Soulfly (2018) Ritual 'Review'

Band: Soulfly

Country of Origin: United States

Genre: Groove / Thrash metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD

Length Approx.: 43:00 min.

Release Date: 10-19-2018

Release Label: Nuclear Blast

IR Classification: Good (4.3 / 5)

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A very distinctive and unique Ritual.

Let's start with this album "Ritual" by Soulfly and to be honest with you, I considered myself a detractor of this band, I never felt an affection or enthusiasm for them and their music, but the time is wise and was recently until a few years ago more accurate in the 2015 and their album "Archangel" it caught my attention in a unique way, with memorable cuts and not just an attempt to stay current in the music industry, I will abstain myself from criticizing any other album for the simple reason of having ignored them completely.

"Archangel" at some point was irreverent with solid guitar riff emanating from the very deep chaos, in a form of exciting hybrid of groove and thrash metal and their newest album "Ritual" the eleventh album comes as a strong reinforce within their discography.

The album kicks off with the self-title track "Ritual" primitive chants mixed with a distorted guitar set the enough energy to launch a groovy front attack and doesn't stop there, it comes "Dead Behind the Eyes" layered with an impressive thrashing riff and drumming that excels with a very dynamic section tight and precise while the vocals by Randy Blythe and Calavera are massive no questions about it, "The Summoning" overflows in energetic and cohesive drum work and experiment a bit towards the end with that electro beat, "Evil Empowered" is fast and thrilling throwing very rapacious guitar riff, the next track "Under Rapture" sounds heavy and aggressive from the beginning and here you can catch a very distinctive bass line to welcome a vast and dense death metal passage with the powerful guest vocals performed by no other than Mr. Ross Dolan from Immolation, "Demonized" it could be the trashier cut in the album demanding the young drummer to show up his versatility to keep up the pace the guitar solo here is meaningful and genuine, "Blood on the Street" doesn't really make an impact on me, but "Bite the Bullet" have a catchy groove rhythmic section that essentially exploit up to its core, "Feedback!" is a refreshing and pleasant rock n' roll track and for a moment it throw myself into the past to remember one of the greats who is no longer here, I mean the great Lemmy Kilmister, the last track is "Soulfly XI" an instrumental track compose with a subtle ambience incorporates elements such as the sitar and the saxophone to provide a an opulent ending but gratifying.

And that's how I ended up appreciating to one of the most iconic name and trajectories within the metal scene, it took me seventeen years to understand them, I might start digging little by little their discography to discover what I ignored for many years, meanwhile I will keep enjoying their latest release "Ritual".

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…™

Track List:

01. Ritual │ 02. Dead Behind the Eyes │ 03. The Summoning │ 04. Evil Empowered │ 05. Under Rapture │ 06. Demonized │ 07. Blood on the Street │ 08. Bite the Bullet │ 09. Feedback! │ 10. Soulfly XI

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Korpiklaani (2018) Kulkija 'Review'

Band: Korpiklaani

Country of Origin: Finland

Genre: Folk Metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD

Length Approx.: 01:11:00 min.

Release Date: 09-07-2018

Release Label: Nuclear Blast

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

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Certainly, one of the best folk metal albums of the year.

I know! Sometimes I tend to post a lot of Death metal and Black metal reviews, more than any other genre, it doesn't mean I don't appreciate other bands out of my favorites genres, such as Korpiklaani and their contagious Folk metal full of melodies. I can't imagine a single one of those big Summer festivals without any folk metal band added to their billboard.

Well, I know lots of us we don't speak Finnish at all, however that inconvenience doesn't prevent us to enjoy and understand the music language, Korpiklaani are really good at that and they exploit it perfectly. Their abilities at songwriting transmits the right feelings, so let's crack the ice and get ready for what's coming up.

Korpiklaani brings us this time "Kulkija" which could be interpreted as (“Wayfarer”), it’s their most complete and longest work they had ever put out together, it contains fourteen ambitious tracks with their purest folk style that they only could create. The Finnish band seems venturous with their seventy-one minutes of production, but believe me, at the end it’s worth every single minute. The opener track "Neito” (Maiden) is a wonderful folkish piece that connects your mind right away with Fintroll and undoubtedly you know what soil you are stepping on. In "Harmaja," its songwriting brings up a somber feeling putting aside the metal aspects to create a sorrowful ambience, another track to highlight is "Sillanrakentaja" (The Bridge Builder) which is play in a semi-slow pace with a darker and memorable riff that keeps you engaged to deliver you a stunning end, exceptionally adding a darker layer with those eerie children's voices. "Henkselipoika" (Suspender Boy) takes you back into the usual Korpiklaani sound, a very well balanced track between Folk and Metal elements, followed by the instrumental "Pellervoinen" that works as an interlude, "Kuin korpi nukkuva" (As the Wilderness Sleep) is powered by some groovy riffs while the violin and accordion intertwine and the unexpected Tango style that ends this track is unique, "Juomamaa" is very versatile with punching riffs that are very joyful due to the fast pace and complex musical arrangement. The closing track is "Tuttu on tie" (The Road is Familiar) which reflects a gloomy vibe that’s heartbreaking, the vocals carry with them a deep feeling of regret and perpetual pain.

I could keep talking about this album for a while, and most likely I wouldn't run out of adjectives to qualify this epic production; but I'm sure I will conclude with the same opinion, this is a great album, despite my personal likes and being objective, "Kulkija" easily has taken a spot to contend as one of the best Folk metal albums of the year.

Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Neito
02. Korpikuusen kyynel
03. Aallon alla
04. Harmaja
05. Kotikonnut
06. Korppikalliota
07. Kallon malja
08. Sillanrakentaja
09. Henkselipoika
10. Pellervoinen
11. Riemu
12. Kuin korpi nukkuva
13. Juomamaa
14. Tuttu on tie

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Fleshgod Apocalypse (2016) King

Band: Fleshgod Apocalypse

Country of Origin: Italy

Genre: Symphonic Technical Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD
Length Approx.: 57:00 min.

Release Date: 02-05-2016

Release Label: Nuclear Blast

IR Classification: Excellent (4.5 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

“King” Captures an overwhelming wall of sound composed by symphonic elements and crucial metal parts to contrast

Italians Fleshgod Apocalypse they have released their fourth full length, "King" and as you can imagine they still in the same vein, composing some of the most devastating symphonic technical death metal over the world, in less than a decade, this band has earned a place in the acceptance of a countless followers, why? well the answer falls directly in their sumptuous discography, their debut album "Oracles" released in 2009, set the ground for Fleshgod Apocalypse for their innovative blend of Neo-classical style and relentless death metal, later on in 2011 came back again with "Agony" having a better production than their previous album and is here where they are fearless to integrate more orchestral elements, in 2013 "Labyrinth" sees the daylight with a more cohesive songwriting, dynamic and brutal, with all these extenuating it is easy to distinguish Fleshgod Apocalypse among others.

Their newest record as well as its predecessors possesses their distinctive trademark, "King" is another conceptual album, and tells the story of a king who has many problems in dealing with his court, they try to gain control on him and take power, but this king remains positive while he is trying to keep the sovereign together, he tries to do things with integrity and tries to keep his values, this story sounds very familiar if we transfer to our modern life.

"Marche Royale" masterfully opens the album with a powerful orchestration, is a little preamble for what's heading to you, followed by "In Aeternum" captures an overwhelming wall of sound composed by symphonic elements and crucial metal parts to contrast, while the clean vocals are piercing yours ears and without mercy, gears up to the crushing "Healing Through War" the guitar riff here are more abundant and heavy, and the wind ensemble subtly slay the air, "The Fool" is one of the most extreme technical cuts incorporating piano structures and choirs, with complex and aggressive drumming, next is "Cold as Perfection" is daring, slower pace with dark ambience and clean female vocals resounds in the incomprehensive chaos, to the end an outstanding guitar solo which eventually get lost in the spiral of chaos followed by "Mitra". The beauty of the inconceivable comes with "Paramour (Die Leidenschaft bringt Leiden)" a classical piano composition with mesmerizing female vocals, prepares for "And the Vulture Beholds" and "Gravity" delivers the most fastest riffage and delves once again in an orderly chaos with exceptional string arrangements, "A Million Deaths" is bombastic, opulent and heavier riff falls into a ungovernable frenzy, the band emphasize in more piano melodies rather than complex brutality, "Syphilis" approaches us to the end with a nightmarish vibe, melodramatic and somber crushing riff brings the subtle agony when least expected, the last track is "King" is a piano instrumental track memorable as well passionate to end tragically.

The Italian pioneers of extreme Symphonic Technical Death metal, recorded their album in 16th Cellar Studios and Kick Recording Studio in Rome Italy, the Mixing and mastering at Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden by Jens Borgen, at the end was a very addictive and theatrical dose of extreme metal, robust in symphonic elements well balanced with outrageous metal parts, vocally impressive, "King" is an album that worth the time to listen and enjoy.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:


01. Marche Royale
02. In Aeternum
03. Healing Through War
04. The Fool
05. Cold As Perfection
06. Mitra
07. Paramour (Die Leidenschaft Bringt Leiden)
08. And The Vulture Beholds
09. Gravity
10. A Million Deaths
11. Syphilis
12. King



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Avantasia (2016) Ghostlights

Band: Avantasia

Country of Origin: Germany

Status: Active

Genre: Symphonic Power metal

Type: Full Length

Format: 2 CD Digibook
Length Approx.: 1:15:00 min.

Release Date: 01-22-2016

Current label: Nuclear Blast Records

Release label: Nuclear Blast Records

IR Classification: Excellent (4.6 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Sammet and company are back with a thunderous and majestic power metal opera  

Avantasia the newest album "Ghostlights" turns to be almost unavoidable and challenging at the same time to review, Tobias Sammet and company are back again with their seventh full length plagued with their power metal opera, always accompanied by prominent names in the metal scene such Sharon den Adel, Michael Kiske, Dee Snider, and Geoff Tate just to mention few of them, their sound is essentially a exhibit unrestricted of pretentious musicianship, their quality goes far beyond of what words can express and definitely one of the best shows of metal opera that can be seen these days.

It is probably that many people will argue that "Ghostlights" it lands far away from their mighty opus "The Metal Opera" debut album released back in 2001, or get stranded between "Angel of Babylon" in 2010 and "The Mystery of Time" in 2013, but certainly I can say "Ghostlights" has its own personality, they sound so fresh, so powerful and so passionate, delivering an exciting and complex recording, this time Avantasia took their time to reroute what was missing or over produced, in their latest works avoiding the big orchestral arrangements, as in "The Mystery of Time" they incurred or the excessive ballads to mid-pace shown in "The Scarecrow" and last but not least to mention the lack of metallic edge in "Angel of Babylon"; Well! I believe they succeeded this time bringing something more varied, intense and memorable.

The first track to blast the speakers off is "Mystery of a Blood Red Rose" with a great semi-fast pace riff, contagious choruses and a beautiful guitar solo, it works really good as a preamble to the epic and longest track in the album "Let the Storm Descend Upon You" slightly over twelve minutes with special guest in vocals by Jørn Lande (Jorn), Robert Mason  (Warrant), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), this track is quite impressive for the huge amount of moods stamped in it, the metallic edge blended with the orchestral arrangements, make this one an essential to listen, "The Haunting" comes unexpected as a storyteller and slow-paced while Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), brings his powerful vocals to this project, "Seduction of the Day" let Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) to deliver his ostentatious vocal display and of course well appreciated, every track so far let the guest vocalist shine in their own, for me there is no doubt Tobias while he focus in his songwriting, he is able to visualize the singer, it is simply awesome, "Ghostlights" supply the proper dose of power metal that everybody is waiting for the guest vocalist in this track are Michael Kiske (Helloween) and once again the raspy vocals of Jørn Lande, "Draconian Love" is a powerful ballad that exploits with a catchy keyboard and low tune riff to add a depressive feeling which allows to elevate the track with exciting guitars plagued in choruses and the battling vocals between Tobias Sammet and Herbie Langhans (SinBreed) are impressive, "Master of the Pendulum" features Marco Hietala (Nightwish) his fearless and relentless voice takes over the heaviest track in the album, here you can appreciate one of the best guitar solos they could achieved, "Isle of Evermore" is a slow-paced ballad with no other than sweet Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation) she lends some of the pop style vocals which has been prevailed in her latest recordings, somehow I think they owe us a climax with this track. 

"Babylon Vampyres" Sammet goes alone on his own, with fast and sharp riff, pounding drums and catchy melodies, "Lucifer" a stunning track featuring Jørn Lande who is set free to deliver his most brilliant interpretation in the album, "Unchain the Light" is definitely the catchy track in the whole album counting once again with the stellar appearances of Ronnie Atkins and Michael Kiske, excellent guitar work and impressive solo unleashes the adrenaline, "A Restless Heart and Obsidian Skies" brought aboard guest vocalist Bob Catley, the song sounds epic, but a little misplaced, nothing wrong with guest vocalist, but unfortunate to listen this as closing track, the 2CD Digibook includes a bonus track entitled "Wake up to the Moon" and simply can't understand it sounda overdone, dwelling in some generic formula.

The hard part of this album falls in the length by itself the 2CD Digibook version last about 75 minutes, plus 59 minutes the live section, is not easy to devour thirteen tracks at once, you will need patience to really go all the way down to understand what Tobias Sammet and company just made, their power metal opera has emerged again and has been captured all its glory in this album, "Ghostlights" is simply awesome, all the parts blend together with smooth transitions and incorporation of orchestral and metal making this an unique experience.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Mystery of a Blood Red Rose

2. Let the Storm Descend Upon You

3. The Haunting

4. Seduction of Decay

5. Ghostlights

6. Draconian Love

7. Master of the Pendulum

8. Isle of Evermore

9. Babylon Vampyres

10. Lucifer

11. Unchain the Light

12. A Restless Heart and Obsidian Skies

13. Wake up to the Moon

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Enslaved (2015) In Times

Band: Enslaved

Country of Origin: Norway

Status: Active

Genre: Progressive Black / Viking metal

Type: Full length

Format: CD (Ltd Digipak)

Length Approx.: 53:00 min.

Release Date: 03-06-2015

Current label: Nuclear Blast

IR Classification: Excellent (4.5 / 5)

A Ferocious and beautiful piece of black metal

Enslaved is one of the few bands that has always caught my attention for their versatility, unique style in the song writing process, their progressive sound with no fear to experience new horizons, that is the reason to set them apart from all the bands emerging during the second wave of black metal, it had its origin at the beginnings of the nineties.

These Norwegians has demonstrated through their twenty four year of career an incredible progression from their Black metal roots leading us by an intricate and complex musical structure, offering us records as "Vikingligr Veldi", "Mardraum: Beyond the Within", "Below the Lights", "Isa", "Axioma Ethica Odini", "RIITIIR" to mention few of their huge catalog, now they approach to us with their latest album "In Times" it consist of six tracks surpassing the eight minute mark each and provide us some of the best tunes they have recorded so far.

The opening track "Thurisaz Dreaming" begins with a furious riff as hell is coming with it, while the harsh vocals by bassist/vocalist Grutle Kjellson are hellish then here we go with a subtle change of pace, and keyboardist/vocalist Larsen show off his clean vocals through the piece and you realize his evolution as singer if you think of him when they released "Isa" in 2004, "Building with Fire" probably the most catchy piece in the whole album and contrary to the previous track this one is more oriented to metal/rock comparable to Amorphis sound, unpretentious riff, aerie vocals gives an ethereal proportion there is a brilliant guitar solo and an exceptional bass interlude, all this elements will stick in your mind for a while, "One Thousand Years of Rain" it has a faint introduction that moves you into a reflection, to shake you off again Kjellson explode his throat to the skies and convey to a pure raw feeling alternating with harmonic and melodic chants battling each other, the wide variety of riff and progression chords are stunning at some time make you remember Opeth's style, "Nauthir Bleeding" comes to be one of the most progressive and diverse pieces in the album, perhaps the most unfathomable in their entire career, Bekkevold delivers a drumming section that sounds epic and flawless, rarely you will find a blending feeling of dynamism and balance alike as this, “In Times” keeps the same path as its predecessor but feels like they are building a wall with those progression chords before exploding into a chaotic commotion filled of blast, tremolo picking guitars and resonant growls, the conclusion of this albums comes by "Daylight" it has an unique atmosphere, dwells in a post-rock layers and it transcends to another plane,  the chants behind the harsh intonations are mesmerizing follows by one of the best if not the best guitar solo in this album, leaving the listener ecstatic kneeling before them and suddenly the final countercharge in form of a lethal guitar riff and hellish growls comes to end with you.

What we have here is that it's unlikely we can match it with any previous record released by Enslaved, what I mean is that it's a ferocious and beautiful piece of black metal, this album has the potential to be enjoyed by the listener little by little in a natural way, you just get carried away by your senses on a journey to the frenzy with subtle melodies, that will take your breath away, it is undeniable that Enslaved has been tracing a progressive path which seems endless while providing enough contrast and smooth transition for many years to come.

Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Thurisaz Dreaming

2. Building with Fire

3. One Thousand Years of Rain

4. Nauthir Bleeding

5. In Times

6. Daylight









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Unleashed (2015) Dawn of the Nine

Band: Unleashed

Country of Origin: Sweden

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal

Type: Full Length

Format: CD

Length Approx.: 44:50 min.

EU Release Date: 04-24-2015
UK Release Date: 04-27-2015
US Release Date: 05-04-2015

Current label: Nuclear Blast
Release label: Nuclear Blast

IR Classification: Good (4.2 / 5)

Death metal played to its maximum expression.

Undoubtedly Unleashed is an iconic band within the genre of Death metal, with a career of over 26 years, eleven previous recordings and one of the most stable line-up within the genre, these warriors of the northern lands come this year with their highly anticipated album "Dawn of the Nine" this is their  twelfth full-length album, here you will find ten tracks of the most pure and unrelenting death metal played to its maximum expression, you will find ten tracks loaded with Nordic mythology, while "Dawn of the Nine" is a solid and powerful album with the sound of the old school death metal, without hassle, nor commitments, however it is difficult to avoid the question by itself, will this be an album just as relevant, or even more than the previous "Odalheim" released three years ago? Or maybe they will fall down in the quest to remain relevant in this scene so saturated? But I think that question should be answered by each fan of them, while for me, they sound sophisticated and fearless but with a brutal approach worthy of a pioneer of the viking death metal genre.

"Dawn of the Nine" picks up where "Odalheim" left off, the opener track "A New Day Will Rise" get you with a tremendous guitar riff, that predisposes you to anticipate the assault coming to you, Hedlund exposes his guttural vocals, right after the first song quickly and mercilessly they hook you up to the next track,  "They Came to Die" melody is characterized at a rapid pace in the background some devastating drums, "Defenders of Midgar" is a track of a slow pace , but powerful and gives us an exceptional guitar solo, then comes "Where is Your God Now?" this one is the single from this album and begins with a chilling scream accompanied by relentless drums the guitar solo is well built and sounds terrific, “The Bolt Thrower" is a track that starts with one of the best guitar riff in the album, you can feel the hell that it is carried in every note and is completed by an excellent guitar solo, the punitive bass guitar that opens in "Land of the Thousand Lakes" excels in this track making it difficult to forget, galloping guitars are magnificent and Hedlund gives us his powerful, compelling and guttural vocals on the entire album.

The other tracks that complement this production are "Let the Hammer Fly" "Where Churches Once Burned" "Dawn of the Nine" and "Welcome the Son of Thor!" each and every one with an outstanding composition taking its best elements of yesteryear to mix them in a clear, powerful production full of rage that overwhelms you, this is a must have for every Unleashed fan.

I want to conclude my review by faithfully believing that even in these days so difficult to discern true or false there is hope in this chaos and bands like Unleashed, bringing albums such as "Dawn of the Nine" prove me that I am not mistaken in believing in the true death metal.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. A New Day Will Rise

2. They Came to Die

3. Defenders of Midgard

4. Where is your God Now?

5. The Bolt Thrower

6. Let the Hammer Fly

7. Where Churches Once Burned

8. Land of the Thousand Lakes

9. Dawn of the Nine

10. Welcome the Son of Thor!



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