Dead Register - Fiber - 6 Track E.P - AVR Records - To be released 6th May 2016

Dead Register

Fiber

6 Track EP

AVR Records   

To be released 6^th May 2016

Written for Ramzine

Dead Register – Atlanta GA

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/deadregister

Genre: Post-goth, Electro-gloom, Doom-Pop, Death-Rock, Gloom-gaze, Post-punk, Blackened-Pop, Atmospheric Metal

This is quite atmospheric from the off with powerful chords and staggered effects it puts you in the moment and intimidates vehemently!

Badgering the senses in their unique style Dead Register have all the atmospheric gloom off to a T however, it encapsulates thunderously melodic gaits that simply cannot be ignored.

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“Let the Goth meet the doom!”

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There are some amazing features and characteristics here that just warrant attention, giving out some hazy doom laden tendrils that shuffle unreservedly into a new void.

8/10

Track List:

Alone

Fiber

Drawing Down

Grave

Entwined

Incendiary

Members:

M. Chvasta: Vocals Bass VI, Bass, Effects

Avril Che: Bass Synth, Keys, Textures, Vocals, Live Visual

Chad Williams: Drums

Moralist - Bitterness Lays in Wasted Times - 4 Track E.P - To be released 17th June 2016

Moralist

Bitterness lays in wasted times

4 Track E.P

To be released 17^th June 2016

Written for Ramzine

Moralist – Southampton, UK

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/MoralistUK

Genre: Melodic Hardcore

The words melodic hard core always spark a reaction from me as the swathes of beautiful brutalness come spewing forth taking you into another dimension. Feeling the burn as your senses succumb to the feverish riffery becomes apparent, washing over you in waves of sheer passion and unbridled fundamentals.

The bands creativity flows like a molten lava trail gouging new paths for devout metal heads to follow.

In very expressive tones they languish on thunderous melodies that shake the ground beneath your feet and exceed with an anthemic roar!

It is deliciously gripping and antagonistic leaving an outpouring of modern metal in its wake! The imaginative twists and turns burn furiously into the psyche and envelop the senses with powerful groove and an element of hate.

This is a highly enjoyable escapade through some turbulent landscapes that bring with it even more intense scenery and totally aggressive energy that bristles with a bold new backdrop, the results of which are death defying and riveting in every sense of the word.

Taking the bull by the horns ‘Moralist’ are scathing with shifting patterns that brutalise and ignite fulfilling the savage dream.

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“Unwavering!”

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Dynamic and raw Moralist have converged on the metal scene and are about to devour it whole!

These four tracks will leave you salivating and gasping for breath, I am sure they have done this on purpose!

The E.P shines with sheer brilliance and will certainly light the way for getting the band a stronger fan base which very surprisingly is only at 397 on Facebook! Making me think that Melodic hard core is just an acquired taste by the hardy few, but this is unmistakably one remarkable E.P that in fact gives 100% and there is no letting up from such a strong band of brothers, who will no doubt go on to smash the scene and then some!

10/10

Track List:

Nevermore

Bitterness Lays In Wasted Times

Weatherman

Bound To Anchors

Members:

Stu Croll – Vocals

George Kemp – Guitar

Michael Hamilton-Lea – Guitar

Marcus Smith – Bass

Gage Burton - Drums.

Spell - For none and all - 10 Track Album - Bad Omen Records - To be released 13th May 2016

Spell

For None and All

10 Track Album

Bad Omen Records

To be released 13^th May 2016

Written for Ramzine

Spell – Vancouver, BC Canada

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/spellspell

Genre: Hypnotising Heavy Metal

Rattling through their first track Madam Psychosis I find the vocals leave a bit to be desired for their whiny content! I don’t usually complain about much but somehow that whine just goes right through me. Maybe a more powerful voice is needed here to really compliment the music.

Musically it sounds edgy and unusual although there is a familiarity in there that I just can’t place for now. It does have its moments but nothing to get really worked up about and quite disappointing.

5/10

Track List:

Madame Psychosis

Whipping Sigils

Too Late

The Sickness unto Health

River of Sleep

Séance

The Veil

Dark Desires

Vanitas

The Sphynx

Members:

Cam Mesmer

Lester Spectre

McVie

Jaded Heart - Guilty by Design - 14 Track Album - To be released 22nd April 2016

Jaded Heart

Guilty by Design

14 Track Album

To be released 22^nd April 2016

Written for Ramzine

Jaded Heart – Duisburg, DE / Stockholm, SE

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/jadedheartmusic

Genre: Hard Rock/Metal

Jaded Heart are a real double edged sword, being part German and Part Swedish, the two most very impressive combinations of powerful and melodic colliding together on this amazing album sound dramatic and are a superbly well–oiled machine.

The tenacious bristling of electric riffs infect the ears and produce a feisty harmony of gripping nostalgia, and quite a throwback to the grand 80’s era, when Hard rock and metal were just in their infant stages.

The vocal attack is gnarly and the rhythm section offers a seductive embrace of commanding awesomeness, with ultimately intriguing imagination of melodic harmonies that go a long way to ravage and coax with uplifting endeavour.

Intrusive, extremely catchy with every note fuelled for aggression it tips the scales for being gripping and exciting. Enslaving the hearts of all who listens. The production of the album is unwavering and polished like some well-presented mascot.

Delving into the past and presenting it to the present day Jaded Heart have scooped the prize and perfected the intensity, with infectious bait and thumping precision.

Each track holds something for everyone, and all of it catchy and ravenous, striking with keen absorbing creativity, going to prove that German/Swedish really works as it is inspirational on every level.

Bass hooks, savage riffs, caustic vocals and thunderous drumming are all part of the big plan and a memorable infusion of excitement from start to finish.

It doesn’t let up either but gathering its strength from injecting more flavoursome rhythms and breeding magical resourcefulness into its well-crafted passages that are deep and ravishing.

Adding in further rouse to the tracks are some emotive passages that sweep a ferocious heart that seems far from jaded, like on ‘Rescue Me’ which is not only powerful but urgent and involved with a biting rhythm that pleases from the off.

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“Faultless!”

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This album just creates emotion and goes on an all-stirring cavalcade, captivating and reinforcing its stance, it is bountiful and perpetually increases the listening experience, involving atmospherics and an infectious flow of metal that languishes through its strong veins.

The hardest part for me now is as this album finishes there is a great deal to enjoy and immerse the senses in. As each track plays out, it is a case of ‘was this my favourite?’ but the dilemma is that every track has its own character so it isn’t that easy to choose. With 14 tracks the decision is a lot harder too, as the contagious riffs rain down with formidable exposure.

10/10

Track List

No Reason

Godforsaken

Seven Gates of Hell

Remembering

Rescue Me

Salvation

No Waiting for Tomorrow

Watching you Die

So help me God

Bullying Me

This is the End

Torn & Scarred

Members:

Johan Fahlberg – Vocals

Peter Östros – Guitar

Michael "Muelli" Müller – Bass

Bodo Stricker – Drums

Masa Eto - Guitar

The Decoys - As the Crow flies - 10 Track Album - Self Released - 15th April 2016

The Decoys

As the Crow Flies

10 Track Album

Self-Released

15^th April 2016

Written for Ramzine

The Decoys – Kamloops BC Canada

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/thedecoysband

Genre: Rock ‘n’ Roll

Well here they are large as life with their rock n roll fun from Canada, and what a start! Those dirty licks and feel good grooves are just what’s needed to spice up a drooping day!

With catchy head banging content, gritty vocal and in your face riffs one cannot be down when listening to this.

The big drum sound connects with a feisty bass hook to bring you ‘Not right now’ which adds in a tambourine and huge sound that goes on giving.

The thud of rhythms pound in a teasing vein and swamp the aural with pleasurable tones that you can swing your hips to as well, it’s just timeless music with a keen lure for throttling the senses and pleasurably offering an emotional barrage.

‘Wasting your time’ is a swaggering amble of distinctive captive melody and creative endeavour.

The smooth enriching vocals curl like smoke toward the ears and embellishes them with devilish emotion, while the music swirls into an ambient haze of weaving textures – add in catchy and there you have it!

Its rich flavour knows no bounds and tirelessly infects with each track that comes to light. ‘Crossed the Line’ is a really powerful track that enlightens with sharp rhythm and edgy riffs and a pleasure to immerse into.

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“Swaggeringly hypnotic!”

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The sneaky licks and grooves simply haunt this album and makes one glad to be alive as it gives off super big vibrations that take one on a magnificent journey.

The bands title track ‘In our Blood’ introduces a harmonica which adds to its grand flavour and coaxes you to turn the volume up further in order to gather the inspiration and wrap it around yourself tenfold.

This is once pleasurable romp through ten well put together tracks that lift the spirit and engage on all levels. Gratifying and very satisfying indeed!

9.5/10

Track List:

Don’t Hesitate

Not right now

Ain’t gonna let you go

Wasting your time

Alibi

Crossed the Line

In our Blood

The Underdog

The Lighthouse

Don’t hang me up

Members:

Matt Stanley - Vocals/Guitar

Sean Poissant - Drums

Brendan Methot - Bass

The Alchemy - Modren Age - 4 Track Debut E.P - To be released 9th May 2016

The Alchemy

Modern Age

4 Track Debut EP

To be released 9^th May 2016

Written for Ramzine

The Alchemy – Canterbury, UK

Links:

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

Genre: Electronic Rock Alternative

Canterbury foursome The Alchemy are soon to release their debut four track EP entitled ‘Modern Age’ and it sure packs a punch!

Sounding well within their comfort zone and very mainstream but nothing can deny their strength that emerges with quick fire precision. It lilts with superb catchiness and exceeds expectations with fresh lures and rapturous harmonies.

Adding into their spectrum of jagged riffs and impressive vocal I can see these guys making it!

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“Powerfully edgy!”

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It is an all-round sound that intrigues on all levels!

9.5/10

Track List:

Save me from myself

Modern Age

Black Hole Passenger

Heartstrings

Members:

Rhys Taylor - Lead Vocals & Guitar

Luke Welch - Guitar & Vocals

Alex Porro - Bass & Vocals

Sam Ewen - Drums

The Mountain Man - Bloodlust - 5 Track Debut E.P - Released 25th March 2016

The Mountain Man

Bloodlust

5 Track Debut E.P

Released 25^th March 2016

Deliciously Heavy!

Written for Demented

The Mountain Man – Maple Ridge/Coquitlam, British Columbia

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/mountainmanmetal

Listen Here:

https://mountainmanmetal.bandcamp.com/

Produced by Matt Roach at Greenhouse Studios in Vancouver, BC

Mastered by Troy Glessner at Spectre Studios

All music written and performed by The Mountain Man

Genre: Groove Metal

Biography:

“Vancouver’s rugged outdoors-metallers, The Mountain Man, deliver a diverse blend of hard-hitting music, paying homage to the Sasquatch through crushing riffs and blaring drums. This band is all Canadian; celebrating camping, plaid, beer, and above all else energetic metal. Parker (ex-BRAUHEIST) gets straight to the point with his raw, gruff vocals and lyrics filled with animosity that cut through the instruments like an unyielding axe. Each song is like a hand-drawn map guiding fans through the British Colombian wilderness. While the first half is complete, the second half is up to the listener to build their own path and take what they will from each track!”

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Back Hand of God – Is precise doom laden and creepy thanks to the solid chunks of bass. It lies in wait and simply agitates the ears, almost stroking them into submission. The low growling vocal stalks and kills its prey with barbed dramatic overload. It’s slow and demanding with an urgent stamp across it that is an intense confrontation.

Bloodlust - Talk about pushed to the limit the vocal chords of Parker Lane summon up the frenzy and energy backed up by tumultuous drumming and sizzling riffs that cut the groove perfectly. There is no need to check your pulses when listening to this as you will feel the blood coursing savagely under the skin and bringing you out in a cold sweat!

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“In fact for a debut E.P it is bloody fantastic! Nothing is eclipsed, it shows itself in a dark light that is outlined with a shining example of what this band are all about! Voracity, vehemence and an overwhelming slab of evolving rhythms that cut deep on listening!”

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Open Graves – Opens with a succession of magical blast beats that find their way to the audial and devours them on contact! The doom laden edge flirts with aggression as it thunders through its paces. Raising an increasing lust as every element is catered for and exceeds expectations.

The Great Decay – Starts with an edgy electric riff full of intrigue and urgency. The track stalks deliberately and offers a venomous tongue! Embracing a lot of textures that exploit its dark side, the invasive grooves bite deep into the flesh and devour with outstanding rhythms.

Ghost – Is deliberately matched to its title as it edges through its paces with a mighty slab of powerful guitar and thunderous beats. It is almost cautious as the slow winding rhythms unfold in euphoric deliberation. The unmerciful vocal is a mash up of screams and low guttural pleasure.

Summary:

From start to finish you know what you are going to witness here, and that is not a bad thing if you like deep roars and a powerful magnitude of heavy rhythmic prowess.  Hell yeah! The E.P is creative and plentiful with biting grooves of agitation and aggression and ripe for sinking your fangs into.

In fact for a debut E.P it is bloody fantastic! Nothing is eclipsed, it shows itself in a dark light that is outlined with a shining example of what this band are all about! Voracity, vehemence and an overwhelming slab of evolving rhythms that cut deep on listening!

If you like your metal heavy, dark, deep and full of aggression then The Mountain Man – which for me should be called The Mountain MEN cos there is more than one, are the ones to watch out for.

Gripping and thrilling the band dangle the bait and soon the listener is following like an obedient metal servant!

 Definitely one to add to the collection if ever I heard anything!

9.5/10

Track List:

Back Hand of God

Bloodlust

Open Graves

The Great Decay

Ghost

Members:

Jordan Orr – Guitar

Tevyn Pacey - Bass

Parker Lane - Vocals

Ryan McCreedy - Drums

Tyson Tambellini - Guitar

Agura Matra - Goodnight - 4 Track Self released E.P - Released 4th April 2016

Agura Matra

Goodnight

4 Track Self released E.P

Released 4^th April 2016

Agura Matra – Indonesia

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Agura-Matra

Listen here:

https://aguramatra.bandcamp.com/album/good-night

All materials by Agung Rama Putra aka Agura Matra.

Genre: electronic ambient dream wave

Goodnight

The cold tendrils of echoing essences bring with it a haunting vocal that pulsates through a haze of eeriness. As the tiny melodic notes reverberate in their echoey chamber a feeling of deep insanity runs through its core.

Hail

Quite literally sends chills down the spine in an ambient core of intensity and foreboding. It pulsates a rhythm that is highly disturbing. It stalks in predatory mode, establishing an ebbing and flowing tide that is slightly unsettling.

Stoned

Is the longest track on the E.P It cloaks the listener with a warmer vibration than previously However, it is still an intense journey as its pestilence unfolds into some kind of animosity that invades without the embellishment of being vehement. Colliding with a sharp haunting tone that lilts its way forward, the monotone vocal calmly sits on its guiding notes.

Goodnight Version 2

This version I think is much better than the first due to a more melodic flavour and a warmer all-round sound. The vocals although still haunting are a lot more compelling and impressive.

Summary

This newly released E.P is the brain child of Ben Rammsier aka Agura Matra who has allowed us an insight into his perplexed mind, which could read either like a dream or a nightmare, which is clever in itself.

This isn’t the kind of music you would come across on a daily basis or even a monthly one, however, it needs an open mind to fully immerse oneself in the disturbingly sinister tracks that your ears will come into contact with.

It torments in such a way that needs no large rapacious rhythms to back it up and leaves a harrowing imprint on the psyche.

Giving off the feelings of solace and melancholy, it’s like the music is swirling around in an empty void of which the sides are solidly inpenetratable, locked in their own world of intricate meanderings, and yet still compelling and riveting at the same time.

It isn’t something that you would throw into a CD player willy nilly either, I think you have to be ‘in the zone’ and possess the ‘right frame of mind’ to fully interact with its deranged and enigmatic regime, but the intrigue the E.P has alone is quite breath taking in its own right!

*This is a rather bitter sweet E.P as Ben Aka Agura Matra made this E.P and dedicated it to his cat who is portrayed on the front cover with her new born, and whom he lost last year, which makes the melancholic moments really sad indeed*

8.5/10

Track List:

Goodnight

Hail

Stoned

Goodnight Version 2

Members:

Agung Rama Putra aka Ben Rammsier