Gore - Green Around The Gills

1.       Smashed To Pieces By Falling Faeces 2. Ebola Goruguay 3.Blackpool Pleasure Bitch 4.Rage Gauge 5.Pyropractor 6.Stabruary 14^th

An older release from 2004, Gore’s (aka Goruguay) ‘Green Around The Gills’ is definitely worth reviewing and highlighting the band’s efforts. Although this cd was released some years ago now, it has a very upto date sound, its release date being irrelevant. It could have been produced yesterday judging by the tracks on offer. As soon as the play button is pressed it is instantly obvious that Gore worship at the altar of Macabre, only slightly less ‘nursery rhyme’ sounding. Opening track ’Smashed to Pieces By Falling Faeces’ is an all-out death metal affair, the Macabre influence present, but not at the forefront of the sound.

 It’s only when track two ‘Ebola Goruguay’ opens up that truly things become Macabre-esque and the rest of the tracks follow the same structure and sound. There's a kind of 'hill billy' sound to the songs with the added 'nursery rhyme' approach. It’s a very niche and unique market that Gore are tapping into. With the Macabre sound and influence it’s kind of a marmite thing (you either love it or hate it). I have to say, I really like it. It's hard to describe Gore's sound without mentioning Macabre too much, but Macabre do have the ‘Murder Metal’ tag all to themselves and no one else has really tried to tap into this market for fear of being accused of copying them and not emulating what Macabre are doing. But, where Gore succeed is that yes, there is a heavy dose of Macabre to their sound, but there is also more to them. Intelligent song structures, memorable songs, very well played death metal with an excellent production. Gore don’t suffer the sometimes ‘very annoying high pitched vocals thing’ that puts a lot of listeners off Macabre, the band use more of a raspy vocal than a high pitched scream. Complemented by guttural backing vocals, it is the vocals that really bring the songs to life.  Add to that the quality of the guitar riffs which are all first rate, very catchy and very well played; these songs are guaranteed to get the old noodle nodding.

Each and every track is a highlight and it’s really refreshing to hear a band creating this style of music (albeit seven years ago) who’s name isn’t Macabre! Being an e.p. there are only 6 songs on offer, which is a shame as typical song length is around the two minute mark which means the e.p. just isn’t long enough. When it’s as enjoyable as this to listen to, you really want more tracks to listen to. Hopefully Gore will release something soon, because if their new material is anywhere near as good as this, it will be very well received. Unique to the UK scene, a good listen and recommended (even though it’s an old release).

7/10

Trifixion - A Utopia For The Damned

Pathologically Explicit Recordings - 2011

1.The Human Construct (Intro) 2.Fucked In Guttural Vortex 3.Delta 9 Messiah 4. In Nomine Patris 5. Bloodshot Porn 6.Showered In Glass In A World Of Shit 7. Serphant And The Rainbow 8. Whore Goddess 9. The Last Apocalypse 10. Freedom Of The Maladjusted.

Opening up with ‘The Human Construct’ which is an into track, samples from films are used effectively to create an eerie atmosphere. A clichéd way to introduce a cd, but its metal, we like it! ‘Fucked In Guttural Vortex’ is then unleashed, punching you full force in the face. This is brutal death metal played flawlessly. Obviously influenced by American death metal, it’s a very modern sound but with definite old school influences. There’s also a technical element to Trifixion’s arsenal, dual leads are supported by blasting drums in this track and they work really well. The technical passage almost has a progressive edge to it, but don’t let the word ‘progressive’ put you off, cos if brutal as fuck death metal is your thing, Trifixion will be right up your street! ‘Delta 9 Messiah’ slows the pace a little for the first twenty seconds of the track, but we then return to some really intricate, yet brutal riffing, again all backed up by some amazing drum work. The pace becomes unrelenting throughout this track, skipping from one crazed section to another, different time signatures used to great effect to give the song its ‘crazed’ feel.

The production is excellent, bass heavy as you would expect for a band in this genre. Clear and precise guitars lead the way, the rhythm section being evident in the amazing drum sound, the kick drums thundering along adding to the overall heaviness of the cd. When listening to this I am reminded of bands that have emerged from Greece such as Inveracity and Mass Infection who are both heavily influenced by the U.S Death Metal scene, yet still sound European. Trifixion do not sound ‘British’ if that makes sense, I’ve not heard a band from the UK sound like this before, which is actually a very good thing. It now shows we are capable of producing bands that can match, if not better the leaders in the genre such as the afore mentioned from Greece. ‘Bloodshot Porn’ is a track that stands out for me, it starts out with a great old school feel, groove inspired riffs following a mid-paced structure which then blasts the fuck out of the speakers. Technical and frenzied, the pace is then dropped slightly, no breakdowns or slam here though, just heavy as hell death metal riffing. ‘Showered In Glass In A World Full Of Shit’ also stands out, due to the variety of the track, all of Trifixions influences on show here, mixing the old school with the modern to create a monstrous track, Giuseppe’s vocals bellowing a guttural torrent of abuse, molesting your ears, it’s all good stuff!

‘Whore Goddess’ also shows off the bands old school influence, pinch harmonics a plenty, reminding me of Incantation, but as with all the tracks, the modern element to Trifixion’s sound is soon unleashed in an amazing deluge of awe-inspiring death metal. ‘Freedom Of The Maladjusted’ offered up an interesting surprise – a piano interlude! Strangely enough it didn’t sound out of place as the bands progressive edge accompanied the interlude. I’m not surprised these guys are signed to Pathologically Explicit Recordings, it is really professionally executed brutal death metal, technical, precise, old school but predominantly modern in its overall feel, it’s not hard to like this disc at all. This cd is very highly recommended, for me, a leader in the UK scene.

9/10

Regurgitate Life - Promo 2011

Self Released 2011

1.The Tempter 2. Diminish In The Shadow Of The Superior One

Currently a one man 'band' but with plans to add more members, Sammy Urwin, the man behind Regurgitate Life has released this promo which contains two tracks of solid death metal. There’s definitely an undercurrent of 'old-school' to these tracks, especially in the vocal delivery and the guitar riffing. It very hard to 'judge' a band basing your opinion on only two tracks though, theres never really enough time to get a feel for what RL is creating musically. However, the fact that there is one man behind these tracks is impressive, creating straight for the throat death metal, no frills, no real surprises, the way death metal is meant to be I guess! First track 'The Tempter' is a good solid death metal song, dipping from mid-paced rumble to crazed blast sections all topped with Sammy's Guttural roar. It is the vocals that gives this track that old-school feel, somehow reminding me of old school swedish death metal bands. However, it is the second track 'Diminish In The Shadow Of The Superior One' that impresses more, some variation is added to the vocals, guitars and overall song structure that definitely keeps the listener engaged. There’s also a melodic guitar interlude which works well.

 Unfortunately I'm not a fan of drum machines and these tracks reaffirm my dislike for them, the kick drum sound and 'feel' is so clinical and precise and way too high in the mix that you find yourself focusing on them too much and missing everything else the songs have to offer. Add to this that the vocals are way too high in the mix and I cant help feeling that Sammy has let the songs down with a poor mix, which is unfortunate, because behind the vocals and drums, there is some excellent death metal riffing. The guitars are just lost in the mix and you have to listen really hard to find them. If Sammy is looking to boost the ranks of RL with more musicians, it can only improve the overall appeal of the band and will bring the songs to life, especially with a drummer rather than a machine. Having said that, I am still really impressed with that fact that one man has created these tracks and has the balls to showcase them live.

Worth checking out. 6.5/10

Laceration - Promo 2011

Promo 2011 - Self Released

1. Traumatic Insemination 2. Gorging on Putrid Orifices 3. Human Tikka Masala

No fancy intros, no acoustic passages to gently bring us into the first track – its all out frenzied blasting as soon as you hit the play button. We’re treated to U.S style brutal death metal mixed with slam! The opening riff to ‘Traumatic Insemination’ reminiscent of Suffocation style blasting, but then the vocals open up a super guttural barrage similar to Disgorge (U.S). The vocals however are varied, using differing styles of growls, changing from one to the other which works brilliantly, no high pitched black metal style screaming here, Laceration are way to brutal to use them! ‘Gorging On Putrid Orifices’ is another beast of a song. The technical ability of the band is flawless, each member showing great precision and ability whilst playing their instruments. The end section to this song is more brutal than anything I have heard from a UK band to date.

Last track ‘Human Tikka Masala’ starts off at a crawl, showing off the bands ‘slam’ element, but then normal service is resumed shortly thereafter, blasting into frenzied and sometimes technical riffing. For a promo, the production is first class, every instrument clear, the guitars are crystal clear (but heavy), backed up with a heavy as fuck bass making all three tracks effortlessly heavy! It’s a shame there are only 3 tracks to this promo, but understandable given the fact it is only a promo. If Laceration are using this to showcase themselves to labels, I’d be very surprised if the didn’t get a deal from this. Admittedly there are hundreds of bands playing this style, but Laceration are doing it so much better. The songs are unique and memorable which is a bonus for this style of extreme metal, which in itself should get them the recognition they well deserve!

Very highly recommended

9/10



Gran Toucher Interview

So, which dirty bastard came up with the band name?

Edd: Morrish, our bassist came up with it before I even met him, let alone joined the band.

Morrish: Me after watching an old crimewatch episode.

For those unfamiliar with you guys, tell us more about the band.

Edd: Well I am the singer (if you want to call it that), our bassist is Morrish, our guitarist is Sam and our drummer is Jon. Unfortunately Jon has to leave us soon, which means Sam will be moving to drums (multi talented bastard) and we’ll be looking for a new guitarist. The band has existed in one form or another since late 2006, but in this line up only Morrish remains (very Napalm Death). They started out like groovy Goregrind, but that has nothing to do with what the band is now. We are a total Grindcore/Fast Hardcore/Sludge assault. The band only started gigging with the addition of myself and Sam at the start of 2010, and at that point we were well on our way to our current sound.

Morrish: Just four good looking men playing savage grindcore really.

Lyrically, what are the bands inspirations?

Edd: Earlier in the bands history it would have been gore/porn type shit, but I have zero interest in that. I write about fairly nihilistic stuff I guess. Mostly it’s about mortality or things being shitty like the media. There’s also a fair number of songs about the total destruction of the Earth and its inhabitants. So basically its whatever I’m preoccupied with at the time put into a fairly doomy setting. Threaded through with pitch-black humour. Laughing at our inevitable demise.

Morrish: edd better answer this one

Musically, where do you guys draw influence from?

Edd: Old school and current Grindcore and Powerviolence primarily. Bands like Napalm Death (early), Terrorizer (not the shameful reunion album), Repulsion, Fear of God, Brutal Truth, Agathocles, Dropdead, Siege, Weekend Nachos, Nasum, Rotten Sound, Lycanthropy, The Afternoon Gentlemen etc. We also really like D beat Hardcore like Discharge and the nastiest Sludge like Goatsblood.

Morrish: new and old grind/crust/powerviolence punk and hardcore bands.

How has the e.p. ‘Human Cull’ been received by people?

Edd: We’ve had a slew of good reviews for it (one of which was written by your good self), and people who’ve bought it off us have liked it. I’m pretty proud of it because we wanted to capture our live sound and I think we did a fairly good job of doing that. But yeah I think it’s gone down well. No one’s cornered me yet to tell me they hated it.

Morrish: had a great response, couldnt be happier, all round great feedback.

The e.p. was self-released, was this a conscious decision so that you have more control over the release?

Edd: It was down to both impetuousness and a desire to just get off our arses and do something. Had a label been interested in helping us out then we may have gone with that, but since we don’t have 1000‘likes’ on Facebook, nor are we a particularly photogenic bunch, unsurprisingly no one was gagging to front for a band with no recorded material yet. Perhaps this self-released record will show labels that we have something to offer, and if not who fucking cares, we’ll continue down the path of total DIY. In the end we love being a DIY band and networking with other extreme Hardcore and Metal bands round the country (or I should say world now).  The control issue I suppose is relevant in that if we had a label that wanted to influence us in any decisions (final sound/art etc) then we’d have told them to fuck off.

What releases do you have planned for the future? Any plans for a full length cd?

Edd: There are plans for some splits. Nothing is concrete yet, so I won’t name names in case nothing happens with these bands and I get left holding my dick and looking like a twat on the internet. As far as a full length? Doubtful in the true sense of an album (half an hour), but I reckon a 15 – 20 minute cd/ 10” by this time next year would be a possibility. Anyway, we are probably gonna record a load of new stuff at the start of the autumn for said splits. And by a load I mean 10 – 15 minutes to be shared between two to three 7” records.

Morrish: more gigs, get to Leeds and other places, split with rash decision.

Do you guys actively gig and what is a GRAN TOUCHER gig typically like?

Edd: Yeah we gig a fair bit. Recent highlights have included a bunch of gigs with the excellent Cornish Hardcore Punk/Thrash band Rash Decision all around the West Country. Last year we had the honour of supporting the legendary Death/Thrasher’s Grave Desecrator who came over from Brazil, and this week we shared the stage with Black Breath from Seattle. On the horizon are more gigs in Cornwall and Bristol as well as an appearance at Blastonbury fest in Edinburgh. Live we are pretty aggressive. I tend to just go mental and throw myself about to the blasts and D beats. I would say its controlled chaos. We like to sound tight though, not just a wall of noise for the sake of it. Its brutal, chaotic, extremely fast and morbid Hardcore with a bit of humour threaded through it.

Morrish: we try to as much as our free time allows, me and Sam having full time jobs.

Is‘touching grans’ purely a fantasy or are you seasoned veterans of fondling GILFS?

Edd: Morrish fucking loves it. The name is probably quite misleading in that it’s kind of pornographic, but lyrically there’s none of that. It’s a good name though.

Morrish: just a fantasy I’m afraid

Thanks for speaking with us. Any last words you wish to share with our readers?

Edd: Well cheers to you, ‘cos without webzine/fanzine/anyone talking about this music it wouldn’t exist ‘cos no one would know it existed. Hang on does that make sense, it’s getting a bit chicken and egg? Anyway I may as well plug our ep (which is in CD format). If you look us up on facebook or Reverbnation you can buy it off us for £5 if you would like to. We are sort of looking for a label to re-issue it on vinyl, but we aren’t losing any sleep over that. Shout out to Merciless Precision and Rash Decision for playing loads of gigs with us. And to everyone who’s watched us play and bought a cd or a shirt.

Morrish: thanks to anyone who has checked us out, come to see us, bought shirt or ep or just generally been cool to us.

 

 

For more advice on romancing ladies in their autumn years visit the band at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/pages/Gran-Toucher/107525539283223



Revokation – The End Ablated

  The End Ablated - Self Released 2011

1. Shards Of Piety 2. What Was Therein Inhum'd

3. Unbound By The Infliction Of Abject Torment 4.Martyrdom 5. Defiled And Crucified

The first thing that got my attention about this CD was the production. Whilst being bass heavy, it is also crystal clear and very organic, really 'natural' sounding and not over produced. It's very easy for brutal music to be lost in a cesspool of mess, but Revokation don't suffer such a fate - I could actually feel my lungs rattling while I was listening to this. Revokation mix things up perfectly, U.S inspired death metal with splashes of black metal, its an awesome combination!! The BM sounding sections somehow sit perfectly in the death/grind madness. Not a combination you would expect to gel, but they do!! From grinding all out blast, to heavy break down sludge, to black metal harshness (the BM being used very sparingly), Revokation offer a mix that will have all extreme metal fans drooling, chomping at the bit for each and every track to continue and to not end. When music is this good is doesn't matter what a band are saying, its how they're saying it, and Revokation are saying it perfectly. Its just a shame this release isn't longer, only five tracks to tease us with – bring on a full length!!

These guys are a band that are obviously at the top of their game and are an example of how healthy the UK extreme metal scene currently is, each member of the band playing their instrument with ease and to great effect. This isn’t going to be an over complicated review, all I really need to say is that is its from the UK, its fucking really well played death/grind, its stands head and shoulders above many in the genre and it's a release that should be on your play list. Highly recommended

9 out of 10

 



Wrapped In A Sheet - Vultures



Vultures – Self Released 2011

1.Harshest Winter 2.Vultures 3.John Proctor

4.Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch vs the Marquis De Sade

5.An Absence of Mirrors 6.The Thundering of A Distant Piano 7.Throats

8.November Aria I: In Memorium 9.November Aria II: Of Frozen Earth

10.November Aria III: Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa 11.Vultures (Reprise)

Wrapped In A Sheet, a one-man outfit from Derby, Scarecrow being the driving force behind this black metal assault. Some people may be put off by the whole ‘one man band’ thing, but don’t be, the eleven tracks on offer could have easily been produced by a ‘full’ band. ‘Vultures’ is primarily a black metal album, but there is so much on offer throughout all eleven tracks. WIAS does tend to sit in the melodic / symphonic end of the black metal scale, and there are moments of pure hate showing through, especially in the vocal delivery (very reminiscent of old school UK act Morstice when they flirted with the black metal on their third release). Synths are used effectively throughout, never over-bearing, more used as an accompaniment to the guitars that release some extremely well written and memorable riffs. Shifting from harsh black metal, into melodic passages and then into piano led, almost gothic interludes, it all works very well.

An ice-cold atmosphere has been created throughout, the slower more melodic, gothic sounding sections fit perfectly alongside the black metal rawness. The atmosphere becomes truly haunting when Scarecrow adds clean, sung / spoken vocals into the mix, using them sparsely (but effectively) throughout so as not to become predictable. I’m not sure ‘catchy’ should be used to describe black metal, but when the likes of ‘November Aria II; Of frozen Earth’ is blasting from the speakers, its hard to find another word to describe it, the main riff will have your head nodding and foot tapping and you wont want the riff to end,  that’s how good it is! As much as I have praised this release, there are some negative points which need to be highlighted, one being the production, very vocal heavy with the guitars been very low in the mix which tends to see them getting lost under the harshness of the high-pitched screaming throughout. Also, the drum sound isn’t great and the drum patterns used are very simplistic, a bit too simple at times which is unfortunate as the songs would truly grab you by the throat with an accomplished drummer behind the kit, but being a solo project, this is unlikely to happen. However, the positives far outweigh the minor negative points. Overall, this is an excellent release from on one man who clearly knows his stuff and is an extremely competent musician. Well recommended.

7.5/10