Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Out Of The Lair Psychotears 2003 reviewed by: IcedMojo

Track Listing 1. Intronoise – X 2. Flying Surf 3. G.O.D. 4. Nosferatu 5. Wolverine’s Knights 6. Vampire Lady 7. Last Time of Fire Child 8. Psychotears 9. Out of the Lair 10. Pc-CDRom Multimedia track

Let’s begin with the packaging, since after all; it is the first thing seen. Self-funded? They did an absolute incredible job. It even comes in a cool little slipcase. I can name a few well established bands that don’t even put this much effort into what their cd looks like. All artwork was courtesy of Chris Karietis. Phenomenal art...is this a sign as to what I am in store for?

Not exactly. Trust me, I am keeping in mind this is a self funded release. Some of this album reminded me of when I was in the eighth grade. I will be glad to explain, but first a short history lesson on the group. The boys from Thessaloniki, Greece formed a band in 1995, and called themselves “Wolverine”. Founded by Spyros(guitar – vocals), Dionysis Nikolaidis(Drums), John Ayiub(guitar) and Nikos Fronimos(bass), they changed the band name to Out Of The Lair, after George Kantzios replaced Nikos on bass in 2000. In 2002, the group added guitarist Dim (Former Desertomen and Transcending Bizarre?) to complete the group.

Musically, an extremely talented group; vocally, I, personally, am still on the fence with them. Thunderous rhythm ala Children of Bodom from Dionysis, along with hellacious speed riffs and squeals ala Sinner/Primal Fear by John, makes for one great melody set, however, melodies are not everything. And then comes the vocals. Spyros has incredible vocal range and it shows on songs like G.O.D. and Wolverine Knights blasting through like a young Matthew Barlow (former vocalist for Iced Earth). The thing that’s gets me about Spyros vocals, it seems to me like he is bouncing into punk rock vocals. There are times when it reminds me of listening to Cro-Mags or Dag Nasty (both punk rock group around the aforementioned time period).  The sound is unique and powerful at time, if you are willing to give it time

Rating: this actually has 3 parts for me, musically, the entire package the first time I heard it, and the fourth time I heard it. Musically, 9/10. Excellent power and talent involved. Overall, the first impression was to trash the cd (and if it were mine, I might have), but after I checked it out again and it grew on me, I will say 7/10. Worth a listen, it just took me a while to get into that band. Who knows, maybe it was the Greece metal thing.


--IcedMojo 03.17.04