Repentance - God for a Day (AIW Records)

 

Repentance is a new band put together by a Chicago metal veteran Shaun Glass.  Joining Glass is a former Stuck Mojo vocalist, Robby J. Fonts.  This is a really powerful outfit that simply delivers the goods.  If you listen hard enough, you’ll spot some traces of the former bands, but generally speaking this is a brand-new venture for everyone.

God for a Day feels very fresh.  Solid riffing, melodic tunes, plenty of catchy hooks, and great lead work.  Glass’s guitar tone always reminds me of that classic Swedish death metal from the 90s, only far more modern and polished.  At The Gates comes to mind, but that’s where that comparison ends.  It’s a great tone, I’ve been enjoying it in his previous bands as well.  There is certainly a signature as to how he plays and sounds. 

Fonts fits the music perfectly.  His vocals dominate each track, and he sounds deadly but completely audible.  The tone of his vocals truly qualifies as another instrument trying to balance the music.  It is a good mix, and I can tell a lot of thought went into putting this band together and writing the material. 

Markus Johansson is a very melodic lead player, and a great match for Glass’s unstoppable riffing.  Mike Sylvester and Kanky Lora complete the band as the rhythm section.  All very solid, well-rehearsed, and super tight.  It’s hard to believe this is a new band, but the experience pouring out of the speakers is undeniable. 

The album is fairly short, only 9 tracks that add up to 32 minutes, but there is no need for more.  Repentance makes a solid statement and leaves the listener begging for more.  The songs are well structured with plenty of mood swings, well-paced and flowing.  It’s a great debut and it keeps you wondering what else does Repentance have up their sleeves?  And as for this writer, I can’t wait to hear it.  Raging metal from a new Chicago band!

Mark Kadzielawa

Macabre - Carnival of Killers (Nuclear Blast)

 

Macabre is Chicago’s metal trio specializing in writing songs about serial killers.  They’ve turned murder and horror into art form with a good dose of humor in it.  Carnival of Killers is their first album in nearly a decade, and it certainly has the makings of a classic.

What really strikes me about this record is the excellent musicianship.  This isn’t just a regular heavy metal record; these guys can play.  That’s been obvious for years, but they continuously get better as the years go by.  It is safe to say the members of Macabre are extremely accomplished in their respective fields of instrumentation.  Adding elements of jazz and fusion really enriches their brand of heavy and makes it unique.  Also, there are very unusual time changes which will challenge the listener into repeated plays.  The excellent production makes all of these factors stand out even more. 

After 35 years in the business, Macabre had developed a style, or a brand if you may.  What they are able to show now is how comfortable they feel navigating within that style.  There are plenty of left and right turns, use of the nursery rhymes, or some classic folk melodies.  Their creative juices (and blood) are still flowing.  It isn’t just a thrash metal record, but a cultural experience.

Carnival of Killers proves that murder metal is alive and well, and Macabre is still full of crazy ideas well translated into music.  This is an excellent record that only gets better with each listen.  If you were a Macabre fan already, you will find it very enjoyable with some unexpected surprises.  If Macabre is a new band to your ears, this is a great start, but be ready for a long ride into the past.  And if you’re from Chicago, we’ll be seeing each other at the Macabre’s annual Christmas show, and I hope they will play this gem in its entirety.  No need for further deliberation, Carnival of Killers is an instant winner!

Mark Kadzielawa