Illdisposed's The Prestige

First off, I was a fan of Illdisposed before I heard The Prestige, so I was anxious to hear what they had in store after "Burn Me Wicked". Illdisposed mixes the Gothenburg sound, which was established by the likes of At The Gates, with a more brutal sound. The singer, Bo Summer, has, hands-down, some of the most brutal vocal talents around, which really help give Illdisposed their edge.

Their previous effort, "Burn Me Wicked", was a rollercoaster ride that had a lot to offer, but was an extremely mixed bag of songs. This time around, there's a much stronger sense of consistency, as each song seems to be the next logical step, as you listen to the album.

The Prestige is more brutal than their last two efforts, incorporating more groovy, headbang-inducing passages that are heavy as fuck. Overall it's faster, most of the songs being mid-paced but containing some high-tempo parts ("The Tension", "Like Cancer"). The melodies this time around are a little more melancholic and a little more subtle.

The subject matter has always seemed quite personal, and this time it's no different. There seems to a be story behind each song and set against the brutal music and contrasted by the vocals, the lyrics take on a darker note. The track "A Child Is Missing" stand out, being quite bleak.

The Prestige is an album that requires several listens before you can truly appreciate everything. At first listen it may sound less melodic and overly simple, but dive in and you'll find a record that will grow on you and give you plenty to sink your teeth into. Highly recommended.

A second opinion by Argus
I am generally loathe to admit liking modern death metal; in fact, it hardly ever happens, but Illdisposed do it well on this release. They have a groove in their material that, at the very least, gives it a listenable and tangible feel. The vocals are, for the most part, pretty good; one can hear plenty of the standard fare death grumbling, but Summer throws in enough of the mid-pitched vocals to reduce some of the dullness inherent with death metal. The leads are commendable, too, as the guitarists seem to be comfortable with actually allowing death metal leads to be anything but bland, I kid you not.

On a whole, I was pleasantly surprised by this album - not totally my thing, but would definitely make good work/party/kill-time music.

http://www.illdisposed.dk/

http://www.myspace.com/illdisposed

Falls of Rauros's Hail Wind and Hewn Oak

There is little music more...pure, more wholesome than folk music. Many countries whence came the people who formed and shaped this nation and civilisation as a whole (e.g. those of Europe) have rich musical traditions which survey to-day. Ours, however, is a people too a.) disconnected, and b.) multicultural to feel, and legitimately call, a draw towards the folk music of a given culture; for all intents and purposes, those of Europe (e.g. Scandinavian, Celtic, Slavic, et al). Americans have, however, formed a type of folk-sound which is unique to us...perhaps it belies the nature we are graced with...that I know not. However, it is this which helps define Falls of Rauros's sound, as demonstrated most recently on their debut album Hail Wind and Hewn Oak, released 2008 through Morbid Winter Records, and is even now the #2 bestseller on said label's Distro.

Falls of Rauros describe themselves as "North Appalachian Heathen Black Folk Metal." This accurately describes their sound. How could one possibly self-appelate their music "North Appalachian," one might ask; the answer to this is simple - visit Maine. This will be the requisite mind-opener. Choose a sunny day, and preferably outside of a city, when listening to this album - I think of it as early morning music. The passion for a life immersed in the shocking beauty of nature drips from this music - if you, the listener, cannot feel it whilst listening to this, then pop-culture has clearly killed your soul. It is so succinctly embodied in the lyrics, exempli gratia the first verse of one of my favorite tracks, "The Fire We Fathered," There I was, beckoned by the mountain/Up the slopes and to the source I climbed/I knew not in my mind but in my blood/Mankind shall fall/Into the wounds of the world. This song is an epic, 12:01 in length, but it is an ecstatic twelve minutes.

Other favorites on this album are, for me, "Of Stone and The Stars in the Sky" and "To Witness Existence." That said, it is tough for me pick favorites from this album, for it is surely one of my all-time favorite albums - a top ten for me. Each and every song on this album, from the opener ("The Sun Tonight Has Set") to the closing track ("And Never Shall There Be"), will have you swooning, and pining for the forests of Maine. Excuse that war-crime of a pun, if you'd be so kind. Hail Wind is, in summation, an exemplary mix of beautiful, brilliant-autumn-morning-crisp melody and tasteful leads, combined with vocals which sound as if recorded in the midst of rapture.

I could possibly draw a comparison to describe Falls "in a nutshell." Perhaps if one combined Agalloch, Primordial (old and recent), classic Ulver, and Bathory, one can draw a relatively accurate picture. It has been a blast to witness and follow their progression as artists towards realising their vision. This band is certainly one of the most promising in America to-day. Buy or die!

A second opinion by Nova

Within the first minutes of listening, my preconceptions of this album was shattered. I had expected straight up Black Metal, like Immortal or maybe Taake. This album is slow and deceptive. It wants you to believe it's not black metal, with its enticing melodies and haunting atmosphere, but then throws in those unmistakeable blastbeats and raspy vocals I know so well.

It reminds me of Insomnium's "Above The Weeping World" but with a Black Metal twist. This album is really good and very atmospheric, but it's sort of thing you only come back to when you're in a certain mood.

http://www.myspace.com/fallsofrauros
http://www.morbidwinter.com
http://www.theoldoutpost.com

Anaal Nathrakh's In The Constellation of The Black Widow

Anaal Nathrakh is a band that has come a long way. Over the course of their 5 albums, they have evolved from something resembling black metal, to something completely indescribable. You cannot label this as anything, except for maybe Extreme Metal, but that doesn't say much. There are elements of Black and Death Metal, but to call them either would be a diservice.

This is frantic, brutal and beyond intense, yet despite being faster than most bands out there, bordering on chaos and noise, it manages to be extremely epic and melodic. Dave Hunt's screams, growls and soaring clean passages are better than ever and is a testament to how versatile he is.

On 'Oil Upon the Sores of Lepers' Zeitgeist Memento (Repvblic) joins Dave in the growling department, delivering some really brutal vocal work that fit the music well.

Mick Kenney has outdone himself once more. There are a lot more melodies, something that befits this band extremely well, but it's still as brutal as ever. The drums are programmed, but I honestly couldn't tell, if it weren't for the fact that it's been pointed out to me. It's easy to tell that a lot of work went into making it sound real. Well, as real as any other band who uses triggers but still employs actual drummers.

All the songs on this album is absolutely killer, except for 'I Am the Wrath..', it isn't melodic or epic compared to the rest of the album and as such, it stands out.

Overall, this album is their strongest and most epic yet. Unless a miracle happens and they release another album this year, then this gets my vote for Album of the Year.

My only gripe with this album is that it is too short, clocking in at only 32 minutes, making it their shortest full-length yet.

A second opinion by Argus
I admit right up front: I had never heard Anaal Nathrakh before this album, and that was at the behest of Daniel. I am now grateful that I heeded his advice. This album really is a bang-up job all around. It is ironically epic; it's ironic because of the fact that it sounds epic, yet the longest (and eponymous) track is a mere 4:45 in length. The screams sound genuinely disturbed, as if no good will come of what he was feeling. However, perhaps the oddest thing, for me, about this album, were the clean vocals - they rule. They're forceful, yet not virtuosic, and that fact is ostensibly beknown, making it all the better. To categorise it, one could come fairly close by saying Industrial-Black Metal; this is, however, somewhat of a misnomer, as most bands from that sub- (and I mean sub) genre suck.

The longer you wait to pick this album up, the greater will be your sense of regret.

http://www.myspace.com/anaalnathrakh