REVIEW OF THE ALBUM DESECRATOR BY AMBUSH

Ambush is a Swedish heavy metal band formed in 2013 creating a classic Heavy Metal style melting power metal touches; they soon released their first EP Natural born killers, that catapulted them on the first line of NWOTHM bands last year following with their first full length Firestorm.

Now Ambush just released their second full length called Desecrator,

And what to say about it, actually no words could describe better this album

As a pure heavy metal masterpiece, its not only the best material they’ve created,

It's a demonstration of how one of the new wave of traditional heavy metal bands

can be at the same page as giants like Accept or Judas Priest, because we all need to understand

a new age of metal is arising with loads of new bands, and i'm proud of these bands

that keep the essence of heavy metal like the metal gods did long time ago.

Saying this, lets focus on Ambush, these guys combined clearly Accept instrumentals

With impulsive touches and power speed metal vocal style (sharp and clean, mid and

Superhigh pitched skills), all this combined with catchy choruses that will make the crowd

Crazy singing along, good examples are Possesed by evil, with galloping riffs and a perfect

Shot for live performance, or Night of the defilers, with genuine Accept structure on guitars

And halfordish vocal style, just brilliant.

Master of the sea and Chain reaction combines the same key points but with a remarkable vocal interpretation, and awesome drum shots on the verses, as Desecrator, the tittle track, bring you a the best guitar Performances of the album, just keep attention to the bridge and chorus guitar details, outstanding.

Southstreet brotherhood take the hard rocker style to light, also with a catchy chorus and a crescendo structure, as Rose of the dawn and Faster develop the strong and high speed and impulsive metal, that's how to deliver the power and glory of true metal, but just leaving the best for the last track,The Seventh seal, as a slow to mid to fast paced masterpiece that goes in crescendo developing a solid and powerful vocal capacity, everything on this track is fascinating, every sound is clockwork synchronized and in harmony, all this to explode at the end with a fast paced ending of pure speed metal, just perfect, honestly will drive you crazy if you are a classic heavy metal fan, just wow.

Overall Desecrator by Ambush is their best work, with more solid compositions and better structured choruses, it's also really hard to improve but looking at their evolution as a band, they are on the top and fresh to continue at this level, and i could say they are one the best albums of the year, and the best word to describe it is Masterpiece.

9,5 / 10

Line up

Ludwig Sjöholm - Bass 

Linus Fritzson  - Drums  

Olof Engkvist  - Guitars 

Adam Hagelin - Guitars 

Oskar Jacobsson  - Vocals

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Released by High Roller Records

Metalheads Union

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM SOLDIERS OF TIME BY NIGHT (2/3/15)

Night are a classic heavy metal band from Sweden formed in 2011 and released two singles in 2012 and 2013 followed by the full length Night, released in November 2013 via Gaphals records.Now Night are due to release their new album the next 2nd March, Soldiers of time, over a year after their debut album that was considered a true metal gem.

Having the chance to listen and analyse the new work of these guys, I can confirm there is an evolution in the sound, now the tracks are better composed, the content of the lyrics are much better and totally deep and intense, denoting the band have worked harder this time. On the other side there is not many songs as wild and direct as Gunpowder treason or Fire and Steel, as I said before, Night experimented more this time, even taking drippings of power metal and of course keeping the old school sound.

The album starts with the vocal choirs introducing waiting for the time, a totally epic entry with an excellent crescendo structure from the solo vocal part verses ascending to a catchy chorus, where the guitars draw good melodies, really good progression as we continue with Across the ocean, more direct shot of old school heavy metal, awesome riffs and harmony between guitar and vocal evolution across the song, also remarkable transition on bridge to chorus.

We're not born to walk away heralds another headbanging mid tempo shot, stronger rhythm now and also the message, forged to lift you up and turn the volume louder, as Above the ground continues the act reminding some tunes of their first job, also with excellent evolution from the verses to bridge and chorus, simple and effective, linking the action to the acoustic track Towards the sky, mid tempo anthem full of feelings, the vocalist does a really good job here as he manage to express the message In perfect harmony with the instrumentals.

