TTI Archives: May 2000

5/5
ARCTURUS & the DECEPTION CIRCUS
Disguised Masters
1999
???
Sick! Totally, fucking sick and absobloodylutely insane! This is the sickest project I have heard since Mr. Bungle "Disco Volante." Arcturus are supposed to be black metal, well last time I heard they were at least. Well, tell ya what, folks, we have all been sadly misinformed - this album is something that has nothing to do with black in its traditional definition thereof. OK, there are some guitars on this record (not too much of them though), clean vocals (ok, I can live with that), samples (ok, I can live with that too) but I mean RAP (yes, Rhythmical American Poetry, you got that right!) At the same time, the result is totally blinding. Resume: if you like experiments (and I am saying top-quality experiments, not a fashionable sell-out) then go for it. I says, five fists any day of the week! (Troll)

The title says it all. "Back To The Kingdom" is indeed the band's return to the style displayed on their 1989 "Kingdom Of The Night" debut album. Axxis now have three new musicians in the line-up, but their sound remains the same - melodic rock with very high vocals, i.e. all components that made the band sound so great in the early 1990s are here again. Some of the lyrics ("My Little Princess," "Without You") may sound a bit naive for 30-something-old men, but I can live with that. A must-have for the fans of the genre (if there are any, besides me). The album also features a very funny cover of "Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye" (can anybody tell me by whom the original is?)
week! (Maniac)

3/5
BARATHRUM
Saatana
1999
Spinefarm
black/war metal
Strange how it goes but the more the band develops the less original it starts too sound. Yes, we still have the two bass guitars, these typical recognisable riffs, badd-ass vocals, but the vibe is not there anymore. Because I mean when you buy albums of the bands like this (although I hafta admit it, I don’t personally know any other bands like this one) you do not really expect any superior musicianship or nothing, everything is compensated with the attitude. And that was exactly the case with the first two releases, the sound was crap, the music was nothing that special, but it was VERY original, and that is so rare, esp. in this genre. In fact the sound of this particular album is so Barathrumish, that it is simply not convincing. After the first two releases, and the Legions of Perkele EP, this does not get you where you expect it to, and after a couple of tracks you just get bored. That, given that the sound and the mixing is of course much better, than on the previous LPs. To cut a long story short, it would be a great one for a debut album, but not today when the band has already gained itself a name. Probably the best decision would be joining a more independent label, and go back to underworld... erm, underground. Its not a bad album, but it is the worst ever Barathrum CD. (Troll)

5/5
THE BLACK LEAGUE
Ichor
2000
Spinefarm
doom metal spiced with a touch of everything here and there...
Well, well, well, what do we have here, Mr. Jarva has finally broken the silence of the graveyard and presented us with his solo project - the Black League. I don’t know, is it just the Finnish national character (of which I know quite a bit) or the whole vibe around the northern Europe, but somehow Finns have always produced the cream of the crop when it came to doom metal and all the numerous clones of the genre. A sophisticated and tasteful blend of traditional Finnish folk harmonies and blues/rock expressions coupled with the undoubted talent of all the participants of the project produces a smooth and original sound that lives up to the expectations the most demanding listener. This is the rare case when the album is sort of universal, in the sense that it suits a whole spectrum of occasions and purposes: you can listen to it in your headphones, you can put it as background music, you can bounce to it at a live concert, and, in fact, do a whole lot of other things without feeling any misalliance. Another major bonus - the 50+ minute record contains 13 tracks, which means they are about 4-5 minutes on average. I mean, the 15min-long epic compositions, so popular with this genre, usually bore one to death (which is, I guess, often the purpose of the record makers) - however, as I’ve already said, fortunately enough, this is not the case with Ichor, concise and well-measured it reminds me of a delicious meal served at a first-class restaurant. Yet another good point with the record - it is a typical Pandora’s Box - each time you listen to it, you discover a new touch to it. To cut a long story short - an absolute and unquestionable fiver. I wish there were more records like this. (Troll)

