Raging guitars, rumbling drums, screaming, raw vocals. The Heavy and Powerful.
“Straight to your face, tougher than a Spartan, heavier than a bulldozer, louder than a chainsaw” that’s the way Bring On The Bloodshed describes their sound. From around the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, this face melting heaviness comes to destroy your speakers. But does ‘Amonst The Ruins’ also contain some music? Or did they record mostly noise?
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It’s no secret that Italian progressive and symphonic heavy metal bands grow on trees. That’s exactly the reason there are so many of them coming from the Mediterranean country. Kidding aside, for a symphonic heavy band to stand out is fairly difficult. The latest addition of My Refuge and their debut album are no exception. With the likes of Rhapsody (of fire), Angra and many more, lesser known bands, an album like My Refuge’s should be ‘A Matter Of Supremacy’.
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There’s been a year between the release of his singles and the actual release of Shane Gaalaas’ new solo record. It’s the fourth solo album that the Canadian drummer and multi musician has released. Apart from his work with renowned musicians like Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth and Jeff Kollman. All these years touring and recording with these amazing people finally gave Gaalaas the courage to record his first, fully instrumental solo album ‘Bitter Tales From The Red Room’.
Quite recently, Vly guitarist Karl Demata gave an interview in which he said that Italian progressive music is quite complex and bombastic. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I can personally tell you that not only the progressive Italians are complex, the symphonic metal musicians from the Mediterranean country are quite exquisite as well. From the city of Turin comes the symphonic metal formation called Energy Of The Elements and recently they released their debut album called ’30:03 DeHuman Rise’.
This is a band that confused me, to say the least. Led by ex-OTEP guitarist Scotty CH, the American band The Secret VI has released some new music last summer. Five years after their last effort, a period in which the band almost disappeared from the scene, they came back with the EP ‘Mixed Episode’. An effort that that gave me some mixed feelings, that’s for sure.
The Belgian metal scene is blooming like never before. I honestly don’t know why, but all of a sudden the Belgians decided to go and make some amazing heavy metal music. Following the releases of Temptations For The Weak and Guilty As Charged, who both partook in the Red Bull Bedroom Jam, is the independent release of Ython’s debut album ‘Titanomachy’. Let’s see if these Belgians have the potential to become titans.
Weighed down by depressions and a couple of different mental illnesses, Huntress front woman Jill Janus has become a strong presence in the heavy metal community. With the band supporting the likes of Lamb Of God, Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy and Killswitch Engage, there is clearly something good going on in the Huntress camp. After extensive touring and promoting the band, they continue to express themselves with another album: ‘Shock’.
Five Finger Death Punch… What is there to say? The band almost split up because of an argument during a show, but seemed to be fine just a couple of weeks later. Maybe albums work like a baby in a relationship, it’s possible it heals the wounds. And probably a little longer than nine months later there it is! The new, proud and blasting record by FFDP, ‘Got Your Six’ and they sound as good as ever.
Let me quote you the Swedish band that I’m about to review. Tad Morose claims the following: “Probably the best band in the world!” Now I know my sarcasm, and I know very well when someone is making a joke, but I just can’t leave this quote to be, without responding to it. Because Tad Morose could quite possibly also be the worst band in the world. But to judge a band you don’t know is very unprofessional, so let’s find out if ‘St. Demonius’ proves this band to be the best.
Before reviewing the new Powerwolf album, I should state that I completely missed the bandwagon when it comes to this band. ‘Blessed & Possessed’ is their sixth album already and I’m ashamed to say that the latest addition is the only one that I’ve listened to. But once I dived into the record I found out that Powerwolf’s music is extremely addictive and absolutely worth your while.
