy fat horror book which is written by the author Luigi M. Menella! 9 / 10

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

GARDEN OF SHADOWS - “Heart of the Corona” (cd format / X - RATED Rec.)

American gothic / death, yet so close to the Hellenic style! First of all the music itself which could be quite resembled to the one of ye olde SEPTIC FLESH! Even the vocals are almost similar to Spyros` ancient dragon - growls! Then we have the lyrical side where you will find that two songs out of five are linked to the glorious ancient Hellenic past (i.e. "Apollonian Realm" and "Shards of the Sphere")! And last of all we have the endless thank - list with a big percentage of Hellenes included (hey, I am also there, thanx!!!)! So, if taking aside all the previous facts, GARDEN OF SHADOWS is not far from any other ordinary American underground band, just with a slight exception... they have a bright future while most of the others will dwell in the netherworld for a few more years (due to lack of professionalism!). If you consider that "Heart of the Corona" is a demo re - release with only one bonus track you`ll understand that this band ain`t joking. The new track must have been a left over from the demo era as it is quite similar to the old tracks. I mean the atmosphere and song structure is identically the same. Haven't heard any news about this band but if they release something else I bet it will deserve a higher mark! 7 / 10

* GARDENS OF GEHENNA - “Mortem Saluta” (cd format / SHIVER Rec.)

SHIVER` s 24^th cd release… the band hails from Germany and this is their debut album. Really good I must say! They play a weird mixture of doom / gothic with death vocals. Some parts remind me of CREMATORY and MY DYING BRIDE but with a more unique and heavy approach. From the 8 tracks I recommend you listen to “Nebelmond”, “Beyond the Gates of Dusk”, “Mortem Saluta” and the remix of DAS ICH on “Nebelmond”. I think the remix wasn't too bad! It gives the song a more industrial / gothic feeling. I strongly recommend this new act as they have a lot to offer in the future… at least I hope so. 8 / 10

c/o SHIVER REC., HANS DE WYNGAERT, BOSSEPLEINSTRAAT 6, 3128 BAAL, BELGIUM

* GODBLOOD - “Those Funeral Times” (cd format / THRONE Prod.)

The band finally made it! It is the first black metal band from Cyprus and the first one to release an album too! Their previous releases where very successful and are both sold - out by now ("Flowers" demo and split 7" with MACABRE OMEN on DEMONION Prod.). The direction they follow with this album is quite different from the one they started playing back then. It is a mix of old thrash with black metal elements, not exactly like BEWITCHED but something more personal. All 9 tracks are catchy and the band really knows how to handle their instruments. Only one suggestion: The sound should be more powerful and the vocals should have more depth (put some reverb man!!!) 7,5 / 10

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

GONKULATOR - “Satan` s Burial Ground” (cd format / FUDGEWORTHY Rec.)

HELL!!! This is what this cd is about!!! HELL! 40 min. of pure satanic black / grind noise! That's what they play! I got this cd from Charlie Infection (drums) so here is what I think about it… I really like noisy black a la BEHERIT, IMPALED NAZARENE etc but they fucking over do it!!! Ha ha ha! It`s so raw / grind noise that it may blow your head off! No kidding. I`m sure that fans of this sort of music will love it but personally I just find it ok. 6 / 10

c/o FUDGEWORTHY REC., 8 STEVIN DRIVE, WOBURN, MA., 01801 - 5366, U. S. A.

GUIDANCE OF SIN - “6106” (cd format / MIGHTY Music)

Yep, another number for an album title. This must definitely be a fashion / trend and no coincidence but who gives a damn anyway. No matter how hard I've tried to understand the lyrics of the song "6106", I couldn't really find a deeper meaning in them, thus I can`t really give any motivations of why choose such an odd number for a title! The rest of the songs also seem to vary concept - wise. For instance, "Rock of the 20s" is a crazy track dedicated to their fans while "Myth of a Vampire" leans more towards a CRADLE OF FILTH direction. In other words this band talks about everything that sounds cool or fits with metal! Music wise, as they are from Sweden, they are very close to acts such as DARK TRANQUILTY, A CANAROUS QUINTET (it was this band's side - project you know) and IN FLAMES yet in a more death metal approach from all the above. Of course, there are quite a lot of pure heavy metal parts on this album and especially on the song "Killed by Death" (I wonder why? hehe!). I would just want to note that GUIDANCE OF SIN "will still be metal when you have short hair, an ugly wife and work 9 to 5". I believe them... 6,5 / 10

c/o MIGHTY MUSIC, VERMLANDSGADE 74 1. TV, 2300 COPENHAGEN S, DENMARK

HEGEMON - “Chaos Supreme” (cd format / SACRAL Prod.)

