Fistula: Northern Aggression / Loser (2012)

I'm Told You Shouldn't Do an Image Search for "Fistula"

Review by Patrick, proprietor of Beards, Etc.

Fistula, a Cleveland-based sludge band, have been around for a little over a decade. In September they released their 6th full-length album, Northern Aggression.

This record is extremely abrasive. If I had to sum up the entire album in one sentence, that would be it. Fistula seem to be one of those bands that goes out of the way to make their music as ugly, raunchy, and offensive to the ears as possible. In most genres, that would be a vicious indictment. But in sludge, it's pretty high praise.

Geist: Der Ungeist (2012)

Israeli Germanophiles

It seems like Israeli doom-specialty label TotalRust is gradually becoming a black metal-specialty label. Der Ungeist, the debut album of one-man Israeli black metal Geist, is just one more step in that evolution.

The prospect of one-man black metal is probably not terribly enticing to very many of you. There are so many things that can go wrong, and usually do. But thankfully, none of that has happened here. Firstly, it actually sounds like a full band playing live. Secondly, it sounds like they were recorded decently. You know, not like it was done in a legitimate studio or anything, but it’s not like it was done with a cassette recorder either. He’s obviously paid attention to each instrument, instead of relegating one to an afterthought. Also, it’s clear he hasn’t fallen in love with his own non-existent legend like so many solo acts, because the music continues to go somewhere and the record ends after 35 minutes. So I’m glad I could allay those fears for you.

Paragon: Force of Destruction (2012)

Take-No-Prisoners Power Metal

This is only the second power metal review on the site this year. You know how much we like power metal in general, but this album is approved by Metallattorney. He is the law.

If I had to think of one genre that Germany is particularly well-known for in the metal world, I would probably have to pick power metal. Not to suggest that other genres are not done well, obviously I am a huge fan of German thrash, but the country really produces a lot of good power metal bands. And not the overly flowery types like Sonata Arctica, real power metal. With groups like Helloween, Blind Guardian, Grave Digger, and Running Wild among others, Germany is definitely a hotbed for power metal.

Paragon is a German power metal band that has apparently been around for more than 20 years but has heretofore escaped my notice. I do not seem to be alone in this respect as a cursory glance at their discography on the Encyclopedia Metallum indicates only one or two reviews for most of their full-length albums. This is the band's first release on a more recognizable label.

Deftones: Koi No Yokan (2012)

Masterpiece 2.0

Since I’ve been listening to the Deftones for such a long time, I feel like I must begin with a small history lesson. If their seventh album is your first experience with the band, you could not make yourself believe the Deftones were--seventeen years ago--considered a lesser alternative to Korn. Korn has since lost all relevance (ironically while making conscious shifts to stay relevant), but the Deftones managed to be perhaps the only nu metal band to garner widespread critical acclaim as well as the acceptance of (at least a large part of) metal’s core audience.

There is a story arc here that has repeated itself. Around the Fur marked the band’s first experiments into carving out their own territory. It was followed by 2000’s White Pony, long considered the band’s masterpiece. They spent a decade struggling to repeat that level of success. 2010’s Diamond Eyes seemed to be a new Around the Fur, exploring industrial metal-cum-Neurosis. Koi No Yokan perfects that formula, becoming the Deftones’ new masterpiece. Yes, it’s at least as good as WP.

Plector: Punishment Day (2012)

End of the Road

Review by Metallattorney. He is the law.

This is apparently it for Plector. According to the promotional information, Plector will be no more after the release of this album. A lack of forward progression apparently led to the decision to end things for this band. So this, their second full-length, will also be their last.

Plector's sound is mostly thrash metal with the occasional death metal influence creeping in at times. The riffs have a lot of bottom end to them and are heavy and muscular. Coupled with the commanding and deep vocals, Plector has a meaty sound with a lot of crunch. This is Swedish thrash metal in the vein of Carnal Forge and early The Crown. It also has a very modern feel to it. This is not retro thrash metal.

Dordeduh: Dar de Duh (2012)

Remember Om?

Review by Patrick, proprietor of Beards, Etc.

Dordeduh are an atmospheric folk/black metal band based out of Romania. Their formation came after a couple members split from Negură Bunget in 2009. This fall they released their first full-length album, Dar de Duh.

This music isn't easy to really pin down. With long, flowing tracks that smoothly shift from mellow to intense, they have a better grasp than most on the proper use of the soft/hard dynamic. And with little splashes of Middle Eastern folk flavor blended into some of the softer sections, in addition to some folk flavor from eastern Europe, there is a nebulous quality to their overall sound.

Metal Briefs: Death Metal 2012

Death before Dishonor

I don't think there's been any lack of death metal coverage on this site as of late, but I personally haven't written many death metal reviews this year. It's still one of my favorite genres, behind only doom metal (and maybe dark Americana these days) and it's not like I haven't listened to much of it. Here are just a few of the new ones I've heard.

Doomsday: Doomsday
(4 out of 5 stars)

Chicago's Doomsday play some seriously crusty death metal on their self-titled debut EP. It sounds more or less like early Acephalix (before they went Swe-death), so if you have Interminable Night then just play "Christ Hole" to decide whether you'll like this one. In other words, death metal that's been hit in the head with a brick and then sandblasted. Doomsday can groove, but they are at their best when going balls-out fast. I love the drums on "Empty Vessel," too. They close it out with the much more punk-oriented "I Kill Everything I Fuck," which, incidentally--probably not a good pick-up line.



Buy Doomsday

Skálmöld: Börn Loka (2012)

Livin' La Vida Loka

Review by Metallattorney. He is the law.

Well with the opening track on this one I was once again a little nervous that I was going to strongly dislike another album from Napalm Records. The first track is extremely cheesy and sounds like the kind of overly-wrought opening anthem that Manowar would put out. But just when I was getting prepared for some ridiculous Manowar-covering-Bathory ludicrousness, the opening of the second track started.

"Sleipnir" kicks things into high gear with a galloping riff and leads into the harsh vocal style. Everything is still kind of upbeat and sunny but at least it is not as over-the-top as the opening intro lead me to believe it would be. Of course then it went all happy and flowery again on the next track. Many of the rest of the songs continue with this more

Gold: Interbellum (2012)

Old-School

It’s been a while since I’ve talked about retro and/or female-fronted metal, so I think I’m due. Gold is a new Dutch band featuring Thomas Sciarone, formerly of The Devil’s Blood. If TBD is your starting point for comparison, this band drops all the folk influence and faux-serious Satanism to go for a more tried-and-true classic sound. Christian Mistress and Royal Thunder are better touchstones.

The band’s debut, Interbellum, consistently hovers in that nether region between hard rock and heavy metal. The songwriting is upbeat, and if you ever complained that metal doesn’t have enough “actual songs” anymore, the hooks on this one (both vocal and instrumental) are sure to satisfy. Vocalist Milena Eva sounds a little like Blondie belting it out in Pat Benatar fashion. She isn’t an excellent singer in a music student sense, but the feeling she puts behind it is much more important anyway.

Varg: Guten Tag (2012)

Windir Meets Dark Tranquillity?

Review by Patrick, proprietor of Beards, Etc.

Varg are a German group who play what I would loosely call either pagan metal or black metal. They have been pretty productive recently, releasing three albums in the past three years. In October they released their fourth full-length record, Guten Tag.

This is kind of an odd record. Its Viking themes and black metal roots, combined with a fairly conservative pace, make it seem like this would be pretty easily defined and understood. But it's not. Most metal in this vein strives for a natural, rugged, ancient feel so as to evoke the windswept north and the exploits of its barbarian subjects. This, though, sounds decidedly and purposefully modern. The upbeat rhythm to the music, the clear and accessible guitar work, and the vocals that seem to drift into melodeath territory with surprising frequency all contribute to this impression. It's not melodic death metal, but it plays like it's trying to bridge the gap between Windir and Dark Tranquillity.