SinophiA - Blessed & Cursed (EP) (2012)

Far be it from me to comment on the Serbian metal scene. Somewhere, 4500 miles from where we sit, there is an upswell of bands, looking to make their mark, not only on their brethren, but on fans the world over. SinophiA, a classic power metal act from Novi Sad, the second most populous city in Serbia, are crafting a brand of metal that could be as far reaching as their wildest dreams. Taking their influences from some of the most heralded bands in the world, Iron Maiden, Dio, and Iced Earth, this five piece has garnered a great deal of praise, even given the opportunity to support Tim "Ripper" Owens. So, with the eyes of the world watching, they launch "Blessed & Cursed," a debut EP that may resonate from Serbia, To New York, and beyond.

Leading off with "Void Of Doom," they waste no time mashing together a melodic guitar lead with a distorted rumble beneath it. The squeal of harmonics cuts through, welcoming the vocal lines to the track. Taking on the sound and structure of classic power metal bands, like Judas Priest, the vocals aren't necessarily operatic in any way, but the evidence of range is there even in the weaker moments. Each element, separately, does its job. But there are moments when, layered together, they lose a little bit of their punch. The band seems more at home in the heavy galloping riffs of the breakdown portion, one that is bookended by some good guitar work. The title track, "Blessed & Cursed," is a stand out here, right from the word go. The guitars have tightened up, and the melody that flows throughout the track is catchy, if nothing else. That same thunderous stomp that worked so well before returns, but with vocalist Miodrag Fodora finding his stride. Between the drums, which are suitably busy, and the constant vibration of bass strings, the rhythm section powers the track forward, while the guitars steer you left and right. trhow in a light piano outro, and you have a well rounded offering.

Unlike before, "Hallowed" sees a dramatic increase in tempo, particularly in the raging opening stanza. There is a noticeable change in tone as well, with Fodora's clean vocals being met quite aggressively with some gritty growls. The combination works well, but does leave the instrumental feeling a little weak underneath. This is not to say the backing band has lost any of their drive, but the dueling vocals create a plastic wrap over the guitars, leaving them muffled. A never ending run of double kicks breaks free, opening the flood gates to a bevy of guitar riffs. And while there isn't a single riff that will blow your mind, there are plenty that will, together, get the nod of approval. Not to be outdone, a flowing bass line opens "Warscream," which boasts a larger than life type of sound. Any lack of instrumental dynamics earlier are easily rectified here, with distorted riffs commanding every moment of the track. Everything falls into place, from a dazzling lead to an over the top wailing cry from Fodora. There is a veil of maturity that surrounds this song, aside from an odd grunting pre-chorus.

It's easy to find a sound from the past in the work of Sinophia. They embody so much of classic metal workmanship, as well as the mentality. Just on these four tracks, you can witness a growing, an evolution of the band and their sound. And while it is great for the here and now, it is even better for the future. And even though Serbia might not top our list of metal destinations, with more performances like this one, it very well could. "Blessed & Cursed" found its way thousands of miles to our ears, and shows once again that we don't have a magical telescope that helps us to find bands across the world. Sometimes, their music does the work for them.

7.5/10

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SinophiA
Reverb Nation - http://www.reverbnation.com/sinophia

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Orange Goblin - A Eulogy For The Damned (2012)

In 1997, a band by the name Orange Goblin put out their debut album, entitled "Frequencies From Planet Ten." In 2012, fifteen years later, they have released their seventh full length studio album, entitled "A Eulogy For The Damned," and the band is still going strong. The four piece all the way from England has put out this outstanding new album that has ten tracks full of groovy heavy metal. They also list themselves as psychedelic and stoner rock which you'll definitely hear in their guitars and even certain parts of the vocals.

A burst of distortion hits you in the face in the opening track, "Red Tide Rising." Groovy guitar riffs rumble through your speakers with catchy tunes. Exploding snares and kicks follow with detailed rolls that lead you right into the verse. Aggressive shouting takes over with clear lyrics and a deafening delivery. The chorus will definitely have you hooked the first time you hear it. Upbeat guitar riffs pull you in as shattering cymbals surround you. The guitar solo towards the end will sweep you off your feet as a thumping bass line follows its foot steps with similar groovy melodies. This is definitely the way to open up such a monstrous album.

"Stand For Something" takes over with more wild guitar work and upbeat drums. The kick and snare patterns are absolutely mind blowing. The verses still have a harsh sound to the vocals however they have a little more melody to them as well. The refrain is absolutely catchy as hell and will definitely have you wanting to hit the repeat button immediately. The lyrics are simple and very easy to sing along to. On top of that, the guitars give off a real southern tone to the mix leaving you bobbing your head from front to back. Then you'll come across another ridiculous guitar solo that will completely knock you off your feet. Wild notes are thrown at you in every direction. This is definitely a must hear track.

If you're looking for a track to party to, "The Filthy And The Few" is the track for you. After the short intro of a movie clip, crazy guitars come flying in with reckless distortion. A solid mix of chugging riffs and wild melodies set the perfect scene for reckless partying. The drums beat you into the ground with relentless snares that will have you throwing up your devil horns for sure. This is a classic rock and roll kind of track that gets your blood pumping. "Save Me From Myself" is another awesome track with a a real hard rock kind of feel to it. The vocals come at you with aggressive lyrics and a catchy melody during the chorus. Meanwhile there is constantly catchy guitar notes be played in the background giving much detail to the track. Their complex riffs keep this track unique and interesting. Also the solo just tops everything off perfectly with wild melodies and crazy guitar effects. You'll definitely have it stuck in your head for days.

Later in the album you'll come across some heavy songs like "Death Of Aquarius" and "Bishops Wolf" which you'll definitely want to play with high volume and on some massive speakers. The bass lines and kick patterns are absolutely incredible and will rattle your whole house. Fast up beat tempos will have you up and moving for sure. The verses are short and to the point while the chorus's really stand out with blaring vocals and catchy guitar riffs. "Bishop's Wolf" only runs for four and a half minute long but it sure does pack a punch. Meanwhile your hit with crashing cymbals that collie violently in the background while the snare continues to beat you into the ground. They definitely make the album worth listening to all the way through.

Orange Goblin continues to deliver amazing music and keeps getting better and better. They clearly put a lot of work into "A Eulogy For The Damned" and it came out sounding incredible. If you're looking for some solid rock and roll guitars with some stoner metal influences then you should definitely take some time and check this album out. It's definitely going to be in my CD rotation for a while.

8/10

Official site - http://www.orange-goblin.com/
Bandcamp - http://candlelightrecordsusa.bandcamp.com/album/a-eulogy-for-the-damned

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The Podcast: Episode 58 (Night Is The Great Cold Dead End)

A few wires got crossed, and the team of Jason and Darnell got the wrong time slot for "R&B and Hippity Hop Today." Once that gets cleared up, Justin takes on the new album from DarkTribe (one word), and Darrell dives head first into the new EP from UK favorites Arke. But, as usual, the first podcast of the new month is dedicated to the new BOTM (remember, abbreviation now). So, with a new album in stores now, a huge tour about to get underway, and a back catalog that dwarfs most, September is the month of...

Part 1.

Part 2.

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Dead Summer Society - My Days Through Silence (EP) (2012)

In the Shakespearean drama that is metal music, the traitor, the one that will betray the hero in the end, is the production. A poorly mixed album is the proverbial knife in the back, the devastating turn of events that leads to a downfall of epic proportions. For Dead Summer Society, a one man experimental doom band comprised of Emiliano "Mist" Santoro, this evil is constantly lurking in the shadows. For no matter how good the idea, no matter how good the musician, a poorly recorded piece of music can never reach the heights it deserves. On the new EP, "My Days Through Silence," the old villain returns to dull an otherwise brightly conceived concept. With three instrumental demos seeing vocal additions, this could be a lesson learned.

The first few moments of "The Heart Of Autumnsphere" may seem to run contrary to the above argument. Beautiful keys and synthesizers are well played and dynamic, creating an atmosphere that hard to beat. But as the vocals enter, things go horribly awry. The quality of the mix shifts, favoring an off key lyrical delivery, which is often little more than oddly spoken words. The drums, lost in the bottom layer, do little to stabilize the track, which may have done better as an instrumental, the way it was originally conceived and recorded. There is a better use of balance in the melodies of the title track, though the muffled production on the guitars only exacerbates the problems that lie here. Vocally, you are stuck between the classic rock and a hard place. A-melodic speaking clouds the majority of the track, with a few deathly screams cutting in early and sporadically throughout. The latter fits more successfully than the former, but both leave the song somewhere in treacherous limbo, unable to advance and move forward. Instead, it feels as though you are treading water. The one shining star is the keyboard work, which comes through eerily clear.

Easily the most complete of the original three tracks is "Army Of Winter (March Of The Thousand Voices)." Distorted guitars blast ahead, layered atop light plucking. Even the use of electronic effects adds an extra bit of depth to things. But in the moments where you have a full ensemble of guitars, bass, drums, vocals, and keys, there is no separation in sound or tone. Rather, you have one solid clump of sound waves huddled together. On the other side of things, the areas devoid of vocals are easily picked apart, with each piece working in harmony with the others. However, the "breakdown" portion that inhabits the four minute mark seems to take a step in the right direction. Though not completely clear, the vocals finally feel like part of the mix, rather than an oily film on top. After three hard to digest pieces, the closing track may be the icing on the cake of bizarre. "Endless," a newly recorded instrumental, takes the techno metal concept we have wrestled with to a new level. A trip-hop beat is the lead, with light synths and off time guitar chords seeing equal partnership in the mix. Fortunately, this track embodies two things that were absent earlier: it is both well recorded, and blissfully short.

Only the creator of music, such as this, can ever really know what the intention was; we are only peeking through a small window into his mind. But with production work that falls flat time and again, it becomes increasingly harder to understand the finished product. Dead Summer Society isn't a project that is predestined to fail. Santoro has the opportunity to turn this one man band into something more than nothing. But for him to realize that dream, there has to be some form of quality control; some kind of security for his music. Because, thanks to the failings on "My Days Through Silence," his next full length album, due out next year, may prove to be the twisting of the knife in his rib cage.

5/10

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-Summer-Society/140007062732886
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/deadsummersociety

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Koboloris - Koboloris (EP) (2012)

If you're looking for some new black metal talent then Koboloris is definitely the place to start. Their self titled EP has four overwhelming tracks that send you into a whole other realm. Bone crushing drums and black metal screams will have you desperately gasping for air. Meanwhile you'll be swept off your feet by some incredible guitar work.

Ominous strings automatically fill the air in "Malign Inspiration." They are quickly joined by screeching distorted guitars and pounding snares. Cymbals echo in the background as a heavy kick begins to beat you into the ground. Wretched vocals step in with devilish tones. The energy of the instruments will have you up and moshing immediately. Some of the mix is a little unclear in the middle of the track when you come across some wild drum rolls. It seems that some of the snares are a little too over powering compared to the guitars and kick. They add an interesting flange to the drums when the vocals come back in. This adds a very unique sound to the mix. The vocals continue with their evil echoes in "Obscure Schemes Of Dominance." First come the light orchestrated strings and messy guitar riffs. The drums drop in with deafening cymbals and snares that will shatter your skull. The guitars pick up a catchy melody about half way through the track completely taking you be surprise. The vocals come thrashing through violently with demonic tones. You're even introduced to a darker growl for just a short time right before eerie spoken words step in. Then that catchy guitar solo comes soaring in with the melody as before. This will definitely have you hitting the repeat button.

The third track on the EP, entitled "Woods Of Kobolorum," starts off with an upbeat drum roll with complex fills in between. Chugging guitars take over the background as they lead you right into venomous black metal screeches. The evilness in the vocals will send chills down your spine. The verses are really stretched out in the seven minute piece. They add some unique synth sounds underneath while relentless guitars destroy everything in their way. The blaring distortion alone will knock you out of your seat. You definitely have to play this track a few times to catch all of its details but this is a must hear track.

The EP comes to a close with a five minute and 46 second track, entitled "Astral Gate To The Infernal." Haunting synthesizers start things off along with some other orchestrated instruments. This is quickly interrupted by thunderous drums rolls and monstrous guitar riffs. They chug away as cymbals crash violently in the background. The vocals come through with a sharp delivery and a few different reverb effects. You'll run into a short guitar solo in the middle of the track as it is followed up with reckless drum patterns. The snares completely beat you into the ground as they are non stop along with the kick drum as well. The double bass patterns will have you pumping your devil horns in the air constantly. This is by far the deadly track on the EP. It definitely leaves you wanting more.

The EP has some ups and downs as far as the mixing and mastering goes. It seems that some of the levels are off in certain areas. Black metal is known for its low quality recording but i think some of these areas could have been recorded better. As far as the actual music goes, Koboloris provides you with some devilish surroundings and dark melodies. The vocals are outstanding and will definitely out some fear in you. This is a band worth keeping an eye on.

7/10

Bandcamp - http://threerooks.bandcamp.com/

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DarkTribe - Mysticeti Victoria (2012)

The new band DarkTribe prepares you for a wild adventure with their new debut album, entitled "Mysticeti Victoria." The French four piece soars high and low with 11 overwhelming power metal tracks. The album will have you up and moving with its tremendous energy while it also provides a softer side sweeping you off your feet with gorgeous orchestration.

After a short intro track, the album kicks thing off with "Tiaji." Blaring guitar riffs fly by as dark strings take over the background. The drums waste no time with their mind blowing double bass pedals and shattering cymbals. Bass line rumble underneath the chugging guitars as the verse enters. Epic operatic male vocals step in and completely soar over all of the instruments. Their lead singer, Anthony Agnello, delivers excellent vocals as he hits high notes and yet stays aggressive during the lower end. His range of notes are outstanding. The chorus is full of catchy lyrics and melodies. You'll find yourself singing along in no time.

"Roma XXI" gives you more of an upbeat tone with its relentless snares and jolly melodies. More string take over the background displaying a beautiful image. The vocals come in strong with more clear lyrics as the guitars blast away with heavy distortion. The synths hold a very catchy note that you won't be able to help but hum to. Later you'll come across a wicked solo that jumps up and down the scale and delivers a happy melody that you're just going to want to dance to. The speed of the notes played are absolutely incredible. You'll find more amazing solos in songs like "Lightning Guide" and "Poison Of Life." "Poison Of Life" has a lot more aggression and speed as jack hammering snares and kicks come rolling in and completely knock you on your ass. The cymbals will have you bashing your head to the beat for sure. The synths take over and hypnotize you deep into the song. The verses start out with mellow vocals and light instruments as the drums slowly become heavier and heavier. This is definitely a must hear track.

You'll run into a groovy guitar melody in the beginning of "Eyes Have You." The track takes off as a ballad but slowly turns heavier as snapping snares and operatic vocals step in. Chugging guitars surround you with catchy chords making you want to throw up your devil horns. The final track, entitled "Life, Love, & Death" runs for over seven minutes long and is a track you do not want to miss. Machine gun drum rolls rumble away along with more chugging guitar riffs and thumping bass lines. Synths sooth out the background with epic chords and melodies as the vocals step in with more high pitched notes. Towards the end of the track comes an interesting twist between a guitar solo and a breakdown. You lead into a wild guitar solo at first as they drop note after note on your from all directions however then your hit with violent chugging guitar riffs as they switch over to a heavy breakdown. It is a unique song structure and definitely gave you something to really bash your head to at the end.

DarkTribe is a pretty solid power metal band that has tons of potential. "Mysticeti Victortia" set up the perfect surroundings for great vocals. The orchestration was right on par as well as the guitar solos and drum rolls. The band definitely stills has more room to grow but this is definitely a great step in the right direction. It will be interesting to see where they go from here as they try to prove to fans why they stand out above the rest.

8/10

Official Site - http://darktribe.fr/
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/darktribemetal

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Samothrace - Reverence To Stone (2012)

When a band name starts to rumble through metal publications across the world, it is always a wise move to stop and listen. So, each time the name Samothrace popped up, it was like a tiny bird, whispering in our ears. This psychedelic doom four piece, based in the grunge capital of the world, Seattle, Washington (by way of Kansas), has seen quite the buzz surrounding them, not coincidentally coinciding with the release of their new album, "Reverence To Stone." Named for the Greek island where a statue of the goddess of victory stands, half crumbled, it won't be long before these four musicians are in position to be immortalized in stone.

The first track, a mere 14 minute opus called "When We Emerged," begins in the most innocent of fashion. Building from singular guitar riffs into a much broader sound, the band infuses a dose of melody immediately. But with each crushing chord and down stroke of the drums, you can feel something else brewing. For despite the more restrained opening, a beast is on the way. Around the four minute mark, everything slows to a crawl, with a coarse scream rising from underneath it all. You are now in the middle of a more traditional doom tempo, slow and deliberate. But almost seamlessly, you erupt back into more melodic riffs, rising and falling around you. The screaming growls continue, sparingly, but they fall farther back in the mix, allowing the instrumental to grab your attention. When they do cut through to make an impact, it is in a big way. The transitions are a little funky at times, at one point delving into something akin to post rock, before moving back into doom, then sludge. There is a constant shifting that, perhaps, prevents things from getting the momentum started. But the variety keeps this behemoth from going stale too quickly.

The second and final track, "A Horse Of Our Own," embodies the same basic structure, but is far more guitar driven. From the opening whines, the guitars are the focus, winding and turning the track in whatever way they see fit. Cutting back and forth between heavy distortion and clean effects is a nice touch, though the frequency with which they execute this may be what drives it home. The quieter passages play out like a lullaby, which is a strange comparison to make on a doom album. But with their softly played guitars and light drums, the cradle could be rocked in time. However, the amount of therapy and counseling it would take to cleanse your child after the brutal screams and guitars reenter is not worth the risk. This is a far more intricate offering than the last, with some impressive solo work taking the spotlight around the midway point. To their credit, the rough recording quality only accents how great the musicianship really is. After a round of beautifully played psychedelic guitars, you can understand how well rounded this effort is, finally bookended by a doom portion so slow, it makes drone look like thrash.

Music isn't an exact science. That is what makes it so intriguing. There isn't a rule book that lays out time constraints, melody requirements, and distortion thresholds. So, what you get from Samothrace is a truly unique piece of metal, tweaked and skewed through their own vision. In 35 minutes, and only two tracks, they take you to highs and lows, and everything in between. Yes, there is room to grow. That is a given. But the positive remains; this band, playing this style, will continue to get better with each release. And where ever they go from here, whatever they put together, could be the one that gets them a place in metal lore. For now, "Reverence To Stone" will be the album that gets them noticed.

7.5/10

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samothrace/67987779185
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/samothraceproject

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