The End Of Grace new single, “Beneath The Waves”, has been available on iTunes and Spotify since midnight. Several comments from fans on social networks (Facebook, Instragram…) claim that this is their best song so far.
The band feels the same and thought a video for it was in order. It has just been released on their official YouTube channel:
TEoG online:
Official Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Youtube
Thrash metal tyrants Wretched Soul have replaced Finnish progressive maestros Constantine at the Bridgaard Metal Fest. Wretched Soul will be joined by the likes of pirate metallers Red Rum (as seen at Warhorns Festival 2013), Scottish death metallers Exile The Traitor and Gothic doom coven Edenfall, as well as Alice In Thunderland, Bharghest, Satanic Malfunctions, Apnoea and acoustic metal solo act Liam White.
Tickets for this all-day event are priced at the low price of a fiver and are available online from this location and will be taking place at Basement (Formerly Shades Nightclub) in Bridlington. The event is all-ages but valid ID will be required for the bar. This will also be Wretched Soul’s only northern show before they support black metal legends Hecate Enthroned in July as well as Bharghest’s final show before Valkyrian Festival in November.
Wretched Soul online:
http://wretchedsoul.net
http://facebook.com/wretchedsouluk
The driving force behind Nightwish, Tuomas Holopainen, who is also the band’s keyboardist and song writer, spent most of 2013 writing and producing his debut solo album entitled The Life And Times Of Scrooge. The album is based on the illustrated book The Life And Times Of Scoorge McDuck by Don Rosa and will be released via Nuclear Blast on 14th April 2014.
The first interview documenting the making of Tuomas‘ solo album was released last week and the second video interview with Tuomas is now online too. The trailers were created by Nightwish videographer Ville Lipiäinen. Both trailers can be viewed below.
Trailer One:
Trailer Two:
The digital single of A Lifetime of Adventure was released recently and features vocals by Finnish singer Johanna Kurkela. The guitars were played by Finnish Jazz musician Mikko Iivanainen.
Tuomas Holopainen online:
San Diego’s deathcore behemoths Carnifex are now streaming their new album,Die Without Hope, on YouTube. The album is set for release on 7th March. The album can be listened to at this location.
Die Without Hope was recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida and produced by the esteemed Mark Lewis (Arsis, The Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, DevilDriver, Deicide, Six Feet Under). Cover art for the album was created by renowned artist and longtime collaborator Godmachine. The recording also marks the introduction of new lead guitarist and longtime friend of the band, Jordan Lockrey.
Carnifex online:
http://facebook.com/CarnifexMetal
http://twitter.com/carnifex
http://youtube.com/officialcarnifex
http://instagram.com/carnifex
Carnifex
Die Without Hope
Released 7th March
Deathcore/Death Metal
Released via Nuclear Blast
As a person with minimal interest in Deathcore or any similar sub-genre, I thought it would be a dreary task to review an album that I didn’t think would be any different from the rest. Many might say that I jumped to conclusions way too quickly, they would all be correct.
Carnifex are one of the few bands of 2013/14 that have evolved in a truly infinite way. Having being criticised for being a Suicide Silence copycat in their early years, they have since matured and developed into something unique and unrelenting. I am quite simply astounded.
Upon first hitting the play button I was greeted with an ominous and haunting intro sample (which is always welcome) and Scott Lewis’ voice which comes bellowing through the speakers with the title of the opening track Salvation Is Dead. This is a fantastic choice for opening an album, quite simply because this particular song demonstrates and boasts Carnifex’s true inspiration and growth as songwriters. The main guitars have almost streamlined and simplified but give a clearer indication of what they are about and what direction they want to go in, however, the songs as a whole have been filled to the brim with surprises and breath-taking guitar solos which I would never have anticipated in a Carnifex album.
My personal favourite is Dark Days. This track really shines in terms of growth and citing their inspirations on their sleeves, is just truly incredible and I have not even started on the new production yet.
Signing to Nuclear Blast is the best move they have made. Their production has improved tenfold. The drums are twice as thunderous but still crisp, the new clarity in the guitars and bass is so much more gratifying than on previous productions and the vocals are just simply incredible. This album is a MUST for 2014.