3/5
BORKNAGAR
Quintessence
2000
Century Media
black
Can anyone explain one thing to me - why everybody keeps jacking off to this album? What's so special about it anyway? In each and every review I gather on the net everyone's like, wow, Borknagar rules, this is THE album? Why? OK, I gotta admit it, that the boyz are extremely technical, their sound is very clean and distinct, they have nice harmonies and all. Everything is cool but fer one little unimportant detail - I have heard this something like a 1,000 times awready! Why this album, when Dimmu Borgir released their Enthrone Darkness Triumphant back in ninety-bloody-seven? This is like - last century or something! If Borknagar released this album at least the same year, I could have understood it, but what's the point doing it in 2000? In fact what the band did on this release is crossed DB's "Entrone…" and Bal-Sagoth and now you're pushing it? So, summing up, three fists to this one, and this is an advance, cuz professional musicianship does not yet make a good album… (Troll)

5/5
CATHARSIS
"Febris Erotica"
1999
Isolated Records
power/doom
This band is totally obscure outside Russia, which is a damn shame, given the quality of the most of the latest international doom and power metal releases. This five-track mini album wonderfully blends characteristic features of both genres, and the result has everything you could dream of: great clean vocals, dominant keyboards, a variety of tempos, and incredibly melodic guitars. The only problem is that the album is too short, mere 20 minutes of music are obviously not enough. The digipack, however, contains three bonus multimedia tracks, the first two being live cuts of the songs from the band's forthcoming full-length, and the third a studio report on the making of the album.
(To the doom/power fans outside Russia) If you ever see this album, buy it or you may never see it again.
(To record labels) If you are looking for a band to break, go no further than Catharsis. (Maniac)

4/5
CORPORATION 187
Subliminal Fear
2000
Wicked World
thrash/death
Extremely professional, very fast and totally skull crushing! This brings back the memories of late 80ies - early 90ies when thrash metal was still big and when death only emerged on the big scene. An absolute must for all of those who miss the good ol’ thrash sound. Put this in your CD player and get ready to be blown away. The album is very aggressive, although, sometimes the sound is not thick enough to my liking. Then again, it is a nice change after the low-pitched likes of MTV-pop-metal like Korn and their ilk. (Troll)

3+/5
DARGAARD
In Nomine Aeternatis
2000
Draenor Productions/Napalm Records?
dark wave
'Is there something about this guy and dark ambient stuff?' - one might ask. Surprise, I says, there is! I just damn like it! OK, a Norwegian dark wave project comprising some medieval gothic whatever-it-is, beautiful female vocals. Although, not too special from the point of view of its contribution to the genre this disk is an excellent background music for a party-for-two (that is provided that both sides enjoy this type of stuff.) The music is not too original but the singing is excellent, so it is worth it if you like the genre. (Besides - the singer looks great! ;) Three plus. (Troll)

1/5
DETHRONEMENT
Survival of the Sickest
2000
Loud’n’Proud Records
heavy/black
Ahem, are they really that proud? What of, I wonder? I understand that the best thing nowadays is crossing old-school heavy or power with black, but does it mean everyone has to do that? This record starts with a sort of a spoken intro obviously taken from some sort of cartoon of the Spawn ilk - it begins with the words «Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From now on you shall service... us.» Oh, how smart! This album is futile, I says! I don’t even now where to start... OK, the whole of it sounds early-Iron-Maidenish - of course they never grow up into it; at certain points the singer tries to copy Dani Filth’s vocals (I’m now talking about the trademark blend from deepest growling to high-pitched black metal screams;) - well needless saying he never grows up into that either. Besides already by the time the second track starts his throat sounds like it is too soar, which results in the most painful growling/screaming you can ever imagine. Well, I’m not even mentioning the fucked-up mixing. Oh fuck it, even the CD-sleeve artwork is crap! (Troll)

5+/5
EMPEROR
Imperial Live Ceremony
2000
Candlelight Records
black
This was bound to happen, and should I say, we have been waiting and expecting this. Nonetheless, this is the unfortunately rare case when the result comes up to the expectations. Following the IX Equilibrum, which caused a lot of controversy among the so-called «true black metallers», when people could not decide whether this is still «true and evil» or a «sell-out», the Horde came up with a live album, as if drawing a line under their ascend to the throne of this god-damned genre. Indeed Emperor is not called that for nothing, and they only proved it once again, or rather showed it once again, because this is not the band which has to prove anything to anyone anymore. Superb sound, good mixing, fair tracklist - what else d’you need? (Troll)

5/5
ENTOMBED
Uprising
2000
MFN
throogie (thrash and boogie)
Yeah, baby, yeah! - the buncha Swedish loonies is back and blasting like hell! Moreover, folks, the old logo is back and, boy, is the whole cover artwork brilliant! I mean just look at it! Isn't it simply marvellous - motorhead the death metal way! While their fellow countrymen from a band the name of which I won't mention, for it is too known to everyone to repeat over and over again (just think about the band that was always associated with Entombed and Swedish death metal sound back in the early nineties), so while this band still tries to persue its "good ol' death metal sound" and squeezes the most out of what had been long invented and reinvented, issuing one crappy comeback album after another, Entombed are up and ready to conquer the world with their most secret and clandestine weapon - the trademark death'n'roll. Luckily, the band learned the sad lesson of the previous "Same Difference" release and did not repeat the mistakes of 1998. Once again we're in for the big, phat, gurgling guitar sound, superb drummership and storming growling vocals. No clean singing, no tuba-farts, enough of this experimenting crap - L.G. Petrov and Co are doing what they do best with the Uprising and spread the god-damn throogie grooves all over the world cemeteries. The very first track takes you a long way back to the very blues roots although much faster and heavier it still blues, just the Entombed way of it if you please. Each of the 12 tracks on the records is hard, aggressive, extreme and pushed to the very edge after which only death itself can be heavier. I remember once reading an interview with the band in which they said that when Entombed was just started the first thing they practiced in their rehearsals was the long corny rock'n'roll endings. Now, imagine a whole album based on such outros! Make way, everyone - zombies are coming! (Troll)

4/5
EVERGREY
Solitude*Dominance*Tragedy
2000
Hall Of Sermon
goth/progressive (???)
Wow! This is the most original record I've heard in the past few months. The music is mostly basic progressive but with a stunning gothic atmosphere added to it. Having heard that a prog band is releasing a CD on Hall Of Sermon (the label owned by Tilo Wolff from Lacrimosa), I was quite surprised, but after listening to it, I understood that the band perfectly fits the concept of the label. This is a record that is definitely worth listening.
P.S. Why only four fists? I was actually unable to recall any of the melodies after the record stopped playing. (Maniac)

5/5
EYE SEE BLACK
Beckoning Chaos
1998
Klang Art?
thrash/death
Now, this one, although this is an old record I still feel like it is the one to be paid some extras. As far as I have managed to understand the band produced the disc themselves, and basically that is why it is not that much known, which, I have to say is a damn shame! The funny thing is that I bought it absolutely by chance; I was buying the then new Slayer «Diabolus» and Eye See Black was on the b-side of the tape. Man, was I surprised when I heard this. Hellfire, when I turned the tape it actually did hit me more than Slayer. The pure raw energy and aggression pumps you up more than any steroid! The impact this gets on you equals a heavy-duty artillery shell. Add this to clever and disturbing lyrics, one helluva an attitude - and you hit the bull’s eye. An absolute killer-record and a must to check-out, you won’t regret it. (Troll)

5/5
IMMORTAL
Damned in Black
2000
Osmose Productions
black
Quite a surprise for a band nowadays to issue two albums in two straight years, but this happens to be the case with the three Nordic lunatics of Immortal. Damned in Black is quite a logic descender of At the Heart of Winter. This is a rare example when a «true and evil» black metal band is actually original. I remember saying back in 1998 when it was clear that black metal is facing a dead end, that the only way to survive for this genre is start mixing it with other trends, and this exactly what Abbath and Co did. The sound of the band is still quite recognisable, however there are quite a lot of elements of death metal and even old school thrash of the likes of early Exodus. Some of the guitar-riffs also sound a lot like Trey Azagthoth of Morbid Angel (although I am far from calling it a rip-off), a lot of blast beats as well. On the whole an excellent album from an excellent band, no major music developments compared with the previous album, but still worth a fiver. (Troll)

3/5
IN-QUEST
Operation: Citadel
2000
Shiver Records
death/black/grind
Shiver Records, like many labels which seldom sign «major» bands have always managed to avoid mediocre releases, In-quest is a classic example of that. A mixture of brutal grind-core, black metal and very god Florida old-school death. Occasionally you get an impressions of early Death and Autopsy releases. This band being nothing too original still know pretty damn well what they are doing it, and they do it whole-heartedly, which often compensates for lack of ideas. Everything you’ll hear on this record has already been done somewhere by someone, but what is important you seldom can tell when and by whom, which is always a bonus. Besides, which also unfortunately usually comes as a surprise than as something you take for granted, the guys are obviously playing their instruments quite well. 3+ and thanks to Shiver Records for staying true to themselves. (Troll)

