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Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Days of Collapse - We got this far - 10 Track Album - Imminence Records - To be released 25th September 2015

Days of Collapse
We got this far
10 Track Album
Imminence Records
To be released 25th September 2015



Written for Ramzine

Days of Collapse – Vicenza, Italy

Links:

Genre: Metalcore-Chaotic-Mathcore



Before you switch off by the strange opening noises - have some patience and carry on listening as they say, for once into the track you will not be able to contain the lip-smackin’ groove and twisted malevolent frenzy that ensues from such a track or indeed an album!

The torrid fuelled passions are there for all to hear - track after track pulverises within a concentrated formula that is dramatic and forthright.

They have got this far, let’s see them go all the way!

9.5/10

Track List:
Restart from Scratch
Escape the Rat Race
Borderline
Mass Effect
Misinformation
Stay True part 1
Stay True part 2
Nell’indifferenza
Keyboard Warriors
Rendez Moi

Members:
Alberto-Guitar
Jacopo-Guitar
Davide-Drums
Marco-Voice
Stefano-Bass


Conflict North - Treading Water - 6 Track EP - To be released October 2015

Conflict North
Treading Water
6 Track E.P
To be released October 2015



Written for Ramzine

Conflict North – London

Links:

Genre: Metal/ Melodic Hardcore/Alternative

Hailing from the London area is band Conflict North strange name considering they are from down South, but less of the North/South divide and on with the music.

In true metal core assault the first track ‘This too shall pass’ delves into a sizzling onslaught of venomous intensity with powerful vocal edge, melodic riffs and torrid beats that instantly bed down into the aural, blanketing them with a compellingly ferocious lure.

The second track ‘Lessons Learnt’ has a superb chugging rhythm that lies beneath a strenuous vocal turning clean and lilts, so the mix of both clearly give the band that diverse leaning and they make use of every avenue.

‘Wake Up’ holds a lot of ambiance and atmosphere as well as the tell-tale metal core element. The melodies flow uninterrupted and seamless before it buckles under the weight of some stupendous harsh growling tones.

‘Still Breathing’ offers up a superb weave of impressive music and vocal combined with a punishing rhythm that is catchy and addictive! Now they have well and truly tenderised the ears!

‘Labyrinths’ holds a savage breath that executes emotion to the forefront with compelling riffs and steely bass hooks making it a very imposing track that is best played on full max volume to feel it in your guts! But then there are always those cheeky clean vocals that keep it grounded.
‘All I have’ is a superb array of monstrous riffs taunting the ears as the hearty growl takes over.  The unbridled passions within this track are raw and full of excitement, although maybe slightly subtler, but none the less powerful at weaving their magic.

I cannot believe this band only have 199 likes – maybe metal core isn’t to everyone’s taste, however, the music doesn’t lie, if you like brutal with a cheeky hint of clean then Conflict North are the ones to watch!

9/10

Track List:
This too shall pass
Lessons Learnt
Wake Up
Still Breathing
Labyrinths
All I have

Members:
Robin Godding – Vocals
Matt Hull – Guitar
Matt Anderson – Guitar/Vocals
Toby Campen – Bass
Ed Bujakowski - Drums

Broken Flesh - Self-Titled - 12 Tack Album - Luxor Record - Released 4th September 2015

Broken Flesh
Self-Titled
12 Track Album
Luxor Records
Released 4th September 2015



Written for Ramzine

Broken Flesh – Oklahoma City, USA

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/brokenflesh

Genre: Brutal Death Metal

Biography:
“Formed in 2004 Broken Flesh are no strangers to the live scene, having performed with bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Whitechapel, Suicide Silence, The Black Dahlia Murder, Dying Fetus and others!”

Although, there is a distinct message here which says to me that this band are Christians through and through and quite open about it. However, I am not a believer in God myself, but there is no disrespecting their music what so ever, and I find it quite quirky that a death metal band would find solace in something that doesn’t, in my eyes exist!

I am not against people who believe in anything that brings them some comfort, although for me the music that I can fully engage in, hear and explore has to be my God there will be no changing my mind on that either!

Valley of Mass Crucifixion
Obviously trying to get across the message that Jesus died for our sins – that it may be but we are paying the price, however, musically superb no matter what the band are singing about – hard to tell with death metal but the pent up aggression and raw sound is what death metal is all about – so I have to forgive them as they know not what they do.

Blood Harvest
The gruelling hearty destructive vocals boom out intensely to this brutal track as usual incoherent but you get the idea - amid a backdrop of insane beats and caustic riffs its savagery knows no limits and bludgeons its way through a wall of mesmerizing frenzy.

Consumed by Death
Is a rampaging track with agitated rhythms and sounds like an exorcism is taking place! The raucous lashes of a gnarly and intense vocals dominate through a mass of seething riffs and arduous blast beats.

Buried Alive
Is a bewitching track that hosts a thrilling and exciting proposal of dark delights, although it is hard to tell if they are meant for the light or indeed the dark? Personally I would hope they are for the latter, judging by the title.

Hell
With vicious and raw emotion this track growls the way through its paces and stops little of pure annihilation. Seething structures of energised but inhospitable lures cloak the ears with a rich madness.

Cries of the Dead
The rasping throaty vocal chords twist in an unfathomable barbaric vein along with a forceful deep battering of drum beats and edgy rhythms just melt into a congealing mass of pure intensity.

Forever in Flames
Continuing with more of the same toxic and rabid rhythms of immense grandeur the cacophony brutalises the ear drums that can hardly keep pace with the ferocity it is witnessing.

Unworthy
With the air now covered in a black mist (or for Christians a white light) this track consumes and devours with every riff and beat it can muster! The vocals sound tormenting and raw and provoke the senses with pulverising aggression.

Exalt
Let the snorting and pig squealing commence through a potent wind tunnel that magnifies the deathly sound to one of extreme torture. 

Ignominy
Hard to get your teeth around the title of this track, although by the time you have mastered it, the brutish riffs and beats simultaneously will have ripped you a new set and turned your ears inside out as well!

By his Blood
As if the malice couldn’t become any more aggressive, this one seems to have pushed it up a notch and weighed down by its own extreme weight, the gruelling structure leaves a path of destruction in its wake.

Hate
Just about says it all really, although is that hate for non-believers? Saying that I have to say I love the track for its quickening aggression and creatively inflamed passion.

Summary:
I have to say I have never really thought of Christians forming a death metal band and never even reviewed such a band before, or even knew that there was such a thing called Christian Death Metal! But whatever the message Broken Flesh sure know how to engage with their skilled savagery, even if it does hold a (slight) Christian message.

Amen

8/10

Track List:
Valley of Mass Crucifixion
Blood Harvest
Consumed by Death
Buried Alive
Hell
Cries of the Dead
Forever in Flames
Unworthy
Exalt
Ignominy
By his Blood
Hate

Members:
Jacob Mathes - Vocals
Kevin Tubby - Guitar/ Vocals
Dakota Whiteside - Guitar
Joshua Mathes - Bass/ Vocals
Brandon Lopez - Drums

Atreyu - Long Live - 14 Track Album - Spinefarm Records - Released September 2015

Atreyu
Long Live
14 Track Album
Spinefarm Records
Released September 2015


Written for Ramzine

Atreyu – Orange County, CA

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Atreyu

Genre: Heavy Metal Thunder

If heavy metal could be defined as a natural phenomenon it would definitely have to be thunder and this natural phenomenon comes in the form of Atreyu that delve deep into a genre that offers scathing vocals to the maximum.

The melodic slices mingle with some tough hard core edges that make it superb listening. The punk and metal-core elements mean that everyone gets something they can relate to and these guys seem to have a torrid love affair with their instruments that will melt the hearts of metal heads all over the planet.

The twisting lures and melodic seduction go so well together – hand in hand in fact and produces some meaty chunks of edgy metal.

The mouth-watering chugs take you on a tempestuous journey of aggression. Feisty and irresistible their tracks breed a lasting stamp on the mind with melodic voices harmonising superbly with a hard scathing raspy vocal that commands the lead.

The force is paraded boldly, with great tenacity and storming rebellion. The boisterous bolts of metal will hit brutally like an all-out war on the audial cavities and injecting them with military precision.

Atreyu have created a bruising backdrop of stomping metal that is one ‘indecent’ proposal that nobody in their right minds can ignore – once initiated on the press of a button.

The feverish appetites of the band offer one extreme to the next with the flexible writing and playing talents that each of the band delivers with mesmerizing qualities.

Catchy and aggressive momentum leaps into action and firmly takes the bull by the horns, kicking up a bad ass storm of corruption.

Also packed neatly into their flavoursome groove are some mellower moments that captures a glimpse of a very flexible five-piece band whose aim is to annihilate on listening!

The production is perfection alone, although it helps having musicians who know exactly the direction they are heading and that can only be forward with an album of this calibre.

It is a healthy extreme with lots to perk the appetite along the way and portraying a thoroughly capturing encounter - so perfect for drying the hair!

The intensely satisfying creativity flows uninterrupted with contrast and caustic rhythms that cast a magnificent attitude and endeavour to the mix.

They explore new boundaries that offer dreamy seduction and wild abandon lighting the way with fire and passion.

A very cleverly thought out album that leaves nobody in any doubt that this is a first class album that deserves recognition.

This definitely works for me!

9/10

Track List:
Long Live
Live to Labour
I would kill, lie, and die (for you)
Cut off the head
A bitter broken memory
Do you know who you are?
Revival Interlude
Heartbeats and Flatlines
Brass Balls
Moments before Dawn
Start to Break
Reckless
So others may live
Stronger than Me

Members:
Dan Jacobs - Guitar
Porter McKnight - Bass
Travis Miguel - Guitar
Brandon Saller - Drums/Vocals
Alex Varkatzas - Vocals


Debauchery - F**K Humanity - 12 Track Album - Massacre Records - Released 10th July 2015

Debauchery
F**K Humanity
12 Track Album
Massacre Records
Released 10th July 2015

Out now!

Written for Metal Gods Meltdown

Debauchery – Stuttgart, Germany

Links:

Recorded by Dennis Ward (Krokus, Unisonic),
Cover Artwork created by the fantasy icon and illustrator Adrian Smith.

DISCOGRAPHY
Kill Maim Burn 2003
Rage of the Blood Beast 2004
Torture Pit 2005
Back In Blood 2007
Continue to Kill 2008
Rockers & War 2009
Germany’s Next Death Metal 2013
Kings of Carnage 2013
F**k Humanity’ 2015
               
Genre: Death Metal



Biography:
“Welcome to the World of Blood Gods! DEBAUCHERY has always been something unique. Some people missed the point, that’s why they can ‘Fuck off!’ All other metal heads can look forward to the new album FUCK HUMANITY: death metal in your face!
Expect 10 songs full of violence and bloodshed! In addition, the album will also feature a ballad and an intro track.
The lyrics are about the monsters and dragon beasts of the World of Blood Gods - the DEBAUCHERY background world - and the warriors of Warhammer 40k. For all real DEBAUCHERY freaks out there, there will also be a limited 3-CD digipak edition of the new album, including a bonus disc with BLOOD GOD versions of some new songs and a cover version of Judas Priest's "Painkiller".
The other bonus disc comes with some of the new tracks and two classics ("Töten Verkrüppeln Verbrennen" and "Blut Für Den Blutgott") in the so-called BALGEROTH version in German! Prepare to get destroyed by DEBAUCHERY live this fall, when they’re going on FUCK HUMANITY tour! Blood for the Blood God! The German War Machine is back!”

~~~~~~

I don’t know whether I am happy or sad that the band decided to change their name from Maggotcunt to Debauchery in 2002, both names are superb but Maggotcunt has a certain ring to it, don’t you think?

It is however quite surprising that Debauchery has performed a lot of covers by other bands such as Slayer and believe it or not The Beatles, although I am pleased to say there are none on their new album! I am just glad to bask in the glory of the bands own well-seasoned offerings.

There is rather a sombre opening to the album with ‘My Religion is Hate’ and you can almost hear the anticipation building as the track continues.  It isn’t all about bruising and brings a certain sophistication to the table, with an unusual chanting of vocal lures.

The second track ‘Ironclad Declaration of War’ shows more than just a chugging of rhythms but a real heavy vibe and the deepest vocal snarl ever heard by man! It makes you immediately turn up the volume and bathe in its dark overtones bringing up goose bumps the size of golf balls along your arm! Amazing track!

Quite a fuelled track the next one ‘Kneel before the Dragon Gods’ as the speed gathers and continues to soar. Again with a rasping throaty lure that Johann Hegg would be hard pushed to copy! This is a firm and contagious track that boasts a chanting addictive aggression.

Another emotional track that expresses a vehement snarl of contempt ‘Gorezilla’ and is a real thrill for the listener! The enticing strikes and provocative melody forms an immediate mosh pit for the ears.

A compelling track is ‘German Warmachine’ again for the sumptuous growling vocal lures that resonate through-out. Holding a monotone beat that is none the less heavy as F**k and weaves a fiercely imaginative twist.

A splendid title! ‘Murderbrute Minotaurs’ with its rambling riffs and hard edged drum beats. Accompanying comes a raucous growl that spews forth some increasingly dramatic lyrics as it rampages towards its destiny.

This track expresses hate in the most evil way possible with its opening words that are unnerving and grotesque, and epitomises the bands genre superbly! ‘Fuck Humanity’ is one hungry for guts and glory track that leaves the listener in no uncertain terms they mean business and this track showcases the feelings with a melodic smouldering bite!

A rather dark ambient hue begins on ‘For the Emperor’ with the sophistication of forthright riffs and gargling vocal which no doubt will leave deep scarring to the tonsils (should you try and replicate) so don’t! unless you want to be visiting A&E very shortly.

This track King of the Killing Zone’ unveils yet more brutality in the making and throws forth a creative blanket of oppression of a great magnitude. Its malevolent riffs devour with nightmarish imagination and cultivates a superb vocal angst.

The whirlwind drum beats from ‘The Horror of the Forest’ remind me of Speedy Gonzales on speed! Fast, furious and full of menace this track pummels to an inch of its life and evolves into a tyrannical encounter!

A rugged track that has abrupt vocal edge and plenty of energy! It soars to unimaginable heights and embraces its own fury. It is exhilarating and uncages an intensity with a brutish power, that is the extreme power of ‘Zombie Extermination Crusader’

To finish this glorious album, is a brief respite from all the well-equipped raucous flavours entitled simply –To Hell’ holds a mellower slant on the proceedings.  However the vocals are still full of grit and passion.

Summary:
From start to finish what you have here is pent up aggression and fire! With brief spells of melodic flame and sophistication. It covers everything with immediate effect.

Spawning a raw emotion that ignites into a fully blown forest fire! Is  The evil is present through-out with powerful lyrics and nagging riffs that turns into extreme magnetism pulling you with equal force into a maelstrom of throbbing madness!

The band deliciously dangles a 24-carrat gold bait to the listener which of course is eagerly taken up and then spins them into an emotional turbulence!

Clearly one superb album that holds more hooks than a seasoned angler!!

10/10

Track List:
My Religion is Hate
Ironclad Declaration of War
Kneel before the Dragon Gods
Gorezilla
German Warmachine
Murderbrute Minotaurs
Fuck Humanity
For the Emperor
King of the Killing Zone
The Horror of the Forest
Zombie Extermination Crusader
To Hell

Members:
Mr. Kill - Sonic Blasters
Mr. Blood - Blastmaster Bass
Mr. Death - Drums of Doom
Mr. Debauchery - Sonic Blasters & Voices of War

Thursday, 24 September 2015

Denner/Shermann - Satan's Tomb - 4 Track Debut E.P - Metal Blade - To be released 2nd October 2015

Denner/Shermann
Satan’s Tomb
4 Debut Track E.P
Metal Blade
To be released 2nd October 2015



Written for Metal Gods Meltdown

Denner/Shermann – Copenhagen

Links:

The EP was recorded in the USA, Denmark and Sweden
Mixed by Arnold Lindberg at Sound Industry Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. Mastering by Maor Applebaum in Los Angeles, California.

Genre: Heavy Metal



Biography:
“The band, which is simply called Denner/Shermann, calls into service a formidable group of allies who were capable of helping realize this menagerie of malice, was a task carefully orchestrated by these metal mad scientists. Shermann first called upon Marc Grabowski (Demonica) to handle the bass guitar, followed by the only drummer that made sense for many obvious aspects, the one known as Snowy Shaw (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Dream Evil)! Many voices were considered, but fate lead them to Sean Peck (Cage and Death Dealer). He was not only a fan but had the versatile vocal skills to make the new songs come to life like their fans would expect!”

~~~~~~



Out of the remains of one band comes another and scooped up by Metal Blade Records the formidable five are now on the rampage and ready to rock a few boats!

There is no shortage of thrills, and excitement as the band takes us on a tumultuous journey to revisit the metal created by bands of the past, although Denner/Shermann have added their slant to the proceedings and have marked their territory with a psychotic essence of insanity. As on ‘Satan’s Tomb’

‘War Witch’ brews up another storm of cantering metal that soon gallops to its own tune! Plenty of guitar to entice hungry ears and a superb vocal range that rewards with high octane screams not dissimilar from Biff Byford of Saxon and quite an abrasive track that embraces its classic roots.

‘New Gods’ very aptly titled despite the Gods just moving from one band to the next! The 80’s feel has been recaptured and smoulders in a haze of persuasion and rebellious energy! The musical tirade is powerful and unbridled, stirring thoughts and emotions, subsequently luring the listener into a void that although past can be enjoyed once again with fresh imagination.

‘Seven Skulls’ liking the title already! It cloaks the ears with an impressive enterprise that ultimately keeps up with a tinged supremacy that languishes in a metal melee of sorts and added in are some tongue in cheek moments that no metal band should be without!

Summary:
Doused in a tenacious rhythmic melody and a good mix of flexible vocal this debut E.P has everything you need to enjoy the past but in the 21st Century! Although, it is a familiar ride for people who experienced it back in the 80’s it will be an unfamiliar one for all newcomers to metal.

No doubt it will see a few heads banging and it is a solid E.P but personally I would have liked to see them do something not connected with the past and concentrate on something more in the present, as these guys have got what it takes to come up with something far more rewarding than just a trip down memory lane.

I am not knocking their debut E.P far from it, but feel they should have maybe left the past behind and concentrated on a newer path that would give them an up to date sound and propelled them into the future say! Maybe a couple of tracks from the past era and two newer tracks would have benefitted them greatly and given the listener a far more complex E.P to listen to offering a more diverse approach, but that is just my opinion.

As good as it was, never to forget your roots, there is a lot to be said for moving with the times and Denner/Shermann could have expressed their mesmeric crafts to their full potential without concentrating too much on the then and there and focused more intently on the here and now!

8/10

Track List:
Satan’s Tomb
War Witch
New Gods
Seven Skulls

Members:
Michael Denner - Guitars
Hank Shermann - Guitars
Sean Peck - Vocals
Snowy Shaw - Drums
Marc Grabowski - Bass