NIFELHEIM
Envoy of Lucifer
(Regain)

MAGNET SCHOOL
Tonight!
(Arclight)

THE MORNINGSIDE
The Wind the Trees and the Shadows of the Past
(Bad Mood Man)

HORNA
Pimeyden Hehku/Sotahuuto
(Moribund Cult)

THRASHING LIKE A MANIAC
Thrash Metal Revival Compilation
(Earache)

VANCOUVER/ZATOKREV
Split EP 

(Get a Life!)

JARBOE-JUSTIN K 
BROADRICK
J2

(The End)

MORE REVIEWS

The Swiss label Get a Life! Is releasing this European split that finely presents two bands with a very modern sound; both of which have taken some of the same influences but have ended up with a result that is quite different. First up is Zatokrev who hail from Begej, Switzerland and have been bashing away since 2002 with the mission to deliver a ‘heavy load of dragging metal’.  Not being familiar with their previous 2004 self-titled debut nor with their 2006 full-length Bury the Ashes (Czar of Crickets Records) I’d gotta say that at least per the two cuts included here, they’ve accomplished just that. Because dragged metal this is.

“Out of Despair” is very fucking heavy, but at the same time is not built by way of typical metal riffs. Instead, its left of center spirit has much to do with the most corrosive post hardcore, where a smeared guitar palette is interspersed by a quick chugga chugga. The same could be said about the vocals; brutal, but raw, throaty and blistering. Their second cut “Pro Co” is more basic; pretty much a one-note mid tempo stomper of a clearly defined mood; pissed as hell.

Vancouver on the other hand and contrary to what the geography of their moniker might tell, also hail from Switzerland but call the city of Yverdon home.  Their music is definitely not as direct and has more nuances and layers. It stands at a middle point between atmospherics and a kick in the balls, which makes for a more interesting experience. “Love Made Automato” is quite impressive, with running guitars heading in opposite directions, escalating riffs that topple each other and a bass tone to kill for.

Vancouver has one 2004 album titled The Moment and another split with the Austrian hardcore experimental band Fresnel on its back. Whether that reveals more experience than Zatrokev or simply a more willing attitude to explore soundscapes I am no one to say. But the influences of both are clear, plenty of metal, plenty of hardcore (especially of the post kind) and an open mind.

Zatokrev Official Site

Zatokrev MySpace

Vancouver MySpace

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