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Evil Surfer web zine

Necromass "Chrysalis' Gold", read our Necromass interviewNecromass "Chrysalis' Gold" (self-prodution) This new  Necromass single is the proof that the band coming from Florence is finally ready for the big times and for international spotlight. J.C. Kerioth's & co. mature songwriting and stylistic evolution have once again brought them along obscure and misterious shores; Necromass now "surf" on ethereal and glacial notes, gloomy melodies almost dark. There are 2 tiny gems on this CD : "Losers In The Sky... Dying" and "Chrysalis' Gold".  Ain Soph Aour's voice, deep, firm, alternates tearing cries and sweet hums, perfectly combining with the new course that the band has chosen. Need some hints ? Take the sensualest Moonspell and glue them with the greyest Bauhaus... but that isn't everything to it because Black Wizard's frenetic drumming takes us back to heaviest memories of this band. They dare where they've never before ! I've had the chance to hear the rest of the new stuff in studio and I asure you that these guys are a time-ticking bomb ready to go off. The sky is crowded of evil clouds and crashes with mournful lightnings ...  Necromass are back at last, and what a come back !

Evil Surfer's evaluation meter  Explosive  (PierotuZ)

 

Sadist "Crust", read our Sadist InterviewSadist             "Crust"           (Displeased)
Third album, third different line-up, third new sound. Certainly this band from Genova, leader of Italy's extreeme scene, can't be blamed on being a static group, on the contrary it's entire career  has been characterized by an excessive dynamism. Throughout all Sadist's existence, it's only common denominator has been it's leader and songwriter Tommy Talamanca. I was very sorry for Peso's departure, great drummer of the never-forgotten Necrodeath and that I had interviewed time ago. The first two records of the band were really good stuff, with neo-classic disgressions in "Above the light" and surprising blend of death metal, progressive and ethnic music in "Tribe". With Andy e Trevor new band members, Sadist take a clear cut with their history, putting aside their great skill in combining energy and melody.This CD, on Displaced instead of Nosferatu, is made of pure corrupted tunes and incredible brutality. No more melodies,no more sweet keyboard harmonies, the band is completely devoted to destruction.  Trevor is fantasctic, maybe the best screamer that Sadist ever had, but to tell you the truth I think he's even a little TOO much. Sometimes his lyrics risk to end up being misogyny like and misunderstood by most of the non concentrated listeners. I also find TOO much his introducing the band's songs in live acts with a "growly" voice, things that not even Dave Vincent does anymore. Don't misunderstand me, the album is a good album, completely over the top of Italian standards and potentially competitive with foreign acts, but I Find this sort of brutality comeback a little backhanded. Not many groups were competitive with what Sadist used to do a few years ago, meanwhile now, they've ended up in the mishmasht of thousands of death metal bands that don't have an "own" sound to rely on. I hope they don't drown.

Evil Surfer's evaluation meter   You should listen to this     (Luca Palmieri)


Opera IX "Sacro Culto", read our Opera IX interviewOpera IX      "Sacro Culto"   (Shiver rec.)
Opera IX with this second full length album keeps it's black cult-band status. "Sacro Culto" is surely much more mature than their previous "The call of the wood". In fact the band's  song-writing ranges more between acustic and electric tunes, showing good tecnical-composing skills. Overall the album can be interpretated as the continuation of their last one, except for the increased clean vocals and the decreased keyboard sections. Cadaveria, maybe the only real female screamer in the world, is great in her theatrical and oneiric interpretations but lacks a bit when it's up to singing in a clean voice where she should be much sharper. Nevertheless she is outstanding with her gloomy and alienating phrasings, supported by a gothic male singing too. The mixing throughout the whole album isn't very well done as for example for the volume levels (rythmic sections and guitars are very "low" and dominated bay the voice and keyboard levels) probably due to the low budget, but maybe this has been a decision that the band had in mind while recording and producing. Opera IX can be considered as a trip-band that bases it's music on various and spicey feelings and obscure emotions and that want to make the listener feel impotent and lost, launching him in the most mysterious and arcane part of his mind.  

 Evil Surfer's evaluation meter You should listen to this    (Rhos Macina)

 

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