Solar, the brand new EP from Blackened Metalsmiths WINDFAERER, is now available. Far from simply a “tide-you-over” release between albums, the self-released EP bears an immense 35 minutes of material through six epic tales, and the best material to be released yet from this talented and original New Jersey-based outfit. Elements of contemporary Black Metal go head-on into Folk Metal territory, injecting copious amounts of violin and folk songwriting into an epic, battlestrewn environment.
This week Stereokiller, who stated in a killer 4.95/5 review of Solar “…as long as a few albums of this caliber come out every few years, I will be satisfied…”, are hosting a stream of the entire EP now RIGHT HERE.
Translating to “one who travels with the wind,” as in a vessel at sea, WINDFAERER began as a means of self-expression for guitarist/bassist/vocalist Michael Gonçalves, inspired by his Hispanic/Iberian heritage and fueled by his passion for Extreme Music. With WINDFAERER he focused his energies on creating a melodic, blasting and emotional entity and eventually recruited like-minded musicians in violinist Benjamin Karas and drummer JPAndrade.
The self-released follow-up to the band’s critically-acclaimed Tribus debutwas recorded with Bobby Torres at Frightbox Recording in Clifton, New Jersey and offers up seven tracks of sadistic beauty laden with elements of Black and Melodic Death Metal while exuding a folkloric edge.
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“…as long as a few albums of this caliber come out every few years, I will be satisfied. This is absolutely spectacular. 4.95/5” – Stereokiller
“The swirling tremolo guitar melodies and soulful solo’s were as entrancing as the hammering drums and thrumming bass were galvanizing. The caustic vocals added an extra layer of bleeding passion to the mix. And the song has a brutal, bang-up, bass-heavy finish, too.” – No Clean Singing
“Featuring a sound reminiscent of the UK’s Forefather with a strong melodic black metal presence, the atmospheric intentions of Sear Bliss and folk metal’s best…” – Metaltome.com
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Stone Says: Windfaerer kicks absolute, 100% Metal ass. I’m not bullshitting around here. Windfaerer should be on everyknown and established Metal label’s want-list of must sign bands. If Extreme Metal is your craving, Windfaerer will appease. Metal be thy name.
Garden State Blackened Metal troupe WINDFAERER are currently streaming “A Glimpse of Light,” the second track off their new EP, Solar. The self-released follow-up to the band’s critically-acclaimed Tribus debutwas recorded with Bobby Torres at Frightbox Recording in Clifton, New Jersey and offers up seven tracks of sadistic beauty laden with elements of Black and Melodic Death Metal while exuding a folkloric edge.
Literally meaning “one who travels with the wind,” as in a vessel at sea, WINDFAERER began as a means of self-expression for guitarist/bassist/vocalist Michael Gonçalves, inspired by his Hispanic/Iberian heritage and fueled by his passion for Extreme Music. With WINDFAERER, he focused his energies on creating a melodic, blasting and emotional entity and eventually recruited like-minded musicians in violinist Benjamin Karas and drummer JPAndrade.
Gonçalves notes: “This music is a vessel for my expression. WINFAERER is not to follow trends or be part of a scene of some sort; it is about independence and being true. Solar feels like a healthy progression for WINDFAERER‘s music,” he continues. “I’ve included more input from my bandmates in the writing process and we’re excited to show the world our brand of Metal with this EP. We are more energized than ever to keep creating.”
Top Six Unsigned Metal Bands of 2010: There are countless unsigned bands in the world today, representing every genre of music. Metal Odyssey receives a fine share of demos and fully produced CD’s from unsigned bands. Many of these bands have potential to take their music to the next level, where there are those bands that should consider other career options. Then, there are the bands that are ready NOW for a major independent or major label to grasp onto what they are creating and playing. These are the unsigned bands that NEED to be signed NOW, to a major independent or major label.
I have chosen my favorite six unsigned bands of this past year and want to share them with the world, as a special edition of Metal Odyssey’s “Best Of” lists for 2010. A few of these bands I had the Metal pleasure to interview during 2010, while the other bands I’m sure I’ll cross Metal paths with one day soon. At the end of the Metal day, these six Metal bands are my favorites from the unsigned crowd of 2010. Here’s hoping that maybe one of these bands, if not all, will spark your Metal curiosity like they did mine!
Metal Odyssey’s Top Six Unsigned Metal Bands Of 2010:
MORPHINE KILLER
(Photo by: Stephanie Grant – imsteph.com)
From Southern California, there is the dynamic Metal duo of Brandon Ortiz, aka Eski and Belle Roka that make Morphine Killer… so damn killer to listen to.
What makes Morphine Killer such a tremendousMetal band is their quality songs, filled with quality vocals, lyrics and musicianship… the entire 100 yards of Metal. I reviewed their Nightmares EP with a posting back on April 23, 2010. Check it out for yourself by clicking that unreal looking header below!
Back on May 16, 2010, Eski and Belle Roka took the time to answer some questions I threw at them. You can read this very cool interview by clicking on the very loud header below!
Throw It All Away is the new single that Morphine Killer released earlier this year, it will be on their forthcoming full-length album – Sickening. You can purchase this fantastic song on itunes, along with Morphine Killer’s two raging EP’s: Unapologetic and Nightmares. For now, take a listen to Throw It All Away by clicking on that cool box below! I hope you dig this song as much as I have been!
* For more info on Morphine Killer, click on the links below:
Out of the Great White North… comes a Traditional Metal Band that brings Old School back with their very own supercharged Metal vibe and eye popping Metal skills… thank you Calgary, Alberta, Canada for – DERAILED. Led by founding member Dean Boland, the lead guitarist and a man of many Metal hats, Derailed is a big Metal deal to my ears. If you haven’t heard of Derailed just yet… your gonna.
On June 26, 2010, I posted the album review for the Derailed debut album Judgement Day. You can read all about it by clicking the huge header below!
On August 4, 2010, my interview with Derailed’s Dean Boland was posted. Check it out by clicking the gigantic header below… it will serve youMetal justice.
On both sides of the Atlantic, there is Metal aplenty. Metal is a worldwide phenomenon that will never say die. Austria can very well boast, they are the home country for – Sergeant Steel. Every neighborhood in every country should have a band like Sergeant Steel, their brand of Hard Rock colliding with Old School Heavy Metal is so damn contagious.
On July 1, 2010, I posted the album review for Sergeant Steel’s debut – Lovers & Maniacs. You can read about this Hard Rockin’ & Metal Thumpin’ album by clicking on the bloated header below!
Back on July 14, 2010, my interview with Phil Vanderkill, the flamboyant front man for Sergeant Steel, was posted. If you want to get an “inside” track on just what Sergeant Steel is all about, click on the hefty header below!
From Mammoth Lakes, California, VALDUR caught my Metal attention with a fiery blast of Black Metal whoop ass. Metal be thy name… VALDUR is for real.
On November 18, 2010, I posted the album review for VALDUR’S blackened Metal triumph which is called – Raven God Amongst Us. I highly recommend you take the time to check it out, by clicking that rotund header below!
NeuTrad Archon released their full-length album this past year, titled – Overture. With ten songs that more than smoke the Metal meter to a melting point. These songs on Overture have undeniable substance, both lyrically and musically, with an unrelenting ability to satisfy my Extreme Metal hunger.
Their progressive, blackened, momentarily Folk Metal and downright darkened with MetalExtremity. This band knows how to incorporate a melodic drive to their sound as well, utilizing the keyboards throughout Overture and on one track violins are introduced, which makes NeuTrad Archon not just ultra-diverse in their Metal style, it makes them a band to latch onto and brag about to your Metal peers. This band has all the right ingredients to be huge in the Metal world one day.
* Look for a complete album review of Overture in early 2011, right here at Metal Odyssey!
* For more info on NeuTrad Archon, click on the link below:
With New Jersey as their home base, the trio of M. Gonçalves (vocals, guitars, bass), Valcek (Violin) and JP Andrade on drums have created an album that mesmerizes my Metal senses with their full-length, eight song, album debut – Tribus. Windfaerer is such a band of Metal talent, it’s unquestionably scary. This is blackened Folk Metal at it’s underground finest, making me want to leap through the dark and foreboding fields of my neighborhood at night, in euphoric Metal glee, while raising the horns to the moonlit sky.
* Look for a complete album review of Tribus in early 2011, right here at Metal Odyssey!
* For more info on Windfaerer, click on the link below:
* Below is a list of other great sites/bloggers that cover Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and will be sharing their “Best Of 2010” lists and thoughts as well. It is well worth the trip to any and/or all of them!
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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