BLACKGUARD - Firefight

This band here comes from Canada, and exists for about a decade. Not being familiar with their music, I didn't know what to expect, and the result was a punch in the face. Being a huge fan of the Finnish Death Metal scene, I am glad to discover that there are talented bands outside the Europe, capable to deliver one of my favorite styles. Blackguard are playing a mixture of Death and Thrash Metal, with tons of melodies, touches of Epic stuff, catchy hooks, great guitars, and excellent vocals. The song tempos are varying from mid to furious, and the whole result is so catchy, that takes only a few seconds to start banging you head along with the rhythm. The vocals a varying from Death Metal growls to high pitched screaming and this fits perfectly with the style of the music. We also have to mention the rhythm section, which is very good, and the female drummer, which is a surprise. The songs are well written and perfectly performed, with no less good moments, maybe except the instrumental. The production is shinny and heavy enough, and is another big plus for the album. If you like bands like Children Of Bodom, Norther, or the combination of melodic lines along with aggressive and fast performance is fascinating you, then check them out.

9/10

DEADEND IN VENICE - See You On The Ground

This is the first release of the German oriented band, which exists since 2008. The band is playing a mixture of Melodic Death Metal, with very interesting Thrashy riffs. The band is trying to create their own sound, combining semi growling with clear female vocals, something most of the times is intriguing, and a solid rhythm section. The music is melodic enough, well performed and has enough ideas which the band explored as good as possible. The production is as clear and powerful as needed and helps the music very much. For a debut effort, it's rather good, and shows the talent of the band. But, there are also things that could be done in a better way, for example the male vocals that on some moments are not as brutal and powerful as needed. Nevertheless, the band seems to have enough ideas, and talent to deliver. If you leave out the small details that need to be polished, you have a quite good album. An a promise for a better future.

7/10

SYMPHONY X - Iconoclast

The new album of the band is here, and it's a concept album talking about the growing reliance of modern humanity to technology. It's really hard not to like this album, and I don't consider myself one of their biggest fans. So, what's the deal here you might ask. First of all, the songs are big, with only one being just five minutes long, complex in nature, but the progression on each song is done in a wise way, that won't mind anyone. What's more interesting here is that the band is choosing a harder way in this album, something that makes this release easier to get into. There is an excellent guitar work, and some of the riffs are absolutely breathtaking. The same goes to the keyboards, who manage to give a depth to the music, and serve the atmosphere of the whole concept. The melodies are plenty and perfectly written and the vocals great and fitting to the music, often reminding of late Ronnie James Dio. There's not a single thing that sounds out of place, or not worked to the last detail. The addition of various other elements, manages to give each song its own trademark. The album has various layers, and with each listening reveals different things to the listener. One of those albums that a perfect score 10 really seems not enough.

10/10

King Kobra - Turn Up The Good (Times)

Taken from their new album "King Kobra".

ORIGIN - Entity

I was first introduced to the music of Origin back in 2000, with their self-titled debut album. The first impression was, and still is, that we talk about a very talented band. Their last release is an album that doesn't get away from their pre-defined music path, something that all fans of the band will appreciate. The band is playing Death Metal, but it's so aggressive, so brutal, and violent that will please even the most demanding Death Metal fan. Don't expect melodic things here, nor keyboards and stuff. The drummer is so outstanding, that sometimes makes you wonder about the number of his hands and feet, and along with the rest of the rhythm section, create music that often enough sounds like a machine operating on high speed. There are both brutal and high-pitched vocals, and both fit perfectly with the feeling of the music. The production is almost perfect, and helps the music very much. If you like to explore some of the most aggressive sides of Death Metal, the get Origin as a driver, fasten your seat belts and prepare for the journey. Not recommended for the weak.

9/10

THE SILENT RAGE - Harvester Of Souls EP

The band comes from Greece, and this is their second EP, following their Perished in Flames rehearsal demo of 2006, and the self titled EP which was released back in 2009. The band is playing Power Metal, with touches of Classic Metal here and there to enrich their sound. This EP consists on 3 songs from their previous work, and two new ones, all moving to the same style and feeling. There's talent in this band, both in the performing and in the composing area. The songs are good, with enough energy although they don't avoid certain style cliche, which don't spoil the fun though. The vocals are well worked, with an inevitable Greek accent, but the addition of the harsh back vocals somehow fixes the whole feeling. A very talented band, which I am sure has more to offer. Check them out and listen to their work at http://www.reverbnation.com/thesilentrage

4/5

BOREALIS - Fall From Grace

Canadian Metal scene has a way of creating bands with unique, top quality sound, so Borealis are no exception. Existing since 2005, this is their second release so far. To tag their sound proved a rather difficult job mostly because the band manages to transform their style, and explore various paths in their music. One can say that they are a Power Metal band, but have in mind that their music is closer to the Classic Metal. And, this is the most important, they incorporate enough Progressive elements into their music, something that makes their sound a bit more complex, but in a very fluent and natural way. There are enough melodies here, the vocals are warm and well worked, and the various background growls somehow add to the whole result. If you are a fan of Progressive, then there's enough things to enjoy in this album. If you like melodic and catchy sing-along moments, virtuoso guitar parts, they are also here. But everything is in the correct dose, creating a well balanced, and perfectly performed album. So don't get fooled by their short existence as a band, and give these guys a chance. You won't regret it.

9/10

PAIN - You Only Live Twice

Here's the latest release of Pain, whose mastermind is a guy named Peter Tagtgren, much famous for his work with Hypocrisy, but also in charge of producing the sound of many bands. Pain is another aspect of the talent of this musician, who, while remaining on his aggressive roots, gives a nice and out of the ordinary perspective to his musical vision. According to the newsletter the style of music is Industrial Metal, a term that is partially true. But not always, and this is the interesting part. The music is both aggressive and catchy, with a lot of electronics, and melodic moments, and there are various influences blended together, into a very groovy music outfit. The electronics support the whole result, and adding a hi-tech feeling to the music, which makes a nice contradiction with the almost brutal vocals often used. There is a dark atmosphere in the whole album, that makes the result even more welcome. The songs are good, with nice ideas, parts to sing along, and no weak moments. If you are a fan of the band, then wait no more, and check them out. Also recommended for fans of the work of Peter Tagtgren in general.

9/10

INGESTED - The Surreption

This is the second attempt of the Manchester based band, and although I missed their first one, this second is a quite an interesting release. The band is playing Death Metal, enriched with various Deathcore elements, and it's so damn brutal and aggressive that one can't help but like it. The first thing one notices here, is the vocal abilities of the singer, whose performance is not limited at the Death style, but also is enriched with various other styles, making the songs quite catchy. The songs are fast and furious, like a punch in the teeth, and the tempo stays fast from the first to the last minute. Luckily, the band is talented enough, and the music doesn't feel like an endless noise. To the trained ears of course, since the neighbours might not like much of it. Glimpses of melodies here and there, make things a bit more spicy without sacrificing any of the brutality. If you are a fan of such a style, then this album has enough to offer. Check them out.

8/10

NECROVOROUS - Funeral For The Sane

Those good fellas here exist since 2005 and are coming from Greece. With a name like that only Brutal Death Metal would be the most fitting style. So, they are brutal enough, and they are good at it. There are no weak points here, only aggression and distorted music. With an oldfashioned feeling in their sound, a strong and solid rhythm section, and the appropriate growling vocals, this band shows that it has all it takes to create music that would bring memories to the old school fans. The song structures are rather complex, with an equal dose of fast and mid tempo moments, but also with some slow parts here and there. What makes this band quite unique is that they have a Doom touch into their music, mostly created by the suffocating feeling that the slower part put into their music, something that makes things a little catchier and diverse. The production is good enough, preserving the feeling of the music. With the album being the first full length of the band, and with all songs moving on a quite good quality level, I am sure that more would come from these guys in the future. If you like early Death stuff, do check them out.

7/10

DEF LEPPARD - Live&More

I have started to worry very much with these guys. How can happen a band like Def Leppard hasn’t released a live album all these years? We are talking about a group most of their life performances are sold out(or all of them?!). So they have to give to the millions of their fans around the world, the chance to feel a little bit of the pulse and energy that comes out at the live shows of the band. And here it is. After 34 years of existence, the first live album of Def Leppard is true event. I don’t have a lot of things to say about the quality of their shows. I think that those that have seen them alive, are very lucky. Don’t get deceived of the band members age. These old wolfs know very well the way of rocking alive and they prove it jubilantly in this release. All the songs are been played perfectly! They sound pretty stiff and solid. All the instruments cooperate ideally including the voice of Elliot and they give a beautiful musical result. The production also is very clear, although I would prefer to listen more the vibes of the audience. The choice of the songs is very good and I think that covers all the second period of the band, when they left the NWOBHM sound and they became one of the biggest hard rock bands worldwide. The album can operate very well as a best of album especially for those that haven’t had any contact with the group. For those that know them, memories will take us a trip back in time when we were young and wild. Invest to a reliable value.

9/10

AMORPHIS - The Beginning Of Times

Amorphis exist for over 20 years, and this new album is their tenth so far. Although started from a much more aggressive style of music, later they explored more melodic and complex paths, and here we are with their latest release. What the listener will hear on this album is melodic music, with lots of aggressive moments, full of a dark atmosphere, blended in a very wise way, creating an album which is diverse and interesting. There are more brutal moments, with growl vocals and double bass drums, but also moments with clear vocals and complex song structures, but all fitting perfectly into the album atmosphere. While all the musicians are doing an excellent job, one can't help but mention the exceptional work that has been done in the vocals, which is a big plus of the album. The use of female vocals on two tracks is also interesting enough. Not an easy album, although it has melodies and parts that stick into your mind, it definitely needs time and attention to explore it's full potential. An album that needs time and concentration, but it will not disappoint you, either you are a fan of the band or not.

9/10

TORNADO - Amsterdamn Hellsinki

They come from different countries, bands and styles and this is their first attempt in discography... but let's get straight to the point... What we have here is what we used to call (million years ago) as techno-thrash! Nothing more nothing less. Clever riffs, fast tempos and a rather unusual songrwriting reminds us the Thrash Metal sound of the late 80s / early 90s, when the genre was trying to reinvent itself. Ι'm not sure yet if they have the best singer they can get but all the other musicians belong to the metal elite. To familiarize with this album needs some more spins than usual but I think the listener will be rewarded.

9/10