Deaf 99 - Aggressive

These Czech's bring it home in an extreme hardcore vein on this first release they unleashed upon the world.  They have something newer I hear, but this is what they sent me, and it kicks ass.  It's bleeding hardcore into thrash at places, sometimes over the top and at other times maybe, at a stretch, something you might get away with, if you've paid your dues.  Contact: http://www.deaf99.wz.cz/

Black Damp - Good Day 2 Die

Masters of the grindcore blastbeat, Black Damp are like an invading army come to raze the land and eat your children. Singer Boo sounds as if he's chunking a lung on every song, as his merry band of sonic hardcore motherfuckers thrash, then spin chambers to deliver majestic big beat moshcore. "Book Of Hate" is a heavy metal masterpiece all it's own, but every song on this four course meal delivers tasteful, tight neck snapping slam. Being from West Viginia, you can hear the madness of the mountains calling, Black Damp is yer fuckin' nightmare son in these here parts! Contact: http://www.blackdampmusic.com, POB 215 Glen Daniel, WV. 304-954-6511

Chainsnap - Hollow

Heavy like a harley with a stomp like vintage zilla, the boys of Chainsnap garner just enough hate to fire the blast furnace.  "Spiral" is classic grind, but the maiden style verse in "Devil's Land" just doesn't work, until they apply the blast beat and Steve Schiller shits a telephone pole.  Chainsnap are best when they break down the gates and mosh like motherfuckers (hear "Death By Deception") while keeping a heavy steady riff offset by tight timing in. It works well on the sabbath too, as applied on "Cut And Dry", though Ozzy never sounded half as pissed as Schiller. Guitarists Jermey Haasl and Keith Monville keep it tuned down and roaring throughout all 9 songs, using breaks and changes more than lead solos, though the ones they do fit like they were meant to be there, and accent the feel of the songs more than showy pyro. Chainsnap bring the fire on "Lost" before going dark on "Wanted Soul", and turning heads into mush with "God's Breath".  Whatever kind of metal you want, Chainsnap serve it up on Hollow.  Contact:  http://www.chainsnap.com

Requiem - Mask Of Damnation

Fuckin' awesome progressive power metal coming out of Finland.  Since last I heard these guys, they've gotten faster and tighter.  Previously distributed by the mighty Sound Riot stalwart out of Portugal, Requiem are gaining a massive underground following. Whomever picks this band up for a deal gets some killer shit.  Now five years into an ever changing career, the band is approaching technical perfection as they rip into metal war anthems "Blinded". "Divine Illusion" and the title cut. Their symphonic overtures ("Ethereal Journey") are dual guitar harmonic festivals, with clear ringing doubling to spirited battle cry powerchord ramp-ups. A bit pretensious on cuts like "Shrine Of The Ocean", it's probably a safe bet to blame it on the Viking still inside the nordic genes.  Requiem manage to transgress beyond the flogged medieval trappings most of the time, and deliver glory to the crown of heavy metal. They could be on to some serious renown kudos.  Contact:  http://www.requiem.kpnet.com/  http://www.soundriot.net

VII Gates - Fire Walk With Me

More hot power metal from northern europe, this time Sweden is the birthplace of VII Gates, a group strong in the technical metal vein and heavy in the twin guitar attack.  They create a dark vision of revenge on the opener "Bounded By Hate" and then into something that would not be out of place on an Yngwie album with the classic metal sounding "The Savior".  On every one of this disc's 10 songs the fluid guitar work of legends JJ Rockford and Robert Makek stand out, as well as the vocals of  Criss Blackburn who has top power and a fairly good range, like on "Seconds Left To Live" where he almost sounds like a young Rob Halford, which he pulls off again on "A Dark Room Of My Mind". The only stumbling part is when the band goes into cruise mode (Under The Crossed Bones) and their standard melodic power metal numbers fail to ignite.  That's rare for the most part, as VII Gates usually strike to impress.  Take "So Far Away", it's soaring opening lead guitar is too short but gives way to a good rhythm and some heart into the lyrics.  Though this number will not set well with the "heavier-than-thou" crowd, what's left of the commerical hard rock and metal broadcast outlets will eat it up with the right push.  Me, I'll stick with the grind of "Love Bullet", that's my kind of love song, ready to fuck you up at a moments notice. Contact: http://www.sevengates.se, jjrockford@hotmail.com  German promotion - wolf@sureshotworx.de

Of Infinity - The Essence Of Infinity

Beginning with a big loud gothic symphony, The Voice Without is not so much scary as striving for magnificience.  Since I first hear about this band, this three song EP does well showcasing the band's solid abilities, even if at times the mix is trying to be too big and swallows up Alessandra Zinicola's vocals.  I really like loud guitars, but some of the other instruments suffer from time to time because Nazareth Sando is really LOUD.  It's only a small fault, overwise the songs have excellent composeur, and who can really down a guy with a name like Nazareth Sando, c'mon, he's classic. There is a loyal darkwave metal following, and they are Of Infinity's people.  They'll eat up the neoclassical power of Shadow Of A Lie, it builds to a beautiful crashing ending come to rest with strings for the cresendo finale.  Final song It's Only Foever is probably the band's best chance at a single, though actually all three songs come really close.  The closer is perfect for the last glance at a rising band.  Their fans await.  Contact:  Of Infinity, POB 780224, San Antonio, TX 78278.  Ofinityemail@aol.com, http://www.ofinfinity.com

Elenium - For Giving, For Getting

Like the bastard metal son of Rainbow, Elenium stick everything from goth to medieval in their repitore.  They're not near as scary as just heavy, with much death metal screaming, out of control keyboards, and guitar riffage from hell.  Often glaring with overbaked border runs sounding as if it shall be their last, htere is plenty plodding, psychotic interludes and double timed injections. Fans of power metal, melodic metal, and most of-any-good-metal will appreciate this band. You have to get into the pit to get them, and above all, darken the room and turn up the black lights.  Contact:  http://www.eleniumband.com

Carnal Redemption - Promo 2004

As grind as you wanna be, Greek hardcore metal heads promo'd this taste of their new album "Cerebral Chaos" to the underground and the respect is massive.  Originating in the thrash and black metal genres, this brand of grindcore is only for those with enough fire left in them to bang their heads and pump fists. "Mass Consuming Lobotomy" finds you in a heavy metal wasteland that is long in coming and is here to stay.  If that doesn't make you fear Carnal Redemption, they pour on the mind fuck on "All The Echoes", producing maddening images of a mosh pit gone totally demoniacal. This shit would have ripped the olympics man!  If it's metal to the core, Carnal Redemption rules.  Contact:  http://carnalredemption.cjb.net, k99@hotmail.com, 3 Keshiniou Street - Vyronas - 162 31 Athens, Greece

Advent - Valholl

Starting very melodic, Advent move quickly into the dark realm with grind, blastbeat and blackened vocals. Giorgio Mvla rips harmonic leads as the music runs on like a freight train. They sent me this sometime back (it was like alot fo things, somewhere it was not supposed to be) so I don't actually know the band's status at the moment.  Their symphonic thrash is well worth drinking to though. Title track Valholl is a showcase of all things metal.  This is what the doctor ordered as you lie on your death bed. Killer! Contact: http://www.adventcomes.it, adv_ent@hotmail.com

Dawn Of Defiance - Summoning Death

South American death metal is a breed apart from it's North American and European cohorts. Diego Sendra's Dawn Of Defiance hails from Uruguay, and this two song smapler from their larger 9 song thrash / death metal release gives a good insight to the potential of this crushing band, and personifies the aforementioned uniqueness. From the intricate modal interplay of the title song to the harmonic passages of the multi-metal themed "Haunted Dreams", one can taste the bringer of death as both songs switch effortlessly between thrash and grindcore. At times the content can be a little obscure, yet that is a trademark of all great South American death metal. At press time, Sendra was having some small economic based struggles getting the full length ready for distribution, but if the quality of this two song sampler and the other music available online that will also be on the release are any sign, he should be able to get the product distributed throughout the world, no problem. In this game of violence and force, Dawn Of Defiance were and are, one of the bands to seek out and enjoy the nightmare. Contact: Diego Sendra, defiance@internet.com.uy, http://www.dawnofdefiance.com

No Pride - der quell des lebens

Thick, deep gothic metal. The overall feel is very dark, and at times can suffer a bout of melancholy, yet I believe that is probably part of the plan. Though desolate and even a bit threatening, No Pride show tight chops and use the keyboards and in-the-pit remorse as colors to their craft, instead of allowing them to overshadow very emotional arrangements. The fullness of the band is apparent right away on opening cut "Of Love And Confidence", with is swirling mass of power chord looking glass conjunctives. Coming from Austria, which has for centuries been rightfully known as the birthplace of many excellent artists, No Pride can realistically be added to the mantle, though it may be a bit soon to hail the band as great. Some european artists, most notably Portugal's Desire, excel a bit further. Yet here there is the seed of illumination, be it one of impetuous form. Metal needs bands such as this, to keep things medieval, without pretense of sorrow, for the truth can be found in their music. Hopefully, No Pride will continue to reach higher, and grasp the ring. Listen to "Sceptic" and you'll glimpse what I mean. Contact: http://www.nopride.at, info@nopride.at, tele: 0043/676/7720377

Vicious - Vile. Vicious & Victorious

Blast beats from hell punctuate this Swedish band's war cry. Making the most of x-Skyfire singer Henke Wenngren, this latest release, distributed through Sound Riot, is probably the best of their four releases (including one demo). Excellent production courtesy of Underground Studios marks this release with a clarity, showing the melodic overtones of the band, something many thrash and death bands forego, replacing it with mush and mosh. The clean seperation of the instruments and voice here let the listener hear and (with the bass turned up a bit) feel the band full out. Highlights here include the thrashing "Trigger Needs Some Action", with bass drums sounding like a 30 caliber machine gun at full bore, and the pounding fire spitting melody riding over "A Vicious Mind", just the ticket to bash your skull in!. Pontus Pettersson and Simon Jarrolf are fantastic guitarists, providing as much power riff as suite picking, and they are relentless, never letting up, keeping the power level maxed out. I can only imagine the mess this band's fans will make of venues as they conquer. That is one battle, you will not want to miss! Contact: tokfranspontus@hotmail.com, http://www.viciousonline.tk, http://www.soundriot.net, soundrioteurope@terra.com.br

Rest In Pain - Higher Geometry

Nearing their tenth year as a band, psycho-death metal masters Rest In Pain are only now solidifying their lineup and beginning recording. Val Brewer on guitars and vocals leads this lineup, also featuring Christopher Moleskin on bass and the name-as-applied Jack Daniel giving it hell on drums and percussion. While definitely in the death metal vein, Rest In Pain have fine progressions, and by that I mean more than just million-miles-an-hour chord changes and blast beats, though they have perfected those metal mainstays also. Like the soundtrack to the apocalypse, we're treated to four songs and one cool video on Higher Geometry. I highly recommend this ep for any one interested in metal with something a bit more to offer than run of the mill crunch. It will only surprise me, if a bit further down the road, a bigger label doesn't pick up this band and let the world in on the deal. Contact: mail@restinpain.com, http://www.restinpain.com

Couragous - Remember

This is a great album through and through.  The live version of "Listen" from their first album is worth the price of admission in itself, clipping and all. Couragous (also known as Courageous, for those wondering) have heavy thrash tendencies, think Slayer or Testament, combined with european dark metal overtones.  Making for a classic mix, the band will at times seem repetitive of the great bands they snag from.  Mostly the lstener can get by this because lyrical content and delivery are utmost professional.  The mix on the recordings is strong, except for a few level adjustments which may seem degenerate, though not completely ruining the song. Chris Staubach put's in a vocal performance which could not get any more "metal", with snarling grasps and from-hell screaming, he sounds like a demon incarnate. From what I hear, Couragous are one of the better classic underground metal bands coming out of Germany, land of the great metal bands. Top cuts:  "Sacred" and the best remake of "People Are People" ever made.  Contact: http://www.couragous.de

Arckanum - Arckanum (The 11th Anniversary Album)

Shamaatae is a black metal soldier, with lyrics in ancient Swedish and grinding death core that keeps it's evil true.  These are hardcore primitive, deafening recordings, screaming from the pits of hell. Arckanum, which Shamaatae has called his madness since 1992, is a showcase of his talent first and foremost, and it's remarkable for it's beautiful simplicity, harkoning back to death metal's early glory days. Some of the best is at the beginning with the epic Martyrium Al Ondo circa 1992, and the stunning Kolin Vaeruld from 1994.  There is here, as with every good black metal band, some killer thrash (listen to Et sorghetog, you can feel it). As time goes, Arckanum has progressed and began a new era with paen Vredhgadi Svarti Loghin recorded in 2000, where speed metal elements start to come more from the drums and Arckanum's overall sound becomes an infusion of all styles dark metal. Title cut from the split with Contamino "Kosmos Wardhin Draepas Om Sin" is classic, which is followed by Arkanum's defining creation Vm Kaos Gatvm ok Kosmos. Death, nordic and black metal fans, this is the real shit.  All hail the master of the craft, it's swedish lord has spoken.  Contact:  Carnal Records, POB 168, S-79223 Mora, Sweden http://www.carnalrecords.se, carnal records@hotmail.com

CLASSIC UNDERGROUND METAL- Still available:

Grobar - Promo 2003

While this was called a promo, and it says 2003, it's probably 2004's top grindcore EP, even if it was only planned for gigs and some label shopping. Of course, since it took me all year to get around to it (another cd underneath a huge stack of everything - it's  called ADD) I've heard close to a hundred other discs of downtuned metal and none kick as much serious ass as this demo.  The five songs here were a warmup, and a damn hot one, for the recordings the did at Tone Shed Recordings, and since the band brokeup late 2004, this unreleased session is ripe for a metal label's exclusive catalog. Damn shame these guys couldn't have stayed together.  Contact: luukvanlier@hotmail.com, http://www.grobar.nl, +31 (0) 77.3075109

Pagan Reign - Glories and Revival of the Former Greatness

Heavy on the symphonic goth, Pagan Reign is celluloid cannon fodder for the apocalypse.  Released before 2004's Destinies of the Former Belief, this release is the one that spread Pagan Reign around the world.  The band has definite european flavorings in their gothic spires.  Good for the soul, fuel for the head.  Contact: http://musica.mustdie.ru/, http://pagan.reign.narod.ru, http://www.moscowsound.ru  

Coalition - Devil Revolution

Strong grindcore that rips major shit.  Such heavy fuckin' riffing is definitely a sin, as every major-minor nuance is present on this 8 song piece of metal art. I can't tell what language the singer is pronouncing, but the damn music behind his throat screaming cannot be matched by a majority of so called metal bands.  There is a interesection of death and black metal forms here, the first two cuts off the release, "Black Prayer & Psychopath Attitude" show the depth of the band's talents, and throughout the disc the grind is kept thick. They do blast beats on the whim and can reach down and thrash with overpowering intesity. Coalition are a prime example of the best metal northern europe has to offer. Contact:  Hardebaran, info@hardebaran.com, http://www.hardebaran.com, +32 (0) 16/640982

Fallen Angel - Black Lotus

The perfect compliment of thrash, goth and metalcore, this release remains one of the most sought after underground gems in the pipe.  This is one of those rare occasions when something old, but entirely new, has captivated the scheme. The vocals are throat, the music rips, and the spell is cast. Latest album Extinction continues the growth.  Look for US release in 2005 of new material.  Contact: http://www.fallofangels.com, Fallen Angels c/o Roger Sjunnesson
Skräddarvägen 6B, 311 36 Falkenberg, Phone: 0702-389505 E-Mail: contact@fallofangels.com

Trickle Chasm - Frontline Records Preview

Lo-fi grindcore maxed out in a sluggish gloom of alienation.  So detached and subsonic, it not quite touches the nerve of nonsensical noise, but Trickle Chasm has never been anything if not thrash, and that is unmistaken.  Contact: Frontline Records, bassgroove@knac.com, 24hourguitar.com, 209-543-8768

Cadaveres De Tortugas - Incarnation

Despite, at first glance of the name, you might tend to think these cats are hispanic, put that behind you, because this hungarian tribalmetalcore at its finest.  This band puts the riff back in riffage and takes the slung low down a new hole. This only being a year old, and already there are two after it, from a band with multiple releases for almost ten years of intensifying majesty, only attests to the band's greatness:  Contact: http://www.cdtmusic.hu, Cadaveres De Tortugas, Körmöczi Péter, H-8001 Székesfehérvár Pf: 197 HUNGARY, Telefon/Phone: +36-30/93-93-463 E-mail:info@cdtmusic.hu, eviline@freemail.hu

Gaia Epicus - Satrap

First coming onto the market in early 2004, Satrap quickly established itself as a power metal force through Sound Riot Records, and has since become an underground collectible as the band moves on. The listener can feel the power and glimpse the songwriting skills of Gaia Epicus at spots throughout Satrap, their first full length release. At a few points the recordings are either sonically lacking or overpowering, but it sets the stage well for their upcoming latest Symphony Of Glory full length, now being previewed and out in 2005, sometimes proving things only get better with time and experience.  Contact:  Gaia Epicus v / Thomas Hansen
Strandlandsv . 19, 8700 Nesna, Norway - Sound Riot Records LDA, Apartado 243, 2500 Caldas da Rainha, Portugal http://www.soundriot.net, http://www.gaia-epicus.com/, band@gaia-epicus.com

Couragous - Listen

This is where it all began with the great German band Couragous, at least as far as the world being exposed. While not as slick, nor as mature as Remember, Listen nevertheless brings the thrash, as the title song confers. Other spotlights include the intriguing "My Inner Voice", which I can attest to hearing on indie metal radio here in the states about five or six years ago. A much sought after collector's item in the metal underground, this release is still available through the band. Contact: http://www.couragous.de