404 NOT FOUND – Armless Although the promo sheet tries to place 404 NOT FOUND somewhere between the “borders of Hard-rock and Heavy-psychedelia,” the Italian band’s efforts unfortunately fall into the realm of weak soul/funk instead. This may be due to the mellowing effects of age; half of the band were founding members of “historical 70s metal band VANEXA.” And in fact it’s not difficult to picture the band playing a small club where badly-dressed over-the-hill swingers bump about on the dance floor. “One Minute More” tries for a spot of Zeppelin heaviness but candies out in a limp interlude, “Rolling In the Sky” is pure Santana-style hippie shit, and it all comes to a close with spacey instrumental “Native.” But it doesn’t come to a close nearly quickly enough. * Beard of Stars Records – www.vinylmagic3.it – Via G.C. Abba 9R, 17100 Savona, Italy

	AARNI – Bathos “Chthonic Hybrid Musick” from Oulu; atmospheric and darkly melodic instrumentals supporting medieval incantations that build a solemn and majestic tone with more than a touch of Latin/Italian goth to it. The blending of influence and instrumentation (listen to the Middle Eastern/metal mix of “Nivt Net Meru”) gives these leisurely-paced compositions something of an epic quality (particularly the battlefield dusk of the closing “Kesayo”), a facet that the length of the tracks (generally running 6-12 minutes) reinforces. But it’s not without its lighter, dreamier, more meditative moments such as “Mental Fugue.” Rich, intriguing and occult. * * * * Firedoom Music – www.firebox.fi – Teollisuustie 19, 60100 Seinajoki, Finland

	ABIKU – Location I wasn’t at all sure what to expect from Abiku. The Japanese-sounding name, the colorful claymation-like characters adorning the package; was this going to be something like a combination of Melt Banana and Josh Simmons’ HAPPY? Whatever I was thinking I wasn’t prepared for the musical tantrum that broke when this thing opened up. Over a drum machine and keyboard a fit of screaming erupted, subsiding only occasionally into tempered singing before winding up again. In short, the kind of thing that gets redundant very quickly. So quickly in fact that I didn’t make it halfway through the album. And so another coaster is born… * Automation Records – www.automationrecords.com

	ABSCESS – Damned and Mummified Wickedly sick-assed stoner grind with some brilliant ultra-heavy grooves that make this a head-ripping good time. The band’s hearts are in the right dark places with bile-dripping tracks like the opening “Through the Trash Darkly,” “Swallow the Venom” and “Twilight Bleeds,” throughout the entire album performing an accomplished blend of metal styles into one hellish underground party. A viciously good time, Abscess would fit a perfect double bill with Hellblock 6. * * * * Red Stream Inc. – www.redstream.org – P.O. Box 196242, Winter Springs, FL, 32719-6242

	ALL MY FAITH LOST... – As You're Vanishing In Silence Prettily somber and sadly sweet, there’s an alluringly haunted, drifting quality to the music of All My Faith Lost… Propelled by acoustic strings and keys, and the hushed vocals both male and female, these tracks of love and loss are almost subliminal in their expression of glorious mourning. Perfect rainy day music. * * * Cold Meat Industry – www.coldmeat.se – Villa Eko, 595 42 Mjolby, Sweden

	ALL TOMORROW'S PARTY – Yoo Doo Right, Yoo Doo Slide Opening up with the blissful echoes of the lengthy feel-allright jam of “Sympathy for the Junkies,” Japanese timewarp All Tomorrow’s Party bring the overindulgence of the Seventies swelling forward into the clubs of the 21st century with their combination of drug-inspired rock and the roll of high production values and effects. Fuzz, distortion and drone are the key components here, supporting a contraband-fueled lift-off of guitars and percussion on top of which floats the subdued Vicodin murmur of the vocals. All are layered together so thickly that they simultaneously create and defy their own gravity, creating a rich atmosphere unique unto itself. The deep Cooder-inspired Southern swamp groove of “Fever” is particularly arresting, as is the rise and fall of love’s bad trip “As Tears Go By.” Good times, good times – just the right soundtrack for that time of the evening when you’re taking the patio party inside. * * * * Alive Records – www.alive-totalenergy.com – P.O. Box 7112, Burbank, CA  91510

	ANTiSEEN – Badwill Ambassadors You know what you’re in for when the Cosmic Commander of Wrestling introduces an album – a heaping stack of sonic harassment aimed as much at kicking your ass as stimulating your senses. Anyone in the least familiar with ANTiSEEN will immediately recognize that the band is in their fighting prime here, evidenced by the boldly locomotive “Alpha Male” and “Scapegoat,” the awesome carelessness of “F.T.K.,” “Ten Pounds of Shit In a Five Pound Bag,” the definitive ode to Abdullah the Butcher “Dear Abby,” the definitive ode to the war on terrorism “Pledge Allegiance to the Bomb,” the outlaw country “Q-Pid”… even “The Dean of Sods Returns!” Easily the band’s best recording since Here to Ruin Your Groove, this is Southern-fried hatred at its hardcore finest. * * * * TKO Records – www.tkorecords.com – 8941 Atlanta Ave. #505, Huntington Beach, CA, 92646

	ASMEGIN – Hin Vordende Sod Og So From the halls of Odin and (if the wickedly happy mushroom-laden cover art is any indication) the cauldrons of Norwegian shamen comes the most skilled and unusual Asmegin. With an incredible combination of uber-gruff subterranean vocals joined together with black metal shrieks, ancestral choirs, and angelic female harmonies, all laid out alongside majestic rhythms filled out by stout drumwork, classical violin, and the strongest of metal, Asmegin easily lives up to their billing as a folk metal band. And not at all in a weak and wispy fairytale way either; the lighter interludes are surrounded by classically victorious heavy metal rampages (or maybe they’re just really really vigorous drinking songs), and although I have no idea what they are about, tracks like “Af Helvegum,” “Over Aegirs Vidstragte Sletter,” and “Op af Bisterlitiernet” are truly stirring, while the lengthy and imposing final trilogy “Vargr I Veum,” “Blodhevn,” and “Valgalder” comprises the very peak of a brilliant album. Hey, where’s the Jaegermeister and amanita muscaria? * * * * * Napalm Records - www.napalmrecords.com - P.O. Box 1983, Port Townsend, WA, 98368

	ATRIUM CARCERI – Cellblock Quiet, subdued, yet haunting little soundscapes from the Simon Heath asylum. Although each of these twelve tracks seems more like a fragment or a glimpse into the darkness of Atrium Carceri than a complete piece, together they jigsaw into a goosebumping soundtrack. Whispering echoes, cautious footfalls, and muted voices sweep through the darkened halls of Cellblock, along with the occasional feral sound of an animal or invalid who has returned to take up refuge in this damaged nest. Abuses of long ago are recalled and relived, as broken restraints click and clatter and something moving in a sack is dragged through fallen corridors, past boarded-up rooms where unspeakable acts might still be occurring. (All coming back to life and taking place in the middle of the night, of course.) All the while hushed electronic tones are lending an atmosphere of subtle menace to the entire exploration, manufacturing an understated ambiance that very capably creates an impression of abandonment while at the same time building a hesitant apprehension of what may break through the barrier of bad memories and dreams being resurrected here. Each time I’ve listened to it, Cellblock has brought the film Session 9 very forcibly to mind, and if you enjoyed the film you will no doubt appreciate this recording. * * * Cold Meat Industry - www.coldmeat.se

	ATRIUM CARCERI – Kapnobatai The saga of the Kapnobatai (“those who walk in smoke”) is here conjured in an otherworldly exposition of industrial ambiance via Atrium Carceri’s intimate understanding of the darker recesses of musical imagination. Sort of – although the subtle resonance of alien influence may guide these occult vibrations, which flow into one another seamlessly from start to finish, measured and minimalist as they are these tracks seem meant to be more meditative than engaging. A sprinkling of diabolic vocals adds little to the unfolding of some shadowy storyline, with much of the performance limping along in uniform fashion. Not Atrium Cerceri’s best work, but those looking for a little science fiction atmosphere might want to give it a try. * * Cold Meat Industry – www.coldmeat.se – Villa Eko, 595 42 Mjolby, Sweden

	AZRAEL – Into Shadows Act II: Through Horned Shadows Glimpse Beginning on a mild atmospheric note, the heavy bass of Into Shadows Act II provides a premonition that there’s to be much more to this program than a gentle soundtrack journey through the aether. And that’s when the death-rattling vocals come screaming in. Although referred to as “free-form black metal” Azrael’s sound is more along the lines of their fine European contemporaries than some overly experimental jazz reduction of pure black metal; with a dark metal mindset and the basics of a two-man guitar/vocals bass/drums line-up, Azrael produces an impressive stream of music that ranges from blissful cosmic drift to full-bore madness, at times achieving a deliberately frantic demented grace that can be both elemental and orchestral. And while there is a fair amount of clatter and shudder certain beautifully riveting passages overshadow these stereotypical insertions, carrying pristine instrumental qualities that separate the duo from the metal herd as far as creating an eminently listenable album. If you’re searching for a voyage through aeons of imperial plagues and into the hearts of black stars, Through Horned Shadows Glimpse is very much worth your while. * * * * Moribund Records – www.moribundcult.com – 530-A 19th St., Port Townsend, WA, 98368

	BABYLAND – The Finger The efforts of this keyboard & drumpad/trash barrel-driven duo initially sounded a little too techno-disco for me, especially with the new wave vocal approach of a guy who sounds like a girl. (Kind of Robert Smithy actually, so Cure fans may dig this the most.) But it does kind of grow on you in a way, much the way the no-wave of The Lost Sounds does (despite all of the self-proclaimed “existential angst” at work here). “Nowadays” in particular is a quality number, and with the last disconnection of “LMYA” still ringing in my ears I have a feeling I’ll be playing this again. * * * Mattress Records – www.mattressrecords.com

	THE BAD VIBES – All the Right Ways to Do You Wrong Knocking out a rough C.o.S. sound with attitude to match, The Bad Vibes give ‘em off in spades here with “You’re My Fucking Problem,” “Ask Me How Much I Care,” “A Motherfucker Called Consequence,” “I Smell a Rat” and more. Mean punchy stuff, it all adds up to one 22-minute fight song. In a whiskey bottle. Filled with cigarette butts… * * * Steel Cage Records – www.steelcagerecords.com – P.O. Box 29247, Philadelphia, PA  19125

	BBQ – Tie Your Noose I had no idea what to expect from BBQ, so was most happily surprised to hear a live, yes live, one-man band who rode the line between the Fifties and Sixties all by himself. There’s an honestly retro swing, jangle and stomp to Tie Your Noose that’s more than faithful enough to lift this well above the quality of countless hack garage acts. But instead of bopping along squeaky clean-like there’s a definite Hasil Adkins edge here that makes it all the more dementedly appealing – think of a backwoods Buddy Holly with a couple of goofballs in him and you get the picture. The replayable “Don’t Hold Out On Me” would be equally at home on the soundtrack of Animal House or a homemade kidnapping video, and “Tie Your Noose” and “Burn This Town” are particularly crazed, but the entire album is an inspired performance. Bravo. * * * * Bomp Records – www.bomp.com – P.O. Box 7112, Burbank, CA, 91510

	BELPHEGOR – Lucifer Incestus A sick Satanic hellride that has FUCK THAT WEAK SHIT! written all over it. Lucifer Incestus opens up Hell Awaits-style with the twisted moans of the damned (although I doubt if you played them backward they’d say “JOIN US!”) over which a crushing onslaught of pure Austrian black metal is unleashed in a most mighty and unholy fashion. Whether pummeling the listener into submission through brute force or crafting darkly intricate symphonics, this underworld blitzkrieg screams with the bloody triumph of hellspawned fury. Sure there are blurs of speed-fueled redundancy, but tracks such as “Demonic Staccato Erection” that combine furor with savage grace, and the almost elegiac closer “Fleischrequiem 69,” show a range far wider and wield many more blades than Belphegor’s previous Necrodaemon Terrorsathan. Lucifer Incestus is a finer and more well-honed machine than that indeed, and one that satisfies on many blasphemous levels. (Including the cover art.) * * * Napalm Records – www.napalmrecords.com – P.O. Box 1983, Port Townsend, WA, 98368

	BETHLEHEM – Mein Weg This disc is so far from the early S.U.i.Z.i.D. that if it weren’t for the logo I’d be unsure if this was even the same band. The drugged goth-punk wailing of that schizophrenic era has been directed into a more cinematic industrial metal style, one that initially sounds like an attempt to wed Rammstein and Rotting Christ in “Aalmutter.” Fortunately it’s not all one long progression of posturing, as there is some inventive variety to be found in subsequent tracks. “Allegoria” picks up a great and grinding beat, but only in its sixth and final minute, there are harder portions in the oddly titled “Knochenkorn” and the frantic thrashings of “Dr. Miezo,” creepy guest vocals by Toby on “Frl. Deutsch,” while “Im Sog” is a truly weird pop song, something like a German impression of a Japanese Queens of the Stone Age. I still favor the suicidal damage of the earlier Bethlehem, but for those who’ve been waiting for them to stride forward into the 21st Century Mein Weg will be a welcome release. * * * Red Stream, Inc. – www.redstream.org – P.O. Box 196242, Winter Springs, FL, 32719-6242

	BEYOND SENSORY EXPERIENCE – The Dull Routine of Existence Taking industrial music to almost sacred heights, Beyond Sensory Experience brings forth a shadowy ambiance with The Dull Routine of Existence, infusing its very topic with an occult life force guaranteed to change that routine. Mastered as if it were recorded in some high-vaulted sanctuary, even the anticipated drones and mechanical surges are given a gravity that poignantly adds to the moaning rhythms evoked throughout the performance. Most of the work is subtle and atmospheric, but at its peaks evokes an independent horror film soundtrack. Inspiration for meditation, and vice-versa. * * * Cold Meat Industry – www.coldmeat.se – Villa Eko, 595 42 Mjolby, Sweden

	BITCHSLICER – Cum Inside From the almighty Worldeater Records, whose Hellblock 6 has become a regular wall-shaker here at Paniscus HQ, comes Bitchslicer with the coolest soundtrack to hell you’ll ever be privileged to hear. A full-length 19-track that combines multiple recording sessions and tacks on a few surprises, this is some pretty bitchin’ shit – the harshest of death metal conducted in an ‘80s heavy metal style. In fact it’s almost hair metal in some places, retrieved from the edge of cheese by a hot beef injection of the Misfits. “Drag My Own Coffin to Hell” contains one of the most elemental anthems in all of metal (“Die! Die! Die motherfucker, die!”), “King Cobra – Ode to Thrash” is an instantly classic instrumental that’s joined in status by “Touch of Death,” there are a couple of “Instrumental Movie Version” headbangers (“Snuffed” and “Evil Awakening,” both of which also appear on the album with awesome vocals intact), while “Outrun the Fire” and “Long Live the End” take a surprisingly favorable death-folk turn. Livened up with cartoon music, soundbytes, “This is Satan” (“Drunken Phone Call – Session”) and a Hank Williams tune (“Y.C.H.”), not to mention some great graphics, this is fucking brilliant all the way around. * * * * * Worldeater Records – www.WorldeaterRecrods.com