Album Review: THY ART IS MURDER Human Target (07/26)

Australian deathcore heavy weight from Western Sydney, Thy Art Is Murder have successfully keep the deathcore banner high since their inception in 2006. Their debut album The Adversary (2010) and persistent touring led them to sign with Nuclear Blast to release the sophomore effort Hate in 2012. Since then the line-up has been stable despite some drama regarding the departure and return of singer Chris "CJ" McMahon. In 2015 I came across the play through video of  "Shadow Of Eternal Sin". Hate cover and this song made me think of them as a tech death band, so I gave it a shot and soon bought their then new release Holy War (again awesome cover). When listening to a full record, I realized Thy Art Is Murder is actually a deathcore band and hence how it became the first one of the few bands in this genre that I appreciate. 2017's Dear Desolation was another good album.

Now Human Target is the fifth studio album from the band and the first for drummer Jesse Beahler (ex-Black Crown Initiate, ex-Jungle Rot). The album was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Will Putney and artist Eliran Kantor supplied the artwork.

Overall the sound of the record follows the same line as the predecessors, but it's also a small step forward. While Human Target's sound is truthful to Thy Art Is Murder deathcore roots, it's more death metal than core. Beahler's technique, blast beats and groove is a major step up for their sound. Take for example the groovy "Death Squad Anthem" and the vile title track. While still not enough, the guitars at times go beyond palm-muted chugs. In the single "Make America Hate Again" which is the best song on the record, the guitar work and its thrash riff are fantastic. But also, obviously twisting the term ‘Make america Great Again" (Donald trumps slogan), it has a brilliant title. "Voyeurs into Death" is another riffy song worth checking. Throughout the album, singer CJ uses his versatility of high and low pitched screams to deliver a great and diverse vocal performance. A highlight being "New Gods" with a huge intro and chorus that will prove a live favorite. Then there's "Eternal Suffering", a welcomed distinct track, longer and adventurous. It features a sort of build up followed by furious blast beats and occasional breakdowns.

Now, the album is not perfect and the second half can get a bit repetitive. The lack of guitar riffs in the first songs and the overuse of chugging guitars is acceptable for some songs songs, but later it gets frustrating. Specially because we now know they can do better. Smartly the band inserted the Behemoth-like track "Eye for an Eye" as second to last track and keep things interesting to get through the end. It also helps that it's a straightforward album with ten tracks in just under 40 minutes.

Human Target takes a grim look at humanity and musically delivers a DEATHcore sound that while it in line with their sound is also pushing their boundaries slightly forward by adding more elements and versatility. I just wish they would push themselves even further. After Whitechapel, now Thy Art Is Murder is proving that when done right deathcore can be an interesting metal genre.

SCORE: 80/100
Genre: Deathcore
Released by Nuclear Blast on July 26th, 2019

Album Review: HOLLOW HAZE Between Wild Landscapes and Deep Blue Seas (07/12)

Hollow Haze was formed in 2003 in Vicenza, Italy and released six studio albums before disbanding in 2015. During those years the band worked with several singers including Fabio Lioni (Rhapsody). Nick Savio (Guitars) decided to reform the band with a new line-up and a fresh, new sound. As a consequence, Between Wild Landscapes and Deep Blue Seas is their first album in 4 years.

I haven't been in contact with Hallow Haze before, and BWLADBS was a interesting surprise during a week in which other new releases didn't appeal to me. The new album is melodic, sort of heavy, and symphonic. It clearly follows the hard rock/power metal Italian school. It's also easy to get through, 11 tracks in 50 minutes. I praise the bands that still take the time to craft a good album from start to finish. Even though people that appreciate that are fewer and fewer. I'm saying this because Hallow Haze gives us the best album they could with the material they had. The first three songs including the single "Oblivion" was a smart move. They are all strong songs, fast paced, heavy with several hooks and great choruses. The middle section presents two of their best tracks: "The Upside Down" is probably the heaviest track on the album in which singer Fabio Dessi goes a bit more aggressive. The guitar riff is on the foreground backed up by the keys, but it's the guitar solo that is the big highlight. And "New Era" despite being relatively short has an epic feel to it. Here the keys are high on the mix and the guitars with palm muted riffs support it. But also the guitar solo shines. In fact Mr. Savio uses his guitars wisely combining shredding and melody throughout the album. For example the solo in "A Different Sky" is very melodic with few notes per beat, David Gilmour style. It's also worth noting that the ballad "I Will Be There" is not all that bad, but to my taste if they had continue to build it up to finish it with the last part a bit heavier, it would've made it a great track. By the time we get to all those good moments, there's only 3 tracks to go, but unfortunately, that's why the quality goes down a bit. But the good impression was already solidified.

I must say this is a good Hard Rock album with touches of power metal and progressiveness. Mr. Dessi vocals do the job, but lack that power that Mr. Lioni delivered on 2013's Countdown to Revenge. The good news, at least for some, is that Dessi does not use high pitched screams and his range remains contained in the "comfort" zone. Fans of this genre of metal/rock will dig this album, for me, while I appreciate the work and had a good time with it, I don't see myself going back to BWLADBS  very often. Again, a bit more punch on the vocals, less mid-tempo songs and more songs like "The Upside Down" would have done the trick for me.

SCORE: 77/100
DR: 6
Genre: Progressive Hard Rock
Released by Frontiers Music on July 12th, 2019

Album Review: ABBATH Outstrider (07/05)

The Norwegian black metal icon is back. After the Immortal frontman and guitarist departed the band in 2015, Abbath released a debut self-titled solo album in 2016. The album was well received by fans and critics, it ended in my top 20 of that year.  For the sophomore effort Outstrider, Abbath  recruited a new line up (Ole Andre Farstad – guitars, Ukri Suviletho – Drums, Mia Wallace – Bass), to fulfill the mission of a new album.

Oustrider brings eight original songs and concludes with a Bathory cover. No intros, transitions or instrumentals, just straightforward black metal. The short and direct songs bring the total length to just under 40 minutes. The album delivers an avalanche of fast-paced black metal anthems from start to finish. The new album follows the groundwork set on the debut. Why change a winning formula, right? This means: Crushing riffs, speed with catchy melodies and the unmistakable Abbath's black metal voice. The production is modern and clean and follows the current trend of dynamic range of 6. But given that all other members are new, it does sound different from the debut. Specially the lead guitar with more melodies and solos.

Oustrider opens really nicely with a wind sound sample followed by acoustic guitars and an overall buildup that culminates with the groovy verse of "Calm in Ire (Of Hurricane)". Another highlight is the video single "Harvest Pyre", very catchy and fast-paced featuring some of the coolest drum fills in the album (check the section starting at 2:30). "Scythewinder" has also some mighty drumming. The title track offers a breathing moment with the acoustic intro, but soon enters a fist pumping galloping rhythm.

If you appreciate Immortal circa mid 90's and the Abbath debut, you will dig this. Oustrider doesn't bring many changes and based on the debut you know what you are getting. Therefore the lack of variability can make it difficult to distinguish the tracks in the middle portion of the album. With that said, it's a fun, well-written and catchy black metal ride as you would expect from Abbath. It certainly adds a few songs to an already rich catalog to choose from for the next tour.

SCORE: 79/100
DR: 6
Genre: Black Metal
Released by Season of Mist on July 5th, 2019

Discography Review: Anthrax (1984-2016)

Anthrax may be my favorite thrash band after Slayer. Despite some missteps in the middle, the discography is quite impressive with some good surprises and risk taking. It's probably impossible to ever surpass the classic 80's albums, but the last few years have been highly productive. Let's hope it continues this way.

Fistful of Metal (1984) - 6.5
Even if you wouldn't know, by listening to Anthrax debut production and sound you know it's 1984. The album is a mix of Slayer's Show No Mercy and Metallica's Kill 'em All (both from 1983). Songs like "Deathrider" and "Metal Thrashing Mad" are fast and powerful. And it's also clear that they were looking for their sound, the cover "I'm Eighteen" is out of place and sounds more like hard rock.

Spreading the Disease (1985) - 9.0
With Spreading the Disease Anthrax found their classic sound with vocalist Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello. Joey brought a complete new level to the vocals: Clean and yet powerful higher pitched than the other thrash bands at the time. The sound and production also moved away from early Slayer-like. However, the music was still fast, powerful and full of thrash riffs. The album opens with 3 of their best songs ever written: "A.I.R", "Lone Justice" and "Madhouse". The songs that follow are all powerful and the ball is never dropped, quite the opposite, second to last track is the fantastic "Medusa". All in all, a thrash metal masterpiece.

Among the Living (1987) - 9.0
The 3rd album was their big breakthrough and arguably the best of their career. Many songs are on their live set list until today, including classics like: "Caught In A Mosh", "I Am The Law" and "Indians". The title track and Efilnikufesin (NFL) are two other monstrous songs. Among the Living sounds pretty much like the predecessor but with even better song writing. To many the best album of 1987 and one of the top thrash albums of all time.

State of Euphoria (1988) - 7.5
The sound and production is not different from the predecessor. And although the album contains great songs such as the cover "Antisocial" and "Be All, End All", State of Euphoria failed to live up to the expectations set by the band's two previous masterpieces.

Persistence of Time (1990) - 7.5
By the time the 5th album came out, Anthrax popularity was soaring with TV appearances and a Grammy nomination. For many fans, musically the album rivals the predecessors as best Anthrax album. Darker and lyrically more serious, PoT is also progressive featuring longer songs and slower tempo. But I never fully got into it. For one thing it's too long with 1 hr and 11 songs. But most importantly, it falls flat to me and not one song is truly memorable. "Got the Time" is the only song they still play live and it's a cover. That says something about PoT .

Sound of White Noise (1993) - 8.0
The first album with John Bush on vocals is a very good one. The album is high energy and heavy but in a very different way from the previous ones. Not only the new singer but also the song writing and production moved Anthrax away from the 80's sound into a more modern 90's metal influenced by alt rock and grunge. I remember the fantastic single "Only" being a bit hit at the time. "Room for One More" is another great song. But not all songs worked for me and some experiments did not quite fit their sound.

Stomp 442 (1995) - 7.0
The first album after Dan Spitz left is not a big departure from the predecessor's sound. But it is less memorable with some songs sounding too much like Alice in Chains. However, the album opener and the two singles "Fueled" and "Nothing" are good songs. Dimebag Darrell playing guitar on two songs is another highlight.

Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998) - 7.5
The band continued as a quartet and while maintaining the 90's sound of the previous records, this time around they experimented even more. You can hear some Country Music influences which led to the track "Toast to the Extras" that sounds like Volbeat before it existed. The single "Inside Out" is a cool track and in the opener "Crush" by Charlie Benante (like most of the album) the drums are the star. Despite loosing focus on the second half , V8 is an interesting album that, in hindsight, was a transition album out of the 90's into a new era for the band.

We've Come for You All (2003) - 8.0
This was the first Anthrax record to feature Rob Caggiano on lead guitar and their final studio album with John Bush on vocals. It's Anthrax returning to form, moving away from alt rock, grunge or getting caught up on the Nu-Metal wave. Instead, the production is modern and clean, the song writing very strong delivering a combination of thrash, traditional and groove metal. The songs are short and the album concise. W.C.F.Y.A. is the best album out of the Bush era and among the best of Anthrax. The cherry on top: two solos by Dimebag Darrell.

Worship Music (2011) - 8.0
The first studio album in 8 years also marked the return after 21 years of longtime vocalist Joey Belladonna to the studio with Anthrax. The gap and the return of Joey brought a new direction to their sound. Worship Music is more melodic, there are more mid-tempo songs, and it mixes the 80's sound with traditional metal while keeping  a very slick and modern production. Songs like "Fight 'Em Til You Can't" and "In The End" are already classics.

For All Kings (2016) - 8.0
For All Kings features some amazing written and produced songs, great guitar solos (welcome Mr. Donais), several good riffs, more progressive and modern sounding than previous records. This is Anthrax back to the 80's form. The bests songs here could've been written in the 80's. The album is a bit too long with some lesser tunes, otherwise it would score even higher.

Quickies: Second Quarter 2019 Releases included ELUVEITIE, DARKTHRONE, DEATH ANGEL, POSSESSED and More

Between April 5th and June 28th, there were some very decent releases that didn't get a full review but deserved my attention anyway.

EXUMER Hostile Defiance (04/05)

No no-sense German thrash metal! That pretty much summarizes this very good album. The underrated peers of Destruction and Kreator. The album starts very well and the first half is a thrash metal delight. Full of fist pumping riffs and headbanging groove. It looses a bit momentum on the last 4 songs. But it still worth it.

ELUVEITIE Ategnatos (04/05)
This is a band that have been on my wait-list to give some serious consideration. I must say that the wait paid off, I really enjoyed this album. There are just a handful of bands with male/female duos that I like, and Eluveitie has joined this group. The female singer is powerful and emotional, it reminds me a lot of Nightwish. But also the male death metal vocals are top notch. To complete the formula we add the folk components and we have a great well balanced mix. This is a band with nine members! Therefore Celtic harp, Uilleann pipes, Hurdy-gurdy, violin, etc are not just supporting instruments, but integral part of Eluveitie's music. I have only two problems with Ategnatos, some songs are too "Nightwishy" and the albums overstays its welcome.

STEEL PROPHET The God Machine (04/26)
The American power metal veterans led by the founder and main writer Steve Kachinsky put out their debut back in 1990. The band has been through countless lineup changes. The latest being the addition of R.D. Liapakis (Mystic Prophecy) on vocals. And that's one of the album's positive. Also on the good side, for a power metal album it is very concise: ten songs in forty minutes. Only one song breaks the four minute barrier, so it's a very direct album. The bad news is that there's nothing really new here and the replay desire is low. But it's good quality USPM delivered with energy and good musicianship.

RINGWORM Death Becomes My Voice (05/03)
I'm not a big fan oh Hardcore, but Ringworm makes a very metallic hardcore for almost 30 years which I appreciate. In 2019 with Death Becomes My Voice, that's no different. After an instrumental section of one and a half minutes the title track drum fill and bass kick in and the madness starts. 37 minutes of a pissed off James "Human Furnace" Bulloch screaming at you. But there's enough melody and hooks to do so without getting exhausting. Most of the time the album is fast tempo, but not always which helps to keep it interesting. 

POSSESSED Revelations of Oblivion (05/10)
Released in October 1985 Seven Churches created a whole new genre of music - death metal. Beyond the Gates, the second album took a different direction from their debut and became a sign of Possessed's decline before they officially disbanded. This became the band’s last full length album, up until now with the release of their third studio album Revelations of Oblivion, 33 years later. Before working on new material, Possessed only original member, vocalist Jeff Becerra revamped the band in 2007. Since then the band has made several live appearances. Certainly this built in chemistry was essential for the success of  Revelations of Oblivion. The elements that made their debut such a classic are all present here fast thrashy riffs, Becerra's raspy trademark growl, pummeling drums and great song writing. While based on their original music, Revelations of Oblivion sounds modern and well produced. The comparison to Seven Churches is a very high bar to surpass, but still Becerra and crew were able to surprise everyone with another fantastic thrash/death metal album.

SAVAGE MESSIAH Demons (05/17)
Demons is already the fifth album from this British heavy/power/thrash metal band and second with Century Media. The band was formed by guitarist and lead vocalist Dave Silver and has changed two band members of the four this year. And that's not the only changes. While their first albums were influenced by power metal and AOR, Savage Messiah were trashier and even more progressive back then. The last album and now Demons see a transition to the increased influence of power metal and AOR. Shorter, simpler songs and not as heavy. Don't get me wrong, the musical quality is still there. It's just being used differently. The riffs are great, melodies are catchy and some songs are still quite thrashy and heavy. I do like this album, but I'd prefer the directions they had in 2014's The Fateful Dark.

DEATH ANGEL Humanicide (05/31)
Since their come back in 2004, Death Angel has been extremely productive, releasing consistently great albums since my favorite 2008's Killing Season. Humanicide is now the ninth album of pure bay area thrash metal. There are no frills, bells or whistles here, just crushing thrash riffs, the distinctive voice of Mark Osegueda (one of the best in thrash), memorable vocal lines and competent bass/drums foundation. If you like thrash, you can't go wrong with this band, they are one of the best in the genre. There's nothing really new here, but why change a winning formula?

DARKTHRONE Old Star (05/31)
Since 1992's A Blaze in the Northern Sky, Darkthrone is a Norwegian black metal legend. The band has been a duo of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto ever since the guitarist Zephyrous left the band in 1993. After an impressive sixteen albums, Darkthrone pretty much do what they like. Their music is rooted in the black metal but with each of the latest albums, Fenriz and Nocturno Culto do what they feel like, the music they love. The previous record Arctic Thunder was a black n' roll album heavily influenced by traditional heavy metal. Old Star is a different beast, the new album is a sludge/doom metal album. Only six long songs with crushing riffs and mostly slow to mid tempo. It's well written and executed heavy metal for those who just appreciate great music regardless of genre boundaries. Join me if you like, if you don't, they won't care. There's other sixteen albums to choose from.

  

Album Review: BLOODRED HOURGLASS Godsend (06/28)

The Finnish quintet released their debut LP Lifebound in 2012. Now they are back with the fourth album, Godsend. This is my first contact with the band so I can't compare to previous works. However, my first impression was very good. They sound like Children of Bodom (with much less keys) mixed with Insomnium. This should paint you the picture of very melodic death metal with speed and aggressiveness.

Godsend is a very straightforward death metal album, no frills or bells and whistles. Ten tracks each between 3:30 and 5:00 minutes totaling just about 42 minutes. This mixing and mastering is done by Henrik Udd (Architects and Bring me the Horizon). Which is interesting because the branding and image of the band does make you think of metalcore, but they sound nothing like those bands. It's melo death mostly guitar driven with occasional keys on the background. The closer track "White Feather" is the one exception to all rules. It's longer than five minutes by a few seconds, it features a keyboard intro and it's slightly more mid-tempo than the rest of the album. It's a smart decision to close the album with something a bit different. Because from track one and video single "Waves of Black" to track 9 "On My Throne", it's a succession of fast tempo, riff mania and melody one after the other. While the songs can blend a bit together in the mid section, this is certainly a fun metal journey. One of the highlights is the high pitched death metal vocals from Jarkko Koukonen who clearly sings the lyrics without loosing the punch.

Godsend is a Finnish melodic death metal record through and through. While Bloodred Hourglass doesn't offer anything new and it's not easy to separate them from some more famous Finnish peers, still they deliver a very competent album within this genre. It's well written, produced and executed. The song writing is catchy and yet heavy leaving you with the feeling to play it again.

SCORE: 80/100
DR: 5
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Released by Out of Line Music on June 28th, 2019