DAMOKIS "The Fangman" / SICKNESS "Rhapsodies Of Corporeal Decomposition"

 

DAMOKIS "The Fangman" / SICKNESS "Rhapsodies Of Corporeal Decomposition" split CDr (Ograsmatron Production/Sickness)

What will you get when two of Johor, Malaysia's grind heavyweights had their own shares in a split? A veritable grind feast, that is. DAMOKIS comes first with 6 tracks of their grinding blend, still very much in the same vein and never to go anywhere else. It is always a pleasure listening to them, and this one is no excuse. Grindcore the good old way with enough hindrance of the urge to senseless blasting all the way. These are 'songs' indeed, not 'noises'. Those tongue-in-cheek black humor is still here as well, no worries. SICKNESS are up next, and they show even more penchant for developing songs rather than going head-first for the bashing. And yes they couldn't get more old school than this. It is like listening to some good grind during the 90's, completed with the pathological derivations; and please, do let SICKNESS stuck in that era forever. It suits them fine snugly. It is a nice split more or less, and for an 'occasional' grinder like me, it is more than adequate for the listen. Released on printed CDr with printed full color cover and insert.

sickness@goregrind.zzn.com

agigi_gore@hotmail.com

ZARQUUM / GODA "The Cryptic Aesthetic"

ZARQUUM / GODA "The Cryptic Aesthetic" split CD (Demigod Records)

This split is well thought of and well produced, it certainly is one of the better looking splits I have from the local extreme Metal scene. "Cryptic Aesthetic"? To the point. Both bands deliver death Metal from a slightly differing perspective, they confront and complement each other at the same time. The ZARQUUM's side were even recorded by GODA line-up due to circumstances. It is predominantly technical death Metal from ZARQUUM. Luckily the technicalities doesn't leave the main compositions overshadowed. There're still 'songs' here. ZARQUUM's death Metal felt 'deep', more so with the unusual song titles and of course the tolerable technical juxtapose. A pleasant oddity for the scene. Try decipher them at your own will, I am content enough with the way they structure it. Aggressive and intense, death Metal the way I'm comfortable with. It is to my understanding that ZARQUUM has been disbanded, this is the only way for you to hear the band's mass circulated recordings it seems. GODA (or Genocide.Overkill.Destruction.Annihilation) starts of well to my ears, the opening of "Si Chaling" suggests some pulverising mid-tempo death Metal feast, but as the songs went further, it is revealed that they dwell within death Metal that is melodic-prone, but not in the all mellowing tendency. They are lethal in parts, and then will drift into the abyss of melodics and parts that sounds personalised and devoid of restrictions. Unusual song titles for them too. GODA bows to none but their own way of deciphering their music. Just don't stray to stay appreciative, because the tendency (of straying) is there. Did I mention about the productions? They're on the satisfying level here, good job on that. A split well worth it. Do listen to this.

www.myspace.com/zarquum

www.myspace.com/godaband

SILENT DEATH "Silent Kiss Of Death"

SILENT DEATH "Silent Kiss Of Death" (Neomagik)

"Silent Kiss Of Death" is probably one of the most anticipated release from the local scene. Why not, it is only the second album from the legends after their more than 20 years of existence. This should have came out earlier, but due to some circumstances it is delayed for quite some time. I do not wish to instigate more about that, seeing this finally out is more important. It started off with an intro from Joe Slaughter who's also in SIL KHANNAZ, and it sounds like the continuation of his intro in the godly 'Conception Of Madness', no mistake on that. As soon as the title track appears, it became clear that we might see a 'rock n' roll' version of SILENT DEATH post-2000s, but it is to my relief that the intense nature of them is still here, midway through the song. Yes the great SILENT DEATH of old is not entirely forgotten here. They still believe in their more 'extreme' traits, it is here alright amidst the more rocking nature of the 'matured' SILENT DEATH. 'Hell-Popotamus' is definitely prime SILENT DEATH death Metal minus the more adventurous arrangements, and 'Mati Senyap' seems like a reconstructuring of their older, darker song in the "Dark Live" compilation years ago. No questions asked, these are the most precious moments for me in the album. 'Slaughtered Six, Six, Six' shows a more modern side of the band music-wise, not exactly bad but yes, it is different. "Silent Kiss Of Death", as a whole; is the embodiment of SILENT DEATH of the new era, which doesn't afraid to venture into a wider perspective without forgetting the effectiveness of what made SILENT DEATH, err; SILENT DEATH. How it will appeal to you depends on the way you approach it. It is a fitting finale legacy sort of, since that the only sole remaining original line-up Stone had unfortunately passed away not long after this has been released, thus putting the band existence in uncertainty. This is a piece of history in times to come.

www.neomagik.com
www.facebook.com/pages/SILENT-DEATH/178894181657 

BACTERIA "End Of Hope"

BACTERIA "End Of Hope" MCDr (Trooper Art Regime Distro)

