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Armory - The Dawn of Enlightenment
(Self Release) Review by
Nathan Ward |
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It’s always good to see new metal bands, especially one a good
as Armory. Hailing from Massachusetts, this 6 piece are adding
more fuel to the American Power Metal fire and they do a
bloody good job too. ‘Dawn of Enlightenment’ sounds like it
could have come from some of the established European bands,
bringing forth great riffs, harmonies and melodies. But it’s
not all power metal, there are also elements of heavy and
thrash metal on some of the tracks, there are even some early
video game music influences. For instance ‘Heart of Dreams’
has an Iron Maiden feel to it and ‘Forged in Dragon Flame’ has
a Megadeth feel. |
The album opens with an instrumental, which incorporates all
the elements of the album, from the melodic guitars to the
pounding drums. With the exceptions of the opening and closing
tracks, each song is between 4 and 7 minutes long. The final
song, which is also the title track, is an epic 13 minutes
long, but it keeps you listening all the way through. The
mixing on the album is great; you can hear all the instruments
and vocals clearly, no instrument is overshadowed by the
others. The musicianship of the band is top notch to,
everything fits. Each song flows perfectly, from the vocal
lead ins, drum fills, bass and solo switching (there are both
keyboard and guitar solos). There are two bonus tracks on the
album, a cover of Maiden’s ‘Flight of Icarus’ and ‘Dr Willy’s’
theme from the Megaman games. Both of which are well done.
Overall ‘Dawn of Enlightenment’ is a various mix of metal,
with influences from the likes of Hammerfall, Iron Maiden,
Edguy, Sonata Arctica and Megadeth, essentially bands which
Armory called true metal. From start to finish I really
enjoyed listening to this album, my favourite songs being: ‘Faith in
Steel’ and ‘Mystic Star’. I hope to hear more from these guys
in the future.
www.myspace.com/armorymetal
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Averse Sefira - Advent Parallax
(Candlelight Records)
By: Dave Schalek |
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Averse Sefira from Austin, Texas have been taking large
strides towards more exposure with a couple of tours in
support of some big names over the last year under their
belts, or in progress, as well as signing with giant
Candlelight Records for the release of their fourth
full-length, entitled “Advent Parallax”. Continuing a vague
flirtation with physics, Averse Sefira progresses from their
former style of more or less all-out blasts to a more
progressive touch similar to that of “Rebel Extravaganza”-era Satyricon on “Advent Parallax”.
I hate to say it, but Averse Sefira have always been a bit of
a second tier band and, although there are some flashes of
brilliance on “Advent Parallax”, overall this album will |
probably not change Averse Sefira’s status. That’s a shame
because just about everything required for a standout release
is here; that is, solid musicianship, good production, and so
on. However, with a few notable exceptions towards the end of
the release, namely the last two tracks, the songwriting on
“Advent Parallax” is just somewhat typical and adequate. While
listening to the album many times over the course of several
days, I found myself saying repeatedly, “This is basically
Rebel Extravaganza redone and just not as good”.
So, given that I’m not blown away by “Advent Parallax”, what
does separate the last two tracks from the rest of the album?
Better songwriting, that’s what. Mixing up the tempos,
providing some interesting structures and an overall epic feel
to the songs that a successful foray into this style really
needs are present on the wonderfully titled “Refractions Of An
Unexplored Singularity” as well as the album’s closer,
“Vomitorium Angelis”.
Overall, “Advent Parallax” is competent and enjoyable, but it
just doesn’t knock my socks off. That’s too bad, because
Averse Sefira is obviously a hard working band.
www.aversesefira.com
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www.candlelightrecords.co.uk |
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Benighted - Icon
(Osmose) review by Sam Thomas |
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Osmose. Not the world’s biggest label, but one that I always
look out for. They’ve got an impressive track record (no pun
intended) within the realms of brutality, and virtually
everything that comes out on this label is worth listening to.
French five-piece Benighted are no exception to this rule. The
quality of the production is superb, the band are obviously
talented (you’d hope so, they’ve been together for nine years
and produced four albums prior to this) and have managed to
produce what is pretty much solid death metal of the Swedish
variety with a few other little influences sneaking in from
time to time, including a fantastic bit of French rapping on
third track “Grind Wit” and a thoughtful almost industrial |
feel to the beginning of fifth track “Forsaken”.
In fact, the only problem I have with the band is that, on the
notes on the back of my review copy, I’m informed that the new
drummer is called Kevin. Well, it’s not very extreme is it?
Surely he should be called something like Corpsehellstrangler?
Other than that (and yes, I am joking) there is absolutely
nothing to complain about. This is an excellent little (30
minutes or thereabouts) essay in brutality which just goes to
show the strength of the French metal scene and one which
reinforces my belief that Osmose are most definitely a label
to watch out for.
www.osmoseproductions.com |
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Dave Corp - The Sweet Life
(Sluggos Goon) Review by Metal Mark |
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What should one expect from an album with a picture of stained
undies hanging on the clothesline on the cover? I guess expect
the unexpected because that’s my initial take on the music
contained on this disc. They list themselves as experimental
jazz and that sort of begins to describe their music, but not
exactly and certainly not completely. It is largely jazz, but
often times very off the cuff and it moves at very different
paces. The music here is engaging, cutting and runs the range
from smooth to heavy, but pretty much works on every level
they attempt to work out. The most surprising aspect of this
album may be that there is no guitar. Just bass, drums and
keyboards yet they twist and spin the music doing wonders |
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with just three instruments. This album felt like they fit
piles of music into a single disc and we the listeners are
better off for it. One of the more interesting albums I have
heard in a while.
www.sluggosgoonmusic.com |
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Imperia - Queen of Light (Locomotive)
Review by Steve Green |
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Originally released on Massacre Records, Locomotive have
picked this up for a release in the US. And for me, it's been
a nice chance to catch up with the music of Helena Iren
Michaelsen. Having seen her with Trail of Tears at Dynamo,
shit, about 10 years ago, and having been mightily impressed
with Disclosure In Red, the trail (no pun intended) then went
dry. All I've seen of her since those days are the photos of
her in revealing outfits. A fact I have to say, does detract
from her prowess as a singer.
So, how does Queen of Light compare to her earlier work? Well,
the lady can still sing with the best of them. Her voice still
sounds absolutely stunning. My only concern is that she's
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missed the boat and has been overtaken by the likes of Epica
and After Forever, not to mention the success of Within
Temptation and Nightwish. Despite a fair few belting tunes,
plenty of atmosphere and some great performances, there is
nothing new going on here. The same could be said about Doro
Pesch. It's the same scenario of knowing exactly what to
expect, and you know it is going to be good, but you are not
going to be blown away the same way you were, when you first
discovered them.
I hope that last comment doesn't do this album a disservice.
All I'm trying to say, is that this album is very good, but
it's got a lot more competition than it would have done ten
years ago and it has lost the surprise factor. It still comes recommended for those that love
quality female vocals.
http://helena-michaelsen.com |
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Mortal Love - Forever Will Be Gone
(Locomotive) Review by Steve Green |
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Another US release via Locomotive sees the final part of
Mortal Love's trilogy about a tragic love story. We reviewed
All The Beauty, way back at the end of 2002. And although I
didn't review the album, I remember enjoying what I heard.
Since that time, my love affair with female vocals has
diminished somewhat and these days I'd rather be brutalized by
a rabid death metal assault or something of equal ferocity.
But you still have to make time for a bit of love and this'll
do nicely, thank you very much. Despite the story being about
a tragic love story, the feeling is light and airy and there
isn't much in the way of misery on this album. Female singer,
Cat, has a warm inviting voice that is full of light and
Forever Will Be
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Gone has an uplifting feel about it, this is in complete
contrast of the bands biog declaring this as dark/goth.
Well, it's like that for the first part of the album at
least...
I don't have the lyrics, but as the album progresses, the song
titles do get a little disturbed. By track 6, To Choke You
Now, things do get darker and obviously, the tale of love is
about to go tits up, if you'll excuse the colloquialism. From
this point on, the album completely clicks with me and their
sound reminds me of Lacuna Coil before they sold out, with
Cat's vocals leaning more towards Sharon Den Adel's from
Within Temptation. I don't have the lyrics, but the tone drops
down quite a way and I'm sure the ending isn't a happy one,
but musically this is superb, as are the duel male/female
vocals, as they fight to the very end.
The start of this album was a bit too nice for me, but as it
progressed and as the story became darker, the quality shone
through. Good stuff.
www.mortallove.com |
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Necromantia - The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven
(Dockyard 1
Records) Review by Crin |
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Along side Rotting Christ, this band are supreme Greek Black
Metal legends. The likes of Kawir, Varathron, Thou Art Lord,
etc being mere pretenders. Formed in 1989, this band were at
the very birth of the Black Metal scene as a true musical form
away from its thrash mother genre. The bands sound was unusual
for its use of two bass guitars, and the debut album, Crossing
The Fiery Path in 1993 is a true classic. So 15 Years on, and
I am looking at a album no 4, a very Satanic looking album
title, a black and white foreboding album cover and as the
first track leaps out of the howling winds, a great hellish
myriad of confusion, distortion, unholy vociferous
malfeasance, and a noise born from death erupts |
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into the air. This first track really dumfounds the ears,
neither going anywhere nor apparently becoming nothing other
than a song disintegrating before the ears, so to speak. This
is followed by a rapid, yet equally perplexing track, Order of
the Black Sphinx. Sharp jolting riffs, indiscriminate
keyboards, and an epic orchestral bite. The sound is solid and
clear, the music so fresh in its construction, so violent in
its execution. The bass is still the prominent instrument,
driving this post-black metal creation into paths unknown. The
intrusive abrasiveness lends its strident pose to a more
mid-tempo prog
Blackened style with the following, For the Elder Magi. That
typical Greek drum style harkens back to the wonderful debut,
and of Rotting Christ’s sublime Mighty Contract opus. There
is a great nostalgia to be discovered here for those who
recall the olden times. For those who don’t, then let this be
a lesson in how to assimilate the past with the future through
devastatingly twisted song craft. Neromantia have not returned
with just another rehash of past glories. This album is
pushing the boundaries of Black Metal into another dimension.
There really is a unique feel to the absurd arrangements that
are woven amongst contorted keyboards, chopping riffs and a
stop-start musical myriad of epic atmospheres and quite
challenging soundscapes. At times the dark muse here
contaminates your mind like a bad acid trip. On other
occasions the euphoric aural energy stirs the heart and
enraptures the mind. There is a complex infrastructure to the
songs, and I would assume this album took a while to create.
If you like your music to be challenging then look no further
than this. www.dockyard1.com |
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Primal Fear - New Religion
(Locomotive Records)
By: Joe Florez |
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Matt Sinner has hopefully crafted a better product here than on
his last solo release which was unfortunately a huge bust.
PF’s last release Seven Seals was a good effort, but you can
tell that they were experimenting and trying to go more
commercial. It was alright, but I prefer the straight outta’
hell power metal that has made them so loveable. “Sign Of
Fear” is up to bat and will pretty much determine what
direction the band will go in. The riffs are spot on as well
as the drumming. Ralf once again opens the show with the
Halford like screams that he has so been compared to since the
beginning of his career. Well, so far…so good. This cut is
reminiscent of the good ‘ol days and fans should be excited
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the return to old, right? Perhaps. “Face The Emptiness” also
proves worthy of being on here. The energy and excitement is
all here in a mid tempo range that will keep everyone
entertained. It’s only track three and things change for the
not so good. “Everytime It Rains” features a duet with Epica’s
Simone Simons. It’s a ballad that contains string arrangements
and slight programming. It’s very experimental and I think
people will get pissed off by this. I absolutely hated this at
first, but it somewhat grew on me. However, this would have
been better suited as a B-side. “Fighting The Darkness” which
is a three part epic sends mixed messages as it starts out
strong, but then hits for the ballad road and make it sound as
commercial as possible. The later half of the disc gets back
on track again and it feels oh so good. I believe that this
record will divide the fans for sure. You will either love it
or hate it. It’s not a terrible effort, but it’s just not as
strong as the older releases. I understand that we all must
evolve and try new things to figure out what sticks and
what doesn’t, but this goes all over the place and what I get out
of it in the end is that they want to be viable to the masses.
Approach with caution.
www.locomotiverecords.com
| www.primalfear.de |
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Sacrilegious Impalement - Sacrilegious Impalement
(Blasphemous
Underground Prod) Review by Crin |
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This is one arse shredding MCD. Finland is a hotbed for
various strains of extreme metal. The Black Metal genre
thrives in this northern land where winter seems a perpetual
cloud of miasma hovering above the mind set of its
inhabitants.
The legendary Beherit can lay claim to being the Mayhem of the
Finnish Black Metal scene, spawning countless acts over the
years to spread the unholy doctrine far and wide.
Here we have a Mayhem meets Zyklon B head pummelling Blackened
onslaught that rips up the air with a remorseless ease. The 5
tracks here are tight, the sound is thick, the guitars huge
threshing riff infernos, and the drums just machine gun their
way across the explosive |
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aura tumult. The final track, Eternal Agonies, is actually a
catchy hymn to desolation and the arrangement is built on
flowing warm melodies set to the bands razor sharp strain of
extreme musical terror. This is pure and simple harsh Black
Metal that transcends the primitivisms of Darkthrone clones and treads a more Dark Funeral style path of
steadfast Black Metal fury. Quite wonderful.
www.blasphemous-underground.com
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Sodamned/Dark Celebration - The Damned Celebration (Split)
(Face The Abyss Records)
By: Dave Schalek |
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Coming at you from Brazil are two EPs packaged together as a
split entitled “The Damned Celebration” from Face The Abyss
Records. Two bands that I’ve never heard of, Sodamned and Dark
Celebration, are featured on this split, with Sodamned
contributing a five song EP entitled “The Garret” with Dark
Celebration’s contribution consisting of a six song EP
entitled “Steel Flagellum”.
At any rate, the oddly named Sodamned are up first with some
borderline deaththrash with plenty of blasts mixed up with
some tempo variation, guttural vocals combined with a few
vocal effects, and a rather thin production that tends to rob
the music of some sorely |
needed heft. Overall, however, the musicianship is generally
good along with some interesting song structures. This is Sodamned first release although
they’ve been around since 1999.
Dark Celebration consists of mid paced blackened death metal
with a mild flirtation with the more melodic side of the
genre. Frankly, Dark Celebration is the better of the two
bands with a beefier sound, better songwriting and
musicianship, and a memorable vocal style. Dark Celebration
being the better band on this split is not particularly
surprising as they apparently have more experience with two
long EPs already under their collective belts prior to this
split.
Both bands show some promise with the material presented on
“The Damned Celebration” and the time is definitely right for
each to release a proper full-length if they expect to have
any impact at all upon metal’s collective consciousness.
www.facetheabyss.com |
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Voyager - Univers
(Locomotive Music/Dockyard 1)
By: Joe Florez |
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Here’s a band that has eluded me. I have never heard these
guys before until this showed up at my door. The first thing
that I noticed is that this release is on Locomotive in North
America courtesy of Dockyard 1, which is a German label headed
up by Piet Sielck who fronts Iron Savior, who are releasing it
in all other territories. Now, some research had to be done to
see and hear what I would be dealing with. These are five
Aussies that play melodic metal with extras thrown in. Let’s
investigate further. “Higher Existence” begins with an
accordion, but quickly shifts gears into easy going metal
which is simple and contains keys. Something I don’t expect
next are the black metalesque vocals. It sounds |
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very bizarre with this light and fluffy music, but I am
intrigued by it. The clean vox make their way immediately and
the styles just switch back and forth. Elements of prog are
thrown in here too, but musicianship wise it’s not that
complex. “Higher Existence” simply build up their song slowly,
but surely making sure to hold your interest and it does.
“Deep Wounds” is more straightforward and doesn’t do anything
to shock you with any twists and turns. It’s right to the
point and Daniel’s vocals are simply impressive 'cause he sing
with such emotion and conviction. By the time we hit ‘Sober,”
things simply escalate as the progressive side is in full
swing and all I have to say is wow! This thing just rocks not
only musically, but vocally as well cause you just feel the
power and sincerity coming from Dan’s lungs. I don’t care what
you call this band: prog, metal, melodic rock or dark metal,
but just call it brilliant. I haven’t heard anything this
refreshing and compelling in a long while. (Note to editor:
the Aussies have done it again by giving the world another
talented band). If you are a fan of any of the genres
mentioned before or like artists such as Vanishing Point or
anything on the LMP label or Frontiers and smashed them
together this would be the result. This disc requires a few
spins to get it cause it does come off as quirky at first, but
it will all take shape soon enough and you will be pleased. I
am hooked.
www.locomotiverecords.com
| www.voyager-australia.com |
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