Monument-Hellhound

Rock Of Angels Records
2018

British heavy metal band Monument will release "Hellhound" on May 25th, 2018. Preceded in life by 2016's "Hair of the Dog", this 12-track recording* serves as the group's third full-length album since forming in 2011. Opening by way of  the solid "William Kidd" (see official video below), "Hellhound" finds lead singer Peter Ellis (ex-The More I see, ex-White Wizzard) and crew once again mixing together the best parts of of N.W.O.B.H.M. (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest) and traditional heavy metal (everything from Anvil to Rainbow). With production courtesy of  Tony Newton, Monument's forthcoming album is arguably the strongest effort to date from this extremely-talented lot! Frankly-speaking, everything about this album rocks!! Having aimed for the "live" sound of these London metal merchants, Tony's Newton's slick production highlights Peter Ellis' soaring vocals, the thunder and lightening sensation that is the rhythm section of "Hellhound", and the album's (epic and simply tremendous!) lead guitar solos! With each and every number offering something new and exciting(!), "Hellhound" is traditional heavy metal at it's absolute finest!! It is obvious that a lot of hard work went into the construction of the songs of this high-flying disc! And the individual performances? The fact is everyone has put their best foot forward on this must-have release. Packed with heavy metal glory that will blow more than a few minds, "Hellhound" is what happens when every member of a band gives 100% effort in a studio setting. As good as all of the material is musically, Monument's new album would be wasted if the songs weren't well-written. Thank the maker of all that is metal that this isn't the case. Lyrically the album covers a lot of ground (per Monument's awesome lead singer the lyrics touch on history, urban London life, the occult and personal relationships) while musically this is what makes British heavy metal so great to begin with. It's not only the blazing leads and stunning vocals, but the beautiful way in which melody and metal madness work so well together. Ending by way of two choice cover songs (one from Rainbow and the other one from Iron Maiden), "Hellhound" is all about waving the flag proudly for true heavy metal! If you are a fan of top of the line British heavy metal, this forthcoming album should be a part of your personal collection!!

*The CD consists of 12 tracks (9 tracks plus 3 bonus tracks) while the limited-edition vinyl version will only have the 9 "normal" tracks.

Freeways-Cold Front

Heavy Chains Records
2017

Freeways is a (N.W.O.B.H.M.-inspired) hard rock/heavy metal band from Canada that takes it's cues from the likes of Thin Lizzy, UFO, and Blue Öyster Cult (to name just a few). Back in early September of 2017 the group released the 3-track EP "Cold Front". In addition to the outstanding title cut, "Cold Front" includes the radio-friendly songs "One For The Road" and "New Drag City". Well-written and featuring three songs that could all be considered strong singles(!), "Cold Front" serves as the band's studio debut. It is available in cassette tape, vinyl, and as a digital download. Given how incredible the whole thing is, "Cold Front" would have made my Best of 2017 list had I created one! In fact I feel so passionate album this EP (it's so freaking good!) that I bought it on vinyl and cassette tape!! That is how much I love "Cold Front"!!! Available to buy at the above highlighted link, Freeways first release it one of the greatest hard rock/heavy metal debut recordings out there. This is a catchy EP from a band that has the potential to be the next big thing out of Canada. Hopefully 2018 will bring a full-length album from this incredible band, but in the meantime I am just going to play this EP none-stop!!!

Free Metal Monday: Warside-Warside

Self-release/Independent
2018

Warside is a (N.W.O.B.H.M.-influenced and eighties metal inspired) heavy metal band from Brazil that is lead by Leonardo Leão. Available for fee at the following site,"Warside" looks to be the group's first demo. It is a four-track EP that could easily pass as a long-lost relic from the early eighties. Despite it's so-so artwork, "Warside" is a fun listen and a release that I would recommend to fans of old-school metal.

Free Metal Monday: Priest Cop-Crucify This

Self-Release/Independent
2015

The interestingly-named Priest Cop released "Crucify This" back in March of 2015. It's a free EP from a Derby-based heavy rock/garage metal band that combined elements of classic 80's metal and N.W.O.B.H.M. into their crash and bang sound. It doesn't look as if this group is still together, but for a fee EP this isn't all that bad.

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.

Emerald-Voice for the Silent

Metal On Metal Records
2017

Dutch heavy metal band Emerald, originally known as Warrior (under which name a four-song demo was released) and not to be confused with the handful of other Emeralds out there (both active and defunct), is a four-piece group that was initially active between 1984 and 1989. During their first run the group released one LP. That album is entitled "Down Town" and it came out in 1985. It's taken the band some thirty plus years to offer up a follow-up, but as they say, it's better late than never! Having reformed in 2002 and with all four of the original musicians responsible for "Down Town" appearing on this epic comeback (vocalist Bert Kivits, guitarist Allard Ekkel, bassist Essie Zagers*, and drummer Rudy Marissen), "Voice for the Silent" is Emerald's long-anticipated sophomore release. With the additional help of co-lead guitarist Paul van Rijswijk, "Voice for the Silent" is also a nod and a wink to the old school. For anyone that loves eighties heavy metal and the better aspects of the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene, "Voice of the Silent" is a real testament to the glory and power of traditional heavy metal!! Since much of the material was actually written back in the eighties, "Voice of the Silent" has the feel of a long lost classic of yesterday. Of course the analogue production goes a long ways towards making this album sound like a lost gem of the eighties. To that end, "Voice of the Silent" makes for a must-have CD if you are into heavy metal's glory days. It is a nice blend of melodic material and raise your fists in the air METAL! Lead vocalist Bert Kivits sounds as energetic and enthusiastic as he did in 1985 and (musically) Emerald is just so smooth and rock-steady when it comes to delivering the metallic goods. Available on CD and as a digital download (click here for more info), "Voice for the Silent" is geared towards anyone that just loves real, honest to goodness heavy metal. Mad thanks to Emerald** for keeping that flag waving!




*Sadly Essie Zagers passed away in 2016. This album is dedicated to his memory.

**As of this writing the group is rounded out by bassist André Wullems.

Mandragora-Waves of Steel

Inferno Records
2017

Mandragora is a five-piece traditional heavy metal band from Nuevo Chimbote City in North Peru/South America. The group was formed in 2007 by bassist Jorge Mandragora and lead vocals come courtesy of Fatima Natthammer. The full-length "Waves of Steel" serves as the band's debut album and it sports a sound that is equal parts N.W.O.B.H.M. (especially Iron Maiden!), classic metal, and power metal. While it is nothing particularly groundbreaking, "Waves of Steel" does have it's moments as it points towards bigger and better things to come for this female-fronted metal band. Speaking of which, lead singer Fatima Natthammer is a bit hit or miss when it comes to her vocal delivery. When she sticks to singing everything is fine. The problem is her shrieks are painful. We're talking nails on a chalkboard bad here folks! With some professional training she could easily fix the issue, but we will just have to wait to see if that happens. Ultimately the grades break down like this. Musically this one gets a B. Vocally it is a C.

Iron Driver-Crack of the Whip

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Iron Driver is a five-piece heavy metal band that hails from Saint Petersburg, Russia. The four-song EP, "Crack Of The Whip" is the latest studio output from this three-year old band and it follows a 2015 split that the group did with Sunisgone. Having made their debut in mid-September of 2014 with a self-titled demo, Iron Driver offers up a raw take on vintage heavy metal that they themselves have dubbed "New Wave Of Russian Heavy Metal". With influences that split the difference between the (early) eighties metal scene and the rougher edges of the  N.W.O.B.H.M. movement, Iron Driver's sound comes straight from the underbelly of the underground metal scene and it is every-bit as down & dirty as the above art-work suggests! Depending on your personal point of view that can be a good thing or that can be a bad deal. Either way, don't say I didn't warn you.....

Free Metal Monday: Nightmare-Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2016

California metal band Nightmare released this three-track demo on November 28, 2016. There is no information to go with it, but seeing as it is vintage heavy metal with a N.W.O.B.H.M. tint it is all good! With a slightly raw production job that recalls some of those late seventies/early eighties underground gems, I hear traces of Witchfinder General, Cloven Hoof, Angel Witch, and Blitzkrieg. I'm sure there are more influences lurking about, but honestly it's a name-your-price release that is so good that I just don't care! This one easily stands up tall next to some of the more recent retro offerings and the N.W.O.T.H.M.

Candle-Demo 2016

Fighter Records
2017

Inspired by the likes of Hell, Mercyful Fate, Satan, and Witchfynde, Candle is a Swedish heavy metal band that was formed in 2015 by guitarists Markus Janis (Corrosive Carcass) and Christian Kanto. Lead vocalist Erik Nordkvist and the brothers Juhani & Jorma Pihlajainen (bass and drums respectively) round matters out, "Demo 2016" serving as the group's introduction and all. Originally released last year (hence the title), Candle's debut offering is being re-released by Fighter Records in order to set the stage for the band's forthcoming LP. With four tracks of vintage metal that is dark, atmospheric, and somewhat progressive, "Demo 2016" is a good first effort that suffers from a unsatisfying production job, but does point towards better things to come......

Pulsar-Alien Crusader

Rush of Power Records
2017

Pulsar is a N.W.O.B.H.M.-inspired traditional heavy metal band from Oslo, Norway that "May contain traces of (the bands) Purple Hill Witch and/or Condor vibes". The three-track "Alien Crusader" is the group's first studio recording and while we might not exactly know who plays what, Pulsar's (vintage metal-soaked!) debut is just too golden to pass up! Available as a digital download and as a limited-edition cassette*, "Alien Crusader" recalls the early days of the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement as much as it does mid-seventies proto-metal. Hopefully this band is more than a one and done deal.....  


*Supposedly there are only fifty copies available. Well, lets' make that 49 as I ordered a copy for my own collection yesterday....

Axe Crazy-Ride The Night

No Remorse Records
2016


Named after the classic 1982 single from N.W.O.B.H.M. band Jaguar, Axe Crazy is a up-and-coming traditional heavy metal band that hails from Lędziny, Poland and is currently fronted by lead singer Michael Skotnicki. Bass player Daniel Czupryn (ex-Snake's Head) and original founding members Adrian Bigos (guitar, vocals), Robson Bigos (guitar, vocals), and Andrzej Heczko (drums) round things out this five-piece band which lists the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Running Wild, and Dio as it's primary sources of inspiration. Founded on January 1st, 2010, Axe Crazy made it's studio debut in 2014 with the release of the 4-track EP, "Angry Machines", and then went on to appear on two different compilations, "Trveheim Vol. 1." and "True Metal Lives III - The Hard Road To Hell". The ten-song "Ride The Night" is Axe Crazy's first full-length recording and it is reportedly due out on December 16th. Starting with the all-too- brief "March of the Survivors", Axe Crazy's full-length debut might just draw from some familiar sources, but thanks to the band's youthful enthusiasm and keen ability to craft extremely catchy material it ends up being a moot point! Chock full of classic heavy metal riffs, over-the-top leads, and flat-out blessed by a vocalist that could have been time-snatched out of the eighties' metal scene(!), Axe Crazy is a hell of a band that has proved more than worthy of it's cool moniker!  The full-length album, "Ride The Night", is everything you could hope for out of a debut: great material, epic performances, and a subtle production job that perfectly captures the time period that it is trying to emulate! Honestly, it is because of bands like Axe Crazy that I keep this blog up and running. This kind of sincere and honest heavy metal is too good to keep to myself!! Axe Crazy is a adventure in heavy metal history and we are it's welcomed students!    

ZiX-Tides Of The Final War

Pure Steel Records
2016

Formed in 2010 by bassist/composer Ziad Bardawil, ZiX is a female-fronted traditional heavy metal band from Beirut....as in Beirut, Lebanon. Yes, I am every bit as shocked as all of you are that such a thing actually exists! It is possible that I am not as up to date on things as I would like to be, but I was under the impression that certain parts of the Middle East were not exactly "hip" to this kind of thing. I mean classic heavy metal is rebellious enough, but to then go and add a strong female front-woman to the whole mix? That takes a tremendous amount of courage to pull off in some small-minded places across the globe! To that end I give major props to ZiX and I really do hope that this is just the first of many like-minded bands to kick down the doors of oppression! Especially if they are as epic as this lot is!! With lead vocals courtesy of the AMAZING Maya Khairallah (wow, is she ever great!), ZiX shoots a straight arrow into the hearts of heavy metal maniacs with their N.W.O.B.H.M.-influenced/eighties metal-inspired traditional heavy metal debut here. The album has ten tracks in all it clocks in at over forty two minutes. During that time frame you can expect to be treated to well-fashioned numbers that are as technically sound as they are powerful. In addition to skilled guitarist Juan Carrizo and guest drummer Rino (ex-Manowar), "Tides of the Final War" features appearances by the likes of  Tony Martin (Black Sabbath), Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden), Paul Di'Anno (Iron Maiden), and Ross The Boss (ex-Manowar, Death Dealer). Just released at the tail end of October, "Tides of the Final War" picks right up where the group's 2012 EP, "The Warwhore", left off. Several tracks from the EP have made it onto this expertly-produced album, but they feature new arrangements for a improved sound. Speaking of all things sound-related, "Tides of the Final War" was recorded in the Vegas View studios, Nevada, by 7x Grammy-winning producer Steve Thompson! For those of you who do not know the name, Steve Thompson was partly responsible for the Guns 'N Roses' classic "Appetite For Destruction" and he has worked with everyone from Anthrax to Ziggy Marley!! Of course he was also responsible for mixing Metallica's 1988 album "...And Justice for All", but we won't hold that against him! Mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Sepultura, Yngwie), "The Tides of the Final War" was remixed and remastered at QuSoundStudio in Germany by Michael Kusch. From a production standpoint, ZiX's full-length album sounds great. Granted, I already said that much, but it is worth repeating. The production really helps ZiX stick out, musically-speaking. But as the mix? That's a different story. Unfortunately there are more than a few occasions where the vocals get lost. Sure, "Tides Of The Final War" has a powerful metallic presence, but great music works a lot better when you have great vocals to compliment. When Maya Khairallah's supreme voice falls off the radar everything suffers. A bit of tweaking might be in order for next time around. And yes, I do want there to be a next time for this extremely talented band! There is just so much to love about ZiX and their first album!! This is classic heavy metal at it's all time best and there is little doubt that this one band that will only evolve and mature as they grow. After listening to this album I can see why people like Steve Thompson took special notice of this up-and-coming band.

