MODUS DELICTI 'Nobody' COMATOSE Promising Italian Brutal Death Grindsters Modus Delicti unleash a torrent of hell with their debut album 'Nobody' with a slice of extreme vocals and drums to compliment the near-gone guitars. Whilst the album itself offers a piece of bizarre music, the overall product is a mass combination of noisy vocals and furious musical compositions which together rival the very essence of musical creativity. 'Nobody' although nothing new is one of those albums that is still good however. [7] RHYS STEVENSON ANTROPOFAGUS / PUTRIDITY / PRION / INFECTED FLESH / MASS INFECTION 'Split Torso Trauma' COMATOSE Combining all forms of flesh from sickening Spain, icky Italy, aortic Argentina and gory Greece is some of the Brutal Death Metal underground storm-troopers, although it has a variety of bands on song, the general sound is there, so more so like a 5-band split compilation rather than a split, essentially a split for which caters for all various extreme tastes of Death Metal in its entirety. Full on mind-blowing sonic beats of pure drumming, outrageous riffs and vicious vocals, this is practically all that can be said about this release. [8 - across the board] FACE OF OBLIVION 'The Embers Of Man' COMATOSE Apocalyptic American Death Metal mob Face Of Oblivion unleash insanity and brutality in all demoralizing forms to cause unsightly chaos on all levels of extremity. With their debut full-length album 'The Embers Of Man' the motion of sickening vocals and down-tuned guitars electrify the barely noticed drumming compositions exerted by this quintet, overall this album is a mystifying array of mindless torture, cursing mass murdering and fearless anguish, 'The Embers Of Man' is seemingly apt to be dubbed the goriest album of 2011. [8] RHYS STEVENSON I CHAOS 'The Human Repellent' RITF Dutch Brutal Death Metal newcomers I Chaos quickly become a powerful force striving in the underground with their ear-shattering debut album 'The Human Repellent', whisking together a heavy punch of bone-crushing drumming and flesh-ripping riffs amongst gut-gurgling vocals, I Chaos is to become the next extreme act from the land of windmills and flowers, make no mistake this quartet mean violent business and should be taken with a pinch of precise warning, this music is not for soft metal listeners, I Chaos is 'The Human Repellent'. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON ABINCHOVA
'Versteckte Pfade' Valiantly galloping over the Swiss Alps and around the beautiful Matterhorn is Swiss Melodic Death / Folk Metal septet Abinchova, whilst not as heavy or folk-orientated as fellow countrymen Eluveitie, Abinchova instead implement their native sound via the lovely sound of violins and so devise their own sound. Sort of traditional folk meets the modern sound of metal in this twisted debut album named 'Versteckte Pfade' (roughly translated as hidden path), but with this in their arsenal, Abinchova are a band just waiting to explode into the wider Metal scene. [8] RHYS STEVENSON
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BLODWEN 'Black Symphony' RED RIVET Indonesian Symphonic / Neo-Classical Power Metal quintet come out of the darkness with their debut album 'Black Symphony' released last year, crossing between Amberian Dawn and Nightwish, this is one of Indonesia's hidden treasures, with heavenly vocals equating the beautiful sound of a waterfall and music to complement the vocals in extraordinary style, Blodwen are a band to watch out for, bringing the best of Modern style Metal with the eccentric Oriental culture. [9] RHYS STEVENSON MY FORGOTTEN GOD 'My Forgotten God' SATANARSA Ukrainian Gothic Doomsters My Forgotten God caused a depressive stir-up amongst the Ukrainian Metal scene with their 2009 self-titled demo, essentially because it is more so better as an instrumental than a music album, simply put the vocals arent the greatest but they arent naff, overall the general composition of this album is well earned and essentially it is a good album to have for those Doom Metal fans. [7] RHYS STEVENSON DREAD 'Cerebral Mutilation' Italian Gorecore (Death Metal/Metalcore) quartet Dread sound off the zombies and guns with their debut full-length album 'Cerebral Mutilation' released last year, mixing the deep vocals found in Goregrind bands with Metalcore to savour any hearing going around, this is one of those albums that when hits the CD drive, clicks into iTunes without no problems, with a bitch-load of riffs and erotic breakdowns, this is Italian Metal at its best and heaviest. [8] RHYS STEVENSON MY LAMENT 'Broken Leaf' SOLITUDE PRODS. Belgian Doom / Death Metal newbies released their debut album way back in 2009 and with it came a warning of depression riding this album, they do however make both genre's work together in tune and at the same time come to a just conclusion that is one of Belgium's darkest albums, one full of mystery, ever-changing atmospheres and eccentricity, the album 'Broken Leaf' is all about sitting back and relaxing to some Doom Metal with the Death Metal on the side, a work of excellence. [7] RHYS STEVENSON NIERTY
'Acolytes Of The Descent' MISANTROF ANTIRECORDS Hailing from the mountains of Wales is Nierty who have travelled through the winding valleys to deliver their third onslaught of Black/Death Metal in the form of their latest album 'Acolytes Of The Descent' released last year along with two other albums before this one in the same year, armed with a sinister display of riffs and extreme vocals, both supplemented with harsh drumming, Nierty is the beacon of Wales for exhibiting the darkest music from the land of the dragons, five years and they do not look likely to give up any minute. [9] RHYS STEVENSON BEYOND THE DREAM 'In The Heart Of Nothing' Storming Finns Beyond The Dream abseil the waterfall of improvement to deliver their best work yet, their third album 'In The Heart Of Nothing', with a toned down recorded sound, the atmosphere takes over, unleashing the wintry blast of Lapland and sleekness of Jyväskylä, mixing the Melodic Death Metal fuel which seems to have glued to Finland with the dark Gothic Metal feel Finland exhibits, Beyond The Dream are Poisonblack and Wintersun merged together, from the ashes of something came the result of being 'In The Heart Of Nothing'. [10] RHYS STEVENSON BLASPHEMER
'Devouring Deception' COMATOSE Italian Brutal Death Metal merchants Blasphemer unleash gore and gut-rotten infestations with their first EP released last year, 'Devouring Deception' captivates grunts, growls and gurgling but limited vocals, whilst the drum blastbeats and guitar riffs do some salvage, the overall EP has it's own level of brutal insanity, regardless of the vocal wonders, Blasphemer are proving that Brutal Death Metal is always underground and is best kept deep underground to avoid the 'Devouring Deception'. [8] RHYS STEVENSON FRANTIC AMBER 'Wrath Of Judgement' Gothic in visualization, Melodic Death Metal in sound, Sweden's all-female newcomers Frantic Amber revolt in the underground with beautiful extremities and insane brutal force, their debut EP 'Wrath Of Judgement' released in 2010 is slower and more heavier than Scar Symmetry and Arch Enemy put together, slick riffs, gritty vocals and riotous drumming sizzle altogether on this juicy debut, Frantic Amber are not your average Gothic-tinged Swedish girls, they are five Angela Gossow's, only heavier. [8] RHYS STEVENSON ILL NINO 'Dead New World' VICTORY Latin Metal veterans Ill Nino return with the blast of Latino fury and heavy metal balls, immaculate compositions on their latest and 2010 album 'Dead New World', weaving their way between Latino-influenced Nu Metal and Metalcore, sounding like a crossover of Sepultura and Lamb Of God, with an array of bandmembers of different nationalities, the influences differ from song to song, but keeping to a nu metalcore approach, this is a funky album with so much riding on it in terms of legacy, fuelled by their signing with Victory Records, Ill Nino excite the latest fan generation from the bright 'Dead New World'. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON DR. ACULA 'Slander' VICTORY American 'Party Metal' / Deathcore mob Dr. Acula return with their highly anticipated fourth album, chock-full of intense breakdowns, funky gruel vocals and suspense on every second of the album, for the seven lads from New York, this is an album strong and brutal enough to rip holes in the streets and assimilate the problems of American life, to turn it into one roller-coaster of funky Deathcore and potentially experimental metal, but this is one release for the 'wtf' category, having said that, 'Party Metal' might just become a new genre. [8] RHYS STEVENSON SISTER SIN 'True Sound Of The Underground' VICTORY Swedish Hard Rock / Heavy Metal quartet Sister Sin make it three with their 2010 album 'True Sound Of The Underground', essentially the chic version of Iron Maiden, but with more sweat, blood and girl power, with an array of songs in the fury vein as well as rock ballads, this is Sweden's answer to Canada's Kobra & The Lotus, by far better and more glamorous, potentially an album to motorbike to. Bring on the Harley Davidson's zooming along Swedish countryside roads and the blasting of Sister Sin. [8] RHYS STEVENSON EXILIA
'My Own Army' AFM Italian Nu Metal quartet Exilia eroded hearing and lightened hearts in 2009 with their fourth full-length album taking life, whilst 'My Own Army' is clearly not as heavy as previous albums, the grunge elements are still there, what with Masha's voice enchanting and the other three members providing a musical supplement, these songs are not to be snuffed at, this is a more easy listening album but at the same time, 'My Own Army' has its own unique sound to it, one of melody, riot, softness and heaviness, a pivotal release in the end. [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON VIZANT 'Vasilevs Vasileon Vasilevon Vasilevondon' Montenegrin Gothic Doom Metallers Vizant kicked off their musical torrent of Orthodox Christian-tinged Metal music with a long-titled album, 'Vasilevs Vasileon Vasilevon Vasilevondon' (presumably Montenegrin or Latin) features their own style of music, whilst taking the dark history surrounding their homeland, they use their native tongue to personify their music. But they aren't Christian Metal, or so at least it could be argued, but what is certain is Vizant are flying the flag for the Montenegrin Metal scene. For fans of Arkona and Moonspell. [8] RHYS STEVENSON WINDFALL 'Crush' Fresh from Tuscany, Italy, is Melodic Heavy Metal quintet Windfall with their debut 2010 EP 'Crush', laying the tradition of Heavy Metal with Italian stallion melodies and feminine words, Windfall are Italy's answer to Finland's Skyward, naturally the Italian female vocals are one of dramaticism and excitement and Francesca Tedeschi does not fail to impress, as nor do the other band-members. This true solid production from Windfall is a real glimmer of hope for greater music in years to come. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ETERNAL DECAY 'Beyond The Ties Of Flesh' Occultists Eternal Decay immerse the surrounding atmosphere with a darkened aurora and sense of mysticism with their complex full-length debut 'Beyond The Ties Of Flesh' which saw birth in 2010. In short, Israeli Black Metal trio Eternal Decay exhibit a real sense of demoniacal controversy with in relation to their heathen homeland and in the view of their music following similar paths that of Melechesh. But for this three-piece metal band, this is probably the next Salem and so 'Beyond The Ties Of Flesh' likes the Eternal Decay of Hebrew Black Metal. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON VIZANT 'Sjene Živih' Returning with their sophomore album is Montenegro's Vizant, bringing back their traditional twist of Montenegrin linguistics and Gothic Doom Metal to revolutionize the result of their first album leaves them with the aftermath, the birth of 'Sjene Živih'. Some would opt to place them under Pagan Metal, but with Orthodox Christianity as a lyrical topic, this would not be just. For the quartet from Niksic, this is their answer to revered Russian maestro's Arkona, game on. LIKE TOMORROW
'Perfect World' 2010 saw Finnish Melodic Power Metallers Like Tomorrow unleash their fourth force of nature in form of their EP 'Perfect World', whisking the beauty of Finnish female vocals with the intricate compositions of the talented Finns on guitars and drums to develop their own unique sound to eradicate the shadowy darkness of the forefathers of Dark Metal. Bringing such emotional music and sorrowful tears to my eyes, this is one release for anyone who needs a good cry, as this world is far from being a 'Perfect World'. [10] RHYS STEVENSON SACRED MOTHER TONGUE 'The Ruin Of Man' TRASCEND This Northampton crew slithered themselves through the underground chambers to unleash the filth of Metalcore and ever-rotting flesh of Melodic Death Metal, to formulate their 2009 debut full-length release 'The Ruin Of Man'. Rebellious riffs encased a skin of articulate blastbeats and dual-tone vocals, this quartet are another living proof of the sexy and erotic result of combining these two genres together, for Sacred Mother Tongue 'The Ruin Of Man' has not yet begun, for the poseurs however it has. [8] RHYS STEVENSON EXILIA 'Stop Playing God' GUN Back in 2004, Exilia upgraded their level of musical composition with their meaningful single 'Stop Playing God', highlighting the dangers and problems of being too big about things, but in Exilia's case it's more of a rebellious track and with that the spirit of Masha (vocalist) is extended beyond all extremity, a solid release by Italy's favourite Nu Metal group. Bring on the noise, for Exilia will bring their own buzz. [8] RHYS STEVENSON DESDEMONIA 'Existence' Hailing from the land of Luxembourg in Western Europe is Death Metal novices Desdemonia, with their third full-length 'Existence' aligning the terrors and darkness found within such an extreme type of music. Whilst the recording itself is a bit high-pitched, lowering the clarity of the music produced, the riffs exhilarate the drumming into complete coalition state. For the quartet this is a worthy piece of material, but not one that will change much in the Luxembourg Metal scene. For fans of Unleashed, Mass Hypnosis and Beneath. [7] RHYS STEVENSON A DARK PLACE 'Suffering' DEZLANIC On the other end of the Death Metal scale, this is perhaps the rawest form of Death Metal, whilst the recording itself is slightly poor, the vocals are not-audibly clear and so relies on the music to add back-up. For the Melbourne quartet this is not perhaps the best of possible debut's but certainly is not the worst, for percussive levels it exceeds expectations but indefinitely is one album for the fans of The Berzerker in their early days. Some would say A Dark Place need to see the wizard of oz, but that would be an awful pun, one that would leave people in A Dark Place 'Suffering'. [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON GUTTED
'Mankind Carries The Seeds Of Hell' SOULFLESH COLLECTOR Blasting their way through the chasms of hell is Hungarian Death grinders Gutted with their sensational blitz of riff-infused blastbeats and gut-rotting vocals, all in sync with their third brutal assault 'Mankind Carries The Seeds Of Hell'. It comes with a warning, not for the faint of heart, for this record is by far one of Hungary's heaviest to date, served up on a plate of gormandizing flesh and sumptuous cannibalism-in-destroying-hearing kind of fantasy, all for the greater good. Without a doubt this album is in the top ten of Hungary's best Metal albums in 2010. [8.5] 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 |
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