Trillium Complete EPK (Official)

Release date: Europe - November 4th 2011 North America -- November 1st 2011

ABOMINATION - Abomination/Tragedy Strikes

Abomination was formed back in the 80's by Paul Speckmann, of Master and Krabathor fame. This release is not a new album, but their first two full length, one EP which was released in 1999, and some rare demos, all packed together into a very interesting offer. The band is playing a mixture of Death and Thrash, and bears all the trademarks of this style. The songs are quite good, all moving to the same speedy tempos, and the semi-brutal vocals are fitting perfectly with the music. What is intriguing though, is the variety that exists in some of the songs. But there's also a more groovy, less fast, but equally brutal sound, reaching the surface in more than just a couple of times. That somehow can be explained from the time spanning between the full length albums and the much later EP stuff.  With distorted guitars, double base drums, fast solos, often reminding of the style of Possessed, tons of energy and an early Slayer feeling in the music, this album will please all fans of 80's Thrash, while their primitive Death Metal will also appeal to fans as well. If you are one of those that lived that era, or you want to have a package with all the stuff Abomination had released, then check this out. Some less good moments , might prevent it from being a perfect release, but the overall is very good. So, get a copy, put it on your favorite playing media, and get ready for some serious headbanging.

8/10    

SIR REG - A Sign Of The Times

First of all I have to say that this is not a Metal album, although it contains enough distorted guitars. If you are a die hard Metal fan, then this might not appeal to you. But if you are openminded, then let's start. I am not sure why, but Folk music has a strange affection on me, and often enough I find myself turning back to Folk tunes that I like. Sir Reg is a band that comes from Sweden, with a singer that is Irish, and are playing a Rock music dominated by Celtic Folk. The result is a music that is both fun to listen to, and catchy enough. The most important thing here is the nature of the music. It's catchy and groovy, there's enough harder times, where the guitars are more heavy, enough parts to sing along, and you will often find yourself tapping the floor and moving your head along with the rhythm. Flutes, bouzouki, and violins, enhance the Folk feeling, and raise the fun to heavens. This is their second album so far, but the band exists and performs live since 2001. The production is great, heavy and powerful enough and preserves the pub atmosphere that the music creates. What I like on this one, is that the music has a way to transfer you to the nearest Irish pub, put you on the bar and serve you some beer for a start. Pure fun and up-tempo in every single minute, with excellent musicianship, and a distinctive Irish feeling, this album is a favorite. For Irish people around the globe, and for people who can appreciate good music. Cheers.

9/10

SICK OF IT ALL - Nonstop

This is not the latest album of the legendary Hardcore band, but a release aiming to celebrate their 25 years of existing. This is an album containing all the classics of the band, spanning through their entire history, recorded in the old fashioned way, only in four days. So it's more like a best of album, or, if you prefer, how classics of the past can sound in 2011. No matter if you are fan of the band or not, it's really hard not to be affected by the rhythm and the energy of their music, which is one of the strong points of their music. Right from the first song, the groove takes the leading role, and you find yourself banging your head along with it. The new version of the songs, if we can call it like this, is very close to the originals, keeping the same feeling but giving a more modern approach. According to Armand Majidi, there's a tempo change in most of them, some arrangements were remade, but they tried to keep them as close to the originals as possible. Working again under the direction of Tue Madsen, the production is powerful and clear enough, and completes the album in the way it deserves. No matter if you are an old fan of SOIA, or a new one that just now starts to explore their music, this album is a powerful addition to your collection. It's full of energy, groovy parts, tons of headbanging, a solid rhythm section, and vocals full of anger. What more could anyone ask from a band?

9/10 

AS THEY BURN - Aeon's War

This band is coming from France and this is their second, if I am not mistaken, album so far, after a release of an EP. Their music is a weird mixture of various influences, all wrapped up into a very peculiar and intriguing style. They are playing a kind of Metal, full of melodies and groovy guitars, brutal vocals and tons of headbanging parts, very close to what Deathcore sounds like. Brutality and aggression are existing here in huge amounts, and this is the first impression of the listener. But if you read between the lines, there are various other influences from Black Metal to progressive and psychedelic twisting and trying to get to the surface. The music is moving on well known paths, but doesn't afraid to take advantage of every single opportunity to explore various territories, while the vocals are also moving from screaming and growling to clear ones, creating or enhancing the atmosphere the music creates. The guitars are great, some of the riffs here are super catchy and groovy, and so good is the rhythm section in general. I am not sure if I would be able to describe this music to someone, but what I know is that this album contains enough fresh ideas, and shows a band that doesn't know any borders. Add to this, their ability to support their vision technically, and you get the whole picture. Not an easy album, although it might sound like that from the first listening. It takes it's time to reveal it's secrets, and worth every minute of it.

8/10

BOGUSLAW BALCERAK'S CRYLORD - Blood Of The Prophets

The band here comes from Poland is the brainchild of Boguslaw Balcerak, a talented guitarist and this is their first release on Lion Music. The band is playing Neoclassical Metal, with all the trademarks of the genre, and are doing it with quite a style. The first concern for such a release, is that if the guitarist can implement some feeling and melodies along with the guitar shredding, thus making songs not only perfectly performed but also catchy and interesting for the listener. Such a question doesn't exist here, since all the things of this album are carefully chosen for the best result. First we have to say that Boguslaw can play, and can play good. Inspired by Malmsteen obviously, but also from Classic music, he tries to create a personal sound, adding all those influences into his own style. The material of this album was recorded from 2008 to 2009, and the vocals were done by Mark Boals, Goran Edman and Carsten Schulz adding to the whole quality. So, along with the excellent guitar works and melodies expect top class vocals, memorable parts to sing along, and a touch of Epic atmosphere. The vocals are balancing the domination of the guitars, something that is very good, and make the music a bit more interesting. The mastering was done by no else than Andy LaRocque, to assure that top quality has also achieved in this section as well. If you are a fan of this style, then check them out.

8/10