AGONAL -A SUFFERING COMPLETE

Agonal, according to their Facebook page is the brain child of one Jon Francis. This release the third in a trilogy is entitled A Suffering Complete. A Suffering Complete is a solid album musically with elements of symphonic doom mixed in with extreme and clean vocals, along with a healthy dose of melody.

Even though there is keyboard for those symphonic elements, the guitars carry the freight.  No, you won’t find many guitar solos, but the layering of musical elements was done well enough that I never wondered when a solo break was coming. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a very upfront and loud six string rythym section, well recorded and quite defined. 

This release, at times, is very reminiscent of My Silent Wake. Not quite as melancholy where MSW uses more reverb for atmopherics and other acoustic instruments, Agonal relies soully upon their songwriting. There are some good solid dynamics that

are apparent within many of the songs, Fall Unto Me for example. However there are plenty of just hard hitting tracks such as The Final Sunset.

The sound quality is quite good and just in passing I originally thought this was a complete band. I had no idea it was a one man band, with a few guest musicians.  If I hadn’t looked it up I wouldn’t have guessed that the drums were programmed, I’m usually pretty good at picking them out but not this time.

Agonal, A Suffering Complete is bombastic and heavy which for a symphonic doom release is just what the doctor ordered.  Grab a copy of this through Sanctus Gladius and ride the crushing hammer of doom!!

7 axes

MY SILENT WAKE - SILVER UNDER MIDNIGHT

My Silent Wake returns with a brand new album entitled Silver Under Midnight. Following a re-issue of their classic opus The Anatomy of Melancholy, available through Bombworks, MSW delivers a release of brand new skull crushing material.

It should also be mentioned that a vinyl only release of their acoustic material was also produced, it’s a limited run so if you don’t already have a copy chances are slim that you’d find one. However it’s entitled, Acoustic Collection; good luck!

Back to the release at hand, Silver Under Midnight finds MSW in fine form. In the studio this time MSW consists of Ian Arkley providing brutal and clean vocals, guitar chaos, occasional keyboards, plus assorted percussion and bass guitar. Kate Hamilton provides bass and the traditional dulcimer. Mark Henry delivers the powerful back beats of the drums and the carnage of powerful percussion.

Silver Under Midnight is an album that defines atmosphere and mood. Starting with a brief intro that lasts under two minutes full of those folkish overtones that sets a startling medieval period, Midnight. It gives way to the full force of the imposing Destroyer, a track that imposes its will upon you with several mood changes while it crushes you with its Sabbath inspired riff.

Oblivion comes at you with it’s over whelming groove and sledgehammer timing. Ian’s brutal vocal delivery is in top form as it cuts through the musical carnage.  The tempo is almost reminiscent of early Seventh Angel. A pile driver has as much subtlety but that is one of the brilliant things about MSW, they can come at you with a locomotive and suddenly shift gears into silent dark foreboding encampment such as you’d find in a desolate forest.

Wars and The Last Man share this same ultra heaviness. Pounding doom and gothic metal that offers some heavy riffage while turning your brain into mush. Album closer Third Season moves through many atmospheric changes without losing any of its heaviness or sense of danger. Clocking in at over 14 minutes, this epic shines and demands an instant replay. No really.

The production is top flight and really from MSW I expect no less. The instruments have great clarity and definition without a huge loss in dynamics. These purveyors of gothic doom have seemingly mastered their art in the studio.

My Silent Wake again has delivered an exceptional piece of musical art. Making observations of the human condition without offering the simple trite response that so many do.  2013 has been the year of My Silent Wake and Silver Under Midnight should solidify that statement. Grab a copy.

9 axes

PYLON - THE HARROWING OF HELL Deluxe Edition

Up until a year or so ago I had never heard of Pylon. I wasn’t aware that they had released several albums and EP’s of crunching doom metal. I wasn’t aware they were from Switzerland (the thriving metal hotbed it is, Krokus is from there I believe). Quite simply I was out of the proverbial loop! YIKES!!

After all there are only so many hours in a day and quite honestly, no one can know EVERYTHING; even if we try. So my friends as Roxx asked if I’d be interested in reviewing Pylon’s The Harrowing of Hell Deluxe Edition, in true reviewer fashion said gimme a minute to think about it… eh ok!

 My own experience with doom metal was picking up Trouble’s second opus The Skull back in 86? Or was it 87? And wondered what just befell me. Then after hearing all the hoopla about Candlemass back in 88 or 89 I grabbed a sampler to their Nightfall album and the first track was At the Gallows End, WHOA! Very heavy and the vocals of Messiah Marcolin were just mystifying.

What is sort of ironic is that when I hear Pylon I sort of hear a mix of the music of Candlemass and some of the vibe of Trouble. Epic doom with the vibe of Traditional doom, strange I know but that’s what comes across to me. Pylon delivers strong song writing and the musicianship to pull it all together.

The Harrowing of Hell is one heavy duty album. Whether I pull up The Stream of Forgetfulness with its plodding and sludgy rhythm section or the organ filled Returnal Etern the vibe and atmosphere are here, inviting you to start swaying your shaggy mane to the slow sledge hammer rhythm. You won’t find neat and catchy verse chorus arrangements but you will find strong songs.

Tracks Psalm 139 A & Psalm 139 B is perhaps the most immediately accessible here, but don’t let that dissuade you. The chugging of doom moves this release along. 

 This album is like most exceptional art, it must be savored to be enjoyed.  Don’t allow the lack of the immediate hook put you off from investigating this release further. Sure it might not be everyone’s cup of tea however this might be an excellent way to get ‘into’ the doom caravan. Being somewhat specific this release is an exceptional collection of EPIC doom metal.

The Harrowing was originally released on vinyl only in a limited run of 300 copies. Roxx has done something very special by getting two new additional tracks, not previously released Lines & Golden Voice which brings the track total to 9. However there is more if you are lucky enough to get in early there is a TWO disc issue which features a compilation of tracks from the first three Pylon releases, which as I understand it are very difficult to obtain. Honestly after listening to this bonus disc I almost like the bonus disc MORE than the new album!!

Definitely grab this album. Special guests include Ian Arkley (My Silent Wake), Jordan Cutajar of Nomad Son contributes lead vocals on three tracks, Reno Meier of Sin Starlett delivers some tasty lead work, and David Vollenweider and Vale Baumgartner also offer some quality lead work.

By the way that bonus disc I mentioned also features a re-mix of Pylon’s Falling into the Sun which sounds very nice. Pylon’s The Harrowing of Hell is a gut pounding heavy metal beast of an album. Solid epic doom metal in the vein of Candlemass. Keep the lights low and prepare for a sonic implosion. 

8 axes

MY SILENT WAKE - THE ANATOMY OF MELANCHOLY Reissue

My Silent Wake for the uninitiated is the brain children of Ian Arkley, the former guitar player, vocalist of perennial thrash favorite Seventh Angel. However since the demise of Seventh Angel he has carried on in several other bands including Century Sleeper, Ashen Mortality and Paramaecium. All of the bands since Seventh Angel have fallen more into the category of doom metal.

Many fans will remember the rather bold lyrical stances taken on those Seventh Angel releases and if they were to come to these releases with those same expectations they would be disappointed in that regard. In light of those differences it can be said that the lyrical concepts discussed by My Silent Wake are of a more introspective and reflective tone. Questions are asked that don’t have neat and tidy answers, which causes one to think. Not enough thinking goes on at times, too much talking.

The Anatomy of Melancholy is actually a double album. First Volume is pure bone crunching gothic tinged doom metal, strong and powerful. Extreme vocals mixed with hauntingly crushing melodies, not for the squeamish. Heretic is such a strong song.
The other volume (The Last Volume) is just the opposite, an acoustic issue that is simply beautiful in a dark and foreboding way. Acoustic and classical guitars, mandolin, percussion, cello, clarinet, piano are played that should give you an idea of what to expect musically. Revolution is perhaps my favorite track here, wow. It just strikes the emotional chords and leaves a haunting melody behind. (Reminds me of a cold overcast day at the ocean, love it)

This reissue has been remastered by sound engineer Jeff Mortimer, who actually mastered the album originally. As I don’t have the original releases to compare to I will simply say, the clarity on this album is fabulous. It is heavy and powerful with some very solid dynamic range as there are plenty of subtle passages on first volume to contrast the bombast. The sound is huge or in a word EPIC!

Perhaps best described as gothic/doom metal (MSW uses this description themselves) but clearly that is not all they’re about. Straight from their website “The bands style could be described as gothic death doom, although it also includes more varied elements. Their influences are wide ranging but predominantly include early Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Trouble, Celtic Frost and of course Black Sabbath.”

My Silent Wake has done us a great service (along with Bombworks) in reissuing this album. This release is dark and foreboding with plenty of lyrical themes about life that can cause the average person to miss the point. I will simply say as I said before; My Silent Wake The Anatomy of Melancholy in a word, EPIC!

9 axes

VICTOR GRIFFIN'S IN~GRAVED

Victor Griffin the riff master of such powerhouse doom acts as Place of Skulls and Pentagram is back with a new release, entitled Victor Griffin’s In-Graved. The trademark sound and style of his previous efforts are showcased here and will have fans eagerly awaiting their live shows.

The sound and tone of Griffins six string assault is the driving force through out this album. He pushes the songs along with his sludgy biker metal attack and screams with some tasty blues inspired leads that add to the metal amalgam. His riffs are solid and heavy. Victor once again shines in the lead vocal department, his voice just fits the music; smooth but forceful. 

The promotional material mentions the extensive guest list on this release, take a look!

“The band and touring line up features Griffin, TROUBLE's original drummer Jeff "Oly" Olson (RETRO GRAVE) on Hammond organ, drummer Pete Campbell (60 WATT SHAMAN, PLACE OF SKULLS), and bassist Guy Pinhas (THE OBSESSED, ACID KING, GOATSNAKE). 

Guest appearances on the debut album are bassists Ron Holzner (TROUBLE, EARTHEN GRAVE, DEBRIS INC), Greg Turley (PENTAGRAM), Marty Swaney (DEATH ROW, PENTAGRAM), Dan Lively (SWEET CICADA), Anne Griffin, and keyboardist Mike Puleo (ORODRUIN)”

However it all comes down to the songs and these cuts don’t disappoint. My personal favorite being Late For an Early Grave, it has a great hook and melody but the riff is gratifying and heavy as a brick, not doom in the traditional sense but more bluesy biker metal. Most of the songs have a strong bluesy, doomy, heavy feel with a lot of great melodies.

 

Album opener Digital Critic is another that just grooves with power and heaviness that gets this old headbanger moving and reaching for his air guitar. Love Song for the Dying is one of the slightly slower tracks but is a bruiser for sure. Clocking in at nearly 7 minutes this track delivers the goods from Griffin’s guitar to Jeff Olson’s organ.

Two of the songs on this album Late For an Early Grave and album closer Never Surrender originally appeared on an obscure solo release by Griffin. I’ve not heard their original versions but their inclusion here is something I’m grateful for, these songs are some of the best material. A Jethro Tull song, Teacher was included here as well.

The production elements are up to snuff with each instrument having it’s own territory in the mix, nothing is buried and the sounds of each instrument are not hampered.  Griffins Christian worldview is evident even in the songs where God is not mentioned directly.

Overall Victor Griffin’s IN-GRAVED is great bluesy heavy metal with strong biker/doom metal overtones. The songs kick and have great melody, pick this album up and be prepared for some serious heavy metal action.

8 axes

 

DAVID BENSON - PURPOSE OF THE CROSS reissue

David Benson has been around the Christian Metal scene since the mid 90’s. Yet this re-issue is my introduction to him and his music. He’s been one of these names that I’ve heard about and pondered what his music would sound like. Many of you who are more familiar with him are probably shocked that I’d not heard him before.

Well with Intense Millennium's reissue of Benson’s first album I’ve finally got the opportunity to check him out for myself. Purpose of the Cross was originally released in 1996, this edition has been remastered and expanded for a modern audience. Three extra tracks were added that Benson recorded with former Tempest guitar player Mick Rowe, more about those later.

Purpose of the Cross is the almost perfect amalgam of early 70’s era Sabbath with a strong sense of melody and just the right touch of early solo Ozzy. Benson is clearly influenced by Ozzy as his vocal performance is clearly brings that spotlight to it.

Yet without the songs themselves no amount of posturing will save any artist and Benson has the songs to back up his performance. From album opener Purpose of the Cross to Shout through Works album closer Faith, and this album is some true doomy metal. The more I listen to this album the more I like it and it actually excites me to hear someone playing Heavy Metal in a traditional manner. It also makes me wonder why there aren’t more bands from a Christian point of view doing it.

This disc rocks my friends, if you dig stuff like Barren Cross, Whitecross, Trytan then you’ll have no problem here. If you’re a purist who feels that wearing one’s influence on your sleeve this way is a problem then don’t buy it, but if you’re like me and just want some tunes to rock out to, grab this album NOW!

On the production end of things Purpose of the Cross has that underground feel and I’ve no doubt that the remastering has helped to improve the sound. The frequencies seem to be balanced appropriately; it’s not overly thin or boomy. Lyrically David lays his Christian message right out there.

Now back to three bonus tracks, Benson and Rowe collaborated on what would’ve been a new Tempest album. Yet that album would’ve sounded nothing like the Tempest of the late 80’s. These tracks are doomy sludge that follow the style of Benson’s other material. On this release they are right at home and perhaps are even heavier then the rest of the album. Just listen to Crushing the Dark Cathedral and your head is gonna sway hard.

Fans of Ozzy era Sabbath should find something to cheer about here. Doomy, powerful metal with melody and a message, Purpose of the Cross is the real deal. A big thumbs up and here’s looking forward to more from where this came from.

9 axes