SCHIZO “Cicatriz Black” /CD/

Second full-length album by the cult Italian Thrash Metal band.
Prime movers of the Italian Extreme Metal scene together with Bulldozer and Necrodeath!
Schizo have finally come out from the Underground Metal scene and have become a big name in Metal, probably the best Italian Metal band around, and really deserve to be called so, because now Bulldozer and Sadist have split up, and Necrodeath and Disarmonia Mundi have really sold out, Schizo remains one of the few big Italian bands that can really call themselves "Metal".
Listen to this CD once and you'll immediately realize this is a bad ass band, under every aspect. Every band member in fact plays a really big part in the CD and every instrument sounds ferocious and quick paced, although Schizo can master very well tempo changes, ranging from fast guitar riffs, with crushing drum blast beasts and very complicate bass parts, to instant slow down, with the drums just keeping the tempo, the guitars making plain harmonics and with a plain melodic voice. Schizo also can create wonderful intros.
The singing and drumming play the lions part, and are simply breath-taking.
In fact, Nicola Accurso's vocals are every time aggressive, and are very particular, because they are halfway between plain screaming and Tom Araya's aggressive singing tone, but are much quicker and aggressive and never drop a tone or look weak. Accurso can really sing in a wild sounding scream, and makes a wonderful impression on the listener.
The drums are even better: their sound is crushing from start to end, and they honor the Thrash/Black Metal genre. The blast beats play a big part, both because they are the main drum parts in the songs and because they're always quick and tough. Double bass is also used very well and even the tom parts are creative and complex, always playing in fast tempos.
With artwork by the legendary Lorenzo Mariani (Darkthrone, Mayhem) and arguably decent production from Peter In De Betou, Schizo's second effort is admirable enough! "Main Frame Collapse" might have been compelling enough to rival the mighty Necrodeath back in 1989, but Schizo might have been consigned to the Underground by a higher power a long time ago. Future serial killers, however, should look no further…
BL Music/Scarlet Records, 2007 (SC 134-2 / SPV 148942 CD). Made in Italy. Pressed in Austria. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Odium Restitution 2:21
2. Seen The Signs Before 4:25
3. Lacrima Khristi 2:56
4. M.G.1942 4:35
5. Demise: Desire 2:04
6. Agonizing 5:45
7. Phanatical X-X-X 4:28
8. Shine Of Scars 3:49
9. Coma´s Grip 4:45
10. The Sicilian Clan (cover Ennio Moricone) 4:42
Total playing time: 39:50


Samples: http://www.last.fm

The fourth full-length album by cult Italian Thrash Metal band.
Schizo have been pioneers of the Italian Extreme Metal scene together with Bulldozer and Necrodeath. Band was founded in 1984 and symbolizes one of the most important brand in Italian Extreme Metal scene. Chuck Schuldiner, mastermind of legendary Death band, was asked to join the band for the recording sessions of “Main Frame Collapse” in 1989; however, due to the intense activity with his band, Schuldiner was forced to deny the request. Schizo was on hold between 1999 and 2005. Their 2007 waited come back release, “Cicatriz Black”, has been extremely well received by critics and fans. In September of 2007, founding member Alberto Penzin decided to leave the band due to musical differences and personal problems with the rest of the band. Then, Dario Casabona was named as new four strings player. Band released the third and last full-length album in 2010, “Hallucination Cramps”.
The fourth album, “Rotten Spiral”, gives us intense, perfectly timed, beautifully executed melodies and harmonies, with some of the most cleverly mastered combinations between the instruments and vocals. “Rotten Spiral” is a real fast paced and head moving album from start to finish. If you remember the old school greats in Metal you’ll love this, with the track "Skeptic Flesh", and those melodic sections delivering power so intense it’ll blow your head off.
The solos are brilliantly crafted, from the dive bombs and pitched harmonics to the tremolo picking. The title track is brilliant, a real head mover throughout. Speed, ambience, power, riffs to melt your mind, vocally driven, and the solos to send shivers through you.
Overall, this is an incredible album, which would appeal to all Metalheads looking for something more from their Metal!
Punishment 18 Records, 2016 (P18R107). Made in Italy. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Leaders Of Deception 5:44 
2. Skeptic Flesh 4:11 
3. Neurotic Propaganda 3:41 
4. Rotten Spiral 6:54 
5. Deathwire 2:39 
6. Freikorps 4:58 
7. Hysterical God 6:17 
8. Final Warning 5:23
Total playing time: 39:52