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

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM THE FINAL NIGHTMARE BY OVERDRIVE (2014)

Overdrive is one of the classiest NWOBHM bands in early 80s, formed in 1977, the quartet developed an early heavy metal style releasing their first single On the run (1981) which became a cult material for the years to come. The first album was then released nine years later, Dishonest words, and four years later their second shot called Home sweet home (1994) taking a lull until the release of another two albums, On wizard Ridge (2005) and Three corners to nowhere one year later.

Eight years later and with the new vocalist David Poulter in the band, Overdrive released Final Nightmare via Pure Rock Records last 22nd August 2014.

The new album continues exactly this authentic traditional heavy metal style, containing drippings of 70s hard rock and a few epic elements seen on bands like Saxon. Invited to hell is a demonstration of this early sound as they perform genuine heavy metal with influences, the chorus is really headbanging and catchy as the hard rocker Twice shy come to scene developing a late 70s strong pulsed mid tempo, the progression is excellent, alternating slow and mid paced drum beats and introducing keyboards in an excellent harmony.

Glass game heralds a never-ending headbanging structure, the mid tempo rhythms are one of the best of the band, and is also remarkable the work on the instrumentals, guitars and keyboards strike forcefully and linking the action to an increscendo track, Twisting my mind, creating one of their best chorus, vocal sounds even bring memories from Udo in his cleanest techniques, guitar performance is outstanding and well played along with the keyboards, showing a good instrumental fight, style also seen in Nightwalker, with a more modern influence but still under the old school patterns.

Wasted begins so powerful like a neck breaking blast of fast paced heavy metal, definitely a true masterpiece that will involve the crowd in every gig, with an addictive riff and chorus continued by Lost on a mountain, keeping you up again with some melodic strong pounding heavy sound being another highlight in the album.

Taken Young develops a really rich composition in an ascending intensity path, mastering a really good performance on the instruments harmony, curiously brings me memories from a unreleased track by Judas Priest called Mother sun, the orchestra with violins and piano forge a really powerful ballad and the neoclassical style at the end make it a masterpiece of the band.

The final nightmare end the album, creating a dark atmosphere evolving in an addictive riff, vocals work again on the epic side even showing a high theatrical performance level, the guitar and keyboards construct a really solid and rich sound, leading to an astonishing ending.

Overdrive came back stronger than ever and eight years after their last album, its unbelievable how these guys manage to keep the essence of their sound in early eighties, if you don't know this is new stuff you probably time this album immediately after their first single in 1981,

definitely this is a good lesson of classic heavy metal made for true metalheads, as overall the final nightmare is an excellent album that must be in the collection every NWOBHM fan.

9 / 10

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Overdrive are

Ian Hamilton Bass, Vocals, Vocals

Mr. Scratch "Animal" Padgett Drums

Tracey W. Abbott Guitars

Tim Hall Keyboards, Vocals

David Poulter Vocals

Released by Pure Rock Records, part of Pure Steel records

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REVIEW OF THE ALBUM LET DESTRUCTION BEGINS BY STRANGER BLAZE

Stranger Blaze is a speed thrash metal band from Mexico formed in 2010 by Eliud Urdiales (vocalist) and Albert Garcia (former guitarist), step by step creating the band's sound and eventually changing members until the release of their first EP Let destruction begins in 2011 touring nationally and after changing guitarist adding Brandon Reyes the release of their first full length Let destruction begins came to light in july 2013, touring Mexico and Colombia and receiving great recognition nationally and internationally.

Stranger Blaze is actually working in their second album, Soulbreaker.

The band is finally comprised by Alberto on the bass, Eliud on the vocals, Adolfo Sanchez on the drums and Brandon on the guitar.

Prayer of tyrants opens the album with one of the best creations of the band with a straight fast tempo speed thrash metal missile that alternates from slow to mid and fast pulsed rhythms, the composition is excellent and the harmony is nearly perfect by all members of the band, taking you to 2010 the prophecy, heralding a typical thrash pounding rhythm adding a clear speed metal riff, strong and straight harsh vocals on mid and high pitched shots are the ingredients that will take you to the moshpit right away.

Lacking of reason evokes the mid tempo thrash pulse seen on Metallica style, creating a catchy chorus and deserving to be another top track of the band perfectly linked with Assassins letter, track that combines an early Metallica style with strong vocal shots, losing grip on the cleared vocal parts but still riveting like hell on a rhythm changing instrumentals.

Death machine is created effectively with three different pure old-school thrash metal riffs, simple and headbanging, this track doesn't need anything else, its just as wild as thrash should be and with no break links to No fear, excellent track that goes increscendo to another catchy true thrash metal rhythm, on the pace of the band's average which is great already, this song is stronger and the vocal hateful shots are just outstanding.

