RENEGADE STATE 'The Pit' What has Liverpool and metal got in common besides the obviousness of the shipping heritage? The answer is found in a Renegade State. Fresh from the depths of the Mersey, this five-piece monstrous ensemble wield together elements of Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal and Hardcore together to develop a sound that will epitomize the entire hybrid music ideology. 'The Pit' is not only their latest single, but on their latest release alongside "The Pit are tracks such as "Chicago Typewriter" and "Judgement Day", sure the former sounds like the Bugsy Malone era and the latter sounds like a time of the week we all fear, but the core point is that the Renegade State are a band that could well be on everyone's lips by the end of 2014. Just don't drag up anything about Mancunian football or culture..., joke. DO IT! Download This: "Chicago Typewriter" For Fans of: Chimaira, Machine Head, Pantera [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ZEITGEIST 'Shallow Play' Paraguay might not come to mind when you think of Gothic Metal, let alone metal music in general, but some may actually challenge this by using Brazil's Sepultura as a prime example. Zeitgeist is a four-piece classic Gothic Metal band arising from the back streets of Asunción, through dropping their awaited debut album 'Shallow Play', the first impressions that come with it are of neutrality, in the sense that the album kicks off in a rather standard-sounding way for a Gothic Metal album, but as the music progresses there is this element of relief that the album is not doomed to slot into the 'every other album sounds like this' trap. 'Shallow Play' in fact is a decent enough release that should garner some attention from their Paraguayan compatriots and South American cousins, the likelihood of it reaching European shores will have to wait till the second album. Through the use of dynamic vocals, virtuoso guitar playing and solid drumming, Zeitgeist's 'Shallow Play' is a one to enjoy after a few re-runs. Download This: "For You" For Fans of: Evanescence, Sirenia, Tainted Grace [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON SILENT OPERA 'Reflections' MASSACRE 'Reflections' is no doubt one of the most highly-anticipated metal albums of the year, the album explodes into a wide array of sounds that will certainly tickle the taste buds of planet metal. What Silent Opera have done here is something spectacular, by lashing together the elegant beauty of Symphonic Gothic Metal with the hard, heavy hitting power of Melodic Death Metal, the sextet seemingly have crafted out their own unique sound. Underneath the album's skin lies the echoing connotations of the operatic greats such as The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, by charging thunderously down the halls of Operatic darkness and into the new wave of Orchestral Metal, Silent Opera will place themselves on everyone's lips in 2014. 'Reflections' is guaranteed to smash your senses to pieces as the majestic power demonstrated here is enough to shatter crystal. It would not be surprising at all if 'Reflections' secures Silent Opera a slot at either Wacken or Bloodstock in the not so distance future. Download This: "Dorian" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Arcane Grail, In Flames, Delain [10] RHYS STEVENSON UNTIL EXTINCTION 'Malice' Four years after their debut album, Missouri's Until Extinction have certainly dusted themselves down. The debut album was not as impressive as this album is, with a clearer production level imminently evident, and the harmonics and brutal elements intertwining more freely, 'Malice' is an album you would want to chew into intentionally. Naturally Until Extinction have followed their instinct and in doing so have delivered a release that is sure to garner attention across the USA, overseas attention might be a little harder but with this formula demonstrated, they could easily push harder and further. Just imagine a hundred horses galloping towards the sunset in an adventurous style, this is the best envisage you could apply to the album, it is a rapid journey across many musical sounds. Just prepare yourself for the last track which is a whopping 10 minute opus, might as well whip out the popcorn and American beer. Download This: "Herald The Dawn" For Fans of: Immoralis, Gojira, Dream Theater [8] RHYS STEVENSON FALLEN FATE 'Into The Black' If a forthcoming apocalypse had to have a soundtrack constructed in order to support the mass devastation, Fallen Fate's 'Into The Black' would be the perfect candidate. Developed by fusing together the monstrous sounds of Thrash Metal with the brutality of Modern Metal, the calculated output is one of sincere cranial destruction and sheer incomprehensible force. From the start to the end, Fallen Fate certainly have upped the ante since their well-received debut album 'The Virus Has Spread' (2011), by utilizing ear-bleeding vocals alongside explosive drumming sequences and murderous riffs, 'Into The Black' is a definite contender for album of the year, even though the year has only just begun. With this effort firmly set in concrete, it is inevitable that Fallen Fate will be blitzing their way through 2014 and remain a positively and highly promising unsigned British Metal band. Watch this space... Download This: "Blackened Within" For Fans of: Machine Head, Sylosis, Trivium, As I Lay Dying [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON ALTERBEAST 'Immortal' UNIQUE LEADER If violence was to become the next Disney film theme, then Alterbeast ought to be the film's composer. By unleashing a rally murderous brutality via through their debut album 'Immortal', the Californian Technical Death Metal newbies craft a sound that will crush anyone who opposes it to death. Guaranteed it will make you spit blood and spew acid out of every orifice. Unrelenting vocals shatter the silence with enough force, leaving your last constipation seeming pitiful, moreover whilst the drums deliver a whammy of fast-paced mauling, the guitars exercise and shred metal shrapnel so sharp it will make your cranial area bleed black blood. Whence listening to the sheer uncompromising brutality delivered by the Californian quintet, prepare yourself to walk away with your tail between your legs and with the knowledge that Alterbeast might just be one of 2014's hottest and newest properties. For Fans of: Abigail Williams, The Black Dahlia Murder, Psycroptic, Cryptopsy 'Immortal' is out 18th March 2014 via Unique Leader Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON INDICA 'Shine' NUCLEAR BLAST Making their highly-anticipated return to deliver their sixth studio album is Finland's all-female troupe Indica, building upon their successful 2010 album 'A Way Away' the quintet once again muster together their unique sound of Pop Rock, Alternative Metal and Symphonic Rock to shatter the musical barriers and evidently demonstrate why they are more than your average girl group. 'Shine' drags together the elegance of Nightwish, the power of Vanilla Ninja and the attitude of Finnish rockers that has served the national music scene for decades gone by. 'Shine' will get you moving on the dance floor and can easily prove itself to be successful as a soundtrack to proms or parties, make no mistake about it 'Shine' is certified to make anyone who listens to it rock their hearts out, without a doubt this album is an easy contender for Finnish album of the year. Download This: "Hush Now Baby" For Fans of: Vanilla Ninja, Nightwish, Evanescence, The Rasmus [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BEHEMOTH 'The Satanist' NUCLEAR BLAST Let's be honest here, Poland's most successful Metal band of all time has gone and delivered what has to be their best album ever. Spitting acidic venom at every second, 'The Satanist' revels in the darkest pits of hell and smothers the atmosphere with the choking black smoke-smell of burning Black Metal and disease-ridden Death Metal. For a band that has been going non-stop over 23 years, never taken a hiatus and has never failed to impress, their new album 'The Satanist' certainly is the cream of the crop. Through the album you can experience the unrelenting power and mind-blowing force that this trio of musical architects have summoned on every song, more so if this triad from Eastern Europe continues their sensational punishment, we could see their follow-up being even greater, irrespective of the fact that 'The Satanist' is an album that will be hard to match by; the Behemoth metal sound continues.... Download This: "The Satanist" For Fans of: Vader, God Dethroned, Vesania [10] RHYS STEVENSON THERION 'Theli - Deluxe Edition' NUCLEAR BLAST Sweden's most successful Operatic / Symphonic Metallers Therion return with their latest offering in the form of 'Theli - Deluxe Edition'. Whilst at first it seems to be nothing but the same material they have been churning out over the years, it is in fact nearly the same as some of the material they have been churning out over the years. That does not mean to say it is not good, it basically means that if you like Therion, then you will like their upcoming album. Utilizing deep male vocals in the form of chamber music and weaving that alongside guitar and drum symphonies, Therion have once again proven themselves that they are a one of a kind. 'Theli - Deluxe Edition' will appeal to those who like the softer, darker and more elegant side of metal, the question is whether Therion can deliver it just as good when performing. For Fans of: Nigthwish, HIM, Avantasia 'Theli - Deluxe Edition' is out 28th February via Nuclear Blast Records [7] RHYS STEVENSON PERSONA GRATA 'Reaching Places High Above' Slovakia's Persona Grata are a rather curious bunch, sure they utilize the Progressive Metal sound to it's optimus prime, but by layering it with traditional Central European melodies and influences, this is a rather ethnic sound conjured up and is evidently prevalent on their debut album 'Reaching Places High Above' released last year. Sure the album at times questions itself as a credible release, simply because at times the music sounds all chucked in and not organized strategically. Meaning it's not the best release possible, but by no means is it a push over, more so it offers a newer dimension but sadly lacks that final push that makes it a brilliant debut. What have they been up to for the last seven years prior to release is beyond anyone's questioning, it certainly was partially wasted in relation to this release. Download This: "Orient Express" For Fans of: Dream Theater, Symphony X, most Prog Metal bands. [7] RHYS STEVENSON ADAMANTIUM