5/5
THE KUNTAUT CULT
From the Pits
2000
Displeased Records
grind core
Let's dot the 'i'-s and cross the 't'-s straight away, grind core has never really been my cup of tea, the likes of Cannibal's 'Eaten Back to Life' and Napalm's 'Scum' do not strike me as really exciting. The thing is I never thought the measure of quality in music was speed, then again… The Kuntaut Cult is a trio from Holland, that musically can be described as progressive grindcore. Yope, I know these two don't really mix, but well reality bites - the guys did it. Any of you out there remember Death's 1998 'Sound of Perseverance?' - now imagine the same from the technical point of view but grindcore stylisticly and you'll get close enough. Surprisingly these boys play grind the way that makes it not only simply listenable but very interesting and complicated. Another good point about this band is that it does not really have this "too serious evil" attitude, quite on the contrary, the sleeve artwork and the track-titles like 'Pop goes the Weasel,' 'My Beds Are made of Turds' would suggest that the Kuntaut Cult have their tongues very deeply in their cheeks. And well, last but not least, the treat of the album - cover of the infamous 60ies hippie hit 'Venus' - by Shocking Blue. Now, this alone makes the record worth it. (Troll)

5/5
LEMMY, SLIM JIM & DANNY B
Lemmy, Slim Jim & Danny B
2000
Cleopatra
rock'n'roll/rockabilly/country
Err... like... err... Let’s get one thing straight right away, I don’t have a slightest clue where this comes from, and what in the hell is this album all about, at least nothing was said about it at the official Motorhead site - this is for sure... Another thing is for sure - this is Lemmy singing alright, I can’t say anything about the other two, but the cover of the album features them.
Never mind the bullocks, on with the record.
Featuring:
Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead) - vocals, acoustic guitars(!), harmonica(!?!?! what the fuck!?)
Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats) - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Danny B Harvey (don’t know unfortunately) - electric, guitar, keyboards, bass.
Now, the album: imagine old classic rock’n’roll and country songs with Lemmy on the vocals? Can you? Well, then let me assure you this is even more painful than what you’ve just imagined! It’s totally useless to try to describe the record, so just find it somewhere and check out, if the word combination ‘sense of humour’ is in your vocabulary you are not going to regret it.
Tracklist:

1. Big River
2. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
3. You Got Me Dizzy
4. Cut across Shorty
5. Tell Me How
6. Well... All Right
7. Take Your Time
8. Stuck on You
9. Love’s Made a Fool of You

10. Trying to Get to You
11. Not Fade Away
12. Fool’s Paradise
13. Peggy Sue Got Married
14. Crying, Waiting, Hoping
15. Learning the Game
16. Matchbox
17. True Love Ways
18. Heartbreak Hotel (instrumental - damn shame!!!)

4/5
MAD MAX
"Never Say Never"
1999
Point Music
melodic rock
This came as a total surprise for me. Earlier in 1999, guitarist/vocalist Michael Voss already issued an album with his other band Casanova, and now we see the reunion of his previous project which had a cult status in the 1980s, but seems to be completely forgotten by now.
With "Never Say Never," the band does not try to trade new grounds, concentrating instead on what they do best - melodic hard rock which very often reminds me of Bon Jovi circa "Slippery When Wet." Besides, the disc features two re-recordings of their early classics, which makes it a bit nostalgic. Some would say Mad Max are simply following the reunion trend, but damn it, Michael Voss has been playing such music since 1982, no matter in what band he was at the moment. Four fists, for fans only. (Maniac)

5/5
MAYHEM
A Grand Declaration of War
2000
Season of Mist
true and evil black
Let's start a war said Mayhem one day… I would never believe that I'll ever give this band a five-fister, but here it is, and I have to admit it this album definitely deserves it. Once again, true and evil black is not something I am into (to say the least) but when I first put this into the headphones I instantly had an impression there was something inside this record, something hidden very deep, slumbering, awaiting the moment. This is the case when the name of the album is the ultimate reflection of its essence, for a Grand Declaration of War it is. The brutal force that dwells therein, somehow penetrates into your mind and fills you up to the brim it overhauls you and becomes part of you. Anyhows it is really hard to put into words so you gotta listen to it to understand what I mean. Music-wise it is true and evil alright, although the last track offers some really strange sounds that do not belong to the genre (which in my opinion is always a bonus.) Occasionally you would hear nothing but a drum beat and the sick voice of the Maniac, but here it is not the music that is important -- it's the vibe that it brings over you. As to the lyrics, at a certain point I remember Mr. Hellhammer saying Mayhem were not a satanic band anymore and all that kind of thing, well, I guess he kinda rushed with the sentence - just listen carefully and you'll get the message. (Troll)

1/5
MENHIR
Thuringia
2000
???
sympho black
This is just sad, everything, every peace here, starting from the music to lyrics, to sleeve artwork, to logo has been done more than a thousand times already. Gotta tell you this, it is always very unpleasant to write a negative review, because basically you denounce somebody who was putting their efforts into the record, trying to create something new and all, but Jeezuz F. Christ, this is so pathetic. What's the point in making such music anyway? I guess this is an inevitable consequence of every popular trend (and I think no one will deny black metal is very in nowadays) - it makes way to legions of faceless and talentless amateurs. At a certain point, there appears a band that would take something from here, something from there, something from everywhere slump it all together and cut a deal, well… sadly, we all know what this usually results in. Tell you what I nearly made it two fists when I first heard the last track, but, surprise-surprise, in an instance I knew this was a cover of Bathory's Woman of Dark Desires, that's cheating I says. One fist and flush it, please. (Troll)

5/5
MORGUL
The Horror Grandeur
2000
Century Media
black/goth/death
OK, now we are talking evil, folks, and I --mean -- evil… Argh, these guys really do know what this is all about. Seven tracks of the most dark and horrifying riffs coupled with "nice" growling and absolutely insane clean male vocals, which should belong to a total lunatic. The music lies somewhere in between death, black and goth metal, with a lot of keyboard arrangements, which however do not become the ultimate target of the whole record, you know, how it often goes nowadays: keyboards for the sake of keyboards. No, this sounds like the lick of the devil's forked tongue, sweet and deadly. When I first heard the album it sort of occurred to me it could be an ideal soundtrack for the old alternative Dr. Kaligari movie, sick and terrifying. It is hard to pick any of the tracks featured as a favourite so I suggest taking the album as a whole. Vinyl creaks here and there add an extra touch to the impression. creaks here and there add an extra touch to the impression. (Troll)

5/5
MOTORHEAD
We're Motorhead
2000
Steamhammer/SPV
??? - motorhead!
OK, I am still unsure of how to assess this album, so I'll be making it on the write-as-you-listen basis. On the whole, the first impression of the album, is that I like it less than the previous release, the reason to that, being the fact this one is less boogie, then again, who says every Motorhead album has to boogie? (I know I don't, as long as they all rock!) We're Motorhead is just exactly what you've imagined it - fast, groovy, and loud as hell. The first track - "See Me Burning" - is very likely to become a proud successor of the "Ace of Spades" for the next 15 years: fast, blasting, recognisable and memorable, what else do you need? (I mean it is even about the same length - 2:57!) Another special treat of the record is definitely "God Save the Queen" a cover of Sex Pistols classic. One thing is for sure - Lemmy plays the bass heaps better than Sid had. (well, surprise!) Next, this already being a good tradition of the past ten years the album contains an acoustic ballad ironically called "One More Fucking Time" - and, once again, nothing new here, the deep and charming mezzo-soprano of Monsignor Kilmister has already become a proverb. The title track - that also happens to be the last track on the record, brings back the reminiscences of the already mentioned Ace of Spades times, We're Motorhead - Coming to Kick Your Ass (again!) The rest of the album offers you the good ol' motorhead-style rock'n'roll that has made the band what it is nowadays. (Slow Dance and Stay Out Of Jail - are very advisable) - well, five fists for this one and get me another beer, someone, so that I can drink to another 25 years of Motorhead and another half-century for Lemmy. (Troll)

3/5
MUTANT
The Aeonic Majesty
2000
Listenable records
black
Listenable, eh? Well, fair enough, you can listen to that. Then again, you can always listen to something else, without really losing anything. Very basic black metal, that lies somewhere in between true and evil and sympho-black. Has a nice touch of thrash and death elements, as well as some ethnic fragments, but this is not original either. The mixing could be better, in any case, if black metal is your cup of tea, and moreover, if you don’t really listen to anything else but black metal, then you might enjoy it. Three fists. (Troll)

3/5
NIGHTWISH
Wishmaster
2000
Spinefarm
neoclassic speed/power
Oh no, not again! Why do so many bands try to repeat the formula that made them successful without changing anything? I mean it, ANYTHING. The album is a total copy of their 1998's "Oceanborn," which was a great record, by the way. This one retains all components of its predecessor, but there is one problem: try to remember any of the songs after the first spin. Has anyone succeeded? OK, if you bought "Oceanborn" the day after it came out two years ago and have been waiting for the new record ever since, you are likely to get what you have been eager for. But if, like me, you got into Nightwish some six months ago, you are sure to be disappointed. (Maniac)

4/5
PANTERA
Reinventing the Steel
2000
Concrete Management
angry metal
Al’right, al’right, al’ right, I know I am an inconsiderate jerk, but let me have my say first. Yes, it is four points out of five, and not a iota more. Why? Because, this is exactly the case when the outcome is below the expectations, my expectations that is. It is a damn good album, this one, but you take that for granted. With bands like Pantera however, you usually expect a little more than that. You expect them to shoot you right in the face, but you end up with a dynamite fuse up your shaggy arse, and the next thing you know, yer history. This is simply not the case with this album. By far bettering the 1996 GSTK-release, this one is still not quite there. It hits the bull’s eye fine, but, should I say, I was waiting for it to hit the bull’s eye with a fragging nuclear warhead. At the same time, Pantera could not have written a crappy disk so it still kicks the bejeezuz out of you. Anyhows, let’s make it four fists, and not let the boys relax too much and repose on their laurels. ;) (Troll)

5/5
PAZUZU
The End of Ages
2000
Avantgarde Music
dark ambient
Great, awesome, incredible... Then again, do you like dark ambient? (I know I do.) Do you know what is dark ambient? If not, than ask somebody who has the album to give it to you, and listen before you buy. Cuz, this is the case when you either enjoy it like I do, or hate it. There’s no between. If you like dark ambient, but haven’t heard Pazuzu, then buy it by al means, because they and Mortiis are surely the kings of this realm of extreme music. And finally, if you already know the band, the description would be simple, better than Awaken the Dragon but not as good as And All Was Silent. Still gets five fists, for not continuing the line of Awaken the Dragon. (Troll)

5/5
DIE PUHDYS
"Wilder Frieden"
????
hard rock/industrial
Do you know a band which can invite their native country's top official to appear in their full-length video? I only know one - Die Puhdys. Yes, their 1999 video featured German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder saying hi to the band and wishing them many more years of successful career.
In the 30 years of their existence Die Puhdys established themselves as a traditional hard rock act which have never feared of experimenting. "Wilder Frieden" sees them experimenting with a broader than ever range of styles. The opening track at once shocks the listener with a surprisingly heavy dance/industrial sound, which has a lot in common with Rammstein. When I first heard the record, I thought I had bought a wrong disc. Moreover, Rammstein's Till Liedermann guests on the vocals on the track "Wut will nicht sterben," which also sounds extremely heavy. Further on, we hear a rap/metal track ("Hipp Hipp Hurra"), an early 80s dance-beat track ("Nie getraut") and so on and so fourth. In between, there are more traditional hard rockers and beautiful sad ballads which have always been the band's trade mark.
Despite such innovations, Die Puhdys manage to keep their characteristic touch on everything they play, and electronic sounds in their music are in no way harming the songs. On the contrary, they only make the album more varied and original. I would recommend it to everyone, though old Puhdys fans will probably dismiss is as too modern, and today's youth will apparently say it is old-fashioned. An interesting item for the open-minded and lovers of experiments. (Maniac)

4/5
RAISE HELL
Not Dead Yet
2000
Nuclear Blast
thrash, swedish death, black, heavy - well, you gotta listen to it... ;)
Gotta admit this one took me a couple of listens to start appreciating it, but when it is there it is there big time. Although becoming bigger and bigger and thus less and less picky NB made a good choice with Raise Hell. The four Swedes have combined the best of Nordic death school, USA angry metal nailed it down with nasty scream-my-head-off-in-agonising-pain-while-puking-the-beers-and-guts-out vocals and put it all together in 50 minutes of musical vandalism. Here you will also find a touch of old-school heavy twin six-stringing, a touch of Florida thrash/death, and even a glimpse of Doors(!?) (Yes, you just listen to the lyrics carefully ;) All in all, a very good release and four fists it is. (Troll)

3/5
RUNNING WILD
Victory
2000
G.U.N.
German speed/power (if anyone doesn't know)
What's the point in trying to improve what's already perfect? If you wanna know, go and ask Rock'n'Rolf, he and his band have been doing it for the past six years. A great band in the 1980s and early 1990s, they reached the peak with the 1994's "Black Hand Inn," and it was already clear back then that it was next to impossible to do a better record staying in the same vein. The next two records where just plain boring, this one is a lot better, but primarily due to some changes in the sound. Some songs may even sound original, but the best of them is too much similar to Judas Priest's "Painkiller." And when I heard the traditional "oh yeaaahh!" for the I-don't-know-which time again, it almost make me sick. The verdict: if you have never heard Running Wild, go buy it at once and you are likely to become a fan. If you have been listening to this band for many years, you don't need it. (Maniac)

3/5
SACRIFICIAL
Erect: Eloquent: Extinct
2000
Mighty Music
thrash/death
Nice, nice, not really thrilling, but nice. Very heavy, incredibly fast, fabulously aggressive, well what else do you really need. Like in the case with In-Quest this is not too original, but then again who said everyone has to be original. I would not say this is not good enough because it is, I mean if I would compare this to say the latest Pantera release, I would not say this is any worse, if we take up any separate song. Then again, like, Juels Winfield put it in Pulp Fiction, ‘Some get chosen and they become TV-programmes and some don’t and become nothing.’ These guys starred in a movie which became nothing. But, who am I to badmouth a good and brutal record this one is. I say, when you get tired of the albums you know by heart already, pick this one up and try to relax and take it easy (you won’t that’s a promise!) (Troll)

4/5
TRANSPORT LEAGUE
Satanic Panic
2000
Pavement
thrash/hardcore/death
«Satanic - panic... you know, that’s a scary thing.» and follows 45 minutes of the most vile, gut-turning and violent lump of music one could imagine. The definition would lie in between, Machine Head, Fear Factory and... Alice in Chains(!) Yes, folks, a highly flammable mixture, which is about to blast your speakers and your arse away. ‘Nuff said, tigerz! And, one more thing, listen the record to the very end: the outro is brilliant... (Troll)

3/5
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Snakebites - A Tribute To Whitesnake
2000
???
traditional hard rock
Of all the trends that are dominant on the present-day rock and metal scene, the tribute trend is the stupidest. I mean, what is the reason for making an endless stream of albums that features musicians covering other musicians and not introducing anything to the songs, except for the modern sound quality. Ever heard "Not The Same Old Song And Dance - A Tribute to Aerosmith" and "Kissing Time - A Tribute To Kiss"? The same problem is here, nothing new, absolutely no fantasy in almost all of the tracks. Besides, none of the vocalists comes close to matching David Coverdale's voice. As a result, despite a variety of famous musicians (Bernie Shaw, Lea Hart, Steve Grimmett, as well as former Whitesnake members Mickey Moody, Bernie Marsden, Don Airey and Dave Murray), this tribute can only appeal to the fans of the band. (Maniac)

2/5
VENOM
Resurrection
2000
Steamhammer/SPV
black metal proper
The problem with many cult bands is often that they don't really know when it is the right time to quit, and that is, unfortunately, the case with Venom. This already being the second come-back for the band following the 1997 release is equally bad. The crap that was Cast in Stone should have put any other band aside, but not Venom, I guess. As a result here we get Cast in Stone-part two, a dozen mid-tempo grooves, that are simply not groovy. No development, no originality, just the same old song and dance, that don't really have the guts anymore. I mean when they released Black Metal and Welcome to Hell they were the only band to play like that, and they had that raw power and aggression which made'em so special and different. Nowadays, nobody plays like that either, but why should they? Resurrection is plain not convincing. I kind of expected more of this band. Some die-hard fans of the band will probably go bounty-hunting after me for this review, but this is not really that important, cuz it won't make the record any better. Nice try, Venom, but was it worth the effort? (Troll)

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