Intronaut - Void (2006)

Intronaut "Void"

2006, Goodfellow Records

Facebook / Myspace

One band from the good side of progressive metal. I thank Mother Mary and all the gods ever made up by the human mind that this genre still has artists, not only mindless, pointless, lifeless guitarists that reign the intrument's technicality but fail to create a song with soul whatsoever. To quote J.Black: "You've been focused so hard on making it, you forgot about one thing. It's called the music."

Artistic enough compositions and harsh vocals make the release easy-listening and enjoyable. Some songs here still make me move, even after donkey repeat times, its still not my favourite album because ok, nothing like Valley of Smoke, but that doesnt mean its worth it. Intronaut are a group of talented dudes. And there's a single coming in a few days.

The Black Dahlia Murder - Nocturnal (2007)

The Black Dahlia Murder "Nocturnal"

2007, Metal Blade Records

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Above is a band that has caused controversial opinions among the metalheads and the scene kids, since everyone seems to have the correct point of view about them or has been named the father of all music and knows best. I will not lie, there are some aspects of them that are easy targets for hating: The logo is deathcore-ish (need i say more?). They kinda belong to the deathcore scene as well even though they do not play that kind of music, its probably because of the shirt artworks they use and their sound is quite crystal clear and br00t4l.

My thoughts on all these? Its crap. As long as its good, i don't care if its named Barbie Pop or Trash Can Funk or whatever, if you get herpes whenever "core" is violating your ears' tranquility, go tell these guys. Or these guys. And i know what you're thinking "Hey we don't mean these bands, these other mainstream MotionlessInWhite and similar garbage". I totally agree and you have a hell of a point, but fuck you. Music changes and fans should change with it.

Anyway, back to Nocturnal, which is to me the best album by TBDM including Ritual, even though thats also one big punch in the throat of melodic death metal bands that repeat themselves every 15 seconds. Hammering, fast, melodic and heavy songs, well-worked high pitch vocals combined with growls, weedy musicians, a kickass album art and pentagrams is what the album is about. Songs like "Warborn", "Virally Yours", "Of Darkness Spawned" place the album just a step above everything else they've made. Again, maybe Ritual is about the same, i have to listen to it some times more for a sure answer.

When it comes to melodeath im really selective, im either old school death or very well structured modern death, most bands on the latter side cannot meet these expectations for me. This band though, has progressed dramatically since their debut and its safe to say that they are one of the best bands in the area of modern death metal, along with other ones that everyone hates. Their fanbase and the whole HxC scene these days makes me wanna vomit as well, its not the fans that make a band good or bad though. Thats how i see it.

Saigon & Wizz - One Must Die / Crazy Games (1993)

Saigon & Wizz "One Must Die / Crazy Games"

1993, Hot Metal Records

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1. Saigon - And One Must Die 2. Saigon – Black Sinner 3. Saigon – Evil Night 4. Saigon – Feel The Power 5. Saigon – Live For Today 6. Saigon – Under Attack 7. Saigon – The Hunted One 8. Saigon – Game Of Mystery 9. Wizz – Smash 10. Wizz – Wonderland 11. Wizz – Upside Down 12. Wizz – You're Not Alone 13. Wizz – Crazy Games 14. Wizz – Not To Old To Rock'n'Roll 15. Wizz – Far Away 16. Wizz – Movin' On

This post is the second member of the Heavy Metal Alliance which is basically a combo of two albums that were released as a 2 to 1 pac under that weird label with the lame name i have not heard before. Saigon and Wizz here, typical heavy metal bands in the same wave as Karo and the rest of the bands that will come. I sense its a bit rare too, i collect CDs but i dont have the collector's vein, since i don't hunt first presses or anything.

Karo - Heavy Birthday (1988)

Album: Heavy Birthday
Genre: Heavy Metal / Hard Rock
Label: Frontrow Records
Quality: CD-Rip 320kbps
Website: No freaking website (Listen instead)

Ι had informed everyone about a treasure chest full of colourful happy goods disguised as a dirty bag in a garbage bin. I had, in my Wolfcry post a couple of months ago, so i believe its time to get started with the Heavy Metal Alliance. Why is it called like this? Because i thought it was a sweet name about five minutes ago and since they all were an unexpected gift around the same style, i should label them as a gang.

So, first and proud member of the HMA (Already into acronyms, see? Its popular) is the one and only album by the german Karo, a mix of hard rock with some 80s heavy metal elements, nice and nostalgic about the particular era. Keyboards are also used in the songs. The frontman later recorded some other albums, but i do not really care.

Download (Depositfiles) Download (Filestock)

~~~~~

And some subjects irrelevant, because hey, this is a personal blog:

1) All hail the HMA.
2) Im writing an exam on Linear Algebra tomorrow and im sitting here doing nothing for you. Not because im addicted to this awful and dark thing, for you.
3) This song is awesome. You heard me.
3) I might post a big package tomorrow, depending on my mood, which depends on the results of number 2.
4) The Living Doorway is up again. All of us, the rest of the bloggers, shall rest.

Bathory - Blood On Ice (1996) [2003 Pressing]

Album: Blood On Ice 

Genre: Viking Metal

Label: Black Mark Production
Quality: CD-Rip 320kbps
Website: Myspace

For the record, Dead had met Quorthon but he didn't like him that much because he was a poser. Furthemore, Quorthon later stated that the first Bathory albums were failures and the real Bathory started after Hammerheart. Just some interesting facts to look back to now, about twenty years later or something, knowing how everything happened.

Tagging this album was a pain in the ass. I was aware of the fact that i had the re-press that was done in 2003, with the same compositions as 9 songs instead of the original 10 The Woodwoman and The Lake are contained in one song, same with Intro and Blood On Ice). However, my rip had 10 songs with completely wrong titles, so i retagged the whole album. I double checked it afterwards, still if you notice something weird, give a shout.

As for "Blood On Ice" itself, it is one of my favourite Viking era Bathory albums, if not my favourite. It has some classic songs in it and provokes this epic and cold atmosphere without a whole zoo animal orchestra and all kinds of extraordinary musical instruments behind it, as.... Well, as every viking metal band does today.

Download (Sendspace)

Kreator - Hordes Of Chaos (2009)

Album: Hordes Of Chaos

Genre: Thrash Metal

Label: Steamhammer Records
Website: Facebook / Myspace

If you get the limited edition with a bonus DVD and a kick ass package of this album, you will probably love it before you listen to the music. Kreator have progressed since their first albums (which are landmarks for thrash metal, don't get me wrong) and their later releases are equally fast and agressive. They have started speaking of some anti-government ideology and their latest masterpiece Phantom Antichrist has a song that actually talks about the riots here in Greece, accompanied with a video clip showing footage.

Of course, these are not info about this album, all i can say is that this is modern thrash done by the masters for the new and played perfectly."Destroy What Destroys You" is a standout song for me, but really you have to find and buy this one, the artwork smells of war and awesomeness, you're missing out. 

Autopsy - Torn From The Grave (2001) [Compilation]

Album: Torn From The Grave
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Peaceville Records
Quality: CD-Rip 320kbps
Website: Facebook / Myspace

"Ok blood friends, get ready for some serious gut munching horror and extreme nastiness, because since you're reading this you have obviously committed yourself to over seventy minutes of bowel stomping brutality. For those who don't know, Autopsy birthed itself into a cloud of green smoke in 1987 and screamed itself into the grave in 1994."

And these are some of the awesome lines you get to miss when you don't buy albums and just download them online from shit places like this one. Of course Autopsy came back and released another massive album in 2011, still this is an awesome compilation demonstrating the way death metal shall be done, it contains 27 tracks including live tracks and demo songs, a must for every fan of the genre.

Entrails - The Tomb Within (2011)

Entrails "The Tomb Within"

2011, F.D.A. Rekotz

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After getting their first album, i could not miss this one that came out just one year later. Immidiately caught up by this incredible artwork, i knew i was going to dig the album very much. 

I actually like it more than "Tales From The Morgue" because of the production and sound quality that has been arranged here. The old school riffology and vocals combined with a clear studio mixing that has sharpened the guitars to the highest level, provoke aggressive and filthy feelings to the listener, who is overwhelmed by the strength this album unleashes. It stands out among the new bands of old school death.

Lyrically, the band has not changed, that is a good thing of course, i would not appreciate sophisticated lyrics in a death metal warmachine designed "to tear your soul apart".

Entrails - Tales From The Morgue (2010)

Entrails "Tales From The Morgue"

2010, F.D.A. Rekotz

Facebook / Myspace

Entrails origins go back to the beginning of the 90s, but they disbanded and they reformed 4-5 years ago, in the meantime they released 2 full length albums, one of them being this one. Having the soul of the old school, the guys have blended the best parts of that era and made the album for fans and not only.

Their first attempt is direct and raw, in terms of music and aesthetic. With legit production, they unfold the ideas they've been keeping for about twenty years now, covered under a veil of modern sound but still sounding old school as can be. Semi-growling, semi-shouting vocals, probably a result of getting older and the characteristic of swedish death metal, blasting drums and vicious guitar and bass lines, all together performed by the same guys that were around when this shit was invented. Good job.

Enshadowed - Messengers Of The Darkest Dawn (2002) [2007 Reissue]

Album: Messengers Of The Darkest Dawn
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Zyklon-B Productions
Website: Facebook / Myspace

As i promised here, i would post more of the greek blacksters i think are talented as one can be. With that in mind i give you the debut album of Enshadowed as it was reissued by Zyklon-B with bonus demo tracks, surely a little package to be excited about since this type of merciless and melodically raw (!?) style is by far my favourite. With songs like "Suicidal Lunacy" and "Northbound" they did make themselves a band to be watched. Im glad i have seen them live too, it was a hell of a show and i enjoyed every last bit of it like one enjoys barrel beer. They are going to release a new album this month, i think, ive been dying to check it. Its gonna be merciless, no question about that.

Nåstrond - Conquering The Ages (2004) [Compilation]

Album: Conquering The Ages
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Cryptia Productions
Quality: CD-Rip 320kbps
Website: Myspace

This compilation contains some demo tracks from the 1993-2003 period of Nåstrond as well as some unreleased songs. As you might guess, its a pretty fucked up production and the whole thins sounds like -morbidtunesoftheblackangels- noise.

I love their first two full lengths and i enjoy the other two as well, so i dont mind these guys doing some bathroom recordings, im fond of that style to anyway, haha... It came as a bonus to an order i had made, i did not really choose to buy it, glad to have one anyway. Still, if you want a good look of what this band is about, look for "Toteslaut" and "Age of Fire".

Acherontas - Hermeticism (2011) [EP]

Album: Hermeticism EP
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Agonia Records
Website: Facebook

One of Greece's leading black metal bands, along with Enshadowed and Ravencult (albums of both on the way). The epitome of occult black metal, they are nothing less than an actual trve band that manages to provoke extreme darkness via their music and their gigs, which are literally live rituals.

If you haven't spent time listening to the Acherontas discography you're really missing out. They recently recruited the lunatic from Crimson Moon and there is a record being recorded as we speak, so awesome news are definitely coming.