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

DIABOLIZER
'Apokalypse'
THIRD EYE TEMPLE

It would be safe to say that Diabolizer are tastier than Turkish delight, although the latter is just more savoury. 'Apokalypse' is the Turkish Death Metal quintet's premier album and bloody hell does it slay, it's unrelenting pummelling of ferocious double bass drums coupled with unforgiving vocals and a guitar atmosphere that's sharper than barbed wire. Masochistic in it's production and clean in it's sound, 'Apokalypse' is one album that demands respect, it's filth and corroded smacking of extremity means you should bow down and suck off your genitals, you will find nothing more grim than this album, period (no pun). Hark the new wave of Turkish Death Metal, a sound so brutal you will need clean underwear after submitting yourself to this wondrous work of art.

Download This: "Condemned To Burn In Hell"

For Fans of: Suffocation, Dying Fetus, Unleashed

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

PLECTOR ALIQUEM CAPITE
'The End'
HAMMERKRIEG PRODS.

Delivering their latest effort in the form of an EP, Sri Lanka's Plector Aliquem Capite hold no bitterness back, resulting in the deliverance of a rather coarse, raspy and low-fi production certified to appease to those who love not only Extreme Metal, but also (you guessed it) exotic metal. Let's hope that 'The End' EP is not 'The End' for this bestial bunch, because their bizarre-yet-interesting EP release here is one that is hard to come by, it's indescribable to say the least. Unorthodox on every level, this EP might be brushed aside by the elitists as not a 'pure' Black Metal release, but for those with no such naivety, the listen will be a certified delight. By combining artificial atmospherics with old-school Black Metal, you might get a headache but damn it is worth it.

Download This: "Hypersomnia"

For Fans of: Gorgoroth, Taarma, 'Raw Black Metal'

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

NEUROTECH
'In Remission'
INDEPENDENT

Slovenia's Neurotech has never been a let down when it comes to putting out new music and the one-man project won't start now. Dropping his fifth album under this moniker, Wulf carries on the harsh industrial symphonies he masterminded at the very beginning. 'In Remission' is a transcending journey across cyberspace and the cybernet, riding the very data connections that makes this album so synthetically electrified, so much so you would need a ravepit to encompass a growing moshpit... welcome to the new wave of Cyber Metal. Lacing together the harmonies of symphonic metal with Industrial / EBM beats, Neurotech's music is designed to tap into your cranial infrastructure, probe your mind and download you into the musical matrix of which herewith is presented.

Download This: "The Last Hope" - Click to listen

For Fans of: The Kovenant, Eisenfunk, Within Temptation

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

DISTRICT UNKNOWN
'64 (Single)'
INDEPENDENT

It's very rare GMA reviews singles, but we give the exception to a select few. One of the latest privileged bands is Afghanistan's very own District Unknown. Their latest single '64' may well be in response to the Taliban attack back in April 2016 where 64 innocent Afghan civilians lost their lives, politics and war aside the single is drenched in gloomy doom atmospherics whilst the forefront sound is a combination of Progressive and Groove Metal. The single delivers a trance feeling to it, the dramatical musical representation of the eternal struggles Afghans face, but also the sound taps into their heritage and enables subtle whiffs of traditional Afghan music to flow into the guitar riffs. Overall this single is a statement of intent from the founders of the Afghanistan Metal scene, one that should not be brushed aside.

Download this: "64" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Sigh, Kylesa, Huntress

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

SLOT
'Septima'
SLIPTRICK

Modern Metal's latest product is made in Russia. Drenched in vodka and as ice-cold as the Siberian tundra, five-piece force Slot return with their latest infectious offering 'Septima', a bulldozing album with enough rampaging spirit to kick any moshpit into shit-faced brutality. Singing in their native Russian does not hold this unit back from conjuring up something magical, you know it's this sort of music that glimmers in originality, there are very few comparable bands; if you dig deep into the Russian Metal scene then the closest compatible band would probably be Save. As for Slot, well they will certainly notch up huge interest from Eastern Europe, some might argue they should sing in English to break into the international scene - Rammstein didn't, so why should Slot? Embrace yourselves in this beast from the east.

Download This: "Reincarnation"

For Fans of: Korn, Static-X, Save.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

EFFIGY
'Eugenics'
INDEPENDENT

Effigy hail from Bosnia-Herzegovina, a metal scene that deserves more attention because when you take for example the brutal strength shown on their premier EP, you begin to think why weren't they snapped up by a label earlier? 'Eugenics' is your generic slab of modern Death Metal, but don't be put off by that sentiment because the sound itself is far more complex than that. Filthy rotten vocals lead the battle charge whilst the drums supply the artillery fire, the guitars meanwhile add the final blow and thus ignites the atmosphere with sheer brutal elegance. This band may have come from a country still divided, but their music whilst it speaks words, will not split any Death Metal fans up, it's too cute for that.

Download This: "Repulsion For Creed" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Aborted, Vallenfyre, Abhorrent Decimation

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

VOLUPTUARY
'Hóa Thân'
INDEPENDENT

Could this ultimately be Vietnam's long-awaited answer to Six Feet Under? Because f*ck, this is really heavy as hell. Voluptuary's premier album 'Hóa Thân' primarily sits on the fence between Groove and Death Metal, but secondarily has subtle injections of Progressive Metal to bolster the sound to a greater level. Vietnamese Metal is extremely underground, yet with this effort, we could be listening to the first ever metal band from Vietnam to be signed by a Western label - they deserve it with this effort. Sure some might find it tricky with the language difference, but truth be told the aggressiveness layered over it is really menacing. 'Hóa Thân' means 'incarnate', and what Voluptuary have done here is incarnated a sensational album out of the ashes.

Download This: "Vách đá"

For Fans of: Six Feet Under, DevilDriver, 5FDP

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

PHERETRUM
'Still Being Maggots'
INDEPENDENT

It only took 6 years for Pheretrum's debut album to finally come out, of course between the band's inception and this album dropping there have been a handful of demo's, the wait for the album was worth it. 'Still Being Maggots' is a healthy and juicy slab of Death Metal designed to keep you on your twinkle toes, prancing and headbanging about the bedroom whilst you douse yourself in beer and wishing you were having sex at this breakneck speed; poor significant other. Uruguay has generally had a decent history with Death Metal and this album is no exception, but rather an example of how heavy this shit gets. 'Still Being Maggots' is a delight to behold, just like a chocolate cake, it's full of savoury goodness.

Download This: "Mass Acceptance" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Modern Death Metal

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

LAXSID
'Šañãm'
INDEPENDENT

For the disturbed and those who prefer eerie and weird music, you're reading the right review. Laxsid, a one-man project from Syria (now located in Brazil via Saudi Arabia) is not your typical Ambient Black Metal outlet, in fact there is very little Black Metal in the new EP. 'Šañãm' if you like, is a collection of weird and deranged sounds, sure whilst the ambiance might derail your nerves and send you insane, for those expecting guitars, drums and vocals, you will be met with disappointment. In fact let's call it simply 'Ambient', very little metal involved and yet after listening over and over again, the desire to enjoy the music sits between 'sod it I'm giving up' to 'lets fall asleep to this'. 'Šañãm' is a decent EP, but it lacks a place in this world, if such a place exists....

Download This: "Converted To Knowledge" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Ambient Music, Instrumentals, Computer Music.

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

VODUN
'Possession'
RIFF ROCK

It's the sort of music that would do well at the Notting Hill Carnival (maybe even winning the Eurovision for the UK), blending a mix of psychedelia with stoner metal and injecting Aretha style vocals, Royal Blood rock intuition and ancient West African voodoo vibes. All hail 'Possession', the latest effort by the London trio Vodun, which does more than just giving listeners something to rock out to, it is a conglomerate of rock/metal elements. With songs like 'Bloodstones' almost providing itself as an ideal bond song, well on this effort Vodun could easily write a bond song, even if Live & Let Die would provide the perfect comparison to the band's music. Vodun have proven that music not only brings different music styles together, but also it breaks down the ethnic barrier and as the band evidently proves, there is no room for discrimination. 'Possession' would certainly have been given the thumbs up by Baron Samedi, had he not been 'killed' by the snakes....

Download This: "Oya"

For Fans of: Royal Blood, Kyuss, Aretha Franklin

'Possession' is out now via Riff Rock Records

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

AL-NAMROOD / DARKESTRAH
'Tajer Al Punqia / Akyr Zaman'

Two of the most underground Black Metal outfits have come together to collaborate and unleash a truly unique and historical moment in the history of metal music as we know it. Saudi Arabian trio Al-Namrood and Kyrgyz trio Darkestrah lock horns to release the split album 'Tajer Al Punqia / Akyr Zaman', a full-on 22-minute, 3 track epic consisting of some rather unrelenting Black / Folk Metal seen from the Middle East / Central Asia regions. Quintessentially important to the survival of the smaller, 'endangered' (as-it-were) metal scenes, this split offers an insight into the extreme underground and with it, exposes a simply awe-inspiring and magical horde of musicians and subsequent music that defies the odds and stands for two things, one freedom of speech but more importantly to rejoice alongside the world's metal scenes. For ethos, charisma and utmost diligence in remaining true to their cause, 'Tajer Al Punqia / Akyr Zaman' is a truly symbolic release for those who believe in metal as a cultural expression.

Get it here:- http://www.shaytanproductions.com/Releases/Releases.html

For fans of: Black / Folk Metal, exotic music.

'Tajer Al Punqia / Akyr Zaman' is now out via Shaytan Productions

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

D.A.M.
'Premonitions'
INDEPENDENT

By layering classical, occultist and theatrical elements across Melodic Death Metal, Brazil's D.A.M. have crafted their own sound out of the forest of metal music. This evident on their latest offering 'Premonitions' as they hire the services of Marina Guimarães and Jéssica Delazare to cover the female side of this rather promising Brazilian outfit. Whilst perhaps the first two tracks may be unconventionally long, the latter 2/3 of the release certainly deal justice, through the use of intricate keyboard compositions, murderous riffs, blasting drums (programmed) and vocals so vicious that the favela's would weep in terror. To the trained ear you can tell that there are similarities with other bands, but for the more diverse metal fans, 'Premonitions' is a truly ambitious release from this promising unit. D.A.M. are flying the flag for the Brazilian Metal scene.

Download This: "Anorexic Dysphoria (An Elegy For The Brainless)" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Arch Enemy, Children Of Bodom, The Agonist

'Premonitions' is now out via an Independent Release

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

IFRINN
'Ifrinn'
IRON BONEHEAD

In the deepest grim and most serene valleys of bonnie Scotland resides a Black Metal band so youthful yet so mature in their music, that quite frankly deserves immediate appreciation. Hail to the new brethren Ifrinn and their tantalisingly raw premier self-titled demo. Smothered with atmospherics of all kinds, this demo demonstrates that this Scottish group hold much promise in joining the second wave of British Black Metal. Hiding their identities under a shrouded veil of mystery, all that can be said of the composers is that their dank and hallowing harrowing music is one not to be taken lightly and is ultimately intended for those who revel or succumb to the powers residing within the Black Metal force. 'Ifrinn' might as well become one of the darkest and eeriest releases found within the entire Scottish Metal scene, proceed with caution, you have been warned.

Download This: "Dweller Within The Gulf" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Winterfylleth, Immortal, Wodensthrone

'Ifrinn' is now out via Iron Bonehead Records

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

WILDWAYS
'Into The Wild'
ARTERY

Russia's long-awaited answer to Asking Alexandria is finally a reality, but with an additional twist here and there. Take for example their latest effort 'Into The Wild', it incorporates Trance, Hardcore, Metalcore, Post-Hardcore, Emocore and elements of Dubstep and EBM. Hell let's call them electronicore, but with that in mind because the band prefer to be genre-less let's call them a work of art. 'Into The Wild' is jam-packed with enough tunes to get a party started, chill out, surf to or whatever listeners do best, the salient point is that no matter what you're into, Wildways have it covered. Primed and prepared to instate themselves as Russia's most successful Metalcore export, Wildways are ready to assimilate the world with their infectious, emotional and well-thought-out works of musical art. This sh*t is too damn catchy.

Download This: "Princess" (feat. Rebecca Need-Menear) - Click to listen

For Fans of: Asking Alexandria, Eskimo Callboy, Enter Shikari, Betraying The Martyrs

'Into The Wild' is now out via Artery Records

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

DEMONSTEALER
'This Burden Is Mine'
INDEPENDENT

The latest effort by soloist Sahil 'Demonstealer' Makhija is here, featuring Ashwin Shriyan on bass and legendary drummer George Kollias of Nile. 'This Burden Is Mine' is a tremendous effort as it weaves its way through Death Metal, Thrash Metal and even into the Heavy Metal category. Through the use of guttural and clean vocals, savagely crafted riffs and thunderous drumming, this album flits from force to force and as a result is designed to satisfy all matters of metal music taste. 'This Burden Is Mine' is not just another album, it's a personal statement from the man himself that somewhat suggests that the achievements in life are being carried on his shoulders as depicted in the artwork. Sonically diverse, 'This Burden Is Mine' will have you head-banging, moshing, dancing and possibly masturbating at every passing song, who knows what you will do when listening to this release but one thing is for definite, this is just the start for this metal music genius; a true god within the Indian Metal scene.

Download This: "How The Mighty Have Fallen" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Nile, Demonic Resurrection, Fleshgod Apocalypse

'This Burden Is Mine' is now out via an Independent Release / Demonstealer Records

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

LAMORI
'To Die Once Again'
WORMHOLEDEATH

You could say that LAMORI hail from Finland, but we prefer to say they hail from the Åland Islands, an archipegalo straddled between Sweden and Finland; the latter owns it. 'To Die Once Again' is the band's second album and upon listening to it, stark comparisons with HIM can be drawn like a shooting star in the midnight sky. But despite the clear linkage, 'To Die Once Again' offers a darker overtone with the lyrics primarily covering topics like death, sadness, depression and Gothic aesthetics. Musically sound, 'To Die Once Again' is mainly a Hard Rock album but borrows elements from Alternative Metal and Gothic Metal; with subtle pinches of Doom Metal. This is more than just music, this album paints a picture of how the darker side of life and love becomes neglected, the harsh reality, the wicked truth and it goes without saying, 'To Die Once Again' is to suggest a rebirth gone wrong. But for LAMORI, this is the album that will take them to further international recognition. Now, about that geographical dispute....

Download This: "Lost In Love"

For Fans of: HIM, The 69 Eyes, The Doors

'To Die Once Again' is now out via Wormholedeath, digital release is 10th May

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

CRETURA
'Fall Of The Seventh Golden Star'
WORMHOLEDEATH

Hailing from the throne of Norwegian Black Metal that is Bergen, sextet Cretura throwaway the rulebook and write their own with their unforgiving and eccentric form of Symphonic Extreme Metal. By taking their forthcoming offering as a pure example and breaking it down, it is clear that the Symphonic, Black and Gothic Metal genres coalesce in becoming the nexus between their created vision and background heritage. Their forthcoming album 'Fall Of The Seventh Golden Star' is a genre-defining album if not at least an attempt to break free from the shackles of the Norwegian Black ('extreme') metal scene. Lasting a full-on hour, this album will serve the band as their calling card for the summer festivals, demanding that the band should be booked, because after hearing this effort you will definitely want to experience it live. In essence, Cretura are revelling in the time we can effectively call: 'The 3rd Wave of Black Metal'.

Download This: "Voices Of Hunger"

For Fans of: Dimmu Borgir, Nightwish, Theatres Des Vampires

'Fall Of The Seventh Golden Star' is out now via Wormholedeath

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

ELVARON
'Ghost Of A Blood Tie'
FANTAI'ZIC PRODS

After reforming back in 2014 after five years inactivity; formed in 1993, France's Elvaron are back and it seems with new and fresh ideas. With the current line-up consisting of two original members, an ex-drummer and a brand new keyboardist, it's a meeting of old and new ideas being channelled down  into new ambitions. 'Ghost Of A Blood Tie' is the band's fifth album and is consequentially the band's first album since reformation, now for those who are good at waiting for the music to kick off, this album is for you. However for those who prefer something quicker, well with 8 tracks collectively lasting 64 minutes, on average 8 minutes per track, well you get the picture. Despite the insane length, this Progressive Thrash Metal effort is a decent effort and will certainly get the Elvaron fan base rampaging once again. Emphatic solo's, ballistic drums, savage riffs, majestic vocals and keyboard elements so atmospheric, that all of this combined would be the perfect soundtrack to a summer's thunderstorm.

Download This: "Silent Windows"

For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Voivod, Meshuggah

'Ghost Of A Blood Tie' is out 11th April via Fantai'zic Productions

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

ANIENT
'Elemental' + 'Consigned To Flames'
INDEPENDENT

To Anient is to frustrate or to annihilate, suffice to say that is what the Australian quartet have done on their premier EP 'Elemental' released last year. Splattering together a raucous mess of expertly laid Death / Thrash Metal with the embodied attitude of destruction, these boys have crafted a sound that whilst may bode well on the South Pacific circuit, might just lack that element to gain attention from fans overseas. That's not to say the release is crap, it just lacks that killer blow. Despite the stated criticism, it's a solid effort that garners some element of authority over it's listeners, demanding them to listen to the release to the very death. Gritty as it comes, tidy as it goes, 'Elemental' is a really interesting release that not only could be their best material, but also serves as a decent salutation to their 10th year of activity.

