Haiduk - Spellbook

"The Novice's Guidance"


Haiduk originates from Canada and is a one man project by Luka Milojica and this album is his debut album after releasing a demo in 2010. And Haiduk is definitely something you need to be acquainted with as it stands out from what usually pops up here and there when it comes to new bands and releases. 

Spellbook is really a unique album in my opinion, not because it in some way is a concept album but because of the material. It features ten songs, and each song is about a spell (hence the title of the album). These spells are portrayed on the album cover and I actually find it really interesting, compared to your standard metal release I think it is a breath of fresh air. You won't find any choruses on this album, each spell is described in some way with just a couple of lines and performed with the pretty fitting deep, angry death metal vocals of Luka Milojica. Haiduk is usually described as "Melodic Death/Black Metal". Sorry to bring the genre frenzy into the review, but that doesn't quite fit, at least not to me. Specially the black metal part and also the melodic to a certain degree. I would say there is some technical and thrashy elements here and there and for the black metal thing, it could be defended with there is a bit of atmosphere on some of the tracks. In short; You can't put Haiduk into a genre box. Basically I just wanted to clear that out, I normally don't really do that, but there you have it!

The production on the album is good, I like the sound of the guitar and the bass, specially since the bass is audible. And the guitar got a really heavy sound to it that kind of leans on a death metal sound but on a track like Stormcall it sounds a bit thrashy, mainly because of the riffing. While at the riffing it is worth mentioning that Luka is a pretty skilled guitarist and there is some really good, technical heavy riffs on this record. But since this is a one man band, with no session drummer there has of course been used programmed drums, and that is what ultimately drags this album down. This does not mean that I am an "anti programmed drums" guy, because the kicks and snare sounds pretty good. But the hi-hat and cymbals does not sound good at all, the hi-hat in particular when the tempo is on the double. Just try a track like Black Wind which got some really strange breaks on the drums as well, but it goes pretty fast and the hi-hat follows up and it just sounds so mechanical and it ruins the song completely for me. Another song that's a good example for that is Tremor. I would love to hear this album with a human drummer, it would pull the rating up a lot, because Haiduk definitely got potential!

This album is pretty unique sounding to me, so having recommending this album becomes a little tricky for me. If you're a fan of death, thrash or even black metal I would actually suggest you check out Haiduk. My two favourite tracks are Lich and Stormcall but tracks like Fire Wield and Lightning can definitely be spun as well! And even though the album contains 10 tracks it only lasts for 32 minutes, so it won't take you long to check out the entire album instead of just a couple of tracks. But one thing's for sure, Haiduk is something to keep an eye on in the future, especially if a drummer finds his way onto the next recording!

Be sure to check out Haiduk on Facebook.

Rating

7.6

Bandemonic - Chains

"I'm Here to Make You Remember..."


Greece is really gearing up with metal bands and one of the latest bands to make an appearance is Bandemonic. They're a heavy metal band from the city of Ioannina and they have made their first impact with Chains which features songs from their 2010 demo plus two new tracks. And you are in for a treat!

I really hope this EP is an example of the way the band will continue in the years to come. It is a trip back to the 80's as soon as you put on "The Seeker", that song is easily the most catchy one on the album together with "Nightmare", and that actually leads me onto the album itself. As I already said it is a trip back the 80's and that is clear as soon as the thunder clears from the short intro in "The Seeker" and continues into the title track. Though it is modern times we live in, the EP's production is not clumsy or overproduced in any way. George Manthos' vocals are brilliant and fits the music perfectly, from the ballads to the up-tempo songs his vocals, the music, the production is like a puzzle that has been perfectly assembled.
Though this is a six track album there is actually two ballads on the album in the likes of "Don't Regret... Just Regret" which actually a beautiful song. The other ballad is "Sail to Heaven", and the song that comes after that is "Hunting Illusions", which also starts out with a ballad feel to it. On my first listen that was a lot to take in, as the EP is not that long I thought it was a lot of ballads to pack on one EP. But "Hunting Illusions" breaks into a heavy metal double pedal drumming menace in the halfway through the track, and that was just what I needed!

What really sprung into my eyes was the cover and the logo. Now that it is the centre of attention, the cover actually describes the album pretty good. On one half we got the ballads and on the other half the... non ballads. I've been using that word a lot already in this review but make no mistake. The other songs on the album "makes up" for it. Personally I don't mind the ballads, it is all about being in the right mood. However songs like "Nightmare", "The Seeker" and "Chains" is bound to get you in a old school metal mood, and they will not let you down.

