Tag: The Grid

Samskaras- Asunder E.P. review 7.5/10 \m/

on By

Samskaras

Asunder

a2939170728_10

Released January 20, 2017

Samskaras is:
Eric Burnet – Vocals, guitars, bass.
Alexandre Dupras – Drums.

 

 

Track list

  • Fuelscape
  • Solar
  • Separate
  • Conqueror

 

Samskaras kick this E.P. off with a track like “Fuelscape” and at first, it sounds like a typical modern death metal act.  Its dark and heavy, I can’t put my finger on it but the vocals have a few different styles to them.  And I am not 100% sure that Eric is handling all vocals duties.  But the vocals from “Fuelscape” don’t sound exactly like them on the track “Separate”. They really grab your attention around the 1:20 mark of “Fuelscape” when you hear the line “see how easy it is, to destroy a planet.” The song takes on a ferocious and dark turn, the blast beats consume you and that riff hooks you. The accents on the bell of the ride during the blast beats adds some spice to it. But then they come out and have clean vocals layered and they sound like something you would get from BTBAM.  Not clean vocals in the sense that they are trying to get on the bandwagon of clean vocals.  But they aren’t growling, and they aren’t bad either. I like them.  I really dig “Fuelscape” so I was eager to hear more off this E.P. Solar begins like a song you would get from Animals as leaders, more melodic  for at least the first thirty seconds and then they get ready to crush you again in short time.  If you have never heard of Alexandre Dupras before, or heard him play. Well than this E.P. should be enough to get you familiarized with him.  The drums are on point for the entire E.P. they just mesh with the guitar tones well.  These two guys have a lot of talent. But having them together on this project, they are a force to be reckoned with. I have to admit the vocals on “Separate” had me thinking a few times that the vocals sound just like D. Randall Blythe from Lamb Of God, while the rest of the music going on is so much darker and heavier. Check it out on “Separate” when you get to the 1:10 mark there are similarities. But it’s the 1:43 mark that I really get this vibe.  They have a really great balance of melodic to technical guitar work. Alexander’s drums are superb they sound awesome and he has gotten my attention for his talents. I know this is a 4 track E.P. but it comes with a “Name Your Price” option. The production is great, the music is awesome, and some of those riffs just get you instantly hooked and ready to throw some fists. it is worth mentioning that this E.P. was mixed and mastered by Chris Donaldson from The Grid so you know it sounds great.There is virtually no fluff as far as I am concerned, the clean vocals have a purpose and it’s not to show off their soothing voices.  So don’t get hung up on the clean vocals until you hear them for yourself.  I’ve been listening to this E.P. a lot personally and I dig it 7.5/10 \m/

 

 

 

If you like what you hear, then go on. It’s a name your own price. Throw the guys some money and get some kick ass metal. Click HERE to go to their BANDCAMP page and get your copy

 

 

Want to stay up to date with Samskaras news, well then go give them a “Like” on FACEBOOK

 

-Badger \m/

 

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

http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Devil’s Due – Dec 5th- Solium Fatalis “Neuronic Saw” review 9/10 \m/

on By

Today we listen to the third album from the  NH based metal band Solium Fatalis titled “Neuronic Saw” and it is one hell of an album, very dark and very heavy. So lets get to it shall we

Solium Fatalis

 Neuronic Saw

solium

released November 11, 2016

Jim Gregory – Guitars
Jeff DeMarco – Vocals & Bass
Ryan Beevers – Guitars
Jeff Saltzman-Drums

1) Nuclear Messiah

This song is a quite chilling and visual song giving the title of it, and the classical style of the song.  Jim Gregory the mastermind behind Solium Fatalis has done it again. This song is not just another intro track, it’s the bar they just raised. Now you’re going to have to buckle yourself in and get ready for the riffage.

2) Symbiotic Plague

Well this song starts out  very cool, solid intro with the guitars and drums playing  and building things up  and vocals join in before the thirty second mark. I dig the rhythm of this song, it has an impending and sinister feel about it.  And I am really digging the drums on this track so far.  It is worth mentioning that there is different drummer than on the previous albums, and based on how the drums sound. I am liking Jeff Saltzman behind the set for Solium. This is a cool song, very catchy, and I should mention the guitar solo right around the 3 minute mark.   This song has a lot of that blackened melodic death feel to it. I like this track because it has new blood on the drums. Being able to compare this track to the previous albums and seeing how Solium has evolved. This is a great track especially to be coming out of the intro with.

 

3) Fractured Divinity

This song has a slightly more moderate pace about it, but none the less the track kills it.  Vocals remind me of older century media, Earache and Nuclear blast bands. You know what I am talking about, old Arch Enemy, Carcass etc. They have a darker delivery that’s more of a primitive form that is very effective with the imagery of the music really.  At three minutes and thirty one seconds this song cuts right through you with ease. Its not a long drawn out tune, they just steamroll right on through. The song is a killer track, it sinks its claws in to you with the guitar solo around the 1:50 mark and keeps you hooked. I mean listen to the guitar solo and tell me you aren’t interested in what Solium has to offer.

 

4) Myopic

This song has a short fade in before that rhythm takes a hold of you and the 175 bpm gets you locked in for the ride that this song is going to take you on.  But damn does it get you moving before the vocals even join in, and I like the cymbal accents Jeff is playing on the ride.  The one thing I will say about Solium Fatalis, is they have a “take no prisoners” delivery to the music.  I mean take the vocals right at the :47 second mark,  no fucks given right there. They don’t hold back anything, ever. And that’s what I like, zero fucks given from these guys.  They formulate a song that’s as catchy as it is visual and when listening you find yourself to be lifted to your chill zone because you zone out almost hypnotized from the music. It flows in a way that is very appealing, straight to the point and catchy.

 

5) Hymn To The Infected

Well if that’s not a kick ass beginning, than I don’t know what would constitute as one. Just shy of thirty seconds and that set up was killer, fucking riff-nado, and a hailstorm of blasting drums.  I like this track so far, it’s profoundly dark in tone and delivery. From the album art to the music it’s all pretty dark, and its catchy as hell. Not to mention the guitar solo about halfway through the track really hits the spot. I like when a band throws a guitar solo in the song, Solium Fatalis are good for that. You have a lot of talent in the band, and then to not display what they are really working with would be an injustice to their music and fans. When listening to this song I have to admit, the talent that’s packed into this group is amazing. Its songs like this I get the distinct feeling that Solium Fatalis will become a more familiar name with the release of Neuronic Saw, and anticipate their fan base will continue to grow rapidly if they keep making songs like this one.

6) Retch Atma

This song has more of an old school feel to it, and that beginning is awesome. When listening to this track you will undoubtedly be moving your body somehow, be it tapping your feet nodding your head or just losing it completely and throwing haymakers. This song has a feeling of satisfying your bloodlust.  Yea it’s like that, this is like the soundtrack for a criminally insane charismatic cult leader planning on opening the ninth gate. But before you know it the song is over, they packed so much into three minutes and eight seconds that kept you captivated the entire time and when you realize it you are reaching for the back button to listen to it again.

7) Harvested to Necrosis

Alright, so this is the song right here. For Solium Fatalis, they have put out three albums full of solid tracks, but there is always that one track that has just a little more to it. The song has just a little more meat to it.  It’s the song that many will deem their favorite, well let us be the ones to say it first. This is our favorite track off the album.  After listening to the album in it entirety a handful of times this song is it. This song is the gem that is the one you should listen to first if you are going to formulate your first impression of Solium Fatalis.  If you aren’t moving to this song when you have gotten to the one minute mark then you aren’t listening to the same thing I am, this song rips. The 1:53 mark they kick it into high gear with filthy guitar riffs and ravenous blast beats. They made a statement, they came for blood and now you got a taste of it yourself. Do you keep listening to the album or spin this track a few times, we had to listen to this track a few times ourselves because it crushes.

 

8) The Carrion Feast

They start things off heavy for the first ten seconds and then take it up another level when the vocals come in. This song is a slightly slower tempo again, but for each BPM less they make up for it in the dark angry delivery of the music.  And I am really enjoying those backing vocals on this track, this song is going to have to be my number two. There is something very visually detailed about this song, and if that’s what they are going for, then the guitar solo starting at the 2:38 mark seals the deal.  You can’t listen to this track and wonder why Solium Fatalis isn’t coming out of the mouths of so many more metal heads out there.

 

9) Contagion

Cool perpetual guitar riff sets up the blistering blast filled drums and the vocals are right alongside them. This song has a lot of built up animosity. This track is savage as a fucking primitive beast with a thirst for blood and its feeding time. This is another great example of how they do not hold back. This song rips on so many levels, it makes a statement. The ferocity of this track is undeniable, the need to listen to this track also undeniable.  The beginning rips right from the get go and then following the drums and the rhythm. They hit us early in the song with a killer guitar solo around the 1:31 mark. This is one of those songs that when you listen to it, it gives you the mean face. You know what I’m talking about. This is an example of mean face right below. Jim gets it, be like Jim and shred some serious metal.

fb_img_1480885917467fb_img_1480886026965fb_img_1480886035945

 

 

10) Serpent Crown Redux

The final track off of the album, and while we would love to break this one down. You really ought to do that yourself. We have to save this one for you to man an opinionated decision  on your own.

 

This album is brilliant, Solium Fatalis are such an underrated band. The production of this album was stellar, not to mention it had Chris Donaldson of Cryptopsy working on this at his studio The Grid.  You don’t go to the grid and get a bad product, you don’t go to the grid if you don’t have something awesome to be recording. I listen to this album and every time I do I find I could sit and just loop tracks over and over. This album gets the job done from tracks like Nuclear Messiah, to contagion, the album has a lot of range, a lot of dark and savage range. But couple that with the talent those guys have is what makes this album a hit.  Check this shit out, you won’t be disappointed if you do. 9/10

 

 

 

Check them out on FACEBOOK by clicking here, and don’t be a dick, throw them a like while you’re there.

 

Head on over to their BANDCAMP page and pick up your copy of NEURONIC SAW

Photo credits belong to : Beyond the Lens of Grace Cook and Pamela Murphy

 

-Badger \m/

 

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

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

 

Solium Fatalis- The Undying Season – album review

on By

12194824_1734307296798032_1070045711750089411_o

Solium Fatalis

The Undying Season

sf2

2015

Jeff DeMarco-Vocals
Jim Gregory-Guitars
Ehren Hill-Guitars
Olivier Pinard-Bass
Flo Mounier-Drums

  1. To Deliver Us All

The album begins with this great inaugural track, the sound sample that eerily starts things off is like something out of an old horror movie. The band fades in right to an explosion of drums guitars and growling vocals. The song has a great rhythm, some mean verses, and the guitar solo around the halfway point is impressive. The song is blunt, no fluff, just straight up metal.

  1. Salient

This song has a cool perpetual guitar riff that begins the track, and a rhythm that delivers a indisputable groove. It has a bit of a slower feel for the majority of the song, but sinks its hooks right in you almost immediately. It just rocks the shit out of that groove for so long and then gifts we with some fast paced blasting towards the end of the song and one last line from the vocals.

  1. Monolith Of Internecion

A quick drum introduction opens the doors for a really cool rhythm and malevolent melody. The first verse begins with a hail of blast beats, and a driving guitar riff. The chorus is captivating and the guitar riff during the chorus builds up to the post chorus solo. This song is so concise and catchy you will find yourself moving, or head banging to the song involuntarily, and hoping for more.

  1. An Asylum For Penitence

At first we hear an admirable melodic guitar intro that sets things up for the door to be kicked in with a heavy hitting rhythm and menacing vocals. I am really digging this song, the beginning was such a harmonious melody, and then the band joins in. My first reaction was to clap and throw up the metal horns. These guys took me by surprise with this one, and it’s only a third of the way through. This song is like walking through several mysterious doors to end up in the same spot you were in before. Each door is a subtle change and then goes right back to the infectious melodic groove. I fight the urge to say this is my album favorite because it’s just too early to say, but damn is this a solid song that will cause listeners to have that “Fuck yeah” moment. I undeniably listened to this song again due to it being such a good tune.

  1. Corporeal Form

Damn they do not waste any time with this song, growls and ripping drums right out of the gate. I like the guitar riff that plays before the first verse, it sets the verse up well. It has a solid tempo and delivers a satisfying groove leading up to a solo around the mid-point of the song. I really like the tail end of the solo and how it comes out and begins the transition for the last verse of the song. The song ends with a cool subtle guitar riff that fades the song out.

  1. Contagion

Heavy buzz saw distortion and a mean riff begin this song for a few bars and then we get hit with some blast beats from Flo setting things up for the first verse. It has a great tempo, and I can’t stress enough this group really lays down a groove for the listener. There are plenty of bands not just metal that do not build the song structure with a groove. I find these guys make sure to give the listener something to get locked into, something to head bang to, to move to. This song in particular easily encourages the listener to break out the air drums, or air guitar. True to the name of this song, it is contagious from the very first note.

  1. Paths To Obliteration

This song rips right into you with its beginning rhythm, the first verse is solid and straight to the point going back into that killer rhythm again. The song is exactly what you would expect from the title of it. There is nothing more enjoyable than a metal song that seems to get right down to a perfect execution and is unwavering in its brutality. This song is 3:09 minutes of precision melodic death metal.

  1. Corruptor

This song begins with a pleasant melody and a grand rhythm, short and simple verses, and I must say the changes that we see throughout this song leave the listener looking forward to what’s next. This song has a solid groove and has absolutely no fillers. It is straight to the point death metal that leaves you wanting more.

  1. The Undying Season

The title track is here and leaves nothing to chance with this one. Great guitar riff right from the beginning really lays down that groove I have been talking about. The first verse is solid and comes out of it with some really menacing blast beats and guitar shredding. The song just keeps raising the bar after every section, not to mention the whirlwind of a guitar solo around the 2:15 minute mark. This song has so much to offer, and really does a great job maintaining that groove you can follow and enjoy.

All in all this is one of those moments when you hear something for the first time and it blows you away your expectations. The sound quality is great, and there wasn’t one single song that I felt like I wanted to skip and see what’s next. This is a solid melodic death metal album that I can see many enjoying and moving to that contagious groove Solium Fatalis delivered in pretty much every song.  By the sounds of it this album was written for most every metal fan looking for something heavy and melodic to enjoy any time and anywhere. I found myself really enjoying every song and every transition. I give this album an 9/10, and highly suggest readers to check this band out and buy the album. The good news is by the looks of things, if you are like me and are wanting some more, they not only have an earlier album on their bandcamp page. But they are rumored to be working on new material.

To give you a little taste of Solium Fatalis  here is a playthrough video of Jim Gregory playing the guitar for ” Monolith of Internecion”

Check them out on FACEBOOK \m/

Pick up “The Undying Season” today at their Bandcamp page.

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