Global Metal Apocalypse
Connect With Us
  • Home
  • News
    • Alternative Music News
    • Metal News
    • Live News & Reviews
    • Other Music News
  • Reviews
    • Alternative Music
    • Film Reviews
    • Metal >
      • Metal II
      • Metal III
  • Interviews
    • Alternative Music Interviews
    • Metal Interviews
    • Music Related Interviews
  • Metal Scenes
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North & Central America
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Blogging
  • Extras
    • GMA Awards
    • GMA In The Press
    • Projects
    • Testimonials
  • Contact

GMA - Vol 211 - Cypecore, The Hypothesis, Nocturnal Hollow, Emphasis, Sinnery, Kratos, Against, Ordnance, Croword, Kill The Whore

12/5/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
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

Picture
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

Picture
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

Picture
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

Picture
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

Picture
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

Picture
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

Picture
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

Picture
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

Picture
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
1 Comment

GMA - Vol196 - Pitbulls In The Nursery, Wintercold, Cruadalach, Winterage, Flamedrop, Brezno, Dreaded Mortuary, Waterland, Rezistor, Evolvent

14/10/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
PITBULLS IN THE NURSERY
'Equanimity'
KLONOSPHERE

France seems to have a love affair with the Progressive, Technical and Death Metal sub-genres as the latest installment in the genres metal history becomes real. 'Equanimity' is the second album by Pitbulls In The Nursery and it has enough bite to give you a severe case of 'headbangulitis'. Mixing sheer brutality and velocity with technical elements so precise, that even Einstein would not be able to figure them out. Taking the eccentric 'Insiders' and lengthy 'Your Dream's Not Mine', it is clear that the Pitbulls have got their vision for a refreshed Modern Metal well and truly recognized. If Gorod and Gojira were to produce offspring, Pitbulls In The Nursery would be the offspring you never saw coming, as they bring the apocalyptic, cataclysmic sound of full-on volatile metal to the forefront, you have been warned.

Download This: "Insiders" - Click here to listen (link tba)

For Fans of: Gorod, Gojira, The Faceless

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
WINTERCOLD
'Paradise Is Not Here'
SALUTE

One of the latest releases by Wintercold is a single featuring two tracks, the first 'Paradise Is Not Here' is an instrumental and the second is a cover of Blitz's 'Razors In The Night'. Mastered once again by multi-instrumentalist Satanic Tony, this instrumental is loaded with enough doom and gloom to set the atmosphere straight, make the hairs on your neck stand up and position itself as a truly remarkable work of art. Standing at a whopping 14 minutes long, this instrumental will keep fans of Gothic Doom Metal entertained indefinitely whilst the cover offers a far more heavier and brutal side to the release; with of course Tony's infamous raspy, raw vocals. Limited to a run of 20 copies, this will be a sought-after single in the underground metal scene. 'Paradise Is Not Here' is without a doubt, a delightful listen.

Get the single from the official Salute Records website here

For Fans of: Demorian, Gothic Doom Metal

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
CRUADALACH
'Rebel Against Me'
METALGATE

Arguably the Czech Republic's answer to Switzerland's Eluveitie, purveyors of Folk-laden Melodic Death Metal. Four years since their debut album, it was inevitable that Cruadalach would return to splatter a second offering across the Folk / Melodic Death Metal spectrum, by infusing Bohemian folk sounds (or wider Slavic) with bouncy aggressive beats, this octet set the bar high for fellow Czech folk metal bands to do better. Whilst perhaps leaning towards more of a Pagan Metal sound, this does not detract the music from becoming related to perhaps the Russian or Ukrainian approach, but rather setting itself up as standalone approach. For the seasoned metalhead who is indulgent in folk metal and melodic death metal in-tow, 'Rebel Against Me' guarantees to wet your whiskers. Cruadalach will certainly maintain a cult following whilst building upon the 'Bohemian Folk Metal' sound.

Download This: "Life-Worshipping Bastards" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Eluveitie, Netherfell, Dalriada

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
WINTERAGE
'The Harmonic Passage'
INDEPENDENT

As orchestrated as Fleshgod Apocalypse, symphonic as Rhapsody of Fire and elegant as Lacuna Coil, Winterage are the latest installment in the vibrant Italian Metal scene. Marching in with their debut album 'The Harmonic Passage', this inquisitive sextet utilize the majestic sounds of Power Metal with the gracefulness of Symphonic Metal to brood their own dramatic result. One that echoes the upper echelons of bygone operettas and modernizes the antiquarian nature of Italian renaissance masterpieces. In a nutshell 'The Harmonic Passage' is an honorable nod to the bygone years of classic opera, the already-veteran Italian Metal scene and lends itself as a path for new Symphonic Power Metal bands to follow. Lasting a sensational 70 minutes, this debut effort should draw attention from suited labels who would wish to take Winterage under their wings.

