ALBUM REVIEW: Go Ahead And Die, "Go Ahead and Die"

 By: Peter Morsellino
 
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 11/06/2021
Label: Nuclear Blast

 
“Go Ahead and Die” CD//DD//LP track listing:
 
1. Truckload Full Of Bodies
2. Toxic Freedom
3. I.C.E. Cage
4. Isolated/Desolated
5. Prophet’s Prey
6. Punisher
7. El Cuco
8. G.A.A.D.
9. Worth Less Than Piss
10. (In The) Slaughterline
11. Roadkill
 
The Review:
 
Aggressive and powerful, Go Ahead And Die strikes out to create something of its own in the face of expectations.  The illustrious history of the band’s father-son duo of Max and Igor-Amadeaus Cavalera will surely pique the interest in fans hearing of the band for the first time and color the expectations of listeners awaiting their first taste of the beast.  
 
The Self-Titled album features a viciously heavy blend of Death Metal and Thrash that is sure to delight fans of early Death Metal pioneers.  The album does have a distinctly modern feel to it though, proving itself as more than a mere tribute act to the sound that came before it. 
 
Igor cements himself here as a force to be reckoned with, taking center stage at various points of the album.  There will be detractors claiming this to be a novelty project of Cavalera senior, but upon first listen, there is no doubt that Go Ahead And Die is the real deal.  With the blistering speeds and memorable grooves present, this is one that can be listened to repeatedly.
 
I would be hard pressed to say that new ground is being broken here, but what is presented is just about as solid as it comes.  I would highly recommend it to any fan of old school death metal and the heavier reaches of thrash.  If nothing else, give this one a listen and quell your curiosity.  I do not think you’ll regret it.  
 
“Go Ahead and Die” is available HERE

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Raging Speedhorn, "Hard To Kill"

By: Richard Maw

 

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 23/10/2020

Label: Red Weed Records

“Hard to Kill” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Snakebite

2). Doom Machine

3). Spitfire

4). Hard To Kill

5). Hammer Down

6). Hand of God

7). Brutality

8). The Beast

9). Children of the Revolution

 

The Review:

 

Raging Speedhorn are back in business with their sixth record. Their previous album, “Lost Ritual”, was pretty gnarly with just the right amount of grit and guts to see the band firing on all cylinders. Since then, there has been a big change in line up; a new vocalist, bassist and guitarist, while the core trio of vocals, guitar and drums remains. Longtime vocalist John Loughlin has stepped down, while Dan Cook is in.

 

Speedhorn have always been at their best when playing very noisy rock n roll. It is what they do best- they are not a sludge band or a whatever-core band. They are distant cousins to Motorhead: aggro rock n roll their speciality. Opener “Snakebite” is a fair summary of where the band and what they do; it's rough, raucous and ready to kick your teeth out.

 

From there, the band drop the tempo to their pretty much trademarked swagger through “Doom Machine” and “Spitfire”. The title track is headbanging heaven; that rolling Speedhorn groove- a throwback to their excellent second album “We Will Be Dead Tomorrow” in attitude and approach. Again, the vibe of Motorhead is not too far away- it's one of the reasons I first loved the band.

 

Speedhorn are a bit of a British institution these days; they've been around over twenty years (!?) but they have retained their venom and bite from the early days. I was a fan from early on for a couple of reasons: they played the kind of music I like and they bothered to play in Humberside. I never saw them there at that early stage in their career, but my younger sister did and told me about them. I became a fan instantly; a heavy band had bothered to trek to the arse end of nowhere (Grimsby/Cleethorpes) and play for the metal starved youth there. I first saw them in Leeds in 2002 (I think?) and that made me a fan for life. It was a standout gig for me and I've followed them off and on ever since.

 

There are few other influences that you might pick up on; you get some Down-esque riffage on “Hand of God” and slow burners like Entombed did in their mid-period- but really this sounds like Raging Speedhorn. The double-vocal attack, the distorted bass, the straight-to-the-point drums and riffs. It can only be one band. The tempos are varied; “Brutality” is speedy, “The Beast” isn't and there is one huge curveball to finish things: a T-Rex cover. Yes, you read that right!

