Durvasag - EP Promo 2012 [Demo] (2012, Self-released)

From the cold wastes of Canada comes Durvasag, a highly productive band of the black/thrash subgenre. Having existed for only 3 years at the time of writing this review they've already released an EP and 3 demos, one of which I have previously graced with my attention. Their leanings toward certain elements of extreme metal means they have a lot in common with the early Teutonic thrash scene, and at times this demo EP reminds me a bit of Kreator or Sodom.

What goes on with Durvasag is they went from sub-par blackened thrash with boring, repetitive riffs, annoying vocals and vocal patterns, sloppy playing, horrendously muddy production and most of all bland songwriting. They haven't changed any members since last time (though lead singer Mark Arruda has since left the band), but what we find on the 2012 EP promo is entirely different quality-wise to their first demo. Durvasag pretty much turned up the dial on everything on this promo. It's faster, it's tighter, it's barbaric. The 2012 incarnation of Durvasag has the forceful aggression and tightness that the previous demo lacked, and the songwriting itself is clearly better as if they went from using the same bland rehashed riffs over and over to actually writing worthwhile material. If only the production had followed suit in this increase of quality we would be left with a great fucking thrash dem.

A gritty production can serve in a band's favour, and I've heard good demos with worse production that Durvasag's EP Promo, but overall it gets tiresome having to listen to cymbals and hihats so much, and it feels like the riffs don't really come into their own with the current state of things.
You can easily tell that the band is still in every way Durvasag. They have the same aggressive vocal patterns, insistent drumming and fast guitar playing that you know them for, but their music has become much more varied. They show their flair for easy to follow choruses which mostly consists of a few shouted words, and it works. As a release on its own, without comparing it to their previous efforts, I'd say it's a solid 7/10.

Tracklist:
1. Nuclear Winds
2. Sacrifice

DURVASAG on Bandcamp
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Morgue of Saints - Sleep/Death [Full length] (2012, Drowning)

From the vast nature of Canada comes Morgue of Saints, a band created by Elliot C as an output for his own droning, ambient doom tendencies. The album in question here is Sleep/Death, a three track conceptual piece that can potentially bear a rather large number of tags. Other written mediums aswell as Elliot C himself have referred to Morgue of Saints as both minimalistic funeral doom, drone doom, cinematic ambient, experimental noise and avant-garde.

In the strictest sense of the term "avant-garde" it doesn't fit Morgue of Saints. As it says in the liner notes some of the music is heavy influenced by early Earth, and I detect several other inspirations from other drone, funeral and ambient groups. Whatever you want to call it, Morgue of Saints primarily consists of droning guitars and ambient moods. The album contains the tracks "Death" and the two-part epic "Sleep". The two parts of Sleep are split by the lengthy drone track "Death" which is made up of nothing by a single guitar track. The bleak existance in the track so aptly named is underlined well by that sole, desolate guitar, but ultimately the track feels a bit too minimalistic and uneventful to justify being almost 24 minutes in length, and while drone has never been about grandios songwriting I feel at the same time that other bands have done this better in the sense that they still manage to create a feeling or atmosphere that the simplicity of the track emphasizes. One of the key elements in this type of music is depth, and the track "Death" simply isn't deep enough. The single guitar track and lack of any background ambience doesn't build up any tention, feeling, atmosphere or otherwise.
The track "Sleep" was split into two tracks - Sleep I and II - and is by far the most interesting track of the Sleep/Death album. The way the two parts contrast each other and at the same time feel so alike is astounding. Listening to the first part I can see where this "cinematic ambient" term comes from - The desolate mood part I sets for the album is very fitting and could well be featured on a soundtrack for a fitting movie. In the second part Morgue of Saints moves more into traditional funeral doom territory, and Elliot C does this rather well. His compositions on this track has a somewhat abyssal depth that fits so well together with the void-like intro to the album, Sleep I.

I mentioned that Death feels rather shallow. Sleep I and II are more or less the exact opposite in regard to atmosphere, and perharps this is the point of putting Death in between the two parts of Sleep. Starting the album out with the film-like epicness of Sleep I only to disrupt that mood with the simple drones of Death, and then finally returning to the mood set by Sleep I with Sleep II, only in a far more abrassive form. It's a bit far-fetched to be honest, and if this is the case I think the point will be lost to some. When judging the album as a whole I dislike that the middle track disrupts the otherwise great flow and atmosphere the other two tracks create, and I would much rather just listen to those two songs in continuation of each other and cut out Death entirely. 6/10 guitars.

Tracklist:
1. Sleep I
2. Death
3. Sleep II

MORGUE OF SAINTS on Bandcamp - Free download available!
Download also available here

Wendess - Nuée Noire [Full length] (2011, Self Mutilation Services)

Depressive and atmospheric black metal, often chriticized for being a way too "easy" genre that every babboon can play, is mostly seen in conjuction with lenghty black metal tunes with tortured vocals, a truckload of highly distorted tremolo riffs and drums that range from simple 4/4's to blistering blast beats.

Hailing from Canada Wendess is in all aspects a traditional atmospheric black metal band with some tendencies toward depressive themes. Already from the first of the five it's obvious that their focus lies with the melancholic feelings invoked by the pain-filled vocals and the foggy atmosphere occassionally created by the heavy ambiance and huge contrast between peaceful parts with clean guitars and the chaotic cacophony of the more traditional black metal parts.
Wendess is one of those bands that master the change from violent blast beats and aggressive tremolo-riffs in the spirit of true black metal to scenic soundscapes of a dovish nature that are so frequently associated with atmospheric bands. Just when you thought they had nothing more to add they come back with yet another detail or hitherto unseen part that makes for an overall enjoyable listening experience.

Nuée Noire offers just over one hour of sombre music for you to enjoy. The unending songs just keep going on and on and the production work is near perfection. There is just one thing, though... It's hard not to compare them to other bands of the rather crowded genre. One could compare them to both Shining, Silencer, Xasthur, Wedard aswell as newer bands like Ash Borer and Fell Voices. What purpose does this serve? Well it show that Wendess, good or not, haven't exactly invented the wheel per se. They do their thing well but unfortunately lie in the deep shadows of those who came before them.
I had a hard time choosing a rating for Wendess' 2011 album "Nuée Noire". I enjoyed the album very much, but then again they're not bringing anything new to the table. 7 or 8? The benefit of the doubt says 8/10 guitars.

Tracklist:
1. Intro&Seroquel
2. Xanax
3. 8915
4. Lithium
5. Outro

WENDESS official site
Self Mutilation Services official site

Durvasag - Pure Fucking Thrash [Demo] (2011, Self-released)

Thrash and black metal have gone hand in hand more or less since the beginning with Venom's thrash song "Black Metal" and Hellhammer's thrashy proto-black metal style. The Canadian band Durvasag follow up nicely on this early trend with their first release, the 2011 demo "Pure Fucking Thrash".

Playing in the sloppy style of early Venom the Hungarian-named band have some terrific riffs but are really held back by poor sound and dodgy drum and vocal work, and what I mean by "sloppy" is that timing doesn't seem to be their main focus or so to speak. The drums sound like they were programmed by someone who doesn't have a very good feeling with drumming, which is odd considering that the drums on the 5 cover songs sound like they are made by an actual drummer.
I don't mean to be nitpicking, but the album art is horrendously uninteresting. It doesn't really make me want to listen to the music if I didn't know the band in advance.

There's nothing wrong with the song structures, lyrics, riffs or choruses in their own rights, but unfortunately they aren't very well executed maybe except from the guitars. I know I talk alot about the guitars in Durvasag but they really seem to be the bands main strongpoint.
Also there's the matter of the five cover songs on the demo. I don't mind covers no matter the quality, but they will often take away focus from the bands own music and the same is indeed the case on Pure Fucking Thrash. Their choices of songs to cover also tell me that Durvasag is indeed inspired by a variety of classic black and thrash bands, though this is also evident in their music itself.
All that being said I recon Durvasag has potential and would probably be a pretty good live act.

Listening to Durvasag's demo is kinda like eating candy that is still in it's wrapping - You get occassional sweet tastes, but the experience is overall unpleasent but leaves you wanting more candy but without the wrapping. Therefore I can't give this demo more than 5/10.

Tracklist:
1. Sacrifice
2. Apocalypse
3. Pure Fucking Thrash
4. Alma Mater (Moonspell Cover)
5. Black Metal (Venom Cover)
6. Canadian Metal (Darkthrone Cover)
7. Lack of Comprehension (Death Cover)
8. Motorbreath (Metallica Cover)

DURVASAG official site
Download the demo and listen for yourself HERE

Ancient Obliteration - A Menacing Reality [Full length] (2010, Self-released)

It's very VERY hard to come up with something new and to stand out in metal. Starting in the early 70's with roots as far back as mid-to-late 60's metal has been made in so many different ways with so many different elements, themes, ideas and atmospheres that to bring something new to the table is close to impossible. Since the 80's we've seen bands introducing completely foreign and weird elements to classic metal genres, like crazy instrumentation, uncanny time signatures and components that would usually be called either unfitting or down right stupid.

A band that can be said to completely disregard traditions and the conventions of metal is Ancient Obliteration. With a handful of releases under their belt the Canadian quartet have proven that alien elements in traditional death/thrash metal isn't necessarily just there to stand out. But stand out they do, and it took a few listens to the album "A Menacing Reality" to get used to the strange tendencies of their truly unearthly tunes.

Equipped with strong and interesting riffs and completely ignoring the vocal tendencies of modern bands Ancient Obliteration manage to carve a small niche for themselves in the dark depths of metal. Incorporating lots of traditional death and thrash metal constituents like thrashy bass lines and vocals that take from both death metal and crossoverish thrash the four-man band has found several elicit ways to evoke my interest with they utter weirdness.

The very heavy focus of the grittily produced album has a certain way to make the listener slighty rock one's head to the music without even noticing. While the 10-tracked album isn't exactly rich in detail it makes for interesting listening. The wholesome flow and mostly well-fitted songs makes me think of bands like Macabre, Nocturnus, Ghoul and occassionally even Gwar and if you're a fan of any of those bands you should probably give Ancient Obliteration a listen. 7/10 guitars.

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Radiated Overlords
3. Look Inside Yourself
4. Seeking the Slimegod
5. Professor of Black Magic
6. Intermission
7. Giant Devilfish
8. Lust for the Curse
9. Pagan Rape
10. Hunted and Deranged in this Bleak Zone

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Gatling - Absolute [EP] (2011, Self-released)

As rock evolved from blues and folk music, metal evolved from rock. Therefore it's not a stretch of imagination to envisage a mix of the two - A hybrid if you will. Since metal in it's original form is merely a heavier style of rock it's not surprizing to see bands like AC/DC, Motörhead and Metallica make something in between.

The American band Gatling mixes a ton of progressive rock elements with metal. The melancholic feel of the 3-track EP "Absolute" makes one think of newer Katatonia while they have an overall tendency to shoegazy parts aswell as entire sections that are predominantly metal. It's hard to categorize a band like Gatling as they mix so many different components to make their music. These elements include - but aren't limited to - metal guitar solos, shoegaze vocals at times, general rock composing and metal riffs.

I generally find that this EP would probably be more enjoyable to a fan of rock music rather than heavy metal. While more rockish metal isn't inherently bad to me it seems the Canadian four-man outfit has more inspirations from rock bands than metal bands. There's still a lot to work on for this band, but armed with tracks such as the very wholesome "Midnight Cemetery" I think Gatling would be capable of becoming great.

Overall I'd say Absolute features some generally good elements and some very nice guitar work, but the vocals could use some work in certain cases. Future works of Gatling should be very interesting, and because I like the first track of the EP so much Absolute deserves 6/10 guitars.

Tracklist:
1. Midnight Cemetery
2. Absolute
3. Statue of a Statue

Galting - Absolute is available for free download HERE

Kon Hex - Magnetic Sun [Full length] (2011, self-released)

Drone, the genre of the masters of patience. If you listen to drone you better be prepared for tracks in excess of 30 or even 40 minutes. To me drone is a genre best suited for background music like ambient, but I find that few bands play drone without any influences from other genres like doom metal, funeral doom metal or even stoner rock. Drone is mostly thought of as a monotonous and boring genre in which the musicians don't require any actual skill, but I disagree.

The Canadian one-man band Kon Hex is a young band with a number of releases up it's sleeve. With the release of the full length "Magnetic Sun" after the full length "Charge V" and the EP "Expanse", Kon Hex has aimed for a standard approach to drone but with a twist of the abovementioned influences from funeral doom metal and ambient. It seems the focus of this solo project has been on atmosphere rather than riffing, as is the case with much drone doom metal.

If you like drone with a twist, check out Kon Hex's material. The Magnetic Sun full length features classic drone with occassional drums, bringing with it a slight dash of funeral doom metal. With a total length of more than an hour there're lots of details to notice and explore in this interstellar journey known only as Kon Hex.

The material on Magnetic Sun, even if it contains only 4 tracks, has a wide range of atmospheres and feelings. From sinister and evil atmospheres like of an ancient grotto or cavernous cathedral to something out of this world, eldritch and lovecraftian. Kon Hex manages to really set the mood, in no small part due to the magnificent intro track that does exactly what an intro should: Set the atmosphere for the rest of the album. The crushingly dark focus of Magnetic Sun is the perfect soundtrack to deep space and is a fantastic example that drone doesn't have to be boring and uneventful. The sluggishly heavy chugging riffs have something utterly alien and intergalactic about them.

Some of the chugging parts of Kon Hex - Magnetic Sun even have hint of Tom Warrior's new band "Triptykon" about it. Magnetic Sun sets an example for drone as a vast, black monolith in a dark and desolate ocean. As proof that drone is easily combined with other similar genre. As an example that drone isn't necessarily monotonous. If you're a fan of Sunn O))), Nortt and Urna this is definitely worth checking out. 7/10 guitars.

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. The Uncharted Notice
3. In the Seas of Darkness
4. MSun

All Kon Hex releases can be downloaded HERE
Kon Hex - Magnetic Sun is available for free download HERE
Visit the band on their official website

Burning Caskets - To Burn a False Prophet [Full length] (2011, Self-released)

Death Metal. A genre originally very close to thrash metal, pioneered by legends like Death, Possessed, Morbid Angel and Entombed, it has changed tremendously. Being mixed with just about every other metal genre there is, death metal is one of the most versatile metal genres. Groovy, black, thrashy, doomy, brutal, or however you like your death metal, the countless bands of this genre has it all.

Burning Caskets from Canada delivers 26 minutes and 14 seconds of non-stop, brutally forceful death metal. Being part of one of the biggest metal genres ever, Burning Caskets has a lot to proove. It's hard to not sound like other death metal bands, but this groovy riff-powered band mixes elements of many well known death metal acts to great avail. With vocals akin to those of Chris Barnes - formerly of Cannibal Corpse and now of Six Feet Under - , one of the grandfathers of groove death metal, this Canadian death metal band has a bright future. This 7-track album of uncompromising mid-paced death metal has it all. Pounding drums with great variety, killer riffs, ear-tearing vocals and a sound to go with it all.

Vocals have always been my primary point of critique for death metal bands. If the vocals suck, I simply can't listen to it. Therefore I'm pleased to hear greatly varied vocals with everything from the afforementioned Chris Barnes-ish vocals to throat-shredding vocals like those of Svencho from the Belgian death metal giants ABORTED, and Burning Caskets even incorporates a few breakdowns and gangshouts into their music making it all the more diverse.

Burning Caskets is by no means your everyday death metal band. Sure, they may not be revolutionizing the genre, but they manage to mix a lot of elements that just work well together.

It seems cathy riffs and straight-to-the-point song structures are what the Canadian quintet are all about. With a recipe consisting mostly of easily memorizable riffs, gruesomely neckbreaking headbanging parts and simple structure "To Burn a False Prophet" is an album that appeals to fans of Six Feet Under, Deicide and Cannibal Corpse. Hard-hitting from start to finish, the tasty - although sometimes a bit chuggy - riffs will please most fans of mid-paced death metal.

Released only 2 years after the band started, 2011's "To Burn a False Prophet" is a generally great uncompromising album. Flowing slowly along like a river of molten lava, the tracks fit well together, but to say Burning Caskets have a way of varying their song structures would not be exactly true. I've praised the album a lot, but my main beef with this release is the lack of variation. Death metal, being such a versatile genre as I have previously stated, leaves a lot of room for mixing things up a little. But then again, Burning Caskets have found their sound and are sticking with it, and it works really great.

Having mostly praised the album, I will have to mention that I would've liked it if the album was a bit longer. The lack of variation between the songs is a bit of a let-down, but this badass bout of sepulchral Canadian death metal works magnificently.

Death Metal is Eternal. 8/10

Tracklist:

1. Kill the Pacifist

2. Mockery

3. Covenant of Hate

4. Resurrection of Filth

5. Sexually Tortured

6. Prophecies of a Blackened Sun

7. Wake Up Dead (Megadeth Cover)

Visit Burning Caskets on Facebook
Visit Burning Caskets on their official website