Check out: "Winterage - The Harmonic Passage EP teaser" - click here to view.

For Fans of: Rhapsody Of Fire, Therion, Avantasia

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
FLAMEDROP
'Thoughts On Fire'
INDEPENDENT

Flamedrop are probably that one band you never thought you would see coming, well embrace it because this Hungarian horde are here to stay. Mustering up a cataclysmic of thunderous riffs, ground-shaking drums and vocals so vicious, venomous snakes are set to become obsolete. This quintet's debut album 'Thoughts On Fire' certainly ticks all of the boxes that guarantee it to be an instant hit across Europe if not the Hungarian Metal scene, it is brim-full of power, heaviness, brutality and technicality. There is no doubt that the following release will have to be extra-special to knock this one for six, because by this effort if Flamedrop are not snapped up by a major metal label, then clearly there is something wrong with this industry; 'Thoughts On Fire' is an easy contender for Hungarian Metal release of the year.

For Fans of: The Haunted, Arch Enemy, Malefice

Download This: "Cruel Intentions" - click here to listen

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
BREZNO
'Kri'
INDEPENDENT

Four years on from their excellent debut EP, Slovenia's Brezno have shown no signs of stopping by delivering their debut album 'Kri' released last year. Maintaining their devotion to singing in the Slovene language, the sextet make no mistake at making their first effort a memorable one. Remaining true to their roots, Brezno once again prove themselves to be a key part in the 'New Wave of Slovenian Folk Metal' alongside the likes of Zaria and Avven, with 'Kri' providing Brezno a platform to build upon, we may very well see more of this tight-unit. Alongside their early Bloodstock appearance, it is inevitable that sometime in the future they will make their return, well with 'Kri' as decent as it is, it would be a high demand for their return.

Download This: "V Nebo" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Avven, Zaria, Dalriada

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
DREADED MORTUARY
'Vulgar Way To Die'
INDEPENDENT

To think that Indonesia is the only South-East Asian to produce quality Thrash Metal is a complete understatement, take for example Dreaded Mortuary's second album 'Vulgar Way To Die', it has enough Slayer in it to make Slayer retire early. This 30 minute adventure offers listeners a brutal onslaught of the classic 80's Thrash Metal sound, full on fast music with enough brutality to make you crack your head open. But whilst this is a solid album in it's own right, it is nothing new and therefore might just appear to be another Thrash Metal release to many, but despite this it still packs a punch and then some. 'Vulgar Way To Die' certainly gives Dreaded Mortuary the upper hand in staking their claim as a successful Filipino Metal export, watch them with interest.

Watch this: "Vulgar Way To Die teaser" - click here to watch/listen

For Fans of: Slayer, Megadeth, 80's Thrash Metal

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
WATERLAND
'Our Nation'
INDEPENDENT

Be honest, Portugal is one of those countries that doesn't really get much attention when it comes to metal music with the exception of Moonspell. Take away the veil and you find a fired-up, pacey metal scene and it's bands like Waterland who keep it going. Take their third album 'Our Nation', it's sensational blend of Symphonic, Melodic and Power Metal gives it that so-called 'Epcot' feel, the sort of vibes experienced at the Disney park. Either that or the sort of sound that would give Portugal their long-awaited win at the Eurovision Song Contest. It is because of the contrasting sounds, that this album can be considered one of the best albums to emerge from the underground melodic / symphonic metal scene in years. 'Our Nation' can easily be considered a contender for Portuguese Metal release of the year, with it's emphatic transcending symphonies, bouncy melodies and majestic heaviness, there is no real room to argue against said statement.

Download This: "Land Of Dreams" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Dotma, Seraphim

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
REZISTOR
'By Any Means Necessary'
INDEPENDENT

Despite the effort displayed on the second album by Romanian Groove Thrashers Rezistor, it lacks that wow factor. 'By Any Means Necessary' constitutes as your average Groove / Thrash Metal release and so with that in mind, don't expect anything special. That said the composition is still a worthy listen, it just does not carry the ability to convince that it is a label-signing release. Given the album is 30 minutes long, it is a rather short, if not unexpected disappointment. The drums deal justice, whilst the vocals and guitars lack any authentic stamping-power, leaving the album to revel in the 'what-could-have-been' category. If Rezistor want to gain a name for themselves across 'By Any Means Necessary', this album is almost certainly not going to do it.

Download This: "Wake Up!" - Click here to listen

For Fans of: late-Sepultura, Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

Picture
EVOLVENT
'Whatever Happens'
BERNETT

France's love affair with Symphonic Gothic Metal continues with Evolvent's second album 'Whatever Happens', following such a strong debut album (2011) and a below-par EP (2014) the anxiety of whether this album would be decent was on the table. Suffice to say, 'Whatever Happens' is a rampaging voyage across blackened symphony after blackened symphony, with tantalizingly erotic vocals and an electric atmosphere, it is clear that this album was built to cast away the band's demons. The result? Success. 'Whatever Happens' pays homage to the dramatic, the operatic and the atmospheric elements that form the foundation of the very Symphonic Gothic Metal sound, as for Evolvent this can be considered as their finest hour as they stand as one of France's unsung metal gems.

Download This: "Love Doesn't Love Me" - click here to listen

For Fans of: Within Temptation, Tarja-era Nightwish, The Hourglass (RO)

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON
0 Comments

    If you enjoy reading this content, please consider a donation

    Donate

    Metal III

    3rd Chronicles of Metal Music Reviews

    © 2011-2022
    Global Metal Apocalypse


    

    Archives

    May 2021
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    April 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All
    Afghanistan
    Åland Islands
    Albania
    Algeria
    Alternative
    Ambiant
    Andorra
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Atmospheric
    Australia
    Austria
    Avant Garde
    Azerbaijan
    Bahrain
    Balearic Islands
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Basque Country
    Belarus
    Belgium
    Belize
    Black
    Bolivia
    Bosnia-Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brunei
    Brutal
    Bulgaria
    Cambodia
    Canada
    Catalonia
    Celtic
    Channel Islands
    Chile
    China
    Christian
    Colombia
    Comedy
    Compilation
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Crossover
    Crust Punk
    Cuba
    Cyber
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dance
    Dark
    Death
    Deathcore
    Denmark
    Depressive
    Djent
    Dominican Republic
    Doom
    Drone
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    EHM
    Electro
    Electronicore
    El Salvador
    England
    Epic
    Estonia
    Experimental
    Extreme
    Faroe Islands
    Film Score
    Finland
    Flamenco
    Folk
    France
    Georgia
    Germany
    Glam
    Goregrind
    Gothic
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grindcore
    Groove
    Grunge
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Hardcore
    Hard Rock
    Hawaii
    Heavy
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    Incan
    India
    Indonesia
    Industrial
    Instrumental
    International
    Iran
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Japan
    Jersey
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kosovo
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lapland
    Latin
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lithuania
    Live
    Luxembourg
    Macedonia (FYROM)
    Madeira
    Malaysia
    Malta
    Math
    Mauritius
    Mayan
    Melodic
    Melodic Death
    Metalcore
    Mexico
    Middle Eastern
    Modern
    Moldova
    Morocco
    Neo Classical
    Neo-Classical
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Neue Deutsche Härte
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Northern Ireland
    North Macedonia
    Norway
    Nsbm
    Nu
    Old School
    Old-School
    Oman
    Operatic
    Orchestral
    Oriental
    Pagan
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papua New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Parody Metal
    Peru
    Pirate
    Poland
    Pop Metal
    Portugal
    Post Hardcore
    Post Metal
    Post Metalcore
    Power
    Progressive
    Psychedelia
    Puerto Rico
    Punk
    Qatar
    Quebec
    Raw Black
    Romania
    Russia
    Samurai
    Saudi Arabia
    Scotland
    Serbia
    Shoegaze
    Singapore
    Slam
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Sludge
    Soundtrack
    South Africa
    Southern
    South Korea
    Space
    Spain
    Speed
    Sri Lanka
    Stoner
    Suriname
    Svalbard
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Symphonic
    Syria
    Taiwan
    Tango
    Technical
    Thailand
    The Azores
    The Philippines
    Thrash
    Thrashcore
    Trance
    Trinidad & Tobago
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    UAE
    Uganda
    UK
    Ukraine
    Uruguay
    Usa
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Viking
    Visual Kei
    Wales

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly