DEFIANCE - The Prophecy

Defiance is a band that created quite a hype back in the 80's, continued into the early 90's and then went on a hiatus that lasted about 15 years. What we have to remember from this period is 3 albums, and enough line up changes. And here we are again, with four of the original members back as an act, and with a new album. Right from the first note, the band shows it's intentions. Thrash Metal at it's finest form, with edgy guitar riffs, catchy melodies and parts to bang your head along with the rhythm. But that ain't all, since the songs contain enough tempo changes, enough melodic parts and intros, something that makes the album even more interesting. The songs are quite good, a bit old fashioned in style, but also with a more modern approach. There are enough nice ideas and the band has managed to explore them in the best possible way. The production is good enough, as clear as it should be, leaving space for the music to evolve. All in all, this is an album which fans of the band will enjoy most, since the band could have given much more to the scene. Better late than even, they say, and I also agree. A well worked album, that will please all fans of Thrash.

10/10

NEVERCELL - Preaching Venom

Nevercell is a band that comes from Dubai, and exists since the dawn of the new millennium. The band is playing Death Metal, fast, aggressive, highly technical, and enriched with tons of Thrash Metal elements, something that makes their album even better. What's most important though is the melodies that are widespread into this recording, making it even more diverse. Their origin also leaves it's trademark into their music, making the album even more mind intriguing. The arrangements are good enough, with hardly a few less good moments that don't destroy the whole effort though, with a singer that growls like hell, and a rhythm section that simply kills. The songs have enough rhythm changes, but they all happen in a very fluent way, and don't become tiring at any time. Another interesting point is the sharp and edgy guitar riffs, and the melodic guitar solos. Maybe they don't have a series of albums to back them up, but the band exists for quite some time, and are talented. Talented enough to release an little jewel such as this. Check them out, and you won't regret it.

9/10

RED CIRCUIT - Homeland

This is a band that comes from Germany and is playing music that is quite out of the ordinary for the German scene. This is their second album so far, and it seems that this band has all it takes to create music diverse and of good quality. They are playing Progressive and Power Metal, blended together into a very interesting style. The songs are catchy enough, but the band explores their ideas to the fullest. This leads to complex songs, with enough changes, but always with a main theme, and with each song progressing naturally. The talent and the experience of the band is obvious, not only in the composing but also in the performing area as well. The band has managed to create an album where Progressive and Power Metal co-exist, where complex songs live with more catchy, but also well worked, tunes. The production is another strong point of the album, clear and powerful enough, and helps the listener discovering all the hidden parts of the album. For sure an album that is catchy enough but also needs some more cautious listening to reveal it's secrets.

9/10

AT VANCE - Ride The Sky

The new album of At Vance is their 8th so far, and an album that continues the saga of the quality releases of the band. Behind At Vance is Olaf Lenk, an artist also known for his work with Zed Yago. This album is a logical step in the career of the band, with the songs moving on the same style and feel as their previous releases. All the trademarks are here, powerful and melodic songs, with excellent vocals, Neoclassical elements, catchy and memorable parts, and tons of moments to sing along and tap your feet. There is also a very interesting cover of Free's Wishing Well, and Vivaldi's Summer set 2. Another thing that the listener will like is the diversity of the album, since there are songs that are not moving on the same up-tempo high-speed Power Metal. The cover of Wishing Well is one of them, but experiments and things out of the ordinary can be found throughout the entire album. The rhythm section is moving on the usual high quality as with their previous releases, the vocals are excellent and the guitar work of Olaf Lenk is simply magnificent. Power Metal at it's finest moments, melodic, catchy, emotional and well performed. Need I say more?

9/10

FUTURE IS TOMORROW - Fit to Die (Part 1)

Here we have a band from Italy with a concept album that is not exactly full of optimism at least lyrically! When we start to listen however we realise that here we have a solid Prog Metal release. Strong compositions full of intelligent ideas with their influences to appear regularly without however bothering the concept. The sharp and Heavy riffs and the interesting vocals remind us that this album is more metal and less proggressive a fact that we really enjoyed. The production is also appreciable for an unsigned band. Listening to this CD again and again we realise that FUTURE IS TOMORROW at an early date will be found under the roof of some record label and there henceforth we wait to hear important things from this promising band. Discover them HERE.

9/10