APOLLYON SUN

"Sub" (Mayan Records)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

Tom G. Warrior of Celtic Frost has resurfaced in Apollyon Sun; Warrior goes by the moniker Tom Gabriel Fischer these days. But buyer beware - Apollyon Sun is not remotely comparable to Celtic Frost. Apollyon Sun is Warrior's attempt to replicate his success at merging genres albeit with more modern sounds.

So, this is the big question: is Apollyon Sun cutting edge stuff or not? Yes, it is cutting edge. But that begs yet another question: is it metal? Hard rock in the post-industrial vein perhaps, but it's not heavy metal.

Two tracks get the full 're-mix' treatment and come out sounding more like dance tracks than hard rock. Tracks like "Slender," "Messiah (Second Coming)" and "R.U.M." sound like a twisted Gordian Knot song rather than some post-industrial metal band. The other tracks achieve a delicate balance between heavy distorted guitars, propulsive post-industrial beats, and ambient near-experimental noise shenanigans with "Naked Underground" and "Mother Misplaced" being highlights. This balance is critical and it's my opinion that Fischer and his gang of merry pranksters have achieved something unique. Fischer and his crew are quite successful at attempting to merge the hard rock and industrial genres, but I doubt many heavy metal fans would dig this release despite the band's accomplishments.

Apollyon Sun is Tom Gabriel Fischer on guitars and vocals, Donovan John Szypura on programming, Erol Unala on guitars and grooves, Dany Zinng on bass, and Marky Edelmann on drums and synth. 

For more information visit http://www.apollyonsun.com

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

 

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