True Metal Spirit

The 10 Most Important Metal Bands of the ’90s

2017-04-11T03:52:00.000-07:00

The 10 Most Important Metal Bands of the ’90s,

The ’90s: they were the bomb! These aren’t bands that necessarily formed in the ’90s, nor are they bands that would turn out to be influential somewhere down the road; these are bands that a) were doing their best work in the ’90s, and b) amassed a devout following during the ’90s. These are the bands that we feel truly defined the decade for extreme music. These are the bands that we feel truly defined the decade for yo mama.

If aliens landed on Earth tomorrow and said “Please sum up the 1990s in four minutes or less,” one could do no better than to show them the video for Crazy Town’s classic love song/stripper soundtrack, “Butterfly.”

#1: Crazy Town

The caterpillar that was the ’90s pupated in a chrysalis and emerged as this butterfly. Crazy Town were the culmination of heavy music throughout that decade, and there is no hallmark of a ’90s band that they didn’t check off the list: rock, hip-hop, electronica, JNCOs, chain wallets, Vans, the entire hair product section at the drug store, Hot Topic, tattoos, piercings, payola, TRL, Ozzfest, and appearances on the soundtrack for a movie designed to be enjoyed solely by high schoolers.

Even their success was emblematic of the ’90s. Where bands like Pantera and Korn offered cathartic rage, Crazy Town promised escapism and the possibility of touching a tit. The contrast was perfectly representative of an era in which America’s greatest political scandal revolved around the President getting head. Crazy Town were the reminder that the ’90s weren’t nearly so serious as people seemed to think they were. “See I was lost and confused, twisted and used up,” they rapped. “Knew a better life existed but thought that I missed it.” For so many suburban white kids, Crazy Town defined the possibility of that “better life.” They probably caused more teenage pregnancies than governmental refusal to provide free condoms in public schools.

And like many of those pregnancies, they were ultimately aborted. A year after the release of Crazy Town’s megahit debut album, The Gift of Game, Linkin Park would basically re-make and perfect the record as Hybrid Theory. Crazy Town succumbed to legal and substance abuse issues, and an attempt at a comeback in the new century was not particularly successful; like Y2K, everyone freaked out about them and then forgot about them. Perhaps it’s just as well: more than any other band to make an appearance on Return of the Rock, Crazy Town were the product of a particular time and place. They ended, bittersweetly, with the millennium, fluttering their tattooed wings as they flew off into the sunset, inspiring us — nay, daring — to do better. But while they were here, they made us go crazy.

#10: Death
#9: Deftones
#8: Cannibal Corpse
#7: Fear Factory
#6: Metallica
#5: Tool
#4: Faith No More
#3: Korn
#2: Pantera

Crazy Town in Portugal

2017-04-10T05:03:00.003-07:00

Crazy Town in Portugal

The return of the iconic Crazy Town to Portugal!

The US band, which reached worldwide prominence in the early 2000s with hits like Butterfly, Revolving Door and Toxic, will be in April for 3 unforgettable concerts!

The first part features Kroniko, MC with more than 10 years of career, presents some of his best themes in this event.

Https://www.facebook.com/KronikoZoyde/

Day 22, Hard Club - Porto

Day 23, RCA CLUB - Lisbon

Day 24, BAFO DE BACO - Loulé

Tickets:

During the month of April - € 20

On the day and venue of the event - € 22

Sales in the usual places and:

Https://www.ticketea.pt/bilhetes-concerto-crazy-town-lisboa/

Robert Trujillo’s 12-Year-Old Son Will Play Bass for Korn on Upcoming Tour

2017-04-10T04:03:00.000-07:00

Robert Trujillo’s 12-Year-Old Son Will Play Bass for Korn on Upcoming Tour

Due to “unforeseen circumstances” Korn bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu will be unable to participate in the band’s upcoming tour of South America. In his place will be Tye Trujillo, the 12-year-old son of Metallica (ex-Suicidal Tendencies, ex-Ozzy) bassist Robert Trujillo.

Shocked? So are we. We can only imagine there are an army of qualified bassists who’d donate a nut for a chance to play with Korn, ranging from well-known players (Ryan Martinie of Mudvayne, for example, who filled in for Fieldy a few years ago) to complete unknowns. But the gig belongs to Trujillo — who plays in a band back home called The Helmets — until Fieldy rejoins Korn on May 6th at the Rock on the Range festival in Ohio.

On April 17 Korn is heading down to South America for a run of dates in Columbia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Fieldy is unable to make the shows so the band will be joined by a special guest. Filling in for bass duties will be Tye Trujillo, the 12-year old son of Metallica’s Robert Trujillo and member of NorCal group The Helmets. Says the band, “We are bummed Fieldy can’t join us on this run but excited to do a few gigs with a young player like Tye. We look forward to welcoming our brother Fieldy back when we return to the States in May. Fieldy will resume Korn’s 2017 tour at Carolina Rebellion on May 6.

The whole thing strikes me as a bit odd — I’m sure Tye is every bit the qualified player (I can’t imagine Korn would’ve had him on otherwise), but it’s gonna look a bit odd to have a 12-year-old up there with a very established bunch of guys in their 40s. Still, good for him, I suppose: if he’s looking into a career as a professional musician, there’s no better trial than this!

Here’s Tye performing with The Helmets — with special guest, his dad — at the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival in 2016:

At least the kid’s got a sick windmill!

The shows at which Trujillo will fill in are as follows:

4/17 — Bogota, Colombia — Carpa Conferias
4/19 — Sao Paulo, Brazil — Espaco Das Americas
4/21 — Curitiba, Brazil — Net Live Curitiba
4/23 — Porto Alegre, Brazil — Pepsi on Stage
4/25 — Buenos Aires, Argentina — EST Obras Sanitarias
4/27 — Santiago, Chile — Teatro Caupolican

Possession – Exorkizein

2017-04-10T03:19:00.000-07:00

Possession – Exorkizein

Five years ago four like-minded individuals came together in their native Belgium, hellbent upon forming their own band, apparently with the original intention of it having strong roots in both the Black annd Death Metal genres. Choosing a name that could, traditionally, be found among both these genres, the four became members of a band called Possession. And, true to their name, their lyrical influences revolve around being possessed, withcraft and demons in general. And once again, musically, they draw heavily from both their musical influences; The distortions, ambience and gravelling vocals from Black Metal, combined with the up-beat rhythms, occassional guitar solo and relentless persecution of Death Metal. Overall, Exorkizein is a very impressive first full-length release – But then again, what else could one expect from a band who dedicated their first five years of their life to perfecting their sound prior to actually releasing an entire record? Overall I would say that Possession has taken the same approach to their sound as Dissection did nealy twenty years ago. They have done their utmost to fuse two radically different Metal genres together, and to do it in a manner that does fans of both genres justice – And as far as I am concerned, they have succeeded. Sure, their music is more rough around the edges than their Swedish counterpart, and it is definitely more distorted and ‘cranked a bit closer to eleven’ – But otherwise still a great creation. On top of that, they also threw in a short introduction, in order to set the scene and atmosphere for Exorkizein; And it does just that. While it is still clearly an album consisting of six very individual tracks as well as said introductional, it also has the overall feel of an album. Each song clearly comes from the same album, yet can also easily stand their own. ”Infestation – Manifestation – Possession” is definitely my favourite track from among all seven present, since it shows off exactly how relentless and consistent Possession as a band can be – Sure, it lacks some of the more religious atmospheric and symphonic elements that tracks such as ”Beast of Prey” and ”in Vain”, which also has its charm; But to me, the band truly shines once they have built up momentum and refuse to back down again. As is quickly becoming one of my all-time favourite conmplaints, I would like to point out that at just below thirty-seven minutes, Exorkizein is sadly a bit short. But definitely worth every second.

Recommended for fans of Dissection and God Dethroned.

Four Former Members of Ghost Reveal Identities, Speak Out About Lawsuit Against Tobias Forge (“Papa Emeritus”)

2017-04-07T03:19:00.000-07:00

Four Former Members of Ghost Reveal Identities, Speak Out About Lawsuit Against Tobias Forge (“Papa Emeritus”)

Earlier this week, news broke that former members of Ghost — who it had been strongly rumored had been fired from the band after their fall 2016 U.S. tour — were bringing legal action against “Papa Emeritus” (né Tobias Forge) for “missing wages and allowances for several years.”

Now former member Simon Söderberg, aka lead guitarist “Alpha” and a member of the band since 2010 until his dismissal last year, has posted a lengthy statement on Facebook in which he explains in great detail the motivations to file the lawsuit (in the District Court in the band’s hometown of Linköping, Sweden) and the treatment which former band members allegedly received by Forge.

Not only is this the first time that Söderberg’s identity as a (former) Nameless Ghoul has been identified, but he also reveals the names of three other former Ghouls, some of whom had been in the band for as long as five years prior to their dismissal, and all of whom are part of the suit:

Simon Söderberg (guitars, “Alpha,” member since 2010)

Mauro Rubino (keyboards, “Air,” member since 2011)

Henrik Palm (guitar, “Ether,” member since 2015)

Martin Hjertstedt (drums, “Earth,” member since 2014)

According to Söderberg, Forge has claimed that the band as a business entity hasn’t been profitable and thus hasn’t been able to distribute any money beyond “minimal advance payments” to the other members; therefore the suit requests that Forge produce documents showing all income and expenses between 2011 and 2016. Furthermore, the suit alleges that despite a previous agreement in which all members including Forge would be treated equally, Forge has attempted to take control of the band by offering the other members contracts as consultants.

Needless to say, this statement makes Forge look very, very bad. It’s unlikely we’ll see a comment from him until the lawsuit has run its course, if ever, but we will certainly post an update if he releases a statement. Meanwhile it’s worth noting that from an outside perspective it has certainly always seemed as if Forge was the primary driving force behind the band, and it’s difficult to imagine him ever agreeing to an equal share partnership (especially with new members entering as recently as 2015).

Söderberg is now a member of the band Magna Carta Cartel with fellow former Nameless Ghoul Martin Persner (who is not a part of this lawsuit).

Here is Söderberg’s statement in full, made on behalf of all four former Nameless Ghouls participating in the suit:

Thrice Released new video - Hurricane

2017-04-07T03:00:00.000-07:00

Thrice Released new video - Hurricane

Thrice release video for their track Hurricane - taken from 2016’s To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere. It features on the US outfit’s latest album To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere, which was released in 2016 – their first material since ending their four-year hiatus.

Watch Now!

Morbid Spring Fest II

2017-04-06T15:06:00.004-07:00

Morbid Spring Fest II

The festival has a return scheduled for April 14 (Holiday) and has the presence of bands:

Martelo Negro;
A Tree of Signs;
Bleeding Display;
Redemptus;
Grimlet;
GAEREA;
Disthrone;
Burned Blood;
My Dementia.;

Hell in Sintra - 2017

2017-04-06T12:21:00.002-07:00

Hell in Sintra - 2017

Hell in Sintra has returned ...

Stronger than ever, to debut with international bands, two stages and new spot, Nirvana Studios!

It's two days with lots of music, socializing and unique moments to remember later !!

2 stages / 2 days / + 20 bands

Hell in Sintra With Sinister, Test, Primal Attack and more

12 & 13 of May - Nirvana Studios

Custom Cafe - Stage 1

LE BARON ROUGE - Rock Hangar - Records & Mng - Stage 2

Https://www.facebook.com/events/173888849752808/

Steelfall - The Event Horizon

2017-04-06T05:05:00.000-07:00

Steelfall - The Event Horizon

The release of the álbum The Event Horizon on April 07 at LE BARON ROUGE - Rock Hangar With the presence of: Ignis Fatuus Luna, BurnDamage and THE ROYAL BLASPHEMY.

Heart Attack - The Resilience

2017-04-05T03:16:00.000-07:00

Heart Attack - The Resilience

Most of the times when I hear an album that instantly reminds me of Machine Head’s Burn My Eyes, I get an urge to take a nap, because most of them are just a dull bleak copy of this 1994 metal masterpiece. What Burn My Eyes did was bridge the gap between first wave of trash metal and the groove metal revolution created by Pantera in early 90’s.

The Resilience by French band Heart Attack is most certainly an album heavily inspired by Burn My Eyes, but fortunately this is an album that does have something to offer.
After an intro that is too long the band rips into “Burn My Flesh”, which is one of the most blistering second-wave trash metal songs I’ve heard in a long time. Besides the title, the song in general as well as the production do resemble Burn My Eyes greatly, but what a perfectly bolted song furiously delivered, as only young straggling band can deliver. That song is simply on fire.

The impact of such an opener is massive and the problem is that it can be hard to follow. And sure, Heart Attack can’t match it on the rest of the album, but what they did manage to do is follow it with eight seriously good songs. The orgy of blazing riffs accompanied by great rhythmic sense results in an album that comes across as fresh even though it’s following all the well know rules. Much like the early Machine Head the influences of Slayer, Pantera and nonetheless hard core influences of Cro-mags and Discharge are all over the place. There isn’t much originality on The Resilience, but there is loads of honesty and fire.

Once you get over the fact that the rest of the songs can’t match the opener, there is a lot of good stuff to get here. The sense of groove is massive, which is extremely important for the and it squeezes even more juice out of the already massive fat riffs.

On the negative side band’s name and artwork for the album are ingenuous and don’t do the band or the album justice.

Fractal Universe presents video of "Sons of Ignorance"

2017-03-24T04:14:00.000-07:00

Fractal Universe presents video of "Sons of Ignorance"

After the playthrough video of drums for the theme "Parricidal Ghosts", the French Fractal Universe return to promote the next album with clip for "Sons of Ignorance". The album, entitled "Engram Of Decline", will be released on April 14th through Kolony Records.

"Engram Of Decline" is a 10-track conceptual album based on Nietzsche's "Thus Speak Zarathustra," and yearns to explore the history of human thought by offering nearly 60 minutes of progressive death metal. Saxophone player Jørgen Munkeby (Shining) and guitarist Michael Keene (The Faceless) are the two great guests.

Steve Hackett - The Night Siren

2017-03-24T04:02:00.002-07:00

Steve Hackett - The Night Siren

Musical legacy of the former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett is not only massive, but also extremely diverse with body of work covering rock, classical, blues, soundtracks and what not. He has also achieved that with great productivity pace. What makes the whole thing even more impressive is that at age of 67, he not only doesn’t show signs of slowing down, but his latest release The Night Siren is an ode to creativity and experimenting.

The Night Siren has been in works for about a year and its eleven tracks take the listener on a journey around the world with musical and lyrical influences from all latitudes. LabeThe best way to label this album is to call it a rock world music. One moment Hackett dips into Celtic musical heritage, the other he’s all over Middle Eastern and next he’s playing the most intense flamingo guitar or Slavic inspired passages. Common for all these is that they are piece of puzzle that is this album. They all have their purpose, rather than being forced browsing session through different genres. Furthermore whatever Hackett might be doing on this album he displays massive control and skill.

The funny things is that such extremely diverse album serves as a proof that labeling music into genres or trying to base its quality based on genres is fairly pointless.

In the core of any album these is songwriting and Hackett excels at this as well. The different approaches and diversity of guest performers ads so much to this album, but without solid songwriting The Night Siren would never be as breathtaking as it is. Hackett manages to display a broad pallet of technical skill, emotion and beauty throughout the entire album and for the most part simultaneously. That kind of 360 degrees experience is something majority of musicians have hard time achieving.

The Night Siren is a masterpiece created by a man whose skill and curiosity are at its peak after more than four decades in the business. Think about that.

Mastodon – Emperor of Sand

2017-03-23T05:07:00.002-07:00

Mastodon – Emperor of Sand

When Mastodon released Crack the Skyeback in 2009, it was a major step into the big league- commercially and even more so creatively. To this day the album stands as their pinnacle of their career. Since then the band has released The Hunter in 2011, which has been their attempt at seriously breaking into the mainstream. For the most part they succeeded blending the Mastodon trademarks with the approach that was easy for mainstream audiences to digest.

Since then, however, it was bit quiet in the Mastodon camp. 2014’s Once More ‘Round the Sun was a bleak representation of the band and weak attempt at keeping the grasp of the newfound fans, which they won with The Hunter. Much more interesting and exciting were some of the side-projects the band members were involved in, most noticeably Killer Be Killed, Gone is Gone and Giraffe Tongue Orchestra.

In 2016 the band got back together with Crack the Skye producer Brendan O’Brien to start recording what became Emperor of Sand. Ever since it was announced that O’Brien will produce the album, it sparked the rumors about the direction of the album. And yes, those were true. This album does see the band tapping again into the heavier and proggier side of their musical heritage.

Few songs in, it’s clear that O’Brien is THE producer for Mastodon. He gets the band and he gets the best out of them. The sound is extremely well balanced, but at the same time raw and unpolished. On Emperor of Sand he highlights the rawness and subtitle atmosphere in the music so perfectly that the result is a unique bland of the two.

What differentiates this album from the rest of the band’s catalogue are the aspects that might not be that obvious, but in the overall scope they play a massive role. Melodies as well as guitar leads are more diverse and emotional, while the lyrics are some of the most honest and vulnerable of their career. Don’t take me wrong, I enjoy lyrics of psychedelic space-sex as much as the next guy, but the humbleness of the lyrics about the man’s journey who’s on his way to face the death stuck a whole other nerve.

Another hugely important aspect is less obvious, but it ads immensely to that intensive atmosphere and feel of the album. These can be provoked by percussion, odd guitar or keyboard sounds. Their impact on the album is huge yet they are almost hard to spot.

One of the concerns I had about the album was the fact that Brann Dailor was joining Troy Sanders and Brent Hinds on vocals to a far larger degree – he’s joining in on lead vocals on eight out of eleven songs! Dailor is actually better singer then both Sanders and Hinds, but his singing never really matched Mastodon’s music.

Fortunately, for the most part his vocals work surprisingly well. Perhaps it’s because of the nature of the songs, and certainly, thanks to O’Brien and his understanding and skill of producing and arranging Mastodon and music in general.

The album is filled with huge riffs and (at times over the top) blistering drumming, but it doesn’t seem way too much in your face or pointless. On contrary it serves a purpose.

It seems that from time to time Mastodon need some kind of let-down in order to shake up and create something truly impressive. It happened after weak Blood Mountain, when they created masterpiece that is Crack the Skye and it looks very much like that after Once More ‘Round the Sun, the band has again created a truly great album.

Emperor of Sand is massive yet humble, it’s filled with songs whose impact is colossal yet easy to relate to.

Score: 9/10

Vagos Metal Fest 2017 - Portugal

2017-03-21T04:19:00.003-07:00

Vagos Metal Fest 2017 - Portugal

In August the Vagos Metal Fest returns to the scene. With confirmations from Soulfly, Arch Enemy, Hammerfall and Whitechapel certainly the Portuguese will have three days of pure fun.

Day 11
Arch Enemy
Wintersun
Rhapsody Reunion
Therion
Gama Bomb
Tales For The Unspoken
Revolution Within
And Then She Came
Grunt

Day 12
Soulfly
Korpiklaani
Powerwolf
Primordial
Metal Church
Batushka
The Hills Have Eyes
Brutality Will Prevail
Implore

Day 13
Hammerfall
Whitechapel
Gorguts
HAVOK
Chelsea Grin
Miss Lava
COUGH
Attick Demons
Reaktion - Metal Band

Tickets cost 80 euros (3 day pass) and 33 euros (daily ticket). Pack with pass 3 days + tshirt costs 90euros.
The camping is free *.

More information at www.vagosmetalfest.com

Within the Ruins - Halfway Human

2017-03-21T03:56:00.001-07:00

Within the Ruins - Halfway Human

Within the Ruins, it is the archetype of the djent. To such an extent that it becomes ridiculous. Or good? Ridiculously good. Everything is overproduced to the bone, to the point that one comes to doubt: are there really humans at the origin of this sound? The title of their fifth and last album to date, Halfway Human, leaves the doubt. One thing is certain, there is matter to divide. And it is not for nothing, WTR (for the intimates and the lazy ones) found its lode: a deathcore / djent to the hyper léché sound, where the chugs on the guitar side virtuous leads. Add to this a growls / singing alternation at the limit of the telephone, and you have the rough portrait of the American quartet. But it goes a little further than that.

Within The Ruins has managed to forge a very strong sound identity, due not only to its excessively thick production, but also to its versatility. The notes are linked together and do not resemble each other, their music is a permanent rhythmic and melodic renewal, fascinating to follow. And they are not content to be virtuoso, they have a feeling that allows them to lay catchy melodies as not possible.

The result is a variety of tracks ranging from the single popist (Death Of The Rockstar, Objective Reality) to the hardcore hardcore concluded on a note dub (Incomplete Harmony) passing by an instrumental masterpiece (Ataxia IV). The Ataxia series is also a kind of personal running gag at Within The Ruins, each album owning its part.

To come back to singing, it is not a clear / guttural alternation as the metalcore of the years 2000 has accustomed us, but more a personal and inspired entanglement bearing the structure of the piece. There is nothing systematic, no recipe applied to the letter, just a feeling offering the pieces a coherent structure and a story to tell, with beginning and end.

Then, robotic production and clear vocals sometimes on the edge of the cheesy will put off more than one, but Halfway Human will be for others a source of truly refreshing melodies and groovy riffs and inspired at will. Draw energy at the source.

Score 7.5/10

Arkana Code - Brutal Conflict

2017-03-20T08:28:00.002-07:00

Arkana Code - Brutal Conflict

I seem to recall having made the statement a few years ago that the Italians truly shine when making epic-style Power Metal, back then referring to bands such as Rhapsody of Fire. Well, I am big enough of a man (barely, but still) to admit when I am wrong. In this case, I was happily corrected by a Death Metal quintet by the name of Arcana Code.

A band that, on the surface at least, seems to have incredibly high standards in regards to releases (I reach this conclusion from the fact that the band has spent nearly a decade before releasing first a Demo back in 2010 and then their first full-length, Brutal Conflict, as late as last month). This is nearly always, in mt humble opinion at least, a good thing since it guarantees a high standard all throughout said release, to which Brutal Conflict is a prime example. Eleven tracks. Forty-three minutes. All-out aggression. It is a simple approach, that Arkana Code has mastered and uses to devastating effect. Mind you, the five Italians have not used their nine years as a band to re-invent the wheel – Instead, they have worked hard to improve it and give it a more personal, distinguished feel. The end result is an album that I am sure will end up being a welcome addition to any Death Metal collection, as it has become in mine. Arcana Code has all the hallmarks of a band, that I am sure will go far: Dedication, talent, a sense of perfection and, most importantly, they understand to make their own sound within their chosen genre. There is an obvious downside to this approach, however: Since it took the band nine years to release their first full-length, there is no real reason to expect another record to be released in the near future. However, that merely means (if you put on your positive glasses that is) that we have a good, long while to enjoy relentless Death Metal tracks such as ”Psychiatric Kingdom” (to which the band has been gracious enough to provide us with a music video). So, in order to sum up, Arkana Code is a new up-an-coming Death Metal band who focuses on delivering few, but very impressive releases, regardless of the amount of time it takes to deliver said releases. This seems to remind me of another, legendary, Death Metal act…

Rasgo - Vulgo Vulto anticipate debut album with single

2017-03-20T06:20:00.001-07:00

Rasgo - Vulgo Vulto

Rasgo launch a new theme that will be part of the debut album of the Portuguese band. Vulgo Vulto song that is singed in Portuguese.

From the Shores - Of Apathy

2017-03-20T05:47:00.001-07:00

From the Shores - Of Apathy

Founded in 2008 by five Italians with a penchant for lyrical themes revolving around pain and death. And, in order to convey this to a suitable audience, they have chosen the Melodic Death Metal approach to use as their backdrop.

Their chosen moniker is From the Shores, and their second (and most recent) endeavour carries the name Of Apathy; Thirty-seven minutes almost to the second divided across eight tracks, an intro and a single interlude slightly more than halfway through. Now, that would be the shortest, most efficient way to explain both the album Of Apathy and, to some extent, the band behind it. However, this explanation is, in my own opinion, not satisfactory: Because it fails to answer if From the Shores delivers any modium of a good performance. Again, the simple and short answer would be yes; This is not surprising, since the Italians have always been good at catchy melodies and a general flow in a track. This record is no different, with all of the tracks being well-performed, catchy and riddled with both powerful and prominent growls, underlying guitar riffs as well as the occassional solo and, of course both a strong, efficient bass track and a rapid-firing drum in order to chain it all together and give it depth. All in all: The band does not only seem to be fans of the old-school Gothenburg Metal scene, they are also worthy contributers and spiritual successors to it (albeit, if the old definition is to be followed, they have to be of Swedish descent to qualify. But I digress). The tracks vary greatly in length from the shortest raking in a small three minutes with the longest (as well as last) song on the album spanning nearly three times that much, as eight-and-three-quarter minutes. For a second release, Of Apathy is a very good one: But then again, From the Shores did also spend eight years perfecting their sound before unleashing their own version of Melodic Death Metal upon the world. Now, sadly, I have not had the pleasure of listening to their first record prior to spinning this one, but then I suppose that is inconsequential: Tracks such as ”To Rest in Arms of Perfection” are four minutes of text-book melodious Death Metal the likes of which made the early 2000’s famous. And as such, I would recommend From the Shores to any fans of the legends of that previous decade, many of which are, as stated above, Swedish. But From the Shores proves that this genre is not bound to the Scandinavic countries, and once again proves that rhythm and catchy solos are two things that Italy does in abundance. And if want to hear them show off, listen to the interlude ”Opus XIII” – It carries that name for a reason.

Recommended for fans of mid- to late In Flames, Angela Gossow-era Arch Enemy and late Carcass.

Score 7.5/10

Moss Upon the Skull – The Scourge of Ages

2017-03-20T05:07:00.003-07:00

Moss Upon the Skull – The Scourge of Ages

Brussels-based quintet Moss Upon the Skull has been building up momentum since their inception back in 2010, spending a significant amount of their time honing their skills and perfecting their sound.

This seemed to have culminated recently, with both an EP being released in 2014, then a Demo in mid-2016 and a full release being promised sometime this year. In this instance, I am laying my focus upon the newest officially publiced release, a four-track Demo with a running total of seventeen-some minutes. And despite the fact that Moss Upon the Skull has chosen to take a Progressive approach to their Death Metal sound (something that I am usually not a fan of), then I must admit that it definitely helps to make them unique and memorable. Track such as ”Turiyan Wrath” are a testament to the instrumental talent and thr vocal range of the five musicians that makes up Moss Upon the Skull. All in all, Scourge of the Ages shows talent and serves as an excellent promise of things yet to come. Because for all of its glory and splendour, The Scourge of the Ages still suffers under the restraint that nearly all Demo’s do: It is too damn short. But it does bode well for the future ahead.

Recommended for fans of Necros Christos and Execration (label’s suggestion, since I did not know any bands off teh top of my head that are similar).

Kobra And The Lotus anticipate new album with second single

2017-03-20T04:54:00.001-07:00

Kobra And The Lotus anticipate new album with second single

Below you can hear "You Do not Know", the new single from Canada's Kobra And The Lotus. The band is preparing to release the album "Prevail I" on May 12 by Napalm Records.

Led by Kobra Paige's feminine but stiff voice, the band has climbed to success with tours and three well-received albums. The publisher points out that "Kobra And The Lotus are loaded with exquisite precision, heavy emotion, vocal brilliance and large-scale dynamics that glorify classic heavy metal and rock."

Selfmachine release new single

2017-03-20T04:12:00.000-07:00

Selfmachine Release New Single

From the Netherlands comes the Selfmachine with the second album "Societal Arcade" which has already begun to be distributed through a partnership between Wormholedeath / The Orchard, Carlo Bellotti Publishing US and Aural Music.

To celebrate the release, the band reveals the video for the theme "Giddy-Up!", Which is what happens to other samples like "Normal People" and "Against The Flow".

Review Viles Vitae “IV”

2017-03-20T04:06:00.001-07:00

Review Viles Vitae “IV”

Belial Necro's guitar, Deimos's drums and the voice of Vulturius (Irae, Incandescent Death, among others) form Viles Vitae, a bold project that promises to shake the underground scene.

With four tracks that essentially tell about extinction - especially by esoteric routes - the trio offers a black metal that both drinks from the primordial and from more modern incursions. With prevailing riffs in baton that emanate a black melody, this debut EP can provide atmospheric sections that are often repeated in cycle to better feel the ethereal hypnosis, which wants to become material, of a last journey against the empty Humanity. Between melancholy, fog, anger and agour, the musical experience becomes unparalleled every second that passes and it is with great certainty that it is affirmed that Viles Vitae could be the great card of this 2017 in what concerns the national black metal.

Score: 8/10

Album Review: OBITUARY Obituary

2017-03-17T09:06:00.001-07:00

OBITUARY Obituary

This self-titled release (Relapse) marks the tenth album from Floridian death metal gods Obituary. These guys are among the top tier of bands that ushered in a new chaotic age of ferocity and aggression. With each record Obituary has proven that they have no intension of ever slowing down. The new album contains all the best parts of the band, revving the excitement and adrenaline all the way. Both Kenny Andrews and Trevor Peres bring in corpse crushing grooves, with Andrews ripping sick solos at times. Terry Butler makes for some funky lines throughout, and Donald Tardy delivers drumming with blistering precision. John Tardy provides solid vocals that aid flow and blend screams and grueling lows.

“Brave” begins and takes off with a standard drive. It’s a fun way to start the album and get the muscles warmed up in the pit. “Sentence Day” kicks things up a few notches thanks to some brilliant guitar moments. Andrews adds in little moments of flair that come through like lighting, all backed by berserk drumming. Towards the end Andrews goes off on this absolutely fucking wild solo that soars, swooping in at the right time to bring a crunching end. “Lesson In Vengeance” mixes up styles of the first two titles, taking its time in pace. One of the more forward jam tracks, it pops from time to time with electric excitement. “End It Now” is a balls to the wall thrash out fest. Harsh vocals pounce through crunching speeds, at times dropping into brutal growls.

In “Kneel Before Me” we get more of the same ideas found in “End It Now”. Obituary surely has their stunning moments of technical mastery, but the attitude here is more one of an immediate punch to the face. The album embodies aggression through varying means of relentless speeds, or with a slow heft that crushes the listener. From time to time there are even elements of horror like tones surrounding the music, noticeable towards the end of “Kneel Before Me”, and the beginning of “It Lives”. Picking up with some brighter notes that carry some swing to them is “Betrayed”. It feels good with a band to let the bass get some attention, and while the record does that well in general, it came through strong here. Not only does the guitar find its way into another cool solo, but there is a funky rhythm that flows throughout, adding a splendid switch up to the chemistry. “Turned To Stone” also caters to a beat down structure, and while this structure is common, it is never repetitive. It helps that the material at its core is full to the brim with excitement and solid fun. The two closers “Straight To Hell” and “Ten Thousand Ways To Die” set off the fire works for a terrific ending. With a range of variety in sound, both keep the listeners on their toes, while tearing at their eardrums.

Obituary have put out one hell of a record. With everything to please fans and old school death metal heads, the self-title Obituary is a killer jam. Structure can become a little common, but not once does it ever take away from the pure bliss of rage. Devastating drive, flying solos, and harsh vocals create a whirlwind of death metal chaos that will please everyone from the beginning to the end.

Score: 9.5/10

Source: http://www.metalinjection.net/reviews/obituary-obituary

Asking Alexandria - The Black (2016)

2017-03-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Asking Alexandria - The Black (2016)

Info

Band: Asking Alexandria

Genre: Metalcore, Post-hardcore, Electronicore,
Heavy Metal, Hard Rock

Activity: 2008 - Now

Band Members: Ben Bruce, Cameron Liddell, Sam Bettley,
James Cassells, Denis Stoff

Oficial: www.askingalexandria.com

Download Server: Mega

Tracks

01 - Let It Sleep (04:00)
02 - The Black (04:41)
03 - I Won't Give In (03:50)
04 - Sometimes It Ends (04:46)
05 - The Lost Souls (04:05)
06 - Just A Slave To Rock N' Roll (03:25)
07 - Send Me Home (04:18)
08 - We'll Be OK (03:58)
09 - Here I Am (04:20)
10 - Gone (03:18)
11 - Undivided (03:35)
12 - Circled By The Wolves (03:30)

Memoriam (with members of Benediction and former Bolt Thrower) release second single

2017-03-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

Memoriam (with members of Benediction and former Bolt Thrower) release second single

With members of Benediction and former Bolt Thrower (1986-2016), Memoriam is the great news of 2017! The first bet of the band is called "For The Fallen", album that will be released the 24 of March through Nuclear Blast. In anticipation, and after "Surrounded By The Death", the band again promote the lyric-video disc of "Resistance", which you can see below.