ONWARDS
TO ZENITH, a German Melodic Death Metal band, recently unveiled their latest
single, "Inner Strength," from their forthcoming debut EP. Recorded
at "Reflexion Studios" by Niklas Knaack and mixed/mastered at
"411 Studios" by Daniel Keller, the release promises a blend of
precision and intensity. The band, originating from Saarbrücken, Germany, was
founded in 2022 by seasoned musicians Francesco Grillo, Yannick Seinsoth,
Tobias Anton, and Niklas Knaack, who had previously showcased their talents in
various metal outfits. In 2023, they welcomed Christian Collet, a proficient
guitar shredder, prompting Yannick's transition to bass and Niklas's focus
solely on vocals, aimed at enhancing their dynamic live performances.
The Athenian thrash metal band THE CRUCIFIER has a
long-standing presence in the Greek scene. Founded in 1995, they initially
existed under the name CRUCIFIER until 2008. Apparently, due to other bands
sharing the same name, they rebranded themselves as THE CRUCIFIER, a name they
have retained to this day.
Beyond their extensive tenure in the scene, their
career is also regarded as highly active and productive. In 2002, they released
their debut album titled "Merciless Conviction." This album was a
natural progression from the band's previous releases, namely the demos:
"Infernal Pain" (1995), "Totally Madness" (1996),
"Fear Is Your Mind" (1998), and "Innocent World" (2001).
With this release, the band balances influences from
both German and American thrash metal scenes. Their primary influences include
early KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, and SLAYER, with shades reminiscent of our own
FLAMES. The vocals of Hlias "Thanatoid" Kyriazis resonate as a more
extreme version of Mille Petrozza's vocals.
It's a dynamic debut filled with enthusiasm, rawness,
and vigor. Fans of the thrash metal genre will certainly appreciate the
compositions here. It's worth noting that this album was reissued by Hell
Productions in 2009 with the band's "Innocent World" demo as a bonus.
In 2006, the band released their second album titled
"Cursed Cross." Between their debut and this release, they also
produced the 2004 demo titled "Cursed Cross." Despite a four-year gap
since the band's debut, this release feels like a natural progression. The band
sounds more refined and mature without compromising their aggression. They
continue to deliver old-school thrash metal, perhaps with a greater emphasis on
the Bay Area thrash metal scene.
This release undoubtedly marks a step up from their
already impressive debut. It's an album filled with great riffs and pacy
rhythms that will surely captivate fans of the genre.
In 2017, THE CRUCIFIER released their latest
full-length album, as of now, through the Italian label Punishment 18 Records.
Thirteen years since their previous release may seem like a long time, but
during this period, the band remained active, participating in various split
releases.
On their third release, the band maintains the
recognizable metal style from their previous two albums. We're talking about
'80s-inspired thrash metal drawing inspiration from both the German and
American scenes, with a greater emphasis on the latter.
It's direct thrash metal full of aggression and power,
with convincing performances. Once again, the band proves that they have
solidified and shaped their own musical style, creating compositions that they,
as fans of the genre, love to listen to. If there's any difference compared to
their previous releases, it's that here the band incorporates influences from
bands like early METALLICA, EXODUS, and DARK ANGEL.
It's a highly commendable release for the genre, and
fans of this sound should definitely give it a listen.
Closing, I'll mention that in 2024, the band released
a split album titled "Outbreak of Unholy Death" together with
HellButcher and Flegias.
SINS
OF SHADOWS, a French Heavy/Power Metal band, recently dropped their latest
single titled "Finally Free." Recorded at "Aedonia
Production" and mixed/mastered by Sebastien Normand, the track features
guest vocals by the renowned Henning Basse (known for his work with Metalium
and Firewind). Originating from Reims, France in 2014, Sins of Shadows has
steadily built their discography, starting with EPs like "Be" (2014)
and "Today’s the Day" (2016), leading up to their debut album
"The Master’s Way" in 2020. Two years later, they followed up with
"Imperium" in 2022. Drawing inspiration from iconic heavy metal acts
such as Iron Maiden, Evergrey, Megadeth, and Testament, as well as progressive
bands like Symphony X and Ayreon, Sins of Shadows creates a unique blend of
heavy and progressive metal.
Break
The Cycle is a metalcore band originating from Corfu, Greece, now based in
Thessaloniki. Established in 2019 by two guitarists, the band quickly expanded
to include a vocalist and drummer, forming a four-piece lineup. Their sound is
heavily influenced by bands like In Flames, Architects, and As I Lay Dying.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, they released their debut single "Through
Pain and Sorrow", along with a metalcore cover of Linkin Park's
"Papercut" and their latest single "Buried Beneath".
Ο
άρτι κυκλοφορημένος δίσκος των cult U.S. Metalers αυτών που τίμια και σταθερά
παίζουν στη μικρή κατηγορία του Speed/Power Metal πρωταθλήματος. Καμιά
πρωτοτυπία, καμία έκπληξη και καμιά αμφιβολία. Οι Attacker στο παρόν τους
εξακολουθούν να είναι απ'τα δυνατά χαρτιά για όσους προτιμούν το νευρικό, με
υψίφωνο τραγουδιστή γρήγορο μέταλο απ' την αντίπερα όχθη να παλατζάρει πάνω στη
λεπτή γραμμή μεταξύ Power και Thrash, χωρίς να ανοίκει πουθενά αλλού παρά στο
Speed Metal παρακλάδι. Με μόνο οχτώ κομμάτια, όπως συνηθιζόταν τη δεκαετία που
ξεκίνησαν όλα, αυτή του '80 και με τίτλους σαν Knights of Terror, Curse of
Creation, Stigmatized, River of Souls, Kingdom of Iron, World in Flames, The
Mighty Have Fallen και τέλος το ομώνυμο το άλμπουμ (άλλη μία πρακτική απ' τα
80's) βρίσκεσαι μονομιάς εκεί που πρέπει: Ένα ταξίδι στο χρόνο διαμέσου της
μουσικής αυτού του κλασικού γκρουπ. Σπεύσατε....Πάω για τη τέταρτη ακρόαση κι
έπονται κι άλλες.
English
Text:
Fresh Blood.
The newly released album from these cult U.S.
metallers who faithfully and consistently play in the small category of
Speed/Power Metal championship. No originality, no surprises, and no doubts.
Attacker, in their present form, continue to be among the strong cards for
those who prefer the nervous, high-pitched vocalist speeding metal from the
opposite shore to skate on the fine line between Power and Thrash, without
belonging anywhere else but to the Speed Metal subgenre. With only eight
tracks, as was customary in the decade when everything started, this one in the
'80s, and with titles like Knights of Terror, Curse of Creation, Stigmatized,
River of Souls, Kingdom of Iron, World in Flames, The Mighty Have Fallen, and
finally the eponymous album (another practice from the 80s), you find yourself
exactly where you should be: A journey through time through the music of this
classic group. Hurry up... I'm going for the fourth listen, and more are to
follow.
Abya,
an American Symphonic/Progressive Metal band, recently unveiled their debut EP
titled "Prayer of Chaos." Recorded at "Abya Studio" in
Tennessee and expertly mixed/mastered by Manuel Alvarez, the release marks a
significant milestone for the band. Originating in Minneapolis, Minnesota in
2019, Abya initially comprised Manuel Alvarez (vocals/guitars), Lisa Mote (keys
and vocals), and Wayne Zerr (bass). Despite several member changes, the group
solidified its lineup with Manuel, Lisa, Wayne, and the latest addition, Jon
Rizzo on drums. Following the departure of Wayne and Lisa, the band decided to
make a fresh start and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, aiming to embark on a
new musical journey.
Η
Joahnna Sadonis, κοσμεί με τη φωνή της το σχήμα στο πέμπτο άλμπουμ του τη
τελευταία δεκαετία. Το ίδιο κι αυτό το εξώφυλλο, λογικό αφού στα πενήντα της
περίπου παραμένει μια όμορφη παρουσία όσο και μια σκοτεινή, bluesy φωνή και
φυσικά frontwoman.Το πέμπτο άλμπουμ των
Doom, Stoner, Heavy ή οτιδήποτε άλλο επιθετικό προσδιορισμό θέλετε πρίν το
επίθετο Metal, ξανά και πάλι είναι στο στερεοφωνικό μας. Το ολοκαίνουργιο
δημιούργημα του συγκροτήματος λοιπόν είναι εδώ γεμάτο ιστορίες πάθους, σκότους,
μαγείας, θάνατου, απώλειας μέσα από γλυκόπικρες αλλά όμορφες και αρκετά ρετρό
μελωδίες, αφού η μπάντα δε κρύβει τις εξεζητημένες 70s επιρροές της και αυτό δε
μας χαλάει. Στα ντραμς ο σύζυγος της τραγουδίστριας Nicke Andersson, (παράλληλα
κιθαρίστας των Hellcopters και φυσικά ντράμερ της κλασικής πρώτης εποχής των
Death Metal ηρώων Entombed), οι Martin Nordin & Linus Björklund στις δύο
κιθάρες και στο μπάσο ο Harald Göthblad συμπληρώνουν τη βασική πεντάδα των
Lucifer στον δίσκο. Απ' αυτό ξεχωρίζουν τα Fallen Angel, At The Mortuary,
Riding Reaper, A Coffin Has No Silver Lining, Maculate Heart, Strange Sister,
Nothing Left to Lose But My Life.
English
Text:
The blonde witch remains.
Johanna Sadonis embellishes the band with her voice on
their fifth album of the last decade. This cover, too, makes sense since at
around fifty, she remains a beautiful presence as well as a dark, bluesy voice,
and of course, a frontwoman. The fifth album of Doom, Stoner, Heavy, or
whatever aggressive descriptor you want before the word Metal, is once again in
our stereo. The brand-new creation of the band is here, full of stories of
passion, darkness, magic, death, loss through bittersweet yet beautiful and
quite retro melodies, as the band does not hide its elaborate 70s influences,
which we don't mind. On drums, the singer's husband Nicke Andersson (also
guitarist of The Hellacopters and of course drummer of the classic first era
Death Metal heroes Entombed), Martin Nordin & Linus Björklund on the two
guitars, and Harald Göthblad on bass complete Lucifer's basic quintet on the
record. Standout tracks include Fallen Angel, At The Mortuary, Riding Reaper, A
Coffin Has No Silver Lining, Maculate Heart, Strange Sister, Nothing Left to
Lose But My Life.
