Slam Fest Preview

Image For those of you who prefer your death metal to be of the absolutely monstrous variety, then cancel all your plans on Sunday 24th May at once and instead get your ass to The Bierkeller in Bristol for quite possibly the heaviest show that the city has ever seen. Brought to you by End of the World Promotions, Slam Fest consists of some of the finest brutal death and slam that Europe has to offer. Whether you prefer groove laden, guttural growls or brain bursting blast beats, Slam Fest is guaranteed to have at least two bands that will dramatically harden your nipples. 

 After slaying Camden magnificently in September, Norwegian maniacs Kraanium return to the UK to unleash their very unique brand of pounding brutality upon Bristol. Having deservedly landed the headline slot, the slam masters will be bringing their harrowing brand of intense, groove heavy slams to Bristol for the very first time. Kraanium are a band that have gone from strength to strength since their reformation in 2006 and are definitely not to be missed at Slam Fest on any accounts. If you like your metal to be of the horrifyingly brutal variety then look no further than local lads Necrosis. Since the storming success of their debut EP Catatonic Psychosis in October 2013, Necrosis have become an established act on the UK extreme metal scene and landed themselves some pretty enviable slots at killer European festivals such as Gothenburg Deathfest last September and Death Feast this September, sharing the stage with pioneering acts Suffocation, Nile, Asphyx and Disentomb. Kraanium are not the only European band taking to the stage this weekend. One man slam monster Carnifloor is travelling across land and sea from sunny Amsterdam to treat Bristol to a hearty dose of pure slamming aggression. Influenced by brutal death masters Necrophagist and Beneath the Massacre, Carnifloor is an unstoppable one man metal machine who you definitely do not want to miss out on seeing. Unless of course you don’t like incredibly talented musicians. Carnifloor is also a member of Dutch brutal slammers Korpse and Norwegian slam masters Fermented Masturbation. In keeping with the European bands theme, French quintet Darkall Slaves are primed and ready for their UK debut. After the success of their 2014 full length debut Transcendental State of Absolute Suffering, fans of death metal across the world are eager catch one of Darkall Slaves’ live performances. Their will undoubtedly be those in the crowd specifically looking forward to Darkall Slaves bringing their arsenal of superb death metal to the party. Returning back to the UK now and no nonsense Brummie foursome Spawned from Hate have earned themselves a place on the bill. Spawned from Hate’s incredible talent has set them up as esteemed regulars on the UK death metal circuit, having shared the stage with the likes of Cryptopsy, Cancerous Womb and Defeated Sanity. This is a band perfect for those who like their death metal to be of the technical and old school variety. Two man slamming act Chainsaw Castration have earned themselves a slot on the bill and with a varied set of influences ranging from Entombed right through to Fermented Masturbation, you can see why. The Nottingham duo provide some of the most thunderous and guttural slams of the evening with a slow but incredibly intense sound that grabs you by the pit of your stomach and launches you into a fit of heavy audio delight. Reigning down on Slam Fest from the grim north are five piece Visions of Disfigurement. Hailing from Manchester (or Slamchester as the band refer to it), the band pack a mighty punch with their unique brand of macabre, almost blackened slam. Employing a variety of different vocal styles, the bands groove heavy feel makes them almost an instant winner. If you’ve ever listened to Whitechapel and thought they could do with sounding a bit more like Raped By Pigs, then look no further as you’ll have found your new favourites in Visions of Disfigurement. Finally, Slam fest plays host to an exclusive performance by elusive new brutal death act Inebrious Incarnate. Consisting of Federico Benini and Doug Anderson of Unfathomable Ruination fame, Inebrious Incarnate are the faceless band of the evening, with little to no information about them anywhere. There’s nothing like a wild card to liven the proceedings up a bit! In all honesty, Slam fest is by far and above the heaviest show to grace the West Country for many years. It encompasses every facet of the glorious spectrum that is death metal and is categorically not an event to be missed. Having already had to move venues once due to substantial ticket demand, get yours here to avoid disappointment! 

 http://endoftheworldpromotions.bigcartel.com/product/slam-fest-ticket Eilish Foxen

  https://www.facebook.com/events/362557613905333/

2014 Highlights - Top 10 Releases

As 2014 draws to a close, we're taking a look back at our favourite releases (THAT WE HAVE REVIEWED). Label work with UKEM Records and HELL'S HAMMER DISTRIBUTION has meant that we've not had alot of time to review every release, hence there are quite alot of titles missing from our list, we will get to them next year hopefully! This top 10 are in no particular order, but we will highlight the 'ALBUM OF 2014" that we do feel was the strongest album that we reviewed. 

Congnizanze - Inquisition

"Musically there’s a touch of Atheist, and again Cynic, to their sound. However, the brutal and guttural death metal vocals really set them aside from such bands. Four tracks of technical and brutal death metal; this is a highly impressive introduction to the band. The standard these guys have set is very high and it would be fair to say you’d be hard pushed to find a brutal death metal band in the UK playing to such a standard. Comes very highly recommended."

Arrogant Destruktor - Hate Legions Ride

"As mentioned earlier, there is simplicity to the band’s sound which is actually their strength and gives each song its catchiness and appeal. Old school influenced black metal, played from the (blackened) heart with no fuss or complication, ‘Hate Legions Ride’ is something truly unique in the UK black metal underground and this demo stands the band in good stead to hopefully move onto bigger and better things, should they decide that’s what they want - comes very highly recommended".

Merciless Terror - Vile Extinction

"Whilst it lacks somewhat for variety, we all know that bands like Merciless Terror don’t play to be varied and whimsical, they play to destroy and tracks like “Hateful Abomination” and the crushingly heavy “Process of Eradication” do just that. From start to finish this album is dominant, plain and simple"

Foetal Juice - Big Trouble In Little Vagina

"Foetal Juice are one of those bands that really appeal and fans of death metal, punk or grind will all find something to enjoy in the five tracks on offer, although I feel the death metallers will be the ones to really lap this up! If Foetal Juice reined back the punk/grind elements and concentrated slightly more on the brutal death metal, then they would certainly be an extremely potent force to be reckoned with. That said, this is a massively enjoyable e.p. which shows off the bands talents brilliantly, death metal with a sense of humour is hard to pull off, but these four lads from Bury do it very well. Now, lets see a full length please! Comes well recommended".

Seprevation - Consumed

"Song writing too is of a high level despite the majority of the music on offer being fast, hard and chaotic! Catchier tracks such as “Sarcophagal Chamber” (Sarcofago will be so proud) keep the album fresh and lively even into its middle stages and on the whole the album is of a superb quality throughout and never wavers in its aim for filthy, old school brutality".

Sleipnir - Oats Sworn In Mead And Blood

"It’s only every so often that an album of such brilliance really takes you to another level when listening to it, but that’s exactly what happens with ‘Oaths Sworn In Blood And Mead’. It quite literally draws you in and takes you on a journey you probably weren’t expecting. Sleipnir really have created an album a cut above the rest, certainly in terms of UK releases, if not the genre as a whole. Massive in both terms of length and atmosphere, it’s another fine example of UK extreme metal at the top of its game and this release comes as highly recommended as possible and is a cd you must own if you’re a fan of Viking Metal -  to not own it is an absolute travesty!

Morlich - Tempest

"Morlich has created an extremely effective black metal e.p full of harsh atmospheres and emotions which really does grab your attention from the outset. Many an hour has obviously been spent in the practice room as the whole release is extremely well played, sounding tight, fresh and extremely professional. If you haven’t heard this band before, they really are worth checking out. The band is currently looking for a label to release this on and their wait shouldn’t be too long based on what is heard here! Keyboard heavy atmospheric black metal with a real uniqueness, ‘Tempest’ comes very highly recommended".

Dystopian Wrath - Dystopian Wrath

" For a debut release, Dystopian Wrath are setting the standard very high indeed, such is the brilliance that this e,p oozes throughout each and every song. The musicianship, arrangements and compositions are flawless, as is the production (bar a slightly ‘clicky’ drum sound, but that’s a minor niggle) which helps to create the morbid, monstrous and pain etched atmospheres. Another prime example of a young UK band at the very top of their game, showing the rest “how it’s done” through their brand of elite black/death metal. If you haven’t checked these guys out, then it’s about time you did as this release comes very highly recommended".

Bloodshot Dawn - Demons

"It’s very difficult to find fault with anything on this album. Bloodshot Dawn have really spent time getting to grips with making excellent music. They are a good example of ‘practice makes perfect’. In short, this is an absolute must for fans of Melodic Death Metal".

Eastern Front - Descent Into Genocide

"Eastern Front have taken all these individual ingredients and mixed them perfectly into an ice cold barrage of devastatingly effective black metal. For me, this is the best album of 2014 to surface from UK underground scene so far, such is it’s brilliance, originality and effectiveness to really punish throughout. It’s an absolute 'must have' and there aren’t too many bands going to be able to top this at all".

Some absolutely storming releases and its been hard picking the top ten as we have had to leave out some other amazing releases, especially from FED TO THE BOARS, THE KING IS BLIND, DE PROFUNDIS, ORANGE GOBLIN.

A great year for extreme metal in the UK, here's hoping that 2014 will be even better, there are some great releases on the horizon.

***UKEM ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2014**

(that we have reviewed)

Quite an easy decision in the end, the quality shown on this album was amazing, and a huge improvement on their debut offering, so we give it to:

EASTERN FRONT - DESCENT INTO GENOCIDE

Well deserved indeed!!!

 

Finally, a huge thanks to everyone that has supported UKEM through its 4 years of existence, the support is hugely appreciated. Onwards and upwards!!

UKEM ARE "DEDICATED TO EXTREMITY, SUPPORTING THE UNDERGROUND"

Bloodshot Dawn - Demons

Self Released 2014

1.Smoke And Mirrors 2.Consequence Complex 3.United 4.Inadequacy

5.Black Hole Infinity 6.Human Void 7.The Image Faded 8.Demons

Bloodshot Dawn are a Melodic/Technical Death Metal band, and as it stands, it would be easy for them to be swallowed by the tide of other bands in this genre. Thankfully they have a lot to offer. This is their second full length album (released 26-10-2014) which sees them going from strength to strength. First is the excellent production, from the opening song ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ you get a tight and exciting range of sounds. The guitar playing is excellent; complex yet with very catchy melodies. The drumming is tight with a good range of styles featuring blast beats and high energy playing its hard not to get excited over such great playing. The bass tones are smooth and the vocals are the icing on the cake. Nothing is left to chance, everything is well thought out. 

There is very little filler to speak of over the 42 minutes and 8 songs, every song is played at a high tempo, but, not too fast, not too slow. There is a real sense of urgency in their work. With a limited use of keyboards, there is very little dead space on each song (if any at all) and you really do get a lot of music for your money.The longest song, ‘The Image Faded’ contains guest guitar solos from Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun), Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry) , Andy James and Chris Amott (Armgeddon, Ex-Arch Enemy) is a total shred guitar fest! Fans of any of these guitarists will instantly recognise their unique playing styles. ‘Demons’ also boasts some very eye-catching artwork by Pär Olofsson. It’s very difficult to find fault with anything on this album. Bloodshot Dawn have really spent time getting to grips with making excellent music. They are a good example of ‘practice makes perfect’. In short, this is an absolute must for fans of Melodic Death Metal. 

Huw Morgan - 10 Out of 10

Band Page: Here

Consecration - Ephemerality

UKEM Records 2014

1. In Decayed Embrace 2. Buried Alive 3 .Echoes Of The Dead 4. The Visitant

5. The Summoning Of Sufferance 6. Purity Through Pain 

7.Inviting The Impure 8.Thy Requiem Lament

'Ephemerality’ is the first full length album by UK Doom/Death band Consecration 
(released 15-12-2014). Previous works included a demo, EP and DVD. The first thing you notice when playing this album is the length of the songs. Most are well over 5 minutes, with a few over 10 minutes. The total running length is just over an hour for this 8 track epic. The gloomy artwork from Daniel Bollans (vocalist for Consecration) sets the tone for the music. From the moment you start playing the album, you’ll need a good beer and a comfy chair. This is one heavy ride. A lot of Doom/Death bands have a very distinctive sound. Consecration have an early 90’s Death Metal sound mixing the early 2000’s Doom tone. Their music can summed up in a few words, scathing, filthy, and thick. Don’t be fooled by these musical tags, there are moments that will lift to expose a fragile, however, equally heavy side. Most songs are slow with the odd fast section thrown in. Clean guitar passages only make the heavy parts heavier. 

This is a true roller coaster of brutal music. The production is clean and natural enough for each instrument to speak clearly. There is also enough dirt to blend the mix together. The drums, bass and twin guitar are paramount to the overall sound of this release; the vocals are the icing on the cake. Don’t expect anything other than a brutal, guttural and old sounding experience. This album is an absolute grower. The more you play it, the more you notice; every song stands on its own. The opener, ‘In Decayed Embrace’ has all the signature elements of the heaviness this band can muster while, ‘The Visitant’ shows the diversity they can achieve with clean, heavy and eerie guitar tones. For Consecration, this is going to be a very difficult album to beat for future releases. 

Review by Huw: 8 Out Of 10

Band Page: Here
Buy It: Here