Winter : Into Darkness (reissue)

by Trevor Portz
Staff Writer

It’s unlikely that anyone who got into the burgeoning extreme metal scene in the late eighties/early nineties wasn’t, at the very least, aware of death/doomers Winter. While most bands were pushing the limits of speed and technicality, these New Yorkers lived up to their name by creating metal that was, essentially, frozen. Like the mountainous icebergs that bring down cruise ships, Winter’s music drifted slowly along, sometimes so slowly that one may have wondered whether it was moving at all. Though rather tedious to a great many metalheads, the band deserves accolades for creating some extremely eerie, lumbering metal that paved the way for acts such as Sunn0))) and Boris. Fittingly, this reissue is being put out by Sunn0)))’s very own Southern Lord Records, a label known for salvaging long-lost classics (such as the pre-Fu Manchu band Virulence’s If This Isn’t a Dream…)

Instrumental opener “Oppression Freedom/Reprise” certainly sets the tone for the album, boasting sludgy power chords dragged along at what feels like little more than about 10 beats per minute. Things do pick up a bit during “Servants of the Warsmen” and “Destiny,” though this is about as peppy as the record ever gets. The band should be commended for creating a whole album that creates the same ambiance as the end of the original studio version of Kiss’ “Black Diamond,” albeit without slowing the tape.

While the band doesn’t seem to have adopted the “tune so low that your strings flop around” mentality many modern bands go for, they do stick to the lower registers, and this, of course, only adds to the gloominess. The guitars boast the signature nineties thinness that plagued many smaller metal releases, but when mixed with the rather shoddy production, they do help to create an overall cold sounding album. Strangely enough, and perhaps because of the plodding tempos and thin mix, John Alman’s vocals are clearly understandable, a definite rarity amongst early growlers.

Winter does seem to personify the old extreme metal adage that it’s easier to play fast; slowing things down really tests a musician’s internal sense of rhythm and doesn’t allow for mistakes that often get lost in a flurry of shredded notes. Unfortunately, this causes the members’ shortcomings to shine like a beacon, especially for John Gondaves, whose drumming shows numerous tempo fluctuations and imperfections. Commendations can be granted for the fact that they left everything natural, though one wonders if they would do the same with today’s point, click, fix technology.

With all of its flaws, Into Darkness is still a very important piece of metal history. Since the band only ever released one further EP, it’s hard to say how they would have progressed and whether they would have been the first band to create an album that essentially doesn’t move. They did play at the 2011 Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands, so perhaps they are on their way to releasing their next sonic attack. Don’t worry, though, you should have plenty of time to get out of the way.

Genre: Death Doom

Band:
John Alman (v,b)
Stephen Flam (g)
Joe Gonclaves (d)

Track Listing:
1. Oppression Freedom/Reprise
2. Servants of the Warsmen
3. Goden
4. Power and Might
5. Destiny
6. Eternal Frost
7. Into Darkness

Label: Southern Lord Records

Website: www.southernlord.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10

Daniel MacMaster of Bonham : Holding on Forever

A Tribute to Daniel MacMaster

by John Kindred
Staff Writer

Daniel MacMaster
(July 11, 1968 — March 3, 2008)

Daniel MacMaster, born in Barre, Ontarion, Cananda, in 1968, tasted success in the late ’80s as the vocalist for Jason Bonham’s band Bonham. Bonham released two albums: The Disregard of Timekeeping in 1989 (which peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard charts) and 1992′s Mad Hatter. The Disregard of Timekeeping, produced by the acclaimed Bob Ezrin, went gold and delivered the band two hit singles, “Wait For You” and “Guilty.” The success that followed kept the band on the road touring and promoting The Disregard of Timekeeping for three years before returning to the studio to record Mad Hatter.

Prior to joining Bonham, MacMaster was in the band Scorcher, a Blues-based hard rock outfit. The band only recorded one studio album, No Thanks, which was released two years after Mad Hatter in 1994. Read more

Jo, Cynthia

Biography

Born and raised in the music capital of the world, Los Angeles, California, Cynthia Jo has always had a vision and passion for music, especially rock and roll. At the young age of twelve, she began promoting local bands and became intrigued and very passionate in describing them. Anything from metal to pop rock to hardcore she wanted to be the first to describe them to anyone she came across. With that passion, she entered a writing contest at her high school. She wrote a poem about one of her favorite bands, Metallica, and won first place. Afterward, she became the entertainment writer for her high school’s newspaper and, by her senior year, the editor for the entertainment section. Read more

HARDROCK HAVEN WRITERS’ TOP 10 FOR 2010!

Every year, Hardrock Haven staffers compile their Top 10 best releases. Here’s the writers’ favorites from 2010:

Alex’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Unruly Child – Worlds Collide
2. Accept – Blood of the Nations
3. Black Country Communion – S/T
4. Heaven Below – EP
5. Kyoji Yamamoto – The Life Album
6. Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier
7. Ratt – Infestation
8. Slash – S/T
9. Dimmu Borgir – Abrahadabra
10. Dio – Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987

Alissa’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Joe Satriani – Black Swans & Wormhole Wizards
2. John 5 – The Art of Malice
3. Ratt – Infestation
4. Kiko Loureiro – Fullblast
5. Hellsingland Underground – Madness & Grace
6. Outshine – Until We Are Dead
7. Gil Scott-Heron – I’m New Here
8. Seasick Steve – Songs for Elizabeth
9. Tesla – Alive in Europe
10. Igneous Human – Pyroclastic Storms

Chris’ Top 10 for 2010

1. Murderdolls -Women and Children Last
2. Airbourne – No Guts, No Glory
3. Halestorm – Halestorm
4. Jeff Beck – Emotion and Commotion
5. Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare
6. Magnetico – Magnetico
7. Threat Level – Leading The Vicious
8. Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Deluxe 2
9. Slash – Slash
10. Ratt – Infestation

Deb’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Bret Michaels – Custom Built
2. Black Label Society – Order Of The Black
   
3. Dokken – Greatest Hits
   
4. Hinder – All American Nightmare
   
5. Halford – Halford IV
   
6. RATT – Infestation
   
7. Vince Neil – Tattoos & Tequila
   
8. Scorpions – Sting In The Tail
   
9. Heaven And Hell – Live In Europe
10. Overkill – Ironbound

Derric’s Top 10 for 2010

1. De Van – Planet Botox
2. Hellsingland Underground – Madness and Grace
3. Keel – Streets of Rock and Roll
4. Darkwater – Where Stories End
5. Pretty Maids – Pandemonium
6. Mama Kin – In the City
7. Vendetta – Heretic Nation
8. Bombay Black – Love You to Death
9. Kamelot – Poetry for the Poisoned
10. Danzig – Deth Red Sabaoth

Erik’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Accept – Blood of the Nations
2. Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare
3. Pretty Maids – Pandemonium
4. Stone Sour – Audio Secrecy
5. Slash – Slash
6. Treat – Coup De Grace
7. Crazy Lixx – New Religion
8. Iron Maiden – Final Frontier
9. Spiritual Beggars – Return to Zero
10. Y&T – Facemelter

Franco’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Poets of the Fall – Twilight Theater
2. Firewind – Days of Defiance
3. ReinXeed – Majestic
4. Avantasia – The Wicked Symphony
5. Vanden Plas – The Seraphic Clockwork
6. Gamma Ray – To the Metal
7. Dawn of Silence – Wicked Saint or Righteous Sinner
8. Allen/Lande – The Showdown
9. Royal Jester – The Night Is Young
10. Terry Brock – Diamond Blue

Joe’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Debbie Ray – Artificial Misery
2. Unruly Child – Worlds Collide
3. Stratosphere – Fire Flight
4. Kiske-Sommerville –  Kiske-Sommerville
5. Brainstorm – Memorial Roots
6. Amorphis – Forging The Land Of A  Thousand Lakes
7. Neverland – Ophidia
8. Black Bone Child – Alligator
9. Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier
10. Eyes Set To Kill – Broken Frames

John K.’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Masterplan – Time to be King
2. Scorpions – Sting in the Tail
3. Erik Norlander – The Galactic Collective
4. Kamelot – Poetry for the Poisoned
5. Levi Werstler – Avalanche of Worms
6. Gamma Ray – To the Metal
7. Airbourne – No Guts, No Glory
8. Avantasia –  Angel of Babylon / The Wicked Symphony
9. Icarus Witch – Draw Down the Moon
10. Heaven & Hell – Live In Europe CD/DVD

