Tuesday 30 September 2014

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM VOICES OF ETERNITY BY BLOOD&IRON


Blood & Iron is a power heavy metal band from India formed in 2005 and released two full lengths, Blood and Iron in 2007 and Dynamite world in 2009, receiving positive feedback by the media, taking a long break and line up changes until they came back to the studio in 2013, releasing their third album Voices of eternity via Pure Steel Records on the 26th of September 2014.
Blood & Iron present a pure heavy metal sound in its essence with a  power metal perfectly melted, the mid high pitched Halford styled vocals works very well into the Iced earth - Grave digger instrumental compositions together with progressive touches. The final line up is based on Ashish and Vikram on the guitars and Praveen on the drums, with the special guests on lead vocals Giles Lavery (from the australian Dragonsclaw) and Youmni (from the band Ascendant from Dubai) taking the back vocals. Vin Nair, lead singer of Dubai-based rock band ‘Vin Sinners’ takes on the part of ‘the Narrator’ on ‘Ghost of a Memory’. Riju “Dr. Hex”, bassist of Mumbai-based metal band “Albatross” handles the bass on ‘Eternal Rites’.
The whole album is forged with very effective choruses, Eternal rites and Legion calls to the traditional power metal with Queensryche influences in a sophisticated headbanging structure and changes of rhythm with awesome chorus and a really epic feeling as the mid fast galloping pulse of Ascendant mixes impulsive powerful chorus also presented in the mid to fast paced Burning bridges, offering higher vocal ranges, being one of the best acts of the record.

Encapsulating the bands sound we find the track Your own voice, with the right touch of progressive, and a headbanging heavy power metal soul also present on tracks like Underground Rebellion, one of the best tracks of the band combining the awesome catchy chorus and forceful verses with thrash influence.

Ghost of a memory starts as an acoustic ballad that very effectively evolves to an intense mid fast tempo bomb, the vocals offer one of the best interpretations of the album with great highs and lows tunes along with an outstanding guitars performance continued by Path not taken, which heralds a mid tempo ballad with a good harmony forging acoustic and electric parts leaded by a remarkable job on the vocals as finally Redemption day kicks in creating a memorable chorus and great compositions with sophisticated drum touches for a perfect ending.

The album offers a great quality in general terms, with powerful and strong attitude, the production is good but could be better, however, what you're gonna be sure , Blood and iron forged a non-stop headbanging record to be included on every metal maniac essentials for this year.


Saturday 27 September 2014

REVIEW OF THE FIRST ALBUM BY MAUSOLEUM GATE





Mausoleum Gate was born in 2008 in Finland as classic heavy metal band, releasing their first EP in 2010 "Gateways for the wicked" having the chance to gig together with bands like Sarcofagus or Cloven Hoof. After some line up changes, the band finally was completed with axemasters Count LaFey and Kasperi Puranen, Oscar Razanez on drums, Wicked Ischanius on the bass and VP Varpula as vocalist; creating their first single in 2013, Obsessed by metal, and signing with Cruz del Sur Records for their first full length coming next 10th of October 2014, under the name Mausoleum Gate.



Mausoleum gate reveals one of the most promising performs of the year, in matter of a style combining the 70s hard rock heavy metal with the early NWOBHM, sharp melodic guitars and a Deep Purple vocal style, as it starts with the fast paced Magic of the Gypsy queen when Rainbow meets Deep Purple, developing an excellent rhythm with even forceful verses taking you to the top with a straight powerful chorus, and continuing with the roots of 70s heaviest patterns, Demon Druid kicks in as a mid tempo act with a remarkable progression that will take you back in time based on the sound and also on the attitude.

As we continue through this time machine with Lost beyond the sun, the drums reveal a ballad that could be the equivalent of the Temple of the king by Rainbow but with added dose of powerful intensity, changes of pulse and an outstanding interpretation, a true masterpiece from a new band.

Accelerating the pulse we have two pure classic heavy metal tracks, the impulsive headbanging Mercenaries of steel on one hand and There must be demons on the other hand, bringing an early Iron Maiden sensation all over the track mixed with brilliant epic drippings.
The best is yet to come to finalize the album, the tittle track Mausoleum Gate heralds a 12 minutes masterpiece as they take the listener to an epic trip of high intensity verses, with slow mid tempo pulsed rhythms, with one of those true metal chorus to be remembered, performed along a crescendo structure that effectively comprises the sound of the band.

Mausoleum gate debut full length will be an impact on the classic heavy metal scene, offering influences from Uriah Heep, Rainbow or Deep purple on one side but also influenced by the steel of Judas Priest or Iron Maiden at their early stages, creating their own sound, with remarkable work on the keyboards and guitars in every single track.

Mausoleum Gate released a cult masterpiece album that every NWOBHM maniac will like! 

