Reviews: Planet Of Zeus, Speedrush, Bad Contact, Powercross (Reviews By Matt Bladen)

Planet Of Zeus – Afterlife (IHaveADrum Records)

On their sixth album Afterlife, Planet Of Zeus seems to be in a much more reflective mood than before. Possibly due to the fact that they were unable to really tour their last album, 2019's Faith In Physics, these veteran road dogs, decided to look at themselves for new material, using writing and recording as a way to discover some universal truths about themselves and the world at large.

Or something like that Planet Of Zeus have always used science, philosophy and their own liberal ideology in their music, the punky, political band are perhaps smarter than your average stoners, the cover of this album, which resembles a amphorae painting should hint to how the likes of Plato and Socrates are sprinkled in the lyrics and concepts as are Dostoevsky and Hesse, it's all about the search for higher purpose and through turmoil and triumphs in their personal lives Planet Of Zeus seem locked into it than before.

Afterlife is perhaps more mature than previous albums, leaning into the darker brooding sounds of modern QOTSA on State Of Non Existence and the fuzzy thump of Baptized In His Death The Vixen and The Song You Misunderstand both have the wooziness of Monster Magnet, as Step On, Skin Off is built on Giannis' bass and feels like The Subways.

This song and the punky No Ordinary Life are Planet Of Zeus of old, Babis rallying with his shouts and guitar stabs as Stelios backs him with both guitar and vocals. Let's Call It Even drives forward with Serafeim's drums and more QOTSA thumping. There's variation on Afterlife, when they slow down they take on the form of Mr Homme's more studied modern songwriting but they still have a lot of their own stoner punk about them.

More mature but no less vicious, the pack is definitely back. 8/10

Speedrush - Division Mortality (Jawbreaker Records)

A long time coming Speedrush follow up their 2017 debut Endless War with new record Division Mortality. These Greeks are speed metal, razor sharp, blistering speed metal which has NWOBHM and thrash influences. Sounding more American than European, they rip and tear with the ferocity of Exciter, Razor or Agent Steel but have added to their sound with some more melodic moments that are more like thrashers such as Kreator or Overkill.

There's little let up, the pace established by instrumental title track. It's all fast, furious and raw, from the "captured live" production to the rough vocals, some of those melodic flourishes coming on the middle solo section of Divine Damnation. For thrashers and speedsters that like their music tough and vicious, Division Mortality will get repeated plays. 7/10

Bad Contact - Eightball (Self Released)

Although they are form Athens, Bad Contact have named their album of Thessaloniki's premier rock club/venue Eightball. A dive bar where some of the best have played, it encompasses the 80's metal aesthetic as much as Bad Contact themselves do. If I'm wrong about where they got the title from I'm happy to be corrected but the music is steeped in classic heavy metal.

Though it opens with a weird synthy instrumental called Infinity, leaving Not Afraid as the first first song proper and it's definitely retro with worship that reminds me of both the NWOBHM and AOR scenes. In fact Eightball fits ideally into the current wave of retro heavy metal bands, similar to Unto Others for instance. Only formed in 2022, they have emerged fully formed with 37 minutes of music that will show you what they do. 

A bit of Cirith Ungol, a bit of Warlord and some Dio too, Bad Contact brings classic heavy rock vibes but a bit of drama. 7/10

Powercross - The Lost Empire (Elevate Records)

Formed in Athens in 2022, Powercross are a power metal band, initially just two friends it's Spiros Rizos (guitar) who continues to lead the band in 2024. With John Britsas (vocals), Vaggelis Kaliviotis (bass) and Stelios Pepinidis (drums) making up the rest of the band. If I'm making comparisons PowerCross mix Hammerfall, Stratovarius (Nightlight), keys/orchestrations sit below the surface, though not on The Lost Empire but the guitars are shreddy and feel like Firewind and Dio on Circle Of Fire.

Rizos' guitar playing is very central to the sound of the band, even with Rizos being on his own, he plays plenty of dual harmonies but his shredding is where Powercross impress the most, especially on tracks such as Eternity. The rest of the band don't hang around though the rhythm section keeps things fast and frenzied, keeping to the thrash/speed metal pattern they establish very quickly. 

Vocally John has the sort of voice you would expect from a power metal band, powerful but with that European enunciation. So Powercross are a great Greek power metal band for fans of Firewind definitely. 7/10

Reviews: Dawnwalker By Matt Bladen

Dawnwalker - The Unknowing (Self Released)

Like fellow avant-garde experimentalists in heavy music Dawnwalker are less a band and more of a collective. Like the fantastic Crippled Black Phoenix, which is the creative expression of Justin Greaves, Dawnwalker really is centred around Mark Norgate (vocals/guitar/keyboards) with a revolving membership. This means that every album has something different about it, a new string to to the bow, different nuances and feelings conveyed in different ways. 

With a brand new line up of members coming from Pupil Slicer, Malefice and Lure In/Deathbloom, Dawnwalker's sixth album is their most progressive to date, the focus on analogue equipment, no click tracks, playing together in as natural way as possible, the engineers capturing the band as they sound on stage. Special guests from Ashenspire and Pijn and recording in different studios like musical nomads, take them closer in spirit and in music to CBP than before. 

This is no bad thing, as I love CBP and I've always really rated what Dawnwalker do as a band, across 12 years and five albums they have defined themselves against pigeonholes Norgate has navigated the band from studio project to physical entity, never doing the same thing twice while always keeping a vein of familiarity. On The Unknowing they have settled on a concept around our search for belonging, existential stuff that's brought into the real life by some brilliant musical textures. 

Alongside Norgate for this journey are Luke Fabian on bass, Chris J. Allan on drums, flautist Bella Band, and vocalist Sofia Sourianou, who serves as a haunting counterpoint, and provides native Greek melodies on the Spectral Mirrorpool, again making it comparable to CBP's use of multiple voices. There's more too it though, influences of bands such as Anthema (Sword Of Spirit/Novus Homo) and Porcupine Tree (Capricorn) are very strong, Dawnwalker's post-metal beginnings fading with the expressive, progressive but concise songs that deliver what they need too in under five minutes. 

It feels a bit happier, maybe than previous albums perhaps inspired by the goth pop of tour mates healthyliving, the instrumentations are brighter and the concise runtimes make for an immediate experience. With lyrics that are far reaching into the grandest of themes, the repeating lilt of Thema Mundi creates a link though the whole record, Heaven And Earth brings the slow motion build of CBP with classic prog too while the flutes are put to good use on Cancer (Rising).

You can probably tell that I liked Dawnwalker's sixth album, it's got masses amounts of the musical styles I adore, but yet still much more to discover, an album you need to play several times to really get your brain engaged to. The Unknowing shows that this shift towards proggier realms was well justified and executed brilliantly. There is no wonder that this will get full marks as it's stunning. 10/10

A View From The Quest: Power Metal Quest Fest 2024 (Live Review By Matt Bladen)

Power Metal Quest Fest 2024, The Asylum, Birmingham, 12.10.24

Yet another quest to the birth place of heavy metal was about to begin. Elves, warriors, orcs and all manner of heroes combined at The Asylum in Birmingham for another day of the best Power/Symphonic/Prog metal bands around.

Another superb line up featuring bands who have never or have rarely played the UK alongside some bands from this country that should be getting more accolades than they do, it was into the venue at 12 for the 1pm kick off. PMQF has become a staple in my gig/fest calendar due to the quality of the bands, the people and the staff. It’s well run, in a great venue with enough space, for this year at least (more on that later) and everyone is just there to enjoy the cheesy heavy metal fun that comes from power metal and it’s subsidiaries.

As the hordes descended upon the stage, the merch, the bar, there was a sigh of relief when the first band took to the stage to kick of this most festive of festivals. Band number one was Hanowar (9) a tribute to some other American band with a similar name, Hanowar stormed the stage like they were the real thing.

Having seen Manowar, Hanowar are louder, rowdier, move more and have more theatrics in their music, the only other band that come near are of course the legendary Womanowar, who's Erica Had’ems (aka Dakesis' Gemma Lawler) took to the stage for a duet version of Battle Hymns, that put to death anyone believed in false metal and made sure all of the wimps and posers left the hall.

Hanowar are brilliantly bonkers, their interpretations full of skits, fireworks and out of time clapping, played with tongue so firmly in cheek it poked a hole through and they get special kudos for changing THAT lyric in Hail And Kill to something more appropriate.

In blaze of fire smoke and inflatable swords they were gone and the scene had been set for another epic battle. Any band that had to follow that would have their work cut out for them but happily Tales Of Time (7) have enough songs to capture the attention of an audience who were as giddy as a kid on sherbet.

Operatic, progressive symphonic metal with the poppy undercurrent that brought the feeling of Nightwish/Epica/Within Temptation and Lacuna Coil. Using their set as a way to perform the multiple singles they have released it all nodes very well for any future album releases. Anna Maria's vocals are especially a highlight live so her decision post PMQF to step down as the vocalist of Pirate Queen is more than justified as Tales Of Time have a lot more potential.

Speaking of potential, there's probably very few in the UK who will have seen Lycanthro (7), coming all the way from the Great White North of Ottawa Canada this heavy power metal band play the sort of thrashy heavy metal that the North America was built on, bands such as Jag Panzer, Helstar, Vicious Rumours etc are all clear influences of their biting heavy metal. Obsessed with werewolves/horror and things that go bump in the night, while I didn't see any Chinese menus in their hand, these Werewolves of Canada won a lot of new fans in Birmingham.

Next came a band who I discovered at Bloodstock earlier this year, 'the earl grey tea time' of the day (their words not mine), Awake By Design (8) brought a more studious and adult sound similar to romantically inclined and heavy thinking bands such as Kamelot and Serenity. Keys and guitars interplayed with some emotional vocals, the forward march of the quest interrupted by this gothic moment. More towards the progressive side of Quest Fest, they stood in last minute for Dendera and fit the bill better in my opinion as they put the progressive with the anthemic.

Back on more familiar territory with Italian neo classical power metal. Maybe baroque metal if you will as Winterage (8) took to the stage, a band who play symphonic metal with violin as a prominent instrument. Complex arrangements, Italian Renaissance inspired stage outfits they dressed to impress and the music was just as impressive. 

Masters of the theatrical their songs are longer and have more complexity, linking them to Awake By Design before but they also have folk influences similar to the much missed Falconer and the use of violin gives vigour and vibrancy. It was also their singer’s birthday so things stopped a little to celebrate but they managed to recapture the attention until the end of their set.

Their own shows must be a theatrical treat, and speaking of theatrics the band many wanted to see arrived in the shape of Dragony (8). What is a power metal festival without dragons huh? There was plenty last year and at previous events but 2024 was a little dragon sparse.

Dragony are a band who merge songs about dragons with historical fantasy playing songs from their great new album that had only been out a day. Now these songs were great but possibly a little too new for the fa s to really enjoy but the classics from their previous records getting a bigger reaction.

Fighting with adversity as their bassist was unwell so couldn't make the trip from Austria they do get bonus points for being the first band to have a Keytar at the 2024 addition something else there was a distinct lack of since last year. Dragony lived up to their billing on this show with the most 'traditional' power metal sound on the bill.

There was more non-traditional metal instruments as Skiltron (7) took to the stage with the inclusion of bagpipes, more divisive than Marmite, Skiltron use them better than most but if you don't like them I'm your music then you will soon leaving as they are integral to Skiltron's sound. Now I'm not the biggest fan of the folk metal sound especially bagpipes but I enjoyed the energy Skiltron have and their previous frontman coming back into the fold added something more to their show.

Then it was time to unfold the board, get out the D12 or D20 and stride forth into the finale quest of the day. Expected to be the most epic yet, we are brought into the world of the Twilight Kingdoms by the exquisite fantasy metal of Twilight Force (9). 

Having recently dropped three members it was a brand new guitar line up that took to the stage first, dressed in the LARP-style outfits, the most recent members Galyn (Galen Stapley- guitar), Bramley Underhall (Bradley Hall – guitar) and Xandor (Alex Miles – bass) took to the stage alongside drummer De’Azsh (Isak Olsson) and band leader/keyboardist Blackwald (Daniel Beckman to start off the show with Dawn Of The Dragonstar, as they powered into the opening triumphal riff, Allyon (Alessandro Conti) arrived resplendent in his armour and opened up his ear piercing vocals.

Typical of the Italian power metal sound of Rhapsody and also of the Michael Kiske highs in Helloween (he’s also singer in Trick Or Treat), Conti’s voice is superb as a clarion call to all the adventures of Birmingham. Played out like a live action D&D session set to music, there was no way I could complain about the lack of dragons in this one as every other song seemed to feature a mention of them. 

Much like Dragony, Twilight Force are the sort of band you think of when you hear power metal and with storytelling between the songs, those helium vocals, lighting guitar solos, symphonics and orchestral, the audience lapped it up with inflatable swords high in the air, as was an inflatable dragon on Flight Of The Sapphire Dragon. Even a string breaking part way through the show couldn’t stop them as the PMQF crew made sure they smashed this quick time event and got Galyn back out in front of the crowd.

By the time Power Of The Ancient Force had rung out it was time to end and there was a massive high throughout the venue as this year’s quest came to a triumphant end. The atmosphere was joyous and welcoming once again, PMQF continues to be the most passionate and accepting crowds. The ethos that Amie and the entire PMQF team have cultivated deserves all the plaudits it gets, this is quite niche genre of the metal scene one that is underappreciated. To continue this festival through pandemics, line-up changes and now wildly uncertain live music scene can only be commended. 

Looking it ahead to 2025, it seems that any fears of the support tapering off can be put to bed as the now rebranded Quest Fest, will be taking place in KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton, I cannot wait to see who they get to fill that now hallowed hall!

A View From The Back Of The Room: One Ok Rock (Live Review By SJ)

One OK Rock, OVO Wembley, London, 11.10.24

Considering this is the first time One OK Rock (9) have played at OVO Wembley London, they definitely are used to putting on an emotionally evocative show full of unexpected events (stay tuned to find out more). Which isn’t surprising as they’ve been touring for over 10 years, slowly conquering the rock world.

To warm the crowd up, they played an intro video which was sprinkled with inspirational phrases about living life to the fullest and taking the opportunity to tell the people you care about, that you love them. Which melded seamlessly into the ethos of One OK Rocks' lyrics.

They teased the crowd by showcasing their skills from the start, initially from the instrumentals with Tomoya the drums, Toru on the guitar and Ryota on the bass. Taka then made is vocal debut of the night with "They'll conquer us if we divide. I know I will listen to you" from their latest single Delusional, making the crowd roar and giving me goosebumps. They then performed Deeper Deeper, Taking Off and Save Yourself where Tomoya performed an insane drum solo.

One OK Rock then took the opportunity to give they're thanks to their fans and expressed that they never dreamed they would be able to perform in front of so many people in London. Tomoya also made the crowd laugh by telling us he loves a "Cheeky Nando's, Heinz Baked Beans and Ed Sheeran" - foreshadowing much? Taka followed this up by stating that they've been in London for 3 days filming their new MV for their upcoming album, to be released in 2025.

After performing a few more fan favourites such as, Make It Out Alive and Renegades, Taka took an emotional stance. Sharing that their old company would tell them that they can't tour outside Japan and One OK Rock told them to "fuck off, there are no limits" and that they have made many friends across the world.

Just Toro and Taka remained on stage with the acoustics slowly playing in the background as Taka announced "Please welcome Ed Sheeran to the stage" I thought this was a joke. But Ed walked on with his guitar joining Taka in singing Wherever You Are. Ed joined Taka in singing in both Japanese and English. The shock was still there as Ed left the stage as it all happened so quickly. I didn't really take it in as it was so unexpected. This was swiftly followed by Take What You Want by Taka and Toru still in acoustics.

Taka then came to the front of the stage and sat down. Looking at us all. Really taking it in. I'm sure I seen some tears on his face. Then proceeded to belt out "Silence strikes like a hurricane, I'm singing for you." Kicking into the rock version of the same song, Take What You Want, breaking out from the acoustics.

Taka then shared with us that the new album will be hard rock and roll and spoke to us in Japanese. Expressing that even with different cultures and languages we have the same passion and spirit with music. It's the music that's the most peaceful thing in the world. So, the next album, talks about peace. They want to change the world into a more peaceful one.

From a technical standpoint, the visual graphics were outstanding, the best I have seen. They had a mixture of pictures, lyrics and funky shapes aligning to the songs that were being played. Sometimes it overlayed the live camera, blending the digital art and live feed. 

They also displayed some of the lyrics in the background for a few songs in both English and Japanese. Which was echoed in the vocals as Taka sang in English and Japanese for certain sections. The lighting really elevated each song and was crafted carefully to match the tone of each song. Some of the crowd had their light sticks, which syncs up to the lights on stage and creates a wave of colour in the crowd. Almost like a sea of fireflies mimicking the music, allowing the crowd to be part of the performance.

After this section the artists took a much-needed quick break whilst the screens introduced their avatars. I personally did find this section a bit cheesy and the visuals of their avatars didn't seem polished. The same expressions on the avatars kept repeating, eliciting a feeling of watching a children's cartoon... I'm not confident this is the best direction for the group but I appreciate the attempt at being innovative.

They then came back with "One step at a time, no matter how long it takes...", the song that got me hooked on One OK Rock to begin with, Prove. Followed by Neon Lights, We Are and Stand Out Fit In.

The avatars came on to ask if we wanted to be part of their MV. So, we had the once in the life time opportunity to hear their new song and be part of their MV! I can feel the hard rock and roll routes in We All Matter and I look forward to hearing it again in their new album.

Finally ending the night on Wasted Nights "Don't be afraid to dive. Be afraid that you didn't try. These moments remind us why. We're here, we're so alive." Reminding us to live like we're immortal for tonight because by this time tomorrow we will be talking about tonight. No more wasted nights, be present.

Review: Frost* By Matt Bladen

Frost* - Life In The Wires (Inside Out Music)

Double albums and prog bands. It's like Salt N Pepper, Fish N Chips, Sausage N Mash, they just go together (also I was hungry when I wrote this). It's a wonder then why seminal British proggers Frost* have yet to do one. I mean that could be because there's was a long time where they didn't do much. 

After Milliontown, 2006 they split up then after Experiments In Mass Appeal in 2008 they split up again, finally releasing a third album Falling Satellites in 2016. No more splits since then though, tours galore, another record in 2021 Day And Age and now bandleader/vocalist/keyboardist Jem Godfrey has bitten the bullet with their fifth album and gone for a double album.

Of course we have a concept record, continuing somewhat from Day And Age the radio signal that sounded the end of that record opening this one for the next part of the story. The full story is about the future, dystopian and driven of A.I. and the central characters hearing a DJ on an AM radio then searching for something better. 

Similar concepts have been done by Roger Waters (Radio K.A.O.S) and Shooter Jennings (Hierophant - Black Ribbons), but in classic Frost* style, this concept is a bit brighter, more nostalgic, more fun and less doom and gloom (I mean most records are happier than anything by Roger Waters). 

This sense of nostalgia fed into the songwriting too as Godfrey takes most of the lead vocals here as he did on their defining debut Milliontown, more recent records have seen him sharing with guitarist John Mitchell, but here he's back behind the mic mainly by himself. He's joined by Mitchell on guitar, Nathan King on bass and Craig Blundell returns to the drum kit, marking the first time this line up has recorded since 'comeback' album Falling Satellites. 

With Godfrey behind the mic and both Milliontown and Experiments In Mass Appeal getting releases that nostalgia I referred to earlier is also present in the performance, taking their sound back to the neo-prog beginnings, invoking all of their albums so far on the songs. 

That's always the pleasure about double albums, with 90 minutes of music, there's plenty of time to throw in Easter eggs, little nods to the past, things only hardcore fans would pick up on. There's also the return of solos, both guitar and keyboard solos, Godfrey and Mitchell trading off as the progressive backbeat steers the ship through the storyline on the mammoth Life In The Wires (Part 2), the 15 minute penultimate moment of the album, segueing into the Floydian finale Starting Fires. 

Interspersed with transmissions from 'Livewire' who inspired our protagonist towards his new life. Solid State Orchestra pays huge dividends to Keith Emerson as Strange World dreamily shifts towards John Mitchell's recent output while last but one of disc one is the heavy chug of Idiot Box. Disc two is where things get a little darker, Propergander goes into the weirdness of Brain Salad Surgery as Sign Of Life adds strings and bags of emotion in a way that's similar to Peter Gabriel (it's that drumbeat).

There's no doubt about it Life In The Wires is the finest addition to the Frost* catalogue. A double album masterpiece from the UK's finest prog rock band. 10/10

Reviews: Grand Magus, Cortez, Veiled, Nameless (Reviews By Mark Young, Rich Piva, Mike Pickett, Liam Williams)

Grand Magus - Sunraven (Nuclear Blast Records) [Mark Young]

Ok, so I might as-well get this out in the open now. Everyone will have a band or bands they will drop everything for in order to catch them live. This also applies to their recorded output, no matter what others say or write, you will always buy it. 

I hold Grand Magus in that high regard in the same way I hold Anthrax, Slayer, Mastodon, Lamb of God and a new addition to that list is Heriot. Every time I’ve caught these live, they have never disappointed. Obviously, recorded outputs will vary, and intensity and quality will change as a band age but for Grand Magus, they have never let me down. Ever.

What they bring, is metal. Anybody who says differently can leave the hall. What I will say is that they are like Judas Priest, or AC/DC. You know what you are going to get right from the start.

Their first album since Wolf God, and in part based/inspired by Grendel, Its vibrant, powerful and always pushing forward and what’s more it makes you lose your shit live. Skybound kicks this off and it slots straight into that black book of bangers that JB and co have consistently written since forever. Its quick, with that knowing arrangement of riffs that comes from being steeped in the classics as well as being able to put together the ‘right’ sort of song that announces exactly what this album is going to be about. Lead breaks, double bass drumming, what’s not to like? 

The Wheel Of Pain (by the way, I always love how they come on stage to the theme from Conan) is an immediate head banger, triplet riffs that underpin what feels like a pre-cursor to battle and a stormer of a lead break. 

Everything is there, its just metal. They write songs so that you sing it back to them live, with melody lines that stick in the brain. Title track Sunraven does exactly that, nestling an earworm of a guitar line in amongst those powered riffs and is completed by an emotive lead break. Three tracks in and I’m a happy soul. 

Each track has a moment of class, Winter Storms wearing its power metal love like a battle vest as they deliver a mid-paced tale that just drips metal from every pore. It’s the glorious kind of metal that they are so good at, its not technical and there isn’t a blizzard of notes picked at inhuman speeds and it has a traditional ending boom that lovers of old-school rock will love. 

The Black Lake has that lurching measure to it, with an epic build, and one of those solo’s that take you on a journey whilst Hour of the Wolf ups the tempo, echoing their earlier works whilst dropping another corker of a guitar line that you will be humming for days.

Grendel heralds the last three tracks and keeps that tempo going, with a 3 and half minute’s blast for the main villain from Beowulf, delivered with a real fire to it with a sing a long chorus that is going to be awesome live. As is JB’s calling card, there is a grandiose lead break with a perfect chord set behind it which then sets up To Heorot, which is another major part of Beowulf. It is a mead-hall, and this is a song that evokes that scene in your mind. Its central theme is built to drink to (if you do) and it gives us a quick-fire run through of those events before a face-melter of a solo. 

We finish with The End Belongs To You and in keeping with their overall vibe, this is metal, strong riffs, drum breaks and a solo that has to become as anthemic as Hammer Of The North. It is a strong closing track, bookending a collection of songs that sees them return with their fire reignited. They have always brought it, and with them being away for so long I think it’s easy to forget just how good they are. They understand that they must bring the riffs and those soaring vocals that are the main ingredient of the best heavy metal. This they can do, and they make it look so easy. 9/10

Cortez - Thieves And Charlatans (Ripple Music) [Rich Piva]

Boston’s Cortez have been bringing the stoner doom heavy since 2006, but now, in 2024, the band has created their best work with their new record, Thieves And Charlatans, brought to us via Ripple Music. The band has always kicked ass and has been one of the top tier outfits of the genre, but Thieves And Charlatans brings a complexity and a variability in styles that has not been as prevalent on their previous four other full lengths. Add that, with some next level songwriting and their usual killer playing, and you get the best Cortez record till date and an album of the year candidate. 

Opening with the most straight up party rock song (I hear late 80s hard rock) the band has ever done (in the best sort of way), Gimme Danger sets the tone for a different sort Cortez experience. It is not like the band has gone and done some kind of prog concept record and added a brass section, but Gimme Danger is enough of a departure to certainly notice something different here, and I am so here for it. Leaders Of Nobody has an Ugly period Life Of Agony feel to it with a killer riff and excellent vocals from Matt Harrington. I love the tempo changes and how it seemingly crawls to its end. 

Stove Up is the trademarked Cortez rocker with killer riffs and excellent vocals that has always made Cortez so great. No Heroes is a gigantic song. It is huge all around, from the playing to the singing and goes in all sorts of excellent directions. It is on Levels when we really get into the genius of Thieves And Charlatans. This is like the stoner doom version of Jane’s Addiction’s Three Days which is to say this absolutely rules and is my favourite Cortez track ever and one of my favourite songs in a long time. I am not overstating this. Eight minutes and twenty-two seconds of brilliance. 

Odds Are and Liminal Spaces are songs that remind you how much the band understands both the heavy side of things as well as melody, with the latter using some cool vocal effects. The closer, Solace, is almost on the level of Levels and is a huge, dynamic, and intense way to close out a record. It would have been easy and probably still excellent if Cortez put out a record of riff heavy rockers in the stoner doom vein that they excel at. Instead Thieves And Charlatans takes a band almost 20 years in down a path of creating their masterpiece by flexing their creative muscles and taking some risks, with a seriously amazing payoff. 10/10

Veiled - SE//CT (Seek And Strike) [Mike Pickett]

SE//CT by Veiled is a masterfully crafted deathcore album that feels like a journey through despair, hopelessness, and rage. While I’ve been a long time fan of death metal, this album makes me feel like I’ve been missing out on deathcore, and if this is the standard, I’d listen to little else. Each track flows into the next, taking you deeper into a story that Veiled is telling. One standout track, Hellbound, perfectly captures the band’s ability to blend slow, aggressive guitars with a variety of vocal styles—ranging from low growls to goblin-like screeches, even some clean vocals. The shifts between these voices feel natural and balanced, adding depth without ever sounding out of place. 

The overall production is top-notch. Each instrument is clear and well balanced. The distortion on the guitars adds a gritty texture, and the vocals never get lost behind the music. Even the small interlude tracks, featuring news broadcasts, enhance the album’s atmosphere, pulling you further into the experience. At 14 tracks and 44 minutes, SE//CT is a cohesive listening experience, with every song fitting into the emotional narrative. Fans of deathcore, or even those looking to transition from metalcore or traditional death metal, will find a lot to appreciate here. Veiled has delivered an album that will resonate with listeners across heavier genres. 9/10

Nameless - Shapeshifter (Self Released) [Liam Williams]

This is the brand new, second album, Shapeshifter, from Birmingham based nu-metal band Nameless. An album with gut-punching guitar parts, sick screams and a blend of other interesting sounds, all packed into 7 nice little tracks, lasting just over half an hour in total.

First track Tempest is just an intro track. It has some really nice and haunting strings playing and building up to the first proper track, Worth Of Man. This is when the band kicks in and from the start it’s high energy, heavy, nu-metal goodness. I love how the chorus in this track follows the same melody as the previous track. It’s done quite well. There’s a great little dissonant guitar part going into the bridge section which sounds like it would fit well into a slasher horror film.

Next up is the title track of the album. They dial back the heavy a little bit and go for more of a sort of grungy sound which reminds me of some of the heavier Alice In Chains tracks. This track features a lot of clean singing and even some rapping. Rosaline has an excellent intro which sounds a bit like Not Long For This World by Slipknot to me. It has some massive choruses which sound incredible. There’s some more rapping in the second verse and screaming in the bridge section. Showing the vocalist’s capabilities of doing a bit of everything.

The first few notes of the intro riff in Pacify And Reason almost tricked me into thinking I was about to listen to The Diary Of Jane by Breaking Benjamin. There’s also a groovy little riff right before the first verse comes in. This song also features a nice little guitar solo in the second half.

Finger On The Pulse is the heaviest track on the album. Really interesting guitar effect in the intro. It has a brutal breakdown but an even more brutal outro. Just as the song is coming to an end there’s a part which I can only describe as having a scary circus vibe to it.

The last track on the album, Crystalise, has more of a post-hardcore sound to it. It has a nice clean guitar intro with some strings backing it up. It builds up to the second half of the song which gets a little bit heavier but not quite as heavy as other parts of the album. There’s another nice little guitar solo and the outro features a short but sweet little piano part to close out the song and the album as a whole.