Rivette-In Vertigo

Ektro
2016

Rivette is a three-piece band from Finland that has been active since 2014. This up-and-coming group is lead by skilled guitarist/vocalist Esa Pirttimäki (Forced Kill, Warchief, Glasgowsmile, ex-Ravenous) and they have one cassette demo and this forthcoming mini-LP to their name. Originally formed with the intention of being a Iron Maiden meets "Kill 'Em All"-era Metallica type of outfit (!), Finland's Rivette now rolls out a catchy brand of heavy and hard rock that is damn near-impossible to resist! Bassist/keyboardist F.F. Nieminen and drummer Kode Vertanen* (Forced Kill, ex-Armageddal Age) round things out for the success-bound Rivette and you can (or make that you should!) pre-order this (rewarding) five-song EP by heading over here. Limited to a mere 500 copies (350 black and 150 transparent blue!), "In Vertigo" is available as a name-your-price digital download, but given it's deeply enriching notes I can't help but feel as if vinyl would be the right way to go (especially seeing as "In Vertigo" has collector's item written all over it!). Due for release on December 16th, "In Vertigo" starts off with my favorite track of the lot, "Outrun the Night". This fantastic rocker proposes a world where Dire Straits was responsible for the development of such N.W.O.B.H.M. bands as Jameson Raid, Def Leppard, Riot, Urchin, Vardis, and White Spirit! While the EP's second cut, "Arms of Lightning", follows that radical concept all the way through to it's "logical" conclusion (see below) there is more classic rock on display in "The Sting"**. From there you have the exceptional "Limelights of Fire" (a four minute plus treasure that recalls the early days of British metal!) and then this mini-LP wraps up nicely with the title track. Serving time as the EPs longest number, "In Vertigo" takes Rivette's appreciation for Dire Straits into account even as it mixes 70's hard rock with N.W.O.B.H.M.'s early roots. As strange as all of that might sound on paper (and trust me here folks I do understand how odd it reads!), "In Vertigo" ultimately ends up working as a title track because it isn't afraid to push the boundaries of heavy & hard metal. Of course you could say the exact same thing about this mini-LP as a whole! Sometimes metallic and oftentimes melodic, Rivette's debut MLP crosses as many bridges as it can before it's all said and done. With influences that range from Dire Straits to Diamond Head, "In Vertigo" is a innovative and refreshing EP that never tries to hide where it came from or where it is going. Much like the band itself, "In Vertigo" is an inspiring story that refuses to follow any guidelines other than it's own heart.  And finally it is a five-song EP from a relatively-new group that I hope will be around for a long time to come....





*Kode Vertanen has also helped out the band Ranger in live settings. While he provides some rock-steady drum beats in Rivette that are absolutely perfect for the occasion(!), Kobe played guitar for the band Ranger. 

 **Taking a page or two from one of my all-time favorite LPs ("Brothers in Arms"), "The Sting" shows more love for Mark Knopfler and company while simultaneously building the case for Rivette's future stardom.

A brief word about the wonderful "Arms of Lightning":

More hard rock than heavy metal, "Arms of Lightning" is a heavy rocking gem that could have easily been released in the late seventies as a single and no one would have been the wiser! Clocking in at only three minutes and six seconds, "Arms of Lightning" captures the spirit of the early N.W.O.B.H.M. scene and makes this EP all the more recommended!!

Solitude-Reach For The Sky

Test Your Metal Records
2016

Solitude is a twenty year old heavy metal band that is lead by Sacrifice's Akira Sugiuchi. Not to be confused with the half dozen or so other band's with the exact same moniker, this version of Solitude could easily be seen as Japan's answer to Motörhead....if not for the slight N.W.O.B.H.M influences! Originally released in the summer of 2015 by Spiritual Beast (lead singer Akira Sugiuchi's Japanese label!), "Reach for the Sky" is Solitude's second full-length album and the group's third overall recording since first forming in 1996. This heavy-rockin' album serves as the seven year follow-up "Brave the Storm" and it features a great production job courtesy of Akira Sugiuchi and Fuyuhiko Inui.  The eight-song album was mixed by Magnus “Mankan” Sedenberg (Bullet and Crucified Barbara) and it is now seeing a proper release here in the states thanks to good folks over at Test Your Metal Records. Guitarist Shingo Ida, bassist Tohru Nishida (Sacrifice), and drummer Takamasa "Mad" Ohuch (5X, D.T.F.M., Superblood, ex-Anthem, ex-Black Hole) round things out on "Reach for the Sky" and there are some mammoth moments on this disc where bands like Raven, Tank, and even Venom come to mind! Toss in some obvious love for Saxon and a touch or two of Judas Priest and you have a surefire winner on your hands! "Reach for the Sky" is due out on November 25th so be sure to mark your calendar.

Booze Control-The Lizard Rider

Infernö Records
2016

Booze Control is a four-piece German heavy metal band that features three former members of the group Shepherd's Guns. Formed in September of 2009 and citing Iron Maiden, Angel Witch, Warlord and (early) Helloween as their initial sources of influence, Booze Control is now on their third full-length album with the interestingly-named "The Lizard Rider". Vocalist/guitarist David Kuri fronts this N.W.O.T.H.M. band that made it's first appearance in October of 2009 with the 16 minute EP, "Wanted". With another key influence being classic Judas Priest, Booze Control was last heard from in December of 2013 with the full-length album "Heavy Metal". Meanwhile the other three members of Booze Control are Jendrik Seiler (guitar), Steffen Kurth (bass), and Lauritz Jilge (drums). Now, before we move onto the subject of  the strong "The Lizard Rider" it would probably be a good ideal to address the huge elephant that's hanging out in the room. Once again it is time to play everyone's favorite game, Good Bands with Bad Names. OK, maybe that is a bit of a stretch. This German heavy metal band's name isn't so much bad as it is.....sobering. As someone who just loves hard cider, wine and above all vodka(!), Booze Control's name is a bitter pill to swollen. It brings up horrific thoughts of alcohol suppression and nobody in their right mind want's that! I'm (somewhat) kidding with that observation, but I am being 100% serious when I say this next bit. Packed with all sorts of vivid imagery and featuring a full album's worth of N.W.O.B.H.M.-infused heavy metal that is really something else, Booze Control's "The Lizard Rider" is a spirited showing from one up-and-coming German metal band that seems to have been custom ordered with  your everyday metalhead in mind! Strong as steel and no doubt hungry for success, Booze Control is a band that plays tried and true heavy metal for the working man and they are bound to only get better with each passing day. For this Braunschweig, Lower Saxony-based band the group Iron Maiden is as good a starting point of reference of any, but to their credit the members of Booze Control really do strive for originality. Even if there are some sweet ass solos here that Iron Maiden fans should totally dig, "The Lizard Rider" is far from some carbon copy of "The Number of the Beast". Given the album's (ever so slight) speed metal vibe and this band's ability to infuse some much-needed modern touches here and there, "The Lizard Rider" is it's own beast. That's a rare distinction for N.W.O.T.H.M. bands these days. In a world where new cookie-cutter versions of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest seem to pop up overnight, Booze Control has put out an album that draws from the greats while putting it's own spin on things. I really enjoyed "The Lizard Rider" so it looks like I will have to check out Booze Control's other two albums....

Lizzies-Good Luck

The Sign Records
2016

Formed back in 2010 by Patricia Strutter (guitars) and Motorcycle Marina (bass), Lizzies is a on-the-rise  heavy rock/heavy metal band that hails from Madrid and is (fittingly enough!) named after one of the street gangs from the cult film "The Warriors" (1979). Lead singer Elena Zodiac and drummer Saray Sáez (The Screamin' Fish, Them Autumn Bones) round out this four-piece band that first made the scene with "Heavy Metal Warriors". The nine-song "Good Luck" is this Spanish band's unreal debut album and it was preceded in life by not just the aforementioned 2012 demo, but a 2013 EP entitled "End of Time" and last year's (stone cold killer!) single, "Viper". Skillfully-produced by Ola Ersfjord (Dead Lord, Tribulation, Primordial) at Moontower Studios in Terrassa and Cuervo Studios, "Good Luck" clocks in at just over thirty minutes and it features the amazing sounds of one young and enthusiastic band that wasn't just raised on classic rock and traditional heavy metal, but the whole N.W.O.B.H.M. scene! In addition to "Viper" and my personal favorite, "666 Miles" (which you can check out by clicking on it's official video below!), "Good Luck" is full of hard & heavy gems like "Night in Tokyo", "Speed on the Road", and "Russian Roulette". The album opens up strong with the really cool "Phoenix" (a gritty hard rocker that blends together Iron Maiden, Raven, and Girlschool!), and thanks to it's slick combination of catchy material and clever lyrics it keeps the momentum going until the very end! Available in digital format and on CD and vinyl, "Good Luck" is a fantastic debut from a hot new band that knows what's it's doing and where it wants to go. Ultimately I give this one a perfect 10 out of 10!!
 .

Lady Beast-Metal Immortal

Infernö Records
2016

Lady Beast is five-piece metal band that hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has been active since 2009. It was sometime back in 2013 when I first discovered this N.W.O.B.H.M.-inspired traditional heavy metal group and their 2012 self-titled release and I've been a huge fan ever since. Due to drop in a few short days, "Metal Immortal" is not only Lady Beast's latest recording, but arguably their best one to date! This aptly-titled EP picks right up where last year's "Lady Beast II" left off while simultaneously showcasing this group's remarkable ability to make huge musical strides between each new body of work. Whether or not that has anything to do with the additional of new lead guitarist Andy Ramage (Oh Shit They're Going to Kill Us, ex-Relique, ex-Vrolok (live), ex-Argus) this time around is open to debate, but it's not as if his rock-solid skills hurt any when it comes to such explosive numbers as "Metal Martyr", "The Devil's Due", and "Lady of the Battle"! With four new tracks in all, "Metal Immortal" is as good as it gets when it comes to an epic band delivering top-notch heavy metal and that is one statement that I do not post in jest! From the word GO (!) this hard-hitting (if sadly underrated) band has been taking care of business and it is has never been as obvious as it is now that they want the world and nothing less! Listening to a well-constructed EP like this should give you no doubt as to the ability of musicians Chris Tritschler (rhythm guitar), Greg Colaizzi (bass), and Adam Ramage (drums), but as with every every other recording that Lady Beast has put out there is one undeniable highlight. Naturally that would be the unmistakable voice of front-woman Deborah Levine. This versatile lead singer is hand's down one of the best in the business and her enthusiastic attitude and uncompromising approach to the mic is simply beyond description! Deborah Levine pumps extra Grade A rocket fuel into what is already one hell of an aggressive heavy metal band and in the process she makes me reconsider how I feel about the city of Pittsburgh itself!! As a long-suffering fan of the Cleveland Browns that's not an easy thing to do, but given the undeniable chemistry of this amazing singer and her band and this EP's unbelievable quality I'm willing to let bygones be bygones!! Soon to be available on vinyl, CD, and in digital, "Metal Immortal" is a must-have release from one band that really should start to become better known for just that reason alone. Or to put it another way, Lady Beast is very close to the point where you could blindly buy one it's recordings and expect nothing but the absolute best. At this point in time I honestly cannot think of too many bands out there that I would say that about....

Axxion-Back In Time

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Active since 2011 (and featuring some top-notch musicians who have spent time in such group's as Skull Fist, Cauldron, and Phantom!), Axxion* is a (simply stellar) four-piece Canadian heavy metal/speed metal band with one EP, a single, and two full-length albums to it's name thanks to the forthcoming "Back In Time". The band, which is based in Toronto and lead by crazy mad vocalist Dirty D Kerr** (ex-King, ex-Midnight Malice), offers up one hell of an appealing vintage sound on their soon to be released sophomore album and with nine tracks of pure metal love going on here it's all but impossible to go wrong! The all too brief "Attakr" opens things up on "Back In Time" and from there it's just one blazing hot cut after another until the totally kick ass number that is "Sinner" finally burns everything around you to the ground!! As this highly-energetic group takes it's cues from not only 80's metal, but N.W.O.B.H.M., Swedish traditional heavy metal, and the early days of the U.S.P.M. moment (!) there is more than enough nostalgia to go around. Does that mean Axxion's newest album won't appeal to modern heavy metal fanatics? Thanks to the outstanding lead work of Sir Shred (ex-30 Years Too Late, ex-Carpadium, ex-Skull Fist ) and the overwhelming display of power that is Axxion's rhythm section*** the answer to that question is a resounding "Hell No!". True heavy metal thunder runs through the veins of this hard-hitting & high-flying Canadian band and it's almost as if it is a matter of principle that their particular take on the "subject" should be as universally accessible as humanly possible. Or to put it another way, "Back In Time" should easily find it's way into the loving hands of older and younger' metalheads alike and that is thanks in no small part to the album's overall sense of enthusiasm and this young band's keen ability to craft memorable material that makes you long to hear more! When the only downside to be found on your sophomore release is it's short length (Dammit(!), I needed way more heavy metal goodness than this album's mere 34 minute time limit allowed!!) you know your band is onto something special. But, that's Axxion for you in a nutshell! This Toronto tornado of a heavy metal band is something truly and the same goes for this gem of a release! Here in the U.S. this album is due out on October 15th so be sure to grab a reliable highlighter and circle the date! This is one album that is not to be missed!!

