Ov Fire And The Void

Biography: Anthrax

2009-12-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

Genre(s):

Thrash Metal

Current Members:

Scott Ian Rosenfield

Charlie Benante

Rob Caggiano

Frank Bello

Former Members:

Vocals:

-John Connelly
-Dirk Kennedy
-Jason Rosenfeld
-Neil Turbin
-Matt Fallon
-Joey Belladonna
-John Bush
-Dan Nelson

Guitar:

-Greg Walls
-Bob Berry
-Paul Crook
-Dan Spitz

Bass:

-Joey Vera
-Danny Lilker
-Kenny Kushner
-Paul Kahn

Drums:

-Dave Weiss
-Greg D''Angelo

Origin:

New York / United States Of America

Current Label:

Nuclear Blast

Discography:

Fistful Of Metal (1984)

Spreading The Disease (1985)

Among The Living (1987)

State Of Euphoria (1988)

Persistence Of Time (1990)

Sound Of White Noise (1993)

Stomp 442 (1995)

Volume 8 – The Threats Is Real (1998)

We’ve Come For You All (2003)

Biography: Testament

2009-12-29T19:20:00.001-08:00

Genre(s):

Thrash Metal

Current Members:

Chuck Billy

Eric Peterson

Alex Skolnik

Greg Christian

Paul Bostaph

Former Members:

Guitar:

-James Murphy

-Steve Smyth

-“Metal” Mike Chlasciak

-Glen Alvelais

Bass:

- Derrick Ramirez
- Steve DiGiorgio

Drums:

- Louie Clemente
- John Tempesta
- John Dette
- Gene Hoglan

- Dave Lombardo
- Jon Allen
- Steve "Horse" Jacobs
- Chris Kontos
- Nicholas Howard Barker

Origin:

United States of America / San Fransisco

Current Label:

Nuclear Blast

Discography:

The Legacy (1987)

The New Order (1988)

Practice What You Preach (1989)

Souls Of Black (1990)

The Ritual (1992)

Low (1994)

Demonic (1997)

The Gathering (1999)

The Formation Of Damnation (2008)

Biography: Gojira

2009-12-29T19:14:00.000-08:00

Genre(s):

Death Metal/Groove Metal

Current Members:

Joe Duplantier
Christian Andreu
Jean-Michel Labadie
Mario Duplantier

Former Members:

Guitar:

Bass:

-Alex

Drums:

Origin:

France (Bayonne, Aquitaine)

Current Label:

Listenable/Prosthetic

Discography:

Terra Incognita (2000)

The Link (2003)

From Mars To Sirius (2005)

The Way Of All Flesh (2008)

Biography: Metallica

2009-12-28T18:42:00.000-08:00

Genre(s):
Thrash Metal

Current Members:
James Hetfield
Kirk Hammett
Robert Trujillo
Lars Ulrich

Former Members:
Guitar:
-Dave Mustaine
-Lloyd Grant
Bass:
-Ron McGovney
-Cliff Burton (R.I.P 1986, bus crash.)
-Jason Newsted
-Bob Rock

Origin:
United States of America / San Fransisco

Current Label:
Warner Brothers

Discography:
Kill ‘Em All (1983)
Ride The Lightning (1984)
Master Of Puppets (1986)
…And Justice For All (1988)
Metallica (1991)
Load (1996)
Re-Load (1997)
St. Anger (2003)
Death Magnetic (2008)

Biography: Exodus

2009-12-28T18:35:00.000-08:00

Genre(s):

Thrash Metal

Current Members:

Rob Dukes
Gary Holt
Lee Altus
Jack Gibson
Tom Hunting

Former Members:

Vocals:

-Paul Baloff (R.I.P January 2002, stroke.)

-Steve “Zetro” Souza

Guitar:

-Tim Agnello
-Rick Hunolt
-Kirk Hammett
-Mike Maung
-Evan McKaskey (R.I.P. 1989, suicide)

Drums:

-John Tempesta
-Chris Kontos
-Paul Bostaph

Bass:

-Carlton Melson
-Jeff Andrews
-Rob McKillop
-Mike Butler

Origin:

United States of America / San Fransisco

Current Label:

Nuclear Blast

Discography:

Bonded By Blood (1985)

Pleasures Of the Flesh (1987)

Fabulous Disaster (1988)

Impact Is Imminent (1990)

Force Of Habit (1992)

Tempo Of The Damned (2004)

Shovel Headed Kill Machine (2005)

The Atrocity Exhibition….Exhibit A (2007)

Let There Be Blood (2008)

