ALBUM REVIEW: Overkill, “Live in Overhausen”

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 18/05/2018

Label: Nuclear Blast

Overkill are now fully established as the Motorhead of thrash:  a lean mean killing machine that defies age and just keeps on delivering the goods while upping the ante each time.

“Live in Overhausen” 2CD//DVD//DD//2LP track listing:

1. Coma

2. Infectious  

3. Blood Money

4. Thanx For Nothin'

5. Bare Bones

6. Horrorscope

7. New Machine

8. Frankenstein

9. Live Young Die Free

10. Nice Day - for a Funeral

11. Soulitude

12. Raise The Dead

13. Rotten To The Core

14. There's No Tomorrow

15. Second Son

16. Hammerhead

17. Feel The Fire

18. Blood and Iron

19. Kill at Command

20. Overkill

21. Fuck You

The Review:

Overkill return with a double live album after last year's excellent studio effort, “The Grinding Wheel”. Instead of a career spanning greatest hits set, or even a compendium of track's from their last four stellar albums the band have gone for something a little different. Indeed, New Jersey’s finest have opted to re-visit their “Horrorscope” and “Feel The Fire” albums. In full. In track list order. Oddly, the set starts with the chronologically later album, “Horrorscope”.

So, you get 21 tracks over either two CDs (plus DVD or Blu Ray) OR you can fork out for two double LP sets; one for each album. I have opted for the CD and DVD this time around as I simply can't justify buying that and two double LP sets- that really is a big ask, even for a dedicated fan.

This review only focuses on the audio part of the release: it is superb. In fact, this is easily the best Overkill live album. “Wrecking Your Neck” suffered a little from a flat sound, whilst “Wrecking Everything” was an improvement, it still did not capture the full intensity of the band. This time around the band has nailed it. This is one intense performance with the band firing on all cylinders and ably assisted by guest drummer Eddie Garcia of Pissing Razors.

I saw one of the shows on this tour and the band were on fine form, and clearly building up to this performance in Germany. The sound is excellent; full and clear with 1500 German maniacs ably assisting the band by rowdily cheering along and chanting the band's name between songs. The material form “Horrorscope” sounds fantastic with the beefed up modern production and the songs shine. The band retained their punk-ish edge even through the more complex and dark material on offer here and it is still regarded as one of their best, over a quarter of a century later.

The real draw for me, though, is the performance of the “Feel The Fire” album. It stands shoulder to shoulder with “Kill Em All”, “Shown No Mercy”, “Fistful of Metal”, “Bonded By Blood”, “The Legacy” and “Killing is My Business...” for me- and I prefer it to nearly all the records on that list! Overkill's debut was and is a thing of marauding beauty- matching Maiden-esque guitar runs with thrash speed and punk like aggression. To hear the band sounding so vital and revved up on this thirty-something year old material is a treat. “Rotten To The Core” is superb, the extended middle section of the title track (Higher... Higher... Feel The Fire!!!) is as dramatic as it is spine tingling. Metal perfection! The run of great tracks on the album is astonishing; “Hammerhead”, “Blood and Iron”, “Kill at Command...” thrash metal does not get any better.

The CD/DVD is actually pretty good value- you get two full albums live and a DVD for your money: not bad! As stated before, forking out for both vinyl sets is pretty steep, but if you love one album and are not too bothered about the other, you can choose. I'll pick up the “Feel The Fire”set when I have the cash. Ah, who am I kidding, I'll get the “Horrorscope” one as well!

Overkill are now fully established as the Motorhead of thrash:  a lean mean killing machine that defies age and just keeps on delivering the goods while upping the ante each time. Compare their recent output to any of the other big thrash names. Overkill are streets ahead in intensity, hunger, material and work ethic. This expansive live release may well test your wallet, but the band passes the thrash exam with flying colours.

“Live in Overhausen”is available here

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Behemoth, "Messe Noire"

 By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full Length (Live)

Date Released: 13/04/2018

Label: Nuclear Blast

The group's performances are frenzied, the production is sterling and with a crystal clear sound thoughout, this makes “Messe Noire” a real pleasure to experience

“Messe Noise”CD//DD//2LP track listing:

1. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel (6:33)

2. Furor Divinus (3:21)

3. Messe Noire (4:41)

4. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer (6:20)

5. Amen (3:54)

6. The Satanist (6:35)

7. Ben Sahar (5:32)

8. In The Absence Ov Light (4:54)

9. O Father O Satan O Sun! (8:45)

The Review:

Now playing dates as part of Slayer's farewell tour, Poland's Behemoth could well be argued to be the heir apparent to the thrash kings' crown. While clearly the music is different, Behemoth's infernal songsmithing makes it a better fit than most. Paired with a long, ignoble history and you have a strong case to be made.

Although Behemoth has many touchstone albums to its credit, its tenth release, 2014's “The Satanist”, is easily near the top of its discography. It is the release from whence classics like "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel" and "O Father, O Satan, O Sun" came. Moreover it was regarded by critics as a return to form after potentially uneven works just before. Behemoth'snew album, “Messe Noire”, is, in fact, a live concert recording of “The Satanist” in full.

If you have never caught Behemoth live, do yourself a favor and watch some of the concerts – especially those in its native land – on YouTube. The group's frenzied performances are only matched by their enthusiastic audiences. “Messe Noire” captures Behemoth exceptionally well, even without the visuals.

From "Gabriel," the album's open, into the buzzsaw guitars of "Furor Divinus" and the title track, it is evident Behemothis all in on the live aspect. The additional singers, symphonic elements and builds presented on “The Satanist”are replicated live and do not lose much luster on the audio version ("Messe Noire" has also been released on video format).

Since 1995's "Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)," Behemoth has cultivated a rabid fan base, one enthralled by its colorful imagery and history as well as its sound. Indeed, as the band's focal point, Adam "Nergal" Darski has a connection to these supporters that is uncommon even within metal. From his health difficulties – including a brief hiatus due to leukemia – and outspoken advocacy of Satanism, Nergal's intensely personal story is hewn from the cloth from which all the great rock music histories are cut. Where some bands prefer complete anonymity, Behemoth and Nergal's openness has proven the old maxim: people want something with which they can identify. You feel identification through "Messe Noire." The live version of "Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer" has such weight, as you hear the crowd toward its close on into "Amen."

The production on "Messe Noire"is sterling throughout. The sound quality is crystal clear and the audience noise never overwhelms the stage show. This makes songs like "The Satanist" and "O Father" a real pleasure to experience.  Chances are, Behemoth fans have already picked up this April release. However, if you're a metal devotee who has dug Behemothfor any length of time, you'll be well served to pick up "Messe Noire" in its audio or video formats.

“Messe Noise” is available here

Band info: facebook

TRACK PREMIERE: "Controllers Destroyed" (Live) by Brant Bjork from the forthcoming album "Europe '16"

Welcome back the sweet scent of freedom. Breath in the greeheen! BRANT BJORK has come to revive your spirit: The Kyuss- and Fu Manchu legend has just announced his first ever live recording

From the opening guitar riff of "Europe '16", recorded in Berlin, one can sense the buzz of classic rock electricity that transcends into new spheres. This is controlled madness between trippy and doomy, groovy and sludgy!

Set for release September 22nd on Napalm Records, BRANT BJORK has now revealed the cover artwork and track list of his first and highly anticipated live record.  Not only that you can check out an exclusive track from the album below 

“This record is live. Live records are ugly and they should be. When a band plays live, they let their hair down. Live is all that really matters. There are those moments in life when everything is ok and these are the moments when you are doing exactly what your here on the planet to do. You're right where you are supposed to be with no shame, no fear, no regret, no envy, no hatred and no apology. I always say this band brings a feeling. The feeling is always primary and the sound, secondary. At least to me. In the book of Tao, there is a passage..."naming is the origin of all particular things". I use here the term ugly to refer to my naming of my particular relationship with my soundscape. my my my. Why the term ugly? Because its the opposite of pretty. As the popular saying goes, "It is what it is". As for my music, my band and this live record, I prefer to say, "it is what it isn't".” - Brant Bjork on Europe '16.

“Europe ’16” track listing

1. Buddha Time
2. Controllers Destroyed
3. Humble Pie
4. Stakt
5. The Gree Heen
6. Lazy Bones-Automatic Fantastic
7. Stokely Up Now
8. Dave's War-Dave's Peace
9. Biker No. 2
10. Freaks Of Nature
11. Low Desert Punk
12. Let The Truth Be Known-Jumpin' Jack Flash

To also celebrate the release of the record, you can catch BRANT BJORK on tour in  Europe here:

Live Rituals

04.08.17 GR - Almiros Magnisias / Los Amiros Festival
05.08.17 AT - Waldhausen / Lake on Fire
06.08.17 HU - Budapest / Tixa
08.08.17 DE - Hamburg / Sommer in Altona
09.08.17 DE - Stuttgart / Universum
10.08.17 CH - Duedingen / Bad Bonn
12.08.17 BE - Kortrijk / Alcatraz Festival
14.08.17 CH - Martigny / PALP Festival 

'Gree Heen Europe 2017' with special guest Sean Wheeler:

26.09.17    Stockholm | Debaser Strand
27.09.17    Stavanger | Folken
28.09.17    Oslo | John Dee
29.09.17    Gothenbourg | Sticky Fingers
30.09.17    Copenhagen | KB 18
01.10.17    Hamburg | Logo
02.10.17    Leipzig | UT Connewitz
03.10.17    Bielefeld | Forum
04.10.17    Amsterdam | Melkweg
05.10.17    Eindhoven | Effenaar
06.10.17    Pratteln | Up In Smoke
07.10.17    Aschaffenburg | Colossal
08.10.17    Brussels | Botanique
09.10.17    Rennes | Ubu
11.10.17    Bilbao |  Kafe Antzokia
12.10.17    Porto  | Cave 45
13.10.17    Lisbon | RCA Club
14.10.17    Madrid | Caracol
15.10.17    Barcelona | Bikini
16.10.17    Marseille | Jas Rod
17.10.17    Torino | Blah Blah
18.10.17    Ravenna | Bronson
19.10.17    Zagreb | Vintage Industrial Bar
20.10.17    Wien | Arena ( with Stoned Jesus + Beastmaker )
21.10.17    Munich | Keep It Low

Band info: facebook 

ALBUM REVIEW: Death Alley - "Live At Roadburn"

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/02/2017

Label: Tee Pee Records

“Live at Roadburn” depicts Death Alley as more than just a good live band that gets the crowd going. The record puts the band's best foot forward, and by allowing the listener to repeatedly dive into the jams and feel the chemistry, Death Alley’s talents as musicians get pushed to the fore.

“Live At Roadburn” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). It’s On

2). 666666

3). Feeding the Lions

4). Supernatural Predator

The Review:

Death Alley has been putting in so much time and so many miles since their 2015 ass-kickin’ debut album that they could easily pass as veterans of the scene. In these few short years, Death Alley toured the hell out of Europe, visited the Roadburn Festival twice (three times? four?), took a trip across the pond to visit both coasts of the United States, and most recently hit the road with some local heroes for a successful MotorheadTribute Tour. In case you missed any of that –though I’m not sure how you could have – have no fear because Death Alley is about to release “Live at Roadburn” on February 24^th and it’s a scorcher.

The main difference between seeing Death Alleyin a live setting and listening to its documentation on your couch at home is context. In person, you’ll knock back a couple of beers, get tossed around the pit and feel the band's sweat rain on the crowd. It’s a rock and roll extravaganza that you’ll share with those in attendance, all of whom have come out to the show to let loose of the daily grind and boogie down. I know, that’s usually the point of any rock show, but Death Alley is one of those bands that manages to open up a line of communication with everyone in the crowd, even those all the way in the back.

At home, however, the live documentation is a whole different kettle of fish. From the comfort of your couch, “Live at Roadburn”depicts Death Alley as more than just a good live band that gets the crowd going. The record puts the band's best foot forward, and by allowing the listener to repeatedly dive into the jams and feel the chemistry, Death Alley’stalents as musicians get pushed to the fore. A solo here, an unexpected fill there, a tight transition everywhere; no matter what, these guys are locked into their Death Alley trance. The word trance might be a strange adjective to apply to an upbeat rock band, but at 4 songs (one of which is a cover, two of which are new) and 44 minutes long, “Live at Roadburn” certainly lets the mind drift.

Opener “It’s On” starts with singer Douwe sarcastically asking the crowd “are you ready?” Fuck no, they’re not ready – not for what’s about to happen at least – but that doesn’t matter because the band sure is ready to bring it. The song’s midsection and back half are all about the guitars, which blend nicely into the eight-plus minute instrumental cut that shows why Death Alley brought along their friends Ron van Herpen (Astrosoniq) and Jevin de Groot (Múhr) along for the ride. A 22 minute version of “Supernatural Predator” follows, demanding as much attention as it does on the album, but it’s the “Feeding the Lions” that has the band looking forward. This song, with its rolling rhythm and a pissed off Douwe in your face, is a great way to both close a set and get the fans excited for the come-on-get-to-it already sophomore record.

A good live album is something that’s hard to come by. In order for such an album to hit the mark, the band in question needs to be on fire the night of the recording. Everyone needs to be locked in, the energy needs to feel right, and most of all, someone needs to record the set in such a way that it translates well to an in-house hi-fi set. If that’s what you’re looking for in a live album, then do yourself a favor and track down a copy of Death Alley’s“Live at Roadburn.”

“Live At Roadburn” is available to preorder/buy here

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Colour Haze - “Live Vol. 1 – Europa Tournee”

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 15/06/2016
Label: Elektrohasch Records

The live feeling pierces through, enhancing the flavor of these songs when compared to their studio counterparts, and thusly staking the claim that Colour Haze are masters of their craft.

“Live Vol. 1 – Europa Tournee” CD//3XLP track listing:#

1). Persicope (Frankfurt)
2). Moon (Frankfurt)
3). Überall/Call (Frankfurt)
4). She Said (Paris)
5). Aquamaria (Würzbug)
6). To the Highest Gods We Know (Paris)
7). Circles (Paris)
8). Transformation (Berlin)
9). Grace (Berlin)
10). Tempel (Paris)
11). Love (Paris)
12). Peace Brothers and Sisters (Frankfurt)
13). Get It On (Köln)

The Review:

What’s left to say about Colour Haze that hasn’t already been said? If you’re (still) unfamiliar with the kraut-rock meets Jimi Hendrixjams of Stefan Koglek (guitar), Philipp Rasthofer (Bass), and Manfred Merwald (drums) – collectively known as Colour Haze – then you better get your priorities straight. This three piece makes a special kind of noise, one that uses repetitive, wild, and hypnotic melodies as their building blocks. Their songs range from two minute sprints to thirty minute creations, each one as good as the last. They’re as creative as they are skilled, and speak to both the casual as well as the intense listener.

Last August, about ten months since their last studio release, Colour Haze released a live album, “Live Vol. 1 – Europa Tournee.” On CD, it’s a double disc whammy, and I can only imagine the wonderful packaging the three Germans have made for mammoth 3 LP vinyl edition. The set list draws songs from each album in Colour Haze’s vast discography, making a pretty good case for what Colour Haze does best.

From the riffy “Get it On” to the constant crescendo in “Love,”all the way out to a mash up of “Uberall” and “Call,” Colour Haze nails this live set from front to back. Even at its two hour run time, there’s not a dull moment. It’s mixed so well that each little detail in the music can be heard, and the mix gets even better when headphones are applied. The live feeling pierces through, enhancing the flavor of these songs when compared to their studio counterparts, and thusly staking the claim that Colour Haze are masters of their craft.

Here’s to counting down the days to the next volume of this live series! Cheers to you, Colour Haze!

“Live Vol. 1 – Europa Tournee” is available here

Band info: official|| facebook