ALBUM REVIEW: NECROWRETCH

Necrowretch – Swords of Dajjal

Reviewed by: Kenneth Gallant

Review Score 9.0

You have to love it when a band can build tenure in any musical genre. When a band like Necrowretch is eating up fifteen years in the business it’s quite a feat. Now I say this having very little exposure to the band’s discography, but upon hearing their latest effort, I have to say I’m quite impressed.

The album in question is Swords Of Dajjal and it’s due out February 2nd on Seasons of Mist Underground Activists. What you get here is an album clocking in around thirty-seven minutes of the blackened-death variety and it only took three years in the making according to the band.

This is also album number five, coming upon the heels of the whole world shut down debacle of COVID, and it’s quite an interesting back story as to how this record came about. For starters, the previous release The Ones From Hell (came out in 2020) was meant to give the band a huge push right out of the gate. A European tour was put together with Kampfar and Taake, but that was quickly squashed when the pandemic erupted. The band was forced into shutdown mode, so they decided to write some new songs.

These songs gave the band a chance to upgrade their power and depth as a musical entity and according to singer Vlad, he took singing lessons to meet that challenge, along with upgrading their gear and tuning the sound. What came about afterwards is a sound of intensely written black metal, but with more variety and some death metal layering in for good measure.

This all sounds exciting, so when perusing over the press-kit materials I quickly realized the band means business on this new release. So without further adieu, here’s some of my analysis on what to expect with Swords Of Dajjal.

The guitars are out front on the opening track ‘Ksar Al-Kufar’, along with Vlad’s raspy vocal delivery in a pronounced way. He sounds immediate here and I’m liking what I am hearing. There’s some nice ominous passages that start up on ‘The Fifth Door’ right out of the gate. The commanding drone of the guitars reach my ears quickly and Vlad layers his vocals with a fiery passion. The song spirals into a meaty mid-section and I am completely enthralled with this new sound.

‘Di Mauri’ begins with a demonic passage of speech and blackened guitars that spew out a tone of nastiness. The band’s new drummer N. Destroyer is on fire and I’m getting some early-era Entombed vibes here tonally. The pace quickens on the title track Swords Of Dajjal because those riffs take centre stage and provide meaty fisticuffs before sprawling into a doom laden passage. This is definitely some serious stuff happening and we’re only half-way through the recording.

It’s hard to tell what is being said lyrically, but I suppose ‘Numidian Knowledge’ is waxing poetically on the ways of this semi-nomadic tribe known as the Numidia population. As esoteric as it sounds, the song spirals out like a group of monks deviating from their daily ritual of prayers and mediation and embarking on some bloodletting. It’s a pretty cool song for the most part and I do like the snaky passages leading up to the end of it. The next track ‘Vae Victis’ is a black metal staple with all the fixings, as the guitars drone along until the stark turn into barked out death vocals and blasting guitars. It’s such a great way to end the number.

‘Daeva’ is a short instrumental track that follows; getting punchy and straight to the point. However, it’s contrasted by the closing number ‘Total Obliteration’ as being the longest track here. You get some precision drumming and drony guitars to start out, but Vlad’s vocals are shouted out and seem to give the song some added extra dimension. There’s a smooth transition into the eerie sounds of hands sliding across the neck of the guitar strings that is a really neat effect to bring an end to the proceedings. I have to say this track concludes with a bang and it compliments the other seven tracks before it.

I have to say this is a banger of a release! It’s built upon a new and improved sound, plus it expertly straddles along the genres of both black and death metal. Vlad’s vocals are a high point for me and you can’t go wrong with a band who puts its best foot forward in earnest of improving their sound overall. Let’s see what they do on the live concert circuit in 2024.

Swords of Dajjal will be released February 2, 2024 on Season of Mist

The Metal Pit’s Top 15 of 2023

Obituary – Dying Of Everything
Overkill – Scorched
Primordial – How It Ends
Cannibal Corpse – Chaos Horrific
Dying Fetus – Make Them Beg For Death
Hellripper – Warlocks Grim And Withered Hags
Enslaved – Heimdal
Suffocation – Hymns From The Apocrypha
Katatonia – Sky Void Of Stars
Tsjuder – Helvegr
Incantation – Unholy Deification
Blackbraid – II
Tomb Mold – The Enduring Spirit
Tailgunner – Guns For Hire
Prong – State of Emergency

Like clockwork, each and every year metalheads compile a list of their favorite albums that destroyed their earholes for the year, and 2023 was no different.

So, what was it about 2023 and metal releases that made this year so special? For starters, it was certainly the year of death metal. Who would have thought that thirty-five years after the release of many of the classic albums that birthed the genre that we would be here today still critiquing albums from these bands?

This year saw some incredibly relevant albums from many of our death metal overlords, which included Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Incantation, Dying Fetus, and Obituary. In fact, all five made The Metal Pit’s year-end list, with Obituary taking the number one spot. Additionally, we had one contemporary death metal band, Tomb Mold, make our list, with many of our contributors placing it quite high. It’s good to see death metal so strong all these years later.

Similarly, black metal proper has been infecting ears over the last thirty years yet remains just as strong today as it did back in those early church burning, murderous days. This year saw some stellar releases from the Nordic contingent with albums by the mighty Enslaved and Tsjuder (the latter releasing one of their most vicious albums yet). Again, we had a couple of contemporary black metal albums make our year-end, which includes newcomers Blackbraid and Hellripper.

If The Metal Pit’s year-end list is any indication, 2023 wasn’t quite the year of thrash, with only a couple of albums making the list. That said, one of those albums, Overkill‘s Scorched, scored the number two spot. A fantastic album that showcases the consistency and relevance of this legendary, genre-defining band. We once again have to speak about Scotland’s Hellripper (who we previously mentioned when discussing 2023’s black metal releases). When it comes to thrash, Hellripper certainly fits the bill, with a ton of killer riffs that display a decidedly 80s thrash attack. Definitely a band to watch out for.

Rounding out our list we have few outliers, two of whom comfortably fit in the alternative metal category. The first of those bands is Prong. Another legendary act who released perhaps their best album since 1990’s Beg to Differ and 1991’s Prove You Wrong. An incredible album that showcases the relevancy of their crossover take on thrash and alternative metal. The UK’s Tailgunner was probably the surprise band of 2023 with their debut full-length Guns For Hire, an album chock-full of solid metal goodies. Quite the feat for a band that has only been in existence for a few short years.

The last band of our list, Swedish legends Katatonia, is a band that I’m certain makes year-end lists for each and every album they release. They truly are one of the most consistent heavy bands in existence, and this year’s Sky Void Of Stars once again proves this.

The Metal Pit is looking forward to a bevy of releases in 2024… stay tuned, as we will definitely be covering tons of metal this coming year! We thank you for supporting us and are looking forward to seeing you all in the PIT!

The Metal Pit Writers Top 15 lists.

Jim Harrison
Tom Elke
Georgina Strilakos
Dennis van’t Hoofd
Kenneth Gallant
Billy Klare
Staicha Kidd
Jason Deaville
Kim Baarda
Blake Mossey

Interview with Tomislav Perkovic – Drummer for Elm Street

Our writer Tom Elke connected with Tomislav Petrovic, Drummer Extrordinaire for the Australian Band Elm Street for a “Q & A Session.”

Tom Elke: Hi Tomislav, Thanks for joining me! It’s great to chat with you. I want to get into all things Drums with you, but why don’t you get us up to speed on what’s going on in the Elm Street Camp. Of course the new album, perhaps some touring plans, etc?

Tomislav Petrovic: It’s been busy and exciting year. We always had plans to finally release our new album after COVID delays with studio time. We started off back in the studio finishing off the recordings and at the same time, had a few shows in Australia with Udo Dirkschneider, which were our first shows back since 2021. Since releasing the album in October this year, we’ve been focused on promoting the album with live shows around Australia and have some exciting plans to extend the live shows overseas in 2024. We’re hoping that the wait between the next album, won’t be so long and we’ll begin writing soon.

When did you start playing the Drums? What made you interested in them?

TP: When we formed the band called ‘Raid’ at the time back in 2003 in high school none of us knew how to play any instruments. We were heavily influenced by Iron Maiden at the time(still are). Aaron, Ben and myself all wanted to play guitar and have 3 guitarists in the band. My older brother Roko plays guitar and I wanted to get lessons from his teacher but there were no spots available. I waited 6 months hoping someone will quit so there could be a spot for me haha but that didn’t happen and my brother suggested to give drums a try. I did, I found my drum teacher Simon Gatt at his school Rhythmic Passion and I’m glad I did.

You’re associated with DW Drums, how did that come about?

TP: I’ve always wanted to play DW drums for many years and lucky for me a friend of mine Joe Torre who is the drummer for Aussie artist Shannon Noll was signed with DW at the time. He guided me in the right direction, I signed with D’addario who distribute DW, Pro Mark sticks and Evans drum heads.

Take us around your set-up. I love the Arial Toms and some of the smaller “Octobon” like Toms.

TP: The set up I have right now has been in my mind for many years and I couldn’t quite figure it out until this year. Slowly over the years I’ve added toms, experimented with different heights and angles as drummers do and finally worked it out! I bought a few lengths of stainless steel tubing and a pipe bender and through trial and error I managed to come up with what you see on this new album. New additions I’ve added are 8×6, 8×8, 8×10 rack toms. 4 rata toms at 6×14, 6×16, 6×18, 6×20 and lastly my favourite my mega 20×20 floor tom that actually hangs off the rack. haha

I love how you use you China’s. Take a Track like “Sabbath,” you just shower the listener with China Cymbal strikes in the Intro. Share some thoughts on your utilization of the China’s.

TP: Great question! I love it when my cymbal work gets noticed haha always great to hear! ‘Sabbath’ is one of my favourite songs to listen and jam out too. The way I approach using the china cymbal is where does the song need more colour by accenting certain guitar sections or vocal lines. ‘Sabbath’ was an easy one because it’s so energetic but also there’s room to breathe.

Will you be able to bring your DW Set with you when you go out on tour? Or will it have to be Backline/House Sets?

TP: Unfortunately I’m not in the position yet to use this set up live. But if I had it my way I definitely would! So for now backline would have to do.

If you would like, just comment on using Backline/House Sets. I as a Drumming Fan find it frustrating when a Drummer has to do that. Your set-up is a very personal, specific to your wants/needs with how everything is in place. So I always get frustrated by that whole concept.

TP: In my early years of touring I used to get frustrated about using backline, especially when the quality of the hardware isn’t the best because cymbals always tend to fall during songs and we all know how frustrating that gets! As I’ve gotten older I try not to let it get to me. Going through those challenges make you a better drummer so I just I smile at the boys and get the show on.

Do you have any Drummer favorites? Or who influenced you?

TP: I have many drummers who have influenced me over the years. Growing up I really liked the style of Nicko McBrain, Vinnie Appice, A. J. Pero, Tommy Aldridge and my drum teacher Simon Gatt. When it comes to set ups I was influenced by Robert Sweet of Stryper, Nick Menza of Megadeth and Scott Rockenfield of Queensryche. Especially his set up on Operation Mindcrime. The last few years drummers like Mike Portnoy, Thomas Lang and the late great Dom Famularo have inspired me.

What would you say to young _Or older) Drummers out there who want to improve their skills?

TP: The most important thing about improving as a player is consistency. Try to play as much as you can everyday even if it’s only 20 minutes. Also keep in mind when sitting behind the kit try not to get distracted by noodling around and try to focus on metronome work, exercises, learning new styles etc…

Any parting words or anything you would like to mention in closing?

TP: Tom Elke thank you for reaching out, I had fun answering these questions. Im a fan of your posts. keep up the great work, thank you for your support, take care.

Thank you!!

TP: Thanks Tom! I had fun man. You’re a legend!
Tomisla

***Photos provided by Tomislav Perkovic***

Kim Baarda – Top 15 Albums of 2023

Dying Fetus – Make Them Beg for Death
Suffocation – Hymns from the Apocrypha
Primordial – How It Ends
Enslaved – Heimdal
Tsjuder – Helvegr
Incantation – Unholy Deification
Extermination Dismemberment – Dehumanization Protocol
Sanguisugabogg – Homicidal Ecstasy
Katatonia – Sky Void of Stars
Overkill – Scorched
Marduk – Memento Mori
Obituary – Dying of Everything
Wolves in the Throne Room – Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge (EP)
Cattle Decapitation – Terrasite
Xasthur – Inevitably Dark

Honorable mention: Iotunn – Mistland Single

By far the highlight of 2023 was my trip to Bergen, Norway this past August for the annual four-day extreme metal festival, Beyond The Gates. This year’s edition was pure perfection, with incredible performances by Deicide, Gorgoroth, Primordial, Enslaved, Dimmu Borgir, Kreator, Bolzer, Perturbator, among many others.

It seems that 2023 was also the year that live shows returned with a vengeance. There were so many great tours that it looks like things are finally getting back to normal. With all these awesome tours and festivals, 2023 was also a year that made it easy to make some lifelong friends, both closer to home (Canada) as well as overseas. No matter where I go, I now have a crew of like-minded, metal-thrashing mad friends to hangout with!

Finally, it was also the year that saw all our hard-work here at The Metal Pit grow into something incredibly special. We now have a fantastic crew of contributors who pump out world-class metal coverage. All that hard-work is being noticed as the site is growing by leaps and bounds! Onward and upward into 2024 we go!

ALBUM REVIEW – THE RODS

The Rods – Rattle The Cage

Reviewed By: Tom Elke

Review Score: 8.5

The Rods are a U.S. metal band that was started in late 1979 by drummer Carl Canedy (who was the first drummer for Manowar) and lead vocalist/guitarist David “Rock” Feinstein (Ronnie James Dio’s cousin). Adding bassist Garry Bordonaro to complete the lineup, they put out six albums, one EP and one live album through the 80s. While still remaining friends and always keeping in touch (and perhaps playing a gig here and there) the band finally reunited in 2008 to play a festival in Norway (The Rods are one of those bands that has always had that “street-cred” aura attached to them.) This prompted them to record the album Vengeance in 2011 and Brotherhood of Metal in 2019.

The Rods are now joined by bassist Freddy Villano and have a new a studio album entitled Rattle The Cage, with a release date of January 19th, 2024 on Massacre Records. The album is produced by The Rods (which of course includes Carl Canedy, who has forty plus albums to his producer credits) while being mixed & mastered by Chris Collier… giving Rattle The Cage a modern sounding metal album that still possesses The Rods’ style of traditional metal music. It sounds great!

The album features ten tracks, with a running time of approximately forty-nine minutes. It’s a mixture of tempos from slower, to mid-paced, to up-tempo tracks. There’s even some organ/keyboards spots that are sprinkled in by guest musician Lonnie Park, but it does not take anything away from The Rods classic sound… and classic sounding The Rods it is! Whether it’s great songs like ‘Hell Or High Water’, ‘Play It Loud’, ‘Now And Forever’ or the excellent title track, The Rods bring the same passion and power they brought back in their early days of existence. This is an excellent album of modern-sounding, traditional metal music.

Rattle The Cage track-listing:

Now And Forever
Wolves At The Door
Cry Out Loud
Rattle The Cage
Can’t Slow Down
Metal Highways
Hell Or High Water
Play It Loud
Shockwave
Hearts Of Steel