LOCK UP – THE DREGS OF HADES 8.5

 

So much more than just another all-star side project, Lock Up is a superb collection of highly decorated grindcore / death metal veterans proving without a doubt that they’re still as ferocious and lethal as when they first burst onto the scene forever and a day ago. The Dregs Of Hades is the fifth studio album from Lock Up, and the first to feature two lead vocalists – Kevin Sharp (Brutal Truth, Venomous Concept) and Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates, The Lurking Fear) – who successfully volley lyrics back and forth like a grenade with the pin pulled. Although bassist Shane Embury (Napalm Death, Brujeria) is the sole remaining original member of Lock Up, guitarist Anton Reisenegger (Criminal, Pentagram) has been with the band since 2006, and newly recruited drummer Adam Jarvis (Misery Index, Pig Destroyer) is a whirlwind force of damage and destruction.



After the haunting, cinematic intro “Death Itself, Brother Of Sleep”, Lock Up unleash on 13 truly combative songs, beginning with “Hell Will Plague The Ruins” – an extraordinary welcome back after the four-year gap since Lock Up’s last album, Demonization, was released in 2017. Taking it back to where it all began, original Lock Up vocalist Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain) lends his voice to the chorus of the title track. “Dark Force Of Conviction” harnesses chaos, creating an equally gritty and grimy number. “Nameless Death” is a brief but blistering blast beat affair. “Dead Legions” is thunderous and timeless, bound to provide both old-schoolers and newcomers with equal delight. “Triumph Of The Grotesque” is an exercise in glorious brutality. Personal favorite “A Sinful Life Of Power” decimates with its sheer heaviness. Much like an erupting volcano, “Ashes” cannot be contained. Unlike a lot of the new extreme bands today who just play fast and scream loud, Lock Up masterfully inject groove and volatility into layers of varied density. And album closer, “Crucifixion Of Distorted Existence”, is unlike anything that came before it; a doomy, Herculean, epic finale.

IRON FATE - CRIMSON MESSIAH 8.5

 

German outfit, laying somewhat dormant, for over a decade, returns with one of the hottest properties in the underground: a mix of high pitched (Queensrÿche/Fates Warning/Crimson Glory) inspired American ‘80s metal, with the occasional tinge of thrash aggression. No, not the MTV or Sunset Strip versions of "metal," but what was lurking in the grooves of compilations like the Metal Massacre series. To that end, Jag Panzer/Three Tremors/Titan Force/Satan's Host screamer Harry Conklin adds his considerable voice to "Crossing Shores" and there is a bonus (on CD format) of Black Sabbath's "Lost Forever" (off The Eternal Idol).

Energetic kick-off, with the title cut residing somewhere between the Ryche's initial EP and slightly technical John Arch sung platters from the mid-Eighties. Good stuff and intriguing enough to suck in even the most jaded metalhead. "Malleus Maleficatum" (also the title of the Pestilence debut, translates to Hammer Of The Witches, a 1483 book, written by a German Catholic clergyman) ups the ante, vocals venturing into Midnight (ex-Crimson Glory) territory. Down-shifting to smooth throat mid-tempo, "We Rule The Night" is the slightly commercialized vein of traditional metal at which Dio excelled.

The aforementioned "Crossing Shores" has the Tyrant in a duet with the Fate's Denis Brosowski, adopting a lower register, much of the time. Jangly guitar interplay and Tate-ish vocalizations give "Mirage" (apt title) the feel of the more famous Seattle Mindcrime merchants, particularly the chorus. Acoustic strumming introduces the nearly ten minute "Strangers (In The Mind)". Eventually, the whole band gets involved, and while the intensity is ratcheted up (slightly), the tune remains subtle and restrained throughout the initial 2/3. A ballad, if you like, which is suddenly broken by a wall of galloping guitar melodies and lofty vocal highs. Feels like a bit too exaggerated endurance for the eventually (albeit fulfilling) payoff. Ultimately ending, as it began, just the singer and electric-less six-string.

"Hellish Queen" marries that godly US metallic trinity into the album's standout bit: lively, easy sing-along (apart from the unattainable register), with a fist pumping authenticity. A speedy, almost neo-classical flourish opens the pounding "Guardians Of Steel", owing (an obvious) bit to Iron Maiden. "Saviors Of The Holy Lie" opts for a heretofore unheard Sabbathy sludge/heaviness. Odd, since the bonus cut also name checks Iommi's bunch, although "Lost Forever" is an up-tempo (dare I say "happy sounding") riff-ride.



Classy. People are losing their minds over the eponymous Helloween album. If just 1 in 10 of them would give Iron Fate a listen...

RAVENOUS – HUBRIS 7.5

oung power metal squadron Ravenous have returned with an energetic sophomore album, Hubris. An blissful combination of Euro power metal with speed metal; those looking for technicality and a surge of up-tempo anthems should give this one a look.

With the title Hubris, the band explains the album “tells ten stories from various sources all surrounding Hubris, the notion of arrogance and the hunger for power.” A unique lyrical theme, Ravenous also has the symphonic instrumentation interspersed throughout the music, but is not the main ingredient. They’ll spice up the speedy numbers with bells, accordions and an assortment of other symphonic, folk instruments and considering the album title – does take some Hubris to pull off. The searing guitars and bulging drumming with R. A. Voltaire’s commanding vocal presence are the main course, especially on the full steam ahead thrasher, “The Alder Queen” while “Astral Elixir” exudes guitar theatrics and stands out as one of the best tracks. “Son Of Storms” begins with a main melody reminiscent of the “Song Of Storms” that The Legend Of Zelda fans would be familiar with and “Onwards & Upwards” is the lone ballad, but not a skippable one – heeding an epic and heroic toil that will remind of Sabaton.

10-minute closer “…Of Beasts And Faust” begins softly which then explodes into a gallop that melds the melodic speed of Iron Savior and the anthemic, fist-pumping vocals of Powerwolf. Ravenous is one to watch in the power metal scene; be sure to give this one a look.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE - GLORY FOR SALVATION 9.0

 

J

ust to get you caught up, Rhapsody the band have been wielding a power metal sword riding the dragon with their own Italian classy touch since 1997 and the debut Legendary Tales. A name change happened in 2006 adding Of Fire, parting ways with guitarist/co-founder Luca Turilli in 2011, followed by singer Fabio Lione in 2016, and even a another version of the name Luca Turilli's Rhapsody, plus one as Turilli / Lione Rhapsody. Yeah, I know it’s a lot. But there’s more, by 2019 and the album Eighth Mountain enters singer Giacomo Voli joining lone original member Alex Staropoli (keyboards) who wrote the music, and a start of the The Nephilim's Empire Saga. Glory For Salvation is the second chapter.

To the music, Rhapsody of Fire have always embraced the best qualities of the best power metal from the ‘80s and ‘90s and Helloween, early Yngwie Malmsteen, Virgin Steele, Gamma Ray, Stratovarius, Angra, Kamelot, and Blind Guardian. Minus writing partner Turilli, Staropoli has carried on without missing a musical step. “Son Of Vengeance” retains all the elements with glorious keyboards and guitars, charging rhythms, melodies, solos. And how about that voice. Not taking any shots at Lione because he was great, but this change is for the better. Giacomo has all of Fabio’s Italian grace and heart, but with more range. Just listen to his vocal pre-guitar solo where it’s just him and keys, so inspiring. At song two “The Kingdom Of Ice”, Rhapsody think outside the box for the verses holding off on the standard rampaging power metal double bass for the chorus.



The title track, my second favorite, the guitar keyboard combo plays in unison and purposeful for the chorus. But “I’ll Be Your Hero”, damn does it takes the cake for best song on the album and in my top five for the year. Not only is the opening dramatic, but it perfectly sets up the main melody and arrangement. The verses are as infectious and triumphant as the hook, and how that high note Voli hits is. Into year two of the Covid 19 pandemic, and coming out of it, “I’ll Be Your Hero” is the feel good upbeat song we all need. Elsewhere you get spoken word and woodwinds in “Eternal Snow”/ “Terial The Hawk”, and ten minutes of layered dramatics during “Abyss Of Pain II” with moments of grittier vocals too. Icing on the cake is ballad “Magic Signs” where Voli shines and should be on Broadway.

DYNAZTY: CONFIRA O LYRIC VIDEO DO SINGLE “POWER OF WILL”

Os suecos do, Dynazty, confirmaram o lançamento seu oitavo disco de estúdio, intitulado: “Final Advent”, para o dia oito de abril, via AFM Records.


E, no dia três de dezembro, a banda lançou o segundo single que estará no próximo disco. O single, “Power of Will”, está disponível em todas plataformas digitais, e rendeu um lyric video, dirigido pela Grupa 13.

Com a data de lançamento do sucessor do disco, “The Dark Delight”, a banda honra a tradição de lançar um disco a cada dois anos.

Confira:

EVERGREY: BANDA ANUNCIA O DISCO AO VIVO “BEFORE THE AFTERMATH – LIVE IN GOTHENBURG”

 

Na última quarta-feira (8), os suecos do Evergrey, lançaram em todas plataformas digitais o single, “Weightless – Live in Gothenburg”. O single fará parte do disco ao vivo, gravado na cidade de Gotemburgo, Suécia, “Before The Aftermath – Live in Gothenburg”, que tem a previsão de lançamento para o dia 28 de janeiro, via AFM Records.




O vocalista, guitarrista e líder, Tom Englund, comentou: “Queremos trazer um pouco de música e positividade de volta às nossas vidas, porque sentimos falta de tocar ao vivo e de tocar música para você. Tocar é a nossa vida, e tem sido assim há algum tempo“

Além da versão digital, o disco sairá nos formatos: Digpak BluRay / 2CD e edições em vinil que, estão disponíveis para compra no site da banda.

Children of Bodom: Cinzas de Alexi Laiho são enterradas após longa disputa familiar

As cinzas de Alexi Laiho, vocalista, guitarrista e fundador da banda finlandesa Children of Bodom, foram finalmente enterradas, quase um ano após a morte do músico, supostamente devido a uma disputa familiar envolvendo a viúva de Laiho.

De acordo com Blabbermouth, as cinzas de Laiho foram enterradas no Cemitério de Malmi, localizado em Helsinque, na Finlândia. O processo teria demorado tanto por intervenção da viúva Kelli Wright-Laiho.

A viúva foi acusada por Anna, irmã de Laiho, de abusar de “seus direitos legais como viúva, evitando que uma mãe e um pai sepultassem o próprio filho. Sua explicação egoísta e narcisista é que ela queria participar do funeral e ainda quer estar presente quando as cinzas forem enterradas, mas nossa família não quer esse monstro por perto”, conforme publicou nas redes sociais.

Aparentemente, a família entrou em acordo para a decisão de enterrar as cinzas de Laiho na última quarta-feira, 08. “Finalmente, com emoções extremamente confusas, posso anunciar que as cinzas do MEU marido, incondicionalmente e para sempre amado, foram enterradas ontem no nosso 4º aniversário de casamento. O lote da família Laiho é onde ele foi enterrado”, comunicou Kelli.

A situação conjugal de Laiho é confusa, uma vez que o músico ainda era legalmente casado com Kimberly Goss, ex-esposa e colega de banda no Sinergy, com quem manteve amizade próxima mesmo após a separação e até os últimos dias de vida.

“Na terça-feira, 7 de dezembro, eu finalmente pude ter um serviço memorial privado com as cinzas de Aleksi e dizer um adeus apropriado antes que ele fosse sepultado no dia seguinte. Eu precisava desesperadamente desse encerramento e nunca vou me arrepender de ter certeza de que fui capaz de dizer um adeus final a ele. Estou arrasada com o tempo desnecessário que isso demorou e por qualquer dor que tenha causado, mas tenho consolo em saber que meu coração sempre esteve no lugar certo. Esta provação corroeu minha alma e estou tão grata que finalmente acabou. Eu o amei profundamente, desde o momento em que nos conhecemos até seu último suspiro e mais além. Um amor querido que resultou em uma amizade eterna”, escreveu nas redes sociais.

Alexi Laiho faleceu em 29 de dezembro de 2020, aos 41 anos de idade, vítima de consequências do alcoolismo, conforme relatado na causa da morte. O músico deixou um EP gravado com o Bodom After Midnight. O projeto foi lançado em abril deste ano como forma de homenagear os últimos trabalhos do artista.