Stampin' Ground - A New Darkness Upon Us
2003 Century Media
by Skin Splitter

Quick Summary:
"In an era where heavy music is once again on radio shows, in mainstream press, on international charts and on TV, never has the time been more right for a band like Stampin' Ground to unveil it's unique blend of metal and hardcore to the world.  (http://www.stampin-ground.com/present_bullet_points.html)".  Right then and there I should have known I was in trouble.  As soon as someone writes that as an intro, what they are really saying is, "We sound the same as everyone else, just like us more."  This is really unfortunate.  I first heard of these guys while turning on the digital music channel provided to me by the Metrocast Cable Company.  The song was titled "Don't Need A Reason To Hate".  When it first played, I dropped everything I was doing (including the girl) and ran to see who it was.  Just based on the opening riff I instantly thought of Slayer.  A great riff as well as a pretty decent song.  So, like Columbus, I decided to take a chance and pick it up.....

WHOOOOPS!  My mistake.  For although Stampin' Ground is HEAVILY (oh hell, I'll say it...a rip-off) influenced with Slayer riffs, that's where the comparison ends.  As soon as you hear the intro to any of their songs, I immediately think of two things:  1. Slayer; 2. Ad Nauseum, because the riffs don't change.  All their songs are about three parts total.  Intro/main riff/ bridge, maybe a chorus.  And that's it.  The vocals are not that bad and actually go with the songs fairly well.  I don't know what he's saying for the most part, but whatever, the words probably aren't that important anyway.  The end result is I'm really amazed Slayer let them get away with basically taking their great riffs and running them into the ground.  FOR SHAME!

Website:  www.stampin-ground.com

Song Summaries:

1. Intro - Slow intro and tolerable.  However, does anyone else feel the Slayer???  C
2. Don’t Need A Reason To Hate - Best song on the album.  Unfortunately, the best riff on the album is played WAY too much.  It's unfortunate, had the entire album been as good as this.  They might have had something going there.  B
3. Behind The Light - There's just something missing in this one.  I’m not sure what it is, but there is something missing.  And saying Jesus Christ in a song frightens me.  D
4. Killer Of Society - This song is AWFUL!!!  Run to the hills, plug your ears, do anything to skip this one.  If you were smart you'd have already stopped the CD.  F
5. Dead From The Neck Up - :50 seconds in comes a fairly decent riff that's not bad (even though it's Slayer).  That's about what the rest of the song sounds like so you better like the riff cause it's not going anywhere...  C+
6. The Cage - This songs sucks up to the root and beyond.  It's just awful.  This must be the hardcore part of the CD I missed.  F
7. Bear The Scars - Nice speed.  Fairly decent speed and not bad drumming.  This song would be GREAT if it was under a minute, but instead it's three minutes long.  Therefore you hear this song about three times...  You'll know what I'm talking about.  C
8. Betrayal Has A Face - More like Theft Has A Face...ENOUGH WITH THE SLAYER RIFFS!!  And such a cheesy chorus too.  F
9. Pain Is Weakness (Leaving The Body) - Pain is sound (leaving my speakers) but only when your CD is playing.  Parts of it are good.  Most of it isn't.  D
10. Unmarked Grave - Alright that's it.  I'm calling Slayer.  This has gone too far.  D
11. Ashes To Scatter - Once again.  A nice intro riff that is played until it becomes boring after one sitting.  If this song were 30 seconds it would have been GREAT.  The second best song on the album, but graded lower than the others because of the CD placement, repetitiveness, and bad chorus.  D
12. Mantra Of A Dying World - The outro.  It's just them playing parts of Seasons In The Abyss with parts of Raining Blood and coming up with the worst parts of both.  F

Average Song Rating:  D+
Overall Album Rating:  D-