Written In Blood: Hard Music for a Hard World

Bathory
Octagon
Black Mark

Now this is a band that has been around the black metal scene for a long time. Since 1983, Bathory has pumped out ten albums which includes a solo project by the singer of the band. I was surprised by Bathory’s latest, Octagon. I’ve never really followed the band, due to a bad review I read about one of their early releases. Hey, it can happen to any of us. Anyway, I’m glad I gave this one a listen because I like it. The band rips through the songs at a frenzied pace, and the vocalist Quorthon sings just as fast. I swear this guy could double as an auctioneer any day. There’s only one thing, and that is the production is a bit on the thin side. Put your old Venom albums away and get ready for Bathory’s evil of the ‘90s.

Cathedral
The Carnival Bizarre
Earache 

Cathedral is back doing their thing on The Carnival Bizarre. Cathedral’s schtick seems to be that they are the only band that really has the “old school” feel and sound that metal used to have. Funny, I thought I’d heard this stuff before.

Fates Warning
Chasing Time
Metal Blade 

Fates Warning has just released Chasing Time, a greatest hit that spans their twelve-year career. The band members have taken their favorites off of their seven albums and put them all together. CHASING TIME also contains two unreleased tunes and a remix of the song “We Only Say Goodbye.” If you’re a fan of the Fate you’ll enjoy a look back on their great career. If you’re not familiar with the band, wake up and check this out. I personally never cared for the band until they picked up Ray Alder on their 1988 release of NO EXIT. Ray’s singing helped the band become one of the greatest progressive metal bands ever. The music is ultra-complex and both of the guitarists can play a killer solo. I just found out that guitarist Frank Aresti has left the band (dumbass). Huh, I wonder if they would give me a chance. Come on guys, let me play guitar for the band. Please, please, please!!!

The Gathering
Mandylion
Century Media 

Move over Doro, Anneke van Giersbergen has come to town. Anneke is the singer for Holland’s The Gathering. Finally, a woman vocalist for a metal band that doesn’t sound like a man. Not that sounding like a man is bad or anything but… The Gathering’s sound is very different from the average metal outfit. The band’s experimental nature has brought together different sounds to create what has been coined as “atmospheric” metal. Think of it sort of as Enya meets Celtic Frost. The band keeps a fairly hard edge going throughout the CD, though they don’t have a problem with slowing it down for effect. Anneke’s voice cascades over the rhythm section like a waterfall. The music is very relaxing. The release was produced by Grip Inc., Waldemar Sorychta and Siggi Bemm. The two also produced Grip Inc.’s Power of Inner Strength and Tiamat’s Wildhoney. Go out and get Mandylion, put on a pair of headphones and drift off into the world of The Gathering. 

Gomorrah
Reflections of Inanimate Matter
Megapulse

British death metal has taken its latest form and it’s called Gomorrah. The band (which was recently picked up by Megapulse) has released Reflections of Inanimate Matter on the label. Musically, if you’re a fan of bands like Deicide, you’ll probably like these guys. Not that I’m saying this band is run of the mill. Noooo sir. This is no lame cookie-cutter death metal act. These guys can do a lot more than growl into a microphone and detune their guitars. Gomorrah adds plenty of their own style to create something new and exciting. There’s enough on this release to keep the kids entertained for hours.

Grinch
Eden
Desperate Attempt 

Grinch’s latest Eden has just been released to the US market. The Oakland-based band signed with the German label Rough Trade back in 1992 and released their first album, The Blacking Factory. Little promotion has kept the band a virtual secret to US fans. Desperate, Attempt Records worked out a deal with Rough Trade to bring Grinch’s latest offering to the US market. Musically, Grinch is dark, moody and straight to the point. The band keeps a firm hold on a mid-tempo beat they seem to be quite fond of. Where the band lacks speed, they make up in HEAVY. Members of Grinch have also spent time in bands such as Christ On Parade, Fang, Crimpshrine and Specimen. The only track I don’t really like is number four. The song features a woman doing spoken word. I guarantee the track will annoy even the most eclectic listeners. Other than that, EDEN is pretty damn good.

Integrity
Systems Overload
Victory 

Systems Overload is the latest from hardcore veterans Integrity. The band has moved forward and matured as a band, incorporating their hardcore style with a metal appeal. All the time being true to their original goal to create raw and raging music. Systems Overload is the band’s fourth release, including their debut EP, on Victory Records. You’ll be able to check out the band’s roots on this release. They have included ‘87 and ‘89 demos recorded before the band was signed. They have come a long way. Systems Overload contains 22 songs in all. Now that’s an earful! 

Read more from the SLUG Archives:
Soul Coughing: October 1995
The Stiff Sheet: October 1995