Saturday, 29 August 2015

The year 2015 us throwing up some mighty releases and I've committed myself to devoting more time to them between now and Christmas. I'm the sort of person that decides what I want to write about and when, but I've been focusing a bit more on older releases of late. Danish black/death metal band Reverie presents a bit of a mystery to me. The Scandinavian resurgence in extreme and traditional metal circles (Enforcer, Tribulation, Inculter et al) of late has shown no signs of slowing down and now Danish black/death band Reverie are another worthy addition to the scene. They only started up 2011 and released two demos in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Their debut album Bliss was released by Irish label Invictus Productions (CD) and Japanese label Big Love (LP) in July of this year and gathers together a mix of re-recordings and new material.

Despite appearing more like a traditional heavy metal band, Reverie produces a truly hellish sound. Album opener Dust And Dirt is a mix of torrid screams and spellbinding musical interplay. There’s melody in the guitars and a keen sense of exploration despite the menacing overtones. Reverie has a catchy side as well. The intro and chorus sections on Fall Apart are approachable, with rock n roll coursing through them while the song still remains insane! The title-track takes you back to the folky roots of Danish music through the use of traditional wind instruments and acoustic guitar. It breaks things up before the chaotic speed of Blood In The Sea. That speed dissipates after about sixty seconds to reveal off-kilter time signatures and dark atmospherics. The production gives the vox a nice live/punk sound while the music is allowed to breathe. This song is more progressive and features more than a touch of black metal. I’m sure a lot of UK heavy metal bands and indeed fans would agree with the sentiment that Scandinavia has got it right in terms of it’s support for bands and metal culture. Bands from Denmark, Sweden and Norway especially get extra funding to help them along, which in turn means they’re able to do more and develop at a faster a rate. It’s something that i’m in favour of and should be used more widely by the countries. It’s something that has allowed Reverie to follow their passion. Gennem Dine is filled with blackened-thrash and highlights Reverie’s instrumental prowess, which the icy mood of First Reverie devours you. I have to admit, the longer numbers on Bliss are where it’s at for me. Circles bounces along at breakneck speed with devilish screams from Halfdan Holden Venlov. With From Sea To Shore, I’m reminded of exactly why I hold metal and punk high above any other musical form. The energy, the human contact and way I can identify much more with the bands that I hear. There’s certainly no pretence of album closer Blind At Heart. The jazz-laden bass flourishes throughout add more appeal and the song as whole galvanises why Bliss is such a strong debut record. Great stuff indeed!Stream and purchase Bliss (Digital Download/CD) via Invictus Productions below:-

Friday, 28 August 2015

I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to write about this beautiful record. I've been a huge fan of Swedish heavy screamo band No Omega for years now and when I found out that they were releasing a new EP via Dog Knights Productions, I jumped straight on it. Occupants was released in May, in collaboration with Protagonist Music in the US. It's a single-sided LP and was pressed on Ultra Clear w/Purple and White splatter (now sold out), Purple and straight Black vinyl. Each came with a special etched B-side.

No Omega have moved on a lot since Metropolis (which incidentally was the last record I reviewed by them). They’ve still got their heavy edge, but they employ guitar that’s more akin to atmospheric black metal (not gonna name names, but you know who I mean probably) as well as more angular rhythms. Passing is a belter of a song to start Occupants with and sums up No Omega’s power. The drumming is furious on Staying. This song is where their hardcore/metal influences are more obvious. Musically, everything about this EP is spot on and I’m not saying that lightly. From the chaotic to the introspective moments on Man/Monster alone, which is brimming with atmosphere to the blistering screams of Takers, there’s no momentum lost. Five tracks in not enough but Comfort is that little bit more expansive so all is forgiven. Melody wise, it’s not always immediate but when it does bristle underneath the vocals or when it becomes more prevalent in the instrumental passages, it spreads light over the record. The clear screams at the end of Comfort are spine-tingling and it leaves you wishing the record would play forever. It’s so great to see them moving forwards and finding their sound. Amongst the sea of underrated bands that lurk below the radars of the masses, No Omega are one of the best kept secrets yet to breakthrough. Lets keep it that way!

You can stream Occupants and pick it up as a digital download from No Omega below:-

Thursday, 27 August 2015

The Dropper's Neck are new to me, but it seems they've been getting a lot of exposure recently. The cover art was the first thing that caught my eye with this release (probably a pointless statement to make, I know), so I'm expecting good things.. The Dropper's Neck are a punk bands from Essex with rock n roll sensibilities. They formed in 2011 and have a full-length to their name. Nineteen | Sixteen was released in July and combines a whole host of influences and styles.

When I first saw the stunning cover art on Nineteen I Sixteen, I was expecting Amebix-level crust or some kind of Type O Negative worship, so wasn't expecting this. The whole EP appears to be based around the theme of war and it’s opener 57,470 is pretty harrowing with gunshots, screams and deafening feedback. Just when you think that they’re going to launch into some heavy and hateful noise, The Dropper’s Neck kick of with danceable riffs and cocky clean vocals on King & Country. It’s interspersed with harsh and snotty vocals in the vein of UK hardcore and Oi!. It’s a strange mix but on initial listen, it works pretty well. I’ve read that they’ve been compared to Gallows in previous reviews (which is why I never read other reviews before I write mine), but I can see what people mean even if it is a strange comparison. Somme brings to mind carnivals and weird-goth rock moods. I’d imagine this is what the clash of styles would be like if AFI and Depeche Mode suddenly joined forces. Line Me Up For The Firing Squad contains nice off-kilter riffs and a real sense of urgency. The Dropper’s Neck aren’t too beard-strokingly progressive, which means they keep their songs at a digestible and enjoyable length. That said, they are bizarrely dark to listen to. The horror-punk schtick on 200 Volts will get your attention, whether it was meant or not and the solo is great! They expend more raucous energy on Monster, which is a pretty apt title for the song in my opinion. It’s damn good and like the rest of the EP, gets more infectious as it rages. EP closing Stutter seems to tie in with King & Country, ending things on a story-like note. I was probably way off the mark with my initial thoughts about The Dropper’s Neck after seeing the cover, but I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The sheer breadth and skill that the UK punk scene contains is getting better and better. The Dropper’s Neck are another band that you should look out for.

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Vacivus spawned out of UK death metal band Dawn Of Chaos in 2013. After the release of a digital rehearsal demo last year, they linked up with the ever excellent Goatprayer Records (Napalm Christ, Gatecreeper, etc) to release their debut tape. Rite Of Ascension was released in July of this year and has since sold out! As if this tape release wasn't enough, they've also been playing live with so many awesome extreme bands including Necrosadistic Goat Torture, Sheol and Grave Miasma to name a few.

There’s something genuinely terrifying about Vacivus as opener Dark Apotheosis begins. The mix of harrowing feedback and raw black/death sets the bar instantly. It’s equal parts metallic and gut-wrenching with shrieking screams pitched alongside guttural growls. It’s unlike a lot of the over-produced death metal coming from the States and even our European cousins. It has real personality! The title-track leaps straight out at you through the speakers, with a whirlwind of kick-drum and technical guitar. The technicality is one thing that instantly struck me when listening to Vacivus, as they’ve obviously honed in previous bands to a very high extent and as a result it sounds even more brutal. As well as the obvious brutality, there’s also lashings of classic heavy metal hidden within Rite Of Ascension. The solo at the beginning of Ageless, Nameless is full of it. That adds another endearing quality of their music. This certainly isn’t death metal for those still in their (extreme metal) nappies, but it’s not unapproachable either. Ageless, Nameless is slightly progressive, whereas Hostis Rei is just plain hostile. Vacivus takes a more traditional approach here and thanks to live recording on the tape, they sound right at home. There’s no pretence or touch-ups going on and everything just slays as it should. Vacivum Aeternum ends Rite Of Ascension is similar fashion. Another five and a half minutes of sheer pain and occult hatred beckons you in for one last headbang. As early releases go, this one signals the intentions of Vacivus straight away. Epic death metal that doesn’t just stick to one blueprint, infusing element of black metal, doom, progressive and heavy metal to create music with it’s own identity. This is very good. You can stream Rite Of Ascension below:-

Monday, 24 August 2015

Recently, I got the chance to do an e-mail interview with Raging Speedhorn. No intros are really needed here. They're back, they're laying waste to the UK and they're going to be doing a new record. Like their music, they don't mess about and keep things to the point. Enjoy!

TNIO: Raging Speedhorn is probably one of the most recognisable names in UK underground metal, but what is the story behind the name? How did you come up with it?

Gordon Morison (Drums): The name comes from when you take a s*** load of speed and you get a hard on and we thought that would be an amazing name for a band *Laughs*!

TNIO: Was it an easy decision to come back and to write a new record? Have you been surprised by people’s reactions?

GM: It wasn't easy, it took about six months to get everyone together in a practice room but after the first practice it was back to business. With the record we thought “What's the point of coming back if we wasn't going to do a record?” We tested the water with “Halfway to Hell” and that came out sounding amazing so it was a no brainer really.

TNIO: You’ve chosen to raise funds for your new album by using a PledgeMusic campaign. How is it going and why did you chose that method? Does it give you more control as a band?

GM: Yes, it's going well at the moment. We thought it was just the right way to go with this record as we would have complete control. We're really looking forward to recording this record.

TNIO: Following your return you’ve played Damnation, Bloodstock and toured the UK. Is it easier setting up and playing gigs now than it was a decade ago?

GM: We love playing live. That's what Raging Speedhorn is all about, and if we could play more we would.

TNIO: In addition to the above question, how was it being on tour with Will Haven back in May?