Biography: Behemoth

2009-12-28T07:16:00.000-08:00

Genre(s):
Black Metal (early), Death Metal (later)

Current Members:
Adam "Nergal" Darski
Zbigniew Robert "Inferno" Prominski
Tomasz "Orion" Wróblewski

Former Members:
Guitar:
-Adam "Desecrator" Malinowski
-Leszek "L.Kaos" Dziegielewski
-Mateusz Maurycy "Havok" Smierzchalski
Drums:
- Adam "Baal Ravenlock (aka Raven)" Muraszko
Bass:
-Rafał "Frost / Browar" Brauer
-Orcus
-Mefisto
-Marcin "Novy" Nowak

Origin:
Poland

Current Label:
Nuclear Blast / Metal Blade

Discography:
Sventevith (1995)
Grom (1996)
Pandemonic Incantations (1998)
Satanica (1999)
Thelema.6 (2000)
Zos Kia Cultus(Here And Beyond) (2002)
Demigod (2004)
The Apostasy (2007)
Evangelion (2009)

Biography: Overkill

2009-12-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

Genre(s):

Thrash

Current Members:

Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth

Carlos “D.D” Verni

Dave Linsk

Derek “The Skull” Tailor

Ron Lipnicki

Former Members:

Guitar:

-Robert "Riff Thunder" Pisarek
-Dan Spitz
-Anthony Ammendolo
-Rich Conte
-Mike Sherry
-Joe
-Bobby Gustafson
-Rob Cannavino
-Merritt Gant
-Joe Comeau
-Sebastian Marino

Drums:

-Rat Skates
-Mark Archibole
-Bob "Sid" Falck
-Tim Mallare

Origin:

United States of America : New York / New Jersey

Current Label:

Nuclear Blast Records

Discography:

Feel The Fire (1985)

Taking Over (1987)

Under The Influence (1988)

The Years Of Decay (1989)

Horrorscope (1991)

I Hear Black (1993)

W.F.O. (1994)

The Killing Kind (1996)

From The Underground And Below (1997)

Necroshine (1999)

Bloodletting (2000)

Killbox13 (2003)

ReliXIV(2005)

Immortalis (2007)

Ironbound (2010)

Review: Overkill - Ironbound

2009-12-28T06:16:00.000-08:00

Ironbound is the 15th studio release album of thrash metal legends, Overkill and age has not weakened their furious and unrelenting thrash attack. Originating along with Anthrax on the west coast of the U.S.A in the early 1980’s the only two constant members of Overkill are vocalist Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and Carlos “D.D” Verni. Together they have held Overkill true to their roots throughout the past 20+ years and garnered respect and adoration from their fans and from thrash fans internationally.

Starting off in a very progressive mood (much different compared to their last few releases) this only last’s for around 90seconds before Overkill rip into doing what they do best, playing thrash. The opener “The Green And Black” is an 8 minute monster of an opening track, getting your attention from the moment Blitz starts singing with his patented vocal style. The song has a very good, small bass solo (akin to Motorheads “Overkill” track) before lead guitarist Dave Linsk rips into his finger bleeding solo. A great way to start the album.

The next song (the title track) “Ironbound” instantly begins with a furious attack of thrash that assures the listener that Overkill didn’t luck out with “The Green And Black.” This song is a galloping monster, reminiscent of 80’s Iron Maiden and that is not a bad thing. Following the title track is “Bring Me The Night” which is a solid song with a chorus that is sure to be a crowd favourite at any show.

The next few songs; “The Goal Is Your Soul,” “Give A Little” and “Endless War” are all strong songs that continue to show that Overkill’s age and longevity is not a handicap when it comes to writing crunching thrash songs.

Following these songs is “The Head And The Heart,” which is the best song on the album (that is saying a lot) and is destined to be a fist raising, crowd surfing and head banging song at any future Overkill shows. An instant classic Overkill song.

The album closes off with the songs “In Vain,” “Killing For A Living” and “The SRC.” None of which have any flaws, with “Killing…” being the strongest of the three and with a melodic intro that is reminiscent of Metallica’s classic song “Damage Inc.” This song is an absolute cruncher and shows off some of Blitz’s finest vocals on the whole album.

Ironbound is proof that Overkill can easily hang, and surpass any thrash metal band out there today. If this album was released in 2009, it would be an easy contender for “Album Of The Year”, though at the moment it is instantly a contender for that title for 2010. If you ever had any doubt about Overkill, this album is sure to squash them.

[9/10]

Review: Lamb of God - Wrath

2009-12-27T18:15:00.000-08:00

Bruce Dickinson once said that; “Every metal giant has the opportunity once in their career to make a huge [selling] album. Only Metallica has grabbed a hold on that opportunity and made it happen.”

This quote makes perfect sense for metal giants Lamb Of God. Their last album “Sacrament” was a big metal album, going as high as #8 on the charts and having the song “Redneck” nominated for a Grammy, as well as launching them to celebrity status with them playing on [Late Night With] Conan O Brian and making their tours sell out quicker then ever before. This album was the second step for world domination, as their DVD Killadelphia was the first major step in catapulting their career. Sacrament was the album they needed at that point in their career. It was an album laden with metal anthems such as “Again We Rise,” “Redneck,” “Requiem,” and “Pathetic.” This was the album they needed to make.

That was 2006, this is the year 2009. This month is the launch of their new album entitled “Wrath,” and the world is writhing in anticipation of what the new album will hold and many believe it’ll be the best of their career. However it isn’t sadly. “Wrath” seems like an album that has been rushed, both with the sound quality and the strength (or lack there of) in the songs. The sound of the snare drum, the guitars and Randy’s vocals all seem patchy and not-well done, they have moved away from the sound of “Sacrament” and “Ashes Of The Wake.” This may have been a move they wanted, but it’s a move they shouldn’t have made.

The album starts off with a nice enough instrumental “The Passing” and it shows the change in sound of the band. Next comes “In Your Words,” which has a decent riff, but it seems that Lamb Of God are trying to become Pantera and get more groove laden riffs into their songs, this doesn’t work for them. Then Randy begins to vocalise, and his performance is not off to the best start and has actually dropped in quality after his showing on “Sacrament.” Though considering all of this, the song is decent enough. Next sounds the pummelling drumming of Chris Adler to begin the next song called “Set To Fail,” which again sounds like they want to be Pantera. The vocals are still not impressive, though the song does groove along well (Pantera-esque one might say.)

Over the next few songs “Contractor,” “Fake Messiah,” and “Grace,” the only stand out song in that small selection is “Grace,” which is more of a melodic though heavy song with a good riff, the as per-usual skilled drumming and surprisingly, Randy’s finest vocal moment on the album. This song is definitely the diamond in the rough of the album.

“Broken Hands” is the song that follows “Grace” and it starts of alright with a shuddering vocal piece though redeemed by the guitars. Overall this song isn’t the finest moment of Lamb Of God, but the double-bass of the song which drives the song home is the true calling of the song.

“Choke Sermon” and “Everything To Nothing” shows the band are going for a more thrash metal approach on these 2 songs, and it pulls out in a way, and these songs aren’t as weak as the first listen suggests.

The final 2 songs of the album are “Reclamation” and “Dead Seeds.” “Reclamation” is the album closer and as such is a strong song, though “Dead Seeds” has the most potential to be a live favourite amongst the fans.

In closing, “Wrath” is not the best album that Lamb Of God has put out, though it had potential as some of the songs suggest, but it seems that this band from Virginia has rushed the creation of the album, and didn’t take the time needed to truly make it the album they needed to create. Though with songs like “Reclamation,” “Grace,” “Choke Sermon,” “Dead Seeds” and “Everything To Nothing” you can see that not all songs got the same kind of treatment and attention. This album is a lowering of the standards of the other Lamb Of God albums, but not bad enough to it to be considered a crap release.

[6.5/10]

The Top 10 Albums of 2009

2009-12-27T17:30:00.000-08:00

With 2009 coming to a close, it is tradition to list the top 10 albums of the year. These lists of course change from person to person, so not everyone will agree.

Regardless of that, here is my own top 10 list, plus a few "honourable mentions."

1. Behemoth - Evangelion

2. Mastodon - Crack The Skye

3. Devildriver - Pray For Villains

4. Amorphis - Skyforger

5. Megadeth - Endgame

6. Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest

7. Swallow The Sun - New Moon

8. Anaal Nathrakh - In the Constellation Of The Black Widow

9. Immortal - All Shall Fall

10. Augury - Fragmentary Evidence

Honourable Mentions:
Slayer - World Painted Blood
Scar Symmetry - Dark Matter Dimensions
Gorod - Process Of A New Decline

Enter "Ov The Fire And The Void."

2009-12-27T08:56:00.000-08:00

This is the first, official post on this brand new blog.

In this blog I will include;
Metal music album reviews.
Band catalogs.
New band releases.
Band information.

However, there will be no downloadable album content on here.
If you're looking for downloads, go somewhere else.

Also, this blog may not be updated with content everyday due to real life committments.

Either way, when the posts do get added I hope any of you that view this blog, enjoy them.

Regards,

LeSpence.