…there a natural feeling out process to arrive at where you are musically? Luke Ashley: It started off, none of us had ever really been involved in the Australian metal scene before. We were all looking for a bassist, who we happened to find over the internet. Our drummer was a local friend from work. Our vocalist came to us through a chance happening. We eventually decided to come to a sound that was going to be more like Iron Maiden. We got heavi…
…ession and high-flying melodies that elevate themselves far above the norm due to the sharp songwriting and energy. In one word: excellent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gy5rHK0zgc Shattered Sun on Facebook…
…Fine Day to Exit, did you see that album as your last chance of making it commercially? Cavanagh: Back then, I did. That was a dream of mine, then. It isn’t anymore. The fact is that we’re far bigger now than we were then. It’s strange. I don’t hold that illusion anymore. I wish it was the case because it would be great to not worry about money and we could travel in comfort. Touring is such hard work just because of the way we travel, but I’m qu…
…tairs. At the back of the venue (to the left of the stage), is a grill and counter/eating area for a between-set snack. The burgers are top-notch, as is the venue staff. Western Massachusetts is ground zero for Promotorhead Entertainment, which has been hosting and promoting shows in the area (and beyond) since 2011. Founded by John Gulow, Promotorhead is one of the many New England promoters I referenced earlier putting on successful, varied show…
…e things develop, as What the Oak Left gets the job done if you love electric styled folk/epic metal with extreme yet discernible melodies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjM4f-Er8W0 Atlas Pain on Facebook…
…tarist Teloch from the realms of obscurity to replace master-pro Blasphemer: his riffs can twist and bend much like his predecessor. Now, evoking weird channels within the frame of black metal is nothing new, but to man the guitar spot in Mayhem (turns out the band needed two to replace Blasphemer, actually), the ability to meld, morph, and twist chords has to be performed at the utmost level. Teloch ably does such things in Mayhem, as well as in…
…come, with symphonic tones serving to elevate the band to the next level. An album that many will still be talking about come year’s end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnRAIwLql1g Persefone on Facebook…
…melodeath opened up yet want an album full of interesting leads should consider In Thousand Lakes a solid (returning) contender to the scene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4snJOPg7UQE In Thousand Lakes on Facebook…
…odic death metal fans, regardless of which country of origin you prefer (Swedish/Finnish) – Words of Farewell represent the complete package. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NDjFhJXeRw Words of Farewell on Facebook…
…as they lock in what they are doing. For now, if you want to hear folk metal in a new light, it’s worth giving Counter//Current a shot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_2lXaLCfRE Krampus on Facebook…
…re you don’t drift too far off. Persistence of Thought is sure to keep you coming back for more. 12. Equipoise – Birthing Homunculi Fans of technical death metal take heed as Equipoise should be on your must-hear list. A star-studded release (including a number of guest spots) that hits all the high-water technical compositions that you expect, but with an actual songwriting agenda behind them. A dizzying combination of frantic speed and melodies…
…keeps it engaging, despite the familiarity, but if you aren’t a melodeath fiend, this isn’t going to strike you in quite the same manner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9njymADiwVE The Descent on Facebook…
…concentrated doom dirges of “The Wolf’s Sun,” Davies’s vocals take on a chilling effect, gracefully riding along with gentle guitar work and riff crescendos. Conceivably not a part of the wave of retro-influenced female-fronted bands (see: Blues Pills, Purson, and Wucan), Esben and the Witch is significantly darker than their would-be peers. The combination of Davies’ gritty, earthy vocals and the wise use of singular dynamics allows Older Terrors…
…2. “Yes…I Know…Love and Death…Always” (from 2012’s Only the Ocean Knows) M: What most things come down to, but this track is very much about life! Rowdy track, in my opinion. 3. “Formlessness” (from 2011’s Everything) M: An old favorite. The way the sounds open with around 1.15 with the clean guitar…a trick we discovered at the time. It’s a perfect pop song, really. 4. “Endless Skies” (from 2015’s The Long Goodbye) M: Did you always stare at the…
…e lyrics, but given the tone and spirit of the music, it works. Coming Home should satiate long-time fans and earn the band some new ones as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml4iBTfoplY&feature=youtu.be Pain official website…
…ve death metal that is enhanced by a keen sense of atmosphere and emotion that brings the listener on a compelling trip to a mysterious realm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTVEo5krKmQ Inanimate Existence on Facebook…
…pidermia’s sound. One might say that this is a bad thing, but it’s easy to counter said argument. No one is going to check this one out without knowing what they are getting into, but there are still a few nice surprises to look into. First off, as the art description fits, you might not expect some of the more melodic leads that you find here (check out “Miseria Introspectiva”). There’s also a nice balance of various influences from the time peri…
…tween the intricate death metal, as do the frequently used clean vocals to counter the growls. The cleans never approach a commercial vibe, and often add some depth to these segments, as do the keys (see “Catalyst: Past and Present”). “Prism of Naught” seems the highlight, with plenty of atmosphere and exploration among quieter, clean guitar segments that build to a fitting climax. When the band decides to unleash their more furious side, there is…
…Worth investigating if you crave folk metal that moves into epic and upbeat territory but avoids the cheese that sometimes accompanies it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65j1dA3ZZzI Winterhymn on Facebook…
…tand out from the likes of the Incantation-esque approaches that seem to becoming commonplace. A full-length of this caliber could easily raise the bar. Onomasy – Ashes and Dust Release Date – May 2016 Location – Spain Style – Modern and technical death metal Hard-hitting death metal that is just as frenetic as it is technical, there’s a certain Unique Leader-ness to what Onomasy does. They frequently go full-tilt on the speed dial, but the riffs…
…and counter culture for us. We really don’t care about image. Dead Rhetoric: Finally, what’s the rest of 2016 hold? Stratton: We are touring to Oregon in May to play the Central Oregon Metal Fest, then we are touring to Maryland in June to play the Maryland Doom Fest with The Obsessed, which is very exciting for us, Then, we are taking some time off to finish writing another album and discuss strategy for 2017. We are hoping to find the right team…
…hem to recover from Nucleus), the bands who have played it straight (Blues Pills, Graveyard, Purson), will probably remain in the same spot as they were before. Canada’s Blood Ceremony appear to be in the same situation with Lord of Misrule, an album that finds the Canucks sounding “English.” (their words), but unable to jostle out of their current slot. Blood Ceremony definitely went all-in on this English thing. Lord is Misrule was recorded in L…
…Mutiny Within, focusing on melodic vocals and more rock-ish vibes – a nice counter to the more aggressive side of the band, and Strain has the vocals to make it work. The album’s most epic track, “Hope is Lost,” serves to be quite a treat as well, using synths to bring out plenty of atmosphere, with a moving and quiet introduction that builds into a heavier climax over the course of 8 and a half minutes, all while keeping things thoroughly engross…
…orted are masters of death metal brutality with a keen ear for melody and groove. Both of which have plenty of screen-time on Retrogore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMUIVCGnydw Aborted on Facebook…
…of a drum machine, Zyphoyd’s Three Days of War EP is a cyber, technically competent display of death/thrash. Really, this thing would be kicked up a few notches had they employed a human drummer, although given the band’s Australian locale, such things may not have been possible. Nevertheless, the jumbly, Megadeth-on-Annihilator riff action of “Relentless Tyranny” gets the nod here, as classic Floridian death metal grunts collide with atmospheric…
…add more heaviness and groove into the new material. Where did that shift come from? Jani Stefanovic: One thing which is quite obvious is that there are five years between the two albums. Preferences change, and of course, all the members in the band, we have a strong history with more aggressive music and the death metal scene. Those elements have always been a part of who we are as musicians, so it’s quite easy to access those elements because…
…f. Rewind to 2011 and 2012, and nothing was more hip than bands like Blues Pills, Graveyard, Rival Sons, Witchcraft, and the band in which this review is based on, Germany’s Kadavar. So perhaps in an effort to remain out front in the hip-race, they named their third album after a pretty hip city, which would be Berlin. (We’ll try to refrain from using the word “hip” from this point forward.) Whereas the above-mentioned bands play it a bit more str…
…le cut, Michael Pinnella’s keyboard arpeggios give the right hook angle to counter balance the heaviness on display. Highlights are plentiful. “Without You” has a ballad framework, Russell using more of his lower range in a respectful Lou Gramm manner during the verses but then rising to high octane heights in the chorus. “To Hell and Back” at 9:23 is the longest arrangement on Underworld, a mini-epic bringing to mind classic Dream Theater meets R…
…deal with Season Of Mist. Regarding the signing, VENOMOUS CONCEPT comments: “It’s been a long time coming, distractions happen, chaos happens… life happens… But hey, still here — still killing it… still grinding… couldn’t be more happy to be with Michael and Gordon and the Season Of Mist people… Couldn’t think of anyone better suited to get our friends and family the attitude adjustment they needed… So I hope you guys check it out… throw a few pi…
…m. The songs get in and get out, with the longest track holding out for a 2:12 runtime. In these short bursts of energy, there’s not a huge change in formula, from which the short album length benefits. This is the type of material that serves as being a massive dose of adrenaline and it accomplishes its goal with ease. “Liquidators,” “Deterance,” and “Rusty Skin” are all good examples of the carnage that Mindful of Pripyat doles out. Raw and abra…