GM: Good, we smashed them every night *laughs*.

TNIO: Could a Raging Speedhorn/Scurge split record and tour happen in the future?

GM: Not at the moment, as the singer and one of our best friends is in hospital sadly.

TNIO: I always ask bands this question - What bands are you currently listening to and who would you recommend to people (apart from yourselves)?

Sunday, 23 August 2015

We all take things too seriously, so thank god for those bands who have tongue planted firmly in cheek. I'm talking about the Mexican wrestling-inspired, Welsh? hardcore band Los Muchachos. Hola Bore Da, their amusingly titled debut EP, was released in June and the band has links to UK label Footloose Records. Heck, they've already featured alongside Harrowed live and recently were shortlisted to appear on the soundtrack to a horror movie called Sharracuda. They might even get TNA wrestling contracts next!

They kick off with a very familiar Mariachi Intro that leads into some pretty heavy-duty hardcore riffage. Drug Mule is equal parts heavy and comedic, but barely lasts a minute. Los Muchachos tell a story that’s up there with traditional Mexican folk-tales on Sangria, before upping the rage stakes on the title-track. I doubt that this band has any trouble stoking up a crowd. Their guitar-driven hardcore and beatdown is really enjoyable. especially on Alone-A-Corona. They end as they started, with an Outro that contains a solo-trumpet sample and more of their signature hardcore. Los Muchachos are not trying to be something they’re not. They’re instrumentally sound and are here to entertain. A gimmick is good every now and then!Stream Hola Bore Da and grab it as either a name-your-price-download or on CD here:-

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Once again I have writer's block, but this time it only goes as far as the title for this feature. Basically, I couldn't think of one. Hopefully the feature itself should do all the talking anyway. Norwegian metallers Dienamic released their second full-length "Afterlife" earlier this year via WormHoleDeath Records. They've recently become a five-piece and have been plying what they call "Arctic Death Metal" since 2009. This feature includes a review of their latest album and an interview, where Dienamic talk about their beginnings and why they're so feverishly adored in Japan!

TNIO: To start off, can you please give people an introduction to Dienamic? Who the members are and what brought you together as a band?

The band started up in 2010 by Odin and Gustav. The influences are taken from 80/90s thrash, groove metal and elements of hardcore and death metal. The only reason we are the band we are today is that we never stopped looking for the souls that really burned and had the passion for this line of work. We didn't want to make any compromise on how far people was willing to go. To survive and succeed in the music business today, especially in the metal genre, we had to set our goals ten to twenty years in the future. When we found people that shared our vision and music idea, then we became this band. It took five years and a lot of trial and error, and we are from a small city so it doesn't rain musicians with the big dream and balls to actually do it. Here we are, a band that are ready and equipped with a plan, some experience and a hell of a lot of determination and willpower to make this our livelihood.

TNIO: You released your latest full-length “Afterlife” in April. What has the reaction been like to the album so far?

Dienamic: The reaction has been over the top. It seem that this is a love or hate type of album. For the most part we have gained positive feedback. But for those who don't like it, i kind of agree with them on some issues. But you can't please them all. So far so good.

TNIO: What are the main lyrical themes going through “Afterlife?

Dienamic: Hmm, I think I have to go for war / revolutions as well as trying to put our eyes and minds in single individuals. Try to think what we would feel and do in different situations. It is impossible to do but we can feel the anger and frustration just thinking of it. There is also personal themes, global events and personal opinions around this. But for the most part, as I said, war and greed.

TNIO: You recently went on a European tour in support of “Afterlife”. How was the tour and what were the high points? Were there any moments that didn’t go so well?

Dienamic: The tour was a blast. I think all bands experience the same thing going on this kind of solo tours with local support, it may vary with attendance, and it did. Some places we played on Mondays and Tuesdays for 10-15 people. The energy from the audience was awesome everywhere. But the closer we came to the weekends the venues started to fill up. We all had different highlights, but I think I answer correct if I say that Zadar in Croatia and Banja Luka in Bosnia were the sickest shows.

We had a small gig in a biker club as the end show of the tour and nothing worked as it should. Eventually you are doomed to have that kind of show. As for the road we got pulled over by cops in Czech Republic, drove the big ass van up in the mountain on a small and rocky road, of course the GPS woman wasn't updated in Bosnia. Finally we got our ass on the highway, spent five hours in custom on the border to Bosnia. The police searched us, the van and all the equipment for drugs before letting us through. Ten meters from the border the engine failure lamp came on and we had to drive three hours with 50% engine power until we reached a workshop. For a tour that last for 3 weeks this was nothing, we were lucky I think.

TNIO: I read somewhere that Dienamic was the first metal band from North-Norway to tour in Japan (when you toured there in 2013 with Nightrage). You’re going back again this September as headliners. How does it feel to be going back to Japan again?

Dienamic: We are so looking forward to this tour, meeting up with friends, eating local food and just suck in the awesome culture that Japan has to offer. We don't actually know how many people there will be at the shows, we don't really care at this point, it's all about building the fan base. The people are nice and polite so you always feel welcome. Of course if you behave like a dick you will get in trouble. I just say don't get put in jail, you risk being locked away for 3 months with out any trial before banned from the country for life.

TNIO: What have been the highlights of your career so far as a band?

Dienamic: Japan tour 2013, supporting Sepultura in Belgrade 2014, Europe Tour 2015, release party for 'Afterlife' 2015 and Bukta Open Air Festival 2015. Hard to pick one as a favourite.

TNIO: Having been active as a band for sometime now and with more experience of the music industry, what advice would you give to new bands?

Dienamic: That is a very difficult task. I think it is more fare to give advice to each and every one of you out there that have a band or want to start a band.

Some things that I know work for us is:

If you are a five piece act you need -a Brain, maybe two but that is a risk to take. (The one that have the plan and are good at putting them into action)-A Star, that person should get people in their hand and make them yours (live stage). Can be a front man.-A lead guitar player that knows his shit is awesome, but be sure that he have some social antennas left so he don't forget to be the centre of attention when it is needed.-A Joker that you can make fun of, and he can make everybody else laugh when there is a down period.-A bass player that can play bass.

When you have collected all the pieces, get a job that pays more then you need. You put all your money and time in the band. While the other guys are working on how to spend all you money and get the band cool gigs you should practice your instrument daily. Play live and work on being a cool live act. If you are the best musician in the band teach the others what you know. Promote your band as best you can. Take step by step. Build you network around the band. Network is everything. Record labels can be a smart thing to have. They may have a good networks that you can benefit from. Get a promo agent and booking agency. With good quality recording of your music you are up and running.

Good luck!

Ps.If you just want to have a band as you hobby, and not ruin yourself.

Tell people around you and you will end up with the best musicians there is. The only thing you need know is a lot of beer and place to practice.

Tracklist:-

1. The Reaping

2. Innocent Gun

3. Revolution For Nothing

4. Where God Feeds

5. Dance With The Devil

6. You Still Walk

7. Generation Reboot

8. Overthrown

9. Afterlife

10. The End

Afterlife is full to the brim with modern, guitar-driven extreme metal. Dienamic takes influence from different corners of metal, including the Scandinavian scene (obviously) and also from their American cousins. Starting with blistering opener, The Reaping they throw breakneck drumming in with a huge barrage of riffs and melodic leads. The vocals are a mix of harsh death-metal like screams and semi-clean singing. People may here similarities between Dienamic and Lamb Of God, especially on Innocent Gun. I apologise for using such a comparison here, but sometimes a reference point is useful and I’m not saying that Dienamic are mere imitators either. They’re very adept at their craft and Afterlife is a pleasure to listen to. They break out some thrash-metal chops on Revolution For Nothing, which does nothing to slow the momentum of the album. Dienamic have got their song-structure game nailed as well. Where God Feeds lasts little over three-minutes but is brimming with hooks and just solid song-writing. Hearing Dance With The Devil made me smile a lot, because it reminds me of my teen years, discovering bands through Terrorizer and Metal Hammer magazines. A song that does that to you, can’t be bad at all. There’s a slightly menacing atmosphere lurking thing You Still Walk, which hasn’t been present in the songs prior. It’s pace is slightly slower yet it’s full of emotion and promise. Generation Reboot has all the makings of a modern classic and begs the question - Why aren’t Dienamic bigger?. Okay, so Overthrown does take the Lamb Of God influence a little too far, but you can’t have a metal album without some form of musical recycling can you! At least Dienamic can play their instruments well and with plenty of passion to boot. Just listen to kick-drumming towards the end! The title-track is very much their call-to-arms and highlights the quality of their melo-death. The opposite extremes of both harsh and clean vocals will appeal to a wide range of metal fans and show why Dienamic have gained support slots alongside Sepultura and Rage, to name a but couple. Afterlife ends rather fittingly, with a song called The End. This album has twister and turned it’s way through nearly forty-minutes of top quality thrash-laden death metal and it’s well worth your time.Afterlife isn't streaming on Bandcamp or anything as far as I can tell. but you can watch videos for both Revolution For Nothing and Dance With The Devil via Dienamic's website here - http://www.dienamic.no/video/.You can buy merch including CD copies of Afterlife from Dienamic here - http://www.dienamic.no/store/

Monday, 17 August 2015

When I came to write this opening paragraph I got writer's block. I couldn't think of what to say, so I sat and pondered for a while. I suppose that's the kind of effect this secretive black/doom trio wants to achieve. After forming in 2011 it took them three years to release this as a demo tape. They also released it digitally before Pesanta Urfolk gained interest enough to put out a 10" earlier this year. Knowing that Predatory Light's members have pretty extensive experience in the US extreme metal underground, you should be in safe hands here. The mystery and elusiveness surrounding them should up the excitement too.

Opener Changing Skins begins in a folky vein before swirling black metal takes over. The vocals sit deep in the mix and bring to mind another well known US entity that has links to this band. One minute it’s doomed-out and the next it’s icy cold. The guitar provide plenty of foreboding melody while the drums flail and cymbals crash in metallic harmony. There’s a much more claustrophobic feel to second track Spiritual Flesh, created by it’s crawling pace. After a short while, Predatory Light once again hit the loud pedal. They switch between raucous black metal passages and slow sections throughout the song’s near 11-minute playing time. Both songs present a really good introduction to Predatory Light. If you're into mournful doom-laden black metal, check this out.Stream MMXIV here:-

Saturday, 15 August 2015

If I could quit work and find a way to live (comfortably) doing this, I would. I hate office politics. Anyway, enough ranting from me. Here's a 7" that came out in October last year via Magic Bullet Records. Richmond (VA) band Bleach Everything and solo-project Vors combined to put two tracks onto wax for this split. For the uninitiated, Bleach Everything contains members of Iron Reagan and Suppression, while Vors is a project related to Ides Of Gemini, so the pedigree should be strong in this one.

Pressing play on this split is like literally venturing into the unknown for me. It starts with Bleach Everything and The Moaner, which opens like a thrash song. The vocals sound like whispers turned up to the max and it’s off-kilter too. Weird noise is all good. Talking of weird noise, Vors take things further down that path with a goth-like number in the form of Mood Swinger. This isn’t what I was expecting at all, but the combination of goth and black-metal like growls are strongly alluring. It’s over pretty quickly but it highlights the experimentation that goes on when people are allowed to venture from their main bands. I can get into this!Stream the split here:-

Earlier this year Hells Headbangers re-released an EP by one of USDM's most enduring bands, Incantation. Entrantment Of Evil was originally released as a 7" by Seraphic Decay Records in 1990 and then again by Relapse Records a year later. It holds a special place in Incantation's discography for being the only release that featured the vocals of Mortician's Will Rahmer. It's now been reissued on 12" MLP and features a special bonus track as well. Incantation are going to be playing the Housecore Horror Festival in November and they are currently tracking for a new record next year, so it's perfect timing to unearth this early death metal gem!

Alongside Swedish Death Metal, USDM probably has one of the most written about histories in the genre. Incantation helped to forge that history when they started out in 1989. Entrantment Of Evil was their first official release, featuring songs taken from their first two demos and now it’s available again thanks to Hells Headbangers. The first tat strikes you on the opening title-track is just how technical Incantation were, even in their infancy. The music itself switched between mid-paced and warp-speed death with deep growls and the occasional screaming solo. Eternal Torture contained a faint whiff of sludge and one hell of a foreboding atmosphere. The great about this release of the E is that is doesn’t take anything away from their original sound. It’s still as murky and as raw and it would have been then. The guitar is thick on Unholy Massacre, which grinds intensely throughout. They slow the pace down at times and groove their way through passages, but that doesn’t take away from the depressive feel. Their ability to change time-signatures without effecting the momentum of the song proves why they’ve become so enduring in the scene. The urgency of Devoured Death would have made it a great ending on the original 7”, but on the reissue there’s an extra surprise. The super-raw bonus track Profanation, which featured on Incantation’s original demo. It’s extra raw but is a nice addition for fans. An early artifact from one of death metal’s most prolific bands and one that people should check out if they haven’t already.
The record is available to buy from HH here - http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/incantation-entrantment-of-evil-vinyl

Wednesday, 12 August 2015

No matter how many times we say that we're peaceful and compassionate, a fascination with disturbing and violent imagery is ingrained in us. It's that fascination that tells us we must go and watch the latest SAW movie, even though we spent most of the last one with our hands in front of our eyes. It's that same fascination that draws us to the musical equivalent. Tonight's case in point is Skinsuit. You might have read my interview with this new noise band a little while ago. A bit of time has passed but they now have an EP out for your aural displeasure. Still bathed in mystery and feedback they draw comparisons to Cattle Decapitation and sickening death metal.

This UK trio is hellbent on messing with you psyche. It’s noticeable right from the initial sample at the start of “Civilised” Habits. A sub two-minute slab of roaring grind tells you all you need to know. There’s no room for sunlight on Bodysnatcher, with an atmosphere as black as night and a guitar/drum duo that leaves no time for sentiment. That mood follows on with Anemic Functionary. It’s enough to make you lethargic and unresponsive! Skinsuit aren’t just about fast grind though, as Everything Floats Down Here proves. Swathes of low guitar feedback sit alongside the harrowing sample that kicks off this five-minute slab of hateful noise. What follows could have been dredged from the lowest depths. Brazen Bull kick-starts your jumpiness almost immediately with another blast of powerviolence, while the amusingly titled Fat Bags bludgeons you with one final hammer blow. I’ve always thought that people were being over the top when they said “It’s grim up North”, but now I finally see what they mean!

Skinsuit are offering their EP as a digital download, with the added bonus of a physical CD copy at cost once they're produced. So if you pay for a download, you'll get a CD. Stream and download it here:-

Sunday, 9 August 2015

A lots been happening Brighton recently. Firstly, noisy punk/metal trio War Wolf called it a day and then related punks Teef did that same thing shortly after. This post gathers together their split tape with Minors that was released last year, as well as their final 7"/Tape Admit Defeat. Just like War Wolf, Teef went out on high by playing Temples Festival as well as generally playing everywhere on the South Coast recently.

Tracklist:-

1. Teef - Living For The Sake Of It!

2. Minors - Not Waving, But Drowning

This tape was released at the back end of 2014. Containing one track fro Teef and one from Canadian heavy punks Minors. Keeping it in the family is something Teef do well and this tape was released by Headless Guru Records. HGR released the Minors demo on tape in 2013 and it was only the label's fourth release at the time. The tape itself features the usually high attention to detail that you always get with HGR release. The card case featuring the awesome artwork on the front, while you've got all the usual credits and song-titles on the back. Add to that the lyric sheet included and the colourful orange tape and you're on to a winner!

Teef’s side is full of snotty UK punk aggression. Living For The Sake Of It! is more classic punk than pop punk and it’s over before it’s started. The recording gives them a great raw edge, with live percussion that’s not been put through any filters, actual riffs and unhinged vox. Like Teef, this is the first recording from Minors since their demo in 2013. Not Waving, But Drowning is immediately straight-in-your-face. Stylistically Minors sound is heavier and more metallic, but they to incorporate their fare share of punk. The drum rhythms at the mid-point are a two-steppers wet dream and they round the split is chaotic fashion.Physical tapes have sold out from both HGR and from the bands, but you can still get a free stream and download here:-

Teef's epitaph came in the form of this 7". It was delayed due to the ever-growing clusterfuck that is Record Store Day but was well worth the wait when it did arrive. There was a tape version released by CoF Records as well earlier this year, which came with different artwork as well as CD version from HGR. The 7' version is one of the nicest I've seen for ages. The record itself is pressed onto glow-in-the-dark yellow vinyl and is housed in a really sturdy sleeve. It was collaborative release by Headless Guru Records, Tadpole Records, Let The Bastards Grind and Animal Defence Records.

It’s a nice effort being able to fit ten songs onto a 7”. Opener Scum is utterly chaotic and pulls no punches when it comes to Teef’s hatred of others. They let their anger go on the aptly named Cathartic Release. There’s plenty of crossover appeal on Consumed, with thrash-filled riffs all the way through the song. They somehow manage to make shorter songs like Pressure still seem longer. There’s plenty going on and that feeling is helped by it’s stop-start nature. Erase Them closes out side A with a barrage of riffs, cymbal crashes and deafening feedback. Side B is even more of a shit-grinning pleasure to listen to. Erase Yourself definitely contains some War Wolf influence in the chugging guitar intro. From there though, things get messy! Four songs in about two-and-a-half minutes. Voices ends before you can say it’s name while Still Here flirts with both sludge-groove and powerviolence. Paid In Years talks about pointless existence and Wasted Life is just as negative, but not in musical terms. Teef have proved that it’s better to burnout than to fade away, which has been the case with so many quality punk bands over the years. It’s sad to them depart but from their ashes, new things will rise. You can grab the 7" and CD from Teef here and it's available for name-your-price-download too:-

Friday, 7 August 2015

After a bit of break, I'm back with another instalment of Underground Uncovered. In this series of ongoing features, I take a look at and share new or unheard bands. For me heavy metal and punk is all about discovery and if you're prepared to do some digging about, you'll be rewarded with some great finds. Feature number 4 brings me to the ever expanding and enthralling USBM scene and the Olympia (Washington) quartet Eigenlicht. I've been lucky enough to speak to the band about their beginnings, their 2015 debut release and experiences as a band. I'll also be reviewing their EP "Sacral Regicide" later in the piece.

TNIO: Can you provide an introduction into Eigenlicht and who the band members are?

Eigenlicht was formed in 2013 in the late Autumn in Olympia, WA. Past and current projects of members include Vradiazei, Fauna, Skagos and Ekstasis. Our music wrestles with the cyclical psyche, amplifying the tension between its subsequent annihilation and the attainment of inner mastery. We make these kinds of transformative revelations present in our music by exposing new twists in the labyrinth we walk together.

TNIO: You recently released “Sacral Regicide” on tape. How important was it for Eigenlicht to have a physical release available for fans?

While we sacrificed a certain amount of sonic clarity in releasing a cassette tape, the tape more effectively encourages the listener to live with the recording in its entirety.

TNIO: What are some the themes present in your music? Nowadays, it seems as though black metal takes its imagery and narrative from many different places, is that the case with your music?

The focus of Eigenlicht lies within the realms of ancient mythology. We are interested in what truths may be told by stories that have managed to survive over thousands of years. In Sacral Regicide we focused on the centuries-old practice of ritual regicide, wherein a King and his entire court were sacrificed to the heavens upon the end of his Eon as accorded by the stars. This practice can be traced to several different archaic high civilizations. To Eigenlicht, this concept is the ideal representation of spiritual death in return for new growth. Perhaps a little predictably, setting these themes to Black Metal carried the spirit of the journey best. We want the listener to use our music as a chariot by which to bravely hasten the ascendance of the heart.

TNIO: Eigenlicht maintains a low-key presence in terms of Social Media and live shows? Is that something that you have purposefully aimed for? Are you planning to perform live in the future?

Our live performances are the most important element of our identity as a band. We work toward an atmosphere that invalidates reality, while offering an inescapably dreamlike context where nothing is impossible. The Internet will never be able to convey this kind of immersive experience.

TNIO: How has the collective experience of the members helped Eigenlicht as a band?

Our individually unique backgrounds as musicians cultivates our sound. Collectively we share strong interests in traditional folk music from many different cultures, archaic languages, and early western classical music.

TNIO: Olympia, Washington is home to some of metal’s most influential bands including Earth and Wolves In The Throne Room. What is it about Olympia that keeps producing such bands and what is it like to be part of the city’s heavy music scene?

The energy in Olympia is one that affects all who live here. We have a long and dark winter, and fuelled by the lack of light and close tides many people are inspired to plough through arduous artistic processes. There is also a high availability of space in which to air one’s own experiments. The close proximity of wild spaces and abundant natural beauty is prima materia for these kinds of introspective and Æsthetic endeavors.

TNIO: Following on from that previous question, are there any other bands in Olympia that you specifically like that people should listen to?

Spectral Hatchery, Ēōs.

TNIO Finally, what are the future plans for Eigenlicht (that you can talk about)?

The continued path toward personal and collective transformation/annihilation.

Tracklist:

1. Province Of Immolated Kings

2. Autor Ego Audendi

Eigenlicht draw inspiration from the nature around them, from the mysterious and even the mystical. Their collective love for folk-music allows them to detach themselves from the extremities of their chosen musical path and in doing so, has helped them to craft Sacral Regicide. While many others have formed bands that appeal to today’s shortening attention span, Eigenlicht presents a more measured approach. On Province Of Immolated Kings, their black metal is peppered with melodic keys, razor-sharp guitar and tortured screams. The addition of analog drums provides them with a colder backdrop as well, while the organ is hauntingly real. After the pacier assault of opener Province…, the initial bars of Autor Ego Audendi are strangely relaxing. Of course in true black metal style, that feeling doesn’t last very long as not even a minute has gone by when they hit full throttle again. It’s hard not to get swept away by the music on Sacral Regicide. With so many bands vying for attention in the murky depths of USBM, very few get the attention they actually deserve. Listening to this EP should change all of that for Eigenlicht. Hopefully, there’ll be plenty more to come from this mysterious four-piece in the future. There's no social media presence for you to get hung up on, but you can stream Sacral Regicide here via Eigenlicht's bandcamp page:-

Wednesday, 5 August 2015

I first wrote about this band last year in their previous guise, as Night Runner. They released a tape via Headless Guru Records. Shortly after that review, I received an e-mail from the band letting me know that they'd released a new demo and changed their name. Anyway, Some Nerve are from Massachusetts and it turns out that the band features members of a few really decent US hardcore bands and are also now on Triple B Records!

Some Nerve know how to write hardcore with a killer punk vibe. Their 2014 demo contains three quicker tracks that is more akin to the hardcore being written by The Flex and Perspex Flesh. Make Me Numb is shouty and feature some great riffs. Crippled is noisy and full of ringing feedback. Hardcore isn’t all about slickly produced records and Some Nerve are as dirty as they are fun. The urgency they bring suits their music well and it sticks in your head. Closing no sooner than it’s begun, the demo ends with Strong Hand. I like the direction that Some Nerve have gone in here. I’m looking forward to hearing new material when it eventually arrives on Triple B!Stream and download the demo here:-

Tuesday, 4 August 2015

Following yesterday's foray into German hardcore, today I'm moving across the border to Austria. Symbolon released their debut EP last November and have been notching up plenty of shows in their home country, including a support slot alongside Evergreen Terrace. As they're still pretty new, there's not a great deal else to say but I have a soft spot for metalcore and felt like giving this EP a shot.

