Welcome to the Audial Bleeding or Reviews page. This page features reviews from some of the undergrounds best bands. Reviews by
K.N, Nkro, and Sargon the Terrible. If you would like your demo or release reviewed, please go to our contact us page and fill out the
form provided or contact K.N. at vftu@nhr-records.com
K.N, Nkro, and Sargon the Terrible. If you would like your demo or release reviewed, please go to our contact us page and fill out the
form provided or contact K.N. at vftu@nhr-records.com
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RELEASE: World Burns to Death
- The Graveyard of Utopia
LABEL: N/A
GENRE: D-Beat/Crust Metal
RATING: 8.5/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
- The Graveyard of Utopia
LABEL: N/A
GENRE: D-Beat/Crust Metal
RATING: 8.5/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
For those who don’t know, which is probably many, this Austin based Metallic D-Beat/Crust goliath has been
churning out some of the harshest and brutal music of the past decade. The Graveyard of Utopia represents
the high water mark for the band and stands as one of the heaviest and most memorable modern era D-Beat
infused releases. First off this album has a crushing metallic edge and melodic sensibility that separates WBTD
from the standard Dis-band hordes. This album also displays the strongest nod to Japanese Hardcore than any
of their previous efforts. The album itself was recorded in Tokyo at Our House Studios and features some
frenzied lead work from a few notable Jap-Core musicians that seems to have added a little something to the
war punk cacophony that’s present. The vocals haven’t strayed from what WBTD have done on previous
offerings but the raw and somewhat Black Metal vocals compliment the music much better than what we’ve
heard from other standard punk rock screamers.
Lyrically the band further distance themselves from the traditional war obsessed Discharge-isms and express
their vitriol by waxing poetic on historically accurate acts of human atrocity, in particular some of Joseph Stalin’
s exploits during the era of the Soviet Republic’s Communist regime. With full and descriptive liner notes by
vocalist Jack Control, each track can be taken in context and it is in fact a great read and even somewhat
educational (and I mean that in the best way).
The beauty of this release is that through it’s rawness and metallic edge it can appeal to a broad range of
listeners. From the D-Beat crusties to the new school thrashers and even the grimmer of the Black Metal
followers can surely find something to sink their teeth to with this release. Seek it out or check out Prank
Records to get your mitts on one. Highly recommended.
churning out some of the harshest and brutal music of the past decade. The Graveyard of Utopia represents
the high water mark for the band and stands as one of the heaviest and most memorable modern era D-Beat
infused releases. First off this album has a crushing metallic edge and melodic sensibility that separates WBTD
from the standard Dis-band hordes. This album also displays the strongest nod to Japanese Hardcore than any
of their previous efforts. The album itself was recorded in Tokyo at Our House Studios and features some
frenzied lead work from a few notable Jap-Core musicians that seems to have added a little something to the
war punk cacophony that’s present. The vocals haven’t strayed from what WBTD have done on previous
offerings but the raw and somewhat Black Metal vocals compliment the music much better than what we’ve
heard from other standard punk rock screamers.
Lyrically the band further distance themselves from the traditional war obsessed Discharge-isms and express
their vitriol by waxing poetic on historically accurate acts of human atrocity, in particular some of Joseph Stalin’
s exploits during the era of the Soviet Republic’s Communist regime. With full and descriptive liner notes by
vocalist Jack Control, each track can be taken in context and it is in fact a great read and even somewhat
educational (and I mean that in the best way).
The beauty of this release is that through it’s rawness and metallic edge it can appeal to a broad range of
listeners. From the D-Beat crusties to the new school thrashers and even the grimmer of the Black Metal
followers can surely find something to sink their teeth to with this release. Seek it out or check out Prank
Records to get your mitts on one. Highly recommended.
RELEASE: Wastelander
- Wardrive
LABEL: Planet Metal
GENRE: Thrash Metal
RATING: 7/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
- Wardrive
LABEL: Planet Metal
GENRE: Thrash Metal
RATING: 7/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
Well I must admit, every now and then when I look at an album layout I just know that I will like it. Seeing a
dude in a gas mask surrounded by classic Metal vinyl and suitcases of Black Label brought that little twinkle to
my eyes as I knew this would be good. And it is good, not as good as I was expecting, but good. Let me
qualify this one. If any of you read my disparaging review of Bludwulf and agreed with my take on it and were
as disappointed as I was in it's lack of "bite" then this release should satisfy you. This is basically an album
constructed of the same elements (thrash/punk metal riffing & beats, punk influenced vocals, and short,
mid-tempo dominated songs). All the ingredients are here and all in the right doses but what pulls this up is
exactly what dragged Bludwulf down; the intensity factor. This oozes with an attitude and a sense of
urgency that propels it throughout it's 36 minute duration. I wouldn't go so far as to call this relentless or
anything as "Reign in Blood" it is not but it can easily carry it's own amongst the "new wave" of thrash that's
circulating these days. If thrash (or more specifically thrash punk) if your thing then I would recommend
checking this out. If "Baptized in Ashes" doesn't get you moving then you're already fucking dead.
dude in a gas mask surrounded by classic Metal vinyl and suitcases of Black Label brought that little twinkle to
my eyes as I knew this would be good. And it is good, not as good as I was expecting, but good. Let me
qualify this one. If any of you read my disparaging review of Bludwulf and agreed with my take on it and were
as disappointed as I was in it's lack of "bite" then this release should satisfy you. This is basically an album
constructed of the same elements (thrash/punk metal riffing & beats, punk influenced vocals, and short,
mid-tempo dominated songs). All the ingredients are here and all in the right doses but what pulls this up is
exactly what dragged Bludwulf down; the intensity factor. This oozes with an attitude and a sense of
urgency that propels it throughout it's 36 minute duration. I wouldn't go so far as to call this relentless or
anything as "Reign in Blood" it is not but it can easily carry it's own amongst the "new wave" of thrash that's
circulating these days. If thrash (or more specifically thrash punk) if your thing then I would recommend
checking this out. If "Baptized in Ashes" doesn't get you moving then you're already fucking dead.
