MORBID JESTER – Until the Battle Is Won (Reissue 2022)

Written Feb 25th by Kostas Vaxevanos

Morbid jester

The mid-90s was the golden age of Power metal and especially the melodic one that monopolized the speakers of fans with groups such as Blind Guardian, Angra, Gamma Ray, Running Wild, Grave Digger. But in contrast to all of them, a new band from the historic Dillenburg, Germany, there in the castle where William the silent, the protagonist of the Dutch revolution in the north against Filippo the 2nd in Spain, was born, is squinting and refusing to follow.

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Weekly Jams 08 (Feb 21th-Feb 27th 2022)

Written by Kyle Messick Feb 21th

My recommendations this week will highlight one of the most incredible newer record labels out of Brazil: Old Shadows Records. Many of these have beautiful slipcase sleeves, but I’ve removed them for the photo. The first nine albums below are from them, but I’ve included some other rippers for you to check out too!

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Joe Cangelosi interview @ Brews and Tunes

By Kostas Vaxevanos Feb 5th 2022

Some of you remember him from his appearance in the early 80s Thrash days and Whiplash classics like “Ticket to Mayhem”. Others from his quite technical and solid “Second Coming” demo with Massacre. His

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CYNIC – Ascension Codes (Season Of Mist)

By Kostas Vaxevanos December 31th 2021

Cynic’s music delights the heart and sharpens the mind. Eloy (the German band) of progressive metal with psychedelic ideas, mellow vocals and intellectual music tunnels continue to climb heavenly stairs. Those who were able to digest the change in vocals compared to their first days were lucky enough to watch them escape from the vicious circle. Their return in 2008 with Traced in Air was a gift because the music cosmos (from Greek cosmima = jewel) needs such geniuses. I really adore and the next two EPs although i miss and some psychic attacks here and there like in the first two albums.


The first thing you notice on their 4th album (I do not count the amazing Portal tapes) is that you do not feel the void of Reinert. With all due respect, Matt Lynch is so consistent in his game. A multidimensional solid octopus like the one on Martina Hoffman’s magic cover, who steals the show throughout the 49 minutes. We really need such kind of drummers than athletes. In a video I saw him playing with the drumsticks upside down. This makes the sound smoothed and fat, something that matches the ethereal feeling.


The introductions between the 9 main tracks give extra breath and listening to it makes the sense of meditation. Those of us who have felt awe and acoustic spiritual uplift since the time of Uroboric forms at At Deaths Door II so I have good news for you. Cynic never cease to amaze.

https://cyniconline.bandcamp.com/album/ascension-codes

SEPULCRUM – Corpse Dividing Holes ( Canometal Records)

by Kostas Vaxevanos December 30th 2021

I think we all now know that the blood of the Chileans boils for Metal and this is proven in live shows as supporters and the bands that are constantly born in their scene. This was first released on cassette and digitally and now it’s time for the CD. Contains 4 tracks of their own “Abruption”, “Stiff Stagnation», «Corpse Dividing Holes”, “Into Slumber Exclamation”. Of course, the sound is primitive and there is no room for innovation here, as started by Kreator in Endless Pain and Morbid Angel in Abominations of Desolation. The vocals have the demonic depth and the riffs are reminiscent of Slayer dark paths in Hell Awaits. Last track is exactly what they define as a key influence: Morbid Angel – Lord of all fevers and plagues. The sound is dirty, pure and natural as if you were listening live. Back to the garage with boosters and sweat.

https://sepulcrumdm.bandcamp.com/

https://www.canometal.cl/

CRYPTIC HATRED – Nocturnal Sickness (The Other Records)

By Kostas Vaxevanos

December 24th 2021

Band with a rotting artwork from Finland .. things are clear here… NOPE… Cryptic Hatred is a quartet having been created in high school in 2019 they managed within two years to release a demo and mature so much synthetically that they grabbed the attention of the people behind the Other Records. These young guys not only have the audacity to imitate Cannibal Corpse but also the courage to go things further. I do not know how many of you think you can have the skills of the creators of Butchered at Birth, Bleeding or Gallery of Suicide. Yes the band has built bases up there and on this album it has a stellar production and my friend listen to the drummer. Enough with the athletes who blast. Here you will enjoy cymbals «As I Enter Darkness», high volume tom «Stench of the dead» and «Full Of Hate» riffs and pinch harmonics that will refresh your brain and create new fields. But I say again…the drums… its been long since you have heard something simple, natural but with substance. The Finnish origin odours on the chaotic leads and the outro of Eternal Horror. I think this band will be even more enjoyable live….


https://www.instagram.com/cryptichatred_/
https://www.facebook.com/cryptichatred/
https://cryptichatred.bandcamp.com/
https://theotherrecords.com/

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