Tuesday 28 April 2015

REVIEW OF THE EP LAND OF OLD BY ELDERTALE


Eldertale is a melodic folk metal band from Ukraine formed in 2005 but being more active since 2012, releasing their first EP in June 2014, they deliver a pure folk pagan metal, adding some neoclassical drippings and powerful moments, creating in general rich structures in terms of composition as melodic instrumentals and growling vocals are the common strategy for this headbanging EP.


The band break the ice with Exile, as the choirs mark the powerful entry of complex drumbeats and melodic background with an excellent composition on the verses, really intense and good crescendo part at the end; this track defines perfectly the band's sound.

Land of Old might be one of the best tracks of this style I've ever listened, it starts with an instrumental orchestrated melody, the composition is outstanding. Then this intense shot goes increscendo, adding army marching rhythms on drums, to literally explode in a headbanging anthem, vocals and instrumental are in perfect harmony and the transitions between changes virtuously made, the lyrics also are powerful and the melodic growling voice are the best in the EP, also remarkable rhythms on the drums with drippings of power, thrash and death metal, bass is also excellent on the solo; the perfect highlight of what this band is capable of.

Finally the EP closes with Time of ancient, mid tempo traditional folk pagan metal, as seen on the rest of the material, this track follows the path of adding melodic power metal structures, piano and orchestrated parts are, again, amazingly well composed.


Eldertale first EP got a crystal clear production, it's headbanging from start to finish, the compositions are sophisticated including catchy melodies and awesome orchestrated parts, drums should have more presence next time, but the final result is overwhelming, just can't wait for the full length!



9 / 10





Line up 
Alexander Desyatnichenko Drums
Eugene Belozertsev Guitars, balalaika
Josh O.Berg Keyboards, choirs
Kirya Vocals, guitars, bass, choirs


Links



Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Friday 24 April 2015

REVIEW OF EVIL INVADERS LIVE AT THE UNDERWORLD (LONDON)



Evil invaders took over London last 1st april along with the true metal bands Bloodbound and Majesty.

Just opening the venue, as the crowd started to fill in the place but not even half full of capacity, Evil Invaders attacked like a sudden explosion of full speed metal with Stairway to insanity, as always the first line of the fans and media were full power of headbanging action, as people on the back didn't know them yet as they were on a static mood, and it was something to remark that this kind of power these guys were demonstrating deserved more attention, the guys nailed in synchrony.




The stage started to be full of smoke as the band shocked the audience with their well known hit Driving Fast from their first EP, vocals were a bit low even though the potency of Joe's screams, but fixed as soon as they greeted the audience to explode with one of the gems of the new album, Shot to paradise, the crowd were involved just a bit more than earlier, also more people arrived so the venue was almost full; really well performed shot as Joe made it at perfection in one of the most difficult tracks of the band in terms of vocal pressure, continued with probably the best known track of the new album, Fast loud and rude, nailed it! 



Continuing with a perfect performed Victim of sacrifice to reach the top with their last masterpiece Master of illusion, all and all the band demonstrated this is their finest hour, and clearly deserved more and better audience, time will tell.



Following the concert I had the chance to interview Evil Invaders and it will be available soon on the Metalheads Union youtube channel!

Enjoy these pics from the gig! Also you can check the review of their debut album Pulses of Pleasure here.






















LINKS:


Promotion by NAPALMECORDS


Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

Thursday 23 April 2015

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM NIGHT OF THE WARRIORS BY THUNDERHEART


Thunderheart finally released their debut album last February by the hand of Killer Metal Records, the Spanish band delivers a good classic heavy-power metal with influences from US metal bands like Jag Panzer,drippings of speed metal like the Germans Warrant and catchy strong and straight choruses bringing memories from Grave digger; but definitely these guys develop the genuine sound of Steelhorse, previous band from the guitarist Willy Gascon, that encapsulates the essence of Judas priest, Iron maiden and Accept among other Titans of heavy metal, the vocal style by Javier Pastor Is powerful and melodic, using mid to high pitched tunes and generally on the clean side.


New horizons introduces the album as an instrumental melodic headbanging shot linked with Show them our fire, developing awesome guitar riffs in a fast paced hit, guitars are remarkably good on the melodies behind the vocal parts, continued by the tittle track Night of the warriors, mid tempo act with a really epic bridge and catchy chorus, awesome palm muted guitar parts in one of the best highlights of the Album.

The mid paced addictive riff of Thunderheart will make you bang your head from the first second, vocals here are brilliant, from the high pitched verses to the straight chorus, made to scream in the gigs, one of the best compositions of the band, as it continues with Concrete Jungle, another mid tempo shot where the band strikes back with epic bridges and a chorus that draws awesome melodies, one of the best acts, of those to be played continuously.

Killing my fears evolves with a fast paced rhythm, simple but effective riffs combined with a well crafted chorus, effective and strong strategy followed by the mid tempo Rules of a lie, with epic riffs and a crescendo structure, the instrumentals stay more static melodically as the leadership are remarked on the vocal part.

Bulletproof continues the 80s heavy metal sound revival in another mid tempo anthem, well performed on the vocals and also good harmony between the instrumentals, perfect song for a gig; as I'll always be there for you accelerates the machinery in an outstanding riff work and melodic vocals, another top hit of the band where everybody will bang the heads, good drum parts with remarkable changes of rhythms.

Now its the turn of one of the key tracks of the band, rise or fall, the last shot of this album Night of the warriors, they actually perform all the styles developed throughout the album, pure classic heavy metal riffs with addictive choruses and excellent bridges that make the listener rise the fist in the air, shouting rise or fall, impressive!.

Night of the warriors is the first taste of Thunderheart, and to tell you the truth, this debut album sounds really professional, the compositions are well crafted in every single note and they know how to catch the attention of the listener, tracks like rise or fall, concrete jungle or thunderheart are good demonstrations of their sound, and excellent lessons of true metal;

Thunderheart have jumped to the top of the Spanish heavy metal scene with the first album, good job!


8,5 / 10


Line Up

Willy Gascon / guitars
Javier Pastor / vocals
Ricardo Lazaro/ drums

Links






Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB


Thursday 16 April 2015

INTERVIEW WITH SACRAL RAGE (MARIOS AND DIMITRIS)



After releasing their first album with Cruz del Sur, Sacral Rage and their Illusions in infinite Void are getting known worldwide by true metalheads, so finally I had the chance to have an interview with guitarist Marios and vocalist Dimitris. If you'd like to check the review please click here




Hi guys! Thanks for your time and also thanks to Jan from sure shot worx for making it possible.


First of all lets talk about the history of Sacral Rage, why did you come up with that name? What different metal styles have you been influenced when the band was formed?

Greetings to all of you!!

We started on the last month of 2011 and since then we have 2 official releases and a couple of demos/promos. The mini Lp “Deadly bits of iron fragments” by Eat Metal Records in 2012 and the full length “Illusions In Infinite Void” in 2015 by Cruz Del Sur on cd and Underground Power Records on vinyl.

You can liken the name as follows: The “Sacral” element stems from the darkness, paranoia and madness we breathe while the “Rage” arises from our lethal speed and rhythm attack.

The style and vision haven’t changed although it evolved a lot. We still bow down to bands like Judas Priest, Rush, Crimson Glory, Watchtower, Nasty Savage. Just like the “old” days.



Seeing the result of this combination of styles, what bands could be the major influence for Sacral Rage?

Too hard to answer that. The only thing I can tell you is that all of our influences, subconsciously rise through our songs and we don’t have a certain band in mind when composing stuff. Of course there are certain bands that we have in the back of our minds but As much as we are influenced By Rush and Mercyful Fate evenly Annihilator and Death made the same impact on us.


Not only you covered Mercyful fate, Sacral Rage heralds that influence all over the new album, among some US metal or power metal of course, when composing the instrumentals, did you have in mind to sound like king diamond or was it something that evolved automatically at the time of each composition?

The latter I would say. As said before we don’t try to sound specifically like one or two bands of our influences. We want this to come naturally out of our songs. Of course we knew that certain parts had the King and Mercyful vibe but we didn’t force it. To tell you the truth, we are extremely horny when something like that happens not only with the King but generally.


How was the process of creation of the new album? Was it easier now that you got more experience, than the first Ep?


On the contrary it was way more difficult because we had to overcome ourselves. I believe we achieved that by far. When we composed Deadly bits we didn’t had people expecting our album so it was an easier process. But now we had to satisfy both ourselves and the listener who knew what we offered through our Mini Cd. Also all of our recent songs are way more complex, weird arrangements. This in itself requires more focus and “Discipline”.


How is the general feedback from the media?

Very good judging by the fact that the press towards new bands is very circumspect. The only thing is that many are confused regarding the style we are playing and our influences. You can read in some zines that we are playing US metal while in others Heavy metal, Prog Metal , Thrash metal etc. The average of the reviews is great!



The vocal parts are really high pitched at some parts, sometimes pure theatrical performance and really powerful also at some points, are you happy with the result?

Yeap , I am extremely happy because Dimitris really surpassed himself both in terms of composition and performance .He has a unique voice and just like the rest of the band, he has his own style without copying any of his mentors. Especially in our times where everyone tries to sing like Dickinson, Dio or whoever.



How do you feel when performing live such a large range of vocal quality in terms of low to high pitched style?

There is always a stress about my throat's condition. For this kind of vocals it should be at a perfect state. But whether it is or not when I let myself into madness the result is always the same, screams coming out from outer space, high pitch terrorism destroying the stage.



I think one of your best tracks is en cima del mal, but the song that defines your sound better is Lost chapter E: Amarna's reign, what's your favourite song from the new album?

Again this is too hard to tell because it is really too soon to answer that. If you put a gun in my head though, I would probably say the twins (Sutratma, Amarna’s). The thing about En cima is that this is a kind of a standard heavy metal tune (catchy chorus , normal structure etc). So that’s why many people say that this is their favorite. I really love this song but I believe that there are others that deepens more as far as composition, instrumentation concerns. Amarna’s on the other hand has all of our elements. It is dark, progy, technical, extreme.




How is it going with the tour after the release of Illusions in infinite void?


We have already been added to Belgium’s Heavy sound festival’s line up and we are scheduling some extra shows in Greece. We are on the talks for a tour but it’s too soon to tell anything. We are open to play everywhere, so spread the word!!



How do you feel when you see that bands like Fist, Ostrogoth or The Rods are going to share stage with you?

Feeling AWE!! We are extremely proud to share the stage with these legends. It never really crossed our minds that there would be a day that we would support these bands. We have to be prepared and play a good show haha.


Which band could you choose to share stage with, in the future?

Well: Watchtower, Nasty Savage, Armored Saint. Fuckin’A !!


Can you tell me which country is your favourite for a concert?

Well, we have only played in Greece and Cuprous so there couldn't be a proper answer to this. I am sure though that the English grounds will be killer for a gig!!


Describe your most special moment from the last tour.

Although we didn’t actually toured but made one-off gigs, I would choose the show we did with Jag Panzer, there were lots of energy, and it was really intense and also met our heroes (Really cool guys). Also the Power of the Night Fest in Cuprous was really great experience.



Are you gonna hit the UK in this upcoming tour?

We really would like to do so!!! We know there are many people who dig us but we haven’t spoken with a promoter yet. Time will come to visit the island and taste the grounds who gave birth to Heavy Metal!!


Are you getting better promotion now that you signed with Cruz del Sur records?

So far so good they say. Right From the beginning of our course with Cruz, we can see lots of interest for us. So I guess he is the right man! He is doing great job really. Our madness has been spread almost everywhere and this is thanks to Cruz del sur.


Bands like mausoleum gate or convent guilt are also with Cruz del Sur, do you know them?

Oh yeah! Mausoleum Gate did a great job with their full length. For Convent Guilt, I am not familiar but going to check them asap. Also I met the guys from Magister Templi. Another great Cruz del sur band and their singer is a great guy!!


There are many new bands next KIT that will be reference for the true metal scene, Cobra, Mausoleum gate and Sacral Rage are among this bands, how do you feel about playing in this festival?

When we first heard that we are playing at KIT, we couldn’t believe it. It is a huge Honor for us that the headquarters at KIT chose us as the new act that’s playing. This is the biggest possibly underground festival in the more classic oriented sound. The lineup is killer as always so we will try to give the most of our madness and craze to all of you.



Finally please send a message to your fans!


Salutes to all of you and we hope to make you part of our madness soon enough!! Thanks for this interview.
Support METAL not trends!!
Cheers !!!



Line up
Spyros Bass

Vagelis F. Drums 

Marios P.  Guitar

Dimitris K  Vocals



Links



Released by Cruz del Sur Music


Post by Daniel Ortiz Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB