AKVAN 'آتش زاده' INDEPENDENT Throughout the rich and turbulent times found within the Iranian metal scene, the country's Black Metal contingent have never shied away from delivering releases of extreme quality and exotic beauty. The latest to join the allegiance is one-man project Akvan; fronted by Lord Vizaresa, who has just released his debut EP 'آتش زاده' (which roughly translates as 'Birth Of Fire') and culminates a dark, depressing yet purposeful sound. Wallowing in the darkest Black Metal sounds, 'آتش زاده' takes listeners on a historic journey through Ancient Persia and the lands of the Aryans. With an atmosphere that matches the traditional and elegant sounds of Iranian / Middle Eastern folk music, 'آتش زاده' is a real testament to the emergence of Iranian Black Metal as a global phenomena. Download This: "Iran, Land Ov The Aryans" (Click here to listen) For Fans of: Aras, Darkthrone, "Historical Metal" [8] RHYS STEVENSON TRISTANA 'Virtual Crime' BAKERTEAM Wired up to the electrical surge of thunderous riffs, electrical atmospherics, cryptic vocals and melodious keyboard elements, Tristana's third album 'Virtual Crime' takes their newer Groove / Alternative Metal sound and upgrades it with a new found sense of excitement. 'Virtual Crime' is one of those releases that demands an eclectic taste to like, sure it falls slightly short of being called Modern Metal (if some synths or industrial elements were added, this would have been a groundbreaking release), but it does offer something remarkable in return and that is a solid 40 minute explosion of pure Slovakian Metal music mayhem. Whether this is the band's best album to date is open for debate, but for now it can be positioned as a contender for Slovakian Metal release of the year despite it's subtle flaws. Watch with interest. Download This: "Fallen" (Click here to listen to and watch the music video) For Fans of: Dagoba, Sepultura, Bon Jovi [8] RHYS STEVENSON IRREVERSIBLE MECHANISM 'Infinite Fields' BLOOD MUSIC Music is unpredictable at the best of times, so when Belarusian duo get snapped up by Blood Music on the brink of their debut album release, there was obviously something magical about this duo and boy were they right. Unleashing a torrential battering of Progressive Death Metal, 'Infinite Fields' places Irreversible Mechanism on the map, and with it comes by far the most impressive Belarusian Metal release since the scenes inception. Just like War of the Worlds, V For Vendetta and the Orwellian novel 1984, 'Infinite Fields' guides listeners through a post-apocalyptic world full of dystopian ideologies, advanced technologies and natural cybernetic atmospherics. Now if there is one album that was calculated so precisely, so much so any form of erratic equation becomes eradicated as a result, it would have to be 'Infinite Fields'. This album, is the album to slam any predecessors in the technically-minded Progressive Death Metal arena and make them listen, listen to the noise coming from Eastern Europe, a noise that will give this band glorified international attention. Download This: "The Betrayer Of Time" (Click here to listen) For Fans of: Becoming The Archetype, Gorod, Obscura [9] RHYS STEVENSON DESERT 'Never Regret' RAVEN MUSIC Israel-based Power Metal outfit Desert make their welcomed return with their second album 'Never Regret'. Bringing to the table once again their fantasy-laden hooks, eloquent vocals and Middle Eastern flavorsome vibes. When you think about it, Middle Eastern Power Metal is not highly prevalent and so when Desert emerges with another offering, it's as if a once-every-1000 years opportunity has arisen. With the keyboards providing a taste of traditional influences and the vocals leading the charge with a smothering of Russian influence; developing a unique cultural clash. 'Never Regret' may not be the perfect Power Metal album in existence, indeed at times it leaves listeners stuck on the 'will there be a song different to the last' moment, it does however validate Desert as a unique unit in their own right, question is how long will it take for their own take on said music genre to be recognized further afield. Download This: "The Wolf's Attack" (Click here to listen) For Fans of: Orphaned Land, Iced Earth, Hammerfall [7] RHYS STEVENSON TERRA 'Untitled' HIBERNACULA Well if you ever get time to pass and want to check out something bizarre yet extreme, then Terra's debut album 'Untitled' should be on your hit list. Granted with only 3 tracks totaling up a grand time of 41 minutes, the ferocity and animosity explored and demonstrated is unmistakably valiant. This three-piece Cambridge horde muster up a sound that represents the true values of Atmospheric Black Metal in the veins of Winterfylleth and the like. Created by veterans of bygone years, Terra is an exciting addition to the resurgence of British Black Metal and will ultimately add to the plethora of BM bands across the lands. For seasoned Black Metal addicts, this is the crème de la crème, but for newcomers it might come across as rather bewildering, additionally this would most appeal to the lovers of rawer Black Metal in contrast to the more commercially appealing Borgir-esque and Cradle-esque sound. Download This: " I " (Click here to listen) For Fans of: Winterfylleth, Wolves In The Throne Room, Northern Oak [8] RHYS STEVENSON NEPENTE 'I Will Get Your Soul' CIMMERIAN SHADE South American metalheads tend to have an unstoppable addiction towards extreme metal, it's like as if the vast production of cocaine became eradicated and metal music has taken it's place. Welcoming to the forefront of the Black / Death Metal style is Colombian battalion Nepente with their second EP 'I Will Get Your Soul' and with it comes a thunderous explosion of acidic vocals, mauling riffs and bone-crunching drumming. Let's face it Nepente are set to take the Colombian Metal scene to greater heights with their new offering 'I Will Get Your Soul' and for those brave enough to check it out, you will not be disappointed. With every second comes a mauling explosion of chaos and fury neatly packaged in this unforgiving EP, if Nepente keep this sound going they will be sure to perform in Europe next year. Download This: "Show Me That You Are Suffering" - Click here to listen. For Fans of: "Old School Death / Black Metal", Impiety, Infernal War [8] RHYS STEVENSON DAMAGE SOURCE 'Raise Hell' INDEPENDENT It's very easy for a lack of imagination to marauder into the process of making a Thrash Metal release and sadly it seems Damage Source fell into that trap. With their debut EP 'Raise Hell' featuring some rather basic riffs that instead of complementing the vocals seem to bury them so deep, it's hard to catch on to what the lyrics actually are. For the new kids on the block, this is the quality you tend to expect on a demo at least, but despite it's negativity here and there, 'Raise Hell' does position itself as a platform for the Germans to magic up a debut album that ought to wow people. It will be interesting to see how the quartet aim to better themselves, because on the strength of 'Raise Hell' it is nearly a tall order. Granted mixing elements from the Bay Area and Teutonic scenes respectively might bode them well, it boils down to whether they can use this combination to their advantage. Download This: "The Disease" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Metallica, Holy Moses, Slayer [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON RED ROOM ENSEMBLE 'Red Room Ensemble' INDEPENDENT It's an undeniable fact that the Finnish do not need to take any iron supplements to keep their metal levels up, in fact they produce them. Marking their territory with their debut self-titled album is Melodic Heavy Metal outfit Red Room Ensemble, featuring a no-nonsense, no-rules attitude towards their recording and creating of their debut album. Hailing from the Åland Islands, Red Room Ensemble broods within the atmospherics of Iron Maiden and features vocals in the style that of Bon Jovi's 'Blaze of Glory'. Although the album is nothing new and therefore is not breaking new ground, it does offer itself as a delight to seasoned classic metal listeners. In a visual context, the band aren't dressed in your average metalhead outfit, but rather in dapper suits. As for 'Red Room Ensemble', it is a must-own album for any classic, heavy or melodic metal fan, period. Download This: "Everything Went Red" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, "Melodic Heavy Metal" [8] RHYS STEVENSON MALDEVERA 'All Eyes On Jeff' INDEPENDENT Texas over the decades has delivered a whole host of unforgettable metal bands, focusing on the new wave of Texan Metal means paying attention to bands like Maldevera, whose infectious mix of Thrash Metal riffs, Groove Metal grit and thunderous atmospherics, bodes well for times ahead. 'All Eyes On Jeff' is the third demo by this now-trio and whilst it sadly is nothing new, it does offer some anticipation for their expected debut album. Sampling elements from Star Trek: Voyager and Spawn: The Animated Series, fans of both sci-fi and / or 80's Thrash Metal would drool over this raw-as-hell release. With each track dissimilar to each other, 'All Eyes On Jeff' ought to grab the trio some well-earned attention from across the States, let alone internationally. So sit back, succumb to Maldevera's tornado-like onslaught and batten down the hatches, for this Thrash Metal storm won't be going anywhere soon. Download This: "Maldevera" (Click here to listen) For Fans of: Pantera, Slayer, Motorhead [8] RHYS STEVENSON ACHELOUS
'The Cold Winds Of Olympus' Bands who use folklore or historical events in their lyrics usually tell the best stories through metal music, such a band is Greek Heavy Metal newcomers Achelous. Whilst there are no flash riffs, no emphatic beats or crushing vocals, the band's premier EP 'The Cold Winds Of Olympus' explodes with a colorful arrangement of classic Bon Jovi-esque vocals, emotional atmospherics and a powerful dramatization of bygone Hellenism. Achelous have proven that the classic sound of Heavy Metal is very much alive and well. Now whilst this EP might not satisfy the more modern heavy metal listeners, it does however pay homage to the founding metal genre of which our favorite metal sub-genres derived from. All in all 'The Cold Winds Of Olympus' drops hints of something even more majestic to come, watch this band with interest as the dawn of 'Hellenic Battle Metal' arises without mercy. Download This: "Guardians Of The Light" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Manowar, Van Halen, Bon Jovi [8] RHYS STEVENSON
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REMMIRATH 'Shambhala Vril Saucers' TODESTRIEB Metal music can take turns for the worst as well as the best, it can also spew out some of the strangest sub-genre combinations ever imaginable. Remmirath's decision to mix Black Metal elements with Hard Rock and experimental music (songs like 'Tiger of the City' feature game sounds), gives their second album 'Shambhala Vril Saucers' a much needed 'hello' to the wider international metal community. As for the Slovakian quintet, this is a solid effort that gives them the push to join the experimental metal elite. Whereas their Eastern-tinged product may confuse some metalheads; evidently shown in the album title which derives from a Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu belief that Shambhala is a hidden kingdom located within Inner Asia and 'vril' as a form of psychokinetic energy, it offers a distinct sound and alternative to the already mass-populated subsequent Black Metal and Hard Rock scenes. Download This: "The Gunfighter's Quest For Enlightenment" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Venom, Blut Aus Nord, early-Forgotten Woods, "strange music" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON HOUSE OF ATREUS 'The Spear & The Ichor That Follows' DARK DESCENT Whenever a metal band blends in said music genre with lyrics covering history, any release produced automatically qualifies as an educational tool. Unleashing a bout of Greek tragedies and war tales is American Death Metal mob House Of Atreus, their debut album 'The Spear & The Ichor That Follows" wallows in the old-school Melodic Death Metal sound, with Death Metal vocals leading the frontline and the melodies supplementing the sheer ferocity of the drums and guitars entwined. Whilst listening to this album, the feeling that this band can share the stage with Greek Metal legends becomes imminent. Just imagine the murderous bygone times of Ancient Greece whilst listening to the debut album by this promising quartet, you can connect the two perfectly. This is Sparta! Erm NO!! THIS IS THE HOUSE OF ATREUS!!! Recommended track: "Throne Of Chariots" For Fans of: Rotting Christ, Running Wild, Sacriphyx The Spear & The Ichor That Follows' is out 5th May via Dark Descent Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON APOPHYS 'Prime Incursion' METAL BLADE And the Dutch are at it again, conjuring yet another scintillating Death Metal release by a highly-promising quintet. 'Prime Incursion' is the gut-busting debut album by the all-star armada Apophys and it is packed with everything you expect of a modern Death Metal album. With so much brutality crammed in a 9-track blitzing onslaught, you will be begging for mercy at the hands of what could be considered as a contender for Dutch Metal album of the year. Bringing together a chaotic atmosphere, merciless-yet-sexy riffs and unrelenting seismic drumming, 'Prime Incursion' is sure to smash the international metal scene to pieces. Comprising members of Dutch legends such as God Dethroned and Prostitute Disfigurement, with this effort Apophys are on course to establishing themselves as supergroup of the decade. You have been warned. Recommended Track: "The Antidote" For Fans of: Aborted, Cerebral Bore, Prostitute Disfigurement, "Dutch Death Metal" 'Prime Incursion' is out 7th April via Metal Blade Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON DEATHBLOW 'The Other Side Of Darkness' INDEPENDENT You see Deathblow decided to make Thrash Metal just that little more faster and enter the realm of Slayer via Metallica technicality, sadly there seems to be very little variety on their forthcoming EP 'The Other Side Of Darkness', however it does serve itself up as a guaranteed spine-snapping, bone-crunching effort that deserves immediate attention from metalheads and labels worldwide. What with Utah recently reinstating death by firing squad, Deathblow have reinstated the death of your senses by insanely fast and merciless riffs. Unleash this beast in a venue and let the moshpit do the talking, unleash this beast at a festival and watch the all of death take you to 'The Other Side Of Darkness'... which is darker darkness. Deathblow have all the hallmarks for a successful Thrash Metal band, now they need to capitalize on this moment and shift from 3rd to 5th gear. Recommended Track: 'The Other Side Of Darkness' For fans of: Evile, Slayer, Destruction 'The Other Side Of Darkness' is out 21st April via an independent release [8] RHYS STEVENSON KOMMANDANT 'The Architects Of Extermination' ATMF No they are not fascists so don't get on your high horse and jump to conclusions, they are in fact the darkness that haunts you in your sleep. Illinois' Kommandant make their hallowed return through their third dystopian album 'The Architects Of Extermination'. Now you are permitted to go all '1984' on this album but you must obey the tracks on this release as they appear to tell a story that's worth indulging in. Granted to most, the raw drums and guitars swallow up the distorted vocals, but isn't that what evil music is all about? Masquerading a wall of sound so thick, it makes a Panzer VIII Maus appear weak and lame. 'The Architects Of Extermination' is the perfect sound to a dystopian-war film and draws clear influence from bands like Laibach amongst other bands, utilising Avant-garde Black Metal with industrial elements. Recommended track: "Acquisition Of Power" For Fans of: Laibach, Dornenreich, Deathspell Omega 'The Architects Of Extermination' is out 27th April via ATMF [8] RHYS STEVENSON CORPSE GARDEN 'Entheogen' SATANATH / RTM PRODS. Following fellow countrymen Sight of Emptiness in leading the Costa Rican Metal scene to international recognition, Death Metal maestro's Corpse Garden have spewed out their second offering 'Entheogen' with such fury, it eclipses their debut album "Burnt By The Light" (See GMA Vol88) completely. As stated Corpse Garden were a band to watch, now that they are signed their dreams are coming true. 'Entheogen' is a tour de force that will keep many passionate Death Metal addicts entertained, not because it's coming from a tropical country, but more so through it's ability to evade any signs of weakness. With this new album, Corpse Garden ought to be preparing themselves for a world tour (or at least Europe), because 'Entheogen' will almost certainly prove to be popular amongst the European metal nations, with it's tactful display of blistering-paced drums, gritty vocals and whiplash-riffs, it's a given prediction. It may also be a contender for Costa Rican metal release of the year. Recommended track: "Sulphur" For fans of: Abhorrent Decimation, Defaced, Infection (Peru) 'Entheogen' is out 15th May via Satanath Records (RU) and RTM Productions (DE) [9] RHYS STEVENSON PENITENZIAGITE 'Humanity Galore' ON-PAROLE PRODS. Despite 'Humanity Galore' being Penitenziagite's debut album, the quartet have been around since 2004 perfecting and crafting their own sound, whilst unleashing ideas at their live shows. The long-awaited result is a chaotic Death Metal album that will make you piss your pants off. 'Humanity Galore' has menace, technical complexity and groovy brutality running through it's veins, inevitably enabling itself to begin calculating a formula to make Penitenziagite well known outside of Slovenia. With this solid effort there is no reason why they should not be detected by other Western European metal media. Recorded at the Negligence studio; run by Slovenian metal legends Negligence, 'Humanity Galore' is one album every single Death Metal fan should own, because if they don't, then they are ignoring true Death Metal and should feel a little ashamed. Where Penitenziagite will go next is of course the resulting question. Recommended track: "Lords Long Forgotten" For fans of: "Modern Death Metal" (essentially any band under this category) 'Humanity Galore' is out 17th April via On-Parole Productions [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON DOWNFALL OF NUR 'Umbras De Barbagia' AVANTGARDE MUSIC If you had a lot of time on your hands and or are going on a long trip, this is the perfect accompaniment for both events. 'Umbras De Barbagia' is the debut album by one-man project Downfall Of Nur. It broods in atmospheric Black Metal and has enough chilling effect to keep you calm and at peace, not to mention the five tracks equate to 62 minutes-worth of majestic South American Black Metal. Mastermind musician "A." takes no solace in delivering a remarkable piece of musical art, the Argentinian has taken a wide range of dark, gloomy and tranquil elements and has assembled them in such a way, that the resulting album is as powerful as an atomic bomb. 'Umbras De Barbagia' sits on the boundaries of the Post-Black Metal movement and the Black Metal of old, making it and deeming it a worthwhile listen. Download this: "The Golden Age" - Click here to listen For fans of: Winterfylleth, Skyforger, Kampfar 'Umbras De Barbagia' is out now via an Independent release / 25th March via Avantgarde Music [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON CREINIUM 'Divested Liberty' INVERSE The latest release by Finnish Tech / Melodic Death outfit Creinium is amongst us, 'Divested Liberty' is the latest single by the sextet and it carries on their lyrical topic of dystopia. The first song 'Divested Liberty' has enough panache in it to leave listeners begging for me, slowly but surely the interweaving of the guitars, vocals, drums and keyboards lay the path down for the next song to take center stage. 'The Seventh Seal' refers to the seals depicted in book of revelations, and as mythical as the accounts appear to be, the song itself livens up that myth through the use of emphatic riffs, raucous vocals and belligerent atmospherics, marred by the eccentricity displayed on this single. Sure it may not be the best work to date, but it's another step towards giving Creinium a name for themselves, watch this space. Download This: "Divested Liberty" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Shade Empire, Alterbeast, Neuraxis [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON EPOCH
'Sacrosanct' Some say this band or project are Greek, some say they are Belgian, we say they are pretty good. Epoch's debut album 'Sacrosanct' is one for the Blackened Death Metal addicts, through the use of rapid-fire drums, raw-yet-thick riffs and bruising vocals, this first effort demands absolute respect. Sure it is unknown as to who the musicians actually are, perhaps they're communicating from the other side of life as paranormal entities, whoever they are they know the music genre inside and out. One thing is for certain, 'Sacrosanct' will attract attention throughout the underground metal scenes, however it lacks that killer instinct that otherwise would grab some record labels attention. But for a debut effort it packs a punch, a punch to be reckoned with. Only joking, they are Belgian after all and with that in mind, here begins a new Epoch for Belgian Metal. Download This: "Altered States" - Click here to listen For Fans of: "Underground Black / Death Metal", early-God Dethroned, Behemoth [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON RAUNCHY 'Vices.Virtues.Visions.' MASSACRE Twenty years in and the Danish battalion known as Raunchy have once again amassed an array of sounds that befit the Raunchy signature displayed across all five previous albums, and now their sixth opus 'Vices.Virtues.Visions.'. Welcoming on board is vocalist Mike Semesky (ex-The HAARP Machine), who adds a lighter approach to the music whilst unleashing another barrage of unforgiving epics, this album is a sure contender for Danish Metal release of the year. Just like a cake, Raunchy have carefully balanced layers of ingredients that all come together to deliver a delicious-yet-sumptuously indulging album. They may call it 'Modern Metal', but we call it 'The New Wave of Nordic Modern Metal' and with 'Vices.Virtues.Visions.' now firmly presented to the global masses, this could be Raunchy's finest hour. Let's just say they got the right man at the right time. Download This: "Anesthesia Throne" For Fans of: Sonic Syndicate, Mnemic, The Interbeing 'Vices.Virtues.Visions.' is out now via Massacre Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON OVIF 'Démence' Quebecois Thrash Metal duo Ovif made their return known with their second album 'Démence', now whilst some songs are in French and others in English, don't like this put you off. 'Démence' is one of those Thrash Metal albums that is sensationally fast, rough and more raw than blood-red meat. Make no mistake about it, they are truly a unique dynamic duo who would appeal to any Thrash Metal fan. With 35 minutes worth of pure headbanging and moshing at the helm, you would have to be rather stupid to dismiss this release after the first track, in fact it's heaviness is only challenged by it's level of eccentricity present. 'Démence' is a beacon within the Quebec Metal scene and serves this duo well as a solid platform to release their next venture upon, classic Thrash Metal is right here and right now it yearns to claim your neck. Download This: "New Reign" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Evile, 'Brutally fast Thrash Metal' [8] RHYS STEVENSON HECATE 'The Order Of The Black Light' WINTERWOLF Arising from the sandy streets of Cairo, is Egyptian Black / Death Metal duo Hecate with their phantasmagorical debut effort 'The Order Of The Black Light', with it comes a savage shredding of raucous riffs, venomous vocals and ballistic bass playing, all marred by the velocity expressed through the drums. Egypt in the last 10 years has seen a fair few acts break out internationally, from Scarab to Zatreon and now beckons the turn of Hecate. The atmosphere expressed on this release is so scary, it sends chills down your spine and as a result removes all of your defenses, thus leaving you totally exposed to the might of this outrageously powerful debut. 