Overall, a really good album demonstrating this bands talents and creativity. I could hear a lot of inspiration from bands like Slipknot and Korn, amongst others, and I like how they keep things fresh and entertaining from track to track. Throwing in other sounds like a bit of grunge and post-hardcore here and there. Really good stuff and I’m looking forward to seeing how they evolve their sound in the future. 9/10

Reviews: House Of Lords, Cleanbreak, Fans Of The Dark, Radioactive (Reviews By Matt Bladen)

House Of Lords - Full Tilt Overdrive (Frontiers Music s.r.l)

James Christian has been the voice of melodic rockers House Of Lords for 35 years and he's still up there vocally with some of the best. Inspired by powerhouse hard rock bands such as Whitesnake and Van Halen, they perhaps never got the dues they should have, like many hard rock bands the influx of grunge and then Nu metal overshadowed a lot of bands such as House Of Lords, Thunder, Little Angels, Winger etc.

This led to a hiatus until 2000 then persistent touring, line up changes and the blessing of co-founding member Gregg Giuffria, they have been forging the path they are on now since then, constantly traversing the globe and releasing seven albums in their current form, Full Tilt Overdrive being their twelfth overall. Keeping the same line up as 2017's Saints And Sinners, they are now more in sync, Mark Mangold especially showing why he's so vital to HOL with his keys, writing and co-production alongside Christian.

For House Of Lords newbies imagine a band that merges Def Leppard with Deep Purple or even modern day Europe and anything with Jeff Scott Soto. There's some very modern production, making the record boom out of the speakers with big rock riffs from Jimi Bell underpinned by the bass groove of Christian and the steady beat of drummer Johan Koleberg with tracks such as Bad Karma, the bluesy Cry Of The Wicked.

Mangold's Lord-like organs burst on the title track while his synths fizz on You're Cursed, State Of Emergency and the industrial Not The Enemy. They slow down with the Southern acoustics of Taking The Fall a bit of a throwback to their early days as Don't Wanna Say Goodbye is full of modern pop the finale 9 minute Castles High is a massive part prog, part rock feast. Full Tilt Overdrive doesn't change what House Of Lords have been doing for 35 years it just gets more modern and refined with each release. 9/10

 
Cleanbreak - We Are The Fire (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

Cleanbreak is another collaborative project under the Frontiers banner, fronted by James Durbin who made his name as a singer for many high profile performers and featured on American Idol as a contestant that stuck to heavy metal. 

He’s released a solo album that was shameless tribute to the likes of Dio and Priest, and has previously sung on the debut Cleanbreak album. Together with guitarist Mike Flyntz (Riot V), Cleanbreak are another band that play classic heavy metal, chugging riffs, killer solos and anthemic choruses about overcoming obstacles in your life, just check out song titles such as Resilience In Our Souls, Unbreakable, Can’t Lose Hope and they’ll tell you that this is music to be defiant and sing loudly. 

Proper classic heavy metal and while the first album featured a rhythm section from Stryper, this one takes the more familiar shape of Alessandro Del Vecchio on bass/keys and Nicholas Papapicco on drums, two players who have featured on countless Frontiers projects. This new record feels a bit heavier a bit nastier, the rhythms hit a bit harder while Flyntz plays some killer riffs born from Riot V, Priest and Accept, you'll be nodding your head along to every track which is a sign of quality for heavy metal of this kind. 

Durbin has nothing to prove vocally and if the ‘Voice Of Rock’ title was up for grabs I’d say hand it to him as he’s got the same versatility and power as Glen Hughes. While their debut was an introduction, We Are The Fire seems like Cleanbreak cementing themselves as a band with some classic heavy rock. 8/10

Fans Of The Dark - Video (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

Fans Of The Dark return with their new album, Video, famously what killed the radio star, FOTD are paying homage to the video store, choosing what to watch, taking time on it, looking at the blurb and the cover, the little snippets that played on the screens, it’s something that is quite nostalgic to me as well, and is actually how I use something like Spotify, listen to an album if I like it buy it. 

It’s about taking time and era now lost, a paean to the 80’s and early 90’s where AOR ruled the airwaves. This is their third album and nothing changes too much, there’s plenty of Bonnet fronted Rainbowisms from the vocals and the keyboard heavy backing, I’d say that perhaps the songs have been refined a little as the band have now performed together after the release of their second album and after covers EP showed their influences.

They have now defined what they do as band, sat somewhere between anything with Joe Lynn Turner, Toto and also Mike And The Mechanics, they’re built on Freddie Allen’s big drum sound and Alex Falk’s soulful vocals. One for AOR lovers, Video puts on its rose-tinted glasses and takes you back to when songs like this ruled the airwaves and MTV played music videos. 7/10

Radioactive - Reset (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

Another AOR project, this time from the mind of guitarist/songwriter/producer Tommy Denander, Reset is the sixth album from Radioactive and marks a return for the Radioactive project. With a title track and one other written by legendary producer Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange, Reset is Denander returning to the roots of this project. 

So of course it sounds like Toto, when Radioactive released their first album in 1991, Jeff Porcaro, Mike Porcaro, Steve Porcaro and David Paich were his backing band, from there he’s made more albums each featuring some of the best players and vocalists around. This one, his sixth record, not only features Mutt Lange but virtuoso bassist Tony Levin, Robin McAuley (MSG), Bryan Adams’ guitarist Keith Scott. So expect huge in your face production, massive backing vocals and anthemic radio friendly AOR. 

No whether you like it or not depends if you like Toto, Def Leppard and Bryan Adams, as there is very heavy Mutt Lange influence to the record, in terms of the writing, Shame On You, Shame On Me is a lost Bryan Adams cut surely? So if his slick style of production and pop writing isn’t your thing the you may want to avoid it but if AOR with some top notch musicians and a focus on ‘the band’ rather than the singers then you’ll enjoy this Reset. 7/10

A View From The Back Of The Room: Imminence, Aviana & Allt (Live Review By SJ)

Imminence, Aviana & Allt, Electric Ballroom, London - 10.10.24

The last time I was at the Electric Ballroom was circa 6 years ago to see a Korean Rap group called Epik High and the venue is exactly as I remembered it - electrifying (no pun intended... or maybe just a little). The queue formed outside but went down really quickly and unfortunately as I entered, I realised I had forgotten my earplugs. I did ask the bar staff if they had any spare but they hadn't.

The venue was really full from the offset as eager fans were excited to see all the bands, first up were the progressive metalcore band, Allt (8). The lights dimmed and "Daylight, we haven't seen it in forever. It's all just different shades of ash" belting out Remnant. Allt were blazing the stage their presence which echoes through the crowd as mosh pits formed. Allt mainly performed songs from their debut album From The New World. All the members put their all into their performance but Robin on vocals really stood out. I was so impressed by the visceral low growls and screams.

Aviana (8) hit the ground running from the moment they jumped on stage with their latest single, Delirium. Most of the songs were from Corporation which highlighted how they can mix genres seamlessly with metalcore and electronic sounds. They hyped the crowd up by playing fan favourites such as Retaliation, Oblivion, Rage and Anomaly.

The crowd were now riled up from Allt and Avianas performances, the cheering and rumbling was elevating the crowd even more, clearly very excited to see Imminence (8). The stage looked like it had old church style windows in the background, with Eddie's violin glistening on the stage. A shadowy figure emerged from the back in a long black hooded cape, white lights then illuminated the stage with the figure fuming over the crowd. 

"Come hell or high water" faintly ruminated from the stage. After this, the hooded figure took off the cape to unsurprisingly reveal Eddie. Imminence performed most of their songs from The Black, including my personal favourite Infectious. Everything about Imminence was immense. Their stage presence, vocals, instrumentals... all of it made for an amazing show that I will remember for a long time and hope to see them again live.

Throughout the night, the lighting was probably some of the best I've seen. It matched the music tempo so well and was part of the experience of hyping the crowd up. The red, blues and white filtered through the crowd for Allt, blue purple for Aviana, and green and lilac for Imminence, just like the Northern Lights that glisten over Sweden.

Reviews: Maatkare, Escuela Grind, Obnoxious Youth, Hell Valley High (Reviews By Matt Bladen, Mark Young, Paul Hutchings & Rich Piva)

Maatkare - Rise To Power (Self Released) [Matt Bladen]

When you think of death metal musicians you probably think of big dudes in camo shorts and no shirts. Machismo incarnate, it's usually always about flaying people, blood gore and violence, its women who are invariably the scapegoat for this violence, Entrails Ripped Etc.

Maatkare look to change this, the all female, and damn proud of it, death metal crew have taken the name from Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s official title another woman in a man's world she was one of only six female Pharaoh's and the most successful ruling for 20 years. Embodying the power and persistence of their namesake with blistering death metal, inspired by Ancient Egypt (obviously) they embrace the female power of that era that too is often overlooked by historians and bands such as Nile and Scarab. Defined totally by the powerful blast that is Long Live The Queen.

Musically this is an album that has blistering metal that blends death and black metal, of course you can compare it to Arch Enemy, because of the intense delivery of Janneke de Rooy, she has rabid tenacity, ferocious growls and screams set over the technical playing of guitarist Georgia Bell and bassist Amie Chatterley (who also produces the record). All from varying musical backgrounds this trio have combined to channel the force of powerful women of history through their music, the Eastern feels created with the intro to melodeath battery of War Before Peace, then into the title track which is a Bolt Thrower-like bludgeoning, driven by lots of low end and background synths.

