If you're a fan of Arch "Angela" Enemy and dig the atmosphere of power metal, then Chariots of the Gods will certainly appeal to your tastes. The musicianship showcased by these 5 local Ottawa-Gatineau fuckers is well represented on their 4 track EP Reverence. From the first track Signs of the Dead World one can enjoy their compositions in the vein of metal that seems to be flowing from within the streams of Sweden. However, this solid release comes from our very own Nation's Capital.

Reverence was recorded at Audio Valley and Liverpool Court Studio. Engineered and mixed by Steve Foley and mastered at Finnvox Studio by Mika Jussila in March 2010. The production of this release is very clear and clean. I would even hazard that there is a lot of digital enhancing used on elements of the guitar. On the track Exiles the drums start off with some unique electronic elements that vary from the rest of the recorded drum sound. It's great to hear a local band exploring sound scapes and incorporating twists on the old techniques, creating a classic familiarity with these 4 tracks presented on this EP.

Having never heard of this 5 piece before, I am stoked to discover new talent from Ottawa. This edition further showcases the diverse talent in our very own fucking city. Chariots of the Gods is an eruption waiting to happen -like a toe-curling orgasm coursing its way out- and a force to be reckoned with. Seeing these guys live will be a gooey treat! I know...I know...grosse!

Anyjizz, if you enjoy classic trash metal mixed with Swedish death metal I would surely recommend this solid release from this very talented local and explosive band!

-CG

Visit Chariot of the Gods on their:
Official Website
or
Official MySpace

IMMERSED - In The Ire of Creation (2010)

Rating: 11 / 10 <-- What? I own this zine...I can make that happen. And yes, it's that fucking good!

Storming out of the Nation's Capital, IMMERSED is a brutal death demon tearing its way into the souls of the weak and destroying any ounce of remaining propriety. Their energy, technicality and masterful approach to the ever-so-duplicated death metal genre is setting them apart and with good fucking reason.

Their first full-length release In The Ire of Creation is truly amazing. Recorded and produced by Christopher Bradley (Beneath the Massacre) and mastered by up and coming legend Chris Donaldson at Garage Studios, In The Ire of Creation sets a standard to strive for. Every element of this recording is crisp. You can distinguish every instrument and every fibre of this band's passion for brutality. The recording itself captures the essence of what IMMERSED is: an unstoppable force!

The introduction had me wondering if I had just put in another death metal CD, and I already started jotting down notes of dis-ease. Fifty-eight seconds later, my pencil dropped and I did not write a single thing for the next 8 tracks. In fact, I didn't write anything for two days as I consumed myself with In The Ire of Creation.
Let me tell you something right fucking now: This album is all-consuming.

There are 8 gruelling tracks of technical, catchy death metal with the lashings of tasteful black metal that, just like crack is to the addict, makes you NEED to come back for more.
Mark Phillips, a vocalist from the darkest recesses of hell, delivers track after track of gut-slicing catchy lyrics. The vocal patterns he chose for the music are stellar and you WILL find yourself wanting to growl along with him, screaming until blood spills out from your still-raw throat.
Guitarists Stephan Meloche and Mike Chambers attack their instruments with precision and a determination that can only be compared to the insanity of the Final Solution! They manage to take something that has been done before and make it their own. Their complex riff structures and melodic undertones bring forth a pleasantly addictive array of technical death metal that makes your heart pump.
Gareth Allix crushes you with his solid bass work, holding the music together, like flesh on bones, allowing the maniacal Stefan Kushneriuk to abolish you with percussion. The drum work on this album is ridiculous. Who is this guy? Phenomenal! The double-bass attack leaves you gasping for air and his knack for groove gets spliced in at the most appropriate moments (you definitely have to check out their title track In The Ire of Creation!).

As a born and raised Ottawa metal head, I am proud to say these guys are local. This album is necessary and you must go buy it! From beginning to end, this album is the fucking tits! Personally, I think I'm still in shock as I was not expecting it to be so damn good.
In The Ire of Creation is the best album of 2010 and if Hell had a soundtrack, this would be the only record on tap!

The Publisher

Visit the official IMMERSED MySpace Page

Rating: 8.5 / 10

Need a fix of 90's thrash with a dash of the modern metal that is well executed? Then look no further. Mortor are a 5 piece from the Ottawa-Gatineau region, that bring a sexy mixture of thrash with modern metal elements to the scene. They have released their CD Metal Ride to the world and it is going to be like a chopper screaming down the highway, taking out anything that is in its way, and leaving a blood trail in its wake.

Having discovered this band during the night of their CD release, I must say it was a delight to the ear. They shared the stage with Accursed Spawn, System Divine, Augury and Aborted.

The album was engineered and mixed by Chris Bonavia and mastered by Matt Connell, who has worked with other bands such as: Deamon, Fuck The Facts, Exhumed and Remnants of a Deity among many other talented artists. Their knowledge and experience at the helm proves its worth on this fantastically produced recording, as all parts are clear and well defined without any compromise between the different instruments.

This 9 track full-length release is unrelenting right from the gripping opener Swallow My Hate that propels its listener into a head banging frenzy with its catchy riffs and tight drum grooves. If you enjoy classic thrash metal in the vein of Obituary, Sepultura and Slayer then I’d bet my first born child that this album will interest you!

-CG

Visit the official MORTOR Website

Rating: 7/10

Here is a talented local group that I recently discovered. The band was one of the opening acts for a night that would prove to be a metal onslaught of 5 truly talented bands including Mortor, System Divide, Augury and Aborted. It truly was a show favorite of mine because of the mixture of talented artists that performed that evening.

Accursed Spawn were the one act that caught my undivided attention. This 5-piece metal machine knew how to put on a show. Not only was their sound tight and heavy but the fans were ready to fight a war as they raged into a mosh slam fest! It truly was a great performance. A few bonuses were their covers of Morbid Angel's Immortal Rites (a personal favorite) and something I have not before seen, fans demanding they perform an encore song even though they weren't the headliners. So Accursed Spawn performed Death's Crystal Mountain (a track I personally loathe) that was executed wonderfully.

Having never heard of this band I was curious to hear how they would capture their live performance onto a digital recording. Now I have praise and negative takes on what I heard.

For many listeners who have grown up listening to Death Metal since the 80's they can clearly hear some classic influences of Deicide, Suffocation, Morbid Angel, Death, etc that have helped shape this band into who they are. Their live sound was a little muddy and similarly this recording is hard to decipher what is being played because of the noisy and raw sound that they chose to record to.
Listening to this demo in the car was a bit nostalgic. It reminded me of a time when death metal was fresh and when tape trading was one of the only ways to listen to new bands.
Dismember The Informant is a true-blue death metal demo!

Now, after all the smack that Lars Ulrich received for using a very toned down, acoustic kit that is raw it seems that the drummer here chose a similar sound for his kit. This particular listener isn't a fan of that sort of production on modern recordings as it demonstrates a lack of production skill. HOWEVER!!!! It would be necessary to ask the band themselves as too why they went with this sort of production and instrument sound for the recording. This album is raw, like freshly torn flesh from an unsuspecting victim!

The riffs are killer, the drums are intense and the vocals are diverse and well suited to the barrage of aggression that Accursed Spawn deliver.

Personally I see this band achieving lots of attention. Taking advantage of modern production skills for their full-length record will truly make their music something incredible to listen to. That aside, this 3 song demo is definitely worth adding to your collection and should be embraced with the same fervor we once had when classic death metal albums first made their way into our home stereos.

-CG

Visit the official ACCURSED SPAWN MySpace Page

Rating: 9.5/10

These ghoulish young lads hail from Barrhaven, Ontario. Having met the man and visionary behind the project, Dale Sauve back in 2008, I have seen this band flourish from your average garage metal band into a solidified professional attitude and hard working unit. Like many projects, there is often the struggle to find the right mix of musicianship and time taken to create a bands true identity with their sound. After much sweat, blood and tears these guys are a unit to be reckoned with.

Endemise are gaining lots of notoriety in the local scene and touring many parts of Canada has brandished them with the attention they certainly deserve. Their live show compliments their hard efforts in the studio. With computer integration into their live performances, fans get to appreciate all elements that are fused into the studio offerings.

In January 2009, Endemise released their first full-length album, Unearth The Throne. Produced by Mike Bond at Pebble Studios, the album introduced Endemise with a well polished yet raw metal sound that was received with great enthusiasm in the Ottawa metal scene.

