death metal

Insane Death Metal 2022

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3/30/2022

Read Time: 7 min 59 sec

Insane Death Metal bands in 2022

    After Lorna Shore dropped To The Hellfire in 2021, the world was finally exposed to absolutely brutal Death Metal, finally finding out the talent in this genre is unbelievable. The virtuosos in this genre parallel the speed Classical music began showing when Verdi started making violinists cry in the 1800s. Yngwie Malmsteen might’ve brought that speed to Neoclassical Metal, but Metal brought the quintessential aspect of true brutal speed;: The Blast Beat. I love any band that effortlessly integrates that level of controlled speed in a song. Whether it was Black Sabbath, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Asocial, or Napalm Death, Blast Beats have become integral in showing speed and intensity in the infinite depths of the genre. My first introduction to the Blast Beat was on Fear Factory’s 1995 album Demanufacture. They made this technique mainstream without being necessarily Death Metal.  

Raymond Herrera played that first Blast Beat on Demanufacture, and I think it shook people even more than Lorna Shore has. Critics and Metalheads accused Herrara of using a drum machine for the bass drums because the speed was so precise and blistering. Upon accusation, many critics attended live shows in LA and were shocked by the speed of the entire band. Herrara said the speed came from using two bass drum pedals. The preciseness came from his use of a click track to play through the entire record. Maybe this is just the first popularly known blast beat or the first professionally recorded one, but it’s my favorite of the decade.

You can watch some of the footage from the Demanufacture tour here as proof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7DgFV8eoYI

    Now that we know where the speed came from, let’s list the bands that not only have speed but insane intensity and brutality. Of course, you can be a genre elitist dick wad and argue that the bands below are Deathcore and not “trve kvlt” Death, but if you’re looking for four dudes in Scandinavia beating their instruments to absolute submission while recorded on a Sanyo voice recorder, this site isn’t for you anyway.

Carnifex

    Carnifex has been around since 2005 and has released some of the greatest Death Metal Records of the century. The Diseased and the Poisoned was the San Diego band’s first release to Victory Records, and it gained quick success. The US has always had a pension for Death Metal, but Carnifex brought a new wave of it from their Myspace days, gaining a cult following. They mix Hardcore, Death Metal, and Progressive fluidly in with gory and brutal themes as you would expect from any band in the genre. The vocals may not range or vary too much, but the little nuances in pitch and multitracking are quality. The breakdowns are fluidly mixed in, not looking for dramatics or massive bass drops, but absolutely sonically pummel you. They also have sick “:thrashy” and shreddy arpeggio guitar solos which differ from the typical rhythmic-based guitar riffing. If you crave that classic sound like Dark Funeral, Mayhem, and Immortal, but want an updated sound with dueling solos and drop tuning, this band might interest you.   Slow Death is a perfect record to delve into the depths of to discover Carnifex’s multitude of layers and is personally one of my favorite records of the genre. However, this band simply doesn’t have a bad record and avoids algorithmic writing and cheesy themes.

 Essential Tracks: Die Without Hope, Slit Wrist Savior, Seven Souls, Dark Heart Ceremony

http://www.carnifexmetal.com/

https://www.nuclearblast.com/eu/carnifex

Signs of the Swarm

    Pittsburgh, PA is one of the last places I would expect an animalistic Deathcore band to come from, but in 2014 Signs of the Swarm was born out of the Steel City. This is a band that makes you go “What the fuck am I listening to?” These guys are one of the most brutal and hair-raising bands I have ever heard. If you want Slamming Deathcore with gutturals that plummet lower than tectonic vibrations, these guys deliver. Breakdowns with pig squeals? Check. Brutally honest lyrics without horror or gore themes? Check. Blast beats with insane speed and well-tuned bass heads? Check. Signs of the Swarm have perfected every aspect I love about Deathcore, but added a crazy vocal range. David Simonich is simply maniacally brilliant in his delivery of gutturals, to screams, to harmonic squeals out of this world. The craziest sounds come out of this guy’s neck. It’s between animal-like and demonic aliens from a dark cold planet creating possessed clones. It is gloriously addictive and thought-provoking music. It’s shockingly good, much like Lorna Shore, but even more depressive and nihilistic. It’s amazing what these guys have achieved so far, and I really hope they continue despite so many lineup changes.

Essential Tracks: Nightcrawler, Cesspool of Ignorance, Cowards Deathbed

https://www.facebook.com/signsoftheswarm

Signs of the Swarm
Signs of the Swarm

Worm Shepherd

    The mix of Doom and Death Metal is not a new innovation in music. We’ve had bands like Paradise Lost, Draconian, Candlemass, and Celtic Frost for three decades. They’re some of the most successful bands in the American market for Metal and worldwide as well. It’s a mix I enjoy occasionally. But as with all music I always say, “This needs blast beats”. Worm Shepherd is a band that was shared with me on Twitter upon asking what everyone’s favorite Death Metal band is. And, I was truly shocked that this band was the first response I received. These guys from Massachusetts have truly set themselves apart in this saturated genre. Their music is an assault on the senses, hard to process at first listen, and definitely not a band for rookies. They pummel with desperation and frantic beats. It captures you as you break down what is happening, and hooks you with pure dirge emotion. Worm Shepherd is one of the heaviest bands I have ever heard without being derivative or repetitive. These are some of the lowest sustained growls I have ever heard, maybe the lowest. They might be the most cvlt band on the list, but still have a modern refined touch that all generations can appreciate.

Essential Tracks: Ov Sword and Nail, The River Ov Knives, Ritual Hymns

https://uniqueleaderrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ritual-hymns

https://wormshepherd.bigcartel.com/

Archspire

    Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of Dean Lamb and his wife on their Youtube series “4 Levels of Death Metal”. I watch it religiously and they are the most realistic and hilarious Metal Youtubers. So, when I found out Dean played in Archspire, I was immensely excited because he is a sensational guitarist always trying to innovate and improve. Hailing from Vancouver Canada, the five-piece Technical Death Metal juggernauts have recently gained a huge cult following. They’ve become Youtube sensations with their latest track Golden Mouth of Ruin which combines Tech Death with Numetal squeals and rapping gutturals. This band has staggeringly fast, catchy, and grooving rhythmic tracks. They are hands down my favorite Tech Death band. Drummer Spencer Prowett really leads this band with his exquisite drumming. He is one of the most flawless live drummers I have ever heard playing blasts at breakneck speeds of 250 BPM. Spencer’s snare hits are unbelievably fast, playing quadruplets with one hand like it’s just another day at the office. They are a complete aural assault and it’s hard to stop listening once you start, because you have no idea where each track is headed next. Dean Lamb and Tobi Morelli are two of the most underrated guitarists in Metal and deserve much more credit. They are innovators of the genre, at least if not all of music. With neoclassic perfection, these two shred harmoniously unlike anything else in Death Metal. Archspire is my number one most recommended band on this list, even if just shock value alone.

Essential Tracks: Drone Corpse Ruin, Rapid Elemental Dissolve, Bleed the Future

https://archspire.bandcamp.com/album/bleed-the-future

Archspire

https://www.indiemerch.com/archspire

Carnation

    One of my favorite Death bands has to be young Belgian bruisers, Carnation. Jens De Vos, mastermind of Off The Cross and videographer for Epica, exposed me to this excellent band. 2020 album Where Death Lies was my first listen, and it is a satanic indulgence for the ages. It’s dripping with speed and gutturals and good old hardcore breakdowns. Simon Durson delivers compelling gutturals and screams, ranging three octaves of absolute endurance. The sure stamina of his voice is shocking. He is unreal in every track with such a unique take on Death vocals. There are so many influences in each track, it’s impossible to get bored. While the drums and vocals are typically shocking, Carnation’s guitar work is equally mind-bending. It’s the most melodic playing in the genre but still keeps within the heavy themes. It’s melodic, yet absolutely aggressive and dark. Carnation also has gore and horror themes, if that is in your sweet spot. They’re a band who have immense chemistry and fit in a pocket together so well, which is an aspect I never look for in Death Metal. I truly think this is attributed to great bassist Yarne Haylen. Bassists are being phased out in Metal, but let’s hope Yarne makes a case for hiring one and keeping a tight rhythm section.

Essential Tracks: Sepulcher of Alteration, Plaguebreeder, Napalm Ascension  

Main

https://carnation.bandcamp.com/

Carnation

Aborted

    Yet another abhorrent Belgium Death Metal band; Aborted, has been tearing up the gore scene for over a decade now. I was blessed enough to see its two founding members live, guitarist Mendel and vocalist Sven. It was my very first exposure to Death Metal in 2012 when System Divide opened for Epica. Since that decadent evening, my hunger for Death Metal has grown every year. System has since disbanded, but Aborted has only gained success. Maniacult released in 2021 received 90% ratings from over forty different review sites. When I crave blue-collar gory and angry Death Metal, I always go back to Aborted. This band is utterly relentless from start to finish on every track. They are mechanical, almost robotic, but in a good way. Each song drives with every note and beats in perfect synchronicity. Death Metal is a cornucopia of virtuosity, and Aborted is in the upper echelon. While legend Mendel Bij de Leij is no longer in the band since 2019, the band is still active and hitting harder than ever. I personally will always prefer their material with Mendel, but that may be for nostalgic indulgence.

Essential Tracks; Dead Wreckoning, Divine Impediment, Termination Redux

Main

Septicflesh

    I know most of everyone in the Death Metal scene has heard of Greek heretics Septicflesh, but I couldn’t resist mentioning them. While the band has Melodic and Symphonic overtones, they’re still one of the heaviest bands I’ve ever heard. Codex Omega, released in 2017, is one of my all-time favorite records in any genre. Their capturing of Dante’s Divine Comedy Inferno is exquisite. It’s a trip straight to the horrific images in Aligheri’s head. There is something bone-chilling about Spiros’ voice that enthralls me. It’s the sure steadiness in his depth of gutturals. He doesn’t deviate or drop out from a deep slow guttural that sounds like it comes from the depths of the Inferno. Mind you, he can also spit out fast raspy vocals right to the blast of Internet sensation drummer, Krimh. Drummer Kerim Lechner has lent blasts to Tech Death band Decapitated, Thorns of Ivy, a fill-in for Behemoth, and put in an application to join Slipknot with a brilliant cover of People=Shit and Eyeless.   I have a pure passion for Symphonic Death Metal and I find these guys to be criminally underrated. While you might be looking for something more blast beat and riffy, don’t overlook the shockingly good Septicflesh.

Essential Tracks: Dante’s Inferno, Portrait of a Headless Man, Neuromancer

Intro Page

https://septicflesh.bandcamp.com/

Honorable Mentions

    These are bands that didn’t quite make the list for me, and I wanted to keep it short and bittersweet. Here are ridiculously heavy and unintelligible bands if you just can’t get enough of demon sounds in blazingly fast Metal.

Abhorid- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhQHkpO3GC8

Extermination Dismemberment- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpprZ4OsLR8

Waking the Cadaver- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USqJY-FTQeE

Oakenform- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQ5TDquIn4

Rings of Saturn- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmu3zjmkJZ0

Melodeath Bands You Need to Hear 2022

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Melodeath Bands You Need to Listen To:

    “This list is purely about lesser known Melodeath bands.  Obviously, these bands are not necessarily an introduction to the genre.  If you want to get into the genre check out the heavy hitters such as Arch Enemy, In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Before the Dawn, Insomnium, Swallow The Sun, Children of Bodom, Wintersun, Ensiferum, Amorphis, and At The Gates.

If I missed any essentials, comment below or tweet me at @ebombmetal on Twitter.”

In Mourning

    In Mourning is yet another Melodeath offering from Sweden.  But, comparing them to the likes of Dark Tranquility, In Flames, and At the Gates would be criminal.  The small town Swedish “sad bois” are not your typical flavor of Melodeath.  Of my two decades as a Metal fan, I have never heard such a diverse band.  Their layers are endlessly entangled with Doom, Black Sabbath, Power Metal, and Amorphis-like brutality.  To say this band is stunning, is a vast understatement.  From the saga based lyrics, to the classic riffs, to the depressive overtones of three different growlers, this band had me absolutely mesmerized.  Their Weight of the Oceans record is a timeless Melodeath gem that deserves far more press than it has received over the decade.  The opening track “Colossus” has the haunting beauty that I look for in Melodic Death Metal.  The atmospheric aspect transcends you to the ancient oceans as you await a giant sea creature to swallow the earth.

    In Mourning has the most interesting song structure, making every track unpredictable and interesting.  Verses last half of songs, preceding three staggeringly good guitar solos, and  harmonized brutal growls over unique driving leads.  Some songs have so many changes it is hard for me to keep up with at times, but it truly makes the music more interesting.  It’s surprising, because you never know what influence the band will throw in the ring next.  This band is a permanent addition to my collection and I will long await a North American tour.

Essential Tracks: Colossus, Thornwalker, Black Storm

https://www.instagram.com/inmourning/?hl=en

https://inmourning.bandcamp.com/

Omnium Gatherum

    From the brain of Melodeath legend Markus Vanhala of Insomnium, comes a lighter hearted brother of Insomnium.  Omnium Gatherum is Speed meets Melodeath with immensely beautiful atmospheric synths and meanings that make grown men cry in the pit.  Omnium is an enigma of brutal growls from Jukka Peikonen and soft lead melodies from Markus with an occasional melancholic clean vocal.  Omnium has a “battle ready” feel to it.  I find them to be one of the most uplifting Melodeath bands.  It’s a great diversion from the “my wife tragically died and came back to throw me in a well” feeling you get from Amorphis and Insomnium.  

    Seeing this band live twice, I can say they truly play to astound.  They put one hundred percent of their passion and practice into each track and play with immense speed.  It is shocking to watch the dueling guitars play perfectly together at neck break pace.  Their drummer, albeit a different drummer every time I’ve seen them, is a machine of a metronome that keeps everything really tight.  Jukka’s guttural growls for a whole set defy and blow me away.  His vocal stamina is some of the highest for the difficulty of technique he displays.  I also really enjoy the group cleans, as it gives an 80’s arena vibe.  This band is fantastic on record but also one of the best live.  I cannot recommend their catalog enough, specifically from Stuck Here on Snakes Way (2007) and on.

