Band: MALAPETAKA

Country: Malaysia

Title: 2013 Demo

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2013

Style: Thrash Death Metal

Review:

This 20 minutes debut demo from Malapetaka starts with a weak, uninteresting instrumental composition that made me think I'm about to loose an hour trying to find out something good in this band's music. Well, I was wrong as Malapetaka seems to be a really promising band even though this debut demo isn't exactly a groundbreaking release. The main fault are probably the simple and very generic guitar riffs and the failed syncronization between lyrics and music. But apart from that we're dealing here with a professional outfit who managed to release their demo in digipack format containing also a sheet with lyrics and a sticker, and musicwise offering catchy choruses, good execution speed, and quite a lot of energy. But the main highlight of this band are the awesome guitar solos, it's always a pleasure when they kick in. To sum it up, it seems Malapetaka is a promising band worth following.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 6.5/10

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Band: MEMORAIN

Country: Greece

Title: Seven Sacrifices

Label: Total Metal Records

Year: 2013

Style: Speed Thrash Metal

Review:

Memorain is a Greek band founded in 1999 but a band that kept only 1 original member in the actual line-up, the rest are all new members starting 2013. Not sure how and if this new (fifth) album was composed and recorded by the whole members or only by the original member, guitarist Ilias Papadakis. Anyway, as an interesting fact I can also name the special guests appearing on this album: David Ellefson (Megadeth), Jed Simon (Strapping Young Lad) and Michael Gilberd (Flotsam And Jetsam), pretty sick, isn't it? The music is a combination of Technical Power Metal and Melodic Thrash Metal, powerful and heavy sounding in order to catch the listener's attention. Strange why the vocalist is the only one with missing picture from the booklet... Anyway, Seven Sacrifices is a professional release worth your attention especially if you're looking for headbanging rhythms, long guitar solos, Testament-like compositions, and a healthy dose of Power Metal. 

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8.5/10

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Band: MOONLIGHT SONATA

Country: Russia

Title: In a Gloom of Centuries

Label: Satanarsa Records

Year: 2009

Style: Black Metal

Review:

Debut album from this one man band from Russia, In a Gloom of Centuries is made of 8 tracks totaling a bit more than half an hour. Playing mostly fast paced Black Metal based on fast drum-machine that reminds of the '90's Brutal Death Metal scene, Moonlight Sonata is almost all instrumental with only a few vocal insertions. There are some interesting guitar leads and riffs with a hint of melancholy here anmd there, but the general impression is quite weak, quite unimpressive. Not sure where this guy is aiming, but I won't be surprised if he takes the DSBM path soon, at least that's what I get from the sad guitar leads thrown in here and there on this album. All in all this is too synthetic for my taste, I don't think I'll play it again, sorry.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 6/10

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Band: MOONSHIDE

Country: Spain

Title: Chains of Agony

Label: Crystal Eyes Records

Year: 2013

Style: Progressive Metal

Review:

"Chains of agony" is the first work of moonshide to ever see the light as an introduction before their first full album, and by the first listen you can tell that this guys have something to offer. With 25 minutes of music you may not get all what you need but surely it gives you a peek about what the album will be and by the sound of this EP iam waiting for the album allready. As I listen to this EP it is obvious that this is a band with their own unique sound that differs from other regular progressive bands, and that is shaped mainly by the warm female sound and the deep guitar rythms, but from time to time the keyboards & lead guitar kicks with great solos and breaks with the traditional progressive touches which was a great compination for my ears which don't always go well with progressive music. My favourite track through the album was the second track "BW" , the keyboard solos over the rythm guitar really empowered the track and did a great job with the vocals and this was without doubt the bass best work with his notes taking the music from part to another. David Garcia has done some really good job on the guitar part specially the guitar solos & also on the keyboard parts which wasn't alot but really added to the tracks. The vocal was really sensational and I feel she still has more to offer in the upcoming album , the drums was right there and the bass had some nice touches. The recording can be alot better specially in the rythm guitars which hidden alot of the other sounds for me which i hope they can improve in the album. Regarding every thing "moonshide" are on the right track on making good music & with some effort they really can go places.

Reviewed by Tarek

Rating: 7/10

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Band: MYSTTERRA

Country: Russia

Title: Orbis Terrarum

Label: Sound Age Productions

Year: 2013

Style: Folk Metal

Review:

Mysttera is a project of two musicians: Denis Kvedulv (vocals) and Leonid Chernitskiy (drums) from two bands: Arian Vaejah and Fragile Nova. While the previous albums was a medieval-folkmetal alterations of Rammstein, this material is step forward in MystTerra’s development and musical exploration. 

"Orbis Terrarum" reaching to the various Slavic lands (and not only) for the inspiration, including a lot of electronic motifs and samples of folk instruments. The greatest track from this album called "Djurdjevdan”, folk song from Serbian’s Gypsies, recorded In Russian folk metal style.

Reviewed by Vilcin

Rating: 7/10

Band: NARJAHANAM

Country: Bahrain

Title: Wa Ma Khufiya Kana A'atham

Label: Haarbin Productions

Year: 2013

Style: Black Death Metal

Review:

Black / Death Metal with influences of oriental sounds very exotic country. Middle Eastern History, Wars, Religion, Genesis… Interestingly arranged, appeared in the same end of the 2013 years but it was worth the wait. This is the second full album of the duet: Mardus (all instruments, vocals) and Busac (All instruments, drums programming). Good Stuff  from the one of the most exotic metal scene In the World!

Reviewed by Vilcin

Rating: 8/10

Band: NORHOD

Country: Italy

Title: The Blazing Lily

Label: WormHoleDeath

Year: 2013

Style: Symphonic Metal

Review:

With such a band name and album cover artwork I was expecting a Death Metal or at most a Doom Death Metal band, but once again judging a book by its cover proves me wrong, Norhod are actually a Symphonic Gothic Metal type of band, a type that lately seems to be more and more exponential for Italy. This is the band's debut album released on WormHoleDeath after a what seems quite successful Arianrhod EP selfreleased in 2012. Norhod builds its compositions on enchanting keyboard arrangements, an element that I find to be the highlight of the band even though they are using dual vocals (beauty and the best type); Michele Tolomei, the keyboard player did an awesome job, I cannot praise him enough. The two vocalists seem to get along well and although they are not sdanding out with anything, they perform well and the only thing I have to argue about is their volume levels, high above the instruments. The two guitarists are following the technical and very melodic Power Metal path, and the rhythm section, although it coukld have been a bit more emphasized, does its job well. If you're up to some Symphonic Metal arrangements Norhod might be just the band your alley, they have a lot of potential.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8/10

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Band: POEMA ARCANVS

Country: Chile

Title: Transient Chronicles

Label: BadMoodMan

Year: 2013

Style: Doom Death Metal

Review:

Poema Arcanvs seems to be one of the first Doom Death Metal bands in Chile, or at least one of the first who's still alive and kicking, and this is their fifth studio album originally released by Australis Records and picked up a year later by BadMoodMan. This re-release contains a bonus track and seems to be completely remastered so at least the fans will get something more than just a re-release. The band plays a nice blend of traditional and modern Doom Death Metal with plenty of melody, quite a lot of progressive elements and lots of complex structures to offer you a challenging experience from start to finish. Poema Arcanvs' highlight seems to me the vocal part, ranging from clean, sombre vocals to low tunned growls, and ven some male choirs here and there. The only complaint I have would be about the constant rhythm breaks, highly professional offered but a bit overused in my opinion. Except for that Transient Chronicles is an enjoyable and interesting experience.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8/10

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Band: RAM-PAGE

Country: Russia

Title: The Depths of Rage

Label: Metal Scrap Records

Year: 2013

Style: Thrash Death Metal

Review:

Third album from this Russian band and second out on Metal Scrap Records, The Depths of Rage is made of 12 tracks totaling a bit more than 35 minutes of fast paced Thrash Death Metal. The guitar riffs and rhythms are really catchy and you'll enjoy them for sure, but the vocals are some of the weirdest I've heard lately and I'm still not sure if I like them of find them hillarious; the guy sounds like he screams but whispering so that he doesn't disturb his neighbors, it's really hard to explain and you should give it a listen before deciding by yourselves. The instrumental part has them all: groove, energy, complexity and wrath, making this album one of the most honest Traditional Thrash Metal releases I've heard this year; although it starts with a weird feeling because of the vocal tone, Ram-Page's music grows on you and at the end you'll find yourselves really enjoying the release (well, if you can stand the vocals, of course).

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8.5/10

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Band: REALMBUILDER

Country: USA

Title: Blue Flame Cavalry

Label: I Hate Records

Year: 2013

Style: Heavy Doom Metal

Review:

Here's the third Realmbuilder album, still on I Hate Records, still following the same Heavy Doom Metal path, but this time featuring only 4 new tracks and still clocking almost 35 minutes of playing time. The band became more epic, there is more focus on the epic atmospheres this time, but besides that I don't see many changes in their music. There's still that '70's type of dry sound, but in this context it's quite spot on. Realmbuilder's music is not easy to penetrate, but once you get to understand it you'll also like it, or at least that was my case, at first I was sceptical, but after a couple of spins I found myself humming parts of their music, so yes, good job. Not for everyone, but definitely a classy release.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8/10

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Band: REARTH

Country: Italy

Title: For My Dreams I Fall

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2013

Style: Progressive Metal

Review:

Debut album, delf-released, from this Italian Progressive Metal outfit, For My Dreams I Fall seems to be more a demonstration of their technical abilities than a monolith, a compact release. Honestly I was left with a sour taste after the audition, sour taste because these guys are really good instrumentists but certain parts of this album are quite boring and at their level this should be unacceptable. The vocalists (the guys and the special guest girl) are trying their best but none of them are able to bring something outstanding to the table, and probably that's why I didn't like the album in the end. The guitar work on the other side is absolutely elegant, complex most of the times but also with a nice dose of simple, to your face elements. The rhythm section is rigorous as well, but in the end the lack of unity wights more and I'm not able to fully enjoy this release. Try it if you're into Progressive Metal, you might like it more than I do.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 6.5/10

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Band: SICULICIDIUM

Country: Romania

Title: Hosszu ut az orokkevalosagba

Label: Sun & Moon Records

Year: 2013

Style: Black Metal

Review:

Finally a new (second) album from Siculicidium, an album announced since 2012 by two EPs. This time the 2 maniacs (and a few guests) brought a very rare combination of old-school, raw Black Metal with modern, post-Metal elements (especially on drums and leads guitar), a combination that is possible to satisfy a wider range of listeners. The vocals remained unchanged, the same hoarse but at the same time comprehensive tone supported by a second layer of voices in the background. The band experimented much more on this release and what came out of it is really enjoying, interesting and catchy; they even added trumpet a la Sear Bliss. Raw but at the same time melodic, hateful but at the same time melancholic, simple but at the same time complex, thumbs up for this new release, you should give it a try. My only concern is the drums' sound, too synthetic for my taste, but luckily not annoying.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 9/10

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Band: SXUPERION

Country: USA

Title: Inverted Goat Orifice

Label: Bloody Mountain Records

Year: 2013

Style: Black Death Metal

Review:

New Sxuperion EP, this time one that was crafted during 4 years, from 2010 when Sxuperion, the man behind this moniker, started recording drums, to 2013 when he mastered the 5 tracks. If after listening to the Satanic Idol Whoreship EP I was surprised how much I liked it, this time the music took a step ahead in everything. This is probably one of the most cruel releases I've heard lately coming out of the States, it's sheer brutality and rawness is impressive to say the least. The whole EP is a devastating statement of hate and disgust, you can actually feel the frightening emotions it spews, and that's such a rare thing nowadays; you'll literally find yourself angrier after the audition. As an underground release (raw sound, uncompromising attitude, unpolished execution), I'd say Sxuperion produced a cult release with Inverted Goat Orifice, way brutaller than most of the nowadays spikes & leather fashion bands.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 9.5/10

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Band: TEARDOWN

Country: Finland

Title: Inner Distortions

Label: Grave New Music

Year: 2013

Style: Melodic Heavy Metal

Review:

After more than 10 years from their formation , Teardown debut album "Inner Distortions" finally saw the sun where you can see that these years helped to build the band's character and sound, to come out with a record worth listening to. With elements mixed from gothic to atmospheric music this album give us quiet an interesting journey that once you hear the album you can find easily it is built around Katja's unique voice and her journey inside the dark sides of her her soul. She gave alot of emotions in the tracks and also a varity of voice layers from the soft doomy vocals to the high pitched lines that gave life to the words. The bass guitar was the first instrument that catched my ears specially these few notes between the chords and his lines on the keyboard and drums like in the track "My cave" .the keyboard also played a great part in setting the stage to katja's voice specially in the breaks and the choir parts. the drums and guitar sound was good and did their job right though there was no special parts for me. Listening to this album I found the lyrics very catchy, inspiring and paid a great part in drawing the foundation of this album and you can feel connected with alot of the tracks once you hear them an really listen to the lyrics and that was clearly for me in the track "Glass Idol"  which was my best track in the album. In conclusion this is definitely an album worth listening to with lots of good music and ideas and Teardown is a band worth looking forward for their coming releases. 

Reviewed by Tarek

Rating: 7.5/10

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Band: TRIGGER

Country: Russia

Title: Apocalypse Tomorrow

Label: Selfreleased

Year: 2012

Style: Death Metal

Review:

I thought this is a young band by the guys' look, but it seems they were formed back in 2004, even though they managed to release their debut EP and full-lenght 10 years later, in 2013. Trigger is a Russian band playing US type of Modern Death Metal with plenty of groove on guitars, technical compositions, growling, uncomprehensive vocals, powerful bass lines and plenty of blastbeats, but unfortunately with heavy overuse of rhythm breaks that make the album a bit hard to get at first. If you like these constant rhythm changes Apocalypse Tomorrow might be an interesting pick, but if you're looking for steady flowing stuff look away. Mid-tempo to fast paced rhythms, heavy atmospheres, unpolished but clear sound, this 8 tracks album will make a good half an hour audition for thos into Technical but Brutal '90's type of US Death Metal.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 7.5/10

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Band: WHEN NOTHING REMAINS

Country: Sweden

Title: Thy Dark Serenity

Label: Solitude Productions

Year: 2013

Style: Doom Death Metal

Review:

Second album from this Swedish Doom Death Metal band, a proud Draconian follower now even having a Draconian member, Johan Ericson, taking care of part of the vocals work and also the mixing and mastering for this release. I like the fact the band chose to continue with the same artwork concept for their cover as on their debut album, in my opinion a very successful work. The music is again that melancholic, heavy as hell, oppressing and mood-drenching Melodic Doom Death Metal built by growling and clean male vocals, energetic rhythm section, quite generic but catchy guitar riffs, excellent keyboard work, and slow, heavy and sad atmospheres. Nothing new for the scene, nothing ionnovative, but a very well done album that's nothing below the top of the scene, well structured and well performed.

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8.5/10

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Band: WORSTENEMY

Country: Italy

Title: Revelation

Label: WormHoleDeath

Year: 2013

Style: Death Metal

Review:

I know this band since their 2005 split with Mind Snare, but they were formed back in 1997 and this is actually their debut full-length album, so it seems we're dealing with a not so lucky Italian band afterall. The music on this debut album is mostly mid-paced Death Metal the American way, with fat-ass sound, deep growls, '90's type of guitar solos, grinding rhythm section and an overall dusty, cryptic atmosphere reminding me of Six Feet Under in their best period. It really sounds like a '90's US Death Metal band and I only wished those delicious guitar solos would have been more, but for the rest I have no complaints, an album that will only get the attention of Death Metal maniacs who know what to expect, but will also gain their respect and appreciation as there's no room for compromise here. Recommended to old-school fanatics!

Reviewed by Adrian

Rating: 8/10

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