Five Days of Rain - Through 1000 Eyes [Single 2012]

Genre: Black Metal / Deathcore

Release Date: 2012

Location: Italy

Tracklist:

1. The Awakening

Sothis "De Opresso Liber" Review

Genre: Symphonic Black Metal

Label: Candlelight Records

Release Date: 2008

Black Metal has never been a genre bands play to gain massive popular acclaim. More than a style of music, the very essence of being a black metal band is one of anonymity and obscurity. Certainly there are some bands that break through this and become at the very least successful and widely known in the metal scene (one thinks of such bands as Dimmu Borgir or Behemoth). Sothis, hailing from The United States, California no less, an area that, while producing many metal acts is not known for the nihilistic and dark elements that often makes up the sound of Black Metal. Their debut album on Candlelight Records “De Opresso Liber” is if nothing else an immensely competent black metal album. All the necessary elements are there, the tremolo style guitars, the unending pounding drums, the keys that have been arranged in an intensely ethereal fashion. The tracks themselves are all masterfully arranged and recorded so much so that to name one particular track as a standout is to do a disservice to the other tracks and to the album itself, lyrically there are some cohesive concepts but even without telling a narrative that progresses from song to song, Sothis has made an album that demands to be heard sequentially in its entirety.

There is nothing particularly wrong with “De Opresso Liber” and that is the albums greatest strength and weakness, listeners will hear a band that is talented that is for sure, all the members of Sothis are extremely well versed in their particular instrument. What listeners may be wondering is “where is the challenge?” This genre of music is so rebellious by its very nature that it almost seems like an obligation of any band who takes up arms in the name of Black Metal must also find a way to challenge the preconceived notions had about the music they play. While not a groundbreaking effort, “De Opresso Liber” is without a doubt a solid album, the experience will be familiar to those already fans of this genre, those delving into this form of music for the first time would be hard pressed to find a better example of what the genre is all about.

Rating: 4/5

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Fallujah "The Harvest Wombs" Review

Genre: Progressive/Technical Black/Death Metal

Label: Unique Leader Records

Release Date: 2011

Being from a state generally thought of as one of the brightest most sunny places in the U.S. if not the world, it would seem that a band like Fallujah, being from that area would not be able to create a soundscape as cold, dense, and sinister as they have on their long awaited full length debut "The Harvest Wombs". Admittedly, many metal bands originate in California but Fallujah takes the rage exhibited by groups like Suicide Silence and Carnifex, punch that rage up a notch and throw their own blend of black magic onto it. The band has amazing guitar work that makes for a wonderful mix of both technically intelligent and punishingly churning music that is layered over bashing catchy drumming and mixed with some of the most sinister vocals in the genre and beautiful haunting ambient sections. The band has all these assets at their disposal and yet never overdoes any of it. Songs like "Alpha Incipient"and "Prison of the Mind" make use of Fallujah's more ambient elements while "Become One" and "Ritual of Godflesh" are some of the songs that call upon the guitarists to carry the songs, although this is not meant to say when one element is present the other is absent.

All of Fallujah brings their dark diabolical sound to all the songs on this album, even the instrumentals! Lets talk about the instrumentals! The tracks "The Flame Surreal" and "The Harvest Wombs", two massive instrumental tracks that the band sneak into the album and both tracks that are packed full with just as much genius and darkness as the rest of the album. The closing track "Assemblage of Wolves" reminds listeners that Fallujah may have the ability to make roaring technical music, but they also have phenomenal abilities at making crushing music. "The Harvest Wombs" is a delightful album that is sure to impress fans of heavy music from The Faceless to Wolves in the Throne Room. To readers who have yet to listen to "The Harvest Wombs", get to it! And to Fallujah if any of the band members are reading this review of your new album, do more like this one!!

Rating: 5/5

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Enfold Darkness "Our Cursed Rapture" Review

