CORPSE GARDEN
'Burnt By The Light'

Hitting the smack-down sound of Technical Melodic Death Metal is Costa Rica's very own Corpse Garden. Their debut album 'Burnt By The Light' brings out chaotic melodies moulding together with truly rotten guttural vocals and a rapturous stream of blastbeats and outrageous riffs. Taking inspiration from bands like Nile and Cryptopsy, it can be clearly seen why Corpse Garden are making a name for themselves, let alone the band being selected to play at the Wacken Open Air this year on the 1st August, the quintet are sure to achieve greater feats in years to come as they fly the flag for the Costa Rican Metal scene. Make no mistake; this is a band to keep an eye on.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

DREADNOUGHT
'Demon'

Hailing from Luxembourg, Melodic Black / Thrash Metal mob Dreadnought burst onto the scene with their infused shrieking-vocals of the Darkthrone guild and infuse music of cursed and darkened atmospheric proportions that are related to that of Mayhem as such. Their debut album 'Demon' delivers a melodic and up-beat feel to the gloomy background music and as such conjure up a brilliant new level of sound. This is perhaps the album and band that the Luxembourg Metal scene has been waiting for, one to fly the flag and perhaps blast wide open the doors of the underground to make a name for themselves, with this release now under their belt, this should not be tricky to do.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

NIR'UM'TUK
'Revering This New Chaos'

Sadly a little rushed and well the one-man project (now duo) Nir'um'tuk does manage to deliver a brutal and evil onslaught of Black Metal music but the vocals lack a little clarity or at least proper shriek. However given due that 'Revering This New Chaos' is the first EP by the band, it is a decent enough effort. It is indeed for those fans of the original Black Metal sound, the fast drumming and raw bitter atmosphere that comes with it. But for Nir'um'tuk there is a bit needed to be done to the next release.

[5] RHYS STEVENSON
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ENCLAVE
'United Desperation'

You know when you come across a band that takes pinches of modern and old classic sounds and meshes them together? Well Enclave do exactly that, taking Slayer-esque vocals and Iron Maiden / Metallica riffs, with the sensational drumming pace found in modern Thrash Metal, this is a classic example of perfection. After all the Austrian's debut album 'United Desperation' deals them justice, with an array of ballsy, riff monstrosity, compositions to dribble over, no wonder they have shared the stage with bands like Gama Bomb, this band's off their rocker. This will not be the last we hear about this lot, they hold all the cards.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

FORSAKEN WORLD
'As Time Reflects Our End'

Breaking out into the French Metal scene is no easy task, considering the lack of bands making themselves internationally known, but when bands like Forsaken World come out of the depths of the underground and emerge as a new threat to the current scene, resistance is futile. The debut album 'As Time Reflects Our End' delivers a massive explosion in the sound of Kill Chambers and The Dead Lay Waiting and essentially delivers a well conceived premier attempt. With this now under wraps, the sophomore release will be one to watch out for.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

P.S. Global Metal Apocalypse does not support or encourage the NSBM movement, nor do we condone it, we purely look at it as a Black Metal genre and focus purely on the music itself.

FEUERNACHT
'Kamps Macht Frei'
ONE PEOPLE ONE STRUGGLE

The debut from the Austrian NSBM machine known as Feuernacht does not go without any compromise, singing entirely in their native German language, the band drag out from the darkness the most gruesome and evil types of Black Metal, the National Socialist kind. Whilst most will hate on the album, the music deals justice in that it delivers a cleverly structured slice of classic Black Metal. Fast-drumming on top of raw vocals that are so raw, it makes blood-red meat look pathetic. With a morbid, cold and damp atmosphere being drawn into the affray, this release could be the peak of the movement and as such, without any argument, a release worthy on anyone's shelves. Grim, black and practically old-school, 'Kamps Macht Frei' is the signature tune of Feuernacht.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

MOSHPIT
'We Carry The Heart'
ONE PEOPLE ONE STRUGGLE

Let's face it, the 2012 offering by German Metalcore mob Moshpit is poised to smack the hell out of the cloned Metalcore bands that scatter the earth's surface these days. Their 2012 album 'We Carry The Heart' is a perfect example of how Metalcore 'should' be done. Brutal breakdowns, neck-slashing riffs and gut-rotting vocals accelerate the monstrosity that is Moshpit. Signed to OPOS Records, Moshpit are one hell of a promising band and are sure to smash their way through the German Metal scene like a dozen horses charging into battle, this, is, the, sh*t!

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

NIGHTCREEPERS
'Alpha'

Gallantly wielding their swords, strapping together their barrels and priming their arrows, is French Pagan Folk Metallers Nightcreepers with their majestic sophomore album 'Alpha'. This sextet create an upbeat yet traditional sound with the usage of keyboards and a finely-tuned accordion to mix the classic French music sound with the harsh brutality of the Metal music infrastructure. It is not often that you come across bands similar to that of Arkona, Primordial or Cruachan; minus the Celtic Metal influence, or so one thinks. However, Nightcreepers are sure to storm the European lands, turn heads and most importantly sport that upcoming, needed label signing (and one could see them on a label like Nuclear Blast someday).

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

RISE OF AVERNUS
'Rise Of Avernus

The debut EP by Australian quintet Rise Of Avernus does not go without it's drawbacks, it's too short. The EP kicks off the melodramatic and dark atmosphere through the delinquent sounds of the keyboard and the raw riffs of the guitar intertwining with the deep and depressive vocals, all of which bring together a real dank release. For the Progressive Gothic Doomsters, this is a great attempt on the first hurdle and it would seem that they have much more to offer in the next few releases. With clear-cut influences from Opeth, Paradise Lost and Candlemass, this is one EP to please any Doom Metal fan.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

REVERIES END
'Beneath The Silent Shades / Empyreal Form'

So between the two demo's by Finnish Dark Metallers Reveries End, a guitarist has left the band, but none the less, none of the essence has dissipated. Starting with their premier demo 'Beneath The Silent Shade' which instantaneously brings in the Doom Metal atmosphere and almost Nightwish operatic vocals with a slither of Melodic Death Metal style drums. With the heavenly vocals bound for the Finnish choir and the musicians giving a wall of sound as a barrier, this is a decent first attempt. 'Beneath The Silent Shade' is for fans of Apocalyptica, Vanguard and all around dark music.

'Empyreal Form' sees the departure of guitarist Mikko Pylkko and the quintet becomes a quartet, but the sound does not change, it ironically has improved. The second demo of 2012 brings out a greater production and more power behind the sound. With the first track 'Descent' being similar to that of Nightwish's 'Tutankhamen' and the average song by Arkona. With a greater and darker atmosphere shedding itself all over 'Empyreal Form', this is the sound that would best suit Reveries End, but by adding some symphonies here and there, it could be one notch better, still a very good demo and is sure to aid them into becoming a promising band.

[7] + [7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

AMNESIA
'Inside My Head'

There is a common feeling amongst bands who use Thrash Metal in Brazil, it seems to be always fast, complex and sensationally brutal, there again Sepultura laid down that guideline, but it's bands like Amnesia who go one step further, the Brazilian quintet incorporate Death Metal in with their music to produce a trippy, brutal slab of pure menacing metal. This comes in their 2012 debut EP 'Inside My Head', spitting out the trash and injecting the new modern sound of Brazilian Death/Thrash Metal. With three tracks spear-heading a complimentary promo video, Amnesia's Inside My Head has set the tone for the band to achieve great things and they fully deserve it.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

EMBASSY OF SILENCE
'Antler Velvet'
RAVENHEART

Once in a while you come across a band who totally blows wide open the guidelines and runs riot in the studio, such a band is Embassy Of Silence whose 2012 sophomore album delivers a non-apologetic smacking of Progressive Gothic Metal. The Finnish sextet conjures up a cosmic sound of darkened verses and erotic music to indulge anyone's tastes. The second major out 'Antler Velvet' delivers the essential 'Gothic femme' vocals and heavy music together in just under an hour, but all of it is worth it, with songs sounding similar to that of Delain, Lacuna Coil, and Echoes of Eternity, this is just the beginning.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

HIGHLIGHT KENOSIS
'Change'
RAVENHEART

Returning once again is Romania's Prog Metallers Highlight Kenosis, who are now based in Germany. Following their highly successful debut album 'Glowing', the quartet delivers their next offering 'Change'. With the sounds of traditional progressive metal being mixed with the influential sounds of Krypteria, Guano Apes and Goldfrapp, this is the next step in great success for one of Romania's upcoming finest bands. From the sensational solo on 'There Is No Secret' to the pop rock feel on 'I Wish You Felt The Same', Highlight Kenosis are powering their way to further achievements and with this album under their belts, there is nothing to stop them.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

MALEDIA
'Your Angels Cry'
RAVENHEART

2012 sees the first EP by Italian quintet Maledia come to life, the Symphonic Gothic Metal band unleash the sounds of 'Your Angels Cry' with comparisons of Tarja era Nightwish and the use of female operatic vocals and the beastly vocals of guitarist Daniele. In a way they have also got comparisons with Within Temptation in that the supremacy of the high notes and the music come together to deliver a classic epic. Brimming with excellence and powerful creativity, Maledia is duly a force to be reckoned with, move aside Within Temptation and Nightwish, there's a new band on the block and they won't be budged easily.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

SHAPED BY FATE
'I Fear The World Has Changed'
SIEGE OF ARMADA

Welsh Hardcore Metallers Shaped By Fate make their comeback to release their sophomore album 'I Fear The World Has Changed', kicking into full throttle, the South Wales crew demolish past sounds and implement a new choice of direction, one with full of the nitty-gritty, sweat and demonic fret of which is enough to make listeners wet themselves. Coming from the fabled 'core' scene of South Wales is no easy task, but for the quintet before you, this is only level 1, there are far more levels to complete, and as the band will find, everything is in fact, Shaped By Fate.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

DISHARMONIC
'The Creature - Artificial Ignorance'
HECATOMBE

Defying the odds of the Spanish economy crashing was plain and simple for Andalusia's Disharmonic, who of which unleashed brutal hell in 2011 with their face-smashing debut release 'The Creature - Artificial Ignorance'. Featuring drumming so fast and brutal, it's only physical resemblance is being kicked in the cojones, painfully sharp and so razor-sharp, it could cause a headache. But that's what makes Disharmonic and 'The Creature - Artificial Ignorance' so good, demoralising the norms and putting their own twist on the fathomed Death Metal genre. With Bao delivering the scariest of female vocals, this is a Spanish Inquisition metal-style.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

SPREADING DREAD
'...Sanatorium...'

2012 see's a new band on the block in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. This band comes in the form of Power Thrashers Spreading Dread and in-tow their debut album '...Sanatorium...' which delivers a majestic riff-a-thon in sensational style. With blistering-paced drums in the backline, venomous vocals splitting the chasm in two and a frenzy of galloping riffs on the frontline, '...Sanatorium...' is crafted for fans of Sabaton, Metallica and basically any band that uses either Thrash Metal or Power Metal. Rest assured, this is a promising band.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

THE SIEGE
'The Siege - A Musical Epic'
STP

Austrian Prog Metal/Rock maestro Florian Hartl takes listeners on a mystical, majestic and awe-inspiring adventure with his project The Siege. Firmly affixed on the subject of the Battle of Vienna in 1683, this is a solid production of which draws comparisons between Dream Theatre and Sonata Arctica, with a fortified display of emphatic solo's, classic vocals and an array of percussion to keep the listener on their toes, The Siege is taking Austrian Prog Metal/Rock to new levels of extremity and in doing so, collectively spews out nothing but 100% excellence.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

EL SCHLONG
'Time/Place'

So it comes down to this, a calamitous clashing of various metal genres that interestingly and surprisingly seem to work, without actually finding any way to genre-tag El Schlong's 2011 release 'Time/Place'. Effectively it's got melancholy, panache and out-right bizarrity. If anything it may as well qualify as Extreme Progressive Metal, the progression is there but the vocals are effectively Thrash Metal, whereas the riffs epitomise the classic sound of Black Metal or Doom Metal, one of which resembles a scary side to this release,, and so on that note this album as many questions, but one answer, which is that it's unique.

[6] RHYS STEVENSON

OKERA
'A Beautiful Dystopia'

Australian Melodic Death / Doom Metal quartet make their debut album jump and trip a bit, 'A Beautiful Dystopia' has all the flavourings of the traditional sounds from the stated genre's, but the atmosphere lacks in ambience and despair and thus results in a rather upbeat version. Hark, nonetheless Okera make a good attempt at their first release and is sure to bring out future promising sounds, but for now there is work to be done, perhaps the surfing needs to be cut down and spent more time absorbing the outside atmosphere during the BBQ season, or better still taking in the dark side of Australia, of which would become 'A Beautiful Dystopia'.

[6] RHYS STEVENSON

BELAKOR
'Of Breath & Bone'
ROCKSTAR RECORDS

Third strike lucky and coming out of the gates is Australia's Belakor and their third outing, 'Of Breath & Bone' sees the Melodic Progressive Death maniacs delve into the deepest sphincters of hell to deliver a face-smacking punch of evil music. With the riffs emanating the classic Scar Symmetry progressive gist and the vocals taken on the form of Unleashed, this is a truly remarkable effort. Without any remorse, Belakor produce music similar to that of Scar Symmetry, In Flames and Marionette, a classic Gothenburg sound escape and with this effort, the next step is global domination for the Victoria quintet; could easily be Australian Metal album of the year.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

TEMPLE
'Structures In Chaos'
NON SERVIAM RECORDS

Blasting the barriers of sound is Dutch Brutal Death cowboys Temple and their emphatic debut album 'Structures In Chaos', this god-smiting release brings together the sounds of early Behemoth with Hail of Bullets-style vocals. It's sensational speed, riff intricacy and gut-rotten vocals devour the listener into a state of phantasmagoria via exploding the surrounding area with the sound of pounding beats, harmonious guitars and the overall sense that Temple, of whom are a trio, are in fact a mass army, ready to deliver the most brutal and sickening Death Metal in through 'Structures In Chaos'.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

AKOMA
'The Other Side'

If Carlsberg did prophecies, it would probably be the prophecy in the world, and this pretty much sums up Akoma's sophomore EP 'The Other Side'. Striking comparisons can be found between the heavenly vocals of Within Temptation; only made even more heavenly by Tanya and the thunderous drumming and riffing by three talented musicians, altogether producing one of the finest Danish Metal bands in years. 'The Other Side' takes the listener to a land of majestic adventures, harmonic rivers and waterfalls and changes the atmosphere into the realm of the beauty and the beast. Sounds like phantom of the opera, plays like godly music, concludes as the potential for being Danish release of the year, why aren't they signed?

[10] RHYS STEVENSON