Black Metal History Month -Midnight : "Hellish Expectations"

 

Here is some blackened thrash punk for you. The Venom worship of this project has always been tangible. That is now dialed up way past 11. It is faster and more punk than Venom was in their glory days. The first hint of melody in the guitars is not evident until the third song. The album has better production value than you might suspect, as it sounds like they have gone to great lengths to create something that sounds raw and organic, but is ripe with overdubs considering in the studio this is the work of one man. It races with more of a thrashing rage than not. The guitar playing is gradually improving with each album. 

There is a rock n roll undercurrent to 'Slave to the Blade". The vocals are snarled with an even rougher rasp than Cronos spat out on "At War With Satan". The theme seems to be 80's streetwise metal tropes that could have come from a Twisted Sister album. The first song that strikes me as catchy is "Dungeon Lust" which is endowed with darker sleaze. The formula for songwriting seems to be shouting out the chorus. It works on this song but can be a trick they go to the well too many times with. While I find this entertaining for what it is, it is highly unlikely this is an album I am going to need multiple spins of. If you do you might like punk more than metal, and that is a valid life choice as long as you are honest with yourself about it. 

'Deliver Us to Devil" is more boring than a song about the devil should be, He should have saved the lyrics for the riffs he wrote for 'Mercyless Slaughtor" as it would have been more interesting. As it stands "Mercyless Slaughtor' is a better song by far. Most of the songs are under three minutes so there should not be enough time to get bored. However when it feels like the riffs are being recycled like they are on "Doom Death Desire" then perhaps it is asking more than I thought. 'Fuck Off and Live" is a decent song, even if I prefer the sentiment of dying instead. I will round this down to an 8.5, it's a solid punk record dressed up in black.It drops March 8th on Metal Blade.

pst69

Midnight- "Let There Be Witchery"

 This one-man band continues to roll on. This time around the Venom worship is even more in your face. He manages to write some fairly decent song while doing this homage, though I am only two songs into the album so let's see how it holds up. Equal parts punk and metal in how the instruments are banged upon. The metal moments work better for me, as the guitar playing tends to be hookier for those. "In Sinful Secrecy" kicks off as more metal though when the pace picks up in the verse there is more of a punk feel.  The vocals are not sung, but not growled or screamed either more in that snarling thrash kind of exclamation. He might get cancelled for the lyrics to "Nocturnal Molestation", but it is about time metal had some balls and danger to it, not worse than anything WASP already did.   

There is more of a Celtic Frost to the deliberate pound of "More Torment". It comes across as heavier to me than the most punk fueled moments earlier in the album. The songwriting remains pretty straightforward, so there is little in the way of wild left-hand turns. There is a wink in the direction of Motorhead with "Let There Be Sodomy".  Normally the combination of influences drawn from here can sometimes wear thin for me as it ends up sounds more like punk as the bands reference here in regard to the sonic space being occupied here is normally the type of thing punks who are trying to get into metal listen to since it is not far removed. But is works pretty here.  "Devil Virgin" works for me because the drumming has a slight disco groove that compliments the more 80s metal riffing. 

It is fitting for a song called "Snake Obsession" to be in more of a Motorhead direction, when you think about all of Lemmy's reptile references. "Villainy Wretched Villainy" might have a touch of ACDC to it but otherwise is less of an homage and sounds more original than the bulk of the songs. The more rock n roll feel continues on "Szex Witchery" with the vocals the only real metal thing about this song. I will give this album a 9, which is pretty high considering how derivative it is, but he whole heartedly is behind every ounce of attitude he is giving this thing so that compensates for the feeling you have heard this all before, and he is good at capturing these sounds. 

Midnight : "Rebirth By Blasphemy"

This is the first album from 2020 I am reviewing. Not much has changed for these guys , but the sound is dialed in tighter. This band is a lot of fun. The thrash side is more pronounced with a nasty snarl to the Venom like vocals . The guitar solos are more rock n roll which pays homage to their punk side. The title track has a catchy riff to the chorus. There is more of a gallop to the song itself. I think I like it better than the opener. Though after repeat listens the opener grows on me. "Escape the Grave" has more of a punk thing going on that does less for me than the first two songs.  They stay on this Venomous path from this point on. It is a sound that is true to who this band is, so despite the fact I typically need more dynamics from music, I knew what I was getting into here.

The drums become more deliberate going into the slower "Rising Scum"> It is still very Venom, but there is more breathing room and it is not totally reliant on speed. This does invoke a more classic metal sound,. There is a more dirty black n roll feel to "Warning From the Reaper" . They get even more rock n roll on "Cursed Possessions".  Sometimes this mode can be a little too straight forward and I begin to get bored at times. "the Sounds of Hell " is even more punk. It might be the album's most punk moment. It's a well written punk song with all the right embellishments in all the right places.

There is more melody in the darker guitar strains of "You Can Drag Me Through Fire" that closes the album. There is nod toward more traditional classic heavy metal, namely Judas Priest on this one. Not vocally , but riff wise. The vocals stick to the same snarl throughout the album. Overall this album is fun and well done though dynamically flat so the songs begin to sound the same to some extent. I will round it down to an 8.5.

We All Want Our Time In Hell : A Tribute to Samhain

Of course I love Samhain, because it's like a darker, creepier version of the Misfits. I was the most skeptical about Joel Grind being on this album, but it is hard for him to fuck up "Night Chill" . Midnight then takes on "Mother Of Mercy" which has the line in it that inspired this album's title. The vocals prove to be the weak link here, but for what it is they do a pretty decent job and hit everything, but the vocals. You can tell what song it is, which is better than some black metal bands do when they cover a more rock oriented song. I think this darker direction would be a good place for them to move towards. Nil Eye is the one project on here that I was not familiar with going into this. They are more punk than Midnight. The vocals sound more Jello Biafra than Danzig. They still manage to capture the spirit of the song while being themselves.

Ringworm gives a touch of thrashing hardcore to "Black Dream".  I think the vocals on Midnight's song were better than the frantic barking that goes down here. Everything checks out alright, but that is such a crucial part of Samhain's sound.  Ghoul does a little better job. At least they are not just trying to growl or bark their way through this. The vocals are more spoken. They know what they have to work with and I am impressed by what the guitarist does here. Of course Acid Witch does "Halloween II " .  They totally nail the guitar parts in their own way. I was a little worried about the vocals , but while they are not doing a Danzig impersonation , they get the point across much like Ghoul, by doing a more spoken narrative.

Multicult's version of  "the  Howl" suffers from pissed poor production. The vocals might be decent or they might be terrible, it's hard to tell cus they are buried in the mix. Would Danzig's vocals ever be buried in the mix. I can tell they are the first band that is coming any where close to a Danzig impersonation. Their is a huskier and crustier stab at "the Shift" by Like Rats. There are briefly crooned vocals in the background, but at least they tried. Shed the Skin give's their brand of death a more skate punk feel on "Kiss of Steel". While the lead vocals are growled the back up vocals are sung. I have never given Immortal Bird enough of a listen. It sounds like I would imagine it might sound if Arctic Flowers covered the first half of the song and then let a grind core band take the rest. At almost four minutes this is an epic for a band used to throwing out songs in spastic bursts. It is the best I have heard from them.

Child Bite curated this album, so I am sure they got first dibs on "Unbridled". They did not knock it out of the park and it has a more Dead Kennedys feel. Brain Tentacles does a surprisingly faithful job of "Human Pony Girl". Ritual Howls " Arcangel" is kinda boring. Overall this is worthwhile if you are a fan as it is a more modern take on these songs . I'll give it an 8.5

Midnight : "Sweet Death and Ecstasy"

There is a much more prevalent Venom influence on the opening track of Midnight's new album. The guitar sound is bigger and carries more weight into it's chug. While the metal factor has been dialed up, they have not turned their backs on the more punk side of this band as apparent on the second song "Penetrated . Most of the guitar solos on this album sound like they are straight from a Motorhead record. There is more of a march to " Here Comes Sweet Death". The chant of the  chorus has more of hook to it than the previous song. "Melting Brain" is not as smartly crafted and more one dimensional. The Motorhead influence goes beyond just guitar solos on "Rabid" . I am fine with this as it means they are being more thoughtful to vary things up with catchy punches.

It took me a moment to release "Bitch Mongrel" was not the previous song "Rabid". It is different as it's more Venom than Motorhead. "Poison Trash" stays thrashing, but is a bit of a one trick pony until it goes into more of a moshy groove. Well this album is bookended by two really strong songs as the triumphant gallop to "Before My Time In Hell" is pretty powerful. So we know they can do it when they step away from their Venom and Motorhead albums and lay into the gallops. Not that there is anything wrong with being influenced by either band, but I think Midnight has a personality of their own that I would like to hear shine though more often.

Despite the band brazenly wearing their influences on their sleeves , this album sounds better than the previous one. It has two songs that are absolutely killer and the rest are pretty decent too. I think they were successful at creating the album they set out to, it does take me back to a point in time when metal was more dangerous so that gets them points in book. I'll give this album an 8. I don't see myself really wearing this one out , but fans of the band will enjoy it.

The Top Ten Worst Albums of 2014

I forced myself to listen to some of this so you wouldn't have to. Some of these albums got reviewed, others were so bad I couldn't listen to it again to really put it into words. Twilight's newest album which fell a little short, just missed this list by the skin of their teeth.There are some of the arena rockers you would expect to be dialing it in, but some more underground fare that fell flat too.
So let's count down the Top ten worst albums of 2014


10-Perfect Pussy: Say Yes to Love -Score 5

While they are better than Pussy Riot, what they do tends to fall short of being songs which when you are making music ...well.

http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2014/05/perfect-pussy-say-yes-to-love.html

9-the Dread Lords- Death Angel -5
This is one of those, where I couldn't get into it enough to write a review. A five is generous, but I think the singer has a good voice. The lyrics are beyond silly and trying to hard. The instrumentation is to sparse. The heavier moments feel awkward. I could go on, it's possible these guys might still have a good album in them, this just isn't it.

