ALBUM REVIEW: Power Trip - "Nightmare Logic"

By: Hunter Young

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/02/2017

Label: Southern Lord Recordings

All in all, you would be pressed to find a weak link in “Nightmare Logic”'s sound or mix. It's a pinnacle album for those who need their metal fast, violent, and up in their face like a full scale riot.

“Nightmare Logic” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Soul Sacrifice
2. Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)
3. Firing Squad
4. Nightmare Logic
5. Waiting Around To Die
6. Ruination
7. If Not Us Then Who
8. Crucifixation

The Review

If there's one thing Texasdoes, its crank out some great metal! Whether thrash, doom, death, stoner, or whatever gets you throwing horns up, Texas has pumped it out; today is no different, as one of the stalwarts, Power Trip, has unleashed a magnificent piece of Thrash. A Thrashterpiece. Shut up. It's called “Nightmare Logic” and it's a dream of a drop!

Power Trip manages a classically gnarly sound, akin to Iron Reaganand Municipal Waste (who share members) and the simplistic song formulas of the original wave like Sodom, Slayer, early Kreator. It's about violence (“Executioners Tax”, “Firing Squad”), freedom from religions hand (“Crucifixation”), and not sitting around for life to happen (“Waiting Around To Die”). All in all, you would be pressed to find a weak link in “Nightmare Logic”'s sound or mix. It's a pinnacle album for those who need their metal fast, violent, and up in their face like a full scale riot.

Again, sound wise, this album is just spot on with it. The guitars are crunchy like broken bottles, drums dead simple and clear, and the solos RAGE like the old days, when fingers still worked independently. They utilize Whammy bars like they are renting them by the hour, and it's like 1987 found its old denim jacket again. Power Trip is absolutely where most Neo-Trash bands aspire to be, and honestly are making bands like Slayer look terrible.

Title Track “Nightmare Logic” and “Firing Squad” are definitely my highlights off this banger release, but the whole album is a listen-through record for me. Thrash along at home with this Southern Lord gold, and let it flow over you like a familiar, well worn, patch covered denim blankie.

“Nightmare Logic”is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Serpentine Dominion - "Serpentine Dominion"

By: Hunter Young

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/10/216

Label: Metal Blade Records

The shredding from Adam D. is spot on, Fisher absolutely destroys and Shannon Lucas does his best throughout the record to show up on a Richter Scale report, laying his, expectedly monstrous shellacking upon his kit.  “Serpentine Dominion” is the perfect dichotomy split between brutality and beauty and these gents have laid down what could be a contender for best debut album, Serpentine Dominion absolutely nails it to the wall.

“Serpentine Dominion” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Intro
2. The Vengeance in Me
3. Vanquished Unto Thee
4. Divide, Conquer, Burn, and Destroy
5. Sovereign Hate
6. On the Brink of Devastation
7. Jagged Cross Legions
8. Prelude
9. This Endless War

The Review:

On paper, super groups sound AMAZING. What's not to love about members of your favourite bands getting together and unleashing musical loads into your ear canals? Usually, they are ok at best; that many super egos are also a recipe for disaster. However! That has changed with the SUPERBgroup, Serpentine Dominion! Featuring Adam D. (Killswitch Engage), George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher (Cannibal Corpse), and Shannon Lucas (ex-Black Dahlia Murder), these gents have laid down what could be a contender for best debut album from a new band.

The style mixes technical death metal and more modern core in a way that actually feels like adults made it. I feel good listening to it, and it seems extremely solid from first listen onward. Adam D. nails some of the best shredding, right out of the gate, with the Intro blasting some gorgeous neo-classical guitar that just dances through the air; and then it hammers into the meat of what Serpentine Dominion is about: the brutality. The shredding is spot on, Fisher absolutely destroys and Shannon Lucas does his best throughout the record to show up on a Richter Scale report, laying his, expectedly monstrous shellacking upon his kit. 

For a 38 minute record, give or take, 'Serpentine Dominion' covers tons of ground rather quickly. With an intro and prelude consisting of much more classical and virtuoso bents, all the way over to technical and modern death metal, with -Core flair added as icing between the layers on this cake, the album has a wide pattern that strikes the listener any number of ways. Splitting vocals about 70/30, Fisher and D. nail a perfect balance between brutality and beauty, the dichotomy split as well as Adam D.'s guitar work. He highlights everything in both lights, from the distortedly huge chugs into lightning fast fret runs (“Jagged Cross Legions”, “The Vengeance in Me”), even incorporating some superb tapping technique as found on “Divide, Conquer, Burn, and Destroy”. As for the shred hounds, the entire album is a real highlight, as each song simply has some huge spurts of stellar musicianship. 

