The Quireboys: Amazing Disgrace (Off Yer Rocka Records) [Matt]
Amazing Disgrace is British rockers The Quireboys sixth album in seven years, indicating that they haven't been resting on their laurels this long into their career. Guitarist Guy Griffin has said that “It’s the most diverse album we’ve ever done” which is a pretty bold claim when you consider the band have been around since 1984. So does it live up to the billing from the erstwhile guitarist or is it just hyperbole? Well throughout their career The Quireboys have been firmly rooted in the classic rhythm & blues sound however this record was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios and it's the weight of the history at this studio that had the band striving to change up their sound more than 30 years into their career, which is understandable when you consider this was the studio where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody. The record opens with the sort of style you'd come to expect from The Quireboys, Original Black Eyed Soul which has just that, parping brass, clinking pianos, louche guitars and Spikes rasping vocals, however things rarely change from there to be honest it's mostly just old school R&B, with a bit of boogie a smidgen of soul and funk, they also have a bit of country on Eve Of The Summertime. Fans of the band will lap this record up but it doesn't really do much more for me than provide a distraction. 5/10
Ulvedharr: World Of Chaos (Scarlet Records) [Rich]
World Of Chaos is the fourth album by Italian band Ulvedharr. Ulvedharr are not a band I have ever heard of before but when I was doing some reading up on them and I saw the words death metal, thrash metal and Norse mythology I knew I was going to like this and my instincts were correct. Ulvedharr play a lovely mix of old school thrash and death metal with perfectly straddles the line between the two genres. As to be expected World Of Chaos is a fast and furious album that rarely lets up in its 38 minute duration with songs such as Cold War, Fire In The Hole and Pull The Trigger guaranteed to give your neck muscles a good work out. All the songs have plenty of thrash riffage and death metal fury with bags of attitude ably delivered by frontman Ark who has a style very reminiscent of Max Cavalera. There is also a nice degree of melody especially in the lead guitar playing. Although a fairly repetitive album, World Of Chaos is massively enjoyable with a sound and formula that is especially pleasing to the ears of this thrash and death metal fanatic. Old school thrashers this is definitely an album you will enjoy. 8/10
Defecrator: Abortion Of Humanity (Drakkar Productions) [Rich]
Abortion Of Humanity is the new release by US blackened death metal tyrants Defecrator. The band have previously released an EP Satanic Martyrdom back in 2016 but Abortion Of Humanity is the debut full length album by the band. What you are presented with on this album is a unholy mix of black and death metal with the aim to sound as unpleasant and evil as possible. Cold tremolo riffs combined with fetid rotting death metal and some bowel churning guttural vocals is what the listener is subjected or treated to depending on your perspective. The songs range from blast beat addled speed assaults such as Carnal Misanthropy and Wrath Of The Anti-God to slower more atmospheric pieces such as the title track. The album has a lo fi murky production and mix which adds to the unsettling atmosphere throughout. Defecrator have produced an enjoyable debut album which will be an enjoyable listen for any fans of black and death metal. Not an essential album by any means but a very promising debut for an up and coming band. 7/10
Duskwood: The Long Dark (Self Released) [Paul S]
Based in Yeovil, in Somerset, 4 piece Duskwood have been going since 2011 and since then have released an EP in 2013 (Cavete Ursus), and an album (Desert Queen) in 2016.
The Long Dark is a 4 track EP which comes in at 25 minutes. The style of music on offer on The Long Dark is broadly doom, more specifically it feels very Desert. The most obvious reference for this EP is the originators of the Desert sound; Kyuss. There is a little bit of more traditional doom as well, maybe a little like Trouble. So, possibly Kyuss playing Trouble covers is the best way to describe this. All the tracks have a nice amount of energy, and drive. This is a band with great riffs, and a clear talent for song writing (these two things don’t always go together). The vocals are very good as well. Strong and soulful, maybe halfway between Chris Cornell and John Garcia, and if that isn’t a compliment, I don’t know what is.
Amazing Disgrace is British rockers The Quireboys sixth album in seven years, indicating that they haven't been resting on their laurels this long into their career. Guitarist Guy Griffin has said that “It’s the most diverse album we’ve ever done” which is a pretty bold claim when you consider the band have been around since 1984. So does it live up to the billing from the erstwhile guitarist or is it just hyperbole? Well throughout their career The Quireboys have been firmly rooted in the classic rhythm & blues sound however this record was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios and it's the weight of the history at this studio that had the band striving to change up their sound more than 30 years into their career, which is understandable when you consider this was the studio where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody. The record opens with the sort of style you'd come to expect from The Quireboys, Original Black Eyed Soul which has just that, parping brass, clinking pianos, louche guitars and Spikes rasping vocals, however things rarely change from there to be honest it's mostly just old school R&B, with a bit of boogie a smidgen of soul and funk, they also have a bit of country on Eve Of The Summertime. Fans of the band will lap this record up but it doesn't really do much more for me than provide a distraction. 5/10
Ulvedharr: World Of Chaos (Scarlet Records) [Rich]
World Of Chaos is the fourth album by Italian band Ulvedharr. Ulvedharr are not a band I have ever heard of before but when I was doing some reading up on them and I saw the words death metal, thrash metal and Norse mythology I knew I was going to like this and my instincts were correct. Ulvedharr play a lovely mix of old school thrash and death metal with perfectly straddles the line between the two genres. As to be expected World Of Chaos is a fast and furious album that rarely lets up in its 38 minute duration with songs such as Cold War, Fire In The Hole and Pull The Trigger guaranteed to give your neck muscles a good work out. All the songs have plenty of thrash riffage and death metal fury with bags of attitude ably delivered by frontman Ark who has a style very reminiscent of Max Cavalera. There is also a nice degree of melody especially in the lead guitar playing. Although a fairly repetitive album, World Of Chaos is massively enjoyable with a sound and formula that is especially pleasing to the ears of this thrash and death metal fanatic. Old school thrashers this is definitely an album you will enjoy. 8/10
Defecrator: Abortion Of Humanity (Drakkar Productions) [Rich]
Abortion Of Humanity is the new release by US blackened death metal tyrants Defecrator. The band have previously released an EP Satanic Martyrdom back in 2016 but Abortion Of Humanity is the debut full length album by the band. What you are presented with on this album is a unholy mix of black and death metal with the aim to sound as unpleasant and evil as possible. Cold tremolo riffs combined with fetid rotting death metal and some bowel churning guttural vocals is what the listener is subjected or treated to depending on your perspective. The songs range from blast beat addled speed assaults such as Carnal Misanthropy and Wrath Of The Anti-God to slower more atmospheric pieces such as the title track. The album has a lo fi murky production and mix which adds to the unsettling atmosphere throughout. Defecrator have produced an enjoyable debut album which will be an enjoyable listen for any fans of black and death metal. Not an essential album by any means but a very promising debut for an up and coming band. 7/10
Duskwood: The Long Dark (Self Released) [Paul S]
Based in Yeovil, in Somerset, 4 piece Duskwood have been going since 2011 and since then have released an EP in 2013 (Cavete Ursus), and an album (Desert Queen) in 2016.
The Long Dark is a 4 track EP which comes in at 25 minutes. The style of music on offer on The Long Dark is broadly doom, more specifically it feels very Desert. The most obvious reference for this EP is the originators of the Desert sound; Kyuss. There is a little bit of more traditional doom as well, maybe a little like Trouble. So, possibly Kyuss playing Trouble covers is the best way to describe this. All the tracks have a nice amount of energy, and drive. This is a band with great riffs, and a clear talent for song writing (these two things don’t always go together). The vocals are very good as well. Strong and soulful, maybe halfway between Chris Cornell and John Garcia, and if that isn’t a compliment, I don’t know what is.
The four tracks are full of energy, and Riffs! Space Craft is a taut rocker, cracking track. Mars Rover has more of a swagger, you can hear the Kyuss influence very clearly on this track. Crook And Flail is more loose and open than the tracks that came before it. Nomad is a slower track, that feels a little grungy. It’s brooding and deep, a fantastic track to end the EP with. The Long Dark is a great EP. Really well played and written, Duskwood are a fantastic addition to the already very healthy British doom scene. I look forward to hearing more from this band on the remaining EP's in this Sci-Fi concept! 8/10