Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Prehistoria - Oh, snap, this high screaming heavy metal is going to make me lose my mind up in here, up in here
U.S.-based melodic thrashers Prehistoria are about to launch again with a new recording called Cryptic Halo. Prepared to show you their wares, this album will be their first full-length follow-up to their four-song EP from back in 2022 when they came out in a high-energy form of melodic thrash/power/heavy metal with prototypical heavy metal singing, in the sense air-raid siren. Your mission, should you accept it, is to bang your head as much as humanly possible. It is believed that the band does not know the meaning of the word "slow." None of the members of the band have a dictionary, so they are not able to look it up and see what's it all about. If you like typical metal, the Chilean banshee known as Alonso Zo Donoso will be more than glad to show you the way.
There is one song streaming right now before the album release on 11 February 2025, but below you can hear their previous EP. Together, the song and the EP, they illustrate what the album will be like. Look into this band. Everyone either hates them or loves them. Or think they are ok. What will it be for you?!
The band is made of up of the following residents in the Indiana State Mental Institute, Spa and Alligator Zoo:
Ian Bender [Zephaniah, ex-Under the Wake, ex-Argonaut] nuclear power plant low vibrations
Cody Johns [Viking, Zephaniah, ex-Eighty Thousand Dead, ex-Acheron (live)] hyperactive supersonic violence
Max Otworth [Borboropsis, Cheap Gas, Choking, Heavy Lies the Crown, Well of Night, ex-Lysura, ex-Trioxin, ex-Venality, The Eddington Limit, ex-Acheron, ex-Darkness Undying, ex-Voidweaver] high-end vibrations of the frozen tundra
Shaun Cothron [Heavy Lies the Crown, Zephaniah, ex-Acheron, ex-Obscene, ex-Photian Schism (live), ex-Viking (live), ex-Lysura, ex-VadimVon (live)] high-end waves of the tunnel of the stargate
Alonso Zo Donoso [Eternal Voyager, Unity, ex-Powerthrone, ex-Words Unspoken, ex-Dark Mirror, ex-Kjeldor, ex-Legendry, ex-Northern Insomnia Project] glass-shattering banshee screaming
Prehistoria
Cryptic Halo
StormSpell Records
11 February 2025
Cryptic Halo
by Prehistoria (2025)
Cursed Lands
by Prehistoria (2022)
Prehistoria - Obsidian Gateways - Lyric Video
https://www.facebook.com/prehistoriaband
Monday, January 13, 2025
Phrenelith - Neanderthal quartet streaming new song
For ten years now these knuckledraggers have been contaminating their much befouled corner of Neanderthaland. Their third album will be crawling out their cave in less than a month, based on their one thought: to pummel their instruments until the instruments break or the brutes themselves get tired, whichever happens first. So they have one song for you, signaling their willingnes to allow unknown, foreign, alien brutes like yourself to chomp on some cavernous death metal, made with all the love and dedication of a savage.
Phrenelith
Ashen Womb
Dark Descent Records / Me Saco Un Ojo Records
7 February 2025
Phrenelith is:
Simon Daniel [Ascendency, Discipel, Lesion, Alucarda, ex-Undergang (live), ex-Mold] - bass (2013-2015), guitars (lead), vocals
David [Sequestrum, Ulcerot, Undergang, Wormridden, ex-Reefer, ex-Hyperdontia, ex-Realm of Chaos, ex-Mold (live), ex-Trepanation (live)] guitars, vocals (2013-present)
Jakob (ex-Sulphurous) - bass (2015-present)
Andreas Nordgreen [Chaotian, Hectichaos, Morgellons, Sequestrum, Undergang (live)] - drums (2021-present)
Tracklist:
1) Noemata
2) Astral Larvae
3) A Husk Wrung Dry
4) Lithopaedion
5) Nebulae
6) Stagnated Blood
7) Sphageion
8) Chrysopoeia
9) Ashen Womb
https://www.facebook.com/phrenelith
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Slaughtersun - This is how a violin makes death metal
New information has come in! The earlier version of this review asked the question: "What type of violin makes such death metal?" Well, the man himself Ben Karas explains below how he achieves the sound. Here is the original review below, and under it, you will find Ben's answer to the question. You will also find a link to their Ampwall page where the physical CDs can be ordered.
Slaughtersun
Black Marrow
10 January 2025
There once was a little boy named Benjamin Karas. He lived in Montclair, New Jersey, U.S. He practiced the violin day and night. In 2010 he received a telegraph to join the melodic black metal band Windfaerer, from New Jersey, and to this day Ben plays violin with that band. Then, a funny thing happened in 2013. The mailman brought him another telegraph to join the prog jazz band Thank You Scientist, also from New Jersey. A crazy thought popped into Ben's head. It was something strange. He kept asking himself this question: "How would death metal sound if my violin eliminates the guitar?" Up until that point, in the other bands there are guitarists, and Ben was thinking about making his violin take the place of the guitar.
So, this band has no guitars and what sounds like guitar is actually a violin. What type of violin? What type of strings? I do not know. The music is a type of prog-tech death, but not excessively so. It does sound different with the violin, but not strangely so, if that makes sense. If there were no information available about the band, and I just listened to the music, I really don't think I would have noticed consciously that it is a type of violin, and not a guitar. I have a confession: I did listen to this recording many times while at the gym and I had not read the information about them. Therefore, I am telling you that I was not smart enough to detect the violin. I had only noticed that I liked the smooth or fluttering rhythm of the "guitar" and I kept coming back to it to figure it out. Well, in fact, I never did figure it. It was only when I read the information about the band that I finally realized that it is a violin in this headbanging death metal band.
The keys to the mystery are explained by Ben Karas himself. He wrote to this publication to answer the questions: What type of violin do you use and how do you make sound this way? Do you use a guitar amp?
"I use a 5 string ETJ electric violin. It's a solid body instrument with a Starfish piezo pickup. I used different combinations of equipment for each song on the EP, but I'm basically running it through an overdrive pedal into a tube amp sometimes with extra EQ. For amps I used a 6505, Engl Fireball and EVO BK50 all for various songs. The Electric Eye Mudkiller and Horizon Drive were probably the most frequently used boost pedals. The strings are D'addario Helicore violin strings; nothing unusual for the instrument. Most importantly the playing technique is a major part of the sound as I've practiced imitating metal guitar playing for many years. I'm running through a tube amp. Most of them are all guitar amps, but I have a signature model, the EVO BK-50 which is a custom amp that has been adjusted specifically for the violin. It's my primary rig, but sometimes I like to blend tones in the studio or simply change things up."
https://ampwall.com/a/slaughtersunnj/merch/black-marrow-ep
https://www.facebook.com/slaughtersunnj
https://slaughtersunnj.bandcamp.com/album/black-marrow-ep
The 7the Guild - Italian operatic power metal supergroup
Fans of operatic power metal may want to get in on this new collaboration called The 7the Guild (Italy). It is meant to please the audiences that appreciate traditional singing. The singers of three Italian bands join in on this project: Skeletoon, Rhapsody Of Fire and Vision Divine. Skeletoon’s Tomi Fooler is leading this project, recruiting former Vision Divine/Derdian’s Ivan Giannini and Rhapsody Of Fire’s Giacomo Voli to sing with him. The music is mostly upbeat or anthemic power metal that serves as a launching point for the three singers to go to town on this album and sing until the cows come home. Of course, fans that follow Italian power metal will know these names, but even listeners who are not too familiar with the band names and singers, it is very likely that the singing will do the job is supposed to: win people over. Right now it seems like there is only one song available for listening, but I can tell you that the entire album is like that, with power metal, with guitar melodies and a showcase of singing.
The 7the Guild
Triumviro
Scarlet Records
21 February 2025
THE 7TH GUILD
Tomi Fooler - vocals
Giacomo Voli - vocals
Ivan Giannini - vocals
Simone Mularoni - guitar
Francesco Ferraro - bass
Daniele Mazza - orchestras and arrangements
Alessio Lucatti - keyboards and piano
Michael Ehrè - drums
Holy Land 5:17
The 7th Guild 5:01
Glorious 5:38
La Promessa Cremisi 5:14
In Nomine Patris 6:35
Time 3:00
Guardians Of Eternity 5:24
The Metal Charade 5:21
Fairy Tale 6:21
BIO: The 7th Guild saw the light in 2021: the vision of Skeletoon’s Tomi Fooler was to put together a trio of commanding metal singers in the vein of the legendary Three Tenors and pay homage to the rich Italian cultural heritage. Rhapsody Of Fire’s Giacomo Voli and former Vision Divine/Derdian’s Ivan Giannini soon joined him, forming this magic entity. Catchy power metal melodies wrapped in an operatic music style; classic orchestral arrangements meet bombastic cinematic patterns, resulting in a wonderful choral result.
The 7th Guild - Holy Land (Lyric Video)
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Slaughtersun - What type of violin makes such death metal?!
Slaughtersun
Black Marrow
10 January 2025
There once was a little boy named Benjamin Karas. He lived in Montclair, New Jersey, U.S. He practiced the violin day and night. In 2010 he received a telegraph to join the melodic black metal band Windfaerer, from New Jersey, and to this day Ben plays violin with that band. Then, a funny thing happened in 2013. The mailman brought him another telegraph to join the prog jazz band Thank You Scientist, also from New Jersey. A crazy thought popped into Ben's head. It was something strange. He kept asking himself this question: "How would death metal sound if my violin eliminates the guitar?" Up until that point, in the other bands there are guitarists, and Ben was thinking about making his violin take the place of the guitar.
So, this band has no guitars and what sounds like guitar is actually a violin. What type of violin? What type of strings? I do not know. The music is a type of prog-tech death, but not excessively so. It does sound different with the violin, but not strangely so, if that makes sense. If there were no information available about the band, and I just listened to the music, I really don't think I would have noticed consciously that it is a type of violin, and not a guitar. I have a confession: I did listen to this recording many times while at the gym and I had not read the information about them. Therefore, I am telling you that I was not smart enough to detect the violin. I had only noticed that I liked the smooth or fluttering rhythm of the "guitar" and I kept coming back to it to figure it out. Well, in fact, I never did figure it. It was only when I read the information about the band that I finally realized that it is a violin in this headbanging death metal band.
https://www.facebook.com/slaughtersunnj
https://slaughtersunnj.bandcamp.com/album/black-marrow-ep
Monday, January 6, 2025
BRAINSTORM - Garuda (Eater Of Snakes) (official music video)
The 14th (!!) studio album from Brainstorm (1989-present) is already rolling down the pipeline for a late February release. Do fans of traditional heavy metal here in Washington State like this band? Either way, friend, how's about getting in on the sound of the German veterans of the craft? Below is the release and track information for the album.
Here is the video for the second song on the album, "Garuda." The song deals with a deity of Hinduism. Assuming that perhaps you, as I, are not particularly knowledgeable about this type of legends, mythology, religion and history, here's what Wikipedia says, as a very general introduction, "Garuda is a Hindu deity who is primarily depicted as the mount (vahana) of the Hindu god Vishnu. This divine creature is mentioned in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain faiths. Garuda is also the half-brother of the Devas, Gandharvas, Daityas, Danavas, Nāgas, Vanara and Yakshas. He is the son of the sage Kashyapa and Vinata. He is the younger brother of Aruna, the charioteer of the Sun. Garuda is mentioned in several other texts such as the Puranas and the Vedas. Garuda is described as the king of the birds and a kite-like figure. He is shown either in a zoomorphic form (a giant bird with partially open wings) or an anthropomorphic form (a man with wings and some ornithic features). Garuda is generally portrayed as a protector with the power to swiftly travel anywhere, ever vigilant and an enemy of every serpent. He is also known as Tarkshya and Vainateya. Garuda is a part of state insignia of India, Indonesia and Thailand. Both Indonesia and Thailand has Garuda as their coat of arms, the Indian Army uses the Garuda on their Guards Brigade Regimental Insignia. The Indian Air Force named their special operations unit after him as the Garud Commando Force. It is often associated with the Greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius)."
Just for fun and information, below are a couple of old songs from Brainstorm, just in case that they are new to you. Taken together, these three songs provide a good illustration of the general sound of the band. FYI, if you like what you hear, and while you wait for the new album to arrive, you would like to dive into one of their old albums, I recommend Soul Temptation (2003), an album that generally is considered one of their most successful with the fans.
Brainstorm
Plague Of Rats
Reigning Phoenix Music
28 February 2025
1. Beyond Enemy Lines
2. Garuda (Eater of Snakes)
3. False Memories
4. The Shepherd Girl (Gitavoginda)
5. Your Soul That Lingers in Me
6. Masquerade Conspiracy
7. From Hell
8. The Dark of Night
9. Crawling
10. Celebrate Youth (Rick Springfield cover)
11. Curtains Fall
BRAINSTORM - Garuda (Eater Of Snakes) (Official Music Video)
Brainstorm - Highs Without Lows
BRAINSTORM - 'All Those Words'
https://www.facebook.com/officialbrainstorm
Noctumbalist - Holland has been cooking up some of that blackgaze post-black metal
About a month from now Dutch "post-black metal" band Noctambulist (2016-present) will release their second full-length. Watch this video and see if you are interested in the sound of "post-black metal" or "blackgaze," as expounded by this band. This video is representative of what the entire album sounds like: a type of depressive and melancholic split-personality sound where hoarse vocals and loud guitars meet up with soft melodies and singing. Part of it sounds a bit more intense, while the other part sounds like what people in this part of the world (here, in the Seattle region, Washington State, U.S.) sometimes call "alternative" music, I think. I am not qualified to write much about that stuff (alternative, indie, grunge or whatever that music is called) because I don't like anything about it, but I am not talking about genres in general, but rather Noctumbalist, the Dutch band. So, this is Noctumbalist. Listen for yourself and see what you think.
Noctambulist
Noctambulist II: De Droom
These Hands Melt
7 February 2025
Noctambulist - Lichteter [official music video]
Noctambulist II: De Droom
by Noctambulist
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Impending Doom - new music video
I just found out about this video. It is a new video from the American deathcore band Impending Doom (2005-present). They have six albums and two EPs before this new that is coming up in a month.
Impending Doom
Towards the Light
February 7th, 2025
1. Christ Is King
2. Punishment
3. Towards the Light
4. Snakes and Saints
5. Will You See God?
CHRIST IS KING | PUNISHMENT
https://www.facebook.com/impendingdoom
Thy Kingdom Will Burn - two music videos from the Finnish melodic death metal band
Before the 17th of January, 2025, the release date of the full album, titled The Loss And Redemption, from Finnish melodic death metal band Thy Kingdom Will Burn, hear what they sound like with these videos. Featuring a non-sense, straighforward approach to songwriting, expect the band to stay on point. This will be their third album since 2016, when they started, according to Metal Archives. I have been listening to the album and the band is careful to keep up the same quality and characteristics throughout the album. There are no unpleasant surprises. If you like these songs, then it's very likely that you will enjoy the whole album. Sometimes there is some melodic singing, but mostly it is this type of shouted vocals, and always with these type of melodies, often associated with Finnish bands.
THY KINGDOM WILL BURN
The Loss And Redemption
Scarlet Records
17 January 2025
Perpetual Void 5:55
Obscure Existence 4:25
Martyrs Of Killing Floor 4:46
Forever In Dark 4:29
Escape From Solitude 4:44
Suffering Sky 5:40
They Have Come 4:04
Dreams Of Calamity 3:56
To End Of Times 4:56
Sydänyö 5:45
THY KINGDOM WILL BURN
Sami Kujala - vocals, guitar
Esa Virén - guitar
Janne Ruuskanen - bass
Lauri Virén - drums
Thy Kingdom Will Burn - Obscure Existence (Official Video)
THY KINGDOM WILL BURN - Perpetual Void (Official Video)
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Hyperstrike - introducing a new heavy metal band from the Seattle area
It looks like so far there is only one song to hear from this Seattle area band. Frankly, I just found out about this band very recently, like maybe this week or sometime last week. It seems like they have been hiding, working, preparing to turn loose this music. Whatever the case may be, they have a song as an example of their sound: fast, traditional heavy metal. Given my igoranace of this band, check out the official hype and propaganda about them. Now you know as much as I know. You may recognize the names of some of the other bands that they are or have been associated with. If you like the song, feel free to jump on this bandwagon and see where the ride goes. I'm liking this song and would like to hear more.
BIO: Born in the Blade, forged in chaos—Hyperstrike is Seattle's action metal war machine. Founded in 2024 by bass-slapping juggernaut Ben "Chop Daddy" Bennett, this band doesn’t play music; they drop sonic bombs. With a shadowy past tearing through thrash titans Warbringer and Bonded by Blood, and reigning as the "Lord of the Low End" in sci-fi shredders Xoth, Bennett knew exactly what kind of beast he was building. First, he wrangled in Ilya, the shredder known as "The Claw," an assassin with riffs sharper than steel. Then came Adon, the "Brain Lord"—a maniacal force spitting venomous truths, carrying the fire from his days in Ghost Ship Octavius and the twisted depths of Spiritual Suicide. Together, they built a soundtrack for the end of the world: songs about nuclear meltdowns, cage fighters, and kings of the slain.
The final weapon in their arsenal? Josh, a drum-detonating powerhouse known as "Goblin Hammer," whose percussive assault forged their chaos into a relentless onslaught. Hyperstrike is a raw, unfiltered force with hearts of steel and a taste for mania. No apologies. No survivors. Just unrelenting aggression. Brace for impact—because once the trigger drops, nothing will ever be the same.
Line-Up:
Ben (Chop Daddy) Bennett - Speed Chopper Bass.
Adon (Brain Lord) Fanion - Maniacal Pyro Vocals.
Ilya (Siberian Claw) Ignatov - Elite Assassin Shred Guitar.
Josh (Goblin Hammer) Hoffman - Master Drum Blaster.
https://www.facebook.com/hyperstrikeband
Days of Jupiter - three videos from melodic band's upcoming album "The World Was Never Enough"
Here are two videos from the Swedish melodic band Days of Jupiter, which is a new band to me (living under a rock, much?!), but in reality they have been active since 2010 and this will be their fifth album. The new album is called "The World Was Never Enough" and it is scheduled for the 7th of February, 2025. A word about the two videos. The first song "The Fix" is a good representation of their classic-style, melodic sound, what I sometimes call "adult contemporary metal," meaning that it sounds like parents or mature metal music or the opposite of low-IQ, gimmicky, fake-persona, shock-value and dumb-brain-lyrics metal music. This first song is a good representation of everything that you will get on the album. Now, about the second video. It is a ballad, which is not a good representation of their sound, but it is, as you already know, another aspect to their personality. Traditional classic-rock metal bands like to include a ballad or two, and Days of Jupiter follows such a tradition. Having said all that, I have a question for you: Are you interested in some sing-along music? Be careful, though, the lyrics to the second song, "Desolation," are not exactly cheerful. The music is soft, but the song is emotionally heavy.
The last video is for the song "Original Sin," another rather representative track from the band. This song will open the album. Check the music of Days of Jupiter, February 7th will be here in no time.
Days of Jupiter
The World Was Never Enough
Reigning Phoenix Music
7 February 2025
Original Sin 4:04
The World Was Never Enough 4:07
Machine 4:13
Desolation 3:52
The Fix 4:30
Parazite 5:07
My Heaven My Hell 4:32
Denial 4:34
Ignite 4:22
Invincible 4:57
BIO: "Hailing from Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, DAYS OF JUPITER formed in 2010 with a vision of creating modern metal with powerful melodies and meaningful lyrics. Over the years, they have released four critically acclaimed albums: Secrets Brought to Life (2012), Only Ashes Remain (2015), New Awakening (2017), and Panoptical (2018). With their distinctive sound and electrifying live performances, the band has toured extensively across Europe, captivating audiences in Germany, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Finland, and Estonia. Now, with The World Was Never Enough, DAYS OF JUPITER embarks on the next chapter of their remarkable journey."
DAYS OF JUPITER - The Fix (Official Music Video)
DAYS OF JUPITER - Desolation (Official Music Video)
DAYS OF JUPITER - Original Sin (Official Music Video)
https://www.facebook.com/DaysOfJupiterOfficial
Friday, January 3, 2025
Caressing Misery - Did someone finally do gothic metal right?!
I failed to tell you about this album that came out at the end of 2024. I meant to tell you about it, but I was hoping to write a real review. You know how it is, between work and family life, sometimes things don't get done.
Nevertheless, there is one particular reason why this album might be interesting to you: it is gothic metal. That genre is a bit like a porcupine. It's not always clear how to approach it. Often gothic metal vocalists sound so fake, with their exaggerated voices of Elvis-Don Juan that it seems just too much like a fake persona of a vampire. Or, sometimes the lyrics are just too plain stupid.
Well, I still don't have the lyrics for this album, so I have no idea if they are particularly low-IQ, but from what I can understand, the lyrics seem alright. Again, I cannot really confirm that statement, but I am not getting the feeling that the lyrics are awful, particularly immature or just too dumb to consider as a listening option.
There are some growling vocals, which I could do without because the hoarse screaming, in my worthless opinion, adds nothing to the music, as the gothic male singing sounds pretty good all by itself, and farm-animal noises are not necessary here. Good news: the screaming is used very little.
Despite my reservations because I do not have all the information that I need in order to make a real assessment, I think the album does sound good, it feels like a good listening experience. When gothic metal is done right, it is a fun listening experience and it is pleasant music, a nice change of pace compared to the usual barrage of noise and speed that lots of metal music is.
Check it out and see if you are ready for this gothic metal.
Caressing Misery
Lost and Serene
The Circle Music
12 December 2024
(gothic metal)
Pentacle - Vic Records reissue of "Archaic Undead" Fury EP
Pentacle (Holland) is a death metal band that began in 1989. They have an interesting discography, the vast majority of which I have on CDs and tapes. In terms of death metal, this is a sound that I like a lot. Fans of classic death metal might like to know that Vic Records in 2024 reissued the EP called Archaic Undead Fury from 2005. Below is the Vic Records link in case you would like learn more this reissue.
By the way, the band is still active today and continues to make classic-style death metal. They are not a band that was active only in the 1980s or 1990s. To show you more about the band's motivation for their music, below is an excerpt from an old interview from 2015. I am not sure about the name of the person that interviewed them for a publication that seemed to be called Metal Warfare. It's not an interview that I did with them (although I have published a Metal Bulletin Zine interview that I did with them in the early days of this zine). However, I do like this excerpt because it explains their thinking and it may interest some readers that are supporters of death metal.
"When both Mike and I (Wannes Gubbels)formed the band in 1989 it was obvious we would appeal only to a selected audience. One of the reasons why Pentacle was formed/developed was to ‘counter’ the second wave of Death Metal in the sense we wanted to pay homage to the originators of the scene: Venom, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Possessed, Messiah, Slaughter (CAN), Necrophagia, Deathstrike/Master, Necrovore, Mantas/Death, Bathory, Poison (GER), Repulsion, Samhain/DesExult, Mefisto, Mutilated etc. We loved releases like ‘Consuming Impulse’, ‘Left Hand Path’, ‘Slowly We Rot’, ‘Severed Survival’, ‘Lost Paradise’, ‘Realm of Chaos’, ‘Soulside Journey’, ‘Altars of Madness’, ‘Dawn of Possession’ etc and still do, but we didn’t like the attitude of a big part of the scene which mocked the old bands, because they weren’t extreme enough (anymore) and only enjoyed the new ones. It felt like treachery to me and we weren’t interested to copy these new bands, so we decided to carry the spirit of the old guard with us. So, when the scene develops one way and you decide to go the other way... Well, it does has its consequences, yet I never felt any animosity because of our direction. People respected our sound because it was genuine from the heart and we weren’t trying to sound like the new Morbid Angel or Death, you know. They knew/felt Pentacle was an honest band and if they enjoyed it, that’s another case, but they couldn’t accuse us of follow the trend, right? Straight from the beginning we started playing cover tunes from bands like Hellhammer, Celtic Frost and Slaughter, so people knew what to expect from us. Our image made it clear we held the torch of the old bands high, so no shorts or sneakers on stage. Though the second wave of Black Metal was coming up as well, few Death Metal bands followed the path we did, so yes, we were an exception. But the choice was a very deliberate one and I still feel proud of it! Yes, our audience was different from the usual Death Metal crowd. I think we were still aggressive and intense to keep our ground related to more ‘common’ Death Metal bands, but when you start playing songs like ‘Messiah’ or ‘Tales of the Macabre’...not everyone will enjoy such primitive tracks. They are truly a blast from the past, eh? When I think of it, people who enjoyed Pentacle were often those who enjoyed the old bands as well. It was not the regular Morbid Angel crowd, but often old timers who thought it was great to see and hear a band somehow connected to their old faves and heroes or younger fans who developed a taste for the old ones as well."
BLOODLINES - "Psalm Of The Depths" official music video
If I had my act together, I should have shared this video months ago! Bloodlines is a metalcore band from Texas. They feature a pretty melodic and heavy style, with a Christian message, and they are part of Facedown Records. This EP apparently was out back on July 26th, 2024. Like I say, I am super late on this one, but if you like metalcore with a positive message, maybe this band is interesting to you. The EP is called Holiness Cries. YouTube seems to have just about all the information that you might need to grab a copy of this EP.
BLOODLINES - "Psalm Of The Depths" Official Music Video
DRAGONKNIGHT - The Legions Of Immortal Dragonlords (Official Video)
A new neosymphonic power metal entity has taken shape in Finland. At this moment the record company is not releasing too much information as to who the members of this project or band are, except that the vocals are by Mikael Salo, who Metal Archives shows having a few bands for which that website right now does not have too much information. Anyway, given that I barely know how to use this old computer from the previous century, I'm sure that you, with your knowledge of the computers and websites and such things, can probably find out more than I can-care to find out at this moment. I'm just giving you the informaiton that the record company has given me, which is not much. Be all that as it may, if you like neosymphonic, happy, feel-good rock music, then I think you might really enjoy this band. Sing along or tap your foot to the happy melodies, either way the band wants you to have a good time with their music. I have been listening to the entire album, and these songs are pretty good representations of what the album will be like: happy melodies and lots of singing.
DRAGONKNIGHT
Legions
Scarlet Records
17 January 2025
Through Sea And Fire 2:34
The Legions Of Immortal Dragonlords 4:58
The Imperator 4:41
Pirates Bloody Pirates! 4:22
Defender Of Dragons 5:30
Storm Bringer 5:00
Astarte Rise 4:57
Dead Kings In The Grave 4:23
Sword Of The Northern Lights 4:18
The Revelation 3:17
Return To Atlantis 6:54
DRAGONKNIGHT - The Legions Of Immortal Dragonlords (Official Video)
DRAGONKNIGHT - The Imperator (Lyric Video)
Frostnatt - the Ural Mountains are alive with the sound of music
Frostnatt
Den Evige Vinters Rike
December 25th, 2024
Here, when you drive around this area, from Everett to Arlington, the winter has brought the usual rain, winds and storms, and lots of tree branches, some small and some bigger, on the wet ground. The labor of clearing the branches takes some time, and while I was doing that work I was listening, thinking about the most recent recording by this project right here, Frostnatt (Russia), and how different it sounds from the eight previous releases (6 EPs and 2 albums) of winter-obsessed instrumental black metal since 2019. The most recent is this seventh EP, which carries out a major turn towards a new direction. Whereas before, speaking in general terms, I would write that the music is melodic, memorable and uptempo, and rather easy to enjoy for audiences that like much melodic guitar, and especially if instrumental music is appreciated. The new direction means melancholic melodies that are more pronounced and extended, and the pace of the music is midtempo cinematic. The drumming, which used to be, broadly speaking, fast, is now, as Frostnatt calls it, orchestral. Consequently, the music has transformed into an epic sound, where black metal, folk, films core and melancholy have been subsumed into a renewed Frostnatt.
This all got me thinking, what has happened with Frostnatt and the change in musical direction? First of all, let's tackle the issue of the drumming style. Previously, the music featured programmed prototypical black metal drumming, and now that style is gone. It has been replaced by what Frostnatt called "orchestral" drumming: big, epic, midtempo drum patterns. I asked Alex Evensen, the man behind, Frostnatt, "Do you use only real percussions on the new recording? I saw the pictures on Facebook, pictures of the drums." He is in the process of reimagining the drumming. So far, at this point, he explains, "This is the first recording where real/live instruments are more than VST (virtual studio technology) ones. Kick/bass drum, tambourine, and shaker were recorded by me. Also, I wanted to record toms and some kind of frame drums, but I'm still looking for good ones to buy that will fit my music. Besides drums, of course I recorded guitars and bass, but the most important and really new instrument for me was the tagelharpa. I was planning to buy it even in 2022, but some world events changed my plans. And the last instrument I want to say is the ocarina, which was VST, but I already found a real analog and am going to buy it. I think you will hear it on my next release."
While he makes the new music, does he still depend on programmed drumming? "Yes, I do. Those were toms, frame drums, and some percussion elements like a triangle that you can hear at the beginning of each tune/riff’s repeats. But as I said before, I have plans to ‘fix’ it and record real instruments that I am looking for at this moment. I hope I will do it on my next release." The new style of drumming had me wondering as to where the ideas for change came from. Was there some specific inspiration? "To be honest, there was no inspiration. Just in one moment I got a thought: 'What if I play my riffs with orchestral percussion?'. After that I made a track, 'Overvintre', from the EP 'Den Russiske Tomheten' which I released in 2020. Currently, this EP is one of Frostnatt's most listened-to releases or even the first. At least the track 'Dødelig Frost' has more plays on Spotify than other tracks."
I wondered what role folk has played in this vision. I also wonder how it all fits with black metal. There have been hints of this change in previous recordings, but it was not as developed as it is at this point. Does folk have any bearing on the musical changes taking place? Alex is not sure that such an explanation is accurate, though. "Of course, I listen to folk music. Heilung, for example. But the first time, as I said, it was just an idea without any inspiration or something like that. But there was a next step that I did. At 'Den Russiske Tomheten' and 'Det Kommer Til Å Bli Kaldt' I used mostly orchestral instruments, but starting from 'I Det Høye Nord» I used more folk percussion than orchestral. And maybe at this step there was some influence on me from folk music, but I can't say that for sure. When I did it the first time, yes, it was difficult, but I quickly understood what I had to do. So I did it as I could. It was not perfect, but not bad. Let's imagine that I am going to rerecord 'Den Russiske Tomheten'. I think I would redo most of the percussion using my new experience and skills."
Maybe making so much black metal with the traditional drumming patterns, in quick succession since 2019, has begun to make him feel like he has been visiting that well too much. It could be some type of black metal fatigue, like being tired of black metal? "No, I am not tired, but I play instrumental music, and I think if I delete something, I mean vocals, that I have to bring something, and this something is not usual drums for this genre. My old works sound like 'Someone deleted vocals from black metal', and it’s ok that someone can think so, but my fresh works with new drums I think are original and just do not need any vocals."
To me, the new music sounds more cinematic, and to some extent, Alex agrees, "I think I can say yes, I am moving in that direction. I mean, I don’t want to make music for a movie; I mean, I want to take some elements from it and bring it to my music." On the other hand, it's not logical to think that one knows beforehand what roads Frostnatt music will take between now and another five years. If 2024 found Frostnatt ready to take the music towards different horizons within the first five years, who knows what the music will sound five or ten years from now? At any rate, I have been listening to the most recent EP 'Den Evige Vinters Rike' that came out at the end of 2024 and have taken an interest in the new sound.
Alright, well, I think I better get back to clearing those tree branches. It's another cold, wet day here and those branches will not clear themselves. I just need to find my headphones and put some Frostnatt on and get back to work.
https://frostnatt.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/frostnattofficial/
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Exiled Hope and Steel Forge - alchemy from coast to coast
Exiled Hope/Steel Forge
Realm of the Exiled
10 January 2025
In melding the identities of both Exiled Hope (U.S.) and Steel Forge (U.K.), the two entities converge into a new neosymphonic heaviness on this collaboration. This is not a split recording. While the music of Exiled Hope, the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Sofía Lee Frasz (Maryland, U.S.), tends to lean in the direction of melodic and atmospheric gothic, Steel Forge (Liverpool, Merseyside, England) at this point in their career, up until this point has gone for a do-it-yourself raw, horror heaviness. The first thing that struck me about the recording was the production. The production is the best one yet from both bands. They have been laboring in the underground making DIY recordings, but this one right here, in my view, is a solid step up in sound quality. It immediately felt better to my ears when I first heard it.
What is the result of the alchemy of Exiled Hope and Steel Forge? Besides the clearer production, the new creation, I would say, is a melodic heaviness with extreme vocals, generally speaking. While the midtempo and Sofía’s melodic singing in "Beyond the Veil" is on the more mellow, atmospheric side, there is lots of the heavier side achieved through the other songs' more uptempo feel and the use of extreme vocals. The results speak for themselves, Exiled Hope in general is not this heavy, does not use this much guitar melodies and does not use growling vocals as its main voice, and Steel Forge by itself has not achieved this level of elegance in its sound, has not used keyboards for a gothic or atmospheric identity, and does not use singing. While Exiled Hope wrote the majority of the music and Steel Forge wrote the majority of the lyrics, it took both of their efforts in order to execute. According to Metal Archives, Exiled Hope has been active only since 2019, and Steel Forge since 2015; therefore, we are really in the early stages of seeing what both of these bands will be achieving in the future.
In my opinion, Exiled Hope's singing and growling on this collaboration is the best so far, and the production for Steel Forge here is the best so far, and the guitar melodies is also a nice improvement. For all these reasons, fans looking for up-and-coming, newer music, set your compass for this collaboration.
Realm Of The Exiled
by Steel Forge/Exiled Hope
https://exiledhope.bandcamp.com
https://steelforge1.bandcamp.com
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Fleshbore - three songs available now from technical extreme band
Feast your eyes on the sheer lunacy of Fleshbore, friend! Remember to bring your abacus to this barbecue, because the blasting speeds, complexity, time changes and dexterity are enough to make a calculus professor boogie up and down the line. Actually, grab a cup of coffee, no, make that three cups, one for you and two for me because I need to wake up for this music. Besides the guitar pyrotechnics, and technical-progressive craftmanship, the vocals are both a lower growling and raspy screeching, perfect for that double-personality feeling at the therapist’s office. According to Metal Archives, the band has been active since 2017 and this will be their second album. I think I'm going to show this album to the calculus professor from Azkaban that I met at the dungeons and dragons dinner party last week. Thank you, Fleshbore, the calculus professor will be pleased to know that you exist, in Indiana, of all places. Who would have thought that Indiana and Azkaban could be so close and united!
Listen to three songs from the album Painted Paradise coming out on January 24th, 2025.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Arka'n Asrafokor - folk 'n' groove from Togo
Arka'n Asrafokor
Dzikkuh
July 19 2024
The ten songs in 45 minutes by this band from Togo, in western Africa, herald further steps their in bounce-and-mosh interpretation of folk'n'groove that they officially began in 2019, when some audiences noticed their debut album Zã Keli. This 2024 sophomore work takes grooving heavy rhythms and puts them in a variety of tempos, vocals and percussions for an active, energetic production. The main rhythms work with mosh pit or physical motion vibes, making the music fun that way. Don't sit still, the band would prefer that the audience stand up and dance, mosh or move in some way. Fortunately, given that moshing or chugging grooves could eventually wear out their welcome, if they get boring and repetitive, the band does a good job of spicing up the songwriting. One way that audiences are kept on their toes are the percussive beats besides the regular, normal drumming. Of course, you will feel the expected barrage-attack drumming, but there are additional percussion sounds taking place that are new for the listeners. For example, there is percussion accompanying the usual hard drumming throughout the album, adding a fun, cheerful element to the ground-and-pound drumming. Another aspect that really adds personality to the music is the use of multiple vocal styles. The growl-scream that is so common can get old real fast, especially when there is very little personality and it just sounds like "some fat guy shouting from the belly." I certainly don't like generic "fat beer-belly dude-shouting" vocals, especially if that is all there is. Here, in contrast, there is melodic singing, and other melodic vocals to go with the normal shouting. There are some smaller things going on, like some rapping in some segments, although it is more like "sing-rap," if you will. Morever, check out the guitar melodies going on, too, so it is not all just chugga, chugga, chugging along. Sometimes they hit some thrashy riffs, and at other times they break out some leads or melodic licks. Overall, audiences will detect fun or catchy aspects to the album, upbeat vibes, and also good grooves for physical motion for when it's time get off your chair and get moving.
ARKA'N ASRAFOKOR - Final Tournament (Official Music Video)
ARKA'N ASRAFOKOR - Walk With Us (Official Music Video)
ARKA'N ASRAFOKOR - The Truth (Official Lyric Video)
ARKA'N ASRAFOKOR - Angry God Of Earth (Official Visualizer Video)
https://www.facebook.com/arkanasrafokor
Sunday, December 29, 2024
InnerWish - some videos from the 2024 album Ash of Eternal Flame
I missed the boat on this album. I was listening to the music and was thinking that the songwriting quality and production is good. I do not remember being too familiar with their music. It turns out that their album Ash of Eternal Flame released on November 8th, 2024 is their sixth album. According to Metal Archives, they actually began in 1995 in Greece! They have released albums in 1998, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2016 and 2024. Therefore, I am wondering if other supporters of melodic bands might enjoy this band. In my opinion, the songs are memorable. I think audiences that like singing and rocking songs may like it, too, but of course you never know. If that is the case, maybe start with these videos and see what you think. Perhaps you might be pleasantly surprised!
INNERWISH - Higher (Official Music Video)
INNERWISH - Sea of Lies (feat. Hansi Kürsch) (Official Music Video)
INNERWISH - Soul Asunder (Official Lyric Video)
INNERWISH - Cult Of The Blind (Official Visualizer Video)
https://www.facebook.com/innerwishofficial/
Ex Deo - Roman Empire-themed neosymphonic extreme metal
Ex Deo
Year of the Four Emperors
Reigning Phoenix Music
10 January 2025
In their early days the Canadian band Kataklysm (1991-present) was impossibly fast, brutal death grind with the deranged growling of Sylvain Houde (from 1991 to 1998), like on their 1992 demo or their blazing 1993 EP, which are unhinged exercises in the extremity of the time. After three demos, two EPs and four albums, album number five, in 2001 Epic (The Poetry of War) saw them keeping the speed and heaviness, but by that time they had hit upon a more melodic approach, while still retaining extreme drumming, blasting, heavy riffing, and vocals, now done by bassist Maurizio Iacono. That particular album also had Roman Empire-themed lyrics, probably influenced by the tremendously successful 2000 movie Gladiator. Striking while the iron was hot, the band had another album in 2002 called Shadows & Dust, which begins with a speech from the movie Gladiator. This was a productive period for the band, as they also had albums in 2004 and 2006. They have continued putting out albums in regularly throughout their history, even nowadays, but it does seem like around that time they were making albums at a faster pace.
Anyway, in 2009 Kataklysm vocalist Maurizio Iacono came out with a new solo project called Ex Deo, a Roman Empire-themed neosymphonic, melodic extreme sound, as if to say that, for him, the topics of the Roman Empire had not been exhausted and wanted to do more in that direction. Fast forward to 2025 and this EP right here. The EP comes after four previous albums, continuing their established sound. Nowadays the solo project has become a second band for the members of Kataklysm, given that all the members of Kataklysm also work on Ex Deo. Lyrically, the title "Year of the Four Emperors" is a reference to the year 69 AD, with governors and military commanders seeking to become the top-dog dictator, only to be overthrown by an equally violent, greedy and corrupt top-dog in succession (hence the name of the four songs): Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian. The EP continues with the formula of Ex Deo: neosymphonic, catchy, groove-oriented pompous extreme metal.
If you are a student of history or if you have an interest in the history of the early Roman Empire, maybe read this brief Wikipedia summary for the context of the power struggles between these aspiring dictators to be recognized as all-powerful emperors.
"The Year of the Four Emperors, AD 69, was the first civil war of the Roman Empire, during which four emperors ruled in succession: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. It is considered an important interval, marking the transition from the Julio-Claudians, the first imperial dynasty, to the Flavian dynasty. The period witnessed several rebellions and claimants, with shifting allegiances and widespread turmoil in Rome and the provinces.
In 68, Vindex, legate of Gallia Lugdunensis, revolted against Nero and encouraged Galba, governor of Hispania, to claim the Empire. The latter was proclaimed emperor by his legion in early April. He was notably supported by Otho, legate of Lusitania. Soon after, the legate of a legion in Africa, Clodius Macer, also rebelled against Nero. Vindex was defeated by the Rhine legions at the Battle of Vesontio, but they too rebelled against Nero. Finally, on 9 June 68, Nero took his own life after being declared a public enemy by the Senate, which made Galba the new emperor. However, Galba was unable to establish his authority over the Empire, as several of his supporters were disappointed by his lack of gratitude. He especially adopted Piso Licinianus as heir (Galba was childless and elderly), instead of Otho, who, it had widely been assumed, would be chosen. Angered by this disgrace, Otho murdered Galba on 15 January with the help of the Praetorian Guard, and became emperor instead. Unlike Galba, he rapidly earned considerable popularity, notably by bestowing favours and emulating Nero's successful early years.
Otho still had to face another claimant, Vitellius, who had been acclaimed by the legions of the Rhine on 1 January 69. Vitellius won the First Battle of Bedriacum on 14 April, defeating the emperor. Otho took his own life the next day, and Vitellius was appointed emperor by the Senate on 19 April. The new emperor had little support outside of his veterans from the German legions, though. When Vespasian, legate of Syria, made his bid known, he received the allegiance of the legions of the Danube as well as many former supporters of Galba and Otho. After his acclamation in Alexandria on 1 July, Vespasian sent his friend Mucianus with a part of his army to fight Vitellius, but the Danubian legions commanded by Antonius Primus had not waited for Mucianus and defeated Vitellius' legions at the Second Battle of Bedriacum on 24 October. Vitellius was subsequently killed by a mob on 20 December. Mucianus arrived several days after and swiftly secured Vespasian's position in Rome (Primus had acted independently from him).
The death of Vitellius did not end the civil war, as the Rhine legions still rejected the rule of Vespasian and the new Flavian dynasty. Some Batavi provincials led by Civilis had fought them since Vitellius' acclamation. In 70, the new regime finally won the legions' surrender after negotiations, mainly because they lacked an alternative to Vespasian. Later, the new regime distorted the events—especially through the writings of the historian Tacitus—in order to remove the embarrassment of having relied on the Batavi to fight Roman legions. The Batavi were therefore said to have revolted against Rome, and the events dubbed the Revolt of the Batavi."
EX DEO - Vespasian (Official Lyric Video)
https://www.facebook.com/exdeo
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