RELEASE: Witchtrap - No
Anesthesia
LABEL: Dirty Sound Records
GENRE: Thrash Metal
RATING: 7/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
Anesthesia
LABEL: Dirty Sound Records
GENRE: Thrash Metal
RATING: 7/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
Yeah I know you've heard this shit 1000 times before. I know you have heard of all the bands emulating early
Razor-esque thrash and tossing Black Metal vocals over the tracks. I know this whole scene was huge about
ten years ago but for some reason this band and what they do sticks with me. Yeah, the music and guitar
sound is reminiscent of Razor and the vocals are not far removed from Angelripper of Sodom's hack and croak
but it has something to it that stands true. This thankfully doesn't sound like a pack of 21 year old jerk offs
trying to be the next Exodus or (for fuck sakes) Trivium. This is real fucking old school black thrash. On this
particular recording they have managed to pretty much capture the thrash sound of the the old days, in fact
songs like "Priest of Sin" and "Gallows and Crows" could easily have been floating around in the old tape
trading underground of 1986. Total Razor worship! This would be totally worth searching out if you're
into the whole old school speed & spikes scene but probably bot if your tastes are of the advanced and fancy
and you don't like your metal too dirty (and old!). For me it's solid for what it is.
Razor-esque thrash and tossing Black Metal vocals over the tracks. I know this whole scene was huge about
ten years ago but for some reason this band and what they do sticks with me. Yeah, the music and guitar
sound is reminiscent of Razor and the vocals are not far removed from Angelripper of Sodom's hack and croak
but it has something to it that stands true. This thankfully doesn't sound like a pack of 21 year old jerk offs
trying to be the next Exodus or (for fuck sakes) Trivium. This is real fucking old school black thrash. On this
particular recording they have managed to pretty much capture the thrash sound of the the old days, in fact
songs like "Priest of Sin" and "Gallows and Crows" could easily have been floating around in the old tape
trading underground of 1986. Total Razor worship! This would be totally worth searching out if you're
into the whole old school speed & spikes scene but probably bot if your tastes are of the advanced and fancy
and you don't like your metal too dirty (and old!). For me it's solid for what it is.
RELEASE: Whiskey Ritual -
Black n Roll
LABEL: Forces of Satan Records
GENRE: Black n Roll Metal
RATING: 3/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
Black n Roll
LABEL: Forces of Satan Records
GENRE: Black n Roll Metal
RATING: 3/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
I picked up this 3 songer blind without having heard a peep about or from this band before. I expected some
Black Punk action like newer Darkthrone but what I got was a new coaster for my ottoman. Sure the formula
is there. Punk drum beats? Check. Black Metal sounding guitars? Check. Short, straight forward songs? Check.
Wicked cool vocals? Nowhere near. Try pseudo Black Metal, whiny, and nasally vocals and you have Whiskey
Ritual. Honestly, this is shit. Hopefully the new full length is better. I haven’t heard it and I’m sure not buying
it. What a waste of a cool band name 3/10.
Black Punk action like newer Darkthrone but what I got was a new coaster for my ottoman. Sure the formula
is there. Punk drum beats? Check. Black Metal sounding guitars? Check. Short, straight forward songs? Check.
Wicked cool vocals? Nowhere near. Try pseudo Black Metal, whiny, and nasally vocals and you have Whiskey
Ritual. Honestly, this is shit. Hopefully the new full length is better. I haven’t heard it and I’m sure not buying
it. What a waste of a cool band name 3/10.
RELEASE: Whiteshapel - A New
Era Of Corruption
LABEL: Metal Blade Records
GENRE: Deathcore
RATING: 0/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
Era Of Corruption
LABEL: Metal Blade Records
GENRE: Deathcore
RATING: 0/10
REVIEW BY: K.N.
Another member of the Metal Blade new school who claim to have Death Metal running through their veins
and want to be the sickest, heaviest thing ever. Do they succeed? Are you kidding me? This isn’t even Death
Metal really. Just a lot of new school Metal crap with a ton of breakdowns, pseudo technical riffs, and a lot of
meanderingly paced material. Some Death Metal influence perhaps but not a lick of originality and nothing
interesting at all. Absolutely nothing caught my ear with this release other than the atrocious vocals of Phil
Bozeman. If this was an instrumental release it could be the background music in the world’s shittiest
elevator. Just fucking awful. If you love ‘Deathcore’ or whatever the kids these days think is Death Metal
then by all means, snap this up. The rest of us with taste will stick to real Death Metal and leave the shit to
the dumb ass, false Metal, hipster mall kids. Utter SHITE! 0/10. Fuck this CD!
and want to be the sickest, heaviest thing ever. Do they succeed? Are you kidding me? This isn’t even Death
Metal really. Just a lot of new school Metal crap with a ton of breakdowns, pseudo technical riffs, and a lot of
meanderingly paced material. Some Death Metal influence perhaps but not a lick of originality and nothing
interesting at all. Absolutely nothing caught my ear with this release other than the atrocious vocals of Phil
Bozeman. If this was an instrumental release it could be the background music in the world’s shittiest
elevator. Just fucking awful. If you love ‘Deathcore’ or whatever the kids these days think is Death Metal
then by all means, snap this up. The rest of us with taste will stick to real Death Metal and leave the shit to
the dumb ass, false Metal, hipster mall kids. Utter SHITE! 0/10. Fuck this CD!