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.

EP Review: The Great Lie - Burners (Hardcore/Punk, 2022)

Life is short. The Great Lie seem to have used this saying and put together a EP that goes straight to the meat.

The New York based band put's out a open stylistic EP called Burners.

It's main ingredient is a strong basis of heavyness. The tight drums and guitar sections make sure it all sticks rough and dirty together.

From it's stylistic "Burners" is a open release taking advantage of many styles of the heavy music genre. You can spot potions of Hardcore, Punk, Thrash and Metal all the way. The band makes sure the journey never becomes monotone because the five short tracks (the longest one is three minutes in duration) quickly change from one part to another. 

My favorite is the opener "Amputee" with it's change between vocals that stand alone in some moments and other segments where the rest of the band pushes in with all of it's sheer power bringing the whole song into a rush of fury. 

Partly It feels a bit like progressive Metal to me when I listen to the music on this EP. The dry production adds to this feeling. Happily the songs are very straight forward (just listen to "Winters Death") so things never become too complicated to follow.

You can pickup the digital release at a price of your choice from Bandcamp. As a alternative "Burners" can be added and listened to on Spotify. Please add them to your playlists so your friends can check them out, too.

Finally Facebook will help you to keep on track how the story of the band evolves further.

EP Review: Out Of Darkness - Seize The Day (Modern Metal, 2020)

Brent Smedley is widely known as the longtime drummer of Iced Earth. I was surprised to learn that he has a side-project with vocalist/guitarist Eric Barrios called Out Of Darkness. The seven songs that he has put out via Bandcamp are heavy music no question. But they are far more.

Can the release shed some light into your day?

They offer a look outside of the box. The opener "OH MY" already spreads this open mindness. Other tracks like "I surrender" are heavier material with a very modern metal take to the sound. I disliked the high-toned sound. It's way to harsh in my ears. 

Happily it's not the common sound of the release. The title-track "Seize the day" features rough vocals but riffs lighter through the speakers. It's going more into the groove metal style. It's also modern but not stressing my nerves like so many modern releases only going for brutality. 

"KNTRL" varies between direct and straight metal notes and more vocal heavyness. I like the moments when it's lighter with melodies flying around. My favorite of the EP since it has a slightly calming effect on me.

A ballad is also present of this first attempt. It's called "Freedom to be free" and shines with spoken elements at the proper moments. But the refrain is big and massive as you would expect of such a track with multiple vocal layers as a special in here.

Finally a midtemp song closes the package. It's riffs keep it compact and and the duration short so it may have been the last ideas the guys had at the rehearsals. Anyway it shows that this is a release of the moment - a authentic one.

All in all a solid release that opened my ears. The former duo surely has ambitions and I'm curious to see where this project may go to in the future. The album is available as download or CD on Bandcamp.

EP Review: Wax Mekanix / Troll Teeth - Blunt Split EP (Rock, Exmerimentation 2021)

I like thie music direction that the songs spread that Wax Mekanix contributes to this digital only release.

The songs sound fresh. The music denies to be pressed into a single folder. Instead it always changes into the directions that fits to the mood of the moment.

This EP features songs "In Stereo" as the sign promises.

Already the opener "Head" will please all Rock fans out there that are open-minded. It rocks without any fears or negativity on the mind straight away. It's unusual refrain and message will stick in many heads for a long time. It even invites to dance to it in a typical rock club. The never ending lyrics give it a feeling of a wire that winds into the endless.

The second contribution "Manchester Strawberry Blonde" feels more like a intermission. It's more of vocals mixed up with a drum pattern. The voice sounds out of a total different direction and some female voice breaks in at the beginning. Finally it fades with the tonality of the beginning. Not my favorite but for sure a nice experiment.

My favorite after some re-listening sessions turned out to be "Freak Boutique". The hacked way the riff goes and stops always jumps into my ears. It invites to listen closer and just let yourselves join the good vibes this one spreads. Good rocking stuff with unusual structure that just makes me even more curious on what Wax Mekanix hopefully has to offer in the future. 

The songs that Troll Teeth recorded for this Split EP are of a total different direction. They belong to the total epic exerimentation field and didn't found my sympathy. I disliked all the high tonality and the raw and edgy sounds they present to the listener but it's for sure a highlight to those seeking something out of the ordinary music catalog.

The EP is available as a download for 5 USD on the Bandcamp page of Electric Talon Records.

EP Review: Sirius - Wings of Fire (Heavy Metal / Power Metal)

A fine EP that is a good pick to party in it's first half and much more thought out in the second. 

This band serves the power metal straight the way I like it. The opener "Wings of Fire" has a fine stomping bold midtempo rhythm and the riffs and vocals present the track as a solid start into a EP full of metal hymms. The "Shadow in my heart" builds upon a longer riff that winds through the whole track. Along with the drums this serves as a uplifting heavy rocker. The vox come down in strings that add a special note to this tune. 

Next is "The Last Angel" - it's more complex than the previous two. It's riff is changing in tonality throughout the duration. The playing around with guitar effects dominates this one. Surely one for a re-listen. The last track already follows with "The Fury Within". It's once again deeper thought-out. The vocals wear a Judas Priest touch. A cool mixture of the easier first tunes of the EP but worked out wider into it's depth. This needs time to sink in and deserves more attention but I think it's great, too.

 

Make sure to pick a copy from Bandcamp for few bucks and follow the steps toward the first full album on Facebook.

EP Review: Another Day Dawns - Stranger (Rock, 2019)

Does really just Another Day Dawn? I think every given day is something special and should be treated like this. Anyway this five song EP goes in very straight with solid Rock music.

The cover sleeve is a bit different from the usual packaging that such records come with.

Also the overall tone is set to straight and easy listening it's not a lightweight pack of music. There's room for heavyness and in some parts detail-work shines through like multi-layered vocals or outworked guitar solo arrangements.

The production is set on big foot with stomping bold guitars. Unusual feelings come up through the heavy punch of the snare. I think this prevents the tracks of the "Stranger" record to be just commercial tunes for standard Rock Radio rotation.

All tracks are held in a compact duration format. You won't get bored with long songs that never end. The band kept the focus on the short and good saying in my ears.

The only downside of this is that no fresh ideas are thrown in. It's all solid and fine worked music but it misses the Aha-effect you may want to hear. Don't get me wrong. There's nothing bad in here - it's just that it feels like already been heard before.

Just the last one "Forget Me Not" gives a idea that the band may be in a more experimenting status right now. The effects come in more often. Let's see how the band evolves in future. Check the band's Facebook to see what happens next.

If you're after some solid Rock tunes with slightly heavy production this EP is for you. Just taste a little here and you'll quickyl get the idea if it's for you. The record is available directly from the band's own webshop.

EP Review: Phil Stiles - The Anchorite (Electronic Ambient Rock, 2020)

Some may think that electronics and effects are not for people like me. But I like the atmospheric elements these stuff can add to the music. The new output of Phil Stiles is a good example for how good these pieces of music can fly through the notes of (partly) heavier music.

Cover Photo by Phil Stiles, Layout and Design Jola Stiles.

"The Anchorite" feels like a dark and atmospheric soundtrack to a dystopian reality. Throughout most of the duration of this EP tasty guitar compositions can be heard. They easily find it's way into my ears and let me drift apart into a isolated society. This is simply good music that touches the soul.

It's the simpleness of the songs that grab's me. In contrast to many of today's bands Phil Stiles concentrated on the main theme of the song and works it out throughout each track's duration. It feels as if each song evolves over time.

Sadly the start is a bit complex. "A Nation's Trust" is a rough and hard to grab song. I recommend starting with the first single "A Slide Into Depravity". It has a bit more of sound thickness inside that enriches the music's message.

Same goes for the excellent "Antipathy" - a riff hacking ride backed by a electronic drum pattern. Great - finally someone dares to go a fresh and different way these days by using the snare a unusual way.

Cold elements also find it's way through the mentioned effects and electronic gimmicks into the four tunes plus the intro of the offering. They point to a society being in chaos. "Critical thinking" perfectly matches that in music form. With it's nearly robotic rhythm pattern topped with riff arrangements floating through the song it gives this "Lost World" flair to me.

Make sure to get the limited tape from Bandcamp. It has a impressive bonus track that's more intensive than the previous five numbers. This song goes beneath the skin more than ever before and is not available for streaming. The silver sparkle cassette tape only costs few more than the download of the song package.

Finally keep in touch with Phil Stiles through Facebook or Twitter or have a look on the homepage from time to time.

EP Review: Corners Of Sanctuary - For COS and Country (Traditional American Metal, 2020)

The newest output introduces a new vocalist. Did that change the band's well known sound formula?

War is a topic that is covered through many songs of Corners Of Sanctuary.

Well, it all start's suprisingly with a fast paced track. "Victoria" holds a strong riff from start to finish with a short but in-the-ear biting refrain. The new frontman introduces a traditional organ with classic metal characteristics. It's a short track but gives a good kickstart to get into the mood.

Track 2 "The Raid (For God and Country)" reduces the speed to midtempo. This piece of music shows more diversity added in terms of riff variation, drum pattern as well as vocal presentation. It's warmly welcomed by the reviewer. There's so much saturation of the sound that stems from the vocalist that it may feel overwhelming on the start. Sure a track worth many rounds of listening - so many details to discover in here.

The "Desert Angel" is a even more complex thing. Once more the tempo is set slow and the intensity of the vocal work goes a heavier route. It partly makes use of more modern vocal touches - the longer hold of higher parts for instance. The many guitar splitters and effects worked in here make it a special one. It all made me push the repeat button - I needed to find out how all of this comes together.

The next one comes around faster. "Sandstorm Salvation" is a more straight forward number with powerful shout out refrain. It's all built to let some energy fly around - short in duration and guitars and drums all set a more easier way. Warmly welcomed after a potion of complexity.

A instrumental closes the EP. It's a short collage of guitar sounds. It would be great to know how this is can be played on the guitar properly.

Finally to answer the question from the start I'd dare to say the band has put more eye to detal on "For COS and Country". Most of the package needs a closer listen and the vocals contribute a even deeper part as ever before.

For all of you guys out there with a faible of traditional material that like to re-listen with a close ear a strong recommendation.

Here's the opener of the EP "Victoria".

Purchase the music as Compact Disc through the band's own webpage with a paypal payment.

CD Review: Solitary - XXV (Thrash, 2019)

I need to admit that I had some initial starting problems with this band. Their newer output always felt a bit close soundwise to Metallica to me so I always choose to not review them. This brandnew EP changed that for the much better.

The cover of Solitry's upcoming anniversary EP XXV, (c) by Solitary

25 years are Solitary already thrashing around their brand of music. These days the band put's out a EP that celebrates this with three re-recordings of classics plus two live recordings of older material.  What convinced me this time so much? It's the high pressure the UK based band put's into their sound. I've seldomely come around any combo that set's such a massive bar when it comes to creating their noise.

It almost feels like using a high pressure cleaner. You know cleaning with water helps in normal situations. But this one blasts every little thing of dirt away. But it's not only the brutality. It's also the changes and little part's included with the songs. There are always intermissions present that give room for letting off some of the steam. They leave space to headbang all around. You know the change to a more midtemo format. It's all those stuff that makes you smile once you've gone through the tracks.

The live tracks "Architects Of Shame" and "The Diseased Heart of Society" are something special in my ears. It's one thing to be heavy in the studio but another one to be so live. Solitary prove with this unpolished tunes that they can give it live in the same brutal way.

I love the drums sound. This high pitched snare along with the much deeper bass drums kicks it the perfect way. Especially the last track shows that more complex and progressive structures are also something they learned to master in their long lasting carrer.

The EP will be released on August 9th. Currently there's no preview snippet available. Keep a eye on Facebook, maybe something will show up in the coming time.

Support the band with a pre-order of the EP through Solitary's own website. It will help them to tour more and put out more music. Next stops on the touring schedule are Aggressive Music Fest this weekend (19th and 20th July 2019) and Bloodstock Open Air 2019.

CD Review: Reclvse - Restless One's (Doom Split-EP with Lucifer's Fall, 2018)

Directly from the instruments to the tape - that's how the newest Reclvse effort sounds like. Having checked out the two previous records of the doom band I can say that this one is the most ambitious and technical one to date.

The cover of the split release of Reclvse and Lucifer's Fall

Reclvse contribution
Released as a split single with Lucifer's Fall the song starts out slow just to move up to a more riff-ripping tune. It comes out clearly but the sound remains as direct as on the other band's releases so you'll be able to capture the music as if the band is standing in front of you performing the music. It forms out as one piece making it a more dynamic track.

The new more compact form of the drums adds along with the riffs the basic for this. I would go as far to say that the band put together a new dynamic form of their sound that has been enriched with few new elements. If you loved the previous Reclvse releases you should love this one, too.

Lucifer's Fall contribution is a more agressive and uptempo piece of sound. They keep it faster on their side while the sound recordingwise goes a similar direction like Reclvse. The mix is louder but sadly the drums miss the clearness. It would have been great to have that changed along with a overall less pushing sound. The vocals stand out a bit. They feel like expressing how it is to be "Trapped in Satan's Chains" and wanting to escape this.

Pick the digital split single release from Bandcamp page of Reclvse and have a listen directly in the player below. Join Reclvse on Facebook for further updates.