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Bands are listed alphabetically, with individuals listed by last name.

Review Archive: E

E VIII - Save EP · Lucretia
Progressive "Hard" Rock. Oh boy... Slight musical influences can be noticed that range all the way from PANTERA to SOUNDGARDEN to THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. And they distort the vocals every now and then, too. Let’s see, how many different ways can I say "This is shit"? - 2 - <Ray> **MC12**

EARTH CRISIS - Gomorrah's Season Ends · Victory
Well, I guess I won't be inviting these guys to my annual "eat a cheeseburger while raping a nun in a burning church" party. Anyway, E.C. play fairly intense 'core, although sometimes the riffs get a little gay - oh pardon me, I mean "wimpy" - and the lyrics are extremely preachy. Do they really believe everything they say? I wonder how many times a day these guys smoke some weed and eat a big slab of ribs. Didn't someone famous once say, "You can't please all of the people all of the time"? Maybe if EARTH CRISIS would stop trying so hard to be completely politically correct and inoffensive at all time, I might be more interested in what they have to say. For the record, their bassist, Ian (or perhaps Tom, the "provider of fretless bass"), is amazing, and except for a few of the above mentioned dorky start-stop kind of riffs, this album is musically exceptional. - 8 - <Ray> **MC10**

EARTH CRISIS - The Oath That Keeps Me Free (Live) · Victory
It’s not too often that you hear new songs on a live album, but EARTH CRISIS provides us with three previously unheard songs, including a pretty interesting cover of "Sunshine of Your Love." All the old songs come across heavier live, and their Hardcore has never lacked in that department anyway. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC11**

EARTH CRISIS - Breed the Killers · Roadrunner
Having moved on from Victory Records, EARTH CRISIS have more or less remained the same, sound-wise. Which is to say, intense Hardcore. But I don’t remember the vocals being exactly like this. I think they’re mildly overdriven most of the time, but it usually isn’t bad enough to really detract. And it is a little hard for me to like an album that has a member of MACHINE HEAD making a guest appearance... But all things considered, this could be their best release so far. Keep in mind that I did not receive a lyric sheet, which was probably very smart on the part of Roadrunner. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC12**

EARTH CRISIS - Slither · Victory
That's weird; the CD says "EARTH CRISIS" on it, but when I hit the play button, out came the new FEAR FACTORY CD. No, I'll be honest, I really dig this record. I think these guys were long overdue for some type of musical spice-up. Their sound is now equal parts brutal Hardcore and the Billboard Top 40 / 7-string guitar fueled "New Metal." While it sucks to see a Death or Thrash band go this route, I suppose it could be a more natural "progression" for a Hardcore band. Plus EARTH CRISIS doesn't go overboard with it. The more radio-friendly areas only make the traditional E.C. stomping rhythms seem more brutal. Let's face it, they were never going to be able to top Gomorrah's Season Ends in terms of brutality, aggression, and anthemic memorability. It was a bit awkward to hear their stylistic change at first, but after a couple beers and a fat joint, I was banging my head just like the old days. About these guys' lyrics: I just want them and every other Straight Edge person out there to understand that I do realize that by doing drugs, smoking, and consuming large quantities of meat, that I am killing myself and destroying my body. Being not at all in denial about that, a song like "Killing Brain Cells" becomes a dramatic narration for my demise that I am more than happy to precipitate. Damn, I'm tired of writing [And I of typing! -Ed.]. I think it's time to hit McDonald's. I'll bring this CD for the drive. - 9 - <Jack>

EARTH TO ANDY - Chronicle Kings · Giant
I suppose this Alternative Rock could have been worse. I really expected it to be. At least they don't sound like KID ROCK. Still, this is nothing I'd spend a cent on, but maybe I could tolerate it under the right circumstances. Like if there were a bunch of hot sluts involved, for example. - 5 - <Ray>

EARTHCORPSE - Born Bleeding · Shiver
Heavy and melodic Death/Doom. Impressively played and with excellent production. This could crush your mind, but something seems to be holding it back. Perhaps it’s the repetition. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC11**

EARTHCORPSE - The Taste of Sin · Shiver
Quite a few different styles are employed here, from a somewhat watered-down version of the Death Doom of early MY DYING BRIDE, to the "Doom Rock" sounds of CEMETARY, to even some more "modern" sounding riffs... There are a handful of flawless moments on this album. Maybe enough for a perfect EP. The rest varies from "good" to either too wimpy or, in a few places, too "new." Additionally, the vocals occasionally hold them back. In almost all cases they should probably be either more emotional or more intense, and not try to stay in the middle. And then they end things out with a weird remix of one of the tracks, "Winter." - 7.25 - <Ray>

EBONY TEARS - Tortura Insomniae · Black Sun
Another of the "melodic Death Rock" bands, maybe like IN FLAMES meets SENTENCED. EBONY TEARS certainly write memorable songs, and are technically impressive players. Even the vox are well done, varying from whispers to a raspy style. The best part, for me at least, is that E.T. haven’t forgotten that being heavy is a good idea, too. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC11**

EBONY TEARS - A Handful of Nothing · Black Sun/Necropolis
This is a bit Thrashier then their debut, the more Death Rock influenced Tortura Insominae. Perhaps some of that has to do with the more raw production this time, which I like, but mostly they seem to have just cranked up the intensity. - 9 - <Ray> **MC12**

EBONY TEARS - Evil as Hell · Century Media
It's amazing just how superficial I catch myself being sometimes. Take for instance my first encounter with EBONY TEARS. About ten seconds into the first track I am already passing this off as uninteresting Nu-Thrash in the dreaded HAUNTED / DORKANE vein. And perhaps I could be partially correct in the strictest exterior sense, but all of a sudden I'm stricken by the downtrodden melody of the opener's chorus. As the gritty Petrovesque vocalist proclaims, "...when you reach the lowest point you see the world through different eyes," somehow I become hooked and stay hooked all the way to the monstrously heavy breakneck pit riffs of "Demon Ride," intact with it's own catchy melodic chorus. Sure, maybe unwavering snare punishment is the band's favorite tactic, and perhaps the production is a little too slick for it's own good, but I'll be damned if there isn't a Death / Thrash masterpiece subtly interwoven throughout. I wonder what else I'm missing out on. - 9.5 - <Jack>

EC8OR - World Beaters · DHR
I don’t have any idea how to accurately describe this over-distorted anti-Pop. It’s kind of interesting and disturbing to listen to, and there are drum loops and vocals, so it’s not just random noise. I guess I can see why someone would like this, since it is pretty extreme, in its way, and about as far from the mainstream as you could get, but it’s difficult for me to listen to it all the way through - sort of like looking at some ultra abstract painting that I just don’t "get," except that paintings usually don’t make my head hurt. - 5 - <Ray> **MC12**

ECONOLINE CRUSH - Econoline Crush · Nettwerk
Hi, we're interested in being the next NINE INCH NAILS. But unlike them, we don't have a whole lot of talent, but. we are attractive guys and we have great fashion sense. We have top of the line equipment (the best that Mom can buy), and I'm sure that with enough marketing we could be really big. Think about it and get back to us. - 1 - <JACK> **MC10**

ECZEMA / DOBLEZERO / MR. RULIUS - 3-Way Split · S.G.A.E.
No press release came with this disc, nor is there a track-list. I figured out which band is ECZEMA because they also sent their full-length CD. As far as the other two bands, I have no idea which one is which. According to their contact-addresses, all 3 bands are from Spain. ECZEMA play fast, aggressive Black / Death Metal. Which was a very pleasant surprise. For more info on them, read the review of their release Soledad, El Llanto De La Muerte. DOBLEZERO and MR. RULIUS aren't even worth mentioning. One sounds like a really bad version of MENUDO (not that there's a good version). The other plays some shitty, flute-happy Jazz garbage. Both bands are laughable! I highly recommend ECZEMA. DOBLEZERO and MR. RULIUS should throw in the towel.
ECZEMA - 8.5 -
DOBLEZERO - 1 -
MR. RULIUS - 1 -
(average) - 3.5 - <Painkiller>

EDENROT - Ashes of Forever · DEMO (CD)
Whoa! The lead vocalist of this band is in definite need of a throat lozenge. Their music is really cool and well orchestrated traditional Heavy Metal. Strong, bold guitar riffs that are catchy in spots. A few of the songs have more of a WHITE ZOMBIE feel to them. But, I think this vocalist needs to tone down his extreme Death style a tad. Other than that, the production was well done and quite clear. - 7.5 - <ANG>
  **MC11**

EDENROT - The Land Where the Crow Starves EP · Twilight
Interesting mix of Doom, Rock, Death, Black & traditional Metal. - 8 - <Ray> **MC11** - "Last Second Additions"

EDGE OF SANITY - Unorthodox · Cargo/Black Mark
Fuck! The song "Enigma" by itself would be worth the price for the disc. Excellent production & recording, impressive levels of originality & talent, and, oh yeah, they're totally brutal. I'm not often as impressed as I was when I first heard this CD. And I continue to be impressed with each listen. The songs are memorable, heavy, fast, slow - everything. It's all there. This is a classic. Buy or die. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC7**

EDGE OF SANITY - Until Eternity Ends EP · Black Mark
I'm not too sure how to describe these four songs. They cover "Invisible Sun," and it's made to be very interesting. The others are more Metalized, but still have a Rocky feel to them. Dan's voice swings from Death to very melodic (like a Pop vocal) and back, with apparently no effort on his part at all. Pretty cool, but also a little weird. Very memorable, though. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC9**

EDGE OF SANITY - Crimson · Black Mark
This single, 40 minute long, track contains virtually every style of Metal in varying degrees and durations. It really sounds like a bunch of different songs all tracked together, rather than one cohesive unit. It's an interesting, well executed, idea, but some parts really tend to drag on, and occasionally the clean vocals are somewhat weak. I also must wonder how many people have the necessary attention span to really appreciate a 40 minute song. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC10**

EDGE OF SANITY - Infernal · Black Mark
This album is noteworthy in many ways, but before I played it the first time, I noticed that it was not recorded at Unisound (the now closed studio of EOS main man Dan Swanö), but at Abyss. That guarantees it’s heaviness, and as always the band delivers interesting songs. There is more experimentation with different vocals styles here, and many of them don’t work well. Dan has a few different bands, and I think that he might be well advised to stick with a single style for each. When one song goes from JOURNEY with heavily distorted guitars to Death Metal, it’s a little weird. At any rate, Infernal is quite enjoyable, but it does sound a bit thrown together at times. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC11**

EDGUY - Theater of Salvation · Metal Blade
Total waste-of-a-good-drummer Ass Metal. Sounds like DIO or BLIND GUARDIAN or some other equally lame shit. All this State Fair Metal sounds alike to me. I don't know what else to say other than this vocalist is a flamejob. Grow a mullet, roll your Marlboro Reds up in your short sleeve tee, and don't forget your hairdresser's appointment later on. Time to get your perm rejuvenated. - 1 - <Jack>

EERIE VON & MIKE MORANCE - Uneasy Listening · Caroline
I'm assuming that this is supposed to be scary and ominous. It's not even close. It's merely trite, banal and annoying. I think someone needs to explain to Mr. Von what real "uneasy listening" is. Any volunteers? - 5 - <Ray> **MC10**

EFFIGY - Tortured Souls · DEMO
Energetic Death, backed by a drum machine. The songs are catchy, but would be helped by a thicker production. The vocals are plenty brutal, but seem to have been recorded too loudly, and sometimes kind of "break up." Such is the way of demos, though. But as far as the actual music is concerned, it's great. High level of conviction and energy. Okay, maybe a touch of lyrical assistance would be a plus, but when these guys can get into a better studio, I predict that the result will be amazing. <Ray> **MC9**

EIDETIC - Non Conspicuous Warning · DEMO
This four song demo has excellent production, I have heard albums from bands signed to major lables that didn't sound this good. The cover has two colors, band photos, a thanks list and all the lyrics. Very professional throughout. Musically, EIDETIC is Thrash. Usually fast and pretty memorable, but the guitar sound is not especially heavy- the distortion is smoother than what I normally hear. The drum sound is the best I have heard recently on a demo. Now we get to Morten's vocals. He sings, not as much as Russ Anderson (FORBIDDEN), but it's singing and I know some of you don't go for that. The vocals fit with the music, however, and it would sound wrong if either were heavier individually. All the songs are interesting and I think you should check 'em out. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC6**

EIDOLON - Nightmare World · Metal Blade
Melodic Power Metal from Canada with some Thrash-stylings thrown in for good measure. While there are a number of bands that fit this description Nightmare World's song-content is what helps EIDOLON stand apart from the rest. Instead of writing songs about swords, dragons, and rescuing maidens from their virginity these guys focus on the workings of the inner-mind and the darkness within one's soul. In fact, I would say that they strongly resemble NEVERMORE in this respect. Although there isn't much in the way of technical wizardry going on here, there is plenty of creativity to be found, and EIDOLON's music is anything but predictable. Check out the acoustic work on "Fortress of Red." And "Eye of Illusion" has almost a "Pull the Plug" feel to it. Indeed, the production favors the guitar-sound which imbues the music with a more powerful presence that is sometimes lacking in many releases in this genre. A definite force to be reckoned with. - 8.25 - <Painkiller>

EIGHT EYES BLACK - Addiction to Impurity · DEMO
These guys know how to play Metal. If you’re into heavy, not trendy, guitar riffs and aggressively searing vocals, 8EB is where its at. It’s good to know that bands like this stay true to what they feel is their genre of music, and don’t try to personify something false. This has been well produced with decent clarity. Although, I think the drums are a little overpowering and the guitars could be more in the foreground in some cases, but otherwise, it was still cool. - 8.25 - <ANG> **MC11**

EINHERJER - Aurora Borealis EP · Necropolis/Warmageddon
The riffs remind me of old Metal, perhaps like very early DESTRUCTION, but there is also a lot of Folk sounding acoustic guitar. I wouldn't know to describe this as Black Metal but for the tormented vocals. It's an intriguing and creative idea, executed to near perfection. EINHERJER have really sculpted a unique identity for themselves, and that's what elevates the great bands from the merely good. Plus, there's a painting of The Allfather on the cover. - 9 - <Ray> **MC10**

EINHERJER - Norwegian Native Art · Native North
This is album number three for Viking Metal stalwarts EINHERJER and for whatever reason, they have never really taken off. They had one album on Napalm, one on Century Media and now one on what I assume is their own label. The music of EINHERJER is quite good, blending older Heavy Metal and Classical bits together to form a sound that is pretty much unique. As before, there are plenty of references to the Norse gods and the lyrics are markedly better than Odin Owns Ye All because they have gotten rid of most of the hokey parts. Unfortunately, some hokey parts still exist. I don't know if these guys should be singing in English as this might actually flow better (and make more sense) in Norwegian. Musically, EINHERJER is quite good but at the same time, the music just doesn't grab you. It's good, just not that interesting. When an album gets boring, especially not that far in, it is always a bad thing. EINHERJER has the talent. They also have good ideas. Now let's see if album number 4 can grab my attention the way it should. - 7.5 - <Ychoril>

EISHEILIG - Eisheilig · Napalm
EISHEILIG play dark, Gothic music that exudes a creepy, suffocating atmosphere. The lyrics are sung entirely in German, so I have absolutely no idea what the songs are about. From the ominous, brooding vocals to the thick, profound nature of the guitars, these guys have been heavily influenced by TYPE O NEGATIVE. I have heard only a few songs by THE CURE (fortunately), but I can hear some of that band's influence as well. For Goth music, there are some heavier than usual guitar-riffs present especially in track 4: "Vater Unser." Track 8, "Das Tier," has an almost FEAR FACTORY feel with its crunchy guitars and Industrial, fast drum-sound. These elements give EISHEILIG an edge on other bands of this genre. A cover of "Love Street" by THE DOORS closes the album. Goth has never been my bag, but those of you who appreciate this genre will surely enjoy this release. - 6.25 - <Painkiller>

EISREGEN - Zerfall · Last Episode
Extreme, and somewhat innovative, Black Metal. - 9 - <Ray> **MC11** - "Last Second Additions"

EISREGEN - Krebskolonie · Last Episode
Oh man I sure hope this intro is a joke. ’Cause anyone with the balls to combine the "rain & church bells" intro to "Black Sabbath" with the "air raid siren" intro to "War Pigs" had better be kidding. If not, well... It’s still a joke. Intro aside, EISREGEN do play a pretty cool, melodic, Black Metal kind of music. I love the KREATOR-ish vocals sung in German. It just makes for some mean growls. Each of the 10 tracks have a separate identity (how often can most bands say that) and each are played with skill and intensity. And with this band, I actually have a reason for not understanding a single word. - 8 - <Brainhammer> **MC12**

EKTOMORF - Instinct · Nuclear Blast
Instinct is a cheap, second rate, dollar store, carbon copy rip-off of SEPULTURA’s Roots album. Nothing more, nothing less. If you need that in your record collection, here it is. - 5.25 - <Jack>

EL DUCE - Slave to Thy Master · Red Light / Ever Rat
Uhh, this is El Duce's solo effort. It sounds like the songs were written in about five minutes, and as if the lyrics were improvised - in the bad way. This is honestly stupid, but I guess Duce revels in his stupidity. He needs the rest of the MENTORS more than he thought. - 4 - <Ray> **MC8**

EL PECADO - Angel de mi Guarda · DEMO
Spanish Death-Thrash from Illinois? Well, now I've heard them all. The songs are mostly fast with whiny high-pitched screams for vocals. I'm not sure if any human could stand an entire full-length album of material from these guys, but this 20-minute quickie was definitely worth a listen. ­Me gusta! ­Me gusta! - 8 - <Jack> **MC9**

EL PECADO - Mi Senda · DEMO
This is leaning more towards Black Metal than their debut demo, Angel de mi Guarda, although some Death remains. It's more intense and the sound is vastly improved. In fact, the production is amazing - extremely clear, but raw. I wish I could translate the Spanish lyrics, I'm certain they're purely evil. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC10**

ELBERETH - ...and Other Reasons · Witchhunt
I didn't much like the intro. The (cleanly sung) female vocals add a unique edge to this Doom band's sound. Sometimes it's very impressive, but certainly not always. They try very hard to make the "romantic" and "gothic" aspects show through, usually at the expense of such forgotten things as "heavy," "interesting," or "memorable." - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC9**

ELDER TWILIGHT - Glorious Galaxial Tales · TOAJ
Combining most Underground Metal styles (Thrash, Death, and Black Metal with some Doom) into their own unique sound, E.T. have really crafted an excellent album in Glorious Galaxial Tales. - 9.25 - <Ray>

ELDERS CURSE - Curse of the Elders · DEMO
For a band that is so inspired by "every one of [MAYHEM’s] albums" you’d think that they would want to imitate the real strength of MAYHEM, their innovation, rather than cover "Freezing Moon." Sure, E.C. do a convincing job worshipping Satan through music, but the parts of the demo that I liked best were those when they slowed down and didn’t try so hard to fit in. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC11**

ELDRITCH - Promo Tracks '93 · DEMO
Progressive Metal which is at all heavy or memorable is virtually impossible to find, but here it is. The playing is just amazing, as is the songwriting. The vocals might be hard to take for the more Death-minded among us, as they are in the ancient clean-voiced and high-pitched style, but their singer can hold his own against FATES WARNING, and the others. If you're at all interested in technical, complex Metal, then you must get this. And it's uhh, well, sort of old already, so imagine if they have continued to improve since 1993. I'd ask about new stuff, too. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC9**

ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN - How to Make a Monster · Victory
Energetic, memorable Punk Rock, with the emphasis on Rock. Plus we’re treated to some really cool Coop art, pics of the beautiful Julie Strain made up as "The Bride of Frankenstein," and some multimedia stuff, too. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC12**

ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN - The Buzz of 1000 Volts! · Victory
I somehow managed to completely miss this band's last album, Annie's Grave, but this new disc is somewhat more in the Sleaze Rock tradition of bands like NASHVILLE PUSSY (although in my opinion a lot better) than the Punkish Rock and Roll of How to Build a Monster. But, now that I think of it, I guess I haven't listened to that since reviewing it, back in 1864, and I've just chugged an entire bottle of NyQuil, so maybe I'm remembering it all wrong. Anyway, the press release (the lying friend of all reviewers) wants me to mention that E.F. are similar enough to AC/DC that if you like them (the Aussies), then you'd damn well better buy this album right away. But I really don't hear it. This is too polished and somehting I can't quite put my finger on, really, to be AC/DC. Except maybe for the album's best song, "Dead by Dawn," which is unfortunately not a DEICIDE cover, however, it's still very good. But anyway, ELECTRIC F. shouldn't worry about being like AC/DC when they get along just fine as is. - 7.75 - <Ray>

ELECTRIC WIZARD - Come My Fanatics... · Rise Above / TMC
This is the thickest, most oppressive, outright heaviest guitar sound maybe ever recorded. Not that ST. VITUS didn’t perfect this Sludge / Doom weed-powered depression, or BLACK SABBATH before them, of course, but ELECTRIC WIZARD’s sound is just awesomely massive. And check out these lyrics: "I hope your fuckin’ world fuckin burns way / I’d kill you all if I had my way." (Note to all record labels: This is only one of the many reasons why it’s important to send the complete package to review.) How can you top something like that? Well, they could give you a whole extra CD. Which is exactly what E.W. does. It’s a remixed version of the Electric Wizard LP, which is more obviously BLACK SABBATH influenced, and somewhat less heavy sounding than the Come My Fanatics... disc. But it would have to be. I can’t imagine not owning this. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC12**

ELECTRIC WIZARD - Dopethrone · Rise Above / TMC
I really loved this band's last album, Come My Fanatics.... It possessed the heaviest guitar tone I've ever heard, plus an all-around more Doomy and oppressive sound than what we have here. This time, the E.W. guys seem to be going for a much more natural (yet still heavy) sound. That's okay with me, and really if I'd heard this album first, I'd be telling you how heavy this guitar tone is. But, knowing how much more supremely crushing this band was and can be, I find myself wondering why they went in this kind of more groovy, Stoner Rock (as opposed to Stoner Doom, I guess) direction. Perhaps they wanted to continue to evolve their sound, but as a note to all bands, when you've reached perfection it's time to stop evolving, because the only way left to go is down. Still, on its own merits, Dopethrone is a massive bong of groovy Doom. - 8.75 - <Ray>

ELECTRIC WIZARD - Let Us Prey · Rise Above / TMC
I've said it before, and because the universe sucks ass I'll have to say it again I'm sure, but if you want the gayest, most unreadable graphic design in all of existance, get Stevie O'Malley to do it for you, as ELECTRIC WIZARD has done here. Musically this is okay Stoner Doom / Rock, but it is in no way even close to their masterpiece Come My Fanatics..., but measures up pretty well against their more recent Dopethrone. If you can get past the epilepsy-inducing packaging, this band is still good at what they do, but I can see that they'll never again reach the... ahem... highs of ...Fanatics. - 8 - <Ray>

ELEGEION - Odyssey Into Darkness EP · Candlelight
Three mournful dirges laid down with suicidal intentions. The clean female vocals, violin, and keyboards might make one think that this couldn’t be heavy, and in the traditional guitar sense, it’s not really. And yet it is. Perhaps like drowning close enough to the surface to see the light, but not reach it. - 9 - <Ray> **MC11**

ELEGY - Forbidden Fruit · Noise
I've heard a lot of old-style Power Metal bands in the last few months, and ELEGY really stand out as one of the best. They're ultra-high energy technical onslaught is balanced out with a sort of melancholy feeling and very memorable songwriting. And I really should have known that would be the case. Not because this band has been around since the mid '80s (although that was something of an indicator), but rather because it simply will not play in my reference CD player. And that's the kind of luck I have. I'm listening to it as played by my computer's CD-ROM drive right now... - 9 - <Ray>

ELEND - Lecons de Tenebres · Holy
Haunting, eerie, multi-layered keyboards. Low and high pitched vocals, and cutting, Black-Metal-like screams. It's weird, that's for certain, but moving. The lyrics are either from or about Milton's classic, Paradise Lost. Clearly not for everyone, but I sure like it. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**

ELEND - Les Tenebres du Dehors · Holy
Beautifully dark Ambient soundscapes. There are occasional clean (female) vocals, and tortured (male) Black Metal screeches. It would be tough to not be moved by this intensely powerful album. 'Nuff said. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC10**

ELIS - Dark Clouds in a Perfect Sky · Napalm
Let’s be honest, a lot of the bands on Napalm are horrible, so I wasn’t expecting too much from ELIS. I mean, does the world, much less Napalm, really need yet one more Gothic Metal band with a chick singer? The more aggressive moments on this album might actually make me say "yes!" if not for the spun-sugar stuff, which is about enough to induce diabetes. Still, the good bits tend to be really good, somewhat like a combination of SINERGY and DARKWELL. But the rest will rot your brain. - 7.25 - <Ray>

ELIXIR - Elixir 7" · Suggestion
This see-through, piss-yellow, piece of vinyl comes with a balloon. Yep, a balloon with their logo on it. Okay, on to what it sounds like. Sort of electronic percussion with some weird stuff going on around it. Plus other odd things, guaranteed to disturb. These guys should team up with Steinbock. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC9**

ELYSIAN FIELDS - Promo Tape '95 · DEMO
Since they are from Greece, I was ready for this demo to be really good, but I wasn't ready for this masterpiece. The have that "Greek" keyboard sound, like VARATHRON, ROTTING CHRIST, et al, but their style is more aggressive. Perhaps built on Death Metal, rather than old Thrash. They take this to the realm of the Black abyss, and the listener goes along freely and of his own will. An amazing demo, which should get them signed in about ten seconds. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC9**

ELYSIAN FIELDS - Adelain · Unisound
The occasional combination of Doomy guitars and Blast drum beats is a bit unsettling at first, but I like it. The drums are sometimes so fast that if you told me that Jim (who is credited on drums, but as an "additional musician") is really a machine, I'd be ready to believe it. If my band (ADVERSARY) ever gets a human drummer, I want Jim! Anyway, to sum it up, what we have here is another great Greek Black Metal band. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC9**

THE ELYSIAN FIELDS - We The Enlightened · Wicked World
More great Metal from Greece. I don’t know if I’d call this Black Metal, it’s a bit more diverse, although the faster, melodic riffing is quite DARKTHRONE-reminiscent. Doomier elements dominate tracks like "I Am The Unknown Sky," "Until the Night Cries Rise in Your Heart," and "The End Shall Be Tragically Fulfilled," which are easily the best cuts. This band utilizes timing to perfection, they know just when to add blast, where a little eclectic instrumentation should go, and how to make each song memorable and filled with emotion. Very impressive second LP from a band that could possibly, and perhaps unfortunately, blow up. - 9.75 - <Jack> **MC12**

ELYSIUM - Inspired Hatred · DEMO
This 7 song demo is very professional looking and sounding. It has a two color cover, a thanks list and all the lyrics. And it was recorded at Morrisound. That should say a lot. I mean, you don't blow $85 an hour to record a demo if you suck. And ELYSIUM certainly don't suck. Far from it. In fact, they're really good. I'm sort of reminded of KREATOR, musically speaking. As for the vocalist, Terry, is concerned; sometimes he sounds like a slightly less heavy Mille, but mostly he sounds a lot like the vocalist from SACRED REICH. These dudes throw in some slow stuff and have plenty of fast, heavy stuff too. Very interesting, very professional and definitely recommended. - 9 - <Ray> **MC6**

ELYSIUM - Dreamlands · Black Mark
Alternating between Doom and Deathrash, this band generally keeps things interesting, and reminds me a bit of early CEMETARY. However, every once in a while, the singer decides that using a sort of deep, goofy "clean" voice would be a good idea. He's wrong of course, but at least it's a rare occurrence. - 8 - <Ray>

EM SINFONIA - In Mournings Symphony · Martyr
Hey someone has been listening to early MY DYING BRIDE! This has the Death Metal growled vocals, the beautiful female vocals, and the violins. But it’s not as dense-sounding as M.D.B. The guitars are depressing wails of desolation, but they don’t bury you under an avalanche of depression and crushing weight the way that the masters did on Turn Loose the Swans. Rather EM SINFONIA wisely choose to not completely follow in those unfillable footprints, and give their Doom a unique feel. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC12**

EMBALMING THEATRE - Sweet Chainsaw Melodies · Razorback
For those of you who really miss HEMDALE like I do, this will be something you'll want to check out. Twenty-two tracks of relentless Gore-Grind with the influences worn on the sleeve. NAPALM DEATH, IMPETIGO, and GENERAL SURGERY to name a few. The slower parts actually remind me a little of Privilege of Evil-era AMORPHIS. These guys do a great job of avoiding monotony by mixing it up and keeping things interesting. They grind, blast, hook, dirge, shred, and even throw in a little Punk flavor. All this plus the lyrical charm of gory humor makes this a keeper. - 9 - <Jack>

EMBER - Within the Realm of the Snowqueen · DEMO
Pretty entertaining Black Metal in the IMMORTAL style. The good production is certainly a plus, but some of the riffs are not up to snuff. Once again, a word to all bands: Put your address on the demo or the J-card, or I might lose it, like I did with this band. Moving twice in a month can do that sort of thing to a person. - 8 - <Ray> **MC9**

EMBITTERED - And You Ask Why? · DEMO
Acoustic guitar and spoken word poetry on the first track gives way to a much more straight forward, sorta Groovy Thrashcore style. Okay, but nothing really special past the intro. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC8**

EMBITTERED / DYSTOPIA - Split · Misanthropic
The DYSTOPIA tracks are all also on their excellent Human = Garbage CD, so you know from my above review what I think of that side of this LP. The EMBITTERED side is, sadly, not up to that standard. It's not bad, though. They're fast sometimes and employ a yelled vocal style, but are more Hardcore than Thrash, I'd guess. They have a unique sound, to be sure, but it just didn't do very much for me. - 8 - <Ray> **MC9**

EMBODYMENT - Embrace the Eternal · Tooth & Nail
Without the lyrics bogging this down, it might be passable technical Death Metal. But since these guys have the cock of god jammed so far up their asses that it’s cumming out of their mouths, all they ever say is how fucked we’ll all be burning in Hell, and how they get to toss god’s salad for all eternity. Yeah, but all the sluts will be in Hell with us (and unlike you retards, we like to fuck chicks), we won’t have to listen to you idiots preach anymore, and I hear that VENOM has a lock on being the house band there. And what will you get in "heaven"? Some resentful angels who think that god should still like them the best, winged babies playing harps, and god still fucking your assholes raw. You won’t even be able to play this kind of music up there, idiots! It must be the case that the really religious x-tian fucks hate bands like this, since they don’t sound "nice." And all of us with functional brains, who can think for ourselves, hate this shit, too. So who exactly likes this stuff? - 1 - <Ray> **MC12**

EMBRACE OF FEAR - The Mysterious Underflesh Emotions · DEMO
This Death/Doom would be easy to improve by simply mixing the keyboards a little lower. They overpower the guitars, vox, & even drums, which is really too bad, since E. of F. are quite good at creating depressing, suicidal feelings with their musical art. When they’re not playing fast, that is. That’s my only other criticism: The band switches from slow to blast sometimes just out of nowhere. Still, it’s a must for $3. - 8 - <Ray> **MC11**

THE EMBRACED - In My Dreams...I am Armageddon · Aftermath
This is an expertly played combination of Black Metal’s structures and speedy feel, with a beefier, more Death Metal guitar tone, and some Doomy and sorrowful passages as well. The merging of these styles and sounds makes for a very captivating and powerful album. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC12**

EMINENCE - Humanology · Two Fat Men
Before I get to the music, I’d like to point out that a track listing somewhere in the layout is generally a good idea. Speaking of ideas, EMINENCE have borrowed a few from the likes of mid-era NAPALM DEATH, GOREFEST, and SEPULTURA (which shouldn’t come as a surprise considering this band features ex-SEPULTURA guitarist and founding member, Jairo Guedz on bass). While not quite in the same league, this is still impressive with its great production, heavy guitar sound, and gruff but understandable Cavalera-style snarl. While far from groundbreaking and occasionally dull, it is for the most part well-executed and often enjoyable to listen to. - 8.5 - <Jack>

EMINENZ - Anti-Genesis · Last Episode
For those of you who’ve never heard of them before, EMINENZ have the distinction of being the band that opened for the legendary MAYHEM (at the time, fronted by Dead) when they played in Leipzig. They also opened for MAYHEM once again not long ago when, this time less Euronymous and Dead, they played the same place for a "return performance." While this band’s first LP was fairly straightforward guitar based Black/Death, this new release is more atmospheric and draws influence from more keyboard based bands such as EMPEROR. The guitars are prominent and thick, giving EMINENZ a more Death Metal sound than 90% of the Black Metal bands out there. The keyboards are also integrated better than most others. When they are used, they sound like they belong there. They didn’t just throw them on. Imagine a band with the heaviness of Death Metal, the atmosphere of a band like EMPEROR and enough talent to mesh the two together the right way. - 9.5 - <Ychoril> **MC12**

EMINENZ - The Blackest Dimension · Last Episode
Holy Hell! Imagine the eerie keyboards and machinegun drums of fast symphonic Black Metal, combined with semi-early Death Metal riffs that would have been at home on the first DEICIDE album. Yes, this kicks 666 different kinds of ass, and has more lined up around the block to kick later. Perhaps not utter perfection, but damn close. Un-fucking-believable. - 9.75 - <Ray>

EMINENZ - The Blackest Dimension · Last Episode
To say that the genre of Black Metal has been stagnant of late would be a gross understatement. The last B.M. album to really floor me was DARKTHRONE's Ravishing Grimness, if that gives you an idea. Well, this band here has something special. EMINENZ has the ability to sound evil, brutal, epic, depressing, and majestic all in one song. They do the symphonic thing to utter perfection, to add another dimension to their breathtaking doomy passages. These guys borrow heavily from the dynamics and precision of Death and Thrash Metal that serves to compliment their blasting Black Metal fury and the aforementioned morose qualities. The vocals are fucking sick. Imagine Jeff Walker, Tomas Lindberg, and Nocturno Culto all rolled up in one diabolical snarl. And the productions is slick, not frail. This is a powerful album that will summon all of your darkest emotions, and one of the finest efforts I have witnessed from a modern Black Metal act in a long long looooooong time. Obtain this gem at all costs. - 9.75 - <Jack>

EMPEROR / ENSLAVED - Emperor / Hordanes Land (split) · Candlelight
EMPEROR: An utter feast of unholy Black Metal. Clearly one of the best in this rapidly expanding style. Mixing Black and a little Death and coming up with something far more original than most, and still very atmospheric and haunting. I do wish this came with lyrics, though. I would love to know what the words are to "Cosmic Keys To My Creations & Times". - 9.5 -
ENSLAVED: Well, I'm not as concerned about the lyrics with this band, since they are all in Norse. That's pretty cool if you ask me, but I'd really like to know what they are about. The only one I think I can translate would mean "Allfather Odin" in English. OK, I didn't think that these guys could be any better than EMPEROR, but they might be. It's really close. Again, Black Metal, but with that touch of Death. Just a little. Completely outstanding. - 9.5 -
An unbelievable combination of bands on this split leads to one of the best sounding Black Metal releases I've heard. I wouldn't pass this one up, unless you like god or something. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC8**

EMPEROR - In the Nightside Eclipse · Candlelight / Century Media
Truly amazing Black Metal. Inspirational combination of keyboards and the traditional Black Metal speed and tortured vocals. I have heard some people complain about the production, but I think they may be missing the point. This is even better than the unbelievable split CD with ENSLAVED. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC9**

EMPEROR - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk · Candlelight / Century Media
The only excuse for not completely worshipping these Nordic Black Metal gods is being deaf. Why can’t I compose music like this? So flawless and majestic. I have yet to hear an EMPEROR song that I do not like! A crowbar could not remove me from this band’s nuts. And I would cut off my left arm to see these guys live. Don’t be a dumb ass. Buy this album now. - 9.75 - <JACK> **MC11**

EMPEROR - IX Equilibrium · Century Media
After an unsettling pre-Thrash girly scream intro, this kicks into high gear. But their symphonic Black Metal art has been tempered with strong Traditional Metal and Thrash influences. I’m extremely tempted to call that a trendy move. And although the intensity is still quite high and the speed is there, where are the majestic "epic" keyboards? Yeah, they poke their head through every so often, but it’s hardly the same effect. But maybe I shouldn’t complain. After seeing them at the 1998 Milwaukee MetalFest sans keyboards, I decided that they don’t really need them, and apparently they agree. This is a common problem a band faces: Change too little from album to album and you risk stagnation, but change too much too fast, and you risk cries of "sellout" and general disrespect. It’s a fine line to have to walk, and after quite a few listens to IX Equilibrium, I have decided that what really matters is whether or not this album kicks ass, and it most certainly does - just in a different way than the classic In the Nightside Eclipse. I can’t blame anyone for wanting to try out some new ideas, especially when they all work out this well. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC12**

EMPEROR - Emperial Live Ceremony · Candlelight
Live albums can be hard to review. I mean, what else can you ever really say, other than "if you like this band, you'll want to check out this live album"? Maybe if it's really awesome, you might add "even non-fans would have to be impressed with this performance." In this case, you get the added bonus (provided you have a computer that can decipher it) of a CD-ROM video track for "I Am the Black Wizards," which is neat, but really just a standard live performance clip. For me, at least, it's difficult to beat EMPEROR live. - 9 - <Ray>

EMPTINESS - Guilty to Exist · Painkiller
Do me a favor, if you're going to call your band EMPTINESS, could you please make the music depressing? You see, my life is uneventful and meaningless, so I'm often in the mood for something despondent. Rarely am I in the mood for easily forgettable experimental Grind that sounds like BENUMB on cheaper crack. However, if that's your bag, here it is. - 4.75 - <Jack>

EN NIHIL - Death Keeps · Red Stream
This, too, was a last minute addition, so I honestly didn't listen to it as much as I should have, but it's either that or it sits for 100 years until issue 11 gets done. Anyway, after 3 1.2 minutes of ambiance, some tribal drums kick in. Track 2 is back to dark Ambient soundscapes. Just as I was getting sleepy, I noticed a tormented cry deep within the background, and I became enveloped in this dismal sea of despair. If I ever want to commit suicide, Red Stream has certainly given me a wide variety of soundtracks to choose from. Thanks Pat! - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC10**

EN VELOURS NOIR - Else · Beyond...
I'm sure this is supposed to be avant-garde and really neato, but some guy half singing, half droning over what might be a "dark" Ambient background just isn't interesting to me at all. At least not when the vocals are so goofy, and the sparse music is so boring. - 3 - <Ray>

ENCUMBER - The Repentance · DEMO
Honestly, I don’t hear a whole lot of perfect demos, but that’s the only way to describe ENCUMBER’s technical Thrashy Death Metal. There is not one second of this that is less than awesome. It’s easy to hear that they are highly skilled musicians, but they never resort to showing off. Instead, they use their skills to combine simple and complex riffs in a truly memorable way. And they’re also not afraid to throw in some surprises, like a quick acoustic part. But everything is played with an unbelievable amount of intensity. And that goes double for the raw vocals. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, they cover "Epidemic," just to show everyone how to properly do a SLAYER song. ENCUMBER couldn’t possibly be cooler or kick more ass. - 10 - <Ray> **MC11**

ENCUMBER - Silent Witness of Past · DEMO
After receiving a perfect 10 last issue with their The Repentance demo, I was expecting a Hell of a lot from this new one. And it delivers. They couldn’t really improve upon their already flawless sound, so they have wisely not altered it, and the result is 40 minutes of truly awesome Thrashy Death Metal. The intensity of the music combines with their skill to create some of the most amazing compositions you’ve ever heard. I’d have to check to be sure, but this might be the first time any band has ever had two flawless demos in a row. ENCUMBER deserve my highest praise and respect, and everyone reading this had better check out these guys. - 10 - <Ray> **MC12**

END ZONE - First Bequest · MetalAgen
It's not often that I hear a flute in any kind of Metal composition, but somehow END ZONE make it work. Their unique combination of Thrash and Doom, with some Death elements, makes for a very interesting and memorable album. Sometimes I'm reminded of bands like DEATH, others it's more like CANDLEMASS, and occasionally I detect a hint of VOI VOD. This is a very well thought-out and precisely executed album, that also happens to be very powerful emotionally. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC10**

END ZONE - Thalatta et Thanatos · Metal Agen
This all instrumental album covers the bases from acoustic to Thrash to Doom, and never fails to impress. These guys are amazing musicians, and smart enough to not have to prove it 5000 times each song. They instead concentrate on writing interesting, emotional Metal tunes, and let the solos take the place of vocals. A true must for Metal fans of all types. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC11**

ENDLESS - Beauty, Tears and The Setting Sun · Pavement
It’s a damn shame what gets marketed as Doom in today’s confused scene. These songs are all upbeat and bland. No dark imagery is invoked aurally. The vocals are more Hardcore-like dry throat yells than the tormented bottomless agony I’ve come to expect in dreary music. His clean vocals are even more pathetic. If you want to hear some real Doom, there’s tons of great new stuff coming out. I suggest you give OCTOBER TIDE, EVOKEN, and AGALLOCH a thorough listen. It wouldn’t hurt the guys in ENDLESS either. - 5.75 - <Jack> **MC12**

THE ENDOPARASITES - Iconoclasty of Flesh · DEMO
Other than the stolen METALLICA riffs, this is fantastic. Good sound, great songs. They play heavy Death, and throw in a Blast beat once in a while to keep you on your toes. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**

ENDSUM - As Darkness Falls · demo
Cheap, embarrassingly produced, middle-of-the-road Black Metal from Norway. Traces of Old School German Thrash are also evident, but that's not enough to save this 3-song demo/CD from mediocrity. As much as I worship at the altar of DARK THRONE, whenever something comes highly recommended from them it tends to be a disappointment. First IMPIETY, now this. It makes me a tad hesitant to try anything from their newly formed Tyrant Syndicate label (where it wouldn't surprise me to see ENDSUM end up). Sad and strange how a demo from an up-and-coming Norwegian Black Metal band does not command the same amount of interest or attention as it would have 10-12 years ago. - 7 - <Jack>
contact@endsumlegions.com

ENDURA - Black Eden · Red Stream
Man, this is a dark Ambient fucking nightmare. It's unsettling to the point of nearly being horrifying, yet I am compelled to replay it as often as possible. I am possessed by the unclean spirit of overwhelming hopelessness captured within this recording. I've never heard anything darker or more depressing. Beyond belief. - 10 - <Ray> **MC10**

ENDURA - Elder Signs · Red Stream
Here we have the first two albums worth of recordings from Ambient masters ENDURA, digitally remastered and rereleased as this 2CD set, making over 110 minutes of "darkritual" soundscapes. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC12**

ENERGY 100 - Energy 100 · Mutant
Stuff like this is hard to review. The band shifts styles all the time, but sort of stays within some kind of guitar driven (if by feedback only) Industrial. They use a lot of samples and as with most Industrial bands, the vocals are distorted. What's weird is that their actually sound is somewhat different on all the tracks, going from feedback slabs of noise to throbbing beats. They cover AC/DC ("Shoot to Thrill") and adapt the sleazy guitar sound of that venerable band for bits of the cover. Also covered are Clapton and the TALKING HEADS, both also adapting to the originals in some ways. Strange and unique band. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC10**

ENFORSAKEN - Embraced by Misery · Lifeless
You just don't hear this kind of Thrashy Metal much anymore in these days of extremity, so I'm kind of glad to know that someone is still at it. The style played by ENFORSAKEN is anything but modern (which is good as far as I'm concerned), with roots in both European and to a lesser degree US West Coast Thrash, with great, raspy vocals. I like it, and the band is certainly very talented, but considering that this isn't exactly a "popular" style currently, I hope these guys can get by on just my respect. - 8.5 - <Ray>

ENGINE - Engine · Metal Blade
More or less in the FLOTSAM AND JETSAM vein of Thrashy Metal, ENGINE can deliver when they want to. But there are some flaws here, too. Considering that this band's singer is none other than FATES WARNING's Ray Alder, it sort of boggles the mind to hear him overdrive and distort his vocals, but he does sometimes, and that's really a bad idea. Otherwise, this has moments of semi-greatness, but only moments. And there are also moments of badness that aren't vocal-related. Their next album will really tell the tale, since we'll get to see if they know what to fix and what to keep. I'll bet that they don't, but I'll give then the benefit of the doubt for now. - 7.5 - <Ray>

