Impaled Existence - These Lifeless Plains 5 Track CD

Impaled Existence

These Lifeless Plains

Impaled Existence – North Wales

Links:

www.myspace.com/impaledexistence

Genre: Progressive/Groove/Death Metal

This 5 piece progressive, melodic death metal band from Wales, are influenced by Whitechapel, Fear Factory and Scar Symmetry to name but a few and played on stage with bands such as Swallow the Sun, Annotations of an Autopsy and Suicide Silence amongst others were formed in 2004 and demonstrate an intricate riff edged inspiring take, on aggressive brutal and melodic death metal.

The cover is really eye-catching and resembles a sort of eerie mini Stonehenge of sorts, with branches growing out of a large solitary rock that holds centre of the CD.  Clouds form around the branches and set on a dark plain with very clever use of light. I don’t know if it was intentional or not, but the centre piece in the picture looks like a carved warrior standing proud amidst the gnarled branches that protrude from the rock. Their logo is extremely impressive with the “E” reversed at the end – clearly thought out and very distinctive and I haven’t even listened to the CD yet!

Between sensation and reality intro

Eerie piano keys at the start of the track the sensation builds with interwoven and inspiring harmonies that brings some very haunting melodies into reality!

Fictions within the mind

A rapturous beginning with some amazing drumming and dark growling vocals that consistently give this track a nice edge.  It grabs your attention and when push comes to shove certainly pushes the boundaries and shoves metal up your ass in epic proportion, to a gut wrenching climax! Head fuck time!

If error were true

The guitars are spiky and shrill and the drumming gigantic in sound as the blast beasts gives an all-important knee jerk reaction to the groin. The melodic feel bursts forth into an amazing arrangement, whilst the vocals give it that power and intensity I love. Implode or explode this track has it all and gives the listener both in sizeable amounts!

Through stinging eyes

Excellent atmospheric and embracing start to this dark track, which simply bursts into some shrill guitar and displays some thunderous beats.  A vocal to be proud of that just haunts as the melodic feel becomes apparent and is over powering in sound and intensity. Some awesome breakdowns complete the track. If this doesn’t leave your eyes stinging nothing will!

Worthy of remains

Laced with superb powerful bludgeoning blast beats, and a vocal that haunts with savagery, this amazing track takes you one step further!   Chugging frantic paced riffs that melt the brain and a pounding bass that no doubt carves its way into your very being this is an immense track that just after all the build-up simply fades away but leaves a mega imprint. Jaw droppingly awesome!

All in all a nice bundle of tunes and anything but “lifeless” whets the appetite.  Great presentation and production on the CD and well worth getting hold of a copy.  This is going to be in the player for a while... Stick the headphones on because you won’t want to miss a beat!

Track Listing:

Between sensation and reality intro

Fictions within the mind

If error were true

Through stinging eyes

Worthy of remains

Members:

Danny Hughes – Vocals

Mikey Dykins – Guitars

Craig Phillips – Guitars

Sam Walker – Bass

Nathan Richards - Drums

L to R Danny, Mikey, Craig, Sam and Nathan

Alter Eden - Emergence 3 track demo

Alter Eden

Emergence

 3 track CD

Alter Eden – Stoke on Trent - Midlands

Links:

www.myspace.com/alteredenuk

Genre:

Blues/Metal/Rock

Not much has been heard of Alter Eden since seeing them live at the Zanzibar on 18^th August 2010 but no doubt they will reappear again just when and where you least expect them or maybe not?

But the other side of Alter Eden i.e. Blue Origin is everywhere it seems, so I think the guys are concentrating more on The Blue Origin material of late.

Time to dust off this 3 track demo and give it another airing me thinks.  Although I do prefer Blue Origin as it is less bluesy and more heavy but nice to have a choice.  This way the guys can cover all options so it is nice to go from one to the other.

The 3 track demo also entitled Alter Eden is in more of a serious vein than Blue Origin who although heavier have more of a rockier flavour, but Nick’s vocals are awesome any which way you look at them.

For anyone who would like to see the review of Alter Eden at the Zanzibar please click on the link below:

http://paganhelreviews.blogspot.com/2011/02/alter-eden-kin-bright-lights-revolver.html

Just a Word

Some nice heavy riffs come surging from the speakers with Nick screaming out some great lyrics and Tom pounding the skins.  Definitely in a more serious vein than Blue Origin with darker vocals and rhythms but none the less catchy in their own way and uphold the interest.

Hellhound

Is a blaster! Nice heavy riffs from Alex and a track you can’t help but move to. Nick’s vocals are really gutsy and sleazy a really nice added touch. Catchy and melodic with a nice edgy bass line running through it. Shredding courtesy of Alex is amazing and gives out an amazing bluesy feel – very old school! Takes me back to the 80’s

Connection

A much slower paced track with a dark ambient edge to it.  Nick’s vocal range is melodic and dreamy.  The progressive feel is more apparent. Just close your eyes and you are indeed back in the 80’s. Rock and blues are back with a vengeance! A nice track to close the CD with and worthy of another listen or two.

So where has Alter Eden disappeared to?  Have they recorded any further tracks?  Have they split up?  There hasn’t been much posted on their facebook page since 24^th August but it just may well be that the guys are concentrating on furthering Blue Origin and left Alter Eden on the side lines.

I feel it would be nice to hear some further tracks from Alter Eden as although it isn’t as heavy as the tracks I normally listen to but the change is nice. But who knows, what is afoot with these guys. Check them out on the links above and see for yourself. But also check out Blue Origin either way these guys are a rocking sensation!

I feel very privileged to have witnessed both acts but in my opinion Origin have the edge :D

Track Listing:

Just a word

Hellhound

Connection

Members:

Nick Pilgrim- Lead Vocals, Guitars

Alex Coleman- Guitars, Backing Vocals

Tom Eivers- Drums, Backing Vocals

Dan Henderson- Bass, Backing Vocals