DEMO AND SELF RELEASED BAND CD REVIEWS
THE FORGOTTEN - "THE GRAVE" 1998 PROMO TAPE I don't think this is available to the public, though this song is on the 3rd and final edition of Mortal Coil's "Eat The Evidence" comp CD. This tape consists of the song "The Grave" in a studio demo version and a rehearsal version. I liked the more abrasive (than their demo-reviewed in issue # 1 ) style they exhibit here and especially on the demo version which is keyboardless and lets the power of the song flow. It is funny, unless they messed up on the song order on the cover the rehearsal version sounds better! This band is going in the right direction (but with room to grow) and I will look forward to their upcoming MCD out by the time you read this. The Forgotten, P.O. Box 354, Commack, NY. 11725, USA
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PANTHEON - "THANGORODRIM" DEMO 1998 Well vocalist Rubeus told me "I'm sending you this old (newly released) and shittily recorded material". That pretty much sums things up. The sound is awful, the drums sound like 5 gallon pails and everything else is mostly mushed together. I think the main thing going for Pantheon are the dark, heavy romping riffs. I wish they would just drop their keyboards because they drain all the good qualities out of the compositions. The keys tend to sound like someone trying to make sad circus music. Rubeus' vocals are really cool, throaty gurgled mix of death and black metal. Get these guys into a good studio and hide their casio synthesizer and next time around we may have something. $4 US/$6 World. Cash or money order only made out to: Lindsay Demartino, 3116 E. Shea Blvd. #156, Phoenix, AZ. 85028, USA
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UNBURIED - "TORTURED REMAINS" DEMO 1998 Four tracks + outro from this cool rhythmic brutal death metal band whose three person rank features Mark Riddick (ex-Excrescent) reknowned underground artist. They keep it simple and as stated rhythmically extreme, just the way I like it. Accompanied by some nice gory lyrics, and sick growls from vocalist Rebecca. The productions seems a bit hollow but does get the job done. Order this blood red colored cassette for $5 US/$6World. Unburied, Box 301, Herndon, VA. 20172, USA
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TANDUS - "LOGUM MAUT" DEMO/EP 1997 Simplistic but heavy and effective are words I would use to describe this band. Tandus bring back some good memories for me, they remind me a lot of the demo bands from the '88-'91 period. You know the ones who still had a strong foothold in thrash but were heavily influenced by death metal. Bands like Burial, Demise, Immortal Fate, and so on. Hardly any one is doing this style anymore and Tandus are cool in my books. Four songs of old school, "Rusty" deaththrash with beauty packaging on pro cassette. Muzik Box Productions, c/o Fadzil, P.O. Box 96, Pejabat Pos Magidee, 81100, Johor Bahru, Johor, MALAYSIA
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DOMINION - "SELF-TITLED" DEMO 1997 One side of this tape is three tracks from their 1996 CD and the other three from their forthcoming 1998 CD. The older tracks are decent chunky and rhythmic death metal that is well done but lacks a certain something. The aggressive death growl/grunts and/or rasps respectively rule though. Onto side two shows me that the band have realized what I said was missing on side one. Music's aggressive edge produces a malicious side that was lacked on the older material. The vocals have not changed and are great alongside some nice mid paced guitar sequences mixed with a dense quicker pace. $4 US. Dominion, P.O. Box 22172, Eagan, MN. 55122, USA
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BROKEN EDGE - "HATE" & "COLD LIES" 1996/97 SELF-RELEASED CD's For starters the MCD is common place mid-paced thrash with a little of their own sound mixed in. A bit too laid-back for me. On to the full-length CD release, the raspy thin vocals remain a constant. The music has changed with more aggression, which it needed but they have abandoned their guitar sound. In f(l)avor (of the month) of a 'jump metal' style ala Machine Head, Skinlab and to an extent Pantera. I think it stinks! More start and stop riffs than hookers down on Kensington street, yeah the stuff I have heard at least 15 times in the last six months alone. Some nice leads on this album are the only saving grace of this pile o' dung.
