Reviews
\r\nMELODIC METALCORE FROM GREECE\r\n
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\r\n-SlavEATgoD- is band from Greece that plays Modern Metal with Metalcore groovy riffs, melodic leads and thrashy feeling since 2007 and has released so far only one EP. In 10/2007 they took part in the Battle Of The Bands contest and took the first place in both the semi-finals and the finals alike. Finally, they have been chosen amongst many Greek metal bands to take part in the Wacken Metal Battle Contest. On August 2009 they started recording their first album which they completed on February 2010. \r\n
\r\nMAGICA are back with a brand new album, which is going to be released at the end of this month.
\r\nCompared to the previous one, both the production and the mixing are much better, while Ana ‘s voice remains still beautiful and her performance is really good. In general, there nice ideas, however, despite the band’s good intentions, I think that once more they don’t make any difference at all. Having a singer with a good voice is for granted for a band of this music genre, anyway, so it takes more than that to stand out.
I have been familiar with the Dutch Conorach since they released their debut album ““Tales From The tavern” in 2008, an album that in my opinion was an excellent Heavy/Folk Metal release. Conorach’s musical influences can be spot in bands like Skyclad and mostly Falconer that seem to characterize their sound. This release is in fact nothing more than a 2 track single “42 Days” and “Patriot’s Song” which seem to carry on the legacy of “Tales From The tavern”.
\r\nWhen a band‘s musical background is exceptional, its only option is to prevail! Their influences are in a way my weakest point: QUEENSRYCHE, CRIMSON GLORY, CONCEPTION, EVERGREY, MAGNITUDE 9, concerning the progressive mood, while they seem to pay tribute to classical metal bands such as DIO, BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN.
Observing the fantastic cover artwork, picturing a soldier walking away from a shallow grave and the title of the album “Unite and Conquer” my first thought was that I would probably listen to some Bolt Thrower related band, but I was wrong. Methusalem are delivering classic Heavy Metal. By referring to it as “Classic” I mean Heavy Metal that bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and other “Gods of the old” used to play and passed on to the new generation.
\r\nTHE SECOND BLAST\r\n
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\r\nU.S. Sludge/Thrash band - Black Tusk - are back with their second full length. After their debut album the band released three split albums and now they are ready for the second hit!!\r\n
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\r\nThe album has the title - Taste the Sin - and its another album full of Black Tusk madness! This band combines Sludge and Stone Metal with a lot of power and Thrashy attitude. The whole album has great sound and the production is great!! Great Sludge/Stone Metal riffs, heavy bass, nice drumming and a very nice shouting Death voice.\r\n
\r\nHOWL ARE BACK \r\n
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\r\nU.S. Death/Doom Metal band, -Howl- are back with their debut album. After releasing a mini CD now they are ready for their first full length. Two years after, they are back with an album full of Labyrinth Metal. A mix of Death Metal/Doom Metal/Sludge and Stone Metal with a lot of atmospheric passages. \r\n
\r\nThom Mathews begun his musical journey back on 2006. He was a member of the extreme/ technical death band QUINTA ESSENTIA and their debut album, “Neutrality Defined Chaos” seemed to be very promising for the future.
\r\nA bit later he signed with BLACK FLAME RECORDS. On 2007, his personal album,“Mindcraft”, was released and the feedback was very positive; Good inspiration and nice arrangements apart from his great performance and skills.
\r\n“Hell or Highwater” is a 2009 release, but on the 4th of May it’ s going to be released in the US too, as the band recently signed with WORLDSOUND.
\r\nTEXAS SCREAMS\r\n
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\r\n-Before There Was Rosalyn - is band from Texas, U.S., that plays a mix of modern Metalcore with Post-Hardcore and emotional feeling. Their debut full length is ready and already released via Victory Records.\r\n
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\r\nThe album is called - The Führer : An Allegory Of A History Of Deception - and it’s a nice album with great riffs, very good bass and drumming and nice vocals that combines raging Metalcore screams with clear emotional singing. The production is very good and so is the album cover.\r\n