Walking Dead On Broadway unveiled the cover and tracklist of their upcoming album "Slaves". The ones of you having a passion for deathcore should mark already November 11th in the agenda as the release date of "Slaves" that comes via Arising Empire.

Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Pitchblack
03. Cage
04. Haunted
05. Silen
06. Slaves
07. Scapegoat
08. 01110010
09. The Sinner
10. Death Pilgrim
 

It was twenty years ago when Led Zeppelin unveiled the BBC-Sessions on a double CD set, including live recordings for BBC radio between 1969 and 1971.

This release is a new and extended version that will be available from September 16th as "The Complete BBC Sessions". Each of the tracks is remastered under the direction of Jimmy Page himself and another great extra on this release are eight unreleased tracks that will be on this new version, including three songs out of the 'Lost Session' from March 1969.

A highlight is for sure  "Communication Breakdown (BBC in Concert - Paris Theatre version)" which wasn't released up till now. Initially the recording was intended to be part of the BBC program "In Concert" and was recorded on April 1st, 1971 in London, UK.

This new package comes in different formats via Atlantic/Swan Songs. It will be available as 3 CD set, 5 LP set, Super Deluxe Box-Set (3 CD / 5 LP) and various digital formats.

"The Serpent Only Lies" is the title of the upcoming Crowbar album. The longplayer of the New Orleans sludge matsers will be released on October 28th via Steamhammer/SPV. The artwork was done by Eliran Kantor who already worked for bands like Testament and Soulfly. Stay tuned for more.

(7/10) It's not that easy to place this album. Is this now a new release of Kuolemanlaakso? Not really. Is it a solo album of M. Laakso? Yes, at least to a certain extend. "Vol.1 - The Gothic Tapes" is neither death nor doom. It's like what the title says, gothic songs done by Laakso himself (V/g/key), Tiera (d) and Usva on bass guitar.
The album sounds like a mixture with HIM, Nick Cave and Sisters Of Mercy. That the latter have been a source of inspiration for Laakso becomes more than obvious with "Where the River Runs Red". You just want to join on, singing "Temple of Love", but wait, it's another chorus. Besides the fact that the song is close to a copycat it belongs to the real cool ones on the album. Maybe it's my wish for another great Sisters Of Mercy release that drives my appreciation, anyhow, the tune has the potential to become an underground club hit.
The start of the album is painful. It's not the song that raises pain, it's more the deperate mood that comes with "Children of the Night". These kids are definitaly not happy ones.
And there is "She Guided Me in My Dreams" which is kept slower than some of the other tracks. It has a moaning verse that underlines the gothic vibe a lot.
I mentioned Nick Cave earlier and the beginning of "My Last Words" could be from the iconic singer. The tune has some more heavy outburst along the way, but in the end it's a sad song with all shades of melancholy.
In the end "Vol. 1 - The Gothic Tapes" will be a highlight for gothic fans that prefer darkness and candles more than sun and beer.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Children of the Night
2. Roll the Dice with the Devil
3. Where the River Runs Red
4. The World's Intolerable Pain
5. She Guides Me ib My Dreams
6. No Absolution
7. Deeper Into the Unkown
8. My Last Words

Label: Svart Records

Genre: Gothic Metal

Release Date EU: August 26th, 2016

Almost a year to the day Queensryche came to The Netherlands for two shows, supported by the mighty Armored Saint and newcomers Beyond The Black. At that time the guys from Seattle played at the Melkweg in Amsterdam with singer Todd La Torre suffering from a bad flu. The band still played the show, something that shows the level of dedication of these five guys.

This year Queensryche planned a stop in Zoetermeer and everybody was in good health. Compared to last time the support acts might have been less popular, which doesn't say anything about the quality of their show.

It was Italian prog metal quintet Methodica who started with the task of warming up the crowd for the main act of this evening. The guys can look back on two album releases which have been the base for their set. The band did a pretty good job even though things sounded sometimes a bit puristic. However, the venue was already half filled when the band from Verona began their show and people stayed in the room. I think that this is an impressive signal for the band that did their best to get people into the right mood.

After this more epical start into the evening it was time for some true heavy metal. Archer Nation came the long way from Santa Cruz to Zoetermeer with a lot of furious metal in their bag. The show of this three-piece band included everything a metal show should contain. Wild headbanging, furious riffs, sweat and powerful songs is what people got to hear in the 30 minutes lasting show of Archer Nation. These guys seriously warmed up the audience for the Queensryche and nobody could stand still during this half hour.

Before Queensryche could enter the stage it was time for a set change. I guess there have been some technical issues that asked for being solved before the metal legend from Seattle could start. The break took a little bit too long, but after 45 minutes obviously all cables found the right outlet and the show could begin.

As mentioned in the beginning, this time everybody was in good health and full of energy. It felt like the band being really in a good mood, enjoying the show themselves. It is more than proven in the meantime that Todd La Torre isn't only an excellent singer; this guy is a real frontman that can entertain the fans with excellent vocals but also a presence on stage that some other frontman might miss. Talking about presence on stage, also Michael Wilton put himself more and more into the frontlight which I think is good. An almost introvert and focussed guitar play changed with well done solos in front of the fans with some great metal poses.

It feels anyhow like the band's growing more and more together. Parker Lundgren is fully integrated in the band and the same goes of course for La Torre. And that the founding members Jackson and Rockenfield provide a more than solid foundation for Queensryche songs is a fact that we know from day one. Jackson set with his bass a constant groove for this night by not really looking for the spotlight. He filled the venue with the rhythm that was in an almost clockwork precise synchronization with Rockenfield's powerful drumming.

I have seen Queensryche three times over the last few years and when it comes to their setlist things constantly change. The guys could play it safe and only focus on the 'hits'. Actually they are partly doing this, but it was only three songs that have been played in all three shows I have seen - "Empire", "Jet Set Woman" and "Eyes of a Stranger". The rest constantly changed and shows the width of classic the band has in their musical bagpack.

This time the quintet, of course, played songs from the latest release "Condition Human", but also the most successful Queenryche track, "Silent Lucidity", could make it on the setlist. Even "Damaged" from "Promised Land" was performed as well as a great version of "Screaming in Digital".

All in all it was a great night with Queensryche that had one little downer too - the guys could have played longer. 75 minutes isn't too long for a band that has so many great songs in their discography. Maybe good to add 2-3 more songs next time; fans would love it. However, Queensryche found back to old strength, are re-energized and performed as a rock; something that was confirmed in Zoetermeer.

​Setlist Queensryche:

1. Guardian 
2. Operation: Mindcrime
3. Best I Can
4. Damaged 
5. The Killing Words
6. The Mission
7. Silent Lucidity
8. Empire
9. Eye 9 
10. Queen of the Reich
11. Jet Set Woman
12. Take Hold of the Flame
13. Screaming in Digital (Encore)
14. Eyes of a Stranger (Encore)

Location: Cultuurpodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands

Date: August 29th, 2016

(7/10) Helstar isn't one of these bands that releases records on a very regular base. Sometimes it took the guys 1-2 years while the gap between "Glory of Chaos" and "The Wicked Nest" was four years. However, Helstar is back these days with a brand new longplayer called "Vampiro" and I guess the title rings a bell. 27 years after having had released their fantastic "Nosferatu" album, a milestone in power metal, James Rivera, Larry Barragan and Co. worked again with tales about Dracula and vampires.

On the one hand it's a great sign that the guys are looking back to their roots in the nineties while on the other hand there is a risk that they can't live up to the high-level quality fourth album.

Now, after having listened to the new album several times, I can state that both is correct. "Vampiro" is a well-done power metal record that features eleven new tracks, providing fans with almost an hour of US metal. However, there is the 'but', that the new album can't reach the quality level of "Nosferatu".

Let's keep this comparison out of the picture and put the focus on "Vampiro". First thing that stands out is the length of the songs. A lot of them is five minutes and more and this is a bit of a downer. I have the feeling that each of these tracks could have made a stronger impact if they would have been more spot on. The other thing is, that if you've heard the first half of the album you can predict what to expect on the second leg of your "Vampiro" journey. This is a bit of a pity, knowing about the musical capabilities of the band members. Rivera proves again that he's a real metal siren, covering a wide vocal range. Especially the high-pitches are as good as we're used to. Larry Barragan and Andrew Atwood are doing an excellent job and the twin guitars are enriching the album a lot, while the rhythm section with Smith and Lewis is pushing hard.

Anyhow, highlights are the opener "Into the Darkness" with a longer instrumental introduction followed by Helstar-typical vocallines. It takes a while to get into the song, but it belongs to the ones that's gaining over time. The real highlight is positioned in the middle of the tracklist and is called "From the Pulpit to the Pit". It contains all a good Helstar song demands: furious guitars, a heavy thundering rhythm section and raging level of energy.

A song you should also listen to is "Black Cathedral" which belongs with its dynamic and density to the winners on "Vampiro". After this metal strom the final track "Dreamless Sleep" feels more like an acoustic outro .

Fans of Helstar will dig this record but I wonder if the guys can get new fans on their side. "Vampiro" became a robust power metal record with some progressive sideglances and a lot of newcomer bands would be happy having an album like this in their discography. Good stuff with some potential.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Awaken Into Darkness
2. Blood Lust
3. To Dust You Will Become
4. Off With His Head
5. From the Pulpit to the Pit
6. To Their Death Beds They Fell
7. Malediction
8. Repent in Fire
9. Abolish the Sun
10. Black Cathedral
11. Dreamless Sleep

Label: EMP Label Group

Genre: Power Metal

Release Date EU: August 26th, 2016

(8/10) If you belong to the group of metalheads that includes Stormwitch's "The Beauty and the Beast" to their personal favorites than you should check-out this album. After the first notes of "Beyond the Veil" I felt like being back in the 80's when the guys from Gerstetten, Germany had their peak moment.

For the ones of you that never heard about Dark Forest up till now, it's a five-piece band from Dudley, England that started back in 2002. "Beyond the Veil" is the fourth full-length album of these five metal maniacs, following the 2014 release "The Awakening". Main trademarks of Dark Forest's music is traditional metal that includes some folk elements and medieval inspiration. The end result feels like the old Stormwitch sound from the early days have been beamed into the here and now. "Beyond the Veil" comes across as an harmonic and authentic metal album that includes a higher entertainment factor.

"Blackthorn", as one example, is a melodic uptempo metal anthem with great hooks and the right dose of heaviness. But there's some Blind Guardian included as well. The fast "The Wild Hunt" is due to its speed one of these tracks that reminds the listener of the guys from Krefeld. Also the acoustic middle part is a well placed break that shows some Iron Maiden influences - something that makes things just more exciting.

Also to mention are Josh Winnard's vocals - it's a wide range he can cover and it's the high pitches he hits spot-on. This guy is one of the biggest assets of Dark Forest.

All in all I must say that I'm impressed of what the guys put on "Beyond the Veil". This is true traditional metal in the best meaning of the word. Dark Forest revives early days of metal and a lot of personal memories.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. On the Edge of Twilight
2. Where the Arrow Falls
3. Autumn's Crown
4. Blackthron
5. Lunantishee
6. The Wild Hunt
7. Earthbound
8. The Undying Flame
9. Men-an-Tol
10. Beyond the Veil
11. Ellylldan
12. The Lore of the Land

Label: Cruz Del Sur Music

Genre: Heavy Metal

Release Date EU: August 26th, 2016

(9/10) A few days ago Tarja published "The Shadow Self" which is the second album of this double-header release package that features next to the current longplayer also "The Brightest Void" which is in the record stores since a few weeks.

"The Brightest Void" was a good album that was meant to be a warming-up for the secong one and I had my doubts of the Finnish soprano could notch up her performance. To say it loud and clear - yes, she could. "The Shadow Self" became, at least in my humble opinion, the strongest and best album the singer released up till today. This longplayer will enable her to leave the constant Nighwish comparisons far behind and "The Shadow Self" has enough own identity and maturity to stand on its own on strong feet.

As mentioned in some earlier reviews, I'm not the biggest fan of classic opera vocals combined with heavy guitar riffs. The contrast is too big which means that it's hard to create songs that stand like a rock.

However, Tarja teaches me better. "The Shadow Self" includes heavily downtuned guitars with a very modern riffing. For a few moments I was reminded even of bands like Lacuna Coil when I listened to the intense opener "Innocence". But it's not only the guitars that positively surprised me. Tarja's vocals are a perfect match and the vocallines contribute to the songs itself rather than showing the etire potetial of the singers impressive soprano. This entire song became not less than a masterpiece of female fronted metal with hardness when needed and bombastic pianos as a counterpart, all enriched by outstanding vocals and a dark vibe.

Song two comes with some unexpected elements. What a funky start of a track that develops into a riff monster with a catchy chorus. And it's the moment when Arch Enemey's Alissa White-Gluz adds some vocals/grunts. Doing this was a masterstroke, not only because the song becomes very dynamic; it might be also the opener of "The Shadow Self" for metalheads that maybe left Tarja albums aside up till now. The triple that kicks-off the album gets completed by "No Bitter End". The general pattern stays the same but the start of the song is a very harmonic one before the earlier mentioned harsh guitars break this peaceful silence.

Also to mention "Supremecy". The song from Muse sounded already pretty good in the original version and Tarja's interpretation can easily live up to it.

A song that keeps the soulful component from beginning till end is "The Living End", a composition that, with its bagpipe support, sounds like taken from the "Highlander"-soundtrack. This tune has an epic impression and is made for Tarja's wide vocal range.

Also the ending is a melodic and harmonic one. "Too Many" is kept in a slower pace and comes without any of these furious moments I mentioned earlier. It's a beautiful rock song with good harmonies and some orchestral outburst halfway.

"The Shadow Self" is a pure ear candy - for Tarja fans as well as for music enthusiasts that could don't anything with songs from the Finn so far.

(9/10)

Tracklist:

1. Innocence
2. Demons in You
3. No Bitter End
4. Love to Hate
5. Supremacy
6. The Living End
7. Diva
8. Eagle Eye
9. Undertaker
10. Calling From the Wild
11. Too Many

Label: earMUSIC

Genre: Symphonic Metal

Release Date EU: August 5th, 2016

(8/10) It was end of the eighties when I heard New Model Army for the first time. It was on almost endless rotation every weekend in the local underground club and I can't say how often they played "51st State" and "Vagabonds". Especially the latter was a real smasher that made the people go wild and both songs still belong to the best ones Justin Sullivan ever wrote.

Since that moment in time I'm following the band that release many more records, without having any real disappointment in their discography. New Model Army found their special niche and created a sound that can be identified immediately as being from Sullivan and Co.

The new album is preparing the listener for the coming winter period, even though it feels something that's far away while sitting with 35 degrees Celsius. "Winter" starts with the epic "Beginning", a slow seven minutes long opener that acts like a well-chosen introduction. It's an intensive piece of music that slowly builds up and becomes more and more voluminous along the the way.

The title track is another highlight on the album, starting with the typical New Model Army acoustic guitar and Sullivan's unique phrased vocallines. "Eyes Get Used to the Darkness" instead is a dark anthem that is build on a faster pace before "Drifts" takes over, being a tune with a lot of emotional depth. I think it's the most moving track on the album with almost desperate screams in the chorus. In case you're looking for a more atmospheric moment, "Winter" can offer "Born Feral" which becomes quite sphereful towards the end.

"Winter" is an typical New Model Army album that contains all trademarks the band stands for. Still Sullivan and bandmates create enough dynamic and variations to keep things entertaining and fresh. It's a great album of a band that belongs to the keyplayers in post-punk/folk/dark rock. Thumbs up and it seems to be become a good 'winter'.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Beginning
2. Burn the Castle
3. Winter
4. Part the Waters
5. Eyes Get Used to the Darkness
6. Drifts
7. Born Feral
8. Die Trying
9. Devil
10. Strogoula
11. Echo November
12. Weak and Strong
13. After Something

Label: earMUSIC

Genre: Rock

Release Date EU: August 26th, 2016

Swedish Katatonia will be on the road in Europe during autumn 2016 promoting the latest masterpiece called "The Fall of Hearts". Here are the dates:

(8/10) Motorowl from Germany wasn't a band I had on my metal radar until today. Not a too big of a surprise since the guys from Thuringia started in 2014. The bigger 'aha-effect' was more their new album "Om Generation" and and the level of maturity the guys get across with this longplayer.

"Om Generation" features eight songs that are anchored somewhere between classic rock, alternative and some stoner rock.

It's the 70's classic rock that builds the base. It's the bombastic Hammond sound which gives each track an organic warm expression and the you could draw some parallels with bands like e.g. Spiritual Beggars.

The title track is the chosen opener for this longplayer and it's a well chosen beginning since it gives you a good overview of what to expect. A true highlight on the album is called "The Highest City", a tune split in two parts. While the first one blows your speaker loud and mighty, it's part 2 that includes the more silent sections. A great double-header."One and Zero" is a faster rocker that shows more of Motorowl's stoner passion while "Beloved Whale" is, at least in the first half, is a more quiet number, that creates psychedelic depth by the intense vocals of Max Hemmann.

"White Horse" is a cool rocker before "Spiritual Healing" creates an eight minutes atmospheric fireworks at the end. It's an epical track; somewhere between hope and despair. Loud and silent tones are in a constant interaction, something that makes the song to a real treat for your ears and mind.

Motorowl is a band that has started a journey that could became an exckting one for band and fans. "Om Generator" is a good first leg on this trip and let's see how the next ones will look like.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Om Generator
2. The Highest City pt.1
3. The Highest City pt.2
4. Old Mans Maze
5. One and Zero
6. Beloved Whale
7. White Horse
8. Spiritual Healing

​

Label: Century Media

Genre: Stoner/ClassicRock

Release Date EU: August 26th,2016

(8/10) DGM newest release "The Passage" is already the eighth one of the Italian five-piece. The guys started 20 years ago and what began with the self-released "Random Access Zone" finds its new climax in "The Passage".

The longplayer includes eleven new tracks that are dynamic, with a bombastic touch. Things are always heavy enough to not disappoint riff-oriented metalheads by also including a melodically component that makes them approachable for a wider target group too. In this perspective DGM walks on a thin line on which they manage to stay on.

Songs like the catchy "Animal" or the heavy title track are good stuff for your ears. The same goes for "Ghost of Insanity". The tune starts with a furious guitar before it enters more melodic territory. The fact that Evergrey singer Tom Englund contributes with some vocals makes the number even better. In the end it's the creative tweaks build into this song which makes it to an entertaining five minutes experience for the listener.

"The Passage" also includes another guest appearance. Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo supports on the mighty "Dogma". The tune belongs to the really heavy ones on the album. The pace is higher than in most of the other songs and the guitars are furious. However, the melodic elements are still embedded in the chorus by well-done vocal lines. For me, "Dogma" is one of the best, since most complete, tracks on "The Passage".

DGM shows that Italian metal has more to offer than 'just' bombastic, partly even overloaded, metal. "The Passage" focusses on the essence without forgetting about the details.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. The Secret Part 1
2. The Secret Part 2
3. Animal
4. Ghost of Insanity
5. Fallen
6. The Passage
7. Disguise
8. Portrait
9. Daydreamer
10. Dogma
11. In Sorrow

Label: Frontiers Music

Genre: Prog Metal

Release Date EU: August 26th, 2016

The Swiss Thrash Band Poltergeist from Liestal signed a worldwide deal with Pure Steel Records. The band which is active since the 80's (Depression, Behind My Mask, Nothing Lasts Forever), will release the new album "Back To Haunt" via Pure Steel Records after 22 years. More News coming soon.

Band Statement:
Swiss Thrash Metal legend Poltergeist is extremely proud to announce the signing to Pure Steel Records for their upcoming new album ‚Back to Haunt’!
The band originally released three albums between 1989 and 1993 before calling it quits.

Reunited in 2013 followed by powerful shows at the 70'000 Tons Of Metal Cruise, the Metal Assault and Headbangers Open Air Festivals, Poltergeist has come full circle for it’s new and fourth album.

Poltergeist the cult Thrash institution since the late 80s is back to haunt once again!

Line-up:

• V.O. Pulver (Gurd, Pulver, Panzer (live), ex-Carrion, ex-Messiah (live)) – guitars
• André Grieder (ex-Destruction) – vocals
• Sven Vormann (Megora, Raise Hell, ex-Cryonix, ex-Jesus Chrysler Superskunk, ex-The Lie, ex-Abandoned, ex-Destruction) – drums
• Ralf Winzer Garcia (Requiem, Wolf Counsel, Piranha (live), ex-Curare, ex-Uppercut, Neolithic Regression, Scopeshow, ex-Arise, ex-Bonedust, ex-Tinta Leal, ex-Wildsoar) – bass
• Chasper Wanner (ex-Driving Force) – guitars

(8/10) After 20 years in metal we can't say that Evergrey is the new kid on the block.The band can look band on a rich history that is documented in nine chapters. "The Storm Within" is the next one that will be released beginning of September.

Some piano notes open the next step of Evergrey. This relaxed beginning doesn't take too long since heavy guitars break the silence, marking the start of a powerful opener called "Distance". It's a more stately song that has a dark expression. It's almost like you can feel the misery coming closer if there wouldn't be some lighter vocal parts too. Compared to the opener "Passing Through" is a light-hearted track that still features a lot of intense riffs. A counterpart is "Disconnected" which belongs to the more dramatic numbers, coming with a lot of atmosphere.

Songs that include an additional layer are the ones with female vocal support. It's Nightwish's Floor Jansen who shares vocals with Tom S. Englund on "In Orbit". Just by doing this, Evergrey made these tune to one of the more thrilling ones, esp. since both voices go together very well. "The Paradox" is the second one that includes guest vocals. This time it's Englund's wife Carina who enriches this tune. It belongs to the more silent ones, at least for most of the time. I would describe it as a well-crafted power ballad that is touching.

The title track "The Storm Within" comes at the end. It's another six minutes tune with some soulful moments in the verse, before things get more forceful on the chorus. A kind of constant pattern throughout the entire track is the keyboards that reminded me of HIM.

All is all "The Storm Within" is a strong metal record that includes all Evergrey trademarks - power, heaviness, progressiveness and melancholy. Fans of the earlier Evergrey longplayers will move this one too. I would say: all done right.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Distance
2. Passing Through
3. Someday
4. Astray
5. The Impossible
6. My Allied Ocean
7. In Orbit (feat. Fllor Jansen)
8. The Lonely Monarch
9. The paradox of the Flame (feat. Carina Englund)
10. Disconnect
11. The Storm Within

Label: AFM Records

Genre: Symphonic Power Metal

Release Date EU: September 9th, 2016