We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
SCAR SYMMTERY Noumenon and Phenomenon
Since 2005, 'Scar Symmetry' have won the hearts and souls of all who've heard
them. Melting melodic death metal with deep growls, stunning clean vocals,
fearsome shredding and impressive solos.
After the departure of vocalist "Christian Alvestorm" fans have been wondering
who would fill the large hole. The answer came in the form of not one, but two
new vocalists 'Roberth "Robban" Karisson for the harsh growl vocals and "Lars
Palmqvist for the clean stunning vocals. Who needs 'Christian' when you can
replace him with superb talent.
Seriously, this is an awesome master piece of what metal is all about. Utilising
two vocalists for ease of generic sounds has to be a top idea. You can sing
along with 'Lars' and then go completely 'Lamb of God' style nuts for 'Robbans'
dirtiness.
On top of that, you will experience a high influx of shear shred heaven and fast
dramatic proper drums without the use of a drum machine. Liking a release on its
first listen is very hard to come by and believe me, this had me hooked within
the first 30 seconds of listening - I will be blasting this out in my car, oh
yes, I will.
Buy it, download it, steal it - whatever you have to do to get a listen of this
- do it now! Emo's don't waste your time; this is for the big proper boys and
girls who appreciate proper metal. *****
Review by The Fluffmeister
RAMMSTEIN Double A-Side
single release: Pussy/Rammlied
"Rammstein" are Germany's most successful rock act and return to the scene with
a brand new double A-side single. The band's sixth studio album 'Leibe Ist Fur
Alle Da' ('Love Is There For All Of Us') will be hitting the shops on 19th
October 2009. You can pre-order the limited edition box sets at most reputable
stores, or on Rammstein's internet store page.
It is finally here, I have been waiting far too long for the "Rammers" to get
back in the studio and finally release some new material. I do hope I am not
going to be disappointed!
First up "Rammlied" which is your traditional heavy industrial Rammstein release
that involves the chorus "Rammstein, Rammstein"- no doubt this track will be the
new anthem sung by all us lovers of the "Ram" and I would expect this track to
be the opening music of the up and coming shows.
Not for the faint hearted or young children "Pussy" is a song, about.....
well....Ladies parts and what Rammstein would like to do with it, as he has a
*ahem* mans part to use with it and he wants to be quick!
You will also be glad, to know, well, I was glad, this track is
mostly sung in English, so be warned, you will, I promise, be singing "Pussy"
wherever you go...don't sing it at Grandma's house!. This track isn't as heavy
as most Rammstein tunes, but is a top hoot and very catchy. I've heard it 3
times and I am already upsetting my better half with the constant repeat of the
chorus "You've got a Puuuuussssssseeeeyyyy".
Nothing really new on the sound front, Rammstein stick to what they know best -
industrial metal with a hint of comedy.
Check out the limited edition box set of Pussy, which includes 6 dildos and
plenty of Rammstein lube and you can also catch Rammstein on tour ...Fluff will
be there, so come out and play!
February 2nd 2010 at MEN Arena Manchester
February 3rd at LG Arena Birmingham
February 4th at Wembley Arena London
****½
Review by The Fluffmeister
RED MIST Last Dance Before
Doomsday EP
'Red Mist' originally formed in 2006 with a goal of creating truly brutal
heavy metal and for the last 2 years Gibbzy (Vocals), Justin (Guitar), Jass
(Bass) and Marco (Drums) have been building up a steady fan base.
At the start of 'Descent into Chaos' I did question the vocal ability against
the brutal drum and guitar work, vocalists who attempt filthy growls need to
practice hard, drink plenty of whiskey and smoke allot to achieve the full on
brutal dark vocals needed., 'Gibbzy' is half way there but regardless of the
practice needed, it is truly sang with heart felt emotion and fits quite nicely.
'Devil with Angel Wings' has got to be the best rack on this EP, its heavy,
filthy, catchy and will kick your shiznee into next week, I dread to think how
harsh a mosh pit would be for these guys, due to the fact that is so brutal and
heart felt; I can see plenty of fans doing anything possible to release their
angst. Karate kicking, Emo arm swings or your severe head banging and pushing by
regular metal goers like me. Go careful in that pit! Vocally, this track is
immense, the drum work is awesomely fast and it even has rhythm!
I was expecting "War Drums" to be mostly heavy and fast drum work, it is heavy
but no where near as fast as it could be. For some reason I also expected this
track to have a "Sepultura" vibe (the masters of war drums), and it does it some
ways but 'Red Mist have also achieved their own sound to throw into the mix,
along with a very catchy guitar line.
'Crack Addict Logic' is not so original, but good grief, the drums and guitar
work are so fast there is no way this track could appear on any Rock band/Guitar
Hero game, unless you are named "Joey Jordison" or "Kerry King".
Quite impressed with this release and as these guys will be touring the UK soon,
I blooming well want to be there! ****
Review by The
Fluffmeister
CASTROVALVA Thug Poetry
Are you ready for something entirely different?
'Thug Poetry' is 'Castrovalva's second release on Brew and the follow up to
their self titled mini-album. This release sees the introduction of the new
permanent member "Leemun Smith" on vocals. 'Castrovalva' have been around since
2007 and continue to experiment with sounds and push their boundaries.
The release starts with a passionate tirade of swear words by an African
American, followed by guns shots and a squeaky sexy guitar intro; followed by a
punk style banging of the drums.
Vocalist "Leemun" reminds me of 'Michael Jackson' crossed over with "Jack White"
from the 'White Stripes'. The sound in parts is harsh, bass driven rock with
various pop overtones with a very varied influence from great acts such as
'Prince', 'N.W.A', 'Notorious BIG', 'Lightning Bolt', 'Hella', 'Arab on radar',
'Death From Above 1979' and 'Oxes'.
'Castrolvalva' will be on tour in November and you check out their sounds and
tour dates by heading over to:
www.myspace.com/castrovalvamusic
A varied eclectic taste in music is needed for this band and I dare you to cross
on over to the other side... ****
Review by Fluffmeister
GRIEVING AGE In Aloof Lantern, Thy Bequeathed A Wailer Quietus (EP)
"Grieving Age" are an unsigned Doom/Death metal band from Saudi Arabia who
formed in 2003.
You have to love the doom metal genre in its entirety to possibly appreciate
this rather lyrically original yet, strange release.
It's dark, brutal and Ahmed Shawli's vocals would scare your Grandma into
submission with his growly taunts of the dark side.
However, I am sat here with a slight grimace/confused look of what I am
reading/listening. With Lyrics such as "A menu of annals and vulvas, whet your
teeth and nails....Enter the gallery of remaining blood, secretions and
souls..." or "On tottering monolith I heard the congregates tintinnabulation,
sentenced to crawl, bereft of light, purging in mortal pus" (not for the faint
hearted) a passer's by ears would prick up and simply ask "what the **** is
this?"
Lyrically, some could say that the subjects are expressed well and covers the
story vividly...others would say, including me is "WHAT?" unless the lyrics are
held in front of you complete with a translator to understand them in the first
instance.
This review is hard, simply for the reason that I am dumbstruck by the attempted
'Coolness' of what "Grieving Age" are trying to achieve, or I am not intelligent
enough to understand the bizarre language spoken on this release.
According to the press release, metal fans in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon
love this release, but I wish it would stay where it belongs and stop the
annoyance of the "Get a life" feel I achieve when listening to this EP.
Other than the lyrics (which you will need to read to understand them anyway),
nothing new here just your standard Doom attempt that will not be missed.
Sorry, but this gets 0 out of 5 from the Fluffmeister and I hide deliberately
for not being educated in 'posh languages'.
Review by Fluffmeister
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