Metal Reviews

Yeah, I just recently came accross some bands from the US that I REALLY liked, and previously was completely oblivious to. Hell, one's even from my homestate, and I just found out about them today. I've heard a limited amount from each band, but I can tell you they all have some solid material. So, now I'll share them with you... And please don't shoot me if you know about them already. :shock: <----(Bernie Mac glare)

Okay, first on the list:

Serpent Lord - Epic black metal with some vague similarities to... prolly Bathory. They basically make you think epic war, but without folkiness. It's more like they tap into US metal history for their "folky-epicness." I heard something off Battle Horns, and was really impressed. Evidently, The Order of the Snake is the real eye opener though.

Next:

Satan's Almighty Penis - Yeah, keep laughing. But, in reality, they play a pretty good tune. They have that real experimental attitude, and obviously this album is a stab at black metal, similar to how Velvet Cacoon took a stab at BM's kvltness factor. Come to think of it, they sound like a non-minimalist Velvet Cacoon, with random influences that kinda baffle me. They have one release that's findable. Into the Cunt of Chaos. Supposedly, if you buy this, you'll be getting two songs that mock the BM genre, then two filler, voice over, intro-like pieces, and THEN 4 VERY solid songs. I've heard some of the good, and I'm digging it.

Then the Black Thrash:

Baresark - I heard a song off their 5 way split with 4 other mediocre bands, and I was extremely impressed, because this had me headbanging from the start. A thrashter-blaster, with BM vox, and leads that shine like NWOBHM/Power metal solos... emotional leads. Really enticing for me, maybe not you. Ain't no Sabbat or Metalucifer, YET. But like all the bands I've been mentioning, VERY young band. Infantile even. PUNKY! Punky was a word I was looking for to describe their aura... Ah well, I already wrote that huge block, just keep the punk intensity in mind.

And the honorable mention:

Blood Cult - Okay, okay, okay, they won't be the greatest band you hear from out of this pack. But, they are kinda cool, and they even bear their Illinoisan pride proudly, making vague references to cornstalks similarly to how Taake makes references to nature. And they are the next best thing when compared to their peers from Rusty Axe Records, where I found all of these acts.

Oh, and for anyone into Mordern Black Modern Thrash, or as this site calls it... Symphonic Black Metal, maybe give this band that used to be Serpent Lord's act called Ceremonial Castings a try. Death metal fans will prolly like them more...

http://www.rustyaxerecords.com/RUSTYAXE.HTM

Hope you guys enjoy.

Oh, and the only reason I posted this is because I'm sick of feeling like Velvet Cacoon, some Xasthur, and Judas Iscariot (to an extent) are the only good US BM bands. I hope these acts will prove the US is worth more than 3 BM bands. (Of course, then again... we still have the best thrash.)

there's still a whole lot bands to be found in the US

here's some other bands that i like, besides Judas Iscariot and Velvet Cacoon, Xasthur.. imo Krieg also belongs those bands, if you know what i mean :

Leviathan
Nachtmystium... these two bands probably also go along with the above mentioned, as the most noticed bands from USA

Anu
Aesthenia
Veil
Weltmacht
Toil
Draugar
Sapthuran

and then there's Crimson Moon, that i like to some extend... and i've only heard a bit from the Lurker of Chalice album, that got lot's of praise around the world...

My contribution to this thread:

Cryptic Winds
Twilight

\m/ \m/

So underrated! And what the hell happened to them?

No fucking clue. They just released that wonderful minialbum and... just disappeared.

aren't Absu american?

What about Sanctus? They're from the U.S. too right? Their album Aeon Sky is pretty good. Curious to know about their other albums.

Nightbringer. Their split with Temple of Not is out and it's a great album, be sure to pick it up.

Nachtmystium, Draugar... right, right... Goddamn, forgot to mention these little gems from the US. Hee hee... My bad. (I'm really embarrassed because I own Demise and Weathering the Curse)

Never heard any of these:
Anu
Aesthenia
Veil
Weltmacht
Toil
Sapthuran
Sanctus

I'll change that soon.

Rusty Axe does have some good stuff on it. If you go to their EBay storefront you can find CD's for $1-$4! But, for every good band they offer, ther's two that are just 15 year-olds playing incoherently in their Mother's basement. Sampling is a MUST if you plan on buying from them. Satan's Allmighty Penis is an excellent band, despite their sophmoric name.

Astaroth,

Anu
Aesthenia
Veil
Weltmacht
Toil
Sapthuran

I was only able to sample Weltmacht, Anu, and Sapthuran, but only Sapthuran really perked my brow. Weltmacht wasn't terrible. Could I be a sonova bitch and ask you to describe Toil, Veil, and Aesthenia? How good are they? Maybe a sample in my email... you know, the basics... The basics that make me look like a selfish jerk.

Oh, and another band... not from the US mind you, but one you've mentioned, Kaelte. Could I bother you to give me an idea of what they're like, too?

well... the best bands from that list is imo Weltmacht and Toil
... and i'm very sorry, but i can't descripe how they sound, heh.. i was actually looking for a sample with Toil for you, but the link didn't work any longer

but ok, i'll try to explain: ... Kaelte is minimalistic crap! don't bother with it Veil is in the vein of Burzum, Toil is .. uhm... a bit like Ildjarn, i guess, with more viarity and other "influences"... Aesthenia is also somewhat raw and "bouncy"... Anu sounds a bit like Vinterriket/ambient on some of the tracks while others are black that sounds like Velvet Cacoon...

Birkenau, Vrolok and not to forget Procer Veneficus!!

American black metal is a mood killer. Its a myth. But anyway this silly blek metal movement got out of hand pretty badly lately so i guess now america has some blek metal gold mines LOL.

What on earth are you talking about? :?

hehe nothing man, nothing



....i have one scene from Return of the king jumped on my mind .... when frodo waves sudenly and leaves to unknown shores. There is no place for him anymore......that is like scene from now days fucking bLeKK mEEta1.
And thats why all the sincere bands are leaving this debilitating internet thing.
Back to manufactures....internet crew needs to feed now.


...this is an extreme weird view to some maybe but i dont care

Texas, to be exact. They are fucking awesome, too.

Very nice, but they aren't USBM. More like an extreme metal hybrid.

Just tell us what you are on.