Hails! Issue #22 is ready for your hungry eyes to devour and then promptly vomit back out onto your keyboard in the for of shit talking and elitism. But hey, that's what it's here for! lol


So, it snowed today. Cool, right? So I went outside and drew a giant outline of a cock 'n' balls in the parking lot of my apartment complex... apparently that's inappropriate according to many of my neighbors. How the hell was I supposed to know that? Five minutes after I drew the icy phallus, a group of kids (belonging to several of those neighbors) started drawing an even bigger snatch right next to it!

...ah, snow days!


Enjoy!


Angel Blake - The Descended
Dynamic Arts Records - 2008

Angel Blake’s “The Descended” was a bit of a skull itch for me for the first few listens. Goth-power metalishness… I really didn’t know what to think exactly. I mean, it was good. It just seemed strange to me. There was something about “The Descended” that I couldn’t quite put my finger on… then suddenly, I figured it out! It wasn’t the music at all! It was the fact that I heard the name “Angel Blake” somewhere before. It was that Danzig song… Angel Blake. And now that I’ve wasted your time with a glimpse into how my semi-formed brain functions, I can express now much I enjoyed this album. The first song, Anywhere But Here, is actually kind of misleading. It’s actually not that enjoyable. Which leads you to believe that the rest of the album will follow suit… nope. Tracks two through ten are thoroughly enjoyable. Each track has heavy grooves and hook laden choruses that will keep you coming back for more! But then again, it could be due to my hefty man-crush on Christian Alvestam, who lends his all powerful pipes for guest spots in the songs Defenseless and You’ll Never Need To Feel Again, that causes my gleeful love for this album… nah. Angel Blake delivers the goods!

Overall: As far as power-y, gothic-ish metal goes, this is just about as good as it gets.  -  Typhon 

7.5/10

www.myspace.com/angelblake
www.dymanicartrecords.com


Deathbound - Doomsday Comfort
Dynamic Art Records - 2005

Grindcore is a horrible bitch-goddess that demands too much for the part-time metal fan, hence the limited fan base. Bands like Total Fucking Destruction, Insect Warfare and Righteous Pigs might have overwhelmed and then promptly exploded the skull of a kid who wished to make the jump from listening to the likes of Job For A Cowboy or At The Gates to something with a bit more substance. But now, there’s a new gateway grind band that doesn’t rhyme with “Day-palm Beth.” (But to be fair, Deathbound wasn’t always a grindcore band. Earlier albums had more of a straight-up death metal flavor to them.) Doomsday Comfort houses a hardened mixture of ‘core-ish vocals, barbaric grind riffs and neck wrecking drumage, fit to slate the bloodlust of most grizzled grind fanatics, yet inviting enough to attract a newer audience. This album fits in my “Universal Grind Album” bracket alongside “Reek Of Putrefaction” and “From Enslavement To Obliteration”. It even maintains the average two minutes and some odd seconds or shorter, track length standard for those of you who give a shit about that sort of thing.

Overall: Grindcore for the eager ears of newbies to the unapologetic genre that holds enough brutality and hyperactivity to keep the old schools happy as well. A perfect balance.  -  Typhon 

8.5/10

www.myspace.com/deathbound
www.dynamicartrecords.com


Falling To Pieces - Awaken The Weak
Independent - 2009

Falling To Pieces is a Bay Area born thrash/core act that will (with my prediction) be on the top ten list of any fan of metalcore within the coming year thanks to releases like “Awaken The Weak”. Especially with the addition of guitarist Scott Danough (co-founder of Bleeding Though)! Putting celebrity aside, “Awaken The Weak” has chops. Hottie vocalist Nikki D. brings the rage up to eleven and unleashes a killer performance in both her hardcore scream and her underused clean vocals. Not to be upstaged, the face shredding solos blaze a path of scorched earth across the length of this skull crushing offering! Bassist Kimo, offers up some awesome four string rhythms and some brutal backing vocals every once in a while that really standout! Lyrically, it’s what you’d expect from this genre: uplifting anthems of overcoming adversity and battle hymns for the oppressed and broken. Standard, yes. But it still levels the house to it’s foundation when played appropriately.

Overall: “Awaken The Weak” is hot, Hot, HOT! You’ve gotta check this shit out!  -  Typhon 

9/10

www.myspace.com/fallingtopieces


IWrestledABearOnce - It’s All Happening
Century Media - 2009

And now, I finally get to answer the question that I’ve been asking for a couple of months now, IWrestledABearOnce: Over-hyped MySpace band or real deal? The answer: I have no idea.

This album sounds like it was recorded at the Mad-Hatter’s tea party! How the hell is one supposed to measure up “It’s All Happening” to other albums in it’s genre? By height? I don’t know. I can tell that the vocalist has no want to maintain the ability to speak for much longer, seeing how she abusing her throat like a Utah senator in a men’s room stall. While the complex riffs and over-the-top shredding are the main attraction, they sound soulless and, dare I say trendy. The synths are the only real enjoyable portion of this album. Clever additions and melodic interludes accent the songs to the point of almost listenability.

Long story short… what the fuck is going on here?

Overall: Post-modern mathcore for fans of crazy, mixed-up zombified hillbillies that play off-tune renditions of Dancing On The Ceiling on the sitar… if that sounded good to you, you won’t like this album. If that sounded like some sort of hell born torture, then “It’s All Happening” is right up your alley… I think.  -  Typhon

?/10

www.myspace.com/iwrestledabearonce
www.centurymedia.com


Manzana - Babies Of Revolution
Dynamic Art Records - 2008

I’m not going to lie here… this album was difficult to review/listen too. The songs on “Babies Of Revolution” are either one of two things: Either 1) Genius or 2) Complete Crap. Seriously, this album probably holds the strangest state of perfect homeostatic symmetry between auditory gold and musical horse shit! Tracks like Panda Girl, Wash My Sins Away and End Of The World are fountains of joy, containing catchy licks, fun vocals and intricate synths. But on the flip side, tracks like Fake, Cherry Pit and Sweet Revenge are rife with junkyard leavings. The vocals sound… off, like during the recording of those tracks, the vocalist had a huge lump of phlegm in her throat and never bothered to hack it out or something. Even the synths sound lacking (which sucks since those are my favorite part of this album), as if the keyboard itself knows that this album has potential, but it’s already been doused in other areas. “So fuck it,” it thinks.

Overall: A mixed bag of entertaining neo-gothic, The Gathering-esque rock/metal and “what the hell were you thinking” garbage. Luckily, it still manages to be entertaining in a couple of ways.  - Typhon 

6/10

www.myspace.com/manzana
www.dynamicartrecords.com


Thanks for reading you guys! See you at New Year's Eve!!!

-Typhon-

It's been a while E-MetalSpace audience. I apologize for the temporary hiatus (personal issues. I'm sure you understand), but I assure you that E-MetalSpace is back to it's normal, less erratic schedule.

Bonus good news: The interviews are coming!!! The interviews are coming!!! Expect them within the next couple of issues!

Enjoy!


Avulsed - Nullo (The Pleasure Of Self-Mutilation)
Ibex Moon - 2009

Ah!!! Death metal of the most brutal variety! Wickedly fast paced drumming, wrist breaking riffing and deep, guttural from the bowels, vocals is pretty much what you get from the Madrid, Spain based death metal troupe. And while that sounds like the same ol’ shit that you hear from the likes of Obituary, Possessed or Morbid Angel, Avulsed bring a purity and even an unseen force to the recording that leaves the listener addicted to the hellish configuration that is “Nullo”. Not content with merely hooking you on their wears, Avulsed created freakish nightmares that await the listener with the beginning of each song and cram themselves into your memory, guaranteeing that other death metal bands won’t even be able to compare.

Overall: A dark entity that’s been dishing out the low-end brutality for seventeen years, who’s deathly style has hit it’s peak with the release of their sixth full-length album! Buy or die, a death metal fan’s must own!  -  Typhon

9.5/10

www.myspace.com/avulsed
www.ibexmoonrecords.com


Fatalist - The Depths Of Inhumanity
Ibex Moon - 2009

Have you ever listened to an album the first time around and went, “Damn! That’s refreshing!” only to, during the second or so listen, go “wait, now it sounds familiar… and not just because I already listened to this album,”? (yes, I’ve done that without the addition..) It’s funny because, even though you know you’ve heard the likes of “The Depths Of Inhumanity” before, Fatalist managed to twist enough of the core to their gory death metal whims that it really sounds like something fresh off the presses! What it sounds like this little reviewer, is like they took little bits of Obituary, Exhumed and maybe a little Autopsy and added a couple of thrash riffs with a minty fresh result. Each song starts off strong, pulling you in enough to be satisfied until the end comes with the perfect send-off into the next song, which starts off strong, pulling you in… until the album is over and you hit play again.

