Bloodstrike

Bloodstrike

In Death We Rot

release date: September 25th, 2015

This death metal album sounds fantastic from the moment it starts: quality, memorable traditional death metal with a good sound and instantly headbanging songs. The riffs, the song structures, the vocal phrasings, the solos, the drumming and other such things help to define the identity as traditional death metal. Yet, it is the strength of the songs alone that makes this band. This album is very recommended for those looking for memorable old-style death metal. Don’t sleep on this one! Below you will find more information about the band.

“The idea for the punishing old school death metal assault that would become Bloodstrike was first conceived by vocalist Holly Wedel (ex-Nexhymn) and guitarist Jeff Alexis (ex-Silencer) in 2013. They recruited Joe Piker (ex-Dripfed) on guitar, Ryan Alexander Bloom (ex-Havok) on drums, and Rhiannon Wisniewski (Moth, ex-Somnus) on bass to round out the band and began developing a collection of massive riffs and crushing arrangements.

Bloodstrike’s veteran lineup exploded onto the Denver metal scene in June of 2014 with their three-track Necrobirth demo. The demo gained instant popularity with the death metal underground and drew comparisons to bands like Bolt Thrower and Entombed for both its ear-catching simplicity and blood-curdling heaviness.

Impressed by the success of the demo and the work ethic of the band members, Redefining Darkness Records signed Bloodstrike to its roster in September of 2015 and quickly released their debut album In Death We Rot.

Bolstered by their new label affiliation and armed with a precise blend of 90’s death and roll groove and modern death metal aggression, Bloodstrike is ready to expand their dominion to national and international audiences.”

www.bloodstrike.bandcamp.com/releases

www.facebook.com/bloodstrikemetal?ref=hl

Starblind

Starblind (Sweden)

Dying Son

release date: December 4th, 2015

Pure Steel Records

Starblind is shameless and proud: classic heavy metal like the 80s. Ask them once, that's what they say. Ask them twice, they will scream it out. Ask them thrice, you must join them.

Everyone has their own way of listening and understanding things. This is mine.

Every time I listen to this album, what I hear is classic-style Iron Maiden-inspired music. I will be even more specific: this album sounds like a sibling album to "Brave New World." The galloping bass lines that you can hear very well, the sound quality/production, the atmosphere of the album, the soft melodies emanating from the guitar, the choruses, the drumming and the singing. Really, this cannot be an accident, and it is not.

Thus, I tell you, friend. If you love Iron Maiden and Iron Maiden-inspired bands, I mean, if you really, really love it, then Starblind is for you, perhaps, for you exclusively. Some people might not like it, some people might complain, but Starblind is doing what they love.

The following is a bit of information about the band: "Starblind's critically aclaimed album debut "Darkest Horrors" was recorded during december 2013. It contained the bands first 9 tracks that was written right after the band was put together in the summer of 2013. The recording was done live in the studio to get the best possible sound as a unit together.

Starblinds sole purpose is to unleash heavy metal that pierces straight thru the heart and sounds like it used to back in glory days of the 80´s upon the world; a bit more raw, more melodic and more straight forward are key ingredients.

Some of the Starblind members have previously played in bands like Steel Attack, Danger and Sadauk to name a few."

www.puresteel-records.com/bands/view/356/Starblind

www.twitter.com/StarBlindBand

www.facebook.com/StarBlindtheBand

Abigail Williams

Abigail Williams

The Accuser

Candlelight Records

release: 30 October 2015

The Abigail Williams machine is rolling again. The music changes from album to album and so here is the new one and it’s time to find out what’s new, what’s old, what’s changed, what’s changed even more, what’s changed so much that it remains the same, similarly to the band’s changing base of operations over the years. Currently, it appears that Olympia, Washington state is the band’s home, or at least, for some members of the band. Does that make Abigail Williams a Washington state band now? Well, look at that then, here’s another “local” band to tell you about!

This new album seems a more direct extreme metal work: lots of black metal tendencies, with doom/slow/atmospheric sounds weaved in all over the place, plus a bit of other new sounds, perhaps more post-metal/post-punk in some places, but this last element is nothing overwhelming, just spices of it, here and there. Much of the time the music goes full throttle headbanging metal, and the slow segments work out some melodies or some dissonant components for a bit, like perhaps guitar feedback and other such groovy ditties.

This band has been around for a long time, they have been in the matrix for a while, like more than 10 years. They probably have done it all and have seen it all at this point. Change is a constant for these musicians. Anyway, this new album sounds, you could say, like a rather direct, to-the-point extreme metal album. It’s not experimental, it’s not too melodic. If anything, it’s either headbanging music some of the time or doom-ish/depressive at other times, so that it is not a total blasting-all-the-time album, probably because that would be boring for the band at this point in their career.

Ok, kids, that’s it, that’s the new Abigail Williams. They keep getting more experienced. Really, they keep getting better, in my opinion. I have listened to the album and I have noticed that I understand it a lot better with more listens. The picture becomes clearer with more listens. That means that it may get even better when I come back to it later.

www.facebook.com/abigailwilliamsofficial/

www.candlelightrecordsusa.com

www.facebook.com/candlelightrecords

Morkesagn

Morkesagn (Ukraine)

Where the Darkness Never Ends

release date: 2015

This week I would like to bring to your attention this professional, quality black metal recording. This one is a rather traditional black metal album, but the difference is that you can hear everything clearly. In other words, it sounds like it was recorded to be a professional album, not a cave black metal album. The guitar work is clear, sharp, fast, and pleasant to the black metal ear. Tremolo picking, fast riffs and cold/melancholic melodies are three guitar traits that help to define the colors of the album. The vocals are mostly upfront, traditional semi-comprehensible black metal vocals (not too distant from Dimmu Borgir or Satyricon), but there is a bit of other styles here and there, some lower gruff growling, some chanting/atmospheric vocals, for instance. The drum sound, while undoubtedly solid for modern extreme metal, does not allow the listener to really, really hear the drummer go to town: it sounds too much like we can only hear the double bass kicks and one drum piece, and on occasion, a bit of a drum roll. Surely, the drummer does more than one drum and double bass.

The song themselves is where the band does its best work. There is a sense of time well spent on the arranging of the songs, and on keeping the headbanging at front and center. There are slower moments in some places, but it’s not too long and it never ruins the songs. The album is not constant blasting, not at all; a variety of speeds is readily audible throughout, but it all flows well.

In short, this week, this black metal work has stood out and should be of interest to the audiences that support this particular genre.

www.morkesagn-band.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/morkesagn

doom from Seattle: Army of Dagon

Army of Dagon

Army of Dagon

release date: September 1st, 2015

This Seattle/Washington state doomster alliance released its album not too long ago.

The band uses the following description: “Army of Dagon formed in Seattle in the spring of 2011. They combine elements of Heavy Metal, Traditional Doom, Heavy Rock, and Pop to create anthemic dirges that speak of nature, ghosts, old religions, and battles lost. In the summer of 2015, the band celebrated the release of its self-titled first album.”

Don’t let the words “pop” and “dirge” confuse you, friend. It’s not pop music and it’s not sludge, either. It sounds like doom with traditional vocals, more or less. There are little hints of other genres, but overall it sounds coherent and traditional. Given that you kids today enjoy lots of barking/screaming/angry vocals y’all might be really confused. Y’all might be wondering what those vocals are.

Is that singing? You don’t say! You mean there are bands still doing that thang? Yup. Army of Dagon’s is the name, friend.

www.armyofdagon.bandcamp.com

www.twitter.com/armyofdagon

www.facebook.com/armyofdagon

Old Coven

Old Coven

Some weeks ago, back on October 14th, the black metal band Goat Torment (Belgium) played in Everett, Washington state. At that show, Washington state black metallers Sacrament ov Impurity also played. In addition, there was a band from California that played. They are called Old Coven. They are new to me, but they sounded good and I bought their cassette tape and wanted to know more about the band. The tape is an old school demo raw demo recording. Below you will all the relevant links and info.

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Hey, this is Metal Bulletin Zine, in the state of Washington. I bought your tape "Demo 1" and talked a bit with your guitarist. So, what's up with Old Coven? 2015 won't be here much longer. How has 2015 treated your band?

Hello and Morbid greetings! Hope you enjoyed our very blasphemous encounter! 2015 has been a very interesting year for us, many beers were drank and we've visited some interesting places. More could have been done, but there's never no time to lament.

I have been listening to your cassette tape. Metal Archives says that it was recorded in 2012? Are there plans to record?

Yes, the Demo was hastily recorded in a drunken September night in 2012 followed by a three-date tour with Deiphago, where we visited for the first time the cities of San Diego and San Francisco, the response to our presence was mostly positive. As for the demo tape we would say it's a rough representation of our craft. We plan to have more recordings released as soon as we find a sound that is to our preference, that is how we work, slow and deliberate.

The tape is a raw recording of the black thrash underground metal that you specialize in. Since you decided to put out such an honest recording, is it a statement about your beliefs about the way that you think you should be recording your metal?

Our beliefs, if you want to call them that, very much differ from one mind to another. This satanic coven, which we have created, is the work of people with different perverted ideas in mind. The only thing where we can really agree on is playing the most furious and devastating fucked up Black Metal!!! A fitting tribute to the metal of old if you will. Black Metal for some of us is more of a philosophy, a way of doing things with respect towards the evil past.

Hey, so, how did you find a group of maniacs for Old Coven?

Each individual member was already an established musician in our scene. Tormentor played guitar for Horrid, Black Putridness played drums in Bloodstorm/Mockery and Slitthroat played guitar in Xaster. Old Coven took a hold of each select individual and created something else, something different. It was our intentions to stand apart from everyone else, we feel very strong about this. Old Coven is our nefarious response and statement to the metal scene.

What can you tell us about the town where you all live?

Yes! We are from Los Angeles, the scene here is very big and diverse and also divided. Every metal head usually sticks within their comfortable perimeters. As for us, we would say we are not very interested in what goes on here. That is not to say that there isn't any good quality music to be found.

2016 is around the corner. Where do you see Old Coven in the next few years?

Nothing concrete, everything eventually falls into place or falls apart. One thing is certain, expect more devilish audio punishment soon.

You have a record label called Necruz Records, right? What else would you like to mention?

The label and Old Coven are two completely different things. Separate from one another.

Cassette tape is the current format of release but not the specialization. Darkness is the philosophy.

Thank you for your time! We'd like to extend our salute and mighty hails to our friends and all the occultist and heavy metal freaks around this dying world.

Nothing more to add now, as for listeners or anyone interested in our activities regarding the label or band you can inquire through these addresses

www.necruzrecords.bandcamp.com facebook page: Necruz De La Muerte email: Occultobsession@gmail.com

THE END

ten bands from Twitter

Metal Bulletin Zine follows these bands on Twitter. If you are on Twitter, you might be interested in them, depending on your tastes.

Lelahell is death metal from Algeria, with an EP in 2012 and an album in 2014. @lelahellband www.twitter.com/lelahellband

Metal Church is the legendary name from Washington state, U.S. Began in 1980 and has a storied discography. New album for 2016 with returning vocalist Mike Howe. @metalchurchis1 www.twitter.com/metalchurchis1

AnGélida is melodic/symphonic and power/gothic metal from Spain. Three albums so far. @_AnGelida_ www.twitter.com/_AnGelida_

Aphasia is a band from Kenya and they describe themselves as: “progressive death core/math core/metalcore.” @AphasiaKE www.twitter.com/AphasiaKE

Kilmara is melodic heavy metal from Spain that began in 1999. Three demos and three albums so far. @KILMARA_DFTW www.twitter.com/KILMARA_DFTW

Púah is a groove metal band from Venezuela. They have a demo from 2009 and an album from 2014. @PuahVzla www.twitter.com/PuahVzla

Ara'Kus is a heavy metal opera from the state of Washington. They put on full theatrical performances with music and a large cast of actors. @arakusband www.twitter.com/arakusband

Doro is, of course, from 80s heavy metal band Warlock, 1983-1989 (Germany), and since 1989 has a large discography. The band tours Europe and the U.S., amongst other places. @DoroOfficial www.twitter.com/DoroOfficial

Cadaveria is the former vocalist for long-running extreme metal band Opera IX from Italy from 1992-2001. Since 2001 Cadaveria and her band have some four albums and several video releases of “horror metal.” @_Cadaveria_ www.twitter.com/_Cadaveria_

Kingcrow is melodic prog metal from Italy. The band began in 1996. They have some six albums, plus other demos and EPs. The most recent album is from 2015. @KingcrowBand www.twitter.com/KingcrowBand

free recording of black metal: Dark Supremacy

Dark Supremacy

In the Cold Winter of Nowhere

release date: November 6th, 2015

Dark Supremacy is totally traditionally grim black metal from Brazil. This band believes in efficiency and hitting hard. After the brief intro, which is but a warning sign, the blasting black metal begins, tremolo riffing galore and tortured harsh screaming. The recording is remarkably clear and you can hear the drummer really get to work. Dark Supremacy is orthodox-conservative traditional black metal and they are very proud of it, and they sound like it. Yup, it’s awesome.