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COHERENT LIQUID FORM - "CRYPTIC EMBRACE" DEMO 1998 The vocalist of C.L.F. caught my attention first with his Earth Crisis meets Burzum delivery. Which turned me off, but since I have grown to enjoy. C.L.F. are a rhythmic metal outfit with strong death metal roots and a penchant for quirky headbangable guitar parts. Performance wise things could have been a lot tighter but that is my only gripe towards an otherwise good demo tape. See Dominion address for contact elsewhere.
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WOHEDNESS - "SKELETAL LIFE" DEMO/CD 1998 This band already had my interest before hitting play. As it's ranks boasts Bob Bustin from the great and now unfortunately now defunct death metallers Gorbage (Whom I interviewed way back in the day of The Sepulchral Voice fanzine). What we have on tap is some great brutal blasting death the likes of which only the harsh Canadian winters can seem to produce within it's hardened habitants. The production is thick and suits the band, as they run thru no less than 9 trax of crusty death metal. Throw in a bit of weird and infectious guitar, interplay and groove (no no not 'jump' groove) into the brutal stew and "Skeletal Life" results in one hell of a demo purchase. Sorry don't have a price please write. Wohedness, 18 Grimes Ave., Dartmouth, N.S., B2W 3L7, CANADA
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DRAUGWATH - "DWELLERS OF THE CURSED FORESTS" + "APOCALYPTIC SONGS OF DRAUGWATH" DEMO'S '95 & '96 Behold the abyssic fire and acidic venom that is the two man Russian band Draugwath. I really quite got into the brutal and cryptic atmosphere of the black metal on these tapes. The vocals are nothing short of searing and the lyrical content pratically reeks of hatred. The only drawback is the music tends to be simplistic with little to no change in drum beat from song start to song finish. Contact Deathcult Distro. addy elsewhere for a copy of this tape.
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GRAPHIC VIOLENCE - "SELF-TITLED" SELF-RELEASED 1997 CD Cool, some old styled balls out, gritty pure thrash metal. G.V. generally keep things mid-paced and melodic with the odd speed portions. The guitars are heavy w/ some nice fret work going on that shows cases some stylish playing with well timed guitar leads. My only problem is vocalist Vince Verrone, not that he is bad, quite the contrary but if he displayed more aggression and vigor it would go a long way. Another problem is some of the lyrics and vocal phrasings. They could be much better utilized by penning better lyrics with more flow and integrating them were they would have a more profound effect. Other than that minor complaint some great thrash that is a fuck you to the trendy 'jump' scene. $10 US/$12 World to: Graphic Violence, c/o Dave Chedrick, P.O. Box 527, Pittstown, PA. 18640, USA
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CTHULHU - "SELF-TITLED" DEMO 1997 This is a side band of 2 members of Draugwath (demo reviewed elsewhere) and it's whole inception and purpose is as a tribute to H.P. Lovecraft and acts as a soundtrack to Lovecraft's world. You know I hate ambient/trance music partly due to it's, prolific (sometimes sole use of) keybored's. However Cthulhu is a little different, there are no keys to be found - to my delight. I actually didn't mind this atmospheric tape at all. It has a very dense and brutal manner, just one encompassing soundscape of feelings that paint a picture to our worst thoughts imaginable. Draughwath/Cthulhu, P.O. Box 607, St. Petersburg, 189510 RUSSIA. Also available thru Deathcult Distro.
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HELL AND HATAMISRA - "HELLISH BLACK" DEMO'S '96/97 I was sent this tape by a cool motherfucker who runs Superunderground distribution In Texas. I tapped into and enjoyed some of the atmosphere, speed and hate on here. But god what a mumble-jumbled mess the songs are structurally! Most of the time there is just one riff played fast over a never changing drum beat mixed with some slow ambient guitar/synths and super fast and often long drawn out guitar solos on top of it all. Apparently they want to release this on disc, I say save some cash and practice these songs keep the quality stuff and throw out the rest. That along with some new improved material and a tighter performance will do this band wonders. Super Underground Distro., 923 S. Beacon St., Dallas, TX. 75223, USA
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VASTION - "HORRID SIGHTS OF HATE" DEMO 1998 Nice gory art on the cover and bio. On to the young band itself who's brand of death metal is solid and heavy and I can get into the chugging riffing such as in a tune like "Perimeter Of Shame". Vocalist Craig uses two voices, a killer growl and a high pitched whine, I see what he is going for but the latter is squealy and annoying to me. Other than that little nit-pick this is a bad ass tape. $3 US to: Vastion, c/o Rusty Adams, 80 Foster Trace Dr., Lawrenceville, GA. 30043, USA Emial = Vastiondth@aol.com
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H.A.T.E. - "2 WRONGS = RIGHT" 1998 SELF-RELEASED CD Thanx to Phil of Brutalized for sending this in for review. Imagine a band that, are a mix of a faster Crowbar crossed w/ Machine Head and some slight death metal/hardcore tendencies. It's fairly simple but extremely heavy and driving with some catchy groove. I was a bit surprised by the sound, which suits the band well - thick and clear w/ a slight raw edge to it. I like this but I can't see me putting it into regular rotation in my CD carousel if you know what I mean? H.A.T.E., 129 Pine Ln., Fleetwood, PA. 19522, USA
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BEAST PETRIFY -"IN THE CIRCLE OF TIME" DEMO 1997 Singaporean speed/thrash metal with if you can imagine a King Diamond influence musically & to a much lesser extent to the vocals as well. This is pretty classy emotional, heavy and diverse metal pacing from slow to fast and everything in between. Guitarists, Fahmi and Yunos like to lay the guitar leads on thick, fine by me. The two often trade off, an example of this is on "Castrophic Persecution" where the duo switch hit to dazzling effect. Structurally things could be tightened and spiced up but other than that watch out for this band (who have already signed to Candlelight Records!). $5 US for this pro tape to: Beast Petrify, c/o Al Fahmi, BLK 345, Yishun Avell, # 06-173, SINGAPORE 760345 **Also ask about Fahmi's Silent Empire 'zine!**
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GRAPHIC VIOLENCE - "ALBUM PREVIEW TAPE" 1998 Holy shit!! Did G.V. get psychic and read my earlier review before it seen the light of day!? Gone are the awkward lyrics and phrasings as well as an aggression boost, no longer is there a weak link in this solid steel chain! The stylish and choice lead work is still here and the overall music is more violent without having any gay tough guy stomp/groove. G.V. have stepped up every facet of their attack, let's see you do the same and step up to buy their new album comes out (sometime in 1999) as it is sure to some of the most pure hellish thrash of the '90's!! In a word - AMAZING!!! See addy elsewhere.
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MINDWAR - "BETTER THAN NOTHING" DEMO 1998 (Muzik Box Productions) I love this band, extreme old style metalhead attitude and spirit - they do it to the fullest! However, moving on to the music it comes off as very uninspired and just mostly a bunch of little isolated parts strung haphazardly together to form a song. This band definitely has their heart in the right place but need, a lot of work, musically. Mindwar, c/o ADI, No. 2, JLN Pakis 10, Taman Sri Pulai, 81110 Johor Bahru, Johor, MALAYSIA
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CASTIGATE - "PLECTRUM LOVELESS METHOD" DEMO 1998 (Muzik Box Productions) This is a cool talented band. I guess you could say they play a atmospheric death/ traditional metal with some female backing vocals in most of the 5 tracks present. Castigate write quality material but they need some work creating more imaginative structures especially in the vocal/lyrical dept.. If they can put it all together there is potential here for greatness. Castigate, c/o Man Black, BLK 10, Haig Rd., #09-363, S'pore 43 0010, Rep. Of SINGAPORE
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ABSONANT CADENCE - "INSIDE OUT LIFE" 1998 INSTRUMENTAL DEMO/CD If you read issue # 1 you know I love this bands knack for catchy and attention sustaining songs. I still love their style and they make killer techno death tunes. But I'm sorry to say, after a couple tracks without vocals I start to lose interest. Sorry guys if you get a new vocalist, send something in again and I am sure I will be happy. A.B., c/o Dominic Simard, 15 rue Francine, St-Luc, Quebec, J2W 1N6, CANADA
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SCAPEGOAT - "SCARS" DEMO 1998 Self described as thrash and that is fair but I would definitely throw in words like accessible and commercial into the description. I would liken this to the tamer sides of stuff like Megadeth, early Anthrax, and early Metallica. No I can't say much else just very average and they don't do much for me I'm afraid. $5 US to: Scapegoat, Matteo Bellezza, Viale dei Colli Portuensi 501, 00151, Rome, ITALY Email = Thrashmatt@lycosmail.com
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OSSUARY - "WE AWAIT THE SECRET CONSPIRACY" DEMO 1998 (Black Hammer Records) Dubbed as "Total Death Metal Madness" and that fits for me as a description. They definitely have a nice blend of old and new styled influences and a penchant for frenzied guitar leads with dark, hallowed vocals. A few parts could be more polished and tighter but that is a minor complaint on an otherwise killer tape and band (read their interview elsewhere). Black Hammer Recs., c/o S. Carsin, Roman Guerra Y Dr. Edye, Moldanado, C.P. 20.000, URUGUAY
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TWISTED TOWER DIRE - "2 SONG PROMO TAPE" 1999 The material on here is going to be on the Twilight Records Maiden tribute which is supposed to be a double disc release with the second disc having an original song also from each band doing a cover version. I have on here both T.T.D. tunes set for that release and could not be any more, happy to have this! I love this band!! Song one is a Iron Maiden "Powerslave/Maiden Melody" cover, which is nothing short of brilliant! As they mix in different sections of Maiden songs with "Powerslave", such as "Wrathchild", and "Wasted Years". All, done with exceptional ease and finesse, best Maiden cover I ever heard by far! The 2nd track is called "When All Is Said And Done" which is/was apparently penned by new singer Tony (even sounds kinda like Bruce!) and is a straight-ahead rocker. A bit simpler than most of their usual material but still kick ass stuff. I can tell you I am fucking dying for a copy of their new album coming out on U.K.'s Mikatonic Records!! Sure to be a quality release!!
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DYING WISH - "…ON TWILIGHT OF ETERNITY" DEMO 1998 It was cool to get this from the land of black/death legends Tormentor. Yes, I am speaking about Hungary. I suppose you could call this band gothic tinged doom/death with growls/clean vocals smothered in keyboards. There is no denying Dying Wish's talents and fluid song writing abilities. I didn't care for the keys at all and the gothic touches so that turned me off of this band. $5 US Europe/$6 US Rest Of World for this professionally packaged demo to: Backwoods Productions, c/o Laszlo Kaprosvari, Corvin u. 17. II/2, H-3530 Miskolc, HUNGARY
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LATHEBRA - "ANGELS TWILIGHT ODES" DEMO 1998 Melancholic aggressive metal with sad and foreboding undertones. Yes, 5 tracks of emotional metal with symphonic touches added. Not really my thing but I can appreciate a job well done. $6 US World to: Lathebra, c/o Palumbo Francesco, Via San Clemente, 106, I-84015 Nocera Superiore (SA), ITALY
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EXCARNATED - "LET THE HATRED MANIFEST" DEMO 1998 I like what this band is going for and that is in-your-face death/grind brutality chocked full of headbangable ultra heavy mid-sections. They do need some work tightening things up and adding a touch more intensity. I love vokillist Chris' deep indescipherable growls but his alternating scratchy screams are too high pitched and get on my nerves. On a side note, thanks to the band for changing their old awful moniker of "Hacktician". $5 US World to: Excarnated, c/o Chris, P.O. Box 5407, Mordialloc 3195, AUSTRALIA
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ATAVISM - "CORPSES CATACLYSM" DEMO 1998 This has to be the brutalest, sickest, rawest, sloppy death/grind I've heard from overseas. Good by me! Fans of Mortician unite! As the band proudly proclaims "No female vocals, no fucking synths!!!" . Hails to that! $5 US to: Atavism, c/o George "Ventor" Georgalas, 67 Thiron Str-N. Ionia, 38446 Volos, GREECE
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DISARRAY - "BlEED" 1996 DEMO/MCD 1996 The vocalist/guitarist of this band Chuck is also the editor of Inner V.O.I.D. (reviewed elsewhere). Pretty simplistic riffy mid-paced thrash/traditional metal with Overkill wannabe vocals with a heavy buttfuck James Hetfield sound to them. I almost didn't want to review this as it is 3 years old and might not be a fair representation of the bands sound today. No I don't like this, check out Chuck's fanzine instead.
