NIGHTMARE A.D. 'Corruptors' YAB MOUNG Even in the smallest countries across the world, there is bound to be a metal band or indeed someone listening to metal music awaiting discovery. Take for example Cambodian Thrashers Nightmare A.D. who have just released their debut EP 'Corruptors', the title does not need much explanation as does not their own views on society as a whole in this mainly-Buddhist nation. By unleashing a chaotic mix of breakneck Thrash Metal with flash riffs giving the sound added harmony and Hardcore lacing it with spicy attitude, the 'Corruptors' EP is a good sign of things to come and yet its production sound is crystal clear, something most people would not envisage happening in a country like Cambodia... yet did anyone foresee metal arising? Clearly Nightmare A.D. have their visions in check, they are sure to go far. Download This: "Dissent Surge" - Click to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies, Nuclear Assault [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON NARSARAKH 'Prevail' INDEPENDENT If you're craving for some raw Death Metal, something laden with thick distorted riffs, muffled growling and an atmosphere as gritty as a bullet storm, look no further than Narsarakh's premier demo 'Prevai'. Hailing from Brunei, this four-piece machine waste no time in crafting a sound so underground it gives a solid nod to the early days of extreme underground metal. 'Prevail' offers a 15-minute journey from which one can experience incomprehensible lyrics, pounding drums and guitars so Black Metal-esque, you'd begin to wonder what genre exactly this Bruneian outfit can be included in. It's the sort of raw sound that would provide itself as the perfect accompaniment to a seance or candlelit event, it's atmosphere as bleak as night and the music as nasty as death itself. For Fans of: Murder Squad, Carpathian Forest, early-Cannibal Corpse Download This: "Malevolent Coronation" [7] RHYS STEVENSON RADTSKAFFEN 'Worldwide Anarchy' INDEPENDENT Get your dancing shoes in, switch on the disco lights and get that groove on, for the debut EP by Denmark's Groove / Thrash stalwarts Radtskaffen will have you sweating through your clothes like it's Saturday Night Fever. From the ultra funky 'Deus Lo Vult' to the full-on face-melting 'Oblivion', the 'Worldwide Anarchy' EP will keep you amused for a long time, just be sure to pay your dues at the end for wanting more. For a band fresh on the scene, they certainly have enough potential to go far, just as long as they harness the sound they've developed on this EP. The music won't be hard to sing to, but pronouncing the band name probably will be the sole challenge, after all it's Danish for... Download This: "Deus Lo Vult' - Click to listen For Fans of: Metallica, Sworn Amongst, Soulfly [7] RHYS STEVENSON QAF 'Muthalath Al A'asarem - The Triangle Of Esraam' INDEPENDENT Very little is known about Qaf, a project run by two Egyptians who indulge in Oriental Black Metal, singing about Arabic and Persian Myth. That said, their premier EP 'Muthalath Al A'asarem - The Triangle Of Esraam' is a bitter and raw slice of Black Metal that encases you in a blazing atmosphere. Exclusively singing in their native Arabic, Qaf go full-pelt with this EP and as a result clearly demonstrate that they know how to put together a winning release off the bat. Whilst this might not appeal to Black Metal aficionados, those who crave the darker side of metal will certainly wet themselves at the almighty sound here produced. 'Muthalath Al A'asarem - The Triangle Of Esraam' is a statement of intent, that ordinary people will not be put down by Conservative figures, it's a punch in the face for all metal elitists. Download This: "Al Qassam W Al Qurbaan (The Oath and the Offering)" - Click to listen For Fans of: Arallu, Melechesh, Borknagar [7] RHYS STEVENSON THE PERFECT MASS 'World On Fire' SALUTE It seems that ever since Arctic Spirits made headway as Greenland's first metal band (known at least), the genre has come in leaps and bounds on this remote island of ice. The latest export from these barren lands is the one-man project The Perfect Mass, masterminded by Kunuk Groenvold the interesting mix of Black Metal, Melodic Metal, Death Metal and classic Heavy Metal certainly demands attention and at the very least, respect. What makes 'World On Fire', the debut album by The Perfect Mass so special, is it's unique and intricate combination of raw production, unrelenting power cruising through the vocals and music, but also it's unchallenged nature at creating a sound symbolic to this project, one that hopefully will echo across planet metal with positive results. Download This: "Faith" - Click to listen For Fans of: Carpathian Forest, God Dethroned, King Diamond [7] RHYS STEVENSON DARK PHANTOM 'Nation Of Dogs' SALUTE Underneath the whole blanketing of ISIS / ISIL-related news is a burgeoning and establishment defying metal scene brooding on Iraqi sands. The latest addition to this awesome scene is Dark Phantom's debut album 'Nation Of Dogs', a bellied-up smacking of gritty Heavy / Thrash Metal that would be sure to keep you entertained for ages. By mixing growling and almost Arab-like (traditional singing) vocals together, Dark Phantom embrace the Oriental Metal style with open arms and as a result connect with the heritage more than they did on their premier EP. 'Nation Of Dogs' clearly is a slight dig at religion, but let's not go there, in fact we can say that Dark Phantom's new effort is one that most metalheads will find intriguing. Acrassicauda might have escaped Iraq, but Dark Phantom still breathes the dusty air, spewing out some rather blindingly-decent songs as a result, rest assured we will see more of this lot in years to come. Download This: "Judgement Call" - Click to listen For Fans of: Holy Moses, Sepultura, Death Angel [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON LUST OF A DYING BREED 'Cat Of Nine Tails' INDEPENDENT In our quest to cover at least one metal band from each metal scene in existence, our attention turns towards Kenyan Death Metal / Deathcore stalwarts Lust Of A Dying Breed of whose 2012 EP 'Cat of Nine Tails' is the main critiquing point. Whilst as you can imagine there is very little in the way of decent production, clarity or refined elements, it's made up of determination, aggression and dedicate to the metal music art. 'Cat Of Nine Tails' is a delinquent romp through the slowly-but-steadily emerging 'Africacore' movement (if we can call it so), expect nothing else but a splattering of gutturally-rotten vocals, menacing riffs and double bass drums so brutal you would need clean underwear after the unexpected spontaneous poop. Lust Of A Dying Breed might not be the finest Deathcore / Death Metal outfits around, but they're flying the flag for the Kenyan Metal scene, long may they continue. Download This: "Fearless" - Click to listen For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Jungle Party, early-Whitechapel [7] RHYS STEVENSON SHAMBLES 'Realm Of Darkness Shrine' INDEPENDENT It's taken 19 years for the first debut album by Thailand's Shambles to drop, now you'd think given the lengthy duration the band would have packed in by now... clearly they haven't. Sadly those years culminating in the underground Death Metal scene have not enabled the vocals to have wondrous prominence on the release, instead they're largely low-fi and lack any real punch. Ironically the drums and thick riffs deliver the punch voided by the vocals, 'Realm Of Darkness Shrine' may well be the band's debut album but it's one that will probably get minimal attention outside of the South-East Asian Metal communities if not for a very select handful of passionate extreme metalheads, that or those thirsty for metal from the more exotic lands. However, 'Realm Of Darkness Shrine' live is probably different story and one can imagine the carnage this album would cause when unleashed on the unsuspecting (or suspecting) masses. Download This: "Bitter Abysmal Depths" For Fans of: Morbid Angel, Death, Cannibal Corpse 'Realm Of Darkness Shrine' is out 15th November via an Independent release [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON MAYLA 'Possession Of The Wretched' INDEPENDENT Truth be told, the whole Deathcore is generally dominated by the Americans and Russians, but in between the two power-houses are bands like Mayla who are standing up for their national metal scene. Hailing from Latvia, this quintet hold nothing back with their debut album as they go balls-to-the-wall and unleash a horrific belter that is guaranteed to make even the most ardent 'core fan piss their pants. By strapping together influences from the Deathcore, Death Metal and Groove Metal styles, Mayla conjure up a sound destined to attract attention from the likes of Metal Blade Records and Nuclear Blast. Preternatural's Sergey Baidikov guest vocals on 'Obsessive Putrification', helping Mayla to come out the Latvian underground with such unrelenting force, that they are ready to take on the European masses and lay down the law with their own crushing style of Death-laden Deathcore. Whilst listening to the album, toilet paper is advised. Download This: "Lick The Dust" - click to listen For Fans of: Whitechapel, Ease Of Disgust, Livarkahil [8] RHYS STEVENSON CHASING THE RISE
'Chapters' INDEPENDENT Leading the Metalcore style in their home nation of Lithuania, Chasing The Rise are certainly capable of delivering music heavy enough to challenge their American cousins. This was proven on their premier EP 'The Dawn' and even more so now on their follow-up EP 'Chapters', a cataclysmic concoction of Melodic Metal, Metalcore and technical riffage. If you like, they dabble in the trending Modern Metal style and yet whilst not fully embracing the style, remain to the sound they devised since their inception. There is no question that 'Chapters' is a delightful romp through five tracks of energised, electric and pulsating modern metalcore. They are set for big things, so come 2017 expect them to be touring on your doorstep. European festivals are certainly on the table for this lot. Download This: "Maybe It's Just Me" - Click to listen For Fans of: Bring Me The Horizon, Bleeding Through, Architects [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON
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DIABOLIZER 'Apokalypse' THIRD EYE TEMPLE It would be safe to say that Diabolizer are tastier than Turkish delight, although the latter is just more savoury. 'Apokalypse' is the Turkish Death Metal quintet's premier album and bloody hell does it slay, it's unrelenting pummelling of ferocious double bass drums coupled with unforgiving vocals and a guitar atmosphere that's sharper than barbed wire. Masochistic in it's production and clean in it's sound, 'Apokalypse' is one album that demands respect, it's filth and corroded smacking of extremity means you should bow down and suck off your genitals, you will find nothing more grim than this album, period (no pun). Hark the new wave of Turkish Death Metal, a sound so brutal you will need clean underwear after submitting yourself to this wondrous work of art. Download This: "Condemned To Burn In Hell" For Fans of: Suffocation, Dying Fetus, Unleashed [8] RHYS STEVENSON PLECTOR ALIQUEM CAPITE 'The End' HAMMERKRIEG PRODS. Delivering their latest effort in the form of an EP, Sri Lanka's Plector Aliquem Capite hold no bitterness back, resulting in the deliverance of a rather coarse, raspy and low-fi production certified to appease to those who love not only Extreme Metal, but also (you guessed it) exotic metal. Let's hope that 'The End' EP is not 'The End' for this bestial bunch, because their bizarre-yet-interesting EP release here is one that is hard to come by, it's indescribable to say the least. Unorthodox on every level, this EP might be brushed aside by the elitists as not a 'pure' Black Metal release, but for those with no such naivety, the listen will be a certified delight. By combining artificial atmospherics with old-school Black Metal, you might get a headache but damn it is worth it. Download This: "Hypersomnia" For Fans of: Gorgoroth, Taarma, 'Raw Black Metal' [7] RHYS STEVENSON NEUROTECH 'In Remission' INDEPENDENT Slovenia's Neurotech has never been a let down when it comes to putting out new music and the one-man project won't start now. Dropping his fifth album under this moniker, Wulf carries on the harsh industrial symphonies he masterminded at the very beginning. 