Overall: Down and dirty death metal with a hint of thrash and a whole lot of bloodshed!
That’s “The Depth’s Of Inhumanity” in a nut shell.  - Typhon 

8/10

www.myspace.com/fatalist666
www.ibexmoonrecords.com


Scorngrain - 0.05%
Dynamic Art Records - 2006

Yes! Two songs into “0.05%” and it has already eclipsed “CyberWarMachine” in lyricism, instrumentation and fulfilling the “cyber-thrash” label (because this album thrashes… more so if they’d nix the synths). “0.05%” is chalk-full of mind bending effects that aide the music this time around instead of hinder it. Lyrically, the name of the game is hallucination, murder, pharmaceutical drugs and general insanity which, in the hands of a lesser band would be boring as hell. But Scorngrain just seems to have a way with this sort of thing. Riff wise, there’s a ton of thrashy elements in here that pop out at you, with a heavy layer of industrialization underneath it all. “0.05%” is a dynamic release that begs for a few minutes of your time. I suggest you allow it just that.

Overall: Probably the best example of “cyber-thrash” (and the only band I’d allow that distinction) and defiantly the stronger of Scorngrain’s two albums. Think of them as “Eraserhead” the band!  -  Typhon 

9/10

www.myspace.com/scorngrain
www.dynamicartrecords.com


Shade Empire - Zero Nexus
Dynamic Art Records - 2008

Music for cybernetic vampires? Not quite. Gothic in feel but actually awesome in execution, “Zero Nexus” is as brain splatteringly original as it gets! Every second of “Zero Nexus” is reminiscent of… nothing actually. That’s just how fresh this album feels to me. If I had to compare it to something, I’d go with the dream we’ve all had where we’re falling to our death in that dark chasm. Chilling, is it not? Well, so is this album. The instrumentation is a sinister coupling of blackened riffing, synthetic orchestration and some very elaborate drum work. The introduction of group, clean and female vocals into the already rich vocal section only helps feed the listener’s awe. “Zero Nexus” is dense album that requires quite a bit from the listener, so I’ll have to announce that it’s not quite for everyone (due to the mixing of a few genres that have conflicting fan bases), but I’ll go on record saying that this album rules!

Overall: An unyielding attack of brutal blackened electro-goth metal! As brilliant and conflicting as it sounds…  -  Typhon

9/10

www.shadeempire.com
www.myspace.com/shadeempireband
www.dynamicartrecords.com


Urn - Soul Destroyers
Dynamic Art Records - 2008

It’s not everyday that I get an album that has a fold out of a goat-headed demon that’s pissing on an archbishop with his wart encrusted wang! I find myself becoming more and more enthralled with the genre that is blackened thrash thanks to bands like Urn. They do  nothing to detour me from my current path of obsession with the presentation of their third full-length album “Soul Destroyers”. This album beats the holy hell out of you with it’s soul shredding riffs and barbaric double bass blasts, then finishes the job with it’s intense, intensity from beginning to end! Vocally, we’ve got a standard black metal shriek. Plain, yes, but it gets the job done. And yes, the lyric pool is pretty shallow when you’re of the satanic variety of blackened thrash (excluding Coven. Awesome lyrics AND instrumentation), but who listens to those things anyway?

Overall: Imagine if Venom died in a freak accident, then were reincarnated as three other dudes who were all about evil thrash. I’d bet they’d call themselves Urn!  -  Typhon 

9/10

www.myspace.com/
www.dynamicartrecords.com


Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe!

-Typhon-

Hails and horns to you all! It's a few days after Thanksgiving, but I'm still pretty doped up on tryptophan, cough medicine for my laryngitis and my brother in-law's gnarly herbs... so I hope that explains the eight day hiatus.

Anyway, ON WITH THE METAL!!!!

E-MetalSpace is:

Typhon - The sick guy that spreading his nasty-assed germs to everyone who reads this! Ha! You're all fucked now!!!


Acheron - The Final Conflict: The Last Days Of God
Ibex Moon - 2009

Acheron is a death metal (sometimes blackened death metal) band that’s been punching the metal clock since 1988 (the only member that has been there since the beginning being vocalist/bassists Vincent Crowley). In case you missed the title of this album, you probably don’t want to be listening “The Final Conflict: The Last Days Of God” in or near a home that has a cross with that little, half-naked fella hanging from it since every song in this album is an all out war against followers of the Lord Jehovah… yeah, so the lyric pool is pretty shallow. Not to be overlooked however, is the fact that ex-members of Incantation (Crowley) and Vital Remains (drummer Kyle Severn) are present! So you know that the licks, vocals and drums are going to be something brutal all the way through! The riffing is mid-paced most of the album, but at times can leak into supersonic territory and proceed to melt your face clean the fuck off! There’s even a bit of an Iron Maiden tint to the song Millennium’s End, so take that one however you wish.

Overall: A blistering rampage through the back alleys of death metal, that are stained with a fresh coat of Christian blood thanks to “The Final Conflict: The Last Days Of God”!  -  Typhon

8.5/10

www.myspace.com/acheron
www.ibexmoonrecords.com


Scorngrain - CyberWarMachine
Dynamic Art Records - 2004

Sybreed. Fear Factory. The Kovenant. Three bands that include electronics into their instrumentation, use the whole, “man’s dependence on machines that will inevitably result in man’s demise” thing into their lyrics and an have an odd fan base. Well, now they have company. Scorngrain (winner of the “What The Hell Does Your Name Mean? Award”) advertise themselves (at least in 2004) as cyber thrash… Yeah, how about no instead? More like cybercore or cybergroove, me thinks. At any rate, “CyberWarMachine” is an intense experience. The listener is exposed to some aural experimentation, such as: odd synthetic feedback and samples that seem misplaced, some too simple (and some not so simple) guitar schemes that disrupt the flow of the song. On the positive side, the vocals never let you down with their schizophrenic screeching (well… there is that whole half-rap during 24-7 Hell) and the lyricism is top-notch (RE: Dawn Of Hypocrite God). 

Overall: Scorngrain is on the right track with “CyberWarMachine”, but have left a ton of room for growth. Hopefully Scorngrain takes advantage of this space so that “0.05%” is as great as I think it could possibly be.  -  Typhon 

6.5/10

www.myspace.com/scorngrain
www.dynamicartrecords.com


Shade Empire - Intoxicate O.S.
Dynamic Art Records - 2006

My initial reaction to Shade Empire’s “Intoxicate O.S.” was as follows: “….eh?” I honestly wasn’t sure what I was listening to! It’s like an unholy union of Mortiis, Dimmu Borgir and Disharmonia Mundi. Vocalist Juha Harju just about does it all (well, all that matters anyway): blackened screeches, brutal growling and even some spooky spoken word passages. The six string action in “Intoxicate O.S.” is an uncompromising assault of twisted structures and hellish melodies. (I dare you to find something that sounds even similar to what they have going on in Chemical God!) Not to be left behind, then drummer Tero Liimatainen finds every catchy beat that could possibly be hiding the haunting tech-rhythms and unleashes it with a wholly unique style. And possibly the defining member of Shade Empire, synth slayer Olli Savolainen, brings out an almost ethereal feel to every song with every key pressed. This, ladies and gentlemen is an album that is unfuckwithable!

