A new work for this all female Athenean band that comes back to the surface with a pure diamond!! Amazing guitar riffs with imaginative melodies, boisterous tempos that are perfectly tied together with some groovy moments and voluminous rhythm parts that have a death metal style are some of the most important ingredients of this album. The guitars, despite having a volume that reaches, artistically speaking, the death metal essence, they create melodies that are purely and clearly of a black metal origin and Tristessa's performance and skills have improved so much during the years that have astonished and impressed me a lot!! Her vocals are marvelous with a unique and true black metal hue that resembles to no other!! The production is extremely well worked and with really high quality standards and it's obvious that a lot of money and hours of work have been sacrificed to that concern. So our friends from Athens make a dynamic comeback with the best album of their career, which will most probably open the gates for a greater European award and recognition.WELL DONE and good luck cause you surely deserve it!!!!

George  "Death Dealer - Echoes From Erebus"  Kefalas

This is the second release for the British Intense and the first one that is released under a label. The band plays heavy/power metal music with some speed and thrash moments. Generally speaking they show me that they are a tight and talented band, but there are elements in their sound that are missing. The most important is that they lack of energy. They don’t have the enthusiasm that you listen to the first albums of ICED EARTH, a band with which they have a lot in common musically speaking. This album gave the sense of the "restricted"… that the band tried on purpose to avoid playing in a more aggressive manner in order to sound more intellectual maybe… Anyway the music that they have chosen to play needs more enthusiasm and energy. The song that captured my attention the most is "Our Last Hope"…

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

Basement is another German act who released their latest full length album, “Circle Of Pain”, before a few weeks. The band formed back in 2003 and having already a demo CD they decided to make the breakthrough with this work. Musically Basement walk in progressive music; so be prepared to fill your mind and soul with some really impressive moments which Basement offer us with this album. Most of their well worked compositions are from six to seven minutes long and inside them you will find some really impressive ideas. Maybe if you hear for the first time their album, you will feel a little bit bored, this is because, every time you are going to listen to it you will always find something new, something hidden from the previous time. Don’t forget also that the band has already shared the stage with acts like: ARENA, IRON SAVIOUR and GRAVE DIGGER. I am sure that Basement deserve your attention! 
Site: www.basement.at.tt
Email: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

The band's name and the title of the album say it all. This is a German band that uses their language in all of their songs. This is their sixth album and since I don’t know much about them I tried to do a little research. To make it quick, I went to their label’s site were I read that Letzte Instanz as a band is not following the trends and tries always to mix new sounds. Tell me preoccupied or whatever you want, but when I read such descriptions I always think that the label tries to cover something here. So, I can say that this band follows the trends since they sound as a more gothic or rock version of RAMMSTEIN and SUBWAY TO SALLY (with less folk parts). They are not bad to listen to, but it's nothing that can make you run to the store near you to buy this album either… except for the case that you know German or you are from Germany and the lyrics of the band "move" you. If you need to listen to such sounds better check out the last album of CREMATORY, otherwise try to find something more intriguing to listen to…

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

With only one year of existence this new born band from Germany sent us their first self financed full length album. “Your Own Story” is the title of their album and after the intro the band gives us their personal vision of Teutonic power metal. I am sure that the fans of the 80s heavy metal will adore from the first note the stuff from Circle Of Silence. The band has included eleven songs on this album with most of them having some interesting ideas. Their compositions are well worked, the guitars remarkable and their singer always sings with his hoarse voice which of course fits almost perfectly to the final result. Maybe the production is a little bit “weak” but it is their first attempt in the discography. For example I am sure that if the sound of the drums had been heavier then the final result would have been even better. To the bottom line, I believe that the fans of heavy/power metal, especially if they come from Germany will adore Circle Of Silence. I hope the band will continue the hard work! 
Site: www.circle-of-silence.de 
Email: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

It was around ten ‘o clock in the evening and I hadn’t yet decided if I would watch a movie or listen to music in order to rest from the tiring afternoon. Then I saw Lord Agheros' CD on my pile of CDs and I put it in my CD player, plugged in the earphones and pushed the play button. Well, from the first moment I understood that this work could not be categorized. Sometimes it was sounding like a soundtrack and made me think that I was watching an epic/fantasy movie and other times the black metal parts were giving to the whole result an eerie atmosphere. In general, Lord Agheros leave the music to do the job and let you travel to soundscapes of your mind… The whole work is very good, especially if you think that only one person, Evangelou Gerasimos, is responsible for the creation of this album. Only when the CD reached its end there were some moments that tired me a bit, but they are not enough to ruin the whole atmosphere of this work. My favourite track is “Luna Gitana” because these Spanish/gypsy tunes played by the acoustic guitar stick into your mind… For more info about the band you can visit their site: www.lordagheros.com or send an email to the artist: [email protected]. You can also contact the management of the band at the following email: [email protected]

Cavalar has their base in London and “As A Metal Of Fact” is their latest self financed full length album. From the first note this band gives you a clear picture of what you are about to listen to and believe me you will be surprised by their musicianship and their ideas. Even though Cavalar walks in stoner/heavy rock paths with influences from the 70s and the 80s, you will find a fresh air in their songs. Their compositions are well worked with some very interesting ideas and at the same time they also have some classic elements. They have found a very interesting combination between these two elements and by adding their personal touch they give us a very powerful album. If you like BLACK SABBATH or BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and bsimilar sounding bands, then you will surely adore Cavalar and their music. Rock on!
Site: www.cavalarrock.com
Email: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

A few years ago I could not imagine that I would enjoy albums that include compositions that have a duration over 20 minutes. Somehow, Neal Morse seems to have the magic touch to create good rock music. I have checked out many reviews and I saw that they categorise the album in the progressive rock genre. In general I won’t disagree, but in my opinion I think that the album has more of a rock opera atmosphere. Neal Morse combines in an original way influences from bands like QUEEN, RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, URIAH HEEP and MARILLION along with some orchestrated parts. People that enjoy listening to 70’s rock albums here will find their joy… A must have!

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

Another new born band from Italy sends us their work. This time it’s the turn of Burning Black, a classic heavy metal band and their latest promo CD “Fight To Dream”. Burning Black is another band dedicated back to the 80s decade and from the opening track they give us this clear picture of what we are about to listen to in the next minutes. Classic heavy metal, very good work on the guitars with remarkable guitar riffs and nice guitar solos and of course the classic heavy metal singer. You know, sometimes you want something new from the metal bands but there are also times that you want to remember the good old days and bands like Burning Black are responsible for this. I am sure that the fans of heavy metal will love Burning Black, for the rest ones just keep searching for quality metal music. 
Site: www.burningblack.it
Email: [email protected] 

Antonis  Maglaras

This release from Code belongs to the melodic hard rock genre. The best elements of the album are some catchy riffs and the worst are surely the vocals from the lack of passion point of view. I'm not really impressed by "The Enemy Within", but it has some cool parts, especially in the rhythm section as I mentioned above. Another thing I'd like to underline here is the totally cool artwork that has impressed me the most!!

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

Deadsun hail us from the United States and last year they released their latest full length album “Falling Away”. In this work you will find twelve tracks and a combination of hard rock with metal elements. The vocals are clean whilst Todd makes some experimentations with his voice and gives a theatrical approach to his part of creation. I believe that besides the music, which is really impressive Deadsun has done a great job with their compositions and the whole result is really effective with the help of Todd. Definitely the whole band has given their best for this album and you can realize that from the opening track to the last one. On the whole album Deadsun give more than 100% of their creativity and with their aggressive atmosphere they will surely take your heads away. I believe that Deadsun has an endless source of energy which they put inside their music. I am sure that they are a promising band and we will hear from them soon again with their next step!
Site: www.deadsunband.com
Email: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

Aisling are here to present us pagan black metal with many ultra fast parts and an aggressive character, without though the atmospheric parts lacking and with many acoustic part additions. Contrary to other pagan groups who could be runner-ups for the Oscar of the most boring and tiring compositions, Aisling stand out with their quality melodies and rhythm changes. The vocals in their black extreme version are very good, but the clean ones aren't equally good with sometimes reaching the limits of dissonance. The production is quite good and fitting with the band's overal style, although it could be improved. Aisling's work is definitely interesting and it makes us expect even more and even better things from them in the future.

George  "Death Dealer - Echoes From Erebus"  Kefalas

When a band has shared the stage with acts like DECAPITATED, ROTTING CHRIST, MOURNING BELOVETH, MOONSORROW, GOREROTTED and many more, when a band has toured with THE FIRST BORN and GEASA, they definitely have a lot of experiences. Having only four years of existence Ground Of Ruin hail us from Ireland. “Visions Of Obscenity” is their latest work which features six tracks and half an hour of pure brutal, groovy death metal. The band has worked really hard for their compositions and they have combined their sound with thrash metal elements in order to make their music more “live”. Inside their songs they have included some very interesting ideas and a few melodies. Definitely this work is for the fans of death metal and I am sure that Ground Of Ruin won’t disappoint you. Just leave yourself and feel free to accept everything that Ground Of Ruin will give you through their music. 
Site: www.groundofruin.com
Email: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

"Home" from Hartmann and his band belongs to the melodic rock genre. Once again here is an album addressed to those who love the radio rock sound. What you are about to listen to here is nice vocals and a nice performance by the rest of the band members, that perfectly suits this kind of music. However and despite the fact that all the rock tunes and the ballads included here are good and easy to listen to, I didn't find this mega-hit that would take the band to the top level. Anyway if you are into this kind of music, then you'll have a fair share of enjoyment!

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

My good friend Yorick, who recently went in the ranks of Helreidh sent me an advanced copy of some new songs from this historical Italian band. Helreidh, that started back in 1995 and they already have two albums released through Underground Symphony. The band is back to life and they prepare for their new beginning. Musically Helreidh walk in progressive/power metal paths with many elements from folk music too. Their music is definitely based on guitars, but they have also used almost perfectly the keyboards. This is especially obvious in the first track, which is a ten minute epos with a lot of changes inside it. Of course the tracks on this CD are only a taste of what we will hear in the new beginning of Helreidh. I hope they will start recording a new album soon in order to create the best possible result with the best sound they can have. Last but not least, I think the way that they combine their influences and the melodies and all these stuff is almost excellent. You can close your eyes while you listen to their music and you will be taken on a very beautiful trip. 
Site: www.myspace.com/helreidh
Email: [email protected]

Brutal death-grind with a progressive high standard character is what we get from Nox, who are obviously influenced by the CRYPTOPSY school. Very fast rhythm parts with assaulting blasphemous guitar melodies and deep and heavy vocals with some black guttural outburtsts are the elements that comprise the Nox puzzle. The elaboration of the rhythm parts, like I've already written, has a progressive character without ever becoming tiring due to excessive use of technical parts. The guitar melodies have been woven with many DEICIDE and CRYPTOPSY touches, something that you'll definitely find extremely interesting. The production is very good and has a "dry" aggressive character and it worthly supports the "road rollers" that Nox really are! This is a must have album for the death metal fans who are able to appreciate quality.

George  "Death Dealer - Echoes From Erebus"  Kefalas

To be honest with you the biography of Dark Disciple is really impressive. They come from the United States, they formed back in 1999 and ever since they have released three demos and one album. “Kill Everything Warship Everything” is their second full length release through Mad Lion Records. On this album they have included fourteen tracks and almost forty minutes of pure brutal death metal. Dark Disciple have shared the stage with many bands like: NILE, MORTICIAN, DEICIDE, VADER, DYING FETUS and many more death metal armadas. Most of their songs in this work have three or four minutes of duration and of course without any melodies inside; just pure extreme brutal death metal. The only thing that I don’t like in releases like this one is the vocals, which are too extreme. On the other hand, I believe that the fans of brutal death metal will find something interesting in this album. 
Site: www.darkdisciple.com
Band Email: [email protected]
Label Email: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

Slow to mid tempo black metal with many psychedelic clean male vocals is the musical direction of Codex. Fast parts are nowhere present here, the atmosphere is heavy and depressive throughout the whole album and personally I find their psychedelic elements extremely boring with their nerve-breaking vocals!! The mid tempo parts show some passion and energy, but unfortunately they don't save the day. The veil of boredom covers this CD. Now if you are into depressive melancholy combined with some black metal riffs and many clean vocal parts, then what can I say? Codex are here to please you... However, I need to say here that the production is excellent!

George  "Death Dealer - Echoes From Erebus"  Kefalas

Aem-X is a German band and “Grenzflache” is their latest self financed full length album which was released before a year. In this work the band has included nine tracks and thirty five minutes of pure metal music. Of course we live in 2007, so don’t expect a new band to have only metal elements. While their music has a metal base they have also included elements from hardcore along with some alternative influences. All their lyrics are in their mother tongue and actually if you don’t know the German language then it will be a little bit difficult to understand what they say. On the other hand if a band chooses to have lyrics in their mother tongue, then the singer shows more emotions in his interpretations. Personally I support bands that don’t use English language because it’s something different from the thing that we are used to hearing. Most of their compositions are well worked with some very impressive ideas and Aem-X has a lot of energy and they pass it through this record. I am really curious to listen to their new work, when it will be ready; to hear how they will make their songs two years after the release date of “Grenzflache”. 
Site: www.aem-x.de
Email: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

Generally I don't like the singles, because they are used as appetizers offering us just a couple of new songs with some older tracks and they are here to give us a taste of what's in store for us. Most of the times, though, these singles do nothing more than create impressions that have no ground, since they contain the best song of the album. You listen to it, you get excited, you buy the album and then you find out that you'd been fooled... However, when a single bears such a huge name like Saxon, then you know what you should expect more or less and we all know that Saxon always settle for the best possible song quality and for thunderous heavy metal compositions! This single contains the song "If I Was You" from the band's upcoming album, "The Inner Sanctum" in two versions, the original album version and the single version plus their famous song "747 (Strangers In The Night)". The new song is really great with hooks and riffs that will be carved in your memory and will make you anxiously wait for the 5th of March when the full album will be released, but personally I prefer the album version cause it's more clear and "understandable". The other one has a very modern and voluminous production that sometimes makes it hard for you to understand the music you are listening to. I think classic heavy metal bands like Saxon should stick to more classic and analog sounding productions rather than modern digital ones.

Christine  Parastatidou

Mourning Dawn is a French band with almost five years of existence. From their beginning they have released two demo CDs and one EP. In my hands now, I have their debut album “Mourning Dawn” which was released before a few days through TotalRust Music. I must admit that if I hadn’t known Vincent from HEOL TELWEN, I wouldn’t most probably have had the chance to meet Mourning Dawn. Musically now, the band describe their music as depressive dark metal. Actually this means that you can find many black metal elements, but at the same time slow tempo tracks too. Generally, the album from Mourning Dawn is good enough, they have their good moments but I believe that they can do a better work in their next step. I am sure that if you like MY DYING BRIDE and other relevant bands or maybe a bit more aggressive, then you will definitely adore Mourning Dawn too. 
Site: www.mourningdawn.com
Band Email: [email protected]
Label Email: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

Up to now 2007 seems to be a great year for heavy metal music! A year that will give us some good and even great albums from our favourite music. Cornerstone was a band that I knew only by name, but when I listened to their new work I blamed myself for not listening to them before. The opening track entitled “Misery” shows its teeth and gives you a taste of what will follow. This song could easily belong to a RAINBOW album of the DIO era! All in all the album moves between melodic heavy metal and bluesy hard rock that is influenced by WHITESNAKE mainly and DEEP PURPLE in the background. The fans of 80’s metal and mainly the ones that worship DIO (including me) will enjoy this release. You will especially enjoy the songs “Misery” and “Starlight And Mystery” that kick some serious assess!!!

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

The scene of Switzerland has given us some very good names in the metal scene like CELTIC FROST and GOTTHARD to name few. Of course new bands rise from the underground scene and here we have the debut album of a new band, Legenda Aurea. “Sedna” is the title of their work which was released last month through Mindstorm Productions. The band has included ten tracks and almost fifty minutes of symphonic metal with female vocals. I am sure that the first bands that will come to your mind will be NIGHTWISH, AFTER FOREVER and EPICA and I will agree with you. Legenda Aurea has enough influences from the leaders of symphonic metal but their singer has a different way to sing. The band’s singer uses more her operatic way of singing rather than the usual metal way. Of course besides that the band uses really heavy guitars and many elements from power metal. Generally I believe that the singer makes the difference for this band. Last but not least I believe that they should keep working hard and to putting more of their personal sound inside their songs in order to have more opportunities… 
Site: www.legenda-aurea.com
Band Email: [email protected]
Label Email: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

Scarlet Haze is a new American band and “Out Of The Dark” is their latest full length album. Here you will have the chance to hear nine easy listening tracks of pop/gothic rock. The female fronted Scarlet Haze, right from the opening track, give us a clear picture of which path they have chosen to follow. In each track the band has included some very interesting melodies while they try to use easy to remember refrains. This means that after the first time you will listen to this CD, you will have the melody in your mind. The singer of Scarlet Haze isn’t something special, but she has a lovely voice! I believe that with one EP and this album, the band have still got a lot to do until they do something in the mainstream scene. I am sure they have the abilities to make the breakthrough and I am sure that in their newest album they will give us better and more mature songs. Definitely the fans of pop rock will adore the stuff from Scarlet Haze. Take a taste now and you won’t regret it! 
Site: www.scarlethaze.com
Email: [email protected]and[email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

The truth is that I've never been a fan of Type O Negative. I like some of their songs and I have to admit that they've pushed the boundaries of the music they play to its extremes, thus resulting in the creation of an overall new and unique sound. However, this is not the kind of music I usually dig. I like doom and gothic metal, I also like psychedelic and 70s elements in the music, but the end product sounds a bit weird to my ears. This doesn't mean that I'm not able to appreciate good music and Type O Negative have the ability and craft to create pioneering and innovative music. "Dead Again", the band's seventh studio release, signifies an altogether great period for the band with interesting compositions and riffs that stick to your mind! The tempos are mainly faster without the mid paced ones missing, the guitars are sharper and the rhythm section more powerful. Other than that the rest remain the same... The keyboards create and build a whole world behind the vocals of Pete Steele, which are once again warm, passionate and weird and the production is very good and clear! The fans of Type O Negative will surely adore this release, but besides them "Dead Again" will help the band gain even more fans! They've surely impressed me!!!!

Christine  Parastatidou

Another band from Germany, this time it’s Private Angel, who send us their latest full length album “Selling Off Time In Wonderland” which was released last year through Point Music. The band has included eighteen songs and almost seventy minutes of pure rock music. I am sure every fan of rock music will find his / her heaven on this album. In each track Private Angel have included something in order to keep the listener busy and satisfied. This song has remarkable guitar work, the other has magnificent melodies and the other one is perfect for radio play. Generally Private Angel have done a very good work in their music section with well worked compositions, interesting ideas and above all a ROCK album. I didn’t have the chance to listen to their debut album “The Truth” but I am sure this will rock too. It’s needless to say that the production and the sound are in the highest levels and you will enjoy each minute of this album from the start to the end. This is pure rock music for rock fans. 
Site: www.private-angel.com
Email:[email protected] 

Antonis  Maglaras

We all know the colossal thrash metal bands of the 80s, so they don't need to be mentioned or introduced here. However, there are also bands out there that left a great heritage and have been the cornerstone of the underground thrash metal movement. One of these bands is undoubtedly Hirax, whose contribution to our beloved music has been significant, despite the fact that they haven't found the recognition they deserved. I surely hope this will change during the band's new era... So, after a long period of dormancy the band recharged their batteries to the full and assaulted us a couple of years ago with their "New Age Of Terror", signaling the new all too powerful and sharp period of the band! Things sound even brighter and more promising now with their newest EP titled "Assassins Of War". Expect to listen here to whatever this album title promises and insinuates! High class, full of energy and raw thrash metal with a superb and concrete rhythm section, themes that are imprinted to your brain and riffs that will make you go wild. A mosh pit would be the ideal place to listen to this album, cause this is the only way you could be able to unleash your energy and adrenaline to the full! Katon's vocals are still perfect and manage to communicate all the emotions he is currently feeling, infecting us with his special harsh and yet high pitched voice! The production is really good and powerful, making you feel you are in a venue enjoying the band play live. One more thing that I liked a lot is the cover artwork and this is because it remained true to the band's 80s roots. This is an album that smells of the 80s and yet brings to Hirax a more modern twist. If you didn't have the chance to get acquainted with Hirax in the 80s, then surely their time has come now!!!!
Site:http://www.blackdevilrecords.com

Christine  Parastatidou

Taletellers come from Germany and they have only two years of existence. Here we have their first work which is a mini CD with the title “The Missiles Of Mercy”. In this CD the band has included four tracks and almost seventeen minutes of pure heavy rock music with many elements from heavy metal too. Actually when you listen for first time to their music, you will feel a rock ‘n’ roll attitude surrounding the whole music. I am sure that the second track “Bad Motherfucker” will stick in your mind from the first time that you will hear it, because of its easy to remember refrain and the remarkable guitar work. Generally the band seems to have included the finest moments inside this work and all their music is good enough for a first release. I am sure we will hear again from this German act really soon. Until then the missiles of mercy had been launched, be prepared. 
Site: www.taletellers.de
Email:[email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

Hayras is a one man band from France that formed in 1999 and is a member of the "Southern True Black Art" along with a few more bands, who try to prove that the south can release as qualitative works in black metal as the bands from the north. So up to now this guy has released one split CD and recently his debut album that consists of 8 raw black metal songs, filled with blast beats and distorted themes. Rost, who plays all the instruments and does the vocals, sings in his mother tongue and I can assure you that French sound quite good and not funny as I expected. Lyrically now since we're dealing with old fashioned black metal, Hayras sing about anti-religious themes, the production is quite dirty and muddy, suitable for their music, and the artwork is very beautiful. Nothing more to add here since "Sombre Destin" is a good black metal release, quite typical though...
Email: [email protected]
Site: http://www.nykta.com

Christine  Parastatidou

Well this is the second Vinterriket album that Displeased records re-releases and it was originally out in 2002. This, too, like "Lichtscleier" is remastered, it has a completely new layout and it contains one bonus track. Now for the history let me tell you that after numerous, almost 20, split releases and demos Vinterriket have released this album as their official full length debut through a Russian label and it was limited to a few copies. So, now this work sees once again the light of day and delivers once again dark ambient music. This album has nothing to do with metal music and again the vocals are totally absent. What you are about to listen to here is mainly keyboards with some effects and sounds, but being a first work you find some flaws. So, the keyboards are quite one dimensional and monotonous and play simple things that sometimes sounded to me quite funny. Again this is a release appealing only for those who dig ambient music. The rest should keep a distance...

Christine  Parastatidou

For ambient fans:  For the rest:

I can’t believe myself! I spent almost 43 minutes listening to such bullshit like this one. In the cover you can see 4 good looking boys that personally made me think that they are not so fanatic about their manhood… Anyway that thing doesn’t interest us here. Here we will talk about the music. “Every Page You Turn” is a pop/alternative rock album that wants to sound like a release from THE BEATLES. Sincerely, I never liked THE BEATLES, so I can’t find any reason to like their copies… Skip it without having second thoughts.

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

I know Vinterriket since the days they were still releasing demos and their name and music have been imprinted in my mind ever since. The explanation is simple: They were the first dark/ambient black metal band I've ever heard. So this German one man act delivers doom ambient sounds that could be viewed and accepted as the transubstantiation of gloom, desperation and winter season. There are no vocals present, be them harsh or other, here, but just calm and tranquil music created by computers and synthesizers. Yet the final result sounds pure and brings to mind barren and frozen lands. It will surely touch the souls of those who are into ambient music and it's definitely a masterpiece of the kind. However, let's move on to the other category of people, me included, who don't like ambient music. In fact I can't understand and digest this genre, cause I feel it's not music at all... To me it's just keyboards combined with some effects and organic sounds, trying to create something that sounds qualitative and sophisticated. So my presentation here has two aspects. One from the ambient fans' point of view who will definitely cherish this release and the other from the ordinary people's point of view, like I am, who want to listen to real music and who want to understand what they are listening to. So, since I want to be objective I'll put to marks one for each category of music lovers... One last thing I want to mention here is that this is a remastered version, including a bonus video clip and a completely new layout.

Christine  Parastatidou

For ambient fans:  For the rest:

A term like progressive metal is a conventional description that we use in order to give to the reader a complete image of what he will listen to an album. Personally, I believe that progressive metal is a very demanding genre that doesn’t necessarily need to have complicated orchestrations or technically played parts. It just needs originality. So by the true meaning of this word this release is not close at all to what a progressive metal album really is, since here you will listen to influences from DREAM THEATRE, QUEENSRYCHE and bit of METALLICA. The good thing though is that this release is mainly metal and even a person that doesn’t like a bit this kind of sound, will listen to this release easily. Generally it's a good album, without exaggerations and with some very good moments… Especially the opening track “The Monster” which is instrumental has a lot to give to the listener…

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

Bewitched is the best and most typical example of what we call retro black metal! Coming from Sweden they have managed more than a decade now to release some great samples of this kind of music. Now we find them unleashing their fifth full length holocaust that consists of some well played and catchy black and thrashing rock 'n' roll tunes. Bewitched have been formed by members of one of my most beloved bands, NAGLFAR and their reason for existence is to "teach" us how old school black metal really sounds and how it should be played. Well they do an excellent job and once you listen to the characteristic vocals, the mainly slow tempos and the heavy rhythm parts, you'll realize there's no turning back. The riffs will stick to your mind and the nice solos are a breeze of 80s air every now and then. The production is clear, but very voluminous and powerful and the artwork beautifully reveals what this band stands for. Well done!!!

Christine  Parastatidou

This is a band that made a big impression to the metal scene with theur debut album in 2002, the “Prayer For The Dying” and till now they continue to give us what we call classic heavy/power metal, with many 80’s touches!! The present album is their 3rd in the row full-length work in the six years of the band’s life. We see that the band carefully pave their path making serious choices in the discography, something that is a sign of big professionalism to put it simple… And this professionalism is also visible or I'd better say audible to all the compositions. Eleven songs, where the band give their best self once again and for our sake, the album is something more than significant and interesting! Both slow (but dynamic) and speedy songs attain to win your attention from the first note… It is worth to be mentioned that the singer of the band Mike Tirelli (HOLY MOTHER, RIOT and other bands) with his excellent voice, is a guarantee for the quality of the whole result.

Jim  Konstantinidis

Prevalent Resistance is a really weird case of a band, cause we haven't got any details or information on the band to offer you other than the fact that they come from Finland. This is not because we haven't searched the internet, but it's because the band deliberately leaves us in darkness. They have stated that the time and place of conceiving their offerings are irrelevant to the band's music. Same goes with the identities involved in the process. So what we have here is pure music that is expressed through dark, raw black metal paths, without the melodies lacking though. So expect to listen to tight, uptempo black metal with blastbeats, devastating rhythms and riffs that will freeze your blood! The long duration of the songs shouldn't frighten you, cause the compositions aren't monotonous or boring, but on the contrary you'll find quite many interchanges that will hold your interest intact throughout the album.
Email: [email protected]
Site: http://www.nykta.com

Christine  Parastatidou

Another new album from the Swedish power metallers, who after having already released 4 albums -and now their fifth- we can say they step in a steady path quite successfully all these years. The “Pathway” is not an album like their previous ones. It has nothing the same, not at all! From their previous work already, the band had differentiated their music, adding more progressive touches and some harsh vocals in the songs. On this direction moves “Pathway” too. This is not bad, as the sum of the 11 songs in total (plus a reprise of the song “Untouchables” in the limited edition CD), is good, more or less in general. But the great moments of their two amazing albums, “The Prophet Of Evil” and “The Third Prophecy” seam to have gone by unfortunately with no return...

Jim  Konstantinidis

Furze is an act from Norway existing more than a decade now and featuring one man only, Woe J. Reaper, who is responsible for everything, from the compositions, to the arrangements and performance of the songs. So, what you are about to experience here is the vision of a sole person who sings and plays all the instruments. Musically you won't have a hard time labeling Furze as an extreme and halluciating primitive frozen black metal. Norway has given birth and continues to support and release such bands that remain loyal to the old school sound, something that implies they have a thriving underground scene over there. So, their third work signifies a better period for Furze, according to me, since I'm able to digest and accept the music contained here and compared to their previous release "Necromanzee Cogent" it's night and day. I found their sophomore release really annoying and nerve breaking, so I was very reluctant to listen to their new creation. However things definitely sound better and more coherent. You will find some very interesting riffs and some mid tempo doom moments that bring BLACK SABBATH to mind. All in all this is monolithic stone-cold black metal that is going to be appreciated only by those who love the Norwegian scene.

Christine  Parastatidou

Let me get straight to the point here cause I don't want any misunderstandings. Longing For Dawn create specific music that is going to be accepted and appreciated by a specific audience, so if you don't find yourself in this category, then move on and don't pay attention to the grade... This quintet comes from the French speaking part of Canada and delivers funeral doom/death metal that is so dark, gloomy and wretched that they make you wanna slit your wrists after listening to this album more than a couple of times. The tempo is really slow and the riffs creep into your mind and surround it with blackened images. The vocals are good, but quite typical deep death metal growls and the sound effects can be found quite often within their compositions, something that helps them fill in the gaps created by the crawling rhythms. The songs are beautiful in their depression, but simple and straight forward enough in their structure and there isn't anything here that a fan of funeral doom can't find in other releases as well. So, if I had to sum up, I'd say that Longing For Dawn's sophomore album is interesting and appealing only for the die hard fans of this genre.

Christine  Parastatidou

Even if the tracks from this work were recorded back in 2005 this album was only released before a few weeks. The Phantom Mask comes from Spain and “The Return” is the title of their latest album. Here you will find nine tracks and almost forty five minutes of pure power rock music with a lot of metal elements, especially on the guitar section. Actually I believe that The Phantom Mask has done a great work with the guitar riffs and the guitar solos. Another thing is that the band has almost ten years of existence and definitely they know how they want to sound in the final result. Surely their stuff isn’t the usual music that we hear, but they have something to give to the listeners. I believe that we should give them a try! They have interesting ideas, well worked compositions, a good enough female singer and a male singer. Maybe the people that like progressive rock will understand easier the stuff of Phantom Mask. 
Official Site: www.phantom-mask.com
E-mail: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

This is one of those releases that the more you listen to the more you like and understand them. Mena Brinno is a U.S. based band located in Tampa Bay in Florida, featuring two former members of ROYAL ANGUISH and unlike what most bands from that area play, this duet has made the difference and delivers dark atmospheric gothic metal. Many will instantly -and without paying much attention- rush to characterize them as one more EVANESCENCE clone. I think such a description would be too shallow and too quick. If you take your time listening to these four songs you'll realize the beautiful melodies and themes that are woven behind the superb ethereal vocals of Katy Decker. Beautiful melancholic riffs, atmospheric keyboards and a vocalist whose interpretation is carved in your mind are one side of the story. The other one, which in fact I found even better and far more beautiful is the folk orientation they have given to their gothic metal music. Amazing and enchanting acoustic guitars that even play some Spanish traditional themes create an echochrome that will devastate the souls of the gothic metal fans... Add to all of the above the very good package, artwork and production and you have what you need...
Email: [email protected]
Site: http://www.menabrinno.comORhttp://www.myspace.com/menabrinno

Christine  Parastatidou

The Last Supper comes from Germany and they formed back in 2003. So far the have released three demos and now we hold in our hands their latest self financed full length album. In this work, the band has included thirteen tracks and more than fifty minutes of pure doom metal music. From the opening track the band gives us a clear picture of what we will hear in the next hour. Pure traditional doom metal rhythms, perhaps with some songs more rock oriented but definitely The Last Supper has doom metal as their base of their music. Their compositions are well worked with some very interesting ideas but at the same time, they have the classic elements that every fan of doom metal would like to hear. I am sure that you won’t get bored by listening to their album! I haven’t got something more to say, I believe that the music of this band can speak for itself. 
Official site: www.thelastsuppermusic.com
E-mail: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

This is one fuckin' hell of a record!! It is based on the Swedish melodic death metal movement, but it also has some hardcore touches. The riffs are brutal and brilliant, the melodies are fantastic and the guitar solos are un-fucking-believable! Some songs have more changes than the classic arrangements, but they all have something great to "say" to you, giving an almost progressive feeling to the final result. The sure thing is that it's a fantastic relase and if you're into brutality combined with melody and technical skills, then you definitely have to check it out!!!

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

I follow In Tears Bereaved from their beginning. So far they have released one demo CD, one single and now “Leidensweg” which is their debut self financed album. Here you will be able to hear ten tracks and almost one hour of pure death metal music. In Tears Bereaved started as a one man band, but now they have a full line up and this thing you can realize it, if you listen to and compare their previous demo with their album. While the band follows the death metal paths, they have also many elements from progressive metal and their compositions are well worked with very interesting ideas but at the same time they didn’t leave aside their aggressive death metal aspect. If you are interested in listening to a good enough progressive death metal band from Austria with lyrics in their mother tongue then you can contact In Tears Bereaved and purchase their album. At least you will have an album that has the potentials to stay inside your CD player for a long time. As always I believe the best result will be the next one… 
Official Site: www.in-tears-bereaved.com
E-mail: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

"Into The Black" is an American melodic rock record in its best description. The whole result on the other and more objective point of view is very weak and hasn't got much to offer apart from the name of Richie Kotzen, who is a renowned guitar virtuoso and who used to play in the super glam hard rock band POISON. Obviously he took a turn towards a different path and he now tries to express his dark thoughts in a soft way. Hopefully he'll do better next time!

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

Before a few weeks, I received the new work from Overthrone “Declarations Of Secession”. This is the first full length self financed album from this American band, after several demo releases. In this work Overthrone has included eight tracks and more than an hour of pure black metal music. Of course the band doesn’t stay only in black metal, but also they have influences from thrash metal. The fact that they have long enough compositions shows us that they have worked really hard their ideas inside their songs. Definitely the fans of extreme metal will find their way to the album of Overthrone. But you need to pay attention in order to “see” the world of Overthrone through their blackened and dark atmosphere. Just follow their musical ideas and you won’t regret it. I hope soon they will find a suitable label for a better distribution of their album!
Official Site: www.myspace.com/overthroneband
E-mail:[email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

Spectator is a special band and this is something you get to realize as soon as you put this E.P. in your CD player. The reasons are simple. These guys come from Northern Ireland and this is obvious in their music. Their compositions carry the legacy, the scent and the heritage of their country of origin with a very characteristic and special sound. So, keep in mind that Spectator have a unique sound that requires open-mindness and an inclination towards original listenings. Their music lies somewhere between punk rock and hardcore with many progressive twists and a passionate vocalist with a quite strange voice. The production of this E.P. is very good and the overall work is really professional, however, it's a pity that we only get to listen to three songs only... All in all this is a release that is going to be appreciated by the punk rockers and the open minded listeners mainly.
Email: [email protected]
Site: http://www.spectatoronline.netandhttp://www.myspace.com/spectatoronline

Christine  Parastatidou

Before a few years I received the demo CD from this German act. To be honest with you, I don’t remember how they sounded back then. Now, with a new line up and a label behind them, Common Grave released their debut album “Dehumanized”. On this album they have included ten tracks and more than thirty five minutes of pure death metal of the American way. So you can expect influences from the biggest names of American death metal scene like CANNIBAL CORPSE and SUFFOCATION. This work was recorded and produced at the Aexxys Art Studios by NECROPHAGIST’s men Stephan Fimmers and Muhammed Suicmez. Their compositions are well worked and they have included some very interesting ideas and melodies even though Common Grave is a really extreme death metal band. They have also played several live shows some of them with bands like VOMITORY, GOREROTTED and NECROPHAGIST. I believe that every fan of death metal will find something appealing on this album. 
Official Site: www.commongrave.de
E-mail:[email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

Inactive Messiah is one of those bands that try to find a personal way of expression through pioneering and weird sometimes sounds. So, this Greek combo started three years ago and set out to define their direction by exploring new horizons and experimenting with their sound. Musically we could say they dwell somewhere between atmospheric melodic death metal and modern metal, which is mainly defined through their industrial influences and origins. The vocals are harsh and aggressive, but they are more into death/thrash rather than pure death metal and the compositions are based on a strong and solid rhythm section. The ideas and riffs are very interesting, the choruses will stick to your mind and the production is powerful and clear. "Be My Drug", apart from the new songs, also contains a great cover version to the famous Michael Jackson song "Beat It". Inactive Messiah took a famous melody and riff, molded and shaped it to their own convenience and transformed it into an almost entirely different song. If you are fans of the more modern approach in metal music, then keep an eye on these guys...
Email: [email protected]
Site: http://www.inactivemessiah.com

Christine  Parastatidou

Zodiac Ass comes from Germany and “Left Hand Masturbator” is their latest album which has nine tracks and almost thirty eight minutes of a pure thrash metal assault. The band started back in 2001 and after a year of practise they started the live shows as a support act for bands like: BELPHEGOR, FARMER BOYS, FINAL BREATH, ONKEL TOM and many more. As I wrote above, their musical roots are in thrash metal, especially from the 80s decade, so you will hear some influences from MEGADETH, TESTAMENT and SEPULTURA. Of course the band started in the new millennium so don’t get surprised if you hear elements from MACHINE HEAD and PANTERA. Generally while Zodiac Ass have very interesting ideas inside their well worked compositions they give also a “live air” to their songs. If you hear their album and close your eyes, I am sure you would think that you are in the middle of their live show. So just follow their steps for a good thrash metal attack!
Official Site: www.zodiac-ass.de
E-mail: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

The new year has started with the best of omens and things look really bright and optimistic for the future of our beloved music! With Passion, as their name so cleverly and eloquently reveals, have a lot of passion and love for the music they deliver which is nothing less than high class and in your face melodic death/black metal. However if I presented this U.S. quintet as a progressive and technical band then I'd be once again right! Got confused? Well you shouldn't be, because the reason is simple... With Passion offer us qualitative technical and progressive melodic death/black metal with so many interchanges in the rhythms and the structures of the songs that would embarrass even the best progressive metal bands out there. I think you should pay attention to the songs cause this way you will listen to many classical music influences that are infused in the band's overall sound. Their sophomore full length work came two years after their debut album and marks a new era for the band with many line up changes and a slight change in their musical direction. Actually I'm in loss for words, cause I'm so enthralled at what I listen to, so amazed and so stunned that words are not enough to allow me reveal even the slightest clue on what you are about to enjoy. The band's technique and their level of musicianship are unbelievable, their song writing skills are incredible and the production perfect. So, "What We See When We Shut Our Eyes" is a flawless album that demands the attention of all the extreme metallers out there!!! To be honest with you there's only one band name that comes to my mind from the first time I've listened to this album and this is no other than the mighty DEATH. Yes! If I had to compare With Passion with a specific band then DEATH would be it and I could in fact present them to you as their holdover, as the band that carries on and evolves the heritage that Chuck and his pals left behind...

Christine  Parastatidou

Now we will go on a trip to Spain to find Autumnal, a not so new doom metal band which released their debut album last month through Xtreem Music. “Grey Universe” is the title of their work, it has six tracks and almost fifty minutes of a combination between doom and death metal. The band formed back in 1998 and they have already released three demos and with this album I believe they will make the breakthrough to the main metal scene. I believe that the fans of MY DYING BRIDE will love Autumnal. Perhaps this band is a little bit more extreme but you can have a small idea how the band sounds. Their compositions even though they are long (two of the songs have about ten minutes of duration) have achieved to keep my attention intact all the time. They use both clean and death metal vocals and they have also a cello inside their songs. Definitely it is the first surprise for the New Year so far. I am very impressed by the things that I have heard on this album from Autumnal.
Official Site: www.autumnal.net
Band E-mail: [email protected]
Label E-mail: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

From the Netherlands comes one of the best and most appealing proposals I've listened to lately from the thrash metal genre. Engine Of Pain is a new powerful and aggressive combo that only counts 4 years of existence and up to now they've released a self financed EP, titled "Here Is The Pain!" and now their debut full length work that bears the eloquent and extremely suitable title "I Am Your Enemy". What you are about to witness here from the very first to the last second is a pure and in your face thrash metal assault with some death metal tinges and a modern twist. The compositions consist of razorblade sharp riffs, edgy guitars, a concrete rhythm section and a vocalist spitting out anger and hatred! I also liked the nice solos and the excellent classic heavy metal themes they've incorporated in their sound, something that offers more substance and depth to the songs. The production is powerful and voluminous and everything makes this release highly addictable and a definite must have!

Christine  Parastatidou

I would never know about the Italian band, Betoken, if I didn’t know their drummer Giulio from his first band, BEJELIT. Betoken started back in 2000, they have already released two albums and now we have “Dead Soul Insomnia” their newest work which was released before a few weeks through the Italian label, Old Ones Records. In this work Betoken has included sixteen tracks and more than fifty three minutes of pure metal music. First of all, I believe that they walk in the heavy metal paths, with dual male and female vocals. The fact that their music is really heavy is the reason why I spent more time on this album. I want to say that the music of Betoken isn’t another “happy power metal” band from Italy. Their music has a dark atmosphere, the drums are really heavy and the two singers give a theatrical approach to the whole result. Their compositions are well worked; they have achieved to create a massive sound and a very good production too. Definitely, I can say that I didn’t expect to hear such a quality album when I received it. 
Official Site: www.betoken.it
Band E-mail: [email protected]
Label E-mail: [email protected]

Antonis  Maglaras

"Traveller" is a great example of a typical American melodic hard rock record that is addressed straight to radios! All the songs are great and the few things that make this release differ from other typical American melodic hard rock bands are some ethnic influences, some country additions and a huge respect for tradition! All these elements along of course with the catchy tunes give a good reason why you should check this work out, especially if you are into melodic hard rock! Cool stuff!!

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

Things have been really busy lately in Mad Max's camp and here we are, presenting their third release in a period of less than a year. Naturally I'd say that you can't have quality and quantity going hand in hand, because most of the times the musicians aren't able to produce so many releases and keep the status on a high level. However, Mad Max proves me wrong and I'm really glad about it, since although I'm not a great fan of the melodic sound, they've managed to win my interest and support. Their compositions are catchy and although they are very melodic they are not mello and they surely don't tire you. Their songs have vibe and personality! This time though Mad Max return tougher, heavier and with a rocking mood like never before. Great and passionate vocals are perfectly accompanied by a great music and superb musicians who support their songs in the best possible way. If you are fans of melodic hard rock, then I couldn't recommend anything better!

Christine  Parastatidou

Eric Gales' latest album totally kicks ass for anyone who is in love with blues and rock music! "The Psychedelic Underground"
 is full of emotions, attitude, creativity and inspiration. From classic to modern blues fans and from classic to modern rock fans, I'm sure that you will all find plenty of cool stuff to listen, relate and stick to on this release. Apart from the pleasure you will have by listening to this album and in case you are a guitar player you will also find lots of cool riffs and licks that can even make you play along with Eric Gales!

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

April is a newcoming five piece act from Finland that will satisfy and amaze the fans of the post modern metal scene and by that term I mean the genre that mixes heavy metal music with pop and alternative rock elements. "Tidelines", the band's debut release, features a tight act that has the ability to write intense compositions with catchy riffs and melodies that stick to your mind. The songs balance between the melody and the harshness and between the metal elements and the pop alternative rock tinges. I'm not a fan of this genre, but if you are, then I can surely advise you to listen to this release, cause you're gonna love it. Personally and since I'm mainly into extreme metal I can say that I loved their aggressive and sharper side, but their melodies and their clean vocals are equally good. So, if I had to pick some favorite tracks I'd go for "Time Is Up" (Superb!) and "The Power Of One". "Fading" is a very impressive song with the violin, viola and the cello accompaning it, but it's too mellow and purely a pop ballad. The production is very good and powerful and everything has been taken care of to the last detail. If you love emo hardcore with pop touches, please proceed. But if you are more like me, then I believe you should think it a second time...

Christine  Parastatidou

Anyone who digs guitar virtuosos and their techniques knows this dude besides the MEGADETH fans of course. This album will mostly please the first ones, but it could be also easily heard by the latter ones and by all the headbangers out there in general. Now Marty to me is a guitar hero, because: 1) He has his own unique style and 2) His style is fucking great! From the rhythm parts' point of view I can say that headbanged my ass off with his mean, heavy and thrashing riffs!! From the lead guitar's point of view his fantastic technique with his exotic style quite often seemed to me as if it is influenced by classical music that is mixed with exotic scales, great melodies and superb shredding. These all leave no space for doubt or hesitation and I simply "take my hat off" as we Greeks say in a demonstration of our appreciation and approval! "Loudspeaker" also features guest performances from Steve Vai, John Petrucci and Billy Sheehan and the first press of the album will also contain as bonus track "Rock Fujiyama" from Kirito (of
PIERROT). Fuckin' awesome!!!

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

Captain Murphy is a new quartet that comes from Sweden and one look at their cover artwork will help you instantly realize which their musical direction is. Well, when we present an album we do it in order to inform you on the recent releases and what you are about to listen to, so I know that by being enigmatic I won't help you figure out what's going on here. So, let me open all the cards in front of you... Captain Murphy's debut album presents great 70s rock inspired music with many stoner and psychedelic elements infused in their sound. The songs are really tight and groovy with great riffs, beautiful melodies, matching vocals and a very good and clean production. I think the fans of stoner rock and 70s bands like JETHRO TULL should give them a try!!

Christine  Parastatidou

Paul Gilbert comes again with his new instrumental album "Get Out Of My Yard". Although this release is mainly and naturally addressed to the guitar freaks, it's lots of fun to listen to, because Paul Gilbert has not just tried to show his guitar playing skills, but he has actually tried to write good songs. All the tracks have a great feeling and are filled with emotions especially on their blues parts and on their "slower" moments. There are also many cool and groovy riffs and of course crazy guitar techniques and lots of shredding! Do you need anything more?

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

Fourth full lenght album for the Italians Handful of Hate entitled “Gruesome Splendour” and the followers of the underground black metal scene surely know them already since Handful of Hate move in the metal scene since 1993. Accelerating their speed from the beginning of their career and kneading classic black metal with death metal spices, they continue in the same pattern of what they call “carnal black metal”. Thus “Gruesome Splendour” begins with a frantic rhythm in the echos of MARDUK and DARK FUNERAL, with the guitars harvesting like threshing machines, the drums trampling mercilessly on everything that remains in their way and vocals that shriek out with satisfaction and hatred. At the same time the creeping, slow paced, mid tempo parts aren't missing, just to make us relax as long as it is necessary for their black metal hurricane to rest before it charges all over again for a new symphony of  brutality. The compositions though they don't leave us with our mouths open, nevertheless their well structured making the effort of drifting us into their black metal bestiality an easy affair. Even though at some points they happened to lose my attention, fortunately they succeeded to regain it back quickly. Cold icy riffs, relentless percussion and evil vocals altogether create a feral grimness of nihilism under a production that strolls together with the same effectiveness. Moving along with their sexually depraved lyrics this is one true Italian (yet with a pure Swedish sound) black metal album that could satisfy well enough our lustful sense of hunger for pure, engaging black metal.

Vaso  Prassa

Norway is a melodic rock band and it's for our more mellow moments. It's the typical model of bands that have the right qualifications and skills, but miss the talent to compose great hits in order to make the big breakthrough in their career. Anyway I'm sure that no headbangers will relate themselves to this album because it's too mellow. However if you dig the rock ballads, then maybe you should check them out...

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

The Norwegian Solefald was formed back in 1995 as an avant - garde black metal band by Lars Are "Lazare" Nedland and Cornelius Jakhelln. Their albums occasionally have been exalted as experimental musical masterpieces but also accused as excessively inclined from the facet of the black metal genre. The endless experimentations in their sound and the open mixture in the compositions even from entirely opposite styles of music have characterized them as a band that is not afraid of displaying the utmost bizarre themes denying any submission under the narrow frames of a concrete label. Aggressive guitars are linked boldly with jazz exposures, melodic ambient forms and pop outbreaks, whilst the sounds of the violin, the saxophone and the keys without hesitation walk embraced, changing direction each time. Their new therefore album “Black For Death –An Icelandic Odyssey Part II” that comes as the continuation of the previous “Red For Fire: An Icelandic Odyssey Part I” stands, good or bad, in the same irreproachable, open musical horizons where the music is transformed into a mosaic of sounds and influences. The album begins with the track “Red For Fire, Black For Death”, an astonishing piece of work, although in this second part of their journey things are a little bit more excessive, yet less intense with the guitars never really exaggerating granting lots of space for atmospheric melodies, cyclic folk references and choral incisions.The vocals by both Lazares and Cornelius interchange from clean interfusions to deep throating growls and evil shrieks. While we should also mention the special appearance of Garm (BORKNAGAR, ULVER)  in the track “Trickster God Loki”, a characteristically soft composition that however does not impress beyond the smoldering and beautiful presence of the violin. The whole album constitutes a tangible proof of black/Viking metal transfigured into a progressive avant-garde creation. The first time I’ve heard it I wasn’t all so thrilled yet the more I listen to it the more addicted I become. Maybe because the compositions are so well formed and the instruments so competently played and of course wrapped up with a production that gets a high gradation. I’ve got nothing further to comment except that “Black For Death –An Icelandic Odyssey Part II” really deserves to be in someone's possession and even if you don’t get excited with this style of openminded approach, listen to it first before you come to any conclusion. Not an album though for all hours of the day.

Vaso  Prassa

This is not the masterpiece that their label wants to make us think with all this advertising. Except for that, the participation of known musicians like Roland Grapow, Mike Terrana and Mike DiMeo won’t influence the integrity of my judgment, simply because if you remove all these big names and impressive advertisement, here you will listen to typical melodic European power metal which is well performed and orchestrated. The only thing that makes them differ from thousand other bands that play this kind of music are some good musical ideas that stick to your mind. Some of the most interesting compositions, according to me, are the following: “Warriors Cry”, “Keeps Me Burning” and “I’m Gonna Win”. 

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

The Lust come from Russia and their album  “Membrane”  came out through our own Sleaszy Rider records. Gothic/death metal reminding us a lot of THEATRE OF TRAGEDY and the only remarkable point in its presense constitutes the young age of the singer (just 16 years old) by the name of Mirla. I am not a fervent listener of the particular sound, so “Membrane” made me really get bored with my life. The album begins with the  intro “Power Of The Lust”, with a clearly techno rhythm that anything but predisposes for the power of The Lust. What follows next is a digestible, melodic babbling that in its effort to conquer a huge amount of atmosphere, ends up being submerged down an abyss of insignificance and consequent oblivion. Guitars that stand poor and pathetic in comparison to the greedy layer of keyboards, ambient samples that only enfeeble the compositions and finally vocals which are engaged in a flattened battle between the male growls and the angelic clean yet weak ones performed by Mirla. Nothing really impressed me on this album and I don’t think anyone else is going to.

Vaso  Prassa

This is an original band, a band that has assimilated their influences and created their own sound. Can you imagine a mix of METALLICA’s riffology, MOTORHEAD’s rock ‘n’ roll attitude and DANZING’s dark atmosphere along with some southern and punk rock elements? Here is the answer… I can’t really say much, simply because this album is everything that a metalhead needs to listen to in order to have fun and spend time with their beloved music. I believe this album is one of the best that this year will offer us. Try to find and buy it! The satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!!!

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

Our own Greek Winterdemons come with their debut  “The Darkest Storm”,  a  black metal deposit in the school of  IMMORTAL ’s sound. Formed back in 2003 from Goulthor (vocals - guitars - bass) and Morgoth (drums) the baand was completed in 2005 with the addition in the line up of another member, undertaking the bass section, by the name of Sargon. Traditional black metal subjects and a sound powerful and crushing with frozen “fuzzy” oriented guitars. Cold, harsh grim black metal with an all out aggressive mode shifting from fast speed  into some slow parts as well. The only bad thing is that when the speed is accelerated, the drums are so much lowered and lost that the compositions spontaneously lose big part of the force and volume that they could have. On the other hand the guitars keep the main portion of the listener’s attention with frozen ripping riffs and interesting sounds. Coming to vocals we distinguish one more time a tribute to IMMORTAL and Abbath with Goulthor’s bone chilling shrieking and several long sustained screams. All pieces are infused with that winterish, icy Norwegian sound except perhaps for the “Kill The Whores Of Satan”  which leans more to the Greek faculty of black metal and with the production being plunged in an aesthetic of a demo work. Another disadvantage of the album is that while it starts impressively after the second half tiredness and dullness begin to appear in the music and inspiration of Winterdemons, a fact that becomes quickly perceptible. However their work is really interesting stamped with the old origins of the traditional black metal and the fans of this particular subgenre surely ought to note their name.

Vaso  Prassa

I've read somewhere that Godhead play nu-metal. I don’t know what they did in their previous release, but what I have listened to here has little to do with metal music. They play modern rock music with some alternative touches. Their sound without being anything special, it doesn’t bother or annoy you either. It has no nerve and you can listen to it at the background while you do something else. However they don’t have the song that will catch you and make you listen to them again and again. Godhead is in a way a band that sounds like SMASHING PUMPKINS but in a more American way. Nothing special, but they aren't band either, so I can give them…

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

Thrudvagar is a German band obeying the drafts of black/Viking metal and "Walhall" is their second full length release. The album begins and finishes with music samples from the film “The  13th Warrior” tying up with a beautiful way the unity of the compositions that revel under the echos of epic advances and  folk exaltations. Even though their songs are rather merry (reminding dimly some celebrating moments of PAZUZU in the folklore sequences), there are not absent the Nordic speed metal attacks that are cut by plenty of acoustic parts supported with pervasive keyboards creating some calm passages like EINHERJER. All this is combined with ancient melodies, epic pulsing guitars and drum modules that mainly ride along at a mid pace, showing that everything is well arranged and easily convincing us for the freedom of movement and the connection between their aggressive and majestic sound. The vocals remain mostly in a deep, hollow rasped growling with some shifting shrieks and scattered recitations singing while the lyrics are written in German as well as in English. Although I would prefer their sound to be more aggressive and epic, the compositions stand satisfactory and are creative, catapulting their music into a hymn-like pagan range, far better than many of their category comrades. Another objection comes with the production that seems rather weak and troubleshooting but that’s a minor problem when in general “Walhall” stands at a pretty good level and can be an absolute must have for each pagan metal fan.

Vaso  Prassa

This double live recording from Michael Landau and his band is addressed basically to those of you that love jazz music. If you are into that stuff, you should check it out, because this dude, if not anything else, has a great feeling and emotions in general pouring out of his music! Even some more bluesy tunes have that jazzy feeling and I believe that the main and most important aim of his music is to create as many emotions as he can! Apart from that, this release also offers some great tecnhiques both from Michael and the rest of the band!

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

It is never too late to learn and thank god because of the internet you can have access to much information easily. I did my research for Maryslim when in one site I saw that they were described as garage rock. A genre that I don’t know much about. By listening to them and before doing my research I could say that their sound is a mix of punk rock with pop tunes. This description is not far from what garage music really is. As I read this music was influenced by rock ‘n’ roll and actually led to the birth of the punk rock movement. Now about my impressions, I can say that these guys here have some very cool ideas and in general their album flows easily to the ears of the listener. I can say that it's by far the most interesting thing I have listened to lately from the alternative rock genre. The bad thing is that from a point on the band loses the good ideas of the first tracks and repeat themselves, but not to a point that they become tiring. The last song of the album is a cover song of “This Corrosion” originally from SISTERS OF MERCY. To have my conscience in peace I will give them…

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

Satanic Angel are a UK based band  in the area of technical death metal and “Raping Christ” is their first full length album. Satanic Angel is in substance the creation of one person only by the name Phil Williams who plays all the instruments except for the drums. I begin with the production which is sordid, making the instruments unable to come in some sort of essential understanding among them and from what I’ve read it took place in his home studio plus the mix and mastering of the CD have been entirely an effort of his own. Possibly it would not have been so incredibly enervating if the compositions had something more appreciable to offer. Here however we’re dealing with a boring, completely insipid, bad death metal with dull, colourless guitars that in points play even some useless power metal solos, programmed drums that sound dissonant and nerveless and vocals that while in points save somehow the situation, other times simply add to the accelerating vexation of the listener. Some use of keys just supplements in this incoherence of sounds that lack in inspiration and affinity. The speed doesn’t escape its narrow boundaries and even when it’s trying to do something on the issue, it only manages to resemble to a worn out piston of a tired machine. Coming to a conclusion this is simply a  terrible, soundlike computerised album that it only is a waste of time and money. 

Vaso  Prassa

Generally I don't like this kind of releases... Anyway the new - well actually the old - album of Destruction consists of 17 songs, which are actually covers they did to their own songs. We have the classics like "Curse The Gods", "Total Desaster", "Mad Butcher", "Life Without Sense", "Bestial Invasion", "Cracked Brain", "Tormentor" and also "Reject Emotions", "Profanity", "Release From Agony", "Death Trap", "Invisible Force", "Deposition", "Sign Of Fear" and "Unconsious Ruins". You know what you should expect from Destruction and besides the album's title speaks for itself. Now as for the covers they did, some are good, but others aren't like the original versions. Only for the sake of this band's history I give them...

Kleanthis  "Darth Vader"  Tsapas

"The Line Ends Here" is a mix of hardcore with thrash tunes. It has some good moments, but it seems like it's one big song rather than separate and different entities and from a point and beyond you lose the track. If you are heavily into such sounds and a collector of hardcore bands, then give it a try, but don't expect to listen to anything new or extremely good here...

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

Sorgsvart is one more band that comes from Norway and what else could they play other than black metal? Well the group was formed in 1999 and it's actually a one man band that has released 3 demos so far and this official debut work two years ago. Like I said musically Sorg offers us black metal that is intensely infused with a great deal of epic and Viking metal elements. The vocals are mainly extreme scraping growls, but some clean moments can also be found. The keyboards are there to fill in the gaps and offer more depth to the compositions and the rhythm is mainly fast with sharp distorted guitars. The production is good and clean, allowing you to understand all the levels of Sorgsvart's music, but not crystal clear, something that would ruin the dark atmosphere and aesthetics of the songs.

Christine  Parastatidou

Some of you perhaps still remember that debut album of  Legion Of The Damned  (“Malevolent Rapture”)  just a year ago and some of you definitely had been thrilled by it. The very good Dutchmen therefore come back after a very short time in the limelight with their new work “Sons Of The Jackal” promising to shake once again the waters of the once flourishing genre of aggressive thrash metal. And the truth is that here we have an album that from the first overflowing notes accomplishes to erect proudly all that splendid sentiments that were created in the souls of  all metal fans of this particular style in the past. Untiring guitars cutting as well sharped razors, creating possessed cathcy riffs and impressive drums that incite firmly their undisguished thrash raid. Splendid vocals, fast and anxious that in points touch upon the death tinge of the great Chuck Billy of TESTAMENT'S “Low” period, without losing however their thrash identity. The rhythm remains a continuous unhalted pounding and here is where we should point out the almost entire lack of solos in the tracks and the few ones that exist step robustly upon the patterns that the enormous SLAYER had in the first place played and baptized it with their name. Personally of course this factor didn’t bother me by no means as well as the small duration of the album. The fact is that the compositions are strong and vital with a monolithic but well tuned pacing under the production of Andy Classen and in general this is a thrash album that delivers the modern thrash metal and stays aggressive and uncompromising. 

Vaso  Prassa

I really put a lot of effort to write something that will attract your interest for this review, but the truth is that the music that is played here doesn’t offer me much space for creative writing. Here you will listen to the usual and typical AOR music, which for those that don’t know it, is a mixture of rock music with a lot of pop elements. They are not bad, but on the other hand you won’t find here the breathtaking music that will make you buy this release. The only exceptions are the songs “Defying Gravity” and “Turnaround”. It is obvious that this album applies mostly to the fanatic admirers of Jim Peterik’s music. Closing this review, I have to say that Toby Hitchcock (by the way any relation with the famous director?) has a warm and beautiful voice that from time to time reminds me a bit of MEAT LOAF… 

Nick  "William_Kidd"  Parastatidis

This release from Kiko Loureiro (ANGRA) is strictly addressed to the guitar playing maniacs only. In my opinion he is heavily influenced by the Satriani and Vai "alien" type of school, but I've also noticed some Vinnie Moore influences as well. The thing is that although he is an excellent guitarist, it seems to me that he overdoes it on playing intensely strange patterns, licks and forms that made me many times unable to understand what he wants to say exactly... Sometimes I hear a great melody in the beginning of a song or in the middle, but they are mixed with a huge load of totally bizarre stuff... But of course you'll listen to a great deal of different guitar techniques and tricks if you are into it!

Dimitris  Pantsiopoulos

Ulvhedin is a quartet that comes from Norway and delivers Viking black metal. They were formed in 1994, but unfortunately and due to unknown to me reasons, they haven't been able to release their debut official work until 2004. Actually this album has been ready since 2000, but managed to see the light of day 4 years later and after many hardships. It's a pity cause the compositions are really tight and powerful with an intense epic atmosphere that will satisfy both the fans of Viking and black metal. The songs are mainly mid to normal paced, so you won't listen to any exaggerations and black metal extremities. In fact the black metal elements can be mainly found in the vocals and in some scraping guitar themes. I think their melodic moments need your attention, because they are really great and create an atmosphere of times long gone. The production is very good, the lyrics of course deal with Vikings among other topics and the artwork is superb! Do you need any more reasons to give them a try?

Christine  Parastatidou

Agressor are widely considered as the fathers of French death metal. Their history goes back to 1986 (when at that time they had released a split CD  with our also known LOUDBLAST). One of the first bands that played this style of music in France as well as in Europe, for years now they have earned the respect and the attention of the death metal fans in Europe and worldwide making them nowadays a completely cult name.Their brand new product “Deathreat” comes out therefore celebrating their 20 years of presence into the death metal area and with a first hearing it does give most excellent impressions. It is not perhaps an album that will be a classic one or that is full of originality and inspiration, but nevertheless it’s a very good effort and worthy of their history. Typical death metal with blasting parts the way it should be played with 12 tracks of brutal and technical death sound. Aggressive guitars with tight leads and beautiful solos and pommelling drums that cry out their anger by striking their force right into your face. Fantastic vocals that color their music with the essential aggressive energy reaching even the boundaries of black metal at times. The production achieved a pretty good result lending the essential power to the tracks while it would be also good to make a small reference to the cover of the album which of course constitutes a tribute to the huge band HELLHAMMER since it was their song that baptised Agressor with their name in the first place.

Vaso  Prassa

This is one more case of a band that was originally formed in 1984, but during the difficult -for the metal scene- period of the '90s they disbanded and reunited a couple of years ago. This sextet hails us from Switzerland and offer us unique and special music that undoubtedly bears the personal stamp of the band. Their compositions dwell mainly in the doom metal genre, however, some heavier and more extreme elements aren't missing. The tempo of the songs is mainly slow, creeping in your brain like a disease and it infects you little by little. By that I mean that "Angels To Some, Demons To Others" is the kind of album that grows in you little by little. It needs time with its dark doom atmosphere and the characteristic funereal vocal melodies, but if you are a fan of doom metal, then Excruciation will definitely satisfy you and offer you some of your darkest moments. One more thing that I'd like to mention here is that the band has three guitarists, something that gives extra boost and power to their songs. The album will also be released in a limited edition that will come with a poster and a 5" vinyl-single with two bonus tracks "Last Warrior" and "Wardance".

Christine  Parastatidou