 LYNCHPIN 'God Complex' INDEPENDENT It might well be presumptuous to call Lynchpin leaders of the Caribbean Metal scene, but they certainly are strong enough to carry the scene forward. Hailing from Trinidad & Tobago, this Progressive Death unit wager themselves against fate as their latest effort 'God Complex' catapults them into the limelight with their recent announcement of them competing for a slot at Wacken Open Air 2016. Far from your glitzy tech-laden European Progressive Metal style, Lynchpin opt for a more practical approach and instead join allegiance with the likes of Gojira, Opeth and Machine Head. 'God Complex' gives Lynchpin some hope at cementing their place at Wacken, but for now they stand tall as unarguably the finest Trinidadian music export the Caribbean island nation has ever seen. If you love your Gojira, you'll love Lynchpin hands down. Download This: "Softest Floor" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Gojira, Machine Head, Opeth [8] RHYS STEVENSON  PYRAWEED 'Inside Green Chaos (live @ Le Chateau)' INDEPENDENT What makes a live album decent depends on two things, how clear is the music and how organic the recording is. It needs to be clear but not too much in order to avoid being accused of being 'refined', on the other hand it needs clarity to avoid it becoming trashy and not organic. Pyraweed's debut live album certainly carries the hallmarks of a D.I.Y live album, you know it's as if you were in the crowded-out Le Chateau rock bar. Never letting a note go awry, Azerbaijan's Pyraweed deliver a delicious slab of live Sludge / Stoner Metal that would appeal to any fan of the said genres. With thick bass elements holding up the gritty riffs and angry vocals, this is a live album to savor. Given the relatively small but ever-strengthening Azerbaijani Metal scene, Pyraweed certainly know how to deliver a rather sensational live performance, even if it's recorded. Download This: "Green Bullet" - Click here to listen For Fans of: The Melvins, Baroness, Kylesa [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  MA'ANISH 'Under The Fig Tree' INDEPENDENT 'Under The Fig Tree', the band dub it Technical Progressive Death Metal, we call it 'Experimental Death Metal'. There are a ton of genres going on here and to think that you can headbang to the beat would be a generous overstatement. Despite the inability to keep to time, the album does however reward its listeners with over forty minutes of Tech / Progressive slapped Death Metal that would please anyone who dares listen to it. There's the slow and progressive "Let It Burn" and then there's the absolutely crazy and mindbogglingly fast "Revolution \ Evolution", both evidently offering a wider choice than at first conceived when going through the album. Whilst this is a solid and decent effort, it will require a tad more effort and greater accuracy when experimenting to establish a name well and truly outside of Israel, the Middle East and perhaps Eastern Europe. Download This: "Revolution \ Evolution" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Periphery, early-Sepultura, Testament [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  THE ORDER OF ELIJAH 'War At Heart' LUXOR When Metalcore reached it's peak it became harder for bands to evade the generic over-cliche sound of riffs and breakdowns romancing each other, then came Motionless In White with their Gothic-tinged outlook and now it's The Order Of Elijah's turn. Who'd have thought that mixing Technical Metal and elements of Melodic Metal would conjure up what you could theoretically call 'Experimenticore'? Because let's face it with the sudden shift in riff pace and sound, coupled with the brutality of the rampaging vocals, and the drums providing the final smacking, you would automatically admit that the latest effort by this Missouri machine has stapled itself to the very hear of 'Experimental Metal'. Make of it as you wish, 'War At Heart' is one album to be taken seriously as it demands utmost attention. Deathcore has Whitechapel, but Metalcore now has The Order Of Elijah. Download This: "God's Unwanted Children" For Fans of: Whitechapel, Born Of Osiris, The Browning 'War At Heart' is out now via Luxor Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON  DENIGRATE 'Hollowpoint' INDEPENDENT Possibly considered as a one-off release, 'Hollowpoint' certainly stirs up the emotions as the melancholic and emphatic sounds caress your soul and mind with every passing second. Making a comeback is never easy, but given the strength of the album Denigrate certainly seem to have a lot more to give to the Finnish Gothic Metal movement. Whilst perhaps not as dark or hallowing as fellow countrymen HIM, Poisonblack or the late Vanguard, Denigrate don't lay a finger wrong on this album and as a result unleash a record to be proud of. With harmonic vocals leading the charge and the musical elements providing a solidified atmosphere, this is an album that deserves a nod or two. Twelve years have passed since their debut, and yet they manage to whip out a delicious release, what more can you ask from the quartet? Download This: "My Corrupted Soul" For Fans of: Poisonblack, The 69 Eyes, Paradise Lost [8] RHYS STEVENSON  ELIZIUM 'Elysium' STF It's sad to see that sometimes, bands do not know when exactly it is their time to pack up their instruments and disband. Despite the effort demonstrated on 'Elysium', the album as a whole does not make the cut, it fails to ignite any interest and instead gives itself a bad name as a supposed 'Gothic / Doom Metal' release. For the Dutch band Elizium, this is quite detrimental to their lengthy career but it seems as if the curtains are ready to be drawn to a close. Quite frankly you could easily fall asleep to this release and not regret missing a bit, again the effort is there but without the rousing ability to make jaws drop, this album will just fall to the wayside as a pitiful waste. 'Elysium' may well appeal to the hardened Gothic Doom contingent, but for the average metalhead it's just another yawn away from boredom. Download This: "Elysium" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Draconian, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride [5] RHYS STEVENSON  HORDAK 'Padre' CASUS BELLI MUSICA 'Celtiberian Pagan Metal' has officially become a new form of Folk Metal, well given it's pioneers appear to be one of few bands who actually could use the term, it seems apt then for Hordak to adopt it. The Spanish contingent return to deliver their next installment in their career with the raucous sounds of 'Padre' at the forefront. Album number four, 'Padre' stamps its authority with a convincing sound, it's raw infectious elements gnaw at your ears with the savage bite begging for your anticipation. With the vocals as gritty and grueling as they are, it only makes sense that the music be as bleak and hostile as the Celtiberian and Roman conflicts. 'Padre' is a well-made Pagan Metal and will certainly give Hordak a boost across the European landscape. Good job they made their own genre, because that is the best way to describe them. Download This: "Soaring" For Fans of: Arkona, Heidevolk, Celtiberian (of course) [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  ARCANE SYMPHONY 'A New Day Begins...' INDEPENDENT Symphonic Metal with female vocals is always a godsend and Arcane Symphony are no exception, the Russian quintet muster together a sound that is just as powerful as Anna Volodina's vocals are angelic. 'A New Day Begins...' is the band's debut album and it heralds praise from the moment you kick off the first song, brimming full of elegance, power and eroticism, Arcane Symphony have it all sussed out. With the atmospherics as cold as a Siberian winter, guitars as savage as aged vodka and vocals as majestic as the Moscow State Circus, it would be stupid to knock off this lot as just another Female-fronted Symphonic act. Open up the heavens, let the rain pour and enjoy what this quintet have conjured up. Arcane Symphony are a band to watch in 2016, they will be knocking at your door with their infectious sounds. Download This: "A New Day Begins" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Tarja-era Nightwish, Lanewin, Within Temptation [9] RHYS STEVENSON  SHOW ME WOLVES 'The World They Took Over' FALSE BEING PRODS. If you didn't feel dazed and confused before listening to this release, you probably will be once you're finished. Creating some rather freakishly eerie sounds and instating a spine-chilling atmosphere is what Show Me Wolves clearly intended to do on their second offering 'The World They Took Over'. Masterminded by Icelander Hörður Lúðvíksson, the evident wafting in and out of Progressive, Black and Avant-Garde Metal seems all too paramount when summing up the album, but it has been done in such a way that you cannot begin to comprehend how Hörður Lúðvíksson conjured up the music ideas in the first place. By drifting from slow atmospherics and gritty vocals to fast, sometimes Metalcore-like and progressive-laden sounds, 'The World They Took Over' is a treasure to behold, the magic is there all right, just let it in. Download This: "Mother" For Fans of: She Must Burn, Ne Obliviscaris, Ihsahn 'The World They Took Over' is out 16th January via False Being Productions. [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  MARIO TURIS
'Luminance' INDEPENDENT Space Metal is a relatively new conceptual genre, even though it can bounce off of the likes of Modern Metal and Cyber Metal it has a distinctive element to it. Take for example the premier EP by Slovakian instrumentalist Mario Turis, 'Luminance' lashes together elements of Progressive Metal and Symphonic Metal to develop a sound that demands its own unique recognition. It's all you could wish for from an agile release, it's fast, heavy and flashy, yet it lacks vocals with could hinder it somewhat. However Mario's tenacity towards creating a sound so technically simple has enabled the EP to escape any considerable comparison against other bands indeed releases, so if you're thinking of wanting a space-like feel to any game or film soundtrack, forget the Hollywood catalog and go for a musical-genius-in-development as Mario Turis will certainly make a name for himself given this effort. Download This: "Stardustborn" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Cypher16, Dol Ammad, The Kovenant [7] RHYS STEVENSON
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 BLACKDRAWN 'Blackdrawn' BD MUSIC Now you might well have thought that because of Greece's demoralizing and brutal economic downfall that the quality of metal would deplete as a result; not to mention quality of gear and services available, well, you would be mistaken. Enter Blackdrawn, the new kids on the block who come armed with their rather unforgiving blend of mystical keyboard elements, technical groove riffery, blazing drums and not to mention vocals so gritty they would embed in your soul for eternity. Eloquently expressed, the self-debut album by this Greek unit lashes together the aforementioned Groove / Tech combination with elements of Nordic Melodic Death Metal, conjuring up what could be accepted as part of the 'new wave of Modern Metal'. Already set to perform as support to Arch Enemy in November, Blackdrawn are the Greek Metal band you never saw coming. Simply magical. Download This: "What I Am" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Soilwork, In Flames, DevilDriver [9.5] RHYS STEVENSON  STORM 'Storm's A Brewin' ' TIN IDOL PRODS. Granted the USA has a gargantuan range of metal bands stretching across from the Atlantic to Pacific West, but ever thought of Hawaiian Metal? Well emerging from the secluded island archipegalo is the female-fronted Gothic Metal band Storm with their infectious debut album 'Storm's A Brewin' '. Borrowing properties from the Doom Metal and Symphonic Metal styles, this quintet certainly have ambition on their mind as proven with this effort, despite lacking something that would make this album extra special; no idea what it is, but it's lacking something, Storm certainly are looking the real deal when it comes down to initiative and original-thinking throughout constructing these hallowing and spine-chilling songs. With this album, Storm are leading the Hawaiian Metal scene to greater recognition. Download This: "Angel Eyes" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Evanescence, Lacuna Coil, Paradise Lost [8] RHYS STEVENSON  ORDO CAPER 'Promo 2015' ONLY DEATH'S REAL. Costa Rica in recent years has been enjoying a flourishing of metal bands emerging from the pits of the underground to more continental and international recognition. The latest to make this move is Death Metal duo Ordo Caper of whose 2015 promo exhibits more of the old-school Death Metal style, rather than the polished-off kind you find all too common these days. What also makes this release all the more interesting is one of the songs 'Igbodu', simply because trying to google what it means and not getting anywhere demands more curiosity to be given. The only immediate downside to this promo (and what can you expect?) is that at times the vocals override the music too much, the drums fade too much and thus you're left quite unsure of what to make of the promo holistically. Download This: "Red Moon Ritual" - Get the promo from the band via their Facebook here For Fans of: Morbid Angel, Old-School Death Metal [6.5] RHYS STEVENSON  ARES 'Divine Creation' SLEASZY RIDER We've already ascertained that the Japanese Metal scene is built upon breaking the rules, saying no to taboo issues in context with metal music itself, and supporting that notion with their second album 'Divine Creation', is the trio Ares. This is not Melodic Death Metal as you know it, there is much more going on to even demand it's own genre from which can be called 'Modern Apocalyptic Metal'. Seriously there are elements of Symphonic Metal, Power Metal and Metalcore that all combine together to create a sound that is sensationally mind-blowing, one that inevitably demanded a record label deal and one that will catapult Ares higher in the Asian, if not the Japanese Metal scene. Granted the production might well have helped, despite it possibly being naff, sometimes the bad things are actually ironically good. Keep this band in your line of sight, they are sure to make waves. Download This: "New Created Sky" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Arch Enemy, Demonic Resurrection, 'Modern Metal' [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  DRAUGÛL 'Chronicles Untold' PESTTANZ KLANGSCHMIEDE Be honest it's always fascinating when a solo project or a band focuses on singing about topics totally unrelated to where they are from. So when Sweden-based project Draugûl divulges in Nordic mythology and Tolkien-related subjects, immediately the thought of Swedish musicians comes to mind, except that this project has its roots in Malta. Geographical differences aside, Draugûl revels in the Epic Viking Metal style and broods it well with the third full-length album 'Chronicles Untold', but it's stuff we've heard before in other forms and as a result the project probably cannot escape being compared to similar bard-like bands. Putting that notion aside, 'Chronicles Untold' does what it intends to do and does so gracefully, there is no doubt it will capture the attention of Folk Metal addicts, but for the broader metal-listener it might fall short of anything interesting. In short, the album is decent but definitely not groundbreaking nor incomparable. Buy the album here: Draugûl - Chronicles Untold For Fans of: Windir, Watain, Faun [7] RHYS STEVENSON  AGE OF DUST 'Messenger In A Soulless World' INDEPENDENT As far as Operatic Metal goes, this is a new chapter in the genre and without a doubt the small-but-strong Catalan Metal scene. Unleashing their majestic and energetic masterpiece 'Messenger In A Soulless World', is trio Age Of Dust. Drawing the beauty, elegance and dramatics from musical scores like 'The Phantom of the Opera', Age of Dust are positioning themselves as Spain's answer to Sweden's long-running Therion. With 50 minutes of pure lively 'beauty and the beast' serenades rampaging throughout, you would be silly to knock off 'Messenger In A Soulless World' as just another Symphonic Metal album. High hopes are expected of this group and there next outings will be closely watched with interest, what with a choir providing background substance this could develop into something rather interesting to say the least. Download This: "No Shade Of Grey" - click here to listen For Fans of: Therion, Epica, Lacuna Coil [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  LUCIFERUM PENIS '15 Years of Silence and Rituals' SALUTE For a band who has been going 15 years, you'd have thought that by now their sound would have been refined, matured and tolerable. Unfortunately Luciferum Penis have not followed that pattern, instead what you are faced with when listening to their monumental '15 Years of Silence and Rituals' compilation, is in short a waste of air. There is very little redeemable quality on this release and despite it's obvious kvlt status, it fails to capture any real imagination and lacks that convincing element. However for those who associate themselves with the more extreme, underground variant of Black Metal, this is an absolute diamond. But for the all-round metal listener, yeah, this doesn't hold interest on all of the songs, in fact the best one of the lot is 'Tenebris Irae' and to think that this one of the few acceptable songs on the compilation says something about the entire release right? Download This: "Tenebris Irae" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Satanic Warmaster, Behexen, Horna [5.5] RHYS STEVENSON  LOST IN PAIN 'Plague Inc.' NOISEWORKS If you seek classic Heavy Metal from the Benelux region, then look no further than Luxembourg's Lost In Pain. This quartet deliver a glorious splattering of Modern Heavy Metal with Old-School influences floating around in the background. Their second album 'Plague Inc.' builds upon their successful self-titled debut album and shows that they are a match for anyone, however they choose to build upon this effort will ultimately determine on whether they keep their feng shui intact. With the eccentricity of the riffs, power behind the drums, gritty vocals and unbelievably electric atmosphere, Lost In Pain's 'Plague Inc.' is a solid contender for Luxembourg Metal release of the year, they certainly would do well in the UK that's for sure. Download This: "Gone" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Steel Panther, Iron Maiden, Sister Sin [8] RHYS STEVENSON  SIROLL! 'Més llenya' BLOOD FIRE DEATH Now you probably would not have imagined Metallic Hardcore having a musical relationship with the Spanish language right? Well Siroll! have done exactly that and make their next sermon 'Més llenya' more brutal than being gored at The Running of the Bulls. But please refrain from using the term Spanishcore because one it sounds slightly silly and two it makes the band seem seclusive just because they're singing in their native tongue. 'Més llenya' comes loaded with riffs after juicy riffs, menacing vocals and drums so agile, Lionel Messi has been made redundant. If there was to be a cheeky tongue-in-cheek track it would be '902' because lets face it, it starts off with a phone ringing, it's random, weird and perhaps should not have been, or should it? You decide. Download This: "902" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Hatebreed, Converge, All Pigs Must Die [7] RHYS STEVENSON  CEREBRAL ABSCESS
'Promo 2015' PUTRESCENCE Low-fi recording, gritty, ballsy and downright dirty is what springs to mind when indulging in the the 2015 promo by Russian Brutal Death horde Cerebral Abscess. You can imagine it, extremely guttural sounds, noises, you get the idea. That is just the vocals, the guitars are so thick they seem almost non-apparent and the drums are so low it is as if they were in a recording studio the size of a football pitch. Despite this, the track called 'Exterpation Of The Brain' does have its merits in that it stays true to the designated genre, it just does not warrant any re-listening. It falls short of being called music but does not fall short of being noise, it just falls on it's knees and has very few qualities worth noting. Bit of luck this is a promotional demo right? Download the promo here For Fans of: Brutal Death Metal, Russian Gore Metal, 'noise?' [5] RHYS STEVENSON  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  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  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  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  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  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  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  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  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  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  EYES OF GAIA 'The Power Of Existence' INDEPENDENT As far as emphatic sounds goes, Eyes of Gaia's debut album 'The Power Of Existence' positions itself right at the pinnacle of powerful, yet epic masterpieces. Seven years have passed since their inception and so the wait for their debut album was truly worth it, featuring the noticeable Maiden-esque vocals, blistering-paced drums and heavy riff Armageddon. That said, Brazil has had a rich past in the classic heavy metal arena so it comes as no surprise that this album features such characteristics. But taking this album as a whole, it shows that Eyes of Gaia have the ability to do well and excel themselves as a metal group worldwide with their infectious take-on the classic heavy metal sound. Watch this band with interest. Download This: "Hidden From The Light" - Click here to listen For fans of: Iron Maiden, Dragonforce, Judas Priest, Motorhead [8] RHYS STEVENSON  HELION 'Duat's Calling' INDEPENDENT If you don't have a headache before listening to Helion's debut EP, you sure will afterwards. This filthy-rotten slab of Technical Death Metal wizardry is a testament to the sub-genre as it pummels out insanely fast drums, algorithmic riffs and vocals so brutal, Deathcore just became the new pop music. 'Duat's Calling' is the first offering by this Italian quartet and by jove it offers some elements of promise, it does however take some time to kick in. The only slight downside is that there appears to be too much going on at times and thus loses focus in becoming a respected debut EP. However diligence is soon paid off with an emphatic 12 minute epic that is 'Duat's Calling: The Cosmic Collision', a supersonic song that demands utmost attention. All in all 'Duat's Calling' may not be pretty, but it certainly is not the beast. Download This: "The Way Of Stars" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Neuraxis, Decapitated, 'Tech Death Metal' [7] RHYS STEVENSON  XUL 'Extinction Necromance' INDEPENDENT On the strength of their first EP 'Extinction Necromance', Canadian quintet Xul have their eyes on international recognition with their gritty-form of Blackened Death Metal. Maxing out at a whopping 30 minutes, this ferocious assault of blazing drums, raucous vocals and tight-as-a-nun's-arse riffs, collectively delivers a musical force to be reckoned with. Granted it is not as glorified as perhaps Behemoth or as dynamic as some of the Norwegian contingent, it does however offer a truly underground sound that would appeal to fans of Extreme Metal and ones who just like their meat, love it 100% raw. 'Extinction Necromance' is an important step for Xul, where they go now is one question, the other being can they surpass this effort with ease? Download This: "Orbit Of Nemesis" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Enslaved, Immortal, Behemoth [8] RHYS STEVENSON  SYNERGY PROTOCOL '2014 Demo' Last year saw the first demo by Dutch Prog Metal newbies Synergy Protocol, now whilst the band is new, the musicians themselves have been around for much, much longer. However their 2014 demo exhibits much of the old Prog Metal style and thus keeps the traditional aspects alive. Granted the recording is not at it's greatest and thus needs the volume turning up, but that's ok, because what greats you is a sensual yet erotic smacking of pure, crisp metal. Lasting for 22 minutes, this three-track effort certainly ticks the right boxes as a promising of things yet-to-come. Whatever this band does next is pretty much safeguarded for the expertise driving it, let's just see how their second offering pans out before seeing them as a resurgent Dutch force. Download This: "Puppet On A String (Live)" - Click here to listen For fans of: Dream Theater, To-Mera, Stream Of Passion [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  DAEMONA 'Il Demone Dentro' INDEPENDENT Arising as the East Anglian Death Machine, Daemona have no restrictions to their versatility as demonstrated on their debut demo "Il Demone Dentro", which is Italian for 'The Demon Inside'; the title of which was evidently crafted by lead vocalist Nina Pain. Executing a solid slab of Death Metal to wet your whiskers by is not always easy, but for this quintet it was simply taken in their stride. To think they are building themselves up to take on the mighty British Death Metal scene is an understatement, with this effort they have clearly demonstrated they are capable of slaughtering the globe with their chemically-engineered potion of destruction that is, 'Il Demone Dentro'. Watch this band with interest. Download This: "Grave Separator" - Click here for the 'live' version For Fans of: Cerebral Bore, Cannibal Corpse, Sanctorum [8] RHYS STEVENSON  IMPERIAL CULT 'Rise Of Yalamber' SALUTE India in the last two decades or so has seen a surge of metal exports. But fast forward to the last few years and it's bands like Imperial Cult who bear the honor for leading the Indian Metal scene. This Black / Death Metal outfit spew out a sound that bears the hallmark of Asian extreme metal, low and raw recordings with that added attitude that seems to have been born with the Himalayan nations. If you love your metal as raw as cow hide, as dirty as satanic sluts and as brutal as mass genocide, then you are probably reading about the right release. 'Rise Of Yalamber' being the band's debut EP offers an insight into things yet to come, here's hoping they keep this power and grimness together for the years ahead, because this band offers a lot of potential. Download this: "Pain Of Mortals" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Keep Of Kalessin, Necrophobic, Immortal [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  EXALTER 'Democrasodomy' SALUTE Ensure that you are fit and well to headbang yourself to death when listening to Exalter's debut EP 'Democrasodomy', because it is one not to be taken lightly, in fact this is some serious shit. Bangladeshi Thrash Metal tends to get overlooked on the international stage and as a result gets largely ignored, but with Exalter's effort having enough fury to blow out a platoon of tanks, the only solution is to give this band your immediate attention. With infectious riffs rampaging like a thing possessed, drums providing the solidified backdrop and unforgiving, unrelenting and ungodly lashes of Slayer-esque vocals, it would be idiotic to disregard Exalter as a force to be reckoned with. 'Democrasodomy' is a testament to the 80's Thrash Metal onslaught and serves as a honorable yet leading release in the Bangladeshi Metal scene. Download This: "White Phosphorus Shell" - Click here to listen For fans of: Slayer, Evile, Sepultura [8] RHYS STEVENSON  SPEEDEMON 'First Blood' Looking beyond Portugal's sole export Moonspell and you come across a small-yet-burgeoning metal scene, one band in particular looks set to send out their own branded form of Speed / Thrash Metal to the masses. Speedemon is a four-piece beast who roars with such ferocity, we heard them over here in the UK, and their premier EP 'Firstblood' is to blame. Now whilst to some it may appear simply as another Judas Priest-Slayer mish mash, it does offer something special in that it is totally 100% original in composition - sure influences are clear enough, but at least the riffs are not recycled, and at least they don't sound like a cloned band. For a good solid 14 minutes, it is well worth checking this EP out if you get boners over Judas Priest especially, be sure to have the tissues ready... just in case. Speedemon are flying the flag for the Portuguese Metal scene. Download This: "Blood Runs Cold" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Judas Priest, Slayer, 'Speed Thrash Metal' [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  KOBOLD 'Madman's Overture' Serbia's rich Thrash Metal heritage should be something to go by when considering fresh metal bands emerging off the streets. Kobold for example exploit the very expectations you would have for a Thrash Metal EP, chaotic riffs, infectious drums and gritty vocals. 'Madman's Overture' lasts for a respectable 22 minutes, with three tracks leading the charge. So if you asked for some Thrash Metal that is designed to crush your skull into nothingness, then you are reading the right review. The first outing for these chaps certainly yields promising times ahead and whilst the music delivers a rather rewarding, yet crisp satisfaction, the expectation for something better arises as a result. Given this was recorded in their own studio, the output is sublime in every aspect. Download This: "Madman's Overture EP" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Suicidal Tendencies, Gama Bomb, Slayer [8] RHYS STEVENSON  ASHTAR
'Ilmasaari' CZAR OF CRICKETS PRODUCTIONS Upon listening to Ashtar's debut album 'Ilmasaari', you start to think to yourself 'where do i begin in thinking what my thoughts of this release are?', because simply put it is a thought-invoking and dank album that demands complete attention to it. This Finnish-Swiss duo pair up the depressive atmospherics of Doom Metal, the thick sounds of Sludge Metal with the embodiment of Black Metal to create a sound that is almost as if Sun O))), Kylesa and Woods Of Ypres had a threesome and produced offspring in the form of Ashtar. However whilst 'Ilmasaari' may not be in the ranks of awesome, it certainly has the potential to prick a few ears up and is sure to gain some attention across Europe, for now at least. Download This: "She Was A Witch" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Kylesa, Woods Of Ypres, Katatonia, Sun O))) [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  ANACHRONISM 'Reflecting The Inside' INDEPENDENT Get the aspirin ready and prepare yourself for the worst headache you have ever had, because that is exactly what Anachronism's premier EP 'Reflecting The Inside' will do to you. Beg for mercy because you're going to god-damn need it when listening to this "apocalyptic death metal" release, by mixing together the tight-ass elements of Technical Metal with some of the grittiest and grueling Death Metal vocals you'll ever come across from said genre, this Swiss five-piece have crafted a release that ought to perk a few record labels' ears up and pay attention. Slamming and tantalizingly brutal at every second, 'Reflecting The Inside' is your death warrant written in the musical format, now organize the pits, align the walls of death and let f*cking merry hell take over. You want pummeling and intensely-calculated Technical Death Metal? Look no further. Your answer lies with Anachronism. Download This: "A Way To Emptiness" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Suffocation, Cryptopsy, Gojira [9] RHYS STEVENSON  SENSORIUM 'The Art Of Living' INDEPENDENT It is safe to say that the Israeli Metal scene is enjoying a successful establishment on planet earth and it's latest products, Sensorium, has delivered what could be considered as a candidate for 'Israeli release of the year'. 'The Art Of Living' is the band's debut album and it resides deep within the Power Metal and Operatic Metal styles, with emphatic keyboard elements cementing a harmonious atmosphere and the vocals sounding highly reminiscent of the Phantom of the Opera film, 'The Art Of Living' is a new chapter in the ever-differentiating Power Metal sub-genre. Maxed out at 69 minutes long, this erotic opus grabs your attention and never loses it as it twists and turns and delivers unexpected sounds at every passing second. For Sensorium this is a great start and they have already demonstrated that greater things are yet to come and in doing so, establish them as the next great Israeli Metal export. Download This: "Haunting Verity" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Sabaton, Therion [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  BLUDY GYRES 'Bludy Gyres' INDEPENDENT So if you have over 20 minutes spare to listen to a two-track EP, you're either mad or completely bored. But both possibilities are worth it, since Bludy Gyres' self-titled EP delivers an orgasmic display of Progressive Doom Metal. The problem is, it lacks that one strike that would cast it as a good release. One of the good parts of the EP resonates with the song "To Live Is To Bleed" which comes from a Scottish ballad by Robert Burns written in 1782. Other than that, the EP lacks redeeming qualities, sure this may seem contradictory with respect to the orgasmic quip, but these orgasms come every so often because the tracks seem too dull to endure. But the time will come when this American quartet arrange the right notes to create a release that would at least warrant a second listening, this EP is not that release. Download This: "To Live Is To Bleed" - Click here to listen For Fans of: "Progressive Doom Metal", early-Black Sabbath, Novembers Doom [6] RHYS STEVENSON  DOWN RIGHT DIRTY 'Drunk And On Drugs' INDEPENDENT Well if you want your cliche 80's style Thrash Metal, once again it is here, but you got to love it to appreciate it. Canadian Thrash whackers Down Right Dirty take no prisoners when it comes to delivering cock-snapping songs, this is clearly evident on their debut EP 'Drunk And On Drugs' as it explodes with the sound of roaring-riffs, blitzing drums and savage vocals. Now imagine your head being smashed against the wall in rapid outbursts, this is the sheer force and reckoning power that 'Drunk And On Drugs' holds in store for anyone who dare listens to it. With ten tracks available to destroy your hearing by, by the tenth song you will have forgotten what the first one sounds like, let alone being deafened by it all.... ok, so maybe 'Drunk And On Drugs' is not a groundbreaking release, it doesn't have to be in order to pack a punch. Download This: "Fuck You Pay Me" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Slayer, Biohazard, Agnostic Front [7] RHYS STEVENSON  DEIFIED 'Chaos, Blood & War' INDEPENDENT Dropping their debut EP 'Chaos, Blood & War' is Greek Heavy / Power Metal mob Deified, what comes with this EP is the imminent face-smacking sound of majestic vocals, this seems to be the most outstanding part of the EP albeit the solo's being cleverly crafted, and the rest of the music seemingly befitting the standards of said metal genre. 'Chaos, Blood & War' is a testament to the epic tales from the Greek mythology realm and pays homage to the Greek Metal scene as a potential release for Deified to use in order to propel themselves from. Granted it is nothing new, and now and then demonstrates a lack of creativity, it does however serve its purpose as the first effort by this quintet, no doubt there is more to come - we have not heard the last of this group, not at all. Download This: "Chaos, Blood & War" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Blind Guardian, Achelous, Iron Maiden [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  GROTESKH 'Code: End' CURSED If there was a metal version of the Eurovision Song Contest, then Groteskh would easily represent Austria; Lordi for Finland mind you. The thing about Black Metal is, you can have it blisteringly fast or atmospherically depressing, Groteskh however utilize the best of both styles, with each song on their second album 'Code: End' offering a variety of paces, elements and ultimately extreme metal as the vocals flirt with both the Black and Death Metal sub-genres. Groteskh are showing that they are ready to be recognized as Austria's next successful metal export. With the effort shown on this unforgiving, yet cranial-crushing Black Metal album, they can build on this and aim for major festivals in the year(s) ahead. If you think you know Black Metal, you are mistaken, for this is trve kvlt Black Metal. Download This: "Displaced Axis" - Click here to listen For fans of: Abigor, Carpathian Forest, Eastern Front [8] RHYS STEVENSON  OKAZAKI FRAGMENTS 'Abandoned' INDEPENDENT Well it's certainly correct to note that Okazaki Fragments have discovered the DNA found within the Death Metal / Grindcore partnership, with the drums powering their debut album 'Abandoned' through all forces of velocity, it would seem that this whacky Canadian bunch have done their homework and studied how said metal genre combination works. Pig squeals, tight-arse time signatures and a brutalizing wall-of-sound pummel your senses into a squashed pulp. For a debut album this is a statement of intent, that Okazaki Fragments are priming themselves to become another successful metal band to be shat out of the streets of Canada. Just be sure to have the aspirin at the ready, as it's one of those albums that never takes a break, and could easily be considered as Canadian metal release of the year. Download This: "Vermin" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Psyopus, Aborted, Prostitute Disfigurement [8] RHYS STEVENSON  CONGIURA 'iBlood' SLIPTRICK Who'd have thought a metal band could make Melodic Death Metal so damn funky, that it takes control of your body and makes you move every single muscle? Well Italy's Congiura have nailed that right on the spot, their debut album 'iBlood' might be flooding out your senses with erotic Gothenburg-style Melodic Death Metal, but with the added post-rock influences, it doubles up as a 'Death Dance Metal' album. 'iBlood' uniquely takes you on a journey throughout the tunnels of the Modern Metal as it reaps your mind and controls the thousands of neurons to make you move to the groove exhibited all over this fantastic release. With an adventurous sound to the riffs, dramatic drum elements, vicious vocals and an atmospheric more powerful than an atomic bomb, 'iBlood' is one album you must have in your collection, there is simply no exception. Download This: 'iBlood' - Click here to listen to their 'iBlood' music video For fans of Amon Amarth, In Flames, Dark Tranquility [9] RHYS STEVENSON  CRUCIFIED BARBARA 'In The Red' DESPOTZ In 2014 the Swedish Hard Rock / Heavy Metal bombshells Crucified Barbara delivered their fourth album 'In The Red'. Eight months on and it still rocks your socks off, full of attitude and grit, this latest outing is the very definition of what makes female rock / metal musicians that extra-sexy, not just because of the looks, but they make the music far more powerful and vibrant than their male counterparts. 'In The Red' carries on the Swedish Hard Rock revival with enough oomph in the band's lockers, they could tour with fellow countrymen Sister Sin and make a sensational pact. As for their latest release, it's highly self-explanatory and does not take much to work out what the album is all about, that said you would need to have a shot of whiskey or jagermeister at the ready, cause this is a drinking album! Chin-chin!. Download This: "I Sell My Kids For Rock 'N' Roll" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Sister Sin, Vanilla Ninja, Kobra & The Lotus [8] RHYS STEVENSON  PAEAN
'Scorn Of Eternity' INDEPENDENT It's not all that often you find a Progressive Death Metal band have the guts to bolt on another metal genre to create a unique sound, such a band who has taken that bold step is Paean from Estonia. By combining Progressive Death Metal music with Doom Metal atmospherics, their debut album 'Scorn Of Eternity' brings something relatively new to the table; sure the said combination has been done before, it just has not been done enough times. What is also amazing about this album is that it really amps up the progressiveness of the riffs, whilst the drums alternate with the riffs in doing the same thing, bringing in a Gojira-style groove. Whatever people make of this release one thing is for certain, Paean are flying the flag for the Estonian Metal scene and with 'Scorn Of Eternity' are sure to gain the attention of some record labels. Download This: "First Breath" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Gojira, Agonyst, Human Ground [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  REMMIRATH 'Shambhala Vril Saucers' TODESTRIEB Metal music can take turns for the worst as well as the best, it can also spew out some of the strangest sub-genre combinations ever imaginable. Remmirath's decision to mix Black Metal elements with Hard Rock and experimental music (songs like 'Tiger of the City' feature game sounds), gives their second album 'Shambhala Vril Saucers' a much needed 'hello' to the wider international metal community. As for the Slovakian quintet, this is a solid effort that gives them the push to join the experimental metal elite. Whereas their Eastern-tinged product may confuse some metalheads; evidently shown in the album title which derives from a Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu belief that Shambhala is a hidden kingdom located within Inner Asia and 'vril' as a form of psychokinetic energy, it offers a distinct sound and alternative to the already mass-populated subsequent Black Metal and Hard Rock scenes. Download This: "The Gunfighter's Quest For Enlightenment" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Venom, Blut Aus Nord, early-Forgotten Woods, "strange music" [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  HOUSE OF ATREUS 'The Spear & The Ichor That Follows' DARK DESCENT Whenever a metal band blends in said music genre with lyrics covering history, any release produced automatically qualifies as an educational tool. Unleashing a bout of Greek tragedies and war tales is American Death Metal mob House Of Atreus, their debut album 'The Spear & The Ichor That Follows" wallows in the old-school Melodic Death Metal sound, with Death Metal vocals leading the frontline and the melodies supplementing the sheer ferocity of the drums and guitars entwined. Whilst listening to this album, the feeling that this band can share the stage with Greek Metal legends becomes imminent. Just imagine the murderous bygone times of Ancient Greece whilst listening to the debut album by this promising quartet, you can connect the two perfectly. This is Sparta! Erm NO!! THIS IS THE HOUSE OF ATREUS!!! Recommended track: "Throne Of Chariots" For Fans of: Rotting Christ, Running Wild, Sacriphyx The Spear & The Ichor That Follows' is out 5th May via Dark Descent Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON  APOPHYS 'Prime Incursion' METAL BLADE And the Dutch are at it again, conjuring yet another scintillating Death Metal release by a highly-promising quintet. 'Prime Incursion' is the gut-busting debut album by the all-star armada Apophys and it is packed with everything you expect of a modern Death Metal album. With so much brutality crammed in a 9-track blitzing onslaught, you will be begging for mercy at the hands of what could be considered as a contender for Dutch Metal album of the year. Bringing together a chaotic atmosphere, merciless-yet-sexy riffs and unrelenting seismic drumming, 'Prime Incursion' is sure to smash the international metal scene to pieces. Comprising members of Dutch legends such as God Dethroned and Prostitute Disfigurement, with this effort Apophys are on course to establishing themselves as supergroup of the decade. You have been warned. Recommended Track: "The Antidote" For Fans of: Aborted, Cerebral Bore, Prostitute Disfigurement, "Dutch Death Metal" 'Prime Incursion' is out 7th April via Metal Blade Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON  DEATHBLOW 'The Other Side Of Darkness' INDEPENDENT You see Deathblow decided to make Thrash Metal just that little more faster and enter the realm of Slayer via Metallica technicality, sadly there seems to be very little variety on their forthcoming EP 'The Other Side Of Darkness', however it does serve itself up as a guaranteed spine-snapping, bone-crunching effort that deserves immediate attention from metalheads and labels worldwide. What with Utah recently reinstating death by firing squad, Deathblow have reinstated the death of your senses by insanely fast and merciless riffs. Unleash this beast in a venue and let the moshpit do the talking, unleash this beast at a festival and watch the all of death take you to 'The Other Side Of Darkness'... which is darker darkness. Deathblow have all the hallmarks for a successful Thrash Metal band, now they need to capitalize on this moment and shift from 3rd to 5th gear. Recommended Track: 'The Other Side Of Darkness' For fans of: Evile, Slayer, Destruction 'The Other Side Of Darkness' is out 21st April via an independent release [8] RHYS STEVENSON  KOMMANDANT 'The Architects Of Extermination' ATMF No they are not fascists so don't get on your high horse and jump to conclusions, they are in fact the darkness that haunts you in your sleep. Illinois' Kommandant make their hallowed return through their third dystopian album 'The Architects Of Extermination'. Now you are permitted to go all '1984' on this album but you must obey the tracks on this release as they appear to tell a story that's worth indulging in. Granted to most, the raw drums and guitars swallow up the distorted vocals, but isn't that what evil music is all about? Masquerading a wall of sound so thick, it makes a Panzer VIII Maus appear weak and lame. 'The Architects Of Extermination' is the perfect sound to a dystopian-war film and draws clear influence from bands like Laibach amongst other bands, utilising Avant-garde Black Metal with industrial elements. Recommended track: "Acquisition Of Power" For Fans of: Laibach, Dornenreich, Deathspell Omega 'The Architects Of Extermination' is out 27th April via ATMF [8] RHYS STEVENSON  CORPSE GARDEN 'Entheogen' SATANATH / RTM PRODS. Following fellow countrymen Sight of Emptiness in leading the Costa Rican Metal scene to international recognition, Death Metal maestro's Corpse Garden have spewed out their second offering 'Entheogen' with such fury, it eclipses their debut album "Burnt By The Light" (See GMA Vol88) completely. As stated Corpse Garden were a band to watch, now that they are signed their dreams are coming true. 'Entheogen' is a tour de force that will keep many passionate Death Metal addicts entertained, not because it's coming from a tropical country, but more so through it's ability to evade any signs of weakness. With this new album, Corpse Garden ought to be preparing themselves for a world tour (or at least Europe), because 'Entheogen' will almost certainly prove to be popular amongst the European metal nations, with it's tactful display of blistering-paced drums, gritty vocals and whiplash-riffs, it's a given prediction. It may also be a contender for Costa Rican metal release of the year. Recommended track: "Sulphur" For fans of: Abhorrent Decimation, Defaced, Infection (Peru) 'Entheogen' is out 15th May via Satanath Records (RU) and RTM Productions (DE) [9] RHYS STEVENSON  PENITENZIAGITE 'Humanity Galore' ON-PAROLE PRODS. Despite 'Humanity Galore' being Penitenziagite's debut album, the quartet have been around since 2004 perfecting and crafting their own sound, whilst unleashing ideas at their live shows. The long-awaited result is a chaotic Death Metal album that will make you piss your pants off. 'Humanity Galore' has menace, technical complexity and groovy brutality running through it's veins, inevitably enabling itself to begin calculating a formula to make Penitenziagite well known outside of Slovenia. With this solid effort there is no reason why they should not be detected by other Western European metal media. Recorded at the Negligence studio; run by Slovenian metal legends Negligence, 'Humanity Galore' is one album every single Death Metal fan should own, because if they don't, then they are ignoring true Death Metal and should feel a little ashamed. Where Penitenziagite will go next is of course the resulting question. Recommended track: "Lords Long Forgotten" For fans of: "Modern Death Metal" (essentially any band under this category) 'Humanity Galore' is out 17th April via On-Parole Productions [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  DOWNFALL OF NUR 'Umbras De Barbagia' AVANTGARDE MUSIC If you had a lot of time on your hands and or are going on a long trip, this is the perfect accompaniment for both events. 'Umbras De Barbagia' is the debut album by one-man project Downfall Of Nur. It broods in atmospheric Black Metal and has enough chilling effect to keep you calm and at peace, not to mention the five tracks equate to 62 minutes-worth of majestic South American Black Metal. Mastermind musician "A." takes no solace in delivering a remarkable piece of musical art, the Argentinian has taken a wide range of dark, gloomy and tranquil elements and has assembled them in such a way, that the resulting album is as powerful as an atomic bomb. 'Umbras De Barbagia' sits on the boundaries of the Post-Black Metal movement and the Black Metal of old, making it and deeming it a worthwhile listen. Download this: "The Golden Age" - Click here to listen For fans of: Winterfylleth, Skyforger, Kampfar 'Umbras De Barbagia' is out now via an Independent release / 25th March via Avantgarde Music [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  CREINIUM 'Divested Liberty' INVERSE The latest release by Finnish Tech / Melodic Death outfit Creinium is amongst us, 'Divested Liberty' is the latest single by the sextet and it carries on their lyrical topic of dystopia. The first song 'Divested Liberty' has enough panache in it to leave listeners begging for me, slowly but surely the interweaving of the guitars, vocals, drums and keyboards lay the path down for the next song to take center stage. 'The Seventh Seal' refers to the seals depicted in book of revelations, and as mythical as the accounts appear to be, the song itself livens up that myth through the use of emphatic riffs, raucous vocals and belligerent atmospherics, marred by the eccentricity displayed on this single. Sure it may not be the best work to date, but it's another step towards giving Creinium a name for themselves, watch this space. Download This: "Divested Liberty" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Shade Empire, Alterbeast, Neuraxis [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  EPOCH
'Sacrosanct' Some say this band or project are Greek, some say they are Belgian, we say they are pretty good. Epoch's debut album 'Sacrosanct' is one for the Blackened Death Metal addicts, through the use of rapid-fire drums, raw-yet-thick riffs and bruising vocals, this first effort demands absolute respect. Sure it is unknown as to who the musicians actually are, perhaps they're communicating from the other side of life as paranormal entities, whoever they are they know the music genre inside and out. One thing is for certain, 'Sacrosanct' will attract attention throughout the underground metal scenes, however it lacks that killer instinct that otherwise would grab some record labels attention. But for a debut effort it packs a punch, a punch to be reckoned with. Only joking, they are Belgian after all and with that in mind, here begins a new Epoch for Belgian Metal. Download This: "Altered States" - Click here to listen For Fans of: "Underground Black / Death Metal", early-God Dethroned, Behemoth [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  BLOODSHOT DAWN 'Demons' INDEPENDENT Fired up from their recent Bloodstock face-melting appearance, Hampshire's beloved sons Bloodshot Dawn unleash a barrage of fiery hell in the form of their second album 'Demons'. Outrageously heavier than previous efforts, 'Demons' explodes into an unmerciful massacre with spark-shedding riffs, the drums as unrelenting as a Gatling gun (especially on 'Consequence Complex') and the vocals as murderous as a nuclear genocide. 'Demons' demonstrates the true capabilities of the Bloodshot Dawn and is sure to be met with rapturous appraisal from old and new fans alike, seriously if they were aiming to strike an impression and reach the desired sound simultaneously, then 'Demons' ticks both boxes. Nothing is missing from this fantastic release, it will blow your brains apart and thus places itself as a contender for English Metal release of the year. For Fans of: Sylosis, Obscura, Woe Of Tyrants 'Demons' is out 26th October via an independent release. [10] RHYS STEVENSON  SUBSERVIENCE 'Upheaval' INDEPENDENT Change is inevitable and so when Dan Lofthouse took over vocal duties from ex-Subservience member Jay Fitt, the new era of Subservience was born. Exploding with the delightful sound of Groove-laden Extreme Metal, the Sussex armada unleash their third EP 'Upheaval' and with it comes an explosive array of riffs, charismatic vocals and menacing attitude. Wielding together the sounds of classic Death Metal from days-bygone with the atmosphere of Lamb of God, Subservience might have just dealt justice and in the wake of this EP, the right to stake their claim as one of England's hottest properties to watch out for in 2015. 'Upheaval' may be a sharp improvement from previous releases, the question is can they hold their nerve and keep this improvement progression going? Time will tell, that is for sure. For Fans of: Carcass, Strapping Young Lad, Cannibal Corpse 'Upheaval' is out now via an independent release [8] RHYS STEVENSON  REIGN OF SIRIUS 'Mirror Figures' Sensationally dramatic and epically adventurous are two sentiments that can easily be placed upon Reign of Sirius' latest offering 'Mirror Figures'. The Symphonic Melodic Metal sextet from Macclesfield have delivered another erotic opus to wet your whiskers by. Through the meticulousness of the music and the vocals intertwining so elegantly with each other, 'Mirror Figures' can be claimed as the "metal world's version of Phantom of the Opera". From start to finish, you are taken on a roller-coaster of dynamic symphonies, articulate melodies and wintry / Gothic atmospherics, so much so that 'Mirror Figures' would be a perfect accompaniment to any birthday, Halloween, Christmas or New Years Eve celebrations. Make no mistake with this release, it is sure to give Reign of Sirius the perfect spring board to launch themselves into the European Metal circuit. Download This: "Mirror Figures" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation [10] RHYS STEVENSON  LIV KRISTINE 'Vervain' NAPALM Norway's beloved Liv Kristine, with her grace and beauty, returns with her fifth solo album 'Vervain'. Once again the soprano has delivered a spectacular album that will surely earn her accolades in the music industry. Joined by the same line-up as the preceding album 'Libertine', this output features a rather majestic and swan-like elegance feel to it, that is it exhibits a lot of grace, charm and power. Keeping intact the Symphonic Metal sound that bodes well with Liv's vocals, the new album drags in elements of Folk Metal, Industrial Metal and Gothic Metal; with a possible tinge of schlager (on some songs), giving it that almost Lord of the Rings escapology feel to it, or perhaps the grandeur of a winning Eurovision entry (although the possibility of Liv entering is probably low). It is safe to say that Liv Kristine has returned with her (and fellow band-members) best album to date. For Fans of: Within Temptation, Midnattsol, Tarja-era Nightwish. 'Vervain' is out 24 October 2014 via Napalm Records [9] RHYS STEVENSON  LASTER 'De Verste Verte Is Hier' DUNKELHEIT PRODUKTIONEN The Dutch affair with Black Metal continues with Laster's debut album 'De Verste Verte Is Hier' (rough translation: 'The Furthest Distance Is Here'), if you can call it an album that is. The release is merely four tracks, three of the songs have an average length of 13 minutes and so if you want to be mightily bamboozled and have nothing worthwhile to do, then sit down and be mowed down by this unforgiving release. 'De Verste Verte Is Hier' is of the atmospheric kind, it does not aim to be the heaviest, fastest or more brutal release, but rather one that is full of body, soul and spirit. Granted it is nothing new and is a long way from being anything but, however it does demonstrate a really eery feeling, one that will surely appeal to the more underground Black Metal fans. For Fans of: Alcest, Drudkh, Wolves In The Throne Room 'De Verste Verte Is Hier' is out 1st November 2014 via Dunkelheit Produktionen [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  BEYOND CREATION 'Earthborn Evolution' SEASON OF MIST Canada's latest and hottest property Beyond Creation make their welcomed return with their latest slice of juicy Progressive-laden Technical Death Metal. 