------------------------------------------------------------------ OLD DEMO REVIEWS 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CARDIAC ARREST Vicious Intent - Demo CD Another new band from Sweden sent us their latest demo CD. Cardiac Arrest released before some days their four track demo with the title "Vicious Intent". Maybe you will guess their musical direction and I think it is easy. Cardiac Arrest has as main influence the death metal branch with a lot of elements from thrash metal. Imagine a more thrash edition of ENTOMBED and you will have a picture in your mind for the music from Cardiac Arrest. So surely the fans of ENTOMBED will adore the stuff from them. From these four tracks I can say that my favorite was the opening track which was a mid tempo death metal assault. Last but not least I have to say that I was impressed a lot by their production and the sound of this demo which is almost professional and you can listen to the whole music clearly. Official Site: www.cardiacarrest.just.nu E-mail Band: snillen1@telia.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- BEAUTIFUL BETRAYAL Follow The Waves -Demo CD Last year this band from Finland released their debut demo and I had the pleasure to review it. Now the band before one week released their second step with the title "Follow The Waves" and they include three new songs. Their musical direction is atmospheric metal with some gothic metal elements but also with a lot of heavy metal influences. You know Beautiful Betrayal isn't the typical atmospheric/gothic band, even though they have a female singer, who is really good, their music is more in the heavy metal side and the keyboards just give some atmosphere and nothing else. The thing that impressed me, besides their very beautiful music was the production and the clear sound. For sure the band did an excellent work in these two sections and I can say that it is one of the best that I have heard in the past months. Last but not least I want to say that their compositions are well worked and with interesting ideas. But I think that the band should be more unique in their music in order to make things easier for themselves and find a label. I hope they will continue to work hard and if you want to hear something really good in the atmospheric/gothic music era then you should check Beautiful Betrayal. Official Site: www.beautifulbetrayal.net E-mail Band: info@beautifulbetrayal.net Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- ALLERGO Summer 05 - Demo CD Scotland strikes back with a new born band, Allergo, a young quartet that last summer recorded their latest demo CD on which you can find eight tracks. Allergo deliver to our ears a mixture of hardcore music with metal elements and in specific imagine a combination of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and CONVERGE, but with an awful sound. I really tried hard in order to hear it just once. I don't say that these guys don't have any good ideas inside their songs but when you have a really bad sound then sometimes the listener hasn’t got the patience to hear it again and again. I hope next time we’ll have something better from them. Official Site: www.allergonoise.com E-mail: allergonoise@hotmail.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- END MY SORROW A Mind Unsolved - Demo CD I don't know many things for the underground metal scene of Denmark, so when I received the package from End My Sorrow I was really curious to hear it. "A Mind Unsolved" is the third demo from them and it has three tracks. I haven't had the chance to hear their previous demos but from the stuff that I hear on this one, I wish I had this chance, because the band delivers a very good combination of doom/death metal with a lot of melodic metal elements. They have dual vocals, extreme male and melancholic female ones. Their compositions are well worked with very interesting ideas and I hope the band will soon find a label to release their debut album, because they deserve it. They take a lot of various music influences, they put their own elements in them and we have the end result on "A Mind Unsolved". Well done to the whole band for their almost excellent work and I hope we will hear from them really soon. End My Sorrow will be someday in the mainstream metal scene so remember this name! Official Site: www.endmysorrow.dk E-mail band: mail@endmysorrow.dk Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- KIVIMETSAN DRUIDIS Taival - Demo CD Kivimetsan Druidis comes from Finland and "Taival" is their debut demo CD which was released last year. In this work you will find three tracks and all the lyrics are written in the band’s mother tongue, a thing which made be really happy. Musically the band plays classic power metal with a lot of keyboard additions and we can call it fantasy metal. Kivimetsan Druidis has dual extreme male vocals and beautiful and ethereal female ones. They have also used a lot of melodies and some folk instruments. Their compositions are more than well worked with interesting ideas and even though this is their debut demo, the production and the sound are really good and you can hear the whole music clearly. I hope the band will keep having lyrics in Finnish and to continue working hard and I am sure they will have a very good future ahead of them. Last but not least I want to say that we haven't got many bands that support this kind of metal. Well done to the whole band and I’m eager to hear from them soon again! Official Site: www.kivimetsandruidi.com E-mail Management: harrij.koskinen@pp.inet.fi Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- FACEDOWN HERO Syndrome - Demo CD Another band from Germany released their debut promotional CD in order to become better known in the underground metal scene. "Syndrome" is the title of their promotional CD and it includes three tracks. FaceDown Hero have a lot of modern metal elements but also some thrash metal influences. The vocals are mainly clean but sometimes the singer shows us their anger with his voice and the interesting thing is that this band is able to combine all their influences in their three tracks and create a really good and interesting result. I know that the band will enter the studio in order to begin the pre-production for their debut album and I am really interested in hearing how they will progress on their full length album. Official Site:www.facedownhero.de E-mail Band:info@facedownhero.de Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- S&M Demo CD I have told you that you can find a Greek guy anywhere you want and so when I received the package from S&M, I saw a face that was too familiar to me and I made a guess that this guy perhaps is a Greek and finally when I read his name I wasn't wrong. So for the bass duties George Paris is the one responsible. Anyway S&M comes from the United States and this is their latest demo CD, which includes four tracks. Musically the band walks on the American dirty rock music with a lot of melodies. For example the opening track "Bleed" is very good and definitely a right choice for radio airplay. A great heavy rock track! I listened to their stuff a lot of times and I can say that I didn't feel that the band truly likes what they play. I didn't feel this atmosphere in order to say that S&M plays with their hearts and they adore their music. I hope the band in the near future will release a full length album that will reveal their passion for their music, but check out the samples on their official site. Official Site: www.snmmusic.com E-mail Band: info@SnMmusic.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- S.D.I.D. Home Made Part II A few months ago I presented to you the debut Demo CD of this Dutch metal band that listens to the name S.D.I.D. So, now the time has come for them to unleash upon us their second Demo CD, which has almost nothing to do with their previous release. S.D.I.D. present themselves here as a completely different band and I don't imply any line up changes... Believe me you will be both enthralled and astonished by the band's evolution in these very few months between these two releases... Their thrash metal is tighter with better and more solid rhythms and accompanied by very many classic heavy/speed riffs and tunes. "Home Made Part II" is simply amazing with a superb guitar work and I can see no reason why a clever label with a good -to catch the potential of a band- ear, wouldn't sign them! I don't know how they've managed to do it, but their compositions are now more in your face, straight forward and direct! The dual male and female vocals, which are once again aggressive, harsh and violent, sound incredible together and the female high pitched screams will blow your mind away! I can't find any real drawback on this release, the only bad thing is that the production is not as clear as most people would like it to be, but that's perfectly logical, since the sound is natural and... like the CD title implies... it's home made! DON'T miss it, the band has got a very personal and easily recognisable sound!!!! Site: http://www.sdid.dk Email: jesperloustrom@hotmail.com OR john.petersen@a.cirque.tv OR hellbox@sdid.dk Christine Parastatidou ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had received many quality works from Denmark and I can say that this country has a very good underground scene but I think it was the time for a release which is below average. SDID comes from this country and this is their second demo CD which has five tracks. Musically the band has a lot of influences from KING DIAMOND, especially in the vocals. You can say that they combine heavy metal with thrash metal elements and we have the result in this release. OK I have heard many better bands than this one. You are always free to check them but personally I will not do it again. Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- IN TEARS BEREAVED Epos - Demo CD Last year I reviewed the first demo from this band. In Tears Bereaved strikes back with their latest demo CD, which actually is a one track single. This track has the title “Epos” and it is almost eight minutes long. In this song the band tries to combine their progressive elements with death metal and I can say that the guys did their best in order to do it. “Epos” is a well worked track which interesting ideas inside it and every death metal fan can enjoy this track. To be honest with you I expected more than just one track on this release so I can’t say many things. I want to hear more songs from this band in order to have a full picture of their music. Official Site: http://in-tears-bereaved.com/ E-mail Band: romanmodliba@surfeu.at Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- CRYSTALLION Knights Of The Apocalypse - Demo CD Germany is a country that gives birth to many bands and Crystallion is one of these bands. "Knights Of The Apocalypse" is their latest demo CD in which you can find four tracks of pure melody and heavy metal music. Crystallion deliver to our ears a very good mix of heavy with power metal and imagine the atmosphere of RHAPSODY to get a small view of the atmosphere that Crystallion create. Of course the band hasn't got such a "happy" atmosphere but Manuel did a great work with his keyboards and with the help of Thomas, the singer and the two guitar players, the opening track is a great opportunity to feel and understand the music of Crystallion. Their compositions are well worked, with incredible ideas and I am sure that here we have a band that has the future in their hands. I adore the whole demo from them and if they continue the hard work, I am sure than soon they will find a record deal. All in all here we have a rising star in the melodic heavy metal scene and remember this name Crystallion, you will find it in front of you in the near future. Well done guys! Official Site: www.crystallion.net E-mail Band: stefan@crystallion.net Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- HYPERION HC Demo CD Hyperion HC is another Greek band who sent us their latest work. On this demo Hyperion HC includes four tracks and almost half an hour of pure music. I had the chance to see them live before one week and I can say that they were a good enough band on stage but I have an objection on their songs. Apart from the fact that their music is a really good mix of heavy - power metal, their track are some times bigger than the usual and this might bore the listener easily. Maybe they could reduce a little bit their tracks. For example personally I felt fatigued in the first time that I heard their music. Besides this most of their compositions are well worked with interesting ideas and the only thing I can think of is to think about the length of their songs. Last but not least I’d like to mention that their production and the sound were good enough on this demo. E-mail Management:blackdemonpd@yahoo.gr Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- NEED Avoid In Me - Demo CD Need is another Greek band, they formed before a few years and in 2004 they released this demo CD with the title “Avoid in Me”. Need first started with George Tzavaras who was at the time occupied with his main band DEADMAN’S TALE, this band became the well known WASTEFALL. Now the band has a different line up from the one that we hear on this demo. Anyway Need’s music is a mixture of different types of extreme music elements. You can hear from progressive music to heavy metal and some death metal elements mostly in the vocals, which have a variety from clean to extreme and then with melodies and some noises. Generally Need want to experiment with their music and I like that because you can see that they want to make a progress with their stuff and I am sure we will hear some good tunes in their next step, when the band will be more mature and create another atmosphere on their next release. Last but not least the band did a very good work in the package section, with a booklet of twelve pages. Well done guys and I will wait for your next step! Official Site: www.needband.com E-mail Band: need@angellight.gr Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- TEN RAIL CELL Microman - Demo CD Before some days I received a package from a Greek metal band that comes from the town of Thessaloniki. This band has the name Ten Rail Cell and “Microman” is their latest demo CD. The band includes four tracks on this release and more than fifteen minutes of a pure thrash/death holocaust. Last year they released their debut demo but I hadn’t had the opportunity to hear it so I don’t know if they made any progress here. From these songs that I heard, I can say that Ten Rail Cell is a well rehearsed band, they have written some really interesting songs and their compositions are well worked and especially Tolis and Neo the two guitar players did their best in order to make their music more powerful and with more depravity. Their production is really good and at least you can hear clearly all the instruments. I want to follow this band in their future steps to see how they will progress with their music. Official Site:www.tenrailcell.com E-mail Band: tenrailcell@hotmail.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- PINK LIZARD Rock n’ Roll Injection - Demo CD Italy has a very good metal / rock scene, Pink Lizard comes from this country and “Rock n’ Roll Injection” is their latest demo CD after their debut one back in 2003. On this release you will find four tracks of pure rock ‘n roll in the vein of GUNS ‘N’ ROSES and MOTLEY CRUE. Their music is perfect as rock ‘n roll music is and if you know this meaning then you will understand both the music and the feeling from Pink Lizard. In these four tracks the band did a very good job and most of their compositions are well worked with interesting ideas and a rock ‘n roll atmosphere. If you like this style of music then you will adore the stuff from Pink Lizard. Official Site: www.pinklizard.net E-mail Band: info@pinklizard.net Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- KILLERS BY TRADE Ancient Rider - Demo CD 2005 If you haven't read any of my previous reviews about this band, then let me fill you in and allow me to sum up my conclusions ina few words... Killers By trade is one of the most bizarre and full of surprises band I've listened to so far! These ascertainments of mine come to be justified by the new 6 track CD. It wouldn't be an exaggeration if I said that every song included here belongs to a different rock/metal genre... But let me make a track by track presentation of thsi release: "Sounds Of Hell" is the introduction to thsi album and as the title suggests you are going to listen to the howling screams of the damned souls. "Loup Garou": The French word that stands for werewolf. This song, in my opinion, hides a lot of VENOM in it. The mid tempo speed that this song has, gives it a horror/doom atmosphere. "Steel": This song is one of my favourite and I consider it as the trademark of this band. It has a gothic rock touch with a little bit of a DANZIG influence. It starts like a slow song, just to develop into a rock 'n' roll thunder. "Solstice" is an excellent party tune!!! This bluesy hard rockng composition simply drives you crazy! "Tears Of Broken Glass" is a retro thrash/death metal composition. You can find a lot of 80s atmosphere here and "Ridin' The Storm Out": I can't say much about this song since it is a cover and I've never had the chance to listen to the original version. However it sounds great!!! So, once again Killers By Trade left me satisfied and I will recommend it to you. Check this release out!!! For more information contact: Jackgreen95@yahoo.com Nick "William_Kidd" Parastatidis -------------------------------------------------------------------- VEIL Forest Oblivion - Demo 2005 "Veil" is a word full of mystery. Few are the people that can resist and won't feel curiosity to see what a veil might hide behind it... This kind of mystery seems to surround Veil's music as well. Their compositions move on mid tempo/doomy rhythms and the use of harsh vocals gives a more evil/obscure touch to the whole result. From the lyrics of the song "Forest Oblivion" I can say that lyric-wise they couldn't have created a more suitable equivalent of their music's atmosphere, since they talk about internal agony, torment and sorrow. One other thing is the skillful playing of the band and the maturity they show, since "Forest Oblivion" moves on very professional standards for a demo release. Finally, the production is clear and especially if you listen to it with your earphones, you will enjoy it even more! The friends of ROTTING CHRIST, CANDLEMASS, CELTIC FROST and ANATHEMA ("Penticost III" era) will be extremely satisfied with Veil's music. You can contact the band at the following email: Veil_contact@yahoo.gr Nick "William_Kidd" Parastatidis -------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR RUIN Shade - Demo CD For Ruin comes from the beautiful land of Ireland. The band formed back in 1998 and "Shade" is their latest demo release which has six tracks. Actually For Ruin is a one man band and behind the vocals and all the instruments is John. Musically the band walks on the melodic side of the extreme paths of metal music. So in this almost half hour of music from For Ruin you will have the opportunity to hear their very good music with the description melodic death metal being closer to the band’s musical direction. Generally their ideas are really interesting and John did a very good work with his compositions and he put some clever ideas inside them. Of course if he works harder their next step will show a progress and is going to be even better than this demo but then again I think time will tell... Official Site: www.forruin.com E-mail Band: flosskkii@forruin.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- CARDAMON Promo CD Before some days I took an interview from Koen the guitar player from Detonation, a thrash/death metal band from Holland. As we discussed for many subjects we reached the issue about projects or other bands and Koen told me that he has another band with the name Cardamon and finally here I have the chance to hear the stuff from this band. If you already know about Detonation, forget any similarity with Cardamon. The band is far away from the metal music; Cardamon walks on the melodic rock path with very beautiful and emotional female vocals. Twenty minutes is the duration of this promo CD and believe me from the first second to the last one, you will be taken to another world, you will be in the Cardamon world. Their compositions are well worked with interesting ideas and great melodies. I am sure that the band will find their way to the discography soon and I will wait for their debut album to be released. I don't know if the band will sell this promo CD, but find a way to hear their music! For example you can download a track from their website. Official Site:www.cardamon.nl E-mail Band: info.cardamon@gmail.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FAREWELL FIELDS Demo 2005 Well, how should I start the review of this demo? It really was something that I didn't expect to listen to... When I received this 3song demo from The Farewell Fields and read the bio, I thought that I was dealing with another typical atmospheric rock/metal band. A band that would simply copy the big groups of this genre. However, I was totally mistaken since the band's 2 original compositions (the other one is a MORRISSEY cover) are so well worked and so different from what I have been used to listening from this genre, that made me fall "in love" with this work... Some sceptics out there might say what's so different with The Farewell Fields? Actually they have the ability to reform the cliches of this musical style and create a personal sound... and all these happen in a natural way. Keep in mind that nothing you are going to listen to here was done on purpose. The band with its melodic music displays a big phasm of emotions that will bedazzle you... To add more, Niki's voice is going to make you believe that comes form the land of the fairies and is going to chill your blood and fall in exctasy with the potential and range of her voice... The only thing I can't say a thing about is the MORRISSEY cover since I am not aware of her music. As for the two songs included here, they are too different from one another. "The Calling" is closer to the way SISTERS OF MERCY composed their music and "Winter" bears something from THE GATHERING's music. All in all, this is a demo that doesn't apply only to the fans of gothic metal, but to all the people who appreciate good music. Imagine that this is a one mand's band!!! Email: the_farewell_fields@yahoo.com Nick "William_Kidd" Parastatidis -------------------------------------------------------------------- HEATHENDOM Heathendom - Demo 2005 This is a piece of music I never thought I would be listening to today. To label a band’s sound is always a tricky business but Heathendom never left a doubt concerning their style. One good thing about Greek metal bands is that they never fail to describe their style. The outcome is an entirely different thing but when you hear someone saying “we’re playing power/doom metal” then you know it’s power/doom metal, no matter if it’s good or bad. Heathendom are serving this little branch of the metal tree, which up until now, I thought it was only a privilege of the Swedes. The truth is that Heathendom, although being Greek, have managed to recreate that particular sound with loyalty to the few, but huge bands of the genre. “Chapter VI” Candlemass, Memento Mori of course (Heathendom is their song that named this band), Memory Garden, Fifth Reason and Veni Domine are some names that will find themselves among this band’s influences. Heathendom have followed an unusual path to create their music. They have split the genre into its two compartments: doom metal and Scandinavian power metal. Tad Morose and Morgana Lefay influences have been merged with classic Candlemass riffology to create the result that can only be compared to Memory Garden. An important element is the King Diamond influences that can be spotted mainly on the vocals but also in some spooky keyboard parts that only the King himself can claim. Of course this can also be added generally to the Scandinavian power metal thing - King Diamond is Danish after all! The result of all this cooking is magnificent. For the first time in my life I find myself fully satisfied with the vocals of a Greek band! Dimitris Koutsouvelis is a power metal vocalist of great skills that matches the power/doom character of the band amazingly well, not to mention the excellent King Diamond falsetto thing he does! His screams are haunting! Drums are perfectly performed. A really technical and imaginative approach – just what they needed, and this is just a calm reaction relatively to the result. Bass is pompous – yeah!! The guitar work is beautiful, changing from superb power or doom riffing to progressive extravaganza with ease. Lefteris Vourliotis has a clear vision for this band since he’s the main man behind Heathendom. He knows how to merge all the things he wishes into one. And these are slow doom riffs, power/progressive surprises and majestic keyboard arrangements (keen on choirs). Has he succeeded? Oh, yes he has! What better proof than the 11:35 minute epic “Haunted within”? The sound is the one of a professional band. And the funny thing about it is that it was made in a regular room with the help of a computer. Only the drums were recorded at a studio and that justifies me when I say that you can always master a field if only you care enough to explore it. I don’t know what else to write about this release. My enthusiasm could be based on my love for this genre, but trust that I am 100% dead serious when I say that this band will blow your head off. This one is hands down, one of the best Greek heavy metal demos I have ever listened to. Best songs? Yeah, like I can choose. Do a favor to yourself and visit www.heathendom.4t.com. And if you’re gonna trust me right away just e mail the band at heathendom@walla.com. You’d better!! George "Volt" Tassis -------------------------------------------------------------------- POST-MORTEM Mankind Autopsy Post-Mortem is a band originating from France and as their moniker so eloquently indicates, their music deals with death and various other gore issues. So, I don't believe it hasn't already occurred to you that these guys deliver really brutal and extreme death metal inspired and influenced mainly and foremost by the American school. So, those of you that have relished and are familiar with the French extreme metal scene, should expect nothing less than brutal death metal with the so well known French twisted crafmanship! Yeah, the French death metal bands have this ability to combine brutality with technique and imbue it in a psycho atmosphere. So, if you adore the megatherions of this genre such as CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL, VADER, etc, then you should give Post-Mortem a try! After all they deserve your attention... Site:http://www.post-mortem.fr.st Email: Post.Mortem@evhr.net Christine Parastatidou -------------------------------------------------------------------- FREXONZO Demo CD FrexonZo sent me their latest promo package and when I saw that they come from the United States immediately I thought that this would be another NWOSDM band opening its wings… but I was wrong. When I heard their songs I couldn’t believe my ears, cause musically FrexonZo walks on the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. In these three tracks the band gives us their personal view of this music and I can say that they have some really interesting ideas and their compositions are well worked. Undoubtedly the band needs lots of hours in their rehearsal room but I am sure that if they do it, they (and us of course) will see the results. I will wait their next step! That’s all for now!!! Official Site: www.frexonzo.com E-mail Band: frexonzo@nc.rr.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- DELIVERANCE Align In Silence Deliverance comes from Sweden, a country with countless great bands from the metal scene both the mainstream and the underground. "Align In Silence" is their debut effort and they included three tracks. The demo CD opens with the song "Endless Search" a very good track, with easy to remember refrain and I think this is an ideal song for live shows. I hope you understand what I mean with this. Musically the band walks on old school heavy metal paths with some thrash metal elements. Basically, the best description for Deliverance would be old school heavy metal, the older fans will understand it when they hear it. As this is their debut release, the band didn't achieve to have the best result in the production but at least you can hear all the instruments. I’d like to hear more passion and power from them in the future. The singer didn't convince me that he adored the songs. Official Site: http://deliverance.uppfattat.com/ E-mail Band: deliverance_music@hotmail.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- BEFORE SILENCE The Screaming Wolves Before Silence last year released their debut demo CD. They come from Belgium and it is a new born band because they have only two years of existence. On this demo Before Silence has included three tracks and you can get a pretty good idea of their musical direction which is melodic heavy metal with some progressive metal touches. If you combine influences from EVERGREY, SYMPHONY X and STRATOVARIUS, then you will have the music from Before Silence. Their songs are well worked with interesting structures and clever ideas. Of course you can easily see that the band is in their first steps but at least they did their best in this CD and now they will prepare their debut album and I am sure they will put some really nice stuff in it taking into consideration the things I heard on their demo work. Official Site: www.beforesilence.com E-mail Band: jc_marchal@hotmail.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- STONEDEEP Sun I am pretty sure that Finland has countless bands, so StoneDeep is one more and "Sun" is their second demo CD, in which hey have included only two tracks. Musically the band walks on rock music paths, with some stoner rock elements and some electronic touches in these two tracks. For the first time I found it really interesting and the first track is a really good piece of music with a lot of stoner rock elements and nice guitar solos. The second track has more electronic music elements and responsible for it, is the DJ Anargismo. Yes you read it correctly the band has a DJ in their live performances. All in all, the band includes some interesting stuff in these two tracks and now the thing is how they are going to combine all these in their future steps. Official Site: www.stonedeep.com E-mail Band: stonedeep@stonedeep.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT TO THOUGHTS Beginning Of? Before two or three years I had reviewed the second demo from Subject To Thoughts which I had received in a tape format. Now the "Beginning Of ?" has four tracks and it comes in a CD-R format, so at least I didn’t have to look for my tape player. Even though I had found some really nice things in Subject To Thought’s previous work I am afraid that I won't continue to support this band anymore until their next step. The thing is that I expected to hear some progress between the two works but I believe that Mark didn't make his best effort here. Now we have less doom metal elements, a few gothic touches, a lot of melodies and some progressive arrangements. Generally I am not satisfied with this demo from Mark. Maybe it is better for Subject To Thoughts to become a regular band in order to have more ideas. Anyway I believe that this is a "bad" experience for him and in their next step we will see more of the creativity of his mind. E-mail Band:drywolf@aol.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- INCEDIUM When Daylight Is Gone Before two years I had received the second demo from Incendium, whose debut was released back in 1999. After two years Incedium sent me their latest demo work which has four tracks and the title "When Daylight Is Gone". The band comes from Finland, so usually we expect at least an average release, but again these crazy Finnish guys made their miracle. Musically the band walks on the gothic rock/metal paths with influences from CHARON and SENTENCED. The band has a very good male singer and a few clear female vocals. If I remember correctly the band in their newest work have decreased the death metal elements and the extreme parts of their singer. They have kept some just to make more interesting their demo. I am sure that sooner or later this band will find a label and they deserve a contract in order to release their debut album. Hear them now and you will not regret it! I hope we will soon have great news from their side. Official Site: www.incendium.net E-mail Band: incendium@incendium.net Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- EQUAL VECTOR Chronicle And A Presence I had read an article about this band before a year, actually when their latest demo was released. After that I hadn't heard anything from them but due to a common friend, I finally received their demo CD with the title "Chronicle And A Presence", which has two tracks plus an intro. From what I know now the band prepares their debut album but before this I hold in my hands their latest demo. This band has a great singer; you can realize it from the first seconds of the song. Leonidas Hatzimihalis had done an excellent job and I am really curious why he isn't in a bigger band. This man deserves to be only in top bands of the progressive/power metal era. Equal Vector walks more on the progressive metal paths instead of the power metal ones. I think they want to combine these kinds of metal but at least on this demo they sound more progressive. Their compositions are simply great with interesting ideas and it seems that the guys have worked hard for this. I really want to hear their debut album when it will be ready. Undoubtedly the progressive fans will adore the stuff from Equal Vector. Congratulations to the whole band! Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- SINKING And The Devil Laughed Oh my God what a blast!! SinKing comes from Finland and "And The Devil Laughed" is their latest demo CD. On this CD you can find five tracks, one of them is a cover from one of the best known tracks of MOTORHEAD "Ace Of Spades". The band walks on modern thrash metal paths, with a combination of thrash with death metal and some core elements. Besides the very good music which will lead you to endless head banging, the band has a powerful and full of energy production and a great sound. Of course their compositions are really good and I am sure that they will soon find a label in order to release their album. These guys deserve it! Don't make the mistake and not hear their stuff, cause you will lose a very good piece of music. Remember this name SinKing, you will see it again in the near future! Official Site: www.sinking1.com E-mail Band: sinking@sinking1.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARKENSTONE The Demos I know Arkenstone since I was on the island where they had their base, when I went to study there at the university. I had heard their latest demo but not their first one. Now the band sent me a CD with both demos on it. On this release you can find a promotional video, the two demos, lots of photos and other goodies from Arkenstone. The band walks on heavy/power metal paths and in these eleven tracks you will hear almost all the musical history of Arkenstone. The production is really good and powerful. Their compositions are well worked and with interesting ideas but I think they could have added more of their personal sound inside their songs. If I am not mistaken during this period the band works on their debut album, so this release is a good reason to learn the music from Arkenstone before you hear their debut work. Official Site:www.arkenstone-bob.com E-mail Band: arkenstone@arkenstone-bob.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- LAST RIGHT Demo CD Last Right comes from the United States and before some months they released their latest demo CD with six tracks. Their music is a combination of hard rock with metal elements and a touch of nu metal stuff just to be closer to the modern and mainstream sound. I listened to their demo a lot of times, but even though they have good enough tracks and their compositions are well worked with interesting ideas, they haven't got something special that will make them stay in my CD player longer. Surely I will recommend you to hear their work; because I believe taht a lot fans will adore the stuff from Last Right. Don't miss it, you will listen to some clever additions on this record. Official Site: www.lastright.net E-mail Band: lastright@bellsouth.net Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- DARK FOREST Demo 2005 Canada is a country far away from Greece but you can find there some really great bands like Cradle to Grave, Annihilator and many more. I have some friends from Calgary who have a band with the name Divinity. Before some days I received a new demo CD from the same town, but this time from another band called Dark Forest. Actually Dark Forest is a one man band and the person to be held responsible is David Parks. David did all the arrangements and recorded these four tracks during last year. Musically the band walks on the Viking metal paths, with influences from FINNTROLL, MOONSORROW and of course BATHORY. Don't forget that this demo is dedicated to QUORTHON (R.I.P). David has some really interesting ideas and I believe that if he makes Dark Forest a "normal" band, with band members then he can make some really good albums in the future. Surely he needs a lot of work, to find a studio, etc. because this is a home recording, but I’m more than certain that he will find the way. The fans of Viking metal can count on Dark Forest. Don't expect something special but at least honest Viking Metal! Official Site: www.darkforest.ca E-mail Band: info@darkforest.ca Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- S.D.I.D. Home Made Part One S.D.I.D. is a new Dutch metal band that delivers to our ears, with their first demo CD, raw, aggressive and in your face thrash metal. The great thing with this band is that they manage to combine the old school, typical thrash metal sound with the contemporary movement and imbue it with some catchy classic heavy metal riffs. This band has dual male and female vocals, but don't expect anything sweet, calm or ethereal and atmospheric here. Both vocalists offer brutal and violent interpretations, filled with hatred and detest against humanity and everything fake! I'm sure that you'll love both singers, since they sing their hearts out, but you'll adore the female high pitched and ferocious vocals that give an extra something to the compositions. Like I said earlier, there are some really catchy moments and riffs on this CD, stable and great rhythms and S.D.I.D. reveal to have a good bontage and potential to further evolve their music in the future. Keep an eye on them!!! Site: http://www.sdid.dk Email:jesperloustrom@hotmail.com OR john.petersen@a.cirque.tvORhellbox@sdid.dk Christine Parastatidou -------------------------------------------------------------------- ACID BABY Indecent Exposure It's a real pity and I'm really sad with the fact that I write this review in the demo section... Acid Baby is one of those bands the labels should be craving for in order to sign them!!! I was astound with their previous demo CD "Greatest Shit", but now I'm simply amazed and in loss for words! This is beautiful, marvellous, incredible and I could go on with the positive adjectives until I couldn't think of any more. Acid Baby's both CDs are amongst the few that I keep on listening to, again and again, and I can't stop pushing the play button the minute the last song ends. In fact although it's been 2 years since the release of "Greatest Shit", I kept on listening to it up to the day I received "Indecent Exposure". I know all the lyrics, the harmonies and the melodic lines by heart and keep in mind that I'm an extreme metal fan mainly! So, for those unlucky of you that haven't yet set foot in Acid Baby's dream world, I should let u know that the guys play hard rock with many psychedelic 70s elements, some progressive touches and a few experimentations every now and then. Their melodic lines stick to your mind like leeches and you keep on murmuring the lyrics over and over again. Their guitar work, both on the lead and rhythm section, is splendid and the bass guitar and drums build up a solid ground that supports the rest of the instruments. A great advantage for the band is their singer, who has a simply incredible, enchanting and emotive voice! You'll lose your minds! Trust me on that! The last thing I want to mention is that the guys have created an excellent sound, crystal clear and powerful production and the cover artwork is great!!!! If I haven't convinved you yet on the importantce of buying this release, well then I rest my case!!!! Email: acidbaby_band@yahoo.com Christine Parastatidou -------------------------------------------------------------------- CORRUPTION Promo 2005 Corruption is the second band in a short period of time that comes from Xanthi, a city which apparently has a good underground metal scene, but unfortunately most of us don't have often the chance to come across and listen to its bands. This is surely a pity in the case of Corruption, who prove to be a really tight, strong and well focused extreme metal act. This promo CD was recorded a few months ago and it contains 2 compositions, "Destroy To Create..." and "For I Am The One, For I Am War", which move on the brutal death metal branch sometimes flirting with grindcore. These 2 compositions are mainly mid tempo, but every now and then you'll have the chance to listen to some nice blastbeats. The vocals are guttural and really brutal bringing this band even closer to the American death metal school and the lead and rhythm section are really well taken care of. As the guys from the band informed me, they have more songs in store for us, which, as they say, are faster and more brutal. So, if you are into bands like MORBID ANGEL, NILE, DEATH and SUFFOCATION, you know what you have to do... The band's emails are right below... Email: grinddeath600@hotmail.comORcorruption84@yahoo.gr Christine Parastatidou -------------------------------------------------------------------- BURNING BLACK Smell The Fire - Demo 2005 I don't know about you, but personally I love most of the Italian metal bands! First of all, most of the musicians that come from this country have a musical education and an enthusiasm for the heavy metal sound. Especially, these last years that the Italian bands don't try anymore to become another RHAPSODY clone, the quality of the Italian underground metal scene has risen to higher standards. Burning Black, now, move on the path of classic heavy/power metal and there is no chance a friend of this genre might not appreciate their music. The compositions included in this demo are characterized by their passion, freshness and good production. Yeap, the "burning" metal of this band will make you headbang till you can't stand anymore. As for their influences, I have noticed some coming from great classic metal bands like JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT, RIOT and RUNNING WILD. To make it more speicifc, I can say that the fans of ANTHENORA and WHITE SKULL must check them out immediately! So, forget what you knew till now about the Italian metal scene and try to check Burning Black out!!!! You can contact the band at the following email:burningblack@burningblack.it Nick "William_Kidd" Parastatidis -------------------------------------------------------------------- DISTORTION OF PERCEPTION Project One: I.S.O.birth? - Demo 2005 If you are the kind of person that is in search of originality and bands that have created an innovative sound, then you are at the right place and you shouldn't look any further afield! Distortion Of Perception is one of the best choices you could ever make! A choice that will make you happy and proud, since I strongly believe that if the lights of publicity fall upon these guys, then there is no chance that their star won't sign! That's a promise! However, I haven't told you how this intriguing and enthralling young band from Xanthi (Greece) sounds. Well, things are simple and complicated at the same time. What would you say if I told you that these guys play a modern combination of heavy thrash/death metal? Their compositions are modern and fresh and I'd even use the term progressive, but with its deep and true meaning. Distortion Of Perception sound close to bands like NEVERMORE, CONTROL DENIED, DEATH, SOILWORK and IN FLAMES and although they are starters, they have been able to create a very strong sound with a good production. This demo CD costs only 3 € and it's a great chance for all of you to meet with an interesting and promising young act! Check them out and make sure to keep an eye on them. Give them your support and they'll give you in return excellent pieces of music! Email: distortionofperception@hotmail.com Christine Parastatidou -------------------------------------------------------------------- WHEEL RUNNER Promo 2004 Wheel Runner from Greece are probably the first band I had the chance to listen to that plays 70s - 80s influenced hard rock with some heavy metal touches. This promo includes 3 songs of well played hard rock that will make you stand on your feet and "move" along its rhythms. I guess that Wheel Runner's music will have a bigger and stronger impact to those that have lived through the 70s and 80s. That doesn't mean, however, that the younger ages won't get the message of this band's music. Hey, after all this is rock 'n' roll and will make you wanna party!!! Now, my job as a reviewer is to describe to you how the band sounds and tell you their main influences. Well, I've already done the first thing... As for the band's influences, I can name bands like THIN LIZZY, RORY GALAGHER, DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, AC/DC amd even MOTORHEAD sometimes... If you think that you can handle the music of Wheel Runner, then go ahead and give them a try... Site: http://www.wheelrunner.com Email:wheelmembers@yahoo.com Nick "William_Kidd" Parastatidis -------------------------------------------------------------------- AUTERE Lines & Fragments The Finnish quartet that listens to the name Autere has no place here in the demo section. They should have been already signed by a label, cause they are, undoubtedly, the new sensation in the melodic death/hardcore genre. It's a common secret that this musical branch has been worn out by the numerous releases that see the light of day everyday, so the most important things that can make a band stand out are the inspiration, the way they approach and arrange their compositions and how honest and determined they are. Autere has it all and all hell breaks loose with their appetite for good and catchy riffs and solid rhythm sections. Their compositions are marvellous and lead you to relentless headbanging, cause even when there are some clean vocals thrown in occasionally, they don't reduce the intensity and aggressiveness of the compositions, but they rather serve and prepare the ground for the next assault! The vocals are mainly brutal... really brutal and actually they are closer to the American brutal death metal idiom rather than the melodic hardcore sound, but they suit like a glove to the songs and they are excellent! Furthermore the guys have achieved a really good sound in the production area and they have created a beautiful and professional cover artwork. Get in touch with them!!! Site:http://www.autereband.com Email: autere666@suomi24.fi Christine Parastatidou -------------------------------------------------------------------- DISHARMONIC By Your Side (Independent Release) Disharmonic with their new release haven't only made a step forward, but actually I'd say they made a whole jump ahead! If you simply listen to their previous demo and "By Your Side", you won't believe we talk about the same band. First of all, the production is better and helps the band to show the raw energy their compositions want to transmit. Secondly, all the musicians that comprise this band have improved their skills, something that is obvious since all the songs have more variety. Now, if you want to know what kind of music Disharmonic play, well they continue to combine classic metal with thrash, hardcore and punk, having a sole purpose... That is to create a very explosive mixture!!! All the 6 songs included here (plus a hidden bonus track) are very good, but if I had to choose, I'd say that the last 3 are closer to my style. Nothing more to add here, except for the fact that I am very happy, cause Disharmonic have found the musical path they want to follow and walk upon it with great confidence. Well, I wish them their next release, that I'm going to review, to be a full length album. Oh, if you want to contact the band, simply visit their... Site: http://www.disharmonic.s4u.org or send them an Email: disharmoniccrew@yahoo.com Nick "William_Kidd" Parastatidis -------------------------------------------------------------------- FABIO LENTOLA Echoes From Mind - Promo 2003 "Echoes From Mind" is an instrumental piece of work from the Italian guitarist Fabio Lentola. The thing he tries to accomplish is to give us a release, which depends completely on melody and atmosphere. Personally, I was only able to catch his intention and the result wasn't as good as it could have been. Hopefully, we will hear something better from him in the future. Something more intriguing and catchy for most of the metalheads. Site: http://www.fabiolentola.tk Email: fabiolentola@email.it Dimitris Panstiopoulos -------------------------------------------------------------------- SABINAS REX Praise The King Sabinas Rex, comes from the United States and when I saw the great cover artwork from their latest demo release, I couldn’t believe my eyes to be honest with you! The demo has the title "Praise The King" and it includes six tracks. This demo if I am not mistaken is the debut release from this band that delivers symphonic rock with some epic metal elements in their music. The band uses dual male and female vocals in order to make their music sound more theatrical and symphonic. In my opinion the demo doesn't begin so good with the track "When"... I am not sure if this was the best track in order to open this demo and I say that because the band has better songs in this release. For example the title track or the song "I Still See You" are good enough tracks. Also Sabinas Rex, has a melancholic atmosphere in their demo, imagine the sorrow of MY DYING BRIDE and you will understand my words. All in all, I can say that their stuff from Sabinas Rex, left me with mixed emotions. I think that you will either love their stuff or you will hate it. Their music is really strange but I think they have found their personal sound; I will be waiting their next step! Official Site: www.sabinasrex.com E-mail Band: sabinasr@aol.com Antonis Maglaras -------------------------------------------------------------------- THE DONWSPIRAL TO HELL Thorn That's a great and a totally psycho band if you ask me! Their compositions are so weird, complex and unique that they nail you down trying to listen to them as clear as you can, in order to be able to fully realize everything The Downspiral To Hell has to offer you. Their musical direction could be mainly described as black metal, but it's not as typical as it sounds! Not at all, since you'll get the chance to listen to dark and atmospheric elements mixed with aggressiveness and all these wrapped up in a demonic aura that reminded me a bit of CRADLE OF FILTH. However, this is not only what the band has in store for us and thus besides the obvious references in their tracks you'll hear many jazz and blues tinges that enrich the compositions giving them a whole different scent, plus they also have a soundtrack like atmosphere that sets these Spaniards apart from most of the bands of this genre. If the demo's production was a bit better and clearer, the whole effort would be flawless! Check them out and give them a chance! Contact: THE DOWNSPIRAL TO HELL, JOSE LUIS MIRANDA MORALES, AVDA DE LA CONSTITUCION 8, 42250 ARCOS DE JALON (SORIA), SPAIN. Email: thedownspiral@hotmail.com Christine Parastatidou -------------------------------------------------------------------- EXILED ON EARTH Duality Conflicts (Spreadit Agency) Exiled On Earth released "Duality Conflicts" back in 2002, but only recently have we had the chance to listen to it. The band got through hard times and they fought on keeping in their minds their musical vision alive. A vision which they keep expanding and evolving by adding new elements all the time. So, this album finds them balancing between heavy sounds and some more progressive directions, a fact that makes it hard to categorize them under a certain label. However, I think that they are closer to progressive metal and in fact to the heaviest side of progressive metal with quite many references, in their guitar riffs, to both the thrash metal movement and the melodic death metal genre, creating an amalgam of influences from bands like DREAM THEATER, ANNIHILATOR, METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN and so on... This is a very good effort with a decent production, which could have been better and more powerful I think, but anyway above all it shows a hard working band that has the potential to become even better in the future! Site: www.exiledonearth.it Christine Parastatidou -----------------------------------------------------------------------------