CD Review: Tad Morose - March Of The Obsequious (Power Metal, 2022)

Reviewing a album of the swedish power metal icon Tad Morose has been a dream I always had. So you can easily imagine how I felt when the "March Of The Obsequious" album hit my inbox. I've been more than excited when the download started. Have I been disappointed or am I glad about the new songs?

A look upon the present line-up of Tad Morose.

To make it short. Tad Morose deliver quality music. They've always sticked to the formula to release music worth listening to.

This also goes for the new album. It heavily hits the same route that the predecessors of the "new" era that the Revenant LP started have set up.

The music is comprised of pure metal riffing. The drums and bass guitars heavily follow on the trails of the compositions. I think it's a no-brainer up to this point for many metal heads.

Inside view on each track

The title track and "Witches Dance" benefit of the vocals and go in straight without doubts. It's just with track number three that things become a bit harder. The high pitched vocals climb to the max on this tune. That's of high quality but sometimes I would like to see them set a bit lower because it can be a bit too much of it all at times.

This goes very much for the next number, too. A solid midtempo song but the vocals leave a feeling of overload behind.

Happily the next one "Dying" offers more variations, some even a bit unusual for the Swedish band.

"Escape" returns to the fine tradition of compact riffage mixed up with power pushing drums - a combination that leaves room for evolution of the track through it's duration. Such songs go in quickly. 

The cover art has become darker than on all the previous releases.

"A Trail Of Sins" comes with nice melody blocks and solid riffing. I think those melodies should point a bit to the old Tad Morose Records, those days where the band still used keyboards. I love those songs and it's cool to see the band pays sort of hommage to those days when they started releasing music (yet at a more progressive level).

This calls for more and the band heeds to this with "A Quilt Of Shame". A good midtempo creeper with a lot of changes in the vocals. Sometimes these composition feels like a journey in my mind.

"The Legion" unvels itself as a midtempo and very loud vocal oriented song. The mix sets a spot on the vocals that aim for high peaks. Once again I think less could have been more here. High vocal performance is great but please not that often.

The album closer shows few softer notes coming in at the start and changing into rougher territory shortly afterwards.

This scheme carries on through the whole song. A good idea to finish the record in a more unusual way.

Is it worth it?

The whole album is mixed to a loud volume so make sure to chose the volume control carefully.

Most songs are great but I'd like to hear the band mixing the next album a different way with less loud high vocals. It could make the music more variable this way.

Besides that don't hesitate to give "March Of The Obsequious" a try because it's still a well outworked album with some fine surprises for those who are longtime fans of the band.

You can listen to the full record on a digital service of your choice. This overview offers links to Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music as well as to Spotify and Apple Music.

The webshop of GMR Music holds the chance to order physical copies on Vinyl, undead Compact Disc and even a Digipack with signed card and pin. 

CD Review: Emissary: The Wretched Masquerade (Power Metal, 2022)

This band combines it's very strengths to bring on something like I've not heard in a longer time.

The cover already gives you food for thought about it's meaning.

The instruments of the US band feel like hey hold a talk to each other. It's all centered around the crunching riffs and the other musicians add, follow but sometimes also contrast to this. But it's far more than this. 

It all stems of a power and passion for music that cannot be heard on every Compact Disc. Just take "In Solitude". It goes far deeper than the usual release. It fires a bunch of feelings towards the listener with it's rawness and power of riffs on the one hand while the other spreads emotions through the vocals and the ever changing drums. 

It's great to hear the songs aren't set in long duration. They follow a compact route keeping the pressure and pureness intact. The album lives of it's ideas. Emissary often have a own way to write the material and that's what keeps me on the stereo. 

The stuctures on songs like "Ruler Of Defiance" follow a unusual pattern and are filled with little snippets (means melodies of the guitar) and textures (raw riffs) not to be heard otherwise. It feels like the band created something on their very own.

The sound is loud and clear. I recommend not to hear the songs on a high level. You'll be able to enjoy all the efforts the band put in more with less volume. This record lives of it's contrasts of heavy music and the fine melodic vocals and melodies on the guitar.

"The Wretched Masquerade" is a all killer no filler release so it's well worth the purchase.

