Ghoul -  Maniaxe
Released: 2003
Cost: $15

Tracklist:

Reviews

Braindead Webzine
This new album is quite different from Ghoul smashing debut "We came for the dead" as the band's thrash metal influence now takes the front seat; Carcass is still the basic influence here (with trademark screamy Jeff Walker-like voice versus guttural roars and gory pitch-shifted growls), but alot of the songs now almost sound like something out of an early Kreator or Anthrax record and many of the best riffs on display here just scream Megadeth! Song writing is pretty damn flawless, more cohesive, complex and intricate than ever, with aggressive guitars, sneaky bass lines, tight and hard-hitting drums; each and every song truly feels like they're composed with loving care for good old 80's musical agression from early thrash metal to early grindcore and death metal. The sound production is quite excellent too, perfectly clear but keeping a tranchant raw vibe. The cheesy horror-tinged lyrics are also alot of fun, very much in the spirit of early Misfits, these lyrics are just an incredibly cool read, especially in a time where good horror/gore lyrics are so rare... plus you gotta love the opening song written about literally taking apart black metal posers! This new album is not always as in-your-face and moshing as Ghoul's first offering but it's still filled with gripping thrashing violence, and tons of genius catchy riffs... this is churning, intense and tight fucking thrashing death metal with an edge, in this case a splatter grind edge. Metal just the way it should sound... Pretty much a breath of fresh air, so my advice is just relax and enjoy this exhilarating album... The cd ends with 2 very unusual songs, first one is "The End", some of kind of spastic surf-rock instrumental song with that special kind of guitar sound, a nice introduction to the big finish which is the "What a Wonderful World" cover, complete with updated lyrics, and this one is a stroke of genius, it kinda clashes with the rest of the album with the music style but the lyrics give it a definitely sinister tone as well, perhaps the most powerful track on the album. I wouldn't be surprised if this album became a cult classic. It truly deserves it! The cover art by Jake of Tales From Uranus completely destroys the cover from the first cd in comparison which I thought was too simplistic, this however is a masterpiece! "We came for the dead" grew to be one of my more-frequently played and replayed Razorback cd, but now "Maniaxe" is here, it's not leaving my cd player!

Metal-Rules
Ghoul are one of Razorback Records’ newest signings, and this first release from them is great death metal very much in the vein of Carcass. Lyrically they base their songs on horror movie themes, and have the gimmick of dressing up like ghouls and using fake names – Digestor on guitar/vocals, Fermentor on drums/vocals, and Cremator on bass/vocals.

As I said, the most noticeable influence I can hear is from Carcass. They have combined styles from SYMPHONIES OF SICKNESS, NECROTICISM and HEARTWORK for a more original Carcass “worship” band. They have the brutality of the first two mentioned albums, with chaotic blast beats, crushing double bass, screams/growls/distorted vocals and savage riffing. Like Carcass, they vary styles throughout tracks with groove and flow, straight ahead thrashy riffing, chaotic sections and great bluesy leads. The lead play is more inspired by HEARTWORK, not only in the fast, passionate and very melodic style but also in the guitar sound. And even though there is only one guitarist, he remains true to the Carcass spirit with harmonized dual riffing and trading solos coming from both stereo channels. From NECROTICISM, I can hear the same style used by Carcass in that they would go through some songs with slow/mid-paced riffing and out of nowhere blast into insane headbanging insanity, bursts of throat cutting vocals, maybe a lead accompanying, then just sink into another slower tempo riffing pattern that just grooves along, awaiting the next attack; choice cut being the title track. Another half-linked reference to the band is their cover of Megadeth’s “Skull Beneath The Skin” – a band who Carcass were often compared to in their later days. This cover does indeed rock though!

Like Ken Owen, the drummer is fast as hell, whopping out blast beats, chopper double bass and groovy triplets, then thrashing it out with kill-the-drummer rhythms as the band pumps out speedy violent riffs that make me almost foam at the mouth with delight. All of the members get in vocal action, though I’m not sure who’s who. One of them has a high growl that is almost exactly like Jeff Walker’s screaming rasp; another has a deep guttural growl that is obviously supposed to be the Bill Steer of the band. The other has distorted, pitch shifted vocals that were so frequent on SYMPHONIES and even REEK OF PUTREFACTION.

I am almost certain that the aim of this band was to emulate Carcass and their followers back in the day. I’m not complaining though because as you all probably know, I LOVE Carcass! The only complaint I have is that the distorted vocals drown out the guitar too much, but that’s just a minor setback. Overall, a brilliant MUST HAVE album. Another band to check out on the same label is The County Medical Examiners who should have their album FORENSIC FUGUES AND MEDICOLEGAL MEDLEYS out soon – complete Carcass worship!