Canada’s up-and-coming Frosthammer emerges once more from the cold undertow of the black metal bleakness and issues its third demo Imagery of the Forgotten Realm. I have to tell you that the first two demos I have by these guys were just Bathory-style black metal that really called upon the Quorthon mystique in every way. I must say this one surprised me a bit.

The very prevalent clean vocals are a pleasant surprise, as is the very genuine morose feeling that shrouds the music. The haunting atmosphere surrounding tracks like “The Shadow Cast by Heaven’s Light” is so real and foreboding that you might find yourself feeling as if you’re walking through a labyrinth of dead trees and eerie noises. This demo seems to drift from the typical black metal sound, but manages to pace itself nicely in frightening subtlety. The slow, anticipatory mood throughout is one that reminds me of Celtic Frost’s Monotheist not so much in style as in horror. The production is fine if a bit dismal, but absolutely right on the money for the music.

There might seem to be a dramatic switch in style from Winter’s Embrace to this, but the advancement and shift is one that can be accepted and shouldn’t be ignored. “Ascent to the Great Wizard’s Tomb” finds the harsh vocal pairing with the sinister tone that makes this music perfect for the dark people like me that enjoy their music (and lifestyle) infinitely blackened. I really like the title track as it has that truly evil ambience without having to rely on speed and screaming to get across the point.

Frosthammer has the formula, my friends, and the latest demo is a very fine shift in priorities while retaining the essence and beauty of the black Canadian underground. I applaud such fortitude and resonance and you should as well.       

Exile, Frosthammer & Pyrrhon

October 12, 2010

CHRIS

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Exile - Dead Thrashers Rising

Jordanian thrashers Exile are helping put the Middle East metal scene on the map. It helps that the band’s Dead Thrashers Rising demo is nearly twenty-minutes of unadulterated thrash metal that possesses catchy hooks, concise lyrics and above-board musical prowess.

What always intrigues me about the thrash metal scene is how painfully easy it is to just make thrash music, good or bad. It seems any upstart band can just plug-and-play and garner attention, and it’s been that way since the mid-80’s, but with the devices and massive upgraded tech of today the thrash movement has soared in quality. Exile offers the caustic experience like any good thrash band should, especially in “Dead Thrashers Rising”, which plows through your ears like a lawnmower over chains. There are some definitive old-school elements throughout that are very rich in charm and style. The vocals are clear enough to ascertain what is being sung and the style isn’t one to be pinpointed; it’s just a throaty effort of the Mille vein ala Pleasure to Kill or Endless Pain.

For your thrashing-mad needs I most certainly think Exile can surpass your reticent notions with one power chord into constructive chaos. 

Pyrrhon - Fever Kingdoms

Release Date:  2010
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1.  King of All Tears  2.  Biblioclast Waltz  3.  God's Parabola  4.  Baudelaire  5.  Pascal's Wager         -    Total playing time: 21:22

Technical death metal springs up from New York once more with Pyrrhon releasing its sophomore effort by way of the Fever Kingdoms EP. Along the lines of early Suffocation ala Breeding the Spawn in that it’s brutal with a purpose and not for brutality’s sake. “Biblioclast Waltz” is one of the more technically sound death metal tracks I’ve heard in some time. The vocals from Doug Moore are growling to the perfect extreme without going full-blown guttural and sounding more like a series of copy blips as opposed to vocalizing.

The lyrics are clear, which is always important to me. Musically the band is tight, very polished without losing the edge to the music. “Baudelaire” starts off much like a mid-era Death track and merges into a full-on head slamming encounter with the nearest wall planter. I love the sound these guys put forth, and if more death metal sounded this good there would be a much happier Chris amongst you. I encourage you to check out this band immediately and support he true death metal sound that we Americans perfected so many years ago.    

Frosthammer - Imagery of the Forgotten Realm

Release Date: September 10, 2010
Band Self Released
TRACK LISTING:
1.  Dies Irae  2.  Walk through the Forest of Darkness  3.  The Dawn of a New Era  4.  The Shadow Cast by Heaven's Light  5.  Ascent to the Great Wizard's Tomb  6.  Imagery of the Forgotten Realm           -    Total playing time: 28:00

For a copy of Imagery of the Forgotten Realm contact the band via there official website: Frosthammer

TO THE TOP

Release Date: January, 2010
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1.  Ignorant is What you Are  2.  Dead Thrashers Rising  3.  Killing Storm  4.  Living Hell           -    Total playing time: 17:05

For a copy of Dead Thrashers Rising contact the band via their  myspace page (click on link above).

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

DEMO ARCHIVE