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

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VKontakte

Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

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)


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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

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:

• Facebook 
• YouTube 
• Merchandise 1             
• Merchandise 2

CONTACT   thunderwarbandofficial@gmail.com

Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM LOBOTOMIZED BY BIOTOXIC WARFARE (19/01/2015)

Biotoxic Warfare is a thrash / death metal band from Heraklion (Greece), formed in 2012, and releasing their first EP Baptized in blood and greed in 2013 receiving positive feedback from the media. The band went to the studio in september 2014 to record their debut album, Lobotomized, due to be released the next 19th January 2015 and signed with Slaney Records,

Biotoxic warfare sound comes from the aggressive speed thrash metal taking influences from Exodus, Kreator to Slayer, including some thrashy Venom era style, guitar melodies are feed by pure death metal structures (memories from Death or Obituary) combined with oldschool thrash riffs, followed by a technically perfect drum style, mixing thrash and death rhythms continuously in the album; vocalist give it all in every track, showing an aggressive and powerful attitude with raw harsh mid-high pitched vocals, making the whole combination a pure bomb of headbanging metal.

The album starts with a death metal feeling instrumental track, Mors indecepta, as the evil notes lead to a combo of thrash action where the drums make a remarkable job in perfect harmony with the guitar performance, being a good warm up for Proclaim the gospel of lies, this time death metal guitars riffs explode together with thrash metal drumbeats, awesome fast paced track totally neckbreaking, continued by Baptized in blood and greed, one of the best of the band, as a super fast galloping and furious thrash metal attack, with short and straight vocal shots and changes of pace with astonishing palm muted riffs.

The same headbanging fuel continues with Dysphoric Reality, genuine oldschool thrash that amazingly is transformed in pure death metal at some parts, fast to mid tempo in a good anthem that encapsulates the band spirit.

The acoustic atmosphere surrounds you as the explosion of authentic furious thrash burns your soul with the tittle track, Lobotomized, remarkable guitar play and amazing mid fast drumbeats with added double pedal in an excellent composed structure and followed by another highlight for the band, Lust for hate, included previously in their first EP, the patterns taken here includes death metal drippings under a fast killer thrash fire, but creating a great bridge that leads to one of those chorus to scream and bang the head.

Parasitic life and As we Rot(promises of heaven) follow the same force and even raise up the aggression levels with a more notorious drumbeats in two of the fastest songs of the band that will your necks, special mention to As we Rot, introducing death and growling vocals in a vertiginous fast missile combining successfully all the elements the band have experimented along the album creating an inevitable mosh pit.

Biotoxic Warfare made their point of entry to the main thrash metal scene with Lobotomized, succeeding in terms of crystal clear production with the first album and forging surprisingly good album, if you want thrash metal, with death metal drippings, straight and strong, Lobotomized is what you are looking for.

8,5 / 10

Line up

Mike Kavalos – Vocals 

George “Dimator” Dimitrakakis – Lead Guitars 

Stelios Sfendilakis – Rhythm Guitars 

Panagiotis Polioudakis – Bass 

Orestis Drapaniotis – Drums 

Links

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 Soundcloud 

Release by Slaney Records

Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Review of the album "Með vættum" bySkálmöld (Napalm Records)

Skálmöld is a Viking metal band from Iceland formed in 2009, the name comes from the words "Age of the Sword". The band have released three albums, Baldur  (2010), Börn Loka  (2012) and the recently released Með vættum, last 14th of November 2014 via Napalm Records, and will be available the 1st December in UK (and rest of Europe).

Skálmöld feed the flame of Viking metal adding fo drippings under a mixture of heavy metal, thrash and death metal elements along the album, the vocals are impeccable, growling and straight from the beginning to the end, but probably eclipsed by the high quality of the guitar and drums performance most of the times, alternating the death metal elements in good harmony with the above mentioned thrash missiles and heavy pounding rhythms; the compositions are rich in general and will never bore the listener, being one of the best cards played by the band.

Að vori opens the album straight away with the Viking power sensation, boosted with epic force and headbanging feeling, with special mention to the vocal job and the strong pounding drumbeats, continued by Með fuglum, exploding in a powerful death metal attack contrasting with heavy and viking headbanging metal in-between, remarkable job on those guitar riffs, thrashy solos and also the bass sound, powerful with the melodic clean vocal parts, definitely one of the best of the band.

Then is the turn of the mid tempo with increscendo structure Að sumri, enriched with sophisticated drum performance and really good job on the vocal melodies, and of course awesome ending continued with another mid paced shot Með drekum, this time with stronger and neckbreaking riffs and drumbeats with added northern epic melodies.

Að hausti heralds one of the best Viking symphonies of the album and also is combined with modern structures on the vocals, that mixed together creates a good feeling, keeping the headbanging power with good points on the double pedal parts.

If up to now you like the album, get ready for the best song of the band, Með jötnum, including the best Viking sensations twisting the rhythms with death metal riffs and technical drum performance, and even though the instrumental break could distract you at the beginning, it's a theatrical warming up for the best composition of the album, where the intensity explodes in an astonishing in crescendo canon of vocal melodies and epic instrumentals.

Að vetri continues the epic adventure with another genuine viking metal shot, creating a good harmony with the straight harsh vocal and the melodic instrumentals, developing a forceful ending with epic power metal influences and leading to the last song of the album, Með griðungum, strong mid paced rhythms showing a better and more furious vocal play, ascending intensity exploding in a sudden fast paced metal where the shredding and the vocal verses explodes together leading to an intense hymn part very well composed.

Skálmöld forged an album with the essential Viking metal lessons, but without being another run of the mill job, the band introduced thrash, heavy and death metal elements, ascending the power to a high level of inspiration and technical performance, equally headbanging from the very first second.

9 / 10

Line up

Snæbjörn Ragnarsson - Bass

Björgvin Sigurðsson   - Vocals, Guitars

Gunnar Ben  -  Keyboards, Vocals, Oboe

Baldur Ragnarsson  -  Guitars, Vocals

Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson  - Guitars, VocalsJón Geir Jóhannsson -  Drums, Vocals

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PROMOTION BY NAPALM RECORDS



Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

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

/

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Click to check the Crimson Shadows crowfunding  for an European Tour with Alestorm

Promoted by NAPALM RECORDS







Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

INTERVIEW WITH JOHNNY KETLO FROM OMEGA CROM

This is the interview with Omega Crom vocalist Johnny Ketlo, via Metal Revelation.

You can find the complete review of the album Beyond Control here

Hello guys and thanks in advance for taking the time.

Why did you choose Omega Crom for the band's name?

Hello everyone. That name was chosen because there was about 6 other bands called Crom (lol). After being threatened with a lawsuit from one of the Croms we decided to have a competition in which the winner is awarded a case of beer if they come up with a name that we all like. After many submissions of everything from FleshStorm to Ragnarok we were still undecided, nothing was clicking. Finally, it was a girl named Shawnee who said why don’t you just call the band Omega Crom. Omega being the ‘Final and Eternal’ and Crom being the ‘Slayer of Giants’. When she put it like that there really was no other choice.

The style of the band mixes heavy power metal and thrash, and even death metal; which genre do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy thrash metal the most but these preferences are always changing in the moment. If you go on tour and listen to nothing but metal for weeks sometimes you just want to kick back to a little country or classical music. For me music isn’t about genres it is about how it makes you feel in the moment. Power Metal is so epic and thrash so tough, death is so hard hitting, it is easy to take steps toward incorporating all of these elements and more. Combining them seamlessly and so they compliment each other is a challenge.

The vocal parts are excellent, mixing the clean high pitched operistic technique and the genuine sharp harsh style of the thrash and death metal,

how easy is for you to change that kinds of vocal techniques live on stage?

Thank you. At the beginning it was much more difficult but as the experience roles in and the technique is practiced over and over it becomes smoother. One actually gives you a break from the other. Of course a person should be careful not to step on the vocal chords too hard while doing these things and let the mic do the work for you. Studio and live are definitely two different animals but I don’t even notice the live transition anymore. It is more about how you feel in your heart when you do it. It is exciting to get to that thrashy death vocal part and you get to step into the different shoes. When I was a child I would pretend to be max Cavelera or go to bed and listen to Queen or Halford and pretend that it was me singing. So again it comes back to being in the moment, knowing what you feel and being able to make the audience feel that too.

Your first album was released under Reversed Records but this album is made independently, 

Even though the production sounds good, How do you value the process of recording the album?

Actually both albums were made independently, we only went with that label on the first one because we were told it would be in our best interests. Later on shit got sour with that so it was time to get away from the bullshit, as we are literally beyond control of bullshit haha. Anyway yes, we value the process greatly, almost reverently. Like anything the vibes must be good in the jam space, in the studio, in the production room. We had to do some major house cleaning to get back to that place where it is all about making music and memories with your friends and fans and we did that. It was a grat feeling. I would listen to Dio everyday on the way to the studio to get into state. When Dio sings about something that shit is real for you, you believe it, when he says ‘shame on the night’ it’s like, fuck yeah shame on the night man, I don’t know what that means but I am living it. In the studio there was laughter, there was creation, and sharing and helping, it was a beautiful experience with Stu McKillop and Curtis Buckoll. They helped make the album that I had in my mind, like passing a mental kidney stone, and they helped us enjoy the process immensly. Syl on bass and Colin on drums and Celine on guest vox was so amazing, solid and supportive professional people all around. Friends would come in and hang with us which was not allowed on the previous record so straight up the vibes were amazing and it all contributed to the overall tone of the album.

How long did it take to finish Beyond Control?

I had been writing the songs for years, kicking around in my head. It was frustrating because it was like telling people hey man I have a cool song idea but you can’t show them what is in your mind. The music was tracked over a period of five weeks. Somethings were done the night before like the intro solo to Land of Never Was I wrote the night before I tracked. Somethings were done on the spot like the vocals to the chorus of Power Soul I came up with on the spot when previously nothing else had worked. After the tracking it took a while to coordinate artwork and such things but the tracking was an amazing experience, The art was done by a friend named Warren who made miniature models and then photographed them, so what you see is actually a 3d photo of some miniature models. Warren is good and works as a tattoo artist out of Kelowna BC. He has done work on movies such as Underworld making real life looking werewolves for epic creature effects  in which they had to chop the things face in half and stuff like that. He makes it look so gross and real. Celine is also a great graphic designer and put in a lot of time making the layout work. Having Syl and Colin by my side as the rock steady rhythm section was also a major contribution. These guys are seasoned pros from the same school of rock and metal as myself. They cool in all situations and totally pro. Overall it took a couple of years to create, maybe more, maybe less depending on how you look at it. For me it has been a long time in the coming.

What did you enjoy the most when recording the album?

Playing a Gibson Les Paul custom through an Eddie Van Halen 5150 rig. The tone was stellar.

The main theme of the band is about Conan the Barbarian, is there a possibility that the theme could change in the future?

Hmm, that is half true. That is definitely the theme in some trax in others not so much so yea I would say that that could change or become even more the case depending on which way the wind blows that day. For instance, When I was a kid I read a lot of  Savage Sword of Conan comics and was right into Robert E Howard Conan novels. In one comic Conan is running from a group of soldiers and to escape them he must cross a border into a haunted land where they would not follow. While running through the mists and the night he encounters a pack of werewolves lead by a majestic she wolf who is taken by his primal nature and he becomes a wolf and runs with her in the night. At the end of the story he has to make a choice between staying with the pack or going back to the land of men. I believe the title of the story was Blood Red Moon. After all these years though I am not sure but I told myself at that time I was going to write a song one day with that title. 

Land of Never Was definitely, is a great metaphor for insanity and wrestling with the ups and down of the roller coaster ride which is life. So many people come and gone through the years, you love em all in their own special way and sometimes the drama is a bit much to have to handle.

Chaos Theory to me a philosophical piece. Also dealing with some deep metaphorical issues and ideas that everyone has to experience and can most likely relate to easily. All in a poetic form so it is better in a way to leave the meaning general and open. So that it means something more deep and personal to each individual that hears it and can identify with in some way. I wouldn’t dare say too much or espouse on what it means to me too deeply as to not ruin it for others who may take it differently, so that it is more personal to them in the end.

Power Soul, the name says it all. I was toying with ideas of what to call the song. I was standing in line at the movies to go see a flick called Avatar and the name just came to me. Later as I watched the movie I realised it was kind of about an essence of life a kin to the soul of the earth which as we all know is far beyond any control, and that’s the way it should be.

So at the end of the day we could go more Conan or less depending 

Which bands are the main influences of the band?

AC/DC, old Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Sepultura, Slayer, Priest, Maiden, Bach, Beethoven, Augustin Barrios, Ozzy, G,n,R, Edguy, Blind Guardian, Skid Row, Dio, Cacaphony, Vinnie Moore, Impelliterri, Jason Becker, and more recently Manowar.

Is Omega Crom preparing a national tour?

We are however money is a huge factor and it is hard for us to get overseas because of that, right now we are focusing on getting the music out through the web.

How is the international heavy metal scene reacting to your new album so far?

So far there has been nothing but positive feedback. For which we are very happy and thankful

Canada is bringing lots of true metal bands, how do you feel when bands like Skull Fist or Striker are becoming big names

in the international heavy metal scene?

I am stoked. Canada has a lot of amazing bands and it is great to see.

Are you preparing an upcoming video clip of any of the tracks in the new album?

We have some plans in the works. As I said money is an obstacle for us but we are stubborn and we will make it happen sooner or later come hell or high water

Celine made a great job on the vocals in Beyond Control, how do you value this collaboration?
 

I value this very highly. She was my roommate and taught me so much about singing. I was going through a terrible phase in my life and when I moved in with her, I would wake up every morning to her doing the dishes and singing Priest or Blind Guardian, and that healed my heart. We would always sing to each other and she was a natural with an amazing ear and would always coach me through the rough patches. When we were tracking she was hanging out and I was like get in the booth and do this and she would and it made it sooo awesome. I was always blown away by female male metal vox like Phantom Opera Ghost off of Iced Earths Horror Show and such things so it was a beautiful opportunity to have something like that of our own, especially with such a great friend and musician as Celine is.

Any European Tour in the future? which bands would you like to play with on your tour?

Europe Tour is a lifelong dream for us and we take steps toward that all the time. What bands are on my wish list. I’d say see the previous list about our influences. However, there are some local friends bands from Canada that we absolutely love to tour with and I will name the two I hold in super high regard. The Order of Chaos and West of Hell. But yes of course we would love to tour with Some huge kick ass bands of our heroes as well haha.

Which is your favourite country for a concert?

So far I can only imagine, us being the poor ass country boys that we are we are living in a small fishbowl and have only toured on this continent. I would like to tour Europe, Mexico, Brazil, Japan. No favourites really because I just don’t know yet. 

How was the last tour of the band? Tell me how do you remember your favourite concert?

The last tour was awesome, so many friends , fans and great memories.

 My favourite concert had to be Pantera reinventing the steel tour. There was so much energy and when they played I’ll cast a Shadow the entire floor of Pacific Coliseum became a mosh pit. It was incredible.

Special moments over this twelve years of Omega crom?

Opening for Stratovarius in Vancouver. Playing with ZimmersHole when we first started out in 2002 as young punks. Having the privilege of sharing the stage with Stu Block and being a small part of that story. That guy sacrificed so much and worked his ass off for everything he has achieved. When we were starting out we had tix to Iced Earth and the show got cancelled. Now he is in Iced Earth. Small world. My true blue friends like Colin, Syl, and Celine. Everyone that has come through the OC camp. Very thankful for all of these things. And much, much more to come in the future. 

The sound of this new album is much better than your previews jobs, after four years of your first full length, do you think

this is the right moment to start releasing material more often, like every one or two years per album?

Yes I think that would be great. It has always been the goal. Keeping this band moving forward has been very hard and it is getting easier now after 12 years of slugging it out in the trenches, broken bruised and bloody, but we always rise again and make progress happen kicking and screaming.

The feeling is really epic and even more with themes about Conan the Barbarian, what feelings do you like your fans

to feel when they listen to this album?

The same feeling you had when you saw your first drum or guitar solo. The same feeling you got when you first heard Master of Puppets or Metal Militia. Highs and lows. Epic and humble. A rollercoaster ride where you get to stand on the brink and feel in your heart what the composer felt in that moment when it was created.

To finalise, could you send a message to your fans?

Sure. Hey fans, you guys fucking rock and we love each and everyone of you whether the hot groupie or totally insane headbanger. Thanks for the support and we will see you out there someday as we break free from these chains and keep on flying together into the metal dream

Thank you so much again for your time and also thanks to Metal Revelation for making possible this interview!

You are welcome and thank you very much. Cheers!

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REVIEW OF THE ALBUM BEYOND CONTROL BY OMEGA CROM

Omega Crom is a ripping power metal band from Vancouver, Canada formed in 2002 and releasing their first full length in 2010, Blood, fire and steel via Reversed Records and now just released their new album Beyond Control independently.

Omega Crom style is defined by a progressive power metal combined with drippings of thrash metal mainly and death metal at some moments, the vocals are clean high pitched styled on the power metal parts  mixed with harsh and growling techniques well defined in the thrash metal sections; also have to remark the vocal appearance of Celine Derval in this album giving the record an epic melodic style, the themes are based on Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian.

Beyond  control starts with Sundering blades, sharp guitar riffs with similarities of Judas priest to start but purely a great mix of thrash and epic power metal, adding progressive shredding, outstanding epic chorus and vocal quality, linked with Power Soul, power metal mid pulsed song with really catchy parts on the verses, the high pitched vocals are astonishing, clean and high like the Sad wings of destiny album by the Metal Gods, attacking with forceful instrumental at the end, being  one of the best creations of the band.

Unwanted hell soft entry contains a modern power thrash metal structure mixing fast and mid pulse, introducing clean vocals in the thrash metal parts, not very convinced at the beginning but i have to admit that was a great idea; following with Chaos theory that plays with slow and mid tempo pure power epic metal, counting with the collaboration of Celine giving very effective results; awesome guitar riffs in great harmony with the rest of the band.

Infiltate the system heralds The best progressive thrash metal part of the album, also mixing power metal with awesome guitar parts like usual in the band style.

Blood red moon is another top track comprising pure heavy metal headbanging pulse melted with the best guitar sophisticated techniques of the album followed by Shattered illusions of reality, mid fast pounding drumbeats of progressive power metal with a  remarkably catchy long chorus.

Of past and present mix growling and potent clean vocals in a doom metal instrumental bringing back memories of Candlemass  attacking with a thrash and death metal styled in-crescendo ending.

Brains all over the floor takes you to the mosh pit violently with a powerful death metal twisted with thrash metal moments, well linked with the last track of the album, Land of never was, as another top hits of progressive power metal with the two vocals working perfectly, excellent job on the guitars emphasizing in the right moments creating a really epic atmosphere.

Beyond control by Omega Crom will be a must have and a reference for progressive power metal fans, some highlights of the album are Sundering Blades,  Power Soul, Blood Red Moon and Shattered illusions of reality, the rest is still good but not in the same quality.

The compositions are outstanding at some parts and the vocals are powerful, high and clean; and demonstrating a growling style that is really admirable. Guitars are awesome and sophisticated, dancing correctly with the drums and bass. Omega Crom have to be proud of this album, mixing successfully the progressive power metal with thrash and death metal worlds.

8 / 10



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