ASPHYXIUM ZINE

Friday, August 13, 2021

EP Review: Reign Of Terror "Beer Metal" (Independent) by Corban Skipwith

Band: Reign Of Terror
Country: Australia
Genre: Death-thrash metal
EP: Beer Metal
Format: Digital, CD
Label: Eschatonic Records
Release date: July 22, 2021
What an ironic turn of events, that a legendary Australian band would be the one to not only ‘cultivate’ the term ‘Beer Metal’ but also provide one of the strangest yet most illusive albums I’ve heard in Metal all year.
What we have here is a five-track rabbit hole with plenty of different lanes, structures and room to explore that after each listen you’ll find yourself picking up something new.
Initially, I immediately picked up influences of:
-Arch Enemy
-Trivium
-Cannibal Corpse
And even certain elements of ‘Speed Metal’ sprinkled throughout the project in the way of tempos and time signatures.
With this being my first experience with this band, I have a lot to love about it. For example, I love the fluent production. To me this feels like one cohesive project with very little room for ‘a break’, so to speak, in the sonic aesthetic and vibe, they took the time to create. It’s engaging at its core and on the outside, it’s coated in this dark, gloomy essence that makes you feel you’re trapped within a musical black hole, all alone yet drawn to the powers at hand.
I also love the emphasis on the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for Metal. It made me think of a heavily patriotic narrative but the source being Heavy Metal. I have to say I haven’t really heard a song quite like it, to be honest, the closest till now I could compare this to would either be ‘The Metal’ by Tenacious D or ‘We’re Not Gonna Take it’ by Twisted Sister. Regardless, it’s a moving track that forces you to feel for the cause.
I love how in the five songs they are able to clarify a strong, brutal and indulgent direction. It’s got elements from a whole family of different genres and sounds that all come together in perfect harmony (which is no easy thing to do). And so without giving away the heart of the record, I once again request that each and every one who is reading this (metalhead or not) give this group a try and see why I reviewed them!
Passion, Velocity, Relentlessness, and Drive. This band and album have it all. It’s the kind of album that gives the middle finger to the status quo and makes you feel good for supporting them! I can’t recommend this enough, please go support them by visiting the link below! –Corban Skipwith

Lineup:
Reggae: Guitar, vocals
Mad Mike: Bass
Danny Mundi: Drums
JJ Lodding, Kim Malone, Luke Read: Backing vocals

Track list:
1. Black Tooth Grin
2. Carved In Stone
3. Daemon In A Bottle
4. Human Centipede
5. On Her Black Wings

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