Genre: Technical Death Metal / Black Metal

Location: Nashville, TN

Sumerian Records is known for signing technically proficient bands that often fall under the category of deathcore. Certainly there are few people who would protest that practice as it brought the metal community such groups as Veil of Maya and Born of Osiris. It is a breath of fresh air though to listen to Tennessee’s own Enfold Darkness on their Sumerian debut “Our Cursed Rapture”. The musicians in this band are without a doubt technically proficient one and all, takes for example drummer Jack Blackburn’s extreme hammering throughout the entire album and certainly exemplified on such tracks as “Exaltations” parts one and two or the excellent timing showcased on “Our Cursed Rapture” or guitarists Matt Brown and James Turk displaying their talents on the same tracks and their fearsome work on songs like “In the Galleries of the Utmost Evil” which includes a nice soft jazzy passage that was an interesting turn from a band that stands on both sides of the Black Metal and Death Metal divide and never once upsets the delicate balance needed to pull that blend out sound off successfully. Enfold Darkness never once sounds like a death metal band, or a black metal band, they sound like a band that has learned the discipline and ferocity to combine those two savage and chaotic sounds and mix them together with a dose of amazing musical skill to boot. Bass on this recording was also handled by James Turk who clearly grasps the fact that too little or too much bass swings this album into one genre or the other and has managed to find equilibrium that listeners will be sure to delight in. Justin Corser’s vocals are just as extreme as he displays his ability to shriek and belt out lyrics, backed up by guitarists Matt Brown’s own hisses and snarls that would make even the holiest of the holy tremble in their sadistic wake. “Altars of Perdition” an acoustic instrumental track that is nowhere as brutal or fiery as the other songs on this record but is every bit as infectious and haunting furthers the idea that Enfold Darkness is a band as full of talent as it is surprises. A nice touch that I feel is a bonus to all those with the hard copy of this album is the liner notes, aside from providing essential lyrics also credits the extremely talented guitarists along with guest guitarist on several songs, Malcolm Pugh with guitar solos displacing the lyrics a bit to show where they performed them, certainly not an essential element of the albums experience but just a nice aesthetic touch. There is no fair way to sum up “Our Cursed Rapture” concisely, suffice it to say this is an extraordinary album by a phenomenal band that has found a way to stand out in an increasingly crowded metal scene. The concepts, the music, the liner notes, it’s all there and it gives those who listen to it an immensely rare experience. As a fan who discovered this band when they were still unsigned, I felt at the time the band deserved the chance to be heard, they have had it, and it has exceeded all expectations. Certainly their next effort, although with several lineup changes has this reviewer waiting with great anticipation.

Rating: 5/5

Greg The Hero "Of Defiance" EP Review

Genre: Death Metal / Hardcore / Black Metal

Location: Iowa, US

Greg The Hero, a 6 piece death metal/hardcore/black metal act out of Iowa, has unleashed their latest effort, Of Defiance EP. And I will certainly give them an "A" for effort and execution! This EP will absolutely punch you in the face from start to finish. What is particularly refreshing is the unique blend of deathcore and melodic pieces throughout. This EP isn't just about brutality, although there is plenty of it! The dual vocalists battling it out, the guitar sweeps, blast beats, and even piano interludes all blend together to form this amazing EP.

1. Bryn Mawr - This track sets the tone of the entire album. The opening quote is from The Departed, although slowed down. The instruments start to fade up and disappear the quote finishes with "If you're faced with a loaded gun...what's the difference?". A single snare blast signals the start of the chaos. Blast beats and dissonance will fill your ears as the vocalists start. The heaviness absolutely does not let up. Breakdowns, harmonics, feedback, palm muting, crushing vocals, and triplets are all present. The song takes a turn when the piano kicks in, to be a little more melodic. A rhythmic build up leads up to the final breakdown, and the end of one hell of an opening track.

2. Northern Moon Final - This track starts drastically different from the first, but not in a bad way. The band starts to show their technical roots here as a whole. Don't worry, they still break it down, hard. Listen closely and you will hear the bass player grooving out; something you don't hear enough of from bands. The keyboard is more present in this song laying down textures and more piano. This song really takes a black metal turn the more it goes on, which is unexpected, but it fits.

3. Forging a Legacy - They left the melody on the previous track and just come out of the gates hard on this one. This song certainly solidifies their roots in deathcore, but that's not to say their other influences aren't present. It's hard to put into words, but the combination of black metal and deathcore is done in such a pleasing way. It's a short track, but they cram a lot of influences and styles in there.

4. White Elephant Holiday - The first couple seconds of this track remind me heavily of Dillinger Escape Plan. The drummer is really showing off in this track. It's business as usual until we hit an awesome, unexpected tempo change to slow it down. This song is just down and dirty. Nothing pretty about it, just the way I like it. The end of the track takes an interesting turn with almost angelic voices in the background, as it does a 180 and breaks it down.

5. Weight of the World - The final track on this EP leaves nothing behind. Everything is showcased here by the band. It's fast and it never lets up. You get crazy drumming, sweeps, keyboard textures, and much more packed into this song. The energy in this song is almost palpable. The keys really slow the last breakdown to a crawl as the final song on this EP comes to a close.

Rating: 4/5