Joyless Jokers - Taste of Victory - 8 Track Album - Released 23rd January 2012

Joyless Jokers

Taste of Victory

8 Track Album

Released 23^rd January 2012

Joyless Jokers – Vicenza, Italy

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/joylessjokers

Discography

Arms of Darkness (EP / Self-Released) - 2010

Taste of Victory (Full Length / Self-Released) – 2012

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Biography:

Formed in 2006 in Vicenza, Italy, this band of mainly three brother’s Thomas, Rudy and Jader (although Jader was the last of the brother’s to join) started off playing rock/hard rock and with the usual changes in line-ups found Tom changing from bass to vocals as Tom’s vocal chords were more suited to screaming, so their sound changed dramatically to Melodic Death Metal. This worked well as the band wanted to move on with their new sound, playing more powerful tracks.

In order to fully perfect their sound the band decided to recruit another member and 2 years later, this is where Jader entered the band with his keyboards. Still not happy with the way their sound was going the band then decided to add another member on guitar and so on the 24^th December 2008 Michele joined the Joyless Jokers line-up.

There was a bit more upset in the band during September 2010 when it was realised that their drummer was not totally happy with their sound and decided to leave – but predictability seems to be totally unheard of in music, so after a few months in stepped Matteo and this now completed the line-up for Joyless Jokers who then set to work to record their debut EP ‘Arms of Darkness’ after a year of intensive gigging during 2010.

The band gelled together completely and were excited about the prospect of writing more songs and attending many concerts, so much so, that they found they had enough tracks to produce a second album called ‘Taste of Victory’ and are now working on a third album – their story continues...

Rain

This track does have an impact on the aural as it launches into an impressing barrage of sound and unleashes a very potent, toxic venom and possesses a superb melodic stance.

Murder in Me

This track goes on the rampage and causes a lot of chaos within its incendiary of powerful rhythms and towering riffs. The keyboards really come into their own here and add that exciting spice to the proceedings.

Scream

Another rapacious track with delicious vocal onslaught and a tiny choppy keyboard rhythm that is backed up by a forceful drum beat and impacting riffs. It is one riveting listen and very inventive with a flurry of strings that climb the scales unmercifully.

Point of No Return

Plundering the ears this holds a deep dark and savage rhythm that is deliciously ‘bedlamic’ and literally explodes with more than just a forceful slap.  The infectious riffs and crazy keyboard add mesmeric qualities to a very provoking track.

The Joyless Jokers - and not a smile between them!

Whispers to Shadows

Another superb onslaught can be had here as it races to its climax. Building rhythms amid a torrent of passionate growls it does anything but ‘cradle’ the ears and simply buries them in a fury of unbridled grooves that break the sound barrier.

Hopeless

The squeak in the guitar riffs gives us an insight into what lies ahead – more battering grooves, torturous rhythms, forceful drumming, strong bass, mesmeric keyboard and scathing vocal. The mere hint of a melody adding that something special to a total brutal rampage is nothing less than sensational!

I’ll watch you Die

Judging by the sounds of this track, dying is something you don’t want to do as the Joyless Jokers epidemic hits with urgency! A towering inferno of caustic rhythms held together with a vibrant keyboard full on melodic prowess and hard bass hooks, it will simply hypnotise as you succumb to its overwhelming intimidation.

Taste of Victory

The title track is hard edged with a deep resonating feel that is, as you would expect, very abrasive and feeds hungrily on the aural senses. It embraces, but with a punishing fist of malevolence.

To Sum up:

A very highly charged album that strikes unmercifully amid strong melodic keyboards that sit between rapacious riffs and harsh vocal savagery which is eased along superbly with ravenous drum beats and hard bass hooks that in turn blend into a very compelling listen - making it impossible to ignore.

Vocally exciting, Tom’s ability to growl whilst still being comprehensible is an art, although I do love the pig squeals and grunts, but with melodic death metal I think it would take away from its grandeur. 

Joyless Jokers have indeed got the balance right here and produced eight excellent tracks that are embracing, extremely melodic and with more than just a few dashes of brutal savagery! Undeniably, snarling, devious and yet has its lingering moments – Now who could ask for more?

10/10

Track List:

Rain

Murder in Me

Scream

Point of No Return

Whispers to Shadows

Hopeless

I’ll watch you Die

Taste of Victory

Members:

Thomas Girardello – Bass/Vocals

Rudy Girardello – Guitar

Jader Girardello – Keyboards

Michele Brunetti – Guitar

Matteo Joverno – Drums

ZaRRaZa - Cutting Meat Fast & Loud - 5 Track E.P - Released 5th August 2013

ZaRRaZa

Cutting Meat Fast & Loud

5 Track E.P

Released 5^th August 2013

  

ZaRRaZa – Almaty, Kazakhstan

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/ZaRRaZakz

Listen here:

http://zarraza.bandcamp.com/

Discography

Bullets and Beliefs – Debut E.P 3^rd March 2012

Cutting Meat Fast & Loud – 5^th Aug 2013

Genre: Thrash/Death Metal

Biography:

Formed in 2009 from the darkest recesses of Kazakhstan, which incidentally is the world's largest landlocked country by land area and the ninth largest country in the world - comes ZaRRaZa who apparently play too fast and far too loud, that it even prompted the police to intervene. 

Live at Shymkent, August, 10, 2013

Raw brutality is their speciality and it goes with a unique talent of incorporating strange musical objects into their musical creations. 

Zombie Kids

The thick infectious grooves prove they are not to be messed with, as wave after wave of sizzling and impacting riffs cascade down on the ears with biting intensity. Vocally damming the gruff guttural tones embed themselves into the brain with surging consequences.

The Grudge (Instrumental)

Sinister, just as its name suggests, bristling with a dark ambiance and a mesmeric groove that eats corrosively into your head with far reaching and impacting slithers it offers a fierce portrayal of evil.

Get a slab of this!

If I was Satan

A swamp of menacing grooves and feisty rhythms surround themselves with one sic mutha of a spiteful vocal that would scare the shit out of Satan – no doubt! The riffs soar into an immensely destructive rampage of pure hate. The tempestuous rhythms wrap themselves around you unmercifully and will feed off the flesh – quite literally.

Chaos

The sound of children can be heard at the beginning of the track and then it explodes into a gutsy onslaught of brooding unsympathetic gravelly growls. The music is quite simply ‘chaotic’ and power ridden - however quite satisfying.

Breed to Breathe (Napalm Death Cover)

Not too far removed from the original version, however this version sees the extra talents of Ardak Balgarash on the Kobyz * see below. 

Ardak Balgarash & her Kobyz

Apparently, this instrument has never ever been used on a metal track before, therefore ZaRRaZa are totally unique in that instance. This track holds plenty of vibrancy with a thick coating of riotous, anger and loathing.

To Sum up:

A compelling listen with a tsunami of pervading seething, this is one E.P that I was glad to receive and review. Its disruptive tendencies engage on all levels and is unsettling to the untrained ear, meaning if you do not like your music brutal with a splash of crash and burn, then this is not for you! However, this E.P literally, both implodes and explodes, offering deep ravenous grooves and blistering, abrasive screams enough to wake the dead and kill the living!

A total primal force of acidic rhythms, gutsy lyrics and energetic squalls will provoke a full on nuclear attack once sampling ZaRRaZa’s E.P.  If you are feeling slightly chilly, then listen to this E.P you will soon feel the temperature rise! But it may well cause irresistible body spasms and hair to fly!

Playing in Öskemen, East Kazakhstan

Looking forward to hearing more from ZaRRaZa!!!! It is one experience I will not forget in a hurry!

10/10

Track List:

Zombie Kids

The Grudge (Instrumental)

If I was Satan

Chaos

Breed to Breathe (Napalm Death Cover)

Members:

Nick Khalabuzar - Guitars/Vocals

Alex Filatov - Bass

Damir Yunussov - Guitars/ Backing Vocals

Ruslan Alpissov - Drums

*Ardak Balgarash - Kobyz (A traditional Kazakh stringed instrument, something between cello & viola) Guest appearance on the cover version for Napalm Death song - "Breed to Breathe".

Promethium - Origins - 10 Track Album - Sky Rocket - To be released 30th September 2013

Promethium

Origins

10 Track Album

Sky Rocket

To be released 30^th September 2013

Origins - Out Soon!

Promethium – Lancaster, UK

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Promethiumband

Discography

Debut EP – Tribute to the Fallen - 2009

Debut Album - Welcome to the Institution – 2010

Full-length album - Origins – 2013

Produced by Daniel Lovett-Horn

Co produced by Mick Armisteed/Rossi

Engineered by Mick Armisteed

Photo's by Daniel Lovett-Horn/Rossi/Mick Armisteed

Genre: Old School Metal/Hard Rock/Metal

Biography:

Driven by a passion for music, Promethium are bringing back old school Metal with a 21st century twist through enigmatic song writing and powerful, energetic live shows. Promethium are the by-product formed from the remaining residue of five band meltdowns in Lancaster. A volatile reaction to the tired Thrash which predominated the cities scene, our five intrepid heroes compounded to serve up Heavy music for the purists of metallurgical alchemy.

Promethium create a tense interaction of classic instrumentation and emotive vocals. Restrained clean guitar tones gently simmer and bring Gary’s raw melodic vocals to boiling point before they suddenly erupt with distortion and compel the singer to chemically react, overflow and burn the mic. In a controlled condition, and with tasteful, seasoned precision, the drums and bass infuse these opposing elements. The loud, rocking results are Promethium; a great stress relief.

Between them the band have over 70 years of experience with studio, live and promo work and it shows! Their live shows are energetic, unpredictable and most of all entertaining. They hold the stage like they have always belonged there and make it their own.

2009 Saw the release of their debut EP ‘Tribute to the Fallen’ which received rave reviews and constant radio play from the underground Metal scene. A follow up debut album ‘Welcome to the Institution’ was due in the summer of 2010 and distributed worldwide by Casket Music, (now with Sky Rocket) and bringing you their latest offering the soon to be released album ‘Origins’

The album sleeve is highly condensed into a glossy booklet that contains all the bands lyrics and on the middle pages has some good colour shots of the band, and amazing solid artwork, so a nice bundle for sure!

Dom, Barry, Rossi and Dan

Won’t Break Me

To get this album underway, is a turbulent mass of riffage that flies from the speakers thus creating a vibrant massacre with rhythmic intent. Feisty and rich in sinewy agitation, it holds a good catchy rhythmic sway.

Gunslinger

This is the most heard on the album, as the band released this track as a taster of what is to come.  It is heavy with unbridled rhythm, is highly punchy, addictive and has a brazen potency contained within its finely tuned structure.

The Art of Hurting

Holding a good chugging rhythm this literally slaps you around the aural before biting your ears off completely! It is definitely another favourite on the album for its captivating addictiveness and been played more than just a few times now. Such a powerful track is well deserving of more than just one play! It is the kind of track that makes me want to pick up an electric guitar and try and replicate its addictive riffs!!

Counterfeit

Choppy riffs with melodic stance drenched in emotion and possesses a ripe energy, but it does not ignite the spark the same as the previous track, although I usually find that some tracks take one or two listens before they fully embed themselves.

Rain

A crisp and promising ballad that holds touching melodies expanding the consciousness and driven by stirring lyrics. Textured with a good solid blend of thick riffs that have that natural feel about them and nicely reflecting the heartbreak felt within the track. Further on it simply explodes into heartfelt emotion and energy that compels you to sing along whilst having a good old head bang at the same time!

The Hunted

This track holds plenty of emotive force and old school classic riffs that are well worthy of a lot of head movement. However the vocals do sound a little sparse when sung clean but the low toned growl is most welcome and gives the track some bite!

Plagued by Evil

This track has an enticing touch of clean strings and melody again with heartfelt lyrics. It meanders with intent and possesses a gentle ambiance that licks at the ears as it flows with a hypnotic and constant passion.

Revolver

This track possesses plenty of groove and eagerly sits on the aural. The ravaging vocal gives it added strength. It envelops the listener with ease as its soaring melodic prowess reaches its conclusion.

Believer

Sneaky well-structured bass hooks and mesmerising riffs blend effortlessly to a strong vocal edge, add in a crazy rhythm, balanced harmonies and you have this track, it never lets up on its fuelled aggression – my kind of track!

Origins

With a rumble of thunder the track then goes on to portray a beautiful example of an acoustic instrumental arrangement and paints a varying picture of finely mixed colours from its exquisite palette.

To Sum up:

The ingredients here are hard and classic rock with a subtle blend of acoustic strings.   I can’t say Promethium sound like any other band I have heard, so I think it is safe to say they have blended their ingredients well and created their own sound, which is definitely a good thing, especially blending old school and classic rock together. This is one album where you think you have your favourites, then you listen again and end up adding more to the list.

I could never tire of listening to Promethium as there is so much contained not only in their special blend, but also in their well thought out lyrics, but being weaned on rock it is hardly surprising.  Promethium do possess that distinct sound and it would be very simple to pick them out from ten other rock bands, which is not a bad thing as it proves that Promethium have created their own sound and stamped their mark all over it.

The album has its erosive, catchy and energetic moments as well as it’s more melodic and seductive embrace, so all in all it’s an album that offers plenty to the rock and metal enthusiast!

9/10

Track List:

Won’t Break Me

Gunslinger

The Art of Hurting

Counterfeit

Rain

The Hunted

Plagues by Evil

Revolver

Believer

Origins

Members: and guest appearences on Origins

Gary McGahon – Vocals

Daniel Lovett-Horn – Guitar

Barry Mills – Bass/Backing Vocals

Dominic Clayton – Drums

Adam Hargreaves – Additional Percussion

Rossi Andrew James – Guitars/Backing Vocals

Nihilism Incarnate - Deconstruct the Aeons - Abyssus Records - Released 1st August 2013

NIHILISM INCARNATE

Deconstruct the Aeons

Abyssus Records

Released 1^st August 2013

NIHILISM INCARNATE - Preston

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/NihilismIncarnateUK

Genre: Progressive Death Metal

Biography:

Nihilism Incarnate is a five-piece progressive death metal band from Preston, England. Formed in 2010 by vocalist Craig Forshaw, guitarist Graham ‘Pek’ Clayton and drummer Paul Aldred, second guitarist Dan Walden joined soon after. The band practiced as a bass-less four piece writing material and ultimately released their four-track demo “Ad Initium” in May 2011 which was met with admiration from peers and secured the recruitment of bassist Paul Little who has since 14^th August now left the band.

With a number of live shows around the north-west of England throughout 2012 Nihilism Incarnate have left every venue with new fans thanks to their unique blend of crushingly heavy riffs, searing harmonies and socially aware lyrics.

Recently released self-funded E.P “Deconstruct The Aeons” was mastered by ex-Testament/Death guitarist James Murphy and opening track “Eat, Shit & Die” is featured on United Kingdom Extreme Metal’s “Disciples of Extremity vol. 3”. As of March 2013 the band are signed to UK based label Abyssus Records.

Eat shit and die

Just as the title suggests it holds a message and whilst you are reading it, will rip your guts out! Surprisingly, it is addictive and catchy in its own way. The mountainous rhythms envelop you in a blast furnace of molten putridity.  Its appetite is hungry and rapacious.  The sweeping tones of debauched and challenging rhythms are never far away to instantly engage and captivate whilst on its journey through hell.

Dark Matter

A swell of deep ambient energy bristles forth and what looms in front of you will bite at the aural and chew on the senses with utter menace.  Vocally immense it gives off that predatory stance although it possesses a lot of progressive formulas and gives you something to ponder on.

The Lords Prey(er)

The sneaky bass lure along with a solid vibrant electric guitar soars to its highest and are the winning combinations on the beginning of this track. Vocally damming with bludgeoning blast beats, its demeanour is malevolent and dark and it twists into a gangrenous feast.  It lyrically exposes child abuse within the Catholic Church so also puts across a strong message.

Butcher Bludgeons Bloodbath

If this reminds you of a remorseless psychopath then you would be right. This holds a masterful fascination that is extremely addictive with contagious grooves and is a mighty end to this four track E.P

To Sum up:

Each track on this E.P tells a story – A snippet taken from Abyssus Records Track 1 'Eat Shit and Die' Is a vitriolic condemnation of how some people refuse to embrace life’s gift and are more than happy to just stagnate.

Track 2 'Dark Matter' Highlights the correlation between the most destructive force in the universe and man’s own malevolence and the effect it has on his surroundings. It’s an ambitious piece and only merely serves to typify what that bands about.

Track 3 'The Lords Prey(er)' is an all-out attack on the Vatican’s stance on evidence of child abuse that’s prevalent within the Catholic Church. Lyrically potent, evocative and yet brutally heavy.

Track 4 'Butcher Bludgeons' Bloodbath' Is the E.P closer and is a homage to classic death metal bands such as Autopsy, Obituary and Cannibal Corpse. A story of a remorseless psychopath and his thirst for brutality.

An extremely compulsive listen that never loses sight of its goals and breeds contempt with a blackened stench, despite being highly creative, it provokes a highly charged emotion that lashes out with full on ferocity. Not a duff track can be found on this E.P Nihilism Incarnate live up to their name and more importantly puts out their messages with a vicious, yet honest musical onslaught.

10/10

Track List:

Eat shit and die

Dark Matter

The Lords Prey(er)

Butcher Bludgeons Bloodbath

Members:

Craig Forshaw - Vocals

Paul Aldred - Drums

Graham 'Pek' Clayton - Guitar

Paul Little - Bass

Dan Walden - Guitar