Buffalo Summer - Buffalo Summer

Classic Hard/Rock from Neath/Swansea. Buffalo Summer self titled debut album was released April 2013 on Cargo Records/Retrobution Records. The band is Jonny Williams – Guitar/Backing Vocals,
Andrew Hunt - Vocals, Darren King – Bass/Backing Vocals, Gareth Hunt – Drums & Percussion. The album starts with "She's So Natural", my first thoughts are -this band sounds like they have been around for decades, so I was surprise to learn they have only been around for a year or two and are young band playing this style of Rock in the vein of Led Zeppelin or early Lynyrd Skynyrd southern rock style. "Ain't No other" is a track the sticks in my mind and jams like no other. The band has achieved some great success already completing a summer tour in the UK/Europe with Skid Row and Ugly Kid Joe. they have just announced another tour in October 2013 that will kick off in London on the 23rd of Oct. 
Other tracks of interest on this album are "Down the River", surely to be a classic in the time to come and "A Horse Called Freedom". Overall a solid outfit that should not be missed by fans of classic hard rock bands like Zeppelin, Skynyrd, Hendrix, and all around rock blues fans.

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Cholos On Acid - Grab Your Brain

Cholos On Acid is a Thrash/Punk band from California. Their latest release is "Grab Your Brain", released through Thrash Valley Records August 6 2013. The first thing the captured my attention was the album cover, I saw it when visiting their Bandcamp page, it literally pops out at me, colorful, intense and definitely knew this was going to be some thrash metal coming my way. The album starts with "Hidden War", guitars have great tone and sound very clear, reminiscent of D.R.I. sound. "Cause of Pain", indeed memories of Suicidal Tendencies creep into my mind, this is a good thing, the track is a jam. "Cause and Effect is a short but killer track and has me headbanging. "The Way it Is", I had to listen to this several times, its just awesome- easy to jam, love the bass lines and chorus just sticks in my head. "Nowhere", alarm siren sample brings in the chaos, a thrash onslaught with distinguishable lyrics and engaging chorus. "Control", here we have some speed metal with some relentless drums leading the charge. "Laughing At Myself", feeling the punk style vibe all over this track, the mosh pit starter for sure. "Victim", yet another track the has me moving my head and wanting to start a mosh pit in my room. Great lyrics that have some meaning behind it to bring this song to the top of the list. "I Am Reagan", there is a sweet solo in this song, a thrash anthem with some aggressive riffs. "Sedition", political view type lyrics on war, gets straight to the point and brutalizes. "Fuck You Man", how's that for a title, love it already, this is the final song on this incredible thrash metal ride and its a solid closer. Surprisingly, unlike some of the new thrash metal bands appearing lately- these guys are the real deal and have been around since 1986- this is evident in their sound and songs. Do yourself a favor and pick up this album, you will not be disappointed - they deliver some solid tracks and worth every minute. Check them out on their sites.

cholosonacid.bandcamp
facebook.com/coathrash
www.cholosonacid.com  

Samael - Lux Mundi - In The Deep

Released on Nuclear Blast on April 2011. The track is from the album Lux Mundi entitled "In The Deep" check out the full stream and although many probably own this or have heard it already, there are many who have not. Check it out.

Dark Design - Prey For The Future

Dark Design new album "Prey For The Future" on Heaven and Hell Records to be released September 2013. The band consist of  Andrew Bertrand-Vocals, Mike Joyner-Guitars , Matt Mercer-Bass,Backing vocals. Ray Lewis-Guitars, Backing vocals. Robbie Mercer-Drums, Backing vocals. They describe their style as Progressive/Thrash/Power Metal. First track is "In Media Res", a welcomed change, as its a clean acoustic opening rather than the typical scream and riff that is repeated constantly in metal albums these years. In my opinion is good to listen to and keeps me interested. Dark Design, solid guitars and production. "No Death", I can hear the thrash metal influence, I also am enjoying the warm tone of the guitar and clear vocal patterns. "Abiding Contempt", drums kick this one off with some rolling tom fills, good track. "Welcome to You're Doom" bass is highlighted at the beginning on this song, then the song goes into a very chunky mosh pit feeling style of arrangements. "Dragonmount", for some reason the band Wrath keeps popping into my mind - it could be the vocal style- or maybe even early Forbidden, either way I like it. "Meditations", awesome guitar work right from the start, really kicking some ass and then into some speed that will have most people raging and headbanging."Spice World", is very interesting, the opening has some egyptian sounding riffs, then goes into something much more thrash death style- good combo."Dust In The Wind", here is a surprise- something unexpected, never in my wildest dreams did imaging listening to this song by Kansas cover in a metal format- When it came in I thought for sure it was not going to be good- but after listening to it several times- they did a great job- and found myself enjoying this version very much. Overall - I really enjoyed this album, I believe many metal fans will find something to like- lots of surprises keep the listener intent and solid performances by these musicians make the album a must have for your collection.
~Artemortifica

