%D0%98%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9 %D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF %D0%BD%D0%B0 %D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8F. %D0%93%D0%9E%D0%A0%D0%9E%D0%A1%D0%9A%D0%9E%D0%9F: %D0%93%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF %D0%BD%D0%B0 %D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8F. %D0%94%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B6%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9 %D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF. %D0%93%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF %D0%BD%D0%B0 %D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8F. %D0%94%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD %D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0 %D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%88%D0%B8%D1%84%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B0. %E2%80%94 %D0%94%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD %D0%A7%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0 %E2%80%94 %D0%94%D0%98%D0%97%D0%90%D0%99%D0%9D %D0%A7%D0%95%D0%9B%D0%9E%D0%92%D0%95%D0%9A%D0%90 %E2%80%94 %D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%8B%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%8C – instagram – batmanapollo | Search Results

February 8th, 2024 Features

Infected Rain – Vehicles for Emotion

…much. I got a taste of it but I didn’t stick around with it long. I played basketball for a little while and I was the shortest. I did it because my teacher insisted, since I was really good at sports. I liked it – I had fun, but i felt I had a lot of disadvantages. Then I did Tae Kwon Do and I was the only girl. So I’ve done a few things. Dead Rhetoric: Jumping back a little what you said before, which I totally agree with, why do you feel that m…

February 6th, 2024 Features

Dust Bolt – Follow Your Instincts

…thinking about gig to gig. Suddenly, reality happened as we lost the first bass player Bene. M. back in 2020, and we did a European tour in 2020 with another bass player. Right after that tour, the pandemic hit. Suddenly these young kids going from just caring about the band, and being on the road, we were now stuck at home with a break. That was a game changer for us. I wouldn’t say it was all bad. It came at the right time for us honestly to ref…

January 31st, 2024 Reviews

Infected Rain – Time (Napalm)

…t float you off into space – swirling, but tempered by a few moments of ear-grabbing heaviness. Speaking of heavy, “Pandemonium” pulls in some almost synthwave-y electonics that color the song in neon, while the instrumentation gives it a visceral spark that is sure to move some bodies and heads, while “Unpredictable” sprawls between driving riffs, effective melodic hooks, and some endearing clean vocals into well, a few intriguing directions that…

January 30th, 2024 Features

Selected Singles – January 2024

…musical vibes as well as vocalist Rina’s impressive singing. Usually anime-based acts like this don’t have as much going on musically, but with TogeToge, one can really dissect out each of the instruments for a more progressive tone (especially the bass work). It’s a subtle aspect that can definitely be appreciated, and the group continues to absolutely hit each song out of the park. “Lonely Fate to be Destined” isn’t quite as heavy as some, but…

January 28th, 2024 Features

Hiraes – Awakened Resilience

…I was so happy that this whole life – musician’s being on the road – came back. It wasn’t even sure that it would come back for a while. But like, when you are a kid and confined to your room because you did something [laughs], we were finally let out! Then you get all goofy – that’s how it kind of felt. Going to the first show, as an audience member for me, was even more emotional than going on stage. When I got back on stage, I wondered if I co…

January 25th, 2024 Features

Any Given Day – Unbroken Spirits

…ne? Stiller: First things first, I think when you have the metalcore scene, 95% of bands write about more negative stuff. It’s more natural, because most of us aren’t as healthy or sane in that frame of mind [laughs]. I can understand it. You are always stressed with your job, family, or town – there’s always shit going on in the world. It’s ok to rant and scream and let the negativity flow out of your body. In Any Given Day, even in the past, mos…

January 19th, 2024 Reviews

Nextanative – Prologue: Burn it Down (Velvet Records)

…yriad of directions: not limited to the usual rock and metal, but some post-hardcore and pop-punk stylings can be found across the 5-track debut EP, appropriately titled Prologue: Burn it Down. Be that as it may, Nextanative should find plenty of support from the alt idol sources with the strength of this offering, and those seeking a heavy yet catchy time. With four ‘true’ songs and a brief instrumental introduction (“Prologue”), Nextanative show…

January 17th, 2024 Reviews

Metalite – Expedition One (AFM Records)

…. The plodding grooves of “Outer Worlds” and the chorus is a definite ‘sing-a-long,’ though admittedly “In My Dreams” takes the award for the strongest ‘sing-a-long’ with it’s ballad-y approach and potent use of Erica Ohlsson’s charismatic vocals. Those interested in the high-energy driving tempo showcases the band is known for should be quite happy as well. “Cyberdome” is an all-out romp of energy and fun, from it’s big synth section to the stomp…

January 11th, 2024 Features

Metalite – New Expeditions

…d about the band is that you have all of this stuff that you compact into 3-4 minutes, rather than stretching it out over 8-9 minutes. It’s always nice for me, at this point in my life, that you can take those big, epic sounds and condense them into something more digestible and easy to listen to by fusing that pop side too. Premberg: That’s the cinematic, epic feel of it. It’s hard to write music in 3-4 minutes because you have so many things you…

January 8th, 2024 Reviews

Ryujin – Ryujin (Napalm)

…r flashy melodic death metal riffage and a soaring chorus that urges a sing-a-long. The songs with Matthew Heafy in the mix offer more of a change-up as well, particularly standout “The Rainbow Song,” which jettisons harsh vocals entirely, shifting more into a glorious, jovial power metal track that oozes positivity while still staying true to the core of the Ryujin sound. Some other highlights include the cover of the Attack on Titan opening song…

January 8th, 2024 Reviews

Exit Eden – Femmes Fatales (Napalm)

…y Dreams” being co-written by La Torraca, and it stands out for it’s power ballad-esque energy and poignant feelings. While “Run” heads in more of a fun, folk-y direction, “Hold Back Your Fear” seems to take all of the positives associated with symphonic metal and crank them up to 11 – especially the extremely potent chorus. The covers themselves offer just as much entertainment. The aforementioned “It’s a Sin” probably stands the tallest to this…

January 7th, 2024 Features

Exit Eden – Breaking the Mold

…successful project I have done. It was eight years ago – I had my own rock band with no label and I was playing bars and pubs. That’s what I was doing before stepping into the professional metal world. This is something I hang onto because it means a lot to me because it showed me my path and where I wanted to be. I wanted Exit Eden to continue because it shouldn’t just be that [one album]. Also, with the girls, I remember Marina helping me with m…

January 3rd, 2024 Reviews

Alluvial – Death is But a Door (Nuclear Blast)

…case some massive growls and screams as the band stomps through mostly high-tempo riff-fest that still manages to keep enough hooks in to grab your ear, particularly when they slow it down to a crawling breakdown at the end. The title track closes the album, and switches gears yet again to show how striking the band can sound when they move further into the atmospheric and melodic side. Muller uses some clean-ish vocals when necessary, the the ins…

December 29th, 2023 Reviews

At the Plates – Omnivore (Self-Released)

…pirations in their titles, while waxing poetic about wild tales of culinary-based lyrics, it unfortunately may lead to a portion of the audience to dismiss them as a bit of a gimmick. But truth be told, At the Plates may have very punny song titles and some crazy yet fun lyrics, Omnivore is a ‘melodic’ death metal release that’s going to start your 2024 off in very satisfying ways. While it’s quite fun to look at the titles, such as “Punish My Wai…

December 23rd, 2023 Features

Selected Singles – December 2023

…l website/REIRIE on Instagram) https://open.spotify.com/track/0Ea7NxBJxNyxjBbFSIM8FS?si=aa92de2e85a74ea2 Togenashi Togeari “Hurtful & Painful” I continue to be nothing short of wowed by TogeToge. Their eighth single this year maintains the same high bar they’ve set since “Nameless Name” in May. The sound is crisp as always, and you can hear all of the instrumentation beautifully. For a 16 year old, Rina has some incredible vocals – the chorus in t…

December 22nd, 2023 Reviews

East of Eden – Forbidden Fruit: 1st Piece (Victor Entertainment/JPU Records)

…t of East of Eden is going to be very strongly utilized. Starting off the 5-song EP in a one-two punch is some of the most energetic and bombastic material of the release. “Evolve” showcases the frantic mixture of guitar riffing and Ayasa’s violin entanglements in the best possible way. The driving tempo just makes you want to move around and then it elevates to a potent, soaring chorus that lets Akane shine while still keeping the rest of the ins…

December 18th, 2023 Reviews

Bloody Cumshot – Deflorantism (Self-Released)

…swing in a more neo-classical and power direction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHYpaeKl9Ag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq37Zip9P1I&pp=ygUOYmxvb2R5IGN1bXNob3Q%3D Bloody Cumshot on Facebook Bloody Cumshot on Instagram…

December 10th, 2023 Features

Gama Bomb – Exploring New Adventures

…andemic? Joe: To be honest, it’s just one of those things. Because our long-time drummer had left the band at the start of 2020, we didn’t have a drummer. So, we’ve been using James from Vader, we know he’s a great drummer and a great guy. We would send him demos, and he would send us back finished drum tracks. And we would then all go about doing our parts and send them individually. John and I probably have the same opinion, it is easier to be a…

December 9th, 2023 Features

Kaivs – Decisively Carving Forward

…That’s always been that way! Tony Iommi used to work in a factory; Black Sabbath was just a hobby after work. We all know who they are and what they did! Every one of us hopes one day to leave our jobs instead of music. I’m just a workman by now, maybe skilled and one day, who knows? Feet on the ground by now, and necessarily don’t be fucked up. Mortician: It would be very pleasant and satisfying for all of us to make Kaivs unique from now on. It’…

November 28th, 2023 Features

Isiliel – Living for Tomorrow

…ou have to fight, even though the battle itself is incredibly unfair and unbalanced – you have no choice but to battle through. In the end, everything is wiped to a flat surface, but out of that, a god is born. Or you become that god. Those are the kind of themes and images that I have in mind when I am performing.” With that idea presented on the table, I can’t help but bring up the upcoming Puella Magi Madoka Magica movie, and how Isiliel would…

November 25th, 2023 Concert Reviews

Isiliel – November 7, 2023 – PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA

…where everytime she stopped to take a drink of water, people would chant “H-2-O.” That excitement led into the music itself of course, and looking across the room you could see everything from people swinging lightsticks to the music to others headbanging along. It was hard not to be pulled into Himari’s intimate performance. The heaviest moment came with the thrilling “Keisei Densetsu,” which borders on a melodic death metal rampage at points, an…

November 22nd, 2023 Reviews

TRiDENT – Dream Up (松山制作委員会)

…which acts as a really highlight for Asaka, leveraging a strong chorus to back up the mid-tempo melodic flourishes. Dream Up is a fun, melodically engrossing EP that showcases TRiDENT’s ability to play some very upbeat material that will initially hook you, earworming their way into reapeated listens before you know it. As another act from Japan that seems to be at the very verge of a breakout into international acclaim, this is also a fine showc…

November 18th, 2023 Features

An Introductory Guide to the Burgeoning Kawaii Metal and Alt Idol Scene

…over this, but I think Symphogear is the most metallic anime around. Mecha-based magical girls who fight with the power of song – songs which tend to straddle the rock/metal/eurobeat sound really well – while annihilating enemies. A stunning voice cast, including Nana Mizuki whom I’m featuring below, who can all sing (they’ve performed the songs live outside of the anime), there’s a plethora of frantic songs that would honestly make many a metalh…

November 15th, 2023 Reviews

Tarja – Dark Christmas (earMUSIC)

…set-up works, so why bother to change it up – Tarja avoided the goofy, over-the-top feeling that many ‘metal Christmas’ releases go for last time, and she does so here as well. Certainly there’s some hesitance to listen to the dreaded (by many at least) Mariah Carey classic “All I Want for Christmas is You,” or Wham’s “Last Christmas” without having to shake off some annoyances, but this is exactly where Tarja shines. “All I Want for Christmas is…

November 13th, 2023 Reviews

Nemophila – The Initial Impulse (Masterworks Publishers Inc)

…s year – merging some frenetic riffing and tempos with a thrilling and hook-based chorus (not to mention the ripper of a guitar solo). Just like “Rise” and “Night Flight,” it provides a ton of promise for Evolve next year. If you haven’t checked out Nemophila, a covers release such as The Initial Impulse is a great way to hear some big songs done with a fresh coat of Nemo paint applied to them. “Rise” is also a fantastic modern rock/metal anthem i…

November 13th, 2023 Reviews

Gungire – Surge (Self-Released)

…follows suit with some rather upbeat riffing and electronics, instantly grabbing your ear with the cleaner vocals and seemingly built for the live show ‘whoas.’ But fear not, ‘the angriest band in Japan’ isn’t going soft on you, with more frenetic thrashy verses that hit just as hard as anything else they’ve done to date – especially the chugging riffs later on. If there’s one theme that does seem to come across when comparing the content from the…

November 12th, 2023 Features

Temple Balls – Prepare For An Avalanche

…at types of goals/ambitions do Temple Balls set on a short-term versus long-term basis? Are you hopeful to make the band a full-time career endeavor, or do you realize as musicians that you may have to balance regular jobs with these musical activities? Vuorela: So far it is like that. It’s a struggle, working on the day jobs and getting the most out of the band. We are focused on the band as things mature, our aim is to make a living with this, w…

November 11th, 2023 Concert Reviews

Neo Japonism – October 21 and 22, 2023 – PuchiCon, Camelback, PA

…on, just the five vocalists on stage (unlike PassCode, who had a full live band backing them). Naysayers will be naysayers, but with this type of music, the vocals are the forefront, so it really makes little difference if the music behind them is played live or not. It can be an added bonus, but entirely unnecessary in the grand scheme of things. II did feel it important to mention before I go into their sweeping live performance. With the music…

November 8th, 2023 Reviews

Hinayana – Shatter and Fall (Napalm)

…urther extremes into each direction. “Spirit and Matter” fires up the blast-beat wagon and it fits the band’s sound quite well in adding some extra intensity into the mix to go with some throttling riffs. On the other end, you have the poignant “A Tide Unturning,” which is as melodic as the album comes, with some cleaner sections and an overall reflective tone to it – the song also features Tuomas Saukkonen of Wolfheart – to add to that sense of g…

November 7th, 2023 Features

Dying Wish – Building a Community

…t age making music anymore. I encourage people to start bands – your first band is probably going to suck [laughs], but then you are going to be in another one that’s better [laughs], so you can make connections and do it. There’s not enough bands! Dead Rhetoric: What’s something you’d like to change in the metal scene to make it a better place? Boster: I would love to see more people hiring women or queer people, or people of color. People making…