The album has a very alive feel to it, and, considering the well balanced blend between the new and old styles, it has another huge characteristic in it's favor: it feels like the parties included had FUN. Side projects should always have a feel that the members had a blast making it, and that they needed a break from their main gigs; it makes the atmosphere pleasant and lends itself to a great finished product. Mr. D. is known for having fun with anything he's part of, and with the current way KSE sounds, this must have been much needed for him. Mr's Grinder and Lucas just made it absolutely perfect. The vocals sound like a coarse and roaring flamethrower, in that classic CC style, married with clean vocals, virtuosic guitar, all backed up by a man who could lead small nations to win wars with his drumming, the self-titled debut by Serpentine Dominion absolutely nails it to the wall.

“Serpentine Dominion” is available everywhere now

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Fistula - "The Shape of Doom to Cumm)))"

By: Hunter Young

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 01/11/2016
Label: Totem Cat Records

“The Shape of Doom to Cumm)))” is dripping with sardonic hatred for scenesters and fad chasers, scrapping rusty barbed wire across the speakers as if to wound those who listen. They bring the noise, the hate, and will tell you to your face if there’s even a hint at being a douchebag.

“The Shape of Doom to Cumm))) LP track listing:

1). Serial Vapist

2). Promiscuity Ingenuity

3). Goat Brothel

4). Sabbath Wants To Do A Splitwith Me

5). Tough Guy

6). Black Maggot

7). Negative

The Review:

There is the sludge genre, and then there are bands that are sludge. One such band, and the only redeeming quality outside sports, is Ohio based Fistula. Known less for coming from the gutter than just simply crashing on its couch all the time, Fistulasimply drips with the scuzziest noise outside a grindcore club. They bring the noise, the hate, and will tell you to your face if there’s even a hint at being a douchebag (oh track one, "Serial Vapist", you scamp!); and to make matters worse, they just dropped a huge slab of greasy, queasy fuzz onto the scene: 'The Shape Of Doom To Cumm)))'!

Laden with everything they have come to purvey, 'The Shape Of Doom To Cumm)))' is an ode to all those bands and "artists" who seem to think an Orange amp and some gain make you something to give two rats asses about; hint: you matter not to the Void. “The Shape...” is dripping with sardonic hatred for scenesters and fad chasers, scrapping rusty barbed wire across the speakers as if to wound those who listen. Fistula deliver punk energy and some (heavily shop-soiled) bluesy riffage to bear, as on "Sabbath Wants to Do a Splitwith Me". They pull some truly Sabbathian riffs and tones out of their bag of tricks and rampage all over traditional Doom, while paying some heavy respects to the Iommi. The whole album just reeks of Doom, alongside their more signature scuzzy sound, and it's definitely at the forefront of tracks like "Sabbath..." and "Tough Guy", the middle siblings of the album. Classic Fistula fans (and there must be millions) don't be down trodden, as they still keep their fast paced, gritty sound throughout the album (tracks "Goat Brothel", "Black Maggot", and "Negative", which will have you in a pit in no time), interwoven with that heavy, fuzz-filled doom that they swear will CUMM))) ("Promiscuous Ingenuity", definite blankets of fleas, slow and fast). They haven't lost any edge in delving into the lo and slo, it's just simply a slower drag of their jagged knives across your wrists. Fistula has created a maelstrom of binge-fueled hell, and by god you need to bring more beer.

Along the lines of lyric content, Fistula makes Metal Hate Again with just about every track. They pick apart whatever and who/whomever they wish, like on "Serial Vapist" as they eviscerate the whole vaping phenomenon and the Hipster trends; and "Tough Guy", where they tackle internet tough guys who want to talk bigger than their britches fit. They call them out and tell them to come on or fuck off. And they even tackle the recent popularity of splits and the bands who hang off the undercarriage of the aforementioned band. Overall, they pretty much swing a whisky bottle (empty, of course) at everything popular and current, leaving no room for argument or misinterpretation as to where they can shove all those trends. The closing track, "Negative", also provides another Fistula toe tag: sound clips taken from outside sources, highlighting the barb-filled philippics like marbling in a good steak. 

Fistula has absolutely nailed it home with “The Shape of Doom to Cumm)))”,bringing with them an outlet for the stupidity running rampant nowadays. This album just further cements them as a band to be reckoned with, and one you should actively seek out and support, if they are spreading their filth, filthy sound out near you; They are currently on an European tour (as of this writing), so go check to see if the outbreak is stopping near you."

“The Shape of Doom to Cumm)))”is available on vinyl from tomorrow here

Band info: official|| facebook

FFO: Iron Monkey, Primitive Man, Goatsblood, Fister

ALBUM REVIEW: Order of the Owl - “We Are Here To Collect Our Crown”

By: Hunter Young

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 14/10/2016

Label: Domestic Genocide

“We Are Here To Collect Our Crown” DD//LP Track listing:

1). Brought Below

2). Wolves of True Diamond Hate

3). Hell Rider

4). Wood Valley

5). Resurrection

6). Golden Dawn

The Review:

Fans of doom, stoner, and desert rock, ululate in delight! Order of the Owlhave dropped a new slab of metallic glory into our laps, titled “We Are Here to Collect Our Crown”, and it's pretty damn interesting! Mixing doom and stoner genres into what would become dark desert rock/metal, we have so many genres so you can't call me wrong, Order of the Owl freshen up the clone sounds with an album full of groove, fuzz, and acousticness. Sit back and let the purple acid hit as the stars unfold above...

The Atlanta stalwarts like to keep their grooves simple and uncluttered, offering a sound that has been done a couple times but doesn't offend the ear at all. It's close to a traditional doom, but really bleeds a Desert vibe, owing to the feel of the rhythm strumming and vibe (“Brought Below”). And, weirdly enough, there's a dbeat (almost textbook) streak through the track “Hell Ride”, harkening to a wide reservoir of influences that these peeps may have hiding. And to broach the acoustic remark, they threw in “Golden Dawn” to just confuse the hell out of you, but more on that at the end. With styles really ranging many different places, from trad doom to drone, desert rock to crusted punk/dbeat, there's quite a bit to be found in this record.

Now, not all was rose tinted lenses with this album, with the way they kind of jump around with their sound and styles, many fans may have a hard time digesting this one and be turned off by the lack of consistency. There's quite a bit for a listener to like, but it may be a small part or just a single song, and that's perfectly fine. The whole album is a fun trip to many different places, and one worth taking to see the sights; that being said, “Golden Dawn” is my least favourite cut, simply because the song, in my honest opinion, isn't well done., It's not overly pleasing to my ear and doesn't sound well articulated or performed, and just isn't my thing.

All the whole check out Order of the Owlyourself, and see where the journey takes you. You might be surprised what you find.

“We Are Here To Collect Our Crown” is available on vinyl here and digitally here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Palehorse - Looking Wet in Public

By: Hunter Young

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 01/07/2016
Label: Truthseeker Music

Wonderfully acidic and bludgeoningly sludgy, Palehorse's new creation, “Looking Wet in Public”, is just magnificent.

“Looking Wet in Public” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Half Lizard / Half Lizard
2). Miserable Heroin Addict vs. Jehovah's Witness Guy
3). Lambs to the Laughter
4). The Shower
5). Terrifying Japanese Coldplay Documentary
6). 1893

The Review:

You know when the grungy metal gods have sent you something magnificent when you start to feel the music leave a greasiness on the skin, because it's that or my soap has gone on strike. Wonderfully acidic and bludgeoningly sludgy, Palehorse'snew creation, “Looking Wet in Public”, is just magnificent. At once suffused with a gloriously dirty sound, a punishing delivery, and vocals that absolutely rub my throat raw, it's a tour de force of what the underground can put out! A tour of the force of a sludge pipe, perhaps, but a force of some sort for sure!

Make no mistakes about Palehorse's intentions; as soon as you hit play you shall be assaulted by massive sonic cinder blocks. There are no warnings, just scratching, a word or so, and then you're being dragged down old asphalt by your pant leg (“Half Lizard, Half Lizard”). Palehorse vomit forth a sound that is a fight for survival, it could be described as fraught, like learning a bandsaw as an instrument. Songs like “Miserable Heroin Addict vs Jehovas Witness Guy” (a shoe in for song title of the year) rely on nothing so fancy as technical playing, individual notes, or articulation of the fingers; no, instead you have chords that buzz modulate like a twisted mechanical beehive. The band mixes violence, mechanical darkness, and just a retching out of pure emotional strangulation in the form of vocal delivery. The longest track, which is also the most plodding and slow, titled “Lambs to the Laughter”, is a perfect example of what these guys do best, and that's peel the layers off your brain slowly, like an onion, with the most jagged plastic knife possible.

“Looking Wet in Public” does have lighter moments, such as the first half of “The Shower”, which then deforms into a nightmarish effects driven track that will take you to many edges, musically. They suffocate with sonic intrusions and modulate you into a blob of human goo; it's well crafted debauchery given form, and slicked with production, allowing you to experience the throes of scuzz like a slow drip. With “Looking Wet in Public”, Palehorse have given outlet to a violent, raw album that should delight any fan of extreme music down to their toe socks. Enjoy without shame, as they scratch that fix for you.

“Looking Wet in Public” is available here

Band info: facebook|| bandcamp

FFO:  Ghold, Horse Latitudes, War Iron, Loinen