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Revolution Renaissance – Trinity (2010)

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“Trinity” is the swansong release of Revolution Renaissance, a band formed by Timo Tolkki after his departure from Stratovarius in 2008. This release features a vibe very similar to Stratovarius back in the old days, and for over 45 minutes, we get treated to some brilliant simple-yet-elegant Power Metal songs that never sound dull or pretentious.

Love him or hate him, Timo Tolkki is one of the best guitarists that Metal has produced over the years, and his music songwriting abilities are equally impressive. Most of his stuff with Stratovarius and Revolution Renaissance previous albums are proof of his abilities (except for his terrible last two ‘solo’ albums). In “Trinity” he sticks to the basics of traditional Power Metal, with epic vocals (courtesy of Gus Monsanto), catchy guitar melodies, brilliant solos, super tight drumming, and subtle keyboard arrangements.

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Domination through Impurity – Masochist (2010)

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When it comes to Technical Death Metal, 2010 has been a great year; we got amazing releases from Pestifer and Decrepit Birth among others. “Masochist” is another album that will join these ranks since it will propel Domination through Impurity to the spotlight in this very crowded genre.

Fronted by Joe Payne from Nile and Divine Heresy fame, we get a brilliant sophomore album that features traditional Death Metal roots with massive drumming and brilliant guitar acrobatics, showing that is more than the brutal bass player from the previously mentioned band, but a solid guitar player that can shred the shit out of an axe.

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ABIGAIL WILLIAMS Album In Stores Tomorrow; Tour With Vader & Immolation To Begin

In the Absence of Light, the second full-length album from ABIGAIL WILLIAMS is set to hit stores tomorrow, September 28. The initial American pressing is in a digipak format limited to 5000 copies. The band kicked off a series of headline dates end of last week as they work their way across the country to meet up with Immolation and Vader with whom they will be touring beginning September 29.

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WOLFSHADE: New Track Stream Available Now Via Decibel Magazine

Esoteric and mysterious, WOLFSHADE explore hitherto uncharted terrain on third full-length When Above..., out now via Wraith Productions. An introspective voyage into bleak solitude and haunted resignation, When Above... offers seven mournful, organic lamentations that escort the listener to an altered state of mind, ushered there by hypnotic, trance-like odes to birth, regeneration, uncreation and (ultimately) demise.
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Dimmu Borgir – Abrahadabra (2010)

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Just when many people thought that Dimmu Borgir will never be as good as in their “Enthrone Darkness Triumphant “ and “Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia”, we get “Abrahadabra”, another masterpiece from this Norwegian band. While the band’s musical quality had considerably decreased with “In Sorte Diaboli” and “Death Cult Armageddon”, they come back in full swing with an impressive symphonic masterpiece that puts almost everything that Mustis “wrote for the band” to shame.

While many people will be crying and bitching about the Cradle of Filth comparisons, or that this album is too symphonic, blah, blah, blah, WE have to say that this is highly impressive stuff. The orchestration behind this release is, for lack of a better expression, ridiculously impressive. Everything sounds just right and helps build up a brilliant atmosphere that feels like a John Williams soundtrack on top of the traditional Dimmu Borgir sound. We have to recognize that Mustis did a good job before (especially in “Puritanical…”) but this is just ten steps ahead. With Gaute Storaas doing the orchestration of this album, he greatly helps in creating a truly diabolically haunting atmosphere (better than on “Death Cult Armageddon”).

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