The modern heavy metallers HEAVENBLACK proudly release
their third single, which will be a lyric video for "The Dominant,"
from their upcoming album titled "Blindfolded."
The song is about the protagonist of the concept
album, and the band's singer, Marios Kouroupis, stated: "The Dominant is
the protagonist of the story unfolding in the album. He has everything he needs
to make his dreams come true, which are nothing less than to conquer the world
and remake it according to his vision!"
German metal band KNIFE is set to release their new
EP, "Live Leather Hounds," on August 23, 2024, through Napalm
Records. Recorded during their 2023 “Evil Obsession Tour” with Sodom, the EP
highlights KNIFE's dynamic live performances and includes a studio cover
featuring black thrash legends Desaster. They have also released an official
live video for their single "White Witch/Black Death," showcasing
their signature high-energy sound and engaging stage presence. Fans can catch
KNIFE live during their festival appearances or on the "Deutschland Into
Dust Tour."
LORD OF THE LOST have released a live version of
"Ruins" from their upcoming live album, *LIVE at W:O:A*, set to be
released on August 2, 2024, via Napalm Records. The original song is from their
2018 studio album, *Thornstar*, which reached #6 on the Official German Album
Charts.
The band has recently toured Europe twice with Iron
Maiden, competed in the Eurovision Song Contest finals, achieved a #1 charting
album, and nearly sold out a European tour. Their notable performance at the
2023 Wacken Open Air festival, where they closed the day after Iron Maiden, was
recorded for this live album. Chris Harms described the experience as "a
dream come true."
Croatian heavy metal band silly crew of drunken kids released
their debut EP "Snort All the Hypocrites." The EP was recorded,
mixed, and mastered by Ivan Špeljak and Elio Regonad at "Kupleraj
Studios" and "Chaos Factory." Formed in 2018 in Zagreb by Nino Alić
(vocals), Ivan Špeljak Jitz (guitars, bass), and Siniša Vasilić (drums), the
band underwent lineup changes with Ivan and Siniša leaving. Elio Rigonat then
joined as the new guitarist, bass player, and drummer.
NUCLEAR
ASSAULT, Game Over/ The Plague E.P.
(1986/1987)
Combat Records
Στις
Thrash απαρχές τους.
Μια
φορά αυτοί οι τύποι κι αν έχουν αδικηθεί! Δυστυχώς αν και πρωτοποριακό για τότε
το Τhrash Metal τους, που εδώ είναι πιο κλασικής συνθετικά δομής, δεν συγκίνησε
τον κόσμο ούτε τότε αλλά ούτε κι αργότερα. Τα θέματα τους όχι τόσο η σκοτεινή
πλευρά, αλλά o κυνικός ρεαλισμός, υπό το πρίσμα του επερχόμενου τότε Γ'Π.Π.,
κάτι μοναδικά επίκαιρο 38 χρόνια μετά αλλά και πλέον πιο πιθανό δυστυχώς, ο
φόβος του πυρηνικού ολέθρου (Mega-Death για τους γνώστες, κάτι σας θυμίζει ο
όρος αυτός!) και της οριστικής πραγματικής καταστροφής του περιβάλλοντος, σε
πείσμα των διεθνών ελίτ που τη χρησιμοποιούν σαν δικαιολογία. Ίσως αν ρωτήσουμε
τους Γάλλους Eco-Death metalers Gojira να τους έχουν σαν επιρροή τουλάχιστον
στιχουργικά. Μιλάμε για μια μπάντα που αν και με μικρή δισκογραφία, έχουν πει
πολλά. Το ντεμπούτο τους λοιπόν μαζί το
The Plague E.P. τους του '87 σε
ένα πακέτο μαζι με κάποια ζωντανά ηχογραφημένα κομμάτια των δύο αυτών
κυκλοφοριών, σε ένα σύνολο 24 παρακαλώ κομματιών με τα κλασικά Live Suffer Die,
Sin, Cold Steel , Betrayal, Radiation Sickness, After The Holocaust, Stranded
in Hell, My America, Vengeance του κυρίως άλμπουμ αλλά και τα Game Over,
Nightmares, The Plague, Cross of Iron απ' το Ε.Ρ. είναι νομίζω ικανά να σας κάνουν να επενδύστε
στο CD αυτό της επανεκδόσης, αν το βρείτε.
English
Text:
In Their Thrash Beginnings
These guys have been seriously underrated! Despite
their groundbreaking Thrash Metal at the time, which here follows a more classic
compositional structure, they didn't gain much attention either back then or in
the years that followed. Their themes are not so much about the dark side but
rather cynical realism, viewed through the lens of the impending Third World
War, a theme uniquely relevant 38 years later and now, unfortunately, more
likely. The fear of nuclear annihilation (Mega-Death for the connoisseurs, a
term that might ring a bell!) and the definitive, real destruction of the
environment, in defiance of the international elites who use it as an excuse.
Perhaps if we ask the French Eco-Death metalers Gojira, they might cite them as
an influence, at least lyrically.
We're talking about a band that, despite having a
small discography, has said a lot. Their debut, along with their '87 The Plague
EP, comes in a package with some live recordings of tracks from these two
releases. This compilation of 24 tracks, featuring classics like "Live
Suffer Die," "Sin," "Cold Steel,"
"Betrayal," "Radiation Sickness," "After The
Holocaust," "Stranded in Hell," "My America," and
"Vengeance" from the main album, as well as "Game Over,"
"Nightmares," "The Plague," and "Cross of Iron"
from the EP, is enough to make you invest in this reissue CD, if you can find
it.
Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης
The song "Light in the Dark" is an
atmospheric and dramatic piece that depicts a dark and dangerous world. It
references wild beasts lurking and howling, signaling the beginning of a new
era. The fire, as light in the darkness, becomes a symbol of battle and
survival.
The track features elements of NWOBHM (New Wave of
British Heavy Metal), with strong riffs, intense melody, and dark lyrics,
enhancing the song's atmosphere and intensity.
POWERGOD
- Evilution Part I
Massacre Records
In the realm of heavy metal, where legends are forged
and soundscapes crafted, Powergod’s debut album, "Evilution Part I,"
stands as a towering monolith, a testament to their mastery and passion. This
1999 release, often misjudged by the Greek mainstream press as a mere
HAMMERFALL clone, transcends such simplistic labels with its potent blend of
power and speed metal, imbued with dynamic melodies and relentless energy.
The album unfolds like a saga, each track a chapter
brimming with the rich tradition of both German and U.S. metal. Echoes of AGENT
STEEL, ACCEPT, JUDAS PRIEST, and METAL CHURCH resound through the airwaves,
conjuring an experience that is both familiar and exhilaratingly fresh.
Powergod crafts a harmonious balance between these influences, creating a sonic
tapestry that honors the past while forging boldly into the future.
At the helm of this metal odyssey are musicians of
notable pedigree. Guitarist Andy Brings, a former member of SODOM, brings his
extensive experience to the fore. His contributions to seminal SODOM albums
like "Tapping the Vein" (1992) and "Get What You Deserve"
(1994) are a testament to his virtuosity and songwriting prowess. Alongside him
is drummer Hama Hart, whose tenure with WINTERS BANE adds another layer of
depth and rhythm to the album’s relentless pulse.
Central to "Evilution Part I" is the vocal
performance of Leo L. Sing, a force of nature whose versatility breathes life
into each track. His ability to switch effortlessly between soaring
high-pitched vocals and guttural growls adds a dynamic quality that captivates
and commands attention. Though Leo L. Sing did not continue with Powergod in
their subsequent endeavors, his successor Alexander Koch also proved to be a
formidable talent, ensuring the band’s legacy of powerful vocal performances
continued unabated.
The album’s composition is a masterclass in heavy
metal artistry. Fast riffs blaze like comet trails across the night sky, while
the choirs and solos soar with a celestial grandeur. The heaviness of the bass
and drums grounds the album, providing a solid foundation that amplifies its
epic scope. Each song is a meticulously crafted piece of the larger narrative,
contributing to an overarching sense of unity and purpose.
Powergod's "Evilution Part I" is more than
just an album; it is an experience, a journey into the heart of metal that
explores the genre’s depths and heights with equal fervor. It captures the raw
enthusiasm of a debut while leveraging the seasoned expertise of its members,
resulting in a work that is both polished and passionate.
In conclusion, "Evilution Part I" by
Powergod is a monumental debut that transcends its initial reception. It stands
as a beacon of power metal, showcasing the band’s ability to blend tradition
with innovation. For fans of the genre, it is an essential listening
experience, one that promises to endure in the annals of heavy metal history.
Νικόλαος
Παραστατίδης