So how to sum up this experience? For many I guess it will be a 50-50 album since there is the slower songs and the heavy metal frenzy. But all the songs fit each other well, so it is far from a dull experience. Personally I don't adventure much into heavy metal, I usually keep to some sub-genres. I guess that it what makes Bandemonic so refreshing, together with the quality of this release of course. To be honest I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this band and their next releases, plus I must admit this band has together with War Device opened my eyes for the Greek metal scene, and I sure as hell will keep my eyes on it! So if you want a quality piece of heavy metal with excellent sound and a great vocalist, then get your hands on Chains!

"Roll the dice, don't be afraid!"

Be sure to support these old schoolers on Facebook!

Rating

8.3

Yngwie Malmsteen - Spellbound

"From a Thousand Solos"


This is the first album to feature Yngwie on vocals and I sincerely hope that it will be the last, even though only three songs feature vocals I'd really wish he had chosen a lead singer. I am however thrilled that Tim Owens is not the vocalist any more as I do not really think he fits Yngwie's music and throughout the course of an album I get tired of his vocals. Even before I heard this album and it was announced that Yngwie was doing the vocals I got some ticks, since he has done vocals on some tracks in the past like 'Look At You Now' from 'Relentless'. When I heard that song among others I must say I really crossed my fingers for that he would never release an album with himself doing the vocal job. But he did and as mentioned the vocals are only featured on three tracks, but I really hope that Mr. Malmsteen will realize by listening to this album that he need to step it up. Big time. No doubt he like listening to himself play, and it is impressive, no doubt, but we got it already. You can play guitar pretty good, but it really becomes a drag to listen to ten instrumental tracks because 'Relentless' was also filled up with instrumentals and I really had hoped that Yngwie soon would return to writing some good album oriented music if I can put it like that. Build the music around the vocals with some good guitar work instead of leaving us for dead listening to countless solos.

The title track actually sounds catching with a really good opening riff and then instead of vocals which would have fitted this track perfect as long as it isn't Yngwie's and Tim Owens'... Then it would have been a striking track. In a way that goes for the whole album, there's potential but instead of taking advantage of that it has just been filled up to the brim with solos... solos and solos. I must admit when listening to this album the first time I turned it off when I came to track number ten, because it was such a drag, and would probably only be interesting for people who want to play guitar like Yngwie Malmsteen. Besides all that, Yngwie does yet again play bass, and since he took that and the production over the bass has been sounding really good. But since this album is so solo oriented you can't really enjoy it to the fullest and a good showcase for that is the track 'Requiem for the Lost' where the solos just kicks the bass performance out of the picture even though specially on that track it gives a kind of atmospheric feel. If you are into blues then you might want to check out tracks like 'Let's Sleeping Dog Lie' and 'Iron Blues' which really were to my surprise as I wasn't really expecting blues to appear on this album. It doesn't really increase my opinion for this album, neither does it decrease it.

What bothers me most about the vocals is that they seem to have some sort of filter applied, I don't know if it autotune or something, but it really doesn't sound good, and in some choruses the backing vocals just sounds like five Yngwies at once. If you liked his vocals on some previous songs like 'Magic City' from 'Perpetual Flame' then I am almost certain you are going to disappointed when listening to this album. A lot of fans have been wanting some old vocalists back in the band, and that is understandable. Though it would be nice with a new vocalist that could swoop our legs away, and to be honest the only vocalist I would like to come back is Michael Vescera. Not saying that all the other vocalists are bad, but he is my definite favourite. Something I want to mention briefly is the drums because when there's some double pedal hammering or some other fast drumming with the pedals then the snare kind of drowns and fades a little.

I must say the covers that Yngwie has chosen for his albums the recent years have been really sloppy even though 'Perpetual Flame' had an okay cover, 'Relentless' looked like something a fifteen year old kid could have done in Photoshop. But when looking at covers like 'Attack!!' and 'Unleash the Fury' then you're bound for a facepalm. Spellbound obviously doesn't look like it has been painted but unlike the predecessor it has been structured a lot better and ended up looking really good!

I don't even know how the hell to sum up this album because I'm so torn. Yngwie's music has earned a huge place in my life, and I look forward to each album he releases with excitement, and I probably will again despite the disappointment. Which it really is, there is not that much I want to point out and recommend besides the title track 'Spellbound', 'Nasca Lines' and 'God of War'. Though the last mentioned track is a little too long it got some really good potential.
At the time I think this album is unnecessary and maybe The Rising Force should have waited releasing this album until late 2013. This album needs a proper vocalist and it could have been a lot better and musically the focus has been aimed way too much at the solos. Which was something Yngwie kind of got away from at least when looking at the albums with Owens so it definitely is a step down. Hopefully Yngwie will use his brains some more the next time and advance were he left off with 'Relentless' and 'Perpetual Flame' which focused more on the music, vocals and good song making instead of only solos. Those albums just needed a better vocalist, maybe there's some hope in the future.

Rating

6.1

Kreator - Phantom Antichrist

"Phantom Mainstreamist"


A return to form is what this album should have been. When the title track was released as a single, I bet many Kreator fans was high on excitement, and apparently it stayed that way for many people. But not me, I don't understand all the praise that has been given to this album. The first two times I listened to this album I had to turn it off when I was half way through it. I was really looking forward to Kreator "returning to form" that I pre ordered the album on vinyl, and that is something I really regret.

After the first three tracks, one of them being the intro, the album has already peaked, and from here it goes downhill until the record is done. If you heard the main single of the album, it contains an Iron Maiden cover. Despite a laughable scream in the start of the track the band covers The Number of the Beast quite well. The only problem... That style continued on the full album. I guess Kreator wants people to sing along and wave back and forth because this album feels like a melodic thrash metal tribute to Iron Maiden. There is only two tracks that I would shine some light on from the album, and that is Phantom Antichrist and Death to the World. These two tracks is the only ones I would describe as being worthy of being on a Kreator album. Because the main problem for this album is the band is trying to be something they are not. And when that doesn't ruin the songs, then it is the incredible bad lyrics...

The thing I however want to praise is the album cover. There are two versions, one awesome and one shitty. The awesome cover, which was made by Wes Benscoter who also has been employed by bands like Slayer, Autopsy and Cattle Decapitation. Wes' version of the cover is the red one that could remind you of the artwork for Pleasure to Kill and definitely is their best cover in many, many years. The shitty cover however looks so photoshopped that it hurts, and just doesn't look good. It was made by Jan Meininghaus who also has been working with bands like Falconervane Bolt Thrower.

If you, like me, expected Kreator to return to the tunes of Violent Revolution and Enemy of God, then you are in for a surprise. The phantom that appears on this album is what I would call melodic thrash metal, and a tribute to Iron Maiden. I really want to like this album but it just don't have what it takes. Even though I like some other melodic genres, this one does not please my ears, specially not when it has been kreated by a band that brought me albums like Pleasure to Kill and Extreme Aggression.

Rating

6.2

Destruction - Spiritual Genocide

"Mediocre Genocide"


"The mad butcher have returned" well, if you think cover-wise, yes. Other than that the butcher haven't even been away for two years... So I wouldn't call it a major break. Schmier and Destruction should take a recording break if you ask me. They haven't really bashed out anything memorable in a while, and when I heard the band was releasing Spiritual Genocide, I wasn't really excited. And since the album doesn't even match the predecessor Day of Reckoning, there isn't really much to come after. It seems like the album is a cliché in it self, and the band had sat down together and just said: "All right, let's make a fucking thrashing record. Thrash, thrash, thrash". Repeat, repeat, repeat. Maybe they should have waited until late 2013 or even 2014 to release this album, as it got some pretty good riffs coming at you from time to time. So it's a really shame they kind of just repeat some stuff, and make most of the songs repeatable and what goes for the lyrics... Well: "What is the most precious thing in your life?" 

Overall I don't really know what to recommend you from the album. If you got the limited edition which is the Saxon cover would be a good way to start out as you can never go wrong with some Saxon, and the cover is pretty good. 'Cyanide', 'Spiritual Genocide' and 'Legacy of the Past' can also be heard, and even though those tracks aren't anything special it is the best I have to offer. To be quite honest, I think they should just have released Princess of the Night as a single and wrote some better album material, because this doesn't quite cut it. As it was announced, Tom Angelripper from Sodom and Gerre from Tankard features on the track 'Legacy of the Past' which in it self is an okay track. But Tom and Gerre are not as present as I would like them to be, and that's a damn shame.

Gyula Havancsák from the black metal band Bornholm is the man behind the cover for Spiritual Genocide, and he has been laying down some paint for the band since 2005's Inventor of Evil. Gyula is also the man behind artwork from artists like Annihilator, Grave Digger and Tankard. Schmier also recruited him to do Headhunter's Parasite of Society album cover. And to be honest, the cover for this album ain't too shabby. 

