REVIEW OF THE ALBUM GUILTY AS CHARGED BY IRON CURTAIN

Iron Curtain is essentially a speed metal band formed back in 2007 and released 2 albums so far, Road to Hell and Jaguar spirit. Now three years after the second full length, these Spanish quartet are back with another dose of genuine 80s speed heavy metal. Guilty as charged will be out the next 14th October via Pure Steel Records. In the meantime you can check out their single Wild and Rebel from their Youtube Channel:

As mentioned their style is a perfect constructed speed metal, with influences from Motorhead and Iron Maiden to Accept backed with catchy gig ready choruses. Good example of that is the first track Into the Fire, submerging the listener to the true sound of Iron Curtain: fast paced and headbanging shot of adrenaline. Notice here a perfect Lemmy style on the vocals at some points. 

These accelerated paradise becomes contagious to the rest of the album, Lion's Breath and Take it back are a good proof of the best of the record and you will feel like going into the pit and scream those choruses out loud. Instrumental are in remarkable harmony and guitar virtue are at 50/50 leadership with vocals and rhythm.

Relentless start as a change of pace with a mid tempo song, and not a doubt this shot sounds like Accept from start to finish; voice, drum beats, guitars and even the structure of the song is made to sound like the German heroes. A run of the mill track but always enjoyable to listen.

The album won't let you down at this point, as the best track is about to start: Iron Price combines very Iron Maiden'ish riffs with the best of Mike's vocal styles. Fast and lighter track, with really straightforward and catchy sections being followed by Outlaw and Wild&Rebel, continuing the raw and fast strategy with back vocals that will catch your attention.

The tittle track Guilty as Charged follows in velocity but increases in vocal melody, even bringing the band style to the early eighties, when the NWOBHM exploded like Big Bang; definitely one of the best songs of the album and letting the last song continue the same path of its preview shot: Turn the Hell On makes the best of the riff melodies combining awesomely good with the back vocals, and bringing up one of the most catchy bridges and choruses of the band, being well structured and leaving the listener hungry for more... In my case I just restarted the album for my second listen.

I can say Iron Curtain just nailed it with this record, Guilty as Charged is very solid and well produced, being raw and sharp in style combined with a crystal clear production. If you like true speed metal obviously you will love this band and my suggestion for you: get the album because you will really enjoy it. It's clear the likes of these Spanish band, and they use their influences in a perfect combination to generate their own sound, and that sound is really well created in this headbanging electric gem,

8.5 / 10

Iron Curtain lineup

Mike Leprosy Vocals, Guitars (rhythm)
Joserra Bass
Alberto Fuentes Drums
Miguel Angel Lopez Guitars (lead)

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REVIEW OF SPLIT ALBUM OF TOXIC SHOCK AND IRON REAGAN

Toxic Shock is a thrash metal / crossover band from Belgium formed in 2004 and releasing their first full length in 2013 called "Daily Demons"and now they made a split album with Iron Reagan in 2015, Iron Reagan, from Virginia, started the metal path in 2012 an released two full lengths in 2013 "Worse than dead" and "The tyranny of will" in 2014.

The split begins with Toxic Shock, taking the aggression to the next level creating generally fast paced old school thrash rhythms, with multiple changes of pace in the survivalist, delivering harsh and sharp mid high pitched vocals, very much influenced by bands like Exodus or Razor, well demonstrated in Singalong letdown, strong and fast with that visceral feeling of the mid 80s true thrash metal, as their top shot kicks in, Monday is cancelled, with clear punk drippings on the verses and obviously headbanging from start to finish.

Iron Reagan also develop that thrash metal of non-stop headbanging, forging a late 80s,90s thrash metal, more melodic and high pitched on the vocals, guitars are rich in composition, more influenced by D.R.I., Municipal Waste, or even Gama Bomb: all three tracks are breathtaking and ultra fast, demonstrating a full power thrashing madness in every note, great job.

Overall a very effective split of two true thrash metal new bands, while toxic shock delivers headbanging old school traditional shots, iron Reagan forged a bay area thrash with ultra fast atomic bombs, the whole split is well produced and even though its not on the sophisticated or technically complex side, will make you break your necks from the very first second.

8 / 10

TOXIC SHOCK

White Bass

Wotte Drums

PC Guitars

DK Guitars

Wally Vocals

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IRON REAGAN

Rob Skotis Bass

Ryan Parrish Drums

Landphil Hall Guitars

Mark Bronzino Guitars

Tony Foresta Vocals

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Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

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

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Metalheads Union
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REVIEW OF THE ALBUM STARS ALIGNED BY STARGAZERY (23/01/15)

Stargazery is a power metal band from Finland formed in 2005 and releasing their first album in 2011 (Eyes on the sky) and due to release their new album Stars aligned the next 23rd of January 2015.

Stargazery style comes from the melodic 90s power metal with drippings of hard rockish elements, creating anthems with very catchy choruses generally, the voice acts very effective theatrically speaking, with melodic and clean style, backed by sharp guitars, strong drumbeats and keyboards, being the essential sound of the band.

The album starts with Voodoo, being straight away one of the highlights of the band style, as a mid tempo epic shot, it got interesting elements, like the bridge before the solo, where vocals and keyboards make an excellent job; following with Angel of the dawn, slower pace but more powerful in terms of melodic structure with remarkable teamwork between guitars an vocals.

Missed the train to paradise is another great example of pure power metal, with an in crescendo structure to one of the best and most epic choruses of the band, the guitar performance brings memories of Queensrÿche style and the general composition is awesome, one of the best of the album, continued by Invisible, mid and slow shot of low pitched vocal and rhythms changes to get an ascending pattern leading to a good chorus, nothing special apart from the vocal evolution and the keyboard play.

Absolution continues the power metal path, taking some Edguy style on the melodies, comprising awesome guitar riffs and another top chorus to be singed along, the vocal high pitched play is excellent, creating a perfect harmony with the rest of the band, also perfect in the next track Academy of love, ballad of the album being transformed beautifully in another mid tempo powerful chorus, great the progression here and the play of guitar solo and piano.

Painted into a corner starts with a really impressive vocal clean shot in a mid tempo melodic heavy metal in crescendo track, outstanding the keyboard performance and the composition, like Dim the halo, with another catchy chorus.

Bring me the night heralds another good combination between leading melodic vocals and guitar, backed by symphonic keyboards elements, as we continue to the end of the album, the performance of the band improves in every track, being the time of Hiding, with one of the best increscendo mid tempo ballad, including the best vocal interpretation, demonstrating the good qualities of the vocalist, as the Warrior's Inn kicks in with an awesome guitar riff and catchy combination of voice and keyboards melodies, forging an epic chorus that leads to the last and best track of the album.

Dark Lady is the last in line, and despite the fact that is a cover, this is one of the best shots and a gem of the genre, developed in English and another version in Finnish as a bonus track, develops a truly addictive pace and riffs, under the violin melodies ascending to a marvellous chorus, of those to be played again and again, definitely better than the original where every member nail it.

Overall, this album is in general an excellent job by Stargazery, taking the best elements of the old school melodic power of the 90s, creating memorable songs like the highlights Voodoo, Dim the Halo, Dark Lady or Missed the train to paradise; being able to create addictive choruses in almost all the tracks is a really good point, also most of the tracks have mid tempo rhythms being the only thing that could be improved in terms of composition variety, but the general impression is that we are listening to an awesome album that demonstrate that Stargazery worked hard and succeeded with Stars aligned.

8 / 10

Line up
Jukka Jokikokko Bass, Vocals (backing) 
Pete Ahonen Guitars, Vocals (backing)
Marco Sneck Keyboards
Jari Tiura Vocals
Jussi Ontero Drums

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Release by Pure Steel Records

Review 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

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 

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Release by Pure Steel Records

Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM CRAWLING OUT OF HELL BY FALLEN ANGEL

Fallen Angel is a power metal band formed in 1983 in New York, releasing their first demo in 1985 and split-up in 1986, being in the shadows until they reunited in 2009, working hard to create their first album Crawling out of hell, first part of three in a conceptual epic saga, followed by the trilogy of fictional novels written by the guitarist John Cruppe. This first album didn't have a major impact when it came to light in 2010, but now in 2014, it has been re-released via Killer Metal Records, bringing this album to light to the main metal scene. The second part is coming, under the name Cast out of heaven.

Fallen angel is inspired by the late 80s and early 90s heavy metal combining power metal and speed metal creating sophisticated compositions , introducing a mid to high pitched raw vocal style, on the line of bands like Warrant, Halford or Exciter. Guitars bring melodies from US power metal including the epic side to the mixture as the drums follow effectively the pace of the band, enriching the sound with excellent technical performances.

The album is completed with twenty tracks, six of them are instrumental introductions developed almost without breaks between the songs, as a concept album; the atmosphere of the winds of Crash to Oblivion take you inside the world of Fallen Angel as the thunder roars to Sinner's vengeance, straight and heavy speed metal bomb that will make you bang your heads with one of the best songs from the band, remarkable job on the drums details and the powerful voice, continuing with the troops marching of March into hell leading to Blood on my soul as a mid tempo US power metal, with a real forceful sound and Halford-like vocal screams.

The grinding wheels of war continues the epic sound to introduce The reapers shall Gather, another highlight for the album, a piece of pure heavy metal with an outstanding high pitched vocals, giving it all and creating a real piece of true metal with excellent chorus to be played again and again.

Arrival raises the dark evil feeling to the battle as the Dark Lord come to scene, with another astonishing speed metal furious style, totally neck breaking on the verses and mid tempo catchy chorus as the Darkness reigns in a mid paced shot, with powerful melodies on the vocal line, showing mid to high sharp screams and progressive instrumental with galloping patterns.

The one who walks alone, with a dark feeling to start, evolves in a mid tempo melodic shot with progressive drippings on the instrumentals, not as aggressive as previous tracks but perfect on vocal performance,continued by the ballad The answer, ascending in intensity from the acoustic to the melodic chorus with influences from Queensrÿche.

The cold orchestrated introduction Respiration Desperation leads to another mid tempo US power metal, The neutral zone, with headbanging force and galloping chorus and drippings of Mercyful fate and Judas Priest as Life or death acoustic notes start exploding in a mid fast shot of pure heavy metal, with really good job on the drum performance and addictive chorus in one of the best vocal combination of styles.

On and on is a slow to mid paced shot, pure strong, powerful heavy metal of those that make you bang your head under an ascending epic feeling, remarkable the clean vocal technique; as Ashes to ashes whispers introduces you to the ballad Leaving all behind, another Queensrÿche style ballad, in crescendo and really intense and well forged, specially in the second half, memorable melodies and perfect creation even reminding the Dio and Iron maiden influences.

Watching mid tempo heralds a good quality on technique and powerful structure, the vocal melodies reminded me to Oliver Magnum on the verses, so good performance linked with Sad wings, ballad with acoustic start and ascending to another intense, amazingly epic anthem to finalize with Grant me Peace, combining the power metal with the aggression of Judas Priest, bringing to light one of the best bridges and most forceful chorus, completing the first part of Fallen Angel's concept works.

This is the result of a really hard work, reflecting a gigantic production That not only will make you bang your head, Fallen Angel are introducing the listener to an epic adventure story that will catch you from the beginning. Looking the album as a whole play, I can Say they forged a masterpiece of authentic heavy metal, introducing speed, power and classic heavy metal defining the true metal in every sense.

9 / 10

Line up

Steve Seniuk (vocals)

John Cruppe (guitar, keyboards)

Robb Lotta (guitar)

Joe Surace (bass)

Frankie Quaggs (drums)

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Release by Killer Metal 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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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE EP TRAPPED IN A NIGHTMARE BY REPULSOR

Repulsor is a polish speed thrash metal band formed in 2010, with only a demo and one Ep released in 2013, and re-released by Thrashing Madness label in 2014; the band drink straight from the roots of forceful thrash metal bands like Exodus or Razor, with loads of technical palm muted riffs at high speed drum shots, the vocals make the job efficiently with harsh and sharp high pitched techniques in general, forged for the head banging action without a break.

Toxic Tomorrow demonstrates straight away what the band is all about, as the drums explode in a sudden impact attack of high speed and breathtaking metal, the guitar riffs find the harmony alternating palm muted shots with shredding parts; as RMDH (real monsters die hard) attack without mercy in another authentic and aggressive thrash anthem with an excellent structure that will keep you in the moshpit, and comprising effectively the band's sound.

After the acoustic lull of The Summoning, the impressive riffs of To the coven take the action in one of their best hits of fast paced, raw and angry speed thrash metal, this time the guitars and vocals create a powerful and very straight chorus, those to be screamed at the gigs with the fists in the air, linked with Killing Instinct, creating a funny intro that obviously explodes like an atomic bomb in another top shot of the band, this time the ultra fast is combined with powerful mid tempo parts, denoting a good level of composition with remarkable job in the bridge and chorus.

The drum attack of Stained Heritage is the last of this Ep, including some power-thrash, palm muted and more melodic riffs, where fast and mid tempo dance in harmony always with a neck breaking feeling.

Being the first Ep, Repulsor forged a professional job, making clear what true speed thrash metal is all about, with Trapped in a nightmare there is no need to innovate yet, but following the path and being already on the level of bands like Havok, Crisix or Angelus Apatrida is without a doubt exceptional, the thrashing machinery of Repulsor is ready to attack!

8 / 10

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Actual line up

Strzała - Vocals/Bass

Jeff - Drums

Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM INSOMNIA BY EDGE OF THORNS

Edge of Thorns was formed in 1996 in Germany, releasing three demos until the first full length was released in 2004. Ravenland, being well recieved by the media, the band had line up changes for their following album Masquierading of the wicked in 2007, and after seven long years and hard work, the band, reformed as the definitive line up with Dave Brixius and Jani Nackel as axemasters, Dirk Schmitt on the vocals, Achim Sinzinger on the bass and Joachim Litcher on drums, releasing Insomnia the last 4th April 2014.

Edge of thorns kicks in as a pure power metal band with German influences from early Helloween and Gamma ray, and also drippings of Grave Digger and Accept in terms of structural compositions, guitars in general create a curious and awesome contrast of upper Technical quasi progressive and some times neoclassical style with impulse and raw sound elements; the drums and bass follow the mid fast pace at all moments effectively and finally the vocal style will remind you to Mr Udo vibrato and vocal range but also its appreciable elements from a higher pitched Blackie Lawless from WASP; combining all these factors together you'll find Edge of thorns have their unique sound, even though they are not creating something new to the scene, its a fact that this album heralds a  high quality of genuine german heavy power metal.

After the introduction the band attack straight with Dark side of your life, kicking with a fast pulsed heavy metal anthem with catchy chorus to make an idea of what Edge of thorns have in this album as a good highlight, connected with another mid fast paced power metal shot, Yearning has begun, this time with more epic and melodic power, on the line of Gamma Ray, with remarkable on the vocal sound and the great combo with the back vocals, the guitars demonstrate perfectly the technical progressive side together with the sharp impulsive guitar notes as mentioned above, one of the best of the album.

After a breathtaking guitar shredding introduction, Insomnia comprises one the most modern heavy power metal styles of the album, perfectly fitting on the last Udo or Accept albums, the chorus is intense and powerful, and the vocals work truly sophisticated and theatrical as the gem of the album explodes like a missile of pure heavy speed metal, Metal Unity is literally a masterpiece of the genre, headbanging and moshpiting authentic teutonic style, the vocals are brilliant and the composition is really amazing, guitars make the perfect job producing palm muted riffs and technical solos.

The watchmaker is another top shot of the band comprising part ballad part slow mid pulsed anthem in an ascending intensity boosted by sophisticated guitar shredding and background violins, vocals are amazingly well performed in clean techniques followed by A Carees of souls, starting as a ballad but evolving In a dark, forceful and aggressive track with awesome melodic verses, good progression and harmony within all the band with special mention to the guitar solos, just outstanding.

Walking like a ghost bring some thrash metal drippings in another headbanging fast paced song with a good vocal highs and lows, as Death dealer even improves the pace with excellent double pedal drum performance that lead very well the verses as the chorus comes intense and epic to catch you in the moshpit.

Of hearts that burn will make you break your neck banging your head with a non-stop pounding rhythms with long instrumental intervals as the seven Sins of Arthur mc Gregor epic start bring you to the top going in crescendo with galloping and complex riff and drum combo, the slow mid tempo vocal parts are astonishing and epic but clearly dominated by the virtuous guitar performance.

Is this the way it ends is a good name for an unusual kind of song, but in reality is a melancholic and beautiful act with one of the best vocal interpretations coordinated with piano and violins that finalise the album leaving the listener with the feeling of playing the full length again and again.

Overall the album is all you want to listen for any speed heavy and power metal preferences, the production is crystal clear and the good quality of the record is constantly high, the highlight tracks are numerous but specifically better in the first half of the album, being tha track Metal Unity their best song, so if you like Gamma Ray, Primal Fear, Accept or Tyran Pace, this album should be a must-have in your collection.

9 / 10

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Re;eased by Killer Records

Review made by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

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