Children of Bodom - I Worship Chaos - 10 Track Album - Nuclear Blast - Released 2nd October 2015

Children of Bodom

I Worship Chaos

10 Track Album

Nuclear Blast

Released 2^nd October 2015

Out Now!

Written for Metal Gods Meltdown

Children of Bodom – Espoo, Finland

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/childrenofbodom

Discography

Something Wild (1997)

Hatebreeder (1999)

Follow the Reaper (2000)

Hate Crew Deathroll (2003)

Are You Dead Yet? (2005)

Blooddrunk (2008)

Relentless Reckless Forever (2011)

Halo of Blood (2013)

I Worship Chaos (2015)

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Biography:

“Children of Bodom was formed in 1993 by guitarist Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho and drummer Jaska Raatikainen under the name of Inearthed. Both musicians had known each other since early childhood and had shared an interest in heavy metal, especially death metal groups, such as Dissection, Entombed, and Obituary. Bassist Samuli Miettinen completed the initial line-up of the band. Inearthed recorded its first demo, Implosion of Heaven, during August of the same year.

The band was required to create a new name to sign up to Spinefarm Records. The contract with Shiver records had already been signed under the name of Inearthed. The answer to that problem came as the members looked for good names in their local phone book. When they stumbled upon Lake Bodom, they realized that it was a name with impact and one which had an interesting story behind it. A long list of possible names involving the word Bodom was then made, and they settled with Children of Bodom. The band's name is derived from the Lake Bodom murders!”

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As expected, the rush of adrenalin takes over as the first track entitled I Hurt hits home. The deathly swarm of bristling riffs swamps with infested malignance and a dynamic presence descends on the audial.

My Bodom (I am the Only One?) Is somewhat of a toxic intervention of corrosion. Seriously catchy with its melodic temper as the tirade of guitar, bass and keyboards launch into a deathly rancour of madness.

Morrigan has a stupendous melody attached to its grand limbs on which to hang the bands urgent appeal. Its rapturous gait will have mouths salivating as the four Finnish metaller’s parade their craft to the ultimate maximum.

Horns literally has you trying to prize your ears from the speakers as the music draws you in deeper – there is no escaping the tenacity and beating of a hellacious drum beat! Of that, COB are indeed the masters.

Prayer for the Afflicted brings the mood down to sombre and mellow although knowing COB it won’t last long. The ambience hits with doom laden prowess. The scornful roar of Alexi rips into its tirade and blasts with full-on conviction.

I Worship Chaos gives us a superb run of frets and ensuing it is a feverish battering of beats that swamp the audial like a river of molten lava. It is chaotic make no mistake! The cascading melodic hooks ignite with a blinding tempest.

Hold Your Tongue shows off Jaska’s vehement beatings and Alexi’s fast fingered fret work with intense power and energy. It is the perfect overdose! The perpetual shifts are likely to send you to an early grave as its delirium hits home!

Suicide Bomber Apt for this day and age, but COB are terrorists in the musical sense as they deviously blow up the speakers and maim the audial devices with their delusional raptures and apply hysteria to their incendiary of objectives.

All for nothing is a spine-tingling jaunt into a maelstrom of sorts. Vocals straining with eager breath that rasps to the melodic keys and thought provoking frets. It is one epic track that holds a potent bite of venom.

Widdershins finishes the album of with an enthralling mesmerification of intoxicating textures and intensely blazing riffs. It goes on the rampage and weaves its certain magnificence to within an inch of its life.

Summary:

It is hardly surprising COB have managed to pull off another festering, intricate album to add to the eight already released. Now a household name and for good reason, these Finnish Vikings are locked on target and will not stop until their mission is complete. Their infection growing like a virus and madness then prevails – because like a virus there is no stopping it, until it infects everything around it.

Devilishly delicious! I can safely say “I Worship Chaos!”

10/10

Track List:

I Hurt

My Bodom (I am the Only One?)

Morrigan

Horns

Prayer for the Afflicted

I Worship Chaos

Hold Your Tongue

Suicide Bomber

All for Nothing

Widdershins

Members:

Alexi Laiho - Vocals, Guitar

Janne Wirman - Keyboards

Henkka Seppälä - Bass

Jaska Raatikainen - Drums

Black Tide - Chasing Shadows - 11 Track Album - Pavement Entertainment - To be released 16th October 2015

Black Tide

Chasing Shadows

11 Track Album

Pavement Entertainment

To be released 16^th October 2015

Written for the Metal Gods Meltdown

Black Tide – Miami Florida

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/blacktide

Genre: Rock/Metal

Biography:

“Black Tide hail from Miami, Florida and is best known for the fact that they were signed to a major label when frontman Gabriel Garcia was only 15 years old. Combining early influences of speed and thrash metal with the modern element of post hard core, the band gained major attention from press and metal fans alike. After releasing their debut album ‘Light From Above’ the band embarked on a heavy touring schedule which included Ozzfest, Mayhem Festival, and a European tour with Bullet for my Valentine.

Their sophomore effort ‘Post Mortem’ was released in 2011 and landed the band a slot on the Uproar Festival to further solidify their place among rock and metal’s elite bands. The band spent the next few years touring and then began writing their new album ‘Chasing Shadows’ which picks right up where they left off with their now notorious brand of old school meets modern metal! Out of the darkness comes Black Tide's third full length album ‘Chasing Shadows’ - out 16th October on Pavement Entertainment!”

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The ambient soft strings that emanate from the Intro are dramatic and epic, showcasing a bold stride of creativity.

As the second track No Guidelines gets to work you can hear the agitation of guitar and the rhythmic invitation through the melodic lilting of vocal that together injects quite a provocative enterprise.

Angel in the Dark is the band’s latest single and the third track on their album. It plunges the listener into a rhythmic temptation. It creates a stir from the beginning, weaving its magical tapestry of eager riffs and solid beats.

Predator (Animal) is fuelled with prowess from a nagging beat and harmonic vocals. The rousing elements are quite dynamic and forcibly matched with unwavering rhythm.

Burn is a slower paced track that plods with melody and so far the weakest track on the on the album for me anyhow.

Chasing Shadows is the title track and has a superb beat attached to it, which suddenly turns tumultuous although briefly. But the chants of ‘hey!’ are in keeping with the angular intensity of the track and its unusual time signatures.

Before we Form reaches into the imagination and laps at the ears like a coiled spring. The lingering rhythms captivate and stalk with certain intrigue. The melodies triumph over a persistently exciting endeavour.

Sex is Angry can only conjure up images in the mind with its shadowy crescendos and melodic hues.  It tells an all familiar story, go figure from the title!

Welcome to Misery is hardly misery as the track unfolds as it bubbles in an ambient invention. The beats are impassioned with fire and not as you would expect reading the title, while the guitars offer a radiant riffing.

Heaven takes us back to a more sophisticated ballad with soft and caressing whispered vocal that sumptuously entices. Luring the ears with an intimate stroll through a ghostly haze.

Promised Land is the final track on the album and floods the senses with a rich shredding and fast pumped fury of guitars and tempered bass hooks. It is fair to say the band have saved the best track till last!

Summary:

This is without a doubt a very mainstream amble through eleven tracks that although offer some sophistication which no doubt outline the bands superb playing abilities, has a tendency to sound very similar.

It does show variation in places and the ballad is without a doubt beautiful in every sense of the word but the oomph factor was sadly left until the final track, so there is very little to whet the appetite. However, it will probably appeal to many rock fans who prefer the clean vocal edge compared to a more raucous growl.

But for a rock album it does possess plenty of imagination and the guitar riffs are edgy and energetic, but I feel a few more listens is what this album needs to fully appreciate it, although for me it is more like "Chasing their Tails, than Chasing Shadows!"

7.5/10

Track List:

Intro

No Guidelines

Angel in the Dark

Predator (Animal)

Burn

Chasing Shadows

Before we Form

Sex is Angry

Welcome to Misery

Heaven

Promised Land

Members:

Gabriel Garcia - Lead Vocals / Bass Guitar

Austin Diaz - Guitar / Vocals

Cody Paige - Drums

Enemo-J - Miley Virus - 11 Track Album - Digital Media Records - Released 1st October 2015

Enemo J

Miley Virus

11 Track Album

Digital Media Records

Released 1^st October 2015

Miley Virus!! Get it now!

Enemo J – Swadlincote, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, UK

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/enemoj

Genre: Metal Core

Biography:

“Enemo J (Pronunced: ee-nee-mo-jay) began life at the dawn of the new millennium. Executing their own fresh take on the modern metal formula. Blurring the lines between genres, they are renowned for delivering energetic and extreme live shows; tearing into the crowd like a blood starved wolf pack.

Fast forward ten years, and with four successful albums under their belt, Enemo J are setting their sights firmly on world domination. After an explosive set at the internationally renowned Download Festival in 2010, and again in 2014. They’ve also appeared at Bloodstock Festival in 2008, and supported luminaries Napalm Death, Hed PE, Sylosis, Black Light Burns and Korn.

The band truly believes that they have the strongest and most positive line-up they have ever had, and that the band in this guise has the ability and attitude to take the step up to the next level. Contrasting vocals ensure an energetic and unpredictable live experience, while their continued development as musicians has allowed them to transcend genres and craft an undeniably explosive sound that is wholly their own!”

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If there was ever an apt title for an album it is this one! We all hate Miley Cirus with a passion, but it seems that the Miley Virus may just catch on! The band’s name Enemo J doesn’t sound typically metal, in fact I thought it may be some rapper, however you know what assumptions do, don’t you? Although there is a miniscule element of rap in a few of the tracks however, it is well in keeping with the raucous outpouring of metal contained in the bands mighty strides.

Now released for all to hear and experience.  This young band have really brought something new to the table and it is a refreshing experience. This is the real deal, very metal core but with true feeling and passion, and energized superbly with stirring captivation.

The music is powerful and thought provoking in every sense of the word. With each track that the listener experiences the more infectious they become. It literally bristles with a seething menace that slices forcibly through the audial cavities and will have one salivating from the perpetual deep rhythms that are executed with sheer malice.

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“The enticing continues throughout the whole of this superb album as it plays out a riveting drama that, as it unfolds it eagerly whet’s the appetite! Flowing with intensity it leaves you hungering for more!”

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Craig’s vocals are just brutally engaging, while the music goes all out to intoxicate with virulence! This is just so addictive! The guitar is rousing and energetically aggressive, coupled with a strong and bruising bass line, it is clear to see that Enemo J are quite literally out to take the world by the horns (no pun intended – OK maybe it was then!)

Again for young musicians they offer some very sophisticated tracks such as Five Percent that is executed briefly in gangster style! The harmonies are unfussy and down to earth, and seize the moment with a mature swipe! But it isn’t all gangster – the main part of the album breeds a sonic metal element that pulverises and penetrates deep into the psyche, leaving a lasting impression!

On the track “Throughout” a female vocal adds to the urgency of the content, that brings in another element to the fiery mix.

It is just so easy to love these guys as they brutally assault with their sultry endeavour! The fusions of metal with ‘gangster’ work considerably well and showcase the bands individuality to the hilt.

This final track “Drunk Lions at the Wolf Party” has so much content from scathing vocal roars, nagging guitars, volatile beats and sizzling harmonies it really showcases what the band are all about!

Of course this is a modern metal album of that there is no doubt.  Those harvested rhythms are impressive, and try and stop your body from reacting to it – I dare you?

The enticing continues throughout the whole of this superb album as it plays out a riveting drama that, as it unfolds it eagerly whet’s the appetite! Flowing with intensity it leaves you hungering for more!

Fuelled with anarchic carnage that is ripe for picking, like the steely attributes of a stampeding herd, heading straight for the jugular - it just doesn’t know when to stop! And stopping is just what you don’t want it to do!

If you like your shredding shredded to death then look no further - There is nothing more you can ask of this band whatsoever! Every track houses something supersonic that will definitely appeal to every metal head! 

10/10

Track List:

Intro

This is not a toy

Miley Virus

Five Percent

This stops today

Ides of March

Majora

Throughout

Sufferance

Time

Drunk Lions at the Wolf Party

Members:

Craig Hartwell - Vocals

Haydn Edwards - Guitar

Mikey Wyke - Bass

Jake Withers - Drums,

Kieron Berry - Guitars 

Demons of Old Metal 667 - Dominion - 11 Track Album - Independent - To be released 7th December 2015

Demons of Old Metal 667

Dominion

11 Track Album

Independent

To be released 7^th December 2015

Devilish!!

Demons of Old Metal 667 – Torbay, UK

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/demonsofoldmetal

http://www.demonsofoldmetal.co.uk/music

All tracks written and performed by Demons of Old Metal

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Sub Terra England

Genre: Metal

Preparing for an exorcism - with Demons of Old Metal

Biography:

“Demons of Old Metal was formed at the tail end of 2010 by four veterans of the UK metal circuit with the sole intention of getting back to playing what got them into music in the first place – classic metal songs. It quickly became clear that their high level of musicianship, coupled with the schlock horror image and stage show could easily translate into their own material and the writing process started in the early summer of 2012. On Halloween 2012 the band self-released their debut mini-album, ‘The Demonic Chronicles Vol. I’ and the response from fans and media alike was overwhelmingly positive!”

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There is on all accounts a tongue in cheek feel to this album. You can almost see the wide grins and inane smiles coming together, as the album pans out into some apocalyptic doom day! Of course it isn’t doom at all but a conglomerate of punkish vocal along with indescribable and disjointed sounds that enjoy showing off their indefinable madness.

It isn’t surprising to read that the Demons of Old Metal are influenced by Steel Panther, as their lyrics portray the same profane humour that is executed in a similar vein, and let’s face it who can resist such slapstick with metal attached to it?

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“It is primal in attack mode and stealthily feasts on an over active mind that conjures up an evil heart, harshly coaxing it until it cannot take anymore from its ripe endeavours!”

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The sampled voices add a slice of humour to its calamitous depth of odious rhythms that battle for supremacy. It is a mish mash of torturous terror in the name of ‘metal’ that has spiralled out of control.

The ferocity is prevalent from the off! Their vitriolic assault batters the ears indiscriminately and emanates from the beats that follow from an overwhelming excitement.

The tang is distinctly jazz orientated which may be a little hard to comprehend at times as there is so much wackiness radiating from the speakers and this is what makes ‘The Demons of Old Metal’ something to get your Gnasher’s into!

The treacherous rhythms are compelling and striking. Feeding like a cancer on tender flesh, the growth continues until it can’t go anywhere else and simply explodes into unpredictability.

Volatile and dynamic, there is no calm before the storm here – it just goes right in for the kill. The venomous blast beats mould themselves around some turbulent metal hues with hearty steel bass lines that engage into a seductive and sonic persuasion.

The rapturous chanting on ‘The Quiet Ones’ holds some familiar lyrics “Don’t push me when I’m close to the edge, don’t push me when my gun’s at your head!” as well as some monumental rhythms that draw an intense breath. It boasts serious addictiveness and comes highly charged.

For a time the tongue in cheek humour dissipates and a more serious side emerges, but there is no getting away from the tremendous infection that eats away at your brain like a maggot to an apple!

It is primal in attack mode and stealthily feasts on an over active mind that conjures up an evil heart, harshly coaxing it until it cannot take anymore from its ripe endeavours.

The Demons of Old Metal have indeed struck! So that’s 1-0 to them, but there is always the second half to redeem yourself! If you can escape the brutish nightmare of the impending apocalypse that is due to annihilate the senses.

One thoroughly enjoyable escapade, despite the jazzy orientated inception – it kicks ass and then some!

9.5/10

Track List:

Domintroduction

Fakeskin

You Version 2.0

Dance of the Damned

Open wide and Scream

The Quiet Ones

Grind

Behind the Mask

The Star of your Nightmare

See how they die

Get Outa Dodge

Members:

Vocal / Guitar Demon (VGD) - Tombstone Cowboy

Bass Demon (BD) – Baby Face Stephens

Rhythm Guitar Demon (RGD) - Psycho Wing

Drum Demon (DD) - Dr Doom

Tech Demon (TD) - Digital Death

Todesstoss - Hirngemeer - 3 Track Album - I, Voidhanger Records, Released 25th September 2015

Todesstoss

Hirngemeer

3 Track Album

I, Voidhanger Records

Released 25^th September 2015

Written for Ramzine

Todesstoss – München, Germany

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Todessto

Visual art by Martin Lang, layout by Francesco Gemelli.

Genre: Black Metal

Biography:

Founded in 2000. Todesstoss translated into English means Deathblow.

Ever wondered just what you walked into? Ever questioned what your eyes see and your ears hear? Well you will when you cast your eyes and ears over this 3 track album from Todesstoss.

On closer inspection the three tracks make up an album by their 74.54 running time. The title Hirngemeer as roughly as I can translate it means ‘Brainstorm’ and of course it is of the black metal genre, which means anything is possible.

The first track ‘Verwehung’ or (Drift) is a conglomerate of highly disturbing incomprehensible rants and copious amounts of knocking! The hideous screeches are tainted with sheer madness with the odd sprinkling of harmonica for added shock content! It definitely conjures up a dark side that implements its own torture device! The thing with this track alone is that it brews up anticipation that makes one very curious as to what lurks inside the minds of the creators – and apparently it is supposed to mirror distorted images of the self. I suppose it depends on where you are at with yourself – for me it summons up the demons inside me and therefore is very apt at portraying itself in musical form. The German voice from Flesh of L adds a mystical wave of hellish incomprehensible translation into the mix.

‘Narbenkaefig’ or (Scar Cage) is the second track on the album and the longest one at 34.07. Its ambient insanity saunters slow and deliberately through an electronic storm closely followed by more demented ramblings that conjures up images from an evil dead film. At least here you can hear some musical content and some odd melodies be them quite disjointed – it is black metal after all, but not the usual black metal kind – this is quite something else entirely!

Strom der Augenblick (In the blink of an eye) is the shortest track on the album and almost immediately its effects are apparent with the shrieking’s of a lone bird echoing around your head, while the scene goes on to paint some hallucinations of tragedy as pulsing waves of ambience strike rather uncomfortably and push the boundaries of insanity.

The deranged bleating’s continue with unsettling consequence spewing forth a deep resonating vibe that leaks the maniacal, bizarre and totally psychotic consciousness like a knife from a stab wound! Making you wonder how long you can listen to such dark ‘decompositions’ without going totally out of your mind?

9.5/10

Track List:

Verwehung (drift) 28.28

Narbenkaefig (Scar Cage) 34.07

Strom der Augenblick (In the blink of an eye) 12.19

Members:

Martin Lang - Guitars, synth, percussion, harmonica, lyrics

Flesh Of L. - All vocals and vocal lines

Euer Gnaden - Bass and bass composition

This is Shark Country - Chances - 4 Track EP - To be released 13th November 2015

This is Shark Country

Chances

4 Track E.P

To be released 13^th November 2015

Written for Ramzine

This is Shark Country – Newbury, Berkshire

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsSharkCountry

Genre: Tech Metal/Melodic Hardcore

Biography:

“Born in 2011, the irrepressible five-some are 100% committed to the execution and construction of their craft. Through extensive gigging and intense rehearsing, This Is Shark Country have supremely tuned their live show, which has seen them hit venues from Leeds to the Isle of Wight, and everywhere in between, sharing stages with ‘68 (ex Norma Jean), Nexilva, Palm Reader, Exist Immortal, and more. In 2013, the southern riff lords released their debut album and the record attracted strong interest from Kerrang Radio’s Alex Baker, who featured the band on his radio show and Front Magazine column. As Alex Baker stated, “I put it in the CD player, and was absolutely blown away. My mind melted into fragments, into my cup of coffee, and I drank the fragments of my mind. That’s how good it was”.

Now after a year in the making, This Is Shark Country return with their most impressive work to date. The band are about to release their new self-produced EP ‘Chances!”

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About to divide attention and being of the hard core variety ‘This is Shark Country’ have an air of technical ability about them.  I would even go as far to say that the hard hitting vocal lures are rough and uncut and give the band an edge from which to preach from.

‘Sitting Pretty’ plays host to possessing a technical trait of jabbing rhythms and alluring melodies that simply attach you to their craft like a magnet to metal. Granted it is very modern in approach to the metal of say the 80’s and 90’s but very familiar in musical terms to today’s standards.  Vocally hard core and involving quite a bit of talking to music rather than singing, although the singing is somewhat unattached to the vibrant slices of pummelling metal, which gives the band a unique flavour. The melodic hues are crisp and inviting to experience and kicks up a torrid storm of defiance.

‘Ghosting’ seems somewhat disjointed, until you realise that this is the bands individuality shining through its provocative shadows. This is a very expressive track that submerges itself in a fierce and forthright aggression, however, the melodies mould themselves to your ears which makes it hard to ignore. Further on in the track there is some real sophistication going on as the far reaching notes reach the peak of their crescendo.

‘Chances’ is the bands title track and is equally as riveting as the previous tracks but this time the catchy hooks just outshine and showcase their talents perfectly. The vocal aggression is compelling amid that catchy guitar riff so much so that not to press repeat would be an absolute sin! The dynamics of such a track forcibly remove one from their comfort zone and plummet the unwitting into an energetic maelstrom of delights.

‘Forever in Waiting’ is once again defined with a distinctive drama that unfolds with a disturbing slant of malice. The dual vocal although both clean are none the less fuel-filled with a ravenous bite that keeps the listener in a perpetual state of ‘hunger’ wanting more! As it twists and turns into a beautiful sophistication with caressing riffs, but the snarling tones remind you that the hard core characteristics are never far away.

This anarchic quintet savage the ears with malice and yet soothes them with a deep melodic addiction that is so cleverly accomplished through-out this boisterously skilled E.P

9/10

Track List:

Sitting Pretty

Ghosting

Chances

Forever in Waiting

Members:

Oli Cole: Vocals

Ben Mercer: Guitar

Nick Blair: Guitar

Jamie Holmes: Bass

Chris Sheen: Drums