BACTERIA will always be remembered as pre-SILENT DEATH, one of the death Metal legend of Malaysia. I couldn't recall any other of their releases prior to this (at least officially), "End Of Hope" will finally put an end to my curiousity all these while about the 'mysterious' BACTERIA. Released on a printed slim-case CDr format, BACTERIA serves 5 original compositions here (if you don't count the minus one version of 'Unknown World', the 'ballad' track in "End Of Hope") to compensate those 25 years of silence. Symphonic death thrash is what they prefer to label their music as, and to a great point theirs differs from that of SILENT DEATH, a welcoming thought considering the linkages between the bands. While SILENT DEATH is all about unbriddled traditional death Metal aggression and fury, BACTERIA opted for the more personal, deep affection in their Metal. Symphonic is an apt description for their music, as BACTERIA uses the samples and synths elaborately to shape their compositions. They mostly hovers in mid-pace with ups and downs in emotions, punctuated none so visible than the myriads created by the atmospheres conjured. The dreamlike landscapes and moods here is akin to those of the fantasy heavy power Metal norms, in fact I think "End Of Hope" is more of a heavy Metal album with symphonic elements spliced with just a nimble of thrash and death Metal if they are in need. The vocals which utilised something like a half-whispering echoed growl is probably the most death Metal thing in here you will find. Of course you'll find other Metal elements contained as well, these guys probably have been listening to anything Metal before you're even born. Not something typically find in the local scene this "End Of Hope" is. This will definitely emerges freely from the heaps and lumps.

www.facebook/Bacteria.Com

DEMISOR "Grind For Life"

DEMISOR "Grind For Life" (Straineyes Productions)

The title says it all. Singapore grindcore legend and monster DEMISOR full length is the ultimate statement of their existence. "Grind For Life" is a monolith of grindcore manifestation attained by years of creation and enslavement in the kind of audial butchery they give their lives for. You will get nothing else here than blistering grindcore explosion bursting right through your bowel before you know it. It is intense, it is bruising. Expect what is to be expected, do not demand for anything else. And with DEMISOR, there's no need to ask. Deadly grindcore from the master. On a more personal preference, I prefer the more death Metal infested DEMISOR of yesteryears. 'Oljud Knulla' is one untouchable song, even until today. But that is the past anyway. The total grindcore scene is where they really belongs nowadays, any self-respected grindcore freaks should worship this album. Grind for life, indeed.

straineyes@gmail.com

demisor@hotmail.com

MORGGORM "The Eye Of Gorsha Dimmag"

MORGGORM "The Eye Of Gorsha Dimmag" (Metal Zone Distro / Morggorm Music)

This album was released in 2007, suffice to say that MORGGORM has been doing it earlier than the current crop of thrash Metal revivalist in Malaysia. "The Eye Of Gorsha Dimmag" can be safely described as a straight thrash Metal album. No gimmicks, no theatrics, just some pure thrash Metal adrenaline. And the word 'straight' is as straight as it can be. They want to thrash, and thrashing is all they ever did here. No surprises, no shocks. And it is not all dark and gloomy for MORGGORM when Metal is concerned. They know how to have some fun with their thrash too. This is evident in some of the songs, where parts of rocking riffs were used in tandem with those intense ones. The song titles reflect this as well.  Apologise if I misinterpret them, but they seems to be not all that serious every time (song titles, not the band). Aided by owning a studio that other bands used for recordings as well, this shows in the productions of the album. I'm sure it is still available from various distros, so if you're in for some thrashing vibe, "The Eye Of Gorsha Dimmag" is one of the option.

morggorm@yahoo.com

www.myspace.com/morggorm

www.myspace.com/metalzonedistro

DEATH KROLBT "Ritual Hollow Winter"

DEATH KROLBT "Ritual Hollow Winter" demo 2007 CDr (Evil Institution Records)

They claimed to play 'death Metal', but the first song 'Petualang Sial' clearly reeks of early HAYAGRIVA and AS SAHAR adulation. Ok, maybe it's the odd one, because the following three tracks, there's less doubt about them being death Metal though. Said to be originally recorded in 2004, this demo most probably reflects what the line-up had been possessed by during those years. It's a culmination of what was currently wandering around in the local scene back then. It's either death or black Metal with that distinct eastern traits. More than often I tend to lump the death Metal tracks as some lower rate copy of LANGSUIR early years. And the band seems to be trying to cram everything into their compositions. They tend to sound unfocused and everywhere several times, confusions will probably be a not too distant word to use here. I'm sure some of the band members are now in an even better band(s), therefore I found no other valid reason of releasing this rather than to be nostalgic, considering its age and such. A piece of history in some sort probably, but not that essential definitely. And a southeast Asian band singing about winter? Now that's a novelty.

www.myspace.com/deathkrolbt

www.myspace.com/evilinstitutionrecords