The Kut-Valley Of Thorns

Criminal Records/Cargo Records
2018

The brainchild of vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Princess Maha, The Kut is a female alternative rock/grunge band that will release it's full-length debut on May 4th, 2018. With ten tracks in all, "Valley of Thorns" is a strong release that finds Princess Maha handling all of vocals and instruments. In a live setting (which more than likely offers a sweet sonic assault to the eardrums!) it is Princess Maha and a few of her female friends. With that piece of information out of the way, "Valley Of Thorns" deserves it's time in the spotlight. Let's take a look at the tracks one at a time. Starting things off we have the single "Mind Games" (see official video below). Falling somewhere between Melissa Auf der Maur's first solo album and a poor man's Hole, this three minute plus number wouldn't be my first choice to open an album, but it is decent enough to get the job done. From there we jump straight into the punk rock and roll track, "Hollywood Rock n Roll". Now this is more like it! Clocking in at just shy of three minutes, "Hollywood Rock n Roll" is a damn fun number that I could easily see G N' R covering! It's short and it's sweet. Slightly more punk than dirty rock and roll, this wicked little jam would have been my first choice to open the album. Next up we have "No Trace"". No doubt inspired by the band Hole, this one runs close to four minutes in length. It's a so-so number that is followed by "I Want Your Maniac". This one has L7 written all over it. From there we move on to "Rush Hour". Weirdly enough this rock song reminded me of Chrissie Hyde. As someone who likes her solo work and the cool stuff that she did with  The Pretenders, "Rush Hour" offered a nice change of pace. "I am Vain" is next and we are treated to L7-styled grunge rock that almost crosses over into heavy metal territory. The Hole meets The Murderdolls/Marilyn Manson track, "Alekhine's Gun" comes next. Personally I've got mixed feelings about this one, but I honestly see a lot of people liking this twisted track. Moving forward we have "X-Ray Eyes". Here we have classic Hole merging together with Soul Asylum and (early) Goo Goo Dolls! That might sound bad on paper, but in real life it is a vintage-sounding rocker that most certainly would have charted back in the day! "Bad Man" comes on next and it is a blast!! Take Motörhead and cross it with The Runaways. Next up you'll want to give it a bit of a modern vibe. Finnish it off with some harsh vocals that take a step or two the punk/hardcore scene and you get a number like "Bad Man". Towards the end this heavy rocker cranks up the urgency and the anger! All in all this one slays!! The last track is called "Mario". This one starts off with some love for Lemmy and the boys before it turns into a grunge-light rocker with a rather boring chorus. Ultimately it never really goes anywhere. While that is a shame, "Valley Of Thorns" has more going for it than against it. There are some fantastic riffs on this album and Princess Maha is a killer lead vocalist. As someone that just loves powerful women who know how to rock the living daylights out the stage and studio, Princess Maha's alter-ego gets major props for their first full-length album. This one gets a 7 out of 10 with the added bit about how I simply cannot wait to hear more!!

Against Evil-All Hail The King

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Formed in 2014 and featuring lead vocals courtesy of bassist Siri Sri, Against Evil is a classic heavy metal band from India with one single, an EP, and this fantastic full-length album to it's name. Having made their debut in 2015 with the release of the CD single "War Hero", this four-piece group plays an enthusiastic brand of traditional heavy metal that is second to none! Influences include (but are not limited to) bands like Judas Priest, Accept, Megadeth, and Black Sabbath. Due to drop on April 6th, 2018, "All Hail The King" is the full-length debut album from this up-and-coming band that also includes Shasank Venkat (lead guitars), M Sravan Chakravarthi (rhythm guitars/vocals), and Nobel John (drums). The album features nine great tracks in all (easily the best of which is "Stand Up And Fight!") and it serves as the follow-up to 2015's (highly-regarded!) EP, "Fatal Assault". Well-crafted and expertly-produced, "All Hail The King" includes a guest appearance by Jeff Loomis (Nevermore, Arch Enemy). Thanks to killer guitar solos and it's old school outlook, Against Evil's first album is a must for fans of vintage heavy metal.

Aerodyne-Breaking Free

Street Symphonies Records/Burning Minds Music Group
2017

Aerodyne is a hard & heavy/sleaze rock/glam metal band from Sweden that was formed in the summer of 2016. Lead by vocalist/guitarist Daniel Almqvist, Aerodyne is primarily influenced by the likes of AC/DC, Def Leppard, Kiss, Cinderella, Whitesnake,  and Led Zeppelin. Other influences include Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath, but based on the sound of their first full-length album, "Breaking Free", those two classic bands take a back seat to all things easy & sleazy! Johan Bergman (lead guitar), Timmy Kan (bass), and Christoffer Almqvist (drums) round out the line-up for this enthusiastic Swedish outfit that should appeal to fans of Crashdïet. Released in mid-December of 2017, "Breaking Free" is a grade A release from this young rock band that has more than enough attitude to match their undeniable charm. With catchy material and stand out performances from everyone involved with it's creation, Aerodyne's full-length debut leaves me with the impression that there is nowhere to go for this fantastic foursome other than up! You can find "Breaking Free" at places like Amazon, iTunes, and CDbaby.

Stälker-Shadow of the Sword

Napalm Records
2017

Stälker is a (raw) speed metal band from New Zealand that is lead by bassist/vocalist Daif king (Blood Knight) and features two former members of Razorwyre within it's ranks: guitarist Chris Calavrias and drummer Nick Oates (Numbskull). The 10-track "Shadow of the Sword" serves as Stälker's full-length debut. It was released back in November of 2017 and has a run-time of over 38 minutes. In addition to nine original compositions (most of which completely shred!), "Shadow of the Sword" includes a sick cover of Death's "Evil Dead". Primarily influenced by the eighties speed metal scene (think early Slayer crossed with early Exciter!), this New Zealand trio is not for the fate of heart or anyone who might be looking for clean, crisp, and crystal-clear metal. Instead this is rough & raw speed metal that leaves no prisoners and offers no apologies for the damage that it has done! In a very cool way, Stälker brought back fond memories of the underground speed/thrash scene of the late eighties as well as the tape-trading days of old. For those of you who might not be old enough to remember such things, fear not! This album might be geared towards fans of retro speed metal, but it has more than enough muscle to wreck the competition!!

N.W.O.B.H.M. Wednesday: Robespierre-Garden of Hell

Shadow Kingdom Records
2018

Robespierre is a N.W.O.B.H.M band that is comprised of David Cooke (guitars, vocals) and Gordon Logan (drums). Initially formed way back in 1983, this heavy metal/doom metal didn't have as much success the first time around as they should have. Fast forward some to 2011 and the compilation "Die You Heathen, Die!" is released on vinyl by Buried by Time and Dust Records. Slowly but surely the buzz starts to rise about this long-lost English metal band with a shit ton of talent and enthusiasm. By the time the compilation is released on CD by Skol Records (and in a killer package FYI!) just about everyone is hip to what Robespierre has to offer. That was in 2013. That summer I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview vocalist/guitarist David Cooke (link). Here it is early 2018 and we are just now getting a taste of what modern-day Robespierre has to offer. Let's not mince words then. For any Robespierre fans out there (and yes folks, that does include me!), "Garden of Hell" is solid proof that some things get better with age! Starting off strong with the killer track "Punish Oppressors", "Garden of Hell" is the long-overdue debut album from Robespierre and dammit man(!), it has been worth the wait! There are ten tracks in all on this British metal release and there isn't a dud to be found! This is 100% killer/no-filler N.W.O.B.H.M. that demands multiple spins and more than a few devil horns in the air salutes! Numbers like "Mare of Steel". "Feed the Fire", "The Black Mirror", and "Men of Violence" make this album stick out with grandness. By combining their familiar sound (thunderous heavy metal with grit and style!) with shades of doom metal and traditional/power metal, Robespierre has development a hard & heavy sound that is as gloomy as it dangerous! No matter whether it is "Dagon Rises", "Fear", "Welcome to the Cult" or "I am a Flower (In the Garden of Evil)", Robespierre has demonstrated the positive effects of evolving your sound and style. For a band that traces it's roots back to the early eighties, band members Gordon Logan and David Cooke still sound young and refreshed on this new album. It's obviously that both musicians still have the fire burning deep down inside. That is reflected in the dynamic performances and the way in which this album has been presented. On a scale of 1 to 10, "Garden of Hell" is a sandwiched somewhere in-between a 8.5 and 9. In my eye that makes "Garden of Hell" a new metal classic!

Traverse the Abyss-The Gamble of Life

Self-release/Independent
2016

Formed in 2016 by one time members of Threatpoint and Without a Martyr, Scranton, Pennsylvania's Traverse the Abysss could not have picked a better title for their full-length debut if they tried. Even though all of the song title have to do with card playing, "The Gamble of Life" is really about taking musical chances and not being afraid to ruffle any feathers in the process. With lead vocals courtesy of one Eric Rose, metalcore/nü-metal band Traverse the Abyss absolutely excels when it comes to that subject. This 10-track recording, which was recorded by Joe Loftus & Jay Preston at JL Studios and  released in late November of last year, finds Traverse the Abyss pushing the boundaries of the (often-times) stilted scene that spawned them. While the band's core essence is metalcore/nü-metal (and damn fine metalcore/nü-metal at that!) you will quickly find yourself picking up on a large array of inspirations. There are flashes of groove metal, hard rock, alternative metal, (punk-laden) hardcore, traditional heavy metal, Djent, (guitar-heavy) street rock, thrash, modern metal, punk metal, and even power pop! As crazy as that last part sounds, Traverse the Abyss really knows their shit and it all gels together in perfect harmony!! The clever use of clean and harsh vocals is a real nice touch and extra points have been awarded for recognizing the important role that bass players play in HEAVY music like this! Speaking of which, "The Gamble of Life" features the line-up of Eric Rose, "Iron" Mike White (lead guitar), Mike "Bnoc" Bieniecki (bass/backing vocals), and Phil Luongo (drums). As of this writing (April 5th, 2017) Phil Loungo has been replaced by Nelson Negron and Traverse the Abyss has added a second guitarist in Seth Cardona. That's really neither here nor there when it comes to this clobber-knocker, but it's always good to give credit where credit is due. Other than that piece of information, "The Gamble of Life" is what it is and it makes no bones about it. The album is a great first effort for this up-and-coming band that is bound to only get better with each passing day. In addition to the bandcamp page that I highlighted above, "The Gamble of Life" is available on Itunes, Amazon, Spotify, Google Play, and Cd Baby. It comes with my highest recommendation and had I known about it last year, "The Gamble of Life" would have been one of my recommendations for Top 10 debut albums of 2016!  You can follow the band on their Facebook page and before I forget, no, this is not the stupid kind of metalcore where you have those godawful breakdowns! Traverse the Abyss knows how to bring the pain without having to resort to silly bass drops every other minute. And not only do these Scranton metalheads bring the pain, Traverse the Abyss flat-out shreds! Don't get me started on "Iron" Mike White's wicked guitar playing  otherwise we will be here all day and all night!! And to think this is only their first batch of songs...

Mercy Isle-Undying Fire

Self-Release/Independent

2016

Mercy Isle is a symphonic metal/rock band that was founded in 2014 by lead vocalist Kassandra Novell. Now in it's second year together, with the 10-track "Undying Fire" serving as this American-Dutch group's simply-stellar first full-length album, Mercy Isle is currently rounded out by Freek Gielen (lead guitar), Eelco Slont (rhythm guitar), Chad Novell (bass/vocals), Joop de Rooij (keys), and Ywe van der Pol (drums). That differs somewhat from the line-up that was responsible for this first-class recording. On "Underlying Fire" we have: 

Vox/Growls: Kassandra Novell
Keys: Joop de Rooij
Bass/Vox: Chad Novell
Drums: Ywe van der Pol
Guitars-Sebas Honing (except for "Saying Goodbye") 

