Dungeon Wolf-Slavery Or Steel

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Dungeon Wolf is a brand new project from one of the hardest working men in all of heavy metal, vocalist/guitarist Deryck Heignum (ex-Stormlurker member who is otherwise known as Norse Law). The every so cool artwork above, which comes courtesy of Joel Sanchez Rosales and does a bang-up job of representing the epic metal storm that awaits the listener, depicts Dungeon Wolf's founder and front-man as the "Supreme Master of Metal and the Universe" that he is! Skillfully-engineered by Dungeon Wolf' bass player (and fellow Stormlurker' band mate) Stan Martell, "Slavery Or Steel" serves as the full-length debut album for this impressive three-piece band. Ex-Stormlurker' drummer Austin Lane rounds things out this metallic trio. Speaking of all things metallic, Dungeon Wolf's debut combines elements of epic metal, power metal, progressive metal, speed metal, technical metal, and traditional heavy metal. The highly-memorable "Hidden Dreams" opens the band's first album up in style. Not only does it show off the amazing guitar skills of Dungeon Wolf's founder, but his ever-evolving vocal delivery. High-pitched vocals come as a pleasant surprise from this muscular metal maniac. They work well when stacked up against high-classic U.S. power metal. Of course there are still plenty of heavy & harsh vocal lines to be found on this eight song album. Thanks to the versatile nature of this tech-savvy trio, "Slavery Or Steel" offers up the perfect mixture of melody and full-throttle metal. As this is the same line-up that was responsible for Stormlurker's "A Dark Formation", chemistry is at an all-time high (line-up wise). All three members of Dungeon Wolf excel when it comes to the album's overall performances. These are top-tier musicians playing top-shelf epic/power metal. The individual songs show passion and dedication to the holy grail that is heavy metal and each track offers something new and exciting. With splendid lyrics and a fantastic vibe(!), "Slavery Or Steel" is the cream of the crop as far as new metal offerings are concerned! Kudos to everyone involved with Dungeon Wolf's Grade A debut.

Never Awake-Underground

Self-Release/Independent
2014

When it comes to potential (album) submissions to our site there are some bands that will hit you up once and then wait on a potential follow-up response and then there are bands like Never Awake who are diligent, making sure that their voice is heard loud and clear! Site-founder Metal Mark, having received two separate e-mails over the course of four days from two of Never Awake's bandmasters (first by drummer Alex McDonald and then by guitarist/keyboardist Matt Galligan), was kind enough to forward both (album submission) e-mails to me and I must say that I was highly impressed with this Portland, Oregon-based four-piece and their thoroughness as far as sending follow-up e-mails. But, I do have to question why a band like this, which (incidentally) was formed back in 2011 and is rounded out by lead singer extraordinaire, Taylor Dye, and bass guitarist Jesse Weiss (the final addition of Never Awake after the band went through a revolving door of bass players!), has to work so hard to get noticed? The thing is Never Awake, who also have a 2012 self-titled EP to their name and have shared the stage with similarly-minded acts such as Fate's Warning (as well as legendary guitarist Uli Jon Roth and the Michael Schenker Group!), should be more well-known just based upon their skilled nature. Especially if we're talking about the progressive metal scene where a band like this one should be on every metalhead's lips! On their full-length debut album these Portland-based skilled musicians take their influences (Led Zeppelin, Dream Theater, Opeth, Porcupine Tree,etc.) and with a few twists and turns (read: technical wizardly and fine-tuned songwriting!) light a fire to the scene while invoking flashes of everyone from "Master Of Puppets"-era Metallica to Symphony X! Of course those influences do come into play (Dream Theater) and the previously mentioned Fate's Warning has obviously been vacuumed up and sprinkled over Matt Galligan's guitar, but on the whole it's impressive just how original this lot sounds even at this early junction in their career! Guitars, like weapons, attack the listener while the rhythm section exposes the flaws in far too many similarly-styled acts (few (new) progressive rock and metal bands that I've heard lately have as tight of a rhythm section in place as Never Awake!). And that vocalist? As hinted he's in top shape here on "Underground" and his voice, as sincere as it is forceful, instantaneously throws a spotlight on the limitless potential of Never Awake! This band has all the tools at it's disposal to rapidly clime to the top tiers of the progressive metal mountain. All they need is for the right person to take notice. Somewhere out there is right PR whose been waiting for an act like this one to fall into their laps. If that description fit me in the least I'd have signed Never Awake in the time it took to complete this review! Needless to say this CD comes with my highest recommendation! Be sure to keep an eye out for Never Awake (http://www.neverawake.com/) my friends as this is one progressive metal band that has HUGE written all over them!!!!

French Metal Friday: E-Force-The Curse...

Mausoleum Records
2014

Due for release next month, "The Curse...", which is E-Force's follow-up to 2008's "Modified Poison", will mark album number three for the French thrash metal act. First formed in 2001, and originally hailing from Montreal, Quebec, E-Force features within it's line-up ex-Voivod member Eric Forrest (Project: Failing Flesh, ex-Liquid Indian, ex-Lust, ex-Thunder Circus) and, much like Eric's previous band, the boundaries of thrash metal are often stretched well beyond their expected boundaries into interesting forms. Along with guitarist XAV (Jérôme Point) and the returning Krof (drums) Eric, handling bass duties and vocal duties with equal effectiveness, makes this concept album* sound interesting and inventive by allowing the material to take on a life of it's own. With guest appearances from the likes of Glen Drover (Megadeth, King Diamond and Eidolon), Kristian Niemann (Therion) and Vincent Agar (Yotangor) as well as (all-around excellent) performances from his actual band-mates, Eric, who really deserves a band of his own like E-Force, crafts a formidable concept album that is fairly strong as far as technical thrash goes and more than a little captivating thanks in no small part to the intellectual essence that it is empowered with. Is it fair to paint comparisons to Eric's former band though? That might actually be a tougher call to make as their are certainly similarities between E-Force and Voivod up to and including the lyrical nature of "The Curse..." and it's technical delivery. Still, E-Force offers it's own take on the genre and from someone who had previously never heard this talented act before I will say (or even admit honestly to the fact) that if Eric's name wasn't prominently attached to this project then I'm not so sure the Voivod tag would apply as much. Either way though "The Curse..." is a strong album through and through and anytime a band comes along and (creatively) expands upon the notion of what we think we know about technical thrash it should be a moment of celebration. 

  

*Per the promo "The Curse..." is a concept album that is "based on a powerful collection of songs describing the power and temptation of, and obsession with the female race."

www.facebook.com/eforceoffical

Ministers of Anger-Renaissance

Divebomb Records
2013

Serving as another entry in Divebomb Records' first (so far so good) Bootcamp Series (number 5 of 5 to be exact!) "Renaissance" is a compilation of previously-released material from  L.A.'s (sadly defunct) Ministers of Anger. Along with "Renaissance", which was originally released back in 1990 (on cassette tape no less!) this collection includes the band's 1988 demo as well as a demo from 1991. Now, as to the who and what of this cult band (as we've already discussed the where and when) the line-up includes none other than guitarist/vocalist Dave Clemmons of Damn the Machine fame! Along with (well-traveled) drummer Dave McClain (Machine Head, ex-Catalepsy, ex-Murdercar, ex-Narita, ex-S.A. Slayer, ex-Sacred Reich, ex-Juggernaut, ex-Mark Reale Project, ex-Turbin, ex-Tyrant) and engineer Joe Floyd (Warrior) Clemmons (who not only handled lead vocals and guitars for Ministers of Anger, but also took care of bass duties!) first released a demo in 1988. Although those three tracks, "Guns of War", "Sticks & Stones" and "The Governor" (no, not about The walking Dead character!) do border on thrash they are more in line with what was happening around that time as far as the U.S. power metal scene is concerned. Offering up a slightly-raw take on heavy power metal not unlike bands like Metal Church and Armored Saint the demo, while not that well-received at the time, did in fact point out what was to be in store for the 1990 release of "Renaissance". Even though both demos were recorded around the same time with Joe Floyd's help the (originally) eight-track "Renaissance" showcases a much more technical-inclined/progressive thrash metal band. Falling somewhere between (Kentucky-based) Lethal, Anacrusis and Watchtower (with some early Flotsam and Jetsam thrown in for good measure!) "Renaissance" showcased a band that was probably a little ahead of the times, but most certainly destined for greater things! So, what happened? Well, we do know that the group released another demo in 1991. With the tracks from said demo ("We The People", "Wake To The Flames" and "Man Vs. Man") closing out this collection (which is really a must if you are into technical thrash!) the band seemed poised to make it. For whatever reason though it just didn't happen and as David Clemmons would go on to hook up with Mark and Chris Poland that ended any chance of Ministers of Anger achieving (well-deserved) recognition for their highly skilled technical thrash. That is until now! Thanks to Divebomb Records and this limited-edition collection Ministers of Anger gets another shoot at glory. While we'll never known just how far this group could have gone (my guess would be that had Damn The Machine not come along Ministers of Anger could have easily made a dent in the technical thrash scene even if their timing was off*) at least we have this collection available as a reminder that there is no shortage of great releases from the eighties and even nineties still waiting to be rediscovered by a whole new generation of heavy metal fans!

*Remember that in 1991 "Nevermind" had changed the face of music for better (it killed off a lot of the horrible glam and hair metal bands of the day) or worse (sadly it also killed off far too many good heavy metal acts as well).

Nervosa-Victim of Yourself

Napalm Records
2014

Formed in 2010, with bassist/vocalist Fernanda Lira (ex-HellArise, ex-Hellgard) remaining the solo original member of this São Paulo-based thrash trio, Nervosa present their full-length debut in "Victim of Yourself". Proceeded by the 7" vinyl single "Time of Death" (self-released in August of 2012 it would be re-released by Napalm Records a mere month later!) this 12-track LP features extremely aggressive and legitimately fast thrash metal that has made fans out of fellow Brazilians' Max Cavalera (ex-Sepultura, Soulfly,Cavalera Conspiracy) and Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) as well as the one and only Bobby Blitz of Overkill! Those are some pretty solid endorsements when you think about it, but Nervosa deserves such credit given the mad skills that these three lovely ladies lay down on "Victim of Yourself"! Andreas Kisser, who issued the following statement: "Nervosa has everything to make history in metal worldwide and follow the steps of other great power trios like Motörhead, Destruction, Coroner and Krisiun!", probably sums up feeling best when it comes to a band like Nervosa and given the skilled-set of musicians that bassist Fernanda Lira (a fine heavy metal front-woman whose killer voice resonates with sheer power!) has chosen to surround herself with this power trio should go far! Besides Fernanda Lira the band Nervosa features lead guitarist Prika Amaral and drummer Pitchu Ferraz (ex-Ajna, As Mercenarias, Wander Wildner, ex-Hellsakura) and, without overstating the obvious here, this ladies-only power trio shreds as well as any/all of their male counterparts! For such insane and over-the-top (and yet technically sound!) thrash metal there is plenty of melody to go around, but when push comes to shove these fine ladies simply lay waste to everything they encounter with their BRUTAL sonic assault. Part old-school and part modern there is just too much to love about about this Brazilian trio and for fans of extreme thrash this one seems like a real no-brainer!

Aruna Azura-A Story Of A World's Betrayal

Metal Scrap Records
2013

Somehow the full-length debut from this Russian band had slipped my mind. I had actually downloaded this album for review purposes sometime back and I only just now (or rather this morning) happened upon it by chance. It seems a shame that I had somehow overlooked this one as Aruna Azura's "A Story Of A World's Betrayal" isn't all that bad. Despite the fact that their name makes me think of  Hakuna Matata (yes, I know I'm weird to think of such a silly rhyme!) this youngish Russian band has some skills going for them. Technical death metal is the game these guys plays with the only difference being this group and a dozen similar such outfits is that there's some progressive metal intertwined throughout their debut album. Oh, there's also the clean and harsh vocals. Death growls mix up with clean singing and while it doesn't exactly deliver the desired effect for Aruna Azura it's the sign of a band that's trying to stand out from the crowd. There is room to grow for this bunch, but as far as debut-albums go this one is solid if unspectacular. Find out more here:
http://metalscraprecords.bandcamp.com/album/aruna-azura-a-story-of-a-world-s-betrayal

Dark Design-Prey For The Future

Heaven and Hell Records
2013

Raleigh, NC-based Dark Design was first established in 2008. The band, which features a pair of brothers in Matt (bass) and Robbie Mercer (drums), plays progressive thrash metal the likes of which the heavy metal community hasn't heard since the mid-late eighties/early nineties. In fact, lead vocalist Andrew Bertrand (who formerly played drums in ShadowRealm and Blackwatch) has the same kind of vocals that made early progressive/technical thrash so appealing to begin with. True, he does have a bit of James Hetfield in him, which does match some of this album's "...And Justice for All" era Metallica moments (there are also some flashes of "Ride The Lightning" era Metallica going on with this full-length debut and that is down right sweet!), but on the whole he handles things rather nicely. The band is rounded out by a pair of  exceptionally-talented guitarists in Ray Lewis (who, previous to Dark Design, actually had played with the Mercer brothers in other bands such as Hidden Terror, Nocturnal Fear (the NC-based one) and Ascendency) and Mike Joyner. Now, other then a 2010, 2-song demo with the title "Dark Design-2010"*, this is it for the band (recording-wise) so they make the most of this golden opportunity present to them. Other then perhaps the over-use of samples (as song openings) this 9-track album is a fantastic listening experience. It opens with the beautiful instrumental "In Medias Res" and closes with a surprising effective cover (more on that at the tale end of this review). Overall, on the cleverly-titled "Prey For The Future", the 5-guys in Dark Design offer up some solid progressive/technical thrash which brings to mind not only some of Metallica's past (and much better over-all) moments of glory, but everyone from Savatage to Anacrusis! While I do mention the Metallica vibe it should be noted that it's only a passing resemblance to Hetfield and company as these Raleigh thrashers lean more towards the Anacrusis and  Toxik side of thrash then anything else. The promo also makes mention of some of Death's more technical moments and I'm certainly not going to argue that comparison. Take and add in small doses of Megadeth and the "lighter" moments of both Atheist and Cynic and you're closing in on what makes Dark Design so freaking appealing. And speaking of all things appealing, and things that hit you from so far out of left field that you can't help but smile in appreciation, the album closes things of with a cover of  "Dust in the Wind"! As I had not been keeping track of each individual number (at least on my first of several repeat listens to this fun album) it took me by total surprise when the all-too-familiar opening cords of this Kansas classic kicked in! While it's not the first time I've heard a metalized version of this number (especially as I'm fairly certain that some Christian hard rock/heavy metal band covered it) it's probably the best cover version I've ever heard!  It's a bit of an odd choice of covers I'll admit, but seeing as I love the original version so much (and yes, I do butcher it while singing it in the shower oftentimes!) it's a cool way to finish off this album. Kudos to Dark Design for coloring outside the lines as it were and for what is most-definitely a killer debut album. Find out more below.

www.facebook.com/darkdesignband

 

* The Metal Archives mentions a 3-track advance promo that was self-pressed by Dark Design and handed out since the summer of 2012. But, since I can't verify that myself I'll just mention it in passing.

The Unconscious Mind-Where Philosophers Fall

CDN Records
2013

The Unconscious Mind are a relatively new act that features Derelict guitarist Simon Cléroux within it's ranks.The band, who are said to hail from the "South Shore Of Montreal", first hit the scene with a 2009 demo, "Witness the Madness", before self-releasing this 10-track album back in 2012. CDN Records has picked up the physical distribution of  "Where Philosophers Fall" in the hopes that The Unconscious Mind can reach a broader audience. The album art alone should clue you in as far as what waits the listener with "Where Philosophers Fall". If you said black metal then you get a gold star! If you said black metal plus elements of death metal, progressive thrash and symphonic metals then give yourself two gold stars!!!! "Where Philosophers Fall", which updates tracks from the band's earlier demo and adds in six new tracks, features the utterly creepy vocals of one Louis-Paul Gauvreau. While his vocals might be perceived as simply atypical "black metal raspy-style singing" I picked up on a deeper, more disturbing quality to his voice that gives this album an atmospheric edge. Simply put his vocal performance gives The Unconscious Mind a much darker and evil essence then your bulk of black/death metal bands. In a way he reminded me of Hell's lead singer David Bower. It's not that he sounds like Bower or anything it's just that his vocal performance, in much the same way way as David Bowers, helps gives The Unconscious Mind this remarkably otherworldly/storyteller-like quality. The vocals help move the music along as if you're wrapped up in this unfolding nightmare. It's like you see yourself walking straight into hell and their is nothing you can do about it as you have lost all control of your own body! Joining him then for this midnight walk through madness is his brother Simon Gauvreau (bass), the aforementioned Simon Cléroux (who, in addition to playing guitar also handles backing vocals), and keyboardist Michael Racine. Meanwhile Charles-André Brodeur (of power metal band Kemilon) is credited as being (only) the band's live drummer so I'm honestly not sure if the band utilized a drummer on here or what? Not that it matters really as the album, which was mixed and mastered by Maxime Côté (Hands Of Despair, Catuvolcus), is as technically sound as they come. The band's sound has reportedly drawn favorable comparison's to the likes of Old Man's Child, Dimmu Borgir, and Immortal and I'd say that's fair enough. It's at least in the general ballpark sound-wise. But, while I don't necessarily disagree with those comparisons, The Unconscious Mind has already achieved a unique, stylistic, sound that takes the different extreme arts (black metal, death metal, progressive thrash, melodic death, etc.) and puts their own stamp on it. That stamp comes packaged with a modern sound and a modern production so, for those who might be looking for old-school black/death metal, be forewarned that this 10-track is not retro in nature. You can find out more about the band and the link below and, as I've said many times before, it's bands like this (who are not afraid to makes additions to black metal's trademark sound) that make me reevaluate my feelings on the genre. Purists would probably disagree and they have every right to, but for me black metal is more interesting and appealing when it gets it's hands all dirty by way of adventuring into new and uncharted areas. The Unconscious Mind might not be the first band to experiment with additional elements (like a mad scientist in a lab), but they are the new face of black metal and I for one welcome them with open arms!


http://theunconsciousmind.bandcamp.com/

ABRIOSIS-VESSEL

Torn Flesh Records

2012

 

This EP is the 3rd release from Vancouver's Abrisis. It's also the first to feature new vocalist Alxs Ness (ex-Without Mercy). Here's another case where anything a man can do a woman can also do. In this case it's extreme death metal vocals. This band, who were formed in 2007, could be called death metal for the thinking man. What does thinking man's death metal entail? Well, this is progressive death metal meeting up with technical death (most likely after school as part of some club) to figure out how  to make the most out of a 20 minutes or so recording. It's filled to overflowing with all kinds of interesting arrangements as well as some great gut-busting, neck-snapping, traditionally death metal. While it's not the first band to come hang out and have a few beers at the progressive/technical death metal party this EP is still fun and inventive in it's own way. It's also over with before you ever really know what happened. That means it offers a lot and keeps things interesting while also packing into the one-two punch of regular, old-fashioned (but still loved!) death metal. It looks like this is being offered as a free download at the link below while physical copies will be limited.

 

http://www.abriosis.com/p/abriosis-vessel.html

Pure Negative-Insert [Twist] Pull

Self-Released/Independent
2013

I meant to add this to yesterday's "Free Metal Monday" feature but it slipped my mind. That's not to say the music on here is forgettable. Far from it. This London act, who formed in 2007, offer up a debut-album that is downright scary in it's intensity. These guys play furious metal that falls somewhere between technical thrash and brutal death metal. With 8 slamming tracks of insanely twisted metal (these guys draw from everyone from Down to Slayer), and a mindset that screams "Kill! Smash! Destroy!", there's no way you should pass this one up!



http://purenegative666.bandcamp.com/album/insert-twist-pull

Tellus Requiem-Invictus (The 11th Hour)

Nightmare Records
2013


Tellus Requiem (which means "The earths death mass." Tellus being Latin for The Earth, Requiem being the last composition a composer writes before they died) are a Norwegian band that was formed in 2007 by guitarist Stig Nergård. "Invictus (The 11th Hour)", which is due out on January 22nd, is the follow-up to the band's 2010 self-titled debut album digitally. It is also a album that shouldn't be called just progressive metal as the reality is this sophomore release from Tellus Requiem is almost impossible to properly describe. After listening to this one all the way through it's telling that the band is influenced by film scores and classical contemporary music. The music is technical at times (diverse bands such as Dream Theater, ELO, Cynic and Atheist all come to mind) and then it's also heavy like Opeth (only with clean vocals of the European power metal variety courtesy of Ben Rodgers). It has these weird electronic elements and flashy synthesizers from keyboardist Anders Sundb. That is in addition to his epic keyboard moments that add all these different layers to the music in question. Meanwhile Stig Nergård seems to have graduated with honors from the Megadeth school of technical guitar playing. Then again his playing is also on par with some of the better technical aspects of later day Death. Other bands that creep into the overall music here include Pain Of Salvation and Symphony X. And the rest of the band? I shouldn't forget to mention Vidar Lehmann (drums) and Ivar Hagen Be (bass) as they are both spectacular in their playing and add the perfect backdrop against which the the rest of this young and talented Norwegian act can paint the many colors of  "Invictus (The 11th Hour)". So, as you can see just calling the band's 10-track album merely "progressive metal" doesn't seem fair. It's so much more....
 

Affiance-The Campaign

Bullet Tooth Records
2012

How is it that I've managed to miss out on Affiance? This Ohio-based band practically lives in my back yard, Cleveland to be exact, and, from all accounts, has a sizable following. In my defense, I've been known to miss the obvious more then once (There are more stories to that affect then we could ever possible hope to discuss) so I shouldn't allow myself to lose any more sleep then I already do over this one simple mistake. Instead, based on the words of friends & musicians (Who technically are friends as well), I found myself in a state of increased curiosity so I headed to iTunes to download this buzzed about release. This is certainly a intriguing band that is arguably well-deserving of some of that hype. "The Campaign" is the second full-length album from Affiance. In 2007 the band came together and later that same year released a 6-track EP called "Calm Before The Storm". Only three years after forming, Affiance would release "No Secrets Revealed" on Bullet Tooth Records to positive press. With an appearance on the popular game Rock Band ("Call to the Warrior" was released as a downloadable track on the game) it seems as if Affiance should be a bigger name then they are (At least nationally as it seems as if I was one of the few people in Ohio not to know who they were). Either way, the single most important issue at play here is the fact that this new album just slays. Hitting the play button on "The Campaign" is the same as asking a boxer "Can I get punched in the head please?"! On paper it's possibly that the mixture of metalcore and technically thrash doesn't come off as appealing to most people. On tape though it's a whole different experience as these two genres merge together into this riff-happy, juggernaut on a bruiser. With politics and religion being the popular subjects on this 11 track release the band comes out swinging and never lets up.The lyrics seem to be more then just a gimmick though in the hands of lead vocalist Dennis Tvrdik. This music, this full metal punch, is spit out in such a forceful way that you won't find yourself questioning their convictions. This is an intense and intimidating release that is heavy and hard hitting. Featuring appearances by members of August Burns Red, Memphis May Fire and Century, all of which are intense bands in their own right, makes this release all the more empowering. Fans of metalcore will love this one, but I wouldn't be surprised if it also appealed to some thrash fanatics as well.