Review by JD on October 5, 2010.

Laughing like some madman or a drunkard on a bender, it is clear that I have already looked at the name of this group. After laughing myself nearly silly, I pick myself off the floor and return to the computer, needing to be coherent and sane to complete this review of Australian metal outfit... The Loving Tongue.

Right off, it is clear that they are old school, down and bruising metal. They are situated dead center into the 80's NWOBHM movement, and are not unafraid to be like that. They sound somewhat cliché and dated at first listen... but it is strange that it still sounded so good beside that fact. It makes you simply want to hear more.

The main singer is also a member of Raven Black Night and that tells you that this is a pure and honest romp into the old school ways. Songs like the potent ‘Marching On’ and the amazing and honour filled cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Heaven And Hell’ shows that they are damn good musicians as well. Because they are somewhat sounding like so many of that era’s legends most people just might dismiss them as just a rehashing of the music. One honest listen, will change anyone’s mind. They still bring fire to the old ways.

So what if it sounds like it is some stereotyped throwback to the 80's?. You can’t argue that it is fun, exciting and just plain good music. The Loving Tongue will not change the world, but they do show that the old school metal is still relevant even in the new millennium. More bands need to hear this album, so they can hear where heavy metal is rooted. This is simple and heavy music delivered with fire.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality:6
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Review by JD on October 5, 2010.

Laughing like some madman or a drunkard on a bender, it is clear that I have already looked at the name of this group. After laughing myself nearly silly, I pick myself off the floor and return to the computer, needing to be coherent and sane to complete this review of Australian metal outfit... The Loving Tongue.

Right off, it is clear that they are old school, down and bruising metal. They are situated dead center into the 80's NWOBHM movement, and are not unafraid to be like that. They sound somewhat cliché and dated at first listen... but it is strange that it still sounded so good beside that fact. It makes you simply want to hear more.

The main singer is also a member of Raven Black Night and that tells you that this is a pure and honest romp into the old school ways. Songs like the potent ‘Marching On’ and the amazing and honour filled cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Heaven And Hell’ shows that they are damn good musicians as well. Because they are somewhat sounding like so many of that era’s legends most people just might dismiss them as just a rehashing of the music. One honest listen, will change anyone’s mind. They still bring fire to the old ways.

So what if it sounds like it is some stereotyped throwback to the 80's?. You can’t argue that it is fun, exciting and just plain good music. The Loving Tongue will not change the world, but they do show that the old school metal is still relevant even in the new millennium. More bands need to hear this album, so they can hear where heavy metal is rooted. This is simple and heavy music delivered with fire.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality:6
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Review by JD on October 5, 2010.

Laughing like some madman or a drunkard on a bender, it is clear that I have already looked at the name of this group. After laughing myself nearly silly, I pick myself off the floor and return to the computer, needing to be coherent and sane to complete this review of Australian metal outfit... The Loving Tongue.

Right off, it is clear that they are old school, down and bruising metal. They are situated dead center into the 80's NWOBHM movement, and are not unafraid to be like that. They sound somewhat cliché and dated at first listen... but it is strange that it still sounded so good beside that fact. It makes you simply want to hear more.

The main singer is also a member of Raven Black Night and that tells you that this is a pure and honest romp into the old school ways. Songs like the potent ‘Marching On’ and the amazing and honour filled cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Heaven And Hell’ shows that they are damn good musicians as well. Because they are somewhat sounding like so many of that era’s legends most people just might dismiss them as just a rehashing of the music. One honest listen, will change anyone’s mind. They still bring fire to the old ways.

So what if it sounds like it is some stereotyped throwback to the 80's?. You can’t argue that it is fun, exciting and just plain good music. The Loving Tongue will not change the world, but they do show that the old school metal is still relevant even in the new millennium. More bands need to hear this album, so they can hear where heavy metal is rooted. This is simple and heavy music delivered with fire.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality:6
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Review by Krys on July 19, 2002.

Council of the Fallen is a black/death metal project involving well known members of the U.S. death metal scene. The lineup consists of bassist Sean Baxter (Broken Hope, Em Simfonia), drummer Derek Roddy (Malevolent Creation, Hate Eternal, Divine Empire, Nile), and guitarist Kevin Quirion (Aurora Borealis). Given the members impressive resumes, it’s reasonable to assume high quality death metal but don’t be fooled, “Revealing Damnation” is as much a black metal album as it is a death metal album and more importantly it’s top notch quality.

After the initial surprise of this not being a pure death onslaught, I realized that I’ve just heard one of the best mixtures of death and black metal in years. Given the state of the US black metal scene, it’s even more satisfying hearing not only something that tops everything in the States, but also stands a head and shoulders above most of the albums coming from the rest of the world. The balance between those two styles is so impeccable that I’m not sure if “Revealing Damnation” is a death metal with a black touch or the other way around.

Twelve tracks of devastating aggression were composed with such precision and intelligence that not a single note feels like being wasted or unnecessary. All songs are based on memorable riffs, careful arrangements, tempo changes and limitless skills of respective musicians; this material can’t leave you bored. Tracks like ‘Search for Purpose’ or ‘Shadowed Horizon’ can make pure black metal acts look like pansies and countless moments of outstanding gut-spilling death metal riffs overshadows most of each member’s alma mater band’s material.

While most of the time Council of the Fallen goes through “Revealing Damnation” with a blazing speed, the musicians’ experience doesn’t let the songs slip out of control. Every time you get to the point that a section might feel monotonous they’ll change the tempo, style, riff, vocal; and they’ll do at the exact, perfect moment. ‘Lying in Wait’ or ‘Remnants of Existence’ are perfect examples of COTF going from blast beats to mid tempos laying monstrous riffs, crushing your skull. This album doesn’t have weak tracks, only good ones and outstanding ones; that makes Council of the Fallen “Revealing Damnation” an album that will never see the dust gathering section of my collection.

Bottom Line: “Revealing Damnation” is not only a debut of the year contestant, but a future standard on how death and black hybrid metal is going to be played. I only hope that their heavy involvement with other projects won’t stop them from evolving as a band and delivering even more mind-blowing albums.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9
Originality: 7
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10