Fantasy metal band GLORYHAMMER is set to conclude 2024
with the release of a surprise single, "He Has Returned." This track
continues the narrative of the popular character, the Robot Prince of
Auchtertool, while exploring new musical territory that blends heavy metal,
electro-synths, and dual guitar work, all tied together with the band's
signature songwriting and catchy choruses. Additionally, they reflect on their
journey with updated versions of "The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee"
from their 2010 demo and "Hootsforce," a hit from 2019's Legends From
Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex. Both tracks feature fresh production by
George Lever and Jacob Hansen, revitalizing these fan favorites. With upcoming
shows worldwide and a new album on the horizon, GLORYHAMMER is poised to
reassert their dominance in the modern power metal scene.
Northern Irish Southern Metal band BourbonGun has
released their new single "Down in the Shadows," which was recorded,
mixed, and mastered by Dean Millen at his home studio. Formed in 2018 by
members “Bobby Morgue” and “The Villain,” BourbonGun combines hard rock and
metal elements while drawing inspiration from Old West stories. Although they
started quietly, the band has persevered and released their latest track in
2024, adding member “La Barba” to enhance their sound. They promise an
adventurous musical journey, with another release already in progress.
In 2011, there was a punk project called "The
Inquisitörs" founded by two members of Stagewar, James and Kimon. They
recorded a few demo songs that were never released. In 2023, Stagewar paid
special attention to these songs and began to record them. "Parasite"
is the first single to be released from this project.
The new video from Stealth is now available for you to
watch! It offers a great preview of the band and their new CD single
"Sleep Paralysis," providing an insight into the band's future.
NMTCG proudly announces the global release of
Stealth's single "Sleep Paralysis," which can be found on CD through
the band's official store, digitally on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, and
via direct order from NMTCG’s website.
The band presents a concept single exploring the
themes of sleep paralysis and related phenomena. Stealth, an Italian metal band
formed in 1997 by Ivan (vocals) and Daniele (bass), has released several
albums, EPs, and singles and has performed throughout Italy and in various
European countries.
I hardly noticed when three years had passed since the
last outstanding release from DISTANT PAST, titled "The Final Stage."
That release, for me, demonstrated that the band had found a sound that suited
them and allowed them to perform at their best.
Three years later, in November 2024, under a new
label, DISTANT PAST presents us with their new album, "Solaris." I'm
not sure if the title was inspired by the science fiction novel of the same
name by Stanisław Lem, which has been adapted into films twice. What I do know
is that the band, with their new work, continues where they left off with their
previous release, both musically and compositionally.
The album features 10 compositions (plus the intro
"End of Life") and offers well-played and inspired moments of classic
heavy metal, clearly influenced by the British scene of the '80s, particularly
the NWOBHM movement. However, at times, it also brings to mind American bands
like JAG PANZER and RIOT.
What makes tracks like "Warriors of the
Wasteland," "Rise Above Fear," "Island of the Lost
Souls," "Speed Dealer," and others stand out is the soul they
carry, as well as the love and passion of the band for the music they create.
After all, a key characteristic of our music, and any music that wants to be
called true, is passion and soul.
In short, DISTANT PAST has done it again and offers us
a very high-quality and inspired work of classic heavy metal.
SUBWAY TO SALLY has released a new single titled
“Stahl auf Stahl,” in collaboration with the power metal band WARKINGS. This
track blends SUBWAY TO SALLY's distinctive heavy riffs with WARKINGS' powerful
sound, creating a dynamic anthem about resistance and strength. The lyrics
encourage courage and resilience, likening the experience to a phoenix rising
from the ashes. This single serves as a preview of their upcoming album, "Post
Mortem," set to be released on December 20, 2024, via Napalm Records.
Both bands highlight the themes of invincibility and
unity through dual vocals in the song. They will also perform together on the
Eisheilige Nacht tour this December. SUBWAY TO SALLY expressed excitement about
the collaboration, while WARKINGS described the experience as a powerful
partnership, promising an unforgettable live show filled with energy and
intensity.
Gutrectomy, formed in 2011 from the depths of the
Black Forest in Germany, is known for their relentless fusion of Slam Death
Metal, Deathcore, and Beatdown/Hardcore, which sets them apart in the metal
scene. On November 15, 2024, they will release their latest single "Shard
Throat," which delves into themes of inner torment, mental anguish, and a
desperate quest for liberation. The lyrics depict a protagonist trapped in a
state of purgation, weighed down by darkness and madness, battling internal
demons. The song captures a sense of despair and hopelessness, viewing death as
the only escape. The intense psychological and emotional pain fuels the chaotic
energy of the track, creating a relentless, cathartic experience.
