ALBUM REVIEW – DARKSPACE

Darkspace – Darkspace II

Reviewed By: Jason Deaville

Review Score: 7.5

In space, no one can hear you scream. This marketing slogan for the original Alien movie (released all the way back in ’79) may be scientifically correct. Further explained, space is a vacuum, which means it contains almost no matter. The word vacuum comes from the Latin word for empty. Sound is carried by atoms and molecules. In space, with no atoms or molecules to carry a sound wave, there’s no sound. With this in mind, how is it possible that the cosmic echoes and haunting screams of Swiss psychedelic/atmospheric/spatial black metallers, Darkspace, resonate through the deepest, darkest recesses of the cosmos? Let’s find out!

The triumvirate that is Darkspace (Wroth – guitars/vocals, Zhaaral – bass, vocals, and newest member Yhs – guitars, vocals) are gearing up for their long-awaited return to earth after almost a decade since their last transmission. They will emerge from the void on February 16th via Season Of Mist with their brand new album, Dark Space-II. With them, they bring a non-stop 47-minute voyage that drifts far beyond the earthbound realm of black metal. Fractal electronic samples slice through layers of extraterrestrial drones. Vocal transmissions, like whispers from the outer reaches, seamlessly intertwine with the chilling mix, adding a haunting dimension to this celestial configuration.

Dark Space -II loosely deviates from the course set by Darkspace on their previous four albums, experimenting with different sonic textures. But while the mysterious trio still venture into uncharted aural territories, Dark Space -II never leaves their familiar realm of atmospheric, ambient black metal. The programmed drums are sequenced in such a way that it carries the music over light years, like a transmission emerging out of the depths of a stellar-mass black hole to be intercepted and dissected by beings of unknown origins. The guitars echo with a cold and clinical melody while the vocals fluctuate between a raspy, growled iciness and a cybernetic snarl.

Unlike previous albums, Darkspace-II strikes an equilibrium never before heard. Typically, the band either rage with a fury befitting a Type I Supernovae or they drift into a relatively calm region of the universe that inspires a more ambient, trippy, serene singularity. This duality of chaos and coherence serves the album well, not unlike a competent cosmic horror movie that leaves the active participant on the edge of their seat never knowing what lurks in the icy cold blackness.

It’s difficult to further dissect this album, as it contains only one continuous track. This works in its favour, as the seamless transmission never fluctuates too much, which, in turn, keeps the listener’s attention focused and immersed in the cosmic waves of blackened interstellar metal. This is an album to throw on when pondering the vastness of the cosmos, as it is the perfect soundtrack to the unknown and the unobservable of this universe we call home.

Darkspace -II will reach Earth on February 16th via Season Of Mist.

ALBUM REVIEW: FIREWIND

Firewind – Stand United

Reviewed by: Jim Harrison

Review Score: 9.5

Power metal Icons Firewind are set to release their anticipated new album ‘Stand United’ on March 1, 2024.

Coming off their last release, a live showcase titled ‘Still Raging – 20th Anniversary Show’ in September of 2023, it’s great to get a new release so early in 2024.

Guitar virtuoso Gus G, vocalist Herbie Langhans, bassist Petros Christo and drummer Jo Nunez have created a body of work that tackles the issues of the day with the direction that we need to ‘Stand United’ rather than at odds with each other.

The fantastic artwork created by Costin Chioreanu echos the message with the multitude of faces making this so poignant. The first track ‘Salvation Day’ gets right to the point with massive guitar riffs, strong vocal performance and a pounding drum and bass beat giving you some insight what this album is all about.

‘Stand United’ is one of my favourite songs which has a massive power metal sound right from the wicked guitar intro. The catchy chorus will make this a fan favourite live. ‘Destiny Calling’ the lead single released as a teaser for fans during their European tour. This track has it all with a killer groove and a smoking guitar solo. ‘The Power Lies Within’ is a heavy song with thick groovy sound showcase Gus G’s flawless guitar ability. This is another personal favourite of mine.

Tracks ‘Come Undone’ and ‘Fallen Angel’ both are pre release singles that have more of a progressive sound and killer drum beats. Again the guitar solos are phenomenal on these tracks. ‘Chains’ is a super catchy song and the intro is reminiscent of Judas Priest. Langhans vocals are strong and Gus G creates a cool chugging sound leaving an ear worm.

‘Land of Chaos’ gives you a total ass kicking. The killer guitar intro and solo, thumping drums and bass mixed with a heavy vocal performance gives off a more traditional sound making this the heaviest track on the album. Langhans snarl is a a cool addition giving this track a darker sound. ‘Talking In Your Sleep’ is a Romantics cover and a fun addition to this album. It brings this song to another level and is heavy as hell.

The last song on the album ‘Days Of Grace’ completes the album with a song that creates an immersive listening experience. The acoustic guitar intro mixed with an impressive vocal range gives you the notion of a ballad but Gus G’s ripping solo changes the direction of the song bringing in a heavier groove that gives this track such a cool sound.

Firewind consistently creates groundbreaking material and this new release is evidence of this.

Musically, vocally and lyrically this album checks all the boxes and you can tell this band is a tight knit unit that love what they do.

This album spans many metal genres and I recommend it to all metal fans looking for a relevant release in 2024. Play it at eleven.

Stand United is set to release March 1, 2024 via AFM Records.

ALBUM REVIEW – INFECTED RAIN

Infected Rain – Time

Reviewed by: Georgina Strilakos

Review Score: 9.0

Moldova’s Infected Rain return with their massive sixth Nu Metal creation, Time, on February 9, 2024, via Napalm Records. Following their very successful album from 2022’s Ecdysis—which received great acclaim and debuted in the Top 20 US Music charts. An eclectic studio album that pushes the envelope in the modern metal scene

The Moldovan band has been active since 2008. Throughout its journey, the group has stood out for its ability to think outside the box and bring originality to the metal scene with its kaleidoscopic sound.” The band’s music often combines various metal subgenres, incorporating elements of alternative, nu-metal, and metalcore. Lena Scissorhands’ powerful and versatile vocals, coupled with the band’s dynamic instrumentation, contribute to their distinctive musical identity and ability to constantly try new things.

Time is yet another example of their approach. The album track list, which has already been revealed, is going to feature twelve new songs. Each track allows the band to experiment with different ideas, highlighting the incredibly broad scope of this record. The flagship single, ‘Never To Return’, is a very good introduction to the aesthetics of this album. The song features cinematic ambient tones, as well as brutal guitar, riffs, and diverse arrangements with somewhat of a progressive feel. With a penchant for theatrics and storytelling, the band managed to create a very immersive album with a strong sonic narrative behind it.

It is not always easy to add something new to the conversation when it comes to metal music, but Infected Rain has something to say. Fans of bands such as Jinjer, Arch Enemy, Lacuna Coil, and Otep should most definitely give this album a shot! Bands like these have helped and continue to help shape the sound of contemporary metal music, drawing outside the lines and bringing more variety to the scene.

Thankfully, this band set out to stay pretty prolific over the past few years, even in spite of the obvious challenges many artists have had to face in the not-too-distant past. Infected Rain strikes as a band on a constant quest to expand its sound and raking in new influences to keep treating fans to something special. It’s always very interesting to hear metal bands that are open to incorporating ideas and sounds that are not commonly associated with metal music. This fusion brings the genre to new places and helps come up with a more original sound for the artist. Time fits this category!

Find out more about Infected Rain here and stay tuned for the upcoming release of this remarkable new studio work!

ALBUM REVIEW – BLOOD RED THRONE

Blood Red Throne – Nonagon

Reviewed By: Dennis van’t Hoofd

Review Score: 8.0

When Daniel ‘Død’ Olaisen and Tchort formed Blood Red Throne in 1998 they had a unique selling
point in that the two of them played live for Satyricon, and the latter credited with bass on
Emperor’s influential debut album In The Nightside Eclipse.

Fast-forward twenty-six years later and Blood Red Throne is now a well established death metal institute from Norway with guitarist Død and drummer Freddy Bolsø as the only remaining founding members. With Nonagon Blood Red Throne releases their eleventh studio album with new vocalist Sindre Wathne Johnsen, who replaces long time frontman Yngve ‘Bolt’ Christiansen.

The nine tracks on Nonagon are conceptualized around the nine concentric circles of torment located within the earth as described in ‘Inferno’, the first part of the fourteenth century poem ‘Divine Comedy’ by Italian writer Dante, but the lyrics are free for interpretation. Ever since their 2001 debut album Monument Of Death or 2002’s Affiliated With The Dead, Blood Red Throne have been delivering relentless death metal strongly rooted in early nineties US death metal and Nonagon is no exception to that rule.

Blood Red Throne stay true to their sound and treat us with yet another pounding death metal release, full of technical riffs, fat grooves and slamming parts. Musically, Blood Red Throne mixes the brutality of Cannibal Corpse and the melodic grooves of Amon Amarth and out comes a fine blend of old-school groovy yet technical death metal. New vocalist Sindre Wathne Johnsen delivers a great job with his versatile death grunts and high pitched screams and is a great addition to the line-up of Blood Red Throne.

Fans of groovy no-nonsense death metal with a great full-sounding production should definitely check Nonagon out. The album is out now via Soulseller Records.

ALBUM REVIEW – MIKE TRAMP

Mike Tramp – Mand af en tid

Reviewed By: Marsworth

Review Score: 7.5

Just in case you didn’t get enough of Mike Tramp in 2022 (singing an album completely in Danish), he’s cooked up a whole new record for us to marvel at, Mand af en tid (translating to Man Of A Time). With ten power-filled tracks, Mike Tramp and his recording band fill the ears of loyal listeners with the sound of his native language after jamming with the infamous glam metal band White Lion. That being said, Tramp is quoted as saying, “…I grew up with albums where songs could sound different. Mand af en tid is such an album.” This goes to show how diverse and relatable (for newer listeners) the album really is.

Tramp has also mentioned that while in a band (White Lion) he felt pushed into a corner to live up to a certain expectation for the band’s public perception; however, with Danish music, he’s able to let the music and creativity flow wherever it may please. The stories are stacked to the heavens within such a short span of time. As the album plays you’ll hear the rock magic you’re used to hearing, tales of Tramp’s mother, and even songs for a brutal heartbreak.

My rating for this album isn’t based on understanding what I’m listening to, it’s based on the feeling, production, and how the artist treats their new material on and offline. Knowing that while writing Tramp wrote about things and moments he cared about, real life experiences that mean something, it adds a little something you’re not used to consuming. Not many artists nowadays are able to see the latest fad, turn the other way, and succeed. Perhaps a record against the social norms is exactly what we, as listeners, need to hear. Besides, how often do you hear an album with songs about The Beatles, a late mother, Muhammad Ali, and German food!

Mand af en tid drops March 15th via Target Records.