Sunday, November 30, 2014
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Metal Shop metal music show is ON right NOW!!
Metal Shop metal music show is ON right NOW!!
listen live here
http://kisw.com
all-request show right now
Seattle
if you missed it: favorite metal in 2014, by Void Ritual
favorite metal in 2014, by Void Ritual
Daniel Jackson is the person behind black metal entity VOID RITUAL from New Mexico, U.S. Metal Bulletin Zine asked Daniel about his favorite metal in 2014, and this was his response, but before his response, this is Metal Bulletin Zine’s views on Void Ritual’s 2014 EP.
Void Ritual (U.S.): Holodomor (Tridroid Records)
The grim, necro black metal of Void Ritual is fast, intense worship of “Transylvanian Hunger” and “Pure Holocaust.” The throat-destroying screaming and tremolo-is-king guitar playing is surprisingly catchy cave art and is the work of one “Daniel Jackson,” the person behind other entities like Ancestral Oath and Daemonus, according to Metal Archives. Even after hearing this three-song EP about a million times, the charm does not wear off, a good sign if you can’t get enough black metal. (By the way, “Daniel” has told this zine that he does/play everything, except the drumming, which is programmed).
www.voidritual.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/voidritual
Here is Daniel’s answer.
Perhaps because I released an EP myself this year, I’m a bit more prone to enjoying or wanting to highlight metal releases from this year that are shorter in length. Perhaps it’s a self-serving point of view, but I find that especially in this digital-centric chapter in music history, the EP as a format makes more sense than ever. It’s a great way to avoid filler and you can maintain a more consistent stream of releases rather than having longer releases with longer gaps in between. There have been a number of great EPs this year, and while these are my five favorites, they’re by no means the only worthwhile EPs released in 2014.
Bölzer - Soma
A lot of folks are talking about Bölzer, and understandably so. They’re forging a unique musical path in a death metal scene that either seems obsessed with nostalgia or hyper-technicality and note-heavy noodling. You can read up on the non-musical issues that people have brought up about the band and come to your own decisions on that, but focusing on Bölzer’s music, it’s some of the most interesting extreme metal happening right now.
Purchase Bölzer - Soma
https://invictusproductions666.bandcamp.com/album/soma
Castle Freak - Still Rotting
I mentioned death metal’s obsession with nostalgia when writing about Bölzer, but that doesn’t mean I’m necessarily opposed to nostalgia minded bands. Castle Freak is a great example of a band that’s stuck in the past in the best way possible. There’s no reason you shouldn’t listen to these guys if you’re a fan of Repulsion’s Horrified. As far as old school death metal goes, it looks back further than most for its influences in that it’s like a blend of that Repulsion/Autopsy style stuff along with riffs that would feel at home on later era Darkthrone stuff, meaning the more punk/crust side of things rather than the 90s black metal material.
Purchase Castle Freak - Still Rotting
https://tridroid.bandcamp.com/album/still-rotting
Chainbreaker - Constant Graving
This is just infectious, catchy heavy metal. It’s got a nice layer of filth on top of it, so if you’re into what Midnight has been doing with their Venom/Motörhead blending; you should enjoy the hell out of this. For someone like me who spends a lot of time listening to the more extreme end of things, it’s good to crack open a beer or six and remember that metal used to be and still can be a lot of fun.
Purchase Chainbreaker - Constant Graving
https://chainbreakercan.bandcamp.com/album/constant-graving
Predatory Light - MMXIV
Perhaps I’m partial to them because they’re based out of Santa Fe, near my hometown here in Albuquerque, NM, but I think the music speaks for itself. It’s an interesting blend eastern melodies, doom, and warped, disorienting tremolo black metal riffing. I saw these guys live with Thou and Cloud Rat earlier this year and they were excellent in a live environment as well. They’re exploring some interesting territory, so this is a group to look out for in the future.
Purchase Predatory Light - MMXIV
https://predatorylight.bandcamp.com
Yellow Eyes - Stillicide
This is a very late entry as it’s only just coming out on November 28th, but it’s definitely worth going out of your way to hear. This is black metal that fluctuates between both 90s second wave black metal atmosphere and the twisting longer form riffs that have become more common in black metal in 2014. If you’re someone like me who loves the newest Blut Aus Nord album, this should absolutely be in your wheelhouse.
Purchase Yellow Eyes - Stillicide (Available 28/11/2014)
https://yelloweyes.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide
Washington state grind THE DRIP shows in Everett and Richland
THE DRIP plays in Everett, WA Dec 6
https://www.facebook.com/thedripgrind/app_123966167614127 …
shows in Richland, WA; Dec. 5 and 19
https://www.facebook.com/thedripgrind
traditional heavy metal: WRETCH (Ohio, U.S.): "Warriors" album Track Preview
https://www.facebook.com/WRETCHMETAL
ABOUT
"WRETCH is a U.S. Power Metal band from Cleveland, Ohio, with origins that go back to the mid-80s. Our major musical influences are in the vein of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dio & Helloween. WRETCH's music features strong melodic elements, clean vocals and twin lead guitars for harmonies and dueling leads. The lyrical element of our songs tends to run along the lines of Dio and Black Sabbath, with subject matter focusing on the struggle between good and evil, fantasy, magic and the human condition.
ABOUT
"WRETCH is a U.S. Power Metal band from Cleveland, Ohio, with origins that go back to the mid-80s. Our major musical influences are in the vein of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dio & Helloween. WRETCH's music features strong melodic elements, clean vocals and twin lead guitars for harmonies and dueling leads. The lyrical element of our songs tends to run along the lines of Dio and Black Sabbath, with subject matter focusing on the struggle between good and evil, fantasy, magic and the human condition.
The drive behind WRETCH is the love of writing, recording and the live performance of Heavy Metal. The feel of performing in front of an audience of metal fans is a thrill few other musical genres offer. This shared passion, enthusiasm and energy between metal bands and metal fans is why we do what we do.
The album "Warriors" is our first offering on Pure Steel Records. We are extremely proud of the work we did on this album. Although, at times, it appeared that the project wasn't meant to be as we faced several set-backs and struggles during the production of this album, we really came together as a band and we think the song writing and performances on this album will show that."
| Rise to Power | Demo | 1989 | |
| Promo 2004 | Demo | 2004 | |
| Reborn | Full-length | 2006 | |
| Make This Garden Burn | Compilation | 2007 | |
| Rise to Power | EP | 2013 | |
| Warriors | Full-length | 2014 |
in case you missed: the virtuosity of Dinner Music for the Gods
Dinner Music for the Gods
Those into virtuoso guitar wizards like Tony MacAlpine and Yngwie Malmsteen would probably like this very talented bunch. It’s melodic, traditional shredder instrumental guitar playing that works with a classic metal sound that is clear to the ear, uptempo, and smooth. At times, it sounds like Joe Satriani getting all proggy and metal and jamming. Serious effort and talent, perfect for the prog audience. www.dinnermusicforthegods.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Dinner-Music-for-the-Gods/52634973407
Dinner Music for the Gods - "Ghost Troopers in the Sky"
in case you missed it: thrash: Tormentress (Singapore): Operation Torment (Infernö Records)
Tormentress (Singapore): Operation Torment (Infernö Records)
A concentrated, one-target single-mindedness of purpose in classic thrash defines Tormentress, a band that privileges sharp guitar-centered speed, shredding and a festival of endless riffs. For Tormentress the idea of traditional, classic thrash is not a problem or an issue, but rather a music to be celebrated with pride. You will hear inspiration from 80s Bay Area, of course, and also German bands like Destruction, Tankard and Kreator, this latter band they cover in the form of the old and appropriate song “Tormentor.” End of story: this is thrash for people obsessed with the speed and accuracy of the genre. www.inferno-records.net www.facebook.com/tormentress666
Tormentress - Why (Operation Torment)
Tormentress - Mutilator (Operation Torment)
in case you missed it: elitist death metal:Omnizide (Sweden): Death Metal Holocaust (Carnal Records)
Omnizide (Sweden): Death Metal Holocaust (Carnal Records)
Sophistication and modernity are overrated. Hellhammer and Sarcófago are not. The vocalist sounds like he’s from a primal 80s black metal band like Bathory and the rest of the band attacks their instruments in a way that makes them sound awful, like early Death or Nihilist or early Carcass. Omnizide doesn’t want to hear about the wonders of modern gadgets to improve metal for the hip metal people who need something cool to follow. Go find an open grave and jump in it, Omnizide will say. Dirty and raw metal is the way of Omnizide. www.facebook.com/Omnizide
Omnizide - Rotting Flesh Parade
old metal veterans: HellsBelles (UK)- Trouble Times
https://www.facebook.com/pages/HellsBelles/95329382900
ABOUT
"HellsBelles (www.hellsbelles.co.uk) was formed in 2004 from the ashes of ‘Hell’s Belles’ which was formed by former members of Discharge in 1984 which itself later disbanded in 1987.
However, Paul Quigley kept the torch alight and has since rebranded the band as ‘HellsBelles’ (one word, without the apostrophe) and the new band is entirely new.
Re-formed, mutated and evolved, a seminal band emerged. Unique. Quirky. Different. Blending and melding disparate styles and influences into a new, unique cohesive musical powerhouse. Thus emerged, without fanfare or bluster, without hype or hysteria – one band to rule them all in the crossover period that was post-punk, post-NWOBHM, pre-grunge, pre-numetal – that sound, that energy, that force, was Hell’s Belles – now reborn, revamped and rearmed as – HellsBelles…
HellsBelles – the `original` British heavy metal band, formed in 1984 from the ashes of the cult punk hardcore thrash Discharge, led by original lead vocalist and songwriter, Paul Quigley, HellsBelles now fuses metal, classic heavy rock, progressive art rock, mixed with ethnic and acoustic folk balladry that defies categorisation.
HellsBelles is a band now firmly in a genre of its own, and it has to be heard to be believed."
Friday, November 28, 2014
NWOBHM/traditional heavy metal: CLOVEN HOOF (U.K.): Resist or Serve (High Roller Records)
Cloven Hoof (U.K.): Resist or Serve (High Roller Records)
I thought that I knew Cloven Hoof, but this new album sounds like a band a lot more renewed and energized than I expected. The very first thing that caught my attention is the energetic, rocking vibe of the album, so good to the ears. What happened here, Cloven Hoof? It feels like all of a sudden the band has taken a huge jump. I have had to listen to the album many times to confirm that it is as good as I am telling you that it is. Just to make it clear: I do listen to the 80s albums “Cloven Hoof,” “Dominator” and “A Sultan’s Ransom,” but there is just something else about this new album. Maybe it’s that it sounds so contemporary, in a metal-2014 good way?
Well, what is it, Cloven Hoof? Somehow, all of the heavy metal tradition of 70s metal, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, 80s and 90s heavy/power (and a bit of thrash) have all now converged in Cloven Hoof 2014 to such an extent as to create a most memorable and modern album? Did the band throw caution to the wind and all the rules and limitations out the window, and decided to challenge its elders and juniors for the throne? Saxon, watch out! Judas Priest, look out! HammerFall, you are not safe anymore, either.
What explains this new, bouncy, rocking Cloven Hoof? Here’s the final verdict. I do not at all get the sensation there is filler here. That’s very good. Then there is the matter of the singer. It turns out that since 2012 (according to Metal Archives), Cloven Hoof’s singer is Joseph Whelan (but who joined as a guitarist in 2011). The main thing that I will tell you about Joe is that he sounds genuinely excited to be singing, and that gets across to the listener very well. The talent and enthusiasm by Joe, combined with the good songs, makes this album one that is worth obtaining and keeping. The only problem is, how are they going to top this album now? That’s a good problem to have!
The following is a public secret that millions and millions of people in the U.K. already know: Joe Whelan was on the television show The X Factor and those YouTube videos have been watched by millions of people. Things are looking up for Cloven Hoof, right?
www.clovenhoof.net
www.facebook.com/clovenhoof1979
www.hrrecords.de
Cloven Hoof - Deliverance (Resist Or Serve 2014)
Cloven Hoof - Brimstone and Fire (Resist or Serve 2014)
Joseph Whelan's audition - Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love - The X Facto...
Excuse All the Blood on the air now, Friday night (Seattle) 11pm-1pm
Excuse All the Blood
metal music show is on the air now.
listen live here:
http://kaosradio.org
Thursday, November 27, 2014
favorite metal in 2014, by Void Ritual
favorite metal in 2014, by Void Ritual
Daniel Jackson is the person behind black metal entity VOID RITUAL from New Mexico, U.S. Metal Bulletin Zine asked Daniel about his favorite metal in 2014, and this was his response, but before his response, this is Metal Bulletin Zine’s views on Void Ritual’s 2014 EP.
Void Ritual (U.S.): Holodomor (Tridroid Records)
The grim, necro black metal of Void Ritual is fast, intense worship of “Transylvanian Hunger” and “Pure Holocaust.” The throat-destroying screaming and tremolo-is-king guitar playing is surprisingly catchy cave art and is the work of one “Daniel Jackson,” the person behind other entities like Ancestral Oath and Daemonus, according to Metal Archives. Even after hearing this three-song EP about a million times, the charm does not wear off, a good sign if you can’t get enough black metal. (By the way, “Daniel” has told this zine that he does/play everything, except the drumming, which is programmed).
www.voidritual.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/voidritual
Here is Daniel’s answer.
Perhaps because I released an EP myself this year, I’m a bit more prone to enjoying or wanting to highlight metal releases from this year that are shorter in length. Perhaps it’s a self-serving point of view, but I find that especially in this digital-centric chapter in music history, the EP as a format makes more sense than ever. It’s a great way to avoid filler and you can maintain a more consistent stream of releases rather than having longer releases with longer gaps in between. There have been a number of great EPs this year, and while these are my five favorites, they’re by no means the only worthwhile EPs released in 2014.
Bölzer - Soma
A lot of folks are talking about Bölzer, and understandably so. They’re forging a unique musical path in a death metal scene that either seems obsessed with nostalgia or hyper-technicality and note-heavy noodling. You can read up on the non-musical issues that people have brought up about the band and come to your own decisions on that, but focusing on Bölzer’s music, it’s some of the most interesting extreme metal happening right now.
Purchase Bölzer - Soma
https://invictusproductions666.bandcamp.com/album/soma
Castle Freak - Still Rotting
I mentioned death metal’s obsession with nostalgia when writing about Bölzer, but that doesn’t mean I’m necessarily opposed to nostalgia minded bands. Castle Freak is a great example of a band that’s stuck in the past in the best way possible. There’s no reason you shouldn’t listen to these guys if you’re a fan of Repulsion’s Horrified. As far as old school death metal goes, it looks back further than most for its influences in that it’s like a blend of that Repulsion/Autopsy style stuff along with riffs that would feel at home on later era Darkthrone stuff, meaning the more punk/crust side of things rather than the 90s black metal material.
Purchase Castle Freak - Still Rotting
https://tridroid.bandcamp.com/album/still-rotting
Chainbreaker - Constant Graving
This is just infectious, catchy heavy metal. It’s got a nice layer of filth on top of it, so if you’re into what Midnight has been doing with their Venom/Motörhead blending; you should enjoy the hell out of this. For someone like me who spends a lot of time listening to the more extreme end of things, it’s good to crack open a beer or six and remember that metal used to be and still can be a lot of fun.
Purchase Chainbreaker - Constant Graving
https://chainbreakercan.bandcamp.com/album/constant-graving
Predatory Light - MMXIV
Perhaps I’m partial to them because they’re based out of Santa Fe, near my hometown here in Albuquerque, NM, but I think the music speaks for itself. It’s an interesting blend eastern melodies, doom, and warped, disorienting tremolo black metal riffing. I saw these guys live with Thou and Cloud Rat earlier this year and they were excellent in a live environment as well. They’re exploring some interesting territory, so this is a group to look out for in the future.
Purchase Predatory Light - MMXIV
https://predatorylight.bandcamp.com
Yellow Eyes - Stillicide
This is a very late entry as it’s only just coming out on November 28th, but it’s definitely worth going out of your way to hear. This is black metal that fluctuates between both 90s second wave black metal atmosphere and the twisting longer form riffs that have become more common in black metal in 2014. If you’re someone like me who loves the newest Blut Aus Nord album, this should absolutely be in your wheelhouse.
Purchase Yellow Eyes - Stillicide (Available 28/11/2014)
https://yelloweyes.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Fimbulvet (Germany): Frostbrand-Eines Bildnis Tracht (Einheit Produktionen)
Fimbulvet (Germany): Frostbrand-Eines Bildnis Tracht (Einheit Produktionen)
Einheit Produktionen albums frequently present surprises of all kinds within the realm of pagan/nature/folk and black metal that seems to be the common area of operation. Every album from Einheit Produktionen offers something unique, a bit quirky that is interesting to explore. Maybe the total experts in pagan metal may not feel this way, but since most of us are not specialists in pagan metal, Einheit bands bring interesting sounds, and Fimbulvet is no exception.
Fimbulvet navigates well the purposeful contradictions in its sound. The growling is death/black with some “brutality” in the vocals. The melodic singing seems a bit out of place at first, but soon it becomes obvious that this is the way they want it. Growling and singing is a mark of identity for Fimbulvet, which is remarkably thrashy in its riffs and tempo, and as a result, the songs become accessible rather quickly. You might as well call this thrashy/melodic pagan metal, and the potential for the band seems large. The elements of Fimbulvet’s metal are: thrashy riffing/drumming (uptempo/headbanging) + “brutal death/black” growling + melody/melodic passages (hooks, riffs, solos; tempos/segments) + melodic singing in the folky style. At times, the sound is close to melodic black metal, but there are other things going on so that no one label really works.
People into pagan metal in Germany obviously would know a lot more about where Fimbulvet fits in the order of things in metal in that country, but don’t be surprised if this band’s name starts to circulate around more. With an album like this one, it will be not unexpected if the listening public into this style catapults this band to higher ground and greener pastures. After all, this is the band’s fourth full-length studio album, and their experience shows, given that the album sounds professional. Fimbulvet has a lot to offer to the listener into pagan metal, although outside of that particular category the band sounds accessible to the listener that enjoys bands that like to mix “extreme metal” with melody and singing. Look into this album if you have not already done so.
www.einheit-produktionen.de
www.fimbulvet.com www.facebook.com/FimbulvetOfficial
Fimbulvet - Monument (Frostbrand - Eines Bildnis Tracht) (2014)
Complete concert - FIMBULVET - live (26.12.2013 Berlin, K17) HD
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
black metal from Egypt: Hecate - The Order of the Black Light (Full Album)
Recently Metal Bulletin Zine posted about this band. In case you missed it, here it is again, this time in a different format, if you like this format. This is the full album.
Monday, November 24, 2014
the traditional metal of Mastercastle (Italy): Enfer (De La Bibliothèque Nationale) (Scarlet Records)
Mastercastle (Italy): Enfer (De La Bibliothèque Nationale) (Scarlet Records)
Mastercastle’s uptempo, rocking “neoclassical shred prog traditional melodic metal” is fueled by the combination of Pier Gonella’s virtuoso guitar playing and Giorgia Gueglio’s singing. This is the band’s fifth album and they sound as fresh as when they first came out with their debut “The Phoenix” in 2009. They sound better than ever; everything sounds better; the melodies, the singing, the shredding and the songwriting. The guitar player Pier Gonella must be one of the hardest-working guitar players in all of Italy. With Mastercastle, Pier shows all of his guitar honor for full display, like a grand duke of the guitar realm. As it turns out, Pier plays guitar for a bunch of bands and projects because Pier is a guitar vampire and he does not sleep. How else would it be possible to play guitar in Mastercastle, and in thrashers Necrodeath, and the other bands? Metal Archives lists the following bands with Pier as a member: Mastercastle, Necrodeath, Athlantis, Perseo Miranda, Vanexa, Wild Steel, in addition to being an ex-member of Labyrinth, Synthphonia Suprema, Odyssea, Amazing Maze. However, listening to the quality and melodies of this album, one gets the impression that Mastercastle is his most beloved baby.
The bassist Steve Vawamas and drummer Francesco La Rosa are also experienced musicians, as current and past members of more than several bands. In essence, this rhythm section seals the deal: the sheer amount of musicianship in this band is phenomenal. The freshness and smoothness of the album demonstrates this matter amply.
Of course, when you have a singer like Giorgia, once she puts her stamp a song, every song will sound like a hit. If you are interested in Mastercastle, but you do not want to be disappointed with one of those bands that writes one metal song and the rest are not metal or are songs that are filler, fear not, Mastercastle is no trick. With Mastercastle we are in the area of skill and experience that the listener that appreciates traditional talent will accept easily. The band keeps getting better and better. Make sure to hear for yourself, specially if you like listening to singing and guitar-centered songs. www.facebook.com/mastercastleband
www.scarletrecords.it
www.facebook.com/scarletrecords
Mastercastle - The Castle
MASTERCASTLE - 'Enfer' official video
Mastercastle - live 2013 - Dangerous Diamonds
the death metal of Rogga Johansson
Those Who Bring the Torture (Sweden): Piling Up (Selfmagegod Records)
Rogga Johansson is known for being a relentless factory of classic-style death metal riffs, and Rogga writes music for some 87,000 bands and projects that include half the population of Sweden. Rogga is without a doubt one of the biggest obsessors with golden-age-style death metal, and it shows. This album is simplicity personified, it sounds like one guitar spewing forth classic-inspired riff after riff, and the drumming sounds programmed, but through it all, it is heavy and memorable at the same time. Fun, fun album for those into old-style, DIY death. www.selfmadegod.com
Ribspreader (Sweden): Meathymns (Vic Records)
Another Rogga Johansson baby is Ribspreader, which is all about niche marketing, finding your audience. I think I own only about 2700 recordings with Rogga, so I have some catching up to do, but hey, now I have 2701. Rogga gives you more of the same old death that he’s always done. I don’t know how he does it.
www.facebook.com/pages/Ribspreader/148182408532846 www.vicrecords.com
Ribspreader - Orchestrating the cacaphony
THOSE WHO BRING THE TORTURE - Under Twin Suns
the death metal of VASTUM (U.S.): Patricidal Lust (20 Buck Spin)
Vastum (U.S.): Patricidal Lust (20 Buck Spin)
Death metal has become so compartmentalized that if two people say that they are into death metal, it most likely does not mean anything, given that bands often are in completely different areas of sound, reflecting a particular style of a year or the generational divide between the various definitions or approximations of the words “death metal.” Since this is the case, Vastum has decided to play death metal in the original sense of the word. Standing somewhere between the rough and direct vibe of Autopsy and the midtempo stylings of Bolt Thrower, this album “Patricidal Lust” is very effective in the type of songs that the listener can feel. What this means is: it’s not about impressing the listener with overwhelming speed or the latest gadgets in recording technology. The objective is not to wow the listener, rather the goal is to feel this death metal in the body and mind. The guitar goes a pace that the listener can easily understand, and headbang. The vocals are deep and gruff, and not “freaky” or “weird,”
that way you can quickly join in, and since the vocals are completely incomprehensible, you can just make up your own caveperson sounds and it’s all good. The drums are played at a pace that your heartbeat can understand. Things like innovation or gimmicks are overrated, according to Vastum, and what is important is death metal songs that make you want to move. At bottom, this album is for listeners that have been around the block, deathmetalwise, and who at this point enjoy a band that does not crowd the songs with too many unnecessary things. To paraphrase Angus Young talking about the goals of AC/DC, Vastum just wants to be a good death metal band. Don’t let the modesty fool you, though, it takes years for a band to learn to write death metal that sounds this experienced.
Vastum "Seasons in the Claustrum (The Libidinal Spring)"
www.vastum.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Vastum/440192535391
www.20buckspinshop.com
from the state of Washington: ZERO DOWN: No Limit to the Evil (Minotauro Records)
Zero Down: No Limit to the Evil (Minotauro Records)
This band is from the state of Washington and has four full-length albums, including this one called “No Limit to the Evil” from 2014. What a curious, interesting mix this band is! Sounds like mixing classic Thin Lizzy with The Exploited. Or, if you like, Thin Lizzy/Iron Maiden guitar melodies with The Exploited/Motorhead punk rock and roll.
You would think that it sounds weird because, for one thing, Thin Lizzy/Iron Maiden guitar melodies are too polished for street/bar rock. Then, let’s be honest, lots of punks tend to be arrogant about a band like Thin Lizzy and traditional metal/rock. There is a reason why punks and metalheads haven’t always gotten along, and why the fights have taken place, whether in London, England or in Houston, Texas.
Sometimes, though, metal and punk do get along in one band: Zero Down. The singer sounds like a street metal singer, like a NWOBHM band. The guitar players sound obsessed with Thin Lizzy and also a bit more of Thin Lizzy. Then, for the backing vocals the whole band sounds like a bunch of street-fighting punks. “Let’s do backing vocals like a street punk band,” they said, and they did. The guitar solos sound very rock and roll. You know, classic rock, classic metal and maybe Motorhead all kind of just rolled up together in a dose of rocking metal punk.
Is this any good? I have been listening to this album a lot, and it sounds good and then it gets better and better, and then it just demands to be played and played again!!
Cannot find any songs online from this album yet, but here's an older song to give you an idea of Zero Down.
Zero Down - Battle at The Battle of the Bands (Official Video)
www.facebook.com/pages/Zero-Down-Fan-Page/262964899318?ref=ts&fref=ts
www.minotaurorecords.com
www.facebook.com/minotaurorecords
Sunday, November 23, 2014
did you miss it? Expulsion (Sweden): Certain Corpses Never Decay (Vic Records)
Expulsion (Sweden): Certain Corpses Never Decay (Vic Records)
Expulsion was a death metal band, active from 1988 until about 1997. This compilation is essentially made up of two 1989 demos, which most certainly sound like 80s death metal, with the cave, primal charm of the “old school”. In my opinion, the great thing about Expulsion is how good this music sounds decades later, especially if you are not very pleased with popular modern metal, from high-tech death to all these forms of core marketed as metal. In other words, only a small number of metal bands nowadays sound this way, like bands on Vic Records, of course, and Dark Descent Records and FDA Rekotz and labels like that. In any case, these old demos are not for the metal masses, as you can imagine. Rather, they are for a small number of people that support this mentality of metal.
Veiled in the Mists of Mystery
The Prophecy of Doom
www.vicrecords.com
some favorite albums of 2014, by Seamus from the metal music show Excuse All the Blood
some favorite albums of 2014, by Seamus from the metal music show Excuse All the Blood
Excuse All the Blood is a metal music show. Seamus is the host.
The show is on every Friday night at 11pm.
www.twitter.com/EATBRadio
www.kaosradio.org
These are the sounds that Seamus has been into during 2014:
The last show of every year is my 'Top 10 Albums of the Year' Show and I'm working on that now. So, for my definitive list, check out that show but here's some of the top ones in no solid order:
I'm REALLY enjoying the Hiraeth demo. It's violent and noisy and it helps that it's American. It's raw (as its a demo and black metal) which adds to the intensity.
I also like the new Deadlife-the full length. I don't have the EP. I can do without the instrumentals but the rest of it is killer. I love depressive black metal with pained vocals and this definitely fits that. This one is definitely in my top five.
Vuyvr's 'Incinerated Gods' EP is really good. As its an EP it's too short but the vocals are intense.
I'm a huge Sargeist fan so 'Feeding the Crawling Shadows' is in my top 10. It's emotional-I usually fall asleep listening to it. That's weird-it's heavy as hell but relaxes me. What does that say about me??
'Permanence', the Vermin Womb EP is really good. I've played it a lot on the show. It's a bit groovy for my taste but I like the fast parts a lot and the vocals. I think some of the guys were in Withered and I dug Withered so...
I LOVE the new Ulvegr, 'The Call of Glacial Emptiness'. I'm a Ukrainian black metal junky anyway but this is really good. It's more polished than most of the albums I've been into it but it's amazing, nonetheless.
I've played the British band Writhe's demo a few times on the show. It's too short (two songs) but I really like it.
Maybe my favorite album of the year, though, is the Dying out Flame CD 'Shiva Rudrastakam'. They're from Nepal and it sounds traditional. I don't know traditional Nepali music really but it sounds like it would be. Traditional and technical! It reminds me of Lykathea Aflame-an amazing band. With Dying out Flame, some of the solos even sound like retro-thrash. Count me in! The order of the other albums may go back and forth but I think this is my favorite of the year.
Sorry this isn't 20 or too descriptive but this is what I came up with on my planning period!
Saturday, November 22, 2014
black metal from Egypt: HECATE
black metal from Egypt: HECATE
fast, grim, and necro
"The Order of the Black Light"
Give a listen here. This is a new-to-the-zine band and it certainly seems interesting.
https://soundcloud.com/hecate-egypt
https://www.facebook.com/hecateegypt
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NEWS: cult death metal Pentacle (Holland): The Fifth Moon reissue
NEWS: cult death metal Pentacle (Holland): The Fifth Moon reissue
PENTACLE
The Fifth Moon... beyond and back
vic records
Release: 24 November 2014
Official statement:
Pentacle is one of the oldest, and still active Dutch death metal bands. Formed by bassist / vocalist Wannes Gubbels (ex Asphyx / Soulburn) in 1989 and still touring, playing gigs and recording and releasing death metal.
In total 18 tracks, all completely remastered. Extensive liner notes, many posters and underground magazine articles in a massive 32 pages booklet!
Disk 1 contains the Fifth Moon mini cd from 1996, recorded & mixed at Harrow Productions, The Netherlands (Asphyx, Grand Supreme Blood Court, Soulburn) and one bonus track from the same sessions and the two track e.p. ‘Exalted Journey’. from 1995. Disk II contains the DSFA sampler track ’A Dance Beyond’, the ‘Winds of the Fall’ demo 1993, the rehearsal demo ‘Caressed by Both Sides ‘ from 1992 and a special rehearsal track from 1990.
Pentacle - Scythes + Into the fiery jaws LIVE 2014
Pentacle - Black at Heart + Four Poisoned Tongues....LIVE 2014
www.facebook.com/pages/Pentacle/86420806112
www.pentacle.nl
www.vicrecords.com
Friday, November 21, 2014
What are Leather Leone's favorite sounds of 2014?
Leather Leone, vocalist for Chastain and Sledge Leather says that she is not into much new music:
I don't listen to much new music, except when in in my car....I am intrigued with
the new"Nothing more". Of course Slipknots "The gray chapter".
Also new "White Chapel, "Endless War". Great uncomfortable, uneasy
energy... The new Flyleaf catching my ear also.... Great front person....
I love the new aggression with vocalists that actually sing and carry a true melody over
the thunder....I wish Corey Taylor or Anselmo would call me to do a tune.
Thanks for allowing my input.
Love and Dio
LL
www.facebook.com/LeatherLeone
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Sweet Nightmares KPFT METAL RADIO is on right now Thursday night
Sweet Nightmares KPFT METAL RADIO is on right now
listen now at
www.kpft.org
friends, it is not too late for the crust metal of: Martyrdöd (Sweden)
MARTYRDÖD
Elddop
(Southern Lord)
This album has been out for a while now this year, but just in case you did not hear this music earlier this year, here's a bit of it!
Give it a listen and see what you think.
Cheers.
--Metal Bulletin Zine
"Made up of some of the crust scene’s top combatants, including members of Agrimonia, Miasmal, Skitsystem, and others, MARTYRDÖD fuses epic and black metal influences into crust punk, creating an unfathomable darkness to staggering effect..."
Martyrdöd - Elddop
Martyrdöd - Martyren
www.facebook.com/martyrdod
www.southernlord.bandcamp.com
www.southernlord.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Have you heard yet?: ENCOFFINATION III - Hear Me, O' Death (Sing Thou Wretched Choirs) (Selfmadegod Records)
ENCOFFINATION
III - Hear Me, O' Death (Sing Thou Wretched Choirs)
Selfmadegod Records
Official statement:
"With three solid years of putrid silence having passed since American death/doom metal duo, ENCOFFINATION,did its best to suffocate the masses with a full-length album, the even deadlier follow-up album is being prepared for exhibit.
This Autumn, Selfmadegod Records will present the horrid III - Hear Me, O' Death (Sing Thou Wretched Choirs), an album that takes ENCOFFINATION’star-encrusted tones, slow-motion seismic rhythms and soulless, guttural conjuring to their most claustrophobic levels to date. The follow-up to their 2011-released O' Hell, Shine in Thy Whited Sepulchres LP, the cross-country based duo takes the rotted deathcrush into more occult territory, and implement some of the most ghoulish, slug-paced funeral death to ever be recorded on III - Hear Me, O' Death (Sing Thou Wretched Choirs). Constructed over a full year, the album was recorded in various sessions throughout 2013, the drums recorded at Universal Sound in San Diego, California, and the rest at Graf Yairden in Atlanta. Funeral vocal choirs, organs and other elements influence the flow of the album, making this one of the most harrowing releases of the year, no only one of the most slowly destructive"
ENCOFFINATION - Charnel Bowels of a Putrescent Earth (2014) Selfmadegod ...
www.facebook.com/templeofencoffinment
www.selfmadegod.com
www.selfmadegod.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/selfmadegod
Have you heard this metal yet? Nader Sadek: The Malefic: Chapter III
This is Nader Sadek: "The Malefic: Chapter III"
Nader Sadek
Official statement:
"Musically, the EP runs through a variety of emotions and styles, resulting in a schizophrenic sound that nonetheless yields a tight, cacophonous, and nightmarish unit, serving the album’s concept of a man’s struggle with the self-defeating consequences of his own decisions. It can be said that each track leans towards a different subgenre of extreme metal, starting with mid 90's style Death metal, coursing through Black metal, going back to late 80s era Death metal and finally concluding with a Doom metal track. However, the general feel of the EP is an undeniably intense Death metal vibe."
Nader Sadek - Carrion Whispers
www.facebook.com/naderflesh
this album is out now: Inferion (U.S.): "This will Decay" (Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions has signed Miami, Florida's melodic Black/Death Metal desecrators Inferion and released their new album This Will Decay on October 21st 2014 on CD and Digital formats.
Listen to a bit of it here:
www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/store/hpgd096.html
this album is out now: KATTAH (Brazil): " Lapis Lazuli" (Bakerteam Records)
KATTAH (Brazil): "Lapis Lazuli" (Bakerteam Records)
"Lapis Lazuli is a fine offering, and one that definitely caught my attention amidst all the new music coming out from this next generation of bands. Fans of NWOBHM, Melodic Metal, Ethnic/Folk/Oriental Metal, and Progressive Metal will find something in this album that will appeal to them, and I would recommend this album to those looking for a new experience in their musical selections." --Lady Obscure
Bakerteam reports that Kattah:
"Kattah have signed a deal with Bakerteam records for the release of their new album 'Lapis Lazuli'. Formed in 2006 in Brazil, the band is known for a unique approach to music, mixing heavy metal with Arabian, Eastern European, Brazilian and many other musical styles, atmospheres and rhythms. Their debut album 'Eyes Of Sand' (2010) attracted overwhelming reviews all over the world, and it came to no surprise when fellow Brazilian musical heroes Angra invited them to open their 2011 European tour, a great opportunity for Kattah to display their powerful live show and consolidate their name among thousands of heavy metal fans.
'Lapis Lazuli' sees the band taking things to a whole new level, with stronger melodies, classier arrangements, outstanding performances and a production team which includes some of the best professionals in the business: Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, Sepultura, Helloween) and Andy Haller (Ozzy osbourne, System Of A Down)."
Kattah - Lapis Lazuli
Kattah - Inside My Head
www.kattahonline.com
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Have you missed this wonderful prog album?: MALPRACTICE: "Turning Tides"
This is the official information about the new album.
Finland’s MALPRACTICE released their fourth album, Turning Tides, via Laser's Edge division Sensory Records this September.
With nearly forty-five minutes of brand new material, Turning Tides represents MALPRACTICE at their absolute best, combining intricate progressive metal with catchy melodies topped with excellent musicianship and brilliant vocal harmonies. Professionally recorded by the members of the band -- the lineup featuring members of renowned metal acts Omnium Gatherum and Insomnium -- at various locations, Turning Tides was produced by the band’s Joonas Koto and Toni Paananen and engineered by Koto, then mixed and mastered by Anssi Kippo at Astra-Studio A and enshrouded by intriguing artwork and design work by Miikka Tikka.
“The lyrical theme of the album is about a guy who is very well educated. In fact so educated and talented that he can't land a job for himself due to over education,” collectively issued the members of MALPRACTICE. “He kind of falls in-between things and ends up in the suburbs unemployed and frustrated. He is ‘the best kept secret’ since no one wants to hire him. His life and sanity starts to fall apart due to his frustration and depression. He tries to fight the system but always ends up deeper and deeper in apathy. The story can be somewhat related to MALPRACTICE's struggle to make it for two decades already. The question is: ‘Is the guy me? You? Or every one of us?’”
Sensory released Turning Tides, MALPRACTICE’s first ever worldwide release, on September 16th, 2014.
Formed in 1994 in Kouvola, Finland by guitarist Joonas Koto, MALPRACTICE started out as a thrash act, yet by 1998, the band had refined their sound, exploring a more progressive direction. They released their first full-length album, Of Shape And Balance, via Mastervox Records in September of that year. From there the band went on hiatus until 2004 when they signed with Spinefarm/Universal, which resulted in the release of their second groundbreaking prog metal album, Deviation From The Flow. Their third album, 2008’s Triangular, expanded their forward-thinking style but also reintroduced some of their early thrash elements. Now, 2014 finds the band signed to Sensory for Turning Tides, a monster of a record, showcasing the band at their most epic and explosive yet, and a must-hear for fans of Queensryche, Fates Warning, Dream Theater and Megadeth.
www.malpracticeband.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Malpractice/124420308087
www.lasersedgegroup.com
www.facebook.com/TheLasersEdge
MALPRACTICE : Weight Of The World
News: SIDIOUS has a new album out now
SIDIOUS: "Revealed in Profane Splendour"
(Kaotoxin Records Release: 3 November 2014)
PRESS RELEASE
UK blackened Death Metal horde SIDIOUS will release Revealed In Profane Splendour on Kaotoxin Records November 3. The album, which follows their 2013 debut EP Ascension to the Throne Ov Self, was recorded, mixed and mastered at Parlour Studios by Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir) Artwork comes courtesy of Giannis Nakos of Remedy Arts.
SIDIOUS, which features members of EYE OF SOLITUDE, recently announced the addition of new drummer Krhudd, the mastermind and sole member of COLOSUS. Krhudd joined the band earlier this year as the band began work on Revealed In Profane Splendour. Other roster shifts have seen guitarist Isfeth take over vocal duties after the departure of vocalist Tom "Void" Allen.
Isfeth - guitars & vocals
Indomitus - guitars
Baalrath - bass
Krhudd - drums
www.kaotoxin.com
www.listen.kaotoxin.com
www.facebook.com/kaotoxinrecords
SIDIOUS "Sacrilegious Majesty"
favorite albums of 2014, by Anna López
This is Anna López has been listening to a lot in 2014.
Twilight of the Thunder God-Amon Amarth
Antagonise - MaYaN
Plague Angel - Marduk
The Quantum Enigma- Epica
Cult of the dead - Legion of the damned
Anna López is a friend of Metal Bulletin Zine and she is at Twitter
www.twitter.com/anareynna11
Monday, November 17, 2014
What are your favorite metal albums of 2014?
What albums have you been listening to a whole lot in 2014?
Feel free to name your list and it will be posted.
Lee from Cloven Hoof has given a list of the albums that he considers top in 2014.
See the previous post!
Cheers!
Lee from Cloven Hoof: top metal albums of 2014
Metal Bulletin Zine asked Lee, founder of NWOBHM veterans Cloven Hoof to name his top metal albums of 2014 and this is Lee's response:
Here are my favourites so far from 2014 in no particular order...
Accept - Blind Rage
This is the best album with Mark Tornillo on lead vocals. Accept is able to take traditional metal elements and integrate it with a somewhat updated style. I have loved this band since the 1980's and they never disappoint, Balls to the Wall and Metal Heart were an all time classics!
Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls
Ignore the hype this is not one of Priest best ever albums but it still kicks ass! KK has left the fold, however his replacement Richie Faulkner does a fine job. They are still evolving and keep on delivering the goods, long may they continue to do so.
Hammerfall - ( r ) Evolution
Swedish metallers Hammerfall has the perfect blend of old school and the best that power metal has to offer. Great solos and vocals are throughout this release and the song arrangements are cool too.
Iced Earth - Plagues of Babylon
Plagues of Babylon is an excellent album that will please the fans of traditional metal, thrash and power metal. Stu Block is a great vocalist and Jon Schaffer has really dug deep to make an outstanding opus.
Cloven Hoof - Resist or Serve
Well excuse the bias but it is a really cool album so buy it you metal maniacs!!! Every song has it's own unique identity and style. Ace producer Patrick Engel has really brought our true dynamics out on this one. Joe's guitar playing and vocals are awesome and there are some really good individual performances from everyone. So we are really proud of it; all killers and no fillers!
Take care and see you in 2015 everyone!
Yours in metal
Lee / Cloven Hoof
www.facebook.com/clovenhoof1979
Fallen Angels (Thrash Band) has a show on 11/19/2014 at 06:00 PM @ Studio Seven in Seattle, WA
Fallen Angels (Thrash Band) has a show on 11/19/2014 at 06:00 PM @ Studio Seven in Seattle, WA www.reverbnation.com/q/5b9lwf
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Morthra: "Desecrated Thoughts" (Vic Records Release: 28 November 2014)
NEWS:
Morthra: "Desecrated Thoughts"
(Vic Records Release: 28 November 2014)
Morthra was one of the most promising death metal bands from Holland. They won the final of the famous Dutch 'Metal Battle' in 1993. Morthra was formed in 1990 and featured Rene Arts (ex Asphyx). They recorded their debut demo at the cult Dutch Studio Harrow Productions with Harry Wijerink (Asphyx, Soulburn, Pentacle, Grand Supreme Blood Court).
Their second demo was recorded in a large studio in Amsterdam, paid by the Dutch Metal Battle organisation (the first prize was a full day in a professional studio).
Morthra recorded a 2 track promo in 1994, which was never released. Morthra played many gigs in the Netherlands with for example Gorefest, Pentacle and Death Squad.
After the recordings of their promo 1994 / 3rd demo, Morthra got an offer from Osmose Records from France to release their debut full lenght album.
And guess, what.. instead of signing a deal and record their debut album, Morthra splitted up and that album never saw the light of day….
Now finally after more then 20 years, finally here is the Morthra album: ‘Desecrated Souls (from Insane Minds)’, featuring their 2 demos, the 2 track promo and 6 live tracks. All 17 tracks are completely remastered. The booklet contains rare old pics and flyers and liner notes from the band and notes from close friend Wannes Gubbels, (Pentacle, ex Asphyx, ex Soulburn). Cover art by Roberto Toderico (Sinners Burn, Soulburn, Asphyx, Sinister etc.).
www.vicrecords.com
Morthra - Hollowed Carcass
Have you heard CASTLE FREAK yet?
Have you heard?
Castle Freak: "Still Rotting" (Tridroid Records)
Tridroid Records has unleashed Still Rotting by Philadelphia's "CASTLE FREAK". Self described as "grinding death punks" the band play sick music inspired by bands such as Repulsion, Autopsy, Carnivore and old-school Megadeth.
Staying true to its old-school roots, Still Rotting is released on limited edition cassette format by Tridroid Records. A digital version also be available.
Still Rotting album credits:
Andrew Gigan - Vocals/Guitar
Blaze Reichert - Guitar
Dylan Zdanavage - Bass
Pierson Roe - Drums
www.castlefreak.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/CastleFreakPhilly
CASTLE FREAK - Sickening Corpses
VYRJU: melodic doomy black metal band based in Norway
Vyrju
Melodic doomy black metal band based in Norway.
The self-description is rather accurate. Besides that, Vyrju just sounds good to the ears from the first moment. The atmosphere works very well, the melancholy mixed with the faster energy touches on the strong points of the music. The growled vocals sound well done, and the bit of melodic vocals suggest that there is a lot of potential that is yet untapped.
Let's hope that soon we hear more from Vyrju. This is a great beginning!
www.soundcloud.com/blackforestrecords/vyrju-the_residue_of_life
www.vyrju.net
NEWS: Brazilian metal brutes NERVOCHAOS to release The Art of Vengeance December 9 on Greyhaze Records
NERVOCHAOS to release The Art of Vengeance December 9 on Greyhaze Records
Brazilian old-school death-thrashers NERVOCHAOS will release their sixth full-length,The Art of Vengeance, on December 1 in the UK and December 9 in North America via Greyhaze Records.
The band's most varied and devastating release to date, The Art of Vengeance blends elements of traditional death, bonecrushing doom, punk and thrash for results that are both destructive and addicting. The first pressing of the album also includes a bonus DVD featuring a documentation of the band's latest tour.
Nervochaos - For Passion Not Fashion
Nervochaos - Shadows of Destruction
www.nervochaos.com.br
www.greyhazerecords.com
www.facebook.com/greyhazerecords
NEWS: TNT 30th Anniversary 1982-2012 Live In Concert With Trondheim Symphony Orchestra Indie Recordings
NEWS:
TNT 30th Anniversary 1982-2012 Live In Concert With Trondheim Symphony Orchestra
(Indie Recordings)
Long-Running Norwegian heavy metal troupe, TNT, is pleased to unleash their 30th Anniversary 1982-2012 Live In Concert With Trondheim Symphony Orchestra release stateside via Indie Recordings.
This unique document of the band's astounding three-decade career was captured on June 2nd, 2012 at the Clarion Hotel in Trondheim, Norway. The group performed a special set list while accompanied by the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra (Trondheim Symfoniorkester). The performance also includes special appearances by Hank Von Helvete (Turbonegro), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), original TNT's singer, Dag Ingebrigtsen, and vocalist Tony Harnell, who has since rejoined the group following the departure of Tony Mills. Throughout this amazing recording, one gets a taste of what has been, what is, and also what might be.
30th Anniversary 1982-2012 Live In Concert With Trondheim Symphony Orchestra Track Listing:
01. Fanfare For The Common Man.
02. Invisible Noise
03. Substitute
04. Refugee
05. As Far As The Eye Can See
06. Downhill Racer
07. Intuition
08. Northern Lights
09. Tekrø solo
10. Magica Lanterna
11. Sabre Dance
12. Harley Davidson
13. USA
14. Eddie
15. June
16. My Religion
17. Everyone’s A Star
18. 10.000 Lovers (In One)
19. Seven Seas
TNT’s 30th Anniversary 1982-2012 Live In Concert With Trondheim Symphony Orchestrais out on CD, DVD with an accompanying documentary and digitally in North America via Indie Recordings.
TNT - Everyone`s A Star
TNT - INTUITION
TNT - INTUITION
www.facebook.com/TNTtheband
www.tnttheband.com
www.indierecordings.no
Saturday, November 15, 2014
interview with Elvenstorm, traditional heavy metal from France
Elvenstorm
Metal Bulletin Zine first had the following review about Elvenstorm, a traditional heavy metal band from France.
Sometime after the review was complete and posted online, Elvenstorm sent back answers to some questions that the zine had sent.
Below is the review, and after the review, is the interview, to which guitarist Michael Hellström responded.
Elvenstorm (France): Blood Leads to Glory (Inferno Records)
The story goes that in his fundamental principle about metal music, Neal Kay—who in the late 1970s during the emergence of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was important due to his work with the venue known as The Bandwagon in the U.K.—believed that only bands will talent should be permitted to perform on a stage. At the time, punk was fashionable and profitable, yet punk bands generally did not even know to how to play their instruments in an elementary way and their so-called singers had no ability to carry a single note; but the marketing machine did not care, given that the objective was making money, and the punks were happy to get their five seconds of fame and hype, feeling no sense of shame and sham for being so utterly worthless and inferior in skill.
This matter of talent, of course, is sometimes subjective. No one who is sane can build a rational argument that Ian Gillan did not have the talent to sing after one hears Deep Purple’s “Highway Star,” but not everyone might agree that the mythical and legendary Udo Dirkschneider is a good singer in the sense of a clear and high voice. The problem with traditional heavy metal, as many people have observed, is the difficulty in finding a great singer. Just about anyone can scream, shout, howl and growl, but certainly not everyone is able to sing. Be that as it may, but today the traditional heavy metal in the proper sense finds new bands with talent, younger generations who have decided that having quality riffs, solos, singing and songs is a necessity for their musical goals to come true.
That is why it is wonderful to find Elvenstorm and the realm of the air raid siren and of the aerodynamic guitar. Elvenstorm seeks to conquer the world and steal the hearts of the true-as-steel traditionalists stubbornly insisting and unapologetically demanding talent from metal music. Do you live for the rush of heavy metal thunder, and to bang your head when you hear a band working hard to connect with you through fast and memorable songs? This is only the band’s second album, but the effort shown is highly commendable. You can tell that Elvenstorm lives and dies for Helloween’s “Walls of Jericho” and “Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part I” in terms of that heavy metal played at a near-thrash and speed metal tempo, with a great chorus, big riffs, shredding and high vocals. Laura Ferreux sings with energy, and is hell bent on making you sing along. The shredder Michael Hellström loves two inspirations in particular, Kai Hansen, of course, but also Michael positively worships at the altar of classic Running Wild, such as the guitar sound/riffing on the classic album “Pile of Skulls.” It’s a very particular guitar style and Elvenstorm is giving it new life.
As an album, “Blood Leads to Glory” is almost perfect in execution. The band sounds young, which is awesome to think about, because the band has not made its masterpiece yet. Elvenstorm sounds like a band that has learned a lot from the legends of heavy metal: the sound, the style, the songs, the skills, the tempo, the solos, the speed in drumming, the singing, the riffs and all the rest of the elements are utilized very well. You would think that Kai Hansen is going to be very, very angry when hears Elvenstorm because he’s going to wish that he had written these songs! Come to think of it, given that Iron Savior’s Piet Sielck—a man that is Kai Hansen’s life-long friend, from way back in the 1970s in the pre-Helloween band Gentry--mastered this album, it is certain that Kai already knows about Elvenstorm. Kai must be so proud that his musical children have turned out to be such high-standard bands.
On YouTube there are live videos of Elvenstorm and the band has a good energy in concert, but with more experience they will be a tighter playing machine. Also, Elvenstorm will need to find a second guitar player, even as a session player, because it is impossible to bring these songs to life in full effect with one guitar only. No worries, in time all these issues will get solved by this impressive and very promising band. Contact Infernö Records and Elvenstorm now and get the metal going.
--
This is the interview.
--
Greetings, Elvenstorm. Is it true that the band started in 2008? How difficult was it to find the correct people to form a traditional heavy metal band in 2008 in the part of France where you live?
Yes, it’s true, we started the band in 2008. I had the chance to create ELVENSTORM with Laura that is a great singer with an original clear powerful voice, so we didn’t have to find a singer.
Heavy Metal music was not really popular in our area at that time, so it was really hard to find ambitious and motivated members to add. It was really not simple until we released our first album in 2011.
On Metal Archives it says that Michael and Laura were born in 1987 and 1988. Since you are so young, how did you choose traditional heavy metal as the sound of your band?
We always listened and breath Heavy Metal, since the very beginning of the band, we didn’t follow fashion and trend. As big fans of the German scene, we really wanted to sound Teutonic.
Of course, it’s not trendy nowadays to sound like Running Wild or the Walls of Jericho era from Helloween, but this is how we like to do music.
There’s a sort of revival nowadays with bands such like Enforcer, Bullet or Portrait, it proves once again that Heavy Metal will never die.
It is interesting that on your Facebook page, you list as your influences: Running Wild / Gamma Ray / Old Helloween / Stormwarrior / Grave Digger. What is it about those particular bands that you inspired you to form Elvenstorm? What are your favorite albums by Running Wild? Is Kai Hansen the most important person in metal music for you? Do you think that Kai Hansen is a genius?
Yes, I’m really influenced by this German scene, but I also love bands like Savage Grace, Mercyful Fate, Omen, and so much more.
If Iron Maiden made me a metalhead when I was a child, Rolf Kasparek and Kai Hansen made me a guitarist.
I had the chance to meet Kai Hansen on a Gamma Ray tour, and he’s one the nicest person I’ve ever met. I wouldn’t say he’s the most important guy in metal music, but he’s one of my biggest influence, and he’s a genius for sure. It’s not a secret that I’m a die-hard Running Wild fan. And I think you can ear it on my way to write songs.
Anyway, I love all Running Wild albums from Gates to Purgatory to Masquerade, but if I had to pick one, I think I would choose “Blazon Stone” and “Port Royal”
Elvenstorm recently played the No Compromise Fest 2 in September. Was that festival in Belgium? What impression did you get from the festival about the support for traditional heavy metal in Belgium? Did you meet the other bands? Did you meet Crystal Viper, for example? Was the show a good one for Elvenstorm?
It was an awesome memory, because it was the day of the release of our new album and it was our first time in Belgium.
Of course, we met the other bands, and we played with our French friends from Sanctuaire and Hurlement.
We also met Crystal Viper and we had the chance to greet Marta Gabriel on stage with us to sing “Mistress From Hell,” she’s is an awesome performer and a wonderful person. As a Crystal Viper fan I was so proud!!! It was a really special concert for ELVENSTORM.
Your album "Blood Leads to Glory" is definitely a wonderful album with great singing, songs and guitar work. You now have two albums because you also have your first album from 2011 called "Of Rage and War." Now that you have two albums, what have you learned about recording in the studio and making an album? Now you are experienced veterans of the studio! What are some differences for you now in 2014 as compared to 2008 when you were just starting out making demos? Legendary metal producer Piet Sielck mastered "Blood Leads to Glory." Do you know him well?
Thanks a lot, I’m not sure we can be called “veterans” because there is so much to learn. But it an amazing experience to work with Lars Ramcke, we gave us a lot of advices and gave us of his experiences with Kai Hansen in Stormwarrior. He did a great job on the mixing, and the sound is really …. Teutonic! Now we have really much more experience than in 2008, we record some stuff in our home studio, we have another way to approach the songwriting and we record much demos. Piet Sielck just released the mastering and make the record sounds really powerful. We had the chance to meet him last year on an Iron Savior concert. On the album, sometimes it sounds like you have a lot guitars working together. Is it difficult to reproduce the songs live in concert when you have only one guitar? Is that correct, that you have only one guitarist during the concert? I adapt each song for the concerts. Of course, it sounds more “raw” because of the second missing guitarist. But it’s ok for us, we are armed and ready even with 4 members. Don’t forget, Venom were only three and they were too loud for the crowd!!
"Sirens of Death" is a very memorable, very metal song. Is that a perfect song? "Fallen One" is also another song that sounds perfect. "Reign in Glory" is also a fantastic song that sounds inspired by the album "Walls of Jericho" by Helloween. "Blood Leads to Glory" as an album sounds a like a brotherhood or sisterhood with "Walls of Jericho." Do you know if Kai Hanse has heard your band yet? Piet probably has told him ha ha!! Did you write any of the songs of "Blood Leads to Glory" in the studio or did you write all of them before going into the studio?
There is no perfect song I think, these three songs are really great, but we still work to be better from albums to albums. Of course, as I told you before, “Walls of Jericho” era has influenced us a lot, so it’s normal to hear some kind of brotherhood with our record. But “Walls of Jericho” is legendary and has influenced a lot of bands before us. I’m not sure Kai listened to our stuff, but I would be proud and happy if he put an ear on it All songs were wrote before to enter studio and we recorded demos of each tracks shortly after the release of “Of Rage and War” our previous album. We are constantly working on new songs. You are a young band. Do any of you like an old, old band like Trust or Sortilège? Are those bands something that does not interest you because it is too old? To be honest, I’m not a big fan of French bands from the 80’s. I love Sortilege, and old ADX but it’s not really my kind of heavy metal. It’s not a matter of old or not because I love early Judas Priest and Scorpions from the 70’s, but it’s only not my kind. What are your plans for 2014 and 2015. "Blood Leads to Glory" is completed and released. Do you feel ready to play concerts in France and Germany? Europe in general has a good audience for your style of metal. What is necessary to happen in order for Elvenstorm to begin touring more? Do you know if a festival like Hellfest has any interest in your band, for example? Actually we have no official plans for 2014/2015. For sure Europe is great audience for Heavy Metal, but nowadays touring is harder and harder. Even in our hometown it’s difficult to play gigs. All is a matter of contacts and friendship. But of course, we are open to every proposal, and I really hope we’ll tour to defend this new album. To my opinion, Hellfest is more interested by commercial bands and extreme metal bands. I never saw Stormwarrior, Paragon, Grave Digger, Enforcer, Portrait or even Lonewolf on the billing. Quick questions! What is your favorite movie in the French language of all time? My all time favourite movie is “The Fog” from John Carpenter, but I can add “Nightmare on Elm Street”, “The Exorcist” , “The Beyond” … What is your favorite food? Too much favourite !!! But let’s go for Currywürst Which song do you like more: "Heaven Can Wait" by Gamma Ray or "Ride the Sky" by Helloween? Ride the Sky Thank you for your time! Congratulations on "Blood Leads to Glory"! Excellent album! Thanks a lot, it’s a real pleasure to answer about the band and this new album! Cheers! Elvenstorm - Reign in Glory ELVENSTORM - Werewolves of the East Email: elvenstorm-metal@hotmail.fr www.elvenstorm.com www.facebook.com/Elvenstorm www.facebook.com/pages/INFERNÖ-Records/104374422992796 www.inferno-records.net Website: www.elvenstorm.com Contact & Booking: elvenstorm-metal@hotmail.fr Store: www.elvenstormofficialwebshop.bigcartel.com THE END
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