TOXIC RUIN - Subterranean Terror review

TOXIC RUIN - Subterranean Terror

 Independent

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TOXIC RUIN is a great five member band from the USA and “Subterranean Terror” is their debut.

Here we have 10 songs of great thrash metal flirting with the bay area sound with progress and freshness which is the new wave of USA thrash metal bands.

BASTIAN – Back to the Roots Review

BASTIAN – Back to the Roots

Sliptrick Records

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Third album from BASTIAN and I am really happy to present it to you once again.  I had the opportunity to follow the band’s steps from their debut album up to now and I can tell you that this record is similar to their previous 2 releases and yet shows a musical progress especially in the songwriting department.

IN FLAMES - A Sense of Purpose Review

IN FLAMES - A Sense of Purpose

Koch Records

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This is bordering on a metalcore version of IN FLAMES. There is still the aggression and melodies with a heaviness continuum but the vocals vary. As do the guitars. Great production though. Just not my favorite IN FLAMES ALBUM, it's nothing like "The Jester Race", et al but there still is that vibe of melodic-ism. This band regressed more than anything else. This is despite Jesper leaving the band after, they still were withering away with their sound. The Metal Archives refers to their new style as melodic death/melodic groove. Whatever you want to call it, it’s not good for the band.

ACID DEATH - Balance of Power Review

ACID DEATH - Balance of Power

Floga Records

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ACID DEATH is one of the most legendary hard working bands in the death thrash metal genre since the 90’s.

The “Balance of Power” mini album was supposed to be released 25 years ago and now is a good chance for all collectors to get it on a nice vinyl edition or tape by Floga Records.

VERGIL – Bright as Shadow EP Review

VERGIL – Bright as Shadow EP

Independent

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I have already present in the past the previous EP of VERGIL. A band that comes from Finland and although they play gothic rock/metal (or dark rock as they describe it) which is a genre that I am not a big fan of, they have managed to stay in my mind. In my opinion this band has something that distinguishes them from many other of the same genre. A character or a quality if you prefer that transcends the borders of their musical genre and can approach people who are not into this kind of music. So 3 years have passed and the band has recently released their new EO entitled “Bright as Shadow”.

ASPHYX - Incoming Death Review

ASPHYX - Incoming Death

Century Media Records

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More of a "blackened death metal" sort of release rather than utmost "death/doom metal" on here. I think out of the 2 ASPHYX albums that I own, this one has to be the better. I say that for many reasons. First of all, the production is solid and everything is well heard. The musicianship is much better here than previous albums. It's got a "thrashy" tinge to it as well. But overall, I'd say this is a solid death metal album. I'm not in agreement with dubbing this release as an average rating. The guitars are just ripping, thick, heavy and catchy. That's another reason why I'm thinking this is one of their best releases in a while. The intensity is there and the vocals are all pretty much deep throat. That hasn't changed with the band. They're still way underground. The aura is grim as well. I haven't gone through the lyrics, but I'm convinced that their concepts in writing words for their releases are very dark. I can appreciate the music more than anything. This remains my favorite from them.

MORTAL STRIKE - For the Loud and the Aggressive Review

MORTAL STRIKE - For the Loud and the Aggressive

Independent

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MORTAL STRIKE is a very dedicated Teutonic 5 piece thrash metal band from Austria.

“For the Loud and the Aggressive” is a serious case for all fans of Germanic thrash metal music, which means 10 songs of pure 80’s barbaric stuff and a cover song of TANKARD’s “Zombie Attack”.

PARRIS HYDE – Mors Tua, Vita Mea Review

PARRIS HYDE – Mors Tua, Vita Mea

Free Mood Promotion

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This is the new band of the Italian singer and composer Parris Hyde. The band was formed in 2013 and although it has few years of existence the person behind it has an experience of 30 years. In 2016 the band released their debut album which I am about to present here. By the way the title of the album is in Latin and can be translated as your death, my life (something that describes pretty much the human society, especially these past few years).

TESTAMENT - Brotherhood of the Snake Review

TESTAMENT - Brotherhood of the Snake

Nuclear Blast Records

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A follow-up from their "Dark Roots of the Earth" release and I think this one is better. It's catchier, better produced and more diverse. Chuck Billy has some hoarse throat here mixing his old style of metal voice with a death metal sounding one. Pretty cool for a thrash release.  I just think that this album has more substance to it than its predecessor. I enjoyed all of the songs. Of course, to me "First Strike Still Deadly" is my favorite TESTAMENT re-recording. But this is a monument too. It's well laid out. On here they're playing heavy guitars, but yeah catchy and thick. I think after 4 years went by since a release they keep their longtime fans like me. They're not compromising and staying true to their roots. Production quality is exquisite definitely. Everything is well heard.

VANTAGE POINT - Demonic Dinner Dance/Driller Killer EP Review

VANTAGE POINT - Demonic Dinner Dance/Driller Killer EP

Independent

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VANTAGE POINT is a veteran strong heavy metal band from Scotland and thanks to Facebook and my friend Leo, I saw a post about ‘em that caught my attention!!!!

RIFFOCITY - Under a Mourning Sky Review

RIFFOCITY - Under a Mourning Sky

Soman Records

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2013 is the year that in a town of Northern Greece called Serres RIFFOCITY was born. During the first 3 years of their existence and particularly in 2016 they released an EP called “Disciples of the Storm”. Now a year after their first official work the band felt ready to create and release their first full length album entitled “Under a Mourning Sky” which I am about to present to you here.