Review: ALPINIST | MASAKARI Split

When it comes to underground doomy/sludgy/pure fucking metal, no one knows how to choose the best of each better than HALO OF FLIES. They've put out bands like NORTHLESS, Light Bearer, Protestant, and a few great others, including MASAKARI, who recently put out a split record with Alpinist. The rad dudes at Halo of Flies sent me a copy of that record, and all I can say is this: Go buy this record. Go buy this record. Seriously, do yourself a huge favor and Go buy this record.

For those people who do not know what a split album is. (you'd be surprised. ) It is exactly what it's named. a split between two bands on one record. One half being one band, the other, well.. being the other band.

Today I'm doing two seperate parts of this review. One for each band.

beginning with.....

ALPINIST:

This side is absolutely crazy. It opens up with this mind-blowing kinda doomy introduction for the song "Abgerichtet" this angry, demented song that . A definitely revealing and straight forward opening to a killer side. The madness doesn't end once we hit "Subjection", a jam that's just packed with pure havoc, telling about subjecting yourself to daily routines and rotting the world, all while caring less about the problems affecting everyone around you. It surely speaks out more than the other songs on the album. "Steps" just flies by on the album. A great song, definitely fast and energetic. This is the "Face-pounder" of the album. The song is definitely fucking killer/ "Postmodern Problems" is an anthem for those who waste time complaining about useless decisions  and have yet to focus on actual issues that occur around you and your existance. The song definitely shows what the hell it's talking about, proving that Alpinist is not fucking around. At All. The next song is my favorite. "Unwanted Encore" to me is a big "Fuck you" to all the negativity and fascists around the world. Explained in the album the song basically states that there are no innocent enemies (Nazi's portrayed in the explanation) and that people still think that what the Nazi's did in the early 1940's was right and that this racism is needed. It's a shame people in the world actually still revolve their life-styles around this. And that is why I really like this song. The final song on the Alpinist side is "Quelle Valeur Reste?" Translated from french, means "What Value is?" (correct me if I'm wrong guys). The song starts slow and slowly progresses into a full blown machine of anger, melancholy, and confusion. The song is derived from a World War documentation and questions a last minute decision as to whether or not it is efficient to save a mans life.

MASAKARI:

Masakari's side of this album is a Killer! From the beginning of their side to end, it is purely outstanding. When it opens up with the dramatic sequence of "The Obscene Underbelly" you are attached to a darkened dignifying atmosphere. When that climax hits and you reach the uproar of the guitars and drums, you get a taste of vocalist Tony Yanick's powerful sound. Punk and Metal collide to make one hell of a band known as Masakari. "Void Manufacturing" only pulls you deeper and deeper into the twisted fast sound and headbanging action that this album provides.  With songs like "Hexenhammer" and "Trapped Into The Mold" you're ears will be begging for release from this brutality. My favorite song on this side though is "Progress." it has a twisted, tormenting opening, killer bass, and makes me want to just go ballistic. There is literally nothing completely calm about this side. It thrashes, it kills, cuts like a knife and digs into your ears  like daggers slowly pushing into your skin.

OVER-ALL REVIEW: This split rips and shreds a whole new perspective on the Halo of Flies releases. Just as I though they could not possibly put out anything better than they have this year, these two excellent bands push the barriers and prove me wrong. Even if any of you are stupid enough to not like one side, I'm almost positive you will like the other. Do yourselves an awesome favor and buy this. I promise. You will not regret the purchase.

*Because I am reviewing this into two parts, each side will recieve one-to five stars. Adding them together equaling the over-all MiR grade of this album

ALPINIST:    4.5/5

MASAKARI: 5/5

Metal in Ruins rates this piece of action a 9.5 stars out of 10! For blowing our brains into an oblivious pile of crap! with all the insanity and malevolence felt through the album, it'll leave all you metal heads wanting more and more from these bands

You can buy this awesome release at the Halo of Flies release store. (click this, idiot.)

Your precious money will go to good use and will support the band and label ensuring that the bands keep making awesome music as well as ensuring that the labels have the funds to put out the music that these bands are putting out. Support the music guys!

-DZ

Review: Ninety-Six's "Dogs of the Day"

Traditional Hardcore bands come in two different sounds. It's either a Hardcore band is great, or it's a Hardcore band that sucks. For 96, well. They obviously don't suck. So I'll leave the obvious to you. 96 is a four piece hardcore band from New Jersey. The dudes have shared the stage with bands like Sick of it All, Suicidal Tendencies, and This is Hell. They recently came out with a free E.P. that they put up for download, So I decided to check it out and review it. So with out further ado, Ninety-Six's Dogs of the Day.

