* MACABRE OMEN / JUDAS ISCARIOT / KRIEG / ETERNAL MAJESTY - “None Shall Escape the Wrath” (cd format / SPIKEKULT Rec.

Weird to review my own band but as there are also other acts on this cd which truly deserve your attention then I have to do it! Before judging each ones music it must be said that this is no comp. cd or a best of! This is a split cd with not 2 neither 5 but 4 bands. The once invited to open this celebration of hatred are the Americans KRIEG (formerly known as IMPERIAL). I liked this band a lot because their black metal style is far different from any other American or even worldwide band! It is fast but not with a usual tempo! This tempo is unique and is more of a fast drum - rolling one. These four songs are more or less in the same vein with a lot of acoustic and dark breaks. ETERNAL MAJESTY have made quite a name in their homeland France and after quite some demos I must say that these 4 tracks are the best they` ve done so far! Ultra fast black with a lot of background melodies. The band is quite inspired from the Norwegian scene. Definitely the highlight of this split (and not compilation) cd. JUDAS ISCARIOT must be the band mostly known to everyone out there. A band that almost reached the cult levels of acts such as DARK THRONE. The material here does not contribute for their new full length (6th in a row???) but it`s taken from the unreleased demo `93. A very good sound for 7 year old buried by time and dust material! Four songs from their side which you should listen to. And finally we have my band MACABRE OMEN... the one and only black metal act from Rhodes / Hellas! I managed to record these 2 new songs with a lot of problems (my guitar fx burned during recordings, the 8 - tracker didn`t want to work etc. etc.). The sound here turned out great in comparison to the one in the studio and is heavy and concrete like hell! The first song "Voor Donker Zullen We Heersen" is just a fast and aggressive tune reminding a bit of IMMORTAL while the second one which is obviously more epic and long is also the one and only path that my band will follow. This is just the beginning of something very promising. This is a split cd that you should make as gift to yourself, only if you are aware that you deserve it. This is a split cd for the true ones that supported the underground all these years! Hail to the true underground! 8 / 10

c/o SPIKEKULT REC., 6 BIS, AV DE ST. GERMAIN, 78600, FRANCE

 * “MAIDEN AMERICA”Iron Maiden Tribute and American Metal Compilation (comp. cd / TWILIGHT Rec.)

Tributes, tributes, tributes... but I like them!!! This one is a tribute from America to England, from TWILIGHT Rec. to IRON MAIDEN which in fact is my favourite heavy metal act in the history of metal! What makes this tribute so special though, is the fact that for the price of one cd you get two! The first one contains all covers done by respectable bands such as PHARAOH, OMEN, TWISTED TOWER DIRE, DAWNBRINGER, EQUINOX, SADUS, EDENROT etc. and the second one some original songs performed by the same bands. By this, the listener can not only enjoy the covers (most of them are really good!) but also know more about each act separately! The cd comes with a killer art (a la MAIDEN but with no Eddie!!!) and bios of all the bands with photos etc! If you like tributes then get it at once. If you don't like them the get it too! This is a good one... 8 / 10

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

 MANATARK - “Viimanegi Veri” (cd format / GUANO Rec.)

Countries such as Estonia, Latvja, Belarus and Lithuania always had astonishing bands to offer. They were either just too "shy" to expose themselves to the outer world or the outer world was too prejudiced to give them a decent chance!!! MANATARK is an offspring of Draconic, a member of the THARAPITA cult (what a band damnit!!!) so you can undoubtedly expect quality music. This debut album of theirs, is in the vein of their one and only official demo entitled "Roosteitk" (if anyone has ever had the chance to listen to it) but with a far more professionally advanced approach! Despite the fact that they are still using a drum machine in their compositions, the whole result sounds like it is deriving from a professional source and not a demo, probably due to the change of studio! What one can listen here is not black metal in simplistic forms at all. It is pagan black metal with a lot of acoustic / ghostly guitar breaks that bring in mind the natural beauties of such lands, at least to me! The melodies and the use of synths take place in such a wise manner without overdoing it and categorising the band as another synth act. Some songs are also accompanied by epic clear vocals of a BORKNAGAR vein so all fans of the latter would appreciate this album. Very sophisticated pagan black metal art here, so be "Tark" enough ("wise" in Estonian!) and get hold of this album. 8,5 / 10

c/o GUANO REC., PK. 7, VILJANDI 71001, ESTONIA

* MALDOROR - “In Saturn Mystique” (cd format / NORTHERN DARKNESS Rec.)

"Magistic / ceremonial thelemic operations with precise references to numerological, tarotic, sephirotic and quabalistic symbols"... this non - understandable descriptions are more Crowley based than Aleister Crowley himself! This band has definitely taken their propaganda seriously, not only by reading and judging their bio but also from briefly scanning the amazing cover art of this album! Incredible mysterious and magical image, unearthly lyrical theories and song titles and even a propaganda of the Nu - Isis Lodge (their secret organisation?). That`s probably the ultimate definition of a band that takes ideology higher and not below music! Maybe too high but the balance with its musical side is amazing... This is one of the best Italian black metal albums ever!!! An album equal to the mystical "Into the Drape", the aggressive "Mysteria Mystica Zofiriana" or the magical "In Abscentia Christi"!!! This is a pure ritual execution with all the elements required available. All 6 songs (which last for a total of 50 min.) are composed with an amazing song structure. Fast black metal riffs that suddenly change to slow tempo and are accompanied by a dose of symphonic - Bach influenced - synths. Screaming vocals and narrations a la Dani Filth and even some techno / electronic influences here and there. It is very hard to describe their art as there is quite a lot of innovation here. Definitely an album that will not be forgotten easily! 9 / 10

c/o NORTHERN DARKNESS REC., VIA S. QUINTINO 44, 10121, TORINO, ITALY

MARY - “Kuollut” (cd format / BANNED Rec.)

Mary, Mary, Mary… Which serious band would call itself MARY??? None… but who said this Finnish act is serious??? Prepare to listen to some 20 min. of true, original, unique “fuck you metal”!!! Cool uh? Actually these 6 tracks could be better characterized as hardcore / PANTERA typed metal music. I` m not sure because I` m not that much into this music but that` s what I think they play. All lyrics are in Finnish so I don` t understand a flying fuck what this geezer is talking about… but judging from their manner they must be funny! The music isn` t that bad for it` s genre… I quite enjoyed it after drinking some 8 - 9 beers. It's like party metal music. Give it a shot… 6 / 10

c/o BANNED REC., TUURE HEIKKILA, TIKKALANTIE 23, 91500 MUHOS, FINLAND

* MAY RESULT - “Gorgeous Symphonies of Evil” (cd format / CCP Rec.)

Shit! Fuck!! Damn!!! I had this release in my DEMONION hands and it was a matter of time to release it on a pro demo format! Unfortunately though, CCP Rec. was a bit faster and managed to sign the band in their cast of releases, something acceptable though as this demo is not worth to be out only in that format! It deserves to be pressed on silver disk not only because of its high quality music but also because the band originates from Yugoslavia (STONE TO FLESH` s homeland, a band that has released its demo under DEMONION Prod. and none else hehe!), a land with no underground neither upperground scene! Thus it is very nice to hold something that in one way or another you contributed at. The only difference with the demo is the new title and the song sequence, in other words nothing special. The band managed to record 10 gorgeous symphonies under some very evil circumstances (check the recent war!). Sound wise and artwork - wise it`s not bad at all but could be more powerful and rich respectively. The point though (as with all releases) lies in the music which is very strong and intelligently composed! This is not fast, raw and satanic but more like beautiful, depressive and romantic yet still nice and aggressive. They have nothing to do with their country mates STONE TO FLESH so here is the chance to check both bands and get a taste of two different music styles from one hell of an underground scene! Buy this album and also beware of the LOVE... LIES... BLEEDING... (France) debut cd on CCP Rec. Sorry guys but this band already released its demo on DEMONION Prod. way before you sign them!!!8,5 / 10

c/o CCP REC., DINGHOFERSTR. 54, A - 4020 LINZ, AUSTRIA

“MASTERS OF MISERY” the EARACHE tribute (comp. cd / EARACHE Rec.)

I won this cd on a CATHEDRAL / BLOOD DIVINE gig in England so I guess I should review this one just to tell you if it reserves thy interest! It includes 12 bands with 13 songs. Most of them weren`t that good and especially that totally ridiculous stupid fucking techno version of “Paranoid” from ULTRAVIOLENCE. Personally I liked CATHEDRAL on “Solitude” & “Wheels of Confusion”, SLEEP on “Snowblind”, A. C. on “Killing yourself to Live”, BRUTAL TRUTH on “Lord of this World” and finally IRON MONKEY on “Cornucopia”. It`s an OK tribute for listening to a few times but nothing really special! 5 / 10

* MEDICINE DEATH - “As a Vigorous and Lustful Figure” (cd format / HELLION Rec.)

The band released this album back in `95 (it` s their 2^nd one) but they` ve sent it to me now for a review. MEDICINE DEATH try to create their own personal style of atmospheric / gothic / death metal and I must say that they manage to do that pretty well! The music is quite weird with a lot of breaks and interesting riffs. The vocals vary from ultra brutal ones (one of the most brutal I` ve ever heard together with SEPTIC FLESH and DEICIDE!!!) to ultra clean ones while the addition of synths, creates a more dark atmosphere! The sound is also very good. All in all, we have an album that should get a better reaction from the underground, as it is a band that I`ve never heard of! 7 / 10

c/o WILHELM HANSEN, CX. POSTAL 6008, AG. ARTUR AQUILES, JOAO PESSOA - PB, BRAZIL

MENTAL HOME - “Upon the Shores of Inner Seas” (cd format / THE END Rec.)

Some things never change and one of them is MENTAL HOME. Of course sometimes it` s better to have bands that release a standard product! At least you`ll know what you get! "Upon the Shores of Inner Seas" could probably be paraphrased as "Upon the Shores of Outer Seas" as this is the album that probably will enable them to project their music globally and on a wider, more diverse market! CENTURY MEDIA` s move to licence this product was by no means an unwise decision! But let`s check the whole package! There is not much to say... the cover, the logo, the musicianship, the synth structure etc all leads to their previous works, i.e. "Mirrorland", "Vale" and "Black Art" (my personal favourite), yet in a more professional and progressive approach! All 8 tracks remind me of their old stuff and especially "Amidst the Waves", probably because it`s a re - recording (hehe)! If the production could be better (sounds very midi - ish to me!!!) then the whole result would get an extra point. For the moment... 7,5 / 10

c/o THE END REC.,556 S. FAIR OAKS AVE #101 - 111, PASADENA, CA 91105, U. S. A.

MISTELTEIN - “Rape in Rapture” (cd format / NO FASHION Rec.)

And I ask... how come a label under the moniker NO FASHION to claim in MISTELTEIN` s newsletter that a selling point of their band is that they play "in the same vein as DIMMU BORGIR and CRADLE OF FILTH"? Is this a contradiction or what? The word "no fashion" is not equal to the word "fashion" and DIMMU BORGIR / CRADLE OF FILTH haven`t seen non - fashion days from their debut albums! And speaking of debut albums, "Rape in Rapture" is also the debut album of these Swedes and a very commercial one! The songs are based on the "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" structure (i.e. symphonic synth backgrounds and violin breaks!) "coloured" by a Dani Filth vocal, yet a bit softer! This is not the only clone around but at least it`s not as weak as the rest. The main problem is the lack of originality... It is impossible to release a monumental album if the music in it has already been played by other bands and if some of its riffs exceed the border of just being influential. The album contains nine songs and lasts for an hour. However, with this method of composing music it can even lead to an album with endless songs that lasts for two hours plus! Good music but uninspired and unoriginal in its highest degree! 6 / 10

c/o NO FASHION REC., INDUSTRIVAGEN 1, S - 17148 SOLNA, SWEDEN

* MONGOOSE III - “The Devil` s Big Weed Smoke of `65” (cd format / GOLDEN LAKE Prod.)

Doom I dislike and stoner even more but these geezers do it pretty well! I like bands like CATHEDRAL, ANATHEMA and MY DYING BRIDE but that's about it! Released on an incredibly well - done cdr that you won`t notice this mcd includes some 20 min of pure stoner doom with hard - core / punk vocals and mainly fast riffs. The funny artwork and most probably the funny lyrics make this band quite funny (uuh? 1 + 1 = 2 right?) so it is only destined for metal freaks with humour and not for me! Fortunately it is only 4 tracks so the cd finishes fast! If I`d had to listen to funny metal I`d choose GEHENNAH, DESEKRATOR and the rest... 6,5 / 10

c/o GOLDEN LAKE Prod., 19 CASTLEHILL DRIVE, NEWTON MEARNS, GLASGOW G77 5JZ, SCOTLAND

MONOLITH - “The Praetorian Face Damnation” (cd foormat / SELF - FINANCED)

I must be honest (= praetorian) with this review otherwise I'll face MONOLITH's damnation! I am always keen with self – financed releases because they truly show that the band really cares in what they are doing and would risk their funds in something that they believe in. The MONOLITH moniker does ring a bell somewhere in my brain but I am positively sure I haven` t heard any of their past achievements. This mini album is almost as I expected it to be. Not too polished, neither too commercial (otherwise they would be on a real label right?) but quite simple, powerful and personal. It reminds me of some old underground brutal death metal acts who tried to include some atmospheric sections in their 4 – song “chaos”. The music is simple because with simple yet substantial riffs the band demonstrates their musical abilities, powerful because it is powerful by all means and personal because this some times melodic death metal result has a MONOLITH trademark on it! Not a historical piece of art but good in parts. At lease I was honest with them so I can sleep in ease now. 6 / 10

c/o MATTIAS PARNESTEDT, SJALBODGADAN 1 C, S – 22350 LUND, SWEDEN

MOON - “Daemon` s Heart” (cd format / PAGAN Rec.)

MOON is CHRIST AGONY`s Cezar project. Personally I found this one a hell better than the “Darkside” album of CHRIST AGONY! “Daemon`s Heart” lasts exactly 30 minutes and contains 9 songs all of them in the same vein. Fast black metal with some thrash influences! Very old styled I must say! This cd is a good choice if you are the fan as I found it quite enjoyable but not something that would make me jump! Let`s wait for the other one! 7 / 10

MORGAIN - “Sad Memories of Fairies” (cd format / METAL AGE Prod.)

German RUNNING WILD stick on the pirates theme because they like it, Norwegian ENSLAVED stick on their prideful Viking issues and the Slovakian MORGAIN on... fairies!? All of their releases talk about fairies, no disrespect but how can you possibly talk about fairies in every release? Is this the eternal concept? Will this band ever change to something else? It is good they don`t play anything too extreme because then you would have to deal with evil fairies. Referring to the musical content now, Slovakia (and all of these Eastern European countries) are famous for their death / grind scene but MORGAIN here are planning to change things by playing a sometimes happy, sometimes depressive kind of doom metal (about fairies hehe!). To listen to some songs is fine with me as you can detect some form of potential in their music but after a while you can find out that there is not much of an innovation. The same drum machine follows almost all melodies that are covered by an angry vocalist and a false female singer. Very simple riffs with simple flute / synth backgrounds and the extra disadvantage this album lasting over an hour, would never allow me to kill my time like this... sorry! 5,5 / 10

c/o METAL AGE PROD., P. O. BOX 42,038 61 VRUTKY, SLOVAKIA

“MORTALITY RATE” vol. 6 (comp. cd / MORTALITY RATE Rec.)

