JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 19/4/10

 

DARKTHRONE / CIRCLE THE WAGONS

 

Norwegian band Darkthrone could never be accused of being conventional and that why we love the so much, they have their own way of doing things and the fact they are still going and still successful show that you can be creative without selling out.

 

The band mix of Black Metal and Punk seems at first sight a rather odd one but when you think about it they do compliment each other, both are about being honest and keeping it simple the only difference that Black Metal is more focused on the negative and realistic, the opening salvo “Those Treasures Will Never Befall You” says it all and lets you know what to expect.  The title track is full of Punk angst and Black Metal attitude as is “I Am The Working Class” and you can tell by the way it’s sung that they mean every word and have no illusions of grandeur.   If you looking for what the band are all about then “Stylized Corpse”, “Black Mountain Totem” will set you straight no problem as both  are full of great Metal riffs with a Punk twist and an honesty that is impossible to ignore.

 

Black Metal can be a very concretive genre and I know there are those who like bands to stick to the formula but I for one welcome bands like Darkthrone as they are pushing back the boundaries, injecting new ideas and keeping Black Metal from stagnating and producing a damned fine album as well, put aside any prejudgements and just listen to how good this is, an essential purchase.  Do check out the bands site as there is a very good mini site up with cartoons and everything.

 

WEBSITE     http://www.darkthrone.no & http://www.peaceville.com

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 40 mins + 8 DARK PUNK TRACKS

 

 

RATT / INFESTATION

 

Its 27 years since the first Ratt ep came out just as the Glam Metal scene was coming to the fore in America and Ratt were one of the first and to my ears one of the best of them, especially at the start, to my mind they were better than Motley Crue on the first two albums.

 

So its 2010, its 11 years since the last Ratt album came out and what you want to know is do they still cut the it, the simple answer is yes, Ratt and Roll is still fun to listen to and they haven’t lost there fun loving, good time Rock touch and the latent commercialism is still evident in the tracks, especially on tracks like “Best Of Me” and “Eat Me Up Alive”, both these tracks beg to be played on the radio and could easily be big hits.  The catchy as hell good time songs don’t stop there as “Lost Weekend” and the aptly named “As Good As It Gets” both full of great guitar riffs, superb melodies and just so good to listen to, the upbeat, costiveness that emulates from Ratt is just impossible not to like.

 

If you are old enough to remember Ratt from the first time around you will not be disappointed as there are no bad tracks or fillers on this fine CD and if this is all new to you and you want to hear what all the fuss was about in the mid 80’s then this is a very fine way to find out, as Rainbow said “Long Live Ratt & Roll”!

 

WEBSITE      http://www.therattpack.com & http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 42 mins + 11 CLASSIC TRACKS

 

 

OCTOBER FILE / OUR SOULD TO YOU

 

This is the 3rd album from British Metal band October File and is a worthy follow up to their superb 2007 album Holy Armour and if you like your Metal, hard hitting in more ways than one then you will really enjoy this CD.

 

The album is full of powerhouse guitar riffs that are hypnotically simplistic and utterly relentless is their quest for your attention, couple this with some fine drumming and social-political lyrics and you have a Metal monster that is impossible to ignore.  One listen to tracks like “Falter”, “Corporate Evasion” or “Isolation” and you will be lost to the Metallic noise that these guys create, the vocals by Ben Hollyer are inspired by Jez of Killing Joke and match the guy for power and strength, listening to tracks like “Love Is A Warm AK47” and “September, Not Another Surrender” you would be forgiven if you though it was Jez and I mean that as a compliment.

 

So if you’re looking for a band that just doesn’t know when or how to quit, then do yourself a favour and get a copy of this fantastic album as it is an essential buy

 

WEBSITE      http://www.octoberfile.com & http://www.peaceville.com

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 61 mins + 11 TRACKS