Review: After Forever | After Forever

Conceived during 1995, Netherland's After Forever's ranks witnessed the addition of vocalist Floor Jansen two years later. Two demos followed, namely Wings of Illusion and Ephemeral (both released during 1999). Debut full length Prison of Desire saw distribution in 2000, and sophomore effort Desire came in 2001...

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Review: Anterior | This Age of Silence

Teen Welsh act Anterior debut with the full length effort This Age of Silence, issued via Metal Blade Records. Anterior started life in late 2003, comprising individuals whose mere age was seventeen at the time. In their brief yet colourful live career, the group have shared the stage with such illustrious outfits as Dragonforce, Himsa, The Black Dahlia Murder, 3 Inches of Blood and Mendeed amongst a host of others. Their work ethic made a positive impression on 3 Inches of Blood bassist (at the time) Brian Redman, causing him to comment in November 2005; “Anterior rocked everyone's balls off! They were amazing, these kids could fucking play!”. June 2007 finally spawned their inaugural album, much to the anticipation of awaiting fans...

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Review: The Arcane Order | In the Wake of Collisions

In the realms of Metal, The Arcane Order ranks amongst the greatest kept secrets. To adequately trace the group's initial beginnings, one's research needs to delve into the history of guitarist Flemming C. Lund...

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Review: Arsis | We Are the Nightmare

Christened after a musical term meaning “silence”, Arsis was formed in the year 2000 by Berklee College of Music students James Malone (guitarist / songwriter) and Michael Van Dyne (drums). Two demos respectively issued in 2001 and 2002 (later collected under the title As Regret Becomes Guilt, and issued via Negative Existence in December 2007 with two alternative studio takes hitherto unreleased) circulated within the underground, and stimulated metallic waves...

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Review: Avantasia | The Scarecrow

Avantasia can trace its very roots back to the period when Blind Guardian frontman Hansi Kürsch cut guest vocals in support of Edguy's third album, entitled Vain Glory Opera (1998), the respective tracks being “Out of Control” and the title song. Edguy vocalist Tobias Sammet was impressed by Kürsch's delivering the vocal lines Sammet himself had penned, and so held thoughts of penning Rock opera within a gigantic framework...

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Review: Axel Rudi Pell | Diamonds Unlocked

One of Germany's outstanding axemen, namely Axel Rudi Pell (ex-Steeler), issues Diamonds Unlocked after notching up over a dozen studio albums under its belt. Consisting of no more then eleven covers, it includes tracks by The Who, U2, Kiss, Free and Phil Collins amongst other artists. Joining Pell are; Johnny Gioeli (ex-Hardline) donates vocals, Ferdy Doernberg (Rough Silk, Uli Jon Roth) supplies keyboards, Volker Krawczak (Ex-Steeler) handles bass and Mike Terrana (Rage) steps behind the drumkit. Pell self-produced the album, while Charlie Bauerfiend (boasting credits mixing Helloween and Blind Guardian) mixed the effort...

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Review: Brainstorm | Downburst

Assembled almost two decades ago during 1989, Brainstorm's inaugural lineup consisted of guitarists Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric, whereas Dieter Bernert stepped behind the drumkit. Initial demo Hand of Doom emerged a year later in 1990, a foundation built upon with further demo material (1992's Heart of Hate and 1994's The Fifth Season respectively). Brainstorm didn't actually ink a record deal until 1997, unmistakable proof of their devotion towards the Heavy Metal genre...

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Review: Candlemass | King of the Grey Islands

King of the Grey Islands sees Swedish Doom masters Candlemass march onwards with a ninth studio effort, a commendable feat in itself when the circumstances surrounding its initial pregnancy and ultimate birth are taken into consideration. Before vocal parts on behalf of singer Messiah Marcolin could even be committed to tape, yet again he parted ways with the group. Left to salvage the pieces once more, Leif Edling and company didn't waste a breath in hiring a new vocalist for their 2007 opus; step forward Robert Lowe of Texan act Solitude Aeturnus...

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Review: Cataract | Cataract

Initially a project between members of Mine, Damage I. D. and Cease, Cataract saw the light of day during the summer of 1998. Swiss Hardcore legends, the abused Metalcore genre is where Cataract's material is usually filed under. A 1999 demonstration CD, laid down in six hours and mixed in another four subsequent hours, was cut in the bedroom of vocalist Christian “Mosh” Ebert. In all, that demo notched up over two thousand purchases. Following several compilation appearances, Cataract opted to record an inaugural full length with producer Alessandro Azzali during April 2000...

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Review: Chimaira | Resurrection

Resurrection marks Chimaira's debut effort for Nuclear Blast, Records (Europe) / Ferret Records (US), the group having turned down a contract extension by Roadrunner Records. Also noteworthy is the return of drummer Andols Herrick, helming the drumkit for proper studio recordings for the first time since 2003's The Impossibility of Reason. An apt title? Only Chimaira could answer that question, though rest assured the Cleveland outfit will wish to prove their commercial success can continue well after their terminated relationship with Roadrunner...

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Review: Chrome Division | Doomsday Rock 'N' Roll

Chrome Division can trace their history as far back as 1999, when Dimmu Borgir vocalist Stian “Shagrath” Tomt Thoresen (on rhythm guitar) and Stian “Lex Icon” Arnesen (on drums) jammed following group rehearsals...

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Review: Clawfinger | Life Will Kill You

Life Will Kill You arrives a mere two years after 2005's Hate Yourself With Style, another full length effort from the Swedish Crossover act Clawfinger. Way back in 1988 the band grouped together, the result of fellow music fanatics Zak Tell and Jocke Skog working within the same hospital. 1993 debut Deaf Dumb Blind shifted more than 600, 000 copies worldwide, while other albums which intended to build on this followed. Life Will Kill You was self-produced inside Fear and Loathing Studios in Spanda, Sweden, a studio Clawfinger co-run with fellow friends Meshuggah...

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Review: Desaster | 666 - Satan's Soldiers Syndicate

Named after the Destruction track “Total Desaster”, Desaster's beginnings can be traced as far back as 1988. Though issuing demos in 1993 and 1994, it wasn't until 1996 that first album A Touch of Medieval Darkness hit the shelves. 1998's Hellfire’s Dominion and 2000's Tyrants of the Netherworld followed in succession, though vocalist Okkulto left the band in the summer of 2001 after several appearances at festivals such as Fuck the Commerce and the Wacken Open Air. Sataniac filled the vocal position, boasting credentials as the former mainman of German Black / Thrash Metal group Divine Genocide. Divine Blasphemies came in 2002, while Metal Blade debut Angelwhore saw release three years later. Harrow Studios in Holland provided a venue where sixth album 666 - Satan's Soldiers Syndicate could be recorded, the band entering the location in May 2007...

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Review: Destruction | Thrash Anthems

An album with such a confident, ill conceived title as Thrash Anthems would usually meet a lukewarm reception, though this effort is certainly an exception to the rule. Like Ronseal, it does what it says on the tin. Perfect, simple and modest - in short, the name says it all. With fellow countrymen Sodom and Kreator, Destruction were part of the main three of Teutonic Thrash Metal. Fast forward two decades, and what you virtually have is a best of compilation in some respects...

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Review: Echoes of Eternity | The Forgotten Goddess

The Forgotten Goddess proves to be another album from a group Nuclear Blast wish to groom for future success, this time Californian act Echoes of Eternity. In 2005 the collective of longtime friends Brandon Patton (guitars) and Kirk Carrison (drums), not to mention the additions of Francine Boucher (vocals) and Duane Cowan (bass), opted to form a group. By 2006 a deal with Nuclear Blast was inked, thus spawning this February 2006 debut...

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Review: Eden's Curse | Eden's Curse

Eden's Curse's roots can be traced as far back as January 2006, the very same month that both songwriter / bassist Paul Logue (Cry Havoc) and American singer opted to oversee the eventual birth of a Metal group. Erstwhile Paul Dianno's Killers / The Shock sticksman Pete Newdeck (currently of the Steve Grimmett Band) was asked to step behind the drumkit, and all three embarked on the quest to recruit a guitarist. A friendship happened to nurture between Logue and Evidence One / Midnite Club vocalist Carsten “Lizard” Schulz (formerly of Domain), and through that friendship Schulz introduced Code of Perfection axeman Thorsten Koehne (ex-Demon Drive / Attack). In late June 2006, current Axel Rudi Pell, Uli Jon Roth and Rough Silk keyboardist Ferdy Doernberg joined the fold on a permanent basis...

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Review: Elvenking | The Scythe

Formed in October 1997, Italy's Elvenking came to fruition via the efforts of fellow guitarists Aydan and Jarpen, both of whom shared a mutual passion for both folklore and Metal music. Shortly after, Sargon joined on bass. Damnagoras was recruited in March 1998, and Zender stepped behind the drumkit in September. Recorded and mixed by Luigi Stefanini at New Sin Studios during January 2000, self-released demo To Oak Woods Bestowed secured the group a record contract with AFM Records...

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Review: Enemy of the Sun | Shadows

A mastermind largely responsible for the mighty Grip, Inc., Waldemar Sorychta's other 2007 project materialises as Enemy of the Sun (Eyes of Eden's Faith having been released during August 2007). When it comes to affirmed acts such as The Gathering, Moonspell, Lacuna Coil, and Tiamat, Sorychta played a key role in establishing their growing reputations...

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Review: Epica | The Divine Conspiracy

In collaboration with axeman Sander Gommans, Mark Jansen gave birth to Dutch Gothic Metal act After Forever. After cutting two full lengths in the form of Prison of Desire and Decipher during a seven year period, Jansen developed an irrepressible urge to spread his creative wings. Thus, Jansen founded Sahara Dust (later renamed Epica)...

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Review: Eyes of Eden | Faith

Straight from the brainchild of underground metal mainstay Waldemar Sorychta, Eyes of Eden comprises one of the German musician's two new projects (the other being Enemy of the Sun). Unless you are an obsessive reader of liner notes or listen exclusively to heavy music, then Sorychta's name may not be instantly recognizable. However, as soon as the names of such revered groups as Grip, Inc. and Despair enter the conversation, the memory lapse gradually fades...

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Review: Freedom Call | Dimensions

German Melodic Power Metal act Freedom Call returns to the fore with fifth album Dimensions, largely recorded at FC Studios in Nuremberg, Germany. Drum parts were cut at Area 51 in Celle under the direction of Tommy Newton. Freedom Call co-founder and drummer Daniel Zimmerman has claimed the album combines the “most successful” elements from the record's two predecessors, namely 2002's Eternity and 2005's The Circle of Life respectively; “we included our penchant for fast and very melodic numbers from Eternity with a more contemporary, bombastic components of The Circle Of Life.” True? Let's find out...

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Review: Gorefest | Rise to Ruin

Three years following their decision to reform in the summer of 2004, Dutch Death Metal act Gorefest continue their renewed musical passion with 2007's Rise to Ruins. Nine years into their history, Gorefest had elected to throw in the towel during 1998 after a brace of releases. Nuclear Blast's reissue campaign introduced the group's catalogue to a new audience, pairing such efforts as 1993's False and 1995's Erase together in double disc compilation formats. Those Metal fanatics with warm pleasures invested in 2005's comeback album La Muerte had a batch of other material to familiarise themselves with, and festival appearances such as that at Wacken improved their profile. Gorefest Danish producer Tue Madsen lent both production and mixing duties to Rise to Ruin, all done at the producer's Antfarm Studios in Aarhus, Denmark...

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Review: Heaven Shall Burn | Iconoclast (Part 1: The Final Resistance)

Originally formed under the title Consense in 1996's autumn, Saalfeld, Germany's Heaven Shall Burn adopted their current moniker (after the 1996 Marduk album Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered) in 1997. Marcus Bischoff supplies vocals, Eric Bischoff occupies bass, Maik Weichert strums guitar, and Matthias Voigt is behind the drumkit...

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Review: Helloween | Gambling With the Devil

Nowadays, German Power Metal legends Helloween maintain a busy schedule. In August 2004, it was rumoured that the two decade old group had inked a deal with SPV Records...

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Review: I | Between Two Worlds

I has been tagged in the Metal press as a Norwegian supergroup, boasting members of none other than Immortal, Gorgoroth and Enslaved amongst their ranks. Immortal lyricist Demonaz handles the words to all the songs, although doesn't undertake any instrumental duties. Only a single live appearance they've committed, and that was in August 2006 at the Hole in the Sky festival in Bergen, Norway...

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Review: Lion's Share | Emotional Coma

The last time the Metal listening population heard new material from Swedish act Lion's Share was way back in 2001, namely their lone release for Massacre Records entitled Entrance. Since that time, the group's mainman Lars Chriss went on a break to recharge the collective batteries, and revamped the group lineup. Patrik Johansson joined the ranks in 2003, and since that time has carved a career with bands like Astral Doors and Wuthering Heights. With Sampo Axelsson recruited for bass duties a year later, the lineup was complete. Several years work has evolved into Emotional Coma, the long awaited follow up. Featuring Richard Evensand (ex-Chimaira, Therion, Soilwork) on session drums, an appearance at Sweden Rocks 2007 aims to crown Lion's Share's return...

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Review: Made of Hate | Bullet In Your Head

Initially known under the moniker Archeon, Made of Hate was formed during the spring / summer of 2001 in Warsaw, Poland. The brainchild of lead guitarist Michal Kostrzynski and rhythm guitarist Michal Tomaszewski, both erstwhile members of a Black Metal outfit, Janek Lesniak accepted an invitation to join the ranks as keyboardist...

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Review: Napalm Death | Punishment in Capitals

Forming in 1981, Napalm Death are hailed as the originators of Grindcore music. The style came to life when the band set their signature “grinding” guitar sounds atop a recognizably energetic Hardcore sound. The result is a fury of sound which has thus far lasted thirteen studio albums, nine EPs, four live albums and a vast array of split CDs, 7”, demos, singles, and compilations. For the modern Grindcore fan, it can be hard to associate Napalm Death’s sound with the trends of 2007. These trends prominently features bands like The Red Chord, Cattle Decapitation, and Birdflesh. The style has certainly evolved, abandoning the Punk / DIY ethic that carried Napalm Death all the way to the top...

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Review: Obituary | Xecutioner's Return

When the name Slowly We Rot is spoken in Death Metal circles, astute admirers immediately know the full length being conversed over. Cut at Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida with now legendary producer Scott Burns, the tapes were laid down via an eight-track machine. Initially pencilled for release by Borivoj Krgin's Godly Records, Krgin exposed the group in question to none other than Monte Conner, A&R of Roadrunner Records. That chronicles the tale of how Death Metal pioneers Obituary inked a record deal way back in 1989...

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Review: Opeth | Watershed

On November 1^st 2007, Stockholm, Sweden's Progressive Metal act Opeth entered Fascination Street studios in the group's native Sweden to cut the group's ninth studio album. Staying there until December 13^th 2007, some additional recording occurred between January 3^rd and January 7^th 2008. In February, the title of Opeth's ninth studio album was revealed: Watershed...

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Review: Paths of Possession | The End of the Hour

Metal Blade Records mainman Brian Slagel approached (George “Corpsegrinder”) Fisher (Cannibal Corpse vocalist) to sign Paths of Possession, and so the band inked the deal in writing during 2005. St. Petersburg, Florida's Mana Recording Studios provided the location to cut a full length, while Hate Eternal mainman Erik Rutan joined the project in a production capacity. Promises In Blood surfaced in October 2005. The End of the Hour marks the October 2007 follow up to Promises In Blood, delivered two years previous...

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Review: Pestilence | Mind Reflections

Those who particularly admire late eighties / early nineties Thrash Metal should certainly be familiar with the legendary Pestilence. Between 1988 to 1993, four studio albums were issued. Incorporating influences which range from Jazz fusion to Thrash Metal, Pestilence never embraced their roots with confusion. In addition, the group continually challenged Thrash's limits...

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Review: President Evil | Hell In A Box

Bremen, Germany's President Evil was formed on 13^th December 2002, composed of members who belonged to different projects within Bremen's music scene...

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Review: Six Feet Under | Commandment

Florida goremeisters Six Feet Under follow 2005's 13 two years later with seventh studio release Commandment, another slab of pain, suffering and human catastrophy. Basic tracks were committed to tape at Mana Recording in St. Petersburg, Florida while vocalist Chris Barnes went to the Hit Factory in Miami, Florida to cut his vocal tracks. As ever, engineer / friend Chris Carroll helped Barnes give his best possible performance, and with some veteran Death Metal pedigree amongst their lineup anticipation is rather high...

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Review: Sodom | In the Final Sign of Evil

In 1984, a German group from Gelsenkirchen inked their first record deal. That band was Sodom, and that year they cut their inaugural EP In the Sign of Evil. Over the years, it went on to notch up global sales of over 150, 000 copies and became a milestone in the Thrash Metal genre. Devil's Game, the issuing label, didn't have much faith in the act following rough mixes of the first five recorded tracks. The production team concurred, and those fives songs comprised together made that initial EP. In 2007, SPV asked the original members if they had any unreleased tracks from that time...

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Review: Sonic Syndicate | Only Inhuman

For those of you blissfully unaware of Sonic Syndicate and their musical pedigree, let's take you on a crash course in their rudimentary background. Hailing from Falkenberg, Sweden, the young sextet feature the 3 Sjunnesson brothers - Richard supplying vocals, with Roger and Robin both handling guitars. In a quest to discover fresh talent, in 2005's summer German label Nuclear Blast launched a competition simply dubbed "Band contest" which garnered over 1, 500 entrants. As you've likely surmised, Sonic Syndicate garnered the lucrative prize, and to cut a long story short now offer fresh material to stand against 2005's Eden Fire...

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Review: Virgin Black | Requiem - Fortissimo

Their fourth full length, Adelaide, Australia's Virgin Black meticulously plot a triumphant return to the world of extreme in writing the third (and second to be issued) installment of the Requiem trilogy, namely Fortissimo...

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