DSease-Rotten Dreams

Sneakout Records
2017

DSease is a young and promising heavy metal/rock band from Rimini, Italy that features skilled-guitarist Fabio Balducci (Synful Ira, ex-Ancient Bards) within it's ranks. Released back in mid-November of 2017, "Rotten Dreams" is the first studio album from this (multi) genre-splicing outfit that is lead by vocalist/bassist Alberto Niccoli. Now in it's third year together, DSease actually began life as a Rammstein tribute band, but has developed into something truly special. Dark, ambient, and cleverly-experimental, the eight-song "Rotten Dreams" is a great start for this up-and-coming metal band that is sure to catch on with both fans and critics! Blessed with an unreal amount of talent and creativity, "Rotten Dreams" is the end result of an inspiring band that combines elements of alternative rock, grunge, electronic rock, hard rock, post-rock, and modern metal. Although they have since departed the band, musicians Massimiliano Pretolesi (synths) and Gabriele Lasi (drums) helped create this enjoyable album that comes highly-recommended. You can find "Rotten Dreams" on sites like iTunes, Amazon, and cdbaby.

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...

Inire-Cauchemar

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Inire is a hard rock/southern metal band that hails from Québec and is lead by vocalist Dre Versailles. Based in Ottawa and sporting a vast array of influences that range from Pantera and (early) Alice In Chains to Hatebreed and (later day) Metallica, Inire has been active since 2007. Musicians John Laflamme (guitar), Dim Gervais (guitar), Fred B. Simard (bass), and Chris Bonavia (drums) round out this highly-versatile five-piece group that is now in it's ninth year of existence. Between the years 2007 and 2009 Inire put out a self-titled demo and one full-length recording entitled, "Born the Wicked, The Fallen, The Damned". For whatever reason it would be seven long years before the members of Inire were finally able to head back into the studio and record a follow-up to their 2009 debut album. During that "cooling off" period the members of Inire obviously grew as both musicians and songwriters. The jump in quality between "Born the Wicked, The Fallen, The Damned" and this forthcoming album offers plenty of proof to back up that observation. With a hefty run-time of forty three minutes and fifty four seconds, "Cauchemar" is a new take on the somewhat warn-out southern metal sound and it further stretches my belief that warm and rich vibes can come from the coldest environments! Produced by the group's own drummer, Chris Bonavia, and available for pre-order by clicking here, Inire's long-awaited second album finds this groovy, heavy and hard band adding a touch or two of Tool to the mix as well as some modern metal. Despite these new "flavor additives" the thirteen-track "Cauchemar" is remarkably consistent from beginning to end. Even though it fluctuates between mellow, dark and slow material and some truly riff-heavy rockers it has this distinct and undeniable flow about it that is really comfortable. The album's thirteen tracks seemingly feed off of each other and they draw the listener in nice and close. Overall it is an album that sets out to paint a picture of one band that feels invigorated and ready for whatever comes next. Due out on November 18th, "Cauchemar" achieves that goal while firmly putting a bright spotlight on vocalist Dre Versailles and his companions. Hopefully this is just the first of many such releases for this well-deserving band....