CD Review: Krokodil Dental Plan - Feed my Krokodil (Stoner, 2020)

The music of the french stoner combo gave me hope and power on a cloudy day. Which route does the band take? It's the mixture of direct riffs that leave the speakers a unpolished way to lay the foundation for dirty Rock 'n' Roll.

 

Next to go is that groove that pumps relentlessly and will keep you rockin' out to the music. It makes you want more of the same once you've had taste of it. The second track "Die A Million Times" brings this on point. 

Finally the vocals are rough and mixed more to the background but it's welcomed. I think it would ruin the sound if taken too much to the front.

The biggest strength however is the many faces the band shows during performing it's music. Each of the six tracks has been worked on in detail. While sure it's loud and rude music it's also that Krokodil Dental Plan fine-tuned each number on the EP. 

 

"Né Pour Perdre" for instance is keen on giving you the extra of rough guitar sounds. It centers well around those loud notes but doesn't have the groove monster under it "Die A Million Times" presents.

The title track itself seems to focus on speedy vocal performance but surprises with a softer jamming solo-section. The bass guitar rules "Hot Served Enemy", a straight Rocker with slightly guitar-driven variations. The last song "Old Man of Sorrow" closes the release with midtempo slower music but with the distinct sound that makes this band remarkable for me.

The EP is well worth the money for the many sides of Dirty Rock it provides. The CD is shipped out for 5 Euro plus shipping and handling while the download comes at the same price at Bandcamp.

 

CD Review: Gungnir - Ragnarök (Viking Metal, 2018)

It's time to go into the brutal direction. But this band sneaks in lot's of fine tuned elements that you  normally wouldn't expect of such a release that has been heavily inspired by the classic Bathory albums.

The cover of Gungnir's debut EP "Ragnarök", (c) by Gungnir, used with kind permission

Introduction
Gungnir were formed by Yngve (Flames, Deviser, ex-W.E.B.), along with long-time friend and bandmate in other projects Jim havok (Chained And Desperate), on October 2016. Inspired by Bathory's legacy they created a band with the sole purpose of reviving ancient sagas and myths, found in the Norse mythology and the Eddas.

After taking all of 2017 slowly composing and recording, they recruited Ithonas from the Hellenic black metal band Dizziness to handle the vocals for the EP. Zel from the mighty Ancient also appeared as a guest vocalist for the cover in Bathory's "Enter the Eternal Fire" cover.

Summary
The soundshell is held in the absolute classic direction. This means it's pure and direct in-your-face metal all the way. The band doesn't fiddle around too much with setting up but lay's it down heavy and raw.

Anyway while listening to the EP and banging to the rough notes you'll spot little but important changes in the sound taking you away from the dominating songwriting freshing up the sound. It's those moments that you'll open your ears and wonder what's going onthere. It's the unusual use of rhythm and/or guitars that come in at points where you wouldn't expect them.

For instance there is the track "The Wanderer". The drums go a disctinctivly different direction. First I wondered a lot how that should fit to the direction chosen. But similar to the vocals they are more versatile not only brutal. A bit of battle glory feelings and a bit of the noise of the battlefield can be imagined this way.

"Fenrir" is wrapped in a more compact soundcase. I helps to keep the agression level up. The vocals are fat in here. Again a nice contrast to the other tunes.

Preview-Track-Stream and Purchase-Link
As a quick introduction I recommend to go with the track "Fenrir".



Please take this as a recommendation to pick up a physical copy - you'll be rewarded a cover of Bathory's "Enter the Eternal Fire" as bonus material. A picture of the tape on Facebook already looks tasting with it's white styled sleeve and the white-housed tape inside.

The CD will be released through Metal Throne Productions (limited to 500) and the tape will be spread by Mercyful Hell Prods (limited to 150). While typing this the physical edition of both CD and tape are sold out from the band directly but can still get them from the labels. Meanwhile the digital version of the EP is still available from Bandcamp.

Keep in touch with the band through Bandcamp or Facebook or even Google Plus.

CD Review: Riffocity - Under a mourning sky (Thrash, 2017)

We had a blast! Sometimes this saying can be spotted at posts on social media once a band has completed their set. I can confirm that this album of greek thrashers Riffocity gave me several highlights and left me more than once with complete astonishing behind.

The cover of Greece thrasher Riffocity debut full length, (c) by Riffocity, used with kind permission

Summary
Speaking of secret gems this one surely is one to have the closer look upon. If by any chance thrash is the metal style of your choice I'd like you to check out this release. At first glance you may smile about the band name but be sure once it reaches your ears you'll want more of it. It's not often I use this term but to me this disc is a little sensation in the thrash sector with it's many, many releases. It's hard to believe I never heard of this band before. Now that I know I'll keep my eyes on them that's for sure.

Where other bands take years to reach for perfection Riffocity gives it to you with "Under a mourning sky". Most of the tracks start the classic way with a introduction in a softer way or some first short riff introduction before the full part comes in. The band has a modern attempt on the genre but keeps the direction mostly straight forward but also put's in a lot of variations into each and every track.

It's the diverse use of a combination of power, fast rhythm, hard vocals but also clear structured songs and riff arrangements plus some softer sectionsthat gives this silver disc it's special power. Some of the tracks have been upgraded further with guest performances which add to the already strong basics mentioned.

Tips for quick check-out
Two songs stood out for me. It's the softer "Arnis Oblivion" which gives short moment for relaxation before the thrash goes back on track. But most of all "Perish Unloved" got me. Such a massive heavyness and the duration of seven minutes feels as if the track goes on forever. 

Purchase-Link and Preview-Track
I've listened to this step by step on various sessions. The fine thing is: it only becomes better with each run. So make sure to tune in to the teaser given below and pick up your copy of this thrash sensation directly from the band for 10 Euro plus shipping and handling.

Contact Data
The band has set up outlets on Facebook and YouTube so that's where you can get in touch with them or find more songs for pre-listening their debut album.

CD Review: Amoth - Revenge (2016)

A young progmetal band from Finnland unafraid of offering their own style of progressive music. With a solid production suporting the tracks Amoth change the style and tonality inside each track within a moment without any further ado.

Short Introduction

The brand new album "Revenge" is a continuum to their 2011 released debut "Crossing Over", which got great reviews around the globe. One common factor among critics was the "uniqueness" and "own sound" of Amoth's music. This time around they keep paving their own path and prove that they belong to the forefront of Finnish progressive metal scene. With new singer on the line-up and experience from the first album all the pieces truly lock into place.

The cover of Amoth's Revenge album, (c) by Amoth, used with kind permission

Summary

The power of this record sources of the originality of the ideas and the inconstant structure of each and every track on the album. There are times where the band pushes on forward with raw power ("Die Young" and "...And So They Fueled These Veins With Chaos") bringing out the heavier taste of the band for prog music. On other times like the both excellent singles "Tattered Wings" and "Shadow Of The Beast" they show their fine sense for details and sensible song structures. Both tracks breathe a sheer blast of emotions with them which gives the listener a lot of moving moments and sometimes a sort of ghostly feeling with it.

The accoustic ballad "For The Moon And Mercury" somehow gives a moment to get back some breath and leads over to the second album part. This see's us listening to even more diverse and mostly fast album tracks. The sounds change even faster and the spontanous style change in them often amazes the reviewer. Finally the title track put's a crown upon this record. It features all the strenghts of the previous efforts in one, long track.

The production is kept down to earth which is a good choice in my eyes. You feel it's not overworked and the sounds not expanded on postproduction to the bitter end. Instead you can listen to a direct sound which let's you feel the joy the band may had while recording. Most of all the album remains followable and the pure sound gives it some purity with it. That's a good feeling in my ears. The album's rounded out by a remarkable album sleeve that adds a mysterious feeling with the golden bird and the horizon in various dark but also partly warm colors.

Player and Purchase Link

The full "Revenge" album can be heard via Spotify.

For all those who don't have a Spotify account I've added the two video singles for a quick check out. Both videos are also strongly recommended by me also if you've listented to the audio before. "Tattered Wings" has a strong redemption feeling with it. The breaking waves give it somewhat of a moving moment to the listener/watcher. And that's a good feeling.

You can purchase the whole album through the band's record company Inverse Records. Another chance is to download the record from Amazon as a mp3 file. For fans living in Finnland it's notable that you can also order the album at Recordshopx.com or cdon.fi.



Contact data

The band has a own website and is present of social pages such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.