Global Metal Apocalypse
Connect With Us
  • Home
  • News
    • Alternative Music News
    • Metal News
    • Live News & Reviews
    • Other Music News
  • Reviews
    • Alternative Music
    • Film Reviews
    • Metal >
      • Metal II
      • Metal III
  • Interviews
    • Alternative Music Interviews
    • Metal Interviews
    • Music Related Interviews
  • Metal Scenes
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North & Central America
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Blogging
  • Extras
    • GMA Awards
    • GMA In The Press
    • Projects
    • Testimonials
  • Contact

GMA - Vol 223 - X.Kernel, Behated Reign, AK-47, Crushem, Orchid Sword, Apocrifo Manifesto, Blunt Shovel, Anomalie, Democratus, Theopsya

15/12/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
X.KERNEL
'Face The Truth'
CIMMERIAN SHADE

'Face The Truth' is the debut album by the Ukrainian Cyber Melodic Death / Metalcore outfit X.Kernel and boy does it captivate throughout the entire album. By lacing a industrial / cyber style of music on the keyboards with the sheer magnitude of the Melodic Death Metal / Metalcore crossover sound, the quintet X.Kernel have clearly demonstrated that they're not adverse to challenging the conventional norms and in doing so have delivered an album that is worthy of international recognition. If they can maintain this futuristic sounding style of metal they've constructed, they may well just become The Ukraine's latest successful export after their fellow countrymen Jinjer secured a deal with Napalm Records, one can imagine the likes of Nuclear Blast being interested in this one. Imagine Sybreed being mixed with Asking Alexandria and Scar Symmetry and you get the idea, cyber metal flirting with heavenly melodic death metal and brutally-tinged Metalcore.

Download This: 'Kingdom Of Pain'

[8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON


Picture
BEHATED REIGN
'Encounters Of The Worst Kind'
INDEPENDENT


It's no secret that South America has had a relatively low-key history in terms of metal exports, except for Brazil's Sepultura and Nervochaos, Argentina's Skiltron and to an extent Colombia's Eshtadur. Venezuela on the other hand doesn't throw up any successful metal exports, until perhaps now where Behated Reign are the juggernaut this scene has been waiting for. Their debut album 'Encounters Of The Worst Kind' embraces the Melodic Death Metal sound with ease and comes dabbled with elements of Black Metal (in the riff department), it's a tour-de-force that will sure garner the band attention across planet metal. Having been in a previous incarnation in the form of Beheaded (2012-2015), the 2015-present ensemble Behated Reign are sure to knock on the doors of opportunity with this irresistible effort.

Download This: 'Insanis'

[8/10] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
AK-47
'AK-47'
INDEPENDENT

Latino Thrash Metal is one thing you could call the sound devised by AK-47, or you could call it raw Thrash Metal, whatever you decide to call it, their debut demo is one of promise. Hailing from Uruguay this quintet play Thrash Metal and sing in their native Spanish language giving it that original and authentic feeling. Sure the demo itself is only two tracks long, but it's a solid effort which leaves much anticipation for their debut EP or album. Despite the demo having a low-budget artwork design, the sound certainly is not low-budget, far from it. Thunderous drums lead the backline whilst the riffs rampage on, all whilst the vocals polish off the tracks with enough headbanging opportunities to give you conclusive whiplash.

Download This: 'Amos De La Guerra'

[7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
CRUSHEM
'OBS'
INDEPENDENT

There are times where it's best to stick to the 'already done' and then of course there are the times where originality should take centre stage. However and somehow Turkey's Crushem seem to have gotten themselves stuck in the middle, their debut EP 'OBS' delivers a modern approach to the Death / Groove Metal crossover genre, but some of the components are nothing new and so the EP unfortunately lands itself in the 'been there, done it' basket. There are moments where the EP could swing into more favourable territory but these are too rare for the EP to be considered an interesting listen and rather just something to pass the time of day. With the correct vision and aptitude, Crushem could craft something much more memorable rather than something just to be in existence.

Download This: 'Trial'

[6/10] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
ORCHID SWORD
'大躍進'
INDEPENDENT

Could this be the birth of 'Orientalcore' or Oriental Metalcore? Well Taiwan's Orchid Sword certainly seem to want to embrace the westernised Metalcore style with the basic breakdowns and chugging riffs that you would expect, but draft in oriental sounds by using a keyboard; it might sound more impressive with traditional instruments, a er-hu per se. However, the other aspect that makes this band and their debut album ' 大躍進' evidently oriental is the language choice, embracing their traditional Taiwanese they have created a truly unique and authentic sound that should get some attention from overseas – this stuff usually gets some form of international attention. Taking an overall aspect this album is something magical that will propel Orchid Sword into the limelight, here cometh the pioneers of Orientalcore.

Download This: 'Empty 6'

[7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
APOCRIFO MANIFESTO
'Manifiesto'
INDEPENDENT

Hailing from Argentina, Heavy Groove Metallers Apocrifo Manifesto make their debut EP 'Manifiesto' a little basic and unadventurous despite using their native Spanish as language of choice. The EP is too casual for it to be taken completely seriously but does offer glimmer of hope at various points of something special to come. But for the time being it is a decent effort, it is hoped they will build on this effort and come up with something more striking. The atmosphere is just not as potent as it could be, the vocals are OK, the guitars are what you expect and the drums, well simple as they can be.

Download This: 'Alpha-Omega'

[5/10] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
BLUNT SHOVEL
'Get In The Ground'
GOATSOUND

Now this is what you call some brutally heavy sh*t, seriously the debut album by Australia's Blunt Shovel is savage enough to rip the skin and muscle from your face. The unrelenting concoction of Death Metal-infused Metalcore is menacing enough to leave your underwear stained. 'Get In The Ground' is their debut album and it will certainly keep you occupied just as long as you can keep headbanging or air guitar playing, because it demands your immediate attention and does not let go without a fight. Fire and fury underpins this unforgiving release and it's final strike is the unrelenting ability to never stop.

Download This: 'Tongue Hung Pinata'

[8/10] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
ANOMALIE
'Visions'
ART OF PROPAGANDA

Austria has always had a success story at nurturing the Black Metal scene and yet despite the slight lack of bands expanding beyond borders, it still has a thriving and enticing scene. Dropping their third album is Atmospheric / Post-Black Metal ensemble Anomalie, 'Visions' definitely brings the chills down your spine with an icy, Alpine breeze that is almost impossible to resist. To be fair it's the kind of Atmospheric Black Metal you could fall asleep to, sure it's similar to bands like Winterfylleth and Fen, but it works and will certainly appeal to the wider metal music fan and not just those enticed by Black Metal as a whole. Anomalie are a band to keep tabs on as this effort shall certainly turn heads.

Download This: 'Vision VI: White Forest'

[8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
DEMOCRATUS
'Starting Again'
INDEPENDENT

The Welsh are always regarded as singers when they speak, but when they let open the gates of hell for metal music to enter into their lives, their true singing abilities kick into being. Back after a 2 or so year plunge into the abyss with line-up changes and what not is South Welsh crew Democratus with their slick streamlined slab of Melodic Death Metal, successfully demonstrated on their aptly named EP 'Starting Again'; it would be cool if they crafted a song in the Welsh language, but for now let the EP strike a chord in the underground for it will serve as a building block for the next few years or so. Whilst at times the EP breaks into Thrash territory especially on 'Furious Horde' (but retaining the core Melodic Death sound), it does evade the shackles of the generic formulas so many other Melodeath bands have used over the years and thus giving the EP a greater meaning to it's existence.

Download This: "Furious Horde"

For Fans of: Scar Symmetry, Bloodshot Dawn, At The Gates

[8/10] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
THEOPSYA
'Endless'
INDEPENDENT

6 years may seem a long while, in the case of France's Theopsya it certainly is seeing as they've had a line-up change and apparent hiatus during the period between their debut EP 'Tales Of An Angel' and their long-anticipated debut album 'Endless'. The magic has never gone away and with this effort they have shown they are more than ready to let rip on the world once more, hopefully with their newfound sound of glistening melodies and thunderous riffs they can rack up the attention worldwide. 'Endless' is a huge testament to the Melodic / Symphonic Goth Metal crossover and never stops entertaining throughout. Whatever Theopsya have planned next it it sure to be anticipated with high expectations because simply put, 'Endless' is a sumptuous piece of musicianship that is certain to tingle many ears alike.

Download This: "Emerald Heart"

For Fans of: Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation

[8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON
0 Comments

    If you enjoy reading this content, please consider a donation

    Donate

    Metal III

    3rd Chronicles of Metal Music Reviews

    © 2011-2022
    Global Metal Apocalypse


    

    Archives

    May 2021
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    April 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All
    Afghanistan
    Åland Islands
    Albania
    Algeria
    Alternative
    Ambiant
    Andorra
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Atmospheric
    Australia
    Austria
    Avant Garde
    Azerbaijan
    Bahrain
    Balearic Islands
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Basque Country
    Belarus
    Belgium
    Belize
    Black
    Bolivia
    Bosnia-Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brunei
    Brutal
    Bulgaria
    Cambodia
    Canada
    Catalonia
    Celtic
    Channel Islands
    Chile
    China
    Christian
    Colombia
    Comedy
    Compilation
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Crossover
    Crust Punk
    Cuba
    Cyber
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dance
    Dark
    Death
    Deathcore
    Denmark
    Depressive
    Djent
    Dominican Republic
    Doom
    Drone
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    EHM
    Electro
    Electronicore
    El Salvador
    England
    Epic
    Estonia
    Experimental
    Extreme
    Faroe Islands
    Film Score
    Finland
    Flamenco
    Folk
    France
    Georgia
    Germany
    Glam
    Goregrind
    Gothic
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grindcore
    Groove
    Grunge
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Hardcore
    Hard Rock
    Hawaii
    Heavy
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    Incan
    India
    Indonesia
    Industrial
    Instrumental
    International
    Iran
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Japan
    Jersey
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kosovo
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lapland
    Latin
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lithuania
    Live
    Luxembourg
    Macedonia (FYROM)
    Madeira
    Malaysia
    Malta
    Math
    Mauritius
    Mayan
    Melodic
    Melodic Death
    Metalcore
    Mexico
    Middle Eastern
    Modern
    Moldova
    Morocco
    Neo Classical
    Neo-Classical
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Neue Deutsche Härte
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Northern Ireland
    North Macedonia
    Norway
    Nsbm
    Nu
    Old School
    Old-School
    Oman
    Operatic
    Orchestral
    Oriental
    Pagan
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papua New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Parody Metal
    Peru
    Pirate
    Poland
    Pop Metal
    Portugal
    Post Hardcore
    Post Metal
    Post Metalcore
    Power
    Progressive
    Psychedelia
    Puerto Rico
    Punk
    Qatar
    Quebec
    Raw Black
    Romania
    Russia
    Samurai
    Saudi Arabia
    Scotland
    Serbia
    Shoegaze
    Singapore
    Slam
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Sludge
    Soundtrack
    South Africa
    Southern
    South Korea
    Space
    Spain
    Speed
    Sri Lanka
    Stoner
    Suriname
    Svalbard
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Symphonic
    Syria
    Taiwan
    Tango
    Technical
    Thailand
    The Azores
    The Philippines
    Thrash
    Thrashcore
    Trance
    Trinidad & Tobago
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    UAE
    Uganda
    UK
    Ukraine
    Uruguay
    Usa
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Viking
    Visual Kei
    Wales

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly