PALE BASTARD 'Pale Bastard' INDEPENDENT Casting aside the overshadowing Welsh 'core' scene for a second, Stoner Metal crew Pale Bastard prove that there is more to the Welsh Metal scene than tight jeans, breakdowns and the occasional sheep-shag (yes it's an outdated joke, but it's still funny). Having crafted their self-titled debut album with such finesse, it's difficult to see where they can improve before their next outing, but there is always room for improvement right? However, it goes without saying that this is an album that any Stoner Metaller will be proud of, with grooves as thick and choking as the Welsh coal mines and riveting riffs laying down the red carpet for the ballsy atmosphere to take charge, Pale Bastard are certainly primed, tipped and ready to explode upon the British Metal scene with a brutal arsenal at their disposal. Download This: "Spider Blood" - click to play For Fans of: Orange Goblin, Fu Manchu, Kyuss [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON LELAHELL 'Alif' METAL AGE PRODS. Four years have eclipsed since the debut album by Algerian Death Metallers Lelahell saw daylight, since then there has been a few members leave and thus has left frontman Lelahel taking command. Taking over bass duties and recruiting Hannes Grossmann on drums as guest, the Algerian outfit unleash their second album 'Alif' which offers more of the infatuating style of Death Metal presented on their debut 'Al Insane... The (Re)Birth of Abderrahmane' albeit with Black Metal influences dotted here and there. It's been some time coming but 'Alif' delivers without fail, offering a slaughtering barrage of tight-ass riffs, menacing bass-lines and gut-rotten vocals along with crystal-clear production. 'Alif' may well be the album to set the Algerian Metal scene alight and bring much-earned attention to this part of the world, Lelahell are flying the flag for Algeria. Download This: "The Fifth" For Fans of: Aborted, Unleashed, Behemoth [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON TURBYNE 'Origins & Endings' INDEPENDENT Just for a second, think about the fact that Scotland has other metal bands. You know, other metal bands than that Pirate Metal band (you know who). Bands like Turbyne whose recent Bloodstock appearance was a statement of intent, a statement to prove that there is a truly active scene north of the border. Harking back to their debut album 'Origins & Endings' it's clear the band wanted to avoid being shackled down as just another flashy Melodic Metal band, determined to add some grit and attitude to the mix and the result is one of beauty. Sure members have come and gone since then (2015), but the formula will remain the same, this might be 'Turbyne Metal' but whatever it is, it's a breath of fresh air. Think Cypher 16 meets Scar Symmetry meets Iron Maiden, a metal concoction that will leave you drooling for more, the origin of Turbyne is Dumfries, Scotland, but the ending is nowhere to be seen. Download This: "The Fate Of A Dying World" For Fans of: Scar Symmetry, Iron Maiden, Cypher 16. [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON OBZIDIAN 'Obliteration Process' ROCKSECTOR 17 years in and now four albums down, things cannot get any rosier for Obzidian could they? Well unless you count their amazing set at Bloodstock showcasing material from their latest album 'Obliteration Process', their tight-ass combination of Progressive Thrash and Death Metal is so sublime you'd have thought this band would have graced the bigger stages by now. Since 2012 they've been in a sturdy 2 year-album cycle, having had a rocky start in the beginning and 9 years between their debut and follow-up. But with this effort the Staffordshire outfit have clearly shed that past off and emerged with a glistening and sparkling sound, one that will bleed the ears of whomever checks this brilliant outfit out. Thundering drums, crunchy riffs, venomous vocals and a ballistic bass-line come together to leave you totally battered. Download This: "They Led The Fall" - Click to listen For Fans of: Malefice, Gojira, DevilDriver [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON NARSARAKH 'Thy Doomsday Lord Enthroned' INDEPENDENT Brunei's Narsarakh are a leading beacon in their national scene, 9 years in and their debut album comes out with a dank, dark and filthy sound, one that is as extreme as the Asian Metal scene itself. 'Thy Doomsday Lord Enthroned' takes the best from the Atmospheric, Black and Death Metal styles, through the use of harmonious keyboards, gritty vocals and riffs, this quintet are proving themselves to be capable of delivering a melting pot of sounds... a lot more than the initial one-man project did. Expect to flit from the rawest of raw sounds in the Black Metal dominion to the majestic of majestic sounds a Death Metal band could throw up, granted it's no groundbreaker in terms of 'it's been done before', but it's a solid enough release to get heads turning in the South-East Asian Metal regions. Narsarakh are flying the flag for the Bruneian Metal scene. Download This: "Storms Of The Nine Kingdoms" For Fans of: Demonic Resurrection, Behemoth, Unleashed [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON SRD 'Smrti Sel' ON PAROLE A one to watch in the Black Metal world, Srd are a Slovenian quintet who formed from the ashes of Terrorfront (project of Goran Slekovec) and with their debut album only just released last year, a year or so since the band's inception, this is one band that will rock the very foundations of the greats. Bands like Watain, Immortal, etc., will befall to the swagger and menace Srd deliver, their debut album 'Smrti Sel' is sung in mostly the Slovene language, but does have some English songs in the mix. It's amazing how such a South Slavic language can be utilised with Black Metal to create something so dramatic, so grim, so dark that you will be sweating in fear as the music sends blackened shocks down your spine and the suspense makes your hair stand on end. Download This: "Kupa Trpljenja" - Click to listen For Fans of: Eastern Front, Immortal, Carpathian Forest [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON LYNCHPIN 'Millennial Holocaust' DEAD SEA RECORDS CARIBBEAN This is no Pirates Of The Caribbean story, there is no black pearl, no dead man's chest, only some rather brutalising metal bellowing out, spewing across the sandy beaches and wind-swept palm trees of Trinidad & Tobago. The passage of course refers to Lynchpin, who after Wacken hit the studio to deliver their second EP 'Millennial Holocaust' and by steel drums did they deliver. OK enough with the puns. Lynchpin don't take no nonsense, this EP demonstrates that as they unleash a torrential flood of Progressive, Death, Nu Metal and Metalcore altogether in one solid package. There is never a dull moment on this EP, the metal does not slow down, nor does it go stale. If you're looking for something exotic, something brutal, something metal as f*ck, you've come to the right review. Lynchpin are flying the flag for the Trinidadian Metal scene. Download This: "Graves Of A Thousand Unknown" For Fans of: Meshuggah, Machine Head, Necrophagist [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON EMPHASIS 'Soul Transfer' RED RIVET Estonian Symphonic Prog Metallers Emphasis return with their second offering in the form of 'Soul Transfer', featuring a lengthy journey across soaring melodies, harmonious symphonies and beautifully orchestrated pieces, this is a step up from their debut album and with a new drummer at the helm (Stanislav Lint), the future looks bright for the quintet. The album thunders along for a whopping 73 minutes, but what makes it worth the lengthy wait is that the instrumentals included break the songs up; ingenious. 'Soul Transfer' carries on the soft yet powerful style of metal Emphasis have created, it's almost in Within Temptation territory. Given the evident planning that has gone into this album, it won't be long before Emphasis grace the rest of the Europe with their infectious masterpiece. Download This: "Leviathans" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Dream Theater, Tarja-era Nightwish [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON MOTÖR MILITIA 'World In Flames' INDEPENDENT Seven years have passed since Bahraini Thrashers Motör Militia released an album and now they present to the world, the 'World In Flames'. With three new members in the line-up including a new vocalist, this album is by far the best material they've ever released. Thrash Metal is the staple sound of this band, but on this album they manage throw in the occasional Middle Eastern vibe on the guitars. Otherwise the album is a neck-snapping work of magic, from start to finish there is the unrelenting surge of power coursing through each and every song. It's hard to see Motör Militia turning back after this, it's an album worthy of international recognition and could very well prove to be thee album to expose the Bahraini Metal scene to the world. 'World In Flames' arguably is one of the finest Thrash albums to be released for the last few years and reassures Motör Militia that they are flying the flag for the Bahraini Metal scene. Download This: "Reckoning" For Fans of: Holy Moses, Suicidal Tendencies, Evile [9/10] RHYS STEVENSON NECNON MORTUSS
'Válečné Konflikty 20. Století' INDEPENDENT The Czech Metal scene does seem to be slightly secluded from the rest of Europe, but it's bands like Necnon Mortuss who keep the underground thriving. Sure it's been six years since their second album, but was the wait worth it? Kind of. 'Válečné Konflikty 20. Století' is a decent enough effort but it just does not make the cut, there is something missing, that something is deviation, most of the songs seem to have a similar pattern in the music and this is what drags the album through the dirt. Props go to singing in their native tongue, but the album itself fails to shift out of third gear. Despite this, the album is a decent effort but falls short of being excellent, it's not terrible but it's not sensational either. Download This: "Karpatsko-Dukelská Operace" For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Vesania, Aborted [6/10] RHYS STEVENSON
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TALBOT 'Magnetism' INDEPENDENT Light a bong and chill out to the thick distorted sounds of Talbot and their third album 'Magnetism', for the Russian-Estonian duo this is a well put together effort that puts you at ease, through it's ethereal and atmospherically charged sound, this is an album worth of a double listen. The finely balanced mix of Stoner and Doom Metal is clear as daylight and has left no room for error, the vocals in fact are split between growling and clean styles and are both engulfed by the thickened sound produce by the guitars and drums. Estonia rarely gets a look in for metal bands albeit Metsatoll as their best export, but for those metalheads willing to explore, Talbot is a prime example of what keeps the underground ticking. Their latest effort 'Magnetism' will surely gather some fan attention from outside of Estonia. Download This: "Infra" - Click to listen For fans of: Huntress, Kyuss, Electric Wizard [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON AFTERLIFE SYMPHONY 'Lympha' REVALVE Italian quintet Afterlife Symphony return with their third effort 'Lympha' and they deliver what you would expect, in that there is a lot going on throughout this album that is very typical of the Symphonic Metal style. That does not mean that it follows the same pattern as Nightwish, no in fact the album draws in elements from the Gothic and Melodic Metal styles and yet retains a sort of operatic feel. It's the sort of music that you could expect in a fantasy film like the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, full of suspense and fluctuating atmospherics at every turn. However, even though 'Lympha' might not set the world alight it will certainly strike a chord or two with fans of Symphonic Metal and bands with female vocals. Afterlife Symphony certainly seem to have found the sound that will carry them forward, here's hoping they can build on this and not fall backwards. Download This: "XXI" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Epica, Therion [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON STORM 'Zodiac' TIN IDOL PRODS Hawaiian Gothic / Power Metallers Storm deliver their third opus 'Zodiac' and it continues the bands exotically-charged style of metal that befits the laid back nature of theirsurroundings; even though Hawaii is nowhere near the US mainland (Hawaii is closer to Kiribati, is there a scene there?). 'Zodiac' delivers a punch with Sandy once again leading the front-line with her Suzi Quatro-esque style of rock / metal vocals, whilst the music as a whole delivers an Iron Maiden like sound, thunderous and unrelenting in every aspect. Sticking to the theme of the zodiac signs, each song depicts the traits of each sign and so what does Storm say about you? There is a song on this album for everyone as there is so much variation both lyrically and musically, it's like a Chinese buffet in that where do you start? But one thing is for sure, you will feel contented after gorging on this awesome effort. Download This: "Aquarius" (or your own sign) For Fans of: Iron Maiden, School of Rock enthusiasts, Suzi Quatro, Battle Beast [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON AWRIZIS 'Dreadful Reflection' METALGATE It's amazing what a few member changes can do to a band's productive output, in Awrizis's case it's not for the better. Having switch members in the vocals, drums, and guitars department, the anticipation of how this Czech unit would fare was steadily building since their debut album back in 2013. The new album 'Dreadful Reflection' might as well be a direct attack upon themselves, because whilst the music is a decent effort, the overall finesse is as entertaining as yawning your head off. The aggression that once was a musical threat now seems to have gone on holiday; but returns on some songs, at times the music is rather cliche but somehow delivers a respectable pulverising blow, but overall the album is nothing new, nothing special and as said a decent effort... it just flopped at the change of members. Download This: "Burn The Flame" For Fans of: 5 Finger Death Punch, DevilDriver, Lamb of God [5.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON VANFREJD 'I' INDEPENDENT Hailing from the Åland Islands, an archipegalo off of the Finnish coast is what could be argued as the one-man project Vanfrejd; although one cannot be sure as the info on the band/project is as useful as a dead battery. However, the debut album by this Black Metal entity is a strikingly good one, for the lack of physical presence the album justifies the band/project's existence. 'I' delivers the classic rampaging riffs, raucous vocals and blazing drums that we've all come to know from the generic Black Metal style. It will definitely please those die-hard fans of Black Metal, but for the wider metal music followers it might not be their cup of tea. All in all it's a decent effort but until Vanfrejd becomes more active socially it more than likely will be confined to history as an undiscovered release. Download This: "Tomhet" - Click to listen For Fans of: Mayhem, Immortal, Finnish Black Metal [7/10] RHYS STEVENSON PSICOSIS 'Toska' INDEPENDENT OK so it has taken ten years for Psicosis from Nicaragua to release their debut album, it's always an eyebrow raiser when a band takes that long before releasing a major release but damn the wait was worth it. Combining the Spanish language with the unmistakable brutal heavy force of Groove / Thrash Metal, this ten-legged beast have done justice to the long wait. Clunking bass and riffs meet Latin influences and are jointly crowned with vocals of Sepultura elk, and drums so tightly precise that you wonder if the drummer is a mathematician at heart. 'Toska' is one album that will certainly gain considerable attention across the Central American Metal scenes and reinvigorate the whole Latin Metal style. Download This: "Dominacion" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Sepultura, Brujeria, Ill Nino [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON ABSENTATION 'Ascending To Desolate' INDEPENDENT Whilst the war and conflict ensues on the streets of Damascus, Syria, a thriving underground metal scene takes place an Daesh in their music. Absentation are a Death Metal duo and are arguably one of the most exciting metal bands to emerge from the Middle East. Their debut album 'Ascending To Desolate' is a full on Death Metal-epic, with nods to the old-school style with some modern bits thrown in here and there, the slight downside is the production - over exerted and thus somewhat ruins the album, but overall it packs a furious punch that will leave you with piss-sodden pants. They hold much promise in these dire times and can be seen as a band being picked to play Wacken in the next few years. Absentation are flying the flag for the Syrian Metal scene. Download This: "Absent-nations" - click to listen For Fans of: Napalm Death, Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON CROW BLACK SKY 'Sidereal Light - Volume One' INDEPENDENT When it comes to the South African Metal scene, in specific the extreme side of it, there are numerous bands who know how to smash out a brutalising and powerful opus. Just ask the Melodic Black / Death Metal trio Crow Black Sky whose second album 'Sidereal Light - Volume One' is a tour-de-force. Sure it has been eight years since their debut, but the craftwork that has gone into the album is enriching and rewarding as a result. If Winterfylleth were a South African band they would be called Crow Black Sky, the ferocity and atmosphere conjured up is beautiful (can Black Metal be beautiful?). However some might not have the patience to listen to four tracks that on average last over eight minutes long, but the patience is worthwhile and for those who will take up the challenge, rest assured they will not be let down. Download This: "Lightless, Lifeless" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Winterfylleth, Shade Empire, Wildernessking [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON ATROFIA 'Programado Para El Caos' INDEPENDENT If you fancy a bounce on your chair like a pogo stick, a bop of the head or a jiggle then look no further than Cartoon Network. if you fancy a chance to ruin your chair, fling your head around or act like a thing possessed, then tune into Atrofia's highly anticipated debut album 'Programado Para El Caos'. It comes loaded with insanely fast Thrash Metal, mixed with the Spanish language and a feeling that the drummer is tanked up on red bull. Seriously this album is a romping marathon of which is hard to keep up with, especially when air drumming or doing the air guitar. It seems that this Panamanian outfit have their craft sussed out, for every second it does not disappoint and leaves you quenching for more. Think Panama is only famous for the canal? Think again. Atrofia is set to place Panama's metal scene on the world stage. Download This: "Et Gran Final" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Kreator, Holy Moses [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON WASP STING DANGER
'Wasp Sting Danger' INDEPENDENT Ever been stung by a wasp? Ever been prodded by the wasp's pointed arse? South Korean Crossover Thrash / Hardcore merchants Wasp Sting Danger are here to warn you of the consequences of being violated by the wasps through their own brand of humour, human nature and barminess. Dropping their debut EP, this quintet know how to belt out a song or two, songs that ultimately will leave your hearing impaired, senses rearranged and genitals with a massive hard on. It's not often a South Korean Metal band garners attention outside of Asia, but damn if they carry on with this style of metal and their attitude, attention will come their way in the form of a label signing, if not festival slots overseas... this music is the absolute nuts! It's the dogs bollocks.... ever seen bollocks stung by a wasp... let's not go there. For Fans of: Brujeria, Corrosion of Conformity, Municipal Waste Download This: "Hate You" - Click to listen [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON CYPECORE 'Identity' ADULRUNA Strap yourselves in for the musical journey of a lifetime as Germany's instigators of Cyber Melodic Death Metal make their welcomed return from out of their futuristic bunker. With their third album 'Identity' now out and ready to be unleashed on the unsuspecting masses, this could easily be the album to set the world alight in terms of intuitiveness and desire to challenge convention, let's face it where else would you find the perfect combination of Modern Melodic Death Metal with Cyberthrash Metal? But what is Cypecore? Is it a codeword for a branch of Modern Metal, or is it the storm from Germany you did not see coming. Assimilating drums provide the solidarity for the riffs to ripple across whilst the vocals add the final blow that will leave you for dead, embrace this album but fear it also, it's not for the weak nor elitist metalheads. Download This: "Saint Of Zion" For Fans of: Black Comedy, Fear Factory, Dagoba 'Identity' is out now via Adulruna Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON THE HYPOTHESIS 'Origin' INVERSE Modern Melodic Death Metal seems to be the in-thing recently, and Finland's The Hypothesis are no exception. By layering together speed, brutality, electronic atmospherics, technicality and an attitude that says 'fuck you', The Hypothesis are primed to take over planet earth with their awaited debut album 'Origin'. No matter how many tracks you check out, you will never feel bored out enough to switch off, have a beer or a wank, depending on what takes your first preference. Engineered to run away like a thing possessed, this album will hit you like a bullet so hard that you will have noticed the album has finished playing before you come to your senses as to what has just happened. The latest exports from the Finnish Metal scene are sure to cause a buzz across the Nordic nations with this effort. Download This: "Atonement" For Fans of: Omnium Gatherum, Shade Empire, In Flames 'Origin' is out now via Inverse Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON NOCTURNAL HOLLOW 'Deathless & Fleshless' UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT Let's be honest, the Venezuelan Metal scene is a very underground one and has ever really seen the light of day on the international circuit. So when the three-piece Old-School Death Metal horde Nocturnal Hollow step out of their bunker with their latest offering 'Deathless & Fleshless', you know that they mean business and the music demands attention from across the world. Plundering atmospherics aid the thickness of the riffs, pristine production levels and attitude that would get the likes of Unleashed and Morbid Angel raising their thumbs in approval. 'Deathless & Fleshless' is a gritty release designed to leave you battered and scarred, seriously if you love Death Metal but despise this release, then there is something wrong with you. Download This: "Devilish Blood" For Fans of: Unleashed, Celtic Frost, Morbid Angel 'Deathless & Fleshless' is out now via Underground Movement [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON EMPHASIS 'Revival' UNDERGROUND SYMPHONY Never has such an exciting band from Estonia arisen like this since the days of early Metsatöll. The sextet Emphasis have gone from strength to strength throughout their tenure, having released an EP, a batch of singles and had a switch of vocalists, their attention to detail brought them to the point of unleashing their debut album 'Revival'. Replacing vocal duties is never easy, but Emphasis have done a like for like as both ex and current main vocalists deliver such a powerful vocal range, that luckily their gamble paid off. 'Revival' delivers epic solo's, thunderous drums, dynamically-electric atmospherics and vocals so angelic, they would have had to be made in heaven to be this captivating. With this effort, Emphasis clearly have a vision to follow and by doing so, will ultimately establish themselves as Estonia's long awaited answer to Nightwish. Download This: "Death Itself" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Nightwish, Delain 'Revival' is out now via Underground Symphony [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SINNERY 'A Feast Of Fools' PITCH BLACK There must be something in the Israeli waters because no matter what the year is, there is always a rally of sensational albums, and adding to this year's collection of 'oh my god what the hell just happened' releases is Sinnery's 'A Feast Of Fools'. Calling it 'thrashtastic' would be an understatement to say the very release as it's gritty reception leaves the listener gasping for more, or perhaps just gasping for water due to it's demanding nature for incessant headbanging. Given the strength of Sinnery's 'A Feast Of Fools', being their debut album, the expectations for this Israeli unit to do exceptionally well is certainly on the cards, there will be no place to hide for this quartet. As brutal as rapid machine-gun fire and as unpredictably technical as a surprise assault, 'A Feast Of Fools' is perhaps not only the finest Israeli Thrash Metal release to surface, but perhaps one of the finest Thrash Metal releases to arise out of the Middle East region. Download This: "Showing Teeth" For Fans of: Slayer, Gama Bomb, Holy Moses 'A Feast Of Fools' is out now via Pitch Black Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON KRATOS 'Archlechino' INVERSE Seventeen years have passed since the debut album by Kratos was released and now, in 2016, they have emerged once again to drop their long-awaited second album 'Archlechino'. The Romanian quartet merge together the delicacies of Symphonic Metal with the twisted and atmospheric nature of Dark Metal to develop a sound that would lend itself to the dramatics found within operetta. In fact, 'Archlechino' could be the metal version of 'The Phantom Of The Opera' with the romantic side of the music being threatened by the darkened gritty side, which all in all makes Kratos truly unique. There is plenty of different sounds reverberating across all the songs herewith, but also with each song comes it's own unique emotional storytelling, something that will appeal to those who seek solace in metal's wide array of emotions. Download This: "Fishing" For Fans of: Epica, Lacuna Coil, Therion 'Archlechino' is out now via Inverse Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON AGAINST 'Emerger' INDEPENDENT Returning with their second offering is Against, a Groovy Metalcore outfit who hail from the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires. Their tightness on this release runs throughout and leaves an aftertaste when it's finished, an aftertaste of wanting and desiring more from this four-piece army. To translate the album title is taking the Spanish-English translation one step too far, because whilst in Spanish the album is 'Emerger', in English it is 'emerge'. Funny right? Maybe, but even so these lads certainly know what notes to string together as the album gleams with Tango-inspired grooves, smooth metalcore elements and a clear D.I.Y. attitude, hell let's not call it Groovy Metalcore, instead we'll call it 'Tango Metal'. Whatever you decided to call it, 'Emerger' is a decent enough album that deserves a listen regardless. Download This: "Voluntad" - Click to listen For fans of: Pantera, Lamb Of God, Machine Head [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ORDNANCE 'Echelon' INDEPENDENT After all of the technical brutality expressed on Ordnance's second album 'Echelon', you would imagine that they would be left without any energy. Hardly likely, when this band's efforts at unleashing a prim and proper debut album are highly noticeable that you begin to question why aren't they signed? Well there are subtle hints as to why this is the case, there is at times too much flash and not enough pelting, sure using a drum machine is not always the best idea and on 'Echelon' this proves the case. But for this Australian unit, they are sure to rectify these two issues on their next release. For now, listeners can explore the almost-splendour release that is 'Echelon', ignoring the two mentioned issues, the album slams hard with gritty vocals, dirty riffs and a filthy-rotten atmosphere, ironically the drum machine does the trick at hitting hard in the right places, the right notes to give the album that full-on whack feeling. Download This: "Thaumaturgist" - Click to listen For Fans of: Suffocation, 'Modern Death Metal', Disentomb [7] RHYS STEVENSON CROWORD 'Manifest Of Mortal Sickness' INDEPENDENT Fresh from the snowy Alps of Austria, comes this ten-legged melodic machine known as Croword and their subsequent premier EP 'Manifest Of Mortal Sickness'. The EP is laced with infectious riffs, vocals so brutal that your last hangover has just been outclassed and drums so precise, they cannot get any more on point. For the Melodic Death Metal band, this ultimately is the dream start for them and is a sure sign there is a lot to come from this group. With this effort, Croword have quite rightfully instated themselves as a band to watch because their first EP packs a punch, that hits your brain so hard you would need a CAT scan to check out the imminent damage. Seriously you would be hard pushed to find an exciting premier release from a Melodic Death Metal band quite like this, this year! Download This: "Manifest Of Mortal Sickness" - Click to listen For Fans of: Myra, The Black Dahlia Murder, Deadlock [8] RHYS STEVENSON KILL THE WHORE
'Chronic Anthropophagy Thanatophilia Fetistic Morgue' INDEPENDENT Kill The Whore return with their second album, it's title longer than the hardest boner you have ever had... 'Chronic Anthropophagy Thanatophilia Fetistic Morgue'. This dual project is primarily based in Belize, a country in Central America with a very small but active metal scene, one that Andy Chuc has had a lot of input in. However 'Chronic Anthropophagy Thanatophilia Fetistic Morgue' comes loaded with eight gore-infested tracks and two rotten covers, to some it's just noise and to others its maximum brutality, make of it what you will as it is simply Brutal Death / Grind Metal. Undistinguishable vocals lead the charge with the thunderous, tuned down guitars and drums supporting the bloody onslaught. So whenever you're up for a gore-horror fest, be it dramatics or film, just remember to indulge in this album before undertaking said activity. Download This: "Chronic Parasite Infestation Experiment" For Fans of: Fitcage, Regurgitate, 'Goregrind' [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON DARKEND 'The Canticle Of Shadows' NON SERVIAM A decade has passed since the birth of Italian Symphonic Black Metal conjurers Darkend and with their third effort comes a thunderous yet gratifying explosion of furious speed, elegant harmonies and ear-crunching power. 'The Canticle Of Shadows' is the ideal soundtrack to your own murder, it's full of dynamic suspense, on-the-edge of your seat dramatics and uncompromising menace. Whilst not leaning towards the more Symphonic-based incantations spewed out by the likes of Dimmu Borgir, Darkend offer a new, refined and extreme perspective of this sub sub-genre. With the songs averaging at around 7 minutes long a-piece, you would need utmost patience to enjoy it to the fullest, that said for those who wait the magic laid herewith is spellbinding and awe-inspiring. Download This: "Of The Defunct" For Fans of: Shade Empire, Opera IX, Twilight Ophera 'The Canticle Of Shadows' is out 25th April via Non Serviam Records http://www.facebook.com/darkendofficial HORRICANE 'Synthetic Forms' INDEPENDENT Veterans of the Estonian Metal scene, Death Metal conspirators Horricane let the handbrake down on their latest offering 'Synthetic Forms'. What is to come is an onslaught of some truly refined old-school Death Metal tinged with modern elements that consequently leaves the sound straddled between the two. In addition to the three straight-edge Death Metal songs is a techno-upbeat version of the song 'Synthetic Forms' that quite frankly could pose as a rather unique sound, if you like call it 'Technodeath Metal'. However good the 'Synthetic Forms' EP is, Horricane won't and should not become complacent, they still have a lot left in their locker and by letting it all out, can give them that much deserved kick towards greater European recognition. For a Death Metal release it satisfies the thirst for something intriguing yet falls short of groundbreaking albeit for the last track. Download This: "Starblind" - Click to listen For Fans of: Unleashed, 'Modern Death Metal' [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ETHS 'Ankaa' SEASON OF MIST A changing of the guard usually signals a change in direction of sound, but for Eths this rule does not apply, they won't allow it. Marching on across planet metal like an out-of-control tornado, France's most experimentally demanding and controversially challenging metal band Eths presents to the world their fourth album 'Ankaa'. Grinding out new and organically unique music is becoming more and more difficult, yet by pooling together Groove Metal, Nu Metal, Alternative Metal and Deathcore, Eths are questioning convention like never before. Not only could 'Ankaa' be considered a contender for 'French Metal release of the year', but also sparking a whole new wave of metal bands following this collated genre. Question is, why the hell they haven't they been playing at the UK festivals? Gojira are old-hat, Eths is the new shit. Download this: "Vae Victis" For Fans of: Whitechapel, Betraying The Martyrs, Lamb of God [8] RHYS STEVENSON LIVEEVIL 'Blacktracks' METALGATE They cannot escape being compared to Pain and Deathstars and for a damn good reason, they're Industrial / Goth Metallers, of course this is referring to Liveevil. Returning with their latest 'Cyber Metal' offering, the Czech quartet have ensured 'Blacktracks' tops their previous efforts with enough room to spare for future albums. More uniquely you could slot them into the whole 'Dance Metal' movement pioneered by Rammstein as you tap dance to their infectious electronic beats, headbang to the ground-punching brutality displayed and rave so hard that you sweat your pants off and let your jewels swing back and forth to this momentous release. Or if you like, you could pigeonhole the whole album into one made up genre such as 'Modern Dance Metal' or 'Futuristic Cyber Metal', whatever you want to call it, it's too damn good to ignore! Download This: "Vibes" For Fans of: Deathstars, Rammstein, Pain, Eisbrecher [8] RHYS STEVENSON HEATHEN BEAST 'Rise Of The Saffron Empire' TRANSCENDING OBSCURITY DISTRIBUTION Where freedom of speech is concerned, most of the time if what is being said is of a delicate or extremely controversial nature then it's best to say it through an alias. In Heathen Beast's case this is giving each member a unique name to hide their real identity, but what is not hidden is this trio's unique take on Black Metal. By incorporating various traditional instruments including the 'tabla' (Indian drums), 'sitar' (Indian stringed instrument), 'carnatic violin' (Indian classical instrument) and 'Shankh' (Conch), Heathen Beast might as well become purveyors of the First Wave of Indian Black Metal; call it that, or call it 'Hindi Black Metal'. 'Rise Of The Saffron Empire' is the latest effort by these Indian masterminds and with it comes all the exoticness of India mixed in a melting pot of grim, violent and political Black Metal. Out comes the harsh sounds, traditionalist elements and aspiration for innovation. Seriously if you're to look for new Black Metal releases to check out, Heathen Beast's 'Rise Of The Saffron Empire' should be top of the pile. Download This: "Swachh Bharat" For Fans of: ChthoniC, Rudra, Immortal 'Rise Of The Saffron Empire' is out April 25th via Transcending Obscurity Distribution [8] RHYS STEVENSON HOLY DRAGONS 'Civilizator' PITCH BLACK Kazakhstan's most successful metal export Holy Dragons emerge from the studio once again to deliver their (gasp) 17th full-length album 'Civilizator'. Once again they deliver that winning formula that has gotten themselves to this position in the first place, a rampant and immersing sound designed to capture the attention of whomever listens to it. 'Civilizator' is a sharp reminder that this group are far from done and are vastly set on course to rival the might of Iron Maiden. For a band who hails from one of the more remote metal scenes worldwide, they certainly know how to make a buzz across planet metal. Riff after savage riff, each one of the twelve songs on 'Civilizator' is designed to open the pits up, headbang like crazy and guzzle beer as if it was out of fashion. You know, if Holy Dragons ever caught the attention of Iron Maiden, fuck, they would become a supporting act no problem. 'Civilizator' is a stab in the back, let it infect your nervous system and control your inner senses. Download This: "My Fear (Litany)" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Doro, Manowar [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON FERIUM 'Behind The Black Eyes' INDEPENDENT For a band who is celebrating their tenth anniversary by releasing a second album, Ferium appear to come across as a band who have just started crafting works of mass destruction. Hailing from Israel, this Death Metal / Metalcore platoon separate themselves from the boys as men of pure and brutally precise musicianship. 'Behind The Black Eyes' is the band's second album and fuck, does it pack a punch, so much so you would need to don a crash helmet to save your skull from imminent pulverisation. Adopting a protagonist point-of-view, this album is sure to pierce the hearts of those whoever manages to grasp the meaning behind the complex lyrics. Guttural in one hand, brutal on the other, 'Behind The Black Eyes' is a true testament to the burgeoning Israeli Extreme Metal scene and if they are not signed by the end of 2016, then I'll eat my speakers. Download This: "Losing The Grip" For Fans of: Lamb of God, Burgerkill, Livarkahil 'Behind The Black Eyes' is out now via an Independent release [8] RHYS STEVENSON CHARMCHARMCHU 'Majestic Brewing Order' INDEPENDENT Although Hong Kong now is a specially-recognized area of China along with Macao, the Metal scene there has grown immensely. The latest addition to the Hong Kong Metal scene are Thrashers CharmCharmChu, now despite the rather bizarre band name, the band's debuting EP 'Majestic Brewing Order' is of a socio-political nature and is sure to stir some emotions up in the higher echelons of the Chinese or Hong Konger Government. Full-on 80's style Thrash Metal is the preferred sound and whilst they sound more like Sepultura rather than Slayer at times (and vice versa), the fact they sing in their native Cantonese adds a rather unique dimension to their sound, that somewhat echoes their Taiwanese counterparts State of Emergency albeit with less aggression. 'Majestic Brewing Order' is a beacon for the smaller Hong Kong Metal scene and is one that will please Thrash Metal fans thoroughly. Download This: "War Horse" - Click to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Sepultura, State of Emergency [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON GENETIC DISORDER 'Cosmic Terror' INDEPENDENT Emerging out of the underground with their own brand of Technical Thrash Metal is El Salvador's Genetic Disorder and their debut EP 'Cosmic Terror'. Whilst the vocals would be more akin to Math Metal in the style of Psyopus, the riffs belong to the Modern Thrash era and the drums from the likes of Slayer, such a mixing pot no? 'Cosmic Terror' covers societal issues, humanity problems and the future as the main topics, and with it comes a sound that would get even the most evil Dalek army moshing to this spectacular musical Armageddon. Hailing from one of the most underground metal scenes in Latin America is not easy, but they have their ideas in check and ready to unleash themselves upon the world, we say good luck to them! Download This: "Genetic Disorder" - Click to listen For Fans of: Psyopus, Slayer, Voivod [8] RHYS STEVENSON PESTILENT REIGN
'The Zealot' INDEPENDENT After their debut EP established themselves in the Stuttgart Metal scene, German's Pestilent Reign make their filthy welcomed return with their second slab of skull-crushing, anal-fisting Death Metal. 'The Zealot' is a rampant face-punching music marathon that is guaranteed to carve your innards inside out, spewing your gore-rotted blood all over your squelching intestines as they flop out on the floor. Brutal and guttural as they come, Pestilent Reign are destined for big things with their loud and unforgiving maniacal production, with their latest effort well and truly up for grabs, it won't be long before some of the big boys pay attention. 'The Zealot' is a sharp contender for 'German Metal release of the year', you will not be forgiven for ignoring this band! Their music is filthier than your mums undergarments. Download This: "Ouroboros" - Click to listen For Fans of: Suffocation, Cerebral Bore, Abhorrent Decimation [8] RHYS STEVENSON ACROSS THE ABYSS 'Silhouettes Of A Perfect World' EQUATORIAL STORM Whilst Oriental Metal may not exactly be new, with the likes of ChthoniC, Melechesh and Orphaned Land leading it, searching further down the line you will find a new cluster of bands to step into the breach. One such band is Across The Abyss, of whose debut album 'Silhouettes Of A Perfect World' ticks all of the boxes that guarantees itself as a successful release, one that metalheads worldwide ought to tune into. Hailing from Singapore, this Polish-Singaporean contingent certainly have got a vision to make 'Far Eastern Oriental Metal' as distinguishable as possible through the eccentricity of the riffs used, the atmospherics developed and of course by mashing it with Symphonic Metal elements, keeping the traditional music sounds in-mind. Across The Abyss are flying the flag for the Singaporean Metal scene and are set to become the natural successors to fellow countrymen Impiety on the international circuit. Download This: "Lost Moon" - Click here to listen For Fans of: ChthoniC, Crescent Lament, Shangren [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON DIVINE DISORDER 'Garden Of Dystopia' INAZUMA PRODS. The debut album by Divine Disorder cannot remain unnoticed by the masses, simply because their ferocious combination of Progressive Metal and Symphonic Death Metal delivers a tantalizingly brutal onslaught that epitomizes the Middle Eastern Metal scene and gives hope for the smaller nations in said region. 'Garden Of Dystopia' is a juicy 60-odd minute adventure that takes listeners on a journey through cascading riff velocities, Arabic-like atmospherics and dynamics so fluid, the River Jordan would develop jealously traits at the mere sound of it. Fluctuating through various speeds across eleven tracks, Divine Disorder have positioned themselves perfectly to become the finest metal band Kuwait has ever seen, and in doing so gives them automatic right to fly the flag for the Kuwaiti Metal scene. They are destined to achieve big things, watch this band very closely. Download This: "The Puppeteer" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Gojira, Septicflesh [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON MIDVEST 'Reinkarnation' INDEPENDENT Two worlds collide when the majestic darkness of Symphonic Black Metal comes crashing into the visual representation of Steampunk. This pretty much sums up Midvest, the German five-piece who released their premier EP this year. Singing exclusively in their native German language, this gloomy industrial-like production really crafts a well-constructed atmosphere that absorbs your soul into a deep and darkened paralysis. Whilst there is considerable comparisons evidently present on the EP, meaning the sound is nothing new, does not disregard the EP as a decent release. Sure the vocals need a bit of work in terms of clarity, but the dramatic characteristics exhibited give the release that welcomed feeling of potential success on the European Black Metal circuit. Midvest in fact have brought a new metal sub-genre to the table, welcome to the dawn of 'Steampunk Black Metal' Download This: "Reinkarnation" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Dimmu Borgir, The Men That Will Not Be Blamed for Nothing, Carach Angren [8] RHYS STEVENSON MOSHNIX 'Black Monk' INDEPENDENT Sad to say it seems that Moshnix have fallen into the trap of delivering a generic Thrash Metal release, sure it holds promise for the Swedish newbies, but it lacks that killer edge that otherwise would give them the edge to reclaim the Thrash Metal crown for Sweden. 'Black Monk' is the band's premier EP and for those brave enough to check it out, some will turn it off quicker than the first riff played on the release. That said, by bringing in Heavy Metal influences on 'Kill Her Quick', the band may have just saved themselves the embarrassment of going through a whole EP of delivering the same old same old Thrash most bands seem to be pummeling out these days. Despite all their last-shot might, 'Black Monk' is a flash in the pan and is a disappointing release. Time to put the kettle on and take a break. Download This: "Black Monk" - Click here to listen For Fans of: 'Thrash Metal' [6] RHYS STEVENSON WINTERHEART 'Facing What I'm Becoming' INDEPENDENT Black Metal in Hungary has a rather rich heritage and so when new bands emerge on the scene, there is a certain amount of expectation riding on them. One band who knows about this is Winterheart, as their second album 'Facing What I'm Becoming' delivers a raw and depressive slice of Black Metal that would dampen anyone's mood. Whilst the bass drum has too much presence, the fuzziness of the riffs fill in the void and couple with the raspy vocals, give the release a good platform to stand on. Granted its not the best release, but what more can you expect from an underground band? Despite the said negativity, 'Facing What I'm Becoming' features 8 tracks which equate to 49 minutes-worth of listening. Certainly its an album for the die-hard Black Metal collectors, but for the average metalhead who peers over various sub-genres, it would be seen as a disappointment. Download This: "And Finally... I Just Hate Myself" - Click here to listen For fans of: Underground Black Metal, Raw Black Metal [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON LEATHER PHANTOM 'Electric Leather Land' INDEPENDENT Bringing a brighter side to Thrash Metal, is Germany's Leather Phantom with their premier EP 'Electric Leather Land' released last year. Whilst not as conventionally fast as most Thrash Metal releases, the band instead adds funk and Heavy Metal elements to it, giving the EP a rather unique sound. Not partially because of the sonic keyboard sounds included, but also because they've clearly taken the time to endow in creating their own signature sound, which is what some bands tend to fall short at these days. 'Electric Leather Land' may only be a shot in the dark for this German quartet, but for the underground it is pretty damn good. If you're seeking new music to check out that defies the rules and challenges taboo when it comes to Thrash Metal, then you've found your band. Bring on their debut album. Download This: "Urgent Needs" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Evile, Guns 'N' Roses, Machine Head [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ARKHAM 'Weapons Of Mass Destruction' INDEPENDENT Over a decade has passed since the inception of Arkham to when their premier release dropped, which seems too long to wait, but boy was it worth it. Despite the immensely long wait, their debut EP 'Weapons Of Mass Destruction' is a good solid example of Heavy Thrash Metal at it's finest. The Spanish quintet have made a good job of making their first release one to capture a lot of attention, whilst also giving themselves and immediate platform to perhaps launch their one and possibly only album (referring to the years lost - 13). None the less the EP does offer listeners a good experience through some rather heavy yet monstrous riffs, coalescing with sharp vocals and thick bass playing alongside solid drumming. They may be a flash in the pan, but they are certainly a good one. Download This: "Full EP" - Click here to listen to the full EP For Fans of: Slayer, Municipal Waste, 'Heavy Thrash Metal' [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON CYBERNETIC WITCH CULT 'Morlock Rock' INDEPENDENT Despite the band name sounding like another way of describing a robotic army of wicked witches, the Cybernetic Witch Cult is a Stoner Metal trio with enough oomph in their bones to raise the dead nationwide. Psychedelic with every second passing by, this trio's debut album 'Morlock Rock' comes loaded with funky, bluesy riffs and happiness as you light a spliff to 'chillax' to this epic record. In fact it would be so apt if the Cybernetic Witch Cult did the score for a ghost-horror film along the likes of The Sixth Sense or Paranormal Activity, because the music exhibited on their debut album is of that guild, that is, it sends chills down your spine whilst enthralling your senses with a musical concoction that makes Stoner Metal what it is. 'Morlock Rock' should be in anyone's collection because of its sheer beauty, as for the English trio, they have a bright future ahead and so keep an eye on them. Download This: "Tyrannosaurus Hex" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Electric Wizard, Orange Goblin, Ghost [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON PHEAR 'Insanitarium' INDEPENDENT Could this be the most exciting Heavy Metal band to emerge out of Canada since Kobra & The Lotus stormed the globe? Phear's debut album 'Insanitarium' not only boasts a plethora of sensational guest musicians, but also the music to give them international attention on an unprecedented level. With the likes of Glen Drover (Megadeth, Testament) and Bjorn 'Speed' Strid (Soilwork) offering their services alongside fellow Canadians Jon Howard, Travis Montgomery (both Threat Signal) and Rick its ferocious power. 'Insanitarium' is without a doubt the Ontario-based band's finest hour, knowing that they will capitalize on this moment and with their infectious vocals, gnarly riffs and all-round sexy musical persona present, will bode them well in times ahead upon new releases and sequential ventures. Download This: "Don't Scream" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Testament, Megadeth [8] RHYS STEVENSON THARAPHITA
'Ülestõus' VAARANG With their name deriving from the god of thunder 'Taarapita' in Estonian mythology, Tharaphita are a Pagan Black Metal band from the Rakvere / Tallinn area. Celebrating 20 years activity this year, their fifth full-length album pays homage to the bands successful and lengthy career in the underground metal world. 'Ülestõus' sees the quintet stick to singing in their native Estonian and by doing so, continues to drag in traditional values as well as the fabled Baltic Paganism. But the language barrier has never been an issue for most Estonian bands, sure some sing in English, but fellow countrymen Metsatöll sing in Estonian and so it just goes to show singing in your own language can have its positives. As for 'Ülestõus', the album itself is sheer beauty in terms of its level of creativity and diversity, what Tharaphita have done here is created a work of art that in no doubt will stand the test of time and enthrall future Pagan and Black metal newbies. Download This: "Viimsepäeva Koidik" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Tarm, Sõjaruun, Skyforger [8] RHYS STEVENSON ANACHRONISM 'Reflecting The Inside' INDEPENDENT Get the aspirin ready and prepare yourself for the worst headache you have ever had, because that is exactly what Anachronism's premier EP 'Reflecting The Inside' will do to you. Beg for mercy because you're going to god-damn need it when listening to this "apocalyptic death metal" release, by mixing together the tight-ass elements of Technical Metal with some of the grittiest and grueling Death Metal vocals you'll ever come across from said genre, this Swiss five-piece have crafted a release that ought to perk a few record labels' ears up and pay attention. Slamming and tantalizingly brutal at every second, 'Reflecting The Inside' is your death warrant written in the musical format, now organize the pits, align the walls of death and let f*cking merry hell take over. You want pummeling and intensely-calculated Technical Death Metal? Look no further. Your answer lies with Anachronism. Download This: "A Way To Emptiness" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Suffocation, Cryptopsy, Gojira [9] RHYS STEVENSON SENSORIUM 'The Art Of Living' INDEPENDENT It is safe to say that the Israeli Metal scene is enjoying a successful establishment on planet earth and it's latest products, Sensorium, has delivered what could be considered as a candidate for 'Israeli release of the year'. 'The Art Of Living' is the band's debut album and it resides deep within the Power Metal and Operatic Metal styles, with emphatic keyboard elements cementing a harmonious atmosphere and the vocals sounding highly reminiscent of the Phantom of the Opera film, 'The Art Of Living' is a new chapter in the ever-differentiating Power Metal sub-genre. Maxed out at 69 minutes long, this erotic opus grabs your attention and never loses it as it twists and turns and delivers unexpected sounds at every passing second. For Sensorium this is a great start and they have already demonstrated that greater things are yet to come and in doing so, establish them as the next great Israeli Metal export. Download This: "Haunting Verity" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Sabaton, Therion [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BLUDY GYRES 'Bludy Gyres' INDEPENDENT So if you have over 20 minutes spare to listen to a two-track EP, you're either mad or completely bored. But both possibilities are worth it, since Bludy Gyres' self-titled EP delivers an orgasmic display of Progressive Doom Metal. The problem is, it lacks that one strike that would cast it as a good release. One of the good parts of the EP resonates with the song "To Live Is To Bleed" which comes from a Scottish ballad by Robert Burns written in 1782. Other than that, the EP lacks redeeming qualities, sure this may seem contradictory with respect to the orgasmic quip, but these orgasms come every so often because the tracks seem too dull to endure. But the time will come when this American quartet arrange the right notes to create a release that would at least warrant a second listening, this EP is not that release. Download This: "To Live Is To Bleed" - Click here to listen For Fans of: "Progressive Doom Metal", early-Black Sabbath, Novembers Doom [6] RHYS STEVENSON DOWN RIGHT DIRTY 'Drunk And On Drugs' INDEPENDENT Well if you want your cliche 80's style Thrash Metal, once again it is here, but you got to love it to appreciate it. Canadian Thrash whackers Down Right Dirty take no prisoners when it comes to delivering cock-snapping songs, this is clearly evident on their debut EP 'Drunk And On Drugs' as it explodes with the sound of roaring-riffs, blitzing drums and savage vocals. Now imagine your head being smashed against the wall in rapid outbursts, this is the sheer force and reckoning power that 'Drunk And On Drugs' holds in store for anyone who dare listens to it. With ten tracks available to destroy your hearing by, by the tenth song you will have forgotten what the first one sounds like, let alone being deafened by it all.... ok, so maybe 'Drunk And On Drugs' is not a groundbreaking release, it doesn't have to be in order to pack a punch. Download This: "Fuck You Pay Me" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Biohazard, Agnostic Front [7] RHYS STEVENSON DEIFIED 'Chaos, Blood & War' INDEPENDENT Dropping their debut EP 'Chaos, Blood & War' is Greek Heavy / Power Metal mob Deified, what comes with this EP is the imminent face-smacking sound of majestic vocals, this seems to be the most outstanding part of the EP albeit the solo's being cleverly crafted, and the rest of the music seemingly befitting the standards of said metal genre. 'Chaos, Blood & War' is a testament to the epic tales from the Greek mythology realm and pays homage to the Greek Metal scene as a potential release for Deified to use in order to propel themselves from. Granted it is nothing new, and now and then demonstrates a lack of creativity, it does however serve its purpose as the first effort by this quintet, no doubt there is more to come - we have not heard the last of this group, not at all. Download This: "Chaos, Blood & War" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Blind Guardian, Achelous, Iron Maiden [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON GROTESKH 'Code: End' CURSED If there was a metal version of the Eurovision Song Contest, then Groteskh would easily represent Austria; Lordi for Finland mind you. The thing about Black Metal is, you can have it blisteringly fast or atmospherically depressing, Groteskh however utilize the best of both styles, with each song on their second album 'Code: End' offering a variety of paces, elements and ultimately extreme metal as the vocals flirt with both the Black and Death Metal sub-genres. Groteskh are showing that they are ready to be recognized as Austria's next successful metal export. With the effort shown on this unforgiving, yet cranial-crushing Black Metal album, they can build on this and aim for major festivals in the year(s) ahead. If you think you know Black Metal, you are mistaken, for this is trve kvlt Black Metal. Download This: "Displaced Axis" - Click here to listen For fans of: Abigor, Carpathian Forest, Eastern Front [8] RHYS STEVENSON OKAZAKI FRAGMENTS 'Abandoned' INDEPENDENT Well it's certainly correct to note that Okazaki Fragments have discovered the DNA found within the Death Metal / Grindcore partnership, with the drums powering their debut album 'Abandoned' through all forces of velocity, it would seem that this whacky Canadian bunch have done their homework and studied how said metal genre combination works. Pig squeals, tight-arse time signatures and a brutalizing wall-of-sound pummel your senses into a squashed pulp. For a debut album this is a statement of intent, that Okazaki Fragments are priming themselves to become another successful metal band to be shat out of the streets of Canada. Just be sure to have the aspirin at the ready, as it's one of those albums that never takes a break, and could easily be considered as Canadian metal release of the year. Download This: "Vermin" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Psyopus, Aborted, Prostitute Disfigurement [8] RHYS STEVENSON CONGIURA 'iBlood' SLIPTRICK Who'd have thought a metal band could make Melodic Death Metal so damn funky, that it takes control of your body and makes you move every single muscle? Well Italy's Congiura have nailed that right on the spot, their debut album 'iBlood' might be flooding out your senses with erotic Gothenburg-style Melodic Death Metal, but with the added post-rock influences, it doubles up as a 'Death Dance Metal' album. 'iBlood' uniquely takes you on a journey throughout the tunnels of the Modern Metal as it reaps your mind and controls the thousands of neurons to make you move to the groove exhibited all over this fantastic release. With an adventurous sound to the riffs, dramatic drum elements, vicious vocals and an atmospheric more powerful than an atomic bomb, 'iBlood' is one album you must have in your collection, there is simply no exception. Download This: 'iBlood' - Click here to listen to their 'iBlood' music video For fans of Amon Amarth, In Flames, Dark Tranquility [9] RHYS STEVENSON CRUCIFIED BARBARA 'In The Red' DESPOTZ In 2014 the Swedish Hard Rock / Heavy Metal bombshells Crucified Barbara delivered their fourth album 'In The Red'. Eight months on and it still rocks your socks off, full of attitude and grit, this latest outing is the very definition of what makes female rock / metal musicians that extra-sexy, not just because of the looks, but they make the music far more powerful and vibrant than their male counterparts. 'In The Red' carries on the Swedish Hard Rock revival with enough oomph in the band's lockers, they could tour with fellow countrymen Sister Sin and make a sensational pact. As for their latest release, it's highly self-explanatory and does not take much to work out what the album is all about, that said you would need to have a shot of whiskey or jagermeister at the ready, cause this is a drinking album! Chin-chin!. Download This: "I Sell My Kids For Rock 'N' Roll" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Sister Sin, Vanilla Ninja, Kobra & The Lotus [8] RHYS STEVENSON PAEAN
'Scorn Of Eternity' INDEPENDENT It's not all that often you find a Progressive Death Metal band have the guts to bolt on another metal genre to create a unique sound, such a band who has taken that bold step is Paean from Estonia. By combining Progressive Death Metal music with Doom Metal atmospherics, their debut album 'Scorn Of Eternity' brings something relatively new to the table; sure the said combination has been done before, it just has not been done enough times. What is also amazing about this album is that it really amps up the progressiveness of the riffs, whilst the drums alternate with the riffs in doing the same thing, bringing in a Gojira-style groove. Whatever people make of this release one thing is for certain, Paean are flying the flag for the Estonian Metal scene and with 'Scorn Of Eternity' are sure to gain the attention of some record labels. Download This: "First Breath" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Gojira, Agonyst, Human Ground [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ELESSÄR 'Dark Desires' Welcoming to the international stage is Argentina's Elessär, whose premier album 'Dark Desires' released last year, delivers a magical and galloping sound of Symphonic Power Metal wrapped within the elegance of life and fantasy. There seems to be a love affair between any Hispanic nation and the Power Metal, Gothic Metal and Symphonic Metal styles, Elessär certainly seems to prove that point. In fact Elessär are the sort of band you would expect a European label to snap up immediately (what are they playing at?). As for their album, Alejandra's vocals almost certainly wallow in the style of Tarja-era Nightwish, and the music does too. Make no mistake, they might not be well known outside South America, but blimey they would be well received in Europe! Download This: "Heroes Born Dead" For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Nightwish, Therion [8] RHYS STEVENSON APRIL WEEPS 'Outer Calm. Pain Within' What could be called somewhat more gratifying amongst other underground Progressive Metal releases, 'Outer Calm. Pain Within' is the debut album by Slovakia's April Weeps. What instantly hits out is the inevitable contrast between the female and male vocals, melodic and gritty respectfully. Whilst the vocals lead the front-line, the real artillery comes from the guitars, drums and keyboards, firing out a rally of riffs, beats and atmospheric elements that come together to deliver a sound that is guaranteed to crush your soul, make you spit blood and wish you had not shagged Dream Theater so hard, because this release is 10x more impressive then them. The modern wave of Progressive Metal is amongst us, lead by April Weeps who are flying the flag for the Slovak Metal scene. Download This: "Buried" For Fans of: Opeth, Soilwork, Killswitch Engage [8] RHYS STEVENSON HAMFERÐ 'Evst' TUTL What is so magical about the debut full length album 'Evst' by Faroe Islanders Hamferð is the sheer magnitude of power rumbling throughout Jón Aldará's vocals, breaking out into an almost operatic tone. Reminiscing of early Pavarotti, gone metal. Contrasting against that comes some of the grizzliest Death Metal vocals you could possibly imagine (OK this might be a bit of an over-exaggeration, but the elemental truth is the vocals are blindingly crushing). What this Faroese beast has done is taken the core essences of Paradise Lost, whipped in a Nordic atmosphere and turned the combo into a sound that inevitably was justifiable to why they got to play Wacken, their next effort will certainly be watched with interest. Download This: "Sinnisloysi" For Fans of: Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Amorphis [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON SEEDS OF IBLIS 'Anti Quran Rituals' UNMERCIFUL DEATH Possibly one of the most extremist Black Metal groups to emerge from the Middle East ever, Seeds of Iblis are an Iraqi quartet who exclusively preach about one thing: Anti-Islam. Such a controversial release made public is sure to cause a division amongst the metal community, but discounting the lyrics aside, their debut album 'Anti Quran Rituals' spits out venom in all directions. Through the use of barbaric riffs, traditional Middle Eastern music as the atmospheric backdrop, thunderous drumming and spleen-splitting vocals, Seeds Of Iblis are primed to make a name for themselves and for those who seek unique sounds or bands from far-flung lands, 'Anti Quran Rituals' is one album you must own, regardless. * We suggest a song to download, but due to the nature of the lyrics we are not going to suggest any. For Fans of: Gorgoroth, Carpathian Forest, Marduk [8] RHYS STEVENSON GAUNTLET 'Break The Chains' Greek Heavy Metallers Gauntlet made their voices known last year with the release of their first ever demo entitled 'Break The Chains', delivering what you would expect from any Classic-style Heavy Metal release: infectious vocals, melodic riffs and rallying drumming, all in the Iron Maiden-esque style. Sure granted it is nothing new and might bore some fans to tears, but the solidarity of the release pushes the band on and with this effort, we might not be waiting much longer for their next release which is surely poised to build upon this success. Standing at a modest 21 minutes, this is a demo that any Heavy Metal fan should own, however it was limited to 150 copies, so you would need to act very fast! Download This (if you can): Hearts Of Metal For Fans of: Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Metallica [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON GORESOERD 'Asülum' INVERSE Celebrating 10 years this year may surpass the fact that not only was 'Asülum' Goresoerd's third album, but it was their first release on Inverse Records. Estonia's most revered Death Grinders have once again served up another slab of face-mauling grit and stuck to their indigenous Estonian tongue. Now if this album was to be a film, it probably would be Saw 7, because it is soon over before it has started and it delivers a high velocity impact in a rapid rate of fire. Plus naturally it's gore, but that's besides the point. The point is 'Asülum' proves itself as a well-planned work of art, that delivers outrageously catchy riffs, ballistic drums and raucous vocals, all of which are guaranteed to gain attention across planet metal. Goresoerd are one hell of a hidden Estonian gem, mine it at will. Download This: "Soerd" For Fans of: Deathbound, Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death [8] RHYS STEVENSON AKROMA 'La Cène' FANTAI'ZIC PRODS. Such a far outcry from what you would expect from a Symphonic-charged Progressive Black Metal album, the vocals sound so painful it makes stepping on Lego entertaining and feel as if under anesthetic. Seriously though the keyboards, female chanting and drums deliver the greater parts of this album, but the vocals, well, are enough for you to cry, the guitars are there but at times are muffled by the vocals. Perhaps if they were deeper and less on the verge of developing 'Blackened Screamo', this album might be going places, but Akroma's latest effort 'La Cène' is certainly not pushing them anywhere. This French lot may need to come up with something far more serious for their next effort, or consider it game over. This album is an own goal for Akroma. Download This: "Simon" For Fans of: Ihsahn, Dimmu Borgir, Enslaved. [5.5] RHYS STEVENSON THE WITCH 'Black Flower Field' You know when a release is going to be extra special when a film clip makes it's way into the introduction of a song, well The Witch have done just and with the Pulp Fiction reference where Samuel L Jackson delivers his excellent biblical passage before executing Brad, it really sets the tone for the release. This French Progressive Stoner unit have certainly delivered their A-game on their second EP 'Black Flower Field'. Infectious hooks, ravaging riffs and biting vocals charge this release into the next dimension, that is as a release placing The Witch firmly on the front line for an imminent signing next year; or we will eat our speakers .'Black Flower Field' is certainly one hell of an interesting EP Download This: "Skeleton Soul" For Fans of: Mastodon, Kyuss, Fu Manchu [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON THE BLEEDING 'Rites Of Putrefaction' They might as well just of made an instrumental and save the hassle of the vocalist turning up, granted the debut EP by Italian Death Metallers The Bleeding is enough to make you poop your pants, but the vocals are on par with grunts made by cavemen. Seriously though if anyone wanted to sign along to this, the best option would be to mime. The only credible aspect of 'Rites Of Putrefaction' is the ferocity of the drums, the guitars make the occasional 'wow factor', but the overall impression of the EP is one of mass frustration, there again this would mostly appeal to fans of Grindcore, Brutal Death Metal and Goregrind, so who can honestly complain? The neighbors next door of course.... Download This: "No Dawn" For Fans of: Aborted, Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON FROSTBITTEN KINGDOM
'The Winter War Symphony' If anyone knows their history, then they will recall the bloody battle that took place between Finland and the former USSR, otherwise known as the "Winter War". What really sticks out like an impaled thumb on Frostbitten Kingdom's latest release is the sincerity of the music, from start to finish the blistering aggressiveness exerted here is near enough a musical representation of the brutality and pain experienced on the snow-trodden battlefield. Opening up with a ten minute wonder-opus and then cascading down to the 4 minute mark before reaching 6 and then 8 minute-long songs, 'The Winter War Symphony' warrants more attention than it is getting as it makes Immortal seem truly outdated, if you dig Melodic Black / Death Metal in the style of Hecate Enthroned, etc, then you're bound to be blitzed apart from this Finnish resistance. Download This: "Sentinels Of The Silent" For Fans of: Hecate Enthroned, Immortal, Behemoth [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SLEEPERS' GUILT 'Sleepers' Guilt' Luxembourg is not really considered when it comes to metal music and so it falls down to bands like Sleepers' Guilt to represent the nation internationally. The Melodic / Progressive Groove Metal outfit unleashed their debut EP last year and given the performance on this release, they should garner some attention in times ahead. The self-titled EP features fast and slow elements that intertwine to develop an atmosphere that can be compared to Melodic Metal and also Doom Metal, that sort of slow, dark and bleak feel to the music experienced when listening to bands like My Dying Bride. It is early days but the consensus behind the release would suggest the band has much more to offer and are sure to get a label deal in the near future. Download This: "Stay" [8] RHYS STEVENSON IMMER 'Seperation' This is exactly what the doctor ordered, slamming Death Metal in the form of a blast from the east, namely the Czech band Immer with their third album released this year. 'Seperation' in fact mixes a rather odd mix, by using the brutality and melodies of Death Metal with the rock 'n' roll prefecture, the result is a bizarre sound and one that will raise a few eyebrows, not only that but the overall ideology behind the lyrics is confounding too as they seem to change nineteen-to-the-dozen. Make it of what you will, but know the major point behind this unique release is that Immer are on the path to glory. Download This: "Old Man Blues" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON AS GOD CREATED 'Creation's Crowning Glory' Thrashcore is relatively a new concept, however it is simply an amalgamation of Thrash Metal and Metalcore. Easier said than displayed, well not quite, in fact when Austrian quintet As God Created dropped their latest effort 'Creation's Crowning Glory', it was a revelation to hear something unique from the plethora of Metalcore crossover combinations. The sensational fury behind the percussion sequences drives this album forward like a military army trooping the colors in front of their leader, that as well as accompanying the ten tonne riffs that crush anything that stands within the Teutonic audio earthquake that comes from listening to this megalithic release. Curiosity for some, but the salient point behind this lot is that they deliver fast, technical and grizzly metal that makes your mother in law wet herself. Download This: "Soul On Fire" [8] RHYS STEVENSON INFINITUS MORTUS 'The Conspiracy Of Love' RAVENHEART MUSIC As the second album by Infinitus Mortus dropped, the sense that this was a huge advancement in American Symphonic Gothic Metal was ultimately realized. Their unbelievably sensational release 'The Conspiracy Of Love' features emotional duets between Caitlin Meehan and Vincent James that can be related to the sort found in legendary stories such as 'The Phantom of the Opera' - it's that two-tone vocal delivery that sets the tone for the album, whilst the keyboard develops an ambient atmosphere that alongside the drums and guitars fuel the vocals with enough ammunition to bring down the statue of liberty. 'The Conspiracy Of Love' is an album that will captivate many fans of female fronted vocals and powerful Gothic Metal alike. Download This: Plain Hearts For fans of: Nightwish, Therion, Within Temptation. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON DIARY OF DESTRUCTION 'Dark Road To Recovery' SEASON OF MIST Unleashing their debut album 'Dark Road To Recovery' onto the masses is French five-piece Diary Of Destruction, a territorial armada that is certain to wipe the smirk of all other Melodic Death / Metalcore ensembles in the European metal scene. Delivering a face-punching wall of sound that consists of extreme female vocals that are sweet as French champagne and yet carry a futile range of decibels that is simply stunning, whilst the concreted over music provides a solid wall of fire that is sure to explode this band to greater heights, if 'Dark Road To Recovery' is the key to unlocking the door for the band to become more widely known, then Diary of Destruction are certainly going to put a few American bands in their place and position themselves as the leader of French Melodic Death / Metalcore. Download This: "That's It!" [10] RHYS STEVENSON BURN STILL 'Rise' Estonia of late has seemingly had an upsurge of metal bands that could collectively dwarf some of the other emerging metal scenes globally. That's easy to say but when you get bands like Burn Still of whose Melodic Death Metal / Metalcore approach is by far the signature tune that this band has craved for. This sound radiates across their latest effort 'Rise', the chunky and crunchy riffs that spellbind the entire release is just merely the start of it, what follows on cue is ferocious vocals that would make any hardcore kid go completely sissy and the drums are confirmed to give anyone neck pains. 'Rise' is an album that is certified for mass headbanging and as the band battle their way through the overly saturated metalcore market, Burn Still are set to 'Rise' up and fly the flag for Estonia. Download This "Closed Doors" [9] RHYS STEVENSON CHROMATIC POINT 'Zlaten Presek' Macedonian Fusion / Progressive Metal outfit Chromatic Point have done justice by dropping their debut album last year, 'Zlaten Presek' is a instrumental release and so for those who cannot cope without lyrics this is not for you. Taking similar sounds experienced by bands like Greece's Dol Ammad and others in the Sci-Fi or epic metal categories, this four-piece immerse the listener in a torrential flooding of erratic riffs, funky percussion and some rather sharp, twisty and unexpected turns. Overall this is a decent enough instrumental release and if lyrics was added to the songs, it could be a whole level greater. Download This: "Proton" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON FATHOMS 'Transitions' Last year Brighton was hit by a mammoth tidal wave that was the direct cause of the Teutonic release by Metallic Hardcore merchants Fathoms, 'Transitions'. From start to finish, the endless brutal technicalities that lie within the solid infrastructure of each song gives the listener nowhere to hide. Fathoms, the very definition of tantalizing face-punching music delivers their finest musical architecture to date via a myriad of cascading riffs, assailant-style drumming and acidic vocals that corrode your senses until you become nothing but atomic waste. If you're after a general Metallic Hardcore band, look elsewhere for Fathoms are set to rip the UK apart alongside other rising bands in what could be called a wave of musical 'Transitions'. Download This: "Lessons" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON AMBERIAN DAWN 'Re-Evolution' KHY SUOMEN MUSIIKKI OY Out with the old and in with the new, long-standing vocalist Heidi Parviainen makes way for the unknown Päivi Virkkunen (Capri, whilst the rest of the band maintain their technically crafted symphonic speed metal algorithm, the shift in vocals are shocking, in fact the scale down is so dramatic it will take time for fans to get accustom to the new vocals. However rest assured Päivi throws in a newer dimension to the Amberian Dawn infrastructure as found on their upcoming compilation 'Re-Evolution' which features old songs with the new vocals on top. What also comes is a slight shift in musical direction, some songs are leaning towards Power Metal with the new vocals, I guess they more or less done another Nightwish and pulling it off. Fans of Sonata Arctica, Yngwie Malmsteen and oddly enough ABBA might warm to this new sound. (p.s. slightly joking about ABBA). 'Re-Evolution' is out 14th June (Finland) and 17th June (Worldwide) via KHY Suomen Musiikki Oy [8] RHYS STEVENSON ESHTADUR
'Dominated By Dummies' + 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' South America is host to a whole plethora of Black Metal ensembles, as if it was the second most followed cult in the region behind football. No surprise then in 2011 the debut album by Colombia's Eshtadur dropped with such furor, it correlates to the early forms of Cradle of Filth and the early forms of melodic black metal. Hellish shrieks dominate this album that is suppressed by an extraordinary rate of blast-beats that encase the entire sound in an unrelenting pummelling sound. 'Dominated By Dummies' in fact sets the path in stone for the band to follow, it captures the very essential expectations of an experimental / melodic black metal album and as a result proves its worth as a valuable listen by any Black Metal fans view. Ten tracks of what could prove to be Colombia's best Black metal production in the entire metal music history in this nation. The great thing about this album is that it keeps you on your toes, there is an endless battering of sensational extreme metal. The upcoming album 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' is even better, still carrying on that essential furious black metal sound embedded in the band's core infrastructure, the band scourge for even greater experimentation sounds that sets the tone for their future - emphatic. 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' takes on board a whole myriad of influences including metalcore breakdowns - leaning towards Abigail Williams and Bleeding Through here and as this sound coalesces around the unsettled atmosphere, it is sure to cause an explosion of violent thunderstorms across the globe. The voice of Colombia has spoken, Eshtadur have proven themselves worthy of being flag bearers for their nation, 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' is poised to be awarded Colombian Metal album of the year. Download This: "Romances In Black" 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' is out 1st June 2013 via Gate of Horror Productions [8] + [9] RHYS STEVENSON |
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