RAMMAS ATAS - 'TIL LIFE DO US PART

Perhaps this review is a little late to the party but since I just received this album it’s better late than never! Rammas Atas immediately compares to Rammstein, Megahertz, Infected Mushroom and other industrial techno metal acts. ‘Till Life do us Part is title of their debut release on BullRoser Records, distributed in the USA by Youngside Records.

This album is heavy but groovy with a cavalcade of electronic beats courtesy of DJ Ridhu, but it’s the crunchy guitar of Arktos and brilliant bass playing of Corvus Candidus that drive this release into high gear. The extreme vocals delivered by Peach are a stark contrast to the beautiful melodies of Miss Terry that add another layer of musical bliss to this fine release.

Ten tracks of danceable and moshable nirvana await the listener here, with upbeat tempos and catchy melodies. The Christian world view shines brightly in the lyrical department, not necessarily evangelistic in nature, but thoughtful expressions of living one’s life and the hurt, joy and pain that come our way.

High production values accentuate the journey one will take when you give this album a listen. Not being a dance music fan myself, I found that I couldn’t help but spin this album repeatedly as the grooves, melodies and heavy guitar just grabbed me and fought their way into my playlist.

Rammas Atas have delivered an exceptional debut, if you want something that is a little different from the normal metal fare but still rocks just as hard Till Life Do Us Part is gonna be huge surprise for you. It was for me.


7 axes

LEPER - AND EVERYBODY DIED

Some of you hardcore metal heads out there might be wondering why I’m reviewing Leper. After all their Goth/Industrial sound is a far cry from what you usually find here at White Throne. Not too mention this isn’t usually my own favorite type of tunage.

With all that said, Leper’s Grrr release And Everybody Died is a gem. Having been released on Grrr Records the first thing you’ll know is that the production will be of higher quality. Grrr being the home of such stalwarts as the Glenn Kaiser Band, not to mention Resurrection Band itself.

I was very impressed with their performance at Up From the Ashes 3 in Temecula, California this past August. So much so that I spoke with their bass player and all around great guy Otto, who forwarded to me their album.

And Everybody Died doesn’t disappoint in the slightest from the beginning strands of Opening with its sample taken from Night of The Living Dead all the way through to Spielplatz (playground)which is a Rez cover by the way!; Leper have crafted an exceptional album of industrial gothic music. With influences from Pink Floyd, Mortal, The Cure, Sincerely Paul and Savior Machine this is a dark moody feast. Having recently toured with Grave Robber, Leper is the real deal.

To these ears the highlights on the song front would be Lyken (werewolf) with its extremely powerful and haunting melody, wrung out on the keyboards. This song demands to be played at maximum volume. From the subtle verses to the dominating musical bridges I must’ve played this song some 10 times in a row.

Following Lyken is the extremely catchy Ai Grija Ce Spui (watch what you say). Watch What You Say has a solid melody without sacrificing the element of darkness with layers of emotion and passion. The vocal sample taken from the 1976 film Logan’s Run was sheer brilliance and adds just the right ambience. This tri-fecta of genius concludes with Lins (Lick), more moody and industrialized gothic rhythms with a dark vocal performance by Skot Shaw.

The other compositions on And Everybody Died are memorable, yet those three just got under my skin and dug in deep. Lyrically, all is not necessarily a happy rainbow of life, but more often than not, explorations of the darker parts of human nature. Yet hope remains, but Leper refuse to put a simple gloss on things and say, “It’s gonna be ok.” It’s implied more directly than not, but the reality of life is discussed in a way that’s honest and thought provoking.

Leper is a two piece band with Skot Shaw and Otto providing the musical cacophony within. I realize this release came out in 2009, but it is of such quality that it deserves to be reviewed even a year after its initial release. If Industrial Gothic is your favorite style or even if it just intrigues you And Everybody Died should be an immediate purchase.

8 axes

CORIOLIS - THE ENDLESS FUNERAL

An album of intense emotion and takes the listener on a journey through some of the darkest human emotion, Coriolis, The Endless Funeral. Not being familiar with the band at first I wasn’t totally sure what to expect, however regardless of the unknown this release is one which should be heard by all.

If you too are not familiar with Coriolis, by way of musical introduction perhaps Rammstein, Nine Inch Nails are familiar places of reference. This is industrial/electronic hard rock, not quite as heavy as Klank but something for fans of that genre.

Jonathan P. Staments is the brain child behind this disc, by his own admission he has no life, yet it would seem that his life and experiences have been preserved in a musical episode that is catchy, unique and metallic. They referred to their style as synth-metal and that might not be too far off. The production values are of superior quality, which begs the question why can’t more bands put out material of this caliber?

The tracks are layered with industrial and synthesized brilliance, and contain enough metallic bite to smash you up one side and down the other. Songs such as Thank You and All For One shine with enough vibrancy and power to force an immediate replay. Moodier tracks such as Lie? or See You in Hell are gripping and force the listener to look within.

This symphony to the hard times of life is revealing and honest, with enough reminders that we don’t always know what God is up to. Yet we are reminded we can still trust and follow the Creator who knows us better than we know ourselves.

Young Side records has a gem here, I can only hope that the public at large will appreciate the level of integrity being presented here. This is art from the heart with a reminder that the heart is the target of the life we live, whether Christian or not.

(p.s…. a t-shirt in the offing???)

8 axes

KLANK - NUMB....Reborn

San Jose powerhouse Klank has offered up a new release of high quality
industrial/groove metal. Reminiscent of Rob Zombie, Dope and Marilyn Manson; Klank have really delivered the goods on NUMB….Reborn.

This being my first experience with the band I was immediately impressed with the quality of the songs. Comparing it right off with Dope or Zombie, the feel is there, the groove and heaviness as well. Cyberpunk with a large guitar assault that delivers on so many levels forces me to move the volume knob up on my car stereo in conjunction with the bass control.

Electrifying melodies on 'Penetrate,' 'The Rules,' 'Don’t Count me Out' and 'Bleed Me Dry' just hang around; only once you listen again can you sense the depth, the Full Monte as it were. Metal has such a way of adapting itself to many hybrid genres and this is one of the hybrids I latch onto the most. The crushingly heavy guitar moves things into overdrive where headbangers and pogoers can simply move to the mantra.

Lyrically Klank holds nothing back. Doubt, fear, joy, rejection and intimidation are all elements of the life followers of the Way experience. The emotional well is deep and honest, which is a sharp contrast to many albums from a Christian point of view where everything comes up roses.

The freshness and honesty displayed here is a kindling that can spark a flame or forest fire. Diving into the track entitled 'Blind'; all the cards are laid out on the table. Honesty drive and fury, their vast well of spiritual engagement is deep and courageous.

“Down inside
My soul it bleeds
And cries out for the one's just like you
With no relief I wish that I could just touch you and make you complete
The only way to get back up on your own
Two feet
Forget who you were
Find out what you'll be”

With a desire to engage their fellow brothers and sisters is something not amiss here. There is a genuine heart of compassion that doesn’t claim to have the reasons why, but perhaps showing fellow travelers that there is One who is able to carry us along. At the same time Klank is honest about the disappointments on the road less traveled.

Solid production and arrangements unleash a lion that has suffered, but has not quit. I would be amiss if I failed to mention the special guests who also contributed to this album, Jim Chaffin (The Crucified & Fasedown), Mike Phillips (Deliverance & Fasedown) and Larry Farkas (Vengeance Rising & Die Happy)

Fans of modern metal, this album has got to be on your list on purchases this summer. Don’t be afraid, obtain NUMB....Reborn and allow the work within to begin. This release is currently only available as a digital download, if sales warrant it the band has said they will then put it out on CD. One of the better releases this year, play it loudly.

8 axes