ALBUM REVIEW: Black Royal, "Firebride"

By: Jeff Anderson

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 14/02/2020

Label: Suicide Records

“Firebride” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Coven

2). Hail Yourself

3). Pagan Saviour

4). All Them Witches

5). 313

6). Gods of War

7). The Reverand

8). Firebride

9). For The Dead Travel Fast

The Review:

For a band that has been around since 2013, I have to admit that I hadn't heard of Black Royal until this record showed up in my e-mail. I did some research and couldn't find a whole lot about the band to be honest, but I thought this might be a good thing because I can let the band's music speak for itself. All I knew going into this record was they're from the almighty Finland, they sing about Satan, and they classify themselves as 'death n sludge'. I'm sold.

'Firebride', which will be released on February 14th, 2020 via Suicide Records, is a catchy, groove-filled, jam record from front to back. Initially hearing they were defined as 'death n sludge' is definitely not enough because this record has so much more to it. A blackened scream you'd be able to compare to the likes of Nergal from Behemoth or even Gaahl from his stint with Gorgoroth is what leads the record. You'd think it'd be an off-putting mixture but it fits in so well. I've always been a fan of bands that can pull off a vocal styling that is usually alien to the genre of music being played, so this was a nice surprise. The guitars are so crisp but have just a touch of that dirty sludge we all love. The bass roaring under it all allowing you to feel the groove, and the drums staying in the pocket and making everything fit perfectly and guiding you into the next spot. I love drummers who don't get ahead of themselves on albums like this. Having a guy who knows how to bring the thunder and let it sit right in your face without overplaying is such a rarity. Drummers need to take more notes from men such as Bill Ward who is a master of this. Stay in the pocket and shake the earth without trying to make it fall apart. It's not always needed and can ruin the flow of an album. This album has incredible self-awareness of what it is and I respect that immensely.

The record touches on a whole heap of genres like doom, stoner, heavy, power, and sludge metal. It takes the finest of all of these and rolls them into a record that will make you feel like your money was finally well spent. Especially in a time where everything has been so watered down and you know what you're gonna get and you're bored before it even shows up.

The first officially released single 'Pagan Saviour' while great, is honestly one of the more relaxed tracks of the album. Which is saying something because the track is killer and far from relaxed. Big riffs, epic chanting, and it just feels like it gets bigger and bigger. So to know that there are songs that amp it up even more is great. Songs like 'Hail Yourself', 'The Reverend', and 'All Them Witches' are so tasty and irresistible to headbanging it's nice to see a record that will be able to sustain itself farther down the line if they choose to release more singles. They have nowhere to go but up with the tracks they've kept from the public so far. While I didn't hear what I feel is enough doom on the record, 'All Them Witches' gives you a super heavy dose that will take care of that thirst but I'd love to hear these guys venture into the doom side of things a lot more in the future.

All in all, what you have here is a record that's almost perfect to be the soundtrack of a night of great times with your friends and some drinks. If you need a quick description to sell your buddies on, tell them it sounds like an alcohol-fueled, sludge-riff rock album fronted by Satan. What's not to love? With everything I've heard it's no surprise that in 2019 they were tapped to open for the legendary Corrosion of Conformity in Helsinki. So if COC signed off on these guys then what do you need me to tell you for? Go buy the record!

I'd love to see a lot more action and push on these guys. They have what you're looking for. Every track on the record (aside from an interlude) hits the spot for something. There shouldn't be anyone left out when listening to this album.

ALBUM REVIEW: Entombed AD, "Bowels of Earth"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 30/08/2019

Label: Century Media Records

“Bowels of Earth” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1.Torment Remains
2.Elimination
3.Hell Is My Home
4.Bowels Of Earth
5.Bourbon Nightmare
6.Fit For A King
7.Worlds Apart
8.Through The Eyes Of The Gods
9.I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive
10.To Eternal Night

The Review:

Three years on from “Dead Dawn” and Entombed AD have returned. As noted at the time, “Dead Dawn” was much better and heavier than “Back to the Front”, which in itself was OK- but little more. Pleasingly, “Bowels of Earth” is heavier and more ferocious again! Thankfully the band seem to perhaps be repeating the trajectory of the original Entombed in the late 90s into the 2000; from the feeble “Same Difference”, through the aggressive “Uprising” and on to the excellent “Morning Star”.

“Torment Remains” is aggressive and heavy, a great opener and “Elimination” is also aggressive and heavy. The production and mix is better this time around, too- the bass rumbles, the guitars grate like a chainsaw, the leads cut through and LG Petrov's trademark bark is firmly in place.

The pace continues into “Hell Is My Home” and I was left thinking, on first listen, that this is everything that “Back to the Front” should have been, but never was: aggressive, fast, feral and hard rocking. The pace change down the back stretch feels great, the riff excellent. The band are firing on all cylinders. The title track rolls out of the speakers full of swagger and is another winner. At this point, the album is really shaping up to be a return to Petrov's glory days of two decades ago.