John M.’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Murderdolls – Women and Children Last
2. John 5 – The Art of Malice
3. Paul Gilbert – Fuzz Universe
4. Brad Paisley – Hits Alive
5. Halestorm – Live in Philly
6. Ratt – Infestation
7. Megadeth – Rust In Peace: Live
8. Sin City Sinners – Exile On Fremont Street
9. Dokken – Greatest Hits 2
10. American Dog – Mean

Justin’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Volbeat – Beyond Hell, Above Heaven
2. Y&T – Facemelter
3. Pretty Maids – Pandemonium
4. Line of Fire – Momentum
5. Orphaned Land – The Neverending Way of ORwarriOR
6. Allen-Lande – The Showdown
7. Angra – Aqua
8. James Labrie – A Static Impulse
9. Treat – Coup de Grace
10. Houston – Houston

Mark’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Crazy Lixx – New Religion
2. Disciple – Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
3. Bullet for my Valentine -Fever
4. Demon Hunter – The World is a Thorn
5. Crashdiet – Generation Wild
6. Reckless Love – Reckless Love
7. Taking Dawn – Time to Burn
8. Pretty Maids – Pandemonium
9. My Darkest Days – My Darkest Days
10. The Scorpions -Sting in the Tail
    

Steve’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Firewind – Days of Defiance
2. Bullet For My Valentine – Fever
3. Epica – Design Your Universe
4. Soilwork – Panic Broadcast
5. Disturbed – Aslyum
6. Joe Satriani – Black Swans & Wormhole Wizards
7. Threat Signal – Vigilance
8. Blind Guardian – At The Edge of Time
9. Yngwie Malmsteen - Relentless
10. Godsmack – Oracle

Ron’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Ratt – Infestation
2. Unruly Child – Worlds Collide
3. Y&T – Facemelter
4. Scorpions – Sting in the Tail
5. Brian Wilson – Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
6. Krokus – Hoodoo
7. Crazy Lixx – New Religion
8. Allen/Lande – The Showdown
9. Kamelot – Poetry for the Poisoned
10. Treat – Coup de Grace

Trevor’s Top 10 for 2010

1. Imperial State Electric – Imperial State Electric
2. Ratt – Infestation
3. Enslaved – Axioma Ethica Odini
4. Armored Saint – La Raza
5. Jackdaw4 – The Eternal Struggle for Justice
6. Helloween – 7 Sinners
7. Riotgod – Riotgod
8. Brant Bjork – Gods and Goddesses
9. Danzig – Deth Red Sabaoth
10. Manegarm – Nattvasen

HARDROCK HAVEN WRITERS’ TOP 10 FOR 2009!

Every year, Hardrock Haven staffers compile their Top 10 best releases. As we stumble into 2010, here’s the writers’ favorites from 2009:

Alissa’s Top 10 for 2009

1. Andreas Kisser Hubris I & II
2. John 5 Remixploitation
3. The Big Pink The Evolution of Chaos
4. Heathen Have Guitar Will Travel
5. The Red Chord Fed Through the Teeth Machine
6. Slayer World Painted Blood
7. Dream Theater Black Clouds and Silver Linings
8. Pronto The Cheetah
9. Richie Kotzen Peace Sign
10. Vinnie Moore To the Core

Deb’s Top 10 for 2009

1. Charm City Devils Let’s Rock and Roll
2. Slayer World Painted Blood
3. Drowning Pool Loudest Commen Denominator
4. Joe Perry Project Have Guitar Will Travel
5. Shadows Fall Retribution
6. Puddle of Mudd Songs in the Key of Love and Hate
7. Motley Crue Greatest Hits
8. Anvil This is Thirteen
9. Vains of Jenna The Art of Telling Lies
10. Steel Panther Feel the Steel

Derric’s Top 10 for 2009

1. Cage Science of Annihilation
2. Candlemass Death Magic Doom
3. El Creepo El Creepo
4. ColdSpell Infinite Stargaze
5. Danger Danger Revolve
6. Freakshow Welcome to the Freakshow
7. Outloud Outloud
8. Great White Rising
9. Lillian Axe Sad Day on Planet Earth
10. Cauldron Chained to the Nite

Franco’s Top 10 for 2009

1. Edguy Tinnitus Sanctus
2. House of Lords Cartesian Dreams
3. Magnum Into the Valley of the Moon King
4. Praying Mantis Sanctuary
5. Sonata Arctica The Days of Grays
6. Gotthard Need to Believe
7. Hammerfall No Sacrifice, No Victory
8. W.E.T. W.E.T.
9. Redemption Snowfall on Judgment Day
10. Primal Fear 16.6 (Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead)

