Bludvera, Serpent Venom & The Uncrowned

June 17, 2010

CHRIS

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Bludvera - Bludvera

Liverpool, England’s Bludvera is a five-piece thrash outfit that releases its first demo that might make the city forget the Beatles are the chosen sons! Well, maybe not, but it’s still a damn good thrash effort by a band that blatantly worships at the altar of Slayer and Testament.

Vocalist Scott channels a Reign in Blood-era Tom Araya through the opening track “Tools of Bloodshed” so spot perfect it’s practically copyright infringement! A healthy mesh of Schmier and Araya styles round out his prowess throughout the remaining three tracks.

Carrying the torch for a legion of thrash bands and fans alike, Bludvera takes all of the historical importance of Kreator, Destruction, Sacrifice and Celtic Frost and finds the cauldron with which to stir the ghastly ingredients for a exciting demo that will surely impress the underground scene. The band is tight in creating a fine wall of speedy headbanging tunes that ring out that persistent gallop after the demo has left your stereo system.

The four tracks on the demo are solid, primitive songs that tap into both the modern thrash metal scene and the old school with a clear, yet antiquated feel to the music. When I hear this I think back to the first time I heard Bonded by Blood by Exodus and feel pretty good about the scene.

Give these guys a serious listen and support the flourishing U.K. scene!  

The Uncrowned - The Uncrowned

Release Date: January 21, 2010
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1. No Mercy  2. The Uncrowned  3. Born to Act the Innocent
-    Total playing time: 12:35

Germany’s The Uncrowned issues a three-track EP of death/thrash metal that can satisfy both melodic death and hardcore fans alike. Bassist/Vocalist Chris has a breathy rasp that doesn’t exactly call upon Hatebreed as much as it might some of the more throaty black metal singers of late, not necessarily a hindrance but more of a notation. The down-tempo assault calls more upon the thrash movement than a death metal feel per se, but hey, it’s all up to the individual what floats his or her boat.

This trio has some pretty good music herein, which channels the proper amount of angry release and introspective musical temperament in seemingly all the right moments. All three songs are good tracks to enjoy, providing both a caustic jaunt through reckless abandon and some serious air drumming if you’re so inclined (I may have…no one will ever know but my broken desktop and my splintered palms).

For a good time rocking out and moshing it up with some friends at the senior citizen’s park social or in a severely crowded basement dwelling The Uncrowned might fit your bill.

Serpent Venom - Demo 2010

Release Date:  April 21, 2010
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1. Four Walls of Solitude  2. Under the Compass  3. The Outsider      -    Total playing time: 23:52

England’s long lineage of doom metal is still plodding along at a snail’s pace. Serpent Venom issues a three-song demo that is so heavy it may just destroy your speakers. Without trapping itself into the typical constraints of recycled riffs and Messiah-meets-Ozzy vocal attempts, the demos does pretty well to set itself among the generous folds of modern doom.

“Four Walls of Solitude” begins the heavy trip with a pounding bass under a sinister sounding guitar and manages to create a sincerely brooding atmosphere. Vocalist Gaz doesn’t overpower the music as much as he compliments and adds to its otherwise murky feel. The clean tone, almost wailing effort is not uncommon but fits the music perfectly. The production is fine for a demo, with every instrument adequately represented. The three songs herein are above-average doomy tracks that can entertain the stringent fans of the movement. If you seek some new innovation to the scene with this one you’ll likely be disappointed but for what it is and what it represents it’s fine, though quite common.  

For nothing new or innovative Serpent Venom actually moves along like snake venom coursing through your bloodstream after a sporadic, unexpected bite. While not even close to reinventing the doom metal sound, this little gem might be a nice addition to your demo library in its simplistic, yet undeniable charm and merit.

DOWNLOAD Demo 2010 FREE from the band's myspace page (click on link above).

TO THE TOP

Release Date:  May 3, 2010
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1. Tools of Bloodshed  2. Maniac  3. Total Recall  4. Submerged by Death       -    Total playing time: 17:53

DOWNLOAD Bludvera FREE from the band's  myspace page (click on link above).

DOWNLOAD The Uncrowned FREE from the band's myspace page (click on link above).

DEMO ARCHIVE