Aurora Borealis
On all fronts “Relinquish”, the fourth Aurora Borealis full-length, was a return to the past. Not since “Praise the Archaic Lights Embrace” had the band sounded so overtly death metal. The most important reason for this increase in heaviness and speed can be contributed to a returning Tony Laureano, who
Coven
The debut and, by extent, career of Swedish combo Luciferion is one of unfulfilled potential and a long periods of inactivity due to commitments from its membership. This Swedish all-star death metal band is based around Polish guitar virtuoso Wojtek Lisicki - most famous for his work with power metal
Antonio Conti
“Theories Of Light”, the debut of Italian combo Nümph, presents an interesting variation on a sound prevalent during the second half of the 1990s. In essence “Theories Of Light” is a contemporary variation of the atmospheric dark metal sound cultivated by the likes of Alastis, and Tiamat during the 90s.
death metal
With “Revelations” Polish death metal institution Vader reached a comfortable state of familiarity with its new style and procured a stable working relationship with Metal Blade Records. The album follows the template from “Litany” to a fault, but is more groovy and less overbearing in terms of percussion. It is
death metal
Dreamgrave was formed in Szeged, Hungary in 2007 by Dömötör Gyimesi (vocals, guitar). After releasing the “Deadborn Dreams” demo in 2009 the line-up disintegrated leaving founding member Gyimesi to rebuild the band. “Presentiment” is the recording debut of the new line-up. Consistent of quality in terms of songwriting, production, and
David Vincent
On their second album Morbid Angel defied expectations and went in the exact opposite direction of what was expected from them. Much more deliberately paced, and downright doomy in parts, “Blessed Are the Sick” is a much more ambitious and conceptually stronger release than its predecessor. Where “Altars Of Madness”
Berthus Westerhuys
“The Feast Begins At Dawn”, the debut record of Dutch technical thrash metal mavens Dead Head, was one of incredible controlled chaos and awe-inspiring musicianship, it was also marred by a rather dry and overly processed production. Dead Head formed in 1989 in Kampen, the Netherlands and played technical thrash
Adorior
It is the little heard bands that are often the best. Adorior is one of the earlier female-fronted underground metal bands to rise to prominence before the genre’s explosion in the early millennium. Having formed in 1994 in Sutton, they are half a decade late to be considered of
Candlelight Records
When “Genocide” hit the marketplace the Polish death metal scene was well established, and internationally known for its craftsmanship and impressive technicality. Yattering, the band to name itself after a demon from a Clive Barker novel, had always been a tad different than most. While more conventional and straightforward than
electronica
As a critic every few years you stumble upon bands that defy easy categorization. This can happen for any number of reasons. Some bands end up combining so many disparate elements that none of it resembles anything recognizable, other bands – as is the case with folk/rock band Serpentyne – fuse
Aurora Borealis
Upon completion of “Time, Unveiled” Waldorf, Maryland death/black metal unit Aurora Borealis had perfected its brand of Scandinavian underground metal. Aided by a new drummer with Tim Yeung mainman Ron Vento set to write the band’s most concise effort. To the point is exactly what most fittingly describes
Benjamin Joubert
France has a well-established history in electronic music, especially the French Touch movement that was pioneered by the likes of Jean-Michel Jarre and Cerrone. In the late 1990s and early 2000s the French Euro dance substyle was prevalent everywhere thanks to the success of diverse artists as Air, Cassius, Daft