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Wednesday 16 November 2016

METALLICA - HARDWIRED



I'm not huge on the idea of downloading shit for free (sure we've all done it) .... especially from bands that I really love and respect. I couldn't help myself on this occasion and decided to get a sneaky look at what I think will be the biggest album of the year in the metal and possibly the rock and roll universe. No doubt I'll go out and buy the "ultra deluxe" version of the release within days of it coming out anyway, so there's no need to panic about Lars Ulrich's bank account going thin on my account.

The album opens with "Hardwired to Self Destruct" which has been leaked extensively by the band itself. It's a blistering return to form an it keeps going for most of the 80 minute duration of the release. This song is probably a little more intense than most material on the album but over all its a heavy affair and more importantly very coherent as a release. I don't believe in going into individual tracks but the album as a whole on an initial listen  is a nicely varied slab of metal with material drawing in feelings from "Master of Puppets / ...And Justice for All" combined with some of the "Load" era material but at the same time continuing on from the "Death Magnetic" release.  That may not make much sense but that's the feeling I got from it. The songs themselves are epic riff fests, very intricately arranged and multi-layered guitars, crushing riffs and some really tasty guitar solo's courtesy of Kirk Hammett.

James Hetfields voice has matured and progressed beyond anything he's done before in my opinion. Some of the trademark barking is there but the voice is much more refined and tuneful that its ever been. The songs themselves are mostly quite long epic affairs with many highs and lows. Over the 80 minutes I will say a couple of songs at the end of the album started to feel a bit long and drawn out but I'm not sure if I was mentally worn out, or the beers I'd had on commencement of the album started to take its toll.... but for the most part it kept my attention the whole way through with the exception of the second last song or so.....  but to be fair 80+ minutes for an album is a big ask.

Overall.... the anger is back, the speed is back, the shred is back and this album really should blast them back into the forefront of heavy metal with the seasoned headbangers and newcomers alike. GO OUT AND GET IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN!

Of course, due to the EPIC nature of this release i'll post an update on what I think about it in a couple of weeks and a few more listens! STAY TUNED!!!

For more great heavy metal reviews: look up http://www.metalmixtape.com and give us a like on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/metalmixtape





Saturday 12 November 2016

ON THE RADIO!!!!


I had the pleasure of getting on the local radio station to talk metal on  Chromatic Death on 2XXFM last Monday basically just reminiscing about the good old metal days in my hometown of Canberra (Australia) in the 1990's! The good folk at the station were kind enough to record it, so for your listening pleasure here's a link if any of you want to either stream it / download it or whatever .... I get in around 30-40 mins into the set but its all good stuff so give it a listen!

Download link for the podcast

Friday 4 November 2016

OBSCURE CHAOSZINE - Awakening the witch part 1 (compilation review)

This is a fantastic idea from the brains behind obscure chaos zine - it is a show case of 21 great bands from around the world playing underground metal be it death, black or power metal who have all donated a track for inclusion on this great digital download comp which is available (free.. so you have nothing to loose!) at http://www.obsucrechaoszine.bandcamp.com the songs can be downloaded as a huge comp or one at a time but I have to say the quality is generally pretty high with all the bands so it's definately worth downloading the whole thing. A lot of fans may not like everything on here as it covers a wide range of metal but for those that can listen with an open mind its definitely worth it.

The highlights for me were Hecate Enthroned, Axemaster, Christfuck and Prime Evil who are in their own rights reasonably well known bands at their respective styles of metal that they do, not only adding great songs to the mix but a sense of bigger credibility to the compilation. Overall the standard of music is pretty high with only a couple of bands falling short in
production, but to be fair that would be expected to some degree with an underground music compilation... the only thing I can say is go visit the site and download it for yourself and you'll undoubtably find at least a couple of new treasures and bands to check out.

From a business point of view the concept is fantastic too.... with 21 bands involved if all members of the band get together to share it and promote it the reach on social media for everyone would be fantastic! Hopefully it raises the profiles of everyone involved! It will be interesting to get back in touch with the creators of the concept in a few months and see how the concept has done for everyone.
 

Saturday 29 October 2016

NORTHERN CROWN - THE OTHERS (2016)

NORTHERN CROWN - THE OTHERS (2016)
(originally appearing in AEA zine)

This was a very pleasant suprise! Again, a band I'd heard nothing of previously, to be fair this is their debut album after having released an ep a couple of years previous. This album contains some very accomplished songwriting and musicianship for a debut album so im not sure if the members have had previous bands or not but either way what you have here is a very easy to listen to slab of music. The bands website and promo describe them as "doom" but I have to say I wouldn't agree with them on that , There are some slow chuggy doom parts but it's a hard one to categorise as it fits within the traditional metal and prog genres with hints of black metal, maybe it has a more 'goth' feel to it. They might even be considered the 'pink floyd' of heavy metal. Categorisations aside, the songs themselves tend to be on the longer end of the scale with some great metal riffs and some very trance inducing soundscapes utilising keyboards and other insturments rather well also utilising some aspects of electronic music and some very tasty clean melodic moments... It makes for great chillout music, great for listening to in the dark or falling asleep to. The riffage while slow is never boring, there are many trance like parts invoking images of ancient rome, or Sumerian/Middle eastern passages where the guitars/keys/wind instruments mix together perfectly. The vocals are simply superb, solid metal clean vocals (to my ears reminiscient of john bush from Anthrax) with a hint of power metal and occcassional death metal moments. Over all it suits the production of this album and the mood they are trying to create. The lads have succeeded in creating something special here and they should feel proud of themselves! I really hope this release raises the band into the next level of contenders for the metal throne.

Saturday 1 October 2016

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES - WORLD GONE MAD (2016)

Suicidal Tendencies front man Mike Muir has long been an icon of the skate / thrash / punk scene and
it's great to see him return to form with a new album that brings back the aggression of the past whilst still staying relevant to today.

I'll be honest in saying that while I loved the "Lights... Camera... Revolution" Era and before....  I haven't had a lot of time for them since the "Suicidal for Life" era as I felt they regressed into a state of semi-retardation lyrically and musically it all seemed to dissolve into eclectic mess. It is with great joy that I can say I can listen to Suicidal proudly without having a brain anuerism or wishing for it to be 1989 again

This new album features long time Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo and I wonder if this was the missing ingredient in making this band great again. His drumming is as tight as the proverbial "nuns nasty" and Dave gets to show off not only what a great metal drummer he is, but his fusion / jazzy chops and sense of timing is amazing. He is a great and versatile drummer and gets to show it off to great effect on this record. More importantly he pins down the music brilliantly weather they are winding through a funky jazzy guitar solo, or a crushing thrash or punk riff or a blazing guitar solo it always feels solid and in time. Hail Lombardo!

The other musicians on this record (I have no real idea who they are) are great too.... lots of great thrashy / punky riffs reminiscent of all era's of past Suicidal Tendencies, funky slappy bass lines abound and even the shredding solo's that old guitar player Rocky George was famous for have made a return with this new lineup

Overall its a great record and returns the once mighty Suicidal Tendencies to being relevant and metal again!  


for more great reviews go http://www.metalmixtape.com
 

Sunday 25 September 2016

SOUTH COAST METALHEADS.COM

Just got the site for the "South Coast Metalheads" live and running. If you're from that area of Australia or just interested in whats going on down there check out the site and if maybe even sign up to the forum and chat with like minded metalheads

Check it out http://www.southcoastmetalheads.com

If anyone else reading this needs a website done feel free to contact me on clickoncanberra@gmail.com or look at the website http://www.clickoncanberra.com for an idea of pricings and options available (of course if you're a metalhead I'll cut you a good discount)


CD Review: THE NIGHTSTALKER - All For A Promise


THE NIGHTSTALKER - All For A Promise (Wolfshade Recs)

(originally featured in AEA ZINE )




http://www.facebook.com/Thenightstalkerofficial

I did not know anything of this band, The Nightstalker. So I had no expectations other than the bleak foreboding imagery used on their social media. Upon immediate listen I was quite happy to hear a melodic base to the songs reminiscent of various era's of Paradise Lost and maybe some Sisters of Mercy. Nice guitar work and very tasty melodies, with a very pop sense about them. Two things stand at opposites with these tasty melodies, one being the "necro" black metal styled vocals and the “kvlt as fvck” production. I have to say I liked the contrast between the black metal styled vocals and goth rock music.... but I think maybe a lot of people would have trouble with it. Also the production is fairly “live, recorded in a dungeon” style black metal production which also adds an original but gritty feel to it, which in many other bands would take away from the sound... it strangely adds to it here. All in all the songs invoke a rather hypnotic trance like state which I would quite happily fall asleep to. The Nightstalker have a great command of melodies and their songwriting sensibilities come across very well in this music. I would like to hear them again on forthcoming releases with an improved production which I think they could really go somewhere with but at the same time part of me wants them to keep the gritty production they have here, as it really works! I eagerly await whatever these guys do next. 

-Reggae 

 Tracklist: 
1. But not in Me 
2. Sergent Mattennen 
3. Fight Under the Rain 
4. The Purgatory 
5. The Diversion 
6. The Prisonners Eescape 
7. I Miss Her 
8. The Choice 
9. In the Heart of Limbo 
10. Army of Darkness

Friday 29 July 2016

STRAIGHT HATE – "EVERY SCUM IS A STRAIGHT ARROW" Album Review

STRAIGHT HATE – "EVERY SCUM IS A STRAIGHT ARROW" Album Review


Original review appearing in AEA Fanzine July 2016!




This is an odd one, not something I'd normally seek out but something I'm liking a lot. Straight Hate, hailing from Poland combine a number of influences from old school extreme punk like Discharge to Grind-core like Napalm Death / Terrorizer / Brutal Truth and even some dying fetus / agraphoric nosebleed for this, their very impressive debut album.

The songs seem to clock in at around a minute or so, but besides the old school punk sensibilites there's a lot involved … great riffage excellent song progressions and some really cool chorus …. and some hellish double kick and blast beats. The songs don't get boring and and are always entertaining. This is one angry band and you can hear it! I'm loving the vocals too... great projection and a seriously deathly voice that combines a lot of my favourate death metal vocalists. The guys aren't novices having formed in 2008 and 2106 being the year of their first release, these guys have obviously put in a lot of time and work to master the art of grinding and it shows.

Even if you're not a grind-core fan by definition, a lot fans of other death metal, heavier punk etc... will get something out of this, it is played with such conviction and precision that very few people would be able to deny the talent and sense of groove these guys have.

The recording is solid but still has that underground feel, it is hardly what you'd call a clean album but well recorded and the dynamics are great, all the instruments come across well in delivery which makes it much easier to listen to and enjoy!

I really can't think of anything that would make this better! It is great the way it is and I honestly think the lads are onto something great.... do yourself a favour and check them out! I see big things ahead of them if they stick to it.


Check the guys out on bandcamp:

or facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/sthtpl

and as always for more reviews and cool metal shit check out http://www.metalmixtape.com!


GOOGLE +

METAL MIX TAPE on Google+

Not sure if its going to do any good or not, but we've taken our first daring leap in the world of Google and got ourselves one of those Google+ pages..... we shall see how this goes!

If you are on this social network feel free to follow us or however this thing works.... the link is right there on the right of your screen!


And stay tuned for more metal reviews coming shortly!

Or else if you are on Facebook feel free to hook up on http://www.facebook.com/metalmixtape
We have over 50 followers now and the posts are starting to get some great reach on there!

Monday 18 July 2016

WINGS OF FUNERAL - Thrash of the Dead

Managed to score myself and unreleased song from Australian Black Metal band Wings of Funeral.... not sure what the plans for the guys releasing this gem are but if nothing else at least you can hear it here! 

Make sure you check the band out on facebook and give em a like if this rocks your world:



Thursday 14 July 2016

CHUD - RUTHLESS (release forthcoming)

CHUD - RUTHLESS (Yet to be released)



I was lucky enough to be privvy to the pre-release tracks from the new CHUD album.... Chud have been treading the boards around town for a while now in Canberra (Australia) and have gained a pretty good name for themselves around the east coast of this country. This is their 3rd Release.

I'm going to be honest the style of production and the deep down-tuned guitars (I'm told by Chud main-man, Chris that they used 9 string guitars on the recording)  made this initially rather hard to wrap my head around the sound as the guitars occupy the space previously held by bass guitars and the bass? Well that occupies some low frequency subterranean hell which if played loud enough could probably involuntarily loosen ones lower sphincter .... The vocals are angry and hateful, sitting somewhere between black metal and Max Cavelera ... A very unique mix.  By the third song into the recording my ears attuned into it, and it got much easier to listen to and digest.

The sound is cold and harsh, it kinda reminds me a bit of another Australian band, The Amenta and maybe some Godflesh, and maybe some Nailbomb... but its really hard to pin down the influences or what might have created such a harsh and hostile sound... but by about the 6th song I had really started to dig the sound and started to realise what the band was trying to create, though I find it really hard to put into words. Chud is like a down-tuned nightmare, industrial styled sludge core if that makes any sense. The songs have more of a percussive feel to it rather than a melodic feel

While I'm hardly an expert on this genre of music, I do feel the lads have created something original. Material this "subsonic" for lack of a better word must have been pretty hard to record as well... I can only guess what frequencies the bass guitar work occupies.

One track does up the tempo a little right at the end and that is "Eat You Alive" with a more "rocking" feel.... if such a word can be used to describe it....

Overall I have to say once I gave this one a fair chance it really did grow on me and by the end of the album I was keen to give it another spin to see what else I could get out of it.

Again this album is NOT for everyone, but give it an open minded listen and you might be pleasantly surprised (as I was).... I'm looking forward to seeing them live again!

Check out a mix of various CHUD songs for yourself on Reverbnation/facebook:
https://www.reverbnation.com/chudmetal/song/26118263-ruthless
https://www.facebook.com/chudmetal


and keep an eye out on this page for more news on CHUD!

http://www.metalmixtape.com

Saturday 18 June 2016

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

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You know you want to!

Welcome to MetalMixTape.com

Cheers and beers for landing on this site!

What is this about you ask?

Just a fun way to give something back to some of the bands that have been bringing the metal for so many years. This is NOT about making money but just getting some cool tunes out there. Like it... Download it.... spread it around! That's all we ask!