Wow! This is all I can say after I finished this 500+ pages monstrosity by Daniel Lake with a foreword by legendary Tom G.Warrior of Celtic Frost and Hellhammer fame. I always somehow held European black metal in higher worth and regard than American black metal scene, but now I understand how wrong I was. Leaning more into punk rock and hardcore back ground than its European counterparts, American bands and projects have managed to create their own identity and large quantity of originality not trying to sound like third grade clones of Darkthrone and Burzum, rather evolving and thus becoming hated by some black metal purists circles, but also becoming original in their diy and free spirit. This book covers it all in shape of articles and rich interviews, from old school masters Judas Iscariot, Absu, Von, across Inquisition, Deafheaven, Panopticon, Krieg, Leviathan, Xasthur and many, many others. This book is a worthy document of a scene and its worth cannot be grasped in one reading, so I am definitely going to have to read it once or twice more soon. Great book!
After their stunning and crushing debut full length opus, Kanonenfieber released this nice two song e.p. with continuation of their war melodic black death metal, thematizing the entrance of USA into WWI and all the hardships and horrors of war. I love how The Yankee Division March starts with a short sample from WWI song, I think it is Over There but I may be wrong. Then it delves into fast melodic blast beats coupled with black metal screaming vocals and growling death metal voice, breaking into slower apocalyptic atmospheric parts only to blast again like Maxim machine gun mowing the charging infantry from the trenches. Guest performance on this one belongs to Trevor Strnad known from The Black Dahlia Murder. Die Fastnacht der Holle is a bit better song in my opinion and it brings me back to poison gas attacks, stench of corpses, futile charges and offensives, snipers, mortars and death over all. Great e.p. by great band!
Belgium´s Evil Invaders made quite an impression on the scene with their two e.p.-s, two full lengths and one live album since their inception in 2007. Now, it is time for third full length opus with Napalm Records and it is a crusher. Evil Invaders play old school thrash speed metal like it was played back in the eighties when all those great bands prowled and ruled the metal lands. This one offers ten songs of thrash speed mayhem with high pitched old school style of vocals, courtesy of singer Joe and fast guitar work and drums, but also there is an European school of thrash melody and drama underneath it all, like in fantastic Hissing in Crescendo. Guitar solos are wicked and played with a tactical finesse of walking on the fine edge of a blade and not being afraid to bleed. Besides thrash shredding, there are also some fine melodic metal influences like in half ballad In Deepest Black being one of the highlights of the record, with such awesome lyrics, melody and vocal work, main and harmonies. I also must mention Sledgehammer Justice and Forgotten Memories as being my favorites and standouts epic songs, but whole material is just fantastic.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 