Carnifex are here!
5/5
Paul Maddison
Carnifex online:
http://facebook.com/CarnifexMetal
http://twitter.com/carnifex
http://youtube.com/officialcarnifex
http://instagram.com/carnifex
Oklahoma saviours of southern hard rock Anti-Mortem have recently unveiled the video for their new single 100% Pure American Rage which is taken from their debut album New Southern. The video, which premiered on Vevo today, can be viewed below. The video was shot, produced and directed by Clark Deal of Chaotic Productions.
New Southern will be released in both physical and digital formats on 28th April via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by the esteemed Bob Marlette (Black Stone Cherry, Shinedown, Rob Zombie).
UK fans will have the opportunity to witness Anti-Mortem’s feral testicular fortitude when they play their first live show in the UK at this year’s Download Festival.
Anti-Mortem online:
http://ANTI-MORTEM.com
http://facebook.com/ANTIMORTEMUSA
http://twitter.com/ANTIMORTEMUSA
http://youtube.com/ANTIMORTEMUSA
British prog rockers TesseracT have proudly presented the first part of their new album Altered State with a breath taking version of the track Of Matter live from the studio. The video which can be viewed below follows a tradition the band started with their debut album One, as the band explains:
Way back in 2010, we filmed a live recording of Concealing Fate at Sphere Studios with Francesco Carmeli. We enjoyed this so much that we have always wanted to do it again, and Altered State gave us the perfect opportunity to do so. Sphere Studios London has now closed and moved to L.A, so it was especially important for us to go back and film the recording of Of Matter before Francesco moved the studio.
This video is hopefully the first of four, that cover the whole of the latest album, where we aim to film four different recordings of the four different sections of Altered State in four different studios throughout our small little world. As with everything TesseracT, the video shows the slight evolution of each track as we take it from the studio on to the stage. We hope you guys enjoy it as much as we did!
TesseracT are right now in Australia playing the massive Soundwave festival tour. Next stop for the band is North America. It will be TesseracT‘s third US tour supporting their critically acclaimed Altered State album. Former touring partners and label mates, Intronaut, who will be coming fresh off a tour of their own with Between The Buried and Me and Deafheaven will be direct support. To make these events even more special, instrumentalists, DIY prog artist, Cloudkicker, will be touring for the first time ever with the members of Intronaut as his backing band. European fans can see the band on a couple of summer festivals that will be announced soon.
TesseracT online:
http://facebook.com/tesseractband
http://twitter.com/tesseractband
Cancerous Womb
Born of a Cancerous Womb
Released February 24th, 2014
Grindcore
Released via: Grindscene Records
Today I’m reviewing Cancerous Womb‘s Born of a Cancerous Womb (which has a song called Born of a Cancerous Womb in it) and just by now I’ve had enough alliterations, thank you.
As it can be expected from the song titles (Up to my Nuts in Guts, Grind Tear & Slice, Torn from Gunt to Cunt…) and my quick metal archives research, the song lyrics revolve around guts, sexual assault, gore, death and other slightly revolting themes, like paedophiles – was one of the members a Lost Prophets fan?. The lyrics are plagued with graphic descriptions of cutting someone open and moving gigantic fat flaps, masturbating to little children and even makes a reference to those news of this woman in Austria trapped in her fathers basement having his incest kids, meaning: what you would expect. I do have to give them mega-props for using the line “more chins than a Chinese phone book” in one of the songs. I laughed so hard I freaked out the people around me.
Music wise this was far more melodic than I expected to be. The larger part of the “gory” bands I’ve listened to lately lack all sense of melody. The less melody the bigger your testicles, right? But Cancerus Womb achieves a sound almost (if I may say) Terrorizer sounding: just the right amount of melody in there to make the music worth listening to. I have no issues with comparing these guys to such music giants.
Even though I lost the taste for this kind of music years ago, today I find myself recovering my mix CD’s and listening to those senseless 24 second songs about chainsaw murderers. Cancerous Womb made a more than decent album, worth listening to, with lyrics that may go around the predictable but still fun to listen to.
4/5
María Mata
Guitar maestro Gus G has officially released his first single I Am The Fire which is taken from his upcoming and long overdue first solo album I Am The Fire. Gus G who is known throughout the metal world for his work with Firewind and as a member of Ozzy Osbourne’s band is set to release his debut solo album on 17th March in Europe and 18th March in North America via Century Media, whom his band Firewind are currently signed to. Fans can head over to iTunes at this location to pre-order the digital version of Gus G’s debut solo album and receive instant access to the new single.
In related news, the guitar maestro Gus G recently announced the first tour dates in support of the I Am The Fire album release in Europe. Further dates have been added to the Guitar Universe featuring Gus G and Marty Friedman, so check out the updates (Marked *) as follows:
Gus G. + Uli Jon Roth, Jorn Lande & Mats Levén / “Unity 1” Tour:
07.03.2014 Kerkyra (Greece) – Eptatehnon
08.03.2014 Thessaloniki (Greece) – Block 33 / http://www.ticketarena.gr
09.03.2014 Edessa (Greece) – Kanavourgeio
10.03.2014 Larnaca (Cyprus) – Savino Rock Bar
11.03.2014 Athens (Greece) – Kyttaro Live / http://www.ticketarena.gr
12.03.2014 Athens (Greece) – Kyttaro Live / www.ticketarena.gr
Gus G. + Marty Friedman / “Guitar Universe 2” Co-Headline Tour:
01.05.2014 Tampere (Finland) – Klubi
02.05.2014 Helsinki (Finland) – Nosturi
03.05.2014 Stockholm (Sweden) – Stockholm Rocks Festival
05.05.2014 Gothenburg (Sweden) – Trädgårn * New show
07.05.2014 Malmö (Sweden) – KB * New show
09.05.2014 Krakow (Poland) – Lizzard King * New show
10.05.2014 Warsaw (Poland) – Progresja * New show
12.05.2014 Munich (Germany) – Backstage
13.05.2014 Colmar (France) – Grillen * New date
15.05.2014 Essen (Germany) – Turock
16.05.2014 Zoetermeer (The Netherlands) – De Boerderij
17.05.2014 Hasselt (Belgium) – MuziekoDroom * New Show
18.05.2014 Uden (The Netherlands) – De Pul
20.05.2014 Savigny Le Temple (France) – L’ Impreinte
21.05.2014 London (UK) – O2 Islington Academy
22.05.2014 Nuneaton (UK) – Queens Hall
Gus G online:
http://gusgofficial.com
http://facebook.com/officialgusg
https://twitter.com/gusgofficial
http://youtube.com/firetv
Today (24th February) sees Swedish band Vanhelga release their new digital single Där Evigheten Inväntar Mig ahead of their upcoming full-length album Längtan. Där Evigheten Inväntar Mig, which translated from the Swedish means “Where Eternity Awaits Me“, sets the tone for Längtan, which is scheduled for release in Europe on the 28th April in CD format on the Art of Propaganda label, and in vinyl format on Carnal Records on a date as yet to be confirmed. Där Evigheten Inväntar Mig is available direct from Vanhelga on Bandcamp at this location.
Vanhelga was formed in Linköping, Sweden in 2001 by J. Ottosson, aka 145188 (ex-Lifelover (live session musician), ex-Skogstron), who, unable to create the kind of music he really wanted to, found a group of like-minded musicians and together they set about bringing their vision to life. Aside from Ottosson on Bass, Guitars and Vocals, Vanhelga‘s lineup consists of J. Gabrielson (Eskapi, ex-Lifelover) on Vocals, J. Ejnarsson (Taketh) and Wadström (ex-Skogstron) on guitars and D. Franzén on drums.
Vanhelga online:
http://vanhelga.com
http://facebook.com/officialvanhelga
“Winter Show Mercy (Thank You)” is the title of Blowsight‘s upcoming single, to be released this Thursday, 25th February. This is more than just a new song, the single release has another purpose than just bring you good music – all profits generated by its sales will be donated to the homeless.
