DESTROPHY - Cry Havoc

Literally, Ι fell from the clouds! Ι just listened to what is the fourth album by the Iowan band DESTROPHY. They have almost completely left from the Nu Metal, alternative hybrid the were playing all those years! Here vave a straight forward classic, european sounding and oriented Heavy/Power MetaL!! Loud rhythm section, great vocals and heavy metal MELODIC virtuoso solos! Everything is perfectly evolved here since people seem to have it their blood for years (probably well hidden...).
So, I don want to use the word masterpiece but we easily have here what it seems to be one of the best releases of the year! Enjoy!

10/10

SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA new album and tour

After spending 14 years in Cradle Of Filth as a backing singer, she also spent 6 years in Therion and Mortiis. Sarah has sung on over 35 albums with bands including The Kovenant , The Gathering, Mystic Circle, Trigger The Bloodshed and many others. In 2005, joined forces with Chris Rehn and created Angtoria and received an amazing response in Europe.
Although under her solo name, SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA is a touring band and a tight one. "The Corruption Of Mercy"will be released in late June

Sarah comments:

"We are extremely proud and excited to announce that we have signed a 3 album deal with the mighty Listenable Records. We have slowly been writing the new album "The Corruption Of Mercy" over the last 12 months, in between shows and other musical priorities at Escape Route Studio's in Essex, England.

SIX REASONS TO KILL - Architects Of Perfection

I try to be as open-minded as possible, and never judge an album by the cover artwork. Even if this sometimes spoils the fun, and destroys any of the upcoming surprises. On this album, the cover screams "aggression" from miles away, and this the simple truth. The German quintet plays a style of Metal that is quite aggressive, but always stays catchy, despite the constant changes, both in tempo and in style. First of all, they are big fans of Thrash, that's why their riffs are so edgy, and the fact that they are German indicates that the rhythm section is simply perfect. Second, the vocals are a blend of Death Metal growls to Black Metal screams, and all the ranges in between. And if you think that these are all, you are mistaken, since the band managed to create parts that are also more laid back and melodic, and with grooves that go closer to Hardcore. The fact is that the band has all it's influences into their music, and has done so in a very fluent way, so that the listener won't find things that might annoy him. The production is good, and helps the band and the various little influences of the band reach the surface. Aggressive and complex, this album definitely needs you attention from the first to the last minute.

9/10

CRUACHAN - Blood On The Black Robe

Existing since mid 90's, Cruachan is the first, or maybe amongst the pioneers, that managed to blend Irish Folk music, with Metal, into a very catchy, and definitely aggressive at times, style of music. The new album of the Irish band is a deliberate step backwards to their roots, but still contains enough influences, and various instruments used in their previous works as well. On this album, things are more raw, the female vocals are much less, the music is much more brutal and slightly Blackish sometimes, something that I found really interesting. Of course, strings and folk elements do exist, and this gives an extra dynamic to their music. The arrangements are good, so is the production, the melodies are strong, and the whole atmosphere is exceptional. The music of this album is a journey through time, but a journey to a dark and dangerous forest with things that bite. Not an easy album though it contains some killer music, it takes some time for the music to work it's way through your head, but do give it a try. It's worth the while.

9/10

Within The Ruins - Versus

Directed by David Brodsky

AT VANCE: digital single for Japanese tsunami victims!

The Japanese nation has suffered a lot lately under earthquakes and tsunami. AT VANCE´s Olaf Lenk, a man who had some of his biggest success in the land of the rising sun, was shocked to hear from the catastrophe, just like so many others:

“As soon as I heard the news from the things happening in Japan I felt the need of doing at least something little that could help these people and ease the pain. Actually Rick had the idea to release a track and donate everything to Japan. As we thought of a song the Track "Tokyo" came into my mind and I thought it would suit very well. So I hope lots of people buy this one and help these people to get over this horrible situation”, comments Olaf Lenk.

Because of the usual handling time for a CD release, it was decided to make “Tokyo” available as a digital single only. Purchasable NOW on Itunes and other digital stores.

NERVECELL “Psychogenocide” available for streaming in its entirety!

NERVECELL’s upcoming new opus “Psychogenocide” is now available for streaming at the band’s Facebook profile

www.facebook.com/nervecell

(Note: the stream will only be available from April 18th until April 30th).

“Psychogenocide” is set to be released in Europe through Lifeforce Records on April 29, 2011 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and May 2, 2011 in the rest of Europe & UK.

After DEADLOCK and HACKNEYED being confirmed already we are happy to announce that now also NERVECELL is playing the this year edition of SUMMER BREEZE festival along with heavyweights such as HAMMERFALL, BOLT THROWER, ARCH ENEMY, AS I LAY DYING and many more!

“Psychogenocide” is produced & engineered by Rami H. Mustafa at Spellbind Studio in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Drums engineered by Joe Haley at Red Planet Studios in Australia. Mixed & mastered by Wojtek & Slawek Wieslawscy at Hertz Studios (Behemoth, Vader, Decapitated) in Bialystok, Poland. CD artwork & design by Björn Goosses at Killustrations.

The album also features a guest appearance by Karl Sanders (Nile) doing vocals on the song ‘Shunq (To The Despaired…King of Darkness)’.

“Psychogenocide” line up:

James Khazaal – Vocals & Bass

Barney Ribeiro – Guitar

Rami H. Mustafa – Guitar

Dave Haley – Drums (Session)

“Psychogenocide” track-list:

01. Anemic Assurgency (02:04)

02. Upon An Epidemic Scheme (04:56)

03. All Eyes On Them (05:14)

04. Amok Doctrine (05:25)

05. Psychogenocide (04:32)

06. Imprint (03:16)

07. Shunq (To The Despaired…King Of Darkness) (05:29)

08. The Taste Of Betrayal (03:39)

09. Driven By Nescience (04:35)

10. Nation’s Plague (05:41)

www.nervecell.net

SAMAEL - Lux Mundi

Lux Mundi is the 9th album of Samael. The group has a story of 20 years in the music industry. This new album, although it has a classic motive, adapted by the group through the last years, leads to evolution. In this new album, they have found a way to keep the audience satisfied and not to be bored. However, they are predictable using only at some point the technique of “surprise”, as surprises can be happy or unhappy (…from “Ceremony of Opposites”…to “Passage”). Their clear sound combined to their extraordinary Vorph vocals leads the audience to the discovery of the album.

7.5/10

Review written by Chris

SCAR SYMMETRY - The Unseen Empire

When I heard the first release of the band, I was stunned by their ease to blend their various influences, into a mixture that most people would find interesting. The band has moved a long way since their debut, but still, all the trademarks of their music are here. The ability of the band to create music that is aggressive enough, but contains enough melodies, some of them really remarkable, excellent guitar works and some of the finest clear vocals along with brutal growls and Black-ish screams. There's variety to the songs, so the listener will not find any less interesting moments, but neither struggle between senseless progression and constant changes. Both the composing and performing skills of the band members help to that. It's really hard to define the style of the band, with the term Melodic Death Metal come in mind more often. But there's also enough Thrash here for the fans, songs with clear vocals and more catchy parts, and also some more complicated structures. One thing is certain, the album won't disappoint any fan with a good taste in music. One of those album that I would recommend with eyes closed, but with minds wide open.

9/10

BLOODBOUND - Unholy Cross

This is the fourth discographic attempt of the Swedish band. I have to say that I've noticed them from their first album and they are one of my favorite Power Metal bands. So I was very curious to listen the new album after the changes that took place at the band members. Thank metal God they didn't disappoint me. They are still playing dynamic Power Metal as we knew it from their past works. Memorable guitar riffs, beautiful solos and a new singer. That's the point of the album. Patrick Johansson the ex-Silence of Down singer, gets the band to a higher level. His voice(reminds me a combination of Dickinson and Kiske)fits perfect with the energetic playing of the rest band. For the fans of the genre check it. It worths the trouble!

9/10

Review written by Nikos.

WHITESNAKE - Forevermore

Whitesnake are back! Although they are getting old, still rocking hard, dancing till the break of day. After 35 years of appearance at the international rock scene combined with glam, fame, great and less memorable moments, they are giving us another album.And it's good, it's really good! It sounds fresh, with nice production but drives us back at the 80s. The hard rocking blues of the early days is here. David's voice has the same passion although is not as strong as then, Aldrich and Beach make a great guitar team with excellent riffs and solos. Of course we have to add the necessary sweet ballads and you are ready. The internal lover is here and will help you go back to your early youth. Don't miss it!

9/10

Review written by Nikos

FIREFORCE - March On

When I read the producer's name I was absolutely sure about the quality (hello Liapakis greetings from motherland). These guys from Belgium remind us the reason why we love Heavy Metal music. I don't have a problem with progression, innovation, mixing of different kinds of music but the basic principals of our music was wild vocals, screaming guitars, hard bass and drum's playing. That's exactly what Fireforce do. Pure Teutonic Heavy Metal! Imagine a mixture of Accept, Helloween and Running wild, blend them and eat their sound in your face! Heavy riffs,beautiful solos and solid rhythm section is the recipe of their songs combined with hoarse vocals. Known trails that will make you bang your head.Enjoy it!

9/10

Review written by Nikos

THERION - Kali Yuga III

Taken from the album, Sitra Ahra. Directed by: Carlos Toro

EXELOUME - Fairytale of Perversion

This is the new release of the band that comes from Norway, a land that has been innovative enough, and mostly known for it's Black Metal artists. But Exeloume are playing Thrash, and they are pretty good at it. With influences from the American scene, with short and edgy riffs, a very solid rhythm section, and vocals that play between Death and Thrash, this album will appeal to all fans of the genre. What amazes here is the incredible technique of the band, and their ability to create a more complex song structure, yet maintaining the same catchy and raw feeling. There are no weak moments here, nor things that could be done in a better way. It's fast, definitely aggressive, with enough tempo changes, with tons of excellent guitar melodies, interesting vocals, and full of energy. Exactly the kind of music that should be seen performed live. The production is very good, clear and powerful enough, and helps the music very much. If you are into Thrash or Death this album is one of those you might want to check out. And if you also like complexity and changes into each song, then this is one of those albums that you keep you busy for quite some time.

9/10

DALRIADA - Igeret

This band is really a very pleasant surprise, specially if you like bands that don't afraid to experiment with their own traditional music. To be honest, this is the first album of the band that comes to my hands, but their sixth so far, and I really enjoyed every minute of it. The band comes from Hungary, and plays a kind of Metal that sounds like a powerful mixture of Power Metal, and Folk music. The result is an album very rich in sounds and ideas, catchy from the first to the last minute, every though I didn't understand a single word. The female vocals are very good, and fit perfectly with the atmosphere of the music, while the frequent addition of some more brutal vocals adds some harder moments and only makes things better. The majority of the songs are well written, catchy and melodic enough, and leave an optimistic feeling to the listener. The production is as shiny as should be, and is another plus for the album. With no weak moments, interesting ideas, and a very catchy rhythm, it makes you bang your head, or tap your feet, along with the groove. Check them out.

9/10

Floating Worlds - Live

TORMENTA - Tormented Souls

Thrash Metal from Maldives? If it's well performed, origin is never an issue. And these guys are good in what they play, so let's go on. The band exists for about 5 years so far, and this is their debut effort, which was released about a year ago. The influences of the band are more than obvious here, but they are trying to give their personal perspective to their music. The music is, as I mentioned before, Thrash, influenced by the pioneers of the US scene, Slayer mostly, but also some Metallica-like riffs can be heard here and there. The result is music that is sharp and aggressive with a more modern touch. Another interesting thing here is the vocalist, who sings in a more brutal way and fits perfectly with the music. The production is very good, clear and as heavy as needed, to point out all the details of the album. If Thrash is your favorite, then this album gives a breeze of fresh air to the scene, and is highly welcomed. Plans are for a 2011 release, and we can't wait for that.

8/10

Lyriel - Paranoid Circus

Lyriel is a band that comes from Germany, that blends various influences into a very catchy style. This is their album that was released last year, and re-issued through AFM Records. Their music is blending Folk, Metal, a touch of Gothic, violins and cellos, all these into a very versatile mixture. On the one hand we have female vocals both on the foreground and background, along with keyboards, cellos and violins. But to back things, we have a very skilled guitar player, and equally skilled rhythm section, to make things a bit more aggressive. This nice contradiction works very good for the band, and leads to an album full of a nice atmosphere and touching melodies, but also enough more Metallic moments. Don't expect to break your neck with rhythm here, but expect an album that contains enough melodies, has a great atmosphere and well performed songs. What this album brings is an exact opposite of an ominous atmosphere, is what one could say "happy". The production is tight and clear enough, and helps showing the atmosphere of the music. A very melodic album, maybe not aiming for the average Metal fan, but still worths every minute you spent for it. Check them out.

8/10

BETZEFER - Freedom To The Slave Makers

The band is coming from Israel, and this is their second album so far. Not familiar with their sound before, this album was a pleasant surprise, right from the start. Music that sounds as close to Pantera as possible, with crunchy riffs, angry vocals, a touch of Thrash here and there, and a solid rhythm section, this album is highly enjoyable. There's variety here, the songs are well written and catchy enough, and the listener won't find moments that might sound boring, or repetitive. There are enough nice ideas here, and the band has explored them in a very good way. One of the big plus of this album is the rhythm, something that made me wonder how these songs would sound like, if performed live. If you liked the way Pantera created music, or Sepultura's Roots, you will find some similarities here, but don't be fooled, cause these guys are good and not copycats. Their music is full of energy, nice ideas, and their grooves have a way to stick into your mind. A band that you should check out.

8/10