1.Intro 01:07

2.Wizard Kingdom 05:20

3.Lake of Hell 03:12

4.Dark Night, Cold Stone 03:32

5.Abyss of the Lamentations 05:11

6.Dead 07:38

7.Malignant Coronation (Tsjuder cover) 02:53

total time 28:53

wwww.darksupremacy.bandcamp.com/releases

free recording of death/grind: Art of Torture

Art of Torture

Impulse to Mutilation

release date: November 5th, 2015

Art of Torture is a Brazilian death/grind band from João Pessoa/PB, Brazil. The band was founded in 2009. The band names Lock Up, Cannibal Corpse and Dying Fetus as the music that they like; and with that, they let you know what the deal is: extreme metal for those craving lots of blasting and low-gruff growling. Just look at the song titles and I think you will get a good idea of the nasty sounds that await. Go ahead, dig in. It’s free.

1.Intro 01:17

2.Anal Necrosis 02:13

3.NecrOrgy 02:35

4.Impulse to Mutilation 02:18

5.Rise of the Agression 01:45

6.JWG 02:33

7.Mancuerda 02:49

8.Putrid Slayer 03:05

9.Human Eradication 02:41

10.Perfect Art of Butchery 02:28

11.2000 Years of Pure Rape 03:22

total time 27:06

www.artoftorture.bandcamp.com/releases

www.facebook.com/artoftorture/?fref=ts

new concerts: Seattle/Tacoma/Everett area

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Seattle region concert calendar by Metal Bulletin Zine (Washington state). If you know of other metal concerts in the area, please get in contact with Metal Bulletin Zine, here, on Facebook or on Twitter. -

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December 4 at Flight's Pub in Everett: Maiden Seattle - The Ultimate Tribute at Flights Pub with Phantom Fears, A Tribute to Rush

December 4 Studio Seven, Seattle:KISW Metal Sop Presents: HEADBANGERS HOLIDAY Presents! Ghost Ship Octavius Featuring Matt Wicklund From God Forbid / Van Williams from Nevermore / Parker From Queensryche / Avoid the Void / Disciples Of Dissent / American Wrecking Company / Mother Crone

December 5 at Louie G in Tacoma: Otherworld, Kill Closet, American Wrecking Company, Massacre at the Opera, Salem Knights, JesusWearsArmani, Vesuvian

December 5 THE FACELESS, After The Burial, Rings of Saturn, Ashes Of Existence, EMPYREAN at El Corazón, Seattle

December 10 at Highline: Abhomine, Necroholocaust, Weregoat, Crurifragium

December 11 at Highline (Hail Santa VI VI VI Fest): Witchaven, Xoth, Sarcalagos, Raptor Thrash, Substratum, Progenitor

December 11 at El Corazon: Black Sabbitch, Witchburn, Zero Down

December 12 at Highline (Hail Santa VI VI VI Fest): Wolvhammer, Atriarch, Ghostblood, Rhine, Brain Scraper

December 12 Sarcalogos at McCoy's Tavern - Olympia, WA

December 17 Black Breath at Neumos

January 2 at Flight's Pub in Everett: Death Metal from San Juan Puerto Rico ZAFAKON, CALAMITY, W/ Local Talent, KILL CLOSET

January 30 Nile at El Corazon

January 31 at Studio Seven: Warbringer, Enforcer, Exmortus, Cauldron, Oxygen Destroyer

February 19 Fleshed Apocalypse at Studio Seven - Seattle, WA

February 6 Black Sabbath at Tacoma Dome

March 6 Helloween at The Showbox

March 7 Delain, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish at Showbox SoDo

March 19 Slayer, Testament, Carcass at Paramount Theater - Seattle

March 24 Y & T at Studio Seven Seattle

April 1 Decibel Magazinel Tour ABBATH, High On Fire, Tribulation, Skeletonwitch at El Corazon - Seattle, WA

April 11 Iron Maiden at Tacoma Dome

May 1 Napalm Death at The Showbox - Seattle, WA

May 08 Primal Fear, Luca Turilli's Rhapsody at El Corazon - Seattle, WA

free black metal from Seattle: Ghuuliathe

Ghuuliathe (Seattle [?])

Ghuuliathe

release date: December 1st, 2015

This is a free recording of black metal.

In terms of personnel information, there’s not much to pass along, but Metal Archives and Bandcamp both say that this entity is from the state of Washington, from Seattle.

Ghuuliathe is new to me. I am not ready to say a whole lot about it so far, either. It is a midtempo black metal demo that showcases songs that are memorable, even catchy, in a melancholic sense. The vocals are traditional black metal, although melodic vocals are used in parts of the songs, for a contrast in energies. This contrast is a distinguishing characteristic of Ghuuliathe. Also, the guitar goes at a pace that is comprehensible, not too fast, and works well with the songs, as does the drumming, about which I cannot say whether it is real drums or drum programming. It might as well be drum programming because it is a demo recording.

However, you can hear the cymbal work if you turn up the volume. The double bass also does not sound clicky. Keep in mind that this is a raw recording. Maybe the drum programming has been done with more attention than usual, because you can hear more than a simple, monotonous drum beat. Personally, I would be tempted to say that it sounds like real drumming, due to the dynamics mentioned above, but I could be wrong, of course, given that I do not have lots of information.

At any rate, I recommend this recording to supporters of black metal that do enjoy checking out new black metal music, whether it is from Seattle/Washington or from wherever. I’m digging this Ghuuliathe entity quite a bit this week. You might be pleasantly surprised, too.

The recording is:

1.Vacant World 06:13

2.Great Solitude 08:40

3.Forever Aphelion 01:12

4.Journey to Ghuuliathe 06:20

total time 22:25

www.ghuuliathe.bandcamp.com/releases

new: Slayer, Testament, Carcass; Napalm Death Seattle region concert calendar

Seattle region concert calendar by Metal Bulletin Zine (Washington state). If you know of other metal concerts in the area, please get in contact with Metal Bulletin Zine, here, on Facebook or on Twitter.

December 2 Bell Witch at Barboza

December 3 Kamelot + Dragonforce at the Showbox

December 4 at Flight's Pub in Everett: Maiden Seattle - The Ultimate Tribute at Flights Pub with Phantom Fears, A Tribute to Rush

December 4 Studio Seven, Seattle:KISW Metal Sop Presents: HEADBANGERS HOLIDAY Presents! Ghost Ship Octavius Featuring Matt Wicklund From God Forbid / Van Williams from Nevermore / Parker From Queensryche / Avoid the Void / Disciples Of Dissent / American Wrecking Company / Mother Crone

December 5 at Louie G in Tacoma: Otherworld, Kill Closet, American Wrecking Company, Massacre at the Opera, Salem Knights, JesusWearsArmani, Ocean of Obsession

December 5 THE FACELESS, After The Burial, Rings of Saturn, Ashes Of Existence, EMPYREAN at El Corazón, Seattle

December 10 at Highline: Abhomine, Necroholocaust, Weregoat, Crurifragium

December 11 at Highline (Hail Santa VI VI VI Fest): Witchaven, Xoth, Sarcalagos, Raptor Thrash, Substratum, Progenitor

December 11 at El Corazon: Black Sabbitch, Witchburn, Zero Down

December 12 at Highline (Hail Santa VI VI VI Fest): Wolvhammer, Atriarch, Ghostblood, Rhine, Brain Scraper

December 12 Sarcalogos at McCoy's Tavern - Olympia, WA

December 17 Black Breath at Neumos

January 2 at Flight's Pub in Everett: Death Metal from San Juan Puerto Rico ZAFAKON, CALAMITY, W/ Local Talent, KILL CLOSET

January 30 Nile at El Corazon

January 31 at Studio Seven: Warbringer, Enforcer, Exmortus, Cauldron, Oxygen Destroyer

February 19 Fleshed Apocalypse at Studio Seven - Seattle, WA

February 6 Black Sabbath at Tacoma Dome

March 6 Halloween at The Showbox

March 7 Delain, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish at Showbox SoDo

March 19 Slayer, Testament, Carcass at Paramount Theater - Seattle

March 24 Y & T at Studio Seven

April 1 Skeletonwitch at El Corazon - Seattle, WA

April 11 Iron Maiden at Tacoma Dome

May 1 Napalm Death at The Showbox - Seattle, WA

May 08 Primal Fear at El Corazon - Seattle, WA

free album of folk metal: Ymyrgar (Tunisia)

Ymyrgar (Tunisia)

The Tale as Far

release date: 2014

Ymyrgar is a Viking-themed folk/extreme metal maverick from Tunisia. Not only do they have a self-released album of snow-covered frozen-tundra metal, they also have made it available for free! The artwork alone threatens to freeze your lungs. The band opens up the way for the fiddle and the tin whistle to shine. The instrumentation sounds like extreme metal, with the guitars and drumming, but they also make sure that the folk melodies are present. The tin whistle livens up the vibe and the fiddle seeks to make you dance the dance of the ancient warriors. The vocals are not one particular style, which makes for an interesting listen; black metal growling, some gruff growling, choirs, melodic singing, and just generally getting down and metal folky ready for Oktoberfest any day of the week that ends in the letter y.

“The Tale as Far” is:

1.Einu sinni var 02:59

2.Dawn of Time 04:42

3.Ode to Mighty Deeds 06:55

4.Hall of the Slain 06:35

5.The Last Sip 02:45

6.Under the Sign of Path 08:35

7.Echoes of a Fallen Era 09:38

total time 42:09

History of the band:

“YMYRGAR is a Tunisian Folk/Pagan Metal band formed in 2011 by a bunch of friends who share their passion for Metal music.

All started with the enlightened idea of “Rami KHEZAMI” and his friend “Ayoub BEN ABDALLAH”. Fond of Folk Metal, they decided to give birth to their own band. So later, Rami contacted a fiddle player that he knows, “Belhassen DAHMEN”, and it was this conspiracy that drew the real start of the band. Because any group needs members, each one of the guys started their research and gathered their friends. The first target was “Habib REKIK” who was trapped in the toilet of their High school where he was peeing as usual and was told to become their Lead Vocalist. At his surprise, his single answer was “But I don’t know how to sing” so the guys told him: «Not a problem! You will learn to!”

Thus, they collaborated with “Malek BEN ROMDHANE”, a guitarist they knew but he quickly dropped out because his interest was for another gender of Metal. He got replaced by another guitarist named “Hakim FEZZANI” who acted like a BASTARD at first when he joined them, and then he got used to the group. When it comes to the drummer, they knew a guy named “Youssef GARSAA” by chance in the street, but he wasn’t that much into metal music so, the holy “Nader” appeared to save the situation. “Nader BEN HADJ SALEM” liked Folk Metal music and enjoyed playing drums. So he started learning with them in the band.

There was a girl that “Belhassen” knew who plays bass guitar known as “Linda YAHYAOUI” who was told to join them. As time passed, the musical need required a new level of skills so the thought of adding a new guitarist was applied. Soon after that, “Mohamed SLEMA” joined the band and proved his genius in playing solo parts and added a new “Power Metal” flavor to the tracks. Then, it seemed that “Linda” wasn’t very interested in their music and was going to bring down the whole project. That’s why; she was kicked out ultimately and was replaced by “Ahmed ZAIER” a skilled bass player who offered his studio engineering knowledge to the band.

Finally, when the crew was completed, they set sails to begin their Folk Metal journey.”

www.ymyrgar.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/Ymyrgar

Complete concert - YMYRGAR (Rock for Roots 2015) HD

Seattle region concert calendar

Seattle region concert calendar by Metal Bulletin Zine (Washington state). If you know of other metal concerts in the area, please get in contact with Metal Bulletin Zine, here, on Facebook or on Twitter.

December 2 Bell Witch at Barboza

December 3 Kamelot + Dragonforce at the Showbox

December 4 at Flight's Pub in Everett: Maiden Seattle - The Ultimate Tribute at Flights Pub with Phantom Fears, A Tribute to Rush

December 4 Studio Seven, Seattle:KISW Metal Sop Presents: HEADBANGERS HOLIDAY Presents! Ghost Ship Octavius Featuring Matt Wicklund From God Forbid / Van Williams from Nevermore / Parker From Queensryche / Avoid the Void / Disciples Of Dissent / American Wrecking Company / Mother Crone

December 5 at Louie G in Tacoma: Otherworld, Kill Closet, American Wrecking Company, Massacre at the Opera, Salem Knights, JesusWearsArmani, Ocean of Obsession

December 5 THE FACELESS, After The Burial, Rings of Saturn, Ashes Of Existence, EMPYREAN at El Corazón, Seattle

December 10 at Highline: Abhomine, Necroholocaust, Weregoat, Crurifragium

December 11 at Highline (Hail Santa VI VI VI Fest): Witchaven, Xoth, Sarcalagos, Raptor Thrash, Substratum, Progenitor

December 11 at El Corazon: Black Sabbitch, Witchburn, Zero Down

December 12 at Highline (Hail Santa VI VI VI Fest): Wolvhammer, Atriarch, Ghostblood, Rhine, Brain Scraper

December 12 Sarcalogos at McCoy's Tavern - Olympia, WA

December 17 Black Breath at Neumos

January 2 at Flight's Pub in Everett: Death Metal from San Juan Puerto Rico ZAFAKON, CALAMITY, W/ Local Talent, KILL CLOSET

January 30 Nile at El Corazon

January 31 at Studio Seven: Warbringer, Enforcer, Exmortus, Cauldron, Oxygen Destroyer

February 19 Fleshed Apocalypse at Studio Seven - Seattle, WA

February 6 Black Sabbath at Tacoma Dome

March 6 Halloween at The Showbox

March 7 Delain, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish at Showbox SoDo

March 24 Y & T at Studio Seven

April 1 Skeletonwitch at El Corazon - Seattle, WA

April 11 Iron Maiden at Tacoma Dome

May 1 Napalm Death at The Showbox - Seattle, WA

May 08 Primal Fear at El Corazon - Seattle, WA

NEWS: Waken Eyes on Bandcamp

Waken Eyes was started early 2013 by Tom Frelek after his old band had gone on hiatus. Tom was still playing in his own instrumental band but wanted to create a prog album that was heavy, melodic, cinematic and with vocals.

The inspiration for writing the album came from many different sources like: music, paintings and movies. Musically the inspiration came mainly from classical composers like Chopin, Mozart, Stravinsky and soundtrack composers like Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, Danny Elfman and others. Tom’s inspiration, when it comes to guitar players are Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Al Di Meola, Michael Romeo, John Petrucci and B.B King.

When Tom finished writing all the demos for the album he already had musicians in mind to play on this record. Marco Minnemann was one of those guys he wanted to get after hearing him play on Paul Gilbert's spaceship one DVD. Hearing how amazingly talented Marco was struck him to send him an email with a few demos attached. He complimented the demos and agreed to play. He completely added so much life to the songs and Tom was almost in tears at one point! The rest is history!

After Marco recorded all the drums (in 3-4 days!) he sent upgraded demos to Mike Lepond of Symphony X as he’s an amazing musician. He recorded his parts fairly quickly. Needless to say Mike's playing was superb and brought the tracks to life!

As for vocals, Tom got Henrik Bath to sing on the album. Tom heard of Henrik and his band Darkwater from a good friend of his. Tom was instantly blown away by his vocal ability. He contacted Henrik and sent him the demos with Marco and Mikes' parts on them. The recording process started shortly after. The life that Henrik brought to this album is indescribable. There is so much passion and honesty in how Henrik sings. Tom had many “wow” moments when Henrik sent over his vocal takes.

The theme of the album is about being fearless and every song has something to do about fearlessness. The theme came from the struggles of everyday life that everyone deals with. How people, emotions, media, governments can enforce fear upon you to make you think a certain way to more or less control you. It's an album for those who struggle to stand up for themselves and can't let their voice be heard.

Certain songs have lyrical ideas about war, media, falling in and out of love, spirituality and faith, good and evil. To sum it up, it is an album about hope. Sounding dark at times but with hope at the end of the tunnel.

“Exodus” is a very impressive and diverse album that will surely appeal to fans of progressive metal, progrock and melodic metal. The album has a great mix of catchy melodies, challenging instrumental parts and epic cinematic movements that will surely capture the attention of the musical community. Everything comes together perfectly in the title track that ends the album with its 18 minutes long epic filled with melodies, progressive parts and a good dose of feeling.

Waken Eyes presents an impressive debut album with “Exodus”, don’t miss out!

www.ulteriumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/exodus-2

this week's issue: 65 of Metal Bulletin Zine

Blood of the Wolf

Blackslash

Morrow (free) (Washington state)

Svneatr

news: The Desolate, War Curse

plus: Axemaster (part 4: conclusion of the interview)

www.issuu.com/metalbulletinzine/docs/metalbulletin65

Blackslash

Blackslash (Germany)

Sinister Lightning

IRON SHIELD RECORDS

release: 20th November 2015

These Germans are a great example of a band coming from out of the blue and making you sit up and take notice. The band name does not tell you much, but then the music begins and the traditional heavy metal kicks into high gear. Quickly, the band answers the question that I want to know: Do they have a real singer?! Traditional heavy metal is not much fun is the singer cannot sing. Well, no worries, no worries at all! Once that gets established, things are well underway. Guitar harmonies, guitar solos, riffs, melodies and headbanging rhythms, it’s all Blackslash, classic-style heavy metal from a new generation of bangers. The founders of heavy metal may be dying off and soon they won’t be around anymore, but a band like Blackslash shows clearly that classic heavy metal is in the good hands of the younger generation that has sworn allegiance to the genre.

If you would to hear a new band that emphasizes quality traditional heavy metal, this is the band’s debut, so they are just getting warmed up. Get on this heavy metal train if you want to celebrate the original heavy metal as practiced by the founders. The band even has the nerve to do a power ballad. It is called “Made of Steel” and they knock it out of the park, way out of the park.

They can officially do everything. Fast to slow to fast, it doesn’t matter for the band. They can do it all in traditional heavy metal.

This is an album that I have been listening to a lot this past week. Recommended!

www.facebook.com/blackslashband

www.ironshieldrecords.de

Blood of the Wolf

Blood of the Wolf

I: The Law of Retaliation

Self-Release

Release: 28 August 2015

This past week this extreme metal album caught my attention. It’s difficult not to notice the strength in the delivery and the quality in the songwriting. It does not take repeated listens to make an impact at those two aforementioned levels—execution and skill.

They have in mind high standards in their extreme metal craft. Tight execution, sharp guitar, fast melodies, frenzied drumming, and deep, gruff vocals. To my way of thinking, there are certain albums with which this work shares a heritage: Morbid Angel’s “Blessed Are the Sick,” Behemoth’s “Demigod,” Dissection’s “Storm of the Light’s Bane” and Marduk’s “Panzer Division Marduk.” Of course, if you ask them they might give a different answer (maybe Angelcorpse?! Vader?), but, to me, the elements of Blood of the Wolf can be explained from those classic albums. The vocals are closer to Behemoth, while the guitar work sounds meticulous, like classic-period Morbid Angel/Dissection, as is the blasting, meaning that it is compact, tight blasting. The above details are the not the most important thing, actually. This is: the sound of experience, knowledge and the drive to create extreme metal that will rival and perhaps one day surpass the old masters. The band, while fast at a frenetic pace, writes very ear-friendly material. The band might not take kindly to being called “catchy” and “melodic” because in extreme metal those words are dirty, but a fact is a fact. It is only when you hear Blood of the Wolf that you get reminded just memorable and serious extreme metal can be when done right. It will take Blood of the Wolf to remind you.

Bottom line, I have been very, very impressed with this band, which formed in 2012. This is their debut, but they are made up of members of Rellik, Kommandant and Terminate, and death and black metal bands from the Chicagoland area. The band is not trying to hide their love of the classic bands. For instance, they have a song called “With Iron Weapons and Will,” which any Marduk loyalist can figure out where the title of the song comes from, obviously. Then, just to confirm it, the band covers Marduk’s “With Satan and Victorious Weapons.”

This debut is a very strong statement from the band. Hopefully supporters of extreme metal will notice the difference that is Blood of the Wolf. There is much to support here. As is often the case with extreme metal, the drum sound is too computerized for my tastes. To give a Morbid Angel reference, the drum sound is too much like “Blessed Are the Sick” and I would be curious to hear a more “Covenant” drum sound. Currently, it sounds a bit flat and weak. It would be good to hear the cymbal work, as well as the full range of the drums; that is, the other pieces of the drum set that are being played. We don’t get to hear the drumming in all its glory, basically. In spite of that personal complaint, this album is going to get repeated listens around here for sure. This is a keeper, and a band to watch out for.

www.bloodofthewolf.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/bloodofthewolfmusic