Grade Scale adopted at MetalKings.com (starting from the lowest)

1 - Shite
2 - Could be worse
3 - Could be better
4 - Damn good
5 - Killer

5-/5
BLINDEAD
Devouring Weakness
2005
self-released; http://blindead.metalkings.com
Sludge/Death-Doom Metal
Would an Eskimo guy look good, if he wore a loin bandage made of equatorial trees' leaves? Does a pygmy need a hot furred coat? Well, it is good, and what about potatoes and tobacco - can we imagine our life without them? Globalization is very slippy… The thing created by the brainchild of former BEHEMOTH guitarist Havoc is an overseas prerogative at present, but the band demonstrates that desire and talent are able to ride the lightning. Extremely heavy Sludge sound that provided popularity to bands like CROWBAR, PANTERA (of "Far Beyond Driven" era of 1994) and SEPULTURA (of the "Roots" period) crawls among the songwriting catacombs escorted by mystic echoe of THERION, MORBID ANGEL and ANATHEMA - influences are evident, revelations are not numerous, but such a weird mix is so strongly overfilled with souls and craftsmanship of BLIND-N-DEAD ONES themselves that it's an enormous pleasure to listen it. (St. Ded)

5-/5 & 4-/5
MEICHE / FOR RUIN
demo
2004 / 2005
self-released
Black Metal/Melodic Death Metal
Long live to Ireland! It's been a while since the latest Metal release from that area. This is the demo record of two up-and-coming bands that count altogether two members in the line-up (no samples, live music only). MEICHE is the two-man band while FOR RUIN is the solo creation of MEICHE's John. The first one (… and its mark was first) successfully busies itself with the blackening of Metal. The model of sounding should be compared with BURZUM and DARKTHRONE of their glorious days at the zenith of 1990s, some of rhythmic structures call to one another with Death Metal barons GRAVE and BLOOD. Though eventually the work is independent and resourceful with breaks, manners of vox, sudden melodic tunnels - the band definitely does it its own way without mining ideas from somebody else's works. Small but nice detail is the fantastic vocal duo of croakers. And just for several seconds of selfless resonance of two throats John engaged Taranis into his individual farm FOR RUIN. The latter is traditional Swedish Melodic Death Metal similar to NIGHT IN GALES and early albums of DARK TRANQUILITY. Lots of new stuff, lots of surprises in songwriting such as pieces of Doom Metal and marathonic wordless composition, that can't be compared with stylemates' ones. But unfortunately almost 1/3 of the songs are produced from simple and cliched riffs - no idea why. As a result the general impression gets worse and the twist of fate of it is that the ranking improves only due to the evil Doom. But as a whole disk is very good. (St. Ded)

4+/5
PEDESTRIANS OF BLUE
The Second Monologue
2005
FISHFARM Records
Melodic Hard Rock
This little opus comes from the land of fjords and Vikings but has no relations with coldness or warlike character at all. Instead the album is very peaceful and proclaims vegetarian values and life-asserting musical colourations. Like any classy Hard Rock it unifies simplicity, high level of musical education and communicable rhythmics. From time to time music gets a bit heavy and gives metallic repercussion but due to general harmonic atmosphere it resembles more a passing little cloud than a July snowfall. The vocals are pedigree and powerful - good, but its timbre is not a rarity - not so good. P.S. Recent fishing scandal between Norway and Russia doesn't figure in the row of factors influenced on the mark. (St. Ded)