Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

REVIEW OF THE EP LAND OF OLD BY ELDERTALE


Eldertale is a melodic folk metal band from Ukraine formed in 2005 but being more active since 2012, releasing their first EP in June 2014, they deliver a pure folk pagan metal, adding some neoclassical drippings and powerful moments, creating in general rich structures in terms of composition as melodic instrumentals and growling vocals are the common strategy for this headbanging EP.


The band break the ice with Exile, as the choirs mark the powerful entry of complex drumbeats and melodic background with an excellent composition on the verses, really intense and good crescendo part at the end; this track defines perfectly the band's sound.

Land of Old might be one of the best tracks of this style I've ever listened, it starts with an instrumental orchestrated melody, the composition is outstanding. Then this intense shot goes increscendo, adding army marching rhythms on drums, to literally explode in a headbanging anthem, vocals and instrumental are in perfect harmony and the transitions between changes virtuously made, the lyrics also are powerful and the melodic growling voice are the best in the EP, also remarkable rhythms on the drums with drippings of power, thrash and death metal, bass is also excellent on the solo; the perfect highlight of what this band is capable of.

Finally the EP closes with Time of ancient, mid tempo traditional folk pagan metal, as seen on the rest of the material, this track follows the path of adding melodic power metal structures, piano and orchestrated parts are, again, amazingly well composed.


Eldertale first EP got a crystal clear production, it's headbanging from start to finish, the compositions are sophisticated including catchy melodies and awesome orchestrated parts, drums should have more presence next time, but the final result is overwhelming, just can't wait for the full length!



9 / 10





Line up 
Alexander Desyatnichenko Drums
Eugene Belozertsev Guitars, balalaika
Josh O.Berg Keyboards, choirs
Kirya Vocals, guitars, bass, choirs


Links



Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Tuesday, 24 March 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM ELDERSLIED BY INCURSED



Incursed is an epic folk metal band formed in 2007 in Bilbao, Spain. The band released three full lengths, debuting in 2009 with Morituri and followed by a great title called Fimbulwinter in 2012; then two years later, last december 2014, Incursed released their last and best album up to date, Elderslied.


Incursed style comes from the melodic pagan and folk sounds in its essence, using orchestrated parts all over and developing really intense epic power metal compositions with instrumentally complicated structures,the vocal parts swaps from clean melodic style to growling sections; got influences from bands like ensiferum or Caladmor, guitars deliver the powerful melodies with technical sections brilliantly combined with sophisticated drums.

Song of the ancient takes us to this melodic folk metal journey, as an orchestrated instrumental intro that evolves metalized in Heart of yggdrasil, being a perfect highlight of the band's style, remarkable compositions on the verses and powerful chorus made with clean vocals, following the act with the acoustic notes of Raging wyverns, soon to be epically transformed in a highly intense slow-mid tempo anthem highly accelerated at some parts.

The wild hunt heralds one of the best riffs of the album, with a remarkable job on the vocals, going high pitched growing and clean style on the chorus, amazing also on the double pedal drums and followed by Beer bloodbath, forging another catchy melodic riff of those of headbanging and moshpiting, awesome job at the end with the in-crescendo rhythmical bomb leading to Tidal waves, good riffs and headbanging pace in growling vocals, followed by Jötnar, with ascending composition, adding nice violin background melodies in one of the best created songs of the band, theatrically brilliant.

After the instrumental interlude of A fateful glare, the action literally explodes with Lady Frost, another lesson of the band's sound in full power, fast paced headbanging bomb with breathtaking compositions on the verses and melodic chorus, the guitar performance is remarkable combined with the keyboard solo, followed by The undying flame, forging some classic folk melodies, in an intense slow mid tempo ballad of well performed growling vocals and clean styled chorus.

The classic opera tunes of Sauren Lurraldea are suddenly boosted with symphonic power metal soul, good rhythm changes and beautiful melodies, with good details on the background keyboard as the next track kicks in, One among a million, increscendo patterns with good harmony on the instrumentals, excellent details on the drum performance and really intense vocal sections, following the same good strategies used previously, finalising with an astonishing ending.

Promise of hope gives the final touch to the album in a instrumental melodic anthem, including orchestrated sections and choir backgrounds crafted at perfection, simply epic.

Incursed really worked hard to create an excellent album, Elderslied is sophisticated and perfect instrumentally, combining very well folk and pagan with power metal including symphonic, neoclassical drippings and also death metal shots, really well elaborated album that, without innovating, will be one of the best of the year on their genre.

8,5 / 10



Line up

Juan Sampedro Bass
Narot Santos Vocals, Guitars (rhythm)
Jon Koldo Tera Keyboards, Vocals (backing)
Asier Fernández Guitars (lead)
Asier Amo Drums


Links



Promotion by METAL MESSAGE





Post by Daniel Ortiz
Metalheads Union
Metalheads Union FB

Thursday, 29 January 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM VIOLENT PROCREATION BY ENTRENCH




Entrench is a thrash metal band formed in 2005 in Sweden, releasing numerous demos before signing with War Anthem Records, bringing to light their debut album Inevitable Decay in 2010, succeeding with positive reaction from the media. After a split with Insane, the band finally released their second work last December 2014 under the name of Violent Procreation, being promoted also by FullBlast.





Entrench style comprises the old school thrash metal pulses but with blackened powerful instrumentals and harsh and sharp violent vocal patterns, drums are remarkably exceptional, changing rhythms from ultra fast black and death double pedalled influences to mid to fast paced genuine thrash, combined with palm muted guitar riffs really well composed; basically following this strategy over all tracks in the album, starting with One with agony where the speed blackened thrash explodes from the beginning with forceful vocal sections and excellent chorus.

Those who exceed follows the same path creating an addictive riff of pure thrash and drippings of death metal, also good progression going in crescendo to a mid fast tempo thrash attack, exploding without a break with Adjust to summit, another thrash anthem with death metal melodies and added epic slow parts trespassing the doom territory and ascending amazingly to mid fast technical death thrash combo.

Chemical holocaust keep the technical pace on the riff and drums, alternating mid and fast pulses, this time on the death metal pattern, leading to an excellent chorus to scream fist in the air, nonstop headbanging moshpit continued by Devoid of life, fast death thrash all the way with remarkable palm muted guitar riffs and wrathful vocals that will blow your mind.

Calm the urge explodes literally with an exceptional performance on the drums, pure speed and mid tempo thrash metal rhythms lead the act with interesting vocal sections, as the process of Annihilation continues the thrash strategy changing rhythms amazingly well,with predominant mid tempo parts, with a good harmony between great theatrical vocals and instrumentals.

The guitars of senseless slaughter well give you an idea of the patterns of this track, one of the best speed thrash metal songs of the band, finding drippings of Exumer meeting Exodus on those riffs backed by thunderous drumbeats, excellent headbanging job continued by the last song, apathetic existence, another great ascending evolution from mid to high speed thrash, with bits of death metal here and there making this another highlight of the band style.

Entrench created a really enjoyable album, excellent compositions completed with changes of rhythms, not extremely technical but headbanging from the first riff, taking you to a nonstop moshpit of genuine thrash metal that will equally delight death metal maniacs.

8 / 10

Links

Line Up

Victor Holmström (R.I.P.) (Drums)
Fredrik Pellbrink (Vocals, Guitars)
Joel E. Sundin (Bass)




Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB




Friday, 2 January 2015

TOP 20 METAL ALBUMS OF 2014 BY METALHEADS UNION


Remembering this 2014 we can see a year of great albums, from traditional heavy metal bands that  have released albums to be influence for new generation to new bands releasing EP's and demos, or debut albums that will be the key for the true path of heavy metal, from the classic and early styles of heavy metal to thrash and death metal, this is the list of the best 20 albums of the year by Metalheads Union, you can click on the links to read the reviews.

Also now you can vote for the best album of 2014 by Metalheads Union readers! Poll closes the next 2nd of February so make your choice!


20


19


18


17


16


15


14


13


12


11


10


9


8


7


6


5


4


3

2


1


HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015



Thanks to all the bands and record labels for making this year a true metal year 2014!





 
 





Sunday, 28 December 2014

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM "AWAKE THE RIOT" BY DUST BOLT



Dust bolt is a thrash metal band from Germany formed in 2006, recording their first demo in 2010 "Chaos Possession" instantly got national recognition, then after wining the Wacken Metal battle, the band record their first album, Violent Demolition , signing with the prestigious Napalm Records, and then getting known worldwide as one of the best new thrash metal bands. The second album Awake The Riot was released the 30th May of 2014, getting really positive feedback of the worldwide media.

Dust bolt bring the old school thrash metal as the main strategy, forging a frenetic fast paced and genuine thrash with similarities with Kreator and Slayer, and taking some patterns from Havok or Divine Chaos, denoting a high quality and technical instrumental from the first moment; the drums are powerful and sophisticated, changing rhythms and creating the moshpiting feeling together with technical guitar sections of palm muted, virtuous performances and effectively aggressive, raw and sharp high pitched vocals.



The album Awake the riot opens with Living hell, as the drums break the ice in a sudden thrash metal attack, good sign of what the band is about, pure headbanging thrash metal revival, the guitars work in perfect harmony adding fast melodies under double pedaled parts, excellent changes of pace as it brings you up every time it accelerates with remarkable drum details; and this is only the beginning, the breathtaking metal attack Continues with Soul Erazor, as the sharp drum missiles explodes in another anthem with straight chorus where the listener will scream fist in the air, special mention to the guitar melodies on the back, great composition there as a good mid fast tempo highlight of the album.

Beneath the earth speed up the pace in a very straight forward track, including some growling parts together with mid fast tempo harsh vocals, as You Lost sight evolves in another authentic speed thrash metal shot, headbanging as hell with an increscendo structure emphasized by the drums play.

Agent thrash is for thrash metal what agents of steel is for speed metal, a powerful demonstration of speed thrash metal force exploding like an atomic bomb, with effective riffs, forceful drum power and great chorus; but there is no break yet, as Living a lie attack you with technical riffs, drippings of death metal guitar melodies, as well as a frenetic unstoppable rhythm becoming one of the gems of this band.

The self titled track awake the riot - the final war comprises a mid powerful tempo obviously accelerated to a short and breathtaking song including catchy bridge and chorus.

Eternal waste and Drowned in blind faith heralds mid fast shots of palm muted and galloping sections, really amazing drums performance with one of the best progression of the album, linked with Worlds built to deceive, forging more thundering thrash power patterns, raw and thrashing machinery with good guitar dark melodies trespassing slightly to the death metal elements as The monotonous - distant scream rises from the acoustic evil notes progressing with ascending intensity, including excellent melodic harsh vocal verses that amazingly explodes in a combination of thrash heart with death metal meeting epic elements.

Future shock is the last track of this Awakening the riot, as another genuine heavy thrash metal anthem running in a mid tempo, introducing early thrash metal elements to evolve adding more technical drippings sign of the band, making it another hit in this album.

Overall Dust Bolt forged an authentic masterpiece of frenetic neckbreaking thrash metal, that could take you to the mosh pit from the first track to the last one without breaks; the production is crystal clear and also the compositions are great, every element played is in perfect harmony with special mention to the guitar performances, being sophisticated, technical and not boring, together with a remarkable vocal style, demonstrate its power in tracks like Soul Erazor, Agent thrash or Living a lie, encapsulating the sound of the band and defining their style, true thrash metal!

9,5 / 10





Line up
Lenny (Vocals/Guitar) 
Flo (Guitar) 
Bene (Bass)

Nico (Drums)


Links
Facebook
MySpace
ReverbNation
Twitter
Youtube


Promotion by NAPALMECORDS

Support Dust bolt, buy the albums!




Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

REVIEW OF THE EP ADRENALINE SHOT BY AMKEN




Amken is a thrash metal band formed in 2011 in Greece, releasing independently their first EP Adrenaline Shot on the 30th November 2014.

Amken style is genuine thrash metal, simple and straight to your brains, the harsh low to high pitched vocals are amazing and also the guitar-drums team play is really well composed to take you to the mosh pit right away; you will find that visceral thrash attack seen on Razor or Exodus.

Adrenaline shot bangs with the tittle track, straight headbanging and powerful wild style, the rhythms go mid and fast really effectively, linking with Zombie Pets in another breathtaking thrash missile, this time comprising more technical elements, with excellent vocal parts and special mention to the drum pounding blasts, including one of their best chorus and a highlight of the band's style.

The dark introduction of Nightmare leads to another in crescendo thrash shot, continuing the nonstop headbanging feeling with a good structure and remarkable melodic sharp vocal sections linking to the final track God's asleep, clearly their best act, introducing deeper and epic sensations to the mixture, the theatrical performance of the vocalist is outstanding, the bass sounds bloody well, dirty and evil as hell as the thrash machinery evolves to a fast thrash symphony that will leave you hungry for more.

Amken brought to light their first Ep leaving a really good impression, their thrash is aggressive and effective, without being extremely technical this cut is wild and violent, showing that the weapons are ready to attack.

8 / 10







Links

Line up
Sokratis - Drums, 
Giannis - Guitars, 
Vanias - Vocals / Guitars, 
Vasilis Chytiris - Bass


Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Friday, 12 December 2014

INTERVIEW WITH KAMIL "MADNESS" FROM THUNDERWAR


The epic death metal band Thunderwar released their first EP Birth of Thunder last year 2013, getting global recognition and generally very positive feedback from the media (click here to read the review), and now they are getting ready for their first studio album that could come to light anytime in 2015.

Meanwhile I had the chance to interview the vocalist and bass master Kamil "Madness":

- Hi! It’s a pleasure to interview you so Thank you for taking the 
time.

Hail to England!



- Thunderwar is a new band that released its first EP in 2013, tell me 
the beginnings, how did you choose the name and how the band was formed?

It's a long and boring story. I will try to shorten it.  I’ve known Vit, 
the drummer for a long time. We both played in thrash metal band when we 
were kids. When our squad broke up, we decided to create new, heavier 
and more devilish pack. We were looking for good guitarists, who love 
death metal.

We met them by chance. I knew Olszak and Witold by sight from concerts. 
I didn't know that I will play with them in Thunderwar. They came to the 
rehearsal and they were delighted.  They had the experience and they 
were hungry for metal, just like me and Vit. From the start we were on 
the same page. Now we are true friends.  At the beginning we were called 
Perun, in the name of the pagan, Slavic God - Perun The Thunderer. Then 
we recorded the first single called "Eagle of Glory" - our metal 
interpretation of Polish national emblem. We changed the name because we 
wanted to be more understandable to foreigners and also still to refer 
to the old name. So now we are Thunderwar. Word formation at the level 
of a high school student, but we think it sounds cool.



- How long did it take to create the birth of thunder? Are you happy 
with the result?

First and foremost, EP "The Birth of Thunder" is just a remain of the 
first album that was never released. We chose the best tracks from 
rejected by us album, and this is the way how The Birth of Thunder 
appeared. We are happy with the result. People like it, we also like it. 
If that record came out in that shape back then, surely we wouldn't be 
in such good moods today.  That material really sucked. Not because 
compositions were weak. Sound and mixes were totally fucked. We had to 
rescue our stuff but only three tracks survived.  I think that the whole 
process of creating our debut took more than one year.



- How did the international media respond after the release of your 
first EP?

We owe the big response to our managers. They shipped the material 
wherever they could. The result is the increasing number of fans from 
all around the world, especially from USA, UK and Brazil.  It's fucking 
awesome when someone from the other end of the globe can hear and  
appreciate our blasphemous work.



- Could you describe the metal scene in Poland?

Poland is a powerful metal bastion. Every metal maniac should know bands 
like Vader, Behemoth or Decapitated. We are very proud of these bands. 
But our metal scene isn't only those three hordes. There is a fucking 
great underground scene in Poland. Most of these bands are just amazing. 
We played national tour with mighty Pandemonium, Hellspawn and Deep 
Desolation.  Unforgettable memories and well spent time.  Also we played 
with Azarath, powerful formation from Tczew. They went on tour with 
Morbid Angel in Poland. I can’t forget to mention our friends from 
Bestiality and Morthus, young bands with great potential and talent. I 
especially recommend you polish black metal bands like Furia, Mgła, 
Plaga, Morowe or Infernal War.



- The epic death metal style of Thunderwar is really well composed and 
performed, what are your influences?

Thanks! It is hard to say. We listen to a lot of music. Blues, hard 
rock, heavy, thrash, death and black metal. It is our religion. But I 
think our greatest idols like Bathory, Dissection or Morbid Angel have 
the greatest impact on us. Of course, we always try to create our own 
climate. I think we succeeded, but people usually associate us with a 
mix of American and Swedish metal scene. Maybe they're god damn right.



- Are you preparing a full length? If so, how is the process going? 
Could you anticipate some details?

Actually we are recording a new album. Drums and guitars are done. Next 
step - bass and vocals.
Want some details? Hmm... Full album is going to be darker and more epic 
than "The Birth of Thunder". You won't be disappointed.



- Have you signed with any record label?

No, we haven't yet.



- Are there plans to tour Europe in the future?

There aren't any special plans for now. But when we are finally done 
with our LP, certainly we will think about conquering Europe.



- Which countries would you like to play?

We have never played abroad, so we’re going to be excited no matter 
which country it would be.



- You have shared stage with big names like Amon Amarth, which other 
bands have shared stage with Thunderwar?

We have also shared stage with such stars as Carcass, Obituary and 
Azarath. We hope the list will be much longer in the future!



- One of the bands you play with are Morthus, I see they share similar 
tastes, and also are a new band with one EP, do you know them? How is 
the relation with Morthus?

Yeah, we know these bastards.  We are often sharing the stage together. 
I really like them!



- Which bands would you like to share stage in the future?

Hmm… tough question. I would love to play with pioneers of death and 
black metal, who motivate us to fight. I don't know, maybe Morbid Angel, 
Watain, Behemoth or Entombed?



- Tell me how do you remember your best moment on stage.

It was when we played before Carcass in Warsaw. The place was full, it 
was our first performance with such a large audience. When we played our 
death metal epos – Vimana: The Chariots in Heaven, I showed them horns 
from the stage.  Almost the entire audience responded with the same 
gesture. It was very meaningful and memorable moment for me. I was 
exhausted but it filled me with extraordinary energy and gave me 
strength for the rest of the show.



- Could you leave a message for your fans?

What can I say? Wait for new album, and be ready for freezing cold, and 
demonic blizzard, because The Thunderer doesn't show mercy!  Stay heavy.

- Thank you so much for your time and also thanks to your manager Slawomir for making 
it possible, hope to see you soon in London!

Thank you very much! We will visit London for sure, it's just a matter 
of time!


https://www.facebook.com/thunderwarofficial



LINKS:

CONTACT   thunderwarbandofficial@gmail.com




Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB