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Review: BATTLECROSS “Pursuit of Honor” (2011)

Posted by meldelacroix on October 26, 2011
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BATTLECROSS “Pursuit of Honor” (2011)
Label : Metal Blade Records

Tracks :
1.Pursuit of Honor
2.Push Pull Destroy
3.Kaleb
4.Deception
5.Man of Stone
6.Breaking You
7.Rupture
8.Leech
9.Better Off Dead
10.Misery
11.Forshadowing

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH…

“Here we go, lets listen to this album … a delicate intro, no doubt, these proud “vikings”, they has conquered in a bloodbath the new territories, raping, looting, burning on behalf of Odin and sowing fear for many generations…”

Eh, what…? Damned, What Is This…??

I remain surprised when bouncing the second song “Push Pull Destroy”, with its abrasive voice and its typical rhythms, its proud calvacades  and bitumen production…It Is American Thrash , and not a another band of viking metal as the precisely suggested the name of the combo.

AAAAAAAAAAAArgghh (Translate : Thrash Till’ Death…!), BATTLECROSS (newly signed with Metal Blade Records) proposes its “Pursuit Of Honor” (no, it’s not the new Amon Amarth… however, I’d prefer “Push Pull Destroy”, more appropriate name…). This thrash metal which is not really dying, Thrash Metal is still standing, but the number of labelled exits “Nike Or Die” reach the tire and annoy the cannibal cockroach of music metal  that I am.

Then what?
Nothing in this album finds my jubilation, nothing will allow this second album of Battlecross, created in 2003, to sense this small extra (the small supplement of soul) emotions that pull it to “Moshy Metal Mass”. Certainly, they know the fundamental (Atheist or Gorefest), while they live in 2011 (Black Maria Murder), certainly the album devastates ears for almost 37 minutes (“Man Of Stone”, angry) but God,  this Thrashy-melodeath-Core is tiresome.

Sold as a mix of Testament and an epileptic Terror 2000 (or Children Of Bodom, make your choice…).
Technical and default (in the will), some tracks deserve even the detour (“Rupture” to the devastating breaks) or “Leech”, heavy and devastating punk, but the first impression remains tenacious, I have already heard it a thousand times. If only we had  more killer songs, as the sulphur “Misery”, indisputable success of the album… but with “If”…

Then what? Then maybe the worse, minimum risk, no pain no gain.
And when it comes to Detroit (mother-hometown of Electricity sold as vinyl, remember of The Stooges…), it is not my small column which will frighten them. But I just hope a little bit more to these Guys’ next album.

Reviewed by MEL DELACROIX

Review: THE RITUAL “Beyond The Fragile Horizon” (November 2011)

Posted by meldelacroix on October 23, 2011
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . 1 Comment

THE RITUAL “Beyond The Fragile Horizon”
Release date: 14 November 2011

Don’t matter
My Eyes have seen for better Out of Blue comes Green

Big sensation of heavy-thrash-power-metal for this retracted autumn, bow –  and here before us THE RITUAL (signed Bakerteam Records, a subsidiary of the very estimated mother-house Scarlet Records) formed in 2002 by Marco Obice and Luca De Vito, aspiring to mix various influences in their music entity, thrash metal, with an incisive statement of high dose of “core” melodies positioning by a more aggressive Trivium or even a less pubescent Sonic Syndicate, fashion in sum. After the first demo made in 2008, here is the concocted result by the 2 childhood friends, meanwhile joined by drummer Vito Luca and Marco Pastorino to the lead guitars and choirs.

…”Music for young people…”
First it made me doubt a bit, will I support Sonic “Metalcorism” procrastination and other epileptic deflagrations (there is a single DragonForce, and so much the better…) in a brouhaha sound at the limit of the stereo overdose, where am I going to access of mercy and give a chance to this young hungry gang?
After many attentive wiretappings, the album becomes more sharp to me (“Shoot Me” and its solos in cobwebs), when it kills its deadly rhythmics (“Show me What You can Do”, a power single) and I begin to believe that this band, THE RITUAL, knows me.

“Jason On The River” and its unstoppable chorus, the suave “Together” (A7X is not far away) or “The Liar”, more Metallica in the soul with these solos knit a stairway to the sky, just a few piano notes, a few discrete keyboards and the convincing voice to finish to erect this sympathetic metal pyramid.

The significant electrical addition comes by Marco Pastorino (from the talented Secret Sphere), he is certainly the icing on the cake, so much his drenched demonstrations gives the feeling to be on the top for this band.
Large production work at Authoma Studios of Federico Pennazzato (Secret Sphere, Sadist…), mastered by Simone Mularoni (DGM), the result is this first album of these Italians! it’s also under a very nice package (Nerve Design: Nile, Vision Divine etc…). … even if it does not revolutionize the scenes and even if it speaks to a younger hungry audience for “wired news” (great God, where I have passed my 20 years…?), but sometimes we focus enough to advise fans of Brainstorm, Mendeed, Avenged Sevenfold, Firewind and Artillery: but hey, this album has a very very good sound!

This is not a Testament but a promise of hope:
Beyond the fragile horizon, there is a future.
Glorious-

Reviewed by MEL DELACROIX

Line-up:
Marco Obice: Vocals and Guitar;
Marco Pastorino: Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals;
Liuk J. Abbott: Bass Guitar;
Luca De Vito: Drums

Review: WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM “Celestial Lineage” (2011)

Posted by meldelacroix on October 22, 2011
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WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM “Celestial Lineage”
Release date:  09/13/2011

Track list :
Thuja Magus Imperium
Permanent Changes in Consciousness
Subterranean Initiation
Rainbow Illness
Woodland Cathedral
Astral Blood
Prayer of Transformation

MINERAL METAL
Wet my eyes, foam, red leaves, carpets of veins and this earth that I dig,  and I bell, caress my skin of brambles…
Rain-like us, as if we were elusive, and volatile but we’ll penetrate the Earth, sperm among worms, we fig to give birth. See, I eat, I scrape the grub, the Lake-studded star Vault will be my candle, when you ‘ll close the eyes I will recognize you.
I ‘ll climb up the volcanic cascade range, I’ll break my nails, planted in the rock, stroking your breasts a last time, relying on our Lord love, inalienable, sap of our most blacks hopes of our deepest desires.
Once, your body of ice and  me we will be snakes, magic circle and seed forever buried, petrified fleshs in absolute terms, their heavy steps will be flights of birds.
Nematodes triumphants. Know, the rats do not dance with the Eagles. Your last breath will be blizzard, when I will pull out your heart. You’ll never leave me….

After 8 years of existence, the eco-brothers Weaver from Olympia in Washington State (Nathan & Aaron, respectively vocal-guitar / keyboard-drums) out of the edge of the Woods (hidden no doubt behind a thick red curtain…) and under the mysterious surname “Wolves In The Throne Room” lay a new stone in their darkest work.

New log that this third dark and majestic opus of the announced tryptic, “Celestial Lineage” reap our souls as death mowing our ultimate ignominy. After the previous “Two Hunters” (2007) and the vindictive and luminous “Black Cascade” of 2009 where almost they touched to the sublime, taste friend here the new offering. Claim of reducers strictures, moves such a Viper this tortuous metal, grit, black in its transcript but dazzling in its remarks. Post avant-garde Black Metal, pagan in intention and in the acts, in its musical treatment (its radicalism and integrity that flows from the closer Anaal Nathrakh and  Neurosis, the best of both worlds in short….), hate in echo (Burzum and Darkthrone spirits are summoned), this malleable, living, perfect biothope for hatching a Metal potting soil capturing the power of the Sun as a proud Maple and drawing his natural authority from the inmost depths of the soil, this potting soil fills us, nourishes and satisfies us. It is art we are talking about, when Black Metal found its core identity, vocation: illuminate the Darkness. Produced by Randall Dunn and with Jessika Kenney’s faithful vocalizations, Wolves In The Throne Room again installs masterpiece among their new album.

Progressive, majestic, epic and introspective 7 parts (including two interstitials air, possible minerals) are a trip at the end of the Earth (deer hunters ?…), in the caverns of the human psyche, in the swamps of our announced common future.

“Prayer of transformation” (and its 11 mn as a chill wind), a telluric doom end to this absolute masterpiece, perfect epitaph for such purpose: magnify the elusive.

From the depths of Black Metal from Scandinavian obediance and experimental music, contemplative, naturalistic, folk in its american gnarled roots, Wolves In The Throne Room here dig foundations (even if Agalloch had marked field and in the meantime the brave Falls Of Rauros) from which arises a solid building (new Church?), reformist basement of a scene (did I say the word “mindset”?…) often narrowconservative and cautious.

Before Black Metal was of flesh and blood.
Today, with Wolves In The Throne Room, it has (finally) a Soul-

Reviewed by Mel Delacroix

Review: FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE “Agony” (2011)

Posted by meldelacroix on October 20, 2011
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FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE “Agony” (2011)
Label: Nuclear Blast

TRACK LIST :
1. Temptation
2. The Hypocrisy
3. The Imposition
4. The Deceit
5. The Violation
6. The Egoism
7. The Betrayal
8. The Forsaking
9. The Oppression
10. Agony

Penance (and reconciliation…): FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE

Brutal Death Metal (an another name in this darkest category?… no : Just Fuckin’ Brutal!)… Symphony, electricity in technicolor, black-metal, oppressive but melodic, a reek of success, an half bet for these Italians (from Rome) innovating (incandescents and hellish solos, here’s a real success, crying and romantic piano, clear voice, a first in the genus) and proposing “Agony” of 50 mn 10 (mixed and mastered at the 16th Cellar Studios) …we’re talking here about an original band narrating the condemnation of the human race and its own chaining in its investigation of eternal sense and its absolute inability to  sublimate.

The guys with seducing textures (imagine a bodybuilding-mix of Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth, ouch !!), well, it’s a sort of a bit fulsome. And you know why? Too many demonstrations kill the demonstration itself. But it hits very hard, when the intention is laudable and one is dealing with bellicose musicians (Cristiano Triomfera, magnificent) that are expressing their natural misanthropies. Limbonic Art is not far from this music  and neither is SepticFlesh …Dvorak, Verdi or Wagner are a little bit further, pushing da Vinci… but incursions of soprano give the most beautiful effect but it’s too rare and it’s drowned in a stultifying “wall Of Sound” -production.

After having killed the summer alongside with Six feet Under and The Black Dalhia Murder on American roads, musical effort tends to prove that they are not rinsed (driving band’s own van on tour can tire even the most brave ones!) and that remains the property of great work in this musical style, to limit the swelling (on the next one, should they invite the Van Canto effort, I wonder….?). Beautiful symphonic voice, eating shards of bottles, solid, technical musicians, we just need only a bit of real darkness, that comes from the deep abyss, and maybe all this “work” was finally too thought, too much thought.

So, what I exactly want? More meat, and less neurons…
After “Mafia” in 2010 (EP) which promised a more progressive attitude than “Oracles” (2009), I could expect the next one to be for ruthless impose an irrevocable sentence, with the work and paths made, however after said this, the future should be bright for this adventurer combo, escaped with ardour of marked metal on so crowded roads.

I guess we’re not so many to amaze the large encouragements of this review towards FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, with one and only purpose: deny with maestria my harsh words. In this case, my mood can be awarded, you see, the rest is a fuckin’ good metal !

Lord, More flesh, Damn it !! (and see you next year…!)

Reviewed by MEL DELACROIX

LINE-UP :
-Paolo Rossi (chant+basse)
-Cristiano Trionfera (guitare+chant)
-Tommaso Riccardi (chant+guitare)
-Francesco Ferrini (piano)
-Francesco Paoli (batterie)

Review: IVAN MIHALJEVIC “Destination Unknown” (2010)

Posted by meldelacroix on October 18, 2011
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IVAN MIHALJEVIC “Destination Unknown” (2010)

Songs / Tracks Listing :
1. Instant Star (Add Water) (4:21)
2. The Curse (6:15)
3. Choosh Pies (3:51)
4. Post-Apocalyptic Images (2:15)
5. Dreamscapes (4:44)
6. Shadows (4:21)
7. The Pirate Song (3:32)
8. Sorry Pt. I (3:30)
9. Your Plane Flew Away (5:59)
10. Sorry Pt. II (2:44)
11. Hollow Wish (7:03)

“A hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore seems I’m not alone in being alone…”

Along the Sava, how can you imagine that I don’t think of you, how would you prove otherwise…?

I would not expect July 2013 (Shy Europe…) and I will clamour so here’s my love of this beautiful country that is Croatia, my Slavic Soul otherwise wouldn’t forgive me. Imagine, a musician leading the destinies of a noble and proud country isn’it the best of the hope for the human race….? just cogitate…

I would not expect the cover of Kerrang or of Guitar World (remember Johnny Winter in the first one) to shout my deep devotion from prodigy guitarist, singer, keyboarder, author-composer IVAN MIHALJEVIC gifted with this new album “Destination Unknown” required already as a safe value (go, not modesty: invaluable), veritable Goldsmith with the magic touch, raising to the highest level, alongside Richie Kotzen, Steve Vai and other Pat Metheny.

Fingers of gold.
Undisputed leader of the Side Effects after shone in his combo of milk Hard Time and magnified his chips electrical projects (Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan, Brett Garsed, Phil Hilborne, Paul, John Denner etc), this new album of IVAN MIHALJEVIC is simply staggering.

Navigating between Nickelback (“Instant star” and “The Curse, wish him a such a global success…”) or the “Choosh pies”‘s Crimsonnien, the isosceles trio, formed by Majkl Jagunic (bass), Alen Frljak (drums and percussion) and amazing Ivan Mihaljevic, offers a anthology of what an artistic soul may mean, this free-jazz mentality that would have not certainly reneged Ornette Coleman, the precursor. Dark song of gesture in the pure line of a Blind Guardian (“Shadows”) or its corollary “The Pirate Song”(“Satrianienne’s auvergne dance from hell”) surfing here and there in soft metal memories, the dexterity and feeling are here a beautiful spark (“Dreamscapes”, an epic instrumental).

And even more… something else can be noted, which is not any less: the voice! Hot, etincellante, inhabited, it is also the other indispensable instrument in this record, more low and maintained that can even invoke the ghost of Kurt in Detroit (encouraging the Croatian poet to continue in this direction), grunge lungs but ardent breath, behaved metal and rock, groove muscles (Your plane Flew Away) or introspective (Sorry part II), everything is here, so obvious as the air of Anathema.

Clear and powerful, and so is the production, too, and I still wonder…
“Hollow Wish” will illustrate our buried wishes, no doubt this music will talk about it more than the vain words of the old poets… IVAN MIHALJEVIC is one of those troubadours, his word, his music is sacred (just listening – singing, listening – do to groan his guitar, pouring his heart…)

Adriatic metal in its eruptions and electrical flow, the indomitable freedom, this discontent hunger, mother of genius creators in the service of humanity, the visionary on dictatorial bases, sowing the wind of peace, love and sharing.

Sweet Paola, when you listen to this music, it is really what it is, we and a few other thousands know that… and share this happiness. Yes, just go and share.

Reviewed by MEL DELACROIX

Line-up / Musicians:
– Ivan Mihaljevic / Vocals, guitars, keyboards
– Majkl Jagunic / bass
– Alen Frljak / drums, percussion

With:
– Brett Garsed / guitars (track 5)
– John Denner / guitars (5)
– Phil Hilborne / guitars (9)
– Marko Osmanovic / vocals (9)
– Igor Tatarevic / keyboards (4, 7, 11)
– Danko Krznaric / Hammond (9)
– Josip Mihaljevic / keyboards (5)

For more information, please visit: http://www.myspace.com/ivanmihaljevic

Review: LORD VOLTURE “Never Cry Wolf” (2011)

Posted by meldelacroix on October 15, 2011
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . 3 Comments

LORD VOLTURE “Never Cry Wolf” (2011)

TRACKLIST :
– Never Cry Wolf
– Taiga
– Wendigo
– Celestial Bodies Fall
– Korgon’s Descent
– Minutes to Madness
– Necro Nation
– I am King
– Into the Lair of a Lion
– Brother
– The Wolf at your Door

WITH URANIAN WILLY, WE WILL SCAMPER WITH DIAMOND DOGS…

I crossed seven provinces to find you…
Brown Amanda, know you criyng  in the hollow of my shoulder, this frigid deep forest as a shroud, under the blighted Moon I am really myself, the vial in the hollow of your breasts containing a few drops of blood, calling your ancestral hunger, rip-up my soul a little more… Dark Amanda, if in my throat you bit, gives you, and I ‘ll devour you under the prying eyes of my wolves brothers. And we will be immortal. And if we are not gods, we will be Messiahs…

Lord Volture.
While screaming, this ode to the wonderful, this “Dutch” Pack of conquering hounds are pacifying its territory by a more beautiful manner with this new, second album, “Never Cry Wolf” with its lavish package (Sonata Artica depression….) and it is necessary to give here the “NBT”-mark (Now – Big – Thing) which you will have to count on.
Forged with passion, this Metal, as Excalibur, breezes rocks, fending armor. Never before the Heavy-Metal has rightly brought this name, mixing and braving the past decades and imposing themselves today in this fake world (thanks again Steve Jobs…) as bravado, a cry of non-renoncement, an invigorating breath… “Fuck guys, I could die for metal…!” (Manowar knows what I mean…).
Epic, tripe and intense, the absolutely incredible voice of David Marcelis (just inhuman) leaves no loophole, swollen throat rip-up his soul, he embodies this irreducible music. Since “His Holiness” Udo or its inhabited Ronny Hemlin (ex-Steel Attack), nothing so powerful had tangled the ozone layer (let Judas pray…) We burn, and it is of molten lava which has expired in this monstrous album…

Not unnecessary enumeration (if this is the monumental appearance of Sean Peck, US Cage Monster for the piece “Into The Lair of a Lion”, absolute roll-compressor), the course of these 11 songs controlled by a group of predators that play their lives, while here it is dantesque (my God, this voice, these majestic arpeggios, these cannibalistic solis…). Here we are talking about a real creator work, of a voluntary assumption of writing a new chapter in the history of this music that we love so much, this music finally makes us stand still upright in life.

This blues is radicalized, it is called now Heavy-Metal- Lyrical in its approach to melodic and sharp as a thrash feeling good tar, vintage in its mood, LORD VOLTURE here back in history with a big H. H as Heavy. The student has exceeded the masters (Iced Earth or well still Accept and bet that Blaze Bayley  should be proud, noble metal never dies). Basic / sublimated minor Sixtus, strings that distort your soul, the children of Black Sabbath and the Who are our Electric magicians of our troubled periods. They indicate a cap, a priesthood: Never Surrender!

The flesh has no need of clothes, listen to this music, it is sweat, these are tears, blood and skin. These musicians have made in it, it is, you can feel it the eyes closed.

And if they are not the gods, they will be Messiahs?
This Heavy-Metal will and can save your life…

Reviewed by MEL DELACROIX