July 2003 - MEGIN GIORD (UK)

Some moons ago this band were reviewed in this here fanzine, but failed to make much of a mark on Darren, however this time around the band have put out a much stronger recording, and one might i add that i have enjoyed repeated listens to. Pigeon holing this band is something that no-one as far as i am aware has managed to do successfully, as their metal, and it is undeniably a metal release, takes influence from doom, classic metal, thrash and carries a real down and out rock like a bastard vibe.

The opening track "Glutton of Misery" sets the scene for things to come with it's upbeat catchy and somewhat groovy riffs combined with Jason's hoarse yet clean and heart felt vocal delivery, which is delivered with real passion. HFC are in many ways a 2 faced band, as at times their music is full of melancholy and frustrated anguish, yet at others comes across as energetic head banging rock, that you can't help but tap to, and it's this slightly at odds combination that really endears the band to me.

The execution and rather lifeless production (fine for a demo though) at times leaves something to the imagination, but it's so full of real passion and drive that it's hard not to find yourself reaching out for the volume knob and cranking it up a notch or two. This is definitely the case with the charmingly titled "Soiled & shivering" and "Sterile, Souless & Broken" that would surely go down a treat in the live environment with their maiden melodies, crooned vocals and heavy riffing.

Overall a very cool set of tracks that would really suit a bottle of Jack Daniels, straight from the bottle of course!

Megin Giord '03

August 2002 - KENTUCKY FRIED AFTERBIRTH (UK)

May 2002 - BEYOND (BEL)

HONEY FOR CHRIST - The Art Of Self Abuse And Soul Erosion

Seeing that I was dealing with a bunch of depraved youngsters that smoke, drink and never clean up their rooms, I was prepared myself to hear a dirty and chaotic music, to the image of its makers.

Although the guitars shred your ass off and the double bass almost catches fire, I’m soon confronted with a singer that delivers quite a particular and at least as surprising performance. With his clear elocution and exquisite near-dandyism, dear Jason seduced me and I find myself incapable to break his charm (eh, there are limits, though, I warn you…).

The music is probably outstanding because nothing catches my eye, but it seems to discretely hover in the background, for it’s the singing that attracts most of my attention. Only the beginning of “Sterile, Soulless and Broken” left me with a different sensation (and not a lesser one I must say). Globally, Jason is the masterpiece of the game. It suddenly occurs to me that he kind of reminds me of Danzig, except here it’s Metal, not Rock…

Keep your ears pointed toward these guys from Northern Ireland, in case they want to have another go at it… Meanwhile, send them a few bob (£5.50) for this demo.

Beyond Webzine '02

March 2002 - DREAM WARRIORS (GER)

HONEY FOR CHRIST “THE ART OF SELF ABUSE AND SOUL EROSION”
(CD SELF-FINANCED 2000)

Honey for Christ come from Nothern Ireland or Ulster. They formed in 1998, and released a 4 song demo (still available) called “Long Way Down & Rising.”

After putting out the demo, they released “The Art Of Self Abuse And Soul Erosion” EP. There are 5 songs of pure fucking heavy metal on this self financed EP. It is somewhat strange and has influences ranging from hard rock, to classic heavy metal, and even Dismember.

If you want some original metal and you are bored of clones, then this Mcd is for you. Cost is (included postage) 4.50 pounds for the UK, and 5.50 UK pounds (I presume 8USD) for the rest of the World.

For further information:
HFC c/o 32 Magherabeg Rd-Dromore-Co. Down – BT25 1RS- NOTHERN IRELAND. E-mail: hfc@heavymetal.co.uk and http//www.honeyforchrist.co.uk

Metalucifer
Dream Warriors '02

November 2001 - STATIC ZINE (UK)

HONEY FOR CHRIST "The Art Of Self Abuse And Soul Erosion"

What the hell kind of band name is that? Especially a metal band.

Well HFC play an old school style and it’s not bad. The sound is fine but they seem to lack something a metal band must have and that is the ability to kick ass. While the singer sounds passionate about the words he’s singing he just kind of drifts along without any real aggression.