Joe’s Top 10 for 2009

1. Primal Fear 16.6 (Before the Devil KNows You’re Dead)
2. Amorphis Skyforger
3. Brunorock War Maniacs
4. Echoes of Eternity As Shadows Burn
5. Gregg Rolie Band Rain Dance
6. Smile Empty Soul Consciousness
7. 3 Revisions
8. Eldorado Golden
9. Joe Becker Hot As Love
10. Megadeth Endgame

John’s Top 10 for 2009

1. Jorn Spirit Black
2. Joe Stump Virtuostic Vendetta
3. Vinnie Moore To The Core
4. Thunderstone Dirt Metal
5. W.A.S.P. Babylon
6. Leverage Circus Colossus
7. Judas Priest A Touch of Evil: Live
8. Ace Frehley Anomaly
9. Kiss Sonic Boom
10. Cold Truth Do Watcha Do

Justin’s Top 10 for 2009

1. Green Day 21st Century Breakdown
2. Free Spirit Pale Sister of Light
3. Volbeat Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood
4. Gotthard Need To Believe
5. The Poodles Clash of the Elements
6. Hardcore SuperstarBeg For It
7. Leprous Tall Poppy Syndrome
8. Jorn Spirit Black
9. Wolf Ravenous
10. Praying Mantis Sanctuary

Steve’s Top 10 for 2009

1. Breaking Benjamin Dear Agony
2. Halestorm Halestorm
3. Skillet Awake
4. Three Days Grace Life Starts Now
5. Alice in Chains Black Gives Way to Blue
6. Shinedown The Sound of Madness
7. Dream Theater Black Clouds & Silver Linings
8. KISS Sonic Boom
9. Five Finger Death Punch War is the Answer
10. Hammerfall No Sacrifice No Victory

Trevor’s Top 10 for 2009

1. The Wildhearts Chutzpah!
2. Immortal All Shall Fall
3. Cheap Trick The Latest
4. KISS Sonic Boom
5. Brutal Truth Evolution through Revolution
6. The Brian Setzer Orchestra Songs from Lonely Avenue
7. Great White Rising
8. Ensiferum From Afar
9. The Black Crowes Before the Frost … Until the Freeze
10. Thundra Ignored by Fear

Mis, Joe

Biography

A big “Yo!” to all from Brooklyn, N.Y.!

I was Brooklyn born and raised – and still live in one of the most interesting and vibrant places in New York City. In my real life, I am the all around “computer guy” for a small higher education institution and a very unlikely Metalhead – with an Iron Maiden poster on my office wall (Eddie makes the students think twice about bothering me!). Read more

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Kindred, Kathy

Biography

Hi! I’m Kathy Kindred. If you don’t know already, I’m the publisher’s better half. I definitely have a hard-rocker soul. When given the opportunity, I love to forget about grown-up life and rock out. I got hooked on rock ‘n’ roll via the 1970s TV show “Midnight Special” with Wolfman Jack. And my first rock concert was Molly Hatchet in St. Louis.

I like classic ‘80s big-hair rock as well as alternative. My absolute favorite female singer is Stevie Nicks. My favorite male singer changes almost daily, but I’m fond of Sammy Hagar Read more

Kindred, John

Biography

First thing first, thanks for taking the time and stopping by and checking out the site. Hopefully we are providing you, the reader, with a balanced perspective on the “genre” of rock, which for us includes classic rock, hard rock, metal of the progressive, power as well as old school loud and heavy.

The birth of the site, way back in ’02, has led to many evolutions, redesigns and through it all led to continue growth. As of today Hardrock Haven has 24 staff writers here in the U.S., U.K., Poland, Greece and the Netherlands. But don’t mind the locale this is a global site! Read more

Gaines, Justin

Biography

So what is a clean-cut corporate type doing writing about hard rock and heavy metal anyway? I’ve never been in a band, and I have never even had long hair. Still, the one constant in my life since I first heard Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” at the tender age of 11 has been an insatiable appetite for all kinds of melodic rock and metal. I obsessively follow this kind of music, have a CD collection that’s fast approaching 3000, and I love to write about the music that means so much to me. Read more

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