Upwards Of Endtime – S/T (Swaying Ball Music)
By Chris Barnes
November 7th, 2005

I have an almost Larry David-like compulsion to discuss why more bands don’t start with the letter “U”, but I’ll refrain.

Upwards of Endtime are comprised of ex-members of political-based hardcore act Blastmat and grind/death-metal band Atrocity as a joint effort to get away from reality-based music and explore more escapist material. After 9/11 and the subsequent travesty in Iraq, I can’t blame them. UoE have succeeded in getting so far away from those bands musically and lyrically that one would be hard-pressed to guess their sphere of influence. UoE operate with almost singular Bolt Thrower-meets-Sabbath-like vision… Battles, apocalyptic visions and more battles with the odd sacrificial virgin to the devil for kicks.

I’m continually reminded of Saint Vitus in the raw, no frills production,and Doomsword in the doom-stained take on battle metal. All in all, UoE wouldn’t be out of place back in ’79 when the dams began to burst or in the early ‘80’s SST when Vitus, BL’AST and Black Flag ruled the roost or now when both those things are suddenly cool again. They have that particular attribute of being able to appeal across genres, much like The Obsessed did back in the day. Metal for the punk kiddies, punk for the metal kiddies.

They do, however, fall flat in the hidden track department. I think it’s a cover of Witchfinder General’s “Buring A Sinner” done backwards but I could’ve read the band press page wrong. Anyway, waiting 20 minutes for a song done backwards of anything is irritating. Other than that, this is a solid debut of appealing for the doom, punk and NWOBHM enthusiast alike.

Purchase Upwards of Endtime and Sadly Never Fore at the Hellride Music Superstore

Download an MP3 of Stairway to Hell at the Hellride Music Superstore

Visit the Upwards of Endtime website at www.myspace.com/upwardsofendtime