Overall: Fresh, exciting and completely unpredictable, “Intoxicate O.S.” is an album that will keep it’s listener on it’s toes!  -  Typhon 

9/10

www.shadeempire.com
www.myspace.com/shadeempireband
www.dynamicartrecords.com


Sonata Arctica - The Days Of Grays
Nuclear Blast - 2009

I’ve been an on and off fan of Finnish power metal act, Sonata Arctica for a couple of years now. I can hear Nick asking me from a distance, “But, why? Stratovarious sucks!” (He’s right you know…) But there’s always been something about Sonata Arctica that just keeps bringing me back to them. I still don’t know what that is exactly, but I do know that “The Days Of Grays” does NOT have that same certain something…

Tony Kakko still has an amazing voice and the rhythm strings are just as melodic and powerful as ever, but the execution this time around reminds me of something some cocksmith speeding by in a Miata with his tennis sweater wrapped around his neck, the arms of which are flapping in the breeze… fuck him and fuck that thought! Again, I’m left wondering what it is that made me hate this album the way I loved “For The Sake Of Vengeance”… really! Somebody please tell me what the fuck is different!

Overall: This album is more Stratovarious than good (except the song Zeros. Too cool!). “The Days Of Grays” is pretty much a glorified pop-rock album. And that makes me incredibly sad…  - Typhon

4.5/10

www.sonataarctica.info
www.myspace.com/sonataarctica
www.nuclearblastusa.com


Witchmaster - Trucizna
Ibex Moon - 2009

“Conan, what is best in life?” I think everyone in the who’s ever seen that movie has slapped their forehead when Schwarzenegger responded with, “to crush your enemies, etc…”. We all know now that the correct answer to that is, of course, thrash. And to a slightly lesser extent, blackened thrash. Which is where Witchmaster comes in to crush the enemies of metal and hear the lamentation of the poser’s women!

Now that we’re past that ridiculous set-up, Witchmaster’s latest offering, entitled “Trucizna”, is set on raising hell the old fashioned way: with scorching black metal that seamlessly blends into raging thrash. Its no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of thrash in all it’s forms, but there’s something about the way Witchmaster delivers the goods that puts them head and shoulders about the rest of the blackened thrash bands out there.

Overall: Armed with lightning fast blackened thrash riffing and soul grinding vocals, “Trucizna” is blackthrash force with absolutely no equal (Sorry Bloodthrist, you’ve been dethroned)!  -  Typhon

10/10

www.myspace.com/wearewitchmaster
www.ibexmoonrecords.com


Thank you for reading! Be sure to subscribe!

-Typhon-

Hail E-MetalSpace readers! I know it's late, but I got bored and wanted to post anyway. Hope you all don't mind.

Enjoy this ludicrously early morning edition of E-MetalSpace!!!

Question to all of you: How many of you are going to see Megadeth, Slayer and Testament when they destroy an arena near you?


E-MetalSpace is:


Typhon - Bored and horny... oh yeah, I do those reviews too...


Arsonists Get All The Girls - Portals
Century Media - 2009

Now here’s a band that I’ve been in love with for a couple of years now. Arsonists Get All The Girls blend a schizophrenic version of hardcore, death metal and grindcore (let’s just go ahead and call it deathcore, shall we?) and add in synths that lend a catchy Atari type effect that seems to be growing in popularity. This time around, there have been a few DRASTIC changes to the formula and band as a whole. Namely: There’s a new vocalist and there’s only one of him. My reaction: Yes! The dual vocalist thing was getting a bit tired and the higher scream of the two was what kept this band from being one of my favorites. Thankfully, the higher vocals have been done away with and replaced with hardcore shouts, death growls and grind squeals. Another change, the pace isn’t nearly as speedy as it used to be which, I think at least, works to their advantage. The guitars due their thing as they always have, swinging from chaotic to mellow and everywhere in-between at a moments notice. It’s this reviewer’s opinion that Arsonists Get All The Girls have hit their stride with “Portals”.

Overall: Positive changes for a band that was already great to begin with. “Portals” opens up all new avenues for fans of this genre.  -  Typhon 

9/10

www.myspace.com/agatg
www.centurymedia.com


Duskburn - Soldering The Seven Streams
Independent - 2009

It’s been a couple of months since we’ve got something in the mail that is of this weed smokey caliber that wasn’t straight up doom or trippy type acid rock. Yesiree, Duskburn offer up one hell of a sludgy album with “Soldering The Seven Streams”. While this Croatian foursome pulls some obvious influences from the likes of High On Fire and Iron Monkey (ß a band name that to this day makes me giggle like a Japanese school girl.), they’re still able to squeeze in a sliver of originality that helps pull them apart from the many EyeHateGod and Crowbar clones out there. The vocals are a strained raspy growl that doesn’t harsh the mellow one iota. Meanwhile, a turbulent storm kicks up in the background from the hectic drum work that blend in from chaotic to tranquil without derailing the flow of these viscous tunes.

Overall: Duskburn is a slow burn that is ultimately as gratifying as a twelve hour blowjob… ok, eleven hour blowjob. You get the picture! Check these guys out!  -  Typhon

8/10

www.myspace.com/duskburned


Empty Lies The Tomb - Covered In Blood
Independent - 2009

A band fresh off the garage circuit in Illinois, Empty Lies The Tomb is a short in the arm for those of you that are tired of post-hardcore or metalcore but are still willing to give it a short (and I mean that with the utmost sincerity). This five track attack is brimming with passion and a force that’s beyond what simple labels and name calling can suppress. Vocally, ELTT mix growling and bellowing with pleasing results. Especially when paired with the whip-lashing speed in which the guitarist strikes his chords. Not to mention the surprising solo in Covered In Blood. Lyrically, I’m not a huge fan of religious meanderings, be they derived from Christianity, Islam, Satanism or what have you (unless it’s acknowledged as a myth, i.e., most forms of Paganism, etc…), so no gold is to be found in that department. But don’t let that detour you from this band! 

Overall: Empty Lies The Tomb’s talent and passion is undeniable and overwhelming at times… and that should say something seeing as those I don’t rightly agree with the message they’re spreading through their music. Give them a listen if your Christian or merely a metalcore fan.  -  Typhon 

7.5/10

www.myspace.com/emptyliesthetomb


Shangren - 2009 Demo
Independent - 2009

An now we’ve heard it all! Folk metal that blends the merciless attack of melodic death metal and the colorful mythology of the Far East! Not only is this demo original in concept and execution, but it also boasts a squeaky clean production that lends to the powerful experience that is Shangren! And I shout a hearty “FUCK YEAH!” to master of ceremonies, one Leonard Ong (key tickler from Starforge) from for his tour de force performance on all instruments on this five song demo! The vocals bounce from a brutal death roar (akin to Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth) to a blackened rasp (in the song The Battle Of Water And Fire, he kind of sounds like Harvey Firestein. Funny and cool!)  that blend very well. The riffing is heavy, fast and melodic and the solos play their part in making you believe you’re being transported to a mythical realm of the Monkey King and Sky Dragon within the Jade Empire! As far as I can tell, it’s not quite traditional, but it sure hit’s the spot as far as entertaining and fascinating metal goes!

Overall: Hopefully, this demo is the beginning of more Oriental folk metal! I don’t know how long exactly I’ll have to wait to hear the full length album Mr. Ong has planed, but I can tell you that it’s not coming out fast enough for me!  -  Typhon 

10/10

www.myspace.com/shangrenmetal


Thee Merry Widows - The Devil’s Outlaws
“I Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison” Records - 2008

This is another victim of “The Great Avalanche Of Lost Promos Under The Bed”. So, apologies all around once again.

This is my first foray into the realm of psychobilly punk and I’ve gotta tell ya, “The Devil’s Outlaws” is fairly eye opening. Thee Merry Widows claim to be the original all female psychobilly band and I’d be inclined to agree with the bevy of beautiful babes since they manage to dish out this unique brand of punk with such a purity. Vocalist Eve Von Slut’s voice is powerful yet alluring, a combination that is perfect in so many other ways… *ahem* moving on… The guitarist plays along at a medium pace that drops a catchy as herpes riff every once in a while that lodges itself into you memory and will refuse to leave! So yeah, psychobilly rocks!

And big ups to the song I Want ’Em Dead! Love it!  

Overall: Thee Merry Widows will hunt you down and kick your ass if you don’t give them a listen. I suggest you do too… not due to the threat either! These gals are awesome!  -  Typhon 

8/10

www.merrywidowsmusic.com
www.myspace.com/theemerrywidowsmusic
www.peoplelikeyourecords.com


Thanks for reading! Remember to subscribe!

-Typhon-

Hey everybody! It's a new issue! Blah, blah blah! I'm going to take this opportunity to thank Dynamic Art Records for the ELEVEN promos they sent our way today! So you all get to look forward to some awesome content in the future!


