Ambush-Demo Tape

Self-Release/Independent
2013

I'm far beyond the point of being surprised when some new "latest & greatest" heavy metal band pops up from Sweden. Don't mistake that statement for cynicism though. Anymore it's almost a given that if you wait long enough (like say 5 minutes or so LOL!) some new band will arrive on the scene and prove that yes, Sweden really does seem to be the center of the universe when it comes to ass-kicking, old-school heavy metal! This one, which was formed on November 27th in 2012 and, well,  let's just let re-post the part that hooked me (in regards to the band forming on said day back in November of 2012): "...five guys were sitting in a basement and shared a couple of beers, listening to old school 80’s Heavy Metal. In the middle of all joviality, they somehow felt nostalgic and a bit frustrated that various new productions could not measure up to the old pure masterpieces. They decided to do something about it and as a result, Ambush was born". And that's it. Otherwise I have the band members involved, but no one is listed as to who plays what. Instead the information, which I originally scanned on my friend Stappado's site:http://strappadometalblog.blogspot.com/ , is somewhat vague. We've got:
Linus Fritzson
Olof Engkvist
Oskar Jacobsson
Ludwig Sjöholm
Adam Hagelin

OK, not that it matters as it's the music that it's all about right? Well, first off don't let the "demo tape" tag mislead you. This one sounds amazing (in a perfectly blissful combination of old school and modern production) and is available on all the usual digital sites (iTunes, Amazon, etc.). The 4-track EP really had me feeling good as this Tygers Of Pan Tang meets Demon vibe laid down soft kisses on my ear drums! On the off chance that some record label might be reading this then here's a bit of advice: SIGN THIS GROUP! Considering all of the crap retro heavy metal acts that have already flushed away the joy that is sincere heavy metal and what not it's band's like this that are the real deal and will serve as the true saviors of real traditional heavy metal! Ambush, who share a similar name with more then a few other groups (including, confusingly enough, an older Ambush also from Sweden), come off less as some novelty act (despite how they may have come together initially) and more as a band playing music that comes naturally from their souls. Given the fact that this digital EP is really inexpensive (less then $4.00) it's a no-brainer for fans of the NWOBHM scene or traditional heavy metal in general. Let's just hope though that this is just the start for this Ambush and that as time goes by we get better (read: LONGER) releases that would really shine of vinyl!

https://www.facebook.com/Ambushsweden 

Self-Release/Independent
2013

D.N.A. is a relatively new project/band first assembled by Portuguese
guitarist/songwriter Alexandre Santos (Scar For Life) and American vocalist
David Reed Watson (Rage Of Angels). By "relatively new" I mean that it
looks as if this act just got off the ground in early 2013! That means
the paint isn't even dry on this project and they've already released
this digital 5-track EP! Not too bad. Not too bad at all. Now, it sounds as
if this all started when Santos was working on some numbers with Watson
for possible inclusion in Scar For Life's catalog of songs. That's fair
enough and would make sense all around. Here's the thing though, this new
act isn't so much just a continuation of Scar For Life. Instead it marches
to the beat of it's own drummer (which, in this case at least,
is ex-More Than A Thousand drummer Joao Colaco). Joining Santos, Watson
and Colaco on "Life" is lead guitarist Neil Fraser (ex-Ten, Rage Of Angels)
and bassist Mikael Carlsson (Love Under Cover). On paper that looks like a
solid line-up and as the EP's single, "Broken Hero", opened things up it sure
did sound as if this was going to be one of those rare hidden gems (at least
in the field's of rock/hard rock/melodic hard rock). Then the track "Release"
kicked in and the bottom almost fell out of this EP. While the music is fine
by itself, as are the vocals, the lyrics don't mesh with either or and
when you combine all three (music, vocals, lyrics)this one does a nose-bomb
right into mediocrity. Suddenly this fear gripped me. What if D.N.A. had put
their best number first and then back-ended the EP with filler material? As
"Ledge" began to play that fear proved to be unfounded! The EP's last three
tracks ("Ledge", "The Flow" and "The Mirror Of your Soul") are all top-notch
numbers with the band rolling out phenomenal guitar leads, great lyrics sung
with passion by a lead vocalist with talent to spare, and such creative
arrangements that I kept going back and replaying the last three cuts over
and over again! So, while "Release" left me shaking my head in disapproval
the EP's other four tracks are just too good to pass up! It's a shame that
this is only a digital release, but it is what it is. Fans of heavy rock/hard
rock (as well as melodic hard rock bands I'd suspect)should really enjoy
"Life" as it showcases a band with all the right pieces needed to achieve
a long and sustained career. Hopefully D.N.A. will prove to be more then
just a part-time project as these guys are holding what amounts to a winning
lotto ticket and it would be foolish not to cash it in!