Symbolon lists a lot of modern metal influences on their Facebook page and when you hear the intro riffs to Cerberus, you won’t be surprised by this. That said, impressions are very good as Symbolon are pretty damn heavy during the opening versus. The song is resplendent with a typically melodic chorus but the band doesn’t ruin it with any silly electronic touches, so it’s encouraging. Flo Wagner (who provides guitar and clean vocals) has quite a dramatic deep singing voice too. Another plus point with Symbolon is that they don’t lean to heavily on their American influences, especially in the vocal department. They stay on the right side of the metalcore fence on Fragments. The drumming is really strong when at full pelt and there’s a real low-end underpinning the music. The title-track starts with mid-paced stomp before erupting into a frenzy of kick-drumming. It’s strangely anthemic as the lead riffs ring out. Even though this genre of metal is seen as a stepping stone onto heavier things for a lot of people, there’s still plenty to enjoy if you’re less discerning. The EP ends with White Hills and with a clean vocal passage that regales “Waking The Fallen” era Avenged Sevenfold, as bold but rewarding move. Overall the song is well-structured and like the rest of the EP, you an tell that Symbolon weren’t content with just putting out any old material. They’ve thought about it and have proved that sometimes, simpler is better!Symbolon don't seem to have the EP streaming online in full anywhere but you can view a video for the title track below:-

Monday, 3 August 2015

At the back end of last year, UK label Footloose Records released the debut EP by German hardcore band Slope. It was released on tape, while a 7" version was put out by Backbite Records (Germany). Slope have continued a sharp upward trend in quality Euro hardcore recently and have managed to bag shows alongside bands like Harms Way and Angel Dust this year, as well as with countless other. They've just recently finished a lengthy stint in Europe too, so there's no denying their work ethic.

Slope very much come from the groove-laden end of the hardcore spectrum and show it in their Intro. The title-track gathers that groove and injects in plenty of pace. Even if you’re listening to this in your house, you’ll be hard pressed not to move around in some form as their solid riffs take hold. It’s not to tough-guy either, which is a plus. Keeping things swift and to the point is another selling point with Slope, as Thorns keeps the momentum going well. Agnostic Front springs to mind during the latter half of the song, which is no bad reference point at all, even with the R’N’B sample towards then end which is a bit random. Thrash is the word as Washout rings through the speakers. It’s mighty good song too! The groove that opened up Helix is once again ushered in during Mermaid. The production on the EP lends itself really well to Slope’s angry hardcore, as it’s not too polished and allows them to still express plenty of true feeling. You think that closing song Bark ’n Bite is going to be a mid-paced chugger, before Slope turn on a dime and continue their full scale assault. This is the longest song on the EP, but don’t worry it’s not a progressive rock opera or anything! The rhythm section is really punchy while the lead work is more prominent throughout. Slope threaten full-on breakdowns but never rely on them to hammer home their point. The vocals are vicious enough as it is. This is a quick-fire blast of genuinely strong hardcore and I’m hoping for more from these guys in the future.You can stream and download (name-your-price) Helix via Slope's bandcamp page below:-

Saturday, 1 August 2015

Finally some peace and quiet! Peace and quiet that is about to be ended by the sounds of atmospheric black metal, in the form of Maine (USA) solo-project Feign. Into The Void is Feign's second release, following the debut EP Lost To Eternity. It's also counted as the third digital release by US underground black metal label Into The Night Records. Feign as a band and recording entity only surfaced earlier this year, so is still pretty new. Judging by the artwork for both this demo and the previous one, Feign is more your cosmic black metal band as opposed to a satanic/kill all humans type, which is good in my opinion, because it means less gimmicks and more progressive music. I've featured my fair share of solo black metal on these pages in recent years, so getting the chance to listen to new bands is always exciting.

In this day and age, even home recorded music (which tends to be the preserve of solo projects) is of a very high standard in most cases. Feign’s ambient guitar and strong blackened shrieks perfectly illustrate that point on Deathwisher. At this point I must confess that I’m only assuming that Into The Void has been home-recorded, so apologies if that assumption is not accurate. I’ve gravitated towards this form of black metal and bands like Deafheaven in recent years instead of the shock and awe of Watain et al, so forgive me if I sound a bit too enthusiastic about this, as Deathwisher’s sprawling instrumentation really is impressive. The lead guitar work on Soulcrusher adds to the ambient quality of Into The Void, before it’s rudely snatched away by icy drum blasts and similarly cold screams. As much as metal is built on the expectation of riffs, even in music such as this there is plenty to enjoy and indeed plenty that will stick in the memory. It’s that bedrock of metal DNA that manifests itself on Soulcrusher thanks to some awesome dual-guitar melodies. Demo closer Stargazer is brief by comparison but it’s clean guitar more than makes up for that. The feeling of calm and peace that is created by Stargazer leaves you feeling almost weightless and rounds out a release that was all-too-short. Three songs is not enough, but thankfully Feign has a full-length on the way. As demo’s go though, this is gonna be really hard to beat. Into The Void is available digitally as a pay-what-you-want download and for streaming below:-