'The Order Of The Black Light' is sure to garner the duo attention in the worldwide underground scenes, Egyptian Dark Metal will never be the same again that is for sure, expect great things from this understanding duo. Download This: "Mighty Warrior" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Belphegor, Infernal War, Naglfar 'The Order Of The Black Light' is out now via an independent release [7] RHYS STEVENSON ARMAGEDDON REV 16:16 'Sundown On Humanity' PITCH BLACK Well it only took 15 years to make a debut album, so surely Armageddon Rev 16:16 should lay their instruments to rest, pack up and go home? Not quite, simply because the level of professionalism riding on 'Sundown On Humanity' is so honorable there must be a follow-up album in the pipeline because this effort certainly warrants it. This Cypriot quintet ensure that their island nation remains firmly bolted to the international metal scene map and simultaneously ensures that their fabled start to a new career lifts off on a positive note. 'Sundown On Humanity' keeps you occupied for a certain amount of time, except at times it does get rather boring, but overall its an album worth checking out. Lashing together the epic elements found within Power Metal with the more adventurous Progressive Metal sound, 'Sundown On Humanity' is a gem to be treasured. Download This: "Hypocrites Of Destruction" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Testament, Iron Maiden, Manowar [8] RHYS STEVENSON BONES 'Awaiting Rebirth' BLOOD HARVEST That sound of Old-School Death Metal never losses it's charm, in fact it's bands like Bones who keep it going! Hailing from Belgium, this quartet unleash a crushing barrage of cranial torture so brutal, it makes your last hangover seem light. 'Awaiting Rebirth' is the premier EP by Bones and with it comes a 16-minute journey through unrelenting riffs, raw musical elements and enough bollocks to make your testosterone levels appear to be lower than your left foot. The only downside to the EP is that it lacks diversity as at first the songs all sound the same, but after closer inspection you begin to sift out the close-comparisons and discover different elements in each song. With riffs as thick as molasses, vocals as arousing as your last erection and drums so demeaning they will have you for breakfast, 'Awaiting Rebirth' is a true testament to the classic Old School Death Metal sound. Download This: "Blight Upon Sodom" For Fans of: Death, Obituary, Morbid Angel [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON BLACK TRACK 'Let The Thunder Roar / Werewolf Attack' METAL WAYS The truth about 'Let The Thunder Roar / Werewolf Attack' is that you have to either be insanely tired or stupidly drunk to make sense of it. Seriously if you're plain sober when listening to this, you would not fully appreciate the release. It's all over the place, just like Kim Kardashian's bum went viral, this music is enough to give you a viral infection, it's that disgusting. Of course the latest offering by Mexican Heavy / Speed Metallers Black Track is not a complete failure, but neither is it anything spectacular, ok maybe it has what metal fans would expect from a Speed / Thrash Metal release but it lacks that striking cord that says 'hey I'm a metal album'. The only true positive is that the release features songs from the band's second demo. Download This: "Speed Force" For Fans of: Agent Steel, Judas Priest, Motorhead [6] RHYS STEVENSON ANTOINETTE 'Renaissance' Fresh from the pits of Wiltshire comes a 10-legged machine known as Antoinette, featuring two members of Sleep Inertia; who are also ex-members of The Dead Lay Waiting. With a tongue-in-cheek introduction on their latest EP 'Renaissance' - a voice message recording - this Post-Metalcore murder squad drop their best material without fault, tight-ass riffs course through the veins of this living, breathing release, whilst the sheer velocity of the atmosphere will make your skull implode with enough force, you will wince at every inclining millimeter. 'Renaissance' is a statement of intent that says Antoinette aren't messing around, so BMTH and Architects please move as Antoinette are destined to go places and become the new face of Modern Post-Metalcore. You have been warned. Download This: "Conform / Control" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Architects, BMTH, Miss May I, Underoath 'Renaissance' is now out via an independent release [9] RHYS STEVENSON NEOLITH 'Izi.Im.Kurnu - Ki' NON-SERVIAM Whilst Behemoth have left bands like Vader and here Neolith in a trail of dust, the inaugural truth cannot be more true, that is these three bands are just a handful of the Polish Blackened Death old guard. Waiting another five years for Neolith's fourth album may seem like eternity, but the wait was worth... just half of it. 'Izi.Im.Kurnu - Ki' albeit it being a solid yet respectable slab of mauling yet ferocious metal, just does not quite cut itself out as anything new. Ironically it offers a sound that is not visited all that often, with the combination of the eccentricity demonstrated by Behemoth and some rather harmoniously demonic keyboard elements, 'Izi.Im.Kurnu - Ki' provides itself as one of those 'neither here nor there' releases and so thus leaves a lot of questions to be answered. Download This: "Are We The Lost Ones?" For Fans of: Vader, Behemoth, Luciferion 'Izi.Im.Kurnu - Ki' is out now via Non-Serviam Records [7] RHYS STEVENSON MORTAL STRIKE 'For The Loud & The Aggressive' Firstly make sure that you insure your neck for any damage caused by the metal machine known as Mortal Strike, their unforgiving lashing of merciless Thrash Metal certainly will leave listeners weeping in excruciating pain. Let's face it if any metal music fan cannot take this music then they must have very soft ears, either that or they're Justin Bieber fans-in-secret. 'For The Loud & The Aggressive' is an honorary testament to what makes Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal. It features full-throttle drumming, flash riffs and vocals so gritty and dirty, you would consider this as an audible sex orgasm cocktail. Austria may not be the first country that comes to mind when thinking of neck-breaking Thrash Metal, but Mortal Strike are destined to change that, if you thought Thrash Metal couldn't get anymore sexy, it just did. Download This: "MG 42" - Click here to listen to the live version For Fans of: Evile, Kreator, Destruction [8] RHYS STEVENSON TARTARUS (USA)
"Untitled EP" Tucked away in a tiny corner of Pennsylvania is a four-piece onslaught waiting to slay your sorry soul for breakfast. In recent times the amount of female musicians in Extreme Metal has been increasing and quite rightly so, with bands like Tartarus comprising of two males and two females who'd have thought this dynamic unit would be capable of delivering such an anal-fisting sound? Well, their debut 'untitled' EP slaps down on the table all of the hallmarks of a promising band and subsequent debut album. Murdering riffs marry up well with the thick bass elements, whilst the vocals pour into your ears like an icy flowing waterfall and the drums deliver a hallowing sound that will make you wet yourself. Overall the debut EP will appeal to fans of not only Black Metal and Death Metal, but also Doom Metal through the atmosphere developed. Definitely a band to watch (you have been warned). Download This: "Blood & Honor" - Click here to listen. For Fans of: Arallu, Fourth Autumn, Barbarian Prophecies [8] RHYS STEVENSON NIGHTCREEPERS 'Hreidd' What with 'Alpha' being the blazing album that it was, it was going to be tough to see how French Folk Metal sextet Nightcreepers could up their game. But they've succeeded and the result is a sensational offering in the form of 'Hreidd'. Utilizing much of the unforgiving brutality the band has exercised on previous releases, 'Hreidd' storms out of the barn with a trail of blisteringly-hot fire left behind it. What makes this release a powerful slap-in-the-face album is the brilliance in mixing Folk Metal with Extreme Metal elements, whilst avoiding being pigeon-holed in the Black / Folk Metal category. In fact 'Hreidd' has the attitude and firepower to ignite widespread interest for the band, if this does not deliver them a record label deal within the next year or so, then there is something seriously wrong with the..... labels. 'Hreidd' is set to win Nightcreepers a flurry of new fans worldwide. Download This: "Volcae" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Windir, Dimmu Borgir, Vanir 'Hreidd' is out now via an Independent release [9] RHYS STEVENSON YMYRGAR 'The Tale As Far' Sure Ymyrgar may be singing about Norse mythology and subsequently fall under the Viking Metal or Pagan Black Metal categories, but come on they are from Tunisia! That's just as misplaced as Skiltron from Argentina singing and playing Scottish Folk Metal. However their debut album 'The Tale As Far' really sets the par high for other Tunisian Metal bands albeit Myrath who have already cemented their place in the international arena. By lacing together melodic folkloric elements with the harshness of Black Metal, what Ymygar have delivered here is a rather unique culture clash of-a-release, one that ought to garner some attention from the North African metal scenes at the very least. Featuring Tuoksu (Arij Arbi ) as the guest soprano, her vocals add the missing dimension to the album and thus poise it perfectly as Tunisia's next successful album export. Download This: "Dawn Of Time" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Drakwald, Elder Tale, "Pagan Black Metal" [8] RHYS STEVENSON ARCHAIZE 'Liberation' It's not all that often an Australian Metal band gets international recognition, although Archaize might get this with their debut album 'Liberation' which explodes in a minefield of Groove, Death and Thrash Metal, accumulating to develop a brutal form of Modern Metal. 'Liberation' is a 41 minute assault of purely aggressive, insanely catchy and completely arousing numbers that will get your tits hard and cocks up in the air as if sex went out of fashion. With vocals that are so piercingly loud, riffs so savage they rip into your soul and drumming so full of fury, you would be hard to find any other Australian Metal band that can rival the Modern Metal machinists known as Archaize. This is the new sound of metal and it's coming to whip your sorry arse. 'Liberation' is guaranteed to give Archaize that platform needed to start their career, if they carry on this sound, they may well be playing in the UK in a few years to come. Download This: "Sunset" - Click here to listen For Fans of: DevilDriver, Mnemic, Six Feet Under [8] RHYS STEVENSON MANIC DEMISE 'The Bitter Blood Of Brutality' Call them blood brothers, call them brothers-in-arms, call them what you like, the fact is the duo known as Manic Demise do not mess around when it comes to releasing stellar material. Especially when the vocalist is in the USA and the instrumentalist is in Australia, the duo's debut EP "The Bitter Blood Of Brutality" may not be the convincing release they could have conceived but it certainly is a respectable slab of Death Metal. In fact it ought to be interesting to see how they progress from this release, surely the debut album will oust the EP with no mercy attached? 'The Bitter Blood Of Brutality' is a gore-guzzling sizzler-of-a-release that demands utmost attention and a stomach cast of iron, so as to stop you from puking at this orgasmic release. Download This: "Septic Crypt" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Gorguts, Avulsed, Dying Fetus [7] RHYS STEVENSON ALKIRA 'Juggernaut' Aiming to stake their claim on Australian soil (nay the international metal scene) is South Australia quartet Alkira with their infectious Groove / Thrash effort 'Juggernaut'. Their debut album comes hot off the heels from their second EP 'Red Devil' and with it comes a valiant neck-breaking storm of fast and furious Thrash Metal mixed with the funkiness and elegance of Groove Metal. Through a culmination of gnarly vocals, barbaric riffs and unruly drumming, Alkira's 'Juggernaut' has more balls than those two dudes on the Fosters TV adverts, in fact Alkira are not your average Australian Metal band either. They will go places if they keep this momentum going, the salient point is that 'Juggernaut' is without a doubt hotter than a typical Aussie BBQ on the beach and has tons more glamor than Kylie Minogue, however it does have the sexiness of her though... Download This: "Submission Therapy" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Anthrax, Motorhead, Pantera [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ZARIA 'Po Poti Življenja' Very few bands from Central Europe deliver a sparkling demo and then top that by delivering a debut album that turns heads from further afield. Zaria, a six-piece Folk Metal unit from Slovenia certainly have struck the right chord in delivering their debut album 'Po Poti Življenja'. Aligned alongside fellow countrymen Brezno, it seems that we could have 2 bands simultaneously leading the Slovenian Metal scene. As for Zaria, the one thing holding them back is the lack of English, ironically if they ditched the Slovene language, then the music would lose it's cultural identity as true sounds of Slovenia. With infectious melodies and harmonious elements flowing freely throughout. Zaria's 'Po Poti Življenja' is a must-have album for avid Folk Metal fans, you'd be silly not to, as it expresses the beauty of traditional folkloric tales and the gracefulness of soft, melodic folk music. Download This: "Moč Brez Imena" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Brezno, Eluveitie, Ensiferum [9] RHYS STEVENSON HAMMERHEAD 'The Doom That Came To Sarnath' For those not in the know, Sarnath is the place of pilgrimage for Buddhists worldwide, so what inspired Hammerhead to call their second EP 'The Doom That Came To Sarnath'? Simple, the title is taken from the H.P. Lovecraft novel, moreover with this EP the Belgian trio hurl a barrage of gnarly, face-punching sounds that certainly would appeal to fans of neck-breaking Thrash Metal. With some rather dashing tremolo's creating a wall of sound alongside unrelenting drumming and vocals so vile, you'd have to wear a face mask to avoid being spat upon with cyanide; it is that corrosive. The EP is all good and proper but it does take time to kick in, so some impatient "Thrasheads" may switch off, but for those who wait, the rewards are certainly worth it. Hammerhead are a band to watch in 2015 because with this 2014 EP, they are rather promising. Download This: "The Doom That Came To Sarnath" - Click here to listen For fans of: Slayer, Exodus, Pantera [8] RHYS STEVENSON RETRACE MY FRAGMENTS 'Ethereal Flux' If there is one band that has never shied away from reinventing themselves or challenging the conventions of their own music, it's Retrace My Fragments. Their debut album 'Ethereal Flux' takes on board 101% originality; something that lacks in a vast swathe of modern Death Metal bands, lashing together an awe-inspiring science fiction story (split into chapters) conceived by vocalist Antonio Martija and bringing it to life through a dramatic-yet-theatrical production of brutal vocals, eerie riffs, apocalyptic drumming and an atmosphere so expansive, it makes a black-hole claustrophobic. 'Ethereal Flux' is the finest release by this Luxembourg quintet and should garner some international attention, why these guys are not signed is astounding, however with this album the labels cannot ignore them much longer. Retrace My Fragments are flying the flag for the Luxembourg Metal scene. Download This: "Rime Of The Instant Space Traveller" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Cephalic Carnage, The Dillinger Escape Plan, 'Modern Metal' [10] RHYS STEVENSON FROST TEARS
'九章 (Nine Chapters)' MAGNUM MUSIC Leading the way for the new wave of Oriental Gothic Metal is Taiwanese ensemble Frost Tears with their debut album 九章 (Nine Chapters). Singing in their native Chinese language, the sextet embody this with the gracefulness of European Gothic Metal, mix it with an Oriental atmosphere and create an overall sound that will appeal to a wide range of metalheads. '九章 (Nine Chapters)' explodes in all directions with the vocals ranging from operatic to melodic and the instruments delivering a combined solid force that will surely drive Frost Tears into the international limelight. Full of drama, twists and turns at every pulsating second, '九章 (Nine Chapters)' is one album everyone should own, literally everyone. Download This: "九章 (Nine Chapters) album trailer" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Lacuna Coil, Tarja Turunen, Within Temptation [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON POWERWOLF 'The History of Heresy II (2009 - 2012)' METAL BLADE German veteran Power Metallers Powerwolf return with another boxset full of emphatic sounds and majestic ballads to wet your whiskers by. 'The History of Heresy II (2009 - 2012)'. This time round they have whipped in classics from their albums "Bible Of The Beast" and "Blood Of The Saints", but have also included an orchestral release under the name of "The Sacrilege Symphony". Powerwolf are best described as mixing Power Metal with Gregorian chant elements here and there, one song that features this is "Moscow After Dark", but whatever you call them, 'The History of Heresy II (2009 - 2012)' is a beautiful testimony to a band who has lead the German Power Metal ever since 2003. So if any one in your family is looking for a timeliness classic and graceful present for Christmas, 'The History of Heresy II (2009 - 2012)' is your answer!!!! Download This: "Moscow After Dark" For Fans of: Sabaton, Hammerfall, Gloryhammer [8] RHYS STEVENSON SKÀLMÖLD 'Með Vættum' NAPALM Iceland's second most successful metal export (behind Sólstafir) Skàlmöld have returned with their third album 'Með Vættum' and with it comes sword-stabbing Viking Metal ballads, much akin to previous efforts "Börn Loka" and their debut "Baldur". Naturally preferring their Icelandic language over the English language, 'Með Vættum' brings the magical stories and myths of the bygone Viking era to life and really connects you with Europe's most North-Western country. By closing your eyes and listening to the album, you can easily place yourself in the position of a marauding Viking either marching into battle, living a daily Nordic life or doing what most Nordics do, drink beer as if it was going into rationing. Skàlmöld have set alight the beacons of true Viking Metal once again and as 'Með Vættum' gains momentum to it's inaugural release, one thing is clear, 'Með Vættum' is set to captivate planet metal. Download This: "Með Drekum" For Fans of: Nordheim, Ensiferum, Týr 'Með Vættum' is out 14 November 2014 via Napalm Records [10] RHYS STEVENSON FAITHFUL DARKNESS 'Archgod' CORONER Modern Metallers Faithful Darkness know exactly what they are after and with their latest effort 'Archgod', they have reached it. They have banished the Soilwork demons that Jimmy Persson had brought in and have replaced them with the sensational Jonathan Thorpenberg and thus with this change, Faithful Darkness have become a force to be reckoned with. 'Archgod' will have your neck snap in juxtaposed positions as you headbang to this absolute ballistic-missile-of-an-album. There is something about the Scandinavian nations that make them so damn good at Modern Metal, and this is extremely evident on 'Archgod'. It deals no bullsh*t and has 101% ferocity guiding it throughout it's entire self. 'Archgod' has bought Faithful Darkness the one-way ticket to European domination. Breathe it, hear it, f**king fear it. Download This: "The Witness" For Fans of: Mnemic, In Flames, Sonic Syndicate, ok and Soilwork (ish) 'Archgod' is out 08 December 2014 via Coroner Records [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SEASON OF GHOSTS 'The Human Paradox' CORONER Season Of Ghosts is possibly one of the most exciting acts to emerge out of the Greek Metal scene in a very long time. Fronted by Sophia Aslanidou (who was vocalist for Blood Stain Child at one point) and featuring Ghost Legion as the power behind the instruments, this dynamic force will set the world alight with their emphatic sounds. 'The Human Paradox' is best described as "Futuristic Dance Metal" and as such combines a majestic array of music styles, ranging from Trance Metal to Cyber Metal and from Dance Pop to Sci-fi soundtrack elements. 'The Human Paradox' is a one of a kind album is sure to appeal to fans of the Modern Metal sound as well, in fact through the use of the synths, harsh male vocals, soprano-like female vocals and the unmistakable Disney's Fantasia feeling, this album has ground-breaker written all over it. Download This: "Time Travellers" For Fans of: Xe-None, Blood Stain Child, Amaranthe 'The Human Paradox' is out 8th December 2014 via Coroner Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON VEILBURNER 'The Three Lightbearers' American Extreme Metal bands come in leaps and bounds, Veilburner are definitely above that... to a certain extent. 'The Three Lightbearers' is a valiant effort and serves as the perfect springboard for the Pennsylvania duo to unleash their unruly fathomable sermons upon the unsuspecting Extreme Metal scene worldwide. Through the use of some rather erotic riffs and immensely brutal vocals, coupled with the thunderous drumming sequences and anger-enraged atmosphere, 'The Three Lightbearers' is an album to piss your neighbors off with. Earlier 'to a certain extent' was said, well the reason behind that is that it simply does not have that sparkle that otherwise would give them a record label deal, unless of course they did not want one... Download This: "Gospel of Blood-Stained Void" For Fans of: "Unruly noise", "Black / Death Metal" [7] RHYS STEVENSON ABIDE TILL DEATH 'Works Of Your Hand' Be honest, would you have expected Papua New Guinea to have a metal scene? Well it does, Christian Alternative Metal band Abide Till Death have unveiled their latest single 'Works Of Your Hand'. The best way to describe this is think of your average male-fronted Alternative Metal band and add Christian lyrics to it, but don't judge because of the lyric topics because at times the vocals break into deep growling. So, 'Works Of Your Hand' is essentially experimental as well as alternative and this is why many rock and metal fans will like it, it is catchy, groovy yet full of energy. 'Works Of Your Hand' is a song you should have on your mp3 player. Download the single here For Fans of: My Chemical Romance, Family Force 5, Stone Sour. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON LASHER ZOMBIE 'King Of Kings' Belizean Death Metal armada Lasher Zombie make their voices heard with their latest offering 'King Of Kings'. Smouldering hot with the smells of Old School Death Metal, this trio assemble together an array of sounds that demand your attention with every passing second. Let's be honest if you cannot handle this, then Death Metal is not for you (and don't even try to argue). 'King Of Kings' delivers the mid-paced to fast-paced kind of drumming you would expect, coupled with some rather nasty yet gnarly vocals that savagely rip into you, whilst the riffs pour acid all over your organs and leave you to burn to death. The zombie plague has arisen, Lasher Zombie are leading and flying the flag for the Belize Metal scene.... you have been warned. Download This: "Belizean Blood Bath" For Fans of: Suffocation, Morbid Angel, Obituary [8] RHYS STEVENSON KOLONY 'Sledge' SELF-RELEASED Melodic Metallers Kolony make their return known with their second album 'Sledge', now if you were to strap a wire to both of your hands behind your back for just 45 minutes and bleed slowly to death whilst indulging in Quebec's finest release this year, then you would have had 45 minutes of enjoyment in your life towards your untimely demise... of course we're joking, don't do anything like that, it's stupid. But what isn't stupid, is the insurmountable attention that has been directed towards 'Sledge', in fact if the quartet play their cards right, this may well garner some attention from record labels worldwide. 'Sledge' is an absolute roller-coaster of a ride that will get blood pumping and moshpits working overtime, hell this is insanity in physical form!! AIEEEEEE!!!!! Download This: "Anthem" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Bullet For My Valentine, Megadeth, Avenged Sevenfold 'Sledge' is out 14th November via an independent release [8] RHYS STEVENSON MORLAS MEMORIA 'Follow The Wind' Arriving on the German Metal scene is sextet Morlas Memoria with their own unique style of Symphonic Gothic Metal, that is they introduce Folk Metal elements into the mix through the flute. 'Follow The Wind' is the band's debut album and it really carries that spark element, you know that spark to say 'sign us' to the record labels. Through the elegant use of harmonious female vocals and dramatic music supplementing a majestic yet emphatic sounding atmosphere, 'Follow The Wind' is an album that breathes beauty and speaks solemn grace. If you wanted to check out any new Symphonic Gothic Metal bands this year, make sure you have Morlas Memoria down on your list because rest assured, they are going places with this effort, they are Germany's answer to Within Temptation. Download This: "Follow The Wind" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Nightwish, Therion [9] RHYS STEVENSON BLACKOUT
