ALBUM REVIEW: Dove - "Dove Discography"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Compilation

Date Released: 08/11/2017

Label: Independent

When Dove became the vehicle for the Floor approach, it could not have been more energizing. Listening to "Dove Discography," you will hear why; Dove's melodic vision for doom is competitive with anything you will hear today, and maybe better in several cases.  "Dove Discography" is such a good listen because it feels contemporary, even if it isn't. In the end, you finish with an appreciation for artists like this, who have tried to expand the sound and stretch doom to new boundaries.

“Dove Discography” DD track listing

1. Thank You For Patience

2. Goes Without Saying

3. On A Mission  

4. Red King          

5. Neither Today Nor Tomorrow

6. Twenty Three Twelve

7. Somewhere Between 

8. This You Can Trust

9. Without Warning

10. You And I

11. Start Running Now     

12. Never A Straight Line

13. Sight And Seen

14. See You Soon, Love Always    

15. Time Get Crucial

16. One Year After

17. Eight Letters

18. What is Best in Life

19. Seven Days

20. Octobers Winds

The Review:

Nostalgia for big-name performers can at times be a messy business. It is debatable if the world needs a farewell tour from a nearly 70-year-old Ozzy Osbourne, who's spending his down time from performing old hits taping a travel show with his son, Jack. And though Ozzy is an easy target, there are no shortage of acts in it for years or split up who try to stage a return. The nicer among us wonder how this impacts upon their legacies. The rest of us wonder if music really needs a recycle bag of old records and what space it takes away from bands coming through and without the name recognition.

In the case of Dove, a Florida doom outfit that shares lineage with the legendary bands Torche and Floor, their return from the dustbin, at least in recorded form, feels like something many of us have waited for.

In the early 2000s, Dove offered a classic doom style that you might have heard through the embers of in Floor, a sound that would influence many bands afterward. Dove's music has been out of print for many years, however. This includes a 2001 split and the group's self-titled 2004 debut, which is featured in full as the first 14 tracks of the new "Dove Discography." It is, to hear the band tell it, everything Dove recorded from 2001 to 2005, from compilation appearances to demos.

The question is then, 'should you thus give a crap?' The answer is, most emphatically, yes

Even more than 10 years later, Dove's eponymous album stands up astoundingly well. Hardcore doom fans may be familiar with Floor and the style it pioneered. The swirling, psychedelic take on doom that relied more on sludge than stoner, the merger of post-rock and progressive elements counts many dads and Floor is certainly one of the more important ones. When Dove became the vehicle for the Floor approach, it could not have been more energizing. Listening to "Dove Discography," you will hear why; Dove's melodic vision for doom is competitive with anything you will hear today, and maybe better in several cases.  A song like "See You Soon, Love Always" is an example of a doom record that can be legitimately gorgeous in its orchestration. "Time Get Crucial" introduces some world music touches to its heavy base. And even short cuts such as "Neither Today Nor Tomorrow" and "Twenty Three Twelve" are still effective at showing you Dove can kick ass in three minutes or less. Unusual today, and pretty audacious 13 years ago too.

"Dove Discography" is such a good listen because it feels contemporary, even if it isn't. In the end, you finish with an appreciation for artists like this, who have tried to expand the sound and stretch doom to new boundaries.

"Dove Discography" is available here

Band info: bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Blessed Realm - “Doomography 1993-2002”

By: Richard Maw


Album Type: Compilation

Date Released: 14/07/2017

Label: At War with False Noise

This is a lengthy and worthy collection from one of the unsung bands of British doom- from an era when doom was not in anyway commonplace.  This is an essential and extensive release, which will fit nicely onto the shelf right next to your Sabbath and Cathedral albums.

“Doomography 1993-2002” CD//DD track listing:

1). Red Dawn

2). Where Winds Whisper My Cry

3). Lost Horizons

4). Circle of Misery

5). Wasted (Rehearsal ’99)

6). Bleeder

7). Black Hole

8). Two Time Loser

9). Crawl

10). Jezebel

11). Before My Eyes (Rehearsal ’99)

12). Spiritual Solitude

The Review:

Blessed Realm hailed from Northern England, emerging as a doom band in a time when doom bands numbered in single figures in the UK. Going for the classic doom line-up (you know the one) of Sabbath, Vitus et. al. This compilation brings together all the band's studio recordings from their nine years of existence.

