Thursday 29 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood EP Review : Without Waves - Scab Platter

Without Waves - Scab Platter
Rating: 6/10

1. Avici
2. Tradition of Fear
3. The Way to Crash & Burn
4. [404]
5. Scab Platter
6. [pieta]
7. Dhyana
8. Sativa Sunrise

With Scab Platter Without Waves have managed to produce an album that is a fusion of different types of metal, with elements reminiscent of Meshuggah, Tool, Dillinger Escape Plan and Opeth. With combinations of everything from nu metal sounds to a more prog style this album could easily go from something for everyone to nothing for anyone.

Instrumentally the band is good, the bass is a lot more prominent in Scab Platter than in a lot of modern releases and really interacts well with the drum at times. Instrumental sections such as "[404]" illustrate this well

The vocals are a mixture or growling and clean vocals and in a much more old metal style than the music would suggest. Scab Platter definitely leans towards the frenzied side of metal with a fast pace and a lot happening at once. Two tracks on the first half of the album such as "Tradition of Fear" and "The Way to Crash & Burn" show this well.


The album starts to slow down then with more clean vocals, very smoky clean vocals, showing up and a softer, simpler melody supporting it in "Dhyana". Then closing with a instrumental track "Sativa Sunrise" which while it doesn't suffer for the lack of vocals and is technically excellent feels a little like it's in the wrong place in the album and doesn't fit well as the closer

Overall I did like the album, the musician ship is brilliant and I like that rather than choosing one genre the band has fused genres together and tried to create a new and original sound rather than churning out the same type of metalcore albums as everyone else.

One criticism would be perhaps this fusion has gone a step to far in that there is nothing to unify the album, or give one distinct sound to the band and album. Personally I think it needs to be stripped back slightly in order to showcase the skills and talents that are clearly there.

Check it out for yourselves:
Facebook
BandCamp
You Tube
Reverbnation

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood EP Review : Twilight's Embrace - Reflections

Twilight's Embrace - Reflections
Rating: 7/10

With Xmas endured and pausing for breath before New Years Eve's inevitable carnage it's back to the music and first up to help us get out of the post Xmas funk is the début 3 track EP "Reflections" from Nottingham metal band Twilight's Embrace released in late 2010

The opening track "The Second Day" opens with a growl and a riff that makes you feel like something is coming. The EP is off to a good start with fierce growling vocals mixed with strong clean vocals overlaying the almost ethereal feel to the track. Probably has to be my favourite track on the EP.

Next up is "This Lie" with a heavier riff and following on from the first track with the mix of clean and growling vocals which adds some depth to the instruments. Slight tempo changes within the song prevent it from becoming too repetitive.

Last but not least the title track "Reflections" which continues the tone of the album starting with clean vocals and ethereal guitar sounds backed up by distortion for heaviness. Around half way into the track the slow guitars and cymbal sound gradually build up to some faster and heavier guitar sounds and then up to the first growling vocals on the EP to end the track.

The EP is a good solid death/doom metal album with the only criticism being perhaps it needs a touch of something different every now and then to help the band stand out as the talent and potential is clearly there and I am eagerly anticipating the new release due early 2012!

Check it out for yourselves at the link below!
Twilight's Embrace - Reflections on Bandcamp

Friday 23 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood Band Profile : Karrion

Karrion

Chris 'Chops' Boozington - Bass and backing vocals
Joe - Guitar and Lead Singer
Will - Drummer
Neil 'Nile' Cidermore - Guitar

Hailing from Basingstoke and formed in 2006 to play "good old heavy metal" by Joe, Ed (who has since left the band), Chris (Chops) and Will. With Joe, Ed and Chris having already played in a black metal band prior to Karrion and Will and Chris playing in bands over the years the foursome formed a band and Karrion was born.

Karrion released "Voyage of Treachery" in 2008 and have yet to release their follow up "Dr Beeching's Word", however, if the tracks available so far are an indication of things yet to come I will definitley be looking forward to hearing the follow up!

Facebook features two tracks "Dr Beechings Word" and "Broken Inside" the tracks have a good full heavy sound with clean but strong vocals and some excellent guitar sections. Mixing metal with fun while maintaining skillful instrumentation has definitely left me wanting to hear more and also thinking I'm sure these guys would be pretty awesome live!

Influences for the are band many including Megadeath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Opeth, Katatonia and more. Katatonia may have supplied more than music influences when former member Ed's wife suggested the name carrion - meaning dead/rotting flesh - the name was well received but similar to Katatonia it was chosen to be spelt with a K rather than a C
"METAL!! Or more specifically Drunken Rusted Heavy Metal" - Will
Rather than being any particular genre the band are just four guys playing their favourite style, with the favourite style being 'Drunken Rusted Heavy Metal' not sure entirely what that entails well head over to their facebook page, get listening and all will become clear! Alternatively get yourself along to The Joiners in Southampton on 28th January 2012 to see the band play with Revoker!

And so onto the Heavy Metal Bullet interview questions answered by Will:
"My rib cage felt like Dot Cotton's lung afterwards, took a couple of weeks to recover from that, bloody hell!!"
Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB): What was the first Heavy Metal Album you bought?
Will (W): Good question! I believe mine was Slipknot's first self titled album.

HMB: What was the last Heavy Metal Album you bought/downloaded?
W: Mastodon's latest album, "The Hunter"

HMB: Do you own any albums you would be embarrassed to tell a metal head your own?
W: Plenty, where should I start? Probably has to be Enya, I forget the album name, but I bought it so I could do a drum n bass remix of Orinocco Flow with Alan Partridge samples, back in the days when I was learning how to use music software. Have to find a copy of it actually, long time no listen.

HMB: What's the strangest thing you've seen at a gig (your own or someone elses)?
W: Last year we played a gig in a beer tent at a battle re-enactment, loads of people dressed up as medieval fighters with pikes and armour and muskets etc (not sure that's the correct time period, but it was massively old school so you get the idea). Fun gig! We even got to join in a battle the next day which was like a really intense rugby scrum. My rib cage felt like Dot Cotton's lungs afterwards, took a couple of weeks to recover from that, bloody hell! Also, our band mascot 'Dave' usually gets some interesting looks (he consists of a dead goat's skull, massive wings and smoke comes out of his nose!)

HMB: Any funny band related stories you would like to share?
W: The usual drunken behaviour. The first Twangfest in Whitchurch was a classic. Sleeping in a van, waking up covered in sick, Chris and Joe hosing out the van the next day. Ah, it's all a bit of a fairy tale looking back on it actually...

HMB: Anything else at all you would like to share?
W: Go to our facebook and listen to the tracks there, also our myspace has tracks from the first E.P. too

And so without further ado those links where you can check these guys out, you won't regret it!

Myspace
Twitter
Big Cartel
Facebook

Have a very Metal Christmas \m/

Thursday 22 December 2011

Where to Promote Your Metal Band : MetalWebRadio

In keeping with the theme that getting your songs heard is a key element to promoting your band let me introduce you to Metal Web Online Radio.

The site offers a chance for bands to upload their songs for airplay and also provides band pages to go with them. Alternatively head over to the forum section and introduce yourself to some fellow metal heads to get the name of your band out there.

MetalWeb Radio

Bjorn manager of MetalWeb Radio kindly provided some more details about the site and some more tips on band promotions:

"When I decided to make my own webradio, there was no doubt it should be Heavy Metal radio" - Bjorn
Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB): When did the website and radio station start?
Bjorn (B): The website went live about 5 months ago

HMB: What was the reason for starting it and what does it aim to do?
B: It was a mix of different interests. I have always been a metal fan. Over the last few years I have been doing a lot of Wordpress blogging ad web development. When I decided to make my own webradio, there was no doubt it should be Heavy Metal radio.
I also decided to build in a social community where headbangers and metal heads can discuss, share and have fun.
In addition to the webradio and community services I also hope to discover some new bands that will get big. In the future I might start band promotion services, but for now I am focusing on developing the webradio and community.

HMB: What do you think is the single most important thing for bands to do to promote themselves?
B: I am not really a music insider but I think its much the same as other promotion. The single most important thing today, I would say is social media (and to use it in the right way). It is important to realise that social media is not about information, it is all about communication.
"I also offer some free promotion on my metalweb radio" - BJorn

HMB: Any other tips on promoting bands?
B: If you have the time there are a lot of blogs like Heavy Metal Bullet that will promote your music and give you interviews. I also offer some free promotion on my metalweb radio. You can upload your info here. Your band will be featured on the webradio if it meets the minimum standards
HMB: With yours truly having been interviewed for the metalweb blog I can definitely vouch for the good taste ;)

HMB: Anything else you would like to add
B: From my own experience a lot of great bands are standing with their hat in their hands, instead of actively seeking people to promote their music. I think smaller bands should be less afraid to seek attention.
HMB: A sentiment that Heavy Metal Bullet agrees with entirely!

So you heard the man what are you waiting for, no-one is going to work as hard at promoting your band as you so head on over and upload your music and maybe you will be the band to be discovered by Metalweb Radio!

MetalWeb Radio
Facebook
Twitter

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Where to Promote Your Heavy Metal Band - Evil Broadcasting

So part two of the Heavy Metal Bullet features on where Heavy Metal bands can get working to promote themselves, including some more helpful tips on promotion from those in the know.

There surely can't be a better way to promote yourself than to get your music heard and where better to do that than Heavy Metal Internet Radio from Hell provided by Evil Broadcasting!

Providing 24/7 metal Evil Broadcasting also gives bands a chance to submit their music for airplay use the link below and go towards the bottom of their contact us page!
Evil Broadcasting submissions

So I caught up with Kory Allen from Evil Broadcasting and got the answers to some Heavy Metal Bullet interview questions:

Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB): When did the website start?
Kory Allen (KA): Evil Broadcasting started in 2007 to produce a internet radio show called Radio Hell. In August 2009 we wanted to do more and formed The Evil Broadcasting Network as a 24-7 no nonsense heavy metal internet radio station straight from Hell.

HMB: What was the reason behind starting it and what does it aim to do?
KA: To spread Evil throughout the world one victim at a time
We want to be a station who plays nothing but the best heavy metal music, a lot of other stations say that but we spend a lot of time fine tuning our playlists. Heavy Metal music is part of our DNA. We want to share the music with the world.

HMB: What do you think is the single most important thing for a new band to do to promote themselves?
KA: Tour, Tour, Tour. You gotta tour your fucking ass off. People want to see these bands live. If your band can handle staying together after several tours, well that's a good sign that the band is for real.

HMB: Any other tips on promoting bands?
KA: Every band needs someone to handle all of their social media and internet promotions. If you don't have a great presence of Facebook, Twitter and so on you're gonna be missed by many people. At times this can be a full time job but will pay off in the long run.

HMB: What are your personal music tastes?
KA: I am a thrash guy at heart. I grew up with Slayer, Megadeath, Metallica, Anthrax, Testament, Exodus and Death Angel. I am inspired to always keep kicking ass as those bands are still at it as they were 25 years ago.

HMB: Anything else at all that you would like to add?
KA: There is a great website that just formed by Indie bands for Indie bands, its a great community if your in an indie band or you just wanna listen to some indie bands please support it
Dragon Fly Digital Music
Thank you and we love Heavy Metal Bullet. Keep up the hard work and long live the metal industy.
Kory Allen - Murders & Executions - The Evil Broadcasting Network

So whether you wanna submit your band for airplay or just listen to some metal head on over to the link below:
The Evil Broadcasting Network


Monday 19 December 2011

Heavy Metal News : Joe Satriani a Comic Book Hero

So news just in February 2012 will see guitar legend Joe Satriani appear in the fantasy comic Eternal Descent.

Heavy Metal and Fantasy Comics have always gone hand in hand and now IDW Publishing available Worldwide through Diamond Distribution are seeking to cement that drawing on Satriani's back catalogue to provide a re-imagining of his music.

Eternal Descent Vol 2 #3 (of 6) opens with a group of heroes divided and in turmoil. Upon making the ultimate sacrifice, Sirian finds himself caught amidst time and space as strange beautiful music resonates throughout the cosmos, heralding the arrival of Joe Satriani - The Extremist himself - seeking to guide the lost and bring harmony to dissonance.
"Lost souls lurk in every shadow, darkness veils sinister designs and heavy metal could be the key to salvation... or the gateway to destruction!"

Eternal Descent is the brain child of British guitarist and comic creator Llexi Leon and invokes a world where angels and demons battle alongside some of the biggest names in metal including, Firewind, Periphery and Arch Enemy

The issue will be available with four different covers distributed equally and at random, the covers feature a tribute to Satrini albums - Not of the Earth, Crystal Planet, The Extremist & Time Machine.

The Joe Satriani issue of Eternal Descent is available for pre-order now


Sunday 18 December 2011

Heavy Metal Album Review - Illnath - Third Act in the Theatre of Madness

Illnath - Third Act in the Theatre of Madness (Pitch Black Records)
Rating : 8/10


Danish female fronted melodic death metal band Illnath have recently joined the roster of Pitch Black Records. Illnath released their third album "Third Act in the Theatre of Madness" in late November 2011 with a completely new line up comprised of original member Pete Falk on guitars, Mona Beck with vocals, Kenneth Frandsen on bass and session drummer Reno Killerich.

Mixing melodic instrumentation, aggressive vocals and bursts of energetic fast paced sound this album is a tour de force from start to finish. Mona’s harsh vocals interweave with some clean singing and spoken word sections to provide both contrast and depth with harmonic layering.

The drums are a solid back drop to the entire album driving the momentum along and forcing the listener to take the rollercoaster ride from the melodic to the extreme and back again.

The Guitar sections and bass lines have no fear of being forgotten and round off the entire album to give it the full and heavy sound you would expect from metal.

Highlights for me include the manic laughter on the opening track "Third Act", some excellent guitar parts on "Lead the Way", but "Snake of Eden" and "Fall of Giants" are still battling out for my favourite songs on the album, guess I’ll just have to keep listening!

The album is available digitally, however, the CD version comes with a bonus track worth hearing.

Track Listing:
1. Third Act
2. Scarecrow
3. Lead the Way
4. Snake of Eden
5. Shorthanded
6. Spring will Come
7. Tree of Life and Death
8. Fall of Giants
9. Vampiria
10. Kingship Incarnate (CD Bonus)


Where to promote your Heavy Metal Band : Metal Powered Promotion

So you're in a Heavy Metal band and ready to put some serious effort into promoting yourselves, where do you go? This is the first in a series of features on places for new Heavy Metal Bands to get going.

So first up is Metal Powered, this is a division in Indie Power, a promotion company including press, radio, video promo, soundtracks, tour promo and more. I caught up with Jay Warsinske the founder and president of the company to find out a bit more about them and also to get some tips for new bands to help with their promotion.

So first off where do you go to find Metal Powered and Indie Power? Well that's a simple one just click on any of the links below:

Before you head off to the site though Jay Warsinske answered some Heavy Metal Bullet questions to give you an idea of what to expect along with some helpful tips on promoting your band

"Gives Bands a One Stop Shop for the best deal on everything they need" - Jay Warsinske

Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB): When did the website/company start?
Jay Warsinske (JW): 5 years ago

HMB: What was the reason behind it and what do you aim to do?
JW: These days Bands & Artists need access to a wide array of top pro services at great rates, so they can gain more fans, more shows/tours, and gain more business (distribution, licensing, record deals, merch deals, tours and all!)

The aim is to give Bans & Artists a one stop shop for the best deal on everything they need, without having to give up your rights, ownership or control of your music!

Best deal on everything from the basic stuff like

  • CDs & DVDs
  • Posters, Flyers, Banners, T-Shirts, Stickers
  • Website & Graphics
All the way up to Services and Campaigns that include Top Pro:
  • Distribution: Physical, digital and mobile
  • Promotions and marketing to: Press/Media/Magazines, Radio/DJs, Stores, Sites, Streets, Movie/TV/Videogame soundtracks, Video promotion to TV/Web shows and much more
HMB: What do you think is the single most important thing for a new band to do to promote themselves?
JW: Think of themselves as a Creative BUSINESS, have fun - make great music, but understand if they aren't willing to handle their business & bringing on pros like INDIE POWER & METALPOWERED, that someone will rob them of their business and revenues
"There's ONLY two types of music: Good & Bad"

HMB: Any other tips on promoting bands?
JW: Think about what makes YOU unique! In a sea of thousands of bands, define YOUR image, graphic look, stage presentation, merch and especially songs, to stand out! Take chances, don't blend in!

HMB: What are your own personal music tastes?
JW: Wide, there's ONLY two kinds of music: good & bad, it either moves you or it doesn't, whatever kind of metal you call it, it either lights you up or it doesn't!

HMB: Anything else to add?
JW: Yes, I myself, Jay Warsinske (the Founder & President) have over 38 years in the business and live EVERY DAY for the love and adventure of bringing great music & talent to the music lovers of the World! LOVE what you do and do it for that, not to get 'rich and famous' and if you do great music and surround yourself with a great team, including pros like Indie Power and MetalPowered, you'll enjoy every day of it - and if people love what you do, the money and notoriety can come!

So if your Metal Band is in need of some promotion check out the links below and get in touch!



Keep Calm & Metal On \m/

Saturday 17 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood Band Profile - Final Silence

Final Silence

Willie - Vocals
Swan - Bass/Backing Vocals
Dave - Guitars/Keys
Cowie - Drums

Final Silence a Heavy Metal Band from Stirlingshire/Clackmannanshire formed in February 2006. Formed from the remnants of a prior band and after going through various line up changes the band settled on their current incarnation in March 2010.

With influences within the band ranging from thrash, hardcore, melodic, metalcore and nu-metal the band don't pin themselves down to one specific genre of metal music. They consider themselves an all round metal act "drawing from sub-genres to make a whole sound"

Clearly not one for resting on their laurels Final Silence have released three demos between 2007 and 2008, followed by a debut EP "Past Remains" in 2009, a follow up EP "Dawn on a new Day" in 2010 and then their debut full length album "We are this for a Reason" in the summer of 2011. You can check out the Heavy Metal Bullet review of "We are the Reason" here

Even with all these releases the band are not complacent and are constantly writing new material. They are also planning on touring around the UK to promote their album... Heavy Metal Bullet are definitely hoping for a London date!

"realising...how grim it would be to be in the presence of a person's dying breath, or more poetically their final silence" - Willie
So furthering my curiosity on how band names came about I asked Final Silence about how where there name came from and the response was a lot deeper (and albeit grimmer) than I had anticipated!
Willie informed me "The name of the band came about in two ways, one whilst watching star wars and realising the hollow silence after a persons final breath and how grim it would be, to be in the presence of a person's dying breath or more poetically their final silence"

Willie (Vocals) answered the Heavy Metal Bullet interview questions:
"They have all been burned. Think I must have been on an acid trip!!" - Willie

Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB): What was the first Heavy Metal Album you bought?
Willie (W): The First Metal album I ever got was Korn - Follow the Leader

HMB: What was the last Heavy Metal Album you bought/downloaded?
W: Limp Bizkit - Golden Cobra

HMB: Do you own any albums you would be embarrassed to tell a metalhead you own?
W: Paramore! But they have all been burned. Think I must have been on an acid trip!

HMB: What's the strangest thing you have seen at a gig (your own or someone else's)?
W: Fans pitting over a two pence coin... which I was a part of!

HMB: Any Funny related band stories:
W: Just the usual staying over night in a hotel and being wasted then looking at the state of each other the morning after!! Hahah, classic!!

HMB: Anything else you would like to share?
W: Final Silence have two Music Videos out on you tube:
Single from Dawn of a New Day - "Jon Kandi"
Single from We are this for a Reason - "What have we Done"

So head over to the below pages to check out this band...
Soundcloud
Facebook

Keep Calm and Metal On \m/

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood Band Profile : Massacre of the Megafauna

Massacre of the Megafauna

Bing - Vocals
Luke - Drums
Ron - Guitar
Jim - Guitar
Will - Bass

Massacre of the Megafauna a metal band from Rotherham formed quite organically after Luke and Ron had been jamming together for years. Jim and Luke had previously been in bands together so Jim joined followed by Bing in October 2009 and last but not least Will (as a replacement for a previous bassist Eckers) joined in August 2010. With that the line up you see today was now complete.

Intrigued I questioned them on the origin of the name and the inspiration came from an article by George Monbiot on the overkill theory that states ice age mammals were hunted into extinction by early man. A popular theory and possibly the most plausible though in the interest of fairness I should point out that not everyone agrees!
"I think we've learned nothing and would do well to take heed of our species' earlier transgressions!" - Bing
Massacre of the Megafauna have yet to produce an official release but do have a three track demo available on their bandcamp and facebook pages (links below) you can check out the review here

So as usual the band were subjected to the Heavy Metal Bullet interview questions and Bing the vocalist was in the hotseat...
"Mint, but he never did buy a CD!" - Bing 
Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB) : What was the first Heavy Metal Album you bought?
Bing (B): Def Leppard - Adrenalize... and if anyone says Def Leppard aren't metal, I would urge them to research the acronym NWOBHM!

HMB: What was the last Heavy Metal Album you bought/downloaded?
B: Times of Grace - Neurosis - replaced a well worn copy!

HMB: Do you own any albums you would be embarrassed to tell a metalhead you own?
B: Certainly not... being a true metalhead, I have incredibly good taste!

HMB: What's the strangest thing you have seen at a gig (your own or someone else's)?
B: Played at the Ringside in Hull a year or so ago... no one was there, except an old man who proceeded to 'have it'... he went berserk, right up in front of the stage! Mint, but he never did buy a CD!

So enough from me and links as promised... Do yourself a favour and head on over and check them out!
Facebook:
Bandcamp

Keep Calm and Metal On \m/


Tuesday 13 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood Album Review : Final Silence - We are this for a Reason

Final Silence - We are this for a Reason
Rating : 7/10

Final Silence released their full length album "We are this for a Reason" in the summer of 2011.

From the outset the strong riffs and incessant percussion underpin the album combined with a mixture of aggressive rough vocals and clean vocals supported by occasional backing vocals, the album is an aural heavy weight from start to finish.

Although these elements are the driving force of the album it doesn't become repetitive with key changes, tempo changes, occasional slower instrumental sections and spoken word sections. The slower sections are swiftly blown away by interjections of fast paced drums and the sheer aggression in the vocals.

Stand out tracks for me include "You wanna rape this" with it's brief spoken word intro followed by passionate rough vocals and blasts of intense percussion. "What the hell's this crap supposed to be" is another good track with some excellent guitar work and pure heavy metal anger in the vocals.

This is a debut album that is definitely worth a listen, while leaning towards metalcore (not everyone's favourite I know but bear with me...) I think all but die hard purists will find something to enjoy in this album.

Don't take my word for it though, head over to soundcloud or facebook and check it out for yourself!

Soundcloud
Facebook

Track Listing:
1. Jaw Ripper
2. Collapse
3. You Wanna Rape This
4. I'm Just like You
5. What have we Done
6. What the hells this Crap supposed to be
7. Just for Once
8. Riding a Redhead
9. Wired at the Heart
10. Self Deliverance
11. I'll Die Fighting
12. Riding a Redhead (remix)


Keep calm and metal on \m/


Sunday 11 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood : Massacre of the Megafauna 2010 Demo

Massacre of the Megafauna : Self Titled 2010 Demo
Rating :  3/5

Rotherham based metallers Massacre of the Megafauna, while yet to complete an official release, have a 3 track self titled demo available on facebook and bandcamp.

A band profile for Massacre of the Megafauna will be released later this week but in the meantime check out the review of their demo.

The demo overall shows some real potential and often takes unexpected twists during the tracks keeping the listener alert to the music.

The first track "Say what you mean" has a quite atmospheric start before being joined by a strong drum beat and the vocals. The vocals interchange between rough and almost clean and the track contains an excellent guitar solo. This particular track does have a lot of unexpected tangents, possibly slightly too many for the track to flow properly.

Coming up next is "Kill Your Boss" which starts with a really interesting percussion section before adding more layers to the music as it gradully builds up. The sense of cohesion on this track provides a much stronger flow and the section with an almost bluesy guitar part contrasting against the drum beat and the rough vocals works particularly well.

The Demo finishes with "Rumsfield's Unspoken Fourth Epistemological Insight" which is my personal favourite of the three tracks. There is a nice mix of rough and clean sounding vocals which are stronger on this track than the first two. There is a sense  of crescendo in the song with escalating musical layers and aggressive vocals being built up before being wound back down at the end of the track.

While the vocals were a little shaky at the start of the demo and the first track changed direction a little too often there is still some excellent potential in this demo. The vocals were much stronger in the last two tracks and the different instrumental parts more cohesive allowing the listener to just go with the music.

Check the demo out for yourself at the links below and I will be looking out for future releases from these guys!

Facebook
Band Camp

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood Band Profile : Witness the Fall

Witness The Fall

Nels : Vocals
Tony : Guitar
Dikie : Drums
Chris : Guitars
Jason : Bass

Witness the Fall are a Scottish band from Dumfries that formed in late October 2007. The band was started by Andy (then drums), Jason, Chris and Nelson, who were already familiar with each other, when their respective bands split they got together to "write and play the music they wanted to hear".

Their Debut EP was recorded on a tight budget and after the recording of the EP the band took out on the road to get their sound out to as many people as they possibly could. In February 2010 the band headed back to the studio and you can read the review of their EP Witness the Fall here...

After line-up changes and delays the band are now going strong with the newer members and a new EP will be available in mid-march.
"with new members...trained up and ready for the sonic assault, the Witness The Fall machine is ready to roll out once again" Nelson
Witness the fall have a wide range of influences from a variety of musical genres including metal, hip-hop, classical and electro fusion jazz but also take inspiration from everything they feel is important. Although not wanting to be pigeon holed they feel they probably come under the Metalcore label but as they never intended for this to be the case all of that could change in the future

The band are currently touring and you can check them out soon at the tour dates below:
23rd December : Troqueer Arms, Dumfries
17th February : ABC Glasgow tbc
Make sure to follow the band on facebook to hear about any further upcoming tour dates.

Vocalist Nelson answered the Heavy Metal Bullet interview questions...
"Poor lad... What grown men do to stave off boredom" Nelson
Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB): What was the last album you bought/downloaded?
Nelson (N): The last album I actually bought (shhhhhh) was actually Times of Grace; Hymn of a Broken Man. The Forgotten One is a belter of a tune, well digging that one.

HMB: What was the first album you bought?
N: The first album I properly bought with my own cash was Meat Loaf; Bat out of Hell 2 Epic!

HMB: Do you own any albums you would be embarrassed to tell a metalhead you own?
N: I dunno about embarrassed but I do have a fair few that people raise their eyebrows to when they flick through the old ipod... like "The Labyrinth" soundtrack, David Bowie FTW! (You remind me of the babe, what babe? The babe with the power!)

HMB: What is the strangest thing you have seen at a gig?
N: I went to see Fear Factory at the Barrowlands in Glasgow. In between one of the songs when Burton was speaking to the crowd a member of the audience shouted out "get a proper fuckin job!" at him. He heard it and took it with good humour though, thought that was quite a strange thing to shout at someone you paid to see but that's the Scottish logic for you.

HMB: Are there any funny band related stories you can share?
N: Our old drummer Andy and Chris lay in wait in Jason's hotel room to unleash their 'Silence of the Lambs' Buffalo Bill (Jason Mewes Stylee!) impression on the unsuspecting bassist. Poor lad... what grown men will do to stave off boredom.

You can check out the band at any of the links below:
Video: Darkest Hour
Facebook
Big Cartel
Sound Cloud
You Tube
Twitter

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood Band Profile : Plague of Ashitaka

Plague of Ashitaka

Ed Fairman
Doug Hayman
Kyle Syrett
Alastair Brash






Brighton/London based metallers Plague of Ashitaka were formed in 2008 by guitarist Doug Hayman and vocalist Ed Fairman while at University. Described by Ed as a "fortunate coincidence" with two friends having similar interests and an aim to write creative music that would stand out. After experimentation including a definite emphasis on cohesive lyrical content and laying down tracks in their bedroom the band expanded to include Kyle Syrett and Alastair Brash in the final line-up.

Plague of Ashitaka have recently released an EP the first of a two part inception "Eldar Luminaries" you can check out the review here.

Musically their influences include a lot of black metal and contemporary death metal bands but inspiration is also taken from certain sludge and doom acts as well as "various eclectic blends of music styles outside the "metal" genre". Lyrically the focus is on astrology, landscape and anatomy with influences from fantasy novels and cosmologists such as including Sagan, Kepler and Galileo.

In keeping with other band profiles and a trend Heavy Metal Bullet fully supports Plague of Ashitaka don't advertise themselves as falling into any specific genres believing these are more to keep up with recent trends. They aim to include various styles within their music with elements of technical thrash, death and black,
"Over the years we've been labelled as many things and so we never really categorise ourselves" Ed Fairman

Plague of Ashitaka will be touring the UK early next year to promote their album and will also be working hard on the second part of the two part inception following on from the concept of Eldar Luminaries

Vocalist Ed Fairman answered the Heavy Metal Bullet interview questions...
"Lesson learned : never give keys to your guitarist." Ed Fairman
Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB): What was the last album you bought/downloaded?
Ed Fairman (EF): Altar of Plagues - "Mammal" - incredible atmospheric blackened metal from the forges of Ireland

HMB: What was the first album you bought/downloaded?
EF: Death - The Sound of Perserverence

HMB: Do you own any albums you would be embarrased to tell a metalhead you own?
EF: Wham! - "Make it Big" or the Top Gun soundtrack (both of which tend to be the most accessible albums whilst on tour)

HMB: What is the strangest thing you have seen at a gig?
EF: A male dancing provocatively in a luminous green Lycra full-body suit to our whole set on our latest tour of the UK. Like a glow in the dark human shaped/sized condom. We haven't seen it since

HMB: Are there any funny band related stories you can share?
EF: We've had a fair few funny and hair-raising incidents. Picking one of them from random, we were on our first day of the tour when our guitarist locked our keys in the solid rear part of our van with all our equipment. In the freezing winter, it took over half a dozen people, 3 hours, a coat hanger, various bent objects, a hefty lump of patience and sore fingers to finally get them our. Lesson learned : never give keys to your guitarist.

HMB: Anything else you would like to share?
EF: Thank you for all the continued support from our loyal listeners. If you like our music please continue to support us by buying the album.

So make sure to check these guys out at the links below:

Facebook Page
"Onyx Scroll" music video
Buy the Album at Big Cartel or Itunes

Monday 5 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood EP Review : Witness the Fall - Self Titled

Witness The Fall - Self Titled
Rating : 4/5


Scottish metal band Witness the Fall are everything metal should be fast, loud and in your face with strong instrumental skills and crushing vocals. The energy of the EP is unrelenting throughout with what can only be described as absolutely brutal drumming underpinning the entire sound and keeping the momentum going.

Interjected at points with some excellent guitar solos particularly on “An End to Darkness” and “Darkest Hour (No Surrender)” and sections of spoken (or shouted) word. Overall the entire sound works really well together and is topped off by some brutal growling vocals.

The production of the EP is incredibly professional being able to hear all instruments at just the right level to deliver a high quality brutal assault on the ear drums.

My personal favourite track is the closer “Darkest Hour (No Surrender)” with it’s heavy on the distortion guitars, outstanding guitar solo supported as always by strong and brutal percussion. The chorus of “No, No Surrender” is sure to be a hit at live performances. Check out the video for this here 

So I am going to stop writing as right about now you should be hurtling over to one of the links below to check these guys out for yourselves, you won’t be disappointed!

Facebook
Big Cartel
SoundCloud
You Tube

Track Listing

1. An End to Darkness
2. Victory
3. The Dying Art of Integrity
4. The Tragedy of Man
5. Righteous Kill
6. Darkest Hour (No Surrender)

Sunday 4 December 2011

Heavy Metal Album Releases : December 2011


So with the Xmas season approaching perhaps a newly released album is the perfect gift for the metalhead in your life...

Two hotly anticipated releases this month are Korn - The Path of Totality (6.12.11 Roadrunner) and Nightwish - Imaginarium (2.12.11 Nuclear Blast). I shall be reviewing Korn's new offering as the clips released so far have definitely been intriguing and as yet I can't quite make up my mind!

Other December Releases in order of release date...

01.12.2011
Netherbird - Abysmal Allure

05.12.2011
Marionette - Nerve

06.12.2011
Boris - New Album (Sargent House)
Cormorant - Dwellings
Sandrider - Sandrider (Good to Die)
Comity - The Journey is now over (RoadRunner)
Czar - Vertical Mass Grave (Crack Nation)
Ecnephias - Inferno (Scarlet)
Holy Grail - Seasons Bleedings (Prosthetic)
Pestilential Shadows - Depths (Seance)
Rabid Rabbit - Czarny Sen (Bloodlust)
Rammstein - Made in Germany 1995 - 2011 (Vagrant)


12.12.2011
Xerosun - Absence of Light
The Empire Shall Fall - Volume One: Solar Plexus (Angle Side)


13.12.2011
We All Have Day Jobs - Adapted (Gainful Employment)

20.12.2011
Saturian Mist - Gnostikoi Ha-Shaitan (AAP)

27.12.2011
Niklas Kvarforth - Fifteen Years of Absolute Darkness (Spinefarm)



Saturday 3 December 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood Band Profile : Paean


Kevin: Vocals/Bass
Heiko: Guitars
Endrik: Guitars/Vocals
Magnus: Drums

Extreme progressive metallers Paean hail from Tallin, Estonia and formed in early 2009 after Heiko and Endrik met through an internet advert placed by Endrik looking to form a progressive death metal band. After trying out various drummers and vocalists they went on to originally become a five piece band, however, after the departure of their original bassist they are now down to four.

Paean describe their music on their facebook page “as an intense journey through diverse soundscapes, deriving inspiration from death/doom/black metal and ethereal acoustic interludes adding to the grim atmosphere”. This is certainly evident on their EP “Livium” (you can check out my review here), just released as a follow on from their demo “The Radiant Moon”

Their list of musical influences is extensive and includes Opeth, Gojira, Mastodon, Akercocke, Evoken and Esoteric. While the EP Livium definitely falls under the extreme progressive metal banner, the band are planning to diverge from this on future releases to move towards a “slower and darker, more doom influenced sound”

“I would label it simply, Extreme Progressive Metal” Heiko
Paean are already working towards creating the concept for and writing their first full length album, currently under the working title “Tower of Silence”. According to Heiko “Its going to be darker in tone, slower paced with more emphasis on the atmosphere (without raping the synths of course)” Recording should start mid to late next year. Paean are currently only gigging in Estonia but are working on plans for a Baltic tour next summer.

And so follows the usual interview questions, although with a slight difference this time as we share the views, opinions and revelations of the entire band...

Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB): What was the last album you bought/downloaded?
Heiko: Anathema – The Silent Enigma, some kind of special edition that came with a live DVD
Endrik: Metsatöll – Terast Mis Hangunad Me Hinge (Original 1999 release, quite a gem)
Kevin: It was Opeth’s Heritage, but its on vinyl. I think that progressive rock and analogue record players are meant to be together. This way it is quite an experience
Magnus: I think it was a Behemoth album, I download so much things at the same time, I’m not sure

HMB: What was the first metal album you bought?
Heiko: The first metal album I got my hands on was Metallica S&M which is still a masterpiece in my opinion
Endrik: Linkin Park – Meteora, I think (It was a long time ago)
Magnus: The first album was Slipknot’s self-titled ’99 album. From there I started listening to metal
Kevin: Iron Maiden – Brave New World. Damn, I loved those galloping rhythms when I was younger it made me pick up my first guitar

HMB: Do you own any albums you would be embarrassed to tell a metalhead you own?
Heiko: I still have tons of Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit albums lying around from my teenage years. I also have Machine Head – Supercharger
Kevin: My metalhead friends would laugh if I said, I had one of Def Leppard’s album, it even  doesn’t matter which one, they would laugh  and I’d be embarrassed, just like I am right now...
Endrik: Greatest Hits from the 80s?

HMB:    What is the strangest thing you have seen at a gig (your own or someone elses)?
Magnus: Once I saw a fat guy stage dive, everyone would get out of the way and the poor guy just landed on the ground. Classic
Kevin: During one of our latest gigs, the front row was full of ladies, not just metalheads, which is really uncommon for an underground death/doom metal band, yes even in Estonia
Endrik: Someone asked me to show my genitals during a concert for some reason

HMB: Are there any funny band related stories you can share?
Magnus: One show I only had one crash cymbal, I would the sometimes hit the air thinking I had two cymbals.
Endrik: Not much. We invented balloon wrestling during a metal festival. It was enjoyable heresthe link

So all that’s left now is for you to head over to their facebookpage and check them out...


Thursday 1 December 2011


Check out what December in the UK has to offer for Heavy Metal Gigs...
Alphabetical by Location






Bath
11.12.2011             Mostly Autumn - Bath Komedia

Belfast
04.12.2011             Napalm Death - The Stiff Kitten Bar

Birmingham
03.12.2011             Wolfsbane - O2 Academy
04.12.2011             Machine Head - NIA
06.12.2011             Def Leppard/Motley Crue - LG Arena
08.12.2011             Hawkwind - HMV Institute
08.12.2011             Napalm Death - HMV Institute
17.12.2011             Architects - HMV Institute

Bristol
07.12.2011             Napalm Death - The Fleece
18.12.2011             Architects - O2 Academy

Glasgow
05.12.2011             Machine Head - SECC
09.12.2011             Def Leppard/Motley Crue - SECC
11.12.2011             Napalm Death - Ivory Blacks

Leicester
14.12.2011             Hammerfall - O2 Academy
14.12.2011             Saxon - O2 Academy

Liverpool
03.12.2011             Napalm Death - The Masque

London
02.12.2011             Wednesday 13 - Electric Ballroom
03.12.2011             Cathedral - HMV Forum
03.12.2011             Machine Head - Wembley Arena
04.12.2011             Altar of Plagues - The Borderline
05.12.2011             Whitesnake - HMV Forum
09.12.2011             Pentagram/Horisont - The Garage
10.12.2011             Hawkwind - Shepherds Bush Empire
12.12.2011             Amaranthe - The Borderline
14.12.2011             Def Leppard/Motley Crue - Wembley Arena
15.12.2011             Antisect - The Garage
16.12.2011             Architects - HMV Forum
16.12.2011             Sabaton - Koko Camden
16.12.2011             Napalm Death - Underworld
20.12.2011             Hammerfall - Koko Camden
20.12.2011             Saxon - Koko Camden

Manchester
06.12.2011             Machine Head - Manchester Central
09.12.2011             Hawkwind - Manchester Academy 2
11.12.2011             Def Leppard/Motley Crue - MEN Arena
15.12.2011             Architects - Manchester Academy 1

Oxford
04.12.2011             Wolfsbane - O2 Academy
13.12.2011             Hammerfall - O2 Academy

Sheffield
07.12.2011             Hawkwind - Plug
13.12.2011             Def Leppard/Motley Crue - Motorpoint Arena
13.12.2011             Napalm Death - O2 Academy
18.12.2011             Saxon - O2 Academy

Southampton
12.12.2011             Mostly Autumn - The Brook



Tuesday 29 November 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood EP Review : Plague of Ashitaka - I - Elder Luminaries


Plague of Ashitaka – I – Elder Luminaries (Unsigned)
Rating 3/5

London/Brighton based Plague of Ashitaka have just release their EP “I – Elder Luminaries” on ITunes. This follows on from their debut EP “Taking Lives on Ancient Tides”.

Throughout the EP the guitar work is fast paced, the percussion hard hitting and the vocals are rough and brutal culminating in a well rounded in your face heaviness that permeates through all tracks.

With combinations of short, sharp riffs and more elaborate styles the guitar work is impressive particularly on “The Fleshlumpeater”. The almost black metal style vocals, with background harmonies and layering, compliment the incessant pace of the instruments.

“Spells of Euthanasia” is probably my favourite track on the EP with its relentless pace and furious percussive segments, in addition to some excellent guitar work and vocals.

The album is technically very good, well mixed and overall a solid metal album to check out. Elder Luminaries is only part one so I will look forward to the next instalment.

Meanwhile check out their facebook page to preview some tracks or you can purchase the EP through ITunes

Track Listing:
1. Midnight Masquerade
2. The Solitarian
3. The Fleshlumpeater
4. Spells of Euthanasia
5. Onyx Scroll

Heavy Metal New Blood EP Review : Paean - Livium


Paean – Livium EP 2011 (Unsigned)
Rating : 3.5/5

Estonian progressive doom/death metal band Paean have just completed their debut EP following on from their 2010 demo “The Radiant Moon”

The character of the EP it set by a dark and shadowy undertone most evident in the intro sections of “Illusive Imprisonment” and “Impending Sacrifice/Fall of the False Lords” with their almost wraithlike atmospheric starts supported by the pulse of the drum, to keep the tempo going, as layers of music gradually build up before the crushing vocals kick in.

The EP contrasts these ethereal interludes with dark, menacing vocals and furious paced hard and heavy denser segments of sound.

My personal favourite is “Crimson Seas” with a slightly faster paced start and some excellent guitar sections with ominous riffs leading into more elaborate guitar work and also some very strong percussion sections. “Awakening” also has high-quality guitar parts.

The lyrics are dark with themes of death, revenge and justice being prominent and invoking Norse mythology throughout the EP.

The recording quality is good and the mixing of instruments is well done allowing vocals/instruments to be heard clearly and individually, yet still managing to interlace well together to provide the full on heavy backdrop at the right time.

The EP makes for impressive listening so head over to their facebook page to check them out.

Track Listing:
1. Illusive Imprisonment
2. Crimson Seas
3. Awakening
4. Impending Sacrifice/Fall of the False Lords

Saturday 26 November 2011

Heavy Metal Album Review : Acherontas - Vamachara


Acherontas  Vamachara (Agonia Records)
Rating : 4/5

The third full length album from Greek metallers Archerontas begins with a deceptively slow atmospheric opening track. Its spoken word section supported by ethereal backing vocals does nothing to prepare you for the brutal wall of sound that will hit you with the remaining tracks on the album.

Guitars and vocals (both spoken word and growling) are the prominent individual sounds on the album as a whole with sections of strong sounding percussion for example on “Blood Current Illumination”, however, these individual instruments are always surrounded by an all encompassing pure heavy sound with a lot of use made of distortion. This serves to give the whole album a unifying presence of full, heavy in your face noise. Having said this the tempo changes throughout the tracks provide enough distinction to avoid the album sounding like one continuous track

The title track “Vamachara” is one of the stand out tracks for me kicking straight in with the brutal heaviness I have come to expect and with some of the most passionate rough vocals on the album. Tempo changes and an excellent guitar solo towards the end. Also “Ohm Krim Kali” which from an ominous slow start heavy on percussion ebbs and flows as more layers and volume are added to the music and then stripped back down and the spoken word vocals fit well with this track.

Overall an album for lovers of the heavy sound which while being consistently good has enough diversity to hold the attention. It definitely has me reaching for the back catalogue.

1. Opening the eye of the storm
2.  Blood Current Illumination
3.  Abraxas
4. Ohm Krim Kali 
5.  Beyond the Mazeways to Ophidian Gnosis
6. Drakonian Womb


Friday 25 November 2011

Heavy Metal News of the Week 25th November

After launching a scathing attack on producer Rick Rubin (see video on Metal Hammer) Corey Taylor has at least confirmed that there will be at least one more studio album for Slipknot which is the words of Corey Taylor will be “very melancholy. It’s going to be a more saddened form of rage when it does happen, and it will be a path that we’ve never gone down before” After seeing their performance at Sonisphere 2011 it’s definitely one I will check out.


Dave Lombardo of Slayer recently tweeted about Slayer being back to writing new material. After two years of touring this will be good news for Slayer fans. The band are playing this one close to their chest and the fact that they are working on a new album seems to be the full extent of information available on this...


Soilwork drummer Dirk Verbeuren releases a third part of this extreme metal MIDI for drums “Library of the Extreme III – Fill Insanity” check out more details here 



Norwegian Extremists Enslaved have announced some European tour dates details here

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood Band Profile : Zombie Eating Horse

Zombie Eating Horse

Jon - Vocals
Lond - Guitar
Josh - Bass
Dyame - Drums



Hailing from Los Angeles Zombie Eating Horse originally began under the guise of Random Animal around 2008, started as a recording project by Jon and Lond, however, a series of events including Jon’s band at the time using the name Random Animal led to the beginning of Zombie Eating Horse with the name taken from one of their tracks. The Line up was completed in June 2011 with Josh and Dyame resulting in the bands first live appearance at the end of August 2011.

Now nearing the end of 2011 Zombie Eating Horse have just released their debut EP “What about the Sheep” – you can check out the review here

"...we are really just a Heavy Metal Band" Lond

With influences including Deftones, Glassjaw, Meshuggah, Pantera and Sepultura, Zombie Eating Horse classify themselves as a “brutal groovy metal band with a punk rock attitude” but after catching up with Lond when asked to fit themselves into a Genre he says that really they are just a heavy metal band.

The band have a lot of activity going on at the moment playing a gig on 23rd December along with Exmortus and Apoplexy at The Moose Lodge, Whittier, CA and working towards their album “2012” with hopes to release independently at some point at the middle of next year.

And so the interview questions...

Heavy Metal Bullet (HMB): What was the last album you bought?
Lond: The last album I bought was Rancid's "Let's Go", I use to have it on tape back when I was like 13, I found a used CD and snagged it for $5

HMB: What was the first metal album you bought?
Lond: Korn's first album was the first metal CD I ever bought, then I discovered Metallica
HMB: Snap!

HMB: Do you own any albums that you would be embarrassed to tell a metalhead you own?
Lond: Not really, we all like some crazy jams, some of us dig Katy Perry and Lady Gaga type of stuff, we really don't care what anyone thinks about it!

HMB: What is the strangest thing you have seen at a gig (your own or someone else’s)?
Lond: I played a gig with my other band Antagonist somewhere in Oklahoma and a guy was in the circle pit getting down with no legs! He was having the time of his life! I've seen some crazy stuff but I think that was the coolest thing to see on stage playing music in some unknown place.

HMB: Are there any funny band related stories you can share?
Lond: I could tell you some great stuff but I don't want to get anyone into trouble, lets just say we've all had our moments.

HMB: Anything else that you would like to share?
Lond: Thank you for taking the time to check us out, our EP "What About The Sheep?" is out now for free download on Sound Cloud "like" us on Facebook follow us on Twitter @ZombieEatHorse.
Booking Info: ZombieEatingHorse@gmail.com we'll see you on tour!

So check out the EP and if you are stateside go ahead and check them out live, the band show raw talent and potential and we can only expect better things

Monday 21 November 2011

Heavy Metal Album Releases 21st - 30th November

So with almost 40 to choose from in Heavy Metal Bullet's list alone I have highlighted two of the albums I am looking forward to hearing once they are released tomorrow 22.11.11 and hope to follow up with a review:

Acherontas the trailer for the album (soon to be added to the Heavy Metal Bullet You Tube channel) has definitely caught my attention so will be sure to check this one out.

Behemoth - Demonica: Am looking forward to it because it's well Behemoth...


And in other releases (in alphabetical order):

Andromeda : Manifest Tyranny (Inner Wound Recording) 25.11.11
Asking Alexandria : Stepped up and Scratched (Stand up and Scream remix) (Sumerian) 21.11.11
Cage : Supremacy of Steel (Heavy Metal Media) 25.11.11
Cathedral : Anniversary (Rise Above) 22.11.11
Chasma : Declarations of the Grand Artificer (Moribund) 22.11.11
Dead : Hardnaked but Dead (FDA Rekotz) 22.11.11
Dim Mak : The Emergence of Reptillian Altars (Willowtip) 29.11.11
Eagleheart : Dream Therapy (Scarlet) 29.11.11
Enid : Munsalvaesche (Code 666) 29.11.11
Evergrey : A Decade and a Half (SPV) 22.11.11
From the Depths : Back to Life 22.11.1
Funerus : Reduced to Sludge (Ibex Moon) 22.11.11
Geinazaug : The Wretched Dominion 29.11.11
In the Midst of Lions : Shadows 22.11.11
Infernal Legion : The Spear of Longinus (Moribund) 22.11.11
Kambrium : Shadowpath 25.11.11
Macabre : Gloom (Hammerheart) 21.11.11
Mystic Prophecy : Ravenlord (Massacre) 25.11.11
Nemesea : The Quiet Resistance (Napalm) 22.11.11
Nine Covens : On the Coming of Darkness (Candlelight) 29.11.11
Nucleus Torn : Golden Age 25.11.11
Riot : Immortal Soul (SPV) 22.11.11
Root : Heritage of Satan (Agonia) 22.11.11
Rough Angel : Hear the Angels Rock! 30.11.11
Royal Hunt : Show me How to Live 29.11.11
Satan's Host : Celebration For the Love of Satan (Moribund) 22.11.11
Sunn O : OO Void (Southern Lord) 22.11.11
Svolk : Svolk em All (Napalm) 22.11.11
Tenhi : Saivo 25.11.11
The Dead Lay Waiting : Almost Heaven (Rising) 29.11.11
The Rotted : Ad Nauseum (Candlelight) 29.11.11
The Unguided : Hell Frost 30.11.11
Vektor : Outer Isolation (Heavy Artillary) 22.11.11
Vengeful : Vengeful 29.11.11
Vildhjarta : Masstaden (Century Media) 29.11.11
Virgin Steele : Age of Consent (re-release) (SPV) 22.11.11
Voodoo Six : Falling Knives 28.11.11

So much to choose from so little time, don't forget to "like" on facebook or follow @HvyMetalBullet on twitter to receive updates as and when posts are uploaded.