'Armageddon' The French Metal scene is an oddball if you can call it so, an oddball in the sense that there are plenty of talented bands who are capable of making a name for themselves, but only a handful actually do, Gorod, AqME, The Algorithm per se. But when you have a band who tends to operate in the Avant-Garde approach to metal, that is the experimental form, attention cannot come sooner enough. Blackkout is a three-piece metal band who have recently released their debut album 'Armageddon' and with it comes a solid packing of infectious riffs, snazzy drums and violent vocals. Just imagine the artwork depicting their music, that is how ferocious it is, seriously if they get any heavier, they would have to have a restraining order placed on them because this album is f**king insane! They call it 'Blackout Metal', we call it 'Heavy Thrash Metal'. You decide what it should be called. Download This: "Blackout Album Teaser" - Click here to listen For Fans of: T.A.N.K., Evile, "Insane Metal" [8] RHYS STEVENSON BLOODSHOT DAWN 'Demons' INDEPENDENT Fired up from their recent Bloodstock face-melting appearance, Hampshire's beloved sons Bloodshot Dawn unleash a barrage of fiery hell in the form of their second album 'Demons'. Outrageously heavier than previous efforts, 'Demons' explodes into an unmerciful massacre with spark-shedding riffs, the drums as unrelenting as a Gatling gun (especially on 'Consequence Complex') and the vocals as murderous as a nuclear genocide. 'Demons' demonstrates the true capabilities of the Bloodshot Dawn and is sure to be met with rapturous appraisal from old and new fans alike, seriously if they were aiming to strike an impression and reach the desired sound simultaneously, then 'Demons' ticks both boxes. Nothing is missing from this fantastic release, it will blow your brains apart and thus places itself as a contender for English Metal release of the year. For Fans of: Sylosis, Obscura, Woe Of Tyrants 'Demons' is out 26th October via an independent release. [10] RHYS STEVENSON SUBSERVIENCE 'Upheaval' INDEPENDENT Change is inevitable and so when Dan Lofthouse took over vocal duties from ex-Subservience member Jay Fitt, the new era of Subservience was born. Exploding with the delightful sound of Groove-laden Extreme Metal, the Sussex armada unleash their third EP 'Upheaval' and with it comes an explosive array of riffs, charismatic vocals and menacing attitude. Wielding together the sounds of classic Death Metal from days-bygone with the atmosphere of Lamb of God, Subservience might have just dealt justice and in the wake of this EP, the right to stake their claim as one of England's hottest properties to watch out for in 2015. 'Upheaval' may be a sharp improvement from previous releases, the question is can they hold their nerve and keep this improvement progression going? Time will tell, that is for sure. For Fans of: Carcass, Strapping Young Lad, Cannibal Corpse 'Upheaval' is out now via an independent release [8] RHYS STEVENSON REIGN OF SIRIUS 'Mirror Figures' Sensationally dramatic and epically adventurous are two sentiments that can easily be placed upon Reign of Sirius' latest offering 'Mirror Figures'. The Symphonic Melodic Metal sextet from Macclesfield have delivered another erotic opus to wet your whiskers by. Through the meticulousness of the music and the vocals intertwining so elegantly with each other, 'Mirror Figures' can be claimed as the "metal world's version of Phantom of the Opera". From start to finish, you are taken on a roller-coaster of dynamic symphonies, articulate melodies and wintry / Gothic atmospherics, so much so that 'Mirror Figures' would be a perfect accompaniment to any birthday, Halloween, Christmas or New Years Eve celebrations. Make no mistake with this release, it is sure to give Reign of Sirius the perfect spring board to launch themselves into the European Metal circuit. Download This: "Mirror Figures" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation [10] RHYS STEVENSON LIV KRISTINE 'Vervain' NAPALM Norway's beloved Liv Kristine, with her grace and beauty, returns with her fifth solo album 'Vervain'. Once again the soprano has delivered a spectacular album that will surely earn her accolades in the music industry. Joined by the same line-up as the preceding album 'Libertine', this output features a rather majestic and swan-like elegance feel to it, that is it exhibits a lot of grace, charm and power. Keeping intact the Symphonic Metal sound that bodes well with Liv's vocals, the new album drags in elements of Folk Metal, Industrial Metal and Gothic Metal; with a possible tinge of schlager (on some songs), giving it that almost Lord of the Rings escapology feel to it, or perhaps the grandeur of a winning Eurovision entry (although the possibility of Liv entering is probably low). It is safe to say that Liv Kristine has returned with her (and fellow band-members) best album to date. For Fans of: Within Temptation, Midnattsol, Tarja-era Nightwish. 'Vervain' is out 24 October 2014 via Napalm Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON LASTER 'De Verste Verte Is Hier' DUNKELHEIT PRODUKTIONEN The Dutch affair with Black Metal continues with Laster's debut album 'De Verste Verte Is Hier' (rough translation: 'The Furthest Distance Is Here'), if you can call it an album that is. The release is merely four tracks, three of the songs have an average length of 13 minutes and so if you want to be mightily bamboozled and have nothing worthwhile to do, then sit down and be mowed down by this unforgiving release. 'De Verste Verte Is Hier' is of the atmospheric kind, it does not aim to be the heaviest, fastest or more brutal release, but rather one that is full of body, soul and spirit. Granted it is nothing new and is a long way from being anything but, however it does demonstrate a really eery feeling, one that will surely appeal to the more underground Black Metal fans. For Fans of: Alcest, Drudkh, Wolves In The Throne Room 'De Verste Verte Is Hier' is out 1st November 2014 via Dunkelheit Produktionen [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON BEYOND CREATION 'Earthborn Evolution' SEASON OF MIST Canada's latest and hottest property Beyond Creation make their welcomed return with their latest slice of juicy Progressive-laden Technical Death Metal. 'Earthborn Evolution' is the second album by the Quebecois quartet and with it comes a battering onslaught of thunderous drums, electric riffs and raucous vocals, what more could you want? Simple. More where that come from! With ten tracks of some of the most complex metallic algorithms you'll ever come across, an atmosphere raining blood-soaked spikes and a release that could easily claim the title of Canadian Metal release of the year, Beyond Creation have successfully dug deep to find something funkier than 1970's disco, more brutal than your last New Years party and sweeter than pancakes topped with Canadian syrup. Prepare for some hazardous moshing, savage headbanging and crapped pants, you have been warned. For Fans of: Obscura, Fallujah, Alarum, "Mathematical Metal" 'Earthborn Evolution' is out 24th October 2014 via Season Of Mist [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON OBSIDIAN KINGDOM 'Mantiis' SEASON OF MIST Catalonia's (Spain) Obsidian Kingdom make their voices once again known with their third album 'Mantiis', now this sound is not easy to pin down and thus requires a level of mental deconstruction to unlock the various elements pressed onto each song. But what this quintet has done is strapped together a myriad of sounds to captivate and arouse the listener in every aspect (ay no need to think dirty here), through the use of eery atmospherics, progressive elements lodged in the drumming area, riffs so soft they make velvet more like sandpaper and vocals that flit between the melodic and gruff Black / Death Metal vibrancy, Obsidian Kingdom have produced a release they can be extremely proud of. As black as obsidian itself, the world can now witness the birth of "Obsidian Metal" and with it a 47-minute epic journey through a hellish heaven. For Fans of: Cult of Luna, Dälek, Drumcorps 'Mantiis' is out 24th October 2014 via Season Of Mist [8] RHYS STEVENSON NECROPHAGIA 'WhiteWorm Cathedral' SEASON OF MIST Death Metal's forefathers Necrophagia make their hallowed return with their seventh full-length offering 'WhiteWorm Cathedral', with it comes that classic old school Death Metal sound that concreted the genre to the ground and laid the foundations for the Death Metal bands you know as of today. 'WhiteWorm Cathedral' welcomes Mirai Kawashima back to the fore as the band's keyboardist (some will also know him from the band Sigh), with her return comes the spine chilling elements she is renowned for, add that to the brutality and grit that Necrophagia has always been known for and you get slammed with a force so reckoning, you would have to take out life insurance to survive the uniqueness of what we call "Horror Death Metal"; we could imagine Necrophagia as a decent addition to any Saw film soundtrack - it is that gory in an audio context. For Fans of: "Old School Death Metal", Autopsy, Asphyx 'WhiteWorm Cathedral' is out 24th October 2014 via Season Of Mist [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON AONIA
'Sunchaser' Uprising English "Symphonic Gothic Fantasy Metal" outfit Aonia mark their second coming with their latest EP 'Sunchaser', which sees a line-up extension with guitarist Przemek Drużkowski and second female vocalist Joanne Kay Robinson joining the band. With this change, 'Sunchaser' completely crushes Aonia's debut EP 'City Of Shadows' without any remorse or mercy, in fact the EP carries the sound that should give Aonia the attention they deserve. What with the dramatic elements found scattered all over like a starry night, the angelic vocals caressing the symphonic atmosphere (which is as powerful as Disney's Fantasia) and elegance as graceful as a swan, it is safe to say that 'Sunchaser' is one of Gothic Metal's best 2014 releases. Make no mistake about it, we will be hearing more of Aonia in the future. Download This: "Echoes" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Nightwish, Therion, Within Temptation [10] RHYS STEVENSON NADER SADEK 'The Malefic: Chapter III' INDEPENDENT RELEASE If you were to search for an architect, an architect who can mould body-slamming rhythms and destructive brutality into one solid blast of unforgiving Death Metal, then your attention should firstly be directed to Nader Sadek. The genius behind the multinational assembly of musicians has once again amassed a rally of songs that are guaranteed to deliver neurological pain as quickly and brutally as hydrochloric acid burns through skin. With Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir) and Travis Ryan (Cattle Decapitation) locking horns with Bobby Koelble (Death), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) and Carmen Simoes (Moonspell), the feeling that the forthcoming EP 'The Malefic: Chapter III' will ignite and spread like wildfire is completely evident, just get the first aid kits at the ready, for this is certified to make you bleed from every orifice. For Fans of: Suffocation, Behemoth, Cryptopsy 'The Malefic: Chapter III' is out 3rd November 2014 via an independent release [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON ANNIHILATION 'The Undivided' INDEPENDENT RELEASE Annihilation are not your average Brutal / Technical Death Metal band, 'The Undivided' is not your average Brutal / Technical Death Metal release. So what are they both? Disappointingly confusing. The willingness to admit that at times their EP feels like as if it is going nowhere increases with every passing second, granted it is a decent effort, but in all seriousness it's as vile as mixing port with red wine and drowning yourself to death in it. Now, if more time was spent on pushing the atmosphere and emotions to a more respectable level, than seeing how heavy or brutal they can go, then this EP could well be promising for their International breakthrough. But 'The Undivided' is so indescribable, it would take more than a thesaurus to describe how ghastly this EP is, definitely not one of the Portuguese Metal scenes proudest releases.... For Fans of: Cryptopsy, Hour Of Penance, Fleshgod Apocalypse 'The Undivided' is out 4th November 2014 via an independent release [5.5] RHYS STEVENSON HOLY DRAGONS 'Dragon Inferno' PITCH BLACK Kazakhstan's most successful metal export Holy Dragons make their return with their 13th, 14th or 15th album, let's be honest, we lost track. Unlike our metal brethren here who have been shredding tracks out with sensational speed for 22 years. 'Dragon Inferno' marks the next chapter in this remarkable band's career, armed with a new vocalist in the form of Alexander "Demoraivola" Kuligin and the same blistering paced, unruly racket that they've conjured up each time, Holy Dragons are making a statement of intent once again, that they are by no means done and are truly deserving of greater international attention. 'Dragon Inferno' wields together the melodies of Power / Speed Metal, with the brutality of clean Heavy Metal and elegant agility of Thrash Metal influences. 'Dragon Inferno' is a release that any metal fan should have in their collection, it is simply awe-inspiring. For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, Slayer 'Dragon Inferno' is out 17 October 2014 via Pitch Black Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON KARKAOS 'Empire' With Karkaos' new album 'Empire' starting off with such an emphatic and dramatic introduction, the feeling that the rest of the album will be just as majestic is firmly on the table. The resulting conclusion is that with the vocal battle between Veronica O. Rodriguez and Vincent Harnois arousing the atmosphere, as if to ignite it with a mixture of rampaging fire and wintry bitterness, 'Empire' is the illegitimate child of Wintersun and Arch Enemy. What Karkaos have created is a beautiful work of art that is sure to garner attention from their international contemporaries, moreover this release is easily a candidate for Canadian Metal release of the year, with it's eloquent lyrics being spouted out with additional acid, and the guitars and drums vying for front-line supremacy, this is one album that will get heads turning. Download This: "Depth Of Madness" - click to listen For Fans of: Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, Wintersun [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON TONS OF POWDER 'To Destination!' Making their debut on the Moldovan Metal scene is Heavy Groove Metal merchants Tons Of Powder with their valiant effort 'To Destination!'. With an endless rally of groove-laden rhythms and riff's leading the charge, metalheads would not be hard to push into getting into this music. In fact, this is a promising step for the quartet as this really gives hope for the future, we say that, this is nothing new what they have done but it is certainly worth the listening time. Grizzly vocals and riff's lock onto your hearing senses like a SAM missile about to be launched to take out the moon, whilst the drums and atmosphere kills off any part of you left, it's a far cry from anything ground-breaking, but it will do for now, watch this band with interest. Download This: "Stone Faced" - Click to listen For Fans of: Machine Head, Pantera, Slayer [7] RHYS STEVENSON NASER MESTARIHI '1987' MUSIC BOX INTERNATIONAL History has been made, not only is '1987' the debut album by musician Naser Mestarihi, but it is the first album to be released outside of Qatar. He is joined alongside by Travis Marc and Craig Botes on the album and as a result, gives the sound that extra dimension. At first glance it seemed to be a general hard rock release, but after a closer inspection there is a lot more going on, with influences being drawn from Rock 'N' Roll, Heavy Metal and blues, Naser Mestarihi has developed an album that is sure to smack a few faces worldwide. Given the size of the Qatari rock and metal scene, this can be considered as a beacon of light for the scene and is sure to establish itself as a platform for further sensational release to materialize upon. Riff after riff, beat after beat and harmony after melody, '1987' is a gem in the Persian Gulf. Download This: "1987 album promo" - Click here to listen For Fans of: AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Van Halen [8] RHYS STEVENSON KONQUEROR 'Embrace The Abyss' TUTL The latest outfit to emerge from the Faroe Islands is Konqueror with their debut album 'Embrace The Abyss', it seems to be a common thing these days that these tiny islands in between Scotland and Iceland produces top quality bands and they have done it again. 'Embrace The Abyss' glimmers in the sunlight with a vibrant array of Death, Thrash and Melodic Metal (influence), but what also makes this album all that special is the pinpoint precision exercised on it, you cannot fault the album in any aspect it is that perfect. 'Embrace The Abyss' is definitely a sign for good things to come in the future and as long as Konqueror stick to this sound they have crafted, they will start to reap in and claim scalps from all across Europe. Download This: "T.R.T. (Third Reich Today)" - Click here to listen. For Fans of: Dew-Scented, Torture Squad, Legion Of The Damned [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON STREAKS 'La Dansa Macabra' Catalonian Death Metal veterans Streaks make their welcomed return with their second effort 'La Dansa Macabra' (The Macabre Dance), exclusively singing in Catalan (albeit 'The Dead Musicians) and covering topics including anti-religion and Catalan folklore / legends, Streaks are not your average Death Metal band. Granted the music is of the quality you would expect from an underground DM band, but the atmosphere exhibited on 'La Dansa Macabra' reflects in the morbidity of the artwork, that is, the music has an extremely necrotic feel to it and as a result is guaranteed to melt into your brain so violently, you wish you were the living dead. Tantalizingly brutal, 'La Dansa Macabra' should be included in any Death Metal fans collection. Let the blood spill over into your eyes and make you see true bloody Death Metal! Download This: "Malastrugança" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Aborted, Suffocation [7] RHYS STEVENSON SISTER SIN 'Black Lotus' VICTORY Following their successful appearance at this years Bloodstock Open Air, it was back to the studio for Gothenburg's illustrious Hard Rock / Heavy Metal ensemble Sister Sin. Now, the Swedish quartet are armed and ready to unleash a barrage of skin-piercing songs in the form of their forthcoming album 'Black Lotus'. Make no mistake, 'Black Lotus' is guaranteed to deliver anyone who listens to it an excruciating headache and body pain through endless headbanging, moshing and twerking. It's the sort of album that demands a pouring of Jack Daniels, leather-clad individuals (with women wearing the tightest leather) and the unforgiving sound of a Harley-Davidson squadron riding along Route 66. Sister Sin have returned with an album so menacing, it places them up with the greats of Lemmy Kilmister and Rob Halford. For Fans of: Doro, Motorhead, Judas Priest 'Black Lotus' is out 28th October via Victory Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON MYSTICA GIRLS
'Gates Of Hell' It is an undeniable fact that there needs to be a lot more females taking up metal music and being a musician. Mexico's Mystica Girls certainly aim to prove that point, by unleashing another bout of feline Heavy Metal through their third album 'Gates Of Hell', this quartet tick all the boxes in terms of what makes a metal band, metal. They have the attitude, the atmosphere and the ability to deliver a 'AAA' performance (in this case in the studio). Straddling themselves between the Heavy Metal and Hard Rock genres, Mystica Girls are without any doubt unsung heroes within the Mexican Metal scene. With 'Gates Of Hell' now firmly in the wilderness of planet metal, they are sure to arouse more and more metalheads with their infectious style of Heavy Metal, in fact 'Gates Of Hell' may as well be a contender for Mexican Metal release of the year. Download This: "The Conquest" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Unleash The Archers, Sister Sin, Iron Maiden [9] RHYS STEVENSON ALFORNA 'Awake' 2013 bore another good metal release in the form of 'Awake' by Austrian Groove Thrashers Alforna. Now what is rather interesting about this release, is that they switch between singing in Austrian-German and English, pinching a bit of both worlds whilst delivering a rather eclectic sound, eclectic in that the Groove elements would make any listener sway from side to side or as far as the fan girls go, wave their arms in the air side to side. Contrasted against the Thrash Metal side because this side offers no ways of resilience, nor does it deliver that convincing blow to ignite anything spectacular; often riffs are too repetitive even for a Thrash Metal release and coupled with the Groove metal sound, at times it just did not cut it. Download This: "Seed" For Fans of: Groove Metal and Thrash Metal. [7] RHYS STEVENSON INFECTION 'Acrotomophile Mutilator' Peruvian Death Metal warlords Infection mark their seminal return with their second slab of gut-rotten vocals and blood-soaked masochistic music. 'Acrotomophile Mutilator' stakes its claim as the band's second studio album and what comes with it is a futile onslaught of gore-Death Metal. From the start to the very end, there is an unrelenting barrage of blast-beats, guttural vocals and barbed-wire riffs, all layering over each other to exert a sound that is certified to make anyone poop themselves. We're not sure what they get up to in Peru, but one thing is for certain, Infection are staking their claim as one of South America's most hidden-treasures. This is not the end, not by a long shot. Infection aim to spread the disease. For Fans of: Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation, Cannibal Corpse. 'Acrotomophile Mutilator' is out 1st July [8] RHYS STEVENSON ARBOR 'The Plutonian Shore' Arbor's music is definitely classed as 'for exquisite taste only', that is you would have to have tolerance towards a mix of Atmospheric metal and Post-Black Metal. If you have over an hour to spare and you enjoy that style of metal then this album is really for you. Interestingly enough, unlike some Atmospheric-based albums, 'The Plutonian Shore' really digs deep and explodes in a radiant wave of sensational music. Funnily enough this would be best to listen to at either bonfire night or Halloween because of it's darkened sincerity and utmost bitterness riding on each song, sure it is an exquisite taste, but fans of Gothic Metal and Death Metal might actually dig this. Download This: "Only The Wind Calls Back" For Fans of: Arcane Grail, Alcest, Falloch [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON VELIGORE 'Veligore' It is generally evident what separates an American Black Metal album from an European Black Metal album, as New York's Veligore have demonstrated on their debut self-titled album. The American's want to go for more power and speed whereas the latter aim for atmospheric sounds, yet whilst the album may well deliver their own form of atmosphere, it does at times leave something to be desired in that it simply does not reach the standards expected. Despite this the guitars are raw as ever, the vocals spitting venom at a sickening level and the drums guide this beast through the mazes of darkness. If you want Immortal style Black Metal, stick yourself in the Nordics, but if you want something that sizzles like Averse Sefira, then look no further than Veligore. Download This: "Endless Night" For Fans of: Averse Sefira, Wolves in the Throne Room, Kult Ov Azazel [7] RHYS STEVENSON WORKHORSE 'Fire Before All' You have to admire those bands who mold Death Metal and Thrash Metal together, because the outcomes can either be more of this or less of that, as for California's bruisers Workhorse their sound predominantly rests between the two. Their 2012 premier album 'Fire Before All' employs strictly Death Metal vocals and Thrash Metal music and yet whilst this may sound general to any standard metal listener, they certainly have put their effort into this album, ironically realizing their band name as exactly what they are, a Workhorse. With riveting riffs wallowing in the background, smothered by the blitzing drums and raucous vocals, this is an album that delivers a powerful punch and whilst may be short-lived, it forms the basis for them to build upon. Download This: "For Which We Stand" For Fans of: Megadeth, Gojira, Pantera [7] RHYS STEVENSON VENGEFUL GHOUL 'Timeless Warfare' Like whiskey, some things must be left to mature in order to enjoy to the fullest. Such a band who has managed to do this is Turkey's Vengeful Ghoul, whose debut album 'Timeless Warfare' comes 10 years after the band's inception. Is that Dio wallowing in the background? Was Iced Earth fiddling about in the recording studio? Because that is exactly the sound you will expect from hearing this leviathan-of-an-album. From the start to the finish, 'Timeless Warfare' immerses the listener in a vibrant array of Thrash Metal speed, Power Metal-esque vocals and evident Heavy Metal melodies, summing up as a release that may well just turn heads in the Middle East region, let alone Europe. Vengeful Ghoul are flying the flag high for the Turkish Metal scene. Download This: "Search For Apeiron" For Fans of: Iced Earth, Dio, Metallica, Iron Maiden [9] RHYS STEVENSON DEAFLOCK 'Courage To Expose All' Japan has a metal scene that rarely gets a look in by the Western world, such a shame when you have bands like Deaflock making as much noise as Rammstein make fire displays. 2013 bore witness to this band's latest album 'Courage To Expose All' being dropped and it comes 5 years after the band's debut release 'Reality Of False Pasts'. Now what makes this release rather interesting is the style of Thrash Metal they've opted for, it's not like Slayer but not unlike Metallica, but rather wafting in Evile and Gama Bomb territory. Mid-paced riffs set the pace for the album and whilst the drums deliver on time, the feeling of something is missing does seem to set in, not sure what it could be and pretty sure Deaflock don't know either... yet. Download This: "Only One" For Fans of: Metallica, Gama Bomb, Dublin Death Patrol [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON FANTHRASH 'Apocalypse Cyanide' Perhaps Fanthrash were bored, or perhaps they thought they'd unleash another EP. 'Apocalypse Cyanide' marks another chapter in the Polish Thrash merchants career and with it comes another slab of average standard Thrash Metal. Sure it is fast and well orchestrated, but the overall impression that is left is one of 'what did I just hear and are they for real?' Not saying it is totally uninspiring nor at all lame, but there is something missing with this release that would seem to be the key to giving Fanthrash that exposure needed. 'Apocalypse Cyanide' is therefore one of those releases that sits on the fence, between success and failure, however it is up to you to decide where this battle shall end. Download This: "Vitality" For Fans of: Thrash Metal. What bands, you decide. [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON ETHEREAL ARCHITECT 'Monolith' Texan Progressive Metallers latched onto what they wanted very quickly and in doing so deliver an excellent second album. Granted it was released in 2012 and the music might have changed since then, but Ethereal Architect certainly set out their own style of Progressive Metal very well. 'Monolith' poises itself as the next step in the band's career and is sure to summon up a lot more interesting songs in the future. The great thing about the album is that it has such a wide vibrancy from start to finish, through having songs of the fast-paced galloping kind songs and some sitting in the more melody-based sector. Question is will their next release surpass this album with ease? Download This: "Bardo Becoming" For Fans of: Dream Theater, Symphony X, System Of A Down. [8] RHYS STEVENSON GREAT GODS OF GREED
'Great Gods Of Greed' Self Destruct Records Demonstrating more than just the plucky general sound of Classic Heavy Metal takes a lot more imagination than you could possibly think, unless of course you're Great Gods Of Greed. Wallowing out of Los Angeles with guns blazing and the additional sun-stroke, this quintet delivers a belter-of-a-release in the form of their premiere self-titled album, and what a megalithic release it is having an hour's worth of 15 exquisite tracks. From start to finish, this five-piece serves up a broadened sound within the Heavy Metal vein, from the power of a Harley-Davidson found on 'All Out Warfare' to the more melodic-based 'Requiem Of A Madman, Great Gods Of Greed are great band to listen to and they've certainly shown it on their debut album. Download This: "Give Me My Meds" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Metallica [8] RHYS STEVENSON PERCEPTION OF DARKNESS 'Tyranny' Sweden's Perception Of Darkness go down the Rammstein route with their latest effort 'Tyranny', this is notable with the riffs on the song 'Shutdown', the song has strong links with the song 'Du Hast'. Pushing that aside and you are left with a much-improved sound by the trio, one that they can claim as their own unique style. However at times the industrial music side seems to drop off too much, leaving some songs with very little presence and just a basic metal sound. However on the song 'Destroy', the vocal effects really add a strange feeling to the mix and thus this ought to be used more than it has been, something they may do for their next effort. Download This: 'Destroy' For Fans of: Rammstein, Fear Factory, Ministry [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON KREMATED 'Three Minute Warning' Kremated serve up what you would expect from a Thrash Metal album: speed, power and brutality, their second opus 'Three Minute Warning' digs deep into the gravel and sprays out dirt out in all directions. As Pete Dee leads the ferocious storm with his vicious vocals, following in behind are some rather sizzling riffs and blazing drumming sequences, not to mention the whole attitude of 'Thrash ain't dead' stamped across this album in similar fashion to that of the 'wide load' tattoo spread over The Nutty Professor's ass. Make no mistake about it, Kremated have certainly upped their game since the release of their debut album two years ago and demonstrates a lot more promise for times ahead. It seems that their Bloodstock stint injected some fresh impetus into their music craftsmanship and this is clearly evident on 'Three Minute Warning', just remember to get your neck insured because this is guaranteed to give you whiplash. Download This: "Until The End" For Fans of: Slayer, Sodom, Pantera [8] RHYS STEVENSON THE HOURGLASS 'Through Darkness & Light' From what could be argued as Tarja-era Nightwish meeting Gothminister and Deathstars, Romania's The Hourglass have set out the blueprints to create a music style all of their own. Through molding together the classics of Symphonic Metal with crystal clear Industrial elements and a host of Gothic aesthetics topping the emphatic sound created here, their premier album 'Through Darkness & Light' is bound to turn heads across the world. With a fan-base that is endlessly growing and an album that is sure to appeal to metal fans worldwide, big things are destined for The Hourglass as they craft their illuminating atmosphere into a musical work of art and stake their claim as the "Electro-phonic Metal" juggernaut the world has been waiting for. Download This: "Dare" For Fans of: Therion, Nightwish, Gothminister, Deathstars [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BLINDER 'Hegemonic Cult' We're not sure, but we think that Blinder might have just snatched Cuban Metal album of the year, and why? Well, for starters the emphatic brain-smashing that takes place throughout their latest release 'Hegemonic Cult' is enough to make the toughest of tyrants weak at the knees. Mauling Death / Thrash Metal courses through this album's veins with unrelenting power and a sound that will leave anyone who listens, left for dead. Now, whilst the blitzing mainly resides within the lyrics, the need to be voracious in terms of digesting the music is ultimately relieved through the majestic combination of savage riffs, machine-gun fire drums and of course heart-shredding vocals, with that in mind you be assured that Blinder are flying the flag for the Cuban Metal scene, shiver me timbers. Download This: Final Proclamation Of War For Fans of: Archaios, Pantera, Carnal Forge [8] RHYS STEVENSON DARKNESS BY OATH 'Seeds Of Desolation' ERZSEBET RECORDS The Basque Country does not tend to get much of a look in by the rest of Europe, but when you unearth the metal scene and find out that over twelve years and four albums released, you can tell that Darkness By Oath were and still are very dedicated to making everything 100% perfect. Unleashing hell through their fourth album 'Seeds Of Desolation', the quintet amass the sheer beauty and class of the Melodic Death Metal genre and infuse it with a brutal atmosphere and songs that give this band that identity they have created themselves. Such a release is sure to garner attention out of Spain and possibly across the seven seas, as for this living armada, the inevitable has come and so Darkness By Oath are flying the flag high for the Basque Metal scene. Diskoa besterik paregabe da. Download This: "Screams That Walk With You" For Fans of: Scar Symmetry, Sight of Emptiness, In Flames [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON THE FALLACY 'Love Division' It's not all that often that you come across Gothic Metal from Chile, in fact it comes as a surprise that there is a deviation from the well established Death Metal scene. Entering the affray is The Fallacy, a three-piece who released their third album 'Love Division' back in 2012. What you have here is the deep and masculine vocals in the form of Ville Valo being met with the elegant and feminine vocals of Cristina Scabbia, whilst the guitars and drums deal the final blow to what makes a Gothic Metal album, exactly that. Using the words of the band, it is a Fallacy that only Spain and Italy can pull of this style of metal, in fact The Fallacy have delivered such a brilliant album, you'd be a fool not to check it out. Download This: "Drops Of Fire" For Fans of: Lacuna Coil, H.I.M., Fields Of The Nephilim [8] RHYS STEVENSON CORNERS OF SANCTUARY 'Epilogue' MARCH BABY MEDIA Classic Hard Rock / Heavy Metal mob Corners Of Sanctuary dealt justice when releasing their third EP entitled 'Epilogue', with seven tracks of majestic riffs, bellowing vocals and powerful drums coursing throughout the EP, it is without a doubt that the trio have thought this one through very well. To some it might not seem any different to any other Classic Rock / Metal band, but through closer inspection you will notice that they have their own formulated sound. Even when you have the song "Aqua Luminoza" which was backed by Spanish vocals conducted by Lorenzo Partida, this release has everything going for the band except they need to eek out that one song that sets the world alight per se Iron Maiden's 'Fear of the Dark'. Download This: "Bleed With Me" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Metallica, Motorhead [7] RHYS STEVENSON PABLO BAPTISTA 'Consummatum Est' What does Ill Nino, Orphaned Land and ChthoniC have in common? They all took traditional music from their country and mixed it with various metal forms. Now the attention turns towards Pablo Baptista, a three-piece Nu / Alternative Metal band from Mozambique, who released their debut album 'Consummatum Est'. By mixing together the aforementioned metal genres and traditional Mozambican music, this could spark a new wave for this African nation. With the vocals wallowing in the style of Corey Taylor and music that breathes out100% uniqueness, there is a lot of hope for Pablo Baptista to break out of their national scene and across Planet Metal. Nu Metal just got a new reason to exist. Download This: "Forgive Me" For Fans of: Slipknot, Ill Nino, Seether, Stone Sour [9] RHYS STEVENSON BEFORE THE BLACK GATES 'An Ancient Evil Rises' Despite the evident reference to the Lord of The Rings scene "The Black Gates Of Mordor", Canada's Black Metal five-piece (were a six-piece) Before The Black Gates held no fury back upon dropping their debut album 'An Ancient Evil Rises'. Now if syrup was not sweet enough, then this band certainly tops that by making a delicious 'pancake noir' full of grimace, darkness and utmost devastation that delivers barbaric blows to the body. 'An Ancient Evil Rises' is an apocalyptic album that sheds out shrapnel at every passing second and forces the listener to succumb to it's powerful presence. This is probably why this quintet ought to be sniffed out by their European contingent. This album promises big things for this band in the future, watch them closely with interest. Download This: "Blood Oak" For Fans of: Marduk, Dark Funeral, Immortal [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS
'Jamat-Al-Maut' SALUTE Mixing short bursts of Grindcore with Death Metal vocals and injecting some Hardcore Punk elements, Pakistan's Multinational Corporations do not welcome any form of mercy towards their music, that is, this music is not for anyone who listens to soft metal music. Since their debut demo 'Equality' in 2011, the duo have certainly upped their game and have produced a much more meaningful release. 'Jamat-Al-Maut' comes as the band's premier EP and whilst the EP delivers some rather assertive Death / Grind, the shortness in the release drags it down, you would expect a much longer release. Question is whether the computer space over there would have taken it, after all metal music in Pakistan is too far and few between. Whether the European metalheads roam outside of their safety zone and explore this band is another question. Download This: "White Collar Communism" For Fans of: Rotten Sound, Napalm Death, Terrorizer [8] RHYS STEVENSON INSAIN 'Enlightening The Unknown' KAOTOXIN Brutal Death Metal just received a fatal kick in the bollocks, courtesy of French masochists Insain and their murderously powerful, last ever release 'Enlightening The Unknown'. Sad to say no more mass murders will be committed by this tight unit, however upon indulging in their forthcoming EP 'Enlightening The Unknown', the sense is that they wanted to go out on a high and boy have they done just that. Forget about any headbanging, it's far too fast for that and forget about the moshpit, it's too brutal for that, maybe go with a wall of death, no wait it's too metal for that. You heard it here, Insain are too metal for a wall of death, so sit back and let the French wizards conjure up their final magic trick and leave you for dead as we label 'Enlightening The Unknown' as the ultimate slammer of 2014. Download This: "Beyond The Stellar Remnants" For Fans of: Deathbound, Aborted, 'Absurdly fast Death Metal' 'Enlightening The Unknown' is out 11 March 2014 via Kaotoxin Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS 'Jamat-al-Maut' You can or cannot expect it, Multinational Corporations are a duo from Lahore, Pakistan. Formed in early 2011, they play a mix of Grindcore and Death Metal fused with punk influences. "Jamat-al-maut" is the second release from this hailing duo. With a straightforward approach on the music, "Jamat-al-maut" has a lot to offer through crushing guitar riffs, sonic bass distortions and punishing guitar melodies. As you can expect from a Grind release, the drums are simple yet varied with endless blasts and feelings. Yes the drums are programmed, but this does nott ruin the sound at all. The credit obviously goes to Sheraz (Dionysus, Flaw). Hassan (Foreskin) deserves special attention for what he has done with the vocals. The use of guttural death grunts and screeching vocals (with whispers on 'Penniless Pride') interchange accordingly, solidifying the sounds. The lyrics cover social hype and disorders with all their (the band) mental aggression exposed. The release lasts around 13 minutes (8 songs). "Jamat-al-maut" is a solid release with only a few notable production blunders (as the album closes without any trails). Counting that as a minor, it’s an honest recommendation to go through the release in it's entirety. Download These: "Salaab" & "Penniless Pride" For Fans of: Napalm Death, Grindcore. [8.5] SOMBRE ORACLE WHITECHAPEL 'Our Endless War' METAL BLADE They've done it once and they've done it again, the monstrosity known as Whitechapel have delivered another serving of their own style of Deathcore that is so brutal, you will crap yourself, period. Wallowing in what can be perceived as a cranial bludgeoning, the sextet's forthcoming album 'Our Endless War' delivers all what they stand for and a bit on the side. You know if this was to be played at full whack on a car stereo, the whole block would hear it and it would certainly trigger off a few earthquakes in the process. Fuelled by Bozeman's exceptional talent at producing verses in a tongue-twister style as seen just passed the 1:16 mark on 'The Saw Is The Law', the whole of 'Our Endless War' will certainly challenge the title of 'Deathcore album of the year' and we would not discount them as being seminal pioneers of Groovy Deathcore, just don't forget your earplugs on the way in to a future Whitechapel concert, especially if you're into the emotional side of Deathcore. Whitechapel don't do emotional Deathcore, they do Deathcore how it should be done. Listen to this: "Mono" For Fans of: Lamb of God, Chelsea Grin, Thy Art Is Murder 'Our Endless War' is out 29th April via Metal Blade Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON PORTRAIT 'Crossroads' METAL BLADE You have got to love and admire classic Heavy Metal when it comes in different styles, powers and of course nationalities. But hang on, Swedish Heavy Metal? No it's not another Ghost album, it is in fact Portrait's their third album 'Crossroads' which comes three years after 'Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae'. Whilst 'Crossroads' is not all that special, it does offer listeners that nostalgic feeling of 1980's Heavy Metal, you know in the style of Dio? Of course, it does have it's best parts and one of these is the near Iron Maiden-esque vocals that are marred by the Van Halen style drumming and guitar playing; these are all evident on "In Time" and yet the whole album whiffs of near perfection. Sure it is a decent release but it lacks that convincing edge that would have made it a strapping album, but nonetheless it is sure to captivate those who prefer the classic style of Heavy Metal. Listen to this: "Black Easter" For Fans of: Dio, Iron Maiden, Van Halen 'Crossroads' is out 29th April via Metal Blade Records [7] RHYS STEVENSON CODE OF NELSON'S FOLLY 'Beergasm' When a band creates their own style of metal music such as Alestorm's 'Pirate Metal', the result that usually follows is that bands develop their own variant of the genre. One such band is Croatia's Code of Nelson's Folly, their sound features Pirate Metal mixed with faint traditional folk elements, this is most notable on the song 'Captain's Pride' which comes from their EP 'Beergasm'. Moreover on the same release is their cover of Alestorm's song 'Keelhauled', this cover amplifies the almost guttural klapa singing demonstrated herewith, in fact overall Code of Nelson's Folly will not fall short of being a fad and instead will stand as possibly Croatia's first Pirate Metal band, although it would be more interesting if they did include more traditional folk elements. Download This: "Captain's Pride" For Fans of: Alestorm, Korpiklaani, Turisas. [8] RHYS STEVENSON THE DAY WILL COME 'Life Before Our Eyes' It's all well creating your own music just as long as it gives your band a unique sound, however for The Day Will Come it seems they have failed to do so. Their latest EP 'Life Before Our Eyes' just sounds so generic it hurts, granted the band injects interesting elements at certain points throughout the release, but the overall impression is that this sits in the corner with the rest of 'This is Metallic Hardcore and we have no idea what we want to do' releases. The riffs are chunky and really good, but the drumming is so boring that it drags the EP down onto it's knees begging for mercy and the vocals fail to save it from a miserable death, as these are generic hardcore and it just makes the overall EP uninspiring, there is room for improvement and here's hoping The Day Will Come actually find it. Download This: "Delusions" For Fans of: Metallic Hardcore. [5] RHYS STEVENSON KLAYMORE 'It's Alive' Klaymore are a classic Heavy Metal band hailing from the 'the steel city' of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2012, they released their second album 'It's Alive' and whilst it has been two years since the release, the music is of the timeless guild. Think of the Iron Maiden heavy metal style and you begin to realize what Klaymore are aiming for. Juicy riffs guide this sensational work of art through a myriad of sounds to arrive alongside the eccentric solo's and are backed up by an array of venomous vocals and demolition drumming. Make no mistake, Klaymore may not be well known outside the United States, but with their music the way it is, that could change within the new few years. This could mark the next wave of American Heavy Metal. Download This: "Matriarch" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin [8] RHYS STEVENSON BURNING CROSS 'End Of Illusion' Black Metal is very popular amongst the underground metal scene in Germany and Burning Cross from the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region are no exception. 2013 saw the quartet unleash another battering of hell in the form of their second album 'End Of Illusion', now there are some who might confuse them with NSBM due to the war and anti-religious lyrics found herewith on the album, but in essence they are a true underground Black Metal band. 'End Of Illusion' expresses raw and rough vocals that slice your throat so bad, you would be dead before you could begin to taste the blood. Moreover, the raw sounds emitted from the guitars and drums just amplifies the sound, maxing it out as a true darkened masterpiece. Infernal hails never sounded so great. Download This: "Stirb Aufrecht" For Fans of: Eastern Front, Hail Of Bullets, Mayhem [8] RHYS STEVENSON AMONG THE PREY 'My Demons' Fresh from the Finnish tundra comes a new Melodic Death Metal / Metalcore outfit known as Among The Prey. This exquisite duo wields together chunky riffs, riveting drums and murderous vocals that sum up together as a musical apocalypse. Their premier demo 'My Demons' delivers promise all round and whilst it might not necessarily be anything unique in terms of breaking out of the crowded metal genres aforementioned, it certainly offers a tasty treat that most metal fans will be able to indulge in. Guaranteed it is early days for the two-piece, but they are sure to cause a stir amongst the Nordics as their self-branded style of metal will certainly turn a few heads and simultaneously score a few prestige gigs in the future. Download This: "My Demons" For Fans of: The Dead Lay Waiting, Deals Death, Sonic Syndicate [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON VOIGHT KAMPFF
'More Human Than Human' ROBOT BLEU The thing is, with Thrash Metal you know it's going to be fast and sometimes this leads to near-absolute predictability being thrown into the works. However, France's Voight Kampff explore a totally different style of Thrash Metal that ought to be called their own. Take into account their debut album released two years ago, it drafts in elements from the Groove, Thrash and Industrial metal styles and in doing so develops a unique strain of 'Post-Metal'. More uniquely, this quintet exclusively sing about Blade Runner and thus automatically both the lyric topic and music tie together perfectly. They may call it Thrash Metal, but we call this the 'Post-Modern Metal' juggernaut planet metal has been waiting for. Download This: "Emotional Response" For Fans of: The Kovenant, Slayer, Sepultura [8] RHYS STEVENSON |
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Global Metal Apocalypse Archives
May 2021
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