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. 

      

Found footage Shocker "Dwellers" to kick off this Saturday

This particular movie could be worth a look at because it's told in a found footage format, something that the "Blair Witch Project" introduced for the first time in 1999.  

Let's see if "Dwellers", produced by Ellefson Films (the new film company of Megadeth bassist David Ellefson) can bring something new into the horror genre. 

A sign reveals that something has happend to these people...

Dwellers has been described as being, "C.H.U.D. if it were shot like The Blair Witch Project." The film stars: Drew Fortier, James L. Edwards (Her Name Was Christa), Douglas Esper (The Nutshell) and Omar Baig (Let's Make a Movie). 

Also featuring cameos from the film's producer, David Ellefson, as well as former Mushroomhead vocalist, Jeff Hatrix. It has been written and directed by Drew Fortier. 
 
The film's plot is as follows:  
While shooting a documentary on the suspicious disappearances within the homeless community, a filmmaker and his crew go missing while uncovering a terrifying and vicious secret below the city's surface. 

The first screening has been announced for this coming Saturday, March 20th 2021 as a part of the HorrorHound Film Festival's Midnight Madness Feature and will hold a special virtual Q&A after the screening that will feature cast members from _Dwellers_.Tickets go just for 10 Dollars for the whole event with plenty more of content.

Ticketing information can be found here: https://horrorharound.com/News/Details/333   

The trailer gives a first glimpse of what is about to come up.

Later in the year on October 12, 2021, a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital release will see the light of day. The physical release is planned to be packed with bonus features. More details to be released in the coming months along with pre-order information.
 
David Ellefson will also be making various appearances throughout the year at horror conventions and fan expos to screen Dwellers. Keep up with Ellefson's social media on Facebook for more details.

CD Review: A Light Within - Epilogue (Post Metal, 2018)

A far more accessable record compared to the both previous releases. Yet it's far from being mainstream.

A Light Within Epilogue EP cover, (c) by A Light Within, used with kind permissio

A Light Within are a band with a own sound. Their music comes around more centered of feelings than of planed structures. It's all about the message and the expression. The music takes you to other places no question.

Summary
This EP has put a heavy eye on loud and more direct sounds. The tunes put the sound more to the front of the listener. You don't need to dig that deep anymore to get to the point. Anyway there's still room for a lot of sounds in the silence. Working for the first time with producer Paul Malinowski (Season to Risk, Shiner, The Life & Times)  and directing mastering duties to Acle Kahney (TesseracT) surely helped to develop the band's sound further.

The best example as for me is the opening number "Shells". It's loud and rough but taking a close ear to the vocals touching in to the sounds they give a deep message with it leaving a aftertaste of feelings in the broad waves of music. It's those moments that you'll soak up what makes A Light Within so special and stand out.

"Chemical Drive" invites to enjoy the moment and let yourselves drift. The melody and main-theme comes around relaxed. Maybe the most beautiful track that builds up slowly piece by piece to end in much rougher spheres. The drums are coming clearer and the bass on "An Educated Gentleman" surprises with raw attacking. It's a unusual tempo the band presents on this one. Compared to the older material songs like this one come quicker to the point plus there's more feeling of movement in them.

"Surrounded By Astronauts" is the most complex song of the package. It's sound feels like the elements are fighting a bit against each other. It makes it hard to get to the core with the massivity of the sounds reaching your ears.

Purchase-Link and EP-Stream
"Epilogue" comes in three formats. The download in a format of your choice from Bandcamp or a handy Digipack CD are a good pick to every lover of music. They come for the fair pice of 4 or 7 US Dollar.

But the best is the limited tin case. Having checked out the quality of it from "Body Matter" (the previous EP) with my own hands and eyes I can say it's handmade but professionell and with high quality materials. Be quick those gems are going fast and these one's are limited with handwritten numbers on the backside. It's also available from the band's Bandcamp store.


Finally follow the band with Facebook to see how the journey will go on.

SpiteFuel prove that they will "Never Surrender" with first single

After Strangelet called it quits only roughly a month ago I was sceptic if the new formation called SpiteFuel would be able to carry on the torch that has been ignited with the "First Bite" album. You know when such great releases come along it's always hard to go on after that. That album blew me away like a storm so it was a high mark the new band would have to take.

But they made it! They once again charmed me enough with these mega refrain so I couldn't get off listening to the track. It's after all for sure a bit heavier than the previous material was but it still feels authentic.

You can feel that the main spirit that has been the core of Strangelet has been faithfully taken care of and is alive and well in this new song as well. The new heavyness tightens the material for sure but it never feels as if the old glance has left. It moreover shines in new colors. But enough of me speaking - have a taste for yourselves in the player below.


The new track "Never Surrender" will be available soon on iTunes, Spotify and the like for purchase. I'll update the article with proper links as soon as I receive them.

Right now there's also a limited physical edition available as a special promo CD. If you purchase any item of the band in the webshop of MDD Records (T-Shirts, Hood Zippers and patches and more are available) or at the shows of the band at the merch booth you'll receive one disc with the song on it for free with your purchase (this goes of course only as long as stocks will last).

The limited edition of the first SpiteFuel single "Never Surrender", (c) by MDD Records, used with kind permission

The band will play the following shows in Germany in 2016:
10. September - Birthday Massacre with The New Black, Wilanzheim
22. October - The Ranch Festival, Hechingen
05. November - Bonfire Support, ROFA Bad Friedrichshall
30. Dezember - Red River Party with Wild Rider, Heilbronn

Shows in 2017
11. März 2017 - Rock im Wildpark, Bad Mergentheim

A full length album is scheduled for release in spring 2017 via MDD Records.

Don't forget to like SpiteFuel on Facebook so you won't miss out on further updates in the meantime.