To access the archived reviews, make your selection here:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Q R S T-U V-W X-Z V/A Video/DVD
Bands are listed alphabetically, with individuals listed by last name.
Review Archive: P - Q
P.I.S.T. - A Vengeance · DEMO
I hope the vengeance they refer to in the title was taken on the guy who
recorded and mixed this demo. It seems as if he tried to make them sound as
terrible as he could. If it were possible to pierce the veil of ultra fuzzy
guitar "tone" and distortion (due to the guitars and drums being recorded at
way too high a level), I think these guys would be a kind of Hardcore/Metal
hybrid, perhaps something along the lines of BLOODY MARY, but neither as musically
interesting, nor as vocally powerful. - 6.25 - <Ray> **MC10**
PAGAN WINTER - Infernos · Last Episode
After a brief intro, PAGAN WINTER kicks in with their own brand of high-speed
chaotic Black Metal assault. To be honest, this isn’t really something to write
home about and though it does have a fairly good ass-kickage factor, this stuff
has "been there, done that" written all over it. Structurally, they
sound quite a bit like DARKTHRONE but they have a sound more akin to IMMORTAL
or DARK FUNERAL because of the speed factor. Luckily, they remembered to mix
the guitars higher so that the drumming doesn’t totally bury them. A lot of
bands that play at higher speeds for some odd reason mix the guitars low and
the drums drown them out, turning them into a blast beat Rap act, which is something
that I totally despise. One odd note about PAGAN WINTER is that they seem to
have a real love of machine-gun fire and the sound of antiaircraft guns. Each
one of their songs has a break in it where you get the sounds of things getting
shot at, blown up or both. At first I thought it was kind of funny but after
a while, it got annoying. On top of that, the last track, the outtro, is composed
of more gunfire, explosions and people getting killed. I’ll be the first to
agree that blowing shit up and/or shooting shit up is cool (in concept, which
is why war movies and documentaries are so popular), but too much is too fucking
much. If they leave their guns and bombs at home next time, their next album
will be a little more listenable. - 7 - <Ychoril> **MC12**
PAGANUS DOCTRINA - Natural Inbio Del Paganismo · DEMO
I hate to even comment on this, because although it’s claimed that it recorded
at a studio, the sound is so terrible that I’m sure it must really be a rehearsal,
and I don’t like to pick on the "production" of rehearsals (or demos,
either, really). The vocals are quite loud and drastically overpower everything
else. When they are not there, the "mix" is slightly more listenable,
but still bad. Plus the sound kind of comes and goes, as if the tape had been
damaged in shipping (which it may have been). It’s obvious that P.D. are playing
raw, fast Black Metal, but it’s difficult to say much more due to the sound.
I can hear some good riffs and keyboards, and more or less super fast drumming,
so in a real studio, this material might be pretty good, but as is, it’s a job
listening to it. - 6 - <Ray> **MC11**
PAGANUS DOCTRINA / PSEUDOSTRATIFFIED EPITHELIUM - Split · American
Line
I wish we’d received an English translation for the Spanish lyricism featured
on the first segment of this split. But, I can still comment that the music
was excellent. It’s heavy Death/Doom, along with some eerie pipe organ-style
keyboarding, which gives it a somewhat Atmospheric feel as well. The vox made
my throat sore for hours after reviewing this disc. As for P.E., they "support
total fucking chaos. Violence, crimes, murders, rapes, war, children & family
molestation, abuse, alcohol, marijuana, avarice, manipulation, belligerence,
and whatever might be vulgar and extreme." I think you too can hear their
message loud and clear at first listen to this opus of hatred. To comment on
their music, it all sounds the same from one song to the next. It isn’t quite
as cool as P.D., but their song titles and lyrics are in English. I think my
favorite by P.E. is "Romantic Passions in Rigor Mortis." - 8 - <ANG>
**MC11**
PAIN - Pain · Nuclear Blast
Somehow not bad Industrio-Power Metal. - 8.5 - <Jack> **MC11** - "Last
Second Additions"
PAIN - Rebirth · Stockholm / Renegade
This is the second album by PAIN and when you consider that Peter from HYPOCRISY
/ THE ABYSS (and the guy who produced some of the last couple years' best Black
and Death Metal albums) is the brain behind this band, one would expect this
to be much more Metal than it is. This is much more in the vein of NINE INCH
NAILS but with maybe a little more Techno leaning. The songs are fairly commercial
and fans of the previously mentioned NIN will probably eat this up. There are
plenty of catchy hooks in the music and the vocals are laced with effects -
though if you know what Peter sounds like, you can easily tell that it is him
behind the mic. The whole album was done by Peter alone, but the live line-up
is quite impressive as it contains members of IMMORTAL, HYPOCRISY and a former
MARDUK member on top of that. Some of you out there might consider this to be
a sell-out but hey, these guys have to eat too and if this brings more interest
to the darker side of music then I'm all for it! - 9 - <Ychoril>
PAIN HATE & AGONY - Chunk · DEMO
On the inside of the J-card it says to send a S.A.S.E. and $2 to get the
lyric sheet for this demo. That is a god damn stupid idea. Why not send it with
the demo? There are only 6 songs, so I think they might have been able to fit
all their lyrics on the teeny J-card anyway, if they tried (I could have done
it, so hire me next time). And they didn’t even bother to send a lyric sheet
with my review copy, so now I’ll never know the real lyrics to "Pus-Fuck"
and "Necro-Sodomy." Which is actually too bad, since this band has
no problem delivering seriously kick ass Death Metal, and they even have a uniquely
brutal production. Excellent job with the music and recording, which is really
the important stuff, but it’s disappointing to see (hear) so much that’s right
and then see that we’re forced to send extra money to get the complete package.
That, my friends, is just stupid. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC11**
PAINGATE - Sacrifice · Keltek
Basic Thrash with kinda sing-songy vocals. They're capable musicians, but
this is really bland. Nothing extra horrible, but certainly nothing very interesting
either. - 7.5 - <Ray> **MC9**
PAKENI - Detergent Bubble Bath EP · Morbid
These guys deliver a quirky mix of Grind, Groove, Rock and such '70s Progressive
sounds as an organ, or horns. It can be weird sometimes, but generally remains
heavy, and is an enjoyable break from the extreme seriousness of much of today's
Metal Underground. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC10**
PALE FOREST - Transformation Hymns · Voices of Wonder
I awake slowly; face down in a pool of my own fluids, trying to remember
just what caused my sudden collapse into orgasmic bliss -Oh yes! From the land
of burned churches and corpse-painted hooligans comes PALE FOREST’s brilliant
debut full length CD. Okay, let me say that if your cup of tea runneth over
with Metal only, you will hate this. Such is your loss, for each track
on this CD is unique and well crafted. Vocalist Kristin Fjellesth sings with
such passion, her multilayered harmonies soaring gently above these powerful
tunes. Her voice is often very reminiscent of Kate Bush. As for the music, picture
a less gloomy THEATRE OF TRAGEDY mixed with the Pop hooks of the CRANBERRIES,
and you might be close. Bravo to Voices of Wonder for realizing the potential
of this amazing Norwegian six-piece, and releasing this. It will be interesting
to see if a bigger label such as 4AD will have the brains to sign PALE FOREST
in the future and give them the worldwide promotion a band this good truly deserves.
- 9.75 - <Brainhammer> **MC12**
PALE HORSE - Mournful · A.R.T.
Sometimes this is really great: Very Doomy and heavy. Other times it just
seems to miss the mark. Depending on your view, the Christian lyrics could be
a plus or minus. - 7.5 - <Ray> **MC8**
PALE ORACLE - Relapse · DEMO
Speedy and heavy Death, digitally recorded at Wave, so the sound is excellent.
Really everything is good, but there is absolutely nothing original here at
all. With that in mind, this is very intense and heavy, but a little something
extra could make this good demo excellent. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC8**
PAN-THY-MONIUM - III Khaooohs & Kon-Fus-Ion · Relapse
This final release by the ever experimental PAN-THY-MONIUM is as weird as
long-time fans, such as myself, have come to expect. While vocally rooted in
Death Metal, musically they join, overlap, and mutate various styles into a
complex sound not unlike that of the infamous John Zorn. All comparisons aside,
this is a work of near-matchless diversity and I find it fitting that their
final hymn to their "master," Raagoonshinnaah comes in the form of the final
track's exact minute of complete silence. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC10**
PANDEMIA - Spreading the Message · Lost Disciple
After 5 years of slugging it out in the Eastern European underground, PANDEMIA
have finally released their debut album. Though the music is very tight and
played with plenty of conviction, their brand of Brutal Death Metal is a bit
on the generic side. This is not to say that it doesn't have any ass kickage
factor. It does. Unfortunately, most bands in this genre have more than a little
in that particular department. A band to compare them to, in terms of song structure,
is VADER. They sound quite a bit like that band, though they lack the powerful
production that is so much of a trademark for VADER. One thing that would improve
their sound quite a bit would be mixing the drums lower next time. This one
is very much like so many other Death Metal bands who think that ultra-fast
drumming is the key factor in good Death Metal. The drums are so loud that they
bury the guitar a lot of the time. When I want to listen to Death Metal, I want
to hear some brutal riffs, not a blast beat. If I wanted to listen to drums,
I'd go out and buy an NWA album! - 7.75 - <Ychoril>
PANDEMIA - Riven · Metal Age
This is a MORBID ANGEL clone, and I do not mean that in a condescending way. I love MORBID ANGEL, the guys in PANDEMIA obviously do also, we have something in common. They have the abundance of skill necessary to emulate their idols, I’ll make time to check it out, everybody is winning here. If you like MORBID ANGEL, chances are you’ll like this too. If you don’t like MORBID ANGEL, then I don’t know what you’re looking at this website for, you stupid fucking queer. - 9.25 - <Jack>
PANDEMONIC - Ravenous · demo
Total Old School Thrash from Sweden. The riffing is authentic, like a mix of classic SLAYER and the first MALEVOLENT CREATION album. Unfortunately, the vocalist has this ‘80s Hair Metal thing going on that is often a little bit too much. This music deserves so much more. It’s like Jessica Simpson’s body with Margaret Thatcher’s face. However, some people might still be able to get drunk enough to fuck it. - 7.5 - <Jack>
www.pandemonic.com
PANDEMONIC - The Art of Hunting · demo
More of the same from the unsigned Swedish quartet. Vintage Death/Thrash genius ruined by grating, forced Heavy Metal whining. If only a heavy voice were utilized. - 7.75 - <Jack>
www.pandemonic.com
PANDEMONIUM - The Ancient Catatonia · Baron
Ahh, here we have a little of the old atmospheric Black Death. Excellent
music and vocals combine with a clear production to thoroughly devastate the
listener. They move effortlessly between acoustic parts and crushing riffs,
all the while maintaining an ominous, kind of haunted, feeling. - 9.5 - <Ray>
**MC9**
PANIC - Fact · Metal Blade
Crisp and Punky, high on "enlightened" lyrics, low on personality. They
work a fair amount of energy into the music, but any such efforts are spoiled
by the singer, who couldn't sing on key if his meager little life depended on
it. You have not experienced radical off-keyness until you've heard "Nonchalance,"
which kept making me swerve into the other lane when I listened to this in the
car. - 6 - <J.J.> **MC8**
PANTERA - Far Beyond Driven · EastWest
I looked up the word "poseur" in the dictionary, and there was a three-page
fold-out poster of PANTERA. First, this is their seventh album, not their third,
as their bio flat out lies. These guys started out wimpier than BON JOVI, and
wore enough make up to make POISON laugh at them. Now they're supposed to be
tough guys?!? Give me a fucking break! They stole this heavy sound from EXHORDER,
who do it way better than anyone else can or ever will. And now they dare cover
"Planet Caravan"! This band is a joke - too bad it's not funny. They should
give all their money and fame to the band that deserves it: EXHORDER. - 1 -
<Ray> **MC8**
PANTHEON - Thangorodrim · DEMO
Have I mentioned yet this issue that long, boring, "pretty" synth
intros are fucking stupid? But really everything about this band is stupid.
On their flyer for this demo, it says that they are "the true pagan barbarians
from the sweltering desert mist." Right. Guys, mist is water in the air.
And what don’t you have in a desert? Yeah, water. And just to make sure
that I get to mention it in every issue, they ask that you send 2 stamps to
get the lyrics, when the whole back of the J-card is blank. Now why not just
be cool for once in your little lives, and print the lyrics there? That way
if anyone were stupid enough to buy this piece of shit, they would actually
get the whole package. Or why not at least send the lyric sheet when they order
a tape? Would that be so difficult? And I had really wanted to check out the
lyrics, since I’m sure it would have been one more thing for me to make fun
of. It should come as no surprise that this is ultra fast, all blast, "Black
Metal" with queer 1980s' New Wave synths that are supposed to be "evil."
I think that these geeks must have listened to BATHORY once, or perhaps someone
just described the sound to them, and then told them how "cult" it
is to use the same keyboard sounds as MILLI VANILLI, and off they went to ask
their mommies if it was okay for them to be in a band. I think that some bands,
like this one, are afraid to go into a studio and get anything close to a good
sound, since it would reveal them as talentless frauds. So, then they are forced
to pass off total shit as being somehow more "evil," "cult,"
or "obscure," and claim that if you don’t like it, you must not be
"evil" or "true" enough. As if bastards like this would
have any idea what those terms even mean. - 1 - <Ray> **MC12**
PANZERCHRIST - Soul Collector · Mighty
Stellar Death / Grind! This is the kind of Death Metal you'll be hesitant to
listen to by yourself in the dark right after watching Amityville. The
vocalist is a fucking beast! A savage deep growl not far from the guttural range
invoked by labelmates INIQUITY. Whether at blistering high speeds or a more
mid-tempo assault, PANZERCHRIST fucking kill. An exceptional display of brutality
from Denmark's new found pride. - 9.25 - <Jack>
PAPPA BRITTLE - Polemic Beat Poetry · Nettwerk
Imagine the shit-mouth from OASIS attempting to rap (and failing utterly)
over some pathetic Industrial Dance effort that sounds like the result of a
3-year-old left alone with a $50 keyboard for about 2 hours. Laughable at best.
- 1.25 - <Ray> **MC10**
PARADISE LOST - Gothic · Peaceville
There aren't too many bands you can describe with one word. Gothic. That
says it all for PARADISE LOST. This album reminds me a lot of the CELTIC FROST
classic Into the Pandemonium, but in no way is Gothic a copy album.
PARADISE LOST is a very unusual band with a lot of odd, yet interesting, ideas.
This LP is a big change from their debut, Lost Paradise, but I feel that
PARADISE LOST has given this meek world a very new sounding and interesting
album to indulge ourselves in. - 8.75 - <John T> **MC6**
PARADISE LOST - Shades of God · Metal Blade
PARADISE LOST are known for slow, Doomy, Gothic Death Metal with occasional
female, opera-like vocals. As of this album, they have transcended even that
broad description. Gone are the female opera vocals, they have been reduced
to whispers and backing assistance, and what has taken their place is the excellent
production that was missing before. PARADISE LOST have expanded on what Doom
Metal means. Favorite song: The CD-only bonus track, "As I die." - 9.75 - <Ray>
**MC7**
PARADISE LOST - As I Die EP · Metal Blade
I trust that all of you know that PARADISE LOST are Gothic Doom Metal, or
whatever, so I don't have to tell you. Now, about these four songs: the title
track is great, but it the same version that is on Shades of God. "Rape
of Virtue" is cool. It was a left-over from the last album. Their cover of "Death
Walks Behind You" is interesting, but I've not heard the original. As for the
live version of "Eternal" -it sucks. Nick's vocals are weak at best. In all
honesty, this is no where near as good as I was expecting. - 7.75 - <Ray>
**MC8**
PARADISE LOST - Icon · Metal Blade
This album shows even more of a move toward the mainstream, but the really
big surprise is how much I like it - a lot. Not only is Icon not a Death Metal
album, but it's not even really all that Doomy. Sort of in the style of CATHEDRAL's
The Ethereal Mirror, but not exactly. A good album for the open minded.
- 9.25 - <Ray> **MC8**
PARAGON - The Final Command · B.O.
This good slab of Speed/Thrash/Metal is certainly heavier than most of the
other retro stuff coming out these days, thanks in no small part I’m sure to
the perfect Harris Johns production. And for those who don’t like the usual
melodic vox that would be found with this kind of music, you may be able to
handle the somewhat lower range that Andreas normally uses. He gets a touch
gruff at times, too, in sort of the same way that Cronos usually sings, and
a few times, more raw yet. Good job on the WARRIOR cover ("Fighting for
the Earth"), too. This takes me back to maybe the days of the first HELLOWEEN
album (no coincidence, since Michael Weikath plays on one of these tracks)...
Ahh, the bad old days. Too bad they couldn’t afford a real Frazetta painting
for the cover and had to use that "homage" to the infamous "Death
Dealer." - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC12**
PARAGON - Revenge · Magick
It’s alarming. My life seems so redundant and plain compared to this Power Metal band’s lead singer’s. Here I am trying to get through this life, working a full time job, living on my own, trying to make ends meet and make time for loved ones. Struggling to be creative, with what free time I do have, to try and give this simple life some semblance of accomplishment. Seemingly content with a comfortable routine and the hope of a peaceful death. And here’s this guy, THE fucking Impaler! His mission is to hunt and to kill and to destroy the evil spawn of Lucifer! And he gets him! He pounds a stake through his heart and everything (I should’ve known Satan’s son to be a vampire). Ending the reign of despair, the whole nine yards. So all you evil spawns of Lucifer, watch the fuck out! This guy "tracks ya," and he "gets ya." Here I can’t even meet a decent woman. - 1 - <Jack>
PARALYSIS - Patrons of the Dark · Grindcore
CARCASS pull of the gore lyrics because of the brutality, technicality and
memorability of the music (or at least they did, back when they had gory lyrics,
and were brutal). CANNIBAL CORPSE, and others, can handle some pretty gory lyrics
because they are so extreme, musically and lyrically. PARALYSIS do not have
the technicality of CARCASS nor the extremity of CANNIBAL CORPSE. - 7.75 - <Ray>
**MC8**
PARAMAECIUM - Exhumed from the Earth · Witchhunt
These guys and MORTIFICATION are the first Christian bands I've been able
to endure. The amazing 17-minute opener sounds like early CATHEDRAL with an
operatic soprano thrown in. She compliments the band's gloomy violin/guitar
synth sounds in a way similar to AVERNUS and MY DYING BRIDE. These are long,
intricate compositions and the best parts are as good as the bands I just mentioned.
The idiotic philosophy behind the lyrics can be side-stepped by pretending that
the singer is talking about Cthulhu when he croaks, "Hheee is rrrriiisssssennnnn."
- 8.75 <J.J.> **MC9**
PARASITE - Your Blood, My Life · DEMO
Apparently, this is two songs from a full-length release. They’re pretty
standard new-style Thrash with some Death Metal influences. The vox are that
horrible MACHINEHEAD Rapped yell, and some of the riffs are just as bad. Some
are cool, though, which makes this sound a bit confused. I can only hope that
these guys will come to their senses and get rid of the trendy stuff. Somehow
I doubt it. - 5 - <Ray> **MC11**
PARASITE - Focused I Become · DEMO (CD)
Groovy "Death Thrash Hardcore." Not bad, really. - 7.75 - <Ray>
**MC11** - "Last Second Additions"
PARATYFUS - Hate Is what We Create · demo
A solid, self-financed full length CD here. The band bills themselves as Death Metal, and while I do hear traces of old MALEVOLENT CREATION and HYPOCRISY (thank Lucifer for evil-sounding guitar melodies), I must say I hear a much stronger Black Metal influence. For one, Draconis’ vocals sound dead up like Nattefrost from CARPATHIAN FOREST, and the music reeks of DESTROYER 666’s Punkish Blackened savagery. Call it whatever you want, it’s a symposium of twisted Metal riffage with guitar solos that sound freshly ripped right off of Show No Mercy’s wax. The only drawback is a slight touch of unintelligence here and there in the lyric department. But Jesus Christ, you can’t have everything! - 8.5 - <Jack>
www.paratyfus.com
PAROUSIA - Parousia · DEMO
A one man Death band. Maybe it’s due to the raw production, but I’m not
sure if a drum machine is used or not. It’s not a big deal, but Lael really
does a great job on all the instruments, & if he’s playing drums, too...
Well, even though they’re very simple, that’s impressive. The only real weakness
is the vox, which are not intense enough. But he can’t do everything. Which
leads us to another possible problem: The lyrics. Since I can generally understand
them, I noticed that they’re X-tian, and I don’t usually respond in a positive
way to that bullshit. If you can listen past the lyrics, this is very catchy
Death, and worthy of being heard. - 8 - <Ray> **MC11**
PARRICIDE - A Future of Suffering · DEMO (CD)
Except for some lead guitar work, everything on this CD (or tape) was written
and recorded by mastermind Bob Cardente. Generally speaking, one man bands tend
to suffer as it's pretty hard for one guy to be good enough at every instrument
necessary to really pull it off. Bob doesn't have that problem. He does use
a drum machine, but he is so good at programming it, that, except for maybe
3 or 4 parts on the whole disc, you'd never notice it's a machine, although
you might wonder when Pete Sandoval had time to fill in on the drums for this.
As for the music, Bob has assembled some very potent speedy Deathrash material.
His vocals are honestly unique. He sort of screeches, in a way not completely
unlike Chuck from DEATH, but he tends to sing pretty fast. I even like the lyrics.
- 9.5 - <Ray> **MC9**
PARRICIDE - Liberation · DEMO
Obviously this is not the same band as either the PARRICIDE from the USA
(see above review), or the one from Poland [see below]. After an ominous intro,
the Death blasts out fast and furious. Pretty standard material, but played
with a lot of energy, and the sound is great. I'd like it better if they had
a more unique sound (and name, I guess), but they certainly get the job done.
- 8.5 - <Ray> **MC9**
PARRICIDE - Fascination of Indifference · Baron
There sure are a lot of bands with this name. This one is from Poland, and
they play fairly standard Death Metal. The good news is that they rely on quality
riffs, rather than just Blast beats or trying to be as brutal as possible. Of
course they are pretty intense. - 8 - <Ray> **MC9**
PARRICIDE - Accustomed to Illusion · Morbid Noizz
Much like their previous album, Fascination of Indifference, this
is intense Death Metal, with just a touch of Thrash influence. Perhaps this
material is a bit more technical, but it’s also more memorable. - 8.25 - <Ray>
**MC11**
PARRICIDE - Crude · DEMO
You can always count on PARRICIDE to deliver intense Death Metal, but they’ve
really turned things up for this. As much as I liked their Accustomed to
Illusion album [see review above], this is better. Not that it’s really
all that different, just more perfected. I don’t mean in the playing, though.
They’re complete experts on their instruments, and have been for quite a long
time. I mean that these songs sound like they’ve been worked on over & over
until there are no traces of imperfection left at all. PARRICIDE were good before,
but this is nothing short of awesome. Hopefully their next full length release
will come soon. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC11**
PASSAFIST - Passafist · R.E.X.
First of all, I fucking hate cunts who make you pay extra to get a god damn
lyric sheet. The cost in this case is $2, plus a S.A.S.E. That's bullshit. And
the music is nearly as cool as their attitude. I think these guys listened to
MINISTRY about once, and based this album on that experience. Too bad they forgot
all the heavy parts. Ucky as shit. - 3.5 - <Ray> **MC8**
PASSENGER - Passenger · Century Media
According to the press release that arrived with this CD, one of the dorks in
TRANSPORT LEAGUE decided that he wanted to play music that had even more "noticeable
pop/rock influences." So he eventually got the guy from IN FLAMES to sing,
and PASSENGER was unfortunately not stillborn. I'm not wasting any more space
on this. It's time for Backyard Tron 2.0! - 3 - <Ray>
THE PATH OF RESISTANCE - Who Dares... Wins · Victory
This is the project band of the ultra straight edge EARTH CRISIS, and I
think that maybe the guys should concentrate on THE PATH. The excellent riffs
are surpassed only by the band's supreme tightness. I'm beginning to think that
every Hardcore band has an awesome bassist, but maybe I just hear the good stuff.
Anyway, there are three vocalists, and 2 of them are great, but the other guy
sounds like a little kid. And one last thing: why are all Hardcore albums so
fucking short? I was tempted to refer to this 29 minute release as an EP, but
since Victory only charges $11 for their "full length" CDs, which is what some
labels charge for an EP, I guess it's fair. - 9 - <Ray> **MC10**
THE PATH - Ethereality · DEMO
The strange intro gives way to equally unique music. The vocals are sometimes
almost spoken, and louder than the music, which is not only quiet but sometimes
really minimal. The level of musicianship is pretty high and the songs are interesting
and depressive. I would love to hear this band with a better production, as
that's about all they lack. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC9**
THE PATH - Nightbirds and the Blooming Moon · DEMO (CD)
The synths, the clean vocals, the un-heavy music. It’s not bad, and is in
fact very well done, but the extreme lack of intensity does not make this "emotional,"
actually just the opposite. - 7.5 - <Ray> **MC12**
PATHOLOGY STENCH - Gluttony · Immortal Souls
Well played & written Death Grind, but also pretty predictable. Not
that this is bad exactly. Their lyrics are interesting - not the gore that one
would expect from the extremity of the music. So I suppose that’s a plus. But
the songs don’t stick with me after the disc is over. - 8 - <Ray> **MC11**
PAW - Dragline · A&M
Really good production, but this is all so redundant. It sounds just like
all the other "Alternative" bands or what the fuck ever this swill is called.
If this was the first time I had ever heard anything like this, I might not
mind it, and I really don't hate it, but it does nothing for me at all. Sure,
occasionally I hear something that makes me take notice, but a bit here and
there is not enough. - 6.5 - <Ray> **MC8**
PAX MORTIS - Fear '92 · DEMO
This is by far the best 4-track recording I've ever heard. Vocally, Chris
varies his style from a Death growl to a harsh Thrash style and both work well
for him, although I find myself liking the Death style a bit more, as it fits
more tightly with the fast, complex music. Also present are occasional samples
and an eerie keyboard. Did I mention they have an epic length instrumental song
named after the mother of all demons? This is a must have. - 9.5 - <Ray>
**MC8**
PAX MORTIS - My Belief · DEMO
Again done on a 4-track, and the sound is just as good as their Fear
'92 demo. From the beginning of the Industrial intro, I knew this would
be a masterpiece, and it easily delivers. Chris sticks with the Death scream
here and the music is heavier, and yet more technical. Of course the songs are
also quite memorable and even the lyrics are cool. But I guess I'm a little
biased about this band. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC8**
PC69 - Electrified · Digital Dimension
This is the most lightweight Butt Rock crap I have ever heard try to pass
itself off as Metal. I just cannot believe that anyone would sign these jerkoffs,
much less that they’ve somehow survived (according to their press release) for
a decade. - 1 - <Ray> **MC12**
PEACE SANCTUARY - Defy the System · M.I.A.
You know, it really is true that you can't judge a book by its cover. From
all indications (like their band photo, lyrics, and CD art), these guys appear
to be trend-hopping, shit-eating PANTERA worshippers who should be killed on
sight. Musically they so much better than I expected, that I almost didn't write
the above, but then I looked at the photo on the CD booklet where one of the
guys is wearing a pot leaf shirt, yelling with his hands up in the air, and
another guy in the shot is praying. Anyway, if you're looking for some bland
(but not bad, really) Thrash, check these guys out - just do it with your eyes
closed, unless you need a good laugh. - 7.5 - <Ray> **MC10**
PEACH - Siesta · Caroline
I definitely like the very thick, bass heavy sound, but that's about all
I can find that I care for at all. I have no idea why anyone would want to sound
like PEARL JAM or who the fuck ever these geeks are trying to rip off, but I
guess they're tying to grab their fifteen minutes while they can. Horrid. -
3 - <Ray> **MC8**
PECCATUM - Oh, My Regrets EP · Candlelight
Extremely bad Goth Metal. This is laughable! I think Lord PZ has the absolute
worst clean vocals I have ever had the displeasure of hearing. Although there
are only 3 songs on this EP, it was the longest 20 minutes of my life listening
to this. Even die-hard Goth fans will most likely be put off by this mess. By
the way, the third track on this EP is a cover of the JUDAS PRIEST song "Blood
Red Skies." Yes, they butchered it completely! If they eliminated the vocals,
Oh, My Regrets might not be such a bad release because the music itself
is pretty interesting. Keyboards, cello, and violin are used with a respectable
level of competence. But, I just can't get past those vocals! - 2 - <Painkiller>
PECCATUM - Amor Fati · Candlelight
This album sucks really really bad. - 1 - <Jack>
PEGAZUS - Wings of Destiny · Nuclear Blast
As if the album title didn’t give it away, these guys would like to be the
reincarnation of early JUDAS PRIEST. With a little MANOWAR thrown in, too. This
is okay for this style, but I’ve heard better for, what 20 years? - 7.75 - <Ray>
**MC12**
PELICAN CROOK - Baptism by Fire · DEMO
As I have said before, it's always a bad idea to rhyme "fire," "higher,"
and "desire." So why people insist on doing so, especially in this type of Hard
Rock, is totally beyond me. The rest of the lyrics and vocals are just as banal
and annoying. Pat's loud basswork doesn't save this, but it helps a hell of
a lot. This desperately needed to be a totally instrumental demo. - 4 - <Ray>
**MC8**
AXEL RUDI PELL - The Ballads · SPV / Steamhammer
Listening to The Ballads, I keep thinking about that Hefty trash-bag
commercial "...whimpy, whimpy, whimpy" or the Kraft dinner commercial
"...it's the cheesiest!" This is slow, melodic Glam Metal aimed at
swelling the hearts of teenage girls world-wide. This will fit quit nicely into
your CD collection if it includes bands like POISON and EUROPE. Laughable! -
2 - <Painkiller>
AXEL RUDI PELL - Oceans of Time · SPV / Steamhammer
This is a much-improved and more mature release than The Ballads. Oceans
of Time finds AXEL venturing into Power Metal territory. Although still
pretty melodic this release has some aggression and energy that was nowhere
to be found on The Ballads. Songs like "Pay the Price" and
"Holy Creatures" have that galloping pace that is the trade-mark of
the German Power Metal sound. The majority of the album, however, leans toward
a more melodic sound bringing to mind the style of ANGEL DUST. Something that
impresses me about this release is that, even though AXEL is a virtuoso guitar-player,
he never gets carried away with his solos. I can think of a few musicians who
could learn a thing or two about restraint from AXEL. The songs show creativity
and strong musicianship, and they are well-written. One complaint I have about
this album is the duration of the songs. Most of them are better than six minutes
long, but "The Gates of the Seven Seals" surpasses the ten-minute
mark. If they could just be trimmed down a little I think the songs would be
much stronger. Although this material is not at the same level as that of HELLOWEEN
or BLIND GUARDIAN it's still solid Power Metal. - 8 - <Painkiller>
AXEL RUDI PELL - The Masquerade Ball · SPV / Steamhammer
This was a major disappointment for me. AXEL had showed such an improvement
between the The Ballads and Oceans of Time that I was expecting
another impressive display of melodic Power Metal. It was not to be. Gone is
the style and maturity that made Oceans of Time such a great album. AXEL
has returned to the cheesy Glam Metal formula that reared its ugly head on The
Ballads. The Masquerade Ball is pretty much just as bad. Stay away
from this dud. - 3 - <Painkiller>
PENANCE - Parallel Corners · Century Media
Old riffs and solos, but at least good production backing them up. The mix
is weird. The drums are pretty low, but probably there. I think I hear cymbals
and occasional rolls. Oh wait, the drums are there, it's just that not much
is going on with them. The sort of pissed off melodic vocals are marginal. Not
really bad, but it could be better. Nice bass playing, though. - 7.5 - <Ray>
**MC9**
PENDULUM - Skull Fuck 7" & Atrocity Sin · DEMO
This is the first release from the San Antonio sickos. This is before their
shift to "Hypercore" and seems experimental. On to the chase: Side one, cut
one: "Chamber of Souls" instrumental reminiscent of a late 50's horror flick.
The second song is like a heavy SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. The lyrics remind me of
RIGOR MORTIS' "Bodily Dismemberment." It is aptly named "Skull Fuck." On the
other side we have "Kindred Spirit" which begins with more eerie slow stuff
before it starts to pound. "Demented Assassins" is the last song. The drums
show an IRON MAIDEN influence. Overall, I think this one is decent and will
grow on you.
This demo, Atrocity Sin, isn't quite as fast as I expected "Hypercore"
to be. Don't get me wrong, they're pretty swift. The musicianship is excellent.
Bubba Whitehead and Jeff Riley are two extremely skilled 6-stringers. The lyrics,
however, are my favorite part. When their bio-sheet claimed their big influence
was the "harsh reality of life," I said, "List MOTORHEAD too, you unoriginal
butt-clogs." But- I erred. Their lyrics emit nefarious hatred. Not many bands
write 'em like these. (Skull Fuck) - 7.75 - (Atrocity Sin) - 8.25
- <Lar> **MC5**
PENETRALIA - Carpe Noctem... · Last Episode
I assume that they think the lack of speed and reliance on keyboards will
increase the "majesty" and Gothic-appeal of the music. Maybe, but
the Black Metal cackles seem out of place in front of the Death Rock arrangements.
Well, except for the drums, which sometimes seem to want to rip out of this
mode and just blaze away IMMORTAL-style, but never really get to. - 7.75 - <Ray>
**MC12**
PENTACLE - ...Rides the Moonstorm · Damnation
Well, for once a good intro! This time a short bit from the infamous Tom
G. Warrior (before he started wearing his girlfriend’s pink makeup and those
torn up L.A. GUNS shirts). And then the music starts. I like it quite a bit,
but this sounds like UNLEASHED playing CELTIC FROST covers. Ahh, what the fuck,
it’s okay with me. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC12**
PENTAGORIA - ...And the Sky Bled Gore · Five Pillar
Good old fashioned brutal Death Metal! And if the song titles are any indication
as to the lyrical content (sadly, I have no lyric sheet), this is sickly pornographic,
which is as things should be. As much as I like this, I must admit that occasionally
things do get a bit too repetitive, and I think that more concise songs (i.e.,
shorter) would go a long way towards making this more consistently intense,
and thus closer to perfection. - 8 - <Ray>
PENTAGRAM - Be Forewarned · Peaceville / Fierce
If the guitar sound were meatier, the music would be as heavy as they so
clearly want to it be. In an early SABBATH sort of way. A lot of people worship
these guys, but I just don't get it. The vocals put me off immediately. They
sound like a ball-less Ozzy imitator, but with no emotion, conviction, or energy.
Dump Bobby and the fuzzy distortion, and do an all instrumental album using
big scary guitar amps. - 7 - <Ray> **MC9**
PEOPLE - People EP · Relapse
The first song had ten thousand styles, from Grind to who knows what, all
over the place. The others are only slightly more conventional. It seems like
there must be a John Zorn influence here, but I think that they're trying too
hard to be weird. Upped a little for at least trying something "different."
- 7.75 - <Ray> **MC9**
PERDITOR - In Signo Suo · Ordealis
Noisy, sloppy, cheap Black Metal with a shitty vocalist. Some people just need
to be in a band I guess. - 2 - <Jack>
PERPETUA - Irrational · Pavement
Maybe it's the lightly distorted vocals, or the either Groovy or start-stop
riffs, or the productions, but this just reminds me too much of MACHINE HEAD.
Well, that's not fair to PERPETUA - they are clearly the better band, and incorporate
some heavier elements, and the occasional screechy vocal - but I'm just not
really too interested in this style. - 7 - <Ray> **MC10**
PERPETUAL - Tales of Time · DEMO
The piercing, eerie keyboard intro gives way to some truly deadly Black
Metal. The production is very clear, and somewhat emphasizes the high end, which
seems to fit this time, although I generally prefer a more "warm"
sounding recording. The band has also incorporated a bit of Death Metal into
their riffs, and are not afraid to vary their speed. The diabolic keyboards
haunt the entire demo. But the real prize is the cackle of these tormented vocals.
Pure evil from first second to last. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC11**
PERPETUAL - Ad Perpetuam... · Thrash Corner
What do you get when you cross DISSECTION with CRADLE OF FILTH? If you did
manage to pull off such a thing, the resulting band would sound quite a bit
like this. The DISSECTION influence comes out the most in the guitar work, while
the other parts (particularly the keyboards and vocal arrangements) can be traced
to CRADLE OF FILTH, but at the same time, there are a few of the band’s own
ideas thrown in as well. The parts that really stand out are the instrumentals.
While PERPETUAL doesn’t suck when Endel (the singer) opens his mouth, the tracks
that are wholly instrumental are more interesting and possess more of an identity
than the others. A variety of different vocal styles are present on this, ranging
from the standard Black Metal shriek to spoken word passages as well as female
vocals. PERPETUAL is one of the few bands out there that has intelligent lyrics.
They aren’t the best as far as grammar is concerned, but the ideas are better
than your average "Fuck Jesus in the ass, spit on the cross, deface the
Nazarene" shit. The production is well balanced, with no instrument dominating
and the songs are good too. I liked it, but for whatever reason, didn’t love
it. - 8.5 - <Ychoril> **MC12**
PERVERSERAPH - Namtaru · World War III
At a time when many of the bands in Europe are going for the keyboard-saturated
Gothic/Industrial/Techno sound, there are bands emerging in the American Black
Metal scene that are intent on maintaining the ideology for which this genre
was created - chaos, destruction, and death! PERVERSERAPH is such a band, possessing
a War/Black Metal sound similar to that of legends like DESTROYER 666 and BESTIAL
WARLUST. Launching an aural-assault that is raw, brutal and merciless, Namtaru
capably crushes the belief that American Black Metal is inferior to that
of the Europeans. An air of seething hatred and unquenchable bloodlust permeates
this release. It's primal yet appropriately produced. In other words, it doesn't
sound like it was recorded in somebody's basement! PERVERSERAPH has been terrorizing
the underground since 1997 and hopefully will continue to do so for a good many
years to come. - 9.25 - <Painkiller>
PESSIMIST - Cult of the Initiated · Lost Disciple
These guys draw upon the power of the Nonagram! Projecting dark force from
the furthest depths of Hell’s many sulfuric planes, or maybe they’re just pissed
off and like sacred geometry. I personally feel a group of individuals striking
certain frequencies in unholy unison, dissolving their egos and flesh, creating
a vibration to geometric vessels can actually open portals to other chaotic
dimensions and possibly infect divine madness and I was impressed with this
album debut. Solid Death with a spectrum of vox shared between guitarist and
vocalist varying from screeching and low growly vocals to more grunted and spoken
word at one point. But I think some refinement is in order. Perhaps not so much
concentration on variation and more on making the riffs & vox as brutal
as they could be. I’m interested to hear their next release. Impressive, but
I don’t think they’ve opened any portals yet. - 8.25 - <Bob> **MC11**
PEST - Towards the Bestial Armageddon 7" · Fudgeworthy
Only two tracks of Thrashy Black Metal, but both are plenty demonic and
this is pressed on piss-yellow (referred to as "gold" on their flyers)
vinyl, which is cool, too. As an added bonus, the sleeve has the lyrics and
you even get a sticker. I like that kind of stuff. I’m anxiously awaiting a
full length disc from these goat fuckers. - 9 - <Ray> **MC12**
PEST - Blasphemy is My Throne · Bloodstone
Not sure which PEST this is, as there are currently 27 bands with the moniker, but I can tell you they’re from Sweden. I can also tell you that their only aspiration is to be a full-fledged DARK THRONE clone. Seriously folks, if you were listening to Under a Funeral Moon on shuffle, and any one of these tracks were randomly inserted, Fenriz himself probably wouldn’t catch it. But you know what? I’m okay with that. DARK THRONE’s an awesome band, and if all you want is to emulate them, go for it. So what if some dorky music critic who hasn’t been laid since the Clinton administration calls you a rip-off from behind his computer, you probably weren’t going to make millions playing Black Metal anyway. I get the sense from this recording that these hellraisers are having a good time wearing their inspiration on their sleeves, and they do it well, so where’s the harm? This special edition CD rerelease of the mini-LP of the same name contains two bonus tracks from an old demo and is limited to 500 copies, so if you’re in the mood to relive that old "necro" feeling, you’d better act fast. - 8.75 - <Jack>
PESTILENCE - Testimony of the Ancients · R/C
This is the first PESTILENCE album since Martin VanDrunen left to join ASPHYX.
Patrick Mameli has gone back to doing both vocals and guitar (he sang on an
early demo). Tony Choy from CYNIC (and ATHEIST), has lent his considerable bass
talents to this LP. This album is very impressive, much better than I thought
it would be without Martin. Patrick's vocals are somewhat similar to Chuck's
from DEATH, but not as refined. Tony's bass work is superior to Martin's and
he wrote the very short ,yet extremely impressive, "Soulless" that appears on
this LP. My only compliant is that Patrick says "Fuck off" to all Industrial
bands (because he says it's not "real music"), yet many of the bridging sequences
between the songs (there is a different one between each tune), such as "Blood,"
sound very Industrial. I guess everybody has to be pissed about something. -
9 - <Ray> **MC6**
PESTILENCE - Spheres · Roadrunner
This is obviously not as brutal as Consuming Impulse, and is even
more experimental than the last one, Testimony of the Ancients. There
are weird keyboard-like synth guitar parts, and other freaky stuff, but they
manage to pull it off. The drums add a lot for me, as there is still quite a
bit of double bass activity. Technically impressive, and still very listenable.
- 9 - <Ray> **MC8**
PETE - Pete · Warner Bros.
I geuss it's kind of neat that a huge label like Warner Brothers sent me something
to review, but was this the best they could do? Did they think an Underground
Metal zine would like this uber-mainstream slop? I shouldn't be surprised that
this is terrible "Hard" Pop, or whatever, but I was hoping that it
wouldn't suck. It does. Completely. - 1 - <Ray>
PHANTASM - The Abominable · DEMO
Very cleanly produced Death. Memorable, too. While these guys are not afraid
to speed up, usually they stay away from those kinds of extremes, and thanks
to the production, this doesn't have a terribly "thick" sound. Oh yeah, they
also cover "For Your Love." These things combine to create a pretty unique style
for this band. Very interesting and very cool. I'm glad to hear that these guys
are willing to break away from the stylistic norm. - 9 - <Ray> **MC8**
PHANTASM - The Abominable · Monsterdisc
Well, after the funny intro, this gets pretty good. Nice, clear production
compliments the well-thought-out (and long, this CD is about as long as one
can be) songs. Musically, I'd probably say Thrash, but the vocals are, for the
most part, more Death-like, although they aren't afraid of using some Black
Metalish screams, or simple yells, all of which are pretty effective. - 9 -
<Ray> **MC9**
PHANTASM - Gut Suckers / Sewed Back to Life 7" · Monsterdisc
Well, I've reviewed these two songs on their demo and album already, and
it's been the exact same recording every time, so I don't know what else to
say about them. PHANTASM play a kind of deadly Thrash, but with more Death-like
vocals. The sound is great, the disc is green, and I like these songs, but I
would have liked them better had they been new tracks. - 8 - <Ray> **MC9**
PHLEBOTOMIZED - Immense Intense Suspense · Cyber Music
I really like the idea of using some other instruments besides bass, guitar,
and drums, when making extreme music. This band manages to add some violins
and keyboards, and still keep things on the Death Metal side of, well, Doom,
I guess. Although they can speed up quite a bit when they feel like it. Pretty
stunning. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC9**
PHOBIA - All That Remains 7" · Relapse
These guys can Grind when they want, but don't use it all the time. Mostly
they concentrate on memorable riffs, which dig into your brain and stay there.
Very heavy and even memorable. Hard combination to beat, especially when the
Grind element is also present. Impressive. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC8**
PHOBOPHOBIA - Phobophobia · DEMO
The combination of samples and a drum machine force this to sound pretty
Industrial, but this is probably more experimental than that label might imply,
and certainly more guitar oriented. Very interesting, and actually sort of haunting,
especially "Swallow Your Soul." This is a very unique sound, and that's always
a risk, but this risk paid out. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC8**
PHYSICAL ATTRACTION - The Fool Lead the Blind · Progress
The sample at the very beginning of the disc kinda unnerved me, but it was
a joke, sort of. The music is pretty speedy and the vocals are early Thrash
style, which is to say screamed. Nothing new, really, but I liked it just the
same. Interesting screams and groans after about five minutes of silence finish
the disc. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC9**
PIK - The Heritage of Past Gods · Mighty
The music is heavy, sometimes crushing, Doom. The production is thick and
combined with the deadly riffs could suffocate the listener. Until you hear
the vocals. And it’s not exactly that they’re bad. This dude’s a good singer,
I guess, but his vocals lie somewhere in between KISS and SOUNDGARDEN, and the
music is simply so much heavier that they seem out of place. A little more aggression
(or maybe depression) in the vocals would go pretty far towards making this
good album unstoppable. - 8 - <Ray> **MC12**
PILEDRIVER - Metal Inquisition / Stay Ugly · Full Moon
My ancient tapes of these 2 Thrash masterpieces have long since worn out,
but thanks to the cool guys at Full Moon, this unholy Metal has returned with
a vengeance. Let’s see more classics reissued! - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC11**
- "Last Second Additions"
PIRANAH - Peeping Through... · Waxing
Good players, terrible "Alternative Metal" riffs, pathetic singer.
- 2 - <Ray> **MC11** - "Last Second Additions"
PIRANHA - Promo Tape · DEMO
After the instrumental, "Antigone's Eyes," PIRANHA cut loose with their
aggressive Thrashy Death, reminding me a bit of DESULTORY's Into Eternity,
but with more extensive use of keyboards. Even though this is complex material,
it's extremely catchy, thanks in part to the production and the band's flawless
playing. This was the first time I'd heard these guys, and with only two songs,
it's over all too quickly. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC10**
PISS FACTORY - Piss Factory · Relativity
In 1974, PATTI SMITH put out an indie single called "Piss Factory," about
going nowhere, swigging cough syrup and getting her head dunked in a toilet,
only to transcend it all via rock & roll and mysticism. The woman who sings
for this band seems to want to be Patti and she ain't; the dudes all look like
RAGE AGAINST THE FAX MACHINE. The album's not all that horrible, but for defiling
the name, they should have all the piss from the streets and sewers of Calcutta
dumped on their fuckin' heads. - 6 - <J.J.> **MC8**
PISSING RAZORS - Pissing Razors · F.A.D.
The distorted vocals a cappella intro very nearly ruined this, but I’ll
admit that the rest isn’t completely bad. Things I don’t like: The "tough-guy"
vox that try entirely too hard to be "Hardcore," the wimpy "Alternative"
STONE TEMPLE PILOT wannabe vox, the start-stop "slammy" KORN riffs,
and the extreme repetition in both the lyrics & riffs. Things I do like:
The production, the drumming, some of the riffs (before they get played maybe
128 times in a row), and the energy (when it’s not destroyed by the vox, lyrics,
bad riffs, and/or repetition of same ad nauseam). These guys honestly have a
couple salvageable ideas, but I’m sure they’ll fix that "problem"
before their next LP is forced on us. - 5 - <Ray> **MC11**
PISSING RAZORS - Cast Down the Plague · Noise
New Wave Of Homosexual So-Called Power Metal. - 1 - <Ray> **MC12**
PISSING RAZORS - Fields of Disbelief · Noise
"Nu-Metal." - 1 - <Ray>
PISSING RAZORS - Evolution · Spitfire
So, what exactly did Spitfire see in stupid lyrics, gay Nu-Metal derivitive
of all other gay Nu-Metal bands, and clean vocals gayer than Rob Halford's bike
seat? Someone please tell me. - 1 - <Jack>
PITCHSHIFTER - Industrial · Deaf / Peaceville
This is something like a heavier GODFLESH that is easier to get into. Industrial/
Death Metal, I guess. And like GODFLESH, PITCHSHIFTER also use a drum machine.
You can tell, but I don't think it detracts at all. The lyrics are printed on
the back of the CD case for all to see. The songs: "Landfill," "New Flesh" &
"Eye"; repeat their minimal lyrics often, in the Industrial fashion. The other
songs have more extensive lyrics and so they sound more like traditional Death
Metal. Industrial is really heavy and the vocals are always brutal. This
should appeal to any open minded Death/ Grind/ Industrial fan. - 8.75 - <Ray>
**MC6**
PITCHSHIFTER - Submit EP · Relativity/ Earache
I put this disc in my CD player and the first thing I noticed about it was
that it's almost an hour long. Fuck, I thought, that's a really long EP! OK,
I was fooled. The last song, "Tendril," is over 35 minutes long, but most of
it is complete silence. A couple of minutes of song, then silence for a few
minutes, then a minute of song, then more silence -you get the idea. This is
a very Industrial EP, with an obvious list toward Death Metal. Much like their
debut album. Upped some for being able to surprise me and some more for having
the balls to go through with it. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC7**
PITCHSHIFTER - Desensitized · Earache
Still just as Industrial as ever, even with the addition of a human drummer.
Although the vocals continue to be more easily understood, I still like 'em.
But this album, like their Submit EP, really doesn't move me the way
Industrial did, and still does. Still, it's pretty good. - 8.5 - <Ray>
**MC8**
PITCHSHIFTER - The Remix War · Earache
There are three "mixes" of the song "Triad," so I hope you like that one.
And two of "Diable," along with only 2 other songs. Why didn't each remixer
pick a different track? Do I want to hear 3 different versions of "Triad"? Not
really. And why not have Industrial bands do the remixes, instead of BIOHAZARD,
THERAPY and GUNSHOT (well, I've never heard these guys, but if they're 100 times
more Industrial than BIOHAZARD, then they are still 0% Industrial)? PITCHSHIFTER's
first album, Industrial, was excellent, but they have all gone downhill
from then on. This seems a big step in the wrong direction. - 6.75 - <Ray>
**MC9**
PITCHSHIFTER - Infotainment · Earache
Unlike most albums that get better with repeated listens, the more and more
I listen to this I see it as more of a bad thing. Not that I'm totally going
to change my opinion of them, it's just that this doesn't really come close
to past efforts and this style of Industrio-Power Metal seems a bit worn out.
Still, a lot of the riffs and samples are very respectable, and quite a lot
of this stuff is still memorable. They pull a lot of stuff out of their assholes
to make this one salvageable, and while it indeed is, I predict a high reading
of queerocity for their next record. - 7 - <Jack> **MC10**
PITCHSHIFTER - Un-United Kingdom · Alternative Tentacles
Three songs of electro-varnished Pop Rock with a pulse, with a remix of the
first track. Sub Punk at times, with layers from the electro realm, manipulations,
and break and jungle beats. At least they're not mope-ish, damn it. - 5 - <Bob>
THE PLAGUE - Games for the Insane · DEMO
This is a really good piece of work. The PLAGUE are a talented bunch of
guys. This demo has six songs of intense Thrashcore. The vocals of Troy Coates
are an added bonus. He sounds a little like a more controlled Zetro (EXODUS)
combined with a bit of Hardcore yell. Musically the PLAGUE are impressive. This
demo has a black, white and green cover, lyrics and a thanks list. Don't miss
out on this great Chicago Thrashcore. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC5**
PLANET HATE - Mother Are You Mad? · Energy
My first thought about this group, is that they need some help with their
lyrics, which range from passable to shit. Their music is much better, and is
somewhere in the ballpark of Hardcore. - 7.5 - <Ray> **MC9**
PLASMA POOL - Demo Tape ‘97 · DEMO
This 3-song demo includes some basic heavy guitar riffs, a few movie dialogue
samples, some pretty simple but cool keyboarding techniques and slightly out
of tune but still kinda eerie vocals that seem to fit the music. Overall, not
a bad piece of work. I would be curious to see what these guys would sound like
with better production. - 7.75 - <ANG> **MC11**
PLUTOCRACY - Snitch · DEMO
Very heavy, very raw, and when they want to be, very fast Hardcore Grind.
