Krieg Korner - Your Weekly Guide to Heavy

Band: Melechesh

Genre: Folk Black Metal with Middle Eastern Influences

Album: Emissaries ( October 30th, 2006)

One of the first things that made Melechesh catch my eye is that they are from Jerusalem, Israel. Even more intriguing is that they are categorized as Black Metal. In the Middle East, many activities are taboo and this genre of music is one of them. At one point, Melechesh was forced to move to France and the Netherlands to escape persecution from local religious leaders. So in reality, I picked up their newest release out of mere curiosity than anything else.

I am glad I did. While "Emissaries" is really nothing all that unique, it was definitely worth it. After all, it is seldom that I have the opportunity to enjoy some excellent Black Metal with very unique Middle Eastern instrumental and lyrical influences. The first track "Rebirth of the Nemesis" as well as the last hidden track have artfully integrated metal with melody of the Middle Eastern descent.

The lyrical content revolves heavily around the ancient Mesopotamian/ Sumerian cultures which reminded me strongly of freshman year world history. However, it detracted from the music for some uncertain reason of mine.

Melechesh is a great band for one to listen to on certain occasions; but to me they offer little that many other similar bands don't. As an introductory course in the fine art of Folk Black Metal, look no further. But if one yearns for something more original, look up bands like the legendary Bathory and Vintersorg.

Rating: 7/10

Jake "Teh Thor" T.

Krieg Korner - Your Weekly Guide To Heavy

Band: Anaal Nathrakh

Album: Eschaton (October 16th, 2006)

Genre: Black Metal

One of the more extreme bands on the scene, Anaal Nathrakh is a perfect example of the evolution of black metal. Also one of the most mysterious, it was seven years into their career that they preformed their first live shows in December 2005. However, these shows few in number, only two, were said by the band to be the only ones ever done.

The traditional sound of Anaal Nathrakh is very, very fast and well, insane. The drums are done by that of a drum machine, however, it is done well enough, or the production quality low enough, for the listener not to be able to tell. Everything else about the music is a sonic chaotic blur. The lyrics are extremely harsh and 100% indecipherable, as well as the guitars being heavily distorted with the treble turned all the way up. Ear piercing.

“Eschaton” has many of the sounds heard in their prior two releases. Which is favorable for many of the fans. However, one welcome new addition is the development of more progression in the music. Clear, even stunning vocals are now used, and the production is improved. One of my favorite songs off the album, “Timewave Zero,” has all of the old, and new, elements combined seamlessly into one song. “The Necrogeddon” is another great track off the album is more chaotic than most of their old work.

Probably one of the most extreme bands I reviewed, any prospective listeners are warned to approach with extreme caution. Some of the titles are a bit edgy and the music is scary to the unseasoned ear. But like always, looking for something new? Pick up “Eschaton” from Anaal Nathrakh

Rating: 10/10

Jake "Teh Thor" T.

Krieg Korner - Your Weekly Guide to Heavy

Sorry about the lack of a post last week, there will be a consolation one this week, and even possibly a movie review. On with the music:

Band: Manowar

Album: The Sons of Odin (October 6, 2006)

Genre: Heavy Metal

Manowar is one of those bands that all metal heads adore and recognize but not actually listen to. Founded in 1980, Manowar has been commonly confused to be an English band when they are actually from New York. Last year, Karl Logan suffered a crippling arm injury in a motorcycle accident and had to essentially relearn guitar.

This really shows in Manowar's new album. Why their music has always been pretty simplistic with the cliché gallop beats and ballads, the guitar is in much less quantity. Being this EP is only 3 tracks, it is hard to judge the album before it comes out. However, it is very Manowar for sure. Normally singing about battle, they now preach of Odin and other Norse beliefs. The music is cheesy as ever, dominated by sound bites of clashing swords, vocals layered over only Odin knows how many times, and over-the-top keyboards.

Manowar will probably always be known as the world's loudest band, literally at 130 dB, but maybe they should let their reign end. I honestly can't tell the difference between their 1982 release "Battle Hymns" and "The Sons of Odin."

Look for something more progressive and superior in the upcoming post.

Rating: 4.5/10

Jake "Teh Thor" T.

Magnet Central: Weekly Campus & Magnet Fodder

Topic of Discussion this Week: ID Debate

After a short hiatus due to (as I gather) some sort of a printing problem at the beginning of the year, most of Magnet and the rest of campus now has their Identification badges that must be worn around all students' necks at all times, as per campus & Magnet policy. It has been advocated that the use of ID's will promote the safety of our school, especially after the terrorist attack in the Russian school some time ago and the constant threat of intruders to our campus.

Of course, the all-important question must be raised before we determine the fate of our identification card and whether it should be used or not. Is our campus truly safer as a result of the IDs? I know those within the administration will argue to know end that it is, but I will use one personal anecdote that one might call a bit contradictory to that assumption say the least.

Not more than a few weeks ago, we received two visitors at Magnet who I know personally and would not dare disclose any parts of their names online, for their sake. One of the visitors was a former student of one of our schools and was of course admitted to the school as are most other alumni, but what was most troubling was the other visitor. He/she was a current student in high school who was posing as a college student in order to walk around our campus along with this college student. Not only was this statement accepted, but not even basic identification from any college was required for the excuse to fly. The student had been cutting his/her local high school that day and had tagged along with the other college student on a trip of some sorts.

This situation raises a whole lot of questions about the safety of Magnet. If any of the campus alumni are allowed to bring their own friends or guests inside the school, then what is stopping them from bringing someone in the building who would be potentially dangerous to the students inside. Regardless of how the student may have acted while on campus, they may have fallen in with the wrong crowd so to speak, and the possible consequences of this are quite dire, and do not really need mentioning of.

Is the campus really safe as a result of ID's? Absolutely not. Is it safer with these ID's? I certainly think so, but only during school hours when ID's are mandated to be worn. After school there is way too much leeway that could lead to security breaches. I advocate ID's all the time, although many may vehemently argue against me. Of course the first and most important thing to do is to begin fully requiring students to wear ID's at all times through the careful use of hall monitors and the training of teachers to take away participation points and reprimanding students.

I know this isn't what anyone wants to hear, but it's my opinion.

Kevin

Magnet Central: Weekly Magnet & Campus Fodder

Topic of Discussion this Week:





Parking Passes and Senior Parking for Magnet

Date: 10/3/06

Ever since I was a Freshman at Magnet, I've always wanted the priveledge of driving to school, and thanks to my job, I was able to afford that luxury this year as a Magnet senior. Of course this blessing doesn't come without some impediments from the administration that I find unnecessary.

The first topic of discussion is the parking permit that must be hung on all vehicles driven to campus. These devices are used in the corporate world as well as in many colleges and universities around the country, so they are not something that is uncommon in the real world. For the record, I support parking permits provided that they are enforced uniformly across the board, with a warning at the first violation, followed thereafter by fines that would go to support the school rather than the Scotch Plains police department. After all, it is parking on our campus, despite the fact that the police academy resides nearby.

The one problem I have with the whole system is that it is simply not uniformly enforced. I've been told from several close friends that enforcement has been stepped up in the Senior parking area, which is located at the parking lot across from West Hall, near where the buses drop-off and pick-up in the morning and afternoon. I have no problem with the police and/or administration ensuring that all cars in that parking lot have a permit, but this is where the problem arises. Enforcement is solely focused on the senior parking lot, not on the entire campus. If enough funding cannot be found to also patrol teacher parking lots searching for missing hang-tags, then there should be no patrolling at all. I was informed from a teacher than I will not name that he/she did not have a parking permit for four years and never had any problems at all.

The reasoning behind parking permits is of course to ensure the safety of all those on campus, that the only vehicles without tags are the ones parked in front of Baxel Hall; the visitors to our campus. Let's take for example a student who doesn't have a parking permit for one reason or another. It would be really easy for him or her to park in the teacher's lot and go undetected, assuming that there are no teachers around when the car is pulled in and pulled away from the lot. Not only that, but unauthorized visitors could park in the lot next to Magnet and even intrude into our school, getting let in by students close to the Fitness Center who have grown accustommed to letting in teachers and other faculty because the door is always locked. So in effect, checking the parking tags only on the senior lot is not only discriminatory but also useless.

The second issue for discussion is only addressed to Magnet and I suppose AIT seniors. The senior parking lot is located all the way on the other side of campus for us, causing us to have to drive around the entire campus to park our cars and walk long distances to get to our schools. Something should be done to allow Magnet seniors to park in the Magnet lot, and AIT students to park in the lot directly behind AIT. Considering that there are only 70 seniors at Magnet who could possibly drive, and only at most half that drive on a regular basis to Magnet, all that needs to be done for us would be to designate the back row for parking for Magnet students.

But then of course they couldn't perform their crackdowns on seniors without parking permits and continue their double standard of not checking the teacher lots for permits.

Kevin

Krieg Korner - Your Weekly Guide to Heavy

Band: Amon Amarth

Album: With Oden on Our Side (September 25, 2006)

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Another longtime favorite of mine, Amon Amarth, was one of the first death bands I ever got into. Their previous release “Fate of Norns” totally blew me away. “With Oden of Our Side” keeps up expectations.

Opening with “Valhall Awaits Me,” great melodious guitar work along with Johan Hegg’s growling vocals, sings of a dying Viking warrior preparing for Valhalla. One thing about Amon Amarth that turns many people off is the somewhat over-the-top Viking mythology themed lyrics. While yes, this can be a bit cheesy at points, the music is well suited for it.

Amon Amarth is not a new band by any means; formed in 1992 they are almost 13 years old. Their sound has not experienced any real change in direction, following “why fix what’s not broken?” mentality. One may argue this as a weakness, but look at other bands like ZZ Top, doing the same thing for over 30 years and still renowned.

Some of the most notable tracks on “With Oden on Our Side” include the drawn-out epic “Hermod's Ride to Hel (Lokes Treachery Part 1),” title track “With Oden on Our Side,” and “Under the Northern Star” which is a bit more experimental form of Amon Amarth, always a favorite for me.

Someone looking for a good history lesson with death metal accompaniments on Norse culture, look no further, Amon Amarth more than fills the bill.

Jake "Teh Thor" T