Last Christmas, singer/guitarist Nick Red bought a cup of coffee to a homeless person named Björn and “Winter Show Mercy (Thank You)” was inspired by the conversation between the two of them. Quoting Nick: » Something that most of us will never experience is the humiliation of not even being recognized, being completely ignored by people that pass you by as if you didn’t even exist. Björn lost his wife three years ago and after that, it all just went downhill for him. While he admittedly needs shelter, food, or someone’s spare change; what he wants more than anything is for people just to acknowledge him even if they can’t spare a dime. The man is still a human being! «
You can purchase the single on Amazon (http://smarturl.it/tq6qaf) or iTunes (http://smarturl.it/9ehbqd), the latter including a digital booklet with art drawn by Nick himself and the lyrics for the song.
Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BLOWSIGHT
Dead By April, Seventribe, The End Of Grace
Sticky Fingers/Klubb Defused, Gothenburg
14th February 2014
With the release of their third full-length album, Dead By April threw a release party – read “concert” – in one of the most famous venues in their hometown. The End Of Grace and Seventribe had already announced a gig there on the same date, although on a different stage (Sticky Fingers has a middle and a top floor stage), so I guess having those two bands as support was a matter of chance, not a plan. Personally, I was more than happy with that line-up.
Despite merging the events, The End Of Grace and Seventribe still performed in the middle floor (Klubb Defused), which was wise. Let’s face it – no matter how amazing they both are, it was DBA’s night and the majority of their pop-metal fans isn’t exactly keen on fierce metalcore. So it’s better to play on a smaller stage in a smaller room that will fill up easily, than in a bigger stage where the room would be almost empty.
Being the younger band (they were formed in late 2012), TEoG played first. They’ve been gathering a solid fan base – me included – since the very beginning and especially after the release of the “Lost In Transition” EP, so there was a considerable number of people singing along the choruses. The rest of the crowd seemed to surrender to the band’s sound and vigour, as when I looked around, everyone was either headbanging or smiling approvingly.
They played the aforementioned 5-track EP, kicking off with “Betrayer” and ending with the title-track, and in-between presented us with a new song which will be released as single on 28th February – punchy riffing and with a catchier-than-ever chorus, “Beneath The Waves” has everything to be a hit.
As in their first live gig, at Rockbitch Boat last November, Sebastian from Bataar got on stage to sing the Swedish verses in “Fist Face Bleed” – and spike the people in the front row with a beer shower… Speaking of that first show, TEoG have only played two more between that and this one but you could see a major difference in their self-confidence. I know that despite the Plexiglas cage in which the drum kit was set, this stage was still bigger and allowed them to move around, which didn’t happen at Rockbitch Boat. But it was more than that. Their performance was thicker, more intense. And even though there wasn’t a killer mosh pit, the response was great, which must have had a special meaning to singer Kriss, as he’s been working as a promoter there at Klubb Defused for over a year. [5 / 5]
www.facebook.com/TheEndOfGrace
I was glad of finally having the chance to see Seventribe live. I’m a subscriber of Sweden Rock Magazine, and when they won the Released, Live and Unsigned contest and got to play at Sweden Rock Festival 2011, the single “Dream Me” came with the magazine and completely won me over. But that was it – I totally lost track of them afterwards. Well that won’t happen again.
I’d seen live videos of them, but even if I hadn’t, when a metalcore band gets on stage wearing some kind of school Summer uniform where the shirt is pink, you just know that something wicked is coming your way. Even if someone is missing. Seventribe is an eight-piece but I only counted seven members. I don’t know what happened, and I hope one day I can see the full line-up in action, but maybe it was for the best – things were pretty crammed up there already. Still, they managed to jump and headbang and dance and whatever, without bumping into each other or missing a note. Eventually, near the end, two of them hopped into the middle of the crowd and played from there.
