The snowy darkness of the Northwestern U.S. has a blister of aggression called 36 Crazyfists. This Alaskan outfit’s 2004 opus, “A Snow Capped Romance” [Roadrunner Records], is a Melodic Aggro Metal whirlwind of sheer, brilliant rage. 36 Crazyfists is the perfect aggregate of melodic agility and pure brutality. Dynamic arrangements propel forward harsh, melodious guitars …
In the chaotic brilliance of Melodic Black Death Metal, one band leaves the scorched earth in their trail. That act is the amazing Naglfar. Their 2004 reissue of the classic 1998 opus a
Well, it’s just this simple…Colorado’s Throcult is the best, new Black Metal band to come along in ages. Their 2003 opus, “Soldiers Of A Blackened War” [Crash Music, Inc.], is a monumental epic of infernal glory. Fiery, fearless, and utterly aggressive, Throcult is as brilliant as harsh. Throcult has a highly skilled, dynamic style..fusing intricate, …
Created with one intent, the band Decrepit Birth has succeeded in creating a style of true brutality. Their 2003 opus of brute force glory, titled “…And Time Begins” [Unique Leader Records], is sheer, stark power unleashed. (This act features former members of Dying Fetus, Deprecated, and Misery Index.) Brutal Death Metal is what Decrepit Birth …
Remember a little old band called Pantera? Well they ain’t nothin’ compared to Brick Bath. It is a bold statement, I know. But it is true. Brick Bath‘s 2003 opus, “Rebuilt” [Crash Music, Inc.], takes Powercore to the next level of ferocity. While Pantera was hammering-out crap over the past several years, Brick Bath was …
There once was a fiery little monster of a band from Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.A.) called Stuck Mojo. They released a monumental album called “Snappin’ Necks” that combined Aggro Rapcore Metal with Hard Rock and even some small amounts of Death Metal. Years passed, and they released good albums that had softened a bit and emphasized …
Gothic Industrial Metal is a smaller scene than what it used to be. The most notable acts of this genre including Jack Off Jill, Sisters Of Mercy, Marilyn Manson, and Godhead. But SPF1000 is another band of excellent merit. Their 2003 opus, “Witch Hunt” [Dark Future Music], is not brutal but has a dark edge …
Black Metal is not a Scandinavian monopoly. One of the world’s best Black Metal bands is from Russia. That band is the vicious Rossomahaar. Their 2003 opus, “Quaerite Lux In Tenebris (Exploring The External Worlds)” [Xtreem Music], is Poetic/Epic Black Metal at its greatest. This is melodic, sublime darkness surpassed by none. Sharp, acidic shrieks …
Some things defy the laws of physics. One of those is the 2001 opus, titled “Firedemon” [Century Media Records], by Carnal Forge. Carnal Forge takes a relentless form of Swedish Death Metal and gives it a brutal sensibility. Blasting, breakneck guitars scrape against frenzied rhythms, catchy melodies with a crazed virulence, and shrill Death growl …
Italy is known for many things, but it is not renowned for its great Metal bands. But one act that should be widely known about is the wildly cool Grindcore band Cripple Bastards. Their 2004 opus, “Desperately Insensitive” [Necropolis Records], is a bruiser of Crust/Grind genius reminiscent of Rotten Sound and Dying Fetus. This one …