From Bulgaria comes this compilation and it is actually the first time it is pressed on cd. Unfortunately it is not a factory cd but a cdr which lowers its value in my opinion. The cover is coloured and really nice but there are also a lot of mistakes and errors. Fortunately though, the content and selection of songs is wise, including well known underground acts such as BLACK MESSIAH (Ger), YOUR SHAPELESS BEAUTY (Fra), SORHIN (Swe), SETH (Fra), PAGAN WINTER (Ger), HASTUR (Ita), HANDFULL OF HATE (Ita) and many more. If all errors would be eliminated then this could easily be a "must - comp.". After all, as far as I know, its price is not that high so drop them a letter! 7 / 10

c/o MOGEIST IVANOV, N. PETRINI 21 A, 9850, GR. PRESLAV, BULGARIA

MORTEM - “Decomposed By Possession” (cd format / MERCILESS Rec.)

1986 was a very crucial year for these Peruvian deathsters… it was the year of their formation. 2000 was the year of their third album entitled… “Decomposed by Possession”. 2001 is the year of this review… ignore this observation! It is nice to notice that there are still bands that believe in their music and never give – up, no matter the circumstances occurred. There must have been a lot of problems for the band during its 15 year period of existence that lead them in releasing only three full – lengthers. In third world countries such as Peru you will be able to detect bands like MORTEM that still possess the old spirit in their music. In this case you will listen to music that although it has been recorded somewhere in the end of this century it still has the spirit of last’s decade! 7 / 10

c/o MERCILESS REC., P. O. BOX 72, 97448 ARNSTEIN, GERMANY

MURDER CORPORATION - “Whole Lotta Murder Goin` On” (cd format / PSYCHIC SCREAM Entertainment)

Swedish MURDER CORPORATION consist of ex – members of DERANGED and “maliciously murder under the influences of bands like REPULSION, KISS, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, AUTOPSY and DEATH ANGEL”. This is definitely not the best thing I have heard lately and it will be quite difficult for my musical tastes to swallow a band whose influences include bands that I never liked in my life!!! I find all their influencers ultra – boring and never equal to brilliant death metal acts like MORBID ANGEL, DEATH, BOLT THROWER, OBITUARY or DEICIDE. MURDER CORPORATION` s album (their 5^th official release in a row) sounds to me as one song all the way through. Identical opening (all songs kick - off with a 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 high - hat hit), same body structure and same cut at the end. Maybe I get old but this music has nothing to do with the glorious death metal years of the past and is more suitable for gigs than for listening. Only a few bands nowadays have the ability to capture the true essence of what death metal is. 6 / 10

c/o PSYCHIC SCREAM ENTERTAINMENT, P. O. BOX 13604, 50816 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

* MURDER RAPE - “...And Evil Returns” (cd format / EVIL HORDE Rec.)

I was pleased to listen to this band as I`ve known their name for quite a while now. Musically they play some primitive and mystical black metal whose atmosphere is being created by the help of synths! What is remarkable is that it` s all the way mid - tempo without a single fast part (well, almost), making this album sounding quite similar to the Hellenic style of black metal. It includes 6 tracks with a fair production and with a superb cover artwork! 7 / 10

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

* MYRING - “Engage the Enemy” (cd format / NORTHERN SOUND Rec.)

First thing that comes in mind while listening to this mcd is that some PEST members must have been involved in this Finnish act! The opening riff is so groovy and the vocals so blasphemous that give you the impression that this is some stolen PEST track! However, when the witch Demonica adds her piercing chill this whole idea fades away with the rest of their exceptional music. Despite the four tracks on this disk, the band immediately stigmatises its name in one of the most promising acts from the Finnish underground scene. A lot of fresh ideas are combined with a vast variety of musical styles and an overall good production. I remember MYRING applied for a release on my very own DEMONION Prod. label. How unlucky am I now to see them on my biggest opponent NORTHERN SOUND Rec! Oooh no... Anyway, just buy this if you want to listen to something different and promising! 8 / 10

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

NEBULAR MOON - “Mourning” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

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

NEMESIS AETERNA - “In Misery Born” (cd format / SELF - FINANCED)

Finally something serious coming from the Iberian territory! A land such as Spain has visually no scene at all, while their neighbours in Portugal burst from new acts everyday! Same goes for women (uhum!). This is totally unexplainable... Judging from the first couple of songs, the band sounds like an extreme and blasphemous black metal act but things kind of swift to more death metal directions later on, especially vocal - wise. However, this fact works also a bit negatively upon the band because while the first songs have this Swedish blasphemous MARDUK aura within them, the ones later on sound like boring fast death metal ones. Just listen to "The Endless Throne of the Unreal" and "One Step in Stone" and compare these first two tracks with the following ones. And I also noticed that the sound production isn`t that stable throughout the whole album. Nothing really that bad as this is just an honest self - financed release but things are still not proper enough to give them a descent deal or the recognition they deserve! An ultimate advantage is that the band is Spanish so for the ones that have listened to BLAZMETH and PRIMIGENIUM and want something new, then NEMESIS AETERNA would be a wise choice indeed. 7 / 10

* NEXUSSEIS - “Four Seconds to Die” (cd format / IBERIAN MOON Rec.)

Debut album releases from this new yet, at the same time, old label! "Why art thou sophisticating again?" I can hear you scream! That`s because IBERIAN MOON Rec. was also known to some as BLACK DRAGON Rec. so what we have here is not exactly a new up coming label. What` s for sure though is that IBERIAN MOON Rec. is one of the few Spanish oriented record companies so support them with all thy heart. Concerning NEXUSSEIS` album release, I believe that this was a wise choice from my friend Pedro. The band has nothing to do with heavy metal or thrash metal. In fact they don`t have nothing in common with death and black either. So what do they play? What they play in pure soundtrack music for films! They also use vocal and percussion samples from films such as the "Exorcist" and Ridley Scott` s masterpiece "Blade Runner". The music itself is absolutely fantastic and emotional. Exactly what a film requires for its soundtrack! What I like from NEXUSSEIS is the complex of their music (by no means it is ambiental) and the variety of percussion fillings in the songs which also makes them more powerful. Note that the album is a tribute to Ridley Scott himself, Brian De Palma (you rule!), Francis Ford Coppola and the ultimate Vangelis! 8,5 / 10

c/o IBERIAN MOON REC., P. O. BOX 139, 02080 AB, SPAIN

NOKTURNAL MORTUM - “Goat Horns” (cd format / THE END Rec.)

NON SEVIAM - “The Witches Sabbath” (cd format / NOCTURNAL Music)

All these “old demos on one cd” releases tend to become the biggest trend in metal after the “tribute to the old ones” concepts, the “mini albums with covers” schemes and last but not least the “vast variety of elements in our music” projects. No objection by my side if the band is worth it to re – release their demo on cd but if we are talking about bands that have offered absolutely nothing to the scene, then I can see no reason about it. Of course the case with NON SERVIAM is not like that. I always liked this band (as far as their musical section is concerned) and I must say that their demo years were fantastic and equal to cd quality. I am not sure if the songs here are re - mastered or in their actual demo form but I think this is a case of the former (note: re – mastered and not re – played!). Everything is very professionally done so just in case you are a fan of the band but have never had the opportunity to listen to any of their demos then this album will sound to your ears as their latest and best attack so far! NON SERVIAM reminds me of the good old DISSECTION days where a perfect balance of melody and hatred is being measured without overdoing it with romance and unnecessary things like that! Violins and female vocals are of course used but as I previously said they are all measured and balanced. Do yourself a favour and support this band! 8 / 10

NOMED - “A Vision of God” (cd format / PUTREFAACTION Rec.)

Never heard of these demons, despite their birth in 1986. Of course this was a cover band back then in the beginning but it is amazing to observe bands with over a decade of history to have just two album releases during their career! I am also under the impression that "A Vision of God" is a mini album, although 4 extra tracks are added to the actual 5 song cd. Don`t ask me why but this must be considered more of a mini than a full - length. No matter what it is, no matter their 15 year career and no matter what, this is nothing special according to yours truly! This is the problem with bands like NOMED that derive straight from the 80's... they just sound all way the same with what they played back then. The music here is a kind of melodious thrash gathering with simple sounding riffs and keyboards here and there (yeah, but not like NOCTURNUS!)! It's nice to see some bands from the cult era doing a comeback but if there is nothing to offer then why bother! So many albums out nowadays... why bother buying "A Vision of God"? And by the way, playing thrash and singing in French is like trying to give a French kiss to a decapitated body! Bon voyage! 6 / 10

c/o PUTREFACTION REC., 13 RUE DE LA SOLIDARITE, 76620 LE HAVRE, FRANCE

NOX INTEMPESTA - “Damnanus - Dominum” (cd format / FOLTER Rec.)

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

OBLITERATE - “The Feelings” (cd format / EREBOS Prood.)

Slovakia seems to have a lot of hidden acts that had to be dug by the management of EREBOS Prod. Most of the label’s signed bands have an average life - span of at least 8 years before releasing their debut album, exactly like OBLITERATE did. Once again, another grindcore release that is balancing between attraction and boredom. Attractive because it is a Slovak band and I believe that most of you are unfamiliar with that scene and boring because this kind of music has already been exposed by acts like NAPALM DEATH & Co. Not that this type of music does not appeal to me no more but it is about time for something slightly different and innovative in order to light that spark again. Fortunately for me, the album lasts a bit over half hour so it wasn’t a big deal coping with it. Once again, death / grind die - hards should get hold of this and all other EREBOS albums. I’m just a bit curious to listen to some Slovakian hardcore black metal because with all these EREBOS releases, it seems as if that country monopolizes death metal exclusively! 5 / 10

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

OBSECRATION - “Oceanum Oblivione” (cd format / IN VIISION Music)

What a shame for a band with over a decade of real history in the Hellenic underground to be doomed in not getting any recognition what's so ever. I think the main problem here was the army (that had to put the act on ice in several occasions) and the type of progressive yet brutal and atmospheric death metal the band is dealing with. It is just too untrendy to listen to nowadays. I was always fond of this band though, no matter what, as in my opinion they are the death metal version of VARATHRON. Things are more similar to VARATHRON than ever with their latest effort to date, "Oceanum Oblivione". Vocals, rhythm guitars and sound production all lead to the assumption that thou art listening to a death metal version of VARATHRON. I am not talking about copying here, because both bands kicked - off during the same period of time back in 1989! I am talking about total coincidence here and do not forget that both bands still have not achieved what they ought to, after all those years. What makes OBSECRATION so special where VARATHRON lacks of, are the ethereal solos that consist in each song. Very technical and inspirational solos that are played in such a "touching" manner making this whole effort quite smooth, despite its overall brutality! Apart from the new songs, one can also experience old classics in remade versions or remixes. New album out soon with the new drummer of MACABRE OMEN! Beware!!! 8 / 10

OBSIDIAN GATE- “Colossal Christhunt” (cd format / SKALDIC ART Prod.)

Maybe some of you are tired and fed- up with all LIMBONIC ART majestic wannabes and this is almost the same what happens with me. Too many crappy clones out there but I am always open to anything new that leans towards that direction. Our German majesties over here are of the quality part of this segment and not only music wise. The artwork that accompanies the cd is of top quality and so are its lyrics and anything else coming with this release! OBSIDIAN GATE's music is not that far from LIMBONIC ART's art... The music is of similar fast tempos and celestial breaks while the lyrics are of a universal / satanic aspect, exactly like the aforementioned pioneers. Most impressive of all is the chaotic - quality sound production, the precise sound for this type of music. In fact, this is a 100% LIMBONIC - clone but a very good one. For me the "Colossal Christhunt" is (at least in its musical content) what bands like DIMMU BORGIR wish to play in their current releases. Music played straight from the heart and not pseudo - symphonic horror melodies with unmemorable guitar riffs. I don't know if the band's previous album "The Nightspectral Voyage" is of the same level but this album is truly mature and colossal by all means!!! 8,5 / 10

c/o SKALDIC ART PROD., ROSMARINSTR. 30 B, 40235 DUSSELDORF, GERMANY

* OCCULTUS / ESGAROTH - “Dark Passion” / “Kingdoms of a Darkest Side” (cd format / SEMPITERNAL Prod.)

A split cd that recalls in me the "ancient" underground spirit that MORTUARY DRAPE, NECROMANTIA, MAYHEM etc hath brought forth! I do not know why but I think it's the primitive artwork that creates this atmosphere and the occult black metal music OCCULTUS perform. That's mainly due to the fact that the band hails from Columbia where there is an underground scene that has only just begun! ESGAROTH come from Hellas and here you can find both their debut and respectable demo and a bonus track far different from their demo style! The special thing about this band is that it consists of MEDIEVAL DEMON members. Both bands perform well with a true underground black metal spirit. Of course there are some mistakes here and there but I think that without out them the albums` quality would lessen. 8 / 10

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

OPERA IX - “Sacro Culto” (cd format / SHIVER Rec.)

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

ORDO DRACONIS - “In Speculis Noctis” (cd format / SELF - FINANCED)

c/o MOONGLEAM DISTRO, GLORIANTPLANTSOEN 30, 2805 XB GOUDA, HOLLAND

ORDO DRACONIS - “The Wing & The Burden” (cd format / SKALDIC ART Prod.)

Nice to see they finally got a descent deal. 8,5 / 10

c/o SKALDIC ART PROD., ROSMARINSTR. 30 B, 40235 DUSSELDORF, GERMANY

ORIGIN - “Origin” (cd format / RELAPSE Rec.)

This is the first black metal album release from RELAPSE Rec. I understood that from my first encounter with its cover! Some sort of a gathering of stars taken from the "west side" of the universe. A cover quite similar to LIMBONIC ART, ODIUM and COVENANT so ORIGIN must play cosmic space black metal with a lot of keys and female vocals! I could not be wrong... yet I was! The year that RELAPSE will release its first black metal album is quite far I presume. At least we are talking about a label that sticks to its roots and not to fashion! ORIGIN just released its first ever album and it is not bad at all. Of course this big - bang cosmic phenomenon does not really stick with their grinding music but if the artist feels like that then the audience can`t say much! The band tries to create a more diverse form of grind and they are almost there. First and foremost we have the lyrical concept which covers a second big - bang phenomenon that comes from the further reaches of the (un) known universe and is called ORIGIN. On the music side they use three vokills (thus giving a variety to their songs) togehter with deathgrinding guitars making the whole thing sound like a Swedish version of DEICIDE / MORBID ANGEL! ORIGIN is not totally original but at least not a 100% photocopied version of ye olde Us - grind bands! 6 / 10

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

PAGAN WINTER - “Inferos” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

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

* PANDEMONIUM - “...To Apeiron” (cd / SELF FINANCED)

c/o THOMAS AHLGREN, SPARSNOGATAN 49, S - 22952, LUND, SWEDEN

PENETRALIA - “Carpe Noctem (Legends of Fullmoon Empires)” (cd / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

This is the 2nd release of this German act, their first one was the mcd "Tribute to the Moon". No need to look for the latter as it`s 4 songs are also included in this album. The band has a quite personal sound (for the present standards) by combining melodic black metal with gothic and darkwave elements. The album consists of 10 quite lengthy tracks, making it last almost one hour! I can also detect a lot of influences here and there but I can`t define them presicely! I really enjoyed this album because as I said before, they have a very personal and unique sound and the vocals also vary from black, clear, female (she reminds me of Mina, ex - HORRIFIED!!!) etc. Very impressive release ideed! 8 / 10

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

PENTACLE - “…Rides the Moonstorm” (cd format / DAMNATION Rec.)

This album opens with a hellish intro by Tom G. Warrior at the World War III festival (November 30, 1985, Montreal, Canada). I think this says it all! Here we have another thrash revival album from a band I never was familiar with. Influences from BATHORY, HELLHAMMER, CELTIC FROST, POSSESSED and VENOM but in a more death metal vein, especially on the vocals! Can` t say much more about this one. I think you know what you shall hear on this album so buy it if thou wish! 7 / 10

c/o DAMNATION REC., HOGE LARENSEWEG 55, 1221 AK HILVERSUM, HOLLAND

PILEDRIVER - "Metal Inquisition" / ";Stay Ugly" (split cd / FULL MOON Prod.)

Well, I guess everybody knows this legendary band, except me! I got familiar with them from the MARDUK cover on "Glorification" ("Sex With Satan" that is) and was very curious to listen to their rest stuff till one day FULL MOON Prod. decided to send it to me for a review (cheers mate!). FULL MOON Prod. decided to re - release their "Metal Inquisition" (1984) and "Stay Ugly" (1986) albums on one cd so that means 14 songs with 65 minutes of playing time! Really cool! I preferred "Metal Inquisition" as it is really raw evil heavy metal! Really great stuff so if you don`t have their releases get this immediately and you won`t be disappointed! "After all, evil is what we are about... this is our legacy". 8 / 10

POWDER MONKEYS - “Lost City Blues” (cd format / WHITE JAZZ Rec.)

Rock n` Roll here so any non – follower should stop reading at once! I should stop reviewing too but I wouldn’t like to loose my “job” now, would I? I shall try to be as subjective as possible on this album because this is absolutely not my style. I don’t like AC / DC fuckin` hell, how am I supposed to like this stuff! The band actually is too “aggressive” to be classified as pure rock n` roll so I must say that there are also some punk and hard rock elements here and there. This does not make this album more valuable or listenable as it tends to be the same and the same the whole way through to the end! But despite my musical tastes, I bet that if this band used harsh vocals they could have sound a bit like GEHENNAH and the sort and maybe I’d like them after all!! Who knows!? 5 / 10

c/o HOUSE OF KICKS DISTRO, TEXTILVAGEN 7, S – 12030 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

PROFANITY - “Shadows to Fall” (cd format / SELF - FINANCED)

Usually bands change their sound from proper death to more mellow and atmospheric in order to achieve more fans and become more trendy. The Germans PROFANTIY though, after their debut demo "Into the Unforeseen", decided with this cd to completely change their music style from melodic to brutal death metal! The fact that the cd is also self - financed should also make you think if this band is devoted to the true underground or not! Anyway… I really liked their demo when it was released back then but this cd is absolutely a killer if I had to compare it with the demo! Here we have 40 min. (8 tracks) of pure fucking death metal in the vein we all were fond of once upon a time! This is really out of fashion that` s why I like it! Deathsters proceed! 8 / 10

c/o THOMAS SARTER, STEINFELDSTR. 8, 86405 MEITINGEN, GERMANY

PROFANUM - “Profanum Aeturnum: Eminence of…” (cd format / PAGAN Rec.)

PSYCROPTIC - “The Isle of Disenchantment” (cd formaat / SELF - FINANCED)

I knew Aussie death metal was extreme but these Tasmanian devils overdo it! Or is it me that hasn`t heard some extreme death metal for a while? Or maybe it`s the scene that only offers mellow and retro stuff nowadays? Whoever`s fault it is, PSYCROPTIC is definitely not the one responsible, as they evidently show their passion in death metal through this ultra violence created in their debut and self - released album! The case here has as follows... 40 min. represented in 9 songs of non - stop (with a couple of exceptions) fasst double bass drumming death metal resembling the American way rather than the European one. The songs do not really deal with typical death metal issues but mostly with matters covered in black metal songs, fantastic stories or even aliens. In other words, by reading these lyrics or even scanning the cover you would never come to the conclusion that this band is actually performing blasting death metal. Finally, the "Isle of Disenchantment" turned to something "enchanting" after all... 7 / 10

c/o PSYCROPTIC, 70 LOCHNER ST., WEST HOBART, 7000 TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

PSYCHOPUNCH - “Bursting Out of Chucky’s Town…” (cd format / WHITE JAZZ Rec.)

Even less attracting than their label mates POWDER MONKEYS, these Swedes offer a more or less same standard of punk rock n` roll that I despise! The difference can be detected on the level of aggressiveness (this is more punk oriented than the aforementioned band) and melody where PSYCHOPUNCH is far more melodic and commercial. Sounds a bit like GREEN DAY meets the OFFSPRING somewhere in the underground. To be subjective once again, this is well – played with a very clear sound production and a lot of catchy parts but I just can’t swallow… only taste! 4,5 / 10

c/o HOUSE OF KICKS DISTRO, TEXTILVAGEN 7, S – 12030 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

RHYMES OF DESTRUCTION- “A Sun Revolution” (cd format / SHIVER Rec.)

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

* SACRUM - “The Symbol” (cd format / AWAKEN Prod.)

Another AWAKEN Prod. release but this time a mcd. I liked the idea of engraving the bands logo on the cd jewelcase! Never have I seen such a thing in my live so what we have here is a very innovative label! Now, concerning the band, they follow completely different musical directions than their labelmates CRYPTIC TALES whose music I adore! They kinda remind me of CREMATORY (a band which I never liked much) with not so good female vocals. The mcd includes 3 tracks and a BLACK SABBATH cover of "Symptom of the Universe"! Not a bad a release at all but the band needs more work! 7 / 10

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

SACRIVERSUM - “Soteria” (cd format / SERENADES Rec.)

Got this cd with a few others from LAST EPISODE Prod. Never knew about SACRIVERSUM so when I put the cd in my player the first thing that came in my mind was… THEATRE OF TRAGEDY!!! Quite similar to the norwegians but I think that SACRIVERSUM are a bit more heavy. The band combines successfully ethereal female vocals with brutal male ones, exactly like THEATRE OF TRAGEDY do but of course with Liv being in a better position than Alexandra! The 8 tracks of this album are of high interested and with a great sound! If they were a bit more original then they would definitely make a name… till next time all the best of luck to SACRIVERSUM! 7 / 10

c/o SERENADES REC., BUCHER WEG 12, 73529 SCHW., GMUND / GERMANY

SACRIVERSUM - “Beckettia” (cd format / SERENADES Rec.)

It was back in `97 when I listened to their debut album “Soteria”, a pleasant THEATRE OF TRAGEDY - cloned album. Not original but nice. “Beckettia” is once again another gothic death metal influenced album, exactly like their previous one with the only difference in the female vocals. Alexandra has been replaced by Kate, who unfortunately for her, has a very boring voice which is unsuitable for this kind of music in my opinion. SACRIVERSUM tries to execute sweet gothic metal music with aggressive male vocals and Kate` s voice is not that sweet to go along with this sort of music. Melancholy of course does not lack from this album and it is personified in both guitarists` dreamy riffs and some dark background keyboards. But again, the overall result is getting spoiled from Mrs. Kate’s deep voice who takes a leading role in most of the songs. I am afraid that this album takes a slight step backwards for SACRIVERSUM. Just remember to take two steps ahead in your following effort! 6 / 10

c/o SERENADES REC., BUCHER WEG 12, 114, 73529 SCHW., GMUND / GERMANY

SARCADIS - “Sarcadis Infernalis” (cd format / BLACK TEARS Prod.)

Despite the fact that the label describes them as "aggressive black metal in the vein of DARK FUNERAL...", something that I didn`t detect, this Italian band performs some really impressive (yet unoriginal) black metal with a lot of feeling. This is their debut mcd on Italian cult label, BLACK TEARS Prod. and it contains 3 songs (plus intro / outro). The problem with this label is that all their mcds are less than 20 min. (this one is 18 min long). I personally suggest them to exceed this timing because it is very hard to give a subjective opinion with such a duration. So far, so good... let` s see what they will achieve in the future! 7 / 10

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

* SARNATH - “Life... Lies” (cd format / SHIVER Rec.)

A very good release indeed! Nothing original or unique but at least this band can be characterized as The proper AMORPHIS / PARADISE LOST clone and not as a cheap carbon copy of them! AMORPHIS come from Finland and so does SARNATH, another band that couldn`t avoid being influenced from this respectable act! I could say that they got more inspired by "Elegy" and "Tuonela" than from their previous albums. The album lasts a bit over 40 min. making it really enjoyable and easy listening, with catchy melodies and riffs! Definitely not a release for hardcore black metallers or even for people that hate commercialism!  8 / 10

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

* SATARIAL - “The Queen of the Elves` Land” (cd format / BEYOND Prod.)

SAVANT - “The Dawning” (cd format / OXSO Rec.)

To get a free copy of a cd from the label is one thing while getting it from the band itself is another! However, if a fan sends the cd to you then we are talking about something completely different!!! This shows how dedicated and supportive some fans can become! SAVANT`s music could be similar to how METALLICA would sound if they wouldn`t totally sell their ass to commercialism, in other words if their new albums were a mixture of both the "Black Album" and "Load". Of course SAVANT`s music does not reach the standards of the former by any means but it is still good quality underground metal with a commercial "wannabe" approach. Their main influence is definitely METALLICA while Bruce Miller over here would really like to change his name to James Hetfield! All 8 songs here vary from themselves (a very good sign in my opinion) from heavy metal ones to punk (reminding me of the "Garage Days") or even proper ballads. All in all a very professional release which lasts almost three quarters of an hour! Definitely worth its money if you are into this kind of music. Me? Maybe 8 years ago!!! 7 / 10

c/o BP DISTRIBUTION, P. O. BOX 4377, RIVER EDGE, NI 07661 - 4377, U. S. A.

* SAXORIOR - “Portent of Eternity” (cd format / G. U. C. Rec.)

Weird!? How come LAST EPISODE Rec. (a German label with just TOO many signed German acts! Almost like a ghetto hehe!) did not sign these Germans? No, I don`t expect an answer from you, I`m just wondering because this act is really old and apart from that very good and unique! This is in fact their 3rd album from their formation in early 1994. Recorded in the same studio as the DUNKELGRAFEN cult has recorded it`s latest spawn of an album I just expected the sound to be a little bit more powerful with the guitar - volume a bit higher. Nevertheless they immediately catch your ear with their weird sound and riffs which makes them so unique among the other German black metal bands whose only resemblance could be ATANATOS as I can`t think of anything else at the moment. Like ATANATOS, SAXORIOR is also deeply devoted in playing epic black metal as someone might see from the lyrics and background pictures in the cd, depicting landscapes and battles between Nordic Gods! If you are fond of ATANATOS then you will not be disappointed by them! 8 / 10

c/o G. U. C. REC., P. O. BOX 280145, 01141 DRESDEN, GERMANY

SCEPTIC - “Pathetic Being” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

It seems that death metal bands in Poland want to gain the same recognition and glory as VADER! Almost the same situation takes place in Czech Rep. were everybody wants to become the new KRABATHOR! There are more death metal acts in these two countries than in all Europe! The case of the Polish SCEPTIC sounds exactly like the aforementioned ones, to my ears. However, this band really knows what they want and with their second album "Pathetic Being" they are not far away from that ambition! LAST EPISODE Prod. also licensed this album for Europe, a wise marketing decision step for the label. SCEPTIC has all the ingredients to compose a good death metal album. There is an impressive balance of well structured hellish riffs with blasphemous insane solos. Fast drumming and bass slapping followed by classic double bass drumming to make your head stiff for a while! The exact ingredients all good death metal acts have used so far. I mean, let`s face it... good death metal music is only played by bands such as OBITUARY, MORBID ANGEL, NOCTURNUS, CARCASS, BOLT THROWER, DEICIDE and the like. The rest can fuck off! Overally speaking and judging by the cover art and the impressive video clip (included in the cd version), the album has a very futuristic concept concerning mankind and human hybrids or something. There is also a blasting cover of NOCTURNUS' classic "Arctic Crypt". One of the few new death metal albums worth checking. 8 / 10

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

* SERENADE / HARMONY “Let Loose the Beauty Within” / "The Radiance from a Star" (cd format / ARCTIC SERENADES)

Didn`t know of this release until I got it from SERENADE themselves. This is actually their earliest stuff I have heard, dating back in 1994. On the other hand, HARMONY is a completely unknown act for me but not a bad one. But let` s take things sequentially. The split cd kicks - off with the Scotts whose music has much changed if you compare it to their latest mcd "Plague of Time". Trying to be alike to early MY DYING BRIDE and PARADISE LOST is something they have managed to succeed on this one but not totally. As it is only the beginning you can easily detect some mediocre riffings and song constructions. On the other hand HARMONY` s music has nothing to do with their name!!! It is more hellish from the former` s and it actually reminds me of some good old Swedish death metal acts! This release is very special in my opinion as it covers two very important underground releases in one. All bands have to start from somewhere and this is where SERENADE and HARMONY have born! 7 / 10

c/o ARCTIC SERENADES, BAKSTEPLASSEN 46, N - 1349 RYKKIN, NORWAY

* SERENADE - “The Chaos They Create” (cd format / DEVIATION Rec.)

Lads!!! Me has an atmospheric death metal act in the ANATHEMA / MY DYING BRIDE vein here!!! Let`s see if they are worth listening too!? The album kicks - off with a romanitc instrumental tune, not representative of what they play but respectable! The rest of the songs are also very good with nice and catchy melodies and of course a lot of feeling, as much as this musical genre requires. Someone shall also notice the frequent use of acoustic guitars and clean vocals. I really haven`t got a clue if they have released anything else in the past but this one is good for me, of course not better than their inspirers but good enough for a starter. Also notice where they come from... you don`t know any bands from there do you? 7 / 10

c/o DEVIATION REC., 49 CARFIN ROAD, NEWARTHHILL, MOTHERWELL ML1 5JZ, SCOTLAND

* SERENADE - “Plague of Time” (cd format / GOLDEN LAKE Prod.)

The Scotts are back in town, this time with a mcd on their guitarists` own label! Unfortunately there are only 3 tracks on this one, all new of course and with an approximate duration of over 20 minutes. Nice cover art too but what I disliked were the actual compositions which I found quite weak in comparison to their "The Chaos They Create" album. I don`t know, I just expected more from them. There is a big vocal variation on this one which start from clean and ends to become brutal and deathlike as the cd goes on. Musically they drift somewhere between their previous stuff yet not so good. Hope the next one will be 2 steps ahead in order to overcome the standard of their aformentioned album! 6 / 10

c/o GOLDEN LAKE Prod., 19 CASTLEHILL DRIVE, NEWTON MEARNS, GLASGOW G77 5JZ, SCOTLAND

* SHADOWBREED - “Only Shadows Remain” (cd format / PAINKILLER Rec.)

Heathen death metal from Holland! I thought only UNLEASHED played this kind of music but it looks like there is a chance for SHADOWBREED to be the band's successors. UNLEASHED have probably vanished by now as I haven`t heard anything from them for a while but there is a big chance for these Dutch pagans to take the upper hand. With only a 7" ep, a mini - album and this full - length on their shoulders, they managed to make some sensation in the underground. The album spans just to just over 33 min. but the number of tracks (9 plus intro / outro) make you think it is a whole "journey through the ancient"! There are quite some musical similarities with UNLEASHED but not on a "just copying - thank you very much" basis. The band seems to sound even more concrete and solid than the classic deathsters and how could they not if skillful musicians use 5 - string bass and 7 - string guitars in this kind of music? There are a lot of fresh ideas, inspirational solos and riffs that can be found in most of the songs making this a very interesting and professional effort in all aspects! 8 / 10

c/o PAINKILLER REC., RUE LE HALLEUX 18C, 4550 NANDRIN, BELGIUM

* SIL KHANNAZ - “Conception of Madness” (cd format / NEBIULA Prod.)

Don`t ask me what their name means but I admit that I once knew! I`ll let you know if and when I remember!!! This one is another kind of "best of" or compilation (whatever you prefer) from one of Malaysia` s cultest black / death metal acts! It contains unreleased songs, re - recordings, remasters, remainings and re - whatever you like material throughout the band` s 10 year history (me thinks they have split now!). As you have noticed all these songs are "re - ones" but do not think that the sound quality varies between them. I believe that they have done a great job in the mastering process as it seems that these 12 tunes are components of a single album release. The music is getting better and better while listening to it. I really admire them for their solos! Really inspiring and catchy. Do not hesitate to get hold of it! 7,5 / 10

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

SORE PLEXUS - “Visual Agnosia” (cd format / SELF - FINANCED)

Well, this ain`t black… this is progressive / power metal so it`s only destined to the fans of this type of musicl! The band comes from Germany and released this cd by it`s own. That`s quite remarkable for a starter… The cd is actually a mcd and contains 6 tracks (22 min.) of well played power with a lot of progressive elements and great sound! I can`t say influences because I don`t listen to this music but I guess some STRATOVARIOUS etc. can be found in it! I like the riffs on the guitar but I can`t say that the vocals are that good. 6 / 10

c/o DIRK NOWAK, SOMBORNER Str. 89, D - 44894 BOCHUM, GERMANY

SOULLESS - “The Darkening of Days” (cd format / SSELF - FINANCED)

Nope... I don`t like it. Sorry! I don`t like the angry vocals of Jim Lippucci. They sound like KREATOR and new DEATH vocals but with an even more high - pitch thus disturbing. I don`t like the guitar riffs. They sound quite lame and uninspired for their thrash / death style. I don`t like the amount of songs on this cd. 10 songs are too much and they are all the same. Of course, all the above doesn`t mean that SOULLESS can`t achieve something better but if you consider the fact that "The Darkening of Days" is nothing more than a successful demo pressed on cd then what do you expect? I would give their music an extra point if I had this on demo format (it is very professional played) but as it is a cd it will only get what it deserves. Maybe SOULLESS should stay famous in their area... Americans never had a good taste in music anyway heheh! 5,5 / 10

c/o CHRIS DORA, 6110 BRADLEY AVE., CLEVELAND, OHIO 44129 - 2218, U. S. A.

SOULSEARCH - “Avred Vs. Annwn” (cd format / SERENADDES Rec.)

6 / 10

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

SUFFOCATE – “Lust for Heaven” (cd format / EREBOS Prod.)

Same story… An EREBOS Prod. release from an unknown Slovakian death metal band that exists from `93 and finally managed to release their debut cd that lasts around 35 min. Allow me to quote a famous Monty Python phrase here… “You guys ain’t fun anymore” he he! Quite basic stuff here once again. Death metal with a lot of aggression and industrialised vocal parts here and there, making the whole thing a bit more extreme and innovating. Nothing extra ordinary for the year of our dead poser - lord 2001! 5,5 / 10

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

SUICIDE CULTURE - Demo `98 (cd format / SELF - FINANCED)

There are times I get promos from bands that are not parts of the dark side of the underground (mainly black / death metal) and SUISIDE CULTURE is definitely one of them. I give extra consideration to bands that release demos on cds without the help of any label, especially if the demo cd consists of 8 tracks (40 min.). Really good job. Anyway, the band plays a mix of thrashcore and SLAYER (quite a lot!) / SEPULTURA. I like the latter but not thrashcore / hardcore or whatever. However, the band impressed me with their professional attitude and I`m sure that people in this particular genre will adore this release. The sound is very good, the tracks well composed and in general, the band is ready for a proper album release. They just need to find the appopriate label! 7 / 10

c/o JOSHUA HANENBURG, P. O. BOX 70566, SEATTLE, WA 98107, U. S. A.

THE DREAMSIDE - “Mirror Moon” (cd / SERENADES Rec.)

Hailing from Holland and having as a vocalist a female entity, would leave THE DREAMSIDE no other choice in just being one more gothic version of THE GATHERING. What I like from this band is not their commercial scope but the fact that their vocalist CAN sing in comparison to all other "Anneke wanna be`s"! Kemi Vita is indeed the singer of the band and not just another person covering the duties of a vocalist. Honestly speaking here, there are not that many musical similarities with THE GATHERING as the band is more gothic orientated than the latter. But one shall definitely notice the similarities of the vocals, to DEAD CAN DANCE's very own Lisa Gerrard! I insist that the ultimate highlights of this release are its vocals. I just wished their music would be a bit more similar to the classic old school gothic of the SISTERS OF MERCY or THE FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM... the only real gothic acts I can stand listening to. Summing up, THE DREAMSIDE is a gathering of electronic / techno samples put into neo - gothic patterns and sung in a DEAD CAN DANCE manner. I like to listen to this sometimes but there are moments that I don`t really feel that much of a man with this music, hence leaving me no choice than swiftly switching to something rawer and more extreme. Hope you understand my feelings... 6,5 / 10

c/o SERENADES REC., BUCHER WEG 12, D - 73529 SCHWABISCH GMUND, GERMANY

* THE EMBRACED - “In My Dreams… I Am Armageddon” (cd / AFTERMATH Rec)

First time to hear a norwegian band with such a Swedish death / black sound! Really unique I must say heh! This album is the debut release of AFTERMATH Rec., a new and very promising label from Norway. The band plays Swedish - like death / black metal with almost no Norwegian touches. They offer us 9 cool tracks with a very good sound! The cover is also very nice and I must say that this is a very remarkable release overall! Support band and label! 7 / 10

c/o AFTERMATH REC., P. O. BOX 721, N - 7001, TRONDHEIM, NORWAY

THE SEASONS OF WITHER - “Under the Spell of a Sting Moon” (cd format / THRONE Prod.)

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

THOKK - “Of Rape and Vampirism” (cd format / MORDGRIMM Rec.)

Project of Lord Kaiaphas it is, so at least we can talk about a respectable release. The newsletter that came with this promo cd says that THOKK plays raw primordial black in the vein of DARK THRONE together with dark ambient instrumentals in the vein of MORTIIS. The cd is divided into 2 evocations (parts). The first one fulfills the first statement because it contains 5 grim black metal tracks in the DARK THRONE way. Nice songs! The second evocation though doesn`t fulfill the second statement because the 3 songs it contains have nothing to do with MORTIIS! They are more like ritualistic music (sounds etc). Quite dark but not my style! I quite like this band and hope the new one is better! 7 / 10

* THRONED - “Watching the Lands of Purity” (cd format / BEYOND Prod.)

Another mcd release for this Italian label (also responsible for the releases of the cass. Lp of DE OCCULTA PHILOSOPHIA, the cd of DRASTIC and the cd of DETESTOR). It lasts 20 min. and contains 4 songs of BURZUMesque black metal. It`s a one man band but I can`t say that he is playing his instruments very good! The music is very simple structured, nice but nothing special! The cover is simple too but on the other hand it`s a release from one of the most serious true underground labels. I think you should give it a try. I think its price is no more than 10 $. Hope Mr. Throned comes back soon with a new and better album. 6 / 10

c/o PASCALI DANIELE, VIA G. B. MONTI 6 / 24, 16151 GENOVA, ITALY

* THY INFERNAL - “Satan` s Wrath” (cd format / MORIBUND Rec.)

