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Aftermath 'To Die or To Seize'

This, the second demo in as many years from this young N.I crew, shows a positive progression from their promising-yet-flawed debut. Four tracks here, rooted in both 'eavy and Thrash Metal. It's fairly basic stuff for the most part, the band concentrating on rhythm and pace rather than upon technical-wankery. For some reason, Xentrix springs to mind, but I don't quite know why. As is the case with the vast majority of Irish acts, Aftermath have their own recognisable sound, particularly in the vocals. They could work with tightening the whole thing just that notch or two more, as it would give added immediacy and potency to the material... especially when they've such a good range of engaging riffage to flaunt (check out the Slayer-esque blast on 'Wartorn'). I've never managed to catch 'em live, but have heard that they definitely impress in that arena... hmm, must get out of the house more often methinks. (Spandex - 02/12/02)

(Contact: www.aftermathrocks.co.uk)

Belinus 'Battle Chants'

Ye Godz, where did this spring from? Damn, it's good... the vibe is superb, almost as if it had been recorded totally live in the studio, or else the engineer has been possessed by some dark magicks... for this demo is so complete and whole as to make you gape like a drooling simian upon even the most cursory of listens. Case in point: 'Magtuirea' stands out with guitar sound akin to Emperor's 'In the Nightside Eclipse' opus, seguing by way fo a Celtic-tinged passage into the raw vitriol so characteristic of the early second-wave of Black Metal (think early Darkthrone). Bathory references also exist, with the demo displaying an enticingly organic feel. Belinus have been compared to Primordial on the basis of their Celtic infusions and common national identity... a fair observation, but one which denies Belinus the full credit they deserve, for this is surely much much more than a mere derivative rehash of the best elements of Black Metal. The closer may seem a tad awkward and ill at ease when compared to the other songs, but that matters not... for this demo is frighteningly close to a full-length 'professional' Metal album. (Spandex - April '02)

(Contact: G. Blackheart, Charlotte Ville, 39 Park Court, Ballyvolane, Cork, Ireland.
Web: www.belinus.cjb.net)

DevilMakesThree 'Caution: will cause neck injury'

Nice. Very nice... what we get here is a cllection of three songs which manage to touch on elements of all the best aspects of 'Wolverine-Blues'-era Entombed. Is this Ireland's (very) belated answer to 'Rot'n'Roll'? Various folk have pointed towards the latter-day Carcass vibe to this demo, but I haven't really felt that myself. Throw in a hefty Cathedral-esque groove (akin to that found on their Godlike 'Ride'), and you've suddenly got a magical formula which wouldn't have sounded out of place with an Earache sticker slapped on it. Wooarghh indeedy... and those lurverly down-tuned geetar tones. Led by Marty of Lesshelp fame, this be's one to seek out in your local record boutique. (Spandex - 01/12/02)

(Contact: Marty Robinson, 76 Ivanhoe Avenue, Carryduff, Belfast, BT8 8BW, N. Ireland, U.K
Email: info@devilmakesthree.net   Web: www.devilmakesthree.net)

Honey For Christ 'Forging Iron Will'

Oops, this has been awaiting review for several moons now. N.I's Honey for Christ have had a huge profile over the past few years, securing some prime-time support slots (Cathedral springs readily to mind) and making a name for themselves through sheer effort. This demo (numero three) is far, far better than previous outings... a more cohesive whole, with better song writing, a recognition that less is often more, and improved vocals from Jason, who had a habit of sounding pretty ridiculous to these ears in the past... in fact, the vocals and music compliment each other very well here. HFC's tag-line '100% raw, unclean, uncut, hard and honest heavy fucking metal!' is pretty spot-on from the passion they put into it, and there are nice elements of the thrash-esque at times throughout. 'Movements below the Surface' clocks in at just over the seven-minute mark, and does so without ever becoming flabby or tired. Ultimately, however, I've yet to become fully impressed with this band, but seems I'm in the minority so ye may as well check 'em out. (Spandex - 09/11/02)

(Contact: HFC c/o 32 Magherabeg Road, Dromore, Co. Down, BT25 1RS, N.Ireland, U.K
Email: hfc@heavymetal.co.uk   Web: www.honeyforchrist.co.uk)

Phantasia 'The Watchman'

The best demo will always present the listener with a surprise or two. And by this criteria, Phantasia surely must be commended. For whilst Chris Carter does plod a good-yet-predictable path at the start of this demo (ie basically think English Black Metal along the lines of Hecate Enthroned), he quickly deviates into some totally amazing expanses. The not-bad-at-all 'My Goddess' thrashes and crashes along spitefully until it suddenly flows into a gorgeous extended instrumental passage which features an astonishing guitar flow which Dave Gilmore would kream himself for (take 'Wish You Were Here' as a useful benchmark). Following this up with 'Visitors', Phantasia progresses into sparse soundscapes which wouldn't seem out of place on a David Lynch soundtrack... 'Subllimal Disciple' demonstrates as keen an awareness of atmospherics as does, say, 'Serenades'-era Anathema... Chris, yer strengths are much beyond generic Metal... fly high, m'boy! We salute you. (Spandex - 04/12/02)

(Contact: Email: phantasia@breathemail.net
Web: www.symphonic-horror-metal.co.uk)

Serrated Scalpel 'Suspended in Misery'

I still get excited when mail from foreign shores arrives in my PO Box (I know what you're thinking... yes, what a thrilling life Mr Spandex must lead...), and this Canadian offering is a mighty demo indeed. Comprising 9 songs, it's more a self-financed album than anything else... which gives you forty minutes of solid, punishing brutal Death Metal. Death Metal with an abundance of technicality and uumphh, without the distraction of unnecessary frills or flabby filler. Think of the klassik US Death Metal sound... suffocating (Suffocation?) aural abuse, disciplined aggression and some tasty razor-edged geetar work. Oh, and relentless grinding. The vocals are impressive, tending towards the 'more gutteral' style, and tracks like 'The Emblem of Immortality' and 'I.T.R' (which stands for 'Incestuous Torturous Rape', natch) effortlessly grab your attention and drop your jaw to the ground. This is superb stuff here, folks. (Spandex - 18/12/02)

(Contact: Serrated Scalpel, PO Box 68038, RPO Osborne Village, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3L 2V9.
Email: serratedscalpel@aol.com    Web: www.serratedscalpel.cjb.net)

Tefra '7/10ths to Madness'

Considering their previous demo, 'Carved in Mind' ('99), was seen as nowt more than a comedy/ novelty release here at FKOTLD towers, Tefra acquit themselves very well on this outing. This demo is the work of a band who've become highly competent in what the do, and what they do, fellow brothers and sisters of Metal, is play DOOOOOMMM.... and in a highly British vein I may add. There's a mighty groove to Tefra (particularly on 'Anything Less'), and coupled with the vocals, it all reminds me of a meeting between later Ozzy-era Sabbath and more recent Wytchfynde. And whereas the Ozzy tendencies irritated me greatly on their previous fayre, it impresses me here. Am I just getting easier to please in my old age? Doubt it... reckon I'm becoming an ever-more cantankerous old git, so my praise ain't dispensed with ease. Consider these accolades well earnt, folks. Raised ales to these boyos. (Spandex - 30/11/02)

(Contact: Tefra, c/o Gavin Parkinson, 31 Westfield Drive, Lightcliffe, Halifax, West Workshire, England, HX3 8AW, U.K.
Website: www.tefra.org Email: apotefrosis@hotmail.com)

Zerotonin 'Reinvention'

This has to be the most paranoidly-packaged demo I've yet received in four years of chronicalling the glory of Metal... a CD packaged inside an envelope containing another reinforced envelope for photos, all wrapped up in a thick plastic envelope... like, think of the planet, dudes. Promo 2003'll be wrapped in cotton wool inside ammo cases methinks. Anyhows, enough superfluous padding from me as well... onwards with the review. Well, Belfast's Zerotonin ain't Metal as such, least not in a METALLLL! sort of way... more along the lines of punk-electro-rock-whatever, but they've big loud geetars which they ain't afraid to wield and pose with, energy akin to that of the three young minxes who were writhing over me last night, and BIG RIFFS. Plus, they supported Godflesh and lived to tell. And three-pieces rock. It initially sounded a bit flat on first listen at work through my crappy soundcard, and Glen's vocals on opener 'Vice' sounded weedy, but on the deth-decks at home it all falls into place. There's an arguable Neurosis feel to 'Arguments for and against Self-control' in terms of the barreness of the music in parts, together with a surprising nod to the likes of Skinlab et al. Nu Metal? Nah, no way. Elsewhere, those with little imagination might fancy that they're merely a by-product of the Therapy? hysteria of the early 90's, but that's not the case... it's a more expansive frame of reference than that. Also, this is a preview for their full-length debut due out later this year which, I believe, shall be entitled 'The Institute of Unlearning'.(Spandex - 09/10/02)

(Contact: Email: info@zerotonin.co.uk
Web: www.zerotonin.co.uk)

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