Secret war rise the fires of hell with headbanging action in a mid tempo rhythm with strong drumbeats and very straight verses, like Kings and Queens accelerates the pace to the kinds of the speed power metal by Gamma Ray meeting Judas Priest, one of the best true metal shots of the band, the power of the verses is restless as they ascend the intensity leading to one of the best details, the asking and answering duo of vocals and guitars, just outstanding.

Ride on is next, made to be another anthem of those to be played repeatedly, the melodies are great and so the chorus, intense and catchy sign of the band's style, continuing with the soft acoustic intro Wonderlust that explodes in another highlight of true nwothm, Power, straight and strong track that will feed your hunger of true classic heavy metal.

Stars in the sky is the last track, being an acoustic ballad, and despite the fact that is slow and almost without drum, the intensity and power that this track spread with the melodies and lyrics is deserved to be included in the best of the year, the melodies will be stuck in your head as the message will find the space to melt in your soul, guys this is a masterpiece.

It's very important for a band, even if it's a new band, to experiment new stuff, knowing there is always a risk, and these guys really went for it and succeeded, Continuing the true metal path, and adding more feelings to the mixture, Managing a more professional sound overall with improved compositions, now Night will be one step forward towards the first line of nwothm, will be within the best albums of this year already!

9 / 10

FOLLOW THE BAND ON THIS LINKS
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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM VIOLENT PROCREATION BY ENTRENCH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 / 10

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Line Up

Victor Holmström (R.I.P.) (Drums)

Fredrik Pellbrink (Vocals, Guitars)

Joel E. Sundin (Bass)

Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM POINT OF IMPACT BY AIR RAID (release date 21/11/14)

Air Raid is a traditional heavy metal band from Sweden, formed in 2009, the style is authentic heavy speed metal influenced by bands like Judas Priest, Agent Steel mainly with drippings of NWOBHM combining melodic and aggressive elements backed by rich compositions, with only an EP Danger ahead, and their first album (2012) Night of the axe, the band already brought true metal anthems to the world like Metal Cult, When the sky turns red or Annihilation to name a few, becoming one of the most promising bands worldwide.

After Michael Rinakakis left the band, Mr Arthur M Andersson became the vocalist of the band, the Halford-Warrant sharp vocal style of Michael will be missed, but at the same time its remarkably extraordinary the quality of Andersson here, bringing a more powerful energy on the style of early Judas Priest combined with elements from Metal Inquisitor or Riot enriched with sharp aggressive and clean operistic high pitched qualities.

The new line up is Mr Andersson on vocals, Stormchild and Johnny Nightshredder on guitars, Rob Thunderbold on bass and Dave Destructor on drums, and a new album is forged out of the flames of metal, due to be release the next 21st November 2014 via High Roller Records. 

Bound to destroy opens the gates with memorable guitar riffs making you bang your head from the very first second, the melodic vocals bring a brilliant epic sense to the action continuing with one of the best tracks of the album, Madness, the entry of this track attacks like a powerful missile to your brains, creating another catchy chorus to be screamed at the gigs,the job on the axes together with Andersson performance is outstanding and forceful, definitely a masterpiece

As the acoustic elements of Victim of the night take you to a more melodic hard-rockish feeling, the heavy metal sign of the band drives you immediately to the head banging, breathtaking mid-fast pounding pulse, developing another extremely catchy chorus backed by the main riff with a perfect harmony, being another top hit in the album.

Wildfire develops a fast paced heavy-speed metal rhythm with plenty power metal elements, vocal parts evolve from mid to high pitched details, over a symphony of sophisticated guitars with palm muted and impulsive mixed with technical elements, continued by the instrumental Flying Fortress, demonstrating again the virtuous style of the guitars and the good harmony between axe masters with the excellent job of the bass and the remarkably technical drums.

Vengeance follows similar patterns of genuine heavy metal with added epic drippings to the mixture seen on previous tracks, the crescendo structure lead the action to a really well composed piece where instrumentals and vocals stand strong shinning bright linked with The fire within, heralding a mid paced melodic heavy metal shot with progressive elements, containing high influence of Dio on the vocal melodies, the long chorus is awesome and very solid; specially brilliant is the second half of the track with ascending intensity of symphonic elements mixed with Priest's Between the Hammer and the anvil details on the guitar solo and powerful emphasis on Andersson role.

The last track is We got the force, a clear demonstration of where the band stands, creating a pure speed metal track with elements seen on the rest of the album, being melodic and

aggressive, sharp and powerful in equality, and probably the piece that better encapsulates the band's sign, and making clear that past, present and future of the band aims for the true metal.

Point of impact will be an all time masterpiece of true metal, the band developed their unique sound becoming one of the finest bands on the scene, with an excellent production and enforced by that wild attitude performed on stage; all these ingredients will make this album an essential for every true metalhead.

9,5 / 10

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Released by High Roller Records



Post by Daniel Ortiz
Metalheads Union
Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE FIRST ALBUM BY NIGHT

Night are a classic heavy metal band from Sweden formed in 2011 and released two singles in 2012 and 2013 followed by the full length Night, released in November 2013 via Gaphals records, receiving numerous great feedback from the media! Their style can be timed back to the mid late 70s with influences from Judas Priest and early NWOBHM bands like Angel Witch or Samson developing both hard rock and authentic heavy metal melted at perfection. 

The album explodes with one of their heaviest anthems, Fire and Steel, taking the genuine sound of the Judas priest British steel era mixed with sharp angry high pitched vocals leading to a headbanging chorus to scream on the gigs; linking this bomb, the main hard rocker-early heavy metal riff of Gunpowder Treason start to sound in crescendo with a forceful mid tempo pulse, one of their best tracks of this album, awesome bridge and really effective chorus!

Following the same headbanging rhythm, Out of the ashes, comes to light created to be a heavy metal hymn; the vocals keep standing in the same high pitched level but this time the sharp style leads to a cleaner vocal techniques, reminiscences of early Judas priest on the instrumental, memories of Cheater from rocka rolla album, that's great!

Running in the night main riff reveals a mid fast tempo headbanging pulse always in harmony with the high pitched vocals, remarkable touch on the drums and the chorus, this track is well linked with Taking you Down where they use the same combo but adding a really intense chorus and an exceptional instrumental with an in-crescendo structure.

Hang 'Em High hard rocker start is amazing as it twists the style bringing you the heavy metal glory on the bridge and chorus in this mid tempo anthem, taking you to the final tracks of the album where the hard rock goes a little behind  with Stand Your Ground being again a mid tempo track but with a instrumental gone wilder than before specially at the second half of the song where the vocalist make an outstanding interpretation with sharp high pitched forceful verses.

But don't breath yet, Play it Loud explode like a bomb with the faster tempo hard pounding drumbeats, the composition is awesome as the bridge takes you up to the chorus leaving you banging your head as you shout it Play it loud! And now its the turn of Into the Night, probably the heaviest track together with Fire and Steel, the drums take a rhythm seen before on tracks like Rapid Fire by Judas Priest,  now every member of the band is in harmony, the composition is something extraordinary, astonishing the guitars how evolve from bridge to chorus, encapsulating the band's style.

The last track of the album, Keep the Fire Burning, heralds a mid tempo galloping pulse really well forged leaving the sensation of being a solid composition in harmony with the rest of the album but losing some fuel after the last two metal missiles.

Overall Night created an awesome album, where hits like Gunpowder Treason, Fire and Steel or Into the night will be recognised masterpieces, the instrumental is perfect and influenced by the roots of heavy metal, drinking from the same chalice of 70s and specially 1980 British Steel Judas Priest or Dio and having reminiscences of Oliver Magnum. The production is great also, being their first full length is outstanding the sound they have managed, the level of inspiration in this band is truly high and it will be the key of leading the torch of the new wave of classic heavy metal.

8,5 / 10

FOLLOW THE BAND ON THIS LINKS
Facebook
Bandcamp
Website
Reverbnation
Youtube
Iconosquare
Gaphals Label

Contact
Gaphals Label

Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB