Lords of Salem-Hell Over Salem

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Based in Stuttgart, Germany and lead by vocalist Postel (a powerful and highly-expressive front-man that is easily the biggest selling point of this up-and-coming group!), Lords of Salem is a goth-laden/horror rock-infused hard & heavy rock/metal band that has one stellar EP to it's name. Released on October 31st of 2018, "Hell Over Salem" is the debut recording from this four-piece outfit that looks as if it just stepped straight out of a 1980-something post-apocalyptic movie!

Starting off with the upbeat, groovy, and ghoulish "Monster Girl" (a horror rock and roll number that oddly recalls both The Cult and the likes of Rod Zombie & Wednesday 13!), this four-track EP by Lords of Salem clocks in at under 15 minutes in length, but that's more than enough time to get the job done. Boosted by the strength of the title track and "Zombie Monkey Woman", Lords of Salem's first offering showcases a young band that already knows how to write catchy material that is filled with great hooks, inspired-samples, and colorful lyrics! Mixed and mastered by Achim Köhler (Primal Fear, Brainstorm, etc), "Hell Over Salem" is a quirky fun recording that takes its cues from everyone from The Misfits to Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction. A short and sweet EP, this release should find a huge fan base with anyone that loves the likes of (later day)White Zombie, Rob Zombie, Wednesday 13, and quite possibly even The Murderdolls.

Legendarium-Legendarium

Independent/Self-Release
2017

Based in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, Legendarium is Laurence Kerbov (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, writing and production) and Stefano Vaccari (drums). This six-track EP is the group's debut release. It was suggested to me by a friend who lives and breaths all things punk metal. I am going to be extremely honest when I say that I'm not exactly sure where to begin when it comes to this band's self-titled release. Yes, it does mix together elements of punk rock and traditional heavy metal. Along with the punk metal, "Legendarium" toys with horror punk, goth rock, garage metal, power metal, and (oddly-enough) "Master of Puppets"-era Metallica! While that in and off itself might not sound too strange, "Legendarium" leans heavily on the keyboards and it features some of the weirdest vocals out there! Laurence Kerbov's vocal style is never going to suite all tastes. Especially when you consider that he sounds an awful lot like the Richmond character from the the British TV series, IT Crowd! For those of you who are not familiar with the character here is a short clip of him talking about Cradle of Filth.

Now, take that voice and add it to a punk metal band and you have got Legendarium! This is either a good thing or a bad thing (depending upon your view of life and whether or not you like to march to the beat of your own mad drummer!). To these ears it is just "odd". With a better vocalist, Legendarium could be onto something unique and refreshing. As it stands now, Laurence Kerbov's voice is likely to turn a lot of people away. Either way I highly suggest that you give this EP a listen. The EP isn't that long and with it's odd construction and exotic ingredients, "Legendarium" will keep your interest!

Healthy Junkies-Box of Chaos

STP Records
2016

Formed way back in 2010 by French vocalist/lyricist extraordinaire Nina Courson and the exceptional UK-born guitarist/singer that is Phil Honey-Jones, Healthy Junkies is a London-based punk rock/grunge band that is making all kinds of noise thanks to top-tier albums like "Box of Chaos". Self-described as  "Female fronted New wave punk grunge band" that is "DIY and hungry.." this (potentially) radio-friendly four-piece* offers emotionally-charged materiel that hits all of the correct notes as it simultaneously gives the listening audience intellectually-stimulating songs that will stick around in your subconscious long after the actual music is done. All at once deliciously dark and creatively positive, Healthy Junkies makes highly-personally music that takes it's cues from the classic (underground and independent) sounds of yesterday. For this up-and-coming (rock n' roll-infused) four-piece influences seemingly range from Blondie, The Pixies, Iggy and the Stooges, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, Joy Division, T-Rex and David Bowie to bands such as The Avengers, Killing Joke, The Damned, Sonic Youth, Flower Leperds, Nirvana, The Swans, Lords of the New Church, Sex Pistols and even the Courtney Love-lead Hole! The highly-recommend "Box of Chaos" is the band's 3rd full-length album overall and it joins a impressive back catalog that includes the EP "Hair Of The Dog" and the previously-released albums "Sick Note" & 'The Lost Refuge". Currently available for download off of iTunes, "Box of Chaos" will be released on CD next month** and it is custom-made for fans of old-school punk and eighties "alternative" rock. With Quite Great Communications now handling the PR work for this female-fronted punk band, "Box of Chaos" has a good chance of becoming a surprise sleeper hit in 2016! Be sure to keep an eye of this London four-piece as bigger things are all but guaranteed!


