Category: All Exclusive

NOW!CORSAIR…

French female-fronted symphonic metallers KERION will release their new concept album, “CloudRiders Part 1: Road To Skycity”, on September 25 via Metalodic Records. The CD will feature guest appearances byCARAVELLUS’ Raphael Dantas, FAIRYLAND’s Phil Giordana and SILENT FALL’s Adrien Eyraud. Also featured on the album is the 40-personRimiez Choir.

“CloudRiders Part 1: Road To Skycity” was produced by Will Lievin(HAMKA). The artwork for the album was created by Genzo (World Of Warcraft) and contains characters and scenes of the story.

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Their history dates back to 2001, but now Evershine has put together their full-length debut, Renewal, a platter of melodic power metal. Power metal? Italy? Could it be? Hold back your incredulity for just a moment. Evershine is pretty darn good.

Renewal is definitely epic, lively, and bombastic, like any Italian power metal band should be. Early in their career the band took cues from fellow Italian metallers Rhapsody of Fire, but also Stratovarius. How epic and over the top is that?

While somewhat typical of European power metal, Evershine works from three strengths. The first is the strong and versatile lead vocals from Marco Coppotelli and vocal arrangements. The second is the balance of guitar and synth solos. There’s definitely some thrilling fret pyrotechnics, but the keyboards also do well. Third, Evershine concentrates on melody, and melody often with a rock groove. Yet, they can still be heavy and fast, as power metal should be.

NOW!WOW

Lachaise have signed a deal with Revalve Records for the release of their seconds album “In state Of Oblivion”, a very personal reading of gothic rock wrapped in classic background and seductive darken shades. Lachaise are Xenya Nyx: Vocals Niklas ‘Suspiria’ Goottilainen: Piano, Keyboards and Orchestral Arrangements. Gezwind P. Vingerstaal: Guitars and Bass Paul Ongars: Drums.”Whispering” is the first single and videoclip that will be available September 10, 2012.

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Italian power metal band Thy Majestie are back home with their long time label, Scarlet Records, for the release of their sixth album, ShiHuangDi. The band also returns to their historical concept album format. ShiHuangDi concerns the life of the legendary Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BC.Thy Majestie: back from the Great Wall.

As for the music, nothing has changed for Thy Majestie: expect extravagant, melodic, and symphonic power metal. What has always set TM apart was the ability to balance all instruments in the arrangements, especially guitar and keyboard solos. After this, the also add some progressive metal nuances, without being over technical.

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It seems Hollow Haze has decided on what they want to be. When reviewing 2008’sThe Hanged Man, I suggest that they need to decide if they want to be a strict heavier metal band or a more melodic metal band with some progressive nods. It seems with Poison in Black they’ve opted for the latter.

Actually, Hollow Haze is sounding more like a symphonic Cage, that is strong heavier metal with large amounts of orchestral synths. While not sounding like Sean Peck, Alex “Ramon” Sonato is largely relentless in his approach; his approach is pretty much head on scream-singing with little variation.

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After OLIVER WEERS’ “Evils Back” & SHOTGUN REVOLUTION’s “Join The Revolution” last year, BULLET TRAIN BLAST’s “Nothing Remains” in January and beforeMALRUN’s “The Empty Frame” in April, Mystic Music & Target Records from Denmark bring us another offshoot of this spontaneous generation, a new Rockin’ breed that mix Melodic Metalcore with Post-Grunge Hard Rock and even Heavy AOR  (New Wave Scandi Melodic Modern Metal?)

Another band that seems to fit this definition is Swedish CERVELLO and their great and very very recommended self titled album or Norwegian TEODORTUFF “Soliloquy”…Concerning SAINT REBEL: here we have a very energetic bunch of Musicians raised by 90s Metal sound (METALLICA /ALICE IN CHAINS) but with some Influences coming from contemporary American scene (3 DOORS DOWN / ALTER BRIDGE) but also some hints more rooted in the 70s Euro Hard Rock…And the typical “Melodic-Efficiency Science” provided in trueScandinavian style…A good recipe.

NOW!London GOOD BYE…

London-based To-Mera took matters into their own hands and self-produced their third and latest album, Exile. It’s concept album concerning some rather complex and perplexing matters. The protagonist, having faced hardship, suffering, and loss, places herself in personal exile to avoid any future harm. While in her self-imposed exile, she searches for answers about existence, humanity, and the meaning of life. Darn heady stuff. I’ll leave it to you, once you buy the disc, to discover the answers she finds.

Coming to a new To-Mera album can be quite the challenge. They play true progressive rock and metal, that is, always pushing the boundaries of complex arrangements. While the music is compelling and the musicianship first class, it’s hard to call To-Mera’s prog overly accessible or commercially viable. But if it’s intrigue and challenge you want, To-Mera’s delivers to the full extent, and that makes Exile entertaining.

NOW!EEE…

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The Caribbean island of Trinidad is the birthplace of Dana Jade. Despite the cultural calypso musical background she was raised in, Jade spent her Summers in New York where she found the electric guitar and punk infused rock styles of Patti Smith and Hole more to her liking. In 2002 she emigrated to London where these early influences and the English live scene began shaping her own musical journey. Since then she has spent 3 years as part of the all-girl alternative choir Gaggle, performed at Reading, guested on Later….with Jools Holland and 2012 sees the release of her debut solo album.

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in 2000-2003, Sal moved to Chatham, bought a house, & brought his former band, “Daisy Ella Mojo Crew” to live with him. He was brought here through his day job that was based in Chatham at the time. He recorded at Eyrespace Studios while he was in town, and the local rock station was featuring one of their singles, “Friends Don’t Come Around,” at the time. As it stands now, Sal would love to make it back to Chatham and perform with his new band. Maybe the upcoming tour may see a stop in Chatham. The new album is a top notch release from this band and is worth a listen for sure.