Single Review: Zarthas - 4 Letter Word (Alternative Metal, 2018)

Are electronics to be tolerated in our music ? I think we should be to open to going new ways. I am glad I did check the new single of Zarthas out. It gave so much so I felt the need to share the word.

The cover of Zarthas new single "4 Letter Word"

This single proves why this can have advantages. While the overall sounding is sharp and going in straight it's those little electronical effects that have been cleverly placed all over the durartion that makes the track stand out a bit. It gives it a exciting kick and prevents the music from becoming monotone.

Don't worry anyway Zarthas make sure the music remains kicking in forward with
lot's of heavyness so the music never loses itself in all the effects. Besides that there are also clear parts to be found which bring in a calming note to the overall riffhacked tonality of the single. The vocals change all the while which also adds to the fun of listening and discovering.

I hope this will be the beginning of something new in the release circle of the band. No one know's for sure yet so it's safe to keep a eye on the homepage or socials of Zarthas to stay up to date.

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You can check the video below or listen to the track on Spotify. The song has been released through Inverse Records so I think it should also be available for streaming and purchase through most of the other common plattforms.

CD Review: Graveshadow - Ambition's Price (Symphonic Metal, 2018)

Everything comes at a price in life. What is the price you pay for your ambitions?

The cover of Graveshadow's album "Price Of Ambition", (c) by Graveshadow, used with kind permission

Summary
On the first look you may think of this band as one of the many out there playing the all so well known symphonic genre. But taking a real ear reveals that there is not only the standard sounds to be heard.

In fact this one goes a bit more of the darker way. The voice is very present and it changes often from one verse just to another. So in one second you'll catch some lightweight and silk sound and will be confronted with the dark and rough tonality at the very next just around the corner. This may sound impossible but this is possible to fit into the song structures and Graveshadow form it to be a enjoyable experience.

It still remains to be headbangable stuff but it offers stuff with more depth. The songs vary and every one of them expresses something of it's own. It's like stations on a journey - every station comes with it's own colour, sound and content.

Darkness is to be found often but it comes in many different contrasts. There's light as well - you can party to most of the tracks of the second half of the record. All in all it's a solid album and the more progressive elements surely will find it's way into close analysis of any musician of the genre out there.

If you want to know straight away if this record is for you try the preview track below. It expresses what I've written above.

Preview Track & Purchase-Link and Contact-Links
You can pick up a physical copy of "Ambition's Price" straight out of the webshop of M-Theory Audio or get it from Graveshadow's Bandcamp site. You can also buy your package of songs digitally from the common retailers such as iTunes, Amazon or Spotify.

Follow them via Instagram or Facebook.

Graveshadow open the doorway to heaven

It goes up and down many times in life. I think this is maybe one of the biggest ressources for musicians to create their sounds and texts of. This particular one song talks soundwise for me a lot about that.

It also has it's highs and lows changing all the while. It's cool to hear that it has a controlled and finetuned dose of power with it something not to be found everywhere. Most of all the vocals stand out with it's many faces (good and dark/bad parts all shine in many variations on this track). This must have taken lot's of effort to get it on tape but the result for sure sounds impressive and it invites to listen once more just to make sure to have not missed out a vocal layer through the tracks duration.


"Doorway to heaven" is part of Graveshadow's new album "Ambition's Price" that has been put out on M-Theory Audio in April 2018. This band features Heather Michelle performing the vocals.

The cover for Graveshadow's album "Ambitions Price", painted by Dusan Markovic. (c) by Graveshadow, used with kind permission

Tune in to the band's channel on Facebook for more info like tourdates and so on.

CD Review: Interdrive - EP3 (Alternative Stoner Metal, 2016)

This came in at the right time on a stressy Monday evening - what a healthy cure.

The cover of Interdrive's "Aetheral" EP, (c) by Interdrive, used with kind permission

Summary
On a first listening this is typical brutal release. But as always a second look pays off. It's those moments when you take a closer look that you'll spot what makes this so special. It's the many ups and downs this EP provides that gives the music this mark - here comes something special to you.

I love those mixed vocals. The roughness of the dark toned voice just suits good to the agressive structured parts while the softer voice gives those melodic sections it's silk moments you need to be balanced. It's further great to hear that no moment lasts all too long in here. Just like in real life it changes quickly all the way throughout the duration of the whole material. The tempo is different on all tracks so it should offer something for all tastes out there.

A additional plus is the drummers work. Without ruining the music he moves like a shadow underlining the songs with the proper groove - that's not to be found all too often. Every here and there like in the opening track the songs changes over and moves to a time off - taking a time out of the usual structure. This feels refreshing and re-news the attention to the music. Overall the productionis fat and modern but not feeling overproduced or unreal.

Purchase-Link and Album-Stream
With every purchase you help a band to grow further. So spending a few spared bucks on this one will give you a calming down everytime you need it. Buy the digital version at Bandcamp or iTunes.

Contact
Connect with Interdrive on Facebook to keep a eye on the further progress. It's a pleasure to seesomething grow so it's well worth following them.

Sludgehammer share massive guitar attack studio performance video

Today's bands give so much - it has become completly unbelieveable in my eyes how massive the level of skill and power is that metal bands provide the listeners with. Nearly all the combos out there perform massively blasting their way with sheer power and finesse using their instruments up to it's limits.

A good example for this is the band Sludgehammer from Toronto, Canada. Set to unleash their debut full length album 'The Fallen Sun' officially on June 10th the band has posted a new music video for their track 'Carrion Eater' in advance of the record release. If you would like to be one of the first to hear the new tracks go to the CD release show on on May 28th at Peterborough, ON - w/ Cryptelisk, Sacrificed Alliance, Anthropophagy - check Facebook for more info. The band will have the brand new record with them for sale on the good old silver discs.

L-R - Chris Szarota - Vocals, Jeff Wilson - Guitars, Tyler Williams - Guitars, Dan Ayers - Bass/Vocals, Fernando Villalobos- Drums
Photo Credit: Hayden John Wolf

The music as for me can be best described as a mixture of the power of Pantera mixed up with a lot of progressive elements and also a slight bit of Testament. The main trademarks of Sludgehammer source of  the dynamic vocal performances from lead vocalist Chris Szarota and bassist Dan Ayers, along with a showcase of mind bending guitar solos, heavy riffs and a blistering drumming fury. If you watch the in-studio footage you can sometimes hardly trust your eyes what these guys are able to perform on their instruments.


The album "The Fallen Sun" was self-produced by the band and mixed by guitarist Tyler Williams and mastered by world renowned producer & engineer Lasse Lammert (Gloryhammer, Alestorm, Teramaze) at LSD Studio in Germany.

Don't forget to stay in touch with the band so you won't miss out on more details of the album release and more annoucements using Facebook, Twitter or Bandcamp.