| All-female Greek black metal trio Astarte returns with another crushing release of blasting fury. On their fifth album, 'Demonized,' leader Tristessa howls her scorched banshee vocals while machine-gun drums tumble around her and crushing riffs pulverize the listener. While black metal is generally regarded as a boys' club, Astarte prove they should be taken seriously with epic songs like "Lost," which recalls classic black-metal forefathers Immortal in its mix of raging aggression and majestic guitar passages. On "Lycon," micro speed-metal solos poke through the thrash storm as Tristessa duets with guest Attila Csihar from Mayhem. With its paint-peeling shrieks, 'Demonized' reminds metal fans that women aren't just hood ornaments in rock videos. (2007) |