Nuclear Blast

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    Chrome Division – 3rd Round Knockout (2011)

    cover

    Featuring a new vocalist (the guy from Susperia) and a different sound (mainly Southern Rock influences), we have Chrome Division and their third full-length release “3rd Round Knockout”. Featuring Shagrath on guitars, this band has gained momentum with their first two releases and their combination of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock elements. However, we foresee some difficulties in their future due to their sudden change of musical style and change of vocalist.

    While the ‘Southern’ Chrome Division is not bad, it is also leap years behind bands like The New Black and similar others. “3rd Round Knockout” features 10 very catchy songs that do get a bit repetitive and dull after the first five. Shady Blue has an interesting voice, but it is not rough enough for this kind of music.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    Hell – Human Remains (2011)

    cover

    After being kicked in the balls last year with the modern Heavy Metal classic “Blood of the Nations” by Accept, this year Hell and their debut album “Human Remains” will have the same effect on you. While Hell never had the popularity or acceptance of Accept and similar band, heck, they didn’t even release a full-length album back in their hay day, the band’s music quality is amazing and on this re-recording of their old demo stuff, you will notice this quality.

    Featuring super talented guitarist/producer Andy Sneap taking on the guitar duties left vacant by the death of the original vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Dave Halliday. The band’s debut album (after 25 or so years) feature re-recordings of some of their older demo stuff, and by only enhancing bits and pieces of the songs, they still managed to deliver a very impressive release. Featuring a great 80’s vibe this music is what true Heavy Metal/ NWOBHM used to sound like, and we completely love it.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    Demonaz – March of the Norse (2011)

    cover

    Immortal’s ex-guitarist and lyricist Demonaz finally delivers his debut ‘solo’ album with “March of the Norse”. In this release we have mixed impressions since it sounds like an Immortal album with clean vocals (for the most parts). This gives the release a Black Metal sound combined with Folk/Viking/Pagan Metal elements.

    With all the hype behind this release, we are somewhat disappointed by the lack of creativity behind this release. However, the music is quite catchy and enjoyable and this release will surely be in the top 10 lists of many publications, but not ours.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    Scar Symmetry – The Unseen Empire (2011)

    cover

    After their overly formulaic “Dark Matter Dimensions”, the band returns with a very interesting release with “The Unseen Empire”. It seems that the band somewhat changed a bit their ‘musical formula’ and now diluted their sound with some Male-fronted Gothic Rock/Metal influences.

    While the traditional epic chorus sections are a staple of this album, we also have different sounding melodies that make this band… well… more melodic. The technical brilliance of the band is also pushed back a bit and while we do get some brilliant guitar sections, the focus is more on the catchiness of the songs.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    Sylosis – Edge of the Earth (2011)

    cover

    Getting rid of the Metalcore-ish crap that influenced their near perfect debut album “Conclusion of an Age”, Sylosis returns sans previous vocalist with the crushing and mind-blowing sophomore release “Edge of the Earth”. If you thought the first one was pretty good, wait until you listen to this one.

    With the band’s front man Josh Middleton now handling the vocals, Sylosis has become more vicious and will surely please any Thrash/Melodic Death Metal fan out there. This release features endless amounts of brilliant Thrash riffs and melodic sections that will pummel you into submission.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    While Heaven Wept – Fear of Infinity (2011)

    cover

    Continuing their aural assaults from “Vast Oceans Lacrymose”, While Heaven Wepts is back with another multi-faceted release that takes a little time to sink. However, once you get into the groove of this new release, it will surely win a place in your heart. Now on a bigger label, the band is ready to take their act on the road and take a shot at world domination.

    “Fear of Infinity” has a familiar sound to “Vast Oceans Larymose” since the songs in this album were intended to be on said release. The first song “Hour of Reprisal” continues with the lush keyboard/vocal combination, but once you start getting comfortable this track explodes into an almost Black Metal-esque ending that will rattle your seat. While this sounds a bit out of place at first… you will grow to enjoy it.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    Before the Dawn – Deathstar Rising (2011)

    cover

    Multi-instrumentalist Tuomas Saukkonen returns with another excellent Before the Dawn release. Fusing Melodic Death Metal and Gothic Metal, Before the Dawn has been gaining popularity over the years and with “Deathstar Rising”, they set the bar even higher.

    Besides Tuomas brilliant songwriting skills, the bass guitar and clean vocal talents of Lars Eikind greatly complement the band’s sound. Not being to ‘weak’ for regular Metal people, and without being extremely harsh, “Deathstar Rising” is a release that fits right in the middle between aggressive and melodic Metal released.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    Graveyard – Hisingen Blues (2011)

    cover

    As probably one of the most different bands in the Nuclear Blast roster, today we have Graveyard and their instant Rock classic “Hisingen Blues”. Hailing from Sweden, the band has already made a few successful runs in the USA with the likes of Clutch, Witch and CKY, and they are gathering great momentum behind their intoxicatingly addictive music.

    Featuring 9 tracks of pure Hard/Psychedelic Rock tracks, “Hissingen Blues” does a great job in transporting the vibe and musicianship of 70’s rock into a more modern context. In each of the songs, the band infuses their personalities and creates magical tracks that are ready to be enjoyed by all fans of good Rock music.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    Belphegor – Blood Magick Necromance (2011)

    cover

    On Belphegor’s 9th full-length studio release we found a very interesting dilemma, this album sounds crushing and in the same vein as the last few albums of the band, but yet we seem to be falling asleep while listening to it. While the band sounds as good as ever, we think that there is a big chunk of soul missing in this release.

    “Blood Magick Necromance” features another 40 minutes of Blephegor’s brutality and technical proficiency in the shape of devilish compositions that will rattle Christian souls, but it also lacks the raw energy and power they used to have in their earlier days. We have to agree that the album is not bad, but it’s by far one of the best of the band, since it seems like 70% filler and 30% ‘good shit’ only.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
    • Comments: 0

    Korpiklaani – Ukon Wacka (2011)

    cover

    Finish Folk Metal boozeheads Korpiklaani return with another highly energetic release that will satisfy your Folk Metal needs for months to come. In the spirit of the band’s previous releases “Ukon Wacka” feels like a party from start to end, and with a track named “Tequila”, we all know how this party is going to end.

    As any fan of the band (or the genre for that matter) can imagine, the band’s unique brand of ‘folkiness’ and energy makes their music a delightful experience, even if you don’t like Folk Metal. With “Ukon Wacka”, the band continues building on their previous releases by making their sound more concise and effective.

Pages

Recent Image Galleries