Review: Ocean Chief – Universums Härd (I Hate 2014 CD)

 I recently named Vanhelgd Mjölby's finest, and that is a statement that remains unchanged, yet definitely not unchallenged, after the release of Ocean Chiefs new album. The bands do actually even have a common denominator in the guitarist Björn Andersson. Unlike Vanhelgd's sinister death metal, this is all about stoner/doom, with a generous dose of atmosphere and raw primordial power added.

 Compared to their previous album, by the name of Sten, which was amazing if you just had the time to make it all the way through its 71 minutes, Universums Härd is a way shorter, faster and more straight to the point in general. A decision I absolutely appreciate, I don't mind a 3-minute facemelter like Urtiden among the 10, 15 or sometimes even 20+ minute monoliths piled up on each other, that sort of have become their trademark. Something that makes this album even more dynamic are the instrumental interludes, Färden being the most stellar one. Dissecting the ideas into smaller parts instead of having a bunch of extremely long songs was a great choice, intentionally or not.

 So even though they might be defeated this time, Ocean Chief has delivered an impressive effort that caught my attention like never before. I'm looking forward to the clash of the Mjölby-titans round two. 7.5/10 /H

Review: Zone Zero – The Lost Legacy (2-CD 2014 Shadow Kingdom)

 Christmas seems to have arrived early this year for worshippers of classic Swedish metal from the eighties. This is probably the most essential release since the Detest-compilation by Stormspell Records. Zone Zero is simply one of those bands that musically almost were on the same level as Heavy Load, Gotham City and Silver Mountain, to mention a few, but remained even more forgotten since they never released an album.

 Now that their complete works are finally available, hopefully they'll get the recognition they have always deserved. Songs like Genocide Patrol, Breaker Of The Chains and Demon From Kingdom Of Death (!) could impossibly be disliked by any heavy metal maniac. From start to finish, everything is just so typical for it's time, yet so timeless.

 Something I like is the fact that the songs are in chronological order, which means that the first five tracks are live recordings. Normally, live-recordings are regarded as bonus-material that you don't listen to as much as the studio-tracks, but in this case you have to. Which is great, since the sound quality of those recordings is very good, even better than some of the the demo- and rehearsal-tracks. Four new songs are also included, which, by obvious reasons, have a way more modern sound, but still maintains the high quality.

 In conclusion, this releases compiles some of the most hidden and well kept Swedish heavy metal treasures. Don't hesitate, go on and discover this band immediately, if you haven't done so already. 9/10 /H

Getaway 2014 Review Day 3

 Third and final day, first band up; local death metal veterans Sorcery. Too much mid tempo songs and a bit long songs to earn a place among the genre's finest, but you can't say no to a well played set of classic rotten Swedish death (6.5/10).

 Second band of the day were Black Trip, which I had the pleasure to share stage with a few months ago. Just like then, they gives us a great show, lining up high quality songs as if there was no tomorrow. They deserved a way larger audience though, the majority of the festival attenders must have chose some commercial garbage outside instead. Too bad for them. (7.5/10)

 

 Right after Black Trip's vocalist Joseph Tholl left the stage, it wasn't long until he had to get back up again to play guitar with Robert Pehrsson's Humbucker. Impressive to pull of two shows in a row! RPH's performance could be summed up as a bunch of qualified musicians playing straight forward rock and having a good time for about an hour, nothing more or less. (7/10)

 

 The crowd grew remarkably just in time for Blues Pills, who apparently must have become quite successful. As their set commences, the reason why is getting clear. A bit repetitious at some times, but at their best they are truly amazing. (7.5/10)

 

 Had to leave their show a bit early though, to be able to catch every minute of the almighty Hawkwind. Once again, an embarrassingly small crowd, but this time it was a bit more expected. The band seems totally untouched, just doing what they do best, and I'm worshipping every single minute. The trio of Master Of The Universe, Angels Of Death and Brainstorm (with Sonic Attack as intro) was just pure euphoria, a feeling that even remained several hours after it was all over. Best show of the festival, no doubt (9/10).

 

 After such a blast, the super fuzzy proto-punk/rock of Satan's Satyrs was a perfect way to wind down. Nothing sensational, but a solid performance and an original sound. The last in a line of great bands at once another great festival in Gävle. (7/10).

Getaway 2014 Review Day 2

 First band of day two was grind pioneers Napalm Death, a band that I guess doesn't need any further introduction. Just so hilarious to see all the confused people wearing Sabaton-shirts in the crowd as their mangling noise is unleashed. No backdrop, intro or anything unnecessary but the music speaking for itself. Great mix of old and newer songs, Barney and the rest are the kings of the main stage, no doubt (8/10).

 The maniac Australians Airbourne were the second band of the day. Their studio-albums tends to be a bit predictable and not always top notch, but I really like their first one, and most of their setlist is taken from that album. Adding the most intense and energic live-performance to that, and you can't go wrong. The vocals sounds very strain and worn though, and there are some sound-problems throughout their set, but still one of the festival's highlights (8/10).

 

 Right after, off to the small stage to check out the first show on Swedish soil of the German duo Mantar. The first thing that draws your attention is the guitar-sound, I can't recall having heard anything as heavy in a live-situation before. The vocals are a bit of a let down though, Kind of weak and not as powerful at all as what I've heard of their studio-recordings. Despite that, still an enjoyable show from their side (7/10).

 

 Next up, Iceland's Solstafir, whose albums I, for some reason, never really have checked out before. A fact I definitely have to change after having witnessed this. Incredibly atmospheric and enchanting performance, my attention was caught the entire show even though I've never heard any of their songs before (8.5/10).

 

 Last band of the day was the one and only Slayer. I had my doubts, since I wasn't that impressed the last time I saw them, and because of Dave Lombardo's departure. But the right choices of songs can make you forget the absence of almost anyone, and holy shit what a fantastic setlist. After opening with Hell Awaits, The Antichrist and Necrophiliac, I was sold. As if that wasn't enough, they also gave us masterpieces such as Capitor Of Sin, Die By The Sword, Black Magic and At Dawn They Sleep. That fact that they aren't what they once were any more can't be disguised though, but at the present circumstances, I don't think that the show could have turned out much better than this (8/10).

Day three to follow...

Getaway 2014 Review Day 1

I spent the weekend in Gävle at the Getaway festival, 4th year I visited this festival that always has lots of decent bands to offer. So here's a brief summary of my experience:

 Started off by having a look at the (kinda) local black metal-band Patronymicon. Well played, but a bit watered down musically. Not original or hellish enough to catch my interest more than a few songs, but far away from bad (5.5/10).

 

 Next up was the legendary Possessed, or at least what's left of them. I was a bit sceptic at first, to be honest, but they definitely delivered their classics in a worthy way. Not too down tuned or modern guitar-sound, ample reverb on the vocals and an absolute excellent drum-performance. They even played a song from a brand new album that's seemingly on it's way, an album on which my expectations are high set after this show (7.5/10).

 

 After leaving Possessed's show with a smile on my face, it got wiped off very soon as Kreator's set begun. Sure, they weren't good the last time I saw them either, but this time it was simply their all time low. The drum sound could very well be the worst I've ever experienced in a live concert., close to unbearable. Add Petrozza's nowadays dreadful vocals to that, and the only way is down. Painful to see them decapitate their classics, they should stick to their boring post-'00 albums instead. (2/10)

 I had a gaze at Malevolent Creation, which sound-wise was absolutely killer. Never really got that hooked from what I've heard of their albums, but this was something completely different. Maybe I should get a live-album by them or something. (6.5/10)

 

 It seems like the organizers had saved the best for last though, Kadavar was definitely the highlight of day one. I don't know if I've ever seen a drummer banging his head so much, and even though his kit was one of the smallest I've seen, he absolutely killed it, just like the rest of the band. An hour of intense and triumphant heavy rock that I won't forget in a while. (8.5/10)

 

 Day 2 & 3 to follow...

Review: Terminal – Heavy Metal Lokomotiva (Ljudkassett 2014 MC)

 Ljudkassett continues to provide us with high quality stuff in the dearly beloved tape format. I think this might actually be their best release so far. Terminal is a tribute to the heavy metal of the eighties from the European communist block, and Tobias Lindkvist (Enforcer, Corrupt, ex(?)-Dead Lord) is the man behind the band. As no other band-members are mentioned, I assume that he's playing all of the instruments himself, as if the greatness of the music itself wasn't already impressive enough.

 Since I totally worship classic bands like Pokolgép, Aria and Magnit, this is nothing but pure gold. The way everything from the sound, production and atmosphere to the riffs, melodies and vocals are reproduced is just fantastic. Even the artwork and logo is just screaming 80's eastern Europe, nothing seems to be left to chance. You could say that this marks a whole new level of the so called “total worship”-concept, these two songs are actually better than a lot of the albums originally released back in the eighties. I'll pass on the grading since it's only two songs, but damn I hope we'll hear more from this band in a not so distant future.

Review: Vanhelgd – Relics Of Sulphur Salvation (Ljudkassett 2014 MC)

 Mjölby's finest are back with their third album, and just like the previous one Church Of Death, the first song is once again sung in Swedish. Dödens Maskätna Anlete is a merciless opener and sets the mood immediately. There's one more Swedish song, Ett Liv I Träldom, and lyrically both of them are very impressing. Writing Swedish death metal-lyrics in a convincing way is definitely not the most simple task, but in these two songs the words are so well written and carefully chosen that the feeling you get by reading them is just as dark and ominous as the music itself.

 Something else that makes Vanhelgd stand out among the thousands of Swedish death metal bands is the scarce use of up-tempo (d-beat) parts. Sure, they do exist, but the song structures are mainly built on either slow-, mid-tempo or blast beats, which by most other bands are only used as variations. It's not like they're renewing the entire genre, but as I said, it gives them a bit more character than others.

 So to sum it up, with this release Vanhelgd has taken a huge step. Even though both of their previous albums were very good and promising, it feels like it's now their true potential is finally revealed for the first time. Just as claimed by their label, their “most glorious defining moment in their discography”, indeed. I think we'll have to add “so far” to that last quote though... 8/10 /H