Preceded by singles to give you a taste of the smorgasbord of death Maatkare present their fusion of extreme metal styles. The blackened aggression of May The Gods Bear Witness giving way to the acoustically laced melodic grunt of Maatkare. This trio are taking back death metal (and history) from it's male domination, Maatkare are a pioneering and vital metal band in their scene. 9/10

Escuela Grind - Dreams On Algorithms (MNRK Heavy) [Mark Young]

Earlier this year, I reviewed their EP, DDEEAATTHHMMEETTAALL and came away from it with a positive reaction in that they served up some brutal noise and would be one of the best things you would hear this year. Admittedly, there has been a ton of top-notch metal released this year so it is possible that comment may have been a trifle early. No matter, it’s still a belter. Since then, it’s been quite the year for them, members leaving, allegations made and refuted and some absolutely wild online discourse, amounting to conspiracy theories about the band which I am happy to stay away from.

So, is it any good?

I compared that EP to the equivalent of a ‘sonic smash and grab’ its length making it a repeated blow to the face with a blunt object as they just blew through those four songs in rapid succession. In that situation it worked a treat, but here that same approach lessens the impact. It sounds immense, absolutely huge with these crushing riffs and an all-out vocal performance from Katerina Economou that sees the vocal chords stretching and shredding in equal measure. 

They kick in straight away with DOA, and from there its just an exercise in pummelling brutality. This is a prime example of a clenched fist; each member knows what they need to do and acquit themselves accordingly. It’s also a template for the remaining 9 songs and they fly in with nary a pause for breath. What I found is that although it’s heavy and is likely to cause maximum carnage when played live, there isn’t anything else going on. I’m not looking for subtle interludes or instrumentals or even technical wizardry, but I am looking for something that gives this a difference from other bands, and I can’t find that. I can appreciate it for what it is, but it hasn’t grabbed me in the same way the EP did. 

What I don’t get is the online hate for them. They are a focused and aggressive act that can do it live. On record, they know what they want to write, and they know that it isn’t for everyone (me, this time around). It is a difficult thing to say, because there is nothing wrong with this at all. In terms of being heavy, aggressive and cathartic it ticks those boxes. But, despite that it feels that there is something missing from it, and I don’t know how they could change that. I think that if they tried to widen their sound, maybe pull back a little they would lose that potent attack. I know that fans of Escuela Grind will devour this and should give those online types something to complain about, but I feel that they need to do something to make that next step a successful one. 7/10

Obnoxious Youth – Burning Savage (Svart Records) [Paul Hutchings]

First impressions of Burning Savage were not good. A cacophony of noise, a band unsure of direction and how to play their instruments, it was all a burning ball of chaos wrapped up in a thankfully short 36-minutes. That first play suggested a band who were cutting their teeth, who were fresh from the garage stage, raw and chaotic but with underlying traits that provided shoots of optimism about their progress. Yet further spins have broadened the view.

It was something of a surprise to read that the band’s roots sit almost two decades ago in Uppsala, Sweden. Brought to a cohesive collective in 2009 by John ‘Zeke’ Finne, Affe ‘Phantasma’ Piran and Frans ‘Cult’ Utterström and now joined by live members Edde ‘Shit’ Aftonfalk and Lukas ‘Spine’ Häger, Burning Savage is the first album for seven years, following 2017’s Disturbing The Graves.

It's a fiery hybrid of speed, death, black and traditional metal with the odd doom element thrown in for good measure. Fast, snarling, furious, it’s evident from the start of the album that this is one nasty, aggressive, razor-sharp record. The songs are phenomenally fast, with several ripping along at under two-minutes. Screaming lead guitar breaks wail, the dual guitar aspects are as welcoming as a rusty scalpel in the operating theatre, and the vocals are as raw and crude as it is possible to experience.

Opener Alpha Diabolos, Imminent Evil and the title track race by, and the opening torrent of searing riffs and clunky interchanges concludes with instability of Black Magic Whore. It’s only at this point and the track Torrents Of Black Blood that things change, with a Sabbath-esque riff straight from that 1969 masterpiece, and a direction change which favours the traditional route. It’s visceral, soaked in evil and darkness but with some welcome tempo adjustments that allow the breath to be caught. Thick Hammond organ reigns for a moment before crushing doom riffs cascade with unstoppable force. There are huge Candlemass influences here.

It's evident that Obnoxious Youth aren’t influenced by any fashions though, as they blend up punk, thrash, death and black metal into a whirling vortex of carnage. Ultra Death and Bitchkrieg are both explosively fast, a combined total of just over four-minutes for the pair making them in keeping with most of the album. This is music that they want to play, and live, I imagine it is pretty volatile.

Ethereal Termination is one of the more routine tracks on the album, and by that, I mean it’s more a combination of NWOBHM and punk-edged aggression than the more vicious rapid fire of other tracks. At least for the first couple of minutes before all hell breaks loose in a blisteringly fast second half to the song. By this point though, you’ll either be warming to the Swedes or turned off long ago. One can only allow you to make your choice.

If you are still with the band by here, then you’ll be rewarded with two of the longer tracks on the album. Tornado Of Blades drenched in blackened thrash whilst the closing song, Omega Therion surprises with a space rock introduction which leads into an almost cinematic theme tune – totally unexpected and another curve ball which suggests that underneath the at times raggedness, this is a band who can really play. 

Of course, there are a whole host of bands that also feature members of Obnoxious Youth, so it’s probably not as surprising as I suggest. Perhaps one of the more confusing, surprising and ultimately challenging albums of 2024 to review, I have a sneaking respect for Obnoxious Youth and their in-your-face attitude. 7/10

Hell Valley High - Welcome To Hell Valley (Argonauta Records) [Rich Piva]

Dutch rockers Hell Valley High are back and following up their debut EP with their debut full length, aptly titled Welcome To Hell Valley (that title sounds very familiar…). I really enjoyed their short and sweet EP from earlier this year and was pleased to see more coming at us so quickly. The band’s stoner grunge with some punk vibes resonated with me on the EP so I would assume I would feel similarly to their new stuff, and that certainly is the case.

Hell Valley High is only here to rock, and that is exactly what they do on the eight tracks on Welcome To Hell Valley. The opener, Clean Slate, is solid stoner grunge with some cool guitar work and great vocals. Musically in parts there is a late era Soundgarden vibe until the pace picks up and they embrace more of the stoner side of the equation. I like the tempo changes on Clean Slate and this may be the most complex song they have released so far. 

To Each His Own has a groove with the riff that sounds like the band they borrowed the title for the record from, but is more straight-ahead catchy stoner rock, more like Sasquatch or a similar heavy stoner band who understands melody too. Future Nomads is a straight-ahead rocker that is not going to win prizes for originality but isn’t here to do that, just to kick your ass in a bar fight. Easy Rider may be my favourite track on the record, as it has the heaviest groove and actually gives me late 80s vibes in the best sort of way. Maybe I am nuts but I hear some Kik Tracee in this one and that is a damn good thing, combined with their stoner rock leanings, creating a super cool track good enough for any year end playlist, even at eight-plus minutes. Their most ambitious song till date, and it is excellent. 

Blameless continues the late 80s hard rock/metal combined with stoner vibe I dig so much from some of the tracks on this record. This one will be killer live I bet. HVH busts out a cover of fellow Dutch band Shocking Blue with Send Me A Postcard from 1968. A very cool choice for multiple reasons and it works here (check out the version done by indie band The New Pornographers too). The vocals, originally female, are delivered flawlessly for a song I assume is not that easy to belt out. One O One is the most straight-ahead stoner rock track on Welcome, reminding me musically of Valley Of The Sun while the closer, The Grind, brings more of the same goodness you get from the other seven songs on Welcome To Hell Valley.

Hell Valley High is not going to win any awards for originality, but what they do get lots of points for is rocking your socks off. The eight tracks on Welcome To Hell Valley does just that, leveraging their combination of stoner and grunge, some punk attitude, and some late 80s vibes to give us a fun little debut full length. 8/10

Reviews: Sylosis, Kosmodome, Oranssi Pazuzu (Reviews By GC, Rich Piva & Matt Bladen)

Sylosis - The Path EP (Nuclear Blast Records) [GC] 

Following hot on from the release of their last album Reading shredders Sylosis had a few tracks left over and though fuck it, release them as an EP so here we have The Path for our listening pleasure! On a random personal note, I have played on the same shows with Sylosis live a few times back in Berkshire way back in the day when they were just cutting their teeth and to see how far they have come since then is absolutely mind boggling! 

Anyway, let’s get stuck into it shall we!? It takes no time at all for Josh Middleton to take control on The Path with a passionate and driven vocal introduction that then explodes into a thrashy and relentless savaging they also manage to mix in some throwbacks to their earlier metalcore sound and the way that all the different styles interact is a beautiful thing to listen to and of course the addition of Debbie Gough is another wonderful part of the song.

Soured Ground mixes a stompy hardcore essence with another thrash attack and the mid song beatdowns and pitch harmonics hark back to the glory days of the mid 00’s when the NWOAHM was taking over everything and you can see that this was the sound Sylosis grew up on because they embrace it here so well and this song feels like a brilliant tip of the hat to their influences and Josh’s vocals are the real star here, with his breathtaking display of variety and also the guitar solos are ridiculous, what a fucking song this is! 

So Above, So Below has the unenviable task of following on and of course it is done with such force and utter class you almost wonder why these tracks weren’t included on the album but you are also glad they weren’t just set aside until a later date because to sit on something this good would be an absolute crime, this is probably the most straight up metal track so far but that’s not me trying to say anything negative about it, it just follows a more straightforward musical path and doesn’t take as many twists and turns as previously, still a track most bands would kill to be able to write though! 

No Saviours is a fucking blast of a tune, it has got big chugging riffs and a groove as huge as anyone could ever want, the way this track just grabs onto you and shakes you for dear life is fucking breath  taking and I guarantee this will be an absolute killer track when they play it live, the pit will be a dangerous place to be! And just like that we get to the closing track Disavowed which has an almost heart breaking chorus and shows that melody is not a dirty word if you are in a heavy band, if it is done well it can be devastatingly good and here it is just that, also the guitar harmonies back everything up with such an expert sound and of course there are more shredding solos that add a crescendo to everything and they end on an absolutely devastating high. 

I guess saying that these were spare tracks is a bit of an insult to the musicianship and utter brilliance that is on show here, The Path is unbelievably good and shows just why Sylosis are held in such high esteem in the metal scene, the UK has some amazing bands and these guys are now challenging to be the very best of the bunch and on this showing I really would not want to bet against them doing that with ease! Ignore this at your peril and make no mistake that this is 100% essential listening if you like any kind of heavy music. Breathtakingly brilliant stuff. 10/10

Kosmodome - Ad Undas (Stickman Records) [Rich Piva]

Norwegian prog psych stoners Kosmodome bring their second album to the masses, Ad Undas. I am always up for some prog with elements of stoner and psych built in, and Ad Undas is all about that, with six tracks that lean heavy on the prog side and includes some very cool instrumentation and excellent vocals throughout. You could throw some comparisons out there on the prog side like Yes and Van Der Graaf Generator, but Kosmodome’s version of prog sounds a bit more minimalist to me, in a very good way. The production is clean, but not sterile; clean in a way that let’s all of the instruments shine without overpowering each other. 

The guitar and bass work perfectly with one another on the start and stop of the almost nine-minute opener, Neophobia, with the jamming at the end being the perfect example. I loved the layered vocals on Hyperion and how it gets all psych on us. There is an overtly late 60s vibe across the six tracks on Ad Undas, with this one being one that leans heavily in that direction. Obsternasig has some very cool guitar work and is on the heavier side in parts, for Kosmodome at least. The band has really perfected the quiet-loud-quiet dynamic on Ad Undas. 

Dystopia picks up the pace the most of the six tracks, until it doesn’t, but then does again, which really is one of the main themes here. I dig the groove on this one, especially around the 2:30 mark. Turmoil sounds like Primus in parts (think Big Brown Beaver when the pace picks up) and is my favourite track on the record. While the closer is in the same vein as the rest of the record, and this is the conundrum for me. The one issue I had with Ad Undas is that even though it is proggy and all over the place it is still is kind of one note. 

While all the songs are really good, they all really sound the same, with similar instrumentation and the start and stops, which can make the record seem to drag at points, but if you like their sound, you should dig the whole thing end to end. If not, don’t go looking for the track you like, because it is all or nothing on Ad Undas. Overall, I really dig the proggy psych vibes of Kosmodome. I am just afraid it is going to be all or nothing for the listener, but give this trip a chance as the playing and complex yet sparse compositions are very enjoyable if you like that sort of thing, and I certainly do. 7/10

Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja (Nuclear Blast) [Matt Bladen]

Yeah this is a weird one, when I first pushed play on the new record from Oranssi Pazuzu, one of those bands where I had heard the name but nothing else, I instantly thought my stereo was broken. If Hawkwind decided to replace Lemmy with Necrobutcher (I know he would have been about 8 it's a metaphor), you may get something that resembles the psychedelic extreme metal found on Muuntautuja.

Their sixth album it sees them still pushing the boundaries of heavy music defying any sort of pigeonholes with rapid shifts between black metal savagery, space rock wandering and headache inducing noise. It's weird, inventive and a little scary. Translating to shapeshifter in English Muuntautuja lives up to it's billing, sounds tracking the slow moving intergalactic evil that like the red weed in War Of The Worlds eventually suffocates everything it touches.

Oranssi Pazuzu are an audio version of Lovecraftian horror, disturbing and unearthly and while I like some parts others left me cold. But then they are a band that define 'acquired taste' your best bet is to let this infect your speakers and see where it takes you. 6/10

A View From The Back Of The Room: Eleine & Ignea (Live Review By Debby Myatt & Tony Gaskin)

Eleine & Ignea, The Asylum, Birmingham, 10.10.24

Tonight's outing sees us relatively close to home with a night of European symphonic power metal at The Asylum in Birmingham city centre.

Just two bands on tonight with Ukrainian outfit Ignea (9) on first.

This 5 piece have been around a long time now, and have built up a strong following throughout Europe with their heavy death metal tinged symphonic metal that has become more technically progressive in recent years. They open up with the track Dunes taken off their most recent release Dreams Of Lands Unseen from which a number of tracks tonight are taken from. This track has huge chugging riffs that are a counterpoint to the middle eastern feel to the keyboards, which is echoed in vocalist Helle Bohdanova’s singing as she effortlessly transitions from harsh gutturals to soaring melodies with ease.

Their music is rooted deeply in their Ukrainian culture and takes much of its inspiration from historical figures and mythology. The heavy/melodic phases in their songs echo the Ukrainian psyche, from deep pain to joyful highs. You feel fully immersed in their all encompassing music as they take you on an epic journey. The set fittingly ends on the beast of a track Leviathan from the album A Sign Of Faith, a full on power metal anthem, the crowd love it and a perfect end to a great set.

With just the two bands on tonight, we get plenty to savour from headliners, Swedish quintet, Eleine (10). We’re treated to a stonking 15 track set of pure dark symphonic metal that makes our black hearts very happy. Opening up with the heavy pounding riffs of Enemies they barely stop for a breather as they work their way through a selection of tracks taken mainly from the last two albums with a couple of older tracks thrown in for good measure. Madeleine Liljestem is a superb vocalist, incredibly powerful range and tone, and the play off between her and guitarist Rikard Ekberg’s growls is sublime. The interplay, particularly on We Are Legion and Dancing In Hell is as good as any metal duo on the circuit.

The epic set list seems to be over in the blink of an eye, always a good indication that it’s been a great gig. They end on the title track of their latest album We Shall Remain, a grand opus that somehow only lasts about 5 mins but feels like a symphony, this band packs a lot into their songs, and with the anthemic chorus of "We Shall Remain…" bouncing around in our heads, we certainly hope that Eleine remain around for a long time to come.

Reviews: Myles Kennedy, Wind Rose, Ihlo, Sweet (Reviews By Matt Bladen)

Myles Kennedy – The Art Of Letting Go (Napalm Records)

As his Alter Bridge cohorts make that nostalgia back over in the USA by reforming Creed and getting Millennials everywhere singing along in stadiums around the country, his buddy Slash going on blues trip with various singers and guitarists, Myles Kennedy has recorded a third solo album, following up from The Ides Of March in 2021, and with his main band sitting idle, Myles, his band Zia Uddin (drums) and Tim Tournier (bass) and producer Michael ‘Elvis’ Baskette (Creed/Alter Bridge/Tremonti) has moved away from the acoustic/roots approach of his first solo records for an out and out rocker, one that has a bit more bite than the last few Alter Bridge records. While they now mainly consist of singles, The Art Of Letting Go, is an album, one to be taken in fully, like say Blackbird of ABIII. 

With songs that are designed to be performed as trio, they’re barebones, guitar/bass/drums in harmony with those brilliant vocals that are so unmistakeable. Miss You When You’re Gone keeps the acoustic beginnings of Myles’ solo tracks alongside that euphoric catharsis Kennedy always has with his lyricism. This is a clear radio single, the same can be said for the country rocking of the title track, while Eternal Lullaby feels like a Chris Cornell solo track, as Mr Downside is a bit more akin to the Creed/Alter Bride mothership. 

Oh yeah this is definitely a rock record, be it the swaggering groove of Saving Face, the strutting riff of Nothing More To Gain and that fat chug of Dead To Rights, The Art Of Letting Go is right up there with the best records in the Alter Bridge and Creed catalogues. Not just an acoustic troubadour and singer for talented guitarists, Myles Kennedy shows that he’s every inch a rock star all on his own with this third solo album. 8/10

Wind Rose - Trollslayer (Napalm Records)

Italian Dwarven metal band Wind Rose have long been an internet sensation. One of the few power metal bands to go viral, this has seen them support some of the genres biggest and brightest, with their stage costumes and anthemic party metal tracks they have captured not only the internet's attention but the wider metal crowd. 

So then Trollslayer, their sixth album again features eclectic tracks which vary between drinking anthems, videogame soundtracks, growled vocals, bags of hooks and the usual tributes to Warhammer, I wonder when Games Workshop will sponsor them? 

So Trollslayer offers up more medieval metal which will get their fans excited, be it the anthemic Rock And Stone, the mighty title track or The Great Feast Underground which with it's chorus about drinking and folky elements is very Korpiklaani. 

There not much else to say about these troll slaying dwarves, if you've heard that song they did then there's nothing too different, but it's all fun. 7/10

Ihlo - Union (Kscope) 

Originally formed as a duo of Andy Robison (vocals) and Phil Monro (guitars) Ihlo added guitarist Rob Mair, drummer Clark McMenemy, and bassist Michael Roberts. They released Union originally in 2019, but now it has been picked up by seminal prog label Kscope for a vinyl release. 

However that's not all, the album was remastered by Tesseract man Acle Kahney and features two bonus live tracks recorded at their ProgPower Europe show in 2023. Ihlo play modern prog rock the sort that is so en-vogue right now, chunky start-stop riffs, electronics and pop nuances all blended into a Union in many ways. 

With influences of Caligula's Horse, VOLA and Rendezvous Point, Ihlo jump out of the gates with Union the riffs counterpointed against the soaring vocals which speak of surrealism and nature, Starseeker is anthemic as Reanimate is constructed by bubbling electronics. 

Hollow meanwhile is dreamy, otherworldly, a futuristic fantasy which continues with the Parhelion a track that adds the likes of Leprous, the album coming to an end with the epic Coalescence. If you've heard the album on the first release, which I had but didn't review because I'm an idiot, you can see why it was picked up by Kscope, it's exciting modern prog that deserves to be heard! 9/10

Sweet - Full Circle (Metalville)

I mean where do you begin with Sweet? Having been a band for more than six decades, they were at their peak during the glam rock era with several huge radio hits. Notable a major influence on Def Leppard, all these years later they are still going despite, declining mainstream popularity, deaths, splits and legal wrangles, still led by founding member Andy Scott (guitar/vocals) they are probably still the premier purveyors of glam rock. 

While you may not have heard every single record by them, perhaps any as for me they are more of a singles band, coming from a time when singles mattered. They, well Andy's version (there was another of Sweet until 2020), have been releasing records infrequently since the original line up dissolved. This is their first album of original material since 2012 as 2020's Isolation Boulevard was an album of remotely recorded songs new spin and couple of newbies. 

Reconvened in the studio, they love to record their songs 'live' how they perform them, so there's a bit of meat under the glam rock catsuits, Andy Scott and Tom Cory shifting the stomping guitar riffs of Burning Like A Falling Star, though Tom's keys are also just as important. Lee Small (bass) and Adam Booth (drums) give a great backroom beat to the epic Everything and the NWOBHM thrust of Destination Hannover. 

The real treat though are the vocals of former Cats In Space man Paul Manzi who has a Coverdale-like soulfulness, it means that with Circus it's only in the backing vocals that the Sweetisms can be heard, if you didn't know who the band was you'd think it was another member of the NWOCR crew, somewhere between melodic rock and AOR, with some Beatlesesque moves on Defender and Coming Home. 

Anyone that hasn't heard Sweet since the 70's may be a little thrown due to this change to a bluesy rock/AOR band but they were that before the Chapman/Chinn mega-hits and that's where they are more than comfortable now, coming full circle indeed. 7/10

A View From The Back Of The Room: Orange Goblin (Live Review By Joe Guatieri)

Orange Goblin & Conan, The Fleece, 10.10.24

As a Bristolian, routes always seem to lead back to The Fleece, I attended my very first gig there back in 2014 and now in 2024, the same rules still apply. I’ve been lucky enough to attend a few sold-out shows there recently including the likes of Chat Pile and Ugly Kid Joe, yes really, to name a few. It was safe to say that I was very excited for this one!

Up first was the Liverpool based Sludge Metal band, Conan (8). I saw them for the very first time back in August during ArcTanGent Festival. I had heard of them before that experience because I had seen people wearing their T-Shirts everywhere but never listened and that set proved to me that I should check them out as they blew me away, combining a lot of elements of Metal that I loved. From the get-go at The Fleece there was a low and slow head-banging groove going on which was immediately enticing, full of Black Sabbath worship.

To my surprise there were a lot of cymbals used during Conan’s set courtesy of Johnny King’s drumming, which really caught me off guard as you don’t hear much of that in Metal like this. So much so that I had a conversation with a friend about it afterwards out of interest and they said that it keeps the crowd guessing in a sort of what the fuck was that kind of way and it feels out the sound well and makes for creative transitions into other sections of the songs. 

I really agreed with that comment, as someone who loves and values the art of the unexpected, it’s a very good view to have. Although I could hear aspects of the bass, with it feeling like it was trying to find me within the floor, it felt very much situated in one place on the stage which was disappointing and unfortunately this was a warning sign for later. As I passed the sound technician booth at the back of the room just after Conan had finished, I noticed a spat going on to the side of me as a punter shouted “That sounded like shit” and the tech retaliated by shouting “Fuck off”, things are slowly adding up.

Finally, as the crowd had their hands together with anticipation, we have the headliner being the legendary British Stoner Rock band Orange Goblin (7). They burst onto the stage with energy and fire in their eyes as they snapped into Cemetery Rats. People were bouncing with pretty much every song played as the mosh pit next to me was non-stop for the entire set. They played songs that I really wanted to hear like Scorpionica from The Big Black and Whiskey Leech from Coup De Grace and despite myself enjoying them it was only in-part as the bass felt next to non-existent for the majority of the performance. You could see Harry Armstrong pounding away to the best of his ability but getting nothing from it, this was not the band's fault at all but in-turn it was a huge let down for me. So much so that another comment was made from the people just in front of me with one guy shaking his head and saying “I can’t hear anything”.

Overall, despite Orange Goblin and Conan performing well and attempting to give it their all, the sound of The Fleece failed them on that night. With bands like these two within the musical spaces that they occupy, the bass is vital to me as it doesn’t only provide those earth-shaking tones but also a huge source of fun, so when taken away a band can only feel at second rate. It’s not the first time that I had seen this happen here with a sell-out before at this venue before as Eyehategod and Church Of Misery fell into a similar boat for me with the sound not hitting as well as what it should. Thekla I think suits metal gigs like this a lot better. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never stop going to The Fleece for gigs but this has to improve soon, otherwise a good night could go south very quickly.

A View From The Back Of The Room: Apocalyptica (Live Review By Simon Black)

Apocalyptica & The Raven Age, The Great Hall, Cardiff 05.10.24

I have to be honest, I came tonight because it’s a friend’s birthday party, and he wanted to come, so come we all did. I also have to confess I had low expectations going in, for a variety of reasons…

The Raven Age (7) are fully into their set by the time I arrive, and there’s a good-sized crowd already there to watch them perform. I’ve been aware of the band for a while but have to confess to being a little disinterested on the grounds that the amount of hype surrounding them, plus the not insubstantial boosts the band have received in the game of musical snakes and ladders from having the likes of Steve Harris watching out for you has always felt a little false to me. 

There’s plenty of acts out there grinding it from the bottom the hard way, so having someone’s famous dad exert their clout to get them the right label, management and tour slots always makes me cautious, and yes, a little harder to win over. But to be fair, the whole business used to work like this when major labels ruled the roost and decided who they were going to promote, ignore or bury that year…

Another challenge for me for this act initially is getting a sense of their musical identity, because influence-wise they are a real stylistic hotch-potch, running the gamut from elements of traditional Metal, bits of Groove, some straight ahead Melodic elements and a bit of Metalcore for good measure. However, with three albums and a lot of touring under their belt it quickly becomes obvious that there is more to The Raven Age than nepotistic hype. 

They seem slightly lethargic when I first arrive, but definitely hit their stride after a couple of songs as the audience, and indeed myself start to get what they are about. Front man Matt James is blessed with a strong set of pipes and a good, dynamic and charismatic stage presence, and within no time has both the band and the crowd feeding each other with energy, but the skill and effortless delivery of the rest of the band has me nodding along as well. By the time they are onto safe ground from their debut Darkness Will Rise, which the crowd are more familiar with the room is safe to say warmed up nicely, and I am forced to acknowledge that whatever short cuts may have been offered at the start of their careers are irrelevant now, because The Raven Age deserved to be here on their own merit. An unexpectedly good start to the night indeed…

Ah, covers and tribute acts… 

Those who may have read my ramblings before (and I’m assuming someone other than our esteemed Meister und kommandant editor Matt does) will know that I am often somewhat frustrated when audience’s flock to sell out a venue for some tribute act, whilst ignoring original acts and bands struggling to make their marks. It is deeply saddening that this happens, and I can think of a handful of gigs in recent months when the bands themselves and a handful of lucky journos have made up the bulk of an audience. And here we are tonight, to a large crowd here to see three cellists and a drummer churn out their instrumental versions of Metallica’s greatest hits… ‘80’s Kerrang! Bitch Mode’ engaged and ready for deployment…

But this is Apocalyptica (9), and after twenty-one years and a whole bunch of records of their own I think it’s fair to say that they have carved their own niche and evolved way beyond the mere ‘tribute’ hallmark. Whilst most of their discography stays in the territory of Messrs Hetfield et al, they have produced plenty of original material in the same style, but with a second volume of pure Metallica worship being their most recent opus, you know exactly what you are going to get on the set list tonight.

I’m all ready to be brutal here, but within minutes they have me in their grasp, along with the whole audience. Having never seen them work a room before, it becomes clear instantly that this is a group of gentlemen who knows how to enliven a crowd. Most bands rely on a vocalist as frontman and band leader when it comes to getting the punters going, but when your three instrumentalists not locked onto a drum stool at the back are wielding full size 4/4 violoncellos almost as tall as the players, you would think mobility would be a problem. Nope, these boys can move, utilising every inch of the stage in such a dynamic way that I am completely taken by surprise. And when lead cellist Perttu Kivilaakso flips his behind his head for a turn, and I think my need for a bitchy review has just been shredded.

It's perhaps not surprising that Apocalyptica first started to become well-known around the time Metallica’s ability to write good music went the way of all flesh, and the set does heavily rely on Burton-era classical-infused belters to whip the audience in the right direction (I may have punched the air when The Call Of Ktulu hits the airwaves), but I am equally surprised at how Black album era material works well with this treatment. 

Christ, they even make St. Anger sound good, which deserves a medal in and of itself. Closing out with a belting version of One, I find that this has been a very good night all round, and when low expectations get kicked out of the back doors and down the fire escape like that, I am reminded why I do this reviewing lark.

Reviews: Blood Incantation, The Crown, Ad Infinitum, 10 Years (Reviews By Charlie Rogers, Mike Pickett, GC & Zak Skane)

Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere (Century Media) [Charlie Rogers]

Incorporating more of their personal influences, rather being constrained to stick within one genre, Blood Incantation have opted to present their 3rd album as 2 compositions, split into 3 tracks each. There’s no doubt some symbology there that’s flown right over my head, but I’m hired to speak about the music rather than rustling through the hidden meanings on these things. Self describing the record as “a 70s Prog album played by a 90s Death Metal band from the future” (again, best not to question the maths on offer here), the claim within the promotional pamphlet is that the record is “unlike anything you’ve ever heard before”. 

Hype aside, from a purely technical analysis of the musical offerings, this claim falls flat. It actually does sound like someone who is into 70s prog, 90s death metal, film score, and even a tinge of modern death metal did their best to write a coherent overture as an introduction to their tastes - nothing in and of itself novel or ground-breaking, however it is done with expertise and there’s high craftsmanship on offer. As for that being a unique experience I’ve never heard before, I’m fairly sure the same effect can be replicated if my iTunes library shuffled a track from Jeff Wayne’s War Of The Worlds to Suffocation’s Effigy Of The Forgotten, then to Rush’s Moving Pictures, finishing up with Baphomet’s The Dead Shall Inherit.

Strewn among the songs are callbacks to previous Blood Incantation releases, with some passages being reminiscent of their prior works, bordering on what I guess you’d call their signature riffs. There’s floaty, ethereal, atmospheric sections that encapsulate the feeling of drifting through nebulae. Spoken word over proggy noodling reminded me of Dream Theater’s masterpieces Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, and Scenes From A Memory. There’s even a tasty slam in The Message (Tablet I) which caught me by surprise the first time I heard it, further proof that this style of riff is most effective when done sparingly. The musicianship on display is superb, as one would expect from the Denver 4 piece by now. Riedl’s vocal barks suit the mood perfectly, bringing a darkness and gruff edge to the already angular and writhing death metal sections.

Production is clear and precise for the most part, however the track to track transitions are a little jarring, with all digital versions that I’ve checked out so far having a little road bump for your ears that should’ve been ironed out properly. Guitars and bass sound magnificent, and the drums are perfectly levelled, including the non-drumkit-drums. I’m guessing the flute on The Message (Tablet III) is actually done via a synthesiser, but it does sound very convincing. Definitely a record you’re meant to play in it’s entirety, from start to finish, it’s a bold ask of today’s media consumers to commit to 45mins of uninterrupted attention on effectively 2 pieces, but it’s one that I’m glad Blood Incantation have put forward. 

I can’t imagine how jarring and mood ruining this experience would be if the songs were to be interrupted by adverts, or other vibe altering nonsense, so there’s a strong argument to go out there and get your hands on the vinyl, CD, or buy the digital tracks from Bandcamp. Sit back on your sofa with a strong beverage, and commit to letting the soundscape take you away from reality for a short while. It’s an enjoyable experience, and no doubt a contender for a lot of people’s AOTY. 8/10

The Crown - Crown Of Thorns (Metal Blade Records) [Mike Pickett]

Crown Of Thorns by The Crown is an impressive showcase of how far this Swedish Death Metal band has evolved since their formation in 1990. The album transcends traditional death metal, pulling in elements of Black Metal, Thrash, Speed, and their own brand of Melodic Death Metal, making it a dynamic and captivating listen from start to finish.

Each instrument stands out without ever blending into an indiscernible wall of noise. The production ensures that the guitars, bass, drums, and vocals are all distinct and balanced, creating a powerful, clear sound. Marko Tervonen’s rhythm guitars are an onslaught of brutal, yet clean, death metal riffs, while Marcus Sunesson provides lead guitar work that elevates the album's complexity. The harmonies between lead and rhythm guitars on various tracks add another layer of depth and musicality, creating some truly memorable moments. The opening track, I Hunt With The Devil, sets the tone immediately with face-melting riffs, establishing a relentless pace that doesn’t let up.

The vocals, provided by Johan Lindstrand, are clean growls—throaty yet discernible, allowing the lyrics to be heard without losing their intensity. Mattias Rasmussen's bass holds its ground in the mix, and Mikael Norén’s drums are earth-shattering, maintaining break-neck speeds and keeping the intensity at an all-time high.

The album as a whole feels cohesive, with each track building on the last. Fans of bands like Sepultura, Death, and Obituary will find much to appreciate here, as The Crown continues to push the boundaries of death metal while paying tribute to its roots. Crown Of Thorns is not just a standout release in The Crown’s discography—it’s a masterclass in how death metal can evolve without losing its essence. 9/10

Ad Infinitum - Abyss (Napalm Records) [GC]

Some weeks there are just so many releases knocking about at Musipedia Of Metal Towers that we all must take a risk and just grab something that normally wouldn’t be our usual style of music, and this is exactly what has happened here! I am usually the last person you would want to review symphonic metal but today dear readers I am doing just that in the form of Abyss the newest album from Swiss/German band Ad infinitum, not sure what I am thinking but here we go none the less!!

My initial reaction to the opening of My Halo isn’t actually one of disgust, its mainly one of intrigue because the atmospheric background is a bit on the cheesy side but, it’s Melissa Bonny’s vocals that keep me interested because it sounds like she has great voice and I want to see how it is used, throughout the song the music takes a bit of a sickly sweet, commercial rock radio metal turn and is not really for me even the ‘‘heavy’ bit tacked on towards the end seems a bit forced, having said that things do instantly improve with Follow Me Down which is a lot more raucous and aggressive, not in an overtly heavy way obviously but the injection of energy is pretty decent and unexpectedly gets the foot tapping and the mixture of vocal rhythms are beautiful and really the highlight of the track.

Outer Space actually shocks me slightly as the aggressive vocals lead the song and there is some lovely djenty guitars added in by Adrian Theßenvitz and it actually sounds really good, the more melodic and spacey verses mix in well and it creates a good mix of heavy and melodic that while obviously not groundbreaking, is still done very well. Aftermath carries on in the same vein and really just follows the same path and structure with the aggression opening, falling into the open and airy verses with the shouty bit popping up every now and then and of course it has been done better before but Ad Infinitum certainly know how to create a catchy tune! 

Euphoria is probably the most Evanescencey type track on the album with its soft keys and big vocals interweaving with some nu-metal-tinged guitar work and while I can appreciate the musicianship it’s not my type of thing at all, Surrender has an altogether different vibe as when it begins it is chock full of electronic beats and is probably just a straight up pop song that then drops in a bit chunky guitar drop from nowhere that seems oddly placed and unnecessary really until you get towards the end and they do it again and this song gets a bit lost in itself as the varying styles don’t really mesh very well at all. 

We then get to the most obvious single on the whole album Anthem For The Broken with another twinkly piano opening, followed by the mid paced chugging guitars and the echoy breakdown on the verse that build up to the inevitable big chorus and guitar solo’s for no reason, this is aimed directly at radio play and I wouldn’t bet against it getting a lot of it in time! To follow that you get The One You’ll Hold Onto which should be the next single as it is a bloody good song, its full of high tempo riffing and soaring vocals that really get you invested and there isn’t a let up in the tempo even the weird heavy bit that gets thrown in towards the end weirdly works! 

Parasite in contrast is an absolute borefest and was probably destined for the cut but somehow survived its just a play by numbers angry song chucked in to add that little bit of edge and it just not needed and unfortunately Dead End doesn’t really finish on a high note the electronics sound really cheesy and the way the vocals are delivered made me cringe its just a bit of a poor song which is a shame as it had all been going so well!

Ok, so I am slightly shocked here, for all my ‘’I only like extreme metal-ness’’ actually I enjoyed Abyss it was fun and easy to listen to, yes there were some bits I really didn’t like but overall I have to say it wasn’t really what I was expecting and it surprised me in the best way, bravo Ad Infinitum, bravo! 7/10

10 Years – Inner Darkness (Mascot Records) [Zak Skane]

Hailing and formed from Knoxville Tennessee in 1999 the veteran alternative rock band 10 Years have a vast list of achievements under their belts. Through out their 25 year career, the band have had a consistent journey of sharing stages with the likes of Korn, Disturbed and Deftones whilst releasing most viewed singles such as Wasteland, Shoot It Out and Novocaine. Through out the last few decades the band still proves to be ones of the surviving alternative rock bands of the 2000’s whilst still putting out new music like their up and coming E.P Inner Darkness.

The Optimist featuring Conquer Divide opens the album with some garage rock vibes with the guitars coming in with some octave bouncing fuzzy riffs that are complimented with some chonky bass lines and pounding drums. The optimistic post-hardcore styled lyrics are traded off with Kia's are laced with megaphones styled fuzz, to soak the emotion and light it up with attitude. The following track Rise wears it’s 2000’s rock influences on it’s sleeve by bringing in some Breaking Benjamin vibes with it’s anthemic choruses accompanied with bouncing riffs. The Breaking Benjamin influences really come into fashion with the baritone strummed guitars in the bridges.

Speechless pushes the bass past the guitars to provide thundering sections alongside the pounding off beat drums grooves. The vocal patterns bring in some Maynard James Keenan approaches bringing it this progy edge and especially when the perfect circle sounding lead guitars come in. The gothic tinged track I remember brings in some H.I.M sounding keyboard melodies whilst their classic mid 2000’s alternative rock riffs punch through the mix. The Trench Master is the darkest song on the EP with it beginning with some Silent Hill styled soundscapes followed by crushing bass tones played over guitar layers and gothic sounding chorus effects helps highlight the dark lyrical themes of haunting past memories rising to the surface. 

The closing track Gravity brings in the waltz feel with its Deftones influences holding this song by the hand with it’s huge sounding chord progressions, swinging guitar riffs and the layers of feedback. The track ends with this well arranged score that consists of ambient twanging guitars whilst cinematic string arrangement glide this track to a smooth finish.

The Knoxville alternative rock outfit has kept their delivery short but it is defiantly sweet. From it’s fuzzy bouncing collaboration with Conquer Divide on their opening song The Optimist to the symphonic outro of Gravity, it shows that the alt rock veterans know when if it’s not broke why fix it, but it doesn’t stop them whisking it up a bit. For fans of Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin and A Perfect Circle. 8/10