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!

Matthias Steele-Question of Divinity

Minotauro Records
2016

For our readers who might not be familiar with the name, Matthias Steele is a power metal/thrash band that hails from Rhode Island and was formed in 1985 by three high-school friends (bassist/vocalist Tony Lionette, drummer Nino Trovato and original guitarist Todd Gencarella). Early on the band drew it's influences from thrash and epic power metal (or more specifically American power metal of the eighties!), the NWOBHM scene, and bands such as Cloven Hoof and Tyrant. Judging by their forthcoming album here not much has changed in that regard, but we'll get back to that notion shortly enough! First things first and that's the last of this ever so brief history lesson. Having formed in the mid-eighties (or as I like to refer to it "The height of the heavy metal fever!"), Matthias Steele spent it's formidable years playing throughout Rhodes Island and Connecticut before releasing their highly-regarded self-titled demo in 1987. With a new line-up in hand (guitarist John Erkan and drummer Jay Jordan were eventually replaced  Todd Gencarella and Nino Trovato) the band would go on to release their full-length debut album, "Haunting Tales of a Warrior's Past", in 1992. A stone cold hit in their stomping ground of Rhode Island, Metal Mark actually covered "Haunting Tales of a Warrior's Past" back in the day (or at least in 2012) and (incidentally ladies and gents) Minotauro Records will be re-releasing Matthias Steele's (must-own!) first album in the near future. And with bonus cuts to boot! But anyway, back to today's short lesson plan. Plagued by line-up changes over the following years the band soldiered on before settling on their most consistent  line-up to date with bassist/vocalist (and sole original band member) Tony Lionette joined by drummer Nino Trovato and guitarist Jami Blackwood. In 2007 this line-up recorded "Resurrection" and that same chemistry-laced trio is responsible for the metal madness that is "Question of Divinity". Now over 30 years old (with the band having celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2010 with a special show in their hometown of Westerly) Matthias Steele sounds remarkably fresh and energetic on their forth release to date.! In truth theses recordings are from studio sessions that took place in 2009 and 2010 at Redbone Recording in the group's hometown of Westerly, Rhode Island, but still, "Question of Divinity" is a damn fine metal album from start to finish! As previously mentioned, Matthias Steele takes it's cue from thrash and epic power metal as well as the NWOBHM scene. On "Question of Divinity" though we're also treated to the experienced sounds of one savvy band that knows a thing or two about traditional/classic heavy metal, eighties metal (think Judas Priest meets Metal Church first two albums) and even progressive power metal! And thanks to hard work of Shawn Allen* these various recordings have a distinct vibe about them that makes the album sound both classic and slightly modern. In addition to the eight (head bang-worthy) studio tracks on "Question of Divinity" there are two bonus live tracks from the band's aforementioned 25th anniversary show. The first one is called "Worthless Soul" and it is an unreleased song from guitarist Jami Blackwood. A great number in it's own right, "Worthless Soul" will be properly put to tape on the inevitable follow-up to "Question of Divinity". "Supersonic Man" is the other live track and this great number comes from the band's 1987 demo. Both tracks show what the band is capable of when playing out live and with Minotauro Records set to re-release both "Haunting Tales of a Warrior's Past" and "Resurrection" maybe just maybe this under-appreciated metal trio will finally get the proper respect that they so rightly deserve!


* Shawn Allen engineered and co-produced the material on "Question of Divinity" with  the band members themselves. Prior to these sessions he worked with Matthias Steele on "Resurrection".

Shock-Forewarned

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Well now what's this? A new album from Canada's Shock? It's not Christmas and my birthday's long past so what's with this gift? Not that I'm complaining or anything. Far from it friends! It's just that this album hit me from out of nowhere. Kind of  like a punch in the face in the dark. Wait a second. Am I getting to far ahead of myself here? Hell bells man! Why didn't you say something? OK, let's back the car up and head towards home. In this case the home would be Ottawa, Ontario as that's where this story first unfolds. It seems like only yesterday, but in actuality it's been almost three years now since we first the news that traditional heavy metal/power metal band Shock had risen from the dead and released it's debut album. That particular recording was the critically acclaimed "Once Denied". It made my list of  The 55 Best Releases Of 2013 and to this day it's still in heavy rotation at the Davis homestead. In fact the more I listen to it the more I am convinced that it is a near perfect album! By which I mean that it is a must-own CD. Especially for fans of classic metal bands such as Megadeth, Metal Church, and Anthrax. Or even for those who love N.W.O.B.H.M. music along the lines of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Grim Reaper. So yeah, "Once Denied" ended up being quite the success. Now we fast forward a few years and that brings us to the here and now. All of a sudden I'm granted the privilege of hearing the follow-up to "Once Denied" and I have to be honest here. I was scared going into this album that it would end up being a let-down. In my mind I hyped the hell out of album number two for Shock before I even attempted to open up any of the files that came along with it's promo. "What happens if it isn't any good?" I asked myself. Fearing the worst I dove straight in. Thankfully Shock (who I had the pleasure of interviewing back in 2013) avoid the dreaded sophomore slump with "Forewarned" and then some! Produced by Mike Bond ( www.producedbybond.com) and the band members themselves, "Forewarned" is everything that I loved about Shock's 2013 debut album only it's more direct in it's approach. Shock‘s sophomore effort could best be summed up like this. Picture "Rust in Peace" and "Countdown to Extinction"-era Megadeth joined at the hip by old school Armored Saint and Riot. Got that image in your head? OK, now imagine that this collaboration was a product of Canada's classic metal scene, but with more of a modern edge. In a way that's Shock's forthcoming album.....only it's better. It certainly has it's own style and means of delivery. It also has it's own distinct attitude and it's a justified one at that. Given all of that this album is appropriately titled. You should be forewarned that Shock's latest album doesn't mess around. Between "Bend or Break" and "Not If But When" there's a lot of menacing metal to behold. To that end it's no coincidence that "Forewarned" is being released on Friday, November 13th. Seeing as it slays and all! For the guys in Shock (Tony V-vox/guitars, John Tennant-guitar, Steve Monette -bass, and (new for this album) Taylor Calderone - drums ) life is all about METAL and it shows! "Forewarned" is just what fans of Shock have been waiting for and it can be pre-ordered by heading to the group's Bandcamp website. For now be sure to check out the band's first single from "Forewarned", "Sonic Assault"*. It's all or nothing wicked power/thrash metal with a mean bite and it's just one out of the eight tracks on "Forewarned" that absolutely shreds! 

*"Sonic Assault" is just one of several songs on Shock's new album that can trace it's roots to the band's early demo days. The thing is you would never know that it is originally from the eighties as it sounds fresh. I'd even go so far as to say it sounds hip! Just like on "Once Denied" it is incredible how well these "older" songs hold up. Granted in some cases they have been re-worked, but even so numbers like "Sonic Assault" are just so good! These thrash-filled cuts from another time and place work eerily well in this setting and as a whole "Forewarned" is just too good of a metal release to not be scooped up and displayed proudly! While I have no idea how Shock is still unsigned (they should be on a major by now!) I can't help but think that albums like this one are the real deal self-release or not and that headbangers such as "Once Denied" and "Forewarned" are the (super) glue the holds the whole metal scene together. In other words just get this album when it comes out. If you're a real heavy metal fan you won't regret it!

To The Pain-Seven

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Take heed of my warning friends! It's time to batten down the hatches and lock up your sons and daughters! You need to hold your loved ones close and say a pray or possibly two so that dawn's early light finds you all safe and sound. There's a storm coming in and it's coming in fast! Ladies and gentlemen prepare to meet your maker! Doomsday is upon us and it's name is "Seven"!!!! It's taken two years to put all the pieces together, but here it is all the same and yes, the wait has been worth it! This is the follow-up to 2013's "To The Pain" and for this New York power metal/thrash band there's no such thing as the sophomore slump! "Seven" is everyone that fans could have hoped for only better. Oh, and it's also heavier. As in much HEAVIER! That much was hinted at when To The Pain released the album's title track and first single, "Seven". Fans and critics alike found themselves drooling in anticipation of To The Pain's sophomore album
and quite obviously this one does not disappoint! Vocalist John Intagliata sounds as good here as he did on "To The Pain" and it's not just the title track that we're talking about friends! This underrated front-man is right there IN YOUR FACE from the word GO so make sure that you're well aware of what's in store before you decided to hit play! John Intagliata's impressive range has always been from low demonic grunts to hitched-pitched banshee wails and on "Seven" he is as evil as he is enlightening! And he's just the lead vocalist of this Long Island five-piece! If this is first you've ever heard of To The Pain then here is the skinny.  To The Pain was formed in 2012, but their roots go back to the band-members high-school days. Back in July of 2013 I covered the band's self-titled debut and that fantastic release was somewhat of a long-awaited dream for the members of To The Pain. I followed that review up with a interview and between these two articles you can get a good feel for the band's past as well as their current standing. The band's 2013 debut album is a must-have and now the same can be said of the upcoming "Seven"! To The Pain's new album is both a continuation of the sounds and style of their self-titled release and a step-forward in terms of originality and overall intensity. "The March For Mankind/Heavens Carnage" opens things up rather perfectly and this raw thrasher had me caught up in the moment and raging for more! From there it's the previously-mentioned title track and let's just call it like it is. "Seven" is nothing short of awesome(!) and on the title track this New York band goes full-tilt BALLS TO THE WALL! "Seven" is the very definition of metal and it's a heaven sent moment for those metalheads out there who still believe in the power and glory of true blue heavy metal! Lead guitarist Steve Shaver is at his technical best on "Seven" (the single and this album as a whole!) and the same thing can and should be said of his fellow bandmates! Second guitarist Craig Piano forms a solid tag team with Steve Shaver while the rhythm section of Chris Borgia and Jimmy Klimatas (crunchy bass and thunderous drums respectively!) helps push the band's new album to it's absolute limit! It was actually "Killzone" that made me push my car to the absolute limit so maybe another word of caution is in order. Take special care should you decide to play this album in your car. Before I knew what I was doing I was speeding along rather fast. Thank God I caught a glimpse of the speedometer and came back to my senses. The last thing I needed was a speeding ticket! That's the power of "Seven" though. It reaches right in and grabs hold of you. It makes you want to speed along and there's not much you can do about it friends! Not that you'd want to let up on the gas. The wicked "Is It My Turn To Die?" doesn't let up so why should the listener? That same feeling of frenzied excited follows over into album's last two tracks, "Cry Out For Justice" and "Don’t Eat The Eyes". Both numbers combine traditional heavy metal with gritty thrash and it's interesting to see just how far this band has evolved between albums. On "To The Pain" there were still fleeting images of the band's many influences. From Megadeth to Black Sabbath it was all there on "To The Pain" and even though the material was original you could still pick up on these ghosts and hear what bands helped to sculpt this New York act. On "Seven" you get the sensation that To The Pain has found their groove and that the band has really come into their own. "Don’t Eat The Eyes" offers telltale signs of this great achievement as it's all kinds of nasty, but nasty in such a way that it's distinctly genuine and original! At this point in their career To the Pain has crafted their own version of heavy metal and it's one that is second to none. It's abrasiveness and loud as f**k, but it's still technically sound and it has all the hallmarks of traditional heavy metal. Even though the music is aggressive and often-times stone-cold evil it still feels oddly hopeful. "Seven" is well-constructed and soundly-executed. While it embraces the band's past it doesn't so much rely on the group's previous influences as the building blocks for the album's foundation as it does crush those influences into a fine white powder to be mixed with the foundation's concrete basement. In a word "Seven" is Awesome and it fits in perfectly with what To The Pain is all about. This one comes with my highest recommendations! Just be sure to play this one at home first and not in your car. Especially as To The Pain can not be held responsible for speeding tickets or potential road rage incidents!

Interview with Hellscream's Dave Garcia

Hellscream is a new project that teams up the pair of David "Conan" Garcia (Cage) and Norman Skinner (Skinner, Dire Peril, Tramontane, ex-Machine Called Man,The Consequence of Chaos, ex-Katagory V (live), ex-Imagika). The band's debut recording, "Made Immortal", is a smoldering blend of power metal, speed metal and thrash! You can read my review of it by clicking on the link below this interview. And speaking of this interview, I want to thank everyone involved with setting this up and thank Dave for sitting down with us to chat! Enjoy!

Andy-Up front I've just got to say that I loved "Made Immortal"! Could you tell us what the recording process was like? One would imagine that with your "day jobs" and all that it was hard finding the time to hit the studio right?

Dave-All instrumentation was performed in my home studio. Norman recorded all vocal tracks in his studio. We transfered files back and forth via e-mail. Software we use is Pro Tools. Arrangement of music was determined by Norman Skinner to enhance vocals.

Norman Skinner

Andy-How did you guys first meet up exactly and is there a story behind the band name?

Dave-Norman Skinner actually came up with the name and as we were creating the music it really seemed to make sense to call the project Hellscream!

Andy-The opening bit on your album is totally creepy! It almost has a eighties horror movie vibe about it, but then again so does your band name! Are either of you fans of the genre or is it meant to be more tongue and cheek?

Dave-I wanted the music to be a little on the eerie side! Some of the intros into the songs are purposely created to create the vibe of the song! I actually had a fun time making the music!!!

Andy-Well, it certainly shows! Now, Hellscream is just the two of you right? As I don't have a CD copy of "Made Immortal" in front of me I am going to assume that you, Dave, handled all of the instruments. Is that correct?

Dave-Yes as mentioned earlier, all musical instrumentation was created by myself, and the vocal lyrics and arrangement was solely Norman Skinner.

Dave Garcia

Andy-Hellscream (and again I just love the name!) has as much of an old-school vibe going for it as it does a more modern one. Was that what the two of you were aiming for?

Dave-We really had no idea what to expect! We actually met by chance at the NAMM show in Anaheim and were talking about what was currently going on in our careers. I mentioned that I was looking for a vocalist to do a musician project and we shortly after that began working together! 

Andy-Given the positive response to your debut album will the two of you be looking at making Hellscream more then just a one and done project?

Dave-Yes! we are looking forward to creating another CD! This time there will be a full band lineup as we will want to be able to tour and do some shows!

Andy-That sounds awesome! So, what does 2014 have in store for the two of you?

Dave-I am currently working with the Cage camp creating our 7th CD! Cage is scheduled to tour in Europe during July and will be also touring on the East coast in November. Norman Skinner is currently touring like a madman with his band Skinner and also Dire Peril.

Andy-I like to give artists the last say so the mic is all yours! Anything you want to say to your fans? Have a favorite show you want to mention? Have other albums to recommend? Perhaps you have a cocktail recipe you want to share? Anything and everything goes so it's all you!

Dave-It is important to thank all the fans for their support and that is a true inspiration! We have so many fantastic fans worldwide! As always we will continue to push the thresh hold! Thanks to all and continue to enjoy the universal sound of metal!

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2014/03/hellscream-made-immortal.html

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 

Kryptos-The Coils of Apollyon

AFM Records
2013

Having planned to review a couple of black metal/death metal releases later on in the week I just about passed over Kryptos. Luckily I noticed that "The Coils of Apollyon" was released on AFM Records who are not exactly known for releasing black metal albums. Instead here's another example of not judging a band by the cover artwork they use. Had I indeed just passed over Kryptos I would have missed out on a mind-blowing combination of traditional heavy metal, doom and thrash. There's even a slight scent of melodic death metal about Kryptos and it's all of those different ingredients that makes "The Coils of Apollyon" such a cool listen. For the record the band lists Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Mercyful Fate, Kreator and Coroner as influences, but even a casual listen to this album will find you picking up so much more. Originally this was released back in 2012 on Iron Fist Records, but it's just now getting a U.S. release. Does that mean that I'll be able to add this one to my year end best-of list or is that cheating? We'll have to figure that one out later as there is much more to this band then meets the eye! Formed in 1998, with "The Coils of Apollyon" making album number three for these heavy metal thrashers, this India-based band is fronted by Nolan Lewis (ex-Aeons of Sorrow, Witchgoat) who also plays guitar. Did I just say "India-based"? Yes I did and to add to that this release marks my first occasion of covering a band from India. While it shouldn't surprise me to find out that there is a scene there, as the heavy metal community is now world-wide, I still admit to being pleasantly surprised at the notion that, just like the inevitable zombie apocalypse we'll all face one day, it's everywhere. But, that's neither here nor there when we're talking about this thrash-happy group of musicians. As Kryptos, who are now considered to be one of the leading heavy metal bands to come out of India, is more then just one man (Nolan Lewis) the rest of the band should be noted. Fellow six-stringer Rohit Chaturvedi (Millenium) adds some fuel to fire that is these old-school guitar solos (everything from N.W.O.B.H.M. like Holocaust to "Master Of Puppets" era Metallica comes to mind when you soak in the guitar work) while the fun times just keep of rolling thanks to the superb rhythm section of Jayawant Tewari and Ryan Colaco (bass and drums respectively). Add it all together and you've these four musicians who end up feasting on some sweet tasting, 80's-inspired rage. What a band and what an album!

Mercenary-Through Our Darkest Days

Prosthetic Records
2013

Denmark's Mercenary (not to be confused with the multitude of other acts out there who have adopted that moniker) have been around for a long time. Formed back in 1991, with their debut full-length album "First Breath" arriving 7 years later, they've seen the scene change as much as any other veteran act you could name off hand. Through it all, even with all the inevitable line-up changes, they maintained a fairly consistent sound. That's of course if memory serves me right. Somewhere along the line I did have a copy of "First Breath" which, again if memory serves me correct, was one of those albums that was neither really death metal nor thrash metal but a combination of both. On "Through Our Darkest Days" it's exactly that combination of  death metal and thrash that works so well. OK, technically it's more power metal then thrash and that death metal is awfully melodic in nature, but the roots are there all the same. It's worth noting that there is some slight metalcore here and there (something like a smoother Killswitch Engage) but it never overpowers the music or gives you reason to pause. Besides, that's neither here nor there when we're talking about the high level of destruction that this album leaves in it's wake. Vocalist René Pedersen handles both clean and harsh vocals for this Danish act and he helps carry the torch that original founding  member Henrik Andersen left in his departure. His voice is easily the highlight of "Through Our Darkest Days" as he excels at both clean singing and the more grizzled death metal growls that have become a calling card of sorts for the death metal community. As for the rest of the group there is an interesting observation that must be mentioned. I might be wrong in this assumption, but it sure looks as if none of the founding members of Mercenary remain. Is it possible that no one is left from the original Mercenary that gave us "First Breath"? It sure does look like it, but that just makes this album all the more impressive as far as chemistry goes. With only 9 tracks it's a quick listen, but it's a good listen all the same. While some might be turned off by the concept of  "catchy melodic death metal/power metal" that's really the case here as the material in question is well-written and executed in such a manor that you just about find yourself nodding along to the beats. On the whole it's a good "stand alone" album meaning you don't have to be a fan or know anything about their past work to become fully engaged to this album. It has it's own flow and should appeal to a wide range of metallic taste buds.