LUMINESCENCE
'Eradicate The King'

South East Essex quartet (was quintet) Luminescence shed light with their debut demo release 'Eradicate The King', whilst conventionally not the generic breakdown-smothered, screamo emo-tinged metalcore craze that seems to be gracing the music scene these-days, Luminescence focus more on the metal and less of the 'core'; with trance music in tow, with a more darker version than their Yorkshire rivals Asking Alexandria. Although the first attempt is in three solid strikes of furious embroiled metalcore, the overall feel is of being impaled by 1000 spikes whilst being electrocuted, all thats missing is a little more trance - synth, however for a premier romp this is a well crafted piece of discography, one with meaning and ripe metal as well as mentally-challenging solo's, as for Luminescence, they are certainly flying the flag for the Essex Metal scene.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

ALCHIMIA 2012
'Another Star Is Approaching The Sun'

Reborn from the ashes of Alchimia, Alchimia 2012 shifted from Death Metal / Grindcore to the more brutal and furious sound of Metalcore. The quartet from San Marino is one band that is brimming with uniqueness and individuality as they are one of few active bands from the Principality, but also are one band who presents a deeper sound to the Metalcore tune. With their 2010 release 'Another Star Is Approaching The Sun', the quartet bring a mind-crushing blow to the soul in twelve tracks, resulting in the listener questioning 'what the f***k just happened?’ Alchimia 2012 is flying the flag for the Sammarinese Metal scene.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

_ LYNCHPIN
'Six String Demo'

Trinidadian Groovy Deathcore band Lynchpin unleash this two track taster of their latest works, whilst conventionally not the clearest of vocals, the band none the less gives a great blasting of brutally-infused Extreme Metal. Coming from one of the smallest Metal scenes in the Caribbean, the quartet do not fall short of expectations and instead deliver a sonic pounding that can be heard all over the Atlantic. Ever thought the Caribbean was a place just for steel bands? Lynchpin has proven this wrong and is flying the flag for the Trinidadian metal scene.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

CIRCLE OF RAGE
'Problem. Reaction. Solution'

English Hardcore Punk bitches Circle Of Rage unleash a murdering assault of 'Sex Pistol-meets-old school hardcore' songs, whilst conventionally not politically correct, although the latter would forbid it, the quintet give it as best as a shot that they can give. With clear Thrash Metal influences entering the affray - in the style of Metallica and Heavy Metal sounds from Motorhead per se, not to mention the clear The Clash / The Horrors style vocals, Circle Of Rage are sure to wipe that silly smile of your face, simply put Hardcore Punk will never be the same again.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

EDAIN
'Through Thought & Time'

2009 saw the first audio wave from Edain take form, the Czech Progressive Death Metal quintet came together in Brno to form a heavy onslaught of sensational riffs, gut-rotting vocals and ear-sensitive drumming. Whilst the band immediately goes into fifth gear in terms of audio sound and beat, the missing element is more so the level of audio that the vocals give, more so in detail the vocals could be more front-running. None the less with two songs over nine minutes long, there is plenty of time to enjoy the magnificent debut that Edain has made; 'Through Thought & Time' is without a doubt Czech Metal album of the year 2011.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

ILL CROW
'Into The Forgotten Spheres'

As far as Eastern or Central European Folk Metal goes, the Pagan or Slavic feel lacks here, but also the musical creativity, it seems very dull and wishy-washy, whilst the vocals and keyboards do good for Ill Crow's second demo 'Into The Forgotten Spheres', the rest is undesirable, not exactly the worst metal album but one that needs a lot of redesigning. The demo makes Justin Bieber's music justifiable, let alone sarcastically 'alternative metal'.

[4] RHYS STEVENSON

CLANDESTINED
'Ruinatics'
BUSDEATH

Evaluating the oriental is Japanese ninja's Clandestined and their sensational blast of Death / Thrash Metal, with their 2011 sophomore album 'Ruinatics' comes a sound similar to that of Sepultura but with a pinch more of speed and rawness to complete the sound. Collectively, this release is a decent attempt at making their own sound, whilst the production could have been better, for an underground band this is a fairly ok shot at it.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

DOTMA
'Sleep Paralyses'
SCARLET

Arising from the shadowy footsteps of fellow countrymen Amberian Dawn is Finland's latest female-fronted Power Metal exports Dotma and their signature tune of heavenly vocals, mystical guitar riffs and sensationally warped drumming to create their debut outing 'Sleep Paralyses'. With elements of Within Temptation in their closets, Dotma ex-cruciate pure bliss in a majestic wave of luscious and soul-soothing melodies, a crystal clear sign of the true power of Finnish power metal. Whilst not has heavy as Sonata Arctica, Dotma are certain to become regulars of Power Metal.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

TREMOR
'South Of Sanity'

Progressive Metal, fast and heavy as well as funky and... Caribbean? Trinidad & Tobago Progressive Metallers Tremor hit back with their fourth full length album 'South Of Sanity', clipping together the fast pacey speed of Iron Maiden and heaviness of traditional Prog Metallers. For a band from a region of limited metal music activity, Tremor certainly make themselves self-explanatory, with a rumble of drums, seismic wave-riffs and soul-destroying vocals, this Trinidadian bunch bring on the noise, Tremor is flying the flag for the Trinidad & Tobago Metal scene.

SILENTIUM
'Amortean'
DYNAMIC ARTS

Finnish Gothic Metal veterans Silentium ravage the darkness of their land to deliver their fifth onslaught of spine-chilling vocals and powerful music in the form of their latest album 'Amortean' released in 2008. Whilst not as soft as fellow countrymen Vanguard, Silentium prove once again why the Finnish goth scene is one to be reckoned with, collecting orchestral chants with swift solos and blastbeats powerful enough to savor, this is one record for any Gothic Metal fan, a true work of inspiration.