HOLLOW DEMISE 'Hollow Demise' Considered to be the next band out of South-east England to grace the nationwide press, Hollow Demise are an eight-legged killing machine, playing Death Metal laced with the rapid-fire of Thrash Metal to deliver a two-track sampler of epic proportions. In the sound of Dew-Scented and Hatesphere, the four piece take no prisoners in handing over a face-melting taster of what they can do, will do and hope to achieve by doing what they do, that is create music that will make anyone cry. Hollow Demise will duly be on everyone's lips and as they smash the scene apart, bear in mind that resistance, is futile. [8] RHYS STEVENSON ALTER SELF 'Promo 2012' Greek modern Death / Thrash stalwarts Alter Self come back to release their second demo of the band's career. The demo 'Promo 2012' delivers choppy drum kicks, spine-chilling vocals and enough riffs to cause a storm over the Balkans and flatten all the trees surrounding this apocalyptic band. Listeners should prepare themselves as they are strapped in for the ride of their life, taken through a whirlwind of influences from Slayer to Dew-Scented to Talanas and as the final song comes to a close, listener's will be left wanting more. The Greek revolution has come, musically, economically and politically, Alter Self is leading the front line of the battle. [7] RHYS STEVENSON ABSENCE OF THE SACRED 'Come Hither O Herald Of Death' SONIC BLAST MEDIA It is quite common these days for bands from Singapore to absolutely demolish the studios with their genius and outstanding compositions and Absence Of The Sacred is no different. The quartet delivers a wave-after-wave attack of solidified Death / Thrash Metal music with their blitzing third outing 'Come Hither O Herald Of Death'. Capturing speed on the drums, emphatic riffs and solos and vocals heavy and deep enough to make the metropolis of Singapore City shake with absolute fear. This is a thunderous release with enough brutality to smack any poseur into next Tuesday, but for Absence Of The Sacred, they are taking the Singaporean Metal scene to new levels whilst proudly flying the flag. 'Come Hither O Herald Of Death' is for fans of Morbid Angel, Slayer and Hypocrisy; check it out if you dare! [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SIGHISOARA 'Lost In Transylvania' The sophomore album but Sighisoara took twelve years to drop, but boy was it a worthwhile wait, even if the CD drive got covered in dust, it just adds to this timeless classic of a modern age. For the Slovakian sextet, their second album brings out a beautiful and powerful combination of Doom Metal atmosphere and Gothic Metal music. From start to finish, the ten track opus delivers just under an hour's worth of pure solid grim and cold music in emphatic fashion, with a delinquent serving of raw riffs, low-pitched vocals and a dark atmosphere; this will be a hard album to follow on by and is for fans of Paradise Lost and Mercyful Fate. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON AT THE LAKE
'Mäyä' When two sub-genres clash together they usually produce a contrasting sound, however when Symphonic Metal and traditional Eastern European Folk Metal come together, it produces a melodramatic and undisputable sound that can only be referred to as heavenly. Such a release comes from Poland's sextet At The Lake and their sensational debut album 'Mäyä', with that epic 'Disney - Epcot' feel to the album, this is a delightful and perhaps easy-listening piece of music that entrances the listener in a blanket of majestic panache and relentless power, with huge bellowing vocals, Apocalyptica-style symphonies and Celtic and Slavic atmosphere, this will be a hard act to follow and would be surprised if it doesn't make Polish Metal album of the year, everything is here: power, beauty and the heart of metal music. At The Lake will without any doubt be a band to watch out for and is for fans of Within Temptation, Dalriada, Eluveitie and Apocalyptica. [10] RHYS STEVENSON
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REMNANTS OF THE FALLEN 'Perpetual Immaturity' Hailing from South Korea, Melodic Death / Metalcore outfit Remnants Of The Fallen make no mistake in blasting holes through the sound-proof wall with their second EP 'Perpetual Immaturity', in the style of The Black Dahlia Murder and Bleeding Through, the quintet from Seoul emerge as the next breath of fresh air from the Asian continent and are sure to cause a massive storm in the Asian Metal underground. This five-track EP oozes with juicy riffs, mesmerizing blastbeats and deafening vocals, this all combined give the feeling of being smacked in the face by a two ton ball. It's heavy, it's ugly, it's metal and it's here to murder anyone's senses, Remnants Of The Fallen are flying the flag for the South Korean Metal scene. [9] RHYS STEVENSON DESDEMONA 'Endorphins' DANSE MACABRE Now, for a band that shifted from playing Gothic Metal to Electro-Industrial Metal, it hasn't changed the output that is given by Poland's Desdemona. Making their fourth album 'Endorphins' come to life after an eight-year wait from 2004's 'Version 3.0' is a wait worthwhile. 