Showing posts with label napalm records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label napalm records. Show all posts

Thursday, 14 May 2015

VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH EVIL INVADERS (LONDON 1/4/15)



Evil Invaders played in London last month and the video Interview is finally ready to watch online, it's the first video on Metalheads Union Youtube channel!



Follow this link to read the review of Pulses of Pleasure
Follow this link to read the review of their gig in London 1/4/15



Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB




Friday, 24 April 2015

REVIEW OF EVIL INVADERS LIVE AT THE UNDERWORLD (LONDON)



Evil invaders took over London last 1st april along with the true metal bands Bloodbound and Majesty.

Just opening the venue, as the crowd started to fill in the place but not even half full of capacity, Evil Invaders attacked like a sudden explosion of full speed metal with Stairway to insanity, as always the first line of the fans and media were full power of headbanging action, as people on the back didn't know them yet as they were on a static mood, and it was something to remark that this kind of power these guys were demonstrating deserved more attention, the guys nailed in synchrony.




The stage started to be full of smoke as the band shocked the audience with their well known hit Driving Fast from their first EP, vocals were a bit low even though the potency of Joe's screams, but fixed as soon as they greeted the audience to explode with one of the gems of the new album, Shot to paradise, the crowd were involved just a bit more than earlier, also more people arrived so the venue was almost full; really well performed shot as Joe made it at perfection in one of the most difficult tracks of the band in terms of vocal pressure, continued with probably the best known track of the new album, Fast loud and rude, nailed it! 



Continuing with a perfect performed Victim of sacrifice to reach the top with their last masterpiece Master of illusion, all and all the band demonstrated this is their finest hour, and clearly deserved more and better audience, time will tell.



Following the concert I had the chance to interview Evil Invaders and it will be available soon on the Metalheads Union youtube channel!

Enjoy these pics from the gig! Also you can check the review of their debut album Pulses of Pleasure here.






















LINKS:


Promotion by NAPALMECORDS


Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Sunday, 22 February 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM PULSES OF PLEASURE BY EVIL INVADERS (28/2/15)


Evil invaders are coming back with their debut album Pulses of pleasure, available in march, and I can say now that I had the chance to analyse it on detail, this album just improved what I was expecting from these guys! The speed thrash metal developed on their first EP (check the review here) has evolved to a more genuine speed metal, aggressive In every single note; Evil Invaders built their unique sound from two pillars, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, adding to the mixture a combination of the most violent sides of Razor meeting Venom on one hand and Agent Steel meeting the walls of Jericho from Helloween on the other, literally creating a wild beast ready to break your necks.

The album starts with fast, loud and rude, remembering the first notes of Driving fast, after the first awesome growling to high pitched scream, the headbanging action explodes in a pure speed metal shot, excellent chorus with good details on the drums, and thrashy elements on the vocals, also remarkable job on the guitars solo, continuing with the tittle track Pulses of pleasure,a violent speed metal attack ignited by a memorable vocal intro, chorus is outstanding and powerful and also the vocal qualities changing from growling to sharp high pitched screams are incredible, being one of the keys of the success of Evil invaders.

Eclipse of mind continues the restless headbanging act with a crescendo structure and details of Oliver magnum and Judas priest, good drum technique and guitar details, leading to Siren also ascends in intensity to a galloping mid fast tempo shot with good theatrical details on the vocals.

The second half of the album improves what we have seen of the band up to date, Stairway to insanity heralds a powerful melodic speed metal with influences of Iron Maiden meeting Skull Fist, the composition of this track is awesome, even some parts of the guitar and fast paced rhythms reminds the listener to the best times of Agent Steel, being a good highlight of the album and continued by another top track, Shot to paradise, exploding with addictive headbanging riffs and leaded by the best vocal parts of the album, the violent attitude on the style and every sound this guy can develop is outstanding, continuing without a break with Venom, exceeding the expectatives once again with a good technical track with great harmony on the instrumentals and a really catchy chorus.

But the speed metal feast isn't finished yet, the last and best track of the band follows after the intro Blinded, Master of Illusion encapsulate everything the band have developed, the impulsive aggressive style melted with melodic guitars and the best chorus that will make you scream master of illusion fist in the air to play it all again.

Overall Pulses of pleasures is by far the best album I've listened in long time, it has all ingredients to take you to the mosh pit, its aggressive in every sense combining the most impulsive sounds from the power, speed and thrash metal, forging an unique sound that the listener will recognise as Evil Invaders sign once this album sees the light; it's also technical, contains catchy and addictive elements denoting a wild attitude at the same time, note that tracks like Fast, loud and rude, Shot to paradise and Master of illusion will be classics with the time, from my side, Pulses of pleasure is a true metal masterpiece.

