Σάββατο 16 Αυγούστου 2025

REVIEW: ENTOMBED A.D., Dead Dawn

 


ENTOMBED A.D., Dead Dawn (2016)


Century Media Records


Άλλη μία μίτωση σε ένα μεταλλικό κύτταρο.


Ήταν φαινόμενο της σκηνής, με πάμπολα παραδείγματα από τη δεκαετία του '90 και ήδη τότε. Συγκροτήματα που τα μέλη τους άλλαζαν ρότα για λόγους μουσικών ή και άλλων διαφορών, έπαιρναν μαζί το όνομα ή κάποιο μέρος του ονόματός τους. Ο μακαρίτης πλέον L.G. Petrov, φεύγοντας από το συγκρότημα που έγραψε λαμπερές σελίδες, πρόσθεσε στο όνομά του το Ano Domini (μετά Χριστόν / Έτος Κυρίου, ως συμβολισμό στις χρονολογίες) και συνέχισε να παράγει καλή Death 'N' Roll, όπως και στα κλασικά άλμπουμ των παλιών Entombed. Ίσως, βέβαια, τα άλλα μέλη να πρόσθεσαν το λιθαράκι τους, αφού σε αρκετά σημεία υπάρχει ανακατεμένο και Doom Metal, κάτι που ταιριάζει στη μουσική γάντι. Αυτό είναι ένα από τα τρία - τέσσερα άλμπουμ που κυκλοφόρησαν με αυτό το σχήμα και όνομα. Μαζί του οι Nico Elgstrand (κιθάρα), Victor Brandt (μπάσο) και Olle Dahlstedt (ντραμς).


Midas in Reverse, Dead Dawn, As the World Fell, Total Death, Silent Assassin, Black Survival, Not What It Seems είναι οι κυριότερες στιγμές στον δίσκο.


English:



Another mutation in a metal band.


It was a phenomenon on the scene, with numerous examples from the 1990s and even then. Bands whose members changed direction for musical or other reasons would often keep the same name or a part of it. The late L.G. Petrov, after leaving the band that wrote many shining pages, added "Ano Domini" (After Christ / Year of Our Lord, as a reference to the dating system) to his name and continued to produce good Death 'N' Roll, just like on the classic albums of the old Entombed. Of course, perhaps the other members also contributed their share, as in several parts there is a mixture of Doom Metal, which fits the music perfectly. This is one of the three or four albums released with this lineup and name. Alongside him were Nico Elgstrand (guitar), Victor Brandt (bass), and Olle Dahlstedt (drums).


"Midas in Reverse, Dead Dawn, As the World Fell, Total Death, Silent Assassin, Black Survival, Not What It Seems" are the main highlights of the album.


Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!


DETERIOROT Announces New Album Awakening

 


Legendary US death metal band DETERIOROT has revealed cover art, their first single, and tracklist for their upcoming album, Awakening, set for release on October 21st via Xtreem Music on CD, LP, cassette, and digital. 


Formed in 1988 by Paul Zavaleta, DETERIOROT is a pioneer of the NJ/NY death metal scene, blending atmospheric tones with influences from Finnish, UK, and Swedish death metal. Known for their raw and unique sound, Awakening continues their legacy and is highly anticipated by old-school death metal fans worldwide.


Tracklist for "Awakening" is as follows:




01. Awakening

02. The Flame

03. In Battle to Survive

04. Horrors in an Everlasting Nightmare

05. A Ghost in the Mirror

06. Deliver Us From Fiction

07. Haunting Images From a Past Life

08. Programmed By Fear

09. Winter Moon

10. In Silence

11. The Spirit

12. To Sleep


AGE OF RAGE Releases New EP "Immortal"

 


Russian band Age of Rage has launched their new EP, Immortal, via Solids Music, featuring a more melodic and hopeful sound. Recorded at LIHO prod. and Stonehand Records, it includes contributions from several artists. Formed in 2013 in Moscow, the band evolved from Heavy Metal to experimental Alternative/Modern Metal. With eight albums and numerous shows and festivals, they continue to push their musical boundaries with this latest release.


Παρασκευή 15 Αυγούστου 2025

MORTAL SCEPTER 2nd single

 


French Deathrashers MORTAL SCEPTER, have just launched the 2nd advance single "Blindsight", in form of a lyric-video, of what will be their 2nd full length album that will be entitled "Ethereal Dominance" which will see the light next September 9th through Xtreem Music on CD, 12"LP, Cassette & Digital formats.


Tracklist for "Ethereal Dominance" is as follows:



01. Ethereal Dominance

02. Redshifting to Death

03. Blindsight

04. Omegacide Deadrays

05. Submit to the Crave

06. Reverse Paradigm

07. Sense Ablation

08. Into the Wolves Den


ENGINEERED SOCIETY PROJECT Releases New Single "Blink Of An Eye"

 


American heavy metal band Engineered Society Project has launched their new single, "Blink Of An Eye," now available on streaming platforms. The song features intense riffs and explores themes of life's fleeting nature and vulnerability. Formed in 2014, the band is known for blending classic metal with modern aggression and socially conscious lyrics.


ÜLTRA RAPTÖR Unveils New Single, "Living for the Riff"

 


Canadian speed/heavy metal band ÜLTRA RAPTÖR has launched a new lyric video for "Living for the Riff," the second single from their upcoming album, "Fossilized." The album, which is the band's second full-length release, is set to drop on October 7, 2025, and will be available on CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital formats.


Known for their fast and intense style reminiscent of bands like SAVAGE GRACE and early JUDAS PRIEST, ÜLTRA RAPTÖR has been building a strong following since their formation in 2015. "Fossilized" will feature ten tracks, including the previously mentioned "Living for the Riff," promising more of the cool, catchy riffs and excellent solos that have become the band's signature.


A Night of Metal in Thessaloniki: YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/ANDRY/SPIRIT WAR

 


On August 7, 2025, the French band SPIRIT WAR, a powerful trio, took the stage at Moni Lazariston in Thessaloniki, Greece, opening for the legendary Yngwie Malmsteen. Despite a slight delay due to some initial audio issues, the band delivered a powerful and convincing performance. They played for about half an hour, showcasing songs from their debut album, Between Dusk And Dawn. The enthusiastic and highly energetic trio treated the crowd to a dynamic blend of melodic heavy metal and hard rock, with memorable tracks like "Never Give Up" and "Fight to Survive" leaving a strong impression. Their stage presence and musicality set a high-energy tone for the rest of the evening.



Following SPIRIT WAR, the stage was taken by ANDRY, a band fronted by vocalist Andry Lagiou. The group performed a set of melodic heavy/power metal, demonstrating a high level of musicianship. Andry's vocal delivery and stage presence were notable. The sound quality was inconsistent, with a prominent bass mix that at times obscured other musical details. The band's setlist included original songs such as "Mistress of the Night," "Skies," and "Black Hole," as well as a cover of the Deep Purple track "Burn."



Closing the night as the headliner was the legendary guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, who delivered a performance that was a masterclass in his unique style. His virtuoso playing and sophisticated compositional ideas created a sonic landscape where heavy metal, rock, and classical and baroque music coexisted in a harmonious and powerful fusion. The comprehensive setlist served as a journey through his illustrious career, and included "Rising Force," "Top Down / No Rest for the Wicked," "Soldier," "Into Valhalla / Baroque & Roll," "Relentless Fury," "Like an Angel (For April)," "Now Your Ships Are Burned," "Wolves at the Door," "(Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum," his interpretations of classical masters like Johann Sebastian Bach's "Badinerie" and Niccolò Paganini's "Paganini's 4th / Adagio," a medley of "Far Beyond the Sun / Bohemian Rhapsody," "Seventh Sign," "Toccata," "Fire and Ice," "Evil Eye," and the Deep Purple cover "Smoke on the Water." The performance continued with "Trilogy (Vengeance)," a "Guitar Solo - Overture," "Blue," a "Fugue / Guitar Solo," and "You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget." The night concluded with a powerful encore that included an acoustic guitar solo and the iconic "I'll See the Light Tonight," leaving no doubt as to the masterful skill and enduring legacy of the Swedish guitar god.



The triple-bill concert at Moni Lazariston in Thessaloniki on August 7, 2025, provided a varied evening of heavy music. The performances by SPIRIT WAR, ANDRY, and headliner Yngwie Malmsteen each contributed to the overall event, showcasing different styles within the rock and metal genres. The night offered a spectrum of musical approaches, from the opening acts to the virtuosic closing performance, concluding the event in Thessaloniki.


TEXT: Nick Parastatidis


PHOTOS/VIDEOS: Theofilos Bachtsevanidis