Rwake - Voices Of Omens

Rwake's abrasive onslaught positively molests your eardrums in the way that only great sludge can do, whilst adding some finesse here and there to make for a highly enjoyable listen. The band have been around for a while, releasing three full lengths, but have only really gained any 'mainstream' recognition since signing for Relapse - this album being their first on the label. Like genre progenitors Eyehategod, the riffs here are a mix of bluesy and atonal - witness the grating, torturous, dragging central riff on the album closer, "The Lure of Light" to feel the pure power of their music. Yet like their Southern counterparts Kylesa, Rwake have the knack of throwing in interesting nuances to the music, such as the gorgeous mandolin playing in the intro track - just listening to this whilst looking through the album art is pretty trippy. The lead guitar work is pretty tidy too, with plenty of whisky soaked leads that Pepper Keenan would be proud of. Whilst the albums 59 minutes of intense extreme metal can get a bit wearing, it has just about enough to keep the listener interested throughout. They'll be releasing their follow up to this record later this year - keep an eye out.

8/10

Highlights : "The Great Finality", "Leviticus"

See also - Crowbar, Eyehategod, Kylesa.

Hate Eternal - Phoenix Amongst The Ashes

It takes quite a bit for me to get excited by modern death metal. Aside from Nile, Dying Fetus and Goatwhore I don't really pay that much attention to it. Another name to add to that list would be Hate Eternal. I've always been enamoured by frontman Erik Rutan's undying love and passion for extreme metal, not to mention he is one of the most talented musicians the genre has ever had. Even though his career highlight of his stint in Morbid Angel has passed (witness the solo tradeoff between Rutan and Azagthoth in 'Summoning Redemption' - spellbinding), Hate Eternal still have a lot to offer.

In contrast to the suffocating production and incondite songwriting of 2008's Fury And Flames, PATA is far more clear and focused, without ceding any brutality for polishness. Rutan has once again tinkered with the lineup, but this appears to be HE's best yet. You can just feel the band's confidence coming out of your speakers, from the start to the finish of the album. Opener 'Rebirth' oozes hellish atmosphere, serving as a build up for the aurally sodomising 'The Eternal Ruler', which along with the following song, 'Thorns of Acacia', showcase everything that is to love about Hate Eternal - Rutan's trademark atonal riffage (employing excessive yet tasteful use of the tritone), his divine harmonised harmonic minor leads and savage blasting with clever usage of rhythmic patterns. The rest of the album continues in similar fashion - although if your eardrums haven't burst by the title track then you're doing very well.

An excellent record - perfect antidote for the dross that is the new Morbid Angel.

8/10

Highlights : "Haunting Abound", "Thorns Of Acacia"

See also - Morbid Angel, Nile, Suffocation, Dying Fetus.

Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain

Despite the misleading, Scandinavian-sounding name, Agalloch are in fact from the Pacific Northwest, an area more associated with the grunge era than folk-tinged metal. Yet Agalloch summon the same desolate, eldrich spirits as their Northern European counterparts, making for an epic, solemn affair.

Ashes Against The Grain, the band's third full length, once again has the critics and pigeon-holers scratching their heads. It's a mix of folk, post-metal, black metal, prog, without naturally falling into any category - a bit like Opeth. Indeed, the comparisons with the Swedish legends don't stop there - indeed, they could be seen as the American version of them. The album starts off in divine fashion - gorgeous progressions, flowing effortlessly and convincing the listener from the offset. Rasping and haunting vocals, punchy yet soothing guitars, epic song titles (This White Mountain on Which You Will Die) - all positive signs. Yet one's interest level doesn't sustain beyond even halfway through the album. The lead guitar work is somewhat lacking - the melodies are flat and unimaginative in many places, leaving one wanting. Long, languorous instrumental passages pepper the album, which do little for the overall feel of the music.

The potential is there, but the execution isn't. Agalloch may have mountains of critical acclaim but on this record I feel this praise isn't justified.

7/10

Highlights : "Limbs", "Falling Snow ".

See also - Opeth, Alcest, Fen.