Battleroar/Blood Of Legends/Cruz Del Sur Music/2014 CD Review

  Battleroar  are  a  band  from  Greece  that  plays  an  epic  mixture  of  power  and  heavy  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Blood  Of  Legends"  which  will  be  released  by  Cruz  Del  Sur  Music.

  The  album  starts  out  with  thunder  sounds  along  with  acoustic  guitars,  melodic  chanting  and  violins  which  also  bring  a  medieval  pagan  feeling  to  the  recording  and  on  the  following  track  the  music  goes  into  a  more  heavier  direction  along  with  a  good  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  adding  in  vocals.

   After  awhile  back  up  vocals  are  added  into  the  album  and  the  music  starts  going  for  a  more  epic  power  metal  sound  and  at  times they  also  bring  back  acoustic  guitars  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  solos  and  leads  and  on  later  tracks  violins  make  a  return  to  the recording  and  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  parts.

  All  of  the  songs  on  this  recording  go  back  to  the  80's  heavy  and  power  metal  sounds  along  with  most  of  them  averaging  over  7  minutes  while  there  are  alos  some  shorter  tracks  and  you  can  also  hear  elements  as  speed  metal  in  the  faster  riffing  and  all  of  the  musical  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  at  time s the  vocals  get  a  little  bit  more  aggressive  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  which  also  helps  bring  the  old  school  power  metal  sound  into  a  more  modern  direction.    

  With  this  album  Battleroar  takes the  80's  epic  power  metal  sound  and  also  takes  it  in  a  heavier  and  more  modern  direction  along  with  a  very  powerful  and  professional  sounding  production  and  lyrics  that  cover  Fantasy,  Norse  and  Greek  Mythology.

  In  my  opinion  Battleroar  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  power/heavy  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blood  Of  Legends"  "Curse  of  Medea"  "Valkyries  Among  Us"  and  "Exile  Eternal".  8/5  out  of  10.

Gamma Ray/Empire Of the Undead/Armoury Records/2014 CD Review

  Gamma  Ray  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  are  a  band  that  has  been a round  for  more  than  20  years  and  plays  a  very  traditional  form  of  power  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Empire  Of  The  Undead"  which  was  released  by  Armoury  Records.

  The  album  starts  out  with  water  sounds  before  adding  in  clean  playing  and  synths  along  with  melodic  vocals  which  then  takes  the  recording  into  a  heavier  direction  while  also  keeping  around  the  cleaner  sections  and  after  awhile  solos  and  leads  become  a  part  of  the  music  along  with  proto  speed  metal  elements.

  When  the  album  goes into  the  next  song  the  music  gets  a  bit  more  faster  and  heavier  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  on  the  following  track  more  hard  rock  elements  are  added  into  the  recording  and  later  on  more  power  metal  anthems  are  added  onto  the  album  and  at  times  the  guitar  riffing  has  a  thrash/speed  metal  edge  to  them.

  Halfway  through  the  album  the  band  brings  in  a  power  ballad  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  and  harder  direction  on  the  following  track   and  sticks  to  this  direction   for  the  remainder  of  the  recording.

  With this  album  Gamma  Ray  stick  to  the  power  metal  sounding that  they  are  known  for  as  well  as  staying  away  from  the  more  happy  and  pop  orientated  sound  of  their  early  albums  along  with  a  powerful  and  modern  production  as  well  as  having  lyrics  covering  dark,  mythology,  heavy  metal  and  everyday  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Gamma  Ray  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Avalon"  Pale  Rider"  "Demonseed"  and  "I  Will  Return".  8  out  of  10.          

Gun Barrel Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Yesterday we released our new album DAMAGE DANCER in Europe. We are producing a video clip for the titletrack and we will be on the road with Brainstorm.

2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound of the new recording and also how does it differ from your previous releases?

Damage Dancer is a pure Rocker.  You find very focussed arrangements and a tight and straight production. Compared with Brace For Impact it is reduced to the max.

3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

We got it all. Personal Rock ‘n’ Roll stories like “Back Alley Ruler” and “Heading for disaster”, statements  about our attitudelike“Damage Dancer”and“Bashing Thru”, fictions like “Building A Monster”, “Ride 
The Dragon” and “Vultures Are Waiting”.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Gun Barrel'?

The music is straight and unmistakable like the barrel of a gun.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the
years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Our stage performance is resolute, full of energy with a strong link to
the audience. It’s not us and them. It’s one big Rock party.

Some of the best shows: Wacken, Ankara Open Air, Gigs with our friends 
from Grave Digger, Motorjesus, Nitrogods, some unforgettable private 
shows as well. We organized a sold out show on 21.12.2012. It was like 
the last party on earth. Unforgettable.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

We already packed our bags for some shows with Brainstorm in April.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the newer music by
fans of metal?

Great. Our fans love the new album. We get so many great comments. It 
feels real good.

8.Are any of the band members involved with any other musical projects
these days?

Patrick sings as well in Pantaleon and several cover bands.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Some of the new songs are a bit more demanding than our old stuff. With
Patrick we are able to do things we never dreamed of in the past. This 
will be the way in the future.

10.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on
your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

This is not so easy to answer. To be honest I don’t know. The way we 
produce our music it is free from direct influences. We just play what 
we feel and what sounds good for our ears, without thinking about where
it comes from and who will like it or not.

Nowadays I like to listen more and more to Jazz. But never forget to 
Rock. Recently I became a fan of Blackberry Smoke, I visited a show of 
Rhino Bucket (Always great), I love D.A.D., I rediscovered Mob Rules of
Black Sabbath and the first Kingdom Come album. Today I bought a vinyl 
Nazareth – No Mean City. I love Motorjesus and the actual Avenged 
Sevenfold album.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

I’m very into cars. I love to take a ride in my old Chrysler convertible 
or my Jaguar limousine.


12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or
thoughts?

Yesterday we played the album release show for Damage Dancer. The show 
was a blast. The crowd rocked like hell.

I hope you and your readers get the chance to hear the songs live. 
Because that is what we really love to do. Play in club in your hometown 
and blow the roof off the place.

CU on the road

Tetrarchate/Symposium Of The Tetrarchs/2014 EP Review

  Tetarchate  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  an  old  school  form  of  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014  ep  "Symposium  Of  the  Tetarchs".

  The  ep  starts  out  with  a  very  heavy  and  melodic  sound  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sounding  powerful  as  well  as  a  mixture  of  riffs  and  solos  before  adding  in  thrash  style  vocals  which  have  a  rougher  edge  than  most  singers  in  this  genre  along  with  some  death  metal  elements.

  As  the  ep  progresses  the  music  goes  for  more  of  an  old  school  thrash  sound  along  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  briefly  and  on  the  3rd  track  the  music  slows  down  a  bit  and  gets  heavier  before  returning  back  to  a  thrash  direction  and  the guitar  leads  bring  in  a  more  melodic  side  to  the  ep  and  on  the  last  track  you  can  also  hear  some  infleuences  from  traditional  and  power  metal

  Tetarchute  stick  to  a  very  old  school  form  of  thrash  while  the  vocals  seem  to  have  black  and  death  metal  elements  while  also  not  being  a  part  of  that  genre  musically,  and  the  production  has  a  very  powerful  sound  along  with  the  lyrics  covering  violent  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Tetarchate  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  thrash  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Scar"  and  "Chant  Of  the  Forsaken".  8  out  of  10.  

Blackwater/Self Titled/The Path Less Traveled Records/2014 CD Review

  Blackwater  are  a  band  from  Illinois  that  plays  and  old  school  form  of  doom  with  elements  of  traditional  metal  and  hard  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2014  album  which  was  released  by  the  Path  Less  Traveled  Records.

  The  album  starts  out  with  a  very  dark  and heavy  sound  along  with  some  melodic  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  along  with  some  guitar  leads  shortly  after  that  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  we  get  more  into  the  album  the  music  starts  mixing  doom  and  70's  hard  rock/metal  together  along  with  a  good  amount  of  melody  and  at  times  they  bring  in  clean  playing along  with some  psychedelic  traces  and  at  times  you  can  also  hear  element s of  blues  rock  being  mixed  in  with  the  heaviness  of  the  recording  and  the  last  track  is  a  Judas  priest  cover.

  With  this  recording  Blackwater  takes  the  80's  doom  metal  sound  and  mixes  it  with  traditional  metal  and  70's  hard  rock  along  with  a  modern  day  production  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  which  is  very  heavy,  dark  and  melodic  all  at  the  same  time.

  Song  lyrics  cover  dark  and  occult  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  dark  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Blackwater  are  a  very  great  sounding  doom  rock/metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Final  Solution"  "Crucified"  "Revenant"  and  "Deceiver".  8  out  of  10.  

Pet Slimmers Of The Year/Fragments Of Uniforms/Candlelight Records/2014 CD Review

  Pet  Slimmers  Of  The  Year  are  a  band  from  the  United  kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of   post rock,  alternative  and  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Fragments  Of  Uniforms"  which  was  released  by  Candlelight  Records.

  The  album  starts  out  with  psychedelic  sounds  before  adding  in  clean  playing  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  you  can  also  hear  a  good  amount  of  melody  in  the  recording  and after  awhile  vocals  find  their  way  into  the  music.

  When  the  album  goes  into  other  songs  you  can  hear  some  drones  and  post  rock  elements  being  added  into  the  recording  and  the  rest  of  the  recording  sticks  to  a  mostly  to  an  instrumental  direction  while  the  vocals  do  make  a  return  at  times  with  the  album  focusing  on  a  post  metal  sound  with  traces  of  alternative  music  and  when  we  get  more  into  the  album  acoustic  guitars  are  brought  in  briefly  before  the  album  makes  a  return  to  a  heavier  direction  and  towards  the  end you  can  hear  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts  being  utilized.

  With  this  album  Pet  Slimmers  Of  The  Year  takes  an  instrumental  form  of  post  rock,  mixes  it  in  with  the  melody  of  alternative  and  the  heaviness  of  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  as  well  as  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  variety  into  the  music.

  Song  lyrics  are  mostly  absent  from  this  recording  with  most  of  the  music  being  instrumental,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.    

  In  my  opinion  Pet  Slimmers  Of  the  Year  are  a  very  great  sounding  instrumental  mixture  of  post  rock,  alternative  and  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Arterias"  "Churning Of  the  Sea  of  Milk"  and  "La  Tormenta".  8  out  of  10.  

Gun Barrel/Damage Dancer/Massacre Records/2014 CD Review

    Gun  Barrel  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  hard  rock,  heavy  and  power  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Damage  Dancer"  which  was  released  by  Massacre  Records.

  The  album  starts  out with  an  intro  with  guitar  noises  and  sounds  and  after  the  intro  the music  goes into  a  more  old  school  metal  direction  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sounding very  powerful  and  a  few  seconds  alter  vocals  and  hard  rock  elements  start  to  kick  in  and  after  awhile  solos  and  leads  are  added  into  the  music.

  When  the  album  goes  into  other  songs  the  music  becomes  a  music  of  70's  hard  rock/metal  close  to  NWOBHM  and  power  metal  while  also  bringing  a  more  modern  feeling  to  it  and  they  also  stay  away  from  power  ballads  and  the  album  sticks  to  a  hard  and  heavy  sound  from  beginning  to  end.

  With  this  album  Gun  Barrel  go  back  to t he  mid  70's  and  take  the  hard  rock,  heavy  metal  and  NWOBHM  genres  from that  time  and  mix  it  in  with  power  metal  and  a  modern  production  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.

  Song  lyrics  cover  fantasy,  darkness  and  everyday  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can h ear  all  of  the  musicla  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Gun  Barrel  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  hard  rock,  heavy  and  power  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this b and.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Damage  Dancer"  "Building  A  Monster"  "Ride  the  Dragon"  and  "Vultures  Are  Waiting".  8  out  of  10.