Drug Under – Forgive and Forget 2012
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Never judge a book (or album) by its cover! When this Denver, CO.-based band was first brought to my attention, going by the cover art and knowing that the label is owned and operated by Warrant’s Jerry Dixon & Erik Turner, I assumed Drug Under was going to be the type of hard rock act that drew heavily on ’80s influences. Not so. They are a modern hard rock/metal act that fits right in with the rest of the bands on active rock radio these days.
Continue reading Drug Under – Forgive and Forget 2012 -->Mongrel – Reclamation 2012
NOW!NOT REAL WAR…
On the album the band went through “a living hell” – said the leader of the team, Adam Savage. “It took four years, five line-up changes, two studios, two labels, and countless hours of work and here it finally comes out!”
During recording, the tension between the parties came to a head, and in the end it was decided to leave the vocalist and drummer. In place of the latter was quickly found Dave Kazukiewicz, but with a singer … “We have found the singer, but quickly stepped life circumstances and everything will have changed” – says Savage. “Then I asked my friend, Jessica’y Sierra come with us on a few shows.”
Following the presentations, Jessica became a regular participant Mongrel, and the group returned to the studio to re-record all of the material from scratch.
Continue reading Mongrel – Reclamation 2012 -->Evershine – Renewal 2012
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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.
Continue reading Evershine – Renewal 2012 -->LACHAISE – In a State of Oblivion 2012
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.
Continue reading LACHAISE – In a State of Oblivion 2012 -->THY MAJESTIE – SHIHUANGDI 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.
Continue reading THY MAJESTIE – SHIHUANGDI 2012 -->HOLLOW HAZE – POISON IN BLACK 2012
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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.
Continue reading HOLLOW HAZE – POISON IN BLACK 2012 -->Saint Rebel – The Battle Of Sinners And Saints 2012
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After OLIVER WEERS’ “Evils Back” & SHOTGUN REVOLUTION’s “Join The Revolution” last year, BULLET TRAIN BLAST’s “Nothing Remains” in January and beforeMALRUN’s “The Empty Frame” in April, Mystic Music & Target Records from Denmark bring us another offshoot of this spontaneous generation, a new Rockin’ breed that mix Melodic Metalcore with Post-Grunge Hard Rock and even Heavy AOR (New Wave Scandi Melodic Modern Metal?)
Another band that seems to fit this definition is Swedish CERVELLO and their great and very very recommended self titled album or Norwegian TEODORTUFF “Soliloquy”…Concerning SAINT REBEL: here we have a very energetic bunch of Musicians raised by 90s Metal sound (METALLICA /ALICE IN CHAINS) but with some Influences coming from contemporary American scene (3 DOORS DOWN / ALTER BRIDGE) but also some hints more rooted in the 70s Euro Hard Rock…And the typical “Melodic-Efficiency Science” provided in trueScandinavian style…A good recipe.
Continue reading Saint Rebel – The Battle Of Sinners And Saints 2012 -->TO-MERA – EXILE 2012
NOW!London GOOD BYE…
London-based To-Mera took matters into their own hands and self-produced their third and latest album, Exile. It’s concept album concerning some rather complex and perplexing matters. The protagonist, having faced hardship, suffering, and loss, places herself in personal exile to avoid any future harm. While in her self-imposed exile, she searches for answers about existence, humanity, and the meaning of life. Darn heady stuff. I’ll leave it to you, once you buy the disc, to discover the answers she finds.
Coming to a new To-Mera album can be quite the challenge. They play true progressive rock and metal, that is, always pushing the boundaries of complex arrangements. While the music is compelling and the musicianship first class, it’s hard to call To-Mera’s prog overly accessible or commercially viable. But if it’s intrigue and challenge you want, To-Mera’s delivers to the full extent, and that makes Exile entertaining.
Continue reading TO-MERA – EXILE 2012 -->
Dana Jade – Dana Jade 2012
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The Caribbean island of Trinidad is the birthplace of Dana Jade. Despite the cultural calypso musical background she was raised in, Jade spent her Summers in New York where she found the electric guitar and punk infused rock styles of Patti Smith and Hole more to her liking. In 2002 she emigrated to London where these early influences and the English live scene began shaping her own musical journey. Since then she has spent 3 years as part of the all-girl alternative choir Gaggle, performed at Reading, guested on Later….with Jools Holland and 2012 sees the release of her debut solo album.
Continue reading Dana Jade – Dana Jade 2012 -->Kryptos – The Coils Of Apollyon 2012
NOW! DAY OF TRASH AT PLOTN08…
KRYPTOS – though probably relatively unknown – has quite a history behind them. They may not have the biggest discography compared to other bands, but their origins grow farther back than their debut album. One of the first Thrash bands from India to do a cross country tour of Europe in 2010, the band finally began to get some international recognition. For those expecting a full on Thrash assault like that of SLAYER, think again! Trading fast, aggressive sounds for a rather groove oriented, mid paced tones, there is plenty of melody going around within KRYPTOS’ music. Sometimes, from the snarling rasp of the vocals, they feel a bit like they’re contrasting each other. But, in the long run, everything pans out smoothly. For the band’s third album, ‘The Coils Of Apollyon,’ the band expands on their sound while sticking to their roots, so fans should certainly lend an ear when considering the music here.
Continue reading Kryptos – The Coils Of Apollyon 2012 -->Zombie Scars – Revenant 2012
NOW! Motörhead+Pantera+Slayer…VERY
Thrash but not only. The disc of onset of Zombie Scars proposes to overcome the narrow spaces of the revival thrash offering a vision as less personnel of matter. An attempt is made now necessary, given the inflation that the movement, although relatively new, is already showing. No longer enough to know how to play, not just show love and passion, skill and attitude: we must have recourse to a dowry that only a few can actually boast the personality. The band, formed in 2011 from the ashes of the previous experiences of the guitarist and drummer Marco Francesco Riganelli Milloni (both ex-Fear Traders), proves that he already clear its ambitions and in little more than a year here comes the publication of this Revenant , which follows an EP Spirits, published in September 2011. Dates back to reality even as important as Blaze Bayley, DGM, Ciompo Rock and Pino Scotto, are part of a curriculum already quite rich, which sheds light on the will of this band is strong and determined.
Continue reading Zombie Scars – Revenant 2012 -->