9 / 10



Wednesday 24 September 2014

INTERVIEW WITH STRANGER BLAZE



The speed thrash metal band Stranger Blaze released their debut album one year ago and the second one, Soulbreaker, is coming soon; in the meantime the band gave us some time to answer key questions about their history, past, present and future of the band.

If you like to check the review of their 2013 album Let destrution begins, click here
Hello guys and Thank you for taking the time! Tell me a bit of history of the band, how did you decide the band's name?
Hey Hello and thanks for the space… well, basically the name of the band is because we were trying to get something to represent what we are doing with our music. You know, we come from a country that unfortunately hasn't a well-known band to represent our land, you know so we felt identified with these 2 words. Stranger, because, like I told you, we come from the unknown Mexican scene to the global metal stuff but we want to burn it down like a fire, a blaze (in a good sense haha). It could sound funny but that was the best option we had at that moment hahaha

 As far as I know the band was formed four years ago and the first full length was released last year, how do you value the process of creating and recording the album?
Stranger Blaze, as a band, started in 2011, 2010 was the year when we started to play guitar, and I’m talking about Albert Gaona and me. That foo taught me the first chords and notes on guitar, but in 2011 we completed the first line up. The LET DESTRUCTION BEGIN album was released in august 2013 but, we released the first EP in October 2011. The composition process was easy to be honest, it took a time when we were at recordings, cause it was the first time that we worked on the studio. The drums section was pretty quick to record, then the bass line stuff, the rhythm guitar section was very easy, but the real problem came with the lead guitar. at that time, the lead guitarist was not interested too much in the music business. This guy missed a lot of recording seasons, as a matter of fact, we lost a lot of time. But once completed, we didn’t have any other problem. The whole recording process took like 3 weeks so far. I can tell you that we tried to show what we felt in every single song at that time, we weren’t well experienced musicians at those days, but everything was honest, I mean, we don’t want to write about a billions of demons in a song just to make people think we are true and scary metalheads, we just wanted to put our ideas on the album. People could say "they are not the greatest band in the world but these motherfuckers are real.


You mention in your bio that the band started on a heavy speed metal style idea, but the final sound reveals a high thrash metal influence, how this influence came to the band's sound?
That’s a good question because nobody asked it before, but it is very simple, we love thrash metal bands specially Albert Gaona and me, since the beginning, we wanted to make fast music but a little bit different. Adolfo Sanchez, the current drummer, comes from black and death metal influences but we had clear that we would make fast shit and actually we love the results.


Its easy to see that you carry the true spirit of thrash metal attitude, how is the people reacting on the concerts?
The crowd is always insane, sometimes we are in the gig clubs, bars or whatever, and there are like 30 or 25 people and we are like "oh man this sucks" then we are on the stage and you see a lot of motherfuckers killing each other. They always multiply like fuckin' gremlins haha, it is awesome.


After your first album, how is the international metal scene reacting?
We received a lot of good reviews around the world, as an underground metal band, you don’t expect too much with the first strike, but this time it happened. we received good comments from people around the world, one guy in Osaka Japan asked us to send him a couple of CD's for his metal store, we already sent the album to Europe, the United States, and that shit is kicking over south America too...and obviously in Mexico. And after the Colombian tour the status of the band is growing and growing, like we say, you cannot stop the indestructible machinery...


I see how true metal in Mexico is getting bigger in consequence of the growing wave of traditional heavy metal bands worldwide, how do you value this situation?
It is a good thing but at the same time a bad thing, because there’s a lot of people listening to metal but a reality about this country is that always one wants to be better than the other one, the people is fighting each other to see who knows more about old school thrash metal bands, and it’s like, stop being a moron go and listen all the bands no matter if they are old or new, fuck that, it’s about the music, who cares if you know what colour Gary Holt´s underwear was when Exodus released Bonded by blood, just go and enjoy metal dawg .. But at the same time there are a lot of people with open mind that knows how to appreciate the new stuff as they do with old school music, I love that.


Could you name the bands that most influenced your style?
 Actually, I have non usual taste, because I can listen to Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, and Destruction but also I love Metalcore bands, like Trivium, Avenged Sevenfold, stuff like that. I like Mexican American rap music too, but I don’t let the rap world to influence my compositions haha. Albert Gaona prefers the old school metal stuff, bands like Slayer, Exodus, Violence, DRI, Testament, Heather, and Adolfo Sanchez is more like Cannibal corpse, Cannabis Corpse Immortal, Burzum, Brandon Reyes likes Thrash metal stuff but he is more into blues music.


The production is on the average quality as a first album for a independent release, how was the work with the band members in the studio?
At the beginning was kinda hard, cause like I told you we had not been working on the studio before, metronome was a challenge for us, but we beat that motherfucker. We wanted to make something professional, and I guess we did it. Every one of us knew the purpose and the expectative of the album, so we did our best on the recording seasons, and we enjoyed that shit as fuck.


You are working on the the second album, Soulbreaker, how do you feel recording this album?
We are exploring on different ways regardless of people comments, but we love to do it, and we know the people will enjoy this album from beginning to end, we are taking a time to think in every single detail, the purpose on this, is to make something bigger and better than the last album, we want to take the next step to find our own sound, it is exciting.


Could you anticipate any details of the new album? 
This shit will be fast, aggressive and technical; every single song will be like a kick in the balls and a punch in the face. you will find thrash metal, heavy metal, a lot of riffs, melodies, instrumental and technical songs...damn were gonna take the people from the neck and beat the shit down of them. At the lyrics you can find something to feel identified with, and real histories, for example there’s a song called "Into the gates of darkness" it is a song that i wrote when i got enough inspiration from the army life. There is the instrumental song "Dreams on the steel" dedicated to the Central American immigrants that cross Mexico to reach the American dream, leaving the family and facing death every single day just to give a better life to their people, real heroes dawg.


Have you had any promo agencies, record label offers since the release of Let destruction begins?
Well, to be honest, we received some invitations with Mexican agencies, but we wanted the first album to be independent, and we would try to get a label for the second one. So we're gonna send the album to some American and European labels, to spread the fire over the world.



Could you tell me how do you remember the best gig you performed?
 One of my favourites was the first one, because we were the unknown band, it was a homemade gig on someone’s backyard and that shit became a hell when we started to play... But homie, the real one wasn’t even in our country; it was in Bogota, Colombia. I remember that pretty well, full house, those fuckers killing each other, doing stage diving, singing the songs, I remember in the last song of the set list, it was thrash demolition, we asked the people  to make a wall of death.. that shit was a war zone, I remember after the show I saw some kids bleeding as fuck, and one of them was like, hey you Mexican fuckers, you are awesome this shit was the best gig in my life... and I was like "thanks foo it was mine too... by the way I’m sorry for your blood" hahaha

Which countries would you like to visit In the future?
Well we want to play in every single country around the world, right now we are planning to go to Central America, cause we heard those fuckers are insane and we want to be witnesses of that. Also we want to go to the rest of south America, visit Europe, Asia for sure and personally I want to go back to the United States, even if we have to go illegally, fuck the migra hahahha I’m kidding but yes, we want to break people ears over the United States too, Canada.. Basically we want to play in every single country on earth.


Which bands would you like to share stage with?
Obviously we have our favourite bands, personally I would like to play with bands like Angelus Apatrida, Trivium, Metallica, Exodus and those legendary bands, you know what I'm sayin'?


What are the plans after the release of your album Soulbreaker?
 Well were gonna make the first Official video, I won’t tell you which song we chose for that, it will be a surprise. also, we want to make a tour over central America, south America  and the big jump to Europe for sure, were gonna tour over Mexico again for sure, like I told you we would try to sign with some big world company, so we can spread the Stranger Blaze music easily over the world. We will work on the third album too; in fact, we already have a couple of ideas for the third one, so the indestructible machinery is getting bigger and stronger.  


To finalize, could you leave a message for your fans?
We don’t have fans, despite what fuckers think, we just have brothers and sisters, so we want to say to all our raza over there to support and believe in the new school metal bands, no matter which sub genre they play, if you love metal, take a chance to listen the new bands, support for their local scenes and stop being pendejos hahaha ... greetings to all the crazy fuckers around the world! 

Thank you very much guys! Hope we see you soon in Europe!
Thank you very much for the interview brother, peace




Monday 22 September 2014

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM METAL BRIDGE BY WARRANT


Warrant is a speed heavy metal band from Germany formed in 1983 and released the masterpiece of the genre The Enforcer in 1985, underrated at the moment but becoming a cult speed metal album for all true metalheads around the world.

Warrant are due to release the new full length after 29 years, the next 31st of October, now the band's sound is cleaner with a better production, in general terms the original elements are still there but after all these years the influences have driven the band to create power metal structures, involving more modern drippings.



After an epic instrumental introduction, Asylum accelerates the drums pounding rhythm and changes the pace to a fast and mid tempo  pulse,  remarkable vocals being wild and aggressive with a sharp mid high pitched style continuing with Come and get it, the modern power metal sound combined with speed metal style of the old times, easy chorus to shout on the gigs and a rising pulse progression are the strong points.

You keep me in hell rises to the high speed strong pounding drums, releasing an astonishing epic  feeling, revealing a masterpiece in the album, the chorus is the best one encapsulating the real metal bridge unifying the old and new Warrant style, linked with Blood in the sky, keeping the pace in tempo, mid pulse rhythms with a headbanging structure and the chorus are a great combo here.

