Krigsgrav - melodic extreme metal from Texas, U.S.

Krigsgrav

Fires in the Fall

Wise Blood Records

23 June 2023

According to the information on Metal Archives, this Texas, U.S. black metal band began in 2004. Now in 2023, including this new album (seven songs in 53 minutes), they have seven albums. Metal Archives shows that they used to be black metal, then changed to post-black metal. Their current direction is more along the lines of midpaced melodic extreme metal, with substantial components of black. The band is multi-instrumentalist David Sikora (2004-present), who is or has been associated with Giant of the Mountain, Heimar, Obsidian Throne, Of Oak, Valsgarde, Black Mass Ritual, and Ophian. Justin Coleman (Heimar, ex-Dagon, ex-Demure, ex-Nightworks, ex-Valsgarde, ex-Rape Pillage and Burn) plays guitars and does vocals. Cody Daniels (Dour, Giant of the Mountain, The Argonaut, Wings of Dahak) plays lead guitar. The album seems to have programmed drums. For purposes of efficiency, let's focus solely on this album, without attempting to compare and contrast their discography. It is a melodic and often melancholic album with uptempo, faster tempos and also an abundance of midpaced segments that contain lots of melody. However, it is not slow and dragging doom? The vocals feel like black metal, perhaps some of the growling could be closer to death, but most of the time, the growling sounds like a lower, gruff black metal growl. I would say that black metal audiences are the most likely demographic for this album, but maybe fans of melodic death and/or doom might also enjoy this album. Lastly, the guitars focus on melody and giving the listener a pretty polished, quality listening experience.

Fires in the Fall by Krigsgrav

https://www.facebook.com/krigsgrav

Sunshine Lollipop - grind rhythm is gonna get you

Sunshine Lollipop is a grind band from Washington State, U.S. They formed in 1776 in Philadelphia, right after the Second Continental Congress and then they toured in France in 1789. After France, they toured all over the world bringing their brief message of grind to the masses. Now in 2023 they have a new song called "Friendship Is Magic," which, in a few words, states that:

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Sunshine Lollipop further declares:

"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood."

Friendship is Magic by Sunshine Lollipop

https://www.facebook.com/sunshinelollipopgrind

Black 7 - Break up (official video)

Aficionados of melodic guitar virtuosity may want to hear the new song "Break up" by Black 7 (Germany). Black 7 is instrumental heavy metal guitar that emphasizes riffs, melodies and songwriting. This song is taken from the upcoming album "The 2nd Chapter“ with SODEH Records.

Black 7 - Break up (official video)

Mike Milan Dedic - shredder goes back to the future with "Over the Top" (no arm wrestling involved)

Mike Milan Dedic (Canada) is a guitarist that's been playing since he was 12 years in Toronto's west end, teaching himself guitar listening to Uli Jon Roth, Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Ritchie Blackmore, Yngwie Malmsteen and so many more.

This particular song called "Over the Top" is a recording from 1986. It is not a re-recording, he says: "This track was originally pressed to a vinyl record. How this all came about is that the owner of the 'Museum of Canadian Music' had the song file digitally extracted from vinyl & provided it to me. I took the track and had it remastered at a 'Mastering House' to give it more sparkle! It is the original recording from 1986, just having some of today's technology making it sound sonically better." Rick Smith plays drums on the song, and Mike plays all guitar and bass on it. The song is an instrumental shredding piece for guitar aficionados, and the drum work is really nice, too!

The albums that he has recorded are: The Pleasure's Yours - 1987 Axis Records (Vinyl Release); Fingerfood album - 1995 (Marshmallow Records); Mike Milan Dedic - Self Titled - 2014. His singles are: Escape - 2017; Launch (Re-Launch) - 2018; Shall We Dance Too? - 2019; Run - May 12, 2020; Over The Top - May 3, 2023 Energy - August 12, 2021.

Over The Top - Mike Milan Dedic

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005652195327

Tyrants Blood - Canadian death/black (ex-Blasphemy and ex-Infernäl Mäjesty)

Tyrants Blood

Into the Kingdom of Graves

Vic Records

22 June 2023

Vic Records (Holland) is reissuing this 2013 album that features former members of Canadian cult bands Blasphemy and Infernäl Mäjesty. The guitarist is Marco Banco, who was with Blasphemy from 1989 to 1991 and played on the 1990 album Fallen Angel of Doom. The vocalist is Brian Langley, who was with Infernäl Mäjesty from 2005 to 2011. Vinnie Borden (Process, Shattered Throne, ex-Omega Crom) plays bass and on drums is Matt Modder, who according to Metal Archives, has since been replaced by Stephen Shaw. However, according to Vic Records, the drums were recorded by Terry Murray, who they say is or was with Infernäl Mäjesty and also 3 Inches of Blood.

The vocals are full-on brutal death and the music is all-out primal death/black/thrash with a bit of a certain technical-brutal vibe. The drumming is hard-hitting blasting. The guitar work is a barbed wire fireball of brutality, headbanging and crunch, lots of crunch, in the category of war metal. It is a relentless, frenetically paced album of ten tracks in 48 minutes, including a two-minute respite of melodic guitar. Besides the performances that are convincing beyond all doubt, the sound quality is rather surprising. You can hear the bass guitar and the recording feels like you can hear everything well, which is no easy task when the music is total savage energy, like on here.

Into the Kingdom of Graves by TYRANTS BLOOD

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063485232579

Holz - How heavy is too heavy?

Here on the western side of the mountains of the state of Washington there is a band called Dilapidation featuring the crushing heaviness of death doom and they drive up and down the freeways, eating street tacos and gas station chili dogs, between Olympia and Everett (and have most likely driven much further south and a bit further north, too) bringing their sound to any number of people gathered in the taverns, pubs, bars, backyards, parks and abandoned bridges in this region. Anyway, I recently learned from Dilapidation’s Abraham Watson about another endeavor that he calls Holz. Who is Holz? He explains, “Holz is just me in the studio. I play guitar, bass and do the vocals with programmed drums. Live I bring in my longtime friend and collaborator Jerald on guitar and I do bass and vocals along with a drum machine.”

It turns out that Abraham has a bunch of other projects. In an effort to compile a list of his works, he gives the following: Chromatic Death (guitar/vocals, 2004-2011); Wreck 'em Killed 'em (drums, 2011-2015); Pesado Ranchero (bass, 2014-2016); Misuse of Power (bass/vocals, 2010-2018); Jen's Tits (guitar, 2013-2018); Large Marge (guitar, programming, 2009-present); Dilapidation (bass/vocals, 2012-present); Schmutzhund (guitar, 2017-present); Holz (bass/guitar/programming, 2018-present).

Holz is a bit like the soundtrack of factory assembly machines in rhythmic patterns of industrial production. In my opinion, fans into big-time mechanical-like heaviness could be an audience for Holz. The growled vocals and the dominance of the guitar/bass/programmed heaviness may appeal to a person that wants no melody, just forms of massive heaviness and a sense of machine movement. So far, there are four demos of four tracks each, and the duration times range from some 14 to 20 minutes.

DEMO IV by HOLZ

Here is one Facebook page to begin connecting with the projects involving Abraham Watson.

https://www.facebook.com/dilapidation1

HOLZ - Live at Le Voyeur (Olympia, WA) - 06/10/2023

Carma - see this funeral doom recruiter to find out if you are the right material

Carma

Ossadas

March 3rd, 2023

Monumental Rex

Satellite surveillance shows that these battalions have been flanking the hills by the Mondego River in Portugal for years, since 2012. In 2015 they organized their debut self-titled incursion of six tactical units in 38 minutes, and the cannons went silent again until 2023 when a new 77-minute detachment was amassed again in the territory of Coimbra. Footage of the action on the field reveals a slow-gathering wave moving across the region, patiently, at a snail's pace of melancholy and misery. The tactical units consist of funeral doom that require that the infantry advance as slowly as possible.

Carma is looking for a few good soldiers for funeral doom. To join the newest campaign you must be physically fit to last 77 minutes of heavy exercise. Bootcamp begins promptly at dawn by the Mondego River. You must have the ability to work laboriously and patiently through the tremendously slow paths of the Coimbra hills. Funeral doom is not for weak minds nor for instant gratification. Charlatans and dilettantes need not apply. The reward is to crawl in the rain through the mud, dragging your exhausted body through this test in patience that is Carma. The few, the proud, the Carmines.

Ossadas by Carma

https://www.facebook.com/carma.doom

Y&T - Yesterday and Today Live (Expanded Edition)

Y&T

Yesterday and Today Live (Expanded Edition)

Metal Blade Records

9 June 2023

The legacy heavy metal band Yesterday and Today (Y&T), which formed in 1972 in Oakland, California, U.S., is a great lesson in hard work and the desire to become great at your craft. In 1976 and 1978 they had their first pair of albums. They are good albums and those early songs have been in the setlist for a long time, but the improvement in the singing on the second album is a wonderful change. I believe that I remember singer/guitarist Dave Meniketti explaining in interviews that he came to the realization that he needed to take singing more seriously. Then, on the third album called Earthshaker (1981) the entire sound got tighter, and now the singing was even better, stronger, with Dave singing in a full voice and the music tightened up to the new sound of the young heavy metal of the time. The moral of the story is that musicians are able to become better at their craft if they take their art more seriously by working harder at it.

Regarding this recording, at one time Y&T had made the silly decision to call it quits. Thankfully, they rectified, it was not permanent and they continue to this day. This album at the time (1991) was made as a testament to the band up until that point in time. It is a wonderful set list full of fan favorites. The only complaint is that it could have easily included a dozen more songs that are also cool Y&T songs from all their albums. The production is great, the performances awesome, the songs fantastic, and the singing by Dave is a treat to the ears. Dave has one of those voices that sounds powerful, not strained, not thin, and not annoying, and it stays at such an ear-pleasing range. This album is an excellent place to start for people not familiar with Y&T.

https://www.metalblade.com/us/releases/yt-yesterday-today-live/

Tombstalker - Come come to the cemetery, down by the ruined bridge

Tombstalker

Age of Darkness

Boris Records

29 May 2023

In 21 minutes Tombstalker provides an immensely enjoyable serving of something like a hybrid of Entombed and Dissection or like Entombed covering Dissection or a band combining Swedish death metal with Swedish melodic black metal. The production is death metal and this duck quacks like a death metal duck, but once you look closely at the legs and feathers of this duck, this duck has black metal heritage in some of the riffing and melodies, and some of the drumming. Devoted fans of death/black/thrash should be very entertained by the ways that these Kentuckian-Americans prepare such a headbanging-friendly concoction. It must be all those nighttime shifts working at the local cemeteries and part-time side hustles at the Lexington mortuaries. At this point, I do not know how many times I have heard this EP because it’s just goes on and on, on repeat, and pretty soon I will have this whole thing memorized from beginning to end. It’s three songs of headbanging material, and one instrumental mellow clean or acoustic guitar song. Let’s hope this EP is a sign that an album is in the works. If not, I'm going to Kentucky, I’m going to take my iron horse to the old town roads and ride gas pedal to the floor and talk some horse sense into these guys.

Age Of Darkness by Tombstalker

https://www.facebook.com/tombstalkerband

Frostnatt - How can black metal be a sound of the Urals?

Frostnatt

Den russiske frosten

April 7th, 2023

I enjoyed the 2022 EP Dette stedet kjenner bare kulden (“This Place Only Knows the Cold”) of instrumental melodic black metal by Frostnatt, a solo entity by one Alex Evenson in Yekaterinburg, Russia. This new 2023 album Den russiske frosten (“The Russian Frost”; all Frostnatt songs have titles in Norwegian) is eight tracks emphasizing melody, mostly played at an uptempo speed for headbanging or physical movement (sometimes launching into all-out black metal blasting frenzy), although one can just as easily focus on the melodies for a type of meditation through tremolo-guitar black metal music. Here’s the thing: Frostnatt seeks to convey the imagined interpretation of the Ural region (the city of Yekaterinburg is located about 880 miles to the east of Moscow [a distance comparable from Seattle to Bakersfield, California] {some 100 miles from Los Angeles}). Yekaterinburg is on the Iset River between the Volga-Ural region and Siberia, in the Ural Federal District. Generally, the region is seen as a type of border between what is considered Europe and Asia. Put it this way, the Ural Federal District, which is an enormously huge territory of some 700,000 square miles, is not considered cosmopolitan, to say the least, even though Yekaterinburg itself is the fourth largest city in Russia. The Ural Federal District is bigger than Alaska; by comparison, Alaska is some 663,000 square miles, and Alaska is 3.7 times bigger than California; Alaska is more than twice the size of Texas; Alaska is bigger than California, Texas and Montana combined. Thus, how could black metal be as a sound of the Ural region, of the landscape and especially of the winter, a vast land of frozen forests and mountains? This album right here is the answer provided by Frostnatt. I would say that this music depends on the melodies to make its mark. It's really the guitar melodies that are the central attraction for the audiences interested in uptempo melodic black metal. Come away with Frostnatt to a land of ice and snow.

Den Russiske Frosten by Frostnatt

https://www.facebook.com/frostnattofficial/

Sacred Outcry - the majesty of excellence has arrived

Sacred Outcry

Towers of Gold

No Remorse Records

19.05.2023

I often listen to new albums without looking into the details. I like to hear the music and make a judgment call on the songs, the skills and the sound quality, and see where things go from there. So, I was listening to this music and it sounded awesome, but there was something very interesting taking place. After some time, I had to look it up. I’ll come back to this point in a minute.

Anyway, in 2020 Sacred Outcry debuted with a strong album titled Damned for All Time, a tour de force of riffs, melodies, singing and epic traditional heavy metal, all marked by a certain quality to make people sit up and take notice. The new 2023 album Towers of Gold (10 tracks in 55 minutes) is even better, if that is possible. The music remains the sound of heroic traditional heavy metal in all its glory, with the aim of delivering to the audience nothing short of excellence. The standards that this band sets for itself are rather high, and the beneficiaries of such compulsive, demanding objectives is the listener.

So, back to my earlier story. The one thing that I got my attention was the singing. It sounded familiar and very good. I had to look it up and what do you know?! The new singer on this album is none other than Daniel Heiman, the singer who captured the attention of the heavy and power metal audiences with Lost Horizon’s two albums in 2001 and 2003, both nearly perfect albums. Besides nearly perfect music, there was the beauty of the acrobatic singing, with a voice as luxurious as the most elite beautiful voices in all of metal. The reason why Sacred Outcry is noteworthy is because they seem to have convinced Daniel Heiman to sing in the style of Lost Horizon (and even use the words “lost horizon” on one of the songs), to use his voice in all of its grandiosity, to showcase its elegance. It is quite the achievement to behold. Come for the songwriting and lyrics, stay for the marvelous singing.

Towers of Gold by Sacred Outcry

https://www.facebook.com/SacredOutcry/

Shadows - horror-gothic heavy metal for fans of Mercyful Fate

Shadows

Out for Blood

Sentient Ruin Laboratories

May 19th, 2023

Not all “horror” bands are the same. Some of those bands are not able to make quality music because they are more concerned with the image rather than with music. It makes sense, though, time in a day is limited and if one spends most waking hours on developing the gimmicks, personas, designing masks, making outfits, stage presentation, getting attention in the press, going viral, in addition to the normal matters involved in working together in band, then how much time is left for writing music? On the other hand, this Chilean entity fits in the "horror" category, but perhaps the reason the music is good is precisely because it is music-focused, not gimmick-centered. The quality of the melodies, singing and overall songs are a welcoming invitation. Shadows seeks a sound that is both melodic and ominous at the same time. Experience also helps. Cristián Silva, the man behind Shadows, is more known for the long-running band Apostasy. Whereas Apostasy is associated with thrash-based black metal, Shadows is melodic traditional heavy metal with elements from horror and gothic styles, and in some ways fans of a band like Mercyful Fate will detect the influence. Some of these Shadows songs sound rather ear-friendly and full of melody, while others lean a lot more in the direction of the horror-gothic elements, while keeping the melodies. Regardless, it’s all done well. This is a very pleasant surprise, especially given that I saw the label “horror” associated with this music and I had low expectations. No need to worry, the quality of the music is good. I am not sure that this is a human drummer because the drums sound relatively stiff and not very animated. Even with that shortcoming, fans of ominous yet melodic songwriting may want to look into this Chilean project.

Out for Blood by SHADOWS

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070921066521

Zero Down in Everett this Friday, May 26th

Friends in the Everett area,

Zero Down is coming to see you and they are bringing some friends.

Friday, May 26th, 2023 at Tony V's in Everett, WA

Zero Down returns to Tony V's with Special guests PAIN FIELD, STONED EVERGREEN TRAVELERS and THORN

Larger Than Death by Zero Down

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063500766042

Pain Field - Blackened Skies

https://www.facebook.com/painfieldrocks/

Roger Staffelbach - a celebration of neoclassical guitar

Roger Staffelbach

The Quest

No Dust Records

12 May 2023

Right before writing this review I had been listening to two albums that ultimately I decided not to review because I was annoyed with the vocals, especially considering that both of the bands have existed for well over 20 years each. The low-skill vocals are such a turnoff. Then I came across this instrumental neoclassical guitar album and I was glad not to have to deal with incompetent vocals that do not meet the standards. The objective of the album is to give the listener quality melodies, expressed in the form of instrumental compositions while maintaining the structure of songwriting. There is virtuoso guitar playing, shredding and dazzling skill in no short supply here, but there is also music. The guitarist Roger Staffelbach seeks intelligent, thoughtful listeners that enjoy high-quality neoclassical guitar music as an art. In addition, he invites his audience to dive into not just his neoclassical heavy metal guitar work but also into classical music itself by providing interpretations of classical composers Vivaldi ("Summer Presto") and Bach ("Air"), which, by the way, integrate rather smoothly into the overall aesthetic of this album.

Roger Staffelbach has been making music since the 1980s; therefore, it is impossible to detail correctly all the works. Nevertheless, this particular album should appeal to audiences that enjoy serious guitar music, whether it is Joe Satriani, Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore, David T. Chastain, Joe Stump, Jason Becker, Timo Tolkki, Marty Friedman or any such great guitarists that make instrumental albums. On the other hand, readers that have not given instrumental metal guitar much of a listen, but that do like melodic guitar may start the journey here. Mr. Staffelbach also makes music in the traditional heavy metal format with singing, and that's the vast majority of music that he has made with the prog band Artension and other bands and projects. Anyway, if after this album, you'd like to hear his other works, I recommend Artension's album Phoenix Rising (1997). That is one that fans of Artension, which features the awesome singer John West, generally agree on. For now, we have The Quest to begin.

The Quest by Roger Staffelbach

https://www.facebook.com/roger.staffelbach

Lovebites - Stand And Deliver (Shoot 'em Down) [official music video]

Here are couple of videos from the power metal band Lovebites (Japan). Both songs come from from their fourth studio album Judgement Day released on February 22nd, 2023. In general, the band prefers to play fast and keep the shredding on the front burner. Uptempo as well as melodic, Lovebites should appeal especially to fans of power metal that want the music to keep the energy high while showcasing a great quantity of traditional talent, such as singing, skilled guitar and rhythm section. At times the shredding is the type that will make you go back and hear it again just confirm what you just heard. Below is the track list from the album. Given that the album is already out, it should be available on your favorite streaming platform.

1. We Are the Resurrection 04:56

2. Judgement Day 05:52

3. The Spirit Lives On 05:32

4. Wicked Witch 05:34

5. Stand and Deliver (Shoot 'em Down) 05:09

6. Victim of Time 05:22

7. My Orion 04:34

8. Lost in the Garden 06:07

9. Dissonance 04:57

10. Soldier Stands Solitarily 05:21

total time 53:24

LOVEBITES / Stand And Deliver (Shoot 'em Down) [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

LOVEBITES / Judgement Day [MUSIC VIDEO]

https://www.facebook.com/LovebitesTheBand

Whythre - Scorchbreath (official music video)

Washington State, U.S. extreme metal band Whythre has two new songs available now from the upcoming sophomore album Impregnate My Hate that will be released on May 26th, 2023. It seems like some people like to reference the sound of the band to that of Children of Bodom, due to the shrieking vocals and overall melodic extreme style. Fortunately, there is time for audiences between now and the release date to spend some time with the two songs and get familiar with this band. By the way, they also have an album from 2015, but at that time it was more a two-person project and not yet a band on the recording. It's better to hear the new songs and then go back to hear the previous album to get an idea of the sound. As you will notice, the new music tends to be a bit crazier, wilder. Maybe having a couple of more people has resulted in more chaotic friendly fun.

WHYTHRE - Scorchbreath (Official Music Video) Melodic Death Metal

WHYTHRE - Scorpions of Sinai (Official Lyric Video)

Impregnate My Hate by Whythre

https://www.facebook.com/Whythre/

Ainulindalë - epic black metal from France

Ainulindalë

Les chroniques d'Arda

November 19th, 2021

Metal Archives and Bandcamp do not provide much in terms of personnel details, except a pair of pseudonyms, making this essentially an anonymous four-track, Tolkien-themed EP from France of almost 15 minutes. The music works with neosymphonic and atmospheric elements. Sometimes the music is going fast, for a grandiose sensation, and sometimes things slow down, aiming for a forest-music vibe. It's three songs and an outro. The vocals are a semi-intelligible black metal growl, not really shrieking. There is also a bit of chant-like melodic vocals, which works well in this context with the harder vocals. The guitar work, working in conjunction with keyboards, provides plenty of midtempo melody to keep listeners paying attention, given that speed is present and important, though not the only strength. The drum programming is rather obvious and it's nothing to write home about; nevertheless, this French-language duo has worked on making a recording as professional as they can with the resources that they had at their disposal. The effort to give the listener quality is palpable, and that is why genre fans may be pleased with this recording, as I am. This epic black metal sounds pretty good not just in terms of the recording but also the songs themselves, with a good sense of ambition to go beyond basic songwriting.

