News - Rhythm Pit - The Matter of Opinion

A few this to mention. This week, my radio show may not happen due to some issues with our antenna. If the case, my Dio - tribute show will be postponed until next Wednesday.

Also, Decaying Citadel's side of the Autumn Reflections / Decaying Citadel split is finished. I think it sounds like the slab of doom it was meant to sound like. Three songs including a cover of Bathory's Satan My Master and a re-recording of Dread Saviour Arise, Decaying Citadel's split will be sure to make fans of anything doom glaze over.

Also, Ancient Obliteration - Destruction From The Past review should be posted in the next few days some where. It's coming, just a really difficult review to write.

ALSO, I need help. I can not find any information on this demo tape. I am looking for a release date:

Playlist 05/19/10

01. Black Sabbath - Heaven And Hell - Heaven And Hell

Tune in next week, for a three hour dedication show to the legend who is Dio.

02. Sammy Hagar - Heavy Metal: The Motion Picture Soundtrack - Heavy Metal
03. Exciter - Heavy Metal Maniac - Iron Dogs
04. Possessed - Beyond The Gates - Phantasm
05. Blind Guardian - Batallions Of Fear - Run For The Night
06. Gorguts - Considered Dead - Stiff and Cold
07. Gorguts - Considered Dead - Bodily Corrupted
08. Death - Human - Together As One
09. Darkthrone - Soulside Journey - Neptune Towers
10. Asphyx - The Rack - The Rack
11. Immortal - Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism - Crytpic Winterstorms
12. Cathedral - Soul Sacrifice - Frozen Rapture
13. Eyehategod - Take As Needed For Pain - Blank
14. Metal Inquisitor - Doomsday For The Heretic - Midnight Rider
15. Icarus Witch - Capture The Magic - Capture The Magic
16. Demons And Wizards - Touched By The Crimson King - Beneath These Waves
17. Primordial - Journey's End - Cast To The Pyre
18. Primordial - To The Nameless Dead - Traitors Gate
19. Dark Fortress - Eidolon - Analepsy
20. Haethen - Wanderer - The Light Bereaved
21. Iron Man - I Have Returned - Fallen Angel
22. Maegashira - Maegashira / Sowbelly / OSSM - The Man Who Named God
23. Valkija - Avengers Of Steel - Hatchet Blade
24. Valkija - Avengers Of Steel - Son Of Thunder
25. Darkthrone - Circle The Wagons - Brann Inte Slottet
26. Axe Battler - The Wrath Of My Steel - Minotaur's Labyrinth
27. Desolate One - Desecrate The Night - Desecrate The Night
28. 1349 - Demonoir - Atomic Chapel
29. Infinitum Obscure - Destruction Of The Heavenly Realm Vol. XI - Messenger Of Chaos, I

LP / MC: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 21, 25, 26
2010: 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

Axe Battler - The Wrath Of My Steel

A demo that is not trying to be anything modern or trendy? If you seek one, Axe Battler have a demo for you! They have created a demo which sets itself from the pack in its honest-to-the-roots metal approach. But does this translate into quality? Axe Battler show that for them, the old school sound of the early 1980's heavy metal has never subsided and NWOBHM is still alive in their hearts. In general, there's not much to complain about but also, not a whole lot to talk about. Axe Battler's "The Wrath Of My Steel" has good riffs, a great vibe and is an easy listen to anyone who grew up on Iron Maiden or 70's Judas Priest and is seeking obscure heavy metal. The fact that is is a tape demo, for me at least, makes it even more endearing. A lack of traditional metal bands release on the format and to get my greedy hands on a demo tape like this, with it's black and white cover, and plastic case which continually falls apart and has to be put back together, takes me to a time when I existed only in the foresight of the great Greek gods. If you want to feel what it felt like to grow up in 1982, then grab a copy of this demo, preferably by post. It's like being an adolescent and having to go down the block and get dubbed copies from the weird guy down the block with a strange obsession with Rob Halford's crotch.

Opening track "Killers Of The Night" is as classic sounding as it is benign. Though it's sure to put a smile the face of anyone who like's Iron Maiden's first two albums, past that it's pretty average in quality. Though Axe Battler use few leads throughout the song, the instrumental section of the track is full of dual guitar harmonies and a great solo courtesy of Axe Battler's guitarist Chris. J.P Battler's vocals are charming, emotional and amateur, I would chose him over any of those "top tier" power metal bands that are touted by the metal media. He doubles on bass adequately, mainly following the rhythm guitars. Second track, the title track, "The Wrath Of My Steel," follows the opening song's style closely though is a bit long-winded. It drags like a two-legged dog. Third track, "At The Backstreet" is basically a ballad (remember that 80's vibe?) and is the weakest song for me on this release. The lyrics are the least interesting, about being in love with a hooker or something... and then she has a knife? I honestly don't know and can't figure it out... But the triplets during the fast part lag and are all over the timing map. Still, JP gets my admiration for singing a ballad and he does a dashing job with it."Minotaur's Labyrinth" is my favorite on the release. It's pace is perfect, it's memorable, the lyrics are simple but excellent, recounting the Greek tale of the labyrinth. When JP screams "The minotaur is thirsty for their flesh!" I just nod my head, feel elated and relish in the moment and the passion he has for Axe Battler's music. The lead section is great, dual leads, harmonized riffs once again in the Maiden style. Some notice to kit-kicker Manuel A. He is solid across the whole demo. I like the natural sound to his drums which seem to be free of studio trickery and actually played really well - something many drummers can take a lesson from; you don't need to have triggers to sound good... just play your drums properly! I think it has something to do with bands constantly aiming for exponential extremity, drummers are pushed past what the vast majority of human drummers can play.

The Witch Cross cover is cool. I never heard the original but if it sounds as good as Axe Battler's version, I'd be in my glory. It's amazing how much more there is to discover. Axe Battler however did not escape my vigilance and I'm glad. Axe Battler are a great band, still in formative stages but given time and a chance to grow with their music and their ideas, I see them becoming a great underground metal band. I think a slightly thicker guitar sound would really help Axe Battler. "The Wrath Of My Steel" is a good demo, nothing totally outstanding but still worth listening. I see myself playing "Minotaur's Labyrinth" or maybe "Killers Of The Night" on a bi-weekly basis. This is a great find for anyone looking for current bands playing really classic sounding metal.

Playlist - 05/12/10

01. Cheap Trick - Heavy Metal The Motion Picture Soundtrack - Reach Out
02. The Rods - Heavier Than Thou - Make Me A Believer
03. Manowar - Battle Hymns - Fast Taker
04. Blind Guardian - Battalions Of Fear - Run For The Night
05. Iron Savior - Unification - Forces Of Rage
06. Axe Battler - The Wrath Of My Steel - Minotaur's Labyrinth
07. Crimson Glory - Crimson Glory - Azrael
08. Anthem - Anthem - Warning Action!
09. Annihilator - Alice In Hell - W.T.Y.D
10. Cathedral - Soul Sacrifice - Frozen Rapture
11. Grand Magus - Wolf's Return - Blood Oath
12. Darkthrone - Circle The Wagons - Brann Inte Slottet
13. Venom - Welcome To Hell - Witching Hour
14. Desolate One - Desecrate The Night - Serpent's Blood
15. Immolith - Hymns To The Countess - Slaughter The Legions
16. Haethen - Wanderer - The Light Bereaved
17. Burzum - Det Som Engang Var - En Ring Til Aa Herske
18. Immortal - Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism - Cryptic Winterstorms
19. Dark Fortress - Eidolon - Analepsy
20. Ancient Horns - Profano - Eternal Vengeance

TRILOGY - 1349
21. 1349 - Demonoir - Atomic Chapel
22. 1349 - Hellfire - Sculptor Of Flesh
23. 1349 - Demonoir - Demonoir

24. War Master - Chapel Of The Apocalypse - Chapel of The Apocalypse
25. War Master - Thrones Of Tyranny - Undead Warmachine
26. Asphyx - The Rack - The Rack
27. Deathevokation - Blood Demo - Embers Of A Dying World
28. Defuntos - Florestas De Perpetua Solidao - Do Dundo Da Minha Alma...
29. Armored Saint - Symbol Of Salvation - Reign Of Fire *

MC / LP #'s: 01, 02, 03, 06, 09, 10, 11, 12, 14, 25, 27, 28,
2010 #'s: 06, 12, 14, 21, 23, 25,

* REQUEST - LUMBERJACK!

Playlist 05/05/10

01. The Rods - Heavier Than Thou - Heavier Than Thou

02. The Rods - Heavier Than Thou - Make Me A Believer

03. Manowar - Battle Hymns - Dark Avenger

04. Midnight Priest - Rainha Da Magia Negra - Juzio Final

05. Iron Maiden - Powerslave - Powerslave

06. Faith Or Fear - Punishment Area - The Shadow Knows

07. Blind Guardian - Battalions Of Fear - Wizards Crown

08. Blind Guardian - Nightfall In Middle Earth - Time Stands Still

09. Ross The Boss - New Metal Leader - I Got The Right

10. Ravage - Freedom Fighter - Grapes Of Wrath

11. Shadowkeep - Corruption Within - Corruption Within

12. Darkthrone - Circle The Wagons - Those Treasures Will Never Befall You

13. The Hookers - Speedwolf / Hookers Split - For The Master

14. Black Sabbath - Vol. 4 - Supernaut

15. Deep Purple - In Rock - Speed King

16. Maegashira - Maegashira / Sowbelly / OSSM Split - The Man Who Named God

17. Candlemass - Candlemass - Seven Silver Keys

18. Dominus Praeli - The First Battle - Waves Of War

19. Thou - Black September / Thou Split - Smoke Pigs

20. Morgion - Solinari - Nightfall Infernal

21. Asphyx - The Rack - The Rack

22. Asphyx - The Rack - Pages In Blood

23. Sapremia - Existence Of Torture - Spawn Of Desolation

24. War Master - Thrones Of Tyranny 7" - Undead Warmachine

25. Immolith - Hymns To The Countess - Slaughter The Legions

26. Burzum - Det Som Engang Var - En Ring Til Aa Herske

27. Haethen - Wanderer - The Light Bereaved

28. Primordial - To The Nameless Dead - Failures Burden

29. Imynvokad - Ad Ordines Descendens - By Blood Does The Beast Arise

MC/LP Rips: 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 13, 18, 23, 24,  29

2010 Releases: 12, 24, 29

Saturday at Champs in Trenton: Haethen, Sapremia, Immolith and Blasphemous. Cool show for those interested. I'll be there in my normal capacity. Feel free to say hello!

Decaying Citadel - Split Update

Today, Myself and Decaying Citadel's Z.S have finished recording the vocals for their upcoming split with Autumn Reflections. All that is left is basic editing and mixing. Three songs of excellent doom.