Antigama/Drugs of Faith-Split CD
(Selfmadgod Records, 2007)

What we have here is a split 3 disc from two of the best bands grindcore has to offer. Both bands are quite different, yet this split still works. After all most split 7s usually featured two bands that were quite different but still from the same genre.

Antigama comes from a more death metal style of grindcore with heavy guitars, tremolo picked guitar runs and lots of blasting. There is a strong crust feel at times as well and the band reminds me of Phobia mixed with a bit more dissonance. The band definitely has a good grasp on dynamics which really isnt all that common in grindcore. They use different tempos and really know how to slow things down and bang home an excellent groove riff. Tribal drums are even used during one of the songs. The biggest surprise here comes in the form of the cover of Goblins Zombi. It stays very close to the original and really shows that the band isnt afraid to experiment.

Drugs of Faith plays a noisy form of hardcore that comes across as being quite original. The songs utilize many tempos and the riffing itself is rhythmic and dissonant without being overly noisy. There is definitely an old school feel to the band even if the style of the band really isnt what you would consider vintage grindcore. The vocals are best described as an aggressive shout, not using the guttural style that is more common in this genre. There really isnt anything typical or common about the Drugs of Faith sound. It is noisy, inventive and really stands out when compared to the usual blast ridden sound the genre is normally associated with.

There isnt a lot of bang for your buck here, but the entire disc is extremely high quality as is the packaging. If you havent heard either of these bands before this would serve as a nice introduction.

Samael-Solar Soul
(Nuclear Blast, 2007)

I have to admit that I have never been a huge Samael fan, but I always respected them due to the fact that they were one of the first extreme metal bands to incorporate outside influences and grow into a completely different band.

This latest album shows the band going back to a more metallic approach but still keeping the electronic and industrial elements that the band has become known for. This isnt a style that I usually would go out of my way to listen to, but this is definitely some of the best industrial influenced metal that I have ever heard. The songwriting is concise, and the choruses stick like glue.

In fact pretty much every part of the songs are catchy in one way or another. The vocal lines are easily digested and really match the stripped down nature of this album. There are layers, but it is still a very human sounding album. It very easily could have turned into an album with a hundred layers of vocals and just as many layers of synths, but they manage to keep it more to the point and as stripped down as a band like this could possibly be.

There is definitely a lot to like about this album. It isnt a complete throwback to the old style of the band, but it definitely is an album that is metallic in nature. Heavy guitars and killer riffs are here and in large numbers. If you have enjoyed what Samael has done in the past there is no reason why you wont enjoy this album.

Marduk-Rom 5:12
(Regain Records, 2007)

Two words that havent been used to describe a Marduk album in a long time would be creative and diverse. The last few albums have followed a similar formula, but this latest album basically takes that formula and renders it unrecognizable with a chainsaw. This my friends is an album that shows just how much Marduk has to offer the black metal genre. It is a fresh and violent album that reinvigorates the band and proves that the band is not just about speed.

The opening track has a slow and deliberate pace with cold and melodic guitars, scathing vocals and fairly simplistic drumming. There isnt a blast beat to be found and the slower pace of the song really helps nail the cold feel they are striving for. The second song kicks up the tempo and not only is the track fast it also has an incredible sense of urgency. A lot of black metal is fast but there isnt much aggression behind the playing. With this album they are wringing the guitar necks like they are chocking out its very last breath. The energy jumps from the speakers and attacks with reckless abandon.

The rest of the album is pretty much a combination of the first two songs. You have slower songs and faster songs. But each song has unique ideas and the amount of diversity on display is much higher then any recent Marduk album. This really feels like an album more so then just a collection of songs.

The production is natural and powerful and in general sounds like a black metal album should. The guitars are sharp and trebly but still loud and powerful. The drums are natural sounding and the snare is never lost in the mix, even during the fast sections. The vocals are powerful and sit perfectly in the mix. This is a surprisingly varied vocal performance and everything from the harshest scream to the spoken word bits ring through loud and clear.

This is what you could consider a turning point in Marduks career. They are staying true to their past but moving forward and creating interesting and challenging music. With more spins I could see this one easily becoming one of my favorite albums from Marduk. For all black metal fans this is essential.

Irepress-Samus Octology
(Translation Loss Records, 2007)

Instrumental music is really hard to dissect. The idea behind the music is to conjure emotions and take people on a journey without lyrics to guide them. How exactly do you sum up how effective an instrumental album is exactly? Im not sure what the answer to that question is, but I do know what I like, and this album is something that I like.

There is no way around the fact that this is indeed a rock based album. The driving rhythms and heavy guitars are very metallic and there are definitely some very noisy passages littered throughout the album. But in between the heavy moments there are some very serene and melodic moments. The band has no problem stripping things down to a simple guitar line and a drum beat and those stark moments make the heavier sections have much more impact. There are also a few almost jazzy passages that feature busier guitar lines and a more progressive feel.

The album has a natural ring to it and it sounds very much like a band playing live. Of course there are a lot of layers, but it doesnt sound like the band laid down a million overdubs. The layering comes from each instrument playing something slightly different. With an instrumental album you want a clear and powerful sound and this album definitely has that.

There is definitely a lot going on with this album and if you think that all instrumental music is progressive and wanky, think again. This is a heavy and adventurous album that draws from everything from bone crunching heavy riffs to almost indy rock shoe gazing. It covers a lot of ground but never stumbles or loses its focus. Fans of everything from Tool to Don Caballero to the Deftones will want to check this out.