Brutal deathcore headbangers, Distant, are set to release their third full-length record under the name of Heritage via Century Media Records. The Netherlands and the Slovak Republic have produced some of the best and most notable death metal bands, and this is no exception. The group has been serving up pure metal to their loyal and trustworthy fans for nearly a decade and have no plans of stopping or slowing down. The band’s intensity travels through every word of their tracks to every one of their 266,000 Spotify listeners. Value of their music along with their listeners is truly unmatched and electrifying. Distant is fully prepared to show us their “Heritage” in the world in which they have single-handedly engineered.
Distant is:
Alan Grnja- Lead vocals
Elmer Maurits – Bass
Nouri Yetgin – Lead guitar
Vladimir Golic – Rhythm guitar
Jan Mato – Drums
Shall we talk about the elephant in the room? The band has broken standards and fought social norms by having a track with 16, you read that right SIXTEEN, guest vocalists. It’s absolutely unprecedented to have such a number of rockers on a track that isn’t charity related. Grnja said that the collaboration between the 16 singers was similar to the crossover between Spider-Man and the X-Men in the early 1990’s. Bringing such a fun anecdote to such a driven and virtuosic band makes the possible initial shock down a few notches to where it can be enjoyed by more than metal fans. In addition to such a powerful mid-record track, from track one all the way to twelve is such a journey in which no other downtempo band has done before and it feels monumental to be a part of history such as this. After having a whole pandemic to marinate in their tracks, the group had made their alterations until their masterpiece, Heritage, had wrapped production and is currently ready to hit the market in early February this year. Whilst using vivid imagery, the record comes to life before your very eyes which isn’t the easiest thing to master, but Distant makes it look easy.
The roar coming from Grnja is out of the world and gives me goosebumps every time I hear his voice come through my headphones. The genuine nature to the band as well as vocals is audible, especially embedded within this most recent record. Perhaps the heaviness behind the tracks goes to show the bona fide, unadulterated complexion of a world renowned metal group. The journey from “Acid Rain” to “Plaguebreeder” is a story in which will be put on stage in the coming months when they join Bodysnatcher, Angelmaker, and Paleface on tour. They all hope to see fellow metalheads throwin’ up their horns at a show near you!
MARSWORTH SAYS: 8/10
TRACK LIST:
1. Acid Rain 2. Paradigm Shift 3. Born Of Blood 4. The Grief Manifest 5. Exofilth 6. Argent Justice 7. The Gnostic Uprising 8. A Sentence To Suffer 9. Human Scum 10. Heritage 11. Orphan Of Blight 12. Plaguebreeder
SIEGE OF POWER — This Is Tomorrow
Siege Of Power released an album in 2018 titled ‘Warming Blast’ which was birthed from four mates having a few jamming sessions in a studio, just some light hearted fun. Even though you still get the sense of that fun being had with buddies doing what they enjoy most, their new album ‘This Is Tomorrow’ was taken a bit more seriously. You can expect a well put together album with a slightly darker theme which will hit home for most people who have been exposed to society’s downfalls.
The album takes you on a journey through the recent topics at the forefront, obscenities that have long existed but have been sent into overdrive in recent years thanks to social media and a pandemic that created a divide and chaos that no one ever could have imagined possible.
We’re all in need of blowing off some steam reflecting on these issues and with the high energy, 80s thrash metal vibes on this album it’s easily achieved. There’s some doomdozers thrown in the mix to intensify the gloomy content and give the album a good balance. It also gives you a moment to wipe the sweat from your upper lip, let the old ticker slow down a bit and prepare yourself for the next whirlwind of power riffs to sweep you into the circle pit. The finish hasn’t been sanded back and painted with a thick layer of varnish, it’s a raw number that takes you back to the good old days.
They draw inspiration from bands like Venom, Bathory, Slayer and Black Sabbath with is the hook that secured me and I knew I couldn’t free myself until I spun the album in its entirety.
Being released through Metal Blade records was another reason I had to check these guys out as they release some solid albums that are right down my alley and this one hit the nail on the head. The eye catching album art work was created by Robert Toderico which sums up the album theme in one glorious masterpiece.
The release date for this banger is 17/2/2023 so jump on it and gear up for a riot (in the mosh pit of course.) Who knew the devastations of humanity’s existence could be transformed into something which brings so much joy.
Chris Reifert – Vocals (Autopsy, Violation Wound, Abscess, Painted Doll) Paul Baayens – Guitars (Asphyx, ex-Hail of Bullets, Thanatos) Theo van Eekelen – Bass (ex-Hail of Bullets, ex-Houwitser, ex-Grand Supreme Blood Court) Bob Bagchus – Drums (ex-Asphyx, Soulburn, ex-Grand Supreme Blood Court)
Reviewed by Shell Dahlia
1982 Year in Metal
This page isn’t so much about the year in metal in 1982 but more a personal story on the year that I really discovered Heavy Metal music and making this the most important year in my life. I am now in my 50’s and well you can do the math but last year was my 40th year of really listening to Metal music.
In 1982 I was 15 years old. Living on a farm in Ontario, Canada. 3 or 4 tv channels on tv. No internet of course. I had never even heard of the term Heavy Metal. Living in Canada did hear a lot of Canadian bands on the radio and I always did prefer the hard rocking bands like April Wine, Triumph, Streetheart and others so I was leaning towards away from the top 40 hits on the radio. And I would of course hear Zeppelin, ACDC, Deep Purple, and Aerosmith and other hard rocking bands which led me to start buying rock magazines like Hit Parader and Circus and others.
Then near the end of September as my birthday approached I was looking through a Circus magazine. And saw a feature on this British band called Iron Maiden and the story said they were influenced by Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple and there was a mention of this monster mascot (Eddie) that would appear on stage and this all just sounded so cool to this 15 year old country boy. So my brother needed to buy me a birthday gift so I said I want this album Iron Maiden—The Number of the Beast.
So on September 30th, 1982 I got my hands on the vinyl and the awesome cover artwork and I put the vinyl on my turntable and put that needle down and Invaders started blaring out my speaker and instantly my life had changed forever!!
First chance I got I bought more magazines and read all about Iron Maiden and other bands. I went to the record store about bought the 1st 2 Iron Maiden albums and their live EP “Maiden Japan”. And then it was just discovering all the metal I could. Me and some friends would pay $5 to take a bus 2 hours from where we lived to go to Toronto so we could go to the big record stores like A&A Records, Sam The Record Man and it would be a like metal kid in a metal candy store with all these metal albums available. Of course you couldn’t listen to anything so if I saw scary imagery or guys with long hair on the backs of the albums I was like “this looks like its going to sound awesome” and I would buy it!! How times have changed.
And this was just the beginning as the next year the Metallica, Slayers and Exodus’s of the world began and thrash metal movement would start. And it has just continued year after year but deep down my metal heart was born in 1982.
Metal facts 1982.
Bruce Dickinson joins Iron Maiden and they release THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST
Fast Eddie Clarke leaves Motorhead
The great Rhandy Rhoads dies in a airplane crash on March 19th
Ace Frehley leaves Kiss and is replaced by Vinnie Vincent
Ian Gillan replaces Ronnie James Dio in Black Sabbath as of course Dio starts his solo band
Black Sabbath with Dio on vocals release their live album LIVE EVIL. Former Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne releases a live album titled SPEAK OF THE DEVIL
Top 5 Canadian Hard Rock Albums of 1982
Since I am Canadian and this music lead me into Heavy Metal here are my Top 5 Canadian Hard Rock albums of 1982
5. Lee Aaron—The Lee Aaron Project (new album released in 2023) 4. Coney Hatch—Coney Hatch 3. April Wine—Power Play 2. Triumph—Never Surrender 1. Headpins—Turn it Loud
MY TOP 10 Metal Albums of 1982. (can you guess which one is number 1???) Actually this is my top 11 list because 11 is louder then 10!!
