OK, I’ll admit I’m a bit erratic when it comes to this blogging lark – too many other commitments? Or just sheer fucking laziness? – but I’m hoping to start a regular (which will probably turn out to be an extremely irregular) review of recent releases which have come to my attention. Some of them may not be ‘new’ releases, but stuff with which I’ve only just collided, but, what the fuck, it gives me an excuse to indulge in a wee bit of blogosphere rambling. (Is that the longest opening sentence I’ve ever written? Does anyone give a fuck?).
So, let’s start this little project rolling, with my thoughts on...
Within Temptation – ‘The Unforgiving’ (Roadrunner). After the distractions of the albeit brilliant ‘Black Symphony’ and acoustic projects, the Dutch quintet return to what they do best, with a concept album which is epic, sweepingly dramatic and bombastic (in the best sense). Stand out track: ‘Fire And Ice’.
Cavalera Conspiracy – ‘Blunt Force Trauma’ (Roadrunner). What else are you going to expect from Brazil’s most famous brothers? Lilting lullabies? Like fuck! BFT hits you with all the subtlety of – well, um – a blunt instrument. Brutally brilliant. The special edition features a fine cover of Sabbath’s ‘Electric Funeral’. Stand out track: ‘Genghis Khan’.
Darkest Era – ‘The Last Caress Of Light’ (Metal Blade). I’ve already said elsewhere that this could be the year in which celtic rock takes on its Scandinavian brethren at their own game – and, quite possibly, beat them! With new releases from Cruachan and Primordial looming large, Enniskillen’s Darkest Era have led the charge with fearless aplomb, with this delightful debut. Stand out track: ‘The Morrigan’.
Amon Amarth – ‘Surtur Rising’ (Metal Blade). Talking of Scandinavians, DE’s labelmates keep their flag flying proudly with their latest slab of Viking brutality. Quite frankly, AA always work better live (as their decimation of Dublin earlier this week proved), but the ten tracks offered (to Oden) here are nevertheless guaranteed to pillage even the finest stereo system and leave you a bleeding heap on the floor. Stand out track: ‘Destroyer Of The Universe’.
Artillery – ‘My Blood’ (Metal Mind). These Danes are doing their damndest to prove that EuroThrash is still very much a force to be reckoned with, while keeping the metal factor turned up to eleven. Very much from the Accept school of nailing your balls to the wall, but with a very traditional Bay Area influence, as evidenced on the likes of ‘Monster’ and ‘Ain’t Giving In’. Stand out track: ‘Thrasher’.
NeraNature – ‘Shattered’ (Metal Mind). This is the lead single of the forthcoming debut solo album by Polish chanteuse Nera. Apparently taking her influence from the earth, quite honestly, this one should be buried in it. It’s awful. It comes with a cover of ‘The World Is Not Enough’, which also is garbage (geddit?). See, I don’t write just nice things (although she is a bit of looker!).
Honey For Christ – ‘The Cruelty Of Great Expectations’ (Rundown). Well, it took them fucking long enough, didn’t it? I first came across HFC when I was working for the awful DV8 magazine (anyone remember it? No? Didn’t think so! Don’t blame you!), and that wasn’t yesterday! So, with such a wait, would the album live up to its monicker? Would the weight of expectation result in a cruel letdown? Thankfully, I have to say no. It has been worth the wait. The octet of tunes are carefully crafted, dynamically delivered, with beautifully balanced shades of light and dark, heaviness and subtlety, all coupled with a clear, precise production. I must admit to feeling a large Therapy? influence, especially in the instrumental sections of the likes of ‘Another Way Down’, but that is not a bad thing, and the trio do carve their own very clear creative path. Stand out track: ‘Liar Disciple’.
OK, folks, that’s yer little lot for the moment. I’ll be posting reviews of the new Cruachan and Primordial releases as soon I getting my mitts on ‘em, but hopefully this has given you something to think and talk about. As ever, I appreciate your feedback, either here or via the Paradise City Belfast / Hard Rock Hell NI Facebook pages.
Any bands / labels who want their stuff reviewed here, either pm me on Facebook or email paradisecitybelfast@hotmail.com and I’ll let you know where to send stuff.
Thanks for reading. Rock on. Monk out.
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