CD Review: Thanateros - Tranceforming (Folk Metal, 2024)

I've not been into Folk Rock before but this release turned my head and made me curious on the contribution of this particular art to the music scene.

One day I opened up my postbox and a bubble letter came to the front. It came as a surprise as physical Compact Discs are a rare promo material that hardly comes in at all. The content revealed a mysterious horned artwork on the booklet and a backside cover with a CD.

The album art let's you imagine the content already.

There was no chance I had to listen to the CD. After a brief introduction the album opens up with a heavy track called "The Horned One". Besides the great drum intro the song itself was a bit of overload for me as the guitars are very dominant.

Anyway I'm glad to continue the journey as the next song "Everything Decays" turns out to come with a infectious hookline that doesn't allow to ignore the release once heard. Happily the release changes during the total running time of nearly 50 minutes. After the heavy first songs the music turns into more dream like softer tunes that allow to let go of our everyday sorrows. 

It allowed me to change into a universe of peace, inspiration, self reflection and looking upon topics out of sight for most of our troubled everyday existence. It all starts with "I Hold You" and continues on most of the following tracks except "Raise Your Voices" which ones again picks up more of the rough sides of the band.

I loved "Traceforming" most in all those times when the mood and atmosphere are coming to life. The violin that can be heard is such a fine instrument that adds a layer of special life to each of those softer tracks. The harder ones at least on this release weren't my favorites besides "Everything Decays" because of it's massive sing-along-chorus. 

The sound of this Thanateros release is outstanding. It shines crystal clear, powerful but also not too massive through the speakers and is a warmly welcomed element adding massively to the great performance of the musicians. All people that worked on this release must have put a lot of time and effort into this one. 

Having a look at the packaging reveals more joy as the booklet comes packed with fine and detailed band member pictures, full album lyrics and dedicated album art on every part no matter if it is front, inlay or backside cover. Because of it's massive sound and work on detail I recommend to pick up the physical version available from the band's website. It's well worth to spend on music - it holds joy for years to come if treated properly.

A download of the record is available on the Thanateros Bandcamp page. That's also the place where several single releases taken of the album are on offer if you prefer hand selected tracks. 

      

Liv Kristine appears in Lego story lyric video

Liv Kristine along with Theater Of Tragedy is responsible for being a inspiration to a wave of Gothic Metal bands out there. These days she recorded a duet with Ben Blutzukker whose great dark metal EP "Riptide" found my attention some time ago.

Ben Blutzukker feat. Liv Kristine as Lego minifigures in the video for "Queen of the Nite"

"Queen of the Nite" is such a fun to listen to. It's going in easy and the refrain already sets fire in your heart with the first listening round. The lyrics are typical for such a output but always held with a smiling sidelook.

I already loved the lego figures that were present in the last video. This time they are back and the even more great thing is that they tell a story this time around. A lot of time must have gone into the creation of this little movie alone.


Make sure to place your pre-order of the single on Bandcamp as a digital download or along with much more bonus content on a USB Lego figure. Release date is on 13.02.2019.

More places for streaming and download are available with this overlook page.

Keep a eye on what Ben Blutzukker is going to do next with a like on Facebook.

20 Years of Autumns Eyes - new album sneak peak

"Musicians are the only rich people who share something of their wealth." (Quote, Author unknown)

I found these words some time ago on Facebook. They sticked in my mind. I can't tell you guys out there how much energy, truth and life experience music holds. It's a pure treasure to me. It was like that back in the day and it seems it is more important than ever to me now.

Solo metal band Autumns Eyes already adds since 20 years to the metal scene. These days Daniel Mitchell presents what these years album will sound like with a 5 minute preview video coming directly from the studio.

Daniel Mitchell creating new heavy music for all of us.

I can't stop from watching guitar players playing. Plus these rough riffs are my faves. These sounds are so much fun and fun is fuel for life. It kicks me. Besides the music snippets it also comes with Daniel talking about how old logs, dark sounds, and creepy crunchy guitars will help shape the follow up to the 2017 release.

Make sure to follow the Autumns Eyes social channels on Twitter and Instagram for further updates. Or click the official website for sweet offers like a green (!!!) T-Shirt for a few coins to help musicians to be able to further spread their knowledge with all of us.

CD Review: Animae Silentes - Suffocated (Gothic Rock, 2017)

Fine gothic rock tracks that are playing with the heavyness of the music on the one side and laying it down softer on the vocal side.

The cover of Animae Silentes debut record "Suffocated", (c) by Animae Silentes, used with kind permission

Summary
The start is dark and strange with a classic intro. The first full song "Burning in silence" kicks in straight and I love the way it does. It lifts the mood and gives room to for the ears to find into the band's sound. The next track "Purgatorium" pushed me straight in. It's such a riff hacker it gave me no chance to stop listening to this silver disc anymore.

