Sunday 22 February 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM PULSES OF PLEASURE BY EVIL INVADERS (28/2/15)


Evil invaders are coming back with their debut album Pulses of pleasure, available in march, and I can say now that I had the chance to analyse it on detail, this album just improved what I was expecting from these guys! The speed thrash metal developed on their first EP (check the review here) has evolved to a more genuine speed metal, aggressive In every single note; Evil Invaders built their unique sound from two pillars, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, adding to the mixture a combination of the most violent sides of Razor meeting Venom on one hand and Agent Steel meeting the walls of Jericho from Helloween on the other, literally creating a wild beast ready to break your necks.

The album starts with fast, loud and rude, remembering the first notes of Driving fast, after the first awesome growling to high pitched scream, the headbanging action explodes in a pure speed metal shot, excellent chorus with good details on the drums, and thrashy elements on the vocals, also remarkable job on the guitars solo, continuing with the tittle track Pulses of pleasure,a violent speed metal attack ignited by a memorable vocal intro, chorus is outstanding and powerful and also the vocal qualities changing from growling to sharp high pitched screams are incredible, being one of the keys of the success of Evil invaders.

Eclipse of mind continues the restless headbanging act with a crescendo structure and details of Oliver magnum and Judas priest, good drum technique and guitar details, leading to Siren also ascends in intensity to a galloping mid fast tempo shot with good theatrical details on the vocals.

The second half of the album improves what we have seen of the band up to date, Stairway to insanity heralds a powerful melodic speed metal with influences of Iron Maiden meeting Skull Fist, the composition of this track is awesome, even some parts of the guitar and fast paced rhythms reminds the listener to the best times of Agent Steel, being a good highlight of the album and continued by another top track, Shot to paradise, exploding with addictive headbanging riffs and leaded by the best vocal parts of the album, the violent attitude on the style and every sound this guy can develop is outstanding, continuing without a break with Venom, exceeding the expectatives once again with a good technical track with great harmony on the instrumentals and a really catchy chorus.

But the speed metal feast isn't finished yet, the last and best track of the band follows after the intro Blinded, Master of Illusion encapsulate everything the band have developed, the impulsive aggressive style melted with melodic guitars and the best chorus that will make you scream master of illusion fist in the air to play it all again.

Overall Pulses of pleasures is by far the best album I've listened in long time, it has all ingredients to take you to the mosh pit, its aggressive in every sense combining the most impulsive sounds from the power, speed and thrash metal, forging an unique sound that the listener will recognise as Evil Invaders sign once this album sees the light; it's also technical, contains catchy and addictive elements denoting a wild attitude at the same time, note that tracks like Fast, loud and rude, Shot to paradise and Master of illusion will be classics with the time, from my side, Pulses of pleasure is a true metal masterpiece.

9,5 / 10


Joe - Vocals / Guitars
Sam Lemmens - Lead guitars
Senne Jacobs - Drums
Max Mayhem - Bass

LINKS:


Promotion by NAPALMECORDS


Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Thursday 19 February 2015

INTERVIEW WITH DUST BOLT


Dust Bolt just finished the Tour with Obituary and Mpire of Evil, and I had the chance to interview Lenny.

You can check the review of the album Awake the riot here



Hi guys, its always a pleasure to have the chance to interview you, thank you and thanks to 
Napalm Records for making it possible! 

Thank you as well



First of all, tell me some details about the band, why did you choose the name dust bolt? How 
could you resume the time since you got together as a band and the evolution until the release 
of your first record in 2010?

Dust Bolt actually formed in 2006. We were some thirteen year old kids going to school together and developing taste for heavy music by time together. We had a silly German name at first but needed a new one for the release of our demo in 2010. Somebody came up with Dust  Bolt which we liked because it doesn't have a specific meaning yet and one can interpret his own ideas into the name and the music. That makes people think about the name. And the band. 

The time since then has been overwhelming. We experienced so much already, visited so many places and got to know so many great people and are able to do what we enjoy most: play music and share it with people. It´s somehow a dream that we live but also hard hard work, every day. But there is so much more to come!



I see you got some Kreator and slayer influences, what bands are the most influent for dust
bolt?

I think you already named them haha ;) But we don´t relate on specific bands. The amount of bands and music we listen to is that huge, it´s hard to point out specific ones.



Havok and Angelus apatrida got some very similar elements like dust bolt, did they influence the band in any way or simply you got similar influences?

You know, we are quiet young which means that we kind of grew up with that new wave of Thrash Metal. When we started listening to Thrash, it was the time when bands like Warbringer, Municipal Waste, Havok, Violator etc came up! I also love Angelus Apatrida. Of course we share some elements definitely. But every band is individual in its way though and has their own way and interpretation of Thrash I think. But we all share to be the next generation of Metal and that connects us!

After your first album you got global recognition, how did the media react after the release? 

The feedback has been overwhelming for us! Especially on international level. We didn't expect that, but are so fucking happy to have so many great reactions on the music we make! It´s crazy to visit places you haven´t been yet and have people there knowing your songs. It really means a lot to us!



Could you tell me details about the process of creation and recording of awake the riot? 

The recording process was great! We had a very creative and familiar atmosphere in the studio, as far as we chose the same studio we´ve already been for our first record Violent Demolition. We worked with Max Krach and Lolli Springer at the Engine Studios again. They know Dust Bolt since the very beginning and became friends of us! It´s really important to be able to trust the people you work with in the studio and during the musical process, at least that´s how I feel.

 The recording sessions of ““Awake the Riot” have been very different though, compared to “Violent Demolition”where, that we had written and played all the songs before already. This time the songs were written only briefly before going to the studio. We hadn't played any of them live and we also hadn't practiced them with vocals until then. So it was very exciting to hear the first finished songs on tape and see in which direction they would go. Everyone of us really wanted to make the next forward with this album and we worked really hard during the two weeks but also had a great and funny time!



I admit you did an excellent job with your last work, how did the media react to it generally? 

Again, the feedback has been phenomenal! Awake the riot opened a lot of new gates for us! We were now able to play Headliner shows and tours and play bigger festivals and gained lot of new fans! 



How do you feel now that the album has been out through 2014?

We feel great about because, as I said, it opened that many doors for us.As for example finally the European Tour with Obituary. But slowly, I feel hungry again to make the next one :) We gained many experiences on tour right now and will put all that into some new material  soon I think !



How do you see the metal scene in your country? How do you feel being part of a new wave of traditional heavy and thrash metal? 

The scene is great and we feel lucky and happy to be a part of the new generation!There are lots of young and new bands here in our area waiting to get their chances to be heard by the world and they deserved it! E.g. Toxic Waltz, Battlecreek, Straighline. To name a few! I love the thought of being part of a new scene and movement, like back in the 80ies. Where people and bands hang out together, withouth competition but with cooperation! That´s what metal is about, friendship!



How do you feel after signing with napalm records? Did you sign for a certain number of albums? 

Working with them is great! They are great people and support any idea we bring on! And we still have all freedom! That´s just perfect. I´m not allowed to tell contract details, but no ;) 



In this tour you play with obituary, how do you feel sharing stage with such a big band? 

it´s a dream coming true! Especially as far as Obituary is the first Death Metal Band I ever listened to and one of my favourites! Seeing them playing each night, sharing the stage with them, learning from them, it´s wonderful! We are really thankful to them, because THEY were the ones inviting us on this tour!



Also mpire of evil play with you today, you got tony Dolan on stage, actually one of the pioneers of the thrash metal being the vocalist of Atomkraft, how do you feel about it ?

Great as well! Especially because we didn't know what to expect, as far as the difference in age and experience is that huge. He is a fucking legend. But as we met, we immediately recognized what nice person he is! I love him! He is so funny, always happy and enjoys playing music and hanging out with Fans. I never saw a band that down to earth such as Mpire, though they are true legends of metal! 


What other bands have you shared stage with? Do you have any special memories with another band?

Ohh many haha ;)) But one band we really loved to tour with and looking forward to do it again someday was Dr. Living Dead from Sweden! Great people and unbelievable great music! 




Do you know divine chaos? Would you like to share stage with them in the future?

I´m sorry I don´t know them but I´m gonna check them out! I think I heard of them. We like to share the stage with anybody who is friendly, nice and funny :) 



Tell me your most memorable moment from this tour.

 Playing n France and in London for the first time.Things I was dreaming about a long time..



Which is your favourite country to play?

Now France haha! No, serious. Every country, I don´t care. Metal is so fucking international and that´s great. Play an Iron Maiden song, people will freak out, no matter if you´re in Germany or Spain or Sweden. That´s what I love in metal. It´s not about superficialities. It´s about music. But I love playing in the southern part of Europe for example because people are very enthusiastic there and often sing along!



Are you preparing new material? If so, could you anticipate any details?

We will start doing that now after the tour I think but we don´t have anything concrete yet. We´ll see. We have lots of ideas and things we want to put into music and songs now. I´m already pretty excited starting working on new stuff.



To finish please send a message to your fans!

Thank you for your support and awaking the riot with us, we will see you all soon again and spread chaos once again! Take care! You rule! Let the metal flow and cheers, DxBxTxCx



Line up
Lenny (Vocals/Guitar) 
Flo (Guitar) 
Bene (Bass)

Nico (Drums)


Links
Facebook
MySpace
ReverbNation
Twitter
Youtube


Promotion by NAPALMECORDS




Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB



Wednesday 18 February 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM RAPTURE AND WRATH BY TRAUMA (27/02/15)



Trauma is a power speed metal band from San Francisco formed in 1981 being well known being Cliff Burton in the band before joining Metallica; Trauma released one album in 1984, Scratch and scream, and then split to be reformed in 2013.

Now Trauma is back! And the imminent album Rapture and wrath is coming the next 27th February 2015 (pure steel records) as a full demonstration of renovated energies since their last work 30 years ago, US pure heavy metal with bay area influences and drippings of Dio meeting Iron Maiden, they were considered into speed metal before but in this album the rhythms are predominantly slow mixed with mid to fast tempo, so heavy - power metal could be the band style precisely, add the exceptional quality of the vocals, high pitched and clean techniques denoting also excellent theatrical parts, and guitars are sharp and well harmonised with drums and bass, showing some technical sections here and there.



Heart of stone Opens the album, and what a song! Fast paced true metal in every chord, one of the highlights of the album that will make you bang your head right away, remarkable chorus with long vocal notes under the speed pounding drumbeats, followed by When I die, as another mid fast injection of heavy metal with drippings of us epic metal, good contrast between verses and bridge and truly intense chorus, vocal parts are great and reminds some Bruce Dickinson influence mostly in the chorus.


The long way home is created as a mid tempo ballad, with a well composed ascending structure that make it really intense, as the dark melodies of Pain start, with a slow to mid paced shot of doom metal influences with Judas Priest memories on the guitar notes, the changes of rhythms are great on the instrumental galloping sounds and the vocal lows and highs.

The walking dead also reminds the dark side of the band as they forge pure doom melodies and transform it in another classic heavy metal mid tempo chorus, as Kingdom come explodes in one of the best tracks of the album, the vocal interpretation is exceptional as the intensity goes and comes from verses to bridge and chorus continuing with Egypt as a good track with oriental drippings on the vocal parts and strong riffs, awesome composition accelerated by the next shot, Under the lights, speed heavy metal with US metal melodies creating awesome rhythm changes that will make you bang your head following the action to Don't tread on me, one of the best interpreted tracks of the album, the vocal parts and guitar melodies herald also hard rock influences, as the last track, Too Late bangs with strong and heavy mid fast tempo riffs, with good details on the guitar backgrounds and drum performance.


Trauma are reborn in this album denoting a young feeling energy in every song, some of them are brilliant, heart of stone and when I die definitely are the best cuts of the band, losing grip as the album continues but catching the listener attention at the end with good theatrical interpretations and excellent compositions.

Overall Trauma forged a good album, not at the level of other young bands of the NWOTHM but as a return from the darkness, it's an excellent point of entry.

7,5 / 10



Line up

Donny Hillier Vocals 
Kris Gustofson Drums 
Kurt Fry Guitars 
Steve Robello Bass


Links



Release by Pure Steel Records




Review by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB


Monday 9 February 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM SOLDIERS OF TIME BY NIGHT (2/3/15)


Night are a classic heavy metal band from Sweden formed in 2011 and released two singles in 2012 and 2013 followed by the full length Night, released in November 2013 via Gaphals records.Now Night are due to release their new album the next 2nd March, Soldiers of time, over a year after their debut album that was considered a true metal gem.

Having the chance to listen and analyse the new work of these guys, I can confirm there is an evolution in the sound, now the tracks are better composed, the content of the lyrics are much better and totally deep and intense, denoting the band have worked harder this time. On the other side there is not many songs as wild and direct as Gunpowder treason or Fire and Steel, as I said before, Night experimented more this time, even taking drippings of power metal and of course keeping the old school sound.




The album starts with the vocal choirs introducing waiting for the time, a totally epic entry with an excellent crescendo structure from the solo vocal part verses ascending to a catchy chorus, where the guitars draw good melodies, really good progression as we continue with Across the ocean, more direct shot of old school heavy metal, awesome riffs and harmony between guitar and vocal evolution across the song, also remarkable transition on bridge to chorus.

We're not born to walk away heralds another headbanging mid tempo shot, stronger rhythm now and also the message, forged to lift you up and turn the volume louder, as Above the ground continues the act reminding some tunes of their first job, also with excellent evolution from the verses to bridge and chorus, simple and effective, linking the action to the acoustic track Towards the sky, mid tempo anthem full of feelings, the vocalist does a really good job here as he manage to express the message In perfect harmony with the instrumentals.

Secret war rise the fires of hell with headbanging action in a mid tempo rhythm with strong drumbeats and very straight verses, like Kings and Queens accelerates the pace to the kinds of the speed power metal by Gamma Ray meeting Judas Priest, one of the best true metal shots of the band, the power of the verses is restless as they ascend the intensity leading to one of the best details, the asking and answering duo of vocals and guitars, just outstanding.

Ride on is next, made to be another anthem of those to be played repeatedly, the melodies are great and so the chorus, intense and catchy sign of the band's style, continuing with the soft acoustic intro Wonderlust that explodes in another highlight of true nwothm, Power, straight and strong track that will feed your hunger of true classic heavy metal.

Stars in the sky is the last track, being an acoustic ballad, and despite the fact that is slow and almost without drum, the intensity and power that this track spread with the melodies and lyrics is deserved to be included in the best of the year, the melodies will be stuck in your head as the message will find the space to melt in your soul, guys this is a masterpiece.

It's very important for a band, even if it's a new band, to experiment new stuff, knowing there is always a risk, and these guys really went for it and succeeded, Continuing the true metal path, and adding more feelings to the mixture, Managing a more professional sound overall with improved compositions, now Night will be one step forward towards the first line of nwothm, will be within the best albums of this year already!

9 / 10