At last!!! A band from the U. S. A. that plays exactly like any quality Swedish black metal act would play (i.e. DARK FUNERAL, NECROPHOBIC etc.).Of course, the first thing that striked me from this release is not the music but Satan` s massive dick on the front cover! Ha ha! Anyway, as I previously mentioned, the band sounds very much alike to the aformentioned Swedish devils with the difference that this is no low quality copy but a rather impressive similarity! However, I haven`t got a bio from this American cult label and on the cd it doesn`t state the country they hail from so maybe it is a Swedish band after all! All 7 tracks on this album are well played with the appropriate sound production required (i.e. not to clear, not to muddy) and especially the impressive "Black Magic" cover! So why not give them a higher mark then? Well, only if on their next album they would try to add a personal touch to their music... 7,5 / 10

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

* URANUS - “Heathendome 1999” (cd format / SELF - FINANCED)

And suddenly, without warning, just a few months before the dawn of a new pathetic christian millennium, URANUS managed to release their debut album. An album filled with anti - christian hatred and desire for ancient Hellenic revival!!! The title of course could not avoid including a number, a fact that I can`t really explain as all bands HAVE to use a number in their latest album releases (e.g. EMPEROR, MERCYFUL FATE, SATYRICON, DODHEIMSGARD, SORHIN, BETHZAIDA etc.). For the ones that are unfamiliar with this more than unique (in my opinion) act, URANUS had previously released 2 demos from which the first one is a total killer!!! After a lot of problems the band managed to release this progressive heathen black / death metal masterpiece. When placing this cd in thy cd - player, thou shalt noticeth that yer ears have never heard this kind o` music before. It is like it came from another planet or one of the infinite starts featured on the impressive cover art! What makes their music so special is the mixture of fast guitar riffs with hellenic folk themes and suffering vocals. I`m sure that you`ll either love their music or hate it but note how unique and untrendy they are! 8,5 / 10

c/o ORPHEUS, POSTE RESTANTE, PAPAGOU 15601, ATHENS / HELLAS

* VALHALLA - “Winterbastard” (cd format / NORTHERN SOUND Rec.)

Another VALHALLA this time not the crazy Finnsters, neither the BATHORY - influenced Ukrainian ones as these ones in fact come from Russia. The word VALHALLA brings in mind battles, vikings, snow and epic atmospheres but it is at once covered by the title "Winterbastard" which reminds more of a thrash blast from the past than anything else. Not all the former are included in this release but some of them will be found! Epic and pompous bombastic mid - tempo melodies with haunting synths reminding of the early DIMMU BORGIR eras will make your bones chill. I didn`t expect such good a music from these Russians. Their scene is still underdeveloped with only bands like THRON`, DRAUGWATH and SATARIAL to stand - out. Now its time for VALHALLA to show that this country has still a lot to offer!!! I am sure that all of you out there will appreciate this release. A release that could have been more professional if the sound production would be trimmed in such a way that the few mistakes here and there would dissappear. 8,5 / 10

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

VILKATES - “Angeldust and Blasphemy” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

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

VIOLATION - “Beyond the Graves” (cd format / LAST EPISODE Prod.)

Well, guess what… Another LAST EPISODE cd from a band I never knew before! I really enjoyed this one! VIOLATION offers some 40 minute melodic swedish sounded death metal with brutal growling vocals! The album was recorded in ABYSS Studios by Peter Tagtgren (also singing in the song “Dark Embrace”), so don`t ask about the sound quality! The 9 songs of this cd are of an average timing of 4 minutes each and are really great, reminding me of the old times when UNLEASHED, ENTOMBED etc had the upper hand in the death metal scene! A good album in my opinion… 7 / 10

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

“WHITE: Nightmares in The End” (cd format / THE END Rec.)

THE END Rec. is one of my fave labels in the underground, mainly due to the fact that they do a great and professional job. Some of the titles they have released come from respectable acts such as NOKTURNAL MORTUM, ODES OF ECSTASY, SCHOLOMANCE and last but not least MENTAL HOME which in my opinion is Russia` s very own TIAMAT! After so many releases it is wise to release another comp. cd (after the impressive 5$ "Until the End of Time" comp. cd). This one is very special in my opinion, not only because of its unique title but mainly for the whole concept that lies behind it and which I won`t bother explaining now. It features only THE END bands such as the above mentioned and EPOCH OF UNLIGHT, MISTIGO VARGGOTH DARKESTRA (NOKTURNAL MORTUM project), LOVE HISTORY (killer!), SCULPTURED (not for me thank you!) and AGALLOGH. Unfortunately most of the songs are taken from their albums but here you can find some remix tunes and an unreleased track from ODES OF ECSTASY. Nothing more to add. If you want to get familiar with this incredible label get this one in order to experience the music, absorb the label`s background and be with it till the end... 8 / 10

c/o THE END REC., 556 S. FAIR OAKS 101 - 111, PASADENA, CA 91105, U. S. A.

WINDHAM HELL - “Reflective Depths Imbibe” (cd format / MORIBUND Rec.)

Although it kicks - off like SLAYER` s very own "Black Magic" opus, the rest of this 70 min. silver disk is rather unearthly if you would ask me! Never have I heard this kind of extreme on the one hand and melodious on the other metal! Thou shalt listen to fast and unholy blasts with BEHERIT styled growls combined with a lot of mid - tempo pompous parts. Most of their fast music is structured with a basic grinding rhythm guitar and continuous guitar solos a la Malmsteen! The melodious part of their music is based on atmospheric keyboards and even Spanish acoustic guitar melodies!!! Sounds crazy but wait till you hear it! The cd includes 15 songs and is of a 70 + min. total which might be a bit tiring in my opinion. However it would be a big experience to listen to their art which in fact is spawned from the depths of windham hell! 7 / 10

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

WILL `O` WISP - “Enchiridion” (comp. cd / PICK UP Rec.)

Paolo (guitars) from the italian WILL `O` WISP has sent me their debut cd for a review. I really got amazed from the excellent artwork so I was very positive about this one! They play a very weird type of progressive and atmospheric metal with death vocals and a lot of synths. In the beginning I was a little bit confused about what they play and I must admit that I didn`t like it that much. But after 4 - 5 listenings I really appreciated their effort. It`s really true and they try to create their own stuff than copying others! The album contains 9 songs (2 of them are instrumental) and lasts around 35 min. The lyrics deal with ancient egyptian religion and this is cool! Order it from 7 / 10

c/o PICK UP REC., VIA J. DA PONTE, 52 - 36061, BASSANO (VICENZA), ITALY

WILLOW WISP - “Delusion of Grandeur: (A Gathering of Heretics)” (cd format / RAVENCLAW Rec.)

What`s this? Black metal goes MARILYN MANSON? Or MARILYN MANSON goes black metal? Well, non of the above exactly... I remember seing an anti - WILLOW WISP campaign somewhere on the net which was also my first encounter with these weirdos! Of course, there was no bias formed from my side as I do not think that these sort of campaigns provide anything special so I forgot about the whole thing. So it wasn`t until now that this band came forth to me, once again via FULLMOON Prod. division, RAVENCLAW Rec. This is their second album as far as I`m concerned and they`ve established quite a name in their homeland due to their theatrical stage shows. Unfortunately for them I am not the sort of guy to appreciate this kind of gothic / black metal art as I hate 90% of the gothic scene and its image where in this case it`s as gay as hell! However, their music itself has its good parts accompanied from high skilled musicianship. These good parts can mainly be found in the atmospheric parts, sometimes reminding of CRADLE OF FILTH. This album isn`t that bad but at the end of the day it ain`t something I`m going to listen to every now and then. Highly suggested for goths, vampyres, S / M freaks but definitely not for me. 5,5 / 10

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