Children of the Reptile-The End

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Children of the Reptile is a U.S. traditional heavy metal/epic metal band that has been active since 2009. Lead by vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Ozzie Darden (ex-Death Machine Weapons, ex-The Disasters), this four-piece band is based in Wilmington, North Carolina and has two EPs and two full-length albums to it's name. Released in late-January of this year, the nine-track "The End" is the second full-length release from Children of the Reptile. It serves as the follow-up to 2016's well-received "The Four Weapons EP" and finds this U.S. metal band sounding better than ever! As with the group's last EP, "The End" features damn catchy material that should please not only long-time fans of the group, but anyone that appreciates true heavy metal. If your personal CD collection includes everything from Megadeth and Metallica to Thin Lizzy, Dio, solo-Ozzy, Manilla Road, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest then you are going to dig this outfit. You simply cannot go wrong when you mix Ozzie's tremendous vocal delivery with blazing guitar solo and the one-two punch that is this album's rhythm section! Having made their debut in 2012 with a 3-song EP, Children of the Reptile has grown into one of the most dependable metal bands out there. There is no reason why this band shouldn't be in your personal music collection and I have no idea why they are still unsigned! Just like the group's last studio album, "The End" is a A+ release in a day and age when far too many bands are just going through the motions.

Children of the Reptile-The Four Weapons EP

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Sporting one of the coolest monikers out there(!), Children of the Reptile is a up-and-coming heavy metal band from Wilmington, North Carolina that is every-bit as epic as their name suggests! The group's wide array of influences include (but are not limited to!) Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Rainbow, Manilla Road, Loudness, Megadeth, Brocas Helm, The Lord Weird Slough Feg, Metallica, and even Thin Lizzy!! According to the Metal Archives, Children of the Reptile was originally formed in 2008 by vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Ozzie Darden (ex-Death Machine Weapons, ex-The Disasters) and guitarist/vocalist Chris Millard (Salvación, ex-Wrathlord) for a one-off show. It was only in 2009 that this U.S. epic heavy metal band became the real deal. After putting out their 3-song debut EP in March of 2012, Children of the Reptile went on to release a self-titled album in 2013. Just released on November 19th, "The Four Weapons EP" is the latest studio recording for this four-piece lot. It finds Ozzie Darden and Chris Millard backed by bassist/vocalist David "Pils" Hufham and drummer Jon Kiker (ex-Death Machin Weapons, ex-Wrathlord). While Jon Kiker has since been replaced by Chase Kelly, "The Four Weapons EP" did feature his immense skills and he should be duly credited. And speaking of (MAD) skills, Ozzie Darden and Chris Millard have the twin guitar attack style of Tipton/Downing (Iron Maiden) and Smith/Murray (Judas Priest) down pat! Simply put, the guitar solos on this EP are KILLER! For fans of real heavy metal (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, solo Ozzy, Dio, etc.) these leads will feel like a homecoming of sorts. Meanwhile the tight rhythm section is right there in line with the strings...and so is lead singer Ozzie. Darden's voice is honest and sincere and it fits right in with the overall mentality of this 4-track recording. Easily verified by listening to just one of the songs on this tremendous EP, Children of the Reptile has a real love for the music that they have created. Whether it's the instrument number "Arrival of the Dark Child" (which slays!) or the EP's three "regular" songs ("4 Weapons", "Sieg Zeon!", and "Goblin's Treasures"), "The Four Weapons EP" is 100% authentic in it's delivery! There is nothing fake about recording or the  extremely-talented band that crafted it. God, is that every refreshing or what? Real heavy metal from a honest to goodness real heavy metal band. Who would have thought it possibly that such a cool thing still existed in 2016? Available for the low price of only $5.00 (which frankly is a steal of a deal for this twenty plus minute EP!), "The Four Weapons EP" is for fans of traditional heavy metal as well as epic metal. It's a A+ recording in a world where we all too often settle for B- releases and it comes with my highest of recommendations! 

Free Metal Monday: Knightmare-Wolves of Retribution

The Arcade Records
2016


Active since 2010 (and not to be confused with all of the other similarly-named bands out there!),  Knightmare is a up-and-coming U.S. heavy/power metal band with two full-length albums to it's name. The forty seven minutes long "Wolves of Retribution" is this group's latest recording and it came out in late January of this year. For this Raleigh, North Carolina-based four-piece band it is all about (gritty and true) classic heavy metal with catchy choruses, blazing-hot leads, and epic overtones! Amazingly enough available for free by clicking here, "Wolves of Retribution" showcases a hungry heavy metal outfit that seems destined for much more than just local success. This is one talented American metal band that I would keep a close eye out for!

Killer Khan-Kill Devil Hills (2015 Re-issue)

Heaven and Hell Records
2015

There are some reviews that just about write themselves and then there are other times where you find yourself struggling to even come up with a proper opening. There is no need to guess where this one sits in the grand scheme of things as it's now taken me well over an hour to even get this far! And that was after coming back to do this review for the third time!! I'm just not sure if I can come up with right choice of words to fully convey the importance of this album. Truth be told I've covered Killer Khan's full-length debut in the past. As you can see here it was once a part of my Forgotten Gems series and now I'm tasked with talking about this re-mastered and expanded re-issue. Honestly I feel as if everything I said back then (which was March 29th, 2012 to be exact) still rings true with the only real difference between then and now being a more-improved sound and the inclusion of two bonus tracks. Otherwise this is still one of the best damn (true) heavy metal albums that you can have in your personal collection. Let me say that again so that it's perfectly clear to everyone. As far as true blue this heavy metal gems go it does not get any better then this 1999 album! Originally self-released back in 1999, "Kill Devil Hills" was Killer Khan's full-length debut and thanks in no small part to this band's particular choice of influences it ended up being a timeless example of classic/traditional heavy metal at it's purest and most sincere form! But first a brief history lesson is in order. Formed in 1994 and initially known as Holy Moses (under which name the band issued two full-length albums-one in 1995 and the other one in 1996), Killer Khan was based in Moorsevile, North Carolina and lead by vocalist/guitarist Killian Khan. As mentioned "Kill Devil Hills" was the first album that this U.S. metal put out under the name of Killer Khan. Technically-speaking it's also the only album that "Killer Khan" issued in their brief existence as the follow-up album, 2001's "Rock 'N Roll Forever", was originally released in 1996 while the band was still known as "Holy Moses"! Confusing as that may be there should be no confusion as to the strength of this album!! Killer Khan's classic sound & style drew it's inspiration from the eighties U.S. metal scene of old as well as bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and (Ozzy-era) Black Sabbath. With a lead vocalist who could have easily slid his way into into a Ozzy Osbourne tribute band (see my previous review for more on this tidbit!) and a backing band that was well-regulated and fine-tuned to near perfection this traditional heavy metal band released one of those rare A+ recordings that every self-respecting metalhead should have already had in their collection! If you didn't have it before now then you absolutely must pick up this stone cold gem now that it has been re-mastered and expanded! Hell, even if you already have this album in collection I would still suggest buying this version as it has a much-improved sound and it tacks on two excellent bonus cuts in "Abomination" and "Aceman (Part II)"! Sure enough this is the same album that I fell in love with all those years back only this time around it's even better! "Kill Devil Hills" has definitely stood the test of time and thanks to Heaven and Hell Records it is getting a new lease on life! As this is a limited run though I would I act fast while it is still available. With only 500 copies it is sure to sell out and once it's gone it's gone! For fans of Killer Khan this is a must buy, but it also comes recommend to fans of eighties metal, N.W.O.B.H. and of course Black Sabbath! 

Salvación-God Gold and Glory

Self-Release/Idependent
2014

"God Gold and Glory", which is a concept album about Spanish conqueror Hernán Corté, is the third full-length studio album from traditional heavy metal/ power metal band Salvación. Formed in 2009 by Carlos Sergio Denogean (drums, lyrics, concepts and gang vocals) and childhood friend Nicky Love Sponsel (vocals, guitar, bass, organ, E-Bow), and hailing from the last pace on Earth where someone would expect to find a band like this (Wilmington, North Carolina), the band released their debut album, "Going To Hell", in 2010. Followed by "Way More Unstoppable" in 2011, which is oddly enough also the title of the last cut on "God Gold and Glory", the band has evolved from their humble hard rock and heavy metal beginnings ("Going To Hell", while an excellent release in it's own right*, lacks the overall power, style and flair that is found on "God Gold and Glory") into a band begging well deserving of being heard by a wider audience! After the atmosphere is properly set by "Take Overture" (at 1:15 in length it allows the listener a chance to be transported back in time when the fall of the Aztec Empire was eminent!) the band proceeds to kick things up a notch or two with the urgent "Fortune". Falling somewhere between British metal (Judas Priest, Saxon) and German metal (Helloween, Running Wild) this three minute plus slab of power metal is pure gold as is the following track number, "Obsidian Knife"! Meanwhile "Stroke Of Luck" seems to favor the band's early roots while "Gambler's Throw" (featuring a simply fantastic, Judas Priest-like guitar solo, from Ian Millard who recorded "God Gold and Glory") could have easily been penned with Rob Halford and company in mind! "Satan Shame And Steel", which was an early favorite to win the best track on "God Gold and Glory"(!), is like a supercharged Black Sabbath as interpreted by "Painkiller"-era Judas Priest. And yes, that is as awesome as if sounds on paper! If not more so! Moving on, "Savage Reprisal", like the previously mentioned "Stroke Of Luck", is straight up hard rock which features a killer guitar solo from fellow Wilmington, North Carolina-native Dan Todd! And speaking of guests, "Way More Unstoppable" (the album's speed metal/power metal-tinged closing track and another fave track of mine!) features Ozzie Darden (Children of the Reptile, ex-The Disasters, ex-Death Machine Weapons), Sean Buchanan (North Carolina-based Colossus) and Peter Lemieux (Praetorius, Viper, Widow) sharing lead vocals! With it's splendid production (courtesy of Carlos Denogean, Nicholas Sponsel and Ian Millardon) and the awesome album-art pictured above (provided by the amazing hands of Yannick Bouchard) only adding to the overall appeal of "God Gold and Glory" one can't help but wonder where this act has been hiding over the past few years? You can find out more about these self-dubbed "Defenders of the of the Heavy Metal Faith!" at the link below and if you're a fan of  guitar-driven power metal then be sure to pick up a copy of "God Gold and Glory"!


https://www.facebook.com/salvacionrocks

*After listening to "God Gold and Glory" I went back and listened to "Going To Hell" out of curiosity. 

Dark Design-Prey For The Future

Heaven and Hell Records
2013

Raleigh, NC-based Dark Design was first established in 2008. The band, which features a pair of brothers in Matt (bass) and Robbie Mercer (drums), plays progressive thrash metal the likes of which the heavy metal community hasn't heard since the mid-late eighties/early nineties. In fact, lead vocalist Andrew Bertrand (who formerly played drums in ShadowRealm and Blackwatch) has the same kind of vocals that made early progressive/technical thrash so appealing to begin with. True, he does have a bit of James Hetfield in him, which does match some of this album's "...And Justice for All" era Metallica moments (there are also some flashes of "Ride The Lightning" era Metallica going on with this full-length debut and that is down right sweet!), but on the whole he handles things rather nicely. The band is rounded out by a pair of  exceptionally-talented guitarists in Ray Lewis (who, previous to Dark Design, actually had played with the Mercer brothers in other bands such as Hidden Terror, Nocturnal Fear (the NC-based one) and Ascendency) and Mike Joyner. Now, other then a 2010, 2-song demo with the title "Dark Design-2010"*, this is it for the band (recording-wise) so they make the most of this golden opportunity present to them. Other then perhaps the over-use of samples (as song openings) this 9-track album is a fantastic listening experience. It opens with the beautiful instrumental "In Medias Res" and closes with a surprising effective cover (more on that at the tale end of this review). Overall, on the cleverly-titled "Prey For The Future", the 5-guys in Dark Design offer up some solid progressive/technical thrash which brings to mind not only some of Metallica's past (and much better over-all) moments of glory, but everyone from Savatage to Anacrusis! While I do mention the Metallica vibe it should be noted that it's only a passing resemblance to Hetfield and company as these Raleigh thrashers lean more towards the Anacrusis and  Toxik side of thrash then anything else. The promo also makes mention of some of Death's more technical moments and I'm certainly not going to argue that comparison. Take and add in small doses of Megadeth and the "lighter" moments of both Atheist and Cynic and you're closing in on what makes Dark Design so freaking appealing. And speaking of all things appealing, and things that hit you from so far out of left field that you can't help but smile in appreciation, the album closes things of with a cover of  "Dust in the Wind"! As I had not been keeping track of each individual number (at least on my first of several repeat listens to this fun album) it took me by total surprise when the all-too-familiar opening cords of this Kansas classic kicked in! While it's not the first time I've heard a metalized version of this number (especially as I'm fairly certain that some Christian hard rock/heavy metal band covered it) it's probably the best cover version I've ever heard!  It's a bit of an odd choice of covers I'll admit, but seeing as I love the original version so much (and yes, I do butcher it while singing it in the shower oftentimes!) it's a cool way to finish off this album. Kudos to Dark Design for coloring outside the lines as it were and for what is most-definitely a killer debut album. Find out more below.

www.facebook.com/darkdesignband

 

* The Metal Archives mentions a 3-track advance promo that was self-pressed by Dark Design and handed out since the summer of 2012. But, since I can't verify that myself I'll just mention it in passing.