Brock’s 2 CENTS – JUNE 2021

Time is just flying by like usual! June is a wrap for this year. Yup, half the year is already gone… But, things are getting back to normal as in concerts and tours are being announced for August and the fall, I’m super excited! I’ve already got my tickets for JUDAS PRIEST, EXHUMED, NAPALM DEATH and more! Here are my reviews of recently released albums that I think you should know about. Forget about these in-depth reviews, I’m bringing you quick reviews on multiple releases to help you guide your way through the METAL world today!
BASICALLY THIS IS JUST MY OPINION, LIKE IT OR NOT…
Ratings: [0(sucks) to 5(awesome)]
{Format: Band – album title = rating |label |style of metal. review}


HELLOWEENHelloween = 4/5 |Nuclear Blast |Power Metal
I’m a fan of power metal but I really only like about 12 to 15 bands within the genre. I mostly like the bands who established/started this genre and HELLOWEEN is one the originals that (mostly, besides 2 albums) has constantly brought us good album after good album. Their last album that came out 6 years ago My God-Give Right was one of their better releases. Then after a few years, all 3 vocalists HELLOWEEN every had returned into the fold and released a single called “Pumpkins United”, along with a tour. This was praised by fans worldwide. Now we get a full length with all 3 vocalists and basically HELLOWEEN wrote a great HELLOWEEN album. They didn’t push the boundaries, no experimentation, just a solid well written album that you’d expect. Helloween is definitely in the vein of the last few albums. If you’re looking for something new then you’re gonna be disappointed but if you want a enjoyable, accessible album to jam to? The new album is just that! A comfortable and familiar sound that HELLOWEEN has been putting out for years! I personally enjoyable this album a lot, now yeah, it could be a bit more aggressive or heavier, but these songs are catchy as hell and will be stuck in your head for days later. With every spin Helloween grows on you which makes this release really something special. This is what power metal should be, you won’t find any cheesy crap here as most PM bands do nowadays. This will be in my top albums of this year! HELLOWEEN fans will go crazy over this and PM fans need to check this out! 12 tracks, 7 are killer and 4 are good.
ffo: JUDAS PRIEST, BLIND GUARDIAN, IRON MAIDEN, GAMMA RAY, HAMMERFALL

FEAR FACTORYAggression Continuum = 1.5/5 |Nuclear Blast |Industrial/Groove Metal
Seven years later, after all the legal battles, we finally get a new album and the last one with Burton C. Bell. Like most metal heads I’m a fan of FEAR FACTORY, the first 2 albums (Soul of A New Machine/Demanufacture) are classics, then the next 2, very influenced by nu-metal (Obsolete/Digimortal) were OK, then the return (IMO); Archetype was f’n incredible and should’ve been the follow up to Demanufacture, but after that just mediocrity on the next 4 albums of so-so music. From the album Transgression to the last one Genexus is a formula of one or two good songs and the rest is blah. I was hoping this new one would be a return to old but nope. This is probably the best one they’ve put out since Transgression but doesn’t even come close to anything compared to the albums Soul of a New Machine to Archetype. So, the good, Burton C. Bell sounds amazing; pissed, angry and his clean singing is on point but he’s gone now. The bad, the music… nothing new, all too familiar, sounds like left over B-sides tracks and one song is straight up a Demanufacture riff rip off. I’ve seen some good reviews on this album and I don’t get it. I listen to FEAR FACTORY a lot even a few tracks off the last albums that I don’t like much, but Aggression Continuum is just the same ole same ole boringness and is easily interchangeable with the last few boring albums. OVERALL, Burton C. Bell is the highlight of Aggression Continuum and I have not clue what FEAR FACTORY is going to be without him! I hate to be that negative guy but Dino when it comes to FEAR FACTORY – Time to take old yeller out back and put it down! 10 tracks, 2 are killer and 4 are OK.
ffo: PISSING RAZORS, MINISTRY, MACHINE HEAD, DIVINE HERESY, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD

UNFATHOMABLE RUINATIONDecennium Ruinae = 3.5/5 |Willowtip |Technical Brutal Death Metal
Come to think about it, it’s quite impressive UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION has kept true to their sound with only drummer Doug Anderson and guitarist Daniel Herrera left as original members. The new EP Decennium Ruinae is no different, crushing technical brutality delivered like from your favorite pizza place on time when promised. The first track is a re-recorded song from their original 2010 demo and the rest are original. From straight up brutality to breakdowns to razor sharp technicality to sheer unrelenting savagery this 19+ minute EP will having you hitting the play button every time it ends. Decennium Ruinae is damn good and shows why UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION is top tier brutal tech DM! This is a must! 4 tracks, 2 are killer and 2 are good!
ffo: DEFEATED SANITY, ABNORMALITY, KATALEPSY, TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE

IMPALED NAZARENE Eight Headed Serpent = 3/5 |Osmose |Black Metal
Seven years since their last album, spanning a 30 year existence, album number 13, Eight Headed Serpent brings exactly what you’d expect; perverse and blasphemous BM with touch of punk and thrash influences. IMPALED NAZARENE is definitely one of my favorite when it comes to BM, they have been consistent from their start. Eight Headed Serpent has them returning to their strengths by combining the old with a touch of modern, there is a strong vibe of the Latex Cult and Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz albums on here. When you exist for three decades and put out albums in the double digits it really is an incredible, almost god like, to release something that is worthy yet alone something near the top of your best albums. Basically you can definitely rely IMPALED NAZARENE bringing an album of evil blasphemy and vicious headbanging riffs! This is IMPALED NAZARENE, no other statement needed! 13 tracks, 4 are killer and 5 are good!
ffo: CARPATHIAN FOREST, BEHERIT, MARDUK, NIFELHEIM, AURA NOIR

NEPHREN-KAFrom Agony to Transcendence = 3.25/5 |Dolorem |Brutal Death Metal
I remember hearing this band a few year back with their debut album and didn’t like it due to it sounding too ORIGIN-esque. Now with the growth of these quick reviews I got sent the new album from NEPHREN-KA so I decided to revisit all the albums. The debut EP and first album The Fall of Ominous I’m still not a fan of but their sophomore album La Grande Guerre de L’epice finally turned a corner. NEPHREN-KA found their own sound and put out an album that was really good. From Agony to Transcendence is the third installment from the band and basically they taken the savagery of early NILE with the technicality of ORIGIN and sprinkle in a bit of HIDEOUS DIVINITY and that’s what you’re going to get with this new album. The production is a little bit muddy or dirty (you can say) but you can still hear everything. From Agony To Transcendence is a major improvement for the band and stakes their flag on the mountain of DM for you to definitely take the time to check this album out! This is their best album so far! If excessive speed, pummeling brutality and technicality are what you love in DM, then this is for you! 9 tracks, 3 are killer and 5 are good.
ffo: NILE, ORIGIN, HIDEOUS DIVINITY, OMNIHILITY, HATE ETERNAL

TERRA ODIUMNe Plus Ultra = 4/5 |Frontiers |Progressive Metal
There are a few musicians out there that no matter what they’re involved in I’m going to check it out . TERRA ODIUM has two! Everyone knows Steve DiGiorgio (DEATH, SADUS, etc..) on bass and you should know, Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect, Scariot, etc) on drums, both are bad-asses and note-worthy of anything they do so you get both in one band…uh, hell yeah, I’m all in! Ne Plus Ultra is f’n great! Progressive metal but very technical yet melodic, I’d describe it as a thinking man’s progressive metal. Might not be for everyone. Delivering a fine line of complicated but not so busy you don’t lose the soul of the song. I definitely dig this, it’s an enjoyable listen from start to finish. A must for fans of progressive metal! 7 tracks, 4 are killer and 2 are good!
ffo: SPIRAL ARCHITECT, TWISTED INTO FORM, PSYCHOTIC WALTZ, CANDLEMASS, LINEAR SPHERE

GENERAL SURGERYLay Down and Be Counted = 3.5/5 |Unsigned |Goregrind
Nine years after their last EP Like an Ever Flying Limb, GENERAL SURGERY returns to reminds us these medical surgeons have been wearing the mask since 1990 and are still leading the way in goregrind! Lay Down and Be Counted is another great slab of songs from one of my favorite bands in this genre. Only gripe is that this is a digital release and I can’t put my hands on it! They don’t stray too far and just deliver the goods as expected on this new EP. GENERAL SURGERY doesn’t disappoint, they remain pungently sick as ever. 7 tracks, 3 are killer and 4 are good!
ffo: CARCASS, EXHUMED, REGURGITATE, HAEMORRHAGE, AUTOPSY, DEAD INFECTION

DODSRITMortal Coil = 3/5 |Unsigned |Black Metal
A newer sorta-Atmospheric BM band from Sweden bringing us their third album Mortal Coil. Their self titled debut album was damn good and a strong effort in the genre. The sophomore album, Spirit Crusher, in my opinion was a typical sophomore slump album. Mortal Coil comes in incredibly effectively with second wave BM roots with less of crust punk vibe and enough melodic riffs to make this album memorable. Mortal Coil definitely abandoned the D-Beats/crust punk off the sophomore album for more accessible elements/cleaner guitar tones like you’d hear in KATATONIA. The debut album is still my favorite but Mortal Coil gave it a run for its money. 4 tracks, 2 are killer and 1 is OK.
ffo: MGLA, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, SPECTRAL WOUND, WOODS OF DESOLATION

NINKHARSAGThe Dread March of Solemn Gods = 3/5 |Vendetta |Black Metal
The sophomore offering from this UK BM band that is way better than their debut! If you like second-wave BM
with a melodic vibe that this is the band for you. By the cover you’d think this would be a DISSECTION clone which it does have a vibe but there’s more to it here that will give you the back in the day feels. The Dread March of Solemn Gods is enjoyable the way they created melodic yet catchy riffs with impact similar to back in the day but it’s definitely not recreating the wheel here. The downfall of this album is it’s not pushing creativity far enough for the year 2021. Everything here you’ve kind of heard before and the band really needs to explore and expand their own sound for future releases. Even with that being said, it’s still a good listen and will have you head-banging throughout. 9 tracks, 1 instrumental, 4 are killer and 2 are ok.
ffo: DISSECTION, IMMORTAL, SACRAMENTUM, AURORA BOREALIS, NAGLFAR

SOUL GRINDERLifeless Obsessions = 2.25/5 |MDD |Death Metal
The sophomore effort from this newer German band bringing the old school heart of DM to the modern sound. Their debut album, Chronicles of Decay, was very good and entertaining. Lifeless Obsessions, their new EP, brings more of the same from their blasting attack to groovy riffs without straying too far from the core of their sound. This new EP is not better than the debut but offers some promise from future endeavors.With SOUL GRINDER, there is a pure essence of classic Euro DM but mixed with the modern sound.  5 tracks, 1 is killer and 3 are OK.
ffo: FLESHCRAWL, ZYKLON, ENDSEEKER, REVEL IN FLESH, OBSCENITY, ENTOMBED

FUNERAL VOIDIn the Epic Ov a Funeral Sunset = 2.75/5 |Unsigned |Melodic Doom/Death Metal
A new band from Norway of female fronted melodic doom. I don’t listen to this style often but I do enjoy it every now and then. This is a great debut as FUNERAL VOID combines doom with just enough aggressive melodic DM to keep this album head-bang-able and enjoyable without getting so slow it puts you to sleep. I’m not a fan of funeral doom or very slow doom. In the Epic Ov a Funeral Sunset is just the right pace to keep my interests along with great female vocals that feels soothing to the hear. Definitely worth checking out if you like female front doom or the bands listed below. 7 tracks, 3 are killer and 1 is good.
ffo: PARADISE LOST, DRACONIAN, TREES OF ETERNITY, MY DYING BRIDE, ANATHEMA

FACELIFT DEFORMATIONPath to Retribution = 2.25/5 |Brutal Mind |Slam Death Metal
The third offering from FACELIFT DEFORMATION is their new EP Path To Retribution which is four tracks of unsophisticated & uncompromisingly brutal slam DM. They definitely ride the fine line of what slam should be and the over saturated ‘slam-core’ of lazy brutal riff, breakdown, brutal riff, breakdown formula that you’d hear from bands like EPICARDIECTOMY or VULVODYNIA. Their debut album was ok and the sophomore release Cybernetic Organism Atrocities was a huge step in the right direction as the album weeded itself from the other bands in the genre to a worthy listening.  Path of Retribution I had high hopes it would thrust them into the higher echelon of brutal slam but it didn’t. It kind of stayed the same as the last album. If you’re into brutal slam its definitely worth listening to but I expected more. 4 tracks, 1 is killer and 2 is ok.
ffo: MAGGOT COLONY, ABOMINABLE PUTRIDITY, ANALEPSY, ORGANECTOMY, INGESTED

GAULDARReforge = 2/5 |Independent |Sludge/Stoner Metal
Normally I don’t review demos, just EPs and full lengths but these are buddies on mine so here it is. GAULDAR is a new sludge/stoner metal project with 3 tracks on this demo and all 3 a bit different in the genre. A decent production here with a dirty sound but adds to the style of music. The first track is similar to the groovy bands in the genre as in ORANGE GOBLIN, MELVINS, ACID BATH, etc., then track 2 is a quick more punk based kick in the face and then it’s done. Track 3 is more of the droning sludge you’d hear from BORIS, KHANATE, SUNN O))), etc. A decent debut, if you like this type of music. I’d like to hear form them! 3 tracks, 1 is good and 1 is OK.
ffo: EYEHATEGOD, MELVINS, ORANGE GOBLIN, ACID BATH, BORIS, CROWBAR

 

AllegaeonDODSRITFACELIFT DEFORMATIONFEAR FACTORYFUNERAL VOIDGAULDERGENERAL SURGERYHELLOWEENIMPALED NAZARENENINKHARSAGsoul grinderTERRA ODIUMUNFATHOMABLE RUINATION
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