HEMOTOXIN 'Structure For A Molded Mind' Review : Release 16.March.2020

Unspeakable Axe Records Release: 16 March 2020
Bay Area death/thrashers HEMOTOXIN are back with Restructure the Molded Mind 

 














These Bay Arera Thrashers Hemotoxin starts off like a gun on their 3rd record ( 1st on Unspekeable Axe Records) 'Structure For A Molded Mind'.

Hemotoxin are no joke hard hitting aggressive technical thrash with some insane-like vocals who reminds me of Chuck's vocals in Death sometimes.

This is real & brutal ,hard hitting & not for the faint hearted , still there are melodies in here if you manage to keep up with their hig

h tempo. Once in a while they slow down for guitars to make some harmonix. I'd say they mix a fusion of when thrash metal became death metal or otherwise.

Overall a very energizing album with cool riffs and I can't compare this to previous releases but they sure as hell manage to blow the steam off, for me and future generations to come.

If somebody asked me to explain what extreme thrash metal is I'd probably just put on this album and tell 'em to shut tha fuck up! Most of the tracks are around 3 minutes long ,but as always they sound longer,very powerful and so fucking brilliant! 

Just listen to the track execution which is the 5 track of an 8 track long album 'Structure For A molded Mind' will take you to the golden era of thrash but also most brutal towards death metal. Surely something to watch out for, you maniacs! A flawless album builduing the extreme energy and the best for the last

Blackrat - Whiskey and Blasphemy

XNIHILO RECORDS 2013

Let's talk about Blackrat's debut album 'Whiskey and Blasphemy released by Xnihilo records 2013.This guys have obviously not understood what decade we live in, as the album reeks of the 80's all the way. Hey wait, I did not say it was a bad thing,did I?..
If you were into metal some decades ago you'll know what I mean when I say that this band uses fast aggressive vocals with delay, kinda like early Mayhem,Kreator,Sodom etc. 
Loud chaotic basslines,guitars and drums it's the 80's all over again, so I find myself thinking aren't there enough bands out there doing the same, the answer is yes, it seems like it has become pop to play 80's black/thrash metal.Most likely all these bands will jump off to the next thing that become pop.So I find myself thinking again (quite rare actually) this time about Blackrat ,the band I'm reviewing.Will they stand the fall of time or will they fall just in time? Hard question as I'm not capable of predicting the future but I can  continue to share my thoughts about it with you.
'Whiskey and Blasphemy is a rather short lasting album with eleven tracks rooted in early black & thrash metal and even some punk ,take Mayhem's Deathcrush' without the hi-pitched vocals to explain it simple.All of the tracks are relatively pretty short ,not one over 3 minutes, but it suits the music & album perfectly as longer tracks could easily become boring,so smart move there.
As for the music I have to say that I enjoy it even though there has been a lot bands jumping on this wagon lately, then again that is not Blackrat's fault.I find it very amusing and it's hard not to bang my head at times, they also manage to capture that 'evil' atmosphere I enjoyed so much while listening especially to Kreator & such bands.

Other tracks are more uplifting and more headbanger friendly, one thing they all have in common is the raw and primitive  riffs and structure.Overall a good album and definitely worth chekin' out ,especially if you like it the old fashioned way.

          http://www.xnihilorecords.com

Satyricon,Nightfall & Hacktivists confirmed for Brutal Assault 2014

Satyricon - one of the greatest ikons of black metal genre confirmed their performance on 19th edition of Brutal Assault festival. The leader of the band Satyr bewitch their crowd for over 23 years contrary to some other black metal bands he still has the burning force and appetite to do things different way which designites them to conquer...

Nightfall - Legend of Greek melodic death/doom metal makes their first live appearance in CZ after their reunion. They have brought to the scene such gems as Macabre Sunset (1993) or Athenian Echos (1995).  Their latest album is called Cassiopeia.

Hacktivists - What a great combination of djent technics and hard core / rap barking with their first ever performance on BA.

Shining - Avantgarde band from Norway which rose as a jazz quartet and during the years was gradually changed into cold, dark, synthetically needled avantgarde metal with black metal influences. To see them live is usually a big experience so let's hope they will deliver the same on the BA festival and let's get focused on their show.

Misery Index - Rough ornithological death/ grind hails from Baltimore US. The band delivers heavy riffing with one of the fastest and most powerful baterry on the current scene with mr. Jason Netherton behind the mic. So once the power of music should kill someone, you will be killed.

H2O - hails Brutal Assault for the very first time ever with their music roots from NY ghettos. These  HC /punkers will enlarge the variety of BA artists and will reveal that their music is heavy enough but just from a bit different perspective.

 Latest additions :

UK black metal legendary band VENOM,

German thrash metal veterans SODOM, 

Swedish dark rockers KATATONIA,

French orthodox blackers AOSOTH, Irish folk metallers CRUACHAN 

Funeral doom metal band from Germany WORSHIP.

Pitch Black Mentality (Nor) - The Pitch Black Reality (Review)

Pitch Black Mentality (Nor) - The Pitch Black Reality early/mid 2014

This is my first meeting with this norwegian band and I have to say they give me a good impression after first listen!

The first thing that strikes me is the incredibly energy and very catchy thrash/heavy melodies/riffs these guys play, and the vocals are impressive, it sounds like they have spent some time with the production as everything sounds very professionally considering it's their debut album.
The tracks are a wonderful combination of newer and older thrash and there is no doubt that these guys know how to entertain the listeners ears.


At times I find myself nostalgic while listening as it takes me back to an era thrash was very important in my life.

Pitch Black Mentality's music have what it takes to reach out to more than just the hardcore thrash heads as their music has a wide specter and 'The Pitch Black Reality' is without doubt a fresh breath to the norwegian & worldwide thrash/metal scene.

Being a debut album 'The Pitch Black Reality' sets a high standard for future releases to come and most important for themselves.

This is an album you don't wanna miss out on!

Fear Theories (NO) Release debut EP and begin work on new material!

Norwegian Heavy Metal band FEAR THEORIES have began the process of writing new material expected to be recorded later this year with RAMI award winner in Studio Sound Engineering, Jeffro Lacksheide, handling the mixing responsibilities.   On May 3rd FEAR THEORIES self-released their debut EP "So It Begins" consisting of five tracks of Heavy Metal with a traditional sound, catchy riffs, rough vocals, fast guitar solos and a modern twist. The EP can be purchased directly from the band by contacting them via email: Andreas Tjøsvoll - Guitarist, Vocalist:andreastjosvoll@hotmail.com Ole Sønstabø - Lead Guitarist: olsoensta@gmail.com Håkon Sakseide - Bassist: hmsaks@me.com Brage Nygaard - Drummer: brnygaard95@gmail.com     Early this year FEAR THEORIES won the Karmøygeddon Kick Off band contest and performed at the Karmøygeddon Metal Festival in May, sharing the bill with greats like Sabaton, Overkill, Eluveitie and Paradise Lost among others. In late August FEAR THEORIES will begin a small tour in Norway which includes supporting the Norwegian band ZENO MORF at their release party on September 6th. To keep up to date with FEAR THEORIES make sure to "like" their facebook page here: www.facebook.com/pages/Fear-Theories/230232180341169 "Heroes of the Past" The closing track from "So It Begins" can be heard here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrBZxdJ4Xec FEAR THEORIES (Norway) "Heroes of the Past" (Promo Video) COVER ART & TRACKLISTING       1. So It Begins 2. The Treasure of the Haunted Pirate 3. Blank 4. Overlords 5. Heroes of the Past FEAR THEORIES Andreas Tjøsvoll: Guitar, Vocals Ole Sønstabø: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals Håkon Sakseide: Bass, Backing Vocals Brage Nygaard: Drums         Fear Theories was formed in the fall of 2010. Since then the band has created a traditional sound with a modern twist. The band plays hard and loud with catchy riffs, rough vocals and fast guitar solos. Past the 2.5 years since the beginning, the band has been noticed in the metal community on the westcoast of norway and has performed at the Karmøygeddon Metal Festival, sharing the bill with greats like Sabaton, Overkill, Eluveitie, Paradise Lost etc. The band's debut EP; So It Begins was released on May 3rd 2013. FEAR THEORIES Online Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Fear-Theories/230232180341169    Myspace https://myspace.com/fear_theories/music/songs    Demotape www.demotape.no/artists/130745

Manifestor (Swe) Old Monster Demo 2012

Tracks :

1.Black Sabbath
2. Old Monster
3.Manifestor

I recived this promo along time ago,but for some reason didn't write about it until now.
This Swedish band has been rockin' basements and other moist places since 2008.
The creative masterminds behind this has played under various banners since their teenage year in the 90's.

Old Moster is their second demo released on pro printed tape on 100ex. during the summer of 2012.
This is thrash with the ugly stench of death with fast & furious riffs and aggresive vocals.
It's a cool demo no doubt,and it's not hard to hear where they have taken inspiration from,if you know bands like Grotesque,Aura Noir,Pestilence & Infernal Majesty you probably know what this demo is all about.
It contains 3 tracks of fast & aggresive thrash the ugly way and a bit chaotic (not in a bad way) 

Does it work as a piece of music?
Well ,to be honest it's nothing bad about this tape at all,but after several listens I still can't remember any tracks afterwards.
It all goes in a superfast tempo,maybe too fast at times.and it kinda sounds like they forgot that it's a good idea to maybe have some breaks & hooks in between 'cause this demo is over before it starts it feels.

Some will probably worship this,but I feel something is missing,not originality,'cause I'm pretty sure this band is not about that,but better melodies maybe?
So the overall conclusion is that it's not,bad,but I dosen't give me anything as a listener either.
There are many bands playing this old schoolish metal these days,but if you go for that style you better deliver and I don't think these guys deliver this time and it becoms boring at times.

3.5/6

Band Contact : manifestor@live.se

Manifestor on Myspace

Tantara (Nor) - Based On Evil

The relatively young band Tantara formed in 2009 has now released their first full-length through Indie Recordings and I guess the expectations has been high after releasing the pretty good EP "Human Mutation"  in 2010
At the first listen it's easy to hear that they are heavily influenced by 80's thrash acts like Dark Angel,Testament,Slayer,Destruction & similar acts.

With the epic opening track "Based On Evil" they force the listener to want more.
What they have done here is to take all the best elements from the golden era of thrash metal and continued into the future with their aggressive but still very melodic album, listen to "Mass Murder" and you'll know what I mean.
The riffs is outstanding ,I have to credit the guitarist for the outstanding guitar work & riffs on this release 'cause it's not everyday you hear something that actually is quality and made true devotion for the music.

I cannot find one negative aspect with this album really.
The production is solid and all the band members deliver with excellence.
This album will be worshipped by people into thrash and hopefully others cause this is a great piece of art we have here,I strongly suggest you take a listen to this 'cause the guitars impress very much ,with the classical playing alongside with the technical riffs.
At times "Based On Evil" reminds me of "And Justice For All…" But don't get me wrong,it's so much more than just a Metallica clone,but they surge as hell manage to deliver a solid album that I think will set the future for this band.
With a potential like this they are doomed to a great future & will probably be a big name in some years.
A hard hitting thrash attack,with aggresitivity & tension to cut the power combined with epic instrumental parts
 either you're a thrashead or not this will blow your mind out and take you on a sentimental journey from the past diving into the future leaving your brain with only two words left "HELL YES!
Totally worth every single penny!

ARVAS

The by now established band in the metal scene Arvas is now preparing their second cd.
3 years after the debut "Ad Satanas Noctum..." whitch didn't quite get the attention it deserved considering it was 
a great debut album. Even though the main musicians are experienced & have been into the music scene for years. 

V-Rex is the engine behind it all and Fordervelse does the drums.
There has been several members in and out,but it seems like the mentioned ones are the permanent members.

I decided to have a talk with the main man V-Rex about the new album & the future.

You have now recorded your 2nd album,what can we expect & is there any working title so far?

-Well the music is quite different compared to the first album, obviously because we have developed even more over these three years both as musicians and myself as composer. Like the last album all songs are made in good advance before even planning any recordings of the songs.. 

These new songs are made right after the release of  the ''Blessed'' album. I made a pre production and that was it, they are all composed within a weeks time, and I haven't really been listening to these songs since I did the pre prod. 

The main difference from the last album is that the music is more catchy and very intense and fast, there are alot of different influences from the eighties thrash era etc. 

So this time the press will have something to compare us to, on the ''Blessed' Album where they couldn't. 

At the same time this is something unique in the genre and there are no bands in Norway who plays this kind of metal today, so hopefully fans of the genre will like this. 

The Working title now is ''Upon A Throne Of Satanic Worship''

I know you've had several members during the career,who contributes on this record,is it only you and Fordervelse?

- There has been some line up changes over the years now for sure, but they were only live members and not permanently involved in Arvas in any other way. 

This time we have a new live line up, and this time they all are playing on the album. So it has been pretty exiting having the whole band feeling again. 

But as always, me and fordervelse are the only permanent fulltime members in Arvas.

Did the recording process go as planned?

- Yes, all has been going as planned, however some delays in the process and unexpected problems has occured though.

One thing I've always wondered ,does the name Arvas mean anything special,how did you come up with it?

- The name does not mean anything at all, I just came up with the name and liked the sound of it and that's it really.

Do you have any plans to promote the new album with gigs,have you found a steady line up to play live?

- We are going to do some gigs as soon as the album is released, when and where is not quite confirmed yet.

Is all the material written by you,or does the other members contribute with something?

- All the material is as usual composed by me, and me alone. Fordervelse has arranged the drum tracks.

Nowadays when arists earn less money since the internet came & all along with it, what motivates you to continue your work?

- Motivation comes from our fans and those who appreciate what we do. We are nothing without them, this is all for the fans.

What's you favorite/most memorable highlight during the career?

You also do the vocals on the excellent swedish act Dødsfall witch is soon available with their second album,
can you tell us a bit about that?

- Dødsfall is a project I do vocals for and I really like the music the main man is creating, it is fresh and inspiring to work with. 

I only write lyrics and sings. It is always interesting and positive for an artist to work with different projects beside any main band. 

Cheers V-Rex.

Thank you for the good answers & good luck with the band & projects in the future!

Arvas will play live in Drammen Norway 22.07.12 Click HERE for more info

-Gravarson-

Be sure to check out Arvas at  Facebook

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