Wednesday, February 29, 2012

RAGE - 21


It all started back in the mid 80's, and now 28 years later the band is still active, and stronger than ever, with a new release, that will please all fans of the  band. I am sure that are a few of you out there, not familiar with Rage and their sound, so it's rather pointless to trying to explain it. The band, in a few words, is playing Power Metal, Melodic and catchy, as Germans know how to, and this is the main characteristic of their music that can also be found here. Along with it, comes Melody and few touches from more aggressive styles, to make things even more complicated and intriguing. But what makes the difference here is the ability of the band to move to more complex forms, and add modern elements, with the same ease and technique, without become boring or indifferent. So, what the listener will find here is quality music, with enough variety based on the well known Rage recipes, but also enough experiment and exploration of new territories with the same success. The majority of the songs are very good, catchy and melodic enough, with parts to sing along and sticky memorable moments, and with ideas that the band explores to the maximum. There's plenty of energy and Metal music to satisfy fans, and has a breeze of fresh air that gives a modern touch to the music. The vocals of Peavy are excellent, and some experimenting with more aggressive forms he does give a very interesting note to the songs. The guitars are also perfect, something also expected since Victor Smolski is a rather established name and an artist that doesn't need to prove his skills. Last but not least is the drummer, Andre Hilgers, who is also doing a very good job, whatever rhythm the band choses to explore. When the album finishes, it leaves you a good feeling. It has all the things that made Rage what they are today, but doesn't stick to that. It's an album where the band doesn't afraid to explore and incorporate things, and therefore needs more attention to understand. So, to fully appreciate this release, you should open your mind, and let the music speak for itself.

9/10 

KATANA NEW ALBUM 'STORMS OF WAR' COMING SOON !

Tobias Carlsson (guitar/ songwriter) sent us an update about KATANA's new album 'Storms of war' to be released in May on Listenable records. "

Thursday, February 23, 2012

PSYCROPTIC - The Inherited Repression


It's really hard not to like this band. They are coming from Tasmania, a place famous mostly for the so called "Devil", and surely not for their Metal scene, yet they managed to create an album that really blows the mind. Their history starts back in 1999, and this is their fifth full length album so far, four years after their previous release, and their second in Nuclear Blast Records. While I was not familiar with their previous efforts, this one became a favorite, simply because the band shows that they have the talent and the inspiration to create music that bears their trademark. What they are playing can be described as Technical Death Metal, but the band is also heavily influenced by Thrash which is obvious often enough, and adds some diversity to the whole result. Thrash influences are mostly audible on the guitar riffs, which are short and edgy, creating a perfect sonic carpet for the rhythm section and the vocal growling singing to unfold, and enough headbanging parts for the fans to enjoy. The songs are very good, and contain enough variety for keeping the listener interested until the end. Tempo changes are plenty and fluent enough, and this also won't mind the fans, specially because the band has done such a great job in the performing area, that prevents the album from becoming repetitive or indifferent. There are some very interesting ideas here, and all of them have been explored as much as possible, leading to songs that will please all fans of Death Metal, in almost all it's variations. A well arranged album, full of energy and power, a solid rhythm section, great vocals, plenty of moments to bang you head along, and even more to explore. What more can one ask from an album?

9/10  

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

DARK TRANQUILLITY - In My Absence (OFFICIAL VIDEO). Taken from the album "We Are The Void" (2012)