Obituary - Slowly We Rot (1989)

Obituary's debut, 'Slowly We Rot' will always have a special place in my heart and not just because its a great album, but also because it was the first death metal album I ever heard back in the day and the way I see it you just don't forget things like that.

Formed in '84 under the Executioner monicker (quickly changed to Xecutioner) and originally playing thrash metal, the band unleashed three demos and one split release between '85 and '87 before signing with Roadrunner in '88 and changing their name to Obituary. Somewhere along that time they heard Possessed and decided to make music that was, quote, "Sick as these guys," and they surely did.

'Slowly We Rot' fuses Possessed's early pioneering death/thrash metal sound with Chuck Schuldiner's more genre defining pure Floridian death metal sound and with those influences mixed with Trevor Peres & Allen West's crunchy Hellhammer-ish guitar tones, Daniel Tucker's ominous bass, Donald Tardy's pummeling drums and his brother, John Tardy's low guttural vomitous roars the listener is treated to some of the finest death metal ever committed to tape.

The album moves at varying speeds too, sometimes brutal and pulverizing, at other times absolutely headbanging and thrashy all the way and even a few places where the music slows down for some doom-ish parts. Generally though the album stays within that relentless crushing 80's death/thrash metal sound, which I've always adored. I suppose some people prefer more technical music, but with me its always just been about crazy ass face melting riffs, wild solos, visceral drum slaughtering and maniacal growls and screaming when talking about metal from the 80's. Youthful aggression, as I've said before, and these guys truly had a lot of it. And they were fairly young too, Donald being just 19 while the rest of the guys were in their early 20's.

'Slowly We Rot' probably isn't as memorable on an individual song basis for most, which is probably why people prefer early Death or Morbid Angel over this record, but seriously how can you resist songs like, 'Gates of Hell' or 'Intoxicated?' Or the title track and its memorable lyrics, "Fight them all, join me, slowly we dwell, Slowly we dwell!" I'm also quite fond of, 'Internal Bleeding,' especially with its ominous intro and the way the band just blasts into it and knocks the listener completely out by the time its over or the quick and crushing, 'Words of Evil.' In any case I may just be one of those listeners that does favor ever moment of his brutal classic.

A lot of people prefer the bands second album, 'Cause of Death' and really consider that one to be the classic, which is understandable with its cleaner production and controlled and balanced flow, but I've always preferred this one just because of its raw, chaotic and merciless nature. In any case, Obituary's first two records are musts in my opinion, classic death metal not to be missed!

Vacation... SOON

Reviews and other random metalnesses from me will be a bit sparse from here on since I'm leaving for vacation on the 23rd. If you remember my patch photo from last week you'll also know that I thought about starting a new vest. Well, I ended up tearing most of my current one to pieces after failed attempts at finding another denim jacket/vest. So, I'm in the process of also re-building that before I leave.

But, where am I going?? Well, first its off to Sweden for a few days of sight seeing and mostly randomness in Stockholm, then were hoping a plane to Finland for Tuska, beer, sight seeing, beer, and beer with my friends over there. So, I'm looking forward to it. When I return I'll of course have tons of photos and videos to show as well as a full report on the journey and all happenings around Tuska. There might even be an interview in there somewhere. Will see, still working on setting something up.

Besides that expect a few more reviews before I leave and perhaps while I'm gone my buddy Jewelthrone will pound a review or two out as well. Look forward to some cool writing when I return and as always, thanks for reading!

Winter - Into Darkness (1990)

Every once in a while some friends and I will get together, buy some booze and enjoy some metal together. A few months ago we were doing just that and somehow or another it lead to a friend pulling out his old VHS tapes, one in particular that happened to be Nuclear Blast's, 'Death is Just the Beginning,' which features Winter's video for, 'Servants of the Warsmen.' Seeing the video reminded me that I've known the bands name forever, but never heard them, and then just a few days later I was talking to a pal o' mine and Winter came up, his appreciation for the band mostly and how he actually named his daughter Winter because of this band. I knew it was time to finally get my hands on this one.

Formed around '88 in New York City, Winter are largely seen as the innovators of the doom/death metal genre, which would explode a few years down the road with bands like Anathema, My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost and Katatonia, but by then Winter had already broken up. Through seven songs and forty six minutes of music, Winter takes the listener on a plodding, depraved, miserable death metal journey unlike anything else at its time. Winter to me sounds like the slowest parts of Autopsy, but brought to a crawling pace and torn with misery and apathy for life. Heavier, taller and thicker than any cathedral, this insane and claustrophobic recording is simply crushing. Chunky throbbing riff after riff, ultra slow percussion, the occasional backing and rather haunting sounding keyboards and low guttural vocals guide you through this one while samples and random creepy noise arise here and there too to add to the overall effect.

Its hard to pick a favorite, because to me no single song really stands outs, but rather the whole album feels like one long song that should be played from start to finish. That might sound weird, but its just one of those albums you throw on when you're feeling out of it or when the summer heat creeps in on you too much and you need to cool things down. The atmosphere is extremely cold and indescribable, but in a way it resembles some sort of bleak future where everything is covered in snow, mutants walk the street and the weight of the world is on your shoulders and trampling you.

By '92, Winter was already finished and like many bands many listeners didn't even discover them until Nuclear Blast re-released the album for European listeners that same year. But, the legend grew, and so did the fans and by today the albums been re-released four times, personally I own the '11 version from Southern Lord, which features a large booklet of old flyers as well as an interesting bio, though no lyrics were included.

'Into Darkness' is not an easy album to get into, simply because its not as accessible or catchy as other early death/doom records, but few pioneering efforts ever are. On the other hand if you admire the genre, pick this one up and see how and where it all began.

Piledriver - Metal Inquisition (1985)

"Spread your legs and scream, no this is not a dream!"

My introduction to Piledriver came awkwardly through Marduk's, 'Glorification' EP years ago when the band performed a cover of the bands song, 'Sex with Satan.' That was well over a decade ago and seems like forever since I even heard that cover, but I kept Piledriver in mind just in case I came across one of their records. Quite recently I sold some useless promo CDs for store credit and happened to come across this LP for a mere $6, which is just great, especially since it was in near mint condition too.

Piledriver played thrashy classic metal with lyrics centered around being a metalhead, Satan, necrophilia, hunting witches, death and aliens, all with a decent amount of humor thrown in too. The cover is enough to know you've got something special in your hands. I mean, come on, just look at vocalist Piledriver there - Decked out in studs, leather, spikes, bondage gear and with a big smile on his face while clamping and apparently electrocuting the fella on the ground with a guitar. Nice! More than likely even back then people were rolling their eyes and laughing when they came across it at stores, but as it turns out I've got quite a thing for cheesy metal stuff. Mr. Driver's vocals are something to behold too as they are harsh and aggressive in tone, more so than during the actual delivery, but its an evilly peaceful approach to singing that seems really original for the time.

'Metal Inquisition' is the albums opening song and an anthem of sorts as the lyrics talk about hunting down non-metal heads and basically beating the crap out of them while reciting the chorus line, "And if you're not a metal head you might as well be dead, We're the metal inquisition... We sentence you to death... by guillotine," which is just priceless awesomeness! 'Sex with Satan' is essentially about the dark prince visiting a gal and having his twisted sexual desires with her, while, 'Sodomize the Dead' is just a romping two minute blast with a repetitive chorus and, 'Witch Hunt' is a slow drawn out but catchy one that ends side one of the LP. 'Pile Driver' is a fast speed metal-ish cut, which barely changes during its duration (except for a quick solo near the end) and is essentially and ode to himself, while, 'Human Sacrifice' has a fun and repetitive vibe to it and with lyrics like this, "I smell like a dead animal's rotten guts, Think that I've been to hell and back, kicked in the nuts, I'm always very angry, always tense my breath smells like rancid excrement," you know you'll have a smile on your face before the song passes. 'Alien Rape' is the albums last song and at over eight minutes its ridiculously drawn out, but the spoken passage about the invasion at least makes it different from Witch Hunt.

Interestingly the back cover of the LP lists a full five man line-up, although only two people participated, namely, Gord "Piledriver" Kirchin with the vocals and Leslie Howe, whom is likely to be the the guy getting electrocuted handles the bass, guitar and drum programming. Apparently even someone named Louise Reny was responsible for the lyrics.

Piledriver would go on to release one more album in '86 titled, 'Stay Ugly,' which was written by David DeFeis and Ed Pursino from Virgin Steele. Nearly twenty years later the band would reform as The Exalted Piledriver with an entirely new line-up alongside Gord and in '08 they even released a new album titled, 'Metal Manifesto.'

In the end, 'Metal Inquisition' is absolutely just a fun album to listen to. You're not going to hear any amazing riffs or breath taking solos, but Piledriver's vocals and the lyrics make for a good time, but I'm sure both LPs and even the CD reissue (limited to 1000 copies) are really hard to come by these days. So, I consider myself pretty damn lucky to have found this LP and for so cheap too.

Testament - The Legacy (1987)

I've admitted it before and I can say it again - Testament was one of those bands I missed in my early youthful metal days. A shame too, especially since I knew the name and saw their CDs all the time, I just, ya know never bought any of their albums until I was in my early twenties. The bands debut, 'The Legacy' happened to be the first and its still my favorite from the band too.

Testament like a lot of bay area thrashers (and thrashers in general) have a mostly solid, but still varied musical career, which was massive in the late 80's but started to wane in the early 90's when thrash metal died. Most of the songs are fast, aggressive and full of technical flair, which was typical of the genre, but Testament steps it up on this one. Lead guitarist Alex Skolnick was just twenty at the time and his shredding is absolute class, with a charge of impressive catchy riffs and pummeling solos few could top this guy at the time. His axe slashing partner, Eric Peterson turns in an equally powerful performance, bassist Greg Christian does his part as well, though his lines are mostly lost in the very quiet production and you really only hear them if you have the album playing at exceedingly high volumes, while Louie Clemente pounds the drums flawlessly with bursts of double bass, interesting fills and some small solos too. Vocalist Chuck Billy attacks with a hostile angry voice, maniacal screams and some decent clearly sung parts too. Oh, and lets not forget them awesome gang shouts too!

As I mentioned earlier most of the album is fast paced and the band really shines on songs like, 'Over the Wall,' 'C.O.T.L.O.D.' & 'First Strike Is Deadly,' especially that solo, goddamn! This is one of those total riot albums, head banging, fist pumping and thrashin' like mad! 'The Haunting' is a bit slower, 'Apocalyptic City' has a slow but awesome intro which eventually breaks full force and 'Alone In The Dark' is sort of commercial and catchy sounding, but still a great song. Notably this album was also released on Atlantic Records, which means along with Metallica they were one of the first thrash bands to sign to a major label.

Its debatable for some whether or not this is Testament's gem, especially since they'd get more diverse and eventually cross over to playing death metal in the late 90's, but for me this straight forward release called, 'The Legacy' is Testament's finest statement.

The DreamCell11 & Worm Hole Death Records Promo Package

Every once in a while I'll receive mysterious promo packages in my mail from record labels. I mean that was fine and made sense back about four years ago when I actually had my mailing address online, but I haven't since '08 and yet record labels are still finding me. I have no recollection of giving my address to these labels but you know one beer here and ten over there and thee old brain powers start to run a little fuzzy on me. The funny thing is that the labels that stalk me usually send promo packages filled with CDs I'd never under any normal circumstances purchase or even think about listening too, yet that's the case and I've found myself in one of those situations. I suppose I could be an asshole and not review them, because 7 of the 8 CDs are either just awful or barely decent, but I'm not like that. Therefore, I've got 7 mini reviews of some fucking shitty ass music for you today. Alright, here we go, people!

The Way of Purity - Equate (2012)
The Way of Purity are four masked guys and one unmasked hot chick from Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and Italy, all of which have chosen to remain anonymous and given the music on this disc I can see why. Described as, get this, Blackened Metalcore, TWoP plays fairly standard metalcore with occasional synth flourishes and raspy half growled vocals, which I think are performed by the gal. There's a sense of melody within the bands work that makes it slightly appealing, as well as some interesting time signatures, shifts in speed, mood and even some technical guitar parts. Generally though I find the main vocals to be tedious since they just sound like a hardcore vocalist trying to be black metal (I guess), although another gal by the name of Giulia Stefani performs some clearly sung soprano-ish style vocals, which remind me of the chick from Lacuna Coil. TWoP are big time supporters of the Animal Liberation Front and Peta and this may be reflected in the lyrics. In the end I ask myself, 'Where's the Blackened parts?' I don't know, they simply are not there. If metalcore with a little extra zest is your thing, then by all means, write me an email and I will personally come to your house and shove this fucking album up your ass! Off to the used bin with you!

My Hidden Phobia - My Hidden Phobia (2012)
Bahahahaha! Oh man, this is great. I mean seriously at least take a look at the damn 'zine before sending me stuff like this. My Hidden Phobia is an Italian screamo band, yes, everyone we've got screamo on Lunar Hypnosis, FINALLY! So, in case you you've never heard this genre before its basically metalcore with cleanly sung yet wanky ass clear vocals mixed with these utterly hilarious pig squeal-ish screams. I'd assume this genre was created by some sexually confused high school kids in some attempt to rebel and look bad ass, yet dudes in these bands always have really stupid hair cuts, wear make-up and are severely under weight to boot. I honestly don't find anything appealing about this record and why people are so dedicated to this genre is beyond me. Off to the used bin with you!

Raw in Sect - Red Flows (2011)
Somewhere along the way the Björler twins, Anders and Jonas, lost their minds and started making really, really bad metal with their band, The Haunted. More recently they dropped the metal entirely in favor of some sort of alternative rock mess that was just abominable. This Greek four piece kind of reminds me of The Haunted around the, 'One Kill Wonder' & 'rEVOLVEr' era of The Haunted when the band started adding core-ish elements and became less melodic (or at least that's how I remember it). So, essentially what we've got here is semi melodic death metal with a little thrash and hardcore. The vocals are half growled yet retain a hardcore character most of the time, which is hit or miss with me, I guess mostly a miss this time around. The records got drive, energy, life, a good production and some technical parts and all that. Perhaps if I was drinking with friends or was just really hyper and someone threw this one I'd dig it, but ultimately I find it to be just another overall boring entry in this already over crowded and tired genre. Oh, and off to the used bin with you!

Bleeding Utopia – Demons to Some, Gods To Others (2012)
Back in the 90's there were a lot of really great melodic death metal bands; In Flames, At The Gates, Dark Tranquillity, Sacrilege, Dacameron and even Soilwork was decent at one point. By the the time the new millennium had rolled around most of these bands had either changed their sound drastically or had already broken up years earlier. Yet, the genre continued onward, somewhere along the way influencing metalcore too, yet bands in this genre sound absolutely nothing like the releases from the old days, even Bleeding Utopia who happen to be Swedish. 'Demons to Some, Gods To Others' is absolutely typical of the genre as it has plenty of energy, speed, some catchy riffs, plenty of groove, some minor thrash characteristics and even a few cool solos mixed with raspy growled vocals. Sound familiar, you betcha! I've heard it, you've heard it, they've heard, everyone's heard it! Its been done to death, nothing more can be done and its just boring. I'm sorry, but off to the used bin with you!

Black Bay - Feeding It (2012)
I kid you not when searching this band and album on google it gave me the following message: Showing results for black baby feeding it, hahaha! I should probably stop there while on a high point, but I guess that wouldn't be entirely fair. As for their style of music, well go back to the previous two reviews for that answer since its basically the same thing. More modern day boring melodic death metal with hardcore and groove influences plus some occasional technical wankery that's not impressing me at all. The vocals range from barely interested shouts to some cleanly sung passages. For some reason this reminds me of Meshuggah too. This is mostly awful, but I can see why people would like this music and some of the other bands I've reviewed here. Off to the... Awww, fuck! Its in a cardboard sleeve! You can't re-sell those!

Levania - Parasynthesis (2012)
The good news is that this record is not melodic death metal. The bad news is that its melodic Gothic beauty and the beast metal. Back in the 90's the alleged beauty and the beast metal genre was a pretty big thing. Mostly perpetrated by Napalm Records from Austria, the beauty and the beast metal genre typically consisted of a low guttural male singer paired with a heavenly angelic female voice and mixed with lots of synth and doomy sounding metal. This Italian band is a little more active and not as depressing as some of those bands from the 90's, but its still largely the same thing. I get the impression that they are partially power metal influenced as well, perhaps Rhapsody fans, since they've got lots of narration as well as cleanly sung male vocals, which are just amusing. Basically he sounds like some sort of bard or Hobbit (or something) reciting poetry and he does it in pretty much the gayest manner imaginable. The most audible instrument is the synths, which really dominate everything while female singer Ligeia howls away alongside them growls. Regrettably there isn't any titties anywhere on this record, which is just not fair, I mean come on, Levania at least do something like Tristania's, 'Beyond the Veil.' Man, that cover was total wank off fodder back in the day! Anyway, this sucks, and off to the used bin with you!

6th Awakening - Psycho Path (2012)
I can do this! I remain steadfast! I've been reviewing awful music for over a decade now! Up next from Umeå, Sweden is 6th Awakening with... OH FUCK YOU! More melodic death metal?! Okay, everything from the reviews above, although the angry growly lead chicky sings melodically too. And she's pretty hot. They even do a cover of Type O Negative's, 'My Girlfriend's Girlfriend,' which is so disgusting sounding that I wish Peter Steele's dead rotted corpse would reanimate, hunt these five Swedes down, snap each of their necks one at a time, rip off their limbs, drink their blood and then vomit dead maggots and soil all over their lifeless bodies. There's nothing else to say. This is utterly generic and by the numbers melodic death metal. A genre that died a long, long time ago and... ugh, ya know what, whatever. I just don't care anymore. Off to the incinerator with you!

Seven awful albums in a row and I'm about ready to rip my goddamned hair out of my freakin' head. Please excuse me while I listen to Sarcófago's, 'I.N.R.I.' about sixteen times in a row to cleanse my brain of this filth. Also for future reference to other labels. If the bands on your roster don't look or sound like the freaks below then you probably shouldn't send me your promos.

Patches, baby!

Patches, patches and more patches, goddamn it! This may be the start of something new right here. I'm thinking of starting some sort of, 'Old School Metal Patch Hoodie' or even just starting on a new metalvest. The reason for the new metalvest mostly stems from the fact that my current one is getting filled up, but also because its a butchered jean jacket, which is fairly heavy and super warm when I wear it to gigs. So, I'm thinking of finding something lighter and potentially cooler too. Also some friends have already asked about the Dissection back patch and if you're curious you can find this one and a fuck load of others over at megapatches.com. It wasn't overly expensive, about $22 after shipping, but these guys are based out of Columbia and apparently when mailing something from Colombia some dude just sacks up a bunch of stuff, throws it over his shoulder and walks up from South America to deliver it. I say this specifically because it took roughly two months to reach my house. So, don't expect it next week when ordering. Patches pictured; (little ones) Necrophobic, Carcass, Amorphis, Carnage, Candlemass and Black Sabbath. (big ones) Dissection & Amorphis.

The Fruitcake Ambush

Its been a while since I've posted any alcohol reviews here on Lunar Hypnosis, nearly three months oddly enough. However, recently I contributed a guest alcoholic review to my friend Jackie's blog, 'Fruitcake Ambush' with my Top Five Most Metal Beers. Three of the brews are partial reposts from over here, but the other two are new. If you feel inclined to check it out then have at it, you might even catch an interesting recipe while over there too.