This doesn't have the best sound quality I've ever heard, but these songs will
fucking kill you. Period. - 9 - <Ray> **MC8**
PLUTOCRACY / PHOBIA - Split · Misanthropic
Both side are live, but in each case, the sound is pretty good. PLUTOCRACY
manage to vary their tempos a little, but mostly stay at full Blast. They also
borrow EXODUS' intro to "Piranha" for their track "Chicken," so that gets them
a little boost. PHOBIA are slower, and certainly more Death, but still very
fast, and sometimes get some weird screeches and gurgles thrown into the regularly
brutal vocals. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC9**
PLUTONIUM - Wind of Change · demo
First off, stupid band name, even dumber album title. What, are you guys big SCORPIONS fans? Second up, I've said it time and time again, drum programming is the most underrated skill in the world of Metal today. Just ask PLUTONIUM, who were apparently not up to the challenge. This demo/CDR is proof that piss-poor programming can completely ruin everything. These Swedes do play a fairly decent Thrashy style of Death Metal, with the strong melodic and rhythmic sensibilities that fertile Scandinavian soil has become known for. But the drum machine is fucking clown shoes. It destroys this single-handedly. - 5.75 - <Jack>
plutonium_platoon@hotmail.com
POETS OF THE PLAGUE - Plagued · DEMO
Traditional Metal meets Doom & Death, with great lyrics. - 9 - <ANG>
**MC11** - "Last Second Additions"
POETS OF THE PLAGUE - Poets of the Plague · DEMO (CD)
The POETS’ Death Metal covers the range from fast to slow, which doesn’t
exactly mean from Thrash to Doom. A few of the songs on here fit together to
tell a larger story, so there are a couple spoken word parts to bring the proceedings
to a standstill. But other than that, I’m all for it, and this can occasionally
really be great. Just not always. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC12**
POGROM - Diarium · DEMO
I’ve heard a lot of retro bands recently. Bands that sound like JUDAS PRIEST,
or IRON MAIDEN. Or retro Thrash bands that want to be like early KREATOR, ONSLAUGHT,
or DESTRUCTION. But POGROM give me something I thought I’d not hear from a new
band. They also play a kind of retro Thrash, but it’s more like OVERKILL or
maybe FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, with vox to match. And it’s not exactly right to refer
to this band as "they," since as far as I can tell, it consists on
one guy, Jason Green. And as cool as this is, it isn’t flawless. In a few places,
the drum machine becomes obvious - although 95% of the time you’d never notice
that the drums are programmed. There are also a few seconds here & there
throughout this hour that seem to not live up to the rest. And that’s it. The
production is great. The vox might take a little getting used to if you’ve never
heard any Metal album recorded before 1990, but I think they’re cool, and the
only kind that make sense for this style. Plus the booklet is an interesting
read, and with it’s silver background and embossing, even looks bad ass. God
damn, this will have to be the best $6 you’ve ever spent, or you just don’t
like Metal! - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC11**
POINT OF VIEW SECONDHAND - Fraction of Faith · Diehard
These guys are more in the Alternative vein of the mid to late ‘80s. Similar
to THE CURE, only with more guitar heaviness in some parts and keyboards similar
to MY DYING BRIDE in others. The singer doesn’t show a whole lot of diversity,
and sings everything in the same somberly manner. But, they still possess strong
talent as musicians. - 7 - <ANG> **MC11**
POISON IDEA - Blank Blackout Vacant · Taang!
I know this band has been around for awhile, but this was the first time
I'd ever heard them. I was missing out on some seriously cool stuff! Hardcore
Punk with occasional horns, and other traditionally non-Punk instruments. An
odd experiment, yet they pull it off. The energy alone carries this album, but
there is a lot more than just energy here. Check this out! Favorite song: "Crippled
Angel." - 9 - <Ray> **MC7**
POLTERGEIST - Behind My Mask · Century Media
This is the second album by this Swiss heavy Thrash band. I've not had the
pleasure of hearing their first LP, but I don't think it could be much better
than this. The vocalist, Andre, is the same guy that sang for DESTRUCTION on
their excellent Cracked Brain LP, and he does an equally good job here.
But remember, he really sings, but his vocals, although melodic, are powerful.
The other plus here is the superb guitar work of V.O. I think anyone would have
to appreciate this man's skill. Of course the drummer, Alex, and the bassist,
Marek, are both very capable musicians in their own right. This combination
produces some of the best Thrash around today. - 9 - <Ray> **MC6**
POSSESSED - 1991 Demo · DEMO
Yes, POSSESSED has returned! And for the full story of their return, see
their interview in this issue. The music is awesome. Heavy, technical, and fast.
I think it's even a bit brutal, after a fashion. The vocals are, well, not as
godly as Jeff's (if you don't know who I mean by Jeff, please die). But you
can't expect Mike to live up to that standard. Unfortunately, Mike's vox sound
like some sort of MINISTRY-like distortion was used. Uhh, go all natural, dude!
This is hardly a major problem, but what is a problem is the fact that there
are only two songs. I need more POSSESSED! But soon they will be signed again,
and an album can't be far away. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC7**
POSSESSION - Beyond the Grave cassette single · Disciples of
the Possession
Here we have one track from the band's Eternally Haunt CD, which
I'm sure must be out by now. Anyway, this is pretty intense Deathrash, with
harshly screamed vocals, which sometimes cross over into the Death realm, while
others sounding more like the high-pitched Thrash screeches of days gone by.
It's hard to tell what a band is about in only one song, but I can hardly wait
to hear the full length CD. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC9**
POSSESSION - Eternally Haunt · Metal Merchant
I have been informed by the band that this was actually not released through
Metal Merchant, and is actually a completely independent release. Of course,
the label says otherwise.
Now, with that out of the way, I'd like to discuss the music. It's difficult
to describe, as the band strives for a unique identity, but there are elements
of Thrash and Death Metal, and some experimentation as to how they are combined,
but it's excellent. The level of technical ability is sometimes staggering,
and almost begs a comparison to MERCYFUL FATE. I know Nyk takes some crap (from
fucking beat-offs only) about his vocals, but in my opinion his range is amazing:
he effortlessly goes from a clean high-pitched wail to Death growls, to tortured
Black screeches, and has a "normal" singing voice that is clean but low. He
also occasionally double-tracks his vocals, and the combination of the clean
high voice and the lowest Death grumble is truly something to hear. And for
as technical and complex as the songs are, they are so well written that they
are memorable and heavy in spite of themselves. POSSESSION really deserve a
big hand for not only putting out an excellent album, but also for having the
sac to take some chances, and the skill to make those risks pay off.
Two seconds before this issue went to the printer I received a 3 song 3" CD
from the band, called Scourge and Fire, but I was completely out of room
in the demo review section, so here's the review: I think this comes free with
the Eternally Haunt CD, but I'm sure you can get it by itself. The songs
are of the same high quality as those on the album, but you get the bonus of
the cool 3" format, and the last, unnamed track is a (slightly faster) cover
of KING DIAMOND's "Shrine." I also think that the only place to get the full-length
and the EP is from the band, and not Metal Merchant, but I could be wrong. -
9.75 - <Ray> **MC10**
POSSUM DIXON - Possum Dixon · Interscope
Every now and then, I think these guys could be geniuses. Then they do something
to utterly prove me wrong. Some of this is great, but a lot of it is just crap.
At least it's weird. - 6.75 - <Ray> **MC8**
POST MORTEM - Destined for Failure · Ever Rat / Red Light
For a few seconds, here and there, during this album, I thought I would
be unable to sum this up in only one sentence, but I can: The title says it
all. - 4 - <Ray> **MC8**
POSTMORTEM - Repulsion · Morbid / Pavement
Well, their kind of Hardcory Death Metal isn’t really my cup of tea, but
I feel a certain respect for a band that hasn’t turned Norsecore and sticks
to their Death / Thrash roots. It still contains a lot more (and above all,
honest) Metal spirit than a lot of these Neo-Thrash acts that seem to pop up
everywhere these days. POSTMORTEM don’t make me go nuts yet, but I prefer this
over a lot of other acts I’m reviewing here. - 7 - <Opyros> **MC12**
POTENTIAL THREAT SF · demo
This sucks so fucking bad I have no earthly idea how to describe it. How do
I relay the overwhelming gayness of this pathetic band to print? It’s hard to
say what they’re trying to do because not even they know. One thing’s for sure,
there is definitely no threat here. The vocalist sounds like Chuck Billy and
James Hetfield diking out during the most embarrassingly commercial-friendly
phases of their collective careers, and the music is heavy Nu-Metal/Thrash/Radio
Rock that is sloppily played to boot. There, I tried. If the review doesn’t
make sense it’s because the CD doesn’t either. If you think you could do better,
contact the band and ask for a copy. I’m sure there are plenty left.
- 1 - <Jack>
www.potentialthreatsf.com
POUND HOUND - Massive Grooves... · Metal Blade
It’s not surprising that this sounds like a super bass heavy version of
KING’S X, since KING’S X bassist / singer Doug Pinnick is the mastermind behind
this. Fans of KING’S X, or heavy stoner Groove will probably love this. I’m
sure it’s great for what it is, but I’m just not all that into it. - 7.75 -
<Ray> **MC12**
POWERDRIVE - Spells · Topheth
Flawlessly combining melodic Death with some Black Metal, POWERDRIVE have
created an interesting and unique sound for themselves. Their riffs are easy
to remember, yet don’t sound familiar, and are played with intensity, and layered
with keyboards and (sometimes) acoustic guitars, which makes this a very compelling
release. But it’s the vocals that really put it over the top: Like the music,
they’re a perfectly executed combination of Death and Black Metal. POWERDRIVE
somehow even manage to make a PET SHOP BOYS cover ("It’s a Sin") utterly
kick ass, and with a song called "Cunt" this masterpiece only misses
perfection for lack of a lyric sheet. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC11**
POWERDRIVE - Split Singles EP · Topheth
As with their nearly flawless Spells release, this is an excellent
combination of Death, Thrash, and Black Metal, with more emphasis on instrumental
Thrash this time around. I can only assume that this cassette compiles tracks
from two of the band’s singles (from 1993 and 1994, I believe). Whatever the
case, everything is very well played and written, and, once again, close to
perfection. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC12**
POWERSURGE - Powersurge · RoadRacer
Now this is an interesting tape. It was recorded at Morrisound in Florida,
but, no, it's not a Death Metal album. Sometimes I'm not sure it's even Thrash.
The song "Tear up the Pavement" is an arena anthem, pure and simple, and I could
easily envision MOTLEY CRUE attaining this modest level of hardness. However,
the production is excellent, there is a lot of double bass (not as much as DEICIDE,
but still a lot), and the rest of the songs are much better. In fact, the remainder
of this LP sounds a hell of a lot like older HELLOWEEN. That is to say, Thrash
with smooth vocals. Nothing really outstanding or original here and at least
one really bad song. - 7 - <Ray> **MC6**
POWERTRAIN - Powertrain · DEMO
I really hate the vox. They’re distorted, and delivered with a Rap-like
beat. The guitar work might have some potential, but the drums are just a continuous
loop. - 4- <ANG> **MC11**
PRAPARATION-H / WADGE - Split · label unknown
PRAP-H rip through six tracks of fucking intense Grind, with inhuman, screechy
vocals, plus add in a little Elvis to start and a Darth Vader sample towards
the end. Somehow WADGE are even more fierce; absolutely relentless in their
Grind assault, with both guttural and screamed vocals. This is an utterly monstrous
release. - 9 - <Ray> **MC10**
PRAXIS - Kb CBETY Towards the Light · DEMO
Very serious lyrics team up with well produced Death Metal. The problem
here is that the songs are, while cool sounding, not terribly memorable. And
the vocals are a total blur (keep in mind that this reviewer can easily understand
Chris Barnes' vox, so you get the point, right?). The lyrics are included, though,
so at least you can read them. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC8**
PREJUDICE - Dominion of Chaos · demo
This Belgian outfit play fairly decent brutal Death Metal with obvious influences, mostly in the realm of SUFFOCATION. What kills this are the extremely raw, gruff vocals unleashed upon the music without a pattern in sight. It makes an otherwise extravagant display of technical skill and physical endurance really tough to sit through. With a better vocal attack and improved production overall, the sky is the limit for these Death fiends. - 7.75 - <Jack>
www.prejudice.be
PREMONITION - He Is Rising · Promotion
Why does this vocalist insist on singing through his nose? If you can’t
sing, don’t! To bad this clear production was wasted on a band that can’t play
songs in more than one key, change tempo in a song where it seems fit so you
won’t fall asleep, and has a vocalist who clearly has a double deviated septum.
- 3 - <ANG> **MC11**
PREMONITIONS OF WAR - Left in Kowloon · Victory
Unlike the True Face of Panic EP, this was not a first-listen love affair
for me. This album is twice as fast, contains virtually no melody, and not a
breakdown to be found. Yes, I was ready to write this off as wanna-be DILLINGER
/ BOTCH slop and be done with it. Fortunately, I came to my senses and gave
it more time, and low and behold, void of all modern day Metalcore tricks of
the trade, Left in Kowloon has burrowed its way into my subconscious
through sheer brutality and fierce garbled roars alone. The only tracks I can
still do without are "Black Den" and "Cables Hum Overhead,"
two long, slow tracks oddly placed directly in the middle of the album, with
nothing to offer but repetitive drones of slop and noise. Other than that, this
album has enough destructive force and frantic energy to convert even my picky
ass. - 9 - <Jack>
PREPROPHECY - Season of Sorrows · DEMO
Very heavy and occasionally almost majestic. The vocals switch from a sorrow
filled whisper to the raw rattle of Death. They even manage to surprise me a
few times, but always in a good way. These guys also know how important it is
to make their songs memorable as well as brutal. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC9**
PREPROPHECY - Promo/Demo '95 · DEMO
This is more Doomy than their Season of Sorrows demo, mostly due
to the vocals, as they are more "emotional" this time; maybe something like
those on CEMETARY's Godless Beauty CD. PREPROPHECY have managed to make
their songs even more memorable, but (other than in the vocals) there is little
loss of intensity. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC10**
PRESTIGE - Prestige · DEMO
This demo has eleven tracks, and no, PRESTIGE is not a Hardcore band. They
are actually a Thrashcore band. Heavy Thrash. The music is fast and the vox
are somewhat raw, but understandable. I mean sure, they could have better production,
but the songs are really too good to bitch about production too much. I won't
go so far as to say that this is the best demo I've ever heard, but it's in
the top 10 or so. - 9 - <Ray> **MC5**
PRIDE - 3-Song Promotional Cassette · DEMO
This is interesting. I guess this is sorta Thrashy. It's pretty good, and
nothing is really missing, but Nick's vocal delivery (his style is kinda melodic)
seems to be lacking any kind of energy at all. That energy would help a lot.
- 8 - <Ray> **MC8**
PRIMAL FEAR - Primal Fear · Nuclear Blast
Except for a few sort of Techno/Industrial intros (which I could have done
without, but aren’t long enough to really make much difference), we’re treated
to what sounds like the bastard child of middle ‘80s JUDAS PRIEST and HELLOWEEN
- heavy on the PRIEST. So, while P.F. are not exactly breaking any new ground,
they do display a near-total mastery of their instruments and have an insane
amount of energy. If you like "Traditional" Metal, Primal Fear,
would be a wise investment. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC11**
PRIMAL FEAR - Jaws of Death · Nuclear Blast
Just like their self-title debut, this is an awesome slab of HELLOWEEN-style
Traditional Metal, which is hardly surprising, considering that the guy singing
used to be in GAMMA RAY. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC12**
PRIMAL FEAR - Nuclear Fire · Nuclear Blast
This sees the boys focusing like a laser on JUDAS PRIEST's Painkiller album.
In fact, the opening of this disc is so like that of (the song) "Painkiller,"
that for the initial minute or so, I thought the first song on here was a cover
of it, until the vocals started. Well, not that they're un-Halford-like in any
way, but the lyrics aren't the same. Okay, it might seem like I don't like this
album or band, but that's not true at all. They wear their influences on their
collective sleeve, sure, but they actually do a fairly awesome job of it. -
9 - <Ray>
PRIMAL FEAR - Devil’s Ground · Nuclear Blast
I gotta hand it to ‘em. PRIMAL QUEER are still at it. Determined as ever to appease all 13 of their fans’ insatiable desire for more, and to keep the Ass Metal winds forever blowing strong. They will keep the flames burning for generations to come. Speaking of flames, on a related Butt Rock note, Rob Halford recently admitted in an issue of Revolver that he has found Jesus [I can only hope that Halford was joking. -Editor]. Which means he has officially come out of the closet twice. - 1 - <Jack>
PRIME EVIL - 7" · Rage Records
I've heard this band described as "VENOM-like," and that's not entirely
incorrect. Like VENOM, PRIME EVIL play a speedy brand of very harsh and powerful
Thrash. Andy's vocals are deep and meaty, and work really well with both songs
(except for one scream). Some might consider PRIME EVIL a throwback to Thrashier
times, and yeah well fuck you. This is a heavy, brutal (in its way), and extremely
well recorded & produced 7". Give 'em a try and see what you think -I think
they kill. - 8.75 - <Ray> **MC7**
PRIMEVAL - Temptation · DEMO (CD)
Interesting Death Metal, and well played. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC11**
- "Last Second Additions"
PRIMEVAL - Scorn of Incubus · DEMO (CD)
These guys are very skilled at combining crushing heaviness with speed to
produce an interesting form of Death Metal, with super brutal vocals, that can
sound like fast, raw Black Metal at times, too. I just have an advance tape
of the actual CD, but the production is outstanding, which adds yet one more
weapon of mass destruction to PRIMEVAL’s arsenal. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC12**
PRIMIGENIUM - As Eternal As the Night EP · Wild Rags
The occasional slower parts are more interesting than the band's normal
high-speed abrasive Black Metal. Very aggressive, and raw, but not outstanding.
- 8.25 - <Ray> **MC10**
PRIMORDIAL - Journey’s End · Misanthropy
From the early ooze of music there arose a number of animals. Among those
was a little known beast called Death Metal. It had three offspring: the "Repetitive,"
the "Catchy," and the "Too Good To Be True." PRIMORDIAL
belongs to the last breed. With their cousins DEATH and CYNIC, PRIMORDIAL truly
understand their place in the hierarchy of the genre, and excel at musical genius.
- 9.75 - <Charon> **MC12**
PRIMORDIAL - Spirit the Earth Aflame · Hammerheart
I've always been curious about this Irish band. Any KATATONIA fan knows these
guys from the infamous split 10" they shared, which has eluded my ownership
to my dismay. While I found parts of 1995's Imrama tolerable, this is
just way too folkish. The vocals leave a lot to be desired as well. Just can't
get into it. Don't know what else to say. - 5.5 - <Jack>
PRIMUS - Pork Soda · Interscope
PRIMUS are certainly talented enough. Les' hyper bass-lines make my head
all swimmy. And of course, Larry used to be in POSSESSED (a long time ago),
so that's a plus for me, but I think he probably doesn't view it that way. OK,
this is weird. It's more psycho than their earlier stuff. Also, probably better.
I have never heard a PRIMUS album on which I liked all the songs, but this one
comes the closest. Also, if you pay attention to the lyrics, you may notice
a hidden depth- or I might be insane. Either way, I like it. - 9 - <Ray>
**MC8**
PRO-PAIN - Contents Under Pressure · Energy
PRO-PAIN's style of new-wave Hardcore is comparable to a less-Rap influenced
BIOHAZARD, a less-intense SICK OF IT ALL, and so on, which places them right
in the middle- of the road. So, while not repulsive, this is certainly nothing
too special or captivating. - 7.25 - <Ray> **MC10**
PRO-PAIN - Pro-Pain · Mayhem
Imagine only the hardest moments of BIOHAZARD with maybe a little SICK OF
IT ALL. I’m fairly impressed with this slab of catchy, Metalized Hardcore. -
8.25 - <Ray> **MC11**
PRO-PAIN - Act of God · Nuclear Blast
I wonder if PRO-PAIN have finally found a permanent home for their Metal
/ Hardcore Crossover at Nuclear Blast. They have certainly seen their share
of record companies. At any rate, this new album isn’t bad, and has a few really
good moments. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC12**
PRO-PAIN - Run for Cover · Spitfire
Who in the fuck gives enough of a shit about PRO-PAIN to shell out fifteen bucks
for their fucking cover album? Who? Has anyone ever even bought a regular PRO-PAIN
album? I've been in the scene for over a decade, been to thousands of shows,
corresponded with hundreds of different fans, I even work at a record store,
and I've yet to meet someone really into PRO-PAIN. You at home reading this
review, do you like PRO-PAIN? Do you know anyone who does? I didn't think so.
But, for the sake of someone who might pick this up on accident or perhaps receive
it as a gift by someone who didn't know better, the disc features covers of
DISCHARGE's "Never Again" (decent), CELTIC FROST's "Circle of the Tyrants" (original
choice, guys), OPERATION IVY's "The Crowd" (weird, but cool), SEPULTURA's "Refuse/Resist"
(not bad), MOTORHEAD's "Iron Fist" (surprisingly okay), "100%" by the SPUDMONSTERS,
"Terpentin" by BOHSE ONKELZ, "Nothing" by NEGATIVE APPROACH, "Weeds" by LIFE
OF AGONY, "Just Sit There" by the CRUMBSUCKERS, "Damaged II" by BLACK FLAG,
and "Knife Edge" by GBH (why, who cares, why, why, who cares, why, and why),
AGNOSTIC FRONT's "Your Mistake," and SLAYER's "South of Heaven" (probably the
best two). So there you have it. I've just spent more time talking about a PRO-PAIN
release than anyone in the recorded annals of human history. They ought to thank
me in their next album. Oh wait, no one would see it. - 6.5 - <Jack>
PROCOSTIMUS - Synthesis of Rebirth · DEMO
If the level of this recording were a bit higher and the guitars a lot less
thin, it would be unstoppable. The screechy vox bring to mind the term "Black
Metal," as does the fuzzy guitar sound, but the lyrics invoke the warrior spirit,
not the Old Goat. - 8 - <Ray> **MC10**
PROFANE - 1001 Proof · DEMO
Oh great. These brainiacs take the "tough guy" PANTERA style to
new lows. The band has talent, though, but of course they waste it with 90%
start-stop "Groove" riffs and other stupidity. - 4 - <Ray> **MC11**
PROFANUM - Profanum Aeternum: Eminence of Satanic... · Pagan
Here’s a new one for you: Black Doom. Keyboards, slow tempos, dark atmosphere,
and many varied vocal styles come together into an honestly original sound.
I’ve really got to give these goat-fuckers credit for trying something like
this. Of course, they occasionally return to the safety of blast beats and speed
picking, but never for that long. Experiments like this fail more often than
not, but PROFANUM make it sound effortless. While not 100% perfect, this is
still a brilliant release. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC11**
PROFANUM - Musaeum Esotericum · Pagan
"Lets get some synths and make a soundtrack to a 'dark' movie!" You
know what? This isn't the worst one of these keyboard-masturbation albums I've
ever heard. In fact, they even have some drums and some Black Metal elements,
which is always nice from a Black Metal band. But, although pretty good, it's
no Death's Design, which is what the band was probably going for. - 7.75
- <Ray>
PROHIBITORY - In Death We Trust · TOAJ
With a album title like this, and a J-card filled with zombies, I knew I'd have
to love this album. I didn't expect the rather long Ambient intro, but it builds
up, movie soundtrack-style, and then returns to silence before the next song
starts. And that is when the Death / Grind kicks in, albeit with a Thrashy prelude.
There are some occasional keyboards used, for added effect, which works out
well for them. This may not be the best thing I've ever heard, but by the time
it was done, my ass was pretty thoroughly kicked. - 8.75 - <Ray>
PROJECT: FAILING FLESH - A Beautiful Sickness · demo
At first I thought this was a girl screaming. I was close, it's the dude from
VOIVOD. (Sorry, Metal grandpas, I could never get into them.) Jumping fucking
Jesus! If I thought the harsh vocals were bad, the clean vocals are REALLY gay!
Musically P:FF are trying to fuck all the current trends. Nu-Metal, Nu-Thrash,
Metalcore, Goth Metal, and Cyber Black should all call the molestation hotline
and report a "bad touch" immediately. There are occasional Old School parts
applied for a shred of credibility, and of course, dealing with anything VOIVOD-related,
you're going to have your fair share of weirdness simply for the sake of having
weirdness. Look, I can't blame this old fart for wanting to smell young again,
but I'm not sniffing it. - 3 - <Jack>
9222 Brian Dr. - Vienna, VA 22180
THE PROJECT HATE - Cybersonic Superchrist · Pavement
Death Metal, keyboards, rare Techno-inspired parts and some female vocals, with
Jorgen Sandstrom (ENTOMBED, ex-GRAVE) on lead vox, and production by Dan Swanö.
That's almost not a weird bunch of stuff to put together, but still parts of
this are strange - although nothing's bad. In fact, Jorgen's voice is so strong
that it nearly holds everything together by itself. And the rest adds some interest,
I suppose. Form the descriptions I'd heard, I was kind of hoping for early GRAVE
meets early PARADISE LOST, I guess. - 8.75 - <Ray>
PROMETHEUS - Adrift... · demo
Demo-level Debbie Gibson Metal complete with John Tesh backing vocals, and
they sent a CDR! If this were any gayer, it would’ve come with one of Freddie
Mercury’s used rubbers pulled straight out of Eazy-E’s dead asshole. - 1 - <Jack>
info@prometheanfire.com
PROMISES - Understanding EP · Metal Breath
Thrashy Power Metal from the Czech Republic, that is often also Doomy. Not completely
unlike CANDLEMASS, maybe, at least as far as the music is concerned. The vocals
are something of a sore spot, however, sounding like a slightly more raspy version
of the guy from the SCORPIONS. If the singing doesn't bother you, or you can
get past it, this would be really good. But then again, so is a lot of other
stuff that is more of a complete package with good vocals and all. - 7.75 -
<Ray>
PRONG - Rude Awakening · Sony
What the fuck? Someone has been listening to way too much NINE INCH NAILS.
