Exorcism- I Am God

Band:Exorcism

Exorcism

Album & Release Date:
I Am God-April 25, 2014

Label:
GoldenCore Records/ZYX

Year Established:
2013

Band Members:
Csaba Zvekan (Raven Lord, Zvekan, ex Killing Machine)-vocals, Joe Stump(Raven Lord, Holy Hell, Reign Of Terror)-Guitars, Lucio Manca(Raven Lord, Solid Vision)-bass, Garry King(Joe Lynn Turner, Jeff Beck, Achillea)-drums

Music Genre:
Doom Metal

Promotion:
Rock N Growl

Artists/Bands album mission/message: 

Exorcism is today’s answer for heavy metal and sets clearly another milestone in music history. The music is doomy and lush while it flows lava like down your spine.With dark themed lyrics and melodies that could haunt you for life.

Track Listing

01. End Of Days 5:26

02. I Am God 6:46

03. Voodoo Jesus 5:05

04. Last Rock'N Roll 3:54

05. Master Of Evil 5:13

06. Exorcism 5:18

07. Higher 3:19

08. Stay In Hell 4:01

09. Fade The Day 4:43

10. Zero G 4:29

Quality of original music including song writing and message:
The feel on this album is such a great mix of  Metal, Classic Rock, Prog but themed Doom and serious Gloom. The song writing is very original but you can hear definite roots of Dio, Sabbath and at times a Jon Oliva style vocals.

Production value:
This album has such a amazing mix and master on it the drums are thunderous, the guitars stand out but do not over track the vocals. It does almost have a analog feel at times but for a Doom album I would expect nothing less.

My Opinion:
I Am God is an evil, gloomy, heavy, brutal album that everyone from rockers, metal heads to doomers will all have something they can bang there head to. Zveken has such range in his vocals from dark and evil one second and high end screaming the next what is very refreshing cause most doom albums are just dark growling most of the time. All the musicians have plenty of room on this album to represent there talents from the very bass and drum heavy song ''Voodoo Jesus'' to the ripping guitars and heavy vocal song ''End Of Days''. This album shows you can be one of the heaviest bands in the land and have serious talent but you do not need to play at the speed of light.

Rate:
9/10

Personal Favorites:
End Of Days, Master Of Evil, Zero G

 

 Artist Contact Info:
facebook.com/exorcismband

comwww.exorcism13.com

 

 

Existance-Steel Alive

Band: 

Existance

Album & Release Date: 
Steel Alive -April 25, 2014

Label:

Band: 

Existance

Band: 

Existance

Album & Release Date: 
Steel Alive -April 25, 2014

Label:
Mausoleum Records:

Year Established:
2008

Band Members: 
Julian Izard Lead Vocals & Guitars, Antoine Poiret-Guitars & Vocals, Thomas Drouin- Bass & Vocals, Alexandre Revillon-Drums

Genre:
80's Metal

Artists/Bands album mission/message: 

Music is our Faith, Heavy Metal is our breath!

Track List
1.Legends Never Die

2.Black Viper

3.The Siren

4.Dead or Alive

5.Slaughter

6.Burning Angel

7.Steel Alive

8.Get Away

9.Prisoner

10.Close To The End

11.From Hell

Quality of Original music including song writing and message:
The music has the 80's rock and metal down to a science. The music is not overly original but has taken a fresh approach to the past.

Production Value:
The overall sound of this album is ripped right out of 1985 it almost sounds like a cassette on some songs but it really works for this album. The mix and master are right on the money very well done.

My Opinion:
Existance has really brought back my love for 80's rock and metal with the catchy riffs and guitar fueled attitude. Steel Alive has a very Prog Metal feel at times with influence from bands like Helloween, Malmsteen and Primal fear. I was very taken in with the leads and guitar playing on this album. Steel Alive has a old school feel but there is something very fresh about the arrangements. This really is a album to carry the torch with the new generation of 80's Metal. This is 11 songs of pure genius.

Personal favorites:
Dear Or Alive, Burning Angel

Rate:
8/10

Contact Info:
artistecard.com/existanceband
facebook.com/existanceband

Album & Release Date: 
Steel Alive -April 25, 2014

Label:
Mausoleum Records:

Year Established:
2008

Band Members: 
Julian Izard Lead Vocals & Guitars, Antoine Poiret-Guitars & Vocals, Thomas Drouin- Bass & Vocals, Alexandre Revillon-Drums

Genre:
80's Metal

Artists/Bands album mission/message: 

Music is our Faith, Heavy Metal is our breath!

