Category: Reviews

Music and album reviews

Virvum-Illuminance album review 9/10 \m/

on By

Virvum

Illuminance

Bryan Berger – Vocals
Nic Gruhn – Guitars
Groftoby Koelman -Guitars
Diego Morenzoni – Drums

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ILLUMINANCE Out 09/16/2016!!

www.virvum.com

 

 

 

 

  1. The Cypher Supreme

This for me is the first time hearing Virvum, and this is one hell of a way to make a first impression on someone.  There is a very brief electronic sound and then the drums and guitars come in with rapid blast beats and the guitars are matching the precision of the drums speed, and then just as you think you are impressed by that. They hit us with an early guitar solo right around the :17 second mark.  A very enjoyable solo I’d like to mention, as it lasts just past forty five seconds, and then we get a bass solo.  That bass sounds fucking great, listen to how quickly the bass is played. Listen to the finesse by Arran, he really adds something to this album. Following that is a really cool driving guitar riff with a matched rhythm from the drums. Only to come back out with a cool solo again. I’d say this is an instrumental track and a killer introduction to the album with the talent really shining, but alas you get some dialogue with only seconds left in the song.

  1. Earthwork

They don’t waste any time getting down to business on this track but they hit you with this rapid blast and guitar filled section. This feels like that pack every possible void with sound and only for ten seconds before they drop out and the electronic almost cosmic sounds begin to take over the speakers.  For roughly thirteen seconds before getting back to where they left off with blasts, and this time when the vocals join in they are a much lower range set of vocals.  Just listening to theses drums you have to admire the fast attack, and the quality sound behind them.  Diego must be having a blast when he is playing a song like this one. It sounds awesome, and sounds like it would be a fun one to play.

  1. Illuminance

This song begins with a very melodic guitar melody being played for just over thirty seconds and then the drums and guitar distortion sets in.  I love the way this progressed from the first second to the last. This is a solid song. Right around the 1:30 mark they kick things into beast mode.  With the rapid blasting and then listening to the infectious guitar riff.  Those guitars have you hooked instantly. Really digging the guitar solo at the 2:13 mark also. The solo section last about a minute, but doesn’t seem to take up to much time. It doesn’t feel like it’s a long period of timing. I also want to point out the 3:29 mark when they wind things down for a bit. Only to be bringing them back up progressively with a talented drummer and then listening to the guitar tapping. It’s a mesmerizing pattern.  Only to have an impressive guitar riff hit us at the 4:12 mark just after I was impressed by the finger tapping.  At eight minutes and fifty nine seconds, this song has plenty to offer, and really knows how to keep the listener engaged.

  1. Ad Rigorem

Yes.Yes.so much yes from this beginning. I could loop the first sixty seconds of this song over and over. If this doesn’t get you amped up I don’t know what will. The emotions and feelings created from the volumes of energy this song pumps into me via my headphones is truly impressive.  Everything about the beginning, from the guitars, to the bass, and then of course my favorite the drums. Listen to those drums. On point, surgically precise, but listen to the power behind them, listen to the blasts at the :16 mark. There is no pussy footing around this one, hits hard, and fast, and what more do you want from a song like this. Fast, heavy, drums that are going to decimate you, steamroll right over you, with a flurry of blast beats leave you in awe. Yup that’s what you get on this album, and this song is a great example of that.

  1. Tentacles Of The Sun

This song kicks down the doors without warning.  The blistering blast beats with those guitars, and then as the vocals come in at the :07 second mark. They come in with a low blow and the vocals themselves give the song a groove you can follow. It’s not just about the guitars or the drums. The lyrics hit you blow by blow, from :07 to :14 they land effortlessly in a way that you get pulled in right away.  Now listen to that riff at the :14 second mark, these guys just don’t let up. This song will get anyone amped up by listening to the first thirty seconds of it, and you won’t be able to stop listening. I’m actually smiling listening to this track right now. The song grabs you, and there is no stopping the ride you are going on.  There is no way you stop this song to do anything, just listen and enjoy.

  1. Elemental Shift

I love the way the song begins, you get an early taste of the bass, and the main rhythm they start out with sounds almost empty, but they build off of that. The very next change is something that sounds fuller, like there is much more going on.  They eventually get back to that same rhythm right around the 1:20 mark.  This song much like its title goes through elemental shifts.  The song has periods of raw,  empty sounding sections, that get complimented by the periods of the song that have more sound, a more fulfilling sequence of guitar tone and drums  filling in all other voids. its slightly shorter in length than other tracks, but it holds its own when it comes to complexity and  groove.

  1. I: A New Journey Awaits

This song is really an instrumental track, but really fits the role it has been given.  It sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie where the score was written by Hans Zimmer and his best friend who is a metal head.It sets up the eighth and final track of the album.  It’s that classic, “lets cool things down for a short period of time and then blow the shit out of everything right after”  it’s the calm before the storm, the warning shot, and when you make it through the one minute and forty two second long song.  You will be wise to have prepared yourself for the last song of the album

  1. II: A final Warming Shine Ascension And Trespassing

At just shy of ten minutes and thirty seconds long, this is my favorite song on the album. It fucking explodes right out of the gate and has soooo much going on musically. I just can’t give you the full review of this track, as you are just going to have to take a listen yourself and make the determination. But I will say this song rises above all the previous tracks. And since all the other songs on this album are great, this last track really makes a statement and sets the bar.

 

This album is a brilliant creation, offering up so much for the listener.  This album displays the range for all the members. It’s not just the vocal range which I must say I am impressed by. But the range the guitars demonstrate, and the drums also.   Some of the songs progress beautifully while they still don’t hold back when it comes to hitting us with rapid fire blast beats and killer guitar riffs to pummel the listener.  No they do not hold back one bit, but show us the other side.  The mellow and mysterious side of things.  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a few songs on repeat.  A final warming, and ad rigorem have been looped easily over one hundred times each.  This album is full of great songs, but those two really did stick out for me.  And definitely got played the most when it comes to how many times I played each song while listening to an album.  But ultimately this album kicks a whole lot of ass.  This album is awesome and captivating from start to finish, and is nothing short of a 9/10 \m/.

 

 

If you like what you are hearing check them out on FACEBOOK Here \m/

 

 

Go on and pre-order the album,  get in on those pre order bundles and all you need to do is click here to go to their BANDCAMP page \m/

 

 

 

-Badger \m/

 

Visit our FACEBOOK page \m/_(><)_\m/

http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

 

Onomasy- Ashes And Dust- Album Review 8/10 \m/

on By

Onomasy

Ashes And Dust

Samuel Fernandez – Drums

Mario Gomez – Bass

Pablo Acien – Guitar

Armando Rubio – Guitar

Alvaro Valdeavero – Vocals

 

1) Bow Down

This track is really more of an introduction track, not bad either, just a little over a minute long. It has this melodic technical metal feel to it. But the real show begins with track two “The Maze Of Unhappiness”

 

2) The Maze of Unhappiness

The whole band comes together for the first note of the song with a low guttural growl getting first blood. The first ten seconds of this song go fast, but it’s a great way to get acclimated to the sheer brutality that Onomasy possesses. The vocal range happening throughout this song is killer. Alvaro can hit some disgusting lows, and then his high vocals are razor sharp. When you get to the 1:15 mark you can hear the highs in perfect form. The guitarists are tight, they are precise, and it sounds like both can play a solid lead with one of them delivering a short solo around the 1:00 mark it’s a really brief riff really. But it has a old school feel to it. It’s placed well because they are hammering away with this tech death sound then an old school riff back into the rapid fire blasting tech death explosion.

