| Mahavatar | Scorched-Earth Policy - bootcamp demo 2000 |
| Fur | 9XDEAD - 2001 |
| Razorwire - Never Yours To Grind | Bug - Form To A Scab |
|
Mahavatar demo 2000 website: http://www.mahavatar.net
|
||
|
It's an interesting one this. Kind of metal played rock style with female vocals layered over the top. The four tracks don't really offer much different from each other, but I suppose that means you get a good idea of their style. Opener BH has well mixed moments of heavy and gentle music, while never getting very fast. If tripping is more your thing, try The Time Has Come. This melodic soundscape is actually quite cool to relax to thanks in part to the sweeping background harmonies, and it weighs in at a hefty 7 minutes long. Verdict: There's definitely potential, but it needs more work. |
|||
|
|||
Scorched-Earth Policy
|
 |
||
|
Back in '99 Graeme reviewed a previous demo from these Californian heavyweights, and he thought it was pretty cool, giving it 7/10. So does this CD live up to their reputation? Most definitely. They've kept it to four tracks, average length just over five minutes, and all top quality. They have a great mix of heavy guitars, great vocals, and top notch production to finish things off. It does not sound like a demo at all, more like an album from a veteran band. Stylistically it is a combination of hardcore, rock, and massive melodies. There's definitely an Alice In Chains sound, as Graeme also mentioned. Without wanting to take anything away from the music, the vocals set this apart from any other band doing similar stuff. It's not the usual shouty thing you might expect, but instead is real singing but with attitude. The vocal melodies add so much to the variety and complexity of their sound. Musically they are extremely tight, with constantly changing guitars that keep your interest. Third track F.I.N.E. is definitely a highlight, with its cool wah sound. Samples are also used, mainly as intros, which helps keep things varied. Verdict: Top notch stuff. Buy it, fool! |
|||
|
|||
|
Fur website: http://www.furmusic.com |
||
|
There's two demo CDs here, one from '99 and one from 2000, and both with 4 tracks. The first comprises mainly of miserable funk metal. The basslines are kind of cool sometimes, but I think I'd have more fun at a funeral than listening to this. The second CD is really more of the same, but without the cool bass bits. Oh great! It's like being moaned at 24/7 by a whiney hormonal teenager. Verdict: Boring |
|||
|
|||
9XDEAD
|
 |
||
|
Shortly after their last demo got a great review from Attitude, 9XDEAD split up (to our great disappointment). After a long time away, they are back with a brand new demo. It retains much of the style of their Excession demo from '97, while slightly improving the production and shifting in a slightly less goth direction. It is an enjoyable three track goth/metal/punk CD which unfortunately does not sound as sleazy as their older stuff. Much of their charm came from the bad production and extreme reverb, which helped with their sleazy sound. That was a large part of what we liked from them so it is a shame to see them move slightly away from this. One of the tracks from Excession, Lucy, has recently appeared in a compilation album also reviewed in this issue, though in a re-recorded form. Presumably it was re-recorded to improve the sound, but for me the newer version loses the rawness and natural sound of the original. It feels over rehearsed. For what it is, this is still a good CD albeit more from a metal edge than anything else. I mourn the passing of their sleazier sound. I wish them luck in the future, and hope one day to see them live. Oh, and thanks for the keyring guys! Verdict: Decent metal/goth CD, but not as good as Excession |
|||
|
|||
|
Razorwire Never Yours To Grind cost:
£4.99
|
||
|
I like the cover, so there's a plus for the band already. Razorwire do a decent mixture of styles along the lines of rock, hardcore, rap, thrash and stuff like that. Confusing at times! On the more laid back tracks they sound like early Pist.on (particularly the vocals), while on the thrashy tracks the vocals are a mixture of Henry from Pist.on and late 80s thrash standards. All the music is very competently played and decently written, so I guess there's nothing to complain about really. Unfortunately the songs fail to grab me in any way. The spark is just not there. I think the guys are perfectly capable, so if they can find that spark somewhere they would be in with a decent chance of getting somewhere, but until then I don't see much happening for them. Verdict: Better than most demos, but not quite there. |
|||
|
|||
Bug
|
 |
||
|
What we've for here is six tracks of shouty metal from Rotherham of all places. Home of Derek, most metal of dinosaurs (if anyone remembers him). I don't think we've had any bands from Rotherham before, so welcome guys. I am very divided on my opinion of this CD. One minute I hate it, the next I think it's quite cool. Maybe if the horrible vocals were dropped and the production was a little better I would like it more. Maybe not. Musically I'm reminded of 2nd rate early 90s death metal, so they're not really going to win me over I don't think. Their saving grace is that they do break beyond the mould and have an almost Manics symphonic sound to them. Am I the only person who hears that bit? Actually, I think I probably am so don't take too much notice. Verdict: Bug? It certainly does. |
|||
|
|||
