Review by Felix on November 24, 2019.

Catalonia is striving for independence. Spain means pain! Or is it exactly the contrary? Anyway, Krossfyre originate from this sunny and turbulent region. On this basis, it can be seen as an ironic twist of fate that they do not cherish an autonomous approach in terms of their musical offering. Burning Torches is filled to the brim with fanatic black thrash metal which draws on the tried and tested stylistic devices of this roughshod hybrid genre. In addition, bulky death metal elements are not totally excluded. Despite its actually good flow, the title track can confirm this. Nevertheless, deathly ingredients play a less prominent role.

The quasi-opener "Fire Solution" convinces with its rabid configuration and a spooky, siren-like guitar line. Fans of Nifelheim will love this blistering piece and I share their passion. In view of the fact that we speak of debutants, this track can be deemed as perfect. Exactly the here presented mix of violent energy and pretty insane guitars makes my blood boil. Better still, there are more killers on this EP. To my big surprise, the band has even dedicated a song to the lead singer of Sabaton. You guessed it, I am speaking of "The Great Masturbator". This title really fits like a glove. Only the musical content and its quality level are million miles away from the outpourings of this ridiculous joke figure. Morbid guitars open the song, impulsive eruptions are the result of dynamic tempo changes and the fantastic guitar work is, in spite of its general vehemence, emotional enough to create a few brilliant melodies.

However, each and every regular song sounds very energetic and adds value to this first sign of life. Only the intro is dispensable, but these 50 seconds do not mar the overall impression. More crucial is that the production sets the compositions into the right light. Aggressive guitars, a pumping bass guitar and thundering drums meet the vigorous and vile vocals. A certain number of lead singers does not sound very authentic when trying to convey an evil feeling. But "A.K." executes this job flawlessly.

The fact that the dudes follow an old school approach does not mean that Burning Torches sounds stale. Quite the opposite. Their rawness, their spontaneity and their audacity infect the listener and the title of the EP keeps its promise. This band truly knows how to keep the torches burning and in addition to the aforementioned Nifelheim, old heroes such as Possessed or early Morbid Angel are definitely further influences of Krossfyre. Well, one can choose much worse idols. This not only applies to extreme metal. In terms of political ideas, it is also easy to select the wrong concept. Thus, I hope that the people in Spain and Catalonia will find a good solution. Otherwise I exhume the bones of Franco in order to show them that the present is definitely better than the past, regardless of questions of autonomy.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by Brian on February 25, 2016.

What is there to be said about Voivod that hasn't already been said? A band I believed to be done after the untimely death of Denis "Piggy" D'Amour in 2005. How could this band move on without one of the most unique and original guitarist that's ever picked one up? For a few years they released material Piggy had recorded and arranged it themselves. Then they hired guitarist Daniel Mongrain (Chewy) and hired back original bassist Jean-Yves Thériault (Blacky), began playing live shows again in 2008 and released the masterful Target Earth in 2013. Exit Blacky, enter Rocky. After a couple successful tours and a couple 7" splits with At the Gates and Napalm Death, Voivod is set to release their new EP Post Society.

Post Society is a 5 song EP containing their two songs, "We are Connected" and "Forever Mountain", from the above mention splits, 2 new songs the title track and my personal favorite "Fall" as well as a cover of Hawkwind's "Silver Machine",which serves as tribute to fallen comrade, Lemmy, even if that was not the original intention. These new songs see the band in all it's weird glory.

Most fans are already familiar with songs contained on the splits, the 3 that are new along with those 2 further the Voivod legacy. Continuing on their sorta return to form on Target Earth, I don't know that they ever strayed, they make a thrashy, proggy release full of all the discordant beauty that is Voivod. From the Opening title track to the Hawkwind cover to close it out, Voivod sway in and out of aggressive punkish thrash, off beat prog moments and weird diminished chords that are the staple of this band.

It's amazing that over 30 years later this band continues to release material of this magnitude. Although I would have preferred a full-length release, Post Society's 30 minutes are more than fair. It also contains "Fall" which I consider to be the best post Piggy song. Voivod continues to push boundaries, challenge listeners and be one of the most forward thinking bands in metal.