Monster Magnet - Milking The Stars: A Re-Imagining Of Last Patrol (Album Review)

Album Type: Full-length

Date Released: November 14^th 2014

Label: Napalm Records

Milking The Stars: A Re-Imagining Of Last Patrol – track listing

1. Let The Circus Burn

2. Mindless Ones '68

3. No Paradise For Me

4. End of Time(B-3)

5. Milking The Stars

6. Hellelujah(Fuzz and Swamp)

7. I Live Behind The Clouds(Roughed Up and Slightly Spaced)

8. Goliath Returns

9. Stay Tuned(Even Sadder)

10. The Duke(Full On Drums'N Wah)

Members

Dave Wyndorf - lead vocals, guitar, keyboards

Garrett Sweeny - lead guitar, sitar

Phil Caivano - rhythm guitar

Chris Kosnik - bass guitar

Bob Pantella - drums, perc

Review:

I've always been a tad suspicious towards re-worked/ re-mixed albums, especially when said album has only been out for a year and is damned good as it is. So when Monster Magnet announced the release of 'Milking The Stars: A Re-Imagning Of Last Patrol', a remake of the excellent 'Last Patrol' I didn't know what to think. The only recurring thought I had was simply 'why?'. 'Last Patrol' was in no need of a facelift whatsoever. Therefore, when the boss asked if I was interested in reviewing it I agreed but braced myself for stink affair. Come on, the new wax is called 'Milking The Stars...' and that is a pointer at cashing in. But like so many times before though I have to admit defeat, and I gladly do so, since this is a fantastic platter!

To be honest, I haven't read any press releases regarding Wyndorf and Co's latest offering, so I have no idea about Dave's reason to put this one out. And that might be a good reason, you know, gives a fresher take to it. What's on offer is ten tracks where four are brand new and six are redone. Some versions come with two live tracks. And what can I say....it's bloody marvellous!

Before playing I recommend you sit very comfortably, relax, close your eyes anf then hit play. The moment opener 'Let The Circus Burn' there is no turning back. Spaced out to the max the song will pull you in to this headfuck of an album. Slowly building up this instrumental will throw you out into deep space and if you make it all the way to the end, you are a new person all together. 'Mindless Ones 68' starts off like Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black' before turning into a mix of The Doors playing 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' on a shitload of acid. I love this song in it's original version but holy hell, it's a whole different kind of beast now! Eerie and lurking 'No Paradise For Me' gives me the feeling of seeing a new day dawn after three days of no sleep and the sunlight fucks with you as is the visions you've witnessed during the insomnia. This song will mess with you...in a good way no less. Fast and furious 'End Of Time(B-3) has been soaked with the sweet tones of the good and trusted Hammon B-3 organ and it fits in extremely well. An already psychedelic song in all it's heaviness this addition brings more of the late sixties, early seventies vibe that Wyndorf is going for. Very, very good. Another eerie track is the title track. Kind of the same vibe as 'No Paradise For Me' there's more of a reflective mood amidst all the trippiness, although there is a sinister touch floating in the background.

Renaming 'Hallelujah' 'Hellelujah(Fuzz And Swamp) is brilliant. Having added a lot of fuzz - read even more fuzz - to the original version while bringing in the delta swamplands of Mississippi and Louisiana, has turned it into a stomper of a sinister and evil psych blues song. Absolutely love it! One of my favourite songs on 'Last Patrol' is 'I Live Behind The Clouds'. Here it is called 'I Live Behind The Clouds(Roughed Up And Slightly Spaced) and man, it has lost none of it's appeal. Hell, true to the new title, it is as trippy as anything can get and the added roughness plays along excellently with darker themes of the album. The last of the four new songs is 'Goliath Returns'. Instrumental and foreboding a sense of Armageddon oozes from it. Another favourite from 'Last Patrol' is 'Stay Tuned' which is now called 'Stay Tuned(Even Sadder). Again, Dave has succeeded in altering a song just enough to make it new while still retaining the original greatness. The guitar towards the end is so beautiful in all it's despair. Last one out is another survivor from the 2013 release, 'The Duke(Full On Drums'N Wah). Well, the name has been somewhat altered but most of it remains the same. What is different is a fuller, richer sound where both the guitar and of course drums have been enhanced.

All the worries and concerns I had regarding about this LP were not only unfounded but I was also thrown out of the park. Dave and his band took all they had and turned a beast into a rare double headed beast. What I mean is, rarely can any band or artist take their own material and recreate it into something so fantastically good as Monster Magnet has done. To pull this off, not only do you need a hell of a lot of talent, you also need the confidence and oomph to go through with a project like this, all the way to the end. A truly amazing album!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Andy, Jon and Mona at Napalm Records for sending us a promo. Milking The Stars: A Re-Imagining Of Last Patrol will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Napalm Records on November 14^th 2014.

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Thy Darkened Shade - Liber Lucifer I: Khem Sedjet (Album Review)

Album Type: Full-length

Date Released: October 31, 2014

Label: W.T.C. Productions

Liber Lucifer I: Khem Sedjet – track listing

1. Holy Lvcifer

2. Revival through Arcane Skins

3. Elixer of Azazel

4. Black Light of Sitra Ahra

5. Or She-ein bo Mahshavah

6. Nox Profunda

7. Drayishn-i Ahriman o Divan

8. Saatet-ta Renaissance

9. Liber Lvcifer

10. Deus Obsconditus

11. Δαήμων Ὁ Φώσφορος (Daemon Phosphorus)

Bio

The entity known as Thy Darkened Shade was formed nameless in 1999 by Semjaza. The music composed was Black Metal with Old School and Epic influences. In order for Thy Darkened Shade to achieve the best representation of what this band's music signifies, nothing was unleashed.

Over the years and after various experimentations, the sound of Thy Darkened Shade changed significantly resulting in ETERNVS MOS, NEX RITVS. Expect a mix of raw yet technical Black Metal with old school, avant-garde and 80s' Thrash influences.

Members

The A – Vocals

Semjaza – Guitars & Bass

H.G. – Drums

Magus Wampyr Daoloth of Necromantia – Guest Vocals on Daemon Phosphorus

Review:

For those raised in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s there were two types of Satanism: the non-existent bogeymen abducting, molesting, and sacrificing children in the minds of religious zealots and regression hypnosis charlatans nationwide; or the very real, fairly boring pseudo-objectivist secular humanists/atheists of Anton Lavey’s Church of Satan. By the late 90s, the real possibility of baby-murdering Satanism was revealed as a kind of national hysteria and Lavey garnered a fair degree of hipster cool by hanging out with Marilyn Manson.

For all but the most backwards of us, Laveyan Satanists are a joke – meme ready neck-beards wearing fedoras and tweeting Penn Jillette quotes into the ether. Moreover, when it comes to Lucifer himself, they tend to be party poopers, ready to spout endless trivia about the power of the individual, the adversary, the outsider against repressive institutions like churches and governments. Mention theistic Satanists, and they’re likely to blow a gasket. According to Church of Satan “High Priest” Peter Gilmore, “My real feeling is that anybody who believes in supernatural entities on some level is insane. Whether they believe in The Devil or God, they are abdicating reason.” Snooze.

I can’t pretend that I know much more about theistic or atheistic Satanism, but simply judging by musical talent and output, I’ll take Behemoth, Watain, and seriously talented Greek disciples Thy Darkened Shade over a Sam Harris- or Richard Dawkins-inspired album any day. Thanks be to Azazel that Thy Darkened Shade have helped in some way to rescue Lucifer from the tired bin of 90s rock metaphor and have structured the first (of several?) prog meets blackened death metal masterpieces centered on the Morningstar and his demonic brethren, or as they describe it Acausal Necrosophic Black Metal.

Instrumentalist Semjaza and vocalist The A (joined on this release by drummer H.G.) craft Miltonian hellscapes on their sophomore album, complete with unholy chanting, blast beats galore, what feels like an orchestra of both electric and folk instruments, stretching across 77 minutes of relentless metal. Remarkably, it never feels tired, even with four (!) 10 minute mini-epics filling out over half of the album’s runtime. Rather, it seems like Thy Darkened Shade, like so many remarkable metal bands, continue to balance a truly fringe ethos with diverse musical traditions. There is a section of title track Liber Lvcifer (about the last 2 minutes) that really defies mere critical language. After the structured chaos of the preceding 8 minutes, the bursts of cacophony and breakneck shredding, the ethereal chanting, guitar harmonies, and martial drumming transcends the simply horrific to become sublime.

When John Milton wrote Paradise Lost, he made a charismatic Lucifer whose tragedy would allow mankind some access to the infinite mystery of being, but was ultimately bound to the conventions of Christianity. With Liber Lvcifer I, Thy Darkened Shade evokes the same kind of transcendence, unbound by the strictures of religion or dogmatic rationality. At its core, it stands out as a paradox: a divinely unholy work of irreligious devotion.

Words by Mark Ambrose

Thanks to Nathan for the promo. Liber Lucifer I: Khem Sedjet will be available to buy from W.T.C. Productions from October 31^st.

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MAGE - Last Orders (Album Review)

Album Type: Album

Date Released: 31^st October 2014

Label: Witch Hunter Records

Last Orders – Track Listing

1.Dark Matter 04:47

2.The Fallen 05:27

3.Old Bones 04:53

4.Lux Mentis 05:31

5.Beyond 06:00

6.Violent Skies 04:07

7.One For The Road 04:38

Bio

Mage. Five unholy wizards compelled by the power of the riff and dark, dark magic. Forged in dragons fire atop a lightning lashed mountain in the year of our Lord two thousand and ten. Rumbling riffs combined with finely hewn words of power to conjure up images of otherwordly things creeping forth from the darkest reccesses... *ahem* ...Sorry about that... If you have a low "fantastical bullshit" threshold, we're basically five guys who've been around in a variety of bands over the years, brought together by a shared love of "THEE RIFF" and a desire to jam and see what happens. Turns out that what happens is a Stoner/Doomy/Metal type thing, but with a whole bunch of other elements thrown in. First studio EP released in 2011 and first full album recorded 2012. Come worship at the altar...

Members

Ben - Guitar

Andy - Drums

Tom - Vocals

Mark - Bass

Woody - Guitar

Review:

It is good to see that Mage have lost none of their fury and anger on their 2nd album - Last Orders. One of the debut albums strongest points was Mage's style of Doom, Stoner Metal, and Hard Rock with elements of NWOBHM and Thrash keeping the atmosphere violently loud. What you have here is 35 minutes of pitch-perfect riffs and angry vocals make this a very loud and satisfying album indeed. Starting off with the heavy thrash sounding - Dark Matter - the album fully explodes into life with lead vocalist Tom influenced by James Hetfield and Ronnie James Dio as his delivery verges between Thrash and Doom with the dark lyrics giving Mage the perfect start to thrill you with. The instrumental work has a sneering punk/stoner metal vibe holding things together.

2nd track - The Fallen - ventures further into the doomier and seedier side of life that sees Mage thrive and possibly fulfilling their potential, they hinted at on their debut album. Mage add almost ambient like noises and creepy sound effects to give The Fallen a dark unsettling vibe, which may prove too jarring for the Stoner Rock/Metal crew to actually listen to. To tell you the truth - Last Orders - does not change course that much as Mage are on a collision course with danger and terror. Mage still include Hard Rock and Stoner Riffs to rock out to it is just that it is buried under a ton of violent, noisy rubble. That rubble being a thrash/doom/apocalyptic dark force starting to wake up and devour everything in it’s' wake.

The album gives the impression that Mage are leaving the Stoner Rock/Metal realm behind and has now joined forces with Satan himself. It is quite a bold and dark album to come out with as Mage leave no stone unturned in proving a few thrills along the way. Lux Mentis proves this point as Mage play a dark and dangerous game with viewer’s emotions as they mix brutal riffs with great vocals to match. I once classed Mage as natural successors to Orange Goblin but on this form, they have ventured down a darker route that I never expected. Mage now fall under Church Of Misery's dark world but with their own great take on the Doom Metal scene.

The 2nd half of the album or the last 3 songs - Beyond, Violent Skies and One For The Road features some of the heaviest riffs and vocals on the album with Mage making sure you don't go away disappointed. If Mage wanted to show the UK Doom/Stoner Metal scene, they are a different band from a few years ago then mission successful as this is a very different band compared to their celebrated debut album. Last Orders is an excellent album to follow up Black Sands. Which album do I prefer? This or Black Sands. That is very hard to say at this moment in time. I applaud the darker tone and vision that Mage went for but I kinda miss the Stoner Metal riffs they created on Black Sands. Only time will tell which album will speak to me the most. Until then - Last Orders - is still a heavy and thunderous success on every level. Check this album out. You will not be disappointed. Excellent stuff.

Thanks to Chris at Witch Hunter Records for the promo. Last Orders will be available to buy on CD/DD from October 31st 2014.

Words by Steve Howe

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Live Review: LTNT/Baba Naga/Brant Bjork And The Low Desert Punk Band.The Belgrave Hall, Leeds, UK. 19th October 2014

I have only seen Brant Bjork perform once before and that was with Vista Chino in Newcastle back in Nov 2013. I have witnessed Brant Bjork the phenomenal and legendary drummer. Now it’s time to experience – Brant Bjork, the Desert Rock/Stoner Rock legend and solo artist playing a collection of his greatest hits and a few tunes from his upcoming excellent new album – Black Flower Power – with the Low Desert Punk Band.

Belgrave Music Hall is a great venue as it has an intimate vibe where the crowd feel very much part of the action. The acoustics and sound system is excellent at this venue but more about that later. We had two support bands opening for Brant Bjork and The Low Desert Punk Band. Baba Naga and LTNT. This is the second time I have seen Baba Naga in the space of less than 24 hours as I saw them supporting H A R K and Ken Mode the night before at Sheffield South Sea Live. They did perform a good set the night before but tonight they are something else. Baba Naga’s sound is a weird psychedelic mix of Stoner, Doom, Drone and Noise that makes for a very loud and hypnotic experience as this hard-rocking trio slowly started to win some fans in the audience tonight. If you’re a fan of OM and Hawkwind then Baba Naga are a band to look out for within the UK Stoner Rock scene.

Up next was LTNT – I did give these guys a couple of songs but they weren’t for me. So I headed downstairs to the bar until Brant Bjork And The Low Desert Punk band were ready to appear. Around 10:05pm, an eager and excited audience were waiting for the arrival of one of Desert Rock/Stoner Rock iconic performers of the last 23 years to appear on stage. When Brant did appear he did not disappoint as he blasted his way through a storming almost 90 minute set full packed full of classic tunes and tracks from his upcoming new album – Black Flower Power.

The Low Desert Punk Band were immense from start to finish. The sound was deafening at times with hazy Stoner/Desert rock riffs that had the audience devouring every second of it. Brant was the consumate performer with his killer vocals showing a loud fiery passion not many of his peers can match. The Desert Rock/Stoner Rock vibe is in full swing as The Low Desert Punk Band come out ready for action as they blaze there way through tracks such as Low Desert Punk, Lazy Bones, Too Many Chiefs.. Not Enough Indians, Controllers Destroyed and the classic new Brant Bjork track – Stokely Up Now.

The whole atmosphere was electric as the band and audience felt in tune with one another through out the entire gig. Brant keeps communication with the audience down to a minimum but when he does speak he thanks the almost sell-out crowd for coming out to see him on a Sunday night. We should be thanking him for putting on such a fantastic show that proves why Brant Bjork is considered such a pioneer within the Desert/Stoner Rock Scene.

The Low Desert Punk Band have a real buzz about them. They played some epic jams that had the audience captivated. It felt we were transported to the Californian Hot Desert Sun as the music had a timeless quality and aura to it. When Brant and the guys did leave stage, they were given one heck of a reception, which they were truly thankful for. Obviously, the band treated the audience to a blistering encore where the guys played 73 and The Future Rock (We Got It) that left the entire audience begging for more. Sadly, that was it. 90 minutes of a brilliant gig that people will remember for a long time to come.

If you missed this gig then you missed something special here. Brant Bjork and The Low Desert Punk Band was incredible. All you need to know.

Thanks to Andy and Mona at Napalm for arranging for ourselves to see this gig. Black Flower Power will be available to buy from Napalm Records on November 14th 2014. You can read Marc's incredible review here

Word by Steve Howe

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HIGH FIGHTER - The Goat Ritual (EP Review)

Album Type: EP

Date Released: October 2014

Label: Self Released

The Goat Ritual – Track Listing

2Steps Blueskill

Breaking Goat Mountains

Black Waters

Fire In The Sun

In Veins

Bio

High Fighter formed in the Summer of 2014 and it started as a total new band project born by former band members of A Million Miles, Buffalo Hump and Pyogenesis.

Lets have High Fighter describe themselves - High Fighter have drenched themselves into some intense jams, songwriting, a lot of beer & smoke, to write some songs over the past 3 months, and recorded this EP LIVE in our rehearsal room over one weekend. No studio, no high class production, just us - pure, simple and heavy.

Members

Mona Miluski - vocals ( ex- A Million Miles )

Christian "Shi" Pappas - rhythm guitar ( ex- A Million Miles )

Ingwer Boysen - lead guitar ( ex- Buffalo Hump )

Constantin Wüst - bass ( ex- Buffalo Hump )

Thomas Wildelau - drums ( ex- Pyogenesis & Buffalo Hump )

Review:

I have been waiting for Mona Miluski's return to music for a very long time. Since the start of this year when Mona told me she was forming a new band. Mona used to be the lead vocalist of much missed Stoner Rockers – A Million Miles – who released a critically acclaimed album back in 2013.

We will ignore the fact that Mona has worked as a PR Rep with some of Stoner/Sludge Metal's biggest names over the last few years. It's time to for the High Fighter juggernaut to announce their arrival to the Stoner Metal/Hard Rock with their stunning debut EP – The Goat Ritual which is a stunning mix of Stoner Metal, Hardcore and Blues Rock.

The Goat Ritual is comprised of members from A Million Miles, Buffalo Hump and Pyogenesis. With those 3 great band involved you know this shit is going to be heavy with a thick hazy aroma or smoky riffs running through it's veins. Opening track – 2Steps Blueskill – perfectly sets the scene with fast-paced hardcore based Stoner Metal riffs with Mona making a welcome return to music with ballsy as hell vocals that oozes confidence. When the band start adding the blues rock vibes to their music you're instantly drawn in with Mona's vocals going into almost Death Metal style grunts which I never expected at all. Damn this stuff is good.

Before you notice it the excellent standout 2^nd track – Breaking Goat Mountains – comes bursting onto your speakers with a hint of A Million Miles creeping through. That's no bad thing as it's cool remembering the good music that band created. Though High Fighter are a different beast altogether. This is a more bluesy number put it still packs a menacing punch as High Fighter's riffs blend superbly with Mona's grizzled and angry passionate vocals. It has a slight Alt 90s metal vibe showing up here and there to give this song a hard-rocking creative edge.

3^rd track – Black Waters – is the most menacing track from the EP as High Fighter venture into the more darker side of Metal with Mona once again showing her sublime Jekyll and Hyde persona with clean based vocals before unleashing another heavy round of grizzled/death based growls. Though the main standout is the riffs this time as the rest of High Fighter prove what fantastic musicians they are as they unleash a blast of intense and almost violent stoner metal riffs.

4^th track – Fire In The Sun – is a more straight forward Stoner Metal affair for the first minute or so with blazing riffs coming at you from all directions. Mona's vocals once again providing more chills to the atmosphere. It's a low dirty mean affair which High Fighter excel at. Check out the riffs the 3 minute mark as High Fighter go into meltdown to scare the hell out of you.

Last but by no means least is – In Veins – where the band say FUCK IT for one final blues rock attack on the senses. It ends this EP on an almighty high. BONG's to the ready if you want to get a more powerful and addictive effect though the riffs should do for now!!!

High Fighter have created an excellent debut EP to build their sound upon. It's hard to believe this was all recorded in one weekend in a small rehearsal room. KUDOS to Benjamin Kapidzic who has done a fantastic job recording this EP as it sounds awesome from start to finish. I can't wait to hear what High Fighter come up with in the future especially if they are given a longer amount of time within a proper studio. The sky is the limit for High Fighter.

Check out the EP below and the epic interview we recently carried out with High Fighter.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona for the advanced promo.

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Lo-Pan - Colossus (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 07/10/2014

Label: Small Stone Recordings

"Colossus" CD/DD/LP track listing:

1. Regulus (05:01)
2. Land Of The Blind (03:10)
3. Black Top Revelation (04:01)
4. Marathon Man (06:39)
5. N.P.D. (02:27)
6. Colossus (03:47)
7. Vox (04:22)
8. Eastern Seas (05:55)
9. Relo (02:28)
10. The Duke (04:23)

The Band:

Jeff Martin | Vocals

J. Bartz | Drums

Skot Thompson | Bass

Brian Fristoe | Guitar

Review:

This week we take a look at Lo-Pan, a band from the Buckeye State who currently reside in the warm, fuzzy home of Smallstone Records. Similar to their housemates Five Horse Johnson, Gozu and Sasquatch, Lo-Pan is a rock band that boasts a guitar tone that’s like a good BBQ sauce; thick, dark, flavorful, and the perfect compliment to meat. Their brand of rock has been marinating in this sauce for a number of years now, so your coals better be piping hot because with their new album, “Colossus,” Lo-Pan is bringing out the thickest, juiciest, slab of ribs for the grill.

The album opener, “Regulus,” is a slow roll and a good start. There aren’t too many bells and whistles here but as a call to arms, it works. Martin closes out the song singing “still blinded by the light of the sun” but rather than giving you time to think about what he might mean, “Colossus” immediately busts out a one, two, three punch with the next songs.

Like a bat out of hell, “Land of the Blind” starts, picking up the album’s pace with a smooth groovy sing-a-long. There you are, standing around the grill cooking your ribs, using your tongs as a microphone as you and your friends chant along with Martin’s demand to “throw the pages on the bonfire.” So now you’re feeling good, someone made a beer call and “Black Top Revelation” just started. Here Fristoe takes center stage with one of the tastiest riffs of 2014. It kicks, it clicks, it’s got your mouth watering; then Martin sings “I’ve been high enough to call me planetary,” which sounds like a good idea, so its time to pile into the van and roll one up.

It’s no coincidence then that the next cut, “Marathon Man,” starts with a purring motor and, at just under seven minutes is the longest song on the album. Afterall, you have to take your time for these kinds of shenanigans.  The song has a bouncy groove, heads are bobbing, and again Martin sails atop the mix with another set of lyrics that everyone can get on board with: “the deck is stacked against you, its time to take a stand…rise up and make demands!” Hell yeah.

Speaking of demands, those ribs need to be turned so back to the party we go. That’s when “N.P.D.,” a quick two minute ass kicker, signifies the start of a race. If the song finishes before the ribs have been flipped then the grill has lost too much heat. Luckily that’s not the case; there should even be time to baste the underside of the ribs. In the meantime someone’s gone inside to flip the record so we can experience the underside of that, too.

By means of the classic call and response, the album’s title track begins. The folks at the party are nodding their heads in approval while you once again grab your tong-microphone to sing along with Martin; “you’ll find no solace living your religious life of sin…so take cover, you know you can’t save them all.” And you know what, he’s right, we can’t save those who didn’t show up for these ribs, so more for us.

With the next couple of cuts Lo-Pan continues to bring the rock. Those who know the band have asked if this was the new album while those who don’t know Lo-Pan have asked to go home with a copy. Now the ribs are ready, the table is set, and look, someone even brought a salad. As you sit down to eat, its apparent that Lo-Pan has made a very appropriate album for a backyard BBQ party. The sequencing is great, the tone is tasty, the rhythm section is in the pocket and not only can Martin sing, he’s got the lyrics to back that voice up. When BBQ season comes around next year, I won’t be forgetting about “Colossus,” I hope you don’t either.

Words by: Victor van Ommen

You can pick up a copy here

 

For more information:

http://lopandemic.com
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http://www.facebook.com/smallstonerecords
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The Haunted - Exit Wounds (Album Review)

Album Type: Full length

Date Released: 25/8/2014

Label: Century Media Records

‘Exit Wounds’ CD/DD/LP track listing:

01. 317 (1:31)

02. Cutting Teeth (3:24)

03. My Salvation (4:02)

04. Psychonaut (3:24)

05. Eye Of The Storm (3:49)

06. Trend Killer (3:12)

07. Time (Will Not Heal) (3:41)

08. All I Have (3:04)

09. Temptation (3:17)

10. My Enemy (1:00)

11. Kill The Light (4:08)

12. This War (2:28)

13. Infiltrator (3:32)

14. Ghost In The Machine (3:36)

The Band:

Marco Aro | vocals

Jensen | guitars

Ola Englund | guitars & solo guitars

Jonas Björler | bass guitar

Adrian Erlandsson | drums

Review:

To this particular metal head writing this article, there are different bands I will listen to in order accentuate my mood.  If I’m feeling down, I’ll play Down; if I’m feeling happy, I’ll play Motorhead; if I’m feeling like I need to don robes and shake a church to its foundations, then Sunn O))) is probably the band that will be fuelling my mind.  Today, however, is all about thrills.  And the most thrill seeking, riff-reeking rock-a-coaster album slammed right into my ears when I needed it the most.  I’m talking about ‘Exit Wounds’, the new album from Gothenburg rampagers The Haunted. 

Hyperbole aside, this riotous new album is a frenzy-fest of sick riffs and sicker lyrics, spat out at you through your speakers with a cobra’s venomous intent.  Following on from their EP release earlier in the year and also 2011’s ‘Unseen’, ‘Exit Wounds’ makes a crashing impact into your listening world; and, at 14 tracks long, it’s a mighty blast of metal bang for your buck. 

This new album is laced with Lamb of God rage, Slayer thrash, and a tincture of Pantera groove.  If it’s full-on aural carnage you’re after, then look no further.  Tracks like ‘Psychonaut’ and ‘Kill the Light’ pound like a battering ram against your eardrums and resonate inside your head long after the songs have finished; and ‘Time (Will Not Heal)’ had me banging my head in joyous abandon with its rolling, buoyant waves of riffs. 

However, ‘All I Have’ made me stand up and take notice.  It has this Black Label Society quality to it: brash, stomping riffs and Zakk Wylde pinch harmonics snapped off like rounds from a Magnum.  However, it also has this real gravitas, a sense of bitterness which vocalist Marco Aro brings to raw life with his lyrics and seething vocals.  The music is bold, the lyrics are bleak, and it’s this subtle contrast that made me come back to this song again and again. 

The Haunted have been through a baptism of fire: having changed their lineup after having three members leave, things can sometimes be a bit sketchy for a band that has suffered such a major change to their formation.  However, this Swedish quintet have returned, galvanized and focused on their primary goal, and that is to make your speakers and your ears their bitch.  And, trust me, with ‘Exit Wounds’, they have done just that.  Get ready to sit up and beg for The Haunted. 

Words by: Chris Markwell

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

www.the-haunted.com

www.facebook.com/hauntedofficial