Album Review: HORRIBLE EARTH

Weakened by Civilization

Review Score: 7.0

Reviewed by Johnny Ibay

Horrible Earth are back with their latest release, “Weakened by Civilization“, and the Boston-based deathgrind outfit show no signs of slowing down their brutal assault on the senses. Released through the ever-reliable Horror Pain Gore Death Productions, this 17-track album is a reminder of the band’s vision of cut throat savagery and vicious grindcore intensity.

The albums opener “Worth more Dead” starts off with slow, brooding rung out chords reminiscent of Assuck before breaking into a tremolo picked riff accompanied by a blastbeat. The vocals are an interesting intermediary between extreme metal and traditional grind or hardcore, sounding like a more extreme metal tinged Chris Dodge. In true grindcore fashion, this song (along with the rest of the album) is almost over before you can finish your second or third beer since almost every song is 30 seconds to a minute and a half long.

The album rages on with a relentless onslaught of start-stop speedpicked riffs and brain melting blast beats that give off a bit of a Brutal Truth vibe. Although this is a grindcore album I think that this band truly shines in their use of groove riffs such as the beginning of “Extinction Through Violence”, “Brainworms” and the identical riffs in the intro and title track “Weakened by Civilization” which bookend this release and tie everything together very nicely. “Jazz Odyssey” starts with about 30 seconds of funky drums and clean guitar that sounds like Jimi Hendrix before blasting into furious grindcore for maybe another 20 seconds. I found this track to be a little silly for my liking and thought the album would be better off without it.

Lyrically the band touches on familiar themes of the genre such as inequality, environmental destruction and human rights violations. The production is very clear and punchy, sounding more like a modern metal type production than a basement jamspace recording typical of a lot of grind acts.

Overall, this album is a certified Boston grindcore rager. The production sounds heavy and the music is fast and filthy. I wouldn’t expect any less from an outfit hailing from the area of greats such as Siege, Dropdead and Disrupt. Fans of Assuck, Brutal truth or Siege should check it out.

Album Review: NEGATIVE PRAYER

Self-Titled [E.P.]

Review Score: 8.0

Reviewed By: Johnny Ibay

Negative Prayer‘s self-titled EP is a sonic blitzkrieg of death tinged d-beat that pummels the senses and leaves the listener reeling. Guitarist/vocalist Kyle House (Decrepisy, ex-Acephalix, ex-Poison Idea, ex-Vastum) and drummer Charles Koryn (Chthonic Deity, Decrepisy, Funebrarum, VoidCeremony), are both veterans of the extreme metal scene and have crafted an unrelenting and ferocious assault on the status quo.

The EP’s opening track ‘Morbid’ sets the tone with House’s guttural vocals and downtuned d-beat/mosh riffs, combined with Koryn’s thunderous drumming to create a dark and aggressive vibe reminiscent of a straight ahead punk version of Machetazo. The lyrics present a bleak and nihilistic worldview, suggesting that life is a never-ending cycle of struggle and hardship, and that there is no greater purpose to existence beyond enduring pain and ultimately dying alone.

The remaining tracks continue in a similar vein, with each one delivering a punishing dose of d-beat/crust combined with lyrical themes of a stark existence and systemic oppression that’s as intense as it is cathartic. House’s guitar work is a study in d-beat-meets-death metal, a style that has been growing in popularity over the past several years and is displayed with exceeding proficiency on this release. The production quality is exactly what I desire in this type of music; clear enough to be discernable but still dirty enough to sound like it crawled out of a sewer.

Negative Prayer‘s self-titled EP is an intense blast of downtuned d-beat thrash and circle pit inducing breakdowns that would be enjoyed by fans of Driller Killer, Wolfpack or Acephalix. With this release, House and Koryn have cemented their status as two of the most uncompromising and talented musicians in the genre. I look forward to more releases and a potential full length from these guys.

Album Review: FROZEN CROWN

Call of the North

Review Score: 8.5

Reviewed by Blake Mossey

Frozen Crown is a power metal band hailing from Italy. This is the bands 4th album in just 6 years. When covid hit it caused 3 members to decide to quit the band. But this is the 2nd album with the current line up. Power metal meets classic metal with some symphonic moments.

For me this is the first time I have listened to Frozen Crown and I am not one to listen to much power metal these days but I was totally taken aback when I first put this on. Faster and heavier then I was expecting. With the powerful female vocals of Giada “Jade” Etro it really reminds me of Canadian Power Metal outfit Unleash The Archers. The guitar work of Federico Mondelli (founder) and Fabiola “Sheena” Bellomo are full of speedy riffs and leads and solos that match anything else I have heard in the power metal genre. Bassist Francesco Zof and drummer Niso Tomasini along with Fabiola are the 3 newest members joining in 2021.

The album comes in just under a hour. Opening title track CALL OF THE NORTH is a great opener and is a great introduction to the band if your new like me. The song slows down to crawl before ripping into the solo section. FIRE IN THE SKY shows the melodic but still speedy side with some Maidenish Oh Oh’s thrown in. BLACK HEART if the heaviest track and my personal favourite with Giada’s powerful soaring vocals and the catchy melodic chorus. VICTORIOUS gives me the feeling of some neo classical leads reminding me a little of Yngwie. 5th track IN A MOMENT features the most male vocals on the album from Federico who I would say has a great voice for slower parts. On my first few listens the next 2 tracks LEGION and UNTIL THE END didn’t stand out to me and I could of did without them. BUT after a few more listens doing a more deep dive into the songs they are growing on me. Especially LEGION as now its one of my favourites. Another favourite track is NOW OR NEVER just another showcase of the their melodic but still very speed power metal side. ONE FOR ALL is definitely the song designed for sing alongs in concert. Starts out slow and you think your going to get your first full on ballad but they kick it into a crunchy power metal anthem with a little Maidenesque gallop and I can see the crowd singing along to the “All for one, One for all, we stand fiery in the dark” Closing out the album with the longest track FAR AWAY at 7 minutes and another one of my favourite tracks and a great closer.

For fans of as previously mentioned Unleash The Archers, Maiden, Helloween. The best power metal band I have come across in a long time.

They are currently on tour in Europe playing with Nanowar of Steel.

SKID ROW IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA

PIERE’S ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

MARCH 14, 2023

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MARSWORTH

Many know the band Skid Row from their rough and raw vocals or their Earth shattering guitar solos, but going into this show, I knew not to compare it to a show you would have seen them perform in 1991. Don’t get me wrong, the screeching vocals were still present, but nobody could ever overshadow Sebastian Bach; although, it is nice to hear the band still playing the classic hits that they wrote the music for all those years ago. Not many rock groups from that time still have what it takes to put out a full length record and tour with it, so applause is definitely in order! The members may not be jumping around, running, and twirling on stage, but they know how to put on a hell of a show just like they did in ‘91.

Let’s start with my VIP experience. I get there by noon for the early as heck soundcheck, refuse to wait in the freezing weather, and have all my VIP goodies in hand by 12:30. The vomit-inducing anxiety leading up to seeing those 5 men, who’re old enough to be my father, on stage in their street clothes to play 2 songs, have us all turn around for a group photo, and the shortest mingling session you have ever seen was all worth it. Meeting all but my favorite member was still worth every penny spent as the members I did have the joy of meeting were more than happy to see the 20 of us VIP folks.

The time leading up to doors opening was seriously bone rattling. The exhilaration running through my veins was unspeakable, but I never let that change my demeanor as the evening went on. I secure my barricade spot, make nice with the patrons around me, and even see some familiar faces from previous internet connections! The opening acts, No Resolve and Buckcherry, warm the crowd like no other show I’ve attended in the past. The fans were feeling the music and the genuine reactions of the concert-goers is something no artist can forget, even if it is in a smaller venue! Before we knew it, the lights went down for Skid Row.

Being able to have the opportunity to capture one of your favorite bands in a riveting moment in time is out of this world. You can see the youth flaming in the members’ eyes as they get a chance to look into the crowd and see their trusty fans living in the moment. Even if the new album isn’t your jam and you prefer to stick to the old gold, you’re in luck because that’s mostly what they’re serving up! If you’re a Skid fan, take a weekend off to catch these boys perform their hearts and souls for just one evening, you’re in store for something monumental!

Album Review: STEEL PANTHER

On The Prowl

Review Score: 8.0

Review by Georgina Strilakos

Steel Panther is back with a brand new studio work: “On The Prowl”

Steel Panther is a band focusing on not taking themselves too seriously. They approach hard rock and classic heavy metal with a fun attitude and just want to connect with the audience with an energetic, good vibe. The group’s most recent studio work, On The Prowl, stands out as a perfect example of this!

The release has thirteen new songs, embracing the tropes of 80s hair metal, with incursions into synth-wave here and there. The intro song, ‘Never Too Late (To Get Some P***y Tonight)’, has a classic-sounding synth intro, which later delves into a fiery rock and roll anthem, in the vein of artists like Mötley Crüe or Poison, among others.

The song ‘Friends with Benefits’ follows along the same lines, capturing the riffage and swagger of 80s arena rock to absolute perfection. The album is a rollercoaster of fun licks and iconic riffs with a retro twist. From the hard-hitting shuffle of ‘One Pump Chump’ to the soaring guitar antics of ‘Is My D**k Enough’, featuring special guest Dweezil Zappa, a true guitar innovator and the son of the icon himself, Frank Zappa.

The track ‘On Your Instagram’ is probably one of the most fun and dynamic tracks from Steel Panther on this album. The lyrics are absolutely hilarious, and the track itself pokes fun at the nature of social media and how people present themselves through the filters of cameras and the high expectations of curated social media scrapbooks of perfect moments that aren’t representative of real life.

Overall, On The Prowl should be taken for what it is: a fun rock album with a comedy twist, as Steel Panther is just the kind of band that wants you to have a good time and make us all smile!

Find out more about Steel Panther and listen to On The Prowl, which is currently available on Spotify.