By Richard Ostrom

IMMORTAL All Shall Fall (Nuclear Blast)

After a protracted absence, rejuvenated black metal darlings Immortal make their bid for reinstatement to prominence with an audio dissertation on the bone-chilling bliss of pure Norwegian Black Metal angst. Ahhhh, the face painted cretins known almost as much for their standard of “stupid cool” band photos as their sounds is actually on target with a seven step regimen of finely produced, brooding darkness.

Thanks to the capable assistance of Hypocrisy front man and all around uber-studio stud Peter Tägtgren, this record sounds full and powerful, sidestepping much of the dunderheaded raw for raw’s sake mentality of many offerings in this openly stubborn sub-genre. Each of the tracks serves the greater good of the record by equally maintaining a strong measure of individuality, especially “The Rise of Darkness” with its drum-punchy lead in and driving rhythm.

I am sure there are more literal minded (read “pretentious”) citizens who would see fit to dismiss me as casually ignorant on the subject of this record (among others), but they can get their own column and harbor masturbatory fervor over some boring Burzum nonsense or what not. I'll just blast the piss out of this bitch and look like the derelict I am with unfettered pride. The northwinds are a calling, all heed the arctic swarm.

VADER Necropolis (Nuclear Blast)

Perhaps among the most rigidly dependable working class death metal groups still running, Vader cling to their muscular and throaty slant on this crowded musical faction with no apology. They've produced consistent (if never remotely groundbreaking) records for close to two decades and this, their eighth studio offering, does nothing to tarnish this legacy. Necropolis essentially picks up on the themes, sounds and deep-throaty utterings amply available on such previous platters as Litany and The Beast.

The time tested “if it ain't broke don't fix it” creed is held to heart on this one, people. Check the dire crunch running all over 11 tightfisted tracks with namesakes like “Devilizer,” “Blast” and “When the Sun Drowns In Dark” and you too will begin to believe. These one-time kings of sheer Polish death metal (later supplanted by those pesky meddlers in Behemoth) have not tamed their rage nor diminished their potent attack. Fast, brazen and utterly fat-free metal passion handcrafted for you old schoolers that never graduated.

GREY MACHINE Disconnected (Hydra Head)

The deliberate bass line that opens this record (track title: “Wolf At the Door”) feels like a signifier of early stage Godflesh potential that, semi-sadly, is only marginality realized. This nominal bow from the latest schedule filler for prolific Justin Broadrick (also of Jesu, Final and Techno Animal fame, to short list it) starts with a mad industrial punch yet swiftly eases into noisescape repetition and the far too convenient mode of feedback and reverberating dissonant misbehavior that has marked the forgettable status of such lesser career sidetracks as God and Ice (but don't take that for utter condemnation).

For this particular record Broadrick (in tandem with Isis mouthman Aaron Turner and others) has stated his desire to set himself apart from the more dreamy and melodic direction addressed with his current Jesu work. Disconnected is intended as more “hateful” and harsh in the eyes of its progenitor, yet that largely overrates the whole thing into more of a machismo wasteland then it deserves. This is altogether more droning and dirge-tangent than overtly evil and satanically mischievous. Perhaps the happy medium lies somewhere closer to the split term “grazing-ominous.” Yah, that about sums it.

For the Broadrick purist or armchair nihilist, well worth a (preferably bootleg) listen. For those more discerning, I must point thee in the direction of the Godflesh catalog, starting with the essential Streetcleaner. You'll understand what I mean when you get there.

DERILL POUNDS Emotional Rollercoaster Rescue (Anti-Famous Entertainment)

Local lad done well for himself. Breezy, effortlessly comfortable hip-hop straight outta Oshkosh and clinging closer to the post-License to Ill stylings of the Beastie Boys than any variety of profane gangsta schlock.

The rhymes are slick, the beats break nice ‘n’ smooth and the production of the whole is an above-competent meshing of funk, jazz and laid back pop/rock elements. One could fitfully discover this record pumping out of speakers at any number of clubs, hipster bars or drunken summertime block parties, a plethora of writhing bodies in close proximity.

Seventeen tracks on display here – plenty o' scratching, sampling and lyrical hustling to turn thy ear out and force you into a groove of delirious proportions. This record is bound to make strides in favor of solidifying a credible hip hop movement in this here musically malnourished Fox Valley (maybe the cheeky street styles on fellow 'Kosh rapper Baby Cash's amusing, low rent Weed N' Surp can be thrown in for added carnival effect), it's far too earnest in its pursuit of a well earned good time to go unnoticed.

For your chance to catch the Pounds fella in the stone cold flesh, check out The Reptile Palace (myspace.com/thereptilepalace) on March 21 and give a hardworkin' homeboy some respect.

One last little aside: I was given this helpful three track demo thing for this spanking new, Appleton-based collective named The Parish. What a startling surprise – monster guitar power and ruthless sludge fighting to tear through the stereo and teach you the hands-on essentials of true metal. Made up of well versed scholars of heaviness hailing from such acts as Wartorn and the legendary Onus (with whom you should already be familiar; if not....shame), these chaps are all geared up to dispense the weight. Thick and sick friends, a note of strong interest for those of you out there who extract satisfaction from the likes of Wolves In The Throne Room or Electric Wizard.

They're playing a handful of gigs in state and if one were to decide to explore further, they have a myspace page (myspace.com/theparishofdoom) to assist you in your efforts.