_ 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

CALCINED
'Thwarted'

Like an avalanche that failed to go off, Calcined are perhaps one of the least musically apt bands from Switzerland, well, in fact they implement a sector of Brutal Death Metal into the ranks, collectively the music itself is good but the vocals lack clarity and are often grunted rather than growled. This being their debut EP 'Thwarted', the blastbeats, riffs and composure is sublime, the audio inserts in relation to the additional recordings are fairly decent, the vocals could be adapted but none the less their debut EP is not a complete failure, but the Swiss quartet are heading in the right direction, eventually the sound will improve.

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

FROSTHAMMER / DEMORIAN
'Old Times Glances Upon US'
SALUTE

Joining forces on the 2011 split release 'Old Times Glances Upon US' is Canada's Symphonic Black Metal quartet Frosthammer and Sweden's Black Metal duo Demorian. Frosthammer deliver the signature raw sound they have always carried on their releases and this ultimately sheds an atmospheric approach of dark dankness and chaotic depression in its suicidal form. Delivering a cold blast of winter-covered Symphonic Black metal is what Frosthammer does best and on this split they do not fail to impress. On the other half Demorian bring a furious excitement of brain-crushing Black Metal, raw blast-beats simmering under a wispy audio wave of raw vocals, fast and insane drumming coalescing with mid-paced guitars to add a further dimension to their side of this split. This is perhaps two of the most darkest Black Metal bands in the underground, just be aware that they don't take weak ears on this one, a split release not for the faint of heart.

[8] + [8.5]

DEMORIAN / ANCIENT WARLORD
'Infernal Antichristian Incantations'
SALUTE

Swedish Black Metal underground tyrants Demorian hit back with another split release, this time it is with Filipino Black Metal quartet Ancient Warlord under the release title of 'Infernal Antichristian Incantations'. Demorian carry on their trademark raw black metal parameter in relation to the ear-burning received from the scintillating drumming by the Swedish duo, sadly though this is not one of their best outings, but still is a well devised sound. Moving onto the second half of this split album is the Filipino quartet Ancient Warlord with their rather unethical sound of raw guitars humming and drumming providing a foundation for cold-hearted vocals. This is perhaps one of the Philippines darkest bands and essentially brings two continents together on this release, a truly explicit result of sensational Black Metal.

[7] + [8] RHYS STEVENSON

ASHEN REIGN
'An Angel Burden'

Fighting their way back from the studio is American Heavy Power Metal one-man band Ashen Reign, who is all done by Brent McDaniel and in a breathtaking style at that, fusing a mystical atmosphere to the backbone of his eccentric wielding of Heavy Metal to Power Metal to create a dynamic sound of which is totally unique. By far one of the best American Metal releases of this year, with soul and a sense of dedication clearly evident on his sophomore album 'An Angel Burden'. As extravagant as Devin Townsend of Canada, Brent McDaniel and his magical Ashen Reign are set to become legend.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

BARBARIAN PROPHECIES
'Remember The Fallen'

Galician Black / Death Metal novices Barbarian Prophecies devour the horrific accounts of Auschwitz on their sophomore album 'Remember The Fallen', with artwork to symbolise this and sounds to mimic the negativity of the brutality experienced at such concentration camps. Fast, insanely brutal and despairingly dark, this is Spain's darkest side and inevitably one of the Spanish Metal scene's darkest album releases. The band however is not associated with the NSBM movement and should not be judged as such. For their second attempt at a mass metal break out, they have gone and done the right thing, kept it extreme and brain-challenging.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

DEMONIC RESURRECTION
'The Return To Darkness'
CANDLELIGHT / DEMONSTEALER

Indian veterans Demonic Resurrection returned with their third full-length offering with an imprint of Candlelight Records to their name, conjuring up the mystic shaman's of forgotten times is just one of the insane developments surrounding their fruitful third album 'The Return To Darkness', released last year, the Indian quintet immerse the listener in a transported world of melancholic melodies and chaotic blastbeats, all supported by the dual-tone vocals of Sahil 'Demonstealer' Makhija. Now whilst the monsoons consume the Indian sub-continent in a furious ever-progressive wave, Demonic Resurrection are bringing bigger and better sounds to the Global Metal mania, with a net cast over the eye's of Europe, Demonic Resurrection are flying the flag for the Indian Metal scene and can prove their music is hotter than the spiciest Vindaloo.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

HATE IN FLESH
'Wandering Through Despair'

Emerging from the depths of Iberia is the latest force to caress the Portuguese Metal scene with a sense of fury and intact brutality, the Melodic Death Metal quintet Hate In Flesh make their glittering debut with their full-length album 'Wandering Through Despair', collecting a feisty frenzy of sexy riffs, brain-shitting blast-beats and venomous vocals to all come together and unleash the clear as crystal answer to Swedish titans Scar Symmetry, with a progressive beat lodged within the Hate In Flesh aura, this is one band that should be paid notable attention to. Portugal has now got a force to harness and unleash upon Europe, this is just the beginning for Hate In Flesh.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

LAPIS LAZULI
'A Loss Made Forever'

As soothing as the Scandinavian female vocals are, nothing is more operatic and calm than Swedish Symphonic Melodic Metallers Lapis Lazuli, returning with their second wave of soul-chilling music in the form of 'A Loss Made Forever', whilst less operatic than fellow countrymen Therion and less symphonic than Nightwish, Lapis Lazuli are pushing boundaries in the softer tunes of metal to finalize a sound that fits their image, a sound of complete sonic mysticism and power, a true masterpiece, a band to watch out for at all costs.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

RECKLESS MANSLAUGHTER
'Storm Of Vengeance'

As heavy as the old masters deemed it to be, old school Death Metal immersed the latest German quartet band to reignite an old sound, the band being Reckless Manslaughter with their debut album 'Storm Of Vengeance', featuring just over half an hour's worth of prime raw Death Metal, one for the old guards to muster, as neck-breaking beats emanate the background riffs and the disembowelling sound of gritty growling. Reckless Manslaughter is here to prove that the new styles are stemmed from the old styles, a true German blast of uncomprehending music.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

ARCTURON
'The Eight Thorns Conflict'

Swiss Melodic Death Metal quartet make no defending movements in their music, this is full-on balls of fury, so much so it may end up in absolute castration, their debut album 'The Eight Thorns Conflict' links up the pacey beat of Melodic Metal with the insane brutality kicks of Death Metal, whilst this is nothing new, every band has a different sound, Arcturon add atmosphere to their music, giving it a certain level of dynamic freedom, however the downside is there lacks some clean vocals which compliment the melodic parts, hark none the less this is a release of decent proportions.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

MODUS DELICTI
'Nobody'
COMATOSE

Promising Italian Brutal Death Grindsters Modus Delicti unleash a torrent of hell with their debut album 'Nobody' with a slice of extreme vocals and drums to compliment the near-gone guitars. Whilst the album itself offers a piece of bizarre music, the overall product is a mass combination of noisy vocals and furious musical compositions which together rival the very essence of musical creativity. 'Nobody' although nothing new is one of those albums that is still good however.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

ANTROPOFAGUS / PUTRIDITY / PRION / INFECTED FLESH / MASS INFECTION
'Split Torso Trauma'
COMATOSE

Combining all forms of flesh from sickening Spain, icky Italy, aortic Argentina and gory Greece is some of the Brutal Death Metal underground storm-troopers, although it has a variety of bands on song, the general sound is there, so more so like a 5-band split compilation rather than a split, essentially a split for which caters for all various extreme tastes of Death Metal in its entirety. Full on mind-blowing sonic beats of pure drumming, outrageous riffs and vicious vocals, this is practically all that can be said about this release.

[8 - across the board]

FACE OF OBLIVION
'The Embers Of Man'
COMATOSE

Apocalyptic American Death Metal mob Face Of Oblivion unleash insanity and brutality in all demoralizing forms to cause unsightly chaos on all levels of extremity. With their debut full-length album 'The Embers Of Man' the motion of sickening vocals and down-tuned guitars electrify the barely noticed drumming compositions exerted by this quintet, overall this album is a mystifying array of mindless torture, cursing mass murdering and fearless anguish, 'The Embers Of Man' is seemingly apt to be dubbed the goriest album of 2011.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

I CHAOS
'The Human Repellent'
RITF

Dutch Brutal Death Metal newcomers I Chaos quickly become a powerful force striving in the underground with their ear-shattering debut album 'The Human Repellent', whisking together a heavy punch of bone-crushing drumming and flesh-ripping riffs amongst gut-gurgling vocals, I Chaos is to become the next extreme act from the land of windmills and flowers, make no mistake this quartet mean violent business and should be taken with a pinch of precise warning, this music is not for soft metal listeners, I Chaos is 'The Human Repellent'.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

ABINCHOVA
'Versteckte Pfade'

Valiantly galloping over the Swiss Alps and around the beautiful Matterhorn is Swiss Melodic Death / Folk Metal septet Abinchova, whilst not as heavy or folk-orientated as fellow countrymen Eluveitie, Abinchova instead implement their native sound via the lovely sound of violins and so devise their own sound. Sort of traditional folk meets the modern sound of metal in this twisted debut album named 'Versteckte Pfade' (roughly translated as hidden path), but with this in their arsenal, Abinchova are a band just waiting to explode into the wider Metal scene.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SHADOWTHRONE / FUNEBRE / ASSUR
'Forever On The Dark Side'
NEVERHEARD

Somewhat of a revelation with three Hungarian bands on one CD split, Black Metal band Shadowthrone, Black Metal one-man project Funebre and one-man Pagan Metal project Assur come together to unleash a spine-tingling selection of raw Black Metal in it's most evil form, enough to churn your stomach from the vocalist's stifling array of shrieks and screams. With Shadowthrone it's a slow percussive choice but whilst the guitars add ambiance, there feels to be something missing. As for Funebre it is similar but on a general basis the production is there, the musical composition is creepy and yet the atmosphere is the same, whilst with Assur, it is a rather disappointing musical production, simply put because the music seems to have little drive for perfection. All in all a decent split, just the odd disappointment here and there, but certainly a true underground Black Metal recording.

[7] + [8] + [6.5]

GODSPELL
'No Noise Can Mute Us Now'

Words escape on this one, whilst the vocals do Death Metal some justice, the music itself from the guitars and drums is dire, seriously without being crude the Swiss boys Godspell might as well spend more time on making watches, sure there is worse but this is a disappointing release, this being their debut EP 'No Noise Can Mute Us Now' which was released last year , none the less a fair attempt at the beginning, the only way is to improve, whether the production of this EP was to blame remains a question, but for now it remains to be seen if this is a good release or not.

[4] RHYS STEVENSON

BLOODLAND
'Buried Alive'

German Death Metal new boys Bloodland caused chaotic eruptions with their incandescent debut demo 'Buried Alive' released last year. Riffs and blastbeats intertwine with each other whilst the vocals are a bit hard to understand, but that adds to the brutality of the growling, essentially a demo for those who prefer Death Metal to be raw, under-recorded and unclean, overall a decent attempt but no real criticism is needed, only that to say it is not a perfect release either, however a sound warning must be issued.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

SAMMSARA
'...With Damage'

Emerging with their debut full-length album is French Atmospheric Gothic Metal newcomers Sammsara, elaborating a darkened sense of being immersed in shadows with the majestic sound of French Metal, Sammsara certify a promise to take the listener to a never before heard place, one full of mystery, questions and blackness. Whilst the females take the beauty of the Gothic Metal to new levels, the deep male vocals add a little downside to it, but the music itself patches that up, '...With Damage' is one of those releases that soothes the soul and is not to be shunned upon.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

DEVOID OF FATE
'Monolith'

The oncoming storm that many may wither at, this is the new breed of Melodic Death Metal, Finnish Metallers Devoid The Fate return with their sixth demo release 'Monolith', with a controversial introductory speech track on the song 'The Storm' to savor anyone who dares agree with it. Musically the drums are tight and riffs progressive, but whilst the overall beat is more melodic than Death Metal style it is classified as one demo that ought to be in anyone's collection, a real solid concrete mix of grit, heavy brutality and unjust composition levels, a classic a heart waiting to be released to the masses.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON