SURROUNDED BY DISGUST
'Paragon' & 'Hail Of Organs' singles

'Paragon'

Returning with one of two improved compositions is Croydon destroyers Surrounded By Disgust, with an armament of infant tune-changers and an array of assault-rifling riffs to contemplate any style of complex moshing. Fitted with a contagious drum pattern and knife-like riffs, this is a true improvement since their debut self-titled EP. Noting a slender savoury-laden assemblage of catchy musical structures, the bad boys from Croydon are in their A-level equivalent of musical productions.

'Hail Of Organs'

With an electronic-like influence in the musical composition, some would presume 'dubstep metal', others would consider a work of genius, but this is Surrounded By Disgust. The cherry on every cake has this written all over them. Blitzing blast-beats allied with raunchy riffs and vicious vocals all collaborate collectively to deliver dark and disturbing destruction, no accurate alliteration intended. This is by far the heaviest the boys from South London have mustered. Might need a health and safety warning issued for the hard of hearing.

[8] & [9] RHYS STEVENSON

VIZANT
'Vasilevs Vasileon Vasilevon Vasilevondon'

Montenegrin Gothic Doom Metallers Vizant kicked off their musical torrent of Orthodox Christian-tinged Metal music with a long-titled album, 'Vasilevs Vasileon Vasilevon Vasilevondon' (presumably Montenegrin or Latin) features their own style of music, whilst taking the dark history surrounding their homeland, they use their native tongue to personify their music. But they aren't Christian Metal, or so at least it could be argued, but what is certain is Vizant are flying the flag for the Montenegrin Metal scene. For fans of Arkona and Moonspell.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

WINDFALL
'Crush'

Fresh from Tuscany, Italy, is Melodic Heavy Metal quintet Windfall with their debut 2010 EP 'Crush', laying the tradition of Heavy Metal with Italian stallion melodies and feminine words, Windfall are Italy's answer to Finland's Skyward, naturally the Italian female vocals are one of dramaticism and excitement and Francesca Tedeschi does not fail to impress, as nor do the other band-members. This true solid production from Windfall is a real glimmer of hope for greater music in years to come.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

ETERNAL DECAY
'Beyond The Ties Of Flesh'

Occultists Eternal Decay immerse the surrounding atmosphere with a darkened aurora and sense of mysticism with their complex full-length debut 'Beyond The Ties Of Flesh' which saw birth in 2010. In short, Israeli Black Metal trio Eternal Decay exhibit a real sense of demoniacal controversy with in relation to their heathen homeland and in the view of their music following similar paths that of Melechesh. But for this three-piece metal band, this is probably the next Salem and so 'Beyond The Ties Of Flesh' likes the Eternal Decay of Hebrew Black Metal.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

VIZANT
'Sjene Živih'

Returning with their sophomore album is Montenegro's Vizant, bringing back their traditional twist of Montenegrin linguistics and Gothic Doom Metal to revolutionize the result of their first album leaves them with the aftermath, the birth of 'Sjene Živih'. Some would opt to place them under Pagan Metal, but with Orthodox Christianity as a lyrical topic, this would not be just. For the quartet from Niksic, this is their answer to revered Russian maestro's Arkona, game on.

LIKE TOMORROW
'Perfect World'

2010 saw Finnish Melodic Power Metallers Like Tomorrow unleash their fourth force of nature in form of their EP 'Perfect World', whisking the beauty of Finnish female vocals with the intricate compositions of the talented Finns on guitars and drums to develop their own unique sound to eradicate the shadowy darkness of the forefathers of Dark Metal. Bringing such emotional music and sorrowful tears to my eyes, this is one release for anyone who needs a good cry, as this world is far from being a 'Perfect World'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

SACRED MOTHER TONGUE
'The Ruin Of Man'
TRASCEND

This Northampton crew slithered themselves through the underground chambers to unleash the filth of Metalcore and ever-rotting flesh of Melodic Death Metal, to formulate their 2009 debut full-length release 'The Ruin Of Man'. Rebellious riffs encased a skin of articulate blastbeats and dual-tone vocals, this quartet are another living proof of the sexy and erotic result of combining these two genres together, for Sacred Mother Tongue 'The Ruin Of Man' has not yet begun, for the poseurs however it has.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

EXILIA
'Stop Playing God'
GUN

Back in 2004, Exilia upgraded their level of musical composition with their meaningful single 'Stop Playing God', highlighting the dangers and problems of being too big about things, but in Exilia's case it's more of a rebellious track and with that the spirit of Masha (vocalist) is extended beyond all extremity, a solid release by Italy's favourite Nu Metal group. Bring on the noise, for Exilia will bring their own buzz.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

DESDEMONIA
'Existence'

Hailing from the land of Luxembourg in Western Europe is Death Metal novices Desdemonia, with their third full-length 'Existence' aligning the terrors and darkness found within such an extreme type of music. Whilst the recording itself is a bit high-pitched, lowering the clarity of the music produced, the riffs exhilarate the drumming into complete coalition state. For the quartet this is a worthy piece of material, but not one that will change much in the Luxembourg Metal scene. For fans of Unleashed, Mass Hypnosis and Beneath.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

A DARK PLACE
'Suffering'
DEZLANIC

On the other end of the Death Metal scale, this is perhaps the rawest form of Death Metal, whilst the recording itself is slightly poor, the vocals are not-audibly clear and so relies on the music to add back-up. For the Melbourne quartet this is not perhaps the best of possible debut's but certainly is not the worst, for percussive levels it exceeds expectations but indefinitely is one album for the fans of The Berzerker in their early days. Some would say A Dark Place need to see the wizard of oz, but that would be an awful pun, one that would leave people in A Dark Place 'Suffering'.

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

GUTTED
'Mankind Carries The Seeds Of Hell'
SOULFLESH COLLECTOR

Blasting their way through the chasms of hell is Hungarian Death grinders Gutted with their sensational blitz of riff-infused blastbeats and gut-rotting vocals, all in sync with their third brutal assault 'Mankind Carries The Seeds Of Hell'. It comes with a warning, not for the faint of heart, for this record is by far one of Hungary's heaviest to date, served up on a plate of gormandizing flesh and sumptuous cannibalism-in-destroying-hearing kind of fantasy, all for the greater good. Without a doubt this album is in the top ten of Hungary's best Metal albums in 2010.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

CONRAD
'Oseaan Kroniek'

Unknown to the general Metal world, Kadeem Ward aka by his Folk Metal project Conrad, released his second demo last year to the masses. Hailing from Barbados, the one-man project takes the traditions of Barbadian folklore and the widespread lust of Folk Metal. Whilst the vocals and music is not crisp clear, that in fact adds to its unique being. A true sign that the Caribbean Metal scene is ever growing and that it is promising. Conrad is flying the flag for the Barbadian Metal scene. Forget steel drum bands and realize, Heavy Metal has now a new region.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

EXILIA
'Naked'
MYPLACE

Italian Nu Metal group Exilia went acoustic for their 2010 EP 'Naked', featuring an array of their heavy metal material being toned down into acoustic songs whilst retaining the Exilia song. Whilst not grunge-laden, this EP is not unlike their song 'your rain', whereby it features soft musical compositions and a more relaxed feel about the music. Certainly a rarity amongst many metal bands, but this is what Exilia is, a rarity, a unique sound, 'Naked' they may be soft and acoustic, but overall hard, heavy, glamorous and totally cool.

DEATHBOUND
'We Deserve Much More'
DYNAMIC ARTS

With a fistful of Finnish fury, the trio from Tampere and Oulu eradicated all hearing with their 2007 full-length album, whilst straddled between the Brutal Death Metal and Death/Grindcore combo, they exact their genre tagging with a blazing array of beats, riffs and short, snappy songs. Unlike most conventional Grindcore bands, Deathbound differentiate their songs sounds and so keep their albums balanced, and 2007's 'We Deserve Much More' was no anomaly. Fire up the machines, cause' Deathbound will take anyone for a ride.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

GORESOERD
'Tüdruk Ja Surm'
NAILBOARD

Estonian quintet Goresoerd excavated another disembowelment of epic proportion with their 2010 full-length offering 'Tüdruk Ja Surm', collecting a sensational array of deathgrind in their native Estonian language whilst captivating a cold and eerie atmosphere, one only rivalled by the Baltic winter. Goresoerd are not unlike Finland's Deathbound, only less heavy and not singing in English. Maybe Estonia's best deathgrind band, but one to watch out for.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

MONUMENTAL TORMENT
'Element Of Chaos'
SFC

So much for insane music, Russia's Monumental Torment went overboard with their debut album 'Element Of Chaos', with a mesmerizing result of cerebral asphyxiation in ten tracks, the Technical Brutal Death Metal duo elaborate the brutality foreseen by Russia's greatest and devour any opposing problems, leaving an album as heavy as excrement left by a communion of bears. It does exactly what it says on the album, it delivers the 'Element Of Chaos' in the most extreme method of monumental torment.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

RAUNCHY
'Confusion Bay'
NUCLEAR BLAST

Heading back in time we come across one of Denmark's most loved Melodic Death/Metalcore/Industrial Metal bands ever Raunchy, their 2004 full-length release 'Confusion Bay' collects a myriad of influences and somewhat pins the band under the 'Modern/Hybrid Metal' genre umbrella terms. Full-on sensational riffs, harmonious melodies and extreme brutality land their second album in the Danish Metal hall of fame. Limited to 2000 copies, this CD is a must have for any Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore or Industrial Metal fan. Raunchy take you on a journey unlike any other to their dreamland of the 'Confusion Bay'.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

GOD DETHRONED
'Passiondale'
METAL BLADE

The grandeur of Dutch Blackened Death Metal is God Dethroned, the next wave of unholy destruction comes with their 2009 concept album 'Passiondale'. Recreating the horrors experienced within World War 1 the Dutch quartet devours the atmosphere with a solid performance of cataclysmic musical compositions and exhilarating vocal differentiations. For the boys from Beilen, this is perhaps more than an extreme version of a history lesson but more so one of their best productions ever. Eclipsing their final year in existence, this album is by far one for any metal fan's collection, a true testament to military history. We know it as Passiondale, history knows it as Passchendaele.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

FETAL DECAY
'You Have No Choice'
SFC

Words are mere discriminatory for this half-decent attempt by Russia's Fetal Decay, the Brutal Deathsters conjure up a gut-rotting performance of flesh-stinking songs with a seasoned side deliverance. 'You Have No Choice' is their 2011 release and is a solid example of 50/50 results, for the good section the drums and guitars deliver prosperity, but the vocals are dire and soulless, maybe Fetal Decay want to sound out that 'You Have No Choice' but to like this album, dream on.

[5] RHYS STEVENSON

NEMESIS
'Forever In Metal'

A hidden gem in the Channel Islands is Guernsey's Power Metallers Nemesis, with a chaotic array of adventurous compositions and traditional Channel Island vocals. Their 2011 full-length crashes on the shore of mainland England with a flurry of power, brutality and luscious sound from this quartet. For many the idea of metal being in the Channel islands may daunt, but as Nemesis have correctly proven, the Channel Islands will always be 'Forever In Metal'.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

ILLUMINANDI
'In Via'
MOCNERAMIE

Arising from the Polish woodlands is Gothic Metal septet Illuminandi with their debut full-length release 'In Via', aligning both the Polish and English languages with the darkness of the Polish countryside, the Christianity themed band rejuvenate the  Gothic appearance of churches and ignite the banishment of demons. For their long-awaited debut-album is a certain reminder of pure prosperity, a signal that the Polish Gothic Metal vein is delivering beauty and darkness.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

KERECSENSÓLYOM
'Aquileia Ostroma'
NAIL

Hailing from Hungary, Symphonic Folksters KerecsenSólyom savaged the countryside and woods to contain natural elements in order to release their debut full length album 'Aquileia Ostroma' released in 2010. Mixing Hungarian lyrics with a myriad of riffs, solos and drum beats to create a dynamic musical world of traditional Hungarian Folk music with the harshness of Metal music. KerecsenSólyom serve as Hungary's answer to Russia's Arkona and develop their own sound, one full of Slavic atmosphere traits and Magyar tranquility.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

DEHUMANIZER
'Prelude To Destruction'

Speeding across the Arizona desert in an American lorry is Dehumanizer, the latest Deathrash Metal quartet to come out of the USA and into the world of Metal music. With a tank-load of fury loaded in the drums nothing slows these beasts down, not even the highway patrol from the cannonball run. Cranial damage is soon to be expected from the clarity of this music, percussive and neatly organized spring to mind on the 'Prelude To Destruction', we don't know what the aftermath will be, but rest assured it won't be pretty.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

HELLSPAWN
'Child Of Hell'

2010 and a new dawn of Extreme Metal was created in Poland, giving birth to Hellspawn's latest album 'Child Of Hell'. The Polish Death Metal quartet emanates the meaning of extremity and sticks it on the underlying foundation of brutal insanity. Pounding drumming, rampant riffs and spine-spanking vocals elaborate to commence the total depletion of hearing in phantasmal style, a delusional paradox of early Behemoth and latter Death Metal. For Hellspawn, this is more than music, this is much more than a Death Metal release, it is their 'Child Of Hell'.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

AS HEART'S BLEEDING
'Existence'
NAIL

Hungarian Metalcore posse As Heart's Bleeding unleashed a brutal onslaught of Hardcore Metal in 2009 with their album 'Existence', collecting a flurry of fast-flowing riffs, beats and extreme vocals, the quintet tear apart any living threat to the Hungarian Metal scene and install a Garrison-load of murderous tracks. Thinking Metalcore was emo-tinged with bands like Asking Alexandria was a misconception, for this band bring the new meaning of Metalcore, right back to it's very 'Existence', a true milestone in the Hungarian Metal Scene.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

EVENTIDE
'The Beast & The Machine'