“Bourbon Nightmare” ratchets up the death and roll factor nicely- pure Motorhead worship and it works really well. AT the halfway point it can be finally said that Entombed AD have ARRIVED. This is leagues ahead of their debut and has built on the much improved “Dead Dawn” with vigour.

The second half of the record is just as good. “Fit For A King” opens things up with a breakneck thrashing pace and straight-ahead riffing. Entombed AD keep things tight and lean with song lengths not going too far beyond what is necessary. That breakneck pace is continued through “Worlds Apart” while one of the best tracks on the album is delivered in “Through The Eyes of The Gods”- which is a real throwback to Entombed's early work and “Wolverine Blues”. It's nasty and mean and would be a great track to pick out if you wanted to hear a snapshot of what the album has to offer.

The two minutes of “I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive” is a rollicking rocker that acts as the last burst of speed before the band delivers a doom laden epic in the form of “To Eternal Night”. Over the course of the ten tracks it is an absolute pleasure to hear the band rev their engines and play like they mean it. This is light years ahead of Entombed AD's first album and much better than their sophomore effort as well. This is most likely the best Entombed related record since the aforementioned “Morning Star”. It is better than “Inferno” (which was good) and certainly better than “Serpent Saints” as well. Of course, Entombed AD are not Entombed- but this album is a cracker and one that would fit right into Entombed's discography with no issues whatsoever. Recommended.

“Bowels of Earth” is available HERE

Band info: facebook

Entombed A.D. - "Dead Dawn" (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 26/02/2016

Label: Century Media

“Dead Dawn”, I am pleased to report, rocks harder than the first record. “Midas In Reverse” sees LG Petrov on fine form and the band thrashing away- what a relief! The title track mixes pummelling double bass drums with doomy sections as well as triplet time feel- excellent. There are acoustic intros here, a gnarly guitar sound, live sounding drums and the likes of “Total Death” are short sharp shocks compared to more downbeat material like “As The World Fell”.  There is a heavier vibe and sound to this album than the last release and the band should be commended for building and moving forwards. Of course, if you enjoy Entombed in any or all its forms, this album is a must.

“Dead Dawn” CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. Midas In Reverse (03:55)

02. Dead Dawn (04:07)

03. Down To Mars To Ride (04:50)

04. As The World Fell (05:30)

05. Total Death (02:28)

06. The Winner Has Lost (03:53)

07. Silent Assassin (03:55)

08. Hubris Fall (04:49)

09. Black Survival (03:07)

10. Not What It Seems (03:40)

The Review:

Entombed AD, the continuation/alternative/new version/totally different band-take your pick- of Entombed, return with this sophomore effort. Their debut, whilst good, did not rock quite as hard as I would have liked (that is to say, much harder than “Same Difference” but a country mile away from “Wolverine Blues” and not even on the same continent as “Left Hand Path”).

“Dead Dawn”, I am pleased to report, rocks harder than the first record. “Midas In Reverse” sees LG Petrov on fine form and the band thrashing away- what a relief! The title track mixes pummelling double bass drums with doomy sections as well as triplet time feel- excellent. There are acoustic intros here, a gnarly guitar sound, live sounding drums and the likes of “Total Death” are short sharp shocks compared to more downbeat material like “As The World Fell”. The rolling tanks sound of the mid 90's returns on “The Winner Has Lost” (good lead work too) and it is a reminder that Entombed really did carve their own niche. Sure, contemporaries Dismember and Grave may have rounded out an unholy trinity at the start of all their careers, but in developing the death 'n' roll sound, Entombed moved forwards in a way that other bands did not.

There is more mid tempo stuff and doom style riffage than you might expect as the album progresses- how much you enjoy this may be informed by exactly what you are expecting and what “your” Entombed happens to be. The likes of “Black Survival” put the pedal to the metal, though, and for me it is on this type of material that the band shine brightest. By the time “Not What It Seems” opens up with piano and acoustic guitar, you should be convinced that the band is on form and operating at full whack. Certainly, I prefer this album to “Back to the Front” but I don't rate it as highly as the early 90's classics. There is a heavier vibe and sound to this album than the last release and the band should be commended for building and moving forwards. Of course, if you enjoy Entombed in any or all its forms, this album is a must.

“Dead Dawn” is available now

Band info: facebook

Panzerbastard/Rawhide - 'Black Hearts and White Lines' Split 7inch (Review)

Album Type: 7inch

Date Released: 22.05/2015

Label: Unholy Anarchy,

Anvileater Records

‘Black Hearts and White Lines’ Split 7inch/DD track listing:

1. PanzerBastard - Death Control
2. PanzerBastard - The Grand Bargain
3. PanzerBastard - They Sing Death
4. Rawhide - Devil's Grip
5. Rawhide - Backstabber

Review:

With tracks around the two minute mark from both bands I was not expecting a prog rock release with a sci-fi story line. It turns out that I was right not to expect that. Panzerbastard from Boston play fast and furious thrash/hardcore/punk. No messing about, the band sound like Motorhead crossed with Agnostic Front- just hear “Death Control” for proof. It is loud, fast and raw. Their three tracks speed by in a blur of anger- great stuff. Sweden's Rawhide also put the pedal to the metal, but by way of Motorhead crossed with, perhaps, Social Distortion. “Devil's Grip” is a great track and the longest song on this split 7” with a bluesy solo too. Simply put, this is hugely enjoyable and gave me what I like: loud and fast street rock n roll. Excellent.

Words by: Richard Maw

‘Black Hearts and White Lines’ is available here and here

For more information:

Like: PanzerBastard on Facebook | Like: Rawhide on FacebookLabel: Unholy Anarchy Records | Label: Anvileater Records

Entombed A.D. - Back To The Front (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 4/8/2014

Label: Century Media

‘Back To The Front’ CD/DD/LP track listing

01. Kill To Live (04:43)

02. Bedlam Attack (04:44)

03. Pandemic Rage (04:02)

04. Second To None (04:27)

05. Bait And Bleed (04:37)

06. Waiting For Death (02:57)

07. Eternal Woe (05:08)

08. Digitus Medius (06:00)

09. Vulture And The Traitor (04:45)

10. The Underminer (02:57)

11. Soldier Of No Fortune (06:48)

12. Gospel Of The Horns (04:34)*

* Bonus Track available on Limited Edition Mediabook

The Band:

L-G Petrov | Vocals

Nico Elgstrand | Guitars

Olle Dahlstedt | Drums

Victor Brandt | Bass

Review:

Entombed are, without a doubt, one of the most important bands in extreme metal. Anyone who has ever heard ‘Left Hand Path’ or ‘Wolverine Blues’ will tell you that is the truth. They created Death and Roll, defined a genre's guitar sound and rocked harder than anyone this side of Motorhead for most of their records. Conversely, they have also confounded fans with albums such as “Same Difference”, nearly made it very big in the mid 90's with a major label deal and- more recently- lost all their members barring iron throated front man LG Petrov. It is with some interest and consternation that I approach this album, then. With no Alex Hellid and no one else you would recognise from the glory days, this is a different band. Let's make it clear this is NOT Entombed- it is Entombed AD and I will treat it as such; kind of an extension to the original form. Comparisons are, however, inevitable.

‘Kill To Live’ opens things. Not death metal, certainly- this is more akin to Entombed mid to late 90's work and sets us up for what follows. ‘Bedlam Attack’ is again not exactly ferocious but is well structured and stomps out of the speakers with some purpose and some speedy bits here and there. If you were disappointed with Entombed's return to more death-y territory on Serpent Saints, this album may satisfy your craving To Ride, Shoot straight and so on.

‘Pandemic Rage’ opens with violins and guitar (not like Rhapsody or something- it's an intro!). The band then swaggers for the first time. That swinging groove is present until the thrash beats kick in. The best track so far, on first listen- compete with leads! ‘Second To None’ features a half stepping riff- a little like ‘Say it in Slugs’ (what a track that is!) and again swaggers and grooves like it is roughly 1995. Good stuff.

‘Bait and Bleed’ features a pretty cool title, a clean strummed intro and then a slower burning track than you might expect. The pace does pick up, of course, but it marks a more unusual side to the band. Petrov's voice remains intact and is as beastly as ever. Great front man and in possession of a unique voice- being as it is both brutal and clear at the same time.  ‘Waiting for Death’ pushes the record over the half way point with a track of more straightforward thrash/death. Again, though, it is not warp speed and not overly brutal. The chorus will stick in your head- good writing- and lifts the track above other bands who do this kind of thing.  Short and sharp this is a good song and perhaps one to listen to if you were unsure about whether to check the record out.

‘Eternal Woe’ has the guitar sound and tone to the riff that we know and love and allows the band to chug along like a diesel engine while ‘Digitus Medius’ throws in a rather death metal intro before the song lays down a rumbling groove reminiscent of Entombed's work on the “Inferno” album. The riffing is good here and makes the track something of a stand out- along with some memorable lyrics, too. ‘Vulture and The Traitor’ echoes the rhythms found on “Wolverine Blues” to an extent, but it doesn't have the bite of the songs contained on that record- that is not to say it's a bad thing; just different.

‘The Underminer’ puts the pedal to the metal with some blast beat action (!) and quick picking to boot. Again, it is short and sharp and one of the more aggressive tracks on offer here. Despite an acoustic guitar overdub (listen out) this is thunderous stuff! ‘Soldier of No Fortune’ actually features an acoustic guitar to open and a piano (not unprecedented on Entombed's albums) and is a slow burner of nearly seven minutes playing time. It features a triplet groove that works well for the main riff sections and the band again display good groove.

The verdict? This is a good album. It is not “Left Hand Path” or “Clandestine”, by any means, but neither is it “Same Difference.” I am enjoying it more than Serpent Saints (if that is of any contextual help, which I doubt). Entombed A.D. are essentially a more polite version of the Entombed of 15-20 years ago. If you enjoy Petrov's vocals and mid to late period Entombed, there is much to love here. If you want pure Swedish death metal, this is not the album for you. Get hold of Dismember's latter day releases instead. A light still burns here, but not as intensely as it once did.

Words by: Richard Maw

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/entombedofficial