Edge of Haze - Illumine

Being in Germany last weekend, I stumbled upon the promo from Finland's Edge of Haze called Illumine which is their second album after releasing Mirage two years before. Since I am lately quite into the atmospheric metal, Edge of Haze is going to be a fine addition to my personal favorites. Here is why.

Songs like 'Urban Reverie' are songs that can completely dim the room and leave you no choice other than shut yourself out of doing anything else but to listen to it. The song is full with melody and emotion and hits the sensitive snare exactly where it needs to hit. While the album starts a bit on the rougher side than you would expect for an atmospheric metal band, 'Urban Reverie' creates the peace needed to start again. The dynamic between the soft 'Urban Reverie' and 'Crush' is good to get you out of the slumber and back into the headbanging.

However the song is full with melodic and emotional songs, this proven once more by the interlude '3:30 A.M.' that fades into the follow-up song 'Into The Red Sun'. The songs sometimes have a resemblance with Opeth and Katatonia and seeing that the band was inspired by these amazing bands, it is safe to say that they nailed by taking the best out of them and making it their own. The songs are both calm and rough and sound well balanced between the two. If they would come in my neighborhood, I would definitely buy a ticket to see them. So, I love it, give me some more Edge of Haze.

Like them on facebook; https://www.facebook.com/edgeofhaze/timeline

Deathwhite-Ethereal

Here I sit, on the edge of my bed, suffering through a hangover I probably do deserve. So Deathwhites latest release, the mysterious and vaguely triumphant Ethereal suddenly has a much greater meaning for me. A doomy take on the melodic metal genre, Deathwhite have a truly exciting sound filled with unique twists and turns that will leave many a fan struggling to figure out what to make of the strange new reality the group has crafted. This EP features six top notch compositions that span genres and capture the heart, bringing us to a new and quite unique world.

The distinctive vibe that makes Deathwhite so darn appealing is probably due to the monolithic wall of sound that they maintain throughout. Penetrating the undulating waves of doom metal madness is oftentimes insane, and requires more than a few listens. The way the pieces are structure with lush acoustic passages being contrasted against harsh moments of primitive black metal-esque brutality it's easy to see whats to love about Ethereal. The atmosphere stays very much the same, even if the implementation of the riffs is different with each song. You see, Deathwhite have a very clear personal flavor, and this flavor allows them to stand strong, heavy metal innovators who seek new life.

In conclusion, Ethereal is the sort of EP that makes me desperate to check out more from Deathwhite, and so I'm elated too see they have another release A Burden To Carry out on their bandcamp page. As for now, I am simply going to fall back into the deep dark hole that Deathwhite have crafted for us, sure it may take a little getting used too, but once you really get into it, the brutal truth which the band reveals is strangely satisfying. Open your heart and find the void, what more can you do in a world that so many say God has forgot?

Find them on Bandcamp!
http://deathwhite.bandcamp.com/

EnkElination-Tears of Lust

EnkElination is a female fronted symphonic/melodic metal band brought to you straight from the pits of London. EnkElination are actually one of the most exciting and interesting female symphonic metal records I've gotten to cover in a while. Sure, they stick to the maxims of the genre, but they are not afraid to push some boundaries and give it their all in a shockingly powerful record. Maybe I'm just soft for the sweet melodies and the lush vocals, but I think there's something more here, that EnkElination are true masters of their craft.

Tears of Lust is impressive because it captures a variety of emotions, although seems to most frequently rest on melancholy. A lot of the songs deal with lost, or disappearing love, which while maybe not extremely 'metal' sure can be poignant. The orchestration on this record is impressive, EnkElination clearly has some true musical geniuses putting together the tracks. Perhaps my favorite track off the record is the tear-jerking Last Time Together a piece that really speaks to where I'm at right now in life. Overall though, songs like Lullaby and Reborn showcase the triumphant magic of a band who really grasp their craft and how to really deliver the goods with a mid tempo attack.

Replete with fancy solos, minor key shredding, and all sorts of lighter zone inspiring moments, EnkElination have certainly provoked some tears within me. This is not just a corny symphonic metal record, instead it gets at something deeper, the human condition and what it represents for every one of us. London hasn't had a lot of top notch bands in a good long time, but EnkElination seem set to change that, to reign over thousands of metallers by capturing their hearts with a dedication to the music that few of their peers could even dream of having.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/enkElination

Gaiden, Elder's Tales, Lost Opera, and Silent Opera in Paris!

You know, we all make fun of symphonic metal, but there is certainly something to be said for symphonic and power metal. While it may not be the sort of thing we listen to every day, these bands certainly bring something special to the metal world, something that needs to be respected and brought into our darkest circles. Such was my wonderful evening at L'Orchidée du Cheval Blanc, a rather unique little bar in Paris that I last went too to see Svartidaudi on the Untamed and Unchained tour. With four great bands on the bill, I knew I was in for a great night.

The first band up was Gaiden, now I was vaguely familiar with this group because I reviewed their record a few months back. Their sound was very impressive. Gaiden have a very similar vibe to Queensryche, however they mix in their own unique, slightly demented vibe. Their is a wonderful sense of evil that gives the band their identity. On top of that their guitarist was excellent, (He also plays in prog metallers Daturha) playing some top notch solos, his playing was flashy and exciting, it shows the dynamic and interesting side of Gaiden. These guys are going to go far, they have a distinct approach to metal and on their short set they took us to a brave new world.

Elder's Tales was up next and they were one of the best pure power metal bands I've seen live in a long time. While their sound could place more focus on the refrain, they still had a lot of cool ideas. I especially dug how they mixed male and female vocals, I think if they focused a bit more on the interplay it could be very exciting. As a whole though, Elder's Tales were really fun to see, they really ripped with exciting riffs and passionate vocals. This bands singer has an incredible voice and is starting to become a potent frontman. As a whole, digging into this bands live set was a blast, they brought something fun and exciting to an oft-tread and oft-mocked genre.

The third band to play was Lost Opera. Now, last time I saw them in February I really didn't like them so I didn't even bother reviewing it. This time though I was pleasantly surprised. They played a very exciting set, they have totally progressed. Their sound was extremely tight and they had a much more interesting live presentation. Their mix of growls and cleans is top notch, their dynamic shifts are really well thought out and help to engage the listener even further. This is one of the most promising bands in Paris, they have a pretty big following too, so I think that they could start breaking out of the local scene, this band could very well be the future of French power metal.

Finally there was Silent Opera, these guys put on a very interesting show and have an interesting combination of screams and growls. While some of their material sounds very similar once they broke into more exciting progressive tracks or full on ragers we started to get a sense for the potential of the band. The mix of death metal with more symphonic elements was pretty well thought out and showed that the band have a good idea of what they want their sound to be. Their setlist was pretty tight and they certainly know how to put on a good show, the sole problem was that I felt like their final song dragged on forever. Nevertheless, this is definitely a band I would see again.

As a whole, my evening at L'Orchidée du Cheval Blanc proves the way that symphonic metal could really be an exciting genre to see live. The evening as a whole was wonderful and I saw a lot of old friends and was rather proud of my good friend the organizer. Let's just say, the local scene has been blessed with a new force who can do some good things for everyone involved. As for the bands, Gaiden and Lost Opera especially stand out to me as bands to watch for. So dig into symphonic metal, let your hair fly, and find some form of melodic redemption.

Find the bands on Facebook!

Gaiden: https://www.facebook.com/GAIDEN.Officialjoke

Elder's Tales: https://www.facebook.com/elderstalesband

Lost Opera: https://www.facebook.com/lostoperametal

Silent Opera: https://www.facebook.com/SILENTOPERA

The Unguided-Fragile Immortality

There hasn't been a lot of exciting melodic death metal lately, some critics have gone so far as to say thatthe genre is played out. Fortunately, The Unguided have come along with a shocking debut release Fragile Immortality that promises to slaughter posers and start a wonderful new movement in melodeath. Featuring a wonderful fusion of cleans and growls this is heavy metal for the modern man. The Unguided brook no posers and instead charge forward with an impressive dedication to the heavy metal might that unites longhairs across to the globe.

The thing that immediately strikes me about Fragile Immortality is the sheer skill of the songwriting. The Unguided is not the kind of band who are limited in how they craft songs, no, the tracks here run the gamut of styles. Sure there are some overarching themes, but its not out of the question to hear power, thrash, or even the occasional black metal part. Adding to the fun is the fact that this bands vocalist can really belt it. His voice helps the group to soar to a new level of dominance capturing hearts across the glove and proving that heavy metal will never die. The combination of brutality and beauty is impressive and speaks to the unending triumph of The Unguided.

If you want a record that mixes a bit of everything together for an end result that is passionate and filled with the kind of beauty that only melodeath can have, you have come to the right place. Fragile Immortality is a testament to the power of great songwriting. More than that, The Unguided know how to bring magnificent lyrics straight to the fore with an excellent and very professional mix. I'm not exaggerating when I say that The Unguided are probably going to be the next big thing in melodic death metal, all I can say is jump on the bandwagon and hold on for the ride!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/TheUnguided?fref=ts

Counterhold-All of them Slain

The latest act to come off of the up and coming Coffee Jingle Records (The only record label named after a Dethklok song) Counterhold is a hard hitting progressive metal band whose sound is passionate and powerful, driving the music up to eleven the whole way through. A rather long record, checking in at just under an hour, this is the work of some very talented musicians headbanging and moshing their way into oblivion. Fun to listen too, yet still very serious and with a clear artistic direction Counterholds debut record All of Them Slain is a promising and exciting debut.

One of the first things you will notice about this record is the all around tight riffing. Almost every song showcases the bands technical capacities, yet it never gets boring. Their is a fiery heavy metal energy hear that permeates much of the bands sound and manages to keep things stimulating and powerful. One thing to note is that at times the vocals don't feel mixed correctly, yet they are so good for the rest of the record it more than makes up for it. The bands heavy bottom end helps to drive the group forward, the reassuring thud of the bass part and the powerful drum playing come together to give this album an impressive forward motion. In other words, All of Them Slain is prog with attitude.

A progressive metal record for people who don't necessarily like progressive metal All of Them Slain is one of the most interesting prog debut's I have heard in a while. The melodic attack of Counterhold fueled with their powerhouse attack leads to something that transcends the genres common boundaries and instead comes up to be potent and destructive. With a little polishing around the edges I could see these guys going far. They have a clear understanding of what they want to do, and moreover, how they want to do it. The future should be bright for these hard rocking Coffee Jingle signee's!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Counterhold

Synphobia-Rising

Synphobia is an interesting new metal band from France who have a very distinct progressive metal sound that would be hard for anyone to really imitate. The thing is about these guys that they seem to have a very distinct approach to metal and they are proud of it. It's what makes their music fresh and interesting, even if they don't always have the greatest production or mixing. In other words, its what makes their new EP Rising worth checking out by any progressive metal fan.

One of the most interesting aspects of Synphobias music is their wonderful crescendos. It gives the music new layers of majesty and gives a unique power to songs like Lies. Overall the songwriting is pretty tight, but I feel like some of the tracks are too short. They could do with some development to bring them to a new level of heavy metal magic. As a whole the parts are very executed, the guitars are well done and the vocals are often top notch (although some of the growls could be polished). One special highlight for me is the keyboard work, I really love the way it intertwines with the rest of the music to create something that is truly personal and special.

In conclusion, Synphobia have created something pretty fresh and unique with Rising. Sure it could do with some polishing but these guys are only just starting to get serious. They have their own sound and they seem to have a clear idea of how they want to develop. I for one look forward to hearing how these guys evolve. Their is clearly a lot of musical talent to be had here and this band clearly have some interesting concepts going for them. Prog nerds one and all rise up and purchase Rising.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/synphobia/app_2405167945

Pitch Black Mentality-The Pitch Black Reality

Now HERE is a thrash metal debut for the ages, fresh and exciting here is an album that bring somethign new to thrash with a more melodic approach that still reeks of Testament and Anthrax. An album made by virtuoso musicians for thrashers across the globe these Norwegians have crafted for themselves an unholy driving sound that will pummel your brains into dust as they ride the storm of your heart. The Pitch Black Reality embodies all that is great in thrash in 2013 and then gives it some unique aggression of its own, what's not too love?

Here's what will really get you about The Pitch Black Reality, the melodic attack, not just in the instruments but also in the vocals. With the guitars there are all sorts of melodic lines that add a lot of flavor the music, it makes songs like the ultimate track Carve My Stone particularly enjoyable and shows off how much Pitch Black Mentality are capable of. The clean singing that is found throughout this record adds a lot of flavor to and definitely makes Pitch Black Mentality stand out. The way it is delivered is vaguely reminiscent of modern metalcore yet is done with so much more class and aplomb that I have to praise the unholy ministrations of this band. Toss in some great groovy guitar riffs and you have yourself something that will stick in your head for a long while.

In short, The Pitch Black Reality showcase a new kind of thrash, with touches of neothrash, but also something more, something greater Pitch Black Mentality have the potential to become one of the best bands of the 2010s. The way this band develops could very well be indicative of the future of thrash metal, a genre which is in a crucial changing point as we speak. Filled with mountains of groove and evil laughs the future is bright for a band who do not confine themselves to thrash's traditional paradigms. Who knows what the future will hold for these Norwegian metal lords?

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/PitchBlackMentality

Distant Shores

 

Distant Shores are a wonderful metal band from Guernsey who fuse thrash metals raw aggression with modern metal refinement to achieve a sound vaguely reminiscent of bands like Machine Head. They do an especially impressive job of mixing cleans with growls, and while I prefer the growls the cleans do indeed have their place. This is perhaps best seen on the track Cloaked By Shadows. The songwriting on this record is often excellent. I love the melodic guitar lines that underscore so much of the music, it gives a special flavor to the band and really makes them unique. There are not a lot of musicians who can play, or even write this kind of music and then pull it off with such aplomb. If you're looking for a band who bring something fresh to the world of modern metal then you have found your combo. These guys have been crushing skulls since 2011 and I for one am very excited to see what the future holds for these English bone destroyers!

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/DistantShoresBand