Category Archives: Reviews

(book) Greg Prato – ‘Survival Of The Fittest: Heavy Metal In The 1990’s’

This almost six hundred pages behemoth was a pleasure to read at most times, although there are couple of to me boring themes in there through couple of chapters. As the title says, the book revolves around alleged death of metal due to grunge explosion early in the nineties, which was not true at all and it is explained in this book why that’s not true and I totally agree with that. There is an interesting divide of parts in this book, like a live show of some sorts, parts being: Load In, Soundcheck, Opener, Headliner, Encore, After Party and Load Out. Something that every musician knows about if he toured and played live gigs. Foreword is written by none other than Rex Brown, bass player of legendary Pantera. The concept of chapters is that metal, let’s call them celebrities namely for example Phil Anselmo, Joe Elliot, Devin Townsend, Dez Fafara, Dani Filth, Kirk Windstein, John Christ and many others talk about nu metal, industrial metal, vocalists leaving legendary bands and returning back, their own albums and how they were conceived in idea and recording and there are lots of anecdotes in this book, like in great documentary movie which is what makes me love this book. But, there are also couple of too long chapters like on prog metal or nu metal that are not my personal tastes so it was quite boring for me to read them, but I did it. So, this is good book full of information and anecdotes especially for us who grew up with these bands and albums in the nineties.

3,5/5

(review) TULUS – ‘Fandens kall’ (Soulseller Records)

Norwegian black metal veterans Tulus are back with their new opus, first one in three years. eighth in all. I remember how they blew me away with their debut album ‘Pure Black Energy’ back in the day. Members of Tulus also play in Sarke and Khold among other bands and projects. This opus offers ten songs of what is somewhat called True Norwegian Black Metal, but I would say with lots of prog and inventive elements thrown into songwriting. Aggression and old school atmosphere is still here, but there are couple of songs, like excellent ‘Sjelesmerte’ which involves changes in tempo, slowed down, and those eerie female vocals melodies are superb, courtesy of Lena Fløitmoen who also sings female vocals for Sarke. All lyrics are in Norwegian and that is another plus although I do not speak it and not understand besides my German and English but I manage to get context of the lyrics. One of my favorites is also ‘Bloddråpesvermer’ with that bass line melody, thrown in acoustic guitars and melancholic piano ending. If you are into old school Norwegian black metal, and you haven’t listened to three decades of these legends, now is the time for you to correct that mistake.

9/10

(review) Enslaved – ‘Heimdal’ (Nuclear Blast)

Purveyors and legends of Norwegian Viking black metal are back with new full length opus consisting of seven songs. As you might have listened on last two EP-s, they continue with their path where they left off with last full length ‘Utgard’ but I can say that for me this new one is better than the last full length opus. More epic, more melodic, with more interplay between screaming black metal vocals and clean vocal lines which touch your heart and yourself to your bones. There is brutality on this album like harsh and strong ‘Congelia’, but also there are gentle melodic atmospheric song parts like excellent ‘Forest Dweller’ which is in my personal favorite along with ‘Kingdom’. Of course, Enslaved continue in their prog part besides Viking black metal, so I can also hear some seventies style influenced keyboards in some parts. Speaking of keyboards, they are essential to this opus, because I think that they are even more high in the mix and represent a lion’s share of melodies and main themes involved in song structures. Now, for more than three decades, Enslaved are better than ever, you know what they say, wine is old but is also the best when it is old! Long live Enslaved, long live prog spacy Viking black metal.

10/10