Prophecy - Foretold...Foreseen (1998)

Prophecy - Foretold...Foreseen (1998)

Brutality from the southern states of America, 'Foretold...Foreseen' is the debut LP by Texan brutal death metal band Prophecy.

While the name certainly isn't that creative, i mean, how many Prophecy's are there? There about 24 listed on Metal-Archives fer Christs sake! The band make up for it with their inventive take on brutal death metal. Instead of being full-out brutality, Prophecy are from the Dying Fetus school of catchy riffs, as well as the Metallica school of progressive leaning metal. While a few songs fall into the brutal death metal time gap of 3-4 minutes, Prophecy opt for slightly longer tracks. Opener 'Core Of Depression' reaches an impressive eight minutes, while 'Human Atrocity', 'Inner Reality', and 'Prophecy' exceed six minutes.

While the longer tracks are definitely impressive, and are not boring by a long shot, the shorter tracks
such as 'Feasting On Flesh' are ridiculously catchy and are where the band shine. 'Diggin' A Pit' is a clusterfuck of riffing that is not to be underestimated. Jesus Christ, dat' slam 1.10 minutes into the track! Heck you could even call the riff that starts at 4.19 a breakdown! 'Ebolic Regurgitation' is a definite highlight, with the catchy riffs and classy clean guitar section. It just goes to show that they aren't just a typical Brutal Death Metal band.

Vocally it's standard brutal death metal, with the unintelligible, guttural 'or, ee, ar, or' style vocals. However, there are Corpse Grinder 'eeYAAAAAH' screams sprinkled-in throughout the whole record that break up the monotony of just super-guttural growls. In terms of the guitar work I have nothing but praise. These guys churn out an array of different styled riffs. There's Cannibal Corpse tremolo riffs, monstrous slams that have violent pinch harmonics, mid-paced riffs that either wind through tricky exercises or play catchy riffs, Metallica-esqu clean guitars, thrash riffs, rocking grooves, and strung-out doom riffs. The bass is totally audible, playing some intricate fills that cut through the mix. The drumming is impeccable, maybe its because i'm a shitty drummer, but holy shit, this guy knows what he's doing. While it's not virtuoso level or anything, he plays for the songs perfectly. And it just so happens that brutal death metal allows for breakneck double-kick as well as grooving the fuck out.

Picking out highlights is hard as every track is a total mixed bag of riffing, its easier just to say that you should just listen to this Brutal Death Metal masterpiece.

Linky Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!5BBTTDzZ!FUXbqhK5Gm2SGZYP1veqinMZWqP_fdWpiwzPH3JxPcI

Cocobat - Cocobat Crunch (1993)

Cocobat - Cocobat Crunch (1993)

Cocobat have been around for a pretty long time, which is why I find it strange that they're not that well known. Maybe its the goofy name, maybe its because their sound can be compared to the nu-metal craze that came about three years after this very record. Admittedly, they play a pretty weird blend for a hardcore band, particularly a Jap hardcore band. Its funky, its riffy, its groovy, and its hardcore. Whether it's coincidence or influence, there is a definite Pantera-esque quality to the riffs and grooves. Even to this day, funky bass in hardcore is a bit of a 'no-no', and the general groovy nature ain't too 'fresh' either. However, if you're willing to throw away you're reservations about heavy guitars playing funky grooves, you may be in for a treat.

Like the instrumentation, the vocals are a mixed bag. Predominately it's shouting, but the dude can sing, get guttural, and rap. The bass slaps and pops along, having many of its own moments to shine. The bass in general is actually fairly high in the mix, which is nice. The guitars thrash around, playing triplets and frenetic chugs, however, there's some experimentation with funk, and the fast power chord riffs are all present enough for their hardcore cred. The Sabbath influence is pretty big as well, where else could the 'Cry Of Pain' riffs come from? Heavy shit, fo' sho. The drumming is executed brilliantly, absolutely nailing the difficult syncopated riff patterns, along with some inventive fills. The use of double kick is pretty rad, and the general 'playing for the song' nature suits the groovy nature of this record.

I'm pretty sure that what we have here is a re-issue with a few bonus tracks. One remix of 'Guy' and two King Crimson covers, '21st Century Schizoid Man', and 'Starless'. Did I mention that the artwork was done by punk rock legend Pushead? Very cool.

Get it while you can!
http://www91.zippyshare.com/v/1emViKaH/file.html

Rhetoric - Straight (Over The) Edge (1988)

Rhetoric - Straight (Over The) Edge (1988)

Rhetoric were from Norwich, UK. Which is a pretty nice place by all accounts. They play a raging concoction of punk and Frosty/Destruction riffage, otherwise known as Crust Punk. For those who don't know, or care, the UK was a hotbed for crust in the 80s. While there are a few different approaches to crust, Rhetoric fall under the anarcho-punk meets European metal-punk banner.

In a sentence: it's punks playing sloppy seconds metal-punk.

Crust is like thrash metals' weirdo third-detached, unhygienic, dreadlocked cousin who likes hugging trees and wearing Destruction t-shirts. In other words, you probably wouldn't want to hang around with him but he definitely has a cool record collection, so fuck it.

Rhetoric are a great example of crust. They pack a shit-load of metal-damaged riffs into short
hardcore blasts ranging from one to five minutes. As with a fair amount of crust, the Crass like anarcho leanings are present, certainly in the clean guitar intro to 'It's Unexplainable' and the subversive parodical use of the Hawaii 5-O theme music in opener 'H.5.0. - Theme Of The Rhetoric Crass-Surfin' Formation Team'.

Juxtaposed with the sensitive intellectualism and politically charged anarcho-yelps, is the barbaric chugging and guttural shouts. Tracks like 'World Inside of Me' are a good example of the varied influences going on within the band. Unlike their contemporaries such as Deviated Instinct, Filthkick, Axegrinder, and Generic, these dudes weren't all political doom and gloom. 'Theme Of The Rhetoric...' and 'The Burp Song!', which is a piss around with Hellbastard's 'Nazis Killed' riff,
show that these guys have a sense of humor.

Rhetoric - Straight (Over The) Edge full-tape

As for the tapes name 'Straight (Over The) Edge'. While it may have seemed clever at the time, is pretty fucking stupid regarding how hypocritical crusties can be. As much as i love crust, the whole pansy arse, dildo subculture around it is pathetic. One of my big reservations about crust is the political rambling about multi-national corporations...whilst fans and bands are supporting the alcohol industry. Possibly the worst industry to support in terms of institutions that are more powerful
than government. Institutions that want to 'normalize' their product within society. Institutions that don't face up to the multiple problems they cause by stating that 'as individuals we should know our limits'. Institutions that cleverly market themselves to make themselves seem innocent and 'cool' as opposed to the Nazi like indoctrination complex's that they actually are. Institutions that reinforce gender mainstreaming. Institutions that prey on genetic addiction predispositions. Institutions that don't give a fuck about the millions of lives they destroy, cripple, and hinder. Do I need to continue? I have no problem with drinking, and i have no problem with political activism, but I do have a problem with disingenuous posturing from pretentious wankers who see the world in black and white.

Other than that small, personal gripe, this is a great demo, a total crust relic. Fans of this style should definitely check this out if they haven't already.

Linky Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!hNZFzbxJ!QQ6sV2vUxKuTFkv78p6gXSzcYPQ7ZwGstZPdqgCfyj8

Dispossession - Self-titled & 'Plagues' EP

Dispossession: Self-titled & 'Plagues' EP

Dispossession are from Norfolk, UK, although, to be specific, i'm pretty sure most of the guys are from Kings Lynn, a pretty shitty town in the South-east of the UK. They play a fairly inventive style of 90s Brutal Death Metal ala Dying Fetus, and Deathcore.

Fun fact: Norfolk has the largest concentration of Medieval churches, as well as inbreds, in the whole world. 

Their four track self-titled EP came out in 2013, and from what i can tell, had a bit of a buzz about them. Whats rad about this EP is the mid-paced riffing, which permeates through all of the main riffs... as well as the monster slams, bruh. Can't forget dem' slams. Its like they're on a mission to put as many catchy riffs into each song as possible.

Since Dispossession are a bit cryptic in terms of where they fall genre-wise, they stand out from the pack. The riffs and slams (dat slam in 'Strangulate', sheeet son) makes them much more interesting than standard deathcore, but the breakdowns, albeit infrequent, can seem a bit forced, and take away from the death metal brutality.With that said, breakdowns, at least how metal bands play them, have never been 'my thing', bruh.

Their latest EP, 'Plagues', was released during the summer of 2014 and carries on in the same style, however, they have stepped up their game...

In terms of production, its a huge step up from the self titled. Truly a claustrophobic atmosphere, fo' sho. Obviously the guitar players, James and Aaron, have improved a good deal, experimenting with different riff styles as well as adding some lead shizznit. Unfortunately, the mid-paced riffing isn't as predominant, but, the brutal slams are still there. In fact, breakdowns take a backseat to the slams.

Such brutal, wow

Reviewing either of their EPs track-by-track would be seriously uninteresting to you readers because i'd just be repeating how 'rad' each riff is. What I will say is that Dispossession are a band to watch out for, bruh. And if you can  catch them live, as I've yet to do as I progressively become more scouse by the minute, deffo do so.

Dispo's music is on their Bandcamp fo' free (or donation, if you're feeling generous) and they've still got some merch left which is pretty cheap, providing that you're from the UK. Also, check out dere Facebook while you're at it.

I thnk u shud get ur gran dis t-shrt, so she cn luk fashnuble and coo, bruh

Lunatic Invasion - Destined To Die (1991)

Lunatic Invasion - Destined To Die (1991)

Primitive grindcore from the late 80s/early 90s. Need I say more?
Apparently I do as Napalm Death isn't being played on the radio anytime soon, let alone obscurities like this.

Lunatic Invasion do the whole punky grind shindig. There's some head-crushing riffage, especially in 'Nuclear War', and some fast as shit hardcore/grind sections. Vocally it sounds like a Caveman having his intestines mercilessly pulled out by Satan, pretty cool. When the drums aren't blasting at warp-speed they are either trudging through swampy riffs, or are violently punctuating the guitar work.

Patrick Stewart knows whats up. You wouldn't disagree with Captain Picard, would you?

Whats cool about the guitar playing is the variety of styles. There's the typical Napalm Death-'Celtic Frost meets hardcore'-grind style but there is also a butt load of hardcore riffs, along with the tried and tested Thrash'n'Frost guitar styles.

Lunatic Invasion are a perfect example of grindcore, From the hardcore riffs and beats, to the blastbeats and gruff vocals. Overall, they're precise enough to execute tempo changes and play some cool riffs, but at the same time, they've got that exuberant punk abandon that metal-grind lacks.

This is punk/metal at its finest.

Linky Link:

https://mega.co.nz/#!QYBjyAbD!RGdEBjksBNfzfn9o3CwEPVCtvOMVOzJCXMZn4bp7gp0

Life Cycle - Myth and Ritual (1988)

Life Cycle - Myth and Ritual (1988) 

Imagine a political punk band in the vein of Crass. Now imagine what would happen if the guitarist
got a tape with Celtic Frost dubbed on it from his pen-pal Hugo, or Gustav, or some Swedish named mofo.

Okay, so that's not too hard to imagine, i know. Hellbastard, Generic, and Deviated Instinct are all great examples of Celtic Frosty punks. But Life Cycle are a bit different...

Life Cycle were from Bridgend, Wales. and played a rad combination of punk and Tom G. Warrior style metal. In their time they put out two records 'Myth and Ritual' in 1988 and 'The Weight of Tradition' in 1989. Vocally there is the female anarcho vocals of Marie and the brutish shouts of guitar player Neil Morgan. Its a cool mixture for sure. Guitar wise all the tracks have Tom G. Warrior all over them. All the riffs are sludgy, bass-ridden, mid-paced, menacing, and repetitive. The repetition bludgeons the listener into a bloody pulp, devoid of shape, a 'thing' that only
HP Lovecraft could describe. To top it off, the tracks melt into each other giving no time for the listener to regain consciousness. I think the reason this record has never been re-issued is because its dangerous. The riffs are heavy, man. Too heavy for humans to comprehend, bro.

If Captain Caveman was holding  a guitar instead of a club, i'd be convinced that he played the guitar on this record.

What separates this record from many other crust bands is the focus on condensing monumental riffs into short songs. Unfortunately, 'The Weight Of Tradition' isn't a carbon copy of 'Myth and Ritual', the guitar work is much more Prong-like as opposed to the obsessive Tom G Warrior guitar madness found here. With that said 'The Weight Of Tradition' is pretty rad, so definitely check it out.

If you want to be mentally murdered in 7 minutes, check out 'Myth and Ritual'

Youtube for the entire 'Myth and Ritual' EP

Linky Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!ZcAn1aSa!49gsqzRt9SysPgrAgyKcFn0XgPjFtb43306I_RSz1Ik

Cheers to 'Mad Blasts of Chaos' for the album art and music. For some background info on the band, check the comments section for this record here:
http://madblastsofchaos.blogspot.co.uk/2007/11/life-cycle-myth-ritual-ep-1988.html