'Earthborn Evolution' is the second album by the Quebecois quartet and with it comes a battering onslaught of thunderous drums, electric riffs and raucous vocals, what more could you want? Simple. More where that come from! With ten tracks of some of the most complex metallic algorithms you'll ever come across, an atmosphere raining blood-soaked spikes and a release that could easily claim the title of Canadian Metal release of the year, Beyond Creation have successfully dug deep to find something funkier than 1970's disco, more brutal than your last New Years party and sweeter than pancakes topped with Canadian syrup. Prepare for some hazardous moshing, savage headbanging and crapped pants, you have been warned. For Fans of: Obscura, Fallujah, Alarum, "Mathematical Metal" 'Earthborn Evolution' is out 24th October 2014 via Season Of Mist [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  OBSIDIAN KINGDOM 'Mantiis' SEASON OF MIST Catalonia's (Spain) Obsidian Kingdom make their voices once again known with their third album 'Mantiis', now this sound is not easy to pin down and thus requires a level of mental deconstruction to unlock the various elements pressed onto each song. But what this quintet has done is strapped together a myriad of sounds to captivate and arouse the listener in every aspect (ay no need to think dirty here), through the use of eery atmospherics, progressive elements lodged in the drumming area, riffs so soft they make velvet more like sandpaper and vocals that flit between the melodic and gruff Black / Death Metal vibrancy, Obsidian Kingdom have produced a release they can be extremely proud of. As black as obsidian itself, the world can now witness the birth of "Obsidian Metal" and with it a 47-minute epic journey through a hellish heaven. For Fans of: Cult of Luna, Dälek, Drumcorps 'Mantiis' is out 24th October 2014 via Season Of Mist [8] RHYS STEVENSON  NECROPHAGIA 'WhiteWorm Cathedral' SEASON OF MIST Death Metal's forefathers Necrophagia make their hallowed return with their seventh full-length offering 'WhiteWorm Cathedral', with it comes that classic old school Death Metal sound that concreted the genre to the ground and laid the foundations for the Death Metal bands you know as of today. 'WhiteWorm Cathedral' welcomes Mirai Kawashima back to the fore as the band's keyboardist (some will also know him from the band Sigh), with her return comes the spine chilling elements she is renowned for, add that to the brutality and grit that Necrophagia has always been known for and you get slammed with a force so reckoning, you would have to take out life insurance to survive the uniqueness of what we call "Horror Death Metal"; we could imagine Necrophagia as a decent addition to any Saw film soundtrack - it is that gory in an audio context. For Fans of: "Old School Death Metal", Autopsy, Asphyx 'WhiteWorm Cathedral' is out 24th October 2014 via Season Of Mist [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  AONIA
'Sunchaser' Uprising English "Symphonic Gothic Fantasy Metal" outfit Aonia mark their second coming with their latest EP 'Sunchaser', which sees a line-up extension with guitarist Przemek Drużkowski and second female vocalist Joanne Kay Robinson joining the band. With this change, 'Sunchaser' completely crushes Aonia's debut EP 'City Of Shadows' without any remorse or mercy, in fact the EP carries the sound that should give Aonia the attention they deserve. What with the dramatic elements found scattered all over like a starry night, the angelic vocals caressing the symphonic atmosphere (which is as powerful as Disney's Fantasia) and elegance as graceful as a swan, it is safe to say that 'Sunchaser' is one of Gothic Metal's best 2014 releases. Make no mistake about it, we will be hearing more of Aonia in the future. Download This: "Echoes" - Click here to listen For Fans of: Nightwish, Therion, Within Temptation [10] RHYS STEVENSON 
FRIGHT NIGHT 'Life Eternal' SOUND AGE PRODS. Russian Metal rarely gets a decent look in by it's Western contemporaries, so when Fright Night unveils the follow-up to their debut album 'The Play of Pain', they are sure to shock the masses. This Gothic Metal outfit employs a rather unique vocal combination, that is they use angelic female vocals alongside clean male vocals; unlike some bands who opt for growling. Maybe it is coincidental, but the vibe experienced on 'Life Eternal' matches up with the band name, as if the music was written for a Halloween opera. For a band who will be celebrating 10 years in 2015, this album certainly oozes intricate ideas that flow through the blissful riffs, elegant vocals and powerful drumming compositions, make no mistake as Fright Night's 'Life Eternal' is a contender for Russian Metal album of the year. Download This: "Numb" - click to listen. For Fans of: Lacuna Coil, Theatres Des Vampires, Lacrimosa [8] RHYS STEVENSON 
GENIUS ULTOR 'Nic Co Boskie Nie Jest Mi Obce' ARACHNOPHOBIA Ah those releases that feature songs in entirely one language, the sort that don't always break out into planet metal, but putting that aside and in context with Genius Ultor's second album 'Nic Co Boskie Nie Jest Mi Obce', what you have is a decent slab of Polish Black Metal. Right from the off, this album explodes into the cataclysmic force you would expect from such a genre. With vocals so raw it would make you want to eat your own feces, guitars so sharp they make the amps frost over with the bitterness of the genre, drums so insane ole Varg Vikernes would piss himself and all of this encased in an atmosphere that feels worse than death, yeah this is not for the faint of heart. Download This: "Zwycięstwo" - click to listen. For Fans of: "Anyone who can understand Polish", Stillborn, Watain [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON 
ODRAZA 'Esperalem Tkane' ARACHNOPHOBIA The same with Genius Ultor's release, Poland's Odraza adopts their native tongue to spread their raspy messages of alcoholism, depression and vanity via their premier album 'Esperalem Tkane'. Whilst as not as brutal as their label-mates, Odraza do not fail in summoning up a sound that would strike a string in any Black Metal fans heart. 'Esperalem Tkane' delivers a delicious 47 minutes of pure Polish underground Black Metal that ought to expand their name amongst the Central and Eastern European metal scenes, however whilst it might daunt some listeners, especially with two songs lasting 11 or so minutes each, the time used to listen to it all the way through pays off as this is probably the darkest BM seen in this country for sometime. Download This: "Wielki Mizogin" - click to listen. For Fans of: "Anyone who can understand Polish", Carpathian Forest, Watain [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON 
CODEDECODED 'Vorace' Of course if you want an absolute skull-crushing sound that has enough brutality to make you vomit your innards out and in repetitiously, you only have to look as far as Greece's Codedecoded to get the full package, that is an additional punch in the face. Unleashing ballistic hell through their debut album 'Vorace', this tight Technical Death Metal unit takes no prisoners and are primed to unleash a torrent of murderous carnage across Europe with their first album in their locker. Harder than your average boner, Codedecoded are a force to be reckoned with and with this effort they clearly warrant attention, we could see much more of this ensemble in the future, but for now the slaughtering has only just begun.... Download This: "Descends" - click to listen to the whole album For Fans of: Psycroptic, Neuraxis, Meshuggah [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON 
ELUVEITIE 'Origins' NUCLEAR BLAST The masters of Celtic-infused Melodic Death Metal have made their welcomed return with another slice of Helvetian history at the helm, following up from their sensational 2012 release 'Helvetios', 'Origins' carries on the unmistakeable Eluveitie sound that has stood them in great stead over the years. Blitzing along to a total length of one hour, listeners will never reach the state of boredom as the album is guaranteed to keep you on your feet. Vastly positioning themselves as not only a successful metal export, but as a highly regarded Swiss music export, Eluveitie have once again met expectations and have dropped an album that may just become Swiss Metal release of the year. 'Origins' is like a Celtic version of Disney's 'Fantasia', magically awe-inspiring. Download This: "King" - click to listen For Fans of: Primordial, Ensiferum, Blackguard [9] RHYS STEVENSON 
DEATH DEPENDANT 'Sacrifice For The Cross' Arising from the perched surfboards on Western Australia's sun-kissed beaches is Thrash Metal merchants Death Dependant with their debut album 'Sacrifice For The Cross'. From start to finish, this four piece group dishes out the old-style Thrash Metal of the glorious 1980's, with Metallica-esque vocals leading the lightning brigade alongside outrageously insane riffs and neck-breaking drumming; Death Dependant are sure to entrench their name withing the Australian scene. Alongside the evident Thrash Metal sound, elements of Groove Metal are clearly present and as a result, this finely tunes the band's ideal sound into something metalheads globally will enjoy. Death Dependant are flying the flag for the Australian Metal scene. Download This: "Drug Machine" - click to listen. For Fans of: Machine Head, Metallica, Slayer [8] RHYS STEVENSON 
RAVENCLAW 'Welcome To The Ravenland' + 'Today' Backtrack to 2009 and metalheads in Slovakia may recall the release of Ravenclaw's premier album 'Welcome To The Ravenland', a solid slab of valiant Melodic Power Metal that drags in various elements from the metal spectrum, such as Heavy Metal vocals, Power Metal keyboards and a Melodic chemistry between the instruments and vocals coincidentally. True it is nothing new, but it does have an element of originality held within it, sadly it seems to lack that killer note that otherwise would have given this album that extra boost in giving Ravenclaw European attention. Putting another downer on the album seems impossible, simply because whilst as said the album sound is nothing new, it certainly poises itself as a decent-enough effort. Fast-forward to 2014 and the quintet have delightfully dropped their second single 'Today', and with it, their sound has become much more refined and crisper than their debut album. It also appears that they have opened up the vocal channels more, giving different members points at which to sing in and as a result allowing that extra boost they needed to push them up another level. If they keep this sound and style well and truly in place, they could well make a late charge onto the European Metal circuit as probably headliners. Rallying amongst the evident comparisons of Sonata Arctica and Hammerfall, Ravenclaw might have just discovered their winning formula. Download This: "Today" - click to listen For Fans of: Sonata Arctica, Hammerfall, Olzon-era Nightwish [6.5] + [8] RHYS STEVENSON 
CHOMALETS 'Omerta' It's countries like Indonesia where Extreme Metal seems to be riding the highways and the other genres become relegated to the streets. Emerging from the abyss is Chomalets with their premier album 'Omerta', a 36-minute slab of gut-rotten, bone-crunching Death / Grind Metal. Singing exclusively in Indonesian, this four-piece butcher armada take no prisoners when it comes to blasting the masses with their gore-soaked torrent of murderous metal. With blastbeats ringing out like no tomorrow, vocals delivering rip-tides and riffs arising like ghosts out of a graveyard, Chomalets' album 'Omerta' proves itself to be a contender for Indonesian Metal album of the year. This is certainly guaranteed to go down well with metalheads of the more brutal kind. Download This: "Parodi Hitam" - Click to listen For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Napalm Death [7] RHYS STEVENSON 
GYMIR 'The Return Of The Raven' The lack of representation of Folk Metal in the UK seems rather apparent, this is probably why bands like Gymir hold the beacon of hope and aim to bring British Folk Metal to the foreground. A year into their existence and the quintet unleashes their premier single upon the masses, 'The Return Of The Raven' is a gallant and powerful two-track release. With elements originating within the Olde English sound, you get the feeling that Gymir are aiming for a more folkloric connection, however this irony since the band name relates to Nordic myth. As for the single, no Folk Metal fan would get bored of this, in fact it is that good, Gymir's debut album (when it comes) is going to be well anticipated. Gymir are definitely a band that will be on everyone's radar in due course. Download This: "Return Of The Raven" - click to listen For Fans of: Finntroll, Ensiferum, Skyclad [8] RHYS STEVENSON 
INNSMOUTH
'The Shadow Over Innsmouth' CRIME Firing up the insane time signatures and monstrous brutality for an assault never seen before is Danish bruisers Innsmouth. If headbanging to Mathcore proves to be a tricky challenge, then headbanging to the band's debut album 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth' would require a masters degree in mathematics. From start to finish, the insane mix of erratic time signatures and gritty Death Metal is enough to place anyone into a state of complete confusion, whilst the atmosphere developed is enough to deliver that final blow that is guaranteed to knock metalheads flat out. If Necrophagist and Nile had an illegitimate son, it would be Innsmouth, sure the release is an absolute belter, but the question is can their second effort keep the band standing up and not fall at the hurdle. Download This: "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" - click to listen For Fans of: Nile, Cacophony, Obscura, Necrophagist 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth' is out October 10th, 2014 via Crime Records [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  EVERGLOW 'Destination' Last year Belgian Power Metal sextet unveiled their premier album and with it comes an extremely well-presented sound. 'Destination' wields together some rather heavenly yet bellowing female vocals to blitzing drums and elegant riffs. Sure it has taken 13 years since the band's inception but the wait has been worthwhile, let's be honest here though - how many Power Metal bands do you know feature female vocals at the forefront? Probably not many, but as Cindy Baert's Everglow evidently show, you don't need to burst your lungs or introduce melodies such that swaying becomes almost uncontrollable and unrelenting oscillation. 'Destination' is an album of epic proportions and would appeal to most metal fans. Download This: "Frozen Tears" For Fans Of: Sonata Arctica, Delain, Edenbridge [8] RHYS STEVENSON  INFERNAL OUTCRY 'Eclipsed' You'd have to either be stupidly drunk or high-on caffeine to actually understand what Infernal Outcry's debut demo 'Eclipsed' is all about, well the drumming is so uninspiring and the riffs are so simple it makes you question whether this was a practice session or they were legitimately aiming to release a well-crafted demo. The vocals are too forced and the whole feeling of the release is one of utter confusion, questioning what they were aiming to do. The only salvation point that the band can take from it, is that they managed to release a demo, let's just hope their second release is going to turn heads otherwise consider this a shot-in-the-foot moment. Download This: "Jaws Of Life" For Fans of: You tell us! [4.5] RHYS STEVENSON  ONE MORE VICTIM 'Loyalty & Honour' Strutting out of the back streets of Liverpool is "Street Metal" mob One More Victim, hell actually it's a combination of bruising metal and gritty attitude. Laying down the law with their premier album 'Loyalty & Honour', the four-piece amass a sound that makes Wayne Rooney's post-match commentary seem like baby talk in comparison to the deliverance of this release. Damning as hell, you would want to take out life insurance to make it past the absolute concrete barrage of face-punching, ballsy metal One More Victim have served up here. Now whilst this may cause some listeners to reminisce a bit, through the intricate use of Groove Metal riffs and Ministry / Rammstein Industrial Metal elements, a DIY attitude and a bright future ahead, One More Victim are poised to make a buzz in the British Metal scene with this effort. Download This: "5 Days" For Fans of: Rammstein, Ministry, Pantera, Charles Bronson (if he was a musician) [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  LAPIS LAZULI 'Lost' 'Lost' marks the departure of Lapis Lazuli's third vocalist Frida Eurenius and welcomes in their new vocalist Cecilia Kamf. As for the Swedish Symphonic Power Metal outfit, Lapis Lazuli have not lost their trademark sound, that is their tasty mix of angelic vocals, cascading and ascending symphonies, smooth riffs and dramatic atmospherics. It could actually be said that Cecilia Kamf has vocals of the Tarja Turunen guild, that swan-like elegance in her voice caressing each note produced by her fellow band-members. This could be Lapis Lazuli's time to make a stand and go for a label deal, because this material certainly warrants a contract. Download This: "Forgive, Never Forget" For Fans of: Therion, Within Temptation, Tarja-era Nightwish [8] RHYS STEVENSON  NECROBLATION 'Ablation Of Death' It might as well be ironic that a band using Christian lyrics amasses a sound so demonic that it would make Satan piss blood. Welcoming to the forefront of the Death Metal / Grindcore arena is Switzerland's Necroblation, whose 2013 debut album 'Ablation Of Death' features the brutality of an Alpine avalanche, but leaves the vocal clarity at times like the snow-dust from the subsequent avalanche. Sadly at times the album seems to run out of imagination and thus rests on the stereotypical Death Metal / Grindcore sound that seems to be generically churned out, despite this as said the vocals are the only major letdown, for you might as well just grunt in tune and hope for some lyrical inspiration to emerge from the almost-vacant clear-vocals. Consider it a learning curve. Download This: "Human Slave" For Fans of: Napalm Death, Dying Fetus, Mortification [6] RHYS STEVENSON  EXCRUCIATION '[G]host' AURIC Unsigned bands who start and pause, split-up and reform over their entire career are often disinterred and re-emerge as a lost and forgotten relic, this may apply to the Swiss quintet Excruciation whose atmospheric mix of Doom Metal reverberates around the Matterhorn, so much so yodelling becomes a less-meaningful way of communicating a message. That message from Excruciation is one of human emotions, feelings and thus is felt with their third full length '[G]host'. Since their reemergence in 2005, you can tell that they have been buried down in a bunker mesmerizing over what their future sound will be like, possibly a lot different to the sound conjured up way back in 1985. As for their latest effort, it is a truly remarkable piece of work that solidly justifies this underground veteran's existence, you will never find another band quite like this. Download This: "Mother South" For Fans of: Saint Vitus, Candlemass, Hellhammer [8] RHYS STEVENSON  HIJOS DE OVERÓN 'Prisionero De Agujas' Seven years down the line and Spanish Classic Heavy Metallers Hijos De Overón finally drop their debut album 'Prisionero De Agujas' (translates as: 'Prisoner Of Needles'), now whether satellites were involved or any form of help from the company Overon remains a question, but certainly their music is not questionable. Sticking to their mother tongue to deliver a release entirely sung in Spanish, you get the full flavor of where they come from, moreover the whole album is a masterpiece in it's own right as it sticks itself right within the realm of Iron Maiden, but wallows about to find it's own footing. Whether you like or dislike classic Heavy Metal, this album is a win for those willing to learn Spanish or indeed listen to a band that will go down well in Hispanophone countries. Download This: "Hijos De Overón" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Helloween [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  HYBRIS 'Blinded Thoughts' This is quite simply a stellar start for Polish quartet Hybris, the face-smacking power exhibited on their debut EP 'Blinded Thoughts' is enough to make Behemoth turn heads. With 19 minutes of pure eccentric and accentuated Technical Death / Thrash Metal, it is worth a solid listen and subsequential replay. However at times the music gets too creative to sustain anything worthwhile and at most lacks a respectable level of convincing execution. Smothering all of that is some rather gritty and dirty vocals, so dirty it makes any porno film seem like a chick flick. Moreover you might want to go to a doctor after headbanging and moshing to this leviathan-of-a-release, it is that powerful and with the right attitude, could provide the springboard for this band to break out of the Polish Metal scene. Download This: "Mystic Circle" For Fans of: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Legion Of The Damned, Vader [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  TOTENGEFLÜSTER 'Vom Seelensterben (Re Issue)' As far as Germany goes on the metal battlefront, the nation generally does well with it's Extreme Metal and Totengeflüster are no exception. Re-releasing their debut album Vom Seelensterben, the only thing that has notably changed is the bonus track, the rest of the album is the same occult Symphonic Black Metal the band has employed. Sickening shrieks make you quake in your shoes as the shivers and bitterness of death creeps down your spine, so much so you feel repugnant to even attempt to sing along to this murderous release. With a bleak atmosphere shrouding the raw feeling of the riffs and atomic drum power, Totengeflüster have staked their claim as one of Black Metal's bands to watch in 2014. Download This: "Ein Monolog Im Mondschein" For Fans of: Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Winterfylleth [8] RHYS STEVENSON  GANGRENOMITY
'Demo 2014' Awh, you have got to admire the slamming Brutal Death Metal sound for what it is. No need to sing just gurgle away and make pig squeals, hell if you don't like this style of music, then there's always Justin Bieber and that will hurt your ears. Making their own style of noise is Swiss bruisers Gangrenomity whose 2014 demo spews out nothing but fairytale gore and peaceful murderous ideologies. From the bloody start to the infested finish, this demo covers everything you would want from that metal genre, just don't forget to brush your teeth after vomiting all your innards, because take note, this release is not for those with an unstable stomach, it will make you feel like you're about to puke. Welcome to the dark side of Swiss Metal. Download This: "Compulsive Murdering" For Fans of: Carnal Disfigurement, Aborted, 'Psychopathic Metal' [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  RENEGADE STATE 'The Pit' What has Liverpool and metal got in common besides the obviousness of the shipping heritage? The answer is found in a Renegade State. Fresh from the depths of the Mersey, this five-piece monstrous ensemble wield together elements of Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal and Hardcore together to develop a sound that will epitomize the entire hybrid music ideology. 'The Pit' is not only their latest single, but on their latest release alongside "The Pit are tracks such as "Chicago Typewriter" and "Judgement Day", sure the former sounds like the Bugsy Malone era and the latter sounds like a time of the week we all fear, but the core point is that the Renegade State are a band that could well be on everyone's lips by the end of 2014. Just don't drag up anything about Mancunian football or culture..., joke. DO IT! Download This: "Chicago Typewriter" For Fans of: Chimaira, Machine Head, Pantera [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  ZEITGEIST 'Shallow Play' Paraguay might not come to mind when you think of Gothic Metal, let alone metal music in general, but some may actually challenge this by using Brazil's Sepultura as a prime example. Zeitgeist is a four-piece classic Gothic Metal band arising from the back streets of Asunción, through dropping their awaited debut album 'Shallow Play', the first impressions that come with it are of neutrality, in the sense that the album kicks off in a rather standard-sounding way for a Gothic Metal album, but as the music progresses there is this element of relief that the album is not doomed to slot into the 'every other album sounds like this' trap. 'Shallow Play' in fact is a decent enough release that should garner some attention from their Paraguayan compatriots and South American cousins, the likelihood of it reaching European shores will have to wait till the second album. Through the use of dynamic vocals, virtuoso guitar playing and solid drumming, Zeitgeist's 'Shallow Play' is a one to enjoy after a few re-runs. Download This: "For You" For Fans of: Evanescence, Sirenia, Tainted Grace [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON  SILENT OPERA 'Reflections' MASSACRE 'Reflections' is no doubt one of the most highly-anticipated metal albums of the year, the album explodes into a wide array of sounds that will certainly tickle the taste buds of planet metal. What Silent Opera have done here is something spectacular, by lashing together the elegant beauty of Symphonic Gothic Metal with the hard, heavy hitting power of Melodic Death Metal, the sextet seemingly have crafted out their own unique sound. Underneath the album's skin lies the echoing connotations of the operatic greats such as The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, by charging thunderously down the halls of Operatic darkness and into the new wave of Orchestral Metal, Silent Opera will place themselves on everyone's lips in 2014. 'Reflections' is guaranteed to smash your senses to pieces as the majestic power demonstrated here is enough to shatter crystal. It would not be surprising at all if 'Reflections' secures Silent Opera a slot at either Wacken or Bloodstock in the not so distance future. Download This: "Dorian" For Fans of: Within Temptation, Arcane Grail, In Flames, Delain [10] RHYS STEVENSON  UNTIL EXTINCTION 'Malice' Four years after their debut album, Missouri's Until Extinction have certainly dusted themselves down. The debut album was not as impressive as this album is, with a clearer production level imminently evident, and the harmonics and brutal elements intertwining more freely, 'Malice' is an album you would want to chew into intentionally. Naturally Until Extinction have followed their instinct and in doing so have delivered a release that is sure to garner attention across the USA, overseas attention might be a little harder but with this formula demonstrated, they could easily push harder and further. Just imagine a hundred horses galloping towards the sunset in an adventurous style, this is the best envisage you could apply to the album, it is a rapid journey across many musical sounds. Just prepare yourself for the last track which is a whopping 10 minute opus, might as well whip out the popcorn and American beer. Download This: "Herald The Dawn" For Fans of: Immoralis, Gojira, Dream Theater [8] RHYS STEVENSON  FALLEN FATE 'Into The Black' If a forthcoming apocalypse had to have a soundtrack constructed in order to support the mass devastation, Fallen Fate's 'Into The Black' would be the perfect candidate. Developed by fusing together the monstrous sounds of Thrash Metal with the brutality of Modern Metal, the calculated output is one of sincere cranial destruction and sheer incomprehensible force. From the start to the end, Fallen Fate certainly have upped the ante since their well-received debut album 'The Virus Has Spread' (2011), by utilizing ear-bleeding vocals alongside explosive drumming sequences and murderous riffs, 'Into The Black' is a definite contender for album of the year, even though the year has only just begun. With this effort firmly set in concrete, it is inevitable that Fallen Fate will be blitzing their way through 2014 and remain a positively and highly promising unsigned British Metal band. Watch this space... Download This: "Blackened Within" For Fans of: Machine Head, Sylosis, Trivium, As I Lay Dying [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  ALTERBEAST 'Immortal' UNIQUE LEADER If violence was to become the next Disney film theme, then Alterbeast ought to be the film's composer. By unleashing a rally murderous brutality via through their debut album 'Immortal', the Californian Technical Death Metal newbies craft a sound that will crush anyone who opposes it to death. Guaranteed it will make you spit blood and spew acid out of every orifice. Unrelenting vocals shatter the silence with enough force, leaving your last constipation seeming pitiful, moreover whilst the drums deliver a whammy of fast-paced mauling, the guitars exercise and shred metal shrapnel so sharp it will make your cranial area bleed black blood. Whence listening to the sheer uncompromising brutality delivered by the Californian quintet, prepare yourself to walk away with your tail between your legs and with the knowledge that Alterbeast might just be one of 2014's hottest and newest properties. For Fans of: Abigail Williams, The Black Dahlia Murder, Psycroptic, Cryptopsy 'Immortal' is out 18th March 2014 via Unique Leader Records [8] RHYS STEVENSON  INDICA 'Shine' NUCLEAR BLAST Making their highly-anticipated return to deliver their sixth studio album is Finland's all-female troupe Indica, building upon their successful 2010 album 'A Way Away' the quintet once again muster together their unique sound of Pop Rock, Alternative Metal and Symphonic Rock to shatter the musical barriers and evidently demonstrate why they are more than your average girl group. 'Shine' drags together the elegance of Nightwish, the power of Vanilla Ninja and the attitude of Finnish rockers that has served the national music scene for decades gone by. 'Shine' will get you moving on the dance floor and can easily prove itself to be successful as a soundtrack to proms or parties, make no mistake about it 'Shine' is certified to make anyone who listens to it rock their hearts out, without a doubt this album is an easy contender for Finnish album of the year. Download This: "Hush Now Baby" For Fans of: Vanilla Ninja, Nightwish, Evanescence, The Rasmus [8.5] RHYS STEVENSON  BEHEMOTH 'The Satanist' NUCLEAR BLAST Let's be honest here, Poland's most successful Metal band of all time has gone and delivered what has to be their best album ever. Spitting acidic venom at every second, 'The Satanist' revels in the darkest pits of hell and smothers the atmosphere with the choking black smoke-smell of burning Black Metal and disease-ridden Death Metal. For a band that has been going non-stop over 23 years, never taken a hiatus and has never failed to impress, their new album 'The Satanist' certainly is the cream of the crop. Through the album you can experience the unrelenting power and mind-blowing force that this trio of musical architects have summoned on every song, more so if this triad from Eastern Europe continues their sensational punishment, we could see their follow-up being even greater, irrespective of the fact that 'The Satanist' is an album that will be hard to match by; the Behemoth metal sound continues.... Download This: "The Satanist" For Fans of: Vader, God Dethroned, Vesania [10] RHYS STEVENSON  THERION 'Theli - Deluxe Edition' NUCLEAR BLAST Sweden's most successful Operatic / Symphonic Metallers Therion return with their latest offering in the form of 'Theli - Deluxe Edition'. Whilst at first it seems to be nothing but the same material they have been churning out over the years, it is in fact nearly the same as some of the material they have been churning out over the years. That does not mean to say it is not good, it basically means that if you like Therion, then you will like their upcoming album. Utilizing deep male vocals in the form of chamber music and weaving that alongside guitar and drum symphonies, Therion have once again proven themselves that they are a one of a kind. 'Theli - Deluxe Edition' will appeal to those who like the softer, darker and more elegant side of metal, the question is whether Therion can deliver it just as good when performing. For Fans of: Nigthwish, HIM, Avantasia 'Theli - Deluxe Edition' is out 28th February via Nuclear Blast Records [7] RHYS STEVENSON  PERSONA GRATA 'Reaching Places High Above' Slovakia's Persona Grata are a rather curious bunch, sure they utilize the Progressive Metal sound to it's optimus prime, but by layering it with traditional Central European melodies and influences, this is a rather ethnic sound conjured up and is evidently prevalent on their debut album 'Reaching Places High Above' released last year. Sure the album at times questions itself as a credible release, simply because at times the music sounds all chucked in and not organized strategically. Meaning it's not the best release possible, but by no means is it a push over, more so it offers a newer dimension but sadly lacks that final push that makes it a brilliant debut. What have they been up to for the last seven years prior to release is beyond anyone's questioning, it certainly was partially wasted in relation to this release. Download This: "Orient Express" For Fans of: Dream Theater, Symphony X, most Prog Metal bands. [7] RHYS STEVENSON  ADAMANTIUM
'Demo 2013' Every so often you will come across a release that at first seems to be as bland as a white canvas sheet, but as it progresses it's true colors begin to show. Welcoming to the apocalypse is Worcester's Heavy Thrash merchants Adamantium, whose 2013 demo delivers your average standard modern metal whilst coincidentally wafts in melodies here and there in the comparable sounds of Iron Maiden. Whilst it may never prove itself as pivotal in their career, it is a decent enough release that will get local and regional folk rocking out all night. At times the vocals deal no justice and lack that vibrancy that would push their sound up a gear, compensating for that are the intricate solo's and riffs that sit nicely on top of the drumming sequences. Credit is given where it's due and as long as Adamantium keep this line-up and buff the vocals up, they are sure to garner attention outside the West Midlands. Download This: "Escape Proof" For Fans of: Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Metallica [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON |
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