| DRACONIAN
Turning Season Within (Napalm Records) Fourth album for the Swedish gothic metallers and Draconian are back to claim their name in the gothic metal scene. "Turning Season Within" is an album that has nothing to fear from other suchlike albums as it has everything. Vocals changing from harsh male to ethereal female ones, guitars creating the best climate of depression and sorrow throughout the whole album with their melodies and drums with their mid tempo style making the scene really gloomy. Having as main influences bands such as KATATONIA and THEATER OF TRAGEDY, but with their own unique sound Draconian can pride themselves in being an uprising band in the gothic metal scene. On this album there is also a guest vocal co-operation with NOVEMBER'S DOOM vocalist Paul Kurh. Enjoy!
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| MAGNUM
Wings Of Heaven Live (SPV) New live album for UK's melodic rockers Magnum and Bob Catley and his band are back on the road once more. Well there isn't much to say for a band which exists for twenty years or even more as they have already established a name in the metal scene. I really have to say that after listening to this live album, it brought back to me memories from old albums although the show is for their new album. What to say about songs such as "How Far Jerusalem", "All England's Eyes", "Vigilante" and "Kingdom Of Madness" which really give the chills with their melodies even after all these years and are heard more than once? But that's not only it as there is a second live CD in the package with the classic "Wings Of Heaven" album played live in its entirety and believe me it is played very well despite all the years that have passed and the closing is also great with the encore of the amazing "Sacred Hour". Bob Catley can pride himself in giving a very good performance and keeping it fresh and present although the times have long passed. Truly a must for not only Magnum fans, but for all of us!
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| APOCRYPH
Drenched In Grace (Rotten To The Core) And here we have one of the best and tightest
extreme metal releases I came across! I really enjoyed this album and the
fact that I've been listening to it 2 and 3 times a day for the last month
proves my previous statement, while at the same time indicating that we're
talking about an EP that not only won't tire you, but the more you listen
to it the more you're going to enjoy it! Apocryph prove to be a raw diamond
with songs that grip you tight from the throat and overwhelm you with energy
and roughness! "Drenched In Grace" is mainly death metal, melodic death
metal to be more precise, but it also has many black additions and a few
thrashier moments that guarantee variety and richness in the compositions'
textures. Two more things that make this album stand out and shine are
the band's performance that is simply stunning and perfectly bonded and
the beautiful changes in the tunes and rhythms that vary from mid to up
tempo and are accompanied by some very good old school classic heavy metal
solos. The vocals have a hoarse grunting bass hue with a few higher pitched
screams and I truly deeply loved them! Get your hands on this album. You're
going to thank me afterwards!
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| RELEASED ANGER
Faces Of Fate (Self financed) This is the debut album of the Greek thrashers Released Anger and it really sounds good and promising! Especially if you consider the fact that the whole album was produced by the group without the help of any company. Musically now the band sounds as a combination of the 80s German and the U.S. bay area thrash sound. To be more specific the way that Dinos Zacharis shouts at his microphone reminded me a lot of Mille Petrozza (KREATOR), but their sound is closer to the bay area thrash metal scene. A great job is also done on the guitars and the solos are quite interesting. However, the greatest thing of all is that the album transmits a genuine 80s metal feeling without ever becoming too retro. Lyrically now the band comments on things like the war in Iraq or the drug addiction problems and many other political and social situations of our modern world. If you are into the 80s thrash metal and you search for something new and fresh to listen to, then "Faces Of fate" is a good buy for you. In order to buy the album you have to contact the band at the following email: [email protected].
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| HEIDEVOLK
Walhalla Wacht (Napalm Records) Heidevolk is new band which comes to us from the Netherlands and after their first studio appearence in 2005 they are back with a brand new album. "Walhalla Wacht" (Valhalla Awaits) is an album which moves in the Viking folk metal style as you can already understand from the title. What I really liked is that Heidevolk sing in their mother tongue which really gives the album a different characteristic scent and everyone who is into this kind of metal should really love it. Now as far as their playing is concerned I have to say that the heavy twin guitars, the mid tempo drums and the harsh vocals singing about historical facts and mythology together with many narrations and the folk parts with the violin and other organs will please every listener. Get ready cause the gates of Valhalla are open and Heidevolk are there to claim it.
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| THIS IS HELL
Misfortunes (SPV/Trustkill Records) The overview of the promo says that this album has been highly anticipated, but I can't see how, why and from who... I mean even after listening to it carefully and closely I didn't manage to find what's this that would make this new This Is Hell album a classic as their label claims or why should anyone cherish this release so much... You have to be a really die hard hardcore fan to dig this stuff. I'm not saying that it's not well played. Not at all! But it's too boring, too "we've already listened to this a million times by now", too foreseen. You know what you're going to listen to the very next minute and this spoils the enjoyment. Besides I'm fed up with all those bands that have come out lately playing hardcore all of a sudden just because it's trendy. I just can't believe in the good intentions of all those hundreds of bands out there who play this kind of music NOW. I don't think they are true and honest. They're just assembled by labels, or of their own accord, but either way they only aim to become famous overnight. So, I won't listen to this album ever for the above mentioned reasons, plus because it's uninspired and the screeching of the singer was really monotonous and annoying. Someone should turn off his microphone next time.
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| STORMWARRIOR
Heading Northe (Dockyard1) Stormwarrior are the kind of band that are created by fans of classic metal music in order to show their devotion and love for this sound. I can imagine the members of this band getting together in their free time in home studios in order to cover their favourite songs and little by little to compose their own songs. Somebody might say that there are many bands out there that do that, so what's so special about them? Well, the truth is that these ones have imagination and enthusiasm that is obvious in each song incouded in their new album "Heading Northe". It's like they put all of their soul into it. One other positive thing that I have noticed is that the band has improved both as composers and as musicians. A release that I can recommend to the friends of classic heavy metal especially if they are fans of old HELLOWEEN, RUNNING WILD, MANOWAR, STORMWITCH and GRAVE DIGGER...
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| STEEL ATTACK
Carpe DiEnd (Massacre) Having established a good name in the power metal scene and with five albums already Swedish power metallers Steel Attack are back with a new album that will knock your head off your shoulders. "Carpe DiEnd" is an album that moves in the same style as their previous ones. Pure heavy power metal with fast aggressive guitars, raging vocals in high tones and fast drums that will make you headbang till your neck hurts and takes no more. What's new is the mid-tempo songs which truly give another characteristic to the band and show a different view of it. The album will also include a video for the song "Angels" as bonus material. Get ready to cease this album or the end is near!
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| HEADHUNTER
Parasite Of Society (AFM) In metal music there are some musicians you can trust! At least in most of the cases and one of these musicians is definitely Mr. Schmier of DESTRUCTION and Jorg Michael (x-RUNNING WILD, STRATOVARIUS, RAGE). Here under the name of Headhunter they introduce us to their new work entitled "Parasite Of society", an album that combines classic metal tunes along with thrash metal outbreaks. The final result can be described as inspired and very addictive. There are tunes that will stick into your mind like the song "Silver Skull" or the amazing midtempo "Remission". A work that offers the listener what it promises and it's worthy of the fame of the musicians that have created it. The fans of classic metal have to listen to it. Check out also the cover version of SKID ROW's "18 And Life" which sounds more aggressive than ever!
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| NEVERLAND
Reversing Time (AFM) Magnificent! Amazing! A must for all heavy metal fans! Neverland is a combination of the Turkish progressive metal band DREAMTONE with the Greek female singer Iris Mavraki. Now as to what they are playing well I will say progressive metal with many heavy and power metal elements but believe me it's more than that. Just be prepared for amazing melodies, ethereal female vocals combined with great male ones, guitars creating journeys to other places and eleven songs that will make you listen to it more than once. There are also be some guest performances by Hansi Kursch (BLIND GUARDIAN), Tom Englund (EVERGREY), Gary Wehrkamp (SHADOW GALLERY), Mike Baker (SHADOW GALLERY) and also some parts together with the Philarmonia Istanbul Orchestra. Nothing more to say than be sure not to miss it or precious time will be lost and the road to neverland will be nothing but a mere dream.
