Candlemass - Lucifer Rising (2008) [Ep]

Country: Sweden
Genre: Doom Metal
Label: Nuclear Blast
Website: Facebook / Myspace

A relatively recent EP, in between "King Of The Grey Islands" and "Death Magic Doom" , both beloved records by them for me. This contains a live set they did here in Greece and three studio recordings, from which the two are my favourite songs by them ("Lucifer Rising" and "White God").

I know all of you probably prefer their first years, i love it too but some songs off their newer are the best to me. There is no point in arguing on this anyway, Candlemass will always be an amazing band and this is a pretty good EP.

Hatchet - Awaiting Evil (2008)

Country: USA
Genre: Thrash Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records
Website: Facebook / Myspace

All of us know a band that had signed to a really big label before they even released an album, and plenty of us could have wondered how this happens.

Hatchet is an example for me, since this is their only full length and they have signed to one of the biggest labels in the metal industry, maybe i just don't know how things work in there. Don't get me wrong, this is a solid album and it would appeal to every thrash metal fan and more.

They have some high screams that remind of the 80s scene and it does a really good job if you want to destroy your neck and room, since all the songs are fast and filled with catchy riffs.

Askuror & Vargshelske - Kirchenbrand (2005) [Split]

Askuror & Vargshelske "Kirchenbrand"

2005, Nordsturm Productions

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It always gives me a great pleasure digging up obscure splits and demo releases by unknown black metal bands, i stumble upon loads of shit to reach a dungeon but the process and the result worths it. The joy gets bigger when i get to do that research with original albums and not just digital copies of them, its even more interesting to inspect the layout, the messages, the ideologies and the general concept and feeling those bands try to provoke.

That is one reason i find black metal one of the most intriguing metal genres, and fuck the haters. As for, i got it for the cover and kept it for the music, solid black metal sound, nothing memorable but still solid executions. The Vargshelske side was really good, sadly they haven't released anything else, no information links either. Anyway, its for fans only.

Slaughtered Priest - Confess Your Sins (2012)

Country: Greece
Genre: Black / Thrash Metal
Label: Floga Records
Website: Facebook

Fresh blood. Fresh meat. Slaughtered Priest have shown their guts since their first full length, and they've been going better since, having released four albums including this one. Im really into this band because they have great music, they are not pretending they are celebrities or something (cough cough satan'swrath cough) and they have that old school blackthrash sound that makes your head burn within minutes.

The one member, Ungod, also plays in infamous black metal bands like Sad, Necrohell and Kvele, so he has a level of experience in destroying the ears of the civilians. I like the new one more than any other i've listened by them so far, because you can feel the steps forward they've taken, "Confess Your Sins" might be getting in my list of favourites for the year. You worshippers of the underground should praise this a little bit.

Deicide - To Hell With God (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Death Metal

Label: Century Media Records

Website: Facebook / Myspace

Ive heard that they are using Deicide songs in Iraqi prisons as a way of torturing suspects to confess, especially the song "Fuck You God". The band is not that frustrated with that, on the contrary they embrace it, even though the "torture list" contains Eminem, Metallica, ACDC and Barney the Purple Dinosaur (!?). I have to say that i love Deicide, i still remember the day i got the Amon: Feasting The Beast some years ago, its a death metal legend and a personal favourite.

"To Hell With God" is their latest and 10th album, it  has received all kinds of reviews but i think its a solid death metal album. Im glad Benton still hates God, no sophisticated ideas, just fast and brutal songs with anti-religious lyrical theme, lots of anger and headbanging are the logical continuations of you listening to it.

Its not their best one and i don't give a fuck about that, its a neverending circle that eats the brains of metalheads, so enjoy the music or stay silent for the rest of eternity.

Menace - Mentally Ill (2012) [Demo]

Country: Greece

Genre: Old School Thrash Metal

Label: Independent

Website: Facebook

This is a local band, and there are not lots of serious bands around my town, thats why demos or even song recordings receive the talk of everyone or so. Its what the genre states, thrash metal old-school-sound with really high vocals and screams.

I've seen them live and I've met some, influences from Exodus, Dark Angel, Vio-Lence and Destruction can give you an idea... Purchased this demo at their concert, self-made and self-promoted. Its not a waste of time to check this out and their performance was a hell of a mosh pit, old school style.

Tribe Of Neptune - Γνῶσις (2010)

Country: Greece

Genre: Ambient / Depressive Black Metal

Label: Razorbleed Productions

Website: Facebook

Not many are familiar with this group, even here in Greece. I was really into DSBM and dark ambient once, so ive been looking all kinds of bands up, im glad i stumbled upon Tribe of Neptune during that period, this release -and the only by them- is a hidden gem of the scene.

Four really long tracks of atmospheric black metal with ambient parts is what it is, i think the fans will really dig it. It lacks at some aspects and in terms of song writing, but the overall conclusion is a solid 38 minute ceremony.

I liked the tracks even though i rarely listen to them whole, but its still a creative effort by them. I don't know their status, active or inactive. For the record, Γνῶσις is the greek word for knowledge, if anyone cares.

Children Of Bodom - Hate Crew Deathroll (2003)

Country: Finland
Genre: Melodic Death / Power Metal
Label: Spinefarm Records
Website: Facebook / Myspace

Ok, the last of the CoB ones i have, and its been a long time since i bought it. Apart from the facts that ive mentioned so far, the story of the name of the band is quite interesting, unsolved murders have always been an intriguing mystery to me.

Grim Reaper (the guy in the covers of their albums) is the one that the survivor of that night in Lake Bodom said he saw, killing his friends. Even though there were not enough clues, he was a suspect for the murders. Anyway, this album contains their best song "Sixpounder".

If you liked the other two albums, one more is even better.

Children Of Bodom - Follow The Reaper (2000) [Reissue 2008]

Country: Finland
Genre: Melodic Death / Power Metal
Label: Spinefarm Records
Website: Facebook / Myspace

Probably my favourite release by them, based on the ones ive heard because i havent listened to all their albums. They have faster songs and more intense keys on this one, the different lines are bound perfectly together and the result is a melodeath awesomeness. The music would fit to battles in dark tales, even though the band does not have to do with this kind of themes.

The reissue contains 2 bonus tracks (the single version of "Hate Me" and a W.A.S.P. cover) and it contains some classic songs by them like "Everytime I Die" and "Bodom After Midnight", two of the most often-heard songs they have. "Hate Me" is my top though, for it has an awesome bridge to the chorus.

Children Of Bodom - Hatebreeder (1999) [Reissue 2008]

Children Of Bodom "Hatebreeder"

Spring 1999, Spinefarm Records

Lots of talking goes on around CoB, they have a die hard fan club but also there are plenty of haters around. As for me, im not a fan since im not following the band's news or album, i listen to their stuff and i like them, because despite the gay looking poser Laiho is, he is a great guitarist. This is their second full length, their debut was released in 1997.

I believe the originality of this band and the melodic riffs and solos made them überpopular, they still have very entertaining albums. "Bed Of Razors" and "Hatebreeder" are my favourite songs off this release. Lots of teenage kids support them and the old school elitists don't like that, but hey, do not judge a book by its cover.

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Annotations Of An Autopsy - The Reign Of Darkness (2010)

Annotations Of An Autopsy "The Reign Of Darkness"

Winter 2010, Nuclear Blast

Another band raised by Siege of Amida and then taken by Nuclear Blast. They have changed style with almost each release, and this one is closer to death metal, the reason i like it more than the rest of their albums (deathcore in 2007-2008, hardcore in 2011).

Erik Rutan from Hate Eternal participates in this album, so i knew it could not go wrong, the result is a solid death metal album to be listened over and over.

I read on their FB recently, that they are doing some more live shows and then they will disband, im not feeling that bad anyway since the path of hardcore they followed makes me sick. Will keep this as a strong DM punch though.

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Diskreet - Engage The Mechanicality (2010)

Diskreet "Engage The Mechanicality"

Autumn 2010, Siege Of Amida Records

I have several Siege Of Amida releases, since they are having some really good offers for albums and merch now and then. This band is new and this album is their debut, still it is considered a massive machinery in the field of techdeath.The guys are skilled musicians and they create blasting songs, recommended for technical death metal fans.

Only thing i need to point out after listening to this for 3-4 times, is that the guitar sound sounds a bit weak, it could be perfect sound quality (a.k.a. Fleshgod Apocalypse's Oracles). Not the album you would include in your top 10, but still enjoyable.

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Ross The Boss - New Metal Leaders (2008)

Ross The Boss "New Metal Leaders"

2008, AFM Records

 

Facebook / Myspace

Side project of Ross The Boss from Manowar, they have released two full length albums, this one and another dating in 2010. I saw them live here and i bought a copy of this, its one of the few albums that i have signed by the band. 

I dislike Manowar, this album is quite nice though, it has that heavy metal tuning and the whole package of lyrics, titles, riffs, solos, vocals and everything. There are solid songs like Blood Of Knives and Matador, the cup of tea for a metalhead everywhere.

The Elysian Fields - Suffering G.O.D. Almighty (2005)

Country: Greece
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Label: Black Lotus Records
Website: Myspace

This is a relatively unknown and unheard greek black metal band, not many talk about them even in the underground circles, despite the fact that the guys released their first album in 1995, and back then the bands were on fire (Varathron, Kawir, Septic Flesh, Naer Mataron, Rotting Christ, Necromantia, Nergal, Deviser etc...). Pretty awesome sounds, not the typical black metal feeling, they have lots of weird samples, synths, melodic riffs and a bit breathing deathier vocals than usual black metal. It might appeal to fans outside of black metal.

Nebular Moon - ...Of Dreams And Magic (1999)

Country: Germany
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Label: Last Episode
Website: Myspace

Got this from a festival in my home town, mainly because it was really cheap and i liked the front cover. It turned out that the booklet and CD case have naked women on them, so yeah, it is ok in general. Lots of synths and melodic parts, if you like bands like Cryptic Wintermoon or Night Conquers Day, you probably will like this one too. I enjoy the music, since it has plenty of good elements in it if you're into this style, and the songs are not boring like other symphonic bands. Glad that the piano parts and riffs sound like a real piano playing, which is the truth probably, still im stating it because most bands spend time editing the sounds a lot nowadays.

Destruction - D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N (2008)

Country: Germany

Genre: Thrash Metal

Label: AFM Records

Website: Facebook / Myspace

German machine! The country with the best thrash metal scene in Europe and maybe worldwide too, huge thrash metal bands have been coming out of there since the 80s. Destruction are one of them, and here's one of their relatively recent albums, which i got as a present from a friend 4 years ago. Im glad Destruction haven't been torn out by time (Schmier would not let that happen, everyone knows), they are still releasing fast and intense music for everyone's pleasure. 

Cool fact about this release is that they have named the songs after the beginning letters of the word Devolution, so each letter stands for a song title. Lastly, the booklet art is amazing and pretty realistic, showing the results of a possible nuclear explosion. Thats why i gathered some pictures of the album and put them in the package.

Unleashed - Viking Raids (2008) [Compilation]

Unleashed "Viking Raids"

2008, Century Media Records

Facebook / Myspace

There are no viking elements in their music, and thats why lots of simply name them as death metal. The lyrical theme, artwork and album concepts are strongly viking themed though, thats why i would label them as viking death metal (like Amon Amarth or In Battle).

This is their 2008 compilation that contains songs from several old releases of them that were released back in the 90s. What i like about this band is they had solid sound since their very first release. Pretty amazing death metal, lots of albums for you to look for.

Kataklysm - Prevail (2008)

Country: Canada
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Nuclear Blast
Website: Facebook / Myspace

They have gotten more melodic as the years passed, and they have added slower and catchy melodies at songs, that hasn't changed the fact that they are a great band. A member of the above 20 year old death metal family, Kataklysm have been nailing it all they way till this day, as every album has things to give you. This one is really cool too, i like it more than Heaven's Venom (their latest release) and it was on my player for several weeks when i first got it.