And Utero Dominae - _Minor Evolutions_
(Independent, 2009)
by: Quentin Kalis (7 out of 10)
Despite the Latin name, this is a straightforward, balls-to-the-wall modern heavy thrash album. You know the sort I'm talking about, the one with the larynx-ripping vocals, and rumbling guitar tone that pisses off traditionalists raised on a steady diet of Slayer and Sodom, one where Pantera style thrash grooves jostle for space with melodious thrash chops and hardcore breakdowns. For an independent album, it's incredibly strong as far as production goes. OK, the drums could have more oomph, the riffs could be a tad heavier, but you do the best you can with what you have, and I suspect many hours of menial work made this possible.

Calling _Minor Evolutions_ an album may be a push, as there is a mere 25 minutes of music. (Only Slayer has the right to call a release under 30 minutes an album.) This is a positive sign, as many unsigned artists simply don't realise that just because 70 odd minutes can fit onto a CD it does not mean that they need to fill it with every single half-baked song written. Even with such pleasing brevity, there is still some fluff that could be shaved; "Violent in Silence" is a brief and annoying tangent, and closer "Occupier" should have ended after four and a half minutes, instead of continuing for another two with pseudo post-rock atmospherics. Shorter and punchy modern thrashers such as "All to Wall" and "Trip My Once" play to their strengths, and And Utero Dominae would do well to stick to what they do best.

Contact: http://www.myspace.com/anduterodominae

(article published 18/4/2010)


ALBUMS
2/24/2007 K Sarampalis 6.5 And Utero Dominae - Bleeding Machines
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