Cradle of Filth have been around for so many years and that’s stating the obvious. What’s not obvious is the contingency that the band upholds after all these years especially with their new album. Continue reading “Cradle of Filth – Cryptoriana: The Seductiveness Of Decay”
I’ve been expanding my tastes lately which leads to today’s artist. Inglorious, out of The UK bring their sophomore album to the masses titled, II. Continue reading “Inglorious – II”
Typically band names tend to lure me if worded appropriately and the name “Dark Forest” was no exception. Drawing influence and relatable sounds from some of the big names in the Power metal scene, I dove head first into this album that I had high hopes for. Continue reading “Album Review: Dark Forest – Beyond The Veil”
It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve listened to an album with magical tenacity such as this one. Proving the group can take on whatever life throws at them, the power of three come together to create a grandeur album. Continue reading “Album Review: Dakesis – The New Dawn”
It’s always great to hear an artist with a nice fresh sound, something that is different than what you’ve been exposed to lately. The debut album by Synthetic, has a handful of components to it that make it stick out compared to a lot of albums that have been released lately.
Continue reading “Album Review: Synthetic – Here Lies The Truth”
It’s been about a year now since the release of the last EP from De Profundis. Their next full-length release is coming up and has the right amounts of Melodeath as well as Black and Doom metal. After receiving lots of rave reviews from their EP, the group will now be tested one-hundred percent when their next album, Kingdom Of The Blind hits the masses on September 28th. After listening to the album, I can say that the group is scaling new accomplishments, with strong qualities and great musicianship. After signing to a new label, their next chapter in their journey can begin. Coming in at just under an hour, the album also brings in slightly progressive and even technical elements to the forefront.
The opener, Kult Of The Orthodox, kicks things off full blast. With blast beats, great tremolo style picking, gutteral, and a bit of Black metal elements, the strong opener showcases that they are perfect for the genre. A killer opener, the track leads way to Illumination which was present on their EP. Bursts of double bass and blast beats, this speedy demon of a track does not slow down for any man. This is a perfectly crafted headbangable track that deserves to be listened to on tour, can’t even imagine what the pits would look like. All Consuming, has those slight technical moments that you’re looking for. With twangy and definitive basslines in the mix, the track further exploits the vast talents that they carry. I mean, stick around for their ambient and almost jazzy sounding break about halfway in.
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noVr68gS31c[/tube]
The title track is a blitzkrieg of more blast beats and double bass. The vocal lines get even more demonic and I didn’t think they could get this evil. The ending is rather enticing I would say as a Black metal atmosphere takes over for the time being. If it’s the Melodic Death metal that lures you in, check out the track, Beyond The Threshold. Lots of melody and addicting progressions, it’s a pretty old school influenced track. Further elaborating on their multi-level musicianship, the bass lines get interesting at one point. Don’t forget to stick around for the eargasmic melodic solo, the guitarist nails it on this one. Definitely one of the favorites of the album. The closing track, In Solitude, swallows the masses with a sick opening scream/grunt and slowly building up towards unfathomable affairs. After the halfway mark they break and begin to get technical, really testing the waters. The climactic portion of the track is just unbelieveable. Slowly reaching the end, the epic sound fades out and leaves the listener wanting more.
If you are or aren’t a fan of the death metal genre, I believe the album will leave you feeling intrigued. As I stated in my review of their EP, I couldn’t wait until the release of their next album and now that it is ready to be let loose upon us all, I am pretty stoked that this ferocious album will make an impact on many. I have to mention the unique and astounding basslines, I can’t remember the last time I heard an album with bass that stood out like how it did on this album. There are no slow tracks at all as from start to end this is one speed demon that relays a theme in which we should all be aware of. With touring plans underway, and a fresh new album to support, their time is coming. A band who desires not to blend with the rest, they have no regards in showing off their ambitions and excel in keeping things interesting and jaw-dropping. Stay Metal m/
Kingdom Of The Blind: 8/10
Official Website: http://deprofundistheband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deprofundistheband
Twitter: https://twitter.com/deprofundisband
When I get some free time, my mind meanders from band to band, and today it meandered to this track. If you haven’t heard of Devilment, that’s alright, as they are most definitely a new band, but they are being led by one of the most famous men in metal, Dani Filth. No no, don’t click the red X at the top of your screen or the red dot on your iMacs just yet. I’ll just lay it straight on the table and say that Dani’s style of vocals does not really change, or at least hasn’t for the longest time yet. His style brought faint memories of Cradle of Filth on this track. The instrumentals, most certainly do not at all, not even in the slightest bit go towards the ‘filthy’ route. While the metal is dark, it is at the same time, groovy. It took me a few listens to accept Dani’s vocals on this track, but I became accepting of it eventually. It’s catchy, it’s headbangable, is it safe to say its Black and Groove? Alright, I might get the death stare after saying that…..maybe. The track comes to us from the sextet’s debut album, The Great and Secret Show. The video is also a little piece of art, as flashing disturbing scenes transition rapidly, hence the warning at the beginning of the video. I think this video might even be one of my favorite videos of the year! If you wanna scare the crap out of somone, show them this video, seriously. Take a chance, lift the darkened curtain that is thinly veiled on this darkened exotic beauty titled, Even Your Blood Group Rejects Me. Stay Metal m/
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf9X52DrSt8[/tube]
It’s always interesting when you encounter a band that has a different sound than many of the artists out there. You wonder if their sound is the first, maybe even wonder if their sound will usher in similar bands to come. While I cannot answer that theory, I can tell you that today’s artist does in fact have that new, fresh sound that is starting to become rare nowadays. De Profundis, is a Progressive Death Metal outfit from London, and have recently released their latest EP titled, Frequencies. The EP will give way to the group’s upcoming fourth album, TBA soon. A quick and intense listen, the 4-track, 20 minute EP encompasses surprises around every corner backed by uncompromising energy. Formed in 2005, the group’s initial sound catered to a more Doom Metal sound, which led them to release their first album in 2007. Playing as an opening act for many famous stages such as Bloodstock and March Metal Day, in turn, they opened for large name metal bands such as Iron Maiden and more. This led them to sign their first major deal with record label, Sony India. After a minor lineup change, 2010 saw the release of their sophomore album, A Bleak Reflection, which was released on another label, Kolony Records. A new sound to the group was born, and later that year, they co-headlined a festival in India, alongside Goth Metal Masters, Lacuna Coil. The following year, De Profundis, ended up opening for Rotting Christ. Their third album, The Emptiness Within, was born in which technicality became a major staple on the album, as well as overall in the group’s general sound. Before the release of today’s EP, the group embarked on a two-week trek supporting Marduk, and later on, the group toured on their own throughout Europe and The UK. 8 years after their debut at Bloodstock, the group returned to that stage once again recently, to unleash their new talents and showcase that they are becoming one of the UK’s forces within the Extreme Metal Scene.
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W44iZ0FhhPs[/tube]
A highly unpredictable track kicks off the EP with A Strange Awakening. From time signatures constantly changing, to the twists, odds and ends, the track was hard for me to keep up with. I really liked the short bursts of blast beats, overall the track is heavy in complex progressive elements. I admired the speed and intensity of the next track, Illumination. There is some Doom in the track, keeping some slower tempos throughout, but once the track starts to get faster, the blast beats ensue, everything comes together. Also to mention, the Classic Death Metal aspect is assuredly not absent. Hints of Swedish Metal come forth in the next track, Singularity. Once more, the pace changes abruptly throughout, and the bass lines even get a definitive sound. A lengthier solo is included in the track, and the headbanging can commence. The final track is my personal pick of the EP. Crystal Mountain, has some Black Metal elements like a bit of a down tune, in addition to more variety and sounds. This is perhaps a mix of everything we’ve seen throughout this EP and more to end it all.
As mentioned, this was something fresher, and for me, a sound I certainly had to get used to. It’s not everyday I listen to something unique as De Profundis. While their music wasn’t memorable this time, it certainly indeed was extreme. Perhaps we will see more of their potential talent when their upcoming fourth album debuts. Stay Metal m/
Frequencies EP: 7/10
More information can be found on their Official Website, as well as their Facebook and Twitter Pages. Don’t forget to LIKE We Love Metal Dot Com on our Facebook page as well at www.facebook.com/welovemetal.
I was introduced to a band I had never heard of, for I have heard of many, many rock, hard rock, and metal acts. UK Progressive Rockers/Metallers, Touchstone, have just released their latest album entitled, Oceans Of Time. Now, what would one think of with that title? Unique solos? Addicting tunes? Long songs? Well, all of the above are true for this album encompasses many aspects of the world of progressive music. Formed over a decade ago, Touchstone have also released a few other albums, which some of those albums are connected to their latest release. The Shadow Trilogy, as it is called, is a three song story, with the first song, Shadow, first appearing in their 2007 album, Discordant Dreams. The final Shadow Trilogy song appears on the new album, song titled, Shadow’s End. Also, the final track off the new album closes the “Wintercoast” story with the sequals in their 2011 album, The City Sleeps and their 2007 album as well. This is quite rare when an artist connects albums together, I cannot recall the last time I heard an artist do that.
Upon the kickstart of the album, I immediately shifted my thoughts to a tribal atmosphere. The first beats of the opening song, Flux, definitely give way for some metal fist pumping and lead singer, Kim Seviour, with her enchanting vocals, carved the smooth path into the opening track. It is a catchy song I will admit, definitely a song I can listen to a few times over and over. The song also slows down with a very awesome ambient atmosphere I definitely enjoyed a lot, for keys are a definite underrated instrument, it most certainly brought me a sense of euphoria. The next track, Contact, starts slow but slowly escalates to a heavier song than initially thought. The guitars coinciding with Kim’s vocals definitely intertwine very well, I really liked this combination. A double whammy! Track 4, Fragments, starts off with some tribal drumming then 30 seconds later the charming chorus with Kim and Rob Cottingham come into play. It was really pleasing to hear both of their voices work together in the chorus, it’s quite the great bit. This song features somewhat of a breakdown snippet as well as familiar tunes a snake charmer would play, with a metal twist of course. Spirit of the Age, the next track is one of the slower ones, for most of the song is quite relaxing but that does not mean they can’t put in a nice heavy bit in here. There’s a part in the song that is quite heavy and something one could possibly headbang to and then after that, the song slows down again to something ambient and then the unique and somewhat psychedelic solo kicks in, which I will admit was a solo I definitely did not expect. It is definitely my favorite solo off this whole album. Shadows End, in my opinion is the ballad off Oceans of Time. This song has great emotion to it, both vocally and instrumentally, which I tend to lean toward more powerful songs in terms of emotion. Its just a satisfying song and the ending is just great, for the keyboard and guitar work together to bring the song to a close. Solace was a track who’s guitar solo caught my attention and caught me offguard. I was starting to get distracted but once the solo kicked in, my attention was diverted back. The final two tracks off the album are definitely a proper close to an album I underestimated. Thunder & Crickets is a short, just over one minute instrumental prelude that takes us into the depths of the final track, Oceans Of Time. What can I say about this final song? It’s one that’s I am able to lightly move my head to, definite signs of keys and advanced guitar work are present full of sweeps and arpeggios and of course lead vocal Kim with her tone perfect vocals take us down the journey. Some headbanging double bass and keys arrive last moment to close this near 1 hour album.
Beginning October 18, Touchstone, will embark on a mini 6-date tour in the UK to support the recent release of the album. The tour will be co-headlined by Finnish act, Von Hertzen Brothers. Please check them out if you are in the area. This album for me was definitely more guitar oriented than I initially thought. After hearing this album, I am most certainly going to check out their earlier works. This album and probably the band is recommended for people who are fans of Pink Floyd, Muse, Genesis and Yes. I am glad I heard this album, I can definitely dig deeper into the genre of progressive rock/metal. Hopefully we hear of bigger things from Touchstone. Stay Metal. m/
UK Tour Dates (with Von Hertzen Brothers)
Oct 18 King Tut’s, Glasgow
Oct 19 The Duchess, York
Oct 20 The Globe, Cardiff
Oct 25 The Garage, London
Oct 26 Eric’s Live, Liverpool
Oct 27 The Robin , Bilston
More information about the band can be found on their Official Website and Facebook Page.
The Metal Alchemy 