CD Review: Riffocity - Under a mourning sky (Thrash, 2017)

We had a blast! Sometimes this saying can be spotted at posts on social media once a band has completed their set. I can confirm that this album of greek thrashers Riffocity gave me several highlights and left me more than once with complete astonishing behind.

The cover of Greece thrasher Riffocity debut full length, (c) by Riffocity, used with kind permission

Summary
Speaking of secret gems this one surely is one to have the closer look upon. If by any chance thrash is the metal style of your choice I'd like you to check out this release. At first glance you may smile about the band name but be sure once it reaches your ears you'll want more of it. It's not often I use this term but to me this disc is a little sensation in the thrash sector with it's many, many releases. It's hard to believe I never heard of this band before. Now that I know I'll keep my eyes on them that's for sure.

Where other bands take years to reach for perfection Riffocity gives it to you with "Under a mourning sky". Most of the tracks start the classic way with a introduction in a softer way or some first short riff introduction before the full part comes in. The band has a modern attempt on the genre but keeps the direction mostly straight forward but also put's in a lot of variations into each and every track.

It's the diverse use of a combination of power, fast rhythm, hard vocals but also clear structured songs and riff arrangements plus some softer sectionsthat gives this silver disc it's special power. Some of the tracks have been upgraded further with guest performances which add to the already strong basics mentioned.

Tips for quick check-out
Two songs stood out for me. It's the softer "Arnis Oblivion" which gives short moment for relaxation before the thrash goes back on track. But most of all "Perish Unloved" got me. Such a massive heavyness and the duration of seven minutes feels as if the track goes on forever. 

Purchase-Link and Preview-Track
I've listened to this step by step on various sessions. The fine thing is: it only becomes better with each run. So make sure to tune in to the teaser given below and pick up your copy of this thrash sensation directly from the band for 10 Euro plus shipping and handling.

Contact Data
The band has set up outlets on Facebook and YouTube so that's where you can get in touch with them or find more songs for pre-listening their debut album.

CD Review: Ben Blutzukker - Riptide (Thrash Metal, 2017)

We had the word here on the Underdogs already what two men can accomplish if they really want to. But what can one man alone do if he feels a need to contribute to the world of Heavy Metal?

The answer can be given straight: a lot. Today's technique allows for lot's of possibilities and Ben Blutzukker has taken advantage of them. While he took over all duties for vocals and guitars plus bass guitars by playing them on real instruments it was only the drums he had to add as programming them.

The cover of Ben Blutzukker's EP "Riptide", (c) by Ben Blutzukker, used with kind permission

Summary
It's result however is impressive moreover if you think how thick and heavy the sound is he provides. Currently he is preparing the release of EP number two entitled "Riptide".

The cool thing is that the first appetizer in form of a video has been set up as a mini-movie showing a pirate ship with pirates performing the track. It must have been lot's of work to set all of this up. Just think of how to include all the guitars in there (I think they cannot be bought straight away). Plus the drums are cool with many sequences been in time with the real sound.

My favorite is the second track "Stab by Stab". The riff and rhythm go straight and it's pure enjoyment I felt while listening to it. The track has a surprise with it at the very end so make sure to listen to the full track closely.

Track three comes as a wild track showing the rude side of the project going over to softer sides - something sounding surprisingly harmonic. The raw vocals once more give the music a unique stamp making it clear instantly who's playing music right here.

"Bloodlust" goes slightly faster with a straight riff but also few unexpected sound additions towards the end.

"Loose Ends" is a track different from the rest. The song structure is more clustered over the whole duration and comes more riff hacking than ever before. A small but cool drum solo closes out a fine EP.

Purchase-Link
The release draws near and is set for 6th October 2017 as Download, Stream, CD and LEGO USB Minifigure with many bonus stuff on it all available on his Bandcamp page.  

Contact Data
Follow him further on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

EP Stream
P.S. Don't stop the playback after the video finished. You'll know why once you've done it...

CD Review: Cyrence - The Hospital

Note:  If you have a own band or project that you think might fit in well here for a review or as a presentation / introduction please drop me a line or two in a E-Mail. Please see my profile for my E-Mail adress. I appreciate new suggestions very much so don't hesitate to contact me. I'm also interested in band news / updates / tourdates so keep the stuff coming. Thanks!

If you're having troubles writing in English please send me a E-Mail in your preferred language or use the free Google Translator to transfer your message to English. I also use that tool, it's of course not perfect but I think it will mostly likely work out for our purposes.

Short Introduction

Cyrence are a young band from Munich,Germany. They play Melodic Thrash Metal in the vein of Testament (their latest releases) and Metallica. Yet their style is modern and unique, there are no boundaries. You will enjoy parts that are neckbreakers as well as clean, almost psychedelic moments, always maintaining the right amount of heaviness, groove and melody.  In their lyrics they mostly talk about apocalyptic topics. The band started out with a demo entitled "Endtime stories" in 2011. Now in 2015 they are back with their first EP which see's the day of light today on 27th March 2015.

(c) by Cyrence, used with kind permission

Summary / Purchase & Contact Links / Album Player

This EP is a absolute surprise, didn't exspect such a smasher when I first heard the title track. It blew me away! A pure quality release. This goes for the heavyness as much as it goes for the ideas the band developed for the songs itself. The tracks are outworked very detailed and with much inspiration. They are often brutal but never miss this piece of intelligence that makes them something special. 

The songs even let you relax and take you to a different place. You just need to bring some time to be able to completly enjoy this EP. The songs don't offer their full potential on the first run, they often need a second one. But that's even more a sign of quality in my ears. The sound comes with full blown quality. Go and get this diamond!

You can buy the record at the Bandcamp page of Cyrence for 7 Euro. Enjoy the full album stream below to get a idea of the sound of the band. Physical copies and T-Shirts are available at the shows (for example tonight 27th March 2015 in Munich at the Sunny Red - CD release show with 2 other bands).



The band also has a own webshop in the makings where you'll be able to buy physical copies of the album as well as T-Shirts through the internet. I'll update the review with the proper links and details so make sure to keep an eye on this review page if you're interested (just set a bookmark to this page and check back every here and there). Or make sure to follow the band through the linked websites for the announcement and links.

Update 2015/04/01: No april fool's joke - the webshop of the band has opened it's gates! You can purchase the album their for 7 Euro plus shipping and handling and order a band T-Shirt with the logo of Cyrence for 10 Euro (plus shipping and handling). There's also a bundle offer up there with the CD and the Shirt together for 15 Euro plus the fee's for postage and handling. You can choose between several sizes for the T-Shirt.

Also make sure to keep track on this band via their homepage, Facebook or connect with them through the Twitter network.

Track-by-Track Review

01 A New Beginning

Clear and very melodic intro. Things are starting to make me nervous goes through

my head while listening this. You can't wait on what's to come...

02 Dystopia

A long and stretched brutal intro rips up the EP. Very hard and pushing track,

kicking it in very heavy. Very remniscient to Metallica in their Ride the lightning times.

Partyl it also reminds a bit of the newer material of Testament with the hymn-like

sung refrain. Very raw and hard track. The end fades a bit unusual with clear guitar 

giving the last notes. This track needs a repeat to be fully understood.

03 This Life

More straight track. Also very fast, dark and hard. Vocals are laid down a bit deeper.

Short and fast solo section. The track is dominated mostly by the changing vocals.

Very cool - while the rhythm and guitars mainly keep it straight forward and

constantly pushing the vocals are with all the diversity that is laid inside of them

the element that really moves the song forward. This band has ideas no question!

(c) by Cyrence, used with kind permission

04 The Hospital

Clear and slow beginning. It fastly explodes into a straight double-bass smasher

It changes furthermore into a direct riff-hacker in the tradition of Metallica. I somehow

had to think back to the all-time classic "One" while listening to this. A positive

thought!

05 I won't fall

A stomping intro going over to a fast riff-ripping-track. The riff is kept simple

and the whole song straight forward. Vocals come in very rough but also clear.

The last third of the track is set in a more midtemo rhythm. 

06 You kill me

The band is going straight all on it. A direct and heavy kicking song with a 

different refrain that makes it remarkable. A bit shorter than the previous tracks

but that's welcome after the longer songs.

07 Purity Control

Very hard neckbreaker, going brutally to the point. The solo section surprises

with a slower introduction while the solo itself keeps it high-pitched and leads

back to first groove. A perfect round up and kick out for the release.