Cheerleader
“Vegas Or Bust”
(Angry Shark Records)
Unashamed Amerophiles, these Swedes have certainly made an impression having just landed the support slot on Warrior Soul’s recent UK tour purely on the basis of this rock out debut! Originally called ‘The Shit’, this 8 legged rock machine where formed when Supragod guitarist Joan Vieru hooked up with the Elk brothers and drummer Andreas Westerland. Continue reading
Soul Healer
“Kings Of Bullet Alley”
(www.soulhealermusic.com)
Soul Healer….? Bloody hell, these guys could sear your soul at 50 yards! Kick ass rock n roll metal is the best way to describe these 5 Finns!! Vocalist Jori Karki has one of these definitive gravelly vocals, whilst guitarists Sami and Teemu alternate between soothing and smacking you with their chugging riffs and clear n proud melodies. The rhythm? Don’t even ask, with the rest of the band stonking Teemu and Timo on bass n drums respectively are galloping like an reindeer on heat LOL! Continue reading
Exxplorer
“Vengeance Rides An Angry Horse”
(Pure Steel Records)
Holy time travel – am I back in ’84?! Fuckin Exxplorer, the US metal band who recorded “Symphonies Of Steel” are back – and best of all, it sounds just like it did back in those early days: raw guitar, early heavy / power metal melodies and most of all, original vocalist Lennie Rizzo’s high end vocals. Continue reading
Behemoth
“Demonica” 2CD
(Metal Blade)
Going on 20 years old this year, Poland’s Behemoth commemorate their 20th anniversary with the release of this 23 track double CD boxset, which is limited to 10,000 copies and comes digibook slipcase complete with a 44-page book including rare photos and lyrics. There is also an even more limited double vinyl pressing available as a gatefold of 250 copies! Continue reading
Morton
“Come Read The Words Forbidden”
(AFM Records)
Wow, I think that Morton come from the Ukraine and what a change they make from the black / death dirge that frequently comes outta the former Eastern Bloc! The brainchild of well known producer / musician Max Morton, his namesake band produces division one power metal which should go down a treat as it very much has a German sound but also has a Russian operatic tinge Continue reading
Thrall
“Vermin To The Earth”
(Moribund Records)
Yeah, Australia certainly has its fair share of verminous creatures – and the duo of Thrall are no exception. As bizarre and lethal as their Antipodean wildlife, Thrall is like a throwback to a primordial age, playing mid tempo blackish metal with just enough off the wall riffs on songs like ‘Oblivion’, ‘Disease’s Maiming Caress’ and ‘Ecstasy not of the Flesh’ to make them anarchic affairs that are both absorbing as well as being different. Continue reading
Cheesy to some, undeniable fun to others – whatever the case, Powerwolf are a happening band with their cool canine camp opera – Shan Siva joins Matthew Greywolf in barking at the moon!
1.Firstly can I say what an immense pleasure Powerwolf have been to me right from when I first heard “Lupus Dei” to seeing you guys at the Rock Tower Festival in Lubeck last year as you guys rocked that little Triebsand place!!
Thanx, though I remember this show as none of our better ones to be honest! A quite a small stage, we had to drop most of our stage decorations and could hardly move on stage. Well, maybe that makes this show a very basic and in a way intense one then LOL!! Continue reading
Charred Walls Of The Damned
“Cold Winds On Timeless Days”
(Metal Blade Records)
These guys are probably my fave band (or mebbe I should say supergroup) right now! From the affable, multi talented Richard Christy to legendary Steve DiGiorgio and famous Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, this melting pot of talent have it all – incredible melodies, brutal riffola, double bass drumming par excellence and epic vocals conspire to carry on in fine style the standard set by their amazing self titled debut! Continue reading
Glyder
“Backroads To Byzantium”
(SPV / Steamhammer)
A lot has happened to these Irish lads since the release of their last album “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” – despite being well received and on the verge of success, vox / bassist Tony Cullen and drummer Davy Ryan quit the band. Three new members have joined: Jackie Robinson, Graham McClatchie and Des McEvoy and it’s also a heralded a change in the band’s sound, that while still melodic hard rock, is very much more American in style like on ‘Fade To Dust’ than their prior Thin Lizzy influenced approach. Continue reading
As You Drown
“Rat King”
(Metal Blade Records)
On the face of it the town of Boras in Sweden might represent an idyllic one: rich in culture, natural beauty and happy folk. But there are exceptions. As You Drown clearly represent the alternative: heavily tattooed morose lads with plenty of angst in their faces. And “Rat King” sez it all – modern death core is probably how best I’d describe songs like ‘Conqueror’, ‘Rabid Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing’ and ‘Slaves to the Kingdom of Fear’. Continue reading
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