Their debut album 'Consigned To Flames' is a rather solid effort that ironically somehow is not as good as their later EP yet ironically once again does show elements that it is just as good as their EP, confusing right? The sad thing is that we've heard this thing before, it's nothing new and despite the excellent effort at making a mark, it slips slightly at the very last moment. That said, given it took the band nine years since their formation to craft this work, the overall impression given is that they wanted to take their time to make it sound perfect. They did make it sound perfect, just, it lacks that one bit of spark that would otherwise have given it a greater rating. But this should not deter Anient from hitting the studio and unleashing an expected belter in the future.

Download this: "Awakening" - Click to listen
Download this: "Haemoserous"

For Fans of: Nervecell, The Haunted, Hatesphere

[7.5] + [7] RHYS STEVENSON

INSANIAM
'Neurotic Mental Storm'
INDEPENDENT

It may well be perhaps as chaotic as a mental asylum, but the debut album by Spanish Black Metal masochists Insaniam undoubtedly gives the band justification for being one of 2016's most anticipated extreme metal bands. As disturbing and mind-intrusive as the album title suggests, this finely tuned masterpiece explores the various realms of the Black and Death Metal styles, pinches ideas here and there and ultimately devises a sound that Insaniam could call their own. If you like, this is what Donnie Darko and the SAW films merged together would sound like in music-form, gore-infested, psychopathic, excruciatingly painful and chilling to the bone. This album is guaranteed to mess with your mind, so here comes the health warning, proceed with caution.

Download This: "Infernal Waves Of Time" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Carpathian Forest, Behemoth, December Wolves

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SLOWROT
'Baby On Board'
INDEPENDENT

Essentially Slowrot sounds like The Berzerker amped down a bit, whilst retaining some of the menacing brutality the band delivered across the period they existed. Hail the newcomers Slowrot with their unforgiving blend of fast riffage, gruelling vocals and cranial-crushing drums. 'Baby On Board' is this Australian trio's debut album and my god, does it unleash a torrential battering of face-punching, bone-crunchng, skin-munching and shit-dumping metal. With this effort they have perfected a sound that ought to turn heads there way, well you cannot get any more sickening than this, or can you? Whatever the future holds for this lads, they have the red carpet laid down in front of them. 'Baby On Board' is their wager, record labels come and get these lads, because with this effort they won't have to hang around long before being snapped up, you have been warned.

Download This: "Lucifetus" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Cattle Decapitation, Deathbound, The Berzerker

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

DEgITx
'Forest Spirits'
INDEPENDENT

The latest effort by Belarusian instrumentalist DEgITX could easily lend itself as a soundtrack to a sci-fi film, perhaps maybe the forthcoming Star Wars films? Think ethereal, think cyber metal meets Power / Death Metal instrumental elements, you'll get the idea. 'Forest Spirits' is Alexey Kasyanchuk's third album in this project and by the sounds of it, he shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Take for example the tune 'Moonlight & Sunrise', it's clear he is aiming to create his own unique sound and quite frankly he does so, we dub it 'Sci-Fi Death Metal'. With a host of various guest musicians helping out, 'Forest Spirits' could well be a strong contender for Belarusian Metal release of the year. The effort is certainly there, the music is definitely real and the atmosphere is beyond imagination. Immerse yourself in the wondrous mind of DEgITx, open your mind up and enjoy.

Download This: "Moonlight & Sunrise" - Click to listen

For Fans of: The Kovenant, Black Comedy, Breach The Void, instrumental metal.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

BLACK ROW
'2016 Demo'
INDEPENDENT

Emerging from the depths of the Bolivian valleys is the all-female Thrashers Black Row, now whoever says that females cannot rock hard are lying to themselves. Females can't play metal? Bullshit. Black Row's 2016 demo has enough anger and ferocity on it to make you shit yourself so hard, your intestines will rupture with extreme pain. Equally as menacing as the likes of Slayer, Black Row's premier demo carries all the hallmarks of a truly epic South American metal band in the making. No punches are held back on this release as it goes balls-to-the-wall with every riff, pounding of the drum and erotic vocal line delivered, hell although some people would think of this as rather sexy, we think of Black Row as the sisters of Slayer, rather than just four females playing music. Some chicks are hell-bent for leather, some for sex, some possibly for glam, but Black Row are simply hell-bent for metal.

Download This: "Estereotipos" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Slayer, Anthrax, Cavalera-era Sepultura

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

BOGOTAH
'Um Brinde Ao Fim Do Mundo'
INDEPENDENT

Brazil's answer to 5 Finger Death Punch has finally arrived in the form of Bogotah, the quarter from the sun-kissed streets of São Gonçalo have their dues in order as their debut album 'Um Brinde Ao Fim Do Mundo' sends out shocks through the air and then some. Singing in Brazilian Portuguese, Bogotah would have no issues breaking out into Portugal but might struggle elsewhere in Europe, that said look at all those Folk Metal bands and indeed Rammstein, so anything's possible. As for the debut album, well this will certainly satisfy most metalheads as it is rampant, rhythmic and as obvious as it is, groovy. Lyrically it speaks about political and societal issues, so whilst the ideas may resonate with Thrash Metal (and some elements of this are present in the music), the core resides in Groove Metal. Hotly tipped to become Brazil's latest successful metal export.

Download This: "Eu Sou o Caos" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Five Finger Death Punch, Pantera, Metallica

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

Khanъ
'Знамение'
INDEPENDENT

Experimenting can go well if gone about it the right way, however sometimes during that process the result may come up as something rather incomplete. Sure when talking about the debut album by Bulgarian 'Folkcore' horde Khanъ it is clear that the intention to create something rather unique is there, but there are a few songs that just fall at the wayside as they lose focus. However the overall thought of the album is one of positive feelings, because this sound might as well be truly authentic to the Bulgarians thus calling it their own. By weaving Metalcore with the tambura, Khanъ are able to make worlds collide just as Apocalyptica did with their cello's. 'Знамение' is the debut album by this group and it is sure to appease those desiring for something new and original. As for Khanъ, well they simply are the true pioneers of 'Folkcore', long may the subgenre continue.

Download This: "Павле ми пие" - Click to listen

For fans of: Krampus, Ego Fall, Metalcore, traditional Bulgarian folk music

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SEVENTH ARMY
'Artificial God'
THANATOLOGY

Chinese Black Metal is probably slightly darker than what resides in the Nordic nations, Seventh Army might as well back up that assumption with their debut album 'Artificial God'. By mixing together the harshened darkness of Black Metal with some rather snazzy industrial elements, this trio from Beijing position themselves as a rather exciting prospect. Having only been going eight months and now releasing their first album, it is clear Seventh Army don't plan to hang around and that their focus is extremely sharp. However this is no Aborym, far from it, this is their darker cousin. It's like as if you were comparing it to Star Wars where Darth Vader would be Aborym and Kylo Ren would be the Seventh Army. Granted it's as dark as the dark side, but it's anger and unpredictable being certainly relates to Kylo Ren.

Download This: "Resistance" - Click to listen

For Fans of: early The Kovenant, Aborym, The CNK

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

LICANTROPÍA
'Inconsciente Mente'
INDEPENDENT

What is amazing about this release is the crispness of the guitars and drums, yet the vocals despite all the hard work and attempts to perfect them, lack that slight bit of clarity that otherwise would have pushed this premier EP high on the rating scale. Instead 'Inconsciente Mente' by Colombian Melodic Death Metal pilgrims Licantropía perches itself at the lower end of the high scale. Infectious melodies, tight-ass riffs and elegant brutality may well give this band the credit they deserve but in the end the vocals need refining and polishing. Hopefully their next release will herald this change and as a result, give the band that range of song-artillery they can take to fire upon the South American metal scenes. Wedged in the Swedish Melodic Death Metal style, the boys from Bogotá have the creativity to make it, but for now they just not quite there.

Download This: "Unholy Shadows" - Click to listen

For fans of: early-Sonic Syndicate, Dark Tranquillity, Amon Amarth

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

INFERNAL ASCENSION
'Infernal Ascension'
INDEPENDENT

Hailing from Costa Rica, Infernal Ascension bring classic 80's Thrash Metal and sprinkle it with Black Metal influences ranging from the vocals to the evident corpse-paint. 'Infernal Ascension' is the band's self-titled EP and it holds much promise for this starlet group. Especially when the first track kicks off with a slowly increasing sound that eventually gives way quickly to unexpected murderous riffs and merciless drumming. Granted this is nothing new and probably won't evolve into something original in that sense, but clearly the lads have got their affairs in order and possibly could forge a respectable album out of this solid EP. Make no mistake, Infernal Ascension are not to be ignored for they will carry your soul on a plate to their rise to international stardom.

Download This: "Metal Oculto" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Aura Noir, Skeletonwitch, Sodom

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

LASHER ZOMBIE
'Belizean Carnage Collection'
METAL MAYHEM

Hailing from one of the most remote metal scenes in Central America, Belizean Death Metal conjurers Lasher Zombie return with their second studio offering five years after their debut. 'Belizean Carnage Collection' is a solid yet gritty slab of no-nonsense Death Metal that is designed to carve your senses in half, all done through the unrelenting drums clashing against the barbed-wire riffs, whilst the vocals deliver the raw and brutally aggressive stuff. 'Belizean Carnage Collection' might not necessarily be the album to set the world alight, far from it, but it does demand international attention from labels who specialize in said music genre; Comatose Music we're pointing at you. With this effort, Lasher Zombie reaffirm themselves as true leaders of Belizean Metal music; even though the first potentially noted band was Bestial Lust (1995), however with Lasher Zombie the scene has newfound glory.

Download This: "Cruel Reality" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Aborted, Death Suppressor (BZ), Vader

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

THE ERKONAUTS
'I Did Something Bad'
ERKONOS

You would find more solace and entertainment in watching paint dry than subjecting yourself to this extremely dismal debut album by The Erkonauts. Despite all of the Swiss quartet's best efforts, 'I Did Something Bad' does not carve itself out as a decent release, it lacks atmosphere, dwells too much on trying to become the next Dream Theater and ultimately weeps at the seams. Let's hope this album is short-lived and that the band pick up the pieces and redesign their blueprint, whether the album producer thought to themselves 'I Did Something Bad' is one possibility, the other being the thought belongs with the individual musicians. Check out if you dare.

Download This: "Nola" - Click here to listen.

For Fans of: Dream Theater, Periphery, Prog Metal

[5] RHYS STEVENSON

CENTRATE
'Tiger Force'
INDEPENDENT

Cometh the modern wave of Teutonic Thrash Metal, sure Centrate's 'Tiger Force' is nothing new in terms of bringing something fresh to the over-saturated Thrash Metal style, it does however accomplish what it was created to do, that is deliver insanely heavy Thrash Metal. 'Tiger Force' is a four-track EP that glimmers with seismic drumming, maniacal riffs, ferocious vocals and an attitude that combined together sticks a few fists up your anus, knuckleduster in-tow. For the seasoned Thrash addict, this EP will tickle your taste-buds without leaving any desire to turn it off, meaning it might not appeal for those who love a wide array of metal. It is however a decent effort.

Download This: "Tiger Force (promo)" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Holy Moses, Slayer, Tankard

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

PROFUNDAE LIBIDINES
'El Viaje Definitivo'
INDEPENDENT

If you wish to be detrimental towards Profundae Libidines' second album 'El Viaje Definitivo', you can be. Because it strides the boundary of being insanely weird and insanely shit, point being it has too many influences fighting each other to gain supremacy over the entire release. The only decent aspect of this release besides it's creative artwork, is the intuitive-sounds developed on the release through the use of a violin and fret-less bass. France has a rich heritage in underground Black Metal, but unfortunately this album does not stand up to it's former pedigree and thus will be left to rot in the abyss of decaying metal releases. You could be slightly more detrimental by admitting it's stabbed the Avant-Garde / Black Metal partnership in the heart.

Download This: "El Viaje Definitivo" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Avant-Garde / Black Metal, Andy Warhol, 'strange music'

[4] RHYS STEVENSON

PRAVIA
'Pravia'
INDEPENDENT

Behold the purveyors of 'Pagancore', Pravia are Poland's latest export and they come in the form of a five-piece Pagan Melodic Death Metal / Deathcore outfit. By wielding together the grit and brutality of Deathcore, with the flashiness and eccentricity of Melodic Death Metal and lashing it together with the Slavonic perspective of Pagan Metal, Pravia are set to become hot property within the year ahead. For added flavor, if they added some folk instruments native to their Polish and / or Slavic heritage, then the added dimension will certainly hoist them up as a genre innovator. In fact due to the sheer excitement reverberated across this release, 'Pravia' might as well be 'Polish Metal release of the year' for this in all sincerity carries all of the hallmarks of a band destined to achieve great things.

Download This: "Forest Brethren" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Eluveitie, Arkona, Heaven Shall Burn

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

LAPPALAÏNEN
'Kraken's Awakening'
INDEPENDENT

Once again the whole 'we are not Nordic but let's do Viking Metal anyway' attitude comes to the fore with France's latest export Lappalaïnen. The difference being, it seems this bard sextet want to merge both Celtic Metal and Viking Metal together, so far it seems to be paying off but for how long? 'Kraken's Awakening' brings to the table a bouncy, LOTR anthem-like sound to the forefront and will surely appeal to the Folkloric Metalheads worldwide. Whilst perhaps not as majestic as their opposite numbers like Eluveitie and Tyr, they however are much akin to the likes of Nightcreepers. Fast, bouncy and highly energetic is what 'Kraken's Awakening' can be summarized as, just wait for the second coming as it will need to be something special to beat this effort.

Download This: "Riding On The Load Of Hay" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Eluveitie, Nightcreepers, Tyr

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

BUKO
'Elefantes'
INDEPENDENT

Madrid shook heavily on the grounds as the Spanish quintet Buko emerge out of the pits with their highly anticipated debut album 'Elefantes'. Smothered by the Spanish language, this Heavy / Groove Metal release comes laden with Death Metal influences from the American kind. Despite it's lack in breaking the ice, that is making it an instant it, Buko's 'Elefantes' will certainly delight anyone who listens to it. There's a lot of influences roaming around this album and to pigeonhole it into one genre is practically asking for suicide, but with the evident 5FDP groove, DevilDriver Death Metal pinching and Avenged Sevenfold Heavy Metal riffs, Buko's 'Elefantes' is a truly unique release, rest assured.

Download This: "Huérfanos" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Five Finger Death Punch, DevilDriver, Avenged Sevenfold

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

DEPRESSED
'Afterlife In Darkness'
INDEPENDENT

If you asked for raw Death Metal put your hands up, otherwise sit down, shut up and listen to perhaps the most rawest Death Metal emerging out of Brazil over the last decade. 'Afterlife In Darkness' serves as Depressed's long-overdue debut album, which comes a whopping sixteen years after their first demo back in 1999, and boy was the wait worth it. Vocals so guttural that they will bleed your brain dry, whilst the riffs rip into you like barbed wire caressing your skin and the drums just simply, finish you off. Granted this band might be short-lived, but for the underground fetishist and the metalheads who dig exotic metal, then 'Afterlife In Darkness' is for you. Brutal, snazzy, erotic and completely
100% Brazilian.

Download This: "Reborn In Hellfire (Live)" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Krisiun

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

IRONRAT
'Monument'
VOLTAGE

If they had better studio quality then the album would be pretty decent, but ignoring the said flaw the album still is a delightful listen. Of course taking seven years to drop a debut album you'd think that Yorkshire's Ironrat would want to make it as gorgeous as possible, sure it might not be smelling of sweet roses but it certainly doesn't stink of sweat either. Whether the passion boiled down prior to the recording or the band were high off their tits, 'Monument' is still a rampant Stoner / Groove Metal album that carries all the hallmarks you would expect from a said-genre album. Funky, heavy and gritty, now the question is where's the sex? Unless you can give CD's oral, you can give CD's oral, right?

Download This: "Feed The Pigs" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Machine Head, Monster Magnet, Electric Wizard

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

MINDPATROL
'The Marble Fall'
INDEPENDENT

Mindpatrol is the Derren Brown of the metal world, full of magical trickery, progressive illusions and a shadowy atmosphere, after all their second album 'The Marble Fall' plays into the minds of the listener, developing a world beyond mere imagination. With at least an hour's worth of listening to cascade through, at every turn there is a musical element you was not expecting and it is this that places Mindpatrol's 'The Marble Fall' as a huge contender for not only 'Luxembourger Metal release of the year' but also 'European Metal album of the year'. There is no doubt that the Luxembourg Metal scene is shaking at it's very foundations, with Mindpatrol being the latest band to emerge from this tiny nation. Mindpatrol are a band to watch out for in 2016.

Download This: "Tabula Rasa" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Born Of Osiris, Cypher 16, Periphery

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

DEEP RIVER ACOLYTES
'From The Voids Of Chaos'
INDEPENDENT

Wave your head from left to right and back again to the tune of Deep River Acolytes' premier EP 'From The Voids Of Chaos' because this Heavy / Doom Metal monster demands you to do so. Hailing from the cold north of Finland, this quintet do not fail to impress nor serve up a delightful release. Well stretching out at nineteen minutes across three tracks, your attention won't drift away too soon and in fact this EP sort-of pays homage to the founders of Heavy / Doom Metal, Black Sabbath. Whilst they may not be as illustrious as the sadly-splitting band, nor as inventive, Deep River Acolytes certainly know how to start off on the right foot. They may just yet become your new favorite Finnish Metal export, if not one to watch out for in 2016.

Download This: "Dwellers In The Mist" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Black Sabbath, Candlemass, St. Vitus

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

BEYOND CHRONICLES
'Shatter'
INDEPENDENT

High hopes have been placed on the French outfit known as Beyond Chronicles, well with their premier EP 'Shatter' carrying such a convincing sound that in basketball-terms would be considered a slam-dunk, you would have to be stupid to write this group off. Never has French Melodic Death Metal been so exciting, from the rhythmic architecture providing the basis for the guitars, vocals and bass to unleash themselves upon to the slight hint of Modern Metal creeping in, 'Shatter' is a release that will shake the very foundations of the European Metal circuit. Essentially 'Shatter' is as rich in fresh potential for success as much as Sèvres goaded the world of porcelain, Beyond Chronicles are one band to watch for the future, no mistake about it they will go far and will gain acclaimed attention from across Europe.

Download this: "Born To Die" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Marionette, Deals Death, Sight Of Emptiness

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

LA HORDE
'Dystopie'
FANTAI'ZIC PRODS.

Comme-ci comme-ça, or like this like that. That is what springs to mind when pouring over La Horde's second album 'Dystopie', this French unit explore the various avenues of Thrash, Punk and Hardcore to muster up a violent, abrasive and unruly splattering of Thrashcore; but with more Hardcore than Thrash. Bolting together their sound with the romance of the French language is like dressing up a female Black Metal fan in a pink flowery dress, one is brutal and the other elegant. But despite this conflicting analogy (think black rose), 'Dystopie' is a full-on stomping album that would appeal to any fan of old-school Hardcore and modern-Thrash; it is what it says it is, a take-on what life will be like if humanity keeps heading down the yellow-brick road, except La Horde will lead the horde. 'Dystopie' is a decent enough release, it is not groundbreaking or cutting edge, but it will do for now.

Download This: "Chan Chan" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Hatebreed, Scarred By Beauty, Skreamer

'Dystopie' is out 5th October via Fantai'zic Productions and all major online outlets

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

INVOKER
'Aeon'
NON SERVIAM

Germany has a long history with producing some of the finest Black / Death Metal acts and Invoker continue that legacy by returning with their second offering 'Aeon'. Whilst the vocals continue the raw sound that distinguishes them from titans of said genre like Behemoth and Vesania, Invoker tend to drag in more brutal and atmospheric influences to the mix, resulting in a fast and furious yet cumbersome presentation. Whilst 'Aeon' might not exactly be the release to drag them out of the underground shadows, it does however poise itself as a decent listen for those who prefer the more exquisite strains of Black / Death Metal. With two instrumentals, a total listening duration of 45 minutes and an eight minute epic, this album will guarantee anyone who peers into it, a listen they will never forget.

Download This (when out): "In The Womb Of Arrogance"

For Fans of: Dissection, Bolt Thrower, Hypocrisy

'Aeon' is out 30th October via Non Serviam Records in both physical and digital formats

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

FORKLIFT ELEVATOR
'Borderline'
INDEPENDENT

Despite the crazy band name, Italian wielders of Groove / Thrash Metal Forklift Elevator deal justice with their debut album 'Borderline'. Whether that's a remark about their music style being borderline or their band name remains to be seen, but the problem that is presented with their debut album is the quality delivered. Naturally self-produced albums are a little risky in terms of whether it will be successful or not, Forklift Elevator just avoided that trap, just. 'Borderline' does offer crunchy riffs (especially on 'Damn Bug') and thick bass elements, but it lacks that kick force that this quintet are so capable of mustering. By adding a bit more eccentricity and / or power will give them that magical spark to ignite their career and gain much acclaimed attention. Despite this, 'Borderline' is still a valiant effort it just does not have that quality to make this unit stand out from the underground masses.

Download This: "Struggle Of Life" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Five Finger Death Punch, Machine Head, Hebiimetaru

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

NICROTEK
'Strange Sound From The Sky'
BLACK LION PRODS.

Eclectic to say the least, well what else can be said when you put industrial music, Black Metal, folk, ambient and atmospheric music into the mixing pot? Insane is another way, but however you wish to put it, it seems that Indonesian soloist Bobby Deathstars has ventured into the euphoric moment of widening the Black Metal cesspool even more. His project Nicrotek has pummeled out 9 albums this year and this is just one of them, 'Strange Sound From The Sky' explores the creative and artistic breadth of this ingenious musician. Granted to the die-hard kvlt Black Metal fans this would come across as a pile of wank, to those into electronic music the harshness of Black Metal would leave them clueless. Hence this release is designed for total musical annihilation and so for that kudos must be bestowed, what with the sound and atmosphere creating a wide landscape, where can this project go from here?

Download This: "Unexpected Situation" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: 'Black Metal, 'Ambient', 'Experimental music'

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

BLACK ROYAL
'The Summoning Pt. I'
ARMLESS STRANGER

Stoner Death Metal? If that is not another way of describing dying from a meth overdose then no idea what is, joke aside Finnish quartet Black Royal demonstrate their musicianship well through their premier EP 'The Summoning Pt. I'. Thick as the Floridian Death Metal sound and brutal as a mediocre hangover, 'The Summoning Pt. I' is a league apart from other weirdly genre-combined releases. The sad thing is that it just seems to not go anywhere, the music is good but the initiative is one that lacks that convincing element. Granted it will appeal to those who like thick, fast and ironically slow music, but there is too much going on for it to be a decent release. If the band were to hone in on their playing skills and fine tune it, then sure the outcome would be far different, but this is a learning step for the Finns, time will tell if their is any improvements.

Download This: "Contagion Accident" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Melvins, Orange Goblin, Six Feet Under

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

UNDER THE ABYSS
'A Future To Behold'
VOCATION

Heavy / Thrash Metal mixed with Metalcore influences? Sounds good. Sounds even better when you have the likes of Under The Abyss commandeering it. This French mob brandish their own take on the over-populated metal combination and it is this decision that makes releases like their second album 'A Future To Behold' a delightful listen. With each passing second, new elements are delivered and it is this that leaves an ever-lasting taste for more, with an eccentric approach to the compositions and an architectural foundation to build their sound on, Under The Abyss position themselves as potential contenders for 'French Metal release of the year'. This modern take on Thrash Metal is what will drive the genre forward, forward onto newer ventures and perhaps towards 'A Future To Behold'. Watch this band with interest.

Download This: "Meaningless Things" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Fallen Fate, Scarred By Beauty, Evile

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

CHAOS BEFORE GEA
'Khâron'
BLOOD FIRE DEATH

Chaos Before Gea could easily become Spain's answer to 36 Crazyfists and Norma Jean, with their latest effort 'Khâron' delivering a ballistic onslaught of insanely angry Metalcore / Nu Metal, you would wet your pants at the brutality of such a release. Not known for producing stellar Metalcore bands, this in fact could be the moment the Spanish Metal scene has been waiting for, sensational vocals lead the strike force with the riffs and drums providing substantial artillery fire. It might not be something new, but it is something epic and that is good enough for the average metal listener. it won't take long before this lot end up on the laps of the Metalcore titans, so watch this band with every passing day because they are going places they may never have thought of.

Download This: "Red Lights" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: 36 Crazyfists, Norma Jean, Miss May I

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

ÓSSERP
'Sang I Sutge'
BLOOD FIRE DEATH

No matter how much effort you put into a release, it does not always guarantee a decent release. This is what has happened with Ósser's debut album 'Sang I Sutge', there is too much going on and very little in the way of organizing it, as if to suggest the band were distracted during the album making process. 'Sang I Sutge' is the debut album by the Spanish Death Metal / Grindcore contingent and despite it's thick double bass (and bass guitar) elements, gritty vocals and brutal pace, it lacks the ability to convince that this album is there best output possible. Granted Deathgrind was never meant to be pretty, tidy or neat, but there is an exception to that, that is the release has to maintain a percussive pattern and not be hit this, hit that, play this, f**k that. That is exactly what makes this album flop, it just does not convince itself let alone the listener that it is the real deal.

Download This: "Heretant Enemics" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Death Metal / Grindcore

[5] RHYS STEVENSON

JUSTABELI
'Cause The War Never Ends'
MUTILATION

Seven years since their debut album 'Hell War' emerged from the Brazilian Metal scene, Justabeli makes their hallowed return with another slab of old school 'Blackened-tinged' Death Metal. Full of thick viscous riffs that float in-between the ferocity of the drums and vocals that are so raspy they put the old Norwegian Black Metal vocalists to shame. 'Cause The War Never Ends' is true in it's words in that somewhere in the world there are skirmishes going on and so with this 'Blackened' Death metal at the helm of this release, the stage is set for another onslaught of the 'War Metal' style. The only downside is that some of the songs sound too similar to one another, thus the lack of diversity in terms of song construction hinders the album somewhat to the extent that it becomes hard to appreciate certain songs. But despite the inconsistency of song differentiation, 'Cause The War Never Ends' is a well constructed album that will appeal to many fans of Old-School Extreme Metal.

Download This: "Soldiers Of Satan" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Immortal, Marduk, Morbid Angel

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

KOBOLD
'Madman's Overture'

Serbia's rich Thrash Metal heritage should be something to go by when considering fresh metal bands emerging off the streets. Kobold for example exploit the very expectations you would have for a Thrash Metal EP, chaotic riffs, infectious drums and gritty vocals. 'Madman's Overture' lasts for a respectable 22 minutes, with three tracks leading the charge. So if you asked for some Thrash Metal that is designed to crush your skull into nothingness, then you are reading the right review. The first outing for these chaps certainly yields promising times ahead and whilst the music delivers a rather rewarding, yet crisp satisfaction, the expectation for something better arises as a result. Given this was recorded in their own studio, the output is sublime in every aspect.

Download This: "Madman's Overture EP" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Suicidal Tendencies, Gama Bomb, Slayer

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

ASHTAR
'Ilmasaari'
CZAR OF CRICKETS PRODUCTIONS

Upon listening to Ashtar's debut album 'Ilmasaari', you start to think to yourself 'where do i begin in thinking what my thoughts of this release are?', because simply put it is a thought-invoking and dank album that demands complete attention to it. This Finnish-Swiss duo pair up the depressive atmospherics of Doom Metal, the thick sounds of Sludge Metal with the embodiment of Black Metal to create a sound that is almost as if Sun O))), Kylesa and Woods Of Ypres had a threesome and produced offspring in the form of Ashtar. However whilst 'Ilmasaari' may not be in the ranks of awesome, it certainly has the potential to prick a few ears up and is sure to gain some attention across Europe, for now at least.

Download This: "She Was A Witch" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Kylesa, Woods Of Ypres, Katatonia, Sun O)))

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

END OF AN ERA
'PACT Zollverein Live'

How brilliant is it to think that a band releases a live album before an official studio-release? Well that's exactly what Germany's End Of An Area have done. This Symphonic Metal ensemble set the bar high for their next round as this release is of what is expected from an underground unsigned band, a home-but-good quality release. Sure it does not really deliver that all important and crucial aspect, the atmospheric feeling of actually feeling what it was like to be there, but it does it's best to deliver what listeners can expect from the studio albums. Sadly at times the vocals sound too forced and thus really drag the music down - the guitars seem very quiet, quieter than the drums and so thus can leave the listener questioning what is going on.

Download This: "Angel's Spring"

For Fans of: "German Symphonic Metal", "Underground live albums"

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

KAINE
'The Waystone'

Essex Heavy Metallers Kaine make their welcomed return with their second album 'The Waystone', once again firmly rooting themselves deeply entrenched in the classic NWOBHM sound, despite the artwork giving whiffs of either Doom Metal or Folk Metal. There again the song 'entropy (unrelenting chaos)' may as well take Folk Metal elements on the riffs and drums in sync. What makes this release that little bit special is simply the evident intricacies employed on each song and as each song rallies through the speakers, the overall impression is one of gratification in as far as it seems Kaine have finally found the sound they have been begging for ever since their inception, oh and Rage has kissed goodbye to the gruff vocals.... play it again Sam.

Download This: "Dreams To Nightmare"

For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, Motorhead

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

CRUX
'Elapse With The Relapse'
WINDMILL

Fresh from their lengthy hiatus of around 15-20 years, South Korea's Crux may well be one of the old guard, but their music is as fresh as the morning dew. Delivering their first ever album may be a daunting experience, but 'Elapse With The Relapse' glimmers bright with the sounds of some rather epic Symphonic Power Metal, with elements of Progressive Metal in tow. Powering through the songs like a Formula 1 car being injected with Nitrous Oxide, Crux are a right gem in this Far East Asian Metal scene. Utilizing sensational solo's to blast any posers off their seats, ballistic drums that shake the ground and vocals so powerful it would make any pop music fan's ears bleed from the pain, Crux are one band to celebrate, 'Elapse With The Relapse' to cherish and of course acknowledge that they are flying the flag for the South Korean Metal scene.

Download This: "Itch For The Cure"

For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Dream Theater, Iron Maiden

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

DUNKELNACHT
'Revelatio'
WORMHOLEDEATH

Finally a Black Metal band who doesn't serve up absolute drivel, one that does not produce such crap that it makes you want to cry. Blasting out their second serving is France's Dunkelnacht,
'Revelatio' adorns much of the fury and aggressiveness you would want from a Black Metal album without it sounding too false or too soft (yes that does really exist). There is even a point where the band flits between English and French, more of the former and less of the latter, but besides that what Dunkelnacht have concocted is an album that would make the most ardent supporter of Black Metal weak at the knees. If you thought the French metal scene was only capable of producing the likes of Gojira, The Algorithm and Blut Aus Nord, think again, Dunkelnacht are here to prove a point.

Download This: "Le Serment Des Hypocrites"

For Fans of: Blut Aus Nord, Averse Sefira, Winterfylleth

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

NORIKUM
'Regress In Progress'

Norikum may just become your new favorite Austrian Metal band. Smashing through the barriers with an almighty eruption of gun-blazing Melodic Death / Thrash Metal, this is a sound that is sure to ignite the gunpowder and warrant a label signing. 'Regress In Progress' is the debut album by this monstrous machine and what comes with it is an onslaught of tight-ass riffs, face-punching vocals and ballistic drum sequences. Finely tuning a brutal slab of "Modern Hybrid Metal", Norikum have certainly set the bar for times ahead and with this effort are guaranteed to turn heads worldwide. Imagine if Machine Head and Soilwork had sex and gave birth, this would be the offspring. Make no mistake about this, you have no reason to not check them out, they will blow your tits off.

Download This: "I, The System"

For Fans of: Machine Head, Soilwork, The Haunted

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

EVILENCE
'Essence Of Life'

It must be something in the water because this year Poland has been producing some sensational music and Evilence's debut album 'Essence Of Life' is no exception. Employing the Melodic Death / Thrash metal sound, the quintet quickly muster a decent enough release that deserves attention. The only downside is that pretty much after the first track, the album loses it's sense of built-up excitement and soon enough falls into a pretty standard release. That is until you hit halfway and the savage intent picks up again, so consider this album a 50/50 release i.e. some songs are for this type of fan and the other songs are for another type of fan, however casting that aside this is definitely a good starting point for the lads.

Download This: "Edge Of Life"

For Fans of: The Defiled, The Haunted, Sapiency

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

SPIRITUS DIABOLI
'Spiritus Diaboli'

Female Black Metal vocals may as well be considered a rarity, so when Spiritus Diaboli emerge on the Brazilian Metal scene, they drag with them a unique level of anticipation. Their debut self-titled album really captures the essence of true underground Black Metal, with a sound so raw it would make Varg Vikernes wet himself, leading the brigade is 17 year old L. Scarlet, alongside her are four other teenage metalheads of whom all weave their elements into this release very well. Make no mistake this is an album positioned towards the BM fans who love their music as black as death, grim as homicide and bitter as black coffee. It is early days for this group, but they are sure to make a name for themselves in the next few years.

Download This: "Curse Of The Widow"

For Fans of: Watain, Rotting Christ, Dissection

[8] RHYS STEVENSON
 

NONSERVIAM
'A Spectral Ascension'

Following hot off the heels of their premier EP, uprising Melodic Death Metal outfit NonserviaM concoct another excellent slab of monstrosity, melody and total brutal carnage. Their debut album 'A Spectral Ascension' exhibits a tighter, grizzlier and irresistible sound that gently and harshly caresses the listeners senses simultaneously. It is clear that there has been progression since "Ordinance Of Reason", such as the vocals periodically having an echo effect built in to give that added level of dramatics and the vocal range expanding as well, as for the guitars and drums, well they simply have gotten heavier, more direct and more synchronized. This could be NonserviaM's time to exploded out of the Malaysian Metal scene

Download This: "Amongst The Scorned"

For Fans of: Deals Death, Preternatural, Sight Of Emptiness

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

REZINWOLF
'Corruption Kingdom'
KILLER METAL

Evile has just been reinvented. Simple as that... or is it? Entering the affray is Essex Thrash merchants Rezinwolf with their radioactive debut album 'Corruption Kingdom', bolted through and through with some insanely fast drumming, outrageously complex riffs and soul-scarring vocals,
'Corruption Kingdom' shifts through the gears as if it was the soundtrack to Formula 1 at Silverstone. Playing Modern Thrash Metal with the occasional breakdown and Speed Metal influences, Rezinwolf's 'Corruption Kingdom' has placed Harwich on the metal map and not just a coastal town renowned for it's ferry port and industrial relations, although the latter would be apt for usage as to call Rezinwolf 'Cargo Thrash Metal'; big, bulky and heavy... all the essential elements for a kick-ass Thrash album, this could be the start of something huge for Rezinwolf, the only way is Essex? Yes, Essex Thrash Metal.

