REVIEW: PRIMORDIAL, Spirit The Earth Aflame

 

PRIMORDIAL, Spirit The Earth Aflame (2000)

Hammerheart Records

Εσωτερισμός σε νότες.

Οι Ιρλανδοί Pagan/Black/Doom Metalers είναι πολύ αγαπητοί στο κοινό της χώρας μας. Αυτό είναι το τρίτο τους πλήρες άλμπουμ και το σημείο της διαφοροποίησης του ήχου τους απ'το "Black Metal", όσο Black Metal μπορεί να θεωρείται η μουσική στα δύο πρώτα τους άλμπουμ. Στα φωνητικά του τραγουδιστή Alan Averill εδώ έχουμε αρκετό καθαρό Doom και Gothic ύφος που εναλλάσσονται με τα πιο Black Growl του παρελθόντος του, κάτι που θα συνεχίσει να κάνει και παρακάτω στις επόμενες δουλειές τους, με αυτό το θλιμμένο ύφος της απαγγελίας σε μερικά σημεία παρά του τραγουδιού  να πρωταγωνιστεί και τις θυελλώδεις κιθάρες απ' τους Ciáran MacUiliam και Feargal Flannery να τονίζουν αυτό το συναίσθημα απόγνωσης. Στο μπάσο ο Paul MacAmlaigh και ντράμς ο Simon O'Laoghaire σε ένα μαγευτικό συνολικά πακέτο οχτώ συνθέσεων με πιο γνωστά τα Gods to the Godless, The Soul Must Sleep, The Burning Season, The Cruel Sea, Children of the Harvest, To Enter Pagan να μας συνεπαίρνουν σε σκοτεινούς φανταστικούς ή και πραγματικούς κόσμους.

English:

 Esotericism in Notes

The Irish Pagan/Black/Doom metal band is very popular with the audience in our country. This is their third full-length album and marks a differentiation in their sound from "Black Metal," as much as the music from their first two albums can be considered Black Metal. In the vocals of singer Alan Averill, we have a significant amount of clean Doom and Gothic style that alternates with his more Black growls from the past—a pattern he will continue in their future works. This mournful style of recitation features prominently in various parts of the songs, alongside the tempestuous guitars from Ciáran MacUiliam and Feargal Flannery, which highlight a feeling of despair. On bass is Paul MacAmlaigh and on drums is Simon O'Laoghaire, creating a captivating overall package of eight compositions, with notable tracks like "Gods to the Godless," "The Soul Must Sleep," "The Burning Season," "The Cruel Sea," "Children of the Harvest," and "To Enter Pagan," which transport us to dark, fantastical, or even real worlds.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: SENTENCED, The Cold White Light

 

SENTENCED, The Cold White Light (2002)

Century Media Records

Σκοτεινό μυστηριώδες δάσος.

Μετά το μεγάλο "σουξέ" με το εκπληκτικό Crimson (κάποιοι τώρα κάνουν μούτρα αλλά δε πειράζει) η διαδοχή κατάσταση για τους πέντε Φινλανδούς ήρθε με αυτό το πιο "σοβαρό" ας πούμε άλμπουμ. Με την έννοια ότι η μουσική και οι στίχοι τους πλέον είναι ακόμα πιο σκοτεινοί, εσωτερικοί και βγάζουν περισσότερη απόγνωση απο πριν. Κάτι εξυπνάδες που ακούστηκαν τότε περί Emo αισθητικής, δε τις σχολιάζω. Άμα ακούς Evanescence μπορεί , οι Sentenced με το κρύο λευκό φως τους παίζουν μελαγχολικό, Gothic αλλά και Heavy Metal και για μένα προσωπικά σαν ακροατή με κέρδισε ο ήχος με το που το άκουσα. Cross My Heart and Hope to Die, το γρήγορο Brief is the Light, το ειρωνικό Excuse Me While I KillMyself και το The Luxury of a Grave είναι κομμάτια που ακόμα τα θυμάμαι με το που ξαναβλέπω το εξώφυλλο του δίσκου αυτού κι αυτό κάτι σημαντικό πάει να πει ότι άφησε.

English:

Dark, Mysterious Forest. 

After the big success of the amazing album *Crimson* (some may be sulking now, but that's okay), the follow-up for the five Finns came with this more "serious," let's say, album. In the sense that their music and lyrics are now even darker, more introspective, and convey more despair than before. I won't comment on the clever remarks that were made back then about Emo aesthetics. If you listen to Evanescence, you might find some similarities; however, Sentenced, with their cold white light, play melancholic, Gothic, and Heavy Metal, and for me personally, as a listener, their sound captivated me right away. "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die," the fast-paced "Brief is the Light," the ironic "Excuse Me While I Kill Myself," and "The Luxury of a Grave" are tracks that I still remember as soon as I see the cover of this album, and that says something significant about the impact it left.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

AVANTASIA Unleashes New Single “Against The Wind” (feat. Kenny Leckremo)

 

Rock and metal sensation AVANTASIA has unveiled their latest single, "Against The Wind," from the upcoming album *Here Be Dragons*, set for release on February 28, 2025, via Napalm Records. Featuring H.E.A.T. vocalist Kenny Leckremo, this heavy metal track showcases the distinctive versatility of AVANTASIA's iconic sound.

FRACTURED INSANITY new video-clip

 

Belgian Brutal Deathmetallers FACTURED INSANITY, have just launched a lyric-video of the song "Divide and Conquer" as a 3rd advance single from their upcoming 5th album entitled "Age of Manipulation" which will see the light next February 18th through Xtreem Music on CD & Digital formats.

GRAVE DIGGER reveal music video for album title track: “Bone Collector”

 

GRAVE DIGGER has unveiled the music video for their album title track "Bone Collector," celebrating the release of their 23rd studio album, out now on ROAR. In 2025, the iconic German metal band marks its 45th anniversary while kicking off an extensive tour with special guests VICTORY. Don't miss the chance to experience their latest work live!

PREDATOR new video online

 

Legendary US Heavy/ Speed Metal band PREDATOR have just launched a lyric-video, of the song "Raping the Population", as a 2nd advance single for their 2nd album entitled "Unsafe Space" which will be released in March 18th

TEMPERANCE Delivers Symphonic Passion on New Live Album, From Hermitage To Europe, out March 14, 2025

 

Italian melodic metal maestros TEMPERANCE are set to enchant fans with their thrilling live album, *From Hermitage To Europe*, releasing on March 14, 2025, via Napalm Records. Recorded during their recent tour supporting *Hermitage - Daruma's Eyes Pt. 2 (2023)*, the album brings the enchanting essence of Hermitage and fan favorites to life.

The first single, "Daruma," showcases their signature vocal harmonies, blending melodic guitar riffs with dynamic drum beats. Vocalists Michele Guaitoli and Kristin Starkey deliver an exquisite performance, capturing the band's magical sound. This live release, featuring beloved tracks like "Of Jupiter And Moons" and "Diamanti," is a celebration of their current lineup and paves the way for their much-anticipated 2025 European tour alongside Ignea and Induction.

Marco Pastorino expresses excitement for the album, marking a significant addition to their discography and a celebration of their musical journey. Fans can look forward to this captivating live experience!