DELIVERANCE - WHAT A JOKE

Intense Millennium has brought another long out of print metal classic back to the forefront. The mighty Deliverance and their third album entitled What a Joke is the album of the moment.

For many Big D fans this album seems to get the short shrift. A mish mash of short comedic type songs i.e. ‘Happy Star,’ ‘Cheeseburger Maker Du’ (a short riff that goes back to 1987) and several standard full on speed metal tunes i.e. Prophet of Idiocy, What a Joke, J.I.G. and Pseudo Intellectual.

A re-worked version of Attack appears as does a rather heavy version of Silent Night. However it would be a crime not to mention their cover of Black Sabbath’s After Forever. That blew a lot of people’s minds back in the day and I’m sure it will again.

This re-release has also been remastered. There are some things that have definitely been improved with this reissue. The sound of the drums have benefited as have the guitars. However I’ve found that the shelf of frequencies above 8-10k seem to have been brought down so low that I have to manually adjust my stereo to bring much of the high end back.

The sound is a bit fuller with improved low end response, but it seems that the dynamics of the high end were sacrificed. I just wonder if some type of happy medium could’ve been achieved.

A solid bonus track entitled Strings of Sorrow is also included. This track harkens to what would come on their next release Stay of Execution. No information is included as to where this track came from or when it was recorded.

This particular edition also includes a limited edition album cover. Apparently some big broo ha ha has erupted over it and has led Intense Millennium to state that the original cover will appear on later releases of this album.

For those of you who have been wanting to pick this one up here’s your chance. Jesus Is God!!!


7 axes

WARCLUB RECORDS - THE KILLING FIELDS COMPILATION

Ricky Puckett of Broken Flesh did what all aspiring death metal vocalists do. He started his own record label!! Warclub Records is the name of the label and to top that off he releases a spectacular compilation of intense heavy metal. The material here definitely comes from the death metal end of the spectrum, but there are also a few surprises thrown in.

Quite honestly to see the line up here over 17 tracks is phenomenal. The majority of the artists presented here were rather obscure and unknown to me, but after several listens I’m more than intrigued with more than a few of the artists here.

A Hill to Die Upon starts things off with a brand new track entitled The Chant of the Mighty Offspring. Pure musical genius and anyone who was fan of their debut album on Bombworks won’t be disappointed here. Grave Robber also makes an appearance with Lion of Judah off their latest release Exhumed. Metallic punk at its finest.

Several bands that got my attention immediately were Your Chance to Die (death metal), Fearscape (black metal), and Nomadic (death metal) who gets the awards for the most dominant guitar sound. Death Slave is the title of their contribution and it just demands to be played again.

Other highlights include Romero, and the offering by Benevolence; entitled Retribution they deliver the proverbial goods. Most of the bands here are shown at their best I believe as I really couldn’t find a weak track. Here’s a listing of the other artists on this album Broken Flesh (Puckett’s own band), Obliteration, Divulgence, Die to Yourself, The Synics Awakening, Christageddon, Corpse of Iniquity, White Funeral and The Beckoning.

Another artist that just grabbed me was symphonic metal act Whisper From Heaven. 7 minutes of angelic joy with a true bombastic soundtrack. Female operatic vocals that soar over the carnage beneath, this song was an immediate repe

It goes without saying that a lot of tracks are not of super high audio quality, however none of tracks fall into the “how’d they get on here????” category. This compilation is reminiscent in feel of a lot of the underground compilations that came out in the early 80’s. There is a lot of potential on this disc. There is also a lot of accomplishment here.

Don’t let The Killing Fields disc go by without picking up a copy. A great effort by all the artists and fine debut for Warclub Records.


8 axes

DEUTERONOMIUM - FROM THE MIDST OF BATTLE

For those not in the know, Deuteronomium hail from Finland and they originally billed themselves ‘death and roll.’ These guys were musically sort of a death metal Motorhead in my book, groovy rock lines with an intense vocal barrage that scrapes paint at twenty meters.

This 2009 release From the Midst of Battle, however, is a straight ahead assault of intense death metal. The elements of melody that make it catchy are still in place, but a bit more subdued. Songs such as 3:16 or Defending the Faith drive hard but are still catchy enough to warrant a 2nd and 3rd listen.

All of the songs flow right up to the 17 minute epic, Tales From the Midst of Battle. A lengthy story of conquest, war and betrayal; wrapped inside a collection of riffs and melodies that assault the mind and senses.

Production is strong with a deliberate guitar sound that just rips. All the elements are allowed space to fill, without crushing each other and squashing the overall feel of the music. You won’t find anything ‘new’ here but the quality of what is presented is world class. This isn’t an album of regurgitated Slayer or Obituary riffs, but of quality music composed and arranged with experience and professionalism.

From the Midst of Battle is an exceptional piece of heavy metal music. Make no mistake, if you’re a fan of death metal you won’t miss with this one. Youngside Records has brought a gem to the North American shores, don't miss it!

8 axes

CONSPIRACY OF THOUGHT - NOTHING MORE THAN LIGHT

Ok this isn’t the normal bill of fare here at White Throne, but every once in a while I come across something that falls outside the norm that really grabs me. Coriolis and Leper were two previous excursions into the unknown, Conspiracy of Thought is another.

Short punchy songs with good hooks dot the landscape of their 2009 release Nothing More than Light. Yes this disc is from 2009, but having just landed in my hands the urge to share the wealth was great. With a sound more akin to Linkin Park or POD than Slipknot, Conspiracy of Thought have crafted a fine album.

Plenty of powerful guitar with strong melodic arrangements that are more memorable than worthy. However elements of funk and hip hop swim to the surface as well, yet the indelible mark of rock n roll remains intact.

With lyrics that demand social action and thought provoking questions, the spiritual element is quite evident through out. Nothing More than Light isn’t a one trick pony lyrically. A lyric sheet wasn’t provided with my copy, but the vocals of Ben Stewart are a huge standout. His vocal tone is superior, and his annunciation is of high note.

Conspiracy of Thought are a fine band and Nothing More Than Light is a solid album. Hopefully they’ll get to perform a Northern California show and I can give a live review, but at this point I would really encourage you to check out Nothing More Than Light. A good album that shows promise of something even better in the offing. Recommended.

7 axes

FIVESTAR PROPHET - ENEMY

Delivering a solid one two punch of high energy rock n roll and strong memorable melodies Fivestar Prophet offer up an album of hope. With a strong lyrical message wrapped in a driving metal package Fivestar Prophet's album, Enemy is the real deal.

Along the lines of Avenged Sevenfold, Skillet or Disturbed; FP have produced a release of world class proportions. The hooks run deep and definitely are strong. Enemy discusses issues of living in this world, while trying to maintain a vital faith, at times succeeding at times failing. The world view isn’t a vain attempt at trying to gloss life up.

There are praise songs but not of the generic kind. These songs, As Long as I Live comes to mind, are honest attempts at living a life that honors God in this messed up place we live in. On the bands website they play down themselves as ‘heroes’ of any kind and desire to point the message to the King of Kings.

The production values are strong with some top notch tones. Enemy has a tight and strong sound which is punchy and deliberate. The guitars are up front and demand your attention.

If you want some strong hard rock n roll, with lyrical content above the norm, Fivestar Prophet's Enemy should be in your purchasing sights. Youngside Records are the North America label and have found another gem from across the Atlantic. Enemy is hard edged stuff that should appeal to a large swath of the music community.

7 axes.

GRAVE ROBBER - EXHUMED

Well those robbers of your bad dreams from Indiana have unleashed another collection of spine chilling whimsy. Grave Robber delivers again and shows that they mean business. Their punky metal ala The Misfits, is a sure fire combination to cross many musical genres.

Exhumed is the title of their latest. Currently a download only, there is a very limited CD pressing that you might still be able to get in on. Several re-recorded songs appear here, Altered States, Army of The Dead as well as some demo versions of I, Zombie and Screams of the Voiceless. There are some slight arrangement changes and Army of the Dead has a bit more of a swinging vibe to it.

Some new songs are here as well, Fill This Place with Blood, They Hate You are two examples. However they’re not the only newbie’s to appear, Lion of Judah is a full on punk crossover barn burner that shows Grave Robber is able to put a strong melody in just about anything. Crank this one and play it loudly, I see a ghoulish pit starting already!

11 songs in total provide a pure sonic adrenaline rush that will definitely have you cheering and screaming in delight before the end. Their version of ‘The Grinch’ appears as well and is so much fun that I often forget these were the guys who threatened me with Shovel.

Now Wretched all I said was it looked like his handle was broken, I didn’t mean to insult your customization of Shovels lower appendage but it was an honest mistake.

The production on a few of tracks is a little uneven, but those tracks are labeled DEMO, so there shouldn’t be any complaining. Just a little FYI if you know what I mean. About half the release are demo versions and about half are the full monty.

Exhumed is a nice way to tide the faithful over until their next full length album release. It’s my hope that it comes sooner rather than later. Of final note is that you MUST see them live. I had a chance last year and wasn’t disappointed in the least. Quite honestly my appreciation of them went sky high. Grave Robber are a fantastic band, an original concept that digs deep, in the well of spiritual allegory.

8 axe….