AcidVictim Records: Underground Metal Compilation

Underground metal is an unlikely genre, equal parts technical proficiency and primitive production, and no artist represents that paradox more than Rory Heikkila, who has recorded numerous albums for AcidVictim Records and performs all of the parts himself. Heikkila shows up at least twice on this collection, with tracks from his old black metal project Shroud Of Despondency as well as his new experimental grindcore outfit Bury The Pariah, and both the guitar prowess and the garage quality production of his tracks are more than enough to legitimize this collection's claim to metal's true underground. There's plenty more than Heikkila for metal fans, however, and this CD runs the gamut from the surf-infused hard rock of General Bastard to the industrial metal improvisations of Harvyst. For straightforward mosh pit fare, there's the Viking metal of Wolfgard's "Baersaerker" and the crusty black metal of Cygnus Loop's "Birthing Spectra," while more experimental-minded fans will enjoy the weird crunchiness of Dummo's "Moleman" and the avant-garde hardcore of Illtemper's "Slow Of Structure," which hints at such diverse influences as Dillinger Escape Plan, Pantera, and Frank Zappa. Thankfully, there is none of the overly polished commercial nonsense so prevalent in the metal scene today, so whether your taste runs to the symphonic or the crusty, if you're a diehard metal fan you're bound to find some pleasure here.

Visit AcidVictim Records at www.freewebs.com/acidvictim/ for more information on this compilation.