Well, here are the reviews for the demos and CD's that I have obtained so far (since the release of my last issue of Adrenalin). I gave all of these reviews my honest opinion. Every band deserves some recognition. But, some bands don't deserve nearly as much as others. So, read on and decide for yourself. The e-mail or website address for some of the Record Companies that are reviewed will be listed below for your convenience.

All reviews were done by me expect those with a symbol by it. Those reviews were done by YLAB.

ABANDONED- "Tell The Tale" This is a band. They have talent. The music is old school metal with a taste of modern to it. The vocals are ideal for fans of Iron Maiden, older Anthrax, Axl Rose, ect. There are a good amount of quality guitar solos and a few mellow songs. A solid sound overall. If this interests you even a little bit, check them out. www.abandonedrocks.com

ABOMINATOR- "Damnation's Prophecy" (Necropolis Records) Pure black metal, with black metal vocals, black metal guitaring, and black metal drums. I like black metal but I don't care for this CD. Except for the parts in the songs where the guitar slows down and wonders for a couple a seconds, this band doesn't interest me very much. The drummer must go through drumsticks like crazy though. Anyway, check them out if you want.

ABORTUS- "Judge Me Not" This is a killer band from Australia. The music is powerful heavy metal with mood changing effects to it. A lot of crunching guitar riffs with some well-placed solos. The vocals are growling and flow with the music well. Definitely worth checking out. You can e-mail them at abortus@hotmail.com.

ALEISTER C- "Struggle For Life" This is a heavy/thrash metal band from Brazil. The music is kind of a mixture of Machine Head and Sepultura (plus other influences of course). The CD recording is impressive and the whole CD sounds professional and tight. I can see this band making their mark in the music industry. Check them out at www.aleisterc.com.br

ANTHROPILE- "Take" A one man project. The sound is an aggressive techno industrial mix with samples and media sound bites. While the tempo changes and the song builds up, the vocals tell the stories of life and political issues. Overall, the CD is interesting and worth checking out.

ASHES- "And The Angels Wept" (Necropolis Records) This black metal band varies from thrashy evil music to a slower dominating power blend with black metal vocals screaming through it all. It satisfies my craving for some talented black metal. I will definitely listen to this CD more than once.

AVERSE SEFIRA- "Blasphomet Sin Abset" This is a pure black metal band from Texas. The whole concept of this band amazes me. Although their music isn't 100% original, their music is very very good. It is brutal and extreme. One instant there is a slow foggy eerie sound and the next instant there are screaming vocals. There are only a few songs on this demo but if you are searching for a good black metal band you should check them out. Averse Sefora c/o Wrath; PO BOX 8166; Austin, TX 78713-8166 USA or email them

BENUMB- "Soul Of The Martyr" (Relapse Records) This is a heavy grind death band with heavy vocals and an alteration of fast speedy music and a slow crunch type music. It is very cool. The songs are short and range from about 30 seconds to 3 minutes in length. But, there are 35 total tracks on this CD. I like it and I suggest checking them out.

B.E.N.T.- "Bury Em!" Power heavy metal with a groove to it at times. This is a two song CD, but they will be releasing a full-length in the near future from what I hear. I'm looking forward to hearing it. The vocals are clean, low, and powerful. The guitars are rockin' and crunchin'. The drums are kickin'. Everything flows together. What more can you ask for? Oh yeah, these guys are from Wisconsin!! That's a bonus for me (cuz I live in the state). Contact them at:dewaynebo@hotmail.com and check out a couple B.E.N.T. MP3's at www.MP3.com/bent2

BLOOD DUSTER- "Str8 Outta Northcote" (Relapse Records) This is a very cool death metal band from Australia (I guess). I like this CD a lot and I listen to it a lot. It is a 21 song CD of death metal music with a taste of rock. The lyrics are pretty much perverted. The titles of the songs range from "Givin' Stiff To The Stiff" and "Shoved Up Your Pisshole" to "The Meatsong" and "Pure Digital Silence". All the songs are worth listening to and they vary in sound so you can distinguish the songs from each other. It makes you wanna listen to the whole CD. So, if you are interested, find this CD and buy it.

BONGZILLA- "Methods Of Obtaining Extreme Altitudes" (Relapse Records) Well it is hard for me to say who these guys sound like. Although, I would describe their music as heavy, medium speed, screaming, metal music. The music is catchy and makes you move. As for the band itself, one word can describe them......POT. Everything about them, the CD, and their music deals with marijuana. Pretty cool. It is a 3-song EP. The screaming vocals, heavy music, and effects make a killer blend that deserves to be heard.

BURN GUITARS- Demo... This is a 4-track demo. The band contains a drummer, two bass players, and a vocalist who also plays bass. The music is interesting and just plain full of bass. Even though the vocals sound raw they seem to fit the slow fat sound of the music. These guys are worth checking out.

CALM- (self-titled demo) This is a metal band that is melodic and catchy enough to be considered radio-friendly. The heavyier vocals that appear on this CD really catch my attention. I feel they are comparable to the vocals of the band Carcass. Overall, CALM is a metal band with trendy guitar riffs, mixed with a melodic sound and topped off by heavy harsh vocals and bursts of anger. They are a piece of modern mayhem. Check out their music at www.mp3.com/calm_ or go to their homepage www.geocities.com/calmhomepage

CLICK- self-titled (Abyss Records) This is a heavy metal band with some unique bass and guitar riffs. The vocals are kinda that half-growl/half-clean sound. The band would definitely sound killer live. I really like the heavy music. The vocalist fits the music pretty well. Overall this is a cool band with killer CD.

DEATHWITCH- "Monumental Mutilation" (Necropolis Records) Insane black metal that'll shred you to pieces. The vocals are cool and somewhat slow for black metal (I like that concept). The guitaring blows me away. Check 'em out!!!

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN- "Under The Running Board" (Relapse Records) This is a 4-song EP. This band is a heavy speed/thrash metal with screamish raging vocals. I'm not a huge fan of speed metal, but I like this CD (and so do a lot of my friends because they keep borrowing it). A lot of the music is unique so it keeps things interesting.

FOREVER SLEEP- "Scarlet Symphonies" This is for anybody seeking emotional chaos. This 4-piece black/death/goth metal band from the guts of Wisconsin takes you through screaming vocals, eerie guitars and sounds that can blow your mind. With influences ranging from Pink Floyd to Iron Maiden to Hypocrisy the sounds of Forever Sleep is well worth experiencing.

GARDY-LOO- "Perverts On Parade" (Crooked Records) This is CD of Gardy-Loo features guest appearance of the underrated vocals of the sick and twisted El Duce (The Mentors). The music of Gardy-Loo seams to change on every CD they release. This particular CD features music of the punk/rock form. El Duce’s vocals are low but clear and the lyrics are his average offensive ‘Your dog Scruffy sure looks sexy’ type of lyrics. Some of the songs titles include; “Squeal Like A Pig”, “First Shit Of The Morning”, “Jackin’ Going On”, and “Buck Naked”. You can check out Gardy-Loo and this CD at www.gardyloo.50megs.com.

GARDY-LOO- "Socially Unacceptable" (Crooked Records) Like all Gardy-Loo CD's, this CD is a thought-provoking, sick and twisted presentation of metal/rock music. The 13-tracks on this CD feature titles such as "You're Nothing But A Piece of Shit", "I like Shit", "Garbage Dump", and "Devil On The Block". You can check out the band by going to their website at www.gardyloo.50megs.com. The sound is heavy metal with clean and screamin' vocals.

THE GREAT KAT- "Guitar Goddess" Well, this is definitely interesting and original. Speed metal mixed with classical metal and blood. Sometimes it is classical speed metal, other times it gives you screams, and yet it manages to leaves that musical death horror feeling in you. She is quite talented and knows her shit. This CD is a mere 8 minutes long and contains just 4 songs, but due to the music's speed, it is enough to satisfy the craving for something different. Check it out.... Here is her website: The Great Kat

THE GREAT KAT- "Digital Beethoven On Cyberspeed" CD-ROM/ CD This is a CD-ROM with a bunch of Great Kat info and pictures on it. But, it can also be played in the ordinary CD player. As a Great Kat fan, I love this CD. The classical speed metal queen continues to crush skulls with her music. But, from what I have experienced so far, you either like The Great Kat a lot or not at all. All I have to say about it is that if you like heavy screaming, growly kick ass music, you should invest in a Great Kat CD (she has quite a few out).

GRYN- "Our New Earth" First thing I noticed is the professional sounding recording. The music is pure aggressive heavy metal. With noticeable influences of Pantera and Machine Head, GRYN's "Our New Earth" is enough to give the average headbanger brain damage from the catchy riffs and killer music. You can check them out at www.gryncore.com

THE HAUNTED- self titled (Earache Records) Heavy thrash metal with a ton of cool thrashing riffs. Mixed in is some Iron Maiden influenced riffs. The vocals fit with the music. Overall, cool CD. I can definitely headbang to this. It can be hard to tell the difference between the songs though, but I guess that is because the vocalist uses the same speed of vocals and same sound for every song. Whatever happened to variation?

HELLION- "Up From The Depths" This album contains music that was recorded in the early and mid-'80's. It is pretty good music, but it is eighties metal and I am more for the new sounding music. From what I hear, the CD is mainly a promotion for the label NEW RENAISSANCE RECORDS. The label was once a label, it disappeared for awhile, and now it is back!

IN AETERNUM- "Forever Blasphemy" (Necropolis Records) Definitely a black metal band. I like the vocals a lot. Kinda reminds me of Carcass a little bit and kind of like the heavier vocals of Moonspell. The music is great and theatrical. This band really gets my adrenalin flowing.

INSURECT- "Demo 2000" Heavy aggressive music with a resemblance of Slayer. Sounds good. I would rate this as an average old school metal band. I'm not fond of the clean vocals though. Everything else is good.

LIQUID VIOLENCE-(Self-titled) This band has a very cool sound to it. I can almost compare the sound to old Sepultura. I'm loving it. It's cool to here some low growling vocals and crunching guitar riffs that I can mosh to. The musicians sound talented. The only thing about the CD that doesn't attract me is the length of the songs. I like longer songs but these are about three of four minutes long. That's long enough to get a mosh going though!!

LOW TWELVE- "Kill Floor" An excellent CD for any fan of brutality. The music of LOW TWELVE has noticeable influences of Sepultura and several other brutal heavy headbanging bands. The music definitely has crunch to it. Most of it is catchy while every now and then they like to wander off into a metal warpzone. Excellent band to see live. Check them out, they will definitely go somewhere! The LOW TWELVE site can be found at www.lowtwelve.com

MINE- (self-titled) 4-song demo... This band is full of talent. Definite influences of Iron Maiden and Dream Theatre are evident in Mine's music. All instruments are blended together impressively and the guitars are intense. I understand they are currently working on more songs and more mind-warped music. I'm looking forward to checking them out. They have an excellent live show. www.minemusic.net

MORTICIAN- "Zombie Apocalypse" (Relapse Records) From word of mouth I hear that when it comes to Mortician people either really get into the music or they just plain hate it. My evaluation is the music is very cool and everything on this 10-song album is well produced, but I don't like listening to this CD because these kind of vocals bore me to death. The growling is so slurred most of the words sound the same, and it sounds like the microphone is too close to his mouth. This CD is for people who are already Mortician fans. But hey, the CD cover art is killer!

NANOCHRIST- "Corrode" NANOCHRIST's third CD, "Corrode" is a feast for those who crave music that isn't the same sound over and over again. Throughout most of the CD you'll depict broken-up crunchy guitar sounds with electronic drumming and synthesizers. Some songs have an industrial sound to them while others are filled with rhythm and time changes. The vocals range from basic industrial style vocals to screaming pissed-off vocals. This is a good CD for those who are interested. For more info, go to www.nanochrist.com for more info.

NETHEREALM- "Dark Winds Of Asuras" This is a black metal from Singapore. The ad for this 4 song demo describes this music as "hymns of utter blackness and diabolical beauty...." That is a lot better description than what I could come up with. The only thing that I must ad to that is that this music isn't predictable (which is very cool). The music is pretty much brutal but other clean guitaring is added in here and there to make it sound really cool. Pretty cool for a debut demo..... Netherealm c/o Winston; 19 Ellington Square; S(568930) Singapore

NILE- "Ramses Bringer Of War" The Death Metal Music Association (DMMA) describes this band as Egyptian death metal. Well, if this is what Egyptian death metal is, then Egyptian death metal is damn cool. This music is very much like death metal yet it casts uniqueness and (an unexplainable) strangeness at the same time. This is not the ordinary death metal band. This music tends to play with your mind with it's extreme arrangement of music, growls, screams, and various sounds. Very cool. Check it out! Nile; PO BOX 6062; Greenville, SC 29606-6062 USA or e-mail them

NOVEMBER'S DOOM- "The Knowing" (Dark Symphonies) As stated by Mark Gromen of Metal Maniacs Magazine, this band sounds like a "collaboration between the British Big 3 (Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Anathema)...." This CD is artwork, creativity, and passion. The music is powerful, expressive, and full of doom. You can check November's Doom out at www.november'sdoom.com

POWER SYMPHONY- "Evillot" (Northwind Records) This is an interesting CD. The sound has the European "Iron Maiden" sound to it. But Power Symphony adds their own theatrical twist to it. The female vocals also make this CD appealing to me. Cool. Northwind Records; P.O. Box 157; Tortona (AL) Italy.

PROJECT .44- "Look Me In The Eye" (Abyss Records) This band has some coolness to it. It is like a mixture of melodic funkiness and heavy thrash. The funky bass lines are the high point of the band. The vocals at times remind me of Ministry. This music is parts of industrial/ heavy metal/ and funk fused together. Just buy the CD. It's cool and you love it.

PROFANE- "The Spills of Burglaratic Victory" This is the 2nd full-length by this progressive/ power metal 4-piece. With their first album "1001 Proof" often being compared to the sounds of Pantera, this disc pulls away from the comparison and establishes a new heavier sound that can only be know as "Profane". This CD is cool. Every song is very well written. Check them out. Profane; W2643 Buchanan Rd.; Appleton, WI 54915 USA Check out their website at www.profaneband.com or check out a couple MP3 soundfiles of their newest songs at www.MP3.com/profane1

REDEFINE THE ROCKSTAR- Compilation Vol. 4 (3:16 Productions) When I first put in RTR Vol. 4 I though it would be the heaviest bunch of unsigned bands ever assembled on one CD. The first song by SCRAPE, is a solid punch in the fuckface for even the deathliest of metal fans. As in, it's far heavier than anything on those "heavy" radio stations. After the first number, I found there are many types of music in this collection. Some notables are LUXURY and SOULSHED, whom are both very solid and have good production, but for something a little shorter-winded check out YELLOW TEETH or, even though a bit long-winded, 84 DIGITS. Both are deece and will probably get better as they get older. TED BUNDYS is worth a listen, and MYLAR seems to be a girl band (show me your tits). There are a couple of "serious" tracks by seemingly solo artists who could use a listen to 505 and realize one doesn't have to take one's self so seriously. The other killer tune is by STATIONS. These guys rock and if they read this, they should send a disc to Adrenalin "zine for me. I'm fuckin' serious.

THE RETURN- (self-titled) THE RETURN has a sound that is reminiscent of bands like D.R.I., Pantera, and Nuclear Assult. The production is a little tinny but if you like any of the above bands, I'd recommend it. Killer lyrics (HA HA HA). I'm out.

ROADSAW- "Nationwide" (MIA Records) Here is a heavy rock/metal band with a distinguishable cathedral sound to them. The guitar solos are cool, the music is heavy and after a couple listens to the CD, I have decided that this CD is a good addition to my collection. Check them out.

RUDRA- self-titled (Abyss Records) This band is from Singapore. In several parts of the CD they have some classical Indian music. The rest of the band's music though is death/thrash with death vocals. The guitars in the music stand out, mainly because some riffs kind of spiral like the Indian music. The band is excellent overall and talented. I'm sure that I will hear more of them in the future (which is good).

SINKHOLE- "Ceast To Exist" Hardcore chaos....that's what this band is. This band can be compared to the older styles of death metal. Yet, they could also be compared to the newer styles of metal. Either way, SINKHOLE deserves recognition for the unique flavor that the distorted turntables and guitars add to the music. The album is well produced and is sure to keep people from considering SINKHOLE as "just another band". Check them out at www.sinkhole.com

SIV- (self-titled) 3-song demo... This is a metal band with a heavy crunching metal/doom sound and screaming female vocals. The music is cool and the vocals are good. There is potential present in their music and hopefully there will be a killer full-length album in the future.

SOIL- "El Chupacabra" (MIA Records) I know somebody will probably shoot me for saying this but the vocal style on this MCD kinda reminds me of Danzig. The music is heavy, power, rock. It's cool and I look forward to hearing more from these guys. A full-length was due to be released March '99, but I haven't gotten a hold of a copy yet. So, I'll keep you updated. Meanwhile, if you wanna rock and head bang, check these guys out.

SOILENT GREEN- "A String Of Lies" (Relapse Records) This is a 3-song EP. The music is a grindcore style of deathmetal. It is very cool and also seems to be a favorite among my friends. This 5-piece band has some good creativity going for them and their future looks killer. Vocalist, Ben Falgoust, does an excellent job screaming out the vocals. Everything seems to fit together real good. I suggest adding this to your CD collection if you are looking for some intense grindcore death metal.

SOMBER BLESSINGS- "The Winds Of The Earth" Well, this is one of the best demo's of the underground that I have heard so far. I like the heaviness to some of the songs and vocals. I also like the female vocals and violins that show up now and then. For being a cassette the sound quality is pretty good. Overall, this doom/death metal band had definitely got me impressed. Somber Blessings c/o Scott Randall; 10 Lakeview Ave.; Danvers, MA 01932 USA or e-mail them

THE STOKENS- "Swig 180" This band was formerly known as CRADLEWAVE. This is their first CD as THE STOKENS. It is cool, catchy, and original. Some songs are a heavy alternative and other songs touch the groove, funk, mellow, and lighter side of things. I like it. Good production. It contains 12 regular tracks plus 5 hidden tracks for a total of 74 minutes of music. The Stokens c/o Pat Yagadinski; 309 6th Street; Casco, WI 54205 USA or e-mail them

STRANGELUST- "Slave To None" (5-song CDR) To me, the music is similar to "old school" metal. Power metal is more what I'd consider it to be though. The vocals remind me of a cross between older Megadeth and maybe a little older Anthrax. But that's just my brain's view on it. I'll let you be the judge. Overall the band is cool (but not quite modern enough for me). Check them out if the seem interesting to you. They have potential. E-mail them at strangelust@aol.com or check them out at http://members.aol.com/strangelust

STRATOVARIUS- "Destiny" (Noise Records) A band from Finland with some cool backup ambient singing at times. Mostly the music is a combination of Iron Maiden and Dream Theatre. I like the music but the vocals remind me too much of Bruce Dickinson. This CD is good for some, but not for me.

SUBSTANCE D- "Black" (F.A.D. RECORDS) Very heavy music with catchy riffs. All the instruments blend together to create this killer heavy sound. Vocals are basic for a power metal band (yet they are still cool). This band could really go places if given the chance. To give you an idea of their sound, I would say that they sound like old Anthrax (only with more modern recordings of course). Definitely check these guys out if you get a chance.

TARTORUS- "The Grand Psychotic Castle" (Necropolis Records) Eerie black metal. with a taste of terror to it. Or as the back of the Promo CD puts it, “musical labyrinth of eerie soundscapes.” The first time I listened to it quickly and wasn’t all too impressed. But now that I listen to it in entirety, I like it a lot more. The vocals jump from chant to screaming to horror evil voice. Cool.

TON- "Plaque" This is a CD filled with pure brutality and deathly growls. It's heavy with speed metal drumming. A lot of energy and a lot of body movement will result from each song. A good CD for fans of total chaos and deep growls.

TOO BAD- "Lay the Smack Down" Some people might really get into the music. I personally think the music is OK for rock 'n' roll or metal. But I can't stand the vocals. Check them out if you are looking for a band that needs help. I hate to totally trash a band like this because some of the guitaring is heavy but it's just "Too Bad" that you guys suck. The End. TOO BAD MUTHAS; P.O. Box 5172; Palm Harbor, FL 34684

USURPER- "Usurper II: Skeletal Season" (Necropolis Records) I have heard that this band is good and worth listening too. The rumors are true but some of the music is basic (it is hard not to be) for a black metal band. Crunching speedy riffs with screamy growling vocals. If you like black metal, you'll like this band.

WAR- "We Are War" (Necropolis Records) Thrashy black metal with some speedy super short guitar solos included in a couple songs. This band has a very commanding deep sound to them. I like it. I wish my "black metal" lingo was more advanced (since I'm a fan of it) but I guess I'll just do my best. Anyway, these guys rule. Check them out!!

WINDELL GREENE- "LOVE AND PEACE WONT WORK THIS TIME" Windell Greene has an alternative punk metal attitude that can go from "Save The Music" to the heavier "Evil Thoughts" and "Seed Seance". Some may be a little slow, while others are the opposite. 14 tracks of quality alternative/punk. I like it. They are a killer band to see play live also. You can check out some MP3 soundfiles of their songs at www.MP3.com/windellgreene and check out their website at www.windellgreene.com!

WITCHERY- "Restless & Dead" (Necropolis Records) Hmmmm.....listening to this CD makes my body fill with a lot of adrenalin and want to go thrashing and mosh around my apartment. I would love to check them out live sometime. The CD contains 10 heavy fast metal songs with eerie screaming vocals (that reminds me a little of Carcass). Cool CD, check it out.

Adrenalin 'Zine
c/o Mike Burmeister
PO Box 296
Waunakee, WI 53597 USA