Album Review: Leatherjacks - Surviving The Beginning Of The End (Rock 'n' Roll)

Once you start to listen to this album by Leatherjacks you may think that it is indeed the typical Rock 'n' Roll song collection you would expect by them. But it all comes quickly to a change by track number two already. That's the point where I started to realize something different is going on with this one.

Many symbolic elements make this cover one to have a closer look at. 

Having heard this record on my very own just sitting in front of my trusty stereo system made listening to music different.

You just have the music and nothing else around you so you focus more on what's coming out of the speakers. This time it felt like a blessing that's coming my way. 

The beginning of the album with "Who cowers against the law" feels rough and hard. It knocks me out of everyday routine with it's hard hitting refrain and the hacking guitar riffs. But one thing is already evident: the rhythm style is centered in Rock 'n' Roll style.

"Baby Hit and Run" goes a similar route but blazes with more aggressive intensity and a much faster vocals. It presses heavily through the speakers.

If you need air to breathe now hold on - track three gives a lighter feeling also the heavyness in the vocals can be felt. It's a joy to follow the riff packed music with intermissions of lighter music sections.

The air keeps being lighter with the "Mechanimals" rising in the next round. It's a easy rock tune which is fine to enjoy. A solid tune.

"Surviving The Beginning of the End" unfolds as a balanced rocker with a longer refrain. 

If things become too flat for you just go to "Dead and Gone" - here's the full package of agression put into the song. The refrain won't leave your ears and brains for a long time so this is one to remember.

Leatherjacks has always been good for a surprise and "Somehow" needs no drums to still put out a hard rock song and made me curious on how it can be able to move just with guitars present in the music.

So this list is a short look into how the songs of the album sound like. The full record comes with twelve tunes so maybe you'll want to check it all out for yourselves now. Just hit the button on the player below. Mauro Cordeiro is the head behind the music and the record is available for download for only 10 Euro at the Bandcamp page of the Leatherjacks. 

Album Review: Screaming Sunset - Anime Di Vetro (Guitar Rock, 2023)

It's a rare occassion that music comes in that reflects upon feelings you're currently going through. Moments you go through intensive up's and down's. 

Hopefully the sun goes up for you as you listen to the new Screaming Sunset album.

The first track "Pieno Fiume" did exactly that for me. A rough guitar powered introduction reflects upon the troubles we all go through these times before softer notes find the way into the music clearing the stage for more feelings like being alone, feeling hurt. The complex drum pattern adds a good part to the movement of the music.

The second offer "L'Infedele" continues the path but has a strong focus on a constant theme that's been kept as a frame. From that intial point variations are called up throughout the whole duration.

The "Claustrofobia" is a silk package of melodic driven guitar rock but holds a lot of atmosphere. With time passing the intensivity and speed grows changing the mood of the track noteably.

How the other three tracks sound like? Make sure to check out for yourselves. The whole release is available as streaming media on a service of your choice. Just click on to Distrokid for a overview on links where to listen.

My personal favorite is the title track "Anime Di Vetro" that shows so much intensity combined with a change of speed that let's it feel like being on a ride that goes faster with each round. A great piece of music expressing the already mentioned change of emotions that I'm going through these days. 

Or check out one track directly here.

Finally you can keep in touch with the band through Facebook as well as the popular Twitter platform.

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. 

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.

CD Review: Inner Siege - Fury Of Ages (Power Metal,2021)

Had a good time on most of the album also some tracks shine brighter than others.  

Colored vinyl and a printed jacket should please collectors.

The grand opening "Calling For Violence" surprised me quite well. Giving a midtempo punch it let's you come in slowly to the bands sound. The refrain calls for some scream along in live situations and it woke my interest to hear more of the "Fury Of Ages" album.

Happily "Reborn" track number two continues the good start. In contrast to the opener it changes more often throughout it's duration. The song keeps a constant riffing as a base but adds slight moments of excitement in. High screams and well placed guitar intermezzos shine.

"Firewind" speeds it all up. I'm glad to hear the cranking up doesn't ruin the sound. It's kept straight foward and the joy-factor intact. Keep the volume adjustment low, this feels great on moderate level.

Some guitar wizardy is shown on the short intermezzo "Virtuos Iniquity" before "Echoes Into Eternity" let's a high scream out. Being a good riff shooter this let's us headbang further and mixes some midtempo stop-overs into it's passages - something I love to hear.

"World Of Darkness" is a solid track but didn't resonate so well than the previous songs. Same goes for "Power.Metal.Glory" also sure it has a great refrain with it.

I love to hear the band from the United States keeps the sound on a more clear tone most of the time also on some moments I'd like to have less high tones in the sound. "Iron Lotus" is a negative example for that. I got on my nerves with the many solo sections on it.  

On "Stronghold" parallels to the great band Hammerfall come to my mind. It has a more narrative way of speaking to the audience and the refrain rushes into my heart quickly. Some high screams are placed well. 

The album becomes more direct and on-point soundwise when the album comes towards the end. The tenth track "Hero" and the closing riffer "World on fire" are such tracks. The vocals are variable and you feel they have been painfully worked on many times but the result should make all headbangers out there happy.

The album is available as a CD as well as colored vinyl with lyrics-printed jacket. Please check out one song below and consider a purchase to increase touring chances for these guys.

Album Review: Ravenoir - Dark Wings of Eternal Blasphemy (Death Thrash Metal, 2020)

It's a production with a very own idea of how it should vibrate through your speakers. The sound centers more on the performance of the riffs and gives it a extra kick through the deep heavyness of the drums.

The drums accompany close to the guitars. Vocals are set to dominate the sound. It would have been great to push the voice a bit more to the background in the mix but sure purists will prefer it to be like this.

The album starts with "Ravenoir". A typical rough riding riff thrasher but one with some fine notes. The ending holds some keyboard-notes that surprised me to hear. Well done! 

Full speed riffs are coming your way on the second offer, the title track of the record. It's boldly presented with a bright chorus giving a push. You can feel the massiveness of the track in every second. 

"In The Sign of the Horns" continues this bold attempt but puts the guitars a bit back into the background and set's the vocals to the very front.

it's followed by a surprise track. "From The Shadows of the Dead" is a laid back, slower instrumental intermission spreading lots of dark and deadly atmosphere. It's a welcomed way of taking a break from the riff-fest going on. 

"Dark Vision" shows the ability of Ravenoir to put out pressure-filled songs in a midtempo pattern. 

It's a typical death metal record mixed up with fine thrash elements. I think traditional metal people will love this. Listen to the song "Hellfire icon" below and you'll get a idea of it. 

The album is available through Gothoom Shop as jewel case CD, USB stick and in a CD & Shirt bundle.

https://gothoomshop.com/produkt/ravenoir-the-darkest-flame-of-eternal-blasphemy-cd/

Album Review: Wax Mekanix - Mobocracy (Rock, 2020)

Intensive from start to finish with many, many parts put inside. A well crafted sound collection not to be found that often out there.

Which record would you expect looking at the cover?

Wax Mekanix is an American musician, songwriter, performer, producer, and founding member of NWOBHM cult rockers Nitro. (Not to be confused with the Hollywood band).

In recent times he put out a brand new record. He can be heard on "Mobocracy" performing Lead and Backing vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Drums and Percussion.

The result surprised me least to say. It's a fully rocking release showing that music needs to be anything but one-sided. A breathe of fresh air went through my ears as I listened to this. It has more in mind with modern Rock sound. So many ideas have been put inside - all you need to be is a bit of opened minded to enjoy this.

Track by Track

Blood in my eyes starts the release with a rough rocker and has a wide calling refrain. It's a little bit rock radio compatible.

Victorious - goes in the easiest of the songs,rocks away, straight and surely a fest for fans of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Many repeats of the chorus towards the end - this may be a bit boring at times.

All Freaks rocks it out a more hacked way. The ripped riffs crawl out of the speakers, many guitar effects and experimentation but straight all in all.

Mad World comes with compressed guitars, different song structures than before, and a dizzy atmosphere. It needs closer listening, brightest sound so far.

Ghostland is a darker themed tune,much detail work on vox and guitars,sounds like one voice broken and burst into many different ones

Black unfolds as a acoustic ballad,deeply touching,tells a great tale of all the lifes grey zones,voice transport so much of it's content,guitar drums-great!

All in all it's anything but a casual record. It's not too long in duration but the content provided is so intensive that running it a second time and even more reveals more and more of the many details worked in. 

