Site Reviews

We keep getting comments from the maintainers of sites we review about what rating they receive. Again I'd like to point out what the ratings actually mean:

Rating: Yes - You should go visit this site. This means that it most likely has something to offer all of our readers and is worth the time to go look at.

Rating: Uhm - You should visit this site if have a bit of extra time on your hands. While it's not a must see, there is likely something there that will appeal to many of our readers.

Rating: No - It is unlikely that this site has something to offer to a large portion of our readers. It doesn't necessarily mean the site is bad.

All site reviews by Mariusz Zydyk

 

Afternight

Rating: Yes

OK guys, the control panel is cool, but lets not overdo it. Naviating this site is a bit of a pain. Basically, what you do is move your mouse over the panel, click, and see if anything happens. Since Afternight was reviewed a couple issues back it has changed alot. More graphics, and more stuff, more content. The idea here seems to be to publicize independant bands, give them webspace and provide some tools for them. Go see for yourself.

 

Bands on the Run

Rating: No

Another repeat review. Except this time I do not see any changes to the page. Sure, there may be one or two more album reviews, but overall the site has not changed at all. Some of the reviewers really do have many reviews under their section. The reviews' bios reveal that they have been very influenced by 80's music, and expect to find this here. Retro, power-pop and techo bands abound. If you are into this kind of music, you've found a fairly nice resource for yourself.

 

The Carnal Forge

Rating: Uhm

Someone's personal page. It is fairly plain looking (author agrees) but has some pretty good links. Several band pages are also hosted here. Should you get bored just visit the Kiometerion for some, uhm, amusement. The author is obviously interested in the dark side of things.

 

Cold Spring Records

Rating: Uhm

Cold Spring Records is an organization interested in other things besides dark music. Dark art and military items of any period will also do, and in fact you can sell and trade with them. The music seems to be exclusively originating in Japan (actually, it says so), and there are about a dozen CDs to pick from. Nicely done, with original graphics. Have a look when you find the time.

 

Demonosound

Rating: Uhm

A recording/distro enterprise, the Demonosound offers a relatively small number of well picked albums. Not much more content than this. It's part of the Mega empire, so of course the graphics look nice.

 

FeaR's Metal Pages

Rating: No

Fear has given up maintaining his links page. Instead he switched to producing custom CDs, limited for now to his collection. As shady as it sounds, it might not be a bad idea if you want to sample some different kinds of music. The old links page is still there. It contains several bands, with bio information and RealAudio sound samples.

 

Lost Soul's Domain

Rating: Yes

With everything here being local (on the same site as the pages) this is a fairly large place. Many bands are listed, with all their album covers scanned in and a complete album description and lyrics for many of them. This obviously took some time to finish. I guess this might be a place to go if you think you might be missing some CDs.

 

Malaysian Metal

Rating: No

Well, I thought we've been around the world by now, but I guess not quite yet. Next stop, Antarctica. Ok, ok, maybe not. The Malaysian Metal Page does a pretty good job of covering the scene, but since I don't know anything about I can't say just how good. Judging by the news section, rather good and thorough looking. There are two reviews on the pages at all times, but there is no archive to draw upon, so I can't tell just how often new reviews are posted up. Not a massive number of bands covered, only two band links are on the page. Go here if you want to know something about the music in Malaysia. The whole package is rounded off with a letters page and a section with some rare links.

 

Mindspell

Rating: Uhm

Hmmm.... an interesting looking zine with dark graphics throughout. I should like this according to my preferences, but when all image map menus and titles are so dark that I cannot choose where to click, it's just not good. However, with a little squinting and tweaking the monitor settings you'll stuff. These are nice graphics and the issue probably took some time to create (as do all first attempts), and it will probably get much better in the future. In this issues we have several album reviews (a bit dated releases) and that is about it. The editorial mentiones an interview with Terminus, but it does not seem to be on the page yet. While currently lacking in content, this is one of those sites I'd bookmark to visit later on.

 

New Music Central

Rating: No

Not really metal, but metal as well. Huh? Well, you know, all those 'new music' bands radio stations play nowadays. Mostly hard rock and industrial techno oriented, with a couple of bands labelled metal. The whole feel of the site is grand and expansive, with several entry screens (from the above URL) and heavy graphical content warnings. But when you get down to it, it's just a page of links. Actually, there are a couple hidden links leading to album reviews page. Just in case you were interested in bands like Swingface and Bisexion 69...

 

TBC Server

Rating: Yes

Heck if I know what TBC stands for. It is not on any of the pages. It used to be The Bawdy House. The site has had a makeover since the last review, gone are the flaming skulls, in is the index. TBC contains scores of links to band pages, as well as links to metal resources, labels and zines. 'nuff said, we've seen these kinds of pages before, we've also seen far worse.

 

Russian Metal

Rating: No

Perpetually under construction, it appears that the site has just started. Eventually it will contain information about some of the better metal bands in Russia. Currently featured are three bands, whose pages have a discography list with CD cover scans and track lists. Don't expect any brilliant HTML and stellar graphics, this guy is just doing this to provide information. In a few weeks this might a very good place to visit, but right now it is still under heavy construction.