Benedictum - Obey cd review

Band: Benedictum
Album: Obey
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: Metal
Country: USA
Release Date: December 2013


Benedictum hail from San Diego, CA. They're one band that is a staple in my collection, as they reminds me of alot of great 80's rock and metal bands like Accept, Manowar among other heavy hitters. Oddly enough they covered Accept's "Balls To The Wall" as well which is pretty killer. Benedictum have have 3 other albums under their belt and those are Dominion, Season of Tragedy and Uncreation all of which are heavy hitting albums. And they all hit a sweet spot with me of all the music I grew up with most of those style bands mainly.

Their singer Veronica Freeman has an extremely powerful voice, and it fits great with the music. Going by her bio page on their official site, it shows her influences being Ronnie James Dio, Tina Turner among others. Comparing her vocals to others can't really be done fairly as she blows most other vocalists out of the water. But a close comparison would be Joey DeMaio from Manowar and maybe Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden for vocal ranges.

The rest of the band's influences are just as impressive. Such as Peter Wells on guitar, he has some impressive influences.. Randy Rhodes and John Sykes being just two of them according to his bio. The bassist Aric mentions, Geddy Lee, Geezer Butler, etc.. As for the drummer Rikard mentioning King Diamond/Mercyful Fate with their talented drummers all that needs to be said. Anyways the cd is about 10 minutes shy of an hour, and every track is good, can't really pick a favorite out of them. The guitars, bass and drums all stand out clearly and they certainly don't over power the vocals at all. Nor do the vocals over power them.

If you like powerful clean vocals, and classic sounding heavy metal then this is for you. Oldtime rock fans will most likely love this band to say the least. Newer fans of metal you should listen to bands like this preferably over whatever is "hot for metal at Hot Topic".

Anyways I give this disc 9 out of 10, could of been a full hour and I'd be a happy camper. It remains at a consistent speed/tempo throughout and never a dull moment.


Tracklist goes as follows:

01. Dream Of The Banshee
02. Fractured
03. Obey
04. Fighting For My Life
05. Scream
06. Evil That We Do
07. Crossing Over
08. Cry
09. Thornz
10. Die To Love You
11. Apex Nation
12. Retrograde

Youtube Video:

Band Contact:

Official Website: http://www.benedictum.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Benedictum.Official
Frontiers Records: http://www.frontiers.it/

Caliban - Ghost Empire Review

Band: Caliban
Album: Ghost Empire
Label: Century Media
Genre: Metal
Country: Germany
Release Date: January 2014

From reading their CM bio it shows that this is their 5th cd since 2007, and their newest since 2012.

Haven't listened to this band too much, as most of the newer bands on Century Media are more mainstream than most. Now on this advanced version if you will. Caliban seems to be heading that way in my honest opinion. They may not not be to some.. Feel free to blast me if you want, but this is my opinion. At times the music kind of remind me of Denmark's Mnemic back when Michael Bøgballe was Mnemic's original singer. But that's where those similarities end. Also sometimes it kind of hints towards Pantera at the Far Beyond Driven era occasionally too from what my ears pick up.

Anyways, the heaviness of the music is what I'm focusing on mostly. As it's top notch in the guitars/bass and drums. Some technical parts to it ala Fear Factory on occasion gives it an added dimension. They have some catchy riffs, and beats which I enjoy. The mellow/slow parts of the music seem a bit out of place in my opinion, but with any band they're always changing styles, directions, etc. This would of been a perfect release in my book if it stayed at heavy/brutal spectrum to say the least. Musically they sound as tight as any band I tend to listen to, as musicianship is what's key for any band. If you don't have that in a band, might as well give up at the starting gates. Gang choruses seem to be a bit over used, they have their place but really in every song and every couple of verses? I could pass on that.

Track list goes as follows:

01 - King
02 - Chaos - Creation
03 - Wolves And Rats
04 - nebeL
05 - I Am Ghost
06 - Devil's Night
07 - yOUR Song
08 - Cries And Whispers
09 - Good Man
10 - I Am Rebellion

11 - Who We Are

12 - My Vertigo

For newer fans getting into metal and such sure this is perfect for the Hot Topic crowd as I'm sure this is what's blasted in the stores at the malls. But these

I myself would give this a 6 out of 10, as I read elsewhere which I agree with, they're trying to think outside the box, but it's not that far from the box though.



Youtube Video:

Band Contact:

Website: http://www.calibanmetal.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalibanOfficial
Last.FM: http://www.last.fm/music/caliban
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Calibanofficial
Other links can be found here on the CM Bio page: http://centurymedia.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=220

Legion Of The Damned - Ravenous Plague review

Band: Legion Of The Damned

Album title: Ravenous Plague

Label: Napalm Records

Genre : Thrash 

Country: Netherlands
Release date: 3rd Jan 2014

Dutch thrashers Legion Of The Damned return with their latest offering, "Ravenous Plague" and it is quite the revelation. The band have definitely upped their game on this record. If you find yourself yearning for the halcyon days of Thrash and have yet to discover this band, this might just be the album you are looking for.

After the obligatory intro track, the first proper song on the album "Howling For Armageddon" comes tearing in at a breakneck speed and doesn't let up for the 4:15 duration. This pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the album. The musicianship is tight and the songs well constructed, if predictable and a little dated. On first listen the sound sits somewhere between Slayer and Arise-era Sepultura, but with its potent blend of Thrash riffs and hints of Black Metal atmospherics "Ravenous Plague" is a more interesting prospect than it might initially seem. The more you listen to this beast of a record, the more hidden depth you will discover. 

Whereas it is unlikely to challenge you as a listener and is lacking in real originality, it makes up for this with speed and sheer ferocity. "Ravenous..." is yet another decent, if not great, release from LOTD and where it probably won't change your world and it is unlikely to make anybody's end if year list, it is an enjoyable, if vintage sounding, Thrash record. From the opening moment to the very last second, this is a whirlwind ride of high-speed riffs and howling, technically proficient solos. It doesn't let up for a moment and with a total playing time of just 45:01 it never has time to overstay its welcome.

Overall: 7/10

Tracklist:

The Apocalyptic Surge

Howling For Armageddon

Black Baron

Mountain Wolves Under A Crescent Moon

Ravenous Abominations

Doom Priest

Summon All Hate

Morbid Death

Bury Me In A Nameless Grave

Armalite Assassin

Strike Of The Apocalypse

Official Website: http://legionofthedamned.net

Skindred - Kill The Power review

Band: Skindred

Album title: Kill The Power

Label: DoubleCross Records

Genre : ....

Country: Wales
Release date: 27th Jan 2014

First off, this isn't the belter I was expecting. No, in fact it is way beyond my wildest expectations. I genuinely thought that Skindred had reached their creative zenith with previous release "Union Black" and it is a true delight to be proved wrong. Skindred deliver the goods here with all of the swagger of a band completely confident in their ability to write great songs and safe in the knowledge that they are not bound by such trivialities as genres. If "Union Black" was the band's breakthrough album, then this should be the one that propels them to the very top of festival line-ups in the UK and across Europe. Whether it does or not, remains to be seen.

Skindred are, without a doubt, one of the most interesting, fresh, exciting and innovative bands that Britain has to offer today. The songs are almost offensively catchy and set up camp in your brain instantly and refuse to leave. They prove, yet again, that they are absolute masters of their craft. This is easily the band's most accomplished album to date and the effortless genre-hopping takes yet more one step forward, making each and every song feel the musical equivalent of acute schizophrenia (I imagine). If you've ever played the game DJ Hero, then you might have an idea of what to expect as you would be forgiven for thinking that you're listening to a 'mash-up' compilation rather than an album recorded by just one band. With styles ranging from Metal, Reggae and early 90's Techno to Ragga, Northern soul, old-school Hip-Hop and even that most modern of trends, dubstep, it is abundantly clear that Skindred have no interest in limiting themselves as artists.

All of the aforementioned genres are blended seamlessly and with apparent ease to create the masterpiece that is the finished product. Electronic beats and scratching sit comfortably alongside 8-bit computer bleeps and the smooth Reggae vocals sound completely at ease with crushing Metal riffs. That they can pull all of this off while managing to never sound contrived or forced, is absolutely astonishing and is one of the things that makes this band unique. As if this all of this wasn't enough on its own (what more do you want?), the lyrics walk a line between politics, social commentary and personal empowerment. I defy you to listen to the entire album without it putting a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Such is the power of music - and music just doesn't come with much more energy, positivity and passion than this.

Overall: 9/10

Tracklist:

Kill The Power
Ruling Force
Playing With The Devil
Worlds On Fire
Ninja
The Kids Are Right Now
We Live
Open Eyed
Dollars And Dimes
Saturday
Proceed With Caution
More Fire

Official website: http://www.skindred.net

Arceye - At First Light review

Band: Arceye

Album title: At First Light

Label: Hostile Media

Genre: Groove / Thrash / Melodic Death Metal

Country: UK

Release date: 5^th Aug 2013

The second full-length release from UK Melodic Death Thrashers, Arceye, sets the tone from the very first bars of opener and title track "At First Light" - easing you in with a melodic instrumental passage which then leads to some powerhouse drums, a neck-breaking riff and a stunning guitar solo, reminiscent of the mighty Judas Priest. This really is a masterclass in modern metal and the musicianship on display here is, quite frankly, staggering - from the instrumental "Sirius" complete with acoustic guitars and beautiful strings to the Pantera-esque groove of "The Storm" and the early-90's Sepultura style Thrash attack of "I Silently Wait", there isn't a weak moment to be found.

Musically, an initial, obvious point of comparison would be Lamb of God, but there is a lot more diversity on offer here as the album encompasses a wide spectrum of styles - from occasional Black Metal atmospherics and Thrash riffing to crushing Death Metal, Trad Metal melodies and Groove Metal, er, grooves. The sharp, clear mix, courtesy of Scott Atkins (Cradle Of Filth, Amon Amarth and more) only helps to further emphasise the band's strengths. In short, as a metal fan, you need to hear this album. It is a near-perfect example of what the genre has to offer in 2013. With its effortless balance of heaviness and melody, this album deserves a place in your record collection and I suggest you make a space in your "A" section for it right now.

Why this band aren't better known is a bit if a mystery to me, although I suspect that the lack of attention paid to the band by the UK media and the sheer number of great bands from all over the world vying for the attention of a finite number of fans, certainly both pay their part.

To paraphrase the Spice Girls "...'Light' up your life!" Ahem.

Overall: 8.5/10

Tracklist:

At First Light
The Storm

The Longest Drive
I Silently Wait

Sirius

Brother Disarmed
Prey Forgiveness

Damage Done
The Thirst
Dusk

Official Website: www.arceye.co.uk

Iced Earth - Plagues Of Babylon review

Band: Iced Earth

Album title: Plagues Of Babylon

Label: Century Media

Genre: Heavy Metal

Country: USA

Release date: 6^th Jan 2014

Plagues Of Babylon is the new album from veteran metallers, Iced Earth and it is the second to feature current vocalist, Stuart "Stu" Block following the departure (yet again) of previous singer Matt Barlow, and it has to be said that the man is an absolute revelation. His confidence has grown in leaps and bounds since his first appearance with the band and this confidence, along with his awe-inspiring set of pipes, banishes all but the most stubborn thoughts of his predecessor. This time around, however, there have been yet more line-up changes and this album sees the band breaking in a new rhythm section, which only seems to have ramped up the energy level of the already revitalised metal giants even more.  Mainstay – and chief song writer -  Jon Schaffer is on fine form and has clearly been creatively inspired by this injection of new blood (and youth) into the veins of his baby.

This is all fine and dandy, but I’m sure the question on your mind is “but is it any good?”  Well, I am very pleased to say that “Plagues…” finds the band continuing the blistering return to form that began 3 years ago with the release of “Dystopia”. This is the sound of a reinvigorated Iced Earth, scaling the heights that many thought they were incapable of reaching again, and I’d even go as far as to say that this is a career-defining record for the band. They really have never sounded better. The riffs are razor-sharp and delivered with precision and the vocals ebb and flow along with the perfectly-paced, beautifully crafted songs. If you are familiar with Iced Earth, you will know what to expect, but if you're not, musically this is classic Trad Heavy Metal, influenced by the likes of Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Queenrsyche and their ilk, but with a harder, modern edge.

“Plagues…” has everything you could want from Iced Earth or from any modern metal album. All in all, this is a classy, solid and intelligent metal concept album in the vein of such classics as Iron Maiden’s “Seventh Son…”, Queensryche’s “Operation: Mindcrime” and Nevermore’s “Dreaming Neon Black” and I don’t think there is any higher praise than that.

Overall: 9.5/10

Tracklist:

Plagues Of Babylon

Democide

The Culling

Among The Living Dead

Resistance

The End?

If I Could See You

Cthulhu

Peacemaker

Parasite

Spirit of The Times

Outro

Official Website: http://www.icedearth.com

Crimson Blue - Innocence Review

Band: Crimson Blue
Album: Innocence
Label: Self-Released
Genre: Nu Art Metal
Country: Russia
Release Date: December 2011

Crimson Blue hail from Russia they're a good sounding band, although not as heavy as what this reviewer typically listens to. But they'll be going on my list of favorites. If you go to the Jamendo link below they have 3 releases available, this one Innocence (11 tracks), Iceland (5 tracks) and Road to Oblivion (Single - 2 tracks). Anyways the band classifies themselves as Nu Art Metal. It is experimental and sort of avant garde so it might not be for most average listeners.

Listening to the vocals I hear various styles from Evanescence, Kimberly Goss' band Synergy among a couple of others I've heard in the past. It suits the band in my opinion. The music itself is solid between guitars, bass and drums. Also the singer is the keyboardist as well. I'll also add that the way most of the tracks sound, haven't heard anything similiar as of yet honestly so that is a bonus.

The cd clocks in just under 55 minutes for 11 songs, some have ballad parts, others are constant crunchy guitars and kicking bass. The bass sometimes tend to remind me of Primus at times, and Overkill at other times, as it stands outs quite a bit in my opinion and makes it unique sounding. I like the drums on this too, obviously it's not all blast beats, etc unlike others bands I listen to.

I'd certainly recommend this band to others that like different styles of music, and unique sounding bands. I give this 7 out of 10 stars, like I said it's a great cd, but just slightly too mellow, but not so much so that I wouldn't have it in my pile of constantly listened to cds.

Go check them out, support them and enjoy the music.


Tracklist:

01 Iceland
02 L.M.A.
03 Clouds
04 Flax
05 Ave Sensorium
06 Nagual
07 Forest (Atonement)
08 H. U. Lab Experiment I - The 6th Sense
09 September
10 Haesitaio
11 Innocence

Youtube Video: 

Band Contact:

Website: http://crimsonblue.ru/  (web browsers will sadly give you a malware warning when you go to that link. So I'd check them out on the other links preferably)

Vk: http://vk.com/crimsonblue

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/crimsonblueband
Jamendo: http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/367558/crimson-blue