Question for you: Who'd win in a fight: Deathstroke or Taskmaster?


E-MetalSpace is:


Typhon - Flyin' Solo


Blood Of The Prophets - A Prayer For Vengeance
Independent - 2009

Blood Of The Prophets boarders on melodic death metal and metalcore, to a degree that the fans of the latter may not take kindly to the elements of the former and vice versa. I however, have nothing but mostly good things to say about Blood Of The Prophets and “A Prayer For Vengeance” (except that they have one hell of a tour lined up that DOESN’T stop through Oregon at all… jerks…) The instrumentation is tight and leaves open plenty of opportunities for the crowds to jump along, while the vocals keep up their style swapping verse after bloodily brutal verse! Lyrically, “A Prayer For Vengeance” stomps all over organized religion, morality and the general shit storm that is life.

My one gripe is the vocal fluctuation. Now normally, I love vocal versatility. But in this case, I actually think that picking one style and sticking with may prove beneficial the whole way around. 

Overall: A band that’s plenty new, full of talent and ready to take over a stage near you… unless it’s on the West Coast… *grumble*  -  Typhon 

8.5/10

www.myspace.com/bloodoftheprophets


Excruciator - 2009 Demo
Independent - 2009

Ok, so Destruction and Morbid Angel got together one night in an abandoned castle with the intention to create the perfect mix of death metal and thrash metal. Finding out at the loss of several helpless villagers, they couldn’t approach this undertaking with just any old victim in a neighboring village. So they sent for four young lads from Portland, Oregon that had astronomical Thrashiclorian counts and after less than a year of tinkering around… viola! Excruciator is born! And the four track demo they’ve been generously handing out over the past couple of months is a brilliant piece of thrashamabilia that’s sure to satisfy even the most diehard of old schoolers thrashers! Not to mention the badass track entitled Submission To Falsities for the old school DMers! Don’t believe me? Fuck you! Check this shit out for yourself at any one of their several live dates across the Pacific Northwest!

Overall: Wicked old school thrash that rivals anything I’ve heard from several thrash titans lately. Bra-fucking-vo Excruciator!  -  Typhon 

9.5/10

www.myspace.com/excruciator1


Secrets Of The Moon - Privilegivm
Lupus Lounge - 2009

A glossy case featuring an image of an apple with a huge bite taken out of it is what met my eyes as I peeled away the envelope that surrounded this about to be reviewed album. I wasn’t sure what to think when I first gazed upon the album, but a quick jump online revealed that I was, in fact about to listen to a renowned black metal band. “Intriguing”, I thought as I placed the CD in my player and pressed play. My immediate reaction to the dark tones that were escaping my speakers was as simple as this: “whoa…” “Privilegivm” brought me out of my brightly lit living room and transported me to a place of arcane madness and dark metamorphosis with it’s modestly clean production and juxtaposition of black, gothic and progressive metals.

“Privilegivm” features a new member to the line-up in LSK (ex-Corpus Christti) on bass, who brings a thundering energy to the fold that would have been sorely missed, while returning members Thrawn (ex-Krieg, on drums) and Shammash Golden (ex-Sagittarius, on vocals, guitars and keys)  that keep this entrancing album as interesting and fresh as can be. So, if you were a fan in the past, Secrets Of The Moon have evolved a bit here so be sure to check back up on them.

Overall: A surprising direct hit for anyone looking for black metal that boarders on gothic metal and progressive black metal. Balanced and most enjoyable!  -  Typhon 

8.5/10

www.myspace.com/secretsofthemoon
www.secretsofthemoon.org
www.lupuslounge.com


The Ocean - Fluxion (Reissue)
Metal Blade - 2009

I guess it should be said that I never heard the original Fluxion, so my review will mostly just be straight up and not retrospective. But that won’t dampen it at all I don’t think…

What can I honestly say about The Ocean? Originally, that it’s big, blue and full of fish. But now, having finally heard The Ocean after first hearing about them back in 2007 while they were pimping “Precambrian”, I can say that this shit is… almost overwhelming. Their sound is so deep and full that it’s a practice in multi-tasking just listening to them!

The main vocalist is a baron of baritone badassory with some brutal bellowing that blows away most of the growls I’ve heard in the past. Every once in a while you’ll get a gang vocal or slightly shrill shout that detracts from the main vocals, but overall it’s all good. The guitars range from simple chords to intricate tapestries, woven from the minds of seemingly appears to be a psychotic mind… but I don’t think that last part is true… maybe they really like hallucinogenics? I dunno.

Point being, The Ocean is massive… in sound. The songs fluctuate from calm and almost soothing to harsh and unforgiving without a moments notice.

Overall: If you’re into intricate, sludgy, experimental music that involves life and land aquatic, then The Ocean is right up your Straight Of Gibraltar. Each song on this album is a potential white squall that can and will leave you breathless.  -  Typhon

9/10

www.myspace.com/theoceancollective
www.theoceancollective.com
www.metalblade.com


Wintryfrost - 2009 Demo
Independent - 2009

This demo actually came to me a few months ago (four I think). It was meant to be reviewed sooner, but it got lost in a freak “closet avalanche that knocked over my CD stand and one or two of the CD’s up for review slid under the bed and didn’t get reviewed until now” accident. So without further ado, the review for the one and only Wintryfrost Demo.

This five song demo is the brainchild of Italian goth rocker Giorgio “Jure” Orani and is a one man, instrumental piece of gold! This demo houses a lot of substance and is eerily beautiful in production and presentation. The instrumentation keeps up a haunting atmosphere throughout the five tracks and doesn’t let up during the change from song to song, but still manages to give each song it’s own feel. That’s impressive! And that’s saying something since I’m not really into the whole gothic thing.

Overall: For a one man band and a first time production job, this artist has one hell of a future in the music industry if he keeps it up!  -  Typhon

8/10

www.myspace.com/yantar


Thanks for reading! Ya'll fucking rule!

-Typhon-

Hey gang! I'm sorry it's been a while since I've posted a new issue, but I'm sure a lot of you can agree that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare can be a cruel mistress...

But that neither here nor there. I've been flooded with confirmation emails from labels and independent bands that want little old E-MetalSpace to review their material so rest asured that we won't be hitting a dry spell anytime soon!

And thanks to all the support from all of E-MetalSpace subscribers and all of you that have been spreading the word!


E-MetalSpace is:

Typhon - Maybe I should stop posting this part since it never seems to change... :(


Fallen Man - Reborn
Independent - 2007

I am a fairly big fan of Fallen Man’s 2009 album “Mercenaries”, which only fuel my glee for the arrival (in the mail) of their 2007 full length, “Reborn”. Right off the bat, you can tell that Fallen Man has done some growing up since this album. The pace is mid at it’s fastest (which isn’t what this type of music needs. Faster, I say!) and the riffs stay at a steady two or three per song as well as fairly simplistic lyrics. Now, that isn’t saying that “Reborn” is a bad album. Not at all, in fact. It’s just not as good as “Mercenaries”. Oh, and I guess the incredibly misleading genre label of “industrial” is a little bothersome as well. If this album is in fact industrial, then Fear Factory is on par with Ministry at the industrial game. (Yes, that is sarcasm…) What they do right however is nail the old bounce/groove feel of Pantera and 00’s Slayer (if that’s your thing).

Now, I read some old reviews of this album and they all agreed on one thing: the
“awesome” cover of W.A.S.P.’s Love Machine. To that I say, “Huh?” This cover actually made me want to never listen to the original! It’s definitely got my vote for worst track on “Reborn”.

Overall: “Reborn” is an middle of the road album at best. I implore you all to listen to their newest release and forgo this album. Unless you REALLY like W.A.S.P. covers…  -  Typhon  

5.5/10

www.mtspace.com/fallenman


Guyve - Smegma Studio Sessions (MCD)
Independent - 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen! Presenting, the next big thing in laying on the floor after smoking some buds and listening to mind-altering music is here: Guyve’s Smegma Studio Sessions! This tiny audio disc contains three tracks that clock in at seventeen and one half minutes of pure aural delight! The heavy riffing and maniacal drumming is accented by strategically placed  distortion and odd bleeps and bloops that sound as if they came from a guitar swinging match in the studio. I’m also very pleased with the fact that this is an instrumental piece, seeing as though I’m sure that the addition of ANY type of vocals would detract from the amazing art these to Portlanders have given life to here. MORE!!! MORE!!! MORE!!! (And by MORE!!!, I mean a full-length next time) You trippy sounding fuckers!

Overall: If you love quasi-psychedelic noise rock that‘s as fun as Homer‘s insanity pepper hallucination with the Johnny Cash coyote, then Guyve is right up your acid THC caked alley!  -  Typhon

9/10

www.myspace.com/guyve


Ritual - The Gathering
Yelraf Productions - 200

Ok! Here we go again for the final time! “The Gathering” is considered a best of album… but I’m failing to hear the “best” part. It’s basically the same ol’ shit you’ve heard from them before… only compiled into two discs of their favorite songs. I guess a silver lining to this album is the not so lame album art. Is a stretched skinned skull that’s wearing a crown… yeah, silver lining… Granted (once again), this is steaming from my utter distain for biker bar rock, tasteless lyricism and self proclaimed “legendary” vocals. So yeah, merely my opinion…

Overall: Two whole discs of torture. Listen at the risk of your own sanity… the Cthulhu of shitty bum rock albums…  -  Typhon

1/10

www.myspace.com/ritualonline


Winds Of Plague - The Great Stone War
Century Media - 2009

Let’s get this out of the way here and now: I have no idea as to what ti classify these guys (and girl) as. I tried saying deathcore in my last review and follow-up interview with vocalist Johnny Plague, but was told “nay”. My second guess? Symphonic, blackened melodic -core death… metal. *huff* I guess it’s your call.

Anyway, I was a huge fan of “Decimate The Weak” and was stoked silly at the arrival of “The Great Stone War”. And I’ve got to admit, TGSW doesn’t have as many instant fan favorites as “Decimate The Weak” but it’s a solid album none the less. It’s more like a thirty-eight minute grandiose war cry! An opus of the oppressed! An anthem of the apocal… you get the point. Johnny P. still rocks the shit out of the mic with his varied vocals (and awe inspiring command of the live audience). And Art Cruz beats the beats he beats like no other (most impressive!). The synthesized siren, Mrs. Kristen Randall rolls the keys with the greatest of ease and creates an atmosphere of hopelessness on the battlefield that then switches out with the emergence of an intense skirmish, brought out by the dual axe attack of the Nicks.

Overall: Call them trendy. Call them posers. (I won’t.) Call them whatever the fuck you want. I’m sure they don’t care. “The Great Stone War” is an epic feeling album that brings you to the frontlines of metal that’s fueled by the flames of youth. Keep this shit coming!!!

8/10

www.myspace.com/windsofplague
www.centurymedia.com


Thanks for reading ya'll! I'll try to get the next one up Monday night!

-Typhon-

Hails and horns fair readers! It's another night, another blog from your friendly, neighborhood metal reviewer! I've got four reviews for you tonight. One of which is godly and another that isn't worth the time it took to type this quick summery of it... you'll see.

The missus and I are currently watching Slumdog Millionaire... why was this movie praised so much...?


E-MetalSpace is:


Typhon - Doin' mah thing alone... again... *sigh*


Faust - From Glory To Infinity
Paragon Records - 2009

Like awaking from a nightmare that started as a dream that started as a nightmare, “From Glory To Infinity” sets you up for a ride like no other! Wicked throat, six string beheader and mastermind behind Faust, Aleister pulls out one hell of an innovative and soul crushing album here. And when he’s aided by the likes of guitarist Ghiulz Borroni (ex-Profanatum), drummer Daray (Dimmu Borgir), session guitarist Luca Princiotta (Doro) and bassist extraordinaire Steve DiGiorgio (Death, Testament, Dragnlord, and countless others), you couldn’t possibly expect anything less than brilliance or a possible forced evolution in death metal! And you’re right! Harsh yet ethereal melodies tie brilliantly to the sudden beautiful acoustic breaks and brutal messages of anti-Christian lore that are smeared in every nook and cranny of this sinfully awesome album! And what album with a big titted nun on the cover wouldn’t be complete without a song about nun rape a satiric take on the virgin mother (Holy Hole)? Classic!

Overall: If you’re a fan of death metal (and I know you are) I strongly consider picking up this album. The future of all things death metal may very well stem from “From Glory To Infinity”!  -  Typhon 

10/10

www.deathmetal.it
www.paragonrecords.org
www.myspace.com/paragon_records


Outbreak Of Metal Vol. 2 - Destroyer / Violated
Slaney Records - 2008

Well here we are again! Another night, another split from Slaney Records! Let’s see what the fine Irish company has sent our way this time…

Destroyer - Polish thrash dead set on ripping your brain to shreds! Pulling influences from the likes of a jam session Metallica, the juggernaut-like presence of Destruction and even some “Cowboys…” era Pantera crunch, Destroyer cement their place with fans of each of the previously mentioned bands with a gentle homage to each. Destroyer may not be original, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t still thrashin’!

Violated - First off, whoa! I didn’t know there was an Exodus font! Violated bring a ferocity and purity to the thrash table that gives it the vibe of something straight from 1986! Solid beats and finger shredding solos litter the devastated landscape of these six tracks that’ll keep your head banging long after the disc stops-a-spinnin’! So pick up a case of PBR and give these guys a listen!

Overall: My assessment is as simple as this: Thrash fan? Pick this split up!  -  Typhon 

9.5/10

www.destroyer.com.pl
www.myspace.com/destroyeronline
www.myspace.com/theviolated
www.slaneyrecords.com
www.myspace.com/slaneyrecords


Ritual - Lost Loves, Friends & Dreams
Yelraf Productions - ????

The short version? “Lost Loves, Friends & Dreams is six tracks of break up song wankery. It’s the same busted bar/glam-ish rock that I had to endure in “The Fool” (sans the cool-ish opening track). I did what I could to find some semblance of competence in the lyrics at least, but all I found was all but aneurism inducing! I honestly don’t think that there is a single redeemable element involved with the EP. No, I take that back. I will admit that it has been a long, long time since I’ve heard chimes incorporated in anything that passed through my mailbox. So that’s kind of nice…

Overall: The 1/10 score is due to the unbelievable sappiness of this EP and the additional track over “The Fool”. Two down, one more to go. For shame Ritual!  -  Typhon 

1/10

www.myspace.com/ritualonline


Seventh Gate - Under A Black Sun
Independent - 2008

Talk about your evil cocktails! Seventh Gate’s four song EP “Under A Black Sun” is a shot of black metal and a jigger of thrash, served inside a pint of doom! I don’t know about you, but that’s a concoction that’d fuck me up pretty good! The vocals are a litle rough in the mix, but the sinister message is conveyed clearly none the less. Another element that’s slightly hindered by the fuzzy production is the guitars, which is a shame since the melodic meets blackened riffs are a sound to behold in clarity.

And now, a personal note: The lads from Seventh Gate have been kicking around the Portland metal scene for the past two and a half years, but have yet to garnish the reputation they deserve! So do them a favor and check them out either on their MySpace page or, if you can, check them out live with Marduk at the Satyricon on December 7th!

Overall: “Under A Black Sun” is a little rough around the edges, but it clearly shows the potential that this band has. Give it a little more time and these guys are gonna be KNOWN!  -  Typhon 

8/10

www.myspace.com/seventhgatemusic


Thanks for reading! See you next time!


-Typhon-

Hi-dee-ho metal maniacs! It's 9:33 on a blustery Thursday night and I'm in an extrordiarily large amount of pain! So to take my mind off of that douchewad that almost ran me over (don't worry, he still nicked me with his sideview mirror... I guess he was a Setback fan...), I did six review tonight! I hope you enjoy 'em as much I loved writing them!

But before we get to the reviews, I have a few questions for ya'll: How you liking the changes thus far? Do you have any suggestions? How many of you also thought that the G.I. Joe Movie was powerfully lame?


E-MetalSpace is (again):


Just Typhon... LAME!!!


