Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Raise Hell
Title
Written in Blood
Type
LP/EP
Company
Black Lodge
YOR
2015
Style
Thrash
8/19/2016 - Review by: Greg Watson
Definitely a comeback album of sorts for the band
It has taken nine years for this fifth record to arrive. Raise Hell deliver the goods and then some with 'Written in Blood'. Possessing that aggressive, groovy thrash that made the band so formidable in its early incarnations, the band also add some melody and slow things down a little bit to give the album a real distinct feel and make it a little different from what we have come to expect from thrash bands these days.

"Dr. Death" is the album opener putting a steel-toed boot to your gut right out of the gate. Ripping guitars really highlight this track along with vocalist Jimmy Fjallendahl's barked vocals and piercing screams. "Six Feet Under" is another rip-roaring track that gallops like a thoroughbred on the final leg of the Kentucky Derby. "Fallen Domination" is an all-out classic thrash track with those galloping, staccato guitars, barked vocals and thick rhythmic fills on both drums and bass. "Demon Mind" is a bit of a curveball with the song sounding like yet another traditional thrash track and then all of a sudden the group throw in this very polished chorus with backing vocals and tons of melody. "A Blackened Resurrection" really amps up the melody with a very traditional sounding riff kicking things off before the rhythm sweeps in with an aggressive target. This sound is one that I really like hearing the band delve into and it feels right. Out of all the tracks on the album though, my hands down favorite is "In Cold Blood". It's another deceptive track that starts out with an intro that is slow churning and expectant of a melody laden kick and then the band throws that idea out the window and launchs into a killer riff and the vocals return to their growled, snarled ferocity. As the track proceeds it becomes clear that the focus of the song is just heavy riffing and some great headbanging breakdowns. Fjallendahl's screams on this track are banshee-esque and skin-chillingly awesome.

The in-house production is solid, giving the guitars and drums a really fat, aggressive sound. The vocals are clearly audible and easily understood and the overall mix ties everything up with a nice heavy metal bow. "Written In Blood" is well worth the wait and is definitely a comeback album of sorts for the band. Cheers guys on a killer performance.
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    4 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: RAISE HELL
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Written in Blood
2015
Black Lodge
Greg Watson8/19/2016
4

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: RAISE HELL
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


<< back >>