GRAVETY 'Into The Grave' SOURCE OF DELUGE Smackdown and let rip to the sounds of Heavy Thrash Metal, or one should say the debut album 'Into The Grave' released by Gravety. The German quintet lash together a unique sound that reflects the glorified Oktoberfest in its prime, sensational riffs and menacing drumming all adding flavour to the mind-blowing vocals that cascade and scale the volume levels like no tomorrow. 'Into The Grave' is a strong starting point and it is highly promising that this band are to get a name for themselves across Europe. Finally the missing component to the Heavy Thrash Metal vein has come, the anxiety can now dissipate. [8] RHYS STEVENSON SPECTRAL 'Gateway To Death' CCP You know, it seems to be that when German musicians adopt Viking Black Metal as their chosen music genre, they seem to nail it perfectly, however taking Spectral's fifth offering 'Gateway To Death' into account, they do more than just nail it, they obliterate it. Blasting out blastbeats like no tomorrow and utilising a chaotic vocal range, the quintet are in no doubt amateurs in producing quality music and as such are not even remotely reluctant to go the extra mile, not much could be said about the German cars, but that's Industrial Metal surely? Spectral are amongst the elite of Viking Black Metal bands who do more than shriek, they totally mean it. [7] RHYS STEVENSON RAVENTALE 'Bringer of Heartsore' SOLITUDE As if the Ukrainians were going to let Russia steal the spotlight with the factory of doom pumping out disturbing Metal music day-in, day-out. Fat chance, as Raventale's fifth album saw light in 2011 it brought a majestic sound to it, one of which is totally different to conventional Black / Doom Metal albums, that said the melancholy and misery still resides in the most darkened atmospheres one could muster in such a musical genre, but with 'Bringer of Heartsore' being perhaps the best release by the one-man project, nothing can deter anyone from not calling this a work of art. Blistering drums acting as a forerunner to the rawest guitars heard, even the distortion is enough to create a double atmosphere, but with that in mind 'Bringer of Heartsore' is definitely one to have in anyone's collection. [9] RHYS STEVENSON TEARS OF MANKIND 'Memoria' SOLITUDE Can't even begin to explain what this is about, it fails to even create anything but percussive noise, even if the rudimentary beginning of 'Memoria' is particularly unwelcoming, the album for which is number four for the Russian one-man project Tears Of Mankind is absolutely abysmal. The drums appear out of sync to the guitars and the vocals don't even resemble anything like Gothic Metal, given due that its meant to Melodic Gothic / Doom Metal, it more resembles a successful Metal version of Justin Bieber with accessorized corpse paint, sad to say this is perhaps the worst attempt to date. [2] RHYS STEVENSON STORM OF ASHES
'Trial By Fire' Post-humourously, this is a good solid demo release, Storm of Ashes wield together the epic sounds of Thrash Metal with the ballsy
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VALBORG 'Barbarian' ZEITGEISTER MUSIC When Progressive Doom and Death Metal come together, one would assume it would be slow, heavy and not repetitious in anyway, but this is beyond utter belief, the fact that German trio Valborg have done exactly that does not leave a lasting impression on the band, whilst the vocals do offer some deep notes from time to time, the riffs are monotonous and the whole 'Death Metal' part of their shaming fourth album 'Barbarian' seems to be non-existent, whilst the given level of enthusiasm and effort lays there, the final product is one level short of becoming disturbingly non-metal, more or less shambolic. [2] RHYS STEVENSON NAILGUN 'Paindustry' 2011 saw the rising of a new Heavy Thrash band, and not a doom and gloom of another copycat release, no, this is Germany's Nailgun with a heart of steel and music of atomic characteristics, the vocals explode on the speakers from the release 'Paindustry' like no tomorrow whilst the music delves into the most percussive of methods and unleashes a cascading blast of neck-snapping Thrash and gut-wrenching Heavy Metal, thus giving a migraine to any pop music listener. They only thought Germany had Rammstein in metal, fikken nein, Nailgun ist die neue scheiss!! [8] RHYS STEVENSON OWL 'Owl' ZEITGEISTER MUSIC Catastrophe is a word not even beginning to describe the self-titled album by Germany's Death Metal duo Owl, for starters two of the tracks are insanely long, in fact hardly any listener would stick half an hour to one track that sounds of absolute nothing, the only decent track on this release is 'Spell Of The Ignis Fatuus That Lead To The Impalpable Altar Of Beasts'; the latter being long in the song title, but whilst the song offers some credit to the release, the overall impression is bleak, in fact in all fairness this is an absolute mockery of Death Metal; it would be interesting to see how the musicians learnt to play... [2] RHYS STEVENSON THE MORNINGSIDE 'Treelogia: The Album As It Is Not' BADMOODMAN The first EP and third release by Russian Melodic Death / Doom Metal quartet The Morningside is one with antiquity to it, with an elaborate ever-changing atmosphere being the main focal point of their release 'Treelogia: The Album As It Is Not'; whilst the songs topple over the ten minute mark, it does leave the listener in anxiety of what's to come and what does come is soon to be dismissed as a general long track. However, the EP strangely coherently divides the norm from the common in that the songs are melodically slow and not just slow, unlike most Doom Metal releases, released in only a thousand copies; this is one release all Melodic Death / Doom Metal fans ought to own. [6] RHYS STEVENSON COMATOSE VIGIL
'Fuimus, Non Sumus...' SOLITUDE PRODS. My death be thy worry of the Christ in 2011, for the darkness shrouding one's ears is of despair and sheer depression, as the Russian Funeral Doomsters Comatose Vigil unleash hell with their sophomore album, with three tracks amounting to twenty-odd minutes each and having the atmospherically-charged ambience expected in such a genre, without considering it murder on recording, 'Fuimus, Non Sumus...' does not shy away from making stomachs churn unwillingly. Closely sounding to that of Suicidal Black Metal, this is without any doubt Russia's darkest and most depressive release to date and one for not the faint of heart. [8] RHYS STEVENSON _ CRESCENT LAMENT 'Behind The Lethal Deceit' Eclipsing the moonlight on dark nights is the sounds of Crescent Lament's debut album 'Behind The Lethal Deceit', sounding extremely superior to their previous two releases (demo and EP), the Taiwanese septet immerse the listener with anguish amongst all darkened emotions. Captivated by the soul-soothing vocals of Muer Chou and intricacy from the backdrop musicians of which comprises of the usual guitarists, bassist, drummer and keyboardist as well as a special appearance by violinist Heven Chang. This debut delicacy of pure Taiwanese musicianship’s and heavenly feminine melodies is surely to change the direction of the swinging pendulum; Crescent Lament is set to take the world by storm. [10] RHYS STEVENSON ANKOR 'My Own Angel' STF Catalonian Heavy Power Metal sextet Ankor make their return extra special, that being in reference to their majestic and all-so intricate sophomore album 'My Own Angel'. From raging waterfalls in the mountains to desert racing in the plains of Spain, Ankor will take you on a magical journey that not even Disney could conjur up, providing the perfect accompiment to the El Clásico experienced in Spanish football. Dynamic vocals arising from the depths of the abyss collide with graceful music from the heavens to produce a beautiful piece of exciting music, without a doubt 'My Own Angel' is Spanish Metal album of the year. [10] RHYS STEVENSON _ DARKMOON 'Wounds' STF Firing on all cylinders is Swiss mosh-bombardiers Darkmoon with their third album assault, 'Wounds' deploys the combined sound of Black and Death Metal to such an extent, this is perhaps a toned down version of Behemoth, but whilst that may sound apt, the music is just as brutal as rottweilers savaging a gang of chickens, ruthlessly and brutally. For the quintet from Hölstein this is perhaps the pivotal moment in their existence, rallying a futile blast of unimaginable proportions. Darkmoon is without a doubt, Switzerland's most kept secret until now, the evil has just turned nasty. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON _ ASGAIA 'Trinegra' STF Battling their way through the forests and wilderness of the Melodic Death minefield, Germany's Asgaia offer a unique twist on the common genre with some ambiance and coldness in their music, similar to that of Latvia's Preternatural. Mystical and eclectic best suit this quintet's third album 'Trinegra', by diverging away from the rules of the genre and adding their own unique sound to the affray. Pummelling drums encase the atmospheric in a shroud of bizarreness and almost near sci-fi embodiment. Asgaia are sure to become a storm in the German Metal scene and with this effort, they are ready to smother Europe, watch this band at all costs. [10] RHYS STEVENSON _ ELIZIUM
'Relief By The Sun' STF In their 20th year of existence, the underground yet-long-serving Gothic Doom quintet Elizium make their sophomore album somewhat worth the wait, by far not the greatest Gothic Doom release yet it has a persona to it in relation to the atmosphere produced - such that depression easily seeps in. For the Dutch quintet this is another step, but for the listener this may well be the last step before untolled suicide. Whilst conventionally short in length to most Doom Metal albums, 'Relief By The Sun' has a darkened feel instead, but lacks creativity here and there, ideally this release is for those Gothic Doom diehards, but not necessarily the average metal fan, just don't expect the release to make tracks. [3.5] RHYS STEVENSON GMN - Vol50 - The Way Of Purity, Harpia Deiis, Fake Idyll, Golliwog, Despite My Deepest Fear17/11/2011 THE WAY OF PURITY 'Biteback' WORM HOLE DEATH Storming the underground in a ballistic style is extremely promising Norwegian Melodic Death Metalcore crew The Way Of Purity of whom return with their cavalier-style attitude of an EP entitled 'Biteback'. Excruciating three tracks of mind-blowing sonatas hard enough to blow holes in any sound-proof room, the 2011 EP is short-listed as Global Metal Network’s EP of the year. For the quintet from Sandnes, this is the sound that will ultimately be assigned to them, a signature turn of sweaty-ballsy Metalcore with Melodic Death Metal flowing freely. Emerging as one of Norway's most promising talents, they are sure to 'Biteback' on the brutal history with neighbors Sweden; the sonic audio storm has just begun. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON HARPIA DEIIS 'Collapse' Female-fronted renaissance connoisseurs Harpia Deiis make their name known with their breathtaking debut album 'Collapse', crisp vocals encased by a brutally enticing smack-down of hard-hitting Metal with a covering of Austrian excellency. Harpia Deiis are one of those bands that sounds totally unique, with soul-crushing masculine growls and heart-soothing feminine soprano-style vocals, all placed on a foundation of raging riffs and brain-bruising drumming, the quintet are something of a gem, something that is - they are Austria's next big band and one to watch at that. [9] RHYS STEVENSON FAKE IDYLL 'Therapist' UNUNDEUX Without physical presence in terms of a photo, the inconvenient German Death / Grind band Fake Idyll could be simply classed as sickening porno-grind with titles like 'therapist[getsallthegirls]', essentially it may as well fall under 'comedy metal'; comedy that is the vocals are ranging from good to diabolical to near suicidal. However their is a subtle level of tongue-in-cheek of which adds to individuality of this band, but what can be said is that their debut album 'Therapist' is one that has a pick and mix of genres, not essentially in the right order but passable as a decent release, just dont count on the second coming being an improvement. [4] RHYS STEVENSON GOLLIWOG 'Plague Allegiance' CHAINSAW Slovenian Hardcore Punk / Thrash merchants Golliwog unleash pure political banter on their latest album 'Plague Allegiance'; the topic being less controversial than the band name. As far as the music goes its all balls and brutality with the middle-finger clearly infused in the attitude of this band. From start to finish, the female-fronted quartet exhibit a get up and riot mentality, whilst driving a bullet of sonic audio blasting through the speakers at an alarming rate of knots. Golliwog maybe be the most racial of band names, but on the inside the band is four Slovenians with one motive, punk it out. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON DESPITE MY DEEPEST FEAR
'Dimensions' Firing all of the trains on the underground into complete overdrive is Londoners Despite My Deepest Fear with their latest full-length album 'Dimensions', of which is set out to clearly define the absolute meaning of Metalcore. Mass murdering riffs are ingeniously enveloped by the craziest and harshest vocals found in the capital as well as the most sickening breakdowns ever experienced in the 21st century. Immersing the listener with melodic vocals and down-right brutal blastbeats, the quintet are certain to make a colossal impact on the British Metal scene, why these five lads are still unsigned is a valid question. Select tracks to indulge in include: 'reborn' (with a sensational riff introduction), 'melophobia' (for the truly sick breakdown) and 'dimensions' for the most irately bizarre introduction in Metalcore history. 'Dimensions' is one hell of a mind-crushing album and is sure to gain Despite My Deepest Fear some extreme notice and sensational reviews; Londoncore has just been born. [10] RHYS STEVENSON WITCHING HOUR 'Past Midnight...' UNDERCOVER Summoning the evil spirits and unruly unrest in Blackened Thrash style is Germany's Witching Hour with their sophomore full length album 'Past Midnight...', clearly taking into account the Teutonic style of Thrash and quick, raspy Black Metal, the quartet from Rehlingen have a Toxic Holocaust influence in their music and as such develops a funky style of Metal essentially. 'Past Midnight...' is an album loaded with AK47's and armed with speaker-to-ear missiles, blasting the speakers beyond volume 11 and shifting the music into overdrive, Witching Hour is your perfect complement to any Halloween party, you have been warned. [9] RHYS STEVENSON IRRLYCHT 'Schatten Des Gewitters' UNDERCOVER Relentless is one word to describe Germany's latest Black Metal baby Irrlycht, this comes with their first ever major words in form of their debut album 'Schatten Des Gewitters'. With songs as long as a ruler and as heavy as a gold bar, Irrlycht burn and torture any speaker to death. Whilst the lyrics are conventionally in German, this does not deter the band from unleashing blazing hell in a hard-hitting assault of blistering drumming, skull-shattering shrieks and gut-rotting riffs. Irrlycht are certainly devouring the underground like no tomorrow and as such will be rightfully positioned as one of the darkest bands in the German Black Metal scene. [8] RHYS STEVENSON BLIZZARD 'Rock 'N' Roll Overkill' UNDERCOVER German Speed Thrashers Blizzard totally increase and accelerate the rock 'n' roll feel with their biker soundtrack-of-an-album that being their third full length release 'Rock 'N' Roll Overkill'. Bringing the best of Judas Priest-esque Speed Metal with the formidable Teutonic style of Thrash Metal. Fast, groovy and sensationally erotic, Blizzard bring on the table a full rack of ribs and douse it with the juiciness of BBQ sauce, in this instance the drums ride strong as the ribs, the vocals reside in the Kölsch and the guitars act as the BBQ sauce, all in all it has to be said that 'Rock 'N' Roll Overkill' is one tasty release. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON FUNERARIUM 'Nocthule' UNDERCOVER Back in 2008 a cold and darkened storm hung over the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, this was to be the striking of the match for Black Metal duo Funerarium, for their sophomore album 'Nocthule' took form and unleashed a scary-enough release of which is dark enough to shroud even the blackest of shadowy nights. Funerarium are setting the absolute example of how underground Black Metal should be performed and in doing so create the darkest blasting of music from the small European country. 'Nocthule' is an album for the fans of kvlt Black Metal and true underground BM. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON FUNERARY BELL
'The Coven' UNDERCOVER Arising from the caves of the frost-bittern lands of Finland is Black Metal trio Funerary Bell, bringing with them the sounds of the grave and their premier release 'The Coven'. Whilst not conventionally fast or noisy, Funerary Bell opts for a more atmosphere-charged release and so unleash a slow, mid-paced array of seemingly occult Black Metal. Hailing from Järvenpää, home to a burgeoning underground scene, Funerary Bell make their feelings heard and make Finnish Black Metal stand up for it's self-righteous beliefs, the ice-laden beast of the woods has spoken, welcome to 'The Coven'. [8] RHYS STEVENSON EVENSTORM 'The Return Of The Storm' This is perhaps one of Germany's most hidden metal gems, Evenstorm return with their fast-paced Heavy Metal tune in the form of their third album 'The Return Of The Storm', this cooks up a fruity balance of German Heavy Metal and brutal speed, all making this effort the funkiest the German Metal scene has to offer, even playing a song about Formula 1 on the song 'Speed Ecstasy'. This is one of those albums that you would drive along to, roof down and along route 66. Evenstorm are a classic band who deserves space on anyone's iTunes - True Heavy Metal. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON KARYBDIS 'War For Land' London quintet Karybdis decimate any resistance with a full-on ear-rape in the form of their debut EP 'War For Land', this characterizes an insane mix of Melodic Death Metal and essentially Thrashcore to the sound. The music is mid-paced, heavy and brutal and the vocals are quick, snappy and exciting, all in all this is a great first attempt. Mixing a great array of breakdowns, riffs and sensational lyrics, the bad boys are set to shred the underground in half, definitely a band to watch out for, they will soon join the British Metal revolution with Malefice, The Dead Lay Waiting, Dyscarnate and Sylosis amongst others, the storm has only just begun. [9.5] RHYS STEVENSON NOEIN 'The Initial Tale' LES ARTS BOURRINS If Noein were a footballer, they would be Zinedine Zidane - quick, agile and an excellent striker of sensational music. The French female-fronted Industrial Death Metal quintet whips together a furious rally of tornado-force drumming, riffing and growling. One would also dub it 'cyber metal' for the ambiance caused by the clashing of instrument sounds, leaving it with a cyber feel. With their debut EP 'The Initial Tale' released last year, the two females and 3 males that make the line-up are heading the right way for recognition and with this effort, they rightly deserve it. Fear Factory now has an enemy, the war has just begun, let the battle commence. [10] RHYS STEVENSON CORR MHONA 'Corrguineacht' Captivating the old forgone language of Irish Gaelic is Pagan Doom band Corr Mhona from Ireland, unleashing their EP back in 2009 it passes on a unique sense of it being totally different from your average Irish Metal release, regardless of the language change. There lies within this EP an influence of the Celtic Metal vein, not so much Doom Metal; being mid-paced. Still this is a band from Cork with a lot of passion about their heritage and is willing to share it in the best conveyed message. Regardless if you don’t like doom or pagan metal, Corr Mhona is a band welcomed in anyone's music taste, just to hear the Irish Gaelic language spoken is beautiful. [9] RHYS STEVENSON EUPHOREON
'Euphoreon West meets East in this international collaboration between a German and a New Zealander, implementing the majestic sounds of Melodic Death Metal and adding their own twist to it, the duo who form Euphoreon concocted the perfect storm to unleash hell in the form of their sensational debut self-titled album. In the veins of Wintersun, Blackguard and Preternatural, the album offers a vast array of tones and pitches to excite the listener's hearing, so much so the release is an audible orgasm. Euphoreon are setting sights on pastures new and with this release, could prove to be the best ever band released from the New Zealand Metal scene as well as the best ever dual-nationality project. [10] RHYS STEVENSON G.L.A.S.S. 'Giving Life A Secret Story' Hailing from Germany, 2010 saw one of the most majestic and heavenly releases take shape courtesy of Progressive / Power quartet (now quintet) G.L.A.S.S. of which evidently is an abbreviation of their debut album 'Giving Life A Secret Story'. Fittingly soft vocals add a sense of calmness and tranquillity to the exuberant and adventurous sounds cast by the guitars and drums together. This is one of those albums that you either love it or hate it, because there is different sounds on each track altogether but all coming into one sound-wave of 'soul metal'. G.L.A.S.S. is one band that fans of Sonata Arctica will enjoy, but also one band that is sure to cause a storm in the coming years. [8] RHYS STEVENSON ASGAIA 'Trinegra' STF Battling their way through the forests and wilderness of the Melodic Death minefield, Germany's Asgaia offer a unique twist on the common genre with some ambiance and coldness in their music, similar to that of Latvia's Preternatural. Mystical and eclectic best suit this quintet's third album 'Trinegra', by diverging away from the rules of the genre and adding their own unique sound to the affray. Pummelling drums encase the atmospheric in a shroud of bizarreness and almost near sci-fi embodiment. Asgaia are sure to become a storm in the German Metal scene and with this effort, they are ready to smother Europe, watch this band at all costs. [10] RHYS STEVENSON DARKMOON 'Wounds' STF Firing on all cylinders is Swiss mosh-bombardiers Darkmoon with their third album assault, 'Wounds' deploys the combined sound of Black and Death Metal to such an extent, this is perhaps a toned down version of Behemoth, but whilst that may sound apt, the music is just as brutal as rottweilers savaging a gang of chickens, ruthlessly and brutally. For the quintet from Hölstein this is perhaps the pivotal moment in their existence, rallying a futile blast of unimaginable proportions. Darkmoon is without a doubt, Switzerland's most kept secret until now, the evil has just turned nasty. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BRAINDEADZ 'Born From Damnation' STF Teutonic Thrash quintet Braindeadz return with their sophomore album 'Born From Damnation', continuing the sounds of the German Thrash style and bringing more gut-busting riffs and brain-squelching drum beats to the masses. Evidently Braindeadz are amongst the same group of bands like Holy Moses to grace their national sound, but the truth is Braindeadz revolutionize that sound into a harsher reality. Wielding an army of furious artillery assaults in respect to sensational songs, the Limburg an der Lahn quintet have just begun. [7] RHYS STEVENSON BLACKHORNED
'Dark Season' UNDERCOVER Dark as the misery of the blackened woods and cold as the frostbitten mornings of a Danish winter, Black / Thrash quartet Blackhorned smother the atmosphere with sensational despair, darkness and spine-chilling coldness. The sounds emanating from the deepest chasms of hell and banishing all light in the room, the sound of their fourth full length album released last year, 'Dark Season' brings the suicide emotion to the center of the altar and sacrifices a bleak and dormant moment to unleash brutality in the greatest audio form to date, Blackhorned are without a doubt Denmark's finest underground metal band. [9.5] RHYS STEVENSON RABENWOLF 'Aus alten Zeiten' German Pagan Metal octet Rabenwolf make their long awaited debut album speak for itself, 'Aus alten Zeiten' (For Old Times) is entirely in their native language and as such complements the traditional German folk music sound to the bone. Whilst not as brutal as Russian band Arkona, Rabenwolf exert a force that seems to illuminate the forests of Bavaria with a sense of beer-fests and grand banquets, all of which simmer in their music as an apt mode of conveying old by-gone times. Rabenwolf are set to become Germany's next biggest export, but also possibly one of those bands that Nuclear Blast may keep an eye on. [10] RHYS STEVENSON DEVARIEM 'Peace Was Never An Option' Arising from the grounds of Lubeck is latest Teutonic Thrashers Devariem with their feisty and fury-loaded debut EP 'Peace Was Never An Option', collectively delivering a fluid flow of blastbeats and heart-stabbing vocals to cause anyone a hyperactive heart attack. Whilst conventionally not the newest version of Holy Moses, Devariem however bring the same brain-punching sound experienced by the latter, none the less the riffs and beats on this release are certified to leave listeners with more than a headache and more than whiplash, as far as Devariem are concerned 'Peace Was Never An Option'. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON EXCOMMUNICATED 'Skeleton Key' UW RECORDS Unholy Black / Death Metal quartet Excommunicated arise from the altar with their blistering paced debut album 'Skeleton Key', musically sounding along the lines of Behemoth with the anti-Christianity level of Gorgoroth, this mind-blowing album carries a death warrant on it's audio waves in the form of ravenous riffs, bear-mauling blastbeats and venomous vocals, all in all coming together as a sacrilegious blast of 'Dark Religious Metal' - of which is best way to describe the band, a major threat to the existence of the Christian faith and the ruling presence of the Vatican City, without a doubt the perfect soundtrack to Dan Brown's novel 'The Da Vinci Code', just don't expect any repentance from these four cardinals of Louisiana. [9] RHYS STEVENSON KILLGASM 'Bloodbath Of Satanic Vengeance' UW RECORDS American Black Metal / Pornogrinders Killgasm shed blood and sexual innuendo's in the most Satanic form yet with their catastrophic debut album 'Bloodbath Of Satanic Vengeance', featuring a fast and spit-in-your-face attitude in each song, the trio from California sum up the soundtrack for a real Hardcore porn movie. So much for BDSM being erotic and sex being dirty, these bad boys emit a sound that curses any sound made from the bondage of a big woman so to speak, powering drums into speeding and riffing into overdrive, this is perhaps one of the darkest releases from California, a certain 'Bloodbath Of Satanic Vengeance' has been created. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SLIME IN THE CURRENT
'Pissed On Resurrectine' UW RECORDS Cold and heartless sums up this Black Metal trio from Louisiana, diving into the darkest depths of war and anti-Christianity and emerging under the title of Slime In The Current. For a Black Metal album that was the band's debut and unleashed in 2009, Pissed On Resurrectine' sits in the raw vein, due to the evident guitar distortion and inaudible vocals conveying what sounds like words but at most times are misleading. This is not one of the best releases that has graced metal's darkest genre, but certainly not the worst either. In total respect the band combines an atmospheric discharge rather than speed and heaviness, so essentially 'Pissed On Resurrectine' can be dubbed 'Raw Ambient Black Metal'. [6] RHYS STEVENSON WYTCH HAZEL 'Surrender' Lancashire Heavy Metal / Hard Rockers Wytch Hazel kick off their musical career with their 2011 single 'Surrender', clearly sounding off with influences of Iron Maiden, classic rock like Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Queen, this Preston quartet are just of a select number of bands who keep the New Wave of British Heavy Metal alive, scintillating riffs embedded on a rock 'n' roll drum pattern, this is a sign that the classic sounds of the drums and guitars are still there. As for Wytch Hazel this is a decent release and is a promising sign their debut release whether it will be an EP or album will be one to look exceedingly forward to. [9] RHYS STEVENSON INHARMONIC 'Ugly' Unleashing a torrential flood of mesmerising riffs, encapsulating blastbeats and intellectual vocals, Inharmonic are the next band of feisty Finns to emerge out of the Metal factory in Finland. With their debut EP 'Ugly' now under wraps, this is perhaps another band to contest the faltering Swedish Death Metal scene, although history between the two sides matches the brutality of the music. Furthermore Inharmonic expel any demons they may have had and with this release blast a hole in the sound barrier with such a force, the audio waves now pounding the eardrums of the listener may as well be dubbed 'Ugly'. [8] RHYS STEVENSON STAINLESS 'Beerquest' Sounding a little poor in the recording phase but respectfully could be categorized as 'Raw Thrash Metal', but for Germany's Stainless this is perhaps a signal of intent that they are aiming to improve their sound and production results. Conventionally sounding similar to fellow countrymen Holy Moses in the familiar sound of the Teutonic Thrash Metal vein, the North Rhine-Westphalia based quartet are more so ones who with the right decisions could make it big, for now though a number if improvements could be made, but their third demo 'Beerquest' is not a complete fail, but not a definite success either. [7] RHYS STEVENSON FALL TO OBLIVION 'A Word Of Advice' Essex Melodic Metalcore bad boys Fall To Oblivion unleash a forensic search for immense brutality and cataclysmic rhythms to sanction the underground levelling of the Essex Metal scene. Sounding like their county counterparts Tides of Virtue, the Stamford-Le-Hope quintet fist-pump the speakers with a fury-laden audio blast of sickening slick riffs and brain-melting blastbeats alongside a gut-retching vocal array of mass proportions. Already in the final of the Rayleigh battle of the bands, this band is without a doubt the next big act to erupt out of the chasms of Essex and so the next stop for Fall To Oblivion? Nationwide domination. [10] RHYS STEVENSON ZOMBIFIED
'Backroom Eugenics' GRIND SCENE Gore lords Zombified return with their sickening tunes in the form of their second EP 'Backroom Eugenics', cursing more words and sensational music with the disturbed tone of zombies, gore and horror, the Death Metal version of Alice Cooper. Pummelling drumming acting as a foundation for the most tantalizing brutal onslaught of finger-snapping riffs and gut-rotting vocals, this is the darkest side of Northern Ireland unleashed, but also the heaviest that Northern Ireland perhaps has to offer. Zombified are leading the next infantry of British Death Metal and are continually flying the flag for the Northern Irish Metal scene. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON POWERSTORM 'Act I' Sixteen years it took for this moment, was it worth the wait? Very much so. Greek Power Metal one-man project Powerstorm (Kostas Falieros) made this moment the best that could ever be, a powerful yet exciting array of high vocals and majestic riffs aligned with some of the most insane solo's ever heard from the Greek Metal scene. Whilst 'Act I' has the power and majestic nature of the Ancient Greek folks people and gods, Powerstorm bring the might of Zeus to Mount Olympus in this fast and lively release, this is something modern Greece should cherish, the notion of having a Greek mastermind, one to rival Canada's Devin Townsend. Powerstorm is one band to watch out for, this has just begun and that was 'Act I'. [8] RHYS STEVENSON SAPIENCY 'Fate's End' Fresh from the baby ward in Frankfurt-Am-Main hospital is little newcomers Sapiency, the German sextet implementing a hard blast of Melodic Death / Thrash Metal with the driven force of Germany's hard and heavy hitting twist on Metal music. Their debut album 'Fate's End' released last year echo's a complete sound of fist-beating vocals and ear-ripping music to infuse any negative atmosphere with a get-up and mosh aesthetic as a replacement. Sapiency with this effort are surely to be snapped up by a record label without a doubt, possibly someone like Metal Blade or Napalm Records. A true testament to the burgeoning German Metal scene, a band to watch without fail. [10] RHYS STEVENSON TOKKS VOITTO 'Formation' Wondering whether the sauerkraut went off in the fridge, but for Germany's latest Melodic Death Metal conjure, this is half the case. Tokks Voitto excrete their debut EP 'Formation' with a load of question marks surrounding it, whilst the music is near enough suitable to be accepted, the vocals are somewhat of a mystery, not only is there no clean vocals as usually seen in Melodic Death Metal, the lyrics are inaudible and thus resulting in a near poor EP. But for this German sextet, this is just the beginning as the only way for these guys is up. So whilst the vocals leave a disappointing aftertaste, the music itself provides a fruitful lavish taste of erotic melodies. [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON UNLEASH THE ARCHERS 'Demons Of The Astrowaste' Racing across the North American plains and mountains is Canadian storm-troopers Unleash The Archers returning with their second offering in the form of another album loaded with insanely heavenly musical compositions and a sense of majestic adventure. Wielding a powerful thunderstruck alliance of Melodic Death Metal with Power Metal, this British Columbia quintet unleash a catastrophic landslide of ferocious riffs and brain-battering drumming along with vocals on an emphatic scale, contrasting with the highs and lows of the vocal range. With 'Demons Of The Astrowaste' now in their repertoire, this is one sign that Unleash The Archers should be signed, this band is to get big and by far engulf the globe with a powerful audio blast of female-fronted metal. [10] RHYS STEVENSON WILD
'La Nueva Orden' Playing la salsa and la flamenco is Madrid's Heavy / Power Metal newbies Wild with their spicy debut album 'La Nueva Orden', now whilst conventionally the lyrics are in Spanish, this does not deter the fact the music carries the luscious sounds and reverts the vocals into a side order. For the Spanish quintet, this is one step they will take in their stride, as did fellow countrymen Avalanche. Intellectually sounding reminiscent of 3 Inches of Blood in relation to the constant fixed beats and mentally high vocals. Sensationally as the album is the true essence is yet to be found and so Wild have a challenge ahead, one they will as shown by this effort, will be taken head-on. [8] RHYS STEVENSON |
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