The album also includes a number of guests. One such guest is Amanda Somerville who provides vocals on "Saying Goodbye" (Which is just beautiful in it's heartfelt delivery! Wow!!). The song "Saying Goodbye"  also features guest flautist Jeroen Goossens as does "If I Could". Speaking of "If I Could", Erik van Ittersum provides additional strings and synth lines to the song which makes it all the more enduring. Add in a some very special choir guests on "Come To Me" (Kolin McCormick, Dave Boxhorn, Brett Kihlmire, Thomas James, Gerra McShan, David Zapp, Todd Herdt, Lisa "Ashton" Cochran, and Ami Bouterse ) and you have a well-assembled cast of musicians that deserve extra special mention. The fact that so many people stepped up to help Mercy Isle out with this new album speaks volumes as to the natural grace and elegance that this band exudes. But then again, so does this recently-released album. It opens with the powerful "Wake Up" and quickly goes on to showcase this young band's unmatched ability to blend modern day pop/rock* and (amazingly enough!) classic rock like Heart and Pat Benatar(!) into what is already a really classy version of European symphonic metal! That proves to a completely new take on symphonic metal that is unbelievably enjoyable as far as listening experiences go! Without going too far into each and every number on Mercy Isle's full-length debut, "Undying Fire" is a amazing collection of songs that is second to none. Collectively these numbers sync together in such a smooth fashion that you can't help but imagine this album as a concept release. Like the days gone by when we used to have actual LPs and not just a mishmash of singles and filler material, "Undying Love" should be listened to in one sitting...start to finish. Otherwise I'm not sure you can actual appreciate the magnitude of this stylistically-rich recording.  For the members of Mercy Isle I offer my congratulations on what is one of the classiest releases of the year! Here's hoping "Undying Fire" is just the first of many such wondering albums!!

*Think high-end pop like Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlack, Beyonce, etc. 

Free Metal Monday: Hazarder-"Against His-Story, Against Leviathan!"

Active since 2011, Hazarder is a doom/sludge metal trio from Croatia that more than lives up to the implication of it's name. This (HARSH & HARDCORE) 7-track recording from early December of 2013 is Hazarder's only full-length release and it can should be downloaded for free by clicking on this link. With a run-time that is just over the forty minute mark, "Against His-Story, Against Leviathan!" is all kinds of brutal and maybe even a little dangerous with it's no-holds-barred delivery! For that very reason you are going to want to play this one LOUD and PROUD friends!!  

UfosonicGenerator-The Evil Smoke Possession

Minotauro Records
2016

Formed in 2011, UfosonicGenerator (one word?) is a somewhat strange yet fascinating Italian metal band whose leisure-time activities included "Fuckin', Punchin', Smoke & Heavy Drinkin', and Rockin' & Rollin' all over". The spooky fun "The Evil Smoke Possession" serves as this quartet's full-length debut and while it is nowhere near as eerie or foreboding as it initially appears, UfosonicGenerator's first full-length release is still a home-run recording for this up-and-coming band. With eight devilish numbers to it's name, "The Evil Smoke Possession" is well-written and performed and it joins a back-catalog that includes two 7" EPs, "Harold The Addicted, Pt.1" and "Harold the Abducted, PT.2". More or less a smooth mixture of 70's hard rock, proto metal, stoner rock, and doom, "The Evil Smoke Possession" is apparently what happens when you put four rather-different personalities in a locked studio and then force them at gunpoint to create a TV soundtrack that is a little bit doom and a whole lot of rock in roll! In addition to some downright sick bass notes that would make both Geezer Butler and Lemmy Kilmister proud, "The Evil Smoke Possession" benefits from beer-soaked guitar licks that split the difference Uriah Heep and Black Sabbath. Meanwhile there's some cool, old-school rock and roll drumming going on here and, best of all folks, you have a kooky lead vocalist named Gojira whose "Lustful screams from Japan" sound like a more ghoulish (and possible less stoned?) Ozzy Osbourne! Add in a vintage production job and there is literately no way that you can go wrong! Due out in Late November, "The Evil Smoke Possession" is a great starting point for this odd name band from Italy. It is also one recording that I plan to keep in heavy rotation for the foreseeable future...

Steel Inferno-Aesthetics Of Decay

Infernö Records
2016

Every bit as metallic as their name implies, Steel Inferno is a up and coming/super buzz-worthy group from Copenhagen whose full-length debut album, "Aesthetics Of Decay", is scheduled for release on October 20th. This five-piece band, which was formed back in 2012 and is lead by the simply exceptional Karen Collatz, is apparently made up of musicians from not only Denmark, but Greece, France, and Poland. In addition to the forthcoming "Aesthetics Of Decay" this female-fronted heavy metal band has a back catalog that includes one demo and a 7". Having shared the stage with the likes of Cauldron, Encyrcle, Night Viper, Ranger, and Savage Master (to name just a few!), Copenhagen's Steel Inferno looks as if it is more than ready to make the leap from hometown heroes to word-wide icons! That's assuming the band's "Aesthetics Of Decay" gets the proper press it so rightly deserves. Well, that and plenty of spins on any/all stations that specialize in hard rock and heavy metal. God knows the fan-base is out there just waiting for a record like this! The truth is I can't help but get extremely excited about not only this band's stone-cold killer debut album (and mark my words friends it is damn fucking fine!), but Steel Inferno's potential impact on the scene at large! Seeing as this wicked as shit heavy metal band combines some of my all-time favorite things into one tidy little package (more on that in a second!) it's easy enough to wager on Steel Inferno's future success. Especially when you've got someone as good as Karen Collatz standing up front on the mic! That right there is golden brown deliciousness, but really there's a tad bit more to the story of Steel Inferno than just it's talented front-woman. I mean what happens when you surround a great singer with such top-notch musicians as Lars Lyndorff (guitars), Patrick Mantzouridis (guitars), Thierry Zubritovsky (bass), and Krzysztof Baran (drums)? Well, it's a two part answer. First you've stacked the deck in favor of this Danish heavy metal band as there's honestly enough talent on display here to fill a couple of projects! These guys (and gal!) really know how to put together a record that hits all the right buttons and that even includes the big read one that says "Maximum Devastation"! Musically and lyrically this one simply destroys the competition and that brings us right back around to the second part of this question. Frankly-speaking when it comes to this female-fronted heavy metal group you have one of the best new bands that Infernö Records has to offer (and yes, the irony that a band called Steel Inferno is on a label called Infernö Records is not lost on me!!). For a record company that has more than a few great bands on it's roster that is certainly saying something, but pound for pound this one definitely stacks up to it's new label-mates!! As for what Steel Inferno brings to the party? For the intoxicating drink called "Aesthetics Of Decay" you are going to want to start off with one lean and mean five-piece band that is equal parts dirty speed metal, classic heavy metal, and punk-flavored N.W.O.B.H.M. (Iron Maiden's first two albums will do just fine in a pinch). In a blender combine that with a heaping spoonful of high-octane 80's metal (up to and including the early U.S. power metal movement!) and a dash or two of "Master Of Puppets"-era Metallica. Last, but not least finish things off with a splash of furious women who know how to rock. Once you have all of the necessary ingredients together be sure to add in plenty of ice and then blend it on high until you have a rich and smooth consistency. That right there is how you end up with a recording like this one and yes, it is just as fucking radical as it sounds!  Geared up and ready to go with it's eleven powerful moments, "Aesthetics Of Decay" is hopefully just the first in what will prove to be a long-line of epic recordings for Steel Inferno!!


 

Medevil-Conductor of Storms

Self-release/Independent
2016

Based in Chilliwack, British Columbia of all places, Medevil is a up-and-coming power/thrash metal band that lists the likes of Metal Church, Iron Maiden, Rush, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, and Mastodon as it's primary sources of inspiration. The full-length "Conductor of Storms" is this young group's debut album and seeing as it offers up a vintage sound that owes as much to N.W.O.B.H.M. movement as it does the classic thrash metal scene of old. For band-mates Liam Collingwood (vocals), Gary Cordsen (guitar), Brett Gibbs (guitar), Eric Wesa (bass), and Ross Collingwood (drums) this is as good of a starting point as one could hope for. With a total of eight songs in all, "Conductor of Storms" paints a promising picture of what could easily turn out to be one of Canada's best new metal bands!

Seven Sisters-Seven Sisters

High Roller Records
2016

A long-time favorite act of mine, Seven Sisters is a  N.W.O.B.H.M-inspired traditional heavy metal band that hails from West London and has been active since 2013. Lead by vocalist/guitarist (and band founder) Kyle McNeill (one hell of a nice guy that I had the pleasure of interviewing last year!), Seven Sisters first made the scene in the summer of 2014 thanks to a buzz-worthy recording entitled, "The Warden". It took a year (and a bit of a line-up change) to do it, but that highly-praised demo was all but forgotten about when Seven Sisters issued the 7" single “Lost in Time”/”Wicked Steel”. Thanks to a new and improved sound (one which somehow/someway (?) made this already perfect traditional metal quartet all that more impressive!) that 2015 single turned Seven Sisters into a house-hold name with fans and critics alike. With the group now signed to High Roller Records we find ourselves staring face to face with something that many of us have been patiently waiting for. And of course that would be a full-length album from Kyle McNeill and his companions! This self-titled album (with eight songs and a run-time of just about 40 minutes) serves as Seven Sisters official full-length debut and yes, "Seven Sisters" is EVERYTHING that I had hopped & dreamed it would be and so much more!! Backed by the stellar musicianship of guitarist Graeme Farmer, bassist Adam Thorpe*, and drummer Steve Loftin, lead vocalist/guitarist Kyle McNeill has crafted an album that is completely brilliant! From it's overall production and sound (which is as vintage as you would expect from this London four-piece while still featuring enough of a modern edge to slam the competition HARD to the ground!) to actual songwriting this is exactly how you want a traditional heavy metal release to look and feel. This forthcoming LP already has instant classic written all over it. To that end, "Seven Sisters" is one of the all-time GREATEST debut albums in the field of heavy metal!! Maybe he made a slam-dunk of a deal with the devil or maybe he is just that good, but either way Kyle McNeill has continued his sneaky little game of one-upmanship on "Seven Sisters".  Personally I am leaning towards that devil deal. I mean how else are we to explain the vast improvements that took place between each of Seven Sisters' recordings? From "The Warden" to "Lost In Time" there was a jump in quality and now with this self-titled BEAST of an album it's like someone turned the switch all the way up to the top!! Sure, there is always natural growth that goes on with any good band but this is flat-out ridiculous! With it's killer dual-leads, catchy choruses, rock-solid as f**k rhythm section, and the golden delicious voice of band-leader Kyle McNeill this London quartet has one hell of a A++ debut on it's hands section and come mid-October there will be but one heavy metal band to rule them all! Seven Sisters is the new king of the mountain so be sure to bow down on your knees now while you have the chance. After all it's either bow down or be blown away!!!!

*Since the recording of this gem bassist Adam Thorpe has been replaced Javi Rute. 

Constraint-Enlightened By Darkness

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Formed back in March of 2011 (while many of it's members were still in their teens!), Constraint is a up-and-coming symphonic metal group that hails from Italy and began life as a cover band. This young group, which is now signed to Atomic Stuff Promotion(!), is lead by vocalist (and would be opera singer!) Beatrice Bini* and rounded out by guitarist Alessio Molinari, bassist Federico Paglia, keyboardist Simone Ferraresi, and drummer Alessandro Lodesani. Released on February 12th of this year, "Enlightened By Darkness" is Constraint's full-length debut album and this CD displays the natural evolution of one five-piece band that went from playing Nightwish, Epica and Evanesence covers to crafting it's own distinct material. Preceded by a 2012 demo entitled "Illusion Of A Dream", Constraint's "Enlightened By Darkness" is admittedly at it's best when it pursues a more metallic narrative. When she is backed by the smoldering leads of guitarist Alessio Molinari (and in full-tilt opera mode!) Beatrice Bini is something to behold! There's a distinct feeling of power & energy and it feels almost magical when the proverbial peddle** is smashed to the floor!! That's all great and it makes me want to hear more from that version of Constraint. Unfortunately when things slow down (and lead singer Beatrice goes from full-tilt opera mode to normal singing) this disc simply doesn't work. It's not simply a case of the album losing some of it's momentum, but it's overall appeal. Truth be told  it's a tale of two cities when it comes to "Enlightened By Darkness". On one hand there is top-notch symphonic metal that is enthusiastic& hard driving. On the other hand there is something that is more akin to mediocre melodic metal. Obviously the one side of this band works and is great while the other side feels blah. If Constraint can become more consistent across the board then this female-fronted band could be the real deal. And yes, I could see that happening. Especially as there is more to like*** about this album then there is to dislike....


*No insult meant there as Beatrice Bini could be a opera singer if she so desired.

**Pedal to the metal as they say! 

 ***In addition to Bini's opera-like vocals (or rather that side of her voice) top points should be awarded to all of the musicians involved with this album. There's was strong musicianship all over this disc. No matter if the album was fast or slow that aspect of Constraint never changed. Add in some solid songwriting and a overall good production job and you've got one disc that despite it's few flaws is still recommend.