 DUSK OF DELUSION 'Funfair' FANTAI'ZIC To be inspired by established bands is one thing, but to try and emulate their sound is a no-no. Regrettably it seems France's Dusk Of Delusion have fallen into that trap, their debut effort 'Unfair' is predictable at it's best and sure whilst it carries the hallmarks of Slipknot and Korn as the bands that spring to mind imminently, the sound is too much of a likeness to said bands albeit the snippets of audio dialogue which somehow (no idea how) deters the attention away from the mimicking going on. In fact, there is far too much Corey Taylor going on here and this is what will leave the album undetected because said vocals, said artist, are established, period. Unless Dusk Of Delusion come up with a new formula for future releases they will always remain in second gear, welcome to the 'funfair'? Horror show more like. Download This: "Casanova" For Fans of: Slipknot, Drowning Pool, Korn, Stone Sour. [4/10] RHYS STEVENSON  PRIMORDIAL 'Exile Amongst The Ruins' METAL BLADE Although they have been going for a vast number of years, Ireland's treasured sons Primordial have not lost any of their unrelenting energy that makes their albums all so great. Four years on since their previous album and the Celtic / Black Metal crew drop their new effort 'Exile Amongst The Ruins' with a ferocious onslaught of folk-laden beats, aggressive and enchanting vocals, and riffs so refreshing, so striking, that they take you by surprise. Now, some might be turned off by the length of the songs but for those who are bold and brave enough to vanquish the thirst for something extraordinary, the experience is rewarding in every aspect. Drafting in Doom Metal elements one some of their songs once again, Primordial drive into the ground the stake of which establishes them as one of the greatest Irish Metal bands of all time; it would take something spectacular to unseat this enchanting release. Download This: "Where Lie The Gods" For Fans of: Winterfylleth, Cruachan, Cnoc An Tursa, Skyclad 'Exile Amongst The Ruins' is out 30th March via Metal Blade Records [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  FRANCIS 'A Million Years Of Loneliness' SLIPTRICK Moldova might be a small country in the far flung corner of Europe, but it's metal scene is ramping and shaping up to be one that can challenge the Western elite. Entering into the fray is Francis with their Modern Metalcore / Melodic Death entwined sound, a sound that will capture the attention of many across the continent and into the global metal community. 'A Million Years Of Loneliness' is the group's new album and it comes fitted with an explosive form of musical armageddon as it twists and turns into a multitude of pitches, rhythms and atmospherics that will leave you jaw-dropped. Judging by this album it seems that Francis are set on creating their own definitive sound and aren't easy to pigeon-hole, thus making them probably the most exciting modern metal band to emerge in 2018... watch this space with sincere intent. Download This: "Nothing Changed" For Fans of: Arch Enemy, Dead By April, Nightwish 'A Million Years Of Loneliness' is out 27th March via Sliptrick Records [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  AUGURY 'Illusive Golden Age' THE ARTISAN ERA Nine years have passed since Augury dropped their second album and it is not really for the better, their latest effort 'Illusive Golden Age' musically is fine, vocals are OK (they are hard to understand for Death Metal standards), but overall? The expectation fell short of 'oh my god'. The album does well to stand on it's own two but it lacks the ability to shift out of third gear into fourth, and whilst it flits between the two genres it lacks organization is rather all over the place despite admitting the music is fine; production wise it's fine, but piecing together it lacks organization. I just wasted time on listening to this arguably decent effort, I just wish it could have sounded better... Download This: "Carrion Tide" For Fans of: Progressive Death Metal, Canadian Tech Metal, 'wtf' metal 'Illusive Golden Age' is out 30th March via The Artisan Era [6/10] RHYS STEVENSON  BARBARIAN PROPHECIES 'Origin' BASE RECORD PRODS / HECATOMBE Heavy Black / Death Metal crew Barbarian Prophecies return with their fourth album 'Origin' and armed with a new vocalist, this is probably the strongest effort they have ever made. A non-stop thundering of raucous riffs, vomiting vocals and destruction drums pave the way for this album to lay waste on your senses with a sense of gratification at the very end. The funny thing is you would not think the vocals were female, such a brutal demonic force resides within Chousa's vocals, so much so they can easily challenge even the most guttural-singing of Death Metal vocalists. This effort shall create waves across the wider Spanish Metal scene, but even so it will strike a chord in the extreme metal community, this is an album to cherish. Download This: "Path Of The Soul" For Fans of: Behemoth, Death, Deicide 'Origin' is out 26th March via Base Record Productions / Hecatombe Records [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  KILLIBRIUM 'Purge' INDEPENDENT Upon hearing the debut EP by Death Metallers Killibrium, it's evident that the quartet know their craft extremely well and are perfectly capable of unleashing an unfathomable amount of extremity on the unsuspecting wider metal community. 'Purge' is a prime example of modern Death Metal should be done, no nonsense, no wishy-washy elements, just a straight and unchallenged stream of sheer ferocity marred by ballistic drumming, tight-arse riffs and vocals so brutal, they make your last shitting episode whimper at the gravity of this tantalisingly unmissable slice of Indian Death Metal. Honestly, if they are not snapped up in the next two years by a record label I shall question the activity of the metal music industry, Killibrium set to become the next big export from India. Download This: "Purge" For Fans of: Suffocation, Aborted, Behemoth 'Purge' is out now via an independent release [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  LAST DAYS OF EDEN 'Chrysalis' PRIDE & JOY MUSIC If Eluveitie, Within Temptation and Sonata Arctica had a threesome, Last Days Of Eden would be the offspring. Folk Metal, Symphonic Metal and Power Metal all come together into a mixing pot to produce something rather magical, something refreshing and something that should be in your music collection. 'Chrysalis' is the third album by this Spanish septet, and boy does it deliver a sound that is astoundingly beautiful. Whilst the folk metal elements float vividly in the background and the guitars and vocals take control on most songs, the delicate balance of all three genres make this album a joy to listen to. With this effort as solid as it is, it's no doubt that their live persona will match the likes of Epica, they certainly have this album nailed on the spot and whilst the Symphonic Metal genre may be overloaded with female-fronted bands, Last Days Of Eden have proven they are more than capable of holding their own. Download This: "Dead Man's Tale" For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Epica, Eluveitie, Within Temptation 'Chrysalis' is out now via Pride & Joy Music [9/10] RHYS STEVENSON  DEAD OF NIGHT 'The Evolving Science Of Self' PRIDE & JOY MUSIC So what can you call Dead Of Night's music? Well it could be Symphonic Metal, it could be Gothic Metal, but let's go with 'Symphonic Cinematic Metal'. Set to release their fourth album in four years since their inception, Dead Of Night are a force to reckon with and are set to become the UK's long awaited answer to Nightwish. 'The Evolving Science Of Self' has the sort of sound you'd imagine hearing on a Disney soundtrack, 'Frozen' for example, because it's majestic and cinematic atmosphere lifts your senses high up in euphoria as the keyboard elements battle for supremacy against Briony's infatuating vocals, the guitars and drums content to take back seat, but the overall composition sits right in front of you as arguable one of the finest unsigned Symphonic Metal releases Europe has ever seen. Dead Of Night are destined to set planet metal alight. Download This: "Set The Night On Fire" For Fans of: Nightwish, Within Temptation, Ravenia, Epica 'The Evolving Science Of Self' is out now via Pride & Joy Music [9/10] RHYS STEVENSON  VALE OF AMONITION 'Those Of Tartarean Ancestry' INDEPENDENT Being a metal band in a country where the scene rests on your shoulders is a heavy burden to have, but it is something that Vale Of Amonition have taken in their stride. Unleashing their sound of True African Doom Metal once again with their second album 'Those Of Tartarean Ancestry', the Ugandan duo have served up something that can be considered a romantic affair with the occult, the dark side of myth and homage to Black Sabbath's Doom Metal pioneering. The magical side to this album and the duo's music is they tell stories through their music, the atmosphere providing a dank, dark, eerie and unnerving feeling and through the guitar distortion, harmonious and deep vocals and the entrancing pace of the drums, Vale Of Amonition have once again delivered a masterpiece opus, one that will delight Doom Metal fans everywhere. Download This: "The Most Of Merry Funerals" - Click to listen For Fans of: Black Sabbath, Huntress, Ghost [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  CARTAGENA
'Roma Delenda Est' INDEPENDENT Since Myrath stepped out into the wider world of metal music, Tunisia has been spewing out bands left, right and centre. The latest export to emerge Cartagena, is no ordinary Symphonic Metal band, this is a band who wants to take you on a journey back to the Roman Empire times and the invasion of Tunisia; band name refers to the then capital of the Carthaginian civilization (now Tunis). By mixing together the traditional sounds of Tunisia and the wider Arabic world with Symphonic Metal, Cartagena deliver a stellar debut album that will give them the proponents to lay waste at the festivals they are playing at this year. 'Roma Delenda Est' is an album everyone should own because it is finely balanced, between traditional music and metal music it straddles the two perfectly. Cartagena are flying the flag for the Tunisian Metal scene. Download this: "Motherland" - Click to listen For fans of: Myrath, Persona, Orphaned Land [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON
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 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  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  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  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  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  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  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  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  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  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  MAYSALOON 'The Forgotten Dawn' INDEPENDENT When it comes to metal bands singing about Middle Eastern or North African mythology or related topics, it's only truly authentic when the band originates from the MENA region; so no Nile are not authentic in this case. Arriving fresh on the Syrian Metal scene amidst civil conflict is Melodic Death Metal outfit Maysaloon with their raw and infectious metal sound laden with Middle Eastern mythology. So whilst ISIS or daesh deliver their unwelcome evil on the outer world, in response Maysaloon distance themselves from those betraying their country in bad light and as a result, lay waste in the metal world with their sheer brutal force and unrivalled demeanour, sending a message to the world that Syria has light in the form of metal music. Maysaloon will crush ISIS' message of hate with a message of love and solidarity amongst the brothers and sisters of the metal world. Download This: 'The First Believer (Al Namroud)' - Click to listen For Fans of: Scar Symmetry, Melechesh, Brood Of Hatred [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  INFINITAS 'Civitas Interitus' INDEPENDENT It's been eight years since the inception of Infinitas, this has however not stopped the Swiss quintet from delivering their debut album with such enthusiasm coursing throughout. 'Civitas Interitus' is an interesting masterpiece, combining the best of Heavy and Folk Metal together to create a sound that is not just full of upbeat euphoria, but also captures the very essence of what metal is all about. Think Iron Maiden meeting Eluveitie; without the Death Metal influence, and you get an idea of where this band is heading. Bard after bard, Infinitas are creating their own story and with their majestic sound doing the rounds, we could see them become the next successful Swiss Metal export. Download This: 'Samael' - Click to listen For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Eluveitie, Skyclad [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  NOX VORAGO 'Al Chem' INDEPENDENT Visually the demonic side of Ghost, musically a leviathan rampaging on speed. Sweden's Nox Vorago are totally underrated when it comes to their musical creativity and it shows on their second album 'Al Chem'. Their blistering style of Symphonic / Progressive Death Metal is without a doubt a furious force that should not be taken lightly, it will cause your ears to bleed at the sheer might of their intensity; think Fleshgod Apocalypse meets Gojira and you get an idea, or perhaps Sweden's answer to Australia's Ne Obliviscaris, minus violin. Either way Nox Vorago are truly underestimated and with 'Al Chem' at their disposal, no one better doubt them... this album is far too tasty to let go. You might need some clean underwear after this, it will give you a boner and an almighty explosion.... truth be told. Download This: "Nuremberg 1561" - Click to listen For Fans of: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Septicflesh, Gojira [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  KADAWER DIALOOG 'Sterfbed' INDEPENDENT It's rare for a South African metal band to sing in their native Afrikaans, but when a metal band ends up singing in their native language it adds an extra element of cultural difference to it and as such makes the music that extra special. Kadawer Dialoog are a four-piece Groove Metal outfit who have just dropped their debut EP 'Sterfbed' and with that added guttural element through their language; off-shoot of Dutch, they've crafted an EP that will be favoured among many in the South African Metal scene, and yet has effectively pigeon-holed the band into a genre that probably will have a niche following. However it is sure to garner attention from their neighbours in Botswana and Namibia whose cultures seemingly transcend borders. Download This: "Babel" - Click to listen For fans of: DevilDriver, Pantera, Machine Head [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  NIGHON 'The Somme' INVERSE Of what arguably could be perceived as 'Symphonic War Metal', Finland's Nighon certainly know a thing or to about breaking boundaries, in fact by stripping their new album 'The Somme' down to bare elements it's clear that the symphonic structure borrows influence from film scores and therefore could lend itself to a WW2 film; perhaps more specifically the Lapland war. Overarching the symphonic foundation are elements drawn from Industrial Metal, Black / Gothic Metal and Atmospheric Metal, all of which coalesce into a sound that could spark off a whole new metal genre; sure 'film score metal' is nothing new with fellow countrymen Ravenia waltzing down that path, but for Nighon this could be the album and sound they've been craving for – the dawn of 'Symphonic War Metal'. Download This: "Marseille 1914" - Click to listen For Fans of: Sabaton, Ravenia, Nightwish [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  DETHRONE THE CORRUPTED 'Sephirot' INDEPENDENT When will bands begin to realize that mixing Melodic Death Metal with Deathcore is not always a good idea? The latest band to attempt this unforgiving combination is Slovenia's Dethrone The Corrupted, sure at times they manage to escape the basic formula for this style and create their own variant, but in an overall sense the result of their latest EP 'Sephirot' is a tale of two halves. On one side there is an abundance of creativity, formulas dictating new musical constructions, on the other side is an EP that is so lost within the notion of escaping Deathcore that it does the exact opposite. If this Slovenian horde could harness more of the Melodic influence and lessen the Deathcore input, then they might well be on a winner. Download This: "Seed Of Cerebrus" - Click to listen For Fans of: The Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, All Shall Perish [6.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  COLD BLACK 'Circles' ARTERY Denmark's most promising Metal act Cold Black have success in their sights with their latest effort 'Circles', it's delicate balance of Electronic Post-Hardcore and Metalcore seems to work in this quintets favour. Since their well-received single 'Constellations' took flight years ago, they've been on the fast-track to making a name for themselves and it's with this effort that dedication and passion pays off. No more is the USA the home of Metalcore as 'Scandicore' takes flight with Sweden's Imminence and now Denmark's Cold Black leading the way. Crossfaith meets modern BMTH with elements of latter Linkin Park detectable in parts of the album, with this formula devised Cold Black are on course to reach the upper echelons and join the most successful Danish metal exports of Mnemic, Raunchy, King Diamond and Scarred By Beauty. Download This: "Circles" - Click to listen For Fans of: Escape The Fate, BMTH, Asking Alexandria [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  Pereplut / Переплут 'V Starodavnie Goda' STYGIAN CRYPT Pagan Metal has long been a staple sub-genre of metal within the Russian lands, so it's no surprise that Pereplut carry on this tradition in national fashion, that is singing in their native Russian language. Surely in time Cossack metal will become a thing as this style of folk metal would befit the said race. For those who don't speak Russian, it will somewhat be alien to them however it does lend itself well to the cultural heritage of the Russian motherland. 'V Starodavnie Goda' is the debut album by this sextet and it has a variety of songs in different speeds; from the fast and bouncy to the sing-song by the campfire style, but it also goes to show that Arkona are not the only Russian Pagan Metal band in existence. Just don't tease those bears with this music... Download This: 'Русалья' - click to listen For Fans of: Arkona, Skyforger, Graveland [7/10] RHYS STEVENSON  FADING AZALEA 'Maze Of Melancholy' INDEPENDENT Starting off with with a gracious and elegant sound, the debut album by Swedish duo-combo fading Azalea waltzes into the infamous Gothernburg melodic death sound, with one evident difference. They strip away the brutality and replace it with an almost orchestral symphonic arrangement that would get any metalhead aroused from head to toes. Maze Of Melancholy can be compared to the works of Fleshgod Apocalypse minus the technical and extreme death metal undertone, in fact what Fading Azalea have done here is a work of genius, if you were to take pinches of Epica, Scar Symmetry and Amon Amarth and put them into a melting point and strip away all but a small of amount of Death Metal, then what you're left with is a symphonic barrage of almost Power Metal-esque music that will surely gain the attention of the record labels. Download this: "Burning To Ashes" - Click to listen For fans of: Epica, Nightwish, Scar Symmetry [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  ASSAULT
The Fallen Reich TRANSCENDING OBSCURITY INDIA Assault are another living proof that the South-East Asian Metal region is as brutal as it once was and that there is no signs of slowing down, sure it's taken the Singaporean unit 11 years to drop their debut album but f*cking hell it was worth the wait! No nonsense Melodic Death Metal comes crashing into Thrash Metal and Metalcore influences that give their debut album 'The Fallen Reich' the privilege of sticking the middle finger up at the overloaded Swedish Melodic Death Metal scene. Remember how extreme Impiety are? Well Assault have improved on that extreme nature and with their sound are sure to cause a shockwave across the wider Asian Metal scene; it might even have enough gusto to perk ears up in Europe. Close your eyes and let the insane audio blitz herewith provided rob you of your senses, this music is guaranteed to keep you awake into the early hours of the morning. Featuring ChthoniC's Freddy Lim as guest vocalist on 'Enslavement To Torture', this is another reason to check this album out. Download This: "The Fallen Reich" - Click to listen For Fans of: Nervecell, DevilDriver, Amon Amarth [9/10] RHYS STEVENSON  THICKET 'Tides Of Pestilence' INDEPENDENT Drawing your attention away from Disneyland and into the realm of the sun-baked streets of Orlando, Floridian Groove Thrashers Thicket mean no harm when unleashing their third EP 'Tides Of Pestilence'... just the average bloodshed is to be expected. Laden with enough potency to spark off a mass brawl at your local venue, 'Tides Of Pestilence' comes loaded with radiant riffs, gritty vocals and unrelenting drumming. As prickly and sharp as their moniker suggests, this fearsome Floridian foursome are one of the latest hidden gems to be unearthed and thrust into the limelight, if you like your metal to be down and dirty then Thicket are your band. Download This: "Unleash The Beast" - Click to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Municipal Waste, Ektomorf [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  HEISENBERG 'The Empire Business' AMPUTATED VEIN There are bands who will indulge and in film and TV culture, for example the Ned Flanders Metal band Okilly Dokilly and Star Wars metal band Galactic Empire, however, with one of New York's latest and hottest properties you would only have to realise that you're not in danger and that they "are" the danger. If this does not trigger any brain cells to click, then perhaps when you hear this trio's new EP 'The Empire Business', you would have to prepare yourselves for they are the guys who knock hard. Enter Heisenberg, the Breaking Bad addicts armed with more meth than Jesse could muster and more brutality than Gus Fring's death, by bolting the Brutal Death Metal and Hardcore genres together this leviathan of insanity conjure up a release that's sure to get social media buzzing (literally). Download This: "No Lives Matter" - Click to listen For Fans of: early-Whitechapel, Suffocation, Prostitute Disfigurement [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  VINTERSEA 'The Gravity Of Fall' INDEPENDENT Despite how Nordic their name sounds, Vintersea hail from the Pacific state of Oregon and they come armed with a sound that is sure to get record label antennae twitching. Formed from the ashes of their previous moniker Asterion, this quintet replaced their ex-bassist with Duncan McCue and with this line-up are certainly solid throughout the entirety of their debut album 'The Gravity Of Fall'. By constructing a sound that consists of a finely balanced mix of Progressive and Melodic Death Metal, this is a strong step towards international exposure. Don't let their vocalist fool you, she is no angel when it comes to her death growls; echoing comparisons with the likes of Angela Gossow. Vintersea as a whole are a band to watch, they are sure to go far. Download This: "Skies Set Ablaze" - Click to listen For Fans of: The Agonist, Arch Enemy, Scar Symmetry [8] RHYS STEVENSON  ENDLIGHT 'Darker Than Dreams' INDEPENDENT Endlight are not your run of the mill Symphonic Metal band, not by a mile. The Colorado outfit amass a myriad of elements that entwine into something rather sonically captivating, that it is simply hard to switch the music off. 'Darker Than Dreams' is this sextet's first EP and it follows off the heels of their debut album 'The Treacherous Fall', since then they've a change in both the male and female vocal duties and so thus providing a fresh take on Endlight's direction. For those with enough spare time on their hands, their three-track EP is worth the listen even though two tracks last out for around eight minutes. By using the flute as the backdrop for the Folk Metal side and traditional metal instruments for the Melodic Death Metal side, Endlight look set to develop their own sound. Download This: "Frost On The Wind" - Click to listen For Fans of: Eluveitie, Scar Symmetry, Wintersun [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  IRRA'S ONE 'Breaking Out' INDEPENDENT Another interesting outfit to emerge out of the Sunshine state aka Florida, Irra's One have dropped their debut EP 'Breaking Out' with an interesting take on Thrash Metal by using that metal style as a foundation and bringing in Hardcore influences to add some extra beef to their already bullish sound. Clean and mauling vocals lead the charge whilst the crackling riffs and distant drums add rumbles of thunder as this quartet produces a release that spits fire and demands attention at all costs. They might have only just started out, but if they can refine the production, bring more emphasis to the drums and guitars, then we could have a really exciting export on our hands. Download This: "Shipwrecked" - Click to listen For Fans of: Hatebreed, Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies [7] RHYS STEVENSON  DARK HAVEN 'Dark Haven' INDEPENDENT Melodic Death metal comes in more shades than 50 shades of black, sometimes erotic but at the best of times the genre is binding and constricts your senses with expert precision. So when bands like Dark Haven dabble in this fragile of genres, they use the core embodiment to their advantage and sprinkle elements of Modern Metal, Metalcore and a dash of Thrash Metal, carving out a sound that will appeal to a wide range of metalheads. 'Dark Haven' is the band's second album and comes out after seven years since their debut, it might well be a long time but it's truly worth the wait. Echoing the early days of In Flames and having dollops of The Haunted and Mnemic in their locker, Dark Haven are that shadowy band lurking in the depths of down-town California. Download This: "The Seven Gods" - Click to listen For Fans of: early-In Flames, Omnium Gatherum, The Haunted [8] RHYS STEVENSON  AT REST 'The Perversion Of Morality' INDEPENDENT It's nice for once to hear a Deathcore band that isn't all about how br00tal they can sound and how many breakdowns they can fit in between verses. New Jersey's At Rest certainly echo the early days of The Black Dahlia Murder and employ a Melodic Death Metal overtone to coat their gruelling style of masochistic Deathcore. Seeming to have made a comeback from the grave, this trio (presumably was quintet) have dusted themselves off and have delivered a polished jewel that certainly packs a punch. What is missing here and could add a haunting feeling is a keyboardist, especially during the breakdowns and interludes in the songs themselves. Other than that this is a solid EP that should not be taken lightly at all. Download This: "Undressed For Death" - Click to listen For Fans of: Born Of Osiris, The Black Dahlia Murder, Veil Of Maya [8] RHYS STEVENSON  DREAMING DEAD 'Funeral Twilight' HAMMERHEART Gloominess and horrors aside, Dreaming Dead are coming for your souls with their devilishly epic new album 'Funeral Twilight' which sees the Californian quartet mash together element of Black Metal with a solidified Melodic Death Metal base. Through the barbaric nature of their sound and the viciousness of their lead vocalist Elizabeth Schall, Dreaming Dead are treading on new territory as we know it and with this effort it was evidently clear as to why they were snapped up by Hammerheart. If you think you know Melodic Death Metal, then you've not done your homework for this outfit defy all what you would expect and instead re-write the rulebook, heck what bloody rulebook? 'Funeral Twilight' is not for the faint of heart, but is for those who love the darker side of metal. Download This: "No Masters, No Slaves" - Click to listen For Fans of: Once Human, Arch Enemy (Gossow-era), The Agonist (Gluz-era) [8] RHYS STEVENSON  HANAL PIXAN 'U k'aayo'ob K'ujo'ob' INDEPENDENT Whenever a band sings about their culture or sings in their own native language or an indigenous language, there is a sense of uniqueness surrounding the band's music output. Belizean Black / Doom Metallers Hanal Pixan are no exception, they sing in the local Yucatec Maya language of which descends from the Ancient Maya civilization and is spoken in the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize. The trio's debut album 'U k'aayo'ob K'ujo'ob' sounds like a tribal ritual of the bestial nature, and the language sits well with the extremity of Black Metal, there's no beleaguering shrieking vocals nor any desire to play as fast as possible. In fact it could be said that Hanal Pixan are leading the Belizean Metal scene to newer heights with their pioneering sound of Mayan Metal. Download This: "Máasewal" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Mayhem, Vale Of Amonition, Bestial Black Metal. [8] RHYS STEVENSON  PESTIFER
'Execration Diatribes' LAVADOME PRODS. Menacing at every second, that is how Death Metal should be right? Not exactly, you see Portugal's Pestifer do more than just unleash a brutalising splattering of Death Metal, they drive it through your pitiful brain and deep into your thalamus rendering your muscular self completely useless... well they do say Death Metal is not for the weak (just ask Suffocation). Anyway 'Execration Diatribes' is the long-awaited debut album by this trio and comes eight years after their well-received premier demo 'Brutal Eruption of Chaos'. It's laden from beginning to end with seismic drums, horrifically-executed vocals and bludgeoning riffs, leaving the listener in complete suspense and trying to understand what the hell has just ripped their cranial structure apart... gee it's heavy stuff all right. Download This: "Dark Dimensions" For Fans of: Acrania, Unleashed, Modern Death Metal. [8] RHYS STEVENSON  YGGDRASSIL 'All Shall Burn' ART GATES It's true that the Vikings did land in Spain, so this is perhaps where Yggdrassil get their inspiration from as a band... although the thought of a Norseman eating paella is quite an amusing one, jokes aside this Spanish quintet are perfectly able to slap down their own branded form of Melodic Death Metal with Viking (of course) influences in tow. 5 years down the line and their debut album 'All Shall Burn' is born, what comes with it is a ferocious onslaught of fast-paced metal flirting with less pacey metal; a generous mixture of songs leaning towards both sides of the Melodic Death Metal sound. It is this effort that will certainly gain them some credible attention from the masses, thankfully they've avoided becoming Amon Amarth version 2. Download This: "The Horde Above All" - click to listen For Fans of: Amon Amarth, Scar Symmetry, Skálmöld [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  AS LIONS 'Selfish Age' BETTER NOISE Nothing says British than a reference to patriotism, well it's certain that these lions roar and they do so with such a ferocious feel to their music that it echoes the anthemic beats of Queen, metallic heaviness of Bullet For My Valentine and modern feel of Avenged Sevenfold. As Lions burst out of the ashes laid down by former moniker Rise To Remain and with the transition unleash a highly promising metal-cross-rock EP called 'Selfish Age'; what Dickinson manages to do, Worsnop didn't. They've clearly done their homework with this effort because it ticks all the boxes that metal and rock fans would want, a record worth opening the pit up for. As Lions are the modern Iron Maiden and join the likes of Asking Alexandria, BFMV and BMTH as leaders of the modern wave of British Metal. Download This: "The Suffering" For Fans of: Avenged Sevenfold, 5FDP, BFMV [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  CROSSBONES 'WWIII' NADIR MUSIC When you come to think of Albania, you're thoughts turn to the double-headed black eagle, the Balkan history and it's Mediterranean climate and yet in-between all of that is a small, vibrant metal scene spurred on by veterans such as Crossbones. This quartet are one of the earliest pioneers of the Albanian Metal scene and have just dropped their second album 'WWIII', exactly two decades after their debut album 'Days Of Rage'. Their effortless grinding together of Heavy Metal rhythms and Thrash Metal aggression remain unchallenged throughout and provide a delightful listen in it's wake, it's an honourable milestone for their national scene and is one that gives them automatic right to be flying the flag for the Albanian Metal scene. Download This: "Gjallë" For Fans of: Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath [8] RHYS STEVENSON  BEHEADED 'Beast Incarnate' UNIQUE LEADER Brutal Death Metal with Technical Metal elements dotted around, yup this is Beheaded as you would expect them. They have not lost their magic touch despite the five-year gap between their new album 'Beast Incarnate' and their fourth album 'Never to Dawn', in fact you might need some life insurance instated before indulging in this face-f*cking slab of fortified metallic cranial pulverisation. Whilst the vocals might not be as prominent as the music itself, the raw feeling certainly adds to the dynamics presented herewith... 'Beast Incarnate' is like an orgy gone insane, seriously you're sex would be spiced up when screwing to the sounds emanating from this beast-of-an-album. Prepare for the ultimate anal penetration. Download This: "Crossing The House Of Knives" For fans of: Suffocation, Prostitute Disfigurement, Gorguts [8] RHYS STEVENSON  DAEDRIC TALES 'The Divine Menace' INDEPENDENT Taking their lyrical influence from the 'Elder Scroll' game series one begins to ponder why they decided to go down that chosen path, but when mixed with Symphonic Power Metal it makes more sense to indulge in the fantasy world. Austria's Daedric Tales are no newcomers to the scene despite 'The Divine Menace' being their debut album, they've been beating around the Alps for nearly a decade and yet this effort presented is a delightful one. Despite all their efforts, this album will probably become ignored by the labels as it lacks that final piece to make it an album that would leave people gob-smacked, despite this though the album is a decent piece of musicianship that should appeal to many metal fans worldwide. Download This: "Planes Of Oblivion" For Fans of: Epica, Edenbridge, Amberian Dawn [8] RHYS STEVENSON  ANALEPSY 'Atrocities From Beyond' VOMIT YOUR SHIRT | RISING NEMESIS This is what you would call filthy-rotten Brutal Death Metal, the kind that would grapple hold of your bollocks and crush them to death by means of corkscrew castration. Sure to the unintelligible the vocals are prime pig squeals and low-fi guttural emittance, but behind the gut-wrenching vocals lies a pulverising mixture of unrelenting drums, barbaric riffs and overall loudness designed to keep your neighbours sweating in their sleep. 'Atrocities From Beyond' is the Portuguese quartet's second album and it's destined to be one of the heaviest metal releases of 2017, it's so metal it cannot be unleashed on the festival circuit without prior warning. Download This: "Ferocious Aftermath" - Click to listen For Fans of: Obituary, Nile, Suffocation [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  SILENT KNIGHT 'The Angel Reborn' INDEPENDENT Built in the style of German Power Metal, Australia's Silent Knight opt for practicality over technicality which (let's be honest) at times can become too much to comprehend and thus sometimes its good to break it down to basics and that's what Silent Knight do... good ol' fashioned Heavy / Power Metal. Dropping their latest EP 'The Angel Reborn', this ensemble from down under create music in the vein of Helloween and give it a dosing of Maiden-esque atmospherics, leaving the EP to enthral whomever listens to it. Silent Knight are perhaps a gem from down under yet to be discovered by the global masses, but damn they do deserve some form of attention - this EP cannot go unnoticed. Download This: "The Ravens Return (Live)" - Click to listen For Fans of: Helloween, Iron Maiden, Rage [8] RHYS STEVENSON  HEAVENLESS 'Whocantbenamed' INDEPENDENT Brazil has a long history of extreme metal, but never has one heard a band quite like Heavenless who seem to want to strap together Deathcore elements with Death / Thrash Metal, weird right? Not as odd as their debut album title mind, if 'Whocantbenamed' is a subtle reference to Voldemort from Harry Potter then I'd love to see how they manage to perform their magic in front of the muggles. Either way the vocals are brutal but unrecognisable and yet that has a degrading effect on the album, the overall release is a decent one. Crunchy riffs lead the charge whilst the thunderous drums and thick bass supplement the onslaught perfectly, what more could you want? A Quidditch match? on your broom. Download This: "Soothsayer" - Click to listen For Fans of: Sepultura (early), Deathchain, Whitechapel [7] RHYS STEVENSON  AETERNAM 'Ruins Of Empires' INDEPENDENT If truth be told, Aeternam are the bastard sons of Scarab (Egypt) and Myrath (Tunisia), by mixing together the brutality of Death Metal with the Arabic influences in the Symphonic and Folk Metal forms, this Moroccan-Canadian unit are priming themselves to become a force to be reckoned with. Their third album 'Ruins Of Empires' could be seen as the crusader soundtrack of the metal world, spewing out hatred against those who turn on each other for the sake of religion. Ultimately this album is enough to give this band fullest attention from all corners of planet metal. As for the Canadian Metal scene, well, this album will need something extra-special to surpass this album, because to be quite frank it's hard to see anything bettering this for sometime. Download This: "Fallen Is The Simulacrum Of Bel" - Click to listen For Fans of: Nervecell, Scarab, Myrath, Divine Disorder [9] RHYS STEVENSON  DEGOTTEN
'Hexentrost' BLACKSTORM 666 Chile has a sparkling history when it comes to Extreme Metal as it's metal scene is laden with it throughout the years, one of it's latest editions Degotten are determined to carry on the legacy through their debut album 'Hexentrost'. This four-piece leviathan spew out Black / Thrash Metal in a grim but pacey form and thus deliver a neck-breaking, raucous onslaught of raw riffs, battering drums and vicious vocals. For those who drool over the underground extreme metal sounds, this is for you as the album is a non-stop roller-coaster of Blackened Thrash and Thrashed-up Black Metal; it takes two. Whilst it might not be groundbreaking by any means, it certainly will have listeners glued for a considerable amount of time. Download This: "Oath Of War" - Click to listen For Fans of: Toxic Holocaust, Skeletonwitch, Aura Noir [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  RANTERIO 'Agonía' INDEPENDENT Ranterío's debut album pays homage to the Groove Metal style as it ticks all the boxes required to befit that style, moreover it's signed it's own disclaimer as an album that will give Ranterío attention from overseas. The language barrier might pose an issue as they sing in Spanish, but by letting the music do the talking it's evident Ranterío have done their homework. Gritty riffs lead the forward charge whilst the drums provide the artillery fire, the bass is as heavy as Argentinian red wine and the vocals are as slick as Lionel Messi's dribbling... what more could you want? Ranterío are set to become a band to keep an eye on as they aim to break-out of the Argentinian Metal scene with ease and being trouble-free. Download This: "Odio" - Click to listen For Fans of: 5 Finger Death Punch, Black Stone Cherry, Pantera [8] RHYS STEVENSON  CERNUNNOS 'Leaves Of Blood' INDEPENDENT Skiltron and now Cernunnos, some might think why on earth is an Argentinian Metal band playing Folk Metal in the Celtic style? It's a valid question, but one plausible explanation is the vast Irish community that resides in Argentina and thus generations back might have hailed from the Emerald island. But accounting for Cernunnos' impressive take on the Celtic Metal style, it's clear that this sextet are set on scoring their own sound by wallowing through Heavy Metal, Melodic Metal and Melodic Death Metal and almost successfully becoming Argentina's answer to Eluveitie. 'Leaves Of Blood' is certainly an album that will enthral listeners for hours, but is also one that could easily carry this musically-sound lot across the Atlantic into Europe. Download This: "Birth Of Galatia" - Click to listen For fans of: Skiltron, Eluveitie, Waylander [8] RHYS STEVENSON  INSULTERS 'Metal Still Means Danger' UNHOLY PROPHECIES Grim and bleak in every aspect, you would think that Insulters have been rampaging around for a very long time given the maturity of their Blackened Thrash assault style, you'd be wrong. Having only been beating around the bush for nine years, Catalonia's Insulters make their welcomed return with album number two, called 'Metal Still Means Danger'. Whilst the album title might not exactly tie in with the chosen metal genre, it does still ring true when contested as a fact - metal is a brutal genre that probably wouldn't appeal to the sheep in the pop music world, that is those who follow pop music en mass and are afraid of deviating away from commercialism. 'Metal Still Means Danger' is definitely a solid album and whilst consisting of raspy vocals and low-tuned guitars, it still packs a punch. Download This: "Forged In Hell's Fire" For fans of: Absu, Deströyer 666, Carpathian Forest [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  DEVIL GONE PUBLIC 'Smokehound' INDEPENDENT For a band who has had the blessing of Brian Johnson (AC/DC) being their mentor, later split-up and then reformed, some surely were going to question the band's odds at a successful comeback. Well the answer is in the form of 'Smokehound', the band's debut album which comes glazed over with Southern Metal grit and brutally tantalising grooves, infectious enough to make you want to renew your life insurance. Devil Gone Public may hail from Florida, but their music is no Disney fairytale and the alligators cannot even chomp through this heavy sh*t. Instead your met with a sound with such force, not even the hurricanes can muster such heavy brutality, but one thing is for sure, Devil Gone Public could easily push themselves to be the next export out of the United States. Download This: "Poison The Well" - Click to listen For Fans of: Rage Against The Machine, 5 Finger Death Punch, Mastodon [8] RHYS STEVENSON  SLITEN6IX 'Hiraeth' INDEPENDENT Bolting together the grim and dank nature of Black Metal with the violence and abhorrent embodiment of Hardcore, Sliten6ix shed their Deathcore skin and emerge as a newfound entity, one with a horrific mauling in their vision, this comes in the form of their debut EP 'Hiraeth'. A thick, distorted mish-mash of shrieking, chaotic riffing, hellish drumming and an atmosphere so heavy it makes your last hangover seem weak compared to this beastly release. Sliten6ix are a force to be reckoned with and given this effort, they are sure to garner some wider attention, not to mention support bands like Denmark's Hexis in their wake. Sliten6ix are flying the flag for the Cambodian Metal scene. Download This: "Lesser Than The None" - Click to listen For Fans of: Hexis, She Must Burn, Black Metal / Hardcore [8] RHYS STEVENSON  EXENEMY 'The Choir Of The Martyrs' INDEPENDENT Exenemy are perhaps the East Asian Power Metal band we've all been waiting for, hailing from Bangladesh this majestic sextet dive in the deep end and amass a sound that's of the Sonata Arctica league. Dropping their highly impressive debut album 'The Choir Of The Martyrs', the Bengal boys of down-town Dhaka don't hold anything back and thus have served up a rather infectious, if not outstanding metal release that will take something special to succeed. Exenemy have the potential to go far with this effort and yet we might just see them make Wacken Open Air someday; they are that good. This Saudi-Bangladeshi outfit (keyboardist Mashuq Haque is Saudi Arabian) are riding high on the tides of euphoria and are clearly the one to watch from this part of the world for 2017. Download This: "Victory Serenade" - Click to listen For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Powerwolf, Sabaton [9] RHYS STEVENSON  SHADOW OF INTENT 'Primordial' INDEPENDENT Deathcore is one of those genres that either one you love or hate, and two either is too damn cliche for it to make a statement or is seismically groundbreaking when produced. Suffice to say Shadow Of Intent have waltzed away from the cliche trap with their melodic, flashy onslaught of technical riffs, harmonious melodies and brutal underbelly. Considering 'Primordial' is the American trio's debut album, this is sure to get them noticed and snapped up by a label at some point in 2017, simply because the music that has come out of their mixing pot is a breathe of fresh air. There are no generic breakdowns and the brutality and melodic nature have been balanced so finely, it remains to be seen where they go on from here - the next album will have a lot of expectation riding on it. Download This: "The Shaping Sickness" - Click to listen For Fans of: Whitechapel, Rings Of Saturn, Fleshgod Apocalypse [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  THE EXILED MARTYR 'Stagnant Waters Breed Life' INDEPENDENT There's something breathing in the Arizonan desert, it's enraged with fury and inflamed by the streets of down-town Phoenix and it's ready to slay your soul, it simply has to be The Exiled Martyr. Here is a quintet with enough sensationalism in their music to cause a major blackout, by bolting together the flattering technicality of Progressive Metal with the monstrosity that embodies the Melodic Death / Metalcore crossover genre, the result is a magical masterpiece. 'Stagnant Waters Breed Life' is this band's debut album and it's one tight motherf*cker, deploying a mixture of clean, djent and melodic riffs at regular intervals in-between the drumming chaos and vocal assault, The Exiled Martyr have enough potential to gain considerable attention across the United States. Download This: "The Illuminist" - Click to listen For Fans of: The Black Dahlia Murder, Unearth, After The Burial [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  IONIC BOND 'Amavashya Lore' INDEPENDENT When you think of metal scenes in Asia, Bangladesh is one of many that you don't tend to think of and thus sadly doesn't gain a great deal of attention. But when bands like Ionic Bond enter the fray, you cannot deny that the scene is buzzing with talent as this twelve-legged leviathan of Modern Melodic Death Metal comes blazing out of the studio with their debut album 'Amavashya Lore', a twelve-track onslaught of pure inspiration, determination and above all passion for metal music. By mixing Modern Melodic Death Metal with Neo-Classical and Folk influences, perhaps it's the bands music that is the ionic bond between these two dynamic styles of metal music. Either way their debut album is groundbreaking and should hopefully serve as a platform for them to leap from into the wider, deeper pits of planet metal. Plus their Eluveitie cover is f*cking epic! Download This: "Crush The Iron Dome" - Click to listen For Fans of: Eluveitie, Children of Bodom, early-In Flames [8] RHYS STEVENSON  BEYOND FORGIVENESS
'The Ferryman's Shore' INDEPENDENT Gothic Folk Metallers Beyond Forgiveness unleash a 30 minute or so debut EP that flourishes as it passes, 'The Ferryman's Shore' takes you on a journey through delinquent harmonies, graceful symphonies and gritty angelic vocals that all entwine to make a sound that ticks all the boxes of being epic. To many this might be a sound that is too cliche within the 'female-fronted' (that tag should be dumped) symphonic metal world, but it works, and with that in mind Beyond Forgiveness certainly know their craft as they deploy the whole beauty and the beast aesthetic with heavenly female vocals crashing against bearish, grizzly vocals. All in all this EP is a delight to listen to, it might not be the best the band can offer, but it's a positive start. Download This: "Perserverance" - Click to listen For Fans of: Midnattsol, Lyriel, Epica [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  FRISSON 'Exit Denied' INDEPENDENT When listening to the debut album release by Frisson, you would have to make your choice on what genre they are because they seem to wander through numerous styles, from Death Metal and Hardcore to elements of Black Metal and Thrash Metal... so let's call it extreme metal. 'Exit Denied' is a raw and brutal release that will appeal to a wide range of tastes, in fact it's a decent release from a scene that lacks in exposure... it's not easy hailing from Kosovo. Wherever the future takes these lads, one thing is for certain, they are flying the flag for the Kosovar Metal scene. For the record, Frisson is French for shivering and shivering is what you will do when finishing listening to 'Exit Denied'. Download This: "Madness" - Click to listen For fans of: Extreme Metal [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  SECTASYS 'Brotherhood Of Chaos' INDEPENDENT Without a doubt one of the tightest, most extreme metal bands to emerge out of the South American continent. Hailing from Venezuela is Sectasys, a Blackened Death trio of whom have summoned the darkest curses known to man to magic up 'Brotherhood Of Chaos', an album designed for those who love their metal to be fast and heavy, not weak and pathetic. From start to finish, this album is unrelenting in every aspect and as the chaos pursues, so does the thirst for more from this band. Think early Behemoth come cascading down into Immortal whilst simultaneously flirting with Carpathian Forest, well, you get the idea... complete chaotic carnage with enough brutality to crush your mind to pieces. Download This: "Destroyers Of Humanity" - Click to listen For Fans of: Behemoth, Carpathian Forest, early-God Dethroned [8] RHYS STEVENSON  LIBERTAD O MUERTE 'En Carne Viva' INDEPENDENT Modern Metalcore meets Modern Melodic Death Metal once again as Libertad O Muerte drop their second album 'En Carne Viva', one year after their debut saw light. Exclusively singing in Spanish, this quintet from Uruguay hold nothing back when it comes to music creativity and it shows on their latest effort, it's none of that flashy stuff nor is it swishy, in fact this album is completely brutal and demands your immediate attention. If you think you've heard Melodic Death/ / Metalcore in it's entirety, think again for Libertad O Muerte feed their style with some groove elements as well to keep it bouncing along tickety-boo. 'En Carne Viva' is a delight to listen to, may they make more albums like this. Download This: "Divide Y Conquistarás" - Click to listen For Fans of: Mnemic, The Agonist, Scar Symmetry [8] RHYS STEVENSON  NOVARIUM 'Omicron' INDEPENDENT With most Gothic Metal bands you tend to expect the vocals to be a battle between male growls and female harmonics, however Novarium seem to want to discard the whole 'beauty and the beast' aesthetic, and instead use the power of the music generated as a menacing sound to battle against the female vocals - quite an interesting take if one is being honest. This American quintet are challenging convention with their debut effort 'Omicron' (n.b. 15th letter of the Greek alphabet), taking a delicate balance of Nightwish style symphonies and slotting in influences from Evanescence, Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation along the way. To most this might seem another one of those cliche Gothic Metal releases, but this is a breath of fresh air, don't believe me? Check it out for yourself. I call this Modern Gothic Metal. Download This: "The Unworthy" - Click to listen For Fans of: Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Evanescence, Within Temptation. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  EX ANIMO 'Neverday' INDEPENDENT If you turn your attention towards Eastern Europe, in specific the broader Doom / Dark Metal movement that seems to be rather a craze in this part of the world, you will find bands like Ex Animo taking the initiative to constantly reinvent this already overdone crossover genre. 12 years may well be a shockingly long time between their debut album and their second album 'Neverday', but the Ukrainian quintet have pulled out all the stops on this effort and whilst sticking 'mostly' to their guns. They've ventured into other styles of metal including Symphonic Metal and Gothic Metal at the foremost periphery. Just don't expect a lot of growling to take centre stage, instead let the atmospherics do the talking because boy, it's terrific, it's hounding and it's going to consume your senses. Download This: "Shattered Universe" - Click to listen For Fans of: Moonspell, Poisonblack, Paradise Lost [8] RHYS STEVENSON  EDGEFLAME 'Liberate Then Separate' INDEPENDENT This is more of a political statement in vendetta form rather than a Thrash Metal album, well when you consider Edgeflame to wallow in the 80's Thrash Metal sound, it fits. Mixing Speed and Heavy Metal as well and you have the complete package. For Turkey's Edgeflame, 'Liberate Then Separate' is more about making music and enjoying it rather than seeking something new and or to be superstars, it's a statement of intent that there is evident unrest within Turkish society - not to suggest that the middle finger should be raised at the state of modern Turkey, or at least ironically that is what Edgeflame seem to suggest. Instead it's a gentle nod to a much wider global issue. Download This: "Sledgehammer Of Time" - Click to listen For Fans of: Evile, Pantera, Testament [7] RHYS STEVENSON  NAWATHER 'Wasted Years' M&O MUSIC Ever since Myrath exploded onto the global stage with their unique style of Oriental Progressive Metal, fellow Tunisian metalheads have adopted similar styles with their music, Nawather are no exception. They aren't trying to be clones of Myrath, no way, instead they add a bit more grit and another take on the flourishing Oriental Progressive Metal style and this is clear with their debut album 'Wasted Years'. By mixing growling male vocals with clean female vocals, Nawather add an extra dimension to create their own sound - through the use of a Qanûn, rather than synthetically create the 'Arabic' vibes via keyboard; not that there's anything wrong with that, either way is something special. But it's fair to say that Nawather, Myrath and Persona are leading the 'New Wave of Tunisian Metal'. For Fans of: Myrath, Persona, Orphaned Land Download This: "Defnouna" - Click to listen [8] RHYS STEVENSON  INTRICATED 'The Vortex Of Fatal Depravity' PERMEATED If seismic activity was detected underneath the buzzing streets of Bangkok, you cannot blame mother nature for it, no not this time... the culprits would be Intricated. By unleashing a torrential, gruelling and disgusting slab of Slam / Brutal Death Metal, Thailand's Intricated are sickening enough to make you vomit and then some. When you consider 'The Vortex Of Fatal Depravity' is the band's debut album after 9 years since their inception, it certainly was worth the wait as the pig squeals, low-fi blastbeats and thick distorted riffs set destined course for pummelling your senses. The funny thing is though, Brutal Death Metal is so fixed on a particular formula it's hard to create anything musically different without treading over the same blueprints, either way 'The Vortex Of Fatal Depravity' is a heavy-hitting release. Download This: "Represent Existence" - click to listen For Fans of: Katalepsy, Suffocation, Dying Fetus [7] RHYS STEVENSON  OMNIFARIUM 'Vitiate' INDEPENDENT There was once a time where most people would have never thought of any metal music scenes happening in The Caribbean, nowadays the island nations and dependencies are embracing this global phenomena and it's bands like Omnifarium who are spurring it on. Having unleashed their first demo 3 years ago, the time had come for them to drop their debut EP and boy what a beast it is. Vitiate borrows influence from Old-School Death Metal as well as the Floridian Death Metal style, so mid-pace drums, chunky riffs and mauling vocals all combine to deliver a harmonised music onslaught. Omnifarium have not vitiated the Death Metal scene, no in fact they've pushed themselves right into the mix of it all, but also positioned themselves to be flying the flag for the Puerto Rican Metal scene. Download This: "Thorns Of Abomination" - Click to listen For Fans of: Shadows Fall, Suffocation, Morbid Angel  FROZEN GATE
'Behind The Dark Ice' INDEPENDENT Perhaps it might be apt that Frozen Gate does indeed hail from the city of Winterthur in northern Switzerland, because this horde of ice warriors have sculptured a rather bitter, brutal and atmospheric style of Symphonic Black Metal. 'Behind The Dark Ice' is a new edition to the whole 'Winter Metal' theme that bands like Wintersun, Wintersoul and Immortal Soul seem to use, in fact truth be told Frozen Gate are the bastard sons of Wintersun and Dimmu Borgir. On one hand you have the icy symphonies and on the other hand the fast-paced brutality combined with an almost adventurous undertone. It is early days no doubt, but Frozen Gate might yet just prove to be the Black Metal band to reignite the Swiss Metal scene and potentially befit themselves as an up-and-coming force in the underground. Download This: "Illuminate My Way" - Click to listen For Fans of: Behemoth, Wintersun, Dimmu Borgir [9] RHYS STEVENSON  TBOPTPIAS 'Caucasian Flagellation' INDEPENDENT Potentially hailing from Barbados, Tboptpias are veiled in secrecy and there's very little information about who is in the band, whether they are from Barbados or indeed if it's a legit band (think Rhanawa vs. Oriksha Shakpana). Either way 'Caucasian Flagellation' is a very interesting release as it binds together influences from both the Black and Death Metal genres and thus somehow develops it's own sound for Tboptpias to experiment with. With the raw and low-fi production adding a crisp and underground feel to it, this debut EP is one for the ages and will surely appeal to those who indulge in extreme metal from exotic locations... that is if they are from Barbados; we know Conrad are. Download This: "Cholera" - Click to listen For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Vader, Impiety [7] RHYS STEVENSON  MEMORIAM 'Ravaged Approach' INDEPENDENT Cyprus does not exactly spring to mind when you think of metal music, yet this island nation in the Mediterranean has a bustling metal scene, full of hidden gems that will get your moshing before you book flights to this sunny and hot place. Memoriam so happens to be one of these gems, this ten-legged Melodic Death outfit certainly know how to deliver a cranial-crunching release, 'Ravaged Approach' is the bands debut EP and it gives generous nods to the whole modern style with Gothenburg elements in tow. 2017 could be Memoriam's year because this sort of sound will do well around Europe as Melodic Death Metal seems to be in demand of late, watch this band with vigorous interest. Download This: "Sated Bull" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, Scar Symmetry [8] RHYS STEVENSON  CHEPANG 'Lathi Charge' INDEPENDENT Now based in the USA, Nepalese Grindcore merchants Chepang drop their self-titled EP with such force that you cannot just simply ignore it. Come on the band features two drummers for heaven's sake, and yet at times you can distinguish this easily from the forethought of them having just the one. Singing exclusively in their native Nepali, Chepang know their stuff as they bolt political and social lyrics with the grizzly sound of thunderous drums, tight riffs and vocals so thick that they're hard to understand - what more can you expect? Chepang take their name from the indigenous Tibeto-Burman tribe and the EP title comes from the Indian Media expression for 'baton charge'... yeah imagine being hit by a baton, that's what this EP will do to you. Download This: "Bidwa Ko Charam Sukha" - Click to listen For Fans of: Napalm Death, Tengkorak, Multinational Corporations [8] RHYS STEVENSON  SILENT TORTURE 'Your Creation' INDEPENDENT Revelling in the shadows of Old-School Death Metal, New Zealanders Silent Torture keep the style alive with their debut EP 'Your Creation'. With muffled growls at the helm, this ten-legged leviathan of bestiality slams down on the table an EP that spits vulgarity, hate and abhorrence. Whilst the core of the EP glimmers with the old-school sound, there's some parts which nick elements from the Modern Death Metal style and thus if you like, keeping both camps happy. 'Your Creation' might not be unique in any shape or form, but it's certainly a delightful blast to unleash upon your neighbours - unless their elderly and then in which case may the zimmer frame moshpit commence (joke). Download This: "Blasphemy" - Click to listen For Fans of: Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, Obituary [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  LUCIFUGE ROFOCALE 'Serpent Insurrection' BLACKENDEATH For the uneducated, Lucifuge Rofocale according to the Grand Grimoire, is the demon in charge of Hell's government by order of Lucifer. In the metal world they are a truly decent Black Metal outfit from the darkened pits of Nicaragua. This time round the trio come armed with their latest offering of demonic and bestial sermons in the form of their premier EP 'Serpent Insurrection'. Traditional Black Metal riffs course throughout whilst there's a delicate whiff of True Norwegian Black Metal in the atmospherics department, both aided by raucous vocals and riveting drumming. Overall a solid EP release that will definitely appeal to the Black Metal loyalists and those passionate about metal from exotic lands alike. Download This: "Luciferic Enslavement" - Click to listen For Fans of: Immortal, Carpathian Forest, Taake [8] RHYS STEVENSON  LUCID NIGHTMARE 'Lucid Nightmare' INDEPENDENT Northern Ireland is one of those metal scenes that despite having a wealth of talent, rarely sees any of it's offspring fledge outside of it's lands if only for a few bands, Gama Bomb for example. So when the attention turns towards the underground and bands like Lucid Nightmare deliver their first effort, eyebrows are raised, because when you listen to their debut self-titled effort, not only is it raw and delicious, it's true to the underground sound. 'Lucid Nightmare' is a release that whilst evidently lacks the ability to convince that the band is the real deal, it does come as a consolatory pleasant listen, one that borrows influences from Black Metal, Thrash Metal and Heavy Metal without straying into either one too far. 2017 should have high hopes for this quintet, they're clearly onto something. For Fans of: Toxic Holocaust, Slayer, Venom Download This: "Hidden Victims" - Click to listen [7] RHYS STEVENSON  COMMUNAL GRAVE 'Solace in Violencia' ENFORCER The members who make up the Pakistani Extreme Metal band Communal Grave have come out from their own communal grave (ha-ha... no), well the previous incarnation split back in 2011 before a new visage emerged just last year (2015) and with it they set on delivering a solid 'welcome back' release. The result? A powerful punch-in-the-face courtesy of their rather ironical debut album 'Solace in Violencia' which eventually came after 10 years since their inception. By throwing Melodic Death and Thrash Metal into the mixing pot, this Karachi-based horde have conjured up a release that is sure to draw some attention their way as its potency is second to none... it's sheer magnificence is untouchable. For Fans of: Scar Symmetry, Kreator, The Haunted Download This: "Pull The Trigger" - Click to listen [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  RAGE MOB 'Unforeseen Disaster' INDEPENDENT Done in the traditional style of South American Thrash Metal, Rage Mob's first ever demo 'Unforeseen Disaster' is laden with chugging riffs, headbanging vocals and Teutonic drums, but even more impressive is the variety of style on this demo. From the fast to the slick, 'Unforeseen Disaster' is a demo that should be heralded by the Paraguayan Metal scene as one of the finest releases seen this year. By taking the Groove influence from Sepultura and adding the brutality of Slayer, this quartet are set to embark on something remarkable in the years-to-come. Sticking to true 80's Thrash lyrics, the band dives head-first into social issues, violent unrest and humanity's demise, how more fitting can this be? Download This: "Ritual Of Violence" - Click to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Sepultura, Evile [8] RHYS STEVENSON  APU RUMI 'Puka Yaku' INDEPENDENT The self-proclaimed 'Andean Folk Metal' sextet known as Apu Rumi have stamped their mark on the Peruvian Metal scene with their ethnic take on the Power / Folk Metal style. By releasing their debut album 'Puka Yaku', which is entirely in the Quechua language; thus becoming the first metal band to do so, they've effectively created a new style of Folk Metal. Quechua so happens to be the native language of the Incas and so thus making this album and band rather authentic to Peruvian culture. Immerse yourself in infectious melodies, thunderous drums and riffs, harmonious and Amazonian atmospherics but also traditional Inca folk music. 'Puka Yaku' is a truly unique and mesmerising release that will set the trend for Peruvian Folk Metal in years to come. Download This: "Tanta Qarwa" - Click to listen For fans of: Mägo de Oz, Skiltron, Angra [8] RHYS STEVENSON  EXITUS
'Rot 'Em All' INDEPENDENT Hailing from The Philippines, the Extreme Metal trio Exitus bind together elements from Black Metal, Death Metal and Thrash Metal to once again conjure up another demo, 'Rot 'Em All'. Yet whilst it's only taken a year to unleash this beast, it's 15 years since the band's inception and so it makes you question what on earth have they been doing all this time? Sleeping under rocks? No idea. But the demo itself is not bad, it's not great, but it does well to pass the time. None the less Exitus will have their fair share of attention across the South-East Asian Metal scenes, but for the wider world? Questionable but certainly not wishful thinking. Download This: "This Metal Lust" - Click to listen For Fans of: Toxic Holocaust, Carpathian Forest, Immortal [7] RHYS STEVENSON  THE NOTHING 'War Of Memories' INDEPENDENT If you want a face-punching slab of metal designed to leave you stunned, then check out The Nothing and their debut album 'War Of Memories'. Mixing a delicate balance of Metalcore and Melodic Death Metal (in the Gothenburg vein), Argentina's The Nothing show their contemporaries that there is more to their country than just football and red wine, in fact 'War Of Memories' might be seen as slightly political given the nature of the Falklands, nether-the-less the album is a force to be reckoned with and will certainly appeal to those who are fans of the Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal and American Metalcore styles. Download This:- "Broken Silence" - click to listen For Fans of: Scar Symmetry, The Agonist, Arch Enemy [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  CHAOS REMAINS 'Roots' INDEPENDENT Can you get any tighter than this? Austria might not spring to mind at first for the whole Melodic Death Metal / Metalcore crossover genre, more-so the dominating Black Metal sector. But when bands like Chaos Remains arise from the snow-laden streets of Vienna, with a calculative onslaught of technical riffs, unrelenting drumming and vocals so brutal that they cause seismic tremors in the Alps, you cannot help but keep your ears turned on to 'Roots'', the debut EP by this 10-legged machine. High hopes are placed on this outfit, for 2017 will be their year that they explode onto the wider European Metal circuit with a bright future ahead of them. Download This: "Marionette Of Media" - Click to listen For Fans of: The Dead Lay Waiting, Bleeding Through, Arch Enemy [8] RHYS STEVENSON  SMALLMAN 'Inner Oceans' INDEPENDENT Taking inspiration from Balkan folklore and latching it onto an ethereal mixture of Folk, Progressive and Sludge Metal, Bulgaria's Smallman are a tough nut to crack. Delivering their latest offering in the shape of their first ever EP 'Inner Oceans', you could argue that they wallow in the Post-Metal and Shoegaze genres too as their rather atmospheric sounds encapsulate your senses and leave them in complete suspension. So if you love to listen to something rather calm and pleasant, then 'Inner Oceans' should be your next purchase. Download This: "Fenix" - Click to listen For Fans of: Ethereal Music, Metal [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  KORIJENJE VJEČNOSTI 'Poglavlje Prvo' INDEPENDENT Korijenje Vječnosti means 'Roots of Eternity' in Croatian, now just because they sing about Croatian patriotism amongst other topics, does not mean that they're far right supporters. Arguably Korijenje Vječnosti are Croatia's answer to England's Winterfylleth as their style of Black Metal is so raw, thick and blazingly chaotic, moreover since they sing about nature, eternity and mysticism one can definitely separate them from the common subjects found within Black Metal. 'Poglavlje Prvo' is the debut album by this quintet and whilst sung mostly in Croatian but for one song "Panzer IV", it certainly adds a Slavic feel to the music. There are good hopes for this Croatian horde as they brandish the music of what one could call 'The New Wave of Croatian Black Metal'. Download This: "Vatra Koja Vječno Gori" - click to listen For Fans of: Carpathian Forest, Winterfylleth, Burzum [8] RHYS STEVENSON  MELTDOWN 'MeltDown' INDEPENDENT Fresh from the city streets of Prague, the Czech sextet Meltdown muster all their might together to unleash a horrific slab of Melodic Death Metal, tinged with various other elements along the way all of which combined amass to one decent listening. Stamping their ground with their debut self-titled demo, they are set on course for great things and are sure to gain attention of the record labels in the coming year. If they keep this formula together and use it on their first EP and first album then they will be laughing all the way to the bank, because I have never heard such a strong demo like this before. MetalGate, Napalm, Spinefarm, are you listening? MeltDown are the Czech Republic's newest, hottest property. Download This: "I Am Unbowed" - Click to listen For Fans of: Scar Symmetry, Children Of Bodom, Wintersun [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  PREVAIL 'War Will Reign' INDEPENDENT Are we staring at the latest hot property to emerge from Denmark? F*ck yes! Stamping their authority down with forceful reckoning in-tow, this Modern Metal machine bolts together the funk of Groove Metal with the unforgiving brutality of Death Metal to craft a sound that will blast your skin off before crushing your bones to ashes. 'War Will Reign' is Prevail's debut album and it's an absolute belter, seriously this is some menacing sh*t. Topping this extraordinary sound is some rather slick and smooth melodies that just top it off all so nicely, so why not sit back, sip a cup of tea or down a stein of beer and enjoy one of the finest releases of the Danish Metal scene in 2016. You dirty animal you. Download This: "Face What Remains" - Click to listen For Fans of: Amon Amarth, Dagoba, Illdisposed [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  CONCEIVED BY HATE 'Death & Beyond' SATANATH Four years has passed since the debut album by Conceived By Hate dropped, and now the Death / Thrash Metal horde from El Salvador drop their second album with a mighty explosion. Their music is solidly bolted in the old-school style and so should garner much appeal from those who are fans of bands like Destruction, Sepultura and Holy Moses. 'Death & Beyond' is a 46-minute romp with no second spent being wasted faffing around, no no this is no poseur material, this is the real deal. For a band who comes from a scene with very little media coverage or anything in the ways of a metal music industry, this is a solid release that connoisseurs of exotic metal should also invest time in instigating. Download This: "The Underdog" - Click to listen For Fans of: Above mentioned bands. [8] RHYS STEVENSON  DEVIL MAY 'Novus' INDEPENDENT For a band who just started out in 2015, their first EP 'Novus' is a juicy and cumbersome release, through the well-executed sound of Melodic Groove Metal comes this tight-knit unit from Wales, set to brush aside their nation's overshadowed Metalcore tagging. 'Novus' means new in Latin and for sure Devil May are new to the scene, their sound might not be completely new but their compositions certainly are something to behold. Here is a band destined to make a statement in the UK and if they're to enter BOA's Metal To The Masses this year, here's hoping they win their respective heat because this heavy sh*t will go down bloody well at BOA. Download This: "Severed" - Click to listen For Fans of: DevilDriver, Devil You Know, Lamb Of God [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  LAMENTATIONS 'Echoes In The Wind' INDEPENDENT Over recent years the South-East region of Asia has become a hotbed for sensational talent and by honing onto the Singaporean Metal scene, there seems to be a huge swathe of bands following in their leaders steps, that band being Impiety. Hailing from the 'Lion City', this Progressive Death Metal unit certainly know the difference from true progressive metal and the over-followed djent movement. 'Echoes In The Wind' is the duo's premier album and whilst it leans more towards the Progressive side of the Progressive Death Metal sound, and in doing so doesn't quite contest Gojira, it does however offer itself as an enjoyable listen. By combining a folkloric feel to it through storytelling and using native influences, Lamentations are certainly an exciting duo to keep an eye on. Download This: "Rivers Of Past" - click to listen For Fans of: Gojira, Ne Obliviscaris, Dream Theater [8] RHYS STEVENSON  CULT OF LILITH
'Arkanum' INDEPENDENT Iceland has seen a constant output of metal from the extreme styles over the last two decades and newcomers Cult Of Lilith are no exception. Technical Death Metal at it's most centralist point, that being a fine balance between tricky, complicated riffs and full-on Death Metal. 'Arkanum' is the band's debut EP and echoes a lot of the old wizardry used by other bands in the same style. Granted it's nothing new and probably won't surprise anyone, but it does do the job that the band set out to do and presents itself as a breath of fresh air for those craving Technical Death metal of yesteryear, simply mesmerising. Download This: "Night Hag" - Click to listen For Fans of: Cryptopsy, Spawn Of Possession, Gorguts [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  HARMASAR 'Din Pământ' INDEPENDENT Nothing says truly authentic than metal music being sung in your own national language, welcoming to the fore is Moldovan Pagan Metallers Harmasar with their debut album 'Din Pământ'. The five-piece ensemble are a bunch of jolly chaps, who with this effort clearly wallow down the same path as their fellow Pagan and traditional Folk Metal contemporaries, with their compositions of uplifting and soul-blessing sound of traditional folk metal. Expect to be on your feet, dancing away wherever you may be when listening or let's say 'indulging' in this epic masterpiece, in fact this music would certainly go down well in front of a camp fire. 'Din Pământ' certainly should be in your music collection as it's demanding attention will certainly prevent you from turning a blind eye, give it a year and Harmasar will be snapped up by a label. Harmasar are flying the flag for the Moldovan Metal scene. Download This: "Tapae" - Click to listen For Fans of: Ensiferum, Korpiklaani and Litvintroll [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  SONS OF CAIN 'Seven' INDEPENDENT The Channel Islands rarely get a look-in when it comes to metal music, yet here are some thriving island scenes with enough talent to be knocking on the UK-mainland door. Guernsey's Sons Of Cain are a prime example whose debut album ''Seven'' would be a blessing when listened live, who knows maybe at next years Bloodstock? Saddled between classic Hard Rock and the NWOBHM sounds, Sons Of Cain know their craft well and are well and truly capable of amassing a number of songs with such bounce and beauty, that it mimics the happiness of the Guernsey Islanders. 'Seven' is a concept album and comes off the backbone of a former cover band, not bad for a group of musicians from one of the more isolated yet inhabited parts of the UK no? Download This: "Magic Man" - Click to listen For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Van Halen, AC/DC [7/10] RHYS STEVENSON  VENDETTA INC. 'Blight' INDEPENDENT Lashing together the funk of Groove Metal and grittiness of Metalcore (in the vocals department), you'd begin to think that you're mistaken for checking out the Vendetta Inc. syndicate, well you would be mistaken. This band is heavier than your last hangover and has far more passion than your last shag in bed, truth be told Hungary's Vendetta Inc. are set on making a statement and with their debut effort 'Blight' leading the way, there is nothing that'll stop this quartet from crushing planet metal under their ballistic weight. It was never designed to be pretty, but that's what it is and boy it's pretty as f**k - this is the real deal and you better believe it. Brutally heavy, slick in composition and precise at every second, Vendetta Inc. may well just be Hungary's answer to Lamb Of God. Download This: "Wretched Mind" - Click to listen For Fans of: Lamb Of God, DevilDriver, 5FDP [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  TEARS OF REGRET 'The Darkness Prophecy' DEPRESSIVE ILLUSIONS The Jordan / Iraq-based horde known as Tears Of Regret might have just become the most exciting underground act to emerge from the Middle East. Coming together are musicians of Iraqi, Jordanian, Russian and Emirati backgrounds to create and unleash a sound that is both hallowing, bone-chilling and raw to the core. 'The Darkness Prophecy' is this band's debut album and it's potent enough to make your ears bleed inside out, spewing out stark comparisons with Darkthrone, Dimmu Borgir and to a certain extent Septic Flesh. Ultimately the album should be a tasty treat for those who indulge in extreme metal and or metal from exotic locations. As for the album, it's bombastic, raw and unsuspecting nature is one that will be tough to beat. Download This: "Time Ignorant" - Click to listen For Fans of: Middle Eastern Black Metal, Darkthrone, Immortal [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  LANDMINE 'Reject The Destiny' INDEPENDENT It's early days, but you could probably consider Landmine as South Korea's answer to Sonata Arctica, their epic vocals leading the charge whilst the music itself delivers a crossover mix of Heavy Metal and Power Metal. Why on earth is the South Korean Metal scene largely ignored remains a mystery, given treasures like Landmine are waiting to be discovered by western metal media (cough like us). 'Reject The Destiny' is the quartet's premier EP and is a sure sign that much more is to come, for a first-time effort it's pretty solid and thus Landmine should be the next band you should check out. 20 minutes of beautifully-crafted Heavy Power Metal surges through your speakers and into your ears, just be sure to avoid wetting your pants at the amazing nature of this band. Download This: "After Love" For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Iron Maiden, Helloween [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  BLAAKYUM 'Line Of Fear' INDEPENDENT Firstly Acrassicauda from Iraq, then Motor Militia from Bahrain and now Blaakyum from The Lebanon, who'd have thought Thrash Metal would touch the hearts of the Middle Eastern folk? Additionally the Arabian vibe flows throughout the band's second album 'Line Of Fear', echoing comparisons with Tunisia's Myrath and Israel's Orphaned Land in the Oriental Metal department. Truth be told this Lebanese five-piece are ready to smash Europe to bits. One can see the likes of Nuclear Blast snapping this lot up, after all, there are times where you can question the European Metal scenes' level of creativity and when Blaakyum have nothing to lose, they go head-on and immerse themselves in originality, giving them the reason as to why they are the flag-bearers of Lebanese Metal. Download This: "Baal-Adon" For Fans of: Motor Militia, Myrath, Orphaned Land [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  SLEEPERS' GUILT 'Kilesa' INDEPENDENT Think you know Melodic Death Metal? Feel you've heard enough flouncy melodies and brutal riffs to keep your sanity in check? You must be f*cking joking. Luxembourg's Sleepers' Guilt don't dish-out that kind of bullsh*t, instead they're capable of smashing your senses into a thousand pieces and then some. 'Kilesa' serves as the quintet's premier album and is one album destined to gain attention far and wide, it's infectious hooks and almost entrancing ability to captivate is paramount, in fact 'Kilesa' may as well be a sharp contender for Luxembourg Metal release of the year as this is probably the strongest album to come out of this country all year. With nearly 80 minutes worth of solid Modern Melodic Death Metal at the helm, this is one album that is certain to quench the thirst of most metalheads. Download This: "Supernova" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Arch Enemy, In Flames, Deals Death [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  BLIND SAVIOUR 'The Master Plan' INDEPENDENT Malta is one of those metal scenes who seems to struggle at times in gaining any international attention, but when you have bands like Blind Saviour emerge on the scene and drop a scorching album such as 'The Master Plan', you know the band means business. 'The Master Plan' is a riotous slab of Power Metal that rampages at a canter whilst whipping up vocals so heavenly, even the angels have started a moshpit. Make no mistake they're not your sappy power metal cohorts, not even when their vocalist is female, of whom does a stellar job at unleashing a voice so emphatic, guys should feel ashamed. Perhaps next year will be Blind Saviours year with this effort firmly underneath their belts, waiting to unleash it upon the European masses... and perhaps beyond. Download This: "The Day After" - Click to listen For Fans of: Twilight Force, Kobra & The Lotus, Sonata Arctica [8] RHYS STEVENSON  MINDAHEAD 'Reflections' REVALVE Modern Metallers MindAhead take no prisoners with their algorithmic approach to music construction, by lashing together elements of Progressive, Melodic, Technical and Death Metal, this Italian sextet are preparing to launch themselves into the unknown. 'Reflections' may be a unique album, it may be a damn good one also, but the truth is it's going to push MindAhead into the spotlight. Such an experimental yet eclectic band and album should bode well in the future because truth be told, this sort of music is what metal needs; to open up and explore new avenues. Ultimately if you thought Modern Metal was about the groove, the riffs, the heaviness, then you're mistaken... stare into your own 'Reflections' and see that the truth is found deep within... the desire to invent, inspire and above all, reflect... Download This: "Emerald Green Eyes" For Fans of: Amaranthe, Nightwish, Epica [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  TRALLERY
'Spiritless' ART GATES Hailing from the Balearic Islands, Thrashers Trallery hold nothing back in attempting to better their debut album, the result? Completely filthy Thrash Metal designed to split your spine in two. 'Spiritless' is a reckless and relentless ride through pacey riffs, brutal drums and vocals so vicious that you'll need life insurance to pass this orgasmic musical spectacular. 'Spiritless' gleams with breakneck Thrash Metal designed to conjure up any moshpit at such short notice, moreover Trallery seem to understand how to create your own unique sound as they wallow in between the ferocity of Slayer and the precision of Metallica whilst giving a slight nod to the Teutonic sound. Ah this album is cool, there's hardly anything worth scrutinizing about... it's not long enough. Download This: "Evil Pride" For Fans of: Savage Messiah, Evile, Slayer, Metallica [8] RHYS STEVENSON |
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