 APOTASY 'Redemption' Well the clarity is nearly good but as far as the music goes, it's pretty decent. This is Apotasy from Slovakia, playing Melodic Death Metal on their debut demo 'Redemption', in any sense they are similar to bands from the USA, fast double-bass drumming, epic riffs and threatening vocals. For the trio this is a solid start, of course it's not 100% perfect, but neither is any band on their first outing. 'Redemption' itself carries a little twinkle on it in that composure is tight and the resulting production is a brutal enough display of what can be achieved, if this band were to add a bassist it would sound a little more heavier, but as for the release, well it speaks for itself, modern Melodic Death Metal in it's most gruesome moment. [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON  NEOANDERTALS 'Ebu Gogo Gutting The Child / Australopithecus' Before the critics just slaughter this release, let's be honest it's practically Brutal Death Metal music without any lyrics, the grunting just brings out the caveman style Death Metal, or is that just an ironic pun? Whatever it is, Estonia's duo Neoandertals smash it out with their second album 'Ebu Gogo Gutting The Child', pummelling drumming drives the insanity beyond believe whilst the gut-rotten vocals completely and utterly demoralises the listener into a sound sense of utmost suicide, or perhaps it's just listener playing dead. 'Ebu Gogo Gutting The Child' is a unique album in that it provokes more of the Avant Garde album than needs to be and as a result lowers the final conclusion of the album beyond mere acceptance, listen if you will, it could just kill you. 2012 saw the third release take life, 'Australopithecus' becomes album number three in the Estonian duet's career. Now once again the drums deliver the goods, the guitars for the most part of it have a livelier approach and since the vocals have been dropped, there is a huge improvement in the sound. Sure it carries on the same salsa-like movement between the Avant Garde sound and the Brutal Death monster that emerged on their second album, but it adds a more progressive sound to the affray, especially on the drums. Now this could act as a damn good film soundtrack especially during a fight scene or especially in a spy movie, but for the salient point, the fact remains the percussive side is by far the more dominant and so this is the better album of the past two. [4.5] + [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON  THIS BROKEN MACHINE 'The Inhuman Use Of Human Beings' It's great when bands create their own genre names to suit their music playing and so when you have the Italian quartet This Broken Machine deliver their Progressive Metalcore debut album 'The Inhuman Use Of Human Beings', it gets instantly dubbed by the band as 'Architectural Metal, let's just hope the scaffolding holds them up and that they don't enter self-demolition mode. Anyhow, drawing crystal clear influences from bands like Killswitch Engage and Mastodon, it is no surprise then that with each riff there underlies a melody and under each melody underlies a blastbeat. Mid-tempo is the best way to describe the speed, it's not insanely fast or boringly slow but it does keep the listener on their toes. This is a sign to say that there is more to come from this Italian lot and they won't go quietly about it either. [7] RHYS STEVENSON  CATUVOLCUS 'Gergovia' DEATHBOUND Quebec Blackened Folk Metal trio (now duo) Catuvolcus return with their Celtic and Gaulish music in emphatic form, with their sophomore album 'Gergovia', they deliver blazing drumming with a furious attitude in the vocal department and a raw reception with the guitars, altogether smiting all other similar sounding bands and valiantly producing a well-delivered release. With songs generally longer than six minutes on this release, there is a lot for the listener to dissect and to take on board whilst the overall production captivates the listener in an atmosphere of dark folklore and cold bitter times, Catuvolcus may well be close to exploding on the international metal scene. [7] RHYS STEVENSON  VORPAL NOMAD 'Hyperborea' METALODIC It couldn't get any better than this, the debut album by Colombian Power Metal quintet Vorpal Nomad bursts into a classic epic and outright adventurous soundtrack. 'Hyperborea' carries a harmonious sound and a real rough vocal array but interestingly sounds not unlike to bands like Winter's Verge or Nightwish and is sure to drag this band right out of the darkness and into the pits of the international metal scene community. 'Hyperborea' delivers blitzkrieg riffs, sensational drumming and some of the craziest vocals ever since the birth of Power Metal and is a key for the Colombian Metal scene to unlock itself and unleash a torrent of music across the seas, with 'Hyperborea' Vorpal Nomad is without any doubt, flying the flag for the Colombian Metal scene, [8] RHYS STEVENSON  LINEAR SPHERE 'Manvantara' Technical Prog Metal or Djent Metal, whatever you want to call it, the fact remains the second album by London's Linear Sphere is a journey of science, technology and long song epics. Singing in the style of the Progressive Metal vein, the quintet opt to adopt technical music as the back drop and so with that firmly installed in their compositions, the riffs get so technical it required a mathematician to calculate the time signatures as well as monitor the drum strokes. Naturally this is only the inaugural start for the lads, there is much more to do but with this album now alive and kicking, that should not be a problem. 'Manvantara' is for fans of The Devin Townsend Project, Periphery and Tesseract. [8] RHYS STEVENSON  HAILSTONE 'The Greater Counterfeit' Arising from the graves of the mountains of Bavaria, Germany is Hailstone and their mind-blowing debut album 'The Greater Counterfeit'. Fusing the intricate melodies summoned by the quintet with the harsh brutality developed via Blackened Death Metal. This is a machine on speed, spewing out epic riffs, ulcerating vocals and face-smashing blastbeats. Playing in the style of Evocation, Kalodin and Cannibal Corpse, the five-piece from Munich do all what's needed to deliver a stellar performance and ignite their road to further achievements. From the first track to the last track, 'The Greater Counterfeit' delivers a death warrant in ten tracks, it is so brutal, they had to confine the band for three years and detoxify them from hyperactivity. [8] RHYS STEVENSON  CONTRAST 'Charybdis' Blasting down barn doors is the ten-leg beast Contrast with their sensational sophomore album 'Charybdis'. Playing in the style of In Flames, the quintet hailing from Germany deliver a constant flow of raging riffs, firm and sustainable drumming and the most guttural vocals you can find in German Melodic Death Metal, perhaps it is the guttural level of the German language they sing in that aids the death growls! 'Charybdis' brings music that keeps the listener on their toes and does not give them a moment's peace, from the intricate riff intro on the song 'Charybdis' to the sonic speed of the drums on 'Gaias Hand', there is something for everyone on this release and it is guaranteed, Contrast won't go down quietly, this band will make waves. [10] RHYS STEVENSON  KLAMM 'Wahnsee' As cold and bitter as the Bavarian mountains, Klamm deliver a frosty reception with their traditional Black / Folk Metal and German language combined on their debut album 'Wahnsee'. Bringing with it a feeling of sitting by a campfire and singing to myth and folklore of the high mountains and forests of the southern German lands. Slow and melancholic spring to mind and yet essentially the album has the clean crisp atmosphere to it, dragging the listener right into the heart of the emotions expressed by this exceptional quintet, from the first very note to the last shriek, Klamm show what they are made of and are sure to become a known band without any doubt. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  SEKORIA 'Iter Stellarum' Nothing comes more darker than this, well that can be debated, but when you have a quartet delivering what is perceived to be Epic Black Metal, the intonation of the sub-genre sounds out what a band is all about and so when Sekoria come on the block with their debut album 'Iter Stellarum', it cannot be automatically tagged as a general Black Metal album. It delivers its own ambient atmosphere without the use of keyboard music, now the listener may conceive that as a pathetic reason to go it alone, but their album 'Iter Stellarum' delivers justice in the most grim form yet and so what you end up with is a decent production, just don't expect any other band to do the same and succeed. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON Add Comment  LACERATION 'Tortured Inauguration' UKEM Records Mercy may be needed upon the listening of 'Tortured Inauguration' by Scottish one-man project Laceration, slamming Brutal Death Metal extracting all guttural existence from the listener and smashing their brain into a pile of wasted goo. Behind the audio massacre is one Hamish Maguire, in respect a charismatic and genius at sound moulding, as evidently found on the 2012 compilation 'Tortured Inauguration', break-neck speed drumming immersed by the solid crushing sound of the guitars and vocals, altogether proving to be a futile explosion of extreme metal. Signed to UKEM Records, Laceration is perhaps the latest grittiest band to embrace the British underground Metal scene. [8] RHYS STEVENSON  THE OBSCENE 'The Torment Of Sinners' PEST Avoiding the band-name-pun altogether, The Obscene quite literally is a self-definition of the music they produce, literally a hard-hitting blast of Death Metal. The Durham quartet show no remorse in conducting the dramatic theatre-piece, that is their debut 2011 EP 'The Torment Of Sinners' of which has some of the most evil vocals ever heard in existence. Whilst the drums are quick-paced and the riffs sharp enough to shred any diamond in half, the only thing that lacks here is clarity, but even so one would conclude the lesser clarity adds to the dirty raw sound created on this hellbender debut, perhaps The Obscene is another way of saying, gore is the next step forward, heck why weren't these guys on the Saw 3D soundtrack? [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  Dog Faced Corpse 'Dog Faced Corpse Demo 2012' SALUTE With critique to detail and immobilizing the human senses in check, when indulging in the premier demo from Iraq's Brutal TechDeath quintet Dog Faced Corpse, the only way to survive the monstrosity of sound is to fear it. It wouldn't seem at all apparent that war had occurred in Iraq, although Dog Faced Corpse in hindsight don't really give a damn, not even beyond the mere middle finger, this is a solid production from the band; even touching onto Grindcore in its raw form. Whilst the face of the Middle East scene is focused towards the likes of Nervecell, Dog Faced Corpse evidently prove that Metal, regardless of its location, still has the power to send clear messages to the world and concludes that resistance is futile. [10] RHYS STEVENSON  X-PANDA 'Flight Of Fancy' Synthed-up and ready to bring a storm to the Estonian Metal scene, this is the debut album 'Flight Of Fancy' being described and is delivered in harmonious reality from Progressive Metal quartet X-Panda. However, the disappointment circulates the long songs found on the album, whilst also the stand-out track without a doubt is 'siren', with a delicate balance of electronic synth music powering the progressive sounds into a beautiful display of musicianship, X-Panda are perhaps something new and are sure to give the Progressive Metal vein something to think about, just a matter of picking your 'Flight Of Fancy'. [8] RHYS STEVENSON  IN LOVING MEMORY 'Negation Of Life' SOLITUDE PRODS. Well if Metal was a type of food, then In Loving Memory would have to be a piece of fruit, tasty when right but easy to leave to get rotten, shame to say that the rotten fruit is the food for thought on 'Negation Of Life', sure the melodies are in place and the whole atmosphere shifts from time to time, but the overall album is one step less of shambolic, in all fairness to Spain's Melodoom quartet, the only points salvaged is from even attempting to make a stellar return, but as far as sophomore albums are concerned, this is worse than a dubstep-cross-Nu Metal release, even Justin Bieber tops it, just. [3.5] RHYS STEVENSON  CONNATURAL TERROR 'Lunacy Frenzy' PSYCHO LUNACY SOUNDS Arising from the grassy plains of Põlva in Estonia is Death Metal duo Connatural Terror and their disturbingly wretched debut EP 'Lunacy Frenzy', whilst the overall production is great, the vocal dynamics could be easily improved, however the music itself offers a two or three stroke battering and by jove is the double bass heavy. Although not exactly the greatest releases to start with, the effort in this is clearly felt with the vocals, what sets this duo apart from the rest of the Death Metal gathering, the level of precision in the vocals is paramount, almost explicitly morbid. [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON  AMORAL 'Beneath' IMPERIAL CASSETTE / THE END Armed with the absolutely talented Ari Koivunen (Finland's Idol 2007 winner) on vocal duties, Finnish Power Metal (and Death Metal) machine Amoral make their warmed-welcome return with their fifth album 'Beneath', this brings a storm of blizzardous drumming along with some of the most epic riffs ever heard by the band and of course utilising the magic that the Finnish Power Metal vocalists seem to muster, none the less Amoral know what sound they want to create, one of epic dynamic sounds and endless neck-breaking Metal music, 'Beneath' is for fans of Sonata Arctica, Shade Empire and Children Of Bodom; with the release now out it has to be Finnish Metal album of the year. [10] RHYS STEVENSON  IN LEAGUE 'Where The Silence Is Easy' Australia sees a new boy band on the block, this time it is In League with their debut album 'Where The Silence Is Easy', the Post-Hardcore sextet immerse the listener with gravitational-pulling riffs and brain-shredding drumming, all supported by some of the most melodic vocals heard from Australia. Sounding similar to that of Enter Shikari (minus the trance) and Rise Against, In League are sure to gain global attention from media and fans alike, 'Where The Silence Is Easy' is an exceptionally powerful release and with the attitude and musical direction displayed on this release, there is nothing to stop this furious blazing wildfire of six lads to dominate the globe. [8] RHYS STEVENSON  ESSENZA 'Devils Breath' BIG MUD Totally unethical and despairingly common, Essenza's third album released in 2009 is nothing more than a standard Heavy Metal release, no enthusiasm or drive to make it entertaining, as if the guitars just rusted up or the drummers lost the groove. The only good thing about it is the fact they've tried to make another album, but with this effort they may as well want to re-record it and make it 10x better, whilst the album does offer some glimmer of hopes here and there, listeners may disobey their Metal traits for once and listen to Justin Bieber, back to square one for the Italian trio. [2] RHYS STEVENSON  MITIGATE 'Welcome To Our World' Austrian Symphonic / Melodic Death Metal trio Mitigate make their debut album 'Welcome To Our World' sound out with axes raised high in view of the masses. Much goes by the basic drumming but more attention is drawn to the vocals of which give two contrasting feelings, one of majestic feeling and the other of being slaughtered, whilst conventionally the music has some progressive elements to it - especially in the symphonies, but even so the latter is a just reflection of 'Dimmu Borgir-like' symphonic metal. Mitigate for who they are, have created a separate sound regardless of the common drum sounds, rest assured it can only get better. [6] RHYS STEVENSON GMN-Vol7 - Ana Kefr, Who Dies In Siberian Slush, Severed Heaven, Tukkanuotta / Goresoerd, Deathbound06/06/2011  ANA KEFR 'The Burial Tree (II)' MUSE SICK Californian Death Proggers Ana Kefr emerge once again to deliver a religious, political and philosophical tinged album, this time in the morphed form of 'The Burial Tree (II)', whilst not sounding like Gojira, it has some element of bizarreness with it, while although the individual compositions have a neatly crafted structure, the whole album itself is little to be desired, but not to be shunned as a failure. The growling is deep as oceans go, but the rest of it seems to lack any completeness with it. [5.5] RHYS STEVENSON  WHO DIES IN SIBERIAN SLUSH 'Вitterness Of The Years That Are Lost' SOLITUDE PRODS. Depressing springs to mind with Russian Melodeath Doomsters Who Dies In Siberian Slush (WDISS), slow and melancholy are somewhat two words to describe it, but it is not one to be knocked what with a grizzly growler on the frontline and a bombardment of sorrowful riffs and funeral-like drumming. Intuitively elaborating the darkness of a funeral with the bitterness of the Russian winter, WDISS are one of a kind, just be warned of the depressive aftermath. [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON  SEVERED HEAVEN 'Incessant Darkness' Formerly known as the Melodic Gothic Metal quintet Blood Sundae, the five females from Leeds and Manchester reformed under a darker and more extreme sound, the sound of a Severed Heaven. Immaculate musical compositions covered by some of the grittiest vocals produced by a female metal vocalist, this is the feminine Hecate Enthroned with some melodies still influencing this band. Ravenous riffs and sick blastbeats come together with two-tone vocals to deliver perhaps the darkest debut by any band in the English Metal music history. 'Incessant Darkness' with its slow-to-mid-paced musicals send clear messages to the listener, don't judge the band. This is the sort of music that would work well with horror films, or even essentially ghost night trips, but overall if you think the winter nights are dark, then face Severed Heaven as they bring far more darker times, 'Incessant Darkness' is just the beginning, watch this band at all costs. [9] RHYS STEVENSON   TUKKANUOTTA / GORESOERD 'TUKKANUOTTA / GORESOERD 2010 split' Two nations, similar in language and culture, two bands, similar in genre, one split album. Finnish Death Metallers Tukkanuotta joins in force with Estonian Deathgrinders Goresoerd to deliver a double-edge whammy of Baltic Metal. The first half sees the fury of the Finns deliver an outstanding blow of crisp and clean Death Metal with Finnish vocal attributes; the second half sees the elegance of the Estonians whip up a frenzy-like blast of Death Metal and Grindcore merged into one with essential native-tongue vocals. One release for Death Metal fans and fans of Finnish and Estonian Metal. [8] RHYS STEVENSON  DEATHBOUND 'Non Compos Mentis' DYNAMIC ARTS Death Metal / Grindcore veterans Deathbound return with their fourth enrichment of bloody and gut-eroding music in the form of 'Non Compos Mentis', whilst not as brutal as their 'Doomsday Comfort' album, it still warrants a level of violence and hearing-aid destroying power. Quick, snappy and mind-boggling compositions are all that's exasperated on this release and in scintillating style at the same time, 'Non Compos Mentis' is a statement by Deathbound, we are not finished this brutalization. [7] RHYS STEVENSON  CONRAD 'Oseaan Kroniek' Unknown to the general Metal world, Kadeem Ward aka by his Folk Metal project Conrad, released his second demo last year to the masses. Hailing from Barbados, the one-man project takes the traditions of Barbadian folklore and the widespread lust of Folk Metal. Whilst the vocals and music is not crisp clear, that in fact adds to its unique being. A true sign that the Caribbean Metal scene is ever growing and that it is promising. Conrad is flying the flag for the Barbadian Metal scene. Forget steel drum bands and realize, Heavy Metal has now a new region. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  EXILIA 'Naked' MYPLACE Italian Nu Metal group Exilia went acoustic for their 2010 EP 'Naked', featuring an array of their heavy metal material being toned down into acoustic songs whilst retaining the Exilia song. Whilst not grunge-laden, this EP is not unlike their song 'your rain', whereby it features soft musical compositions and a more relaxed feel about the music. Certainly a rarity amongst many metal bands, but this is what Exilia is, a rarity, a unique sound, 'Naked' they may be soft and acoustic, but overall hard, heavy, glamorous and totally cool.  DEATHBOUND 'We Deserve Much More' DYNAMIC ARTS With a fistful of Finnish fury, the trio from Tampere and Oulu eradicated all hearing with their 2007 full-length album, whilst straddled between the Brutal Death Metal and Death/Grindcore combo, they exact their genre tagging with a blazing array of beats, riffs and short, snappy songs. Unlike most conventional Grindcore bands, Deathbound differentiate their songs sounds and so keep their albums balanced, and 2007's 'We Deserve Much More' was no anomaly. Fire up the machines, cause' Deathbound will take anyone for a ride. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  GORESOERD 'Tüdruk Ja Surm' NAILBOARD Estonian quintet Goresoerd excavated another disembowelment of epic proportion with their 2010 full-length offering 'Tüdruk Ja Surm', collecting a sensational array of deathgrind in their native Estonian language whilst captivating a cold and eerie atmosphere, one only rivalled by the Baltic winter. Goresoerd are not unlike Finland's Deathbound, only less heavy and not singing in English. Maybe Estonia's best deathgrind band, but one to watch out for. [7] RHYS STEVENSON  MONUMENTAL TORMENT 'Element Of Chaos' SFC So much for insane music, Russia's Monumental Torment went overboard with their debut album 'Element Of Chaos', with a mesmerizing result of cerebral asphyxiation in ten tracks, the Technical Brutal Death Metal duo elaborate the brutality foreseen by Russia's greatest and devour any opposing problems, leaving an album as heavy as excrement left by a communion of bears. It does exactly what it says on the album, it delivers the 'Element Of Chaos' in the most extreme method of monumental torment. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON | 2013
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