HAVOHEJ Tungkat Blood Wand

Artist: HAVOHEJ
Title: Tungkat Blood Wand
Year of Release: 2007
Label: Hells Headbangers
Format: 10" MLP

I'm so impressed by this release that it's hard to know where to start, so I'll commence by raving about the aesthetics. As a vinyl worshipper, I don't believe there has been a time as golden as now with regard to the amazing and detailed vinyl releases that are being unleashed by boutique labels such as Hells Headbangers, The AJNA Offensive and Nuclear War Now! among others.

Matt black cover, with a spot varnish gloss logo, title and back cover image adorn the outer realms of this record, while the vinyl itself is a heavy weight 10" with a reverse groove that locks at the end of each side. What that means is that you lay your needle down in the middle of the record (the area traditionally used for the run off at the end of the side) and it plays out to the edge. When it arrives at said edge, the final groove is locked, so the needle just sits and the record continues to play for eternity... Anyone who has experienced this will understand that a great hypnotic aura is generated from this and though a single groove (maybe less than 2 seconds of music) the longer you listen, the more this will evolve and become something that it didn't appear to initially.

Having really liked the recent Profanatica album, though remembering the general disdain for Havohej as far back as '95, it was with mixed feelings I approached this 10", but as soon as it commenced, I was really impressed. A mix of Profanatica, Brighter Death Now (or other power electronics/death industrial sound) and Abruptum is perhaps the simplest way to convey what's on offer here. Really raw and caustic ambient moods, very primal drumming and unlike Abruptum, it's all quite cohesive and structured. Primitive is definitely the wrong word, though it is primal in its black essence. Like a great yawning abyss, this record pulsates waves of blackness and it's been some time since I was able to truly feel this sort of oppressiveness coming from a BM artist. I don't even think there are any guitars on this release. If there are, it's not a traditional use at any rate.

Highly recommended, I await the next album eagerly! Buy it from Hells Headbangers.

SHINING V - Halmstad

Artist: SHINING
Title: V - Halmstad
Year of Release: 2007
Label: Osmose Productions
Format: CD

Tis a strange one this Shining release. I own their third album, and while I remember liking it, I can't say I've played it obsessively. I was keen to hear this one and while I find it appealing, there is something that is kinda lacking.

It feels a lot like old Mayhem at the start of the album... and not simply because Atilla is present as guest vocalist. The melodies, the progression etc all screams Mayhem: just without the caustic sound.

Overall it's a little cleaner sounding than I would normally like, though when guitars drop in and out, the drama that this creates is definitely noteworthy and the seemingly simplistic arrangements definitely benefit from this approach.

I feel generally divided by this release. I can't ever seem to determine whether I like it or feel ambivalent about it. I think some of the melodic/acoustic sections make it all feel a little safe and uninspired, though I question my motivations for thinking that and wonder if it's simply a case where I think a band such as Shining, with their legacy, should in fact sound melodic at all.

Though the production is good, I think it works to the albums detriment. It's too clean to be overly atmospheric... especially where the BM style is concerned.

RITUAL CARNAGE The Highest Law

Artist: RITUAL CARNAGE
Title: The Highest Law
Year of Release: 1998
Label: Osmose Productions
Format: CD

It's funny that 2007 was another one of those years where people guff on about how thrash is back and so on, yet it's been 10 years since this thrash nouveau masterpiece was unleashed and in my opinion, this is one record that never got the recognition it deserved.

Despite the obvious early Slayer and Metallica influences, the predominantly Japanese ensemble have a fiercely unique sound and on this album manage to unveil 10 killer, catchy as hell death thrash tracks. Proceedings are concluded with a very tidy cover of Onslaught's 'Death Metal', and the lyrics, while direct, are never clumsy or ridiculous as is the case with many contemporary thrash troupes. I guess it depends which side of the underground fence you were reared on. That Ritual Carnage covered Onslaught rather than DRI speaks volumes.

There was only ever a CD and Pic Disc LP version of this release to my awareness and it's still available from Osmose Productions.

THE COFFINSHAKERS Coffinshakers

Artist: THE COFFINSHAKERS
Title: Coffinshakers
Year of Release: 2007
Label: Cobra
Format: CD

I heard this band for the first time around 1996 I guess it was when I received one of their earlier releases, the 'Dracula Has Risen From The Grave' 7". Though it didn't materialise for some time after that in the physical form, I had a cassette advance of the debut album 'We Are The Undead'.

Many years beyond this, a pal of mine mentioned that the band had a new album out and naturally I located a copy as fast as was humanly possible. From Finland to Australia in a week was a tidy enough turn around and the results did not fail to dazzle.

Though I'm not a Johnny Cash fan per se, the similarity between Rob Coffinshaker's voice and JC is unnerving, and while thematically similar, this self titled opus is a little more mature and the songcraft is a touch more evolved. Oh, I should mention that if you listen closely, you will notice that RC can't completely escape his Swedish accent, but it never sounds absurd, or like some sort of comical appraisal.

What you would call this from a stylistic point of view is hard to say as it contains elements of rockabilly and swampy blues, it really has an aura all of its own.

Opening cut 'Phantoms Of The Night' is also the finest the album has to offer, and it possesses this real upbeat pace and some very cool female vocals that would have been perfectly suited to an Ed Wood film score.

Hard to find, and expensive if you can locate it, I don't know anyone that was disappointed by the debut and can't imagine why they would find this any less appealing.

Excessive

Last night I went to see Dream Theater. They've never been to Australia before and thought they'd treat fans to a 3 hour set. There are 3 bands I've experienced consecutively for over 3 hours and one of those I actually played in. The other was the Cure, which was awesome. They concluded with a 40 minute encore of pre 1980 material. You would be hard pressed to think that that would suck. Dream Theater, while accomplished and revered were definitely onstage for longer than I would like. 3 hours, I mean come on!

One benefit of Dream Theater's tour here, other than exciting their rabid fanbase, was that due to numerous changes relating to the Perth show, a truly creative soul made this video. And watch it, it really matters little that it's related to Dream Theater.

DEATHROW Riders of Doom

Artist: DEATHROW
Title: Riders of Doom
Year of Release: 1986
Label: Noise
Format: LP

This LP - yes it's a vinyl record was originally released under the title 'Satan's Gift' with an alternate cover and so forth... that or it was a US version, I can't really imagine why the title would be so radical or subversive as to ban it. Either way, I've had this record for years, and rarely listen to it it seems. It's one of those "if you like Destruction, Kreator etc etc" bands, you'll love this. Well, that's not my opinion and to be honest, I can't think of many occasions where selling a lesser band on the strengths of a greater band really provided the results I was looking for.

It has some fine playing, and I do like the raw sound, but Milo's vocals don't do so much for me, and I never much cared for the hand painted cover concept either. I guess I only pulled this out as I could see it there on the shelves and I've noticed a few people talking about them lately. I don't remember what people were saying about this album, and I doubt I'll remember what it sounded like either. I guess in another 5 years or so I'll get curious and have the same experience over again.

Oh, and Gehennah's trip to the car graveyard was so much more Kreative he he.

My Blog and its Purpose

Everyone has a blog these days it seems and everyone who has a blog has an opinion. I doubt I'll be any different on either front.

What I do intend to do is discuss music. But not in a boring and contrived 'review format' manner. It's my intention to simply say what I think. Most people, when reviewing albums tend to listen repeatedly (at least one would hope so) and then offer an informed (that's the dream) critique of that recording. But what is it that keeps us listening? A reviewer has some sort of responsibility - to their publication, site, blog or whatever, but also to the artist they are discussing. They also have time to find merit in that release. I like the idea of hearing something for the first time and commenting. I think, at this point at least, that that's where the real truth lays. I also like the idea that that 'truth' can change, and evolve. When you consider that some of your fave albums may have been ones you hated initially, to come full circle and see what you believe to be true merit in a recording is a great and rewarding experience. I think it also says something about you - you were not afraid to be wrong. I hate people who are afraid to be wrong.

I listen to a lot of different music and like to think my tastes are broad. It's true I definitely have my favourite styles and stylistic leanings, but what I am trying to say is that don't look at this blog for a particular theme; from a genre point of view at any rate. I guess as I start posting that it will make sense.