THE LONG BEACH FESTIVAL 25 - 7 - 2020

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Theofilos Bachtsevanidis

THE LIGHTBRINGER released «Rise of the Beast»

Swedish Power Metal band THE LIGHTBRINGER released their new album «Rise of the Beast». The album was mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordström at "Studio Fredman" in Gothenburg.

THE LIGHTBRINGER was formed in 2017 by Lars Eng (Guitars). Soon after Jonas Andersson (Lead guitar), Henrik Bergqvist (Bass) and Tobbe Jonsson (Drums) joined the band and the guys started work on the debut album. In 2019 the vocalist Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Firewind) joined the band and the lineup was complete

ENTRAILS - The Tomb Awaits

ENTRAILS - The Tomb Awaits

F.D.A. Records

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This album has the classic Swedish style death metal of the early 90's. It's very much in the vein of old Entombed and Dismember. But they've weaved in their own sound. The riffs are fresh and killer. So is the energy surrounding this release. It's invigorating! I liked this whole album all the way through. The musicianship is insurmountable. It's great that this Swedish death metal sound has stayed alive in modern bands. The music is downright brutal though. The vocals and the guitar riffs are explosive. I would venture to say this is a top release in the year of 2011. Amazing it's that old now.

COSTAS VARRAS – Neon-Classical

COSTAS VARRAS – Neon-Classical

Symmetric Records

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Αν το όνομα Κώστας Βάρρας σας λέει κάτι, είναι πιθανόν ότι κάπου το 2005 είχατε ακούσει την πρώτη του δισκογραφική δουλειά υπό το όνομα του τότε συγκροτήματός του, τους PERPETUAL και με τίτλο “Overlord’s Perpetual” που κυκλοφόρησε μέσω της Sonic Age Records. Μάλιστα σε αυτή την κυκλοφορία ήταν που για πρώτη φορά συνεργάστηκαν ο Κώστας με τον γνωστό διεθνώς Έλληνα μουσικό Bob Katsionis.

BLOODBATH - Grand Morbid Funeral

BLOODBATH - Grand Morbid Funeral

Peaceville Records

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This album has an immense energy to it, being as though a totally "morbid" album title and cover artwork. These Swedish death metalers do a great job here musically, production-wise and aura to the album. It's totally in belonging in the underground! The riffs are just amazing and the leads are phenomenal. This band I just discovered somewhat recently. They just kill from every aspect! I like the music and vocals the most. The guitars are way professional, nothing generic about them at all. The riffs are totally innovative and the energy to the album is all there! There's nothing lacking to this "funeral."

SCHIZOCHRISTO release «Mundo sin fin»

American Black/Sludge Metal band SCHIZOCHRISTO released their debut album «Mundo sin fin». The album was recorded by Nythroth at "Malevolent Sound" in Los Angeles, and mixed/mastered by Nicholas Turner.

SCHIZOCHRISTO was formed in 2019 in Los Angeles, California by Vetus Capra (Vocals) and Nicholas Turner (Guitars, Bass, Drums). These days the band is working on the physical release of the debut album that will be released this summer.

Κυνηγός σκιών

Κυνηγός σκιών by Alexey Pehov

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο ηρωικής φαντασίας. Είναι το πρώτο της τριλογίας από όσο γνωρίζω. Κρίμα που δεν θα διαβάσουμε τα υπόλοιπα 2, αφού δεν βλέπω να υπάρχει διάθεση από τον εκδοτικό οίκο να κυκλοφορήσει τις 2 επόμενες συνέχειες.

Ο συγγραφέας έχει δημιουργήσει ενδιαφέροντες και ρεαλιστικούς χαρακτήρες για τα δεδομένα της λογοτεχνίας της ηρωικής φαντασίας. Το βιβλίο διαθέτει πλούσια φαντασία και θα έλεγα πολλές φορές αρκετά πρωτότυπη.

Από τις δυνατές στιγμές του βιβλίου για μένα είναι οι περιπέτειες του Χαρολντ στην Απαγορευμένη περιοχή (ίσως ένας φόρος τιμής του συγγραφέα στο βιβλίο "Πικ Νικ Δίπλα στο Δρόμο (Σταλκερ)" των αδερφών Στρουγκατσκι) που έχει και μαι καλή δόση υπερφυσικού τρόμου, η μάχη με το ογκρ στο παλάτι και φυσικά η απόλυτα επική περιγραφή της μάχης στην Ερημιά του Χαργκαν.

Φαίνεται ότι η Ρώσικη λογοτεχνία του φανταστικού και της επιστημονικής φαντασίας να διαθέτει πολύ ενδιαφέροντες συγγραφείς και θα ήταν πολύ ωραίο να μεταφραστούν περισσότερα βιβλία αυτού του είδους στα Ελληνικά.

Μακάρι κάποια στιγμή να κυκλοφορήσουν οι συνέχειες των περιπετειών του Χαρολνυ στα Ελληνικά.... 

JUNGLE ROT - Order Shall Prevail

JUNGLE ROT - Order Shall Prevail

Victory Records

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I'd have to say that this is an actual step up from 'Terror Regime'. The production is more solid, the riffs a little bit tighter and the leads a bit better than their predecessor. The vocals match the guitar pretty well and that double bass drum kick just slays. I would have to venture to say that this band continues to get better as they're progressing as musicians. That's what we all hope for are that musicians do not lose their creative abilities as they age. One example of a band that has definitely not progressed over the years is Deicide. When musicians don't progress, the once able capabilities go stagnant and digress.

CROWN THE UNHOLY release «Empirical Death» EP

American Death/Groove Metal band CROWN THE UNHOLY released their new EP «Empirical Death». The album was recorded by Steve Bearsley at "StraightAway Productions", and mixed/mastered by "Discmakers Sound Lab".

CROWN THE UNHOLY was formed in 2019 at Dixon, Illinois by Aaron Stowell (vocals), John Jacobs (guitars), Sean Gillette (guitars), Scott Vickrey (bass) and Joey Wilson (drums).

NIGHTWÖLF - Unleash the Beast

NIGHTWÖLF - Unleash the Beast

Independent

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Δεν ξέρω αν έχετε ασχοληθεί με την metal σκηνή της Νοτίου Αμερικής, αλλά αν όχι σας προτρέπω να το κάνετε. Πρόκειται για μια σκηνή πλούσια σε ποικιλία και αξιόλογη σε ποιότητα συγκροτημάτων. Η Βραζιλία όντας η μεγαλύτερη και πολυπληθέστερη χώρα της Νοτίου Αμερικής έχει σημαντική και αξιόλογη συνεισφορά στην σκηνή αυτή. Οι NIGHTWÖLF, το EP των οποίων θα παρουσιάσω εδώ, προέρχονται από την χώρα αυτή.

JUNGLE ROT - Terror Regime

JUNGLE ROT - Terror Regime

Victory Records

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This album has some amazing riffs. This band puts out some amazing riffs. The only negative or beef I have with this album are the lead guitars. I didn't feel like they were good enough to compliment the rhythms. The vocals compliment the guitar licks, for sure. It's just: "come on guys, get rid of the leads!" I believe they put them in there to vary the sound but if you're not going to shred without being sloppy, then don't be sloppy! I'd have to agree though with my previous statements about the amazing riffs. These guys from Kenosha put together some great rhythms. Amazing, again simply amazing!

TRAGEDY MASK release «Theatrum Tragoedia»

American Groove Metal band TRAGEDY MASK released their debut album «Theatrum Tragoedia». The album was recorded in "LKS Recordings" and mixed/mastered by Tobias Falk.

TRAGEDY MASK was formed in 2019 as a one-man metal project from Tiffin, Iowa by multi-instrumentalist and composer J. Ryan Seaba.

BENEDICTION - Killing Music

BENEDICTION - Killing Music

Nuclear Blast

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It'd be good (since they're not defunct) that they do a follow-up from this album. It's quality death metal though Birmingham based band that's been in existence for quite some time now. Former vocalist Barney who's with Napalm Death exclusively still measures up in supreme quality. That's for sure, though this one deserves a "B" because the production was a little bit pithy. Aside from that, the music is great, not to mention original, too. They change it up a bit on here it's not too fast tempo-wise, but brutal. This whole album is doggone brutal. They're still good even without Barney on vocals.

DIVINITY IN EXILE Interview

Genre: Hardcore/Metalcore

Country: Netherlands

Questions by: Nick Parastatidis

Answers by: Chris Incarnate (Composer)

Site: Facebook

АрдрА released debut album

Russian Thrash/Heavy Metal Metal band АрдрА released their debut album «Асимметрия». The album was recorded at the band's home studio and mixed/mastered by Ilya Ilyin.

АрдрА was formed in 2010 at Cheboksary, Russia by Andrei Rey and Ilya Kutuzov. When the band was ready to record their debut album Dmitriy Tretikov (guitar) and Ilya Ilyin (drums) joined the band and the lineup was completed. Before the album release they decided to name themselves АрдрА (eng - Ardra) by the Hindi name of  "Betelgeuse" - the tenth brightest star in the night sky.

GOBLINS BLADE – Of Angels And Snakes

GOBLINS BLADE – Of Angels And Snakes

Massacre Records

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Το όνομα του συγκροτήματος πιθανόν να σας κάνει να σκεφτείτε ότι έχουμε να κάνουμε με ένα συγκρότημα που αντλεί έμπνευση από το λογοτεχνικό – κινηματογραφικό είδος της ηρωικής φαντασίας. Αν περιμένετε κάτι τέτοιο, μάλλον θα απογοητευτείτε. Βέβαια, ίσως κάποιοι σκεφτείτε ότι πιθανόν το όνομα του το συγκρότημα να το πείρε από το τραγούδι «Goblin's Blade» του συγκροτήματος HEATHEN που βρίσκεται στον δίσκο τους «Breaking the Silence». Χωρίς να μπορώ να το επιβεβαιώσω, αυτή η εξήγηση μου φαίνεται και πιο πιθανή, λόγω του μουσικού ύφους που κινούνται οι GOBLINS BLADE.