This surely has taken it's time and effort to put together so it's well worth a purchase in one of the many packages with fine merchandise attached to the music (also the tracks are available as download alone) on Bandcamp.

The artwork stands out. The unsharp optic and the use of red color at the front may seem strange at first sight but it packages the unusual music performance of the record well.  

The lyrics have been detailfully taken care of. I think I've not read so dedicated and own worded texts in a long time. 

You can connect to Wax Mekanix on Facebook and Twitter Network to see how things move on.

CD Review: The L.A. Maybe - Dirty Damn Tricks (Rock 'n' Roll, 2021)

This band features Alvi Robinson on lead vocals who was one of only four singers to audition to replace Brian Johnson in AC/DC in 2016. 

So what does this debut record have on offer ? "Mr. Danger" exactly does what the name suggests. He starts a brutal assault of rough guitar noise onto your ears. Be prepared this is a raw start into the record but spreads a cool vibe and groove with it. The "Sucker Punch" won't be less hard but has a bigger hook in it that will shake your legs on the first listen already. The singers abilities to scream out long remind me of early Rob Halford but even with a slightly higher note. 

Track three "Oh Sugar" has a simpler riff but pushes with constant vocal attack. "She's reckless" is a full power midtempo rocker with basic groove. But beware this one grows in it's duration, from simple guitar background in the first parts to full volume tonality as the track moves further. "Peace of Mind" balances the album towards the middle giving a relaxed mood with free flying notes and lighter drumming. I love such moments in music. 

Finally the album rocks it out properly and holds some nice surprises but most of all it is much fun for the listener. I've only picked out some highlights above to give you a proper idea. The other five tracks are nothing of a filler but I think this review shouldn't spoiler too much of the enjoyment of discovering a album.

The only downside is the overall massive production. It pushes the sound to the maximum but this can also be a bit of too much at times. Anyway, make sure to check out the band with the video above where they perform in a pinball bar. 

Fans of AC/DC and Guns 'n' Roses can't go wrong with a purchase. Pick a copy at the band's shop as CD / signed CD / Vinyl album. They are also on Spotify if you like to add them to your library.

CD Review: Static-X - Project Regeneration Vol. 1 (Nu Metal, 2020)

Sometimes there are these tunes that give you hope. This happened to me as I heard the new Static-X album "Project Regeneration Vol.1". One of the good sides of listening to music is that it is a source of good feelings. These came up quickly as I had these songs pumping out of the speakers.

It's the mixture of the heavy riffing with the driving force of the drums on the one hand that gave me good feelings. But all of this was topped by the vocals that always kept going up and down and always shining through in deep emotional shapes. It feels as if at times my feelings could speak through the noise that can be heard.  

Most of the time it's pure aggression coming out but on some tracks like "Bring You Down (Project Regeneration)" it also comes in waves of fear and sometimes despair. Few electronic effects underline this. That's something I love to hear.

A track like "My Destruction" illustrates the band's potential to transform today's merciless society's behaviour through straight and rough thrashing. It has lot's of mean laughs in it that sound like the evil showing it's face in it's many incarnations. Impressive to hear that music can make such things visible to the human ear.
 
The keyboards on "Something Of My Own (Project Regeneration)" follow more positive vibes, yet it has broken feelings in it the track shines a more lighter and better note out of it.
 
These are my favorites of the album. What are your faves ? Let me know in the comments below.
Make sure to buy a copy out of the band's hands.

Album Review: Witnesses - Doom II (Progressive Doom, 2020)

Hardly any Doom Metal release touches me much these days. It's not that I dislike it. It's simply as if it feels like anything has been said and performed already.

Until one day this release of Witnesses reached me. It opened up my ears back again. How? Besides the traditional doom trademarks like the powerful guitars and the well known compact rhythm package that accompanies the music it has more to offer.

The album tells the story of a cursed plague-bearing ship that finds landfall at one unfortunate village. 

It's a good batch of feelings that shines at the right moments. The music becomes more sensible. Finetuned melodies find their way into the sound giving it a broken touch. It feels like the own sensible emotional world of a human comes in to bring a own color to the picture.

All tracks are total longplayers. You can easily loose yourselves a bit in them.
Happily they are not too long to become boring or make you skip easily.

