Battlecross (2015) Rise to Power

Band: Battlecross

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Thrash metal

Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  36:00 min.

Release Date: 08-21-2015

Current label: Metal Blade Records

Release label: Metal Blade Records

IR Classification: Excellent (4.6 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Rise to thrashing, rise to last, the new modern thrash metal

Battlecross the band originated from Detroit, Michigan comes this time, to throw at us their newest full length titled "Rise to Power" released under Metal Blade Records last August, being the third effort from the band and probably the most solid, in terms of songwriting and production and once and for all proving to be more than a simple Thrash metal band, in my opinion Battlecross alongside Exmortus, Revocation and Skeletonwitch they could clearly represent, the new wave of Thrash metal in America.

The album was produced by Jason Suecof, mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis at Audiohammer Studios, the cover artwork was designed by Péter Sallai, "Rise to Power" contains ten tracks averaging three minutes and a half per song, resulting in a real avalanche of Thrash metal by about thirty-six minutes, the current lineup is Tony Asta and Hiran Deraniyagala on guitar duties, Don Slater plays the bass, Kyle Gunther doing vocals and their newest member the drummer Alex Bent, personally, I hope that the excessive list of names behind the drum set, stop here.

While it is true Battlecross, they are not pioneers of this style, but undoubtedly they grew up listening to the golden years of thrash metal and the sound that they manage to print into their work creates a fresh feeling and  innovative style to play Thrash metal with riff that fuse naturally, from the opener "Scars" begin with a tremendous riff that drills your brain out and the crushing vocals by Kyle Gunther fast and aggressive, I have to tell you, the tracks were structured, with a pulverizing formula that engage you to listen incessantly, "Absence" proves my words, as the song evolves with a wide range of riff and a middle section rhythmic,  by Tony Asta and Hiran Deraniyagala playing a dynamic and intense role, "The Climb" delivers a blistering drumming mixed with some blast beat by Alex Bent to blend with a neat and extremely furious bass by Don Slater, "Blood & Lies" begin with an acoustic guitar intro that, explodes with anger, energy and versatility that characterizes Battlecross, "Despised" in my opinion is the best track in the whole album with meaty grooves throughout the cut, devastating vocals makes this cut one of the favorite to headbanging, the closing track "The Path" couldn't let you down with a grim acoustic passage as intro, which take you from a deepest feeling into a catharsis, persisting with aggressive and persuasive riff, Battlecross displays their full skills to play cohesively.

In conclusion; Battlecross has been able to create an album that defines the current flow of the modern Thrash metal, without compromise their integrity is an album that will attract and unify old, current and future generations of fans within the genre, certainly once you hear the album, you will not want to stop listening to it, so be prepare with all you got for the air drumming, air guitar and an unstoppable headbanging.  

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Scars

2. Not your Slave

3. Absence

4. Spoiled

5. The Climb

6. Blood & Lies

7. Bound by Fear

8. Despised

9. Shackless

10. The Path

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Dragonheart (2015) The Battle Sanctuary

Band: Dragonheart

Country of Origin: Brazil

Status: Active

Genre: Power metal

Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  58:00 min.

Release Date: 10-02-2015

Current label: Pitch Black Records

Release label: Pitch Black Records

IR Classification: Poor (2.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

A tragedy in the battle sanctuary

Dragonheart is a band from Curitiba, Paraná in Brazil, they were formed around 1997, by the brothers Marco Caporasso doing guitars and vocals, Marcelo Caporasso behind the drums set, Mauricio Taborda in the bass and backing vocals, and Eduardo Marques as the second guitar and third vocals, they joined forces together and their influences which fall into the Heavy metal of the 80's, medieval and epic too, they began the songwriting process and by August, 1988 they released their first demo, titled "The Gods of Ice" with five tracks, and they keep on going; by November, 2000 they released their album debut "Underdark" for Megahard Records and almost two years later, "Throne of the Alliance" saw the light by September, 2002 under HTR and also the departure of guitarist Eduardo Marques, who was replaced by André Mendes, their third album "Vengeance in Black" hit the streets in 2005, for the German label Hellion Records, before they go in hiatus for a decade. 

"The Battle Sanctuary" is Dragonheart's fourth effort up to now, it was released the last October 2nd, 2015 supported by Pitch Black Records, this time; by the departure of Marcelo Caporaso, they brought on board a new drummer Thiago Mussi, let me tell you;  what you can expect is a full dose of Heavy metal with lots of generic Power metal, yes! unfortunately for you this is an album that tends to be boring due to its length, reaching almost an hour of musical tragedy, their sound is for the likes of Portuguese, Ironsword or even the Swedish, Sabaton but not compelling as they are, my first impression about this album, was to recognize that they remain true to their roots, playing what they know best and preserving its mark on their music using three voices, something that is presumptuous, because while one guy tries to do clean vocals, the others guys are overwhelming with harsh vocals and the clean vocals loses any significance, musically there you can hear a lot of classic Power metal riff with some Thrash cords fused, adding an aggressive and solid sense, the guitar solos are not memorable as I wished. So, there is not enough to keep you tied for you to listen their tones.

The album has few tracks that can be saved, Dragonheart decide to open with "Far from Heaven... Close to Hell", such of powerful and energetic, puts your expectations higher for what's coming, they throw some riffs to engage you, catchy choruses and unfold an unlimited energy, "Black Shadow" the second track is well structured from the beginning you can listen clear all the instruments, there is a bass line that plays amazing in the background, the clean vocals are outstanding, the guitar solo is one of the few memorable in the whole album, “Forged in Metal” there is some riff to remember, one of the most influential bands as Iron Maiden is, the drums by Thiago Mussi are great, while the choruses does what they meant to do, inflict an overdose of energy, I still have issues to conceive a clear idea of what they tried to do with the track number seven, "Marching Under the Stars"; the style and idea is clear some kind of Folk, Epic Power metal, but it totally breaks the flow, it is plagued in choruses that baffles me, the self titled track brings some groovy riff blended with plenty of thrash hooks, to engage you good enough, the battling vocals between clean and harsh, make a perfect contrast with the chorus, the last track is "Time Will Tell" is another of the few redeemable tracks, displaying lots of intensity and versatility  for a good guitar solo, the vocals are acceptable, but again it fades in the attempt.

To conclude, Dragonheart delivers an inconsistent album, marked pretty much, for a standard songwriting, few eloquent and memorable riff and the abuse of three vocals, sometimes turning annoying or forgettable and last but not least the length, eleven tracks! almost an hour! I truly believe is too much for a comeback album after a long hiatus, this album is recommended only for diehard fans of  Power metal.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Far from Heaven... Close to Hell
2. Black Shadow
3. The Arcane's Palace
4. Inside the Enemy's Mind
5. Forged into Metal
6. Battle Lines
7. Marching Under the Stars
8. Circle of One
9. Kill the Leader
10. The Battle Sanctuary
11. Time Will Tell

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Black Breath (2015) Slaves Beyond Death

Band: Black Breath

Country of Origin: US

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal / Thrash metal

Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  49:00 min.

Release Date: 09-25-2015

Current label: Southern Lord Recordings

Release label: Southern Lord Recordings

IR Classification: Excellent (4.7 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

There are genuine riff, torrents full of brutality and harsh vocals that sound evil

Black Breath they were formed in 2006 in Seattle, Washington US, for many of us they are a prominent band for their blend of genres going from Death metal and Thrash metal Crossover spicing up with some Crust, so far they have released a Demo in 2006, an EP "Razor to Oblivion" in 2008, their album debut "Heavy Breathing" in 2010, their second and most acclaimed released "Sentenced to Life" in 2012, the band's current lineup is Neil McAdams (vocals), Jamie Byrum (drums), Elijah Nelson (bass), Eric Wallace and Mark Palm (guitars), it took them three years to release their third album titled "Slaves Beyond Death", this is an eight track album, slightly under the fifty minutes length, like its predecessor, this album was recorded by Producer Kurt Ballou (High on Fire, Nails, Baptists, Converge) at God City studio in Salem, Massachusetts. It was mastered by Brad Boatright with the Artwork by Paolo Girardi.

I honestly believe that Black Breath have surprised us with their new album entering itself a little more into the melodic death metal, with harmonies, some d-beat drumming and more solo parts, moving away from those flashes of good Hardcore, Crust Punk, and those vibrant moments in their second album "Sentenced to Life", but exposing an evil and sicker side than ever before. So! if you were expecting for another dose of their previous recording, I'm afraid you might feel disappointed, but is not bad as you could think, the grooves still present, the relentless aggression remains untouchable, there are more elaborated riff with genuine intensity while the drums delivers torrents of full brutality and the harsh sounding vocals brings back the feeling of their old recordings.

The first track is "Pleasure, Pain, Disease" starting with smooth guitar riff to build up an atmosphere, to scourge you suddenly, with raspy vocals by Neil and the drums are battered by Byrum, "Slaves Beyond Death" is the second track structured in a doomy death riffs and double bass drums heading into a more aggressive and fast pace, a guitar solo that reach the highest point, then comes "Reaping Flesh" I will consider this track as the most representative of the new Black Breath sound, while the groovy riff remain there, the musical structure is more compelling, signs of maturity in the songwriting process, "Seed of Cain" exceptional instrumental intro that drives you through a Swedish tone, with melody and guitar solos, make this cut memorable, I have no question about how good is this album, I could keep on going track by track, but honestly with such level of composition, is hard to do it, I can tell you most of the tracks may fall into the same structure from a simple tone that tends to builds up, but the texture and pace are the keys for each one, “Arc of Violence”, “A Place of Insane Cruelty” fits perfectly to my description, while “Burning Hate” offers some of the most vile riff, sick vocals and pummeling drums with some Old School Death metal vibe, the closing track is "Chains of the Afterlife" an instrumental track reaching almost the eight minutes mark, decadent guitars that evolve with some kind of nuance that create an epic eerie ambience.

Obviously, this album will bring many divided opinions, the old fans are likely to strongly criticized Black Breath, however; we as human beings must understand that change or evolution will always be part of us, so, while you try to understand this, I will enjoy this great album, which certainly has no fillers.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Pleasure, Pain, Disease

2. Slaves Beyond Death

3. Reaping Flesh

4. Seed of Cain

5. Arc of Violence

6. A Place of Insane Cruelty

7. Burning Hate

8. Chains of the afterlife

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1349 (2014) Massive Cauldron of Chaos

Band: 1349
Country of Origin: Norway
Status: Active
Genre: Black Metal
Type: Full Length
Format: CD (Ltd Digipak)
Length Approx.: 42:00 min.
Release Date: 09-29-2014
Current Label: Indie Recordings
Release Label: Season of Mist

IR Classification: Good (3.9 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

A massive chaotic sound!!!

1349 is a well known Black metal band that was raised in Oslo, Norway around 1997 by Ravn (vocals & drums), Tjalve (guitars), Seidemann (bass) and adding Archaon (guitars) in 1999, later on Frost of Satyricon was asked to lay down the drum tracks and finally he become a permanent member of the band around 2001, Tjalve leave the band in 2006 after a successful year, in order to focus his musical efforts on his band Pantheon I, while 1349 remained the same core lineup since Tjalve's departure. During eighteen years of career, they have released two Ep's and six full length, today I will focus in their latest album the sixth, titled "Massive Cauldron of Chaos" which in my opinion, that's how they always had sound, I believe this album is a step forward and not only the continuation of their previous record "Demonior" in 2010, where predominate an old vibe from the first wave of Black metal.

"Massive Cauldron of Chaos" comes after four years of absence in the studio; I thought is a long time but at the end the result passed my expectations. So; why expect less? when you have such talent together, there is no reason to do that, since the moment they uncover the album artwork, some kind of devilish and eerie entity on white background, that definitely told me something good will come out of this, "Massive Cauldron of Chaos" it is an album title very suggestive that defines what exactly lies in there, with a modern production, delivers a hell of a sound.

The album opens with "Cauldron" built in an eerie intro, explodes within seconds in your speakers, I know; anyone who loves Marduk, Gorgoroth will enjoy this, fast clean riff by Archaon blends with the blistering drums of Frost and Ravn brings his raspy and guttural vocals that quickly connects with "Slaves" with thrash nuances but with the heaviness and speed of Black metal, incorporates chorus and the spoken parts that make this one of the most outstanding cuts, "Exorcism" it extends the dose with some riff influenced by Watain, a terrific guitar solo by Archaon at the 3:20 mark, then comes "Postmortem" where you can appreciate clearly the early thrash influence in the guitar, crushing riff and a exciting double bass drum, "Mengele's" musically explores a wide range of riff and even include some ambient passages, "Chained" it was structured with catchy riff, while Frost behind the drums blends the pace and Seidenman with his bass add some textures in the background, the CD digipak Limited Edition released for US include an unlisted instrumental track, which last slightly over one minute and work as intro for "Godslayer" here 1349 unleashes all their fury and wrath with killer riff, devastating drums and aggressive vocals that shred your guts, in an offering to the black cult, the very last track in this version of the album is "The Heretic" is a Possessed cover song from their album "Beyond the Gates" released back in 1986, here they are coming up with a sound that is more Thrash and heavier, merciless vocals, this is a must hear track and believe me they don't disappoint at all, what an exciting and ruthless album end.

It's definitely an album with a solid black metal, taking many influences from contemporaneous bands as well as the early Thrash and Black metal age, arguably this represents the 1349 sound and their legacy, however if you are highly strict with your Black metal dose, this album will not be essential for you to listen to.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Cauldron
2. Slaves
3. Exorcism
4. Postmortem
5. Mangele's
6. Golem
7. Chained
8. Untitled
9. Godslayer
10. The Heretic (Possessed cover)*

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Benighted (2014) Carnivore Sublime

Band: Benighted

Country of Origin: France

Status: Active

Genre: Death metal / Grindcore

Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  38:00 min.

Release Date: 02-14-2014

Current label: Season of Mist

Release label: Season of Mist

IR Classification: Excellent (4.6 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

Carnivore Sublime brings a brutal and compelling discharge

Well, I know it’s been a long time since Benighted released their seventh full length "Carnivore Sublime" back in 2014, however I'm about to review this album for the simple reason that this is a killer Deathgrind album, excellent from any spot of view, you want to see, Benighted have been very active since they were founded in 1998 in Saint-Étienne, Rhône-Alpes, France, they were playing a more oriented Black metal at the beginning of their career, and later on shifting slowly into a more, comfortable zone to play a brutal Death metal with Grindcore influences.

"Carnivore Sublime" brings a brutal and compelling discharge, riff that assault your senses and the incessant beating of drums, the multifaceted Julien Truchan and his vocals with a wide range from pig squeals, screechy, gory goes to scream and snarls, it is really fascinating listen to him, Benighted is a band that once in awhile throws some riff that are particularly out of context, but when you see the whole picture you can appreciate those details that prevent to fall in a abysmal boredom, many bands of the genre while do their songwriting, goes so brutal and so fast as possible that they tend to overkill their production and there's no elements to save them, fortunately this is not Benighted case, something else to remark is the length of the record, barely under the thirty eight minutes to consume the massacre.

The opener track “X2Y” explode with singular intensity and brutality which link you right away with "Noise" the second track the guitars sound compact and the catchy riff are brimming, the distinctive vocals appears while you can't stop headbanging, “Experience your Flesh” is the living proof of my words, because you can appreciate those particular riff out of context I had been talking about, some could feel confused, but that's exactly why Benighted has remained, because they have a terrific, capacity to alloy unconventional elements, tracks like “Spit” or “Defiled Purity” following the same concept with some groovy riff throw in the mix and some other entertainment stuff, “Collection of Dead Portraits” and “Carnivore Sublime”, became the most exuberant tracks it's musical structure more varied, with frequent paced shifting and brutal fret guitar work, exposes their creativity to the core, “Les Morsures du Cerbère” brilliant as intense and the last track of this album is “June and the Laconic Solstice” delivers a full discharge of artillery a relentless drumming with some killer bass lines, guitar strings keep snapping and a full vocal repertory to annihilate any doubts.

 In my opinion Benighted has once again demonstrated why they have remained for so long as an icon in the underground scene, seventeen years down the road, seven studio albums, a live album, guarantee the quality and creativity of these French, trust me; if you take a look at their discography, I know you'll find something interesting.

Stay True... Stay Metal… Stay Brutal…

Track List:

1. X2Y

2. Noise

3. Experience Your Flesh

4. Slaughter / Suicide

5. Spit

6. Defiled Purity

7. Jekyll

8. Collection of Dead Portraits

9. Carnivore Sublime
10. Les Morsures du Cerbère
11. June and the Laconic Solstice

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Ashes of Dagoth (2015) The Awakening [EP]

Band: Ashes of Dagoth

Country of Origin: Germany

Status: Active

Genre: Symphonic Black metal
Type: EP

Format: Digital

Length Approx.:  28:00 min.

Release Date: 10-02-2015

Current label: Independent

Release label: N/A

IR Classification: Good (4.4 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)




Every song delivers an ecstasies and anguish at the same time

Ashes of Dagoth is a German Symphonic Black metal project founded by Florian (Moonforest, Empiric) and Christian, starting around 2013 and as soon as they could, they began the song writing process for their upcoming release, taking influences from bands like, Dimmu Borgir, Carach Angren, Advent Sorrow and their fascination for The Elder Scrolls series, they mixed up all the elements to conclude their first recording an EP titled "The Awakening" released independently in digital format.

While Ashes of Dagoth consist of two members Florian performs on guitars, drums and vocals, Christian takes care of the keyboards and orchestration, throwing, a recording of excellent quality with a wide texture, rich guitar riff, overwhelming drums but most of all, perfectly orchestrated melodies, harsh vocals with small incursions into clean vocals, the musical structure is something to highlight, they handle the pace on every song to deliver an ecstasies and anguish at the same time.

The EP opens with “The Fate of Dwemer” excellent orchestration to begin, It leads you to an enigmatic place in a parallel dimension where peace is virtual but the chaos prevails, “Akulakhan” it begins aggressively fast, with growling vocals, the keyboard melodies domain in the background as the orchestration fades, whispering voices appears and suddenly the wrath is released upon us, “Kagrenacs Greed” offers the brutal part in this album well balanced with symphonic elements, “Nightfall in Morrowind” is a beautiful instrumental track integrated by violins and piano, once again delightful and simple melodies play again an important role in their song writing, “Dreams of Flesh and Blood” unleashes an agonizing fury with mid paced, evolving into a catharsis, the last song is “Dagoth Ur” crushing drums blends with the orchestral arrangements adding growl vocals to tell the story of the last chapter.

It might sound a little bit repetitive for some of you, but all the elements in this recording, the way they managed to incorporated every single one is what makes them special, as musicians they bring up together a solid concept, that deserves some serious attention, I can tell you I had replay several times this record, because their sound is easy to listening, there is nothing complicated, if you are into Symphonic Black metal check it up, Ashes of Dagoth will surprise you.

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. The Fate of the Dwemer

2. Akulakhan

3. Kagrenacs Greed

4. Nightfall in Morrowind

5. Dreams of Flesh and Blood

6. Dagoth Ur

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Funebria (2015) Dekatherion: Ten Years of Hate & Pride

Band: Funebria

Country of Origin: Venezuela

Status: Active

Genre: Black metal / Death metal
Type: Full length

Format: CD

Length Approx.:  43:00 min.

Release Date: 08-29-2015

Current label: Satanath Records

Release label: Satanath Records

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)

Listen our review! (English)

South American Black metal aggressive, fast and full of anger

Directly from Maracaibo, Zulia in Venezuela emerge Funebria with a ruthless, heartbreaking and infernal album called “Dekatherion: Ten Years of Hate & Pride” under Satanath Records, this is their second full length which is preceded by their debut album titled “In Dominus Blasfemical Est... Ad Noctum Sathania” released back in 2009  as an independent effort, the band was formed around 2004, the current lineup is Seth aum Xul doing vocals, Iblis as bassist, Daemonae as guitarist and Ed Thorn behind the drums.

At the beginning they started playing old school black metal and it is reflected in their first demo entitled "Manifesto Slave" released in 2005 with a single track, but that was just the beginning, because Funebria begins a process of exploration, with new ideas and influences, as well as a lyrical concept more mature which is finally materialized in their EP "Holocaust Impio Golgotha in the Desert" in 2007 and their debut album “In Dominus Blasfemical Est... Ad Noctum Sathania” according to the band, their first album reached a distinctive and mature sound, starting with guitar riffs full of hate, devastating voices and drums guided by personal ideology, based on Nihilism and its complete absence, with a total rage against Christianity and I can tell you that’s a fact and on this occasion I refuse to talk more about this album, because they simply exceeded my expectations with "Dekatherion: Ten Years of Hate & Pride”.

The album kick off with a bombastic intro which make me think of the trumpets welcoming you to the gates of hell and quickly without losing the atmosphere sown by the introduction it’s linked to “Consolamentum” begins with marching drums and a rabid guitar riff, while Seth aum Xul blend his screams with their chaotic sound, this is the kind of track you expect when you first hear an album, delivering hell for your ears, “Serpent Sign” It is one of my favorite tracks on this album, their musical structure reflects its progression in terms of song writing is concerned, powerful, fast and brutal, Ed Thorn shows his class behind the drums handling fast paced with subtle changes to slower paced, coming near the end of the track Daemonae brings a unique guitar solo that makes memorable this track, I can tell you is a combination of elements bordering perfection, “Nihilist Revelation” with a more cohesive structure, deeper tones and voices to tear the depths of your soul, they know how to manage each change of pace, “Divide & Conquer” it is a track full of savagery, riff that appeal to be more thrasher with some good bass lines at the beginning by Iblis, the harsh vocals, assault and penetrate through the pores of your skin, while the drums sound overwhelming, “Azag (The Crown of Void)”  and “Cult of Cosmic Destruction” brings to this records some of the most conventional Black metal which both are well executed, but doesn’t show their full capacity, the last track in the album is the bonus track titled “Tormento” which seems to be a track re-recorded from their album debut, with Spanish lyrics but this time it sounds more aggressive, faster and full of anger.

In my opinion, I consider this album contains a strong concept and a solid musical structure, the production is good enough a slightly over produced on the drums section, but it doesn't affect drastically, Funebria it could be nominated as the best Black metal band from South America, they have set their own bar high enough for upcoming releases and we will be here waiting for them, horns up!!

Stay True… Stay Metal… Stay Brutal...

Track List:

1. Intro

2. Consolamentum

3. Serpent Sign

4. Whores of Babylon

5. Nihilist Revelation

6. Divide & Conquer

7. Aeon of Tyranny

8. Azag (The Crown of Void)
9. Cult of Cosmic Destruction
10. Tormento


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