Hamerex - The Last Ride - Promo Mix - Taken from the Forthcoming E.P - IX Music - Released 19th February 2015

Hamerex

The Last Ride

Promo Mix

(Taken from the forthcoming E.P)

IX Music

Released 19^th February 2015

Stunning!

Hamerex – Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/hamerex

Listen and buy here:

https://hamerex.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-ride

Genre: Heavy Metal

Biography

“Hamerex, a heavy metal band formed in 2004, have released their second album IX. While their first album, 'Rites of Passage', was well received by many reviewers and fans alike, 'IX' has so far surpassed itself, being dubbed by fans as a "Masterpiece" and a "Work of Art" while receiving many stunning reviews and being called "one of the most outstanding albums of 2013"

Reign of Fire

I think the guys can be proud of this track as it picks up steam and rises to the challenge of being just one that can be classed as ‘well worthy!’

Since losing Chris Moules on vocals Steve has stood up to the plate and combined his energetic guitar work along with becoming the voice behind Hamerex.

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“What I love most about Hamerex is the way they display poignant strings with bone crushing moments so it isn’t just one thing you get but a combination of everything!”

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What makes this track so moreish is that feverish constant chug that immediately kicks up a storm and reels you in.  The heart of the track is melodic and fiery and unleashes a predatory assault on the ears.

It twists and thrusts compel and excite as they build to an all-out thunderous climax! The guitar work is deftly carved and offers slower moments along with faster more voracious offerings.

The obvious determination and passion exuded through-out this track is quite simply ‘perfection!’ While the heavy beats are immaculate and sharp and combined with a strong vocal and corrosive rhythm it is indeed very moreish!

Hamerex are now in their eleventh year and are growing stronger by the minute and this track proves the fact! The relentless hypnotic emotions are rife with creativity.

What I love most about Hamerex is the way they display poignant strings with bone crushing moments so it isn’t just one thing you get but a combination of everything!

It is an impacting track that is well worth a listen or six! And this track has been played a lot more than six times as it is catchy and compelling and forges the way ahead for the next offering from Hamerex.

This track alone will leave you feeling satisfied! I have pre-ordered my copy of the new EP of which this track is featured and believe me I can’t wait to receive it!

9½/10

Track List: For the new E.P to be released 15^th March 2015

Calm before the Storm / Natures Wrath

Ride on Ruin

·         Reign of Fire

Apophis

Members:

Steve Blower - Guitars & Vocals

Andy Firth - Guitars

Simon Brooks - Bass

Darren Kelsall - Drums

Adrenochrome - Rabble Rouser - 12 Track CD - Muerte Media - Released 1st January 2015

Adrenochrome

Rabble Rouser

12 Track CD

Muerte Media

Released 1st January 2015

 Rabble Rouser - Aptly named!

Written for Blackened Horde zine

Adrenochrome – Blackstone Valley, USA

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/adrenochrome

Listen Here:

https://adrenochrome1.bandcamp.com/

Recorded by Kris Lapke at The Doom Room, Pawtucket, RI (c) 2015 Adrenochrome / Muerte Media. Art by R.Cinami / Muerte Media (c) 2015

Genre: Metal every which way!!

Biography:

“Adrenochrome would best be described as 'Sonic Disorientation'. The power of supersonic riffs and odd grooves. Blending together new and old to produce their sound with elements of death metal, doom, grind-core, punk, jazz & black thrash. Lyrically showcasing anarchism, self-empowerment, revolution and anti-theism. Incubating since 2011 but officially active in August 2013, Adrenochrome hails from Blackstone Valley, RI. Adrenochrome has had the pleasure of opening for Suffocation, Eyehategod, Iron Reagan, Swashbuckle, Sin of Angels, Headrot, No Raza, Nekrogoblikon and more!”

Intro

A sampled voice informs us about the author Aldous Huxley – the guy who recalled his experiences when taking a psychedelic drug. If he listened to Adrenochrome I could understand why!

Dead Breed

Just dust away the cobwebs and throw your hair about to this little ditty – this track festers under the skin and explodes with an antagonistic flurry! The riffs eat you from the inside out!

Natural Restoration

Another heavy weight mammoth expulsion of mega annihilation (try saying that after a few lemonades!) This bludgeoning track will unleash the caged metal animal in all of us – no doubt! Demanding and abrasive!

Game of Life

Captivating by its primitively wild beginning and full on rabidity that is raw and immense in every sense of the word. If you don’t feel angry after listening to this there is something wrong with you! Fiercely engrossing with heaps of tension!

Bleed the Myth

More tension a brewing – the turbulence reaches its climax very early on and leaves its mark of brutality! The sheer aggression is powerfully thrilling and captivating with its awkward ranting and severe savagery. Prepare to be assaulted by the audial!

DEVolution

The shrill and perplexing start to this track will make your ears bleed – well if you are anything like me you will have the volume up to its max capacity! The squalling growls are really impressive as the surrounding music invades the ears (what’s left of them) and will swamp you with an aggressive onslaught.

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“Undiluted, devastating and evil to within an inch of its life – a must for all hard core metal heads who love bathing in acid!”

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Consumed/Destroyed

Scintillating as it is captivating, the sonic madness continues to impress.  There is no coaxing here just full on metal attack! It is violent and rampaging.  The riffs and beats can definitely be described as consuming and destroying as the vocals battle it out with the drums and guitar – nobody wins!

Interlude

A plethora of unimaginable sounds and samples that will wreck your head even further on this mechanical monster!

New World Slaughter

No regard for the unwary, none whatsoever! The virulence continues to climb to its peak and reaps utter chaos.  The guitars are thrusting and malevolent with a battering of beats and guttural growls this is an infectious slurry of putridity – just go with it!

Corporate Insurgence

Full of intrigue with fast paced opening, it brutally savages in a cruel momentous swagger of rigorously compelling sounds that are ‘just right’ for a hungry metal head! Something to sink your teeth into and that does not mean someone’s head, although you can’t help but feel your blood coursing around your veins while listening to this! Utter madness!

Misinformation

A calm sampled voice points out the meaning of misinformation – at only 2 minutes and 2 seconds this track then melts into the outro.

Outro

A more doom laden sound emerges. It is spiteful and creepy as the malevolence grows taller with every striking riff until it is chopped short.

Summary:

Unbridled filth and calamity reigns supreme on this album. It holds the answer to keeping warm on a cold winter’s evening! By that I mean it speeds up the blood and of course your head will want to join in, that is of course if you can keep pace with the caustic rhythms that lie in wait for the unsuspecting listener, although we are all hardened metal heads, aren’t we? So it shouldn’t pose too much of a problem!

It’s definitely ALL beast and no beauty here though. It can be likened to a full vat of acid ready to immerse its victims into and then simply walks away laughing! The adrenaline will be pumping long after the music finishes – you can bet on it!

The album floods you with a vindictive onslaught of evil and spawned atmospheric tension so much so that it is hard to ignore.

Undiluted, devastating and evil to within an inch of its life – a must for all hard core metal heads who love bathing in acid!

10/10

Track List:

INTRO 00:23

DEAD BREED 02:10

NATURAL RESTORATION 03:13

GAME OF LIFE 03:12

BLEED THE MYTH 02:43

DEVolution 02:26

CONSUMED / DESTROYED 03:22

INTERLUDE 00:41

NEW WORLD SLAUGHTER 03:12

CORPORATE INSURGENTS 03:35

MISINFORMATION 02:02

OUTRO 00:12

Members:

Tayte Leigh – Guitar

Evan Barone – Guitar

Josh Watkins – Vocals

Rob Cinami - Drums

Joy Shannon and the Beauty Marks - Mo Anam Cara - 10 Track CD - Triple Goddess Records - To be released 20th March 2015

Joy Shannon and the Beauty Marks

Mo Anam Cara

10 Track CD

Triple Goddess Records

To be released 20^th March 2015

To be released very soon!

Joy Shannon and the Beauty Marks – Long Beach California

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/JoyShannonandtheBeautyMarks

Produced, mixed & mastered by Mark Sheppard

Photography by Xun Chi

All music and lyrics by Joy Shannon

Discography:

“As in the Wilderness” (2008),

“The Opium Wars or Love in Lieu of Laudanum” (2009)

“The Black Madonna” (2010),

“Out of My Dreams and Into My Arms” (2011),

 “The Oracle” (2013)

 "Mo Anam Cara" (2014).

Genre: Neo-folk, Celtic Pagan Folk, Doom

Biography:

Joy Shannon and the Beauty Marks are a Celtic Pagan Folk/Neo-folk band fronted by the Irish multi-instrumentalist singer Joy Shannon on Celtic harp, cello and harmonium.

Joy Shannon

It is not surprising that this CD was sent to me for obvious reasons. Now is the time to be with one on a journey through the Celtic calendar and embrace the true spiritual feelings within one’s self.

The Winds of Hel

This is a very mournful and poignant track. It delights in bringing an ambiance all its own and sends the proverbial shiver down the spine on listening.  Its Celtic and Pagan roots are very prominent and enjoyable to witness.

Samhain

Is a dark and mysterious track that holds a rich and vibrant beauty caressing the senses with delicate voices and delightful Harp Ensemble? It really takes you back to glorious green mother earth. The tones are steeped in a soft haze that mirrors the reflection of a track that allows your mind to wander freely.

Midwinter Ghost

The delicate fingers of Joy Shannon gently glide over the strings of her harp like waves washing over a shoreline. The beauty of this track is very therapeutic and relaxing. It features backing vocals from Amelia Barron, guitar from Daryl Hernandez and bass from Andy Zacharias. It has a spellbinding effect that simply mesmerises the soul.

Imbolc – Invocation to Brighid

This is quite a short track compared with the last three. It conjures up images of a flickering fire and around it stands Brighid a Goddess in her own right. Backing vocals by Rachel Star Allbright.

Ostara – Blodeuwedd

A real awakening of the Spring Equinox this track is dream-like but highly intense, although it still has that delicate balance of sacred voice and strings.

The Fires of Beltane

Another poignant track that lifts the spirit to great heights.  It is deep and meaningful with clever use of instruments. It most definitely brings out the Celtic and Pagan spirits as the track unfolds.

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“It thoroughly embraces through balance and rebirth just as the seasons do – It is magic in its purest form!”

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Midsummer Witch Hunt

This track is dedicated to all the witches who died in the flickering flames for having a sixth sense. Being persecuted by people who did not have a connection to earth. It is an amazing song that really brings out the dark side and is deeply disturbing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8japP08hj0

Midsummer Witch Hunt - A highly disturbing video!

Lughnasadh – Maeve, the one who intoxicates

Sending chills down the spine this song glides gently on an ambient bed of notes. The backing vocals of Amelia Barron are haunting. Joy’s voice being the most prominent are lilting and exquisite and between them and the music is one more intense track to behold.

Findulas

With vocal imagery this track is a beautiful love song although sad as you would expect! Love never runs smooth! Its melodic and vibrant tones gently graze the senses and are embracing. Traversing the monumental terrain it is yet another masterpiece of strings and haunting voices that leave their mark.

Mabon– Airmid, Bring back the dead

Another intensely rich track that connects to the soul with an abundance of deep tones and poignant notes that flourish with a new awakening.

Summary:

The whole album is rife with new awakenings and based on the Celtic calendar, going into detail of all Pagan holidays. It will bring you to the understanding that Mother Nature is never far away.

Mo Anam Cara translated means Spirit Guide (although in Irish it means Soul Mate) and is very apt for this album, as it does guide you through an intense journey. It awakens mind, body and soul. Although there are no raunchy tracks to be had here – there is little need for them as each track delivers pure magic through the vocal concentrate and diligently played strings alone.

It is persistent in guiding the listener and connecting them with what the earth represents in spirituality. Its essences are magical and will revitalise anything that lay dormant in the brain, although beware darkness appears around each corner so navigate well.

It thoroughly embraces through balance and rebirth just as the seasons do – It is magic in its purest form!

9½/10

Track List:

The Winds of Hel

Samhain

Midwinter Ghost

Imbolc – Invocation to Brighid

Ostara – Blodeuwedd

The Fires of Beltane

Midsummer Witch Hunt

Lughnasadh – Maeve, the one who intoxicates

Findulas

Maboh – Airmid, Bring back the dead

Members:

Joy Shannon – Celtic Harp/Cello/Vocals

Andy Zacharias – Stand-up Bass

Amelia Barron – Backing vocals on 3, 6, 7, & 8

Daryl Hernandez – Guitar on 1,2,3,6,7,8,9, & 10

Jon Zell – Guitar on 4 & 5

Rachel Star Albright – Backing Vocals on 4 & 5

Special thanks to Madeleine Baggins

Phal:Angst - Black Country - 5 Track Album - Released 14th November 2014

Phal:Angst

Black Country

5 Track Album

Released 14^th November 2014

Quite literally mind-bending!

Phal:Angst – Vienna

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/phalangst

Genre: Industrial/Post Rock

Biography:

“Phal:Angst are an Industrial/Post-Rock-Band from Vienna/Austria. They formed in 2006 and have now released their third album.  Filing between Industrial, EBM, Post-Rock and Doom. Phal:Angst take their influences from bands such as Earth, Mogwai, Coil, Front 242 and Neurosis!”

Searching for a meaning behind the word Phalangst – the nearest I got was for the word phalanx “A large group of people standing very close to each other, usually for the purposes of defense or attack!” but it sums this band up very well!

Hardwire

I can’t say I am over enamoured with this track, although the female voice is in tune and haunting, but the ‘na neee’s’ tend to grate a little and have an air of hostility about them. Saying that further on in the track the tempo changes and it becomes a serious and melodious masterpiece! The keyboards and guitar compliments each other giving off rich tones of vibrancy and it is now my favourite track, and what’s more I am glad it is a long track as there is more to savour!

Hardwire

Black Country

A rather strange and eerie feeling is captured on this slow and deliberate composition. It is mournful and doom-like with various unusual sounds amid a monotone vocal edge that drifts characteristically over a long period of time. Exhibiting an intense and morbid feeling and yet it still contains good melodies.

The old has to die and the new must be born

A lot darker, this one is bass-ridden with an array of growls and high pitched singing. It still takes a leisurely pace although it possesses the markings of having an evil presence attached to it. The listener will have this mental awareness of uneasiness as the track builds to its plodding and creepy conclusion.

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“The more you listen the deeper you go with this as it takes hold. It retains moments that are captivating and engaging and in other places it repels, but on the whole it is without a doubt a very unusual and interesting listen!”

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Black Milk of Morning

Holds plenty of atmospheric urges as its complicated mastery takes hold. Winding, again slowly taking its time to stamp the brain with an unusual flavour. The vocals are sung in a flat and monotone dreariness – but it works amid the array of electronic accompaniment that brings oneness to the track.

Theta

Possesses a dense glacial and cold purpose which embeds itself in the gloomy landscape. It sluggishly and heavy rhythms entrap the mind while the vocals are gnarly and jagged. The whole tone of the track is injected with a listless grazing, but it does grow on you and the children’s voices at the end along with the German voice makes it somewhat a very interesting track.

Summary:

I would have liked to have heard a bit more diversity which could easily be achieved on this short album.  The use of electronics could be pepped up a notch to have incorporated at least a couple of more upbeat tempos rather than all doom, but it is an unusual album that all being said.

The first track once past the haunting lilts that rub me up the wrong way, there comes a spine-tingling moment when everything changes and it can only be described as black and white turning to colour, as a myriad of sampled voices and powerful rhythms hit.  It bubbles with undulating force and really comes into its own.

The more you listen the deeper you go with this as it takes hold. It retains moments that are captivating and engaging and in other places it repels, but on the whole it is without a doubt a very unusual and interesting listen.

8½/10

Track List:

Hardwire

Black Country

The old has to die and the new must be born

Black Milk of Morning

Theta

Members:

PH – Vocals/Harp/Xylophone

AL – Guitar/Vocals

ANGST – Electronics

Kev - Bass

Lewis Armitage - Steer me Right - 4 Track Demo - To be released 21st February 2015

Lewis Armitage

Steer Me Right

4 Track Demo

To be released 21^st February 2015

Lewis Armitage – Wakefield, W. Yorkshire

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/lewis.armitage.

Listen Here:

https://soundcloud.com/lewisarmitage/lewis-armitage-steer-me-right

Genre: Acoustic

Biography:

“Solo artist playing controversial acoustic ranging from Nirvana, Motorhead, Misfits, Johnny Cash and Everything in between!”

This is Lewis’s new demo entitled “Steer me Right!” The same name as the opening song. It is a four track demo and not what I would normally allow into my listening space, but one should give everything a chance, and look for the musicianship behind the music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkj9t-D4mXI&feature=youtu.be

In Lewis’s case, he is clearly a gifted solo artist.  His music gives off polished, warm vibes for a bit of light entertainment.

My only grouse with the acoustic genre is that it does not have the same bite as a full on electric guitar so anything acoustic for me personally seems to have that ‘fall-flat’ moment, it is just a matter of taste.

But I cannot and will not dismiss Lewis’s tracks, simply, because... I can’t play guitar! The sounds he has produced are tuneful and poignant as well as seductive in their own right.

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“Lewis has captured this perfectly on his demo and flirts with a lone guitar that inspires with melodious rhythms giving out an air of innocence!”

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The vocals are gentle and haunting and in keeping with the freshness of the tracks and indeed on the whole demo itself.

Yes, it is very mellow, it relaxes and coaxes the senses, the total opposite of metal in every sense of the word and with 333 likes, that's half the opposite of what is deemed the metal number 666!

It must be so fulfilling to be able to sit in a room and produce songs from scratch as well as imitate covers of your favorite and influential bands and then get a demo together showcasing your talents to the outside world.

Lewis has captured this perfectly on his demo and flirts with a lone guitar that inspires with melodious rhythms giving out an air of innocence.

Summary:

The wistful tunes contained on the demo are characterized by contemplative thoughts and emotions that are well-grounded.

Although, for this kind of genre it is difficult for me personally to fully immerse the senses and leave feeling satisfied, but looking at the whole picture, it is one man with a guitar and a voice like velvet that is striving for recognition like the next person.

Music is a powerful drug no matter and whatever your favorite genre, there are always things that can be taken away and learned from listening and sometimes it is nice to change tack and listen to something out of your comfort zone to fully appreciate every spectrum of music across the landscape.

7½/10

Track List:

Steer me Right,

The Kid,

Lucid Dreaming

Fiend Club (Misfits Cover)

Deadpass - AS1 - 5 Track Debut EPK - Released 27th January 2015

Deadpass

AS1

5 Track Debut EPK

Released 27th January 2015

Dead Good!

Written for Demented Magazine

Deadpass – Casper, Wyoming USA

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/DeadPassOfficial

E.P officially available worldwide on all digital download platforms..... iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon.com, CD Baby and Xbox Music.

All Artwork Designed by: Colton Krohn

Produced and recorded by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado.

Genre: Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal

L-R Gene McCrimmon, Lane Dennison, Brian Gray, Tommy Strange and Colton Spudley Krohn.

Biography:

“Deadpass are an American heavy metal band formed in January 2013. The combination of blistering riffs, gut wrenching bass tones, and powerhouse drum lines creates a unique experience that you will only find among the high plains of Wyoming. The forceful and clever vocals of Brian Gray combined with the guitar talents of Eugene McCrimmon and Colton Krohn deliver unto your brain a frenzy of emotion and pure energy. Fuelled by the monstrous beats of Tommy Strange and thick dense rhythm of Lane Dennison's bass the apocalyptic vehicle that Deadpass will have you believing you are standing in the path of an oncoming freight train. If you like tones that cut like a katana and lyrics that deliver a statement like a brick though a church window then they thoroughly encourage you to join them, and embark on this journey they call heavy-fuckin-metal.

Having airplay on Gods Forsaken Radio internet radio, ‘In the Pit’ internet radio, review from Demented Magazine. DeadPass have begun their quest of domination in the Metal Scene around the world!”

Having been influenced by the likes of Slayer, Pantera, Lamb of God, Battlecross, Machine Head, Chimaira, Acid Bath and Exodus, one can hardly imagine that they are in for a smooth ride! And who would want one? So let’s get down and dirty and head straight on over for some pure brutality in the shape of Deadpass.

Triple666

This track constantly grips and shows an imposing strength, with deep scourging vocals and edgy, invigorating twists of vital energy that smothers you in an extreme storm that blitzes the senses while still remaining melodious!

Subliminal Straitjacket

The previous track fades and almost immediately the track ‘Subliminal Straitjacket’ (great title) surfaces viciously and without mercy! The rhythmic flanks of metal don’t just graze but obliterates as it leaves a trail of utter destruction in its wake!

Blood of the Damned

Now slowing this track leaves you with a feeling of in trepidation as it snakes and winds and then bursts into a hard core massacre of mind bending riffs, although slower in pace it still delivers the goods with great harmonic content and brutal vocal onslaught.

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Deadpass are indeed ‘abusers’ of the temporal lobe and will no doubt give your senses something tasty to feast on!

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War Torn

Is highly unusual as its beginnings offer an echoey distant battering of drums that turn into a menacing blood curdling scream. The exhilaration is felt from its steely endeavours as the riffs come pouring from dextrous fingers, and a rhythm that will have more than your feet tapping and head shaking!

6 Bullets: 1 Reason

Another great title – and even more impressive intimidating and ferocious medley of tempered sounds are in abundance. It is difficult to control your head at times like this, when your body must obey what the audial implements are offering and in Deadpass’s case that is extremely raw and unadulterated metal.

Summary:

This is one striking piece of metal. It keeps you gripped all the way through its tirade. The lashings of rhythm are prevalent and foreboding with heaps of aggression, just how you would expect.

The thunderous riffs penetrate to the bone as does the harsh and solid Bass that simply holds it all together, with impacting drum beats and of course a vocal that is thrilling as it is explosive! Who could ask for more? well, 5 tracks are just a taster of what is to come with Deadpass I am pretty sure of that!

The EPK (Early Production Kit) is fuelled with emotion and potent energy that is unleashed at the start and never leaves until its end.

Deadpass are indeed ‘abusers’ of the temporal lobe and will no doubt give your senses something tasty to feast on!

Deadgood!

9/10

Track List:

Triple666

Subliminal Straitjacket

Blood of the Damned

War Torn

6 Bullets: 1 Reason

Members:

Brian (B-Grazy) Gray - Vocals

Gene (Geno) McCrimmon - Guitar

Colton (Spud) Krohn - Guitar

Lane (Badger) Dennison - Bass Guitar

Tommy (The Strange) Strange - Drums