A Mid-Week Feast Of New Music For Your Delectation.

De La Tierra

That this sounds something like a cross between latter-day Sepultura, Ill Nino and the slightly obscure "No Coração Dos Deuses" soundtrack, shouldn't come as a big surprise as this group features none other than Mr Andreas Kisser on guitar / vocals. This is essentially Modern / Groove Metal with a Hispanic twist and is a pretty decent album. Saying that though, there isn't much variation here and this record may struggle to hold your attention. Also at back of your mind night be that niggling feeling that you've heard this done before. Better. A decade ago. It is still well worth a listen for fans of Sepultura, Soulfly and Ill Nino. Oh, and it is, rather unsurprisingly, released through Roadrunner Records. If this combination doesn't sound appealing to you, then it's probably best to give this a wide berth.

Edguy

Another week, another Power Metal band. As I have previously mentioned, this sub genre isn't generally my cup of cake, but I listened to what some of you said about the lack of Power Metal on this 'ere blog. So, here you go, a new song from Tobias Sammet and crew. And shock, horror, this isn't too bad. I really find myself drawn to the artwork more than anything else. Not your typical Power Metal fare, it is more reminiscent of bands like Yes, Asia, Magnum and even Praying Mantis. This album is also thematically atypical for the genre, being more based in Sci-Fi than in wizards, goblins and suchlike. But is it any good (I hear you say)? Actually, yes. It is. Edguy have seemingly become bored with following conventions as this is more in Trad / Heavy Metal territory  - high pitched vocals aside - with some crunchy guitars and more than a few Saxon / Maiden-esque moments. That's not to say that it doesn't sail adrift on the seas of cheese on occasion, but that is only to be expected. If you are already a fan of Edguy, this can't fail to please and if you're not, I'd recommend giving it a chance.

Killer Be Killed

Ah, that dreaded compound word, "Supergroup". As we are all very much aware, Supergroups cover the whole spectrum from the good (Down), the bad (Hellyeah) and the not bad (Adrenaline Mob), but more often than not they are less than the sum of their parts and are just vanity projects. So, where do Killer Be Killed come on the scale? Well, the band features key members of such illustrious acts as Soulfly (Max Cavalera), Dillinger Escape Plan (Greg Puciato), Mastodon (Troy Sanders) and The Mars Volta (Dave Elitch), so it can't fail. Can it? Of course not. Musically it's all over the place, ranging from Punk, Thrash and Hardcore through to Doom and Alternative, but they manage to pull it off with style. Personally, I think this is just brilliant! Judge for yourself.

Insomnium

Finnish Melodic Death Metal legends, Insomnium return with their sixth album and it's business as usual. Technically, this is standard Insomnium fare, but in truth, the word "standard" doesn't really apply to this band. Although it is typically cold, precise and Finnish in its sound - and therefore an acquired taste - you can't really go wrong when you write songs as good as this. If the likes of Amorphis, Before The Dawn, Ghost Brigade, Omnuim Gatherum and the likes feature in your record collection, you already know that you are going to enjoy this collection of songs and it  should be as welcome as enjoying a pint in the pub with an old friend.

Menace

Menace is a side-project of Napalm Death's Mitch Harris. That's the factual statement out of the way, as that really is completely irrelevant. This has absolutely nothing in common with his day job and with its string arrangements, vocal harmonies and sugary melodies, this band has delivered an album closer in sound to the ethereal, other-wordly Prog Rock stylings of Crosses, Anathema and Ascension Of The Watchers. 

Weekly Round-Up: 18th April 2014 (Part 1)

Due to the overwhelming volume of new music this week, not to mention the backlog I have, there will be a second post sometime during the weekend. The 5 new releases below should be more than enough to satisfy your little ears for the time being, though.

The Oath

What is it about German duos this year? First we had the amazing, Mantar and now I give to you, The Oath. That this is the band's debut album is unreal. Ok, to be fair, even though the band is based in Berlin, one of the two members, Linnéa Olsson, is a Swede. Pedantry aside, I'm expecting (even) great(er) things from these ladies in the future. Add this to your "names to watch" list...if you've got one. Which you probably haven't. The band plays a very authentic sounding take on Doom / Trad Metal, not a million miles away from the likes of Pentagram, Black Sabbath and Witchfinder General. If this had been released in the so-called golden age of the '80s it is likely that it would be held in reverence by the long-haired masses. As it is, it's likely to go un-noticed by most people. Which is a shame as this is top quality stuff.

Combichrist

With its pounding electronic beats, crushing guitar riffs and tribal / martial drumming topped off with the tortured rasp of vocalist, Andy LaPlegua, Combichrist's latest (and greatest?) album will almost certainly appeal to fans of the likes of Ministry, KMFDM, Skinny Puppy, Laibach and even Deathstars. But if you are a fan of the genre, it is very likely that you are already familiar with the band. Whereas the first few tracks are exactly the sort of dancefloor-filling Industrial stompers you have come to expect from Combichrist, the melancholy "Evil In Me", comes across as a  Monster Magnet / Marilyn Manson hybrid and "Love Is A Razorblade" is weirdly reminiscent of "Kill Fuck Die" era W.A.S.P. Overall though, Industrial junkies will enjoy the varied collection of songs that make up the oddly-titled, "We Love You".

Sebastian Bach

Bach is back (ahem)! After the full on hard-rocking excellence of his 2007 "Angel Down" album, I was left a bit cold by the slightly lacklustre "Kicking & Screaming", which not only lacked the punch and songs of its predecessor, but also found Seb on weak form, vocally. Thankfully, it seems as if that was merely a bump in the road. "Give 'Em Hell" kicks off with the brilliant "Hell Inside My Head", with its stomping riff and catchier than Pokemon chorus and carries on from there with song after song of the type of the groove-laden, Grunge-tinged Rock that has made up the latter part of Seb's career. Another great release from a man who is not only a bonafide legend, but also one of Rock's greatest vocal talents. All hail King Bach. Long may he reign.

Twilight

Sadly, the Black Metal "supergroup" - now oddly featuring Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore in its ranks - has said that this will be the final album the band will release - but on a positive note, they have no intention of going quietly. Unlike the teen film franchise with which they unfortunately share a name, there is nothing syrupy, sweet or remotely mainstream about this band. Instead, this is the harrowing, horrific soundtrack to your worst nightmares.Twilight's lumbering, dynamic Black Metal is as dark and brooding as it is ferocious and is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Gravehill

Think Venom, (vintage) Sepultura, Motörhead and Darkthrone in the jam room and you won't be far off the mark. There is nothing sophisticated about this primitive, yet satisfying, Punk-fuelled, Blackened Death Thrash, but neither is there supposed to be. The guitars wail, the drums pound rhythmically and you can almost hear the vocal chords tearing. Brutal, yet strangely catchy. In your face nastiness is the order of the day here - and there is a beauty to be found in this foul sonic ugliness.

Weekly Round-up: 12th April 2014

Alfahanne

With lyrics in their native Swedish and their odd Post Black Metal meets Indie Rock musical style, Alfahanne are certainly, at first, a bit of an oddity and won't be to everyone's taste. Once you get used to what the band are doing, however, then it is like an epiphany. This is something fresh, interesting and genuinely exciting. That this, the band's debut album no less, features guest vocal contributions from 3 of the leading names in subterranean Black Metal - namely Niklas Kvarforth (Shining (SWE)), Hoest (Taake) and  V'gandr (Helheim) - speaks volumes about the waves this band are making and the quality of their music. There is definitely something a little special going on in the Scandinavian underground right now with the likes of Alfahanne and Beastmilk throwing down the gauntlet with some gorgeous harmonies, catchy songs and tight musicianship. If you're the sort who is open to something a little different, then I can't recommend this highly enough.

Enthroned

Belgium's blackest sons, Enthroned continue on their dark path on album number 10. But this time, something seems to be a little different. They didn't tear out of the blocks at 100 miles per hour with pounding drums and shrieking vocals. This time, they opted to lure in the listener, first with the prerequisite intro and them with a slow to mid-paced start to the first proper song "Sine Qua Non". In fact, it isn't until about 2 minutes in where the "old", familiar Enthroned sound raises its ugly head, but when it does the pace really picks up. This is a far more varied an album than I have heard from Enthroned before and it really works. Mid-placed chugging riffs more akin to Dimmu Borgir are the order of the day here. Yes, they have slowed down, but have lost none of the groove that makes them so special. A true stand-out band in the Black Metal scene and one that seems to be getting better and better as the years roll on.

Black Label Society

I have to admit that I've never really "got" BLS. They always seemed to be really over-rated due to Zakk Wylde's association with the Double-O. Yes, they have had the odd good song here and there, but for the most part it has just been a dull, mid-paced Grunge meets Skynyrd dirge with a distinct lack of discernible songs. So, has this new album changed my opinion? In a word, no. That isn't to say that this is a bad album - fans of Alice In Chains and the likes might find something of interest here - it's just that it suffers from the same tedious lack of songs and imagination. Shame.

Devil You Know

Following his departure from Killswitch Engage, Howard Jones was much maligned by the Metal world. In much the same way as hapless ex-Maiden frontman, Blaze Bayley, before him, he was given far more than his fair share of the blame for the last couple of lacklustre albums released by the band. It is easy to forget though, that it was Howard and not Jesse, who fronted the band for their most commercially successful period. He left the band for health reasons. That and a hectic tour schedule. Anyway, all that is (recent) history. Howard makes his long overdue return with his new band, Devil You Know (a "supergroup" of sorts) and it is a real corker. Rather unsurprisingly, the band has a predominantly Metalcore sound - let's face it, Howard's voice is perfect for this type of music - but they have given the tired sub-genre a bit of a shot in the arm with this, their debut release. There is a clear Divine Heresy / Fear Factory influence to the drumming, courtesy of John Gerard Sankey (who has played with both bands) and I picked up on something of a Medication vibe about it in places, which was surprising...until I found out that this album was produced by the one and only, Logan Mader. Overall, this is unlikely to change your life, but it is well worth a listen.

Tuomas Holopainen

Prog Rock has always had a predilection for the overblown and ridiculous, but Mr Holopainen has managed to plumb all new depths of ludicrousness with his new project "The Life And Times Of Scrooge". Now, if this was a concept album based on the (in)famous Dickens character, this would be grounds for a bit of a snigger. As it is, this is actually a concept album based on the, ahem, story of one Scrooge McDuck. Yes, you read that right and no, this is NOT a late April Fool's joke. This album really exists in all of its dubious "glory". Musically, this can't really be faulted. It has all of the hallmarks of Tuomas' day job, Nightwish and for that reason, has a definite charm. I'm just not sure I can forgive the subject matter. Could this become a guilty pleasure? Make of this what you will.

Sonata Arctica

I don't usually listen to Power Metal as a rule. I can tolerate bands such as Manowar, Dream Evil, Firewind and Falconer, but to be brutally honest, I find Power Metal on the whole, to be cheesy, embarrassing and totally undeserving of the word "Metal". At best, it's Hard Rock, but even that's pushing it, in my opinion. Yes, it's catchy and has a melody, but so are the likes of Pink and Justin Trousersnake, so that doesn't mean a whole lot to me. Sadly, Sonata Arctica's latest release hasn't changed my opinion (despite receiving glowing reviews) at all. You already know what this sounds like. Power Metal hasn't progressed at all over the past couple of decades and you've heard this before. Many times. It's nondescript and boring. I switched it off at the second song. If you are still reading this (why?), then maybe you have a passing interest in this band, so here's the first "single" from the album.

Triptykon - Melana Chasmata review

Band: Triptykon
Album: Melana Chasmata
Label: Century Media
Genre: Gothic / Doom
Country: Switzerland
Release Date: 14th April 2014

As the mastermind behind one of Metal's most respected and influential bands, Celtic Frost, as well as Hellhammer and Apollyon Sun, Tom G Fischer should be a name that is familiar to anyone with even a passing interest in Metal. The man is a true visionary - an enigmatic character, who is constantly pushing the boundaries and always moving forward, while managing to retain a unique and recognisable style.

Just his voice alone and especially the, now infamous, "death grunt" has inspired and influenced just about every Extreme Metal act to come after Celtic Frost. That's before we even start on his music. Ever-changing, developing and growing, Celtic Frost were pioneers, showing that you don't have to adhere to any strict rules to be considered heavy and to make an impact. After the inevitable, and likely permanent, demise of Celtic Frost in 2008, Tom returned to the fray with the awe-inspiring Triptykon. Essentially continuing right where he left off, Triptykon's stunning 2010 debut, "Eparistera Daimones" was every bit the natural successor to Celtic Frost's final album, "Monotheist".

Now, here we are in 2014 and the band has finally released its sophomore album "Melana Chasmata" and, of course, it is every bit as epic, dark, sorrowful and beautiful as you would expect and could ever want it to be. Triptykon prove, once again, that Metal doesn't need to be fast and brutal to be heavy. Don't worry though, there are riffs aplenty to be found here are they are so crushingly slow and stiflingly oppressive that it almost feels as if Triptykon are deliberately trying to wear you down and beat you into submission with each and every song. Every element - be it female vocals, acoustic passages, guitar effects or even THAT aforementioned "death grunt" - is cleverly and subtly utilised to maximum effect. Less is more is something that Tom clearly understands completely. Every song is expertly written and arranged, making "Malana Chasmata" as close to musical perfection as I've ever heard and, so far at least, the crowning achievement in one man's long and (mainly) successful career.

It really is astonishing, that at 50 years of age, Thomas Gabriel Fischer has once again redefined what it means to be extreme. Essential listening for all fans of heavy music and a new contender for album of 2014.

Total Playing Time: 67:22

Overall: 10/10

Tracklist:

Tree Of Suffocating Souls
Boleskine House
Altar Of Deceit
Breathing
Aurorae
Demon Pact
In The Sleep Of Death
Black Snow
Waiting

Official Webpage: http://www.triptykon.net

Round-Up: 5th April 2014

I'm not even going to have the gall to call this a weekly round-up as I haven't posted on here for nearly 2 weeks. Instead, think of it as a bit of a catch-up post. A bit of a mixed bag this week, with Melodic Gothic Doom rubbing shoulders with sublime Pop and classic Heavy Metal throwing down with a band of lunatic Norwegian trolls. Sound interesting? Well, read on....

Siegewyrm

I came across this band a few weeks back and wasn't really very excited about the prospect of yet another Melodic Death Metal act from the US playing a sub-standard version of the Gothenburg sound...well, once I managed to get past my initial reservations and actually play this album, I got a bit of a surprise. What these chaps play is actually more akin to (very) early Paradise Lost meets Kalmah....and it really is rather good. I know record labels aren't as important as they once were, what with the likes of Bandcamp, Soundcloud et al, but I am still surprised that this band is unsigned / independent. They definitely deserve to be heard by a larger audience.

Gamma Ray

Do you like latter-day Iron Maiden? Of course you do. Well,  it would appear that these German veterans do too. Even though the Maiden / Priest influences occasionally border on plagiarism - opener "Avalon" being more than a little reminiscent of "Dream Of Mirrors" for example - the new Gamma Ray album is an exhilarating ride -  filled with catchy hooks, quality song writing and more than its fair share of tunage. Sometimes I get so obsessed with the idea of hearing something fresh and new, that I forget how good the refreshing passion and honesty of good old fashioned, straight to the point Heavy Metal can be.

Anette Olzon

After her spectacularly unceremonious sacking from Nightwish, Miss Olzon retreated into the shadows, refused to be drawn into a slanging match and set about plotting her return...and here it is. I have to admit, I was expecting something along the lines of Nightwish-lite from this young lady. Instead, it would appear that Anette has drawn more from her pre-Nightwish work with Alyson Avenue and has delivered the sort of Pop Rock record that is far more suited to her particular vocal style. I would definitely say that this was a shrewd move. "Shine" might not be what people were expecting, but it's hard to deny the sublime beauty of tracks such as "Floating".

Trollfest

I posted a song by these chaps on my FB page recently to pretty much overwhelming apathy, which is a real shame as TrollfesT are one of the most energetic, inventive and frankly, manic, bands the Folk Metal scene has to offer. Think Finntroll turned up to 11 with Eastern influences....and brass instruments. To be fair, trying to describe these guys is - to paraphrase Anthrax - like clapping with one hand. Hold that thought and click on the link below. Pure genius.

Lacuna Coil

I heard the song "Die And Rise" from this album a few weeks back and I was very quick to lament that it sounded a bit Nu Metal and that I was concerned about the forthcoming album. Well, I am very pleased to report that my, admittedly shameful, knee-jerk reaction was premature and unfair. This is actually a superb record. I won't say it's classic Lacuna Coil, because it isn't. It isn't inasmuch as they don't feel the need to stay firmly lodged in one particular time-period or style and yet again, have pushed their sound forward, while managing to maintain their individuality and distinctive edge. Everything you want from LC is here - The vocal harmonies, Gothic Metal riffs, big songs with even bigger choruses and THAT angelic voice. Very possibly the best album of this band's career.