Metal Thrashing Mad – Crematory vs. Ektomorf vs. Battleaxe

Metal Thrashing Mad – Crematory vs. Ektomorf vs. Battleaxe
CREMATORY
Antiserum
Steamhammer / SPV

And let’s kick things off with the latest from Germany’s premier goth metal band, Crematory. Or at least they used to be. See, this eleventh album continues down the same road they’ve been travelling since “Revolution”, way back in 2004, when they started to fully mutate into an industrial rock band.

In fact they’ve went so far as to collaborate with Elmar Schmidt of German EBM act Centhron. So bear that in mind if you’re as old as me, and remember Crematory from ye olde days. So what you get hear are lots of driving electro beats and a diminishing number of metal riffs. There are some good tunes here, if you’re looking for some poppy Rammstein, and the likes of ‘Inside Your Eyes’ and ‘Shadowmaker’ certainly hit all the marks. But they’ve moved a long way away from the metal.

In its genre, “Antiserum” is near the top of the pile. But that genre is now pretty much full on industrial, so approach with caution. And a hi-vis vest.

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EKTOMORF
Retribution
AFM

Oof! Now that’s metal! Twenty years on from their formation in, deep breath, Mezökovacsháza, Hungary, Ektomorf just seem to keep getting angrier. Well done.

They’re still offering up a mix of thrash and nu-metal influenced riffs, with ‘Numb And Sick’ even bringing in Ill Niño vocalist Cristian Machado as a guest vocalist, and it’s an early candidate for metal tune of the year. Not that you’ll be able to hear them, but the lyrics are still full of rage at the injustices of the world, with down tuned guitars to the fore.

There is a lot of growling taking place on the full metal assaults that are ‘You Can’t Control Me’, ‘Ten Plagues’, and the potty mouthed ‘Who The Fuck Are You’. Interestingly enough, it’s when they reach out of their comfort zone and do some experimenting that they really peak. And that’s the lengthy ‘Whisper’, which has a fantastic arrangement.

They end up with a ballad, but this one for people who really enjoy some metal up their ass.

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BATTLEAXE
Heavy Metal Sanctuary
Steamhammer / SPV

Aiiiieee! Burn This Town! Me, I saw Battleaxe support Saxon on the latters “Crusader” tour. That’s how metal I am. However, I was surprised to learn that original members Dave King (vocals) and Brian Smith (bass) had put together a new Battleaxe and were releasing a follow up to their 1984 album “Power From The Universe”. They’ve even rereleased “Burn This Town”, albeit it in a shit new cover.

With former Tygers of Pan Tang guitarist Fred Purser manning the desk, it’s a full on NWOBHM fest, with new drummer Paul AT Kinson and guitarist Mick Percy along for the ride. And to be honest, not a lot has changed. Although the joys of modern recording means that things sound a lot bigger than they did back then.

As befits an album called “Heavy Metal Sanctuary”, it’s heavy metal mania all of the way with the title track, ‘Shock And Awe’, ‘Rebel With A Cause’ and ‘Too Hot For Hell’ as good as anything they put their name to back in the day. For sure, not everything hits the mark, but it’s a lot better than I expected.

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