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HERRATIK CD REVIEWS
WRATH-DIVINE CD - RELEASED JULY 2006
METAL
HAMMER MAG - One of the worlds biggest metal publications - From UK - www.metalhammer.co.uk
Formerly known as ABORTUS, Sydney, Australia's HERRATIK play the sort of
meaty thrash-heavy death metal that seemed to have been killed off by the twin
tyrants of Gothenburg melodic death & Cannibal Corpse-style gore. Having
added a second guitarist & drafted drummer NECRODEMON, formerly of German
Black Metallers MYSTIC CIRCLE, their new album has a much fuller, morecomplete
sound than ABORTUS efforts "Judge Me Not" & "Process Of
ELimination". With ten new songs plus four re-recorded ABORTUS-era tracks,
the album was produced by Astennu (Former Dimmu Borgir). It's good solid stuff
with a pleasing "Doomy" undercurrent, some beefy power riffs &
tasty technical interplay from axe-men Gooch & Wader.
7/10 - Tommy Udo
DEAD TIDE -
WebZine From USA - www.deadtide.com
Formerly known as Abortus, Herratik’s debut, Wrath-Divine represents the
band’s third release. Much like their first two albums, these Aussies just
love razor-sharp, caustic, slightly-blackened thrash, and they deal it out with
plenty of vitriol and conviction. For an idea of what’s in store for you here,
think of God Dethroned before they became complacent, mixed with Carnal
Forge’s destructive attitude. Through the ten new tracks on Wrath-Divine,
there isn’t a sloppy or dull moment, as the smart riffs, acid vocals and dense
thrash drumming hold everything together in true fashion. In fact, this disc was
good enough that after only one listen, I went out and bought their two Abortus
releases, having never heard them before. If you like thrash, acquaint yourself
with Herratik. Wrath-Divine is well worth whatever trouble you may have tracking
it down.
Standout Tracks - I Heretic - Above Your Lies - X - Forget Me Father
Peter Johnston
COP-OUT MAGAZINE
- Street Press / Magazine From UK
Thrash Death Metal from the Southern Hemisphere. Some may well recall these guys
under their previous moniker of Abortus, who thrashed and kicked with an
almighty force. Well there is no let up this time round, with equal measures of
power and speed, fused nicely with riffmongery spectacular. Brutal and hard and somewhat
evil.
4/5
Darell E Ganapo
DEAD EARNEST -
WebZine Form Scotland - www.deadearnest.btinternet.co.uk
Australian detah/thrash metal band with fourteen songs, each of which is
taken at a punishing pace that will have you clinging on for dear life as the
supercharged maelstrom of riffs, rhythms and deathly vocals provide the scariest
ride of your life, as you get caught up in its nuclear force days of reckoning,
convinced that you're about to meet your maker any second. Above all this the
twin guitar leads provide some smoking solos amid the thickly riffing
undercurrents that form the canvas on which the massive metallic juggernaut
rides right through. There's a totally hypnotic quality to the whole
head-shaking display of unmitigated power, as song after song bores through your
skull with the intensity and precision of a diamond-tipped drill. Quite awesome
and absolutely on fire, the end is well and truly nigh.
Andy G
CONCRETE WEB -
WebZine From Belgium - www.concreteweb.be
Over the years, I've
been privileged to see the Copro label (and its sub-label Casket Music) grow
from a strictly EmoCore oriented affair into an ever broader-minded whole,
contracting bands from several (still heavy) genres. With Herratik, an
Australian band (from Sydney) enters the roster. Formerly known as Abortus who
started out in '98, playing a Thrash/ Death that pays its dues to the first wave
of that genre (which happened around the end of the '80s/ beginning of the
'90s). Abortus recorded 2 albums (1999's “Judge Me Not” & 2001's
“Process Of Elimination”, the latter also released on European label
Code666, for which the band even did a European promo tour with Mystic Circle
& Ancient Rites, also taking Mystic Circle on an Australian tour in Sept-Oct
'03), before opting for a name change.
Which didn't exactly change anything to their musical approach (a thing which
can be checked on this very album because, as a tribute to their 'old' days, the
band re-recorded 4 of their old songs, and put those at the end of the album).
With a line-up of Jack (lead vocals), Gooch (lead & rhythm guitar), Wader
(rhythm guitar) and George (bass), the band turned to Mystic Circle's Alexander
Koch for drumming (him recording his tracks in Germany, the rest in their native
Sydney).
The album opens with a horror movie sample (I guess it's some Vincent Price
flick, because I seem to recognize his characteristic evil laugh there), before
crashing into “I Herratik”. What follows are 8 more tracks that take me back
to days when a stalemate in musical styles came to a relief for me, when this
very hybrid genre cae into being. No need to say, I was slightly positively
prejudiced when listening to the album, and this was possibly at the basis of my
listening more intently than a lot of the more “established” Metal music
reviewers have been doing. I mean, I discovered the frequent use of a keyboard
lick, some very nice twists and turns in guitar work (bringing in short and
almost unexpected lead parts, and occasionally beautiful but short solos) while
keeping everything nicely raw and within the boundaries of the sub-genre. I also
discovered a more sensitive side to the guys with an acoustic & instrumental
ballad (only bass and keyboards accompany that acoustic guitar). Samples return
here and there to make some of the songs a bit more interesting (and you find
yourself listening quite intently, trying to unravel some of that after having
listened to the album a couple of times)...and of course a return of the opening
sample at the end of the actual album. After which the 4 bonus tracks come (this
time, no extras, just all-out late '80s Thrashing Death without frills). In
total, the band delivers just over 68 minutes worth of reminiscence pleasure.
In conclusion, a very nice 'reminder' album for those who were already about
back in the days. But I am afraid that in the current musical climate, where
listeners are treated to well-produced Metal of all kinds and sub-genres, the
album will kinda stick out like a sore tooth. I do hope I'm wrong, of course,
and that more and more people into Metal are at moments bored with all the slimy
slickness, longing for a rawer and inhibited approach, may discover what nice
albums could be out there waiting for them.
This one just might be a nice change of pace, in fact!
88/100
Tony.
HERRATIK LIVE REVIEWS
COMING SOON
ABORTUS CD REVIEWS
PROCESS OF ELIMINATION CD - RELEASED 2001
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH Metal Forces Magazine (Germany) Thunder Magazine (France) Metal Daze Magazine (Japan) NEWCOMER OF THE MONTH Flash Magazine (Italy 9/10) "LOOK AT" OF THE MONTH Virtual Strike Magazine (USA 8/10) |
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Embers Web-Zine - www.embers.com I first wanted to enter a play time of approximately 85 minutes. This is largely due to the very first track. Abortus give us great mid-paced old school Death Metal (think Bolt Thrower for example), and that very first track kicks off the album in a great way. I must've hit repeat at least 100 times whilst listening to that CD. Michele (promotions of Code666) claimed that people discover something new every time they listen to Abortus. I wouldn't know what exactly, but hey -if it means people will listen even more times to this CD, then who am I to deny that ! This is a grand CD to put on for a while... I've a minor problem now though... I've not really much to say about this CD -I mean, I could start repeating some of the background info -but who really cares about that when it comes to music like this. And you could probably find somewhere on the website just how Abortus managed to impress everyone with their live shows, or their (I think) self-financed Debut-CD. Apart from that, I'd need to find the info-slip again. What I'd much prefer to tell you is to simply go listen to "Abort Us", "Revenge Now Sworn", and just how great "The Calm Before The..." (very appropriate title) merges into "Process Of Elimation" or the kick in "God Vision". Jack's vocals are well suited to the type of music. Good growling, some nice screams and a grunt that isn't buried 6 feet below... I'd also like to point out the great looking digi-pack (done, naturally by Code666's house designers Temn0 un.art). Anyone into Metal should by now recognize Code666 as being a sure sign for some Quality metal... Abortus is no exception to this. Anyone into good ole old school Death Metal (with some occasional melodic lines, some thrash influences and the trademarked mid-paced speed) should check this one out. Even if only for that very first time you reach for the 'repeat' or 'back' button... Oh no ! Here I go again... 89/100 |
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Babylon Web-Zine (Italy) So, it's good to see that Code666 proves, another time, that is a really interesting label, able to find good extreme-metal bands all around the world. This time they introduce us these Australians Abortus, which are the authors of a very effective thrash-death metal. These guys know how to play, even though I have to admit that the music they propose is nothing new, but anything they do is performed absolutely well so it's useless to look for the new at any cost. They start with "Abort Us", a song of a terrific impact, ready to kick our butts and faces, taking us inside Abortus' world, a really contorted and violent place. They go on with "Revenge Now Sworn", and the violence goes on as well, until the last "Sadist-Fy". Speedy double pedal, sharp riffs, rough voice and much feeling; this is Abortus: a riff-grinding machine that wants just to throw their music in our faces. I would have liked to see them on stage at the Indians Saloon not long ago, but unfortunately the date has been cancelled. I'm sure these guys will be better live than on the album. |
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Vampire Web Zine (Holland) Thrash is definitely on its way back! Abortus are another furious thrash band that make it clear that whoever says thrash is dead, should be dead him/herself. Thrash, mixed with a healthy dose of aggressive death metal, that's a recipe that can create some very interesting music. Just like with Abortus. The riffs are very pounding, also due to the low and crunchy production. To be honest, these guys aren't really doing anything new, but at least they do it both enthousiastic and professional. They add some modern influences, like the use of harmonic tones and groove, so that they don't sound too oldfashioned. Grip Inc. goes death metal, so to speak. Despite the fact that there are ten songs on this album, it is rather short. Too bad, because I'd like to hear a lot more from these guys. My compliments do go out to the package. This CD comes in a digipack and looks absolutely fantastic! Professional to the bone, these Aussies. Definitely a band with the potential to make a big break. My definite favorite track: the title track, which has everything in it. |
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ANCIENT
CEREMONIES MAGAZINE
Issue #9 - December 2001
Two years have
passed since the release of the debut album "Judge Me Not".
& this Australian quartet returns with a much more powerful release simply
denominated "Process Of Elimination". Basically this new opus is the
continuation of the previous effort but with better drums due to the fact that
they now have a new drummer called Michael. The band is definitely trying to
create their own style by blending old style Thrash with Death Metal. The album
has a good dose of catchy moments in some guitar riffs & solos & with
much better song structures compared with their debut. "Process Of
Elimination" is a highly recommended album to all lovers of the good old
Metal sonority, but perhaps not that much enjoyable for the new age fans. (Review
by Nuno Santos - 7/10)
JUDGE ME NOT CD - RELEASED 1999
UNHOLY
TERROR MAGAZINE
Issue #3 - Nth. Hemisphere's Spring 2001
Australia Always has a whole
bunch of really cool & interesting
Death Metal Bands such as Misery, Encabulos, Abramelin, Armoured
Angel or even ABORTUS. ABORTUS plays mid tempo Death Metal with
an
old school feeling & a strong Thrash touch. You can also
hear that the roots of these fou
Aussies are based in traditional 80's Metal.
Especially the Lead Guitar is influenced by traditional Metal Guitars. Sounds
pretty amazing & you definitely won't find any trendy influences
here.
"Judge Me Not" is a remarkable debut album & you should check it out. I
also have to mention
that the voice of Vocalist Jack, sounds really great. Well done, Dudes. (5 Points / 6, by
Hacker).
ANCIENT CEREMONIES
MAGAZINE
Issue #5 - Nth. Hemisphere's Spring 2000
"Abortus" is not a
very old project only formed in mid 98, but still
they manage to blend the old metal feeling in their Trash / Death
style of music. To all the ones who are thinking this is just
another
Retro project... you are totally wrong!!! This Australian band's
first aim is to compose original
music not ripping off any old Metal
band, & with this debut CD they accomplish that! "Judge Me
Not" is a good introduction to the world of "Abortus", especially
if you like the old Metal scene. On the other hand, I believe that what stands more
in this CD is the vocals of Jack where he wonders between a Thrash
& Death style & the work of Gooch on the Guitars. You can check
them
out on one of the CD's attached to this magazine... but I believe
that this is not a good testimony of what "Judge Me Not"
is all about, because "Re-Pray" possesses a much more Punk Rock vibe
than the rest of the album. On the other hand, I like this song more than
the other 7 ones. "Re-Pray" breeds life into all it's pores.
A very promising band indeed. (Review by Nuno Santos, Score 3.75 / 5)
OSKOREI
MAGAZINE
Issue #4 - Nth Hemisphere Spring 2000
This is damn fine old school
Thrash / Death Metal indeed. This Australian band seems to have it all, good songs, brutality,
a good sound & the real feeling for Thrash / Death Metal. I
especially like the vocals which are really shredding, check them out on
this issue comp. CD & hear what they sound like, I think it sounds
killer. Available for 25DM / US$15 worldwide... Perhaps this will be
the next big thing from Australia.
(Review by Lars Jamne).
BLACK
HOLE MAGAZINE
September 2000 Issue
Australia is living a good moment
on their metal scene, to prove that,
come another brutal band.. "Abortus". Playing old school
thrash / death metal since the mid of 98 this CD shows furious & blasting
metal with great guitar solo's & riffs. "Abortus"
do a brilliant job creating some interesting parts & you easily get into their
sound feeling all the vibrations & absorbing the hate. If you are
into bands like Benediction / Death from the beginning you have here 8 tracks
that will satisfy your needs. Take a look!!!
(Review by Fernando. score7.5/10).