*The band is currently rounded out by bass guitarist Ivan Baragone on  and drummer Tony Alda. 

** Pre-orders available now from www.stprecords.co.uk

Dead Dark Slide-I am Dead

Dead Games Records
2014

Ever wanted to like a band so bad only to hear it and immediately shudder?  On principles alone I should have dug this outfit. An industrial goth rock band whose influences include Gwar, White Zombie , Bauhaus,Type O Negative and Ministry? Count me in right? For Dead Slide it sounds great on paper and yet having listened to this a few times it has yet to overly impress me. If ever there was a band in need of a better and/or additional lead vocalist it would be this Florida  act. At first I thought it was just the first two tracks of this five-track. Horribly harsh to the point of being out of tune and simply dreadful both "The Seas Are Black" and "Just Die" made it difficult to to own up to to the prospect that this release was let then half the way through! So I did the logical thing and moved onto the album's lead single, "Your Blood Runs Red". somewhat better it is saved by the music which is actual none-to shabby. But, cool music with heavy guitars and cleaver keyboards is ruined when someone like Ryan Michalski (vocals, guitar) gives a half-ass performance where you are wondering if the band's claim to be "the future of metal" is meant to a LOL moment or not does not make it look or sound any better then it is! My advice to Dead Dark Slide would be add another vocalist to the mix or work on reining in Ryan's voice and his "I'll just bellow into the mic and we will just bury it in the mix" style. Just my two cents....

The New Jacobin Club-Soldiers of the Mark

Manticore Music Group
2014

Well Toto it seems as if we've lost our way again. It's not just that we're not in Kansas anymore. I've got this strange feeling that we're not even in this dimension anymore! Where oh where should we begin? With The New Jacobin Club it's a sure bet that all bets are off. That's a given, but when it comes time to add another Canadian act to overgrowing collection of odds and ends is there at least a starting point? The band obviously owes a huge debt to all things Glenn Danzig. From The Misfits to Samhain and of course Danzig itself this bohemian collective of musicians, poets, painters and performance artists adds it all up before knocking the whole house of cards over thanks to additional elements with far-ranging kitsch appeal. While  opener "The Mark" could have served time on the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" TV series's soundtrack "Champagne Ivy" takes the Misfits and gives it a psychedelic once over in Black-era Metallica! But then again so does "Garthim" with the only difference being that where the first relies on front-man The Horde's ghoulish voice a number like "Garthim" instead leans heavily on Sci-Fi samples! With influences that run wild and free (Horrorpops, The Ramones, B-52s, Alice Cooper, Christian Death, ELO, The Cure, The Smiths, B.O.C., Jane's Addiction, etc.) and band-members that willingly go out of their way to go into the great unknown "Soldiers of the Mark" defies strict genre definitions, instead choosing to go at it alone wherever the next beat takes it! Psychedelic death rock hopped up on Jesus Chrysler transforms itself into post-Soundgarden rock where The Cramps dance about with glee and it all makes perfect sense here!

 

(Clockwise starting from the top right)
The Horde - vocals/guitar , Mistress Nagini - backing vocals/keyboard, The Ruin – bass, The Luminous – cello, Rat King – drums, Poison Candi - Vocals/theremin/percussion
Photo credit: Kathryn Trembach

 

Using both male and female vocals, The New Jacobin Club (a band that has actually been active since the late nineties!) excel at their craft. The music of  "Soldiers of the Mark" is as catchy as it is devilishly charming. And it's care-free attitude only adds to the appeal! The New Jacobin Club act as if they have no limits and no boundaries. Anything and everything really is fair game! It's funny how a band like this can remind you of The Misfits one minute and then The Rezillos the next! And yet, during all that time and amidst all the rapid musical changes of this Matthew Facca-produced album where crazy is the new normal, they sound exactly like The New Jacobin Club! And that's a damn fine thing! Due to be released on the second of September, "Soldiers of the Mark" makes for a fine addition to one's music collection. And that goes for punks and bangers alike! For more information be sure to head over to the group's Facebook page posted below.

My Silent Wake-Preservation Restoration Reconstruction

Self-Released/Independent
2013

For the uninitiated, UK-based My Silent Wake (MSW) is a goth-infused death/doom outfit that was MSW formed in 2005 by founder member/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Ian Arkley (Century Sleeper, Seventh Angel, ex-Ashen Mortality, ex-Paramæcium, ex-The Other Window). With a back catalog that features 5 studio albums, two EPs, a split album with The Drowning and a couple of compilations this spiritually-aware collective has long had a stake in the underground metal scene. "Preservation Restoration Reconstruction" (released last November) might not be the group's latest release (that would seem to fall on "The Cages Sessions 03"), but it's most certainly one of their more interesting additions in their long and varied career. With a few instrumental pieces sandwiched between cuts, "Preservation Restoration Reconstruction" finds MSW exploring the nature of acoustic arrangements and, having listened to this in the comfort of an empty house with the lights dimmed low and the headphones on, for that I applaud Ian Arkley and company! With a sound more befitting a folk metal band, Ian and band-mates work their way through 13 numbers over the course of 37+ minutes and if there is a down-side to be found here I have yet to discover it! Having previously only heard MSW in passing I can honestly say that this one has pushed me towards the potential of another new discovery, a "new" band whose back catalog I'll soon enough be diving into! For the time being though (for those who might come calling) I can be found further enjoying this goth/folk collection that has me wrapped up nicely in a warm embrace!

 http://mysilentwake1.bandcamp.com/album/preservation-restoration-reconstruction

https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Silent-Wake/417459134777

Characula-"Headstone" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Her self-description says it all. "The desire of a woman... mixed with the blood of a she-demon... It's Characula". Neither a vampire, nor a werewolf, mummy or any other creature known from myth and folklore (although this creature of the night is every bit as seductive and enticing as they come!) Characula is a divine, dark and mysterious horror rock icon in the making. And she is soon to take the UK by storm! Too bad then that I'm stuck here in the states! Currently hailing from parts unknown/the other side of the curtain (OK, in reality it's Southern California, but a goddess like this couldn't possibly be from our known version of reality could she?) Characula combines seductive horror rock with sci-fi and with a style that can truly be describe as all her own she prowls the night looking for new souls to devour! And she does all of this will delivering glamorous rock and roll that is spellbinding and downright smashing! "Headstone" is merely the latest in a string of phenomenon material including the ghoulish "Mummy Dance!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRNikva89yY) and a killer, damn sexy (as heard and seen it the official video of it!) cover of  "Ready For Love" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69iltZm-HkQ) that ended up leaving me as nothing but a pile of smoldering embers! With a full-length album slated for sometime in the future Characula, whose like a B-Movie queen as envisioned by Alice Cooper, could just be the next horror rock to lay conquest to our puny planet! I for one will welcome the conquest and be a willing subject and do her every bidding! How about you? 
https://soundcloud.com/characula/headstone

http://www.characula.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Characula

Darkyra Black-Dragon Tears

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Prior to clicking on this promo I had no idea what to expect. Who or what is Darkyra Black? If I was to simply go by the artwork then I'd probably be guessing something akin to a gothic Duran Duran! As it turns out the gothic part is correct, but the Duran Duran part for like a thousand miles off! For it seems that Darkyra Black, an absolutely stunning beauty(!), is an Australian symphonic metal singer and "Dragon Tears" is the debut offering of Darkyra Black. Make sense so far? Besides the lovely Darkyra Black, whose voice is every bit as sultry and seductive as it is powerful and engaging, the band features drummer Garry King (Jeff Beck, Joe Lynn Turner, Ian Parry) of power metal outfit Achillea, guitarists Betovani Denelli and Paul Jupe (Achillea), bassist Colin Haynes (Achillea) and keyboardest Fab Jablonski (Achillea). As Darkyra Black has provided backing vocals for Achillea it makes sense that all of these members of said symphonic metal/power metal act lend a helping hand on her debut album. Oh, and not only is it a debut album, but It's also a concept album based on a "Gothic interpretation of a geisha like tale that ends in tragedy. Love, loss, lust, betrayal and revenge." Naturally anytime a young act attempts to tackle a concept album there are numerous risks involved. But for a new act to tackle one on their debut recording? That's pretty bold right? To Darkyra Black's credit "Dragon Tears" is a pretty solid undertaking. I've never heard Achillea myself, but I would imagine that some of that band's same symphonic metal and power metal elements show up on this debut album along with generous helpings of  gothic rock, traditional heavy metal, melodic hard rock, epic metal and even progressive rock! In their words the music is "dark, passionate and edgy" and I'd say that that about covers "Dragon Tears"! No, but really this music is dark and a bit mysterious and thanks to some solid guest musicians (George Boussounis-additional keyboards/samples/arrangement, Michael Porfyris -cello, Ilias Sdoukos -viola, Laertis Kokolanis - violin) "Dragon Tears" is different...in a good way! Along with Achillea influences are listed on her Facebook as being Tarja, Edenbridge, Dio, Kate Bush and Nightwish although I'd add in Amy Lee of Evanescence fame as well when it comes to Darkyra Black. If goth-tinged symphonic/melodic power metal with strong female vocals and heavy rock guitars sounds promising to you then "Dragon Tears" is worth checking out. I'll admit I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did, but between the skilled musicians involved and Darkyra's enticing vocals this one was easy enough to get caught up in! Solid as a rock for a debut recording, and a concept album to boot(!), "Dragon Tears" is a good start for this Australian vocalist who, with time and some luck, should evolve into a more recognizable name.

ToxSyn-ToxSyn

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Hailing from Toronto, Ontario and (for the most part) musically falling somewhere between (heavy) industrial rock (think early N.I.N. and Filter), goth rock and 90's grunge (specifically Alice In Chains and "Louder Then Love"/"Badmotorfinger"-era Soundgarden) the cleverly-named ToxSyn is a one-man project from RC Ricci. With a full-length album reportedly due for release sometime later in 2014, which will be one debut album that I'll be keenly keeping an eye out for(!), this three-track EP offers a ground-floor look at one Canadian act that (hopefully) will be around for a long time to come! Opening with "Crumble to Clay", which is probably the most "commercial"-sounding cut of the three on "ToxSyn", RC Ricci shows off his love for both the old-school (Black Sabbath/Alice Cooper) and "new"-school (Soundgarden/White Zombie) while aiming his sites on creating a distinct sound all his own. And, for the most part, he succeeds in that quest as ToxSyn's sound is fairly unique all around. The heavy metal-tinged "Be My Evil" continues the exploration of both old and newer sounds as does the (early) Ministry-like "Toxic Shock". While they both offer knowing nods of appreciation towards the likes of Rob Zombie I somehow found myself thinking about God Is LSD as well. Although here's the thing. With ToxSyn the delivery is a bit more raw and (in a good way) the project almost has a garage metal-like vibe. Both of those elements give a band like ToxSyn an almost punk-like appeal and a rather charming underground edge. If "ToxSyn" lacks anything it's blistering guitar solos, something that would give this Canadian band a bit more "attitude". Otherwise I like where this project is going and I look forward to hearing more from RC Ricci down the line. 

http://www.toxsyn.com/ 

Jokerbats-"Vampire" Single

EvilZ Records / Exor's Magicvision Entertainments 2014 Hailing from a mythical land called EvilZgate, which may or may not actually be in London somewhere,  Jokerbats are a two-piece band comprised of vocalist/guitarist Byron and vocalist/bassist Trix. Along with help from Blond Wolf (lead guitar), Jester (drums/percussion) and Exor (Theatrical voices and keyboards), all of whom help out in studio and/or live situationist, the pair have created a band that is as capable visually as they are musically! Self-described as such: "We're a rock and hard rock band with a penchant for gothic horror and more. With a pinch of parody and a smack of glam, we are, when all is said and done, overall, quite a theatrical thing" the band, who list their influences as being Rob Zombie, Lordi Alice Cooper, Wednesday 13, Bauhaus, Motörhead, The Cure, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Ozbourne, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Murderdolls, Queenadreena, The Stranglers, The Cramps and Metallica has also been described by some sources as a hard rock/heavy metal version of The White Stripes! Truthfully Jokerbats, who will be officially releasing this single on the 24th of February, are all of the above while unlike anything you could imagine! A long-talked about and long-delayed EP was in the works although it now appears as if that will be expanded into a full-fledged album. One can only hope for as much seeing as "Vampire", which can be previewed below thanks to it's official video, is captivating even with it's (somewhat) camp overcoat! Be sure to check this pair out for yourself (and trust me you'll want to friends if for no other reason then the lovely Trix!) and "Like" their Facebook page below so you can be kept up to date on the comings and goings of this EvilZgate-based band! Video for "Vampire" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s5DnwlzNbQ Official Site: http://evilzgate.com/ Facebook Page for Jokerbats: https://www.facebook.com/JokerbatsBand

Undecimber-Dead Inside

Downfall Records
2014

According to Wikipedia, which I do realize is not always a legitimate source of information but in this case will have to do, Undecimber is a name given for a thirteenth month in a calendar that traditionally has only twelve months. Additionally, some sources claim that the word has comical interpretations while others point towards drearier connections to the underworld. For Sweden's Undecimber, whose dark goth roots can be traced all the way back to 2001 when they were known as the industrial-leaning act Reactor, the choice of moniker (adopted in 2007) perfectly reflects a band that is of a more unknown origin. Hailing from Stockholm the band, which is lead by the chilling vocals of (no doubt) vampire-in-training/guitarist Patrik "Snakes" Ransäter, first made their mark on goth rock/goth metal scene with the well-received, 2011 album "Seven Nights Of Sin". On the upcoming "Dead Inside", which was mastered at Fascination Streets Studios (Opeth, Katatonia, Amon Amarth and Soilwork), the band looks to build on the momentum of their full-length debut album while also expanding both their sound and their (also no doubt at all about it!) ever-growing legion of the damned (aka: Undecimber fans)! With 10-tracks in all and a haunting sound that seems to have been inspired as much by the gods of old (The Damned, The Sister Of Mercy, Bauhaus, Joy Division, Killing Joke, Concrete Blond, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Cult, Depeche Mode, N.I.N. and Alice Cooper) as the gods of new (H.I.M., later day Linkin Park and to a lesser extent both Danzig and Type O' Negative) this is a chilling release and one that goth fans should greatly appreciate! Now, while Snake's oddly cool voice seems to be the main focal point of this Swedish band there is more to the picture then just the one man. Additional guitars come courtesy of Emma "Lash" Kronborg while bass and drum duties fall on Michael "Mizzy" Carling and Peter "Zkipper" Jansson respectively. As no other details have been made available in regards to "Dead Inside" it's currently unknown (at least on my end) who else might be physically involved with the album. Still special mention should still be made of the keyboard and synthesizer elements that are present throughout this very cool album as it greatly enhances the overall chilling atmosphere of "Dead Inside". Along with heavy rock guitar solos these electronic effects create a darkly-tinged backdrop over which Snake can easy paint his cool and collected "Come closer my sweet so I can swallow your soul!" delivery.  And speaking of the electronic elements, it does seem as it some of Reactor's sound trickled down into Undecimber. In the mist of  melodic goth metal one can certainly pick up the afterglow of industrial rock. Whether it's the effective use of synths (which first come into play on the album's cool opener, "Three  Pages From  Hell", and then run all the way through until the it closes with the eery "Beyond  The  Grave") or some (sinister) post-industrial harsh guitar riffs ("Fatal  Kiss", "Tears From  The Past", "Scars Of Pleasure") an album like "Dead Inside" often reflects the thin line that separates the worlds of industrial rock/electronic rock and alternative rock/goth rock. Given all of that it still should be duly noted that above all else this is still very much a heavy release from a heavy band. Of course the line between heavy rock and heavy metal might get blurred somewhat with the goth outfit Undecimber, but the guitars on "Dead Inside" seem as if they are focused on relaying crushing riffs 99.9% of the time! Of these tracks there are some real wicked moments such as "Fatal Kiss" and "Scars  Of  Pleasure" (both of which have foundations built out of HUGE heavy metal riffs!) as well as the cuts "Three  Pages  From  Hell", "Solitude", "War Hero" and "Wait  In  The  Dark". Really though there isn't a bad cut to be found on this sophomore release and, as stated, fans of all things goth should appreciate all of the effort that has obviously been put into the follow-up of "Seven Nights Of Sin". Due for release this upcoming January, "Dead Inside" should be an early favorite to make my "Best of 2014" list!

Beastmilk-Climax

Svart Records
2013

Expectations can lead you anywhere. They can a fancy flight of fantasy or a dangerous game of Russian Roulette. No matter what it was that I had hoped to get out of "Climax" or what it was that I had reasonably, or even unreasonably (in retrospect), expected to experience from Finland's Beastmilk, it still wasn't enough. This was still a strange occurrence where we find a band that has fashioned itself around the idea that thier music comes out of the cold and unrepeated wasteland that is a post-apocalyptic world. Recorded with the help of  Kurt Ballou (Converge), "Climax" is the first full-length release from Beastmilk and is an album that I struggle to fully-comprehend and yet wholeheartedly recommend. Formed back in 2010, during a "nuclear winter" in Helsinki, Finland no less, there are so many reasons why I love this release even if I've never been sure why it is that I continue to be drawn to music like this that is both damning and hopeful and haunting and beautiful. If you've ever heard "Gloomy Sunday" then this release is a straight-line drawn in it's own blood from that (reportedly) suicide-inspiring track to the post-post leanings of this 10-track LP. And of course it's a release that opens the door to so many more questions for which I have no answers. But, that hardly seems relevant to the chore at hand which is explaining what is it that I love about "Climax". I have to admit that at least vibe-wise I kept on thinking about the U2/Johnny Cash collaboration, "The Wanderer", which is off of U2's experimental album, "Zooropa" . It's as if Johnny sings "I went out walking under an atomic sky. Where the ground won't turn and the rain it burns like the tears when I said goodbye" as a means of prophesying the coming of  Beastmilk and their 2013 album, "Climax". Now, as I've danced around the topic at hand for far too long already let us expand on that "post-punk" tag that is affixed to Beastmilk. Not once could I have anticipated the near flood-like list of bands that swept over me as I listened to the apocalyptic flavorings of   "Climax". Their seems to be no shortage of bands that make their home in the music of Beastmilk. While the group itself  lists local "old-school legends" such as Nolla Nolla Nolla and Radiopuhelimet (neither of which I'm familiar with) it's bands like Christian Death, Killing Joke, Christian Death, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Psychedelic Furs, Magazine, Gang Of Four, Joy Division (or at least Joy Division on suicide watch),  Peter Murphy solo and with Bauhaus and even a more rock-oriented Depeche Mode that come to mind when listening to "Climax". As if that's not enough there is even some signs that both The Misfits and The Cure may have played a part in the early formation of Beastmilk's (sorrowful) sound. Of course anytime you have a group like Beastmilk that approaches rock music from the perspective of the lost and lonely, or in this case (theme-wise) the unfortunate survivors of an all out global-war,  you're faced with the reality that it's not for everyone. Still, those who embrace the early years of post-rock and dark rock should give "Climax" a chance as this is a album that sounds both old-fashioned and modern.

Lord of the Lost-Die Tomorrow (Bonus Track Version)

Out of Line Music
2012

I caught wind of this album while searching my way through some new (or newer if you will) releases. For some reason this release was mixed in with the batch even though it was released back in late August of 2012. Instead of just buying it then and there (or at least as a digital download) I decided it would be best to research the matter a bit more before I just jumped in head-first. Especially as the lone track I heard, which I can't seem to recall now, just didn't sound as if it was telling the whole story. As I looked for more info on the band one source listed this release as metal while another one used the blanket term "alternative". Still others mentioned how this was some sort of "electronic" dark rock. The best one though, as I'd come to acknowledge  later on, was home this band was like a cross between Rammstein and HIM. That seems to be quite correct although in reality, or rather in a really good way, this German group is much different then mere tags could or would suggest. The version I ultimately choose to purchase includes two live cuts as bonus numbers. That is really nice as it helps to show the two different sides of this group from studio band to live band. Lead by vocalist/guitarist/cellist Chris Harms, whose vocals are admittedly just so-so, this is a band that knows how to craft catchy tunes that pull you in and make you want to hear more. The Rammstein and HIM vibes are easy enough to spot as Lord of the Lost does pull in industrial metal and goth rock. Otherwise this is the sound of heavy rock that can drain you emotionally at one point before lifting you back up with their strange and mesmerizing electronic style. As the group does move around quite a bit, splicing together different genres at their own pace and for their own personal enjoyment. pin-pointing a definitive description is damn near impossible. But it's that exact sense of oddity that is so appealing and makes "Die Tomorrow" such a powerfully addictive album. While it's not something that I would have thought I would have enjoyed this much , as I'm not so much about electronic rock and heavy metal, it's albums exactly like this that make for fun discoveries. Often it's these kind of albums that no one would have expected you to embrace, and most certainly you would have never thought that it would suite your style,  that come in and become new obsessions. Such is the case with "Die Tomorrow", an album that I never saw coming and now can't seem to put down!

End Of Green-The Painstream

Napalm Records
2013

Stuttgart, Germany is home-base for the interestingly named End Of Green. Formed in 1992, which means that this group has been going at it for 20+ years now, this actually marks the group's eighth full-length release. And yet this is one band that I can lay claim to having never heard of until this promo showed up in my e-mail. How's that even possible? Given the band's overall dark and depressing nature, which would have proven to be a positive asset in my eyes, it's more then mind-boggling to think that this German band hadn't previously appeared on my radar. Weird. Anyway, as mentioned this is the group's eighth full-length release and, at least from pulling this band up on both Wikipedia and the Metal Archives, it sure does look as if the group has had roughly the same line-up in place since releasing their debut album, "Infinity", back in 1996. Someone please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but other then the addition of guitarist Michael Setzer (Icheherntion, Innominandum) on 2002's "Songs for a Dying World" that's the way it appears. Either way, this 5-piece band is rounded out by vocalist Michelle Darkness, guitarist Oliver Merkle, bassist Rainer Hampel and drummer Matthias Siffermann.While I can't personally speak to the nature of their earlier work, which the Encyclopedia Metallum says started out as doom metal, I can say that if someone were to try to get this band, in it's current form, listed in the directory of bands over at the Metal Archives they would be sent packing! This does not sound at all like the type of group that would normally be allowed entry into the site so I must say that I was surprised when, prior to typing up this review, I went looking for back-ground information on End Of Green and found them listed in the Metal Archives. Does the fact that I can't see them being listed there now (in this form) disqualify the band in your eyes? Does the fact that their sound comes off as more rock then metal make you want to say "pass"? It shouldn't. I'll soon tell you why. First things first though. If you're a fairly regular visitor to Heavy Metal Time Machine then you will have no doubt already noticed that (despite the name) everything from AOR to black metal gets covered here. So, even if a band like End Of Green wasn't technically "metal" they would still easily fit into our site in some other shape or form. And I'd make no apologies about that fact. But, what exactly is their sound then if not 100% "metal"? Well, the band itself offers up this self-description: "Depressed Subcore". Huh? Let's just break it down ourselves. While it might not hit all the usual metallic notes all of the time (for it to be classified as strictly "Gothic Metal"), there is more then enough rock and hard rock going on within this album that I could very well see it being appreciated by a wide-variety of our typical visitors-heavy metal or not. The band's objective on the "The Painstream" is to focus on the "last two constants in life: pain and passion". It's obvious then that this band comes packed and ready to work on album number eight and, while it's more then a bit bleak all-around, "The Painstream" does try to offer a bit of hope for the world that they see as being wrapped-tight in darkness. Not that I'd argue with that last point! This is achieved in part by the smooth delivery of vocalist Michelle Darkness who offers the listener a small bit of hope even in the face of despair. For that to work though things need to be balanced between the vocals and the music at hand. Interestingly enough then that it's actually the way in which the vocals of Mr. Darkness sit atop wave after wave of bleak rock riffs that end up giving  End Of Green a certain edge and sense of unity. With bleak rock riffs you get a free side of your choice! There's some post-grunge, alternative rock, goth rock, pop, blues and even post-rock to choose from. It's all there as is a wee bit of goth metal and dark metal. With the goth and dark metal though you'll have to focus in really tight on the music as this is more of a rock ride then one in which you can throw a set of horns in the air in metal salute! Even with that said, "The Painstream" is more then enough to satisfy all your dark needs and, full-fledged metal band or not, it will be getting it's fair share of heavy rotation on my stereo from this point forward!

Gothminister-Utopia

 

AFM Records
2013

Gothminister are a Norwegian quartet that, for lack of a better description, play goth-flavored industrial rock/heavy metal. On "Utopia", the group's fifth studio album since forming in 1999, the band's lead singer, Bjørn Alexander Brem, taps into his personal nightmares for a concept album. With Icarus (guitars), Turbo Natas (guitars) and Chris Dead (drummer) joining him (Bass? We don't need no stupid bass!) the band set out to not only make a concept album, in and of itself not as easy as it seems folks, but (on the limited edition CD/DVD version) also a horror/concert film (DVD)! With all of that running through my brain I was fully prepared to loath this release. I must admit though to being wrong. Not unusually I know (just ask any/all my former lovers), but I was really, truly pleasantly surprised with this one. For times sake I'll throw out some names (Ministry, N.I.N. Rob Zombie, Type O Negative, Marilyn Manson, Rammstein, Alice Cooper, etc.) and have you magically mix everything in  your mind's eye. Got it? Or at least a vision of what I'm getting at? More or less Gothminister takes those bands & artists and, with a careful eye set on trying to carve out their own niche in this world, sets about writing music that acts as a soundtrack for the doom and gloom crowd. The album, which was produced by Bjørn Alexander Brem, mixed by Neil Kernon (Judas Priest, Nile) and mastered by Alan Douches (The Misfits, Dillinger Escape Plan) is not without it's charm and, as concept albums go, there's more then enough to pull you into Brem's nightmare."Utopia" is probably a misleading title (In both the sense of where this nightmare leads and the album's overall effectiveness), but it keeps you intrigued to the very end so that says something about it's cold embrace.

Silentlie-Blood Under Snow

Self-Release/Independent
2013

As they so often say "don't judge a book by it's cover". The artwork of "Blood Under Snow" might be one of those cases where I get lost wondering about the who/what/where and why (especially as it gives off this bad black metal vibe), but the music hidden inside this 5-track EP, which is a simplistic and yet charming blend of gothic rock and dark/traditional heavy metal, is anything but a head scratcher. Hailing from Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia we find this Italian band who, after having been formed in 2008 by lead singer Giorgia Sacco Taz and guitarist Luigi Pressacco, found quite the positive reception to their first recording. That release, the demo EP "Behind My Face", had one song that ended up on two different compilations and another that was used in a movie soundtrack. "Silence Of Your Mind" ended up appearing on two compilations :"The Funeral Vol. 2" (272 Records) and "Maximum Rock Attack" (for the magazine Maximum Rock) while the demo's one other track, "River Of Torments", was used on the soundtrack for the movie "Blood Sisters". Listening to this band's new debut-EP, which was recorded and mixed at Palo Alto Studios (Trieste) and mastered at Finnvox Studios (Hesinki, Finland), was a pleasure seeing as SilentLie never over-think the process or become too fancy for their own good. David Sportiello, who was the founder of SinHeresy, handles bass and keyboard duties while Andrew Piergianni (formerly of Fuel From Hell) sits behind the drum kit. Together the pair allow Giorgia and Luigi to create atmospheric heavy rock/dark metal. In fact it's partly Giorgia, whose voice is as striking as she is, that helps SilentLie perfectly balance a style that should be equally appealing to goth rock and dark metal fans. That is not necessarily an easy task, but while Giorgia pulls the listener in with her haunting voice the rest of the band is busy keeping a steady eye on the fact that they can be all things to all people while truly forging their own identity. Kudos to them for crafting such an intriguing sound that is light on the ears and yet deeper then it might lead listeners to at first believe. And, because I truly believe that we can never have enough good female-fronted rock/metal bands, I'll be rooting for this young band from Italy to find greater success.Find out more from the band's Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/silentlieband