Greek progressive metal band Wastefall has reassembled
with the recent addition of bassist Stefanos Spanooulos. With this lineup, they
are set to release a brand new single and music video titled “No More.”
Founding member and guitarist/vocalist Domenik Papaemmanouil, who composed the
track, states: “No More is our response to the corruption, greed, and injustice
that plague today’s society and governments. This song is a cry for change—a
refusal to remain silent in the face of systemic oppression and the erosion of
truth. Through powerful imagery and strong lyrics, we have created a narrative
that reflects the frustration and anger felt by millions out there. Together,
we can demand accountability and push for a better future.”
The music video was produced by Lensorama Video &
Audio Production Company and directed by Domenik Papaemmanouil.
The Athens-based folk/melodic death metal band
Kosmogonia is excited to announce the release of their second studio album,
"Aella," set to come out on January 14, 2025. "Aella" is a
concept album rooted in Greek mythology and serves as the successor to their
2020 release, "Enthrone The Gods." The band recorded the album, aside
from drums, flutes, and vocals which were recorded at Feedback Studios, in the
home studio of George Nerantzis (Pain Of Salvation, Nightrage, Gus G), who also
handled the mixing and mastering. The cover art and layout were created by
Thoth Graphics (Enemy Of Reality, Sakis Tolis).
On the question of whether thrash metal can be
combined with epic metal, the Americans OVERKILL provided a very convincing
answer with their release “Taking Over”, as did their compatriots MANILLA ROAD
with the album “Out of the Abyss”. Despite these memorable works, the fusion of
epic and thrash metal remains a challenging and, above all, rare endeavor.
Another question is whether a band can reinvent its
sound without losing its identity. Some major bands have provided a compelling
answer to this, such as JUDAS PRIEST and METALLICA up until the “Black Album”.
However, the result often disappoints fans (e.g., OMEN – “Reopening the Gates”,
JAG PANZER – “Dissident Alliance”).
To address these two admittedly tough questions, we
now have DESERT NEAR THE END with their latest release, “Tides of Time”. This
is a truly noteworthy album for this year, one that I believe will shake up the
Greek metal scene and, perhaps, the international one as well. And I say this
with no intention of exaggerating.
If you’ve listened to the band’s previous releases,
you’ll find this work familiar. The band retains the thrash metal core of their
sound while enriching it harmoniously and creatively with epic elements. You
can’t help but be moved by tracks like *Damnation*, which combines male and
female vocals with an epic doom metal atmosphere reminiscent of bands like
DOOMSWORD and CANDLEMASS, while also featuring bursts of thrash metal energy. Another
personal favorite, *Ascension*, carries an aesthetic that evokes OMEN and
RUNNING WILD. Without delving too much into specifics, every track on this
album has something valuable to offer the listener.
In short, DESERT NEAR THE END have achieved something
pivotal for their career with this release: they’ve reinvented their sound
without losing their identity. Most importantly, they’ve delivered an
exceptional and high-quality epic thrash metal album while taking a step
further by introducing a lyrical dimension to the genre.
Την
Κυριακή 24 Νοεμβρίου 2024, το κλαμπ Eightball στη Θεσσαλονίκη φιλοξένησε μια
αξέχαστη βραδιά γεμάτη μουσική και ενέργεια. Οι MEDEN AGAN ανέβηκαν στη σκηνή,
στο πλαίσιο της προώθησης της νέας τους κυκλοφορίας με τίτλο «My Name Is
Katherine», η οποία είδε το φως της δημοσιότητας τον Μάιο του 2024. Με στοιχεία
από το symphonic και gothic metal, η μπάντα, που ξεχωρίζει για τα γυναικεία
φωνητικά της, έχει καταφέρει να κλέψει τις εντυπώσεις της metal κοινότητας και
να εδραιωθεί με τη δική της μουσική ταυτότητα.
Στη
συναυλία αυτή, οι MEDEN AGAN είχαν τη χαρά να μοιραστούν τη σκηνή με τους
SoulVanity, μια metal
μπάντα από τη Θεσσαλονίκη που σχηματίστηκε το 2011. Η συνθετική τους ικανότητα
έχει αποτυπωθεί σε πολλές δουλειές, όπως το ομότιτλο demo του 2013 και τα full
length albums "Inner Unrest" (2016) και "End of Time"
(2020). Με ένα δυναμικό lineup που περιλαμβάνει τους Στέλιο (φωνητικά), Ηλία
και Πέτρο (κιθάρες), Δημήτρη (μπάσο) και Σάκη (τύμπανα), οι SoulVanity
προσφέρουν ένα συναρπαστικό θέαμα.
Επιπλέον,
την σκηνή μοιράστηκαν και οι Lachrymose, μια doom/heavy metal μπάντα που
ιδρύθηκε το 2013. Με το ντεμπούτο άλμπουμ τους, “Carpe Noctum”, που κυκλοφόρησε
το 2015 και τη συμμετοχή του Thomas Vikström (Therion, Candlemass) σε ένα από
τα κομμάτια, οι Lachrymose έχουν κερδίσει την αναγνώριση στη metal σκηνή. Με
την κυκλοφορία του EP “The Unseen” το 2019, το οποίο φέρει την υπογραφή
σημαντικών ηχοληπτών και μελών της underground metal κοινότητας, συνεχίζουν να
εντυπωσιάζουν με την εξέλιξή τους.
Η
βραδιά αυτή στη Θεσσαλονίκη αποδείχθηκε πως η ελληνική metal μουσική όχι μόνο
αντέχει, αλλά και εξελίσσεται, με μπάντες που προσφέρουν μοναδικές ερμηνείες
και παράλληλα διηγούνται τις δικές τους μουσικές ιστορίες.
Τον
χορό ξεκίνησαν οι Λακεδαιμόνες με ιστορία από το 2008 και ήδη πέντε πλήρη
άλμπουμ στο ενεργητικό. Τα παιδιά είχαν το δύσκολο έργο να ανοίξουν πρώτοι χθες,
με ότι αυτό συνεπάγεται: Το μικρό και πάντα σε πλήρη κλιματισμό club, δεν είχε
γεμίσει παρόλαυτα, οι τέσσερις φίλοι μας, απέδωσαν καρπούς αφού είχαν πολύ
εγκάρδια επικοινωνία με το κοινό και μας κράτησαν ζεστούς μουσικά με το κράμα
μετάλλου τούς που είναι φτιαγμένο από κλασικό Heavy Metal με έντονες μυρωδιές
από Speed/Thrash Metal. Ειλικρινά τους είδα πρώτη φορά και νομίζω ότι δεν θα
είναι κι η τελευταία....
Medusa's
Wrath @ Temple, Αθήνα 23/11/24:
Μπάντα
με προδιαγραφές να γίνει το επόμενο μεγάλο όνομα:
Μετά
τους καταπληκτικούς Social Scream, ήρθε η ώρα για το Μένος της Μέδουσας! Οι
Αθηναίοι classic Heavy Metalers, γνωστοί και αυθεντικοί, έπαιξαν εντός έδρας
στο Temple, καθώς έχουν αναπτύξει ήδη μεγάλο πυρήνα οπαδών/καλύτερα φίλων με το
Ε.Ρ. και το πρώτο τους πλήρες άλμπουμ. Ένα σόου αντάξιο αυτών που έχουμε δει
από μεγάλα και γνωστά ονόματα του εξωτερικού, υπό τις δυνάμεις πάντα του
ανερχόμενου συγκροτήματος. Καινούργιο κομμάτι που φιγουράρει για πρώτη φορά από
τον υπό ηχογράφηση νέο δίσκο και την κλασική παρουσία ανάμεσα στον έκπληκτο
κόσμο της ανατριχιαστικής Annabelle...στο γνωστό κομμάτι και βίντεο κλιπ τους,
που ανέβηκε στη σκηνή περνώντας από δίπλα μας, για να βρει την κούκλα που την
αναπαριστά να την περιμένει στο σανίδι. Κατά τα άλλα δύο απ' τα μέλη τους
Χριστίνα και Πέτρος, επιδόθηκαν σε βόλτα ανάμεσα μας όπου εξελίχθηκαν στιγμές
απείρου μεταλλικού κάλλους! Δυνατή παρακαταθήκη λοιπόν για τα μελλούμενα!
Demoralize
@ Temple, Αθήνα, 23/11/24
Η
ηρεμία μετά τη καταιγίδα;
Όχι
ακριβώς. Οι έτεροι Αθηναίοι, Symphonic Power Metalers, που διαδέχθηκαν στο
σανίδι τους Medusa's Wrath, είναι κι αυτοί ένα ανερχόμενο όνομα στην κατά τα
άλλα όλο και πιο ελπιδοφόρα νέα σκηνή της χώρας. Σχήμα που έχει προς το παρόν
ένα Ε.Ρ. κι ένα σιγκλ, παρόλαυτα είχαν και αυτοί τον δικό τους φανατικό κόσμο
από κάτω. Ένας ογκώδης ήχος, διπλές κιθάρες και με αρκετά μελωδικά πλήκτρα,
κάπου πολύ κοντά σε Kamelot εποχής μετά Black Halo και σε Stratovarius εποχής
Elements, μας κράτησαν καλή παρέα τη τελευταία ώρα που τους αναλογούσε. Καθαρό
μέσο κι υψίφωνο εύρος από τον ερμηνευτή τους Μιχάλη που είχε το χιούμορ και την
άνεση να παίξει με το κοινό ανάμεσα στα κομμάτια του σετ τους. Υπόψιν λοιπόν,
αναμένουμε...
Ένα
ακόμα άλμπουμ τους που πιάνει κορυφή, κάτι πουτείνει να γίνεται ξανά και ξανά με τους συγκεκριμένους Ιρλανδούς
Metalers που παλινδρομούν από μελαγχολικό κι απεγνωσμένο Doom διαμέσου πάντα
Folk στοιχείων ως και πιο ακραία μονοπάτια και που τελικά δεν φαίνεται να
γνωρίζουν εμπόδια και φραγμούς στη δημιουργικότητα. ΟιA.A. Nemtheanga φωνητικά, Micheal O' Floinn,
Ciaran MacOuiliam οι δύο κιθάρες , Pòl MacAlmaigh μπάσο και ο ντράμερ Simon Ó
Laoghaire με τον μουσικό μανδύα καταραμένων ποιητών παραδίδουν, ξανά και
παραδίδονται σε ιστορίες που οι στίχοι και η μουσική τους μας έχει μάθει να
παραδιδόμαστε κι εμείς πλέον οι φίλοι και ακροατές τους. Οχτώ σχετικά μεγάλα σε
διάρκεια κομμάτια (συν τα έξι της digi book έκδοσης που είναι ακυκλοφόρητα demo
παλιών κομματιών τους) και τα Nail their Tongues, To Hell or the Hangman, Where
Lie The Gods, Exile Amongst thr Ruins, Stolen Years, Last Call είναι τα πιο
χαρακτηριστικά από αυτά.
English:
How many zeniths do these five ultimately have?
Another album of theirs hits the top, something that
tends to happen time and again with these particular Irish metal musicians who
oscillate between melancholic and desperate doom, always incorporating folk
elements, as well as venturing into more extreme paths. They seemingly know no
barriers or limits in their creativity. A.A. Nemtheanga on vocals, Micheal
O'Floinn and Ciaran MacOuiliam on guitars, Pòl MacAlmaigh on bass, and drummer
Simon Ó Laoghaire, donning the musical mantle of cursed poets, deliver and
surrender once again to stories that their lyrics and music have taught us to
surrender to as well, we, their friends and listeners.
The album features eight relatively lengthy tracks
(plus six unreleased demo tracks from their early material included in the
digi-book edition), with "Nail Their Tongues," "To Hell or the
Hangman," "Where Lie The Gods," "Exile Amongst the
Ruins," "Stolen Years," and "Last Call" being the most
characteristic.
Although the football team of Volos broke my heart
after their away victory against my beloved Aris, today I’ll turn my attention
to a band from the same city. Let me introduce SILENT WINTER, a melodic Power
Metal band formed in Volos back in 1995. Their first era spanned from 1995 to
2001. However, in 2018, they reactivated and are now experiencing their most
creative period yet. Fun fact: I discovered there’s another band with the same
name—a British Doom/Death Metal act founded in 2004.
SILENT WINTER’s third release, titled "Utopia",
grabbed my attention. The title references the Greek word for a perfect,
harmonious society—an intriguing choice that sparked some philosophical
musings. To me, it highlights a paradox: one person’s utopia could be another’s
hell, making the idea of a flawless world inherently unattainable. Judging by
the song titles and the English lyrics I could grasp, it’s clear that the band
critiques the modern world we live in—one far from paradise. Particularly
during the pandemic and lockdown era, any reflective individual likely noticed
how easily society could slip into fascism or a new kind of dark age, albeit
this time under the guise of scientific dogmatism. Whether these crises are
real or fabricated is a question I leave to your judgment, but I’ll stop here before
opening a lengthy debate.
On the musical front, SILENT WINTER is a breath of
fresh air in the European power metal scene. They evoke emotions reminiscent of
legendary releases by titans like GAMMA RAY, STRATOVARIUS, and EDGUY, bands that
clearly inspire their sound. What sets them apart is the sheer authenticity and
ease with which they deliver their music—it feels genuine, a testament to their
sincere intentions.
The band members display excellent chemistry and
technical prowess, which they channel in a highly creative and inspired manner.
Special mention goes to vocalist Mike Livas, whose performance strikes a
balance between Timo Kotipelto and Tobias Sammet. Expect passionate, dynamic
vocals, memorable melodies, and precise, metronomic rhythms—everything you’d
want from a quality European power metal album.
In short, "Utopia" offers the complete
package for fans of the genre. SILENT WINTER is undoubtedly a band to keep on
your radar!
The new EP "Before The Oracle" has arrived!
In a more evolved and refined version of themselves, the band leaves behind
their old identity and embraces a new one as Harmonize Oracle. This name
reflects the deeper meaning and philosophy behind their music.
A tribute to their former self can only be expressed
through the release of an EP. "Before The Oracle" features exciting
new tracks, as well as covers, including "Another Holy War" from the
Imagination Song Contest of Blind Guardian, alongside revamped renditions of
favorites from "Warrior In The Night."
The EP "Before The Oracle" has just been
released, and you can purchase it from the band’s official online shop!
Spanish Speed/ Heavy Metal band CRIMSON STORM have
just launched a lyric-video, of the song "Nightmare Deceiver", as a
2nd advance single for their 1st album entitled "Livin' On the Bad
Side" which will be released in January 14th, 2025 on CD, 12"LP and
Digital formats.
A new music video has been released by The Mosaic
Window for their song "The Pounding Of Hooves," taken from their
recently launched album, "Hemasanctum." This one-man melodic
black/death metal project is led by Andrew Steven Brown and hails from Los
Angeles. The band was formed in 2021 as a personal response to the deaths of
Brown's father and grandmother during the pandemic.
Initially, The Mosaic Window debuted with the EP
"Hollow," which garnered attention and inspired Brown to continue
this musical exploration as a therapeutic outlet. This culminated in their
debut album, "Plight of Acceptance," released in the summer of 2023.
The album received recognition from Willowtip Records, which signed the band
and reissued the album later the same year.
Just a year after their debut, The Mosaic Window has
released their second album, "Hemasanctum," featuring contributions
from drummer Gabe Seeber and guitarist Andy LaRocque of King Diamond. The album
has already made a significant impact, positioning The Mosaic Window as an
emerging force in the black/death metal genre, and attracting fans of bands
like Kvaen, Gorgoroth, and Hath.
Before presenting the band’s new EP, let me give you a
brief introduction to FUZZING NATION. The band was formed in December 2022 by
Stavros Giannakos (bass), Terry Moros (drums), and Aggelos Ioannidis
(guitar/vocals). These musicians bring with them a wealth of experience and a
notable presence in the Greek metal scene. For instance, Aggelos and Stavros
are also members of the well-known Greek doom metal band SORROWS PATH, while
Terry was previously the drummer for bands like CRYSTAL CLEAR and
INNERWISH.
With their new and second EP, "Into The Desert",
FUZZING NATION have put their collective experience to excellent use. Combining
seasoned craftsmanship with raw enthusiasm has always been a winning formula,
and it’s evident here as well.
This EP is a love letter to BLACK SABBATH, the band
that laid the foundation for heavy metal and stoner rock. Every note exudes
FUZZING NATION's deep admiration for their iconic sound. So, what can you
expect? Stoner rock—or heavy rock, if you prefer—infused with early doom metal
elements. The band expertly crafts groovy riffs, blending them with melody to
deliver a gritty, heavy rock record brimming with badass rock 'n' roll
energy.
I’ll admit, this isn’t my go-to genre. But these guys
have managed to create four tracks that I genuinely enjoyed. This is the kind
of music that’s best experienced loud, surrounded by friends, and with a beer
in hand.
No need to say it, but I will anyway: you should
definitely check them out!
Οι
Thrash Metalers με καταγωγή την Κορινθία, στο πέμπτο και πιο ώριμο άλμπουμ τους
δε χάνουν καθόλου απ'αυτό που μας είχαν συνηθίσει. Καταρχάς να μπω στο θέμα
εξωφύλλο, ο σχεδιαστής τους πρέπει να αγαπάει πολύ τον Repka (Death, Sanctuary,
Megadeth κ.α. εξώφυλλα συγκροτημάτων) κι αυτό προσθέτει με τη πρώτη ματιά στο
κατά τα άλλα πολύ ενθαρρυντικό μουσικό περιεχόμενο του δίσκου. Μετά, οι Exarsis
έχουν κατηγορηθεί από πλείστους τηλε-ευαγγελιστές των Tube για διάφορους
λόγους. Ο γνωστός κύριος από Ιερουσαλήμ (αποφεύγω να γράψω ονόματα
καταλαβαίνετε σε ποιό άτομο αναφέρομαι) τους βάφτισε αντισημίτες για το
εξώφυλλο του New War Order άλμπουμ τους. Άλλοι φωστήρες και διαφωτιστές της
κακιάς ώρας τους έχουν πει αναρχικούς, κομμουνιστές, αντιαμερικανούς κ.α.
επίθετα κατά καιρούς. Λοιπόν μίλησα για εκτός της μουσικής τους τόσες γραμμές
για να τονίσω το στιχουργικό περιεχόμενο και αυτού το CD των τεσσάρων παιδιών
στη παρούσα σύνθεση (Νίκος Τραγάκης φωνή & κιθάρα , Χρήστος Τσιτσής
κιθάρα,Παναγιώτης Μελέτης ντραμς,
Χρήστος Π. μπάσο) που ήταν και παραμένει πιστό αυτό που μας δίδαξαν Thrash
μεγαθήρια σαν τους Kreator, Sodom, Tnkard, Testament, Sacred Reich, Nuclear
Assault, Suicidal Tendencies, Over Kill, Vendetta και τόσα άλλα αγαπημένα
σχήματα. Ο αντοκομφορμισμός και ο ενεργός ακτιβισμός συμβαδίζει με τη μουσική
τους και αυτό για μένα είναι ένα τεράστιο θετικό πρόσημο. Η κριτική στη
λογοκρισία του πολιτικά ορθού όπως το προπαγανδίζει το κυρίαρχο σύστημα κιη υποκρισία στηλιτεύονται από κομμάτια σαν τα
Another Betrayal, The Truth is No Defence, Aiming the Eye (το απόλυτο κατηγορώ
στα τηλε σκουπίδια), The Drag..., One Last Word, New War Order (το γνωστό τρυκ
"βάζω τίτλο από άλλο δίσκο σαν τραγούδι σε άλλον" σε εφαρμογή).
English
Text:
Anti-Conformism to the Core
The thrash metal band from Corinth, in their fifth and
most mature album, does not lose any of the essence that we have come to expect
from them. Firstly, let me address the album cover: their designer must really
love Repka (known for working on covers for bands like Death, Sanctuary,
Megadeth, and others), and that adds a lot at first glance to the otherwise
very encouraging musical content of the record.
Moreover, Exarsis has been criticized by numerous
YouTube pundits for various reasons. A well-known individual from Jerusalem
(I’ll refrain from naming names; you understand who I’m referring to) labeled
them anti-Semitic due to the cover of their album "New War Order."
Other so-called intellectuals and self-proclaimed enlighteners have called them
anarchists, communists, anti-Americans, and so on, at various times.
I’ve discussed these issues related to their music to
emphasize the lyrical content of this CD by the four members of the current
lineup (Nikos Tragakis on vocals & guitar, Christos Tsitsis on guitar,
Panagiotis Meletis on drums, and Christos P. on bass), who remain loyal to what
we learned from thrash giants like Kreator, Sodom, Tankard, Testament, Sacred
Reich, Nuclear Assault, Suicidal Tendencies, Overkill, Vendetta, and many other
beloved bands. Anti-conformism and active activism are intertwined with their
music, which is a huge positive aspect for me.
The critique of censorship of political correctness,
as propagated by the dominant system, and the hypocrisy of it are called out in
tracks like "Another Betrayal," "The Truth is No Defence,"
"Aiming the Eye" (the ultimate indictment against trash TV),
"The Drag...," "One Last Word," and "New War Order"
(with the well-known trick of using a title from another album as a song on a
different one applied here).
German symphonic metal band XANDRIA is set to release
their new EP "Universal Tales" on November 22, 2024, via Napalm
Records. They have unveiled the Celtic-inspired track "200 Years"
with a cinematic music video.
The track embraces their Celtic roots and draws
inspiration from the book and TV series Outlander, featuring violinist Ally
Storch. This release follows their successful 2023 album "The Wonders
Still Awaiting." The band's lineup includes the talented vocalist Ambre
Vourvahis. The single "200 Years" is available on all streaming
platforms.
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