It's a album full of straight rocking gothic numbers. It's this mixture of the silk voice dancing on the rough riffs and the more melodic parts giving it a slightly mysterious touch. The band gives the listener a explosive experience with the dry heavvness of the album's sound. Happily it never feels cold or mechanical because of the warmth of the voice and it's melodic variations in them.

"Eville" track number four manages to show a uptempo number that fit's to the band's sound but you won't expect on such a album. "Nothing else to remind" stands out of the pack having a creeping slowness in it. It stays in my mind. A sign that the band has the power to make a lasting impression to the listener.

The only negative point to me was the end of the album. The last two track feel a bit lengthy to me at times but maybe it's only my attention being limited at this point.

CD-Packing and Booklet
The packing is great. It's kept all in black with the bird being the point of attention. He's boldly sitting there at the front cover, missing in the insert of the jewel case and flying majestically a the backside of the record. A cool optical gimmick in my eyes. The booklet features the lyrics and fine band member pictures at various locations. You'll get a feeling of the people behind the music this way.

Purchase-Link, Conatct and Preview-Stream
Pick up the record of the webshop of Sliptrick Records. The band has a webpresence
at Instagram and Facebook so you can contact them easily for show offers etc.

Autumns Eyes give seasons change a sound

We're going closer towards the cold days. Halloween marks the point between the last warmer moments and the going over to the less well-feeling times. How does this change sound in the world of music?

Autumns Eyes have given these season a own treatment with the release of the single called "Death Of October". Musically it cracks the borders of boundaries and limitations. It recalls some modern Paradise Lost songs in my mind, think of the "Host" album or the self-titled record of the same english formation and also Type O Negative can be heard.


This one comes around as a teaser to the full album "Ending Life Slowly" that's going to see it's release at the very end of October - exactly on Halloween 2017.

Pre-orders are now online at https://autumnseyes.bandcamp.com/album/ending-life-slowly and the album's track listing is as follows:

1. Death of October
2. Break the Skin
3. Your Last Day
4. Moments Into Memories
5. The Honest Liars
6. Couldn’t Hold On
7. Far Away From Fading
8. Internal Arson
9. Open Your Eyes, Not Your Wrists
10. Under the Skin of the Sun

Follow this band further using the links below:

http://autumnseyes.com/
https://twitter.com/autumnseyes

CD Review: Unothera - Broken EP (Doom/Death Metal, 2016)

A EP rooted in both genres - Doom and Death Metal with extraordinaty vocal performances packed in classic songwriting format.

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

Summary

This silver disc reminds me of classic gothic metal releases of the traditional acts such as Paradise Lost in their beginnings. It lives of the contrasts in the sound. On the one hand many clear and lighter sound-textured parts are part of the songs while other sections are held much heavier, darker with growls and lot's of distorted guitars rounded out with midtempo grooving drums.

On above all of this mixture melodic splitters are put inside that give a softer tonality or dominate with their high notes some heavier sections as if they were put there to light those parts a bit up. 

The high vocals deserve a special mention. They vary a lot through the whole EP and spice the whole release up. "Winter" is a good example for this. Everything is held in classic songwriting format but the slight additions mentioned above make this one to point to later on again. It sounds different from other releases of the same genre. If you're into this sort of metal I recommend you to check this EP. It may be a fine surprise to you.


Purchase-Link & Preview Track

This five track disc can be purchased directly through the Facebook page of Unothera for 5 Euro plus shipping and handling. You'll receive a burned silver media in a small slipcase but with a professional, sharp layouted small booklet that holds the lyrics of the release. That's not very common for such offerings. The disc itself comes labeled with the motive of the cover but in a different incarnation. Nice gimmick that is not to be found too often.

One track of the EP found it's way online so I've added it here as a preview track.

Contact Data

You can get in touch with Unothera via there online presence on Facebook.

Darkwell take us deeper into Metropolis cosmos

Some time ago we had a announcement saying that the female fronted Austrian Gothic band Darkwell will be back with a new record that will see a return of former female vocalist Alexandra Pittracher. Some time has passed and the album is available since some time via Massacre Records.

The cover of the new Darkwell album "Moloch", (c) by Jasmin Elisabeth Wanner, used with kind permission

These days the band is back with a brand new video for the title track "Moloch". The content sticks to the Metropolis topic (Fritz Langs's fantastic 1927 movie "Metropolis") and can be seen as the prequel to first video single the band put out entittled "Yoshiwara".

As for me the female voice comes out brilliantly on this one, it's very dominating, multi-layered yet it doesn't ruin the track or overloads it. The drums are pushing the track forward and always seem to give it new drive when things seem to come to a end. It's all accompanied with the raw and cutting guitars which are held in a sharp and hard toned way.

Make sure to look up more details like show dates of the band via their web-presences on Facebook and check out the other band videos on their Youtube channel. 

Goth metallers Darkwell return with new album in September

It's great to see so many bands decide to come back again these days. Many of them had to take a break from things for various reasons but I think doing so is still much better than leaving it all behind. It leaves hope behind and hope is always something we all need at all stations in life I think.

So to come back to the topic austrian Gothic metallers of the legendary band called Darkwell will come back with a fresh album in September 2016. This time around former female vocalist Alexandra Pittracher will be back as well and take over vocal duties on the new album entitled "Moloch".

The new longplayer is set for release on 23rd of September via Massacre Records. The cover has already been released and can be seen below.

The cover of the new Darkwell album "Moloch", (c) by Jasmin Elisabeth Wanner, used with kind permission

In the meantime here's a clip from the past days as a reminder to all those who know the band already or as a introduction to everyone who's interested to get to know Darkwell.

As for me I like their dark mysterious and powerfull songwriting which is combined with the fragileness of the female vocals something which can create so much touching, haunting and chilling moments when listening to such music. It really leaves you behind with some emotions. The keyboards add also a good potion to this - I think it throws in a lot of atmosphere and widens the musical expression of the band.

Make sure to stay in touch with Darkwell through Facebook or subscribe to their Youtube channel so you won't miss out on further updates.

CD Review: Slitherum - Godbox Suicide (2016)

A great gothic metal album with slightly industrial elements showing that compact riffing and straight rhythm can offer a fine mixture without sounding monotone. The harsh vocals add a good potion to the music that you don't want to miss anymore once heard.

Short Introduction

Slitherum formed in 2015 in the city of Athens, the trio comprised of Nick Marinos on vocals, Giannis Kalamatas on guitars, bass and synths, and Antonis Kanaras on drums. They instantly began to work on the first material that has been released under the title "Godbox Suicide" in the beginning of 2016.

The cover of Slitherums first album "Godbox suicide", (c) by Slitherum, used with kind permission

Summary

What's so great about this band is that they've taken this sort of direct and sharp guitar riffing back to the surface of today. I miss this a lot in the music scene of today. Combined with the straight rhythms the music comes together in a form of constant expression that's so intense through's it's constanty. Yet it always evolves a little bit with every step it takes on further. Just keep a ear on the little elements and how they add and change. It's intensive enjoyment for all the metal enthusiats out there that love to go in deep and fully concentrate on the message of the music.

The vocals are sharp and harsh but never sound to rough or not suiting to the material. Moreover I found out that they are a good way to widen the band's unique music. My favorite is "Vulnus" which plays around with the riffing and it's up and downs. It's a good first pick if you want to quickly check in to the band's sound.

While the first five tracks are more straight forward numbers the last two offerings show that the band is also able to create softer songs as well. "Child" surprises with a much more slowed rhythm mixed up with soft toned guitars and touching vocals. The music unfolds slowly as the track builds up with each moment passing until the end releases some pressure and closes finally back with the more silent way the track began.

"Cure" closes out the record in a more industrial way with it's constant, cold beat. Anyway this little piece of music adds to the atmosphere with it's unusual riff towards the song middle and the repeating song theme.

Purchase-Link

You can pick up a hardcopy of "Godbox Suicide" by getting in touch with the band through their Facebook page. The record has been released in a limited number of copies. You can choose between a vinyl version in a special package that is limited to only 8 copies or get your hand on one of the 100 CD's that have been manufactured of this great first release of Slitherum.

Player

Check out the band's sound through the Youtube player below. I've picked the track "Vulnus" which is one of my favorites of Godbox suicide. More tracks can be heard on the bands Youtube channel.


Contact-Data

The band can be reached through their Facebook page and also has a account on Youtube.

CD Review: Charm Designer - Everlasting

A dark and mysterious Gothic / Doom record. Besides the typical growling vocals it features a lot of groove, melody and a lot of blistering, haunting atmosphere. If you like a mixture of these ingridents you shouldn't hesitate and take a close look at "Everlasting".

Short Introduction

Charm Designer is a Gothic / Doom metal band located in Columbia. It was the first time for me that I had the chance to listen to a band from that country so I was extremly excited how they would attempt writing songs. Plus I didn't listen to a album of that genre for some time so I felt it would be a good idea to check it out.

My attention was raised even more as I got to know that the follow-up to 2008's “Blood Sounds” was recorded with legendary producer Waldemar Sorychta, known for his work with Samael, Tiamat, Lacuna Coil, Sentenced and Moonspell among others, being the first time for him to produce a Latin American band. The artwork was designed by Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu (At The Gates, Arcturus, Vulture Industries, Primordial, Arch Enemy, etc.).

The cover of Everlasting, (c) by Charm Designer, used with kind permission

Summary

Charm Designer did a outstanding job on this one. The album contains eight brand new tracks that will take you on a wild ride through your inner feelings and emotions. It's filled with all that makes us humans and it goes to all the extremes we all endure and are pushed through every day. It sounds extreme and will give you pain at some points but after all the harsh parts and heavyness there's always release and silkness coming back in giving you freezing chills and giving you the breath back. In the end it will strenghten you for all that still is yet to come.

The album lives of it's contrast of dark, brutal vocals and the much lighter contra female voice parts. The same goes for the music. Sure there's darkness and heavyness all around but it never presses you down. It still pushes on forward through the groove and there's always some melody shining through. Black clouds and silver linings. The best way to quickly check out if the record is for you is to see the lyric video of the title track which you can find at the Player and Purchase Link section further down in this review. If you feel like it touches you the you should give the full album a listen, because there's a lot more yet to come so prepare yourselves for the ride...

Album Overview

The album is well balanced but there are some tracks I'd like to point out. Besides the title track my personal favorites are Never After and most of all Inertial Dream for their very heavy attitude and remembering me of old classic Gothic metal times.

Disruption is one of the most flexible cuts of the full length bringing together a good mixture of oldschool and slightly modern elements. But all the modern stuff is kept in a discret way. They are never overused and only taken if they add to the mood so it sounds authentic. Some tracks have a length of nearly seven minutes but never sound lengthy. If you prefer the shorter one's make sure to listen to Mentors, it goes out as a very straight number.

It should be mentioned that the band did a cool cover version of Depeche Mode's "Policy of truth". The song remains intact in it's structure through the cover conversion, but you can heavily hear that Charm Designer put their signature of Doom 'n' Gothic brutality on it. It's a good cover I can see this going down quite well in Gothic or Metal clubs on a saturday night with many people handbanging along to it.

Player and Purchase-Link

The album is available through the store of the band's record company Inverse Records as a physical CD.
There also the chance to buy a mp3 version of the record from Amazon. 

Update 2016/02/20: You can also place your order via the band's Facebook account. Read this info sheet they released for detailed info. They also have some nice goodie packs available with T-Shirts plus CD and you can also ask for other combinations. Just send them a message and they'll put together a nice package for you.

As far as I've seen there's no album stream available so I've added the official lyric video of "Everlasting" here to give you a quick idea of the band's sound and style.

Update 2016/02/22: The album has been uploaded to streaming services such as Spotify and Deezer. I've added the Deezer widget under the YouTube lyric video of the title track. Also if you're not registered to the service you can at least listen to some 30 second clips of the album.


Links

www.facebook.com/charmdesigner
www.twitter.com/Charm_Designer
www.reverbnation.com/charmdesigner
www.soundcloud.com/charmdesigner
www.youtube.com/charmdesignervid   

Back to the old new days with Paradise Lost and Iced Earth

Do you like the headline? It's meant to introduce the return of some re-recorded Paradise Lost songs along with a new track from Iced Earth which reminds me a lot of the old records of that band.

Paradise Lost will soon unleash their "Tragic Illusion 25" compilation, a album that will see old Paradise Lost songs re-recorded very properly to do the old classics justice. So far the band has given out two of that songs as a teaser and they both surprised me with very dark and heavy vocals by Nick Holmes as well as proper technical re-work on the old songs. Check out "Our Saviour 2013" and "Gothic 2013" right here to find out what exactly I mean with these words.



Iced Earth did already go back to old days with their last effort "Dystopia" but the now released lyric video for the title-track of the upcoming record "Plagues of Babylon" beats that once more. I like the old-styled sound with reduced drumsound and normal guitars while the vocals are more mixed to the front of the listener. What do you think, will this album rock or should they head to some different direction? Please let me know in the comments section below.

Angelical Tears

There's a fine group out there on facebook called "MetalHeads Non Anonymus". It's a place where people can present their band or suggest bands to the others. Angelical Tears got my attention through a post there. They play a powerful piece of metal along with a good portion of melody and fine female vocals. It reminds a bit to bands like Epica and Nightwish but with a own style and a fresh attempt. Try 'Save Me',hopefully it will be such a nice surprise for you like it was for me.

Find more artists like Angelical Tears at Myspace Music