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| DESPERADOZ
An Eye For An Eye (AFM) The effort of combining metal music with western tunes, sounds quite original and interesting. Dezperadoz are trying to do this, but personally I believe that they didn't manage to pull it off. Actually their sound is modern metal that draws influences from groups like PANTERA, METALLICA, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and is blended with some country tunes (the western elements in their sound I told you about). The negative fact is that this album doesn't succeed in transmitting the atmosphere of a spaghetti western to the listener, so without being bad, this release didn't manage to attract my interest and distract me from the other things I was doing while I was listening to it. However it didn't tire me either. Personally I can describe it as another typical and mediocre modern metal album with a few interesting moments. Finally on this album you can find a cover to DOOR's "Riders of The Storm" which is quite close to the original.
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| GRAVEYARD DIRT
Shadows Of Old Ghosts (Self released / Lugga Music Productions) Now that was a pleasant surprise! Graveyard
Dirt is an Irish act that has sailed away into the eternal seas of sorrow
accompanied by a magnificently dark soundscape that has no dull or mediocre
moments! "Shadows Of Old Ghosts" conveys all the bittersweet feelings that
make us who we are and yet it never becomes mellow or pretentious. It's
an EP that comes straight from the heart and it's so full of emotions and
images that it opens a door to the band members' inner soul allowing us
to get a glimpse of how they perceive the world. Enough with the poetry,
besides I'm not so good at it and actually I don't think I'm able to transmit
the pure and true essence of this release. The songs are quite long naturally,
but there won't be a moment that you'll feel tired or bored, simply because
the guys make sure to add lots of riffs. They often change the tunes and
the themes within the songs which are supported by a solid rhythm section,
whilst always maintaining the strong and catchy structures of the compositions.
The atmosphere of the EP is full of melancholy and at the same time it's
really epic and grandiose! The last thing that struck me with this release
is that although it consists of all the cliches and classic elements of
epic doom metal, it doesn't ever, not for a single moment, bring to mind
other bands. Graveyard Dirt is a band that has a pretty characteristic
and recognisable sound and I firmly believe that they deserve your support!
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| TYPE O NEGATIVE
September Sun (SPV) "September Sun" is a two track CD single taken from Type O Negative's latest full length that bears the title "Dead Again". This is a release that only applies to the die hard fans of the band since it just contains the title track in two versions, the original album version that lasts approximately 10 minutes and a radio edit version that is much shorter and has a total running time of 4.30 minutes. Nothing more to it, so the only reason one should get this CD single is because he/she adores this song or the band. Christine Parastatidou |
| ABOMINATION
Tragedy Strikes (Metal Mind Productions) The second re-release for this month from Metal Mind Productions is Abomination's sophomore work "Tragedy Strikes" which was originally released a year after their debut, in 1991. This is a politically driven album, a really thought provoking piece of work mainly underlining the problems of American society. As for the music it's a solid and in your face speed/thrash metal attack with many elements from the primitive and then creating death metal scene. Paul Speckmann is a guarantee for good quality releases, so if you like the old fashioned sound and you want to dig the history of the extreme sound, then "Tragedy Strikes" is here to offer you many nice riffs and almost an hour of pure headbanging with lots of blasts. This re-release too has been digitally remastered on a golden disc, it is going to be released in a limited edition of 2000 copies and it contains 4 bonus tracks. Abomination had been underrated when they first formed, so I think we should give Paul Speckmann now the place he deserves!
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| ABOMINATION
Abomination (Metal Mind Productions) Abomination is a U.S. extreme metal band formed in 1987 by the mastermind and amazing frontman Paul Speckmann (later on KRABATHOR, MASTER and MARTYR) that has acquired over the years a cult status in the underground scene. Metal Mind Productions in an attempt to dig some hidden but noteworthy diamonds has decided to re-release their first two albums "Abomination" and "Tragedy Strikes" (they have one more which was released in 1999). So first comes their self titled debut originally released in 1990 that at the time of its release was labeled as thrash metal. This tag is quite near the truth since the album contains a lot of primitive and aggressive bay area elements that bring to mind EXODUS and SLAYER, but at the same time it is also a bright example of death metal in its genesis with its raw edges, sharp riffs and Paul's magnificent furious grunts. To sum it up this is a great old school example of merging between death and thrash metal, a must have for the death metal maniacs since it's been digitally remastered on a golden disc, it's a limited edition to 2000 numbered copies and it also includes 3 bonus tracks. Do you want more? Get your hands on it immediately!
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| STORMLORD
The Legacy Of Medusa (Scarlet Records) One of the most significant and praised bands of the Italian extreme metal scene is the mighty Stormlord! Having formed in 1997, they've released only 3 full length albums plus quite a few EPs, but nevertheless like I said they are considered to be one of the best bands in the genre of epic black metal. Their compositions are full of passion, memorable choruses, unbelievable riffs, beautiful atmospheric keyboards and some amazing vocals by Cristiano, who is now the chief editor of the Italian Rock Hard magazine. The truth is that his vocals are the main source of extreme aggression here and they are simply stunning because they convey a vast array of emotions and they are coloured with a beautiful, passionate hue. However you will also find some clean, operatic vocals, choral parts and some classical recitations that simply add to the depth and beauty of the songs. Some call this epic power/black metal and they are quite right, since Stormlord's songs have both the retro black metal approach and many classic 80s heavy metal elements along with a few classical music tinges every now and then. As for this double CD release, it doesn't contain any new songs, but it's rather a best of compilation for the celebration of the 17 years of the band's existence consisting of 13 songs spanning the band's career including the rare EP "Under The Sign Of The Sword" which was originally released in 1997. The second CD contains a full live show recorded in Quebec City on the 14th of June 2006 plus a bonus track recorded live in Rome in 2000. The whole running time of these two CDs is approximately 2 hours, so I think this is a must have release that is worth your money and support!
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| EVILHEART
Storm Of Annihilation (Iron, Blood & Death Corp.) Sophomore release for this Mexican band that's been around almost a decade now, but has mostly worked in the underground live circuit supporting great acts like DEICIDE, MALEVOLENT CREATION, DISGORGE and BEHEMOTH. Actually these bands are a good way to meet with this group's music, since Evilheart's sound belongs to the blackened death metal genre having many influences from the aforementioned colossal bands. Their playing is bonded, their structures are tight, ferocious and brutal and yet there are many solos that add to the album's extremity. The vocals are deep death metal growls with a guttural twist and the rhythm section is mainly ultra fast and relentless. The production is very good and voluminous elevating the end result and last but not least the cover artwork is simply stunning. I believe that Niklas Sundin and Cabin Fever Media did an amazing job!
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| SPEARHEAD
Decrowning The Irenarch (Invictus Productions) This UK based band has chosen the ideal moniker since their music is so powerful and sharp that can only be compared to the head of a spear ready to strike during a time of war. The bellicose aspect of this combo's existence is also prominent from the title given to their sophomore release... the irenarch, which is a Greek work deriving from the words irene that means peace and arch (archon) that means ruler, was a person who was given authority during the times of peace, so since these guys want to decrown and overthrow the ruler of peace you can only start assuming what their music sounds like. Yes their music is aggressive, insane, brutal and atrocious, but they also manage to add many nice solos and a few catchy melodies that are there not only to underline the boisterous compositions, but also to infuse them with more depth and quality. The musicianship and the skills of this 4 piece are noteworthy and they result in the creation of a really great blackened death metal album that treads on the path of the classics like MORBID ANGEL, CARCASS and VADER without ever sounding like poor rip offs or imitators. These guys really try to distinguish and I think they've already started building a sound of their own. Having a remarkable production to top it and a beautiful artwork, this album is here to please all the wild maniacs out there who dig black/death metal. Check them out!