'Endorphins' takes the influences from bands like Pain, Oomph!, Beauti Mortui and Eisenfunk and mashes them together, by creating trance-like beats, harsh vocals and eccentric drumming and riffing, Desdemona have certainly upped their game and proven that the electronic music scene in Poland is not dead. If anyone has got a party coming up, this is the soundtrack of a lifetime, guaranteed. [8] RHYS STEVENSON REFUSAL 'Grasp' Not every band sounds great or bad on their first lot of demo's, yet when Refusal step out of the shadows to release 'Grasp', the overall reaction is, well, dead. 2012 saw the band's sixth demo (surely an album should be here somewhere?) 'Grasp' being released and it has proven to be an excellent piece of Death Metal. Sure the drums lack presence here and there and the vocals seem to have overall control over the music, but in a general perspective it is a decent-enough release, just don't count it as a failed attempt. There is some work to be done, some tweaking, but none the less Refusal will come back strong. [6] RHYS STEVENSON OVERLOAD 'Overload' What happens when you mix Lamb of God, Black Label Society and Trivium together? You get a chock load of riffs, snazzy breakdowns and ghastly vocals; this pretty much sums up the self-titled debut EP by Overload. Hailing from Poland, the quartet do much more than mash up a handful of sub-genres, they develop their own death-destruction, sure the music has clear influences and some sound a little nicked already, but uniquely there is individualism present on this release. The only downside is the production, but that can't be helped nor can it be remarked on, turn up past 13 and let the speakers drown the listener in a gruesome wave of audio blasting. [6] RHYS STEVENSON NONAMEN
'Permission' Metal music can be mixed with any other instrument and musical style and so when Polish quintet Nonamen make their debut with their EP 'Permission', it would seem that they have mixed with neo-classical influences, gothic and progressive influences. From the heavenly vocals of Edyta Szkołut to the atmospheric touches delivered by violinist Agnieszka Reiner, Nonamen exclusively play music that can join alliance with bands like Amberian Dawn, Therion and Apocalyptica, but for the EP itself, this could be a genre-breaking release, ideally 'atmospheric progressive metal', with fiery riffs, powerful drumming and elaborate all round musical performances, Nonamen are set to change the course of the Polish Metal scene. [10] RHYS STEVENSON BOW PROMETHEUS 'Treachery' SWIMMING WITH SHARKS Deathcore, it's a genre that has awashed the Metal music scene since its birth with tons of bands who strangely sound the same, but when bands like Bow Prometheus escape the yellow brick road, things can turn right nasty, nasty in that Deathcore has a new sound, Symphonic Deathcore. Enter the fourteen-legged machine Bow Prometheus, fusing together electronic symphonies with the harsh brutality of Deathcore smackdowns, this Texas masterpiece is sure not to disappoint in times to com and especially with their debut EP 'Treachery' now out, the storm has well and truly formed and is ready for impact, taking cover is very much advised. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON RESURRECTION OF THE GODS 3 COMPILATION MORT PRODUCTIONS If there is one thing about compilations it's that they bring a number of bands onto one CD and exposes them in the best possible manner and so when Chinese Metal label Mort Productions devised a series known as the 'Resurrection Of The Gods', this was to be an absolute onslaught of Chinese Metal. Here we have the third installment in the series, released in 2005 and featuring eleven bands on it from a wide range of sub-genres. This compilation is an essential release for anyone who is getting into metal bands from the Asian countries and especially China. Featuring bands such as Cut At Waist from Xi'anwho play a combination of Death Metal and Grindcore, Falling who hail from Hangzhou and play a mix of Gothic Metal and Black Metal to bands like The Last Successor who originate from Beijing and play an intricate style of Progressive metal with Power Metal added in, and bands like Wrath of Desport who perform straight edge Black Metal. The fact remains on this compilation there is something for everyone and whether the listener likes it or not, Chinese Metal is going to get even heavier as years go on. [7] RHYS STEVENSON RESURRECTION OF THE GODS 5 COMPILATION MORT PRODUCTIONS Switching the attention from the third compilation to the fifth compilation, here we have the resurrection of the gods number five, released in 2008 and featuring twelve bands on it from a wide range of sub-genres. This compilation is an essential release for anyone who is getting into metal bands from the Asian countries and especially China. Featuring bands such as Narakam from Beijing who play straight-edge, no-nonsense Death Metal, Frosty Eve who hail from Beijing and play Melodic Death Metal, to bands like Frozen Cross who originate from Beijing and play a style of Power Metal with a ton of Melodic Metal on the side, but with female vocals in the sound and style of Within Temptation, and bands like Raging Mob who hail from Beijing and create in-your-face Thrash Metal. The fact remains that just like its previous versions, this compilation has something for everyone and whether the listener likes it or not, Chinese Metal has just got one whole level heavier. [8] RHYS STEVENSON RESURRECTION OF THE GODS 7 COMPILATION MORT PRODUCTIONS Switching the attention from the fifth compilation to the seventh compilation, here we have the resurrection of the gods number seven, released in 2011 and featuring eleven bands on it from a wide range of sub-genres. This compilation is an essential release for anyone who is getting into metal bands from the Asian countries and especially China. Featuring bands such as Why Lazy from Henan _who play ballsy, gut-rot Metalcore, Skeletal Augury who hail from Beijing and play Melodic Death Metal, to bands like Frozen Cross who originate from Beijing and play a style of Power Metal with a ton of Melodic Metal on the side, but with female vocals in the sound and style of Within Temptation, and bands like Raging Mob who hail from Beijing and create in-your-face Thrash Metal. The fact remains that just like its previous versions, this compilation has something for everyone and whether the listener likes it or not, Chinese Metal has just got one whole level heavier. [8] RHYS STEVENSON _CHINA RUNS BLOOD
COMPILATION MORT PRODUCTIONS Apart from the Resurrection of The Gods series that Mort Productions has done, the other cleverly done compilation is the 'China Runs Blood' compilation, this features more extreme metal bands. Covering all of the more vile genres from Death Metal to Goregrind and from Brutal Death Metal to Grindcore, listener's best avoid eating before listening to this release. Chock full of the most gruesome bands China has to offer and features three quarters of an hours-worth of pure solid, unrelenting and disturbing riffs, blastbeats and gut-rotting vocals. The fact now remains that this compilation has something for everyone who is a fan of Extreme metal and whether the listener likes it or not, Chinese Metal has just got even more disturbing. [8] RHYS STEVENSON LYCANTHIA 'Oligarchy' Full of melodramatic music and outrageous darkness is what is best to describe Lycanthia's sophomore album 'Oligarchy' as, but the only downside is that there is really too much going on, for example the harsh male vocals on top of the female high vocals doesn't sound good, and maybe alternating the vocals would. The music itself is fairly good for a Doom-laden Metal album but still the guitars lack any real presence, ironically giving it an even more raw presentation, even though the drums and the keyboards steal the show. However no matter what the negative parts of the album are, the good points are that it is very dark, gothic and beyond extreme, something which lacks in some bands these days. [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON ILLUMINATA 'A World So Cold' NAPALM RECORDS Making their return with their second album is Austrian Melodic Power / Gothic group Illuminata, the three male and three female ensemble bring to the masses 'A World So Cold' released in 2011. This sees the sextet signed to Napalm Records and also brings their delightful and majestic sounds to the table once more, epic symphonies, luscious vocals and powerful music come together to take the listener on a magical journey through the wispy clouds and wintry mountains of the Austrian alps as Illuminata lead the way and deliver an absolute epic in the tune of Within Temptation and Lacuna Coil, but what is missing is the one and only fact, this album is too short, it is that good. [10] RHYS STEVENSON THE NINE TREASURES '十丈铜嘴 Arvan Ald Guulin Hunshoor' MORT PRODUCTIONS Simply put, this could be Chinese Metal album of the year, because '十丈铜嘴 Arvan Ald Guulin Hunshoor' not only has lyrics sung in Mongolian, features Chinese Folk music mixed with Heavy Metal or because it's the debut album by The Nine Treasures, but because the absolute originality is parallel. Hailing from Inner Mongolia, The Nine Treasures weave together a myriad of musical instruments to effectively deliver a piece of music that makes most Oriental Metal bands obsolete and what makes The Nine Treasures so special is that they've only been around two years, released their debut and are signed to a major Chinese label, in fact they've only started, next stop Loud Park? [10] RHYS STEVENSON TERMINAL LOST (天幕落) '卷贰 凤凰山' MORT PRODUCTIONS Darkness falls over Shanghai as Terminal Lost return with their second slab of evil Melodic Black Metal in the form of '卷贰 凤凰山', the quintet bring the darker side of the Chinese Metal scene to the masses and blasts wide open the doors for black wolves to charge forward at the speed of the drums, whilst ravens swoop down as the riffs drop and the Oriental sounds deliver a soul-soothing and soul-crushing dual blow, this is an album full of many influences to keep any listener occupied and so it will be interesting to see where Terminal Lost go on from here, whether to more Oriental sounds, darker atmospheres or harder music. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SIGH
'Infidel Art / Hail Horror Hail' MORT PRODUCTIONS So way, way back in 1995, Sigh the Black Metal / Avant Garde Metal lords of Japan, released their sophomore album as a follow up to 1993's 'Scorn Defeat', 'Infidel Art' sees more melancholy develop from the band who at this point were a trio. Mixing the darkness of the Japanese history with the bleak and cold atmosphere found in traditional Black Metal, this album delivers a cross between extreme music and the oriental sounds of Japan, now one felt that the film The Grudge was eerie enough, but when an album like this comes out of the dark to haunt your hearing, it would seem wrong to put it as a stereotypical black metal album, for here is a band who undoubtedly changed the course of Japanese Metal forever. Moving onto 1997 and Sigh turn up a notch by bringing in darker imagery and a far more cold, bitter and evil atmosphere into their third release 'Hail Horror Hail', which in turn reveals itself to be a rather sensational and unnerving album. Full of the Avant Garde Metal style in the music parts and Black Metal vocals cover the rest of the album with the bleak and eerie atmosphere warranted by the album from the first song to the very last song, Sigh take the listener on a journey of mystery, myth and total legendary proportions with this release and as they now at present have nine albums in their 23 year career, Sigh are now Japanese Metal legends. FROSTY EVE '垂死的梦境 (Dying Dreamland)' MORT PRODUCTIONS 2007 saw a new force rise in the depths of Beijing, China. That force was instantly named the Frosty Eve and took with it six musicians to create a truly sensational take on Melodic Death Metal. The debut EP '垂死的梦境 (Dying Dreamland)' features the sextet sing in their native Chinese but provide music similar to that of Wintersun. Harmoniously delivering cold and bitter winds from the keyboard and rough, gritty punches from the drums and guitars, it was only meant to be topped off by some of the harshest vocals ever heard in metal music history. No doubt about it, Frosty Eve are one heck of a damn good Melodic Death Metal band and are sure to lead the Chinese Metal scene onto further achievements. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON FEARLESS 'Lord Of Twilight' MORT PRODUCTIONS Smashing their way onto the scene is Chinese Melodic Death Metal outfit Fearless and their debut EP 'Lord Of Twilight' which uniquely incorporates traditional Chinese sounds with the rough sound of Metal to create something Oriental and something distinct. The quartet hailing from Shanghai deliver a mixed blend of Chinese oriental sounds on the keyboard with the Melodic Death Metal sound from which bands like Dark Salvation and Sight Of Emptiness can be compared too, but even so the fact remains that this is the new breed of metal bands and are set to take the underground by storm, even if it is only in the Far East, great things will happen. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON DAGON POWER '大红袍' MORT PRODUCTIONS Chinese Metalcore is something that not many people would think about and so when Dagon Power emerge on the block with sounds like Asking Alexandria and Bleeding Through, the next step which indeed is the slaughter, could not be dreamt of. Pummelling drumming mixed with outrageous riffing and some gruesome vocals altogether mix to make a face-smacker of an album. If you thought you knew Metalcore, think again, this band will take you and smash your brain ten times harder than a Glaswegian kiss (headbutt). For Dagon Power, the prospect of global recognition has just begun. [8] RHYS STEVENSON NARAKAM 'Burning At Moment' MORT PRODUCTIONS Narakam is China's first ever Death Metal band, forming in 1993, however forward to 2008 and there is a period of which was seen as a dark time for China, well that is you're referring to Narakam and their second album 'Burning At Moment' which see's the quintet deliver a concrete smacking of Oriental Death Metal. Featuring eight tracks of ballistic drumming, riffing and gut-rotting vocals. With influences easily drawn from bands such as Hail of Bullets, Unleashed and Tang Dynasty (most for the oriental sounds / vocal chanting), Narakam are easily proving that they have what it takes to drive extreme metal to the cliff, over the edge and provide a fast, sharp and painful drop, it will be interesting to see what they sound like now. [8] RHYS STEVENSON SCREAMING SAVIOR
'宙海 / Infinity' MORT PRODUCTIONS It is not often that you come across an album that could be pointed as genre-defining, so when China's Screaming Savior emerge once again to deliver their second round of Oriental Gothic Black Metal, it is hardly surprising that comparisons can be drawn from ChthoniC, Theatres Des Vampires and Shade Empire, by mixing harmonious sounds with traditional Chinese sounds and the vocals experienced on Shade Empire's 'Zero Nexus' album. This altogether gives Screaming Savior something to jeer about, or at least reprieve the sense that they are altering the course of Extreme Metal for the good, and with '宙海 / Infinity' being their latest works, much more is yet to come from this sextet. [8] RHYS STEVENSON SECOND RATE ANGELS 'Second Rate Angels' Simply the sort of music that the workaholic would drive home to, basically because it has that relaxing element to it, sure the self-titled EP by Second Rate Angels is a criss-cross between Thrash Metal and Metalcore, regardless of that it has a little twinkle to it that signifies a chilling release. Even so, for the lads from Hertfordshire, this has to be perhaps places in the 'one to watch out for league', with an army of riffs and a building block of crazy-ass drums and vocals, Second Rate Angels are due to become a frequent name mentioned on the South-East Metal music circuit, even if it's early days. [8] RHYS STEVENSON KREMATED 'Thrash Ain't Dead' The single from the upcoming album 'Total Warfare' due for release in September pretty much sums up what Kremated is about, 'Thrash Ain't Dead' brings out the fast sleaze in the Thrash Metal embodiment and turns it up to past 13. With Slayer style riffing leading the assault and heavy balls supporting the crazy sound witnessed, Kremated are driving the original 1980's sound to a newer level and pushing it into the modern arena, by inserting breakdowns towards the end of the track it is without no wonder that South London has a no go zone on it, the place is now radioactive thanks to this nuclear powered band. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ABANDON THE FAITH 'Abandon The Faith' FALL TO YOUR KNEES The underground owes to many outstanding acts and yet there is always this stream of ever-perfect sounding bands that ironically are cloned from another band in the exact same area, but from time to time a band breaks the mould and Abandon The Faith are exactly that band. Mixing no-nonsense Melodic Death Metal with the smackdown brutality of Metalcore and livening it up with atmospheric keyboard music, what could be witnessed here and especially on their self-titled EP is what many could see as a new revolution in music. The sextet from the borders of London and Kent are a band to watch and will be promising in time to come. [9] RHYS STEVENSON BRUTE 'Sophisticated Atrocity' NICE TO EAT YOU Carving their way through the filth and gory mist of bygone Brutal Death Metal / Grindcore bands is Brute, the fourteen year old Slovakian machine, featuring a ferocious trio of musicians delivering razor-sharp music in the most undesirable fashion, morbid death. Their 2012 and debut album 'Sophisticated Atrocity' marks their lengthy career and wait for a premier release. With vocals so guttural and grizzly it is a wonder why bears haven't sh*t themselves or listeners haven't wet themselves, for here is a band with enough brutality to mass murder the entire human race with only one album, some may so its impossible, but we say its preconceived deafness. [7] RHYS STEVENSON OBSCURCIS ROMANCIA
'Theatre Of Deception Within theatres there is always the air of the phantom of the opera and the feeling of a drama being performed, so when Canadian Symphonic Black sextet Obscurcis Romancia came to release their debut album it was all anti-climax and no cue, why? Simple, here is a band implementing the dramatic sounds of by-gone Cradle of Filth and the symphonies of Twilight Ophera, whilst pushing the boundaries further by adding melodic riffs and raw vocals in order to drive their unique 'Theatre Metal' to the forefront of the metal music scene. All in all a valiant album worthy of merit and is sure to push the band onto further areas, lands and ventures. [8] RHYS STEVENSON NECROVATION 'Necrovation' AGONIA So Necrovation return to deliver their second offering of Swedish Death Metal, but what is is really, it certainly does not constitute anything of the sort; in fact it may as well be Thrashy Death Metal watered down, with no real melody sinking into the percussion and it resembling more Black Metal in its drum form, Necrovation have made a lot of errors on their sophomore album, you know if one was to turn attention to sheep herding and replace the sheep dog with a mastiff, would that be blasphemous? Most certainly, so with that in mind, Necrovation will need to go back to square one, at least the artwork is good. [3.5] RHYS STEVENSON RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER 'Ghostmaker' CANDLELIGHT Humour does seem to seep into the world of metal music from time to time and so when the third album by American Grind Thrashers Rumpelstiltskin Grinder drops, one could not sit and laugh together, laugh at how ridiculously clever the album is. This is a band with enough brutality in their vocals that they made the US congress wet themselves at the sound of Grindcore, there again who wouldn't soil their pants at the sound of a sonic blastbeat or rapid riff or venomous vocal production? Enough is enough; someday Rumpelstiltskin Grinder will get tired of this and change sound, that being they will get heavier, as for now this is some delightful music. [7] RHYS STEVENSON DEADLY REMAINS 'Severing Humanity' DEEPSEND Brutal Death Metal is all about the nitty-gritty and if you lack in it you're going to end up with four musicians playing full on Hardcore Pop music, the sort Justin Bieber does when on crack. However getting it right and you end up with beastly music, such is a band as Deadly Remains who return to deliver that much-needed punch in the face with their second effort 'Severing Humanity'. Drums blazing, guitars on overdrive and the vocals, well worse than anal pig sex, (we did say beastly). The Californian quartet immerse the listener in similarities of Prositute Disfigurement and Beneath The Massacre, so no fun or games here, just 100% gorefest. [8] RHYS STEVENSON KOBRA & THE LOTUS 'Kobra & The Lotus' SPINEFARM Like a breath of fresh air, Kobra & The Lotus bring an almighty bang to the party. Their sophomore self-titled album collects more of the Rob Halford essence and twists it with some savage female vocals and sensational musical composition. The thing about this band is that they stick to the basics, add some fruitful pinches of differences here and there and result in having their album branded as being in the top 10 of the most exciting releases of 2012. Boy Kobra can hit the high notes and with her mesmerising compatriots in tow, the metal world is sure to shake to the sound of Canadian Heavy Metal, this is the end of humanity for we all know it; simply Rock 'n' Roll. [10] RHYS STEVENSON INFERNAL EXECRATOR
'Mastema Hedonistic Terroritual 666' EVIL DEAD PRODS. From the Far East battlefront comes the 2012 compilation release by the Singaporean Black / Death Metal tribe Infernal Execrator. Full of nasty surprises and gruesome music, the trio deliver thirteen tracks of thunderous drumming, riffing and vomitous vocals, all of which demolish any traces of goodness found within their native lands. 'Mastema Hedonistic Terroritual 666' provides the listener with truly raw guitars, frightening composures and sensational darkness. If at first you find that this is just one of those bands who just thrash and riff away at a thousand miles per hour, think again. Much like their fellow country compatriots Impiety, Infernal Execrator takes no prisoners and delivers justice in the number of 666. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON CORPSE GARDEN 'Burnt By The Light' Hitting the smack-down sound of Technical Melodic Death Metal is Costa Rica's very own Corpse Garden. Their debut album 'Burnt By The Light' brings out chaotic melodies moulding together with truly rotten guttural vocals and a rapturous stream of blastbeats and outrageous riffs. Taking inspiration from bands like Nile and Cryptopsy, it can be clearly seen why Corpse Garden are making a name for themselves, let alone the band being selected to play at the Wacken Open Air this year on the 1st August, the quintet are sure to achieve greater feats in years to come as they fly the flag for the Costa Rican Metal scene. Make no mistake; this is a band to keep an eye on. [8] RHYS STEVENSON DREADNOUGHT 'Demon' Hailing from Luxembourg, Melodic Black / Thrash Metal mob Dreadnought burst onto the scene with their infused shrieking-vocals of the Darkthrone guild and infuse music of cursed and darkened atmospheric proportions that are related to that of Mayhem as such. Their debut album 'Demon' delivers a melodic and up-beat feel to the gloomy background music and as such conjure up a brilliant new level of sound. This is perhaps the album and band that the Luxembourg Metal scene has been waiting for, one to fly the flag and perhaps blast wide open the doors of the underground to make a name for themselves, with this release now under their belt, this should not be tricky to do. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON NIR'UM'TUK 'Revering This New Chaos' Sadly a little rushed and well the one-man project (now duo) Nir'um'tuk does manage to deliver a brutal and evil onslaught of Black Metal music but the vocals lack a little clarity or at least proper shriek. However given due that 'Revering This New Chaos' is the first EP by the band, it is a decent enough effort. It is indeed for those fans of the original Black Metal sound, the fast drumming and raw bitter atmosphere that comes with it. But for Nir'um'tuk there is a bit needed to be done to the next release. [5] RHYS STEVENSON _ ENCLAVE 'United Desperation' You know when you come across a band that takes pinches of modern and old classic sounds and meshes them together? Well Enclave do exactly that, taking Slayer-esque vocals and Iron Maiden / Metallica riffs, with the sensational drumming pace found in modern Thrash Metal, this is a classic example of perfection. After all the Austrian's debut album 'United Desperation' deals them justice, with an array of ballsy, riff monstrosity, compositions to dribble over, no wonder they have shared the stage with bands like Gama Bomb, this band's off their rocker. This will not be the last we hear about this lot, they hold all the cards. [10] RHYS STEVENSON FORSAKEN WORLD
'As Time Reflects Our End' Breaking out into the French Metal scene is no easy task, considering the lack of bands making themselves internationally known, but when bands like Forsaken World come out of the depths of the underground and emerge as a new threat to the current scene, resistance is futile. The debut album 'As Time Reflects Our End' delivers a massive explosion in the sound of Kill Chambers and The Dead Lay Waiting and essentially delivers a well conceived premier attempt. With this now under wraps, the sophomore release will be one to watch out for. [9] RHYS STEVENSON P.S. Global Metal Apocalypse does not support or encourage the NSBM movement, nor do we condone it, we purely look at it as a Black Metal genre and focus purely on the music itself. FEUERNACHT 'Kamps Macht Frei' ONE PEOPLE ONE STRUGGLE The debut from the Austrian NSBM machine known as Feuernacht does not go without any compromise, singing entirely in their native German language, the band drag out from the darkness the most gruesome and evil types of Black Metal, the National Socialist kind. Whilst most will hate on the album, the music deals justice in that it delivers a cleverly structured slice of classic Black Metal. Fast-drumming on top of raw vocals that are so raw, it makes blood-red meat look pathetic. With a morbid, cold and damp atmosphere being drawn into the affray, this release could be the peak of the movement and as such, without any argument, a release worthy on anyone's shelves. Grim, black and practically old-school, 'Kamps Macht Frei' is the signature tune of Feuernacht. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON MOSHPIT 'We Carry The Heart' ONE PEOPLE ONE STRUGGLE Let's face it, the 2012 offering by German Metalcore mob Moshpit is poised to smack the hell out of the cloned Metalcore bands that scatter the earth's surface these days. Their 2012 album 'We Carry The Heart' is a perfect example of how Metalcore 'should' be done. Brutal breakdowns, neck-slashing riffs and gut-rotting vocals accelerate the monstrosity that is Moshpit. Signed to OPOS Records, Moshpit are one hell of a promising band and are sure to smash their way through the German Metal scene like a dozen horses charging into battle, this, is, the, sh*t! [8] RHYS STEVENSON WARSENAL '2012 Demo' Give the lads due and praise, well after all Canada's Speed / Thrash Metal crackpots Warsenal make their debut on the scene with their 2012 demo. Regretfully quality is near appalling, but there again it makes you turn the volume up past 13, and then you'll find that this release has close links to the likes of Slayer and Anthrax. For the trio from the French-speaking region of Quebec, this could be the first step to bring back the old glorified sounds of 80's Speed and Trash Metal. Fast percussive beats, shredding riffs and slick vocals, Warsenal maybe become the war arsenal. [5] RHYS STEVENSON NIGHTCREEPERS 'Alpha' Gallantly wielding their swords, strapping together their barrels and priming their arrows, is French Pagan Folk Metallers Nightcreepers with their majestic sophomore album 'Alpha'. This sextet create an upbeat yet traditional sound with the usage of keyboards and a finely-tuned accordion to mix the classic French music sound with the harsh brutality of the Metal music infrastructure. It is not often that you come across bands similar to that of Arkona, Primordial or Cruachan; minus the Celtic Metal influence, or so one thinks. However, Nightcreepers are sure to storm the European lands, turn heads and most importantly sport that upcoming, needed label signing (and one could see them on a label like Nuclear Blast someday). [9] RHYS STEVENSON RISE OF AVERNUS
'Rise Of Avernus The debut EP by Australian quintet Rise Of Avernus does not go without it's drawbacks, it's too short. The EP kicks off the melodramatic and dark atmosphere through the delinquent sounds of the keyboard and the raw riffs of the guitar intertwining with the deep and depressive vocals, all of which bring together a real dank release. For the Progressive Gothic Doomsters, this is a great attempt on the first hurdle and it would seem that they have much more to offer in the next few releases. With clear-cut influences from Opeth, Paradise Lost and Candlemass, this is one EP to please any Doom Metal fan. [7] RHYS STEVENSON REVERIES END 'Beneath The Silent Shades / Empyreal Form' So between the two demo's by Finnish Dark Metallers Reveries End, a guitarist has left the band, but none the less, none of the essence has dissipated. Starting with their premier demo 'Beneath The Silent Shade' which instantaneously brings in the Doom Metal atmosphere and almost Nightwish operatic vocals with a slither of Melodic Death Metal style drums. With the heavenly vocals bound for the Finnish choir and the musicians giving a wall of sound as a barrier, this is a decent first attempt. 'Beneath The Silent Shade' is for fans of Apocalyptica, Vanguard and all around dark music. 'Empyreal Form' sees the departure of guitarist Mikko Pylkko and the quintet becomes a quartet, but the sound does not change, it ironically has improved. The second demo of 2012 brings out a greater production and more power behind the sound. With the first track 'Descent' being similar to that of Nightwish's 'Tutankhamen' and the average song by Arkona. With a greater and darker atmosphere shedding itself all over 'Empyreal Form', this is the sound that would best suit Reveries End, but by adding some symphonies here and there, it could be one notch better, still a very good demo and is sure to aid them into becoming a promising band. [7] + [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON AMNESIA 'Inside My Head' There is a common feeling amongst bands who use Thrash Metal in Brazil, it seems to be always fast, complex and sensationally brutal, there again Sepultura laid down that guideline, but it's bands like Amnesia who go one step further, the Brazilian quintet incorporate Death Metal in with their music to produce a trippy, brutal slab of pure menacing metal. This comes in their 2012 debut EP 'Inside My Head', spitting out the trash and injecting the new modern sound of Brazilian Death/Thrash Metal. With three tracks spear-heading a complimentary promo video, Amnesia's Inside My Head has set the tone for the band to achieve great things and they fully deserve it. [8] RHYS STEVENSON EMBASSY OF SILENCE 'Antler Velvet' RAVENHEART Once in a while you come across a band who totally blows wide open the guidelines and runs riot in the studio, such a band is Embassy Of Silence whose 2012 sophomore album delivers a non-apologetic smacking of Progressive Gothic Metal. The Finnish sextet conjures up a cosmic sound of darkened verses and erotic music to indulge anyone's tastes. The second major out 'Antler Velvet' delivers the essential 'Gothic femme' vocals and heavy music together in just under an hour, but all of it is worth it, with songs sounding similar to that of Delain, Lacuna Coil, and Echoes of Eternity, this is just the beginning. [7] RHYS STEVENSON HIGHLIGHT KENOSIS 'Change' RAVENHEART Returning once again is Romania's Prog Metallers Highlight Kenosis, who are now based in Germany. Following their highly successful debut album 'Glowing', the quartet delivers their next offering 'Change'. With the sounds of traditional progressive metal being mixed with the influential sounds of Krypteria, Guano Apes and Goldfrapp, this is the next step in great success for one of Romania's upcoming finest bands. From the sensational solo on 'There Is No Secret' to the pop rock feel on 'I Wish You Felt The Same', Highlight Kenosis are powering their way to further achievements and with this album under their belts, there is nothing to stop them. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON MALEDIA
'Your Angels Cry' RAVENHEART 2012 sees the first EP by Italian quintet Maledia come to life, the Symphonic Gothic Metal band unleash the sounds of 'Your Angels Cry' with comparisons of Tarja era Nightwish and the use of female operatic vocals and the beastly vocals of guitarist Daniele. In a way they have also got comparisons with Within Temptation in that the supremacy of the high notes and the music come together to deliver a classic epic. Brimming with excellence and powerful creativity, Maledia is duly a force to be reckoned with, move aside Within Temptation and Nightwish, there's a new band on the block and they won't be budged easily. [8] RHYS STEVENSON |
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