Asomvel - Kamikaze dinger007 ( SuperAdmin ) 14,945 posts since 10/24/2000 Posted on 2/7/2010 at 11:33:41 PM Asomvel - Kamikaze Reviewed by Andy "Dinger" Beresky (www.StonerRock.com) Miskatonic Foundation Available Now You know, I get kind of pissed off when I hear High On Fire referred to as "the new Motorhead." Besides the gruff Pike vocals, I don't really hear it. Perhaps to those who opened and shut the door to their HoF experience with the "Devilution" video on Headbanger's Ball, sure they're the new Motorhead, but let's be honest with ourselves as both High On Fire and Motorhead fans: "Devilution" may very well be their weakest track. But as usual, I digress. If I had to pick the heir apparent to Motorhead, I'd go with the UK's Asomvel. They've got the sound, down and dirty 70's inspired blues rock cranked to 11 and injected with meth that some biker cooked up in his bathtub. No frills, no gloss, just metal that would make even Lemmy's warts crack a smile. The chain smoking, whiskey gargling vocals done right, along with killer wah-wah soloing really seal the deal for me. Is it original? No, it's not. The songs are, the lyrics are, but it's Motorhead worship to a "T" and an umlaut. Is that a problem? Apparently it is to some, who seem to think that something only holds inherent value if it's treading new ground. Count me out of that camp, I'm going to listen to something if it kicks ass. I'd much rather listen to a band that can crank out the best album that Motorhead never made than something that's "original" and sounds like dog dick, but that's just me. Any band that can write a song as awesome as "Motherload" is up there with the best in my book. Sure, this doesn't have the raw intensity or immediacy of the first four Motorhead albums (counting the first one...), but the songs are killer. The lyrics and delivery of the vocals are perfect. If you're into Motorhead's newer albums, which are all solid, I don't see how you can't like this album, which is just as solid, and at least a little different. I mean, c'mon, I'm sure these cats have something besides Motorhead records in their collections, and that definitely comes out in their playing even if their main influence is so prominent. http://www.myspace.com/asomvel Edited 1 Times If you`re hungry, why not try a piece of your friend?   ez ( Community Supporter ) 7,592 posts since 1/7/2003 Posted on 2/8/2010 at 3:05:03 AM This is the best thing the Miskatonic Foundation have released lately, but unfortunately that isn't saying much. Edited 0 Times \m/ ((d(`_´)b)) \m/   Murray ( Regular Member ) 3,950 posts since 12/27/1999 Posted on 2/11/2010 at 2:42:31 AM It's still a cracking album, and a they're a superb live band. As for Miskatonic releases, they've not released a duff album in a long time... The Lamp of Thoth's "Portents" album & "Sing as you Slay" EP, The River's long awaited 2nd album "In Situ" is heavier than a heavy thing, and the Funeral Circle's debut is excellent. Plus long awaited upcoming releases from Argus & Orodruin amongst others. Edited 0 Times   ez ( Community Supporter ) 7,592 posts since 1/7/2003 Posted on 2/11/2010 at 2:48:04 AM Don't get me wrong, I love Miskatonic and am eagerly awaiting the Argus and Orodruin releases. It's just that the Asomvel album is good, not great, and definitely not deserving of the praise it's been getting. And the other two albums you mentioned are very medicore. They sound like someone was doing his cousin's band a favour by releasing them. Not worthy of Miskatonic at all imo. But I guess there's no accounting for taste. Edited 0 Times \m/ ((d(`_´)b)) \m/   TheOpen ( Regular Member ) 2 posts since 11/15/2009 Posted on 3/10/2010 at 10:39:25 AM 'Mediocre' is a pretty strong word! The musicianship & song-writing on The River album is far from mediocre, not your cup of tea maybe, but certainly not mediocre. It's probably the most diverse thing Miskatonic has released so I can understand not everyone being into them. Funeral Circle have the odd bum-note but they are trying to create a feel & vibe with their stuff in which I feel they've succeeded. I agree about Asomvel tho'! Edited 0 Times   ez ( Community Supporter ) 7,592 posts since 1/7/2003 Posted on 3/11/2010 at 3:01:12 AM I probably need to give that The River album another spin or two - one of those make myself like it attempts. Even if I did do the same thing with Kamikaze to no avail. Edited 0 Times \m/ ((d(`_´)b)) \m/   urabaladoom ( Regular Member ) 602 posts since 4/5/2004 Posted on 3/11/2010 at 9:04:16 PM the River are mediocre at best!! any of their releases in the last 4 years have been pretty ordinary, they sound great live but it all wears thin very quick, good cure for insomnia though Edited 0 Times   TheYeti85 ( Regular Member ) 196 posts since 10/30/2007 Posted on 3/13/2010 at 7:13:53 PM I think HOF are often compared to Motorhead not strictly based on similarity in sound, but a common spirit and work ethic as well. Edited 1 Times     ( Post a Reply to This Thread ) ( Back to Album Reviews )