INFERNUM LIBERUS EST
We mostly think of the larval hot bed of Portuguese metal belonging solely to dark metal giants Moonspell yet there's a glimmer of hope for newcomers Darkside of Innocence as they offer a few teasing glimpses of what could have potentially been quite a solid symphonic metal outfit. Had they decided not to release the album only via download and instead on cd format, they might have stoked up a fair amount of interest from the symphonic metal quarter. Their debut Infernum Liberus Est is at least a half decent stab in the dark at mid pace epic symphonic metal which swings wildly between the well matched, cantering guitar sections of Bloody Mistress and the syrupy wallowing epic interludes with simpering female vocals scattered throughout the album. Despite being well orchestrated these are often slapped haphazardly between skilled guitar shredding, adding little sense of climax or momentum, which is a shame; had the two elements been matched more cohesively, the final product would have sounded like the predatory offspring of Under Satanae era Moonspell and Cradle of Filth's Damnation and a Day phase . Equally disappointing is the slightly recycled riffage of A Cursed Dawn Eclipsed which has been shamelessly snatched from the aforementioned. Criticisms aside however, this is a highly original and musically sound first attempt. Let’s hope that the self professed Sophia's Heirs will get their act together soon enough.
Label Unsigned
My Space http://www.myspace.com/darksideofinnocence
ATTICS TO EDEN
The guys are certainly hitting the Kerrang / Rock Sound buyer market with their sound of pop rock punk with some new generation New Romantics of the 21st century vibe.
I'm sure Madina Lake fans wont be disapointed with 'Attics to Eden', but I would ask non Madina Lake fans to check out my personal stand out tracks.
Stand out tracks for me are 'Legends', 'Welcome to Oblivion' and 'Statistics' (although you can hear a little NIN influence with 'The Hand That Feeds' - ever so slightly though). Fans for Kill Hannah, My Passion and Serpico might dig this album.
Label Roadrunner
My Space http://www.myspace.com/madinalake
STEADLÜR
Roadrunner's press release for them states "Steadlür kick out their own intoxicating brand of rock 'n' roll ecstasy" - too effin right!
Stand outs have to be the opening track 'Poison', 'Bumpin', 'My Mom Hates Me' (haha love the lyrics), 'Its Too Late' and 'Time'.
Hell if myself and Dan Jacobs of Atreyu like 'em, then so should you :P
Label Roadrunner
My Space http://www.myspace.com/steadlur
SIXTY SIX MINUTES PAST SIX
What put a smile on my face was to hear a new edit of their all time classic (and one that corrupted my younger brother to the dark side - get your fans when they are young) Robotron! :D Evil Scarecrow is one of those bands that once seen, never forgotten - and that's a good thing! Definitely one of my fave bands.
Label Unsigned - wth?
MySpace www.myspace.com/evilscarecrowhome
SACRED MOTHER TONGUE
THE RUIN OF
MAN
Sacred Mother Tongue is an English band who is currently melting the faces off their listeners. “The Ruin of Man” is the debut album from Sacred Mother Tongue released on Transcend Records.
This album is just simply wow! I was gripped from “The End” (that’s its first track). A few other stand outs on the album would have to be “Two Thousand Eight Hundred (kick arse music video), “Talking To The Ears Of The Deaf” and “The Suffering”. They are aggressive yet melodic - the perfect metal band! Andy James’ technical guitar ability is amazing and complimented by the expressive vocals of Darrin South. Darrin expertly draws you into the story of each song, and I couldn’t wait to hear more. This is deffo a band ready to take things to the next step and hopefully this will be recognised by their passionate and entertaining live performance. Watch out for “The Ruin Of Man”, due for release in April.
Label Transcend Records
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/sacredmothertongue
MY INNER DEMON
Silverlane are a melodic and innovative power metal band from Germany. The debut album from Silverlane is titled “My Inner Demon” release date on Feb 20th 2009 by Drakkar Records.
The album has the energy of traditional power metal, but has some darker elements with the title track “My Inner Demon”. It’s refreshing to listen to a new hard rock / power metal band that just blow you away with great musicianship and powerful vocals. My favourite track from the album is “Wings Of Eternity”. Grasping the epic metal element with detailed arrangements, Silverlane capture majestic power metal without being over the top.
Fast. Explosive. Epic. METAL!
Label Drakkar
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/silverlanepowermetal
Label Drakkar
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/sikhmusic
Triumph of Tragedy
Label Drakkar
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/thedyingmusic
Travelling In Travel
Cross this band with Viking Skull, Clutch, Turbo Negro and American Band – yes that varied. What I like about this band is how they surprise you with their diversity.
“Alert” shows off their musical talent and title track 'Travelling In Travel' stands out.
The only negative thing I will say about this album is that there are a lot of fillers.
Label Drakkar
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/dysby
Gust of Rage
The opening song “Greaser One” is an explosive entry to S-core’s album, “Gust of Rage” and immediately sets the pace. The next tune to ‘score’ is “Gust of Rage” which is particularly one of my favourites from the album, along with “Buried” and “In Memoriam Fix”. With little interlude of music to prepare you for the next onslaught, it blows your mind and will certainly get you going in a pit. On listening to the music and reading the lyrics, everything is thought out and planned to create pit anthem masterpieces. Throughout, it’s a mixture of heavy pounding riffs and beats with scream vocals to create an essential Gust of Rage within you.
Label Drakkar
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/scorepower
Captain Anstis are a four piece hardcore metal band from Carlisle, England, formed in 2007. With their name originating from the legendary pirate Thomas Anstis, this was the foundation on what to play and how to play it – “It’s what would have happened if you gave 18th century pirates on galleons electric guitars” – taken from their website.
Their debut EP titled “Good Fortune” (which was also the name of Captain Thomas Anstis’ pretty boat…ship) shows a good grounding of gritty guitar sounds, heavy pounding drums with hardcore vocals. From the start to the end of the EP, it’s a non-stop overview of what the buccaneers are about. Stand out tracks would have to be the crowd favourite “Ice Breaker” or “The Ice Breaker Session”. A music video is planned for the near future. The EP production quality isn’t that brill, but it’s a DIY-er, and for a new band on the scene it’s not bad. I think they have a promising future, and my only advice is to take no prisoners and give nothing back…and play loud.
Label Unsigned
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/captainanstis
FULL MOON DOG
Label Unsigned
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/asomvel
SCHULDIG
Whilst German isn’t my second language, in short, I really enjoyed listening to this album, proving music is the language of the world.
Label Drakkar
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/letzteinstanz
DARK HOURS
Label Blistering Records
EP
Label Unsigned
MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/morphrock
Hellfire Review- Sunday 8th November
NO MADE SENSE - The name says it all really. When these guys emerged on stage resplendent in suits, polished brogues and each sporting a cocky little smirk we were in for a messy ride. Aside from sounding like the spazzed out, trippy offspring of Meshuggah time signatures meets Cult of Luna with a few Faith No More bass guitar sections thrown in for good measure these guys could offer us very little entertainment. Twenty minutes later it’s no surprise that the lead guitarist Leonardo's characteristic side crab walk is attracting far more attention than the sonic trash he's creating.
Throwing a good dose of despair on the night's proceedings are KATATONIA who take to the main stage with Ghost of the Sun. Thankfully this is looking considerably better than their sterile Bloodstock performance, during which Renske's vocals became progressively flatter. A darkened room and a more intimate venue help to drag us closer into the desired web of melancholy, yet it seems a crying shame that the grave masses aren't fed any of the crushing doom from Brave Murder Day or Dance of December Souls. Still, we are treated to Forsaken off Night Is The New Day, a brooding slice of post rock that picks up where The Great Cold Distance left off.
There's nothing more we need after a sonic dirge than some slap up, Rob Zombie inspired glam rock in the shape of SPIT LIKE THIS - Unfortunately their cock rock performance is energised only marginally as all three hop skip and chase each other with a tambourine. As the trio's efforts sag desperately into base pantomime, let alone a credible Wednesday 13 rip off its time to slouch off to the main stage in anticipation of ANATHEMA. Watching them perform Sleepless I'm suddenly reminded of why Britain and doom are so inseparable: the introspective, brooding sentiment that stipulates us to drink tea and indulge in pessimistic moaning is brought to life with a delicately heartfelt musicality. This is possibly one of the most involved performances of the night, bettered only by Fields of The Nephilim.
Thrashing next on the Terrorizer stage like a nest of fledgling scorpions are CINDERS FALL who finally kick us into gear after some extensive sound checks. They instantly grab us by the balls (and tits) with a ferociously tight hybrid of metal core and technical thrash. For a band recently birthed from lovable Essex they show considerable panache: singer Antony's performance is fuelled with violent passion on a par with Randy Blythe. At the question of Thrash metal?!! they dive energetically into a surge of eardrum splicing tech-thrash that all at once puts Municipal Waste's fondly named 'party t(h)rash' to shame and tears it way to the front of the pack amongst the likes of The Setup and Devildriver.
Champing at the bit next are our Italian Anglo Mafioso ABGOTT, clearly less than impressed by their clinically officious stage set, poor bastards. True to their reputation however they drag us out office boredom and into a blood-crazed frenzy with Kronos Cosmic Throne and slabs of progressive 70s inspired Black Metal from Godfather In Black. The crowd offer a snort of derision as drummer Morgwar dismisses the provided drum kit as 'fisher price'.
The emerging sea of cowboy hat clad, starry eyed goths at the main stage can only mean the onstage arrival of the mighty FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM, replete with grave dust, Stetsons and icy eyed nonchalance. There's no room here for anything but mysterious austerity here as the stonily indifferent McCoy and co duly feed the squirming masses Moonchild, and Straight to the Light amongst a host of other mist slathered nut crackers. Evidently, this is enough for the gathered goth cloud to leave the reputed armpit of the UK for home in a dust filled reverie.