ABRUPTUM - Evil Genius CD review

ABRUPTUM - Evil Genius CD

True story, I was playing this CD at work during Metal Monday Nights. It was after 11 PM so that's when I allow all HELL to break loose as far as the musical selections go. So I was locking up the front door when I saw a woman outside at the bus stop. It was cold that night so I opened up the door and shoutedout to her, asking if she would like to wait for the bus inside the bar. Well she was all happy about that so she came inside and waited by the window. Now I remind you that this CD was playing at the time. ABRUPTUM were a Swedish Black
Metal band from the 90s that even MAYHEM's Euronymous thought was pure fuckin evil. And let me add this important fact, the lady waiting for the bus was this big fat black woman.

Now I went into the kitchen to tell my friend Chris, the bartender, that I let this woman inside because it was cold outside. And as I turned to go back outside to the bar I just started laughing my ass off. I turned to Chris and reminded him of the music which was playing. Then he started laughing and after a minute or two I finally went back outside. So I see that the woman is gone. I figured she saw her bus coming and left. But when I looked out, there she was standing in the street. So from that point on I just yelled to Chris, telling him what was going on with this woman. Yes she was in the street and a bus did come. she practically ran out in front of it to flag it down. Hey I doubt it was the bus she even
wanted. She probably wanted any bus just to get her away from the "Devil Bar". Oh yeah, I bet she was telling the driver to stop at a church, any church even a catholic church just to get the devil off of her.

Yeah well ABRUPTUM will do that to the weak ones. This here CD is a compilation of their ABRUPTUM-90:"Hextum Galaem Zeloq" and "The Satanist Tunes" cassette only releases and their 7"er "Evil", plus "De Profundis Mors Vas Consumet" their tribute to Euronymous.All of which were done from 1990 and 91. Yes we are talking about some of the worst Radio Shack quality recorded filth and hatred ever put out to the masses. While their brethren in Norway were actually creating Black Metal music, ABRUPTUM (aka: IT and ALL, later replaced by EVIL) were into a more avant garde/ambient sound that was plodding destructively. As far as it being
considered "ambient" by today's standards, maybe you should ask that black woman who ran out scared for her immortal soul. I'm serious, this is not for all of you weak teenagers who think wearing corpses paint and running around your basement screaming "Hail Satan" when your parents are not at home.

This CD is pure evil to say the least. While I know there will be people reviewing this, trying to describe something they have no earthly clue about. "What genre should pure evil be put in?" I'm pretty sure the evil dwarf and his co-conspirator wanted nothing more then to piss people off. Which is why I like playing this to unsuspecting listeners. You should too!!!!!
Southern Lord Records

NIGHTWISH - Dark Passion Play CD Review

NIGHTWISH - Dark Passion Play CD
Since the canning of their former vocalist, Tarja Turunen, NIGHTWISH were of a questionable status as to what future they would have after the operatic one packed her bags and left. For all of you Tarja fans don't worry. Rumor has it that Tarja and former GATHERING vocalist, Anneke van Giersbergen, have planned a tour of their own. Although REVOLVER magazine won't be sponsoring this "hottest chicks in metal tour". I've heard that the tentative tour billing will be "Hot Scandinavian Divas in Blackest Africa Tour". The first date in supposed to be in the capital of Kenya.

Now be that as it may, Anette Olzon, from Sweden has taken over vocal duties for this Finnish Gothic/Progressive force. A new era for them has begun. Will their old fans accept the new NIGHTWISH on this their sixth full length? My guess after listening to this for a few weeks is an astounding YES! This CD opens with "The Poet and the Pendulum", here is where we get the full effect of Anette Olzon in operatic form. As if she is calling out from a snow swept valley. But then a more pop metal pours out from the speakers and it's here that we hear Anette Olzon at her best. She has a more traditional voice, not so avant garde as the one she replaced. That's a good thing. Unfortunately the opening 13 plus minute opus is not the best way to shine on her. Maybe if you're trying to prove you made the right choice for a replacement.

"Bye Bye Beautiful" should've been the opening cut especially since Anette Olzon duels vocals with guitarist/vocalist, Marco Hietala. The pair work well together on this cut. But it's on "Amaranth" where Anette Olzon really stands out among others within this genre. And pushes NIGHTWISH into a different musical direction. Like all of these Gothic/Progressive Euro bands, they need something more than symphonic arrangements, bombastic production, and melodic choruses to break through to US audiences. "Amaranth" is the hit cut on here to do that and appeal to a broader audience. On the other hand "Master Passion Greed" is the most heaviest thing this band ever attempted. Hey new blood in the band gives us some balls? "Sahara" is a blast of Gothic energy that harkens back to their old days. But "Whoever Brings the Night"enters a realm in which Anette Olzon shines as vixen on the opening lyrics and then shines on like an angelic being during the chorus. Which is followed by their next commercial hit "For the Heart I once Had". Yeah they'll win the Finnish Grammys for that one.
A few of the bottom CD cuts are pure folk with "Last of the Wilds" being the killer track, an instrumental. But in the end here we are given the last gasps of songwriting for the past diva who is far gone. Anette Olzon doesn't need to prove her vocal talents here at the end.Like I said in the beginning, the new NIGHTWISH era is upon us. But give this lady her due, she can sing!

Roadrunner Records

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com
http://www.nightwish.com