STARBLIND – Dying Son review

 STARBLIND – Dying Son

Pure Steel Records

http://www.starblind.se/

In the 90’s Sweden was a country which gave birth to many melodic death metal bands and many of them actually are huge names in our days (like IN FLAMES and DARK TRANQUILLITY). The past few years Sweden has become the capital of what we say new wave of traditional heavy metal and gave us so many good bands whose their popularity grows day by day (ENFORCER, ROCKA ROLLAS, AIR RAID and so many others). STARBLIND belong to this movement and they are ready to strike back with their sophomore album entitled “Dying Son”.

ENVENOMED – Evil Unseen review

 ENVENOMED – Evil Unseen

Punishment 18 Records

http://www.envenomed.com/

It seems that there in Australia they start to build a new heavy metal scene based on the traditional metal teachings. ENVENOMED are a band that released in 2014 their debut album entitled “Evil Unseen” as an independent release. It seems that the album earned some popularity and also its quality made Punishment 18 Records make a deal with these guys and re – release it. So, let me tell you my own impressions after listening to this album.

CHASTAIN – We Bleed Metal review

 CHASTAIN – We Bleed Metal

Pure Steel Records

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chastain/109625292396988?rf=109579255734286

Heavy metal gave a whole of a different meaning to musical instruments that were used in the past in different musical genres. I think that it proved you can play as extreme you want and yet be technical and melodic (people who still consider this sound as noise, have never been into music in my opinion). In this genre there were some exceptional musicians that were and still are the guiding light for the next generation. I think that David Chastain was and still is such a guitarist who not only offered us through the years great tunes and skillful guitar playing, but also discovered and promoted guitarists who are now considered the next big thing in heavy metal. On the other hand this band also has a magnificent female singer and I mean Leather Leone who along with Jutta Weinhold (ZED YAGO) set the standards of how a female heavy metal singer should sound. So, here we are and CHASTIAN are releasing their new album with the simple and yet full of meaning title “We Bleed Metal” and I feel very happy to write a few words about it.

BEORN: OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO OUT NOW

Check out our first lyric video “Star Ocean”, taken from the “Time to Dare” album.

MADHOUSE – You Want More review

 MADHOUSE – You Want More

Independent

http://www.madhouseband.it/

MADHOUSE is a word that rings a happy bell in every mertalhead’s mind especially if you are fan of bands like ARMORED SAINT and ANTHRAX. I have to admit that there is where my mind went when I saw the name of this Italian band. Musically though the guys have nothing to do with the heavy metal sound since they move in the vast fields of rock music where my knowledge is limited I have to admit. This is their first effort which included 4 songs and comes with the self confident title “You Want More”. So let us see if we agree on that…

OPERA – La Ruota Del Destino review

 OPERA – La Ruota Del Destino

Qua’ Rock Records

http://operaofficialband.com/

Opera is a theatrical play where the participants instead of talking sing. My description might not be elegant, but at least this is how I see it. This musical genre was created in Italy and of course it is inspired by the ancient Greek tragedy. I think that the band used this name in order to honor the tradition of their country, since they are from Italy, but mostly because their music has a theatrical dimension without becoming symphonic. I think that this has intrigued you, so let me proceed to the presentation of the band’s new album under the title “La Ruota Del Destino”.

AS DARKNESS DIES - As Darkness Dies review

AS DARKNESS DIES - As Darkness Dies

Pure Steel Records

http://www.asdarknessdies.com/

From the ashes of the old something new will rise. These lines came up to my mind when I read the short bio of the band. AS DARKNESS DIES is the continuation of the band GRAVEN IMAGE (not the known 80’s U.S. metal band). Under that name they have already released an album with the title “The Future Started Yesterday”. Back then the band was playing thrash/power metal, but for reasons known only to them they thought to make a new start and their new start comes with the name AS DARKNESS DIES and I am here to present to you their debut album with the same title.

MY REFUGE – A Matter of Supremacy review

 MY REFUGE – A Matter of Supremacy

Bakerteam Records

www.myrefuge.it

MY REFUGE is a band from Italy. They were formed in 2010 and they have already released 2 EPs in 2010 and 2013. “A Matter of Supremacy” is their debut full length album and it was released in June 2015. I am really interested in finding new bands and when these guys asked me to listen to their album and write my impressions about it, I could not refuse. So here we are…   

POWER THEORY – Driven By Fear review

 POWER THEORY – Driven By Fear

Pure Steel Records

http://powertheory.net/

Fear as all emotions humans have, has both good and bad aspects. It is a feeling that helps mankind to survive, but when it rules over all the other emotions it can be destructive. It is also known that by applying fear to the masses you can manipulate them easier. I think, without being sure, that POWER THEORY had these things in mind when they were creating this album which is their third and with a new singer (Jeff Rose). I can only make assumptions about the title of their album (since I don’t have the lyrics), but for one thing I am sure; POWER THEORY were driven by heavy metal when they were creating this release.

DRAGONHEART – The Battle Sanctuary review

 DRAGONHEART – The Battle Sanctuary

Pitch Black Records

https://www.facebook.com/dragonheartofficial

The Brazilian metal scene, for those who know the southern American metal scene, is a scene that has quality with lots of talented bands that wait from the rest of the word to be discovered. Also, based on my opinion, the metal scene of this country is mainly inspired by the German metal scene. DRAGONHEART from Brazil is a band that I know from the past and actually I like a lot (I have purchased their sophomore album and also for a friend as a gift). So, I am really happy to see that the band is active and they will release 10 years after their last album their new work which has the title “The Battle Sanctuary”.

STORMLURKER – A Dark Formation review

 STORMLURKER – A Dark Formation

Independent

https://stormlurker.bandcamp.com/releases

It is proven by life that creative people can’t be restricted in only one specific thing; instead they search to channel their creativity in many different ways. I think that my friend Deryck whom for the first time I met with NORSELAW is such a person. Actually he is a talented and well skilled guitarist, but also a composer that dares to improvise with the traditional forms of heavy metal without getting out of the fields of this sound whose also is a big fan of. Now, having next to him Stan Martell on the bass and Austin Lane on drums he formed the band STORMLURKER and “Dark Formation” is their debut release and an introduction to their music.

FRANK X – The Project: Earth review

 FRANK X – The Project: Earth

Independent

https://www.reverbnation.com/frankx7

FRANK X come from Canada which, by the way, is a country that most of the times has to give something interesting in heavy metal. Francois, the musician that is behind this project is a multi talented person since he has studied music and in specific how to create score music (keep that in mind), but he also has directed and acted in some films and of course did their soundtrack. This creative mind is also a fan of heavy metal and in this release which I will present to you here he combines all his above mentioned talents to create a concept story that even the Monty Pythons or Douglas Adams would envy…

SCAVANGER - Rise of the Scarab review

 SCAVANGER - Rise of the Scarab

7Hard

http://www.scavanger.de/

The band was formed in Germany in 2001 and they started as a cover school band under the name SCAVENGER. It seems that somehow they realized the existence of other bands with the same name and changed it into SCAVANGER. So far they have released two full length albums under the title “Giving Entrance” in 2010 and “Between the Devil and the Sea” in 2011. Now, 4 years after the release of their sophomore album SCAVANGER have their new album ready under the title “Rise of the Scarab” which will be released on 16^th October 2015.       

LUCUMA - Destruye La Ciudad Psicológica review

 LUCUMA - Destruye La Ciudad Psicológica

Independent

https://loslucuma.bandcamp.com/releases

Lucuma is a word that in Greek makes you think of a sweet full of sugar that we have here and it is very tasty (looks a bit like a donut). The word though also applies to an eatable product of the nature. Lucuma is a subtropical fruit native to the Andean valleys. I believe that LUCUMA who come from Argentina have taken their name from this fruit. All this talking about food might open your appetite, but we are here to talk about music and I am here to present to you the sophomore release of the band that has the title “Destruye La Ciudad Psicológica” which in English means destroy the psychological city. I think it is a bizarre and yet interesting title. 

MAZE OF TERROR – Ready to Kill review

 MAZE OF TERROR – Ready to Kill

Empire Records

www.mazeofterror.bandcamp.com

MAZE OF TERROR is a band from Peru, but I can say that in a way they have a relation with Greece. The band was formed in 2011 and so far they released in 2012 an EP under the title “Skullcrusher” and a split CD in 2015 with AMKEN the Greek thrash metal band that you should also check out (and this is the Greek connection I mentioned above). The band after all these felt ready to try to release a full length album and the result of this effort is the full of meaning album “Ready to Kill” which I will present to you here….  

VARDIS - 200 M.P.H. EP review

VARDIS - 200 M.P.H. EP

Hoplite Records

http://www.vardisrocks.com/

A couple of years ago in a second hand bazaar a vinyl drew my attention. I liked its cover on which you can see a guitarist on stage playing with such passion that immediately is transmitted to the viewer. This made me decide to buy it (along with the cheap price) and the album was “100 M.P.H.” of VARDIS which was recorded live. This was one of the best purchases I’ve made since VARDIS were one of the first bands of the N.W.O.B.H.M. sound and on the album you can feel the passion and the new ideas that this musical movement brought to the heavy metal sound. So, I am really happy to see that such a metal legend from the past (they were formed in 1977) is back and releasing a new EP which I will present to you here…

OPEN ACCESS - Over a Mountain Peak review

 OPEN ACCESS - Over a Mountain Peak

Independent

https://www.facebook.com/openaccessband/timeline

OPEN ACCESS is the kind of a band name that can’t give you a clear hint of the musical genre that the band plays. Probably you can imagine that they belong to the progressive or even to thrash metal genre, but believe me you are wrong. OPEN ACCESS is a band formed in Poland in 2013 and musically they move on the folk metal genre. Their first work is this EP which was released in May 2015 and has the title “Over a Mountain Peak”; A proper name for a folk metal release.

ACID DEATH Interview

1. Hello! How are you? How are things in the ACID DEATH camp at the moment?

Hello! Thanks for this presentation! Things in ACID DEATH's camp are really fine! We are working for promoting our new album, waiting also for the re-releases of "Pieces of Mankind" and "Random's Manifest"... arranging the next live dates... there are many things that have to be done!

ACID DEATH Interview 2012

1. First of all I’d like you to fill us in on what’s happening in the ACID DEATH camp at the moment.

Hello and thank you for this presentation! Yes, ACID DEATH are back after 11 years without an official release. “Eidolon” CD is out since June 1st. At the moment we are preparing the live appearances in Greece for next season. Things seem to be in a right way and a lot of work has to be done.

Read More

MACBETH – Imperium review

 MACBETH – Imperium

Massacre Records

http://www.macbeth-music.de

MACBETH might have had a lot of problems when they were a metal band on the Eastern Communistic Germany, but they have somehow managed to survive and now in the 30^th anniversary of the band they are ready to release their fourth full length album under the title “Imperium”. Before we proceed to the presentation of the album let us see what “Imperium” means according to Wikipedia: “Imperium is a Latin word which, in a broad sense, translates roughly as 'power to command'. In ancient Rome, different kinds of power or authority were distinguished by different terms. Imperium referred to the sovereignty of the state over the individual”. I think the topic of the album is close to the philosophy of the band who as it mentions on the bio sheet “the songs of MACBETH tell unholy, demonic and insane stories and offer a glimpse into the depths of the human soul”. Ok, enough with that and let the music do the talking…

REBELLION – Wyrd Bið Ful Aræd - The History of the Saxons review

 REBELLION – Wyrd Bið Ful Aræd - The History of the Saxons

Massacre Records

http://www.rebellion-metal.de/

I think most of you know the history of the band. They were created by former GRAVE DIGGER members and this also explains the name of the band. In 2010 the band reached the point of disbanding, but somehow and with the support of their fans they managed to stand on their feet with a new line – up. All these led us to new releases and this one is their latest. REBELLION’s trademark of course is the creation of concept albums based on the history and myths of ancient tribes most of them of Teutonic/Germanic origin. So, this time their album is based on the story of the Saxons. The Saxons (Latin: Saxones, Old English: Seaxe, Old Saxon: Sahson, Low German: Sassen, German: Sachsen, Dutch: Saksen) were a confederation of Germanic tribes on the North German Plain. They settled in large parts of the Great Britain in the early Middle Ages and formed part of the merged group of Anglo-Saxons who eventually organised the first united Kingdom of England. Many Saxons however remained in Germany, where they resisted the expanding Frankish Empire through the leadership of the semi-legendary Saxon hero, Widukind (Taken from Wikipedia). The main topic here is the fight of the Saxons against the Frankish Empire, but the band also mentions the conquest of the Saxons on Great Britain. Enough with the history lessons and let us talk about the album…

NERO ALCHEMIST – Vol. II review

 NERO ALCHEMIST – Vol. II

Independent

http://azzalinmartina.wix.com/nero-alchemist

Italy is a country with a strong heavy metal and hard rock scene throughout all the decades that these kinds of sound exist. The most interesting thing though with Italy is that it also gave us some bands that can be described as innovative in the hard rock and heavy metal sound. I think that NERO ALCHEMIST who is actually a one man band is such a group. It was formed in 2008 by Silvestro Ascari and on the same year the band released their first demo under the title “Experiments Vol. I”. Their new full length album, which I will present to you here, has the simple and meaningful title “Vol. II” and it is an effort of 2 years. So let us see what you can expect here…

FAKE HEALER – Two Worlds review

 FAKE HEALER – Two Worlds

Independent

http://www.fakehealer.com/en/home/

This is the debut album of a new band formed by very experienced and skillful musicians. FAKE HEALER are from Italy and were formed in 2014. Most of the members are known to me from their works with their previous bands; Bands such as the progsters JUGLANS REGIA and the metallers FROZEN TEARS (a band that every JUDAS PRIEST fan out there should check out). All these made me really happy and anxious to listen to the sound of their new band and so I’ll try to describe it to you through words.

CONCRETE SWINE Interview

1. Hello. How are you? Which is the news from the CONCRETE SWINE camp at the moment?

Doing fine, thank you. No news is good news. At the moment we are working on some new stuff and planning some gigs for the future. There it is on a nutshell. Our hammond player Tomi Korpela also joined in as a permanent member, so we are also excited about that.

CHILDREN OF SERAPH - Children of Seraph EP review

 CHILDREN OF SERAPH - Children of Seraph EP

Independent

https://www.facebook.com/ChildrenOfSeraph

CHILDREN OF SERAPH is a new band that was formed in Tacoma Washington (U.S.A.) in 2013 by the guitarist Nathanyel Nieves. The band started as a cover glam metal band, but very soon they realized that they were doing something wrong (just kidding) and searched a musical style of expression that seemed more proper to their taste. This kind of genre is the power metal sound and this is in a few lines how their first EP, which is also the first official release of the band, was created.

SERPENT – Ablation EP review

 SERPENT – Ablation EP

Into Endless Chaos Records

http://hmsserpent.bandcamp.com/

Sometimes I really have the feeling that we have travelled back in time and I mean musically. There are many bands these past few years that create a sound that draws inspiration directly from the 80’s heavy metal sound. The rare thing though is to find bands that manage to experiment with a sound that we consider classic and create something unique and I think that SERPENT from Germany belong to the team of such bands. I will try to give you a verbal taste of their new EP here…

CONCRETE SWINE Interview 2013

 Genre: Hard Rock/Blues Metal

1. Hello! You are back with a new E.P. entitled “Brezhnev's Cocktail”. How do you feel about it? Which are your expectations from it?

Hey, what’s up? Well, we hope that the new stuff is better and we can get more people to listen our music. We have realistic expectations and we don’t have big rock star dreams or stupid shit like that.

DARKOLOGY Interview

Interview with Michael Harris of DARKOLOGY.

1. Hello. How are you? How are things in the DARKOLOGY camp at the moment?

Excellent. We’re just kind of chilling & promoting our record, while hoping to hop on a tour or some festivals soon. We will have a 2nd video out as well in 2016, for the title track, and maybe more.

DEAD HUMAN FACTORY – Brutal Death Execution review

 DEAD HUMAN FACTORY – Brutal Death Execution

Independent

https://www.facebook.com/Dead-Human-Factory-1499205910300991/?fref=ts

Greece has a tradition in extreme metal and over the years it has given birth to a great deal of bands. One of the oldest that still remains around is DEAD HUMAN FACTORY hailing from Athens, Greece, formed in 1999 and still continuing its course. To be honest with you I thought they had called it quits since their previous release was a demo titled “International Net Corpses” in 2009. 

TULSADOOM - Storms of the Netherworld review

 TULSADOOM - Storms of the Netherworld

Nihilistic Empire Records

https://tulsadoom.bandcamp.com/

Thulsa Doom was the evil magician that two heroes of the mighty Robert E. Howard had to confront and I mean Kull and Conan. It seems that both these warriors didn’t do a good work since Thulsa managed to survive and use his special black arts in musical craftsmanship. The result of his sinister art is the band TULSADOOM which has recently released their second album (almost 3 years after their debut entitled “Barbarian Steel”) and carries the title “Storms of the Netherworld”. So let us ride the storm and see what thrills it will offer us…

RIPPER - Third Witness review

RIPPER - Third Witness

Black Widow Records

http://www.ripperrizen.com/

Ripper is a great name for a heavy metal band, don’t you agree? It sounds violent and sinister and if you manage to make your music sound like this then you probably have chosen the right name.  RIPPER comes from the U.S.A. and their story goes back in 1977. They split up in 1990 and they reformed in 2005. During their career they have released 3 full length albums and the third one is the release that I will present to you here.

SPETTRI - 2973 La Nemica Dei Ricordi review

 SPETTRI - 2973 La Nemica Dei Ricordi

Black Widow Records

https://www.facebook.com/spettri.official/timeline

This band is actually the history of the hard rock and heavy metal music. What do I mean? We all know BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE and URIA HEEP, but in the same era there were also bands in other countries like Italy (from where SPETTRI are) that moved on the same sound. SPETTRI for example where formed in 1964. In 1972 they managed to release an album which was poorly produced and for that reason never got the attention it was worth. However in 2011 Black Widow Records re – released it and because of the interest that it drew they have also released the continuation of this album which is the one that I will present to you here.

ABATTOIR – Vicious Attack review

 ABATTOIR – Vicious Attack 

Marquee Records

https://myspace.com/abattoirca

The 80’s is an era that has marked the heavy metal sound, since most of the genres we know now were formed back then. In the mid 80’s there were bands that wanted to play loud and fast without being categorized as thrash metal. I think that this is how the speed metal sound was formed and here I have for you a perfect representative of this sound. 

CONCRETE SWINE – Siberia Jam 74 EP review

 CONCRETE SWINE – Siberia Jam 74 EP

Independent

https://www.reverbnation.com/concreteswine

What makes this music so special is a question that can take a lot of answers. In my opinion metal music is a great musical genre that has a lot variety for every taste, but above all it started as an experimentation of blues music (according to BLACK SABBATH) and I think that experimentation is a key element for the existence of this music. We might approve of these experimentations or we might not, but if you think clearly then you will see that all these experimentations lead us to the variety of genres in this music. CONCRETE SWINE from Finland is such a band and the interesting thing with them is that they try to combine musical styles of the past in order to create a contemporary and vivid sound. 

TSVET REPTILIA - Nomen Mihi Legio Est, Quia Multi Sumus review

 TSVET REPTILIA - Nomen Mihi Legio Est, Quia Multi Sumus

Independent

https://www.facebook.com/legionwoc

Extreme metal music isn’t the prerogative of northern cold countries only, but it can flourish and find fertile ground even in hot climates. TSVET REPTILIA is a bright example of what I just said since they hail from the United Arab Emirates and more specifically they come from Dubai. This quintet was formed in 2002 so as you can see it took them a long time, actually thirteen years if we want to be precise to release their debut work. 

DISBOKATOR – Terror in Dreamland EP review

 DISBOKATOR – Terror in Dreamland EP

Independent

https://www.facebook.com/Disboskatorband?__mref=message_bubble

In our days we experience many difficult situations around the world that make you think that the world we live in is in danger every moment by some lunatic or by mad driven politicians that their only beliefs lie upon Machiavelli’s teachings. Our planet is a dreamland and there is no doubt about it, however there are many horrors and terrors that live within it.

FIERCE ATMOSPHERES – Forsaken (Single) review

 FIERCE ATMOSPHERES – Forsaken (Single)

Independent

https://www.sonicbids.com/band/fierceatmospheres/

The story of FIERCE ATMOSPHERES and our zine goes way back. It is a band that has impressed me back then by their musical knowledge and their ability to transform it into good songs and they do impress me now. The only thing that makes me wonder is why this band has not become yet known or have a cult status amongst the metal fans.

MILTOS MARATHON – Greek Fill review

 MILTOS MARATHON – Greek Fill

Little Room Recording

http://www.miltosmarathon.com/

I’ve known Miltos for a long time and if you are reading my webzine then you will know that I have presented his previous works as well. Miltos is a guitarist whose roots can be found in the 70’s rock sound and the blues; however this didn’t restrain him as an artist. On the contrary he is a guitar player that constantly searches to expand his horizons and mix his rock and blues influences with other elements. “Greek Fill” is his new work and is released by his own label. So let me tell you a few things about it…

ACID DEATH – Hall of Mirrors review

 ACID DEATH – Hall of Mirrors

7hard Records

https://www.facebook.com/AcidDeathGR

ACID DEATH is definitely one of the oldest metal bands of Greece and we’re not just talking about an ordinary band but rather about a true underground gem that has progressed and evolved a lot through the years. They didn’t remain stagnant, but they kept expanding and experimenting within the death metal genre.

SUICIDE WATCH – Global Warning review

SUICIDE WATCH – Global Warning

Marquee Records

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SUICIDE-WATCH/102377859812877

The band SUICIDE WATCH comes from the United Kingdom and they were formed in 2003 by musicians that wanted to create politicized thrash metal music. In 2005 they released their debut live album entitled “Live Winter Death” and in the same year they also released their debut studio album under the title “Global Warning”. Marquee Records gives us the chance to listen to these two albums again in this CD release.

Paola Pellegrini Lexrock - "Dreams come true" (Official Video)

Paola Pellegrini Lexrock "Dreams come true" it s the song that gives the title to the album , is filmed on Capraia Island in the Mediterran sea 

 

FFERYLLT – Achanterez review

 FFERYLLT – Achanterez

Stygian Crypt Productions

https://www.facebook.com/Fferyllt-Sympho-Folk-Metal-278082853870/

I like folk metal; I like the blend of traditional melodies and tunes with the heavier metal music. Still there are way too many bands out there delivering this kind of music, I think the scene is oversaturated and few manage to achieve an outstanding or at least an interesting end result.

CRAFTYCELL – The Swimmer review

 CRAFTYCELL – The Swimmer

Qua Rock Records

https://www.facebook.com/Craftycell/timeline

This is a release I don’t feel very confident to present since I don’t have much knowledge about the dark wave/industrial sound, but I will try to do my best. CRAFTYCELL are from Italy and they were formed in 2012 with the intention of the band members to experiment with music and create a sound that can express their rebellious idea. “The Swimmer” is their debut album and let me tell you a few things about it…

STRORMLURKER Interview

Answers: Deryck Heignum

1. Hello! How are you? How are things over there?

Hey Nick!  I'd like to start off by thanking you for your support over the years.  I felt like I've done much of my work in a vacuum and without your support it would of been tough to get a bearing or satisfaction in what I'm doing.  Obviously I haven't been motivated by great commercial success so a critical ear and intelligent feedback has meant a great deal.  A lot of these guys with the Youtube channels claim to be about the underground but are really just straight up posers who won't give you the time of the day unless you can get them a lot of hits.  Hail to you for really working hard for the metal underground and giving us a pulse!

VIETAH – Czornaja Cvil review

 VIETAH – Czornaja Cvil

Stygian Crypt Productions / Possession Productions

https://www.facebook.com/Vietah.Official

“Czornaja Cvil” is VIETAH’s fourth studio release coming only a year after “Tajemstvy Noczy” proving that the mastermind behind this group is a prolific songwriter that intensifies his pace after a four year gap between his sophomore and third work.