Forklift Elevator-Borderline

Self-Release/Indpendent
2015

It looks as if I'm on a Italian kick today as first there was one-woman occult/doom rock project Psychedelic Witchcraft and now we've got the heavy metal act Forklift Elevator. While the first one is inspired by groups such as Jefferson Airplane, Fleetwood Mac, Iron Butterfly, and Coven this band lists the likes of Pantera, Black Label Society, Lamb of God, Rammstein, Korn, and System of a Down as their influences. There is one connection between both of these Italian bands though and that would be the mutual influence of one Black Sabbath. Both Psychedelic Witchcraft and Forklift Elevator owe a debt to the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, but let's be honest here and just say that there are LOTS of bands that would fall into that category! It's simply a curious notion that one particular band (in this instance it's Tony Iommi's band) could have such wide-ranging impact. Not that it's all that important to the issue at hand. It's just curious. Anyway, as we are here today to talk about the self-produced "Borderline" let's jump on into that fire!. Forklift Elevator's first full-length album is available on Soundcloud and on the group's official website and for a group that began life in 2009 as a cover band it sure seems as if they've come quite a ways! These days Mirco Maniero (rhythm guitarist) and Enrico M. Martin (lead vocalist) are all that remain of the original line-up, but given the chemistry that members Stefano Segato (lead guitar, backing vocals), Marco Daga (bass) and Andrea Segato (drums) bring to the party everything about "Borderline" is right as rain! What exactly are we looking at then when it comes to "Borderline"? With influences as wide flung as Black Sabbath and Pantera (by way of the nu metal band Korn it should be noted!) this one particular slab of metal has a nu metal thrash vibe going for it and my friends it most certainly IS better in person than it is on paper! The band's sound works because it's foundation is built out of legit metal riffs as made popular by the likes of Black Sabbath, (early) Metallica, Slayer and Motörhead. That being said, Forklift Elevator could stand to adopt more of the lead guitar work of said bands. Mirco Maniero's rhythm guitar seems to get most of the action and these five musicians would benefit a great deal by focusing more of their attention on the Lamb of God and Black Label Society influences and less on the Korn and System of a Down! Or at least that would be my preference as I always prefer ripping leads over heavy riffage. Both styles have their place in heavy metal and it's likely that Forklift Elevator are more geared towards their sound for a reason. As they are already working on a new album that is scheduled for release in the second half of 2016 maybe, just maybe that will be a fortunate change for the band. Either way I like what I hear on "Borderline" and I'm board this band's rock train as they roll on out of the station and make their way down the line. Now backed by Atomic Stuff Promotion, Forklift Elevator have every-chance in the world to make-it or break-it. That ball is in their corner so we'll just see what their next move is....

Crimson Day-Crimson Day

Self-Release/Independent
2013

Formed in 2010, with the group's first moniker being Stone Rose before a change to SpeedInk in 2012 and then (apparently rather recently) turning towards their current name, the Finnish band Crimson Day just released this 6-track back in mid-December of 2013. Melodic heavy metal/rock might be the best way to describe this lot who, from what I've been able to gather online, also had a bit of a shake-up (line-up wise) this past year with new lead vocalist Valtteri was drafted into the fold. Along with guitarists Jyri and Ari (one of which is also new to the band according to the group's short Facebook profile), bass player Jesse and drummer Tuomas the group's new lead vocalist makes a heartfelt attempt to bring more attention to the Finish heavy metal/hard rock scene. Note the word "attempt" as this short, self-recorded and self-released, 6-track EP, which for some reason has an intro called "Prelude to Oblivion" flowing directly into the track "Into Oblivion" (a bit more variety would have been nice), doesn't exactly add anything to scene or break any new group. Instead it just is what is is. Nothing more and nothing less. While it's admittedly not a bad EP or anything like that, as the band appears to have to have some solid skill sets at their disposal, it never strives to be anything other then just average. Maybe with some stability (name-wise and line-up wise) this five-piece might be able to provide a bit of a spark to the scene. For now though I'd suggest spending a bit more time ironing out some of the wrinkles (and maybe doing a shot or two of enthusiasm) before hitting the studio again.

Taketh-Ignorance Is Strength

Self-Release
2013

Swedish act Taketh, which features three former members of Pergamon (which released a demo and EP in their time together), offer up their second full-length release with "Ignorance Is Strength". Reportedly it took only 15 days to record the follow-up to their 2005 debut album, "Freakshow", but you'd never be able to tell from the sounds on this one. Taketh features David Dahl on lead vocals, Dahl's brother Johan on drums, guitarists Johan Ejnarsson and Atahan Tolunay and bass player Mikael Lindquist. It was the Dahl brothers and Mikael Lindquist who previously played in Pergamon and, if descriptions of Pergamon are to be believed, it was only the name change that separated these two acts. Melodic death metal is a bit of a blanket statement when it comes to both bands although it's close enough in a sort of horseshoes and hand-grenades kind of way. If anything Taketh offers a hair or two of an electric sound on this album as well as clean/harsh vocals which gives "Ignorance Is Strength" an obvious metalcore vibe. Given the 15 day recording process this one is rather impressive although those searching for something new and/or groundbreaking in the field of melodic death metal would most likely be disappointed by this release.Still, David Dahl's vocals are perfectly suited for this kind of deathly chaos and the rest of the band (especially the two guitarists) put in everything they've got to make the album enjoyable if nothing else. You can find out more about the band and pick up a copy of their new album at the link below. While it might sound as if I'm being a bit harsh when it comes to this bunch that's not really the case. Truth is I liked to this album and would be inclined to listen to it again. It's only that honesty is always the best policy and while this is a fine album all around it's not something I would suggest breaking your piggy bank for. If you're a fan of Swedish death metal then you might consider checking this one out, but there are much better options out there if you're looking to build up your personal collection.


http://taketh.bandcamp.com/ 

Omega Reign-Arise

Itchy Metal Entertainment
2012

Somehow this one slipped passed me as it was released back in November of 2012. Usually traditional heavy metal acts mark my internal radar go off, but this Massachusetts-based 5-piece sneaked by me like a thief in the night. Oh well & hell. Anyway, Omega Reign, who were formed in 1998 by guitarist Gene Felix, have shared the stage with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Steven Adler of Guns and Roses, Wasp, George Lynch of Dokken, Bullet Boys, Taproot and many more. "Arise", a 9-track affair, is their only recording to date it looks like. It has to be said up-front that for a self-released album the production is rather good. If anything it sounds like a late-80's/early-90's recording and that, in this concept, works really well. All of the music is written by guitarists Gene Felix and David Bowman and, along with vocalist Hank Perry, bassist Scott Langevin and drummer Tyrone Williams (all of whom sound like class-act professionals) navigate heavy metals landscape. Influenced by bands like Dio, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Queensrÿche and Savatage the band plays true, straight-ahead heavy metal that is, sadly it seems, lacking in this day and edge. "Arise", which is about 40 minutes in length, is a fun listen as it stays true to the spirit of true/traditional heavy metal (it's as if this could be a blue-print on how to make a heavy metal album!) while never over-staying it's welcome or becoming Über-cheesy. Vocalist Hank Perry has a real eighties power-metal vibe going for him and I'm frankly amazed that this is his only recording as he handles cuts like "The Way You Lived" and "Killer" like a pro. Of course the guitar work of Felix and Bowman help a lot in making Omega Reign stand out (for the record the rhythm section is really good too) as the pair channel the metal gods (Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Megadeth and Anthrax) through-out "Arise". The Metallica-like "Invisible World / The Eidolon" is killer and "Doomsday", a heavy crunch of a rocker, reminded me somewhat of Ohio's cult-metal act Midevil. “This Poem is Goodbye” is probably the only toss-off as this ballad-like rocker kills what would otherwise be a stealer album. At least the slightly more rock oriented "Prison in Your Eyes", which sounds like a mash-up of Rainbow, Queensrÿche and early Megadeth to these ears, moves along without any real hang-ups. One track out of nine then is pretty solid making "Arise" a real treat for fans of hard & heavy, traditional heavy metal and US power metal (eighties-style!). You can find out more about Omega Reign at the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/OmegaReign

The Infernal Sea-Call of the Augur

Self-Release/Independent
2012

Debut-releases can be hit or miss to begin with, but when you're talking about black metal/death metal bands? Well, that's a whole different game you're talking about. It always seems to me as if they're really good or really awful. And, more often then not, when it comes to black metal self-releases, well, let's just say I've heard some stuff that no one, not even you're worse enemy, should be forced to endure. Let's all bless the creatures of the night that this 4-piece UK not only know what they're doing, but they do it well. The band was formed in 2009 with it's members (vocals-Dean Lettice, guitar- Jonathan Egmore, bass- Geoff Taha and drums- James Burke) having come from UK acts like The Argent Dawn, Raise the Dead and Middenhelm. from various. Not only did these four come from other successful OK acts (hence the skill-level here), the group has shared the stage with the likes of Napalm Death, Anaal Nathrakh, 1349, Vreid, Martyr Defiled, Romeo Must Die, Gorath and Annotations of an Autopsy.  Not too shabby at all. Interestingly enough, this very evening (February 27th, 2013), the band is set to release their new EP, "The Crypt Sessions", digitally. A very limited run of cassettes will be available for that one (30!) and, by the time this goes to print, I wouldn't be all that surprised to find them sold-out! I've review that EP in a day or two (time allowing), but for now let's turn our attention back to the band's debut-album. Rumor has it that this release is already on its second print run which, again, comes as no real surprise considering how solid The Infernal Sea is. What I like best about these 7 tracks is that while it's blackened death metal there's elements of melodic death and even some doom to be found here. I'm not suggesting this is "slow me down black metal as I'm falling madly in love with Black Sabbath" style doom/death. Nope. It's more this feeling of overall doom you get as you struggle to come to gripes with the fact that misery can sound so mature and melodic, and yet decidedly and old-school, from a band less then a decade old! Whether these guys make it or break it depends on exposure as black/death metal, like metalcore in years past, is flooded with imitators and wannabes. My curiosity is peaked now for their new EP so it looks like I'll have to clear my schedule some for this UK 4-piece! 

http://theinfernalsea.bandcamp.com/album/call-of-the-augur

Dark Salvation-Der letzte Weg

Self-Release
2013

Dark Salvation hail from the Principality of Liechtenstein. Lead by vocalist Gianluca Teofani the group, who were formed in 2008, are set to release their new album in less then a week. It's not completely unusally or unheard of, but Dark Salvation's first release (if the Metal Archives is to be believed ) was a DVD. Releasing a DVD first? Yes, some bands have taken this path. These guys, who feature what I assume are two brother's in their ranks (guitarist Kevin Schädler and drummer Samuel Schädler) have also released one other album. "Bärgthron", released in April of 2010, was also a self-release/independent release although it seems as if the band swapped out lead singers at one point. Simon Sprenger (guitar) and Marcel Gebert (bass) fill out the ranks on this sophomore release. While I can't make heads or tails out of any of the lyrics (sorry, English is the only language I speak and with the way things are going for me lately I'm struggling to even keep a handle on that!) the music itself is melodic death metal with that little "extra something" added to keep things interesting. On a number like "Schatten" that means you get a melodic death metal song with what almost amounts to rock and roll riffage. Vocalist Gianluca Teofani is a fairly by-the-numbers death metal singer, but the musicians involved really carry Dark Salvation. The technical nature of a number such as the 6-minute "Sekunden meiner Macht" blends nicely with a more "metal" track such as "Feuertod" (which isn't the only number to feature great Megadeth-like solos). The language barrier could be an issue for Dark Salvation, but the music is more then capable of putting these guys over here in the States. Recommended for fans of  early Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquility and At The Gates.

http://www.dark-salvation.li/DE/Default.asp