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SKINLESS - "PROGRESSION TOWARDS EVIL" 1998 SELF-RELEASED CD Fuck yeah! This has some of the coolest movie sample intros between songs ever. How about the music? It hits you with 9 trax of gut-wrenchingly heavy & cataclysmic death/grind from NY. Guttural growls, screeches and cries alongside the jack-hammer drums back up the barbarous guitars as they assault and strip the senses raw. Skinless is the perfect mix of brutality, straight-ahead heaviness and catchy riffing. Easily one of the best unsigned bands out and about in the underground scene. Check out their interview in this issue! Website = www.angelfire.com/ny/skinless1
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CAULDRON - "TAMPERING WITH THE UNNATURAL" DEMO/CD 1998 Their flyer says "Forty minutes of intense experimental sounds" and for whatever reason that had my expectations low when hitting play. I actually got into about 50% of the musical material on here as it borders on extreme metal and commercial metal. The band needs work harder on making their songs more coherent and memorable. Also, they need to find a real singer, sorry but Zack's vocals are horrendous. I laughed ever time I heard those dominating, chunky and awkward vocals (stick to the growls man!) during the first half of the full-length demo/CD. But almost cried during the last half as they got even worse and enter the category of embarrassingly bad! There is a song on here showing maybe they know how bad they are it is entitled "My Dying Voice", let it die and quick. At least they sell it cheap $11 US to: Cauldron, 712 Pemberton, Grosse Point Park, MI. 48230, USA
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TERMINAL DESCENT - "SLAUGHTERING THE ASTRAKHAN" 1998 Self-Released (Best of '97/98) CD This is put out on a recordable CD-Rom disc (I am surprised more bands don't utilize this) which is a promo disc of the best tracks of '97/98 as the band released no less than 3 CD's and 1 MCD in that time. The sound on here is actually quite decent as this is a one man band as it says on the inlay "All compositions written, performed, produced, engineered, mastered and mangled by Tony Mikkelson". Tony is a metalhead on high! He plays very craftily as he runs thru some speed/thrash numbers with quirky techno guitar sections that keep things interesting. Tony is surely a real talent and with a bit more maturity and song definition Terminal Descent will be unstoppable. $5 US World!! To: Terminal Descent, c/o Tony Mikkelson, 236 N. 11th St., Forest City, IA. 50436-1516, USA
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ZAMORA - "VANDAL SA PADER" DEMO 1994/'98 (re-release) I guess this didn't get the attention it deserved so it was re-released. Very chaotic, sloppy death/grind with some great riffs and guitar parts. That is the problem it is only parts and never really feels like a whole song. Very cult sound to this one man band. $5 US to: Brian Zamora, 21 Emerald St., San Eusebio Subdivision, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, 6121 PHILIPPINES.
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KRATORNAS - "ENORHT EHT NIHTIW SI TOAG EHT" DEMO 1997 This a one man band again from Brian Zamora and it's chaotic, brutal and cryptic black metal in the old way. Makes me think of early Bathory, Profantica style and I like this demo. $5 US to the address under the Zamora review.
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UNHOLY CADAVER - "SELF-TITLED" DEMO/CD # 1 1998 Here is another CDR special, no more did I write about (in the Terminal Descent review) bands not using this and they started rolling in. This caught my attention! Unholy Cadaver from the west coast play dark, epic styled and length (3 songs for 30 minutes, not one of them boring!) blasphemic metal. It is all here brooding sections, heavy parts, fast blasts over sweet guitar solos, pounding drums and blackened scream/rasps from the abyss. I can't believe how well these guys pull off such long songs while keeping them interesting & fresh. This is a great new band that puts 50% of the signed bands around the scene to shame! $7 US to: Unholy Cadaver, 3278 20th St., San Francisco, CA. 94110, USA Email = unholycadaver@mindspring.com
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ASSISTING SORROW - "SELF-TITLED" DEMO/CD 1998 Remember Cataclysm from Kentucky? Remember they had a free demo tape circulating a number of years ago? Well, A.S. have 2 members from that now defunct act. They now play "melodic and progressive death metal" that is a description I can live with. Very melodic, tight and catchy death metal w/ heaps of inspiration from '80's power/heavy metal like Iron Maiden, Helstar, Fates Warning and ect. This is one great talented band, they are mature and classy and it shows in their silky music. My only complaint is that the clean vocals used on here are a bit weak and need some work. Did I mention this is another CDR release? Only $5 US/$6 World to: Assisting Sorrow, c/o Chris Leffler, 2714 South 7th St. Rd., Lot 53, Louisville, KY. 40215, USA Email = EROXTHIS@aol.com
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DISCERN - "REVIVE AND REBUKE" 1998 SELF-RELEASED CD Another one man band here, the one man is Bill Fraser (ex-Oblation) and he pulls it all off exceptionally well. This CD is very much, early '90's, death style (i.e.- Benediction, Napalm Death ("Harmony Corruption"-era), Resurrection, Brutality and ect.). Quality material and highly enjoyable, there are some wacky little blues bits or something thrown in that are kept short and serve to accent the heaviness. Vocally you can mix Dave Ingram with Immortal Possession (Canada) almost to a 'T'. Recommended! $10 US to: Discern, 11408 Audelia Road # 4778, Dallas, TX. 75243, USA Email = discern@flash.net
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RISUS EX MORTUUS - "SELF-TITLED" DEMO 1998 Doomish band, and when things can be made out some good riffs can be found. But most of the music comes off sounding dis-jointed and I don't know if it's my dub but every 5 seconds or so it sounds like a cat hissing with chinese gong drums. Not too good but as said some good riffs. R.E.M., P.O. Box 77, Seldon, NY. 11784, USA
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LILITU - "PROMO TAPE" 1998 Lilitu are a very emotional, atmospheric death metal band w/ hints of heavy & black metal influence. Piano and synths are used which I could do without. While talented most of the stylish material comes off sounding very heard it before. Also something seems missing to me, like their sound is too thin or something. Keep working guys. Lilitu, c/o Derek Bonner, P.O. Box 1795, Hardwick, GA. 31034, USA
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THE FALLEN - "SELF-TITLED" DEMO 1998 None to original but it is hella well done black metal. Upon one listen it is immediate that the boys worship Cradle Of Filth ("Dusk And Her Embrace"). Nowhere is that influence more evident than in the vocals, which pattern themselves directly after Dani of C.O.F. If you can get past that this is a talented band who write good music & memorable songs. In the bands words "4 song opus of chilling black/death" and how can you go wrong it's free just send $1 US for postage. The Fallen, c/o Erick Anderson, 3225 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, IL. 60625, USA
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JOYLESS - "PROMO TAPE" 1998 Joyless hail from my native country. They play decent but faceless simple brutal death metal. Only 2 songs here so not a lot to go on. Yan tells me their new stuff is superior, more technical and they should have a new 6 song demo out summer '99. I say wait for that. $2 US World to: Joyless, c/o Yan Chamberland, 1621 Lindsay, Mont-Joli, Quebec, G5H 3A5, CANADA
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CUMDEO - "MY ANGEL" DEMO 1997 (R.I.P. Productions) Cumdeo provides an interesting listen with their '97 demo "My Angel". It's hard to pigeon hole them with playing any one style as their music is a healthy mix of doomy/death and melodic guitar and vocal effects sprinkled about. I enjoyed the bands attempt to be a little original and although some of the non-death growls weren't all that great. This being only a 4 song demo I'm sure the band has more to offer but this is still impressive. Surprising to me this demo ends on an upbeat note w/ a short high speed acoustic guitar piece. Worth, checking out. Cumdeo, c/o Alexander Komsomolskaya, Str. 11, Smolensk, 214033, RUSSIA - JEFFREY KUSBEL
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VINDICTION - "HANG YOU OUT TO DIE" 1998 SELF-RELEASED CD Great crystal clear cool looking packaging on this CD. Apparently the songs on here are 5 years old now and I am told the band has a more brutal, technical direction. That sounds good because there are some decent ideas here and the odd cool riff but mostly it is uneventful and boring thrash metal w/ death metal touches. Hope one of the member changes was vocalist Jim McVeigh who sucks, he sounds like a constipated and powerless, raspy death metal version of Phil of Sacred Reich. Vindiction, 7255 Fortman Terrace, Fountain, CO. 80817, USA