Now this is what I call a 100% improvement from their demo years to their current album career. With only some demos and one full - length released, someone can immediately understand that the demo was just crafted for being a very good demo, while the cd of being an actual killer debut album! "Chaos Supreme" could in fact stand aside to early primitive material of bands such as DARK FUNERAL and all similar Swedish black metal killers that cover both anger and melody. The difference is that this Swedish - sounded act is of a French origin and what a surprise it would cause to someone's ears! The guitars on this album speak by themselves so don't expect any synths to cover the empty backgrounds. The band plays mainly fast with a lot of double bass drumming and innovative melodious breaks. Some of the album's songs derive straight from their demo "Rape the Banner of Light" so that someone can hear the vast difference between now and then, both in skill and in sound production! Very professional Swedish - sounded black metal from a very exceptional new French act! 8,5 / 10

c/o SACRAL PROD., BP 11, 01660 MEZERIAT, FRANCE

HERESIARH - “Mythical Beasts and Medieval Warfare”” (cd format / DEMOLITION Rec.)

"Aeons have past and aeons have gone but no one shall forget..." a band called HERESIARH and their debut demo "Dragons of War". A demo that marked the birth of a new act that took things a bit too serious to just remain on this demo. HERESIARH consists of 5 male ork - wariors and a female elf - priestess and are sworn to recreate whhat once was. The rebirth of the times when dragons were in the sky, bards and heroes roamed the land, elves hunted in the woods, dwarves carved deep caves in the ancient hills, trolls patrolled the mountain passes and the underground welcomed a good unique and emotional to the bone metal album! Things have evolved with this cd, despite the fact that its release date has delayed for over a year. Apart from the re - recordings of their best moments of their debut demo you can also find newer hymns composed not later than the year `98. Main evolutions can be found in Rasa` s voice which is more stable, in the drumming and of course the guitars. Because the band hails from Latvija that doesn`t mean that you have to fear them as if they were ugly and fat trolls! Here we are talking about a band that if it could achieve a tighter and heavier (in other words more commercial) production it could even get signed to NUCLEAR BLAST... Mark my words! 8,5 / 10

c/o DEMOLITION REC., P. O. BOX 62, JARROW NE38 5WJ, ENGLAND

* HERMH - “Angeldemon” (cd format / PAGAN Rec.)

Another PAGAN release also in the standard of LUX OCCULTA. I knew HERMH from their early demo days but this is definitely the best thing they`ve released so far. The 40 minutes of this album contain some really great symphonic black metal with a great sound too! It`s really so impressive I can`t describe it. The riffs are so melancholic, depressive and emotional and the songs so well structured! Check it out and you'll find out! The band forllows its own steps and it's own way of symphonic black metal music! Can't wait for the new album… 8 / 10

HIMINBJORG - “Where Ravens Fly” (cd format / RED STREAM Rec.)

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

* HIRILORN - “Legends of Evil and Eternal Death” (cd format / DRAKKAR Prod.)

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

* IN DARKNESS… - “Too Cold Inside” (cd format / GUARDIANS OF METAL Rec.)

Got this cd from my pal Conqueror from CELTIC DANCE / SWORD mag. (hail!). IN DARKNESS is the 6^th cd release of GUARDIANS OF METAL Rec. and definitely a good one. The band hails from Portugal and plays melodious black / death metal with some Swedish touches… Great powerful riffs and solos with a good sound come along with this release! Some songs that kick ass on this one are “This Emptiness”, “Too Cold Inside”, “Whispers in the Dark” and “My Tears”. A pleasant surprise from our Portuguese mediterranean neighbours! 7 / 10

c/o GUARDIANS OF METAL REC., AZINHAGA DO SERRADO, LETRA - M, 1600 LISBOA, PORTUGAL

IN DUNGEON - “Machinegunnery of Doom” (cd formtat/ FULL MOON Prod.)

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

* IN SOLITUDE - “Eternal” (cd format / INDEPENDENT Rec.) 

Well, we reviewed IN DARKNESS so now let` s review IN SOLITUDE from Portugal too! The magnificent cover foretold me of what the band was playing and as always (hehe!) I wasn't wrong! They play a mix of heavy / doom with a lot of melancholic, depressive and melodic moments that will straighten up your hairs! It's very emotional and I really like the way the band manages to create this feeling! All 10 songs are awesome but keep an eye (or better and ear) to "Winds of no Return", "Cry Without Tears", "Ethereal Dream" and "The Heart Seasons"! Definitely a band that could be compared with nowadays` MOONSPELL or PARADISE LOST! 8 / 10

c/o INDEPENDENT REC., RUA DA BANDEIRA 311 - 1 T, 4400 GAIA, PORTUGAL

IMPERIAL SODOMY - “Piss on Love” (cd format / SELF - FINANCED)

With pseudo - names such as Disaster and Gorgor and a band under the moniker of IMPERIAL SODOMY what 90% of you out there would expect would be some 80`s thrash! Right? Nope... wrong! The band simply plays devastating death metal with a very furious and angry vokillist (I think he is Glen Benton` s brother heh!) if you would ask me! There are 4 proper tracks and one which is less serious but yet effective. That one is entitled "Quick Hippie Molestation" so beware! The rest songs are quite similar to each other... Non stop fast drumming, death metal riffings, hellish growls and no mellow parts! Unfortunately not a very good release but on the other hand not a bad one either as they should work more on their song structures and riffs... 6,5 / 10

c/o PIERRE SCHAFFNER, 72 CHEMIN DES CHENES, 06130 GRASSE, FRANCE

* INVERTED - “There Can Be Only One” (cd format / SHIVER Rec.)

The Swedes are not new in the scene… everybody knows that! Their latest cd is again on SHIVER Rec. with sound engineer Andy Laroque. The album starts with a grinding a la CANNIBAL CORPSE styled track, called “Revenge”. The others continue with the typical satanic dark / death / black metal sound INVERTED where used to offer us. Something else I have to say about this one is that it contains a hidden (9^th in number) track!!! Well guys! This track is destined to all Hellenes! If you wanna understand what I mean find it for yourselves! Personally speaking, I cracked - up in laughter when I heard it! Great idea!!! HAHAHA! Buy it now for 16$ from 7 / 10

c/o SHIVER REC., HANS DE WYNGAERT, BOSSEPLEINSTRAAT 6, 3128 BAAL, BELGIUM

* “INSIGHTS OF THE PROFANE” (comp. cd / MA - KAHRU Prod.)

The perfect balance between black metal and black ambient! Couldn't be better!!! But let`s define these two terms... Black metal is the manifest in raw power, rage and grim hatred while black ambient is a more insidious and bleak approach via haunting atmospheres and aural torture! This is exactly what someone will find in this compilation cd. Black ambient bands representing darkness in the vein of CURRENT `93 gathered together with blasphemous and evil black metal acts! The former style consists of mostly unknown bands such as ANAPTHEGAL (Finland), BAAL (Usa), SUBLINIK (Usa) and DARKNESS ENSHROUD (Usa) while the later of more known ones such as ABIGOR (Austria), AZAGHAL (Finland), JUDAS ISCARIOT (Usa) etc. The structure of the songs is one after the other which makes it totally hard and disturbing to listen to (calm ambient hellish sounds followed by nuclear black metal blasts and vice versa!), exactly what has been intended. Buy this at once and try to sleep... impossible!!! 8,5 / 10

c/o MA - KAHRU PROD., P. O. BOX 887, PITTSFIELD MA 01202 - 0887, U. S. A.

* INTELECTUAL MOMENT / DARK PARAMOUNT - “The Garden of Fallen Angels” / "When Thy Kingdom Rise" (cd format / LOUVARTH Rec.)

Too many split releases from the Southern realms of America lately. It is indeed a good method to promote their rich in good and eventually bad acts scene, so let`s quickly see what lies inside this silver disk! There is an intimate contradiction between these two acts. INTELECTUAL MOMENT has a very "relaxing" way in playing their black metal offerings. It is very atmospheric with once again a very Hellenic sounding attitude. All 4 songs are followed by ye olde ROTTING CHRIST synths (you know, this flute kind of synth used in the "Passage to Arcturo" / "Thy Mighty Contract" opuses!) and a female presence that is just chanting her way through the songs. The band can certainly do better in the near future. They just need a bit more practicing! The 4 songs are quite lengthy too, so it takes some time till you get to DARK PARAMOUNT's faster black metal approach. This band has a more raw attitude in their music. Honestly speaking they are quite mediocre comparing the INTELECTUAL MOMENT as the sound is not that clear as the one in "The Garden of Fallen Angels" side. What saves this band of being just another plainly raw Southern American black metal outfit are the ghastly keyboard moments here and there that enrich their music, nothing more. DARK PARAMOUNT's music would be more ideal for a demo while INTELECTUAL MOMENT do indeed have the potential to offer something unique. 7,5 / 10

c/o LOUVARTH REC., P. O. BOX 730, SAO PAOLO SP 01059 - 970, BRASIL

ISCARIOT - “Feasting Supremacy” (cd format / SKULLL CRUSHER Rec.)

Finally a band with some potential in their first official mcd release! This is just a 5 - track mini album but the content is quite satisfying and enjoyable! ISCARIOT's music is mainly fast and aggressive black metal with some death metal parts and a touch of folk in their melodies! Folk is not the first thing you would come - up judging by their name, the song titles and all the rest that concerns their image but if you carefully listen to the synth in the distant background you would immediately think of melodies from bands such as THYRFING and CRUACHAN. I think that the band didn't want to sound folkish intentionally hence you won't listen to these melodies all way through. I mean don`t expect ISCARIOT in being another epic / folk black metal act. There is an impressive balance between mellow synth ideas with aggression and together with a remarkable sound production you get "Feasting Supremacy", a mini album worth checking. ISCARIOT has surely the ability to become "the interesting new up - coming Dutch act of the near future", at least in their scene! 7,5 / 10

c/o ISCARIOT, GROENESTRAAT 217A, 6531 HH NIJMEGEN, HOLLAND

ISEGRIM - “Isegrim” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prrod.)

Most reviews I`ve done concern the LAST EPISODE releases!!! Seems they have a really busy schedule! I like this label... Anyway, here I have the debut mcd of a newly founded German band called ISEGRIM. Actually it` s a one man act and as far as the bio says, he is devotes his music to his master of Darkness Satan. The 4 songs on the mcd were written in honour of the 4 crownprinces of hell Satan, Lucifer, Belial and Leviathan respectively. That` s quite interesting but it` s the music that counts. In my opinion, Blackwar (the guy behind the band) is doing a good job as he is the only one handling all instruments and music by offering us 25 minutes of pure fast black metal in a kind of old way. The thing is that the riffs sometimes are unispired and not unique but the sound is very good (produced by Gerhard Magin - MYSTIC CIRCLE, CREMATORY etc.). What Blackwar needs to do is to work more on the music. However this cd is above average and destined to all who adore raw blackmetal! 6 / 10

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

“ISRAHELLER” (comp. cd / HELLER Prod.)

This one is really a remarkable effort as it contains 13 bands from Israel from which some of them are so underground and infamous that you would never hear without this cd`s existence. I really liked the songs of SALEM (atmospheric doom / death), ORPHANED LAND (death / folk!), LEHAVOTH (black metal), HUMAN SECTOR (some kind of melodic thrash / heavy!), ENOCHIAN KEY (fast black metal with a lot of synths), SERVANT`S GLORY (black metal somehow like their country mates BISHOP OF HEXEN), ENORMITY (black / death with synths) and some more! 8 / 10

c/o HELLER PROD., 20115 AMIRIM, UPPER GALILE, ISRAEL

* JUDAS ISCARIOT - “Distant in Solitary Night” (cd format / MORIBUND Rec.)

Their album before the "Heaven in Flames" masterpiece and after the cults "The Cold Earth Slept Below", "Thy Dying Light" and "...of Great Eternity"! Or should I say his? Probably the latter as he is still a one man act up to date and still playing in the same vein! The only thing that has actually changed with this release is the addition of colour in the cover art! Don't expect much though... just a bit of dark green and red! On the other hand, the music is still colourless. Just plain dark, grim and frostlike riffings in the DARK THRONE vein and a bit of BURZUM! There is also an instrumental guitar song 9(a la "The Crying Ork") and a narrative one with no tempo! Everything is exactly as it was meant to be both for Akhenaten himself and for the ones that adore his music! Beware of his missing chapter (i.e. the unreleased demo `93) to be released on a split cd with KRIEG (Usa), ETERNAL MAJEST (France) and MACABRE OMEN (Hellas) on SPIKEKULT Rec. soon! 8 / 10

c/o MORIBUND CULT, P. O. BOX 77314, SEATTLE, WA 98177 - 0314, U. S. A.

JUDAS ISCARIOT - “Dethroned, Conquered and Forgotten” (cd format / RED STREAM Rec.)

It was truly my honour to “fight” side by side with a band such as JUDAS ISCARIOT, in the four - way split cd containing my band MACABRE OMEN, the mysterious KRIEG and the mighty ETERNAL MAJESTY. A split album released not long ago and here we are again, facing Akhenaten's “Egyptian descendant” wrath with another mini album containing both old and new tracks! I'm not sure, but after his movement from the U. S. A. to Europe and the release of this mini album, the band has kind of progressed, especially the drumming which is ultra fast and precise in contrast to all his previous releases. JUDAS ISCARIOT has managed to establish a name in the black metal mafia and throne himself next to acts such as DARK THRONE and BURZUM. I also bet my head that he will overcome these bands in the near future due to the fact that JUDAS ISCARIOT will never cease to exist! I don't know if the phrase “Dethroned, Conquered and Forgotten” is destined for JUDAS ISCATIOT or has a meaning beyond that but after listening to this one you will establish the understanding that the band was never dethroned, neither conquered nor forgotten. 8,5 / 10

c/o RED STREAM REC., P. O. BOX 342, CAMP HILL, PA 17001 - 0342, U. S. A.

JUNGLE ROT - “Dead and Buried” (cd format / SEASONS OF MIST Rec.)

A cover of soldiers at war and a moniker - concept concerning jungle rotting would only bring BOLT THROWER singing about Vietnam to my mind! Things however are not really like this. The label's overview describes the band's style "similar to acts such as SLAYER and SODOM, rather than the typical CANNIBAL CORPSE and SUFFOCATION rip - offs that the underground extreme music scene is so used to seeing blah blah"!!! I understand that if a band doesn't copy CANNIBAL CORPSE it`s a fact of being proud of. But if JUNGLE ROT ARE copying CANNIBAL CORPSE (to an extend) then why the hell say the opposite? First of all there are no SLAYER and SODOM influences here. Not even one to identify! This is mid - tempo death metal (I thought SLAYER played fast or what?) with a few fast parts and with Chris Barnes` younger brother singing on the mike! Labels always have to overstate things so I do not blame the band for this. Just don't expect to listen what SEASONS OF MIST wants you to. By buying the album you'll get some 40 min. of down - tuned death metal with growling vocals. Not bad at all but nothing that special either. Sound wise the production couldn`t be better for this type of music. There are a lot of moments that will make you want to headbang but JUNGLE ROT still haven`t got the missing ingredient to make them different than the rest. At least not to make a label like SEASONS OF MIST licence this album for Europe! 6 / 10

IPSUM - “Behind the Mask” (cd format / SELF - FINANCED)

IPSUM sounds to me as a new upcoming Hellenic black / death metal act, than anything else. The band’ s name, the vocals, the guitar work, the riffs, even the fact that this album is self – financed could only lead me to the conclusion that the band hails from the land of the 12 ancient ones! Things are not exactly like this though. The band might have Hellenic similarities but it is actually Swiss (judging from their address?) the ultimate land of only a few good metal acts!!! What I like from this self – financed full – length is that the music could have been and deserved to be on a respected label` s repertoire but maybe the fact that they are Swiss did not help them at all. The actual music is quite dark oriented if you would exclude their ultra fast, natural drum played parts. The sound is also very good with heavy drumming and distinguishable vocals in both high pitched screaming and deep growling formats. Damn this band should have been Hellenic but they are in fact Swiss! 6,5 / 10

c/o SARAH ROZE,AVENUE D`ECHALLENS 44,1004 LAUSANNE, VD / CH

* KEEP OF KALESSIN - “Through Times of War” (cd format / AVANT GARDE Rec.)

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

KEEP OF KALESSIN - “Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark” (cd format / AVANT GARDE Rec.)

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

* KOROZY - “Long Road to the Land of Black” (cd format / BLACK TEARS OF DEATH Prod.)

I'm telling it for the thousandth time to all ye underground freaks out there... beware of the underground scenes of Romania, Lithuania, Latvija, Belarus and Bulgaria, KOROZY` s very own homeland. You might not know where these countries stand geographically but you should be aware that there is some quality shit from out there! KOROZY is of course no exception! Things seemed to have a bright future with the release of their impressive demo "Inscription" (4 songs of a vast epic black metal duration!) and fulfilled with the release of this album on cd format from BLACK TEARS OF DEATH Prod. All 8 songs are long, long as "the road to the land of black" which makes the cd to last forever (50 minutes!). Musically the band has evolved by expanding its songs to higher quality levels by using a variety of fresh riffs and ideas. However, all of them are based on DIMMU BORGIR` s non - commercial era and combined with a worthy Middle Age witch - hunt lyrical concept. If by any chance you listen to this album think first that this is a band from a poor country with a non - developed underground scene. By this, the 8,5 / 10 rate could become a 10 / 10! 8,5 / 10

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

* LANGSUYR - “Riusgnal” (cd format / NEBIULA Prod.)

LANGSUYR... the Malaysian moniker for the term vampire if I'm not mistaken! They are also the first band together with the cult of SIL KHANNAZ that i was familiar with. Old bands, old days! This album is not exactly their new release. It is more of a "best of" or better say a compilation of their "Eastern Cruelty" ep and their first demo "Occultus Mysticism". A wise choice indeed as it is very difficult for non Eastern countries to get hold of these releases. Although old the bands` black / death material is by no means immature. I have noticed in my life that a lot of Malaysians are masters in guitar and the same goes for these Malay vampires here! Here we have a total of 8 tracks with a very old school feeling, a fact that can be detected in all new upcoming scenes. Get this one if you wish to taste some well - played Malaysian extreme music! 7,5 / 10

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

* LET ME DREAM - “Medley Rain” (cd format / SUCCUBUS Reec.)

Oooh yes... a cover showing a medieval dressed couple exchanging a red rose! Very THEATRE OF TRAGEDY indeed but with a different name: LET ME DREAM! This band is very old as far as I`m concerned as their debut was on ADIPOCERE quite a long time ago. This is just their second release and a mcd one! Do not worry as this is not another THEATRE - clone. They are quite gothic oriented but not in the Norge` s vein! There are only clean male vocals on this one, a lot of synths (of the CREMATORY style) and a kind of operatic atmosphere. I haven't heard their debut but I think that it had a very good response from the underground scene back then! Although a mcd with only 4 songs I must say that it is very relaxing, enjoyable and overall cheap to get so go for it... 8 / 10

c/o JANI KOSKELA, LEPPASENOJANTIE 243, 12100 OITTI, FINLAND

* LETHARGY - “The Dark Embrace of Silence” (cd format / THRONE Prod.)

LETHARGY!? Isn` t that the band DEMONION Prod. released their successful (sold - out) debut demo, 2 years ago? Aye it is, and they just released their debut album on the Cypriot THRONE Prod. It contains 7 new tracks in their typical doomy / death vein with even more brutal vocals this time, which in fact should stay this way! Music - wise they have improved a hell of a lot, being more complicated and symphonic than ever! Influences can be found from classical music and a bit from MY DYING BRIDE due to the violin and flute that they use. Clean male and female vocals are used here and there narrating lyrics in both English, Hellinic and German. Very innovative indeed so please do me a favour and support this new up - coming Hellenic act! 8 / 10

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

LIVIDITY - “Age of Clitorial Decay” (cd format / EREBOS Prod.)

Now, this is exactly the kind of album all women have been waiting for!!! The title has nothing to do with the entire content of this ultra sick (in its own way) album! There are nice song titles such as “Oozing Vaginal Discharge”, “Anal Action Wife” (hahaha!) or even “Stench of Virginity” which could be used as hymns for all feminist parties around the world. Seriously now, this album has like this... There are 9 songs of guttural sung grind that carry with them an equal number of ultra funny (I mean it!!!) intros. These intros are taken from various American B - movies, some of them being horror, others mystery and even from porn! In their way the band has its own perception of creating death / grind madness with the inclusion of all these intros. Note that the band is American and most of the bands there use this kind of samples, something totally different for the European standards. I would just like to sum - up with a little prayer taken from the beginning of the album in order to wish the band the very best in their future releases: “Hallowed be thy cum. When the pussy cum, I will not on Earth as it is in the juicy hole. And forgive me as I forgive the whores who will never suck my cock. Amen.”! Sick!!! 7 / 10

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

LORD WIND - “Forgotten Songs” (cd format / RAVEN CLAW Rec.)

c/o RAVEN CLAW REC., 2039 ROXBURGH COURT, LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33813, U. S. A.

LUX OCCULTA - “Dionysos” (cd format / PAGAN Rec.)