Stormrider
First Battle Won

December 2004
Released: 2004, Karmageddon
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: JP

Year-end wrap-up: Each of the last few years to wrap up the year I have picked a theme for my reviews for December. This year due to the overwhelming number of CD’s that deserve exposure, recognition and commentary I am going to resort to quantity over quality. I usually try to give as much attention to each CD with extensive commentary however this month’s reviews (perhaps unfortunately) will be short and sweet and much more in the style of traditional magazine reviews where space restrictions are an important factor. (ie. Less detail) I apologize in advance to readers who expect much more detailed reviews. Please check the reviews archives as many of my colleagues have written excellent detailed commentary of many of these CD’s. I hope the large number of quick comments will help guide you making some of those important year-end CD purchase decisions. Happy Holidays and see you in January. JP



Pretty damn, mean blast of hate on this CD! Stormrider are a side-project of sorts unleashing a short 11 track CD of hate-filled blackened death. The lyrics are great traditional lyrics about drinking and killing and other delightful topics of rage. The songs are all fast and perhaps unfortunately not enough variation in the structure and arrangements, so the short length works in the bands favour. Karmageddon does an adequate job but the band name could be better and the cover, design and layout are dark and visually uninteresting. The production is killer and the vocals of XY are a nice mix of higher pitched tortured screams and gurgling death growls. His voice makes the band. Stormrider have indeed won the first battle.