Label: UKEM Records
Country of Origin: UK
Style: Black Metal/Punk/Crust
Released: September/19/2016
Falling short of twenty-two minutes in length Wolf Bastard showcases twelve tracks, a straight to the point full on assault, no frills whatsoever, a generous helping of Satanic silliness and no room for doubts. You either like this or you don’t it really is that simple.
Recommended for fans of old school blackened metal and those desiring an injection of evil with their punk allotment.
Label: Kozmik Artifactz
Country of Origin: Australia
Style: Doom/Stoner/Heavy Metal
Released: June/6/2016
Their music is tainted with just the right amount of fuzz, boasts excellent production typical of the genre and an aura with a shade of popular hard rock ala Girlschool and Heart with a bouncy pace that won’t turn new comers away.
Overall an album that can be enjoyed by more than merely those that don’t often veer outside of their comfort zone - the doom/stoner end of the metal genre. Favorite tracks The Dove and the Serpent and Holy Ghost. Admittedly there’s not a bad track present.
A fantastic pallet cleanser with a mellow feel for those afternoons when you hanker for something new but oozing a familiar feel.
Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Canada
Style: “Power/Thrash/Prog/Heavy Metal” – Liam (vocalist)
Releases: August/26/2016
Empty the Glass is an instant favorite. Dramatic searing solos and track structure make me wonder if in fact Iron Maiden and Overkill ever collaborated, probably not, but if they did this may well sound like the resulting product. Another act, Annihilator (also Canadian), aren’t listed as an influence, though come to mind in instances when swifter passages make frequent appearances. Escape is an early favorite, though far into the track listing (in this my first of many listens to come), a track that showcases the bands talent, cohesive song writing abilities and apparent knack for keeping the listener’s rapt attention.
The Fabled Uxoricide is the albums final ‘ditty’ and runs a whopping twelve minutes in length. But fear not it’s well worthy of the ride and features tempo changes aplenty and excellent progressive passages to whet the appetite of many a hard-to-please Maiden’ or for that matter Mastodon fan. A track that, though wholly unexpected in vibe and progressive aura, brings the album to a stunning climax.
A metal band from Chilliwack, BC? If that isn’t bad ass enough for ya’ the album, Conductor of Storms definitely will take up the slack. Thriving on rhythm and familiarity this is a release that can’t be ignored and on all accounts an act that has to be witnessed live to get the full experience. Keep an eye on these fellas they are going places!!
Label: Kaotoxin Records
Country of Origin: UK
Style: Symphonic Black/Death Metal
Released: November/3/2014
A great find, if like me, you have yet to discover Sidious. An album that delivers everything a demanding fan of the genre asks – atmosphere, brutality and nuance in intricacy it’s all here what are you waiting for?
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