Category Archives: Reviews

(review) BillyBio – Leaders And Liars (AFM Records)

Billy Graziadei is a NYHC legend and mastermind behind Biohazard. This was my first hardcore band when I was a kid growing up and Urban Discipline came out and Bio is still one of my favorite hardcore bands which introduced me deeper into the NYHC scene and all the legendary bands there. Bio is on hold and they did not release a record for ten years and Billy needed to express himself with something new, thus his second full length with a new band. I somehow think that Billy somehow had more ways and more freedom for artistic expression when creating music in BillyBio than he had in his former or band which is pausing right now. NYHC influences and roots are here and they will always remain, as well as all those punk rock and street punk influences, but there is also metal, even some electronics and industrial samples thrown here and there. Billy´s vocal is more interesting these days, instead of only hardcore shouting, growling and screaming, which is here along with gang backing vocals, there is also melodic side of his voice and it sounds so perfectly with the songs. Of course I will go with more hardcore punk side of songs, but I think BillyBio managed to encompass perfectly old school and more modern side of hardcore and this sophomore album is even better than the debut. My personal favorites: Fallen Empires, Leaders And Liars, Our Scene. Great hardcore album!

10/10

(review) Declared Dead – Integument of Golden Luster

Declared Dead have been active since 2014 and they are very prolific Belgian entity with this new one being already eleventh full length opus with releases of average two full lengths every year since 2016. Although there are band members names, I think this whole music is the work of only one man. This new one contains eight songs of dirty, raw thrash black metal attack, but I can also hear some sludge metal influences in the song structures. That means thundering bass, sometimes complex sometimes punkish simple drum patterns, sharp and raw guitar riffs with some melodies and solos thrown in where it fits and angry, screaming vocals reminding me somehow of eighties thrash metal bands. Songs like Fever Dream Ritual, Decimation(Blood Tithe) or Violence as Aphrodisiac are sure to win you over with their ritualistic, simple yet aggressive approach. This is a soundtrack for the end of the world. Brutal and raw, yet deep in some parts.

7/10

(book) David G. Marwell – Mengele:Unmasking the Angel of Death

All of you who listen metal know about Slayer´s anthem Angel of Death, ain´t that right? Well, you might know that the song is based upon life and crimes of Josef Mengele, SS doctor in concentration death camp Auschwitz who experimented upon living twins, women, men, children of all ages and later on escaped and myths and legends were created of his life, death, escape…

Well, David G. Marwell, former chief of OSI, decided to put final touch on this villain, writing a book which will unmask the myths, bring forth real man behind the fear and legends and thus help understand better the nature of true evil. This book is a documentary in two halfs or parts. First is Mengele´s childhood, student days, entering SS and Auschwitz days. Second half is escape, chase and facts about Mengele´s death, exhumation of his body and forensic investigation whether the bones are really him or is it another scam and he still lives somewhere safe. This book does not try to explain or investigate into his sanity, his deeds or his reasons behind it, it is straight cold facts but written in style of exciting fun to read thriller and it just makes you turn the page after page and reaching the conclusion. Good one.

7,5/10