Weekly Round-Up: March 9th 2014

Due to circumstances that were out of my control, I have fallen behind with my music listening by 3 weeks, so here I present a sort of 'bumper' edition featuring a whopping 6 (instead of the usual 5) songs from the best albums I've heard since I last posted. 'Normal 'service' will resume next weekend.

Savage Messiah

I championed this rather excellent modern thrash act a couple of years ago, but I will continue to do so as they really are worth your time. Taking their cues not only from the classic 80's Thrash era, but also from Power Metal acts such as Helloween and of course from the mighty Iron Maiden. Although, granted, this is fast and furious stuff, to refer to this as 'mere' Thrash is to do the band a great mis-service. This is great Heavy Metal. If you still haven't fallen for their charm, here's your chance.

Benighted

If you like Scottish heavyweights, Cerebral Bore and their ilk, this nasty French troupe should be right up your alley. Brutal, vicious Modern Death Metal with vocals ranging from death grunts and guttural roars to almost porcine squealing. Lovely stuff.

Laibach

Slovenian Industrial / Avante Garde / Performance Art legends, Laibach return with their first new album in over a decade...and they haven't missed a beat. Musically at least, as it seems that Milan's vocals have lost a little of their abrasive edge, giving the album a slightly dejected, sorrowful feel rather than one of triumph and power (sorry Grand Magus). Overall though, this is still a great Laibach album. It just might not be what long-time fans are expecting to hear from them, as evidenced by opener The Whistleblowers with it's martial rhythms and, er whistling.

Slough Feg

California's Heavy Metal oddballs Slough Feg return with their 8th full-length and yet again, as might be expected, they play to the beat of their own drum (quite literally) and are, subsequently, in a little sub-genre all of their own. Slough Feg's already demented and unique take on Trad Metal is bolstered, as ever, by the strangely bombastic vocals of Mike Scalzi and should enchant newcomers to the band and please long-time fans.

Fate Control

Although this could be described as a Modern Metal / Melodic Death Metal album, there is more to this, the debut release for these Swiss newcomers than merely aping what has come before. Despite influences ranging from Soilwork to Spineshank, Dark Age to Five Finger Death Punch and a whole lot more, this is actually a fresh listening experience as no two tracks are the same. Now, don't mistake that for the behaviour of a band that has still to find its sound. Rather it is more a case of a band spoiled for choice in today's Metal scene. Why limit yourself when there is there is so much out there? I actually prefer it this way - varying styles throughout an album - rather than a band that tries to cram all of their influences into one song and just creating a disjointed mess. This is a fresh, exciting listening experience - something that should be respected in this age of throwaway 'cookie cutter' acts. The musical genre they play in might not be particularly cutting edge, but Fate Control have given it a twist. Highly recommended.

Download some tracks from the bands official homepage.

Here: http://www.fatecontrol.com/media/index_en.html

Magenta Harvest

Don't be tempted, as I was, to draw comparisons with Norwegians, Red Harvest, as despite a name that is a little too close for my liking, the similarities pretty much end there. For a start off, Magenta Harvest have among their ranks, two members of one of my all-time favourite bands, the influential, Avante-garde Finns, ...And Oceans, so you know this is going to be something a bit special. The key with this album (another great debut) is perseverance and time as although it may initially sound like it treads a well-worn Scandinavian Melodic Death Metal path - Dark Tranquillity, Hypocrisy, etc - if you delve deeper you will find yourself being  rewarded with a dearth of hidden depth - some beautiful pop melodies, luscious riffs and some very interesting chord progressions. An good, if not all-conquering, debut but one which makes this band one to watch.