CRIMFALL

As The Path Unfolds

I wonder how many Finnish bands starting their musical career deal with playing stuff of pleasant and catchy character. Some time ago I received the first full-length from Crimfall and it just reassured me that musicians originating from the land of the thousand lakes simply have charming melodies in their blood. The concoction prepared by this band based in the Finnish province of Uusimaa offers a rich pattern of various musical flavours, which many connoisseurs of eclectic sounds might find utterly captivating. More...

DUFF MC KAGAN'S LOADED

Sick

As a long time old GUNS'N'ROSES and VELVET REVOLVER fan I had no other choice. And it would be a lie if I tell you that you have a chance to read this review here only because my boss forced me to write it. In fact I was really curious how recently resurrected Duff's band sounds like. For those who may not know: LOADED was formed in late 90s and after releasing two albums - including one live recording – after went on hiatus in 2002. More...

LACUNA COIL

Shallow Life

First of all I must admit that I've never followed too carefully the career of those Italian stars of female-fronted pop-metal. In fact after their debut EP caught my attention back in 1998 my contact with LACUNA COIL was really accidental. Of course I'm aware that in the meantime Milan based band became really huge name on rock/metal scene. Especially in US where the success of their previous work "Karmacode" - they've even reached #28 on The Billboard Top 200 - opened the way to record their next effort in sunny LA. More...

PESTILENCE

Resurrection Macabre

The wasteful son is back, welcome him with embracing and loving arms! Some time ago one of the most significant metal guitarist of 80/90, Mr. Patrick Mameli decided to re-form his legendary band PESTILENCE. A bit earlier we had an opportunity to listen to Patrick's supergroup's (C-187) debut album. „Collision” turned out to be the strongest debut release of 2007 in many annual polls. Seemed like after many years of separation with heavy music Mameli didn't forget how to make a world-class metal album. Two years later oficially re-formed PESTILENCE featuring Patric Mameli on guitars, vocals, Patrick Uterwijk on guitars, Tony Choy (ATHEIST, CYNIC, C-187) on bass and Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, ARCH ENEMY and many others) on drums recorded band's long-awaited fifth full lenght album. Ladies and gentlemen- most crushing and devastating record of 2009 came into being. Here comes „Resurrection Macabre”! More...

TARDY BROTHERS

Bloodline

After a successful project of Max and Igor Cavalera (CAVALERA CONSPIRACY) another famous brothers decided to form a family band and make some noise. I mean John and Donald Tardy from a legendary Florida- based death metal act OBITUARY. „This project is something Donald and I have talked about and planned for many years- commented John- and we just never had the time to do it. With the addition of our new studio, it has finally given us the abilitity to get this music recorded.” To make the whole thing possible TARDY BROTHERS (the official name of the band) were forced to enlist some talented and skilled shredders. The support came from a few great guitar players. The album features guest appearances of Ralph Santolla (who used to play with OBITUARY for a while), Jerry Tidwell (the original EXECUTIONER member), John Li (19 year old axeman, known from ORDER OF ENNEAD) and brothers' long time friend Scott Johnson. More...

EREB ALTOR

By Honour

The pounding keyboard section of dramatic and engaging character starts its triumphal march in “Perennial” and takes the listener aboard one of the most splendorous Viking ships that have ever been constructed since the drakkar named Bathory set its sails out for the last journey somewhere in the beginning of this century. The opening part of Ereb Altor’s – up till now – sole album may seem nothing extraordinary, yet works as a very decent introduction to a musical experience of highest quality, at least if we talk doom metal spiced with the heritage of medieval Scandinavian societies. More...

GUILLOTINE

Blood Money

This band was founded in the mid 90's by NOCTURNAL RITES' vocalist & guitarist Fredrik "Spider" Mannberg and bassist Nils "Snake" Eriksson. For the first time GUILLOTINE' blade fell down back in 1997. The debut album entitled "Under The Guillotine" was unleashed via Necropolis Records. Unfortunately, after that GUILLOTINE … was put on hiatus for nearly 10 years. Somewhere in 2007 Fredrik and Nils decided to revive their decapitating machine and write another chapter of the story. With addition of PERSUADER's musicians (guitarist Daniel Sundbom and drummer Efraim Juntunen) GUILLOTINE entered the studio in order to record their second attack „Blood Money”. It turned out to be one of the greatest thrash metal albums that saw the light of day in recent years. No, that's not a joke. Tvelve songs featured on „Blood Money” are the purest essence of thrash metal music. No less, no more. More...

DIABOLICAL

The Gallery Of Bleeding Art

After a nearly six-year silence Swedish black death metallers DIABOLICAL are finally back with the new assault entitled "The Gallery of Bleeding Art". Prepare yourself for listening to this piece of shit by having lots of analgesic pills near at hand. The consequences can be extremely painful. And remember, don't set volume to the max, otherwise seven songs (plus intro) featured on follow-up to „A Thousand Deaths” will immediately reduce your brain to a bloody pulp. More...

SEPULTURA

A-Lex

Let's be honest. After Max's departure I've completely lost my faith in that Brazilian crew. I'd even say more: "Roots" was already a hard test for my patience and loyalty. But after some time - and many listening sessions - I've accepted that tribal and in the way primal band’s effort. But after that I didn't want to listen to any of post-Cavalera era releases. I've missed the spirit of "Arise" and "Beneath The Remains" which I still consider as great and one of the most important classic thrash metal albums ever. More...

HATESPHERE

To The Nines

HATESPHERE is one of those bands from a thrash/death metal scene which has its own characteristic and easily recognizable style. There is something thrilling in their vision of thrash metal and I have to admit that both their previous albums, “The Sickness Within” and “Serpent Smiles and Killer Eyes”, were on my playlist for a very long time. What is more, I've had an opportunity to see them live and their performance, as I had supposed earlier, turned out to be a great and really energetic experience. All these has whetted my appetite for a new album. More...