Face the death heralds another power metal fast tempo shot adding drippings of thrash metal on the structure and also on the vocal composition combined with a remarkable melodic pattern, as All the king horses comprises a double pedal mid tempo pulsed heavy power metal developing a catchy long hymn as a chorus with a good progression and harmony on the verses.

Nyctophobia evolves with a combination mid fast tempo power metal very well composed track, the progression is outstanding and will be a perfect bomb for the gigs, resulting in one of the most head banging missiles of the band.

Helium head explodes from the silence to a thrashy twisted hard rocker pulse in a forceful interpretation on the vocals that mixes very well the aggressive side and the melodic chorus and bridge with some Iron Maiden elements in it, excellent guitar solo with hard rock feeling along with a double pedal drums, with qualities also present in Don't get mad get even, bomb that will wake up the attention of old warrant fans starting like a speed metal missile as the vocals start in crescendo to one the best bridge and chorus of the album.

Eat me alive is a good example of the combination of old and new Warrant as the verses and instrumental herald the wild riveting speed metal and the catchy chorus present the modern elements, a good highlight of this new album to be followed by Immortal evoking the great speed metal from the old times with a similar structure as The enforcer, one of the best of the album including the most forceful solo around.
The enforcer 2014 and Order of death 2014 are the re recording of  the hits from their 1985 gem of metal, the attitude is presented intact as the performance sounds true and wild, with the epic elements missing in most of the new songs, better quality on the production obviously, they mark a way to follow in the path of the true metal.

After all this demonstration of speed, power, thrash and heavy metal the Labyrinth of the lost finalize the record, as an instrumental highs and lows of intensity that shades to the silence.
.

Warrant returns after so long and their style continues the legacy of such a true metal band, the result is excellent, keeping in mind the long time in the shadows, the modern influences are normal but still on the true metal line, despite not being on the same level as the enforcer by far, Metal bridge is a powerful heavy metal creation forged with the immortal flames of the roots of the speed metal.


8  / 10



RELEASED BY PURE STEEL RECORDS




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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union Webzine and Metalheads Union FB

Saturday 20 September 2014

REVIEW OF RISE AND RIDE BY STALLION + TOUR DATES



Stallion is a German speed heavy metal band formed in 2013, releasing their first demo with two tracks in June 2013 and the Ep "Mounting the world" in September 2013,

 Rise and ride is their debut album released on 12th September 2014, after the excellent EP that took them, in one year of life, to the front of the NWOTHM scene

Stallion sound is a demonstration of true metal combining the best Classic style of Judas Priest and Accept adding speed power metal drippings from Tyran Pace and Agent Steel; and also clearly influenced by the Canadian speed metalians Skull Fist on melodies, guitar shredding and riffs.



The album starts with the tittle track Rise and Ride, creating a crescendo riff and mid fast pulse that introduces you to the head banging action at the very first minute, high quality sound and palm muted riffs backing a combo of high pitched clean and sharp vocals; true wild metal with a catchy chorus to be shouted at the gigs, bringing memories of Hail and kill by Manowar.

Without a break the band kick in with Wild Stallions, another outstanding masterpiece of speed heavy metal created for true metalheads, these guys know you will rise your fists in the air with a true metal feeling all over, excellent on the chorus and the pulse changes that will leave you breathless for Streets of sin, taking some early Judas Priest elements on the main riff, in a good mid tempo strong pounding rhythms, pure classic heavy metal track connected with Stigmatize, taking back the power and the fury of a high speed pulsed metal, wild and impulsive guitar riffs, solos and vocal melodic elements from Tyran Pace.

The first half of the album is completed with the hit of the band Canadian Steele, the masterpiece that took their first EP to be known worldwide, a pure speed metal gem headbanging from start to finish combining some Skull Fist shredding style and of course the excellent high pitched vocals twisted with clean and sharp harsh combo make this track one of the best of the band's history.

Bill to pay introduces a hard rocker-classic heavy metal style combining a clear German style taken from Accept, even the vocals evokes this specific vibrato technique Udo uses, remarkable palm muted guitar background combo with sharp melodies on the solo as the rhythm of Watch out breaks in offering one of the most melodic vocals interpretation of the album, bringing memories of bands like Enforcer or Skull Fist on the hole sound of the track.

The pulse accelerates to another forceful speed metal track with power metal drippings in The right one, liberating true metal energy once again, denoting the attitude of the band and encapsulating their own style at perfection combining great changes of rhythm, powerful melodies and catchy bridges and chorus.

The devil never sleeps heralds a mid tempo anthem performed along a constant high pitched vocals, great sophisticated instrumentals with changes of rhythm (did you also recognised the first verses of Forever by Y&T in this track?), great shot that takes you to the last track Wooden
Horse, in a mood for some melodic hard rock drippings but keeping the essential true heavy metal of the band, awesome vocal interpretation here as he uses again Udo techniques mixed with clean high pitched parts, guitar melodies make it so epic creating the perfect ending.

