RHAPSODY OF FIRE - From Chaos To Eternity

This is the new release of the Italian band, one band that knows how to combine Metal with symphonic elements, something that once again is strong on this album. When it all started, this was unique and innovative, but a lot of bands adopted the style during the years. But, Rhapsody of Fire still have the talent to write music that is part Metal and part Symphonic, and do it in a way that doesn't tire the listener. This time, the music is more complicated, with a lot of tempo and style changes, but also pompous and melodic as it has always been. There are songs that are close to their past works, but there are also moments where their Italian temperament leads to masterpieces like "Tempesta Di Fuoco". Amongst the participants that the devoted fan will recognize is Christopher Lee, as a narrator, whose voice manages to create exactly the feeling and the atmosphere the band wanted to have in their music. A diverse album, that contains melodies and parts to stick in your mind, but also various layers in the music, something that makes the music resistant in time. All in all, it's an album full of the nice melodies, the complexity, and the Epic elements that the band has used us in the past, all well blended and equally performed.

9/10

BURZUM - Fallen

It's been less than a year since Burzum's last full length "Belus". "Fallen" shows a charismatic Varg (both in clean vocals and aggressive howls that are less chaotic than in the past if not nonexistent!) with lots of interesting ideas. The album blows an air of melancholy which in combination with the long repetitive musical themes gushes a dismal rage. The atmosphere in "Fallen" is really amazing that with the help of a quite good production travels me to the most arcane ritual dreams reminding me something similar to the first Bathory releases. "Budstikken" is a song that broke my soul into pieces with its majestic passages and the unholy guitar riffs filled with Norwegian pride and morbidity. Amazing! An eerie feeling is widespread to most of the parts of "Fallen", Burzum's trademark, indeed. Everything is here and certainly I did not expected more. Burzum's newest effort, hypnotizes the listener by transmitting us submissions and once all our conscious focus on the darkness that this album emits, it will immerse you where fear attracts fear...

Review by Mat

9/10

Spellcaster - Under the Spell (2011)

From Judas Priest to early Metallica ("Master of Puppets" era) and Annihilator! If this is exactly what you mean when you speak about Heavy Metal you just found your new heroes!

Rating: 5/5

BLACKGUARD - Firefight

This band here comes from Canada, and exists for about a decade. Not being familiar with their music, I didn't know what to expect, and the result was a punch in the face. Being a huge fan of the Finnish Death Metal scene, I am glad to discover that there are talented bands outside the Europe, capable to deliver one of my favorite styles. Blackguard are playing a mixture of Death and Thrash Metal, with tons of melodies, touches of Epic stuff, catchy hooks, great guitars, and excellent vocals. The song tempos are varying from mid to furious, and the whole result is so catchy, that takes only a few seconds to start banging you head along with the rhythm. The vocals a varying from Death Metal growls to high pitched screaming and this fits perfectly with the style of the music. We also have to mention the rhythm section, which is very good, and the female drummer, which is a surprise. The songs are well written and perfectly performed, with no less good moments, maybe except the instrumental. The production is shinny and heavy enough, and is another big plus for the album. If you like bands like Children Of Bodom, Norther, or the combination of melodic lines along with aggressive and fast performance is fascinating you, then check them out.

9/10

DEADEND IN VENICE - See You On The Ground

This is the first release of the German oriented band, which exists since 2008. The band is playing a mixture of Melodic Death Metal, with very interesting Thrashy riffs. The band is trying to create their own sound, combining semi growling with clear female vocals, something most of the times is intriguing, and a solid rhythm section. The music is melodic enough, well performed and has enough ideas which the band explored as good as possible. The production is as clear and powerful as needed and helps the music very much. For a debut effort, it's rather good, and shows the talent of the band. But, there are also things that could be done in a better way, for example the male vocals that on some moments are not as brutal and powerful as needed. Nevertheless, the band seems to have enough ideas, and talent to deliver. If you leave out the small details that need to be polished, you have a quite good album. An a promise for a better future.

7/10

SYMPHONY X - Iconoclast

The new album of the band is here, and it's a concept album talking about the growing reliance of modern humanity to technology. It's really hard not to like this album, and I don't consider myself one of their biggest fans. So, what's the deal here you might ask. First of all, the songs are big, with only one being just five minutes long, complex in nature, but the progression on each song is done in a wise way, that won't mind anyone. What's more interesting here is that the band is choosing a harder way in this album, something that makes this release easier to get into. There is an excellent guitar work, and some of the riffs are absolutely breathtaking. The same goes to the keyboards, who manage to give a depth to the music, and serve the atmosphere of the whole concept. The melodies are plenty and perfectly written and the vocals great and fitting to the music, often reminding of late Ronnie James Dio. There's not a single thing that sounds out of place, or not worked to the last detail. The addition of various other elements, manages to give each song its own trademark. The album has various layers, and with each listening reveals different things to the listener. One of those albums that a perfect score 10 really seems not enough.

10/10