This 4-piece musical virtuosity have such a shared creative vision that fuses crushing black metal guitar rhythms, pounding, technical drum precision and low bass intensity while various textures of string and choir orchestration add a sinister atmosphere overall.

Endemise have just released a mind-bending 4 track EP that was recorded and mixed by Mike Bond, Dale Sauve and Endemise over the course of Oct 2009 to April 2010 in Ottawa. The EP was mastered by Mike Bond and Endemise. Artwork and was designed by Dale Sauve, a man with many developing talents.

"Procreator" viciously assaults the listener and pulls them along the horrid journey that will certainly keep the listener gripped to their seats as they are dragged along for the nearly 20 minute trail of vile deceit. Haunting guitars, pounding drums, lyrical mastery and orchestral samplings collectively contribute to a masterful recording that bombards the listener. "The Harvesting" with its breakdowns, classic metal riffs and melodic harmonies stands fair with the best of them. "Within The Oak Forest" is an enchanting blistering adventure that lures you in and takes hold unrelentingly leaving the deep sharp claws of the gargoyles embedded in your still-bleeding flesh. "Gargoyles", a track with neo-classical melodic elements fused with blunt-force brutality rounds up the EP just the way it should. This album is certainly one that will be played over and over again for this listener.

Endemise's drummer, David Sauve has already received some highly dignified attention from reputable SICK DRUMMER magazine. For a small town band out of the Nation's Capital, this sure is a reflection of their hard work and talent. Canadians everywhere should take note of this outlet and mirror their recipe for brutality!

All in all this self-contained foursome are just about to unleash their barrage of metal mayhem onto the people and we can't wait to hear more from these young lads.

Sink your claws into this EP and your soul will be darkened forever!

Visit ENDEMISE's Official Website

Rating: 9.0/10

Too Man Humans is the most recent release by these young but very talented Montreal-based artists. This five-piece outfit have blossomed into a professional and brutal maturity reminiscent of fellow Quebec artists such as Despised Icon, Beneath The Massacre and Cryptopsy.. Their hard work on this album takes their previous release, Aeon of Suffering and buries it deep within the rubble of a new catastrophe. Too Many Humans is some next level shit!

The production of this masterful collection of songs demonstrates the band's maturity and raises the brutality bar. The new album was recorded, engineered, and mixed at Montreal's Garage Studio by Chris Donaldson (Beneath The Massacre, The Agonist, etc.), and mastered by Pierre Remillard (Misery Index, Despised Icon, Ion Dissonance, Beneath the Massacre). Artwork comes courtesy of Felix Rancourt (Despised Icon, Beneath the Massacre). The 9 tracks leave the listener craving more and more of this band. They are relentless.

Highlights of the album for this listener is the song "No One Would Notice If You Died" as the band takes your average break down and is able to give it their own twisted twist. It's a chant that you will surely be belting out in your most hellish nightmares. Vocalist Joss Fredette brings the inner demons within him out into the open air, growling the most foul beliefs as a preacher at his pulpit. A powerful voice behind powerful music!

Montreal is known for extreme metal bands and there have since been a lot of copy cats that quickly get swept under the rug. This band however seems to draw on their influences and shape their song creations into masterful tunes that will continue to draw people to their talented recordings and live performance. Guitarists Dom Grimard and Felix Roberge know how to bring key elements together with riffs that trade off with precise intensity, making their writing styles one to pay attention to. The drumming on this extremely mind blowing effort is by Vince Menard with his bullet hands and feet combined with his knowledge behind the kit that aren't limited to just speed.
By the way, listen to their single "Too Many Humans" over and over and over again. It's a brutal, killer and catchy track that truly makes the bass work of Seb Painchaud reverberate within the darkest recesses of your screaming soul.

I appreciate that the band limited the interlude parts primarily to the first track "We Are Future Housing Developments For Maggots" and added samples to the track "Televisionary" that don't detract the listener from the brutal experience that The Last Felony wish their listeners to be a part of. This group is quite talented and worth your time to listen to. They are a fucking force to be reckoned with and definitely one to witness live when they bash their way into your hometown! This album must be a staple in your 2010 collection of metal as it is easily one of the best albums of the year!

- CG (with additions by The Publisher)

Visit THE LAST FELONY's Official MySpace

Rating: 7/10

The mighty Santa Cruz-based project have unleashed a new excerpt to their discography. Full of mastery and moments of elation this band is one to be aware of. This album is for those who are large fans of Chuck Schuldiner's style of writing memorable melodic riffs. Throw in elements of Death and mix in extreme metal elements and you have Decrepit Birth.

The demonic and enigmatic neo-classical introduction to the album sets the pace for what's to come - a ride down technical lane, fused with a brutal and relentless assault.
One of the most intense offerings is the instrumental "Solar Impulse", a spacey, prog-metal rocket launch into head banging glory that should please fans. As well, take a listen to "Mirroring Dimensions", a 4:30 minute shred fest filled with awe-inspiring time signature changes, neck-snapping riff shifts and double-bass thunder.

This first few listens through made this listener appreciative of the band. The production of the release seems to me to be very bass driven and would be improved if there were more mids, in my opinion.

Having seen this band live a few times it is essential to mention that Decrepit Birth's guitar sound is fundamental to this project as the ENGL amps fuel the project with brutal, heavy-thick and tight crunch distortions and strong lead sounds. Vocally I am not as much of a fan of the projects choice and I feel they could find someone else that would compliment them better.

I don't have much to say about this release. It is a decent effort yet after a few tracks I lose interest. As well, I am not familiar with their previous releases so very much to know the progression of their albums. A friend of mine described this album as predictable and expected. Like many bands they reach a plateau and know what ingredients and recipe are essential to make a good album.

One key element that this listener was pleased to see was that the artistry of Dan Seagrave was commissioned to create imagery that represents what the band envisioned as part of the entitled album Polarity.

Most certainly this band is a worthwhile listen to and to experience live. Check these guys from the Golden State out. They come from a State that seems to be generating a lot of young talented death metal acts. Come and get Polarised!

-CG

Visit the official DECREPIT BIRTH MySpace

Rating: 9/10

These French Canadian maniacs hail from across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec. The 5 piece band is made up of talented musicians and their premiere CD offers up 7 scorching tracks.

In my opinion their music shares remnant influences of Montreal's Oblivion by fusing groovy catchy riffs, samples, odd time signatures, counter point with melodic elements.

Breaking the musicians down:

The vocals are strong yet diverse with technical guitar elements that compliment very well. Drums are tight and pummelling; yet personally, I feel they could have been louder in the overall mix but just slightly kick/snare. The overall experience is presented to the listener with a strong accomplishment for these guys. Ottawa should be proud!

The packaging and production along with their website is top quality.

Check these guys out if opportunity presents itself as they bring the energy to the stage and hold nothing back.

- CG

Visit the official INSURRECTION website

As this is their sophomore release, I must say these guys have again proven they are wizards when it comes to melding thrash with melodic technical writing styles. They maintain their clear defined influences and present a solid release to follow up their previous effort release, Empire of the Obscene.

Saying this however, as this band is fairly new to my ears and listening to both albums back to back, I must say that their talent to write a full length album containing challenging riff structured songs to appease the listener was better achieved on their freshman release. It is hard to say what album will appease anyone who listens to this band cause all the elements are there on both CDs.

As this is my review not yours I am entitled to my opinion. So don't take another person's criticism so intently, listen to the music for yourself and make your own opinion.

Revocation executes blending genres very well. Vocally however, I must say I am not truly fond of some of the hard core vocal stylings as some others maybe but still they manage to not fall into the likings of Trivium and stand apart as they appeal to a more aggressive and diverse styles of playing.

You can clearly hear the Megadeth/Slayer riffings along with Pantera bluesie type guitar solo and bridge riffs that dive right into a pummelling break down or melodic suit that then shred or grind into a plethora of directions. Always a treat to discover a band that can take old ideas and make them fresh for new listeners or capture the interest of old listeners and give a twist to appeal to both listeners.

Give this band a chance. Check them out. And hey if you prefer one, both or none of their albums at least you gave them a chance. They are a band with great talent and surely will be worth checking out when opportunity allows. I must say to witness this 3 piece live and to hear how they execute this material will surely be worthwhile.

- CG

Visit the official REVOCATION MySpace page