ULTIMATUM - THE MECHANICS OF PERILOUS TIMES

This particular Ultimatum album was re-mastered and rereleased in 2007 but I just obtained a copy from someone who wanted to know what I thought about it. I’m grateful for that person sending it to me. ‘The Mechanics of Perilous Times’ is the follow up to the bands ‘Puppets of Destruction’ release. Now I have given that release some very high praise, in light of this album though ‘Puppets’ may have to take a step back.

What can say? Hmmm…. After spinning this disc some 6-7x's first thing right off I will say that this album is the HEAVIEST Ultimatum album I’ve heard. With a sound that is reminiscent in feel and attitude to Metallica’s ‘Kill ‘em All.’ ‘Perilous Times’ is full of anger, attitude, and power that are not seen very often if at all. Only a few landmark discs have ‘Kill ‘em All’ is one, the first Metal Church album is another. Perfect polish isn’t necessarily the endgame, but capturing a band on the verge of a breakout is.

It seems to me that these guys hit the studio in tip top form. The performances on ‘Temple of the Spirit,’ ‘Greed Regime, Inc,’ ‘Violence & Bloodshed’ blow the proverbial roof off. They are raw loud and true power/thrash masterpieces. Listening to ‘Temple’ it just demands and forces you to listen again and again. Ultimatum is reminding us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Someone may ask ‘Why do you say that this disc is full of anger?’ Well let me explain ‘Greed Machine, Inc’ is all about those unscrupulous preachers who fleece the flock of God and turn our Lord into Santa Claus. Or how about on ‘Shroud of Science’ when the largest sacred cow of our time is exposed for what it is, then tar and feathered. Just those two examples lyrically are combined with a musical attack that really is top drawer all the way.

The production isn’t perfect but that completely adds to the charm of this album. The guitars are LOUD and CHUNKY, with a little reverb added in then set to simmer with pile driver drums, blasting bass and vocals that would scrape rust off the side of a ship.
What is not to like???? How ‘bout a worship song ‘The Purging’ is just that. Nasty riffs and dynamic arranging pull this whole composition into focus, then hit a bulls eye.

The more I listen the more I’m enthralled and sucked into this musical vortex that refuses to let me go. Sorta like falling into a black hole I think, y’know where even light cannot escape. However in this case the vortex isn’t there to bring destruction but life and direction to the one who can give it.

This album is a classic in the same vein as early Metallica, Exodus, Metal Church. Ultimatum have made a statement here that they’re ready to share the same stage as any major player in the metal world.

10 axes

HEAVEN'S FORCE - AGGRESSIVE ANGEL

Back in 1983/84 there was an unknown Christian Thrash band in Texas called Heaven’s Force. Heaven’s Force recorded two demos and apparently disappeared without a trace. That is until now. As someone who was very heavily involved in the Christian Metal underground from 1983/84 onward hearing about this has really intrigued me. How could they have flown under the radar?

Well they only performed a dozen or so shows and only made half a dozen copies of their demo. That’s pretty underground!! The sound quality is good, especially if you’re used to demos. I will tell you that this sounds better than some of the new stuff I hear recorded in 2009.

Clearly with influences like Venom, Exciter and early Metallica this CD by Heaven’s Force entitled ‘Aggressive Angel’ reeks of early 80’s thrash metal. It sounds like something I would’ve heard on Combat or Neat or early Metal Blade records back then. These are demos but they fit in with that old school thrash sound. I’m sure the mastering has cleaned them up a bit, but it still grinds and screams like 1983.

‘Slaughter the Beast,’ ‘In League With the Priest,’ ‘Heaven’s Force’ are all stand outs for me. Heaven’s Force delivers it fast and brutal (for 1983 that is). After listening to some Venom and Exciter you can really hear the closeness in style and sound. Frankly it’s too bad that these guys didn’t push this a bit more.

David Cryder (drums/vocals), Chris Ritchie (guitars) and Kelly Berger (bass) were Heaven’s Force. This Open Grave release is limited to only 500 copies and if you’re a collector or love old school thrash this is the release for you.

Before Vengeance Rising, even before Tempest (Ohio) there was Heaven’s Force. Even 25 years later show they could hold their own. I wish I’d heard it 25 years ago…

BUY IT!!!

7 axes (only because the typeset of the lyrics is beyond miniscule… and there are only seven songs….)

LAMENT - THROUGH THE REFLECTIONS (special edition)

Lament come to us from Mexico with their Bombworks Release ‘Through the Reflection.’ This is a special edition of their 1999 release ‘Through the Reflection’ and their 1995 demo entitled ‘El Valle de la Decision.’ The 1995 release the band was actually called Beheaded. ‘Through the Reflection’ was originally released on the Finnish label Little Rose Productions. It’s been out of print for years but sees the light of day once again.

Upon receiving the disc itself the tag on the front said ‘… for fans of Dark Tranquility, Manowar, and Mortification. Well after giving this several spins I’m at a loss as far as the Dark Tranquility and Manowar comparison. Perhaps more disappointed actually because the material I have by Dark Tranquility I really like. This disc really has a lot more in common with Mortifications ‘Triumph of Mercy’ period to these ears.

I really had a hard time following and remembering the melody lines or ‘hooks’ that should grab you. In some ways the music is almost under powering on this release. The way it was mixed downplays a lot of the power and energy that is here. It’s not very even, and the bass really dominates the soundscape, like Mortification. For me, I like to hear a dominate guitar that drives things along. In this case it’s as if the bass and the guitar have flipped roles. Everything has a quality sound, but the drums and guitar are more in the background, while the vocals and bass dominate things.

Lament brings a lot of elements that are unique. They’ve tried to incorporate some musical elements of their Hispanic heritage to bring a different vibe at times. It can become quite effective. Abel Gomez has a rather hardcore style vocally on this release, while he bashes away on the drums. Iram Gomez plays an effective bass guitar and Edmundo Mondragon has some nice guitar parts.

The added bonus of their four song demo while they were called Beheaded is quite a bit different. Heavy guitar parts, deep death metal grovels and fast songs. Sounds like it was recorded on a four track, but heck it was a demo made in 95! Real pounding stuff.

For me I can hear elements that could 'Throught the Reflection' an outstanding release. The musicianship is there and the lyrical element is very powerful. No doubting the heart of these guys. If you are a completist or already a fan of Lament I sure this will be a fine addition to your collection. I just had a hard time getting my head around it.

According to the bands official website they are working on new material. That sounds exciting let’s hope they have someone who can bring the best out of these guys.

5.5 AXES

MORTIFICATION - THE EVIL ADDICTION DESTROYING MACHINE

“The Evil Addiction Destroying Machine" is the title of Mortifications latest release. This disc was released in June of this year. While summer is usually a great time to acquire some great metal I must admit I didn’t get this particular disc until just a few weeks ago. When I received this disc I realized that how sketchy I am on Mort’s catalog.

I mean I’ve heard a few of their tunes i.e. ‘Scrolls’ and ‘Noah was a Knower’ really just stuff from YouTube. I do own one disc and that is ‘Triumph of Mercy’ and I have to admit I thought the production was a bit thin on that disc. After reading many comments apparently I wasn’t the only one. (I did just find a copy of ‘The Silver Chord is Severed’ some cool sounding stuff there) So before reviewing this disc I spent some extra ‘research’ on the bands Myspace and listened to several different albums from different eras.

Having said all that on Mortification’s 14th release there are several components at work here. Back in the early 80’s I remember picking up a copy of Metal Rendezvous. As I read the reviews one person was praising some disc by saying ‘The Return of the Riff!!!” Well one of most obvious things here is THE RETURN OF THE RIFF!!! All over this album there are riffs galore. And the intriguing thing is that many of these tunes have 2 or 3 (or 5!) riffs with the songs. I’m not just talking about time changes or verse to chorus stuff, differing riffs within a song. I just don’t hear a lot of this stuff these days. Listen to ‘A Sense of Eternity’ this song must have 5 different riff components.

I realize it seems that many Mortification fans want a ‘Scrolls Part Deux’, sorta like Rush fans want another ‘2112’ or Deliverance fans want another ‘Weapons of Our Warfare.’ That’s not the case here but there is a lot of pounding metal to drive the point home. Favorites for me include ‘One Man With Courage Makes a Majority’, ‘The Master of Reinvention’, ‘Pilots Hanging From Shoulder Dust’, and “Pushing The Envelope Of The Red Sonrise.’

On this release I also hear a lot Iron Maiden influence in the guitar parts, particularly in the solos. I mean did Davey or Adrian stuff by the studio???? Mick Jelinic is simply superb. So many times we get to the solo and it just changes the song taking heaviness and making it more melodic, yet off the cuff. Go Mick Go….! Returning drummer Adam Zaffarese shows why he’s back in Mortification. His technique and timing are a great addition back in behind his kit.

The production is full and fits the songs like a glove. Frankly the vibe and feel I get here is Motorhead. Mortification isn’t trying to sound like Motorhead, but perhaps Steve’s growl and being a three piece there is something that just strikes me that way. Speaking of Steve his bass playing shines and is very prominent in the mix. His bass playing and vocalizations are intense. When the band kicks in “I’m Not Confused” they hit on all cylinders moving onto full speed ahead. Steve vocalizes with real snarl here.

The tribute song to Resurrection Band entitled ‘Resurrection Band a tribute’ sounds very Megadeth inspired musically. The melody and riffs really hit me that way.

The album lyrically is very straight ahead Jesus, but there are also some social ills covered. If you have enjoyed previous Mortification albums from 1996 on you’ll dig this one.

Mortification, great job mates!
I’m not confused, I know where I’m going!

8 AXES

ARNION - FALL LIKE RAIN

Coming at us from South America, specifically, Brazil is Arnion (Greek for ‘lamb of God’). Heavy duty production values with emphasis on massive amounts of “riffage.”
They bring their brand of metal to rest of the world. An assimilation of Bay Area Thrash/Old School Power Metal (Metal Church anyone?) and a healthy dose of punk attitude.

Hitting on all cylinders Arnion starts the disc off with a track aptly titled ‘Visions of Hell’ blasting away with multiple riff and time changes, this is only a prelude of what is to come. One of my favorite songs comes following in ‘Zombies’ a Megadeth influenced style tune that is as heavy as a cement truck. Once again multiple riff and time changes abound.

At times the material does get a bit technical, but for the most part Arnion plays it straight ahead. Several times a heavier old school power metal style emerges such as “Get Ready for War” or the “Whitened Graves”. The songs start in a mid tempo groove but end up moving out like an F-18 on take off from an aircraft carrier. 0-200 mph in 3 seconds.

The disc also includes their 2006 release ‘Refuge’(digitally remastered)which on several tracks a different vocal style, almost death metal like, emerges. In this case the title track ‘Refuge’ sticks out to me. Intense and heavy, I can see the pit moving and the windmills swirling.

Some of the material from ‘Refuge’ was re-recorded for the ‘Falls like Rain’ release. There are some differences that fans will take note of. Listening to both releases the immediate difference is the production. ‘Falls like Rain’ has a bit cleaner sound and heavier guitar tracks. “Human Holocaust” and “Whitened Graves” definitely benefit from the newer production.

There are obviously some Sepultura influences but again Arnion take those and make them their own. This is an album for those who love a Riff. The riff carries the songs and makes them pound and thrash away. Myself I could’ve handled a little more melody or hook in the songs but when stuff hits like this, maybe all that’s needed is a sledgehammer to pound away the rust…… All the pieces are there for a true breakout let’s hope that next release falls in place. Keep Rockin’ till the Final day…..

8 AXES