Grab a copy on CD or cassette directly out of the bands hands and have a teaser with the player below.   

The band kindly still let's you download a second disc with old band demo's if you buy a CD copy.

Vinyl copies should be available at a later date.

Single Review: Not Another Prayer - Against the Wall (2022, Progressive Nu Metal)

Beware! This track comes kicking straight through your door. In fact I've hardly heard any band coming out of the speakers so clear and with full of energy.

The roughness at the beginning may feel a bit hard to take first but it fits to the lyrics, since I think we shall feel smashed to the wall first.

The band comments on the lyrics: "The lyrics talk about how we feel "against the wall" because of the restrictions, distorsions and discriminations of society, but we also invite the listener (and also ourselves) to wake up, because everything is falling apart and we need to stop it!"

A fine picture of the band Not Another Prayer.

But it's not just a rush of violent riffs all the way. The clou comes in after half of the duration is gone. The new offering changes it's side into a beautifull melancholic number letting us fly through a dreaming like atmosphere. A lot of work has been put in here you can easily hear with vocal effects and layers added to the wall of sound.

Finally the newest release pumps up some drive again but much less hard than in the beginning. It's more mid-tempo and feels great as a outro.

You can also listen to this song on Spotify.

Make sure to connect to the italian band. Where to will they go next ? How is the next release going to sound like ? I'm looking forward to see and hear.

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David Ellefson & Jeff Young to perform classic Megadeth albums live soon

There were already rumors spreading around but nothing was confirmed until now...

Yes, it's true that David Ellefson and Jeff Young have joined forces again with Chris Poland under the banner of "Kings Of Thrash".

Along with Chaz Leon and Fred Aching they will perform the Megadeth classic albums "Killing is My Business…and Business is Good" and "So Far, So Good…So What" in it's entirely.

Maybe a once in a lifetime chance to see these albums performed live by those who recorded the original records.

So far four shows in the United States have been confirmed. Let's hope they will turn out well and more shows can be revealed soon. Until then we are able to see and hear how the rehearsals went as the band uploaded a six minute long cut to YouTube for all of us to enjoy.

KINGS OF THRASH - 'THE MEGA YEARS' OCTOBER WEST U.S. TOUR 2022 

October 12th- Brick by Brick- San Diego

Click here for tickets

October 13th- Crescent Ballroom- Phoenix, Arizona

Click here for tickets

October 14th- The Space- Las Vegas

Click here for tickets

October 15th- Whisky A Go Go- West Hollywood, California

Click here for tickets

VIP packages will be available on all shows. Go here for more info.

Make sure to keep in touch for all further updates.

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Supernaut hit the road tomorrow with fun riffhacker single

This is the sort of music that keeps me on the stereo. The stoner metal formation from the United States created a heavy riff that rocks straight through my ears. It's going agressively in but never misses to form something that remains listenable.

The cover reminds me a bit of computer game shells.

The drums accompany to the guitars and keep the groove tight and round. But what I liked most are the vocals on "Resist the urge". They have this legendary spirit in it. These direct vocals only pure underground bands have in them. They hit you direct in the face and keep it short and straight forward. No holding back, no overload just straight in to the noise. The lyrics accompany to this.

The overall sound is also like these thrash bands used to have them when they started out. 

Make sure to listen to the full song 'till the end. The last third holds some nice play-around with more rough riffing that spread a lot of fun. 

The brand new single comes packed in a nice sleeve that hopefully will see a T-Shirt release sometime.

Make sure to support this combo on the coming tour in the United States that already starts tomorrow! Here are the exact dates.

August 2022

Friday 19th The Blue Lagoon - Santa Cruz, CA
Saturday 20th The Partisan - Merced, CA
Sunday 21st Jerry's Pizza and Pub - Bakersfield, CA
Tuesday 23rd Transplants Brewing - Palmdale, CA
Wednesday 24th Supply and Demand - Long Beach, CA
Thursday 25th The Continental - Fullerton, CA
Friday 26th The Pourhouse - Oceanside, CA
Saturday 27th Bancroft Bar - Spring Valley, CA
Tuesday 30th Yucca Taproom - Tempe, AZ
Wednesday 31st The Rockin' Bar - El Paso, TX

