PANZERCHRIST 'The 7th Offensive' LISTENABLE It's always great to celebrate a landmark year and as Denmark's most notable extreme metal sons Panzerchrist make their twentieth year of existence, their seventh album is finally dawning. 'The 7th Offensive' carries on much of the war theme the four-piece have adopted ever since their inception and packs a more powerful punch than ever before, excruciatingly painful double bass drumming sets the intonation for what could be regarded as the most brutally tantalizing music you'll ever hear in 2013. What with Denmark recently winning the Eurovision Song Contest, could this really be the year of Danish music success? 'The 7th Offensive' is armed and primed to unleash a full out assault on the European battlefields, just like a Leopard II in full combat Panzerchrist will blow minds apart with this ferocious musical masterpiece. 'The 7th Offensive' is out 15th July (Europe) and 13th August (North America) via Listenable Records For fans of: Marduk, Cannibal Corpse and Bolt Thrower [8] RHYS STEVENSON NEMESIS 'Genocidal Battlefield' THORN MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT 2012 marked the debut album release of Nemesis, the Indonesian Melodic Death Metal / metalcore leviathan simmers machine-gun like drumming in sensational fashion and as 'Genocidal Battlefield' spews out sounds that fans of The Dead Lay Waiting and The Black Dahlia Murder will love. Pulsating drumming sets the course for this album to wreak total havoc and spark off some mosh-pits. Forget Indonesian Thrash Metal, Nemesis promise to take you on a journey that will be more powerful than any tsunami the island chain nation has ever encountered. As 'Genocidal Battlefield' paves the way for them to unleash another bout of metallic hell, could this be the best Melodic Death / Metalcore act to emerge out of South-East Asia? Download This: "End Of Breath" [8] RHYS STEVENSON BATTLE BEAST 'Battle Beast' WARNER MUSIC FINLAND / NUCLEAR BLAST Uprising from the darkest streets of Helsinki is Finnish sextet Battle Beast with their self-titled debut album from which features everything expected from a Heavy Metal band, heavenly vocals that come from the combination of powerful male and gritty female vocals, whilst the continuous epic riffs that wallow in the background along with the sincere drumming, keeps the listener on their toes and ultimately mixes to form a sound that even Lordi could not muster. 'Battle Beast' is not your average Heavy Metal album, it takes the whole Metal scene to a higher level and poises them as the natural rival to Canada's Kobra & The Lotus, whether you like ballsy metal or not this six-piece have enough power to ice up your eyes and slice your ears with a hailstorm of Finnish produced icicles, let the next onslaught commence. Download This: "Fight, Kill, Die" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON FEEDBACK 'A Moment Of Transition' Considered perhaps the first ever metal band from Mauritius, Feedback employ a no-nonsense style of Progressive Metal / Rock that casts an explosive infusion of catchy riffs, unassailable vocals and an atmosphere that would inspire many, after all their debut album 'A Moment Of Transition' released three years ago carries a charismatic sound to it that makes some European bands look bad. Twelve songs equating to a generous total of one hour to listen to should keep Prog lovers gasping for more, in fact 'A Moment Of Transition' harmonizes the said genre and with their own unique twist, Feedback are firming themselves up to fly the flag for the Mauritian Metal scene. Download This: "Cursed" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ANOMALLY 'While The Gods Sleep' The Azores is not usually considered a hotspot for metal music, but when bands like Anomally let rip and release their majestic sound of Death / Thrash Metal with the elegance and visual image of the Gothic metal style, the result is outstanding. 2012 fell victim to the band's premier EP 'While The Gods Sleep', spewing out a free-flowing ambiance of guttural vocals that are harsh enough to make you scratch yourself. If 'While The Gods Sleep' was a footballer it would be Cristiano Ronaldo, full of guitar trickery, vocal projection and percussive explosive compositions that no one would save themselves from. Overall, whilst 'While The Gods Sleep' is a damn decent release, it is nothing new as such but still offers metal fans a tasty musical treat. Download This: "Controlled By Oppression" [7] RHYS STEVENSON LITVINTROLL 'Czornaja Panna' From the far eastern side of the European continent, a battle cry emits with such a high frequency the next door neighbors start to dance along to it. This battle cry is in the form of 'Czornaja Panna', the sophomore album by Belarus' Litvintroll. What comes with this sound is a rather odd mix of Scottish bagpipes, fluid Folk Metal percussion and the ethnic sounds of the band's mother tongue. However despite the originality and complete adhesion to the traditional melodies and sounds of their folk music garden, Litvintroll are an unsung band in that they are not as well known as they should be. This is proven on 'Czornaja Panna' as it draws stark similarities with bands like Arkona and the like. Ultimately for those who love their Eastern European metal, 'Czornaja Panna' is one release that should be in your collection, it captures the very essence of what makes Belarusian Folk Metal that little bit extra special. Download This: "Kryzak (Piesnia Pra Troliau II" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BONERIDE 'Weight Of Water' Making their next bold move once again is Boneride, the Finnish Heavy Metal quartet that celebrates their fifth anniversary this year. The lads have crafted their latest demo entitled 'Weight Of Water' and it features more of the classic sound produced on it's predecessor 'Arms of Mercy', sure the sound is not exactly new nor is it different, but it is still pleasurable to listen to, no fancy stuff just pure classic heavy metal. 'Weight Of Water' delivers three tracks that are at different speeds, but the same level of technicality, aggression and musicianship. In fact, this release may yet prove to be the best the band could ever muster. Download This: "Great Unknown" [7] RHYS STEVENSON MINSTREL 'Departure For Daydream Orbit' The Far East has always been a breeding ground for metal bands to experiment around with different music styles and elements, but never has melodic metal been infused on top of symphonic power metal in such a way that it eclipses bands like Sonata Arctica and Nightwish of whom fans of said bands will love. Unleashing their debut album is Taiwan's Minstrel and as the haphazardous elements fall into place, the overall impression is that this lot defy the rule of metal and create a sound that is remarkably hard to pin down. 'Departure For Daydream Orbit' ticks all the boxes as a breath of fresh air but whether that air is going to maintain it's freshness is a question worth asking oneself, all in all this album is for the eccentric metal fans, experience a bilingual release that flits between Asian and European power metal, just don't bank on the latter to pay attention to this four-piece. Download This: "Secret Time" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON DRILLER 'All Shall Burn' Making their full blown debut album come to life is Polish Thrash maniacs Driller, it is not their first release but instead it is their first major release. 'All Shall Burn' blasts craters in the earth as it purges out a fluid explosion of fast and furious Thrash with the grit and dirt of Grindcore acting as a formidable backdrop. Fueled by the unrelenting surge of power from the drums, guitars and vocals, the album grills the senses until the anger inside builds up so much that you want to spit it out at anything living, including yourself! Think along the lines of the ferocity demonstrated on Slayer's 'Angel of Death' and you then get a clearer idea and feeling of what this band is really about. As for 'All Shall Burn', simply put it is an essential album for those who love a massive adrenalin rush and a heaving moshpit at the same time. Download This: "Drill & Blast" [9] RHYS STEVENSON DRAGONLANCE
'Holy Blood' Eleven years ago and the Japanese Power Metal force of Dragonlance emerged from the abyss, sweltering the land of the rising sun with their infectious riffs and audacious attitude towards metal music, that in turn spewed out their premier demo 'Holy Blood', an adventurous journey that is only marred by sadly the basic standards of Power Metal. For sure the two track release is only a snippet of what the band aimed to do in the recent decade or so, but as for the starting point 'Holy Blood' is a debatable release in terms of whether it actually is a respectable attempt or not, but as stated they have an audacious attitude towards metal music, it just not shows entirely on this release. What will their later releases deliver? Reprisal or a depressing downhill slalom? Download This: "Holy Blood" [6] RHYS STEVENSON
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HUMANGLED 'Odd Ethics' ABYSS Italian Death Metal veterans Humangled made light effort of crafting their next release from thin air, their 2012 EP 'Odd Ethics' spews more and more of the organic sound they made for themselves over the years and delivers a fistful of guttural gluttonous music that signals more is to come from this five-piece monstrosity. Lets face it, even a legendary goalkeeper like Gianluigi Buffon could not save himself from being mauled down by this Tuscany armada, and that's putting it mildly. The thing is, although the muffled sound that exists on this release may put some people off, the general feeling is one of celebration as the underground champions once again a divine release of sensational music. It may be 'Odd Ethics' that Humangled employ, but boy does it work. The moral is, resistance is futile, this is the face of Italian Death Metal and it is not leaving anytime soon. Download This: "Deny Your Creed" [7] RHYS STEVENSON NEBULOUS 'Destroy To Build to Destroy Again' With lashings of technical music here and there, it is without question that Nebulous are amongst the new wave of emerging French Metal bands. Armed with their latest EP 'Destroy To Build to Destroy Again' released in 2010, the sextet have enough panache and creativeness to blow the entire metro system apart. Fusing together a thunderous explosion of gritty Death Metal and a brutal slaying of Hardcore, 'Destroy To Build to Destroy Again' is a release that is sure to appeal to many, as much as this band pummels the human senses into a pathetic lump of aged matter. In fact, Nebulous have similar comparisons to bands like Noein and Quintessence of Versatility, these three French Metal bands may prove to be the French industrial revolution, a revolution built to overthrow the titans of Europe. As for the band's EP, there is much more to come and boy Europe better be ready, especially when signing off with the pingu tune on 'Faintness' Download This: "Faintness" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON REPERIUM 'Deterioration' When bands mix different contrasting and complex elements into one sound that involves differences in tone, speed and brutality, the general results are dire and pathetic. Reperium defies that logic and amasses a style they can call their own and no one else owns this, this is heard on their latest track 'Deterioration'. Picture this, an ambient atmosphere behind djent / progressive musical elements and a blasting of Metalcore - cross - Deathcore on both the vocals and music. Complex eh? Reperium proves it isn't, in fact 'Deterioration' poses a threat on the over-saturated 'core' British scene, defying the rulebook and overused riffs, cliches, and elements that bands seem to cop onto these-days. Reperium are arming themselves to take this nation by storm, by watching the 'Deterioration' of the scene style of metalcore, may the true metalcore come back via this Liverpool armada. [8] RHYS STEVENSON RAJALLA 'Demo' Deep down in the frozen sewers of backstreet Helsinki a monster is born, that monster is Rajalla; a four-piece Thrash Metal machine. Armed with their debut demo, the Finnish group immerse the listener in the classic and modern style of the said genre whilst adding their own signature sound to it, that being singing in the Finnish language. So picture this, Evile or Holy Moses and adding to it the Finno-Ugrian language, this gives it a unique style and a more personal connection to the music, neck-savaging riffs cut open the titanium wall to allow a cascading sound of unrelenting blast-beats to pummel the atmosphere into total disrepair. To put it short and sweet, Rajalla are how modern Thrash Metal should be and to be quite frank, they are doing it their own way, and that is the spirit of Thrash Metal, breaking the rules. Download This: "Etsijä" [9] RHYS STEVENSON CHANGE OF LOYALTY 'Freethinker' SUBLIMINAL GROOVE Turn the clock back to 2011 and relive the moment St. Petersburg experience it's first ever earthquake, 6.66 on the Richter scale. The cause? A Teutonic, boulder-crunching explosion of progressive melodic metalcore unleashed by quintet Change of Loyalty. The Russian atomizers constructed their sophomore EP 'Freethinker' and unleashed it with such a force, the Kremlin had to evacuate for fears it would come crashing down because of the sheer immense force excruciating from the djent style riffs, merciless vocals and paralyzing drumming sequences, all of which equate to a audio wall blitz that takes similarities to bands like The Browning, Born of Osiris and Thy Art Is Murder. However, Change Of Loyalty have their own sound and after all are a unit that sums up as a genuine 'Freethinker'. If you thought you heard technically challenging Metalcore, think again. Download This: "The Last Word" [9] RHYS STEVENSON HEMORAGY 'The Thirst World War' France has generally lacked a surmountable power of having many metal bands breaking outside their own country, Hemoragy is a perfect example why. The underground offers a plethora of exciting talent and boundless energy, something this French trio muster and put to use on their fourth album 'The Thirst World War', however there is one notable downside, the repetition of riffs are overused on some songs and so it becomes recycled in less than thirty seconds. Overall 'The Thirst World War' has a tongue-in-cheek approach to the Heavy Thrash metal vernacular, that is the musical language of the said genre. Some music lovers will find it appealing, others may downtrodden it to the very core, but it still warrants a place in the metal scene as a decent effort. Download This: "Turning Into A Lush" [7] RHYS STEVENSON ARAPACIS 'Netherworld' RAVENHEART Turn back time to the year 2011 and experience the Canadian Hard Rock / Heavy Doom Metal ensemble Arapacis dropping their third album 'Netherworld', featuring more of the same beautiful crafted music experienced on their previous album 'Consequences of Dreams', Arapacis prove once again they practice what they preach. Wallowing in the depths of early Doom Metal bands like Black Sabbath and adding a Progressive element to it, resulting in a slow and percussive sound that is thicker than the thickest Canadian syrup ever found. In fact, 'Netherworld' summons a sound so original it is quite surprising why this lot have not exploded over Europe yet. The great thing about 'Netherworld' is that it appeals to a wide range of tastes, from the classic rocking tune of 'Crisis' to the melancholic and chilling sermon 'Lords of the Clouds', 'Netherworld' is a soundtrack of epic proportions. Download This: "The Affliction" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON GHOST OF WAR 'Only Death Is Real' Forming the old guard of the Pennsylvanian Metal scene in the USA, veterans Ghost Of War emerge off the concrete streets of Gettysburg to unleash their majestic catalogue of sounds known as 'Only Death Is Real', their debut album is a sign that this band has a lot to offer. Offering a slice of power metal dashed with Heavy Metal grit is just the start of it for the band drives blistering paced drums to extreme speeds whilst the vocals fire lyrics out like a machine gun on automatic. As for the release in it's entirety, it's nothing new but it does not shun itself either, in fact 'Only Death Is Real' is a pleasurable listen to those who like their metal gritty, dirty and downright filthy. Sex, drugs and Ghost of War. Download This: "Absolute Nothing" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON NOEIN 'Infection - Erasure - Replacement' LES ARTS BOURRINS It has come, the debut album by upcoming French band Noein. The Industrial Death / Modern Metal quintet serves up an explosive force that equates to the sheer power that an F5 tornado musters, whilst the music is a whole level more aggressive, faster and technical, there is no downside to this album, in fact they've developed rather dramatically since their premier EP 'The Initial Tale' dropped. Building up a more eerie atmosphere thanks to the intricate samples, cutting edge riffs, gut-wrenching vocals and a percussive beat that would get even the most hardened metal fans smashing faces in the inevitable mosh-pit. 'Infection - Erasure - Replacement' spits venom in every dimension, taking on board elements from Strapping Young Lad, Mnemic and Fear Factory, resulting in the scenario of it being apt to call Noein a French industrial revolution as they crank up a gear, electrify the ambiance and set themselves up with 'Infection - Erasure - Replacement' firmly grounded to take Europe by storm, if this was in book form it would be '1984' by George Orwell as this post-apocalyptic feeling of being suppressed with a revolution on the cards demolishes everything in its wake. Download This: "D-MOX" [9] RHYS STEVENSON CHASING IMMORTALITY
'New Blood' In the last year or so London has been a breeding ground once again for modern metal bands, first off The Defiled, then Despite My Deepest Fear and now the next wave led on by the mob known as Chasing Immortality. Fresh from the damp-ridden streets of North London, the lads have dropped their premier EP 'New Blood', perhaps a message to say they are the 'New Blood' of Technical Metalcore / Deathcore, a musical matrix that mauls any preconceived ideologies about this band being visually emo or similar. The Wall-cracking drumming infrastructure sets the tone for the guitars to shred shrapnel in the process of bleeding ears dry, whilst the merciless relenting anger channeled through the vocals are enough to make any hardcore kid cry for their mummy, or at the very least wish they'd had grown a pair of balls to match the testosterone coursing through this bands veins, that is the definition of 'New Blood'. Download This: "Her Lips May Poison" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON WAGARS 'Wagars' P3LICAN The debut EP by Wagars has finally dropped, the self-titled release by the Latvian Black Metal / Crust Punkers delivers a whole new meaning to the term extreme metal. Chunky bass lines linking up with harmonious riffs and savage vocals that makes Skyforger sound bad. 'Wagars' spews out sensational music and lyrics that are evil enough to make you wet your pants, enough to make Latvian Metal even darker and more so power this lot forward to greater things. Furious drumming commands the direction of this release as it rips through the skin of the week and inserts a hypodermic needle of extreme metal into the veins of the unwary, 'Wagars' may well yet prove to be Latvian Metal release of the year as well as Latvian newcomer of the year. Download This: "Velnezers" [8] RHYS STEVENSON LOGICAL TERROR 'Almost Human' REALITY ENTERTAINMENT In times of late there seems to be a flourish of electronic metal bands and projects on the European circuit and Italy's Logical Terror is no exception. Bolting on Thrash Metal to synthesizers and industrial elements, the sextet emboss the atmosphere in an artificial feeling, that one of cybernetics and beloved modern metal. 'Almost Human' is the debut album by these technical architectural musicians and wallows in the shadows of bands like Breach The Void, Xe-None, Sybreed, Mnemic, the list goes on. But what separates this fashionable lot from the myriad of upsurging modern metal bands is there carefully constructed sound that stands out as their own unique identity, furthermore Logical Terror are sure to conquer Europe very soon with their catchy smooth and aggressive songs as well as proving themselves to be poised as a band to watch in 2013. Download This: "Self Extinction" [9] RHYS STEVENSON THE CONFLICT WITHIN 'The Conflict Within Sampler' Here is a collection of old and new tracks released by Suffolk's The Conflict Within, spewing out a free-flowing sound of Metalcore underbelly and lashings of Thrash and Groove elements along the way, this really shows how well the band has progressed over the past few years. 'Breathe Again' has enough groove elements in there to resonate similarities with American titans Lamb of God. The lads have certainly improved their sound evidently on this free release that is available at shows. 'The Conflict Within Sampler' is as close to as a true gritty metal release from Suffolk as close as you might be getting drunk from a vat of adnams cider. Download This: "To Hell & Back" [8] RHYS STEVENSON THE DEAD LAY WAITING 'Ascent Of The Murder' Overcoming the death of their former label Rising Records, Swindon's black crows known as The Dead Lay Waiting picked up the pieces and used the shrapnel to develop their new EP 'Ascent Of The Murder', a face-melting apocalypse that carries the infamous signature sound of technically melodic metal forward once again. The first track of the release 'The Dream Is Over' delivers a slow guitar build up before unleashing hell through electronics and technical metal, coalescing into a rapid melodic wall of sound that sets the tune for the rest of the song, with added brutal vocal sections here and there, the song fades nicely for their single 'Roses Are Grey' to be initiated, which effectively is a subtly crafted melodic metal song that fades out halfway through for it to fade in again with Luke's explosive growls and Ben's sensational backing vocals, leading to 'Cyrus' to come into focus as being the softer song on the EP and perhaps the more simpler of the lot until 'Blinding Preacher' comes to close the EP up in apocalyptic fashion, this is without a doubt the most technically melodic song on the EP (it even leans to djent style riffing in places) and is sure to cement as the band's new sound, in fact reverting back to 'Roses Are Grey', the single provides more of Luke's high-pitch shrieking, Ben's high-pitch backing vocals and that is just the skin of this EP, the heart lies within the guest appearances by Katy Jackson (The Hype Theory), Liam Kavanagh (Burials) and Sam Ryder (Blessed By A Broken Heart & The Morning After), but also the evident infusion of Ben and Steve's technical guitar skills, Tom's unrelenting drum pulsations, Luke's commanding vocals and Sam's bass playing that is as deep as the Atlantic ocean, altogether combining as one sums up the blueprints for the future and the as the 'Ascent Of The Murder' kills of another thousand crows, The Dead Lay Waiting, waiting for all. 'Ascent Of The Murder' is out 13th May as an independent release [9] RHYS STEVENSON KING HISS 'Snakeskin' Stoner Metal is not as a well popular genre as it used to be, even so when band's like King Hiss make a noise you know that they know what they are on about. Take their debut EP 'Snakeskin' and you'll realize they are the real deal, somewhat on par with bands like Fu Manchu and the like. The fact being King Hiss are one of those bands that you either love them or you hate them, but you love them for doing what they want and keeping the Stoner Metal style alive with dignity still intact. 'Snakeskin' is best enjoyed whilst sipping a tipple of whiskey or any other spirit as the happy vocals take you into a deep trance for the music itself, comprising of bouncy riffs and drum beats, to knock you out cold for a whole half an hours worth. Download This: "Snakeskin" [7] RHYS STEVENSON ABNORMAL THOUGHT PATTERNS 'Manipulation Under Anesthesia' LIFEFORCE It's always a revelation when a group of musicians drop the vocal duties and instead opt for instrumental music, no wonder when Lifeforce Records snapped up this American trio that they instantly set time aside to create their debut album 'Manipulation Under Anesthesia', a twisted mix of progressive instrumental elements with additional sensational shredding that is guaranteed to leave listeners spellbound, twisting and turning every second into what could be perceived as complex harmonics; especially with the guitar playing on 'Calculating Patterns'. Molding the trickery mastered by bands like Dream Theater onto their very own unique style of music, Abnormal Thought Patterns could easily develop sounds for any upcoming Hollywood blockbuster. Word, they are sure to emerge valiantly across the globe as one of the most exciting fresh talents from the States in 2013 and with 'Manipulation Under Anesthesia' already pinned down, what the trio will do next is surely going to be brimming sheer brilliance. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON For fans of: Animals as Leaders, Dream Theater, Death, Trioscapes 'Manipulation Under Anesthesia' is out 14th June, 2013 (G/A/S, Finland), 17th June , 2013 (Europe) and 25th June, 2013 (North America) via Lifeforce Records ABOVE THIS BURNING SKY 'Rise From This' Pennsylvanian Metalcore mob Above This Burning Sky make a lasting impression on their premier EP 'Rise From This', the band delivers a full on face-mauling musical grit storm that splits your brain in two. Formed two years ago, the five lads have conjured up a sound that is sure to garner them attention from across the Atlantic. 'Rise From This' radiates similarities to bands like Hatebreed and Killswitch Engage, that no-nonsense classic Metalcore that cracks skulls open with one riff and completely destroys anyone's senses. It will be tough for this American lot to explode out of their home nation, but with their debut album looming, this lot will almost certainly score some deserved attention and as 'Rise From This' proves, they are not your average Metalcore band either. Above This Burning Sky are putting the 'metal' back into Metalcore, posers be warned, here comes the real deal. Download This: "Impalist" [8] RHYS STEVENSON ZATREON 'Shemhamphorae' SALUTE The sophomore album by Egyptian Symphonic Black Metal maestro's Zatreon has finally dropped, this time the band opt to sing about the Hebrew term 'Shemhampforash' from which is an irony in itself as Hebrew belongs to Judaism and Egypt is an Islamic nation, but the music does the talking not the religion. 'Shemhamphorae' delivers more of the fabled extreme metal that Zatreon laid out in their debut album 'Ice Maiden', however the new album is far more tidier, more extreme and more attached to the music they chose to play. Delivering shrieking vocals that would make the ancient Pharoah's salute in gratification and the deliverance of music that sends tidal waves up the Nile into the Mediterranean. Simply put Zatreon are back with a greater improved sound and are sure to become Egypt's next biggest metal exports. Download This: "Majestic Horns" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON IN MY RESTLESS DREAMS 'Bury The Past' It's not easy emerging out of a scene or an area that is dogged by the same music genre, or at the very least a music genre that controls a huge portion of the music industry, but as Post-Hardcore / Metalcore masochists In My Restless Dreams spurge out their fresh EP 'Bury The Past', the tantalizing sense that they are sure to make waves in the year ahead becomes even more completely apparent. Fusing together Teutonic vocals on a fuselage of titanium-solid drumming and slick riffs that course through this EP together like a heat-seeking missile, it is evident that this five-piece tour - de - force are stronger than Sheffield steel and are sure to leave a lasting impression on the posers that scatter across the British landscape, 'Bury The Past' and focus on the future, the future of British Post-Hardcore / Metalcore. Download This: "The Hollow" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SUPER MASSIVE BLACK HOLES
'2012 EP' Somewhat a toned down version of Psyopus, Canadian troopers Super Massive Black Holes are enough to confound anyone, for example their '2012 EP' lashes solid proggy Death Metal with jazz elements, but in a uniquely crafted way. Named after the Muse song, it is at times questionable if the band were 100% serious on this release because at times, there are some let downs that Justin Bieber would aptly fill in for. However, the progressive and jazz side to the EP does work well, it's the vocals that lack any real oomph; perhaps for some a translator might be needed. Ok maybe the production is not helping, but even still if you were to turn it up, your speakers might as well blow up from the failing attempt of delivering musical satisfaction. Sad to say it's back to the drawing board for this one. [5.5] SLEEPERS' GUILT 'Sleepers' Guilt' Luxembourg is not really considered when it comes to metal music and so it falls down to bands like Sleepers' Guilt to represent the nation internationally. The Melodic / Progressive Groove Metal outfit unleashed their debut EP last year and given the performance on this release, they should garner some attention in times ahead. The self-titled EP features fast and slow elements that intertwine to develop an atmosphere that can be compared to Melodic Metal and also Doom Metal, that sort of slow, dark and bleak feel to the music experienced when listening to bands like My Dying Bride. It is early days but the consensus behind the release would suggest the band has much more to offer and are sure to get a label deal in the near future. Download This: "Stay" [8] RHYS STEVENSON IMMER 'Seperation' This is exactly what the doctor ordered, slamming Death Metal in the form of a blast from the east, namely the Czech band Immer with their third album released this year. 'Seperation' in fact mixes a rather odd mix, by using the brutality and melodies of Death Metal with the rock 'n' roll prefecture, the result is a bizarre sound and one that will raise a few eyebrows, not only that but the overall ideology behind the lyrics is confounding too as they seem to change nineteen-to-the-dozen. Make it of what you will, but know the major point behind this unique release is that Immer are on the path to glory. Download This: "Old Man Blues" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON AS GOD CREATED 'Creation's Crowning Glory' Thrashcore is relatively a new concept, however it is simply an amalgamation of Thrash Metal and Metalcore. Easier said than displayed, well not quite, in fact when Austrian quintet As God Created dropped their latest effort 'Creation's Crowning Glory', it was a revelation to hear something unique from the plethora of Metalcore crossover combinations. The sensational fury behind the percussion sequences drives this album forward like a military army trooping the colors in front of their leader, that as well as accompanying the ten tonne riffs that crush anything that stands within the Teutonic audio earthquake that comes from listening to this megalithic release. Curiosity for some, but the salient point behind this lot is that they deliver fast, technical and grizzly metal that makes your mother in law wet herself. Download This: "Soul On Fire" [8] RHYS STEVENSON INFINITUS MORTUS 'The Conspiracy Of Love' RAVENHEART MUSIC As the second album by Infinitus Mortus dropped, the sense that this was a huge advancement in American Symphonic Gothic Metal was ultimately realized. Their unbelievably sensational release 'The Conspiracy Of Love' features emotional duets between Caitlin Meehan and Vincent James that can be related to the sort found in legendary stories such as 'The Phantom of the Opera' - it's that two-tone vocal delivery that sets the tone for the album, whilst the keyboard develops an ambient atmosphere that alongside the drums and guitars fuel the vocals with enough ammunition to bring down the statue of liberty. 'The Conspiracy Of Love' is an album that will captivate many fans of female fronted vocals and powerful Gothic Metal alike. Download This: Plain Hearts For fans of: Nightwish, Therion, Within Temptation. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON DIARY OF DESTRUCTION 'Dark Road To Recovery' SEASON OF MIST Unleashing their debut album 'Dark Road To Recovery' onto the masses is French five-piece Diary Of Destruction, a territorial armada that is certain to wipe the smirk of all other Melodic Death / Metalcore ensembles in the European metal scene. Delivering a face-punching wall of sound that consists of extreme female vocals that are sweet as French champagne and yet carry a futile range of decibels that is simply stunning, whilst the concreted over music provides a solid wall of fire that is sure to explode this band to greater heights, if 'Dark Road To Recovery' is the key to unlocking the door for the band to become more widely known, then Diary of Destruction are certainly going to put a few American bands in their place and position themselves as the leader of French Melodic Death / Metalcore. Download This: "That's It!" [10] RHYS STEVENSON BURN STILL 'Rise' Estonia of late has seemingly had an upsurge of metal bands that could collectively dwarf some of the other emerging metal scenes globally. That's easy to say but when you get bands like Burn Still of whose Melodic Death Metal / Metalcore approach is by far the signature tune that this band has craved for. This sound radiates across their latest effort 'Rise', the chunky and crunchy riffs that spellbind the entire release is just merely the start of it, what follows on cue is ferocious vocals that would make any hardcore kid go completely sissy and the drums are confirmed to give anyone neck pains. 'Rise' is an album that is certified for mass headbanging and as the band battle their way through the overly saturated metalcore market, Burn Still are set to 'Rise' up and fly the flag for Estonia. Download This "Closed Doors" [9] RHYS STEVENSON CHROMATIC POINT 'Zlaten Presek' Macedonian Fusion / Progressive Metal outfit Chromatic Point have done justice by dropping their debut album last year, 'Zlaten Presek' is a instrumental release and so for those who cannot cope without lyrics this is not for you. Taking similar sounds experienced by bands like Greece's Dol Ammad and others in the Sci-Fi or epic metal categories, this four-piece immerse the listener in a torrential flooding of erratic riffs, funky percussion and some rather sharp, twisty and unexpected turns. Overall this is a decent enough instrumental release and if lyrics was added to the songs, it could be a whole level greater. Download This: "Proton" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON FATHOMS 'Transitions' Last year Brighton was hit by a mammoth tidal wave that was the direct cause of the Teutonic release by Metallic Hardcore merchants Fathoms, 'Transitions'. From start to finish, the endless brutal technicalities that lie within the solid infrastructure of each song gives the listener nowhere to hide. Fathoms, the very definition of tantalizing face-punching music delivers their finest musical architecture to date via a myriad of cascading riffs, assailant-style drumming and acidic vocals that corrode your senses until you become nothing but atomic waste. If you're after a general Metallic Hardcore band, look elsewhere for Fathoms are set to rip the UK apart alongside other rising bands in what could be called a wave of musical 'Transitions'. Download This: "Lessons" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON AMBERIAN DAWN 'Re-Evolution' KHY SUOMEN MUSIIKKI OY Out with the old and in with the new, long-standing vocalist Heidi Parviainen makes way for the unknown Päivi Virkkunen (Capri, whilst the rest of the band maintain their technically crafted symphonic speed metal algorithm, the shift in vocals are shocking, in fact the scale down is so dramatic it will take time for fans to get accustom to the new vocals. However rest assured Päivi throws in a newer dimension to the Amberian Dawn infrastructure as found on their upcoming compilation 'Re-Evolution' which features old songs with the new vocals on top. What also comes is a slight shift in musical direction, some songs are leaning towards Power Metal with the new vocals, I guess they more or less done another Nightwish and pulling it off. Fans of Sonata Arctica, Yngwie Malmsteen and oddly enough ABBA might warm to this new sound. (p.s. slightly joking about ABBA). 'Re-Evolution' is out 14th June (Finland) and 17th June (Worldwide) via KHY Suomen Musiikki Oy [8] RHYS STEVENSON ESHTADUR
'Dominated By Dummies' + 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' South America is host to a whole plethora of Black Metal ensembles, as if it was the second most followed cult in the region behind football. No surprise then in 2011 the debut album by Colombia's Eshtadur dropped with such furor, it correlates to the early forms of Cradle of Filth and the early forms of melodic black metal. Hellish shrieks dominate this album that is suppressed by an extraordinary rate of blast-beats that encase the entire sound in an unrelenting pummelling sound. 'Dominated By Dummies' in fact sets the path in stone for the band to follow, it captures the very essential expectations of an experimental / melodic black metal album and as a result proves its worth as a valuable listen by any Black Metal fans view. Ten tracks of what could prove to be Colombia's best Black metal production in the entire metal music history in this nation. The great thing about this album is that it keeps you on your toes, there is an endless battering of sensational extreme metal. The upcoming album 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' is even better, still carrying on that essential furious black metal sound embedded in the band's core infrastructure, the band scourge for even greater experimentation sounds that sets the tone for their future - emphatic. 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' takes on board a whole myriad of influences including metalcore breakdowns - leaning towards Abigail Williams and Bleeding Through here and as this sound coalesces around the unsettled atmosphere, it is sure to cause an explosion of violent thunderstorms across the globe. The voice of Colombia has spoken, Eshtadur have proven themselves worthy of being flag bearers for their nation, 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' is poised to be awarded Colombian Metal album of the year. Download This: "Romances In Black" 'Stay Away From Evil & Get Close To Me' is out 1st June 2013 via Gate of Horror Productions [8] + [9] RHYS STEVENSON |
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