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Demonikhol

Demonikhol

BY E-Force

(Customer Reviews)
$15.00
$ 9.00
SKU: 251161
Label:
Mausoleum Records
Category:
Thrash Metal
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"E-Force was formed in Montreal, Canada in 2001 by vocalist/bassist, Eric Forrest, upon his departure from the legendary Canadian cyber metallers Voivod. In all Eric appeared on two studio masterpieces, Negatron and Phobos; on the live album, Voivod Lives, and on the compilation: Kronik. When leaving Voivod, Forrest chose to use his nickname, E-Force, as the name for his new band. Labeled monsters of Thrash, Eric Forrest's wide array of musical influences and vocal capabilities set E-Force apart from the pack and ensure that this band is very original. E-Force released their debut album Evil Forces to widespread critical acclaim in 2003. Soon after Forrest relocated to France, resulting in a line-up change. In 2008, E-Force released their follow-up, Modified Poison. The album further expanded the intensity of the band, impressing both fans and critics alike. In 2014 the band released their third album The Curse, on Mausoleum Records. Curse was a concept album based on a collection of songs describing the power and temptation of, and obsession with the female race. The album featured guest performances by Glen Drover (Megadeth, King Diamond), Kristina Niemann (Therion) and Vincent Agar (Yotangor). Throughout their 10-year history E-Force has released only three albums, albeit prominent ones, but nevertheless managed to perform in over 20 different countries since the band's inception, appearing at some of the most prominent festivals of the musical genre, both in Europe and North America. Now E-Force returns with Demonikhol, lyrically another concept album with alcohol as the subject matter, illustrating the ravages and destruction of all kinds it is capable of causing. Musically E-Force has become an intense and shatteringly percussive killing machine, driven by battering ram guitars, supporting Eric's primal screaming vocal assault."

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  • Redemption is one of the leading progressive metal bands in the world today.  Formed in Los Angeles, California in 2000 by guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter Nicolas van Dyk, the band features legendary progressive metal vocalist Ray Alder of Fates Warning, as well as guitarist Bernie Versailles (Agent Steel), and the phenomenal rhythm section of Chris Quirarte (drums) and Sean Andrews (bass).Redemption’s combination of heaviness not usually found in progressive metal, irresistible melodies and emotional urgency has created a unique and resonant voice for this band that sets them apart from the many clones in the genre, and which has gained them the attention of fans, critics and musicians.Through the band’s first three studios CDs (2002s self-titled first release, 2005’s The Fullness of Time, and 2007’s The Origins of Ruin), Redemption gained a loyal fanbase and garnered rave reviews worldwide from critics, who describe Redemption’s music as“one of the best progressive metal acts to emerge in the past decade” – DPRP“magical aura and incredible songwriting” – BLABBERMOUTH“it's powerful, catchy, enslaving, technical; it's the whole bunch” – LORDS OF METAL“the new star on the US prog-metal sky” – SQUEALER ROCKSAfter touring in support of Dream Theater and documenting at headlining show at tour’s end entitled Frozen in the Moment, the band returned to the studio to release 2009’s Snowfall on Judgment Day and 2011’s This Mortal Coil.Performing in support of that record, in 2012 Redemption co-headlined the world-famous ProgPower Festival in Atlanta, where the band recorded a unique show featuring nearly 80 minutes of material and staged with complementary visuals that drive home the compelling emotional impact of this band.   That performance is now being released as a CD/DVD set with additional bonus material through Sensory Records, the band’s original label.  From fan favorites such as the never-before-performed Parker’s Eyes to the crushing emotional weight of Stronger than Death, Redemption’s performance captured the special ability of its music to deeply connect with fans.  In the words of one concert-goer, Redemption’s show “was definitely the most exhausting, personal and emotional musical experience I’ve ever had.” 
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  • "Every band has to start somewhere and for HAMMERED this is quite literally “The Beginning”. After this, I got to be more appreciative of Italians. Their music is undoubtedly unique and even the genuinely bad ones have an interesting aspect to them. On the contrary, I’m apt to dislike their food or maybe I haven’t had real Italian food but I sure love their music. Now let me begin by describing this quintet’s debut from Gorizia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia.“No Time For Us” begins with a lot of melody, guitars on both sides building up the song into who knows what. Then it hits you with a Thrash upstart rhythm as a basic guitar riff raises your adrenaline. The drummer, Alfredo Macuz, perfectly catalysts the song’s rhythm into maximum momentum. Tactical and simple strikes capturing the aurora majesty. Then, a technique common with IRON MAIDEN as triplet guitars reaches your ears, a beautiful style of power-charging melodic Thrash. In continuation, “Space Invaders”, has a very soothing group vocal hymn. The riffs are simple but very fitting and Andrea Csàszàr has a nice accent to his singing. This song excellently incorporates a drum solo/interlude accompanied by a catatonic guitar addition.“See You in Hell” starts with an off-beat drum arrangement but as soon as the initial riff engages, the drums escapes its detrimental episode. As guitar melodies leak further, the drum varies in semblance changing like a chameleon out in the scorching hot sun. Then, a new melody enters as the guitar thrives on its uppity embodiment. Suddenly, there’s a second of silence, followed by the guitars going into its finest and fiercest display of thrash riffs yet. As the song progressed, Csàszàr says “hell” in almost a feminine voice. After its termination, the group decides to dispel the notion in unison by saying “In Hell!”. A bit after, the guitars and drums go into a descending pattern. The tone of the drums layered over the guitar riff is exquisite and as the solo approaches it goes into a technical almost classical composed idiosyncrasy.On the latter part of “See You in Hell” you begin to hear a bit of speed metal. It continues its growing roots onto “Masters of Your Nightmares” but only on the former half. This is a quirky but interesting song. It can’t help but put a smile across your face as Csàszàr varies his execution to almost sound like a hyper foreign child. Along the chorus, there are the group vocals saying “…and there’s no key” in a subtly gentle but impacted method. “Money” is an almost acoustic and melody-driven instrumental to show the true horrors of how money is valued in society. It displays utter sadness in the state of money being the deciding factor in negotiations. How it blinds many to its seductive capabilities and strips human existence to its most primitive and ravaging breed.“Bloody Fields” has a TOOL-sounding bass intro accompanied by a soft but intricate drum delicacy. This song uses some weird static sound effect that distorts Andrea Csàszàr’s voice. I don’t know if you’ve seen Dragon Ball Z but he sounds a bit like Android 19. Despite its effect, this song is very mellow-inducing. “From Paradise to Hell” flourishes one of the catchiest melodic riffs so far. It feels like the bright sun is shining down on you as you hear the waves lightly crash against the shoreline and taps your feet with its liquidity. In coherence with the previous, about halfway through “The Five Hunters”, prior to the solo, is one of the catchiest riffs. It sticks with you and it’s admittedly creative.“Never Dies” reminds me of METALLICA’s “Whiplash” not instrumentally-wise but in regards to how the lyrics describe their sense of aptitude and life through a musician’s vantage point. Take note in how both songs are from each band’s debut full-length. “Wait For Sleep” is an excellent DREAM THEATER cover attempted by these guys.HAMMERED is one of those special bands you don’t know what to think of them on contact but through trial and error delivers a memorial experience. I, spontaneously, gave this album a third spin and to my surprise it sounded unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. They play in a style I like to call as Melodic Thrash Metal with Speed and Traditional Heavy Metal influences. This is a very strong debut, full of catchy and visionary bearings." - Metal Temple
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  • "7 long years it has been since PYRAMAZE’s last album, “Immortal”, with the famed Matt Barlow at the vocal helm. Come 2015, the band has seen half of the original lineup revamped; still remains Jonah Weingarten on keyboards, Morten Gade Sørensen on drums and Toke Skjønnemand on guitars, but have welcomed about longtime-friend and producer Jacob Hansen on guitars and Terje Harøy on vocals. “Disciples Of The Sun” assuredly marks the beginning of a new era for the band, adopting a new and fresh musical trajectory.Who would replace the former members were always at the forefront of the minds of their fanbase. A Danish band, with the exception of American Jonah, Jacob Hansen is well-known in the metal echelons of his home-country and abroad for working with and producing many of Metal’s greatest bands; DELAIN, ABORTED, ANUBIS GATE and EPICA among them. Already the band’s producer, the transition to guitar simply made sense. As for vocals, many considered Matt irreplaceable; such cynicism does not have a place in the metal world, for the band pulled in Terje from Prog/Heavy band CROSSNAIL (formerly TEODOR TUFF).On one hand, the decision to pick a relatively-unknown singer to take the vacant vocal position could be considered risky, but it was the best-possible decision the band could have made, because “Disciples Of The Sun” is chock-full of uplifting and powerful heavy-hitters, to which his voice is perfectly-suited. The introduction of epic proportions sets a spanning, cinematic scene for chugger “The Battle Of Paridas”. One of the album’s heaviest moments right off the bat, the track soon gets into the lyrics, where Terje’s power is obvious right away. Come the chorus (in fact, any chorus on the album, especially that of “Fearless” or “Hope Springs Eternal), the man’s voice lets loose with raw, unrestrained energy. Not losing their trademark, soaring atmospherics either, which are incredibly present in this track, as well as in the infectiously-catchy “Back For More”, PYRAMAZE proves that they have successfully moved forward without losing any trace of their identity.In hearing the wonderful lyrics for the album, written with absolute poetic flair in “Genetic Process” and “Hope Springs Eternal”, I learned that ANUBIS GATE’s very own bassist/vocalist/lyricist Henrik Fevre was asked to write the new album’s lyrics, given that Michael Kammeyer, the previous writer, had left. And they fit the music PYRAMAZE has lovingly-crafted ever so perfectly; uplifting crescendos and dramatic cascades the ideal vehicle. Heavy-hitting, Progressive Power Metal the band’s tried-and-true engine, not one track on the album hints to any monotony; each piece has its own vibe, and is a story all in its own. For one, “Perfectly Imperfect” booms with a series of Stoner-like opening riffs, before transitioning into soaring and gloriously-melodic choruses. The track to follow, “Unveil”, however, provides some of the more ‘Proggy’ moments on the record; the key-change in the last chorus leaving me light-headed, and probably best display’s Terje’s impressive range. As for the most balls-to-the-castle-wall Metal track on the album, “Hope Springs Eternal” is the package, containing the album’s fastest, most aggressive, most blistering riffs; but in a gracefulness only Scandinavian metallers have perfected, transitions to long-lasting, memorable and melodic choruses.For my own personal pleasure, the band picked the right year to release “Disciples Of The Sun”, being able to look forward to new NIGHTWISH and new KAMELOT albums as well, for if Metal were a competition, the genre heavy-weights would have serious competition. PYRAMAZE is, quite frankly, the come-back I’ve been waiting for." - Metal Temple
    $11.00
  • "Edguy are not going to win over Necrophagist or Portal fans with their new album, Space Police – Defenders Of The Crown. That isn’t what Edguy are about. They’re not Kvlt, tr00, etc. They do 80’s metal with massive amounts of fun and they do it really well.All the while annoying people who take music far too seriously. They are also are a superb band live, taking cues from Maiden with sing-along choruses and an almost pop sensibility towards song writing. After listening to Space Police once I was singing some of the tracks without realising it! The last couple of albums ‘Tinnitus Sanctus’ and ‘Age of the Joker’ took a more straight forward hard rock approach and while they were good albums, they didn’t have the pomposity and sense of ceremony ala Helloween or Gamma Ray of the preceding albums. This was for me, always part of the Edguy charm.Studio album number ten starts off almost where “Age of the Joker” left off with the track ‘Sabre and Torch‘ and quickly builds to an over the top masterpiece that brings back memories of  ‘Vain Glory Opera’ and ‘Hellfire Club.’ For some reason singer Tobias Sammet sounds a little restrained on this track and dare I say, somewhat tired. It’s almost as if this album was recorded live and he needed some time to warm up but there is no need to worry he quickly proves me wrong.The title track harks back to something off 2006′s superb Rocket Ride; a keyboard lead epic with a bouncing tempo to get a festival crowd going. It is like it was written for inclusion early in the live set. ‘Defenders of the Crown’ is where the smile really come across my face; double kick drums and a Manowar-esque chorus. It is nothing short of brilliant. ‘Love Tyger’ and ‘The Realms Of Baba Yaya’ are mid to fast tempo numbers that are as catchy as anything they have previously written and prove that Mr Sammet and co. are back in flying form! As usual, the band are excellent; loads of feeling and virtuosity, though not always at the same time….I love this album and it keeps getting better with their version of Falco’s ‘Rock me Amadeus’. Some tracks sound like they were Avantasia (Tobais Sammet’s metal opera side project) tracks but were considered to Edguy for those albums. ‘Do me like a Caveman’ and ‘Alone in Myself’ for example. ‘The Eternal Wayfarer’ is the kind of song Def Leppard wish they could write now, lucky for them Edguy still have it.Space Police- Defenders Of The Crown isn’t just the best thing Edguy have released in years, it is one of the best power metal albums released in years." - Planet Mosh
    $14.00
  • "HELSTAR was formed in Texas, way back in 1982, and were one of the first power metal bands hailing from the US. Stylistically, their new (and ninth) album 'This Wicked Nest' is in the same vein as the band's classic albums from the 80's, with the same high quality as albums from their 'classic' era."
    $12.00