11. GIRLSCHOOL — SCREAMING BLUE MURDER
With all due respect to the RUNAWAYS this would be the first all female Metal band and make it okay to be female and play metal!! This is the 3rd studio album from Girlschool.
FAV SONG: Screaming Blue Murder
10. RAVEN — WIPED OUT
The 2nd studio album from this 3 piece band. Their next release in 1983 ALL FOR ONE is one of my fav albums of all time.
FAV SONG: Faster Then The Speed of Light
9. KROKUS — ONE VICE AT A TIME
6th studio album from Swiss rockers Krokus. Featuring classic track Long Stick Goes Boom which is a more metalized ACDC.
FAV SONG: Long Stick Goes Boom
8. LED ZEPPELIN — CODA
The last studio album from the mighty Zep. This is a collection of songs left over from other sessions over their 12 year career but still some great songs including Bonzo’s Montreux which is a showcase of the late John Bonham’s amazing drumming.
FAV SONG: Poor Tom
7. ACCEPT — RESTLESS AND WILD
The 4th studio album from German Metal Band Accept who continue to release albums and tour. Their next album released in 1983 Balls To The Wall really broke them in North America.
FAV SONG: Princess Of TheDawn
6. TWISTED SISTER — UNDER THE BLADE
Debut album from New York rockers. They were more raw back before their MTV days. Produced by UFO Bassist Pete Way.
FAV SONG: Under The Blade
5. JUDAS PRIEST — SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE
8th studio album from British Metal Legends. The last track added to the album was their most recognizable song in You’ve Got Another Thing Comin
FAV SONG: Devil’s Child
4. MANOWAR — BATTLE HYMNS
Debut studio album from American Power Metal Manowar. Orson Wells does a guest spoken word part. Many of the tracks on this album have been covered by other Metal bands over the years.
FAV SONG: Manowar
3. ANVIL — METAL ON METAL
2nd studio album from Canadian metal legends. Still cranking out albums to this day. As a Canadian teenager that discovered metal in this year, Metal On Metal was my anthem.
FAV SONG: Metal on Metal
2. VENOM — BLACK METAL
2nd studio album from British Extreme 3 piece. They produced the term Black Metal even though this really isn’t black metal. More speed or thrash. Outside of the track Teacher’s Pet this album is Satan’s favourite lyrics!! One of my fav albums ever and love the sound of being BURIED ALIVE and you even get a preview of the next album with the closer AT WAR WITH SATAN teaser. Today the band has split into 2 versions both putting out great albums.
FAV SONG: Teacher’s Pet
IRON MAIDEN — THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST
You can read above for why this is my number 1 album. Still one of my fav metal albums to this day.
FAV SONG: The Prisoner
****written by Blake Mossey***
1984 Year in Metal
Flashback to 1984
1984: Was More than just the title of George Orwell’s novel. The year was pivotal in the development of heavy metal, as both thrash and power metal became more than just a paradigm archetype. Meanwhile, the giants of the genre continued to grow bigger than ever, maximizing platinum sales, sold-out tours, and extensive airplay on radio and Music. Let’s take a look at this historical year in history and music!
Events involving music
Def Leppard’s drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car accident on December 31.
Deep Purple reunites.
Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle is killed in an automobile accident in early December. The driver of the car is Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe.
The debut albums of both Saint Vitus (Saint Vitus) and Trouble (Psalm 9) are released.
This is Spinal Tap, a cult mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner about the semi-fictional band Spinal Tap, is released.
The Top 10
10. Cirith Ungol – King of the Dead
9. Metallica – Ride the Lightning
8. Dio – The Last in Line
7. Bathory – Bathory
6. Deep Purple – Perfect Strangers
5. Metal Church – Metal Church
4. Iron Maiden – Powerslave
3. W.A.S.P. – W.A.S.P.
2. Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith
1.Mercyful Fate – Don’t Break the Oath
You will not find a better combination of highly accomplished and highly inventive guitar wizardry than here. Some songs are packed with more killer riffs than some bands produce in their entire career. Incorporating more progressive rock ideas into song structure and performance the band effectively developed their sound and produced some of their best songs from “A Dangerous Meeting” to “Come to the Sabbath”. This is a great CD. A true cornerstone for heavy metal in general. Fronted by the infamous King Diamond, ‘Don’t Break the Oath’ is truly a haunting journey. Every fan of metal needs this album….
Track list
1. A Dangerous Meeting (5:10) 2. Nightmare (6:19) 3. Desecration of Souls (4:54) 4. Night of the Unborn (4:59) 5. The Oath (7:31) 6. Gypsy (3:08) 7. Welcome Princes of Hell (4:03) 8. To One Far Away (1:31) 9. Come to the Sabbath (5:19) 10. Death Kiss (demo)* (4:30)
Line-up/Musicians
– King Diamond / Vocals, Keyboards, Harpsichord – Hank Shermann / Guitars – Michael Denner / Guitars – Timi “Grabber” Hansen / Bass – Kim Ruzz / Drums
Historical Events of 1984
Jan 24 Apple Computer Inc unveils its revolutionary Macintosh personal computer
Feb 29 Pierre Trudeau announces he is stepping down after 15 years as Canadian Prime Minister
Apr 23 AIDS-virus identified as HTLV-III (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
Jun 5 Indira Gandhi orders an attack on Sikh’s holiest site, the Golden Temple in Amritsar
Dec 3 Bhopal disaster: Union Carbide pesticide plant leak 45 tons of methyl isocyanate and other toxic compounds in Bhopal, India, kills 2,259 (official figure) – other estimates as high as 16,000 (including later deaths) and over half a million injured
Dec 19 Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sign the Sino-British Joint Declaration to transfer Hong Kong back to China in 1997
1984 in Film & TV
Sep 20 “The Cosby Show” premieres on NBC-TV starring Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad
Oct 26 “The Terminator” directed by James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton is released in the US
Nov 9 Wes Craven’s horror film “A Nightmare on Elm Street” premieres in the US
-Georgina Strilakos
JINJER
MACRO
Jinjer is back with a new release: Macro
Jinjer is quickly becoming one of the most en-vogue bands on the scene. Its most recent release, Macro, available via Napalm Records, stays true to its title with a massive sound. This release sums up the ten years and counting of activity for the band, and the unique act they have been able to build over the past few years. Not only has Jinjer release amazing set of albums and songs, but the band has been playing live relentlessly, charming audiences and conquering new fans, one stage at a time.
Compared to some of the band’s previous work, this album has a more focused sound and a modern flair. Influences range from Djent to PostMetal and even modern hardcore and electronic incursions, anything goes. There is so much melody on the songs, and the vocals are on-point as usual. The fronting style of Tatiana definitely represents the band’s X factor, not to take anything away from the other talented musicians in the band! There is just so much excellence on this album, but the song “On the Top” is perhaps a prime example of the and at its absolute best. The guitars are throaty and huge, with a gnarly down-tuned pulse. Tatiana’s vocals are so broad and diverse, and there is something truly special about the alternating of screamed and sung sections.
Songs such as “Pausing Death” or “The Prophecy” highlight the band’s ability to combine complexity with appeal in equal doeses. There is also room for a mind-boggling diverse array of influences, ranging from reggae to jazz and pretty much everything in between. “Macro” is a strong statement from Jinjer. It affirm’s the band’s willingness to keep embracing new challenges and make music that bridges the gaps between complex sonic upholstery and intuitive rawness. The balance is not always easy to achieve, let alone on a stage, where the group really shines.