Les chroniques d'Arda by Ainulindalë

Countless Skies: Resonance – Live from the Studio

Countless Skies

Resonance – Live from the Studio

Willowtip Records

5 May 2023

The British band Countless Skies returns to their previous two albums from 2016 and 2020, and reimagines some of those songs while working with cellist Arianna Mahsayeh. Countless Skies is a rather meticulous band, so it is to be expected that these latest interpretations are going to entertain their fans, given the quality therein. Their sound is somewhere between melodic and progressive, with both melodic and hard vocals, as well as lighter moments that turn into blasting sections, depending on the song. While these are not new songs, but rather reworkings with the objective of incorporating the cello more into the music, the Countless Skies fan may like these recordings, as long as it is understood that this is not the follow-up to the 2020 album Glow. Speaking for myself, I have heard this album way too many times to count at this point. It was nice to hear the new subtleties with the cello.

Resonance – Live from the Studio by Countless Skies

https://www.facebook.com/CountlessSkies

They Watch Us From The Moon: On The Fields Of The Moon (official video)

Kansas, U.S. "space doom" time travellers They Watch Us From The Moon have a new ambassador to show you right before their arrival, which is tomorrow. "On The Fields Of The Moon" is a shortened version, because, you know, the real version would blind the eyes of the audiences in a case of too much, too soon. At any rate, ready or not, friend, they arrive in full tomorrow May 5, 2023. Consider the video their version of Voyager 1, which you can hear on Bandcamp now. Actually, there have Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 already on Bandcamp. For your own protection, there are only two songs on there, but the remaining three songs will be revealed very soon. They Watch Us From The Moon is bringing you the doom of space, slow and sweet, and they want to take you with them if you have your space suit on. Grab your helmet. "We're not in Kansas anymore."

They Watch Us From The Moon: On The Fields Of The Moon (official video)

Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension by They Watch Us From the Moon

Mindless Sinner - keeping it true; to expel the false

Mindless Sinner

Keeping True Alive

Pure Steel Records

May 5th 2023

As the album title declares, they affirm that it is a real live work, and not a fraudulent recording. They are saying that they did play these songs in front of a concert audience at Keep It True festival in Germany in 2015 and that this is how they actually sounded. How honest are those statements? Only the band knows, but some of the comparison that I have done of the Keep It True YouTube footage and this recording do match, including in the “imperfections.” This live album captures them rocking out and it is very enjoyable. Mindless Sinner (1981-2014, with periods of inactivity in between) is a traditional heavy metal band from Sweden that in 1983 issued the EP Master of Evil. They returned in 1986 with a full-length album titled Turn on the Power. The vocals are prototypical legacy-style singing, melodic, strong and energetic. The guitar rhythms are definitive heavy metal: uptempo and rocking. In 2015 they returned with the album The New Messiah and followed up with 2020’s Poltergeist. Look it, the name of the festival is called Keep It True. Mindless Sinner is no swindle. Get you some no-nonsense heavy metal.

1. We Go Together 03:43

2. I'm Gonna (Have Some Fun) 03:41

3. Live and Die 04:16

4. Broken Freedom 03:50

5. Standing on the Stage 04:30

6. Master of Evil 04:49

7. Turn On the Power 05:28

8. Screaming for Mercy 03:52

9. Voice of the Doomed 05:19

10. Here She Comes Again 05:37

total time 45:05

For your information, here is a YouTube video of the band at Keep It True. The album sounds like this. The album does not sound like the vocalist went back into the studio and re-recorded his parts. It sounds like this, but with a different mix, to make the sound more balanced.

Mindless Sinner - I'm Gonna Have Some Fun - Keep It True XVIII

Mindless Sinner - Live And Die - Keep It True XVIII

https://www.facebook.com/mindlesssinnerofficial

Jaue - folk black metal from Colombia

Jaue

Cantos del Sur Salvaje

Satanath Records and Exhumed Records

17 April 2023

Colombian solo project Jaue evokes the myths and legends of ancient South America interpreted through folk black metal in Spanish. The music is essentially midpaced black metal, in a melodic style, with some additional instrumentation to bring out the folk elements, and some good melodic singing to go along with the hard vocals. The ambitious nature of the project is something that knowledgeable audiences will notice. One can tell that a ton of work had to be done by Julián David Trujillo Moreno in order for the project to come to fruition, with some help from collaborators.

Devoted fans of the combination of black metal with local and regional music and culture should at least give a chance to this Colombian entity.

If you are interested in hearing the melodic singing, check out song number three called "Tierra del fuego."

Cantos Del Sur Salvaje (2023) by Jaue

https://www.facebook.com/jaueonemanband/

Immortal Guardian - Roots Run Deep (feat. Ralf Scheepers) [official music video]

Immortal Guardian

Roots Run Deep ft. Ralph Scheepers (Primal Fear) (single)

M-Theory Audio

22 March 2023

Power metal homerun hitters Immortal Guardian have a video for the song called "Roots Run Deep." Previously they have released four new songs, and this is the fifth one, with the grand plan of having the full-length album ready before the fall of 2023. As you will see, they have Primal Fear air raid siren Ralf Scheepers coming in from the bullpen for some guest vocals. The band seems to have started out Harlingen, Texas, U.S. in 2008, and now called Las Vegas home, and since their debut full-length album Age of Revolution they have substantially increased their batting average and continued with 2021's Psychosomatic. They are on the move again looking for that homerun. With five new songs available now, maybe that's exactly what they will do. Watch and see, with five innings down, do they have four more to bring the ducks home? The bases are loading nicely so far.

Immortal Guardian - Roots Run Deep (feat. Ralf Scheepers) [Official Music Video]

https://immortalguardian.bandcamp.com/music

https://www.facebook.com/igmetal

Century - traditional heavy metal from Sweden

Century

The Conquest of Time

No Remorse Records

21.04.2023

Classic-style heavy metal band Century (Sweden) did a demo in 2020, a single in 2022 and the time for the debut full-length has arrived. Interestingly enough, this is not yet a full band because it is Leo Ekström on drums and bass and Staffan Tengnér on guitars, vocals and bass. The album is nine songs in 36 minutes. The most appealing factor is their melodies. They prefer melodies that are not overly sweet. The singing is important, but this is riff and rhythm headbanging music. The singing fits the music, but it seems too secondary and could stand for Staffan to devote more time to that area, in addition to improving on the lyrics, as some of these lyrics are too typical and empty, and are there for Staffan to have something to sing, not something to express from the heart. Don’t let the constructive criticism fool you, I have enjoyed this album a lot and I appreciate their effort very much. Expect serious heavy metal with a tendency towards a melodic-ominous style.

The Conquest of Time by Century

https://www.facebook.com/centuryswe

Fifth Angel - When Angels Kill (official music video)

In case that you have not seen it, here is the latest video from the Washington State, U.S. melodic heavy metal band Fifth Angel (1984-1989, 2010, 2017-present). The song is called "When Angels Kill" from the upcoming album also titled When Angels Kill. If you like the new song, you might also enjoy the live recording found below the new video. In addition, if you do like both videos, maybe you will also have fun going back to the elegant, beautiful sound of the melodic heavy metal of the band in the 1980s. While we wait for the new album, there is a quite a bit of history to catch up on, right?!

Fifth Angel

When Angels Kill

Nuclear Blast

June 16th, 2023

1. Descent into Darkness

2. When Angels Kill

3. Resist the Tyrant

4. On Wings of Steel

5. We Are Immortal

6. Empire of Hate

7. Run to the Black

8. Seven Angels

9. Blinded and Bleeding

10. Kill the Pain

11. Five Days to Madness

12. Ashes to Ashes

13. The End of Everything

14. Light the Skies

FIFTH ANGEL - When Angels Kill (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Fifth Angel live | Rockpalast | 2019

Fifth Angel - Time Will Tell

https://www.facebook.com/fifthangelofficial/

Trip The Wire - "Hurricane" (official music video)

Trip The Wire

Trip The Wire

16 June 2023

Here are a couple of videos from Trip The Wire from the state of Washington, U.S. Their self-titled album is "retro" heavy rock. The music is back-to-basics of guitars, drums, bass and singing, and avoids distractions like background or samples or special effects. They sound like a band interested in playing these songs live similarly to the recording. Listeners should be able to hear the instrumentation relatively clearly because the band wants audiences to hear the songwriting and focus on the songs and the melodies. The band refers to their music as "hard rock," but it's heavy rock/heavy metal, not blues rock, because the guitars have a certain crunch to them, which comes out in selected places. One gets the impression that at least some members of the band like metal music, but they are not trying to be all-out headbanging metal. They prefer the variety and diverse songwriting of 1970s heavy rock. While a song like "In the Crossfire" might sound like traditional heavy metal, the other songs make it obvious that they want a bit more variety.

In the Crossfire 4:21

Anti Love 3:50

Hurricane 4:37

Zombie Child 3:33

Shine On 4:38

The Fire 4:52

Maybe Next Time 3:56

Outta My Hands 4:46

Never Enough 4:42

Step Nine 6:13

Trip The Wire - In the Crossfire (Live)

Trip The Wire - "Hurricane" (Official Music Video)

Hurricane by Trip The Wire

Decaying Crypt - Seattle death doom

Decaying Crypt

Demo MMXXI

September 23rd, 2021

So far it seems that there is only this 26-minute, five-track recording released by this Washington State, U.S. cavernous death doom band; they call themselves "old school death metal." Their interpretation of heavy consists of blasting, undeniable, full-speed-ahead moments that will bang those heads that do not bang, while the slow-motion crawling sections are an important part of their sound. Recommended for fans of Incantation and the bands that are the children and grandchildren of Incantation: the furious death metal and the slow parts. As long as the slow passages are acceptable to the listener, better yet, very enjoyable, Decaying Crypt's demo should be building up a small following (or maybe not so small, we'll see) of die-hard supporters of primal cave brutality.

DEMO MMXXI by Decaying Crypt

Vesuvian - melodic death metal from Seattle

Vesuvian

Emergence

April 9th, 2023

This month of April 2023, after two previous EPs, the Seattle melodic death metal band Vesuvian (2014-2015 [as Ocean of Obsession], 2015-present) has issued its debut full-length album called Emergence. At this particular juncture the band has arrived at a rather polished sound based on melodic extreme metal with a neosymphonic background, in addition to other elements, like some melodic singing and slower passages. I am not that familiar with the new album so far because I have only heard it one time as of right now, although I am now working on hearing it a second time. Having seen the band live, it’s nice to hear recorded some of the newer material that they have been telling audiences about. It is also nice to see the band get to the point where they sound like they are capable of making come to life the music that they hear in their minds as Vesuvian music. Back in the early days before they even changed their name to Vesuvian, they sounded like a young band working within metalcore-based sounds when they were just getting their feet wet. Nowadays they have grown in experience and they have come a long way towards a more professional melodic death metal sound.

Emergence by Vesuvian

https://www.facebook.com/Vesuvianmetal/

Infecting the Swarm - ultra brutal woof woof from Germany

Infecting the Swarm

Pulsing Coalescence

Lacerated Enemy Records

14 April 2023

When you are the band Infecting the Swarm, you always try to do the worst you can. Make your cacophony as fugly as possible, and sound you grabbed a bunch of Pantera records and you violently shoved them into a meat grinder, and the sound of the meat grinder chewing up and spitting out the shattered pieces is the sound of Infecting the Swarm. Goodness, this is as atrocious as it is marvelous: super-duper lowest-growled, eat-the-microphone vocals; animalistic barbarian drum blasting (programming?) and unmelodic, thick rhythms. Don’t show this music to your teachers! They will say, “Angie, oh, honey, I’m worried about you. I don’t think this music is appropriate.” They might call social services, animal control and the local Boys and Girls counselor to ask you if you are doing ok. Angie, you tell those fools that you are doing ok. Tell them, “Hey, you liked stupid fake so-called music like that Mr. big-butt rapper guy when you were young! You can’t judge me when you were dancing to Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer in your day! Now get out of my room and let me listen to Infecting the Swarm, alright?!” Friend, come this way only if you want to hear the most repugnant metal.

INFECTING THE SWARM – Pulsing Coalescence by Lacerated Enemy records

https://www.facebook.com/InfectingTheSwarm

Brutal Desire - melodic death metal/metalcore from Rio de Janeiro

Brutal Desire is a Brazilian metalcore/death metal band that began in 2016. Their 2019 EP, which shows some death metal with additional and various influences, is called Nec Spe Nec Metu, and it is shared here from YouTube. That music was with their previous vocalist Enrico Salvatore. Then, in 2019 their vocalist joined and her name is Isabelle Alexandre Nascimento. From what I can tell, they do not yet have a new album or EP, but they have recorded two singles in 2021, according to the information on Metal Archives. Their most recent direction is a bit more melodic, with a shock rock factor thrown in, coming across as melodic extreme metal of metalcore, death metal and other components. At any rate, below is the video for the 2021 single "Bloodshed." As of right now, there does not seem to be any more recent music. Let's wait and see if an EP or album is released at some point. On Metal Archives it shows that the band is rounded out by Oman Oado, who has been drumming with the band since 2016; and guitarist Daniel Sales who joined in 2019.

BRUTAL DESIRE -「BLOODSHED」Official Music Video

Brutal Desire - Nec Spe Nec Metu

https://www.facebook.com/brutaldesireofficialpage/