Showing posts with label grave digger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grave digger. Show all posts

Monday, 20 July 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM UNSTOPPABLE BY STEEL RAISER



Steel Raiser is a power heavy metal band from Italy founded in 2006 and releasing one demo and three full lengths to date, Race of steel (2008), Regeneration (2013) and Unstoppable (june 2015) with Iron Shield Records.



Steel raiser is feed from the flames of 80s speed metal strength and 90s power metal melodies, they got very much a combination of influences from Judas Priest, Gamma Ray and Grave Digger; impulsive speed metal always perfectly melted with strong German true metal, guitars are forceful using lots of palm muted patterns as the drums in general work awesomely well in harmony with the rest of instrumental, but the key point of this band is the vocalist, the vocal range is immense, from low sharp with hints of Udo style through clean mid pitched sides on the melodic power metal style, and surprising the listener with sharp high pitched screams on the Halford line that will blow out your mind.


The album begins straight with a fast paced and headbanging tune, really well done on the verses, as the word Inexorable in the chorus will bring your fists up in the air, truly one of the highlights of the band's sound, as Decapitator explodes with chorus as intro, mid to fast paced shot on the strategy line of German metal style, remembering Grave Digger moments, as they use an addictive chorus really effectively.

Fast as the light continues the metal madness as they develop interesting power metal melodies with a remarkable job on the vocal performance, clean and sharp changing constantly, creating a melodic chorus, long and effective; as one of the best tracks begin, Scent of madness, creates a really catchy riff that harmonize perfectly with the vocal performance, that in fact is the best of the album, developing melodic clean parts and evolving to a sharp and very well played theatrical sections to create another effective chorus, all adorned with synth violins, masterpiece guys!

Continuing with the same strategy, Dreaming of you kicks in with nice palm muted riffs and potent vocals that mixes with falsetto parts forging a dark atmosphere, following the power metal based chorus patterns, and continuing the action with Thousand blades, with airs of US metal in every note, epic and headbanging track from the first second.

Unstoppable takes out the fury, Judas priest style, to develop aggressive verses and a long restless chorus, guitars are powerful and so the whole track, continuing with another catchy shot Mole breaker, mixing grave digger and Wasp, really the chorus reminds me to Battlecruiser, but all on all another top shot from Steel Raiser, with probably the most addictive chorus of the band, following a simple and effective formula, Mole breaker!!

The last tears is a mid tempo ballad that introduces clear patterns from gothic sounds, on the vocal vibrato and also on melodies, giving a power -gothic metal touch, and finally the last track is the second version of Scent of madness, which is the same excellent song we listened before but with a change in the solo, the bassist come into scene to perform a more than prodigious bass solo, outstanding in every note.

Steel raiser new album is forged from the true metal and is gonna keep you banging your head from the beginning, compositions are rich and different in every song which is something great because many bands use to keep a formula in every song but Steel Raiser managed to give a different touch in every track of the album, taking influences from priest to maiden and gamma ray, jag panzer or accept, Steel Raiser are back more solid and stronger than before, with an excellent production for what can be one of the best albums of this year.


8,5 / 10



Line up


Salvo Pizzimento Bass
Gianluca Rossi Bass, Guitars
Antonio Portale Drums
Giuseppe Seminara Guitars
Alfonso Giordano Vocals

Links


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Released by 




Thursday, 7 May 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM WWIII BY LETHAL SAINT




Lethal saint was formed in 2006 in Cyprus, releasing their first album in 2010 and signing with Pure Steel Records releasing their second shot called WWIII last 20th march of 2015.

The band heralds the classic heavy metal combined with sophisticated structures, taken from drippings of thrash and power, creating modern tunes but also keeping the essence of what true metal is about.
The album opens with the intro the curse, leading to Merciless Decay, as a mid tempo pure heavy metal shot with changes of pulse in the chorus and good influences from Judas Priest, as a virtuous drumbeats with double pedal introduces the listener to Prophecy of war, going increscendo forging a really good chorus, the vocals works excellent as the sharp angry style explodes in high pitched moments, also guitars draws well performed parts.

Chaos rising keep the same strategy used previously but creating really intense sections and interesting changes of rhythm, definitely one of the highlights of the album, linked with Order to Defend, where the listener is witness of one of the best performed vocal parts of the album, the interpretation of the highs and lows, is just outstanding, great one!

Next in line is by my point of view one of the best songs of the band, after the intro Omen with the dark atmospheric melodies, Thorns of existence explodes in a true metal bomb, headbanging as hell, mid fast paced song with high pitched parts on vocals, the chorus is astonishing, with good details on the background guitars and even growling vocal details at the end; as The Alliance kicks in, remembering some Judas priest tunes, the ascending intensity is remarkable, leading to a well created chorus, but nothing much more special.


The headbanging moments come back with the fast paced Ascend to power, the structure is similar in essence, adding good power metal drippings and awesome drums and guitar solo performance; improving in the next shot, mid paced intense anthem, Spoils of the past, with good harmony on the instrumental and well performance on the bass parts; to finalise with the tittle track WWIII, probably one of their best shots and very much influenced by Grave Digger style, very straight chorus that make the listener to sing-along, guitar are also strongly played, forceful voice also outstandingly performed.

Lethal Saint forged a really high quality album, the production is clean and well finished, song creations are remarkable but very similar compositions can make it a bit of a run of the mill feeling, but to say the truth, the band created some gems to be remembered, highlights like Thorns of existence and WWIII are top shots; Lethal saint are here to stay!


7,5  / 10



Links

Line Up

Christis Isseyegh Drums
Chris Papadopoullos Guitars
Andreas Kasapis Guitars, Bass
Andreas Pugioukas Vocals
Christoforos Gavriel Guitars


Release by Pure Steel Records




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


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5


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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015



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





 
 





Monday, 15 December 2014

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM "FACING THE FALLOUT" BY SHADOWBANE (16/1/2015)



Shadowbane is a power metal band from Germany formed in 2007 and releasing only their demo Dystopia independently in 2010,becoming a really promising band, and now ready to conquer Europe with their upcoming album Facing the Fallout, due to be release next 16th of January of 2015 via Pure Steel Records.
Shadowbane breath from the flames of the authentic heavy-speed metal mixing German and US power metal effectively, having similarities with bands like Accept, Helloween or Grave digger combined with epic Manilla Road or Queensrÿche, high pitched clean and sharp vocals, contrasting melody and powerful choruses with technical guitar riffs and fast pounding drumbeats.




The album opens with the Red alert instrumental apocalyptic shot linked to Beyond the winds of war, powerful heavy start on the line of Accept including palm muted and galloping riffs, changes of pace and good drum performances, but being eclipsed by Traitor, one of their best tracks, including some outstanding riffs and shreddings (remember the Spanish power metal band Avalanch riffs?) headbanging as hell with an excellent structure, better chorus, and remarkable guitar performance.

Under bleeding skies evolves in a straight high speed heavy metal shot with memories of Judas Priest, very well composed on the bridge and the slow paced chorus, special mention to the vocal work on the clean and sharp styles combining aggressive and melodic sections really well; continued by After the fallout, comprising a mid fast tempo pattern of pure US power metal, amazingly well composed and headbanging and coming back to the German Grave digger influence with Dystopia, totally addictive riffs and chorus, forging a memorable bridge.

Tears down the wall explodes like an authentic speed metal track with melodic power metal added to the mixture, the clean vocals are amazing here as the progression with the guitar shredding and the emphasizing drums create and endless headbanging anthem, linked with another highlight of the band style, Badlands law, mid fast shot with a chorus to be shouted on the gigs, drum and guitar structure reminding to the ram it down era of Judas Priest but keeping the powerful sign of the band.

Last division take the Teutonic riff style and mix it with the US power melodies to create a true masterpiece of sophisticated drum shots, epic guitar performances and outstanding bridge and chorus, to finalise with Source of Grief, accelerating the metal machine to a high speed pace; this last bomb combines very well the elements that Shadowbane have used before,rhythms changes, aggressive and frenetic powerful in crescendo verses that make you break your necks in a breathtaking pulse.

Shadowbane managed a really professional production forging an excellent work in every aspect, the album contains masterpieces like Traitor, Last Division or Source of grief being highlights of the album. Shadowbane will step forward to the top of the true power metal scene with Facing the Fallout.


9 / 10



Shadowbane line up
Stefan - vocals
 Lukas - lead- and rhythm-guitars 
Markus - lead- and rhythm-guitars 
Moritz - bass and backing vocals 
Renè - drums 

Links

Release by Pure Steel Records




Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Monday, 20 October 2014

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM SHOUT FOR HEAVY METAL BY MORTICIAN (14th november 2014)



Mortician is a genuine heavy metal band from Austria, formed in 1983 and releasing cult heavy metal materials on that time consisting in a demo and EP No War in 1987 with excellent media feedback, and changing line up for another demo in 1989 but without being as successful as their first EP, the band split in 1990. Twenty years after their last concert, the reunion of Mortician was a reality, forming a solid lineup with the two founder members Patrick (bass) and Thomas (guitar), joining forces with Daniel Khan on the vocals and Gergely Nagy on drums.


Soon the new Mortician released their first full length called Mortician via Pure Steel Records, a really high quality album showing a renovated energy from the Austrian quartet. Finally the band went again to the studio to forge their second bomb called Shout for heavy metal, released by Pure Steel Records and coming the next 14th November 2014


The sound of Mortician and their new album, is influenced by the greatest heavy metal bands from the 80s such as Accept and Judas Priest, combining the aggressive edge from those giants with the power metal showed on bands like Grave Digger, showing comparable composition strategy on verses, strong Teutonic guitar performance and catchy and repetitive choruses in general. 
Powerful is the word to use to describe the beginning of the album, the tittle track Shout for Heavy metal will make you bang your head straight away, mid strong pulse and catchy chorus in general, with a remarkable high pitched performance on the vocals, continued by Eagle Spy following similar patterns, excellent riff performance and really good progression on the verses, guitar riffs are outstanding and the drums do a good job on the pedals, a demonstration of true power heavy metal style.


Promised land heralds an effective riff in good harmony with the vocals, developing galloping in crescendo progressions and another good job on the vocal performance with clean and sharp techniques as the fast paced track Rock Power kicks in with drippings of Accept and Saxon in a powerful and headbanging feeling.


The Devil you know is another full power-heavy metal track with extremely catchy chorus, the ascending intensity this track create is astonishing, changing vocal techniques on the clean side in one hand to be answered by Udo style on the other hand, being a good highlight of the album among other tracks like Black Eyes, whose powerful riff will be remembered, this time vocals act with short shots under a mid tempo forceful changing rhythms, being one of the best acts the band have created.


Inner Self attacks with thrash metal drippings and high and lows on the vocals, melodies contains some modern details, and the attitude remains wild all over this song, the quality on the composition is better and more sophisticated, applicable also to the next track Hate, where the band show a more complex structures adding acoustic parts that are transformed into speed metal sections, great guitar riffs bringing memories from the Children of the grave track by Black Sabbath.


Wrong way finalise the album bringing some hard rocker attitude to the mixture that Mortician have shown already, the mid pulsed track encapsulates well what the band's style is about, showing a really exceptional guitar work.


Mortician follow the path of true metal once again with this album, The compositions are brilliant, however that could be more diverse, the patterns are followed in similar ways on most of the tracks.
Overall, the result is marvellous, highlighting tracks like Black Eyes, The devil you know or the tittle track. Shout for heavy metal will be an essential not only Grave Digger and Accept fans but also for NWOBHM maniacs hungry for louder than hell true metal records.

8 / 10




Links
Facebook
Home page

MySpace

Release by Pure Steel Records




Post by Daniel Ortiz
Metalheads Union
Metalheads Union FB


Support the artist! Click to buy Mortician EP and first album