 DUSK OF DELUSION 'Funfair' FANTAI'ZIC To be inspired by established bands is one thing, but to try and emulate their sound is a no-no. Regrettably it seems France's Dusk Of Delusion have fallen into that trap, their debut effort 'Unfair' is predictable at it's best and sure whilst it carries the hallmarks of Slipknot and Korn as the bands that spring to mind imminently, the sound is too much of a likeness to said bands albeit the snippets of audio dialogue which somehow (no idea how) deters the attention away from the mimicking going on. In fact, there is far too much Corey Taylor going on here and this is what will leave the album undetected because said vocals, said artist, are established, period. Unless Dusk Of Delusion come up with a new formula for future releases they will always remain in second gear, welcome to the 'funfair'? Horror show more like. Download This: "Casanova" For Fans of: Slipknot, Drowning Pool, Korn, Stone Sour. [4/10] RHYS STEVENSON  PRIMORDIAL 'Exile Amongst The Ruins' METAL BLADE Although they have been going for a vast number of years, Ireland's treasured sons Primordial have not lost any of their unrelenting energy that makes their albums all so great. Four years on since their previous album and the Celtic / Black Metal crew drop their new effort 'Exile Amongst The Ruins' with a ferocious onslaught of folk-laden beats, aggressive and enchanting vocals, and riffs so refreshing, so striking, that they take you by surprise. Now, some might be turned off by the length of the songs but for those who are bold and brave enough to vanquish the thirst for something extraordinary, the experience is rewarding in every aspect. Drafting in Doom Metal elements one some of their songs once again, Primordial drive into the ground the stake of which establishes them as one of the greatest Irish Metal bands of all time; it would take something spectacular to unseat this enchanting release. Download This: "Where Lie The Gods" For Fans of: Winterfylleth, Cruachan, Cnoc An Tursa, Skyclad 'Exile Amongst The Ruins' is out 30th March via Metal Blade Records [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  FRANCIS 'A Million Years Of Loneliness' SLIPTRICK Moldova might be a small country in the far flung corner of Europe, but it's metal scene is ramping and shaping up to be one that can challenge the Western elite. Entering into the fray is Francis with their Modern Metalcore / Melodic Death entwined sound, a sound that will capture the attention of many across the continent and into the global metal community. 'A Million Years Of Loneliness' is the group's new album and it comes fitted with an explosive form of musical armageddon as it twists and turns into a multitude of pitches, rhythms and atmospherics that will leave you jaw-dropped. Judging by this album it seems that Francis are set on creating their own definitive sound and aren't easy to pigeon-hole, thus making them probably the most exciting modern metal band to emerge in 2018... watch this space with sincere intent. Download This: "Nothing Changed" For Fans of: Arch Enemy, Dead By April, Nightwish 'A Million Years Of Loneliness' is out 27th March via Sliptrick Records [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  AUGURY 'Illusive Golden Age' THE ARTISAN ERA Nine years have passed since Augury dropped their second album and it is not really for the better, their latest effort 'Illusive Golden Age' musically is fine, vocals are OK (they are hard to understand for Death Metal standards), but overall? The expectation fell short of 'oh my god'. The album does well to stand on it's own two but it lacks the ability to shift out of third gear into fourth, and whilst it flits between the two genres it lacks organization is rather all over the place despite admitting the music is fine; production wise it's fine, but piecing together it lacks organization. I just wasted time on listening to this arguably decent effort, I just wish it could have sounded better... Download This: "Carrion Tide" For Fans of: Progressive Death Metal, Canadian Tech Metal, 'wtf' metal 'Illusive Golden Age' is out 30th March via The Artisan Era [6/10] RHYS STEVENSON  BARBARIAN PROPHECIES 'Origin' BASE RECORD PRODS / HECATOMBE Heavy Black / Death Metal crew Barbarian Prophecies return with their fourth album 'Origin' and armed with a new vocalist, this is probably the strongest effort they have ever made. A non-stop thundering of raucous riffs, vomiting vocals and destruction drums pave the way for this album to lay waste on your senses with a sense of gratification at the very end. The funny thing is you would not think the vocals were female, such a brutal demonic force resides within Chousa's vocals, so much so they can easily challenge even the most guttural-singing of Death Metal vocalists. This effort shall create waves across the wider Spanish Metal scene, but even so it will strike a chord in the extreme metal community, this is an album to cherish. Download This: "Path Of The Soul" For Fans of: Behemoth, Death, Deicide 'Origin' is out 26th March via Base Record Productions / Hecatombe Records [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  KILLIBRIUM 'Purge' INDEPENDENT Upon hearing the debut EP by Death Metallers Killibrium, it's evident that the quartet know their craft extremely well and are perfectly capable of unleashing an unfathomable amount of extremity on the unsuspecting wider metal community. 'Purge' is a prime example of modern Death Metal should be done, no nonsense, no wishy-washy elements, just a straight and unchallenged stream of sheer ferocity marred by ballistic drumming, tight-arse riffs and vocals so brutal, they make your last shitting episode whimper at the gravity of this tantalisingly unmissable slice of Indian Death Metal. Honestly, if they are not snapped up in the next two years by a record label I shall question the activity of the metal music industry, Killibrium set to become the next big export from India. Download This: "Purge" For Fans of: Suffocation, Aborted, Behemoth 'Purge' is out now via an independent release [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  LAST DAYS OF EDEN 'Chrysalis' PRIDE & JOY MUSIC If Eluveitie, Within Temptation and Sonata Arctica had a threesome, Last Days Of Eden would be the offspring. Folk Metal, Symphonic Metal and Power Metal all come together into a mixing pot to produce something rather magical, something refreshing and something that should be in your music collection. 'Chrysalis' is the third album by this Spanish septet, and boy does it deliver a sound that is astoundingly beautiful. Whilst the folk metal elements float vividly in the background and the guitars and vocals take control on most songs, the delicate balance of all three genres make this album a joy to listen to. With this effort as solid as it is, it's no doubt that their live persona will match the likes of Epica, they certainly have this album nailed on the spot and whilst the Symphonic Metal genre may be overloaded with female-fronted bands, Last Days Of Eden have proven they are more than capable of holding their own. Download This: "Dead Man's Tale" For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Epica, Eluveitie, Within Temptation 'Chrysalis' is out now via Pride & Joy Music [9/10] RHYS STEVENSON  DEAD OF NIGHT 'The Evolving Science Of Self' PRIDE & JOY MUSIC So what can you call Dead Of Night's music? Well it could be Symphonic Metal, it could be Gothic Metal, but let's go with 'Symphonic Cinematic Metal'. Set to release their fourth album in four years since their inception, Dead Of Night are a force to reckon with and are set to become the UK's long awaited answer to Nightwish. 'The Evolving Science Of Self' has the sort of sound you'd imagine hearing on a Disney soundtrack, 'Frozen' for example, because it's majestic and cinematic atmosphere lifts your senses high up in euphoria as the keyboard elements battle for supremacy against Briony's infatuating vocals, the guitars and drums content to take back seat, but the overall composition sits right in front of you as arguable one of the finest unsigned Symphonic Metal releases Europe has ever seen. Dead Of Night are destined to set planet metal alight. Download This: "Set The Night On Fire" For Fans of: Nightwish, Within Temptation, Ravenia, Epica 'The Evolving Science Of Self' is out now via Pride & Joy Music [9/10] RHYS STEVENSON  VALE OF AMONITION 'Those Of Tartarean Ancestry' INDEPENDENT Being a metal band in a country where the scene rests on your shoulders is a heavy burden to have, but it is something that Vale Of Amonition have taken in their stride. Unleashing their sound of True African Doom Metal once again with their second album 'Those Of Tartarean Ancestry', the Ugandan duo have served up something that can be considered a romantic affair with the occult, the dark side of myth and homage to Black Sabbath's Doom Metal pioneering. The magical side to this album and the duo's music is they tell stories through their music, the atmosphere providing a dank, dark, eerie and unnerving feeling and through the guitar distortion, harmonious and deep vocals and the entrancing pace of the drums, Vale Of Amonition have once again delivered a masterpiece opus, one that will delight Doom Metal fans everywhere. Download This: "The Most Of Merry Funerals" - Click to listen For Fans of: Black Sabbath, Huntress, Ghost [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  CARTAGENA
'Roma Delenda Est' INDEPENDENT Since Myrath stepped out into the wider world of metal music, Tunisia has been spewing out bands left, right and centre. The latest export to emerge Cartagena, is no ordinary Symphonic Metal band, this is a band who wants to take you on a journey back to the Roman Empire times and the invasion of Tunisia; band name refers to the then capital of the Carthaginian civilization (now Tunis). By mixing together the traditional sounds of Tunisia and the wider Arabic world with Symphonic Metal, Cartagena deliver a stellar debut album that will give them the proponents to lay waste at the festivals they are playing at this year. 'Roma Delenda Est' is an album everyone should own because it is finely balanced, between traditional music and metal music it straddles the two perfectly. Cartagena are flying the flag for the Tunisian Metal scene. Download this: "Motherland" - Click to listen For fans of: Myrath, Persona, Orphaned Land [8.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON
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 HARMASAR 'Din Pământ' INDEPENDENT Nothing says truly authentic than metal music being sung in your own national language, welcoming to the fore is Moldovan Pagan Metallers Harmasar with their debut album 'Din Pământ'. The five-piece ensemble are a bunch of jolly chaps, who with this effort clearly wallow down the same path as their fellow Pagan and traditional Folk Metal contemporaries, with their compositions of uplifting and soul-blessing sound of traditional folk metal. Expect to be on your feet, dancing away wherever you may be when listening or let's say 'indulging' in this epic masterpiece, in fact this music would certainly go down well in front of a camp fire. 'Din Pământ' certainly should be in your music collection as it's demanding attention will certainly prevent you from turning a blind eye, give it a year and Harmasar will be snapped up by a label. Harmasar are flying the flag for the Moldovan Metal scene. Download This: "Tapae" - Click to listen For Fans of: Ensiferum, Korpiklaani and Litvintroll [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  SONS OF CAIN 'Seven' INDEPENDENT The Channel Islands rarely get a look-in when it comes to metal music, yet here are some thriving island scenes with enough talent to be knocking on the UK-mainland door. Guernsey's Sons Of Cain are a prime example whose debut album ''Seven'' would be a blessing when listened live, who knows maybe at next years Bloodstock? Saddled between classic Hard Rock and the NWOBHM sounds, Sons Of Cain know their craft well and are well and truly capable of amassing a number of songs with such bounce and beauty, that it mimics the happiness of the Guernsey Islanders. 'Seven' is a concept album and comes off the backbone of a former cover band, not bad for a group of musicians from one of the more isolated yet inhabited parts of the UK no? Download This: "Magic Man" - Click to listen For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Van Halen, AC/DC [7/10] RHYS STEVENSON  VENDETTA INC. 'Blight' INDEPENDENT Lashing together the funk of Groove Metal and grittiness of Metalcore (in the vocals department), you'd begin to think that you're mistaken for checking out the Vendetta Inc. syndicate, well you would be mistaken. This band is heavier than your last hangover and has far more passion than your last shag in bed, truth be told Hungary's Vendetta Inc. are set on making a statement and with their debut effort 'Blight' leading the way, there is nothing that'll stop this quartet from crushing planet metal under their ballistic weight. It was never designed to be pretty, but that's what it is and boy it's pretty as f**k - this is the real deal and you better believe it. Brutally heavy, slick in composition and precise at every second, Vendetta Inc. may well just be Hungary's answer to Lamb Of God. Download This: "Wretched Mind" - Click to listen For Fans of: Lamb Of God, DevilDriver, 5FDP [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  TEARS OF REGRET 'The Darkness Prophecy' DEPRESSIVE ILLUSIONS The Jordan / Iraq-based horde known as Tears Of Regret might have just become the most exciting underground act to emerge from the Middle East. Coming together are musicians of Iraqi, Jordanian, Russian and Emirati backgrounds to create and unleash a sound that is both hallowing, bone-chilling and raw to the core. 'The Darkness Prophecy' is this band's debut album and it's potent enough to make your ears bleed inside out, spewing out stark comparisons with Darkthrone, Dimmu Borgir and to a certain extent Septic Flesh. Ultimately the album should be a tasty treat for those who indulge in extreme metal and or metal from exotic locations. As for the album, it's bombastic, raw and unsuspecting nature is one that will be tough to beat. Download This: "Time Ignorant" - Click to listen For Fans of: Middle Eastern Black Metal, Darkthrone, Immortal [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  LANDMINE 'Reject The Destiny' INDEPENDENT It's early days, but you could probably consider Landmine as South Korea's answer to Sonata Arctica, their epic vocals leading the charge whilst the music itself delivers a crossover mix of Heavy Metal and Power Metal. Why on earth is the South Korean Metal scene largely ignored remains a mystery, given treasures like Landmine are waiting to be discovered by western metal media (cough like us). 'Reject The Destiny' is the quartet's premier EP and is a sure sign that much more is to come, for a first-time effort it's pretty solid and thus Landmine should be the next band you should check out. 20 minutes of beautifully-crafted Heavy Power Metal surges through your speakers and into your ears, just be sure to avoid wetting your pants at the amazing nature of this band. Download This: "After Love" For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Iron Maiden, Helloween [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  BLAAKYUM 'Line Of Fear' INDEPENDENT Firstly Acrassicauda from Iraq, then Motor Militia from Bahrain and now Blaakyum from The Lebanon, who'd have thought Thrash Metal would touch the hearts of the Middle Eastern folk? Additionally the Arabian vibe flows throughout the band's second album 'Line Of Fear', echoing comparisons with Tunisia's Myrath and Israel's Orphaned Land in the Oriental Metal department. Truth be told this Lebanese five-piece are ready to smash Europe to bits. One can see the likes of Nuclear Blast snapping this lot up, after all, there are times where you can question the European Metal scenes' level of creativity and when Blaakyum have nothing to lose, they go head-on and immerse themselves in originality, giving them the reason as to why they are the flag-bearers of Lebanese Metal. Download This: "Baal-Adon" For Fans of: Motor Militia, Myrath, Orphaned Land [8/10] RHYS STEVENSON  SLEEPERS' GUILT 'Kilesa' INDEPENDENT Think you know Melodic Death Metal? Feel you've heard enough flouncy melodies and brutal riffs to keep your sanity in check? You must be f*cking joking. Luxembourg's Sleepers' Guilt don't dish-out that kind of bullsh*t, instead they're capable of smashing your senses into a thousand pieces and then some. 'Kilesa' serves as the quintet's premier album and is one album destined to gain attention far and wide, it's infectious hooks and almost entrancing ability to captivate is paramount, in fact 'Kilesa' may as well be a sharp contender for Luxembourg Metal release of the year as this is probably the strongest album to come out of this country all year. With nearly 80 minutes worth of solid Modern Melodic Death Metal at the helm, this is one album that is certain to quench the thirst of most metalheads. Download This: "Supernova" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Arch Enemy, In Flames, Deals Death [7.5/10] RHYS STEVENSON  BLIND SAVIOUR 'The Master Plan' INDEPENDENT Malta is one of those metal scenes who seems to struggle at times in gaining any international attention, but when you have bands like Blind Saviour emerge on the scene and drop a scorching album such as 'The Master Plan', you know the band means business. 'The Master Plan' is a riotous slab of Power Metal that rampages at a canter whilst whipping up vocals so heavenly, even the angels have started a moshpit. Make no mistake they're not your sappy power metal cohorts, not even when their vocalist is female, of whom does a stellar job at unleashing a voice so emphatic, guys should feel ashamed. Perhaps next year will be Blind Saviours year with this effort firmly underneath their belts, waiting to unleash it upon the European masses... and perhaps beyond. Download This: "The Day After" - Click to listen For Fans of: Twilight Force, Kobra & The Lotus, Sonata Arctica [8] RHYS STEVENSON  MINDAHEAD 'Reflections' REVALVE Modern Metallers MindAhead take no prisoners with their algorithmic approach to music construction, by lashing together elements of Progressive, Melodic, Technical and Death Metal, this Italian sextet are preparing to launch themselves into the unknown. 'Reflections' may be a unique album, it may be a damn good one also, but the truth is it's going to push MindAhead into the spotlight. Such an experimental yet eclectic band and album should bode well in the future because truth be told, this sort of music is what metal needs; to open up and explore new avenues. Ultimately if you thought Modern Metal was about the groove, the riffs, the heaviness, then you're mistaken... stare into your own 'Reflections' and see that the truth is found deep within... the desire to invent, inspire and above all, reflect... Download This: "Emerald Green Eyes" For Fans of: Amaranthe, Nightwish, Epica [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  TRALLERY
'Spiritless' ART GATES Hailing from the Balearic Islands, Thrashers Trallery hold nothing back in attempting to better their debut album, the result? Completely filthy Thrash Metal designed to split your spine in two. 'Spiritless' is a reckless and relentless ride through pacey riffs, brutal drums and vocals so vicious that you'll need life insurance to pass this orgasmic musical spectacular. 'Spiritless' gleams with breakneck Thrash Metal designed to conjure up any moshpit at such short notice, moreover Trallery seem to understand how to create your own unique sound as they wallow in between the ferocity of Slayer and the precision of Metallica whilst giving a slight nod to the Teutonic sound. Ah this album is cool, there's hardly anything worth scrutinizing about... it's not long enough. Download This: "Evil Pride" For Fans of: Savage Messiah, Evile, Slayer, Metallica [8] RHYS STEVENSON  NADER SADEK 'The Malefic: Chapter III' INDEPENDENT RELEASE If you were to search for an architect, an architect who can mould body-slamming rhythms and destructive brutality into one solid blast of unforgiving Death Metal, then your attention should firstly be directed to Nader Sadek. The genius behind the multinational assembly of musicians has once again amassed a rally of songs that are guaranteed to deliver neurological pain as quickly and brutally as hydrochloric acid burns through skin. With Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir) and Travis Ryan (Cattle Decapitation) locking horns with Bobby Koelble (Death), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) and Carmen Simoes (Moonspell), the feeling that the forthcoming EP 'The Malefic: Chapter III' will ignite and spread like wildfire is completely evident, just get the first aid kits at the ready, for this is certified to make you bleed from every orifice. For Fans of: Suffocation, Behemoth, Cryptopsy 'The Malefic: Chapter III' is out 3rd November 2014 via an independent release [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  ANNIHILATION 'The Undivided' INDEPENDENT RELEASE Annihilation are not your average Brutal / Technical Death Metal band, 'The Undivided' is not your average Brutal / Technical Death Metal release. So what are they both? Disappointingly confusing. The willingness to admit that at times their EP feels like as if it is going nowhere increases with every passing second, granted it is a decent effort, but in all seriousness it's as vile as mixing port with red wine and drowning yourself to death in it. Now, if more time was spent on pushing the atmosphere and emotions to a more respectable level, than seeing how heavy or brutal they can go, then this EP could well be promising for their International breakthrough. But 'The Undivided' is so indescribable, it would take more than a thesaurus to describe how ghastly this EP is, definitely not one of the Portuguese Metal scenes proudest releases.... For Fans of: Cryptopsy, Hour Of Penance, Fleshgod Apocalypse 'The Undivided' is out 4th November 2014 via an independent release [5.5] RHYS STEVENSON  HOLY DRAGONS 'Dragon Inferno' PITCH BLACK Kazakhstan's most successful metal export Holy Dragons make their return with their 13th, 14th or 15th album, let's be honest, we lost track. Unlike our metal brethren here who have been shredding tracks out with sensational speed for 22 years. 'Dragon Inferno' marks the next chapter in this remarkable band's career, armed with a new vocalist in the form of Alexander "Demoraivola" Kuligin and the same blistering paced, unruly racket that they've conjured up each time, Holy Dragons are making a statement of intent once again, that they are by no means done and are truly deserving of greater international attention. 'Dragon Inferno' wields together the melodies of Power / Speed Metal, with the brutality of clean Heavy Metal and elegant agility of Thrash Metal influences. 'Dragon Inferno' is a release that any metal fan should have in their collection, it is simply awe-inspiring. For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, Slayer 'Dragon Inferno' is out 17 October 2014 via Pitch Black Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON  KARKAOS 'Empire' With Karkaos' new album 'Empire' starting off with such an emphatic and dramatic introduction, the feeling that the rest of the album will be just as majestic is firmly on the table. The resulting conclusion is that with the vocal battle between Veronica O. Rodriguez and Vincent Harnois arousing the atmosphere, as if to ignite it with a mixture of rampaging fire and wintry bitterness, 'Empire' is the illegitimate child of Wintersun and Arch Enemy. What Karkaos have created is a beautiful work of art that is sure to garner attention from their international contemporaries, moreover this release is easily a candidate for Canadian Metal release of the year, with it's eloquent lyrics being spouted out with additional acid, and the guitars and drums vying for front-line supremacy, this is one album that will get heads turning. Download This: "Depth Of Madness" - click to listen For Fans of: Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, Wintersun [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  TONS OF POWDER 'To Destination!' Making their debut on the Moldovan Metal scene is Heavy Groove Metal merchants Tons Of Powder with their valiant effort 'To Destination!'. With an endless rally of groove-laden rhythms and riff's leading the charge, metalheads would not be hard to push into getting into this music. In fact, this is a promising step for the quartet as this really gives hope for the future, we say that, this is nothing new what they have done but it is certainly worth the listening time. Grizzly vocals and riff's lock onto your hearing senses like a SAM missile about to be launched to take out the moon, whilst the drums and atmosphere kills off any part of you left, it's a far cry from anything ground-breaking, but it will do for now, watch this band with interest. Download This: "Stone Faced" - Click to listen For Fans of: Machine Head, Pantera, Slayer [7] RHYS STEVENSON  NASER MESTARIHI '1987' MUSIC BOX INTERNATIONAL History has been made, not only is '1987' the debut album by musician Naser Mestarihi, but it is the first album to be released outside of Qatar. He is joined alongside by Travis Marc and Craig Botes on the album and as a result, gives the sound that extra dimension. At first glance it seemed to be a general hard rock release, but after a closer inspection there is a lot more going on, with influences being drawn from Rock 'N' Roll, Heavy Metal and blues, Naser Mestarihi has developed an album that is sure to smack a few faces worldwide. Given the size of the Qatari rock and metal scene, this can be considered as a beacon of light for the scene and is sure to establish itself as a platform for further sensational release to materialize upon. Riff after riff, beat after beat and harmony after melody, '1987' is a gem in the Persian Gulf. Download This: "1987 album promo" - Click here to listen For Fans of: AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Van Halen [8] RHYS STEVENSON  KONQUEROR 'Embrace The Abyss' TUTL The latest outfit to emerge from the Faroe Islands is Konqueror with their debut album 'Embrace The Abyss', it seems to be a common thing these days that these tiny islands in between Scotland and Iceland produces top quality bands and they have done it again. 'Embrace The Abyss' glimmers in the sunlight with a vibrant array of Death, Thrash and Melodic Metal (influence), but what also makes this album all that special is the pinpoint precision exercised on it, you cannot fault the album in any aspect it is that perfect. 'Embrace The Abyss' is definitely a sign for good things to come in the future and as long as Konqueror stick to this sound they have crafted, they will start to reap in and claim scalps from all across Europe. Download This: "T.R.T. (Third Reich Today)" - Click here to listen. For Fans of: Dew-Scented, Torture Squad, Legion Of The Damned [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  STREAKS 'La Dansa Macabra' Catalonian Death Metal veterans Streaks make their welcomed return with their second effort 'La Dansa Macabra' (The Macabre Dance), exclusively singing in Catalan (albeit 'The Dead Musicians) and covering topics including anti-religion and Catalan folklore / legends, Streaks are not your average Death Metal band. Granted the music is of the quality you would expect from an underground DM band, but the atmosphere exhibited on 'La Dansa Macabra' reflects in the morbidity of the artwork, that is, the music has an extremely necrotic feel to it and as a result is guaranteed to melt into your brain so violently, you wish you were the living dead. Tantalizingly brutal, 'La Dansa Macabra' should be included in any Death Metal fans collection. Let the blood spill over into your eyes and make you see true bloody Death Metal! Download This: "Malastrugança" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Aborted, Suffocation [7] RHYS STEVENSON  SISTER SIN 'Black Lotus' VICTORY Following their successful appearance at this years Bloodstock Open Air, it was back to the studio for Gothenburg's illustrious Hard Rock / Heavy Metal ensemble Sister Sin. Now, the Swedish quartet are armed and ready to unleash a barrage of skin-piercing songs in the form of their forthcoming album 'Black Lotus'. Make no mistake, 'Black Lotus' is guaranteed to deliver anyone who listens to it an excruciating headache and body pain through endless headbanging, moshing and twerking. It's the sort of album that demands a pouring of Jack Daniels, leather-clad individuals (with women wearing the tightest leather) and the unforgiving sound of a Harley-Davidson squadron riding along Route 66. Sister Sin have returned with an album so menacing, it places them up with the greats of Lemmy Kilmister and Rob Halford. For Fans of: Doro, Motorhead, Judas Priest 'Black Lotus' is out 28th October via Victory Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON  MYSTICA GIRLS
'Gates Of Hell' It is an undeniable fact that there needs to be a lot more females taking up metal music and being a musician. Mexico's Mystica Girls certainly aim to prove that point, by unleashing another bout of feline Heavy Metal through their third album 'Gates Of Hell', this quartet tick all the boxes in terms of what makes a metal band, metal. They have the attitude, the atmosphere and the ability to deliver a 'AAA' performance (in this case in the studio). Straddling themselves between the Heavy Metal and Hard Rock genres, Mystica Girls are without any doubt unsung heroes within the Mexican Metal scene. With 'Gates Of Hell' now firmly in the wilderness of planet metal, they are sure to arouse more and more metalheads with their infectious style of Heavy Metal, in fact 'Gates Of Hell' may as well be a contender for Mexican Metal release of the year. Download This: "The Conquest" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Unleash The Archers, Sister Sin, Iron Maiden [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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