Black Diamond - The E.P - 6 Track - Released 20th August 2014

Black Diamond

The E.P

6 Track

Released 20^th August 2014

Black Diamond – Liverpool

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/bdmusicuk?fref=ts

Listen/Buy here:

https://blackdiamondband.bandcamp.com/releases

Genre: Hard Rock/Classic Rock

It really is hard to imagine that four guys so young, could produce the kind of music you would normally associate with people a lot older, but their mature outlook has propelled them quickly into an adult space and already gaining the band certain recognition all over Liverpool.

Having supported William Control at Parr St Studios and opened for Kobra and the Lotus recently at the 02 the band, not resting on their laurels are soon to support ‘The Struts’ at the East Village Arts Club on the 24^th October – the world really is their oyster!

Daniel’s vocals are tantalizing and made for this superb rock genre. On listening to the simply titled E.P unless you knew the band’s ages you would simply never know. This is powerful material that further ignites when seeing the band in ‘live’ mode.

Down in Flames

This is one superb track that has been well and truly nailed by Black Diamond. The proof is in the listening. Coaxing and alluring in a seductive swathe of rhythms it is hard not to get sucked into it as it smolders with intent through its imposing structure of solid groove!

Take Me

That delightful hook introduces itself, just picking you up and runs with your senses. It is so damn catchy! Forcibly expressive and imaginative the track is coated with a velvet vocal that drapes over the ears in predatory mode, whilst the guitar flourishes and shows an enthusiastic appetite.

Bated Breath

A spellbinding jaunt through a tempered track and could be likened to ‘Free’ back in the day! The riffs and chords associated with such a track speak volumes of a bygone era that is brought right back to your doorstep.

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“The band take you on a stroll through green pastures and tempt you with a crisp green apple – and it is safe to say that one bite and... “You are hooked!”

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Idiosyncrasies

My favorite composition for its gritty textures that bristle with melodic tendency and its ridiculous catchiness that one must simply sing along to! It is really an exciting encounter that portrays potent harmonies that nestle among solid rocking grooves – How could you NOT love this?

Left to die Alone (In the Cold)

A deeply satisfying track that is not only heavy but broods with intensity through its raw and emotional structure. The deep rhythmic swagger is doggedly determined and cuts to the chase!

Still Stand Tall – (Acoustic – Bonus Track)

Although I am not well known for liking acoustic matter, there is nothing I can remove from Black Diamond – it is just my personal preference to liking electric guitars, but Daniel’s voice is so unwavering and captivating. The track also proves without a shadow of a doubt that Black Diamond have flexibility and could may well go the full distance.

Summary

Listening to “The E.P” is just like being transported back to when I first heard the band play. It’s that sharp intake of breath moment when you realize that this early genre has not died or if it had, it has been truly reincarnated through Black Diamond.

The band take you on a stroll through green pastures and tempt you with a crisp green apple – and it is safe to say that one bite and... “You are hooked!”

Smothered in atmosphere each track is full blooded and offers a lively satisfaction of reward.  No matter that the band have resurrected the past – this is a no nonsense six track that explores an epidemic of melodic scenery and is steadfast in delivery - and this is only the beginning!

It is stirring and quick to draw the attention, shooting from the hip and will no doubt be lapped up by fans of rock and metal. It is impossible to deny such steely lingering encounters from a band that haven’t even scratched the surface yet? But on their way to making their indelible mark on the metal scene! And good luck to them!

9/10

Track List:

Down in Flames

Take Me

Bated Breath

Idiosyncrasies

Left to die Alone (In the Cold)

Still Stand Tall – (Acoustic – Bonus Track)

Members:

Daniel Byrne - Vocals/Lead Guitar

Paddy Cummins - Lead Guitar

Jamie Alsamarraie - Drums

Tom McGrath - Bass Guitar

Eternal Storm - From the Ashes - 8 Track Album - Released 14th April 2013

Eternal Storm

From the Ashes

8 Track Album

Released 14th April 2013

Old school excellence!

Written for Demented Magazine

Eternal Storm – Madrid, Spain

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/eternalstormofficial/timeline

Listen/Buy Here:

https://eternalstorm.bandcamp.com/

The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jorge Escudero at Evil Studios (Crownless, Distance)

Artwork was done by Unreal Visions Design (Smohalla, Way to End, Omega Centauri, Pryapisme).

Band Logo was done by the almighty Christophe Szpajdel (Emperor, Arcturus, Wolves in the Throne Room).

Genre: Melodic Old School Death Metal with added Black nuances

Biography:

“Eternal Storm is a Melodic Extreme Metal band that was created in late 2006 under the name of Death Valley by Kheryon (vocals) and Tephros (drums, ex-Beneath Your Fears) along with another musicians. The band pretended to play some kind of symphonic black metal but went into a hiatus shortly after. Some later, in late 2007, Kheryon (now playing bass too!) and Tephros reformed Death Valley and brought Daniel Maganto as guitarist. After a few rehearsals Daniel invited his friend Jaime Torres to join as second guitarist: now that a line-up was established they started to write music in the vein of old school melodic death metal with some black metal touches and other traces of their own, blending aggression with melodic guitar work and epic riffs as well as atmospheric nuances. Tephros left the band sometime after due to schedule problems. The band spent a short period as a trio and then a couple of months jamming with Carlos Gumuzio (currently in The Descent), who would eventually leave the band in order to spend more time in his other projects as a vocalist!”

Unfading Memories

The eminence of the opening track is really majestic and uplifting although the squeaks from the strings as they are played do tend to grind a little and spoil the overall beauty of the track. But what does unfold from its flourishing tendrils is passion of which it has immeasurable qualities.

From the Ashes

Manifests itself into a turmoil of rampaging ferociousness. It really inflames the soul and reaches potential as soon as it begins helped along with superb growls and additional vocals from Raúl López. The deep resonating blows of rhythms are forcibly expelled - When this cuts it will leave scars.

Boundaries of Serenity

Tipping the scales comes this track which leaves no stone unturned as it is unwavering in gnarly revelation and hits with adulation! The splurging and brutal assault is riveting and engages extremely quickly, with vocals that are low and resonating and quite simply to die for with additional vocals from guest Enrique Rivas.

A Picture in the Dark

Is just so breath-taking! The piano is executed by Israel Sánchez García and works to perfection here. The brutal riffs are tempting and the harmonies are ferocious and adding depth to the track – definitely a favorite!!

Eternity Forgotten (Follow the Cycle)

Expelling cavernous rhythms from the bowels of hell the dark force is not for turning and swipes hungrily in a bid to make you ‘sit up and take notice’ although that is a foregone conclusion as it pulverizes with clear contempt

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“The gruesome low toned growls are uncompromising and delivered to absolute perfection. Predatory, emotive and yet with ‘beauty’ this album is everything, and more than you ever dare to hope for!”

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The Dream

A rather seductive and ostentatious track that focuses on a shrill uplifting riff and dark bludgeoning predatory beats which come together superbly well and tempered with barking growls that are menacing and vehement, it gives a thorough reward for its listeners.

Grey Skies

Fast, hostile and tempestuous the penultimate track bruises its way through the gnashing of teeth, high octane riffs, damming beats, humongous bass hooks and sonically charged guttural growling – the breakdown hosts plenty of intriguing anticipation for the finally flurry of riffs and is certainly no disappointment as it delivers with speed and vitality.

Distance

Is a sumptuous melodic caressing of strings that are crisp, shrill and in abundance, painting a rich tapestry of solemnity. The ambiance is dazzling as it is stunning in this superb instrumental.

Summary:

Nothing should be denied ‘Eternal Storm’ their old school style that is more than welcome on this stunning album.

The melodic beauty drips from infectious imagination, while on the other hand the balance is met and well executed to reveal a ruthless side that engages and focuses in on slithers of raw metal and handled with an insidious backlash!

The gruesome low toned growls are uncompromising and delivered to absolute perfection. Predatory, emotive and yet with ‘beauty’ this album is everything and more than you ever dare to hope for!

For fans of At The Gates, Dissection, Dark Tranquillity, Early In Flames, Amorphis, Edge of Sanity, Insomnium, Hypocrisy and Eucharist.

9/10

Track List:

Unfading Memories

From the Ashes

Boundaries of Serenity

A picture in the Dark

Eternity Forgotten (Follow the Cycle)

The Dream

Grey Skies

Distance

Members:

Kheryon - Bass/Vocals

Jaime Torres – Guitars

Daniel Maganto – Guitars

Luis Rodríguez - Drums & Percussion

Guest musicians on the album:

Raúl López (As My World Burns): Additional vocals on 'From the Ashes'.

Enrique Rivas (Outer Heaven): Additional vocals on 'Boundaries of Serenity'.

Israel Sánchez García: Piano on 'A Picture in the Dark'. "

Hatred Superstars - Bastard International - 11 Track Album - Trendkill Records - Released 13th September 2013

Hatred Superstars

Bastard International

11 Track Album

Trendkill Recordings

Released 13th September 2013

Hatred Superstars

Hatred Superstars – Marsaille, France

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/hatredsuperstar

Artwork by Tumulash tumulash@hotmail.it

Genre: Thrash/Death/Extreme Crossover

Biography:

“HATRED SUPERSTARS was born in the suburbs of Marseille (France) back in spring of 2010. TROMA CERVANTES gave light and shape to the project, helped by ROTPIET (guitar / arrangements) and ZK INTERNATIONAL (vocals/ writing).  By the end of 2012, Hatred Superstars inked a deal with French label Trendkill Recordings, "Bastards International" has finally seen the light of the day as CD, LP and Digital on 13th of September 2013!

Fuck you and stay tuned motherfuckers. This is just the beginning…!”

Vas te faire encule Haine Superstars - trop brutale!

With influences such as VIOLENCE, PORNOGRAPHY, FANATICISM and PERVERSITY I really think these guys are going to gain an even larger following in the metal community as it does appear a somewhat different path to follow, other than the usual route of Satan.

It is very safe to say that whoever thought France was a ‘romantic’ country – I would definitely think again. Only the brutally extreme bastards live there!

Holy Devirginizer

Makes note to oneself – do not have volume on 11 when playing these fuckers! As I have had to scrape my own body parts off the ceiling! To say this is brutal is the most serious UNDERSTATEMENT of the century! It scales the depths of depravity with no mercy for the deviants and non deviants among us!

Supersonic HIV & Process

Like a whirling dervish it spins and spews out hatred to all who care to listen and splinters the ear drums as it goes! It is highly enthused with menace and toxic rhythms that glue a beastly path of intense smothering ferocity together. It would be difficult to head bang to this without losing brain matter!

Join Us

A transfixing repertoire of sheer savagery that scintillates, bribing the ears with barbaric ferocity and ravenous chants! It is rugged and bludgeons with intent to cause serious harm – like death, if exposed to it longer than necessary!

Bastards Unlimited

Holy Fuck! This is a devouring track that simply explodes with caustic fluidity. It mutates into a beast that is hell bent on molesting its own grooves!! It is over-weight with a heavy rhythm and pummelling beats that will eat you whole!

Ghost Frequency

With speed and intensity this one bulges with spellbinding attack and venomous vocal edge! It more than takes a muscular stroll – this gallops with a blood thirsty revenge and will leap out and throttle you to get the attention it craves. It will certainly be a while before this beast is finally in its cage, put it that way!

Black Flag

No sooner have you taken a breath does this monster loom large and imposing. Its raucous gait is bold and unforgiving, producing another battering ram of pure metal hatred. Annihilation is not an option!

No Escape

This does nothing to douse the flames and instead prefers to pour petrol on them. It ignites in a blackened and menacing rampage – charging around fiercely and without remorse, gathering heinous tendencies as it flourishes – and as the title would suggest – there quite literally is ‘No Escape’

Universal Hunger

The seeds have been well and truly sown and the birth of another monster is imminent within the strides of this colossal track. This raw and cursing incendiary device is primed for utter blitzing with its vitriolic abrasive rhythms.

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“Ugly, repugnant and brutish!! This album more than makes its presence felt!”

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Zombie Hooligans

Now the zombies want the limelight – this track prowls with a predatory stalking and lunges at victims who try and hide in the shadows. It plucks them from all angles, in a deranged frenzy and systematically batters them to a certain death.

Pink Inside

Uncontrolled and riotous it wastes no time in its brutal attack embracing with metal spikes that will no doubt draw plenty of the red stuff with mischievous certainty and no conscience!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipc_a3kvp1U

Walk with Me

The final track on this debut album will obliterate the human race as we know it and leave behind a bleak and arid backdrop in which nothing other than Hatred Superstars will procreate and wreak yet more havoc on anything that lives thereafter!

Summary

This album should have an X Certificate attached to it – it is utterly demonic and breeds violent tendencies that once taken hold will multiply out of control.

Its breath is far from baited, as it is NOT an album for beating about the bush more about beating full stop!

It gathers momentum quickly on each listening and will never rescind to its inferiors. The riffs tower imposingly while the vocals purge themselves in an extremely awkward manner.

It brawls, it captivates and in the end will kill you with its own sheer tumultuous emotions that will boil over the top like ripe volcano lava. The vocals are engaging and have a somewhat punk tone to them which is evil enough and played to thrash/death intensity – you can be sure that your demise has been set in stone!

Ugly, repugnant and brutish!! This album more than makes its presence felt!

10/10

Track List:

Holy Devirginizer

Supersonic HIV & process

Join Us

Bastards Unlimited

Ghost Frequency

Black Flag

No Escape

Universal Hunger

Zombie Hooligans

Pink Inside

Walk with Me

Members:

Troma ‘Blackflag’ Cervantes – Guitars

Rotpiet – Guitars

ZK International – Vocals

Eater F – Bass 

Stortregn - Evocation of Light - 9 Track Album - Great Dane Records - Released 5th August 2013

Stortregn

Evocation of Light

9 Track Album

Great Dane Records

Released 5^th August 2013

Slays the light fantastic! 

Stortregn - Geneva, Switzerland

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Stortregn

Recorded, Mixed & mastered in 2012 by Vladimir Cochet at Conatus Studios in Montreux, Switzerland.

Artwork by Kristian ‘Necrolord’ Wåhlin

Genre: Blackened/Death Metal

This is the last album by Stortregn. There has been a change of line-up since ‘Uncreation’ and makes this a more fret-full encounter, however it still hosts a darkness that is blacker than black!

Inner black Flame

Is an acoustic sweep of emotion that meanders until the ignition is turned into a brutish liaison that is purpose filled intoxication! Its enthused appetite for destruction looms large and with its web of torture it snares you with baited breath!

Epitaph: An Evocation of Light

No frills here! Just straight in for the kill and is attention grabbing as the temperature soars. The captivating encounter finds its feet and literally soaks up and drenches the listener with an all-out subsonic frenzy! This really is an intimidating track!

Between shadow and soul

Is another meander through a passage of... ‘Brutality!’ What else? Spitting out vehement twisting rhythmic and enterprising grand gestures that contain a middle finger! It is inflamed with passion and seduction that lies deep within its steely core.

Negative Theology

I shall wait before saying this is... yet again it turns off from a melodic opening and turns violent and basks in distinctive riffs and quickening drum beats from Samuel (extraordinaire) that do not hesitate to leave the jaw ever widening! The blackness from the track only deepens its intrigue.

Moonshade

Bludgeons and murders the senses in an extreme brawl that leaves you in no doubt who are the masters here and the ones to be obeyed at all costs. It radiates a gnarly beauty fueled with aggression that holds a hearty and immersing encounter.

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“This is not just ‘blackened/death’ this holds a certain skill that melodically bonds the tracks together giving the listener a rich and rewarding listen. The characteristics of which protrude with flair and superb artistry and therefore something special to behold!”

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A Mournful Saraband

Back to exploring ambient times this is a warm little instrumental that flows with a sweet lilting melody.

So much dust

You can feel the anticipation rising as the track climbs to its peak. Offering an enjoyable rampage of well received madness in its savage rhythms with a bone crunching snap! Compelling, edgy, most definitely scarring and thrilling with the rewards of exciting creativity. The bass from Alex protrudes with heartfelt hooks and guides the track with a gut wrenching smack to the stomach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTFDQ9auD10

Thoroughfares

This track is clearly in a hurry to get to its destination. The throaty lures from Romain are appealing and brutal in every sense of the word! Bristling with bleak intensity and utter provocation it mesmerizes and haunts the senses until it unleashes a sizzling frenzy and the ears just explode!

The Call

John dextrous and flexible fingers are working overtime here as more acoustic strings are caressed. However, you didn’t think it was going to be a nice walk under a moonlight sky did you? If so, think again. It has its attention firmly focused and brings a terrific sound scape together with a superb vocal snarl that bites and gnaws feverishly on the psyche.

Summary

This album is quite interesting as it opens a few doors to its blackened death genre and mixes into it the acoustic guitar rather than keyboard, which is unusual.

It is an engaging and focused journey into the relatively unknown. It seizes its opportunity and intensifies its blackening rhythms tempered with a certain amount of raw beauty, and what’s more it works!

Pummeling drum beats viciously assault while the riffs explore and align themselves with uncompromising virtuosity with method in its madness. The ingenuity flows during each track and can be described as sheer finesse and each member of the band have more than proved they are proficient in producing a scintillating and challenging master-piece.

This is not just ‘blackened/death’ this holds a certain skill that melodically bonds the tracks together giving the listener a rich and rewarding listen. The characteristics of which protrude with flair and superb artistry and therefore something special to behold.

10/10

Track List:

Inner black Flame

Epitaph: An Evocation of Light

Between shadow and soul

Negative Theology

Moonshade

A Mournful Saraband

So much dust

Thoroughfares

The Call

Members:

Romain – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar

John – Lead/Acoustic/Backing Vocals

Alexandre – Bass

Samuel - Drums

Stortregn - Uncreation - 8 Track Album - Great Dane Records - Released June 2011

Stortregn

Uncreation

8 Track Album

Great Dane Records

Released June 2011

Stortregn – Geneva, Switzerland

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Stortregn

Recorded, Mixed & Mastered at Conatus Studios, Switzerland 2010 by Vladimir Cochet

Cover Art and layout by Johan.

Genre: Blackened Death Metal

Biography:

Stortregn are a black/death metal band who formed in Switzerland in 2005. The band’s current line-up is Romain (vocals/guitar), Johan (guitar/acoustic), Duran (bass) and Samuel (drums).

The band gets their influences from the Nordic black metal as Dissection, Naglfar, Watain, Necrophobic, etc., and very appreciated for their live shows. Stortregn has become an inevitable band in the world of Swiss black/death metal.

They have shared the stage with famous artists such as Samael, Prostitute Disfigurement, Dew Scented, Cor Scorpii, Forgotten Tomb, Farsot, Infernal War, Christ Agony, Unlight, Eluveitie, Otargos, Svart Crown, Furia, Absurdity, and the CNK.

Stortregn made their first demo in 2007 followed by an E.P in 2008, “Devoured by Oblivion”, which got several good reviews.

In autumn 2010, after a good tour in Cuba, Stortregn released their first album “Uncreation” in June 2011 on Great Dane Records.

Listen to the full album here: and pray you don’t fall foul of its evil demonic possession:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFbUjP3kGPM

This is Stortregn’s earlier album the newer is to follow... and I am now beginning to think “There is nothing like a Great Dane creation!”

IV

Could there be anything more evil than the gruesome vocals of Romain? Opening the album this lurid essence putrefies as it barks out its evil stench on humanity and certainly not out of place for a blackened/death genre. The attack is prolonged and is chilling cutting deep to the bone!

The Eye of Judgement

A fast and predatory track that is not afraid to come out of the shadows and rip your guts out! Its leap is hungry, imposing and deadly! It isn’t the run of the mill blackened/death either.  This has a caustic melody running through its veins and basks in its own glory. The composition rages and scathes the skies with an endless enterprise.

Without Return

Can be likened to a battering ram as it focuses on its target and plunders the goods with a mighty iron grip! Soaked in a tirade of shredding madness it is indeed ravenous and in search of blood. Its malevolent structure calms briefly before the bestial throaty slurries from Roman once again take over and drown in unrelenting riffs.

The Uncreation

This is an all-out battering of attention and will blow your mind and speakers to Kingdom come! The contagious and arid bristling beats reign down supreme in this fiery composition with structures likened to a massive pit of fire in which you burn ferociously and it continues to flourish hotter than before!

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“Stortregn don’t need defences because they are true masters of blackened death and will take you out in an instant! The full on metal structures dance on your grave and you will be utterly powerless to resist!”

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Road to the land of Thule

Is a slightly slower track that has a pagan feel to it! Littered with melodies and drive it suddenly takes flight and leaks an alluring ambiance, although it is an instrumental, for me this just doesn’t last long enough to fully enjoy its rewards.

Through a path of Prevarication

Captivating with evil personified rhythms and grand scale riffs this rides on tempestuous waves and explores new heights. The vicious squalls run rampant and will leave blisters ‘inside’ the ears as it slices like a knife through tender flesh. It makes its mark by a savoury lingering melodic core that taunts as it excites and rewards the listener with satisfying results.

Nocturnal

The angry stabbing of vehement riffs come hurtling forward in a full on virtual reality surround its victims with scathing hostility and languishes in a brutal and hellacious pleasure. The softer moments add flexibility to an engaging track that pursues moments of seductive anguish.

A Shape in the mystical Haze

The final track on this imposing album.  Tempus fugit as they say and it sure does when you wrap yourself around the battering remains of Stortregn. It expels deep and powerful rhythms that are filled with hatred, anger and blistering brutality! However its unmerciful breakdowns are breath-taking but still cataclysmic!

Summary:

An absolutely steaming album that pleasures its listeners with a sonic twist of metal violation! The deep rhythmic hues are ravenous and there is no escape from the malignant force that underlies its ferocity.

It goes in for the kill and annihilates with utter madness, never allowing time for you to recover before the next swipe of brutality hits and more so hits harder than the last like a bitch-slap from hell itself!

It is the devils work – and it is never done! Nothing is static on this album, oh no! You have more chance of Hell freezing over before that happens!

It is one magnetic rush of intense persuasion with substance constantly being added to graze the ears before taking them out in an all-together crushing embrace.

Stortregn don’t need defences because they are true masters of blackened death and will take you out in an instant! The full on metal structures dance on your grave and you will be utterly powerless to resist!

10/10

Track List:

IV

The Eye of Judgement

Without Return

The Uncreation

Road to the land of Thule

Through a path of Prevarication

Nocturnal

A Shape in the mystical Haze

Members:

Romain - Vocal and Rhythm Guitar.

Johan - Backing Vocals, Solo and Acoustic guitar.

Duran - Bass

Sam - Drums