The CD is a good effort though. I wonder if the vocalist has more energy live?

The music is great with some killer kick ass guitar playing.

HFC c/o 32 Magherabeg Rd Dromore Co.Down BT 25 1 RS Northern Ireland

Static Zine '01

October 2001 - TOMHET.NET (UK)

HONEY FOR CHRIST "The Art Of Self Abuse And Soul Erosion" mcd

I enjoy to present this Irish band! The MCD contains 5 tracks of dark heavy metal!

The continue of '80's traditions! But this is not the copy of any famous band, we can find something realy unique in this music.

It seems that heavy metal is known in Ireland and people like it as well. We'll be waiting for another releases of this band in the future.

Contact: HFC c/o 32 Magherabeg Rd Dromore Co.Down BT 25 1 RS Northern Ireland

Tomhet.net '01

October 2001 - HAIR OF THE WOLF #10 (UK)

Honey For Christ (Ire) ! The Art of Self Abuse and Soul Erosion" MCD '00

I am not quite sure what it is, but something definitely strikes a chord here. What we have is pretty rough and down to earth heavy metal with almost clean vocals and a muddy production. There is a touch of the doom mixed in, which makes itself felt in at times simple rhythms and the odd more mournful vocal section.

I suppose their self-definition of "100% raw heavy fucking metal" fits, although in terms of technicality and feeling it is a hell of a lot more Motorhead than Iron Maiden!

And that is it really, basic beer drinking metal. !

Sam '01

August 2001 - SCORE MAGAZINE (USA)

Honey for Christ are pure fucking metal. That's basically the 3 best words to describe this passionate band from Belfast, Ireland. A little on the vulgar side, but HFC are a band who could care less - they are the stereotypical European heavy metal band that have a balance between raw, pounding, unforgiving guitars and a low, melodic voice that makes anyone - metal fan or not - need to rock. The voice belongs to singer Jason Hendry, who looks a bit like Sebastian Bach (a good thing and of course a nice marketing tool for them) with his pretty face. The face only masks a deep, powerful, melancholy set of pipes that personify their music.

Guitarist Andy Clarke's riffs were what pulled me in further - they bring the songs out of the basic metal pounding sound, and into a more comprehensible level. Bassist Paul McRoberts grounds the band back into the intrinsic heavy metal we all know and love, and drummer Chris Armstrong beats the skins with passion and non-stop energy. If someone has been hiding in cave for the last 30 years, and they ask What's heavy metal? you could put on HFC's latest LP, "The Art of Self Abuse and Soul Erosion," and all questions would be answered. Now, this could be a good or a bad thing. While they rightfully consider themselves "100% Raw Heavy Fucking Metal", that is all they are - heavy guitars, fast drums and melodic, low cries of all that is unhappy and uncaring. One might yearn for a change of pace, with the only unmistakable difference between the five songs on the LP being a change of tempo. While all very good, the songs can be quickly overlooked. Which is sad, because the lyrics are very well written and poetic, and the music is outstanding when broken down and not a loud jumble. The second song on the disc (Orion Dust) is exceptionally good, with Jason even erupting into a deep scream occasionally throughout this ever changing song full of riffs.

The whole CD is good, however the production could have been a bit more clear. The CD Jacket is short and sweet - a neat and fitting cover picture shows the band looking despondent, surrounded by beer bottles, cigarettes, and other varied sundries. I especially enjoyed the "FUCK YOU!" section inside the jacket, showing, yet again, their oh so heavy metal attitude. Words to the songs would have been nice, it is occasionally tough to understand Jason's growls. Overall a nice CD to have in the collection - especially when one is either angry, depressed, or in the mood for a good headbanging. They sound very tight and together for a group of guys only together since 1998. A great band for metalheads all over the world (which is seen at least in the bands local, yet enthusiastic, hardcore fan base), however don't leave them in your CD player all the time, lest you become way too depressed for one person to handle.

Check them out at: www.honeyforchrist.co.uk, and live if you happen to be lucky enough to live in Europe near their shows!

