Grrrl Power

As today is International Women's Day, I figured that I would take the opportunity to present to you a small selection of my favourite female-fronted songs. Of course, there are many more and we could discuss omissions all night, but this isn't meant to be exhaustive, rather it is a little mark of respect to the representatives of the "fairer sex" in our wonderful and diverse musical genre / community. It may be a horrible cliché, but this lot are every bit as good as, and in some cases better, than their male peers. Enjoy.

Arch Enemy

Let's face it. No list of this type, one featuring women in a traditionally (and still) male-dominated world, would be complete without Ms. Gossow and her bunch of Swedish hellraisers. Although not the mist brutal of female vocalists, she was certainly one of the first to hit the (relative) mainstream and definitely opened the doors (and minds) for others to follow.

Landmine Marathon

Appearances can be deceiving, and this is certainly the case with Krysta Martinez. Yes, she looks like she might be a bit of a rocker, but she doesn't look like she would become a wild-eyed, flailing lunatic.

Cerebral Bore

Although, these sick Scottish freaks have since sadly parted ways with Dutch vocalist Simone Pluijmers, it is worth noting that this is THE single most brutal example of a female voice that I can think of. She bellows, roars and shrieks like a woman possessed and frankly, it's almost a thing of disgusting beauty.

 Benedictum

Here is a woman with a superb "Metal" voice. Veronica Freeman has the range, the power and the aggressive edge (when necessary) to her voice, but more importantly, she delivers it with passion and conviction. I can think of a good handful of male Metal vocalists who could learn a thing or two from this powerhouse of a woman.

Cripper

Terrible name. Great vocalist. Singer Britta Görtz has all of the ferocity one would expect from the front person of a Death-tinged Thrash Metal act. Would you know it was a woman on the mic of I hadn't told you (I say, arrogantly assuming you aren't already familiar with the band)? I'd suggest not.

Nightwish

No, not the horribly pretentious, over the top warblings of Tarja, but the under-rated and always improving skills of her replacement (who has since suffered the same fate), Anette Olzon. Her first album with the band was mostly forgettable. Yes, it had its highlights, but her personality wasn't there. She hadn't yet been allowed to mark her territory. It was on her second album with the band, and (in my opinion) their career best, Imaginaerum that she finally made her mark. Her vocals ebbed and flowed, sometimes silky smooth, others a jazz-style purr, but always top notch and in perfect harmony with the feel of the song. I, for one, will miss this young woman when the Finnish giants return.

Flowing Tears

It would be easy to dismiss this French act as a Lacuna Coil rip-off (and in some ways, they might well be), but vocalist Helen Vogt leaves Cristina Scabbia for dead with her natural affinity for giving a song a life of its own. She uses her voice as it should be used - as another instrument.

Gallhammer

This Japanese act delivers its own wonderfully scuzzy take on the Doom / Crust style and vocalist / bassist / founder Vivian Slaughter has an obvious love for the genre and her barking vocals are nasty, guttural, throat-tearing and ugly. In the best way possible.

Commander in Chief

I would be doing the female contingent in Metal a huge disservice If I didn't include the virtuoso, unique and hugely talented The Commander on this list. She is a true one of a kind. Not only is this amazing woman a great, if special, vocalist, but she can shred with the very best of them.

Arkona

Masha Arkhipova is one of a very small number of women representing the Folk Metal genre, at least as far as genuine vocal talent goes. She has a wonderful clean / harsh mix that really fits the tone of the band's music and that it is delivered in the exotic, slightly guttural lilt of her native Russian makes it that little bit more unique.

Kittie

Although Kittie first surfaced as part of a later wave of Nu-Metal, the latter-day sound of the band owes very little to their debut album, Spit. Developing and honing their craft in the spotlight has given this Canadian act a real mean streak and vocalist Morgan Lander is almost unrecognisable as the teenager from the band's 1999 debut. Approach with caution. This Kittie has claws. Yes. I did just say that.

My Ruin

A mainstay in the metal scene since the mid-'90's as front woman for Manhole, Tura Satana and now My Ruin, Tairrie B is a lifer in every sense of the word. If you've ever seen the way this woman commands a stage and demands your respect, then her appearance here is pretty much obligatory.

Kampfar - Djevelmakt review

Band: Kampfar
Album: Djevelmakt
Label: Indie Recordings
Genre: Pagan Black Metal
Country: Norway
Release Date: 27th Jan 2014

Losing a founder member can derail the best of bands and when said member has also formed part of the core songwriting duo for the best part of two decades, then it can be truly disastrous. A lesser band would have been forgiven for taking the easy route by merely regurgitating and recycling what had come before. Well, clearly then, Norway's Kampfar aren't just any band. Instead of letting this unfortunate development phase them, they refocused their energy, wrote some great songs and have come out of the experience a leaner, more streamlined beast and one that, in hindsight, may have been overly reliant on its core members. On listening to Djevelmakt, it would appear that the band's creativity may have been stifled for too long. That a band almost 20 years into its career - and with members now in their 40's - can release an album with this much passion, energy and pure heart is testament to their tenacity and shows that they genuinely enjoy what they do.

Anyone familiar with Kampfar will have a fairly good idea of what to expect here and for those who haven't heard this superb band yet, I would say the likes of Vreid and Thyrfing could be listed under "similar artists" and whereas all three bands belong firmly in the Pagan Black Metal sub-genre, they also have a special sound that distinguishes them from the crowd.

So what does it actually sound like? Well, the overall sound and feel of this album is almost trance-like and enraptures the listener in a way that is hard to convey in words -  the thundering, hypnotic and almost martial drumming can be a little overpowering on occasion, but they also fit perfectly with the distinctive, harsh rasp of vocalist Dolk and the guitar tone throughout is suitably ice cold. Sharp, ferocious riffs vie for position with the often sublime melodies (just listen to "Kujon") and acoustic guitars and the piano are used sparsely, but to wonderful effect. Not only do these calmer moments counterbalance the heaviness of the more raw Black Metal moments, but they also add the perfect amount of atmosphere to the proceedings, giving the album a more rounded feel and prove that Kampfar have been around long enough to know when to slow it down.

The songs themselves are perfectly crafted, almost to the point of being truly beautiful - a word not often, if ever, associated with the Pagan Black Metal scene - and the production is as good as it needs to be - crisp and clear without being too polished, so the album retains its extreme edge. Despite the underlying and undeniable Black Metal sound, Kampfar have a similar progressive edge to their music as fellow Norwegians Enslaved and although this is without a doubt an extreme metal album, it also manages to be strangely accessible and very easy to listen to (over and over again in my case). Djevelmakt is a genuinely rewarding and remarkable album that keeps improving with each and every listen and stands as a reminder of just how good the Pagan Black Metal sub-genre can be when done properly and a clear indication that there is still a lot of life left in it yet. As their countrymen did before them, back in the infancy of Black Metal, Kampfar are again pushing the boundaries and taking the sub-genre in new and exciting directions.

This is very possibly the finest moments in their long, illustrious career and is absolutely guaranteed a (high) spot on my "best of 2014" list. In fact, this is an early contender for album of the year.

Total Playing Time: 47:17

Overall: 9/10

Tracklist:

Mylder

Kujon

Blod, Eder og Galle

Swarn Norvegicus

Fortapelse

De Dødes Fane

Svarte Sjelers Salme

Our Hounds, Our Legion

Official Webpage: http://www.kampfar.com/frontpage.php

Whispered - Shogunate Macabre review

Band: Whispered
Album: Shogunate Macabre
Label: Redhouse Finland Music Publishing
Genre: Symphonic Metal
Country: Finland
Release Date: 7th Feb 2014

If you selected a track at random, depending on which one you chose, you would be forgiven for thinking that you're listening to either a Children Of Bodom or a Septic Flesh album. At first. But then comes the Eastern instrumentation and this becomes a different beast, entirely. It sounds distinctly Finnish at its heart, but the Eastern melodies add a whole, wonderful new depth and elevate Whispered to a entirely new level. One that is way above their peers. 

I have never heard anything quite like this Finnish act before and I suspect that neither have you. Very odd and very different, but at the same time, bloody brilliant. Despite the underlying and overpowering Eastern feel, I really wouldn't class this as Folk Metal any more than I would, Therion or Nightwish. This is Symphonic Melodic Death Metal with an Eastern slant. 

While it provides a whole new experience when taken as a whole, the influences do clearly shine through. To my ears there are elements of Children Of Bodom, Kalmah, Finntroll, Therion, Dimmu Borgir, Sigh, Septic Flesh and Nightwish among others, but of course, every band has its influences and it is where they take those influences and what they do with them that matters and Whispered perform some kind of wonderful alchemy - The Folk melodies and harmonies are incorporated perfectly into the lead work and riffs and said influences are twisted, blended and mashed to great effect and there is never a dull moment as, just when you think you've got this Oriental thing pegged, they throw in something unexpected to keep you on your toes. 

With incredible musicianship and the virtuoso lead guitar work that is synonymous with the Finns, meeting occasional bursts of off the wall Finntroll / latter-day Nightwish instrumental passages and other-wordly keyboards blending seamlessly with the often strikingly beautiful Eastern melodies, the overall feel is that of a concept album-come-film soundtrack. The important thing for me to stress is that it never feels like a mere gimmick and although the basic idea soon becomes familiar, it doesn't at any point wear thin. Let's face it, not to take anything away from them, as talented as Whispered obviously are, take away the Eastern melodies and they become another run-of-the-mill, forgettable Melodic Death Metal band from Finland. 

Shogunate Macabre is one of the most enjoyable and interesting albums I've heard this or any other year. A new personal favourite and an album that is not only guaranteed to make my end of year 'best of' list, but is also going to be receiving many more spins (can you still say that?) in years to come.

Total Playing Time: 45:20

Overall: 9/10

Tracklist:

Jikininki
Hold The Sword
Fallen Amaterasu
One Man's Burden
Kappa
Lady Of The Wind
Unrestrained
Upon My Honor

Official Website: http://www.sururecords.com/whispered2013homepage/

Behemoth - The Satanist review

Band: Behemoth
Album: The Satanist
Label: Nuclear Blast
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Poland
Release Date: 3rd Feb 2014

The Polish legends have a lot to prove following the highly publicised battles they have had with the Church in their home country and of course after Adam "Nergal" Darski's personal fight with cancer - both of which they won, by the way. Not only have Behemoth proved themselves to be indestructible, but they have managed to come out of all of these trials and tribulations a stronger band than they were before. It appears that Nergal's brush with the reaper has given him a new found vigour and passion for existence. To quote the man himself "facing death made me embrace life with more purpose".

Ever since the mighty Emperor hung up their blackened cloaks, the extreme metal world has waited eagerly for a band to step up and fill the gaping void that they left behind. Well, the wait is well and truly over. Behemoth have stepped up in jaw-dropping style. This is the album the band has always been threatening to drop, but has fallen frustratingly short of in the past.

The Satanist sees Behemoth raising the bar in every conceivable way. Everything that made 2009's Evangelion a good (but not great) album has been improved upon and honed to absolute black metal perfection. The songs are perfectly crafted and never overstay their welcome, the string arrangements more subtle and the riffs sharper, colder and more vicious than ever before.

Brimming with all of the confidence befitting a band that knows it is the most important band active in the sub-genre today, this is not 'merely' the best album in Behemoth's 23 year career, but it one of the best albums the sub-genre has ever produced. A true classic which rivals anything released by the Norwegian masters of yesteryear. It is nothing short of an open challenge to the rest of the extreme metal world to up their game. The new kings are here. Put simply, this is Black Metal: Redefined.

Total Playing Time: 44:18

Overall: 9.5/10

Tracklist:

Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel
Furor Divinus
Messe Noire
Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
Amen
The Satanist
Ben Sahar
In The Absence Of Light
O Father O Satan O Sun!

Official website: http://behemoth.pl

Weekly Round-Up: Feb 8th

The Haunted

After a brief and unexpected dalliance with Post-Grunge on 2011's Unseen, The Haunted have once again parted ways with vocalist Peter Dolving and with ex-vocalist Marco Aro (who replaced Dolving once before), firmly back in the fold, are back to doing what they do best -  namely a distinctive blend of Gothenburg-style Melodic Death Metal and Thrash. I actually really liked Unseen, but it never felt like a true The Haunted album. With that little "black sheep" behind them, the band are focusing, once again, on crushing our skulls with some straight-forward, in your face Metal. 

MaYaN

With this being a "side project" of Mark Jansen, it does predictably sound a little like a Death Metal version of his "day job", but whereas the first album just sounded like Epica with special guests, this time around the band has developed a more defined sound of its own and with the emphasis being placed on the heavier end of the musical spectrum, it comes across as a falling somewhere between Dream Theater meets Scar Symmetry.

Shrapnel

Has the new wave of Thrash run it's course? Has it hell. Formed in 2009, the UK's Shrapnel clearly have no interest in reinventing the wheel, but are instead clearly satisfied to be paying homage to their heroes, most obviously, (to my ears) Exodus. I have to say that Thrash isn't my area of expertise though, so I'm sure there are some of you who could pick out more influences on this. This group of young upstarts are flying the flag for old school Thrash and should please those raised on a diet of high velocity 80's Metal.

Exmortus

Absolutely cracking, Technical Melodic Death / Thrash / Heavy Metal. Superb musicianship throughout, with  jaw-dropping Classical-inspired solos, riffs to die for and great songs to boot. The one criticism I could level at it, is that the lyrics are a tad trite and predictable and the vocals are a little high up in the mix, but this doesn't spoil the finished product too much. Exmortus manage to pull of the near-impossible feat of sounding fresh, yet Classic at the same time. If you are a fan of Metal, you need to hear this.

Kampfar

Top notch Pagan Black Metal from the Norwegian veterans. Once again, they are clearly taking their influences as much from the mighty Bathory as from the early 90's wave of Norwegian Black Metal. Lyrically, they explore the now familiar territories of Norse mythology and nature. If you unfamiliar with this excellent band, but are a fan of bands such as Moonsorrow, Vreid, Thyrfing, Ereb Altor, etc this is an album not to be missed.  

Weekly Round-Up: Feb 1st 2014

There have been so many new albums this week that I haven't got around to listening to yet, that this isn't a complete round-up. I'm hoping to post a second part in the next few days...keep 'em peeled.

Grand Magus

Sweden's Grand Magus started out life as a Stoner / Doom band, but have gradually introduced a more Classic Rock / Heavy Metal edge to their music. With the exception that was the 2012's "The Hunt", Grand Magus have always hit the mark in terms of quality and, I am pleased to say, deliver the goods once again on this, their seventh full-length release. Opener "On Hooves Of Gold" is reminiscent of a heavier, doomier Deep Purple and definitely sets the tone for the rest of the album. Next up is "Steel Versus Steel" which borders on outright Judas Priest plagiarism, but they just about get away with it. This is classic, balls out Heavy Metal.

Behemoth

What is there to say about Behemoth? Well, the media has been raving about these Polish Black Metallers for years, but I never quite 'got it': All that has changed on this album. This is a game changer, plain and simple. A call to arms and an open challenge to the rest of the extreme metal world to up their game. The new kings are here. Ignore this at your peril. Black Metal: Redefined.

Thyrien

With a distinctly Finnish sound, Thyrien sound somewhat like a mix between fellow countrymen Children Of Bodom, Kalmah and Ensiferum. The musicianship is impeccable and while it may not being doing anything new, I found this to be an enjoyable and respectable debut release from a band that has been honing its craft since 2005.

Dripback

From the still smoldering ashes of underground British Metal heroes, Ted Maul and Labrat, come the ferocious, Dripback...and they carry on right where the previous bands left off - continuing the fine tradition of peers such as Raging Speedhorn, Iron Monkey, etc. They offer a distinctly British brand of Hardcore Metal delivered with skull-crushing brutality. Listen to music on their Myspace page:

https://myspace.com/dripback

Fist Fight

Neither the ham-fisted, cringe-worthy lyrics or the fact that this sounds extremely dated detract from the charm this band exudes. It's a Nu-Metal / Groove Metal throwback to the late 90's, but it has a certain something. 

Recommended track: Sleeper Cell

http://www.reverbnation.com/fistfightmetal

Googly Eyes Make Everything Better!

A bold claim, I'm sure you'll agree. But the evidence is compelling.

I saw a post about this one Metal Hammer the other day (thanks, Mark) and it was a revelation. Every human discovery - from fire to penicillin, the internet to electricity - all pale in comparison to this. I have found it far more fun than it really should be, putting these little pieces of plastic joy on my CD sleeves. To all of those who mocked me for being 'old-fashioned' for continuing to buy CDs, to you I say...I believe that I have the last laugh.

Just a small selection if my CD sleeves 'improved' with googly eyes.