'Demo 2013' Every so often you will come across a release that at first seems to be as bland as a white canvas sheet, but as it progresses it's true colors begin to show. Welcoming to the apocalypse is Worcester's Heavy Thrash merchants Adamantium, whose 2013 demo delivers your average standard modern metal whilst coincidentally wafts in melodies here and there in the comparable sounds of Iron Maiden. Whilst it may never prove itself as pivotal in their career, it is a decent enough release that will get local and regional folk rocking out all night. At times the vocals deal no justice and lack that vibrancy that would push their sound up a gear, compensating for that are the intricate solo's and riffs that sit nicely on top of the drumming sequences. Credit is given where it's due and as long as Adamantium keep this line-up and buff the vocals up, they are sure to garner attention outside the West Midlands. Download This: "Escape Proof" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Metallica [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON
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METAL 'Proving Our Mettle' You have to admit that the old ways are sometimes the best ways, well Australia's rather aptly named Metal seem to think so when delivering their debut album, with a tongue-in-cheek title of 'Proving Our Mettle' and that is exactly what they have achieved. Smoldering Heavy / Power Metal surges like an electrical storm across this album as if they were running on Duracell batteries. Fixating on that classic Iron Maiden Heavy Metal sound that provides a solid backdrop, the quartet smother it with Power Metal elements, through the use of intricate riffs, 'squeezed balls' vocals and oomph and gusto in tow, 'Proving Our Mettle' is without a doubt a metal album fit for anyone who prefers the original and perhaps less complex style of metal music. It might have only taken seven years to let this one out of the bag, but boy was it worth it. Download This: "Beneath The Banner Of The Iron Duke" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, 3 Inches of Blood, Van Halen [8] RHYS STEVENSON REPTILIAN DEATH 'The Dawn Of Consummation And Emergence' OLD SCHOOL METAL Fronted by Indian Metal veteran Demonstealer, Reptilian Death Metallers Reptilian Death make no mistakes or errors upon excreting their second album 'The Dawn Of Consummation And Emergence', ten years have passed since the concretion and unleashing of their debut release 'Total Annihilation' and the long wait has certainly paid off through a tightly-packed brutal sound that is guaranteed to shake the very foundations of planet metal. Perusing the many veins and arteries of Death Metal, this three-piece unit stitches together elements of Technical metal as the skeleton infrastructure and Brutal Death Metal as the blood-soaked, savage-scarred skin of this megalithic ensemble. What with Demonic Resurrection and Kryptos firmly leading the line, Reptilian Death are sure to follow firmly in-behind. Get your vaccinations at the ready, because this exotic Reptile bites and injects a rather toxic metallic venom. Download This: "Distorted By Bondage Blood And Bestiality" For Fans of: Strapping Young Lad, Cryptopsy, The Berzerker [9] RHYS STEVENSON SATAN'S WRATH 'Aeons Of Satan's Reign' METAL BLADE Reflecting the whole emotional side to the current situation of the Greek economy, blasphemous Blackened Thrash stalwarts Satan's Wrath spit out corrosive venom and unholy disturbances via their sophomore release 'Aeons Of Satan's Reign'. Immersing the atmosphere with the anti-christian profanity demonstrated amongst most Satanists and Luciferians, this quintet totally murder your future grave stone by pissing down your ear-holes with savage riffs (so savage that professional murderers would s**t themselves at the sharpness), vocals that would make Golden Dawn stand up and do the honors against the 'she-who-must-not-be-named', in spite of this Satan's Wrath's 'Aeons Of Satan's Reign' is definitely the future sound of Hellenic Extreme Metal, if you thought Rotting Christ were evil, that lot are cupcakes compared to Satan's Wrath. For fans of: Sarke, Aura Noir, Skeletonwitch [8] RHYS STEVENSON 'Aeons Of Satan's Reign' is out 12th November 2013 via Metal Blade Records HEATHEN FORAY 'Inner Force' Pagan Metal, it's like as if some bands cannot leave the topic alone, but when bands like Heathen Foray enter the fold, it is clear that they take their own unique twist on it. This Austrian machine embroils the atmosphere with heavy hitting melodies and the feeling of galloping across the lands with that highly noticeable Folk Metal element being developed through the guitars and drums in sync. 'Inner Force' clearly shows this style off, the quintet's third outing does not disappoint and whilst at times the language barrier may pose a problem (songs are in both English and German), the music inevitably does the talking and with this elaborated form of Melodic Viking / Pagan Metal, it is clear that Heathen Foray are one of Austria's unsung metal bands, with 'Inner Force' now out in the wilderness, they are sure to garner some attention from the surrounding European countries. Download This: "Mei Laund" For Fans of: Adorned Brood, Amon Amarth, Arkona [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON INSURRECTION 'Prototype' GALY Now for those who think Death Metal has to be blasted at the speed of sound and feature vocals that makes anyone s**t themselves, you are half mistaken, well, just a bit. Insurrection take this theory with a pinch of salt and maybe some Technical Metal elements thrown in here and there, but they are no Quo Vadis or Neuraxis, instead they implore a sound that eclipses Neuraxis, how you may ask? Simple, by switching from technical to melodic to harmonic in a flash, they carve out there own form of complexity and can be dubbed 'deus ex machina metal', a mouthful for sure but whence dissecting their latest offering 'Prototype', it does not fall short of the Modern Metal sound, in fact if Insurrection added some synths or industrial elements then the sound could easily be 101% groundbreaking. As it is, 'Prototype' is a mesmerizing album in it's own ball park and could provide the way for Insurrection to become known overseas as the new face of Canadian Technical Death Metal. Download This "Hellfire" For Fans of: Misery Index, Decapitated, Obliveon, Hypocrisy [9] RHYS STEVENSON SISARE 'Natures Despair' Finland rarely disappoints when it comes to producing metal bands and metal music releases, out of the abyss comes another underground and exciting band called Sisare, of whose debut album 'Natures Despair' ticks all the boxes for it to be a recommended metal album. The Progressive Metal four-piece deliver a sound that illuminates the entire surroundings with the sense of magic, natural goodness and the very essence of what makes Finnish metal all that special the unique musicianship skills. 'Natures Despair' glides between the Progressive and Avant Garde metal styles, with hints of experimentation clearly detectable and elements of melodies filtering through in the background. They may be a small unknown band in the Finnish lands, but they are a gem to the worldwide Prog Metal scene as 'Natures Despair' evidently proves. Download This: "Isolation" For Fans of: Rush, Dream Theater, Haken [8] RHYS STEVENSON HAMEREX 'IX' IX MUSIC There seems to be this certain type of aura flowing amongst the relatively underground classic heavy metal bands, they seem to go on for ever and only end up release a couple of albums, sadly this looks to be that way with Hamerex. Hailing from Yorkshire, this four-piece platoon wield that ever classic sound of British Heavy Metal and by adding some Thrash and Doom Metal elements here and there, the second album 'IX' (aptly titled seeing as Hamerex is nine years old) demonstrates the uniqueness of this metal music strain. Sure 'IX' is nothing more than a run-of-the-mill heavy metal album, but it certainly is decent enough for anyone to own, well, almost everyone (Justin Bieber + metal = disaster). Like most of their underground contemporaries, Hamerex will keep the faith going strong, with a rally of riffs, drum beats and vocal exasperation's, this is 'el clasico'. Download This: "Inferno" For Fans of: Black Sabbath, My Dying Bridge, Iron Maiden [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON REDEYE 'Violence' VIOLENT JOURNEY Seven years down the line and the first ever EP by Finnish maniacs Redeye finally drops, 'Violence' delivers a brittle and harsh sound that will amuse and abuse anyone who comes across it. Imagine this, being pummeled by belching vocals that lead this musical attack, with fist-punching drumming and slashing riffs that will bleed you dry in tow, this is exactly what listeners can expect from 'Violence', just be prepared to have a massive headache. By mixing the glorified old styles of Death Metal with Thrash Metal, Redeye summon up a work of art that will get heads banging so hard, brain hemorrhage is almost certainly on the menu. With an attitude that explores the alleys of murderous topics and music that will boil your senses dry, Redeye will certainly set the underground alight. Listen in closely and you can detect elements of Grindcore... For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Slayer, Obituary 'Violence' is out 29th November via Violent Journey Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON NO REMORSE NO SURRENDER 'Afflictions' As if Metalcore had not explored every possible avenue, well if you ask London bruisers No Remorse No Surrender they would say f**k you and shove that into every possible orifice you possess. Let's face it, the evidence is clear when indulging this quintets experimental-like EP 'Afflictions', from start to finish there is a cooking pot of various styles that all combine to smash your face in. Think of it as the agile complexity of martial arts mixed with the harsh mauling of Rugby, that might give you some indication of how unrelenting this lot are, needless to say 'Afflictions' is a highly promising EP and it is clear this band will go far, forgot the poncy generic metalcore breakdown trash that is plaguing every single f**king nation and douse yourself in one of British metal scenes hottest promising properties. Download This: "Ocean's Eyes' For Fans of: Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage, Bleeding Through [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON MYSTERIOUS ECLIPSE 'Hell Of Pain' Now when listening to the third album by Slovakia's Mysterious Eclipse, there are times where the music disallows the vocals from keeping up and so it becomes disjointed, but at other times the overall sound is emphatic i.e. the melodies, brutality and sexual vocals kick in at the same time to develop a generous mix of glass-shattering and soothing ambiance. 'Hell Of Pain' definitely has an appeal to those Black / Death Metal and Melodic Metal fans, but this is no Hecate Enthroned nor is it Arch Enemy softened, instead what you have here is quite possibly the finest metal album this country has seen for a few years. Whilst the band has been around since 1996, they are relatively unknown to Western Europe, however with 'Hell Of Pain' now in their arsenal rally this is bound to change for the better. Download This: "Dark Side Of Humanity" For fans of: Children of Bodom, Arch Enemy, God Dethroned [8] RHYS STEVENSON ANTILLIA (Антиллия)
"Последний звездопад / Last Starfall" Them Russians, they do love their female fronted metal bands and so when Moscow-based Antilla deliver their premier EP, it comes as no surprise that they go full out with their style of Symphonic 'emotional' power metal. "Последний звездопад / Last Starfall" delivers a thunderous explosion of elegant keyboard elements, aligned with the dramatic-operatic vocals, Sonata Arctica-like riffs and drumming, that all together creates a sound that would be epic to play at the top of waterfall or a mountain looking over the ice-caped landscapes of the Russian tundra. Such dramatics in music has never been heard before, whilst on the other hand only Antillia can deliver this sound in such a mind-blowing way. We could see them touring Europe within the next two years if they keep this sound going and push it forward. Download This: "Шаман" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish (Anette era) [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 CORPSE MACHINE 'Annihilate' Michigan's Corpse Machine clearly don't hang around, not only did they form in January this year, their debut EP 'Annihilate' was released in April this year, they must be on a mission and yet their EP speaks of promise, brewing a storm of underground Black / Death Metal with some Doom Metal is not always easy and yet Corpse Machine seem to do it without any restriction, even if they are part of a scene that is overly-saturated with rockstar want-to-be's. 'Annihilate' takes the very essential essence of the underground raw sound and ladens it with some interesting riffs (sometimes venturing into the Groove Metal style; seen around the '3:27-3:44' mark on the song "Corporate Scum"), pitch perfect drums and scarily shrieking vocals. The new version of Black / Death Metal could have now arisen to take the US metal scene by storm. Download This: "Corporate Scum" For Fans of: Carpathian Forest, Behemoth, Belphegor [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON SABATON 'Swedish Empire Live' NUCLEAR BLAST Unleashing their first ever DVD is Swedish Power Metal veterans Sabaton and boy does it pack a sensational feeling, filmed primarily at their headlining slot at the highly known Polish Woodstock festival, the Swedes deliver the sensationalism that you always experience during their live sets, now whilst many would agree it does not compare to the DVD, the reality is that this is an achievement and to relive some memories they have to be documented. But face the facts, there was 600,000 punters at this festival, that's enough to fill the entire Arsenal Emirates stadium tenfold!! Furthermore the DVD boasts four hours of footage and so if you're going on holiday and are not driving, then you have a good excuse to watch Sabaton's 'Swedish Empire Live'; would be even more apt if you were going on holiday to Sweden. Fans of this sensational Power Metal band will hear some of the old classics to the new hot songs, there is something here from everyone and other recordings include performances in London, Oberhausen and the well known Swedish city of Gothenburg, now whether you are a fan or not, this is a momentous piece of Metal music to own, make no mistake about it as the truth is that Sabaton are true Power Metal gods, question is can they match this emphatic release in 2014? 'Swedish Empire Live' is out 20th September 2013 via Nuclear Blast. The release comes in various formats: 2 Blu-Ray Digi / 2 DVD Digi / DVD (Poland only) CD Digi / 2LP (limited black vinyl in gatefold + poster) / 2LP (limited yellow vinyl in gatefold + poster) !!!Nuclear Blast Mailorder only!!! Earbook (2 Blu-Ray + 2 DVD + DVD + exclusive bonus CD, 48 pages Earbook) Special Leather Hardcover Earbook !!!Nuclear Blast Mailorder only!!! (2 Blu-Ray + 2DVD + DVD + exclusive bonus CD, 48 pages Earbook) [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON ZOLTAR SPEAKS 'Save As I Save' Taking their band name from an unusual antique arcade fortune teller machine featured in the Tom Hanks film 'Big', Somerset's Zoltar Speaks unleash their highly-anticipated debut album 'Save As I Save', featuring much of the classic Melodic / Alternative Metal that the female-fronted armada is capable of delivering, the vocals do not disappoint as they wallow in between the alleys of Amy Lee and Kobra Paige and feature an accompanying attitude that resides within vocalist Louise Body, therefore it is inevitable that the music in it's entirety is going to be unique and phenomenal and boy i it is, following the killer instinct through the wizardry amassed on the guitars and the precision exercised on the drums, 'Save As I Save' is definitely a contender for debut album of the year, but let's not get too optimistic as it's not December yet, all that can be said right now is that 'Save As I Save' by Zoltar Speaks is an album every metal fan should own, this work of art is their key to nationwide recognition, therefore watch this space... 'Save As I Save' is out 11th November 2013 via an Independent release For Fans of: Evanescence, Kobra & The Lotus, Barbe-Q-Barbies, Vanilla Ninja [10] RHYS STEVENSON RAVENOUSE 'The Last Gate' You can always be assured that when any Italian band dives into the Gothic Metal pool, comes out drenched with such immense power that the resulting music is simply divine. Ravenouse do exactly that and as a result they unleash the erotically charged masterpiece that is their debut album 'The Last Gate', featuring the much beloved duet in the highly recognizable beauty and the beast style. Ravenouse deliver a generous mix of angelic heavenly female vocals with devilish growling male vocals, which in turn become savaged by some epic harmonious symphonies through the majestic usage of the keyboards and doused with an array of riffs and drumming patterns that drive this sensational release forward, make no mistake about it Ravenouse are the next Lacuna Coil. There is only one way to sum up Ravenouse in their entirety, and that is that they are the Modern Gothic Metal band the world has been waiting for. Download This: "Flying Angel" For Fans of: Lacuna Coil, H.I.M, Evanescence [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON IMMORALIS 'The Great Collapse' Without a doubt possibly the most exciting new band to emerge from the American abyss all year, forging a sound that circulates around symphonies, orchestral pieces, Death Metal and Metalcore, Immoralis' premier album 'The Great Collapse' is the sound that everyone must hear. From start to finish, the emphatic symphonic backdrops that cascade like waterfalls on top of the jagged bedrock of Death Metal / Metalcore vocals, set the tone for the riffs to crash against, whilst the drums deliver the final face-punch that will enable Immoralis to gain well earned international attention from this Teutonic masterpiece. So what happens when elegance, brutality and six algorithmic minds come together? Simple, total apocalyptic musical mayhem, enter Immoralis and their own stance on metal... dubbed 'Symphonic Orchestral Deathcore'. Download This: "Trudge This Lonely Road" For Fans of: Bleeding Through, Born of Osiris, Fleshgod Apocalypse [10] RHYS STEVENSON LIGHTLESS MOOR 'The Poem - Crying My Grief To A Feeble Dawn' WORMHOLEDEATH Probably the darkest metal band in terms of imagery and musical ideology to emerge from the sun-kissed island of Sardinia. Unleashing a shadowy strike of Gothic Doom Metal is the Italian sextet Lightless Moor of whose debut album 'The Poem - Crying My Grief To A Feeble Dawn' will certainly turn heads as it engulfs the atmosphere with everything that is to be loved about Italian Gothic Metal, the angelic and vibrant female vocals crashing against the deep, growling and beastly male vocals to give a duet feeling, that added with the erotic harmonics from the keyboards and raw brutality combined through the drumming and guitar playing, all intricately balance each other out to combine as one hell of a decent release. 'The Poem - Crying My Grief To A Feeble Dawn' speaks elegance, majestic elements and classical beauty, accept no substitutes. Download This: "Cento Respiri" For Fans of: Lacrimas Profundere, Lacuna Coil, Paradise Lost [8] RHYS STEVENSON PSYCHEMA 'Bygones' INVERSE Finland seems to always be producing sensational metal and rock bands, either it's in their blood or it's in the water they drink, this certainly seems to be the way when especially bands like Psychema arise again to drop another release in their history. The Progressive Melodic Metal outfit purges out the complexities of Progressive music and instead adopt a rather alternative approach, but not in the sense that they are completely detached from the said genre, in fact the upcoming EP 'Bygones' shifts between elements of aggression, lusciousness and calmness, from the ever-changing vocals that shift from screaming to melodic and the guitars and drums working harmoniously in sync with each other, there is nothing to say that 'Bygones' will not attract attention across Europe, it simply is a wonderful masterpiece that is guaranteed to be a favorite amongst most Progressive music fans. For Fans of: Dream Theater, H.I.M., Opeth 'Bygones' is out 19th October via Inverse Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON KINETIK 'Greed' Basically if it's Thrash Metal then you know full well it's going to be fast, pumped up and unbelievably tricky on the riffs, Kinetik is no exception to this. The Italian five-piece have undoubtedly invested decent musical ideas and channeled them into creating a sound that speaks 80's Thrash through and through. On the other hand their debut demo 'Greed' might as well be lauded as just another Thrash Metal release, but let's face it there is not much that can be done to change that. As for the demo itself it speaks volume, furious crushing brutality and would sound sensational inside any Roman Colosseum. Featuring trippy double bass drumming, tight riffs and vocals that would make any Italian stallion go from trot to full gallop and as the music takes you into sheer galloping speed, you better be ready to experience painful whiplash. Download This: "Greed" For Fans of: Slayer, Gama Bomb, Evile [8] RHYS STEVENSON ANCIENT DESIRE 'Ancient Desire' Unleashing their debut self-titled EP, is the Czech sextet Ancient Desire. Their premier self-titled EP incorporates the beautiful essences found within Symphonic Gothic Metal; that classic beauty and the beast setup doused with the feeling of Central European elegance forming the underbelly of this band, whilst at the same time layering the music with the bard and theatrics of the historic Bohemian concerts, as if this band was the metallic form of the Prague Symphonic Orchestra. No joke, Ancient Desire are sure to break out of the Czech Metal scene with such oomph and gusto that followers of Within Temptation will undoubtedly have a new band to follow, the 'Ancient Desire' EP is a sign that Symphonic Gothic Metal style is not going to be always associated with the Dutch and that this Czech unit are assimilating a sound that will rock a few boats. Download This: "The Master Andiron From Lucanid" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Tarja-era Nightwish, Prague Symphonic Orchestra [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON MYRIAD LIGHTS
'Mark Of Vengeance' There are times when a Heavy Metal band releases their material and it turns out to be classic s**t, not in the positive way either. Italian quartet Myriad Lights narrowly escape the trap door with their premier album released last year, 'Mark Of Vengeance' comes six years after the band's inception and the instant question of 'what the hell are they playing at?' is on many peoples lips, but when you hear the album 'Mark Of Vengeance', it does offer some good music for sure, but overall it's just another heavy metal album, there is nothing spectacular about it and some of the solo's do not fit in well with the music pattern, let alone the drums seeming to be stuck on one beat throughout the album! It's one to release an album, but to release an album that lacks certain feelings is a bad move. Download This: "Fury Of Time" For fans of: 'where does one start?' [6] 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 BEL'O'KAN 'Thousands of Conquerors' BRENNUS MUSIC Weaving together a sumptuous sound of Melodic Heavy Metal and Power Metal is French sextet Bel'O'Kan in the form of their highly anticipated second album 'Thousands of Conquerors', from start to finish the music elements are as crystal clear as the sky, first impressions were that this was going to be one of those 'lets be another Evanescence' style of album, but bloody wars is this not the case. Instead what comes is a wave after wave barrage of emphatic 'angelic metal' which takes into account the majestic vibrancy of the female vocals and male vocals in tow, whilst the fluidity of the riffs and solos keep the album firmly powered up as the drumming drives the sound to terminal velocity, so much so listeners will be taken firmly into the clouds where the sonic explosion of Bel'O'Kan will be heard worldwide, 'Thousands of Conquerors' may just have booked the band international recognition, and maybe a prestigious festival slot next year. Download This: "Power Of The Throne" For Fans of: Nightwish, Avantasia, Beto Vázquez Infinity [10] RHYS STEVENSON BEAST 'Dead Or Alive' GAPHALS Dropping a bombshell on the Swedish rock and metal scene is Beast, a four-piece female-fronted mob who are about to drop their premier release 'Dead Or Alive' later this year. Much alike the resurgent force that seems to sweeping across the globe, Beast will join a legion of female-fronted Hard Rock / Heavy Metal bands that have stepped into the global abyss. 'Dead Or Alive' spews out a smooth and slick sound of classic ballsy rock and a metallic attitude that could easily become the result of a amplified ABBA. Just think AC/DC meets Stevie Nicks meets Iron Maiden and you get the idea of what this group sounds like. Chopping riffs lavished with erotic solo's, sidelined by vocals that will improve your sexual life like never before and supported by a drumbeat that would make you party the night away whether you're 'Dead Or Alive'. Download This: "Bad Habits" For Fans of: AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest 'Dead Or Alive' is out 23rd October 2013 (Sweden) and 4th November (Europe) via Graphals in CD, Vinyl and is available through all major digital retails [8] RHYS STEVENSON EMPIRES FALL 'The Tyrants Genocide' Sadly no longer together so consider this as a post-review of their only ever EP 'The Tyrants Genocide' which came into being last year. Given the sheer velocity of this Australian Deathcore troupe, it is totally abysmal that they called quits. They have got so much potential and it shows on this EP, featuring unrelenting Deathcore vocals that charge the music with so much energy that it could keep Melbourne alight for a whole week without the use of a power station! The music itself wields grizzly riffs and uncompromising breakdowns that would make bands like Thy Art Is Murder s**t their pants, 'The Tyrants Genocide' overall is a heavy as f**k release that deserved much more recognition internationally than it has done, furthermore it is clear that Empires Fall have made a grave error calling it a day, it will certainly haunt them as they could have made it big. Download This: "Dreaming Of Eradication" For Fans of: Whitechapel, Buried In Verona, I Killed The Prom Queen [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SEPTEKH 'The Seth Avalanche' ABYSS Looking rather dapper in their photo is one thing but the music by Septekh is beyond dapper, in fact it is mind-blowing, more so than trying to work out what style they are playing to a precise pigeonhole answer. 'The Seth Avalanche' is the Swede's second EP and was released last year, now what you can expect is a rather interesting approach and take on to the whole Death / Thrash algorithm, in fact this music will give you enough firepower to spit at anyone who messes your life, perhaps that could be the meaning behind 'The Seth Avalanche', but the music itself delivers crushing Death Metal vocals with the dripping of free-gliding riffs and child-friendly drumming, yeah right! This music is not meant for the emo's, so be warned. This music is meant for proper metal fans, that is all. Download This: "Blunt Force To The Head" For Fans of: The Haunted, Hatesphere, Slayer [8] RHYS STEVENSON CHICKSY DICKS 'Obsessed' Simply ballsy rock and heavy metal combined is what you can sum up Chicksy Dicks' debut EP as, 'Obsessed' is a non-stop rallying of classic hard rock with the embodiment of Heavy Metal. Hailing from Slovenia, this five-piece platoon of musical sophistication drops the sound that everyone craves, through the use of catchy vocals and lyrics, unpredictable riffs and solos, terrific bass notes and rapid-fire drumming, 'Obsessed' is a release to keep everyone on their toes. This is not just a band trying to redefine Iron Maiden, no not at all, instead Chicksy Dicks are doing this in their own way and that way is different from every other modern band playing the same or similar style. It took the band six years to make their first release appear but boy was the wait worth it. Download This: "Face To See" For Fans of: Van Halen, Metallica, Judas Priest [8] RHYS STEVENSON DYS INBUNDEN 'Pandemonium Unchained' LIFLÄTINN PRODS Desecrating the Black Metal scene of 2013 is Swedish chaos-commanders Dys Inbunden with their premier album 'Pandemonium Unchained', before the release this unit was in fact a one-man project headed by Gefandi Ör Andlät but now has transformed into a clan fit for a festival slot. 'Pandemonium Unchained' spews out the charismatic and enjoyable feeling of raw atmospheric black metal from which blankets the air with a cold and bitter feeling, as to drown the listener in eternal madness and consequential depression. It is early days for this Swedish Black Metal armada, but with this scrutable album now firmly within the wilds of the global metal wilderness I firmly believe they will go far and possibly could be touring Europe within the next two to three years. Download This: "Sansho Shima" For Fans of: Watain, Dark Funeral, Carpathian Forest [9] RHYS STEVENSON IRONOYA 'Testament' Swiss Groove / Deathcore group Ironoya dropped their debut EP last year before this year changing their name to Deus Ex Machina and having a band-member switch about. The former's EP 'Testament' glistens with the inescapable sounds of guttural Death Metal / Deathcore vocals whilst the guitars and drums fill in with the final slaying in the form of some rather nifty and funky Groove Metal. Switzerland is not normally known for this style of metal so it comes as a bit of a revelation to the said metal scene, however for the now defunct Ironoya this was a journey they have semi-started and semi-continued, it's just whether they should have carried on as this formation or have they made the right choice? Time will tell, as for the 'Testament' EP, it simply is a sensational release that deserves much more acknowledgement. Download This: "Veuve Noire" For Fans of: Lamb of God, Whitechapel, DevilDriver [8] RHYS STEVENSON ORPHEUM 'Treason' Now this is a rather odd release to be fair, mixing Progressive Metal with Gothic Metal is one thing but to have an EP out with only three tracks that equate to just over 22 minutes worth of listening is rather peculiar, some would expect much more given it has taken three years to make. Nonetheless 'Treason' does make way for a decent awe inspiring EP, however at times the drums tend to go overboard and totally ruin the pattern of the song 'Spiritus', but overall the EP does feature an easily identifiable sound that comprises of heavenly vocals, catchy and almost tricky riffs as well as bombastic drumming, the sad thing is it's not even near perfection but it will do as a trial run, it's just the case of whether Londoners Orpheum can find their feet for their next outing, what that next outing will be who knows. Download This: "Porcelain Doll" For Fans of: Within Temptation (Mother Earth era), Novembre, Noturna [7] RHYS STEVENSON ASARU 'From The Chasms Of Oblivion' SCHWARZDORN There comes a time where a Black Metal release will turn out to be total wank, unfortunately Asaru's second album 'From The Chasms Of Oblivion', which was released last year, borders that category. The good thing about the release is that it sticks to the bleak atmosphere that the band have carefully crafted out on their debut album, but the music itself is a little less impressive and needs a bit more working on, for instance you can just hear the bass drum and it has very little prominence, just like a third tier football team in Germany playing for the Deutsche Fussball Bund Pokal cup, hardly any chance at getting a look in. 'From The Chasms Of Oblivion' is firmly in the gray area, some aspects are good and some are shockingly bad, fans of Black Metal might be torn aside on this one. Download This: "Beyond The Bonds Of Time" For Fans of: Well... Black Metal. [6] RHYS STEVENSON LEFT FOR RED
'Vol 002 - Mercy Flight' Is that Devin Townsend on vocals?!?! Didn't know he could do a Brummie accent, is there anything that Canadian musical wizard cannot do? It would be rather interesting if Left For Red supported The Devin Townsend Project in the future, but for now their upcoming EP 'Vol 002 - Mercy Flight' features all of the characteristics that a successful three-track release is meant to have, brimming with insurmountable talent that is hard to come by these days in the Groove Metal department, the vocals on 'Vol 002 - Mercy Flight' are so powerful that they blew out all of the terminal windows at East Midlands airport, dubbing it 'musical terrorism' and leaving it as perhaps one of the best EP's the Midlands metal scene has seen in the year 2013. The melodies gently glide over the Teutonic rhythms and trippy riffs to finalize an EP that is simply inspirational. For Fans of: Pantera, Black Sabbath, Metallica 'Vol 002 - Mercy Flight' is out 25th November via A.R.C. Records [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON FORTRESS OF THANATOS / WINTERCOLD 'When The Moon Is There...' SALUTE Once again here is another split release by the Swedish underground Gothic Doom Metal one-man project Wintercold and this time Satanic Tony duels with the long-going Black / Doom Metal ensemble Fortress of Thanatos from The Philippines. What more can you want than two grueling and abysmal bunch of musicians indulging in their musical passions, well how about a split release that broods in gloomy depression and powerful atmospherics, because that is exactly what Fortress of Thanatos kick off with and as the keyboard elements drag in an ecclesiastical feel, as if a funeral was taking place, the pitch is set for a blooming blackened storm of which there is no relenting mercy. Following the darkened epitome they initiated, the Filipino warlords curse and spit at every moment, that with their unruly and unconventional music plays right into the changeover hands for Wintercold. Wintercold in turn delivering another smacking of frosty darkness and carries on the gloomy doom emotions that Fortress of Thanatos laid out at the start. Certified not for those who cannot take the dark side of life lightly and absolutely for those who love their music to be as dark as death itself, Wintercold finishes up the split very nicely indeed and with it another shadow strike of true cult Doom Metal comes to a close... until next time. Download These: "Nahash" (Fortress Of Thanatos) & "Pitch Black" (Wintercold) For Fans of: Watain, Ghost, Candlemass [8] + [8] RHYS STEVENSON SODOMOPHILIA 'Demo 2013' SALUTE It's always nice to see a metal band arise from a hostile area such as Iraq in the Middle East, politics aside Iraq has over the last few years developed and nurtured a growing underground scene, the latest are bruisers Sodomophila of whose early style Death Metal plagues the atmosphere with guttural gluttony and abhorrent murderous incantations. This is of course their premier demo released this year via Salute Records and what comes with it is a face-smacking bombardment of blood-soaked Death Metal, verging on Deathgrind at intermittent points. Sure you would need to turn the speakers up to hear it, but given due this is a credible release and baths in the bloody history of the past decade or so in Iraq. Sodomophilia's 'Demo 2013' is a fine start and will surely give the band enough credibility to bring Iraq to the forefront of the emerging metal scenes. I would very much like to see them at Dubai Desert Rock Festival, if they plough this demo intro the ground then that dream will come true. Download This: "Incest" For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Gorgasm. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON EATING SHIT 'Supersonic Black Metal' + 'Bon Appétit' + 'Paradox' For a band that has been going thirteen years, Eating Shit certainly have had their fair share of delivering a musical battering that would leave you on the toilet for ages with the runniest of shits. Enough graphic detail, their latest release 'Supersonic Black Metal' is apocalyptic to say the least, sure it's a modest 40 minutes long, but the songs are practically insanely fast music with pig squeels, exactly how it should be. However listening closely and you can get a whiff of industrial music in the background or indeed what The Berzerker once was called 'gabba' and 'cybergrind', so you could easily say that the French trio have kept that tantalizingly brutal sound alive. Whilst the title may suggest otherwise, there is very little Black Metal in this release, but it is there none the less. Turning back the clock to 2011 and the band's second album 'Bon Appétit' immediately kicks off with a bit of tongue-in-cheek, with a waitress welcoming customers to their tables in a restaurant whereby the food being served has been genetically modified using meats and vegetables and will kill the eater via pleasure, the closing part of the intro audibly features the famous French phrase ''Bon Appétit' before the full atomic explosion of extreme grindcore takes a foothold as the album kicks into fifth gear and delivers a full smacking of funky noise, even venturing cheekily into the French language on 'Bioman' at the beginning; clearly an extract from a popular song before the grindcore crushes it to death, such violent pleasantries are utmost welcome. Not as extreme as their third album, 'Bon Appétit' none the less features some face-grilling music. Turn the clock back even further to 2010 and the debut album 'Paradox' sees light and whilst it clearly is the least heaviest of the three albums it still warrants a listen, it still is as brutal and heavy as any other Grindcore release but compared to the other two albums it lacks that final panache. Even though it carries on that really funny tongue-in-cheek element that the band's second album also features, 'Paradox' is primarily a Grindcore release and features barely any industrial elements in the background except for some clever tricks done on the evident drum machine on "Wall E"; just for a few seconds or so though across the song. Overall the album is very impressive, just don't call it groundbreaking. Download These: "Your Ballot In My Box" For fans of: The Berzerker, Anaal Nathrakh, Aborym [8.5] + [8.5] + [7] BACKDAWN 'Backdawn' There's a reason why some underground bands stay underground, purely because they are not good enough to get well known, much is the case for French metal troupe Backdown whose debut self-titled EP makes Justin Bieber sound godly. Ok maybe that's a bit overboard, but the EP is not even worth entertaining, the vocals are relatively fine but the guitars and drums need fine tuning and more effort put in. Basic Groove / Death / Thrash Metal and nothing more, simply put there is nothing to suggest this band have done something no other band has done, ironically it is a decent release and shows the band has put some effort into it. Spin it how you will because 'Backdawn' has more confusion in it than someone who is high on meth. Download This: "Backdawn" For Fans of: god only knows. [6] RHYS STEVENSON LAGERSTEIN 'Drink 'Til We Die' Since Alestorm started the Pirate Metal craze, it seems nearly most folk metal bands want to join on board HMS Metal, however Lagerstein is a different ale of beer, in fact they go for straight and basic gaudy Pirate-themed Folk Metal. Pretty sure they have got a better connection with pirates given that convicts in the UK used to be shipped to Australia. However last year Lagerstein made their breakthrough with their emphatic debut album 'Drink 'Til We Die' which features a rather nifty booklet that opens out into a pirate map, now that is highly original as is their music. Using a keyboard to create the melodies of traditional pirate music and the same sort of Folk music experience in the Celtic guild, that traditional old folk / doom metal feel surging through the core of this album seals the sound very nicely. It is early days, but Lagerstein could be the metal fans new favorite Australian Metal band. Download This: "Pirate Music Piracy" For Fans of: Alestorm, Finntroll, Dropkick Murphys [8] RHYS STEVENSON SPEIRLING 'The Piper' UNHOLY DESIGN Who would have thought that Buckinghamshire would play host to a two-man Black Metal project, well that is exactly the case with Speirling. The sole and latest release 'The Piper' drives out the old school style of Black Metal, nothing too fancy nor too fast resides on this 2008 release. However the vocals do make up for that substitute as they deliver a level of sound that would equate to the said missing music elements, for you to to really get anything out of this album, you need to listen to it numerous time sadly. On a more positive note it does offer something new, and so for those who prefer their Black Metal to be pleasant and more percussive than raw or atmospheric, 'The Piper' by Speirling is for you, a true taste of the English underground Black Metal scene. Download This: "The World Breaks" For Fans of: Underground black metal [7] RHYS STEVENSON ETHERNAL 'Grim Ethernity' + 'The Black Sun' + 'Arkioas' UNHOLY DESIGN Buckinghamshire's Black Metal trio Ethernal delivered hell with their debut album 'Grim Ethernity' released back five years ago in 2013. Much like Mark's one man project (where he is known as Nechtan and partners Blaidd) Speirling, Ethernal also drives out the old school style of Black Metal and again nothing fancy happens on this album, just simple and true English underground Black Metal, with a thick and atmospheric feel to the sound and more organic feel to the lyrics in heritage context whereby English mythology comes into practice. Again like the drummer's side project, Ethernal's 'Grim Ethernity' also does offer something new, therefore those metalheads who prefer their Black Metal to be along the lines of Winterfylleth and Old Corpse Road, 'Grim Ethernity' by Ethernal is for you, another true taste of the English underground Black Metal scene. Focusing now on the premier EP 'The Black Sun' which was released back in 2011, the first thing that strikes out is the title and the artwork and some metalheads would now dub them NSBM owing to the Nazi links to The Black Sun, this simply is nonsense it is more of a pagan, wotanist, esotetic and occult symbol, as for the music well that in itself is an occult, much improvement can be heard on here in relation to the debut album 'Grim Ethernity', the drums have a more pronounced presence and so give that really dark feel to the ambient atmosphere and the feeling this EP sparks off is one of druidism ironically given that said movement is of the Celtic mythology and occult, even so the lead song "Order Of The Black Sun" belts out a colossal sound that can only be improved if it were blasted out at Bloodstock per se. For all the controversy surrounding the EP the music deals with it via a mesmerizing and powerful enchantment. Furthermore when checking out their latest album 'Arkioas' which was released last year, the two tracks from their premier EP make a stark appearance on the album as the first two tracks, they are also of the same quality as on the EP which is rather odd. Duplication aside the album carries on that mind-breaking power of chaotic occult Black Metal and leaves the listener with a great deal of satisfaction. Shrieking vocals curse the airwaves with venomous spit and whilst that happens the drums and guitars battle each other for monstrous supremacy, hark 'Arkioas' is an album to be afraid of as it is not for the commercial Black metal fan, this is an album that shines kvlt and utmost truth as a force to be reckoned with, this is only the beginning... Download These: "Echoes" + "Order Of The Black Sun" + "In Silent Halls Beyond..." For Fans of: Winterfylleth, The Meads of Asphodel, Old Corpse Road [8] + [8.5] + [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON INTERNAL CORROSION 'Spiritual Poverty' WOLFSOUND With a career spanning 20 years you would expect that Internal Corrosion has a fruity backlog of releases that follows a similar patten to those bands who have been around for two decades... but no. 'Spiritual Poverty' is only the band's second album and so you would question what the hell has been going on? Ah what the hell, California's Thrash maniacs wield an album that does everything a Thrash Metal album is meant to do, fast paced music laced with neck-breaking riffs, unrelenting drumming and radioactive vocals, needless to say that 'Spiritual Poverty' is definitely worth that extra dollar to buy but don't expect it to be another "Reign In Blood" or "Ride The Lightning", just expect good ole classic American Thrash Metal, old school style. Heck they might as well resort to becoming a pub band or a titanic band in a local setting, after all isn't that 'Spiritual Poverty'? Download This: "Draw The Line" For Fans of: Metallica, Dio, Megadeth [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON SAPROPHYTE 'The Aberrant Paradox' It has always seen to be the case that Canadian Metal tends to be very ballsy, with a lot of cheek entering the affray and I don't refer to South Park on this occasion, nor the consistent linkage with syrup and a horny moose. I refer to the second album by Progressive Death Metallers Saprophyte who have dropped a bombshell on this occasion, with djent making somewhat an abrupt appearance on some of the songs and yet the maniacal punching in the face sound continues to wallop the hearing senses as if ear fetish was the latest trend. 'The Aberrant Paradox' is a musical feast that even the most gluttonous person could not devour or apprehend to, with the sheer magnitude of the death growls that rot the songs dry, the chemistry between the razor-sharp riffs and the solidarity of the drums, it is safe to say you would need life insurance to get through this one. Download This: "Nightmares" For Fans of: Gojira, Opeth, Periphery [9] RHYS STEVENSON GLACIAL FEAR
'Equilibrium Part II' This is the kind of music you want to shove into everyone's face, especially the hypocrites of today who ruin every country through mass control, that includes the corrupt governments of the world. Can we say that sort of thing? Glacial Fear can. The Italian's latest EP 'Equilibrium Part II' spits venom into your face so hard you wish you wasn't born, formulating a sound that comprises of Death Metal, Metalcore and Technical metal, this is the sound of mass brutalization. With a crunchy bass line, an emphatic array of fluid riffs and mentally-destroying vocals, 'Equilibrium Part II' is the musical sound of mass murder and as the fury unfolds you better take out life insurance, because boy are you f**king going to need it. Now, unleash the pain of a thousand spikes stabbing your senses dead, because that is what Glacial Fear's is like 'Equilibrium Part II', a crude slaughtering. Download This: "Ghost City" For Fans of: Quo Vadis, Architects, Born Of Osiris [10] RHYS STEVENSON ENVINYA 'Inner Silence' MASSACRE No wonder they got signed when launching their debut album this year, Germany's Envinya delivers a stellar sound that incorporates elements of melodic metal in both the guitar solo's and majestic vocals as well as dabbing the tracks off of their debut album with evident emphatic atmospheric feelings. 'Inner Silence' is the debut album by this Melodic Heavy Metal outfit and boy does it rock, what with the vocals being powerfully delivered by both Mery Díaz and Thomas Knauer, you get the feeling that this six-piece could easily break out into the European metal circuit. As for the album 'Inner Silence', it's one of those releases you have to replay again and again to fully appreciate the music, but with that comes extra satisfaction, make no mistake Envinya are going places. Download This: "Inner Silence" For Fans of: Evanescence, 3 Inches of Blood, Lordi [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON TAVÚ 'Clamor Victorium, Clamor Silentii' Tavú is another prime example that the Puerto Rican metal scene is comfortably in full throttle and is ready to make a statement on the international circuit, fusing together progressive and groove elements to the underbelly of each song on their second album 'Clamor Victorium, Clamor Silentii' whilst inducing pinches of Thrash Metal and Lamb of God style vocals. If you were expecting 'Clamor Victorium, Clamor Silentii' to become another album that is full of ideas and no satisfactory output, think again. Switching between the Spanish and English languages whilst the music itself does the greater talking, embrace yourselves in a matrix-like sound of aggressive and clean vocals that come coupled with skull-cracking riffs and ballistic drumming. Tavú may have been going 17 years, but with this new release it only seems like yesterday that they first emitted their 'Plutonic Hybrid Metal'. Download This: "System Without Honor" For Fans of: Lamb of God, The Devin Townsend Project, Gojira, Meshuggah [8] RHYS STEVENSON BLACK INFINITY '666 Metal' SONGNAM What happens when you mix Melodic Death Metal, Gothic Metal and experimental metal with the flavors of the Orient, you end up with a sound that cannot be found anywhere else. Of course Vietnam's Black Infinity ticks that box completely as their debut album '666 Metal' released four years ago broods a truly authentic Oriental feel through the keyboards and riffs whilst the vocals differentiate across the eleven songs, venturing from totally aggressive to really soft and mellow, the latter found perfectly on 'Embracing Hearts' as Hưng Tiến Nguyễn delivers the vocals in the same style as Ville Valo of HIM. What is even more striking about the album is that after the previously mentioned song, comes a three minute classical piano track that to many Western metal fans would seem highly unorthodox and a little taboo to metal itself! But that's what makes Black Infinity and their triumphant album '666 Metal' all the more special, they're doing metal there way and not following any rules, Black Infinity are flying the flag for the Vietnamese Metal scene with their own style of metal... '666 Metal'. Download This: "Deathbed Illusion" For Fans of: HIM, Before The Dawn, Deadlock, Catamenia [9] RHYS STEVENSON INHERITOR 'From Dust 'N Passion' STORM BLAZE ENTERTAINMENT When you come to think of globalization is just a mass worldwide spread of information, technology, culture and various other segments that play a part in everyday life, but when immigration comes into play a whole host of interesting results creep up. This goes for the Melodic Death Metal band Inheritor who hail from Colombia but have an American vocalist as the forefront, however going back three years and the quintet's debut album 'From Dust 'N Passion' was unleashed into the wilds of the Colombian music industry and with it comes a angelic form of brutal tranquility in respect to the sensational riffs and drumming acting as a solid foundation, whilst the classic beauty and the beast style vocals do the forward commands through the male vocalist growling and the female vocalist's singing harmony. 'From Dust 'N Passion' is a must have for anyone who loves music that contrasts itself from another part of the music itself. Download This: "Beloved Forsaken" For Fans of: Children of Bodom, Nightwish, Lacuna Coil [8] RHYS STEVENSON LEAVE SCARS 'The Arrival' Belgian old school Thrashers Leave Scars drop a bombshell in the form of their debut album 'The Arrival', now lets be honest the only single great thing about this album is that it features everything you would expect from an Old School Thrash Metal album, full on face-melting riffs blending in with unrelenting solos and blisteringly-fast drumming, as well as brutal vocals that will leave your hearing in tatters as the Belgian five-piece smash your senses apart. 'The Arrival' is an apt enough album title as the arrival of a resurgent force in Belgian metal is truly on the cards. it may have taken eight years for the album to finally see the daylight, but f**k me they could not have done it any better. This warrants a Wacken slot next year! Download This: "The Son" For Fans of: Kreator, Metallica, Evile [8] RHYS STEVENSON APE TO GOD 'Ape To God' It's not exactly a musical pun on Charles Darwin's theory of mankind evolution nor a dig at the conflict between science and Christianity, instead Ape To God is an interesting band. Ok, so their self-titled debut EP wallows in what I just said in as far as the artwork and song titles are concerned, but on the other hand there are no monkey chants or banana skins that cause the band to slip up, instead what you have here is a brutally solid example of perfectly executed Groove / Death Metal. Spewing out a tidal wave of gut-rotten vocals, doused with the acidic riffs that surge throughout this release like metal conducting electricity and the drums delivering wave after atomic wave of sheer power. It may not be 100% groundbreaking, but what could be on the cards here is Poland's next biggest export. Having two songs with the words simply switched around sums up their musical output, switching all the time and in doing so creating lush musical fusion. Download This: "Fire & The Straws" For Fans of: Debauchery, DevilDriver, Six Feet Under [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON THRONE OF HERESY 'Realms Of Desecration' It is an inescapable fact that upcoming Death Metal bands in the Swedish abyss find it tough to make themselves known owing to the mass influx of said genre in said nationality, of course providing a twist on the musical brutality of Death Metal is key and Throne Of Heresy does exactly that. Unleashing hell through their EP 'Realms Of Desecration', the five-piece masochists crush the splintering whimpering of all of those 'trying to be hard and cool' unsigned Death Metal bands that wallow so apathetically in the music scene, not implying that they are all talentless or lacking in imagination, but more so implying that Throne Of Heresy shows how it should be done, furthermore there are evident whiffs of Black Metal murmuring in the background. Now just imagine a hornet swarm stinging your eyes out and then imagine being gutted by a python armada, that simply put is just the descriptive form of this music, in reality it is much, much harsher. Prepare for the oncoming storm... Download This: "Souls To Suffer" For Fans of: Bloodbath, Watain, "Filthy Death Metal" [9] RHYS STEVENSON RETURN TO INNOCENCE 'The Ring Of Moon' METALGATE It's about time Western Europe woke up to the reality that they are no longer the greatest of metal producers, well not dismissing that the region delivers top notch acts, but for now pay attention to Return To Innocence of whose fourth album overall and first album since their relaunch glimmers in sensational musicianship. Pummeling out a carefully balanced mix of Doom Metal and Death Metal, this Czech ensemble assimilates the rulebook by crafting their own unique sound through the use of Death Metal vocals and drums, with an impending doom feeling arising from the delinquent symphonies and elegant keyboard notes, even though the album itself features two prominent musicians and ten other musicians delivering contributions on a whole plethora of departments, the music itself is one of a kind that you will never find anywhere else, come on 'Symphonic Doomed Death Metal'? Download This: "Blood-Related" For Fans of: Therion, Amorphis, Tristania [8] RHYS STEVENSON PAST THE FALL 'Beggars At The Liar's Banquet' Bringing a whole new variation to the whole Groove / Thrash trend, new boys Past The Fall accentuate the genre to a whole new level with their tasty debut EP 'Beggars At The Liar's Banquet'. Armed with a plethora of riffs that builds up the suspense of each song with a feeling of total chaotic mayhem being developed, leads to a smashing sound that will as a result cause some hefty moshing. These London lads may be new on the block, but if they keep this effort up and display it on a greater level for their debut album, they could see a record label deal well within the next few years. 'Beggars At The Liar's Banquet' shines with potential and delivers a beautiful sound that will captivate a whole host of metal fans. Download This: "Injustice" For Fans of: Pantera, Alice In Chains, Metallica [8] RHYS STEVENSON KIN BENEATH CHORUS 'Futuristic Composed' SPREADING DYSPHORIA INDUSTRIES Ever rarely do you find Death Metal / Hardcore / Deathcore bands that manage to separate themselves from the plethora of cloned bands out there, let's face it without a creative mind you are doomed to become one of those clones. Kin Beneath Chorus avoid that dreaded fate by unleashing a barrage of Death Metal / Deathcore with the occasional progressive and technical element here and there in unruly fashion, by dropping the A-bomb on the Greek Metal scene, their debut album 'Futuristic Composed' brews up an apocalyptic sound that will crush anyone's soul to death and bleed their ears dry. Showing that the economical state is not impacting on this band, they do more than just smash plates, they smash your face in with a musical blast that would make any hardcore kid cry like a wuss. The message is, Kin Beneath Chorus are taking their scene to newer heights and taking themselves to the European circuit armed and ready for assault, the massacre has only just begun.... Download This: "Split-Scree" For Fans of: Ease Of Disgust, early-Bring Me The Horizon, 'Insanely brutal music' [10] RHYS STEVENSON TEODASIA
'Upwards' Making their debut album speak one more word than a fairytale story is Italian female-fronted metal band Teodasia with their luscious production 'Upwards' which binds together sexy symphonies, four melodic maestro's and a ton of epic, fantasy metal. Playing music in the combined style of Within Temptation - cross - Epica and layering it with their own twist of powerful ballads, booming musical compositions and an artwork to match the dramatics of the overall masterpiece. Delving into the finer details and you find the true passion that Italian Gothic Metal bands seem to have, and so moving into 2013 it is time for Teodasia to move 'Upwards' into the heavens, for this is the 'Symphoratic metal' (Symphonic Operatic) band the Italian Metal scene has been longing for. Download This: "Aurora" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Epica, Lacuna Coil [9] RHYS STEVENSON ROTTEN DOOM 'This War Begins...' Remember that Mayan prophecy that the world will end? Well they were wrong, but they were right at there being an apocalypse, just this apocalypse is a tad smaller than a hand grenade explosion. Coming into the firing range is Mexico's Rotten Doom of whose debut album 'This War Begins...' redefines the epitome of the Melodic Death Metal audio infrastructure, forget the fancy stuff you would experience with bands like Scar Symmetry and zone into the harsher vocal and stiffer music territories and you'll end up with an idea of what this lot sound like. Now whilst 'This War Begins...' is a decent enough start to the band's career, the melodic elements need to be fined tuned even more because whilst there is some melody present, it is not enough to get the full feeling of complete satisfaction, needless to say it is a decent enough effort and yet as the album progresses, the songs steadily improve, weird eh? Download This: "This War" For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, American Melodic Death Metal bands. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON MISTH 'Rise Of A New Day' PROGRESS 'Rise Of A New Day' the debut album by Progressive Metal / Hard Rock outfit Misth bursts out at the seems with a fruitful sound of theatrical vocals that instantaneously warp you to another dimension, let's face it the vocals and music would bode well in a massive arena (even a Colosseum!). As for the overall production, well 'Rise Of A New Day' features a whole host of songs that features quick shifting time signatures on the guitars and whilst you may think we have another female fronted band trying to emulate Evanescence or Paramore, or another established band, think again. Misth are a band of their own and are preparing to slaughter your senses dead until the world wakes up to the 'Rise Of A New Day'. Download This: "Life's Arena" For Fans of: Avenged Sevenfold, Anathema, Katatonia [8] RHYS STEVENSON DOOMED FROM DAY ONE 'Nine Fingers' The hint is in the title, nine fingers and the tenth is flipping the bird at your miserable pathetic self, well so it would seem, or it could be a secret message to say 'f**k the world'. What ever it means, 'Nine Fingers' is the second face-smashing EP by Surrey bruisers Doomed From Day One, and doomed you will be when you face the almighty fury demonstrated by this Progressive Death lot. Eccentric guitar riffs push this EP hard and ballistic whilst the drums and vocals demean your life so much you wish you were dead, well that is the sort of feeling you will feel when faced by this Surrey ten-legged monster. Make no mistake Doomed From Day One are going places and with it they take their hellish angelic brutality with them, prepare for an almighty apocalyptic slaughter. Download This: Cut & Hunt For fans of: Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Between The Buried & Me. [9] RHYS STEVENSON VIOLENTORY 'Theory Of Life' When will some bands realize you don't have to either break the drum kit, snap a few strings or break your voice-box just to create music, in no way does that apply to Bulgaria's Violentory. However it must be said that they aren't exactly the most orchestrated of chaps, for example the music is too slow and the Death Metal vocals are too weak; not enough grit or angst to provoke a feeling. This of course can be heard on their debut album 'Theory Of Life', on the other hand if your looking for melodic vocals and power then they nail that right on the head. With an hour's worth of Melodic Death Metal being mixed with Progressive Metal elements, there is something for everyone on this album, but those vocals aren't gritty enough.... Download This: "Over You" For Fans of: Opeth, Dream Theater, Meshuggah [7] RHYS STEVENSON WRETCHED SOUL 'Veronica' DARK LORD Canterbury may be the home of the renowned cathedral, but I would assume that not even Geoffrey Chaucer saw this one coming after the infamous 'Canterbury Tales' stormed the UK with extreme force, after all taking Wretched Soul into account as the latest reason to visit Canterbury is an understatement. Unleashing their highly anticipated debut album 'Veronica', the modern Death Thrashers krank up the gears and let go of the brakes to release an album that speaks speed and delivers a brutally powerful tone to it, so much you might want life insurance coverage before listening to this megalithic masterpiece. 'Veronica' is one of those albums that should have the words 'resistance is futile' slapped on it, let's face it if you're not a fan of either A. Death Metal, B. Thrash metal or C. Metal, then you are missing out on what could be regarded as debutant album of the year. Download This: "Summon The Hunter" For Fans of: Metallica, Megadeth, 'insanely godly music' [10] RHYS STEVENSON THE ZEN 'Somewhere On Earth' What happens when you get five Catalonian metal musicians and give them the keys to endless possibilities? You end up with a carefully calculated algorithmic sound that eclipses any band playing djent metal. After all this lot play rather convincing Melodic Death Metal and to a sublime level also, given that their debut album 'Somewhere On Earth' dropped last year and that they have only been going two years, we could have the new Scar Symmetry on our cards. Expect a continuous flow of unforgiving vocals as well as gnarly riffs and brutally tantalizing drumming, Catalonia may only be an autonomous region within the Spanish lands, but boy The Zen are truly flying the flag for the Catalonian Metal scene, this band will go far make no mistake about it. Download This: "Mystic Challenge" For Fans of: Scar Symmetry, Breach The Void, Mnemic [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SATCCONNIA 'Chaos' Instantaneously the feeling of total beauty comes rushing towards you at a ballistic speed and caresses the soul entirely until you feel completely relaxed. Of course when band's like Spain's Satcconnia deliver their debut album, you cannot deny that the music hey have created is so calming that it takes you into a state of being completely relaxed. Through the magical usage of elegant keyboard elements and the vibrant power spewed out through the soprano-like vocals, percussive riffs and drumming, Satcconnia prove why Spain is a power-house for such elegant music, not only metal. As for their 2012 release 'Chaos', it sparks up a considerable amount of attachment between the music and the listener and ultimately sheds harmonies like no tomorrow. Download This: "Idyllic World" For Fans of: Nightwish, Therion, Lacuna Coil [8] RHYS STEVENSON AGONY OF THE BLEEDING FLESH 'Everlasting Piracy' What you could easily call the darker brotherhood of Alestorm, enter French metallers Agony Of The Bleeding Flesh and their emphatically brilliant debut album 'Everlasting Piracy'. Weaving together a rum-laden sound of Black Metal with the heavy brutality of Death Metal and the agility of Thrash Metal, this is a band that should explode across the continent very soon. Defying the generic folk metal style that most Pirate-themed bands seem to use, Agony Of The Bleeding Flesh take allegiance with the likes of Black beard and Davy Jones, but don't forget that this lot hail from the Celtic nation of Brittany and that you could easily tie them down with links to the pirates of Cornwall, so given that this band are assured of international recognition it would seem almost likely that this is going to be the band's finest hour. Download This: "To Penetrate" For fans of: Cirith Gorgor, Aura Noir, Celtic Frost [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SHUTDOWN 'Heavy As Metal & Hot As Hell' Nothing beats the sound of good ole fashioned classic heavy metal no matter what country it comes from, take for example Shutdown from Slovenia who released their debut album 'Heavy As Metal & Hot As Hell' last year, the funny thing is it sounds too cheesy to be true. Sure you get the original style vocals and choppy riffs alongside the classic drum beat, but don't expect anything else other than that. So what you have here is another average Heavy Metal album and as the title suggests, it focuses on the hard rock side of the infamous music style. But as said it is good to hear old fashioned classic heavy metal, just don't expect them to be anything like Iron Maiden. Download This: "Dedicated To Mars" For Fans of: Def Leppard, Van Halen, AC/DC [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON VOLTAX
'Hiding Into Flames' SADE No wonder this lot were the winners of the battle for Wacken which was held in Mexico 2011, their sound is phenomenal, their third album 'Hiding Into Flames' certainly packs a punch that will keep you screaming your voice off until you choke up blood. The Mexican five-piece Voltax certainly know how to deliver a sound that never loses it's packing punch nor do they lose focus in the process. Charismatic vocals charge the lightning brigade forward whilst the battle music rallies in behind the main strike force to deliver a musical explosion that will keep planet earth rocking 24/7. Make no mistake about it Voltax are flying the flag proudly for the Mexican Metal scene, now if this lot don't score an international record deal soon I'll eat my speakers. Download This: "Estruendo Letal" For Fans of: Judas Priest, Motorhead, Kiss [9] RHYS STEVENSON CHASING THE RISE 'The Dawn' There are some Metalcore bands that try so much fancy stuff that they over-complicate the sound, there are some Metalcore bands that are too basic in their ways that they end up as another boring 'we cannot be bothered band', Chasing The Rise are none of these. The Lithuanian Melodic Metalcore outfit emerge out of the sewers of Vilnius with guns blazing and a sound that is more brutal than your last hangover. Dropping their debut EP 'The Dawn' this year, this could be the sound that finally gives the Lithuanian Metal scene international attention. Menacing vocals guide the apocalyptic riffs through the technically melodic matrix that becomes built up by the complexity of the drumming, guitar playing and vocals all put together. Make no mistake, 'The Dawn' is the sound of the underground and Chasing The Rise are flying the flag for Lithuania. The onslaught has just begun.... Download This: "In Front of Everything" For Fans of: Tides of Virtue, Bullet For My Valentine, As I Lay Dying [8] RHYS STEVENSON MORN GURUTH 'Weltekel' TALHEIM It's always been a common thing amongst the German underground metal scene, that Black Metal bands roam so freely and yet so secret that they are barely detectable. One such example is Morn Guruth, a Depressive Black Metal duo hailing from Bavaria. Their debut album 'Weltekel' delivers such a bleak and raw atmosphere that would you need to be very sober to get the feeling for it. Sad to say the drums are not particularly impressive and need more work on, especially in speed to get that sincere feeling that the guitars seem to deliver well, as for the vocals, well, yeah. Total redevelopment is needed because whilst they are there, they are far from understandable and at times are seeming to be a little false or leaning towards random screaming, which compared to other DBM bands is hardly there. So whilst 'Weltekel' is a decent release and somewhat scores points in each area, it lacks that final touch. Download This: "Destrudo" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON MIDNIGHT MESSIAH 'The Root Of All Evil' It's always grand to see modern day bands playing the classic sounds of hard rock and heavy metal in such epic glory, whilst adapting it to their own taste. This is how exactly London quintet Midnight Messiah have gone about things, it is highly detectable on their debut album 'The Root Of All Evil' which sheds a brilliant sound in all of the departments. Clean and powerful vocals lead the front-line of this modernised version of Iron Maiden, whilst the guitars and drums deliver that all important blow that leaves the album in good stead as being a must own release for all those who prefer the old style of rock and metal. Make no mistake about it, 'The Root Of All Evil' is an album that will please many fans alike and is sure to give this band some well-deserved attention. Download This: "The Evil One" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Van Halen, AC/DC The album is available online from the label website: www.coldtown.com priced at £7 GBP. [8] RHYS STEVENSON VORTECH 'Devoid Of Life' Modern Metal seems to have become a phenomenon in the metal music industry, bolting together the fluidity experienced in the electronic music crux with the brutality and manifestation of metal music. The latest band to embrace this cosmic wave of mass destruction is Finnish trio Vortech who layer Industrial influences with Death Metal to give a sound some would associate with bands like Fear Factory, this is best heard on their 2012 release 'Devoid Of Life' whereby the vocals and double bass drum set the speed and the riffs shred high voltage as if it was out of fashion. Don't instantly think it's ground breaking, it's far from that, but more closer to actually giving this band a major boost in the Euro Metal scene. Prepare for the techno-pit, a new form of moshing. Download This: "Grains of Reality" For Fans of: Fear Factory, Noein, The Amenta, Breach The Void [8] RHYS STEVENSON DOBLE ESFERA 'Mi Universo' Dropping their debut album last year is Spanish four-piece Doble Esfera (Double Sphere in English), their release 'Mi Universo' (My Universe in English) is another classic hard rock / heavy metal sound but naturally coming with the Spanish language. So do expect to hear a lot of Iberian influences coming in and out each song, amongst the tricky and magical riffs that serve up nicely whilst the drums provide the all important solid backdrop and the vocals weaving magic like thread through water. Sure it's nothing really special, but it certainly glimmers with charm and eccentricity, 'Mi Universo' will appeal to many fans of the classic sounds as well as those looking to learn Spanish. Download This: "Perdido En El Tiempo" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Zarpa [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON AWRIZIS 'Final Hybridation' Awrizis are a hard band to nail down in one genre, so consider their debut album 'Final Hybridation' a slapping of Groove Metal mixed with a lashing of Deathcore influences and a dollop of aggression. Fueled by an endless supply of adrenalin and incredible technical skill, the Czech quartet's album deals damage en masse, except the only problem is the chunkiness of the bass, it needs a cleaner presence as you can hear the twanging too easily. But for those who want to hear music from the furthest limits then Awrizis is for you, make no mistake about it given the said improvement being completed in the future we could see a new international band arising from the depths of the Czech abyss and delivering a punch into the faces of the posers of Europe. Download This: "We Are Gifts Of Hell" For Fans of: In Flames, Suicide Silence, Machine Head [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON INFECTED RAIN 'Asylum' On the international metal scene, Moldova is down in the pits with only a handful of metal bands breaking out of Moldova and only a few of those gaining attention, well the tide is going to turn with Infected Rain. Simply put this female-fronted quintet implore a new twist to the whole Nu Metal sound, via the use of angelic and gritty female vocals (think Within Temptation for the angelic vocals) as the main weapon, a plethora of menacing riffs and powerful drumming sequences, they are poised to smash the European scene with a shattering explosion, well when you listen to their 2011 release 'Asylum' you will be warped into a musical world previously experienced. Thunderous drums and crunchy riffs boost the vocals like a musical atomic bomb, it is only a moment of time before Infected Rain joins the leagues of Exilia, Disturbed and other fellow Nu Metal compatriots, Infected Rain are flying the flag for the Moldovan Metal scene. Download This: "My Morphine" For Fans of: Exilia, Disturbed, Within Temptation, Static-X [9] RHYS STEVENSON FROSTLAND DARKNESS 'Ad Moriendum Dei Gratia' INVERSE Returning valiantly to deliver the second album is Finnish musician Mantus Nord and his project Frostland Darkness. Hailing from Lapland, this Black Metal one-man project simmers the very foundation of said music genre and injects some bleak and bitter atmosphere into it. Finnish Black metal has always been a bit of a hit and miss, well it's always spewed and spat out against Norwegian Black Metal, but when you get musical escapades like Frostland Darkness producing eclectic music in such a way that it makes established Black Metal bands sound like a screamo version of the Backstreet Boys. If your into the raw sounds of true Black Metal and after that bitter feeling that corrupts your senses, then 'Ad Moriendum Dei Gratia' is an album for you. Frostland Darkness may be a not well known project, but it packs a sensational sound you cannot find elsewhere, no wonder Inverse Records signed them! Download This: "Tuhon Kirkkaudessa" For Fans of: Horna, Darkthrone, Mayhem [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BEER BEAR 'Beyond The Invisible Line' (За Незримой Чертой) SOUND AGE PRODS. The master of all Russian beer breweries has returned with a barrel of folkloric tales, hops and fresh mountain air, I am of course referring to Folk Metal maestros Beer Bear and their 2012 album 'Beyond The Invisible Line' (За Незримой Чертой), the latest installment in their musical arsenal sees the band carry on the delinquent sounds established on their debut album and is guaranteed to please many people alike. Singing exclusively in their native language, Beer Bear have done it again, proved themselves to be worthy of being a nationally known Folk Metal band. As for their second outing, 'Beyond The Invisible Line' (За Незримой Чертой) is a pleasant enough album, just be wary that it is quick at changing speed and is hard to keep up to. Beer Bear are another one of Russia's gems that deserve much more attention than they are getting, Download This: "Folk-n-Roll" For Fans of: Korpiklaani, Arkona, Woodscream [8] RHYS STEVENSON SILENT KNIGHT
'Masterplan' Of course metal is meant to be eccentric, complex and downright dirty, it's just that Silent Knight nail two of those things, the third is nowhere to be found. A little hint, the guitars and drumming patterns on their debut album is complex, the vocals are downright dirty and the musical composition is eccentric and so what is missing? The whole package. Sure they have the elements clear on this album but it lacks connectivity and at times the solo's are far too flash, a little toning down in that department would work; an excellent solo resides on the song 'Masterplan' but not the first song 'The Curse Of The Black Rose', ok there may be some irony in this but that's metal. Whether you like it or not, 'Masterplan' is a classic power metal album, the old style of classic power metal that is, so don't expect any keyboard elements or anything special. Download This: "Prophets Of War" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Blind Guardian. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON |
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Global Metal Apocalypse Archives
May 2021
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