Reviews
\r\nA really pleasant surprise and the most appropriate way to start the day under the best conditions. Compared to the albums that I have received lately, this one is really something. It is melodic, it has heavy outbursts, hard rock background, and progressive passages, all through a gloomy mood to which the lyrics contribute a lot as well of course. In other words a musical direction based on “fresh” approaches and ideas that which escape the classic definition of certain words, but we have to use in order to describe with words the enchanting atmosphere of some albums.
The following release after “Lifestream Corrosion” for the Finnish black metal outfit Gloria Morti is at last a fact. The album comes under the title “Eryx” and is only the second full length release of the band, despite the fact that its existence begins back to 1999.
I ve been always believe that Italy is a great source of metal bands, and with such releases I believe that this is a fact for true. So, Silenzio is an outfit from Pavia and their first demo, “Demo 2007” really impressed me.
\r\nThe Italians play progressive metal in the vain of Shadow Gallery, Enchant and early 90’s progressive metal bands. Very technical playing, but not boring all the way, with many great melodies and melodic vocal lines, the vocals doesn’t sound like the most of the Italian bands.
Through these last couple of months the Finnish Doom Metal outfit Reverend Bizarre despite their break up, they meet once again in the studio to record some new material and cover songs, for a “packet” of new releases, one of these releases is this split 12’’ along with the best doom / stoner outfit of our time, the British Electric Wizard.
The Greek – Malta based outfit, Reflection have return to make the difference, I mean that I consider the “When Shadows Fall” album, one of the best releases of this genre. Of course the contribution of Leo Stivala (Vocalist of Forsaken), gives to Reflection a different status.
\r\nSerenity is an Austrian band formed in January 2001 and after a change of the line-up in March 2004 (still the same since),dedicated to the genre of Symphonic Power Metal. Having released "Starseed V.R." (demo) - "Engraved Within"(demo) and "Words Untold & Dreams Unlived" (self released cd) and having performed with famous acts (DIO,KAMELOT, MORGANA LEFAY, SACRED STEEL), the time seemed right for their first release, under a label and so "Fallen Sanctuary" was born.
\r\nAnother band, not so well known, makes its appearance, with the release of its first album under the name ‘’Aesir’’. The 8 songs of the album combine progressive with power metal but in my opinion the result is quite cold. Not even one song can be characterized as at least good, maybe with the exception of ‘’Alma Pirata’’ and ‘’Aesir’’ and the solos of each song, that somehow manage to catch your attention.
Arkona is a Russia based outfit of Napalm Records, and can you guess their musical style? Pagan / Folk Metal of course!!!. I wonder how can someone define folk metal? Just putting a couple of multiple vocal lines, and a bunch of folk instruments? Anyway back to the album.
The Austrian based outfit, Dornenreich is a fact that during the years of its existence, they had change musical forms from melodic black metal to more, acoustic sounds. Today with their sixth full length album, “In Luft Geritzt” the band went fully acoustic.
