Single Review: Crystal Faith - Pain (Metal, 2020)

Some bands can put a subject so much on point it's just unbelievable. These words ran through my head when the newest Crystal Faith single came in.

The cover already teases what's inside.

It's the rushing agony that is spread through the constant push in the first part of the song that let's me sink deeper into the track. The next step comes with the lyrics pumping in with the constant knocking of words - expressing so much of what a person in this situation is thinking and wishing for.

I hardly know of any band that keeps translating feelings and thoughts into music like Crystal Faith do on "Pain". It's a symbiosis of words and music forming a bold message that changes and forms all the way through this digital release.

Finally there's a message at the end that I cannot second enough. I hope more people will think about it having seen and heard this great track.

You can purchase music from the website of the band. Every cent helps them to keep going. Follow them on Facebook for info on all the stuff to (hopefully) come.

David Ellefson and Chris Poland reunite for Japan/Australia Tour in May

This sounds like a tour that won't happen ever again!David Ellefson and Chris Poland will hit the road in May 2020 for a double headliner tour featuring full sets from Ellefson and Poland,  with an epic finale any thrash fan will not want to miss.

If it wouldn't happen in Australia and Japan I would like to attend these shows myselves.

The tourposter for the Australia leg of the Ellefson / Poland tour package.

Here are the exact dates of the Ellefson / Poland tour.

JAPAN
Sunday 17 May - Trad, Osaka
Monday 18 May - Liquid Room, Tokyo

AUSTRALIA
Friday 22 May – Max Watts, Melbourne
Saturday 23 May – Manning Bar, Sydney
Sunday 24 May – Crowbar, Brisbane
Monday 25 May – The Basement, Canberra
Tuesday 26 May – Enigma Bar, Adelaide

Tickets & VIP upgrades on sale
www.destroyalllines.com

In addition to these great news it has been announced that the first Chris Poland record "Return to Metalopolis", celebrating its 30 year anniversary in 2020 will see a reissue from Ellefson’s Combat Records, in stores in the US, and digitally worldwide on Friday 2/21.

To skip the waiting time listen to the single "Hammer comes down" of the David Ellefson record "Sleeping Giants" that features Chris Poland on guitars.

Hellz reveals the Sinner in us all

Some tracks are just cool. This particular one rocked me step by step. In the beginnins things sound a bit thin and simple but beware. The music evolves heavily.

Hellz surprised me with a massive first single called "Sinner".

While the first seconds may make you want to turn it down again, make sure to hold on. It grabs you a bit more with each passing moment deep inside your heart.The refrain will give you a pusher. It kicked me straight and this single is once more something that proves, that music is motivation. So much energy that she sends this way. It keeps your head in the here and now and wants you to push on forward.


The song is up for purchase on iTunes as well as Amazon.

More music of Hellz is already on the horizont. The debut EP has been announced to hit the shelves early 2020 via R.I.N.D Records. Once the EP is completed touring will be on the horizon both in her native Australia, as well as internationally.

Make sure to keep a eye on the homepage of Hellz and to check Facebook so you won't miss the further story out.

EP Review: Persecutor - Persecutor (Thrash, 2020/2007)

Real thrash metal is timeless. But sure as it is it's not that easy to create and record this music genre properly. This underground EP by polish thrashers Persecutor suprised me with it's fine and outworked production as well as dedicated songwriting showing the solid skills of the band.

A shining thrash diamond has be re-issued in digital format these days.

Also it's first release dates back to 2007 it shows what a underground act with much engagement and heartblood can put out if they want to. While the start "Embryonic Lifeform" goes the typical rough way to hit the listener quick and hard the other tracks evolve. The songs go a midtempo route every here and there and the vocals given more time now show the full glow a dark voice can offer given it's place in the music. "Dogs Of War" is the best example for that.

"Dementia" shows the diversity the band has in themselves. The song structures change from part to part and are a shed of joy to listen to. "The Art Of Killing" closes the release with a slower edgy riffing songstructure and blasting parts.

These days's this little shing diamond has been re-issued the digital way on all streaming plattforms. Below you can find a direct link to listen to the music on Spotify. So sit back, relax and let this fine notes sink in to power you up once more. t just takes few minutes duration.

Fatal Opera to release final album after 20 years

Some bands are a bit legendary for me since they were using a sound formula not to be heard too often. It's like this with Fatal Opera, a band from the US that featured ex Megadeth drummer Gar Samuelson and his brother Stew Samuelson.

They had a jazz influenced way to set up the songs and the first album "Fatal Opera" to me personally also feels a bit as if Jimi Hendrix's feeling for exploring heavy guitar sounds mixed with various rhythm was continued by the band.

A old band picture of Fatal Opera, Photo Credit unknown after 20 years.

These days I'm surprised to learn that the band had a third album "Fatal Opera III" in the makings before Gar Samuelson died. Now 20 years later the results of these writing sessions are about to be released but in a special way with many upgrades and specials.

The street date for the LP has been announced to be Summer 2020 via Combat Records.

The album will include guest appearances from Megadeth’s Chris Poland and David Ellefson, who will appear on the track “The Raven”, which will mark the first time Poland, Ellefson and Samuelson have appeared on a track together since Megadeth’s seminal Peace Sells.. But Who’s Buying, as well as additional guest appearances from Poland, and New Yorkers bassist Robbie “Pags” Pagliari, marking the first time the original lineup of The New Yorkers (Poland and Samuelson’s pre-Megadeth Jazz/fusion project, also featuring guitarist Stew Samuelson) has appeared together on a commercial recording.

Also making a guest appearance on “The Raven” is Ellefson vocalist, and COMBAT Records A&R, Thom Hazaert.

Fatal Opera III, is the final chapter in the band’s legacy, featuring the final recordings of Samuelson, who passed away in 1999. Fatal Opera began work on a new album prior to Gar’s passing, and the tracks sat for almost 20 years, until they were finally revisited. Enough tracks were found to create Fatal Opera III, produced and mixed by Andy Freeman. The remaining members joined forces to finish the album that was started so many years ago, released in a fitting tribute and celebration to the legacy of Gar Samuelson, and Fatal Opera.

Vocalist Andy Freeman says, “It was a long time in the making, but it truly was a labor of love, putting together this final release. It was an honor and a privilege to work with David and Thom, who helped make this album possible, and getting Chris and David together with Gar once again brought the whole project full circle. We are very pleased that it will finally see the light of day, and hope that it will be an offering to our fans, and a fitting final musical tribute to Gar."

Megadeth bassist, and Combat Records owner, David Ellefson says, “Gar was one of the more unorthodox, unpredictable, and musically compelling drummers I've ever played with. His legacy continues to grow with the passage of time. So, it's an honor for me to have this posthumous performance with Gar, in honor of his incredible musicianship and legacy he left for us all to enjoy.”

Make sure to keep a eye on Combat Records Facebook page for further announcements of this release.