CAPTAIN ZORX STIMMUNGSATTACKE 'The Maps Of The Ancient Sea Kings' From time to time you come across a band that is completely crackpot that they should give up music and become comedians, such is the case of German 'Disco Metal' band Captain Zorx Stimmungsattacke and their album 'The Maps Of The Ancient Sea Kings'. Playing rock / metal in the style of Tenacious D, this unbelievable quartet are perhaps as wacky as Albert Einstein's hair. From the start to the very end, each song has it's own tongue-in cheek element and variation of music, thus begging the question are they System of A Down in disguise? Whoever the band is influenced by, it is a rarity and almost certainly a hidden gem in the underground German music scene. Download: "Roter Alarm" (for the yodeling :p) [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON VICTORIANS - ARISTOCRATS' SYMPHONY 'Revival' Taking Poland by storm, Neo-Classical / Symphonic Power Metal quartet Victorians - Aristocrats' Symphony delivered their debut album 'Revival' last year and with it comes perhaps what could be perceived as the next big Polish metal export and Poland's long awaited answer to Nightwish, delivering soprano style vocals on a bed of mellow and emotional music that resounds throughout the entire album, resulting in a deluge of operatic sounds and beautiful symphonies that will get heads turning. 'Revival' is a solid start to the band's career and is sure to power them to greater European recognition as one of the most exciting new metal bands from Poland to emerge in the last five years. Download This: "Voice Of Eternal Love" [10] RHYS STEVENSON DO NOT DREAM 'Eiszeit' Sensational and indescribable are two different things but can interlink when specifically referring to music, so when Germany's Do Not Dream drop their fourth album 'Eiszeit' like a bomb exploding over Berlin, the shrapnel that shoots from it carries the sound of Melodic Black / Gothic Metal and twists it in such a way that the band develop their own sound. By utilizing soft female vocals against rough male vocals and amounting that on top of the delicacies produced by the unique background melodies from the keyboard and dramatic drops emitted across the songs such as 'Schlaflied'. However the language barrier may prove a little difficult for some, but coincidentally it offers metalheads a chance to buff up their German whilst enjoying some rather special metal music. Download This: "Polarlicht" [8] RHYS STEVENSON SPIDKILZ 'Balance Of Terror' INFERNO / LA RIOT SURVIVOR The debut album by Italian Speed Thrashers Spidkilz has finally dropped, 'Balance Of Terror' takes it's time to get started but once it does, the flood gates of Italian renaissance and agile supremacy take over, whitewashing the atmosphere in a combination of American Thrash Metal like Nuclear Assault and Speed Metal in the vein of Judas Priest. Sure the sound is at times non-original and the creativity a little stuck, but the overall reception of the album is well perceived as a solid piece of musicianship that should please many Thrashers alike. Loaded with 46 minutes of irresistible riffs, cut-throat vocals and ballistic drumming, this is truly The Italian Job. Download This: "Motorhome" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON SINFLOWER 'Evil Cure' It comes with great anticipation that finally Italy's Power Thrash crackpots Sinflower spurt out their debut album last year and with it comes a mid-paced yet a technically crafty deviated style of metal. What is heard on 'Evil Cure' is eccentric solo's and riffs accompanied by a solid drum pattern and vocals that at first raise questions on whether it is Power Metal or Thrash Metal inspired, however the salient point behind 'Evil Cure' is that it combines high-pitched vocals with gritty, ballsy low vocals that stab you in the brain so hard it would make murder look like a recreational event. However, the only little bit that lacks from this release is a secure atmosphere, because on some songs it tends to be bleak and not entirely apparent, this drags the integrity a few levels down. Download This: "Just Alive" [7] RHYS STEVENSON FINGERNAILS 'Alles Verboten' HIGH ROLLER / LA RIOT SURVIVOR For a band that formed thirty years ago and then went on a hiatus or split in 1990, only to re-emerge fourteen years later in 2004, their 2012 album 'Alles Verboten' shows exempt power and passion whilst almost certainly indicating they are far from finished and still have the musicianship to deliver a bombshell without warning. 'Alles Verboten' features erotic riffs that would make any bloke have a hard on instantaneously, whilst the vocals and riffs together would bode well whilst driving down a long straight road, like route 66 for instance. Now whilst the Italian quartet wallow in between playing Thrash Metal to Hard Rock to Punk influences, the epic sound that they extrude is total finesse and an essential to anyone's collection of whom indulges in Hard Rock / Heavy Metal. Download This: "Fun Addiction" [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON TBC 'The Rise' STF 2012 saw the return of Austrian Gothic Metal quintet TBC with their next installment 'The Rise', delivering once again their beloved sound of female and male vocals which guide the rest of the music to form erotic and sensational songs. There again the album switches between the romance found within the German language and the power within the English language, whilst at the same time displaying a vast improvement from their debut album '28 Days'. Songs like 'Gnade' can draw similarities to bands like Subway To Sally of whom explode with emphatic power and emphatically constructed music. Throughout 'The Rise', the keyboard provide that atmospheric ambiance experienced in Gothic films like Dracula, it drags up that foundation from which spouts the classic beauty and the beast duet between Steve and Natascha, almost resonating with the operatic sensations felt when watching 'The Phantom of the Opera'. Download This: "Crystal Bride" [9] RHYS STEVENSON BENEATH THE TIDES 'A New Beginning' SPEARJUSTICE Australia in recent years seems to be a massive hotspot for everything Metalcore and as listeners will find out, Canberra cowboys Beneath The Tides are no exception. Exploding with a relentless force of Metalcore that comes laden with Melodic Death Metal influences taken from the Gothenburg guild. The five-piece outfit have assembled a remarkable debut album called 'A New Beginning', that should see the lads crawl under the skin of the international metal scene, ripening to erupt as an acidic blister that will burn the Metalcore scene and will scald everything in their way. As for the album itself, listeners can expect a futile and frantic fist punching onslaught, packed full with a tasty selection of In Flames melodies and Lamb Of God brutality that will have the most hardcore kids crying for their mummies. Slaying riffs, spine-shagging vocals and grizzly drumming sequences, this the post-apocalyptic Metalcore album of the decade. Download This: "Medicate Me" [10] RHYS STEVENSON CROWNLESS 'Dark Evolution' There is definitely a love affair going on between Spanish metal musicians and the Gothic Metal and Power Metal styles, even when the two merge together. However when bands like Crownless make their debut album become a living reality, the result is that the music often captivates the listeners mind and drags them into a emotional state of being calmed, relaxed and somewhat sensual. 'Dark Evolution', the band's debut album saw daylight in 2011 and has been a springboard for the band to carry on their ravenous sound of elegant Gothic Power Metal. From the first to last song, listeners will be taken on a journey that is inspired by the likes of Within Temptation, Sirenia and Nightwish, whilst being entranced by this bands 'Dark Evolution'. Download This: "Ravens In The Storm" [8] RHYS STEVENSON RUM