Stallion must be very proud of their first album, forged from the roots of the metal god styles, holding the flame of true metal high, these wild Stallions have arrived, and are here to stay!


9 / 10


Stallion is comprised by Pauly (vocals), Axl (guitar), Oli G. (guitar), Nicki Schnicki (bass) and Aaron (drums).

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2014-09-19 GERMANY Wiesau, Storm Crusher Festival 
2014-09-20 GERMANY Munich, Backstage Halle
2014-09-21 ITALY Milan, Barrio’s Club
2014-09-22 SWITZERLAND Zurich, KOMPLEX CLUB 
2014-09-23 FRANCE Luynes, Aix Le Korigan 
2014-09-24 SPAIN Barcelona, Razzmatazz 3 
2014-09-25 SPAIN Valencia, Rock City
2014-09-26 SPAIN Madrid, Sala Live 
2014-09-27 SPAIN Zaragoza, La Casa del Loco 
2014-09-28 SPAIN Erandio, Sala Sonora
2014-09-29 FRANCE Paris, Glazert 
2014-09-30 BELGIUM Antwerpen, Kavka
2014-10-01 NETHERLANDS Tilburg, Little Devil 
2014-10-02 GERMANY Stuttgart, Cann 
2014-10-03 GERMANY Siegburg, Kubana 
2014-10-04 GERMANY Bochum, Matrix
2014-10-05 GERMANY Frankfurt, Nachtleben (DE)
2014-10-06 CZECH REPUBLIC Prague, Storm Club 
2014-10-07 AUSTRIA Wien, Escape 
2014-10-08 GERMANY Erfurt, From Hell
2014-10-09 GERMANY Berlin, K17 
2014-10-10 GERMANY Hamburg, Markhalle 
2014-10-11 GERMANY Tauberbischofsheim, Sporthalle Dittigheim
2014-10-12 GERMANY Lindau, Vaudeville 
2014-10-25 GERMANY Brauschweig / Germany, Schabreu
2014-12-06 GERMANY Waldbronn, Soundcheck One
2015-01-23 GERMANY Leipzig, Hellraiser
2015-01-24 GERMANY Essen, Turock
2015-06-04 GERMANY Geiselwind, Out & Loud Festival


Produced by High Roller Records


Post by Daniel Ortiz Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Wednesday 17 September 2014

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM LET DESTRUCTION BEGINS BY STRANGER BLAZE





Stranger Blaze is a speed thrash metal band from Mexico formed in 2010 by Eliud Urdiales (vocalist) and Albert Garcia (former guitarist), step by step creating the band's sound and eventually changing members until the release of their first EP Let destruction begins in 2011 touring nationally and after changing guitarist adding Brandon Reyes the release of their first full length Let destruction begins came to light in july 2013, touring Mexico and Colombia and receiving great recognition nationally and internationally.

Stranger Blaze is actually working in their second album, Soulbreaker.

The band is finally comprised by Alberto on the bass, Eliud on the vocals, Adolfo Sanchez on the drums and Brandon on the guitar.

Prayer of tyrants opens the album with one of the best creations of the band with a straight fast tempo speed thrash metal missile that alternates from slow to mid and fast pulsed rhythms, the composition is excellent and the harmony is nearly perfect by all members of the band, taking you to 2010 the prophecy, heralding a typical thrash pounding rhythm adding a clear speed metal riff, strong and straight harsh vocals on mid and high pitched shots are the ingredients that will take you to the moshpit right away.


Lacking of reason evokes the mid tempo thrash pulse seen on Metallica style, creating a catchy chorus and deserving to be another top track of the band perfectly linked with Assassins letter, track that combines an early Metallica style with strong vocal shots, losing grip on the cleared vocal parts but still riveting like hell on a rhythm changing instrumentals.

Death machine is created effectively with three different pure old-school thrash metal riffs, simple and headbanging, this track doesn't need anything else, its just as wild as thrash should be and with no break links to No fear, excellent track that goes increscendo to another catchy true thrash metal rhythm, on the pace of the band's average which is great already, this song is stronger and the vocal hateful shots are just outstanding.

Above the nations attack you with no mercy in another moshpiting true speed thrash bomb, on the line of bands like Razor or the recent Evil Invaders, the chorus come from within forceful verses like a strike from a hammer.


Rage is the most convenient name for this song, releasing a bomb of mid tempo hate with an excellent interpretation continued by the last track on the list, Thrash demolition, explodes with true thrash force in an anthem that will be a masterpiece of the genre, combining Exodus and Slayer best styles, the best track of the album that will kill you on the moshpit wrecking your  necks with this furious mass destruction attack, just astonishing my friends.


Stranger blaze take the roots of thrash metal to create a mass destructive thrash metal attack with this album, the production is not the best, but eventually will improve because the great quality of the compositions, simple but really effective!

7,5 / 10




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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Saturday 13 September 2014

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM THE PROPHECY BY FORENSICK


Forensick is a traditional heavy metal band from Southern Germany, founded in 2010, the style lies between the melodic heavy metal and early power metal drippings, on the line of bands like Praying Mantis, Saracen, Tygers of pan tang or Bronz, forging a world of mid tempo pounding rhythm patterns, sophisticated compositions combining melodic clean mid range vocals with falsetto high pitched parts.
 Forensick is comprised by Tobias Hubner on the vocals, Stephan Vogt and Matthias Ehmig on the axes, Andreas on the bass and Julian Rocco on the drums. The band released their first album in 2012 having really positive feedback by the media like Metal Hammer or Rockhard Magazine. The Prophecy is their second full length and was released in July 2014 under Pure Underground Records.

The album opens with Hero of the day, developing a good galloping introduction leading to an excellent bridge and one of the best composed chorus of the album linked with a gem of the new wave of traditional heavy metal pure style, Doomsday machine, probably the most memorable verses of the band, so epic composition with changing pulses will make you bang your heads, specially in the fast paced solo.

A hard rocker riff introduces the track Dark secret, cached between melodic hard rock and heavy metal worlds, a mid tempo epic song with an outstanding composition and excellent changes of vocal lows and high pitched parts, linked with time of resistance, opening an increscendo missile of pure classic heavy metal, a real masterpiece with forceful straight vocal parts mix with the usual melodic style creating a true epic metal atmosphere, remarkable the job on the guitars also with an excellent coordination and harmony.


Rising from the silence to another traditional heavy metal pulse When the war begins, astonishing changes of rhythm with galloping riffs and drumbeats on verses and chorus, bringing memories from the symptom of the universe by black Sabbath, clearly a top track and a highlight of the band's style.

Beast within style is on the style of the nwobhm melodic heavy metal band Praying Mantis, (remember Only the children cry or nowhere to hide songs) and boosted with a stronger side taken from the roots of the speed metal, awesome the progression in this track, continued by the ballad of this full length, Lonesome words, outstanding the vocal interpretation in this one, the feeling created is intense and powerful.

Like a shot from a gun begins the track New reality, with a palm muted guitar riff, mid fast pounding drums and a crescendo structure on the vocal part exploding in a long effective chorus, pure old school classic heavy metal sound.
The tittle track, The prophecy is the last in line, combining the hard rocker and heavy metal riffs with galloping drums, heralding the most epic verses of the album, beautiful melodic parts sign of the band, the vocals reminds me a lot to Y&T and that's something remarkably great.

The prophecy by Forensick is composed with memorable melodic moments but still cuts with a sharp edged dangerous style, like a killer melodic heavy metal raised from the roots of the hard rock and NWOBHM; it could be more aggressive at some parts in need of more action, but still an excellent creation that will be followed by legions of true metal fans.



8 / 10


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Promotion by Pure Steel Promotinos


Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union WB

Wednesday 10 September 2014

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM SUNSET ON THE GOLDEN AGE BY ALESTORM + TOURDATES


Alestorm is a Scottish power folk metal band formed in 2004 under the name of Battleheart, changing the name after signing with Napalm Records in 2007 releasing four albums, the last one Sunset on the golden age, was out last 1st of August 2014.

In this full length Alestorm develops their usual drink and pirate adventures themes with an epic folk power metal structure, well called pirate metal, following the steps of the masters of the genre Running Wild.




Walk the plank opens the act introducing orchestrated backgrounds in a mid tempo pulse of pure heavy metal, a good point of entry that unveils the quality of the rest of the album, aggressive and rebel attitude with a very powerful chorus, linked with one of the most catchy tracks of the band, Drink, electrifying and headbanging pirate metal to enjoy with a beer in your hand, a drinking song that even Tankard wouldn't have done better, really effective chorus to sing along at every gig.

Magnetic north heralds a mid tempo pirate ballad taking you to another far-away frozen seas adventure, amazingly intense and headbanging at some parts at the same time, linking to 1741 The Battle of Cartagena with an original 8 bit intro that explodes in a truly epic Scottish pirate metal anthem, the chorus is catchy as always and powerful, the composition is the best of the album, taking you into the battle in a first person real time story; outstanding the representation with the cannons and the crowd.

Mead from Hell and Surf Squid Warfare develops the classic pirate metal structure combining thrash-power folk metal and accordion synths in a mid fast tempo tracks, riveting from start to finish encapsulating the true Scottish pirate metal in its essence; style also performed in Quest for ships, this time with a much better performed chorus but in the line of the previews tracks, and being connected with Wooden leg! Is when we realise how fun they can be, this song contains essentially a thrash metal structure and the most simple chorus of the band, repeated again and again in the most headbanging part of the album, all this explosion of moshpiting metal is in contrast with the pop cover Hangover, taken to metal territory and performed on the only way you can enjoy it by Alestorm, a drink song to have fun, and giving it a chance is always enjoyable!

The last in line is the tittle track, Sunset on the golden age, as a long In crescendo act including orchestrated parts creating an intense atmosphere, excellent composition to finish.

Alestorm forged an outstanding album full of adventures of pirates and alcohol, just as it should be for a true pirate metal band, the highlight tracks that encapsulate this at perfection are the battle of Cartagena, drink and quest for ships, but in general all the album tracks are high quality, catchy and headbanging.

Sunset on the golden age is clearly one of the best creations of the band ever,and the production, the composition and inspiration of this record is awesome!


8,5 / 10




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ALESTORM TOURDATES 2014


With support from Brainstorm, Crimson Shadows & Troldhaugen


12.9 - Nuremberg, DE - Rockfabrik
13.9 - Bochum, DE - Matrix
14.9 - Ludwigsburg, DE - Rockfabrik
15.9 - Pratteln, CH - Z7
16.9 - Monthey, CH - Pont Rouge
17.9 - Lyon, FR - CCO
18.9 - Paris, FR - Divan Du Monde
19.9 - Trier, DE - Exhaus
20.9 - Vosselaar, BE - Biebob
21.9 - Nijmegen, NL - Doornroosje
22.9 - Hamburg, DE - Markthalle
23.9 - Wroclaw, PL - Alibi
24.9 - Warsaw, PL - Proxima
25.9 - Krakow, PL - Fabryka
26.9 - Zlin, CZ - Masters of Rock Cafe
27.9 - Budapest, HU - Barba Negra
28.9 - Graz, AT - Explosiv
29.9 - Vienna, AT - Szene
30.9 - Zagreb, HR - Vintage Industrial
1.10 - Ljubljana, SI - Gala Hala
2.10 - Brescia, IT - Circolo Colony
3.10 - Munich, DE - Backstage
4.10 - Darmstadt, DE - Steinbruch
5.10 - Eindhoven, NL - Dynamo


With support from Lagerstein, Red Rum & Rainbowdragoneyes


8.10 - Norwich, UK - Waterfront
9.10 - Birmingham, UK - Academy 2
10.10 - Sheffield, UK - Corporation
11.10 - Southampton, UK - 1865
12.10 - Brighton, UK - Concorde 2
13.10 - Plymouth, UK - The Hub
14.10 - Liverpool, UK - Academy

15.10 - Dublin, IE - Voodoo Lounge
16.10 - Cork, IE - Cyprus Avenue
17.10 - Belfast, NI - Mandela Hall
18.10 - Aberdeen, SC - Garage
19.10 - Glasgow, SC - Arches
20.10 - Bristol, UK - Bierkeller
21.10 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2
22.10 - Exeter, UK - Lemon Grove
23.10 - Reading, UK - Sub 89
24.10 - London, UK - Electric Ballroom
25.10 - Leeds, UK - University
26.10 - Cardiff, UK - Globe


With support from Moonsorrow


26.11 - Osaka, JP - Nanba Rockets
27.11 - Tokyo, JP - Club Duo Exchange


PROMOTION BY NAPALM RECORDS



Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Saturday 6 September 2014

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM KINGS AMONG MEN BY CRIMSON SHADOWS



Crimson Shadows is a melodic power death metal band from Canada formed in 2006 releasing their first album Glory on the battlefield in 2012 and wining the Wacken metal battle in 2013 and signing with Napalm Records releasing finally their second album Kings among men the 29th August of 2014. The band comprises Cory Hofing on the drums, Ryan Hofing on the guitars and Greg Rounding on the axes and the backing vocals, Morgan Rider on the bass and Jimi Maltay as vocalist.

Kings among men album heralds an accelerated power metal on the style of Dragonforce developing a majestic epic sound in contrast with the brutal growling vocals sign of a vast death metal influence, including symphonic parts with synth orchestra instruments, this mix of styles work really well and its also combined with melodic clean vocal parts in general.

The album takes us into the action with an epic intro, March of victory, as the orchestra explodes in the powerful fast paced pounding rhythms of Rise to power, being a top track in this album and continued by Heroes among us, following same strategy in a crescendo structure, adding choirs on the background and developing a really catchy chorus, resulting in a good highlights of the band's style and a headbanging epic bomb.

A gathering of kings combines drippings of thrash metal on the verses with fast tempo power metal bridge and chorus being really effective but improved in Maidens call, combining influences from thrash and  death with the power metal soul of the band,awesome changes of pulse, so forceful missile of moshpiting metal in another top track of the band.

Braving the storm starts as a mid tempo double pedal rhythm that obviously evolves to another fast power metal shot, followed by On the Eve of battle, as another epic acoustic introduction leading to freedom and salvation, with a crescendo start and an outstanding structure, with the best job on the growling death metal vocals going high and low pitched combined with the clean melodic catchy power metal chorus, awesome harmony and interpretation of this track by all band members.

Dawn of vengeance heralds another power metal pulse with the usual combo of styles, headbanging as hell, going even melodic on the growling parts.
Moonlite skies and bloody tides follows the same pattern to end this work, forceful vocals all over, but the melodic clean vocal parts doesn't work as good as in the other songs  but the composition and structure of the track is astonishing, the instrumental parts and specially the bass solo is authentically awesome.

Crimson shadows are really in the good path with this release, the album can be a bit repetitive having all the tracks a similar structure and rhythms, but the combination of styles work amazingly well, tracks like Rise to power, heroes among us and freedom and salvation definitely encapsulates the band sound, EXCELLENT job!

8 / 10


Friday 5 September 2014

REVIEW ALBUM RETURN OF THE REAPER BY GRAVE DIGGER + TOUR DATES



Grave Digger is a Heavy Power metal band from Germany, formed in 1980 as a speed metal band and evolved with the time to a heavy power metal band having released sixteen albums (with band name changes included) becoming one of the main heavy power metal bands on the scene. The Return of the reaper was released last July the 11th 2014 via Napalm Records featuring Chris Boltendahl as vocalist, Stefan on the drums, Katzenburg on the keyboard, Jens on the bass and Axel on the guitars.

The album start with the dark atmospheric piano of the Return of the reaper, awesomely attacked by the powerful speed metal riff of Hell funeral as one of the top tracks on the usual grave digger structure, catchy chorus and forceful riff that will make you bang your head. Wargod release a perfect synchronized palm mutes riffs with double pedal start unveiling a mid tempo fist in the air heavy metal track followed by one of the gems of this release, Tattooed rider, starting with a clear reminiscence to the synths of turbo era of Judas priest, this track develops a genuine heavy metal pulse, with the sign of the true German power metal, and an awesomely epic chorus with remarkable high pitched vocals on the background to sing along.

Ressurrection day is forged with a power progressive metal riff combining changes of pulse followed by Season of the witch, another surprise of this album, mid tempo pulse with strong guitar riffs that goes increscendo bringing memories from the warriors of the world track by manowar, but in this case combining a pure grave digger chorus, remarkable doom metal influenced bridge and outstanding composition in general and specially in the second half.

Road rage killer bring back this speed metal from within grave digger soul, headbanging track that will leave you breathless and hungry for more, and these guys are ready to attack again with Grave descrator, mid tempo heavy metal missile that keeps the pace in quality, being also awesome to play on the gigs involving band and crowd.

Satan's host take reminiscences of Motorhead on the instrumental and structure, with drippings of power metal, another demonstration of headbanging action linked with Dia de los muertos bringing an addictive mid tempo strong rhythm with drippings of hard rocker melodies.

Its the turn for a real masterpiece in the album, Death smiles at all of us, a mid fast pulsed heavy metal bomb heralding the best composed riff, developing a great harmony on the instrumental, creating changes of rhythm on verses and bridge awesomely well performed, and perfectioned with a catchy chorus to remember, being a good highlight of the album and the energy that grave digger still have.
Nothing to believe is the ballad, one of the few this band have composed; very emotive and intense, from the sad and amazingly well interpreted verses to the powerful chorus, ending in a shade to the deep silence.


Definitely this is the best Grave Digger creation since their 2003 album Rheingold, with most of the tracks being better than their average, and even though the strategy is mostly the same in their composition, in general every track will satisfy the fans hunger.
Tracks like Tattooed rider, Season of the witch and Dead smiles at all of us are the real masterpieces being better than the rest of the songs, truly highlights of the record.

The reaper is back and fully charged of speed power metal!

8,5 / 10



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Grave Digger Tour 2014


06.11.14 DE - Saarbrücken / Garage

07.11.14 DE - München / Backstage

08.11.14 DE - Andernach / JUZ

20.11.14 DE - Frankfurt / Batschkapp

21.11.14 DE - Speyer / Halle 101

22.11.14 DE - Glauchau / Alte Spinnerei

23.11.14 CZ - Zlin / Masters of Rock Cafe

27.11.14 CH - Pratteln / Z7

28.11.14 DE - Regensburg / Airport Straubing

29.11.14 DE - Lahstedt/Peine / Black Hand Inn

05.12.14 DE - Lichtenfels / Stadthalle

06.12.14 IT - Milan / House of Ashes

07.12.14 DE - Ludwigsburg / Rofa

26.12.14 DE - Berlin / C-Club

27.12.14 DE - Rostock / Moya

28.12.14 DE - Hamburg / Markthalle

29.12.14 DE - Bochum / Zeche


Promotion by NAPALM RECORDS




Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB