In autumn 2007 THEOSOPHY has recorded 5 songs for the debut demo. Musicians of famous local bands took part in that record session.
In 2008, russian label MUSICA Production has released these songs on the first Split-CD in label\’s history. THEOSOPHY and BIZARREKULT became participants of this release. The CD received good feedback and distribution in all parts of the world, from Brazil to Japan.
The first THEOSOPHY live show was planned in December of 2008 at the legendary festival \”Iron March”, organized and head-lined by thrash legends Korrozia Metalla, but the concert was canceled. As a result the band first hit the scene in 2009 at \”Only Metal Fest\” and draw attention of public. On the next show the band was one of headliners.
MNIUM GATHERUM have just released their brand new single “Blade Reflections”. It is now available on all streaming and download platforms and will also be featured on a limited Edition Omnium Gatherum / Skalmöld split 7inch, which will be available on the upcoming “Arctic Circle Alliance” European Tour (see below for all dates).
You can also watch a lyric video for “Blade Reflections” here:
Well, Septicflesh return again with another monumental and epic mix of death metal and wicked orchestrations. Always being on the edge of metal and symphony, these Greeks put a lot of sense and concept in their albums. “Codex Omega” isn’t an exception from this point. All lyrics of Sotiris Vayenas are always full of symbols and often refers to mythology, occult or biblical themes and moves their music into a new depth, where pompous monster is born.
From the first sight, you can definitely say that this is Septicflesh – album cover says it directly. Seth Siro Anton’s style is unrepeatable. Though I found cover of the album “The Great Mass” (2011) more interesting than this one.
Opening track “Dante’s Inferno” catches attention with it’s softer intro and then crushes mix of splendous orchestra and death metal riffs upon listener’s head. Since “The Great Mass” and “Titan” it was still this orchestra+death metal formula, and on this album Sepriflesh didn’t invent anything new, this formula is brilliantly shaped and re-shaped by them in order to have an ideal Symphonic death metal. “Codex Omega” shows that they succeeded and no one can create more powerful music in this subgenre, than Septicflesh themselves.
In the “Third Testament” there com a bit different colors. With the biblical lyrics, this song has more brutal riffs and drum line, especially it concerns main riff, and even darker and lower orchestra lines, perfectly matching with Seth’s deep growl. Soundtrack of reversed Testaments and broken religious beliefs.
“Portrait of the Headless Man” begins with pressuring and sinister intros crosses with duduk sound, associated with spirits and secrets of the East. Gives a bit dramatism in the clue moments during the song and have its own thin, but unique line on the enraged symphonic death metal canvas. Sotiris’ clean vocals and choirs on the background bring diversity to the Seth’s powerful, but a bit monotonous vocal line.
Sorrow Plagues is the brainchild of British musician David Lovejoy, who typically delivers atmospheric black metal. This new album ‘Homecoming’ marks Lovejoy’s second album and this time he dares to explore and venture into unexpected territory, expanding his elaborate black metal, this time throwing in elements of post-rock and more mainstream sounds.
The first song to kick things off is new single ‘Departure’ which opens on a resonant upbeat and impressive guitar intro. It immediately possesses a dreamy and ethereal atmosphere, aided through the textured instrumentation. The buoyant sounding instruments give it a more mainstream vibe, but Lovejoy’s dark distant shouts lurk in the backdrop to balance the light and the dark. The instruments remain at the forefront and make for a very compelling and impactful start. The song is about self-actualization and leaving behind the things that are holding you back in life, so it takes you on a great reflective path and the tones match this. Coming in at over seven minutes long, it is a rather epic introduction and scene setter for the album.
‘Disillusioned’ flows on nicely from the opener and again has that all consuming far-reaching sound, in what is the longest song featured on the album. It has a grand feel to it, with an air of optimism as before, which is very refreshing to see in this black metal rooted album. It is questionable if this can even be categorised as this at times, at is so serene and beautiful throughout, but maintains a dark essence through the bleak vocals.
‘Isolated’ has some of the most memorable and catchy riffs going, keeping up the light very positive sound, whilst ‘Irreversible’ packs a harder punch with a large almost symphonic sound. It is extremely tuneful, with great rhythms which further highlight Lovejoy’s technical skills. First single ‘Relinquish’ soars from the off and dances around in epic glorious tones with menacing anguished screams to accompany, something there is no shortage off throughout, but it works wonderfully.
To close this insightful and cathartic journey is the title track ‘Homecoming’ which opens on an atmospheric quiet intro before later throwing in a curveball in the form of unexpected saxophones – definitely not something you expect to find on a metal album. This certainly stands out, and is both very pleasing and confusing. It ends on some of the most depthful and layered instrumentation seen on the album, making for the perfect closer.
This is not your typical black metal act, this is something new and exciting and should certainly be praised for this interesting exploration of sounds. It is very meaningful and layered through the instrumentation and lyrics, which looks at many aspects of the human experience, including death, loneliness and regret. The focus of the album is about finding strength and resolution through these difficult situations. This takes you on an unforeseen path and is a pleasure to listen to, whilst contemplating life and letting the resonant tones wash over you and take you away into a dream state. Lovejoy should be proud of what he has accomplished here.
Northampton Modern metallers From Eden To Exile have been rapidly building a name for themselves since their inception. Early in their career they secured a slot at the ‘New Blood’ stage at Bloodstock festival in 2015 and have played alongside heavyweight acts such as Trivium, Black Label Society, Cannibal Corpse and more. They show no signs of slowing down and are ready to make an even bigger impact with their anticipated debut album ‘Modern Disdain’…
First track ‘Gospel Untold’ is a metal whirlwind, as its crushing, powerful and unforgiving, aided by the stomping heavy guitars and overall impressive guitar work, hellish commanding vocals and strong dark melodies. This makes quite an impressive with this first offering.
Title track ‘Modern Disdain’ again delivers belligerent vocals, fast driven riffs, and defiant and strong lyric statements such as “worked like slaves, if you look at the facts, mankind was born to kneel”, with yet more impressive blistering guitar work again from Tom Kelland and Mike Bell.
Single ‘Volatile’ is vast and tense with charged vocals and guitars. The melodic tones give it a hopeful vibe through the instrumentation, as well as offering up some head banging worthy breakdowns. This acts as a perfect summary of the album.
‘Victim’ keeps up the heat and momentum as seen throughout, with a tense build up and extremely melodic riffs with punishing and effective screamed vocals from Matt Dyne. This is a stand out track for me, as it offers up more diversity than some of the previous tracks. Whilst ‘The Dreamer’ shows some of the best guitar work seen so far, demonstrating their talents further. This is a resonant and all round impressive strong track that is a must hear.
Self-named song ‘From Eden To Exile’ is groove ridden and a great one to let loose too, and again breaking things up a bit and showing something a bit different is ‘What You’ve Done’, which features some interesting rhythms and unpredictable turns.
Closing song ‘Sentiment’ sets out to demolish once again in this last tumultuous blow, largely helped by the effective ambient instrumentation.
This is a very hefty extreme metal album that gives you non-stop intensity, massive breakdowns and strong snarling demanding vocals throughout. From Eden To Exile clearly, execute their craft and impressive musicianship with this debut.
SCORE: 4/5
From Eden To Exile’s debut album ‘Modern Disdain’ is released 2nd June, via Attic Records/PHD.
REVIEW: Karkaos – Children Of The Void by Carina Lawrence / Dark Art Conspiracy
Melodic extreme metal act Karkaos from Canada formed in 2003 and quickly built a formidable presence in their home country following their successful 2011 EP ‘In Burning Skies’ and then in 2014 they unleashed their full-length debut ‘Empire’ to help solidify this further. Now they return with their new, to be self-released album ‘Children Of The Void’ which features a new and unstoppable line-up with vocalist Viky Boyer and drummer Justine Ethier at the helm. To add more power to this anticipated release they enlist some guest musicians in the form of Lindsay Schoolcraft from Cradle of Filth and Morgan Lander from Kittie.
Opening intro track ‘Babel’ is very atmospheric and dramatic, building suspense with a determination and glimmer of hope that increases as it draws to an end, making it the perfect way to gear you up for what is to unfold…
‘Skymaster’ explodes to life with a massive symphonic sound, blitzing guitars and fast drums, with Viky Boyer’s compelling and impressive vocals fitting the relentless instrumentation and the contrasting fierce vocals from guitarist, Vincent Harnois wonderfully. This is overwhelming but in a brilliant, huge and all-consuming way.
First single ‘Kolossòs’ is crushing from the off, with a haunting intensity aided especially by the vocal delivery and keys. This is indeed colossal in every way, and it helps that it features immense guest vocals from Morgan Lander of Canadian metallers Kittie. This is an unstoppable and divine offering that encapsulates the album and the band’s sound.
Title track ‘Children Of The Void’ is immediately ambient and features many tempo changes, but never loses its fluency. The charging verses are intense and the whole song shifts between beautiful twists and turns, and enthrals with slick and impressive guitar as seen throughout the album, the nature and the vibe of the song feels very unified.
‘Tyrants’ blasts into action with alarming symphonic sounds and growled vocals. Again the band play to their strengths hitting you from every direction and overloading you, with clean, brutal, sinister hushed tones and gang vocals adding, even more depth which the album is simply brimming with.
The final offering ‘Bound By Stars’ is beautiful and eerie with passionate heartfelt lyrics from Viky. It is the longest song in length, giving it an epic feel through strength and duration, as well as the ever melodic resonant tones and soaring solo guitar work from Samael Pelletier that he exhibits throughout.
This is a fantastic attack on the senses, which is captivating, exhilarating, suspenseful, yet brutal. It is excellently structured and features impressive musicianship from the whole band. There is such depth and intelligence, through intricate fine details, that it most certainly need to be stuck on repeat to help process and appreciate every moment. This is massively majestic and leaves a lasting impression and asserts that Karkaos are a band to watch out for.
SCORE: 5/5
‘Children Of The Void’ is self-released on 26th May 2017.
Track Listing:
1. Babel
2. Skymaster
3. Kolossòs
4. Let the Curtain fall
5. Pale
6. Children of The Void
7. Rêverie
8. Tyrants
9. Where Mushrooms Grow
10. Lightbearer
11. The Beast
12. Bound By Stars
Dark Art Conspiracy 
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