30 May 2023

Review: WINTERCOLD - As Above as Below


WINTERCOLD (Sweden) - “As Above as Below” Full-length 2021
This band is not a new name. Wintercold has issued numberless releases in the 15 years of its existence (you can check their data of discography at Encyclopaedia Metallum). It’s just that for me they are a bit low-profile, more into do-it-yourself ethics and positioned in the depths of the Swedish underground. “As Above as Below” is one of the most recent, a full-length containing 12 tracks that was released on August 4th, 2021. Throughout approximately 37 minutes of total playing time is wisely-interpreted Black/Doom Metal; epic, artistic, well-executed compositions. The gloomy and atmospheric nuances are precisely pleasant. The empowerment of pagan/neofolk/ambient elements in the structures and arrangements of their songs (referring to this “As Above as Below” album) has made them an awe-inspiring, breath-taking and undoubtedly worth-checking band. Wintercold stands in a class of its own!

29 May 2023

Review: V.A. - Azores & Metal Vol #2


V.A. - Azores & Metal Vol #2 (Compilation 2022)
“You may not believe in Azorean Heavy Metal, but it exists!”. Portugal’s Ponta Delgada-based label Museu do Heavy Metal Açoriano is back with its second volume of Azores & Metal compilation series, assembling some more 17 most active bands from the islands. Just like Vol.#1 that I checked in Reveal #14, I was once again fascinated and even more stunned by the quality of each band appeared in this Vol.#2. Each of them has given the best in terms of sound production, ideas that are rich in variety and full of color, song compositions in high creativity beyond limitations, a few of them are smart and brave to inject some non-metal elements, modern characteristics and other surprisingly unexpected features. Azores & Metal compilation is solid proof that there is a worthwhile metal scene in that Portuguese archipelago, and it’s like an ever-rolling ocean wave!

Review: TEARS OF FIRE - Anatta


TEARS OF FIRE (Germany) - “Anatta” 7" EP 2022
The Iranian-Swedish-German conspiracy Tears of Fire returns with their latest brainchild, “Anatta” 7" EP released through Austria’s Grazil Records on December 31, 2022. This, in my opinion, is another magnificent product following the full-length “Relics of Ancient Love” (2021) which I reviewed in Reveal #13. Once again I want to emphasize, wisdom has no boundaries and restrictions. Intellectuality grows and expands if you don’t put yourself in a limit. That’s what Tears of Fire has and they have their own magic and intelligence in their creative works. “Anatta” contains 3 monumental tracks infused with brilliant components; ritualistic, spiritualism, distinctiveness -- and the result is a mesmerizing and haunting artistry of Oriental Funeral Doom. This EP is absolute perfection!

Review: PAST M.D. - Desert Moon Hotel


PAST M.D. (Germany) - “Desert Moon Hotel” Full-length 2022
Frankly speaking, I never knew anything about this band until one day I received a press-kit from Imperative Music Agency (thanks to Gilson). Germany’s Past M.D. are a bunch of experienced musicians who have been in the Hard Rock scene there for a long time. Jörg Reuter (vocals, guitars, harp) and Detlef Poschmann (guitars, vocals) started with Midnight Darkness formed in 1980, recorded the only album “Holding The Night” released in September 1985. These two most crucial members returned in 2004 under a rebranded name - Past M.D. (so now you know what the MD stands for). Based in Oberhausen - North Rhine-Westphalia, the band released two early albums; “Part Time Rebellion” (2008) and “Circles” (2010). After several years passed and several phases of line-up changes, Jörg and Detlef teamed up with Hansi Heringer (drums), Jürgen Becker (guitars, piano) and Andreas Keuntje (bass) to record their third full-length “Desert Moon Hotel” officially released on October 1st, 2022. The new album comprises 12 songs (with a total duration of 58:55 minutes) of truthfully classic Hard Rock, fulfilled with the 80s aura and charisma, and the sound quality is really pleasant to the ears. Apart from the hard rock nuances that are the backbone of their music, Past M.D. also incorporate elements of ballads, blues rock and rock & roll at the right balance to make their works varied and more importantly, amazing! Remember one thing: Old people are still poisonous!!!

Review: GHOST:WHALE - Echo:One


GHOST:WHALE (Belgium) - “Echo:One” Full-length 2022
Now, it’s time for us to listen and enjoy something interesting and particularly amazing! Based in Brussels, the trio uniquely named Ghost:Whale bring us what they claim to be Instrumental Stoner Doom Sludge Noise. “Echo:One” is their one hour debut album, comprising 5 lengthy tracks including one epic 27-minute song. Heavy and loud sound. Sublime songwriting with highly creative music arrangements. Intensely groovy double distorted basses (by Lionel Beyet and Yves Vranckx). Profoundly solid drumming by Vincent De Santos. The addition of effects and samples that further enhance the brilliance of their songs. Ghost:Whale has brought out their music to a broader definition, daring to vary and innovate without limits and restrictions. Inhale your weed and fly to the tunes of “Echo:One”. Fantastic at all means!

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