Download This: "Tomb Of The Incarcerated"

For Fans of: Municipal Waste, Evile, Gama Bomb

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

DISSECTOR
'Local Maniac Syndrome'

Dissector is an uprising Thrash Metal band from Bangladesh who have just released their debut EP ‘Local Maniac Syndrome’, it screams a subliminal statement that they are here to stay and bring back the reign of Thrash Metal! Dissector’s intention is clear, they wanted to make a really fast, extreme and if possible the angriest set of tracks to come out of Bangladesh! Dip’s vocals have this unique "I have no testicles" kind of voice and a bad-ass attitude, the anger adds great values to the band and the EP! The fast, thrashy riffs are well written and are quite old school-ish. Songs like "Samsu The Slaughterer" have a very catchy yet thrashy set of riffs that get hooked to your brain for a long time. Muktadir's uncanny ability to garner such pummeling momentum on the drums, and then slow down during the solo parts and create such a groove on the cymbals is remarkable! The solos may not be the most technically dazzling but they do fill in the riff structures just fine, maintaining and sometimes changing the feel of the songs. If producer Sumit Gaurab was given more mixing time, the record could have sounded more amazing. Those who listen to the EP “Local Maniac Syndrome” will find it like a quick kick in the nuts and is guaranteed to knock the wind out of you!

Download These: "Samsu The Slaughterer" & "Mass Destruction"

For Fans of: Old School Thrash Metal, Slayer

[7] NABIL ABADDON

HAIL OF BULLETS
'III The Rommel Chronicles'
METAL BLADE

The Dutch are coming! Armed with their infamously recognizable sound, Holland's Hail Of Bullets are going flat out for number three, their upcoming album 'III The Rommel Chronicles' crushes the mind and soul with the inescapable sound of Old-School Death Metal, utilizing thick riffs and raucous vocals alongside blitzing-speed drumming and hardcore military atmospherics, 'III The Rommel Chronicles' is a testament to the sensational battle between Erwin Rommel (Desert Fox) and Bernard Montgomery (for those who are not in the know, both leaders fought against each other in the Battle of El Alamein in WW2). Be prepared to be under the cosh from the very start to the very end as 'III The Rommel Chronicles' explodes with the violent sound of flak fire, razor-sharp shrapnel and heavy artillery fire, so prepare to be ambushed by this phenomenal release, place yourself at the forefront of either the British army or the Afrika Korps and be buried by the furious power of Dutch 'War Metal' veterans Hail Of Bullets, let the battle commence...

For Fans of: God Dethroned, Bolt Thrower, Asphyx

'III The Rommel Chronicles' is out October 29th via Metal Blade Records

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

UNBORN
'Awaken To Reality'

As if Prague was not already glorious enough with it's magnificent architecture and of course playing homage to the Vin Diesel film XXX, but as for the darker and more metal side to this Central European city, it holds a whole host of brilliant bands and Unborn is no exception. Having just released their third album in their seventeen year existence, the Thrash Metal ensemble do not mess around when it comes to unleashing sensational music. 'Awaken To Reality' comes as the next and latest installment in this band's history and boy does it blow hard, playing predominantly to the classic European Thrash Metal sound pioneered by bands like Kreator and Holy Moses, this Czech mob drag in various elements from Speed Metal to subtle detections of Hardcore; especially with the breakdowns. But overall this album is a work of art and something that any modern Thrash Metal fan will certainly enjoy, as will the old Thrash Metal followers.

Download This: "Walls Of Madness"

For Fans of: Gama Bomb, Holy Moses, Municipal Waste

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

THE DEFILED
'Grave Times Live'

Following on from their well received debut album "Grave Times" and preceding their Nuclear Blast debut album "Daggers", London Industrial / Modern Metal bruisers The Defiled took their dark side to newer heights as they unleash their "Grave Times Live" at a rather intimate gig that seemed to have around only 100 people, some coming from as far as Scotland and Ireland. 'Grave Times Live' oozes the Industrial-tinged Modern Metal that The Defiled formulated and pioneered as their own unique sound. This live album certainly does take the listener to the gig, dragging you in as if you experienced this for your own self. Consider this release as the ultimate transition to their phenomenal second album "Daggers", but also consider 'Grave Times Live' to be the absolute pivotal point in the band's career and what a damn good release it is, rest assured this album packs a punch.

Download This: "Metropolis"

For Fans of: Dagoba, Ministry, Machine Head

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

ILLNESS
'Psychopath'
DEFORMA(R)T

Let's be honest at times you would think that the bass drum would break from the sheer velocity it is pelted at by a drum machine, not a proper drummer. It's rather a gray area this whole drum programming malarkey, especially when it deprives the music of originality. Polish-Norwegian duo Illness are in that very situation whereby the guitars and vocals do the forward commands and yet the drums totally drag their sound into complete shambles. 'Psychopath' is the duo's fourth album and whilst it compromises on letting the drums go beyond the speed of the average BM drummer, it drills a hole into the release and makes it less impressive, to save the album from being labelled a machine-made product, the snarling vocals sneer and slice your mind in half whilst the raw riffs bleed your senses dry. Ironically the drums do deliver a brutal sound, but the notion is the crux of the disappointment.

Download This: "A Doors Behind The Doors"

For Fans of: Drum Programmed Black Metal

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

PANDEMMY
'Reflections & Rebellions'

Perhaps one of the finest metal bands to come out of Brazil for sometime, hauling out their premier album 'Reflections & Rebellions' is Death / Thrash wizards Pandemmy, accumulating a sound that spews out sounds in the style of old Sepultura, but more modernized, Pandemmy's 'Reflections & Rebellions' bulges at the corners with some rather brutal Death Metal vocals that would scare the living daylights out of the Amazonian tribes, whilst the drumming frequency and technicality mixed with the riff intricacy and solo patterns would make the Brazilian national football team wet their pants. 'Reflections & Rebellions' is a testament to the brilliance of the Brazilian Metal scene and with it's contagious songs brooding a new sense of direction for Pandemmy, this might be their hour.

Download This: "Rubicon (Point Of No Return)"

For Fans of: Kreator, Sepultura, Hypocrisy

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

CLANDESTINED
'Mortal'
EVIL

Clandestined make their welcomed return with their third album 'Mortal' firmly poised as the best release they've done in their four year existence, 'Mortal' delivers another round of knock-out metal that what makes Clandestined one of Japan's most exciting Death / Thrash Metal bands to come out in the last five years. Now if you thought the earthquakes this Asian island country receives were devastating enough, then Clandestined are perhaps not for you as they wield together a rough concoction of Death Metal with the slick speed of Thrash Metal. Imagine a sheer pummelling going on inside you as the drums drive your heartbeat rate so fast and high that you start bleeding from the inside out, whilst the riffs crush your soul and the vocals cause earache, this is the sort of force that 'Mortal' delivers. You better fear it, because you will never hear anything like this elsewhere, Clandestined are flying the flag for the Japanese Metal scene.

Download This: "Syndrome"

For Fans of: Sepultura, Carnal Forge, Torture Squad

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

SECRETS OF SIN
'Future Memories'

Reinventing the dramatics of Symphonic Metal by developing 'Symphonic Modern Metal', Germany's Secrets of Sin summon up a sound that crushes anyone who opposes this triumphant music. Imagine the angelical elements of Symphonic Metal colliding with the technicality of Modern Metal and having the beauty and beast vocals scenario directing this sound to newer territories. Well that is exactly what 'Future Memories' is all about, the debut album by Secrets of Sin boasts originality and a musical fusion that is sure to get the ears of Europe perked up. With the song "Inside" sparking symphonic similarities with Verdi's "Requiem, Dies Irae", by adding the complexity of Modern Metal bands like The Defiled, the symphonies of Myrath and Epica, and wielding that with the sheer vocal dynamics that Sharon Den Adel and Alexi Laiho would produce, this is something rather unique being produced. With turbulent symphonies caressing the sheer vibrant differences in the vocal ranges and the algorithmic relationship between the guitars and drums, Secrets of Sin are a one of a kind. Make no mistake about this, Secrets of Sin are going to be BIG, watch this space.

Download This: "Inside"

For Fans of: Epica, The Defiled, Within Temptation, Children of Bodom

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

QUARTZ
'Live & Revisited'

Sometimes the classic ways are the best, even though Quartz are no stranger to the metal scene after being around on and off since their first album back in 1977 and of course their formation in 1974, 1977 being the year that Mr. Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath produced Quartz's debut album, small world eh? 39 years later and the five gentleman from Birmingham unleash their second ever live album 'Live & Revisited', proving they still have the agility and firepower to deliver such intense rock and metal music in one whole release. It just goes to prove you cannot knock off anyone who still has the ability to bang out a good tune, with that fuzziness of the guitar still present, the drums still delivering the thunderous sounds and the vocals harmoniously flowing freely out of David Garner, Quartz are far from finished yet!

Download This: "Mainline Rider"

For Fans of: Black Sabbath, Van Halen, 70's rock and metal.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

FOETAL JUICE
'Big Trouble In Little Vagina'
GRINDSCENE

With a name that sounds like a pornographic post-mortem novel it is no wonder that Mancunian Death Metal plunderers Foetal Juice found a 'Big Trouble In Little Vagina', simply put it is pus-infested metal that will make you violently sick at the smelly hint of gore-rotten flesh and bad breath from licking out....  that's far enough you dirty bastards. 'Big Trouble In Little Vagina' broods slamming Death Metal / Grindcore in an rather unique way, through the use of death growls and obliterating speed on the drums and guitar sections, this is a murder waiting to happen. With hints of Cerebral Bore so indefinitely apparent it is always seemed likely that Foetal Juice are going to end up paying homage to a potential Bloodstock appearance next year, well we all need a bit of goreology now and then, oh wait that's the Saw films....

For Fans of: Gorerotted, Cerebral Bore, Deicide.

'Big Trouble In Little Vagina' is out 7th October via Grindscene Records and all main UK retailers

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

MEAN MESSIAH
'Hell'

Being part of one of the Czech Republic's most notable metal bands is an honor, but to carry on the pillaging is another thing altogether. Entering the affray is the one-man project Mean Messiah which is the product of brainchild Dan Friml and predominantly focuses on a hybrid mix of Industrial Metal, Death Metal and Thrash Metal, although we call it 'Modern Cyber Metal. His debut album 'Hell' is pretty self-explanatory in that he delivers musical hell, in fact it is so fast, brutal and technically challenged that a mathematician could not even calculate the time signatures, a bouncer would be weakened by the sheer force of this unrelenting album and of course it would out-do Petr Cech's reaction speed. Make no mistake about it Mean Messiah are poised to go far, it would be extremely surprising if this project does not as it has everything you could ask for, except it could be a bit more Industrial. Just a bit.

Download This: "Spiritual Resolution"

For Fans of: Holy Moses, Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

PLOUGH
'The 10th Circle'

The Dutch newcomers are here, well that was a bit of a brash starting statement to make so let's reiterate, the Dutch storm is brewing in the North sea.... right. Anyhow Plough's debut EP 'The 10th Circle' completely demolishes your senses with a cleverly weaved together sound of crushing Death Metal and funk-laden Groove Metal. The band name is quite unconventional for the style of music as it implies a farmer relation, not saying that this EP is sweet and tasty as potato mind you. 'The 10th Circle' is  classic debut EP, full of oomph and utmost promise, let's just hope that the quintet from Amsterdam have what it takes to keep this sensational music going, it may be early days but the lads have got a fair way to go, even if 'The 10th Circle' is tantalizingly brutal, featuring gritty vocals, snappy riffs and solid drumming.

Download This: "Emily Rose"

For Fans of: Opeth, Machine Head, Pantera

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

CRIMSON CHRYSALIS
'Crimson Passion Cry'
RAVENHEART MUSIC

On the international circuit, South Africa is rarely looked over as a solid country for producing metal bands, it comes to as no surprise then that Crimson Chrysalis unleash their new album 'Crimson Passion Cry' via British label Ravenheart Music. Forged in the footsteps of some of most erotic and sensational Symphonic bands around this planet, the epic delicacy that lead member and vocalist Rene van den Berg has delivered is so musically palatable that it leaves a desire to hear more. Weaving together the elegance of soothing symphonies with the dramatics and unrelenting power of operatic atmospherics, Crimson Chrysalis are poised to become South Africa's answer to Finland's almighty Nightwish, a new chapter in Symphonic Metal story has just begun...

Download This: "Deo Volente"

For Fans of: Tarja-Nightwish era, Tarja Turunen, Within Temptation

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

PETROL PATROL
'Domestic Warfare'

It must be said that upon listening to Petrol Patrol's premier EP 'Domestic Warfare', the feeling of nostalgia in Thrash Metal context begins to sink in, however at the same time the feeling of modern thrash metal overthrows that nostalgia with the amount of power experienced by a Swiss avalanche, or if you like, imagine being trampled over by a pack of St. Bernards. Therefore a warning must be issued as spinal surgery will be needed after being audibly doused with fast-paced riffs, grilling vocals and Teutonic drumming, all of which is inevitably experienced on Petrol Patrol's debut EP. Make no mistake about it, Petrol Patrol are poised to become the next successful export out of the Alpine country and with a fast-paced selection of music, watchmakers would be timed out easily and listeners of 'Domestic Warfare' will realize that Petrol Patrol's music is without a doubt, sweet as Toblerone.

Download This: "Ravaged"

For Fans of: Slayer, The Haunted, Sepultura

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

ANTIGOD
'The Collector'

Delivering their highly controversial debut album is the Czech quintet Antigod, armed with their modern style of Death / Thrash Metal and an attitude that would piss a few people of, the premier release 'The Collector' explodes into life with the chaotic sounds of fast-paced music with such gritty growling vocals that it makes disembowelment seem like a daily occurrence. Now lets be honest you would find a lot of hatred towards a band that sings predominantly about how religion is corrupt, well one glance at the artwork which shows a half pope, half business tyrant masked behind a Satanic goat mask, this resonates not only within the album title, but also the music this tight unit delivers. Beneath the soft look of this band is an interior designed to make your music life bloody hell. 'The Collector' is poised to get this band some attention across the European mainland and as long as they keep the musical bombardment going, they are sure to be guaranteed a prestigious label deal in the near future.

Download This: "Something In The Mirror"

For Fans of: Early-Sepultura, The Haunted, Hatesphere

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

DEGOLA
'Corrosão'

How many times does a Thrash Metal band try to pretty much re-write either the Metallica or Slayer discography? Increasingly more and more bands fall into that trap, Degola is no exception. But rather than just playing flat out a revamped version of 'Angel of Death', the Brazilian four-piece piece together a sound that circulates early Sepultura and adds a few modern elements into it through the use of subtle breakdowns. This is evident on their debut album 'Corrosão' and yes the songs are all in Portuguese, but don't let that throw you off from listening to Degola. If they stopped letting their instruments rust up from the heavy humidity of the Amazon, they could easily become an instant hit, but it will take another album or so before they reach the shores of Portugal, let alone Europe. Guaranteed, a hit and miss album that some Thrash Metal fans may smile or snarl at.

Download This: "Alternativa"

For Fans of: Early-Sepultura, Evile, Metallica

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

MAXDMYZ
'Cosmic Hearse'
RENEGADE

So picture this, Skindred sleeping with Fear Factory with Korn and SYL laying underneath the bed, a bit of an odd combo no? The same analogy can be applied to the 2010 release 'Cosmic Hearse' by London industrialists Maxdymyz, what happens here is that Nu Metal style vocals get covered with Industrial style elements and finalises with a total complicated sound being developed. Let's face it, trying to nail this album and band into one genre, you would have greater luck at headbanging to this sensational release. With Groove metal also making a subtle appearance as the vocals and riffs establish a musical chemistry with each other and nitro-glycerine explodes the drums into life, 'Cosmic Hearse' is effectively the upgraded and funkier version of Killing Miranda's sole release 'Consummate'. Oh how London is changing....

Download This: "Sayer"

For Fans of: Mindless Self Indulgence, Skindred, Fear Factory

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SPACE CHASER
'Decapitron'

And the bill of the Gesundheitssystem (German health system) will now rocket thanks to German thrashers Space Chaser delivering their anticipated debut EP 'Decapitron'. Prepare to thrash those heads as the five-piece deliver a slice of modernized Slayer on their insanely-fast EP. From start to finish there is no stopping this mob from demolishing every last sense within your body, this is a release designed to maim the posers of the Thrash Metal scene. All four songs are good as one another and so to fully appreciate the band you have a choice of four songs to listen to, but the crux of this release is the unrelenting speed on the drums, rolling so fast it would make Michael Schumacher driving a mobility scooter almost like comparing the tortoise to the hare, except the hare wins. With such fast riff shredding going on alongside the blitz-like drums and the vocals wallowing in between Heavy Metal and Power Metal intonations, 'Decapitron' by Space Chaser is easy to class as 'Teutonic Thrash Metal'.

Download This: "Drunken Zombies Killing Spree"

For Fans of: Slayer, Gama Bomb, Holy Moses, Evile

[9] RHYS STEVENSON