Pantheon of Blood - Tetrasomia

Released through Eldritch Lunar Miasma July 22 2013. Tetrasomia EP does not waste anytime setting the mood, from its first song "Thunder Alchemy" we hear open chord progressions and solid double bass kick work leading the charge. Vocals are excellent in true Finnish BM style. "Monta Maailmaa Nahnyt", simi clean guitar riff and slow tom rolls set an eerie mood and atmosphere of chaos. Production is good, all the instruments are captured with good clarity and tone. "Stigma Ja Kolmikarki", an interesting arrangement of chords with multi style vocals, from low, mid, high BM screams. "I.N.R.I." is the last song on this EP, an its a beast of a track, coming in with a clean guitar, memorable BM passages creating a dark abyss of travel. If you visit the bands BandCamp site you can stream two tracks form this EP. their previously release material includes "Pantheon of Blood" TAPE (Saturnian Productions / Breath of Pestilence, 2010) and "Consociatio Solis et Lunae" 7" (Glorious North Productions, 2011. Visit them on FB check out what they got going on. Overall I enjoyed this album and recommend it for fans of traditional Finnish Black Metal.
~Artemortifica 

pantheonofblood.bandcamp
facebook.com/Pantheon-of-Blood

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.

facebook.com/buffalosummer

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

facebook.com/darkdesignband 

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

facebook.com-nightdemonband
 nightdemon.net