https://www.facebook.com/DNARockMusic

PS. Sorry for how this one rolled out. I have been experiencing some
"Issues" with my computer and Google Blogger

Salem (UK): X-Rated (Limited Edition EP) "Brofest 2013"

Self-Release/Independent
2013

Thanksgiving has either come really early for me or way to late. It just depends on how you look at it. Why, you may find yourself asking, are we talking about Thanksgiving in late March? Well, while I can't divulge all of the news and/or rumors that have found their way into my daily thoughts, as of late more and more cult eighties acts/N.W.O.B.H.M. acts have either released new music or are in the process of releasing new material. For me that's something to be VERY THANKFUL for! Or rather, this new music is something to keep this long winter (and it's every looming seasonal depression) we are having in check. All of that brings us to Salem. If you're already familiar with the band then you will know that they what I'm talking about when I say that they have always had the perfect blend of hard rock/traditional heavy metal and N.W.O.B.H.M.  If you're not familiar with the band then be sure to click on the link below where I have an interview with them as well as some reviews of their material. Beneath that you'll find all the other links you need to know when it comes to Salem and this new free digital EP. Yes, this new 4-track EP is free for the taking and, if you're   like me in anyway (in that you love great heavy metal), then just stop what you're doing and download this EP. Don't ask any questions. Just do it. You won't regret it. With "When Love's In Your Heart" setting the stage in true heavy metal fashion, followed by the ever so cool title cut, the band tears through 4 tracks of sensational hard rock/heavy metal. Lead singer Simon Saxby sounds better then ever. Truly, a track like "Ask The Lonely", showcases his youthful voice and shows that Salem still has what it takes to be a leading force in the field of British metal. The EP concludes with a re-recording of a song from 1982, "Reach To Eternity", and, if anything is wrong at all with this limited edition EP, you find yourself craving more! Paul Macnamara and Mark Allison offer up killer lead guitar solos to compliment Simon's youthful energy as Ade Jenkinson (bass) and Paul Mendham (drums) keep things solid in true rock steady fashion. Throughout this EP the band pulls out all the stops to give the listener four tracks of epic heavy metal that is both melodic and menacing. My only question to Salem now is this-when will we see another full-length album?

Interview with Salem:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Salem-%22In+The+Beginning...%22

All the other links you need to know!

www.SalemBand.co.uk

 

www.reverbnation.com/SalemUK

www.facebook.com/SalemBand

Boston Phoenix-Class of 2013 (Compilation)

Self-Release/Independent
2013

This free digital compilation showed up in my email courtesy of a friend/fellow music lover. Released by The Phoenix (link below) this compilation features 13 local, up and coming (and pretty much brand new) indie rock bands that are worth checking out. While there is nothing metal in nature here there are just too many good indie rock bands on this compilation that it would be a shame to keep this all to myself.


http://bostonphoenix.bandcamp.com/album/class-of-2013
http://thephoenix.com/

Free Metal Monday: The Rockford Hereos-Edge of the Silverthorn

Self-Release/Independent
2013

Since I can't find any label information about this album I'll just go with "Self-Release/Independent". If that happens to be wrong, well, what does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? This is another freebie. Below you'll find (first) a digital download of the band's "The White" EP with promo information attached and under that you'll find a link to the band's site where you can download this album. Just click on "English" if you need any help with navigation. These Swedes were marked as hard rock/heavy metal and even AOR!, but the reality is their music jumps around a lot. It's just like the weather in Ohio. Don't like it? Just wait a second and it will change! That's about how this 8 track albums rolls!



download a complete promo package (via dropbox.com), and listen/read later. This zip-file contains songs, pics and bio.

http://www.therockfordheroes.com/  (band's site)

Total Fucking Destruction-Monsters

Handshake Inc/Grindcore Karaoke
2013

2-tracks (1:25 and 2:00) of grindcore. Not much more to it then that. On the opening track, "Monsters",  you get guest vocals by Rodney Anonymous (Dead Milkmen) while "Is Your Love A Rainbow" finds the band channeling Funkadelic for this groove-laden blast of grind! It's a free digital download so there isn't much fault to find with this 2-track EP.

www.facebook.com/tfdgrind 

Thrash Sells...But Who's Buying?

Tridroid Records
2013                                                                     


When you go and combine two of my favorite things, thrash metal and compilation albums, you will catch my attention every time. Tridroid Records is an independent metal distribution label based out of St. Paul, Minnesota that produces and distributes limited quantities of cassettes for bands "of all shades of metal". "Thrash Sells...But Who's Buying" is, first off, a cleaver title for a thrash metal compilation and, more importantly, a great collection of 15 up and coming thrash bands from around the world. This is Tridroid Records first attempt as a compilation release and, here's hoping/fingers crossed, it will only be the first of many as they sure know how to pick 'em! There's been more heavy metal, thrash and speed metal compilations released over the past 30 or so years then I can count. The cool thing about that is it gave many a great band (from Ratt to Slayer) a chance to gain further exposure and it also gave metal fans a chance to discover their new favorite act. Not to mention it also would give metalheads a chance to brag that "I heard them first before they got big". Of course the chances of all 15 of these bands becoming the next Metallica, Megadeth or Slayer is slim to none, but if your a thrash fanatic then this is a must-purchase. Given that this is a free download (at least as I type this) then there is nothing to lose. I should mention that there are a few bands on "Thrash Sells..." that sit on the edge of what might be considered "pure thrash", but the bulk of these bands play good old-fashioned thrash that seems to be custom made for moshing. After listening to this compilation I will say that there are some bands that I plan to keep an eye on in the near future. They are Warsenal, Demon Prayers, Pripjat, Stoneload, Climactic, KläsheR, and Warforger. The cool thing about these bands (and a few others I'm sure I'm forgetting to mention) is that while they are all "thrash" they are all different sounding and unique. Tridroid Records really has done a good job here of assembling a compilation of bands well deserving of exposure. This is a collection of bands from all over the world that might not otherwise get a chance like this. For example take the 3-piece speed/thrash band Warsenal. Even though they hail from Canada (which has given us everyone from Gorgots to Voivod!) it might as well be Mars as they seem to be almost completely unknown. Their contribution, "Hit 'n' Run", (which is taken from their 2012 demo) is some of the best thrash I've heard it a L-O-N-G time. Without this compilation though what are the chances that I'd ever have heard this song or the demo? Little I'd say. And yet here I am having just contacted the band to ask them about the demo for review purposes. That right there is the beauty of these kinds of compilations. I've provided the link below so it's up to you now. If you love thrash then click on that link. It's as simple as that.

















http://tridroid.bandcamp.com/album/thrash-sells-but-whos-buying

Heavy Metal albums: Physical vs. Digital

When I started getting promos to review for this site back in 2007 they were 90% physical copies and now just a few years later the promos are 98% digital. I think at first I was always for physical copies because that's what I grew up with. I was hesitant to switch to digital promos, but did so because that's the way promos were going. After doing it for a while. I actually found it easier in some ways.

Positives for digital:
-You have it on your computer so no searching and wondering where did I put that CD I was supposed to review. Trust me I did that last part a lot.
-I get the download link right away instead of depending on the mail to deliver it. Several times I had discs that didn't show up and I had to write the PR people and they said they sent it but they would re-send a second copy because the first must have gotten lost in the mail. I have never had a digital promo I was supposed to get not get to me.
-I have gotten far more broken discs in the mail than I have downloads that wouldn't work.
-It's far easier to store afterwards because I don't have to keep wondering where I am going to stick all those CDs once I finish review them.

I still get a few physical promos and that's cool too to look at the artwork right in front of you up close and see the credits without having to search online for them, but overall I think digital is just fine. I am sure there are still a few stubborn geezers who will disagree with me, but that's bound to happen. I still burn stuff onto CD some to listen to in my car or wherever.

Now then again this is comparing digital vs. CD. Even though I don't currently have a working turntable I still consider vinyl the best format of all time, but maybe that's just me.

***Feel free to add your own thoughts on this topic or any related argument.