9,5 / 10


Joe - Vocals / Guitars
Sam Lemmens - Lead guitars
Senne Jacobs - Drums
Max Mayhem - Bass

LINKS:


Promotion by NAPALMECORDS


Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Thursday, 19 February 2015

INTERVIEW WITH DUST BOLT


Dust Bolt just finished the Tour with Obituary and Mpire of Evil, and I had the chance to interview Lenny.

You can check the review of the album Awake the riot here



Hi guys, its always a pleasure to have the chance to interview you, thank you and thanks to 
Napalm Records for making it possible! 

Thank you as well



First of all, tell me some details about the band, why did you choose the name dust bolt? How 
could you resume the time since you got together as a band and the evolution until the release 
of your first record in 2010?

Dust Bolt actually formed in 2006. We were some thirteen year old kids going to school together and developing taste for heavy music by time together. We had a silly German name at first but needed a new one for the release of our demo in 2010. Somebody came up with Dust  Bolt which we liked because it doesn't have a specific meaning yet and one can interpret his own ideas into the name and the music. That makes people think about the name. And the band. 

The time since then has been overwhelming. We experienced so much already, visited so many places and got to know so many great people and are able to do what we enjoy most: play music and share it with people. It´s somehow a dream that we live but also hard hard work, every day. But there is so much more to come!



I see you got some Kreator and slayer influences, what bands are the most influent for dust
bolt?

I think you already named them haha ;) But we don´t relate on specific bands. The amount of bands and music we listen to is that huge, it´s hard to point out specific ones.



Havok and Angelus apatrida got some very similar elements like dust bolt, did they influence the band in any way or simply you got similar influences?

You know, we are quiet young which means that we kind of grew up with that new wave of Thrash Metal. When we started listening to Thrash, it was the time when bands like Warbringer, Municipal Waste, Havok, Violator etc came up! I also love Angelus Apatrida. Of course we share some elements definitely. But every band is individual in its way though and has their own way and interpretation of Thrash I think. But we all share to be the next generation of Metal and that connects us!

After your first album you got global recognition, how did the media react after the release? 

The feedback has been overwhelming for us! Especially on international level. We didn't expect that, but are so fucking happy to have so many great reactions on the music we make! It´s crazy to visit places you haven´t been yet and have people there knowing your songs. It really means a lot to us!



Could you tell me details about the process of creation and recording of awake the riot? 

The recording process was great! We had a very creative and familiar atmosphere in the studio, as far as we chose the same studio we´ve already been for our first record Violent Demolition. We worked with Max Krach and Lolli Springer at the Engine Studios again. They know Dust Bolt since the very beginning and became friends of us! It´s really important to be able to trust the people you work with in the studio and during the musical process, at least that´s how I feel.

 The recording sessions of ““Awake the Riot” have been very different though, compared to “Violent Demolition”where, that we had written and played all the songs before already. This time the songs were written only briefly before going to the studio. We hadn't played any of them live and we also hadn't practiced them with vocals until then. So it was very exciting to hear the first finished songs on tape and see in which direction they would go. Everyone of us really wanted to make the next forward with this album and we worked really hard during the two weeks but also had a great and funny time!



I admit you did an excellent job with your last work, how did the media react to it generally? 

Again, the feedback has been phenomenal! Awake the riot opened a lot of new gates for us! We were now able to play Headliner shows and tours and play bigger festivals and gained lot of new fans! 



How do you feel now that the album has been out through 2014?

We feel great about because, as I said, it opened that many doors for us.As for example finally the European Tour with Obituary. But slowly, I feel hungry again to make the next one :) We gained many experiences on tour right now and will put all that into some new material  soon I think !



How do you see the metal scene in your country? How do you feel being part of a new wave of traditional heavy and thrash metal? 

The scene is great and we feel lucky and happy to be a part of the new generation!There are lots of young and new bands here in our area waiting to get their chances to be heard by the world and they deserved it! E.g. Toxic Waltz, Battlecreek, Straighline. To name a few! I love the thought of being part of a new scene and movement, like back in the 80ies. Where people and bands hang out together, withouth competition but with cooperation! That´s what metal is about, friendship!



How do you feel after signing with napalm records? Did you sign for a certain number of albums? 

Working with them is great! They are great people and support any idea we bring on! And we still have all freedom! That´s just perfect. I´m not allowed to tell contract details, but no ;) 



In this tour you play with obituary, how do you feel sharing stage with such a big band? 

it´s a dream coming true! Especially as far as Obituary is the first Death Metal Band I ever listened to and one of my favourites! Seeing them playing each night, sharing the stage with them, learning from them, it´s wonderful! We are really thankful to them, because THEY were the ones inviting us on this tour!



Also mpire of evil play with you today, you got tony Dolan on stage, actually one of the pioneers of the thrash metal being the vocalist of Atomkraft, how do you feel about it ?

Great as well! Especially because we didn't know what to expect, as far as the difference in age and experience is that huge. He is a fucking legend. But as we met, we immediately recognized what nice person he is! I love him! He is so funny, always happy and enjoys playing music and hanging out with Fans. I never saw a band that down to earth such as Mpire, though they are true legends of metal! 


What other bands have you shared stage with? Do you have any special memories with another band?

Ohh many haha ;)) But one band we really loved to tour with and looking forward to do it again someday was Dr. Living Dead from Sweden! Great people and unbelievable great music! 




Do you know divine chaos? Would you like to share stage with them in the future?

I´m sorry I don´t know them but I´m gonna check them out! I think I heard of them. We like to share the stage with anybody who is friendly, nice and funny :) 



Tell me your most memorable moment from this tour.

 Playing n France and in London for the first time.Things I was dreaming about a long time..



Which is your favourite country to play?

Now France haha! No, serious. Every country, I don´t care. Metal is so fucking international and that´s great. Play an Iron Maiden song, people will freak out, no matter if you´re in Germany or Spain or Sweden. That´s what I love in metal. It´s not about superficialities. It´s about music. But I love playing in the southern part of Europe for example because people are very enthusiastic there and often sing along!



Are you preparing new material? If so, could you anticipate any details?

We will start doing that now after the tour I think but we don´t have anything concrete yet. We´ll see. We have lots of ideas and things we want to put into music and songs now. I´m already pretty excited starting working on new stuff.



To finish please send a message to your fans!

Thank you for your support and awaking the riot with us, we will see you all soon again and spread chaos once again! Take care! You rule! Let the metal flow and cheers, DxBxTxCx



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

Nico (Drums)


Links
Facebook
MySpace
ReverbNation
Twitter
Youtube


Promotion by NAPALMECORDS




Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB



Sunday, 28 December 2014

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



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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9,5 / 10





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

Nico (Drums)


Links
Facebook
MySpace
ReverbNation
Twitter
Youtube


Promotion by NAPALMECORDS

Support Dust bolt, buy the albums!




Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Monday, 1 December 2014

EVIL INVADERS UNVEIL DETAILS OF UPCOMING ALBUM & NEW TOUR DATES




Evil Invaders just unveiled the release of their long awaited first album Pulses of Pleasure will be the next 2nd March 2015 in UK and 10th in the US/CAN via Napalm Records, the speed thrash metal from Evil Invaders is coming back and will be one of the surprises of the year, you can read the review of their first EP here

This is the track list and the official release dates for the new album Pulses of Pleasures:

1. Fast, Loud 'n' Rude
2. Pulses Of Pleasure
3. Eclipse Of The Mind
4. Siren
5. Stairway To Insanity
6. Shot To Paradise
7. Venom
8. Blinded (intro)
9. Master Of Illusion

G/A/S/Europe/AUS: 28.02.2015          
UK/NO/FR/DK/IT: 02.03.2015
SE/ESP: 04.03.2015          
USA/CAN: 10.03.2015

LINKS:
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      Website

        PROMOTION BY NAPALM 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


        Links

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        Homepage
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        Myspace
        ReverbNation
        SoundCloud
        Twitter
        YouTube Channel

        PROMOTION BY NAPALM RECORDS



        Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

        Wednesday, 10 September 2014

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


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

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




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

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

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

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

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

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


        8,5 / 10




        Links

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        Website


        ALESTORM TOURDATES 2014


        With support from Brainstorm, Crimson Shadows & Troldhaugen


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


        With support from Lagerstein, Red Rum & Rainbowdragoneyes


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

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


        With support from Moonsorrow


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


        PROMOTION BY NAPALM RECORDS



        Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

        Saturday, 6 September 2014

        REVIEW OF THE ALBUM KINGS AMONG MEN BY CRIMSON SHADOWS



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        8 / 10