Above the nations attack you with no mercy in another moshpiting true speed thrash bomb, on the line of bands like Razor or the recent Evil Invaders, the chorus come from within forceful verses like a strike from a hammer.

Rage is the most convenient name for this song, releasing a bomb of mid tempo hate with an excellent interpretation continued by the last track on the list, Thrash demolition, explodes with true thrash force in an anthem that will be a masterpiece of the genre, combining Exodus and Slayer best styles, the best track of the album that will kill you on the moshpit wrecking your  necks with this furious mass destruction attack, just astonishing my friends.

Stranger blaze take the roots of thrash metal to create a mass destructive thrash metal attack with this album, the production is not the best, but eventually will improve because the great quality of the compositions, simple but really effective!

7,5 / 10




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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

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




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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

REVIEW OF CITY OF GOLD BY STRIKER

Striker is a speed power metal band from Canada formed in 2007 being one of the first bands to revive the sound of the 80s true metal in the well known New wave of traditional heavy metal, releasing their first demo in 2008, EP in 2009 and first full length Eyes in the night, in 2010 being one of the best speed metal releases of the year and also a good influence for new young metalheads hungry for true metal action; Armed to the teeth was released two years later, 2012, increasing the quality of their sound to a new level and after two years of hard work, their new album City of Gold is ready to be released the next 29th of August via Napalm Records.

Striker new album City of Gold is forged with forceful power speed metal riffs containing some modern heavy metal moments and old school thrash metal drippings, not only being influenced by the power of Crimson Glory, the dangerous sharp wild steel of Judas Priest or the melodic technique of Dio, now the thrash metal force of Exodus come into scene at some parts.

The album starts strong with the pure heavy speed metal Underground, denoting some modern melodies but keeping the roots of the classic metal flame burning bright; continued by the tittle track City of Gold as a headbanging mid tempo anthem that heralds a fist in the air feeling on the chorus,  well combined with the high pitched vocals on the verses, remarkable job on the guitars, being impulsive and wild. Start again continues the mid fast pulse with drippings of 90s thrash metal melted with powerful vocal parts between Dio and Bruce Dickinson style.

The 80s revival from this band doesn't finish on the aggressive heavy speed metal, they are over the top of the melodic hard rock with Bad decisions, bringing memories from Love ain't no stranger by Whitesnake but improved with the wild sign of the band, one of the surprises of the album that improves in every track.

Crossroads bring you to the mosh pit accelerating the pounding drumbeats in a speed power metal blast with a very straight  aggressive style on the vocals, also used on the following track All for one, this time more melodic on the vocals creating a genuine power metal base and chorus.

 Mind control heralds a mid tempo thrash metal sound with strong pulse with excellent changes of rhythm, very well connected with the most thrash metal influenced song of the album, Second Attack, bringing back memories of Exodus style that will make you wreck your neck fist in the air.

Leaving the best for the end, I find the three last tracks so interesting because contains the most virtuous vocals in the album combined with an excellent compositions, bringing the melodic parts to a pure heavy metal anthem in All I want, with a style between Dio and Dokken, followed by Rise up developing a forceful speed thrash metal containing a style seen on bands like Enforcer and Evil Invaders on the instrumental but with the unique striker style on the lead vocals.

Its the turn for the last masterpiece of the album, Taken by Time, sounds like a combination of all styles the band have experimented along this record, thrash metal base that changes pulses to an authentic heavy metal melody reviving the sound of albums like holy diver by Dio with drippings of power metal, encapsulating the band sound.

Striker demonstrated not only they are capable to create an excellent speed power metal compositions, they went further experimenting with thrash metal and melodic hard rock, resulting in a very rich creation, eleven solid forged, brilliantly produced metal tracks that keep the true metal alive making the listener to play them again and again.

9 / 10


STRIKER 
Chris Segger on Guitars
Dan Cleary on Vocals
Adam Brown on Drums
Timothy Brown on Guitars

Wild Bill on Bass

Promotion by NAPALM RECORDS

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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW FIRST EP BY TOLEDO STEEL

Toledo Steel are a classic heavy metal band from Southampton, UK, formed in 2011 and releasing their first demo in december 2012, Toledo Steel have been touring around the country and finally after adding the second guitarist to the band the first EP came out in August 2013, consisting in three missiles of pure heavy metal encapsulating the essence of NWOBHM.
The band comprises Rich Rutter on the vocals, Kyle House and Tom Potter on the guitars, David Lovell with the bass and Matt Dobson on drums.

The ep starts with Alcatraz with a classic heavy speed metal riff, headbanging moshpiting pulse developing a strong straight high pitched vocals, awesome sharp sound all over the song by Rich and axe masters Kyle and Tom, the chorus is also exceptional, made to be singed along in every gig, fists in the air; as we continue with Black widow, taking reminiscences from Iron Maiden and memories of heavier than metal by Skull Fist on the main riff, forging a powerful melodies on the vocals where the lows and high pitched styles are amazingly well combined; well done on the drums creating Judas priest late 70s techniques combined with drippings of power metal styled structure.

Flames arise take us back to the mid 80s with a truly headbanging authentic heavy speed metal with drippings of epic melodies, reminiscences of bands like Virtue, the mid tempo changing rhythm is outstanding, true metal in every chord! The instrumental parts are in an excellent harmony leaving you breathless til the end!

Overall this first EP by Toledo Steel  is riveting from start to finish with a crystal clear production, awesome job by every single member of the band,for sure Toledo Steel not only are here to stay, this band will probably be one of the leading bands of the new wave of traditional heavy metal.

8,5 / 10


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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM REDEEMER OF SOULS BY JUDAS PRIEST

Judas Priest seventeenth studio album is out now, Redeemer of souls is the first album in the history of Judas Priest without KK Downing, with Mr Faulkner on the axes and also the return of a classic Judas Priest record after the concept album Nostradamus which was in my opinion one of the best composed works by the metal gods, but it needed more of classic Judas Priest action.

As promised, Judas Priest's Redeemer of Souls is a full-classic Priest work, with reminiscences of previews Priest eras, mostly from Painkiller and Angel of Retribution and also taking a bit from Killing Machine or Ram it down; the album starts with the rain and thunder as a background when Dragonaut main riff explodes in a mid-fast tempo headbanging bomb, Nightcrawler memories with the first verses unveils an epic memorable bridge and chorus, to follow with the tittle track  Redeemer of Souls, one of the most listened tracks being their first song to be unveiled before the release of the album, mid paced act, also with this epic element perfectly melted into most of the songs in the album, excellent riffs on the chorus as the Halls of Valhalla continue in crescendo and the main riff reveals one of this speed heavy metal tracks on the vein of Painkiller or Freewheel Burning, adding the dose of Epic power and an outstanding strong main riff, Remarkable the chorus on the high pitched screams and astonishing verses! Halford scream also in the second half of the track will make this piece one of the all-time classic songs looking face to face to shots like Metal Meltdown or Ram it down.

Sword of Damocles continues this masterpiece as a slow-mid pulse incredibly epic where the theatrical act by Halford is something exceptional,and also remark the composition on the second half of the song to the end, truly powerful.

March of the Damned headbanging rhythm is next, this time the composition has similarities with Ozzy mixed with Priest strength creation, breathtaking song also with reminiscences of the track Metal Gods, that continues with Down in Flames, as another mid paced heavy metal classic, epic verses and hard rocking chorus!

Hell and Back begins with accoustic guitars evolving to a mid tempo track with influences from the Killing Machine era, awesome catchy chorus and excellent evolution to the end of the piece where they introduce guitar elements used in the Ram it Down album, just outstanding and very effective! continuing with Cold Blooded defined like a mid tempo ballad with drippings of Love Bites with a long chorus and outstanding instrumental!

Metalizer explodes with forceful drumbeats, mid and fast changing pulses continuously from verses to chorus amazingly well and effective, riveting from start to finish linking the action to Crossfire, 70s blues influenced hard rocker track with guitar riffs similar as those used in the Ram it down album, Halford vocals are amazing here, mastering again the hard rock and heavy metal screams!

Secrets of the Dead unveils an atmospheric mid slow paced track, perfect harmony on the guitars with the vocals as the background voices appear in the chorus with a superb architecture; but don't relax now because you gotta get ready for another surprise with Battle Cry, as the epic riffs transforms and twist to a epic speed metal piece, straight away you will start banging your head, mid high pitched vocals here are amazing, astonishing job by Halford in this track! Total consistency on every instrument, being another masterpiece inside this Redeemer of Souls, and linking it to the last piece, Beginning of the End, the ballad of this album, acoustic guitars dominate like tracks like Before the Dawn or Last Rose of the Summer; just overwhelming, so intense!

The album also contains five extra tracks that could have perfectly fitted in this long length, like the hard rocker, catchy chorused British steel-like songs Snakebite and Bring it on, or the heavy  mid fast tempo Tears of Blood, stunning Priest classic as well as Creatures, melodic heavy metal all the way. I have to remark the last song Never Forget, acoustic ballad that will get really deep to your heart, outstanding melodies by the metal gods!

Redeemer of Souls is probably one of the best Priest works, being the best since their reunion, Faulkner fit perfectly in the band, what a great job man! and also Awesome job Tipton, Hill, Travis and Halford; everyone here demonstrate once more they are the masters of metal, giving a lesson of metal and being again influence for many new bands for sure.

The album encapsulates many Judas Priest moments from the preview albums like Killing Machine, Ram it down or Painkiller combined at perfection, elevating the range adding this epic style well used since Nostradamus album, every step Judas Priest has made in their history lead to this album, resulting in another Masterpiece of genuine Heavy Metal

THE PRIEST IS BACK

9,5 / 10


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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union UK FB

REVIEW CD "A NEW DAWN IN THE AGE OF WAR" BY DIVINE CHAOS

Divine Chaos is a Thrash metal with Death metal influences band formed in 2005 in UK. They have previouslyreleased an EP in 2007 "Every empire shall fall". After years in development the band have released their first full length album "A new dawn in the Age of War" via Evil EyE Records. The band is comprise of Ben Friston on vocals, axemasters Chris O'Toole and Matt Gilmour, Dave Bennet on the bass and James Stewart (Vader) on the drums. Divine Chaos' are influenced by bands like Sepultura or Carcass, who were mainly responsible for developing the early 90s thrash metal and death metal combo.

The album starts with one of the albums hits as a pure thrash metal track, strong and angry headbanging masterpiece, Last Confession delivers a great technical surge from the guitars and outstanding pulse by James on the drums making it a moshpiting intense piece continued by Death toll rising forged with symphonic elements and twisting the best of epic death metal and thrash in a mid/fast changing tempo, and at times, theatrical track where the listener is drawn to appreciate the quality in every band member in detail, truly amazing.

The myth of human progress heralds another mid tempo early 90s thrash metal attack, comprising heavy and forceful verses and dark well done thought-out chorus'. There is a short lull in the attack before they take you back to the deadly moshpit with one of the best of the album, Shadow of God, old school thrash metal headbanging as hell with one of the best catchy chorus' which will be perfect to scream along to at the bands gigs, dripping with breathtaking rhythms as Ignorance Everlasting starts slowly building increasingly into a crescendo of darker sounds reaching a mid-tempo riff that is extremely well created.

Rivers of blood is another of the fast tempo tracks from the album which is dripping with old school thrash fused with death metal influenced riffs, an awesome vocal interpretation with both a high and low pitched harsh style; great tribal ending guys, very effective!

Fields of the Fallen attacks you with the strong sharp axes and a speed heavy thrash machine gun on the drums, with exceptional chorus' where you definitely will break your neck banging your head; this track is full of rhythemic breakdowns all amazingly well linked within the structure of the track.

Sinai Sands is an epic instrumental interlude that take you to the last track, Perpetual War Policy, shooting to kill from the beginning where we find pure thrash metal structure with death elements and dark symphonies; this missile probably encapsulates the style of the band best.

Divine Chaos' first full length album demonstrates a body of work that aims to make you bang your head from start to finish,  James Stewart's drumming is truely remarkable, He is also Vaders drummer and lends the album an unstoppable death/thrash metal combination; the guitar work is exceptional, outstanding and technically superior. The Vocals are in harmony in every song, inspiring hate.

'A New Dawn In The Age Of War' is an excellent album with superb production, riveting from start to finish, a real Thrash Metal Masterpiece in 2014!

9 / 10

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Record Label
Evil Eye Records

Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads union and Metalheads union FB

Judas Priest is back! new song Redeemer of souls, and album cover

After 6 years of wait since Nostradamus, Judas Priest are back with Redeemer of souls, a classic Judas Priest album as they said in past interviews.

They showed yesterday the art cover and unveiled today the tittle track Redeemer of souls,  heavy strong classic Judas Priest track, being like reminiscences of Hell Patrol as a mid tempo song mixed with an epic style like the Nostradamus album. Do you remember the last song of the album Nostradamus? I thought, as many of you, for sure, that that was the end, the very last song of Judas Priest.... well! think again they might say! This song is the answer! 



Worldwide Release:

Due out on:

   14th July in the UK

   15th July in the US

Friday 11th July:

Australia

Austria

Benelux

Finland

Germany

Ireland

New Zealand

Norway

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

Monday 14th July:

Asia (excluding Japan)

Czech Republic

Denmark

France

Greece

Hungary

Poland

Portugal

South Africa

Tuesday 15th July:

Canada

Italy

Latin America

Russia

Spain

Wednesday 16th July:

Japan

LISTEN TO REDEEMER OF SOULS HERE