As a document of British doom in that time, it is as genuine as it gets. This is a band that never made the big leagues and remained underground, but with a keen influence on the genre (much like, say, Unsilence from the North West) and other bands who sprang up in their wake. Naturally, as this is a compilation of demos from a time when Pro Tools was not the standard recording methodology, the sound quality here is varied. The “Redemption” demo of 1995 has plenty of hiss for all you old schoolers who remember it on tape from twenty years ago not to mention epic song lengths which would become standard for the genre.

“The Chasing The Dragon” Demo of 1996 features a drum machine- the material is worthy, but the feel is lost for me as the mechanical element of using a machine takes some of the life out of the songs- for me, anyway. That said, the performances of the rest of the band are strong and the programming is solid- particularly for its time.

“The Return To Zero” demo of 1998 is a step forward for the band and features live drums once again with strong songs such as the sinister “Bleeder” and the punchy “Two Time Loser”. “The Crawl Demo” of 2000 is the strongest selection here for  me- I note that it may be a little further from their pure doom roots, but this takes in an almost Iron Man/Trouble sound along with the dark moods of earlier material.

Alongside the official demos there is a sprinkling of rehearsal tracks from different eras and the superb finisher “Spiritual Solitude” from 2001. This is a lengthy and worthy collection from one of the unsung bands of British doom- from an era when doom was not in anyway commonplace (remember the snide comments Cathedral used to get for playing slow and “looking 70s”?!).

This is an essential and extensive release, packaged in a luxurious digipack with photos and liner notes, which will fit nicely onto the shelf right next to your Sabbath and Cathedral albums.

“Doomography 1993-2002” is available here

Band info: facebook

Black Shape of Nexus - 'Nothing New - 10 Years Of Fresh Air Enjoyment' (Album Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 04/12/2015

Label: Wolfbiker Records |

Meta Matter Records

If you're reading this, chances are you've heard of BSON and are fully aware of what this will bring. What they bring is pummelling, noisy doom.

“'Nothing New - 10 Years Of Fresh Air Enjoyment' CD//DD track listing:  

1). Honour Found In Delay

2). Always And Only

3). VIIIe

4). Heute Spaß, morgen Tod

5). VII

The Review:

'Nothing New - 10 Years Of Fresh Air Enjoyment', the compilation of songs released by Black Shape Of Nexus is exactly what the label would suggest. If you're reading this, chances are you've heard of BSON and are fully aware of what this will bring. What they bring is pummelling, noisy doom.

The pun-tastic 'Honuor Found In Delay' delivers a few moments of calm before the knuckle dragging doom dredges through the mire while spacey swoops travel between eardrums. The pace picks up and wanders into High On Fire territory before the cacophony of feedback at the end. Song length in the BSON camp has always been a variable affair as the 8 minute sludgathon of 'Always and Only' is followed by Uber Doom track 'VIIIe'. 'Heute Spaß, Morgen Tod' is (from what I can tell) the only song sung in their mother tongue and a neanderthalic club to the head. By the time the fifth and final track 'VII' comes around, you'll have a sore head and neck...and that's set to worsen with the punchy instrumental that's on offer here.

This is more of a collector’s item in my opinion. What I hope is that this is just a sweetener, a little taunt before the crushing blow of another full length is dished out. A man can hope.

'Nothing New - 10 Years Of Fresh Air Enjoyment' is available here

Band info: facebook | bandcamp

Hooded Menace - Gloom Immemorial (Album Review)

Album Type: Compilation

Date Released: 19/12/2014

Label: Doomentia Records

‘Gloom Immemorial CD//DD// track listing:

1. Fulfill the Curse (from “The Eyeless Horde” 7"EP)

2. The Eyeless Horde (from “The Eyeless Horde” 7"EP)

3. A Decay of Mind and Flesh (Anima Morte cover) (from split with Anima Morte 7"EP)

4. The Haunted Ossuary (from split with Coffins 7"EP)

5. I, Devil Master (from “Live Evil Volume One” comp. DLP)

6. Catacombs of the Graceless (from split with Ilsa 12"EP)

7. Abode of the Grotesque (from split with Asphyx 7"EP)

8. Instruments of Eternal Damnation (from split with Horse Latitudes 12"EP)

9. Chasm of the Wraith (from “Labyrinth of Carrion Breeze” 12"EP)

10. The Creeping Flesh (from “Labyrinth of Carrion Breeze” 12"EP)

11. Monuments of Misery (from split with Loss 12"EP)

Hooded Menace is

Lasse Pyykkö | Guitars (2007-present), Vocals (2007-2010), Bass (2010, 2011-2012), Vocals (studio) | (2011-present)

Pekka Koskelo | Drums (2009-2010, 2011-present)

Markus Makkonen | Bass, Vocals (live) (2012-present)

Teemu Hannonen | Guitars (2012-present)

Review:

The Joensuu grave robbing death/doom act Hooded Menace are back with a compilation of tracks from various EP’s and Split releases that further exhibit the consistency in the quality of their material.  From the beginning to the end of this record, the listener is served with a premium dose of heavy and crushing death doom. In terms of musicality I see comparisons to Acid Witch but with less hallucinogenics, fans of epic Japanese band Coffins will also be delighted with what they hear. The most melancholic tracks could also be mistaken for Paradise Lost’s earliest work.  Interested?? You should be!!

In the interests of being concise with this review and for the benefit of you, the readers, I’m going to focus on the songs that made my heart tick, that little bit extra, so let’s get started.  The compilation starts with one of my favourite tracks, ‘Fulfill the Curse.’ It has melodic leads that sound very much like Paradise Lost, contagious like some rampant plague; the volcanic vocals I love and a mid-paced groove give this song great dynamics. ‘A Decay of Mind and Flesh’ is an epic instrumental song and despite my usual reservations about instrumental tracks in general, this touches my nerve, starting with a groove-oriented riff, heavier than ten ton of bricks and with additional guitar leads floating around the song, this is truly mind-blowing stuff.

Onward with ‘The Haunted Ossuary’ and this starts out in the same vein, but with an added bruising vocal underpinning the track, the crushing landscapes that Hooded Menace serves up, scares me to death, but trust me, I love it!  ‘I, Devil Master’ is another slow beast with pounding heaviosity from the guitars. The song reminds me of Autopsy and the performance from Lasse is reminiscent of chief gurgler Mr Reifert. Seriously, I’m down on my knees begging for more. The song ends with a psychedelic trip, giving the music a much richer and deeper perspective. This song is an all-time classic.  After this, I’m left feeling quite exhausted, but it is short lived and I am soon soaking in a bloodbath, with ‘Catacombs of the Graceless’ which includes some mind-expanding sounds. Brilliant Stuff!  ‘Abode of the Grotesque’, is a pretty basic song but not in a bad way, pounding riffs but with breaks and nice double bass drum rolls, with those distinct guitar harmonies.

Finally ‘Monuments of Misery’ is introduced by an up-tempo guitar intro and then the cadence is slowed to a drone influenced riff, with a vocal performance that could wake the dead.

In summary then, this compilation is an essential purchase.  For those fans with empty wallets, this is a means of collecting the out of print, heavily overpriced EBay splits and EP’s at a reasonable price. If you like Hooded Menace you love this record

Words by: Sven-Åke Alveving

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

Facebook | Bandcamp

The Sludgelord News: The Eolian Empire Streams A Little Dream With Entire (We've Got) FIENDS IN LOW PLACES: Heavy Vibes Internationale Compilation

Eolian Empire's latest deck-wrecking mess, and (sort of) first title to bust beyond their Portland barriers, is ready for heckling and streaming in its bruising entirety as their (We've Got) FIENDS IN LOW PLACES: Heavy Vibes Internationale cassette will officially be paroled tomorrow.

Featuring more than fifty minutes of abuse culled from the gnarliest the underground gutters of rock and roll's back-alleys around the globe have to offer with fifteen exclusive tracks from fifteen acts,FIENDS IN LOW PLACES is the sequel and companion compilation to the (We've Gotta) KEEP OUR HEADS: Heavy Vibes from Portland, Oregon. Yet instead of focusing on Portland-based acts as with the label's twenty-nine previous releases, FIENDS IN LOW PLACES' contributions were culled from friends playing off-the-wall heavy music in overlapping scenes internationally. This gnarled calling card compiles contributions from THROAT (Finland), ARABROT (Norway), HEALTH PROBLEMS (USA),MoE (Norway), THE GREAT SABATINI (Canada), DEAD (Australia), BASTARD OF THE SKIES(England), HOMBRE MALO (Norway), SAME-SEX DICTATOR(USA), TEEPH (USA), CYBERNE(Japan), TIMEKILLER (Brazil), ELEPHANT RIFLE (USA), BATPISS (Australia), and MEADOWS(England), the comp is a wild trip through twisted noise rock, bludgeoning sludge, psychotic metal, blackened hardcore, and damaged punk, with each act's warped worldview in full effect.

Let all fifteen movements from (We've Got) FIENDS IN LOW PLACES out of the pipes early by streaming the beast alongside orders for the digital download and the cassette -- limited to 333 cool-kit copies -- RIGHT HERE.

http://eolianempire.com 

http://goods.eolianempire.com

http://facebook.com/eolianempire

http://twitter.com/eolianempire

Source: Earsplit PR

Paganizer - Twenty Years in a Terminal Grip (Best of) (Album Review)

Album Type: Compilation

Date Released: 28/11/2014

Label: Cyclone Empire

‘Twenty Years in a Terminal Grip (Best of)’ CD//LP//DD track listing:

CD1: The Band´s Faves

1. Nailed Forever
2. Bleed Unto Me
3. Among The Unknowing Dead
4. Scandinavian Warmachine
5. Even In Hell
6. You Call It Deviance
7. Frontier Cthulhu
8. Life Slips Away
9. Meateater
10. Colder
11. Just Here Rotting
12. Landscapes Made Of Human Skin
13. Crusader
14. On Your Knees
15. The Cadaverous
16. Beyond Redemption
17. Mass Of Parasites
18. No Divine Rapture
19. Their Skin Suits Me

CD2: Rarities, Demos & Unreleased Stuff

1. Natures Bleeding
2. Religious Cancer
3. Viking Hammer
4. Blood On The Axe
5. Ode To The Horde
6. The Cyclone Empire
7. This Place Is Rot
8. Gasmask Obsession
9. Abortion Van
10. Hell Is Already Here
11. Massdeath Maniac
12. Army Of Maggots
13. Flesh Collector
14. The Morbidly Obscene
15. The Festering Of Sores
16. The Return Of Horror
17. Born To Be Buried Alive
18. Carbonized Resurrection
19. Flesh Nest
20. Vaken Mardröm
21. Nothing Really Matters
22. This Place Of Dying
23. Morbid Warfare
24. Grinded And Exiled V 1.0
25. Fleshnaut V 1.0
26. Buried Alive
27. NY Ripper

Paganizer is:

Rogga | Guitars, Vocals
Dennis | Lead Guitars
Matte | Drums
Martin | Bass

Review:

Paganizer may well be the best Scandi-Death metal band that you haven't heard of. Swe-Death in the true definition of the term, the band have remained vital since the mid 90's and have stayed true to the real death sound and vibe, too. They have not re-routed to sell-out, unlike some other lesser bands I can think of...

This two CD package is astonishingly good value. You get 46, yes that is forty six!!! tracks of the finest death metal. If you like your Entombed (first two records), ATG and particularly Dismember and Grave, then this is a must have if you don't have the band's previous albums. It is the perfect soundtrack to a long journey as there is no need to adjust your stereo or MP3 player- just press play and enjoy the next couple of hours.

Clearly, at 46 tracks there is no way I am going to give you a song by song run down, going into where the best riffs are etc. (although ‘Bleed Unto Me’ does have an awesome section at the 4min mark...). You get the key tracks off their albums and EPs (‘Scandinavian War machine’ is present as are many lesser known titles). The production, of course, varies- spanning as it does the late 90's to the present day. It is uniformly good and suited to the material, though- the snare and bass may be heavier here and weaker there, but overall the band has kept the quality high and retained a signature sound of chainsaw guitars and consistently deathly vocals throughout. Roger “Rogga” Johansson has clearly kept his hand on the rudder at all times as his voice and guitar lead the band through all eras and line-ups.

The material is sometimes blast beat fast (‘On Your Knees’) and sometimes more groove based (the same track!) and offers up traditional Swedish death metal. This is completely distinct from the US version of death metal offered by Cannibal Corpse, Immolation, Morbid Angel etc.

There are melodies here in the guitars and lots of grit as well. Overall, it is more organic than its US brethren. Song themes run the gamut of horror (‘Their Skin Suits Me’) to social comment (‘Religious Cancer’, ‘Crusader’, ‘Natures Bleeding’) to more uniquely Norse concerns (‘Viking Hammer,’ ‘Blood on The Axe’, ‘Ode to The Horde’).  Simply put, there is something for you here if you like Scandi-death. For those of you out there who have the major Entombed releases but are unsure as to how to proceed from there, this compilation is a fine start, may I also recommend Entrails if you continue your education in Swedish hate?

The superb label Cyclone Empire is paid tribute to in the track featuring their name, and rightly so, too. CE is the best death label around in my opinion- they consistently offer high quality releases from underground bands. Long may that continue? Whether your tastes are for Dutch death dealers Icons of Brutality or the Scandinavian darkness of Paganizer, the label caters to your needs. All hail!

With tracks as good as ‘Gasmask Obsession’ and ‘The Return of Horror’, any self respecting death metal fan cannot afford to be without some Paganizer in their collection. With Dismember gone and Entombed's status unclear this is the perfect band to fill the void. Good quality stuff and good value as well. This is 46 tracks of deathly delight that you shouldn't pass up. Excellent.

Words by: Richard Maw

You can pick up the CD here.

For more information:

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All The Witches' Day Compilation - Review

Album Type: Compilation Album

Date Released: June 06th 2014

Label: Trip Thru Records

All The Witches' Day Doom/Stoner/Sludge compilation - track listing:

01 Nepenthes (Japan) - No Reason Why (New song)

02 Acid Deathtrip (Netherlands) – Deathtrip (New song)

03 Royal Mercy(Thailand) - Tim Tang (New song)

04 Starve(Netherlands) – Shady (New song)

05 Amber Vial（Japan） - Other Side Escape (New song)

06 Guevnna（Japan - Hidden Bodies (New song)

07 Conan(UK) - Beheaded

08 The Oracle(US) – Excommunicated (New song)

09 Ides of Gemini(US) - Starless Midnight

10 Zothique(japan) - Amoy (New song)

Description:

From wide variety of Doom/Stoner/Sludge scene, total 10 bands participated from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Thailand . DVD includes live and music videos.

Acid Deathtrip (Netherlands)

Acid Deathtrip are formed by full of “veterans” of the extreme HC/Grind/Metal Underground scene. bands like : Insult, Bile, Mangled, Collision, HSML, The Bastards, Suppository, Blind to Faith, Skullhog, Starve and Left For Dead (Can.) Their sound is dirty, filth, heavy. someone describe their sound as "Entombed meets Alabama Thunderpussy". They describe their sound as "Blasphemous Boogie".

Amber Vial (Japan)

Amber Vial are post doom metal band from Nagoya, West Japan. I'm guessing that they took their band name from the song of US Doom/Sludge legend "Warhorse".The roar of five duo dressed in black is inevitable to squeeze the brain of those who listen. miffy(vocal,guitar) is also known as member of "Hell & Hell".

Conan (UK)

Conan are as heavy as interplanetary thunder amplified through the roaring black hole anus of Azathoth. A three piece, in the grand tradition of many amazing fabulous three pieces that hold a tight line and an iron-grip command over the uber-synchronised chord changes and tempo-shifts of the holy trio of bass, drums and guitar. Two men have the task of vocalising wretched thoughts over the turgid weight of Conan. They bear it well, for the task is immense.

Guevnna (Japan)

Guevnna is formed by Ryo, the former vocalist of Japanese heaviest doom death metal band "Coffins". Their sound is full of smoked out riffs, deep stoned groove, totaly "Bongzilla Rules" style. They released split with Aguirre(France) from W.I.F.A.G.E.N.A. Records in 2014.

Ides of Gemini (US)

Ides of Gemini are Black Math Horseman's Sera Timms (vocals/bass), veteran music and film journalist J. Bennett (guitar/backing vocals) and Kelly Johnston (drums/backing vocals). In 2010, Timms and Bennett recorded and self-released a four-song EP, The Disruption Writ. Later Johnston joined the band, and in 2012 they released their full-length debut, Constantinople. “J. Bennett lays down imperial metal riffs swathed in so much reverb that they seem isolated from the rest of the world.

Nepenthes (Japan)

Hell-raisin' Badass Nepenthes are formed by Japanese underground legends, NEGISHI(Vocal, G.A.T.E.S / ex.Church of Misery)、SUTO(Guitar, ex.Church of Misery / ex.Earth Blow)、ZIGEN(Guitar, Marble Sheep)、HARUTO(Bass, Bitter Sweet Generation / ex.MAD3)、IWAMOTOR(Drums, Marble Sheep). They played with some famous bands like Noothgrush, Earth in Japan.

The Oracle (US)

A veritable "supergroup" of area veteran heavy musicians, Washington, D.C. area Black/Doom metal band The Oracle was first devised in 2011. The brainchild of vocalist/guitarist James Haun (Ol' Scratch, Sourvein) they desired a more thought out, socially charged project with more depth, dynamic tempos, and technical musicianship. In 2014 the lineup solidified as: guitarist/vocalist James Haun, lead guitarist Russ Strahan (Pentagram, Black Mass, Ectoplasm), bassist/vocalist Ron FeZZy McGinnis (Trilogy, Pale Divine, Admiral Browning ) and drummer Ben Proudman (RHIN, Black Blizzard, Vox Populi).

Starve (Netherlands)

The music of STARVE is a soundtrack for all the filth and injustice, all the greed, despair and fear that we see in the world. Musically, the band has been influenced by the harsh, bleak sounds of sludge metal and the fighting spirit of old blues, sometimes mixed with the more laid-back attitude of legendary southern rock bands.

Royal Mercy (Thailand)

Royal Mercy is a Thai rock band from Bangkok, formed in 2009 and have released one full-length studio album. Their most recent release was "Kwai-lek", released in 2012. The band's line-up includes founders Zack (lead vocals, guitar) and Kong (guitar, backing vocals) alongside longtime members Noom (bass guitar, backing vocals), Don (drums, percussion) Formed after the dissolution of Zack and Kong's previous shoegaze band, Sleepyester. Royal Mercy developed a style of riff- oriented, heavy rock music. Their sound has since evolved to incorporate a variety of different styles and influences, including punk, doom, psychedelic and stoner rock.

Zothique (Japan)

Zothique was born from the ashes of Holy & Blight. They formed in 2007 and change their name Zothque which taken from Clark Ashton Smith's novel in 2009. They changed their style from hardcore to bad trippin' sludge doom.

They released self titled digital EP from GRIND CORE KARAOKE in 2012 and most greatest album in the year "Alkaloid Superstar" from their own label VERNACULAR DYSTOPIA in 2013. also Tokyo's psychedelic ambient harsh noise generator, JAH EXCRETION joined as new bass player."Amoy" is their first recorded track by current lineup.

Review:

Here is a superb Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal Compilation from Trip Thru Records all the way from Japan. It features tracks by some well known bands and some not so well known. But it's a heavy as hell experience as things are loud right from the very start.

It has bands such as CONAN, Ides Of Gemini and Acid Deathrip providing some brilliant tracks to check out. Though most of them are new tracks you may never of heard of. It even has music from bands I have never heard of such as – Royal Mercy and Zothique who are both provide two excellent tracks to check out.

The compilation features 66 minutes of some of the finest twisted and sickest riffs you will hear all year. This compilation has given me some great bands to check out and that's what a compilation should do. Open your mind to other bands you may never heard of.

Trip Thru Records have put together an awesome compilation featuring 10 heavy as hell bands that destroys everything in it's wake. Fantastic stuff.

Thanks to Takamasa at Trip Thru Records for sending me a promo to review. All The Witches Day is available to buy on CD and CD/T-Shirt Package on BandCamp now. The CD/DVD Package can be bought here.

Written by Steve Howe