8-Opeth: Pale Communion - Score 4.5

These guys were once awesome, but the prog wagon has drifted them so far into indulgence they only have two good songs on this album. Sure some of this is well played. But it is wimpier than Jethro Tull

7- Dephosphorus: Ravenous Solemnity Score 4.5

Heavy handed riff chaos, where metal embraces the worst elements of punk. The litany of issues are listed below.

http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2014/02/dephosphorus-ravenous-solemnity.html

6- Foo-Fighters - Sonic Highways Score- 4

My biggest problem with Foo-fighters is they are one of the reasons for Sunny Day Real Estates demise. Their first two albums were decent for radio fluff. Now they are resorting to making HBO document specials to try to breathe life into their uninspired radio fodder. I have no clue why they have three guitar players. Sometimes Dave stumbles over a catchy melody or two. The lyrics are  far beyond horrible.

5- Midnight-No Mercy For Midnight- Score 4.5

We are now passing the point of no return, this is no ooops... better production or maybe we should have tweaked the songs a bit , maybe a disappointment after our last album .... no we are going into you straight up suck.I haven't been that bored listening to an album in some time. Raspberry Bulbs does this better. You can read the rest of my gripes below.

http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2014/11/midnight-no-mercy-for-mayhem.html

4 - Issues:-S/T- Score-4

The comeback of nu metal is even more lackluster than you might have braced yourself for. The full list of my issues with Issues can be read below.

http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2014/03/issues-st.html

3 - Slipknot: the Gray Album-Score -3

Talk about dialing it in. The new drummer isn't doing these guys any favors. I don't mind Corey's clean vocals , but here they sound like any teenager from Myspace in the 2000's Even worse at other moments they sound like something from a Foo- Fighters album.One of the funniest moments is the fact the song "Kilpop" is one of the poppiest things I have heard from them.



2 - Avenged Sevenfold : Waking the Fallen Score-2.5

They tried to get heavier on this one , but it doesn't work out. Big problem is all of the clean vocal melodies sound exactly the same. The really slam the point home that cool riffs along don't make a good song, in their case they have them wedged i between so much cheese, it's hard to tell one from the next.To even try to score this one I had to fast forward  to catch the gist . Has one of the worst power ballads ever written on this.



1- Black Veil Brides : s/t -Score 2.5

I knew this nu-metal version of Motley Crue would be bad. They have turned more into Avenged Fold, the singer is less Vince Neil and trying to put more balls in his voice, but ends up sounding like the guy from Slipknot. Some of the emo is gone , but replaced by beer rock. For every riff that could be good there is a stupid radio melody that borders on Nickleback.It's not until the 3rd song that the singer returns to his more Hot Topic form. They are really going toe to toe with Avenged Sevenfold to see who can write the worst power ballad. I almost could respect the cock rock emo they used to play more than this. This one I could only get through a minute at a time. "Last Rites" is the only song on here that's listenable.

Midnight: "No Mercy For Mayhem"

How much roll do you want in your black n roll? That's the first question you should ask before checking out Midnight They have gone past the place Darkthrone was out into sounding more like Venom. It is so straight forward I have to ask myself can I make it through an entire album of this? The homo erotically titled "Prowling Leather" is a little darker , but the verse if almost a joke.Of course this means all the songs are at the three minute mark and even then the repetition makes them seem longer. The title track has potential with the Thin Lizzy like riff. Their singer almost attempts to sing.

They return to their run of the mill rock no roll ways , but with a more punk attitude to it on "The Final Rape of Night" that even comes with gang vocals on the chorus.I prefer when Venom and Darkthrone did this. There is a little more swagger to the cock rock of "Degradation". They should be a Venom tribute band. The easing the foot off the punk works a little better for them here but not much.There is more of a classic metal feel to "Woman of Flame " that starts off like a W.A.S.P song. The vocals by this time begin to feel a little stale as it's the same old same old all over again and it's clear the singer is by and large a one trick pony.

They take a slight turn into Motorhead's neighborhood on "Try Suicide" not that it's a long drive when you have been crashing over at Venom's house.I am really bored at this point and was hoping at least the lyrics to this one would keep me entertained. They get a heavier meatier sound on "Whiplash Disaster" before going back to the worn out rock n roll thing they have beaten well past death at this point.This starts making me think what does Darkthrone do that makes this sort of thing work for them. Well they are better song writers and they maintain their own personality in the process. The chorus to "Whiplash Disaster" reminds me a little of Bonded by Blood Exodus.

"Aggressive Crucifixion" would have worked better as a band name for these guys as like the song title they are redundant.They are back to the punk thing here, and at this point it's all similar shades o the same thing. The guitar solos are decent, the drumming is pretty much dialed in. The bassist could stand to be more present in the mix. They close the album with "Destroy Tsunami's Power' which is a little more thrash. The vocals do what they have been doing for the bulk of the album and the same solos come adding their two cents. They riff here has a little more bite but it doesn't keep this album from really biting. I'll round this down to a 4.5 as I can't remember being this bored by an album in a long time.Not sure why Hell's Headbangers wasted their resources with this, if this is the sort of stuf they normally put out I'll make sure to steer clear of future releases.