Vanhelgd (Sweden)

#102 Washington state, U.S.
August 22, 2016 (no.3 in August)
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Vanhelgd (Sweden)
Anna Pest (Canada)
Savior from Anger
Tetrarch (U.S.)
Neuro Attack(Brazil)
upcoming shows and general concert calendar for Seattle/Washington state
in Everett on August 29th, 2016
Power from Hell (Brazil) + Sarcalogos (Oregon) + Sacrament ov Impurity (WA state)
other notable bands/shows coming up this week:
Power from Hell (in Burien, WA), Belphegor, Origin, Shining, Abigail Williams,
Ashen Pyre Crurifragium, Vomicus, Hereticon, Funeral Age, Progenitor
issues of this zine are avalable online at: www.fuglymaniacs.com
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Metal Bulletin Zine
#1-20:
#21-26: (2009-2010): Texas
Washington state
values of songwriting. Basically, this is how a
band can expand and grow and be greater
and sound better than ever before.
USA
(2006-2009): Wisconsin
#27(2010)--now;
All album reviews, news, updates below are
by MMB, unless stated otherwise.
**
Vanhelgd (Sweden)
Temple of Phobos
Dark Descent Records
Release: 22 July 2016
Vanhelgd’s fourth album is a very good one
and it is the highlight of the band’s
discography so far.
People who have heard the band’s music
before this new album noticed that these
Swedes’ traditional extreme metal has taken
elements of death metal and black metal
and they have been laboring at it, refining it
and sharpening it up. The production, vocals
and heaviness of death metal filled up with an
abundance of black metal guitar work, has
been one way of explaining the band by
some reviewers who have heard the
preceding albums.
One thing seemed clear: this was a promising
band and it was a good idea to keep an eye
on them.
Was something great on the horizon?
Well, something has happened. The band
remains as committed as ever to their metal
of death, but that’s not the most important
thing. You could say that the band has now
reached a better level of confidence, coming
into their own, now you can hear them take
their music in various directions, yet it is very
compatible with the previous, traditional
It is the feeling that the band’s skills in
instrumentation and songwriting are really
catching up to their own creativity and
imagination and we are now hearing the
music that they were hearing in their heads.
They can play fast or slow, and it doesn’t
matter, it sounds very good, regardless if it
seems like death, black or doom.
For instance, they have a pronounced doom
element on this album, but they make sure to
add melancholy and melody. When the
music is going slow, it has melody and makes
doom sound good, not just slow. No one will
call Vanhelgd a doom band, but listen to this
album, there is plenty of doom here, but it’s
memorable and done well.
Overall, this band plays fast occult extreme
metal and it is their mission. The Nödtveidtstyle riffing, speed and spirit is not something
that the band shies away from, nor they do
reject the best elements of classic death
metal from Sweden. What’s different now is
the quality of the songs: the various ways that
the components have been configured.
Perhaps it is the sense of confidence and the
sense of freedom that explains it best. They
know what they are doing and are gaining
the confidence to do many things within the
framework and tradition of Vanhelgd and the
results are revealing. For example, the
melodies are very pronounced, but they are
not clichéd, expected, easy tricks. The
bringing together of melancholy and melody
works well for the band, and there are even a
few surprises that show that maybe the band
has reached the conclusion that they can do
many different things, and that if things are
done right, it can work for them.
This is not to say that everything is perfect. The
last song is divided into two parts by two
minutes of silence and it’s a questionable
decision: the first part is a formidable end to
the album and it has the feel of a strong
doom and melancholy end, with some
melodic, operatic, choir-like guest vocals. The
album should have ended there. Instead,
there are two minutes of silence and then the
band launches into fast black metal. The
problem is that it seems like an apology, like
they are apologizing for having added
melancholy and melody to their sound, as if to
show that they can still play black metal, but
there is no need to apologize to anyone. The
two minutes of silence are unnecessary and
this last fast song should have gone as the
next-to-last track, opening the way for ending
the album in an atmospheric doom manner.
The band has balanced out the new
elements very well on the album and they do
not have to prove anything to anyone. Case
in point, even in the old days, bands like Celtic
Frost (To Mega Therion), Bathory (Blood Fire
Death) and Master’s Hammer (The Jilemnice
Occultist) showed that there is a lot of room
for creativity in extreme metal. What matters is
the way that it is done and the intentions with
which it is carried out. The real limits are things
like our imagination, skills, and resources, and
lack thereof.
Still, this matter of the track order does not
cancel or take away from the fact that on this
3
album the band’s previous works have come
to fruition in a serious way.
This complete work is available for listening at
the link below. It is a worthwhile investment of
time to give a listen to the full album and to
get to know it.
Below is some additional information about
the band.
*
OFFICIAL: The Swedish masters of aversion and
forlorn VANHELGD return with an even darker
aspect of Death Metal surpassing what is
deemed traditional and into the realms of
blackened Doom Metal with Temple Of
Phobos. While still firmly locked into that
unmistakable VANHELGD sound, it is clear that
on Temple Of Phobos they have steered into
a much more despondent territory; very
reminiscent of the early ‘90s Doom.
VANHELGD have managed to capture the
essence and vibe with such perfection on
Temple Of Phobos that perhaps this will go
down in VANHELGD's history as one their
heaviest, gloomiest and blackest record ever.
Recorded and mixed at Studio Underjord with
Joona Hassinen (Year Of The Goat, Saturnalia
Temple, Ocean Chief, etc), mastered by Tore
Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio (Watain,
Repugnant, Desultory, etc) and once again
gracing the ominous artwork by VANHELGD
frontman
Mattias
'Flesh'
Frisk
(Ghost,
Entrapment, Vampire, etc).
1. Lamentation Of The Mortals
2. Rebellion Of The Iniquitous
3. Den Klentrogenes Klagan
4. Temple Of Phobos
5. Gravens Lovsång
6. Rejoice In Apathy
7. Allt Hopp Är Förbi
BIOGRAPHY: In the end of the year 2007
Vanhelgd was formed by Björn Andersson
(drums), Jimmy Johansson(guitars, backup
vocals) and Mattias Frisk (guitars/ vocals). The
intention was to play dark, blood soaked
death metal in the vein of the old masters.
Songs were taking form and the need for a
bass player became more and more urgent.
In the beginning of 2008 the old friend Viktor
Gustafsson stepped in to handle the base
guitar. A very ruff demo was recorded during
a rehearsal and some of the songs where
published on the internet. Soon the interest for
the band grew and Vanhelgd recorded eight
songs in Backbone studios in Mjölby and the
first full length album Cult of Lazarus was
released by Crematorium Records in
November 2008. The band got in contact with
the US based Nuclear War Now! Records who
decided to release Cult of Lazarus as a 12” LP
in 2009. In the summer of 2009 Vanhelgd
recorded a couple of new songs as a demo.
One of the tracks from that session, “Nec Spe,
Nec Metu” was featured on the Invocation of
Death compilation, released in June 2010 by
Death invocation records. Vanhelgd started
to work with the recording for their second fulllength album Church of Death in April 2010.
Due to various problems they didn’t finish until
September the same year. Two of the songs
were taken out to be featured on the EP
Praise the Serpent which was released on the
Nuclear War Now! Fest Part 2 in Berlin where
the band also performed. In 2013 Jonas
Albrektson replaced Viktor on bass and
signed with Pulverised Records.
www.darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/al
bum/temple-of-phobos
www.facebook.com/vanhelgd
**
NEWS:
Savior from Anger
Temple of Judgment
Release date: April 29th, 2016
Label: Pure Steel Records
4
This is a proud band. They tell you straight out
that they play "U.S. metal" like the 1980s. They
love the hard-driving, riff-charged, strongvocals and memorable-song style of bands
from the U.S. like Metal Church, Riot, Armored
Saint and all those groups too numerous to
mention. Of course, the band's name comes
from the U.S. band Vicious Rumors' fourth
album from 1991, the near-perfect heavy
metal cult classic called Welcome to the Ball,
a work that is critically acclaimed.
So, what do you get with the band Savior
from Anger? Well, actually, they really have to
deliver, don't they? Otherwise, what's the
point of mentioning the classic bands? If you
tell people that you are going to do
something, then you better do it. You better
do it!
Well, well, the verdict is in: Savior from Anger
has come through and passed the test with
flying colors. Songs to remember, the classicstyle riffs, the solos and the singing, it all has
passed the strict examination and the
hammer of critical judgment.
They want to bring back the style of “U.S.
metal” from the 1980s to 2016. Who are you to
stand in their way?! Say the magic words 80s
Armored Saint and Vicious Rumors and this
band will be there to rock you. If you hate
traditional heavy metal, then you will hate this
band. Below is a bunch of official information
for your reading pleasure.
OFFICIAL: Take care people of great Power
Metal!!! Now there is "Temple of Judgment",
the fourth album from Italians Metal heroes
SAVIOR FROM ANGER. It was quite for a longer
time around the band, but after different Lineup changes they went to studio again playing
finest US-Metal style songs. Mark Ryal, the
leader of SFA could get Bob Mitchel, (exWycked Synn, Mind Assassin, ex-Alchemy X,
ex-Attacker, ex-Sleepy Hollow, ex-Sceptor, exVyndykator). In addition Frank Fiordellisi on
bass and Michael Kusch on drums. Together
they made an outstanding Metal album! Even
Craig Wells (Ex-METAL CHURCH) wrote songs
for "Temple of Judgement", so you can expect
highest class Metal from Italy sounding like
true US Metal! Great things are coming from
Italy, SAVIOR FROM ANGER with TEMPLE OF
JUDGMENT, e basta!
In September 2012, the band signed a new
deal for Italian record label MY GRAVEYARD
PRODUCTIONS. The "AGE OF DECADENCE”
album was released on January 31st of 2013.
[…]
SAVIOR FROM ANGER is: Mark Ryal- Guitar,
Bob Mitchell- Vocals, Frank Fiordellisi- Bass
Guitar, Michael Kusch- Drums
www.puresteel-records.com/bands/view/373
SAVIOR FROM ANGER - IN THE SHADOWS
https://youtu.be/RstjWIA-3Ig
www.facebook.com/SaviorFromAnger
**
Tetrarch
OFFICIAL: If you loved the U.S. metal of the
eighties of band like Riot, Vicious Rumors,
Metal Church, Armored Saint, Crimson Glory
and more ... you add our page at your
profile!!! Keep on rockin.
SAVIOR FROM ANGER was founded by
guitarist Mark Ryal. The bands influences
come from the stylistics of US Heavy Metal.
Soon after its initial formation, the band
independently released their debut EP "NO
WAY OUT" in 2006 through MRM PRODUCTION.
[…]
In 2008, the band signed with Germany's
ROCK IT UP RECORDS and released their first
full-length album “ LOST IN THE DARKNESS” in
early 2009. Soon after the release, SFA were
direct tour support for US Metal act VICIOUS
RUMORS which culminated at the POUNDING
WIMP REAPER Metal fest which also featured
Sacred Steel, Skyclad and more.
[…]
5
Tetrarch is a U.S. metalcore/modern metal
band originally from Atlanta, Georgia and at
the present time they are based out of Los
Angeles, California. The band says that in 2016
they will have their debut album out. So far,
they have demos and EPs in 2006, 2007, 2008,
2011 and 2013, according to Metal Archives.
The origins of the band go back to when they
were in high school. At first they started
jamming and they were into bands like
Metallica and Korn.
So far, the sound of the band has been in a
state of flux. When the album is released we'll
see where they are heading with their music.
So far, they have began moving away from
the narrow metalcore sound and have
pointed towards a more guitar-centered
sound, with traditional metal/melodic thrash
riffs and soloing and the vocals have moved a
bit more towards a more traditional singing
style, although the metalcore origins are still
audible, with the scream/shouts, some
gangshout vocals, and the potty-mouth words
thrown in for image-conscious “toughness.”
All in all, it's still a bit unclear what will happen,
but we can say that while a song like "Leave
Me Alone" features the more typical
metalcore guitars, scream/sing vocals and
the angry adolescent potty-mouth lyrics, the
guitar work and singing on "We Are the
Hunters" gives a peak of power metal/thrash
riffing and drumming, showing that this band,
if they decided so, could move in a more
serious direction of the broader, international
metal
music,
not
just
the
Avenge
Sevenfold/Tremonti/Disturbed/Creed/Slipknot
crowds that some people call "mallcore" or
"Hot Topic metal,” music exclusively aimed for
the adolescent and mainstream U.S radio
rock demographics.
Ryan Lerner on bass and Ruben Limas on
drums.
Tetrarch-We Are The Hunters
https://youtu.be/t6ePmDWo1LA
Tetrarch - "Relentless" Guitar Playthrough
https://youtu.be/ApabGBExgMY
www.facebook.com/tetrarchmusic/
www.twitter.com/Tetrarch?lang=en
**
Anna Pest
Forlorn
release date: August 4th, 2016
label: independent
Anna Pest is the name of the extreme metal
project by April Hutchins, the guitarist and the
main songwriter for the melodic extreme
metal band Mellevon(Canada), which has
two albums: Chaos Reigns (2013) and Solace
(2014). Both albums are available for listening
at the band's Bandcamp page, for which the
link is provided below.
The members of the band themselves
recognize and have commented in various
places that they have grown as musicians.
The general, the skill level has improved in
terms of songwriting. One issue that is a bit of
a problem for evaluation is that, apparently,
their most recent recording is from 2013.
Hopefully,
the
Korn/Slipknot/Disturbed
influences are left behind for good, and the
thrash, traditional heavy metal and extreme
metal can win the battle for the soul of
Tetrarch.
Below are a couple of songs. Also, the band’s
Facebook page has more than a few songs
that you can hear for yourself. The band is
Diamond Rowe on lead guitar and backing
vocals, Josh Fore on vocals and rhythm guitar,
6
Of course, in addition to Mellevon, April has
Anna Pest, which is music most closely aligned
with modern, melodic, blasting black metal.
April
apparently
takes
care
of
the
instrumentation and vocals, in addition to
other things like cover art, recording,
producer, mastering, editing, artwork model
and editing. In 2016 there are two Anna Pest
recordings: the EP called Transmission and the
album called Forlorn, for which the track list is
given below. April, as already stated, plays
guitars and on Anna Pest she does vocals,
too. We assume she plays bass, and that she
does the drum programming, given that it
sounds like drum programming, not like live
drums.
On the topic of Anna Pest, April has stated:
"Drawing influence from the works of artists
such as Silencer, Bethlehem, Dark Fortress,
and Agalloch, Forlorn is an eclectic release
which explores various branches of black
metal, from the atmospheric to the vicious,
the melodic to the depressive.
Those familiar with the 'pop-metal' style
exhibited by my earlier work on Transmission
and my repertoire of covers on YouTube will
probably be taken aback by this comparably
dark release, but an open-minded listener will,
I believe, find it to contain some of my best
compositions."
On Forlorn the sound brings together black
metal with some metalcore influences. The
pace of the album is fast, often blasting, with
a melodic postrock feel to it. The recording, to
clarify, is not experimental and it is not
metalcore nor postrock, it is meant to be an
upfront, loud and proud fast metal recording
and it sounds as such. Anna Pest is
headbanging metal, pure and simple.
track list for Forlorn:
1.Countenance 03:48
2.Asmodeus 04:06
3.Nyctophobic
06:02
4.Golgotha 04:05
5.Only
04:43
6.Samuelle 05:31
7.Euthanize 04:49
8.Forevermore
04:44
total time 37:48
www.annapest.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/annathepest/
www.mellevon.bandcamp.com
7
www.facebook.com/Mellevon
**
Neuro Attack (Brazil)
Thrash Returns
Release date: May 2016
Label: independent
Don’t you appreciate a band telling it like it
is? Don’t make promises you can’t keep! If
you promise thrash, you best give it good, fast,
lean. They promise thrash and that's what they
deliver. The riffs just keep going, one on top of
the next, as fast they can get them out, piling
them, pushing them together, and with the
foot on the gas pedal. They do not know the
meaning of the word slow and they have no
plans to look it up in the dictionary any time
soon, either. The drummer plays as if he had a
personal vendetta against his kit, like the kit
has done something to him and he wants
nothing than corporal punishment for his kit.
This is the band's first recording, according to
Metal Archives, so it is a raw recording and it's
dirty, and the vocals are furious, in a style
close to black metal. It’s a promising start for
the band. Let’s hope that this is just the
beginning and that things will only get better
and better for them!
track list:
1. The Real Government 05:14
2. Chaos 04:03
3. Psychopath 02:36
4. Thrash Returns 04:07
total time 16:00
www.neuroattack1.bandcamp.com/releases
www.facebook.com/neuroattackthrash
**
concert calendar
Seattle/Washington
concert
calendar,
updated August 21, 2016. If you have
information
about
shows/updates/cancellations, please get in
contact with Metal Bulletin Zine.
This week/end of August
August 22 Master, Sacrificial Slaughter, The
Black Order, VX36, Xoth at Substation, Seattle,
WA
August 22 Belphegor, Origin, Shining, Abigail
Williams, Ashen Pyre, guests at Studio Seven,
Seattle, WA
August 24 Sammy Hagar at The Tulip
Amphitheatre, Tulalip, WA
August
27
Power
from
Hell
(Brazil),
Crurifragium, Vomicus, Hereticon at Black Zia
Cantina, Burien, WA
August 27 Funeral Age, Progenitor, others at
McCoy's Tavern, Olympia, WA
August 28 The Devils Of Loudun, A Sense Of
Gravity, A World Without, Children Of Seraph,
Thieves of Eden, Vesuvian at El Corazon,
Seattle, WA
August 29 Power from Hell (Brazil), Sacrament
ov Impurity, Sarcalogos at Tony V's Garage,
Everett, WA
September
September 1 Lesbian, Nosretep, Xoth at Chop
Suey, Seattle, WA
September 1 Cobalt, Mantar, Into the Storm
at Highline, Seattle, WA
September 2 Dissidence, Athamé, Toecutter
at Georgetown Liquor Company, Seattle, WA
September 3 Begrime Exemious, Drawn and
Quartered, Oxygen Destroyer, Ashen Pyre at
Highline, Seattle, WA
8
September 5 Volbeat, Killswitch Engage, Black
Wizard at WAMU Theater, Seattle, WA
September
6
Phobia,
Nomads,
Wilt,
Colombian Necktie at Obsidian, Olympia, WA
September 7 Phobia, Rutah, others at The Big
Dipper, Spokane, WA
September 8 Wolves in the Throne Room,
Dispirit at Obsidian, Olympia, WA
September
8
Phobia,
Nomads,
Wilt,
Colombian Necktie at Highline, Seattle, WA
September 9 Mortuary Drape, Dispirit at
Highline, Seattle, WA
September 9 Ghostblood, others at The
Kraken, Seattle, WA
September 11 Body Void (SF), Rhine, Morrow,
tbd at Highline, Seattle, WA
September 13 Black Nights Rising at Studio
Seven, Seattle, WA
September 13 Inanimate Existence at High
Dive, Seattle, WA
September 14 Savage Master, Substratum at
Funhouse, Seattle, WA
September 15 Hellgoat, Vimur, Vomicus at
Substation, Seattle, WA
September 16 Hellgoat, Vimur, Sacrament Ov
Impurity, Ashen Pyre at Tony V's Garage,
Everett, WA
September 16 Marduk, Rotting Christ, Carach
Angren,
Necronomicon,
Funeral
Age,
Inquinok at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA
[This is only a partial calendar. To see the full
calendar see:
www.metalbulletin.blogspot.com see:
—
This zine is also available at:
www.issuu.com/metalbulletinzine