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| SEPTRION
Nocturnal Grimness (Iron, Blood & Death Corp.) Septrion is a Toluca, Mexico based black metal band dealing with issues like philosophy and misanthropy and they've just released their sophomore album, which is more of an EP rather than a full length since it contains 3 songs plus a cover of SARCOFAGO's "Christ's Death" and it has a total running time of 28 minutes. The truth is that nowadays personally I prefer the albums to have a short duration, because this way you have more chances to come across something more genuine, pure and less tiring or boring. That's the deal here too! "Nocturnal Grimness" hasn't got space for repetitions and it doesn't regurgitate the same riffs and ideas over and over again. Septrion are into the old school black metal and they are influenced by such acts like SARCOFAGO, GORGOROTH and ENSLAVED to mention a few that come to my mind. Above all their music is true, coming from the heart and they are really dedicated in this, something that makes their compositions sound really passionate and appealing. One last thing I'd like to mention is the use of acoustic guitar, which is really amazing with its beautiful, dark melodies! So, all in all I think these guys are on the right path, they are able to write good music, but they definitely show me that they have much more potential. Keep an eye on them!
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| VINTERRIKET
Gebirgshöhenstille (Displeased Records) There isn't much more or anything new I'd like to mention in this presentation, nothing I haven't already included in the previous ones... "Gebirgshohenstille" is the latest creation of Vinterriket and it's just been released, however there aren't any changes, differences or innovations other than the fact that the production has surely improved and it's a lot more clear allowing you to discern and understand the melodies better. Dark, depressive and melancholic ambient black metal once again and I really can't avoid thinking of where the differences amongst all the Vinterriket releases are... Personally I can't find any real differences or changes and I wouldn't be able to distinguish one album from the other, let alone be able to discern one song from another... I just find such music extremely boring and pointless...
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| CROSBY LOGGINS AND THE LIGHT
We All Go Home (Provogue) Crosby Loggins carries on his back a very big heritage as being the son of one of the most amazing voices in rock Kenny Loggins. With his debut album "We All Go Home", he is trying to make a start and enter the world of rock. I have to say that his work is very good with a tight structure in the songs, nice melodies, catchy tunes and of course a very good production. Ranging from jazz tunes to straight rock 'n' roll ones, Crosby Loggins can now claim to have made a very good start. What unpleased me is the sound of his voice. Of course you can't expect him to have the same voice as his father but I believe that he needs to exercise and focus on it more as he is young and has much more to give. Till the next album.....
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| VINTERRIKET
Der Letzte Winter - Der Ewigkeit Entgegen (Displeased Records) Vinterriket, this one man project from Germany exists since 1996, but has started actually releasing albums in 2000. Eight years later and Christoph, the man behind this band, has already released countless albums, splits and compilations, all of which have been released in limited editions and many have had numerous re-issues on various formats over the years. So we are now here talking about another re-release which was first published in 2005 showcasing approximately 60 minutes of ambient black metal. The truth is that the compositions have been improved compared to the previous albums, but still the production is weak and with a lot of noise. I assume that it was done on purpose since everything about this band and music revolves around winter and the claustrophobic dark feeling you get after a heavy snowstorm. This is why the booklet is filled with black and white photos of snow covered forests or other desolate areas. I think I've listened to all the albums of Vinterriket and the thing is that no matter how hard I try, I can't find anything interesting or noteworthy in ambient black metal. I can definitely aknowledge the fact that the album is full of a dark and heavy atmosphere, but personally I would never buy an album for this reason only.
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| NOEKK
The Minstrel's Curse (Prophecy Productions) Noekk is a new band from Germany and after two years of absence they are back with a brand new album. Many of you will be surprised when you see that "The Minstrel's Curse" contains only four songs and is considered to be a full album and not an EP. After hearing it, I really have to say that I was very interested in their sound as it is both heavy and melodic combining doom metal with rock and containing some progressive elements. The songs are all pleasantly heard with the last one counting fourteen minutes also being the best one for me. I would have expected more songs for a full album but I believe that these four will satisfy every listener.
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| ANAL STENCH
Red Revolution (Metal Mind Productions) I suppose the band name allows us all in a pretty clear and straightforward way to understand what these guys' music is all about: death metal! Anal Stench is a Polish band that has been formed by musicians from some of the best known bands of their country like DECAPITATED, THY DISEASE and SCEPTIC. Actually their music isn't so different from what they have got us used to listening to all these years, so don't expect to experience a turn in their music direction with their sophomore studio effort "Red Revolution". They are brutal, they are aggressive, but above all they have passion for what they do and their biggest credit is the fact that they've managed to produce an album that has a pure live feeling. Lyric-wise "Red Revolution" deals with communism, but actually even if you take some time reading the lyrics you won't be able to understand the band's views, you can't understand if they mean what they're saying or if they are just humouring us. What I think is that they talk about social issues through an extreme and twisted sense of humour, however it still is a punch in the face and I bet their lyrics will annoy some people. Back to the songs now and although their music is rather typical and close to what they've already offered us through their other bands, you'll find many killer riffs in here, a concrete rhythm section with some amazing drum parts and some nice solos that have a classic scent in them. All in all, if you like brutal and yet classic-oriented death metal, then Anal Stench is a sure thing!
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| STEVE LUKATHER
Ever Changing Times (Frontiers) Now what is there to be said about a man who is a well known singer and guitarist, having taken part in many projects and bands? Steve Lukather is back with a brand new album giving us good times of pure rock. "Ever Changing Times" is a record which combines in the best possible way heavy rock compositions with, truly speaking straight to the heart, ballads and Steve Lukather can be proud of himself, because together with a plethora of many well known musicians he managed to produce a very good album. Great melodies reminding me of TOTO, nice guitars, catchy tunes and generally eleven songs that will bring back memories to every listener. Be sure not to miss it cause although times may change, diamonds still remain.
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| TRONUS ABYSS
Kampf (Pagan Moon Organization) It seems strange to me seeing how many bands have been influenced by BURZUM and continue to be influenced by this weird band... Tronus Abyss is a three piece act from Turin, Italy who were formed in 1994 kicking off as a pure medieval folk/black metal band and transforming their sound little by little so much that now, on their third official release, there's almost nothing reminding us of their black metal past... What's there for you in "Kampf" is 10 compositions -plus a cover version of BURZUM's "Moti Ragnarokum"- that belong to the ambient genre with some really imposing and beautiful keyboard parts, filled with atmosphere and melancholy, and actually this is the main thing that saves the day for Tronus Abyss according to me. Their piano parts are really elaborate and rich in their texture and they are accompanied with lots of samples, machines and programming something that offers the album a digital and industrial sound. Ambience being mixed with industrial and being topped with black metal vocals singing in Italian about darkness is something that can only be enjoyed by specific people who adore BURZUM amongst other bands, but it hasn't touched me in the least. On the contrary all this atmosphere has rather annoyed me.
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| ICARUS WITCH
Songs For The Lost (Cleopatra Records) Pure heavy metal is back on the road and Icarus Witch return to claim and stabilize their name as a traditional heavy metal band. "Songs For The Lost" is their new album and it really rocks. Where to start? From the great heavy guitars with their amazing melodies? The fast drums where the pedal is really asking for mercy? The raging vocals reminding me of the early QUEENSRYCHE albums or the keys in which one will find many resemblances to CRIMSON GLORY's songs? Icarus Witch can really prove that true heavy metal is not lost and the songs are there to prove it. The album consists of ten compositions and there is also a DEF LEPPARD cover of "Mirror Mirror" where the one and only Joe Lynn Turner takes his place on the vocals. Listen or Die!
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| CATARACT
Cataract (Metal Blade) The Switzerland-based combo Cataract is once again back, after a two year preparation, with their brand new eponymous album determined to offer us endless amounts of energy and brutality. It's a given fact that Cataract is good at this. They have the required energy and they have the necessary passion emitting from their compositions that dwell somewhere between death metal and hardcore with the latter having, album after album, a more important and prominent role in their music. So actually I'd say that the death metal parts have been reduced in just adding to and enriching the band's sound, whereas now Cataract have a clearly hardcore character with the typical rhythm section and screeching, brutally insane vocals. Cataract is a very good group and they've released a worthy album which will be enjoyed by the hardcore fans, however it has a drawback, the typical one that's been tantalizing the metal scene these past few years... the issue of originality... This is something you won't find here. What you will find here is 10 songs filled with aggression and a bellicose atmosphere having many SEPULTURA elements and walking on the typical modern hardcore path.
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| TILES
Fly Paper (InsideOut) The boys from America are back with a new album to prove that they have established a very good name in the progressive scene. "Fly Paper" is the sixth album from Tiles and I have to say that what amazed me is the combination of two different styles, of progressive rock and metal. There are songs which start slowly and then we have an elaborate and skillful playing with complex themes and others where the strong guitars and the heavy drums take their place with beautiful melodies from the keys making the album more metallic. Every listener will find many resemblances with RUSH as I believe is the main influence for Tiles and I really like that. So get ready to stick with this album and fly into the progressive world.
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| RUNEMAGICK
Dawn Of The End (Aftermath Music) Runemagick's tenth release is here to prove to me clearly what I've already realized years ago regarding their music and their devotion for this music. These Swedes are one of the best and finest examples of true and pure doom metal that is infused with a great deal of old fashioned death metal tinges, especially noticeable in the vocals that are really broken and filled with disgust and contempt. The guitars are really heavy and imposing and they are supported by a really great and concrete rhythm section established by the perfectly sustained bass guitar and the steady drum parts. Though this is a doom metal release, the compositions aren't extremely long so they don't end up tiring you and to assist their music further, the band has made sure to add plenty of riffs and changes within the songs as to offer more variety and depth. "Dawn Of The End" treads on the band's usual and familiar path, only this time the production is a bit more raw and primitive, something that was made on purpose, for want to make the tracks more dirty. All in all, this is an excellent release, but since it is utterly doom and contains the quintessence of this music, it can only be appreciated and cherished by the die hard doomsters.
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| MEMPHIS MAY FIRE
Memphis May Fire (SPV) Memphis May Fire is a new band which comes to us from Dallas, U.S.A. with a debut self titled album. What anyone will find here after listening to this album is the true real playing of these guys which is heavy, combining southern rock with hardcore and sometimes rock 'n roll elements as you will find out in the guitars section. Moreover there is a combination of normal and harsh vocals but that is something that some peope may not like. What displeased me is the fact that I would prefer more rock tunes as it is obvious that the guys have it in them and much more than just five songs for a debut album. I believe that it is an album that will keep good company to every listener but not more than a couple of times.
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| VANMAKT
Vredskapta Morkersagor (Pulverised Records) Vanmakt is the Swedish word for powerlessness and it's the exact opposite of this band's music since "Vredskapta Morkersagor" stands for brutality, rawness and aggressiveness. The debut album of this Swedish combo presents us eleven fine examples of well played black metal which is infused with a great deal of atmosphere and melody. This all sounds rather typical I know and it's neither the blast beats nor the great skills of these band members the thing that makes them stand out. The thing that differentiates them is the fact that their compositions are full of classic heavy metal riffs and headbanging tunes that create a catchy end result with moments that really stick to your mind. I don't claim that this album contains original music, but it surely contains perfectly executed music with a good production and some melodies and themes that will stick to your mind and will make you enjoy every bit of it! "Vredskapta Morkersagor" also contains as bonus material the video clip of the song "My Darkest Hate".
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