Showing posts with label thrash metal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thrash metal. Show all posts

Thursday, 10 September 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM OVERDRIVE BY RUNNING DEATH



Finally the long awaited full length from the German Thrashers Running death is out, full of improvements from their last EP Call of extintion (2012), read that review following this link.

What the listener will notice right after the first intro called It begins is the high level of technical performance on the instrumentals and that important progressive thrash feeling, Hell on Earth is just about this stuff, combining fast and mid paced sections with an excellent job by guitars and drums leaving vocals attacking with a high pitched harsh power; continuing with Psycho on the same line of fast pace but clearly more modern influence combined with strong mid tempo verses, slightly darker and melodic at some points.

Remote Controlled develops diverse riff combinations including palm muted galloping and melodic links with verses, creating headbanging parts and building a good chorus, clearly improving what we've seen on this album up to now, Simon nailed it on this one on the vocal interpretation, continuing with Close minded, reminding to those genuine Metallica riffs, being a clear influence for the band, strong palm muted shots and really good lyrics.

Raging nightmare explodes suddenly in a galloping headbanging bomb, that's pure moshpit thrash on fire, right in the middle of the album this is what a metalhead is waiting for, outstanding job on guitars and vocals, noticing the excellent production here is clearly better than their previous jobs, crystal clear drum details and bass performance, one of the best shots of Running death.

The instrumental acoustic track Deludium opens to Mercenary, creating an awesome crescendo straight away from the first second developing a mid thrash metal mayhem including progressive shots on the guitars, on the line of the general band's style serving as a good highlight of the album; linking to Pray for death, this time creating a doom/evil sound and accelerating the machinery to good speed thrash metal territories, it will call the attention of the listener in terms of composition.

But at my point of view the best is yet to come with the last three tracks of the album, starting with Reduced as a rhythm changing powerful shot, where palm muted and melodies dance around a pure thrash metal machine on drums, denoting a very intense vocal performance and enjoyable instrumentals all over the song; continuing without rest with the tittle track Overdrive as an old school thrash metal anthem creating an awesome job on drums including double pedal parts, with an insuperable Simon growling and singing in clean and sharp parts.

The last and best track of this album goes to I see a Fire, as the increscendo is being built from the darkness and evil style in quasi doom metal influence but soon exploding in the best riff of the album using palm muted parts in high sophisticated sections combined with excellent drum details, changing pace continuously until the epic end.

All in all Overdrive is a clear improvement and the best album up to date by Running Death, the production is crystal clear and the compositions are sophisticated, becoming a top class album by a professional thrash metal band.

8 / 10



Links
Facebook
Bandcamp 


Promotion by METALMESSAGE


Friday, 29 May 2015

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

LINKS

IRON REAGAN
Rob Skotis Bass
Ryan Parrish Drums
Landphil Hall Guitars
Mark Bronzino Guitars
Tony Foresta Vocals


LINKS 


Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

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



Thursday, 29 January 2015

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

Links

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




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

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

REVIEW OF THE EP ADRENALINE SHOT BY AMKEN




Amken is a thrash metal band formed in 2011 in Greece, releasing independently their first EP Adrenaline Shot on the 30th November 2014.

Amken style is genuine thrash metal, simple and straight to your brains, the harsh low to high pitched vocals are amazing and also the guitar-drums team play is really well composed to take you to the mosh pit right away; you will find that visceral thrash attack seen on Razor or Exodus.

Adrenaline shot bangs with the tittle track, straight headbanging and powerful wild style, the rhythms go mid and fast really effectively, linking with Zombie Pets in another breathtaking thrash missile, this time comprising more technical elements, with excellent vocal parts and special mention to the drum pounding blasts, including one of their best chorus and a highlight of the band's style.

The dark introduction of Nightmare leads to another in crescendo thrash shot, continuing the nonstop headbanging feeling with a good structure and remarkable melodic sharp vocal sections linking to the final track God's asleep, clearly their best act, introducing deeper and epic sensations to the mixture, the theatrical performance of the vocalist is outstanding, the bass sounds bloody well, dirty and evil as hell as the thrash machinery evolves to a fast thrash symphony that will leave you hungry for more.

Amken brought to light their first Ep leaving a really good impression, their thrash is aggressive and effective, without being extremely technical this cut is wild and violent, showing that the weapons are ready to attack.

8 / 10







Links

Line up
Sokratis - Drums, 
Giannis - Guitars, 
Vanias - Vocals / Guitars, 
Vasilis Chytiris - Bass


Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB