Archive for metal albums 2012

Newer Entries »

haarp – New Orleans Metal Misanthropes Announce New Studio Offering “Husks”

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal albums, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, sludge metal with tags , , , , , , on August 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Artwork And Track Listing Revealed

New Orleans Metal misanthropes, haarp, announce the release of their new studio offering, entitled Husks. Set for release on September 18, 2012 through Housecore Records, the follow-up to 2010’s The Filth offers up three tracks of crushing, post-apocalyptic dirge. Husks was recorded at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center, Fountainbleau Room 7011, and Nodferatu’s Lair by Philip H. Anselmo, engineered by Steve Berrigan and Nathan Weidenhaft and mastered at Visceral Sounds by Scott Hull.

Comments the band in a collective statement: “With Husks, we’ve maintained the sound we developed over our last few releases while adding some new elements and showing some additional influences.”

For pre-order info, point your browser HERE.

Husks Track Listing:

1. deadman/rabbit

2. bear

3. fox 

Due to unforeseen events which occurred late in the summer of 2005, members of various disbanded projects came together to forge haarp. Featuring a collective of New Orleans Grindcore, Punk, and Metal scene alumni, haarp embody the murk, decay, and oppression associated with their home city. haarp’s music is a visceral wall of low-end sound; its lyrics a journey through despair, hatred, self loathing, and aggression. haarp will be decimating a city near you. Further details to be announced in the coming days.

“…world-class sludge…” – Exclaim

___________________________________________________________

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on haarp, click on the links below!

http://www.facebook.com/haarpnola

http://www.facebook.com/housecorerecords

Long Live haarp.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

NEUROSIS – Title Of Eleventh Full-Length From Musical Pioneers Revealed

Posted in experimental music, experimental rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on August 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

It is said that great art has the power to take us outside of ourselves and bring us closer to ourselves simultaneously. Few bands have accomplished this rare feat on a more profound and consistent basis than NEUROSIS. For nearly three decades, their music has touched the hearts and minds of young men and women seeking contact with something beyond the physical world, something intangible, something that expresses the inner tumult of the human condition in a way that transcends time and space. Something that not only provokes questions but maybe even hints at answers.

Since 1985 this matchless force has surpassed the boundaries of any genre, never-ceasing to mutate and progress their songwriting and sonic delivery, and never-failing to mesmerize audiences both in the studio and onstage. And as the anticipation from their diehard fanbase reaches a boiling point, this week NEUROSIS unveil the title of their eleventh full-length studio creation, which will manifest itself as Honor Found In Decay.

The follow-up to their acclaimed 2007-released Given To The Rising album, the music on Honor Found In Decay is both torturous and transcendent. It is the ongoing exposition of a vast internal dialogue that seems to carry the weight of eons. With the right kind of ears and eyes, it can seem like the trials and tribulations of mankind are being channeled through five individuals: Steve Von Till, Scott Kelly, Noah Landis, Jason Roeder and Dave Edwardson. And yet? They will be the first ones to tell you that they are just regular people trying to make sense of the world around them.

Aided by Josh Graham, their resident visual guru, they transmit their interpretations through multiple sensory planes. The degree to which Neurosis allows them to step out of their everyday lives is the distance between one and zero, the distance between thinking and doing, the distance between this minute and the one that may or may not follow. Which is to say: NEUROSIS takes them outside of themselves and brings them closer to themselves. Simultaneously.

This next chapter in the evolution of NEUROSIS will see worldwide release through the band’s own Neurot Recordings this Autumn, in Germany October 26th, in the UK October 29th, and in North America on October 30th.

Further details on Honor Found In Decay will be made available over the coming weeks.

__________________________________

NEUROSIS:

Scott Kelly – vocals/guitars

Steve Von Till – vocals/guitars

Dave Edwardson – bass

Jason Roeder – drums

Noah Landis – keyboards

Josh Graham – visual effects, art

_______________________________________________________________

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on NEUROSIS, click on the links below!

http://www.neurosis.com

http://www.facebook.com/officialneurosis

http://www.neurotrecordings.com

http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings

LONG LIVE NEUROSIS.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

MACBETH “Gladiator” – Song Streaming Online and It’s A Metal Lightning Strike!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal albums, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on July 26, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

MACBETH– The third studio album,Wiedergänger, from East German Meal Legends Macbeth, will be released on September 28th, 2012, via Massacre Records. Take a listen below to Gladiator, taken from Wiedergänger. This song is a lightning strike of Metal that must be cranked up to a maximum level! Metal be thy name.

MACBETH:

Olli Hippauf – Vocals

Ralf Klein – Guitars

Alexander Kopp – Guitars

Hanjo Papst – Bass

Simon Mengs – Drums

Wiedergänger – Track Listing:

01. Kamikaze

02. Fritz H.

03. Begraben

04. Fleisch

05. Stück für Stück

06. Gladiator

07. Wiedergänger

08. Stalingrad – Kanonenfutter

09. Stalingrad – Untergang

10. Stalingrad – Das Kreuz

________________________________________________________________

(Source: Massacre Records)

* For more info on MACBETH, click on the links below!

http://www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE MACBETH.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

SKELETAL SPECTRE – Doom-Death Befoulers Join Pulverised Records; Preview Track Available

Posted in Death Metal, doom metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Pulverised Records are pleased to welcome American/Swedish Doom-Death befoulers SKELETAL SPECTRE to their ever-expanding roster of repugnance!

Fronted by Vanessa Nocera (Wooden Stake, Scaremaker, etc.), SKELETAL SPECTRE are a ghastly hybrid of demonacy influenced by the spirits of the undead and midnight graveyard sacrifices. The band released two full-length offerings under the Razorback Records banner and are set to unleash their third studio endeavor, Voodoo Dawn — a malicious riffscape of sonic extremity — upon unsuspecting ears later this year.

Comments Nocera of the signing: “We are proud and honored to be on Pulverised Records’ roster! Definitely a label that I find to be one of the coolest around! We put a great deal of hard work into this album so that it would stand out from anything we’ve ever done. I think it is a testament to the band’s future, and we are looking to play live, especially in Europe so watch out. We’re coming!

Adds Pulverised Records A&R Manager Calvin Chiang: “The moment we heard the beginning riff off the first track from Voodoo Dawn, it completely blew us away and somehow we already knew something filthy was brewing from within. There’s a perfect balance of those trademark Swede-eerie melodies and mammoth riffs that any sludge/doom maniac would approve of. It’s always very satisfying to discover a great hidden gem in this business, and we are definitely proud to say that SKELETAL SPECTRE is one of those gems. Keep your eyes and ears peeled; the voodoo curse shall rear its ugly head soon!”

Check out teaser track “Bone Dust” from Voodoo Dawn at THIS LOCATION. Further details, including art work and release date, will be revealed in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

SKELETAL SPECTRE:

Vanessa Nocera – all vocals

Behold the Pentagram – guitar/bass

Haunting the Beyond – drums

_______________________________________________________________

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on SKELTAL SPECTRE, click on the links below!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skeletal-Spectre/167747449913361

http://www.myspace.com/skeletalspectre

http://www.pulverised.net

LONG LIVE SKELETAL SPECTRE.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

69 CHAMBERS – Announce European Tour; Performance At 2012 Montreux Jazz Festival Is Online!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, Music, rock concerts, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

The cat’s out of the bag! 69 CHAMBERS are going to support Delain on their “We Are The Others Tour 2012”, which is kicking off in October!

This is the perfect chance to listen to songs from the band’s new album “Torque” live, which was released in late April 2012.

69 CHAMBERS recently played at Montreux’s Jazz Festival. Here are some impressions from the band’s gig and soundcheck:

Diabulus In Musica will join Delain and 69 CHAMBERS on tour.

Here are all confirmed tour dates:

We Are The Others Tour 2012 – 
Delain, 69 CHAMBERS, Diabulus In Musica

11.10.2012 FR Montpellier – Rockstore – www.facebook.com/events/135564739917114

12.10.2012 ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2 – www.facebook.com/events/248716195247236

13.10.2012 ES Madrid – Sala Caracol – www.facebook.com/events/186459498151662

14.10.2012 FR Bordeaux – Theatre Barbey (Rock School Barbey) – www.facebook.com/events/477117715650628

16.10.2012 DE Memmingen – Kaminwerk – www.facebook.com/events/481850715177463

17.10.2012 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal – www.facebook.com/events/339031349509807

18.10.2012 DE Essen – Zeche Carl – www.facebook.com/events/161191174017149

19.10.2012 DE Osnabrück – Rosenhof – www.facebook.com/events/426153474090274

Besides playing with Delain, 69 CHAMBERS will play here too:

21.10.2012 BE Wieze – Metal Female Voices Fest – www.facebook.com/events/251758121591564

30.11.2012 CH Yverdon-Les-Bains – L’Amalgame – www.facebook.com/events/375275229206817

01.12.2012 CH Delemont – Forum St.Georges – www.facebook.com/events/418438608207330

29.12.2012 CH Winterthur – Eulachhalle (Eluveitie & Friends) – www.facebook.com/events/413987758639463

Listen to and get your copy of 69 CHAMBER’s “Torque” here: 

http://massacre.musiclogistics.net/releases/14099?lang=en

* Stone Says: Torque is one of the very best albums I’ve listened to from 2012; that includes both Hard Rock and Metal genres. The key to 69 Chambers is their ability to weave so many styles together; to form a unified sound that ROCKS like there is no tomorrow! Metal be thy name.

____________________________________

69 CHAMBERS:

Nina Vetterli-Treml (Bass, Vocals)

Tommy Vetterli (Guitar)

Diego Rapacchietti (Drums)

_____________________________________________________________________

(Source: Massacre Records)

* For more info on 69 CHAMBERS, click on the links below!

http://www.69chambers.com

http://www.twitter.com/69chambers

http://www.soundcloud.com/69-chambers

http://www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE 69 CHAMBERS.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

TITANS EVE – “Life Apocalypse” An Inferno Of Thrash From A Fast Rising Metal Battalion

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , on July 12, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

TITANS EVE – 2012 has proven to be a quantum Metal leap forward for the Thrash Metal battalion from Vancouver, BC, known as Titans Eve. With their second full-length, Life Apocalypse, being released on July 13th, the Metal momentum for Titans Eve is on full-scale-Thrash-throttle. As an opening act for the legendary KORN back on June 29th, along with Summer tour dates opening for the supergroup KILL DEVIL HILL and also legendary ANVIL, Titans Eve is a Thrash force that have caught the attention of their Metal peer elite.

As I’ve listened to Life Apocalypse, I’ve come to realize that Titans Eve isn’t trying to sound like the other guys. Titans Eve hasn’t run off with old school fever. Titans Eve hasn’t caved into an over-swollen modern persona of sound either. Instead, Titans Eve truly plays their own scorching brand of Thrash Metal. Yes, the overall feel, vibe and sound that Titans Eve has tapped into has given me every reason to believe they will be around in another decade… or two.

When it pertains to level of heaviness, the Thrash from Titans Eve is not nearly as punishing as Slayer or present day Exodus, nevertheless, Titans Eve still plays Thrash in the heavy vein as ANVIL, Anthrax, Death Angel and Testament’s 1992’s offering The Ritual. Trust me, Titans Eve doesn’t need to go extreme, this band gets their Thrashin’ point across with admirable skill and polish.

_________________________

Brian Gamblin’s vocals and the totality of musicianship is very refined and refreshing, with no glimmer of trying to strip things down to be acknowledged as “extra cool.” I’ve found Life Apocalypse to be free of any fillers, however, a musical detour is taken with A Wound That Never Heals and it’s a mellow break in the Thrash action. This instrumental is an excellent listen and legendary Thrash bands before Titans Eve have chilled out with a mid-tempo/mellow song and/or instrumental too.

Life Apocalypse is an inferno of Thrash to get your ears into. My favorite song here is Frozen In Time; still this album as a whole is a 2012 favorite. The shredding, sizzling solos, riffage, hammering rhythm section and gang vocals are all here, with confident, strong and expressive vocals from Brian Gamblin. With the young guns of Thrash, the likes of Hemoptysis, Warbringer, HAVOK, Bonded By Blood and Titans Eve, I can rest easy knowing that this beloved genre will remain a Metal force to be reckoned with for many, many years to come.

Buy Life Apocalypse and it will serve you Metal right. In keeping their sonic identity as unique as possible, Titans Eve have weaved decades of Thrash elements together and are undeniably real. Thrash Metal fans of any generation should appreciate what Titans Eve have created for quality songs on this album. Metal fans of any genre will know this is the stuff when they hear it too. Metal be thy name.

TITANS EVE:

Brian Gamblin – Guitars and lead Vocals

Kyle Gamblin – guitars and vocals

Jesse Hord – bass

Casey Ory – drums

_____________________________________

LIFE APOCALYPSE – Track Listing:

Overcast (Intro)

Destined To Die

Road To Ruin

Descension (Instrumental)

The Abyss

Life Apocalypse

A Wound That Never Heals (Instrumental)

Divided We Fall

Hollow Gods

Frozen In Time

The Void

_________________________________________________________

* For more info on TITANS EVE, click on the links below!

http://www.titanseve.com/

fanpage 

LONG LIVE TITANS EVE.

Stone.

1 Comment »

Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten Metal Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! (Part Three)

Posted in alternative metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , on July 6, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Here is Part Three of Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten Metal Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! Each Metal album below I’ve reviewed; just click the large link below each respective Metal album to read all about it! Each Metal album on this list I’ve obviously enjoyed and continue to listen to. My Metal goal is to pass this valuable Metal information onto my fellow Metal brethren.

As the halfway point of 2012 nears, these are ten recently released Metal albums that have left their scorching mark upon my Metal lovin’ eardrums. Wether it’s an EP or full-length, I look upon any release as an album.

There are very cool links at the bottom of this post, which will direct you to Parts One and Two of this series of 2012 Metal albums you NEED. Agree or disagree with this list, please feel free to comment. Metal be thy name.

ALARIC / ATRIARCH – Split LP

These are two underground bands that you NEED to know about. After you listen to this Split LP from ALARIC / ATRIARCH, you will once again be reminded that underground heavy music rules.

ALARIC / ATRIARCH Split LP – A Double Dose Of Spine-Chilling Heaviness You Can’t Overlook

IRON MAIDEN – EN VIVO!

I absolutely cannot imagine any Iron Maiden fan without EN VIVO! in their collection. For that matter, I couldn’t vision any Metal fan not wanting to check out this live 2-CD set of both vintage and current (The Final Frontier) songs. Metal as my witness, EN VIVO! is one of the best live Metal albums I’ve listened to in years.

IRON MAIDEN – EN VIVO! Is Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day

IMPENDING DOOM – BAPTIZED IN FILTH

These Christian heavy-hitters are Extreme; plus they are very capable at scorching the hell out of your eardrums.

IMPENDING DOOM – ‘Baptized In Filth’ Is A Heightened Listen Into Some Absolute Extreme Metal

METALLICA – BEYOND MAGNETIC EP

Metallica is either teasing the living shit out of us with this return to old school, raw and stripped down sound; or they actually did realize that their output the last couple of decades has been lame to average and this is a taste of what’s yet to come. I do revere Metallica though… no matter how many smelly records they’ve released. I guess you can blame my reverence for ’em on that F’n fabulous 80’s decade.

METALLICA ‘Beyond Magnetic’ – Thrashing Raw, Rough & Tough, As This Legendary Band Was Supposed To Be In The First Place

SOULFLY – ENSLAVED

As I wandered about the northern terrain of Pennsylvania this past Spring, an eccentric 200-year-old troll crossed my path. I was startled. He wasn’t startled. All I can recount, is this messed up troll exclaimed to my face: “you b-b-best have g-g-gotten that new SOULFLY album, Stone… otherwise you’re an F’n poser!” Needless to say, I did get the new SOULFLY and that crazed troll can kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

SOULFLY ‘ENSLAVED’ – Soulfly Has Raised Their Own Bar Of Metal Excellence

DRAGONFORCE – THE POWER WITHIN

Dragonforce is back! Plus, their new vocalist Marc Hudson is an UNREAL listen! Whoa! I became an instant fan of Marc Hudson 30 seconds after I heard him sing the first time. Yes, he’s that good. Oh… the rest of the band does kick superior Metal ass on The Power Within.

DRAGONFORCE “The Power Within” – Rises To New Melodic Power Metal Heights; Features New Vocalist Marc Hudson

SANGUINE – DEBUT/ST

Sanguine is an Alternative Metal band that MUST be signed by a record label that gives a crap about quality songs. Tarin Kerrey and guitarist Nick Magee deliver some impressive vocals. This entire debut album delivers intense promise for this blue-collar band.

SANGUINE – Debut / ST: Alternative Metal That Leaps Over Cutting Edge

UFOMAMMUT – ORO: OPUS PRIMUM’

This is Metal that feeds the Metal senses with all of its exquisite Metal nutrients. A Deep album and… aw, hell, UFOMAMMUT just blows my F’n mind.

UFOMAMMUT ‘Oro: Opus Primum’ – A Multi-Sound, Metal Mind Quest

REZISTOR – BEWARE THE SILENT

REZISTOR are our Thrash ambassadors from Romania and are just one (gulp) fun band to listen to. Old school is the rule with REZISTOR, while they still maintain a relevant Thrashing pulse.

REZISTOR ‘Beware The Silent’ – FREE Album Download From Romanian Thrash Metal Battalion!

THE BLAME – BORN

THE BLAME are from Turkey and they play some very memorable Metal that comes across so refined. Don’t blame me if you don’t get  into THE BLAME when I told you to.

THE BLAME – Turkish Metal Band: Offers Free Download Of Their AMAZING Debut Album ‘BORN’

______________________________________

Since you were cool enough to look over this entire list of ten Metal albums you NEED, here are 2 bonus Metal album suggestions for you!

LACUNA COIL – DARK ADRENALINE

LACUNA COIL “Dark Adrenaline” – 9 Quick & Easy Reasons Why You Should Buy This Album

FASTKILL – BESTIAL THRASHING BULLDOZER

One word: FASTKILL. They’re Thrash, they’re fast, they’re brutally fast, they’re obviously pissed-off and will leave severe scorch marks upon your inner ear. What more can any Thrash lovin’ maniac want?

____________________________________________

I strongly encourage you to check out Parts One and Two of Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten Metal Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! Just click on those cool links below! Whoa!

Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten METAL Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! (Part One)

Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten Metal Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! (Part Two)

____________________________________________

Thank you for stopping by and checking out this list of Metal albums you NEED for this Summer of 2012! Wether you NEED all the Metal albums mentioned above or just one, I hope my album reviews serve to assist your Metal hunger. Have a safe Summer, Rock Steady and… watch out for dog poop when your walking on the beach.

Metal Be Thy Name.

__________________________________________

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

AGALLOCH – Faustian Echoes EP Streaming In Its Entirety; North American Tour Draws Near

Posted in dark metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on July 2, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

AGALLOCH have made their new EP, Faustian Echoes, available for streaming at their Bandcamp page HERE.

This EP will be available as a digital download at the Bandcamp site starting on July 11th when the band begins their Summer tour in Portland, Oregon [see complete routing below]. The LP and CD versions will be released through AGALLOCH’s own imprint, Dammerung Arts. Both the LP and CD versions will be initially only available during the band’s trek (July 11th – August 11th) and will then be made available to the world following the tour.

“Faustian Echoes” is a single, two-part song based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s epic masterpiece “Faust.”  Reaching over twenty minutes, “Faustian Echoes” is the longest song AGALLOCH have ever written. Recorded mostly live at Portland’s Jackpot Studio by Billy Anderson (Melvins, Sleep, Neurosis), mixed by Anderson and later mastered by Justin Weis (Ludicra, Hammers Of Misfortune, Worm Ouroboros) at Trakworx, “Faustian Echoes” continues and expands on AGALLOCH’s dark, brooding, and colossal sound.

Having formed in 1996, AGALLOCH have consistently produced existentially dark music stretching over four full length albums, a handful of EPs, and numerous single tracks and compilation appearances. AGALLOCH’s influence can be seen in many of the so-called “post-black metal” bands and they are often regarded as the first band to bridge the neofolk and black metal genres. The band has earned a reputation for explosive live shows and has sold out venues across Europe and the US.

__________________________________

AGALLOCH Summer Tour 2012 w/ Taurus:

7/11/2012 Branx – Portland, OR w/ Eight Bells
7/12/2012 The Crocodile – Seattle, WA w/ Eight Bells
7/13/2012 The Rickshaw – Vancouver, BC w/ Eight Bells
7/14/2012 The A Club – Spokane, WA w/Eight Bells
7/16/2012 Zebra – Bozeman, MT 
7/17/2012 Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO
7/18/2012 Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
7/19/2012 Miramar Theater – Milwaukee, WI
7/20/2012 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
7/21/2012 Blind Pig – Ann Arbor, MI w/Musk Ox
7/22/2012 Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
7/23/2012 Opera House – Toronto, ON w/ Musk Ox
7/24/2012 Petit Campus – Montreal, QC w/ Musk Ox
7/25/2012 Middle East – Boston, MA
7/26/2012 Williamsburg Music Hall – Brooklyn, NY w/ Musk Ox
7/27/2012 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA
7/28/2012 Empire – Springfield, VA
7/29/2012 King’s Barcade – Raleigh, NC
7/31/2012 Orpheum – Tampa, FL
8/01/2012 The Earl – Atlanta, GA
8/02/2012 Bottletree – Birmingham, AL w/ Pallbearer
8/03/2012 One Eyed Jack’s – New Orleans, LA w/ Pallbearer
8/04/2012 La Grange – Dallas, TX at w/Maleveller
8/05/2012 Red 7 – Austin, TX
8/08/2012 The Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ 
8/09/2012 The Casbah – San Diego, CA w/ Author & Punisher
8/10/2012 Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA w/Oskoreien 
8/11/2012 Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA

________________________________________________________

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on AGALLOCH, click on the links below!

http://www.agalloch.org/

http://www.myspace.com/agalloch

http://agalloch.bandcamp.com

http://twitter.com/AgallochBand

LONG LIVE AGALLOCH.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

SHADOWS FALL “Fire From The Sky” – A First-Rate Metal Execution, From New England’s Metal Ambassadors

Posted in Metal with tags , , , , , , on June 27, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

SHADOWS FALL – The seventh studio album, Fire From The Sky, from Shadows Fall was released back on May 15th, 2012, via Razor & Tie. I bought my (unedited) copy at Super Walmart. That’s correct. Super Walmart. There are no cool and independent record stores anywhere near where I live, thus Super Walmart is my Metal pimp. I’ll have to admit I like Fire From The Sky a great deal and I’ll tell you why, (here and there).

I’ve always gravitated towards Shadows Fall’s sound. Enjoying their catalog of albums has come about quite easily for me. Maybe it’s cause I like quality Metal. Maybe it’s due to my being born and raised in New England? Over the years, I’ve never seemed to find anything that I dislike about the Metal of Shadows Fall. Even if there is some loyalty to the Boston Red Sox within the Shadows Fall band, I still feel they kick legitimate Metal ass. Their Metal has never failed to raise my adrenaline level a notch or two.

I have read many positive reviews for Fire From The Sky and deservedly so. A few reviews I’ve read have made me chuckle. A consistent “negative” jab at this new Fire From The Sky album has been that it’s “nothing new” and “it’s the same old” from Shadows Fall. Whoa. Stop right there. For decades, the likes of RUSH, Iron Maiden, AC/DC and Motörhead have essentially stuck to their musical blueprints and have released “the same old” too. Therefore, I am guessing that Shadows Fall are in legendary Metal company then, huh? Sometimes the “let’s change for change sake” school of thought in Metal is better left for another day.

What do some people want nowadays? Did they expect Shadows Fall to release an album that sounded like Men Without Hats meets KROKUS? Do these same critics want Tony Bennet to record an Industrial Metal album? I’ve never bought into the “same old club” and never will. It’s like that ancient Metal troll that lives deep in the Pennsylvania wilderness once told me: “Stone, if it ain’t broke, d-d-d-on’t f-f-fix it”.

Shadows Fall have evolved musically as a band and that’s change alone. One only needs to listen to their albums in succession to understand that. Critics who’ve only listened to Fire From The Sky and no other Shadows Fall album and decide to use the words “same old” only allows their Metal credibility to stick out like a swollen and sore thumb.

The beefy Thrash Metal sound meets (melodic) Metalcore is what I jump up and down for most from Shadows Fall. Yes, there are Melodic Death Metal tendencies/vocals, only Shadows Fall is not Amon Amarth for crap sakes. (Amon Amarth Rules, by the way). Shadows Fall rules on Fire From The Sky and this is yet another album that finishes and I’m like: “What the F**K, keep going! Don’t end now!”

This is a damn excellent album from a damn excellent band. They’ve sharpened their Metal skills once again. The intensity, heavy grooves, brain imprinting harsh and harmonious vocals, impressive guitar parts (all), eye-popping drumming, smart lyrics and grand song structures are all back from Shadows Fall on Fire From The Sky. I’ll take the “same old” from this band 24/7 and on a month of Sundays. Adam Dutkiewicz has produced and engineered yet another tremendous album and I’m now bestowing this nickname upon him: Modern Metal Marvel. Metal be thy name.

_______________________________________

SHADOWS FALL:

Brian Fair – vocals

Jon Donais – lead guitar

Matt Bachand – guitar/vocals

Paul Romanko – bass

Jason Bittner – drums

FIRE FROM THE SKY – Track Listing:

The Unknown

Divide And Conquer

Weight Of The World

Nothing Remains

Fire From The Sky

Save Your Soul

Blind Faith

Lost Within

Walk The Edge

The Wasteland

__________________________________________________________

* For more info on SHADOWS FALL, click on the links below!

http://www.shadowsfall.com

http://twitter.com/ShadowsFallBand

http://twitter.com/brianshadfall

LONG LIVE SHADOWS FALL.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten METAL Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! (Part Two)

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , on June 19, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Here is Part Two of Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten Metal Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! Each Metal album below I’ve reviewed; just click the large link below each respective Metal album to read all about it! Each Metal album on this list I’ve obviously enjoyed and continue to listen to. My Metal goal is to pass this valuable Metal information onto my fellow Metal brethren.

As the halfway point of 2012 nears, these are ten recently released Metal albums that have left their scorching mark upon my Metal lovin’ eardrums. Wether it’s an EP or full-length, I look upon any release as an album. There may be an album that was released in late 2011 listed here too… and as Lenny Wolf of Kingdom Come would say: “it is what it is.”

There is a link at the bottom of this post, which will direct you to Part One of this series of 2012 Metal albums you NEED. Agree or disagree with this list, please feel free to comment. Metal be thy name.

ADRENALINE MOB – Omertà

Supergroup? Check. Kick-ass debut album? Check. Is Adrenaline Mob Metal? Well, is Mother Earth round? Anyone who is searching for an electrifying jolt of groove infested Metal to get on with their life… NEEDS Omertà from Adrenaline Mob.

ADRENALINE MOB “Omertà” – 5 Quick Reasons To Buy This Album

ATKINS / MAY PROJECT – Serpents Kiss

Vocalist Al Atkins and guitarist Paul May are AMAZING together! This album is so essential to own if you call yourself a Metalhead. ‘Nuff said.

ATKINS / MAY PROJECT “Serpents Kiss” – A Dynamic Metal Duo; Results In A Galvanizing Heavy Metal Album

CANNIBAL CORPSE – Torture

DEATH METAL! What would any Metal list on Metal Odyssey be like without… F’N DEATH METAL! With Torture, Cannibal Corpse has  reinforced why they hold such legendary status in ALL of Metal.

CANNIBAL CORPSE “TORTURE” – A Death Metal and Headbanging Must For The Metal Masses

PRIMAL FEAR – Unbreakable

I don’t know what it is about the Metal of Primal Fear. Every time I listen to Unbreakable, I personally feel protected by some unknown Metal force of nature.

PRIMAL FEAR ‘Unbreakable’ – The Time Is NOW To Join The METAL NATION

AVATAR – Black Waltz

They’re from Sweden. They’re Metal. They’re debut album Black Waltz is an unreal Metal listen. They’re AVATAR and I’m impressed. Very impressed.

AVATAR ‘Black Waltz’ Is Dark, Extreme, Modern and Groove Laden… Metal Bliss

PELICAN – Ataraxia/Taraxis

A 4 song EP that is an instrumental journey into the far reaches of the Metal mind. Whoa, what I just wrote sounds kinda cool huh?

PELICAN ‘Ataraxia/Taraxis – As Excellence In Heavy Instrumental Albums Goes, This EP Is A Prime Pick

NIGHTQUEEN – For Queen And Metal

Nightqueen is from Belgium. Nightqueen has released a powerful album this year with: For Queen And Metal. Massacre Records has a phenomenal stable of bands on their roster and Nightqueen only solidifies this truth.

NIGHTQUEEN ‘For Queen And Metal’ – An Indelible Debut Album Of Heavy Metal

K-OS – Planeta Violento

Spanish Metal Warriors = K-OS. It’s that simple.

K-OS “Planeta Violento” – New Metal Release Is Out Now! Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

HAVOK – Point Of No Return EP

Colorado does export Thrash Metal and it’s called HAVOK. These dudes should have been born in the late sixties, formed a band in 1982 and been a part of some Big 4, Big 5 or something like that. Yes, they’re that good.

HAVOK – Point Of No Return – 4 Song/2 Video EP Blazes With A Thrash Metal Assailment

DEMON LUNG – Pareidolia EP

Demon Lung knows Doom. Demon Lung plays Doom. Demon Lung plays some amazing Doom. Get into Demon Lung and get into some… DOOM.

DEMON LUNG – Doom Metal Debut EP Pareidolia Is A Masterful Metal Listen

______________________________________________

Okay, since you’ve been cool enough to stick around till the end, I’ve decided to surprise you with a Metal bonus! Here is another Metal album (EP) that many of you most likely have seen and read about here, on a few occasions already. This band is badass and they’re from Mexico. ZOMBIEFICATION = DEATH METAL!!! Whoa.

ZOMBIEFICATION – Reaper’s Consecration

ZOMBIEFICATION plays scalding… DEATH METAL! Get on board now with this ZOMBIEFICATION Death express; cause ten years from now you’ll want to say you’ve been their fan since the deadly beginning.

ZOMBIEFICATION “Reaper’s Consecration” – An Ominous and Brutal Death Metal EP

______________________________________________

I strongly encourage you to check out Part One of Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten Metal Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! Just click on that HUGE link below! Whoa!

Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten METAL Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! (Part One)

______________________________________________

Thank you for stopping by and checking out this list of Metal albums you NEED for this Summer of 2012! Wether you NEED all ten Metal albums above or just one, I hope my album reviews will serve to assist your Metal needs. Stay tuned for a Part Three edition of Metal Albums (from 2012) you NEED! I’ll probably have Part Three ready in late Summer! Rock Steady and keep the Metal flag waving high and proud.

Metal Be Thy Name.

________________________________________________________

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.


6 Comments »

K-OS “Planeta Violento” – New Metal Release Is Out Now! Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , on June 11, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

K-OS is a Spanish Metal band that caught my Metal attention this past weekend. K-OS is from Salamanca, Spain. Planeta Violento is their new studio album and it was released on April 16th, 2012.

Planeta Violento is sung in Spanish and the Metal is very, very good. Very good. Vocalist Carlos Plaza “Dyox” has a strong delivery and projects that Metal attitude which makes the songs sound even more potent. Planeta Violento embodies great production and this band plays tight. I really dig what I’ve heard (and still listening to) from K-OS and their Metal does kick some ass aplenty.

Thrash Metal and any Metal fan who appreciates quality songs and musicianship should give K-OS a listen. This album is riff infested and will give you every opportunity to bang thy head. Air drumming to Planeta Violento is fully endorsed by Stone! (Yes, my air drumming is out-of-control while listening to Planeta Violento). Metal be thy name.

I’ve seen for myself, that you can purchase the digital album on Amazon.com and iTunes. You’ll be able to sample the songs on Planeta Violento at either of these 2 sites.

K-OS:

 Carlos Plaza “Dyox” – Voces

Gorka RC – Guitarras

Miguel Angel “Koko” – bateria y percusión

Jorge Chamorro “Hippy” – Bajo

___________________________________________________

PLANETA VIOLENTO – Track Listing:

Intro K-ØS

Hombres Muertos

Alter Ego

Cruces de Madera

Carcel o Sudario

Alambique Jhones

La Puta Virgen

Muerte Súbita

Madre

Planeta Violento

____________________________________________

* For more info on K-OS, click on the link below!

http://www.metalk-os.com

LONG LIVE K-OS.

Stone.

4 Comments »

SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS – Sign To Nuclear Blast Records Worldwide!

Posted in experimental metal, experimental music, Heavy Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on June 8, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Genre defying Denton, TX based Experimental Noise merchants SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS have signed to Nuclear Blast Records worldwide! The band recently wrapped up the recording sessions for their Nuclear Blast debut and are currently in mixing mode. The record is tentatively scheduled for a Fall release.

Check out this video of the band announcing the new partnership herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY1JgbgdiRs.

“We at Nuclear Blast are stoked to welcome a – well, not straight, but certainly forward thinking band like SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS to the family,” stated Markus Jakob, A&R / Promoter at Nuclear Blast Europe. “It’s always been and always will be our biggest goal to keep our roster as diverse and exciting as possible. SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS is a band that will contribute these two elements and we are extremely amazed to be working with them from now on! Keep your eyes peeled, your ears open and LET CHAOS REIGN!”

“We’re very excited to work with a label that’s willing to support a band that is doing what they love no matter how weird or different the music is,” added their most non-heinous guitarist Lee Dudley. “We’re ready to take over the world. WYLD STALLYNS!!!”

“We are all beyond stoked and extremely grateful to get to work with such an amazing label,” added keyboardist Traci Pason. “I’ve never drank so much champagne in my life.”

Their upcoming Nuclear Blast debut was produced by IWRESTLEDABEARONCE guitarist Steven Bradley and was tracked at Infrasonic Sound as well as Bucket of Truth studios in Los Angeles, CA.

“I couldn’t be more excited about working on this album for my long-time friends in SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS,” commented Bradley. “I’ve loved these guys and gal for years now, so I’m extremely stoked and honored to help record their Nuclear Blast debut. Everything so far sounds incredible, and I really think that tons of folks out there are about to discover their new favorite band.”

_____________________________________________________

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

* For more info on SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS:

 http://www.surroundedbymonsters.com

 http://www.facebook.com/SBMofficial

 http://www.twitter.com/SBMmusic

http://www.myspace.com/surroundedbymonsters

LONG LIVE SURROUNDED BY MONSTERS.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten METAL Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! (Part One)

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal albums, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on June 6, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

In my endless Metal pursuit to perform kind Metal deeds, I have compiled a list of Ten Metal albums you need for this Summer of 2012. This list is part one, therefore a part two shall be posted up sometime soon! Please notice the large link below each album chosen for this list; these links will take you directly to my review for that respective album. Enjoy and… Metal be thy name.

 ROYAL THUNDER – CVI

The combination of Mlny Parsonz vocals and the heavy music Royal Thunder plays on CVI is so good that I want to blab about it on billboards across North America. Think: 70’s heavy with a ton of relevance.

ROYAL THUNDER “CVI” – Unreal Is The Word And This Heavy Album MUST Be Heard!

ORANGE GOBLIN – A EULOGY FOR THE DAMNED

Um, the headline on that large link below pretty much says it all. Every time I listen to A Eulogy For The Damned, I keep muttering: holy shit, this album kicks ass! ‘Nuff said.

ORANGE GOBLIN – ‘A Eulogy For The Damned’: This Album Is Mandatory Metal, My Metal Brethren

KING GIANT – DISMAL HOLLOW

Yes Virginia, there is a Metal band that has kicked some Metal sense into me in 2012… and they’re from… Virginia.

KING GIANT “Dismal Hollow” – Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

IRON SAVIOR – THE LANDING

Yes, this new IRON SAVIOR album is such a powerful Metal experience to my senses, that it brought me to tears.

IRON SAVIOR ‘The Landing’ – German Power Metal Force Returns, In A Mammoth Way!

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – S/T

Corrosion Of Conformity RETURNS! This album from COC is an exclamation point on their legendary career. This is American Metal with 0% additives, flavorings or fillers. Down home Metal is COC. Yes, I really, really, really dig this COC album. I really do.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – ‘Corrosion Of Conformity’ – Get Ready Cause This Heady Album Transports The Very Heavy, Very Steady

SIX FEET UNDER – UNDEAD

Chris Barnes = Death Metal Legend. Six Feet Under = Death Metal Legends.

SIX FEET UNDER “UNDEAD” – A Merciless Sonic Experience Of Death Metal

OVERKILL – THE ELECTRIC AGE

Overkill never left the building. Overkill is to Thrash Metal what beer is to kegs. This is THE band that should turn The Big 4 into The Big 5. Metal be thy name.

OVERKILL ‘The Electric Age’ – Once Again, A Reminder Of Thrash Metal Supremacy

BEAK – EYRIE

The debut album from Chicago’s Beak is can’t miss. Beak seamlessly fuses Extreme and Modern Metal, with an exquisite attention to Metal detail that is so unreal it’s scary. Did I mention I dig this album?

BEAK ‘EYRIE’ – An Extreme, Modern and Uncompromising Post-Metal Album Debut

GRAVEYARD – THE ALTAR OF SCULPTED SKULLS

Come on now, did you really think I would have just “one” Death Metal album on this list? Graveyard has made some deadly noise in 2012. I meant it when I wrote: Death Metal That’s Built To Kick Your Ass. Only six songs, still, extremely potent Death Metal to savor.

GRAVEYARD ‘The Altar Of Sculpted Skulls’ – Death Metal That’s Built To Kick Your Ass

PHARAOH – BURY THE LIGHT

RETURN OF THE PHARAOH! Just a damn cool listen into Melodic and Epic Metal. Fabulous songwriting and musicianship. Pharaoh should be mighty proud of this album. I’m proud of this album.

PHARAOH – ‘Bury The Light’ – Weaves Both Melodic and Epic Metal, While Keeping It Heavy

__________________________________________

Thank you for stopping by and checking out this list of Metal albums you NEED for this Summer of 2012! Wether you NEED all ten Metal albums above or just one, I hope my album reviews served to assist your Metal needs. Stay tuned for Part 2! Rock Steady and… make sure you wash off any vegetables that may fall on your kitchen floor.

Metal Be Thy Name.

_____________________________________________________

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

7 Comments »

DRAGONFORCE “The Power Within” – Rises To New Melodic Power Metal Heights; Features New Vocalist Marc Hudson

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on May 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

DRAGONFORCE – The U.K.’s Power Metal flag is being raised ever higher and with more pride; now that the fifth studio album from  Dragonforce is available. The Power Within was released on April 17th, 2012, via Roadrunner Records. Trust me, this is a whole new ball of Power Metal wax I’m listening to with Dragonforce in 2012. I’ll tell you why…

Marc Hudson – Whoa, this new guy can sing and has remarkable range. Marc’s falsetto style is not only impressive, it’s downright eye-popping. Marc Hudson replaced original vocalist ZP Theart and has single-handedly turned me from being a casual fan of Dragonforce to an all-out solid and appreciative fan. There isn’t a dull moment I can possibly hear from the vocals of Marc Hudson. Metal as my witness… I’m telling you all how I truly perceive what I hear.

Maturity – Yes, every band that wants to continue forward and not be left forgotten, like a bunch of Oprah reruns, needs to consistently mature musically. This Dragonforce lineup is playing tighter than ever on The Power Within and it makes the songs that much more potent. An all-encompassing mature vibe towards the song is what I’m listening to, on The Power Within. Lyrically inspiring and encapsulating substance, it’s difficult for me to not want to know what Marc is singing about.

____________________________

The Guitarists – Founding members Herman Li and Sam Totman still play their guitars at lightning speed, (their undisputedly talented), only the hell-bent tempo comes across with a new-found legitimacy that is no longer a show-off spectacle; instead, this is Dragonforce and this is what they’ve been about since day one… I just needed Marc Hudson to be that “icing on the cake” for my ears.

The Songs – All ten songs belong. From the powerful album opener Holding On to the acoustic closer of Seasons, this is an album that Dragonforce should be damn proud of. Cry Thunder and Wings Of Liberty are my two favorites on The Power Within; with Wings Of Liberty being a profound and epic listen. Marc Hudson’s vocals gives the acoustic version of Seasons its justifiable place on this album. I’ll say it again, this new guy can sing… and he showcases his vocal diversity with this acoustic number.  

As a whole, Dragonforce come across brilliantly on The Power Within. From the keyboards of Vadim Pruzhanov, to the drumming of Dave Mackintosh and everything else in-between, coupled with what I’ve mentioned. I absolutely have no reservations by calling The Power Within as one of the best Metal albums I’ve listened to in 2012. Melodic and memorable Power Metal is The Power Within. Metal be thy name.

DRAGONFORCE:

Marc Hudson – Lead vocals

Herman Li – Guitar, backing vocals

Sam Totman – Guitar, backing vocals

Frédéric Leclercq – Bass, backing vocals

Vadim Pruzhanov – Keyboards, Theremin, backing vocals

Dave Mackintosh – Drums, backing vocals

 ______________________________

THE POWER WITHIN – Track Listing:

Holding On

Fallen World

Cry Thunder

Give Me The Night

Wings Of Liberty

Seasons

Heart Of The Storm

Die By The Sword

Last Man Stands

Seasons (acoustic version)

_____________________________________________________

* For more info on DRAGONFORCE, click on the links below!

http://www.dragonforce.com

http://www.youtube.com/dragonforce

ROADRUNNER RECORDS

LONG LIVE DRAGONFORCE.

Stone.

2 Comments »

SPAWN OF POSSESSION – Cracks Billboard Heatseekers And Hard Music Charts With ‘INCURSO’

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, technical death metal with tags , , , , , , on March 26, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Following the North American release of SPAWN OF POSSESSION‘s anticipated third album, Incurso, last week, the Swedish Technical Death Metal horde’s latest work cracked the Billboard charts! The blistering record landed at #63 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and also came in at #62 on the Hard Music Chart in its first week, leaving weaker Metal records smoldering in its wake!

Featuring current and former members of Necrophagist and Obscura, Incurso is the first album to be unleashed by SPAWN OF POSSESSION in over five years, and the band’s first for Relapse Records. Already being perceived as one of the most acclaimed extreme releases of 2012 by international Metal media outlets, the mind-boggling high-speed attack of Incurso remains as epic and smooth-flowing as it is technically brilliant and unabashedly heavier than hell over the entire course of its near hour-long lifespan, and is unarguably the most professional recording in the heralded Swedish outfit’s ongoing lineage. The entire album is still streaming via MetalSucks, RIGHT HERE.

SPAWN OF POSSESSION‘s first full tour assault in support of Incurso has been underway for two weeks today, with another two weeks of brutality for the European people to be had. Stay tuned for tour updates and much more on SOP throughout the rest of the year.

____________________________________

SPAWN OF POSSESSION European Tour w/ Obscura, Gorod, Exivious [remaining dates]:

3/27/2012 Aero – Toulouse, France

3/28/2012 Ferrailleur – Nantes, France

3/29/2012 Glazart – Paris, France

3/30/2012 4 Ecluses – Dunkerque, France

3/31/2012 106 – Rouen, France

4/01/2012 Moho Live – Manchester, UK

4/02/2012 The Pint – Dublin, Ireland

4/03/2012 The Croft – Bristol, UK

4/04/2012 Underworld – London, UK

4/05/2012 Biebob – Vosselaar, Belgium

4/06/2012 Patronat – Haarlem, Holland

4/07/2012 Underground – Köln, Germany

_______________________________________________

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info, click on the links below!

http://spawnofpossession.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/spawnofpossession

http://www.relapse.com

LONG LIVE SPAWN OF POSSESSION.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

KREATOR – Reveal ‘Phantom Antichrist’ Cover Artwork!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , on February 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

2012-02-10 – German Thrash Metal legends KREATOR just revealed cover art of the bands highly anticipated new album Phantom Antichrist. The piece has been created by iconic artworker Wes Benscoter who has worked for heavyweights such as SLAYER, DIO and BLACK SABBATH before.

________________________________________________________________________
Phantom Antichrist marks the band’s debut for Nuclear Blast and is set to be released June 1, 2012 (Europe), June 5, 2012 (North America)! The album is currently being produced at the famous Fascination Street Studio with renowned producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, DEVIN TOWNSEND, AMON AMARTH) in Örebro, Sweden.

________________________________________________________________________
As announced earlier, KREATOR will also release an exclusive 7“ single of the title song on April 20, 2012. The collector’s item will be available in coloured red vinyl (limited to 250 pieces) as well as in clear vinyl (limited to 250 pieces), exclusively available at the Nuclear Blast Mailorder.

________________________________________________________________________
KREATOR will exclusively perform a new song during their shows at this years METALFEST open air events!
Keep your eyes and ears open – more info coming soon!

______________________________________________

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

* For more info on KREATOR, click on the link below:

Kreator – terrorzone – Official Kreator Website

LONG LIVE KREATOR.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

PHARAOH – ‘Bury The Light’ – Weaves Both Melodic and Epic Metal, While Keeping It Heavy

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 31, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

PHARAOH –  Returning with their new full-length, Bury The Light, Pennsylvania’s Pharaoh has weaved Melodic and Epic Metal together, with slivers of progressiveness, making for a marvelous listen. This being the fourth album from Pharaoh, it is a 10 song experience, guitar driven, rhythmically pumped and vocally solid. Tim Aymar is not just belting out Heavy Metal lyrics, he is singing songs of story-filled substance. The Helloweenish bass of Chris Kerns and stellar drumming of Chris Black are a potent and fun listen together, throughout this album.

Then there is the guitar playing of Matt Johnsen, where he embellishes that progressive tone on par with what I’ve grown accustomed to from the six-string wizards of Iron Maiden and Queensrÿche.   To a flirtatious degree, Matt exhibits the poignant tones of  Steve Howe’s eloquence. Matt isn’t all about tearing-it-up and piling-up the riffs, instead this is one polished guitarist who plays with a glorious respect for Melodic Metal.

If you’re unfamiliar with Pharaoh, Tim Aymar is a vocally muscular Dan McCafferty. Gritty, sandpapered vocal cords and still able to sing on a melodic level. I could no doubt deny that Tim Aymar could sing the entire No Mean City album from the legendary Nazareth and  blow my mind away in doing so. Regardless of my comparative silliness, Pharaoh is a paradigm for younger bands to hear and realize that Heavy Metal as music isn’t just about booze, fast women and overdosing to near death.

Castles In The Sky is the signature song on Bury The Light for my ears. Flowing with every nugget of Melodic Metal that Pharaoh can muster, while infusing synthetic vocals akin to that of ELO or Mr. Roboto, this band can turn a surprise progressive trick when they want to. The Year Of The Blizzard is the epic that you must hear, to understand fully just how authentic Pharaoh is as a group of musicians. Summoning up the twilight dreamscape of RUSH’s brilliance from 2112, Pharaoh has genuinely tapped into a progressive realm they can surely call their own on The Year Of The Blizzard.

Please excuse all the previous musical comparisons, only when an album this great can trigger my mind to recall works of art from Hard Rock and Metal of years long past, then said album may indeed one day be recalled a work of art itself. For now, Bury The Light is that honest and great album of Melodic Metal from skilled musicians, an album that doesn’t compromise on heaviness, nor shall it short change you on its dynamical presentation.

BURY THE LIGHT – Track Listing:

Leave Me Here To Dream

The Wolves

Castles In The Sky

The Year Of The Blizzard

The Spider’s Thread

Cry

Graveyard Of Empires

Burn With Me

In Your Hands

The Spider’s Thread (reprise)

* Bury The Light will be released on March 6th, 2012, via Cruz Del Sur.

* For more info on PHARAOH, click on the links below:

PHARAOH – Reverbnation

http://solarflight.net

http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com

LONG LIVE PHARAOH.

Stone.

3 Comments »

Newer Entries »