Artist: Haunted Title: “Revolver” Label: Century Media Records Release Date: 10/19/2004 Genre: Death Metal Rating: 4/5
Sweden’s The Haunted find their Century Media debut as a total mix of Metal genres with an excellent result. There is a little bit of your classic Thrash mixing with some Speed and traces of Gothenburg thrown in for good measure. The musicianship is tight and delivers on the record very well with heavy tunes and a driving power that not all bands can keep by their fourth album. The main reason for the Haunted being so accustomed to this level of perfection is due to the fact that the group features the talents of the Bjorler Brothers who come from a little band known as At The Gates. Their involvement gives them a better insight to the Metal scene than a lot of bands could ever hope for and with rEvolver the push the bar up another notch. The vocals of Dolving are fantastic across the whole piece since not only does he scream like a man with his last breath, but he also has a melodic side that you see mixed in for “Burnt To A Shell”. However, if you simply prefer a total full force throttling then you might better enjoy songs like “No Compromise” and “Who Will Decide”. Much of the journey that The Haunted will take you on will make you find the need to stomp and form a pit in support of their music. Joining the Bjorler Brothers and Mr. Dolving is Per Jensen (drums), and Patrik Jensen (guitars). Continue reading “Revolver” by The Haunted→
Artist: In Flames Venue: Webster Hall (New York, NY) Opener: Trivium, Zao Date: 2/15/2006 Label: Ferret Music
In Flames deserves every ounce of the acclaim that they receive for together with At The Gates, they were one of the forefathers of the Gothenburg sound of Metal. This sound has become so intensely popular over the years and it is continually imitated and often modified to suit the purpose of the band who originally found interest in it. Bands like Soilwork and Dark Tranquility are among the most popular of the groups who found inspiration in the music of In Flames and tonight would be the chance for a lot of people to see exactly why this was the case. Once again the dramatic setting of Webster Hall would be the scene and again the venue was completely sold out. This is great for the band because in a realm where American Idol and Rap music rule the waves of both television and radio it is a feather in one’s cap to be sold out to the rafters in a venue with capacity of about 1300 people. In Flames would be celebrating two events this evening, with the first primarily being the support of their new album “Come Clarity”. The album itself a little different from their usual sound yet more accessible to a wider audience based on some of the ideas on it. The other celebration would be the move to Ferret Music, a label where In Flames would perhaps be the biggest fish in the pond and therein get the most accommodation from the executives. Continue reading In Flames @ Webster Hall (2/15/2006)→
Artist: In Flames Title: “Come Clarity” Label: Ferret Music Release Date: 2/7/2006 Genre: Heavy Metal Rating: 9/10
In Flames are one of the founders of the Gothenburg sound and for years have led an Underground Metal movement that is an ever-growing army of support for the genre. With their new release entitled “Come Clarity” we find the band switching labels to join Ferret Music and also changing the direction of their sound a little more drastically than their long time fans might expect. The result is actually a very accessible Metal record with lots of twists and turns that will entertain and surely gain them a larger following than ever before. Musically this album is fantastic and there is enough solid head bangers and fist-raising songs that the listener will hardly know what is hitting them. Singer Anders uses a couple of different styles for this one by not only having his signature screams and growls but also a little more melodic styling. He is complimented by Lisa Miskovsky for “Dead End” which is an amazing track that will be right up the alley of those who enjoy female fronted Metal these days. The effectiveness of her voice makes me want to see her contribute more with this band and perhaps some others if at all possible. While the direction has veered a little from their original course this is the kind of move that keeps a band fresh and their output ever interesting. “Take This Life” drives the stake they are taking right home at the start of the album and really showcases the drumming of Daniel Svennson (who is quite accomplished and solid on the whole album anyway). I also felt that both Bjorn and Jesper were performing some amazing feats on the guitars, enough so that more people can enjoy the type of music that In Flames brings to you. Continue reading “Come Clarity” by In Flames→
Artist: Soilwork Title: “Stabbing The Drama” Label: Nuclear Blast Records Release Date: 3/8/2005 Genre: Heavy Metal Rating: 8/10
It seems as though Sweden’s own Soilwork have achieved something special with the release of “Stabbing The Drama”. As the CD begins you are instantly kicked into a unique mix of metal and some heavy duty almost industrial riffs. The vocals are a combined clean and rough mix and this carries across the entire CD. As a whole this works very well and the end result is pretty much a kick you in the teeth metal CD that grows from similar bands like In Flames who pretty much kicked off the Gothenburg sound. The first tune which is also the title of the CD is unstoppable and it seems that I like it more and more on every listen. A true head banger in all senses of the word. Singer Speed mixes his styles and drummer Dirk Verbueren laying down among the smoothest drumming in metal that I have heard in some time. The guitar work of Peter Wichers also plays well along in the rhythm on this CD. I felt as though a strong emphasis was based on the bottom end of music first as there is so much groove on it that you either are raising a fist into the air, or jumping to the pit to bring it on. I was among the lucky ones to listen to this CD and interact with the label and a member of the group. The logic behind this record was to give fans a progression in their already existing work and generally just a heavy record. I feel they succeeded on all counts. Continue reading “Stabbing The Drama” by Soilwork→
Artist: Soilwork Event: “Stabbing The Drama” CD Listening Party Label: Nuclear Blast Records Date: 2-11-2005 Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Swedish metal veterans Soilwork held a listening party for their forthcoming release on Nuclear Blast records. The CD, entitled “Stabbing The Drama” was blasted on the speakers of the CBGB’s Lounge this evening and a good metal time was had by all in attendance. From the band, we had guitarist Peter Wichers and several representatives from the Nuclear Blast record label. In addition to the listening and enjoyment of the CD as well as any beers, there was the chance to discuss the bands plans for this release and give them a chance to mingle with many of their media connections. Peter was an interesting and fun dude to kick back with. He has a great sense of humor and is very excited about the coming tour. Continue reading Listening To Soilwork’s “Stabbing The Drama” In NYC (2/11/2005)→
