REVIEW: KING DIAMOND, FATAL PORTRAIT (1986)

 

KING DIAMOND, FATAL PORTRAIT (1986)

Roadrunner Records

Αγαπημένο άλμπουμ του βασιλιά...

Φυσική συνέχεια του Don't Break The Oath των Mercyful Fate που διέλυσαν τη συνύπαρξη τους, το πρώτο σόλο άλμπουμ του Δανού άρχοντα του μακάβριου King Diamond. Τα 3/4 των M.F. συν τον κιθαρίστα Andy La Roque και τον θρυλικό ντράμερ Mickey Dee (Μιχάλης Δελαογλου το ελληνικό όνομα του συμπατριώτη μας, μετά Motorhead και πλέον... Scorpions)  δίνουν με το καλημέρα τον καλύτερο εαυτό τους στο cd αυτό. The Candle, The Jonah, Dressed In White, Charon, Halloween, The Portrait είναι τα κλασσικά αγαπημένα κομμάτια εδώ.

English Text:

The King's Beloved Album...

A seamless continuation of Mercyful Fate's "Don't Break The Oath," which marked the conclusion of their collaboration. It also serves as the debut solo album of Denmark's master of the macabre, King Diamond. The majority of the original Mercyful Fate lineup, joined by guitarist Andy La Roque and the renowned drummer Mickey Dee (known as Michalis Delaoglou in Greek, after his time with Motorhead and now with Scorpions), deliver their utmost brilliance on this CD right from the outset. Classic favorites like "The Candle," "The Jonah," "Dressed In White," "Charon," "Halloween," and "The Portrait" adorn this collection."

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης 

REVIEW: SOILWORK - A Predator's Portrait

 

SOILWORK - A Predator's Portrait

Nuclear Blast Records

Homepage

This is an interesting album but it doesn't top its predecessor 'The Chainheart Machine'.  The riffs are good but not to that caliber.  And the vocals are a little more laid back mixed with some clean bits.  The music is what's awesome on here.  The melodic rhythms that go along with the clean vocals (at times).  I liked this release, it is just a little step down from the previous.  The leads were outstanding though.  As this was the older lineup.  These guys have had a great career in music some good releases and some duds.  This one is definitely not the latter, it's quality melodic death metal.  The intensity is there just not as much.

Greek Technical Thrashers VENUS sign with Xtreem Music

 

Greek Technical Thrash Metal band VENUS, has just signed a contract with Xtreem Music for the release of their debut full-length album "Obscured Until Observed", whose recording process is currently in its last phase and which will be released in November 2023 on CD and Digital formats.

VENUS is a dynamic band from Athens, Greece, born in 2021 through the creative partnership of Giorgos Verginis (guitars/ harsh vocals) and Antonis Avtzis (guitars/clean vocals). Taking inspiration from bands like Kreator, Vektor, Death, Coroner and Megadeth, they created their own brand of horror/ sci-fi horror Thrash Metal, very technical and with slight Death Metal touches. Following the release of their debut EP "Project Lamda" via Pure Steel Records in July 2022, VENUS devoted almost a year to their long-awaited full-length album for which they have signed a deal with Xtreem Music for its release. "Obscured Until Observed" shows his evolution, dedication and creativity without limits.

REVIEW: QUEENSRYCHE, The Warning (1984)

 

QUEENSRYCHE, The Warning (1984)

EMI

Αναζητώντας τον μεγάλο αδερφό.

Το πρώτο πλήρες άλμπουμ των μελλοντικών Prog/Power Metal τιτάνων. Εδώ πιο U.S. Power Metal στο ίδιο μονοπάτι των πρώτων άλμπουμ των συμπατριωτών τους Fates Warning της ίδιας περιόδου. Το κλασσικό Take Hold Of The Flame και τα αγαπημένα Warning, En Force, No Sanctuary και Before The Storm, Child Of Fire απ' αυτό δίνουν το έναυσμα μέσω της φωνής του Geoff Tate για το τι θα ακολουθήσει από τα πέντε αστέρια του Σηάτλ στα αγαπητά 80's.

