Inside The Artist's Head - Filth & Lies EP

Inside The Artist's Head is a Swedish groove metal band from Växjö. Members are, Jonas Stark - Vocals, Tony Pettersson - Guitar, Johan Svensson - Drums, Dino Helmefalk - Bass guitar. Filth & Lies is their second EP, self released on March 29th 2014.

The opening track builds up a big atmosphere, with chants of an approaching mob and a catchy guitar riff, I like this, it is a far better start than your typical riff then long scream or growl which seems to be the way a lot of albums in the genre open with as a first song. It is a nice change and gets you motivated to stick around and hear more. The production is tight but retains a raw edgy quality which I also enjoy. Every instrument compliments each other with good balance. The track Social Bullshit sticks in my mind. Effective arrangements, not super complicated, just raw head-banging rhythms that will drive people into the mosh pit. Berefth of Life, very brutal, the drums unleash a fast assault and kick up the adrenaline several notches. Bass lines sound solid and hit you with an unsuspecting slide here and there. You can hear a good example of the pummeling bass assault on the last track "Insanity", at around the 2:15 mark it drives the listener into the ground, in a good heavy way. The album cover is a good piece of art by Nicolas Dubuisson, the faceless corporate guys with a corroded city in the back is fitting to the lyrical content and visually captures essence of the compositions contain within.

In conclusion, the high energy comes through perfectly and the raw bare bones metal approach works great. The songs are not super complex and are easy to get into. In addition to this EP, the band has their previous release "Regrets" also available on their BC page. Be sure to check out what they have to offer you will not be disappointed.
~Artemortifica

facebook-Insidetheartistshead 
insidetheband-bandcamp

Serpent Slave - Chaos EP

Serpent Slave is a metal band from Caloocan/ Bulacan. Members are Donnie Marcelo- Vocals, Mark Bugay- Guitars, Alrich Paragoso-Guitars, Ash Aguilar-Bass, Jeric Elviña-Drums. Chaos EP re-released under Anatometh Records.

The band got their start in 2004. Influenced by the early era of heavy metal they have manage to put together this debut ep that reflects their vision to create their own style in the vast ocean of the genre. "Atrocities" is the introduction. Decent production. The guitars sound solid in a thrash metal type of distortion. "Mortality", reveals a punk rock influence in the riffs. The vocalist spouts out good and comprehensively lyrics. "Blood to Annihilation" My favorite part on this song is around two and a half minutes the riffs take a turn and expose a Lamb Of God influence, which I enjoy very much. Madness is the closer. Not as strong as the other songs but still a good contender. At times, a few of the phrases go a lot longer than they should but most listeners would probably not mind. Although they describe themselves as a metal genre band, I do hear thrash and punk rock elements involved like a strong D.R.I. or Death Angel influence in their rhythms.

In conclusion, the band does good at establishing their metal vision and I feel some creative and innovative compositions a sure to come in the future from their hard work and endeavors as they develop as musicians. ~Artemortifica

Serpent Slave FB  

Exodus new album - Update

Exodus is currently putting the finishing touches on their new album. On the official Exodus site Gary Holt recently gave fans an update;

"We are well into drum tracks; everything is going super smooth and Tom [Hunting] is just killing it! Best drum sound this band has ever laid down - sounds just simply pummeling! Only one more song and some B sides to go, then we go through things and make sure everything is up to par, and then time for guitars! Can't wait to add the crunch to these monsters.  This is gonna be so goddamned heavy it ain't even funny! We couldn't be more stoked and pleased with how this record is coming along! Bludgeoning!

Morbid Flesh - Embedded In The Ossuary

Morbid Flesh hails from Spain, established in 2007, consisting of members  Vali (vocals), Jose and Marc (guitars), Makeda (bass, also in INSULTERS) and Gusi (drums, also in GRAVEYARD and INSULTERS). Embedded In The Ossuary Ep will be released through Unholy Prophecies on April 15 2014. 

Intro "Entrance To The Ossuary", heavy destructive and epic. Like walking in a dark path to certain death. Charnel House, resurrecting the true DM spirits of the early nineties like Grave, Entombed, Sinister and Death. The song will get your blood pumping. Under Ragged Hoods, finally a song to have the mosh pit slamming in pure gut stomping frenzy. Brutality at its best. "Rising of Shadows", heavy drum rolls and devastating double kick work. "From Beyond The Bounds", thinking early Suffocation or Brutal truth, will say this is my favorite track on this Ep. The closing track is "Summoning The Sorcery Of Death", like bestial hordes rising from the perpetual abyss. A great way to send us of. My only compliant is that it was short. if your looking for some true DM look no further. Morbid Flesh has captured the essence of the pure DM style on this Ep.
~Artemortifica

facebook.com/MorbidFlesh
facebook.com/UnholyProphecies666

Listen to the full Ep streaming exclusively at nocleansinging.premiere-morbid-flesh

Everdying - The Journey Ahead EP

The Journey Ahead EP, self released on March 14 2014. Everdying is Johnny Dove, a one man melodic death metal project from the Mid-west area, Downers Grove, Illinois.

In doing reviews for AEA zine, I have been exposed to a handful one man projects from BM/DM/ Industrial, Doom and Ambient genres. Having done solo material myself, I can say that it is not an easy endeavor. It takes much dedication and hard work to get a final product accomplished. 

The Ep begins with "Quondam Echoes", open chords with a mood setting melody into heavier DM style verse. Vocals have a good range from deep guttural to BM high. The song breaks down into a bass line with a catchy harmony that reminds me of early Paradise Lost. Arizona Rain, this song is very enjoyable to me, clean acoustic guitar, mellow yet somehow uplifting at the same time, would say it is may favorite from this Ep. Next up is "I Will End You", in contrast to the previous composition, this song blast in with some grinding drum work while the vocals do a gore-grind style, a good blend between nineties dm riffs and slamming chops. "Lunar Aura", reminds me of the early At The Gates albums at the start, the song transcends into a clean part with a progressive feeling for a short time then jumps back to the aggressive style. "The Journey Ahead", title track, this has a BM orientation and the vocals reflect the passages, well executed. The final song is an In Flames cover "Worlds Within The Margin", vocals and string instruments definitely complimented the original, the drums were a bit mechanical on some parts but overall, I enjoyed it.

In conclusion, each song has a distinct feeling and the production quality is solid and well balanced. The variety of genres blend together well and keeps each composition interesting from moment to moment.
~Artemortifica

everdying.bandcamp
facebook-everdying
everdyingofficial.com

      

Eyes Wide Open - Aftermath

Eyes Wide Open is a five piece band from Karlstad, Sweden. Members are Patrik Fahlin - Vocals, Kristofer Strandberg - Guitar, Erik Engstrand - Guitar, Jesper Lindgren - Bass, Karl Adamsson - Drums. Genre - metal.

"Aftermath" released back in 2011 features eleven tracks. Wings of Redemption is the opening track. A solid clean production, catchy and creative riffs perk my ears. Avalanche is song two, vocals are brutal yet easy to understand the lyrical content, similar to early In Flames but with much more edge. Track three is Foxdie, interesting title. Exhibiting many traits of the modern metal sounds but retaining their own mark. Guitars have a progressive feel but are not over the top, leaving room for the rhythm sections to shine. The song "Red" reveals a melodic aspect to their style. This is a song that sticks in your mind and has many harmonies. No More Stars, aggressive, mosh inducing anthem. The chorus is memorable. This is one of those tracks you will spin several times. Sink or Swim, one of the things the grabs my attention in this particular track is the solid bass sound, very detailed and punchy, actually through the entire recording it is dominant but not to overpowering, creating a level ground for the rest of the instruments. The closing track is "Aftermath", leading with a clean guitar riff and melody that will remain in my head for a time to come. A great way to close this adventure and also leave the listener wanting more.

In conclusion, from heavy to melodic, each song has its own distinction. Consider this is their first album, it makes a huge impact and sets the bar high. Fans of early Fear Factory, early In Flames, At The Gates and Amon Amarth will want to check this out. Be sure to look for their debut EP; Revelations on their band site.
~Artemortifica

facebook.com/Eyes.Wide.Open.SWE 

 

At The Gates - Tour flier 2014

At The Gates is set to release a new album (At War With Reality) in the fall of 2014. They recently posted a tour flier in support of its release. Visit their official site for more details at  atthegates.se/site