[::
K Reviews ::]
___________________________________________________________________________
A
- B - C
- D - E
- F - G
- H - I
- J - K
- L - M
- N - O
- P - Q
- R - S
- T - U
- V - W
- X - Y
- Z
Band
: Kabbal
Title :
Synthetically Revived
Material : cd
Label : Diamond
Production
Year : 2002
Reviewed by : HSSH
Note :
Kabbal
: Synthetically Revived / 9 tracks ( Ghimel/Hazael/Trisophiliac/Xz)
2002 Kabbal is the first deal with the young Diamond Productions
label and this is pure brutal death metal art ! Influenced by
Gorefest, Deicide, Hypocrisy and old Death stuffs sometimes with
a high sound quality. The final mix of this production is great
! They have not to be envious of other professionnal musical bands
because of that. Maybe, it is not originalenough but they know
how to be brutal and efficacious. They play with a lot of variations
and breaks. It is not linear. So, never boring ! Distributed by
Adipocere.
Contact :
Diamond Productions
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band
: Kabutogani
Title : Control Design
Material : cd-r
Label : Guerilla Ungerground
Year : 2001
Reviewed by : HssH
Note
: DDDDD
Kabutogani
is the side project of Jérôme Berthelot since 1999.
This is the logic sequel of his work with Frag and it is a musical
evolution after a sizeable investigation into differents projects.
Kabutogani is a dark minimalist electronic music without any restraint
and so Jérôme did finally what he wanted with this
stuff. A lot of noises and keyboards samples mixed with dark drum
and bass that set the fashion. It’s very tormented and noisy
and so this is not easy listening at all. No voices such as a
real singer and no rock’n roll rythmic structures. Don’t
look for sweet or pop melodies with this project. Maybe more a
music that you could imagine such as a soundtrack of an experimental
movie. It will torment your brain for certain. You should be ready
and you should be aware of the use of pitch shift mode with Kabutogani.
But it will not become a problem if you listen to noise industrial
and experimental electronic music. Everything is ok with this
stuff because Jérôme created excellent variations
with fancy. Also, the sound recording is quite good enough to
make an opinion because it is the same sound (recording material
?) than the sound used for Absent recordings ! So, you will not
be disappointed in that way.
Contacts
:
Band :
kabutogani@free.fr
Label : http://www.guerillablog.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band
: Kabutogani
Title : Aesthetics
Material : cd-r
Label : Guerilla Underground
Year : 2003
Reviewed by HssH
Note : DDDDD
“Aesthetics”
is the second release of Kabutogani after their “Control
Design” opus. So, we want to know the evolution of the whole
of Jérôme Berthelot’s music during these two
years. Obviously his music become deeper into darkness and maybe
more minimalist and emotional. “Aesthetics” offers
more Absent influences even if Jérôme still uses
pitched and shifted noises. Dehumanized univers, illness, sadness…you
can feel all these negative human being’s fellings with
this stuff. You will be trapped under ice and drowned. Maybe you
will be saved on a bed into a psychiatric hospital. This stuff
looks like someone lonely and approaching zero. Don’t listen
to “Aesthetics” if you are disposed to commit suicide.
It will be not a good therapy. But I recommend you to buy this
stuff if you need more intelligent dark minimalist electronic
music because Jérôme brings excellent musical parts
with his new mixs. It will take your brain away in space or somewhere
else where the living do not live. I’ve never known anybody
to create this kind of music as he does. Also, there is a high
level sound recording with this opus. So, what are you waiting
for ?…
Contacts
:
Band : kabutogani@free.fr
Label :
http://www.guerillablog.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band :
KADENZZA
Title : The
second renaissance
Material :
cd
Label : Holy
records
Year : 2005
Reviewed by :
Iormungand Thrazar
Note :
DDDDD
The
Japanese one-man band is back after its second album « Into
the Oriental phantasma » released by the same label
in 2003.What only a few people know is that it wasn’t the
band’s first release : « The Reality In
The Phantasmagoric World » was released independently
in 2002. I’ve never been able to listen to it so far, maybe
one day. Let’s talk about this gem now ! Yes, because let’s
call a spade a spade : it’s a magnificent piece of art.
I can honestly say this is not the kind of music I listen to every
day. However I’m not narrow-minded on this field, so that’s
not a problem.The style of the band isn’t very easy to define
: the label defines it as « grand sympho orchestral
kamikaze metal ». I would call it in a more simple
manner : melodic, symphonic, brutal, slow, atmospheric. It’s
all these ingredients in the same record really. I was very pleased
with the band’s improvements ; not that « Into
the Oriental phantasma » was no good, quite the contrary,
but You Oshima (who is responsible for every single note of every
single instrument) has simply taken his art to another superior
level. It’s more controlled. His already high-level musicianship
has even increased now. This is a self-made band really. It owes
nothing to external circumstances or individuals.You Oshima is
definivetely a hard worker and he dedicates himself wholly to
his art. Parts of the album’s concept is based upon the
Japanese manga « Ghost in the shell » which
I’m not very familiar with to tell you the truth. I really
like the effects used on the album. It’s not kitschy at
all, it gives a very interesting dimension and aura to it. It’s
a world of fantasies, unknown to everyone except You Oshima but
you can get glimpses of it throughout this piece of art. And the
solos….well, they are great, technical but they fit right.
It’s this kind of originality and talent that makes metal
music grow and evolve. Stop listening to your prejudices, a work
of a band is not related with the origin of its country nor with
the label it’s released on. It’s either good or bad,
that’s all. And this is great, not less.
« You are just chosen one, no need to fear, you oughta
know I’m the one ,the scarlet messiah ».
Contact
band :
http://www.kadenzza.com
Contact label :
http://www.holyrecords.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band
: KARMIK WHEEL
Title : Untamed
Wheel
Material :
cd-r promo
Label : Auto Production
Year : 2005.
Reviewed by : Huruem
Note
: DDDDD
KARMIK
WHEEL Untamed Wheel 2005. This is untamed wheel Karmic wheel’s
first demo, including an introduction and 3 songs. The introduction
gives us the colour of the whole EP : a very cold opus with a
drum machine, which as far as I know is repulsive for a lot of
people. Here the guitar parts are quite classical thrash death
parts with a few melodies which could remind black metal or swedish
death metal bands, and as usual, the bass is nearly inexistant.
To finish with the technical aspect, the vocals are rather efficient,
reminding me Corpsegrinder or Glen Benton. As I said before there
is an atmosphere in that EP, the band succeeded in creating its
own identity. The whole opus is like an enormous dark machinery,
going on and on in a descent into darkness, with a lack of presence
which could be related to humanity, and the lyrics underline it
very well which is quite scarce in a French band. But this lack
of humanity, strongly embodied by the drum machine, could be disturbing
for a lot of people, I guess.Kharmic wheel is going on and on,
crushing everything on its way.
Contact : kharmic_wheel@hotmail.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band
: Keryah
Title : L’heure
de lettres
Material : cd
Label : self released
Year : 2007
Reviewed by : HssH
Mark : 3,5/5
Keryah
is a French band playing a mix of metal, funk, hip-hop and groovy
beats. They began with this line-up since 2003 and played gigs
with Tripod, Eths, Freedom For King Kong, Munshy and Body Fluids.
This first opus comes after their “Etre Humain” single
released in 2004. Also a track is available on “La Pepiniere
2005” cd and a promotional cd with two tracks and a video
done in 2006. “L’heure de lettres” offers 11
tracks written in French language. With titles such as “Chloroforme
Nation” or “L’enfer c’est les autres”
you already understood they talk about human condition, relationships,
human shady and more. The lyrics are intelligent and exquisite.
Also all instruments are played on a par with professional bands
and inventive parts make the whole attractive. Otherwise, the
production is blameless. Thus you have a good stuff with this
record. But I found it conventional on the whole even if there
are a lot of good ideas inside. It is always the same feeling
when there is no surprise by listening music. So, I recommend
you this opus if you need another metal-funk-hip-hop mix because
it is played with an high level enough. It should probably become
stronger and powerful on stage. A least you could enjoy this stuff
if you listen to bands such as Incubus or Mass Hysteria because
Keryah radiate as much enthusiasm as energy.
Contakt
:
www.keryah.com
www.myspace.com/keryah
manager@keryah.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band
:
Killers
Title: Paris Metal
France Festival 2008
Material: cd
Label: Brennus records
Year: 2008
Length: 51:08
Reviewed by: HssH.
Mark
: 5/5
Tracks
list :
-
Le côté sombre
- Le fils de la haine
- Delire de Mort
- L’assassin
- Rosalind
- Roi du speed
- Tais-toi
- Résistances
- Deux bastos dans le cigare
- Le magicien d’Oz
- Heavy Metal Kids
- Habemus Metal
- Overkillers
- Le côté sombre (final)
First of all, I wish you would not confound the band called “Killers”
with “The Killers” or Paul Di’Anno’s “Killers”
band. This first comment is only for you who don’t know
the French band called “Killers” which plays for many
years. The band was appreciated in France with their first opus
called “Le fils de la haine” and still goes on its
way with its new opus called “A l’ombre des vautours”,
out in 2007. Listen! Sixteen cd releases since 1985 of which three
live stuffs! Moreover, a dvd is available. Discover or rediscover
them on stage and on backstage with their “1999-2004”
dvd. It is essential in my opinion and get all details with their
contact below. Now it’s time to talk about the Killers’s
stuff that I chose to review: “Paris Metal France Festival
2008”. The gig recorded at La Locomotive in Paris during
the “Paris Metal France Festival” (13th January, 2008)
and out on Brennus records. By the way, feel free to read the
review about this gig in our “Live reports” heading.
I remember that great French metal bands played with Killers this
day of which ADX, Blaspheme, Witches, (Still) Square and Royal
Bubble Orchestra. Thus, this audio opus gives evidence of what
Killers is on stage: powerful, warm and efficient. The band is
practised and gives us a good time from start to end. All tracks
accelerated enthusiastically during 51:08 minutes and taken from
the first days of the band down to their last releases. The show
begins with “Le côté sombre”, taken from
the “Habemus Metal” opus (2002). It sets the fashion:
“Nous sommes les seuls à rester debout…”.
Then, back in time with “Le fils de la haine”: “Espoir
légitime de vivre sans regrets…”, next “Délire
de mort”: “Pour moi la mort n’est pas une fin…”,
also “L’assassin”: “Je suis la mort, je
suis le plus fort…”, without forgeting “Rosalind”:
“Elle était ma vie, ma seule fille…”.
Therefore, Killers does not miss an occasion to remind us of their
past releases before to go on with new songs such as “Tais-toi”
and “Deux bastos dans le cigare” taken from “A
l’ombre des Vautours” (2007). French lyrics are the
key-word with Bruno (vocals & guitars), even with Manowar
and Motörhead covers renamed “Habemus Metal”
and “On veut Killers” (Overkillers). “And if
you still ask for what kind of music Killers does play, I should
say: heavy “speed” metal, heavy thrash or maybe heavy
metal, simply and nothing else, I don’t know…so, make
your choice! All I know is that I cannot do without their musical
art because they know how to share emotions and feelings with
an asserted identity…still on stage !!! So, it is still
a pleasure that never grows stale. I would end this review by
thanks for the production. That’s sure enough a good point
because the sound is faultless in my opinion: a real live record
to tell the truth and not a usual bootleg worse than mediocre.
Essential ! No less, no more! Bruno D. (vocals & guitars),
Patrick O. (bass), Thierry A. (guitars & backing vocals) and
Florent P. (drums) give up their lifes to metal with a great feeling.
They all are worth listening with Killers accordingly. So, listen
to Killers “Paris metal France festival 2008” without
moderation, it goes without saying.
Kontakt:
Band: http://bdolheguy.free.fr
Label: www.brennus-music.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band
: Korum
Title : Son of the
Breed
Material : cd
Label : Sekmet-Rec
Year : 2002
Reviewed by : HSSH
Note :
Korum
: Son of the Breed /10 tracks (Olivier/Nicolas/Kris/Boban/Mathieu)
2002.This is the first opus of the band after their Shivering
MCD. This is a mix of thrash, death and hardcore metal. Technical
and brutal. Don't hope a lot of melodies. This band plays like
Atheist or Sadus did with their one experimental approach which
cannot be classified. Also, there is Erosion influences too !
There is a lot of rhythmic changes in the tracks but they don't
use lead guitars to play wrong melodies. Tormented vokals for
a violent and strong metal with no breathing-space. The sound
is correct but not powerful and satisfying enough for musicians
who integrate this technical metal school. At last, the kover
is the artwork of Peter Gric. Beautiful !
Contact : Sekhmet-Rec
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band:
Kragens
Title: Infight
Label: Pervade Productions
Material: cd
Year:
Reviewed by: Voïd
Mark
:
Kragens
out his third album, called «Infight». Being inspired
by the Heavy metal of the eighties to their beginning, the band
goes more forward with this new opus: harden compositions which
are much more inspired in the thrash style of the nineties. This
time Kragens really has all that is needed to cross our borders
and touch public more international one. Job performed on this
album is of very good quality and professional. Solos and rhythmics
guitar ring in perfection; compositions are original and we have
a very well controlled singing here. It is rare to hear a band
of French power Metal with this quality. There is good also, it
is sure… but original and professional as it is case here,
much less … With this album, Kragens will give another picture
of French music, very badly appreciated in other countries. Because
it is necessary to suppose that French music is very badly exported
and has a pitiful reputation. Here it would not be fair, not to
give them their chance. It is constraining sometimes to support
French metal, but this time we can be proud.
Kontakt
:
Label :
Band :
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band:
Krisiun
Title: Assassination
Material: cd
Label:
Century Media
Year:
2006
Reviewed by: Sagoth
Note : DDDDD
Krisiun
is back with « Assassination », which is
definitely the right name for this album! Indeed, the Brazilian
trio has not calmed down since their first misdeeds. Rawer than
ever, Krisiun make us understand that they are far from done with
brutality: this album is devastating, destructive and technical.
The band knocks us down from the very beginning with “Bloodcraft”,
which mixes up blasts and heavier parts, in addition to very achieved
guitar parts. Therefore we are far from a sheer gratuitous brutality
without compromises and technique… Everything blends perfectly,
the trio gives us a very complete album, less destructive than
their earlier work, but definitely more impressive as far as song
writing and originality are concerned. They seems to have grown
a little more mature and “Natural Genocode” or “H.o.g”
, among others, are perfect evidence of this. The band even allows
themselves some solos and polyrythms bombings. I’m really
impressed by the quality of this album. They prove us once more
that they are perfectly able to combine brutality, efficiency,
speed and technique. They did an amazing work, in terms of form
as well as in terms of content, since the artwork is really superb.
I advise this album to fans of brutal death who are keen on blowing
their heads off with a big fat heavy sound….
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