It's a common trait, Sweden and the many variations of Death Metal, but it just all sounds the same, Eventide somewhat proves this but with an added element of Progressive Metal. Whipping up a storm in 2010 with their second album 'The Beast & The Machine', the mob from downtown Stockholm whack up the amps in brutal and fearful style and immaculately organize a wave of sonic wave destruction. Forget beauty and the beast, this is 'The Beast & The Machine'.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL
OLD CORPSE ROAD
'The Bones Of This Land Are Not Speechless/English Black Punk Metal'
GOD REAH

Two of the most revered Black Metal bands in England come together to wield a split release worthy of a place on any Black Metal fans shelf. Hertfordshire Metallers The Meads Of Asphodel work alongside North Eastern group Old Corpse Road, both with British traditions in common and a sense for Extreme Metal. Their combined effort 'The Bones Of This Land Are Not Speechless/English Black Punk Metal' which saw its release in 2010 culminates a work of art beyond mere Anglo-Saxon history. The Irish have Celtic Metal, but now thanks to these pioneers, the English have Anglo-Saxon Metal.

[8] / [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

MYHRDING
'Myhrding'
UNEXPLODED

Arising from the shadow grounds of the Swedish woods comes the latest Black Metal band to storm the underground in evil fashion, Myhrding a Swedish Black Metal quintet from Jönköping uncovers true original compositions and adapt it fit the lyrical content of Norse Paganism, somewhat a bold move towards Viking Black Metal, but with an assailant style of a debut self-titled EP released this year, Myhrding are looking promising in many ways.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

HIM
'Venus Doom'
SIRE

Going back to 2007, HIM (His Infernal Majesty) released their sixth adventurous outing in the form of their full-length album 'Venus Doom', putting together the traditional darkness found in the Finnish suburbs with the intricacy of modern metal/rock. With a Metallica-like influence and Gothic rock held at the helm of HIM's core music, the quintet from Helsinki came round again to deliver another loving and emotional sermon of pure Love Metal, like 'Venus Doom'.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

OMEGA LITHIUM
'Dreams In Formaline'
DRAKKER ENTERTAINMENT/SONY BMG

Coming out with their debut full-length album is Croatia's Industrial Gothic Metallers Omega Lithium, full of dark beauty and infectious dance tracks, the quartet emerge out of the shadows. Mixing a delicate balance of Gothic elements with the heaviness of Metal to deliver a journey full of lust, love, power and extremity. Spine-shocking riffs collide with brutal drumming and a femme fatale vocal array to dissimilitude any current trends with Industrial Gothic bands. Omega Lithium exhibit a willful act of destruction amongst many variations of musical creation, an exemplar of true darkness.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

MARTYRIUM
'Awakening The Ancient'
WITCHCRAFT

Hailing from the tiny island of Malta, Melodic Black Metal group Martyrium certainly make up for the island's small geography position, with their 2010 album 'Awakening The Ancient' delivering a solid onslaught of Cradle Of Filth style compositions, a true testament to the English titans. With an array of dark melodies and Maltese ideologies, Martyrium wield a battle worthy of recognition on all fronts, a signal that the Maltese Metal scene is big as any other opposing nation's Metal scene. Martyrium are flying the flag for the Maltese Metal scene.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

METALITY COMPILATION
'Sounds Of The Middle East'
http://www.metality.net/

Amassing a myriad of North African and Middle Eastern Metal bands, the website Metality unleash a torrent of exciting and underground metal bands into the wilds of the internet. With an army of bands from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, the website proves that these two regions of the world have a growing underground scene, wielding a variety of metal music from the likes of Oriental Folk Metal to Deathcore and from the hardness of Metalcore to the Melodic and Symphonic Metal kind. With a 50-track collection, this is certainly a digital release any Metal fan should endure in downloading, whilst it is in two downloadable parts, the 300 odd megabyte file is certainly worthwhile the download time it has to endure. No mistake about this compilation, Metality bring out the best of the promising and deepest underground bands in both regions, whilst not completely focusing on both regions, namely Libya (although no active bands exist) was not included, nor was Israel, Iraq or Azerbaijan. Failing that the true essence remains and it is undoubtedly the gateway for North African and Middle Eastern Metal to wreak havoc on the Global Metal scene. Forget the hookah, dress-down out of the traditional Arabic uniforms, as Metality unleashes the 'Sounds Of The Middle East'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

EVOCATION
'Apocalypse'
CYCLONE EMPIRE

Returning with their third full-length album is Swedish Death Metal warlords Evocation, producing a seminal outburst of thrifty riffs, fifth-gear speed drumming and guttural incantations, the quintet from Borås implement a harder version of the Swedish Death Metal era and exhibit a different stance towards the common genre that has become. Certified for moshpits to begin and headbanging to become imminent, Evocation visualizes the new wave of Swedish Metal.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON