DYSANGELIUM 'Maniachrist' Usually the underground is brimming with talent, but lately the Czech Metal scene has become a shadowy figure in the darkness, but with the faint sound of brutal blastbeats coursing throughout the whispers of the Bohemian forest comes an assault that slaughters everything in it's path, 'Maniachrist' signals the oncoming of Dysangelium, a ten-legged Death Metal machine, grinding its ay through the churning and crunching processes to produce what could be poised as the next big Czech Metal band, slamming music hits the surroundings at colossal speed and slays every living thing that comes into contact with this megalithic beast. Download This: "Whitechapel" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON REPUBLIC / THE PROTOCOLS OF THE ELDERS OF ZION 'Meditation Music Volume One' WINTER SOLACE They say patience is a virtue, but perhaps patience is overrated at times, especially when two-track albums like 'Meditation Music Volume One' come into the foreground, not much is known behind this release only except that it seems to be a split between Republic and The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, what we have here are two ambient tracks that deliver a whopping thirty-four minutes of pure ambiance, bizarre some may say, but for those who have patience it can be rewarding. Built coincidentally as an excellent method for drifting the listener to sleep on long journeys, this release calms the nerves and chills the soul, but how the artists managed to pull this one off is a question that needs answering. Download N/A [7] RHYS STEVENSON ENTER THE PRIMATES 'We Are The Apocalypse' Germany in recent times has started spewing out a host of electronicore bands, but when Stuttgart's Enter The Primates smash the atmosphere with their mass murder-of-a-debut album 'We Are The Apocalypse', it is evident that this algorithmic sextet are destined to rise to the ranks of Asking Alexandria, Motionless In White and Enter Shikari, slapping together electronic trance music and a brutal mauling of tectonic Metalcore, Enter The Primates are the breath of fresh air that the German Metal scene has been long awaiting for. Gun-trigger drums drive this beast-of-a-machine forward and has enough brutality to knock over the Berlin wall in the powerful form of the atomic bomb, but be warned this music is not for the faint of heart and may result in a health warning as it is very danceable. Download This: "Outsourced" [10] RHYS STEVENSON DYST 'Judges & Butchers' ACUITY MUSIC The debut album by Dyst is upon the masses, 'Judges & Butchers' comes out bursting in flames as the Norwegian Metalcore mob entomb the listener in a solid punching wall of sound, sadly this is nothing new and at times the vocals sound a little forced, verging onto Bring Me The Horizon style Metalcore with the body of a Hardcore outfit, given due it is a credible release and will serve the band well, but for now it is merely a common-Metalcore release, until the lads find that little niche in the over-saturated music genre market, the stagnation of the band will start to seep in. 'Judges & Butchers' will appeal to fans of Fei Comodo, Bring Me The Horizon and similar bands. Download This: "Crossbearer" [5.5] RHYS STEVENSON SHAPE MY CLARITY 'Chameleon Mirror' It's always intriguing when bands make their own genre tags up, yet when Germany's Shape My Clarity emerge on the scene to deliver their debut album 'Chameleon Mirror', the genre 'Neon Metal' may elude many people. simply put it's Electronic Metalcore in the style of Asking Alexandria and also takes in influences from In Flames and Bullet For My Valentine, so expect an explosion of mind-blowing vocals, razor-sharp riffs and ballistic drumming sequences and then on top of that comes the technical and electric atmosphere disposed by these promising lads. 'Chameleon Mirror' is the sound of the underground and may well become the pivotal point for Shape My Clarity for whom are the rave metal juggernaut the world has been waiting for. Download This: "Asking Way" 'Chameleon Mirror' is out 22nd February 2013 via the band themselves. [9] RHYS STEVENSON CHARIOTS OF THE GODS 'Tides of War' Billed as a one to watch band for 2013, Canada's Chariots of the Gods acclerate out the starting blocks like horses on meth, powering forward to that supersonic sound they so long craved to deliver and as the bands debut album 'Tides of War' drops onto the masses, it is clearly evident why they are feared to smash the industry in half, lashing together a generous and onerous mix of Lamb of God, Children of Bodom and In Flames influences into a cooking pot for the result end to become one of the most epic sounding albums from the Canadian Metal scene since the days of Strapping Young Lad. 'Tides of War' spews out brutal speed, ferocious musical compositions and more balls than you'll ever grow in your life. Download This: "Blind Assassin" 'Tides of War' is out now via the band themselves [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON ENVINYA
'Inner Silence' MASSACRE
0 Comments
REFLECTION IN EXILE 'The Insufferable Darkness' Showering the county of Durham with their blackened onslaught of Blackened Death Metal is the five-piece armada Reflection In Exile and their latest beastly EP 'The Insufferable Darkness', this release explodes in various directions with the scent of spilled blood that carries the DNA of Behemoth and early God Dethroned, but what impresses most is the unrelenting speed of this man machine, there is no way anyone can windmill at the same speed of the performed rhythm and on that note the vocals add an extra-dimension by fluctuating from guttural growls to murderous screams. If this is to be the sound of the British Extreme Metal vein, then A&E better be prepared for an upsurge of whiplash cases, this musical virus is infectious. Download This: "Astray From The Light" [9] RHYS STEVENSON AHAKAY N' BROR 'The Berbers Kriegers' SALUTE It is always interesting where Black Metal ends up and sometimes where it ends up can be in an area dogged with oppression against metal entirely, such is the case of Ahakay N' Bror of whom hail from Morocco, their sole demo 'The Berbers Kriegers' which originates from way back in 2007 still carries a level of difference with it, making it stand out from the rest of the overly saturated Black Metal underground, whether it be the raw atmosphere shed or the grueling vocals that penetrate the hearing senses so much so it almost becomes a murder story. However, given due that this band hail from Morocco is not a major point, but rather an acknowledgement that this duo are possibly the darkest metal band you'll ever find in this country. Download This: "The Call Of Judgement" [8] RHYS STEVENSON DHISHTI 'Decease' SALUTE What a better way to spend around an hour than to listen to what can be seen as one of the most atmospheric Black Metal releases from the Asian continent, enter the debut album 'Decease' by Sri Lankan quintet Dhishti, the album itself was released back in 2010 and features just four tracks, so if you lack patience this album is not for you, however the wait is a rewarding slow and sorrowful outburst of melancholy and depression, at least to say that 'Decease' sounds like it was recorded in the harsh woodlands of central Sri Lanka as it delivers a soothing natural sound and yet extrudes the fuzzy sounds of pure underground Black Metal, which at times is purely tectonic to say the least. Download This: "Raging Flames Score The Battle Field" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON NECRODAEMON 'Decapitando A Los Cerdos Cristianos' SALUTE If there ever was a time when a band mixed a foreign language, a solid fast-flowing metal sound and an atmosphere to spark of mass murder it was in 2011, as Chilean Black/Death trio Necrodaemon summoned and spewed out their sophomore demo 'Decapitando A Los Cerdos Cristianos' of which naturally is in Spanish and employs a brutal onslaught of old school style metal and yet manages to conjure up a slight modern stance in that the drums are clear as crystal, black crystal that is. 'Decapitando A Los Cerdos Cristianos' is one of those demos that does not need an atmosphere to support it as the music supports itself without any remorse or mercy and it is that fact that gives Necrodaemon their inaugural recognition. Download This: "La Puta Madre De Jesus" [8] RHYS STEVENSON DARK PHANTOM 'Beta' SALUTE Iraq in recent years has started to produce rock and metal bands at a slow pace but that is totally understandable, but for what they lack in band numbers they make up in quality and Dark Phantom are no exception, the Hard Rock / Heavy Metal ensemble weave their own unique style of guitar-driven sounds and end up creating their epic number 'Beta' released this year. What can be expected is clear Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and the classic rock sounds coming together with the underground atmosphere of a war-torn Iraq and in the end provides a vehicle for these chaps to voice their opinion. Whether you dislike or like the music, the message is clear, Dark Phantom are a gem hidden in a country laden with sand. Download This: "Stifle Me" [8] RHYS STEVENSON INHEPSIE 'Obédience' BRENNUS France generally does not have a well known reputation for delivering Gothic Metal bands, let alone Atmospheric Gothic Metal bands, until 2012 saw the third album by Inhepsie being born. 'Obédience' is exclusively sung in French and adds that beauty and the beast feeling to it with the dramatics being drawn from the elegance of the keyboards and soothing sounds of pounding drums, slowed down guitars and bellowing female vocals, even more so this album and band cry out Within Temptation from start to finish, but with that they add their own unique twist on it and it is that twist that makes Inhepsie one of France's most promising yet not well known metal bands. Download This: "Arkana" [8] RHYS STEVENSON ARTISFICTION 'Artisfiction' South Wales has Skindred, North Wales has Artisfiction, but what makes these new lads so special? It boils down to the influences, NIN, Jay Z and Underoath are perhaps the most notable sounds that spring out of their self-titled debut EP, but its the clever way that this quartet layered brutal metal vocals and guitar riffs on a funk / hip-hop laden foundation, so imagine a heavier Linkin Park but with more bass, in fact this band are that good, they are sure to explode over the UK and European music scenes in 2013. Expect no mercy from these guys. Artisfiction experimented the right way and on their self-titled EP there is something for everyone, it is brutal, rhythmic, funky and 100% crazy, especially with the first song 'Get 'em to the butchers' where there are some epic clean and growling vocal exchanges but also that Skindred, Linkin Park and SOAD atmosphere that gives the EP a good starting position and that power to prove why Artisfiction are poised to be the most spoke of Welsh band in 2013. Download This: "Get 'em to the butchers" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON AWAKEN SOLACE
'In Nightfall's Embrace' Is this the new Nightwish? It would seem that way when Australia's Awaken Solace get down to business on delivering a powerful and almighty explosion of Symphonic Power Metal in it's most emphatic form imaginable, armed with a torrent of sensational songs that speak sincere beauty and majestic elemental ability, the band's debut album ‘In Nightfall’s Embrace’ released last year should get the major metal labels jaws dropping, this is by far the best Symphonic Metal band in modern times from this part of the world and ‘In Nightfall’s Embrace’ has enough evidence to quash any questions against this claim. 2013 is sure to prove an interesting year for the highly-promising quintet and as they power forward, Europe can you hear it? Australia is calling. Download This: "The Slaying of Shallow's Queen" [10] RHYS STEVENSON AQME 'Epithète, Dominion, Epitaphe' AT (H)OME Veteran French Heavy Metal / Hard Rock quartet AqME make their welcomed return with their latest album 'Epithète, Dominion, Epitaphe' (Epithet, Dominion, Epitaph) and another lush selection of French songs, so although the music itself does the talking, the language barrier may be a little bad with the exception of 'My English Is Pretty Bad' and 'Marking Armageddon', but even so those learning French at school or college may adhere to this band and learn a thing or two, none the less the magicians of guitar-driven music do not fail to deliver an album that will live on for years to come and as 2013 draws in, what this French band will bring out next will only be interesting, seeing as this album is the very definition of perfection. Download This: "Luxe Assassin" [9.5] RHYS STEVENSON LOFOFORA 'Monstre Ordinaire' AT (H)OME One of France's most legendary rock bands made their ninth album come to light in 2011 with a full on explosion of Hardcore Punk that is so heavy and hard hitting, your last hangover would seem like a social drinking session, however 'Monstre Ordinaire' (Ordinary Monster) drops in the bands 22nd year of existence and with that in mind it is clear to see why they are still going, the beauty of this album is enough to make any romantic moment seem more than it is, 'Monstre Ordinaire' brings to the table classic rock vocals and skull-smashing music that when both mixed, serves up as a total testament to the band's career, they may be the 'Monstre Ordinaire' but they are certainly the phantom of the opera, a classic musical novel. Download this: "Ma Folie" [8] RHYS STEVENSON BLACKBOMB.A 'Enemies Of The State' AT (H)OME Exploding on the French Hardcore scene is lethal weapon operators Blackbomb.A and their latest nuclear bomb named 'Enemies Of The State', at first it sounds like an elaborate political rally soundtrack but don't let the musical propaganda fool you, this band mean business and by weaving their own resistance-is-futile style of music, they demolish anything in their way via the means of brutal Hardcore Punk with Metalcore influences, just minus the emo look. Blackbomb.A are heavier than the last sex you ever had and are sure to make your next lot of sex a whole lot more faster and more brutal as the drums pound and grind whilst the guitars slash and slit and the vocals crush and empower the 'Enemies Of The State', simply put this is the real deal, 100% of chaotic music. Download This: "We Don't Care" [10] RHYS STEVENSON SLEEPPERS 'Keep Focus' AT (H)OME French Hardcore / Garage Rock mob Sleeppers emerge out of the underground to shed light on their debut album 'Keep Focus', loaded with influences ranging from the rockers Fugazi, Pink Floyd, Therapy? and AC/DC to the more mtallic sounds of Slayer and Sepultura, this is a band with a rather eclectic mix of influences and yet whilst utilising them all at once they somehow make it work and what you end up with is an album full of absolute gusto and no fault whatsoever. With the extensive range of influences comes the range of songs produced and so therefore there is something for everyone on this album, a ton of sounds made into one album that does what it says it does and tends to 'Keep Focus' as Sleeppers become the new kids on the block. Download This: "The Box" [8] RHYS STEVENSON SORTILEGUS / VEIA 'Consecutio Temporum' Split release OGRE Here comes one of Italy's underground split releases, 'Consecutio Temporum', a collaborative effort created by Raw Black Metal one man project Veia and Black Metal one man project Sortilegus, the result is a mindblowing explosion of hellish shrieks and bitter music, firstly the split release kicks off with two songs by Veia and instantly it is proven why this split release is deserved a spot in any Black Metal fans collection, pushing through the atmosphere is a rallying sound of crushing riffs, sensational drumming and raspy shrieking vocals, leaving a bitter aftermath for the other half to close on, Sortilegus matches his number one by lashing out some lavish and yet highly entertaining Black Metal, elaborating on the atmosphere set out by Veia in the first half, Sortilegus carries on the same feeling and in doing so wraps up the split album very nicely, concluding that this split release is an essential piece to own simply because it is underground Italian black metal at its very finest. Download This: "Culla D'Italia" + "Spleen" [8.5] + [8] RHYS STEVENSON NORPHOBIA 'Norphobia' A word of warning, turn up the volume on your speakers because the self-titled album by Germany's Norphobia is so quiet, it would immediately question the CD on whether it has any music on it at all, but once past the volume and / or production issue, the music itself delivers a solid onslaught of Melodic Black / Death Metal and carries a real sharp attitude to it much to it's predecessors delight as 'Into The Light' was a bit of a humdinger, but as 'Norphobia' swings into action it is clear that the band have practiced and developed themselves to a greater extent and are sure to be onto greater achievements if they carry this on. Download This: "Blutfest" [7] RHYS STEVENSON NATHORG 'Beyond The Gates Of Nathorg' MORDGRIMM / UNMERCIFUL DEATH Nathorg could easily be the band to bring the Iranian Metal scene to the masses across the world, breaking out with their debut album 'Beyond The Gates Of Bathory', you can clearly see why these are the favorite to land themselves into the attention laps of global media, full on Blackened Death Metal at its core with hints of ambiance and anti-religious hatred, coming from a land that's heavily influenced by Islam, this is a risky yet bold-statement of rebellion. Played in the style of Belphegor and Gorgoroth, Nathorg are sure to become the next Middle Eastern metal band to grace the covers of the British metal magazines. 'Beyond The Gates Of Bathory' serves up raw vocals, insanely fast drumming and soul-freezing riffs in one whole slab of forty minutes, think you know Extreme music? Think again. Download this: "Beyond The Gates Of Nathorg" [9] RHYS STEVENSON NILS COURBARON'S PROJECT 'Madness Leads To Death' If you ever want to have an instrumental soundtrack to a thriller, sci-fi or adventure film then turn your attention to France's Nils Courbaron and his self-named project, fusing together the guitar virtuoso with the elegance of symphonic technical death metal results in a mathematical onslaught of extraordinary time signatures, lavish rhythms and the utmost feeling of being involved in a car race, that sort of adrenalin rush feeling. As for his debut EP 'Madness Leads To Death' he enlisted the help from well known artists such as Mus Elkamal from Arkan to Julien Damotte from Madonagun and even going as far as getting help from a relative of his, Malo Courbaron who plays the piano on the introduction. Whether you like or hate instrumentals, this expertly put together piece of music is one that shall not escape the clutches of the masses and is sure to drive this prodigy further to international stardom. Download This: "Madness Leads To Death" [9] RHYS STEVENSON VICTORIOUS 'The Awakening' At first it sounds like Victorious is lashing together European Power Metal with the flashing brutality of Metalcore influences, especially in comparison to Bullet For My Valentine's song 'scream aim fire', but what makes this German quintet stand out most, apart from the subtle Gothic look and the exquisite composure they muster on their sophomore album 'The Awakening', is that they craft their own sound from a myriad of influences and go ahead on full throttle, letting the brakes go and letting fly as solo upon riff and drum-kick upon vocal note slash through the net curtains that seem to blanket the German Power Metal department as to attempt prove to their European counterparts that German vocalists are not just good at Death Metal or Industrial Metal, but rather at high-note vocals too and with that in mind 'The Awakening' of this machine is sure to attract attention from major labels and leave this five piece well and truly Victorious. Download This: "Age Of Tyranny" [9] RHYS STEVENSON ETERNAL ARMAGEDDON
'Her Forlorn Monsoon' SALUTE With an EP title that befits the climate Eternal Armageddon originate from, you could not fault them for developing a style of Black Metal that would push forward the Bangladeshi Metal scene, 'Her Forlorn Monsoon' strives to deliver the sound of the underground in sensational fashion, with a rallying sound of war-torn Black Metal leading the forefront, blistering paced drums and vocals that would frighten anyone who came under the firing line of this quartet, it is clear to see that Eternal Armageddon will drive their scene forward through a solid explosion of old-school Black Metal in the style of Immortal and Emporer whilst twisting it with the modern sounds of Watain and so this release is without a doubt an essential release in any Black Metal fans collection, there is no exception, except Eternal Armageddon are proudly flying the flag for the Bangladesh Metal scene and are one of our bands to watch in 2013. Download This: "Over Her Necropolis" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON LANEWIN 'Eclectic Tour' L.P.G. Making their anticipated return is the sexual beauty of Russian metal known as Lanewin, the female fronted quintet explode once again with their delicate sound of Symphonic Gothic Metal and lace it with some sensational symphonic melodies that drive the album through the glistening sounds of ballad-like atmospheres from which the extreme sonic blasts of the drums, guitars and keyboards entrance the entire masterpiece with a solid backbone for the majestic vocals to lay the final touches and seal the best release this Russian group of maestro's have ever offered, simply breathtaking! Download this: "Earth Is An Angel" [8] RHYS STEVENSON PIT OF DOOM 'Atonement' When you get a band that uses freaky artwork for an album you know it is going to be extreme, in fact this concerning 'Atonement' is barely an understatement, because what explodes out of this second attempt is a myriad of gritty Death vocals, Melodic Thrash elements and a groovy atmosphere, all of which come together to face punch every f**ker that dares criticize this music, it rides with that feeling of being punched in the stomach so hard that you practically vomit your intestines, it is that brutal. Pit of Doom are the new face of German Extreme Metal and are sure to garner a furious amount of attention with 'Atonement', if you think you know heavy music, you must be a newbie in metal, 'cause this is heavier than your last hangover. Download this: "All Is Said" [10] RHYS STEVENSON EXCESSUM 'The Battle Has Begun' If your a fan of gritty and grueling vocals, a die-hard for slamming guitars and savage drumming, then look no further, Alabama's very own Groove / Thrash newbies Excessum dot every 'i' and cross every 'T' and in doing so smothers the scene with their intricately composed debut album 'The Battle Has Begun', full of audio porn that would make your soldier arise to attention to acknowledge that 'The Battle Has Begun', but the saliant point behind this release is that it carries a mixture of speed, brutality and yet a huge resemblance of Lamb of God, just a little thrashier, none the less it is an album that slashes upon wounds with no remorse. Download this: "War" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON IN OTHER CLIMES 'Empty Bottles & Wasted Nights' SPOOK Take a bunch of French nutters, give them Hatebreed influences and a host of instruments and you produce a sublime mix of guts and ballsy composure, such is the meaning behind In Other Climes' no-nonsense Metalcore sound and even more so their second full-length of which carries a myriad of tones and feelings and yet concludes by flipping the bird. 'Empty Bottles & Wasted Nights' poses a major threat to the posers that seem to roam the underground, the ones that copy every band they can think of, In Other Climes is different, they put together their own unique slamming sound and amplify it so much, your girlfriends knickers would be blown off at volume one, it is that powerful. Download this: "This Is Your Time" [9] RHYS STEVENSON NOTHING INSIDE EYES 'Not Ready Enough To Die' Faced with the fact that San Marino is one of the smallest countries on the planet correlates to its metal scene size as the only known metal band from this country explodes on the European scene with a silent whisper, that being their debut EP 'Not Ready Enough To Die'. Forged from the ashes of Alchimia 2012, the four-piece slam down a brutal onslaught of Metalcore and Melodic Metal and its this combination that distinguises them from the rest of the European 'core' section. Nothing Inside Eyes is due to rip up the rulebook and lay down the law, this is one underrated band from a country that owes this band a lot as these chaps are flying the flag for the San Marino Metal scene. Download this: "Forget" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON LECTERN 'Salvific of Perhaps Lambent' If only the vocals were actually brutal and instead of the basic Death Metal that seems to be plaguing the metal world these days, in fact Lectern's 2010 EP 'Salvific of Perhaps Lambent' delivers the underground style of Death Metal, vocals that aren't easy to decipher, slamming drumming and technical solo riffs, but the major criticism behind this release is that it fails to bring any real sincere justice to it, sure it has a fairly decent beat and savage sound, but the overall production is one left to be desired and so thus might as well be put as a slight blip in the band's existence, however it will appeal to fans of Cannibal Corpse and early Grindcore, just don't expect anything spectacular Download this: "Disenchant The Consternated" [5] RHYS STEVENSON IMPURATION 'Sanctities We Raped" Who would have thought that the Turkish Metal scene had something that was so underground and yet is as raw as red meat, not that it's advised to chew rare meat but as the latest release by Extreme Metal band Impuration bites into your senses, you will begin to realize how atmospheric and raw this release is. 'Sanctities We Raped" employs satanic-like Black / Death / Thrash metal with major punk influences, giving it that pure grizzly ambiance, one that will appeal to fans of old school metal like and those who like raw fuzzy noise, as for Impuration, they will thrive in the underground knowing they are keeping the original sounds alive. Download this: "Depravation Of Perverted Demons" [7] RHYS STEVENSON OXIDIXE 'Iron Hobo' 2012 saw the up-rise of Spanish newbies Oxidixe with their classic Thrash Metal EP 'Iron Hobo', slashing through the old school style at a 100 m.p.h. the EP explodes into life and produces the 80's style of Thrash Metal that still to this day lives up to its original beauty, and Oxidixe are no exception, just like Evile they belt out songs that rip up anything in direct firing line of the sonic boom that the quintet deliver, from the ferocious shrieking vocals to the pacey riffs and drumming that supplement a release that could easily please fans of Slayer and Evile to the day metal dies, which is never. The only thing that's missing from this little epic is a pint of beer. Download this: "Thrashmania Demon" [8] RHYS STEVENSON CRIMSON SHADOWS 'Glory On The Battlefield' From time to time Canada delivers a band that whilst unsigned, deserves international attention and proves themselves to be the next big act, this time that falls upon Ontario quintet Crimson Shadows as they smash the sound barrier with their emphatic debut album 'Glory On The Battlefield', mixing together the guttural vibrant sounds of Melodic Death Metal with the heavenly and majestic elements of Power Metal to deliver what could be perceived as Canadian Album of the year. 'Glory On The Battlefield' takes the listener on a forty-six minute journey through the fields of Canada to places as high as the Rockies and as low as the mountain bears riding bareback through the cities, to put it short, expect this band to go far as they prepare for 'Glory On The Battlefield'. Fans of 3 Inches of Blood, Blackguard and Unleash The Archers will love this album to bits. Download This: "Battle Hard" [9] RHYS STEVENSON MUTAGENOCIDE
'Mutagenocide' Sadly the first track is a let down, the rest of the EP however in contrast says 'prepare for an assault', whipping together a tasty selection of Groovy Thrash Metal with Power Metal as side orders, Mutagenocide's self-titled 2012 debut EP broods a myriad of different elements that altogether produce a sound that is technically crafted and hard to comprehend, however the vocals at times let down the EP as they aren't heavy enough, but the plus point is that they add a touch of class to the release, call it new or call it old, the main point is Mutagenocide are breathing fire in the wake of pushing the Oxfordshire Metal scene forward. Download This: "Warhead" [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON ASTRAL 'Mundo Perdido, Mundo Prohibido' The truth about Astral is that they are thee Spanish metal band to watch in 2013, for their debut EP 'Mundo Perdido, Mundo Prohibido' delivers the high power metal vocals found in bands like Sonata Arctica but with that comes the agile and sharpness of the Progressive Metal music that fans of bands like Myrath would love. 'Mundo Perdido, Mundo Prohibido' even though in the Spanish language, delivers a full on blast of emphatic sounding tunes that will get any mosh pit to shift a few gears up into overdrive, but with that comes the beauty of the choice of language, 'Mundo Perdido, Mundo Prohibido' deploys elegant music by perhaps the best Progressive Power Metal band Spain has ever seen. [8] RHYS STEVENSON SIRENS 'Spore' IMMINENCE Modern Metal quintet Sirens weave together a soul-soothing yet brutal sound of djent, ambient electronic music and metalcore-like vocals, yet they seem to mold the entire load of sounds into one cataclysmic explosion that shall rock the entire metal world off its axis. Spewing out the atmosphere of galactic proportions, the boys from Indiana slash through the web of the underground and are sure to explode on the main circuit sometime soon, sure some may laden this band as another prog metal band but listening closely and there is much more going on than just the chugging sound of a guitar being played, Sirens is a viral 'Spore' that is sure to infect the global metal scene with their own variation of modern metal. [8] RHYS STEVENSON WILL WALLNER / VIVIEN VAIN 'Will Wallner / Vivien Vain' So the side-project to White Wizzard is born and by jove does it kick off in electrifying style, enter Will Wallner accompanied by the illustrious Vivien Vain delivering the fiery raging vocals. The duo from L.A. California make their 3 year wait for a debut come to a close as they unleash the Hard Rock / Heavy Metal belter 'Will Wallner / Vivien Vain', featuring all the classy elements from bands such as Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Van Halen and more, this is simply a breathtaking album full of the old classic sounds with a modern emphasis. Harmonious vocals surrounded by some crafty and technical guitar work and backed up by some insane drumming; this is an album with everything chucked in and is sure to get some well-deserved attention. [8] RHYS STEVENSON INVASIVE 'Murder... Death... Kill' Returning with fists of fury is Suffolk's own Invasive and their highly-anticipated debut album 'Murder... Death... Kill', loaded with the venomous spit of a python, the Thrash laden Heavy Metal massacre bites into the wounds of the bleeding local metal scene to revive it and establish a machine that would make all operating cranes at Felixstowe look like cheap mechano. 'Murder... Death... Kill' delivers that same epic sound Slayer and Evile conjure up, it's fast, brutal and so heavy it makes Adnams closely related to pure apple juice. As for Invasive, this is the sound to power them forward and is sure to garner them attention in months to come as the 'Murder... Death... Kill' syndrome starts to kick in. [8] RHYS STEVENSON THE FUROR 'Sermon Of Slaughter' Blazing once again is Australia's very own Black / Death Metal armada The Furor of which nowadays is manned by the one and only Louis Rando (Impiety, ex-Nervecell, ex-Pathogen), powering through the darkened shadows of the outback, the second EP by this mastermind is 'Sermon Of Slaughter' and it blasts out a necrotic explosion of war-torn extreme metal that would serve well as the anthem to the Australian armed forces, in fact The Furor is vastly becoming an Australian underground legend, but as long as Mr. Rando keeps this band going, there is hope for Australian Extreme Metal. Download this: "Conquest Of Carnage" [9] RHYS STEVENSON MALIGNANT MONSTER 'Yours In Murder' Malignant Monster, one of Australia's underrated metal bands comes to batter the shorelines of the world with their sophomore full-length album 'Yours In Murder', it sees the five-piece machine deliver another sonic explosion of extreme drumming courtesy of drumming legend Louis Rando and his fellow merry men, as they grind and squeeze the very last ounce of blood from those caught up in direct fire from this almighty earthquake. 'Yours In Murder' delivers a bleak atmosphere, a darker sense that this is the sound of the underground and that Malignant Monster are to arise from the graveyard as zombies of the night. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ENTROPIA 'Black Drop in Clear Water' French Melodic Black / Power armada Entropia make their second album as powerful as the French revolution, full of dramatic notes and elements as well as sensational outbursts by guest vocalist Marie Rouyer; just a shame she is not a full time member, as the emphatic dramatic vocals on 'Le Horla' is what makes the album what it is, an eclectic mix of Power Metal riffs, female vocals and atmosphere alongside the brutal display from the drummer and main vocals. This is a band that clearly demonstrates the extreme side of mixing genres together and as such 'Black Drop in Clear Water' brings two worlds colliding together. Download this: 'Le Horla' [8] RHYS STEVENSON PANZERHUND 'First Bite' 2012 saw the premier EP by Polish Heavy Metal mob Panzerhund arise from the graves, entitled 'First Bite' the EP looked at first to be related to Egyptology, but as soon as the music kicks in its far from it. Mixing a host of songs in the Polish and English languages gives that two-dimensional sound to it, sure the music itself is nothing new and is merely a testament to the very original and classic Iron Maiden character, it is worthy of a place in anyone's collection and is sure to appeal to fans of modern Heavy Metal such as Black Label Society and Black Stone Cherry, as soon as you receive the 'First Bite' from this five-piece, you'll be hooked forever. Download this: 'All We Need' [8] RHYS STEVENSON EVISCERATE CARNAGE 'The Art Of Pathology' ABYSSUS Featuring Dale Linsdell (Merciless Terror) on vocal duties, Nottingham Brutal Death Metal slam boys Eviscerate Carnage deliver an expulsion of gore-laden filth colloquially known as 'The Art Of Pathology', their debut EP of which comes loaded with machine-gun trigger drumming and gritty vocals, leaving a bitter sour taste in the aftermath of what can be billed as the most extreme album from the Nottinghamshire Metal scene. As for Eviscerate Carnage, this is their year and 2013 is sure to serve up a massive onslaught of pure necrophiliac gore metal, let the game begin. Download this: "Anaerobic Decomposition Of Organic Matter" [8] RHYSTEVENSON AXE CANE
'Axe Cane' NOISE-A-THON Fresh from the outback and ready to surf up their debut EP is Perth's very own newbies of Melodic Heavy Metal and Melodic Hard Rock, Axe Cane and their self-titled release. Axe Cane deliver no-bulls**t music along with a menacing vocal range and have that same tenor found with bands like AC/DC and Airbourne, just a little grittier and heavier. This quartet take no hostages in delivering a solid display of the old school of metal and rock and yet manage to glorify it with the modern influences of guitar-driven music and as their self-titled EP acts as a path for them to go by, this is a band to watch out for in 2013 as they are sure to make tracks across the globe. [10] RHYS STEVENSON SANITY'S RAGE 'You Are What You Swallow' You could not fault Sanity's Rage for delivering their debut album 'You Are What You Swallow' to the masses six years late, the wait was worth it. Released last year, Belgium's Thrash newbies deliver a smack-down whimsical sound of typical European Thrash Metal, with neck-snapping rhythms that explode like an iceberg being detonated, splattering the sensationalism found on this release all over the place. In fact this is perhaps the best Belgian Thrash Metal album for some time, and as 2013 rolls in, what the band brings to the masses in the next year will be interesting, this is certainly a band you'll want to watch. [8] RHYS STEVENSON TALESIEN 'El Silencio' FALCATRUADA For all the music on the third album 'El Silencio', there seems to be at places a lack of vocals and thus relying on the music to magic something up, even so the latest effort by Galician sextet Talesien is one of embracing sounds and delinquent Spanish lyrics, leaning towards an enriching atmosphere that would work well in the Colosseum in Rome, it's that sort of arena metal that devours the senses and it's 'El Silencio' that will appeal to any fan of Progressive Power Metal, ranging from the full on metal epics to slower paced numbers, the questions beckons on where will this lot go next? [7] RHYS STEVENSON BY THE PATIENT 'Premonitions' DEATHBOUND Here come five culprits for demolishing the Lego brick wall that was separating the Danish extreme metal scene from the rest of the world, perhaps By The Patient were having 'Premonitions', but what ever it was their sophomore album smashes through the amateurism level some bands pose as these days and delivers a warhead-of-an-album, exploding the modern Death Metal sound into a blast so powerful and fast it would leave blood splatters across the walls, murdering and pillaging every living thing that came into contact with the deadly disease of this band's emphatic talent. If you thought the 'core' genres were rad, think again, 'Premonitions' is more rad than sleeping with Megan Fox. [10] RHYS STEVENSON SANCTUS NOSFERATU 'Samca' Six years down the line from the band's debut demo and the debut album 'Samca' is born, violently. Welcoming to the international scene is Sanctus Nosferatu who hail from the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, spewing out a dark and tropical form of Blackened Death Metal, with Morticia leading the frontline as the female variant of Poland's Nergal, the quintet battle through the album at such a sensational level of brutality and shock, this could be the album to lift the Azores metal scene to greater heights. For fans of melodic and harsh vocals and pummeling Blackened Death Metal, Sanctus Nosferatu and the album 'Samca' are essential to anyone's music collection. [9] RHYS STEVENSON TORMENT 'The Damage Is Done' EBM How many times do you play a CD and hear the same style as every other band in the same genre, Torment nearly fall into that category if not for their melodies rescuing the uninspiring Thrash Metal the band has opted to play, the vocals are far too heavy for the genre and it has more of a Heavy Speed Metal presence than anything else, sure the drums deliver a solid performance, but the guitar solo's let it down as they are too all over the place, full marks for producing a second album, but as for Torment 'The Damage Is Done' and so sorting out the wreckage will be painful. [5.5] RHYS STEVENSON ILISS 'Immunision' Post-humorous review of Iliss' only EP 'Immunision' as the band split up on October 9th 2012, hailing from the wilderness of Australia, Iliss deliver extreme Gothic metal with a ton of progressive elements and vocals that make Madonna look worse than Justin Bieber. Fronted by one of the hottest women in Australian Metal history, Iliss smother the atmosphere in a delinquent sound of extreme vocals and a rocking beat that runs so hard and fast, any sandstorm in the outback is simply outclassed by this band's extraordinary sound, sad to say this band had potential, but now is a sunken ship off of Melbourne harbor. [9] RHYS STEVENSON ANWAR 'Ehrfurcht' Very seldom does a band release a demo in the same year as their formation and it sounds good, welcoming to the German Metal scene is Black Metal quintet Anwar and their sensational debut demo 'Ehrfurcht', even if you cannot understand German, it has a delightful sound to it, one of atmospheric disturbances and beautiful sounds, but underlying that beauty is the darkness of the lyrics, relating to depression and paganism, but in turn adds another dimension to it and escalates the release to greater heights, in fact this demo displays a solid sound and is sure to get labels sniffing these guys all over. [8] RHYS STEVENSON LA DAMA OSCURA 'El Rumor Del Miedo' MOLUSCO PRODS At the start when the the sounds of big ben began to ring aloud, it seemed like the next thing that was going to come out was political banter, instead what came out was total heavy metal banter, axes at the ready and the vocals warming up, for the sophomore album 'El Rumor Del Miedo' by Spanish Heavy Metal maniacs La Dama Oscura is of sensational proportions as it drops epic riff after epic melody and leaves a delightful after-sound echoing around the atmosphere. For it's bloody cover, the blood runs wild through this band as they deliver sounds that will please those fans of Iron Maiden and symphonic / melodic heavy metal. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON CULT OF DIONYSIS 'Behind The Mask' + 'Alchemy' METALCULT Delivering their latest material last year is highly promising since Virginia's Gothic Thrash stalwarts Cult Of Dionysis embrace the darkness and serve up a delinquent and elegant show piece that is sure to push them forward in 2013. Their latest single 'Behind The Mask' embellishes the foundation of solidfied sounds and adds meaningful brutality to the assault herewith playing. It is hard and heavy hitting, heavier than being knocked out by a professional boxer and is sure to appeal to those who like their metal red hot. As for the quartet's debut album 'Alchemy', you would have to be wearing anti-stain pants, simply because this will make you s*** loads, riff after riff the lads slaughter every living thing in a 50 mile radius, leaving nothing left in their wake, now who said atomic bombs were powerful? [7] + [8] RHYS STEVENSON ABRIOSIS
'Vessel' Arch Enemy better get ready to shift over, as in come Canadian stormers Abriosis and their lavish branded blend of Progressive Technical Death Metal, 2012 saw the birth of their second EP 'Vessel' and by far was this a mammoth born, furious brutality rides on every second throughout this exquisite release. Fans of bands like Gorguts, Gojira and Mortad will take a liking to this band as they are sure to power their way through 2013 without any resistance and are ready enough to take up arms and assault the world with their emphatic sound as 2013 undoubtedly belongs to these promising Canadians. [10] RHYS STEVENSON |
Metal II
2nd Chronicles of Metal Music Reviews © 2011-2022
Global Metal Apocalypse Archives
January 2013
Categories
All
|