Into the Storm/Smooth Sailing-Split

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Seattle metal bands Into the Storm and Smooth Sailing have teamed up to release this simply-stellar split. Due for release tomorrow, the six-track recording features two tracks by Into The Storm and four tracks by Smooth Sailing. Starting off with the fittingly-named Into the Storm, tracks "Murder Murder Murder" and "So how do you explain all the dead unicorns?" showcase the noisy sounds of this stoner/sludgy modern metal band. Both tracks are epic in their own way, but it's the opening single "Murder Murder Murder" that really wrecks your mind and makes you want to hear what else this heavy-hitting band has up it's sleeves! Formed in 2010, Into the Storm has slowly but surely evolved into a truly-formidable outfit that needs to be heard to be fully appreciated!! Moving past these Seattle sludge warriors, Smooth Sailing might not have the most metallic moniker out there, but their music more than makes up for it! Armed with killer riffs and a beast-mode mentality, Smooth Sailing also flirts with stoner rock, sludge metal, and modern metal on their four tracks. Unlike Into the Storm, Smooth Sailing also tosses heavy (post) rock into the mix. Add in some progressive metal and a brief spot or two of space rock and you have this aggressive metal band that knows how to keep things interesting. It's for that reason that I actually prefer Smooth Sailing's tracks. That being said, Into the Storm is all kinds of awesome in their own right. When you combine these two extreme groups on a split like this the results speak for themselves. Available for pre-order by heading here here, this split release is proof positive that the Seattle metal scene is not only alive, but more menacing than ever!

Weaponlord-Hail the Victorious

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Formed in late-2014, Weaponlord is a heavy/power metal band that hails from Seattle, Washington and is currently fronted by vocalist/guitarist Bison Longshot (ex-Arsenal). Just released on March 9th, "Hail the Victorious" is the full-length debut from this U.S. metal band that also includes guitarist Cody J. Brumlow (ex-Arsenal), bassist/backing vocalist Leona Hayward (Northern Crown, ex-Faethom, ex-Impurity, ex-Antitheist), and drummer Chris Craven (Oxygen Destroyer, Perception, ex-Arsenal). The 10-track album runs close to 44 minutes and it joins a back-catalog that includes a demo, one split, and two singles. Having gone through the obligatory line-up changes getting from point A to point B, Weaponlord has developed their own brand of (simply-killer!) heavy/power metal. With screaming vocals torn straight out of the pages of the vintage U.S. power metal scene(!), this Seattle outfit seems to take it's cue from old-school U.S. power metal (up to and including (early) Metal Church and fellow Washington natives, Sanctuary), traditional metal (the heavier the better), and (nineties-era) Judas Priest. Thanks to a lot of hard work and dedication to their craft, Weaponlord takes these different elements and makes something all their own. In this day and age you couldn't ask for a better example of (top of the self brand) American heavy/power metal than this band. Based solely on the strength of this well-recorded debut album, Weaponlord should be scooped up and signed to a label in no time flat!

Rhine-An Outsider

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Formed in 2011 and originally going by the moniker of Perfect Harmony, Rhine is a Seattle, Washington-based progressive metal/death metal band with two album's to it's name. The forthcoming "An Outsider" serves as the proper follow-up to the group's 2014 album, "Duality", and just like it's predecessor this recording is more or less a solo project of Gabriel Tachell.  In addition to handling all of the vocals*, guitars & bass parts and this disc's programming duties, "An Outsider" was written, produced and mixed by Gabriel Tachell! Drums were provided by Sean Lang, but otherwise this is all based around the talent of Gabriel Tachell and his skill-level is never in question on Rhine's latest!! With influences that range from Porcupine Tree to Opeth (along with the likes of Devin Townsend, Enslaved, Edge of Sanity, Between the Buried and Me, Hypocrisy, Ulver, Borknagar,  Bloodbath, Gorguts, Gojira, Carcass, Arcturus, Ahab, Mastodon, UneXpect, Satyricon, Meshuggah, Sleepytime, and Gorilla Museum!) this Seattle-based band obviously draws it's sound & style from a wide range of sources! Even so it's hard to pin-point any one act that definitively sounds like Rhine on this well-crafted disc. Best-aimed at those who love extreme metal with progressive tendencies, "An Outsider" is a release that should bring Rhine new fans and label interest. In other words, "An Outsider" is one album that will be on (heavy) rotation in the weeks to come!


*Gabriel Tachell (who actually provided the artwork for this full-length feature!) has a really great set of lungs as evident on "An Outsider". Rhine's founder and main driving force easily moves between (highly-effective) clean singing and death-like grows on this forthcoming album and his voice adds an additional layer to what is already a multi-layered release!!

Vile Display Of Humanity-Vile Display Of Humanity

Forever Autumn Records
2015


Born in Chicago, IL in the summer of 2007 (with Seattle, Wash. serving as their current base of operations) Vile Display of Humanity is a socially-active & politically-charged thrash-punk band that is lead by Doug Mitchell and (at least on this 20-track album!) rounded out by David Foster (lead guitar), Jake Youngberg (vocals, guitar), Marty Petric (bass), and Aaron Hatch (drums). Heavily influenced by bands like The Exploited, Leftover Crack, The Misfits, Born Against, M.D.C. and Discharge, Vile Display Of Humanity approaches life with a D.I.Y. mentality in mind and that includes this self-titled album which was recorded on guitarist David Foster's laptop! Despite how that sounds, "Vile Display Of Humanity" is actually a solid release through and through and there is hardly a sour note to be found on this hardcore-leaning follow-up to 2013's "Beaten, Bandaged, & Ready". It should go without saying (as I do this same rant over and over!), but this kind of socially-conscious "crossover" is sorely missed in this day and age. There are hardly any group's left these days that know how to properly merge the meatiness of punk and hardcore with a proper message and that makes this highly pissed-off recording all the more comforting to this old punk/metal rocker. As the album also comes armed with some seriously sick raw metal riffs and it boasts a bottom-end heaviness that would make Motörhead's Lemmy smile in delight there is more than enough heavy metal love to go around when it comes to this buzz-worthy release! So, whether you are a punk or a headbanger (or somewhere in between like yours truly!) there is something here to enjoy! Just released this past May, "Vile Display Of Humanity" should pick up steam as more people start to hear about it and for the sake of our all too boring and tragically predicable scene I really do hope that is the case.

Fallen Angels-World In Decay

Cyberdyne Records2015

For the uniformed, Fallen Angels is a five-piece thrash metal band that is based in Seattle,Washington and currently lead by Bradzilla (ex-Semesus, ex-Disinterment, ex-If But for One). Active since 2002 (and not to be confused with the numerous other bands that are sporting this very same moniker), Fallen Angels also includes guitarist/vocalist Erik Hanson (former live guitarist for Skelator), guitarist Matt Be Roth, bassist Carl Larsson (Sol Negro, Waking Hour, ex-Skelator, ex-Evangelist), and drummer Steve Spitzbart (former live drummer for Usurper, ex-Beltfed Weapon) with Hanson and Larsson the only original members left of the band since first forming all those years ago! The upcoming "World In Decay" is actually Fallen Angles' third full-length release and first sign of (studio) life since 2011's "Engines Of Oppression"! It was produced by Grammy award winning producer Michael Rosen (Forbidden, Testament, Death Angel, Flotsam and Jetsam, Tesla, Vicious Rumors) and this collaboration makes perfect sense once you get a proper feel for what Fallen Angels is all about. For you see this is a band that is influenced by the likes of (early) Metallica, Megadeth & Anthrax, Testament, Slayer, Forbidden, Exodus, Overkill, and Annihilator with the forty-plus minute "World In Decay" serving as the ultimate tribute to the not only the Big Four and the Bay Are scene of old, but  thrash metal's glory days in general! "World In Decay" is a dream come true for old-school thrashers like myself and if there is any album that should finally put Fallen Angels on the map then this is it! Really the only difference between Fallen Angels soon to be released classic and yesteryear's classic thrash metal is this album's production. Not that it is a bad thing or anything, but "World In Decay" has more of a modern day production feel going for it because, well, it is a modern day production! Pretty much everything and everyone comes across as clean and clear which does stand in stark contrast to the (slightly-rough) production standards normally associated with old-school thrash. But it's all cool my friends as you are going to want to hear each and every little aspect of this wicked thrash attack! Especially if you love any of the above mentioned influences or bands like Death Angel, Lääz Rockit, Evildead, Atrophy, Whiplash or Xentrix. Officially due to drop on August 4th, "World In Decay" is one of the best thrash metal albums that I have heard in long time. As such I not only want to recommend it to our readers, but I want to add a big thank you to Asher Media Relations for sending it my way! You can check out the group's video for the gnarly "World In Decay" track (and the disc's first single!) "Nightmare" below and then be sure to head over to the group's Facebook page so that you can keep up to date with what just might end up being one of your new favorite thrash metal bands!

Zero Down-No Limit to the Evil

Minotauro Records
2014

Released a little over a month ago, "No Limit to the Evil" is the latest release from Seattle, Washington's own Zero Down. At a little under forty minutes in length it is Zero Down's forth overall full-length release and it serves as the long-overdue follow-up to late 2011's "Looking to Start a Riot". Falling somewhere in that grey area between traditional heavy metal and N.W.O.B.H.M. (think Judas Priest/Iron Maiden territory) this Seattle band if further complimented (and I mean drop-dead seriously COMPLIMENTED!) by the punk backgrounds of the various members (gang vocals do a good job of bridging the band's punk rock roots with their more modern approach to thrash rockin' the joint down!) and a full-tilt admiration for all things Motörhead! The vocals of Mark "Hawk" Hawkinson (formerly of crossover/punk band DUMT) are shredded raw and man if that doesn't just give this five-piece an extra air of attitude then I don't know what will! Rounded out by what might just be one of metal's most underrated set of guitarists in Lenny Burnett (ex-No Direction) & Matt Fox (ex-DUMT) and featuring a pretty steady rhythm section in Ronnie Banner and drummer Chris Gohde (bass and drums respectively) Zero Down opens strong on the riff-heavy, Metal Church meets Thin Lizzy on a road trip to HELL(!) "Return of the Godz" before the title track pulls back the curtains further showcasing the strength of this band's (well-developed since first forming back in 2002!) distinct take of traditional heavy metal. While the sounds of the seventies rock hard on a number like "Cold Winter’s Night" and "Leche di Tigre" cruises towards Sabbath territory it's the slammer "Phantom Host" that really proves that a band like Zero Down can push the speedometer all the way to the floor! Even if a cut like "Suicide Girls" falls flat there is the memorable "Steve McQueen" to put everything back into perspective. "Devils Thorn" recalls classic Accept even as it's a raw and ravaged slab of garage metal! The Motörhead love thrashes heavy on "Two Ton Hammer" and by the time we close with the excellent "Black Rhino' we've taken an interesting walk through the hallways of heavy metal where bands from A (Accept and early Anthrax) to Z (fellow Seattle natives Zeke and  Znöwhite) are paid homage to. And that right there is what makes a band like Zero Down so fantastically fun to listen to! Zero Down are heavy metal for the sake of heavy metal and they make no bones about it! They are not afraid to shuffle the deck style-wise and given the band's obvious taste for not only metal (Raven, Judas Priest, Metallica and Motörhead being just a few choices being highlighted), but hard rock (AC/DC) and classic rock (Thin Lizzy) there is so much here to digest that you might want to take a second helping! At the end of the day this one proves to be the perfect addition to any self-respecting metalhead's personal collection!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zero-Down-Fan-Page/262964899318?ref=ts&fref=ts

Helms Alee-Sleepwalking Sailors

Sargent House
2014

It's all been one big lie friends. Ignorance is most assuredly not bliss. You'd have a hard time convincing me otherwise as I tragically unaware of Seattle, Washington's Helms Alee (bassist/vocalist Dana James, guitarist/vocalist Ben Verellen and drummer/vocalist Hozoji Matheson-Margullis) until only just recently. And with "Sleepwalking Sailors", the third full-length album from a band that has had a long history of releasing EPs and splits since only 2007, this is true bliss. As such, how can one claim to experience a feeling of bliss outside of the sounds of Helms Alee? That is a troubling question and one which may never be answered in a satisfactory fashion. Thankfully we can all move on and treat this as a learning experience. For those no sense in drowning in our tears about what could have been, time we might have spent in the comfort of this unheralded trio with shared vocals, female and male, when we can now embrace the expansive collection of textures and sounds that make up this featured full-length attraction! Blessed with an uncanny ability to maneuver emotional material over a vast and ever-expansive sonic landscape, which (somehow) is atmospheric without actually transcending into some sort of  "atmospheric" rock and/or metal sound, the members of Helms Alee carefully mask their own roots/personal desires so that the music at hand beautifully meshes, note for note, into one perfect creation! And that's exactly what amazes me most about "Sleepwalking Sailors". It's truly something how Helms Alee (playfully) goes about stretching rock's boundaries, covering everything from stoner rock, post-grunge, alternative rock and math metal to indie rock, post-punk and even doom metal(!), in a (seemingly) carefree fashion and yet, upon further investigation (over repeated listens which is an essential component of the whole "Sleepwalking Sailors" experience!), the material present on this Seattle rock band's latest is not just technically-sound, but in reality expertly-constructed in order to get the most out of every moment! To say that I was blown away by this recording would be a understatement as "Sleepwalking Sailors" is superb in just about every way that you can imagine! From production to content it's easily to see that everything about this band's third album has been touched up and tweaked. Even so, "Sleepwalking Sailors", is colorful and personal. Helms Alee has graciously extended an offer for each and every listener, one that encourages you to walk alongside this trio as they explore a world of creativity and imagination where anything and everything is possible! I would encourage each and everyone of you who reads this piece to join Helms Alee on this journey of discovery. It's well worth the time. You can find out more about Helms Alee on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee) while you can hear this remarkable recording for yourself right here:

http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/sleepwalking-sailors 

Blood Of Kings-Starvation

My Graveyard Productions/Tridroid Records
2013

Earlier this year, at the tail end of January to be precise, I wrote up a piece on Blood of Kings and their self-titled, 2011 demo cassette. As part of my Forgotten Gems series, which admittedly I don't get to as much as I truly would like to, I covered this trio from Seattle, WA which includes Nick Paul (guitar/vocals),
Pete Yore (bass/vocals) and Eric Jelsing (drums). At the time I mentioned how their 4-track demo came across as "old school speed and thrash metal together with elements of traditional heavy metal and US power metal". Again, that was at the tail end of January when I first discovered the band and actually got my hands on their 2011 demo. Here we are now in August of 2013 and I'm looking and listening to this 7-track album as I do this write-up. Prior to sliding this CD into my stereo I did go back to revisit that 2011 demo. Why? Well, I figured a quick listen was in order before I tackled "Starvation" just so there was some perspective. It's always good to see/hear how far a band has come between releases with Blood Of Kings being no different. And yes, for the record,  they've come far from the demo released in 2011 to this new album released in 2013. That's not to say that their demo wasn't good as it was. The group's unique combination of heavy metal, power metal, speed metal and thrash metal was solid then and it's more of the same here...only better. That makes sense as they have had more time to gel and nail down their distinct sound and style. So, this new album, which was released at the tail end of April, was recorded with Tad Doyle back in September 2012 at Witch Ape Studios in Seattle. As the band comes across as more of a cult/underground trio anyway, and a good one at that, the album's low-key/subtle production, plays to their strengths. Here is a band that leans more towards 80's metal then modern metal anyway so any good producer would steer this band towards a "less is more" production anyway. It just makes good sense and on "Starvation" you get a feel for a real metal band warts and all. Old school fanatics should appreciate where we're going with this. Even so everything is right where it should be and you'd be hard pressed to complain about either the production or the music on this new album. I will say this though, if the raw and raspy, grit-filled lead vocals that were on display on the group's demo didn't suit your tastes then "Starvation" isn't likely to sit well with you either. To these ears it was the sound of underground metal done right with those raspy lead vocals only adding to the cult vibe of Blood Of Kings. Then, as is now, they came rumbling out as a sort of combination Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) and Mike Dean (C.O.C.) only with a bit more of a scratchy wash-over. It's understandable that those kind of vocals, which are obviously not clean and/or smooth, are not for everyone. But, I'd like to make the argument that it simply adds to overall raw style and rough sound that defines this Seattle, Washington 3-piece. That sound comes from all of the different elements that Blood Of Kings brings to the table. On the group's Facebook page you'll find a list of influences that runs the gamut from Mercyful Fate to GBH and it's that exact sort of open-mindedness that makes Blood Of Kings their own kind of band. This band pulls from all of that and mixes it up to give the listener one hell of a metal experience on "Starvation". This is one album that will end up in heavy rotation!

  

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blood-Of-Kings/166688440059586


http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/01/forgotten-gems-blood-of-kings-blood-of.html 

Alice In Chains-The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here

Capitol Records
2013

I was back in high-school when Seattle's Alice In Chains released "Facelift" and I do remember that it was not an instant hit. It took awhile for the group to catch on, but when they did, thanks to "Man in the Box", they did it big time! Suddenly everyone was talking about this new grunge band and how sick they were. As much as I did like "Man in the Box" I never ended up buying the album. I'm not sure exactly why that was. Maybe I was just afraid that it was all hype. Back then there were limited means available if you wanted to preview an album from start to finish. Outside of having someone lend you the album or being somewhere where the whole thing played you were really at the mercy of word of mouth and print reviews. I'd been burned way to many time by killer singles mixing with mediocre albums. So I never did get this album back in the day. In fact, to this very day I don't believe that I own a hard copy of "Facelift". I keep meaning to change that, but I never get around to it or I plain forget. The fact that this band is now on album number 5 is strange to me for several reasons. First off I didn't expect the group to last because of addiction rumors in the early years. While they did survive their lead singer didn't. In 2002 Layne Staley died of an overdose. At that junction I expected the band to fold so, in another way, it's as weird to see these new discs appear post-Staley as it is to think "They're only on album number 5 after all these years?". To be fair though there has been 3 EPs and 2 live albums as well. But full-length wise? Only 5 for this American band. Here it is though and even now I'll admit that I don't own a physical copy of an Alice In Chains release including this one! I was just fortunate that my local library was able to secure a new copy of this album. I checked it out twice. Willium DuVal, who joined Alice In Chains in 2006, marks album number two with these hard rockers and it all clicks. From track number one onward this thing just smokes. The guitar riffs that pour forth from founding member Jerry Cantrell are decidedly nasty and overall this album has a unique heaviness all it's own. In a way it's the natural progression from grunge and in another way it's almost a step by step instruction as to how to perfectly build a heavy metal record from the ground up. I'll not go track by track as their are plenty of reviews out already that tackle that approach. Instead my overall impression is that this LP hits more high points then lows. It also gives me a new appreciation for the musicians who played in the background from the word go. Yes, Layne Staley was one of a kind, but the actually band  that stood beside him and in back of him made Alice In Chains just as tough as his tortured vocals did. Willium DuVal might not have the same sort of impact for a lot of fans, but he carries his own and with the band hitting high gear this LP sizzles. Definitely an album that I will have to buy a physical copy of for my very own.

Forgotten Gems: Blood Of Kings-Blood Of Kings

Self-Release
2011

Is Seattle,Washington becoming the new Bay Area? Hear me out. With some insanely talented young bands (Sword Of Judgement anyway?) calling this coffee central city their hometown it's not all that much of a stretch. The latest group to catch my attention is Blood Of Kings. While they don't need me to serve as a hype machine (their music will do just fine thank you very much!) Forgotten Gems is all about sharing music whether old, or in the case of Blood Of Kings, a bit newer. That's the thing with Blood Of Kings. Yes, they are a "newer" band, but their roots, or as Sepultura put it "Roots Bloody Roots", run deep. Blood Of Kings features two guys who were in H.M.P. (Heavy Metal Poetry) in Pete Yore(bass/vocals) and Eric Jelsing (drums). H.M.P., a thrash metal band, released a full-length album and two EPs. In Blood Of Kings the pair is aided by guitarist/vocalist Nick Paul, formerly of the bands Wolves in the Throne Room and Stormcrow. This 4-track demo cassette was recorded with Greg Wilkinson (Ghoul, Insect Warfare, Saviors, Stormcrow) at Earhammer Studios in Oakland, CA.  Skip past the questionable demo artwork (Not very "metal" looking at all is it?) and you'll find this 3-piece band with an amazingly consistent and mature sound. For their first recording the band is spot on. They fuse old school speed and thrash metal together with elements of traditional heavy metal and US power metal. The closest point of reference would be early Washington State act Metal Church. Take the self-titled debut album from Metal Church, replace the late great David Wayne with a singer who offers up raw, raspy vocals (Not to worry they don't ruin the party) and add a little more of a homegrown/underground appeal and there you have Blood Of Kings. Sure, you might be saying "Isn't this  just another, in the long line of already established young bands, new band trying to copy a style and sound that is historically reserved in it's own time and place?". Is this just another new band that is trying to tap into the energy of the past or are they trying to keep true metal alive? It's more of the latter. Much more. This young band is keeping things old school, but they have forged their own path. The sound is solid like the heavy metal bands of old while maintaining a newer, more modern take on the genre. Armed with a unique sound, and empowered with talent to spare, Blood Of Kings is one band you've got to keep a close eye on. Especially if you love REAL metal. As the band is currently recording their debut full-length album at Witch Ape Studios (with Tad Doyle at the helm), 2013 should be a good year for Blood Of Kings and a good year for those of us that love good speed/power/thrash metal. Be sure to check them out for yourself. 



https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blood-Of-Kings/166688440059586