JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 8/3/10

HIGH ON FIRE / SNAKE FOR THE DIVINE

This latest CD from Stoner / Doom band High On Fire is their first for new label century Media and is proof positive that you can be a Stoner Rock band and still be creative and bring something new and fresh to what is a very conservative genre.

The bands sound could not be called predictable and is full of vibrant, high energy, riff laden guitar playing, played with expertise and total commitment, just listen to the opening title track or dynamic “Frost Hammer” and you will be blown away by just how good it is.  If your looking for a track that has a more traditional pace to it then check out the outstanding “Bastard Samurai” that is second to none, the other thing that strikes you is how good the drumming is throughout this album; it’s always full of energy, with lots of fills and drives the songs along like a powerful V8.

For a three pieces High On Fire make one hell of sound and I bet they are just as good live, also listen out for the unstoppable “Ghost Neck”, the fury of “Fire, Flood And Plague”, the scorching “Holy Flames Of The Fire Spitter” and eight minute plus, Sabbathesque, unstoppable epic “How Dark We Pray”.  This is the best Stoner Rock album of 2010 so far (March) and well deserving of being in your collection.

WEBSITE      http://www.highonfire.net   & http://www.centurymedia.com

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 46 mins + 8 GRAT TRACKS

DEMONICA / DEMONSTROUS

If you like Classic Thrash Metal then it’s a dead cert that you are gong to be totally blown away by this new band Demonica and that’s a guarantee.

The bands sound evokes the Bay Area Thrashers of the mid 80’s only with a modern tweak, lets face it with Thrash the guitar riff is king and if you have a damned good drummer (which they do with ex Forbidden man Mark Hernandez) you simply cannot fail.  One listen to the storming opening riff of “Demon Class” lets you know in no uncertain terms what the rest of the album is going to be like and the follow up track “Ghost Hunt” is just excellent, you will be headbanging and throwing shapes with your air guitar before you can say Metal.  The pummelling, unyielding, twin guitars come form the legendary ex Mercyful Fate guy Hank Sherman and Craig Locicero from Forbidden Evil, its this two pronged attack that make Demonica unstoppable.  Tracks like the grinding “Luscious Damned” or the slower starting, dynamic filled “Below Zero” make this album totally omissible.

This is without doubt the best new Thrash band since British band Evile and should be on the top of your shopping list. Totally essential buy and you can bet your guitar strings that tracks from this CD will get played to death on both Metal Mayhem shows.

WEBSITE      http://www.demonica.com & http://www.massacre-records.com

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 49 mins + THRASHING TRACKS

ROTTING CHRIST / AEALO

I’ve been a fan of Greek Black Metal band Rotting Christ since their debut album for Century Media records “Triarchy”, they mix pagan almost folkish influences into their music that sets them apart from all the rest, mix in the lyrical themes of Greek mythology and you have a wining formula that is both interesting and enjoyable to listen to.

The CD kicks off with the title track “Aealo” which means thrashing catastrophe and is swiftly followed by the superb “Eon Aenaos” with some very atmospheric chanting and a great little riff that just doesn’t know when to quit, “Demonon Verosis” is just as good with its slower staccato riff and lots of dynamics.  The groove laden “Noctis Era” is just sheer joy to listen to and makes you want to press the repeat play button, the chant laden “Dub-Sag-Ta-Ke” is just as good and both “Thou Art Lord” and “Fire, Death & Fear” has such catchy melodies you will find it going round in your had long after the track is finished.

I love this band and the new album there is not one bad track and I can’t recommend it too strongly, especially if you looking for something that little bit different, an essential buy and easily album of the week and if you listen to my Pipeline or HFM shows you will already have heard tracks.

WEBSITE      http://www.rotting-christ.com & http://www.season-of-mist.com

DOWNLOAD            “Noctis Era”

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 50 mins + 11 FANTASTIC TRACKS