WAR DANCE Promo 2011 Band Email Official Website

Who gives a shit about objectivity? I’ve never considered myself a critic as such or a reporter. I am a fan of heavy metal music and I started this webzine 10 years ago when I was a student at law school in order to contact metalheads from my country, Greece, and around the world. So, why this prologue you might ask. The answer is simple if I had a record label, WAR DANCE from Greece would have a contract now. The guys are amazing musicians, the production of their promo has nothing to envy from releases that come from abroad and above all it is traditional heavy metal with epic touches. Their metal, influenced by MANOWAR and WARLORD mainly, has balls, inspiration and personality. Their influences might be obvious, but they are given through the personal filter of the band. The compositions are mid tempo and that’s a big plus since this element gives them the epic feeling they breathe out. Also the singer, Eleftherios Pletsis, is one of the best Greek metal voices that I have listened to lately. The guy can easily be described as the Greek Eric Adams. I also like the fact that the band uses keyboards in some songs, since they give an extra depth to their sound. Nothing more to say, one of the best releases I have listened to this year and I will listen to it again and again. Find it, buy it and play it loud. And for fucks shake someone offer a deal to the band they are worth it! 

ERASE Heavy Metal Maniacs -  Demo 2011 Band Email Official Website

I don’t know much about this band with the only exception that they are from Greece and that they have released this 2 track promo – demo. First of all their musical style is traditional heavy metal that carries influences from the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement and the European metal scene. The first song of the promo is entitled “Every Saturday Night” and it's an energetic song that grabs you from the first tune and wants you to play it as loud as you can. The second song “Metal Force” is on the same speedy rhythm with the previous track, but this one has influences from bands like JUDAS PRIEST, RUNNING WILD and RIOT. For some weird reason ERASE also brought to my mind the Australians PEGAZUS. ERASE is an 80’s metal influenced band that with these two songs proves that it has the passion and the ideas to deliver some good heavy metal tunes. A band that every traditional metal fan needs to check out. I will be waiting for their full – length release… 

SKUM Promo 2010 Band Email Official Website

This four track promo work is very impressive, something that doesn't come as much of a surprise to me, since SKUM from Germany are a well experienced band counting so far approximately fourteen years of existence and two official full length albums. This fact alone, the fact that they've been around for such a long time, determined to play the music they love and devoted to delivering the best possible result is also showcased in these tracks that are top class death metal anthems filled with ferocity and aggressiveness, but also with the necessary melodies and intricate guitar solos that enrich them and make them even more appealing and interesting. This "Promo 2010" is pure headbanging material balancing between the brutal and more melodic death metal genre and adorning the end result with lots of groovy and dirty rock 'n' roll touches. To cut a long story short this is some really killer stuff, catchy and heavy as hell and delivered with a clear and powerful production. So my advice is for the labels to open their ears and sign this band and for the metalheads to check them out. Trust me on this!

VITA ODIOSA Cogito Ergo Crucior Band Email Official Website

We can't naturally expect from a band named VITA ODIOSA, which in English would be translated as horrible life, to deliver happy, relaxing and fun music! It'd be really weird, but rest assured VITA ODIOSA deliver to us exactly what their moniker so eloquently implies, which is nothing less than depressive black metal that's filled with lots of ambient touches and a really gloomy and eerie atmosphere. "Cogito Ergo Crucior" is based on the principles of the old school monolithic black metal sound with down-tuned sharp guitars, tempos that vary from mid paced to ultra fast with the occasional blastbeats and vocals that sound really tormented and demonic. Add, like I mentioned earlier, to all this the ambient, depressive and claustrophobic atmosphere that surrounds all the songs and you have a pretty clear image of the demo's sound. VITA ODIOSA is a band that can be appreciated by the fans of the primitive a la Norway black metal sound and those who dig ambient doom metal. If you belong to either one of these two categories, then give them a try!

DEFACE Demo 2011 Band Email Official Website

If I'm not mistaken there already are two more bands with this moniker both playing death metal, one of which is from Germany and the other one from Spain. Here we're dealing with an entirely new band with this moniker that hails from Greece and delivers modern metal or like we usually call it, nu-metal. They are a new band, yet to release a debut full length album, so they decided to first launch a three track demo in order to make their name circulate in the metal scene and soon, I guess, they'll have more material available for the fans of this genre. Now, the three tracks I enjoyed listening to on this demo work are titled "Clockwise", "In Between" and "Tied Hands" and deliver super-modern metal music with sharp, cutting down-tuned guitars, fast tempos and lots of keyboards and samples. The vocals have a reciting character as if narrating the lyrics and not so much as singing them, something that fits perfectly to the music, while quite often they also acquire a pissed off attitude that enhances the toughness of the compositions. All in all, this is a good and promising band for the fans of nu-metal!

ENIALIOS In Terra Caeli Inanis Band Email Official Website

I like the combination of metal and non metal instruments, the mixing of metal tunes with folk or traditional themes. When done with inspiration and passion, the end result is always interesting and intriguing and this is what my compatriots, ENIALIOS, are trying to offer us here with their debut demo work, "In Terra Caeli Inanis", that reveals a band with potential and love for what they do. The four track demo showcases the band's rendition of pagan folk black/death metal that balances between its aggressive side and its more melodic and atmospheric aspect enriched throughout with folk melodies mainly delivered by the cello. The compositions have a dual nature that stems from the interaction of the death/black metal elements that are mainly produced by the heavy rhythm section that varies from slow to fast, the intense riffs and of course from the growls. On the other hand the folk and Pagan element is mainly created by the cello, the darkened melodies and the recitations and clean vocals. "In Terra Caeli Inanis" is an interesting piece of work that walks on the correct path and has some really great ideas. The only thing I'd advise the band to pay more attention to next time is the production that could have been a bit more dynamic and clear. Give them a try! Their melodies are mind travelling!

INCEST IN HEAVEN Misbegotten Band Email Official Website

Greece has a strong metal scene and it seems to specialize mainly in the extreme metal sound, be it black, death or thrash metal. INCEST IN HEAVEN is a newcoming band from my hometown, Thessaloniki, who incorporate in their music all the aforementioned styles. "Misbegotten" is their first demo work consisting of four tracks that move in the classic black/death metal sound, but also have some thrash references and some more classic heavy metal oriented riffs and solos. The rhythm section is solid, the tempos are mainly fast, the riffs are sharp and frozen, the lead guitar delivers some nice solos and the vocals vary from blackened screams to the more prevailing guttural death metal growls, thus enhancing the variety of the songs. All in all, "Misbegotten" is an interesting debut work delivered with passion and wrapped up with a good production from a promising band! Give them a listen, they have something good going on here!

DEATHVALVES Promo 2011 Band Email Official Website

I'm really happy to say that I'm positively surprised quite often lately by the quality of the Greek metal scene and DEATHVALVES is a new band that made me realize once again how many cool and great bands we have, bands that need and deserve exposure not only inside Greece, but outside too! There are many impressive things about this band with their music being the most important one since they deliver a music style that's not so often heard here or popular for that matter and the other being the fact that DEATHVALVES originate from a place that's far from the, so called, "decision centres" of Greece, which makes it even harder for them to put forth their work and promote it properly. Enough with this and let me present this four track promo that has, I think, a very personal and original sound combining the band's hard rock and heavy metal influences and blending them in with some alternative touches that don't reduce the harshness or catchiness of the songs, but rather enhance its variety. The rhythm section is heavy, the riffs are sharp and the vocals show a nice variety and a plethora of approaches that make the end result even more appealing. Besides this, the production is very good and the whole package shows that DEATHVALVES is a hard working band with a fresh approach to music that deserves to be noticed! Check them out!

PARAFERNELIA Demo 2011 Band Email Official Website

AIRBOURNE and BULLET are two bands lately that every AC/DC fan (OK! I might be exaggerating a bit) loves to listen to. The guys deserve it, no doubt since they play with passion and have good ideas. A problem, though, with these bands is the lack of personality. PARAFERNELIA from my hometown, Thessaloniki – Greece, move on the same path with the aforementioned bands, but I think that they manage to add their personal touch or aspect, if you prefer, to their sound. And that’s amazing since they are still quite young. Anyway the point of this review is no other than the music. The band carries in its bag influences from names like AC/DC, SAXON, early JUDAS PRIEST and even some RUNNING WILD touches like in the song “City of Fire” and blends them with a dirty rock ‘n’ roll attitude. The 5 compositions on this demo (plus one intro) can guarantee you a lot of pleasure while you listen to them and are the kind of songs that you want to play loud and have a party with together with your friends. The production of the demo is very professional and gives space to all the instruments to be listened to. With this demo, PARAFERNELIA seem armed and dangerous and I think that they are ready to make the big step. The only thing they need is to have their minds down to earth and a record label to give them a chance. Check them out…

ASTRAROT Demo Band Email Official Website

There are quite a few bands in the worldwide metal scene with a similar moniker so some might get confused, however, the ones I'm presenting here are new and come from my hometown, Thessaloniki in Greece. I had the chance to listen to them at a live show I went, where the guys where one of WHIPLASH's support acts and there they did a really smart move... they burned their three track demo and were giving it to the people at the show for free. This, for me, is one of the best ways to get your name out there and start earning some support and recognition. Now as you can understand from their moniker, ASTRAROT are an extreme metal band, a death metal one to be more precise with compositions that are other times fast and other times mid paced and imposing. They also try to enrich their style and sound with some thrash metal touches, but death metal is the main direction this band is headed to. I have to say that they sound like a well bonded band with love for what they do, which is play old school death metal and although this is a demo work the production is good giving us the chance to listen to all the instruments clearly. I think that these days ASTRAROT are working hard to release their debut full length album so I guess we'll have to wait and see what they're going to offer us next. For the time being you can visit their websites and get a taste of their music!

BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK In Hell's Reign Band Email Official Website

This a 3 track demo from this Greek metal band that comes from Kalabaka, a city in central Greece. The band had also released a promo a couple of years ago which contained only one song. The style of the band is very similar to LORDIAN GUARD. The production of course isn't so good while the vocals of Stergios Sioulas have some resemblance to the vocals of LORDIAN GUARD's singer which were done by a woman!! I really enjoued the whole demo. The three songs "Don't Hear the Sirens", "On the Way of Acheron" and "Evil Sorcery" are on the same level but "Evil Sorcery" is my favourite. The guitar work of Christos Pyrgos is really great! The lads are soon going to release their new work. As far as I know the demo was released only on a vinyl and casette format and it costs 3 Euros. In conclusion this is a very good release for the fans of epic metal with a touch of an unusual sound!! So the friends who like bands who play epic metal with some kind of "weird" atmosphere like LORDIAN GUARD, MANILLA ROAD, STYGIAN SHORE, CIRITH UNGOL, etc. should invest! The rest of you should invest your money on other releases.

WELL OF ANGER Never Look Back - Demo 2010 Band Email Official Website

WELL OF ANGER is a Spanish speed/thrash metal band and this release entitled “Never Look Back” is their first one. The interesting thing is that although it's a demo work its duration and the 10 tracks that are included here make it seem like a full length release. On “Never Look Back” you will have the chance to listen to 10 speed/thrash metal tracks that are influenced by the 80’s metal sound and they carry influences from bands like METALLICA (sometimes from the first album and other times reminding me of “Master of Puppets”), TESTAMENT and to their more speedy moments they bring to mind MOTORHEAD. The songs have quite a variety and don’t bore you. Also the group seems tight and proves that they have worked a lot before entering the studio and recording this demo. Also they have some very good melodies on the guitars that make the final result even more interesting. My only objection is their production which is a bit weak. I have to admit that you listen to clearly all the instruments, but it lacks in dynamics and volume... two facts that are necessary for the speed/thrash metal genre. “Never Look Back” is a good first work from a talented band and it includes some good songs like: “Blinkered”, “Last Opportunity” and “Jealousy” (this one reminds me of VENOM’s “In League with Satan”).

CHAOS VENTURE Out Band Email Official Website

CHAOS VENTURE is the realization of a bold musical project as it was envisioned by Italian keyboardist Christian Casini, who decided one day to create a keyboard based project that would dwell in the music paths of the progressive psychedelic rock genre. So, in order to be able to make his dream a reality and make it even more interesting he decided to have not one, not two, but three keyboard players, so except for himself CHAOS VENTURE also feature Andrea de Paoli (LABYRINTH) and Alberto Rizzo Schettino. After working together for some time the three of them thought things would be made even more interesting with the addition of two guitars, a bass and drums and thus the project was turned into a full hard working band. CHAOS VENTURE incorporate in their sound every possible influence they have which spans in a wide spectrum of sounds, from electronica to metal and from ambient to hard rock and fusion, which guarantees an interesting and progressive, with the true meaning of the word, psychedelic rock amalgam. Their work will definitely enthuse the lovers of complex and yet beautiful soundscapes and those who are looking for something unique and original in the wider rock scene. This two track single is here to only open the appetite of the aforementioned fans! 

REVOLTED MASSES Seeds of Revolt Band Email Official Website

The seeds of revolt for this great band have been planted with their previous demo and now with this one they are ready to flourish and start giving "fruit", so to speak. "Seeds of Revolt" has, of course, many similarities with its predecessor and yet the guys here seem to know better what they're doing and sound more pissed off, more extreme and more to the edge! They still play a mixture of thrash with death metal, only this time the death metal elements have been slightly increased and along with them the rage has become deeper and more intense. However, there isn't just one side to this band, since they also have a melodic and technical aspect in their music too, which have both been evolved, allowing the band to deliver beautiful melodic lines and oriental elements that make the songs stick to your mind and they also have more elaborate themes and tempos that enhance the progressive character of their compositions. If "Revolted Masses" presented to me a promising band, then "Seeds of Revolt" have shown me a full fledged band with a personal and fresh sound! Add to the above a very good production and a killer artwork and you have it all! Get your hands on this work and you won't regret it!

REVOLTED MASSES Revolted Masses Band Email Official Website

I think we're living through a new wave, a new period for the Greek metal scene which is undergoing a revival, becoming stronger than ever... and it's bands like REVOLTED MASSES we have to thank for this. I'm really excited to find out that the Greek underground scene has the seeds to produce such talented bands who are sharp not only with their music, but with their biting thought provoking lyrics, too. REVOLTED MASSES, a newcoming band from Athens, released a couple of years ago this self titled demo work to show the world what they've got and from what I get to listen to here they surely deserve worldwide recognition. Our thrash metal scene is really powerful and what's even greater and more impressive is that it's not one dimensional, but it branches out towards different paths. REVOLTES MASSES' music dwells in the wider extreme metal area, with thrash metal being the foundation upon which everything else is being built. So add to this thick layer, lots of death metal touches, some classic approaches and a few additions of oriental melodies. "Revolted Masses" is a full frontal assault to the senses, a rude awakening and can only impress and amaze you. This is a band that every death and thrash metal fan shouldn't miss. The guys really know what they're doing!

RED SKY Tra l'ombra e l'anima - Demo 2011 Band Email Official Website

RED SKY is the project band of the frontman/guitarist of the Italian melodic death metal band AMMONAL. With this project the artist wants to show a different aspect of his talent, a more melodic metal and rock one. In this release also the Italian artist lets the music do the talking. Yes as you can understand the release is totally instrumental and it has some great melodies and through them the band manages to express a whole spectrum of emotions ranging from sadness to happiness and enthusiasm. The job that is done here is really great and all the compositions make your mind travel, making the whole release a listening experience. Apart from the good compositions which are six in total, I have to say that the production and the whole set up of this demo release are very professional and have nothing to envy from a official release. The first samples of RED SKY are not only positive, but show an artist with many abilities and talents that is ready to take any good chance he has to deliver good music to the listeners. I think that he deserves our attention and support…

FROZEN CARESS Souvenirs Band Email Official Website

FROZEN CARESS, as their moniker so carefully and eloquently implies, is an Italian duet belonging to the wider genre of gothic atmospheric metal and I said wider, because their music doesn't simply fit to one category only, but it actually implements elements from a plethora of other sounds. However, the foundation of their music is gothic metal with a dark atmosphere which the band mixes with some classical piano themes and some melodic death and doom metal touches. The band's female singer has a beautiful ethereal voice which she mainly uses in an operatic way, but she isn't afraid of trying out some psycho screams and low grunts, while the male growls are used to the minimum. As you can see there's a lot of depth to FROZEN CARESS' compositions and the only way you can explore it all is by checking their EP out. "Souvenirs" is a very interesting proposal for the fans of this style, but personally I think it stands out more than most releases of this genre, because apart from the typical NIGHTWISH and EVANESCENCE traces (mainly in the vocals) it also brought to my mind HAGGARD and ANCIENT RITES, two truly amazing bands!

KOSMOPHOBIA Kosmophobia Band Email Official Website

Do you like versatile music that can be both edgy and melodic? Do you equally enjoy the melodic and pioneering aspect of metal and also its more extreme and darker side? Then KOSMOPHOBIA from Switzerland are here to address your needs and perhaps even fullfil your desires. What KOSMOPHOBIA have managed to successfully blend in their music is the progressive, technical branch of our beloved music with brutal death metal and the end result is simply inspired and marvelous. To make things even more interesting this powerful combo also incorporates in its music some electronic elements and synths that give a futuristic scent to their compositions. "Kosmophobia" is a really interesting five piece demo work with a very good production and superb performances that opens our appetite for more!

WHILE SUN ENDS Exile Band Email Official Website

WHILE SUN ENDS is one more interesting band full of potential that doesn't stay in the norms and standards of a certain metal genre, but they rather infuse their music with a great deal of sounds and influences, thus creating a pretty unique and original end result. This is one of the hardest things to achieve nowadays, but these Italians seem to have managed to pull it off pretty successfully. Their sound lies somewhere between dark atmospheric metal and death metal, but they also have a plethora of progressive cuts and changes and a few alternative rock ideas thrown in here and there that give an extra colour to their compositions. On the microphone WHILE SUN ENDS have a female vocalists who does a great job both with her clean (which by the way reminded me a bit of the CRANBERRIES singer) and her brutal vocals and I want to congratulate her on the latter, because it's obvious that her vocals are natural and not like some other female singers' brutal screams that are artificially made in a studio. Serena offers some impressive growls, but at the same time you understand it's a woman singing. Apart from the vocals the guitars do a great job, too, creating both melodic and aggressive themes, the rhythm section supports the compositions in the best possible way and the production is good allowing you to listen to everything taking place within the songs. If you'd like to listen to something slightly different, then WHILE SUN ENDS may be able to give you that chance!

PSYKOSIS Toxic Terror Storm - Demo 2010 Band Email Official Website

It seems that lately I have taken all the thrash metal releases in the webzine. Something that doesn’t bother me especially if the release is good. By the sound of PSYKOSIS I'd bet that they come from the U.S.A. but their origin is from the beautiful Ireland. Faithfull to the tradition of their country that gives us a few, but still interesting metal bands, PSYKOSIS are not an exception to the rule. They deliver thrash metal that carries on the legacy of the bay area scene and more specifically I have noticed in their sound influences from bands like METALLICA, TESTAMENT and PANTERA along with some ANVIL touches (the first track of the release entitled “Toxic Fugitive” brings to my mind a thrashy version of ANVIL’s “Shadowzone”). They have good ideas and they are skillful and talented musicians. The only thing that I would like them to fix in the future is the sound of their production, which is not bad, but things would be much better if it was sharper. All the three songs in this release are very good, but my personal favourite is the last one entitled “Bonestorm”. Check them out…

BUZZKILL Damned by Faith - Demo 2010 Band Email Official Website

BUZZKILL is the kind of band that has the possibility to jump from one genre of the rock/metal music to the other without losing their coherence. To make things simple just let me present you this demo track by track. The song that opens the album is titled “The Rage” and it is a bluesy based hard rock song. The following one is entitled “Spellbound & Bitten” and this one is a more energetic composition and things get much more complicated since here you will listen to metal music mixed with some punk rock elements (actually the choruses bring to my mind THE OFFSPRING) and finally we come to the last song, “Ventriloquist”. This composition is mainly thrash metal, but you can also find some punk rock influences in the way that Ryan Williams, the vocalist of the band, sings and somewhere in the middle of this you can check out some DANZIG influences. All these might sound to you a bit bizarre, but BUZZKILL manage to create a concrete sound that is based on a solid rock/blues foundation. BUZZKILL is a very talented band with an original approach to the rock/metal sound and because of that they need people with open mind and above all with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude to listen to them. By the way, you can download their release free from their MySpace page.

ASTRONOMIKON Dark Gorgon Rising - Demo 2010 Band Email Official Website

Here we have the first demo of a new heavy metal band from Cyprus. The leader of the band is the bassist of ARRYAN PATH, Paris Lamprou. In this new group the singer is Nicolas Leptos of ARRYAN PATH. The demo contains three songs “Dark Gorgon”, “Rocka Rolla Sword” and “Dramatis Personae”. It has a quite good production, but the songs will be re-recorded again for the band’s debut album, which will be recorded in Germany with Vagelis Maranis, the singer of SANVOISEN, who has also produced the second album of ARRYAN PATH. The demo comes in a well taken care of CD format, it was released in 65 copies only and as far as I know a few of them are still available. The band’s style is heavy metal and the structure of the songs is simpler than the classical style of ARRYAN PATH (I am saying that because on their second album they adopted a more straightforward heavy metal direction). I really liked the three songs, but maybe “Rocka Rolla Sword” a bit more. So the fans of the classic metal sound should contact the band in order to purchase a copy. 

DEAD HUMAN FACTORY International Net Corpses Band Email Official Website

We've had the pleasure to come across this Greek band from Athens and their music a while back with the release of their previous work and now the guys are back again offering us their latest mini CD still moving in the same path and remaining loyal to their roots. DEAD HUMAN FACTORY are supporters of the old school clear cut sound, which means they like their death metal raw and aggressive and thus they don't infuse it with other elements. Surely there are some more classic heavy riffs thrown in here and there, but the main body of their compositions is brutal death metal with some grind touches to make it sound more twisted and extreme. The vocals are also guttural and follow the American school of growls and the rhythm section, heavy and stable, is there to support both the singer and the themes played. "International Net Corpses" is a good release for the fans of bands like CANNIBAL CORPSE, SIX FEET UNDER, CRYPTOPSY and the likes.

FILE OF GHOSTS The Gates Band Email Official Website

The northern countries have a well established tradition when it comes to the extreme sound. I guess it runs in their veins and comes naturally to them and FILE OF GHOSTS, this one man band from Finland, is here to prove it right. The man behind the band, Sami, is responsible for the song writing and the execution of the songs... he plays all the instruments and also does the vocals presenting thus through "The Gates" his sole vision of the extreme sound. The approach he chooses to follow is black metal with quite a few death metal touches and an industrial twist that makes the songs sound more extreme and chaotic. The compositions are sharp with down tuned guitars and demonic vocals that create a really frozen and aggressive atmosphere. "The Gates" is a demo that contains the true essence of frozen black metal!

SECRETPATH The Choice - Demo 2010 Band Email Official Website

Again I feel compelled to stress out the fact that Italy has a really powerful and dynamic extreme underground scene, although it's mainly famous for its heavy/power metal groups. SECRETPATH proves to be a new up and coming force who have just released their very first material opening our appetite for more. Their music lies somewhere between the death and black metal sound, a difference that sometimes it's hard to discern in their songs. "The Choice" is a five track demo filled with beautiful melodic death/black metal compositions that showcase both the aggressive, brutal side of the band and their more melodic, atmospheric one and all this is enriched with beautiful elaborate guitar parts that reveal the members' skills. There are multiple vocals to be found here from classic death metal growls to more guttural ones and from black metal shrieks to clean interpretations. If you are looking for some quality melodic death/black metal give these guys a chance and before I end this presentation I'd also like to urge you to listen to the demo's third track, "Nunc Sunt Flores", which with its beautiful acoustic guitars and deep bass vocals that have a classical music hue is found in the middle so as to balance the extremity and brutality of their other songs. 

WALK THE DEAD Demo Band Email Official Website

I just have to say I love the Internet because it gives me the chance to come across some really cool and unconventional bands that have something new and different to offer to this saturated extreme metal scene. The U.S. based WALK THE DEAD is one such bright example of a band that have something different and special to offer us through their insane death/thrash metal mixture which they enrich with progressive and extremely technical parts. The guitar work is stunning and very skillful and their solos are very intricate with even some classical music traces thrown in. The vocals have a character of their own and balance between the death and thrash metal genres with the latter being slightly more prominent and dominant. The rhythm section is really sharp and full of edge creating the perfect foundation for both the singer and the lead guitar. The last thing I want to talk about in this presentation are the very clever and funny dialogues these guys add in almost all their songs that make them sound even more twisted and mental. If you need something out of the ordinary but still qualitative and technical, then here's your chance to get it!

EVERFAILED Biological Order - Demo 2010 Band Email Official Website

Once again I feel the urge to tell you that if you are looking for something special and with character that's out of the ordinary, then you should seriously start searching the underground scene. There are so many great bands you won't believe your ears and EVERFAILED are one such band that delivers top notch technical brutal death metal that perfectly balances and coexists with progressive metal. The guys make their music even more interesting by adding some more classic heavy riffs and enrich their compositions with some unbelievably great guitar solos. The scales they play are stunning and along with the concrete rhythm section, they create a very solid end result. I strongly advise you to give "Biological Order" a try, I'm sure you'll thank me later!

AMMONAL Beginning the End of Everything - Demo 2010 Band Email Official Website

Do you like your metal to be edgy and sharp? Do you like multi-dimensional sounds that include a variety of influences and unite them under a homogeneous and appealing "banner"? Then I'd highly recommend to you this band frm Italy, because they seem really promising and have managed to create a really intriguing six track promo CD. Music-wise they belong to the melodic death/black metal genre with the latter being a bit more obvious and prominent. Their death/black metal may be melodic, but this doesn't mean it lacks in ferocity, cause when it's needed the blast beats and sharp guitars create a very extreme result. However, there's more to their music, since it's infused with a great deal of majestic and atmospheric parts and to achieve this the band use beautiful keyboards and clean male and female vocals. AMMONAL also make sure to spice up their music by adding some progressive and clasic heavy metal touches and by offering us a top notch guitar work. Their guitar solos are smoking and show great craftsmanship. What I've been trying to say here is that AMMONAL is an amazing band I'll keep my eyes on and I want to urge you to listen to "Beginning the End of Everything" because we're talking about some really impressive and beautiful songs here.

THE EVENTIDE A Crimson Dawn - Demo 2010 Band Email Official Website

The only reason why I choose to put this release in the demo section is because it is on a CD – R format. Besides that the package is very professional and has the duration of a full – length release. Anyway, that’s not so important. We are here to write about the music and how a band progresses. Well, THE EVENTIDE move on the same path with their previous work. They play heavy/power metal, however the band has improved a lot in the songwriting section. Since the compositions that are included in this release are by far better than their previous demo. Now for those who haven’t listened to the band yet... I think that you should, since they present a heavy metal sound that carries influences from bands like ICED EARTH, MANOWAR, CANDLEMASS and even BATHORY. So the nine songs here vary from straight forward power/thrash compositions like the songs “A Crimson Dawn” and “The Healer” to more epic, like the songs “The High Pass” and “The Tide of Time” (a composition that the way it starts reminds me of WARLORD and turns into a more BATHORY like song). Also I have to stand a bit on the voice of Alexandros Papandreou, which is a big add for the band, since he sounds like a mixture between ICED EARTH’s Matt Barlow (I bow to your voice dude) and CANDLEMASS/ SOLITUDE AETURNUS' Robert Lowe (a perfect voice). The only thing that I would like from THE EVENTIDE is to fix a bit their production, I think they need to have a bit more volume (not down tuning bullshit) and make it sharp like razor. Also, I think that the guys must find a full line – up. “A Crimson Dawn” is a release that I would recommend to everyone who likes bands like the ones that I have mentioned above. My favourite songs from the CD are:  “A Crimson Dawn”, “Healer”, “The High Pass”, “The Tide of Time” and “The Desert Near the End” (a composition that combines everything the band stands for).

POWERSTORM Act I - Promo 2010 Band Email Official Website

As the band has informed me on this CD they have included 5 out of the 10 songs they have already recorded in order to give to the listeners a taste of their sound and influences. The listening of this CD led me to some positive conclusions for the band. First of all they make it obvious that not only are talented musicians and composers, but they are also experienced and that’s obvious from the whole orchestration of the compositions that show maturity and a band that knows exactly what they want to achieve. One other thing is that their melodic heavy/power metal sound carries influences from bands like YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SAVATAGE, QUEENSRYCHE and RIOT, but they combine all these influences under their own personal filter and create songs that are not simply tributes to the above mentioned bands, but also compositions with their own identity. Finally, the guitar work of Kostas Falieros is exceptional and I believe that he must be one of the top guitarists that our country, Greece, has. Also I have to add that the band might be appealing to fans of bands like CASUS BELI, INNERWISH and early FIREWIND. All in all, POWERSTORM prove with this promo that they work on very professional standards and they definitely deserve to get attention from people, the press and labels. My favourite songs from this 5 track promo are: “Just What I am”, “The 3rd Alternative” (this song has a QUEENSRYCHE vibe) and my most favourite “The Wolf”. It is obvious from what I write that you have to check them out…

TOXIC SOCIETY Living Kufeso – Demo 2009 Band Email Official Website

I think that this is the time to present to you a thrash metal band from Spain. By the way most of the European thrash metal bands that I have listened to so far, seem to be more bay area oriented. That’s OK, but on the other hand it is a pity to forget the thrash metal legacy of the old continent. Anyway, in this 3 track demo, I have witnessed a band that is ready to conquer the metal audience and works on a very professional level. The 3 compositions included here can easily be described as a relentless thrash attack. The sharp riffs and the killer rhythm section can make you bang your head before you even realize it. Now as far as the band’s influences are concerned, I can say that they definitely worship SLAYER, but from time to time they even throw some METALLICA and TESTAMENT influences in their sound. If you are into traditional thrash metal as it was played in the bay area and you also like modern and clean productions, then try to listen to this demo. For now TOXIC SOCIETY have passed the test easily, but I would also like to listen to them when they release a full – length album, because then things will become more demanding.

THRAW Encephalic Oppressions Band Email Official Website

Slovenia seems that has set as a target to become the bay area of Europe. THRAW, yes you have guessed well, is another thrash metal band. Actually these guys in comparison to the previous ones that I have presented are more technical and U.S. oriented. Can you imagine a band that is influenced by groups like ANTHRAX and SACRED REICH, but have more complicated structures in their compositions? Then you pretty much have an image of how THRAW really sound. The good thing with them is that they keep the balance between the technical parts and the more direct parts of their sound. Anyway, to make a long story short I have to tell you that THRAW is another good band from Slovenia with the talent to create interesting music. So, try to find them and listen to their songs, I am sure that you'll reach to the same conclusions with me. 

KELLER Awake The Forgotten – Demo 2008 Band Email Official Website

Two years have passed since this demo was released and by what I have listened to, I am very curious to know why such a band like KELLER has not been signed yet. Maybe, because they are from Slovenia? A country that is not so known for its metal scene... Well, I think that this kind of prejudice from the labels kept them away from signing some great bands. Anyway, KELLER in this demo deliver thrash metal that is built upon a steady and bone breaking rhythm section and colorized with razorblade solos. To make things even more interesting, I have to tell you that the band doesn’t play a monotonous kind of thrash metal, but on the contrary they blend their sound with many traditional metal elements. Something that gives to their compositions more depth and variety. Finally, the production is great and moves on professional standards. It could easy be an EP release instead of a demo. The fans of U.S. thrash and power metal and generally people who want to listen to a new good band, have to check them out. The labels might be deaf, but the fans of this music know how to support bands that are worth it…

INFERNO Infección Mundial – Demo 2010 Band Email Official Website

It has been a long time since I have done a demo release. In our days most of the bands somehow manage to find a way to release a full length album without recording a single demo track. INFERNO from Costa Rica decided to introduce their music to us with their first demo entitled “Infección Mundial”. Musically they can be described as thrash metal with some more traditional metal influences that become more obvious mainly in the last track of the demo that has the title “Coltan”. In the other 3 compositions the band moves strictly on thrash metal paths and they will bring to your mind bands like SLAYER, early METALLICA and of course KREATOR. One other thing that you will notice by listening to this release is that the group sings in its native language, which is no other than Spanish and believe me it fits great to the spirit of the songs. Generally, in their first demo INFERNO leave very good impressions and they have ideas that keep your interest and make you feel like listening to them again and again. The only things they have to improve is definitely the sound of the production and their solos. Apart from these, thrash metal fans can check them out and I am sure that they will have a good time while listening to their songs.

HATE FUSION Blinded by Hate Band Email Official Website

You can be nothing but satisfied and thrilled with the current underground scene when you come across bands like this one. HATE FUSION hail from Argentina and offer us a highly intoxicating four track demo work delivering catchy and in your face melodic death/thrash metal. The guys know how to make their songs work and do it in the best possible way to assure our satisfaction and force us into relentless head banging. Their compositions are tight with heavy concrete rhythms and sharp guitars that are accompanied by some really good death metal growls and a few clean vocals here and there. I'll be looking forward to listening to a full length release from these guys, because "Blinded by Hate" was a great appetizer... and now I want more!!

ALTER SELF Ashes over Eden Band Email Official Website

Another interesting and highly promising bands from Greece made its appearance recently releasing a three track demo work just to open our appetite and give us a clue as to what they are capable of delivering and what they have in store for us. The trio has put out a highly professional demo work with a beautiful cover artwork and a very good and voluminous production. Music wise they deliver an up tempo mixture of thrash with death metal with the latter being more predominant in their compositions. Their songs are heavy with a concrete rhythm sound, beautiful solos and an overall guitar work that is really impressive catching your ear right away! The bass can also be heard clearly adding to the heaviness of the songs and the vocals support the aggressiveness in a really good way. ALTER SELF is a band you should check out! Visit their website, where you can download their demo for free or if you want to support them get in touch with them and receive a copy of "Ashes over Eden" for 2 Euros plus postal expenses.

DAYLIGHT MISERY Promo 2009 Band Email Official Website

Now here's a promising new coming act whose debut album I anticipate with much anxiety! I've been spinning this 3 track promo quite a lot lately, giving it time to sink in me, so I could "savour" it and understand it properly and I have to say I got excited with the first listening, but I got even more into their sound the more I listened to their songs. This Greek band has released three wonderful songs, and I'm sure even more are in store for us, along with the help and support of some famous musicians from well known bands. However, it's not the people comprising this band what makes this promo work so important, but the compositions themselves. The band dwells somewhere between atmospheric doom and death metal having quite many gothic touches and what I really enjoyed is the fact that each song has a different sound and approach. Variety is a key element for interesting, quality albums and these guys definitely have it! Apart from that the performance is superb, the production clear and powerful and the songs are filled with catchy melodic lines that are entwined with beautiful melodic death metal riffs and rhythm parts. All the songs are beautiful, but I have to say that my personal favourite must be "Depressive Icons" which has a strong AMORPHIS feeling... In fact I feel this song could be included in the all time classic "Tales from a Thousand Lakes". It's that good! Keep your eyes on them and make sure you support them! We'll hear from these guys soon enough!

DRAGONRIDER Musical Sword - Demo 2007 Band Email Official Website

One thing I enjoy a lot in this webzine is when I have the chance to discover new metal bands from countries that not only don’t have a tradition in the heavy metal sound, but it's hard for you to believe there are people there who play such kind of music. This time DRAGONRIDER, from the far and mysterious Jordan, came to surprise me more than pleasantly with their music. Their sound in a few words can be described as epic power metal that draws influences mainly from the European metal scene with some touches of U.S. metal thrown in. So, on “Musical Sword” you will have the pleasure to enjoy heavy/power metal that is influenced by bands like RUNNING WILD, HAMMERFALL (first 2 albums) and GRAVE DIGGER along with some touches of WARLORD and OMEN. All in all “Musical Sword” as a release is well taken care of, but there are some things that the band must improve in its next try out. First of all the production could have been more dynamic (though the 80’s metal fans might enjoy it as it is) and the singer, whose voice fits most of the time to the songs, must correct some of his false notes that probably are made by his passionate interpretation of the songs. Anyway, all these are of of no big importance, since DRAGONRIDER are more than capable of writing interesting heavy/power metal music and I am sure that the fans of the genre will be more than happy to discover them and enjoy their music. Ah, by the way they give their demo for free download on their MYSPACE page… I will wait anxiously for their new work!

ATREUS The Unbearable Lightness of Dying Band Email Official Website

Belgium has a really vivid and great extreme metal scene, in fact I think it's one of the best worldwide when it comes to death metal. Most of the bands hailing from there are mainly into the brutal and more aggressive sound of this genre. ATREUS is no exception, but rather the contrary, it's a bright example of how good and powerful the Belgian scene really is! Their debut demo work, "The Unbearable Lightness of Dying", presents a really bonded band that has the ability to compose tight and brutal songs filled with sharp riffs and heavy rhythm guitars, while the singer's guttural vocals are ideal for their sound and tie together perfectly with the themes of the songs. ATREUS show no mercy and keep on pounding mercilessly, forcing us into a relentless head banging! I don't think it'll take much longer for this band to find a label to sign them, since they really have what it takes. Check them out!!!

DREAMCATCHER Dreamcatcher Band Email Official Website

I know there are quite a few bands out there with the same moniker and this might be a big confusing, but let me tell you right from the start that this is the French DREAMCATCHER we're dealing with and I'm sure you'll forget all the other bands once you listen to these guys' music. However I must also stress out here that there is one precondition, one requirement in order to enjoy this 4 track EP and this is no other than being a true metal head who loves the traditional 80s heavy metal sound and likes the old school bands. If you think you are one such metal head, then fall head into DREAMCATCHER's music since they are delivering here some beautiful melodies, catchy riffs and heavy and sharp guitars that have some thrash tinges here and there. All this is accompanied by some excellent vocals by Chris, the band's mainman! The production could have been a bit better and more clear, but the compositions are so powerful and interesting that you'll emerge into their world, forget everything else and bang your heads off!

CROWDANCE Serpent Band Email Official Website

I'm really excited when I come across interesting bands that are dedicated to what they're doing and strive for the best possible result. I'm also happy to discover Greek bands that don't follow the main trends and musical directions that exist in our country's scene, but have the abilities and potential to create a personal sound that can absolutely characterize them. Such a band is CROWDANCE who have managed with "Serpent", which is in fact their first demo work, to form and shape a personal approach and deliver modern metal with plenty of industrial and melodic death metal touches. Their music also has traces of gothic music, but industrial extreme metal is a pretty clear and to the point description for the band's sound. I don't need to say anything more... If you are into modern metal, then get in touch with the band and support them!

DENIED Demo 2009 Band Email Official Website

Are we being serious here?!?! How can such bands pass unnoticed and are still unsigned? There's something wrong here and I'd advise all the labels to stop releasing crappy albums that sound identical to one another and try to find bands with balls and a personal approach to music. Such a band is DENIED from Sweden and all I can say is that I'm simply stunned by the three songs I've had the pleasure to listen to here. One other thing I need to say is that from this point on I'm seriously a DENIED fan and I'll be following their every move! These three songs reveal a band with passion and dynamics that is able to deliver a personal and recognizable sound. The foundation of their music is thrash metal, but they fuse and mix it with classic heavy metal forms and modern touches. Furthermore their song "Black Room" has a strong SAVATAGE essence and it's so beautiful that I'm sure SAVATAGE would definitely want it in their discography! These songs are pure headbangers showing the band's skills, that are top notch, and presenting to us an amazing singer with incredible vocal abilities. This demo is a pure killer!!!! Get your hands on it immediately!!!

FATHER'S FACE Father's Face Demo 2009 Band Email Official Website

FATHER'S FACE is one strong argument in favour of my opinion that within the underground scene lies the future of heavy metal music since it spawns some incredible bands that definitely deserve our attention and support. This Brazilian based quintet is offering us here three beautiful melodic progressive heavy metal songs that are filled with a mesmerizing atmosphere and some great riffs that stick to your mind. The melodic lines are amazing and they are further enriched with the performance of their singer, who's doing a superb work elevating the end result even more. This may be a demo work, but don't believe, not for one minute, that this is a badly produced or mixed album... On the contrary the songs have a crystal clear and powerful sound that allows you to listen to all the instruments and notice all the changes in the rhythms and melodies that each song has. Definitely a band that's worth to be checked out!

LUCKY 13 Far From Home Band Email Official Website

This presentation is long due, I know, since this demo EP was released a couple of years ago and the band is currently working on new songs, but it's been just recently that I got my hands on "Far From Home" and I can simply say that this is a band that's worth your attention! LUCKY 13 have managed to compose some tight and catchy hard rock songs in the vein of famous worldwide acts, but still having a pretty personal sound and a good production. These Greeks seem to have the right attitude, a good sense of melody and the right drive to write party songs and guarantee our satisfaction. If you are into hard rock and like up tempo cool songs, then I highly advise you to check this band out!

EREVOS Adou Katavasi Band Email Official Website

Superb black metal is what we get from this 4 track promo CD from our compatriots from Thessaloniki, EREVOS. Amazing melodies, lots of blasting, ultra fast tempos, flawless technique, an obvious bondage among the band members and a very good production from Dan Swano are the elements comprising this masterpiece by EREVOS. This is a band that plays with passion, energy and vividness and they truly believe in the pure and honest underground black metal. EREVOS can reach the first league, they can reach aces high because they have tremendous potential in all musical fields... their compositions and performance are filled with emotional expression and inspiration in the conception of their ideas... Well done!!!

STORRMBRINGER Promo 2008 Band Email Official Website

It is really nice to know there are bands from Greece that although they are far from the 2 big cities (Athens and Thessaloniki) of this country, they have a pure thirst and passion to play true heavy metal. Such a band is STORRMBRINGER that hail from the city of Volos. The guys play heavy metal with lots of epic metal elements. The first impression they gave me by listening to them is that as a band they have a lot of common elements with the Germans SACRED STEEL (the voice of Tryfonas also plays a big part to the creation of the sound). However, if you listen to them thoroughly you will discover that the band’s sound carries in its DNA influences from legendary bands of the 80’s like CIRITH UNGOL, OMEN, IRON MAIDEN and MANOWAR. The band is tight and it seems that it has the feeling and the sense to create epic metal songs. The only improvement they need in my opinion is that Tryfonas has to improve his English pronunciation. The fans of SACRED STEEL and the U.S. band SKELATOR must not miss them. You can check out their promo on their MySpace site.

TELMA Telma Band Email Official Website

What does hardcore stand for? What is it all about if not for its aggressive, enraged nature that's filled with ferocity and extremity? That's this music's driving force and that's exactly what the Greeks TELMA are here offering us with their tight 6-track demo work! Their compositions contain the epitome of this music which means they are packed with aggressive riffs, sharp and heavy guitars, a heavy rhythm section and they are topped with a pissed off vocalist who conveys the intensity of the songs in a really good way! Another thing I liked and found interesting is that TELMA's lyrics are entirely in Greek and the singer does such a nice job that you can understand all the lyrics, without ever losing the extremity and force of his interepretations. The production is very good as well, something that shows the band's passion and committment to what they do!

HELLFIGHTER Damnation's Wings - Demo 2007 Band Email Official Website

United Kingdom in the 90’s and early 2000 was a non fertile ground for classic heavy metal. Some very bizarre and trendy seeds were planted there and most of them where complete nonsense... Just products for the musical industry to get richer. However, lately the underground movement of this country gave us some very good samples of good heavy metal. HELLFIGHTER with “Damnation’s Wings” belong to this category. Actually, in my opinion this demo is one of the best I have listened to lately. I like the way this band mixes the modern elements with the 80’s sound. HELLFIGHTER, as their name indicates, plays a powerful and aggressive metal that carries on the legacy of bands like FIGHT, JUDAS PRIEST(“Jugulator” era), PANTERA and SLAYER (just listen how the track “Revolution Within” starts). A big plus to the good music is the amazing vocalist the band has, Simon Gordon, who can easily sing from classic metal to power and thrash. By the way, the color of his voice reminded me of Florian Reimann the singer of the German heavy metal band DESTILLERY. I think that I have to mention here that the band members of HELLFIGHTER are not new to this sound since previously they played in bands like XENTRIX and KILL II THIS. If you like your metal raw, then HELLFIGHTER will give you a 100% satisfaction. For more info and in order to listen to their songs you can visit their MySpace page.

APEIRON Endternity Band Email Official Website

There are a few bands out there that use this moniker, but here we are dealing with the Italians who exist since 1996. Although they've been out and about for a really long time, up to now they released this demo CD back in 2002 and a few months ago they independently released their latest EP work. It might seem weird to you why we present this demo 6-7 years after it was originally released, but the truth is that we just got it in our hands since the band reactivated only recently. The genre these five Italians have chosen to serve is death metal with lots of melodic elements as well as some classic touches that are intertwined with some technical parts. The rhythm section of this work is really solid and the tempos vary from extremely fast, filled with blastbeats, to doom metal passages, with the latter being scarcely present in some songs to enrich the compositions and underline the melodies. The vocals are very good as well, though they are a bit more aggressive and more brutal than in most melodic death metal releases, something that offers more edge to the end result. All in all, this is a good and decent work that can be appreciated by the death metallers worldwide.

FOOL IN THE BOX Fool in the Box Band Email Official Website

FOOL IN THE BOX is a new band hailing us from Athens, Greece. After experimenting with many styles they have finally decided to put out a seven track promo so that the world would know the band. Their music style is alternative rock with a more heavy sound, something that you will find out both from the vocals and the general playing with the heavy riffs and hard pounding drums. All seven tracks are heard pleasantly and if you like bands such as PEARL JAM, ALICE IN CHAINS, TOLL and NIRVANA the this promo is definitely worth your listening. For me a good pass of time is what I experienced. 

WISHDOOM Up the Hammers - Demo 2008 Band Email Official Website

I am in the happy position of presenting you a band that comes from my city, Thessaloniki and really sounds very promising playing a kind of music that is very rare in our places. This is the first work of WISHDOOM, who seem to have quite a good knowledge of the music they play. To be more specific, the band plays a mid – tempo and in some parts doom metal music with lots of epic elements. Their sound seems to draw a lot of influence from the Italian epic masters DOOMSWORD. The sound of the demo is quite good and the band's performance is on high standards for the kind of music they play. One other thing that deserves to be mentioned is the amazing voice of their singer Christos Paschalidis who has a good pronunciation of the English language and a passionate voice that fits the epic metal sound like butter on bread. Another good thing is that the demo has been well worked and seems more like an official release. A hint that proves the love of the band for what they do... The songs that I liked the most on the album are: “Up the Hammers” and “Zeus (The Thunderer)”. Finally the band closes this release with a medley of BATHORY songs. The foundations are set on a good and solid ground for WISHDOOM, so I believe the friends of epic doom have to check them out (note: you can have a taste of their sound by visiting our MP3 section).

MOSHPILL Moshpill Band Email Official Website

Yeah! These guys have something going here! They are newly formed and only count a few months as a band, but they've already written and released their debut self titled demo work that showcases a powerful quartet delivering catchy and groovy music! These 4 compositions contained here have powerful rhythms and thrash-like vocals and generally give off a party and live energy vibe... which means I agree with the label these guys have chosen for their sound... this is definitely mosh rock, though to be more precise I'd rather use the term mosh metal, because their sound is quite aggressive and sharp! I'm really happy and pleased to find out we have such promising bands here in Greece who play something different and try out various sounds and elements in their music. There are only two things I've noticed that I'd like the band to improve in their next work and I'm talking about the production that sounds rather muddy and thick and I'd also like the singer to improve his English pronunciation and accent at some parts of his interpretation. Keep this band in mind and try to check them out!

DRAGONSCALE Demo 2006 Band email Official Website

When the band sent me all of their releases they had told me that they think only their new EP titled "Thor" deserves our attention, since they consider it their most professional and complete work up to now (You will soon read the review for that release as well). So, when I put this CD in my CD player I had in mind that I would listen to a very amateurish work. Things though turned out to be different and left me with good impressions, especially if we take into consideration the young of the age of these guys. Their sound now draws many influences from the German 80s power/speed metal with some influences from the U.S. heavy and thrash metal scene. To be more specific I noticed influences from bands like HELLOWEEN ("Walls Of Jericho" period), BLIND GUARDIAN, RUNNING WILD and OMEN. Their ideas here might not be very original, but they play with such a passion that they left me with a feeling of content. In general this demo shows a very promising and talented band that the 80s metal fans have to check it out. The only weak point in my opinion is their last song titled "Apocalipsa".

VERDICT DENIED Promo 2005 Official Website

Well, 3 years have passsed since this promo was released, but I have to say that it still sounds fresh and it was a pleasure for me listening to it. VERDICT DENIED are no others than the band VERDICT that I have presented a while back. By listening this new work of theirs I have to admit that they are a great force in the Greek metal scene and it is a pity that they haven't yet attracted the interest of a serious metal label. Not much to say about their sound... They play thrash metal in the way that bay area bands do. So it's not necessary to mention that they are sounding close to bands like ANTHRAX, ICED EARTH and many more that play the same way. However VERDICT DENIED seem to have some good ideas that give a new and fresh air to the thrash metal sound. For example in the song "Battle Within" they have used operatic female vocals. An elements that makes their sound more interesting and it is something that we don't listen to very often. The promo consists of 3 compositions of top quality thrash metal music that you can download for free at the band's website.