'In Remission' is a transcending journey across cyberspace and the cybernet, riding the very data connections that makes this album so synthetically electrified, so much so you would need a ravepit to encompass a growing moshpit... welcome to the new wave of Cyber Metal. Lacing together the harmonies of symphonic metal with Industrial / EBM beats, Neurotech's music is designed to tap into your cranial infrastructure, probe your mind and download you into the musical matrix of which herewith is presented. Download This: "The Last Hope" - Click to listen For Fans of: The Kovenant, Eisenfunk, Within Temptation [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON DISTRICT UNKNOWN '64 (Single)' INDEPENDENT It's very rare GMA reviews singles, but we give the exception to a select few. One of the latest privileged bands is Afghanistan's very own District Unknown. Their latest single '64' may well be in response to the Taliban attack back in April 2016 where 64 innocent Afghan civilians lost their lives, politics and war aside the single is drenched in gloomy doom atmospherics whilst the forefront sound is a combination of Progressive and Groove Metal. The single delivers a trance feeling to it, the dramatical musical representation of the eternal struggles Afghans face, but also the sound taps into their heritage and enables subtle whiffs of traditional Afghan music to flow into the guitar riffs. Overall this single is a statement of intent from the founders of the Afghanistan Metal scene, one that should not be brushed aside. Download this: "64" - Click to listen For Fans of: Sigh, Kylesa, Huntress [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON SLOT 'Septima' SLIPTRICK Modern Metal's latest product is made in Russia. Drenched in vodka and as ice-cold as the Siberian tundra, five-piece force Slot return with their latest infectious offering 'Septima', a bulldozing album with enough rampaging spirit to kick any moshpit into shit-faced brutality. Singing in their native Russian does not hold this unit back from conjuring up something magical, you know it's this sort of music that glimmers in originality, there are very few comparable bands; if you dig deep into the Russian Metal scene then the closest compatible band would probably be Save. As for Slot, well they will certainly notch up huge interest from Eastern Europe, some might argue they should sing in English to break into the international scene - Rammstein didn't, so why should Slot? Embrace yourselves in this beast from the east. Download This: "Reincarnation" For Fans of: Korn, Static-X, Save. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON EFFIGY 'Eugenics' INDEPENDENT Effigy hail from Bosnia-Herzegovina, a metal scene that deserves more attention because when you take for example the brutal strength shown on their premier EP, you begin to think why weren't they snapped up by a label earlier? 'Eugenics' is your generic slab of modern Death Metal, but don't be put off by that sentiment because the sound itself is far more complex than that. Filthy rotten vocals lead the battle charge whilst the drums supply the artillery fire, the guitars meanwhile add the final blow and thus ignites the atmosphere with sheer brutal elegance. This band may have come from a country still divided, but their music whilst it speaks words, will not split any Death Metal fans up, it's too cute for that. Download This: "Repulsion For Creed" - Click to listen For Fans of: Aborted, Vallenfyre, Abhorrent Decimation [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON VOLUPTUARY 'Hóa Thân' INDEPENDENT Could this ultimately be Vietnam's long-awaited answer to Six Feet Under? Because f*ck, this is really heavy as hell. Voluptuary's premier album 'Hóa Thân' primarily sits on the fence between Groove and Death Metal, but secondarily has subtle injections of Progressive Metal to bolster the sound to a greater level. Vietnamese Metal is extremely underground, yet with this effort, we could be listening to the first ever metal band from Vietnam to be signed by a Western label - they deserve it with this effort. Sure some might find it tricky with the language difference, but truth be told the aggressiveness layered over it is really menacing. 'Hóa Thân' means 'incarnate', and what Voluptuary have done here is incarnated a sensational album out of the ashes. Download This: "Vách đá" For Fans of: Six Feet Under, DevilDriver, 5FDP [8] RHYS STEVENSON PHERETRUM 'Still Being Maggots' INDEPENDENT It only took 6 years for Pheretrum's debut album to finally come out, of course between the band's inception and this album dropping there have been a handful of demo's, the wait for the album was worth it. 'Still Being Maggots' is a healthy and juicy slab of Death Metal designed to keep you on your twinkle toes, prancing and headbanging about the bedroom whilst you douse yourself in beer and wishing you were having sex at this breakneck speed; poor significant other. Uruguay has generally had a decent history with Death Metal and this album is no exception, but rather an example of how heavy this shit gets. 'Still Being Maggots' is a delight to behold, just like a chocolate cake, it's full of savoury goodness. Download This: "Mass Acceptance" - Click to listen For Fans of: Modern Death Metal [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON LAXSID
'Šañãm' INDEPENDENT For the disturbed and those who prefer eerie and weird music, you're reading the right review. Laxsid, a one-man project from Syria (now located in Brazil via Saudi Arabia) is not your typical Ambient Black Metal outlet, in fact there is very little Black Metal in the new EP. 'Šañãm' if you like, is a collection of weird and deranged sounds, sure whilst the ambiance might derail your nerves and send you insane, for those expecting guitars, drums and vocals, you will be met with disappointment. In fact let's call it simply 'Ambient', very little metal involved and yet after listening over and over again, the desire to enjoy the music sits between 'sod it I'm giving up' to 'lets fall asleep to this'. 'Šañãm' is a decent EP, but it lacks a place in this world, if such a place exists.... Download This: "Converted To Knowledge" - Click to listen For Fans of: Ambient Music, Instrumentals, Computer Music. [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON NARGAROTH 'Era Of Threnody' INTER ARMA PRODUCTIONS German Black Metal has a history of delivering robust and spine-chilling efforts, Nargaroth on the other hand somehow missed the robust aspect, with Ash's latest effort 'Era Of Threnody' seeming to at times fall apart at the seams on some songs, despite the obvious effort to sound epic and adventurous. However in an ironical sense it's this stray into the Epic Black Metal field that gives the album a truly insane feeling of euphoria, in that Nargaroth have decided to go ahead with this shift without any element of prudence. But also delivering a truly authentic and respectable album regardless of its lack of robustness. Sure sometimes its harder to deliver greater creative input; two heads are better than one, however with this effort Nargaroth seem to have defied that logic overall with the exception of said robustness. Download This:- 'Whither Goest Thou' - Click to listen For Fans of: Immortal, Carpathian Forest, German Black Metal [7] RHYS STEVENSON SHE MUST BURN 'Grimoire' ARTERY RECORDINGS Arguably one of the UK's most promising Metal bands found within the genre-bending category, by lashing together elements of Melodic Metal, Deathcore and Black Metal, She Must Burn have stepped up a level from their debut EP 'Under The Shadows' and seemingly abandoning their gothic-tinged caricature. Some would argue this is a Melodic Deathcore album and therefore easily comparable to most Deathcore releases, but in truth it's more the opposite, She Must Burn have crafted their own sound to stand out from the flooded sub-genre. However the slight downside is that there needs to be more keyboard / female vocals present as this really worked on their debut EP – this is the sole element that lacks in this album and would make one feel that it is this element they need to retain. Download This: 'A False Heaven' - Click to listen For Fans of: Abigail Williams, Motionless In White, Cradle Of Filth [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON PERSEFONE 'Aathma' VICISOLUM PRODUCTIONS Hailing from Andorra (and now some people are frantically googling or using an atlas to find out where this country is, little hint – it's landlocked between Spain and France, nestled in the Pyranees), Persefone have conjured up their best effort to date with the sensational layering of melodic death metal and progressive metal presented herewith. 'Aathma' is the sextet's 5th album and the first to feature their new recruits in the form of Sergi Verdeguer (drums) and Filipe Baldaia (guitars); both members from another Andorra band called Nami, the result? A face-punching effort that'll guarantee to leave you totally pulverised from your inside out. Leading the Andorran Metal scene, Persefone are arguably poising themselves as the underrated underdogs of the Progressive / Melodic Death Metal style, with 'Aathma' easily considered as their finest effort, it's about time they got the recognition they deserve. Download This:- "No Faced Mindless" - Click to listen For Fans of: Opeth, Gojira, Amon Amarth [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BANDOLIRIUM 'Bandolirium' INDEPENDENT Tango Metal? Well with Latin Metal and Flamenco Metal already in existence then sure why not deliver this unsuspecting genre? Argentina's Bandolirium – a one-man project – do no more than stick to instrumental music with Latin American vibes, salsa and tango vibes throughout whilst the core Progressive Metal sound provides the perfect foundation for this rather unusual and inventive sound to be delivered across. Whether the debut album will perk up interest from across the pond remains to be seen, but it surely will do down well in the South American Metal scene and tango music scene consequently. So it's evident to say that Bandolirium are the undisputed pioneers of Tango Metal. May this journey continue... Download This:- 'Impulso' - Click here to listen For Fans of: Breed 77, Ill Nino, Instrumental Metal [8] RHYS STEVENSON APOLOGETH 'type: HUMAN - status: INCOMPATIBLE' INDEPENDENT Forming part of a trilogy, the first album by Belarusian Groove / Death Metal horde Apologeth wields ultimate promise as the guttural rhythmic onslaught that comes with it is so epic, it's almost a solid guarantee that Apologeth are the metal band to place Belarus on the map. Their low-key growling underlines the sharpened guitar riffs and supports the drums with a solidified foundation. If this was to make you wet yourself, then that's a certificate worth issuing because this album carries all the hallmarks of a band who knows what they're aiming for. How they will top this effort remains to be seen, but if this is what we can expect from the rest of the trilogy, then fresh underwear will be needed each time. Download This: "Human Zoo" - Click to listen For fans of: DevilDriver, Gojira, Lamb Of God [8] RHYS STEVENSON SAILLE 'Gnosis' CODE666 RECORDS Four albums in and Belgium's Saille are showing no signs of slowing down, in fact the Symphonic Black Metal outfit have arguably unleashed their most powerfully potent offering to date. With guest appearances by Niki Dierickx (female vocals) and Dries Gaerdelen (keyboards) giving the album a certain dimension, it might be worthwhile for Saille to keep this guest influence in check on subsequent albums since it works like a treat. Other than that, the album itself is far more effective and demanding than their Norwegian brothers in Dimmu Borgir, sure there is a gulf between the two in terms of success and how long they have been around, however Saille certainly seem to have kept true to themselves and have not strayed onto the commercialism path. Download This:- "Magnum Opus" - Click to listen For fans of: Carach Angren, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor [8] RHYS STEVENSON DESMOTERION D.T.N. INDEPENDENT Hardcore Thrashers Desmoterion are no strangers to the Venezuelan Metal scene having been around nearly 10 years but have only just this year dropped their debut album. The wait was clearly worth it as their debut album 'D.T.N.' is laden with brutality, ferocity and creativity, sure some would acquit this album as nothing but generic Crossover Thrash, but in truth there is something special going on. Venezuela might not be known on the international stage for having a metal scene, but it's bands like Desmoterion who are ideally aiming to change that with their Spanish-tinged metal music. For those who do not know Spanish, the band is basically singing about socio-political issues, not drugs or gang-related verbiage, this is not Narcos nor Breaking Bad in metal-form but perhaps speed in huge doses. Download This:- "Pandemia" - Click to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Biohazard, Metallica [9] RHYS STEVENSON ASCENDANT 'A Thousand Echoes' INDEPENDENT Featuring a line-up consisting of multiple nationalities including Emirati and Syrian, Ascendant are a truly multinational Power Metal band. They make this known throughout their debut album 'A Thousand Echoes' with clean and traditional Arabic vocals flowing throughout, sure the music doesn't touch any Arabic or Middle Eastern elements; which would really help their cause, however in the end their album does strike the perfect note. In some respect they don't remain bolted to the Power Metal style, this is evident on the track 'Morning Light' as they stray into Melodic Metal thanks to guest vocals by Lindsay Schoolcraft (Cradle of Filth). All in all the album is relatively decent with promise riding on it, it will be interesting to see where this outfit go next. Download This:- "Fog Of War" - Click to listen For Fans of:- Sonata Arctica, Sabaton, Persona [8] RHYS STEVENSON CARNAC 'Times Undone' INDEPENDENT Extreme Metal band Carnac are wasting no time in conjuring up a debut album worthy of a label release, signed to Sliptrick Records, this Turkish quintet lash together classic Melodic Death Metal with Progressive and Black Metal influences to deliver a chaotic and unrelenting surge of savage metal music. By cleverly mixing these different metal elements in a set way, Carnac have seemingly mastered the formula for delivering what easily could be dubbed Extreme Metal. Sure they will need to keep on the ball after this album to stand any chance of scoring major gigs across Europe, but with this effort it should not be a problem. 'Times Undone' should be in your CD collection for it wields together the likes of Carpathian Forest, early-Behemoth and Gojira to create it's own signature tune. Download this:- "The Lantern" - Click to listen For fans of: Ihsahn, Gojira, Strapping Young Lad [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON NUCLEAR WARFARE
'Devastation Upon The Battlefield' INDEPENDENT The Thai Metal scene is one that somehow is secluded from the rest of the world, despite it having a plethora of insane and imaginative metal bands – Nuclear Warfare are no exception with their neck-breaking Thrash Metal arsenal. Dropping their debut album 'Devastation Upon The Battlefield', this quartet stick true to the South-East Asian style of Thrash Metal; with Indonesia leading the way. However as a group they certainly know how to deliver a brutal and unrelenting sound that should ultimately be utilized again for their next release. No nonsense Thrash Metal is their game, Nuclear Warfare is their name, they certainly are a band to watch. Download This:- "War Command" - Click to listen For Fans of: Oracle, Slayer, Thrash Metal [8] RHYS STEVENSON EVIL REBORN 'Throne Of Insanity' SATANATH Stamping their authority hard in their own backyard, Venezuela's Death Metal newbies Evil Reborn have issued a statement of intent with the release of their debut album 'Throne Of Insanity'. Designed to keep you dancing on your toes like a metalhead doing ballet, this filthy-rotten slab of musical creativity will certainly keep you hooked from start to finish. By throwing modern Death Metal vocals, bone-crunching riffs, trailblazing drums and ballsy bass elements into the mixing pot, what comes out of this magical music transformation is a menacing, unrelenting and uncompromising cocktail that will certainly knock you out in one fatal punch. Forget those who think Death Metal is all about double bass drums and growling, Evil Reborn have devised a new rulebook... their own rulebook, so bloody study it! There are no excuses. Download This: "Possessed Angels" - Click to listen For Fans of: Aborted, Prostitute Disfigurement, Abhorrent Decimation 'Throne Of Insanity' is out now via Satanath Records [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON WHISPERED 'Metsutan - Songs Of The Void' REDHOUSE FMP / INVERSE Funny isn't it how Babymetal emerge on the scene and most metalheads freak out, Whispered gain attention outside of Finland and no one bats an eyelid. The self-proclaimed purveyors of 'Samurai Metal' carve out their third offering with such precise ninja-skill, the shamanic powers the members herewith possess must ultimately be accounted for as influencers on this dramatic release. By mixing together Power Metal harmonics with epic melodic death metal, and sprinkling it with Japanese music sounds, Whispered have arguably developed their own sound that could well become inspirational for bands further down the line. 'Metsutan - Songs Of The Void' is an anthemic album that will certainly go down in metal history as one of those albums that defied logic, defined a music genre created from the love of anime and manga and also brought some folk metal influences into the affray. Simply magical. Download This: "Strike!" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Children of Bodom, Grailknights, Wintersun 'Metsutan - Songs Of The Void' is now out via Redhouse FMP / Inverse Records [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON ENTHEAN 'Priests Of Annihilation' INDEPENDENT Whenever a band decides to create a new style or attempt to place a new derivative on an existing genre it can go one of two ways. Either it's successful and a new movement is born, or it can fall gracefully and be lost in metal history. So when you take South Carolina's Enthean into account, they sit precisely (and in a contradictory sense) between the two, sure mixing Technical Metal with Black Metal and dabbing it with Death Metal and Symphonic Metal influences might sound epic, but when actually hearing it, damn that sound is the nuts. 'Priests Of Annihilation' may well be this band's debut album, but in order for them to garner any greater attention they must harness this sound and refine it a bit. At times there seems there is too much going on, but overall it's a solid effort that should spark off a movement for the newfound Technical Black Metal caricature. Download This: "Dysthanasia" - click to listen For Fans of: Abigail Williams, Gorguts, Dimmu Borgir [7] RHYS STEVENSON OLD CORPSE ROAD 'Of Campfires & Evening Mists' CACOPHONOUS REC. British Black Metal is in a newfound renaissance period with it establishing it's own sound and outlook, leading this epic shift are a handful of bands and one of them, Old Corpse Road, are preserving traditional British folklore without touching the topic of nationalism. Some might confuse folkloric metal bands with the nationalist movement, but not OCR who like Winterfylleth use a far more historical approach. OCR's second album 'Of Campfires & Evening Mists' is a tale that even the most religious druids and bards would adorn to, let alone the Old Corpse Road taking it's name from the actual area where corpses were taken for burial, grim huh? 'Of Campfires & Evening Mists' is a treasure to behold and is an album that will appeal to all fans of Extreme Metal. Full of atmosphere, chilling elements and beautiful sounds, you will be blessed by enduring this album in it's entirety. Download This: "Herne Of Windsor Forest" For Fans of: Cnoc An Tursa, Winterfylleth, Fyrdsmann [8] RHYS STEVENSON ELDERBLOOD 'Messiah' OSMOSE PRODS. If anyone has worked out why the Ukrainian Metal scene is so damn good at producing Extreme Metal, then please let us know because Elderblood may well have just snatched 'Ukrainian Metal release of the year' with their latest effort. 'Messiah' is the band's second album and it carries on their infectiously sexy blend of Symphonic Black Metal and bleak atmospherics in such a way, BDSM will become inferior to this constricting release. Prepare your ears for some serious puncturing as the blitzing of the drums, rampaging of the raucous riffs and vomiting of the venomous vocals smash your senses to pieces. 'Messiah' is a fantastic work of art to behold, one that will give the band their well earned international recognition as not only a band to watch but also Ukraine's answer to Dimmu Borgir. Download This: "Devil In The Flesh" For fans of: Khors, Dimmu Borgir, Shade Empire [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON DEAD LABEL 'Throne Of Bones' NUERRA Dead Label are a band you should not take lightly, in fact they're positioning themselves as one of the most exciting metal bands to emerge out of Ireland since Waylander and Cruachan made waves. Mixing together a sharp array of metal styles from Thrash Metal to Death Metal and Metalcore to Prog Metal, this enables the cauldron to brew a sound that most would describe as apocalyptic, and we'd agree with them. 'Throne Of Bones' is the trio's second offering and it does well to punch you f*cking hard in the face with very little remorse, in fact if you tried to resist it's magic you might as well defect to listening to teen pop as a source of comfort, because Dead Label as said are not a band that should be taken lightly, because their music is certainly on the heavy side. Download This: "Exhume The Venom" For Fans of: Machine Head, Threat Signal, Skreamer [8] RHYS STEVENSON SOULS OF DIOTIMA 'The Sorceress Reveals - Atlantis' ROCKSHOTS Diotima was a female philosopher and just like her, the band Souls Of Diotima are full of elegance, grace and wisdom when it comes to making music. Their third album carries on their dramatically theatrical sound and instils a fast and romantic atmosphere, which becomes guided by the virtuosic nature of the guitarists as they lead the charge. Truth be told, the Italians have got the knack for creating epic dramas and as such when relayed through metal, emphatically rivals the likes of Therion and Apocalyptica for musical suspense. 'The Sorceress Reveals - Atlantis' may well be the band's third album, but it's sincere maturity might as well make the album the band's tenth because it's well refined, polished and enjoyable. In fact it's a great album to keep you awake by, because there is not one second which makes the album dull, it's full of goodness. Download This: "Tears Of Fury" For Fans of: Therion, Theatres Des Vampires, Fleshgod Apocalypse 'The Sorceress Reveals - Atlantis' is out 10th June via Rockshots Music [8] RHYS STEVENSON OBSOLETENOVA 'Oracle Demo 2016' BRUTALREIGN PRODS. Here comes another band from China's ever-strengthening Extreme Metal scene, hailing from Guangdong Province is Obsoletenova, a three-piece Technical Brutal Death Metal ensemble whose mish-mash of flash riffs, pulverising drums and epic pig squeals coalesces together to deliver a sound that's heavy enough to leave your bones crushed to dust. This may well be a demo, but damn the 'Oracle Demo 2016' certainly carries a punch and then some, in fact I would be shocked if they aren't invited to play outside of China within a year from now because this material would make even the most sick bands like Nile and Suffocation weak at the knees. Having released their 2016 demo which sold out immediately, clearly Obsoletenova are on to something and have considerable attention, good enough to make them a band to watch this year. Download This: "Absolutely Solitary Monarchy Is Terminated Under The Slam!!" - Click to listen For Fans of: Suffocation, Nile, Fleshgod Apocalypse [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON CHERNODEATH
'Demo-lition Thrash' INDEPENDENT Chernodeath hail from Guatemala, yeah you can picture it now, second-hand instruments and low-fi studio's, but let's not forget that the passion is 101% real. Dropping their first demo, the three-piece Thrashers get it perfect on the guitars and drums, but the vocals need far more presence. Generally speaking however it's a pretty decent attempt for a band from a country whose crime rate is beyond astronomical. No wonder metal thrives in the underground here as a means of dealing with societal pressure, poor justice and high corruption levels. Chernodeath certainly have earned the right to carry the flag for the Guatemalan Metal scene. As for the demo, well we only hope they sort the vocal issue out but also carry on believing in metal music. Download This: "Cujo Terror" - Click to listen For Fans of: Raw Thrash Metal, Slayer [7] RHYS STEVENSON CYPECORE 'Identity' ADULRUNA Strap yourselves in for the musical journey of a lifetime as Germany's instigators of Cyber Melodic Death Metal make their welcomed return from out of their futuristic bunker. With their third album 'Identity' now out and ready to be unleashed on the unsuspecting masses, this could easily be the album to set the world alight in terms of intuitiveness and desire to challenge convention, let's face it where else would you find the perfect combination of Modern Melodic Death Metal with Cyberthrash Metal? But what is Cypecore? Is it a codeword for a branch of Modern Metal, or is it the storm from Germany you did not see coming. Assimilating drums provide the solidarity for the riffs to ripple across whilst the vocals add the final blow that will leave you for dead, embrace this album but fear it also, it's not for the weak nor elitist metalheads. Download This: "Saint Of Zion" For Fans of: Black Comedy, Fear Factory, Dagoba 'Identity' is out now via Adulruna Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON THE HYPOTHESIS 'Origin' INVERSE Modern Melodic Death Metal seems to be the in-thing recently, and Finland's The Hypothesis are no exception. By layering together speed, brutality, electronic atmospherics, technicality and an attitude that says 'fuck you', The Hypothesis are primed to take over planet earth with their awaited debut album 'Origin'. No matter how many tracks you check out, you will never feel bored out enough to switch off, have a beer or a wank, depending on what takes your first preference. Engineered to run away like a thing possessed, this album will hit you like a bullet so hard that you will have noticed the album has finished playing before you come to your senses as to what has just happened. The latest exports from the Finnish Metal scene are sure to cause a buzz across the Nordic nations with this effort. Download This: "Atonement" For Fans of: Omnium Gatherum, Shade Empire, In Flames 'Origin' is out now via Inverse Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON NOCTURNAL HOLLOW 'Deathless & Fleshless' UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT Let's be honest, the Venezuelan Metal scene is a very underground one and has ever really seen the light of day on the international circuit. So when the three-piece Old-School Death Metal horde Nocturnal Hollow step out of their bunker with their latest offering 'Deathless & Fleshless', you know that they mean business and the music demands attention from across the world. Plundering atmospherics aid the thickness of the riffs, pristine production levels and attitude that would get the likes of Unleashed and Morbid Angel raising their thumbs in approval. 'Deathless & Fleshless' is a gritty release designed to leave you battered and scarred, seriously if you love Death Metal but despise this release, then there is something wrong with you. Download This: "Devilish Blood" For Fans of: Unleashed, Celtic Frost, Morbid Angel 'Deathless & Fleshless' is out now via Underground Movement [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON EMPHASIS 'Revival' UNDERGROUND SYMPHONY Never has such an exciting band from Estonia arisen like this since the days of early Metsatöll. The sextet Emphasis have gone from strength to strength throughout their tenure, having released an EP, a batch of singles and had a switch of vocalists, their attention to detail brought them to the point of unleashing their debut album 'Revival'. Replacing vocal duties is never easy, but Emphasis have done a like for like as both ex and current main vocalists deliver such a powerful vocal range, that luckily their gamble paid off. 'Revival' delivers epic solo's, thunderous drums, dynamically-electric atmospherics and vocals so angelic, they would have had to be made in heaven to be this captivating. With this effort, Emphasis clearly have a vision to follow and by doing so, will ultimately establish themselves as Estonia's long awaited answer to Nightwish. Download This: "Death Itself" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Nightwish, Delain 'Revival' is out now via Underground Symphony [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON SINNERY 'A Feast Of Fools' PITCH BLACK There must be something in the Israeli waters because no matter what the year is, there is always a rally of sensational albums, and adding to this year's collection of 'oh my god what the hell just happened' releases is Sinnery's 'A Feast Of Fools'. Calling it 'thrashtastic' would be an understatement to say the very release as it's gritty reception leaves the listener gasping for more, or perhaps just gasping for water due to it's demanding nature for incessant headbanging. Given the strength of Sinnery's 'A Feast Of Fools', being their debut album, the expectations for this Israeli unit to do exceptionally well is certainly on the cards, there will be no place to hide for this quartet. As brutal as rapid machine-gun fire and as unpredictably technical as a surprise assault, 'A Feast Of Fools' is perhaps not only the finest Israeli Thrash Metal release to surface, but perhaps one of the finest Thrash Metal releases to arise out of the Middle East region. Download This: "Showing Teeth" For Fans of: Slayer, Gama Bomb, Holy Moses 'A Feast Of Fools' is out now via Pitch Black Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON KRATOS 'Archlechino' INVERSE Seventeen years have passed since the debut album by Kratos was released and now, in 2016, they have emerged once again to drop their long-awaited second album 'Archlechino'. The Romanian quartet merge together the delicacies of Symphonic Metal with the twisted and atmospheric nature of Dark Metal to develop a sound that would lend itself to the dramatics found within operetta. In fact, 'Archlechino' could be the metal version of 'The Phantom Of The Opera' with the romantic side of the music being threatened by the darkened gritty side, which all in all makes Kratos truly unique. There is plenty of different sounds reverberating across all the songs herewith, but also with each song comes it's own unique emotional storytelling, something that will appeal to those who seek solace in metal's wide array of emotions. Download This: "Fishing" For Fans of: Epica, Lacuna Coil, Therion 'Archlechino' is out now via Inverse Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON AGAINST 'Emerger' INDEPENDENT Returning with their second offering is Against, a Groovy Metalcore outfit who hail from the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires. Their tightness on this release runs throughout and leaves an aftertaste when it's finished, an aftertaste of wanting and desiring more from this four-piece army. To translate the album title is taking the Spanish-English translation one step too far, because whilst in Spanish the album is 'Emerger', in English it is 'emerge'. Funny right? Maybe, but even so these lads certainly know what notes to string together as the album gleams with Tango-inspired grooves, smooth metalcore elements and a clear D.I.Y. attitude, hell let's not call it Groovy Metalcore, instead we'll call it 'Tango Metal'. Whatever you decided to call it, 'Emerger' is a decent enough album that deserves a listen regardless. Download This: "Voluntad" - Click to listen For fans of: Pantera, Lamb Of God, Machine Head [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ORDNANCE 'Echelon' INDEPENDENT After all of the technical brutality expressed on Ordnance's second album 'Echelon', you would imagine that they would be left without any energy. Hardly likely, when this band's efforts at unleashing a prim and proper debut album are highly noticeable that you begin to question why aren't they signed? Well there are subtle hints as to why this is the case, there is at times too much flash and not enough pelting, sure using a drum machine is not always the best idea and on 'Echelon' this proves the case. But for this Australian unit, they are sure to rectify these two issues on their next release. For now, listeners can explore the almost-splendour release that is 'Echelon', ignoring the two mentioned issues, the album slams hard with gritty vocals, dirty riffs and a filthy-rotten atmosphere, ironically the drum machine does the trick at hitting hard in the right places, the right notes to give the album that full-on whack feeling. Download This: "Thaumaturgist" - Click to listen For Fans of: Suffocation, 'Modern Death Metal', Disentomb [7] RHYS STEVENSON CROWORD 'Manifest Of Mortal Sickness' INDEPENDENT Fresh from the snowy Alps of Austria, comes this ten-legged melodic machine known as Croword and their subsequent premier EP 'Manifest Of Mortal Sickness'. The EP is laced with infectious riffs, vocals so brutal that your last hangover has just been outclassed and drums so precise, they cannot get any more on point. For the Melodic Death Metal band, this ultimately is the dream start for them and is a sure sign there is a lot to come from this group. With this effort, Croword have quite rightfully instated themselves as a band to watch because their first EP packs a punch, that hits your brain so hard you would need a CAT scan to check out the imminent damage. Seriously you would be hard pushed to find an exciting premier release from a Melodic Death Metal band quite like this, this year! Download This: "Manifest Of Mortal Sickness" - Click to listen For Fans of: Myra, The Black Dahlia Murder, Deadlock [8] RHYS STEVENSON KILL THE WHORE
'Chronic Anthropophagy Thanatophilia Fetistic Morgue' INDEPENDENT Kill The Whore return with their second album, it's title longer than the hardest boner you have ever had... 'Chronic Anthropophagy Thanatophilia Fetistic Morgue'. This dual project is primarily based in Belize, a country in Central America with a very small but active metal scene, one that Andy Chuc has had a lot of input in. However 'Chronic Anthropophagy Thanatophilia Fetistic Morgue' comes loaded with eight gore-infested tracks and two rotten covers, to some it's just noise and to others its maximum brutality, make of it what you will as it is simply Brutal Death / Grind Metal. Undistinguishable vocals lead the charge with the thunderous, tuned down guitars and drums supporting the bloody onslaught. So whenever you're up for a gore-horror fest, be it dramatics or film, just remember to indulge in this album before undertaking said activity. Download This: "Chronic Parasite Infestation Experiment" For Fans of: Fitcage, Regurgitate, 'Goregrind' [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON CHRONOLYTH 'Atrophy' INDEPENDENT / ROCKET DIST. Australian Metal is witnessing some sort of renaissance as it sheds its past deluge of Metalcore exports and swings to another position in the Extreme Metal scale. Hail the new beast from down under Chronolyth with their cranial-crushing second album 'Atrophy', by merging together the grit of Death Metal, danceable freedom of Groovy Metalcore and elegance of Melodic Metal, this five-piece assemble a sound of algorithmic proportions that is certain to leave listeners in a pile of their own crap. By challenging the conventional norms, Chronolyth have found their feng shui to unleash upon the world with. Big things are expected from this band of brothers, we could yet see them become the next hottest export from the other side of the world... Europe Chronolyth has you in their sights. Download This: "Revenants" For Fans of: DevilDriver, Lamb Of God, Killswitch Engage 'Atrophy' is out 29th April via an Independent Release / Rocket Distribution [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON LIGHTLESS MOOR 'Hymn For The Fallen' WORMHOLEDEATH Italy's Gothic / Doom Metal maestros Lightless Moor emerge out of the shadows with their second offering 'Hymn For The Fallen'. Continuing and improving their sound that they established on their debut album 'The Poem - Crying My Grief To A Feeble Dawn', this sextet clearly had vision in sight as this latest effort offers itself as the musical form to a dark poetic work, perhaps as sorrowful and touching as Shakespeare's Macbeth or Romeo & Juliet. Lurching over the hour mark, there is plenty on this album to keep listeners occupied with and unusually for a Doom-based album, none of the songs are extremely long. 'Hymn For The Fallen' is the latest example of the Italian Metal scene's love affair for Gothic and Doom Metal sounds, or let's call it 'Dark Metal'. Such beauty and dramatics have never entwined like this before. Download This: "Qualcosa Vive Attraverso" For Fans of: Draconian, Theatre Of Tragedy, Octavia Sperati 'Hymn For The Fallen' is out 9th June via Wormholedeath [8] RHYS STEVENSON MIDNIGHT ETERNAL 'Midnight Eternal' INNER WOUND REC. This is the sort of music you would expect to hear at Disney World Florida, you know? The Fantasia of the metal world is here with New York harmonisers Midnight Eternal unleashing their infectiously delightful self-titled album. With the vocals and keyboards wallowing in the upper echelons of Power Metal and the guitars and drums providing the symphonic infrastructure for this insanely perfect debut album to glide on through. 'Midnight Eternal' comes complete with arousing dynamics, theatrically-electric atmospherics and a sound that Midnight Eternal can call their own. In fact, it might as well be said that Midnight Eternal are the United States' long-term answer to Finland's Symphonic / Power Metal powerhouse Nightwish, may this American quintet's rise to international recognition begin. Download This: "Repentance" For Fans of: Delain, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish 'Midnight Eternal' is out 29th April via Inner Wound Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON DARKESTRAH 'Turan' OSMOSE PRODS. Considered to be the only currently active metal bands from Kyrgyzstan, Darkestrah have been residing in Germany as expatriates of late and although this means a cultural shift, it has not deterred them from unleashing albums with folk-laden Epic Black Metal as their adopted sound. 'Turan' is the quintet's latest offering and it comes brim-loaded with six tracks averaging out at eight minutes long, it does not get any less epic than that. Because the exoticness of the album cannot be ignored, it has a certain vibe to it that gives Darkestrah their own unique identity irrespective of cultural heritage. For those who prefer their Black Metal songs to be emphatic, valiant and above all adventurous, then 'Turan' is your next album purchase because seriously, not even the Black Metal greats could pull of an album as authentically outstanding as this one. Hails to the kings of the new wave of Kyrgyz Black Metal. Download This: "Erlik-Khan" For Fans of: Arbor Mortis, Arkona, Bal-Sagoth 'Turan' is out 29th April via Osmose Productions [8] RHYS STEVENSON FORGED IN BLACK 'Fear Reflecting Fear' INDEPENDENT The boys from Southend (Sarfend to those natives of the coastal town in Essex) leave their bunker with another EP in their hands, this time 'Fear Reflecting Fear' is their latest offering and in short might as well be a cornerstone in the band's career. They never stopped chugging away this lot, in fact this EP pretty much picks up from where they left off since their last EP 'The Tide' blew away the British Metal scene. If this is what Forged In Black are going to sound like in the future, then this will surely result in them scoring a slot on the RJD stage at Bloodstock. Hell-bent on creating their own sound, which they've managed to do, satisfactory is never good enough with this lot and thus having pulled all of the stoppers out, have crafted an EP that will shake the very foundations of the Thrash Metal hall of fame with newfound vigour. Mixing Thrash Metal with elements of Speed Metal, Heavy Metal and a pinch of Power Metal in terms of Stoz's vocals is what Forged In Black does best, long may it continue. Download This: "Fear Reflecting Fear" For Fans of: Judas Priest, Helloween, Grand Magus 'Fear Reflecting Fear' is out 29th April via an Independent Release [8] RHYS STEVENSON NEMESEA 'Uprise' NAPALM Nemesea are probably and arguably one of the most underrated Gothic Metal bands from the Dutch Metal scene, whilst their fellow countrymen Within Temptation, Delain and Epica run riot across planet metal, Nemesea are left picking up the pieces... not any more. With their latest album 'Uprise', they take the bold step and switch to an electronic-influenced sound which is already blessed with the majestic vocals of Manda Ophuis since day one. Whilst it might not appeal to some fans of Gothic Metal / Rock, it certainly will bring a new horde of fans to like the band. Nemesea are set on making a metal music revolution and boy with 'Uprise' as bloody infectious as it is, they've certainly gone the right way at setting up the blueprint for a new take on the already saturated Gothic Metal style. 'Uprise' and join Nemesea on their newfound quest for undiscovered music dynamics. Download This: "Time To Make It" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Amaranthe, Jesus On Extasy 'Uprise' is out 29th April via Napalm Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON RAVENIA 'Beyond The Walls Of Death' INNER WOUND REC. Enter the emergence of 'Symphonic Film Score Metal', a combination of Symphonic Metal music at the very core, glazed over with elements found within film scores as dramatic as Williams' Star Wars overture or as adventurous as Two Steps From Hell. Arguably considered the successor to Apocalyptica in terms of realizing the erotic relationship between metal and classical music, Ravenia is a force to be reckoned with. Lead by the elegant Armi Päivinen and her fellow suitors of whom provide the sheer sensational dynamics as a dramatic backdrop, simply through the utilization of guitars, drums, violins, a viola, cello and a contrabass. With 'Beyond The Walls Of Death' being the debut album from the Finnish nine-piece, they could easily be snapped up to pen the score for the forthcoming 2017 film 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales'. Seriously if you're looking for something new within the Symphonic Metal style, you've found your band. Download This: "We All Died For Honor" For Fans of: Tarja-era Nightwish, Apocalyptica, Hans Zimmer 'Beyond The Walls Of Death' is out 29th April via Inner Wound Records [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON INNER BLAST 'Prophecy' NORDAVIND Ten years since their inception and four years since their debut EP, Portuguese Gothic Metallers Inner Blast finally stamp their authority on the ground with their debut album 'Prophecy'. Whilst what they're doing is not really new, it does however serve as a delightful listen, you know? It's the kind of album that sits in the middle of what's new and what's old, it's neither groundbreaking nor cliche. But it has everything covered, there are some slow ballad-style songs and then there's the bouncy, joyful songs that would almost certainly brighten your day. This may do well in the Iberian, Italian and French Metal scenes, possibly also the British, but unfortunately it lacks that snapping point that otherwise would give it greater prospects. 'Prophecy' might not be a blast, but it will have you hooked to a certain extent, that's for sure. Download This: "Darkest Hour" For Fans of: Khael, La-Ventura, Shear 'Prophecy' is out now via Nordavind Records [7] RHYS STEVENSON DEVOLTED 'Broken Kings' INDEPENDENT Chugga-chugga goes the riffs on this insane beast-of-an-EP, 'Broken Kings' is the second EP by Dublin's Devolted and it is loaded with enough Heavy Thrashed-up Metal to make you choke on your own spit, or was that cum, or period juice? Whatever sickening description you can slap on this fine example of Irish Metal, the matter of the fact is that it will give you an orgasmic reaction so erotically disturbing, you would have put the red light district out of business. Thundering vocals come together hand-in-hand with rapid-fire riffs, dangerously violent drums and an atmosphere worthy of a pint of Guinness... or two. After indulging yourself in this release, you can easily imagine them becoming an instant hit across the Irish Sea in the UK, who doesn't love a bit of Thrash Metal right? 'Broken Kings' should belong in your collection for your journeys across the lands, it's gallant pace serving as the ideal soundtrack for said activity. Download This: "God Of Light" - Click to listen For Fans of: Savage Messiah, Gama Bomb, Evile [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON 350TERIC
'Undertones' INDEPENDENT Благој Цилаков (Blagoj Cilakov) is the mastermind behind the Progressive / Djent project 350teric (Esoteric) and he has conjured up his sixth album in the project's 7-year history. 'Undertones' is the latest offering by this Macedonian virtuoso and despite it being completely instrumental, like his previous releases, the music itself talks in it's own form of lyric. With multiple music layers binding this sound together, it's no surprise that listeners would become completely entranced and attached to the wizardry displayed herewith. Majestic and mesmerizing in every aspect, this is perhaps the finest instrumental release the Balkans has ever produced across the entire music spectrum. 'Undertones' lasts a respectable 35 minutes, and so with the variation in tracks clearly evident, listeners will not be stuck for lack of interest as not only is Progressive and Djent Metal present, there are Metalcore elements here and there as well. Download This: "Autumn Limbus" - click to listen For Fans of: Progressive / Djent Metal, instrumental music, Metalcore-tinged metal [8] RHYS STEVENSON KHROMA 'Stasis' INVERSE Khroma might as well become Finland's answer to Japan's Crossfaith, an explosive rule-bending mix of electronic brutality, metalcore heaviness and an atmosphere to pierce your brain at it's very core, for their latest effort 'Stasis' will leave your mind completely f*cked. By lacing together elements of Metalcore, electronic music, Groove Metal and Alternative Metal, this hotly-tipped outfit are sure to tear Europe apart with their uniquely fashioned and original s. From start to finish, 'Stasis' will have you moshing your braincells to death, raving your sweat out and drinking alcohol like water, seriously this is proper hard party music. If Crossfaith, 5FDP and The Defiled ever had a three-some, then Khroma would be the offspring, a cataclysmic, unrelenting brand of Modern Metal. This shit is crazyyyyyy!!!!! Download This: "Brace Yourself" For Fans of: 5FDP, The Defiled, Crossfaith 'Stasis' is out now via Inverse Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON 12 GAUGE OUTRAGE 'Deadly Sins' INDEPENDENT No let's not indulge in the Irish puns, even though the Guinness demands it. Hailing from the South-East coast of Ireland, the Heavy Metal trio 12 Gauge Outrage do more than just invent an interesting and rhyming band name, they're also capable of bleeding out a debut album that will almost certainly appeal to the metal masses. Pounding drums lead the backline as the riffs slit your throat right at the deadliest point, actually come to think of it have they managed to whip in some Melodic and Thrash Metal elements? Whatever you make of their debut album, 'Deadly Sins' is a joyous and satisfying nod to the classic sounds of Heavy Metal. Whilst it might not be as fast as Slayer or melodically heavy as Iron Maiden, the album will surely book the band their ticket across the Irish Sea and into the UK. Download This: "Greed - Drag Me To Hell" - Click to listen For Fans of: Kaine, Diamond Head, Metallica [8] RHYS STEVENSON HALIDOM 'Purity Corrupts' INDEPENDENT You might get stuck in the groove when checking out the premier EP by Israel's Halidom. The new kids on the block kick off their career with their EP 'Purity Corrupts' and whilst it offers something fresh, at times it becomes stagnant, that's not to say it's not enjoyable but rather the 'been here done that, sold the t-shirt' feeling. However through bolting together some flash riffs, thick and heavy bass, gritty vocals and an atmosphere primed to get any pit open, Halidom might be on to something, whatever it is they haven't found it yet. 'Purity Corrupts' serves as a respected nod to the Groove Metal movement, but nothing more, in fact their next release needs to be an improvement to enable the band to gain considerable attention from outside of Israel, or the Middle East. Download This: "Turncoat" - Click to listen For Fans of: Gojira, DevilDriver, Lamb of God [7] RHYS STEVENSON ROMAN KHRUSTALEV 'Our New Sun' INDEPENDENT When you think of Kazakhstan, you generally would not consider it a metal music nation and truth be told whilst it's scene can be traced back to the early 1990's, there are very few bands or projects going around. One such musician, Roman Khrustalev, has been releasing music since 2008 under different guises. However he now goes under his real name and has released his latest instrumental Progressive / Power Metal album 'Our New Sun'. From start to finish, this marathon run of epic riff shifting and abrasively loud atmospherics certainly demands a lot of attention as this work of art deserves it. Forget the flashy and technical wizardry Herman Li of Dragonforce can deliver, because Kazakhstan have got their own answer through Roman Khrustalev. His futuristic outlook is channelled through his music and ultimately could serve well as background music for the next sci-fi blockbuster. Download This: "Cold Roots Of Earth" - Click to listen For Fans of: Instrumental Metal, insanely godly music, epic music [8] RHYS STEVENSON BLEEDING TEARS 'The Fall Of Lucifer' INDEPENDENT Hailing from Venezuela, Bleeding Tears are a Dark Metal band whose sound features a lashing of Gothic Metal beauty, the dank atmospherics associated with Doom Metal and a sprinkling of menacing Death Metal. 'The Fall Of Lucifer' sadly is nothing new as it appears to have elements that some would agree sounds too similar to other bands in the said combined genre. However despite the near-evident comparisons, the music in question is one that will captivate you no matter where you are in the world, perhaps the EP was built to put Venezuela on the metal map or perhaps just to stand on it's own two as a decent release. Whatever the future holds for this sextet, with this effort they are sure to gain some attention from outside of their own country, perhaps even land a record deal.... Download this: "Premoniziones" - click to listen For Fans of: Macbeth, Tristania, Darkwell [7] RHYS STEVENSON TROLLWALD' 'У гушчарах (U Huszczarach)' INDEPENDENT Formed out of the ashes left behind by Litvintroll, Belarusian Folk Metal maestros Trollwald carry on from where their predecessor left off. 'У гушчарах (U Huszczarach)' is the band's debut EP and it remains in touch with their folk heritage, utilising folk instruments normally associated with Pagan Metal. Unfortunately Trollwald aren't as with it as Litvintroll were and make light use of what could have been a potentially arousing EP, their inept self just does not enable their EP to reach it's fullest potential. Granted they've stuck to their mother tongue, being Belarusian, but this does not give the EP that needed kick up the backside that otherwise may well have demanded a more positive reception. Overall despite the lack of convincing elements, 'У гушчарах (U Huszczarach)' is an EP that marks the transition from Litvintroll to Trollwald. Download This: "Bywaj!" - Click to listen For fans of: Arkona, Litvintroll, Pagan Metal [7] RHYS STEVENSON WASTED HEROES 'Wasted Heroes' INDEPENDENT Returning after their debut album 'Between The Worlds' was released six years ago, Ukrainian Melodic Death / Metalcore horde Wasted Heroes justify the time spent in crafting their second offering. This self-titled album deploys all what you would expect from a band from said genre combination, full on smack-down brutality, infectious riffs, emotional vocals and a vision that should enable them to stand tall as possibly the most exciting Metalcore-based bands to emerge out of Eastern Europe. But with this comes their own form of Modern Metal influence, which almost breaches the 'Post Metalcore' territory, but it definitely aims to shove over the dominance of Black and Pagan Metal the Ukrainian Metal scene has been arguably enjoying for far too long. 'Wasted Heroes' is the band's calling card to the record labels, if you want us, come and get us. Download This: "Burn Down This World" - click to listen For Fans of: Imminence, In Flames, Zonaria [8] RHYS STEVENSON OHOL YEG 'Humanize' INDEPENDENT Emerging out of the deepest darkest depths of hell in Turkey is the one-man Black Metal project Ohol Yeg masterminded by Sazakan. 'Humanize' is a delightful listen with enough raw elements found across the entire release to ensure that it stands out as a kvlt release. By harmonizing together mid-paced drums with quick-fire riffs, spluttering vocals and audio clips taken from nature's own backyard, Ohol Yeg manages to create a truly authentic and inspiring sound. Given the project relies upon non-professional equipment and thus bolsters its obvious DIY production sound, homage must be paid to Ohol Yeg for developing a sound that is far from being artificial and rather closer to being completely pure. For the seasoned Black Metal fan, this ought to tickle your ears with delight, for the generic metalhead its a chance to experience something truly unique to the Turkish Black Metal movement. Download This: "Becoming The Reality" - Click to listen For Fans of: Carpathian Forest, Moribund Oblivion, Moonblood [8] RHYS STEVENSON MOURNING SUN 'Último Exhalario' INDEPENDENT Chile's Mourning Sun might as well become the scene's most exciting export of 2016 because their debut album 'Último Exhalario' is so emotionally enriched that it really taps into the mind and soul, calming and soothing the listener at the same time. Constructing a delicate balance of Avant Garde and Doom Metal, this sextet (now trio) harmonise the traumatic and emotional side of life and the wilderness to develop a sound that either you could fall asleep to or ultimately classify as 'easy listening metal'. 'Último Exhalario' gleams with a vibrant array of atmospherics, elements and emotions that coalesce to leave the listener in a state of entrancement. It won't be long before Mourning Sun are snapped up by a record label, because that is exactly what this album deserves, it needs to be heard far and wide. There's a storm brewing across the Andes... Download This: "Hoowin (Mythic Ancestors)" - Click to listen For fans of: Paradise Lost, Mar De Grises, Doom Metal [8] RHYS STEVENSON SOULBURNER
'The Throne of Armageddon' INDEPENDENT Fast paced Death Metal thundering out of the back streets of Bogota D.C., Colombia. That is the shortest way to explain Colombian Death Metal maniacs Soulburner and their long-awaited third album 'The Throne of Armageddon'. Released 10 years after their second album, 'The Throne of Armageddon' is a non-stop assault of guttural vocals of the most extreme kind, unrelenting and unforgiving blast-beats and some of the most grizzly riffs ever to be shat out of a guitarist. Designed to crush your cranium in such a way that it would make a simple punch to your skull seem an upgraded tickle. Consequently you need to be in the right mood to be blasted by this audio wave of mass constriction, fear it because you won't have heard anything like it (unless you're a metal elitist, in which case, you're not kvlt enough for this bruising music). Download This: "World To Ashes" - click to listen For Fans of: Crackdust, Abhorrent Decimation, Corpse Garden [8] RHYS STEVENSON VODUN 'Possession' RIFF ROCK It's the sort of music that would do well at the Notting Hill Carnival (maybe even winning the Eurovision for the UK), blending a mix of psychedelia with stoner metal and injecting Aretha style vocals, Royal Blood rock intuition and ancient West African voodoo vibes. All hail 'Possession', the latest effort by the London trio Vodun, which does more than just giving listeners something to rock out to, it is a conglomerate of rock/metal elements. With songs like 'Bloodstones' almost providing itself as an ideal bond song, well on this effort Vodun could easily write a bond song, even if Live & Let Die would provide the perfect comparison to the band's music. Vodun have proven that music not only brings different music styles together, but also it breaks down the ethnic barrier and as the band evidently proves, there is no room for discrimination. 'Possession' would certainly have been given the thumbs up by Baron Samedi, had he not been 'killed' by the snakes.... Download This: "Oya" For Fans of: Royal Blood, Kyuss, Aretha Franklin 'Possession' is out now via Riff Rock Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON AL-NAMROOD / DARKESTRAH 'Tajer Al Punqia / Akyr Zaman' Two of the most underground Black Metal outfits have come together to collaborate and unleash a truly unique and historical moment in the history of metal music as we know it. Saudi Arabian trio Al-Namrood and Kyrgyz trio Darkestrah lock horns to release the split album 'Tajer Al Punqia / Akyr Zaman', a full-on 22-minute, 3 track epic consisting of some rather unrelenting Black / Folk Metal seen from the Middle East / Central Asia regions. Quintessentially important to the survival of the smaller, 'endangered' (as-it-were) metal scenes, this split offers an insight into the extreme underground and with it, exposes a simply awe-inspiring and magical horde of musicians and subsequent music that defies the odds and stands for two things, one freedom of speech but more importantly to rejoice alongside the world's metal scenes. For ethos, charisma and utmost diligence in remaining true to their cause, 'Tajer Al Punqia / Akyr Zaman' is a truly symbolic release for those who believe in metal as a cultural expression. Get it here:- http://www.shaytanproductions.com/Releases/Releases.html For fans of: Black / Folk Metal, exotic music. 'Tajer Al Punqia / Akyr Zaman' is now out via Shaytan Productions [9] RHYS STEVENSON D.A.M. 'Premonitions' INDEPENDENT By layering classical, occultist and theatrical elements across Melodic Death Metal, Brazil's D.A.M. have crafted their own sound out of the forest of metal music. This evident on their latest offering 'Premonitions' as they hire the services of Marina Guimarães and Jéssica Delazare to cover the female side of this rather promising Brazilian outfit. Whilst perhaps the first two tracks may be unconventionally long, the latter 2/3 of the release certainly deal justice, through the use of intricate keyboard compositions, murderous riffs, blasting drums (programmed) and vocals so vicious that the favela's would weep in terror. To the trained ear you can tell that there are similarities with other bands, but for the more diverse metal fans, 'Premonitions' is a truly ambitious release from this promising unit. D.A.M. are flying the flag for the Brazilian Metal scene. Download This: "Anorexic Dysphoria (An Elegy For The Brainless)" - Click to listen For Fans of: Arch Enemy, Children Of Bodom, The Agonist 'Premonitions' is now out via an Independent Release [8] RHYS STEVENSON IFRINN 'Ifrinn' IRON BONEHEAD In the deepest grim and most serene valleys of bonnie Scotland resides a Black Metal band so youthful yet so mature in their music, that quite frankly deserves immediate appreciation. Hail to the new brethren Ifrinn and their tantalisingly raw premier self-titled demo. Smothered with atmospherics of all kinds, this demo demonstrates that this Scottish group hold much promise in joining the second wave of British Black Metal. Hiding their identities under a shrouded veil of mystery, all that can be said of the composers is that their dank and hallowing harrowing music is one not to be taken lightly and is ultimately intended for those who revel or succumb to the powers residing within the Black Metal force. 'Ifrinn' might as well become one of the darkest and eeriest releases found within the entire Scottish Metal scene, proceed with caution, you have been warned. Download This: "Dweller Within The Gulf" - Click to listen For Fans of: Winterfylleth, Immortal, Wodensthrone 'Ifrinn' is now out via Iron Bonehead Records [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON WILDWAYS 'Into The Wild' ARTERY Russia's long-awaited answer to Asking Alexandria is finally a reality, but with an additional twist here and there. Take for example their latest effort 'Into The Wild', it incorporates Trance, Hardcore, Metalcore, Post-Hardcore, Emocore and elements of Dubstep and EBM. Hell let's call them electronicore, but with that in mind because the band prefer to be genre-less let's call them a work of art. 'Into The Wild' is jam-packed with enough tunes to get a party started, chill out, surf to or whatever listeners do best, the salient point is that no matter what you're into, Wildways have it covered. Primed and prepared to instate themselves as Russia's most successful Metalcore export, Wildways are ready to assimilate the world with their infectious, emotional and well-thought-out works of musical art. This sh*t is too damn catchy. Download This: "Princess" (feat. Rebecca Need-Menear) - Click to listen For Fans of: Asking Alexandria, Eskimo Callboy, Enter Shikari, Betraying The Martyrs 'Into The Wild' is now out via Artery Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON DEMONSTEALER 'This Burden Is Mine' INDEPENDENT The latest effort by soloist Sahil 'Demonstealer' Makhija is here, featuring Ashwin Shriyan on bass and legendary drummer George Kollias of Nile. 'This Burden Is Mine' is a tremendous effort as it weaves its way through Death Metal, Thrash Metal and even into the Heavy Metal category. Through the use of guttural and clean vocals, savagely crafted riffs and thunderous drumming, this album flits from force to force and as a result is designed to satisfy all matters of metal music taste. 'This Burden Is Mine' is not just another album, it's a personal statement from the man himself that somewhat suggests that the achievements in life are being carried on his shoulders as depicted in the artwork. Sonically diverse, 'This Burden Is Mine' will have you head-banging, moshing, dancing and possibly masturbating at every passing song, who knows what you will do when listening to this release but one thing is for definite, this is just the start for this metal music genius; a true god within the Indian Metal scene. Download This: "How The Mighty Have Fallen" - Click to listen For Fans of: Nile, Demonic Resurrection, Fleshgod Apocalypse 'This Burden Is Mine' is now out via an Independent Release / Demonstealer Records [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON LAMORI 'To Die Once Again' WORMHOLEDEATH You could say that LAMORI hail from Finland, but we prefer to say they hail from the Åland Islands, an archipegalo straddled between Sweden and Finland; the latter owns it. 'To Die Once Again' is the band's second album and upon listening to it, stark comparisons with HIM can be drawn like a shooting star in the midnight sky. But despite the clear linkage, 'To Die Once Again' offers a darker overtone with the lyrics primarily covering topics like death, sadness, depression and Gothic aesthetics. Musically sound, 'To Die Once Again' is mainly a Hard Rock album but borrows elements from Alternative Metal and Gothic Metal; with subtle pinches of Doom Metal. This is more than just music, this album paints a picture of how the darker side of life and love becomes neglected, the harsh reality, the wicked truth and it goes without saying, 'To Die Once Again' is to suggest a rebirth gone wrong. But for LAMORI, this is the album that will take them to further international recognition. Now, about that geographical dispute.... Download This: "Lost In Love" For Fans of: HIM, The 69 Eyes, The Doors 'To Die Once Again' is now out via Wormholedeath, digital release is 10th May [8] RHYS STEVENSON CRETURA 'Fall Of The Seventh Golden Star' WORMHOLEDEATH Hailing from the throne of Norwegian Black Metal that is Bergen, sextet Cretura throwaway the rulebook and write their own with their unforgiving and eccentric form of Symphonic Extreme Metal. By taking their forthcoming offering as a pure example and breaking it down, it is clear that the Symphonic, Black and Gothic Metal genres coalesce in becoming the nexus between their created vision and background heritage. Their forthcoming album 'Fall Of The Seventh Golden Star' is a genre-defining album if not at least an attempt to break free from the shackles of the Norwegian Black ('extreme') metal scene. Lasting a full-on hour, this album will serve the band as their calling card for the summer festivals, demanding that the band should be booked, because after hearing this effort you will definitely want to experience it live. In essence, Cretura are revelling in the time we can effectively call: 'The 3rd Wave of Black Metal'. Download This: "Voices Of Hunger" For Fans of: Dimmu Borgir, Nightwish, Theatres Des Vampires 'Fall Of The Seventh Golden Star' is out now via Wormholedeath [8] RHYS STEVENSON ELVARON 'Ghost Of A Blood Tie' FANTAI'ZIC PRODS After reforming back in 2014 after five years inactivity; formed in 1993, France's Elvaron are back and it seems with new and fresh ideas. With the current line-up consisting of two original members, an ex-drummer and a brand new keyboardist, it's a meeting of old and new ideas being channelled down into new ambitions. 'Ghost Of A Blood Tie' is the band's fifth album and is consequentially the band's first album since reformation, now for those who are good at waiting for the music to kick off, this album is for you. However for those who prefer something quicker, well with 8 tracks collectively lasting 64 minutes, on average 8 minutes per track, well you get the picture. Despite the insane length, this Progressive Thrash Metal effort is a decent effort and will certainly get the Elvaron fan base rampaging once again. Emphatic solo's, ballistic drums, savage riffs, majestic vocals and keyboard elements so atmospheric, that all of this combined would be the perfect soundtrack to a summer's thunderstorm. Download This: "Silent Windows" For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Voivod, Meshuggah 'Ghost Of A Blood Tie' is out 11th April via Fantai'zic Productions [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON ANIENT
'Elemental' + 'Consigned To Flames' INDEPENDENT To Anient is to frustrate or to annihilate, suffice to say that is what the Australian quartet have done on their premier EP 'Elemental' released last year. Splattering together a raucous mess of expertly laid Death / Thrash Metal with the embodied attitude of destruction, these boys have crafted a sound that whilst may bode well on the South Pacific circuit, might just lack that element to gain attention from fans overseas. That's not to say the release is crap, it just lacks that killer blow. Despite the stated criticism, it's a solid effort that garners some element of authority over it's listeners, demanding them to listen to the release to the very death. Gritty as it comes, tidy as it goes, 'Elemental' is a really interesting release that not only could be their best material, but also serves as a decent salutation to their 10th year of activity. Their debut album 'Consigned To Flames' is a rather solid effort that ironically somehow is not as good as their later EP yet ironically once again does show elements that it is just as good as their EP, confusing right? The sad thing is that we've heard this thing before, it's nothing new and despite the excellent effort at making a mark, it slips slightly at the very last moment. That said, given it took the band nine years since their formation to craft this work, the overall impression given is that they wanted to take their time to make it sound perfect. They did make it sound perfect, just, it lacks that one bit of spark that would otherwise have given it a greater rating. But this should not deter Anient from hitting the studio and unleashing an expected belter in the future. Download this: "Awakening" - Click to listen Download this: "Haemoserous" For Fans of: Nervecell, The Haunted, Hatesphere [7.5] + [7] RHYS STEVENSON WORMED 'Krighsu' SEASON OF MIST Unorthodox in every way imaginable, well all ways except for one - Technical Death Metal. If you like the latest effort by long-standing Spanish Death Metal horde Wormed is one of unthinkable brutality meshed together with such tight time signatures, that they make the djent sound seem as pansy as the so-called emo metal contingent. Vermicular as it comes, Wormed are the aficionados of the Technical / Brutal Death Metal movement and as such demand utmost respect. Lets face it right, try and head-bang to this unforgiving slab of extremity and you might as well have scooped your brain out and bludgeoned it with a mallet before succumbing yourself to this chaotic pace-shifting audio wall of death. For the seasoned Death Metal this will be another slice of cake, for those unaccustomed to said genre, you have been warned. Download This: "Eukaryotic Hex Swarm" For Fans of: Aborted, Scar Symmetry (lyrics), Cryptopsy 'Krighsu' is out 18th March via Season Of Mist [8] RHYS STEVENSON MYSTIC PROPHECY 'War Brigade' MASSACRE 16 years in and 9 albums down, you would begin to think that Germany's Mystic Prophecy would think about hanging up their instruments and calling it quits. Not on this effort they won't. 'War Brigade' is the latest album from this Power Metal quintet and forms another important instalment in the band's illustrious career. Full of bouncy riffs and drums, charismatic vocals and warm-hearted atmospherics, 'War Brigade' is a beauty to hold. Not only does the album stand on it's own two, but it also comes with a rather interesting bonus track... a cover of 'Sex Bomb' (Tom Jones). It seems to be a growing trend for metal bands to cover pop songs (and they say metalheads should hate pop!!! HAH!); Children of Bodom once covered 'oops I did it again' (Britney Spears). As for the Germans, well, they have delivered an album that will satisfy any metalheads thirst for something interesting. Download This: "Sex Bomb (Tom Jones)" For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Powerwolf, Helloween 'War Brigade' is out 18th March via Massacre Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON DESTROYERS OF ALL 'Bleak Fragments' MOSHER Three years ago Portugal's Destroyers Of All dropped their debut EP, three years on and they're set to drop their awaited debut album. 'Bleak Fragments' carries on the formula the quintet mustered to make their debut EP picked up by media worldwide including Terrorizer (UK) who featured a song on their Fear Candy compilation series. As for the band's debut album the chunkiness of the bass and riffs remains, whilst the vocals and drums have become equally as impressive. What makes the album that little bit special is the short but snappy pauses throughout some of the songs, it adds suspense, drama and above all a moshing atmosphere. With this effort, Destroyers Of All will certainly be scouted by some of the top European Metal festivals for this summer and if they don't, then I might just have to eat my speakers, because 'Bleak Fragments' carries all the hallmarks of a release deserving of an early nomination for 'Portuguese Metal release of the year'. Open this pit!! Download This: "Hate Through Violence" For Fans of: DevilDriver, 5FDP, Six Feet Under 'Bleak Fragments' is out 18th March via Mosher Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON NOVACROW 'Black Syrup' INDEPENDENT Hard, heavy, balls to the wall, that is just how you can describe the debut EP by Liverpool's very own Novacrow. 'Black Syrup' contains five tracks of hard rocking', heavy metallic tunes that will keep you singing and humming all the way down the Mersey and into the Irish Sea. With dashes of rockabilly (especially on the title track), sleaze and groove making the cut, Novacrow's debut EP 'Black Syrup' might just earn them a slot on the Jagermeister stage at Bloodstock - they are that kind of band.... they are that good! Whilst they might not reach the pinnacles The Beatles did, they certainly would gain the thumbs up approval from John Lennon and co., because they absorb the atmosphere well enough to deliver an EP that deserves said recognition. With Kitty's riot grrrl vocals leading the charge, Jonyx's riff-firing artillery matched by Torben's thunderous drums and Federico's slap-happy bass meshing together to deliver the 'Black Syrup' EP, utmost respect must be given to this snazzy lot. Download This: "Fight The Horde!!!" - Click to listen For Fans of: Halestorm, Sister Sin, The Pretty Reckless [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON DAKESIS 'The New Dawn' CAPSAARX Dramatic at every twist and turn, the latest effort by Birmingham's Dakesis glimmers with chunky bass lines, flash riffs, harmonic vocals and an atmosphere ready to explode. Think adventure and rampaging across the hills and valleys of the Midlands and this album will provide itself as a perfect soundtrack to the journey. 'The New Dawn' is this quartet's second album and it is full of energy, so much so you would need to clear your mind to fully experience the magic laid herewith. Progressive Power Metal just effectively got kicked in the nuts, this album should be enough to hand them a slot at Bloodstock this year (yes Simon Hall looking at you), because when you imagine what the album would sound like live, you can imagine the hordes of punters uncontrollably headbanging and moshing their hearts out. 'The New Dawn' is a beautiful album that may just well give inspiration for bands in the Progressive Power Metal style in generations to come. Download This: "The Great Insurrection" - Click to listen For fans of: Pythia, Sonata Arctica, Within Temptation [8] RHYS STEVENSON HERA 'Her Era' INDEPENDENT Being in a metal band or project in the Middle East is never easy unless you're from Israel or the Gulf states, moreover if you're a female playing rock or metal music in any given Islamic nation it's never easy - death is on the table. But just like Orphaned Land settled political differences with Palestine's Khalas, Emirati musician Hera seeks a similar path, that is to bring peace to society and prove females can rock as hard as men. Bringing to the fore is her premier album 'Her Era' which uniquely brings together the flavours of 'strong Emirati traditional linguistic elements' with the Western progressive metal sound. No doubt has she created a wonderful strain of Oriental Metal, but also an identity and music style to call her own. 'Her Era' is not a political message, but rather an album that expresses the commitment to understand, appreciate and challenge today's societal injustices and issues. Hera is flying the flag, not only for female metal musicians but also the Emirati Metal scene. Download This: "The Unborn" - Click to listen For Fans of: Liv Kristine, Myrath, Orphaned Land [8] RHYS STEVENSON GONE IN APRIL 'Threads Of Existence' WAVETRANSFORM International projects are without question much harder to undertake and maintain in comparison to bands, well even more so when the musicians are in two different continents. Harking from the USA, Canada, Italy and Germany respectively, Gone In April is the Mozart of the metal world. With their much-awaited second album 'Threads Of Existence' finally here, the impression is that they all are truly focused on making their own sound without searching for it. Angelic female vocals crashing against beastly male vocals, whilst the riffs add much dramatics along with the drums who provide a solidified backdrop. Valiant in every aspect, 'Threads Of Existence' is a wonder to behold, a force to be reckoned with, for hells-sake this album will convert even the most hardened metal elitist into complete open mindedness. Seriously if Gone In April isn't in your metal collection, then there is something wrong with your music choice. Download This: "As Hope Welcomes Death" - Click to listen For Fans of: Scar Symmetry, Before The Dawn, Dark The Suns [8] RHYS STEVENSON PERSONA 'Elusive Reflections' INDEPENDENT Tunisia of late has become a flourishing place for a lot of Progressive Metal, in the style of Oriental Metal at that. The latest edition to this spectacular metal scene is the female-fronted band Persona, whose debut album 'Elusive Reflections' is poised to set the world alight. Following the footsteps of fellow countrymen Myrath, Persona are sure to take their unique blend of Arabic melodies and progressive ambiance to newer heights, abseiling the face of international stardom with newfound vigour. Fronted by the majestic Jelena Dobrić, this sensational clash of two worlds brings a new sound with it and as the band prepare to line up in their sights an impending European tour, 'Elusive Reflections' can sit proudly as a sharp contender for 'Tunisian Metal release of the year'. Watch this group with interest, because they are destined to go places. Download This: "Monsters" - Click to listen For Fans of: Myrath, To-Mera, Lacuna Coil [9] RHYS STEVENSON RAGE OF LIGHT 'Chasing A Reflection' INDEPENDENT Whip out those glow sticks, set the space in between the wall of death, on the count of 3 run at each other waving those sticks insanely! 1.. 2.. 3..!!! WELCOME TO THE RAVEPIT! This is probably what Rage Of Light should do when playing the first song live, because their virally infectious premier EP 'Chasing A Reflection' certainly defines a new genre. By mixing Groove Metal, Melodic Metal, Trance, and EBM together, this tight-knit entity are sure to make their music known across Europe - possibly even breaking into the trance clubs of The Netherlands and Germany (its that good). From start to finish, this Swiss unit's premier EP will keep you hooked throughout, leaving you begging for me and all whilst this happening you will be raving like a thing possessed, an excellent instalment in the Modern Metal phenomenon. Download This: "Beautiful Slave" - Click to listen For Fans of: Amaranthe, Silent Descent, Xe-None [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON BLEEDING SPAWN
'Pathogenic Mechanized Abomination' INDEPENDENT Slam Metal and Brutal Death Metal, however you want to call the debut album by South African executioners Bleeding Spawn, this is proper sick sh*t. 'Pathogenic Mechanized Abomination' is all what you would automatically expect from a Brutal Death Metal release, unrecognisable vocals, pig squeals, thumping bass elements, chunky riffs, unrelenting drums, pig squeals, a bludgeoning atmosphere, pig squeals... OK enough of being 'baconist' and 'porkist'. The truth is, 'Pathogenic Mechanized Abomination' is a sharp contender for 'South African Metal release of the year' and why? Well simply because it's tenacity to leave the listener complete skull-smashed is just one sign that you've been pulverised by this murderous horde. F*ck 'The Walking Dead', Bleeding Spawn ARE The walking dead. Healthy and Safety is advised, prepare your digestive system for potential impact, because the side effects of this album include vomiting, extreme diarrhoea, internal bleeding.... and pig squeals. Download This: "Butchered & Beaten" - Click to listen For Fans of: Cattle Decapitation, Prostitute Disfigurement, Dying Fetus [8] RHYS STEVENSON BLOODSTREAM 'Steam Of Blood' INDEPENDENT Consider Bloodstream to be one of your rather unconventional Thrash Metal bands and that their latest offering 'Steam Of Blood' isn't completely Thrash Metal, funny right? Well, there are a lot of influences roaming around on this release from said metal genre to Heavy Metal and with dashes of Hardcore elements (especially in the vocals). That said, despite the decent effort in delivering a respectable album, it does not carry the hallmarks of a groundbreaking release and thus sadly will just sit as another Thrash-like metal album. Props though go to the band for creating a valiant effort, it certainly would appeal to those who are fans of the slower kind of Thrash Metal, but for the average metalhead it might not grab their immediate attention. Without being crude or detrimental, there isn't a lot of differences between each song and thus hinders the release's potential. Download This: "Jester" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Evil Scarecrow, Evile, Gama Bomb [7] RHYS STEVENSON CIRITH GORGOR 'Visions Of Exalted Lucifer' HAMMERHEART Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the Dutch Black Metal veterans Cirith Gorgor start the party off well with their sixth album-to-date 'Visions Of Exalted Lucifer'. What is expected of the album is what you get, a fully fledged onslaught of barbaric vocals, murderous riffs, emphatic drumming and the uncompromising atmosphere of which demands you to sacrifice your soul to. As far as Dutch Black Metal goes, these guys know what it takes to lead the battle front-line with axes at the ready, this is clear on 'Visions Of Exalted Lucifer' as there is no point on the album where interest and focus becomes lost. In fact, what we have here could pose itself as an early contender for 'Dutch Metal release of the year', it's devilish nature giving its masters something to drink and celebrate to. If this release does not herald a new wave of Black Metal in The Netherlands, I shall eat my speakers. Download This: "Into The Nameless Void" For Fans of: Enthroned, Trelldom, Taake, Gorgoroth 'Visions Of Exalted Lucifer' is out 15th February via Hammerheart Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON THE INFERNAL SEA 'The Great Mortality' CACOPHONOUS British Black Metal is enjoying a huge comeback, with the likes of Winterfylleth, Eastern Front, Cnoc An Tursa and others leading the way, it's the likes of The Infernal Sea who are following the readily laid path. Coming out of their bunker to unleash their long-awaited and highly-anticipated second album 'The Great Mortality', this horde from the Fens hold nothing back in releasing a horrific wall of sound that was inevitably designed to blast a gaping whole in your head, let alone your ears. Adventuring out of your comfort zone is not always easy, yet when The Infernal Sea incorporate Dutch words into the song 'Pestmeester', you get the feeling that they're seeking their own signature sound (not by using a different language mind). Having already laid down the law at Bloodstock, The Infernal Sea have once again proven that they're the real McCoy, accept no substitutes. Download This: "Plague Herald" For Fans of: Bal-Sagoth, Mayhem, Immortal 'The Great Mortality' is out 19th February via Cacophonous Records [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE 'King' NUCLEAR BLAST The pioneers of Classical Death Metal Fleshgod Apocalypse have once again masterminded the blueprints for a truly magical chapter in their career, this time 'King' is the album to be spewed out of the darkened corridors found within the Teatro Morlacchi. This extremely eccentric release bolsters acute-mathematical drumming, thunderous riffs, an atmosphere to satisfy the greats of classical times bygone and vocals to match the operatic nature of Pavarotti and bloodshed of the Romans. It cannot be denied that Fleshgod Apocalypse are in an element of their own, have devised a signature sound and ultimately are on the path to becoming equally successful as Lacuna Coil and other Italian Metal greats. Imagine Vivaldi, Puccini, Rossini, Palestrina and Monteverdi clashing head on with Technical Death Metal, inevitably the offspring would be Fleshgod Apocalypse, in fact what if the current line-up are the said composers reincarnated? After all metal music does use classical elements! The five gentleman of Perugia are to be rightfully crowned collectively, the 'King' of Classical Death Metal. Download This: "The Fool" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Classical Music, Septicflesh, Neuraxis 'King' is out now via Nuclear Blast [10] RHYS STEVENSON UNBORN SUFFER 'Nihilist' SELFMADEGOD Blood-soaked and gut-wrenched is what springs to mind when assessing the latest slab of Brutal Death Metal / Grindcore from Polish stalwarts Unborn Suffer. 'Nihilist' is the 5th studio album from this horde and it serves well as an acceptable bout of noise, there are lyrics somewhere (or you could just pig squeal) but what is definitely found is unlimited ferocity being channeled through the drums, guitars and vocals. Despite the appraise, it's nothing new this style and yet it does serve as a delightful listen for those who prefer their Death Metal to beyond brutal let alone recognition. Slam all you want because 'Nihilist' is an album that should be taken seriously, this is not for the weak-minded nor the faint hearted, this is for those who prefer murders of a Sunday morning and necrophilia as their occupation. Yeah, it's not pretty that's for sure. Download This: "Vain In Cage" For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Dying Fetus 'Nihilist' is out 19th February via Selfmadegod Records [7] RHYS STEVENSON DELAIN 'Lunar Prelude' NAPALM Whilst we wait for the next full-length to come out of the Delain music factory, their tickling teaser EP 'Lunar Prelude' gives something for listeners to indulge in something rather musically succulent. Debuting two new songs in the form of the anthemic 'Suckerpunch' and erotically-charged 'Turn The Lights Out'. Charmed with select live recordings, the latest offering by the Dutch Symphonic Metal raconteurs will certainly not go amiss by fans and press alike. With dynamics at every second changing the course of the EP, it's riveting, sensational, and ready to be unleashed upon the arenas around the world. The EP will leave an after-taste and desire for more from this colorful bunch, make no judgement and make no mistake, Delain are in their prime-time, this is their time and with this effort making such a buzz, Delain are ready to join the elite. Download This: "Suckerpunch" - Click here to listen For fans of: Within Temptation, Tarja-era Nightwish, Evanescence 'Lunar Prelude' is out 19th February via Napalm Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON REVENIENCE 'Daedalum' SLIPTRICK Arising from the darkest depths of the Italian underground metal scene is the fresh-faced Revenience with their premier album 'Daedalum', exploding into life with a vast array of elements combining to create a dramatic style of Symphonic Gothic Metal. I can be said that once again the love affair between Italy and Gothic-based Metal is ever growing and on Valentines Day, this release would bode those romantic evenings with a luscious blessing, just be ready with that bottle of pinot grigio. 'Daedalum' offers a lot to the metal community as it draws in influences from Doom Metal, Atmospheric Metal and naturally the beauty and the beast battle from which pivots around the Gothic Metal infrastructure. There's the fast and rampant 'A Maze' and then the slow and emotional 'Lone Island', providing a wide breadth of music to satisfy anyone who listens to this album. Download This: "Shamble" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Lacuna Coil, Within Temptation, Evanescence 'Daedalum' is out now via Sliptrick Records [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON MERCY ISLE 'Storm' INDEPENDENT International bands are hard to run at best of times, let alone when they're on different continents. However the American-Dutch contingent Mercy Isle don't care about physical boundaries, in fact their latest effort 'Storm' drags together the best Melodic and Gothic Metal sounds from their respective surroundings and by doing so, enables them to create such a dynamic EP that should get some music industry personnel perking their ears up. Full of dramatic twists and turns, 'Storm' is one of those EP's that is destined to pull a number of heartstrings upon listening to it. Immerse yourself in a world full of chunky bass lines, harmonic vocals, crunchy riffs and ballsy drumming, collectively forming an atmosphere as thunderous as their premier EP title suggests. Download This: "Uncaged" - Click here to listen For fans of: WinterStorm, Within Temptation, Xandria [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON PAIN EMOTION 'As The Light Fades Through The Smoke' INDEPENDENT In musical form this could easily depict the dark days during the conflicts against the indigenous Berber tribe and the Moors who inhabited the southern Iberian peninsula. Especially since it features such a bleak and chilling atmosphere that could easily be used at a funeral or indeed as music to a war film soundtrack. Stretching out for 27 minutes over two tracks makes it more worthwhile listening to and in fact it's quite calming and arousing. 'As The Light Fades Through The Smoke' after all is the second demo by Moroccan one-man project Pain Emotion and given the band name it is clear that the nature of the music certainly depicts that holistically. One for the records, this is certainly one of the darkest releases to arise out of this sandy, North African nation. Download This: "Bright Light, Bless Me" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Xasthur, Austere, Forgotten Tomb [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON DRAMATIC MORALS
'Feel Good Factory' INDEPENDENT Hailing from Hungary, Progressive Metalcore outfit Dramatic Morals come out of the studio wasted having spent all brutality in recording an EP that is sure to gain much deserved attention from across Europe. Progressive without being Djent minded and Metalcore-based without using breakdowns after breakdowns like as if nothing else existed, that is how you can best sum up their effort 'Feel Good Factory'. Perhaps that's where they were, in a 'Feel Good Factory' because this EP will certainly make you happy if not give you a surprising erection. Hungary of late has suffered a setback in successful exports, so perhaps its the likes of Dramatic Morals who are set to rekindle the Magyar fire. There is hardly anything wrong with this EP and so this is why you should check them out and if you're a label, sign them. 2016 is sure to be this quintet's year, mark my words. Download This: "My Destiny" - Click here to listen For Fans of: No Consequence, Northlane, After The Burial [8] RHYS STEVENSON |
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