I hate to do this, because on a personal level, these are okay guys, but this
album is a total piece of trendy shit. - 3 - <Ray> **MC10**
PROPHANITY - I Vargens Tecken · Sorrowmoon
For a 7", this has amazing sound. The band plays a compelling kind of dark,
melodic Death - perhaps they would prefer being called Black Metal. All I know
is that these two tracks thoroughly kicked the asses of all who heard them,
and that I must stand beside a band with a song called "In the Sign of the Wolf."
- 9.5 - <Ray> **MC10**
PROPHANITY - Stronger Than Steel · Blackened / Death / Metal
Blade
From the stupid band name, I was expecting KORN-BIZKIT-FLY bullshit. From
the album title, I was expecting MANOWAR. From the record label (Blackened)
I was expecting Black Metal. Well, guess what? Yeah, PROPHATTY... No, wait,
it’s PROFANITY... Umm, I mean PROPHANITY, are fast Black Metal. Not bad really,
and they might even deserve better than me making fun of their ridiculous name,
but I couldn’t help it: Satan made me do it. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC12**
PROPHECIES ET SANCTUS - The Light Shines No More · DEMO
Taking a cue from DARKTHRONE, these kind souls achieve a horrible production,
and I suspect that it was on purpose. Perhaps I am not "evil" enough to understand
why someone would purposely bury what could be interesting riffs under layers
of tape hiss and general noise, then slightly overdrive the whole mess into
a complete sonic nightmare. - 4.25 - <Ray> **MC9**
PROPHECY - It Shall Come to Pass · DEMO
This is straightforward Death Metal, CANNIBAL CORPSE style. The guys play
with tremendous conviction and intensity, and if you want it unrelentingly brutal,
then this is it. Apparently they know how to make their songs memorable, but
they only employ this knowledge for a few seconds in each tack. - 8.25 - <Ray>
**MC10**
PROPHECY - Foretold...Foreseen · Corpse Gristle
Death Gore from Texas. Complete with ultra sick vomit / gurgle vocals. Now,
this is how it’s done. I’m a bit surprised that they keep their speed under
control so much, but this is more of a slow-to-mid-paced crush your head
and eat your guts affair, than a pathological Grindfest. Not that they’re afraid
of cranking up the tempo when they feel like it, though. All fans of extreme
brutality owe it to themselves to hear this. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC12**
PROPHECY - Contagion · Pavement
Extreme Industrial/Thrash with Death Metal elements from this Polish outfit.
Similar in style to FEAR FACTORY only more aggressive. Backed by a blasting
drum-machine, PROPHECY creates a whirlwind of cyber-sonic fury executed with
machine-like precision. Flawless production adds to the crushing impact of this
effort. Nothing new or ground-breaking here, but still quite impressive. - 8.25
- <Painkiller>
PROPHECY - Our Domain · Forever Underground
For a while now, this Texas quintet have been one of the Death Metal underground's
best kept secrets. Straightforward, ultra-guttural slamfest in the DYING FETUS
/ FLESHGRIND vein. You know, I never realized how bad their lyrics were, or
that the band is on speaking terms with god, but I tell you what, the music
is so pit-riffilicious I'll just fucking let it slide for once. - 9.25 - <Jack>
PROPHECY - Foretold...Foreseen · Goregiastic
I was wondering if anyone was ever going to reissue this tasty relic of brutal Texas Death. Well, here it is complete with bonus track. Thanks, Goregiastic! You know, an outstanding critic once said of this very album, "If you’re into insanely brutal Death like DYING FETUS, GORGASM and FLESHGRIND, you must add this punishing CD to your collection." This young visionary also wrote, "Just listen to those windmill riffs on ‘Ebolic Regurgitation’." (Windmill riffs! This guy was clever.) He claimed he was also "addicted to the clean guitar passages like the beginning of ‘Prophecy.’" The underground authority of underground authorities then went on to mention that he "knew this band was capable of mass destruction," as he had heard their demo prior, and that this debut was the "testament" to his "predictions." What ever happened with this band? And more importantly, what ever happened to that bad motherfucker? - 9 - <Jack>
PROPHET OF DISASTERS - Repentant Tears · DEMO
This kind of Thrashy Death Metal fills me with the evil need to kill. The
playing, the writing, the vocals, the intensity, the production, the occasional
use of acoustic guitar - it’s all close to flawless. After only one listen,
you’ll be possessed. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC11**
PROSECUTOR - From Despair to the Notknown · DEMO
After the beautiful acoustic intro, the band really gets down to business
and cranks out some very well played, and easily remembered Deathrash. The excellent
bass work of Mindaugas is really up front, which is fine with me, but perhaps
the mix could be improved upon. However such is the case with 8 track recordings.
I think that when PROSECUTOR get the chance to record in a bigger studio, we'll
really see what all this talented band can do. I can hardly wait. - 9 - <Ray>
**MC9**
PROSECUTOR - They Alive · DEMO
Musically, this is energetic Progressive Thrash, with interesting use of
keyboards. That’s cool. But the "Traditional Metal" high-pitched sung
/ yelled vocals are kind of weird, probably due to the singer’s accent, and
it’s hard to listen past them. If you could, this would be great. - 7.75 - <Ray>
**MC11**
PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT - Embalmed Madness · Unmatched Brutality
This is actually not a new album, but a re-release of the band’s 2001 Disfigurement Records effort intact with the standard bonus demo tracks. This Dutch Death/Grind quartet certainly aren’t opening any new doors with their all-too-common brand of gurgling, gore-obsessed, blasting brutality, but it’s competent and listenable and the drum programming is tremendous. Don’t expect anything out of the ordinary, but if you need something to tide you over until the new MORTICIAN hits, this unearthed slab of filth may do the trick. - 8.25 - <Jack>
THE PROTAGONIST - A Rebours · Cold Meat
A moody release; this quasi-Classical style is thick with strings and emotions.
Using inspiration from literature and art, it draws you into its morbid arrangements
very effectively. - 7.75 - <Gerg> **MC12**
PROTECTED ILLUSION - Festering Fairy Tails · DEMO
This demo has pretty good production, and these guys have an awesome amount
of energy. Musically this is pretty Deathly, but really fast. Not Grind, not
even like that. More like fast Thrash, but this is Death instead. It's weird,
but 100% in the cool way. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC8**
PROTEST - What for Name, When Humanity Is Dying · Metal Age
Sometimes when bands incorporate different things, like unusual arrangements
and instruments, the results can be less than heavy. Not so with PROTEST. They
are experimental, yet at heavy as perhaps BRUTALITY. That combination might
make for rather unmemorable songs, but this is also not the case here. Their
songs are all so well crafted, that all the different stuff blends together,
and it takes a few listens to really digest it all, but even after the first
spin, the songs stick with you. - 9.25 - <Ray> **MC9**
PRYMORDIAL - World's Fate · DEMO
When I saw the sick color cover, I assumed these guys would be as great
as it is. One day I will learn. Maybe if on their next demo anyone else sang
and they got someone to mix it who wouldn't put all the bass guitar into the
left channel and all the drums into the right, then I might be able to better
tell what's going on musically. I think they are a really talented Thrash band,
but I couldn't really say for sure, due to the aforementioned obstacles. - 6.75
- <Ray> **MC8**
PSEUDOSTRATIFFIED EPITHELIUM - Sodomizing Children Corpses ·
American Line
Some people must think that it's easy writing gore lyrics. It's not, unless
you write them like this band does. It's like a parody of CANNIBAL CORPSE, but
serious. The music is better [than the lyrics], but not exactly anything that
you haven't heard a thousand times before, and probably most of them were better.
It is brutal, though, so if you require only that and little depth, then this
is it. I'll admit that occasionally they have an excellent riff or two. - 7
- <Ray> **MC9**
PSYCHO / AGATHOCLES - Split 7" · Ax/ction
A stunning display of what speed can be. And that's just the PSYCHO side.
AGATHOCLES starts their side with a spoken word intro, in which "MTV is bullshit"
is one of the more easily pulled quotes. Musically as Grind as anyone, and with
all the Crust you want. Don't pass this up. - 9 - <Ray> **MC8**
PSYCHO / MEAT SHITS - Split 7" · Ax/ction
The PSYCHO side is Noisy - Just the way they should be. All five tracks
are short and to the point. Very intense and very cool.
MEAT SHITS show their ability to write somewhat longer songs, and so this
features only 20 of their best. Lots of sex noises and some samples from classic
movies are interwoven with the complex musical tapestry to create a unique artform.
Yeah, that's it. Pretty cool.
All this on blood red vinyl, yet. I like it. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC8**
PSYCHO - Shrunken 7" · Ax/ction
Six new Death Crust compositions, by the masters. PSYCHO offer nothing really
innovative on this, but they don't have to. This will beat you down and stomp
on your head. - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**
PSYCHO BITCH - Puking Blood · Ever Rat
Here we have the project band of THRASH FORWARD's main freak, Dan Englund.
Recorded on a four-track, this has a very thick (but also very clear) sound,
which adds to the heaviness. This is way more Death Metal than I was expecting,
and Dan really does a great job: All the songs are raw and memorable. Check
this out. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC8**
PSYCHO HOLIDAY - In Your Mind · DEMO
Hardcore riffs and vocals, but with more Metalized drumming and guitar sound.
Sometimes it truly sounds great, but the repetition and some of the "start-stop"
style riffs grate on my nerves until I nearly forget the rest. If they did a
bit of riff pruning, this would be great, but that would require writing more
good riffs, which seems to be a problem in the first place. - 7.5 - <Ray>
**MC10**
PSYCHOPATH - The Soul Personification · DEMO
PSYCHOPATH play very aggressive Thrash. The singer, Bill Lynn (who also
plays guitar), has raw-ish, yet deep vocals. He really sounds like he means
it. I like this band and the songs are all impressive, tight and well executed.
PSYCHOPATH has everything necessary to make it, yet for some reason I wasn’t
really killed by any of the songs. They were impressive, but lacked something,
an edge or some vital spark. I imagine this is due to the recording or production
or mix or something along those lines. I think maybe this is more of a live
band than a studio band. - 8 - <Ray> **MC4**
PSYCHORRHEXIS - Rehearsal '92 · rehearsal
Even for a rehearsal, this has bad sound. It's easy to hear that they are
heavy Death, though. And I'll bet these songs would be great in any kind of
studio. I can tell that kind of stuff. Hopefully they can get a better recording
soon. - 7.5 - <Ray> **MC8**
PSYCHOSIS - Squirm · Century Media / Massacre / Lonely Planet
Spoken word intro dissolves into a strange mix of styles. Usually heavy
and thick with bass, like a Hardcore sound, but the vocals vary from a FAITH
NO MORE style to nearly Death (for a growl or two), unfortunately with emphasis
on the former. Use of the heavier vocal style would help for me quite a bit,
but as is, this isn't too bad at all. - 8 - <Ray> **MC8**
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ - Bleeding · DEMO (CD)
These good guys must have blown a small fortune on this. The recording is
amazing, and the packaging even better: All 12 pages in the CD booklet are in
full color. The music is likewise impressively well crafted Thrashy Metal, and
the musicianship is utterly outstanding. Even the clean, melodic vocals are
very well done. Although they make their religious beliefs known in the lyrics
(and liner notes), they don't come off as preachy. I may not agree with what
they believe, but you'd have to be deaf to not appreciate their music. - 9.5
- <Ray> **MC10**
PSYCHOTOGEN - Perverse and Unnatural Practices · Bring
Out Your Dead
Years ago, when a few Death Metals were really trying to play at ultra-technical
levels, they generally traded in a lot of their brutality to accomplish their
goal (see: PESTILENCE, DEATH, CYNIC, CARCASS, et al). PSYCHOTOGEN have figured
out how to marry technical playing to the intensity level of, say, MORBID ANGEL,
and they mix up the tempo and dynamics a lot more than bands like KRISIUN, for
example. However, occasionally things just get so musically complex that it's
a little overwhelming. This disc is an impressive listen while it lasts, but
it takes several listens before these labyrinthine compositions start to stick
with you. - 8.75 - <Ray>
PSYCLONE RANGERS - The Devil May Care · World Domination
For some reason, I was pretty sure that this would be crap. I was wrong.
Very wrong. I can't exactly describe their sound, but it's definitely cool.
