Choice Cuts : Prong - Prove You Wrong (Epic)

Album line-up : 

Tommy Victor | Lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitars

Troy Gregory | Bass guitar, backing vocals

Ted Parsons | Drums, percussion, backing vocals

With Mark Dodson - additional vocals

Review :

Tommy Victor is a master of all he surveys. Throughout his 25+ year career, in good times and bad, he has played guitar, mixed, produced, worked with other musicians (Danzig, Ministry, Rob Zombie) and toured and recorded with his mainstay Prong. Album number three, ‘Prove You Wrong’, is a standout amongst the many great records that Prong has created. My top five would be rounded out by ‘Beg to Differ’ (#2), ‘Cleansing’ (#3), ‘Carved Into Stone’ (#4) and ‘Power of the Damager’ (#5).

Dropped at a time when the music world was about to be dominated by the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, ‘Prove You Wrong’ was 13 tracks of raucous, post-thrash, punk-tinged heaviness that stood tall amongst its grungy counterparts. The massive Tommy Victor riffage, the loose dirty bass of Troy Gregory and the echoing cannon-like drum work of Ted Parsons had the band firing on all cylinders. They were a force to be reckoned with.    

While Prong’s most commercially successful release wouldn’t come until their next album, 1994’s ‘Cleansing’, which hit number 126 on the Billboard 200, fueled by the song “Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck,” ‘Prove You Wrong’ was the perfect stepping stone on the bands uphill climb towards the heavy metal spotlight it was so deserving of. No other band of the like at the time had the dirty sound that Prong was producing. Tommy’s vocals were unique in a time when most grunge singers were moaning away.  

Every song on ‘Prove You Wrong’ is great. Most of the time, an album has a song or two that makes you go, “What were they thinking?” Such is not the case here. From the opening bass plucks and snare drum of “Irrelevant Thoughts,” to the churning rhythmic riff of “No Way To Deny It,” ‘Prove You Wrong’ destroys in every way possible. My favorite tracks include “Brainwave,” “Unconditional,” “Hell If I Could,” “Torn Between” and “Prove You Wrong.”

‘Prove You Wrong’ was one of the dominant heavy albums of my middle twenties. It sounded great spinning on my turntable, or through my headphones, and most importantly, it made my car rumble and vibrate like never before. Windows down, stereo cranked up, and “Unconditional” blaring away. To me, it has stood the test of time, and it sounds just as great if not better today than it did 23 years ago.

Words & Recommendation by : Ken Kopija

Album Details

Prove You Wrong is the third album by the metal band Prong. It is their only album with Troy Gregory on bass guitar. Released: April 2, 1991

Track list :

1. Irrelevant Thoughts 02:37
2. Unconditional 04:45
3. Positively Blind 02:43
4. Prove You Wrong 03:31
5. Hell If I Could 04:00
6. Pointless 03:07
7. Contradictions 04:10
8. Torn Between 03:11
9. Brainwave 03:01
10. Territorial Rites 03:31
11. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) 03:05
12. Shouldn't Have Bothered 02:39
13. No Way to Deny It 04:41

Music videos were made for Prove You Wrong and Unconditional.

Reissued by Steamhammer on October 28th 2008 remastered in a digipak.

For more information :

https://www.facebook.com/prongmusic

Oblivion - Called To Rise (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : 15/10/2013

Label : Unique Leader Records

Called to Rise, album track listing :

1. Oblivion Part 1: The Chant of Tyrants 01:40
2. Black Veils of Justice 03:11
3. Between Suns of Light 02:50
4. Binary Souls 03:24
5. Reclamation 04:11
6. Canon in E Minor 02:31
7. Annunaki 03:06
8. Reigns in Fire 04:59
9. Cancer of Wraiths 03:53
10. Multiverse 04:41
11. Oblivion Part 2: Infinite Descent 05:35
12. Black Veils of Justice (Instrumental Version) 03:11
13. Shred I: Multiverse (String Orchestra) 04:52
14. Shred II: Long Deaf Hate (String Orchestra) 03:54
15. Multiverse (String Orchestra) 04:48

Bio :

West Coast extreme metal marauders OBLIVION are pleased to officially unleash the audio punishment that is their Called to Rise full-length upon the masses next month.
 