ENGINES OF AGGRESSION - Speak · Priority
This album was really pushed hard. They sent me a fucking ENGINES OF AGGRESSION shirt for promotional purposes. Anyway, about the album: The singer sounds like that chick who used to be in MONKEY SPEW. Musically it's way better than vocally, but it's still terrible, even though some slight Industrial influences show. - 4 - <Ray> **MC8**

ENGINES OF AGGRESSION - Inhuman Nature · Priority
Well, this is way better than their Speak album in pretty much every way. It's still crap, but at least they have a little energy now. For Industrial-heads only, if then. - 5 - <Ray> **MC9**

ENGLISH DOGS - All the World’s a Rage · Pavement
If it means anything to you, someone named Gizz, from PRODIGY, sings and plays guitar for these guys. I always tried pretty hard to not listen to PRODIGY, but I think that they were pretty dissimilar to this Metal / Punk hybrid. It’s honestly not bad at all - very energetic and sort of begs to be sung along with. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC12**

ENGORGE - Dead...Fuck...Blackness · Dark Horizon
A decent combination of Black Metal’s fury and Death Metal’s heaviness. Try to imagine DARKTHRONE and old ACHERON stirred in the same pot. Certainly not the first or best time these two styles of been amalgamated, but it’s passable. The bio says this features an ex-member of MORTICIAN, but I have no clue who that would be. As far back as I can remember it’s always been just Will and Roger. - 8.5 - <Jack>

ENGORGED - Death Metal Attack 2 · Razorback
These guys are cool. Their fast Death attack is good enough by itself, but they go right ahead and have sick and funny lyrics, too, and that makes Death Metal Attack 2 mandatory. By the way, this CD also includes all of their Death Metal Attack release from 1997 as bonus tracks. Favorite song title: "Raping the Full House Twins." - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC12**

ENGORGED - Where Monsters Dwell · Razorback
I'm not sure if these guys have undergone serious lineup changes, but this is hardly the same ENGORGED. Their patented style of Powerviolence, Death Metal, and Grindcore has been disturbingly shaken up. This is more of a fast, heavy, Old School Thrash that I see as a huge step down from the unique blend of extremity they had trademarked for themselves. They have not completely abandoned Death and Grind, but the overall result is sadly sterile, as the most intense moments here could not get half the adrenaline flowing that even the filler on Death Metal Attack 2 or their album on Necropolis could. Tracks like "Werewolf Militia" even have a Death n' Roll feel that quite frankly does not work. The vocal style is also radically different. The crazed, varied SPAZZ-like vocal insanity is gone, and in its place is a Death snarl, that while decent, like so much of this album, it just isn't ENGORGED. Luckily there are still the gang vocals, albeit they do seem to have less bite. The most brutal vocal moment on this album by far belongs to LORD GORE's Gurge on "Chaingang," which also features Rob Fornicator. The lyrics here are just plain goofy. Not that these G.I. Joe-obsessed freaks have ever had the most serious subject matter, but giant squids and pirate ships? What is this, 1850? An extreme letdown from a band whose deranged originality had really set them apart. - 7.75 - <Jack>

ENID - Nachtgedanken · CCP
The stupid chanted intro gives way to ultra fast drum machine and pretty keyboards. Which in turn gives way to some friendly little Folky synth flutes. I can just imagine kids whistling along and skipping on their way to church. And the drum machine comes back in along with some really bad sing-songy vocals, complete with annoying multi-tracked backing vox, mixed too loudly. This is just a fucking mess. This isn’t Black Metal, or Metal of any kind at all. Metal is guitar based. Big riffs. And then come the thunderous drums. The occasional Black Metal cackled vocals amid all synths, flutes, and Folk rhythms, does not make you Black Metal, nor does it make your music "evil." It just makes you look like idiots grasping too hard for the straw of originality, while not wanting to get too very far away from the established trends and formulas. Please fuck off. - 2 - <Ray> **MC12**

ENID - Abschiedsreigen · CCP
It's been a long time since I heard this band's debut, Nacthgedanken, but I remember really hating it. It seems to me as if it were all Folk and no Metal, but this new album certainly has no lack of Black Metal fury. Nor any lack of keyboards, which is okay. But sometimes things still get a little too goofy and "happy" for me. Still, this is, I'd say, a vast improvement over the debut. ENID does still have some work to do, however. - 7 - <Ray>

ENMORTEM - Their Blood I Offer The King · DEMO
It’s great to see all these ferociously heavy bands popping out of the Chicago area again. I don’t know if these guys consider themselves part of the "Ill-Noize" scene or not, but they’re certainly sick enough and heavy as fuck! The production really holds them back a little, but you can tell once this band gets into a studio that they’re going to wreak immoral havoc! I am reminded of CORPSEVOMIT. And I’m not just saying that because they also worship the goat! - 8 - <Jack> **MC12**

ENOCH - Starcradle · DEMO
Aside from the first riff in "Sweet Solitude Tears," which resembles something you would hear in a cheesy 70’s made-for-TV action series, the singer’s completely unnecessary spoken passages, some upbeat, happy rhythms, and poor usage of keyboards, I suppose this isn’t totally worthless. Every once in a while they’ll try very hard, but for every good riff, there are 4 shitty ones. They have good intentions, but not the skill to match. I was very much looking forward to hearing something that VARATHRON’s vocalist, Necroabyssious, helped mix, but overall I would have to say this is a let down. - 6.75 - <Jack> **MC12**

ENS COGITANS - Heart of the Way · DEMO
I believe these 3 tracks are from an upcoming CD. At any rate, E.C. play a kind of progressive, super-technical Thrash / Metal, with clean, "pre-Thrash" vocals. It’s very energetic, and when they concentrate on kicking ass, they do it easily, but much time is also spent on trying out different ideas, some of which work well, while others don’t. - 8 - <Ray> **MC11**

ENSHADOWED - Intensity · Black Lotus
Furious, blasting Black/Death from Greece. Highly influenced by the likes of MORBID ANGEL, ANGELCORPSE, and KRISIUN. Every once in a while they'll tease you with some slower, melodic parts that really bear an ancient Black Metal feeling of melancholy, but then it's right back to the blasting. Vocally, there are two styles, a throaty Blackened scream and a standard Death growl. Both are done well as most everything on this album is, although it could be more memorable. I'd like to hear them build more with the depressing vibes, but only because I hate life so much. A very worthwhile effort from a band that has all the potential to explode. - 9 - <Jack>

ENSLAVED - Below the Lights · Osmose / The End
In some ways taking cues from OPETH and/or AGALLOCH, the ENSLAVED guys have made their Black Metal at once both more atmospheric and layered. The result is an album that, while neither consistently heavy nor fast (not that it needs to be), is utterly engrossing and mesmerizing. And the band's best work so far. I may regret not giving this a ten. - 9.75 - <Ray>

ENSOPH - Bleeding Womb of Ananke · Beyond...
Post Black Metal, Goth / Industrial goofiness, complete with the most limp-wristed vocals and wimpy keyboards you've ever heard. - 3 - <Ray>

ENTER MY SILENCE - Remotecontrolled Scythe · WWIII / Mercenary
Stellar, majestic, an absolute gem of a find. Any trouser stain that tells you that the Swedish Death Metal sound has lost its kick needs to listen to this masterpiece repeatedly and then immediately castrate himself in order to prevent reproduction. And for the losers who don't feel that melody has any place in Death Metal, beat yourselves to death with your AKERCOCKE records, you clueless fucks! Simple melody is the divine strategy Finland's ENTER MY SILENCE employ throughout this magnum opus of heavy-hearted musical mastery. Every single riff, solo, breakdown, and guitar harmony is designed with a compelling, razor-sharp sadness, and the use of dynamics is spine-chilling. Whether it be the swirling riffs of "Six Nothing," the all-out hopelessness of "Irrelevant," the pit-inducing start/stop precision of "Loss of the Leading One," or the intoxicatingly euphoric chorus of the album's power closer, "Mindfill Effect," this album crushes non-stop. Oh, and the vocals? The perfect tormented scream with just the right touch of depth. This gets my undisputed vote for the best Metal record of 2001. I think that pretty much sums up how I feel. - 10 - <Jack>

ENTER SELF - Awaken in Agony · Lost Disciple
Tennessee-based ENTER SELF play groove-oriented Death Metal. Not much blasting here as the songs hover in the mid-pace range. Some of the time-changes are a little weird, and this sometimes makes it difficult to follow the songs. The vocals are the typical Death Metal growl which honestly makes them boring at times. Some impressive and technical guitar-work pops up in a few places. I've given this several spins, and nothing really reaches out and grabs me. Awaken in Agony isn't bad, it's just kind of average. - 7.5 - <Painkiller>

ENTETY - Cadaveric Necrogrind · Mercenary Musik / WWIII
According to the band's bio, this release contains music recorded during the Necrogrind sessions as well as the never released Into the Desolate. Although these guys have been around since 1990, this is the first I've heard of them. This L.A.-based band plays some of the most brutal Death Metal I have ever heard! The vocals are ultra-gutteral and, since I don't have a lyric-sheet, I can't follow along. Based on the song-titles though, it's safe to say the lyrics are of the same nature as those of the mighty CARCASS. ENTETY's sound is dirty, raw, and thick giving it an almost suffocating effect. The grinding heaviness and chaotic speed of the music is impressive, to say the least! If you want mega-brutal Death Metal, you need look no further than Cadaveric Necrogrind. - 8.25 - <Painkiller>

ENTHRALL - Rehearsal Demo '94 · DEMO
I don't know how they recorded this rehearsal, but the sound is really not too bad. ENTHRALL play straightforward Death Metal, but have taken the extra time to really refine each riff, so that they are both heavy and memorable. They combine fast and slow riffs with interesting drums, and truly brutal vocals. I'm anxiously awaiting their next release. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC9**

ENTHRALL - Enthrall · DEMO
The vastly improved sound on this demo has helped ENTHRALL out quite a bit. Now their insane Death attack is razor sharp, but still pummels the listener with the force of a thousand baseball bats. This is most evident on the track "Temple of Chaos," which is also on the rehearsal, so a direct comparison can be made. The two new songs continue in the tradition of heavy and memorable riffs, arranged in an interesting way, and of course Jim's vocals are just as raw as ever, if not more so. Certainly one of the most interesting true Death demos I've heard in quite awhile. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC9**

ENTHRONED - Gears · DEMO
After seeing these guys play live on a recent cross-country trip, I was afraid that this demo would be as terrible as their new live set. I forgot that it was recorded with their old singer, who is, in my humble opinion, much superior to their new guy. Well, musically this is pretty interesting. They have fast drums over mid paced riffs. I believe that the guys in INTERNAL BLEEDING would say that this is "slammy." - 8 - <Ray> **MC9**

ENTHRONED - Towards the Skullthrone of Satan · Blackened / Death
Fast Black Metal with Cronos lending a lung on two tracks. - 9 - <Ray> **MC11** - "Last Second Additions"

ENTHRONED - Regie Sathanas - A Tribute To Cernunnos EP · Blackened
Well, ENTHRONED (the European one, not one of the five or six American ones out there) have returned once again, this time with an EP that pays tribute to their late drummer Cernunnos. This is some fast, chaotic Black Metal in the veins of MARDUK, or DARK FUNERAL with hints of early EMPEROR in places. Some have criticized this band as being unoriginal but Hell, that’s a criticism that slaps about 90% of all bands in the scene today. In terms of ass kickage, this band is pretty good at what they do. They’re fast and intense and the music has that BATHORY-on-speed feel down pat. They even do a cover of "The Conqueror" by the almighty SODOM! All the songs are tight and rage from start to finish. The oldest track, "Satan Never Sleeps," was written when Cernunnos was in MORBID DEATH and though it sounds a bit different than the usual ENTHRONED fare, it doesn’t sound all that dated compared to the newer material on display. As a tribute to him, Cernunnos would be proud, his brothers have done a good job. - 9.25 - <Ychoril> **MC12**

ENTHRONED - The Apocalypse Manifesto · Blackened
Just like always, ENTHRONED deliver the fast evil Black Metal, but it seems to have intensity at the expense of being memorable. I mean, while you’re listening to this, it’s great, but even after a few spins, it’s not exactly easy to remember. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC12**

ENTHRONED - Armoured Bestial Hell · Blackend
It's hard for me to get excited about Black Metal these days, but Norway's ENTHRONED have always been firmly planted in their roots, and they have the talent to match the look. Having said that, this LP is fairly decent. All you would expect: speed, buzzsaw guitars, blasphemous shrieking. The playing is a bit shaky in spots, which was a surprise, but mostly this is worthy. Not the greatest material these pioneers have put out, but I suppose the ominous epic "When Hell Freezes Over" has to rank at the top somewhere. - 9 - <Jack>

ENTHRONED - Carnage in Worlds Beyond · Napalm
In truth, nothing ENTHRONED have done since the Regie Sathanas EP has really blown me away, and after repeated spins of this effort, I'm beginning to wonder if maybe these guys have fallen into the same routine that has befallen the mighty CANNIBAL CORPSE and more recently NILE. I'm talking about putting the same mega-fast album out over and over every couple of years. Perhaps the band is burnt out or in a creative rut. Whatever the case, I sincerely hope ENTHRONED can find the fire again, because it's just plain sad when you can't tell the originators from the copycats. - 6.25 - <Jack>

ENTHRONED - Xes Haereticum · Napalm
Much like genital herpes, ENTHRONED simply will not go away. It seems like these Belgian Black Metallers put a new album out every month. Well, before it sounds like I'm coming down on them too hard, I probably ought to tell you that this is by far their best album since 1997's Toward the Skullthrone of Satan. It completely shatters the third-rate-version-of-IMMORTAL mold they were casting for themselves by releasing a string of uninteresting, monotonous albums. Sabathan's trollish Black Metal squeal has never sounded so venomous, this is the best production they've ever achieved, and standout tracks like "Crimson Legions" (complete with intro from Aleister Crowley), "Daemon's Claw," and "Night Stalker" may be the greatest songs they've ever written. There's still a noteworthy amount of fast filler, but without question Xes Haereticum is a big step in the right direction for the band. Now, if they can just keep it up. We'll probably have to wait until at least June to find out. - 9.25 - <Jack>

ENTOMBED - Crawl EP · Relativity/ Earache
This 3 song EP contains 2 new songs and a new version of "Bitter Loss," which was originally on Left Hand Path. Musically speaking, the new songs, "Crawl" and "Forsaken" [actually, an old demo track, re-recorded here] are both awesome, as is the new version of "Bitter Loss." However, the vocalist who was on Left Hand Path, Lars-Goran Petrov, is gone and so is the ultra heavy guitar sound. Apparently it's mixed lower this time, but it sounds different to me. Anyway, they have added a bassist, although his name is not mentioned. The new vocalist, Orvar Safstrom, is pretty weak, and almost ruins "Bitter Loss." Fortunately, he was just a session vocalist (a session Death Metal vocalist?) and he will not be on the new LP, Clandestine. If you could look past the vocals, this would be a ten, but you can't. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC6**

ENTOMBED - Clandestine · Relativity/ Earache
For those of you that don't know, the vocals on this LP were performed by ex-CARNAGE bassist, Johnny Dordevic. Most people don't seem to appreciate his Hardcore/Death crossover style. It's original, and I really like it. However, L-G Petrov (vox) is back in the band now. As I mentioned above, I think the vox are cool, but most people don't like 'em. But everyone agrees that musically this album is awesome. I still hear the occasional METALLI-riff [check out "Evilyn"], but the mega heavy guitar sound and all around excellent production make up for the, uhh "tribute" riffs. Inspirational quotes: "I thought I gave my life, but back I was only given pain." and "There is no other God. Satan killed him." Favorite track: "Crawl." - 10 - <Ray> **MC7**

ENTOMBED - Stranger Aeons EP · Relativity/ Earache
Let me start by saying this EP is only 8:12 long. That kinda sucks. I wonder why they didn't put the two "new" tracks (both old demo tracks, I believe) on Clandestin? Greed, I guess. That's too bad, because "Dusk" & "Shreds of Flesh" are both fucking great. But I don't know if they will be worth the $10 (or whatever) to you. They sure as hell were to me. The outrageous price is reflected in the rating. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC7**

ENTOMBED - Hollowman EP · Columbia / Earache
Well, I had heard that this was different from their earlier stuff -but I wasn't expecting this. It is noticeably less Death Metal, for the most part. The riffs and general feel of the music are more commercial. "Bonehouse" is an exception to this. It's pretty intense. As is their tribute to Chris Young, "Hellraiser." However, L-G's vocals are extremely less raw than on Left Hand Path. I think they are trying to change too rapidly. It is important for a band to mature, but it's vital to make sure the change is not too drastic. This may be too much. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

ENTOMBED - Monkey Puss (Live in London) · Earache
The press release says: "This is ENTOMBED at their jaw-dropping best." Not even close. I mean, you’d sure think that it would be, since it was recorded in 1992, after Clandestine came out and L.G. had rejoined the band. Since I consider Clandestine to be one of the best Death Metal albums of all time (maybe the best), I was freaking out at the idea of hearing the once-mighty L.G. try his lungs on those tunes. When I saw ENTOMBED on this tour here in the US, it was before he had rejoined, and if I remember correctly, Alex was doing the singing. He’s a Hell of a lot better than L.G., let me assure you. I just don’t understand this at all. On Left Hand Path, L.G. was the definition of controlled brutality, but even by 1992 his voice was apparently shot. On the older songs he does slightly better, but the Clandestine stuff is really terrible. He forgets the words in quite a few places, and generally does a piss-poor, feeble, off time job, as if he wasn’t into it at all. No wonder they had to change their sound so radically; L.G. couldn’t sing Death Metal any more. Even the music seems a little off in some places, almost as if L.G. were bringing the whole band down. I hate to just pick on the guy (well, not really), but he basically ruins what I had thought would have to be a flawless live album. And what the fuck is "Monkey Puss" supposed to mean? - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC12**

ENTOMBED - Uprising · Threeman / Metal-is
I am a huge fan of this band's first two albums, Left Hand Path and Clandestine, but I'd felt that they started to go downhill afterwards, with Wolverine Blues and much more so with the WHITE ZOMBIE-ish To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth. So disappointed was I, that I didn't even pick up their next album, Same Difference. I'd pretty much given up on them. And then at this last Milwaukee Metalfest (2000), I found myself staying at the same hotel as ENTOMBED. I've interviewed the band in the past, but the lineup is almost entirely different now, so I hadn't spoken to any of them before, and when we (I was with the bad motherfucker, Jack Botos) saw them in the lobby, I was a little apprehensive about running up to say hi. I really shouldn't have been, since they came right over and started passing introductions around. Turns out that ENTOMBED (and their road crew) are probably the coolest guys on the planet. The next day at the 'fest, they even dedicated a song ("Evilyn") to us. At that time, this new album, Uprising, had not yet been released in the USA, but I'd heard that it was a sort of return to form. I didn't exactly get that impression from the new songs live, but I also couldn't be sure exactly which ones were from this album, and what might have been from the (still) unheard Same Difference. But they did play a couple I'd never heard before that I liked, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found this in my P.O. box these months later. While in no way a return to the Death Metal perfection of their first two albums, Uprising is pretty cool in it's own way. And the US version has three bonus tracks, available nowhere else. Take that Europe and Japan! Now you know what it's like. Anyway, there are some nods to the past here, such as what was the final track (before the bonus cuts were added), "In the Flesh," which is almost like "Left Hand Path" part 2. But mostly, this seems to be based more around a Crust model, than a Metal one, which is cool, and brings back a lot more intensity than I remember ENTOMBED having in the last several years. It also allows L.G. to scream in a different, non-Death Metal way that really suits his voice much better currently. Okay, this isn't exactly flawless, and the bonus tracks sound kind of thrown-together, but there are moments of greatness here, and like I said, these guys are the coolest, so I'd have to recommend that old fans who may have given up on ENTOMBED check this out. And I'm going to track down a copy of Same Difference just to hear what I've missed. - 8.25 - <Ray>

ENTOMBED - Morning Star · Koch
I'll be the first to admit that I had given up on ENTOMBED after Wolverine Blues came out, but with last year's Uprising and now this LP, my interest is completely resurrected. Sure, they are no longer a pure Death Metal band, but the added Rock n' Roll / Punk vibe has increased the filth and intensity levels to a point that exceeds tolerable and goes straight to guilty pleasure. They unfortunately are still capable of occasional mindloss ("Bringer of Light," various vocal experimentation), and this isn't quite as good as the aforementioned Uprising, but it has some classic ENTOMBED elements combined with an almost MOTÖRHEAD-like Rock integrity. It's almost like a completely different band, but a damn fine one. - 8 - <Jack>

ENTRAFIS - Into Out · DEMO
Very high-quality demo. Excellent playing, sound, and everything. ENTRAFIS play very intense Thrash, but with more harsh, sort of Death-like, vocals. It's interesting, and their songs are pretty complex, too, which makes them a bit tough to remember the first time, so you'll just have to listen to this a lot. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC9**

ENTRAFIS - To the Underneath · DEMO
This demo only has two songs, but when they're this good, two is all you need. Heavier than their Into Out demo, but still as complex, and with even better sound. The vocals are not as heavy, though, which I miss, but they are still sort of raw. The band seems to have realized that their previous songs could be more memorable, and they took care of that deficiency. An excellent release. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC9**

ENTWINE - Gone · Spikefarm / Century Media
A bad ALICE IN CHAINS rip off, including an even more annyong singer. Musically this isn't completely lame, but the hillbilly Butt Rock vocals just destroy everything (in the bad way). - 4.75 - <Ray>

ENTWINE - Dieversity · Magick / Century Media
Not much has changed since the last time I heard ENTWINE. They still sound like the Gothic ALICE IN CHAINS, and I still don’t give a rat’s ass. - 4 - <Jack>

EPHEL DUATH - RePhormula · Elitist / Earache
Although decidedly Black Metal, this band occasionally tries to slow things down and get kind of... Well, I would say "Doomy" but these happy keyboards they use just don't evoke an evil or eerie feeling in me at all. And that's really the only problem here. I like atmospheric stuff, and I like keyboard usage when it's done well. But the synth here is just not right. It's very bright and nice sounding, and not gloomy or scary at all. This very technically sound "Progressive" Black Metal sound as if it were made by the guys in DREAM THEATER or something. I won't even mention the goofy Techno parts or remixes, because I'd really like to forget all about them. - 6 - <Ray>

EPICA - The Phantom Agony · Transmission / The End
This is the standard Goth Metal formula with the chick singer and all, but it’s certainly better than average and even contains some heaviness and aggression. I’m a little reminded of DARKWELL, with just a touch of latter day THERION, although EPICA isn’t quite as good as those comparisons would imply. Still, this is a worthwhile album, but it does have a few missteps. And I don’t really understand the need to have both the album and "single" (edited) versions of the title track on here. More is better, I guess. The Phantom Agony was a pleasant surprise. - 8 - <Ray>

EPIDEMIC - Extremities '91 · DEMO
EPIDEMIC is a very powerful Speed/ Thrash band, and I'm talkin' real speed here. Carl's vocals are understandable, yet raw enough to fit perfectly with the heavy music. However, sometimes he sings so fast that you can't keep up, even though the lyrics are enclosed. I think that I have really missed this kind of WEHRMACHT-like speed in the lyrics as well as the music. The production is excellent and all 5 songs sound great. EPIDEMIC reminds me, both musically and vocally, of the bastard child of SHADES OF GREY and WEHRMACHT, with a little DEICIDE thrown in. Lyrically, they deal with the human situation, no "Satan raped my dog" kind of stuff here. Anyway, this demo is very impressive. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC6**

EPIDEMIC - Decameron · Metal Blade
Interesting Deathrash sound. Lots of energy and enough originality to say that I'm not really reminded of anyone. That's good. In fact, almost everything about this band is good. For the most part, the fault is that the songs aren't easily memorable. But their power makes up for that. And they do grow on you. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC7**

EPIDEMIC - Exit Paradise · Metal Blade
These guys have obviously worked on their songwriting. Not only is this album heavier than Decameron, it's also more Death, less Thrash, and way more memorable. Every single part of this is better than ever before. If they improve this much again, they will be the best band on Earth. Excellent job, guys. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

EPIDEMIC - Lament 7" · Metal Blade / Rage
They cover OZZY and D.B.C. on side two and crank out two of their own on the first side. It's standard, though speedy, Death, but the sound is really good, and the two covers make it a pretty nice addition to the collection. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC9**

EPIDEMIC CAUSE - Far East EP · Shadows of Michelangelo
This CD-only EP has 3 songs of pretty heavy Industrial, and the production is super clear, allowing everything to be heard, except the vocals. I don't know why they are mixed so low sometimes or why the singer feels the need to occasionally mumble, since his screams and shrieks are just fine. - 8 - <Ray> **MC10**

EPILEPSY BOUT - Lost Control · Metal Agen
The only interesting things about this Radio Metal album (think KORN, I guess) is that the band’s from Russia, and I somehow didn’t hate 100% of it (due to their musical ability and taking a few chances). - 6.75 - <Ray> **MC11**

EPITAPH - These Rotten Remains · DEMO
Fairly complex Thrash, joined with totally wrong vocals. Musically interesting, although things could be more memorable, but the vocals just ruin it for me. Maybe they won't for you. - 7 - <Ray> **MC8**

EPOCH OF UNLIGHT - What Will Be Has Been · The End
Strange to see a band like this from the United States. E. OF U. play very aggressive Black Metal, with suitably screechy vocals. Plus some pretty complicated songs, that are really memorable thanks to the superior riffs and drumming. Well, actually there are several different vocal styles used here, and the fact that I don’t think some are as excellent as others keeps this from perfection, but not by much. Hail true Tennessee Black Metal! - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC12**

EQUINOX - Return to Mystery · Unisound
Black Death Metal from Florida! Nothing new there, I know, but EQUINOX give it their own identity with a thick guitar tone and a crushing production. In places this sounds like ASPHYX's The Rack it's so fuckin' massive, and other times perhaps more like ACHERON (which is to be expected considering that EQUINOX's guitarists used to be in that band). Return to Mystery should satisfy both Death and Black Metal fans alike. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC10**

THE EQUINOX OV THE GODS - Images of Forgotten Memories · Unisound
The first track, "Welcome Home," could have been left off, or at least moved towards the middle, since it's the weakest of the 13. The remainder are all combinations of Gothic and Metal to varying degrees, and levels of success. Mostly it's pretty cool, and the playing is excellent throughout. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC10**

ERESHKIGAL - A Dark Tale About Wisdom and Black Powers · TOAJ
With an album title longer than some of my reviews, ERESHKIGAL starts things out slowly with the apparently mandatory Black Metal intro before proceeding into their mid-paced riff attack. I think that it's great to hear Black Metal of other tempos than "light speed," so this often more melancholy take on things is good news in my opinion. This is my first time hearing this band, but hopefully not the last. - 9 - <Ray>

EROTIC FUNERAL - Born Into Death · DEMO
The music reminds me of THE MISFITS with some BLACK SABBATH thrown in. And while their singer is no "Evil Elvis," I like his voice better than Mr. Osbourne's. And speaking of the vocals: most of the time they're sung clean, but every once in a while they turn into a sort of raspy Death Metalish growl, or even higher pitched Black Metal-like screeches. EROTIC FUNERAL have certainly created an individual sound, and they're worthy of your respect and support. - 9 - <Ray> **MC10**

ESCALATION ANGER - Escalation Anger · DEMO
Energetic, well played Thrash, with almost Hardcore vocals, which I really didn't like at first, but grew to at least respect upon repeated listens. Once again, no address anywhere on the package. - 8 - <Ray> **MC9**

ESCALATION ANGER - Violent Breed 7" · Self Released
This is a really intense Thrash, perhaps somewhat like DEMOLITION HAMMER. It's very vicious, but still memorable. Hopefully I'll be hear more from this band soon. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC9**

ESPERANZA - Trick 002 · Jester / Voices of Wonder
Leave it to V.O.W. to select yet another unique, stylistically undefinable act to release. This is the ultimate background/makeout/sleepytime/techno/tribal music to fall asleep to. While ESPERANZA is the dumbest band name I’ve heard, I hope the band fares better than the language did. - 8 - <Brainhammer/Doktor Necrosis> **MC12**

ESQARIAL - Amorphous · Pagan
Another band from the Polish Invasion, this CD has a lot of Thrash influence. Guitar dominated, this trucks along very quickly. The music is tight and well arranged. They remind me of the old school Speed band ANNIHILATOR. The bio talks about their "virtuoso" guitarist and there is a lot of wanking on here. The solos are dull, but the riffs in the background are good. Complex riffs and great playing with aggressive music. - 8 - <Gerg> **MC12**

ESTUARY - To Exist and Endure · Ibex Moon
When I pick on the Metal ladies, I don't mean cool ones like Zdenka Prado. Fans of GARDEN OF SHADOWS' Oracle Moon may remember her guest appearance on that album. She's got to be right up there with Rachel from SINISTER / INFINITED HATE and Runhild from THORR'S HAMMER when it comes to brutal female Death vocals. She's damn close, anyway. Unfortunately the music here isn't quite on the same level as she is. It's heavy, melodic Death/Thrash which, at its best, ironically reminds me of DEMONIC CHRIST (speaking of cool Metal chicks). It's well-played, but just sort of drags on. However, with a good vocalist and definite potential there is always hope. - 8.25 - <Jack>

ETERNAL - Satanic Templars of the Dark Age · Sinister Sounds
Extremely impressive debut release for the Sinister Sounds label. ETERNAL blend ferocious brutality with majestic melodic sensibility, and achieve a passionate, epic Death Metal vibe comparable to the likes of DEPRESY and GARDEN OF SHADOWS. There is also a slight touch of Black Metal barbarism that will rear its grim face once in a while, and lyrically the band is without a doubt traveling the left hand path. Just a solid release all around, an EP that belongs in any true Extreme Metal freak's collection. Go right to: "End of the Usurper's Reign." - 9.25 - <Jack>

ETERNAL DIRGE - Khaos Magick · Morbid
Damn! This is a hard one to review. Try to imagine a combination of AMORPHIS and CARCASS if you can. There are atmospheric keyboards always present and a combination of melodic mid-paced riffage and diabolic amphetamine picking. And the patented Walker/Steer = raspy scream/big bad pitch shifted growl vocal combo. Some songs are more memorable than others. But any band who ends their CD with a track called "My Sweet Satan" couldn't be too horrible, could they? A very different type of Death. Try it out. - 8.75 - <Jack> **MC10**

ETERNAL FLIGHT - Positive Rage · Cruz Del Sur
Somebody screwed up. They forgot to add the "H.I.V." to the album's title. This is embarrassingly awful Power Glam/Ass Metal from the fag that brought you DREAM CHILD. Unless you draw some sick pleasure from grown men living in an adolescent, homo-erotic fantasy world, avoid this like Mexican water. - 1 - <Jack>

ETERNAL HATRED - Vengeance from the Grave · DEMO
This is the best one-man release I've heard since PARRICIDE's A Future of Suffering [which actually had a second man playing the guitar leads. -Ed.], and maybe the best drum programming I've ever heard. In fact, I didn't even realize it wasn't a human drummer, until I was so impressed that I decided to see if the guy from MACABRE was sitting in on this skins. The quality of every aspect of this is just awe inspiring. The only "flaw" I can detect is that the vocals aren't as brutal as the music. Carcass Chris sounds quite a bit like Dave from THE DEAD YOUTH, but I think there is a little Rob Zombie in his delivery, too. I like his vox, but those of you who think that Chris Barnes wimped out on The Bleeding probably won't. As far as I'm concerned, only the lack of audible bass-lines keeps this from perfection, but considering that Chris did everything himself, I almost gave it a 10 anyway. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC10**

ETERNAL SOLSTICE / MOURNING - Split LP/CD · Midian Creations
The ETERNAL SOLSTICE tracks are all pretty intense Death. Heavy, and yet memorable. MOURNING's songs are likewise raw, and heavy Death, but they also incorporate the occasional horn. Very original touch. Both bands are excellent and this is certainly worth the $19 for the CD (or $14 for the LP). - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

ETERNAL SOLSTICE - Horrible Within · Displeased / Poseidon
This seems to be a really good combination of heaviness, speed, memorable riffs, great playing, and superb sound. Hey, I even like the vocals. ETERNAL SOLSTICE have a winner here, that's for sure. They experiment a little bit, but generally just go for the kill, combining fast parts with Doom riffs to really create their own style. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**

ETERNAL TORMENT - Eternal Torment · DEMO
Really fast, pretty heavy Death. Not a lot that's new going on here, but this is certainly brutal, although by now I've heard all these riffs about ten billion times from all the other bands that use them. But I'm being too hard on E.T., this is actually a good, if fairly standard, demo. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC8**

ETERNE - As the Silence Fades EP · Demonsound
I believe that this cassette is also available as a 7", but without the first track, "Seasons of Mists." It and the other two songs incorporate heavy guitars into an eerie, sometimes almost scary, synth environment. The vocals are sung clean, but are deep and ominous. A unique and dark release. That's a great combination, if you ask me. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**

ETERNE - Still Dreaming · Candlelight
Sometimes resembling an electric guitar driven version of DEAD CAN DANCE, these guys keep it pretty scary sounding. Sometimes slow, Doom-like; and others more up-tempo, but always with that ominous shadow behind everything. The drum machine is used really well, & the clean vocals somehow make the music all the more eerie, as they are sorta evil-sounding. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**

ETERNE - Deadauthor · Candlelight
After hearing their Still Dreaming album a few thousand times, I fully expected this to be the melancholy wrist-slasher it is, but what I didn’t expect is how heavy it would be. I mean guitar distortion, aggressive drums kind of heavy. Not that this is the case at all times - it’s not. And the keyboards are still everywhere, but now more perfectly integrated with the guitars and expertly programmed drums to create a more evil, sometimes more aggressive form of audio suicide. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC11**

ETHEREAL - Om Santhi · Unisound
Clocking in at just over 26 minutes, I was tempted to call this an EP, but any guys who cover SLAUGHTER's "Nocturnal Hell" can make a 26 minute LP if they want to. I must say that the songwriting on this album is very strong, and their drummer is very fast and exact. I'm a sucker for Thrashy Death with keyboards, and these guys really excel at it. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**

ETHERIAL GRIEF - Handful of Grief · DEMO
Beyond the very impressive full color fold out cover, we have four songs of deadly Thrash. The sound is as good as the packaging, and the songs are even sort of memorable, despite how technical they are. But these guys throw in a little experimentation here and there, which I really appreciate, and that really helps then develop a unique sound. A very high-quality demo all the way around. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**

EUFORIA - New Ear’s Filosofy · DEMO
Although this is a little heavier than most crap that is currently called "Hard Rock," it’s still way too close for me. Maybe with less whiney vocals it would be okay. - 6 - <Ray> **MC11**

EUPHORIC EVISCERATION - In the Mind of Perversion · DEMO
The first song is all Electronic, and for a minute, I thought that maybe these guys were some kind of evil Dance band, but all thoughts of the sort were dispelled within the first seconds of the next track's brutal Death onslaught. The recording and playing are both impressive (even though the mix and mastering leave a lot to be desired), but that's about all that elevates these guys above the competition. For me that's enough, though. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC10**

EUPHORIC EVISCERATION - In the Mind of Perversion · DEMO
God damn, there are a lot of great Death Metal bands from the Chicago area. EUPHORIC E. don’t really cover any new ground with their perverted Death, but they do have this style down solid, and play with extreme intensity. Perhaps a more individual sound would be a good idea in the long run, but if what you want to hear is sheer crushing brutality, you have come to the right demo. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC11**

EVANESCE - Sower of Sedition · Retribute
Sometimes the best stuff is the most difficult to describe. Or, maybe it's just that I've had about 7 bottles of NyQuil today. Anyway, this band really covers the range Extreme Metal, often blending everything together at once, vocally and musically. Thrash, Death, Black Metal, and Hardcore - that combination could easily turn into shit in the wrong hands, but EVANESCE somehow manages to always find the exact balance of styles necessary to keep this close to perfection. Extremely close. - 9.75 - <Ray>

EVE OF MOURNING - Acheronian Winter · DEMO
I think these guys listen to the first CATHEDRAL album a lot. I don't mean that in a bad way, I just mean that this sounds kinda like Forest of Equilibrium, so if you like that, then you will probably also like E.O.M. I sorta dig it, myself. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

EVE OF MOURNING - A Dark Serenade · DEMO
Sadly it sounds as if someone forgot to tune the guitars to the keyboard. Sometimes the vocals remind me more of Pete Steele (TYPE O NEGATIVE) than of MY DYING BRIDE's Aaron, and sometimes they just sound wrong. I think this Metal/Doom/Goth blend is an excellent idea, but the execution is terrible. Perhaps it's due to the unbelievably bad mix, or maybe their ideas overpowered their abilities. I hope they iron out the bugs and try again with louder guitars and (way) less vocal level. - 7.25 - <Ray> **MC10**

EVE TO ADAM - Auburn Slip · Mikendra
Holy fuck, this is so queer it's almost beyond belief. I guess it's supposed to be "Hard" in a really safe, mainstream way, but it's so surgery and weak, I thought I'd get diabetes if I listened to the entire disc, so for my safety, I had to eject during the fourth track. The rest of the album may be better, but I'd bet against it. - 1 -

EVEMASTER - In Thine Majesty · DEMO
Deadly and super-intense majestic Black Metal. What more needs to be said? - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC11**

EVEMASTER - In Thine Majesty EP · Topheth
I’m not sure that I see as much of an EMPEROR influence here as Ychoril does in the above review. EVEMASTER seem to be more calmed down, even using some fairly mellow passages to heighten the dynamics, and never seem to get as fast as EMPEROR at least used to get. However, far from detracting, these qualities allow EVEMASTER to have an individual sound, which is of paramount importance. - 9 - <Ray> **MC12**

EVEMASTER - Lacrima Mundi · KTOK
This is some Black Metal from Finland that sounds very Norwegian. I know that some bands in Finland would take that as an insult, but EVEMASTER sounds a lot like their neighbors, EMPEROR. That’s not saying that they’re clones. EVEMASTER have some major differences from EMPEROR, but on the whole, you can tell that they were influenced heavily by that band. Imagine if you will, EMPEROR with more of a Gothic edge to it. This has a definite atmosphere of its own and you can tell that they are talented and have put together quite a good album. Considering that I knew next to nothing about this band (only that they were from Finland and played Black Metal, to be exact), I was surprised at how good that they were. If you can find this at your local record store (or if you find it on a distribution list), this would definitely be one to consider picking up. - 9 - <Ychoril> **MC12**

EVEN VAST - Dawning Gloom · Painkiller
Of all the Goth Metal outfits I've heard with exclusively nice-sounding female vocals, this is probably one of the better in recent memory. The woman certainly has a pretty voice, but the two songs here tend to drag on and are a bit lacking dynamically (at least they were kept short). Nothing outstandingly triumphant here, but I'd rather hear this girl on the radio than the invalid Christ-fucking hick from CREED. - 7.25 - <Jack>

THE EVERDAWN - Poems - Burn the Past · Death / Invasion
The Thrashy Black/Death on this CD is very often amazing. These guys have a real gift for writing catchy rhythms. I assure you that you’ll remember this after a single listen. And I’m still discovering new bits of interest after many listens. My only complaint is not even with the band at all, but with Metal Blade. As with all of their licensed releases, the packaging is terrible. It looks as if they just scanned the original booklet and traycard into their computer and then overlaid the Metal Blade / Death stuff over the old Invasion info. The song titles are even partially obscured on the back of the traycard by some fuckin’ skull/sword graphic. And since there is no lyric sheet, I guess Metal Blade must not want anyone to know the names of half their songs. If I were THE EVERDAWN, I’d be pissed. They’re a talented band and deserve better treatment than this. A note to Metal Blade: For future licensed (or otherwise) releases, hire me to do the layouts, then everyone will love them. - 9 - <Ray> **MC11**

EVEREVE - Seasons · Nuclear Blast
Imagine CEMETARY with a little THERION & a shot of DISSECTION. Gothic Black Thrash, maybe. Only EVEREVE doesn’t really combine these styles so much as line them up. In any case, this is pretty good, however you want to describe it. I’ll bet that their next LP will either be perfection, or utter crap, depending on where they go from here. - 8 - <Ray> **MC11**

EVEREVE - Stormbirds · Nuclear Blast
This sorrowful band sort of reminds me of a more Black Metal influenced MY DYING BRIDE, but with some CEMETARY thrown in, too. I kept waiting for the heavier, raspy, vocals to kick in, but they didn’t, which seems weird since a few places seemed to call for it, but there are vocal styles aplenty on here, anyway. Stormbirds is somewhat more refined than Seasons was, but EVER EVE still have yet to really bring it all together and deliver the perfect album that I think they can. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC12**

EVERGREEN TERRACE - Burned Alive by Time · Eulogy
Let me explain briefly how the Christian Metalcore bands operate. They steal (I distinctly remember the 10 Commandments prohibiting this behavior) all the best ideas from the secular bands that are doing well at the time. Yet somehow, this plagiarism is given validity by their oh-so unique beliefs and moral values. Now of course I'm being an asshole, so I should point out there are always exceptions (HOPESFALL, 7 ANGELS 7 PLAGUES, ZAO, etc.), and in EVERGREEN's defense the lyrics are not afflicted by self-righteous propaganda outright, but perhaps I sense them subliminally? When it comes down to it, I can't honestly say (see, athiests have values) that this is a bad album, but I'd be lying (godammit, another sin) if I didn't acknowledge that much of what I hear has been heavily borrowed. - 6.66 - <Jack>

EVERGREY - The Dark Discovery · GNW / Black Sun
Imagine Thrash, maybe like DARK ANGEL, but with more SOUNDGARDEN-ish (from the Badmotorfinger era) vox. EVERGREY play with such conviction and skill, and these songs are all so instantly memorable, that you just can’t help but to like it. And upon repeated listens, you begin to understand just how awesome this LP really is. Like all masterpieces, it reveals a little more with each spin, and although it might only take once to like it and remember it, you’ll need to let it play a few times to really start to appreciate how much they put into this, and how close to perfection it really is. Which is ex-fucking-tremely. And it just might also possess the coolest packaging I’ve ever seen, with a clear-tray digipack and full color booklet. Did I mention that they have a guest solo from none other than Andy LaRocque? I may well look back on this later and wish I’d given it a 10. It’s that close. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC12**

EVIL DIVINE - Feathers Have Fallen · DEMO (CD)
Only in New Jersey could people this fucking retarded exist. Looks like these trendies saw a picture of CRADLE OF FILTH and decided to start a Black Metal band. EVIL DIVINE is to Black Metal what Taco Bell is to Mexican food. A cheap imitation. The vocalist’s name is Demonica. Wouldn’t that be a better stage name for a female? What’s even more hilarious than the CD is the show review they enclosed with their bio. At the gig reviewed they cover an ANAL CUNT song, hey that’s pretty evil, and Demonica dedicates a song to his girlfriend, which I know first hand is a bad mistake. He’ll be sorry when the cunt leaves him, and if she’s heard this demo she probably already has. [I wish we had the space to reprint these poseurs’ press release, as it is the most unintentionally funny thing I have ever read. -Ed.] - 1 - <Jack> **MC12**

EVIL E - s/t · demo
Gay moniker, gay artwork, gay photos, gay vocals, gay lyrics, gay production. Need I gay on? - 1 - <Jack>
e_vil_e2004@yahoo.es

EVIL INCARNATE - Evil Incarnate · DEMO
The band formerly known as APOLLYN [see their demo review] hasn’t really changed their style along with their name, but simply refined it. I was already impressed with their catchy (often sounding like early UNLEASHED) Satanic Death, & this is somehow an improvement. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC11**

EVIL INCARNATE - Christ Destroyed · DEMO
Supremely evil slow Death Metal. Brutally heavy with utterly demonic vocals. The sound isn’t awesome, but these tracks also appear, in apparently remastered form on E.I.’s debut CD on Deathgasm Records, which also contains the cuts from their previous, self-titled, demo. - 9 - <Ray> **MC12**

EVIL INCARNATE - Blackest Hymns of God's Disgrace · Deathgasm
At long last, the debut full-length album from EVIL INCARNATE! (Their first CD, Blood of the Saints, being a re-release of their Evil Incarnate and Christ Destroyed demos.) As I knew it would be, this evil Death Metal is better than ever. The sick bastards in EVIL I. have always known how to write heavy, memorable songs, and this album is a real showcase for their diabolical talents. - 9.25 - <Ray>

EVILUTION - Evilution · DEMO
Well, these guys are certainly not doing anything new, but their crushing riffs, excellent playing, and powerful production make up for it. Even the vocals are as they should be: raw, but sot of understandable. But of course all bands where the bassist also sings are cool. The beginning of "Realm of Terror," is awesomely heavy, and extremely memorable. If the entire demo were as monstrous as that section, or that song in general, I'd have to give it a 10. In fact, upon repeated listens, I find that the two songs which follow "Realm." are nearly at its level. EVILUTION seem to have put their weakest song first, which is a fatal mistake. Not that "Night of Magic" is bad, just bland compared to the other three (expect for the guitar solo, which is an ass-kicker, but all the solos on this are). These guys have some damn serious potential. I'm anxious to see what they do next. I'd bet someone signs them. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC9**

EVILUTION - Shrine of Desecration · Pure Death
The only flaw with this CD is it’s length. Or lack thereof. At only 26 minutes, I’m hard pressed to really call this a full-length LP. Other than that, I’m hard pressed to call it anything short of flawless Death Metal. Like SLAYER, I’ll bet these freaks play faster in the studio than at practice, and so the duration is explained. At any rate, EVILUTION prove that traditional Death is still thriving. The speed, the crushing riffs, the punishing drumming - they have all the talent they need, and know how to best use it. But it’s the rawer-than-thou vox that really put them over the top. Josh is truly brutal, and I don’t think he gives a fuck if anyone can understand what he’s saying or not. Sometimes (like here) that’s a plus. It’s a near-perfect combination that’s destined to deafen. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC11**

EVOKE - I Am. My Own God · DEMO
Heavy, memorable Death. Interesting riffs and so on. It's really good, but for some reason didn't seem like it had something. I'm not sure what. It's probably just me, though. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC9**

EVOKE - Dreaming the Reality · Pavement
Brutal Death Metal just the way you like it. Fairly memorable songs and excellent sound give this a little edge. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC12**

EVOKEN - Embrace the Emptiness · Elegy
They almost lost me by the end of the intro, but then the crushing "Tragedy Eternal" started up, and I knew I was in for a Death / Doom masterpiece. My friends, this is how it should be done. Diabolically heavy, expertly played, and at well over an hour long, not a second (other than the last 1:45 or so of the rather lengthy intro) that does not fully command your attention. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC12**

EVOKEN - Quietus · Dwell / Avantgarde
Fans of Death Doom rejoice, for Quietus has come! This album brings to mind such Doom perfection as Turn Loose the Swans, Forest of Equlibrium, and Stromcrowfleet. In other words, Death Metal influenced Doom does not get any better than this. Somehow they have managed to improve even on their own Embrace the Emptiness, making this masterpiece truly an all-time classic. Open the vaults! - 9.75 - <Ray>

EXCEED - Tomorrow's Past · DEMO
Musically, this is great sounding Thrash. I can only wish that these four tracks were all instrumentals. Nick's vocals are horrible. He kinds "talks" his vocals in the most annoying voice ever recorded. I can't see anyone even tolerating it, much less enjoying it. I'd be lookin' for a new singer, guys. - 6.75 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXCEL - Split Image · Rotten
This is the band's 1987 Split Image LP (obviously), plus quite a few extra demo tracks. Similarities to early SUICIDAL TENDENCIES abound, but that's hardly a surprise considering that EXCEL is / was from the same area. But, far from being any kind of rip off, EXCEL incorporates some more aggressive, Metal-style drumming, ala post-Crossover D.R.I., as well as a more powerful, early Thrash influenced production. I don't know if anyone other than me would like this these days, but this is one CD I'll be playing frequently! - 9 - <Ray>

EXCELSIS - Anduin the River · DEMO (CD)
Traditional Metal that’s occasionally extremely good. - 8.25 -  **MC11** - "Last Second Additions"

EXCELSIS - Kurt of Koppigen · DEMO (CD)
Okay, I’ve got to be honest. I’m just not a big fan of concept records. Since two perfect concept albums exist, RUSH’s 2112 and KING DIAMOND’s Abigail, I figure what is the damn point? However, I’ve got to admit that this Swiss act really impressed the shit out of me with this release. Featuring 11 songs that tell a pseudo-medieval story, it is executed brilliantly. The music is a stylistic hybrid of classic Metal interwoven with majestic harmonies played in a Baroque fashion. An added bonus is that this is easily one of the most intricate, yet tasteful, CD booklet layouts I’ve ever seen. Oh, and the band actually smiles in their band photo. Imagine that! If you can appreciate a band that is not afraid to avoid the current trends, check these guys out. - 8.75 - <Brianhammer> **MC12**

EXCETRA - Water · DEMO
Interesting. This is apparently a pro-water band. OK. Musically this is hard to describe: The structures are sorta PRIMUS-like, but the guitar sound is really heavy, like a Death band. The vocals are mostly yelled, giving this a Thrash edge, also. Strange, and although I don't totally love it, it's certainly original, so that's a definite plus. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXCIDIUM - Defunto · DEMO
Weird, and eerie intro, which leads into a mostly speedy Death onslaught. Occasionally keyboards haunt the songs and keep the atmosphere fully in the evil night. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXCITER - The Dark Command · Osmose
The reformed EXCITER starts this CD off by stealing, umm, I mean "borrowing" an ancient EXODUS riff. At least it’s a good one. I was needlessly worried that they might try to "update" their style as other bands have recently, but I’m very glad to report that EXCITER have more or less retained their traditional Thrash sound. Old EXCITER devotees should love this, as will fans of quality Thrash. Long live the loud! - 9 - <Ray> **MC11**

EXCITER - New Testament · Osmose / The End
For reasons that remain the band’s own, EXCITER has re-recorded 15 songs ranging from the ancient "Heavy Metal Maniac" (1983), to the comparatively recent "Brutal Warning" (from 2000’s Blood of Tyrants). I can understand why a band might want to re-record some old songs. On some occasions this has produced impressive results, and in some ways does here. But as with every time this has been done, I think that only people who really like the band will be interested in hearing this, and that’s exactly the same group of people who will for the most part prefer the original recordings simply because they are the original recordings. Perhaps a more effective way to "update" old songs would have been to release a live album. However, it’s impossible to deny how much these tracks Thrash your brains out, despite the fact that even re-recorded a couple of them seem rather archaic. - 8.5 - <Ray>

EXCRUCIATING PAIN - Thou Shall Choose · J.L. / Turbo
Pretty straight forward Death. Not bad, but not exactly great or original. The songs are decent, but I think that perhaps with a little more time to develop, EXCRUCIATING PAIN can produce better material. I notice a lot of cool elements -enough to make me want to hear more form these guys. - 8 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXCRUCIATION - Anno Domini · J.L. America/ Turbo
Cool. Interesting Deathrash music and a somewhat original vocal style. I like it. The songs are more memorable than you might expect, and this gives this LP a necessary advantage. Check it out. 'Nuff said. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC7**

EXEMPT - Wake Up · DEMO
The strange intro leads into some fairly intense Death. This is mostly speedy and the vocals are excellent. Production is also great. These are not the most original songs I've ever heard, but EXEMPT really does a good job with them. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXEMPT - Ill Health · DEMO
Heavier production, and better, more original and brutal, songwriting allow this demo to far surpass Wake Up. Even the already excellent vocals are better. This really shows what these guys are capable of, and should get them signed. Very impressive. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXHALE - Prototype · Emetic
Brutal Swedish Grindcore in the vein of NASUM, ROTTEN SOUND, and GADGET. I believe a "'nuff said" is in order. - 9 - <Jack>

EXHIBIT-A - Disguised They Rise · DEMO
The sound on these three songs is something like a Thrashier SCATTERBRAIN, which is okay with me, I guess. Since recording this demo this band changed its name to MASS EXHIBIT, I don't know if their sound changed as well. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXHORDER - Slaughter in the Vatican · Roadrunner
This is an above average Thrash-Death album. Musically the band is talented, although not much jumped out and killed me. Lyrically this is a bunch of twisted dudes. There are no less than three references to killing the Pope. One song is about a "butt-slut," as far as I can tell (the lyrics to that one, "Anal Lust," are omitted). Only one song, "Legions of Death," really stands out. Musically, EXHORDER plays some heavy, occasionally speedy stuff. The vocalist, Kyle Thomas, has an interesting style that is not quite as much in the Death style as the music. At the time of the recording of Slaughter in the Vatican, EXHORDER apparently was lacking a bassist, because the bass tracks are all credited to the two guitarists: Vinnie LaBella and Jay Ceravolo. Since then a bassist has been added. This is a decent album that shows much promise. I will be waiting to hear what the next album sounds like. I hope they don’t lose the aggression, it’s their edge. - 7.5 - <Ray>
{If I had only known then what would happen with this band and style... As you must know, the supreme poseurs PANTERA slowed this album down and copied it note for note, and somehow got rich and famous doing it. But EXHORDER were the innovators, and played with honestly and sincerity, which are two concepts that PANTERA know nothing about, no matter who they have fooled into thinking otherwise.} **MC3**

EXHUMED - Dissecting the Caseated Omentum · DEMO
Here is a brutal Death Metal band which sounds like a cross between SUFFOCATION and CARCASS. They are very gruesome and the songs have sick titles like "Oozing Rectal Feast." They have two singers, one has a deep voice and the other has a raspy growl. All and all, this is a really groovy demo and I think you should check it out. - 8.5 - <Tom> **MC7**

EXHUMED - Horrific Expulsion of Gore · DEMO
Massively brutal Death, with extreme gore lyrics. The songs are constructed and played very well, and the sound is not bad. Fans of such bands as CANNIBAL CORPSE should stop puke-fucking their dismembered corpses and check this out immediately. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**

EXIT-13 - Spare the Wrench, Surrender the Earth 7" · Relapse
Well, I had heard that EXIT-13 was a Grind band, but of the 4 songs here, only the last one, "Only Hypocrisy Prohibits," is even a little Grindy. All are weird and original, too bad I don't really like it. This is not to say they are irritating- simply, they exist. Yeah, the music is heavy, and the vox try to be raw (although what they are is humorous). So this leaves me wondering exactly what this band was trying to do. I'd be interested to know how they describe their original sound. - 7 - <Ray> **MC7**

EXIT-13 - Don't Spare the Green Love · Relapse
Unless I misunderstand, this CD contains the complete recorded history of EXIT-13, so you may have already heard all these tracks before, but now you can have them on CD. This may or may not be good news to you. Anyway, the songs range from Grind to cannibis-induced Jazz freakouts. Clearly talented, serious, and somehow also a lot of fun. You figure the rest out, but I will say that the more I listen to this, the more I like it. Favorite track: "Inbreeding Populations." - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXIT-13 - Ethos Musick · Relapse
They've always been fine in their grinding Dopecore mode, but now they've taken far more ambitious steps in new directions and turned themselves into a unique and imaginative band with this opus magnus. Their "thank you" list shows that they admire Progressive Rock (KING CRIMSON!), Grindcore, Classic Rock, Death Metal, and Ambient bands, and the list extends to include radical authors as well as Japanese and U.K. Noise bands. The miracle is that they pull things from all their influences and rarely sound forced or awkward. It's a thrilling 700MPH pot-fuled journey through activism and sickness of many kinds. - 9.5 - <J.J.> **MC9**

EXIT-13 - Just a Few More Hits · Relapse
Well, I know that E13 front-man (and owner of Relapse), Bill Yurkiewicz, thinks Black Metal is stupid, but making fun of VENOM's Black Metal LP cover is bound to be a bad move. I'll bet a lot of people won't think that it's very funny. I sure don't. But on to the music. There's an edited version of one of the songs from Ethos Musick, and the others were apparently recorded during those sessions. So am I to take that to mean that this was the stuff they thought wasn't good enough for the album, or didn't they have enough room for it? The production is pretty lacking, which was certainly not the case of Ethos..., so that's strange. They do a 48 second DEAD KENNEDYS cover, sample some porno stuff, and ramload two DOORS songs together. At least all this is mastered at the correct level, although the 22 minute last track couldn't have been any more inane at 3 times as loud. Maybe they could try smoking more dope next time. Upped a little for at least trying to cover DK. - 6.5 - <Ray> **MC9**

EXMORTEM - Dejected in Obscurity · Euphonious
Extremely ass kicking Death, with a few Black Metal touches. - 9 - <Ray> **MC11** - "Last Second Additions"

EXMORTIS - Immortality’s End · DEMO
EXMORTIS is brutal, fucking fast Death. This is one of the best demos that I have ever received. The band is composed of Brian Werking (lead guitars/ vocals), Ted Hartz (lead guitars), Chris Wiser (bass), Lee Coates (drums) and the new God of cover art: Drew Elliot. Not only are all four songs completely incredible, but the artwork is the best I think I have ever seen! Now, about their sound: imagine RIGOR MORTIS type of lowness, DEATH style vocals, WEHRMACHT speed and the heaviness of Hell itself. That is almost the EXMORTIS sound. I forgot the insanely cool intro and outro parts, they are somewhat long, but big fucking deal. This band is on its way and you should be there for the ride. Write to them and order the tape and what ever else you can. EXMORTIS is the future. If you pass this up, I hope you die slowly. - 9.25 - <Ray>
{Here we have another in a long list of long stories. EXMORTIS continued on after this, lead by Brain Werking. However, eventually Chris Wiser would split and take the EXMORTIS name with him. There was a point in time where there were two separate bands, one with Brian and the other with Chris, both claiming to be the "real" EXMORTIS. And perhaps even more strange is that now no one uses the name. As far as I know, Brian quit to live the family life, and at least some of the members of Chris’ EXMORTIS went on to other bands.} **MC3**

EXMORTIS - Fade from Reality 7" · Rage Records
Finally EXMORTIS has returned with this excellent two song 7". The production is very interesting. They must have spent a lot of time to get this unique sound. This is especially true of the guitar sound. I have never heard anything exactly like it. BLOOD FEAST has a somewhat similar sound on their Chopping Block Blues album. It's pretty trebly, but still, somehow, heavy. Anyway, the two songs, "Dreams of the Dead" and "Fade from Reality," continue the EXMORTIS tradition of quality Death Metal, and there are subtle differences that set this apart from the average. Don't pass this up. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC7**

EXMORTIS - Butchers of the Urban Frontier · DEMO
When Brian Werking struck out on his own, he took the name EXMORTIS with him, but the rest of the guys in the band kept the name, too. This is their band (not Brian's), so don't confuse the two. These guys have since changed their name to avoid the hassle. But anyway, on with the review: This is mostly fast Death, written and played very well. The production leaves the sound a little thin, but that's not exactly a big problem. I like it. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXODUS - Impact is Imminent · Capitol
Wow, four albums and still no ballad! Big shit, and by the way, a ballad is not necessarily a slow song: a ballad tells a story. I wish people could get this straight. Anyway this LP sees the addition of new drummer John Tempesta, who is apparently only average. This is not a bad LP, but it does have a few problems: In some places Zetro’s vocals sound uninspired or briefly annoying, there is little variance in the drums, the beginning of "The Lunatic Parade" is stolen from S.O.D.’s "March of the S.O.D." (which is not a cool thing to do), and sometimes the lyrics seem rushed as if the guys were hard up for words. On the up side, the guitar sound is very heavy sounding and cool as fuck. The solos are outlandish, I knew that Gary and Rick had this in them and here’s where it comes out. The music is heavy, which is what EXODUS wanted, but don’t expect Bonded by Blood part 2. This album would be very good from another band, but I expect more from EXODUS, they practically invented Thrash. Maybe next time they will reinvent it. - 7.75 - <Ray>
{I’d guess that anyone reading this knows that EXODUS reformed with more-or-less their original line up, played some shows, and released a live album of classics from the Bonded By Blood era. So, I guess they never did "reinvent" Thrash, and have settled instead on trying to just relive it.} **MC3**

EXODUS - Another Lesson in Violence · Century Media
When I heard that EXODUS reformed with their original singer, Paul Baloff, I shot blood out of my fuckin’ eyes. I stopped everything I was doing to play this live disc the instant it arrived. Interesting to note that the only songs on this are those written when Baloff was first in the band. I’m glad to see that "Pleasures of the Flesh," "Seeds of Hate," "Brain Dead," and "Impaler" are included. But... Maybe I expected too much. Maybe I was hoping for perfection. Maybe Paul & co. have been listening to too much MACHINEHEAD. Baloff’s comments about how "heavy" everything is made me think that he was smoking crack between songs. I’m really mixed about this. How can I say anything bad about songs I’ve listened to and loved for more than a decade? And yet how can I say anything good about EXODUS acting like they are mentally handicapped? They seem as if they’re making fun of the fans & themselves. If you cut out the between-song lameness, and Paul altering / adding to / forgetting / ad libbing / Rapping the lyrics then this would rule. But as is, it’s just a band with a "heavy" guitar sound covering the legends. If they record a new LP, I’ll bet that it sounds like PANTERA with some Rap influences - and it hurts me to print that, but not as much as it does to listen to this. I hope that EXODUS prove me wrong & put out a great album of new material. But they won’t. By the way, Bonded By Blood is as perfect an album as has ever been recorded, so if you need some EXODUS (and you do), then get that, but leave this to the dogs. - 7 - <Ray> **MC11**

EXOTHERM - Project 47 · Limited Access/Two Fat Men
Before Christ no one cared, evil was in everyone’s hearts. Sins were committed every day of your life, there was no wrong from right. Then he came to change it all, he really thought he could do some good. The son of God sent to the earth, but the Romans showed him what he was worth. Before Christ, I ruled the land. After death, I will rule once again. At the last supper he was betrayed by a friend he thought he had made. Maybe he didn’t know it all like he claimed he did. Hanging on the cross with a crown of thorns, the Romans just laughed, "Who is this son of God?" He died like everyone else. He didn’t change a thing because evil rules once again. - 1 - <Jack>

EXOTO - The Fifth Season · DEMO
From the first second, I knew that this was going to be special. The Fifth Season is one of the best demos I've ever heard. They aren't afraid to experiment, and they find only total success. Generally, this is pretty speedy Death, but there is so much more than that going on, it makes it very difficult to say what their sound is, exactly. Newer PESTILENCE comes to mind, but with some ATROCITY added to boost the brutality. And then there are the really different parts. And the songs are pretty memorable, too. Somebody sign these guys. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXPERIMENT - The Edge of Within · DEMO
EXPERIMENT successfully combines the technical sides of such bands as DEATH, ATHEIST, CYNIC and OBLIVEON, with the brutality of the likes of GRAVE, DEICIDE and GOREFEST. I know what you're thinking - "Bullshit!" Yeah, well fuck you, I'm serious. The music on this five song demo is mega brutal, yet also technical enough to keep me entertained forever. The vocals are somewhat similar to those of Martin VanDrunen (ASPHYX). So although understandable, the vox are powerfully raw and bestial. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC7**

EXPERIMENT FEAR - Assuming the Godform · Death Chamber / Massacre / Sonic Underground
The intro sorts of sets the stage for a style more like that of KING DIAMOND, so I was surprised to hear such an intense Death assault following it. The excellent production comes courtesy of Wave Digital, which has been made famous by being the pet studio of BROKEN HOPE. In fact, BROKEN HOPE's Joe Ptacek even lends his lungs to a pair of songs on this, but I like Phil's vocals better. In fact, although they aren't as heavy to be sure, I like pretty much everything about EXPERIMENT FEAR a little better. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC9**

EXPIRATION - Deviated EP · Repulse
The most unique thing about this release is the size of the compact disc. It's a 3" disc, which is a format I like, but my player likes it, too, and yours might not. At any rate, the band offers up about 20 minutes of standard Death Metal, although it is certainly well-played and at times very intense. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC10**

EXPLICIT FATE - Explicit Fate · Red Eye
This band tries to cover a lot of ground musically and vocally, but ends up just sounding lost. Focus, guys. There's nothing wrong with Thrash at all, I love it, but this is all over the place and goes nowhere. - 7 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXPLOITED - The Massacre · Triple X
I don't know much about this band, but I do know that they have been around for awhile, and I would be willing to bet that this is the kind of Punk that inspired Thrash. It's fast, the vox are screamed and the lyrics have a social message. In short, this is pretty awesome. Yeah, they repeat the song titles way too often, but it doesn't quite grate on my nerves for some unexplainable reason. One of the last Punk bands left, so show 'em your support. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC7**

EXPOSED GUTS - The Way of All Flesh · $15 (demo CD)
This brutal, CANNIBAL CORPSE style Death Metal from Germany is impressive, and this self-released album is completely professional from the recording to the packaging. There are flashes of perfection here, and I certainly recommend this disc, and plan on keeping an eye on these guys. - 9 - <Ray>
www.exposedguts.de

EXPULSION - Overflow · Godhead
Pretty Thrashy music, with melancholy vocals, not unlike those on the first CATHEDRAL album, but maybe less raw. It's an interesting sound, & I welcome hearing more from them. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC9**

EXTERMINANCE / MASS PSYCHOSIS - Split 7" · Shredomatic
One song each from this pair of extreme Metal outfits. EXTERMINANCE offer up the speedy "Vomiting the Trinity," while MASS PSYCHOSIS get sick with the "Gore Machine." - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC9**

EXTINCTION AGENDA - s/t · demo
Great opening sample, but that’s about as entertained as I get. Their hearts are in the right place, but they don’t quite have the skill to match. Imagine if DESTRUCTION had never practiced, or if SODOM had been from Kansas. Don’t give up, guys. Just improve. - 6 - <Jack>
www.exagenda.cjb.net

EXTOL - Burial · Tooth & Nail / Solid State
Why do x-tians always have to stick their self-righteous, holier-than-thou asses in every one else’s faces and try to steal their ideas, incorporating their own morals and sickening methods of mind control into something they can sell at the time? Hey everybody, smell my shit, god loves it! They took Punk, Ska, Hardcore, Thrash, Death Metal, and now this group of hypocritical mindless bastards is trying to steal Black Metal, a style of music created in opposition to their beliefs! Even if this Norwegian group were good, and they’re not, I wouldn’t give this religious propaganda a ball’s hair of a chance. I cannot tolerate such total thoughtless idiocy! What’s next, a Jewish Nazi Reich? A black chapter of the KKK? How about a restaurant where they don’t serve food? - 1 - <Jack> **MC12**

EXTOL - Synergy · Century Media
In a sickeningly desperate effort to appeal to everyone, and thus "convert" and "save" everyone, this pack of blind followers incorporates all the musical styles they can think of from Hardcore to various kinds of Metal to Emo to whatever MESHUGGAH is supposed to be. I should have asked Jack to review this so that you could be reading the lyrics to a DEICIDE song or something right now! - 1 - <Ray>

EXTREMA - 1991 · DEMO
Speedy, happy, Thrashy, Punky sound. Really bright bass, and super clear production. Excellent playing and pretty memorable songs combine for an interesting listen. I'm occasionally reminded of the later DEATH ANGEL stuff. You would almost have to like this, at least a little. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

EXTREME NOISE TERROR - Retro-bution · Earache
Fourteen newly recorded pieces of extreme Hardcore/ Grindcore brutality. So sick that one vocalist could not do the job. Prepare to bow before the onslaught of their twin vocal destruction. These guys have been around forever, but if you missed out, consider this an essential history lesson. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**

EXTREME NOISE TERROR - Damage 381 · Earache
I’d have to play a few albums back to back to know for certain, but Damage 381 may just be the most memorable Grind LP of all time. A lot of that has to do with the awesome Colin Richardson production, and the familiar and distinctive roar of my pal, Barney Greenway. Don’t get your panties in a bunch though. Screamers Phil and Dean are still extreme noise terrors, and are on this. And now for the really important part: Have ENT gone Metal, or in some other way sold out? Not unless you count having a clear, heavy sound. One listen to the total fucking all out, balls to the wall Grind of the title track will put all doubts to rest, and all doubters in their graves. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC11**

EXULCERATION - And the Sickness Began · DEMO
This demo is extreme Death. The production is pretty bad and the mix is really freaky. However, the vocals are the rawest, heaviest, harshest and most brutal that I have ever heard. The songs are as Death as it gets. EXULCERATION is possibly the most extreme Death Metal band in the world. 'Nuff said. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC5**

EYE GOUGER - Ass Rotor 7" · self released
Side one was way too scratched to play. From the looks of said scratch, it might have been intentional. Anyway, this rendered four of the seven songs unplayable. As for side two, it's pretty uninspired Grind. Short and fast, and I'm sure the lyrics would be interesting if I could make them out, or if they were printed. Very cool cover art, though. - 7.25 - <Ray> **MC8**

EYEHATEGOD - Take as Needed for Pain · Century Media
This is as sick as only reality can be. Lyrically disturbing, and musically interesting. Heavy, and somewhat groovy riffs, and rawish vocals. They make it work for 'em though. "For the sick" -indeed. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC8**

EYEHATEGOD - Dopesick · Century Media
Some bits of speed have been injected into this band's normal Sludge-core, so this is not as consistently lethargic as their previous two albums. It's really okay, but just not very inspirational. - 7.5 - <Ray> **MC10**

EYEHATEGOD - Southern Discomfort · Century Media
Y'know, it's a good thing that life sucks. Because if it didn't, bands like EYEHATEGOD wouldn't exist. This was intended to be a collective send-off to the band everyone thought was broken up for good, luckily they have gotten back together. A lot of people talk shit about EYEHATEGOD and I just can't explain why. What's really funny is when someone claims to like GRIEF, yet says EYEHATEGOD "sucks." It is the same vein of misery that this band's crawling brand Sludgecore is created. And both bands can also turn SABBATH-like groove into a numbing tool of discordance. If you've never hears this band before, this may be the ideal introductory phase. I'm partial to Dopesick and Take as Needed for Pain, and most of these tracks are from, or around the time of, those recordings. These are all studio out-takes and tracks taken from 7"s, so for the most part, this is nothing a big EYEHATEGOD fan doesn't already have. I know I'm not one to pay $16 for different versions of songs I already have, but there are some tracks here from a split 7" with 13 that I'd never heard. "Serving Time in the Middle of Nowhere" is one of them and it's traditional EYEHATEGOD. Catchy, dirty, and screamed in anguish. Perhaps the least essential piece of this band's works, but it's good shit nonetheless. If you don't like these guys, life must be an endless good time for you. - 9 - <Jack>

EYEHATEGOD - Confederacy of Ruined Lives · Century Media
Looks like I'm the designated EYEHATEGOD reviewer for this issue. Fine by me. I never get tired of saying good things about the Sludgegods. This picks up right where Dopesick left off. Slow, noisy, bloodshot-eyed stoner Sludge with filthy grooves, SABBATH-like hooks, and good ol' cathartic droning. All this colonized under a grey area of dyslexic depressed/pissed off crass. Mental problems, intoxication, and a strong sense of rhythm make for a delightfully deranged combo. Get high then get this. Best EYEHATEGOD song ever: "Blood Money." - 9.5 - <Jack>

EYES OF FIRE - Prisons · Century Media
The coolest thing about this band is that Foamy the Squirrel once mentioned it in a rant/ad for some Metalfest. I’ve heard E.O.F. described many different ways, and there are a lot of influences (Metal, Emo, Goth, to name a few) here... But it’s all so watered down, uninspired and bland that it’s like looking at a collage of a dozen pictures that have been Photoshopped until everything is just gray, and all I can think about while listening to this is how badly I want to eject the disc. - 5 - <Ray>

EYES OF FIRE - Prisons · Century Media
A lot of the bigger magazines, your Terrorizers, Revolvers, and Metal Maniacs, all seem to really get behind this Southern California quintet, which is why I was certain this album was going to suck. I just automatically lumped them in with other criminally overrated bands that always receive high praise, like MASTODON, HIGH ON FIRE, NEUROSIS, ISIS, etc. Plus, this band features ex-members of the very forgettable MINDROT, so I was sure I wasn’t missing anything. Well, I was a little wrong. This album is far from flawless, but these guys are capable of delivering a goosebump here and there, and definitely leagues above the aforementioned boring slop. They do sound a lot like NEUROSIS, I can’t deny that, but the difference is that the vocals are much better, and the raw emotion and gloom is not buried under a megaton of dead ambiance. I am also reminded of Swedish gods BURST (talk about a surpassing NEUROSIS influence). So, while Prisons contains its fair share of filler (including "It All Dies Today," the worst possible choice for the record’s first single), there are certainly diamonds in the rough, and I’m glad I actually gave EYES OF FIRE a chance. Suggested mix selections: "Blood," "Gone Forever," and "Dead to the World." - 9 - <Jack>

EZURATE - Ezurate ‘97 · DEMO
Extremely simple Black Metal and terrible anti-production. Utterly tuneless and pretty impossible to listen to. Maybe if I could hear what they’re playing it would help, but then again maybe not. Guys, here’s a clue: The riffs are supposed to have something to do with the drums, and the vocals should maybe follow the riffs. You should not have everything working against each other. That’s not "evil," it’s "stupid." - 3 - <Ray> **MC12**