 

I can't think of much more of a stark difference in guitar music than the effete and androgynous Marc Bolan and the members of Raging Speedhorn who... are neither of those things. Bolan wrote some cracking riffs, though, and one of them is the backbone of this song. Speedhorn do it justice, just as Paul Di'Anno did on “Murder One” by Killers thirty years ago. Great song.

 

Overall, this is business as usual for Speedhorn; reinvigorated by a new line up and a four year stretch between records, this is one to pick up ASAP and play as loud as you can. No higher compliment is needed.

 

“Hard To Kill” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Agrimonia - "Awaken"

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 26/01/2018

Label: Southern Lord Recordings

'Awaken' is a tour-de-force of genre hopping doom. It should see the band gain ground on their contemporaries and even surpass them.

“Awaken” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. A World Unseen
2. Astray
3. Foreshadowed
4. Awaken
5. Withering
6. The Sparrow

The Review:

Gothenburg's Agrimonia have always been a difficult band to pigeonhole; partly epic and expansive doom, partly crusty, blackened death metal, they seem content to don the cap of each of the aforementioned genres whenever the mood is befitting. It should come as no surprise then that 'Awaken', their 4th full length, slithers and writhes with venom and bile in tow.

Opening with the majestic 'A World Unseen', a track that owes as much to Primordial as it does Dissection, Agrimonia put as much into one nine minute epic as some bands do on entire albums. It's an opening statement that implies that further surprises lay ahead...and lay ahead they certainly do; from the Paradise Lost with blast beats of 'Astray' to the haunting melodic intro of 'Foreshadowed' and through its Dismember style death metalisms, there's very little for the casual listener not to enjoy!

The title track sits at the centre of the album and, despite its mesmerising melancholy, and the fact it is a 3 minute instrumental, seems oddly juxtaposed. 'Withering' gets back on track with 13 minutes of captivating death/doom before final track 'The Sparrow' weaves a sombre tapestry before triumphantly galloping headstrong towards the album's shimmering, sobering conclusion.

'Awaken' is a tour-de-force of genre hopping doom. It should see the band gain ground on their contemporaries and even surpass them. For this, you're going to need to pack spare clothes and snacks, for this musical journey is truly epic.

“Awaken” is available to preorder/buy here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: All Pigs Must Die - "Hostage Animal"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 27/10/ 2017

Label: Southern Lord Recordings

The riffs are ceaseless as Wentworth and Izzi vary from much faster chords into a war chorus of tonality. And the results are gripping at every second. It, like previous selections, is potent with APMD's militancy. Best of all, APMD made the wait well worth it.

“Hostage Animal” CD//DD//LP track listing

1.  Hostage Animal

2.  A Caustic Vision

3.  Meditation of Violence

4.  Slave Morality

5.  End Without End

6.  Blood Wet Teeth

7.  Moral Purge

8.  Cruelty Incarnate

9.  The Whip

10.  Heathen Reign

The Review:

Few albums have been more anticipated this year than the return of All Pigs Must Die. Much has been made over the years of the group's pedigree – Kevin Baker, Ben Koller, Matt Woods, Adam Wentworth and now Brian Izzi boast some of the best names in metal and hardcore among their curricula vitae – and, with each release, All Pigs Must Die has grown all the more challenging. Their combination of crust punk's most ragged strands, extreme music's most booming guitars and the sort of hostility that is aberrant even in a scene where aggressive themes are the norm has drawn the attention the band richly deserves.

When the band debuted in 2010, the term 'supergroup' got floated about a bit, even if the results were tentatively solid. With "God Is War" in 2011, APMD set itself apart thematically as well as with a fury fans today know intimately, However, you might be forgiven if you were distracted by the confrontational art of "God Is War," which instead presented more than a few complicated tales, including apostasy with the unfolding of colonialism ("Third World Genocide"), child soldiers ("Pulverization") and the illicit arms trade ("Death Dealer"). Momentum only built by 2013's "Nothing Violates This Nature." At this point APMD evolved lyrically into what can best be heard as a strong death metal influence. The imagery on "Nothing…" went from heavily topical to nihilistic and gruesome. The music's heaviness matched this approach. The slight swerve did not detract fans from following APMD to its newest stage.

"Hostage Animal" has been about four years in the making and marks a significant departure for the band. Its violent style, which has been compared over time to Slayer, Morbid Angel and even punk/noise legends The Jesus Lizard, is moving into a territory where APMD uses hardcore, thrash and speed as a base for a devilish sound in which it finds few peers. Its songwriting sees a similar kind of growth. The two paths it cut – "God is War"'s sociopolitical commentary and "Nothing"'s all-out anti-religion brutality – merge on the forthcoming album. Again, APMD has only a few worthy contemporaries in this regard.

The title track starts the recording off with breakneck speed and power. Kevin Baker's ferocious vocals from the jump are a refresher on why his style has been likened to prime (read: Scratch Acid-era) David Yow. His command of the mic on "A Caustic Vision" and into "Meditation of Violence" is spellbinding in just how searing Baker is. Lyrically, APMD intersect a few themes, but the standouts are Adam Wentworth and newcomer Brian Izzi, whose guitar work on the opening trio and then the rolling "Slave Morality" are the stuff of nightmares. The riffs are ceaseless as Wentworth and Izzi vary from much faster chords into a war chorus of tonality. And the results are gripping at every second.

Also turning in a blistering performance, and deserving a lot of credit for the power of "Hostage Animal" are drummer Ben Koller (Converge) and bassist Matt Woods (Bloodhorse). If you are familiar with those acts, perhaps one of the most underappreciated aspects was the respective contributions of Woods and Koller, who are gifted in ways few in heavy music are in terms of their ability to bring out the best in a song's foundations. They stun on "End Without End," where Koller lights the rhythm and Woods pairs up with the guitars and Baker's vociferous delivery. They also manage to shift their playing as "Hostage Animal" evolves. Hear a sturdily punk track like "Blood Wet Teeth" and a song like "Cruelty Incarnate," with its elements of sludge pouring into thrash and you get a real sense of how APMD's bass and drums anchor the release.

"Hostage Animal" closes with the record's most fascinating entry, "Heathen Reign." Not only is it noteworthy for its lyrics (which you will just have to listen to – no spoilers), but it slightly variegates the bludgeoning you get in the first nine tracks into a pensive conclusion. It even leaves you wondering if this may just be where the next release picks up. It, like previous selections, is potent with APMD's militancy. Best of all, APMD made the wait well worth it.

"Hostage Animal" is available to preorder/buy here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Geist - "Disrepair"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full-length

Date Released: 22/09/2017

Label: Vetala Productions |

Wooaaargh

Geist's debut, "Disrepair," sees the quartet alternating effortlessly between genres. Its opening song, "Painkillers," is cut from a strongly crust punk cloth. It is straight up savage from frantic start to grinding finish.  These entries give the listener just the right amount of menace and fury.

"Disrepair" CD//DD//LP track listing

1. Painkillers

2. Dear World…

3. Services Rendered

4. Eyeless Needle

5. Fiction Souls

6. Inkblot Lives

The Review:

Hardcore and metal will always have a kinship, arguably. There are more than a few great crossovers and bands inspired by both styles. In Geist – of the United Kingdom, and not to be mistaken with the German and Israeli groups bearing the same name – you get music that is not afraid to embrace both, and do it impressively.

Geist's debut, "Disrepair," sees the quartet alternating effortlessly between genres. Its opening song, "Painkillers," is cut from a strongly crust punk cloth. It is straight up savage from frantic start to grinding finish. The second and third tracks, "Dear World…" and "Services Rendered" respectively, come at you with a brawny extreme metal undertone. They're tremendous in terms of quality and vocals. These entries as well as the fourth and fifth, the hardcore "Eyeless Needle" and "Friction Souls," give the listener just the right amount of menace and fury. And while Geist foreshadows its sound well on digital, disc and wax, you can almost imagine a sound this large needs to be experienced live.

Geist is most assuredly one of the better young hardcore/punk bands with tinges of metal you may hear this season. Keep your fingers crossed that the band can make it sometime to the States.

"Disrepair" is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Trap Them - "Crown Feral"

By: Conor O’Dea

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 23/09/2016

Label: Prosthetic Records

...the tracks that are strong, like “Hellionaires” and “Revival Spines” in particular, really need to be considered the best stuff Trap Them has ever written. And while opening track “Kindred Dirt” didn't immerse me in the album in the way I'd hoped, by the time we reach “Twitching in the Auras”, there can be no doubt that Trap Them have made a definitive and impressive move forward on all fronts.  The sound is overall excellent. Lyrics are angry and powerful and riffs are deep and plentiful. Strongly recommend, and an excellent reason to continue to follow this excellent band closely.

‘Crown Feral CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). “Kindred Dirt”
2). “Hellionaires”
3). “Prodigala”
4). “Luster Pendulums”
5). “Malengines Here, Where They Should Be”
6). “Speak Nigh”
7). “Twitching In The Auras”
8). “Revival Spines”
9). “Stray Of The Tongue”
10). “Phantom Air”

The Review:

There's an overvaluation of novelty and groundbreaking composition in music criticism, and metal reviewers in particular seem prone to this unfortunate default. While the avoidance of derivative work is obviously important, music is always composed with historicity and within a continuum; 'truly new' would de facto be unrecognizable as music, let alone as an example of a genre. Trap Them do not fall into the category of relentless reinvention nor of mind-shattering novelty, but what they have done, persistently and doggedly, is carefully reinvent their sound, reconsidering both paths they have already crossed and staking out roads they wish to follow. “Crown Feral” represents a substantial and strong instance of that continued process of reinvention. While not necessarily a pinnacle moment for the band, the album is an important and recognizable evolution of sound.

By my measure, Trap Them's identity as a band first coalesced in “Darker Handcraft”. While “Sleepwell Deconstructor” and “Seizures” both clearly set the belligerent tone and forceful energy of the group, it's really with their third full-length that we see a concrete approach and sound emerge. “..Handcraft” is solid, angry and driving, deeply rooted in crust and grind subgenre inspirations, but bringing that HM-2 sound to the fore that sets the band apart from its peers.  While 2014's “Blissfucker” has taken a shit load of criticism as a misstep, it represents some serious revamping, experimenting and rethinking by the band. Successful? Not always, but definitely commendable and a reminder to the hesitant that sometimes breaking something down allows it to be better rebuilt. Which brings us to “Crown Feral”.

“Crown Feral” is not just a good course correction for some of the experiments that didn't really work on “Blissfucker”, but one that manages to push the band beyond the earlier sound of “Darker Handcraft”. Some 'duller' moments, but fuck, the tracks that are strong, like “Hellionaires” and “Revival Spines” in particular, really need to be considered the best stuff Trap Them has ever written. And while opening track “Kindred Dirt” didn't immerse me in the album in the way I'd hoped, by the time we reach “Twitching in the Auras”, there can be no doubt that Trap Them have made a definitive and impressive move forward on all fronts.

Originally when drafting this review , my sense was that it was a strong, slightly uneven album in which the unevenness comes mainly from the fact that some songs are in the 'pretty good' range while the best tracks hit mind=blown level of just excellent. Upon reflection, what I think I am hearing is a band that is still growing and developing and hasn't quite settled into this more mature evolution; a collection of good and great songs that doesn't quite meet the mark of an excellent album.

Production is a bit brickwalled, and can get tiring, but the sound is overall excellent. Lyrics are angry and powerful and riffs are deep and plentiful. Strongly recommend, and an excellent reason to continue to follow this excellent band closely.

‘Crown Feral is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

RIYL: Black Breath, Nails, The Secret, Rotten Sound

Raging Speedhorn - "Lost Ritual" (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 15/07/2016
Label: Pledge Music

The ‘Speedhorn, these days, are a more measured beast- gone are the almost out of control frenetic changes and overall delivery, and what we have instead is a band still capable of viciousness and aural violence, but approaching their craft in a more measured manner.  As Comebacks go this is a great one- the band has lost none of their power and the ten tracks here are of uniformly good quality. A fine effort, well worthy of your time and a perfect antidote for these troubling times.

“Lost Ritual” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Bring Out Your Dead

2). Halfway To Hell

3). Motörhead

4). Evil Or Mental

5). Ten Of Swords

6). Dogshit Blues

7). Hangman

8). Shit Outta Luck

9). Coming Home

10). Unleash The Serpent

The Review

After all this time on hiatus... have they still got it?! The answer, thankfully, is yes. Albeit that “it” has changed a little in the intervening decade. “Bring Out Your Dead” is a chugging monster, those familiar twin vocals coming back to my consciousness as if my memories of 2002 have awoken. The ‘Speedhorn, these days, are a more measured beast- gone are the almost out of control frenetic changes and overall delivery.

What we have instead is a band still capable of viciousness and aural violence, but approaching their craft in a more measured manner. That's not to say that “Halfway to Hell” doesn't rock like a bastard, because it does. The sound and grooves come thick and fast on this one; excellent bass tone and a fine slow section through the middle to show it off. The prescient “Motorhead” is well worthy of the title and barrels along with force and swagger.

That opening triumphant triumvirate is followed by the excellent “Evil or Mental”, which slows things down and ramps up the hatred. “Ten of Swords” is similarly low and slow; once again giving the sense that ‘Speedhorn have approached this record with a sense of craftsmanship by giving it ebb and flow and allowing all facets of their musical personality to shine.

“Dogshit Blues” plays the ace of spades again- a short and sharp blast of rollicking energy.  And thus the record continues on- a more rock and roll version of ‘Speedhorn in some ways, a more measured one in others. Make no mistake, though, this is a huge improvement on their two previous records and builds successfully on their revered first two. Sludge mingles with Motorhead-ish tracks. “The Hangman” is certainly as heavy and horrible as anything from the band's past, while “Shit Outta Luck” rocks like Lemmy were still alive and stepping out on stage.

The final two tracks slither by with “Unleash The Serpent” providing a suitably unpleasant conclusion. As Comebacks go this is a great one- the band has lost none of their power and the ten tracks here are of uniformly good quality. A fine effort, well worthy of your time. I enjoyed the band hugely first time around and I am enjoying this record hugely as well. A perfect antidote for these troubling times.

“Lost Ritual” is available here

Band info: Facebook

Throwers - "Loss" (Album Review)

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 15/01/2016

Label: Golden Antenna

The highlights of the album come when the band is at their most focused and aggressive. Frenetic parting shot "Nevermore" is the best example of this, a breathless track of furious drumming and relentless, ugly riffs which brings to mind Manchester's much-missed Hammers.  Tracks like "Karg" and "Homecoming" sound like early Mastodon tussling with Cult of Luna in a sweaty basement - hardcore grit and metallic crunch combine with electrifying results

“Loss” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Singularity
2. Der Makel
3. Karg
4. Homecoming
5. Unarmed
6. Assigning
7. Nevermore

The Review:

Leipzig quartet Throwers are the latest in a series of awesome bands who have crafted a characteristic German, metallic D.I.Y sound. Following the likes of Trainwreck, Planks and Lentic Waters, the band deliver a lethal concoction of chaotic screamo, crusty punk, dark riffs and post metal flourishes. "Loss" is their debut full-length consisting of seven tracks of searing fury, continuing the fine tradition of their forebearers.

The highlights of the album come when the band is at their most focused and aggressive. Frenetic parting shot "Nevermore" is the best example of this, a breathless track of furious drumming and relentless, ugly riffs which brings to mind Manchester's much-missed Hammers.

Throwers distinguish themselves from their peers by upping the stakes in terms of heavy riffs and epic atmosphere. Tracks like "Karg" and "Homecoming" sound like early Mastodon tussling with Cult of Luna in a sweaty basement - hardcore grit and metallic crunch combine with electrifying results. The band even throw in some spidery off-kilter, riff-mangling in "Unarmed", hinting at a penchant for mathematical complexity. It would be great to see them explore this further on future releases.

"Loss" is a strong statement of intent from Throwers, a short, sharp burst of intensity that's sure to enrapture many in 2016.

“Loss” is available here

Band info: bandcamp | facebook

Venomous Concept - ‘Kick Me Silly - VC III’ (Album Review)

By: Daniel Jackson

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 8/1/2016

Label: Season of Mist

The nature of what ‘Kick Me Silly - VC III’ is, also makes it difficult to elaborate about it. If you’re in the mood for grindy punk with an excess of personality, it’s hard to imagine an album better suited to that purpose. Venomous Concept may spend a bit more time in traditional rock tempo territory, but not enough to call it something else entirely. It’s also about as well executed as you could ask for in this style. It’s vicious, it’s absurdly pissed off, but they also have a song about a guy named Johnny, who wants a cheeseburger medium-to-medium rare.

‘Kick Me Silly - VC III’ LP//DD track listing:

1. Rise

2. Busy With Your Debt

3. Anthem

4. The Potters Ground

5. Human Waste

6. Leper Dog

7. Farm Boy

8. Head On A Stick

9. Pretend

10. Johnny Cheeseburger

11. Forever War

12. Good Times

13. Pretty On The Inside

14. Holiday In Switzerland

15. Fucked In The Czech Repub

16. Neck Tie

17. Frontal Lobe Disorder

18. Daycare

19. Quazimodo

20. Burning Fatigue

21. Rocket Science

22. Pissing Match (bonus track)

Venomous Concept is:

Kevin Sharp | Vocals

Dan Lilker | Bass guitar

Danny Herrera | Drums

John Cooke | Guitar, backing vocals

Shane Embury | Guitar, backing vocals

The Review:

Venomous Concept has been around for over ten years at this point, and their style is an easy one to wrap your brain around. Anyone familiar with the band’s previous work, or even the work of the band’s individual members, probably have a fair idea of what this sounds like. It’s crusty grindcore with the wacky personality of an 80s punk band. The truth of how you’re likely to feel about the album is gonna depend on whether you’re predisposed to like its style in the first place.

What makes ‘Kick Me Silly - VC III’ so much fun is that it doesn’t mind hitting a bunch of different genre staples on the same album. You’re going to hear Dropdead-style powerviolence. You’re going to hear the moodier mid-paced stylings of certain tracks from the last two Napalm Death albums. You’re going to hear the thrashing rage of prime Disrupt, and you’re going to hear a wide, manic variety of vocal techniques, courtesy of the legendary Kevin Sharp. And it’s all done with a wink and a smile that too few other bands are willing to offer. A lot of grind/crust/powerviolence, etc. deal with real life tragedy and atrocity, and it’s important that some bands do that. But, it’s equally necessary that some bands have a sense of humor, just for balance’s sake.

The nature of what ‘Kick Me Silly - VC III’ is, also makes it difficult to elaborate about it. If you’re in the mood for grindy punk with an excess of personality, it’s hard to imagine an album better suited to that purpose. Venomous Concept may spend a bit more time in traditional rock tempo territory, but not enough to call it something else entirely. It’s also about as well executed as you could ask for in this style. It’s vicious, it’s absurdly pissed off, but they also have a song about a guy named Johnny, who wants a cheeseburger medium-to-medium rare. They get that covered in about eleven seconds. You smile and you move on to the next.

You can pick up a digital copy here and an LP copy here. 

Band info:  Facebook