Kreator – Hordes of Chaos
Released: Jan 13, 2009
Genre: Thrash Metal
Label: Steamhammer
It's safe to say that most bands who end up having a lengthy career lose their marbles at one time or another. Very few recover or return, and even fewer make such an impressive return as Kreator have with their last string of releases.
The most obvious thing, at least for me, was the shift the guys have made in terms of production. “Hordes...” was recorded live, and sounds a lot more aggressive than “Enemy of God” could ever dream of. It has also got more of an old school thrash vibe with not that much overdubbing going on which lends to a somewhat simpler and not as busy soundscape. I am on the fence if this is for better or worse though – generally I prefer productions such as the one of “Enemy of God”, but for now I'll happily accept it. The aggressive sound definitely complements the songs at hand and does not hurt them at all.
So, does this differ much from the other Kreator albums in the “renaissance” era of the band? No, not really. “Violent Revolution” and “Enemy of God” are very close to the sound of “Hordes...”, which is built on a mixture of thrash and melody. Kreator most likely won't alienate any fans with this album – bluntly put it's more of the same, a tried and trusted formula. Fierce riffs, fast pace, melodic breaks, chaotic solos and of course Mille's lyrics about virtually all things in society that make him such an angry German.
“Hordes...” is a good album, bordering on very good. I would call it a slight step down from “Enemy of God”, simply because it was more even and had better songs across the board. They are playing it a bit safe with sticking to more or less the same sound, but they get away with it most of the time because of songs like the title track, “Escalation” and “Absolute Misantrophy”, to name a few. Mille Petrozza would make a very good riot leader, if you get my drift.
Napalm Death – Time Waits For No Slave
Released: January 26
Genre: Grindcore
Label: Century Media
While we're discussing bands who are going through a creative renaissance, few seem more fitting than Napalm Death. For a band who pioneered a genre, they sure don't like to slow down, both in terms of years between albums and beats per minute in their songs.
There is not a whole lot to say about Napalm Death's sound after all these years and albums – it's tight, precise, machinelike and relentless in its onslaught of you, the listener. Grindcore may not leave the most space within the compositions to employ huge mood swings or changes in tempo, but Napalm Death still manage to keep things interesting and intense as expletive. Where most albums are starting to sound dull and uninspired, “Time Waits For No Slave” is still blowing your brains out. If anything, it's a touch too long for an album of this style, coming home at around 50 minutes. Two or three tracks could perhaps have been trimmed off, to make the listen feel more complete. Sometimes, less is more.
Individually, Herrera puts on a drum clinic and has always been one of the most impressive members of Napalm Death for me. Solid and extreme, but always tasteful and with a nice groove when needed. Barney unleashes his vocals and lyrics over you with that signature bark he's employed for an eternity, and he's as angry as ever.
Stylistically, “Time Waits...” sits very close to their recent output, and also holds the same high standards as “Smear Campaign”. Nigh every song has something to make it worthwhile, and since it's such an even album it's somewhat hard to pick out a few stand out tracks, but if I have to I'd pick “Diktat” and “Procrastrination on the Empty Vessel”. Hell, I'd pick the latter just because of the awesome title. You deserve some good grindcore and Napalm Death delivers it. Again.
Sepultura - A-Lex
Released: January 26
Genre: Groove metal/hardcore
Label: SPV
I usually applaud bands who try write concept albums, especially when they come from a genre usually not associated with such albums. I would also advise said band to not try it again if they fail the first time, but sadly I was not around for when Sepultura started recording “A-Lex”. I was never much of a fan of “Dante XXI”, but I like to see a band try something new and I can forgive them if they don't pull it off.
Well, I'm sorry, but “A-Lex” is just as futile and uninspired as “Dante”, or virtually any Sepultura album since way-back-when. I do like Derrick Green, he's a pretty good vocalist but he needs a better band with better ideas, better hooks, better musicianship, better delivery, better everything. I am somewhat at a loss on where to start with my criticism, because all I see is a 54 minute album which has very little reason to exist. There are a handful of decent songs about, such as “Moloko Mesto” and “The Treatment”, but I'd be hard pressed to call more than 20% of this album entertaining or captivating. The story is basically “A Clockwork Orange”, which is delivered in the most unintriguing of ways, even though I'll admit that the small “A-Lex” interludes and the shorter songs (whose only purpose seem to be to tie the thing together) are quite good.
Unfortunately, they're probably the best thing I can think of with this album.
Cattle Decapitation – The Harvest Floor
Released: January 20
Genre: Grind/death metal
Label: Metal Blade
On the surface, Cattle Decapitation aren't really anything special. But when you couple their vegetarian stance with the skill they possess on their respective instruments, as well as their abilities to compose interesting songs, then you realise why they're worth your time.
“The Harvest Floor” is, if the genres listed above didn't make you guess it, a very brutal album. Blastbeats, grinding, tons of double bass, guttural vocals and a whole lot of awesome riffs are just a few of the ingredients in this stew, largely based on the belief that humans are very, very bad people. Cattle Decapitation are quite vocal about their vegetarian beliefs, as they have proven in the past and it certainly doesn't seem like they've toned down those opinions.
The album does have quite a lot going for it – it's of a fitting length (38 minutes), the instruments never overplay, they've got a solid amount of quality tracks and don't really do much wrong over the course of the album. Unsurprisingly, the album opens very well with “The Gardeners of Eden” and its absolutely sick chorus, and while the early highs aren't reached as often as one would perhaps wish, the album also closes on a good note. The tempo is slowed down and an incredibly somber mood is added by the second-to-last track, which is the instrumental title track, which then goes into “Regret & The Grave” which in many ways keeps that somber mood going.
“The Harvest Floor” is a very good album, and if Napalm Death seems a bit too one dimensional for your tastes, maybe this one will fit your tastes better.
Grave Digger – Ballads of a Hangman
Release date: January 12
Genre: Heavy/power metal
Label: Napalm
Grave Digger have been around for almost 30 years by now, but they manage to sound more alive than many bands who've been around for far less. Their sound may not be the most innovative to date, but they make up for much of it by writing solid songs and if I'd be forced to describe “Ballads...” with a single word, it'd be mature. They know what they do best and they do it quite well, putting together heavy rocking songs like “Ballad of a Hangman”, “ Into the War” and “Stormrider”. If you want your metal a bit more old school, like Priest and Maiden in the early 80s, but with a slightly modern touch production, then this is for you.
“Ballads...” is not without its flaws, such as the somewhat corny lyrics, but if that doesn't bother you much then you should enjoy this solid and rocking, if a bit uneventful, album. At worst, it'll do nicely as background music when you have a few cold ones with your mates.
· Rating: 6.5
News And Tidbits From The Past Month
Metallica will be inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame on April 4th.
Every Time I Die will enter the studio in April to record their new album.
Lord Belial are forced to quit playing due to drummer
Micke Backelin's severe tinnitus.
Death Angel have announced that
Sammy Diosdado is their new bassplayer.
Chimaira have finished work on their new album
“The Infection” which will be released via Ferret on April 21st.
Glen Alvelais has quit
Forbidden and is replaced by former Nevermore guitarist
Steve Smyth.
Edguy will release their new DVD
"F--king With Fire – Live" via Nuclear Blast in April.
Candlemass' new album
“Death Magic Doom” will be released on March 27 via Nuclear Blast.
Devildriver has inked a new deal with
Roadrunner, after previously releasing three albums on the same label.
Vomitory are currently recording their new album
“Carnage Euphoria” which will be released on Metal Blade in May.
Suffocation recently entered the studio to record their new album
"Blood Oath", tentatively due in the summer via Nuclear Blast.
As I Lay Dying will release a new DVD, entitled
“This Is Who We Are”, via Metal Blade in April.
Shadow Gallery will finish recording their new album, despite the death of singer Michael A. Baker. The band will utilise guest vocalists and perhaps co-write with them to finish the new album.
Ahab have begun recording their sophomore album, due late spring/early summer via Napalm.
Karl Sanders of
Nile will release his new solo album
“Saurian Exorcisms” via The End Records on April 14.
Isis' new album
“Wavering Radiant” will be released on May 5th.
And finally,
The Faceless appear to have been another victim of
Disney Corporation. The Faceless were banned from playing the opening show of their tour with Meshuggah and Cynic in Anaheim on February 1 for undisclosed reasons. In 2007 Disney cancelled the opening night of Machine Head and Arch Enemy's “The Black Tyranny Tour” with very short notice, due to their lyrics being inflammatory and their fans being undesirable.
Well, that's all for this month. Next month I'll have a look at the new Cannibal Corpse and Lamb of God albums, to name but a few. See you then.
/ my profile 
They seem to like to ruin music. ;p
