Wednesday, March 17, 2010

CRIMINAL release new music video for “Incubus”


CRIMINAL release new music video for “Incubus”!  Anglo-Chilean thrash masters CRIMINAL have just released a new music video for the song “Incubus”. The clip was directed and edited by renowned Chilean visual artist Carlos Toro, who has already worked with KREATOR, VADER, LACRIMOSA and MERCENARY, among others.  The “Incubus” video can be viewed here 
The song “Incubus” comes off CRIMINAL’s latest album “White Hell”, which was released in February 2009 by Germany’s Massacre Records. “White Hell” is being widely hailed as the band’s finest record to date.

DEMONICA - Demonstrous


Demonica is a new band, since it exists for almost 2 years now, but the band members are far from been inexperienced newbies in the Metal scene. Band members from Forbidden, Mercyful Fate, Artillery to name just a few of their previous musical experiences, gather together to form a Thrash band, and play music the way it was back in the mid 80's. No surprises so far, you might say, since there are quite a few. But what raises the eyebrow from their first riff of their first song is that they deliver exactly what they promise to. Old School Thrash, with edgy riffs, screaming vocals and an excellent rhythm section. Fast songs, with melodies that stick into your mind, and a feeling that brings you back to the 20th century, but with a more modern approach. But Thrash is not the only thing here, since the band explores other ideas as well, with slower but equally Heavy music. The songs are well written, with enough ideas, and some very interesting moments where the band experiments new things. The production is very good, clear and heavy enough, and gives the music a more modern touch. If Thrash is your best, then this album is for you.

9/10

FEAR FACTORY - Mechanize


Quite a few years have passed since their latest release, and it seems that this was not a hiatus, but rather a period of changes. Gene Hoglan is behind the drum set, something that almost everyone familiar with his work, will recognize almost instantly. The band continues to play the same inspired mixture of Death and Thrash Metal enriched with a lot of mechanic samples, something that gives a industrial feeling to their music. Dino Cazares is back on guitars, something that gives the album some of their original feeling. On the other hand, the band often enough slows down, to a more melodic style, where the clear vocals fit perfectly with the music. In fact this is when Burton C. Bell showcases his vocal capabilities to the maximum. Fans of the band waited for more than just a couple of years, and this album is somehow a redeem for the band, with hardly a few less good moments that could spoil the fun. Fast and angry, catchy and melodic at times, with excellent singing, machine-gun riffing, and a thunderous rhythm section, I really doubt if this will disappoint anyone. An album you can't afford to miss, specially if you are a fan.

9/10

OTEP - Rise, Rebel, Resist (brand new video!)


"The 'Rise, Rebel, Resist' video is a reflection of the outrage the American people are feeling at the absurd hypocrisy, and overwhelming nonsense and balderdash plaguing Washington D.C. It uses a bit of satire and a bit of wishful thinking to form this powerful amalgam of imagery that nourishes and empowers the living art of the song. Our message is clear: Either these elected officials do their job and protect the rights and lives of ALL Americans or be prepared to face the consequences."
— Otep Shamaya

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

OCTOBER FILE - Our Souls To You


To be honest I was not familiar with the band at all, so the first thing I did was a little homework, while listening the album. These guys are from United Kingdom, and this is their third full length album so far. To best describe the sound of the band, try to imagine a blend of dark and ultra heavy music, with an overdose of Hardcore, distorted guitars, and angry singing. The music is catchy and groovy enough, and the band has plenty of nice and well explored ideas into their songs. The band's ability to change tempo without sacrificing aggression has created an album with music that remains interesting till the last moment. What's most astonishing is that they know how to create music that sticks into your mind, and become an instant favorite. The production is very good, clear and heavy enough, and gives the final touch to the album. In a very interesting move, the album is released as a double CD, with the second CD being the same album with a different producer. Heavy, dark, angry, in-your -face, yet melodic and catchy, this album is as diverse as needed to become a favorite. One of those you can't afford to miss.

9/10

Monday, March 01, 2010

IN MOURNING - Monolith


Two years after their debut release, Shrouded Divine, the band from Sweden comes to continue their musical journey. Being experienced enough, and existing since 2000, they created an album that manages to combine the complexity of Progressive with the aggression of Swedish Death Metal. As if those weren't enough, there's a melancholic and depressing atmosphere into the whole album, and the various bridges and melodic parts enhance it very much. On the other hand, there's enough brutal singing, some killer guitar work, and an excellent rhythm section to accomplish all the ideas of the band. The majority of the songs are well written, catchy enough, with nice melodies and parts to follow, and bang your head with. But, to fully explore the music, you need more than just a couple of hearings, as there are hidden stuff, ready to be discovered. The production is clear and powerful, and gives a final touch to the album. Complex and interesting, aggressive and catchy, this album is maybe a good example of what a band with imagination and talent can achieve. If you are into Swedish Death Metal, then definitely give this a spin.

9/10