LUMINESCENCE
'Eradicate The King'

South East Essex quartet (was quintet) Luminescence shed light with their debut demo release 'Eradicate The King', whilst conventionally not the generic breakdown-smothered, screamo emo-tinged metalcore craze that seems to be gracing the music scene these-days, Luminescence focus more on the metal and less of the 'core'; with trance music in tow, with a more darker version than their Yorkshire rivals Asking Alexandria. Although the first attempt is in three solid strikes of furious embroiled metalcore, the overall feel is of being impaled by 1000 spikes whilst being electrocuted, all thats missing is a little more trance - synth, however for a premier romp this is a well crafted piece of discography, one with meaning and ripe metal as well as mentally-challenging solo's, as for Luminescence, they are certainly flying the flag for the Essex Metal scene.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

ALCHIMIA 2012
'Another Star Is Approaching The Sun'

Reborn from the ashes of Alchimia, Alchimia 2012 shifted from Death Metal / Grindcore to the more brutal and furious sound of Metalcore. The quartet from San Marino is one band that is brimming with uniqueness and individuality as they are one of few active bands from the Principality, but also are one band who presents a deeper sound to the Metalcore tune. With their 2010 release 'Another Star Is Approaching The Sun', the quartet bring a mind-crushing blow to the soul in twelve tracks, resulting in the listener questioning 'what the f***k just happened?’ Alchimia 2012 is flying the flag for the Sammarinese Metal scene.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

_ LYNCHPIN
'Six String Demo'

Trinidadian Groovy Deathcore band Lynchpin unleash this two track taster of their latest works, whilst conventionally not the clearest of vocals, the band none the less gives a great blasting of brutally-infused Extreme Metal. Coming from one of the smallest Metal scenes in the Caribbean, the quartet do not fall short of expectations and instead deliver a sonic pounding that can be heard all over the Atlantic. Ever thought the Caribbean was a place just for steel bands? Lynchpin has proven this wrong and is flying the flag for the Trinidadian metal scene.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

CIRCLE OF RAGE
'Problem. Reaction. Solution'

English Hardcore Punk bitches Circle Of Rage unleash a murdering assault of 'Sex Pistol-meets-old school hardcore' songs, whilst conventionally not politically correct, although the latter would forbid it, the quintet give it as best as a shot that they can give. With clear Thrash Metal influences entering the affray - in the style of Metallica and Heavy Metal sounds from Motorhead per se, not to mention the clear The Clash / The Horrors style vocals, Circle Of Rage are sure to wipe that silly smile of your face, simply put Hardcore Punk will never be the same again.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

EDAIN
'Through Thought & Time'

2009 saw the first audio wave from Edain take form, the Czech Progressive Death Metal quintet came together in Brno to form a heavy onslaught of sensational riffs, gut-rotting vocals and ear-sensitive drumming. Whilst the band immediately goes into fifth gear in terms of audio sound and beat, the missing element is more so the level of audio that the vocals give, more so in detail the vocals could be more front-running. None the less with two songs over nine minutes long, there is plenty of time to enjoy the magnificent debut that Edain has made; 'Through Thought & Time' is without a doubt Czech Metal album of the year 2011.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

THE WAY OF PURITY
'Biteback'
WORM HOLE DEATH

Storming the underground in a ballistic style is extremely promising Norwegian Melodic Death Metalcore crew The Way Of Purity of whom return with their cavalier-style attitude of an EP entitled 'Biteback'. Excruciating three tracks of mind-blowing sonatas hard enough to blow holes in any sound-proof room, the 2011 EP is short-listed as Global Metal Network’s EP of the year. For the quintet from Sandnes, this is the sound that will ultimately be assigned to them, a signature turn of sweaty-ballsy Metalcore with Melodic Death Metal flowing freely. Emerging as one of Norway's most promising talents, they are sure to 'Biteback' on the brutal history with neighbors Sweden; the sonic audio storm has just begun.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

HARPIA DEIIS
'Collapse'

Female-fronted renaissance connoisseurs Harpia Deiis make their name known with their breathtaking debut album 'Collapse', crisp vocals encased by a brutally enticing smack-down of hard-hitting Metal with a covering of Austrian excellency. Harpia Deiis are one of those bands that sounds totally unique, with soul-crushing masculine growls and heart-soothing feminine soprano-style vocals, all placed on a foundation of raging riffs and brain-bruising drumming, the quintet are something of a gem, something that is - they are Austria's next big band and one to watch at that.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

FAKE IDYLL
'Therapist'
UNUNDEUX

Without physical presence in terms of a photo, the inconvenient German Death / Grind band Fake Idyll could be simply classed as sickening porno-grind with titles like 'therapist[getsallthegirls]', essentially it may as well fall under 'comedy metal'; comedy that is the vocals are ranging from good to diabolical to near suicidal. However their is a subtle level of tongue-in-cheek of which adds to individuality of this band, but what can be said is that their debut album 'Therapist' is one that has a pick and mix of genres, not essentially in the right order but passable as a decent release, just dont count on the second coming being an improvement.

[4] RHYS STEVENSON

GOLLIWOG
'Plague Allegiance'
CHAINSAW

Slovenian Hardcore Punk / Thrash merchants Golliwog unleash pure political banter on their latest album 'Plague Allegiance'; the topic being less controversial than the band name. As far as the music goes its all balls and brutality with the middle-finger clearly infused in the attitude of this band. From start to finish, the female-fronted quartet exhibit a get up and riot mentality, whilst driving a bullet of sonic audio blasting through the speakers at an alarming rate of knots. Golliwog maybe be the most racial of band names, but on the inside the band is four Slovenians with one motive, punk it out.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

DESPITE MY DEEPEST FEAR
'Dimensions'

Firing all of the trains on the underground into complete overdrive is Londoners Despite My Deepest Fear with their latest full-length album 'Dimensions', of which is set out to clearly define the absolute meaning of Metalcore. Mass murdering riffs are ingeniously enveloped by the craziest and harshest vocals found in the capital as well as the most sickening breakdowns ever experienced in the 21st century. Immersing the listener with melodic vocals and down-right brutal blastbeats, the quintet are certain to make a colossal impact on the British Metal scene, why these five lads are still unsigned is a valid question. Select tracks to indulge in include: 'reborn' (with a sensational riff introduction), 'melophobia' (for the truly sick breakdown) and 'dimensions' for the most irately bizarre introduction in Metalcore history. 'Dimensions' is one hell of a mind-crushing album and is sure to gain Despite My Deepest Fear some extreme notice and sensational reviews; Londoncore has just been born.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON