U.D.O – Game Over (AFM Records) [Paul Hutchings]
Is there a Y in the day? Well, there must be another album due from the Germanic dynamo Udo Dirkschneider and his band because the man seems to have no ‘off’ switch. His latest album, his 17th according to Wikipedia, is no short sprint either with 16 songs over 68 minutes to get through. Since 2018’s Steelfactory, the powerhouse frontman hasn’t stopped, with the collaboration with the Musikkorps Der Bunderswehr (2020) closely followed by the Live In Bulgaria album released in March this year. UDO sees the same musicians that Dirkschneider has worked with for a while now. Drummer (and son) Sven, bassist Tilen Hudrap and guitarists Andrey Smirnov and Dee Dammers. And in general, it’s enjoyable, classic heavy metal that Dirkschneider appears to be album to produce without breaking stride.
The first few tracks are full denim and leather clad anthems, the likes of Fear Detector, Prophecy and the inevitable Metal Never Dies are all worth a fist in the air and a shake of the head. It’s nothing special, but it’s Teutonic heavy metal that Udo has been delivering for over four decades and if you like it, then this will be more of the same. Where the wheels come off a little bit is when things slow down, such as the ghastly ballad Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye. The less said about this the better. At least its followed by a thumping Unbroken which redeems the position. Sure, at times it’s a bit stale, at times a little lumbering and predictable, such as the rather bloated Marching Tank, and it’s most definitely too long by about 20 minutes.
Underneath this, of course, is a Germanic metal legend who just keeps going. His enthusiasm for metal can’t be denied or faulted. He may not play the most inspiring music in the world, but there is a genuine heart that pumps relentlessly for the cause. A true legend in the world of heavy metal, I can’t be alone in wishing him many more years and albums, even if they don’t set the world on fire. 7/10
Norse - Ascetic (Transcending Obscurity Records) [Richard Oliver]
Ascetic is the fourth full length album from Australian black metal duo Norse. It is their second release for Transcending Obscurity Records and sees the band push black metal to its terrifying and dissonant limits. The band formed in 2005 as more of a blackened death metal outfit but as the years have progressed so has the sound of Norse. Today they play an ultra dissonant form of black metal which brings to mind bands such as Deathspell Omega, Blut Aus Nord and Dodecahedron. The core foundations of black metal such as tremolo riffs, blast-beats and harsh vocals are all present but completely subverted and twisted into a far darker and all-together more unpleasant sounding beast. Black metal at its core is meant to sound bleak and unpleasant but Norse take things to other levels.
Norse - Ascetic (Transcending Obscurity Records) [Richard Oliver]
Ascetic is the fourth full length album from Australian black metal duo Norse. It is their second release for Transcending Obscurity Records and sees the band push black metal to its terrifying and dissonant limits. The band formed in 2005 as more of a blackened death metal outfit but as the years have progressed so has the sound of Norse. Today they play an ultra dissonant form of black metal which brings to mind bands such as Deathspell Omega, Blut Aus Nord and Dodecahedron. The core foundations of black metal such as tremolo riffs, blast-beats and harsh vocals are all present but completely subverted and twisted into a far darker and all-together more unpleasant sounding beast. Black metal at its core is meant to sound bleak and unpleasant but Norse take things to other levels.
The melodies are disturbing, the riffs twist, turn and meander in unexpected ways and the whole aura of the music just has a feel of unrelenting horror about it. It sounds horrific but in a strangely enjoyable way. Parasite Warmongers is alarmingly nasty sounding with guitar parts that shouldn’t work yet strangely do whilst Accelerated Subversion, Zero Insight and Useless are some of the most jarring and violent pieces of black metal I’ve heard in a while. Fearless Filth Seeker has the closest to what you could call a ‘normal sounding’ melody whilst Radical Depression is far more atmospheric sounding with a stunning slow build throughout. Ascetic is certainly a challenging listen as it takes the black metal formula and twists it into a far darker, violent and terrifying beast.
For someone who likes a more straightforward or melodic style of black metal listening to Norse is certainly an experience. Ascetic is a very complex album that demands a multitude of listens to fully digest. It is not the type of black metal I am particularly drawn to but there is no denying that this is a fantastic listen and one that certainly leaves a mark. 7/10
Screamking - Thee Indomitable Spirit (Self Released) [Matt Bladen]
Screamking is very much a vehicle for vocalist Joe Lawson, the Dragonlore vocalist has been the Screamking at the helm of this American Hybrid Metal band for 10 years now his voice moving from croaks to highs that will annoy dogs. There seems to be several release dates for this record, but I assume the October one is for this Deluxe Edition. It's Warrel Dane, Tim 'Ripper' Owens and Sean Peck all rolled into one, ideal for the theatrically influenced heavy power metal which has the chest beating of classic metal, the relentless grunt of thrash from Clint Pagel bass and drummer Scott Rothschild and plenty of virtuoso solos that come from Rafael Hernandez and Jason Michalik. However there are some guest too with guitarists Joe Stump and Rusty Cooley ripping up fretboard on this 14 song album.
Yes 14 songs folks! This clocks in at over an hour with the deluxe edition adding 3 additional songs so this may mean that anyone who doesn't like this kind of music will struggle to get through the entire record. It's a record you need to listen to multiple times but that running time means you need to invest a lot of time in it. You will be rewarded if you enjoy this style. Fans of muscular power metal will also love the additions of Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin (Jag Panzer), Ronny Munroe (ex-Metal Church), Tim 'Ripper' Owens (K.K's Priest) and James Rivera (Helstar) all of whom add their distinctive pipes alongside the ScreamKing himself. Based in power metal but frequently it moves into various other more extreme genres Screamkings third album is far too long but decent enough to maintain your attention. 7/10
King Of Sweden - The Training (Crusader Records) [Matt Bladen]
King Of Sweden are...from Sweden obviously and The Training is their debut album of vintage sounding progressive rock. A song such as the sprawling Two Thieves is an ideal display of what King Of Sweden do as a band sound like the post Barrett, pre Dark Side, Pink Floyd where they were extremely experimental while also delivering into the realms of Captain Beefheart (vocally especially) with numerous pace changes set to jazzy time signatures. The trio are guitarist/singer Sampsa Nelimarkka, drummer Janne Savela and bassist Erkka Heinilä and their expansive musical landscapes are very interesting to listen to with the addition of wind instruments on The Imprisonment. They work best though when they are instrumental as the vocals are an acquired taste, still to the psychedelic proggers out there the King Of Sweden are aiming for prog rock royalty. 6/10
Screamking is very much a vehicle for vocalist Joe Lawson, the Dragonlore vocalist has been the Screamking at the helm of this American Hybrid Metal band for 10 years now his voice moving from croaks to highs that will annoy dogs. There seems to be several release dates for this record, but I assume the October one is for this Deluxe Edition. It's Warrel Dane, Tim 'Ripper' Owens and Sean Peck all rolled into one, ideal for the theatrically influenced heavy power metal which has the chest beating of classic metal, the relentless grunt of thrash from Clint Pagel bass and drummer Scott Rothschild and plenty of virtuoso solos that come from Rafael Hernandez and Jason Michalik. However there are some guest too with guitarists Joe Stump and Rusty Cooley ripping up fretboard on this 14 song album.
Yes 14 songs folks! This clocks in at over an hour with the deluxe edition adding 3 additional songs so this may mean that anyone who doesn't like this kind of music will struggle to get through the entire record. It's a record you need to listen to multiple times but that running time means you need to invest a lot of time in it. You will be rewarded if you enjoy this style. Fans of muscular power metal will also love the additions of Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin (Jag Panzer), Ronny Munroe (ex-Metal Church), Tim 'Ripper' Owens (K.K's Priest) and James Rivera (Helstar) all of whom add their distinctive pipes alongside the ScreamKing himself. Based in power metal but frequently it moves into various other more extreme genres Screamkings third album is far too long but decent enough to maintain your attention. 7/10
King Of Sweden - The Training (Crusader Records) [Matt Bladen]
King Of Sweden are...from Sweden obviously and The Training is their debut album of vintage sounding progressive rock. A song such as the sprawling Two Thieves is an ideal display of what King Of Sweden do as a band sound like the post Barrett, pre Dark Side, Pink Floyd where they were extremely experimental while also delivering into the realms of Captain Beefheart (vocally especially) with numerous pace changes set to jazzy time signatures. The trio are guitarist/singer Sampsa Nelimarkka, drummer Janne Savela and bassist Erkka Heinilä and their expansive musical landscapes are very interesting to listen to with the addition of wind instruments on The Imprisonment. They work best though when they are instrumental as the vocals are an acquired taste, still to the psychedelic proggers out there the King Of Sweden are aiming for prog rock royalty. 6/10