English Translation:

Seeking the great brother.

The first full album of the future Prog/Power Metal titans. Here, there's more U.S. Power Metal on the same path as the early albums of their compatriots Fates Warning from the same period. The classic 'Take Hold Of The Flame,' along with favorites like 'Warning,' 'En Force,' 'No Sanctuary,' and 'Before The Storm.' 'Child Of Fire' from this album set the stage, through Geoff Tate's vocals, for what would follow from Seattle's beloved five stars in the 80s."

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης

FAMINE: New Song Available For Streaming

 

Italian Blackened Death Metal band Famine released their new single «In My Secluded Empire of Meat». The release was recorded, mixed and mastered at "Bedroom Studios" by Matteo Cavaggion.

FAMINE was formed as a one-man project in 2019 at Vicenza, Italy by Matteo Cavaggion. The idea was to create a band that includes every taste of Death Metal, with a retro sound that keeps the music away from modern sounding records. In April 2023 the band released their debut demo EP "Annihilate These Lambs"

BLACK DAWN RISING released new single

 

Irish Melodic Death Metal band BLACK DAWN RISING released their new single «As the Ravens Call Death Near». The release was recorded at "Odious Studios", and was mixed and mastered by Damian Nolan.

BLACK DAWN RISING was formed in 2008 at Carlow, Ireland by Colin Rossiter (Bass, Vocals), Damian Nolan (Guitars) and Ronan Nolan (Drums) as a teenage band, and soon after went to a 10 year hiatus. During the COVID the band was reborn and released 6 singles making their band a big name in the local metal scene.

Review: SOILWORK - Overgivenheten

 

SOILWORK - Overgivenheten

Nuclear Blast Records

Homepage

This one helluv a catchy album.  I'd say one of their best releases since 'A Predator's Portrait.  The guitars are simply amazing and the vocals fluctuate sometimes screaming sometimes singing clean.  This reminded me a little of metalcore bands but they've got their own sound to them.  Sad about losing their guitarist David Andersson.  It's tragic as he was only 47.  But being his last effort with the band, I thought the riffs were just amazing.  Such feel to their album and variety.  Between clean vocals, melodic guitar riffs and a solid sound quality in their overall production.  What a monument of an album!

REVIEW: IBRIDOMA - Norimberga 2.0

 

IBRIDOMA - Norimberga 2.0

Punishment 18 Records

Facebook

The title, unfortunately, brought about negative connotations for me regarding the "Greece 2.0" program announced by the current government with the goal of modernizing my country. A country that, ultimately, in the era of the "pandemic," demonstrated not only its lack of modernity but also its deprivation of the fundamental elements of a social state under the rule of law. A country that left the world to its fate because it was economically more expedient to confine people to their homes than to hire healthcare personnel, and it was easier to justify the harm it caused by blaming the citizens for irresponsibility. A country that during that period essentially abolished basic human rights and freedoms under the pretext of protecting human life, and implemented health protocols more hazardous to life than the virus itself. A country where games of significant economic interests were played amidst human agony and drama. A country that allowed essential safety checks for drugs to be bypassed by invoking a state of emergency, and turned its population into test subjects, first by blackmailing and then by terrorizing them. A country that sent a warning message about danger through mobile phones and did nothing else to protect the lives and property of its residents, as the authorities essentially believed that they had fulfilled their duty to protect us. And, of course, a country where thousands of human lives are lost at sea, seeking a better fate in the civilized Western world, and instead of apologizing for this loss, the authorities simply resort to demonizing them. And many more... And all of these, we observe and accept in an entirely passive manner.

SLOWBURN reveal cover art, tracklist & 1st song from new album

 

Spanish Heavy Metal band SLOWBURN, has just revealed the cover art and 1st advance single for their 2nd album "Fire Starter", which will be released in October 17th, 2023 through Fighter Records on CD and Digital formats.

SLOWBURN is a Heavy Metal band from Madrid formed in 2015 by Jorge Serrano (bassist of RANCOR). After a demo and several concerts, they consolidated as a quintet with well-known musicians from the Madrid scene, from bands like Roar, Rancor, Metal Legion or Motociclón.

ABYSS OF HEL Signs with MDD Records

 

Emerging from the shadows late last year, the enigmatic metal project ABYSS OF HEL piqued the curiosity of many when they appeared on Facebook. Behind this project is the notable Daniel Stromayer, previously recognized as the guitarist of the former band, Thrudvangar.

By January, the group had showcased their distinctive sound, unveiling a lyric video for "YUR". With a musical style that treads the lines between iconic bands like Sepultura and Fear Factory, ABYSS OF HEL promises a fresh take on the groove/death metal scene.

In recent developments, the five-member powerhouse has announced their partnership with MDD Records. This collaboration is set to birth their debut longplayer, which will be out for fans by the end of this year.

SERENITY Return with New Studio Album, Nemesis AD

 

After welcoming Marco Pastorino as additional guitarist/backing vocalist and releasing their standalone single “Ritter, Tod und Teufel (Knightfall)”, Austrian symphonic metal force SERENITY have announced the release of their brand new studio album, entitled Nemesis AD. Their newest masterpiece will be released on October 27, 2023 via Napalm Records. Their previous studio album, The Last Knight (2020), which landed at #25 on the German album charts, and the band’s stunning 2022 live release, MEMORIA, contained SERENITY’s most iconic hits, such as “Wings of Madness” and “The Chevalier”, and have gathered over three million views on YouTube.

KAISAS searching for singer and drummer for their 4th studio album

 

kaisasband

babis kaisas

Songwriter, guitar/bass player. Have released 3 albums so far, under my last name Kaisas. Have some material for the 4th one. Looking for potential collaborations, with singers or drummers out there.

Preferably people, who can record from their own space.

Ελληνικό κείμενο:

Στιχουργός, μουσικός (κιθάρας/μπάσου). Έχω κυκλοφορήσει 3 άλμπουμ μέχρι στιγμής, υπό το όνομα KAISAS. Έχω κάποιο υλικό για το 4ο άλμπουμ. Ψάχνω για πιθανές συνεργασίες με τραγουδιστές ή ντράμερ που βρίσκονται εκεί έξω.

Προτιμότερα άτομα που μπορούν να ηχογραφήσουν από τον δικό τους χώρο.

AMORTA will release Single "Excelsior" on Aug. 25th

 

Bass-player Pasi Tanskanen says about "Excelsior":

"'Excelsior' is a very energetic old-school Heavy Metal anthem and also showcases the vocalist Erik Kraemer's incredible range and skills!

Writing 'Excelsior' started with the intro guitar riff which I ended up using on chorus as well. The song started to build up from there to become a fresh take on what NWOBHM has been offering since the 80s.

The theme of the song is basically going from feeling down and low to reach the stars and taking the means to your own hands in your life. Higher and higher as the Latin word of the song title translates."

AMORTA is a Finnish Heavy Metal band founded in 2021 by bassist Pasi Tanskanen (THAUROROD). Other members in the line-up are Erik Kraemer (SIMULACRUM, KRAEMER), Harri Hytönen (KALMAH live guitarist) and Joonas Pykälä-aho (THAUROROD, AMBERIAN DAWN)

New MUSTANG video online

 

Indian Heavy Metal act MUSTANG, have just launched a lyric-video through the Youtube channel NWOTHM Full Albums, of the song "Queen of Red Light", as a 3rd advance single from their debut album "Beyond Raging Thunder", which will be released in September 7th, 2023 through Fighter Records on CD and Digital formats.

SLAYER, SEASONS IN THE ABYSS (1990)

 

SLAYER, SEASONS IN THE ABYSS (1990)

Def American Recordings

Όσο παλιώνει, τόσο μας πωρώνει.

Για πολύ κόσμο η τελευταία στιγμή των Slayer, που μπορεί να θεωρηθεί κλασική. Ίσως τέλος εποχής (στην άβυσσο;) αφού ο Dave Lombardo θα έφευγε μετά την περιοδεία του δίσκου αυτού, χαλώντας ένα από τα καλύτερα line up στην ιστορία (Araya, Hannemann, King, Lombardo). Όπως και να είναι, ο θεός ντράμερ ξαναγύρισε καμία δεκαετία μετά. Εδώ έχει War Ensemble, Spirit In Black, Expendable Youth, Dead Skin Mask, Skeletons Of Society, Born Of Fire και Seasons In The Abyss κομμάτια που δεν ξαναγραφτηκαν.

English Translation:

As it gets older, it excites us even more.

For many, the final moment of Slayer, which can be regarded as classic. Perhaps the end of an era (into the abyss?), since Dave Lombardo would depart after the tour of this album, spoiling one of the best lineups in history (Araya, Hannemann, King, Lombardo). However it may be, the godly drummer returned about a decade later. Here, it has War Ensemble, Spirit In Black, Expendable Youth, Dead Skin Mask, Skeletons Of Society, Born Of Fire, and Seasons In The Abyss – songs that were never written again."

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης 

S.H.I.V. released debut EP

 

American Death Metal/Hardcore band S.H.I.V. released their new EP «The Only Way to Escape Is to Die». The release was recorded in "Nomad Recording Studio" in Argyle TX, mixed by Rusty Hollar and mastered by Gary Long.

S.H.I.V. was formed at the height of the pandemic in summer 2020 at Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas by Craig Meinhart (Vocals), John Tapia (Guitars), Brandon Chandler (Bass) and David Cruz (Drums), as a side project from the band "Silvertonguedevil" where the all playing. At the beginning it all start as a fun side project based on their mutual love of old school hardcore, death metal and grindcore bands, but soon after the record of the debut release is done the band started playing shows throughout the South and Midwest of the US, with plans for touring to follow in 2024.

REVIEW:SLAYER - Divine Intervention

 

SLAYER - Divine Intervention

American Recordings

Homepage

This is a release that I like with Bostaph was on drums.  The guitar riffs are good on here, especially on "Killing Fields."  The leads were a little lacking on Kerry King's side but he's always been in Hanneman's (RIP) shadow.  The songwriting quality on here was top notch!  Not as good as 'Seasons In the Abyss' though.  A different production quality on here.  It's actually better sounding than 'Seasons...' just the guitar riffs weren't as good on here.  But they are pretty catchy. The title-track "Divine Intervention" had a killer opening riff that just took everything away.  Mind you, the whole song is incredible.

REVIEW: THELEMITE - Survival Of The Fittest

 

THELEMITE - Survival Of The Fittest

Sleaszy Rider Records

Facebook

Our philosophical folk tends to use the expression 'the apple will fall under the apple tree,' which is essentially correct, unless someone is sitting under the apple tree with questions about how the universe works. In that case, the apple will fall on his/her head and discover the laws of gravity, but that's another story. In our case, what the people say holds true, as THELEMITE is the band of John Manopoulos, the son of Kostas Manopoulos, a member of the legendary VICE HUMAN. Of course, here, we must mention that the son also deals with gravity, but in music... (well, okay, don't worry, I couldn't resist making a joke).

Το μεσαίο της αγαπημένης Τριάδας....

 

RORY GALLAGHER, Photo Finish (1978)

Chrysalis

Των άλμπουμ του αθάνατου Ιρλανδού τραγουδιστή αλλά πρωτίστως κιθαρίστα. Με Shin Kicker, Brute Force And Ignorance, τον ύμνο Shadow Play, το προσωπικά αγαπημένο μου The Last Of The Independents και Cloak And Dagger, έχουμε ένα απ' τα πιο άρτια άλμπουμ bluesy hard rock των 70s.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης

KNIGHTFALL released new single

 

American Melodic Power Metal band KNIGHTFALL released their new single «Starfall». The release was recorded at the band home studio, besides the vocals that were recorded at "Wildthorn Productions", and mixed/mastered by Sergio Salvucci.

KNIGHTFALL was formed in 2021 in Kentucky, United States by Keith Dombrowski (Keyboards/Composer) after he met Patrick Goble (Guitars). In the last two years since its inception, the band has worked with many guest vocalists such as Dee Wolf and Jessica Mercy who helped release 4 singles from the band's upcoming debut album “Destiny Calling”.

ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΗ: DR. SCHAFAUSEN – How Can You Die?

 

DR. SCHAFAUSEN – How Can You Die?

Minotauro Records

Homepage

Από την εποχή που εκδόθηκε το βιβλίο Φρανκενστάιν, η λογοτεχνία του φανταστικού βρίθει από επιστήμονες που ονομάζουμε τρελούς οι οποίοι κυριευμένοι από το πάθος τους δημιουργούν «τέρατα» και καταστάσεις επικίνδυνες για την ανθρωπότητα. Θεωρώ ότι κι ο Ιταλός μπασίστας – πληκτράς DR. SCHAFAUSEN εμπνεύστηκε από τέτοιου είδους λογοτεχνικούς χαρακτήρες για να δημιουργήσει την δική του περσόνα και μέσω της μουσικής του να μας αφηγηθεί τις δικές του φανταστικές και κυρίως δυστοπικές ιστορίες. Και φυσικά να δημιουργήσει τα δικά του μουσικά τέρατα.

Το πεπρωμένο φυγειν αδύνατον.

 

STRATOVARIUS, DESTINY (1998)

T&T Records

Το παραπάνω μοιρολατρικό απόφθεγμα μπορεί να είναι αρχαίο μεν αλλά εδώ με αυτό το άλμπουμ έχει κάποια σχέση πέρα κι από τον τίτλο του. Η σύνθεση Kotipelto, Tolki, Kainelaunen, Johanson, Michael από το Episode του 1996 ως το ομώνυμο Stratovarius δέκα σχεδόν χρόνια μετά έδωσε διαπιστευτήρια πολλάκις. Μετά την ιερή δισκογραφική τριάδα Fourth Dimension, Episode, Visions η "μοίρα" τους έκανε να αλλάξουν λίγο ρότα επί το εμπορικότερο. Εντάξει δεν είναι κακός δίσκος, μάλιστα είναι η φυσική εξέλιξη του Visions αν το εξετάσεις μουσικά, αλλά οι 3 μπαλάντες του, 4000 Rainy Nights, Years Go By  και Venus In The Morning, φωνάζουν δυνατά "Παίξτε μας μετά τους Scorpions, στο ραδιόφωνο!" Τώρα, έχει μέσα και  βαρβατες Power Metal υμναρες σαν τα Cold Winter Nights, S.O.S, Playing With Fire, το δεκάλεπτο ομώνυμο Destiny που περιέργως ανοίγει το CD, Anthem Of The World και No Turning Back. Συμπέρασμα: Μέτριο δε το λες με τίποτα.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης

REVIEW: DESTROYER 666 - Wildfire

 

DESTROYER 666 - Wildfire

Season of Mist

Homepage

The music on here is what takes it away.  And the vocals as well.  Similar sound quality to this release.  It's got a slight reverb/echo to it.  It makes the album sound more grim and dark.  I enjoyed this whole album so I got the CD of it.  I figure the sound quality will be better than the digital music.  Which it is!  All the songs are killer.  If I were to pick a few tracks, I'd say check out "Live and Burn", "Hymn to Dionysus" and "Die You Fucking Pig!"  All of the songs are good though, mostly up-tempo with a few tracks that were somewhat slow, but still catchy as all hell.  The music is what took it away on here (like I previously said).