Score magazine '01

June 2001 - TERRORIZER (UK)

"Honey for Christ : The Art of Self Abuse and Soul Erosion"

Good old unclassifiable metal.

There are some good rockin metal songs trying to cut through the rather muddied sound, rendered all the more respectable by a singer who sounds like kieth caputo without the self absorbed shoe-gazing, and with an unexpected nasty streak.

Some songs do rely too heavily on repetition though, resulting in them sounding a minute or so too long.

[7]
Terrorizer '01

March 2001 - METAL ZONE PRODUCTIONS 666 (UK)

This is the new CD from those heavy metal crazed blokes from Northern Ireland, you certainly saw a review somewhere. Yeah the first CD was much more like a tape recorded on a CD which gave a horrible sound, but they have found the way to get a new good CD; they first kicked out one of their guitarists which is good, and now the sound is pretty clean and gives a good overview of their style, the voice is a bit too much on the front but it sounds ok, the songs are more dark and sad and so it's better to listen to it when you're happy...from the start to the end the music becomes deeper and sad, need probably a sixth track which would boost and end in a fucking terror!

Get this great brand new 5txCD of deep heavy metal: hfc@heavymetal.co.uk

metal zone 666

March 2001 - METAL DISTRICT (GER)

Review by Steel Commander.

Oh you scheisse, which is for a crazy name? And then still the demo title, Uargh! Thus as held the CD for the first time I thought it must either Black or Death Metal, but there was the logo - very much in the direction tended!!

But what did I hear when I pressed play?! POWER METAL!! Somewhere between MAIDEN and ICED EARTH one could settle the whole, but then parts in the middle of it also BLACK METAL moderate blow parts (the singing at one time however always is in the cleaner area!)!!! Genuinly ill drauf these 4 young lads from north Ireland!! The Opener " Glutton Of Misery " is aPOWER METAL hymn, which remains immediately in the ear and produces Moshpits! Ingenious entrance, but afterwards the quality unfortunately drops, totally! " Orion Dust " is meaningful i'm sure, but unfortunately a very boring ballad.

"Soiled and Shivering " somewhat picks up again and at least to some extent which is good! Unfortunately after it still so a stink-boring ballade follows on behalf of "Sterile Souless and Broken "!! Very irritating! Everything else fails against the final track "Concrete Gemini ", that is again as a real cracker, like the opener!

Young, but nevertheless only songs of this type, then gets it the KILLER stamp pushed open!! Before the production of this disk pull I mean that (TC... have however none...) (haha * lol * - pw), those became really very good! The booklet text in parts is very offensive, besides the lovely pictures!

To order costs for 15 DM inclusive.

[5.5]
Metal District '01

February 2001 - THE PORTAL (ITA)

The Art Of Self Abuse And...too long title...

This release is the second EP for Honey For Christ. Looking at their logo, we could think (I did it) they play black metal, but the cover art shows that they're not ugly and face-painted, so we can hope the music will be good!

They talk about their music as raw, unclean, uncut, hard and honest heavy fucking metal, and they are right. The sound is really raw and unclean, but this is almost a weakness, because the poor production doesn't let appreciate the music at its best. This music has two different major features: heavy riding guitars and slow and melodic moments. The alternance of quick and heavy riffs and melodic pauses constitutes the main themes of the whole EP.

I strongly appreciated the noticeable abrasive guitarwork, although the other instruments are only fair, including the vocals. The songwriting is quite interesting, it proposes many effective ideas, many of them based on the aforementioned alternance.

All the components should improve to obtain a truly valuable album, but there are many planted seeds. The main problem remains the production: it has to strongly improve to record an album.

TECNIQUE: 3/5
SONGWRITING: 4/5
PRODUCTION: 2,5/5
INNOVATION: 3,5/5
TOTAL: 7/10
Zoltan The Mage
The Portal '01

February 2001 - TOMBSTONE Issue 40 (UK)

Honey For Christ (UK) - The art of self abuse and soul erosion / demo 00

Honey For Christ are one of those numerous bands that refuse to categorize themselves, claiming it to be so they’re not pigeonholed, but in reality making it harder for reviewers to do their already difficult job, making them come up with their own pigeon hole. And witness how many stupid categories you then end up with. I’m just jealous that I haven’t managed to get enough of mine to catch on.

So what would HFC (as they’re affectionately known) come under? They sound like a doom band playing Maiden, though without such a strong string section. So what kind of witty name can we come up with for that? I’ve tried for two weeks but I can’t come up with anything intelligent. Nor even inane. Suggestions are welcome on a postcard. Better still, listen to it and decide, for this is worth listening to, if only to hear the classic Wildhearts line “take me down and make me dirty” (or whatever it was) resurrected from the obscurity of the their break up.

Go on HFC: try and tell me you weren’t fans way back when.

£.450 (UK)/ £5.50 (ROW) from: 32 Magherabeg Road, Dromore, CO Down, BT25 1RS, UK. www.honeyforchrist.co.uk or email: hfc@heavymetal.co.uk.

Tombstone Fanzine '01

February 2001 - RYTHM & BOOZE (UK)

HONEY FOR CHRIST - The Art of Self Abuse & Soul Erosion

Now that's a cool name for a CD, not surpisingly Honey For Christ are a metal band, they formed in November 1998 and began to write material they wanted to hear, shameless heavy metal. They released their debut demo in April 1999 and it received decent reviews from both fanzines and magazines alike. High profile support slots with the likes of Cathedral, Waylander, Orange Goblin and (R&B favourites) Lacuna Coil have helped them to establish a decent fanbase.

On the five tracks on here the four-piece come across as a highly proficient act, the front man Jason can actually sing and doesn't rely on the usual screaming vocal approach and the band display excellent technical ability adn appear tight. The lyrics give the music a dark, brooding feling yet the songs remain melodic and somewhat accessible. Song titles such as "Glutton of misery" and "Sterile, souless and broken" give the impression that they're not the happoest of bands but they are passionate about their metal.

The one thing that lets this down a smidgen is the production, it's a little too nice but you can still tell where they're coming from. Imagine Iron Maiden, Metallica and that kind of era thrash and Honey For Christ could quite happily sit in that company. If you still ache for this time when metal wasn't about wallet chains, rapping vocalists and baggy trousers then Honey for Christ are for you it's well played balls to the wall metal how it should be played.

For more details Honey For Christ c/o 32 Magherabeg Road, Dromore, Co. Down BT25 1RS, Northern Ireland.

Rythm& Booze'01

November 2000 - FITTED KITCHENS OF THE LIVING DAMNED Vol. 3 (IRL)

Honey For Christ 'The Art Of Self Abuse and Soul Erosion'

Hmmm... a toughy. Live, HFC are exciting performers with strong songs, but this recording... hmmm. It's obvious that the songs are there and even a deaf man can hear that this just oozes passion and integrity, but that's no use to me if I can't hear it. The production isn't bad per se, but it's just a bit too polite for these ears and i think it does little to reflect the power and intensity of the live animal that the punters are eating up. Case in point - Soiled and Shivering easily the best song on the disc for my wedge - is where i have to gripe about the polite sound. Man, the drums sound like they'd do naughty things to my sister if i could only hear them and dig that riff! But while i have gripes a plenty about weak production values, the live performance is certain to make them many friends and fans around the emerald isle and deservably so. The No-wave of Irish heavy fucking metal is born. Join the party!

Juan Baptisto
FKOTLD '00

October 2000 - INTOXICATED (UK)

HONEY FOR CHRIST : The Art Of Self Abuse And Soul Erosion (Format : CD / Trax 5) :

Irelands metal scene seems to be about ten years behind everyone else. Maybe that is a generalisation but Honey For Christ are one in a long line of bands from the fair isle that ply their metal trade in the traditional style. Try mid '80s Iron Maiden meets mid '80s Metallica and you've got your bases covered. The productioin is raw but clear enough to allow you to make everything out. Their sound may be a dated one but it is one that has won them many fans. This will continue with The Art Of Self Abuse.

[6/10]
GRAHAM FINNEY
Intoxicated '99