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Fleshgod Apocalypse - Labyrinth FULL Stream

The new album "Labyrinth" by Fleshgod Apocalypse has been made available for streaming through Terrorizer and Nuclear Blast via NB records SoundCloud site- listen to the full album below.

Night Demon - Night Demon

Shadow Kingdom Release of Night Demon EP coming August 20 2013. The title track comes in and instantly transported back in time to the great days of Metal, like early Judas Priest or Savatage. The era is captured in its pure essence and very enjoyable to my ears. "The Chalice", many aspects of the song remind me of Iron Maiden Killers, the sound is pure HM the way it use to be and considering they are only a three piece band that is awesome to hear- specially in an era that has way to many overproduced super complex guitar playing- listening to something like this is very welcoming in my opinion. "Ancient Evil", decent chorus and well sticks in my mind -great track and awesome solo complete with wah wah effect, an instant jam. "Ritual", a solid classic sounding song right from the late 70s style of metal, just a great song to play loud and bang your head to. Members Jarvis Leatherby, Brent Woodward, John Crerar have accomplished capturing the sound of the HM era in all its spirit. The EP will be available in many formats and its worth going to their sites to follow their upcoming shows and other happenings. I recommend for veteran metal fans as well as for the next generation of true Heavy Metal lovers in the vein of early Maiden, Judas priest, Saxon, UFO and many others from that time period.
~Artemortifica

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 nightdemon.net 

Moonloop - Deeply From The Earth

Progressive DM from Barcelona Spain. Moonloop is ERIC BAULE: Vocals, lead & rhythm guitars, JUANJO MARTÍN: Rhythm guitars & background vocals, RAÚL PAYÁN: Drums, VIC GRANELL: Bass. Deeply From The Earth released in June 2013 under Listenable Records. "Awakening The Spirals of Time", is the opening track. Captivating start, when all the instruments chime in, I get a clear understanding of production, it is top notch. "A Live Divided", we get to hear the DM influence in this track, solid guitar riffs with a warm tone. "Beginning of The End", enjoying the arrangements of passages, followed with some good guitar licks. Vocals are mid guttural and have distinct definition. "Fading Faces", this track reminds me of early Gojira in the beginning, we also get some clean vocals which are well executed without the song losing any potency. "Strombus", intense double kick work by Raul on this song, then into some interesting rhythms with synth overlay. "Legacy of Fear", I get the feeling of late nineties style of DM heavy influence for this particular song. "Wailing Road", is different and comes as a nice surprise, somewhat reminds me of The Devin Townsend project but just slightly heavier. "Deceiving Time", a clean guitar progression with lead background and more clean singing that I do not mind since it is well fitting for this composition. "Landscape", back to the heavy, chunky type chords probably would do well in live atmosphere. really impressed by the drums through out this entire album, as they do many different fills and creative arrangements instead of just holding a beat. "Atlantis Rising", complete with splashing sounds as to imaging the rising of the forgotten land, awesome, clean entrance and intriguing mysterious background ambiance, really like what I hear, this slowly builds up into a variety of heavy to clean instrumentation with a solid climatic solo to wrap it all up. Overall found myself exploring many aspects of the album and stayed interested through out without getting bored. I recommend for fans of DM, progressive, melodic, and ambient fans a like.
~Artemortifica 

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