Potential Threat SF - Civilization Under Threat

To be released June 2013 under old School Records. Starting with a warning siren as an intro fitting for the album cover and name. My first impression is "this is a solid production". "The Threat of things to Come" completely take me back to the origins of metal, like Overkill, D.R.I., old Anthrax, and Exodus. Thrash riffing abound with maximum overload. "Stick To your Guns" like running into a war-zone, I enjoy the guitars the most, as I hear creative exchanges between rhythm and licks well executed. "In For The Kill" this track will be sticking in my head for time to come and content is heavy hitting and meaningful, a combination of catchy chorus and verse with a message to stand against greed and corruption. "Edge of Insanity", classic style of thrash happening here, I like the way the drums are kept imaginative through out. "Beneath The Surface", early Megadeth comes to mind when first listening to it, guitar doing dive bomb on the start is a good touch. Solo in this song is superb. "Behold The End", an amazing sounding twelve strings starts this song, it takes my full attention right away, reminiscent of Testament "The Ballad" but with its own flavor. Its a good break up in the album which shows the band can stay brutal even in a more melodic composition. "Written in Blood" is a song that allows the listener to hear how talented these guitar players are, at about the end mark riffing madness takes palce the will have you wanting much more. "Rise of the Apocalypse" want to hear some creative and solid bass playing than this song is one that you will want to spin, a perfect closer to this epic thrash, old school, metal assault. The band also has several EPs and full releases since 1990 so I encourage you to check those out as well.
~Artemortifica

Potential Threat MA

Weeping, Kneeling - Effigies

Self released May 2013. If you are looking for dark ambiance, atmospheric dark passages then you want to check out this album which is available for your listening pleasure at Bandcamp. Starting with the song "Procession" I get a good sense of the journey about to embark upon. "The Orthian" tech like drums are evident, setting a mood of void and emptiness. "Abandoned" clean strumming begins this track and is pleasing to my ears. "Nightdweller" we finally get to hear some distorted guitar, it paints a vast landscape before introducing drums and then builds into a dark composition with other effects intertwine. vocals a high and classic BM style. "A Plea" a bass effect kicks this one off, like exploring a cave or walking on a dak path through the woods and interesting listen. "On the Threshold" has to be my favorite track of the entier album, guitar riffs are really good and stick in my mind, drums are subtle yet effective. "For Ten years They Bled" title is good and painful sounding, there are many interesting sounds to explore in this song, a composition showing all sides of musical style in doom, drone, experimental. "A Hymn For The Departed", some guitar harmonies make this track stick in my mind, overall and intense an epic experience, I recommend for fans of doom, drone, dark atmospheric hymns you will not be disappointed.
~Artemortifica

Weeping, Kneeling BC

Frozen Hell - Rise EP

A five piece band from Traviso/Padova. Finally got a chance to sit and give this EP several listens. the first track is "Incoming Chaos", battle style drums prepare me for the onslaught that's to come. "Useless Memories" my first impression is "damn this sounds really good", guitars are lightning fast and are doing some intense compositions. "Face Me", I enjoy to hear a bass that does more than just follow the rhythm, in this song we hear several complex riffing provided by the bass, which is something I enjoy very much. The band is: Patrick - drums, Ronko - guitars, Michael - guitars, Tech - bass and Tazzo - vocals. Beginning in 2011 you made think these musicians must have together for far longer. The title track "Rise" is very brutal, many catchy hooks and features some solid doubles kicks on the drums, I can imaging this some impacting a mosh pit for live situations for sure. "Interrupted" is probably my favorite song, enjoy the vocals very much, guitars exchange some creative riffs in this track. "Until Daybreak" the first time I listen to this it reminded me of old In Flames or At The Gates, the way guitars trade harmonies is amazing and this is followed by some aggressive drums the have me banging my head each time I listen. Overall I recommend this album for metal fans of all generations both older and new, as you will find something to enjoy from these talented musicians.
~Artemortifica

Frozen Hell FB

The Mascaron - Beginnings EP

Conducting this review via the bands Soundcloud site. Mascaron is a five piece band from Latvia and UK. The cover to this album intrigues me, the cosmos an its vastness is always of great interest of mine so I particularly like this aspect and puts me in a metal readiness to experience their music. The first track "Out of Time" trance like intro leads into a solid rhythm and low end guitar with great tone. Vocals are both clean and deep. "Inside The Sun" tech style effect in the start, follow by a nice harmonize guitar layered with some very good vocals, I will be spinning this one for a while. "Serpents", at times remind me of Meshuggah or Fear Factory both which are some of my favorite. Production quality is excellent, all instruments are clear and balanced. "The Night Before", some of the rhythms are new in the way that are found in this generation of metal, which is not bad, its just that I hear this style quite a bit these days. In this particular song about half way in you will hear keyboards and guitar do a sweet exchange followed by clean guitar, I enjoy it very much and is a good break up in the composition, I will have to say this is my favorite track. "A Future Era", the last track, eerie style intro fits great, certainly a song that encompasses the atmosphere the band expressing from the cover, overall I recommend this EP for fans of Meshuggah or Fear Factory with a melodic flavor to their style, musically highly talented and  certainly a band that should stay on everyone's radar the coming years.
~Artemortifica

Mascaro FB

Sixpounder - Ruled by Anger

Three piece thrash metal band Sixpounder has been creating their brand of thrash metal since 2007 and this is their first album release, "Ruled by Anger" through Xreviews 2012. Stand for all Life, a hard hitter from the start, heavy guitars well executed rhythms. The title track Ruled by Anger is a hard driven experience mainly brought forth by the bass which has great production quality in the entire disc, there is also an official video for this song and it can be viewed on Youtube. Rise in Terror, almost reminds me of Megadeth in some parts, bass is doing some killer lines and we get to hear some fancy guitar work which is very good. The Marksman, probably my favorite song of this album, its begins with the entire rhythm section holding the main riffs and I got a very good idea of the skills both drums and bass player have from the moment I heard it. The One, this track will have you headbanging, a thrashy composition reminiscent of D.R.I. Get Insane, my mind is thinking of early Suicidal Tendencies through the majority of this song, well executed. Become A Saint, is the final song and I envision a big mosh pit beginning when performed in a live situation. The production is good, all the instruments are strong, I recommend for fans of D.R.I. early Anthrax, Overkill, or Suicidal Tendencies.   
~Frank G,
~Artemortifica
Publication in AEA zine #22

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Prayer of the Dying - In Silence And Grief We Decay

A Nekrogoat Heresy Production released in 2011. One man BM project from Iklin, Malta. Prayer of the Dying is Martin Ciappara and this album is "In Silence And Grief We Decay". At almost a full hour worth of music, you have to admire the conviction of this musician. The Intro leads us into the darkest realms of experience and brings in the first track Memento of Decay, very good quality all the levels are balanced, all instruments clear and distinct. King of Terrors, loving all the riffs on this song, its amazing all the layers combined at times reminds me of early Samael or Bathory. Besides all the regular instruments (drums,guitar,bass,vocals) there is also keyboards! yes Martin has composed every piece you hear and with amazing talent. Destitute Throne, a morbid atmosphere builds into a war like field, heavy rhythms and raw guitars with a mix of clean and BM style vocal duality. Dead Embers, straight to the point lyrics, memorable passages. Sheltering Cliffs, is an instrumental, its builds a battle like surrounding, a great musical piece. Wastelands, has a doom metal feel to it through the entire composition, almost  reminds me of early Paradise Lost, which is great since I am a fan of them. Destructive Minds, early Behemoth comes to mind when I hear this track, features some crunchy style riffs in the chorus parts. Two other full length albums by this project include; "Structures of Dying Matter" 2007, "From the Mouth of The Passing" 2008, "Ghastly Laments" EP 2008, "Turn to Dust in Agony" demo 2008, and several splits in between, Martin is a busy guy. I respect how much a single individual can accomplish and he truly is a testament to the DIY spirit. Back to the album. "Dripping Woods" is track number nine, and its a magnificent piece leading with a clean twelve string acoustic melody and building an enchanting dark atmosphere. "Slain in The Name of God", most likely my favorite song in the entire album, it is one I played on my stereo several times. there are many elements to it, from fast and aggressive to mid-pace mosh style riffs, along with dark keys to tie it all together, the song is an amazing composition. In conclusion my exploration of this band has been a surprising adventure and I recommend it for fans of early Samael, Bathory, Behemoth and Paradise Lost.
~Frank G. 
~Artemortifica
Publication in AEA zine #22

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Mists of Poveglia - Black Death Lazaretto

An ambient project exploring everything there is to know about winter. The composer is Lord Forneus and this album is roughly 46 minutes long without any vocals just pure sounds and compositions to make the listener feel the coldness of winter wrapped its frozen hands around them. So I imaging myself going to this island and freezing to death but not right away, a long treacherous journey encountering every cliff, mountain, iceberg, blizzards and more. This compilation is just part of many others that can be found by searching out the band. Black Death Lazaretto captured my imagination for a while. Plague Pit misery is a mesmerizing experience. You will never See through the Mists OF Poveglia, its true to its name as I feel trapped in the winter isolation with no return. There are several bonus tracks included on this disc in much the same atmosphere of long cold nights of isolation without much hope of survival. Recommended for fans of ambient, doom, or just adventures through winter island paths.
~Frank G.
Publication in AEA zine #22
~Artemortifica

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