GMA - Vol 222 - Nargaroth, She Must Burn, Persefone, Bandolirium, Apologeth, Saille, Desmoterion, Ascendant, Carnac, Nuclear Warfare

NARGAROTH
'Era Of Threnody'
INTER ARMA PRODUCTIONS

German Black Metal has a history of delivering robust and spine-chilling efforts, Nargaroth on the other hand somehow missed the robust aspect, with Ash's latest effort 'Era Of Threnody' seeming to at times fall apart at the seams on some songs, despite the obvious effort to sound epic and adventurous. However in an ironical sense it's this stray into the Epic Black Metal field that gives the album a truly insane feeling of euphoria, in that Nargaroth have decided to go ahead with this shift without any element of prudence. But also delivering a truly authentic and respectable album regardless of its lack of robustness. Sure sometimes its harder to deliver greater creative input; two heads are better than one, however with this effort Nargaroth seem to have defied that logic overall with the exception of said robustness.

Download This:- 'Whither Goest Thou' - Click to listen

For Fans of: Immortal, Carpathian Forest, German Black Metal

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

SHE MUST BURN
'Grimoire'
ARTERY RECORDINGS

Arguably one of the UK's most promising Metal bands found within the genre-bending category, by lashing together elements of Melodic Metal, Deathcore and Black Metal, She Must Burn have stepped up a level from their debut EP 'Under The Shadows' and seemingly abandoning their gothic-tinged caricature. Some would argue this is a Melodic Deathcore album and therefore easily comparable to most Deathcore releases, but in truth it's more the opposite, She Must Burn have crafted their own sound to stand out from the flooded sub-genre. However the slight downside is that there needs to be more keyboard / female vocals present as this really worked on their debut EP – this is the sole element that lacks in this album and would make one feel that it is this element they need to retain.

Download This: 'A False Heaven' - Click to listen

For Fans of: Abigail Williams, Motionless In White, Cradle Of Filth

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

PERSEFONE
'Aathma'
VICISOLUM PRODUCTIONS

Hailing from Andorra (and now some people are frantically googling or using an atlas to find out where this country is, little hint – it's landlocked between Spain and France, nestled in the Pyranees), Persefone have conjured up their best effort to date with the sensational layering of melodic death metal and progressive metal presented herewith. 'Aathma' is the sextet's 5th album and the first to feature their new recruits in the form of Sergi Verdeguer (drums) and Filipe Baldaia (guitars); both members from another Andorra band called Nami, the result? A face-punching effort that'll guarantee to leave you totally pulverised from your inside out. Leading the Andorran Metal scene, Persefone are arguably poising themselves as the underrated underdogs of the Progressive / Melodic Death Metal style, with 'Aathma' easily considered as their finest effort, it's about time they got the recognition they deserve.

Download This:- "No Faced Mindless" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Opeth, Gojira, Amon Amarth

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

BANDOLIRIUM
'Bandolirium'
INDEPENDENT

Tango Metal? Well with Latin Metal and Flamenco Metal already in existence then sure why not deliver this unsuspecting genre? Argentina's Bandolirium – a one-man project – do no more than stick to instrumental music with Latin American vibes, salsa and tango vibes throughout whilst the core Progressive Metal sound provides the perfect foundation for this rather unusual and inventive sound to be delivered across. Whether the debut album will perk up interest from across the pond remains to be seen, but it surely will do down well in the South American Metal scene and tango music scene consequently. So it's evident to say that Bandolirium are the undisputed pioneers of Tango Metal. May this journey continue...

Download This:- 'Impulso' - Click here to listen

For Fans of: Breed 77, Ill Nino, Instrumental Metal

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

APOLOGETH
'type: HUMAN - status: INCOMPATIBLE'
INDEPENDENT

Forming part of a trilogy, the first album by Belarusian Groove / Death Metal horde Apologeth wields ultimate promise as the guttural rhythmic onslaught that comes with it is so epic, it's almost a solid guarantee that Apologeth are the metal band to place Belarus on the map. Their low-key growling underlines the sharpened guitar riffs and supports the drums with a solidified foundation. If this was to make you wet yourself, then that's a certificate worth issuing because this album carries all the hallmarks of a band who knows what they're aiming for. How they will top this effort remains to be seen, but if this is what we can expect from the rest of the trilogy, then fresh underwear will be needed each time.

Download This: "Human Zoo" - Click to listen

For fans of: DevilDriver, Gojira, Lamb Of God

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SAILLE
'Gnosis'
CODE666 RECORDS

Four albums in and Belgium's Saille are showing no signs of slowing down, in fact the Symphonic Black Metal outfit have arguably unleashed their most powerfully potent offering to date. With guest appearances by Niki Dierickx (female vocals) and Dries Gaerdelen (keyboards) giving the album a certain dimension, it might be worthwhile for Saille to keep this guest influence in check on subsequent albums since it works like a treat. Other than that, the album itself is far more effective and demanding than their Norwegian brothers in Dimmu Borgir, sure there is a gulf between the two in terms of success and how long they have been around, however Saille certainly seem to have kept true to themselves and have not strayed onto the commercialism path.

Download This:- "Magnum Opus" - Click to listen

For fans of: Carach Angren, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

DESMOTERION
D.T.N.
INDEPENDENT

Hardcore Thrashers Desmoterion are no strangers to the Venezuelan Metal scene having been around nearly 10 years but have only just this year dropped their debut album. The wait was clearly worth it as their debut album 'D.T.N.' is laden with brutality, ferocity and creativity, sure some would acquit this album as nothing but generic Crossover Thrash, but in truth there is something special going on. Venezuela might not be known on the international stage for having a metal scene, but it's bands like Desmoterion who are ideally aiming to change that with their Spanish-tinged metal music. For those who do not know Spanish, the band is basically singing about socio-political issues, not drugs or gang-related verbiage, this is not Narcos nor Breaking Bad in metal-form but perhaps speed in huge doses.

Download This:- "Pandemia" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Slayer, Biohazard, Metallica

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

ASCENDANT
'A Thousand Echoes'
INDEPENDENT

Featuring a line-up consisting of multiple nationalities including Emirati and Syrian, Ascendant are a truly multinational Power Metal band. They make this known throughout their debut album 'A Thousand Echoes' with clean and traditional Arabic vocals flowing throughout, sure the music doesn't touch any Arabic or Middle Eastern elements; which would really help their cause, however in the end their album does strike the perfect note. In some respect they don't remain bolted to the Power Metal style, this is evident on the track 'Morning Light' as they stray into Melodic Metal thanks to guest vocals by Lindsay Schoolcraft (Cradle of Filth). All in all the album is relatively decent with promise riding on it, it will be interesting to see where this outfit go next.

Download This:- "Fog Of War" - Click to listen

For Fans of:- Sonata Arctica, Sabaton, Persona

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

CARNAC
'Times Undone'
INDEPENDENT

Extreme Metal band Carnac are wasting no time in conjuring up a debut album worthy of a label release, signed to Sliptrick Records, this Turkish quintet lash together classic Melodic Death Metal with Progressive and Black Metal influences to deliver a chaotic and unrelenting surge of savage metal music. By cleverly mixing these different metal elements in a set way, Carnac have seemingly mastered the formula for delivering what easily could be dubbed Extreme Metal. Sure they will need to keep on the ball after this album to stand any chance of scoring major gigs across Europe, but with this effort it should not be a problem. 'Times Undone' should be in your CD collection for it wields together the likes of Carpathian Forest, early-Behemoth and Gojira to create it's own signature tune.

Download this:- "The Lantern" - Click to listen

For fans of: Ihsahn, Gojira, Strapping Young Lad

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

NUCLEAR WARFARE
'Devastation Upon The Battlefield'
INDEPENDENT

The Thai Metal scene is one that somehow is secluded from the rest of the world, despite it having a plethora of insane and imaginative metal bands – Nuclear Warfare are no exception with their neck-breaking Thrash Metal arsenal. Dropping their debut album 'Devastation Upon The Battlefield', this quartet stick true to the South-East Asian style of Thrash Metal; with Indonesia leading the way. However as a group they certainly know how to deliver a brutal and unrelenting sound that should ultimately be utilized again for their next release. No nonsense Thrash Metal is their game, Nuclear Warfare is their name, they certainly are a band to watch.

Download This:- "War Command" - Click to listen

For Fans of: Oracle, Slayer, Thrash Metal

[8] RHYS STEVENSON