Skeptical Minds – Omega-Thanatos

Last time we discussed a record, we were talking about Phantasma, a trio of musicians which included a short novel on their album ‘The Deviant Hearts’. Including a book with the album turned out to be a fantastic choice, but also an interesting one. How could a band make a record so very special, that everyone should have to buy the physical copy and not just download one? The Belgian band Skeptical Minds got the idea to include a comic book with their latest effort ‘Omega-Thanatos’.

30 December 2015Ruben Borger Leave a comment

Overall Loudness Fifteen Best Albums of 2015

Hello Overall Loudness readers,

As the final hours of the year pass slowly by, we present to you our very own top 15 of 2015.
We’ve chosen only the bands that we actually reviewed, with the scores we gave them during the year in mind.

30 December 201530 December 2015Ruben Borger Leave a comment

Shane Gaalaas – Bitter Suites From The Red Room

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’.

8 December 20158 December 2015Ruben Borger Leave a comment

Energy Of The Elements – 30:03 DeHuman Rise

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’.

3 December 2015Ruben Borger Leave a comment

DemiAura – DemiAura

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When DemiAura keyboard player Jonathan Gabriel Jr. mailed us if we could review the first album by his new band, he mentioned that there was a possibility that vocals were added to the final mix. We replied that he really had to be sure it was done, before the recordings and he replied that the instrumental version would be the final one. Now, after releasing their debut album ‘DemiAura’, I’m curious if that was the right decision.

29 November 2015Ruben Borger 1 Comment

The Secret VI – Mixed Episode EP

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.

25 November 2015Ruben Borger Leave a comment

Månegarm – Månegarm

Folk and Pagan bands that really make an effort out of their music, taking things seriously, without changing into a beer drinking gimmick. That’s something I can really enjoy. There are too much of those semi-serious bands that don’t seem to care and just fool around a bit. Something which is completely different with the Swedish Vikings of Månegarm. With fire and steel they are here to conquer your speakers with their new, self-titled album: ‘Månegarm’.

21 November 2015Ruben Borger Leave a comment

Phantasma – The Deviant Hearts

Quite recently we reviewed the new Melted Space album, which was a grotesque record with no less than seventeen guest musicians and vocalists. It didn’t make that much of a devastating impression, but the music was amazing. And now there’s Phantasma, the product of the soul of only three people. Backed up by an entire 100 page novel by Delain vocalist Charlotte Wessels, here’s ‘The Deviant Hearts’, and it’s a rollercoaster of emotions.

16 November 201516 November 2015Ruben Borger 1 Comment

Orange Outlaw – Desert Wolf

Energy, power, passion and love for music. That’s what this Dutch band is all about. Straight out of Amsterdam, the rockers of the new Orange Outlaw are here to conquer the world with an old school mix of powerful hard rock meets heavy metal. Three years after the band got together their debut album is finally here. I’m not sure you can find a “real” ‘Desert Wolf’ in Amsterdam, but the album gives you almost more than you can handle!

11 November 2015Ruben Borger 1 Comment

Ython – Titanomachy

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.

8 November 2015Ruben Borger Leave a comment