There's a need for concentration but at the same time it's also headbang-compatible material so there's still enough fun and heavyness inside. Much dedication and detail-work can be heard. Sometimes you can find your own feelings in works of musicians. That's what happened at least to me with this release.

My faves are the opener "On this Black Ocean" for the epic feelings and "Worse with time" for the heavier side.

It's a independent release. Please consider a purchase of this directly through
the band's Bandcamp page. It's available as a download for just one dollar or more.

Keep in touch with Witnesses through Facebook or the growing popular platform Instagram.

Album Review: Leatherjacks - Extremly Dangerous (Rock, 2020)

The new record is by far better than the previous effort "The Lost Arks of Rock 'N Roll". What has changed so much?

The coverart invites to think about it's meaing, It was done by bandhead Mauro Cordeiro.

Sound
First of all it's the sound and production. It comes around much more clearer and sharper. This adds a lot to the pleasure of listening. All instruments rush loud and clear through my speakers. The vocals are set a bit louder on the overall mixing, that's something some people may not like that much.

Songstructures
The next point are the far more easy soundstructures. In times of complexity and overload we're living in it's a pleasure to relax and rock out to something straight from the first listen. It helps to breathe fresh air into my soul. In many parts the straight material on the record feels like classic Rock tunes but with a far more finetuned level when it comes to playing the songs on guitars.

Also at times you may first think that some tracks like the title track "Extremly Dangerous" may be held in a way too simple style but beware. I had a look upon the preview video to the album on the Leatherjacks Facebook page and it revealed that a lot of skill is needed to fullfill the guitar parts used on this tune.

Fun-Factor
All tracks come with great hooklines and fine outworked melodies as well as decent placed riffs in them. The music never get's to one-dimensional or monotone, they it always moves onwards.

The songs never get boring but there is always this itch of wanting to listen to one more song. Not many records have this on board. I think this stems of the pleasure the artist is able to transport through the music over to the reviewer and hopefull you, too.

Purchase and Contact Link
Finally please support the brasilian band with a purchase. Artists are faced with many costs they need to pay in advance of album releases. It's not easy at all to get that money together. In the end your money can help a artist to be able to release new tunes that in the end give you fresh joy. I think it's more important than ever before in these uncertain times.

"Extremly Dangerous" is set for release on 10th April 2020. Proper information on how to pick up a copy will be spread the coming days on the official Leatherjacks Facebook page. 

Here are some snippets out of the new release.

Album Review: SpiteFuel - Flame To The Night (2019, Metal)

Dark, darker, Flame To The Night. A album that reflects upon the feelings of anger and agression.

This record calls for the prize of being as brutal, tricky and heavy as can be. But at the same time there is still a light in the dark in the mood of the music as well.

The skull finally is alive on the album cover of SpiteFuel's "Flame To The Night"

It started out with "Machine" that I realised that the band has made a complete turn with "Flame To The Night". It's a beast of a song with a punishing refrain. I think this will go down extremly heavy on stage also it's hard to imagine that it could get any more bone crushing like on the album.

The new vocalist Phillip Stahl adds a much metalcore-like note to the sound. His growls are blackening the whole sky. But he also adds a twist with a little psycho touch in songs like "Trick Or Treat" - one of the most going under the skin going tunes of 2019.

The second half of the twelve tunes calls out to the older fans of the combo.

"Bad Boys" is one of the them. It's a midtempo rocker with sing-along refrain.The same goes for the compact number "Two-Faced". But they all sound with updated soundpackage through your speakers along with modern refrain structures. This said it's clear that SpiteFuel have changed to a up-to-date soundformat on the new longplayer.

"Firewater" is one of my favorites. It shares big bright riffs brought garned with lots of groove. This feels great and relaxed alltogether. "Silent Guard" goes more straight-forward but has at the same time special in it that will make it hang on the listeners mind later on. It's this feeling of emptiness in it mixed with slightly agressive moments that makes the track stand out.

It all comes to the close on "Try to hate me". It feels like a mixture of new brutality mixed up splitters of melodic elements. This one melts both worlds of the record into one piece of music.

Listen to the heavier side of the album as a teaser right here.

You can pick a copy from the MDD Records / Black Sunset webshop. Since the label has distributors all around the globe I think you can also get it at a local retailer / mailorder which may save you shipping and handling.

Album Review: Held Hostage (feat. Ripper Owens) - Epic (Classic Metal, 2019)

You can't keep a good man down! This goes especially for Tim "Ripper" Owens who thankfully refuses to give up. Instead he contributed guest vocals to a album for all the straight rockers out there that goes into the ears at the first listen already.

Held Hostage have shown themselves with a varity of guest musicians in the past. They also shared parts of the income they were able to earn this way with veterans in need. Both things combined sounded like a album well worth checking out to me.

The hammer comes down on us with Held Hostage's new record "Epic".

I wasn't disappointed giving my time to check "Epic" out. This record that is yet to be released (December 15th 2019. digitally, CD January 17, 2020 via Metal Mania Records / MVD (Music Video Distributors) gives the good feeling of listening to classic metal from the first seconds of duration all the way to it's end.

To be precise it opens with "Lightning" going straight, short and to the point. "Tonights The Night" calls for sing-along and makes sure that every day is the right one to do what you ever wanted. I love the repeat of the refrain at the end. I'm still having it in rotation on my mind.

The album turns it's tides on the upcoming two tunes. Both a bit rougher, louder. The guitars make me nervous and shaking while the vocals show the darker, more subtile parts Ripper Owens voice is able to perform. This makes such a voice stand out in my ears.

"Turn The Light" brings the listener down back again with a little more relaxed atmosphere. This doesn't last long as already "It's all over you" turns out to be a riff-ladden song that shares a strong 80s AC/DC vibe but with more agressive vocals inside.

Number seven "Hot Night" is a solid one. Nothing too special here but you'll go along with a solid rock track. All the other tracks go a much riff-based way with excellent vocals on top. They all feature hooklines that invite you to sing along.

This album is a perfect fit for all those looking for straight Rock 'n' Roll that goes quickly into your minds and hearts. Ripper Owens performance gives the songs the extra something. I think the people out there will love this silver disc once they heard it. Please don't miss this one out.

As a preview here's the track "Lightning". Please check Held Hostage's Facebook page for more details on where exactly to order "Epic" on CD or how to get it digitally starting December 15th 2019. The CD will be released January 17, 2020 via Metal Mania Records / MVD (Music Video Distributors).

CD Review: Chout - Dogwater (Alternative Metal, 2018)

A album with two heads. The one being rough, direct and with many creative solo sections. The other one is slower, deeper and more thought-filled.

The cover may look strange but don't let this keep you from listening.

Sometimes it's just small pieces that point me towards a band. Chout were rocking it out directly with the video for "Seasons". They got me fast. The solo section was creative with the drums and guitars nailing it to the point. It was the first time that the guitarist and the drummer formed a unit together for a solo part. That was something new to me. I had to hear the full thing.

So what's inside of the full record? The first four tracks are real smashers. They hit you hard into the face and provide the heavier side of the alternative genre. The solo's are rough and the drums live and loud. The production takes no prisoners here. Besides the mentioed "Seasons" it's "So long long gone" that finally convinced me of the band with it's uptempo beat.

Starting with track five we go into a deeper and less hard direction. The band takes it not easy at all. Surely those songs were hard to put on tape but they let you relax more. The ballad "All has been done" is a much welcomed breathtaker in the otherwise rough sounding package. The last track "To lose" is very slow and creeping and shows how much variations the band is able to deliver on the first offering already.

Anyway it's the full package that counts and it's great. Don't let the cover art keep you from ordering a  copy at the band's webshop. "Dogwater" may look somehow strange on the first look but the music on the inside has been done with dedication. The booklet is small with few bandshots and contact data but allright. I think you'll want to focus on the music anyway instead of the package.


Follow Chout on socials like Facebook or Instagram.

CD Review: June 1974 - Nemesi (Instrumental, 2018)

This record is one of the unusual kind. All the songs, the sound and the long list of guests make it stand out.

The cover of June 1974's "Nemesi" record was done by Natalie Shau (Cradle Of Filth/Sopor Aeternus).

Such packages of music seldomely ever arrive at my inbox. Certainly "Nemesi" comes out of the hand of composer Federico Romano. He had something special in mind with this one. It starts out with the cover - it all comes around like art, like a picture. But one you hardly come around. The sound is clear and direct but you need to unravel the message every track shares for yourselves.

There's no given muster - each one is a unique crafted piece of sound yet all in all the tracks fit together for a album. It feels more like traveling having a listen to "Nemesi". The sounds are often styled with soft tonality but the there's a pushing rawness the drums in the background provide.

It may also work as a soundtrack for a motion picture offering a story with many turns and twists. Just let the sounds form your own journey to this outstanding longplayer.

The guests performing on this first longplayer of June 1974 are mostly known for their work in much heavier acts. Here is a complete list:

“Sognando Klimt” featuring Gionata Mirai (Il Teatro Degli Orrori)
“Inoubliable” featuring Tommy Talamanca (Sadist)
“Narciso” featuring John Cordoni (Necromass)
“Home” featuring Francesco Conte (klimt 1918)
“Panorama” featuring AndyLaRocque (King Diamond) and Tommy Talamanca (Sadist)
“Nothing Man” featuring Jørgen Munkeby (Shining/Ihsahn)
“Death Note”featuring Patrick Mameli (Pestilence)
“Arcadia” featuring Paul Masvidal (Cynic/Death)
“Creed” featuring James Murphy (Obituary/Death/Testament/Cancer/Gorguts/Disincarnate) “Beloved” featuring Francesco Sosto (The Foreshadowing)

In this space they show that their skill can be used a different way. My personal favorite is "Creed" with James Murphy on guitars. Sure there is this special extra that only such a dedicated person can add with his playing technique in the introduction. But it's also showing his solid playing skills in a more common environment. As the atmosphere of the music evolves further he fully gives in to it. Everyone should have heard this one at least once.

The other tracks offer for instance unusual drum pattern like "Home" does. It's such a "playing-with- the-beat" around way to do that you won't get it out of your mind. "Narciso" has the most agressive drumming giving massive double-bass power and filling the track with thick volume. It's a album to sink in deep and to relax to. A highlight that hopefully will not be overseen.

You can download a copy of the album of "Nemesi" from Bandcamp in a format you like.

CD Review: The Tronautas - Olovörgo (Doom, 2018)

Is it all just doom and gloom in this world? At least when it comes to the music of The Tronautas I feel a ray of light shining into my flat.

The cover of the EP shows that a band with own ideas is going to blast your ears. (c) The Tronautas

These three guys come from the far away country of Mexico. What they share with us is a bold and impressive pack of doom metal in various tempos. What stands out are the vocals that come around a bit broken like those Ozzy Osbourne presents to the audience.

The bass guitar also shines bright with it's constant ripping. These bass sounds stand out a bit and there are many times you'll spot them. Not too many bands do it this way. The dark tonality of the drums fits properly forming the shell for the music with a good groove.

From all of the tracks "Eternal Gloom" got me quickly with it's constant re-calling refrain. I thought more than just once that it fits so well to the world we're living in these days. Happily it made me feel comfortable knowing that I'm not the only one out there feeling this way.

The other offerings from this EP are differently. The last track "To destroy a beautiful thing" stands out with it's bold sound and it's two big parts each forming a different atmosphere. The opener "Last days" is hard to get by through it's slow and dark woven riffs. Few melodic guitar glimpses show up every here and there. This may need more rounds to come to fruition in your mind.

"My god" goes all the way up and down with it's constant riffing guitar. The spoken sample surprised me while the overall sound is bright and pushing.

Finally if you're after classic doom songs filled with slightly modern effects rounded out with parts needing closer re-listening this EP is it. Just hand some bucks to the band on Bandcamp and you're having great new noise. Plus like 'em on Facebook to stay up to date for further updates.

CD Review: Final Coil - The World We Left Behind For Others (Progressive Metal, 2019)

Finally a album that gives a carthasis! That's what I thought when I finished listening to the newest output from England's prog heads Final Coil. It's like a rollercoaster ride to a inner fight between good and bad. Happily at the end you'll feel fine and refilled with new energy to move on with your own life.

The cover of the new Final Coil album was created by Andy Pilkington, (c) by Final Coil.

 
Changes in the band's sound
But what happened since the first full length album "Persistence Of Memory"? I think most of all the sound has taken a more sharper and clearer form. All of the sound ingridents come out strong and direct to you. The most remarkable sign speaks of the drums that set the beat heavier this time.

The new album also see's a lot of progress on the vocal site. Phil Stiles and Richard Awdry outworked their parts much more. You can feel more of the story through the vocal performance. Last of all the guitars show up more diverse than ever taking it with more surprise. The silver disc holds much moments that will have you raise an eyebrow since sounds come in you won't expect. Finally all the tracks vary. It's never a montone record but always one that keeps you on the stereo. Each song feels like a journey in itself.

More changes? Yes, "The World We Left Behind For Others" features intermissions. Some tracks seem to be composed as bridges between tracks so it will be one big artwork in the very end.

Track Overview / Analysis
It's hard to pick favorites for me but "Scattered Dust" was the most emotional moment for me. I love the softness mixed up with hammered powerparts that have been worked in. "Keeping going" comes around a bit like a electronic effect ladden song with open minded style. It's catchy and a bit of Depeche Mode shines through.

Some tracks are softer, feel dreamlike. Take "Imaginary Trip" and it will send you to a land far away. The title track is a good mixture of soft and slightly heavier parts. The ten minutes duration are gone before you'll notice it. The monotone setting of "Convicted Of The Right" is great along with the more creepy rhythm.

Conclusion / Purchase-Link / Stream
Finally if you're after a good progressive rock/metal album that is diverse and gives great feelings while listening you've found it. Be sure to pick the Deluxe Bundle. It has a bonus cassette tape with it holding not only three demo tracks of album songs but also one additional one not used for the record that is not available anywhere else. I bet this is going to be a collectors item many people will hunt after one day. All formats are available directly from the Bandcamp page of Final Coil.

CD Review: Wreck-Defy - Remnants Of Pain (Thrash, 2019)

Nothing had been announced before the release. Now Aaron Randall (vocals, ex-Annihilator) and Greg Christian (Bass, ex-Testament) both return to the scene with a oldschool thrash format that added all evolutional steps until today with it and also leaves room for cool moments and atmosphere.

The album cover tells us that some oldschool-vibe can be found inside of the package

Summary
This means that the songs are build up the way you are used to from your classics but some small pieces signalise that few but important parts changed for the better. First off the vocals rip it up. I love to hear what Aaron Randall can do with his voice. He's going on it the agressive way. Forget the commercial vox you've heard of him before. This one is real thrash all the way.

As for the all of the guitars and drums: they go a far more powerfull direction on this one. That's the modern parts I spoke of before. The whole album blows out the pure strength the musicians put inside of it. Today more of this can be captured than ever before. The producer Juan Urteaga did a great job on "Remnants Of Pain". This is raw energy going all the full album duration.

This goes especially for the drums. They are held a overall lighter way soundwise yet they give a heavy hitting note while listening.

Some tracks go a cool direction and a bit apart from the fast thrash blowing notes. "Art Of Addiction" is a groove-oriented one that share's a little easier feeling yet it's still thrashing stuff. Similar goes for "The Devide", a midtempo thrasher which sources much of it's fun through it's going straight all the way with a direct riff.  "Angels and Demons" also comes out of the speakers in a mixed way. Some parts are lighter while other times the riffs dominante, all packed in a more midtempo style.

All in all I would highly recommend this to all the thrashers out there. You'll get a lot of fun out of this one. While it's easy to quickly get into the sound of the CD it also leaves enough room for re-listening and discoveries afterwards. It's well worth your money and time.

Purchase-Link and Pre-Listening
"Remnants Of Pain" is sold the oldschool way on a CD with the typical look of such a thrash record (frontcover plus black backside with tracklist on it). You can order directly from Wreck-Defy via Facebook. One CD comes around for $15 CAD plus shipping and handling. If you're lucky enough you may receive it along with a free bumper sticker.

If you need to have it faster then there's the chance to pick up a download of the album through Bandcamp in a format of your choice. This means you can have the files at the same quality level like on a CD or in any other format that you prefer for mobile listening nearly instantly. Listen to the album right here.

CD Review: Drop Oblivion - Narcissistic Counselor (Death 'n' Thrash, 2019)

The previous singles were a blast. Now a dual EP release. Something new to me. So how has the first one turned out?

The cover of Drop Oblivion's upcoming EP "Narcissistic Counselor", (c) by Drop Oblivion

The introduction "Into The Dark" opens the curtain like opening up to a classic concert. It's darker toned for sure but helps to get into the mood. Happily not too long in duration to stress the listener.

"Damaged Goods" sounds good providing a boost of heavy hitting grunts and dirty riffs.
Enjoy the full details the track has to offer with it's many highs and lows on the guitar and drumming kicking it out to the door. It's a full duration endless runner talking how riffing should be in Thrash Metal. It's explodes into a blast of energy towards the end. The devil's mask, the mascot of Drop Oblivion comes to life this way.

"Detached" brought in the riff-fun with going up and down making the ride nearly endlessley. It's showing how to work a compact song keeping the energy inside without using the fast double bass formula. The biggest strength is it's constant changing all the while. It never becomes boring also having heard it numerous times. The end came as a surprise offering more relaxed notes. 

The title track is the center of this release. "Narcissistic Counselor" mixes the strengths of the previous tracks but takes it down even heavier. It has this finetuned mixture of catchy riffs and rhythm mixed up with rawness and abrasive vocals. A unusual use of high notes comes in as a surprise. Those high pitched moments knock into your head from the first listen. They dominate the last third of the track. A wicked tune from start to finish speaks out a darker language but I think the slower part leaves room for hope...

"Dreams are made broken" is the most dirty track of the pack throwing you in without further ado. It's a fast thrasher changing to midtempo parts on and on. Yet there's always this slice of melody and moreover fun on playing with the riffs that set the music apart from other bands. Don't turn off the player too fast at the end. Maybe a hint to the second EP coming in 1st February 2019 ? 

Pre-Order Link
This EP is a good christmas present. Just make sure to pre-order it right now on Bandcamp. It'll be up for download on the very first day of 2019. You can use the "Send as a gif" option on the linked Bandcamp website to do so. All you need is the Email of the lucky one.

Mark the Facebook page of Drop Oblivion with a like for more info on the upcoming second EP "The War Within" that is about to come up February 2019.

Preview-Track
Have a listen to "Detached" for a good insight into this release.

CD Review: Corners Of Sanctuary - The Galloping Hordes (Traditional Metal, 2018)

How can a band being rooted in the traditional metal sounds move further? Corners Of Sanctuary have proven that this is possible with the newest output "The Galloping Hordes".

Corners of Sanctuary - The Galloping Hordes cover

 I remember being positively surprised when I first heard "The Metal Machine" album back in 2015. This band woke lots of great memories of how everything started with metal music for me. Corners Of Sanctuary always pushed on forwards in the meantime with further releases and extensive tours.

"The Galloping Hordes" album marks a turning point for me. The band sticks to it's roots but has heavily worked on their sound. It's now cleared up and pushes the listener heavier. The bass comes more to the front but only on a real stereo not on smartphone or laptop speakers. This surely is one of the effects working with a legend like Bill Metoyer for mixing the record.

The music on this disc remains quickly recognizable as typical COS music but in addition to that the US band worked closely on the details of the sound (e.g. more outworked refrains with multiple layers and backing vocals this time). The tunes are riff driven, they feature lots of fun like riding the rollercoaster riffs ("A soldiers last (a drunken battle hymm)"). The rhythm has become faster on some tunes like the title track, comes around dirty and direct and sometimes slightly slowed down. ("Cloak Of Fear").

Most tracks center around the vocals but "Vengeance Of The Warrior" sets a focus on the guitars. The only weaker number for me was "The Lies In Your Eyes" because that felt a bit "simple" compared to the other songs. The last track rounds out the package and feels like a encore bringing you home. 

If you like it old school but look forward instead of living in the past this album is for you-

Purchase-Link
Remember the smell of opening a sealed CD with a printed booklet inside? Do yourselves a favour and get the silver disc through the band's website.

German readers can also order through the Mediamarkt retail chain website and pick up the Compact Disc a few days later from their local store. Maybe they even have it in stock, use the media station in the CD section of your store to search quickly. 

For fans of the digital music: you can pick the mp3 files from Amazon, too.

Preview-Video
Have a taste with the video of the track "Hail, Hail". It was filmed while the traditional metallers toured Germany this summer.