Review: GENERAL SURGERY Left Hand Pathology CD

Bloody Carcass clone! Do we need anymore of this shameless copycat? The world is already full with clones and copies. But hang on, they have been doing this since 1990! One of the earliest Carcass clone that is still alive and kicking (they actually disbanded soon after 1991's Necrology EP but returned in 2003). Taking that into consideration and the fact that Carcass has abandoned what they have created after Necroticism, then having another clone is not really a problem. Besides, General Surgery has put such a quality that the only thing you will remember when you listen to this CD is CARCASS; the grinding years of Reek and Symphonies. All the staples you used to with the two Carcass' albums are highlighted in the CD. That good! You remember the time when grindcore was supposed to be, not to technical, not too fast and no pig's squeal. Now I am hooked. Tried not to listen to this in my car stereo because I am have an originality-ego but failed so far.

Review: VISITANT The Sword Without Eyes EP

Sorry for not remembering how they sound but it was their fault for releasing a split with Kuantan's behemoth, Tasyim. I kept on listening to Tasyim, ignoring Visitant all the way. No matter how hard I try to remember, Visitant just doesn't click. I don't have any memories to compare with this. Most of us remember the name, as a band considered an "otai" from Kuantan. I was expecting some Death Metal in the vein of the latter years of Swedish Death Metal but I was in the mistake. They take their direction from the Norwegian cold, the first two tracks (out of four) take me back to the memory of Emperor, minus the technical part. Thanks to the fast-paced rhythm with symphonic-keyboards embedded in them. The latter 2 tracks are more folk-metal oriented, combining the -40 degrees Centigrade of cold Northern winter with... err, Phrygian blazing sun? I don't know how they did it, but the 3rd track sounds so weird, it takes a while for you to shift hearing, at least to me. I would question them, which direction you'd prefer guys? Either way, there is nothing to lose looking at the quality of works they are offering with this EP.

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Review: OPETH Heritage CD

With this album, Opeth is jumping into a new class altogether. Relying mostly on acoustic guitars to create serene and soothing surroundings, throwing away the huge distortion for a twanged overdrive and overwhelming the colours with 70s organ. Mikael Åkerfeldt has almost entirely abandoned the growls. Although some might argue that this is nothing original (we heard this kind before with Hammers of Misfortune), you just cannot resist to listen the beautiful compositions - again and again; the 70s prog eruptions embed in the current studio productions. Some might even called them a sell out. But what kind of sell out can make with this kind of elitist sub-genre? I say, just do what you want to do. We will patiently wait for the next surprise.

Review: VITAMIN X Down The Drain

I am no hardcore fan. I know nothing about this band prior to buying. It was a random buy thing. I hope I bought something worthwhile. I am glad I did. Furious and turbo-charged speed hardcore is what I get with this album. It was what I hope for. Songs no longer than 2 minutes and all are filled with breakneck-speed hardcore/thrashcore. VITAMIN X is a hardcore/thrashcore band from the Netherlands formed in 1997. This was the 6th release, while I have with me their 3rd, I haven't got the chance to listen to it yet, so comparison will not be reported. What I can say is that the anger of the vocalist is apparent in the album as he screams his lungs out with the hate-charged lyrics. With the help of the fast drumming and raw sounded guitars, they sounded almost honest although the task is uphill in combating political injustice, modern-time-slavery and corruptions. Listening to this is like having my neck strangled while being screamed at. Cool.

Ulasan: SUFFERCATION Day Of Darkness The Re-Awakening CD

One of the earliest Death Metal album in Malaysia is now re-released in CD format for the first time (originally released in 1992). It is in due time since the cassette version (the only version when it was released) has long been out of print. Not only it serve the old fans but also new fans who were wondering how they sound like.

Unfortunately, the quality of the transfer is really bad. Really really bad. It is as if the transfer was done directly from an audio tape or mp3. This is too bad since the packaging is really good with 20 pages booklet cramped with old photos, interviews, biography and some kind words by of its fans from all over the world.

Other than that there is a bonus track, featuring new track from the band. Actually they were supposed to record new songs for a new release but I don't think it is going to happen the last time I chatted with the frontman, Jeff Ilias. Again, this is another bad news from the fan since the new track was quite decent. Not only it has the Jeff's signature growls (more mature) but it is also faster with all the aggressions intact (the fast chugging ala-Deicide). Oh well, not all that we planned come exactly as what we want.

Review: FILSUFATIA Melancholia, A Burden too much to Bear Demo 2012

I was introduced by Filsufatia many years ago and the impression was no good. I think it was the 1st or 2nd demo. What I heard was midi files embedded through Fruity Loops, which really what it was. Though it was quite original but it sounded strange and obviously I can't decide whether it was Metal at all. Fast forward to 2010, somebody suggested me to a band called Deep. I say to myself, wow, this is pretty cool not knowing that Deep was actually Filsufatia that changed its name for a few months. Now knowing what I am getting at, I felt quite excited. Proven I was right. This latest digital download release is just what I've expected. Depressive, sombre and melancholic are what this release is about. All instrumentals just like before but the real question is will you get bored with all the 8 instrumental tracks? You probably will but not me simply because Filsufatia in some way, managed to sustained the interest of me - which I find difficult to elaborate. And this is despite of the fact that there are not much of variations between each songs. Find another band that can generate the same effect if you can find. You will not. And this what matters the most.

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Review: NEKRAD/VOCIFERATION ETERNITY Dragonia Pegaso split-CD (2012)

VOCIFERATION ETERNITY
It has been a while since VE has actually released anything. To be exact, 2002 in which they (or he - Dark-E) released For Thee EP. I should have known better because I was the bass player for two albums (Ocean Myth and Meadow's Yearn). If anything matters than my absolute confidence in the capability of Dark-E (the founder), I probably have passed the offer of playing. Not totally original, but VE has this golden touch on melodies and intricate guitar works that is unsurpassed by anyone (at least in this South East Asia region). The four songs offered in this release give you the exact thing. Your quench of thirst in anything melodic yet aggressive with webs of depressives are finally satisfied. You will be hooked only after a round of preview and you will absolutely will play it more. Dark-E while plays all the instruments, but needed the help of her lovely wife for the lyrics which explain all the quirky (in Metal, at least) song titles - Grace of Mothers and Regrets for example. For the constant offering of quality music in Metal since its inception, it adores no less than a salute whenever possible. If only I could one thing that is missing in VE, it will be that Dark-E needs a real bass player!

NEKRAD
Nekrad is a different monster altogether. Leaning towards the melodic Black Metal territory with heavy reference to Cradle of Filth and mixes of Dimmu Borgir, Nekrad doesn't sound bad at all. In fact, this is one the best recorded material in that vein you can find from this region. The music is quite complex in terms of the instrument' mixes. The guitar works quite straight forward but the initiatives in the synth/keyboards area are rather elaborate but never overwhelming. The vocals are vicious with varying moods of screams and growls. Though the band's works in the studio can be argued (since Jadam the producer is heavily involved), Nekrad is now consists of real people playing in it. And they are quite ready to prove it in the open fields, listed extensively in the gig diary for the whole 2012. Relatively unknown than VE, it gives a huge advantage to Nekrad since they have everything to prove and if things go bad in the first try, there are at least a second chance -which is not the case by the look of it anyway. Absolutely one of the band to watch out from now on.

Review: THOR Soundtrack from the Motion Picture

On occasion, I like original soundtrack theme by a composer. But to tell you the truth, it's rare. But I know somewhere out there, there is a market for this. Otherwise, why should a record label put this out? Now, the tracks here were composed by Patrick Doyle (who is he, beats me) and performed by London Symphony Orchestra (no idea as well). I will try to listen again in 20 years time (if I am alive). Maybe I will be a fan. But as for now, I will pass.


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Review: 2 A.M. Saint o'Clock

I didn't understand the impact of these Korean music in Malaysia. Not until I hear this. Simply put, the music is so-so. Nothing outstanding. But the highlight is probably the language. There is something soothing within the lyrics that they sang. It's rhyme like an angel. Even though it may sound indifferent to me on what they are singing about but the phrase, the sound of it, is just nice. Hence, with the music - it seduces - at least to the pre-teens and teenagers. Like I said, in terms of the music itself, nothing much. And looking at the trend of boyband, they will cease to exist after the 3rd album and I am sure this is the path they are taking.

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Review: GODS OF GUITAR Various Artists

Gods of Guitar doesn't mean that you can shred a scale at 300bpm but more importantly how you can make the guitar sounds so beautiful you will remember the song until you die. Well, that is the purpose of this compilations packed with 38 songs in 2 CD. You have all the classics; to me tracks like One Vision (QUEEN), Money For Nothing (DIRE STRAITS), Epic (FAITH NO MORE), The Spirit Of Radio (RUSH), Owner Of A Lonely Heart (YES) to say a few. But really, you can never do justice with a compilation like this. You want to throw some and you want to add some. But again, I am sure there are many of these so you can pick which is closer to your heart. I simply like this since I am getting surprises on tracks by Bryan Adams, Ramones, The Moody Blues, Cream and more - tracks that I can't imagine I will listen if not because of this CD. Recommended! Enough said.


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Review: VOLBEAT Beyond Hell/Above Heaven

Volbeat has never been a truly Metal band. Never did they claimed that. But their large Metal followers are commendable. You see, they know how to rock the Metal heads which is one of the formula that not many bands can tackle - even the Metal bands themselves. I am inclined to put them on the place of Australian rockers, Airbourne. They both rocks. Airbourne pushing the pub rock with some Metal attitudes while Volbeat mixing pop punk with Metal though some of their tunes are really Metal after all (check out Who They Are and 7 Shots with Mille Petrozza of Kreator as a guest). Playing in Wacken just shows how much Metalbangers loved them. But I just hope that frontman Mr Poulsent can change his ugly guitar the next time he's onstage.

Review: RIO Music From The Motion Picture

I haven't watched the movie yet but I am going to. Animal animation movie can be great most of the time as long as they have good storyline. Anyway, since this movie took place in Brazil, we can expect that the soundtrack will be of Brazillian-influenced. What do you call Brazillian music anyway? I have no idea. Sound like Latina to me. Oh I get it, like Sergio Mendes kind of music. But there are some which are not, like the track by Jamie Foxx (don't know he can sing too) dan Taio Cruz. I guess other than the Brazillian songs, people will buy this if they are Taio Cruz fan since this track was never released anywhere else. Quite good too compare to his last album.

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Review: MOHOMBI MoveMeant

Straight to the point. This is the kind of music I despise and hate. I cannot stand the made-up African accent on a loop. Well, K'naan did it as well but he's authentic. But this wannabe? On other tracks there is Indian accent too! Arrgghhh... I cannot stand the bass and drum beat. This is the kind that you hear when some ass drove his car with a full blast of the stereo. Even from a distance, the sound is already annoying. Imagine you have to put it in your ear. The thing that you hate the most is now one inch to your eardrum. If there is musical-genocide, then this should be top of the list.

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Review: THE DAMNED THINGS Ironiclast

The Damned Things is a Heavy Metal supergroup consisting of Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax; Andy Hurley and Joe Trohman of Fall Out Boy and Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die. So what do you get out of this? Will the Scott and Rob able to pull their Anthrax agenda - making Heavy Metal music? You can agree on that but on a bigger scale, this is not really a Heavy Metal album if not for the guitar solo that Rob put into. This is to me, more of a pop-punk album with a touch of metalcore spiced into it - thanks to the typical metalcore vocal by Keith. I wonder what the three guitars combo has anything to do in taking this effort into a new level? There were no intricate guitar work and Scott doesn't do any lead. There are nothing new and the music is just an escape to make themselves busy. This is an effort doomed for an early death.

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Review: J.LO Love?

Am I having the feeling that the opening track sounds like a Bollywood music (with modern instrument instead of tablas)? Or is the other way round. I swear I heard this musical-accent in the movie 3 Idiots! Fortunately, the feeling quickly fade away on the tracks after. I guess this seventh album just continue the path that she had always walked for so long. The only thing that she put extra is the level of intimacy to her personal live due to her giving birth to a twin (well that's what was circulating over the internet - be my guess checking which tracks referring to that). Otherwise, the production was very good, polished and what-you-expect from a chart topping figure. Nothing too pompous yet not too simple either but a little better than what have been released so far.


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Review: RAY DAVIES See My Friends

For the Malaysian rockers, The Kinks' You Really Got Me was made even popular when Search covered them in their debut album (albeit the reworked title and lyrics). I am sure so many people were converted not only in Malaysia but all over the world. You Really Got Me is probably an anthem equivalent to Beat It of rock. Well The Kinks is no more but the person behind it is still here, alive and kicking. Summing all the highlights through collaboration is perhaps the right step to commemorate not only his personal achievement but also the legacy that left via The Kinks. Looking at the artists who joined, one will know that they were people lining up, begging to be given the chance to collaborate. Of course, he pick up the best - Jon Bon Jovi, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen and so on. This is one of those good tribute album (if you want to call it as a tribute album). Even if you know nothing about Ray Davies or The Kinks, I can guarantee you that you will play it along in the stereo without interrupting the track flow. Highly recommended!

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Review: MAROON 5 Hands All Over

Adam Levine's vocal on Slash's Gotten track was superb. It was soulful and bluesy something that can rarely be heard from a white vocalist. Unfortunately, his band Maroon 5 has never been into that area. Hence it becomes a little bit stressful to listen when you kind of expect the band to play in a certain way. Anyway, Maroon 5 is first and foremost, his baby and Slash was one-off thingy. I am not familiar with the other two albums but here they play some kind of rather funky rock (minus the slap bass), some sort of the 70s homage yet maintaining the modern feel - thanks to the superb production of Robert "Mutt" Lange (DEF LEPPARD's Hysteria, AC/DC's Black In Black). This is a fun album. No tear-jerking lyrics. No gloomy moods. Well if there is any of such, they managed to hide it with all the melodic and dancing tunes.

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Review: ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION

A quick trivia on Alison Krauss. She won 26 Grammys and 1991, she was the second youngest artist that have won a Grammy. Quite a feat eh? She even said to gave fresh interest to bluegrass music which is a subgenre to country music. Now with a 14th album, she achieved another milestone - her first to climbed no 1 in the US Country Music chart. Which means, she is at her peak. This album will take you into the plains of the countries where cold winds blow while a thread a long grass is being chewed between your lips. That kind of serene moment in a cowboy movie. The music is beautiful; played by musicians with instruments known in this kind of music; fiddles and banjos, lead by the soft but heartbroken melodies. Yes this is yet another melancholic album but in a different taste and atmosphere. Powerfully driven and crafted in charm.

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Review: JAMES BLAKE s/t

This is a breathe of fresh air. The music is called dubstep. You can't really visualize what is sounds like unless you heard it before. Since this is my first encounter with dubstep, this is original to me. Can I describe the music? Apart from what is defined in wikipedia, it is quite hard to elaborate further. What I can distinguish is that they basic form of music is highly computerized. Some computer bleeps and electronic hums and distortion, mellowing through the electornically-filtered vocals. Despite of all these, don't expect an highly charged, disco-like madness. Instead, they are gloomy, Blade Runner-like atmosphere music. It is futuristic and I am now being open to a new horizon in musical wonder.

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Review: PATRIZIO BUANNE The Very Best Of

I got a friend who was a fan to Italian singer. He even wanted to be one despite he's a Malay and he's look is not up to the mark. One distinguished feature that you will be aware about them is all of them have this model-hunky look. What's with that? After 4 albums, surely it needs some compiling of the best tunes. I am not a fan since I think this is specifically intended for the Italian community (except for the few such as my friend there). This is authentic Italian. Even some of the classics were rerecorded although some originals were executed with less charm. Some songs even reminded me of those Mafia movies.

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