Track List
1.Legends Never Die

2.Black Viper

3.The Siren

4.Dead or Alive

5.Slaughter

6.Burning Angel

7.Steel Alive

8.Get Away

9.Prisoner

10.Close To The End

11.From Hell

Quality of Original music including song writing and message:
The music has the 80's rock and metal down to a science. The music is not overly original but has taken a fresh approach to the past.

Production Value:
The overall sound of this album is ripped right out of 1985 it almost sounds like a cassette on some songs but it really works for this album. The mix and master are right on the money very well done.

My Opinion:
Existance has really brought back my love for 80's rock and metal with the catchy riffs and guitar fueled attitude. Steel Alive has a very Prog Metal feel at times with influence from bands like Helloween, Malmsteen and Primal fear. I was very taken in with the leads and guitar playing on this album. Steel Alive has a old school feel but there is something very fresh about the arrangements. This really is a album to carry the torch with the new generation of 80's Metal. This is 11 songs of pure genius.

Personal favorites:
Dear Or Alive, Burning Angel

Rate:
8/10

Contact Info:
artistecard.com/existanceband
facebook.com/existanceband

Mausoleum Records:

Sinbreed-Shadows

Reviewed By: Jon Hernandez 

Band:

Sinbreed

Album & Release Date:

Shadows-April 15, 2014

Label: 

AFM Records

Year Established:
2008

Band Members:
Herbie Langhans-Vocals, Flo Laruin-Guitars, Marcus Siepen-Guitars, Alexander Schulz-Bass, Frederik Ehmke-Drums

Music Genre:
Melodic Power/Speed Metal

Promotion:

AFM Records

Artists/Bands album mission/message:

Since the release of our debut almost 4 years ago we’ve grown as a team and became a real band.

Track Listing

1.Bleed

2.Shadows
3.Call To Arms
4.Reborn
5.Leaving The Road
6.Far Too Long
7.Black Death
8.Standing Tall
9.London Moon
10.Broken Wings

Quality of original music including song writing and message:
The songs are almost in a genre of there own that drips originality. I love how the songs mix Thrash, Metal, Prog all in 10 songs that will open your mind to a different way of looking at Prog and Power Metal.

 

 

Production value:
The tracks are layered and mixed to give the album such a huge almost out of this world sound. Flo and Marcus's guitar playing is so tight with each other that they have built up such a massive sound that hit you from multiple directions. The mixing, mastering and over all recording is perfect from all angles.

My Opinion:
Shadows is a remarkable Prog/Power Metal album with over the top guitars, Powerful keys, thundering drums and bass. Herbie Langhans vocals are earth shattering on every song. If you are a Metal fan of any kind you will find something to love about this album. This is ten songs of pure sinfully sweet shadow. This band has come so far in the past four years that puts this album on top of the metal world!! Every song on this album is pure guitar fueled energetic metal!

Rate:
9/10

Personal Favorites:
Bleed, Broken Wings

Artist Contact Info:
Sinbreed.com 

facebook.com/Sinbreed

Evil Masquerade-The Digital Crucifix

The Digital Crucifix By Evil Masquerade Album Review...

Reviewed By: Jon Hernandez 

Band:
Evil Masquerade

Album & Release Date:
The Digital Crucifix- April 22, 2014

Label:
Dark Minstrel Music

Year Established:
2003

Band Members:

Henrik Flyman-Guitar
Tobias Jansson - Vocals
Thor Jeppesen - Bass
Dennis Buhl - Drums
Artur Meinild - Keyboard

Music Genre:
Prog Metal/Metal

 

 

 Promotion:
Dark Minstrel Music

Artists/Bands album mission/message:
Celebrating 10 years of Evil Masquerade!

Track Listing
1. Like Voodoo
2. Buying Salvation
3. The Extra Mile
4. The Shame
5. The Nature Is Calling
6. Bad News
7. The Hangover
8. Anywhere The Wind Blows
9. Lady Of The Night
10. Gasoline & Ice-Cold Gin
11 Sign Of The Times

Quality of original music including song writing and message:
There is one of the most original releases I have heard in a while it is rock, metal, prog, orchestra, instrumental and almost jazzy at times. The writing on this album is brilliant bright, dark and evil at times.

Production value:
The production value on The Digital Crucifix is as high as you can find this day in age from the mixing to mastering and recording. I love how the album has such a full bold brilliant feel from start to finish.

My Opinion:
Evil Masquerade is a band that is always changing and evolving from release to release. The Digital Crucifix is no different the band has taken on Saffire singer Tobias Jansson to fill the outgoing Apollo Papathanasio. This album is brilliant with lush keys heavy guitars spiritual bass and bold drums. This album has so many dimensions to it where no two songs are really the same the multi directions keep you on your feet and keep your ears guessing on what will be next. My favorite part of this 11 song master piece is the arranging of the songs it is different then anything I have ever heard from any band. If you are looking for a release like the bands last one you might be a bit disappointed but give this album a chance cause the new evolution of Evil Masquerade will mesmerize.

Rate:
8/10
Personal Favorites:
Like Voodoo. Lady Of The Night, Sign Of The Times

Artist Contact Info:
evilmasquerade.com
facebook.com/evilmasquerade

Nightmare-The Aftermath

Band: Nightmare

 

Album: The Aftermath

 

Genre: Prog Metal/Metal 

 

Tracks:

The Aftermath 

Bringer Of A No Man's Land

Forbidden Tribe

Necromancer

Invoking Demons

I Am Immortal

Digital DNA

Ghost In The Mirror

The Bridge Is Burning

Mission For God

Alone In The Distance

 

Band Members: Jo Amore, Yves Campion, David Amore, Franck Milleliri, Matt Asselberghs

Date Released: June 14, 2014

 

Label: AFM Records

 

Quality & Originality: The French metal band Nightmare is not new to the metal scene going back to 1979. The Aftermath is a superb album with a generous amount of energy crushing guitars and riffs. Technically genre of a Prog Metal band but the band always goes so far out with Thrash and Metal roots that crush the very soul with chunky rhythm and great booming double bass drums. This album has a great mix and layering of instruments and the vocals cut thru the mix but not drown it.

 

My Opinion:The Aftermath is a great return to what the fans of Nightmare want to hear after a bit of a slip with there last album ''Burden Of God''. This album is as good as anything they have put out but they have really pushed the riff limits to a whole new direction. Jo Amore is such a great singer and he really shines hard on this release (Hard to believe he was the bands drummer at one point). There is no fillers on this album every song will grab you and hold on with total metal excitement that this band is known for world wide. If you are looking for a really hard heavy prog metal album this will be the one you cannot stop listening to!!!

Overall & Favorites: I rarely give albums much over 8 cause I always feel there is a bit of room for improvement but on this release it is a solid 9/10 rating. Favorite tracks Bringer Of A No Man's Land, I Am Immortal, Alone In The Distance.

 

Contact Info:www.nightmare-metal.com, www.facebook.com/NIGHTMAREofficial

Timo Tolkki's Avalon- Angels Of The Apocalypse

Band:Timo Tolkki's Avalon

 

Album:Angels Of The Apocalypse

 

Tracks: 

        Song For Eden

        Jerusalem Is Falling

        Design The Century

        Rise Of The 4th Reich

        Stargate Atlantis

        The Paradise Lost

        You'll Bleed Forever

        Neon Sirens

        High Above Of Me

        Angels Of The Apocalypse

        Garden Of Eden

                                         

Band Members: Timo Tolkki: guitars, bass and keyboards
Tuomo Lassila: drums
Antti Ikonen: keyboards
Nicholas Jeudy: orchestration
Floor Jansen, Simone Simons, Fabio Lione, David DeFeis, Zachary Stevens, Elize Ryd, Caterina Nix: vocals

Date Released: May 16th, 2014

 

Label: Frontiers Records

 

Quality & Originality: Timo Tolkki's Avalon is a great creation of such layered vocals, guitars, keys, strings, bass and drums that take things to a entire new level. It is really hard to stick this band in a specific genre cause they are metal, gothic, symphonic, prog metal, power metal all wrapped up into a giant ball of powerful music that just about any metal head could find something to take away from the journey. I love the album cause it takes originality to a whole new level but does not clutter it and hide instruments or get muddy. The production value on this album is superb and extremely tight. With the line up of singers that put time into this album is amazing from Zack Stevens, Floor Jansen, Simone Simons etc this album was really a home run out of the gate.

 

My Opinion: Without trying to sound to one sided I fell in love with this album the first time I heard it. The magical journey that Timo takes us on is something that you will remember for such a long time to come. I wish more musicians took the time to layer and create with the passion this guy puts into his albums. You will not walk away without saying ''wow what is this''. The line up of musicians is simply amazing and a sure hit this year for the visionary musician in your life!!!

 

Overall & Favorites: Angels Of The Apocalypse gets a favored 9/10 rating. Favorite tracks are Jerusalem Is Falling, The Paradise Lost, Neon Sirens.

 

Contact Info: www.facebook.com/avalonopera avalonopera.com

Judas Priest-Redeemer Of Souls

Band:Judas Priest

              Album:Redeemer Of Souls

Tracks:

DRAGONAUT
REDEEMER OF SOULS
HALLS OF VALHALLA
SWORD OF DAMOCLES
MARCH OF THE DAMNED
DOWN IN FLAMES
HELL & BACK
COLD BLOODED
METALIZER
CROSSFIRE
SECRETS OF THE DEAD
BATTLE CRY
BEGINNING OF THE END

 

Band Members: Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Richie Faulkner, Ian Hill, Scott Travis

Date Released:July 8, 2014

 

Label:Sony

 

Quality & Originality: The boys are back with a new triumphant take on metal after what most fans felt was a bit of a slip and fall with Nostradamus. This is also Ritchie Faulkners album debut with Priest. The album has actually caused a bit of a buzz what made me do this review I will explain in my next portion of the review. Redeemer is not really original for Priest they was smart and kept it straight in the pocket but you can feel the new muscle with Ritchie giving some refreshing new feel to the classic Priest format. The recording, mixing and editing are what you would expect from this band. The overall feel is just a arena metal head banging fist pumping Priestmania that most have come to love.

 

My Opinion: Originally I was not going to write this review but after seeing so many really be on the fence I felt it was my duty.There are three kinds of Priest fans in my opinion 1st are pre Painkiller 2nd post painkiller 3rd die hards. I think the pre painkiller fans are going to love the singing and melodies. I think the post painkiller fans are going to love some of the very heavy music and the die hards are just damn glad that the boys are giving us another killer album. This is a killer metal album that reminds us as so many of the new generations that put out albums that they honestly do not hold a candle to bands like this. Redeemer I feel is right on with anything the band has done in the past and over time will be on top with albums like Screaming and Painkiller. The guitars, bass, singing, drums are all spot on in every way. If you are on the fence I honestly think you need to just jump off on the metal side and give it a listen and get ready to fist pump.

 

Overall & Favorites: Redeemer Of Souls hit hard with me with a solid 8/10. Favorite tracks are Metalizer, Redeemer Of Souls, Sword Of Damocies.

 

Contact Info: Judaspriest.com, www.facebook.com/OfficialJudasPriest

Ronny Munroe-Electric Wake

                                                

  Band: Ronny Munroe

                                       

               Album: Electric Wake

 

Band Members: Guest Artists Include George Lynch, Pamela Moore, Sean Baker, Tony Rossi, David Donigian, Dave Rude, Paul Kleef

Date Released: June 24, 2014

Label: Rat Pak Records

Track Listing: 

Ghosts

Electric Wake 

Turn To Stone

My Shadow

Not You Not Me

Pray

Ritual Damage

Sleepless Mountain

The Others

United

Burning Time

 

Quality & Originality:Ronny Munroe is not new to the metal world with ''Electric Wake'' being Ronny's third solo album. The mix is right on with a old school fixture added for good measure. The songs are new but hit close to home on many styles from the past. The guitars are strong and right in the pocket of what you would expect from Ronny. The all star line up that come to aid in Ronny's vision is simply amazing from Pamela Moore to George Lynch and Tesla's axeman Dave Rude. The album has a thrash mix but a classic rock groove to my ears. Ronny proves once again that his voice can do more then just scream and proves why he is one of the greats of our generation. This album is very original but a great recreation of some of the greatest metal/classic rock albums of all time!!

 

My Opinion: Ronny has been a very busy man with a new album from Metal Church ''Generation Nothing'' and now this very over the top solo album. I honestly feel this is some of the greatest music Ronny has done to date. I have not been able to stop listening to this album since I purchased it after its release. I honestly would call this a metal album but in fact it is the heaviest classic rock album of all time with the hints of Dio, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Led Zeppelin and many others. This album is a winner for anyone that loves old school heavy metal, hard rock, classic rock and thrash.

 

Overall & Favorites: Electric Wake is freaking awesome with a solid 8.5/10 Rating from me. Favorite tracks are The Others, Not You Not Me and Ritual Damage. 

 

Contact Info:  www.facebook.com/ronnymunroefb, www.ronnymunroe.com