As I’ve said before, I’d lost track of them and only when I learnt they would play a couple of shows with The End Of Grace did I remember of checking what they’ve been up to since that single on Sweden Rock. Well, a new EP, “Reborn”, had been released last year, and even if I really enjoyed it, I confess I didn’t memorize the songs, except for “Be Reborn”. I can tell you for sure that they played that one, as I was humming along the melody, but can’t tell you much more about the setlist (apart from the mandatory “Dream Me”). There’s a video for “Takedown Syndrome” and a recent lyric one for “The Aftermath”, and “Wings Of Belief” is their most played song on Spotify, so maybe these were some of the songs played that night. Whatever those were, they were loud, aggressive, a total adrenaline discharge. [5 / 5]
As expected, the top floor of Sticky Fingers was crowded. I tried to get close to the stage but quickly gave up – the first three or four rows were already packed with eager fans. So if I was disappointed when Dead By April didn’t play more than 45 minutes, I can only imagine how those fans must have felt. But at the same time… to say I’m unimpressed with “Let The World Know” is quite an understatement. That’s why I haven’t written the review about it yet, as it’s taking me quite a while to process it and find the right words in order to be fair. It’s not that it’s a terrible album, but… Let’s just say I was glad that this release party didn’t include the entire track-list and that old songs such as “Losing You” or “Within My Heart” were strategically played here and there.
This was also the first full show of Marcus Rosell as the new drummer. Marcus has played with DBA several times in the past, as a stand-in drummer for Alex Svenningsson whenever he needed to step out of some gig. But now that Alex has left for good, it was only natural that Marcus’ role would become permanent. So natural that there wasn’t even an official announcement. It took the video for “As A Butterfly”, where Marcus is featured, for the fans to realize the new line-up change. Alex would recently confirm his departure on his own Facebook page, but since main songwriter Pontus Hjelm is still on board and Marcus’ face is already familiar to the fans anyway, there shouldn’t be any fuss about this.
The intro of “Beautiful Nightmare”, the first track in the new album, echoed and thrilled screams followed suit. Truth be told – even if I’m still struggling with the new songs, DBA are all about emotions and put their full hearts in their performance and establish an empathy (no pun intended regarding their song with the same name) with the audience, which are essential features in a great live show. And that’s what this was – short but great. [4,5 / 5]
Text & photos by Renata “Pieni” Lino
Valkyrian Music editor Nico catches up Leaves’ Eyes vocalist Liv Kristine for a fourth interview, where the two talk about the new Leaves’ Eyes album Symphonies of the Night as well as Liv’s recent collaboration with Savn and keeping to the tradition, a discussion about Game of Thrones as well.
Nico: It’s nice to meet you again Liv, how are you doing?
Liv: Nice to meet you. I’m very good, how are you?
Nico: I’m pretty good, thanks.
Liv: That’s good to hear.
Nico: First question is a bit of a generic, obvious one: how has the tour gone so far?
Liv: Absolutely amazing. We played in Nottingham last night. It was our first time in Nottingham and we had a fully packed venue. It was such a warm welcoming. And Cardiff was great as well. Really really nice. So this was such a nice beginning of 2014. 2013 was so busy, really busy. So being back in the UK is just lovely.
Nico: Good to hear. The new album Symphonies of the Night focuses on female figures from both history and literature. How did this concept come about? Because it’s not a concept that is usually found in the metal scene.
Liv: Well that is probably due to the fact that I’m writing all the lyrics. I’ve always been interested in languages, literature and Viking mythology as we talked about last time in the last interview. But this time I thought that Symphonies of the Night has a very strong and delicate side to it. “The Beauty and the Beast” concept is very very strong on this album. Eileen’s Ardency and Saint Cecelia were the first two songs composed for this album and there you go: you have two female characters already. And I thought “all right, this is a very good starting point!” I told my band members and they were like: “yes, lovely! We’ll go for that!”
Nico: It’s an interesting concept. It’s somewhat fresh and new for the metal scene as well, which is good because today there are a lot more females who are becoming fans of metal, whereas back in the ’80 it was more male-oriented.
Liv: Yes, definitely!
