Swedish band Ofdrykkja (it seems to be old Norse for binge drinking) was formed in 2012, but due to individual issues (mental hospital, rehab and jail, you see), it took quite some time before Drabbad, The Associate, Pessimisten and Bödeln were able to finish their first album. And it’s an album that, to my opinion, was created rather as a therapeutic expression for the members’ vision on / of life than as outlet for creativity.
Dresden, Saxony, Germany-based five-piece Nemesis Sopor return with their second album, two years after Wurzelloser Geist. The quintet released this stuff on CD at the end of May this year, and now the Greek tape-only label Nebular Winter Productions re-release the album on cassette. It comes in a limited edition of 100 hand-numbered transparent tapes, by the way. And the cover is very professional, with decent printing etc.
Graftage are an Italian duo (drummer Giovanni ‘Jo’ Bragie and vocalist / bassist / keyboardist / guitarist Stefano ‘Batti Blackheart’ Battistuz) from the city of Varese, who started in 2011. This album, Secret Garden, is their first studio effort, and it includes lyrics in both their mother tongue and English (though all titles are in English, and so is the band’s moniker, but don’t let this mislead you). The result is a fifty four minutes long journey through dark and heavy atmospheres.
Born in Holland during 1978 (you do your own maths as to her age), the new in Belgium (Antwerp, actually) residing Chantal Acda was previously active with the band Sleepingdog, which released three affectionately received albums (2006's Naked In A Clean Bed, 2008's Polar Life, and 2010's With Our Heads In The Clouds An Our Hearts In The Fields, the latter including a close working relationship with Adam Wiltze of Stars Of The Lid, and A Winged Victory For The Sullen fame).
For those not familiar with the musician Adrian Weiss, let it be know that this Düsseldorf-based 1976 born German guitarist started out his career with Prog Rock/ metal act Thought Sphere, having picked up his instrument for the first time at the age of 15.
Norway’s trio Uburen (Thord, Bior and Ask) was formed in 2010 with the goal to pay tribute to the mighty Viking-culture, playing their music with the mindsetting of these warriors fighting in the midst of battlefields or marching on during a bloody raid. Withered Roots therefor can be considered the soundtrack of the Norsemen’s victorious and epic conquership.
Line Up :
Gerre - Vocals
Andi Gutjahr - Guitars
Frank Thorwarth - Bass
Olaf Zissel – Drums
Tankard release a solid old-school trash metal album
I know that the guy behind the sublime Satanath Records-label, Alexey Korolyov, is active in Abigorum, a solo-outfit from which I hope to hear more very soon. On August 20th 2014, for your information, we updated a review on his newest Abigorum-creation, called My Haemophilia, which undersigned could appreciate a lot.
Raum Kingdom are a young act from Ireland. Recently the band (vocalist Dave Lee, bassist Ronan Connor, guitar player Andrew Colohan, and drummer Mark Gilchrist) entered the Dead Dog Studio to record this first album, which clocks nearly half an hour. This self-titled EP was mixed and mastered by Jonny Kerr, known from the Pantera-tribute act TamporA, or Sludge / Crust / Grind band Fuckhammer, amongst others.
Pyre are an act from Saint Petersburg, Russia, formed in spring 2011, and consisting of members involved within the Black and Death Metal scene out there (think: Drama, Chamber Of Torture, Ragor, Ulvdalir etc.). After a first demonstrational recording, Pyre signed to Blood Harvest in order to release the 7”EP Ravenous Decease (2012).
