Reviews
Black Oath is another group that continues the classic occult doom metal tradition of the Italian sound, a sound that can be considered as “classic” already. Of course in this release the influences by the masters of this specific sound, for instance Paul Chain, Black Hole, Zess, Jacula amongst others, are audible. In this MCD release the band provides us with 25 minutes of atmospheric, doom metal, with a dark, creepy and claustrophobic atmosphere with some heavy keybord sound and grim aesthetic.
The Occult Doom Italian outfit Abysmal Grief, a couple of weeks ago released the “teaser” of their new LP, the 7” single “Samhain Feast” that features two new tracks, the same titled and the track “Grimorium Verum” that has been released for the first time, ten years ago, on the band’s “Mors te Audit” demo tape, but since only 13 copies made, the song must be considered as a new one.
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\r\n-THE RED CHORD- ARE BACK \r\n \r\n
\r\nU.S. technical Deathsters - The Red Chord - were formed in 1999 and they have released one Demo and three full length albums. They are now back, two years after their last great album, with their fourth full length album that is going to be loved by their fans and every fan of technical Death metal. \r\n
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\r\nTO THE DARK SIDE OF NORWAY\r\n \r\n
\r\nNorwegian Blacksters - Alverg - are back with their first full length work!! Six years after their very first demo , the band finally signed with Soulseller Records and they are now ready to shoot us with their dark and hellish Black Metal!!\r\n
Astral Dive hail from Italy and “Trauma” is their first step into music business. I fact “Trauma” is a self financed and self produced 5 track EP of well performed but typical female fronted power metal with some symphonic parts, something that, more or less is becoming a trend as more and more bands are added to the pile of the genre while only few of them manage to make an impression. Astral Dive are not the exception to the rule. Their compositions are mediocre and the same goes to the production as well.
\r\nOne thing that I like very much about PARADOX is the excellent work on the guitars and the thunderous riffing which plays the most important role in the compositions. I also like the fact that they do have their own style, even though it combines many elements from bands such as Metallica (their first albums), Megadeth and Anthrax. This has to do a lot with the vocals, because they are aggressive and very melodic at the same time.
The Greek outfit, The Silent Rage, before the release of their first full length album “Inner Scars” provides us with a “teaser” of their new work through the self titled EP (The Silent Rage)
\r\nPersonally I have to admit that I am a fan of Melodic and Power Metal. But I am just a fan, not a hooligan and therefore I can reserve critics even harsh on releases of Melodic and Power Metal bands. On this occasion, another Power/Melodic metal band, Karuna try to gain our attention with their self-financed 3-track "Neitherworld". The Irish band Karuna have been around in various forms since 2002 and are formerly known as Dark Crystal releasing a demo in 2003 entitled "In the Arms of the Mountain".
\r\nThe funny thing is…I was wondering if this year could become even better after the latest album releases from OSI and Porcupine Tree…
\r\nI could just say that the new Redemption is album is a masterpiece and rate it. But it’s early... there’s always the challenge of time… the excitement… after all, Ray Alder’s voice is one of my favorites for the last ten years the least, so I must avoid being enthousiast in the first place.