This album is probably only for die hard Destruction fans, as a big thrash enthusiast myself I think there has been released a lot better albums so far this year. Together with Kreator that makes two out of three of the Teutonic thrash bands who has disappointed with a bad release in 2012. Hopefully the next Sodom album won't leave me with an empty feeling that I just wasted my time. If you're getting this album, make sure you get the version with the Saxon cover, because that definitely gives the album a better score. But since Destruction has released better albums, even the year before, there is not really any reason to give this album a lot of attention unless as I said, you're a die hard Destruction fan, and feel like having an overdose of gang shouts.

Rating

6.5

Dawn of Disease - Crypts of the Unrotten

"Enter the Crypts"


Germany and death metal are usually not two things you would combine, instead you might think of power and thrash metal. Maybe it's time to think again because this release by Dawn of Disease is a real ass kicker and contain one of the best death metal songs I have heard in a while. 'Alone With the Dead' is the first track I heard from the album and it is also the best. The structure of the song is perfect and the manage to put some groove inspired music in there as well. If I read that groove was implemented in this, like you are now, I would already closed down the review. But it only really comes to life in this one song, which I'm pretty sure a lot of death metal enthusiasts would appreciate. The album does however also contain one of the stupidest song titles as well. I am talking about the song 'Knife Vs Flesh', it is basically a good song but if only they had chosen another title. This band does not have a German on vocals though. Surprising, huh? Tomasz Wisniewski is from Poland and his vocals fits perfectly into the band and the music they wish to create. When we talk Polish vocalists I guess Nergal and Piotr Paweł comes to mind. I wouldn't say the are alike but the vocals are pretty angry on this album.

If you a good stereo or some kick ass headphones then you are going to enjoy the album to the fullest. The production lifts the album to a little higher level, where if it hadn't been in possession of the sound it does the mediocreness would probably had shined through some more. Rhino. Yeah I said it, rhino is the word I would use to describe the sound of the album. It runs you down and sounds great.
I only stumbled upon this band because of the artwork for this album. Some time ago I did a review on a band called The Cleansing and Remy Cuveillier who did the cover for their release also delivered this rotten piece of artwork for Crypts of the Unrotten. A splendid job and the bands logo fits in very well, so the cover is approved indeed.

I'm starting to kind of implement some songs that deserves to be mentioned for all you lazy boys out there who doesn't feel like listening to the whole album. Songs I would recommend is Alone With the Dead, The Unrotten, Enter the Gates, Calcium Bones and Catacombs.
If you want to add something fresh for your collection I would definitely recommend this album. It is not ground breaking, but it is a really solid album by a newer band. It has some good moments and if you like death metal you won't regret giving this album a listen.

Rating

8.1

Battery - Mental Pollution

"Disobey..."


Mental Pollution was delayed a couple of times and as a patch on the wound, back then the band released the song Revolt, and already there the difference from the past release to this was clear. When it comes to the vocals, it seems that the band have chosen to dial the mayhem button down a little and the vocals are more easily understood than before. Is this an advantage? That's close to being a question I can't even answer myself. In a way it is an advantage as it kind of makes the bands music more accessible and they kept their aggression from Nuke which is a fortunate thing! The production is probably one of the best I've heard on a thrash metal record in recent years. I can't put a finger on anything regarding the production on this EP, it is simply outstanding and one of the best things about it is the bass. Just take a listen to the title track and you will know exactly what I mean.  But to really sum it up, the better production really gives it a notch, so it not a disaster that the mayhem is more controlled.

Highlights? The EP does not even last 15 minutes, but it will last that and a some more if you play it twice! Every track is memorable. However I would have loved to have the tracks from their Nuke demo on here as well with this mindblowing production. I am not a fan of too many re-recordings though so if they had waited with recording the tracks from that session 'till this... Damn, some debut album that would have been!

The next step for Battery would indeed be a debut album. With a good label and an appropriate amount of promotion, Battery could be the right band at the time. Hopefully they won't take a bunch of their previous demo songs and re-record, like some bands do. Even though I would love the Nuke tracks with the Mental Pollution production, but it's gritty, raw underground sound will do! From the break of the war sirens in The Hazmat Squad to the abruptly ending in the title track, this EP is a spine breaking piece of work that is well worth the penny, hopefully they will keep it up in the future and rise to the top of the resurrected "popularity" of thrash metal.

Rating

9