Significant Point-Attacker 7" EP

Infernö Records
2018

Formed in early 2011 by guitarists Kazuki Kuwagaki and Gou Takeuchi (ex-Chainsoul Blood), Japanese heavy metal/speed metal band Significant Point will release it's first 7" EP, "Attacker", on March 15th. It is a two-track recording ("Attacker" and "Danger Zone") that effectively combines elements of traditional heavy metal, shred guitar, N.W.O.B.H.M. (Judas Priest and Iron Maiden influences), and 80's speed metal into a style that is highly-contagious! Preceded in life by a 2014 demo ("Attacker!") and last year's "Live In Tokyo" album, "Attacker" features the services of drummer Itormentor (Evil, Lurking Fear) while lead vocals come courtesy of Fumiya Abe. With truly sick twin guitar solos, smashing drumming, and some awesome (if also semi-aggressive!) lead vocals, Significant Point has all of the tools necessary to be the next big thing in N.W.O.T.H.M. Let's just hope that this slick single leads to a full-length album.

Death of Kings-Hell Comes to Life

Boris Records
2017

Based in Atalanta, Georgia and active since 2009, Death of Kings is a (vintage thrash-infused) traditional heavy metal band that seems to love Motörhead as much as I do! The obvious question now is where have they been all my life? Eh, scratch that. After taking a look at the group's Facebook page it sure looks as if Death of Kings has been tearing up the scene for some time now. Apparently they have also shared the stage with the likes of Morbid Angel, D.R.I, Mastodon, Skeletonwitch, and 3 Inches of Blood. I guess the better question would be "Why am I always the last to know about groups like this?". Having made their studio debut in 2010,  Death of Kings now has two demos, two EPs, a split, and one single to it's name. For some dumb reason this 7" vinyl serves as my first introduction to these thrash-loving merchants of true heavy metal. That is an epic fail on my part so how about if I reach across the aisle and make things right? Due out on March 31st, "Hell Comes to Life" is the latest recording for this (loud & proud) band that is lead by Matt Matson (vocals/guitar). With bassist Scott Price and drummer Amos Rifkin (Spewtilator) anchoring this mean S.O.B with brute force, Death of Kings also features guitarist Matt Kilpatrick from the death metal band Cemetery Filth. This forthcoming release includes the title track and "Hell Patrol". As previously mentioned, Motörhead is a key source of inspiration, but then again so are the bands Exodus, Testament, Slayer, (early) Tank, Kreator, Destruction, (and to a lesser extent) Venom. On the second spin, "Hell Comes to Life" reaffirmed my suspicion that there was some love shown for Seattle's The Accüsed vibes, but I don't think it is intentional. It might just be something as simple as Matt Matson's vocal delivery, but I felt it all the same. Speaking of Death of Kings kick ass front-man, Matt does a stand-up job of getting right after the mic on these two tracks. His vocal style makes "Hell Comes to Life" all the more unrelenting (and dare I even say sinister?) Backed up by his (unholy) heavy metal brothers in arms, Matt Matson grabs hold of the listener and delivers a fierce & fiery sermon on hell's power to rock you from the grave! With a full-length album due out later in the year, I simply cannot wait until Matt delivers a follow-up lesson with the full blessing and support of this (heavy metal worshiping!) thrash-attack band!!

Morbid Slaghter-Wicca 7"

Boris Records
2014

Following a series of self-released demos and one cassette tape compilation in "...Rancid Death Awaits 2014" we have Morbid Slaughter's first 7" release, "Wicca". Formed back in 2009, this Lima, Peru-based (raw and twisted) thrash band features blackened vocals courtesy of guitarist AER and on their new 7" EP, which is limited to just 500 copies and comes with free digital download (http://borisrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wicca-7), Morbid Slaughter delivers a severe beating to one's eardrums thanks to these two (vile and disgusting!) new tracks, "Wicca" and "The Nightly Breath of God". This eight minute+ EP finds Morbid Slaughter focused on ghouls and goblins, witchcraft, zombies and all other matters of death, despair and vile, filth-filled darkness (or if you will just horror in general!) making "Wicca" the kind of release that should find a welcoming audience amongst those who just can't get enough of underground black thrash! Especially the ugly kind! There isn't much more to it then that. Still, if you want to know more about Lima, Peru's masters of the macabre then be sure to head over to their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/MorbidSlaughterOfficial. This one is due to drop at the end of this month so be sure to keep one twisted eye out for this 7"!

October 31-Gone to the Devil (7" EP)

Hells Headbangers Records
2013

With a new full-length album in the works for Virginia's October 31 (yes!) this 2-track, 7" EP, which features a pretty sweet cover version of Uriah Heep's "Too Scared to Run"!, should have fans worked up in anticipation for the group's long-awaited return! As this is the first new recordings from King Fowley and his cohorts in eight long years, it's comforting to know that this heavy metal collective stills sounds hungry. Formed in 1995, and still featuring the distinct lead guitar playing of "Brian "Hellstorm" Williams,  October 31 looks as if they have found a wonderful new home with Hells Headbanger Records. Judging by the picture below this 7" EP, which features a "Throw your horns in the air like you just don't care!" title cut that is pure heavy metal gold!, is a must for fans and collectors alike! I mean that thing looks awesome right? And the band's first new material for their new label really is as cool as the artwork for this 7" EP. It's a win-win situation for October 31 fans! And speaking of their new label, Hells Headbangers Records is also re-releasing the group's first two albums with a shit-load on bonus cuts on both of them! Sweet right? Hopefully within the next week or so I'll review both of those, but in the meantime I simply cannot recommend "Gone to the Devil" enough! Anyone who likes their heavy metal a little crazy, but with a totally kick ass, fist bangin' delivery should dig these two tracks and everything that October 31 stands for! You can pick up "Gone to the Devil" at the link below.

http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/october-31-gone-to-the-devil.asp

Goregast-Covered in Skin 7" EP

FDA Rekotz
2013

It's been two years now since fans have heard anything new from Berlin's Goregast. The band's last release, 2011's "Desechos Humanos", was (mostly) well-received and showed that three albums in they still had much to offer. First known as Distress (from 1993 to 2004), during which time they released a pair of demos, the band would eventually morph into Goregast. Although it should be noted that it looks as if these days it's only vocalist Rico Unglaube that remains from the Distress period. In addition to providing vocals for Goregast, and doing it quite well thank you very much, Rico Unglaube is also the owner of FDA Rekotz. For this new, limited edition*, 7' inch EP the band (yet again) turned to Andreas Hilbert (Golem) who mixed and mastered this 11-minute, 2-track in such a way as to highlight the classic death metal style of Goregast. These 2-cuts of prime, old-school seasoned death metal are meant to tide over fans until Goregast release their fourth full-length album sometime in 2014.  As it limited to just 500 copies it would be wise of fans to pick up this 7" sooner then later. Find out more at the links below.

www.facebook.com/goregast 

www.fda-rekotz.com
 
* (Per the Metal Archives) 
7" limited to 500 copies.
- 100 green vinyl incl. embroidered patch
- 400 funeral black vinyl




 

Heavy Cross-Street Wolf (7" EP)

Hells Headbangers
2012



When any promo states that a band is "Heavily influenced by Scandinavian Metal like OZ, HEAVY LOAD, GOTHAM CITY and plenty of NWOBHM bands" chances are I'm going to like it. Sure enough this two-track EP is prime, old-school heavy metal with enough of a "I just found this dusty old single buried in the back of some record store and it looks as if there are only about a dozen copies that saw the light of day" appeal to make me feel like a giddy kid in a candy store! Gotham City meets Heavy Load meets any/every NWOBHM act that managed to release only one single is how I would describe this offering and I mean that with the greatest of respect. This one does not so much sound retro as it is retro. Somehow/someway this little beauty feels like 1981/1982 which is obviously odd since this it came out in 2012 and the "act" is only a few years old (2009). This Finnish sensation is sure to appeal to the old school crowd....and I mean REALLY OLD SCHOOL.

Available in Gray Vinyl or traditional Black Vinyl:
http://www.shop-hellsheadbangers.com/item.asp?cID=0&PID=26311