Saturday, November 17, 2007

A somewhat Mini-Review on Visayan Extreme Underground Vol. 1





Hey nothingness...I'm BACK!!! (yeah, like, someone would care less)

Here's a somewhat mini-review of the CEMP: Visayan Extreme Underground Volume One CD which was sold and launch last Saturday's gig at Kasadja Parking Lot, Lahug Cebu.It is sold at a cheaply reasonable price of Php 80.00, now how cool is that. It was independently produced by the CEMP horde, meaning the normalizing of the audio output and compilation was done by Rico via PC software and Me and Pat did the burning of the CDs,if memory serves me about 80 units were produced and all are sold out as I write this entry. But alas, fret not my cyber friends, you can always contact Jerry (jyrdeath@yahoo.com) or Bawit (bawit_lopez@yahoo.com) and order a copy, they're such terribly nice fellows.

So, to start things off, I'm gonna review it by track because its a various original artist thingee, like you didn't noticed huh...

Track 1-Darkness Cometh 2007 by Agnas

Instant fave of mine (its my band, geez), heheheh,,joking aside. This version we did doesn't come way off from the original back in 1995 (me, mikmik, chuck and nel), its almost a replica or re-recording of an old tune. Same vocaling antics but less powerful than before (I'm getting old at the growling bit), a little updated drumming pattern here and there, a different guitar adlib(kenny can't replicate what Promil baby Mikmik did) and it was digitally recorded unlike the analog 8 track from the original. We were pressed for time and we have no original new material so we submitted this one. Its still a kicker.

Track 2-Dipsomaniac by Astarus

These guys go way back and this song also, theyre part of Cebu's old school death metal like my band is.Heck, Glen is originally from Signos, the pillar of death metal in Cebu. So, we can here from this track oldies but goodies formula of death metal music. Its a good listen. All the essential points covered from heavy guttural vocals to twin lead adlibs and pounding drum attack. Brutal yet nostalgic.

Track 3-Plaguebearer by Comatose

Comatose is the flag bearer of the 3rd wave of deathmetal here in Cebu and with this track it is validated fairly well. It was first released via there Plaguebearer E.P. last September if I'm not mistaken.The vocals reminded me of old Brutal Truth, which is a good thing. I don't know if Moloy or Randy did the vocals, I should soon ask. LD Lee's guitar work is as always superb complementing the drum grinds. The song is somewhat leaning still to old school death metal which I can really say is what the Cebu Scene is like.Unllike Cagayan (gore and grind), Iligan and Davao (Gore and Black Metal).

Track 4-Acolytes in the Altar of Madness by Cookie Monster

This band's reputation is well known here in the visayas and it is a treat that they are part of the compilation. Unfortunate, that they could not take part in the launching last Saturday. The track reminds me of old Hypocrisy with a black metal lace to it via the keyboards and some screechy vocals thrown in from time to time. Nice touch, I'm a black metal fan myself. And they did well in doing a hybrid, blackdeath metal.

Trach 5-Jackhammer Anal Penetration by Demise

Everytime these guys play at gigs, they always end up impressing me and this song is on top of things in the compilation.They come off as Cebu's answer to Cannibal Corpse and they really know how to play theyre craft. Breakneck speed, quick, short and precise, heavy as hell. Can't wait for these guys full release. I'm a fan, can you blame me. hehehe..

Track 6-Demons Creatures by Diskomonyon

Well, I don't know these guys personally and I think I haven't seen how they play live (last Saturday they were the last ones to play at 3:00 A.M. and I already left). This track is a fusion of deathmetal vocals with a little guitar metalcore groove and drumming. Downright heavy vocals. The guitars were kinda muddled by the other instruments though, heaviness not totally achieved. Well, thats just one of those recording gripes. Its still a decent effort. A good listen too.

Track 7-Chronos by Imperial Resistance

Its black metal, as far as I know. Kinda like Darkthrone.Screechy vocals, razor sharp guitars.Its a nice addition to this compilation which consist mostly of death metal tracks. The band hails both from Cebu and Iloilo(and yes you already know that from the back cover of the CD).I haven't seen there set yet live.

Track 8-Brutal Display of Violence by Impostura

MOTHERFUCKER!!! The intro keeps popping thru my head. Really cool track. Nice recording too. Unfortunate also that I wasn't able to see there set last time. They said it was killer. I really like this track, next to track 5. Brutal indeed.

Track 9-Genocide, Fucking Genocide by Irathus

One man band mystery from Iloilo.Black metal to the bone. If you like your metal black, then this one hits it point blank.I wonder how he pulled it all off.This man must be some kinda Promil Baby like Mik-mik. As Bawit told me, Irathus identity is shrouded, he only communicates via email. It would've been cool to get to see this metal virtuoso.

Track 10-Sultera by Kasakit

Cebu's answer to Sepultura. With matching percussions and tribal drumming. Fronted by Enjun, deathmetal posterboy of Cebu who barks and wails like no tomorrow. They're brand of metal is always appreciated during gigs. Theyre a crowd favorite like Comatose and Demise attracting lots of headbangers. By the way there bassist is one cool chick.

Track 11-Souls of the Dead by Mystery ov Death

The heaviest deathmetal vocalist to date in Elmer's (Orom frontman) absence. Guttural like Incantation, like listening to it underground, literally listening to underground music.heheheeh.Kudos to the ever popular Eugene "Happy Birthday".

Track 12-Particles of Hate by Natal Cleft

If you like listening to Chimera or God Forbid or even Hatebreed type of metal then this band is for you. Metalcore. They're a band to take note. One of the bands to make the Cebu Metal Scene diverse. A good addition to this compilation, truly.

Track 13-Slayer's Day by Postmortem

This track is in the vein of trash metal. I've seen there set last time and their guitarist was so into his guitar that in almost all parts without vocals he made a guitar solo. Almost like guitar masturbation, maybe he forgot that he has a bassist and a drummer. I'm not complaining, I just don't get it. heheheh..

Track 14-Legions of Mayhem by Servorum (formerly Onslaughter)

They hail from Bacolod.The original track submitted was so muddled but Rico patch things up and this track is more palpable than the original E.P. release that they did. Pure brutal aggression in every note here especially the drum parts. Unfortunate also that they could not make it last time in the gig. It would have been cool to see them live again with matching black metal like outfits i.e. spikes, inverted cross, fake blood and a little make up.

Track 15-Shadows of the Past by Signos (defunct)

Signos is synonymous with Cebu Deathmetal Scene in the early and late nineties and there names are uttered as legends here. It is befitting to include this track which was released way back in the nineties as a tribute to them, the ones that started it all, the first wave of death metal in Cebu. Sodom Gonzalez and his horde. Shadows of the Past is to a certain point anthemic and all the elements of a great deathmetal tune are present here, its a classic, nuff said.

Track 16-Duel With the Devil by Stallions of the Burning Church

They're Cebu's answer to Iron Maiden and Dream Theater. A band to take notice. There set is by far the coolest to experience. They get better and better everytime. Progressive Metal in this part of the world. A great addition to the Cebu Metal Scene.

Track 17-Reflections by Weeping Candle

The metal masters of Bohol.The submitted track was really muddled and way to low that Rico had to enhance it via PC as much as he could muster. Its as if they recorded it live on tape. But all in all, its a great addition to the compilation making it a true visayan one all points covered.

Track 18-Hopeless by Zantilmo

Finally, the last track is from Zantilmo, one of the bands to emerge from the second wave of deathmetal here in Cebu. They're one of the old school and what is old school is cool to these jaded ears. Last Saturday's gig they played as Kundinado and not Zantilmo but still in the same vien and hope (no pun intended) Zantilmo will be back on the live set soon.

WEll, I think thats about it. Forgive my amatuerish review of sorts. Go and grad a copy and experience it for yourselves and support the Cebu Metal Scene. \m/ \m/


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