|
|
|
|
|
|
OCTOBER 31
"Meet
Thy Maker"
(R.I.P. Records; 2000)
Reviewed by Snidermann
This is the third October 31 CD I have reviewed and it's easily the very best of the lot. On their previous release, On their last release, the band dwelled too much on the dark, depressing side of things. That's all well and good and many bands get away with it. But October 31 needs balance to succeed and they've done that well here.
"Meet Thy Maker" is the best October 31 CD I've heard. As with their previous releases, the music is aces here: October 31 rocks and but good; however the dark lyrics made the songs too heavy, too dragged down. There's a lot more balance of light and dark with "Meet Thy Maker."
I was really impressed with the quality of the lyrical content on this CD. Everything here seems to come together - this is a really good, high quality heavy metal band working at their (nearly) optimum potential. I've given "Meet Thy Maker" a three-and-a-half-chainsaw rating here. Who knows? Maybe their next release will earn that four-star perfection.
October 31 is King Fowley - drums, vocals; Brian Williams - guitars; Kevin Lewis - guitars and Jim Hunter, bass.
For more information, please visit http://www.truemetal.org/october31/.
"Meet
Thy Maker"
(R.I.P. Records; 2000)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
October 31 is true metal for true metal die-hards! There's no rapping,
no trendy riffs, no dirty sludge, no gothic sheen, no eMpTV pop melodies, and no black metal charades - King Fowley and the boys
couldn't be more proud of it, too!
The six original songs presented on "Meet Thy Maker" cover the gamut of the Death's daily
collection of souls, haunting spirits, the ravages of war, fantastic worlds of mystery, an innocent
man on death row, and a medieval conspiracy fit for a movie plot. Nothing shrouded in vagueness
here!
October 31 hasten their musical madness with hard-charging rhythms throughout recalling the
days of Grim Reaper, Hirax, Iron Maiden, and Saxon without fail. Having witnessed October 31 in
concert I know that the music here is not only played with the unbreakable spirit of fans
who love the music, but also with a wish for a time when metal was unpretentious and undeniably
enthusiastic. Especially rewarding is the two-part "Far From Danger Now" which showcases the
band's ability to carry an idea through two musical motifs.
October 31 include Saxon's "Power And The Glory" on this release as if there was any doubt of
their influences and heroes; this tune is also a staple of October 31's live sets.
"Meet Thy Maker" was produced by King Fowley.
October 31 is King Fowley on drums, lead vocals, and keyboards; Brian Williams on lead and rhythm guitars; Jim Hunter on bass; and Kevin Lewis on rhythm, lead, and acoustic guitars.
For more information visit http://www.truemetal.org/october31.
"Visions of the End"
(R.I.P. Records; 1998)
Reviewed by Snidermann
October 31's "Visions Of The End" is top notch, in-your-face, rock'n'roll that's part Iron Maiden, part Grim Reaper. These four guys are tight and their chemistry is very apparent right from the get go and it doesn't let up throughout.
The lyrics - as might be expected from the band's name and their dark covers - are gloomy, twisted and full of death - even more so than in their previous releases. If that's your style, then October 31 might be just what you're looking for. "Visions of the End" is a little too gloomy for and harsh for me.
October 31 is King Fowley - drums, vocals, keyboards; Jim Hunter - bass; Kevin Lewis - rhythm guitar and Brian Williams - lead guitar.
For more information, please visit http://www.truemetal.org/october31/.
"The Fire Awaits You" (R.I.P.
Records; 1997)
Reviewed by Snidermann
If you like your metal hard and fast then October 31 are right up your alley. "The Fire Awaits You" is a tight, heavy and introspective exploration of the darker side of human existence. Ripping guitars, bitchin' bass licks and pounding drums makes October 31 something to behold. The music is a cross between Iron Maiden meets Stephen King having dinner with Edgar Allen Poe. This band moved me to my metal music core using the three aspects I love most about heavy metal: it's loud, simple, and fast. October 31 is all three in abundance.
October 31 is King Fowley, drums and vocals; Brian "Hellstrom" Williams, guitar; Jim Hunter on bass; Kevin Lewis, rhythm guitar.
For more information, please visit http://www.truemetal.org/october31/.
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.
Copyright © 2000 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
