REVIEW: SACRED REICH, Ignorance

 

SACRED REICH, Ignorance (1987)

Metal Blade Records

Αν αυτό δεν είναι Thrash τότε τί είναι;

Με αυτό το ασπρόμαυρο εξώφυλλο σαν φωτοτυπία, κυκλοφόρησε αρχικά ο δίσκος, το πιο γνωστό εναλλακτικό εξώφυλλο με το αεροπλάνο που μπαίνει σε ένα πυρηνικό μανιτάρι με φόντο το πρόσωπο με τα κρυμμένα μάτια πάνω σε μια αμερικανική σημαία είναι αυτό που ίσως λογικά έχετε κατά νου. Με οποιοδήποτε κάλυμμα τα εννέα κομμάτια αυτού του thrash metal  ονειρικού (εφιαλτικού μάλλον ) ντεμπούτου είναι απερίγραπτα το λιγότερο. Death Squad, Victim of Demise, Ignorance, No Believers, Violent Solutions, Rest In Peace (κύριε Mustaine ; Δε πιστεύω να.....), Sacred Reich, Administrative Decisions κι το ορχηστρικό Layed to Rest είναι το κυρίως άλμπουμ.Η επετειακή digipack επανέκδοση περιέχει το demo Draining you of Life και την ηχογράφηση του Ignorance κομματιού απ' τη συλλογή Metal Massacre VIII. Κάποια κεφάλια θα  σπάσουν άλατα στο σβέρκο σίγουρα με αυτό κι η συνέχεια ξέρουμε ότι θα είναι ανάλογη.

English:

If this isn't thrash, then what is it?

With its black and white cover resembling a photocopy, the album was initially released, but the more well-known alternative cover features an airplane entering a nuclear mushroom cloud, set against a face with hidden eyes on an American flag—this is likely the one you're thinking of. Regardless of the cover, the nine tracks of this thrash metal dream (or perhaps nightmare) debut are nothing short of indescribable. "Death Squad," "Victim of Demise," "Ignorance," "No Believers," "Violent Solutions," "Rest In Peace" (Mr. Mustaine? I hope not...), "Sacred Reich," "Administrative Decisions," and the orchestral "Layed to Rest" make up the main album. The anniversary digipack reissue includes the demo "Draining You of Life" and the recording of the track "Ignorance" from the collection Metal Massacre VIII. Some heads are definitely going to roll with this one, and we already know that the subsequent material will be just as intense.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: BLOODSHED WALHALLA – The Battle Will Never End

 

BLOODSHED WALHALLA – The Battle Will Never End

fog foundation

Our friend Takis has recently introduced you to the epic sound of BATHORY through his insightful articles, graciously published in Behind The Veil Webzine. Today, we delve into a band deeply influenced by BATHORY's epic era. Many of you are likely familiar with CROM in this style, and the more discerning among you might know Italy's GJALLARHORN, comprising members of DOOMSWORSD. Additionally, we should mention BLOODSHED WALHALLA, another Italian band in this vein.​

BLOODSHED WALHALLA's 2012 album, "The Battle Will Never End," exemplifies the adage "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." With unwavering sincerity, they crafted seven tracks as a tribute to BATHORY's epic phase, and they execute this homage remarkably well.​

Their genuine admiration for BATHORY shines through, infusing their compositions with a personal touch. This passion, combined with their inspiration and enthusiasm, culminates in a noteworthy release that any fan of epic metal should experience.​

One distinguishing factor of BLOODSHED WALHALLA, compared to BATHORY and other similar bands like CROM and GJALLARHORN, is their incorporation of a power metal flair in their compositions.

Nick Parastatidis

REVIEW:RAVEN, Stay Hard

 

RAVEN, Stay Hard (1985)

Atlantic Records

Η αρχή της πτώσης λένε κάποιοι.

Η πιο αμερικάνικη μεριά των τριών Βρετανών, που ως γνωστόν είναι απ' τους πρωτοπόρους του NWOBHM, και που θα ξετυλιχθεί με τα επόμενα (The Pack is Back και Life's A Bitch '86 και '87 αντίστοιχα). Η στροφή προς "Εσπερία" μουσικά που έγινε απο τόσο και τόσα σχήματα της Γηραιάς Αλβιώνας (Saxon, Def Leppard, Tank, Judas Priest κ.α.) την ίδια εποχή οδήγησε είτε σε πανωλεθρία είτε σε θρίαμβο. Εδώ, οι αδερφοί John φωνητικά και μπάσο & Mark Gallagher  κιθάρα με τον Rob Hunter στα ντραμς και με στολή αλλά και κράνος του αμερικανικού football (αυτή η εικόνα στις φωτογραφίες του συγκροτήματος θα συνεχιστεί και παρακάτω δίνοντας του το παρατσούκλι Wacko) παίζουν ψυχωμένο, βρώμικο Heavy Metal πολύ κοντά στο γνωστό ύφος των τριών πρώτων δίσκων τους αλλά με ένα άγγιγμα πιο ραδιοφωνικό (είπαμε πιο πάνω γιατί!). Σε παραγωγή Jon Zazula -Kill 'Em All των Metallica  θυμίζω-. Έχει ψωμί το άλμπουμ που δεν θα απογοητεύσει τον πιστό οπαδό των Raven με κομμάτια σαν το ομώνυμο που ανοίγει, When the Going Gets Tough, On and On, Get It Right, Restless Child με τη slide κιθάρα που βρωμάει ZZ-Top, Power and the Glory, Hard Ride, το λες κι ακούς Led Zeppelin Pray for the Sun και το φορτωμένο με πνευστά (οι Riot πέντε χρόνια μετά το έκαναν κι εκείνοι) αλλά speed metal κατά βάθος ορχηστρικό The Bottοm Line.

English:

Some call it the beginning of the end.

This is the most American side of the three British band members, known to be pioneers of NWOBHM, and it will unfold further with their next albums, “The Pack is Back” and “Life's a Bitch” in '86 and '87, respectively. The musical shift towards "Americana" that many bands from the Old Continent (Saxon, Def Leppard, Tank, Judas Priest, among others) took during the same era often led to either disaster or triumph.

Here, the Gallagher brothers, John on vocals and bass and Mark on guitar, along with Rob Hunter on drums—dressed in American football gear including a helmet (which earned them the nickname "Wacko")—play passionate, gritty heavy metal that closely resembles the well-known style of their first three albums, but with a slightly more radio-friendly touch (as mentioned before!). Produced by Jon Zazula—who also worked on Metallica's “Kill 'Em All”—this album offers plenty for Raven's dedicated fans, featuring tracks like the opening title track, "When the Going Gets Tough," "On and On," "Get It Right," "Restless Child" with its ZZ Top-esque slide guitar, "Power and the Glory," and "Hard Ride." You could even say "Pray for the Sun" sounds like Led Zeppelin, along with "The Bottom Line," which is a deeply orchestral yet speed metal piece loaded with brass (five years later, Riot would do something similar).

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: SHADY LANE - There and Back

 

SHADY LANE - There and Back

Underground Symphony Records

The debut of any band and any musician, in general, showcases their ability to create interesting music, reveals their influences, and, of course, demonstrates how they filter these influences to develop their own identity. The Italian band SHADY LANE certainly does not deviate from this rule. 

The band aptly describes their sound as melodic progressive metal. And while the term "progressive metal" often turns me off in many cases, in this instance, not only did that not happen, but listening to this release also provided me with several enjoyable moments. 

Firstly, the band does not seem interested in showcasing their technical abilities, but instead harnesses these tendencies and uses them in a way that allows them to develop the narrative explored through each composition. There is a strong sense of drama and storytelling in this album that will surely remind seasoned listeners of bands like QUEENSRYCHE during the "Operation Mind Crime" era. Certainly, these are not the only musical references present in this band’s work. Personally, and without having extensive experience in their genre, I found references to groups such as FATES WARNING, SAVATAGE, and SHADOW GALLERY. All of this is done without any intent of imitation, but rather as a vehicle to create their own soundscapes. 

An interesting release and a good start for SHADY LANE, which I will certainly recommend to fans of progressive and melodic metal, as well as anyone who wants to listen to a well-crafted debut from a band that possesses talent and compositional skill.

Nick Parastatidis

REVIEW: BATHORY, Blood Fire Death

 

BATHORY, Blood Fire Death (1988)

Under One Flag

Δεν είναι το ίδιο συγκρότημα! Τί όντως είναι;

Το σοκ που θα έπαθαν με αυτή  τη κυκλοφορία οι φίλοι των Extreme Dark Thrashers ως το προηγούμενο άλμπουμ -μπούσουλα για το Black Metal της ερχόμενης δεκαετίας το Under the Sign of the Black Mark (1987) ήθελα να μπορούσα να το ζήσω! Μιλάμε για αλλαγή με όλη τη σημασία της λέξης και χωρίς πολιτικές προεκτάσεις. Τα φωνητικά του Quorthon παραμένουν στο ίδιο growl ύφος αλλά η μουσική....η μουσική είναι καθαρότερη, τα θέματα πιο επικά και το εξώφυλλο πίνακας σε παραπέμπει στην υπερβόρεια Βαλχάλα κι όχι στη σκοτεινή κόλαση γεμάτη  δαιμόνια των τριών προηγούμενων δίσκων. Από εδώ και πέρα η επική μεριά των Bathory, αυτού του συνήθως one man group του πολυοργανίστα , συνθέτη και τραγουδιστή Quorthon θα γίνει το πεδίο μάχης της μουσικής του. Βέβαια στο CD αναφέρονται οι Kothaar στο μπάσο και Vvornth ντραμς αλλά και πάλι το γενικό πρόσταγμα το είχε ο κύριος Thomas Forsberg (ο Quorthon δηλαδή) κι ο πατέρας του στη παραγωγή, Borje Forsberg (που υπέγραφε σαν Boss στα άλμπουμ) RIP και για τους δύο αυτούς ανθρώπους της ακραίας Metal σκηνής αλλά απ' αυτό και του νέου είδους που παίρνει σάρκα και οστά σιγά σιγά αλλά κι όνομα: Viking Metal. Με τα A Fine Day To Die, The Golden Walls of Heaven -το οποίο παρουσιάζει μια ύποπτη ομοιότητα στο riff του με το Hell Awaits των Slayer-,  τα σαν να ακούς Sodom του In the Sign of Evil Black/Thrash ύμνους Pace 'Til Death και  Holocaust, το Dies Irae και το δεκάλεπτο έπος Blood Fire Death πρόδρομο του τί είχε στο μυαλό του ο ξανθός κοκαλιάρης Quorthon για το μέλλον,  μιλάμε για ένα εντελώς κλασικό άλμπουμ, κόσμημα της εποχής του.

English:

It's not the same band! What is it really? I can only imagine the shock that fans of Extreme Dark Thrash would have experienced with this release, following the previous album that served as a blueprint for the Black Metal of the coming decade, «Under the Sign of the Black Mark» (1987). It was a true transformation in every sense of the word, without any political implications. Quorthon's vocals remained in the same growl style, but the music... the music is clearer, the themes more epic, and the album cover resembles a painting that evokes the northern Valhalla rather than the dark hell filled with demons found in the three previous records. From this point on, the epic side of Bathory, this usually one-man project of the multi-instrumentalist, composer, and vocalist Quorthon, would become the battlefield of his music.

Of course, the CD credits mention Kothaar on bass and Vvornth on drums, but ultimately, the mastermind was Mr. Thomas Forsberg (Quorthon himself), along with his father, Borje Forsberg (who was credited as Boss on the albums). RIP to both of these figures in the extreme metal scene and to the new genre that was gradually taking shape and gaining an identity: Viking Metal.

With tracks like "A Fine Day To Die," "The Golden Walls of Heaven"—which bears a striking resemblance in its riff to Slayer's "Hell Awaits"—and anthems like "Pace 'Til Death" and "Holocaust" reminiscent of Sodom's «In the Sign of Evil», along with "Dies Irae" and the ten-minute epic "Blood Fire Death," we see a precursor to what the slender, blonde Quorthon had in mind for the future. This album is undoubtedly a classic, a gem of its time.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

Ka'aper released new single

 

Cyprus-based melodic death metal band Ka'aper has released their new single "Ta-Sekhet-Ma'at" from their upcoming debut album "While Flows The Nile," scheduled for release on April 30, 2025, through Satanath Records (Georgia) and The End Of Time Records (Ireland). Formed in April 2024, Ka'aper combines dark, melodic metal with influences from ancient Egyptian mythology, crafting music filled with crushing riffs, atmospheric arrangements, and haunting melodies. The band consists of Evgeny Pcheliakov (vocals), Timur Glushan (guitar), Igor Kurzin (bass), and Alexey Boychuk (drums). Their sound seeks to evoke intense emotions, inviting listeners to confront their fears.

New video by GENGIS KHAN ("Metal Diet" from the EP "Celebration")

 

Forged in the fiery depths of the Italian underground heavy metal scene, Genghis Khan draws inspiration from legendary bands such as Venom, Manowar, Running Wild, and King Diamond. Between 2012 and 2022, they released four albums and participated in a European tour in 2014 as the supporting act for Enforcer and Skull Fist. After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic and other circumstances, the band has found new energy and is currently on a fresh European tour as the main support for the iconic ANVIL, achieving significant success in Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal. Genghis Khan is now hard at work developing new material and preparing for upcoming concerts across Europe. Heavy Metal Unleashed!

**Discography**

**Full-Length Albums:**

- “Genghis Khan Was A Rocker” (2013, MDD Records)

- “Genghis Khan” EP (2019, LM Records)

- “Colder Than Heaven” (2021, Steel Shark Records)

- “Possessed by the Moon” (2022, Stormspell Records)

**EPs:**

- “Masters of My Sins” (2023, Self-Produced)

- “Arrows and Flames” (2024, Self-Produced)

- “Celebration” (2025, Self-Produced)