 


*Pronounced "action" and it is a fitting moniker for this Canadian act!


**Dirty D Kerr does all kinds of wild and crazy things on the mic and at times you do have to wonder if some of them are even possible in this realm of existence that we call life on planet Earth! Sometimes his high pitch notes reminded me of Steve Grimmet (Grim Reaper) while other times I wasn't sure what the hell was going on LOL! Either way it was always enjoyable and at the end of the day it made this album come alive for me!!


***Axxion's drummer is Alison Thunderland  (Phantom, ex-Skull Fist) and she is all kinds of wonderful on this heavy metal platter. This impressive musician provides some outstanding fucking awesome drumming on "Back In Time" (it is just too damn hot to handle folks!) and if that wasn't enough she also steps up to the mic when called for! That's right my fellow metal maniacs, "Back In Time" has both male and female vocals and that kind of coolness is all thanks to the one and only Alison Thunderland!! I can't help but wonder how much heavy metal would benefit from having more exceptional musicians like her, but really that is another story (and a worthwhile one at that!) that is best saved for some other time. Anyway, the bass duties on "Back In Time" fall to Axxion's newest member, Jason Decay. Well-known for his work in the group Cauldron, Jason Decay (ex-Forcefed, ex-Goat Horn, ex-Thor, ex-Ash Lee Blade (live), ex-Corpsebike, ex-Kïll Cheerleadër) brings a shit lead of talent to Axxion's latest release and in his role as the group's new bass player he does not disappoint! The bass work on "Back In Time" is nearly perfect and when it is combined with the other unique elements that are at play here it gives this 9-track album a very nice edge.

Rotör-Musta käsi

Svart Records
2016

"Look at that cover" the e-mail from Metal Mark read. Having already received the word about Finland's Rotör earlier that day I knew what my friend (and Heavy Metal Time Machine founder) was excited about. The wicked cool artwork for "Musta käsi" was most certainly a thing of beauty. No doubt inspired by early-mid eighties heavy metal artwork (as well as a few ones from the N.W.O.B.H.M scene I  suspect!), Rotör's fabulous choice of artwork for their full-length debut just about screamed "Turn me on and crank up the volume!". Giving in to that temptation (or if you will that odd voice or two in my head that really wanted to rock out!) I hit play on album opener "Avattu hauta". With a vintage metal sound that seemed as if it was pulled straight out of the past (!) this three minute plus tune hinted at good things to come. Did I say good things? I must have meant great things as sure enough this album SLAYS THE DRAGON kids! Sung in the band's native tongue, "Musta käsis" is a (true blue/raw & real) rustic metal album that throws caution to the wind in favor of a D.I.Y. approach. It's a recording that pays tribute to the (sadly long-gone) tape trading days of metal with not just it's music, but the way in which it was produced. With nine tracks in all, "Musta käsis" is what you get when you mix early-mid eighties heavy metal, (early) eighties punk rock, Motörhead, and late seventies to early eighties N.W.O.B.H.M* all together and then finish it off with  the timeless appeal that is riff-driven garage metal. Yes, it is every bit as good as that sounds (and then some!) and it's all courtesy of an anonymous five-piece band that may include bits of Speedtrap, Hard Action, Vino Siitin, Tremor, Arkhamin Kirjasto, Seremonia or Steel Mammoth.With all of that said and done I'd just like to add one final thought to the equation. And that is I really hope this doesn't end up being a one and done moment! 






*More to the point we are talking about Iron Maiden's first two (punk-infused) studio albums, Demon Pact, and the self-titled debut of Angel Witch.