NOW!CORSAIR…

French female-fronted symphonic metallers KERION will release their new concept album, “CloudRiders Part 1: Road To Skycity”, on September 25 via Metalodic Records. The CD will feature guest appearances byCARAVELLUS’ Raphael Dantas, FAIRYLAND’s Phil Giordana and SILENT FALL’s Adrien Eyraud. Also featured on the album is the 40-personRimiez Choir.

“CloudRiders Part 1: Road To Skycity” was produced by Will Lievin(HAMKA). The artwork for the album was created by Genzo (World Of Warcraft) and contains characters and scenes of the story.

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Their history dates back to 2001, but now Evershine has put together their full-length debut, Renewal, a platter of melodic power metal. Power metal? Italy? Could it be? Hold back your incredulity for just a moment. Evershine is pretty darn good.

Renewal is definitely epic, lively, and bombastic, like any Italian power metal band should be. Early in their career the band took cues from fellow Italian metallers Rhapsody of Fire, but also Stratovarius. How epic and over the top is that?

While somewhat typical of European power metal, Evershine works from three strengths. The first is the strong and versatile lead vocals from Marco Coppotelli and vocal arrangements. The second is the balance of guitar and synth solos. There’s definitely some thrilling fret pyrotechnics, but the keyboards also do well. Third, Evershine concentrates on melody, and melody often with a rock groove. Yet, they can still be heavy and fast, as power metal should be.

NOW!WOW

Lachaise have signed a deal with Revalve Records for the release of their seconds album “In state Of Oblivion”, a very personal reading of gothic rock wrapped in classic background and seductive darken shades. Lachaise are Xenya Nyx: Vocals Niklas ‘Suspiria’ Goottilainen: Piano, Keyboards and Orchestral Arrangements. Gezwind P. Vingerstaal: Guitars and Bass Paul Ongars: Drums.”Whispering” is the first single and videoclip that will be available September 10, 2012.

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Italian power metal band Thy Majestie are back home with their long time label, Scarlet Records, for the release of their sixth album, ShiHuangDi. The band also returns to their historical concept album format. ShiHuangDi concerns the life of the legendary Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BC.Thy Majestie: back from the Great Wall.

As for the music, nothing has changed for Thy Majestie: expect extravagant, melodic, and symphonic power metal. What has always set TM apart was the ability to balance all instruments in the arrangements, especially guitar and keyboard solos. After this, the also add some progressive metal nuances, without being over technical.

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It seems Hollow Haze has decided on what they want to be. When reviewing 2008’sThe Hanged Man, I suggest that they need to decide if they want to be a strict heavier metal band or a more melodic metal band with some progressive nods. It seems with Poison in Black they’ve opted for the latter.

Actually, Hollow Haze is sounding more like a symphonic Cage, that is strong heavier metal with large amounts of orchestral synths. While not sounding like Sean Peck, Alex “Ramon” Sonato is largely relentless in his approach; his approach is pretty much head on scream-singing with little variation.