It would be redundant to label End Reign an angry band. Metal tends to breed a dime a dozen of those. And metallic hardcore isn’t a previously untapped subgenre. Besides, the two have probably worked in tandem long before we subdivided every possible combination for the sake of clarity.
Before we proceed with this review of Weeping Choir (Relapse), the latest in a long series of attempts at deafness by Full of Hell, I’d like to make a statement: more saxophones in metal. Buried in the cacophony of notes that is the latter half of ‘Ygramul the Many’ is what I perceive to be sax fighting its way through the mix and I am all in for those wonderful sounds. Between Rivers of Nihil masterfully incorporating it into last year’s Where Owls Know My Name and now this, I need more sax in my life. Continue reading
Baltimore grind band Noisem has completed their new album, their third, Cease To Exist. Due out on March 15th via 20 Buck Spin, the album promises to be another banger from this rising band. Check out their new single, ‘Eyes Pried Open’ right now. It slays! Continue reading
Max Cavalera announced back in April that Soulfly would be performing Nailbomb‘s Point Blank album in its entirety later this year, and the tour has finally been announced.Continue reading
Castle Freak are a simple death metal group, but they do a nice job setting themselves apart from the rest of the genre with their Human Hive EP (Self Released). While fun is a word you normally wouldn’t associate with a genre like death metal, this EP has an undeniable sense of enjoyment. From the sampling, which includes horror quotes and scattered Extreme Champion Wrestling commentary, to the breakneck pace of the music, it’s just a great time.
Vocalist Andrew Gigan manages to not sound generic, with a hardcore punk styled delivery spicing up his vocals. Combined with absolutely insane drumming done by former Noisem member Sebastian Phillips and shredding guitars courtesy of both Gigan and Zak Carter, this EP has plenty to appreciate from a technical standpoint.
However, there are sore spots on this EP. The first is the overuse of samples on the release. Every single track uses them, often right at the start of the song. Samples aren’t a bad thing, but some just seemed unnecessary. I can understand them starting the release as it set the chaotic mood, or the use of air raid sirens in the middle of ‘Toxic Winds’ to build atmosphere, but there is just too many samples on this EP and it overall soils the experience. Another gripe about this EP is the lack of much new material. Two tracks are rerecorded versions of songs off the bands previous two releases, and another is a cover of a classic death metal track from Impetigo. This leaves only two new songs on the EP. Admittedly the redone tracks sound miles ahead of the previous versions, but it still is kind of a bummer that only two of the five tracks on this release are new.
Overall, despite my complaints with this release, I can’t help but recommend this band to all death metal fans. The overuse of samples is more than worth sitting through for the insane talent on showcase, as this really is some of the most memorable death metal I’ve heard in a while. If nothing else, everyone should just give ‘Toxic Winds’ a listen as it’s 3 minutes of metal excellence, and the only time on the EP where bassist Ben Anft really gets a chance to shine and isn’t simply lost in the madness. It is the standout track on this release, and shows exactly how good this band can be.
7.0/10
MATTHEW BLANCHARD
Dying Fetus, Nails, Misery Index, Deceased, Noisem, Horrendous, Magrudergrind and Taphos Nomos will be participating on the Choosing Death Fest at Union Transfer in Philadelphia,PA on Saturday, April 16, 2016.
The Obscene Extreme America Fest has added more acts to this year’s lineup, happening August 20-23, 2015 in Montreal, QC:
Fatal Flaw
The Drip
Noisem
Homewrecker
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Iron Reagan
Iron Reagan has announced a number of upcoming tours, including runs in Australia, UK/Europe and the East Coast of the US. They are supporting their debut album The Tyranny of Will out now via Relapse Records.
Stream the record below.
Bassist Land Phil on touring Europe.
“I am very excited to bring IRON REAGAN to all you crazy head bangers across the ocean. We have been busy as hell these past two years touring the US and Canada and have yet to get the opportunity to go overseas and play in front of some of the greatest audiences in the world. Prepare for some raging, out of control, cross-over insanity!”
Front man Tony Foresta about hitting the UK:
“IRON REAGAN’s first trip to the UK!!!! And to top it off a gig in London at one of my all time favorite venues with legends Terrorizer. I’m greatly looking forward to seeing so many old friends as well as bringing Iron Reagan to a whole new audience. I’m going to fill up on so much food at Cookies and Scream in Camden that I will most likely barf it all up later that night at the Crobar. Can’t wait!”
Apr 07: Yours and Owls – Wollongong, NSW (AUS)
Apr 08: Crowbar – Brisbane, QLD (AUS)
Apr 09: Cambridge Hotel – Newcastle, NSW (AUS)
Apr 10: Bald Face Stag – Sydney, NSW (AUS)
Apr 11: The Tote – Melbourne, VIC (AUS)
Apr 17: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery – Richmond, VA
Apr 30: Les 4 Ecluses – Dunkerque (FR)
May 01: Groezrock Festival – Meerhout (BE)
May 02: Nantes Hardcore Festival – Nantes (FR)
May 04: La Tannerie – Bourg En Bresse (FR)
May 05: TBC – Schweiz (DE)
May 06: Underground – Koln (DE)
May 07: Bastard Club – Osnabruck (DE)
May 08: Cassiopeia – Berlin (DE)
May 09: JUZ Live Club – Andernach (DE)
with Angel Du$t and Noisem
May 28: Metro – Baltimore, MD
May 29: Now That’s Class – Cleveland, OH
May 30: Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL (with Ringworm)
May 31: Gooski’s – Pittsburgh, PA (with Knife)
Jun 02: Bug Jar – Rochester, NY
Jun 03: Great Scott – Boston, MA
Jun 04: Saint Vitus – New York, NY
Jun 05: Black Box @Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA
Jun 06: TBA – Richmond, VA
Jun 18: Copenhell 2015 – Copenhagen (DK)
Jun 19: Patronaat – Haarlem (NT)
Jun 20: Dokk’em Open Air – Hiausterdyk (NL)
Jun 21: Hellfest – Clisson (FR)
Jun 23: Warm Audio – Lyon (FR)
Jun 24: TBA – Sadenia (IT)
Jun 25: Solomacello Festival – Milano (IT)
Jun 26: Traffic Club – Roma (IT)
Jun 27: Freakout Club – Bologna (IT)
Jun 28: Mostovna – Nova Gorica (SL)
Jul 01: TBA – Antwerpen (BE)
Jul 02: Hall of Fame – Tilburg (NL)
Jul 03: Vainstream – Münster (DE)
Jul 04: Mighty Sounds Festival – Tabor (CZ)
Jul 08: The Exchange – Bristol (UK)
Jul 09: Think Tank – Newcastle (UK)
Jul 10: Audio – Glasgow (UK)
Jul 11: Star & Garter – Manchester (UK)
Jul 12: The Underworld – London (UK) (co-headline w/ Terrorizer LA)
Jul 16: Devilstone Festival – Giedriai (LT)
Jul 17: Resurrection Fest – Viveiro (ES)
Jul 18: Xtreme Fest – Albi (FR)
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