REVIEWS:


Dark Celebration - Phlegeton -The Transcendence Of Demon Lords
Paragon Records - 2009

Ah. Brazilian blackened death metal. Is there a sweeter fruit on the planet? …yeah. I’m blowing smoke out my ass here. I don’t think I’ve ever consciously heard Brazilian blackened death metal before. And if Dark Celebration’s “Phlegeton…” is any indication of the norm, then I think I’ll stick with straight up death metal and thrash from the coffee bean capitol. I mean, “Phlegeton…” isn’t really terrible or anything, it’s just boring. Once you’ve heard the first song on this album, have two choices: 1) Continue listening to the album. Or 2) Repeat the song six more times. Both of which have the same effect (expect for the song Infra Dark, which is just plain terrible). You hear the same grating (almost whiny) black-ish vocals, same hard yet melodic solos and the same recycled death metal snare punishment (It’s like the drummer from DragonForce tried his hand at death metal and failed there too).

Overall: There are a few shining moments in “Phlegeton…”, but it ends up lacking in so many other areas. This album would be good for introducing a newbie to blackened death metal.  -  Typhon

5.0/10

www.myspace.com/darkcelebration666
www.paragonrecords.org


Outbreak Of Metal Vol. 1 - Vindicator / Metal Witch
Slaney Records - 2008

Uh-oh! It’s looks like Stormspell Records has some competition in the “totally awesome thrash/power/heavy metal” compilation race! Let’s see what Slaney Records has too offer, shall we?

Vindicator - Taking two parts Artillery, one part Slayer and one part new wave of thrash, let it simmer for the length of this band’s allotment on this split and serve with a keg of the cheapest beer you can find and you’ve got a thrashtastic meal fit for the Kings Of Metal! I mean it guys, this shit is some of the best thrash I’ve heard in a while (and I was just listening to Sodom!)! Humanarchy reigns!

Metal Witch - Holy Hanna! Metal Witch is speed metal strapped to power metal with NWOBHM influences! I don’t know how much of what I’m hearing right now can be accurately conveyed! I do, however know The Count Has Risen From The Grave is a song that will kick your ass for months to come, guaranteed! Saxon can go suck a dick (respectively) after listening to Metal Witch!

Overall: Volume 1 is home fucking run! Here’s to a violent and prosperous legacy of Outbreak Of Metal compilations!  -  Typhon

!!!!!10/10!!!!!

www.myspace.com/savindicator
www.myspace.com/metalwitches


Patryk de Rosa - PDR
Independent - 2007

A freaky-deeky instrumental experiment in aural psychosis. That is what this album is. I really don’t need to write anything more than that… but that would just be cheap, now wouldn’t it? Patryk (Axeman Extraordinaire), Jeff (the Bass Blasting Bastard) and Robert (the Master of the Metronomic) have stuck their necks out and created a wholly unique experience by blending the essences of surf rock, acid rock and prog into something the masses can and will enjoy! Every song in “PDR” is worth it’s weight in awesome music. (Oh and Mission PDR… fantastic fucking song!)

DVD: A straight cut jam session of these three mad musicians doing their thing with extreme prejudice. Nothing more. Nothing less.

I guess I should also mention that the album I received came with a customized PDR guitar pick. Cool… I had something in my teeth shortly after I opened the envelope this album can in, so it came in handy after all. (Only kidding folks!)

Overall: It’s new. It’s exciting. It’s a headbangingly good time!  -  Typhon 

8.0/10

www.myspace.com/patrykderosa


Prayer Of The Dying - From The Mouth Of The Passing
Nekrogoat Heresy Productions - 2008

After my long winded, yet much approved of review of “Structures Of A Dying Matter”, I’ll be doing what I can to keep this review of an equally excellent album to a minimum. “From The Mouth Of The Passing” is an entirely different animal from it’s predecessor in style and structure. This time around, Martin Ciappara traded a straight forward grim black metal style for a twisted blackened funeral doom style. Blackened screeches and deathly growls and layered overtop one another with a soiled blanket of distortion and bass wrapped tightly around it (presumably to seal in the evil). This album is perfect for just laying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling and wondering where your life went wrong (I’m thinking around the time when I thought condoms were for chumps… KIDDING!). Now I’m chomping at the bit to see what Mr. Ciappara’s next vision of doom ’n’ gloom is going to be about!

Overall: “From The Mouth Of The Passing” would be an excellent addition to the library of any fan of black metal or doom. But don’t take my word for it! Da-dun-dun!  -  Typhon 

8.5/10

www.myspace.com/prayerofthedying


Ritual - The Fool
Yelraf Productions - ????

To be fair, this five song EP tells you exactly what you are if you finish all five songs. Ok, that’s not entirely accurate. Opener and title track The Fool is pretty decent if you’ve got a soft spot for musicians who play their live sets surrounded by chicken wire. The last four tracks equate to seventeen minutes of songs you heard playing during the credits of bad 80’s horror movies (*cough*thanksNick*cough*). Do you want to know the worst part? I’ve got another EP and a double disc “Best Of” (and I’m sure that term was used lightly) to solider through over the course of the next to blogs… light a candle for me folks…

Overall: “The Fool” is a foolish attempt at bar rock, or as the fools in the band believe, metal. Avoid!  -  Typhon 

2/10

www.myspace.com/ritualonline


Skeletonwitch - Breathing The Fire
Prosthetic Records - 2009

Yes! Yes! Motherfucking YES!!! I was all about Skeletonwitch’s 2007 release, “Beyond The Permafrost” and I am most definitely one-hundred, soul pledging percent behind “Breathing The Fire”! This album is the definitive blackened thrash album and I challenge anyone out there to prove me wrong! It’s like if “An Overdose Of Death” raped “Advance And Vanquish” and the unholy bastard that was unleashed was deemed “Breathing The Fire”! The raspy vocals of Chance Garnett graze your soul just enough for the twin shredding of Nate Garnett and Scott Hedrick to finish the job by flaying it open for all to see with songs like Where The Light Has Failed and Crushed Beyond Dust. And not to be left out, kit abuser Derrick Nau pummels the skin with the best of them by blasting as fast and as hard as his blackened soul will allow! My only gripe is at the lack of any variation in the separate songs. But who cares when the formula they follow is as mind-blowingly awesome as it is?

Overall: “Breathing The Fire” is a breath of blackened thrash air… that last one was almost as bad as any pun on the Flintstones…  - Typhon 

9.0/10

www.myspace.com/skeletonwitch
www.protheticrecords.com


Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe!

-Typhon-

Well fair readers, here we are... again. The first issue of the reformatted E-MetalSpace! Be sure to let us know that you think about it!

So, how many of you out there are going to be downloading the FREE Gama Bomb album TALES FROM THE GRAVE IN SPACE on November 5th? I already did bitches! I suggest you do the same!

LINK -----> www.earache.com/gamabomb <----- LINK


E-MetalSpace is:


Just Typhon this time. Sorry. :(


DarkBlack - The Sellsword
Stormspell Records - 2009

It’s been four years since the release of DarkBlack’s “The Barbarian’s Hammer” EP and if you ask me, it’s been far too fucking long! These power/speed/NWOBHM heroes serve up a steaming helping of awesome with the release of “The Sellsword”, an album that is in most respects, a perfect album. Ignoring the obvious influences (Judas Priest, Diamond Head and even a twinge of Black Sabbath here and there), DarkBlack manages to keep their shit from sounding like (fill in the NWOBHM blank here) worship by adding their own flare in every conceivable angle. From pounding to shredding, DarkBlack has their craft down pat!

Earlier I said, “…in most respects, a perfect album.” Here’s why I said most: the mixing is muddier than Chimera’s diaper after I let her have a few bites of her mother’s enchiladas! The vocals are way too low in the mix and it a fucking shame since Tim has perfect voice for screamin’ the metal.

Overall: DarkBlack captures the spirit of the NWOBHM and morphs it into their own unholy army that they unleash upon the world in “The Sellsword”!!!  -  Typhon 

9.5/10

www.myspace.com/darkblack
www.stormspell.com


Horse The Band - Desperate Living
Vagrant Records - 2009

A noggin scratching mix of post-hardcore angst and progy 8-bit bleeps and bloops (that I believe I heard through the electric grapevine, is called Nintendocore or progcore or something like that), “Desperate Living” (yes, like the John Waters movie) is one hell of a pill to swallow. The ever flowing cascade of desperation that spills out of life, gives this album a taste of levity that is more than oh, so welcome with this reviewer. The hardcore screams take a backseat to some melodic vocals and mid-tempo spoken word verses while the melodic guitars head up the front that without warning can break away into some heavy riffing. On the negative side, the pacing seems to be a bit off with a couple of the songs, due to the odd timed starts and stops and whatnot. But I guess that’s just the nature of this funky-assed beast.

Overall: “Desperate Living” is a unique blend of potency, vicious commentary and Super Mario Brothers Samples. Don’t let this one pass you by!  - Typhon 

8.0/10 

www.myspace.com/horsetheband
www.vagrant.com


Prayer Of The Dying - Structures Of A Dying Matter
Nekrogoat Heresy Productions - 2007

One day, I was down at the local market when I was stopped by a mysterious hooded stranger who asked me if I was into extreme music. I nodded a frightened “yes” to the man, noticing as I looked down that my Dark Throne t-shirt must have been what caught his attention. The walking shroud handed me a scrolled note and instructed me not to open it until I got home. Being the obedient whelp that I am, I hurried home to see what he had given me.

Upon opening the note, my eyes befell a map that lead into a nearby forest. My curiosity got the best of me, so I prepared to go off on my treasure hunt that night after gathering the proper provisions: backpack, compass, hunting knife (in case it was a trap of some kind), lantern and hefty coat. And by 10:00 p.m. that night, I was ready to go!

The trek wasn’t very long and lacked peril of any kind, which sat well with me since I’m kind of a pussy in the dark. But as I approached the giant red “X” on the map, I started to get a twinge of excitement! For standing in the very spot of my “X” was an ancient tree with a hollow knot! “That must be it!” I said aloud as I reached my hand inside.

“What did you find?” you ask? An album entitled “Structures Of A Dying Matter”, a black metal masterpiece of doom and despair that harkens back to the days of secret meetings and tape trading, that was bound inside a small burlap sack…

As I’m sure you’ve all figured out by the end of the first paragraph, the preceding story is complete bull-plop! I received this album in the mail as per usual, but this album none the less still pulls in the whole gritty, grimy, down and dirty feel of the days of extreme metal yore. “Structures Of A Dying Matter” is a heavy duty exercise in discipline (just ask Martin Ciappara, the bands only member) and execution with it’s tightly crafted structures, vocals that range from barbaric growl to fragile cleans to raspy screeches and overall haunting atmosphere.

Overall: This album is far better than I make it seem here. It’s a brilliant piece of extreme metal from a brilliant artist! And don’t worry, I won’t be writing long intros like that very often…  -  Typhon

8.5/10

www.myspace.com/prayerofthedying


Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe!

-Typhon-

Alright readers, this is it. The final monthly issue of E-MetalSpace.

Reason being? Due to a gigantic shift in my schedule, (and a few suggestive letters from a few of you) I've decided to make a few necessary changes:

1) The blog is going to be posted on a daily to weekly basis.
2) The blog will contain a snazzy opening letter, an interview when I can find someone to interview, a (somewhat) insightful observation about something relevant to metal or metal-like and minimum of two reviews.
3) A numeric rating system. (ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?!?!?!)

And now, a message to the bands: I will review material as it arrives, so nobody has to wait too terribly long to see their review posted. SO SEND YOUR SHIT IN ASAP!!!

Your Commander-In-Chief-In-Metal,

-Typhon-

E-MetalSpace Is:

Typhon - Editor/Reviewer/Rageaholic
Rob - Sometimes Reviewer/Man-Bird


Albums:


Austrian Death Machine - Double Brutal
Metal Blade - 2009

For those of you who thought that “Total Brutal” was going to be it for Austrian Death Machine, you were wrong. Just one short year after the release of “Total Brutal”, Tim Lambesis and Ahhnold present “Double Brutal”! This two disc album is pretty much more of what you experienced in their first album: songs set to themes that were inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger, guest shredders, comedic interludes, Ed Repka cover art and the like. Stand out tracks like Let Of Some Stream Bennett (Commando) and It’s Simple, If It Jiggles It’s Fat (Pumping Iron) dominate the track list, so at least this time the songs are mostly catchy and fun, as apposed to it being half and half like last time. At least, that’s what the first disc is all about. The second disc features seven covers that somehow tie into a Schwarzenegger movie, like: Metallica’s Trapped Under Ice for Batman & Robin or Goretortue’s Tactically Dangerous for Commando (sucks that the use of a drum machine was needed for that one… the vocals what pretty awesome though!) Most of which are pretty decent. Others, such as the immortal classic Hell Bent For Leather (for T2, I’m sure you assumed), just don’t translate as well.

Overall: “Double Brutal” still isn’t bad for a guy that guy messing around in the studio. Unfortunately, “Double Brutal” isn’t going to wow anyone who wasn’t a fan of “Total Brutal”, but it’s definitely going to please the rabid Austrian Death Machine fans. Now I’m left to wonder if there’s a Hercules In New York single in the works…  -  :)  Typhon  

www.myspace.com/austriandeathmachine
www.metalbladerecords.com


The Black Dahlia Murder - Deflorate
Metal Blade Records - 2009

And “Deflorate” makes four…

Let me start off by say that I own the entire Black Dahlia Murder (full length) catalog and I can safely say that “Deflorate” is on par with the rest of the collection. The Black Dahlia Murder have found a system that works (high-pitched scream, guttural growl, melodic riffing here and there, hyperactive kicks ’n’ beats, nightmare educing lyrics and repeat) and refused to stray from it. Er, with the exception of the colorful album cover this time around… Yet, each album has the uncanny ability to make you want to listen to them over and over again, despite the overwhelming aural/style relativity. There really isn’t a whole lot else to add to that. If you’re a fan of the melo-death peddlers from Michigan, then you’re gonna love you some “Deflorate”.

This time around, they included a DVD with their feature! So let’s take a look… hmm… Don’t you get to see most of this type of thing on Majesty? Oh well. The DVD includes a couple of studio drum tracks and the lads of TBDM acting exactly as you’d think they would. Honestly, it’s pretty underwhelming unless you’re the type of person that likes watching somebody try to eat a bite sized wheel of cheese without taking the wax off first… (HA!)

Overall: “Deflorate” is more of the same (plus a superfluous DVD). And that’s not always a bad thing! Especially if you’re The Black Dahlia Murder.  -  :)  Typhon

www.myspace.com/theblackdahliamurder
www.metalbladerecords.com


Blood Red Throne - Souls Of Damnation
Earache Records - 2009



Burial Ritual - Tower Of Silence
Independent - 2009

Milwaukee based death metalers Burial Ritual have returned from the depths of hell and brought a little piece of it back with them! “Tower Of Silence” is a genre blending blur of an album! It takes all the fury of death metal and combines it with the speed of thrash and the purely evil tones of black metal in a way that feels soooo right! I know that other (re: lesser) bands have tried to do the same and failed miserably! Which is what made “Tower Of Silence” that much more fucking badass! The vocals run as the standard low-as-fuck George “Corpsegrinder” Fischer growl (especially during the song Fantasy Of Rape, which I had to check and see if it was a Cannibal Corpse song I‘ve never heard of), while the riffage fluctuates from speedy Destruction-equse notes to speedy Immortal-ish riffs and everything that is deathly and metaly runs in-between.

Overall: “Tower Of Silence” is molten metal! Check it out or may all of your Morbid Angel bootlegs turn into Fall Out Boy material!  -  :)  Typhon 

www.myspace.com/burialritualband


Code Of Lies - Age Of Disgrace
Grindhead Records - 2007

On many levels this band is well on their way to have a rewarding career. Even before you put the disk in the cover art evokes memories of Napalm Death and Terrorizer. Once you actually get started you are treated to some extremely energetic and chaotic modern grind. This band is really good at effectively using melody accents without loosing the intensity of the song. A lot riffing follows the same basic patterns, so each song is easily tied together but with enough variation that the music does not stagnate throughout the cd. The cd itself if pretty short which was slightly disappointing, but it is straight to the point without any filler, other than the last five minutes of the album which is kind of pointless. My one big complaint is the production, and only with the drums. The snare sounds so flat and weak that it’s completely out of place in the mix, guess it’s more of a personal preference deal but still, what happened?  As long as these guys keep writing the same quality of songs, mix it up, and get a better snare sound be expecting to hear amazing things from Code of Lies.  - :)  Rob




Pistons - We’re Pistons
Suffering Jesus Productions - 2007

Mixing elements from Motorhead and Discharge, Pistons pull the rug right out from underneath you with this raw offering known as “We’re Pistons”. The old school heavy metal meets punk meets a slightly blackened feel (due to the low mixing quality) makes for one hell of a listening experience. The vocalist sounds like Mr. Lordi, minus the failed high notes… it took me a listen through to stop laughing. Once I got over that, his gruff yelling fit well with the punky riffs and the frantic drumming. The rough mixing and tracking was also a welcome touch to this gem. The only “meh”, factor to this album is the lackluster vocals that consist mainly of the vocalist screaming the name of the song over and over again as the chorus.

Overall: From title track and self-promoting opener, We’re Pistons (We’re number one!) to aptly speedy closer, Kings Of Speed, “We’re Pistons” is a twenty minute punk ‘n’ roll joyride for fans of energetic, in-your-face music.  -  :)  Typhon

www.pistonsnumber1.com
www.myspace.com/pistns
www.sufferingjesus.info


Setback - Unfinished Business
Crash Course Records - 2009

N.Y.H.C., eh? Well, it sounds the part! …sort of. This eighteen minute album delivers a attitude packed punch… that only grazes you. Fuck! This is hard. It feels like everything in this album is one part classic New York Hardcore, one part tough guy jockcore… unfortunately, the latter overpowers the former. Yet another band that saw an overcrowded/talent less genre and cried, “Us too! We can emulate Hatebreed‘s take on da ‘core, steal Even Seinfeld’s vocals and be almost completely unappealing like Madball!” Other than my bitchfest just now, the hooks ‘n’ melodies aren’t all that bad. Maybe I’m just old fashioned. Maybe I’m just jaded. I don’t know. But what I do know is that “Unfinished Business” is only going to sound good to a select few.

Overall: “Unfinished Business” has some potential here, but falters in so many ways. It’s “meh”, pure and simple.  -  :|  Typhon 

www.setbacknyhc.com
www.myspace.com/setbackdms357


Sound Of Detestation - Sound Of Detestation
Grindhead Records - 2007

This Swedish grindcore outfit seem to be more “core” than “grind” (unless you count the less than two minute play time of all but one of the songs on this self-titled grind bit). Upon the first listen, I was lead to believe that I was listening to a bar brawl between Whitechapel and Nazum… and you won’t be hearing me complaining about that at all! The elements of each tend to play very well off of each other, so fans of each should be hunky-dory with Sound Of Detestation (hopefully). The vocalist bounces from an almost emocore-ish scream to an extremely brutal death metal growl, which is awesome since neither upset each other. The drummer starts off by making the jump to hyperspace and never slows down! In fact, I think he leaps to Ludicrous Speed before the album is over! Overall: Not a single detestable sound is to be found on this album! Now all that’s left is to sit and wait for Grindhead to send us Sound Of Detestation’s 2009 release, “Ge Fan I Vara Liv”…  -  :)  Typhon  

www.myspace.com/detestationgrindcore
www.grindheadreocrds.com


Wodensthrone - Loss
Bindrune Recordings - 2009

After two split 7” releases, these historic black metalers have finally released a full length album entitled “Loss”. A what a loss it could have been had I not received this demo for review or for you (the reader) for not stumbling upon this review, for I have such wonderful things to tell you! “Loss” harkens back to the days of yore, both in terms of style and in lyrical content. Style: Remember “Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism“? Yeah. Place that here and add a hefty dose of melody, better production and sharper vocals and you might start to get an idea of what’s going on there. Lyrics: “Loss” is all about the darkest era of England’s past. A beautiful culture, fraught with war, disease and tyranny (oh my!). You start to develop a feeling of woe for the sick characters/gnarled landscapes that populate “Loss”. But then, the metal hits ya and you find new way of contorting your neck to the sinister riffs that are spilling out of you speakers! If you like feeling ravaged (in the only good way there is… umm… you fill in the blank there…) then pick up a copy of “Loss”.

Overall: Wodensthrone have unleashed one hell of an album here! “Loss” is just about as good as it gets when it comes to black metal… fuck, metal in general.  -  :)  Typhon 

www.myspace.com/wodensthrone
www.bindrunerecordings.com


EPs/Demos:


Dimentianon - Live 2008 Promo
Paragon Records - 2008

I don’t get much live material anymore since I stated that I’m not a huge fan unless I’m there, getting my ass kicked in the pit when it’s recorded. After listening to Dimentianon’s live promo, my feelings have changed slightly. I’m thoroughly impressed with this promo’s production! The clarity in which all of the songs lunge out at you with is worthy of some sort of audio production award (“The Deven Townsie Award” or something less gay sounding)! As for the performance that Dimentianon dishes out: marvelous! You can tell that these vicious fucks have a surplus of death metallic energy that flows from their respective instruments, into the recorded crowd, out the speakers and into your very fucking soul! Unfortunately, this promo is only five songs long. (I never thought I’d complain about a live CD being too short…) This shit is high octane death metal that’ll burn your face clean off and command that you pick up the rest of this NYC bands material. I ordered mine yesterday!  -  :)  Typhon   

www.paragonrecords.org
www.myspace.com/paragon_records


My City Burning - White Lies | Black Eyes
Independent - 2008

Sporting a Sick Of It All feel (in both style and in the literal meaning) to hardcore, My City Burning present an unbelievable debut offering here! I mean unbelievable in the way that you listen to “White Lies | Black Eyes” and there is no way that you’ll believe that this is the first time these guys teamed up to make some tunes. These guys have the dedication,  drive and gumption of a band that has been farting around for a decade at least! Every angle of this album has been honed into a lethal weapon, from the vocalist’s savage bellowing, to the air tight drumming, to the hardcore riffing to the inspirational, yet murderously vicious lyrics. Especially awesome is the song Black Hearts Unite, which reveals the band’s stance on the underground music movement: A place where musicians can share ideas and not bash or judge others about how “cool” or “hip” they look. It’s all about the passion to spread the message! And that’s what My City Burning does! Now I can’t wait for the full-length album to come out. Don’t keep us waiting guys!  -  :)  Typhon 

www.myspace.com/mycityburning
www.mycityburning.com


Sectioned - Elme
Paragon Records - 2009

I was ready to write this promo off the second I saw that the first of it’s four tracks was a minute and a half intro (pet peeve number two for me!). But this midget of a  promo bent me over and had it’s way with my back side until it was satisfied. It was like listening to the first three tracks of “Scream Bloody Gore” for the first time again! Do I really have to write more after that last line? The majority of you should be scrambling to find out where you can obtain “Elme” right fucking now! But for those of you that stuck around to finish this review, Sectioned is a side project of the fellas in Dimentianon (a band you hopefully read a review of earlier on this issue) that plays savage, pummeling death metal! I realize that this review was written backwards but hey, the point was (hopefully) clear.

Overall: “Elme” is a little short, but brutal enough to leave a lasting impact on your metal loving psyche!  -  :)  Typhon 

www.myspace.com/sectionedx
www.paragonrecords.org
www.myspace.com/paragon_records


Wrench - Demo
Independent - 2009

I remember back, a looooong, long time ago when I was writing for E-Metal Reviews (remember that?), the first review I ever wrote was for a nu metal band called Something Beautiful. They were terrible. They were horrible. They were nu metal… ugh. Wrench and their six song demo (two tracks of which are less than a minute, filler tracks. Hello! It’s a fucking demo! Wow us!) reminded me of that band in almost every aspect: a vocalist who can’t do anything (sing, scream, shout, growl, NOTHING!!!), jumbled bass lines and schizophrenic (bad/really bad) riffs that don’t do shit to compliment the rest of the melody. The only thing that even kind of tickles a little bit of interest is the competent beats of Mike Palmeri (ex-Life Of Agony). But sadly, even he isn’t enough to save this band.

Look, I don’t care who’s in the band. I don’t care how many basses you have. This shit is terrible. If I wanted to listen to a heavily toned down nu metalish band, I’d listen to Motograter. And if I wanted to listen to Motograter, I’d listen to… no. No I wouldn’t… Long story short: This demo fails.  -  :(  Typhon 

www.myspace.com/wrenchnyc


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