Coffin Storm - Arcana Rising

Arcana Rising is the debut album from Coffin Storm, a classic metal project featuring a few familiar faces. I mean it's not every day you get a band with Apollyon (Aura Noir/Lamented Souls) and Bestial Tormentor (Infernö/Lamented Souls) plus Darkthrone’s very own Fenriz on vocals. The end result is a record that speaks not just to Fenriz's weirdly vast skill as a musician, but also the power of classic metal. This is a fun album and you can tell the guys involved had a blast creating it. But that's not all that makes this record so special.

For those who loved Darkthrone's classic The Underground Resistance there is a lot reminiscent of that particular era of the band. Replete with flashy solos, high flying performances and shredding guitars, The Underground Resistance consistently pulls listeners ever deeper into the abyss. There is a very meaningful twisted magic to the album and Fenriz's gorgeously bombastic voice is a potent guide through the storm of NWOBHM inspired riffs. There is something decidedly underground feeling about the production too, the murky old school vibes of the record seep through every facet of the music and it makes for ever more compelling listening. 

Coffin Storm have definitely made a mark with this debut. For those of us who love the depths of NWOBHM and the years that came after, represented by bands like Angel Witch and Agent Steel, will find a lot to love with this album. Arcana Rising belies a deep understanding of the genre and it's going to be hard to deny the power of this offering when it finally hits shelves on March 29th. Get ready for a ripper because Coffin Storm have definitely proved this trio isn't just limited to crafting black metal albums for kvltists.

Pre-order the album! 

https://peaceville.bandcamp.com/album/arcana-rising

Idle Hands - NWOBHM

Goth tinged, NWOBHM inspired hard rock is... quite the appellation but one that Idle Hands wear nobly and with impressive skill. Their latest offering, Mana is a masterful release, one that fascinates the listener and seems to continually drive them to new heights. The band who exploded onto the scene in 2018 with their debut and seemingly endless tour dates, they needed a stunning follow up. Mana is their thrilling debut full length that fully encapsulates just how good the band is and what they have come to mean for so many people.

It's exciting to see a band really take the bull by the horns on their debut. Mana is a potent piece of work, a record that fascinates the listener and seems to constantly push them further. The melodic content is excellent, the songwriting thoughtful and the execution self aware. Significantly better put together than its predecessor and with execution that is to die for, Mana is mesmerizing and exciting. You will find yourself getting lost in swooping sonic vistas. Vistas that speak to the overpowering sense of fun and beauty that this music can have. It makes for deeply engaging listening, it's almost impossible to turn Mana off.

Mana is the sort of record that you are going to find yourself picking apart in spin after spin. It's diverse set of influences makes it unique and different. After all - how many bands these days really understand goth in the fundamental way that impacts their music for real? Yeah - not a lot. Mana is the sort of deep set stuff that is going to keep you coming back for more. So far from one hit wonder, I see Idle Hands rapidly making their way forward as industry darlings who fuse genres and drive us all to sonic absolution.

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

Vulturic Eye - Crucifixion Of Hope

Vulturic Eye is, straight up, one of the best heavy metal band names that I have heard in a good long while. Toss in the fact that they actually pay some pretty excellent music and you have yourself with something of a recipe for success. there is a thrilling and dynamic magic to their latest EP Crucifixion Of Hope a masterful three track effort that in terms of sheer talent stands a head above many of its peers in the scene. While this new wave of traditional heavy metal thing is rich in bands, it's rare to find one who deliver on the level of Vulturic Eye.

The influences here are obvious, bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden clearly had a huge impact, as did, in my opinion at least Angel Witch and perhaps even Diamond Head. Vulturic Eye use Crucifixion Of Hope to distill down these influences to get something really fun and powerful. That all being said, Crucifixion Of Hope certainly is lacking in a few key areas.  Most notably the guitar tone is really not  where it needs to be. It is nowhere near sharp enough and is just the most grievous error in what is some fairly weak overall production. Tied into this, some of the songs are a bit too long, and though the ideas are good, I think they might be better shrunk down a bit. What I'm trying to say is that there is no reason for a weird bass bridge in your releases first track.

Still, initial errors aside, I gotta say that I deeply enjoy the work of Vulturic Eye on Crucifixion Of Hope. The initial awkwardness is in many ways a part of the appeal, at times almost reminiscent of groups like Angel Witch or even early Tygers of Pan Tang. The band is clearly loaded with talent and watching them tighten their songs down and shift away from a lot of the more traditional rock tropes is going to help. What they do well they are great at and I think the deeper they delve the more inspiring this journey will become.

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

Vulcain - Vinyle

Man, now this is a name I haven't thought about in a while. I remember first hearing Vulcain from my dad who would play me their records when I was a kid and I would absolutely freak out. Now the French metal visionaries who came so close to breaking through and going over the top are back with a new record, appropriately titled Vinyle out on Season Of Mist. While this may not be typical of the label, this is a helluva fun listen and one that is going to get you crashing around your living room in sheer sonic joy.

There is a unique quality to the French 80s metal, it is often very inspired by AC/DC but seems to enjoy fusing Teutonic and English influences. The all French lyrics and strong accents that dominate the occasional English language chorus add a sort of national charm to the album. This is a record that have could come from nowhere other than France and which often revels in its old school sensibilities. Like other classic French acts such as Oceane and Trust the band has a truly interesting history, and this sense of history often shines through in the musical machinations of Vulcain's approach throughout Vinyle. 

All things considered, Vinyle is just a fun album that encapsulates everything which made Vulcain such a sonic force back in the day. With crunchy riffs, tight guitars and a lot of gratuitous vocal histrionics this is a band who will leave you with a smile on your face and your horns in the air. Sure it doesn't break new ground or take any unexpected left turns, but that's not really the point. Vulcain is about nothing but a good time and sinking your teeth into the interminable power that Vinyle brings into the world.

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

Idle Hands - Don't Waste Your Time

Out of the ashes of Spellcaster comes Idle Hands, a band who take all the promise of Spellcaster and form it into their own triumphant new idea. As the band crosses new frontiers in tight jeans with goth rock fringes these guys are unleashing something truly fun and powerful. These Eisenwald signees understand the beautiful and raw power of the NWOBHM but they bring in a variety of other ideas in order to craft a sound that while full of retro flourishes feels wonderfully 2018. Flashy and yet strangely restrained, Don't Waste Your Time is a powerful rock classic.

I think the moment the band really came together for me was watching their video for I Feel Nothing, shout out on the salt flats. There is an incredible sense of fun with the bands look, but they tie it into something far more occult. The group doesn't seem to want to throw their entire souls into maddening rock and roll damnation. Rather they seem to enjoy reveling in a mid tempo punch. The way that they crunch forward, one sneer at a time is fascinating, but tied into that is the bands flair for the dramatic. The soaring vocals, and potent, almost AOR-esque guitar solos speak to the bands ability to truly understand a decade.

Idle Hands understand the magic of the eighties but they are unafraid to infuse it with modern sensibilities and clout. They get what makes for a great song but they enhance it with bold new ideas. While it would be easy to dismiss Idle Hands as just another NWOBHM flavored band coming out in 2018, they bring so much more to the table. Even their most galloping moments are counterbalanced with an almost The Cure-like sense of deep and fragile emotion. This is an emotionally complex and incredibly interesting listen. Dig in.

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

Get the record! 
https://idlehandspdx.bandcamp.com/releases

Tygers Of Pan Tang - S/T

Tygers Of Pan Tang is the sort of metal band who had a deeply influential place in the scene but who seem to have never gotten the attention they deserved. As is though it seems like their return has seen a measure of success previously unheard of from the band and this latest self titled offering is a record that burns with a rock and roll passion that has raged for five decades. Tygers Of Pan Tang is the record we've all been waiting for and it's truly exciting, an album that can't help but to excite - a testament to their years of hard work.

It's the passion showcased in a song like I Got The Music In Me that reminds us why this music is exciting and dominant. It's the passion that burns through in the blazing solos and high energy choruses. Yeah Tygers Of Pan Tang aren't exactly breaking new ground here nor are they going to far beyond their traditional polemic, but that doesn't matter. The beauty of Tygers Of Pan Tang is that while it definitely does see the next step of the bands career it serves as a potent reminder that rock and roll will never die, but instead continue to rise harder and stronger. It will keep us gnashing our teeth and raising our fists.

Highly polished and refined to the point that it's almost impossible to turn away Tygers Of Pan Tang is punchy, tight and ready to claim your heart. This is not a band who are going to be forgotten in the annals of rock and roll, rather they are going to maintain an important place as some of the dudes who helped make this whole thing viable in the first place. It's hard not to fall in love with a band who storm forward with this selfsame passion and who even after years living in the shadow of their peers fight on - this is what metal is all about.

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

Sumerlands - S/T

The Philly scene is an interesting one, all the more so because it seems to be so wonderfully diverse. Such is the case with Sumerlands, a band reminiscent of 80s NWOBHM stalwarts like Cirith Ungol. It's righteous, dorky and far too much fun. With their latest offering, these Relapse signees have put together something rather special with their debut full length. Sumerlands speaks to everything that people love about heavy metal. With powerful execution and a touch of heavy metal swagger it makes for some potent listening.

Despite the fact that Sumerlands has a tendency to be tropey the band delivers everything wonderfully and understands the spirit of the genre. It's the sort of thing where it becomes clear that the dudes in this band are all veterans of the scene, many who have literally dozens of releases under their belts. It hints at the true potential of Sumerlands - that they could go out and create a soundworld that is totally their own and has the potential to rock massive festival stages with powerful choruses and righteous solos. Sumerlands are sparky and fun, rock and roll for the next generation.

So yeah - Sumerlands is a fun listen. I'm not sure if I will be coming back to it a whole lot over the next few years but it stands as an exciting artistic statement. This is the kind of heavy metal that gets my hair to stand up and reminds me once again why I got involved with this horrific mess of a genre. Sumerlands understand that at the end of the day we are supposed to be having fun, and if you're not having a good time all the time then you might as well go home. This is rock and roll salvation, are you ready for it?

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

Running Wild - Rapid Foray

Running Wild are hand down one of the most impressive bands of the last forty years. Despite only barely touching on mainstream attention, these German heavy metal stalwarts have put out 17 albums(!) worth of pirate inspired madness. Their latest offering, Rapid Foray is merely another step in an epic journey that stretches back across the sands of time and reminds us of the power of heavy metal, even as we move forward in a demented and confusing world. Despite it all, Running Wild remain strong.

German metal has always stood out. It's always reliable, you can come back to it time and time again and find those classic elements - big choruses, powerful melodies and a sense of burning energy that carries us through the fire and the flames. Rapid Foray is devastating in that it shows us a band who have been working at this for longer than pretty much all of their fans have been alive and who still burn with tat same passion. They have one of the most impressive discographies in the genre, and the quality of their songwriting reflects it. Rapid Foray is a blast from the past that remains surprisingly vibrant, even in 2016.

With high energy guitar solos, thrashing rhythms and the same burning passion that inspired them to pick up instruments all those years ago I feel like it's not an exaggeration to say that Running Wild are as good as, if not better than ever. Rapid Foray is an exciting listen. In a world where most metal sounds the same and bands come and go like waves crashing on the beach it's reassuring to have a band who just unironically love pirates and NWOBHM style metal and have a deep enough passion to keep doing that for years and years.

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

Vardis - Red Eye

Vardis are one of those bands who got swept up in the sands of time but who really should have come out among the lords of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene. On the plus side - they have crawled out of the grave and after thirty years they have released a new record as good as anything they released back in their critically vaunted heyday. Red Eye is twelve tracks of Steve Zodiac leading his dudes out once more to do what they do best - play hard boogieing chaotically moving heavy metal music.

The guitar playing is lyrical and tight, the vocals often garbled in the best way and the rhythm section thuds along with a dedication to Steppenwolf's beloved heavy metal thunder. That being said - Vardis do have a tendency to end up meandering and some of the songs feel a bit too long. That being said - if any band has a right to periodically meander it's these dudes and the angular riffing on a song like Paranoia Strikes more than makes up for it. So while yeah, there are a few faults on Red Eye a lot of that just comes from not having put a record out for thirty years and I believe that with their next release the band is going to take the formulas presented here to a whole new level of greatness.

As for now, Vardis are back on the map and they deserve the praise they have gotten. This is a band who infuse NWOBHM formulas with much more traditional rock and roll ideas to get a sound that will get your body shaking and mind aching. If you want something that goes a little outside of the beaten track and is more than just aging dudes trying to relive their glory days then the new Vardis is for you. This is a band who have cultivated a distinct place in the world of rock and roll and are back with a vengeance. 

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/vardis.official/

Cauldron - In Ruin

Cauldron have always had a special place in my heart. After all - you can't help but love tracks like "Chained Up In Chains" or "Miss You To Death" And while Cauldron have always been a little bit silly they are also top notch musicians - as evidenced by the stellar songwriting on their latest release, the high powered and bombastic In Ruin. Seeing the band continue to grow their sound and put out even more exciting material that remains as tongue in cheek as ever, Cauldron remain heavy metal kings.

It's no surprise that this record is rather different from their last full length, 2012's Tomorrows Lost or even the 2014 EP Moonlight Desires the band is clearly getting older at this point and there sound is distinctly more mature. While yes there are party rockers on this record that will get you raising your fist to the sky I get the impression that the real heart and soul of Cauldron lies more in the heavy and poignant ballad-like tracks that make up much of this album. The band has a new sense of soundscapes that they channel in their distinct NWOBHM way, leading to some pretty interesting music that manages to feel like a breath of fresh air in a crowded scene.

Of course - you can still find pretty much everything that makes Cauldron great on this record - be it the strong sense of melody or the big choruses, they are still here, we just see the band taking these ideas in new directions - and honestly I like it better that way. In Ruin stands as the next chapter in Cauldrons legacy and I get the distinct impression that it will be carrying them further forward than ever before. Cauldron are remind us what we love so much about good old heavy metal - and if you can't take it - leave the hall.

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

Satan - Atom By Atom

Satan - now there's a band you can trust to crank out some good tunes. Now the band is back with their fourth full length. Of course that belies the bands longevity, as of course they have been around for more than thirty years. The point being - with Atom By Atom Satan build on their trademark sound and take it to bold new frontiers - reflecting a newfound comfort in their live rituals that goes far beyond anything heard on 2013's Life Sentence. The fact of the matter is that Satan are one of the strongest NWOBHM bands still rocking and there's nothing you can do about it.

The angular guitar playing and punchy guitar tones on tracks like Ahriman is delicious, adding a touch of Manila Road to the bands rather distinct approach. Meanwhile it should be noted that while yeah, Brian Ross doesn't sound exactly like he did back in 1983 the guy can still fucking rip. His voice is incredibly powerful and acts as the guiding force for this record as you find yourself navigating all sorts of exciting soundscapes and finding yourself lost in the unending poetry of heavy music. At the end of the day - these dudes have only built on their past work - making Atom By Atom the most worthwhile listen from these dudes yet.

It's encouraging to see a band of Satan's level and notoriety still putting out top notch material in 2015. It speaks to the undying power of heavy metal and guides us further in the perennial quest for heavy metal mastery. Atom By Atom is living proof that Satan are only going to get better as the years progress. Reminiscent of all the magic of the 80s and yet more evolved than any of their early recordings this record sees the band charging boldly forward into a brave new world that shall never be forgotten!

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

Mad Max - Thunder, Storm and Passion

There is something to be said for bands that have been out there doing this for more than thirty years. a group like Mad Max - who have the oddly beautiful pedigree of a "Forgotten act" is the kind that really stand out to me. Representing this strangely beautiful fusion of glam and NWOBHM their latest record Thunder, Storm and Passion is a veritable heavy metal monster that will have you rocking from start to finish. A testament to a time and place, these Germans have put together something truly special.

The anthemic power of Thunder, Storm and Passion never gets old, even though it is one of the main foundations for the record. The fact of the matter is that Mad Max are still doing it and delivering at a very high level. They have a sense of poppy songwriting that gives even their most grandiose moments a dash of fun. The thing is, as opposed to many of their peers from the same era Mad Max have a pretty distinctive sound and that makes them a lot of fun to listen too. The heavily layered choruses are a blast to pump your fist too and represent all that the band can be, a truly legendary metal act who will never fail to capture your imagination.

Toss in a few flashy (And wonderfully executed) guitar solos alongside the general aural triumph of Thunder, Storm and Passion and you start to get a sense for what is essentially a heavy metal record in the grand old style. Mad Max are far too much fun to listen too and digging ever deeper into their sound is an endlessly rewarding experience. These tracks are wonderfully written and very tight in their delivery. These guys understand the very basis of the genre and I think they may be set to have a late career rejuvenation!

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

Heavylution

Despite my love of extremely esoteric metal there is still something in me that is still in love with the poignant and over the top side of metal. Heavylution provide exactly this, and their new record Children Of Hate gives you a fierce glimpse into what they are all about. There is a sense of heavy metal might that runs through their punchy guitar riffs and soaring vocals. While the songwriting does feel a tad clunky here and there the overall vibe the band is going for is easily achieved. There is something strangely poetic about what Heavylution do. You feel yourself falling in love with their melodic guitar lines that provide a tasty counterpoint to the crunching rhythm guitars that give depth to the verses. Heavylution are fun to listen too and get at what made me love heavy metal so much in the first place. Their fusion of thrash metal with power metal and even a few NWOBHM ideas is a lot of fun and makes for a exciting overall concept. As the band evolve things are only get better so hope on the bandwagon and enjoy the ride!

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/heavylution

Raven - ExtermiNation

So, today I woke up to new music from Raven in my inbox, I already know it's going to be a good day. I know not a lot of 19 year olds are super into Raven, but when I was about 12 I discovered them through Ian Christe's book on metal and I've never looked back. I am proud to report that their new record, ExtermiNation sees the band at their best, ripping off skulls and kicking off pits with 'athletic metal' at its finest. These guys are here for your head, so prepare yourself for a metal meltdown done old school.

One thing that struck me almost immediately about this record is the quality of the drumming, it just sounds grreat and provides a wonderful backdrop for the Gallagher brothers to strut their stuff. Crazed rock 'n roll riffs that dominate from the first show us that Raven haven't lost it. These guys have managed to invoke the feeling that their 80s records gave off and get you headbanging and bopping for many a spin. Sure, ExtermiNation could have a track or two trimmed, but there is no truly bad music on this record, and Raven don't stop bringing the heavy metal thunder, in fact, the albums closer River Of No Return is one of the strongest on the record.

So dive in and feel the rock and roll rhythms that many say were left behind. Not content to be mere 80s relics, Raven have come up with one of their strongest releases to date leaving me with my fist in the air and a smile on my face. With chunky riffs that are way too fun to listen too and a sound that is a bit more polished (in a good way) than their 80s output, Raven have really come into their own. Speaking as a long time fan of the band I feel that ExtermiNation proves that these guys may still have their strongest material ahead of them.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raven/137886919586598

Iron Kobra - Might & Magic

"Attention, attention, the following record is meant to be played on 10," quite a way to start a record if you ask me! Iron Kobra have the balls of steel and the vicious riffs that are required to pass as a heavy metal band in this day and age. Coming from the speed metal side of things it's perhaps best to describe these guys as a nerdier Skull Fist. They've been around for 6 years now and Might & Magic is the veritable culmination of their work, proof that this kind of music has the power to reign loud and proud even in 2015.

From the start you know what you're in for, a hard rocking good time. Though the production quality suffers at times I feel as if it actually lends a sense of legitimacy to the music. The powerful solos and high pitched vocal attack combine to create the sort of triumphant sonic mutilation that captures the imagination and guides the listener on a musical journey. Iron Kobra are a lot of fun to listen too, they invoke Dragonlance-esque imagery with their songs and it reminds me of a much geekier time in my life. These are guys who took the silliness of power metal and gave it a slightly more old school touch, invoking Manowar, yet also Manilla Road, to get a sound that is energetic and easy to get in too.

At the end of the day, this is music for scaling the Tower of the Serpent and slaughtering Kobolds. Iron Kobra have managed to craft something lighthearted and oftentimes epic in scale. Bringing Thin Lizzy side by side with Hammerfall they manage to fuse ideas from across generations for a sound that is fairly unique, especially given the relatively limited confines of this type of music. Iron Kobra understand the spirit of fantasy oriented heavy metal, and when they turn it up, the adventure is only just beginning!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/CultOfTheSnake?ref=br_tf

Kolony - Sledge

Filled with guitarmonies, heavy riffs, and big choruses, Kolony are the kind of band who understand the fun of heavy metal but aren't afraid to get heavy. A sort of beautiful bastardization of Megadeth and Iron Maiden these songs show a band with a poignant artistic vision which will capture the imagination. Sledge is proof that Kolony are not only great musicians but also excellent songwriters who know how to craft something special out of what they have been given, heavy metal to enlighten fans for a modern age.

Sledge has a distinct flavor, and in a world that sees as much metal released ever year as ours does, this is a feat in and of itself. Despite the wealth of melodic content, Kolony don't ease up on the grooves. The riffs here are wonderfully chunky and these songs will get you to do the dance of death as you search for peace beyond the next hill. Sledge is proof that Kolony have what it takes to prosper in a harsh environment. The occasional falsetto employed by the bands lead singer provides the perfect example of this, the entire sound is built on beautiful contradictions, and when high pitched vocals come in it gives a fun respite from the trademark sneer that dominates the music.

In the end, we are left with a band who have a distinct vision and a heart for a sound that only they can create. Kolony are seeping into a darker world and as you get a better sense for what they're on about it becomes clear they are masters. Though I didn't really 'get' this record until I was a few songs, it evidences the depth of the Kolony sound. Certainly worth at least a handful of listens Sledge will punish and please you, providing a wealth of emotion that will leave you on bended knee a slave to the groove.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/kolonymusic?ref=br_tf

Manilla Road - Out of the Abyss

Manilla Road are one of those semi-forgotten gems who show up every once in a while in your playlist and make you realize that there is a lot more to the old guard of heavy metal than we normally think of. Now they are starting to get some of the recognition they deserve with a series of cool reissues from Shadow Kingdom Records. Their latest, 1988's Out of The Abyss is another Manilla Road classic that proves the band was well ahead of their time.

The record starts out with the tasty and vicious Whitechapel which immediately sets the mood for things to come. This album has some of the heaviest stuff you'll ever hear Manilla Road do, and they do it well. Some of the tracks are borderline thrashy and dareisay that here and there we get some quasi-death growls? Out of the Abyss is simply proof of how eclectic and unique this band could be. They had all sorts of fresh ideas, even years into their career. These songs show a band who were still creative and exciting, capable of putting out some true epics that get into your head and solidify the bands place as metal legends.

Delving into this album has been a real treat because it tends to be overlooked by fans, myself included. Now that I've been able to give it a few more spins I'm realizing that these guys had all sorts of nifty ideas and songs coming out, years after most wrote them off. It makes you wonder what could have been. As you sink into the blazing fast grooves and vicious drums that characterize this album it's hard to believe that these guys got their start in the 70s. Forward thinking and dynamic, Shadow Kingdom Records have done good in re-releasing a lost classic!

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

Zero Down

Zero Down is a fun New Wave of British Heavy Metal styled band who have all of the wonderful grit of early Maiden and even the occasional touch of Megadeth. With melodic guitar riffs and powerful choruses it's easy to fall in love with the majestic Zero Down sound. These guys are clearly having a whole lot of fun with songs like Cold Winters Night, and that makes them a joy to listen too. The solos here are largely pentatonic and reek of early NWOBHM bands. It's great to get groovy with some of these delicious up-tempo tracks that will get your headbanging and body shaking. Zero Down are the kind of band who have a fundamental understanding of heavy metal and will push it to the limit. This Seattle quintet are coming out with exciting new ideas that will keep fans across the globe entertained for years to come. Now that their newest record No Limit To The Evil is just about ready to come out you have to wonder where this band will take the madness next!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zero-Down-Fan-Page/262964899318

Night Demon - Curse of the Damned

I love bands who seek to emulate Iron Maiden and moreover, bands who do it well. Today I bring you Night Demon whose new record Curse of the Damned is the kind of album that speaks to the crushing and frankly beautiful power that this kind of music can have. Loud, extravagant, and a blast to sing along too, Night Demon have clearly understood the formulas laid down by Maiden and have incorporated them into their own unique realms of metallic majesty. Vicious and ready to rock, their new record Curse of the Damned is something of a masterpiece.

The beauty of Curse of the Damned is in the high power riffs that groove with an easy confidence, proving that the spirit of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal will never die. These songs have a very distinct sense of drive behind them that makes tracks like Heavy Metal Heat so much fun to listen too. Despite what I said about the bands penchant for Maiden worship, it's important to note that these guys proudly sport the influences of other classic metal bands out there too. Most notably I feel Saxon-esque vibes on the songs dedicated to metal and the scene. Meanwhile, some of the crunchier rhythms are reminiscent of Judas Priest. What more could you want?

Let these tracks plow their way into your mind and through your soul. Night Demon know how to lay down some epic sounding tracks that any fan of the NWOBHM movement will have a blast rocking and rolling too. Night Demon understand what heavy metal is supposed to be about and are chief among a whole host of revival bands who seem to be swarming across the globe right now. Night Demon are going to rock you back into the 80's and by God you will love it, so let yourself get caught up in the tide!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/nightdemonband?ref=br_tf

Alpha Tiger - iDentity

Alpha Tiger are the kind of hard hitting NWOBHM-styled band who prove that true heavy metal will never die. Reminiscent of the first White Wizzard record (Which is arguably also the first Holy Grail record) Alpha Tiger's new release iDentity is a very fun heavy metal record that will get your head banging and body shaking. Alpha Tiger are a joy to listen too and you can tell that the band had fun recording this record. This is what metal is all about, good times, flashy solos, and choruses that get your fist pumping as you sing along with pride.

I think that the sheer enthusiasm and sense of fun behind iDentity is what makes it so enjoyable. Alpha Tiger have clearly gone all in on this album and now we sit here as they gloat, confident in the knowledge that they have put together a record that few are going to forget any time soon. My only complaint is that some of these songs are maybe a little too long, here and there there's an extra bridge or verse that might have been better off being left at the cutting table. That being said, these songs are still a blast to listen too, and you're not going to forget it anytime soon. If nothing else the big choruses are going to capture your imagination and leave you spinning iDentity again and again.

In short, Alpha Tiger have proved with this album that they have the potential to be a truly great act. SPV has had a history of growing bands into something great and I think that Alpha Tiger could very easily be the next band on this list. Alpha Tiger understand the fundamental spirit of rock and roll and their sound is ridiculously fun to listen too. As they continue to polish and refine things will only get better. There is a ton of potential here and I'm excited to see how these guys evolve. The world is at their feet, now it's time to see if they can take it.

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