LORD VOLTURE - Never Cry Wolf

Lord Volture is a band that comes from The Netherlands and this is their second album so far. The band is playing Heavy Metal enriched with various elements, enough Power, some Thrash, here and there, to make things even more interesting and fun. This sometimes works, but there are few moments where things seem to lack some energy or that magic thing that binds everything together. This thankfully doesn't destroy much the whole result, just adds a couple of less good moments, so this is an area that some improvement could happen. The band is talented enough, and this is obvious from the composing, but mostly from the performing area. There are enough nice ideas, and the band has explored them in the best possible way, while they also have incorporated enough classic Metal stuff in their music. The band has also, just like in their previous release, invited a guest musician to sing on a track, with the guest being no less than Sean Peck of Cage. The production is very good, and adds the final touch to the album. There are some great songs, very good performance, skilled musicians, melodies, parts to sing along and parts to move along with the rhythm. Check them out, and decide for yourselves.

7/10  

ANCIENT BARDS - Soulless Children

The new album of the Italian Melodic metal band, finds them continuing to perform music in the style of their debut album. The band exists since 2007 and this is their second album so far, and judging from their debut, one can see that their improvement is vast. Their music is more worked, their melodies are more catchy, and their songs are moving on higher quality levels. Performing Symphonic Power Metal, one needs to avoid cliche, or try to make them work in favor of their music, something that the band achieves with ease. Plenty of well worked melodies, excellent female vocals, complex keyboard lines, and a fast and solid rhythm section, all combined into a very welcome result. Being skilled musicians, they are able to realize their musical vision, with no weak points, or things that could have been done in a better way. The Epic atmosphere is strong, enriched by the choirs and keyboard melodies, and adds a lot to the whole result. But along with that the band doesn't afraid to flirt with some more complex and progressive forms in their songs, leading to the last track which is a 15 minute song. The production is crystal clear, the one should be expected from a release such as this, and puts the final details to the album. Maybe not the most original music ever, but the band has taken advantage of those similarities to shape a sound that is well performed, full of nice melodies, guitar shredding, catchy vocals, and interesting ideas. If you are one of those that liked their previous work, or you like Melodic Power, then hesitate no more, and check them out.

9/10

Grab a free Panic & Action 12 track compilation.

Out on Panic & Action now is the PANIC & ACTION FALL 2011 comp where all the bands from the company/label are featured. 12 songs including six unreleased covers by ADEPT, HER BRIGHT SKIES, WALKING WITH STRANGERS, CHEMICAL VOCATION and more.

Go to http://panicandaction.com/worldwide subscribe to the free newsletter, grab the free compilation and get the chance to win some more cool stuff.

DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER - The Greatest Of The Best

What to say about those Germans, and how to explain their music to those that haven't heard any of their songs before? First we have to say that the band moves on various styles, and does it fluently, incorporating various influences into a very groovy and interesting mixture. There's Rock, there's Thrash, there's Folk, and everything in between, all mixed up in the cauldron of the band, and served in this album, for the daring and open minded to taste. The personality of Fuchs, the singer, dominates the music, but it also takes the performing skills of each band member to accomplish their musical vision. The songs are chosen very carefully, with no less good ones, and this is also a big plus for the compilation. Best of albums are ideal for fans that want to have a quick review of the work of a band, or want to see the progression of a band through each release. Nevertheless, this album is also a good release, even if you are a fan, since it contains plenty of favorite tunes all together. But let me tell you, if you are not familiar with their sound, open your mind, and expect everything. Cause their music is so full of twists and turns, that won't let you rest for a minute.

9/10  

VEKTOR - Outer Isolation

Ever wonder how things would have been for Thrash, if 90's never existed? Do you miss that old era, the sound and feel of the music of that time? So do we from time to time, and this album is one of those appropriate for that occasion. Vektor is a band that comes from Phoenix and exists since 2004. This is their second full length album, and I have the feeling that this will establish their name to the scene and make their music available to broader audiences. The band is playing Thrash, with  all the characteristics of the style. There are the sharp guitar riffs, the screaming vocals which sometimes resemble much the style of Destruction, and the tight rhythm section, but on the other hand there's plenty of melody and complexity on the songs, that approaches the borders of Progressive. The band is talented enough, and they have enough interesting ideas explored through their music. Although the music is catchy enough with the first listening, the complexity of it's structure makes it even intriguing with each listening, revealing more and more. The production is excellent, clear enough to show every detail of the album, but also preserving the raw and old-fashioned feeling of the music. A highly anticipated album from those that have heard their debut, and a recommended listening for those into Thrash in general.

8/10 

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THRONE OF KATHARSIS - VED GRAVEN

This is the new release of the Norwegian act, and this is their third album so far. Black Metal can be a bit diverse and unique style, with bands exploring new territories, while others prefer to stick to the same path, perfecting their sound with each release. This is what happens here, with the band playing an old-fashioned Black Metal music, with all the trademarks of the style, something that the fans of old school stuff will love. The music was recorded during three nights at the studio, with all the instruments and vocals recorded live, and this captures a lot of the feeling the band wanted to create. There are the fast blast-beating stuff that we all are aware of, but what enhances the dark and ominous atmosphere is the slower and more ritualistic moments, along with some additions from a church organ. In a tempo like that, vocals are chilling, and sound like coming from the depths of Hell, enriching the result to the maximum. The whole package screams old-fashioned, from the cover art, to the dark and suffocating production, everything is like the band decided to take a step back into the mid 90's. With the music being aggressive, dark, and poisonous, and moving into this sick and unholy atmosphere, success is guaranteed. If you are into Black Metal stuff, then this one will definitely meet your needs.

9/10

BUCK SATAN & THE 666 SHOOTERS - Bikers Welcome! Ladies Drink For Free

If you are not aware of the music of the band, then nothing can prepare you for that. Although not from the US, I can't overlook the fact that Country is a style of music with a huge and addictive groove in it. So, this band, is the brainchild of Al Jourgensen from Ministry, and is playing Country performed in his own perspective. The result is an album full of melodies, with lyrics having a strong sense of humor, talking about women, bikes, booze, bars and good time with friends. Along with the original Metal musicians, there are banjos, fiddles, cellos and mandolins, and this makes the music even more diverse and intriguing. So, what you have here can be tagged as a Country album performed through Metal filters, or a Metal album done by Country musicians, but no matter how you call it, it's well played. It has catchy grooves, very good melodies, harsh vocals, and gifted musicianship. Along with Al, there are musicians from Static-X, Cheap Trick, and Rigor Mortis, but equal good musicianship can also be heard from those playing banjos, fiddles and mandolins. The songs are very good, with no less good moments, or things that could be done in a better way. I understand that this album might not be enough Metal for the majority of the fans, and I guess it might not be enough Country for the fans of the genre. But to me, it sounds like a ambitious, inspired and humorous enough, effort to create an album that combines two different styles of music, into a style the band calls Countrycore. Check it out and decide for yourselves.

8/10 

IN FLAMES - Where The Dead Ships Dwell (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

IN FLAMES - Where The Dead Ships Dwell (OFFICIAL VIDEO). Taken from the album "Sounds Of A Playground Fading".

Today, Sweden's own IN FLAMES unleashes the digital single for their track "Where The Dead Ships Dwell".  The digital single includes not only the original song from the most recent album, Sounds Of A Playground Fading - which debuted at #27 on the Top 200 Billboard Charts and topped international charts - but also features three extremely diverse remixes of the song with versions by German rapper CASPER, drum and bass act THE QEMISTS and KRISTOF BATHORY, vocalist of the black metal band DAWN OF ASHES.

"The songs have already been made and the originals are as good as they can be, but what if I give them to an artist from a whole different genre, what would be there take on it?" Says IN FLAMES vocalist Anders Fridén. "I love collaborations like this and all the artists we worked with have done an awesome job. It's not meant to be taken dead serious and it's not how In Flames is gonna sound next, but I love it and I hope you'll enjoy a twist to the formula."

GOTTHARD - Homegrown - Live In Lugano

There's a special meaning to this live, since the singer no longer exists due to a terrible accident. The show was recorded at Lugano back at 2010, only a few months after the tragic death of the singer, and it's one of the shows with Steve Lee in vocals. So, this is not only a live release, but more of a homage to a very gifted singer who had much more to offer. For those not familiar with the music of Gotthard, the band is playing Hard Rock, with killer melodies, catchy vocals, the kind of music that is easy to get into, and fun to sing along. But don't get fooled, there's much more to the music than the surface, and the cautious listener will notice this after a few spins. This is obvious also from the way that the audience participates in each song, singing along, screaming and making their presence audible in every given chance. The singer communicates with the crowd, talking to people, and making sure they have a good time. Another strong point of the album is the sound quality, which is a big thing for a live album. The songs are clear enough, but there is also the noise of the crowd in the background, capturing some of the energy and the atmosphere of this live. Along with that, comes a bonus DVD containing amongst others, a live recorded back in 1999, named The Millennium Show 1999. Unfortunately the release marks the end of an era, but, it's still a live that both lucky Lugano fans, Gotthard fans, and good music lovers should check out.

9/10

MASTERCASTLE - Dangerous Diamonds

This is the third effort of the Italian band, and this album is one of those that can establish their brand name even stronger in the Metal scene. The band is playing Power Metal, enriched by many neoclassical elements and enough melodies. The first impression you get from this album is weird, because the music is moving on two different directions, dominated by both the guitars and the vocals. As strange as this might sound, both female singer and guitarist create a nice contradiction, making the songs even more catchy and fun to listen to. The guitarist is very skilled, creating some very complex melodies, either shredding or playing more melodic and slow stuff, while the rest of the rhythm section creates the perfect sonic base. On the other hand, the second pole of the album is the excellent vocals of Giorgia Gueglio, who also dominates the songs with her distinctive voice. So the result is an album that won't bore the listener with countless guitar works, but a complete album, that combines the shredding with great and diverse singing, a solid rhythm section and enough interesting song arrangements. There are no weak points here, although some moments do stand out of the crowd, and this is also because the singer manages with her versatile way of singing to color the songs with her own style. Either call it Power, Neoclassical, or just Metal, this album is well arranged, well performed, and contains enough very good songs. If you liked their previous two, then this is also recommended.    

9/10  

TERRORTORY - The Seed Left Behind

This band exists since 2000, and this is their debut album so far. All those years, the band had numerous line up changes and various demo recordings have been done, with material of them found their way into this album. The band is playing a mixture of Swedish Death, with enough elements from Thrash as well, something that might sound cliche, but it's so well constructed that no one will mind. The first thing we noticed is that the band is talented enough, with their musical vision perfectly realized here, and able to create music that can be catchy and groovy, but also complex and mind intriguing at the same time. There are contradictions in their music, aggressive parts give their place to melodic moments with clear vocals, catchy melodies enrich each song while brutal growls and crunchy guitars dwell in the foreground. Their music, although contains enough similarities with bands like In Flames or Dark Tranquility, also contains enough personal elements, and enough interesting ideas. The production is heavy and powerful enough, but also as clear as it should be. If you are seeking for an album that bears all the trademarks of the Swedish scene, and still doesn't afraid to explore some new territories, then you might be interested in this one. It's brutal, it's melodic, diverse, aggressive, and well played.

8/10

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR - The Party Ain't Over 'Til We Say So

Hardcore Superstar is a band that comes from Sweden, and despite their name states, they are not into any kind of Hardcore. The band exists for about a decade now, and this is a compilation of their best songs in their career, plus a new track, which was put as a first track, and trust me, it's the perfect opener. The band is playing music that is heavily inspired by the 80's, and the listener will find enough inspiration from bands like Gun's and Roses and mostly Motley Crue. Elements from Thrash can also be heard in their early work, and still are blended together in their latest songs, creating a style they call Street Metal, and enriching the whole result. This brings two words in mind, one being Energy, and the other being Party. The music is pure fun to listen to, while driving or while drinking beers with friends at a local bar. Melodies are plenty here, and make the songs catchy and groovy enough, while the vocals are fitting perfectly with the feeling of the music. The choice of songs is very good, and gives a good idea to the listener of what the sound of the band is like, from their first to their latest releases. A good and clear production, preserves both the atmosphere of the music and also brings all the details of the music to the surface. A Best Of is a quick lesson to the music of a band, and this lesson has all it takes to become successful. It's fast, groovy, catchy, well performed, full of power and sticks into your mind. Enjoy.

9/10  

DEATHSTARS - The Greatest Hits On Earth

It takes a huge dose of egoism, big guts, or both, to put that title on your latest release. But is it as the Swedish bands claims, or it's just big words? First of all, the band plays a kind of Metal that has enough electronic sounds, plenty of Industrial elements and a rather Gothic style in singing which fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the music. The thing that impresses is the groove that the songs have, and the ease that the music sticks into your mind. The band has chosen songs from their latest three albums, a perfect sample of their 11 year old career, plus two brand new songs put in the very beginning of the album to tease the listener. The songs are wisely chosen, and are all of the same high quality. The production is also great, heavy and dark enough, and preserves the atmosphere of the music in the best possible way. The album has been released just in time for their tour with Rammstein, but still, it's a perfect crash course for those that want to get to know better the music of the band. As for the title, I am not sure if it contains the best songs on earth, but surely contains some of their best material so far. So, if you happen to live in a city where the two bands come to play, you can consider yourself lucky. Either way though, grab a copy of this release, sit back, and enjoy both the performance and the dark and emotional atmosphere.

9/10      

PARADISE LOST - The Last Time (OFFICIAL VIDEO 2011)

PARADISE LOST - The Last Time (OFFICIAL VIDEO). Taken from the DVD "Draconian Times MMXI". Century Media 2011.

Siege Of Amida free Sampler

Siege Of Amida Records have now been slogging at it for 5 years…

To celebrate, the label have uploaded a 26 track free downloadable sampler 

for their website, which features exclusive new material from their roster 

as well as new signings Molotov Solution and Boris The Blade (ex The Red Shore).

MORTON - Come Read The Words Forbidden

I had the impression that only beautiful women and athletes come out from Ukraine. And suddenly I discover these guys who totally changed my mind. Morton comes from
Ukraine, as you have understand, and they play high quality, Power Metal blended with some modern elements. The result is outstanding! Crunchy guitars, solid rhythm section that produce catchy riffs combined with beautiful vocals and solos. For those that like the genre, invest without fear. I wish them the best for the future, because this is their debut album. Keep on hard rockin'guys!!

Review written by Nikos

10/10

SANDSTONE - Cultural Dissonance

Sandstone is a band that hails from Ireland, and are playing a mixture of Progressive and Melodic Power Metal. This is their third album so far, following their latest 2009 work, titled "Purging The Past", which amongst others, received great comments from Bruce Dickinson. Now, the band is blending two almost similar styles of music, creating something that has the trademarks and the strong points of both genres. First of all is melodic, and catchy, something that makes the music easy to get into from the first listening. Parts memorable enough, easy to sing along and a groovy rhythm section, enhance this feeling, and make the songs even better. But, along with that, there's diversity and complexity into the song structures, and enough things hidden, that the listeners have to discover with each listening. The music is heavier than their previous work, due to the addition of a second guitar, and this is a certain step forward for the new album. Along with that, comes the vocals, which are also very good, well worked, and fitting perfectly with the music, either slow and melodic, or harder and more powerful. The production is very good, as clear as should be, and points out all the details of the music. If you seek an album that can combine the fast and melodic elements of Power Metal, with complexity of Progressive, into a mixture that has no weak points, then this is an album that you should check out. After all, coming from a country with a huge tradition in music, is somehow assuring the result.

9/10