CD REVIEWS M-O

CD REVIEWS- M

• MACTATUS-*Provenance of Cruelty* (Napalm)-Black metal/dark metal cliches are all over this CD. The lead singer's name is Hate. Songs about Satan like 'Draped in Shadows of Satan's Pride', and 'King of the Darkside'. All the band members wearing corpse paint that makes them look like evil mimes and dressed head to toe in black with those spike armbands like Slayer had in the mid 80s. And of course it was recorded in Norway (doesn't say where the band is from but I am guessing Norway). But all that aside, the album is decent. Dark metal riffs and screaming remiscent of the Norwegian dark sound. Some of it starts to sound like every other underground band from that region at times but overall this is a good CD worth checking out. Napalm Records America, P.O. Box 382, Bremerton, WA 98337-Chris Lee
• MAELSTROM-*Dangerously Agitated*- MAELSTROM combine 90s thrash/death metal like SIX FEET UNDER, and PANTERA with 80s thrash like FORBIDDEN, DEATH ANGEL, METALLICA, and TESTAMENT to produce a slammin' CD that deserves national attention. Thrash metal guitar riffs, double bass drums in a thunderous rhythm section, speed metal guitar solos, and a growling 90s era Chuck Billy style vocalist all make up the intensity of MAELSTROM. This CD crushes from beginning to end and is one that I highly recommend. Contact address-2694 Devilsbackbone Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45233-Chris Lee

CD REVIEWS- N

CD REVIEWS- O

• OCTOBER 31-*Meet Thy Maker* (Metal Blade)-The followup to OCTOBER 31's classic debut , *The Fire Awaits You*, comes at the listener with the same hard hitting classic metal found on the debut. Influences like SAXON, JUDAS PRIEST, MERCYFUL FATE, and ACCEPT shine through proudly yet never mirror the original. This band is destined for underground greatness (and mainstream greatness if the pop culture ever wises up, decides to pull themselves away from the LIMP BIZKIT crap that graces our society [as long as their friends think it's cool] , and checks these guys out!). Fans of classic metal should pick this album up immediately and PLAY IT LOUD, PLAY IT PROUD! Metal Blade Records, 2828 Cochran St. PMB 302, Simi Valley, CA 93065-2793.-Chris Lee