REVIEW: ZUUL – Howl of the Wolf E.P.

 

ZUUL – Howl of the Wolf E.P.

High Roller Records

Having previously listened to ZUUL’s full-length album, I observed that their style primarily adhered to traditional heavy metal with some punk rock influences. While the musicianship was competent, I found the material did not evoke a strong emotional response. The punk elements, in particular, seemed to detract from the overall intensity for my personal taste.

The latest release, this vinyl E.P., features two compositions: “Howl of the Wolf” and “Skull Splitter.” Both tracks demonstrate a clear evolution in the band’s songwriting approach. They continue to draw inspiration from the classic IRON MAIDEN style of metal, but notably, these songs deliver a more direct and impactful experience. They are characterized by catchiness and a passionate delivery, free from the punk rock elements present in earlier work.

This release suggests that ZUUL has refined their compositional skills, resulting in tracks that are both engaging and energetic. For listeners seeking heavy metal with a robust, straightforward approach—songs that encourage loud playback and headbanging—this E.P. provides a compelling introduction.

Overall, “Howl of the Wolf” offers a promising glimpse into the band’s potential, and I look forward to their upcoming full-length album to see how their sound continues to develop.

Nick  Parastatidis

REVIEW: TROUBLE, Psalm 9

 

TROUBLE, Psalm 9 (1984)

Metal Blade Records

Μεγάλος ο μπελάς που μας έβαλαν.

Το πρώτο άλμπουμ των Αμερικανών ήρθε την ίδια χρονιά που οι συμπατριώτες τους, οι Saint Vitus, έβγαλαν κι αυτοί τον δίσκο ντεμπούτο τους. Μεγάλη στιγμή για το Doom Metal σαράντα χρόνια πριν, και ο δίσκος αυτός ήταν για αρκετά χρόνια ομότιτλος του συγκροτήματος, αφού μετονομάστηκε επίσημα σε Palm 9 όταν το 1990 οι Trouble αποφάσισαν να βγάλουν... το δεύτερο ομώνυμο άλμπουμ τους, το κατά τ’ άλλα πολύ καλό Trouble! Ακόμη και σε αυτό το στοιχείο, ο παραλληλισμός με τους Saint Vitus είναι προφανής. Πατώντας από τη μία σε Black Sabbath εποχών Master of Reality / Vol. 4 και από την άλλη στους πρώτους διδάξαντες, πέραν του Ατλαντικού, τους τιτάνιους επιρροής Pentagram, φλερτάρουν αρκετά ανοιχτά και με το ήδη γεννημένο U.S. Power Metal. Ένα σύνολο όπου, στα σημεία που δεν είναι βαρύ και αλύπητο, είναι γρήγορο και αρκετά ζωηρό! Ναι, κι όμως, ο ήχος τους εδώ είναι κράμα (μιας κι είναι Metal!) πολλών πραγμάτων. Μόνο αντίστοιχο παράδειγμα είναι οι επίσης Αμερικανοί Cirith Ungol, αλλά εκείνοι είναι πιο Epic Heavy και λίγο Doom Metal. Τα τραγούδια The Tempter, Assassin, Bastards Will Pay (μεγάλη κουβέντα το νόημα αυτού του τίτλου), Victim of the Insane, The Fall of Lucifer, Psalm 9, Tales of the Brave Ulysses είναι έπη επών στον δίσκο και υπεράνω άλλης κριτικής ή άποψης.

English:

Big trouble they got us into.

The Americans’ first album came out the same year that their compatriots, Saint Vitus, released their debut record as well. A significant moment for Doom Metal forty years ago, and that album was for many years the eponymous title of the band, since it was officially renamed Palm 9 when, in 1990, Trouble decided to release... their second self-titled album, the otherwise very good Trouble! Even in this element, the parallel with Saint Vitus is obvious. Drawing from Black Sabbath’s Master of Reality / Vol. 4 era on one side, and on the other from the pioneering giants beyond the Atlantic—the titanic influence of Pentagram—they openly flirt with the already emerging U.S. Power Metal. A collection where, in the parts that aren’t heavy and crushing, it’s fast and quite lively! Yes, but still, their sound here is a blend (since it’s Metal!) of many things. The only similar example would be the also American Cirith Ungol, but they are more Epic Heavy and a bit Doom Metal. Songs like The Tempter, Assassin, Bastards Will Pay (a big discussion about the meaning of that title), Victim of the Insane, The Fall of Lucifer, Psalm 9, and Tales of the Brave Ulysses are epic anthems on the record and stand above any other critique or opinion.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: POWER CRUE – The Sign of Rage

 

POWER CRUE – The Sign of Rage

Lighten The Underground Records

(Re-issue on vinyl)

This release is a vinyl re-issue of Power Crue’s debut album, originally self-released in 1996. Given that the original CD edition is now relatively scarce and priced higher on the secondary market, this reissue offers an accessible alternative for collectors and fans of the band. The vinyl edition does not include bonus tracks but features a well-presented package limited to only 330 copies.

The album embodies a classic heavy/power metal style, recorded during a period that was somewhat challenging for traditional heavy metal sounds. Despite this, the album stands out within its genre and is often regarded as one of the most notable Greek metal releases. Its sound is characterized by energetic riffs, melodic lines, and a raw yet polished production that captures the spirit of 1990s heavy metal.

Among the tracks, “Enemy Brothers,” “Before the End,” and “Spent on You” are particularly noteworthy, with some elements reminiscent of Running Wild. The album as a whole contains several moments of excellence, making it a solid addition to any heavy metal collection.

This reissue is highly recommended for enthusiasts of classic heavy metal, especially those interested in Greek metal history. While it may appeal more strongly to genre purists, listeners with an open mind might also find merit in exploring this album.

Ioannis Kaskamanidis

Ka'aper Releases New Single "Amenhotep"

 

Cyprus melodic death metal band Ka'aper has dropped their new single "Amenhotep", from the upcoming album When Gods Walked the Earth. Recorded at Eleven63 Studios and mixed by Max Baryshnikov, the track features dark riffs and haunting melodies inspired by ancient Egyptian mythology.

Formed in April 2024, Ka'aper—Evgeny Pcheliakov, Timur Glushan, Igor Kurzin, and Alexey Boychuk—delivers intense, atmospheric metal that invites fans to face their fears. The single is now streaming.

REVIEW: HELVETETS PORT – Man with the Chains E.P.

 

HELVETETS PORT – Man with the Chains E.P.

High Roller Records

Helvetets Port presents a musical homage to the early 1980s heavy metal scene, distinctly capturing the spirit and characteristics of that formative era. Their sound, songwriting, and overall aesthetic evoke a period when heavy metal was still defining itself, blending melodic elements with raw, aggressive undertones.

Unlike many contemporary bands that aim to revive the 80s metal sound, Helvetets Port appears to focus specifically on the Swedish metal scene of that decade. Their style bears influences reminiscent of bands like Heavy Load and Gotham City, offering a mixture of melodic richness and harshness that pays tribute to that specific regional sound.

For listeners unfamiliar with or indifferent to 80s metal, this release may not resonate, as it is rooted firmly in that vintage style. The band’s approach is not about innovation but rather about faithfully recreating a long-gone aesthetic. While the release does not introduce groundbreaking elements, it demonstrates that Helvetets Port possesses the talent to authentically capture the essence of that era, and their songwriting shows potential for further development.

The EP contains three tracks, each showcasing a band capable of evolving their compositional skills. These songs suggest that Helvetets Port could deliver more compelling and mature albums in the future. Currently, this release adds to their discography, alongside one full-length album and another EP, and provides a solid foundation for their ongoing artistic growth.

Nick  Parastatidis

REVIEW: GUNS N' ROSES, Use Your Illusion II

 

GUNS N' ROSES, Use Your Illusion II (1991)

Geffen Records

Δύο σε ένα.

Η συνέχεια του Ι δεν έχει να δείξει κάτι διαφορετικό ή εκπληκτικό πέρα του αναμενόμενου. Πιο σκοτεινό ίσως σαν σύνολο το δεύτερο μέρος της ίδιας ηχογράφησης και τέταρτο συνολικά άλμπουμ των ήδη φτασμένων και εκατομμυριούχων κακομαθημένων που θα δουν τη φήμη τους να εξαπλώνεται ακόμη περισσότερο. Τους είχαν αποκαλέσει Hair Metal αλλά σίγουρα δεν ήταν, εδώ έχουμε κάποια από τα πιο κλασικά τους, με τα  Civil War και 14 Years ανοίγουν τον χορό και πιο κάτω το Knocking on Heaven's Door του Bob Dylan αυτό συστήνεται στο νέο κοινό της δεκαετίας του '90. Ακολουθούν Breakdown , Pretty Tied Up, Locomotive, Get In the Ring , Estranged, το soundtrack του Εξολοθρευτή 2 και κλασικό βίντεο κλιπ You Could Be Mine στον αριθμό 12 του playlist στο CD ανάβει τα αίματα. Εντάξει δεν μπορώ να πω, κλασικό όπως το 1ο μέρος. Δε θα μπω σε λογική σύγκρισης από τη μία, αλλά δε θα πεθάνουμε κιόλας από την άλλη για αυτό το άλμπουμ.

English:

Two in one.

The follow-up to Part I doesn’t really show anything different or surprising beyond the expected. Perhaps darker overall, like the second part of the same recording, and the fourth album overall from the already successful and millionaire spoiled brats whose fame is about to spread even further. They were called Hair Metal, but they certainly weren’t. Here, we have some of their most classic tracks, with “Civil War” and “14 Years” opening the show, and further down, Bob Dylan’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door,” which introduces them to the new audience of the 1990s. The playlist continues with “Breakdown,” “Pretty Tied Up,” “Locomotive,” “Get In the Ring,” “Estranged,” the soundtrack of “Terminator 2,” and the iconic music video “You Could Be Mine,” which at number 12 on the CD playlist really heats up the atmosphere. Well, I can’t deny, it’s a classic just like the first part. I won’t get into a comparison mindset on one hand, but on the other, we’re not going to die from this album either.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: GUNS N' ROSES, Use Your Illusion I

 

GUNS N' ROSES, Use Your Illusion I (1991)

Geffen Records

Πωλείται και αγοράζεται.

Εμπορική κίνηση της Geffen, εκμετάλλευση των οπαδών ή όπως αλλιώς το πεις. Τα δύο άλμπουμ των Αμερικανών «σωτήρων» της hard rock σκηνής κυκλοφόρησαν τον Σεπτέμβριο του 1991 και αυτό είναι το πρώτο από τα δύο. Δεν συμπαθώ, μάλιστα μου προκαλεί αηδία η εν γένει ζωή, η φωνή του συχνά και η όλη στάση του Axl Rose, όπως έχω ξαναγράψει. Όμως, εκτιμώ απεριόριστα τον Slash τόσο σαν κιθαρίστα όσο και σαν «μούρη», οπότε τα δύο αυτά άλμπουμ είναι τα τελευταία που αγόρασα ποτέ από αυτό το σχήμα.

 

Τώρα, σε αντίθεση με άλλα άλμπουμ Ι και ΙΙ της rock/metal δισκογραφίας, τα συγκεκριμένα περιέργως πάντα τα θεωρούσα όχι δύο διαφορετικά άλμπουμ, αλλά—φυσικά—αυτό δεν ισχύει. Είναι γραμμένα την ίδια περίοδο, αν και κάποια κομμάτια υπήρχαν σαν ιδέες από το 1987-88. Εδώ, η κλασική μπαλάντα «Don’t Cry», το «Live and Let Die» (το αρχικό κομμάτι των Wings), το «Right Next Door to Hell», η δεύτερη μπαλάντα «November Rain», τα «Dead Horse», «Back Off Bitch» και το «The Garden» με φιλική συμμετοχή του Alice Cooper, είναι κατά την άποψή μου οι καλύτερες στιγμές ενός, όπως είναι λογικό, ανομοιογενούς δίσκου.

English:

For sale and for buy.

A commercial move by Geffen, exploiting fans—or whatever you want to call it. The two albums by the Americans, the "saviors" of the hard rock scene, were released in September 1991, and this is the first of the two. I don’t like them; in fact, I find the overall life, his voice often, and his entire attitude—like I’ve said before—disgusting. However, I deeply appreciate Slash both as a guitarist and as a "face," so these two albums are the last ones I ever bought from that band. 

Now, unlike other rock/metal albums I and II, I always found it strange to consider these not as two separate albums but—of course—that’s not true. They were written during the same period, although some songs existed as ideas from 1987-88. Here, the classic ballad "Don’t Cry," "Live and Let Die" (originally by Wings), "Right Next Door to Hell," the second ballad "November Rain," "Dead Horse," "Back Off Bitch," and "The Garden," with a guest appearance by Alice Cooper, are, in my opinion, the best moments of what is, understandably, a somewhat uneven record.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!