'Birbant' Beer is considered a gift from the gods, so what a better way to celebrate it than to sing about it? That's exactly what the Polish Slavic Metal band Rum is all about, mixing Eastern European and Slavic style Folk metal with the lyrical topics of drinking and the Slavic culture. 'Birbant' the band's debut album features some of the greatest party folk songs one would want to hear, given though it is sang in Polish the album itself has an element of class on its own. Weaving the classical sounds of metal music with instruments including an accordion, mandolin, flutes and a hurdy-gurdy;, this is a truly ethnic and culture-attached band and album. What makes 'Birbant' stand out from the rest of the Slavic Metal movement is that it has a real upbeat feel to it, one that would get anyone downing the nearest barrel of beer in a jiffy. Download This: "Piwo!" [8] RHYS STEVENSON
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ITERATE 'Ephemerals' What is amazing about the Indian Metal scene, is that each and every band that debuts their first ever release ends up with a slight twist on the western style of that specific genre and so now Chennai pays homage to Progressive Groove mob Iterate as they have just released their debut EP entitled 'Ephemerals', what comes from this is a brutal onslaught of riff shrapnel, ground-breaking drumming sequences and a sound that correlates to the groove elements of Lamb of God and the hard vocal style of any Progressive Hardcore band, but the vocals at times sound a little weak and not sharp enough to make the EP a fully fledged success. However, fans of the djent movement will wet themselves over the guitar note synchronization that goes on and throughout the EP. Download This: "Light The Flares" [7] RHYS STEVENSON TIME'S FORGOTTEN 'The Book Of Lost Words' How many band's decide to release an album that is designed like a book? Not many, this results in the Progressive Metal outfit Time's Forgotten to do just that for their third full-length release 'The Book Of Lost Words'. What comes inside this intricate production is pacey drumming, Power Metal style vocals and slit-throat riffs, a concoction of sensational metal music that can only be designed and carefully crafted by the Costa Rican quintet. In fact what could be clearly seen here from the photos inside the booklet, is a merging of steampunk and metalhead fashion, this resonates in the philosophical lyrics that power each song forward and allows the band to become another great export from Costa Rica. Download This: "Days Like Eternity" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Dream Theatre and Symphony X [8] RHYS STEVENSON WRECKING TANGANYIKA 'The Witchcraft Project' Thanks to the internet, Metal music is reaching all corners of the globe, but what is this? Zambian Deathcore? Correct. Hailing all the way from the capital city Lusaka, Wrecking Tanganyika have released their debut EP 'The Witchcraft Project' and needless to say it offers a unique style of Deathcore, well actually it's a cross mix of Hardcore, Melodic Metal and Death Metal, none the less it is unique in that it incorporates traditional African rhythm, a some what ethnic style of metal music. With the snarly grizzly vocals commanding the front line and the music following behind with a pitch perfect face-punching sound, Wrecking Tanganyika are truly flying the flag for Zambian Metal. Download This: "How Long Till There's Nothing Left' For fans of: The Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel and Imminence Download or donate here: http://wreckingtanganyika.bandcamp.com/ [8] RHYS STEVENSON GEMINI ABYSS 'Claim Of The Planet' It seems apparent that the Polish Metal scene of late has spawned off a wave of female-fronted bands in the Power Metal, Gothic Metal and Melodic Metal musical vain. However, the second full-length album 'Claim Of The Planet' by Łódź-based Gemini Abyss features a host of heavy and deep male vocals alongside the majestic melodies flowing in the background behind the accompanying sensual female vocals. What makes 'Claim Of The Planet' a spellbinding example of powerful musicianship is the interaction between the softened smooth elements and the rough gritty masculine embodiment, the classical 'beauty and the beast' scenario with added drama and that in itself is inescapable in that it is there and cannot be ignored even if one tries to, if you want gothic literature in it's musical form, then Gemini Abyss is for you. Download This: "Land of Death" [8] RHYS STEVENSON MYOPIC EMPIRE 'Myopeia' At times Essex may as well be a rather doom-laden place, how fitting is it then that two musicians come together and form Myopic Empire, simply put a Doom Metal band. Situated in the coastal town of Southend, this outfit plunge into the deeper depths of hell and drag back up with them a sound that is thick as molasses and as gloomy as a thunderstruck atmosphere. Thus leading to the first demo being born, 'Myopeia' carries a bleak and cold feel to it whilst resonating from similarities with bands such as Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard and realistically any band circulating the Heavy / Doom Metal crossover point. The salient point behind Myopic Empire is that they are carrying on the true sound of the original variant of Doom Metal. Download This: "Biofuel" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON LOYALIST 'Train Tracks' Take some burly Canadians, place them in a Melodic Metalcore band and you end up with Loyalist, the six-piece outfit come from out of the shadows with a fiery attitude, ballsy riffs, mind-screwing drumming and the vocals spitting acid, as they lock onto downtown Toronto to pound their latest EP 'Train Tracks' through, seriously the EP brings out an atmosphere that makes WWF look like children play-fighting, it is that brutal and yet on the other side the melodies are more imaginative than Devin Townsend in his heyday. Ingeniously the usage of auto-tune has been used perfectly here within reason and the breakdowns are of adequate quality. It's early days yet but the Canadian Metal scene will be seeing a lot more of Loyalist in the years ahead, better make that the global metal scene as the band lay fellow countryman Justin Bieber on the 'Train Tracks', and you know what happens then! Don't you? Download This: "Normandy" For Fans of: Tides of Virtue, Bury Tomorrow, As I Lay Dying [8] RHYS STEVENSON Our World In Ruins 'Meet Me In The Circle' (Single) Massachusetts in recent years has been a breeding ground for endless reckless and relenting Metalcore talent, there is no stopping the locals from having withdrawal symptoms from lack of breakdowns and the sheer face-smacking power of a good 'core' band. Cue Our Would In Ruins with their latest single 'Meet Me In The Circle, spewing out of the centre is a complex form of technical metalcore with deathcore influences here and there. Drawing similarities to that of Resist The Thought, Partway Drive and The Dead Lay Waiting, this American mob are certainly heading in the right direction and what makes the song catchier still, the auto-tune and insane riff breakdown at the very end, followed by some rather technical metalcore. Check it out here: http://ourworldinruins.bandcamp.com/track/meet-me-in-the-circle For fans of: Resist The Thought, Parkway Drive, The Dead Lay Waiting [8] RHYS STEVENSON ORDER OF 315 'Near-Birth Experience' Order of 315 are a hard one to pin down and pigeon hole into one metal genre, they seem to drag in influences from a diverse background including Korn, Five Finger Death Punch and Slipknot, that's just the surface of things, in reality the music is more complicated as heard on the band's debut album 'Near-Birth Experience', it takes in the furious force shed by Slipknot but twists it with a sort of Alternative / Nu Metal emphasis, minus the turntables. The problem is at times it can sound a little too congested as if each musician was battling to get their music in, this is heard especially on the song 'Some Like It Shot' where there is too much going on and so as a result diminishes this band's true potential at creating something unique. Download This: "Nonpoint" [6] RHYS STEVENSON DEFACED 'On The Frontline' If they call this Death Metal, then Blood On The Dance Floor might as well be Thrash Metal, this is far from Death Metal and fails to even be considered as an authentic Death Metal album! 'On The Frontline' by Swiss quintet Defaced do it well on the drums and the guitar note sequences, however the vocals are left to be desired, metal lovers might need a voice decoder just to get what the lyrics are, because they are barely there, at times it sounds like the lyrical sheets were burned or something and the band decided to use improvisation as a backup plan. Take away the vocals and you got an epic instrumental, but the vocals let the album down terribly. Now where did I leave that Swiss army knife, ah.... Download This: "Gore House" [5] RHYS STEVENSON KEVIN M BUCK
'Musick For The New Aeon' OSIRIS Shredding is a form of art coming from intricate guitar playing, musicians like Kevin M Buck know all to well what is involved and what is expected of such a performance, thus the Illinois musical maestro comes back in 2012 to deliver number three, 'Musick For The New Aeon', a majestic and entrancing journey through the mind of the American to his sensational playing oriental style guitar compositions whilst channeling it down the Heavy Progressive Metal vein and creating music that fits the lyrical themes he has chosen, notably Egypt and it's associated mythology. Bands like Nile and Egypt's Scarab will be most impressed if they heard this and as 'Musick For The New Aeon' gleefully plays, you get the sense that Kevin M Buck is in the same league as Devin Townsend, a musical genius. Download This: "Musick For The New Aeon" [8] RHYS STEVENSON STORMBANE 'Tortured in the Arms of Salvation' + 'Abyssus Abyssum Invocat' Australia has a long and dark history and that may well be the reason behind the influx of Black Metal and Thrash Metal bands that roam the vast continent / country, that said when bands like Stormbane emerge on the scene, it cannot be helped by saying that this is what true underground black / thrash metal sounds like, speaking on terms of their debut 2009 demo 'Tortured in the Arms of Salvation, it is evidently clear that the utilization of atmosphere over production adds a synthetic raw dimension to it. In fact the demo itself is so raw, many die hard black metal fans would masturbate over the eccentricity that reaps every single note on every single song on the demo, but at times it takes a real hard attempt to decipher what or where each musical instrument comes in, its raw for sure but a bit too raw (is that even possible?) Moving forward to the 2010 premier EP 'Abyssus Abyssum Invocat' and instantaneously the production level has dramatically increased whilst retaining that authentic raw buzzing sound that makes the EP sound so lush, its like eating a chocolate cake covered in everything that contains sugar, simply put its so delicious that it would make you physically sick, but that's the great thing about this release, it blasts the whole room with the sonic menacing sound of blastbeats, tight riffs and apocalyptic shrieking, if only there was more songs on the EP; you just cannot get enough of this band. [5] + [7] RHYS STEVENSON IMMANENT 'In Acedia' France of late seems to be bringing more and more female-fronted metal bands out, is this a challenge for the rest of Western Europe? Maybe, but when Prog Metal outfit Immanent step into the limelight, heads bow in shame, well almost. The premier EP 'In Acedia' starts off with some promising music until the vocals kick in and there goes the question, are there any vocals? At times it becomes hard to to tell whether there are even any lyrics! It's like a bottle of French wine, fine on the outside but once the sipping has passed and the drinker is into the bottle it is questionable whether it is nice tasting or not, overall the album cannot be totally decried as it does offer a unique style, whether that specific style will catch on is another question. One element that does however offer some brilliance is the piano compositions, which adds a sorrowful sound to the mix, that aligned with the guitar and drum compositions makes the release justifiable. Download This: "Seclusion" [6] RHYS STEVENSON WORKSHOP 'Made Love To The Dragon' EMI MUSIC (INDIA) / DEMONSTEALER Comedy metallers Workshop make their utmost welcomed return in delivering their second album 'Made Love To The Dragon', what comes this time is another truck load of heavy metal songs that have so much tongue-in-cheek, it makes Comedy Central look like a cabaret act, especially when comparing to the song 'Gajanand Dhige' which explicitly sings about a guy having a fat bottom and issues surrounding the said body part, of course this does not stop the band entering rudimentary territory in relation to the song 'Naagin Ki Nazar' which talks about a guys jewels, or so it would seem, but who cares, whether your sober or pissed out beyond belief, the songs are guaranteed to make anyone smile and laugh, therefore it begs the question of whether metal music and comedy can actually work so much so that Workshop could appear at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival? What also makes the release that extra special is that the songs seem to circulate around the city of Mumbai (Bombay) and has a personal connection to the city, whether that be true or not it certainly feels to it and so when Workshop 'Made Love To The Dragon', they found their inner fire and hot spice. Download This: "Naagin Ki Nazar" For Fans of: System of a Down, Iron Maiden, Zimmers Hole [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON RECTIFIED SPIRIT 'Rectified Spirit' Heavy Metal being mixed with Metalcore may seem a little daunting and impractical at first, but once it gets into full swing it can be a sensational experience, something which Indian metal mob Rectified Spirit seem to have conquered upon releasing their debut self-titled album last year. What we have here is Iron Maiden-esque vocals and music being weaved into your traditional Metalcore sound, knife-edge riffs coalescing in and out the emphatic double bass drumming and truncated musical composition that slashes every ear that gets caught in this extraordinary musical blast of post-apocalyptic metal. 'Rectified Spirit' may well be the next step in adding a new algorithm to the already complex metalcore matrix, let alone building a sound that separates this band from the clones. Download This: "Bloodrush" [8] RHYS STEVENSON IMMINENCE 'Return To Helios' WE ARE TRIUMPHANT Could this be the next biggest Swedish metal export? Imminence explode on the international scene with their post-apocalyptic explosion of Metalcore infused Modern Metal, echoing comparisons to Denmark's Scarred By Beauty and England's The Defiled as well as the likes of Caliban and Parkway Drive. From start to finish, the Swedish armada's second EP 'Return To Helios' spits fire at every note produced and is certified to melt faces across the European Metal scene, the vocals alone set the tone for the almighty face-punching onslaught that soon follows courtesy of the ballistic drumming and razor-sharp riffs that provide the solid infrastructure that is Imminence, even so when the melodic sections cut across the insane multitude of elements pieced together, the band and respective EP still maintain that hardcore backdrop, proving why Imminence are rightfully poised to take Europe by storm in 2013. 'Return To Helios' is out 7th May via We Are Triumphant Records [10] RHYS STEVENSON WINTTERNAL 'The Monologue' On the tropical island of Madeira (a Portuguese autonomous province) comes the Melodic Death / Groove outfit Wintternal and their exciting debut EP 'The Monologue', as soon as the music kicks in it is clear this lot mean business, furious and exhilarating is an understatement in describing 'The Monologue', this EP has the power to kick your teeth in, beat the living daylights out of the pathetic individuals destroying our planet and the firepower to make an atomic bomb look like a pitiful grenade, with that comes the sensational melodies that keep this release in the overdrive region before taking it back to the origin of the music, 'The Monologue' atmosphere. On the other hand though it is nothing new, but it at leasts offers the band a way forward and the Madeira Metal scene a glimmering chance of being exploited, taking clear groove influences from Lamb of God and melodic death metal influences from bands like Trivium or In Flames, the rest is waiting to be argued upon. Download This: "The Sword Of Damocles" [7] RHYS STEVENSON T.A.N.K 'Spasms Of Upheaval' SYMBOL MUZIK In recent years the French Metal scene has seen a deluge of fresh and exciting underground bands that have the mettle to prove that they are on the path to gaining international recognition, such a band is Melodic Death / Thrash quintet T.A.N.K (Think of A New Kind) and their sophomore album 'Spasms Of Upheaval', what comes out of this megalithic album is a torrential barrage of differential sounds that emit from the same source, the talented musicians. Layering an aggressive melodic style on top of a percussive thrash element and Scar Symmetry style vocals, 'Spasms Of Upheaval' is the sound that will make T.A.N.K stand out from the rest of their fellow countrymen, now if T.A.N.K was to be compared to Gojira, then the former is a whole league above the latter, with no exception. Download This: "Through The Disgrace" [8] RHYS STEVENSON FURTHER DIMENSION 'They Live' BRENNUS At first the sophomore album by French Heavy Proggers Further Dimension seemed to be slacking all over the place, but in fact it is simply the opposite, some of the solos on here start off well but go completely overboard and therefore render the songs they are situated in as questionable. 'They Live' came out last year and delivers once more that technical math rock / djent feel that surges through the center of the band's infrastructure. Granted the level of extreme music is there in context with the level of aggression that spews out of the speakers from which one can be seduced by the mastery represented here, but as said things can be overdone and at times 'They Live' seems a little too pushed to be a great follow up from the band's debut album 'The Monolith Effect' two years ago, however in an overall perspective the album is certified for fans of djent and progressive metal. Download This: "Dualitude" [7] RHYS STEVENSON UNBOWED 'Unbowed' Emerging fresh on the Canadian Metal scene is the twelve-legged melodic black / death metal machine Unbowed of whom have just released their debut self-titled EP. What makes the band ever so promising given the evidence herewith is the delinquent melodies that develop a dark and disturbing atmosphere for the rest of the band to poise upon and unleash a barrage of sincere compositions that spew out comparisons between Vesperia, Hecate Enthroned and Cradle of Filth, the latter only adhering to the keyboard and drum elements. 'Unbowed' is sure to get the band some deserved attention from global media outlets and at the same time propel themselves forward to delivering that all important god-smiting debut album. Download This: "March Of The Giants" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON EMPHASIS
'Into Infinity' Estonian Metal on the international scene is not well known besides the most notable band Metsatöll, so when Symphonic Power Metal sextet Emphasis arrive on the block and deliver their debut EP 'Into Infinity' expectations run high. The result is that expectations are surpassed, delivering a sumptuous mix of elegant keyboard symphonies that enliven the release and as a result the vocals, drums and guitars cooperate to perfection, delivering a sound and powerful force that has the potential to land Emphasis in the laps of a record label deal and selection to participate in the Eurovision song contest, in fact the EP blasts similarities to the progressive elements of Opeth, the dramatic atmosphere of Within Temptation, the darkened gloominess of My Dying Bride and a modern metal style that incorporates electronic-tinged background music. All in all 'Into Infinity' has proven its worth as an excellent debut release from which Emphasis can plan an assault on Europe with their catchy lyrics and totally musical compositions. Download This: "Running Man" [9] RHYS STEVENSON OUR LAST ENEMY 'Fallen Empires' + 'Wolves Of Perigord' RIOT! ENTERTAINMENT Modern Cyber Metal right at the tips of your tongues comes from Australia's hottest new property, kicking off with their debut album which dropped 3 years ago, 'Fallen Empires' employs a solid torrential outburst of technical gothic metalcore at it's highest peak, but the funny thing about the music is that it covers a myriad of sounds and so the genre-tagging becomes almost impossible. 'Fallen Empires' delivers seventeen tracks (some clips) of some of the greatest fusion metal you can ever come across, produced by Christian Wolbers (Mnemic, Fear Factory, etc) it was always likely that Our Last Enemy would spew out an album that would sound on the same part as the Danish modern metallers and American Industrial legends. Moving onto 2012 and the sophomore release comes in the form of the band's first ever EP 'Wolves Of Perigord', this time the band deliver a far heavier explosive mix of metal music and pure angst, the clever thing that works here simply is the layering of Metalcore on top of a synthetic bed and yet employs a gothic look and a Industrial Death Metal feel, so they are not Motionless In White mixed with Strapping Young Lad, they are in fact the brutal truth that they are the kings of modern cyber metal. 'Wolves Of Perigord' spits metallic venom right at the fire that burns as a beacon of their demise, for Our Last Enemy are destined to smash the sound barrier in 2013. Download These: "Pariah BC" + "Wolves Of Perigord" For Fans of: Strapping Young Lad, Motionless In White, Mnemic [8] + [9] RHYS STEVENSON ACOLYTE 'Alta' MORDGRIMM Following a similar path to fellow Manchester Black metal band Winterfylleth, newcomers Acolyte are proving themselves to be hot property in 2013, vastly picking up notice from many across the metal music spectrum the bands debut album 'Alta' explodes in an interesting style, plucking elegant grooves that would make your grandmother dance more than gangnam style and lashing it with shrieking Black metal that would make any fight between Manchester United and Liverpool fans seem like children happy slapping, enough silly talk. Acolyte do more than play pretty music, they make the UK metal scene pretty and with 'Alta' on the horizon, days will get darker than your average black coffee. Conjuring up relating sounds to that of Enslaved and Opeth, this could be Manchester's darkest hour. For fans of: Enslaved, Opeth, Deathspell Omega 'Alta' is out 7th May 2013 via Mordgrimm Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON KAINE / OSMIUM GUILLOTINE 'Killotine' This does not always happen, but when this sort of thing does, boy can it explode more than fireworks on bonfire night. What we have here is a magnificent split or orchestration by two of Essex's finest NWOBHM bands, Kaine and Osmium Guillotine, who when they digivolve together become Killotine. Displaying their classic Heavy Metal persona, both bands dive into four cover songs, one song by both bands respectively and a cover of 'Prowler' (Iron Maiden) and N.I.B. (Black Sabbath), now whilst this is a relatively short release, it has an element of class on it that perhaps Iron Maiden or Black Sabbath couldn't muster, instead if they whiffed the release then they would applaud it, not to mention that both bands are similar in style, sound and setup, but more so attitude and so what the Killotine split does is it exemplifies why British Heavy Metal was and always will be a cultural heritage icon. Arm the masses, raise the axes, man the fortress, this is a bloody war of riffs, drum beats and insane vocals. [9] RHYS STEVENSON DRAWZZNIKK 'Wings' HEART OF STEEL Austria is not usually known for it's production of classic Heavy Metal bands, so it comes as a little bit of a surprise when 2013 delivers the debut EP 'Wings' by Drawzznikk and what immediately draws attention to this release is that there are two female vocalists commanding the frontline on this release. Seeing one female vocalist is different, but two? Just makes the EP that one bit more extra special. 'Wings' summons up the best the band can deliver, sure the vocals do not match the virtuoso states of Kobra & The Lotus or Sister Sin, but the vocals still pack a sensational range, the only let down to the EP is the weak recording of the drums, although bizarrely it adds a sort of classic rock style to it, so perhaps Drawzznikk may need to work on saddling themselves between AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath because this is Hard Rock / Heavy Metal, highway to hell! [8] RHYS STEVENSON CRYPTIK HOWLING 'Synthetic Ascension Design' Amassing a myriad of complex sounds and bolting them together can be at times a struggle for musicians, but bands like Cryptik Howling make it seem so simple. Developing an audio blast that consists of symphonic elements and melodic black metal, that covered by a Behemoth-esque visage gives this band an element of excitement not explored by past extreme metal bands. Their upcoming album 'Synthetic Ascension Design' demolishes anything living in it's path by spewing out pure Québécois darkness, taking evidential influences from bands like Cradle of Filth, Twilight Ophera and Satyricon, this is the new sound of Symphonic Extreme Metal. Double bass drumming blitzing at insane speed is just the beginning, the vocals shred you apart like a wolf desecrating the dying prey and the guitars slash open your heart to kill of any happiness you withhold, so before checking this band out, make your you have life insurance, your going to need it! 'Synthetic Ascension Design' is out 10th April 2013 [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON AETERNUM 'Through death we ascend' 2012 saw the sewers of London arise from the chaotic production that comes from the EP that Aeternum released, from start to finish the release will captivate and entertain fans of Blackened Death Metal alike, the raw sounds that kill the bleak atmosphere at the end of the release originates from the slithering through of the various compositions found on the release which are designed to eradicate any senses the listener may have left after the first song is finished, the band itself delinquently offers unique influences ranging from black metal to death metal, as the EP itself speaks wonders through and through from the first note to the last sound, but at times can sound a little bad, especially on the production level where a storm of unintelligible sound rots the very essence of music, but overall regardless of the negativeness, of which there is very minimal to remark on, leaves the positives gleaming brightly, leaving the listener swallowed up in a darkened atmosphere and the band themselves on a path of music maturity, what will come in 2013 is anyone's guess, but the music that prevails within these musicians beckons it. [6] RHYS STEVENSON HUMAN WASTE DISPOSAL UNIT 'New Beginning' The Nordic countries are one of the greatest collective power houses of metal music, no doubt, but from time to time the machine that is Finland will spew out a band that delivers a musical selection that is as sweet as their beloved confectionery. Human Waste Disposal Unit are the metallic diseases designed to deliver brutal moshing intent, how fortunate it is that their sophomore album 'New Beginning' spews out elements of Devin Townsend, Alice In Chains and Iron Maiden rolled into one sonic blast of epic Finnish metal. From the technical creativity of the Canadian mastermind Devin Townsend, the powerful vocals of Alice In Chains and the composure of Iron Maiden, comes this eight-legged metal machine, signalling a 'New Beginning' for the Finnish metal scene. Download This: "Sad Clown" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON DUOBETIC HOMUNKULUS 'Ani Já Ani Ty Robit Něbudzeme, šedněme Do Koča, Vozit še Budzeme' ZERO BUDGET PRODS. Eight years have passed since the formation of the Czech eccentric duo Duobetic Homunkulus and come 2013 the debut album 'Ani Já Ani Ty Robit Něbudzeme, šedněme Do Koča, Vozit še Budzeme' (something in English) finally drops, with it comes an atomic explosion, as if Prague finally woke up one morning to the heavenly smell of marijuana, simply said the release is as crazy and eccentric as Devin Townsend's facial expressions - extraordinarily different. Duobetic Homunkulus deploy a progressive-tinged Technical Death sound that together armed with their native language is strangely effective in brutal context, the vocals deliver a boom after boom approach and the music finishes of the release nicely with lashings of intricate riffing and sensational drumming, but the core of the album is the happy dappy Tech Death feeling that is delivered from the keyboard melodies and everything that is not expected from a Tech Death Metal band, instead the band are simply pushing boundaries. Download This: "Když Muž se Strojem Snídá" [8] RHYS STEVENSON THE RESISTANCE 'Scars' EARMUSIC One of the most highly anticipated Death Metal albums to surface from the plethora of Swedish bands is 'Scars' by The Resistance, an instantaneous demolition of punishing and crushing riffs smother the atmosphere in so much detail that it takes the ballistic drumming and vicious vocal compositions to totally suffocate anyone who dare opposes this beast of mass proportions. Fueled by the coalescing forces that come from the four members of whom served for notable bands like The Haunted, Grave and In Flames (can anyone handle a force that epic?), The Resistance are fighting against the tidal waves of Death Metal bands that are picked out from the megalithic USA, in fact this may be Sweden's finest hour of Death Metal ever since Unleashed took their first outing and the former is sure to see more of this emphatic armada. 'Scars' is out via earMusic on 10th May 2013 [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON ASYLUM PYRE
'Fifty Years Later' MASSACRE Back in 2012 French Progressive Power Metal quintet made their welcomed return with their second offering, their sophomore full length 'Fifty Years Later'. Instantly striking the epic sound of the heavenly female vocals that seem to course throughout the metal music world, but what is amazing about the vocals applied here is that there is a sharp sense of dramatic emphasis on the singing style, that backed up by the thunderous operatic clash of the drums and guitars, interweaving together to create a sound that would be effective as the soundtrack to a modernized version of the phantom of the opera, but more importantly a sound that will carry the band forward to greater achievements in the many years ahead, that said its no longer a matter of fifty shades of grey, but more so 'Fifty Years Later'. Download This: "These Trees" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON CRY HAVOC 'New Life' UNSIGNED If Cry Havoc got anymore brutal then health and safety might put a restraining order on Exeter's thrash 'n' roll merchants, the debut EP 'New Life' explodes into life at every second and mashes up the evident traces of Pantera and Guns 'N' Roses into one concrete sound, rocking out of the starting blocks like no tomorrow. The killer riffs that reside on this release are sharp enough to cut your throat, so careful listening is of utmost importance. But whilst the vocals and music do the slaying, the only three elements that are missing from this sensational EP are the crates of beer, the hot girls and of course the record label, here's hoping they come out of the corners to stand up to Exeter's finest new band and one of 2013's hottest properties. Download This: "Ignition" For fans of: Guns 'N' Roses, Pantera, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine 'New Life' is out Monday 15th April 2013 [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON GBS (GRAND BEAST SODOMY) 'Fuck The Holy Trinity' SALUTE / WOLFSVUUR The debut EP only comes 11 or so years since the bands inception, going by the title 'Fuck The Holy Trinity' is not for the devout religious followers, instead what unravels here is a smothering of Finnish Satanic Black Metal, the cusp of demonic attributes soon explodes in the vibrant sounds of true black metal. As for The GBS (Grand Beast Sodomy), the wait for the debut EP was pretty much worth it, sure there were three demos prior to the release, but the overall production and reception of this release is one of gratitude and disappointment, the musical compositions are fine, the only problem is that they are more Death Metal than Black Metal vocals, somehow Satanic Death Metal just does not seem to fit. Download This: "Tekopyhä Kolminaisuu" [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON NYA 'Driving The Nails In' 2012 brought many things, the summer Olympics, the Queen's 60th anniversary, but amongst this was the dropping of Nya's debut EP 'Driving The Nails In', what comes now is an explosive concoction of Evanescence style rock and boisterous Meshuggah time riffs, armed with vocals that would tease any guy out of hibernation, 'Driving The Nails In' is the new sound of London alternative music. As soon as the music starts playing, the slicing riffs do the talking as the band battle their way through the grassed over underground and prepare to deliver an all out assault in 2013 as they are sure to turn heads in months to come. Download This: "Open Your Eyes" [8] RHYS STEVENSON VIATORA 'Mede, Kruid en Mensenvleesch' In recent times there seems to be a mass influx of Folk Metal in western continental Europe, especially from the Netherlands, the latest is Viatora who hail from Maastricht and utilise their own style of Folk Metal by mixing violins and keyboards with the Dutch language, so if you like a modern version of Heidevolk, just with less Pagan Metal influences and more connected to original Dutch folk music. 'Mede, Kruid en Mensenvleesch' contains six tracks of sensational traditional sounds and elements that onyl Viatora can compose together, so if your looking for a soundtrack to a folklore party or event, 'Mede, Kruid en Mensenvleesch' is your answer. Download This: "Three Sided Coin" [9] RHYS STEVENSON CRIMSON DEATH 'Dead's The Way I Like It' UNSIGNED Germany seems to have a knack for Death Metal, and the 2010 EP 'Dead's The Way I Like It' by Crimson Death is no exception, conjuring up the old style of the music genre and adding their own twist to it, what comes next is a barrage of mortar fire in the form of missile riffs, machine-gun fire style drums and commanding vocals, the right sort of mix to make the debut EP by the German quartet all the more better. 'Dead's The Way I Like It' is a good propulsion platform for the lads to jump off and use as a block to gain higher levels, they will need it to emerge out of the plethora of Death Metal band waltzing the earth everyday. Download This: "Show Me Your Guts" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON CORONACH 'Mountain Kings' Instantaneous thoughts are of that this band is a Black / Folk Metal band, but Coronach are ever so deceiving, instead what is delivered on their self-released album 'Mountain Kings' is a juicy mix of Death Metal vocals and Progressive Metal music, giving a final production along the lines of Gojira and Agonyst, but for the Cambridge / Suffolk based quartet, 'Mountain Kings' provides enough headbanging material to make the breakdowns of a metalcore band sound reminiscent of a chorus from a Justin Bieber song. What these lads have done is created an album that spits fire, warrants recognition and is a gem in any metalheads collection, however the production level let it down, on the other hand it gives you reason to turn the volume up past 13. Download This: "Death Bed Memories" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON NAZGULUM 'Aroused' DETE NENAVISTER Maybe Russian Black Metal is on a period of going overtime, not especially when the quartet Nazgulum dropped their debut album after a nine year wait, but god the wait was worth it. 'Aroused' slams out the classic style of Raw Black Metal with added effect in as far as there is not a lot of double bass drumming and so what lacks on firepower from the behind is made up in terms of atmospheric feeling, that being sombre and enigmatically dark at the same time. But as far as their anti-christian blasphemous musical production is concerned, the band overall seem to have and have not any clue of what musical direction they want to take, maybe that's why its called 'Aroused', 'Aroused' by the myriad of non-connecting music directions. [6] RHYS STEVENSON DEVIOUS MINE 'Revelation' UNSIGNED Making their mark heard is Italian Melodic / Power Metal warriors Devious Mine as in 2012 they deliver their debut EP 'Revelation' in sensational form, exploding in the sound of powerful and face-smashing music whilst the vocals encase the surrounding atmosphere in a blanket of sheer epic force. More like the modern Sonata Arctica, Devious Mine are to become a force to be reckoned with as they slalom there way through the underground and with 'Revelation' now under their belts and primed for action, there is nothing to stop these Italian maestros from conquering Europe, 'Revelation' is a must have for any Power Metal fan, simply inspirational. Download This: "Love Keep Us Together" For fans of: Sonata Arctica, Alestorm, Amoral [9] RHYS STEVENSON MOSHPIT JUSTICE 'The Serpent' UNSIGNED The band name itself is a key hint to suggest this is going to be neck-breaking music, turns it the hunch was right, the Bulgarian trio make no mistake in vomiting out their debut EP in fashionable style, covered in the glimmering shine of Power Metal and the viral assault of Thrash Metal, that together produces 'The Serpent', a full on metal assault that would make Slytherin house look as dainty as the muffin man on drury lane. Blistering pace drumming propels the EP forward whilst the vocals and guitars deliver that all important cutting edge dimension that makes 'The Serpent' perhaps one of Bulgaria's most polished releases, all in all Moshpit Justice are going places in 2013. Download This: "Blood Of The Tyrant" For Fans of: Slayer, Klynt, Evile [8] RHYS STEVENSON RADIATION SICKNESS
'Neter-Khertet' They don't make cult releases like this anymore, and no wonder. If the word diabolical was to be slapped on a Black metal release, some would assume it is correlated to Satyricon for being now, diabolical. But Californian duo Radiation Sickness (possibly after nuclear fallout) and their debut EP 'Neter-Khertet' may be a little cause for concern, simply being that although it has the embodiment of a Black Metal release, the overall sound is a little problematic, besides the great level of rawness that resides here, the music and vocals are left to be desired, rather more leaning towards Death Metal, but even that would be an insult towards the music genre. The level of seriousness here is not in questionable doubt, but the composition is in serious doubt. [5] RHYS STEVENSON INCINERY 'Dawn Of War' So 2011 saw the first record outing by Nottinghamshire Thrash newbies Incinery, not a perfect start it would seem as their debut EP exhibits the standard Thrash Metal sound that most bands in this music style seem to employ, sure 'Dawn Of War' spits fire and acts as a sentimental starting block to this quintet's career, but there is much improvement to be considered, but as far as the first attempt goes it is a decent enough effort and will surely be advanced on when the band release new material. However 'Dawn Of War' will appeal to those who devote their lives to the 80's Thrash Metal sound and especially fans of Slayer and Kreator, as for Incinery the time has come to face the 'Dawn Of War' as they battle for British Thrash Metal survival. Download This: "Life of Hate" [7] RHYS STEVENSON DENIED 'Let Them Burn' SLIPTRICK What a better way to mark the tenth anniversary of your band by releasing the third album in your musical career and that is exactly what Swedish Thrashers Denied have done, sticking together Heavy Metal epic numbers with tunes of agile brutality together and leaving the album finishing on a note that warrants much more from this five-piece. 'Let Them Burn' shifts gears across the ten tracks that drive this album, perhaps it's coincidental that ten tracks are for the ten years this band has been around, but if the last song title is anything to go by then the band has issues, ironically the song 'In Hell' sums up the release to the very last note, simply put 'Let Them Burn' is a juicy and explosive burst of Heavy Metal vocals and slaying Thrash Metal music. Download This: "In Hell" 'Let Them Burn' is out now via Sliptrick Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON ZEITGEIST 'Zeitgeist' SELF-RELEASED Paraguay isn't usually a country that spews out Melodic Gothic Metal, it usually focuses on more aggressive styles of metal, so when in 2010 the premier self-titled demo by quartet Zeitgeist dropped, it unleashed a new wave of sound amongst the underground of this South American country. Ascending on every song and delivering a powerful atmospheric presence, there is much melancholy as there is lusciousness on this release, it filters out the weaker elements and accentuates the very essence missing from the metal scene, a vocalist with utmost harmonic vocals. Zeitgeist are sure to push boundaries in the future ahead but for now they remain as one of Paraguay's hidden gems, awaiting discovery by many alike. Download This: "The Blame" [8] RHYS STEVENSON TRICK OR TREAT "Rabbits Hill Part. 1" VALERY In the year of the band's 10th anniversary, the Italian Power Metal ensemble Trick or Treat deliver a right treat in the form of their third album "Rabbits Hill Part. 1", it showers the atmosphere with emphatic vocals, slaloming solos and rapturous riffs that decapitate all that stand in its way. The vocals themselves carry that adventurous feel and although not on same par as Sonata Arctica, they offer a unique style, quite like the music as it weaves in folk elements on 'The Tale Of Rowsby Woof', but what sets the band aside mostly is the lyrical themes, rather an elaborated metal form of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, the five-piece deliver a range of themes that any mad march hare would hop to. Download This: "Wrong Turn" [8] RHYS STEVENSON EXALT CYCLE 'Revelations' VALERY From what could be put down as a mixture of Dead By April, Avenged Sevenfold and Mudvayne, Italian slickers Exalt Cycle find no fault in the system to crack but instead crack open an album that quite simply is a revelation, 'Revelations' spews out the very musical core of modern metal as it laces together industrial elements with a heavy progressive / metalcore sound, or perhaps that could be ones senses playing tricks via the Exalt Cycle, but one thing for certain is these lads have got the sound to take themselves to newer heights and are sure to push for european domination this year. Download This: "A New Day" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON TYSTNADEN 'Anima' VALERY Italy was born for delivering any band that plays Gothic Metal and so when the third album by Italian sextet Tystnaden comes to life, it delivers an astounding blast of Gothic-laden Melodic Death Metal fronted by the awe-inspiring Laura De Luca. What these musicians have done is more than make an album, they have made a new sound come to life and dragging influences from bands like In Flames, Slipknot and Dark Tranquility, Tystnaden are vastly becoming one of Italy's hidden gems as 'Anima' explodes in sensational fashion with heavenly vocals, spine-chilling atmospheric backdrops courtesy of the keyboard and of course sharp slicing sounds coming combined from the elegant savageness of the guitars and drums, but as everything starts entwining, the only two things thats wrong with this album is that it is simply too good to be true and its not long enough, listeners will beg for more and are unlikely to find fault, simply divine. Download This: "Mindrama" [9] RHYS STEVENSON PROJECT46 'Doa A Quem Doer' SELF-RELEASED How many times does it take to fully conclude that 'Doa A Quem Doer' is a brain-smashing face belter? One. Back in 2011 the debut album by Brazilian bulldozing Metalcore maniacs Project46 slays through the mass-produced music genre and installs their own stance on the music genre, illuminating killer technical riffs and setting up complex breakdowns, if anything this is what could be dubbed as matrix-core, a sound that embellishes the Metalcore sound in the center with technical, melodic and hardcore influences padding out the nooks and crannies and yet the album of which is entirely in Portuguese, still weeps and bleeds toxic contagious elements that warrants a health warning to be slapped on it. Project46 are taking Metalcore to newer levels and are sure to become a huge metal export in the years ahead. Download This: "Impunidade" [10] RHYS STEVENSON SECRET SIGNS 'For A Lifetime' CASKET MUSIC There aren't many Gothic Metal bands from Spain that manage to get a decent sound going, unfortunately there aren't many bands like Secret Signs going around, dropping their debut album 'For A Lifetime' last year, the quintet immerse the emotional feelings of darkened despair with their atmospheric style of ambient Gothic metal. However the drawback is the male vocals, they crush the album the wrong way and at times leave it meaningless, by leaving out the deep vocals it would sound better, but apart from that the album strikes out as a decent enough effort to really kick start the band, besides the solo on 'voices from the afterlife' is one of epic bizarreness as it starts awfully but finishes gracefully, so whilst the overall album is great there are parts that should not be there. Download This: "Battle For The Darkness" [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON DISTAINED 'Between Nowhere And Goodbye' + 'Hereditas' 2010 saw the second EP by Finnish Melodic Metal ensemble Distained drop, 'Between Nowhere And Goodbye' carries the same vocals experienced on bands like H.I.M., Poisonblack and many of Finland's Gothic Metal catalogue, but don't let that fool you as the EP displays why the home nation is notorius for its love of rock and metal music as here proven by Distained. This is a sound that should get the labels attention, in fact it's surprising to why the lads aren't signed yet as 'Between Nowhere And Goodbye' clearly demonstrates a solid outburst of modern melodic metal that is worthy of paying attention to. Moving onto the 2012 EP release 'Hereditas', what comes now is a more solidified sound and a greater prominent level of precision that seems to kink out the cracks from the previous EP and ends up cleaning out the old and putting in the new, but whilst 'Hereditas' is the better of the two, the major fact behind Distained is that they are simply one of a kind and are sure to battle forward to become favourites amongst European rock and metal fans. Download These: "Drown In Gray" and "Someone Else's Song" [7] + [8] RHYS STEVENSON AL-NAMROOD / DHUL-QARNAYN / AYYUR
'Narcotized' SALUTE What we have hear is a split between three of the most underground metal bands from Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Bahrain respectively, the 'Narcotized' split kicks off with 'Barzakh' by Saudi Arabian Black Metal trio Al-Namrood and as the song delivers a chilling sound to be embraced, the key result of the song is that it warrants repetitious plays as it is simply is a divine way to start a three-way split. Al-Namrood certainly know how to create their own unique sound and by doing so develop a very atmospheric style, but that is soon forgotten as Dhul-Qarnayn come into the affray with their song 'Suqoot Allah' as it explodes in pummeling fashion, as for the long-gone one man project is without any doubt a raw black metal sounding production on its own accord, but as Bahrain's underground metal scene shows, nothing lasts and as the song comes to a close, Tunisian Black Metal duo Ayyur do the honors of closing up the split with two songs 'The Queen Of Awres (Narcotized Version)' and 'Proud Slave', both of which spew out the very essence of what makes Black Metal, Black Metal. Simple yet basic drumming is all that's needed to setup this elegant dark act and as the very note sounds out, it is worth saying this is a truly Arabic Black Metal release. You can buy the release from: http://saluterecords.blogspot.co.uk/ [8] + [7.5] + [8] RHYS STEVENSON |
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