3) Gray Days To Live

Way too early to call this song my favorite, but I have been spinning this track a lot lately. It starts out with a short bass intro, and then   the drums come in blistering fast and heavy, while the vocals come in high and fast almost right away.   Just listening to the guitars my forearms are getting cramps. The amount of discipline that this whole band has is impressive. This is a song that really grabs you, the rhythm is so catchy it pulls you in and you can’t help but move. The lead guitars around the 1:08 mark are great, and this is only ten second portion of guitar greatness coming off this album. Right at the 1:40 mark they get low and slow with their brutal and infectious transition. Its heavy as hell and when the next verse is seeing the finishing touches the guitars are tearing shit up all leading up to my favorite part of the whole song. It starts at the 2:27 mark. When the vocals come in, its catchy, its heavy, and you know that if you are seeing this unfold at a live show, the crowd is going to get rowdy. The gang vocals in the background and then Alvaro’s vocals layered over fucking work. After that section the guitars give us a melodic guitar solo with some Latin soul feel to it. Not a shredfest, its soothing in a way, it has local flavor and then they come right back out to end the song as hard and heavy as it began.

4) Ashes and Dust

A short guitar riff starts things off with the drums following right in after mere seconds. The vocals join in at the :21 second mark just after the rest of the band has done a number on your senses with the breakneck speed on the drums to the blistering pace the guitars have set up. In the first sixty seconds of this song you will develop a thought process as to why you haven’t heard this band before now. I am really digging the rhythm right around the :30 second mark it has a menacing feel about it. Right around the 1:00 mark, they hit you with a slowed punchy section that bridges to the next verse knocking out some teeth on the way. This song takes you on a journey through the low   bludgeoning death metal style, and speed things up with their rapid fire tech death sound.

5) Digging Up The Moon

This song starts right out of the gate with rapid blast beats and then a quick precise guitar riff. The vocals come in at the :05 second mark with the high range vocals. The intensity from the guitars and matching the vocals with the drums. They have unleashed a full on audio assault, from the rapid highs to the punishing low guttural growls. This song relentlessly pummels you into submission. A perfect example is at the 2:35 mark, the vocals are infectious, and the guitars showcase their ability, while the drums are grinding away blast beat by blast beat. At times Alvaro is nailing the highs and executing with a style similar to Trevor Strnad from The Black Dahlia Murder. This song is badass, makes you eager to hear the next track.

6) Descending to The Other Side

The song kicks off subtlety with a brief intro and then a nice melodic guitar solo starts things off. The song has a nice mid paced tempo, but it doesn’t stop them from   hitting us with blast beats and a killer guitar riff leading up to the : 36 mark when the first verse begins in brutal fashion. The song has a cool groove to it, keeping you moving right along with the changes. Right around the 1:30 mark the guitars are playing a killer riff harmonized before a short solo and into the next verse. Around the 1:52 mark they get low and slow, you can feel the bass drum doing a slow roll helping elevate that sinister rhythm. This song has so much to offer in its short just shy of four minute run time.

7) The Legacy “Interlude”

This is a nice melodic interlude with some ambient sounds and an acoustic guitar playing overtop. It’s a nice mellow 1:38 long track that lulls you to your safe zone, and prepares you for what is “The Jailer of the Lives”

8) The Jailer Of The Lives

The song begins with a mellow guitar riff, and the occasional drum cymbal, this is a nice relaxing introduction that seems to pick up from “The Legacy” before the guitars get distorted around the :35 second mark. That’s when the S.H.T.F and the vocals come in hard while the drums are breaking down the walls. Listen to the guitars tear shit up at the :55 second mark, while the song gets ready to transition into its next verse. The verse is a heavy death metal feel with plenty of old school character, and then as they come out of the verse they bring the technicality of modern metal. This song is heavy, slightly slower than most of their songs, but will knock you on your ass with ease.

 

9) In Memory Of The Reaper

The song fades in quickly with the band exploding in to the song at the :04 second mark. That’s when the guitars show off some of their talent while getting the song cranking. When the vocals come in at the :25 second mark, they come in heavy as hell and low, and immediately replying with the high rapid fire vocals. This song has enough to get your teeth sunk into and feed of the groove that they have laid down. Between verses the guitars give us a cool little solo and the vocals come in high and fast again. Just after the halfway mark we get a short bridge consisting of high vocals and a guitar solo, and then back into the verse. Right around the 3:20 mark they kick things into overdrive and get real heavy. Making the last thirty seconds of the song brutal, and catchy to the very last note.

 

10)I Am

The song begins with the guitars playing a cool riff for the first forty seconds or so. This song has an evil agenda by the sounds of it. I mean what is happening at the 1:00 minute mark with the rapid blasting, and the high vocals. I mean Samuel is completely decimating the masses with his footwork on the drums. The whole song has a groove about it, something that really pulls you in. A perfect example is   around the 3:16 mark we get a killer soulful guitar solo that lasts just shy of thirty seconds and then the band comes in hard. I enjoy the fact that they give it 100% to the very last note.

 

11) Advantage of The Disadvantage

For the first twenty seconds these guys really showcase their technical discipline and their ability to play with precise execution of every note. When the vocals join in they are low and heavy as hell for the beginning of the verse, the follow up to the verse Alvaro is cutting through the lines with his highs. Right around the 1:30 mark there’s a short pause and then a quick shredding guitar solo for about thirty seconds before transition back into the next verse. I love the tempo of the song, it has a driving beat to it, and it really gets you moving. This is a killer track and I love the balance of the vocals. At times he is really getting those lows, and then hitting the highs. But at times they are blended without too much overlay.

 

12) The Heritage of The Loyal

The song begins with a chugging guitar riff for only a few short seconds before the drums and vocals join in. All the other songs before this one seemed to be more of a precise note by note lay out of the song. Whereas this one seems to have a less technical approach to it, incorporating some dissonant sounds with more chugging riffs. This song is like all the animosity that has built up, has now exploded and this is the effect of that. The song is more death metal, with a slower pace, and low vocals for the majority of the song. Right around the 2:23 mark the song goes through a funky transition and then blasts out to a more melodic death metal feel. With a piano being heard in the background.

 

All in all this album is badass, and completely surprised me as I had not heard Onomasy until today. This album is easily an 8/10 rating from me, they showcase serious talent among the group from the guitars to the drums, the bass is not shy either we get to hear the bass stand out in quite a few of the songs. And Alvaro’s vocals are on point, seamlessly going from guttural lows to precision highs, the guy adds so much dimension to the songs by utilizing his range so well. This album  is more than just a tech death album, it breathes life into a genre that is starting to get more and more popular by the day. With so many bands playing similar styles of tech death, Onomasy try to break that pattern, by even changing things up with the last song being less tech death and more melodic death metal. One thing is for sure, if you haven’t heard Onomasy, or this album you need to. Right now.

Go.

\m/

 

 

 

Find Onomasy on FACEBOOK and give them a like so that you can keep up to date on any news.

Pick up the album on Bandcamp.com

-Badger \m/

Visit our FACEBOOK page \m/_(><)_\m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

 

 

After The Burial- Dig Deep album Review 9/10

on By

After The Burial

Dig Deep

Sumerian Records

02/19/2016

Justin Lowe – Guitar R.I.P. 12/17/1982-07/21/2015

Dan Carle – Drums

Anthony Notarmaso – Vocals

Lee Foral – Bass

Trent Hafdahl – Guitar

 

 

 

 

  1. Collapse

This song begins in the standard After The Burial format, a muffled guitar riff can be heard fading in, and then it reaches its moment of clarity, and the rest of the band joins in hard and fast, laying down the first groove of the album. Such a great introduction to the album. The vocals are intense, it sounds like there is more emotion put into the vocals this time around than previous albums. The 1:32 mark you get some gang vocals and then right into that groove again. This song is explosive, it’s got the energy, and the classic After The Burial sound. Having this be the first time really listening to these guys in a few months, the song is giving me chills. The breakdown though, right around the 3:30 mark now that is a moment of brutality, ending the song on a strong note.

 

  1. Lost In The Static

The first guitar riff you hear brings back memories of their first album, they stay true to their sound, and then the vocals come in with rapid vocal delivery. All I can say right now is wow, this is a phenomenal song, and I thought I had chills from the first song, this right here is an unbelievable contribution to the album. The production sounds like the best it’s ever been. The guys really went all out on this one, there is nothing held back.

 

  1. Mire

The first thing you hear is Anthony breath in, and then as he lets out a long winded growl, the band joins in at the same moment. I have always loved how they lay down a solid groove wrapped up in a really intricate guitar riff, and they have never strayed from that formula. Right around the 0:55 mark they pick up the pace a bit with a rhythm that will have you head banging and ready for some action in the pit. This song is heavy and hard hitting, it should come with its only disclaimer for the listener and anyone around them that haymakers will be thrown without prejudice within a 10 yard radius.

 

  1. Deluge

A short drum intro kicks things off with an infectious groove following right after and then a killer guitar riff. This has instant fan favorite written all over it, that first guitar rhythm they play is solid. Clocking in at around 160 BPM they keep that perpetuating rhythm guitar riff going and is it a mesmerizing riff.   Right at the 1:40 mark they slow things down to a low and slow punishing moment of sheer pit massacre chaos. They round this song out with more killer riffs and a really catchy groove.

 

  1. Laurentian Ghosts

The guitar riff that kicks the song off is a very melodic tranquil riff that plays for roughly thirty seconds and then they bring the heavy, they bring the groove, and they bring everything they have got into this song. I can personally guarantee you will be tapping your foot, you will be moving, grooving, and head banging to this song. This song has some power behind it. This is one of those songs that when you play it in your car, you could be in the middle of a parking lot just sitting in your car by yourself, and you will be rocking out HARD. Oh man the line right at 2:34 mark “when the siren sounds” and then boom the siren does sound and they go into full on circle pit erupting breakdown mode. I love this song, I can’t say anything more about it I love it. This song is packed with everything that fans of ATB have come to love about them. This song has so much emotion in it, you can feel it through the music, you don’t always get that, and with this you do.

 

  1. Heavy Lies The Ground

This song begins with a sound growing louder and then some randomly placed noises, everything growing louder until right around the :38 mark cymbals roll in for an explosive entrance by the vocals and the rest of the band. This is a heavy hitting delivery, absolutely brutal. The rhythm is a bit slower than previous songs, but it is punchy and throws down hard. However right at 2:14 mark they pick up the pace fast, they go from around 120 BPM to halftime to give it that faster fell, and the rapid vocal delivery is spot on. The last minute of this song is just a cool outro, it maintains the groove, and plays adding slight changes like the drums playing on the toms and changing things up but maintaining the same feel to give it a cool way to end the song.

 

  1. Catacombs

You hear a floor tom hit with an odd guitar tone, but the tom is hit hard, it really gives a punchy feel to it, but Dan is hitting his floor toms hard. You can tell when the song hits the: 32 mark they have a groove all ready to be laid out and what they do is give you a brief moment of some melodic guitar playing and then come right back in swinging with the groove in place. So far they aren’t straying from the vivace feel of the song, the guitar squeals add an interesting twist to the basic rhythm guitar riff. I dig the section the song hits the 3:38 mark coming right out of that little setup they come in swinging for the ropes.

 

  1. The Endless March

The song begins with one of those classic ATB guitar licks that got me hooked on them in the first place. This song has a lot of energy put into it, right at the 1: 05 mark we get some rapid blasts with the bass drum following the guitars. Coming out of that section they bring things down to a punchy segment filled with windmills and haymakers. Only to jump right back in the quick paced groove from before. Got to love the guitars in this song playing those intricate guitar riffs. When you hear someone mention After the Burial, you almost immediately think of the type of guitar riff I am talking about. This song really brings me back to Rareform and I like the fact that after four albums they stay true to their sound.

 

  1. Sway Of The break

This song lays it all out, their classic sound, and a rock solid groove that has you moving right along with the beat. I won’t say anything else about this song, you should just get the album and hear it for yourself.   This is the last thing Justin worked on as a musician that is mind blowing thought to take in.

 

 

This album is great, they hold true to their sound, style and Dig Deep to bring all the emotion  out in the music, to the point you can feel it from the moment you hit play. Those signature guitar riffs, the delivery and intensity of the music I’m not embellishing in anyway, but every time I have listened to these songs so far I get chills. Knowing this is the last thing Justin worked on as a musician. This must have been such a difficult album for the rest of the band to finish up, but it looks like they wanted to do the right thing. I believe they did the absolute best that could have been done. This album has soooo much energy, so much emotion, and there isn’t a single track you will think about skipping. This album should be played from start to finish without any interruptions for at least the first time you listen to it. They deserve that much. I love it and it is nothing short of 9/10.

 

 

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-Badger \m/

Visit our FACEBOOK page \m/_(><)_\m/
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Divine Realm- Tectum Argenti 10/10

on By

Divine Realm

Tectum Argenti

02/23/2016

Leo Diensthuber
Marc Roy
Tyler Brayton
Josh Ingram

  1. Tritos

The song begins with the sound of falling water, dripping and splashing on a surface, some electronic sounds fade in, with little pops and then a heavy electronic sounds setting things up for the guitars and drums to join in with an n explosive technical metal style. The guitar riff around the 1:10 mark is on point to what you would expect to hear, it is a classic guitar solo in the vein of Dream Theaters John Petrucci. This song is a killer track to start the album off with. The best way to explain this song, is that you are getting ready to listen to something much like if you took Dream Theater, Animals as Leaders, and The Algorithm put them all in a blender, and   then take that mix for something out of the ordinary realm of what you think progressive technical instrumental metal would sound like. This is an awesome track, and I can only expect that the rest of this album is just as good if not progressively better.

 

  1. Cloak and Dagger

And it looks like my high hopes have panned out, this song has really taken that DT, AAL, The Algorithm, and Ennio Morricone and put it into perspective, wondering what the hell I am talking about. Well just play the song and you will hear the electronic sounds, and then the guitar riff, the crisp technical drums, and it is simply badass. Now wait until the: 45 second mark where the Ennio Morricone reference sinks in. Absolutely brilliant, this is a progressive technical death metal instrumental masterpiece! No one would have thought to put that section in a song, and I don’t think anyone could have pulled it off the way this band does it. Hot damn the 2:15 mark is equally as bad ass, and you will want to play this song again, and again, each time you will find yourself actually enjoying the song more and more, all the while appreciating every little note and section more and more. Right around the 3: 02 mark you will hear one of the simplest rhythms being played, and you will then acknowledge the fact that you can’t help but like it. It is outside the norm for progressive metal, technical metal, or any subgenre in between and it works so well.

 

  1. Inherit The Earth

This song begins with the sound of nature, birds flying away and chirping. An electronic melody begins to fade in and then what sounds like a growl, and then the band jumps in with a real cool guitar riff and some really intricate drums laying down the base. The moment you get to the 1:28 mark you will experience one of the best musical sections for a metal release of 2016, (
I would also put 2015 also, it’s absolutely badass) this guitar riff right here is something you would hear from Marty Friedman from his solo work. I have found many uses for this specific section of song. I without a doubt could create hundreds of scenarios and descriptions/references to illustrate just how great it is. I have also used that riff as entrance music when coming home from work because why not. It works with anything. Ringtone, alarm clock entrance music, holding music, elevator music, driving music, music to get you amped up to play, music to chill out to. Shoot I could easily hear this song being a song in a video game also. This song is amazing, and I just don’t know how to explain it but this song alone is worth the cost of the whole album. It is without a doubt my favorite song on this album. You will be head banging, you will be tapping your foot, you will be playing air guitar, and air drums, and you will remember the name Divine Realm after this song.

 

  1. Tectum Argenti

This song begins with some electronic sounds fading in, until the guitar dives head first with a soulful guitar riff, to set things up and then transitions into the technical metal sound. Throw in some quick precise drumming, and a few menacing guitar riffs, (you will know what I mean once you hear them) and lay down a killer groove that you can’t ignore. Right around the 1:55 mark the song goes into a cool section trading off bars, and then a quick little riff bringing the song down to almost nothing. Then after a few seconds the song picks back up with a cool groovy beat until they change again, raising the bar with more intricate guitar solos and drum patterns.

 

  1. Glass Empire

The sound of electronics, and glass shattering can be heard then what sounds like a clock ticking, with some electronic sounds fading in until a short 1.2.3.4. pattern and the band jumps in with a guitar playing a solid rhythm, and the lead playing a cool riff,   they keep it up for a few seconds and then they raise the bar, attacking the more technical and intricate guitar riffs and fast technical drumming with laser focus precision execution. At 3:14 you will see what they are capable off and how they can seamlessly transition from breakneck guitar riffs and blistering fast drums to a more relaxed instrumental groove. I like the way the end the song, it seems to fade out, and become muffled sounding and then the only sounds you hear are some electronic noises and something that sounds like a heart monitor beeping.

 

  1. Ab Aeterno

This song begins also with the electronic sounds, and has more of a mellow feel to it, similar to Scale The Summit’s delivery. It is a very relaxing, song with all guitar riffs and drum patterns moving with fluid motion. They really did their homework trying to determine the track order, and this is exactly where it should be. The whole album shreds, and it blows your mind with some of the sick guitar riffs, and the technicality of the song structures, but they use this song to really take you to a relaxed feeling, as if you are enjoying a cosmic oasis just floating along and taking in all the sights without a worry in the world. This is what I mean about how the music sets up scenery for the listener.

 

  1. Metaphor of the Sun

This song has an interesting beginning, you can hear crackling fire, something that sounds like a clock ticking, a piano joins in playing a light melody, some electronic sounds start to join in. then BOOM the band gets right down to some really impressive guitar shredding, and technical drumming. This has such a damn solid groove it’s great, these guys can shred too, the guitar solos being played are incredible. They seem to have scrutinized every note to sheer perfection of timing and placement along with the rhythm of the song. We hear the piano again when the song takes on a jazzy style transition and the guitar is laying a soul filled riff. They come out of that with a heavy progressive metal feel, and the delivery is spot on. This is exactly the right song to end the album with, my only gripe, is now I wish the album had more tracks because I want more Divine Realm playing through my speakers.

 

 

 

This E.P. is awesome, this is one of those albums that when you hear it, it blows you away. It’s not a new genre, hell Animals as Leaders have been doing the instrumental thing since 2007. Plenty of bands are involved in the Instrumental or instrumental genre. Divine Realm don’t sound like they are trying to be the fastest or anything. They are playing some genre bending progressive technical instrumental metal with some impressive elements blended in. From the electronic programmed sounds and rhythms, to the sections like in Cloak and Dagger where it takes you to a different scene altogether. This album is mind blowing, I have no regrets giving this album 10/10 it blew me away, and these guys are very impressive.   Every song has a specific detail that when that change happens and you hear it, you are surprised. You aren’t expecting it, and they have this method where they are playing technical metal, the song doesn’t just change, it almost evolves into a new section, and really gives you some images of a scene. When you listen to this album you will find yourself almost imagining a scene, or image that this album really generates flawlessly. For the many of you that will actually listen to this, if you have not heard Diving Realm before, well after you listen to this album, you will know their name and remember what you felt when you listened to this great release.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/DIVINEREALM/timeline

https://twitter.com/DivineRealmBand

https://divinerealm.bandcamp.com/

 

 

-Badger \m/

Visit our FACEBOOK page \m/_(><)_\m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

 

Odyessey- Voids Album Review 8/10 @OdysseySpokane

on By

Odyssey

Voids

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Out February 5th, 2016

Guitar – Jerrick Crites
Bass – Jordan Hilker
Drums – Lukas Hilker

 

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  1. Emerge. Evolve. Adapt

The song begins with some muffled guitar tones playing and fading in, becoming clearer until they start playing a steady rhythm. I am enjoying this, it has a feel good groove about it, and then walks along the lines of something heavy. It’s not one hundred percent metal, these guys are blending several styles from metal, to fusion, some classic rock stylings. This is a solid track to start the album out with, and I get the first impression, that this is their simple song, the song that gives you a good first impression to get your attention. The hold down the groove, and really lay it on thick so you can be nodding your head, tapping your foot, rocking out in general, and really enjoy their unique intrumetal delivery.

 

  1. Negate The Infinite

I called it, this is a bit more complex than the previous track, this band is not only playing some killer music in the form of instrumental metal, and they are bringing their talents for different music styles, and technical abilities to the table as well. Jerrick can definitely hold his own on the guitar. This has spawned the sudden urge to break out the air guitar. You know what I’m talking about, that moment you hear a sick riff, and you just want to rock out on the air guitar trying to follow the whirlwind shredding riff and all of its finger placements along the fret board. I always enjoy when I can hear the bass in most music because so often they get buried underneath, and some bassists can really deliver so sick bass lines. Jordan holds things down very well.

 

  1. Like Moths To a Flame

It is way too early to say that this is my favorite track, but I have listened to this one a few times already. I am really digging the way they start this song off, that rhythm, and how they take it, play it for a few bars,   add more dynamics to it, and progress with that foundation. The guitar hits us with some solo action around the 1:52 mark, and while it not a dizzying shredfest, it’s a soulful solo. The tempo is quick enough to keep your energy levels up there and your head nodding. This is a fun song to listen to, and what I really like is that Lukas is not trying to play over the guitar or bass. He is not trying to take the spotlight, and he is not hiding in the shadows either. He keeps the beat, keeps it interesting and does so by balancing his talents all across the boards, knowing when to play something with panache, and when to just keep the time.

 

  1. Motives

The song starts with a heavier feel to it for the first ten seconds and then goes to a more fluid style. The guitar is playing out to some extent, without getting to flashy. I like the change around the 1:30 mark because it sets up the next section and you can see how they progress throughout the song. At the 2:25 mark, the drums and bass set things up for a very cool sequence of the drums keeping the beat and the guitar is playing a cool riff while it may be simple what he is doing,   all three of them doing it together blends well and sounds awesome. The last minute of this song is badass, the guitar solo, how it starts out simple and then shreds for a few bars, the drums playing on the toms with the accents on the crash, while the guitar is also accenting on the same notes. This song ends in such a manner that it leaves you hoping that the next thing you hear is going to blow you away.

 

  1. Echoes

The guitar riff with all of its echo and the bass doing what sounds like volume swells, playing like this for a bar or two and the drums come in with a rhythm to follow along, then progresses to what is like a 4:4 time signature. Evolving into something more but keeping that guitar pattern going. This song is a killer track, I love it, this will be making it to my playlists, as it has that badass beginning, but then when they bring it down a few notches. The guitar is playing with some soul, it reminds me of Clapton, and some Gilmour fused together. This song is one that leaves you reaching for the back button, you know if you haven’t hit that “repeat 1” button yet (which I have and l can’t stop listening to).

 

  1. Before There Were Eyes To See

This song starts out with a thrash feel to it, and they get right down to the energy boosting rhythms with this song. I really like the old school vibe about it, the guitar solo starting around the 1: 30 mark is great. Jerrick plays a soulful solo and then ends with some shredding licks, only to take a quick breather and hit us with a dizzying riff, it’s a straight up hand cramping riff that lasts almost thirty seconds. They break the time down a bit and give it some accented points to only bring it down some more with the bass all alone setting up the next rhythm.

 

  1. The Plot thickens

The song begins with a riff and a bit of mystery behind it, which really leads you to wonder which way they will be going. They don’t leave that amount of mystery in question long and dive right into a quick tempo pace with steady drums for the first section. The next change brings things down a slight amount with the drums being played on the toms, and then going into a jazzy feel for a bar, popping right back into a heavy feel again. WE haven’t even cleared two minutes in yet and they are jumping from style to style and giving the listener a brief moment to get acclimated to the change. All the while they do have a solid groove, that while they change tempo a few times that groove follows the entire time. The guitar solo though, Jerrick will be a more known name after this album I am sure of it. You don’t play the way he is on this and not get attention from it.

 

  1. Delineation

This song starts a bit muffled with the introductory riff, yet you can hear the hi hat being hit, this is a very soothing beginning, I like that it is about to change and it does, the drum pattern on the hi hat accent the rhythm, the perpetual guitar riff and the bass hitting the groove in that low tone. This song seems like it could tell a story, it could leave you thinking about things in a different perspective, and will keep you hanging on every note for the entire 7:17 of song length.

 

  1. Left Unspoken

This song starts out very smooth and melodic, this is a very relaxing tune so far, and I am certainly enjoying the vibe it gives off. This is like once of those intermission tracks, it’s not very long, it doesn’t have many changes, it’s just a cool soothing track to get you brought down from the last song and get you mentally prepared for the last track of the album, the title track.

 

  1. Voids

This has a rock solid groove right out of the gate, this is actually a fun song by the sounds of it so far. I am betting they like to end on this song because it sounds like as much fun as it is to listen and enjoy this song, it’s a fun song to play. Jerrick though, he likes those hand cramping riffs I can tell. The song picks up the pace right around the 1:20 mark and delivers some energy inducing drums to get you going into the next change. This is a killer track, I mean that groove alone is highly enjoyable but right around the halfway point they mix things up and then those toms rolling out and setting up that slower more dramatic section. They throw down some funk right around the 3:40 mark where they just start to set it up, but yea you get to that point and they just brought the funk. And to answer your question, no they did not end the album without Jerrick delivering a face melting shredfest of a guitar solo.

 

 

 

This album is awesome, the amount of sound they pack in with only three members is impressive. The styles that can be heard throughout this album range from jazz and funk, to thrash and progressive metal. I couldnt pick just one song to be a favorite, but I will tell you that “Echoes” has been played a few dozen times, it is now my alarm clock sound,  and a  ringtone, as it is such a killer track. The album really is a an example of variety, not every song sounds the same,  yet every song has its own style.  Call me crazy but  if this was to be paired the way people pair wine or beer with food. This album could be paired with ” The Algorithm”  I would love to see maybe a split, where you have The Algorithm  doing their thing, and Odyssey doing theirs because they would compliment each other so well. This album can be played any where, from the office to  driving. With instrumental metal bands coming out more and more, I will say that this album would rank high in a list of instrumental metal album lists for 2016,  if compared to the releases from 2015,  I would put this higher than quite a few albums released last year.  My only hope is that they eventually release it on vinyl, for my collection. Hands down a solid 8/10 rating is what Voids deserves, and you should pre order today! \m/

 

 

Check out this Album promo video they put up New Year’s Eve Check it out below.

 

 

 

 

 

Make sure to click HERE \m/ if you want to pre order either the physical or digital album.

After you do that you can stream their last release while you wait for “Voids” album to be released.

 

Check them out on Facebook: Odyssey spokane \m/

Also make sure to follow them on TWITTER for the latest news

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

Ascendor-Drive My Demons Away-6/10

on By

Ascendor

Drive My Demons Away

2015

Steve Muscat – Vocals,
Joe Costa – Guitars,
Andy Fava – Guitars / Backing Vocals,
Blasio Muscat – Bass,
Paul Formosa – Drums

 

  1. Fear of God

This song starts out with a fast guitar introduction, and then the band fades in with double bass and ad off timed snare for a few bars to build the song up. The rhythm for the first verse is solid, something you can really head bang to, and got locked into the groove. They have an old school thrash death sound, then they give a short little solo to transition to the next section. I love the simplicity of this song. The change at the 2:52 mark is great, it has that pre solo buildup, and then a shredding guitar solo following.

 

  1. At The Gates

This song starts out with a lone guitar tone and then some hammer on sounding guitar licks. This has a blackened feel to it, bringing a different guitar distortion than the previous track, and a really sinister feel to the song altogether.

 

  1. Drive My Demons Away

Starting out with a guitar riff that has that sound that can get you ready for something big, while the hi hat is getting hit on 2 and 4. Then we get a quick paced thrash style rhythm that plays out for a good forty seconds. This song had a great beginning, but really lost me when the vocals came in, I just didn’t care for the sound they were going for on the second half of this song.

 

  1. Where Angels Lay to Die

This song has an old school thrash sound to it right from the beginning, and sounds like something Megadeth would have done in the late 80’s. First minute of the song is good, and I dig the guitars, this song seems promising. Heavy yet spoken dialogue happens to be the first form of vocals on this track. Yet they build up to a heavier form towards the tail end of the first spoken verse. They give us a solid guitar solo starting at the 4:00 minute mark and shreds for just shy of a full minute. This song is a great track on this album.

 

  1. With Broken Wings

The song has a slower and darker beginning, for the first fifty seconds, and then picks up in tempo. They have a rock solid rhythm for this song, and the buildup for the chorus section is great. The guitar solo shows of the talents and influences from the guitars, this is a great song.

 

  1. War Inside My Head

This is a pretty simple song, the opening lines consist of the title of the track, and a heavy rhythm for just shy of a minute. The tempo is right around the 130 BPM area, and has a solid beat to it, something you can tap your foot to. Not a truly exciting song, but they keep it simple with this one and a guitar solo can be heard during the last leg of this song.

 

 

  1. In The Hangman’s Shadow

This song had a lot of build up for the first two minutes, and then the vocals join in, I can’t say I really enjoy the vocals for the first sequence of vocals. But the beginning rhythm I liked. This song could have been a really solid instrumental track.

 

  1. Turn water to blood

A long guitar tone can be heard, and then an orchestral melody is being played, for a few bars until the drums come in hard. This is the longest song on the album clocking in at around 11:13 minutes long. They seem to have no issues playing out for the first few minutes to get the song going. That’s when the vocals join in, and they come in with a better delivery than the previous track. They sound almost the same but it’s how they are delivered, that makes it sound better. They hit us with guitar solos and higher tempos throughout the song, while also bringing it down for a melodic section just past the half way point of the song. Only to come back out of it with high intensity.

 

This album was a solid effort, not all tracks were equal, however the tracks that lost my attention wasn’t because they were bad, and it was because they were a little more basic than the previous tracks. It is still a worthwhile album, and really brought in some tones that sounded like the older thrash and other metal bands like Megadeth, and Slayer at times. The guitars were awesome in their solos, they gave a classic shredding guitar solo approach and executed them nicely. I rate this album around a 6/10.

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

 

 

Pronostic-An Atomic Decision Album Review 10/10

on By

Pronostic

An Atomic Decision

Alexandre Lauzon – Guitars and High Vocals
Charles Pilotte – Guitars and Low Vocals
Mathieu “La Vie” Laurence – 6-String bass
Nicholas “Le Fou” Wells – Drums & Percussion

 

  1. Intro

This is a pretty badass intro track, this is something you would get from a movie’s opening credits. Very operatic, and orchestral, really  keeping things mysterious at first, you have an orchestra playing, a chorus singing, and the strings. All this builds up and really kicks the album off in the right direction

 

  1. An Atomic Decision

That intro track and then playing right into this song, is epic. They lock down a groove early, with some technical metal style brutality. The first thirty seconds of this song really set the bar high, the drums are surgically precise, and the guitars are shredding some tight riffs. Much like the title tracks name within the first sixty seconds you will be blown away. The guitar solo just after the two minute mark is great, these guys are bringing some deliberate talent and creativity to the table here. If this track doesn’t make you an instant fan I don’t know what will, this is track number one, out of ten and they are preparing to decimate the masses with their killer sound.

 

  1. Useless Wait

Yet another kick ass introduction coming from the guitars and drums, it has some old school flavor in the opening rhythm, and then it’s blasting drums and whirlwind guitars together really setting up a concrete groove. This song is very extraordinary, and I am now looking forward to seeing these guys on the road at some point. They hit us with a cool guitar solo halfway through the song, and bring it down melodically for a moment. Setting the drums up to showcase his talents of not just a drummer shackled to double bass and blast beats, the guy clearly knows a thing or two about skilled percussion delivery.

 

  1. Pay To See The Day

This song does not hold back any level of intensity, they come in fast and hard with this song. The song is a perfect example of a reason to headbang, I am pretty sure if you were involved in a conversation, and this song came on. You would stop what you were doing and head bang. The rhythm is solid, and the groove is contagious, the melodic guitar riffs add another element to this brilliant contribution to the album. Right at the 1:50 minute mark, they set things up for a solo, and the driving force increases. The 3:03 minute mark we get some volume swells from the guitars similar to older Opeth, executed  nothing less than perfect.  This is a solid song, you will want to hit the repeat button on this one for certain.

 

  1. Tormented Soul

This song has a solid setup in the beginning with a great high energy tempo right around the 150 BPM area, with plenty of blasts and driving guitar riffs to give it that rapid metal assault feel that you will be experiencing. This is a great track, I am loving every little transition they go through, shit I have listened to this song three times just now. These guys are killing it with their brand of metal. Elements of progressive metal, technical metal melodic metal and death metal blended together to create a stellar listening experience.

 

  1. Derived Conscience

I like this introduction with the simple drum beat, then a guitar riff, another simple beat followed by sick drum fill and this continues for just about twenty seconds before the song shows us its true form.   These guitarists are great, they know when to keep it simple, and they know when to deliver an impressive shred fest. They take it you to a point of slowed down aggression for a moment only to bring you right back up to the previous tempo with guitar solos and sick drums. The thirty seconds of this song will blow you away, this album is worth the buy based on just the songs I have heard so far. The next five could be a raccoon digging through metal trash cans and the album will still be worth the money hands down.

 

  1. Menstrumental

This is a cool melodic instrumental with heavy bass presence, and slick guitar lines. No drums for the first half but builds right up to give it some more flavor. This is an awesome instrumental as far as I am concerned.

 

  1. Bécik

!!!!!!!   This has a cool guitar and drum introduction and then the vocals kick in and this is probably going to be my favorite track off the album. Holy shit, the transition is seamless at the 1:02 minute mark. This song will melt faces, and cause pits to erupt with extreme results. This song, is fresh, its explosive, and it’s going to blow your speakers because you will have this song cranked as loud as it can go.

 

  1. What Plagues Us

The vocals on this track are great, they have that certain shadow effect to them, they are harsh, but hold back a little giving them some dimension. The guitars are killer in this song, and the transition that takes place at the 2:05 mark has some flavor to them. This song will having you feverishly waiting for the last second to clock out so you can hit the back button and hear the whole song again.

 

  1. Reality

I like the groove that they lock in right as the song begins, and those guitar squeals at the end of a riff. This song like every previous track is setting the bar high at the beginning and like a machine it is just powering through the process, and just plowing through anything and everything that will oppose it. The guitars have several sections of some old school riffs that you could hear coming from progressive and power metal bands. They just set up a driving rhythm and continue to maintain a groove that you will be locked into and lose your mind to the infectious sounds coming from the band.

 

  1. Passing Towards The Afterlife

All I am going to do is leave this blank, because you know, that based on what I have said of all the other tracks, that Pronostic is not going to fail to deliver a great melodic, technical metal song. The track is up to you as a listener to decide, you already know that ten tracks are amazing and worth the buy. I actually recommend to buy the album, because this may be the first you hear of this band, but won’t be the last.

 

This album was so impressive, I was blown away. There wasn’t a single minute aspect of any song I did not like. This album gets a 10/10 from me, because the sound quality is great. The changes are seamless and at times mind blowing, the band members all have some great talent, and showcase their talents well at the right times with their respective instruments. I am an instant fan, and will be looking forward to more of what Pronostic has to offer. For fans of Necrophagist, Neuraxis, Allegeon, Beyond The Creation, Obscura, and At the Gates just to name a few.

Check them out on Facebook Click Here \m/

Order the album  by clicking HERE \m/

 

All music and lyrics written and recorded by Pronostic 
 Produced by Pronostic and Chris Donaldson 
 Engineered by Chris Donaldson and Marco Frechette 
 Recorded, mixed and mastered at The Grid Studio 
 Intro produced by Ludovik Daoust 
 Artwork by Colin Marks at Rain Song Desing

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

 

Parius- Saturnine album review 9/10

on By

Parius

Saturnine

 

Louis Thierry – Vocals

Ryan Rauch – Guitar

George Fenton – Guitar

Ian Staab – Drums

 

 

  1.  Doctor Device

I like how this song begins, you know that its going to have a great tempo, and will build up well. The lead guitar riff is great, being layered with a driving rhythm guitar riff. This is one of those songs that when you listen to it while driving, you start to accelerate without knowing it. The guitar riff at the 1:48 mark is great, and then to make things that much better the vocals fade in. This song sounds like the band is fusing some elements from the late 90’s with today’s metal. It sounds bad ass, I am really enjoying this song.

2. Galactic Termination

The song hits you with the guitars right out of the gate, and doesn’t let up. This song is catchy, I am rocking out to this one right now, based on what these guys are delivering I anticipate the album being better and better with each song. The guitar solo around the 1:50 mark is solid, and straight to the point. I like that about it, they kept the guitar solo simple yet effective. Clocking in at just under two minutes, the song maintains a groove, and is entertaining from start to finish.

3. Grave Of The Firegod

I like how this song begins, in your face vocals, heavy with a hard and fast attack. This has a great tempo, upbeat and will encourage you to headbang the whole time. Right around the 1:07 minute mark we get a cool rhythm. This may be my favorite track, there is something about it, the guitars really give us a groove that works, and then the drums compliment it by playing out on the toms. They hit us with a whipping guitar solo, gotta love when bands have a guitarist or two that can shred.

4. Mannequin Soldier

This song starts out with a chugging style rhythm with double bass rolling throughout. I will go on record to say I made it through halfway and liked what I heard so I hit the back button just to hear it again. I’m not sure if it is one guitarist doing the solo’s or if they trade off for songs, but they keep raising the bar. I dig the vocal range that Louis posses, some gravelly lows but can hit the highs as good as anyone else. The guitar solo I speak of is just a downright dizzying solo that trades off but seems to have old school shredders influence behind them.

5. Archaic Diabolical

This song has a solid intro that builds up and hits you with what sounds like a 3:4 time signature and a 165-170 BPM tempo. This has excellent guitar work coming from both guitarists, they really jive together and seem to work well. The drums are on point, and throw some blasts in there alongside the guitar solo. Now I feel differently about my decision on what my favorite song is. This song is incredibly catchy, it has a groove and you really lock into it. This would be a great song to see live.

6. Saturnine

They waste no time going from the last song to this song, they get right down to it, and hits you with a fast pace tempo. I am enjoying everything about this song, you can head bang to this song, its got a groove, and Ian seems to be upping his game on the drums. He seems to be adding more and more to each song as they play, this song is a very energetic song, and utilizes rapid blasting and double bass. Louis delivers the vocals like an automatic firearm, switching from the highs to the lows with only a fraction of a second in between. This is a bad ass tune, only about two and a half minutes long, but boy is it a ruthless assault.

7. Confined

This is a great track that starts things off with a great driving rhythm and a short disgorging growl, the first verse is great, the rhythm behind the vocals in on point.  The song transitions nicely into the chorus section that is catchy as hell, the song does another round of verse and chorus, this second chorus lasts longer than the first. The second chorus plays out normal speed once and then repeats but at a slower pace and brutal as it will get you moving.  Right around the 1:44 mark we get a nice guitar solo that lasts about forty five seconds and delivers with succession from a simple solo beginning to some fast shredding to transition in the next verse. The last verse is have the bars and goes into the last chorus, then ends with the same driving rhythm from the guitars and drums.

8. Lake Laogai

There is absolutely no time wasted before some serious blasting and shredding going on with this track. This is zero to one hundred MPH is less than five seconds. It has a great feel to it, with a very catchy rhythm. When listening to this song, one has to wonder, “Where has this band been for the past five to ten years?” They bring a lot to the table with this song. High energy, shredding, a solid vocal range, and they really lock in a groove. I am loving the guitar tones at the 2:10 minute mark. This song progresses nicely and doesn’t hold back when it comes to the guitars talents.

9. Progression Through Violence

This has such a badass riff to start the song off with, the way this song starts out it basically grabs you and throws you in a blender. You find yourself headbanging and saying “ FUCK YEAH” then don’t you know they drop a sick bass line around the :40 second mark just to spice things up. This song is awesome, I take it back I now have no idea what my favorite song is, because each one is killer and has little specific areas that are solid ripping metal. The title of this song is very fitting for what it sounds like, and they give us that bass line again. This song is great, I can guarantee you will be headbanging for the entire song and throw the song on repeat halfway through it.

10. The Silence Of The Sirens

This song starts out by establishing the groove, and giving you a solid 210BPM tempo of hard hitting metal. The song is rock solid, with so much to offer, from the rhythm, to the guitar solos. The drums give us a constant beat that you can follow and the vocals are hitting us from different angles with the range. This song is much more melodic than the previous songs, however it is a great listen. This song has a contagious rhythm that you just cant shake, you will indefinitely be headbanging to this one, tapping your foot, and throwing the metal horns up \m/

11. Fresh Graves, Old Tombs

This has some old school elements to it, and locks down the groove with the very first fifteen seconds of the song. Once you have made it that far, you know exactly what you are going to get into as far as song quality. This song is like taking At the Gates, and Lamb of God putting them together and this is the result. The song is like nothing else really, I can’t describe it any better than that. You have the guitar tones, and vocal styles of At The Gates, and the rhythms, and attack of Lamb of God. This is a killer tune, for fans of blackened, melodic metal, from old school to new school Parius gets it right with his song.

12.  Dark Horizons

This song starts out very melodically with a lone guitar playing for a few bars, then the second guitar joins in playing over the rhythm of the first guitar. I love that fifty second song intro that I just listened to. This seems to be the song they really wanted to end the album with, it is their longest song, and really is what they built the whole album up for. The song sounds like it has harvested all of the other songs, every little unique aspect, and combined them to make this track that wraps up the whole album. The guitars are great from the beginning with the melodic tones, to the shredding for the solo sections. The vocals are crushing every level of the range, the highs to the lows. I feel as though the guitarists really display their talents while also paying some tribute to their influences. You can hear so much from the guitars, the tones, the style of riffs and solos. The drums are unwavering, right on point with every change, and also raising the bar with each song.

 

 

I was very impressed with this album, I found myself wondering why haven’t I seen this band touring yet. These guys have a great sound, I really enjoyed this album. You can hear elements of At The Gates, to Lamb Of God, to Metallica mixed throughout. These guys aren’t playing for one particular crowd, be it, metalcore, or melodic metal, or deathcore or any of the sub genres. They are playing for fans of metal. If you have been a fan of metal anywhere from the 90’s to present day, these guys are playing metal for you. I give this album a 9/10 because every song was great, every song was entertaining and didn’t lose my attention. They brought so much to the table with this album, and strategically picked the track list order to be able to raise the bar with each track as the album progressed.

 

Produced by Parius & Chris Kelly
Engineed, Mixed, and Mastered by Chris Kelly at Dungeon Audio
Bass tracks recorded by Ryan Rauch and John Stank
Guest solos on tracks 8 and 10 by Valera Godin, and on track 12 by Chris Kelly and Mike DeMaria (Alustrium)

 

Check Parius out on FACEBOOK

Pick up the album by heading on over to their BANDCAMP PAGE

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

 

Lurid Memory- Dematerializing album review 8.5/10

on By

Lurid Memory

Dematerializing

Aaron Ashby- Percussion
Floyd Winters-Bass guitars
Glen Davis- Lead Guitars
Oscar Padilla- Guitars and Vocals

zLurid Memory Promo

  1. Whispers in the Dark

Sounds of whispering voices fade in slowly, with the sound of a clock tower chiming, and then the guitars come in with a driving riff, and the second guitar playing just a few moments of the riff adding as accents. The vocals let out a growl and the whole band is in it at this point. It has a solid groove made up of some blackened death metal progression. I like the way they utilize whispering vocals at certain points. The guitar solo around the 1:45 minute mark is a melodic guitar solo layered over blast beats.   With an Allegro tempo this song keeps things moving quickly within the rhythm and really locks down a groove you can head bang to. The last thirty seconds of the song plays out with a heavy rhythm and a guitar solo with some concert hall echo going on.

 

  1. Fantasy of the Terminal Moment

I like the way they start the song off with a riff panned to the right and a guitar riff panned to the left for a few bars building up to the first verse. The vocals slightly remind me of Aborted in the sound of the vocal delivery. The sound is crisp and tight, I like the seamless change to an amped up section at the 1:41 minute mark giving you that energetic style provoking you to really get moving. This song has an infectious groove to it, and requires you to hit the repeat button. Make it to the 3:00 mark and they take it to the next level with heavy bass appearance, and a melodic feel, only to gift the listener with a guitar solo sequence and rolling double bass for that concrete layer. This song has quite a few changes, each one is awesome. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this song.

 

  1. Pangea

The guitars playout acoustically with the sound of wind and solitary isolation set up another acoustic riff rolling along at a nice pace building and growing. This is an instrumental track, but man is it badass. It’s simple, however it’s like something you would have heard from an early Opeth album. Solid acoustic instrumental contribution.

 

  1. I Too……

A driving guitar riff and intermittent bass build up to the first verse, of double bass rolling rhythm and a solid driving riff. Right at the :40 second mark we hear the first awesome change I love this style of metal, as they are progressing along, and delivering some blackened death metal with ferocity. All the while building songs up and then delivering a serene melodic section sometimes filled with acoustic guitars, followed by an electric guitar solo. This song may be my favorite track on the album, however at the rate these songs have been impressing me, and it’s too early since there is one track left to listen to.

 

  1. Dematerialized

The song fades in at a decent pace and we hear the band giving us some impressive playing abilities. I can’t say it enough, the changes that occur, always turn out to be just right. They go from one badass section in the song to the next section that registers a notch above on my badassometer. I can honestly see this band being able to pull of thirteen minute long songs like Opeth used to, and having every section be impressive. It’s apparent that all members are very talented at their instruments.

 

 

Since this was the first time I have even heard Lurid Memory, I can tell you I am impressed and therefore I am a fan now. I did not know what I was getting into when I hit the play button, but it’s good. It is really good, they are like a blackened progressive death metal band. The vocals remind me of Sven from Aborted at times, and their musical stylings bring back memories of Opeth’s “ My Arms your Hearse” album, as it is equal parts grueling metal, and melodic progressive metal. For fans of Cynic, Gorguts, Death, Morbid Angel and Opeth. This five song EP is worth the buy, and is easily a solid 8.5/10. They have a solid sound, every change being impressive, all members showcasing their talent, and the sound quality is great.

Here’s a little youtube clip for the song “I Too….”

 

 

Do yourselves a favor and check these guys out on  Facebook  and give them a like \m/

Then head on over to their   Bandcamp  page  and get the album.

 

 

-Badger \m/

http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

Escarnium- Godless Shrine Of Decay Album Review 8/10

on By

Escarnium

Godless Shrine of Decay

VICTOR ELIAN – Vocals Guitars
VITOR GIOVANNI – Bass/ Vocals
NESTOR CARRERA – Drums

 

  1. Radioactive Doom

This song goes into blast beats and death metal right away with a growl from the vocals. This is some heavy hitting stuff right here, I like it, they really capture the brutally heavy death metal with a section of some low and slow rhythm with a guitar solo coming out of it. The song goes right back to the blast beats and heavy hitting brutal beat for the last few bars of the song.

 

  1. Genocide Ritual

This song is heavy from the very moment it begins, with a cool guitar riff that sets up a groove. You can really get into this song, it has some old school flavor to it and crushes with its heavy hitting rhythm. At about three minutes long the song is pretty straight to the point without any filler. Its heavy, has a groove, and keeps it going until the very end.

 

  1. Human Waste

This song has a little drum beat to start the song off, and then a few bars of double bass and guitars they set things up for the vocals. The song picks up in tempo for the first verse, really giving an old school death metal feel. I dig it, it has a groove and isn’t trying to be over technical or fancy. Just old school heavy death metal from start to finish.

 

  1. Excruciating Existence

This song starts with a quick little drum roll out and goes right into a low growl and heavy buzz saw guitar distortion with a cool groove. The old school death metal sound is great, they aren’t trying to do the popular thing of the week here. They seem to want to play old school death metal.

 

  1. Salvation Through Zyklon B

This song starts out with some noise/ static and then guitars fade in, the drums roll out right into blast beats and the vocals start growling away. This has a great tempo, and groove about it, making this song very easy to head bang into. I am enjoying the drum and bass solo around the 1:22 mark. This is another solid old school death metal song for fans of Suffocation, and Incantation.

 

  1. Nuclear Burial

This song fades into a guitar riff that has that classic distortion sound, and the drums playing exactly how you would be expecting. The song really grooves, and they take it to another level right around the 2:09 minute mark with a bass solo and then a pit destroying section that lasts just shy of sixty seconds and then goes into a guitar solo. This is a rock solid track and may be a fan favorite.

  1. Self Proclaimed Messiah

This song starts out with a 1.2.3.4 on the drums and then the rest of the band joins in with a thick chugging style rhythm. This is a low and slow chugging train of death metal. That is up until the 1:30 mark when they pick up the pace and play some power chords and blast beats during the verses. Around the 3:20 minute mark the guitars kill it with a guitar solo that is simply stated classic. It has a classic death metal sound, and further adds to the enjoyment of this song and its old school sound. The last minute of this song is absolutely decimating, and filled with a groove you can get into before it ends.

 

 

  1. 731

A sound clip of someone speaking at a podium for about eight seconds opens this song up for the band in which they come in full throttle without wasting anytime getting into some brutal death grooves. This song is awesome, they hit this one out of the park. It has a solid beat, a quick tempo, and a groove from the moment they begin to play.

 

  1. Death Metal Terror

I like how this song starts out, it builds up for a few bars and goes into a blast beat filled section to kick off the first verse. The verse is solid mid-tempo and lasts only a few bars before going into a chorus section riddled with blasts. Around the 2:00 minute mark the song takes things to the next level with the chugging riff really locking down a groove and is absolutely perfect to head bang and move to. I know I am not through the album yet, but this may be my personal favorite track. If you haven’t heard Escarnium and you want to sample them with one song, I would pick this. You know exactly what you are getting yourself into, and it is a great listen.

 

  1. Covered in Decadence

This starts out with some vocals and a quick set up of blasts and the guitar playing some chords for a few bars, but take it down in tempo to give it that punching heavy death roll and sets up the first verse. I like the backing vocals on this track as they seem to shadow the main vocals, giving the song some depth vocally. The band really delivers great sound from the guitars, not many are playing the old school death metal like this these days, and Escarnium are doing it right.

  1. Rex Verminorum

This song has a slower start with a nice introduction from the band just jamming out some death metal for just shy of one minute and then rolls right into a quicker tempo and some blasting metal. This song is just a solid rolling death metal song that is to the point and rocks a solid groove.

 

  1. Dark Clouds Of Hells Fire

This song starts out with a 1234 on the kick and muted cymbal followed by a real mean guitar riff. The sound of the ride, where the quarter notes pinging on the bell of the ride. This is like going back to the early nineties death metal scene when the sound was blunt and fierce. The music had a take no prisoners attitude, and the sound was crisp with buzz saw distortion to the guitars. The rhythm was concrete and everyone listening would be head banging at the same time. This song is a perfect example of that, and they really pull it off.

 

  1. Slaves of an Ending Fate

A cool little drum intro kicks things off for a relentless guitar riff that plays out during the first verse and lasts just shy of a minute. They slow things down a bit at the 1:38 mark and brings it down to a slow churn with haunting sound from the guitar and vocals. They start to bring the song back up with the next section of the song, then further builds to the original tempo with a hearty amount of double bass and also blast beats, with the guitar riff we witnessed at the beginning of the track.

 

  1. His Final March

The song starts out with sounds clip of a man speaking in a foreign language, and then a layer of pure evil vocals speaking what would sound like ritualistic chanting from a demon. The band fires up with a driving guitar riff and drums going from a quick set up to some rapid blasting death metal. The first verse follows a guitar riff that delivers a groove along with the classic death metal distortion sound. This is yet another song really rocking the old school death metal sound and really being able to pull it off effortlessly with grace.

 

  1. Enfeeblement nd Iconoclasm

With this many tracks sometimes I like to leave one a mystery, this is that track and all I will tell you, is that it is fucking awesome.

 

  1. Bonus- Covered In Decadence DEMO

This is the demo version of the tenth track on this album, and it shows the listeners what they are bringing to the table as a demo version, you will be surprised because the sound quality is great. This really showcases the diligence of this band and how far they are going with things before it becomes a final product.

 

These guys come in to play death metal and that’s what they do. They aren’t trying to re-invent the wheel, they want to play brutal old school death metal, locking down a groove that so many bands aren’t doing these days and really keeping things simple. From the first track to the last they deliver soul crushing brutal old school death metal like a well-oiled machine firing on all cylinders and hammering out a punishment without any hang-ups. This album is rock solid and is easily 8/10, fans of old school death metal will thoroughly enjoy this album.

 

 

Check them out on FACEBOOK

Preorder the album over at Bandcamp \m/

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com