 OVERHATED 'Into The Plague' INDEPENDENT Fresh off the beaches in the Dominican Republic is Death / Thrash horde Overhated with their premier EP 'Into The Plague' released last year. Some would expect to hear raw and low recording quality, whether you agree or not with that sentiment the organic sound mastered by this quintet is paramount to their scenes steady but growing metal scene. Granted it is nothing new and whilst originality prevails here and there on certain songs, the overall feeling is one of justifiable gratitude. It's an EP that should be taken seriously however not too much as to acknowledge that it is not an effort that warrants a label signing. However as blistering as the heat is out there, it is matched equally by the music of which constitutes bellowing vocals, gritty riffs and thunderous drumming. Hark the coming of age for the Dominican Republic Metal scene. Download This: "Into The Plague" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Gojira, Darkane, Hatesphere [8] RHYS STEVENSON  DEADPOINT 'The Art Of Deception' INDEPENDENT Could Deadpoint prove to become Poland's long awaited answer to Lamb of God? You would think so. With the quintet's scintillating debut album 'The Art Of Deception' racking up some serious grooves and uncompromising brutality, you would need a damn good alibi to cover your reason for ignoring this album, in fact it would be criminal to turn a blind eye to said release and band. Already creating a buzz in their homeland, it is only a matter of time before Deadpoint arrive on your doorstep ready to blow the roof off of your local venue. 'The Art Of Deception' ironically sums up the album as a whole, at first you think it's another run-of-the-mill funked-up metalcore release, but when it kicks in you will suffer so much whiplash you would wish you had taken out medical insurance prior to listening to this musical apocalypse. Download This: "Lapidus" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Lamb Of God, Machine Head, Asking Alexandria [8] RHYS STEVENSON  DEAD END 'Dead End' INDEPENDENT At first 'Dead End' seems to be heading to become just another average Heavy / Thrash Metal release, but it takes time for the real deal to kick in. 3 songs in and you're thinking more optimistically for the release, it is this slow wait for anything convincing to happen that hampers the EP as a whole. When it does pick up the pace, 'Dead End' is an EP that should be viewed with interest as it has promise among the pitfalls, sure first releases are not always the best, but there is enough potential riding on this EP that should enable the band Dead End to deliver a better follow-up release. Swiss Metal has suffered a slight setback in recent times and whilst bands like Dead End try to reinvigorate it, with this effort it is clear we might have to wait slightly longer for something magical to arise. Download This: "One Of Them" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Evile, Metallica, Gama Bomb [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON  BELHAVEN 'Sage Of Hope' INDEPENDENT Poland's love affair with Symphonic Metal continues as the latest army to join the ranks emerges from the shadows, Belhaven are here with their premier EP 'Sage Of Hope' and they aim to reap your soul. Expect soaring harmonics combine with elegant vocals and be mashed together with eccentric music elements, sure it's near enough the same working formula devised for most Symphonic Metal bands nay releases, but it works. 'Sage Of Hope' is a delightful listen for those who are adventurous enough to try something new and will certainly provide Belhaven a starting point to build a career upon. Whether they took their name from a Scottish village remains a question needing answering, but the answer to whether they will be popular and successful is clear, keep up this effort and they will reach that point with ease. Download This: "Nightguide" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Within Temptation, UnSun, Amberian Dawn [8] RHYS STEVENSON  STORMWOLF 'Swordwind' INDEPENDENT Modern Heavy Metallers Stormwolf kick off their career with a bang, by formulating a set of winning songs to slot into their debut album 'Swordwind', the Italian quartet deliver a romping stomp across various pitches, tunes and sounds. Majestic with every song, 'Swordwind' comes into its own with flirtatious riffs, riotous vocals and emphatically insane drumming. You get the feeling that Stormwolf are set to breathe life into a volatile yet over-populated metal genre, well by bolting melodic and Gothic metal influences onto the heavy metal sound, they have certainly got their eyes set on the future. 'Swordwind' is a treasure to behold, with some songs sounding as if they came from the soundtracks of 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' e.g. 'Marathon' (2:28-2:40) and 'Lord Of The Rings' e.g. 'Thasaidon', overall the sound is magical, it's sexy and most of all it's clearly done with creativity in mind. Let the Stormwolf roam across planet metal freely. Download This: "Marathon" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Kobra & The Lotus, Sister Sin, Iron Maiden [8] RHYS STEVENSON  LE GÉNITEUR 'Les Pantins Du Péché' INDEPENDENT 'Les Pantins Du Péché' (trans: 'The Sin Of Puppets') is the debut EP of French Death / Thrash newbies Le Géniteur (trans: The Progenitor) and whilst you might hope for something spectacular, you will be left slightly disappointed. Irrespective of the language differences, the power is not there and it at times loses focus, that is, there is no clear direction as to where it is actually going. You know, you might find more entertainment and solitude in watching paint dry, ironically bide your time and there are some glimmers of hope that the band know what they are doing (but you have to wait till the fourth track). So whilst 'Les Pantins Du Péché' may do well in the local and regional scene in France, it lacks that potential ability to make a European if not national name for itself. There is far too much emphasis on the guitar riffs, very little composition from the drums and the vocals are too muffled, other than that good job. Download This: "Extremum" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Machine Head, Deathchain, Possessed [6] RHYS STEVENSON  NAWATHER 'Wasted Years' M & O MUSIC Making your feelings and emotions heard is not always easy, but perk up your ears and hear the sounds of traditional Middle Eastern folk music collide head on with Progressive Metal and immerse yourself in the world of Nawather, Tunisia's latest export. Hot on the heels of fellow countrymen Myrath, Nawather take a unique root through the combining the vocals of Tunisian Raouf J Occulta and Omani Ryma Nakkach together. Perfect for Arabian nights, Nawather's 'Wasted Years' gives itself as a huge testament to Tunisia's flourishing metal scene. Some might argue that the 'Oriental Metal' movement is too narrow and that they sound too alike to Myrath, but this simply is not the case. Aside from the fact they sing in both English and Arabic, Nawather have their own sound envisioned and they will realize this with ease. Watch this group with utmost interest. Download This: "Daret Layyem (دارت الايام)" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Orphaned Land, Myrath, Sand Aura [8] RHYS STEVENSON  ESHTADUR 'Oblivion' REBELSIGN Not letting go of their ascent to international recognition, Colombia's rampaging horde Eshtadur delivered their first EP and with it comes another horrific slab of Melodic-infused Black / Death Metal. You know to think that Colombia alone is infatuated with Extreme Metal, becomes immediately apparent when you have the likes of Eshtadur who unleash such an accentuating and distinguishable sound that sets them apart from their influential peers. Unrelentingly fast, uncompromising at it's best and without a doubt mind-blowing at it's absolute peek, 'Oblivion' is a truly magnificent release that proves Eshtadur have what it takes to raid Europe and then some. Unpredictable throughout the EP, there are twists and turns at every second, thus giving the EP a unique feel to it, one that demands your attention. If you don't check this EP out, you are no fan of Extreme Metal. Fact. Download This: "Heavens To The Ground" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Ihsahn, At The Gates, Behemoth [8] RHYS STEVENSON  STORM 'Medusa' TIN IDOL PRODS. Following up from their promising start, Hawaii's premier Gothic Metal band Storm make no mistakes in unleashing another sensational album. 'Medusa' devotes itself as a conceptual album about the ancient creature spoken of in Ancient Greek mythology. With Eric Barker taking over keyboard duties, Storm found the missing piece that they lacked on ' Storm's a Brewin' ', giving greater atmosphere and prominent presence. By ingeniously mixing together storytelling with metal music, the Hawaiian horde manage to bring a new dimension to the metal music world, in fact Storm deserve all that comes their way in 2016 because with this effort, they will place Hawaii on the map just as 36 Crazyfists did for Alaska. 'Medusa' is essentially a Gothic / Power Metal album that opens and frees the mind from the shackles of the ever-narrowing corridor of Gothic Metal adventurism. Download This: "The Curse" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Within Temptation, Pythia, Seraphim, Epica [9] RHYS STEVENSON  ACID FORCE
'Towards The Nuclear Load' INDEPENDENT Punk n' Thrash is not exactly a new concept having buried it's roots over the years, but it still lives on with fresh and exciting band emerging to lead it on. One such band is Slovakian quartet Acid Force whose premier EP 'Towards The Nuclear Load' dwells within the Old-School Thrash Metal era with Punk influences in-tow. Whilst yes it is nothing new it certainly does the rounds and features a host of songs designed to get a mosh-pit started without prior warning. Sadly it does not carry the warrant of immediate appraisal nor does it do the band injustice, 'Towards The Nuclear Load' despite it being a decent Thrash EP just does not cut it completely. At times it desperately tries to avoid being 'Slayer-like' and whilst it does this, it ironically does fall into that trap at certain sections, leaving the EP in a questionable state. Download This: "Ammunition" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Nuclear Assault, Anthrax [7] RHYS STEVENSON
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 ANCKORA 'Открой мне дверь' (Open The Door For Me) LIFE MUSIC Russian Cyber Metal bands are always promising, not only do they lash together electrodes of industrial music along with synthesizers and the beautiful dark side of the Russian language, but bands like Anckora make it sexy time. Deep in the cold and bitter backstreets of downtown Moscow, Anckora emerge with their new album 'Открой мне дверь' (Open The Door For Me), showing a shift from Symphonic Gothic Metal to Electro 'Cyber' Metal, whilst continuing to mix their mother tongue with the musical shift. 'Открой мне дверь' (Open The Door For Me) is one for those who love the futuristic elements of electronic trance and the harsh bitter sounds of industrial laden with brutal metal foundations that compute this release as one of Russia's most exciting releases this year. Download This: "Врата рая" For Fans of: Nine Inch Nails, Breach The Void, The Kovenant, Gothminister [8] RHYS STEVENSON  NOTHING MORE TO EAT 'Nothing More To Eat' For a quick 25 minute outburst of Death Metal and Grindcore, look no further than Finnish band Nothing More To Eat and their delicious self titled release, featuring a whole host of humorous and totally bonkers songs, this is extreme comedy central like never before. 'Nothing More To Eat' gleams with fourteen tracks of outrageous lyrics and barmy music, the two when together sum up as a frenzy like production. Sure this is nothing as grandeur as fellow countrymen Deathbound, but this isn't Brutal Death Metal either, this is simply fast music with heavy vocals that crushes and destroys anything that opposes it, devouring the senses until there quite literally is 'Nothing More To Eat'. Download This: "Death From Below" For Fans of: Deathbound, Fitcage, Goresoerd, Tengkorak. [7] RHYS STEVENSON  BODRAGAZ 'Symphony' Eighteen years down the road and Colorado's Bodragaz have still got the power, their seventh full length 'Symphony' ironically does deliver symphonic-like Progressive Metal. However unlike most albums in this genre, 'Symphony' does not feature any whopping 7 minute plus songs, whether that is a good or bad thing remains debatable, but what is hard to debate is the level of excellence shown on this release, if this was a bird of prey it would be a peregrine falcon, swooping down each symphonic element as it glides over the sensational riffs, pecks at the electric vocals unleashed on this release and watches over the drums as all elements come together and deliver a spectacular release. 'Symphony' is an album that will appeal to almost any Progressive Metal fan and is sure to become a legend in the state of Colorado, if not beyond. Download This: "I Found You" For Fans of: Dream Theater, The Devin Townsend Project, Myrath [8] RHYS STEVENSON  FALL OF PANTHEON 'The Shadow Envelops All' Easily one of Denmark's most promising extreme metal acts to emerge out of the abyss in the last few years, the five Danes wield together a sound that will get bands like Hail of Bullets (NL) wetting their pants, this sound resonates on their second 'The Shadow Envelops All' from which belts out drum sequences at a blistering pace whilst the riffs shred metal like bullets that are fired from an AK-47 and the vocals emit a brutal force that is reported to have swayed the Øresund Bridge so much that engineers are worried that anymore brutal force and it will collapse, perhaps then it will be made out of Lego or perhaps Fall Of Pantheon will make the Swedish Death metal scene shudder in fear. This year music belongs to Denmark, they already won the Eurovision and now they might as well have one best underground unsigned Death Metal band of the year. Download This: "Inner Dystopia" For Fans of: By The Patient, Narakam, Scarab, Unleashed [9] RHYS STEVENSON  TENOCHTITLAN 'Сотворение Мира' BADMOODMAN Usually when singing about topics that are not related to the country you are from it is always less authentic, such is the case of Tenochtitlan of whom delves into the past histories of the Mayan, Aztec and Inca civilizations. Whilst the Russian lot are expanding their horizons beyond paganism and bard folk numbers, it is more so worrying that they decided to sing in Russian about South American people, who knows they may be cursing? Even so considering 'Сотворение Мира' is the band's fourth major outing, the integrity of it's existence is considerably questionable; this is about the release in general that seems to at one point offer something different and on the other copy every other Doom Metal band wallowing in the snow-laden lands of the Russian Federation. Tenochtitlan's 'Сотворение Мира' may be a unique journey, but it's a bumpy one sadly. Download This: "Sokol I Zmej" [6] RHYS STEVENSON  SKARTHIA 'Retaliate' If the NHS wasn't screwed, it is now. Tracing back all those whiplash cases has left doctors pointing at the same cause, the ground-cracking sound of Skarthia and their apocalyptic powerhouse 'Retaliate'. Spewing out a plethora of cosmic elements that merge together to form a musical combustion of melodic angelic vocals, murderous riffs, solid drumming sequences and gut wrenching male vocals. 'Retaliate' from start to finish unleashes a whitewash torrent of groove-laden melodic death metal that would make bands like Devildriver perk ears up. Skarthia may be relatively new on the block, but the sound is their own and with Bloodstock in their sights, there is no reason why they should not go through. The time has come for Skarthia to 'Retaliate' against the over produced 'core' scene in England, if you want cranial corrupting music and slit-throat vocals then Skarthia is for you, if you don't then you don't know true metal. Download This: "Drill" For Fans of: Devildriver, The Agonist, Lamb Of God, Machine Head. [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  NATHICANA '2012 Demo' London in the last year or so has renewed itself as a breeding ground for some top notch bands, joining this fresh wave of grit is Nathicana, a West London force that produces enough brutality to sink a thousand ships, let alone cause havoc for those traveling towards Uxbridge due to the sensational force exerted on the band's premier demo. The '2012 Demo' purges out a raw and bitter sound that eclipses the earliest days of Behemoth whilst adding an experimental stance to the formula, pretty much like a Subway where you put what you want on it and what you want is a delicious slice of extremity, with Nathicana you get that and much more. Make no mistake, Nathicana are a force to be reckoned with and as 2013 opens new doors, who knows what this band will do next. Download This: "Entity" [8] RHYS STEVENSON  ABSKE FIDES 'Abske Fides' SOLITUDE PRODS Suicide is perhaps an understatement after hearing this offering by Brazil's Abske Fides, their self titled debut comes nine years after their formation and it most probably will take that time for listeners to regain their lives. Seriously, what is here is on one hand a decent effort but on the other hand a total calamity that could drive listeners to enjoy opera. Not much else can be said about this release except if you're looking for eccentric and outstanding Doom Metal, look elsewhere; ideally the underground because 'Abske Fides' is worse than the Black Plague. But if you're up for listening to music that can only be worse than listening to flatulence on low audio wave, then go right ahead. [3] RHYS STEVENSON  ETERNAL HELCARAXE 'Against All Odds' ABYSS Marking their debut album release last year and tenth anniversary this year, Ireland's Eternal Helcaraxe show a thing or two with their thunderous sound found on 'Against All Odds', unrelenting Black Metal slices and bleeds the atmosphere as if torture was a passionate hobby, or at the very least the soundtrack to the wishful film Saw 8. 'Against All Odds' features eight songs that are authenticated to unleash a battering of convincing Black Metal, whilst inevitably justifying why Eternal Helcaraxe ride alongside bands like Cruachan as masters of True Irish Black Metal. Whilst not being as pronounce as one would have hoped for, the band outperform the expectations on level of brutality and 'Against All Odds' sum up a masterpiece that will power them forward even more. Download This: "We Assist Death" For Fans of: Cruachan, Winterfylleth, Hecate Enthroned [8] RHYS STEVENSON  HI-GH
'Loud Frequences On Planet Jupiter' LA RIOT SURVIVOR Spunk usually is associated with the white, sticky stuff that Rammstein spurt out when rubbing their microphones on stage too much, however in Italy it refers to the music genre that HI-GH have dreamed up. Abbreviated for Speed Metal and Punk, the four-piece from Rome deliver justice on their debut demo 'Loud Frequences On Planet Jupiter' released last year. Furiously paced drums power the rest of the band forward at a hundred M.P.H, whilst the overall sound is raw and gritty the satisfaction is well out of reach. Sure it is a classic 'flip the bird' release aimed at politics and rioting, but the overall productiono is one left to be desired, but that is what makes it great. 'Loud Frequences On Planet Jupiter' and HI-GH do not conform to rules and instead smash out a sound that will make you soil your pants. Download This: "You're Going Down" For Fans of: The Sex Pistols, Motorhead, The Ramones, Judas Priest [7] RHYS STEVENSON |
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