Nangilima - The Dark Matter (CD Review)

01.Chemin Vers Le Neant
02.Stain Of A Broken Life
03.Crimson Shroud
04.The Link Of Reminiscence
05.The Dark Matter
06.Éternel Sommeil


Emilio (Vocals)
Nikolay (Guitar/Bass/Keyboards)
Khalvst Ov Mhurn (Keyboards/Drums)

Swedish doom band founded in January 2013 by Emilio (Ov Mhurn) and former member C.L (Eskapi).

'The Dark Matter' is their first album and is a concept based on a man who has learned that in a years time, he will no longer be around on this earth.
Heavily overwhelmed, he embarks on a mental journey, facing so many emotions that invade and corrode him. The album will go through four stages of emotion: Sorrow, rage, reminiscence, and finally, acceptance.

Starting with a piano driven, almost classical opening we then get four long well executed slabs of symphonic doom, the emphasis being on the symphonic, lots of beautiful keyboards and synths and some great guitar playing, not your ususal doom laden heavy drums and powerchord stuff, sure the vocals are the gruff style you tend to get these days, but overall it all creates a huge sound.
The final piece returns to the straight keyboard classical sound.

Rating 8/10
For fans of: November's Doom, Swallow the Sun, Saturnus, Grey Skies Fallen.

Fleshworld, Gazers, Viscera - 3 Way Split (CD Review)

01.Fleshworld - Krąg                                               

02.Fleshworld - Petla

03.Fleshworld - Rezygnacja

04.Gazers - Rash

05.Gazers - The Decline

06.Gazers - Epilogue

07.Viscera/// - Versus

08.Viscera/// - Nobody's Diary

Unquiet Records present a unique limited edition (300 copies) 3 way split cd, each disc is handmade and comes in a special canvas sleeve, the label like to focus on werid, dark and heavy music.

Up first is Fleshworld, they are a "post-metal" band from Poland formed in 2010.

'Krag' may have shouty vocals, but the music is quite progressive and the use of a spoken sample works well.

'Petla' has a very quiet start before a huge bassline kicks in over the drums, the song remains rhythmic, only the overly agresssive vocals fit their chosen genre.

Guest vocals on 'Rezygnacja' by Alex and Victor from The Moth Gatherer means we get 3 people shouting over 9 minutes of slow, rhythmic and well executed music.

RATING 7/10

Next come Gazers the "post-hardcore/Screamo" band from France formed in 2012.

3 tracks of utter rubbish, pointless timing changes and endless screaming, no melody, no thought, just a noise.

RATING 1/10

Viscera/// describe themselves as "Psychedelic metal" and hail from Italy and formed way back in 2000.

'Versus' sounds more like a black metal song than "psychedelic", at times its slow and doom laden funeral doom over an evil sounding vocal, add to this blast beats and heavy riffs.

'Nobodys Diary' is a cover of a song by Yazoo, while the music is more mainstream and has a clean vocal to start with it then moves into the same black metal style, awesome!

RATING 9/10

OVERALL RATING 8/10

For Fans Of: Isis, Envy, Norma Jean, Neurosis, Converge, Deathspell Omega

Record Label: http://www.unquietrecords.com/

2014 Review

Been a good year for music, nice to see Slipknot back (Though yet to hear the album!), mind you have yet to hear the new At the Gates as well.

In terms of reviews this year been well over 100 sent to me, the best since 2009.

So here is my top ten albums and one EP.

01.TRIPTYKON

02.INFESTUM

03.WEAPON (UK)

04.ADMIRAL SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL

05.NECROPOLI

06.AMULET

07.ALBEZ DUZ

08.aAND?

09.NIGHTMARE

10.SATURN

And the EP is                                                   KEMAKIL

Music videos, not been that many this year that have made much impact on me, but a couple do stand out.

Tales From The Attic - Another Fairytale (CD Review)

01.The Chills
02.Trashy
03.Baby Gone Wild
04.When You Realise
05.Dearest Child
06.Another Fairytale


Christian 'Hank' Van Alstine (Guitar)
Simon Laursen (Guitar)
Jesper Wennevold (Bass)
Frederik Weile (Drums)
Emily Stavis (Vocals)

Tales from the Attic are a Danish rock band formed in 2010 originally called ‘Coffee Jam’.
Then the band started to develop a lot and now make its own tales and music. The sound is influenced by various genres of rock music due to the different musical styles of the band members, and together they balance between hard and soft, raw and sweet.

'The Chills' starts with some feedback then this odd little riff, when the rest of the band join in the song starts to take shape, a nice simple little pop rock song with a quirky vocal, but as the song progresses it starts to build up speed and turns into a great rock song, some great raw drumming really drives this along.

A different sound for 'Trashy' with its old school rock n roll drumming mixed with a modern punk vibe, song ends with a riff heavy over the top guitar solo.

'Baby Gone Wild' could almost be a mid 1970's heavy blues song, but this one keeps it feet well and truely in the now.

Strange but catchy vocal sounds give this song 'When You Realise' a real edge, the song itself is borderline modern symphonic rock, but somehow manages to have an indie/alt feel at the same time.

I do so hate soft rock ballads, so this one is not looking good at the moment, 'Dearest Child' is typical of the song genre, slow guitar, heart felt vocals and laid back drumming and yep three minutes in comes the epic guitar solo and then its back to the same to the end.

But seems the best is saved for last with 'Another Fairytale', full on hard rock, solid vocals, furious drumming and riffing all held together by a hard bass line, throw in another guitar solo and we end on a high.


Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: In This Moment, Oath, Gasoline Thrill, Auf Der Maur, Theatre Of Tragedy

Slup - Dramatorgie (CD Review)

01.Kamasutra Prasat
02.Prst v klade
03.Stetka A Nater
04.Co Nekvete, To Nas Nesmete
05.S Mrtvolou V Mrazaku
06.Hoven Se Nezbavis
07.Dramatorgie
08.Mara Vyjezd
09.Husi Kuzicka
10.Nemel Sracky
11.Viva Lila
12.Chumeli krev Holubi
13.Jen Zeny.cz

Jony (Drums)
Mira (vocals)
Mara (Guitar)

Second CD for the guttural groovy goregrind band from Czech Republic, with members from High Purity & ex. Mincing Fury.

Strange start for the first song with almost techno dance rhythms being knocked out, then of course the grind crashes in with its combination of blast beats, death grunts and slightly slower bits, all with a definate groove!

Next song is more in the thrash/groove style with some pig squeals thrown in.
Number three, is slower paced, almost crust/doom in delivery, after that its back to the grind!

Right so not a lot to say here really, apart from i dont understand the song titles and its sung in their native tongue, but the vibe is right so that dont matter, if this is your kinda thing then add this one to your collection.


Rating 7/10
For fans of:DEOAG, Spasm, Jig-Ai, Anal Cunt, Gut

Premortal Breath - They (CD Review)

01.Your Ruin
02.Into The Light
03.Fuck My Brain
04.Pain
05.They
06.Pleasure
07.Trapped
08.Bloody Baby Shower

Thomas Pettrich (Drums)
Sebastian Herbold (Guitar)
Tobias Eymer (Guitar)
Dominik Eymer (Bass)
Thomas Greulich (Vocals)

Formed in Germany in 2010 Tommy and Potti, they wanted to start a fresh-sounding, heavy, yet melodic metal band and the idea of Premortal Breath was born.

Still missing guitarists and a bassist, the two started their quest for fellow musicians. A first line-up was complemented by Armin (guitar) and Tobias (bass) and started working on new songs right away. In October 2010 the bunch entered the Beat-House Studio in Rauenberg/Germany where they recorded two of their songs (Mind over matter/Your ruin).

Still lacking a second guitarist Tobias switched from bass to guitar, a wise decision, as shortly after guitarist Armin left the band due to personal issues. Luckily a new bassist was found quite easily in Sebastian. Without intermission they continued to rehearse and push their songwriting, while looking for a second guitarist. Innumerable, fruitless auditions later guitarist David joined the band, being the missing piece. But shortly after the bands line-up changed once again, David left the band to pursue his own musical ideas.
The band being fed up with auditions Sebastian stepped up to the challenge and filled in as second guitarist. Recruiting a bassist was kind of a no-brainer, as first applicant Dominik convincedon all levels.
In 2014 they recorded this debut album in the “Logischdenker” recording studio that also mixed and mastered the songs.

'Your Ruin' kicks off with a mid paced almost sludgey sounding, thrash influenced, song.
Vocals are a tad harsh in places but they carry the song well enough.

A slightly more melodic guitar sound leads us 'Into The Light', excellent raw bass sound cuts through the mix well, nice solid drums hold it all together and the vocals are a good blend of harsh and melodic.

You know for some reason musicaly this next song, 'Fuck My Brain' reminds me of those early bay area thrash bands, this one has some heavy as hell riffs lurking, yet the whole song retains a great overall melodic feel and as the song ends it has some great headbanging thrash sounds.

'Pain' is quite a straight forward song, but then 'They' ups the level again, starts with some jazzy intro then moves into a more thrash sound, throw in a couple of timing changes and a big melodic chorus and another outstanding track.

'Pleasure' is a mid tempo rocker, good dual vocal delivery works well.The only thing missing from this song was a guitar solo, felt this one could have done with that.

Nice opening guitar and bass could be leading 'Trapped' into a heavy ballad perhaps?
Well no, but this one anages to stay heavy without adding any real speed, so sort of slow and melodic, but heavy and with a great catchy riff running throughout.

Finally 'Bloody Baby Shower', with a title like that might expect a little grindcore, didn't get it but that said this one is a very heavy almost technical metal sounding drum driven piece, one thing though the sample of the baby crying sounding like a lamb!

Rating 8/10
For fans of: Head On, Viking Skull, Hatebreed, Chimera, Lamb Of God

Atrum Tempestas - Neant (CD Review)

01.Quitter Ceux qui Etaient Deja Partis
02.S'eclipser
03.Et Apres...Le Neant


Perttunen (Vocals/Instruments)
Kylmäaho (Vocals/Instruments)

Finnish duo formed the band in 2007 to create atmospheric black metal, Perttunen is also vocalist with another Finnish band 'Catamenia'

'Quitter Ceux qui Etaient Deja Partis' certainly has a mix of styles, starting with some near gothic guitar playing over a solid slow drum beat, it then changes to a much more melodic and laid back piece, then a bit of doom and then finally its all mixed together for some more obvious black metal complete with growl vocals.

Track two is 'S'eclipser' is more slow funeral doom than black metal, when not doing the growl vocal the clean vocal is borderline old school goth style.
When the music picks up a little speed it definatley gets that Triptykon vibe going.

Finally 'Et Apres...Le Neant' on this all too short album (should have been billed as an EP??).Pretty much same as before almost typical of the genre, cant help but think that with 11 minutes you could do more.

Rating 6/10
For fans of: Wolves In The Throne Room, Triptykon, Alcest

Humiliation - Battalion (CD Review)

01.The Malayan Emergency
02.Post Aftermath
03.Liberated Area
04.No Land Rights To Speak Of
05.The Killing Campaign
06.Overthrow
07.Alliance
08.War Path
09.Undefeated
10.Baling Talks
11.Restless Fight


Bear Bee (Vocals)
Mudon (Drums)
Afe (Bass)
Asraf (Guitar)
Matt (Guitar)

Formed in may 2009 and based in Kuala Lumpur and play Old Skool Death Metal that is influenced by bands such as Benediction and Bolt Thrower.

In November 2009 they released their first EP “Face The Disaster” a year later they released the album “Dawn Of Warfare”.

After playing a few gigs before they got an offer to release a vinyl EP "Brink Of Defeat" while waiting for it's release they entered the studio one more time in March 2011 to start work on their second album, later released as "Seek To Survive".

After some line up changes and more gigs a thrid album was released called "From Strength To Strength".

Opening track is an intro, so i will ignore that and get straight to the sngs.
What we have is ten solid metal songs, to my ears its more chugging thrash metal with death metal vocals, than the overall old school death metal i was expecting.

Lots of rhythmic pounding drums and riffs, certainly elements of early death metal and not the frantic modern style.

Its okay, but nothing to get over excited about.

Rating 7/10
For fans of: Bolt Thrower, Benediction, Morbid Angel, Deicide

Infestum - Monuments Of Exalted (CD Review)

01.Void Of Nebulae
02.Ordo Infestum
03.Iron Hammer Upon The Skull Of Slave
04.Temple Of Mirrors
05.The Art Of The Beast
06.The Evil One
07.Zero Beyond
08.Obsidian Exile
09.Renaissance
10.Monuments Of Exalted

Bonus Tracks
11.Renaissance (Displacer Remix)
12.Renaissance (Sunao Inami Remix)


Ion The Saint (Vocals)
Wrathtodd (Guitars/Keyboards)
Werwolfe (Bass)
Forneus (Drums)

Guest:
Mono Son (Piano on tracks 5 and 6)

Infestum was formed in Belarus in June 2000 by Grond as drummer and Skald as guitarist. Afterwards, Ion joined on vocals and Thorngrim joined on bass. With this line-up, Infestum started to create their music in the style of Mayhem, Venom, and Bathory.

In spring 2001 they started to play concerts actively. But in October the same year, Grond got injured and was not able to play in the band anymore. He was replaced by Burglar, who played in Morbid Victory at that time.

They then recorded a full-length album, which was called "Last Day Before the Endless Night".

In 2003 they started work on a new album "Ta Natas", eventually released in 2007 just as Skald left the band.By 2009 A\Vesh and Burglar left the band.
Guitarist Wrathtodd, a friend of the band, joined and later Forneus replaced Grond.
In 2010 they released the internet single "Void of Nebulae" and later the EP "Renaissance".

Okay i was not expecting this at all!
'Void Of Nebulae' starts with a quiet synth and then blasts into some of the best industrial black metal i have heard for years, the synth sound is just fucking awesome, the whole song is driven by some stunning and powerful drumming, riffs and some deathly screams.

‘Ordo Infestum’ contains lyrics contains some excerpts from of ‘Liber Novus’ book (‘The Incantations’ Chapter) also known as ‘The Red Book’, written by Carl Gustav Jung.
Another synth start into more of the same except this one is a little slower and darker in delivery.

Again some great use of keyboards with 'Iron Hammer Upon The Skull Of Slave' then comes 'Temple Of Mirrors' a slower almost gothic metal song.
A pounding stop/start style of drums, powerchord driven and simple keyboards, another stunning track!

'The Art Of The Beast' is just a 2 minute piano instrumental, surprisingly atmospheric, the piano sound is then carried through to quite an unexpected cover version of Venom's 'Evil One', proving that Venom's agressive style can be turned into near symphonic black metal when in the hands of talented musicians.

Up next is 'Zero Beyond' with an opening spoken sample then all hell is let loose with a full on drum lead onslaught!

The pace slows with 'Obsidian Exile' a dark and brooding near doom song until the speed picks up towards the end.

With some weird synth playing comes 'Renaissance', a "Dimmu" styled song, again with some great keyboard work in the mix.

The final track is ‘Monuments of Exalted’ lyrics are drawn from ‘Thus spoke Zarathustra’ book written by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche.
Another near doom delivery laden with furious double pedal work and melodic keyboards.

Now to the bonus tracks, two versions of 'Renaissance', the first one is the 'Displacer Remix' very typical of Industrial remixes full of drum machines and synth pulses, with elements of the original song still intact.
The next remix is 'Sunao Inami', more akin to the EDM style of Skrillex and quite ambient but has nothing in common with the original version at all, more glo-sticks than headbanging.


Rating 10/10
For fans of: Dimmu Borgir, Aborym, Blut Aus Nord

Astrakhan - A Tapestry Of Scabs And Skin EP (Review)

01.Cupids Fist
02.Blinded By The Diamond Planet
03.Rest In Depths
04.The Pillarist


Dustan Toth (Vocals/Bass)
Adam Young (Guitar)
Rob Zawistowski (Vocals/Guitar)
Jerome Brewer (Drums)

Formed in 2012 in Vancouver, this riff-laden quartet are offering up a limited edition 12" vinyl four track EP to end their year with a bang.

Featuring two tracks that were previously release as a digital EP, they've also added two brand new, never released, tracks to make up the A Tapestry of Scabs and Skin EP. Recorded with producer Jesse Gander (3 Inches of Blood) in two sessions totalling eight days, the results are, say the band, "doomy, pyschedelic, sludgey and progressive".

Quite an intresting little Ep, a mix of styles that seem to justify their comment about it's sound and influence.
Great vocals roar out over a solid wall of sound, full of excellent guitar riffs and pounding drums.

Whilst the opening track has a commercial feel of say early Queens Of the Stone Age, the next one 'Blinded By The Diamond Planet' with its clever timing changes has modern progressive influences like those of Mastodon.
'Rest In Depths' has that doom/sludge feel, some great bass playing holds this one together and some pretty heavy riffs lurk in the mix.
For 'The Pillarist' just add a touch of doom to what i just said, mind you towards the end it gets faster and heavier.

Rating 8/10
For fans of: Kylesa, Mastodon, Kyuss, Monster Magnet, Melvins

Endzeit - Years Of Hunger EP (CD Review)

01.Inception
02.Hunger
03.Godless
04.Life
05.The Dawn No More Rises

Schwarz (Guitar/Vocals)
Polaris (Guitar)
Pyry (Bass)
Samuli (Drums)

Hailing from Finland the band formed in December 2012 and began writing ‘Years of Hunger’,intentionally set out to be a raw black metal project.

The band state that, "Lyrically the songs deal with a futureless life in a post-apocalyptic world. References to religious contexts can be found, yet reflecting a godless narrative. The inspiration to embed the decay of life, the decay of happiness and the absence of a future into the band’s musical and lyrical concept was triggered by the decay of the city of Detroit where modern capitalism has failed. Only haggard human shadows now dwell in the smouldering rubble."

I shall ignore 'Inception' as its just another pointless intro set out as a first song, why bands still continue to do this i have no idea.

'Hunger' starts us off in the right way though and delivers a full on no frills Black Metal assault on the ears.Heavilly drum driven and with an evil growl vocally this does indeed harken back to the early days of Norways finest.

What else can you say the next ones 'Hunger', Godless' and 'Life' are pretty much the same, now with some bandfs and styles this could be seen as a bad thing, however in this case it's perfect, the sound and feel of each songs remains true to the genre, perfectly produced and executed.

The final track, which in many ways is a giveaway as to their influence, is a cover of Dark Funerals 'The Dawn No More Rises'.
This captures their sound perfectly, they manage to make it their own, which is not an easy thing to do.

This is a solid EP, they have not gone down the route of over the top guitarwork and screaming vocals, avoided the "symphonic" route that many have taken in the wake of Dimmu or Cradle, this is authentic old school Black Metal.

Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: Dark Funeral, Marduk, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Carpathian Forest

Dissorted - I EP (CD Review)

01.Bloodshed Divine
02.Eaten Alive
03.The New World
04.The Somnambulist
05.Operation Observation


Mirco (Vocals)
Dillon (Bass)
Florian (Guitar)
Martin (Drums)
Sebastian (Guitar)

German band formed in 2004 playing melodic thrash metal connecting fast, neck breaking riffs influenced by Exodus and Testament mixed with traditional bands like Iced Earth and Megadeth, always focussing on their own, yet recognizable sound.

This would appear to be their first release after 10 years together.

Seems the one band they didn't mention in their short biography was 'Anthrax' because the first track 'Bloodshed Divine' has a real early Anthrax feel, solid drumming powerful riff and shout it out vocals, perfect!

Picking up the speed on 'Eaten Alive' and hell we could be back in 1984, but thats not to say that this is an old school copy, because they throw enough of their own style to make this sound original and up to date.

'The New World' has a touch of Iron Maiden at the beginning then it picks up a treat and creates another headbanging mosh pit anthem.

I was expecting something a bit special with 'The Somnambulist' and this six minute rocker did not fail to deliver.
Clever timing changes, a huge vocal delivery and great guitarwork, definatley the stand out song.

The final song 'Operation Observation' is the least thrashy song here, a solid near early 80's german power/speed metal anthem, but some very agressive vocals thrown in over some quality double pedal drumwork to keep it up to date.

Amazing EP, why have they waited so bloody long to put something out??

Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: Anthrax, Kemakil, Elimination, Exodus, Accept

Aphonic Threnody - When Death Comes (CD Review)

01.The Ghost's Song
02.Death Obsession
03.Dementia
04.The Children's Sleep
05.Our Way To The Ground


Riccardo V (Guitars/Bass)
Roberto M (Vocals)
Abel L (Cello)
Marco Z (Drums)
Kostas P (Keyboards/Piano)
Juan Escobar (Keyboards)

Guest Musicians
Greg Chandler (Guitars on “The Children’s Sleep”)
Josh Moran (Guitars on “Dementia”)
David Unsaved (Backing vocals on “The Children’s Sleep”)

Aphonic Threnody is an international project and extreme doom collective. Founded by Riccardo (Gallow God & Dea Marica) and Roberto (URNA & Dea Marica) around the end of 2012 in London, the project was later joined by Kostas (Pantheist), Abel (Leecher) and Marco (URNA, Arcana Coelestia). While the core of the band has been enstabileshed in London, Abel co-operate the project from Hungary and Marco from Italy.

So this band is formed by members of Urna, Dea Marica, Arcana Coelestia, Gallow God, Locus Mortis, Pantheist, Wijlen Wij, Clouds and even more bands i could list, thus creating a sort of Doom Metal supergroup etc.
And this album features additional contributions from Greg Chandler of Esoteric, David Unsaved of Ennui/Necropoli on vocals and Josh Moran of Vacant Eyes.

"When Death Comes" is their first full-length album following on from the first EP "First Funeral" and the two split albums "Immortal In Death" and "Of Graves, Of Worms And Epitaphs". It's also the last album recorded by the band before Kostas left the band and was replaced by Juan Escobar.

From the haunting opening words of 'The Ghosts Song' to the majestic sweeping keyboards and guitarwork, this is a massive 10 minutes of doom inspired, near symphonic, dark and brooding music.

Coming in at just over 17 minutes is 'Death Obsession', just stunning in its beauty with mournful cello and piano then this slow, pounding drum pattern kicks in as does the powerful yet restrained guiter playing.
A dark and evil growl vocal then forces it way through creating this melancolic ambience, this is a huge piece going way beyond the normal doom genre, its almost gothic rock but with a sinister edge.

'Dementia' may have a "funeral" pace but the quality of the music keeps it alive and some fantastic guitar playing towards the end!

Playing like a lullaby from hell the start of 'The Childrens Sleep' soon picks up to a nightmare inducing vocal, over powerchords and some serious riffing.

The final track 'Our Way To The Ground' again creates this instant ambience with just a simple piano refrain, this false sense of laid back security is disturbed after a couple of minutes when the rest of the band explode through the speakers!

I have not heard Doom like this for a long time, the combination of instruments and a first class production elevate this way beyond any expectations of the genre.This is almost a hybrid of Gothic, Symphonic, Ambient rock music blended with traditional Doom elements.

Rating 10/10
For Fans Of: Necropoli, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Anathema, Tiamat, Vision Bleak

Determination - Vision EP (CD Review)

01.X Rays
02.Parasite
03.Vision
04.Pestilence


Christian Reimer (Vocals)
Steffen Nevermann (Guitar)
Oliver Lusga (Guitar)
Rouven Haliti (Fretless Bass)
Martin Preising (Drums)

German band formed in 2012 as a recording project by Steffen (Ex-Weyland,Ex-Still Alive, Ex-Endless Distrust) and Oliver (Ex-Pangea, Ex-Advocatus Mortis), later joined by vocalist Chris (Ex-Pangea, Ex-Bonobos, Ex-Midgard), drummer Martin (Ex-Coroner’s Inquest) and then finally Rouven.
Of their musical style they say, "We describe our music as melodic, progressive, old-school, fat and brutal. But DEATH METAL fits best."

The EP was recorded, mixed and mastered at their own Shredsound Studio in Rostock.
The Artwork was done by the indonsiean artist Godfinger Arts.


Right from the start 'X Rays' comes across as a very well constructed song, clever timing changes help this 3 minute piece range from pure death metal, to progressive technical standards and even a brief symphonic breakdown.
All this is held together by a relentless wall of power from the drummer and an agressive vocal delivery.

Another symphonic style opening before 'Parasite' evolves into another well balanced mix of styles, at times this one borders on modern black metal in tone.

Again i have to mention that this next track 'Vision' also has that symphonic feel, i dont know which musician is playing the synth but he is doing it very well, the atmosphere it lends to the music is excellent.
This is also the first song that the fretless bass really comes into play.

Finally 'Pestilence' shows that pure power can blend with symphonic undertones, at no point does the death metal lose its impact and yet the songs retains a melodic edge throughout.

Rating 9/10
For fans of: Winter Gate, Cenotaph, At The Gates, Opeth, Dark Tranquility

Mors Principium Est - Dawn Of The 5th Era (CD Review)

01.Enter The Asylum
02.God Has Fallen
03.Leader Of The Titans
04.We Are The Sleep
05.Innocence Lost
06.I Am War
07.Monster In Me
08.Apricity
09.Wrath of Indra
10.The Journey
11.The Forsaken

Ville Viljanen (Vocals)
Mikko Sipola (Drums)
Teemu Heinola (Bass)
Andy Gillion (Guitar)
Kevin Verlay (Guitar)

Melodic death metal band formed in Finland in 1999, this is their 5th album.
As seems to be the norm these days we start with an intro, pointless as ever as this leads straight into track 2 'God Has Fallen'.
This is melodic death metal with a definate power metal influence, to be fair the only "Death" element here seems to be the gruff vocal delivery, aside from that this is heavy drum driven power metal full of clever riffing.

'We Are The Sleep' starts with a synth techo pulse and then proceeds into near symphonic territory until that vocal comes in and destroys that nice vibe.
Full of power and speed with melodic hooks and maidenesque guitarwork.

The next song to leap out to me is 'Apricity' starting with melodic keyboards (Though would like to point out that the record company bio doesn't tell who the musician is) the song then moves into a Scorpions like heavy ballad, this is a really nice interlude of melody and precision playing.

'The Journey' has all the qualities of an anthemic battle metal song, pounding drums and shout it out and sing a long vocals.

The last song 'The Forsaken' seems to manage to throw everything from melodic piano to full scale was care of heavy riffs and that ear crushing pedal work from the drummer.

I like this album, its "Power Death Metal" which is the perfect combination of the two genres!

Rating 8/10
For fans of: Iron Maiden, Children Of Bodom, Matron, Sylvatica, Xenochord

My Shameful - Hollow (CD Review)

01.Nothing Left At All
02.Hollow
03.And I Will Be Worse
04.Hour Of Atonement
05.The Six
06.Murdered Them All
07.No Greater Purpose
08.Now And Forever


Sami Rautio (Vocals/Guitar)
Twist (Bass)
Jürgen Fröhling (Drums)
Mario (Guitar)

Begun in 1999 as a two-man studio project, evolved into a multinational machine of hate and doom based in Finland.

Eight huge slabs of funeral doom, does exactly what you want from this style of music, presenting gutteral vocals, slow pounding drums and solid chord structures.
What i also like about this is the tone of the lead guitar, it reminds me of early goth bands like Bauhaus.
This all helps to create the perfect mood, hard to pick any one track as such but 'Hour Of Atonement' and 'Murdered Them All' do leap out the speakers due to the overwhelming ambience of gloom yet tinged with great melody.

Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: Triptykon, Wolveserpent, Necropoli, Witchsorrow

Sorrows Path - Doom Philosophy (CD Review)

01.First Beam Of Darkness Into Light

02.Tragedy

03.A Dance With The Dead

04.Brother Of Life

05.Everything Can Change

06.The King With A Crown Of Thorns

07.The Venus And The Moon

08.Epoasis

09.Clouds Inside Me

10.Darkness

11.Damned (O)fish-L.S.D

Stavros Giannakos (Bass)

Angelos Ioannidis (Vocals)

Fotis Mountouris (Drums)

Kostas Salomidis (Guitar)

Giannis Tziligkakis (Guitar)

Guests

Snowy Shaw (Vocals on 'Everything Can Change')

Edgar Rivera (Guitar on 'Tragedy')

Vangelis Yalamas (Bass/Classical Guitar/Synthersizer)

Lefteris Moros (Drums On "Damned")

Katerina Nikoloudi (Female Vocals)

Barbara Michaloutsou (Spoken Words on 'Darkness')

Greek Doom Metal band 'Sorrows Path' was formed by Takis Drakopoulos and Kostas Salomidis back in November 1993. Both being inspired by bands like Memento Mori, Solitude Aeturnus and Candlemass and shortly after Angelos Ioannidis and Kostas Farmakis joined them, the band began rehearsing and composing material.

January 1995 “Sorrows Path”, the band’s first demo, was released but shortly after that, Kostas Farmakis decided to leave the band and while the band was in a search of a new drummer Takis Drakopoulos tragically died.

Angelos and Kostas decided to continue with band and so after recruiting Stavros Giannakos on bass and Gregory Vlachos on drums released in May 1996 a new demo simply entitled “Promo 96".

After a break of some seven years they returned and finally released their first album.
By 2009 a new guitarist Giannis Tziligkakis joined in order to fulfil the band’s vision for a solid and heavier sound that the new material demanded.

I reviewed their album 'The Rough path Of Nihilisim' back in October 2012, i said at the time that the vocalist sounded like Snowy Shaw who is a guest on this latest album and also remember saying that i felt they were more symphonic than doom, so i am looking forward to hitting "play".

'Tragedy' starts us off and have to say the band sound just as good as last time, a clever mix of Symphonic metal with doom elements, quite atmospheric due to a spooky vocal style and yes he does still sound like Mr Shaw !

The next couple of songs are borderline Power Metal, then comes the symphonic meatl of 'Everything Can Change' and what an amazing vocal performance from both vocalists and really like the 60's sounding keyboard in the mix.

'Epoasis' is a really great stand out song as well, mixing doom and symphonic elements well and a great spoken piece in the middle, lots of timing changes and nice piano and phased guitar playing!

So another top class album, but one i still dont really think is "Doom" i'm sticking with "Symphonic Metal".

Rating 10/10
For Fans Of: Snowy Shaw, Therion, Paradise Lost, De Profundis