September 2022

Thursday 1st The Deadhorse - San Angelo, TX
Friday 2nd Wake The Dead Coffeehouse- San Marcos, TX
Saturday 3rd Green Jay - Austin, TX
Sunday 4th Acadia Bar - Houston, TX
Thursday 8th Freetown Boom Boom Room - Lafayette, LA
Friday 9th Gasa Gasa - New Orleans, LA
Saturday 10th The Tavern - Hattiesburg, MS
Sunday 11th TBD - Memphis, TN
Tuesday 13th TBD - Fayatteville, AR
Wednesday 14th TBD - Norman, OK
Thursday 15th Leftwoods - Amarillo, TX
Friday 16th Longhair Records - Albuquerque, NM
Saturday 17th The Attic - Prescott, AZ
Sunday 18th The Sand Dollar Lounge - Las Vegas, NV

A full album release is also slated for the 19th of August 2022. Keep a eye on Bandcamp for the moment it hits the shelves.

Keep in touch with the guys directly through Facebook or Instagram.

Single Review: Not Another Prayer - Vicious Circle (Progressive Nu Metal, 2022)

This band just started it's journey and the very first release already put's a spotlight on them.

Hour one has just begun at the Not Another Prayer camp.

What makes this release stand out? It's the fact that it builds up and rises throughout the long duration of over six minutes. In the beginning things are basic and more like you would expect of a Nu Metal band. 

But as the time passes by new and more new elements fly in and add themselves to the sound of the Italian formation. These elements include a lot out of the progressive direction of music. They fit in well and are left off whenever the deeper Nu Metal style comes back. 

Finally the whole package shows it's full power and starts a instrumental sonic rampage towards the end of the track. It leaves behind a listener that starts a second round to see how the song turns out this time...

...similar thoughts but the focus is more on the vocals which change and morph. The keyboards are a surprise at the last third of the release. 

You can listen to the track on Spotify or directly here in the YouTube player.

I'll keep a eye on Not Another Prayer on Facebook or Instagram. Let's see how the mission continues...

CD Review: October Thorns - Circle Game (Deluxe Edition, Progmetal 2022)

This is the ultimate version of a legendary demo. It's faithfully re-stored and reworked to today's standards. 

All of October Thorns work can be enjoyed on one CD now.

The listener get's to hear eight progmetal gems that are a blast. It's permanent powerfull playing power overwhelmed me. All the songs call out the full dedication and detail work anyone can imagine to be a trademark of this genre.

Sure it's progmetal all the way but there are elements woven into the sound that need to be discovered first. With every round you'll get to hear more of them. I think that's why it's nearly listenable infinite times because it takes much time to fully get into October Thorns sound. I myselves thought I had it all after just one walkthrough but having heard "Soul Forge" for a second time opened my eyes for all the detail work.

Of the studio songs the tracks Jihad and Soul Forge stand the strongest on my mind. Along with the title track I think they already show why a purchase of this disc is worth it. But the release as a whole wears this typical highlight feeling that comes to my mind of listening to progmetal. The power of the music along with all the memorable hooklines is hard to resist and pushes me everytime.

The bonus demo tracks show music that has been held back. Those songs are not fully produced of course but in good condition ayway. Thinner sound flows through the speakers but the power remains the same. I guess these tunes didn't fit to the others at the time of the demo release.

But they are great anyway. They just need more patience to be enjoyed compared to the first nine offerings on "Circle Game". They are not so straight-forward in terms of music but show a more experimental side of October Thorns.

The release comes with a detailed 20 page booklet. It holds the full lyrics to the album. There are plenty of photos showing the band at several phases of the existence at promotional shootings as well as a collage with many live shots of the shows the New Yorker played.

Finally a good batch of reviews reflects on the media echo the band got upon release of the demo and playing shows. They are presented with the original typo and media logos. Some reviews come as original pages taken of music magazines.  

A all new interview with vocalist Paul LaPlaca offers a in-detail look into October Thorns art of creating decicated music and how the band came together and broke up.

Make sure to pick up a copy on the website of Divebomb Records. Fans of the genre get music for weeks to discover and enjoy in their ears and hands.

October Thorns is still active on Facebook these days.  

EP Review: Hereafter - Fires Of The Flame (Groove Doom, 2022)

Mean vocals, tight riffs and great hooks on this EP. 

A lot of fun awaits the listener.

Hereafter features vocalist Chris Natalini (former Blood Feast), drummer Mad T (Corners of Sanctuary), bassist Robert Bigler (Burned in Effigy) and guitarist/producer Mick Michaels (Corners of Sanctuary).

The riff fest starts out with the midtempo opener "Different Kind Of Something". It spreads a lighter vibe with a riff and tone that is a bit unusual. Anyway I like the way the vocals keep on a neutral way. The drums constantly follow the pattern and fit tight.  

"I Can Feel The Power" continues where the opener left off but with a meaner attempt. Vocals come on a sharper note and the whole package has a more pushing and compact note. This is underlined by the constant repeat of the refrain that should be a fine verse to sing along to for the audience. A song that let's you quickly get into and enjoy is something I like a lot.

Next to go is the title track. The tempo is raised up and so does the straight and more heavier guitar play. Anyway it reflects on the heat of the cover so the pure and organic sound continues but with few guitar riff lines running out every here and there - this may surprise some listeners including me.

"Devil By Your Side" closes the mini album. It keeps the fast speed up and the vocals become meaner than ever before. The hall effect fits to the vocals. It keeps the old school flag flying high. Reminds me so much of the days I started to listen to metal music. 

Make sure to listen to some fine tunes like in the days you began headbanging. The duration of the EP is short so it fits if you have few time to spare.

Have a quick overview with the YouTube player and listen to the full EP on a digital service of your choice.

A limited run of Compact Discs is available through a direct Paypal order. Your money helps the musicians to keep creating new music so it's well spent.

Album Review: Neocracy - Pure Organic (Emotional Rock, 2022)

The songs on the debut album of Neocracy speak of intensive feelings experienced in life.

The cover already says that something with feelings waits inside.

Besides the rough sound shell shines a face twisted in two parts. The female voice talks in a finetuned and fragile way about life while the growls may picture the darker depths and sides of our existence. 

The same duality can be found in the instrumental colors. There are soft guitars to be heard all put at the proper moments. But the heavyness kicks always in at moments things may get to monotone. Sometimes percussion elements like on "Shallow Hearts" bring some change. 

There are always moments when a surprise comes in. Listen to "Fate" and the clear part towards the end will surely raise your attention bar.

The guitars loop on the last moments - not to be heard that often. If you check out "Respect" closer the keyboards towards the end jumping through the music also add some extra taste to the already great meal.

My favorite is still "Sleep Awake" for it's very catchy way of building up and breaking down and the feelings shining so pure inside of the vocals. But the whole spectrum of feelings comes out throughout the duration of the album so please don't judge them for only this particular track.

The sound on the disc is very self produced. This comes with a good and a bad side. It holds the magic of the moment and prevents the rough and direct emotions from being taken away. But sometimes a bit more flat sounds would have made it a bit more comfortable to enjoy.

Anyway, it's still well worth to listen and purchase especially if you look for something going under your skin.

Contact the band on Bandcamp and Facebook if you want buy a copy of the album.

Demo Single Review: A Light Within - Terraform (Post Rock, 2022)

I think the new A Light Within demo single is going to surprise people who followed the band this far. The new material the band is currently working on will be released piece by piece as singles marked as "demos".

A Light Within open a new chapter with a demo single release.

Don't let this fool you. The quality is top notch there is nothing sounding bad or not outworked in this.

As I listened to the first installment called "Terraform" things overwhelmed me. A Light Within were well known to me for sticking to subtle and fine-tuned Post Rock sounds. 

This new material comes around with brighter sound. It slightly blasts the ears with full sound tonality from the very start. I like the way the drums are presented this time. They are coming more to the point and sound thicker than before without destroying the structures.

But don't worry, the new noise isn't all just about change. It's also keeping tradition. It still has these vibe that incites your imagination. Sometimes it's a bit ghostly, other times it's a bit spacy. Other moments I had to think of space travel and maybe this is how things sound when you explore outer space.

Make sure to close your eyes once in a while and let your mind drift away. A Light Within have created sounds that help you to go to places unknown. 

The vocals come further to the front and take more space and volume than ever before. Same goes for the melodies. They prefer to travel through the whole track duration. At the same time things morph and change so in the end there's change. 

All in all it has become a more direct and content filled soundscape. Make sure to take a listen.

As a alternative you can also listen to "Terraform" on Spotify and maybe recommend it to your friends.

Follow the band's journey on socials such as Instagram or Twitter so you won't miss the next single releases.

Death To All on European Summer Tour 2022 - Ft. Gene Hoglan, Steve Di Giorgio, Bobby Koelble, Max Phelps

This isn't "just" a tribute band - it is a authentic way to experience the songs performed by the musicians that originally crafted them back in the day - with the exception of Chuck Schuldiner of course who passed away way to early in 2001.

It's good to see some sort of live performance is coming back to life. I think these intimate shows performed at European venues will be a welcomed chance of enjoying some release of the pressure that has been build up in recent times. In addition you may also enjoy some breathtaking technical experience as some timing may feel impossible. 

Death To All's European Summer Tour 2022  kicks off on June 11th in Germany. See the show dates in the flyer. 

Tickets at https://reversedrecords.com/death-to-all

Also watch DEATH TO ALL Play DEATH’s “Overactive Imagination” – in tribute to Chuck Schuldiner. 1967-2001 to get a idea of how good this tribute band sounds in advance.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/Deathtoallofficial

Single Review: Wicked Smile - Daze Of Delirium (Heavy Rock, 2022)

When it comes to playing Metal music that could be used on a party many bands often use cliché lyrics. It surely fits to the mood and is surely easier to write but it misses out a chance of talking about something important.

The cover art of Wicked Smiles single comes as a unique photography.

Heavy Rockers Wicked Smile from Australia don't go this route. The topics featured on the debut "Wait for the night" have a range from civil unrest, bullying up to mental health. 

The newest single is set as a bold stomping track. After a short guitar introducer the music begins it's heart beating work. It quickly becomes evident that the song calls to have a good time. 

Anyway it's not that easy to come by. The vocals go a direct line in the verses but start to splitter up in the refrain. The guitars follow this path like as if they crack up from time to time. It offers a more abrasive side but makes the listener having more and more rounds to get through it. It plays around with the riff which hangs in my mind afterwards. 

This hardly comes as a surprise once you know that lead vocalist Danny Cecati (ex Pegazus & Eyefear) stands behind the microphone while Stevie Janevski and Dave Graham are to be heard on guitars. It has a good duration - not too long but also not too short so it's good to enjoy.  

What's coming up next ?  The boys have announced an upcoming headline tour of the United Kingdom in November, where they will also perform at renowned festivals such as Hard Rock Hell and Winter Storm. 

Wicked Smile were also recently added to the Silverback Touring roster where the boys have an upcoming Australia wide December tour with rock legends Skid Row.

Make sure to connect with them through Facebook to hold the line. 

Single Review: Marc Vanderberg - Break Free (Hard Rock, 2022)

I think we all live more or less under circumstances that we like and dislike. Sometimes I'd like to break free from all of the bad sides of my existence. 

 

Music helps me to stick to my life and continue also many obstacles are on the way. The best example of a song that helps is the brand new single of german guitarist and songwriter Marc Vanderberg called "Break Free".

Like in the old days: music provided on a cassette tape.

It all starts out with the hammond sounds shining in at the very beginning and further at different sections of the song. They send a positive basic note my way. But it all starts to fully kick in with a drum roll and the rest of the band joining the party. 

Vocalist Jimmy Gee first comes into play with some longer spoken words. Quickly he opens up his organ to the full range and spreads his energetic performance giving the track a "fight on!" touch I love so much. 

The vocals stick the most into the mind. They are worked out a lot (most of all the big refrain). Gospel vocals that have been worked in also help to pump up the air with a more powerfull feeling.

Finally it's time for some guitar solo experience but it's held close to the song style so it doesn't get lost at some point.

Make sure to listen for yourselves to this classic Hard Rocker. It's available on all major download and streaming platforms from February 18, 2022.

Keep a eye on Marc Vandeberg's Facebook page for further updates.