CONFINED WITHIN
'Ashes Of A Fallen Kingdom'
RISING

Stafford stalwarts Confined Within deliver their next slice of pop-tinged Metalcore, with more cherries to suckle on. Their debut album 'Ashes Of A Fallen Kingdom' sees more breakdowns, riffs and screams than heard at a torture chamber. Metalcore as we know it is becoming the norm, with bands doing it right, some doing it ok, and some wasting air in doing it. Confined Within sits comfortably on the sideline producing their own strand of Metalcore and not cloned metalcore. With melodic metalcore covering songs like 'Forgotten' and 'Demons', this quintet are in a league of their own, rolling in the benjamins with a selection of ear-raping tracks and soul-destroying musical compositions, such an alliance of fury, emotion, brutality and Stafford slickness, this boy band take the core out of Metalcore and whack in a whole new emphasis on the term. In comparison sounding similar to Bullet For My Valentine without the Welsh accent, Confined Within are armed to become the new kids to rock the Cardiff Metalcore kingdom's boats and send waves of destruction across the breadth of the rolling hills and mountains of the British Isles and eventually the wider area of Europe. Break the noise, seal the doors shut, for Confined Within are a volcano that has erupted and is spewing out 'Ashes Of A Fallen Kingdom'.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

THE DEAD LAY WAITING
'Almost Heaven'
RISING

Forging the pathway from the time of 'We Rise', the Swindon crew The Dead Lay Waiting abseil the next level of Modern Metal to envelop listeners with a harder, more brutal and technical sound, the sound of being in 'Almost Heaven'. Having been nominated for 'Best Newcomer' for the Kerrang awards and 'Best UK underground band' for the Metal Hammer Golden Gods as well as taking over Scuzz in sick, slick and tantalizing style and playing at Download 2011, the boys from Wiltshire demolish their old sound and install a new upgrade, revolutionizing the majestic sound of Melodic Death Metal-cross-Metalcore. Whilst the old guard remains intact, the introduction of a new back-up vocalist namely Sam Sara has added a new dimension to it, let alone welcoming Steve Franklin on guitars to complement the new sound of British Heavy Metal. With tracks like 'Open Your Fucking Eyes' taking the brunt of rudimentary song titles, it remains to be perhaps the funkiest song on the album albeit the glorious ' The Days I'm Gone' of which doubled up as a live music video with a sold out audience to revel in the sonic waves emanating from the speakers. There is a unique concept about this album, without regards to a consistent lyric topic, the inevitable fact that the music as a whole as a continuous upbeat feel to it. Atmospheric as it comes, brutal as it is heard, chilling as it plays, dark as night, exciting as a party long forgone, geared up as the best British album of 2011, hard as diamond, ingenious as Hendrix, jubilant as a deserved victory, just some of the phrases to describe it. 'Pray To Me' is without a doubt the darkest song on the album with a spine-shattering and extremely scary scream by Luke Lucas (vocalist), with that in mind the album has a song for everyone, for party people 'The Days I'm Gone', for people who love to scream 'Pray To Me', for headbanging times 'Choke On Your Words' and so on and so forth, so forth comes the penultimate track 'Look At Us Now', which pretty much sums the whole band up, vastly becoming the next big band in the British Metal scene, only time is needed before they get on BBC Radio. Is there some sort of connection going on, whereby 'We Rise' came and took The Dead Lay Waiting to a new level and now they say 'Look At Us Now', was 'Almost Heaven' a foreseen event? After an excellent fifty minutes of glamorous, brutal and fist-pumping metal comes the daddy of the album, the whopping nine minute opus, 'Almost Heaven'. The longest song ever done by the band and one that deserves recognition as the most beautiful song they have ever done, with melodies so sleek and soothing it may be used in stress therapy, what with an orchestral section, this maybe a signature tune to a cremation, signalling the darker side to this band, so whilst The Dead Lay Waiting, the living pass away and before becoming free, reaches 'Almost Heaven' where The Dead Lay Waiting. This is one of those albums that deserves to be in the UK top 100 charts, with the amount of precision and atmosphere used on this album, if listeners think this it, they are mistaken, this is just the beginning, so all that is left to be said is that The Dead Lay Waiting for all.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

BEYOND THE DREAM
'In The Heart Of Nothing'

Storming Finns Beyond The Dream abseil the waterfall of improvement to deliver their best work yet, their third album 'In The Heart Of Nothing', with a toned down recorded sound, the atmosphere takes over, unleashing the wintry blast of Lapland and sleekness of Jyväskylä, mixing the Melodic Death Metal fuel which seems to have glued to Finland with the dark Gothic Metal feel Finland exhibits, Beyond The Dream are Poisonblack and Wintersun merged together, from the ashes of something came the result of being 'In The Heart Of Nothing'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

BLASPHEMER
'Devouring Deception'
COMATOSE

Italian Brutal Death Metal merchants Blasphemer unleash gore and gut-rotten infestations with their first EP released last year, 'Devouring Deception' captivates grunts, growls and gurgling but limited vocals, whilst the drum blastbeats and guitar riffs do some salvage, the overall EP has it's own level of brutal insanity, regardless of the vocal wonders, Blasphemer are proving that Brutal Death Metal is always underground and is best kept deep underground to avoid the 'Devouring Deception'.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

BLACK VEIL BRIDES
'Set The World On Fire'
UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC

Rising American maestro's of Gothic-tinged Metalcore Black Veil Brides call their second serving of glamor, Gothic aesthetics and heavy rock & roll with their sophomore full-length 'Set The World On Fire'. With fast and heavy tracks like 'New Religion' being wedged on top of classic rock sounds like 'Fallen Angels', this is another classic reason to why music is boundless to creativity. Whilst overall as not heavy as their debut in terms of vocals, the L.A. rockers take the glitz and beauty of their home town and reincarnate it into a blitzing storm of darkness, KISS and rocker couture, this is a sign of more to come, is the world ready for it? As Black Veil Brides continue to 'Set The World On Fire'.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

ILL CROW
'Into The Forgotten Spheres'

As far as Eastern or Central European Folk Metal goes, the Pagan or Slavic feel lacks here, but also the musical creativity, it seems very dull and wishy-washy, whilst the vocals and keyboards do good for Ill Crow's second demo 'Into The Forgotten Spheres', the rest is undesirable, not exactly the worst metal album but one that needs a lot of redesigning. The demo makes Justin Bieber's music justifiable, let alone sarcastically 'alternative metal'.

[4] RHYS STEVENSON

CLANDESTINED
'Ruinatics'
BUSDEATH

Evaluating the oriental is Japanese ninja's Clandestined and their sensational blast of Death / Thrash Metal, with their 2011 sophomore album 'Ruinatics' comes a sound similar to that of Sepultura but with a pinch more of speed and rawness to complete the sound. Collectively, this release is a decent attempt at making their own sound, whilst the production could have been better, for an underground band this is a fairly ok shot at it.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

DOTMA
'Sleep Paralyses'
SCARLET

Arising from the shadowy footsteps of fellow countrymen Amberian Dawn is Finland's latest female-fronted Power Metal exports Dotma and their signature tune of heavenly vocals, mystical guitar riffs and sensationally warped drumming to create their debut outing 'Sleep Paralyses'. With elements of Within Temptation in their closets, Dotma ex-cruciate pure bliss in a majestic wave of luscious and soul-soothing melodies, a crystal clear sign of the true power of Finnish power metal. Whilst not has heavy as Sonata Arctica, Dotma are certain to become regulars of Power Metal.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

TREMOR
'South Of Sanity'

Progressive Metal, fast and heavy as well as funky and... Caribbean? Trinidad & Tobago Progressive Metallers Tremor hit back with their fourth full length album 'South Of Sanity', clipping together the fast pacey speed of Iron Maiden and heaviness of traditional Prog Metallers. For a band from a region of limited metal music activity, Tremor certainly make themselves self-explanatory, with a rumble of drums, seismic wave-riffs and soul-destroying vocals, this Trinidadian bunch bring on the noise, Tremor is flying the flag for the Trinidad & Tobago Metal scene.

SILENTIUM
'Amortean'
DYNAMIC ARTS

Finnish Gothic Metal veterans Silentium ravage the darkness of their land to deliver their fifth onslaught of spine-chilling vocals and powerful music in the form of their latest album 'Amortean' released in 2008. Whilst not as soft as fellow countrymen Vanguard, Silentium prove once again why the Finnish goth scene is one to be reckoned with, collecting orchestral chants with swift solos and blastbeats powerful enough to savor, this is one record for any Gothic Metal fan, a true work of inspiration.

FRANTIC AMBER
'Wrath Of Judgement'

Gothic in visualization, Melodic Death Metal in sound, Sweden's all-female newcomers Frantic Amber revolt in the underground with beautiful extremities and insane brutal force, their debut EP 'Wrath Of Judgement' released in 2010 is slower and more heavier than Scar Symmetry and Arch Enemy put together, slick riffs, gritty vocals and riotous drumming sizzle altogether on this juicy debut, Frantic Amber are not your average Gothic-tinged Swedish girls, they are five Angela Gossow's, only heavier.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

ILL NINO
'Dead New World'
VICTORY

Latin Metal veterans Ill Nino return with the blast of Latino fury and heavy metal balls, immaculate compositions on their latest and 2010 album 'Dead New World', weaving their way between Latino-influenced Nu Metal and Metalcore, sounding like a crossover of Sepultura and Lamb Of God, with an array of bandmembers of different nationalities, the influences differ from song to song, but keeping to a nu metalcore approach, this is a funky album with so much riding on it in terms of legacy, fuelled by their signing with Victory Records, Ill Nino excite the latest fan generation from the bright 'Dead New World'.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

DR. ACULA
'Slander'
VICTORY

American 'Party Metal' / Deathcore mob Dr. Acula return with their highly anticipated fourth album, chock-full of intense breakdowns, funky gruel vocals and suspense on every second of the album, for the seven lads from New York, this is an album strong and brutal enough to rip holes in the streets and assimilate the problems of American life, to turn it into one roller-coaster of  funky Deathcore and potentially experimental metal, but this is one release for the 'wtf' category, having said that, 'Party Metal' might just become a new genre.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SISTER SIN
'True Sound Of The Underground'
VICTORY

Swedish Hard Rock / Heavy Metal quartet Sister Sin make it three with their 2010 album 'True Sound Of The Underground', essentially the chic version of Iron Maiden, but with more sweat, blood and girl power, with an array of songs in the fury vein as well as rock ballads, this is Sweden's answer to Canada's Kobra & The Lotus, by far better and more glamorous, potentially an album to motorbike to. Bring on the Harley Davidson's zooming along Swedish countryside roads and the blasting of Sister Sin.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

EXILIA
'My Own Army'
AFM

Italian Nu Metal quartet Exilia eroded hearing and lightened hearts in 2009 with their fourth full-length album taking life, whilst 'My Own Army' is clearly not as heavy as previous albums, the grunge elements are still there, what with Masha's voice enchanting and the other three members providing a musical supplement, these songs are not to be snuffed at, this is a more easy listening album but at the same time, 'My Own Army' has its own unique sound to it, one of melody, riot, softness and heaviness, a pivotal release in the end.

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

ANA KEFR
'The Burial Tree (II)'
MUSE SICK

Californian Death Proggers Ana Kefr emerge once again to deliver a religious, political and philosophical tinged album, this time in the morphed form of 'The Burial Tree (II)', whilst not sounding like Gojira, it has some element of bizarreness with it, while although the individual compositions have a neatly crafted structure, the whole album itself is little to be desired, but not to be shunned as a failure. The growling is deep as oceans go, but the rest of it seems to lack any completeness with it.

[5.5] RHYS STEVENSON

WHO DIES IN SIBERIAN SLUSH
'Вitterness Of The Years That Are Lost'
SOLITUDE PRODS.

Depressing springs to mind with Russian Melodeath Doomsters Who Dies In Siberian Slush (WDISS), slow and melancholy are somewhat two words to describe it, but it is not one to be knocked what with a grizzly growler on the frontline and a bombardment of sorrowful riffs and funeral-like drumming. Intuitively elaborating the darkness of a funeral with the bitterness of the Russian winter, WDISS are one of a kind, just be warned of the depressive aftermath.

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

SEVERED HEAVEN
'Incessant Darkness'

Formerly known as the Melodic Gothic Metal quintet Blood Sundae, the five females from Leeds and Manchester reformed under a darker and more extreme sound, the sound of a Severed Heaven. Immaculate musical compositions covered by some of the grittiest vocals produced by a female metal vocalist, this is the feminine Hecate Enthroned with some melodies still influencing this band. Ravenous riffs and sick blastbeats come together with two-tone vocals to deliver perhaps the darkest debut by any band in the English Metal music history. 'Incessant Darkness' with its slow-to-mid-paced musicals send clear messages to the listener, don't judge the band. This is the sort of music that would work well with horror films, or even essentially ghost night trips, but overall if you think the winter nights are dark, then face Severed Heaven as they bring far more darker times, 'Incessant Darkness' is just the beginning, watch this band at all costs.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

TUKKANUOTTA / GORESOERD
'TUKKANUOTTA / GORESOERD 2010 split'

Two nations, similar in language and culture, two bands, similar in genre, one split album. Finnish Death Metallers Tukkanuotta joins in force with Estonian Deathgrinders Goresoerd to deliver a double-edge whammy of Baltic Metal. The first half sees the fury of the Finns deliver an outstanding blow of crisp and clean Death Metal with Finnish vocal attributes; the second half sees the elegance of the Estonians whip up a frenzy-like blast of Death Metal and Grindcore merged into one with essential native-tongue vocals. One release for Death Metal fans and fans of Finnish and Estonian Metal.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

DEATHBOUND
'Non Compos Mentis'
DYNAMIC ARTS

Death Metal / Grindcore veterans Deathbound return with their fourth enrichment of bloody and gut-eroding music in the form of 'Non Compos Mentis', whilst not as brutal as their 'Doomsday Comfort' album, it still warrants a level of violence and hearing-aid destroying power. Quick, snappy and mind-boggling compositions are all that's exasperated on this release and in scintillating style at the same time, 'Non Compos Mentis' is a statement by Deathbound, we are not finished this brutalization.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

GRAVE FORSAKEN
'Fight To The Death'
SOUNDMASS

Australia's veteran Death/Thrash Metallers Grave Forsaken return with their fourth full-length with a vengeance, 'Fight To The Death' employs old school style Thrash with strangely limited Death Metal, so whether the genre was completely misread god knows, but forget that because Grave Forsaken are not your average aussie piss-uppers nor are they Sydney surfers, contrary to belief the quartet reside in Perth and instead play host to the ashes in cricket, should it be seen that Australia's cricket team should adopt the song 'Fight To The Death'? Even when Pontin has gone (in years to come)? Essentially one to watch, regardless of the distance.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON