Review 021: Noterminus- Haselupker’s Ink

Country of origin: Uk
Genre: prog/alternative/symphonic metal
Year: 2013
Label: Self-released

Hello people! I am Daltor and I am going to review an emblematic album: “Haselupker’s Ink”. This album is from a symphonic rock duo (they are still looking for a drummer  for a guitarist). This band has some interesting skills and good ideas. Let's listen to the album.

“Tarnished Halo” is the opener song. I am into strange melodies and powerful chord, there are some good vocals. That song is very good, the refrain is epic. The solo is melodic, but monotonous. By the way, the next step is “Hilary”. There are some metal riffs, and background effects. Drumming is good, the song is powerful. There are some scream parts, mixed with clean vocals to harmonize all the sound, but... it Is so monotonous… I think this band does not have inventiveness. The next song is “Muted Creatures”, opened by some arpeggios, and lead solos… Throughout the song, there are power chords and riffs, to create a metal atmosphere. Lead vocals are anguishing and only the guitar is the power of this song, with a pretty good drumming. “Fast one” is an explosion of riffs and powerful chords, throughout there are arpeggios and good bass lines. Good vocals and background riffs lead me in an epic chorus. There are good breakdowns, but not so powerful like the riffs. Let me listen the fifth track called “Moon and Sun”. The intro is good, reminds me of doom metal, some good palm mute all over the phrases and there are arpeggios in background.

I am amazed of how two people can make this kind of music. It is the result of hard work and study, I think. “Hell no” is what I can call a melodic ballad; lead vocal is amazing in this track. The force of this song are the arpeggios through the verses. Now there is a good solo, lead guitarist used lot of sweep picking and tapping. In addition, another Verse appear; another guitar solo. This track is powerful, but is fuckin' monotonous. I cannot go on, with this track… There are classical influences, by the way. Good breakdowns and licks all over the song… However, it is so monotonous too. Let’s go on, the next track is “Crawling Seasons”, a mid- tempo song. I am amazed, there is a good chorus. It is so good, now. Best song of the album, to me. Finally, it comes last song, the title track“Haselupker’s Ink”. Is long 10:40 minutes, and I am going into a prog-rock experience. That is the best song of the album, generally. Riffs are good, and chorus are catching. Good drumming all over the song. No one can say, however, how is monotonous this song. There is a long break, and a melodic solo, in the style of this original band but very anguishing.

Vote:75/100

Review 020: Warhead-Warhead

Country of origin:  UK

Genre: Thrash/Groove Metal

Year: 2013

Label: Self-released

Warhead is a thrash/groove band from West Lothian ,UK. I’m going to review their first EP, composed of four songs. There are different things to know about, but it is sure I’m going to headbang a lot! Let’s see the opener track, “Sick of it all”. It’s composed over a powerful riff mixed with an amazing drum track. I am not sure about the growl parts, but the lead singer(clean parts) has skills, so I think it’s good all in all. The solo harmonizes the main theme of the song. The next song, “Surrender”, is a mix of violence and pure energy! I’m amazed by that groovy sound. Growl vocals are pretty good in this track. Let’s going on… “Who the fuck” is a classic groove song: we have a huge sound and some good parts, like the solo. This song is really good for headbanging!. But now, let me introduce to you “Your meltdown”… the amount of breaks is insane, there are thrash arpeggios, good scream vocals, and a good drumming.This is the best song of the whole EP in my opinion. The tour around the EP is over, so let me say something about the production: the quality is not very good. It’s a mess, I think this band has ideas and good technique, but it’s all about breaks and powerful riffs! Good work, however.

Vote: 70/100

Review 018: Lost Ape of Killa - Lost Ape of Killa

Country of origin: Italy

Genre: Nu/Alternative Metal

Year: 2011

Label: Self-Released

These are the things who make me proud to be Italian! Today I'm reviewing a really great ep  from an Italian band: I'm talking about Lost Ape of Killa, a split-up Italian Nu metal band from Sicily in and their first cd titled like the band's name “Lost Ape of Killa”. It is composed by 7 tracks.

The opener track is “We still got a voice to scream”. This song is my favourite one of the whole ep. It says that in spite of everything, we aren't resigned  and we still have a voice to scream and strenght to fight.

“Lost Ape of Killa” continues with “Self-Forgiver”, a great song with political lyrics. It is a complaint of the contemporary political situation. I found this song's riff really awesome.

The third track is “Bloodsheed”, a song against the war.

The fourth song, “Toys”, is the most melodic track of the ep. It speaks about the child labour explotation.

“Insert coin” is an instrumental track that precedes “Distracted”. This song's lyrics are against the system and anyone who follows its orders without asking himself the reason of his behaviour.

“Unmasked secrets” closes this really well done ep.

I really liked this CD and i think this is one of the best Nu metal works i've ever listened to. I hope  Lost ape of Killa can return together  have all the success they deserve.

Rating: 79/100

Review 015: Banned From Hell - Nightmare

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Country of Origin : Italy

Year: 2012

Label: Self realesed

Italian death metal scene presents different bands known all over the world like Fleshgod Apocalypse  or Cadaveric Crematorium, but it has a lot of unknown or emerging bands who are working hard and looking  for the success. This is our case today ‘cause I'm going to review Nightmare, the first ep from a young italian melodic death metal band form Florence Banned From Hell, released in 2012.

“Banned form Hell”'s style is a perfect mix between death metal's brutality, melodic keyboard and guitar riffs.

It begin with “Overture”,a short instrumental song who prepare us to the “symphonic  brutality” of the rest of the album, and particularly to the second track “Hate”. This song's lyrics are about violence, suffering and, obviously, hate.

The third track is “Killing in cold blood”. It is about a hitman and his jobs.

The EP continues with “Gunshot”. This track speaks of a man who discover a river full of death bodies in wartimes . Then, he will be taken by some soldiers to be killed. It is the most melodic song of the EP.

“Nightmare” is the fifth and last track. This has been my favourite track of the whole EP. I liked everything of this track: his guitar rif, his keyboard solo, his bass line.

This is a very good EP, but i didn't like very much the lyrics: i found them all the same (except for the last track). In addition, the use of English isn't perfect and there are some structural mistakes.

Vote:74/100

Review 014: Folk Metal Jacket - Our War Has Begun

Genre: Folk Metal
Country Of Origin: Italy
Year: 2012
Label: Self-Released

Today I'll talk you about the first demo from the italian Folk Metal band Folk Metal Jacket.
This band, born in 2009, has published this  self-procuded demo, Our War Has Begun in 2012 and an ep Spill this Album, published by Moonlight Records, an interesting label that follow really closely the italian folk metal scene, this year.
After a good intro, there is the opener Faunalia, that immediatly shows all the characteristics of the band, indeed it's a funny folk metal song inspired by band such Finntroll and Trollfest( it's also remind me of the Canadian band Nordheim), with some really interesting banjo parts.
Every song in the demo is really  interesting: Mushrooms with its good chorus, Full of Beer Rivers, It's Not Easy To Be Green and the last song Alice In Paganland, maybe my favourite one of the demo, are all good exemple of Folk Metal but the thing that surprise me is that this young guys has created a personal sound, also due to the use of the banjo.
The lyrics are  usually funny celebration of alcool, or about war and parties.
 Eventually Our War Has Begun is a good demo that show us a good band that may have an interesting future.

Rating: 73/100

Review 012: Ergot - Empty Waters down the myst

Genre: Black metal/ Dark ambient

Country of origin: Italy

Year:2013

Label: Self-released

Have you ever listened to a black metal album? I'm sure you did it at list once before today. So, you should know that feeling who allow your mind to fly across the great Scandinavian woods of conifers.

Perfect, now, forget it, because this album will allow your mind not to fly but to sail the seven seas.

Ergot is an Italian one man black metal band from Trieste, Italy. His lyrics, contrary to the classic black metal bands, especially speak about the sea and the life connected to it.

His first ep, “Empty waters down the myst”, is composed by 5 tracks. It starts with an amazing dark ambient instrumental intro called “Wrecked away”. The second track is called “In love we trust”, but the lyrics contain all but love. This song is about a satanic rite violence and curses made by the protagonist of the track. This song presents classic black metal sounds with classic black metal lyrics, so we can describe this one like a classic black metal song.

The third track, “Veils” is a dark ambient instrumental song with an interesting electronic sound.

The fourth track is “Opening the gate of reality”. Sincerely this song has reminded me Amon Amarth's “Twilight of the Thunder God” under a lot of viewpoints, but it isn't a bad song.

The fifth track “Lost Wisdom”, well-done cover cover of Burzum, is a bonus track.

Just to wrap up this is a good black metal album, but nothing of really original or innovative.

Vote: 71/100