Focused on crafting music to transcend time and genres, OBLIVIONfeatures a compelling cast of characters with All Shall Perish founding bassist Ben Orum, vocalist Dr. Nick Vasallo, a professor of music and internationally acclaimed modernist composer, guitarists Ted O’Neill and Victor Dods who’s currently completing his PhD in mathematics, and drum prodigy Luis Martinez, trained by renowned jazz funk musician Ndugu Chancler.
 

Initially self-released early 2013 to the riotous endorsement of fans and critics alike, OBLIVION‘s Called to Rise was produced by Zack Ohren of Castle Ultimate Studios (Suffocation, Immolation, Decrepit Birth, Deeds of Flesh) and sold out in just a few weeks. Crowned “the must-own album of 2013,“ by Metal Injection, “the finest debut ever written,“ by Metal Archives and a “progressive metal masterpiece,” by Sputnik Music, who furthers, “the band’s eleven song display of nothing more than pure aggression with more musical depth than many bands can find in their entire discography,“ Called to Rise is among death metal’s best kept secrets of the year.
 

Called to Rise was rereleased via Unique Leader Records on October 15th with four bonus tracks. For preorders, point your browser HERE.

Review :

I love me a band that’s all about stretching the boundaries of music.  Bay Area metal explorers Oblivion have opened up dark new horizons with their debut release ‘Called to Rise’.  It’s 15 tracks of some of the most extreme, most pioneering metal ever to grace the soundwaves and, here at The Sludgelord, we’re very honoured to get to review some mighty stuff.  Take a deep breath, and here we go. 

The Oblivion guys have set out to create something with more scope than a Tolkien odyssey, and more bite than napalm tequila shot.  We’ve all heard the saying ‘leave no stone unturned’ – well these guys leave no note unplucked in their pursuit of creating the most epic melody.  If you’re a fan of technical, orchestral, grandiose death metal, then Oblivion are the guys to swoon for.  Feel free to check out ‘Multiverse’ if you want the perfect example of ‘Called to Rise’s epic sonic stature: starting with subtle guitar and piano harmony, it’s nearly a minute of delightful bliss.  Then the shredder comes down on your face and turns it into so much grated human cheese.  Nick Vasallo’s vocals are the catalyst to this sonic concoction, causing this melee of sound to reach frothingly brutal heights. 

What’s intriguing about ‘Called to Rise’ is the final set of songs.  Dr. Vasallo’s classical connections have obviously been at work here, I suspect, as we have three songs actually done by a string orchestra.  Whenever such occurrences like this appear, to me, Apocalyptica spring instantly and happily to mind  and these orchestral pieces are classical mirrors of their heavier counterparts: retaining the shred and intensity, yet adding an elegance and grace to the brutal proceedings.  It’s a really clever method of showcasing how versatile your music is: a Swiss Army Knife of riffs, if you will. 

‘Binary Souls’ from this album is one that made my hair stand on end with its electric riffery.  At times doomy, at others so technical it could build monuments of sound, ‘Binary Souls’ lifts itself above the norm by being insidious and intriguing, drawing you into its dark realm with a circus master’s flair.  Up there with it as my picks from this crop of wild metal is ‘Cancer of Wraiths’, an unrelenting tour de force of slamming technical death metal that fairly rips your ears right off the sides of your head. 

Oblivion is a band comprised of masters of the metal art: ‘Called to Rise’ is an album, therefore, of sure-fire metal classics, crafted and honed to surgical precision, guaranteed to ignite the flames of sonic passion inside you with every listen.  Close your eyes, put your headphones on, and surrender to Oblivion. 

Words by : Chris Markwell

You can get it here

For more information :

https://www.facebook.com/OBLlVlON
http://www.uniqueleader.com
http://www.facebook.com/UniqueLeaderRecords

Rabbits - SOS (Singles, Other Shit) (Album Review)

Album Type : Compilation

Date Released : 3/12/2013

Label : Eolian Empire

SOS (Singles, Other Shit) Track Listing:

A-side ORIGINALS: 
1. Wooze 03:57
2. No (More) Depth 00:56
3. Riff Fuck Reap 03:06
4. Slow Mars 04:14
5. Lungs  05:10
6. Bees Revolt 02:37

B-side COVERS:
1. Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing (Discharge) 01:26
2. Hard Times (Cro-Mags) 01:56
3. One and All (Rudimentary Peni) 01:24
4. Rebel Girl (Bikini Kill) 02:48
5. Evacuate (Negative Approach) 02:35
6. I'd Rather Be Sleeping (D.R.I.) 01:32
7. Think Twice (Poison Idea) 00:46
8. Straight Edge (Minor Threat) 00:50
9. Wasted (Black Flag) 0:54

Bio :

RABBITS is at it again. Steadfast in their determination to not give a shit what you or anyone else thinks, they burrowed deep into their own rabbit hole to scrape together a mish-mash of down-and-dirty tracks from every corner of their sorry-ass storied past.

SOS (Singles, Other Shit)is a disturbing and dissonant distress signal from the underground assembled from LP session bonus tracks, 7-inch tracks, unreleased demos, radio performances, alternate versions, and practice space jams recorded from 2006 to 2013. With few overdubs and mostly single live takes, these tracks capture RABBITS doing what they do best: cranking out bludgeoning full-throttle hardcore noise rock until your ears are ringing and you see stars; pummeling drums, gnarled guitars, maniacal vocals, and deranged solos. The A-side comprises six original songs of serious mayhem and downright fuckery, while the B-side collects nine covers of their favorite ‘80s punk and hardcore songs, mistreated as if their own, no doubt to piss you off. Please help them. They clearly need it.

The RABBITS-run outsider collective Eolian Empire will deposit SOS (Singles, Other Shit) December 3rd via digital download and cassette; old-school as fuck but like totally fresh, yo.  The tape will also be released in Europe on Czech label Stoned to Death at an undisclosed date to be figured out.

Review :

Portland's Rabbits have put out a sordid collection, airing their dirty sonic laundry in public with the release of 'SOS (Singles, Other Shit)'. Which is of course given the quality of the noise manufacturers in question can only be a good thing. This is an album of re-workings, singles, jam recordings and an awful lot of 80s punk and hardcore covers. It's noisy and abrasive and a kick in the teeth.

Their stuff is firmly rooted in noise, with all the usual trimmings and influences. They excel at what they do because they have been plugging away at it for years now and this album goes to show just what they are capable of.

'Wooze' has that Crover style big hitting as the backbone, and some nice scuzzed out riffs. I love how this song is confused as to whether it's a punk tune or a metal one, and to a large extent that's a great way to describe the appeal that Rabbits have as a group. Noise rock at its absolute best as a subgenre is schizophrenic in nature, wide-eyed and unpredictable. Neat track.

'Slow Mars' is even more evidence of this. I know I said that they play noise rock, but is this doom? It sure could be, but they probably don't give much of a fuck about tags I guess. This is slow, morose and plodding. It thumps away relentlessly. It should be played loud, too. The recording is so raw that at certain points the guitars sound like they were square pegs being rammed into a triangular hole, but that only adds to the charm.

In regards to the covers portion of 'SOS' the absolute standout for me is the Discharge choice, and it's a pretty brave one too - they nail the ferocity. 'Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing' is downright legendary in hardcore and crossover circles, its tempo and buzz a perfect fit for the Rabbits standard of attack. Squealing guitars and that sense of urgency are translated well, and they manage to make it their own somehow.

If you are new to Rabbits at all then this is an ideal introduction. If you're already a fan then this brings together some rare and nice elements of their catalogue in one place. Either way it's a win situation, and well worth the price of admission. 'SOS' is pretty special on all fronts.

Get yer raucous on, people.

Words by : Matt Fitton

You can get it here

For more information :

http://rabbitusmaximus.com
https://www.facebook.com/RabbitusMaximus
http://eolianempire.com
http://goods.eolianempire.com

Kampfar - Djevelmakt (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : 27/1/2014

Label : Indie Recordings

 Djevelmakt, album track listing :

1. Mylder 06:37

2. Kujon 07:10

3. Blod, Eder og Galle 06:24

4. Swarm Norvegicus 05:37

5. Fortapelse 04:49

6. De Dødes Fane 05:48

7. Svarte Sjelers Salme 03:37

8. Our Hounds, Our Legion 07:40

Bio :

2014 marks 20 years existence for Kampfar, and with it comes Djevelmakt, an album marking a leap forward in the band's steadfast career.

Where 2011's Mare represented a journey into the world of the witches, past and present, Djevelmakt conceptually  digs deeper into the muck and bile of the underworlds and brings to light a world where rats feed on the blackest souls and where false choirs have no power.

The Band :

Dolk | Vocals

Ole | Guitar and keys

Jon | Bass

Ask Ty | Drums and vocals

Review :

Norwegian black metal veterans Kampfar follow up 2011’s ‘Mare’ with latest release ‘Djevelmakt’ courtesy of Indie Recordings. With a career spanning 20 years it’s safe to say these chaps know what they are doing, their portrayal of black metal inspired by pagan and folklore themes creates a dynamic and mesmerising listen. Despite being predominantly written in Norwegian the deep dark concepts that ‘Djevelmakt’ delves into permeate through the music and become immediately decipherable.

Opening track Mylder begins with an unnerving piano intro before the heavy guitars and screams of ‘Helvete!’ forcefully take over. A sublime track, with an incredibly powerful chorus that even on first listen is massively memorable. Interjections of folk seamlessly work alongside the black metal assault, reinforcing the pagan influence as well as breaking up the brutality of blast beats and relentless riffs.

A menacing start to Swarm Norvegicus with haunting synth and discordant low piano notes, becoming darker with Dolk’s almost satanic like spoken word vocals, for sure one of the darkest tracks on the album. This album is conceptually about ‘the muck and bile of the underworld’ this is the track which ultimately epitomizes that concept. The album maintains a crisp flow throughout, superb drumming from Ask Ty who drives forward the pummelling momentum, alongside Ole’s ear shattering riffs.

The latter half of the album proves to be particularly strong; De Dodes Fane is totally unpredictable, veering in directions you couldn’t possibly foresee, while Svarte Sjelers Salme showcases the brilliance of Dolk’s fearless black metal snarl in this short punchy three and a half minute assault. However final track Our Hounds, Our Legions is a cut above the rest, a solemn acoustic guitar riff eases us in before one hell of a stompy, distorted riff beats down like the hammer of Thor. The longest track of the album and yet long enough, Kampfar conclude their album with an absolute belter. 

Being from Norway and playing black metal inevitably produces certain expectations, Kampfar meet if not exceed that expectation with ‘Djevelmakt’. For a band that has been active for 20 years its incredible how they still manage to progress as a band and continue to push those musical boundaries. I’m throwing it out there, one of the best black metal albums I’ve heard this year.

Words by : Heather Blewett

You can get it here

For more information :

www.kampfar.com 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/KAMPFAR-official/343342075489?fref=ts

The Sludgelord News : TORCHE SIGN TO RELAPSE RECORDS CURRENTLY RECORDING FOLLOW UP TO HARMONICRAFT

Photo credit: Janette Valentine

TORCHE, the Florida-meets-Georgia quartet whose album Harmonicraft, was proclaimed “one of the strongest guitar-rock records 2012 will yield” by Alternative Press, have signed with Relapse Records.

“We’re looking forward to working with a label that has stood the test of time while continuing to expand their diverse roster.” Explained Jonathan Nuñez, adding, “Releasing this record on Relapse lined up pretty well since it contains some of the heaviest songs we’ve written to date.”

TORCHE are often cited for their masterful combination of melodic songwriting and heavy music, with Spin dubbing their music “sludge-pop” and Filter saying the band proves “a heavy-rock band can be optimistic and sincere-without sacrificing any of the edge.”

The band is currently recording at Pinecrust Studio in Miami, with Nuñez serving as producer and Converge’s Kurt Ballou mixing the album.  The as-of-yet untitled album is expected to come this Summer.

The band's 2012 7" entitled Harmonslaught can be streamed for free at the TORCHE Bandcamp.


Torche is: 
Steve Brooks - (Guitar/Vocals)
Rick Smith - (Drums)
Jonathan Nuñez - (Bass)
Andrew Elstner - (Guitar/Vocals)  

Torche are a band consisting of four dudes playing the loudest and heaviest hard rock on the planet.  Formed by vocalist / guitarist Steve Brooks in 2004 after the dissolution cult, sludge / stoner metal pioneers Floor, the group introduced the world to a refreshingly unique version of rock n' roll.  Torche have spent the last 10 years shattering ears and captivating crowds with their infectiously original heavy rock complete with soaring, harmonic vocals.

The band has released three full-lengths and a series of EPs / splits with such revered labels as Hydra Head, Robotic Empire, Volcom and Amensian and has toured relentlessly with a diverse pool of acts including Mogwai, Hot Water Music, The Sword, Isis and many more.  In early 2014 the band signed with renowned label Relapse Records and entered the studio to record their highly anticipated fourth full-length and follow-up to 2012's Harmonicraft.

For more information
www.facebook.com/torcheofficial
www.torchemusic.com
www.torche.bandcamp.com
www.relapse.com
www.facebook.com/relapserecordseurope

Source : Pioneer Music Press

The Sludgelord News : INDIAN: Chicago Blackened Doom Bringers Unleash Scathing New Video For "Rhetoric Of No"

Photo credit: Orion Landau

Metal Injection, in cooperation with blackened doom bringers, INDIAN, premiere a brand new visual atrocity in the form of "Rhetoric Of No."

The menacing six-plus-minute demonstration of deviance comes courtesy of INDIAN's newly-released From All Purity full-length. A corrosive audio collage where tar-black doom unites with expansive waves of noise to create a near smothering sensation of revulsion, suffering, and imminent degeneration, the six-track From All Purity, which debuted at #24 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, is the true sound of the earth dying.

Recorded at Electrical Audio and Soma Studios in Chicago with engineer/co-producer Sanford Parker (Minsk, Yob, Samothrace), From All Purity has reaped the love of fans and media globally. In an 8.2/10 score, Pitchfork calls the record, "commanding and well-crafted," adding that "this is the strongest they've ever sounded," Hit The Floor names it, "the most vicious and scathing pieces of bleak recorded hatred you will hear all year," Metal Insider points out that, "it's almost as if INDIAN aren't playing their instruments so much as abusing them and we are allowed to witness this display of musical debauchery like some sickening peep show," while MetalSucks commends the record's "gnarled brilliance" furthering that, "it's just so fucking ugly and unpleasant that, unless you're in the mood to go looking for diamonds in the vomit-encrusted rough, it can sound like an endless, sickly death march....INDIAN know that doom's slowness can be used to stretch out one's concept of time to submerge whoever's listening into something truly vicious." Lambgoat agrees, "With their fifth full-length, INDIANbuilds upon a key fact that should define their music: beauty through dissonance... It's noisy, unpleasant, and vicious in its sludge/doom attack; all qualities that make From All Purity a strong release." Adds Metal Injection, "Far from a mere Eyehategod or Neurosis clone, INDIAN are a well-rounded quintet capable of appealing to fans of groups as disparate as Batillus, Pelican or High On Fire."

Widen your eye holes and check out "Rhetoric Of No" at THIS LOCATION.

In related news, the Chicagoan misanthropes will head overseas this Spring for a short bout of onstage rituals alongside labelmates Inter Arma and Windhand on select dates. The international excursion includes a performance at this year's Roadburn gala. North American dates will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Finally, check out what's haunting their headphones with INDIAN's Decibrity Playlist now playing at Decibel HERE.

INDIAN

w/ Inter Arma

4/04/2014Kavka - Antwerp, BE

4/05/2014 Iduna - Drachten, NL

4/06/2014 Luftschlossfabrik - Flensburg, DE             

4/09/2014 KB18 - Copenhagen, DK w/ 16, Grime

w/ Windhand, Inter Arma

4/10/2014 Doom Over Leipzig - Leipzig, DE                    

4/11/2014 AJZ - Bielefeld, DE

4/12/2014 013 Venue - Tilburg, NL [info]

From All Purity is currently streaming in full at the INDIAN BandCamp Page. Purchase your copy of From All Purity via Relapse HERE. For iTunes orders, point your browser HERE.

For more information : 

http://www.facebook.com/IndianDoom 

http://www.indiandoom.com 

http://www.relapse.com

Source : EarSplit PR

Ooze - S/T (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : Out Now

Label : Total Rust / Forneus Records

Ooze, album track listing :

1). Intro

2). Thankless Life

3). Night Gastric Reflux

4). Worthless

5). The Smoke Told Me How

6). Theft of State

7). Experience the Hatred

8). Dope Visions

9). Shrine

10). Row to the Guillotine

Bio :

Ooze started its path of destruction in late 2011 when friends Antonio Strain, Sirio Palese and Andrea L'Abbate congregated in a dirty, smoke filled, filthy practice space in the middle of Trieste, Italy, to give birth to the bastard child of their corrupted, hazy minds.

After few months of intensive sessions of mental and musical distortion, they started recording their first self-released, self-loathing driven demo CD titled "Sister tank", an infamous collection of intricate, pummeling, rotting riffs topped by thunderous drum work and tortured vocals that took them under the spotlights of the local DIY scene.

Israeli label Total Rust can't resist the band infectious sound and put Ooze under its wing and send them to a proper studio for the first time to record their upcoming LP.

Due to early 2014, the self-titled "Ooze", collects Ooze most punishing, sludgy and perverted material to date.

Their music crawls from the bowels of the most rapidly decaying city in Italy and hits you in the face like the vile stench of stagnant bong water.

Get ready to get smashed by a slimy wave of feedbacks, possibly with a fat joint in your hand

The Band :

Antonio Strain | Bass

Stefano Sokota | Drums

Sirio Palese | Guitars

Andrea l’Abbate | Vocals

Review :

The charmingly titled Ooze hail from the city of Trieste in Italy and their name befits their classic sludge sound. It's filthy, raucous and noisy. It's been up injecting volume and drinking bad feelings for six days straight, and it's starting to look the worse for wear; which automatically qualifies it for lifetime membership around here.

We're like the country club from hell, us: if you can make an unholy racket and ruin the lawn by pissing on it then you're in.

The band's self titled debut full length is very much in the vein of EHG style filth, and would sit right next to Hogslayer on a reinforced shelf (that's a heavy joke, that is). Lashings of malicious groove abound on 'Thankless Life', all suffering from a severe case of feedback of course. The band isn't breaking any moulds but what they do they do very well. Pummelling rhythms and dirty swaggering riffs all interlock with some gnarly vocals to make sure you have a good time. Rock and roll at the extreme end of the spectrum, distilled into a dirty glass.

'Worthless' features a sexy intro full of attitude and much bird flipping. Great slow and low riffing, and hate fuelled vocals to boot. The dude sounds like he's been gargling bile at certain points. This track in particular has a real sense of power behind it for some reason, it's well built and malicious in nature. It never increases beyond anything more than a sedate pace, but it'll rock you. Maybe not like a hurricane, but those things suck anyways.

'The Smoke Told Me How' has a barn burning central riff that's catchier than a can of Pringles dipped in a barrel of herpes. That shit will stay with you, and you'll keep coming back for more again and again and again. Sorry if I just ruined Pringles for you. There's also a seriously cool part towards the end where it slows down to a hideous chug that is punctuated by a violent squeal. Like somebody is stabbing their amp, and it's yelping out in pain. Poor amp, but lucky us.

Italy has been banging out some really good noise over the last few years, and Ooze have joined those ranks with complete disregard for their own personal safety, or indeed the welfare of human ears. This album is rough around the edges and very undercooked, which makes it a success on all fronts when it comes to sludge. An outstanding effort from this young group, I look forward to hopefully documenting their infectious grooves for years to come.

Words by : Matt Fitton

You can buy there CD here

For more information :

http://oozerian.bandcamp.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ooze/143585005756501

https://twitter.com/OOZE_band

http://www.youtube.com/user/Oozerian?feature=guide

Monte Pittman - The Power Of Three (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : 21/1/2014

Label : Metal Blade Records

The Power of Three, album track listing  :

01. A Dark Horse
02. Delusions of Grandeur
03. Everything’s Undone
04. Blood Hungry Thirst
05. On My Mind
06. Away from Here
07. Before the Mourning Son
08. End of the World
09. Missing
10. All Is Fair in Love and War

Bio :

A year after Monte Pittman (guitars & vocals), Kane Ritchotte (drums), and Max Whipple (bass) boarded a plane to Copenhagen, Denmark to begin recording The Power of Three—the upcoming full-length album from award winning, chart topping guitarist Monte Pittman—the album is finally ready for the world to hear and has been set for release in North America on January 21, 2014 through Metal Blade Records. The Power of Three showcases Monte’s return to his metal roots and saw the band teaming up with none other than Flemming Rasmussen, famous for Metallica’s seminal album ‘Master Of Puppets’, who produced the album with mastering duties being handled by Alan Douches at West West Side Mastering. The Power Of Three, which is hard and heavy and follows on from Monte’s highly successful, critically acclaimed second album ‘Pain, Love & Destiny’, which reached number one in both the rock and pop charts.

Artist Cam Rackam created the artwork for the cover of The Power of Three. The piece features a portrait of Charon, the ferryman of Hades who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron that divided the world of the living from the world of the dead. This represents Monte's musical journey from what he has done before and where he is now with The Power of Three and beyond. The iTunes single and first track released to fans from the album, ‘A Dark Horse’, features artwork created by Gustav Klimt (used with kind permission) titled 'The Golden Knight (Life Is A Struggle)'. It is a textured, symbolic painting which tells a similar story as the music does.

The Band :

Monte Pittman | Guitars, Vocals

Kane Ritchotte | Drums

Max Whipple | Bass

Review :

Monte Pittman isn’t a household name.  Although, as Madonna’s long-time guitarist, playing on such chart-bothering tracks such as Hung Up and 4 Minutes, his work may very well have haunted your house and indeed your head in the past.

Alongside stints with other more mainstream acts such as Melanie C, Sophie Ellis Bextor and the ever opinion dividing Adam Lambert, his love for all things heavy has never been neglected.

A member of the Prong fold for 2003’s Scorpio Rising and this, his third solo studio album, he has oft flexed his musical muscles in the thrash metal realms of which his taste and true love are firmly rooted. On The Power of Three the diversity of his back catalogue, which has been stretched, tried and tested, his writing and playing abilities as a consequence give the record a resolutely accomplished sound. The majority of songs attributed to his name may not be of the heaviest nature but his song writing prowess has never been in question and here he has the chance to prove just that.

A Dark Horse ushers in shadowy acoustic guitars whose sense of foreboding soon morphs into a pounding, distorted thrash riff. While Pittman may not be the greatest singer there is his credentials in writing songs for Madonna and co. have reinforced an emphasis on infectious vocal melodies – ones which turn good songs into great songs and, as is the story on several other tracks across the record, A Dark Horse takes an unexpected turn at the half-way mark. The result is a flashy guitar solo and another fantastic riff. It makes the overriding listening experience much more intriguing.

End Of The World, led by a plodding drum beat and rung out chords, it once again shows how Pittman can lean on vocal melody for the defining feature of a song. It is, in essence, a pop song in a metal head’s clothing, but is supremely enjoyable all the while. A good riff however, is never far away and the groovy, syncopated one on offer here, which follows a nuanced lead guitar melody, is a fine example of this. 

Delusions of Grandeur meanwhile, can claim the title for the record’s standout track. Here, the combination of vocal orientated melodies and grinding riffs and ear-rattling drums is a hugely addictive concoction.

Other highlights include Before The Mourning Son, which yields a subtly doomy feel all the while being huge on melody and 13 minute album closing epic All Is Fair In Love And War. With lashings of punk, thrash and soaring lead lines which shine the spotlight on Pittman’s phenomenal playing, it is an impressive piece of music. After a heavy, Metallica-eqsue beginning, a slow, yearning passage takes the foray. Eating up the majority of the songs lifespan, it eventually becomes increasingly fiery before truly exploding in a climatic conclusion to both the song and the record on a whole.

What The Power of Three is in the end, is an opportunity for Pittman to do what he really loves. Writing and touring with pop’s elite is this man’s day job, it pays the bills and always will do. But credit must be dealt to whom it is due and instead of writing another multi-million pound album Monte Pittman has decided to do what he loves for a while. It’s a move which seems to already been benefitting his work, diversity sparks greater creativity and whoever gets that profit, be it Madonna or a more metallic output, for Pittman, this is mission accomplished.   

Words by : Phil Weller

You can buy it here

For more information :

http://www.montepittman.com

https://www.facebook.com/MontePittman
http://www.youtube.com/MontePittmanMusic

https://soundcloud.com/montepittman
http://twitter.com/montepittman|

http://www.instagram.com/montepittman
https://montepittman.bandpage.com

https://myspace.com/montepittman

Legion of the Damned - Ravenous Plague (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released :  3/1/2014

Label : Napalm Records

Ravenous Plague, album track listing :

01 - Intro: the Apocalyptic Surge
02 - Howling for Armageddon
03 - Black Baron
04 - Mountain Wolves under a Crescent Moon
05 - Ravenous Abominations
06 - Doom Priest
07 - Summon All Hate
08 - Morbid Death
09 - Bury Me in a Nameless Grave
10 - Armalite Assassin
11 - Strike of the Apocalypse

Bio :

LEGION OF THE DAMNED has always been a reliable source of first-class Thrash Metal and the latest album "Ravenous Plague" continues this tradition in a remarkable way. Songs like 'Summon all Hate', 'Armalite Assassin' and 'Ravenous Abomination' show the crew from its best and most aggressive side. Melodic leads, murderous riffs, furious grooves and rock-hard drums are crowned by the merciless vocals of frontman Maurice Swinkels and create an intensive listening experience. The production was overseen by sound wizard Andy Classen himself. "Ravenous Plague" is a brutal and uncompromising riff bombardment that will set a new standard for the genre!

The Band :

Maurice Swinkels | vocals

Twan van Geel | guitars

Harold Gielen | bass

Erik Fleuren | drums

Review :

Dutch thrash/death denizens Legion of The Damned return and keep up their high work rate with Ravenous Plague. After a mood setting intro, it is straight down to business with “Howling for Armageddon”- it's all there from the off. Thrash rhythms with the snare pounding on the downbeat, semi quaver double bass drums and vicious guitars. Maurice Swinkels vocals are the right level of vicious- clear enough to be understood, but gnarly enough to go with the guitar sound. “Black Baron” follows with more viciousness that falls mid-way between The Haunted's best stuff (with Marco Aro, IMO) and the more deathly delights of, say, Hail of Bullets.

“Mountain Wolves under a Crescent Moon” has a superb song title, feel and riffs. The record just does not let up and exemplifies what is still exciting about thrash- it's an adrenaline fuelled rip ride with unstoppable momentum. The changes come thick and fast- and most importantly effectively. “Ravenous Abominations” follows and ups the aggression even further, if that's possible. The lyric “We stand for an evil cause” just about sums this up nicely! The pace drops, appropriately, for “Doom Priest” but not for long. After a moody intro- complete with spoken word voiceover- the track marches forwards, gradually building the tension with a triplet feel and then adding quick bass drums but keeping the tempo in the mid range. The tempo downgrade allows the band to display some nice riffs and get a good groove going- this is great stuff.

“Summon All Hate” follows, again with a time feel that swings, in a thrash way- obviously. Credit must go to the production team here and drummer Erik Fleuren; the drums have a unique sound that is live and unusual at the same time. This is a welcome change to the usual identikit pro-tools/sound replaced drum sounds found on most records these days. “Morbid Death” sounds just how you want it to with a title like that. Fast and furious it most certainly is! “Bury Me In A Nameless Grave” continues the high tempos before “Armalite Assassin” gallops out of the speakers. Again, the riffs are razor sharp, but there is also a sense of melody at work here (not in a lame In Flames way) and the song flows very well because of this- memorable hooks and passages of guitar combine well. “Strike of The Apocalypse” is the death blow of the record, delivering as it does razor sharp chugging riffs and bursts of thrash pacing.

This album is a classy and unique affair- the band has their own sound that is a mixture of the best bits of thrash with some death influences but without tiresome blast beats. A Euro sensibility to the song writing, riffing and style is palpable and gives the band their own stamp. If you are looking for some vicious thrash with a twist then look no further.

Words by : Richard Maw

You can buy it here

For more information :

https://www.facebook.com/LOTDOfficial

www.legionofthedamned.net