Reviews
\r\nWhen we see a band with the name Edge Of Thorns is almost certain what we are about to listen. So, as you well guess, Edge Of Thorns play Heavy Metal with many Power Metal additions. After three demos and one full length album named Ravenland (2004), the time has come for their second complete release which is called Masquerading Of The Wicked. In this album the band appears promissing, showing that they know how to write music, however they don’t have that special or different element we are looking for in a new release.
\r\nAccording to their bio Αtlanda, Georgia’s Light Pupil Dilate is trying to blend many different elements of metal, from thrash like Slayer, Sepultura to progressive rock from bands such as King Crimson, Yes and elements from the punk scene (Hot Water, MDC, Nomeanso), hardcore(Converge, Titd), and 90’s DC rock (Shudder To Think, Fugazi) into a smoldering mess of sound an
\r\nFinnish ADASTRA even if they have been created from 2001, up to today they have not bother metal scene with a full-length album. The Last Sunset, constitutes the first completed work of the band from Helsinki, after in their CV up to today they had released 4 demos. The specific album of Violent Journey Records is constituted by 9 songs which are moving in classical Heavy metal paths and in compositions that in many points remind us of Hammerfall and Stratovarius, Helloween and Iron Maiden of their last years and many more.
\r\nHarlots is a band that their music should probably be described as a death/grindcore output. "Betrayer" is their debut album in Lifeforce Records with elements of Hardcore, Noise and grind reminding bands like Gojira, Isis, Mastodon. The album is full with a violent and extremely fast pace although there are also some more peaceful moments as well as some low droning on parts.
Portugal’s Epping Forest is an old Black metal band of the scene, but despite the ten years of its existence, the band only this year managed to release their first full-length effort, entitled “Everblasting Struggle” via Unexpolred Records.
\r\nWorth to mention is the fact that two of the bands members, MystiCosmoS was a member of Corpus Christii, and their drummer, Menthor is also a Corpus Christii member.
\r\nSo it seems that the dutch Toxocara are pretty serious with what they’re doing as they have a new release more mature and complete in comparison to the previous one. With their new album, which goes under the title The Great Rebellious, the duchtmen have come to shake the foundations of Death Metal and everyone who’s into it should listen to this cd. I’ll be short and hopefully comprehensive. The band manages to combine the Old School mentality with several modern touches and some groove.
\r\nSigh is a Japanese extreme metal band led by bassist/vocalist/keyboardist Mirai Kawashima, formed in 1989, with the lineup rounded out by Satoshi Fujinami on guitar and Kazuki on drums.
The Dutch band, Heidvolk returns with their second album, three years after their debut “De Strijdlust is Geboren”, In the new effort, entitled “Walhalla Wacht” (Valhalla Awaits), Heidvolk continue their classic war / epic Folklore metal, that provided us from their first album.
\r\nThe First difference in comparison with the debut album is that the songs are more up tempo, and the quality of the compositions is improved a lot.
Midnattsol (Midnight Sun In Norwegian) is a band that consists of the Germans Daniel Droste και Chris R. Hector (Ahab), and the Norwegian Carmen Elise Espanæs (sister of Liv Kristine Espanæs Krull). Having already a release in the back catalogue
\r\n(“Where Twilight Dwells” 2005) return with a new effort entitled “Nordlys”.
Germany’s Stormwarrior return with their third full length effort, entitled “Heading Northe” and is the continuing of “Northern Rage” (2004). From the foundation of the band, back in 1998 until today, Stormwarrior have many releases (in general: 4 E.P, 3 studio albums and 1 live album).