Essential Tracks: The Unknowing, Fortitude, New World Shadows

https://omniumgatherum.org/

Omnium Gatherum Shop

Countless Skies

    For something fresh and completely different in Melodeath, I recommend UK newcomers Countless Skies.  If you dig the Progressive aspects of Amorphis and also Devin Townsend, this band is a brilliant bright mix of both.  Not to be confused with Pop Atmospheric duo, Silent Skies, these guys are all heavy goodness.  If you like bands with bassists that sing, this band is definitely for you.  Phil Romeo has one of the greatest voices I have ever heard, effortlessly laying tenor operatic on top of Melodeath speed and epic ballads beyond anything I could have imagined.  This band has music that moves; it goes from gloom and doom to heavenly optimistic and heartbreaking.  This is a band that deserves an entire symphony behind it (maybe a show at the famous Plovdiv Amphitheater).  The music composition is beautiful and flawlessly flowing from orchestration to synth to perfect blast beats.  Ross King wails on guitar while executing perfectly dictioned gutturals and soaring screams. Every song builds into something heavier or something immensely melodic and breathtaking. 

Essential, Tracks: Zephyr, Tempest, Moon

https://www.countlessskies.com/

https://countlessskies.bandcamp.com/

http://willowtip.com/bands/details/countless-skies.aspx

Infected Rain

    I may catch some slack from genre sticklers on this one, but I have to include Infected Rain on this list.  The Moldovian Nu-Metal band displays a huge range of influences, I have trouble believing they’re among the likes of Korn and Slipknot.  This heavy groove based band has a plethora of interesting sounds and progressive nuances.  I wouldn’t compare them with any other band on the planet.  Lena Scissorhands is one of the most unique vocalists of the past two decades.  Her range from cleans to gutturals to harmonic screams.  Her fluidity amazes me on every track.  Vidick, the sole writer and mastermind, lays down addictive rhythm guitars ranging from Djent to Pantera.  It grooves better than anything I’ve heard in twenty years.  They’ve been around since 2008, but haven’t hit big time in the USA yet.  I could see this band exploding very soon with the tours they’ve been on lately with Butcher Babies and Stitched Up Heart.  This band deserves much more credit for quality and innovative Groove Melodeath.  Part of me wishes Lena was the new addition to vocaless Fear Factory, but I would hate to see Infected Rain lose her.  That’s how immensely good they are.  She can scream, guttural growl, sing melodically, rap, and go into operatics occasionally.  This band is just staggeringly good.

Essential Tracks: Fighter, Lullaby, Longing

Infected Rain Metal Band from Moldova

https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/infectedrain

Kalmah

    This doomy brutal Melodeath band from 1998 has been vastly underrated and lost under the radar.  I didn’t hear of Kalmah until 2013, after discovering Insomnium live supporting Epica in 2012.  Kalmah is a bit slower, more under-stated in its take on Melodeath.  It’s not as in your face, but the quality is formidable.  Their doomy death metal layered with catchy lead guitars and insane piano melodies sets them apart in the genre.  They cover a huge range of emotions and themes throughout every album, but remain solid.  Older Kalmah is purer Death Metal with Thrash guitars, atmospheric synth, and chaotic heart pounding blast beats.  There’s truly something for every Death Metal fan within the Kalmah catalog.  They’re a much heavier version Children of Bodom with Doom layers intertwined throughout.  They also show some love for Power Metal with dueling guitar melodies.  They’re an unexpected gem, but not surprising being from the most Death Metal country in the world, Finland.

Essential Tracks: For The Revolution, Seventh Swamphony, Blood Rain Cold

Homepage

https://spinefarm.merchnow.com/catalogs/kalmah

Deadtide

    If you’re anything like me as a metal head, you’re constantly looking for underground epic bands to discover.  I came across Deadtide on Bandcamp in a very saturated list of Death Metal bands.  These guys stood out to me, because they offer a more approachable sound to Melodeath.  They have the most clean vocals I’ve heard in the genre and some interesting Progressive Metalcore layers.  I kno;w I am using a lot of genre jargon to describe sounds, but comparing them to anyone specific is not helpful.  Every song i’;ve heard is totally different from the next with Deadtide.  They have flavors of In Flames, Dark Tranquility, and Metalcore bands like Born of Osiris and All That Remains.  The Ephemeral EP is a stunning sampler of what Deadtide has to offer.  Check it out below.  We don’t get a lot of quality Melodeath in  the USA, so it was a wonderful surprise to discover these guys.

Essential Tracks; The Rabbit Hole, Alteration, Begin the Dream

http://facebook.com/Deadtide

https://deadtide.bandcamp.com/music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbBbGKOS8E9_MEV82S5q77A

“Abyss” Unleash The Archers Review

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unleash-the-archers-2019-1000x600

Spoiler: This is already my “Album of the Year”

    In 2019, it was revealed that Candian Power Metal Band Unleash the Archers were releasing a new EP. “Explorers” was a bombastic two-track EP featuring a totally different sound from the previous release “Apex”. With Awakening and Northwest Passage going almost viral on Youtube Reactors’ channels, it was no doubt this band is continually growing in more ways than one. Apex is arguably one of the best Metal Records of the past decade. The writing of this band and collective creativity seems to progress exponentially with every record. “Apex” was mountains ahead in quality of “Time Stands Still”.  Northwest Passage showed immense composure and maturity. For a band with terrible luck in bassists and the tough road of being a vastly underrated opening band, these guys don’t seem to give up. It is no wonder why their ever-growing fan base is salivating at the anticipation of “Abyss”. I know I was.

    “Abyss” is a heart-pounding journey from “Apex” through a mysterious path to outer space. It begins with the tame opener Waking Dream, again showing a different side to the band. There’s something more relaxed and comfortable about this entire record, making the slow builder intro Waking Dream a perfect opening to the wormhole. As we descend into the first single Abyss, we hear the effortless blend of Speedy Power Metal, 80’s synthesizers, and effortless soaring vocals from Brittney. This track is one of my top ten tracks of 2020, and maybe even of all time. Its catchiness is addictive in a rhythmic sense, but also lyrically. Power Metal is one of those genres that strives in sing-along choruses, and this album is packed with them.  Abyss is a track deep with meaning and is reminiscent of the popular Awakening. I find the parallels between their records so fascinating and seamless. It’s not short of Brittney’s insane high notes and contrasted low Alto-centric epics, melodic guitars, and powerful driving drums from veteran Scott Buchanan. It’s just an absolutely solid track that I could put on repeat and drift into a dream.

    Through Stars is a track I never expected from UTA, but one I desperately needed in their catalog. It is one of the slowest and smoothest tracks I have heard from the band. It builds, drives, breaks down and is overall super mellow. There is something about the emotion on this track that just hits me right in the gut. It’s reminiscent of Heart’s harmonies and melodies while keeping a rhythmic Queensryche feel. Brittney nails this song in her lower range and shows of nearly perfect diction. This song is a slow burner, and it’s just a perfect change of pace. The guitar solo enunciates the emotions in this one, a throwback to the 1970s and 1980s melodic guitar playing. I expect nothing less from Andrew and Grant, but this surpasses expectations and floats so smoothly. It’s a staggering contrast from the next track that you just have to hear to believe.

    Onto Track Four; Legacy. I have witnessed brilliant tracks from Metal over twenty-seven years of existence. Tracks like Devin Townsend’s Deadhead and Kingdom, Iron Maiden’s Wasted Years, Dream Theater’s Pull Me Under, and many more come to mind that have just blown me away. I find epic masterpieces like this when I least expect it,  Legacy is one of those songs that made every hair on my body pretty much rise in applause. The use of arpeggios and sweeps and general notation in this song is shockingly good. Drummer Scott Buchanan truly shines on this track from blast beats to swing beats and masterful fills. This song doesn’t build, it explodes. Dare I say it’s the most epic track of the year. Where it lacks in catchiness, it picks up in immense emotion as they search in the vastness of space for the Shadow Guide. However, upon first listen, this song strikes me as a power ballad in disguise, and god knows there’s nothing wrong with that. This song shows the dynamite of talent coming from every member of this dark horse Power Metal band. Andrew is shockingly fast and accurate on this track with dueling brother Grant. The guitars beat the hell out of anything I’ve heard since Devin Townsend’s “Empath”. As for the vocals, I am a complete vocal nerd, and this song is a requiem of multi-layering of vocals. Brittney mentioned exploring “the Brittney choir”, and you get a taste of it on this perfect song. The mastery of vocal lines and harmonies in Legacy beats any female vocalist of the decade. It is sure to encapsulate every fiber of your senses, sending complete chills through my body upon first listen. The use of notes picked from the arpeggios into a smooth behind-the-beat powerful vocal is one of the most virtuosic talents I have ever heard. I didn’t expect a Prog Metal track with blast beats from them, but it is everything I have ever wished for in a song.

    It is hard to follow up such a table-turning bombastic song like Legacy, in my opinion. But, the band continues to awe with Return to Me, aptly named. It returns, ironically to their Extreme days with always amazing multi-harmonic growls from Grant, in contrast with ever-soaring vocals. This track is epic, even by Power Metal standards. The speed of this band is ungodly. It’s a huge departure from the rest of the album in a big way as it lacks synths. It’s just so raw and angry and driving as they face the “Space Matriarch?”. Then, there’s the jaw-dropping single of Soulbound. This track, in my opinion, is unlike anything we’ve heard from this band yet. It is eloquent and so floaty, almost painting a dreamscape with the brilliant vocals alone. The high note, in the shocking harmonic range, just proves Brittney has absolutely no limits with her voice. I have never heard anything like this. It’s just such a powerful Single with some of the catchiest lines from the band. The tightness of this band is always staggering, but Soulbound is a whole new level. Scott’s fills on this song cemented him as one of my top three drummers. This track is just effortless, passionate, and mesmerizing. I cannot get enough of the melodic guitar lines on this one.

    Faster Than Light awes with more pounding and driving speed with Dragonforce riffs, the classic opening scream, and composition that proves Malmsteen was always overrated. This song is going to be a favorite of the fans, with a catchy “escapist” chorus, and absolutely epic verses. In typical Unleash the Archers fashion, it breaks down and showcases the neoclassical brilliance of this band. It’s just heart pounding and so solid.  The Wind That Shapes the Land signals an ending of the battle between the Brothers and the Matriarch, signaling a victory is imminent. It’s a back and forth battle, a true throwback to the epic thriller General of the Dark Army. Again, the range of this vocalist is just head-shakingly large. The classification of Alto is hardly appropriate. They should make a new class for Slayes. This song uses so many voices and octaves. The changes, the timing, the building into a less catchy but epic chorus is so well composed. The bridge is one of my favorite parts of this record as well, almost a breathing section into insane guitar solos. It’s a song that feels as though it could go on forever, but also ends much too soon. This is one of the most interesting and unique songs I have ever heard.

    I am all in for a damn good sing-along, especially in Power Metal, and Carry The Flame, is such an 80’s jam in the best way. It starts out super catchy and slow-building, maybe even modestly holding back. The soothing voice of Brittney is jolted away as Andrew comes in with immense power and tone on the second verse. His vocals are a nice edition, but I desperately hope this is just a single feature track. The harmonizing is brilliant on this track, but I find the live harmonization of Brittney and Andrew to be lacking live. As it should be, she is an impossible act to follow. This is the most fun track on the album, and pretty sentimental, but it’s not my favorite UTA track. I feel like it’s more of a bonus track than a final product number. But, I am sure those who were lucky enough to score the Earbook find out how this song ties into the concept.

    The worst part of the album is that it inevitably ends. But, it ends perfectly with the closing track Afterlife.  The track begins uncharacteristically with an orchestral suite done by one of Slayes’ favorite composers. It moves beautifully into a typical Archers sing along with epic booming drums. It’s a sad track but also uplifting, knowing that the Immortal is finally put to rest after centuries. I really like this track overall and find it such a soothing Fantastical track, touching on the Fantasy themes so wonderfully. It’s a closing track, but we are still left with so many questions and wondering if this is truly the end of the story. According to the band, it is. But, where will we go next?

There is no ego on this record. There is nothing pretentious or overreaching. It’s just amazing, clean, heavy, balanced, Power Metal with nostalgia. However, to some long time fans and listeners Abyss is a very world spinning change, but it’s a change we needed for one of the worst years this planet has ever seen. The light and positivity as well as the themes of togetherness and joining to conquer something are very appreciated. I feel like this is a Legacy of a record to be passed on from generation to generation. It is a quintessential Power Metal album. It signifies the stamp of uniquity Unleash the Archers has imprinted upon this century of metal. I can’t wait to hear more.

 

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Wolfheart “Winterborn” Review

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What to expect from this album and why buy it:

Wolfheart is a project by Tuomas Saukkonen, the mastermind behind Melodic Death Metal bands Before the Dawn and Black Sun Aeon.  This insanely talented musician from Finland has a reputation for creating the darkest, heaviest, and blackest of Metal bands.  Many fans were saddened when he disbanded all other projects, but it wasn’t all in vain.  Tuomas is back with Black Metal band Wolfheart and has released a bone chilling new album “Winterborn”.  As far as Melodic Death Metal goes, Tuomas is one of the best at what he does, because of his innovative creativity with such a heavy genre.   The album was previously released in 2013, but was recently reissued by Spinefarm Records.  I am lucky enough to be able to review this album in its entirety.

 

“Winterborn” is exactly what you would expect from Tuomas; Dark, Melodic, chest pounding, and atmospheric in a greatly depressing way.  The guitars are shredding and technical with ease.  The vocals are full and grinding and loud, full of emotion and outright power.  The bass is dropped super low and drones through each song, adding depth as the instrument was intended for.  The drums are technical and dynamic, varying from a slow 90 bpm to 130 bpm.  The use of other instruments from acoustic guitars to strings, piano, and synths is also very well executed.  Isolation is a brilliant example of the diversity and vision of Tuomas.  It is uncommon to hear slower and more soft instrumentation in Death Metal, obviously.  But that being said, the album is not lacking in pounding and guttural tracks like The Hunt, Strength and Valour, and Gale of Winter.  The Viking feel to this album is also quite present, meaning this would be one of the many great fitting soundtracks to History Channels Vikings and even Game Of Thrones.

Death Metal is a huge genre, every band seems to have their own style and equation to creating heavy music.  Don’t let genre labels fool you however, most Metal is so deep with different influences and styles.  “Winterborn” is definitely an album that defies labels and expectations in a fantastic way.  I enjoyed the drastically different feel and way of going about writing Metal that Tuomas definitely took with this album.  It’s unique and new, yet familiar and very commendable.  Overall, I think the reissue of “Winterborn” is a good way for fans to get interested in a pretty mysteriously released album.  It’s worth enough for a reissue and a larger audience, because of its immense quality and idiosyncratic sound.

 

Overall Album Rating  9/10

 

Similar Artists:  Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, Dark Tranquility, Wintersun, Amon Amarth, Ghost Brigade

 

https://www.facebook.com/WolfheartRealm

 

http://www.madsupply.com/en/shop/band+merchandise/wolfheart

 

http://www.amazon.com/Winterborn-Wolfheart/dp/B00Q5OCYKE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421966586&sr=8-2&keywords=wolfheart&pebp=1421966725562&peasin=B00Q5OCYKE

“Dormant Heart” Sylosis Review 2015

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January 19th, 2015

UK Progressive Death Metal Band, Sylosis, have risen to great success in recent years with their unique and dark vibes in blisteringly heavy music.  Since 2007 the band has pounded out interesting and intense albums like Conclusion of an Age, Edge of the Earth, and the popular Monolith.  They have also released two EPs and an independently released seven track live album.  The band has a certain artistry and ever changing sound that appeals to the complicated Metal listeners.  They combine Prog and Death Metal with grinding Thrash riffs and vocals, creating a much heavier and layered version of Trivium.  It is an acquired taste, but well deserving of special recognition.  I hadn’t heard Sylosis until the brand new album “Dormant Heart” dropped this year.  Immediately upon listening to Mercy, I decided this album deserved a review.

 

“Dormant Heart”  is a mix of hardcore, Progressive, and Industrial sound, making for an unpatterned listing experience with many layers.  Upon listening, you can hear the mastery and work that was put into the composition of this album.  The layers of guitars and the pounding of the drums is much less drowning and repetitive than I expected.  It is a lot more refined, making it interesting and great music to listen to during road trips.  The vocals range from deep grunting to powerful mid ranged screams, adding a much needed diversity to separate this from typical “Thrash Metal”.  Don’t be fooled, you can still hear those influences in tracks like To Build a Bomb, Overthrown, and Victims and Pawns. The interesting Progressive sounds come from the guitars and occasional ambient fills, creating a whole new vibe with each track.  Mercy and the title track really stand out on “Dormant Heart”, because they’re really different from what the other bands in Sylosis’ wheelhouse put out.  The best track of the album however is the last.  Quiescent is such a dark and proggy song, it made me wonder why the album didn’t contain more brilliance like it.  If the whole album illustrated this much emotion and passion, it’d get much higher ratings.   The creativity is well represented and much appreciated in Death Metal.

 

As a fan of Death Metal, I strive to hear an album that is unique and something completely different from the other recent albums in the genre.  Death Metal can be convoluted and you’re typical band is a dime a dozen, but Sylosis strive to be a different band with different sound.  Yes the vocals are your typical growls and screams, in and out of proper annunciation, but it is broken up by dynamic riffs and interesting time signatures.  I notice these attributes the most on “Dormant Heart” than other Sylosis albums.  The growth in this album is quite large, but I am left with desiring more after such a prominent track, which could be done on purpose to pull the listener in.  Whatever the target was for “Dormant Heart” Sylosis did a commendable job at succeeded.

 

Album rating 6/10

Discover Your Next New Metal Band

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Here’s a list of bands I’ve recently come acrossed in my research of metal around the world.  Not all of these bands are new, but maybe you haven’t heard of them yet.  If you’re looking for new metal to listen to, this list is for you.  If you’re absolutely fed up with generic rock and the older bands constantly resurfacing, this is a more diverse group of really great bands to listen to.  Finding the perfect band for an individual is nearly impossible, but the search through the epicly diverse genre of Metal can be an eye opener.  This list could help you find your next perfect band.

While She Sleeps

 

England has been breeding quality metal for almost a decade now.  Bands like Sylosis and Tesseract are great examples of what British Metal has to offer.  While She Sleeps is another prime example of British Metal’s diversity and unique sound.  The band is a Melodic Hardcore Metal band famous for chanting vocals and melodic guitar riffs.  I haven’t heard anything quite like them yet and enjoyed their latest track New World Torture.  Check them out below.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPS91tc4AZY

 

http://wssofficial.com/

Mad Architect

 

Swedish band Mad Architect is surprisingly unique and brilliant, featuring Magnus Daun, Sven Lindsten, and Snowy Shaw (Sabaton, Dimmu Borgir, Therion), and Jorgen Oscarsson.  Their music is a mix between Power Metal and Black Metal, with dark and Gothic influences.  It’s very interesting Metal and will appeal to someone with a diverse set of tastes.  The vocals range from growls reminiscent of Dimmu Borgir and clean power vocals similar to Russell Allen’s style.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1UyVCNGafk

 

http://www.madarchitectofficial.com/biography.html

Barren Earth

 

If you just can’t get enough of Melodic Death Metal and are looking for a new band of great quality, Barren Earth could be a great addition to your list.  The band specializes in their own take on a classic genre, adding a Progressive vibe to the music much like Mastodon and Opeth have achieved.  The music is technical, fast, dark, and enchanting with many layers.  This band makes good use of clean vocals as a contract to the guttural growls.  This band is not for the average Metal fan, because of the intensity of the growls, but they are absolutely amazing at what they do.  I expect nothing less than powerful Death Metal from Finland.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcFpXSTbHrI

 

http://www.barrenearth.com/

 

A Breach of Silence

 

A new wave of metal bands from Australia has recently submerged, introducing a new style of metal.  A Breach of Silence is one of the best Metal bands I’ve recently discovered.  They have this blend of typical screaming with powerful vocals.  I was honestly expecting your typical Metalcore band, but instead heard something much more unique.  The vocal range of the bassist is borderlining on the range of Miljenko from Steelheart.  I am vastly impressed by A Breach of Silence and their single There Will Be Blood.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WnCmiYzkBU

 

https://www.facebook.com/abreachofsilenceband

 

Wolverine

 

Swedish metal is just spectacular, but Wolverine has to be one of my favorite bands from the region.  The band is a wonderful Progressive Metal band, with sounds like Sonata Arctica and Ayreon.  This band utilizes two different vocalists very well, mixing clean vocals and growls with a Doom Metal feel to the instruments.  It’s just a really interesting and well executed unique style.  They put out solid and diverse albums.   I highly suggest them if you’re into Prog Metal.

 

http://www.wolverine-overdose.com/

 

More Bands To Look Into

 

Krokodil

Morbus Chron

Voyager

Amorphis

Flowing Tears

While Heaven Wept

Exmortus

Lyriel

Serenity

Amoral

Ancient Bards

Angra
Myrath

Anthriel

Arkona

Keldian

Mindmaze

Pain

Persefone

Sybreed

Prototype

Summoning

Swallow the Sun

White Skull

Words of Farewell

A Metal Insight to 2015

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2015 brings in a whole new year of Metal to look forward to as many bands have already announced new releases as well as amazing tours.  After an exploding year of Metal in 2014, I’m guessing this ever diverse musical genre can only get better.  Whether you like Death, Thrash, Symphonic, or Black there’s probably going to be a release for you in the next coming year.  I say this because the genre has recently grown exponentially, adding thousands of all new bands and a resurgence of Metal popularity.  Also, old classics are coming back strong this year, which means a ton of new music for everyone in the new year.   There are negative sides to it growing and getting more recognition however, as Black Veil Brides is still alive and decently thriving.   Below I will list and expand on some releases and tours that you can look forward to that don’t involve your typical Emo-Rock boy bands.

 

Dark Tranquility With Insomnium North American Tour

 

In late December, Dark Tranquility announced a North American tour with Finnish Melodic Death Metal band, Insomnium.  The tour has already embarked but you can check out the remaining dates below.  I have seen both bands live before and highly suggest them one hundred percent.

 

Kamelot with Dragonforce North American tour

 

A night of Power Metal at its best, what more do you want in 2015?  Kamelot are also currently in production of a new album, sadly without much detail yet.  Check out tour dates below.

 

http://enterthevault.com/artist.php?id=47

Nightwish Endless Forms Most Beautiful, NA Tour With Sabaton/Delain

 

2015 is set to be the biggest year for Nightwish since the release of Imaginaerum in 2011, with a brand new album with a new vocalist and a new drummer, but also a massive North American tour.  Nightwish is easily the most revered Symphonic Metal band of all time, so the wait for a new album has been seemingly long.  “Endless Forms Most Beautiful” is said to utilize the softer and beautiful intricacies of Floor Jansen’s vocals.  The title is inspired by a quote from Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species. The album is also said to have a whole new sound that we’ve never heard from the band.  From the “Making Of” videos for the new album, you can see how hard Tuomas worked to make the new album and truly put everything he had into it.  The entire band has a level of musicianship that is unmatched, so I honestly expect nothing less than a total masterpiece from this album.

 

Nightwish are also embarking on a month long North American tour upon the release of their new album.  This tour is all over the country and features two of the best metal bands right now, Power Metal band Sabaton and Gothic Symphonic Metal band Delain.  There is not going to be a better European tour in the US this year, so I highly recommend buying your tickets as soon as possible. Do not miss this tour.

 

http://nightwish.com/en/news

 

http://enterthevault.com/

 

Battle Beast Unholy Savior  

 

Finnish Female Fronted Power Metal band, Battle Beast, is back in 2015 with new traditional influenced album.  “Unholy Savior” comes out early, January 13th to be exact.  The album features a broader range of styles and different emotional influences than previous albums.  Guitarist and writer Anton wanted to go farther on his “spiritual journey” of music and expand the horizons of Battle Beast’s sound.

 

The Track listing for UNHOLY SAVIOR will be as follows:

 

  1. Lionheart
  2. Unholy Savior
  3. I Want The World….And Everything In It
  4. Madness
  5. Sea Of Dreams
  6. Speed And Danger
  7. Touch In The Night
  8. The Black Swordsman
  9. Hero’s Quest
  10. Far Far Away
  11. Angel Cry

 

http://www.battlebeast.fi/

Sylosis Dormant Heart

Progressive Death Metal band Sylosis are back in 2015 with a crazy technical and shredding album “Dormant Heart”.  With a new drummer, Ali Richardson from DevilDriver, the band aims to come back heavier and darker than ever.  The album drops January 17th via Nuclear Blast Records, but you can preorder it still on their site.

 

http://sylosis.com/

Blind Guardian Beyond the Red Mirror

German Power Metal band are releasing their 10th studio album January 30th, 2015.  “A story between science fiction and fantasy,” explains Blind Guardian vocalist and lyricist Hansi Kürsch. “The story begins with our 1995 album, Imaginations from the Other Side. The two worlds described therein have changed dramatically for the worse since then. While there used to be several passages between the worlds, there is only one gate left now: The Red Mirror. It has to be found at any cost.”  It is their first release in five years and is highly anticipated, because of its recent high mark reviews from Blabbermouth and other popular sites.  For the hardcore fans of Power Metal I can say that this album will be everything you expect from Blind Guardian, no tricks or frills here.

 

Halestorm

 

If you caught any of Halestorm’s studio diary videos or their recent live shows, you know they’ve got a screamer of an album coming very soon this year.  You also know the band is teasing the new album picture by picture, purposely torturing the fans.  The reveal however is set for January 13th.  There are no more details beyond the date and song titles.  Check out more below.

 

http://www.halestormrocks.com/11315

 

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/halestorms-lzzy-hale-on-upcoming-album-its-very-organic-and-unapologetically-us/

Bands in Production

 

Kamelot

Deftones

Soilwork

Fear Factory

Decide

Five Finger Death Punch

Stone Sour

Symphony X

Dimmu Borgir

Soulfly

Paradise Lost

For a full comprehensive list of heavy metal releases go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_in_heavy_metal_music

ALKALOID, A Progressive Death Metal Super Group Premieres New Song

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ALKALOID is an Extreme Progressive Metal band aiming to capitalize on differences of musical influences from each member.  The band premiered a new song and an audio album teaser for “The Malkuth Grimoire”.  It is the band’s debut album that is being crowd funded on Indiegogo.  The band is a mix of Death Metal, Progressive sounds inspired by Rush, and Sludge metal.  The music has a slow and dark delivery, with immense technicality in the instrumentation.  Check out their lineup and brand new song below on sound cloud.

Morean – vocals & guitar (Dark Fortress, Noneuclid, The Hungry Gods)

Christian Münzner – guitar (Ex-Obscura, Ex-Necrophagist, Spawn of Possession)

Danny Tunker – guitar (Aborted,)

Linus Klausenitzer – bass (Obscura, Noneuclid)

Hannes Grossmann – drums (Ex-Obscura, Ex-Necrophagist, Blotted Science)

https://soundcloud.com/alkaloidband/carbon-phrases

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/alkaloid-s-debut-album-the-malkuth-grimoire—2

Fall Death Metal Highlights

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Fall of 2014 has entailed an assault of highly anticipated Death Metal releases.  Compared to the whole of 2014, this fall has become extremely heavy with new pounding releases.  There’s anything from Black Metal, Gothenburg and Swedecore, to Theatrical Death metal, making for many tastes to choose from.  Below is some of the highlighted releases for Death Metal and simple reviews to give an insight of what to pick up at your record store.  I will include less mainstream releases in deeper reviews later.

 

Cavalera Conspiracy

 

The Thrash Metal band brought to fame by the talented and hardcore Cavalera brothers, is back in 2014 with Pandemonium.  The band is prized for taking Thrash Metal and making it even more extreme, fast, and technical.  With their albums you expect high intensity, demonized lyrics, and an assault of drums and guitars.  The brothers have created their own brand of metal that has become extremely popular in America.  Their previous albums Inflikted and Blunt Force Trauma were scorching with fast and grinding riffs and intense vocals, mixing energy and thrashing with technicality.  Their previous sound was excellent, but their new sound is a departure and even heavier than the previous albums.

 

Rather than being Modern Thrash Metal, the band has gone for a Grindcore sound that is certainly more popular in the 2010s.  The lyrics are less audible and more shouty on Pandemonium, making it a little more hardcore than previous albums.  The tracks have a raw sound, showing that their music is refreshingly not over produced.  The drums are even more highlighted by Igor on this album, with his technical and fast Thrash drumming.  The album sounds like a raw 80’s Thrash album, throwing back to the days of Slayer and Death Angel.  Overall, it’s a typical Grindcore and Thrash album that any fans of the genre will foam over and enjoy every track on it.  It is pure unedited, intense, assaulting, pounding noise, which is exactly what most Grindcore fans and bands strive for.  It is everything you expect in a typical Thrash Metal album, which is why I absolutely dislike this album.

 

Pandemonium is nothing special.  It is a poorly mixed and poorly arranged compilation of pure noise.  Yes the Cavalera brothers have made a big imprint on Metal, but this album does not live up to the expectations of the two.  Everything is uneven and distorted, making it difficult to pick out any good or catchy qualities in the music,  Thrash Metal continues to lack any changes or dynamics that make it desirable for me to listen to.  This album is not even close to the Thrash Metal that was recorded as demos in the late 70’s and 80’s, it is even worse quality than those original demos of Metallica and Slayer and Anthrax.  Pandemonium is a step backwards for metal.

Album Rating 4/10

 

Machine Head

 

Rob Flynn and Machine Head are back in 2014.  The American Thrash Metal pioneers release Bloodstone and Diamonds, a highly anticipated and talked about album that is currently blowing up Facebook dashboards and metal sites.  Of course the band has remained in the spotlight with their recently canceled North American tour with Epica and Rob Flynn criticizing other bands.  These controversial media centered stories have everyone in America talking about Machine Head, making them one of the top artists in rock of 2014.  Finally, the band has the new content to back up the outbursts of new and old fans with Bloodstone and Diamonds.

 

The new album is heavy, drilling, tight, and intense with every instrument in a devilish harmony.  The guitar work on this album is melodic and technical, like past albums, but even more refined.  Each song is different from the rest, some have more melodic undertones while others are just pure Thrash Metal.  The slow parts to the heavy and intense breakdowns show that the entire band put a lot of effort into this album.   It is a huge departure from Unto the Locust, but perhaps in a good way.  The new albums is back to their Thrash Metal roots, which certainly makes the older fans happier.  However, the band manages to preserve a more melodic sound with some clean vocals and dueling guitar parts, making the album more enjoyable to listen to than most Thrash Metal albums.

 

I am not a fan of Machine Head and Rob Flynn’s opinions, so I will admit the new album doesn’t excite me as much.  I have never been a huge Thrash Metal fan, because I find the music to be just pure noise without any true direction or talent.  The genre is full of garage bands who strive to pound instruments as loud and as fast as they can, but not all bands considered Thrash Metal are just noise.  That’s Machine Head’s redeeming quality in my eyes and is why I don’t entirely dislike Bloodstone and Diamonds.  The artistry of mixing heavy and fast playing with melodic and slow characteristics is an incredible quality to a metal band; Machine Head is certainly one of those bands who succeeds at this artistry and why they will keep having highly rated and proclaimed albums.  Bloodstone and Diamonds is much better than I thought it would be.

 

Overall Album Rating 7/10

 

Nachtblut

 

German Metal Band, Nachtblut, bring us a new dark and disturbing album in 2014 with Chimonas.  The band is known for making German Speed and Black Metal with heavy guitars rattling growling, and haunting synth parts to send shivers down your spine.  The band also infuses Folk themes into their blackened metal, like an extreme dark and twisted version of Eluveitie.  The band’s instrumentation is really tight, technical, and all over the place.  The changing tempos and waning rhythms keep the music interesting and far departed from being one dimensional.  While you may not speak full German, their music is honestly still enjoyable and fun to listen.  The well written quality in their music is actually quite surprising and desirable.

 

Nachtblut’s new album, Chimonas, is all of these qualities refined and boosted, proving Black Metal is very much alive.  With non stop heavy and dark tracks like “Gotteskrieger”, “Kalt wie Grab”, and “Schwarz”, the band appeals to the traditional Black Death Metal fans.  Then the band proves they’re anything but one dimensional with softer sorrow filled tracks like “Und immer wenn die Nacht anbricht” and folk metal anthem “Wien 1683”.  The tracks are all incredibly different from each other and while versed in different styles of European Metal.  Every song stands out from anything I’ve heard this year, in a good way.  As far as Black Metal albums go, Chimonas is one of  the best I’ve heard for quite some time and highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys European Death Metal.

 

Overall Album Rating 8/10

 

At The Gates

Renowned Melodic Death Metal and Gothenburg origin band, At The Gates has come to the ears of American listeners with new album At War With Reality.  The Swedish Death Metal band mixes extreme vocals, technical driving guitars, double bass power drumming, and true melodic sounds for an extremely unique form of metal.  Past albums and this latest one also have roots in American Thrash Metal, inspired by Slayer specifically.  At the Gates also differentiates from other Gothenburg bands as they have shrieking vocals as opposed to guttural growls.  The band also doesn’t include dueling soloing guitarists like In Flames and Omnium Gatherum.  They have their own take on Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal, proving the genre is full of unique and polished gems,

 

At War With Reality is an intense, blood curdling, spine grinding Death Metal with catchy melodic undertones from the guitars.  It is a typical At The Gates record with absolutely heavy breakdowns and creative offbeat shredding.  The vocals are typical from the band, hard to understand and sometimes abrasive, clashing with the downtuned shredding.  The vocals on this album sound pretty misplaced in my opinion and make the music sound emotionally flat, lacking any inspiration.  While the album is great jamming Death Metal, it lacks any dimension or meaning to keep you playing the record more than once.  The band may be legendary, but are not immune to becoming one dimensional or a rerun of a record.  Yes, At War With Reality is different from Terminal Spirit Disease and With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness, but it lacks any qualities that made those albums Death Metal classics.  It is certainly not the caliber I expected, especially after Slaughter of the Soul.  At War With Reality may be a highly purchased and loved album of 2014, but I can’t find any reason why it is so popular.  Everything is so subdued on this record and plain, lacking any strife or passion in the workmanship.  Either the band is tired and have gone for a mainstream sound, or the mastering of the record has turned everything good about the band down and one leveled.  This album could be a lot better with more time spent on the production and mastering.

 

Overall Album Rating: 4/10

 

Devilment

 

Devilment is a project created by guitarists Daniel Finch and Colin Parks, with the help from Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth.  Devilment is a Death Metal project, mixing macabre themes and heavy instrumentation.  The inspirations are typical; Witchcraft, Goth, Erotic themes, and whatever seems to amuse the writer.  The project aims to be a little more mainstream than typical Death Metal and be creative and interesting to see live.  Their new album The Great and Secret Show, is a mix of modern metal and underground metal sound.  It is definitely a unique release in 2014, but is getting mixed reviews from all different metal fans.

 

The Great and Secret Show is unique, but nothing new to music.  It is filled with Dani Filth’s typical grunting and howling vocals as well as his cheeky and creative lyrics.  The album sounds like a mix between “Repo! The Genetic Opera” and a remix of a Rammstein album.  It is definitely more theatrical than Dani Filth’s other projects, even more theatrical and dramatic than Cradle of Filth.  The album could definitely be a horror movie soundtrack, because of the darkness and simplicity to it.  It has an interesting mix Gothic Metal, Thrash Metal, Extreme Metal, and Symphonic Metal blended.  However, the album lacks anything impressive or surprising.  It is a very one dimensional album, lacking any dynamics or any catching sounds.  It’s simply just flat.  The theatrics and themes carry the actual musical content much farther than the music itself, meaning without the mood and Gothic feel the release would probably be a huge flop.

 

Overall Album Rating: 4/10

Ghost Brigade Release New Transcending Melodeath Album

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Finnish Melodic Death and Doom Metal band, Ghost Brigade, are one of the up and coming Death Metal bands as of now, even though they’ve written three absolute pounding albums since their birth in 2005.  The Finnish band melds hopeful and beautiful melodies with dark and heavy instrumentation, with absolutely incredible chest rattling growls.  The melded sound is unlike any metal out there, rivaling Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum in Melodic Death Metal, but remaining their own sound.  What sets them apart is their resonating and trendsetting melodic clean singing from lead vocalist Manne Ikonen.  The band is dark and moody, driving with subtleties and power, making for a sound that engulfs your senses from the first listen.  There is something ethereal, something unexplained, something inaudibly incredible about this band’s sound.  Which is why their new album IV-One With The Storm is one of my favorite albums of 2014.

 

Ghost Brigade’s new album IV-One With The Storm is everything I expected in a new release from them, but it exceeds so much more than my expectations.  The album is as beautifully crafted and melodic as Isolation Songs and as heavy as Until Fear No Longer Defines Us.  The instrumentation is melodic and gripping, with well executed fast playing and driving rhythm. It sounds like you’re the pallbearer in a mystic land, trudging your way through shin high grasses and wet stones, with this album playing as your soundtrack.  It paints so many distinct visions in your head as you listen through it.  Each song is an entirely different soundtrack.  Ghost Brigade nailed their classic Melodic Death Metal sound with this album, and enhanced it to the best possible level.

 

The epic album begins with “Wretched Blues”, a fast strumming track with deathly melodic tones, making a dark and ominous sound.  The over six minute long track has this darkness hanging over it, with light synth in the background.  The song is haunting, slowly morphing and building with infinite layers of guitars and passion.  The sound of this album slightly reminds me of what Type O Negative achieved in their music.  Slower track “Departures” is a different track for Ghost Brigade, featuring mostly clean vocals and a less depressing sound.  It’s a brilliantly written track, succeeding at being something new from Ghost Brigade without being a negative departure from the band.  “Aurora” is an emotionally heavy track, a quality the band polished so well through the years.  It builds up from Death Metal to a melodic verse, then keeps changing with different dynamics and a tempo change.  I loved this track from the moment the band released it and find it fits very well on this diverse album.  “Disembodied Voices” is an ominous and dark track, full of melody and emotion, keeping with the typical mood of Ghost Brigade.  The song sounds of healing and hope, proving the music is just as meaningful as power ballads.  The driving instrumentation of this song pulls you in with a catchy beat.  The lead guitar adds subtleties with mini solos throughout the last half of the song, adding that truly haunting melodic sound Ghost Brigade is famous for.  The outro also includes light synth and muted vocals, leading into the next track.

 

“Electra Complex” is  creepy, mysterious, elusive, soundtrack that takes your breath away with its effortless and drifting vocals and instrumentation.  This song almost sounds like a partner to “Soulcarvers”, with similar guitar work and slow headbanging feel.  It is absolutely brilliant in its delivery.  “Electra Complex” may be one of the best songs Ghost Brigade has ever put out.  Yet another song on this album has left me speechless and with a sore neck.  “Stones and Pillars” changes the mood up from the previous tracks, proving that this album has even heavier tracks than Isolation Songs.  This track is heavy all the way through with chest rattling extreme growls, taking a break from the swaying clean vocals.  Then once again the album changes with melodic beautiful track, “Anchored”, that builds back into a hardcore sound.  The melodic and Death influences sound like they’re in a very heated battle on this track, as the tone switches back and forth like an argument.  “The Knife” is a very rhythm driven track and heavy with all elements from Ghost Brigade.  The use of high, ear piercing synth adds a new eerie and Hallows Eve touch to it.  It is a very appropriate song for this time of year.  The change of style throughout the song is refreshing and captivating too, making a complete new sound for the band.

 

“Long Way to the Graves” is a self descriptive track.  It is a long dragging, influential, slow dark ballad that will move you, taking you away to a completely new state of mind.  This song is beautiful, haunting, and inspiring all at the same time.  Listening to this track is an indescribable experience.  It is deflating and depressing, yet uplifting and inspiring with beauty.  This track feels like a soundtrack for driving through the woodlands of Finland, back from a funeral and straight to a woman you love.  It is an incredible track to say the least.  “Elämä on tulta” is the perfect ending track for this exquisite Melodeath album.  It begins slow and ominous, building into a guitar driven instrumental part, then into resonating growls and synth, continuing to place haunting music in your mind.  This song is every characteristic about Ghost Brigade has ever showed on every album all put into one song.  It is full of energy, unlike any track I’ve heard from the band yet.  The title translates from Finnish to English “Life is a fire”, which is the absolute perfect title for such a powerful track. It leaves you satisfied, yet wanting more.  Ending the moral of the album on an aggressive note, but still filled with the hopeful melodies echoing in your head.

 

Ghost Brigade once again creates the most unique, heavy, melodic, emotive, transcending album of Melodic Death Metal.  They have raised every bar and have climbed to a new height with the flawlessness of this album.  It is resonating and soaring with pure passion, tangible with conviction.  They make you believe that you’re in a deep chasm of depression, but also lift you out with this beautiful sound of hope.  Somehow this band creates incredible emotion filled music, describing emotions or lack of emotions with only three struck chords.  Their music is unlike anything I’ve ever heard, regardless of genre.  The prominent use of clean vocals on this album also makes the music extremely dynamic compared to previous albums, setting them in the center of true Melodeath.  I really can’t say enough good things about this album.  It is rare, but sometimes an album is just so fantastic that it becomes indescribable.  I hope this very descriptive and emotion fueled review is enough to make you listen to this album, as well as check out Ghost Brigade’s entire catalog.  They are the future of Melodic Death Metal.

 

Rating 9.6/10 This album sets the quality bar high for metal at the end of 2014, and I don’t think any other new release will top it for quite some time.

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