Nico: Obviously now you’ve got more bands with female vocalists showing up on the scene. Obviously you guys in Leaves’ Eyes, Epica, Nightwish et cetera as well as lesser known bands like Aonia, Hell City from Belgium, Azylya from Belgium, Ex Libris from Holland et cetera. While we are on the topic of the new album, how’s the reception been from both the media and the fans?
Liv: It’s been fantastic. It feels very comfortable to stand where I’m standing with my band right now, and also last year we had our 10 year anniversary. Before starting to compose new songs, in 2012, we all sat down and talked about what to do and what concept, musical direction and all that. And I just said ok, we have a 10 year anniversary so feel free everybody to let in any influence you would like into music. And that’s what happened: we just went with the creative flow. We’ve been very open minded about this production and I think that was a healthy and sound way to do it. So it feels great and the feedback from both press and fans, friends all over the world has just been fantastic. It sums up all the good things about Leaves’ Eyes. Some journalist said, and to me as well, that it’s the perfect beginning of another 10 years of Leaves’ Eyes.
Nico: Personally I enjoyed the new album. It’s something different, compared to previous Leaves’ Eyes albums.
Liv: It is!
Nico: Like Vinland Saga and Njord being more Viking influenced and Symphonies of the Night focuses on something completely different to many people. Folk would be possible, I don’t know if that’s the correct term to use.
Liv: Yes I know what you mean. Me and my band members, we saw how the creative process went on and how the album came together. We saw that there was a new direction to it, with many new elements in our music. A new concept, new lyrics and all that. But still, it’s Leaves’ Eyes! That’s the good thing about it! We don’t have to invent ourselves again because I’ve been around for 20 years and the members even longer. Everything is based on experience and love towards music. That’s it.
Nico: That’s the way to go. Speaking of Leaves’ Eyes, Leaves’ Eyes and Atrocity have been touring together recently. How did this idea occur?
Liv: I think it’s a nice idea, it’s a good idea. Although it’s tough to do double time every night. It’s a lot of work, a lot of sweat. Atrocity’s latest album Okkult is a pure death metal album and I think that’s a very nice contrast in the live program. I enjoy that more than Atrocity playing Work 80 because I don’t think that would fit so well with Leaves’ Eyes.
Nico: You’ll be playing the 70,000 tons of Metal festival soon. Are you looking forward to that?
Liv: Very much! I’ll be travelling with my whole family so I’m really looking forward to that.
Nico: The last two interviews have always ended up with something regarding Game of Thrones, so to stick to tradition: what’s your favourite moment in Game of Thrones?
Liv: Oh I can tell you what was not my favourite moment! That was the final scene of the last season: The Red Wedding. I was shocked!
Nico: When I read it in the books I was picturing so many different ways that they could do it in the television series and they just completely shocked me. They did it so brilliantly.
Liv: Yeah, absolutely. It’s brilliantly done but I didn’t want it to be that way! *laughs*
Nico: Rob Stark is young, a bit arrogant and stuff but they could’ve at least spared him for a little bit longer.
Liv: Exactly. My favourite moment… Hmm… There are just too many of them. I really love the series. But still, I was shocked after the final scene of the latest season. I couldn’t sleep! *laughs*
Nico: Just for the fun of it, another Game of Thrones question: if you could write a song about any event in the Game of Thrones universe, which one would it be and why?
Liv: Oh I would love to write a songs about the wolf pack. The boy seeing through the eyes of the wolf.
Nico: I think that would be pretty cool actually. On to the last question. You are appearing on Savn’s debut album, which is making it the first ever collaboration with a band with your sister Carmen. Are you looking forward to it?
Liv: I’m really looking forward to it. Carmen had the idea to do a project next to Midnattsol and she gathered some very good musicians: some of them are from Sins of Thy Beloved. They came to Germany to Mastersound studio to record the first album and Carmen joined me for Eileen’s Ardency. I said in return I will join you on a song of your choice. That was a very nice thing. I’m looking forward to the album. It will remind you of the early Theatre of Tragedy days.
Nico: Sounds good.
Liv: Yes, very good.
Nico: I think I speak for a lot of fans of Liv Kristine when I say that we are looking forward to it.
Liv: Thank you very much.
Nico: You’re welcome. Thank you for your time and I hope you have a good show tonight.
Liv: I hope you will enjoy it too! Although it’s pretty cold out tonight, I think we will be sweating since we have a full house. I’m really looking forward to it. Thank you so much for being here.
Leaves’ Eyes online:
http://leaveseyes.de
http://facebook.com/leaveseyesofficial
Scottish pirates Alestorm have been announced for this year’s Sonisphere Festival, which already boasts the likes of Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, Carnifex and more.
Sonisphere will be held at Knebworth Park on 4th – 6th July 2014. Keep up to date with the very latest info on Sonisphere’s official sites at this location.
Alestorm have just arrived at Lasse Lammert’s LSD-Studio in Lübeck, Germany, to record their 4th full-length album, which will be titled Sunset on the Golden Age.
Alestorm online:
http://facebook.com/alestormband/
Man.Machine.Industry
“The Cross” [EP]
Metal / thrash
To be released on 14th February 2014
Via GMR Music
Man.Machine.Industry are working on their new album, but apparently they’re so eager to share their music that they decided to release an EP in advance.
When frontman JB said some time ago that things would be different, I confess I was a bit apprehensive. What I’ve always loved about M.M.I. was their industrial twist over the shredding metal and I was afraid they’d now go old school thrash all the way and get lost among all the others of that genre. But no. Things are indeed different, especially when it comes to keyboards, but both from what they’ve done so far AND from what other metal bands do.
It’s not by chance that the EP is titled after the first song – “The Cross” is the best track of this 4-piece. Its backbone is made out of a more traditional heavy metal riffing entwined with some heroic synths and it sounds pretty strong. As always, the bass makes its stand and adds a groovy depth all over the song. Also the sharp beat and the determination in the gang vocals shouting “THE CROSS!” will make their way through your ears.
“Kill” has these intriguing keys which is what will catch your attention. The rhythm is not so fast – except for a few moments closer to the end, where the band starts thrashing away – and the guitars are a bit shallow, but the keys draw some spotlight and make it interesting.
The beat in “Colours” reminds me of “Vivete et Sinite Mori (Live and Let Die)” but at a slower pace. It’s somewhat repetitive and monotonous, the melodic guitar solo a little dissonant and out of place among the rest of the instruments. It’s the lesser track of the EP.
On the other hand, “Slave” is full of speed and aggression, giving you a glimpse of a rawer side of M.M.I.. Still is “The Cross” that mirrors their true nature and I’m looking forward to the upcoming album, which apparently will follow that direction. JB said he “got some awesome songs for that one” and I believe him.
3,5 / 5
Renata “Pieni” Lino
Suavely dressed Yorkshire folk metal septet Northern Oak have been announced to support Belgian symphonic metallers Azylya at this year’s Valkyrian Festival, which will take place from 21st November to 23rd November, while the gothic metal opera septet Aonia have been announced to support Dutch progressive metallers Ex Libris the following night at this year’s Valkyrian Festival.
Joining Northern Oak to support Azylya are Midlandic female-fronted thrash sextet Chemikill who will be gracing Valkyrian Festival with their old school metal sound while joining Aonia to support Ex Libris will be Glaswegian death metal thugs Exile The Traitor.
Two local acts, in the form of instrumental death metal trio Bharghest and classic rockers Alice In Thunderland, have also been announced for Valkyrian Festival. Bharghest will be sharing the stage with Scottish black metal royalty Cnoc An Tursa on the first night where as Alice In Thunderland will be joining Aonia and Exile The Traitor as support to Ex Libris on the final night of Valkyrian Festival 2014.
Valkyrian Festival will take place at Basement in Bridlington from Friday 21st November to Sunday 23rd November. The event is all-ages but valid ID will be required for the bar. It will also be the first edition of the Valkyrian Festival to feature a European headliner. Tickets are available for £15 from this location. The line-up is as follows:
Fri. 21st November
CNOC AN TURSA (Headliner) – Bharghest (Main Support) – Drekavac – Pantheon
Sat. 22nd November
AZYLYA (Headliner) – Sakara (Main Support) – Northern Oak – Chemikill – Mørktår – Divided We Fall
Sun. 23rd November
EX LIBRIS (Headliner) – Reign of Fury (Main Support) – Alice In Thunderland – Aonia – Exile The Traitor
Valkyrian Festival is sponsored by The Crypt of Curiosities and Black Phoenix Rising Metal Forums. For further details, head over to the official Valkyrian Festival Facebook page. Other Valk-Fest news can be found on the official Valk-Fest Twitter.
UK based extreme metal label UKEM Records have announced a new signing in the form of Days Of Perversion. The London-based progressive death metallers are season veterans on the UK’s underground metal scene, featuring members of Crepitation and Blasphtized. Slated for a late 2014/early 2015 release, the band’s debut EP will feature bonus demo material.
Days of Perversion online:
http://facebook.com/DaysOfPerversion
Hot on the trail of their latest release Antagonise, Dutch symphonic death metallers, MaYaN, whom are fronted by Epica guitarist and songwriter Mark Jansen, have unveiled the lyric video for Human Sacrifice. The video can be viewed below.
MaYaN online:
http://mayanofficial.com
http://facebook.com/mayanband
Death metal titans Bolt Thrower have been confirmed for their only show of 2014 at Damnation Festival. The Coventry quintet, who haven’t performed on home soil since selling out London’s Forum in 2012, will play the Leeds event on Saturday 1st November, in their only UK appearance for the “foreseeable future”.
The one-off UK show also marks the first time that Bolt Thrower appear at a UK festival, making it one of many highlights at Damnation’s 10 Year Anniversary. At least another 26 bands will be added to the line-up. Vocalist Karl Willetts said
Well, we always knew if we were ever going to play a festival in the UK, it would be Damnation Festival; as we’ve only heard good things about it from mates who’ve been, and other bands who’ve played it.
So we’re chuffed our only UK show of 2014 – and the foreseeable future – will be Damnation’s 10th Anniversary Bash… Grind on.
Damnation Festival director Gavin McInally added:
In 2005 we asked Bolt Thrower to play Damnation Festival and there hasn’t been a year that’s passed since that we haven’t sent a hopeful enquiry their way so it’s with massive relief and delight that we’re able to announce our absolute first-choice headliner for Damnation Festival. The band are by far and away the most requested group for Damnation Festival so there could not be a more fitting start to out 10th anniversary preparations than to have Bolt Thrower topping the bill.
Tickets for Damnation 2014 are now on sale for the low price of £36 and can be purchased from this location.
Bolt Thrower online:
Morguenstern
“Sepulchral Burden”
Dark/gothic metal
Released on 22nd January 2014
Via GlobMetal Records
Morguenstern is a Russian dark/gothic metal band – in lack of a better genre. Despite the English title, they sing in their native language, but don’t let that discourage you (in case you don’t speak Russian, that is). Even if you can’t sing along properly, you’ll admit that it suits the music: horror is the lyrical theme (“zombies, vampires and cemeteries”, says the press release) and Morgana sounds quite creepy and ominous when singing in Russian.
She’s also in charge of the keyboards, to which she adds that same level of creepiness – you feel like you’re watching one of those black & white horror movies, where an ugly monster is about to snarl at you from the shadows – but sometimes those keys also take you to a more industrial atmosphere, although still in a dark way. Like “Последний путь” (last journey) or “Кровь” (blood), songs that I can totally imagine a bunch of goths dancing to.
“Идем со мной” is one of the most somber tracks, so I guess the “come with me” which the title means isn’t a very nice ride. The song itself, though, is one of the best.
“Sepulchral Burden” has several guest singers, the highlight being the title-track “Тяжесть могильная” with Alex Raymar from Desert. “До свидания” (farewell) is my second choice, but I’m not sure who the male vocals belong to.
All in all, I believe whoever has a thing for music which would play at an Adams Familiy party – meaning sinister but brisk at the same time – should try this out.
4 / 5
Renata “Pieni” Lino
Valkyrian Music 