The E.P. opens up with Rescue Boat (Dogs of the Day) opening up with this old hard punky riff and some straight forward drums, just speeding out there, The breakdown in the song kinda wasnt my thing, But hey. It opened great. All the sudden, the 54 second jam Hardluck kicks in. My mind leaves me speachless. That is the way hardcore should be. No -waiting for the intro-intros. Just IN YOUR FUCKING FACE STRAIGHT FORWARD DO OR DIE. That's how the intro should be. Always. The next song on here is Lone Wolf. A tad bit slower than the songs on the E.P. but equally as great. Which leave us to the final track: Homesick. A definite anthem for the band. This song is what makes up the release. It has some killer riffs, and just makes me want to bash my face into the wall. The lyrics are catchy, with a simple sentance: "You can try to take me out of the grave but you can’t take the grave outta me" It leaves me with a line that just sticks out of the whole release. By far my favorite lyrics on it

Closing statement: Though the release was only four songs long, and didn't give me TOO much to review for you all, It was something. And that something was classic hardcore with a hint of modern influence, it's kinda like an older version of This is Hell. To be honest, I dig it. A lot. It's rough, the quality doesn't have the best production values. It's just the way it should be. Pure Hardcore.

If you like what you just read and you want to hear this piece of action/download it for FREE Go to 96's Bandcamp! (yes, this is a link. That's why it's highlighted, dumbass.)

-DZ

Album Review: BLACK TUSK's Set the Dial

Relapse is just on a roll with the releases they've been coming out with this year. So far this is one of my favorites they have released for 2011. The album opens up with a bit of a sketchy intro that leads to this catchy instrumental opening to the album, to me it honestly sounds kinda.... funky! The track is just this instant blood rusher that is making me anticipate the next song, which hits not too long after. The next track is called "Bring Me Darkness" and is definitely a hell of a track. It opens up with three, simple words. "Six... Six... Six.." repeated a few times. It also has this killer bass riff to fill my interest. The song is definitely reminiscent of previous Black Tusk songs, only BETTER. Next up comes this Mastodon meets Red Fang jam called "Ender of All" The song sounds a bit different, but is definitely one of my favorite songs on the album. It has a few nice hard-rock riffs and killer lyrics, but I can also notice a lot more of a hardcore influence in the song that most of the other tracks.

Track Four on the album is "Mass Devotion", a bit more of a weirder side on the album. The song chills out a little in the beginning, and kicks into a full cut raw piece of fucking meaty ass tunage! This album is just getting better and better. The song definitely shows a different personality portrayed a lot in the album. Next up, "Carved in Stone" an instant kick in the nuts from this pure fucking music. A lot of catchy riffs used in this song. The song seems as if it involves religious state. The next song is the Title Track of the album (kinda. I mean, it's longer. But it's it.) "Set the Dial To Your Doom", A crushing instant threat to your ears. I literally broke into movement and could not refrain from head banging to this song. I definitely see why the album got this name. The album completely passes my expectations immediately at the wake of this track. Just as I thought the album could not possible get any better, the instrumental jam of the album "Resistor" kicks in. With a nice, soft little opening, only to be over ruled by the catchy stomach curling riffs that can easily get stuck in your head. Soon, the end of the song comes, and yet again the soft, melodies of an acoustic guitar (like the one heard in the beginning of the song) occupy me, yet making me wonder what bit of heaviness is about to stomp on my skull.Soon, I wonder no more, as Track Eight, "This Time is Divine" heads in. The song sounds like a more Mastodon meets more Sludge. The next song "Growing Horns" sounds like Bring Me Darkness' fucked up cousin who just made a deal with the devil. Definitely one of my favorite tracks on the album, until the final song on the album, Track Ten, "Crossroads of Thunder" comes along. A full blown southern sounding hardcore sludgy killer that definitely closes an excellent album well.

OVER ALL: Black Tusk's Set the Dial is a Murderous, Crushing work of art. A Masterpiece to be released by one of the best bands in the southern states now. The album is definitely added to the list of my favorites. It has excellent sound, crunchy guitars, and fucked up vocals. And let's not forget the spine shattering Bass that emphasizes the sound on the album!

Metal in Fuckin' Ruins rates this tasty jam a Ten out of Ten stars! For being Heavy, Perfect, and Diverse. The album does not cut out a single instrument and is one of the most peculiar and intense albums of the year! Definitely go to your local record store and buy this when it's released!

This album's release date is set for October 25, 2011. And you can pre order the album at the Relapse Records Official Website!

Until next time friends,
Have a Metal-ass day!


-DZ

REVOCATION - CHAOS OF FORMS REVIEW by Sebastian Wheeler?

Hey guys! I'm helping David out here while hes away doing some tour interviews and getting all professional like with the higher ups.SO he threw me a bone and this bone was REVOCATION and I have to say its mighty tasty.

Straight off from the first track "Cretin" and to the last track "Reprogrammed" it had me going.
I've never been a fan let alone a listener of Revocation BUT this album has indefinitely changed my mind!
The Drums are reminiscent of thrash bands such as Slayer and Evile, The vocals do remind me of the old school hardcore bands such as Agnostic Front and a bit of G.G. Allin and The Murder Junkies, The Guitars and Bass really reminded me of Trivium gone apeshit and actually becoming angry along with some At The Gates elements.

The overall equalization of the album is phenomenal in my opinion.Everything can be heard at all times during the album.The guitars are thick,crunchy,and clear as day,The bass is glassy and thundering, the drums are heavy and pop loud and clear,The vocals are perfect,not too loud nor too quiet.

The only downsides I can come too are the fact that it does run into itself with each song.There isn't any definition as to where one song ends and another begins on a few areas of the album.Overall thats the only downside!

I give this album a 4.5 out 5! and strongly recommend it to ANYONE who loves metal or hardcore.

-Sebastian Wheeler of Wideyedaze

Album Review: INDIAN's Guiltless

On April 12th, those Doomy-ass dudes INDIAN released their new album "Guitless". On April 15th, this Doomy-ass dudes- liking dude bought it on Limited Edition Vinyl at Inherent Records in Cleveland, TN (thanks to Logan Chitwood for loaning this poor little man the cash to buy it. Your welcome for paying you the next day).This is an album I've been dying to review, and wow. All I can actually say is wow.

The album opens up with the instant face crusher No Grace, that, like expected, turns into a doomy, grinding, destructive killer. It begins with a decent paced intro and verse, till' it just pulls down to the slow, catchy doom riffs I love INDIAN for. As the song shifts to a rhythmic outtro, it has a somewhat sketchy riff playing untill the song fades, beginning track two. Track two is The Fate Before The Fate, which opens up as a beautiful masterpiece that just spreads the atmosphere of the song around you. 4:53 minutes pass, and we hit the title track, GUILTLESS. with the instantly crushing piece of action, it opens up where it should have. It has straight-forward heavy riffs and lots of slow doom for you kiddies to enjoy.  You can just feel the anger in the song pierce your ears and slash ten-thousand chains across your instantly morbid looking face. It's quite the miasma, my friends.

We hit the next track, Guilty (what a twist!) as it opens up with a strange screetchy sound and hits the malignant vocals of Dylan O' Toole and Will Lindsay.  As you hear them scream "Guilty" and "Guiltless" over and over again, you just have a sinking feeling, like your getting sucked into an abysall of the anguished song. It holds enough power for those who really get into the music (and for those who really get into the amphetamines. Ha!). The next song, The End of Truth, begins as you hear a distorted whisper sweeping through your ears, as the intro gets near, and attacks you like an untamed beast craving your tender flesh. With more powerful vocals, intense atmosphere, catchy riffs, and drums your little chopstick- box hitting friends would just love to air-drum to, INDIAN once again rips apart my face in this song. We hit track six, Supplicants, which starts off as a beautiful disaster of acoustic melody, distorted withering sounds in the background, and an intense feeling to leave you with along the way of it's departure. The album closes with the 9 minute doomsterpiece, Banality, which, needless to say, builds up the whole album's benefits and multiplies them by an infinite supply of numbers.  You literally cannot do nothing but listen once you reach the song.  It's just amazing, overall. It leaves you with echoes of screams and slowed riffs, which give you the sense of an apparition creeping up on you and slithering up your back.
To conclude this. The album is overall something I can definitely listen to every day, leaving me with a piece of the album I find new everytime I listen.

Metal in Ruins rates the album a 9 out of 10 stars

Metal in Ruins: The Review

It has almost been a full month since the beginning of Metal in Ruins, and we have achieved so much in so little time. With that being said, here is just a recap on a few of the exciting things we have done this month.
We've interviewed bands Like
-Fleshgod Apocalypse
-Suicide Silence
-Northless
-INDIAN
-CARNIFEX
-Job For A Cowboy
-Indestructable Noise Command
as well as underground interviews with
-Tir Asleen
-All Consuming Flood
-Aurora
-So This is Suffering
as well as album reviews from As Blood Runs Black and Rotten Sound!
Thanks for taking the time to look at our site guys! We'd be nothing without you all!
Stay tuned for more news, kiddies. This is just the beginning...