Κυριακή 22 Δεκεμβρίου 2024

REVIEW: CRADLE OF FILTH, Cruelty And The Beast (1998)

 


CRADLE OF FILTH, Cruelty And The Beast (1998)


Music for Nations


Δεν υπάρχει θηρίο χωρίς να υπάρχει βαναυσότητα.


Το παραπάνω ρητό του Φρειδερίκου Νίτσε υπάρχει στο εσωτερικό της θήκης του CD των Βρετανών αυτών, που αφού κράτησαν τη σημαία του Black Metal απ' τις αρχές της δεκαετίας του '90 διαμέσου του προηγούμενου τους Dusk And Her Embrace (1996) μπήκαν και σε πιο γοτθικά σκοτεινά μονοπάτια. Ο Dani Filth, τραγουδιστής με δυνατότητα να αποδίδει πολλές διαφορετικές φωνές στην ερμηνεία του και στιχουργός ποτέ δεν έκρυψε τις Gothic καταβολές του οι οποίες σε αυτό εδώ το (τύποις θεματικό είναι η αλήθεια) άλμπουμ για την μεσαιωνική Ουγγαρέζα κόμισσα Elizabetha Bathory βγαίνουν στο προσκήνιο. Η αιματηρή "ηρωίδα", διαβόητη για τις απόκρυφες δοξασίες της αλλά κυρίως υπεύθυνη για τη θανάτωση εκατοντάδων νέων κοριτσιών στων οποίων το αίμα έκανε λουτρό (ταινία τρόμου θυμίζει) για να κερδίσει τη νεότητα και οι παραλληλισμοί με τα θηρία του παρόντος (τότε) και του μέλλοντος (τώρα), μέσα από δέκα συνολικά συνθέσεις. Τα αφηγηματικά γυναικεία μέρη των φωνητικών από την Sarah Jezebel Deva δίνουν αυτή  την ιδιάζουσα γεύση λαγνείας στο σκοτεινό  ρομαντικό/γοτθικό στοιχείο του δίσκου. Σαν στιγμές του άλμπουμ κρατάω τα Once Upon Atrocity, Thirteen Automns and a Widow, Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids, Beneath the Hollowing Stars και την αποτελούμενη από τρία μέρη Bathory Aria.


English:



There is no beast without brutality.


The above quote by Friedrich Nietzsche appears on the inside cover of the CD by these British artists, who have maintained the flag of Black Metal since the early 1990s. Following their previous work, *Dusk And Her Embrace* (1996), they ventured into darker, gothic paths. Dani Filth, the vocalist with the ability to deliver numerous different voices in his performances and the songwriter, has never hidden his Gothic roots. In this album—truthfully, thematically focused—on the medieval Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory, those roots come to the forefront. The bloodthirsty "heroine," infamous for her occult beliefs and primarily responsible for the deaths of hundreds of young girls, whose blood she bathed in (resembling something out of a horror movie), sought youth through these acts. The album draws parallels with the beasts of the past (then) and the future (now) through a total of ten compositions. The narrative female vocals by Sarah Jezebel Deva lend a peculiar taste of lust to the dark romantic/gothic element of the album. Among the standout moments I hold dear are "Once Upon Atrocity," "Thirteen Autumns and a Widow," "Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids," "Beneath the Hollowing Stars," and the triptych "Bathory Aria."


Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!


Metal Songs That Stole the Christmas

 


When you think of Christmas music, heavy metal probably isn't the first genre that comes to mind. However, several metal bands have taken the holiday season by storm with their unique and energetic takes on traditional Christmas songs. Here are two metal songs that have stolen the Christmas spirit:


1. Spinal Tap - "Christmas with the Devil"



This song is a parody of traditional Christmas songs, turning the festive season into a dark, satirical affair. The lyrics describe a twisted Christmas where "elves are dressed in leather" and "angels are in chains," with "Satan" himself coming down the chimney. It's a humorous take on the holiday spirit, fitting perfectly with Spinal Tap's mockumentary style from the album "This Is Spinal Tap".



2. King Diamond - "No Presents for Christmas"



This song tells a story of a chaotic Christmas where Santa Claus is unable to find any reindeer to pull his sleigh. The lyrics humorously mention characters like Tom and Jerry drinking sherry and Donald Duck still being in bed. It's a metal Christmas classic from the album "A Dangerous Meeting".



These songs prove that heavy metal can indeed steal the Christmas spotlight, offering a fresh and exciting take on holiday music. Whether you're a metalhead or just looking for something different to play during the holidays, these tracks are sure to bring some festive cheer with a heavy twist.


Nick Parastatidis

Σάββατο 21 Δεκεμβρίου 2024

REVIEW: PRIMORDIAL, Where Greater Men Have Fallen (2014)

 


PRIMORDIAL, Where Greater Men Have Fallen (2014)


Metal Blade Records


Ένα ακόμη βήμα στη πολυτάραχη ιστορία τους.


Το ποσό αγαπημένο στο κοινό της χώρας μας είναι αυτό το συγκρότημα απ'την Ιρλανδία είναι γνωστό. Αυτό εδώ είναι ένα ακόμη άλμπουμ τους που δε θα εφεύρει ούτε κάποιο νέο μουσικό στυλ ούτε σφύζει από πρωτότυπα ηχητικά ρεύματα. Είναι ένα καθαρά, άδολα κι ακούραστα άλμπουμ της έως τότε πεπατημένης τους. Δε χρειάζεται να κάνεις ριψοκίνδυνα πειράματα στο ήχο σου για να ακουστεί διαφορετικός! Είναι λοιπόν ένα επιστέγασμα της σταθερής απόδοσης της μουσικής τους και τελικά, ναι γι'αυτό παραμένουν αγαπητοί στο κοινό γενικότερα. Ο ύμνος Babel's Tower, το ομώνυμο του άλμπουμ κομμάτι που προηγήθηκε, τα The Seed Of the Tyrants, Ghosts of the Chapel House, The Alchemist's Head, Born to Night, Wield Lightning to Split the Sun απ' τον δίσκο έχουν την ίδια, αδιάλειπτη και σταθερή σε απόδοση αξία με οτιδήποτε έχουν σε κάθε δίσκο τους από το 1998 κι ύστερα. Είτε Doom, είτε Black Metal riff (πλέον δεν έχουν τίποτα σχετιζόμενο με αυτό αλλά κάποτε είχαν) είτε Folk ή ό, τι άλλο κι αν τους πεις, είναι πάντα οι Primordial.


English Text:



Another step in their tumultuous history.


The beloved band from Ireland is well-known in our country. This is yet another album of theirs that will neither invent a new musical style nor burst with original sound trends. It is a pure, sincere, and tireless album that follows their established path up until now. You don’t need to take risky experiments with your sound to be heard as different! Therefore, it is a culmination of their consistent musical performance, and ultimately, yes, this is why they remain beloved by audiences in general. The anthem "Babel's Tower," the album's title track, preceded by other songs like "The Seed of the Tyrants," "Ghosts of the Chapel House," "The Alchemist's Head," "Born to Night," and "Wield Lightning to Split the Sun," have the same, unwavering, and consistently high value as anything they have released in every album since 1998. Whether it's Doom or Black Metal riffs (although they no longer have anything to do with that, they once did), or Folk, or whatever else you may call them, they are always Primordial.


Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!


Παρασκευή 20 Δεκεμβρίου 2024

AN-XUL released debut album

 


Italian Black Metal band An-Xul has released their self-titled debut album, recorded, mixed, and mastered at ADSR DECIBEL Studio by Carlo Meroni. Formed in May 2023 in Bergamo, Italy, the band consists of members L. Plaguer (bass/vocals), M.T. (drums), and A. Nacht (guitars), who have backgrounds in bands like Xpus, Mortuary Drape, and Dark Redeemer. An-Xul's music features a blend of fast brutality and melancholic, atmospheric passages, exploring themes of Satanism, the occult, and humanity's destruction, characterized by rhythmic intensity and deep growling vocals.


GRAVE DIGGER release "The Devils Serenade" video single

 


In 2025, German metal band Grave Digger will celebrate their 45th anniversary with the release of their 23rd studio album, "Bone Collector," set to launch on January 17 via ROAR!. Founded in 1980, Grave Digger has become a significant and influential force in metal, beginning their journey with the landmark album "Heavy Metal Breakdown" in 1984. Their upcoming album marks a return to their old school roots and follows previously released singles "Kingdom Of Skulls" and "Killing is my Pleasure." Recently, the band premiered a music video for their latest single, "The Devil's Serenade." Frontman Chris Boltendahl described the song as a tribute to heavy metal and 80s stadium rock, embodying energy and nostalgia while promising an engaging live performance.


SUBWAY TO SALLY Release Poetic Ballad "Herz in der Rinde"

 


SUBWAY TO SALLY has released their poignant ballad "Herz in der Rinde," a track from their upcoming 15th studio album, Post Mortem, set to be released tomorrow by Napalm Records. The song showcases the band's melancholic side, exploring themes of love, loss, and memory through poetic lyrics and their characteristic folk sound. With stirring melodies and haunting imagery, it encapsulates the pain of a love that has faded. The band describes the single as quintessentially them, blending grand melodies, folk instruments, and heavy metal elements, culminating in a powerful finale. They view it as a cinematic experience and express pride in the result.


AVULSED video-clip: 1st advance single for new album

 


Legendary Spanish Death Metal band AVULSED, have just launched the 1st advance single, in form of a video-clip, of what will be their 8th full length album to be entitled "Phoenix Cryptobiosis" which will see the light next March 4th through Xtreem Music on CD, 12"LP, Cassette & Digital formats.