Uptempo, loud-bass, uhh, stuff. Maybe like the CRAMPS. Hmm, sorta. Anyway, this
is really very interesting, although I guess those of you who think that CANNIBAL
CORPSE is not only the best band in the world, but the only band, will certainly
hate this. - 8.5 - <Ray> **MC9**
PULL - Negative Approval · Cellar
"There is no hope / Why don't you / Pull the plug / Let me pass away." Oh,
sorry, wrong "Pull." These guys are, as you would guess from the Cellar label,
a Hardcore band. Their music is fairly straightforward, and sort of reminds
me a little of FORCED ENTRY. PULL are at their weakest vocally, which is not
to say that the vox are bad exactly, but just not up to the rest of what's going
on. - 8 - <Ray> **MC10**
PUMMEL - Burnt · DEMO (CD)
Oh man, this wannabe Hardcore "Groove Metal" stuff gets on my
nerves. PUMMEL actually have some good riffs, and even the vocals aren’t always
terrible, so I guess they’re better than most. - 6.75 - <Ray> **MC11**
PUNCTURE - Immune · M.I.A.
When there are no vocals, the Industrial/Metal crossover is generally much
heavier, more interesting, and simply better. But when the stupidly distorted,
too-loudly-mixed vocals kick in, the music almost moves aside to make way for
them. And there are vocals all over the damn place. Go instrumental next time,
or don't bother at all. - 5 - <Ray> **MC10**
PUNGENT STENCH - Been Caught Buttering · Relapse/ Nuclear Blast
I'd often heard the name PUNGENT STENCH. I'd read about them in various
'zines, but I had never actually listened to the music. So when I saw this disc,
I had to jump on it. Was it worth getting, you ask? Oh yeah! These guys are
great! I love the lyrics. Read them for "Games of Humiliation." Now to the music.
These guys dish out fine Grind. Some of the finest, to be exact. I just wish
I had been listening to these guys earlier. - 8 - <John T> **MC7**
PUNGENT STENCH - Club "Mondo Bizarre" - For Members Only · Relapse
/ Nuclear Blast
Although the track listing only shows 10 songs, my CD has 14, the last four
being without the vocal tracks so all us fanboys can sing along. This is exactly
what is expected from PUNGENT: Heavy music, and sickly humorous lyrics. While
not quite as raw as For God Your Soul..., and not exactly as strange
as Dirty Rhymes..., this will still make you puke - in the good way,
of course. - 9 - <Ray> **MC8**
PUNGENT STENCH - For God Your Soul...For Me Your Flesh · Relapse
/ Nuclear Blast
This is a reissue of the STENCH's classic first full-length album. Unfortunately,
it does not have all the bonus tracks which the original CD had, but it does
have new bonus tracks. Three of them, all newly re-recorded for this reissue.
And of course the entire thing has been re-mixed for better sound. Even if you
have the original pressing, get this too. - 9.5 - <Ray> **MC8**
PUNGENT STENCH - Praise the Names of the Musical Assassins ·
Nuclear Blast
It’s kind of weird that the song titles are never listed anywhere on this
"greatest hits" disc, but you certainly do get a lot of rare stuff,
including their half of the long out-of-print split they did with DISHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA, the Extreme Deformity 7", and the Mucous Secretion
demo, along with tracks from all of their albums, making this a real must. -
9.5 - <Ray> **MC12**
PUNISHER - Go Nukes · DEMO
Honestly, this is a good Thrash effort. The production is fine and the songs
are okay. Even the vocals are decent. But it just seems to be missing something.
- 7.5 - <Ray> **MC8**
PUNISHER - Disillusioned · Confusion
PUNISHER’s sound has a modern feel, but I don’t mean that in the usual bad
way. It’s maybe something like new TESTAMENT - that sort of heavy, intense Thrash.
There are plenty of fretboard gymnastics to prove how talented they are, and
some of the songs are really technically impressive. But that often makes them
less than memorable. Impressive while you’re listening to them, but they don’t
stick with you. The comic book inspired lyrics help with that, though. - 8.25
- <Ray> **MC11**
PUNISHMENT PARK - Punishment Park · self-released CD
This is an interesting Alternative band. They have a female singer, Anja,
so that adds another element of originality to this diverse outfit. I am somewhat
reminded of THE GO GO'S, in that the music has the same happy feel to it. Even
on the decidedly Thrash track, "No More Wars," where another member of the band
takes over the vocals, and sounds a lot like a smoother Max Cavalera (SEPULTURA).
A strange and varied 12 songs, that is probably not for everyone. But it is
a cool change of pace. And the CD has a bonus "space mix" version of a song
already on the disc called "Teat." - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC7**
PUNY HUMAN - Revenge is Easy · Small Stone
BLACK-SABBATH influenced Stoner Rock with perhaps a more basic Rock 'n' Roll
feel to it. Digging deeper into the music, I'm also reminded of KYUSS. The thin
production of the guitars definitely detracts from the power of the songs. Having
heard this style so many times before, I found myself hitting the fast-forward
button more than once. All in all a respectable effort, but nobody does it like
BLACK SABBATH. - 7.25 - <Painkiller>
PURGED - Form of Release · Metal Blade
After checking out the liner notes, I could see, even before listening to
the CD, it was going be pretty cool. Except for that picture of the drummer
wearing a PANTERA shirt. They have a knack for writing powerful lyrics, vocalizing
without the help of any distortion devices, really paying attention to the importance
of well constructed drum work & fierce, driving guitar riffs. Every song
has its own unique orchestration. Not the same bullshit, trendy, stop and go
song structure. - 9.75 - <ANG> **MC11**
PURULENT - Patologia Grotesca · Bizarre
Pathological Gore Death, that surprisingly only rarely speeds up to Grind
levels. And while the production is okay, I think things would have been considerably
improved by a "bigger" guitar sound, or perhaps a somewhat different
mix. - 8.25 - <Ray> **MC12**
PUSTULATED - Haemtoma · Goregiastic
Very average and ordinary Gurgle-Grind. Not much else to say really. Recommended if you like GUT? - 7 - <Jack>
PUTRID DECAY - Feeding Off the Dead · DEMO
Totally indecipherable vocals, and heavy, brutal music, make this Death
band pretty raw. Although a very straightforward approach, these guys infuse
this with enough energy to pull it off. - 8 - <Ray> **MC8**
PUZZLE HEAD - Missing Pieces EP · Vampyrum
By taking a glance at the CD cover (a bizarre, multi-colored swirlie containing
2 standing band members, one of whom I swear is wearing a fucking GRATEFUL DEAD
snap-on on his left shoe) you'd be willing to bet your next 27 paychecks that
this 5-song EP is so gay that Brett Michaels and C.C. DeVille would rip on it.
However, PUZZLE HEAD coincidentally make SUFFOCATION sound like POISON. Fast,
brutal Death Metal with punishing vocals. This band is seriously in league with
ROTTREVORE and INTERNAL BLEEDING in terms of brutality. And, it's fairly memorable,
too. A nice surprise. Just goes to show, you can't judge a Butt-rocker by his
spandex pants. - 9.5 - <Jack> **MC10**
PUZZLE HEAD - Puzzle Head · DEMO
Once again, P.H. come through with their brutal Death. But this release
is a bit more "modern" sounding than their Missing Pieces EP.
By that, I mean that the vocals are occasionally overdriven, which unfortunately,
I can’t stand, and there is more "weird" stuff going on, something
like STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, maybe. It’s still intense and heavy as Hell, but I
don’t really like the subtle stylistic shift. Although, if they didn’t mess
with the vox so much, I could accept the rest. - 7.75 - <Ray> **MC11**
PYOGENESIS - Waves of Erotasia EP · Nuclear Blast / Relapse
Melodic Metal, with pretty gruff vocals. Not completely unlike CEMETARY's
Godless Beauty, which is high praise from me. Too bad it's only an EP.
Bring me more of this! - 9 - <Ray> **MC9**
PYOGENESIS - Sweet X-Rated Nothings · Nuclear Blast / Relapse
What happened? I could forgive the less raw vocals if only the lyrics weren't
sooooooo dorky. Musically this is pretty good, although certainly not as heavy
as previous releases, but the, as a friend of mine said, "Cunt Rock" lyrics
have got to go. - 6.5 - <Ray> **MC9**
PYREXIA - System of the Animal EP · Serious
I doubt I’ll make any friends by referring to this as an EP, but at less
than 24 minutes, this what it is, eight songs or not. To the band’s credit,
they probably cram more fucking monstrous riffs into 24 minutes than most could
in an hour, and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that this material was originally
intended to be longer, but that their drummer played everything too fast in
the studio. PYREXIA have a history of producing extremely brutal Death Metal,
and that continues here, but I hadn’t recalled their songs as being quite this
compelling. It’s like being constantly beaten about the head region. On their
side is the deadly production. It’s very clear, but doesn’t take any of their
power away. Fellow Deathslammers INTERNAL BLEEDING desperately need a production
of this quality. One final note on Keith’s vocals: It’s not too often that a
Death Metal growler can be identified in a few seconds, but while not quite
perfect (close!), Keith’s vox are unique, and that’s the final nail in the collective
coffin of this band’s competition. If full price is charged for a release this
short, I’d be forced to lower the rating considerably, but I’ll give them the
benefit of the doubt. - 9.75 - <Ray> **MC11**
QUICKSAND - Slip · Polydor
These turkeys try for the PANTERA tough-guy-hard-rock vibe, just not as
heavy. And they try to make up for the lack of heaviness by going for the Alterna-Metal-Bunk
appeal, in a netherworld of mediocrity neither as imaginative as JANE'S ADDICTION
nor as vicious as UNSANE, two bands they appear to be ripping off. PANTERA goes
to college. Hide. - 6.5 - <J.J.> **MC8**
THE QUIET ROOM - Introspect · Metal Blade
Technically impressive Prog Metal. They even possess a little intensity.
But as interesting as this is to listen to, it’s really unmemorable, although
fans of complexity, annoying keyboards, and wimpy vocals should love it. - 7.25
- <Ray> **MC12**
THE QUIET ROOM - Reconceive · Metal Blade
Not that I really give a fuck, but these guys are good musicians, and they at
least want to be heavy (as far as they're concerned this probably is heavy,
even though of course it is not). But they also want to show off and be "Progressive"
and "unique," and for some reason they use a lot of bad staccato riffs.
It's a horrible combination of things, and my CD player kept complaining about
it, so I had to eject pretty quickly. - 2.25 - <Ray>
QUINTA ESSENTIA - Neutrality for Defined Chaos · Deathgasm
After the mandatory intro this really gets good fast. The combination of Euro-styled Death/Thrash with fast Black Metal isn’t really new, but nothing is, and these blasphemers do it very well. The overall sound of this recording is outstanding (I can hear the bass! How often can that be said of a Black Metal album?!?), as is the playing, and this was destined for at least a 9 rating until the stupid "clean" vocals kicked in and just annihilated my enjoyment. Fortunately, the listener is not subjected to such aberrations very often, but it’s enough to bring this album down. Sticking to the normally great raspy vocals next time, along with a couple other minor tweaks (mostly musical goofs to accommodate the vocal experimentation), could result in perfection. I’m sure that I can’t convince any Black Metal bands to ditch the unnecessary intros and outros, but that would also be a refreshing change of pace. - 8.25 - <Ray>
QUO VADIS - Quo Vadis · DEMO
The flyer for this promises "This tape features 5 tracks of bone crushing
melodies, with female vocals, keyboards and classical guitars." Well, the truth
is that 4 of the 5 songs are very standard Death, and not really anything too
grand. In fact, I really can't remember anything about them, and I just finished
the tape 30 seconds ago. It's not until the final track, "Sadness," that the
female vocals, keyboard & classical guitar make their presence known, and
I could have done with out some chick trying to sing above her range and occasionally
out of key, although the guitars and keyboards are nice. At least they tried.
- 7.75 - <Ray> **MC10**
QUO VADIS - Forever... · Vomit
This is full of aggressive and melodic vocals. These guys are keeping the
music evil with songs like "As I Feed the Flames of Hate," "Pantheon
of Tears," and my personal favorite, "Legions of the Betrayed."
They have also brought back the infamous gratuitous guitar solo, which I’m a
big fan of when done well. Their lyricism is also quite impressive. For example,
"I cannot comprehend the logic behind your sacrifice. As you caress me
with your broken hands, I break them again, spitting venom in your eyes."
And when you think it can’t get any better, they give you a diehard, death-filled,
six-minute instrumental full of pain! Also included is a song from their ’95
demo. This really completes the album and reveals the diversity of this band
with an Ambient performance by a well chosen soprano voice throughout the entire
song and brutally aggressive male vocals in accompaniment. - 9.75 - <ANG>
**MC11**
QUORTHON - Album · Black Mark / Cargo
Did he just say, "I'll never eat pussy again"? Oh my badness, what the fuck
is this shit? Can it be the same man who inspired dozens of knife-wielding misanthropes
to start Black Metal bands? Sad to say, yes, this is the same person who is
the mastermind behind BATHORY, and clearly he has been listening to POISON albums
with Thomas Gabriel Warrior. That must have been the inspiration for this recording.
Now pardon me while I go listen to Blood Fire Death about ten thousand
times to scrub this travesty from my brain. Upped a point out of respect for
the memory of BATHORY. - 2.5 - <Ray> **MC9**