ELFERYA

'Afterlife'

Amongst the majestic valleys of the Swiss Alps, a Gothic Metal sextet was born under the name Elferya. Weaving Gothic melodies with metal, whilst sticking to soft melodic female vocals, this sextet are one band from Switzerland that remain undiscovered but are on the right path to become one of Gothic Metal's greatest Alpine region acts. How is it that majority of European countries adhere to the Gothic style more than the UK does, the answer remains in the mystical journey conjured up in the 'Afterlife', with a three minute instrumental intro, three songs of pure whole hearted Gothic aurora and atmosphere but essentially six Swiss musicians seeking to entertain and thrill. Switzerland has a new face.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/elferya

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V FOR VIOLENCE

'The Cult of V'

OSASTO-A

Finnish Experimental metallers kick up the dust settled in the Finnish Gothic Alternative Heavy Metal scene (what a mouthful) with their debut album entitled 'The Cult of V', with no reference to the character from V for Vendetta although the pun maybe intended. Combining Metalcore style vocals with Emo/Gothic imagery, funky music and a Finnish troupe of five musicians, V For Violence distinguish the good from the bad and with 'The Cult of V', this is no exception. V For Violence exhibit 100% Finnish fury, 100% heavy f***ing metal and 100% violence.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

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SKYWARD

'Chasing Horizon'

Erupting from Finland, Skyward deliver an arctic chilling breeze with their sophomore album 'Chasing Horizon', released in 2009. Operatic and melodic vocals are produced from Skyward's front woman Sanna Åström whilst melodies of all sorts are powered by her four Finnish compatriots. This quintet celebrate 10 years of existance in 2010 and with it, marks a journey across every mountain and lake in the Scandinavian land, right back to their roots in Riihimäki. Alongside melodic metallers Amberian Dawn, Nightwish and Sonata Arctica, Skyward are one step away from joining the elite.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/skywardband

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WINTER IN EDEN

'At The Edge Of The World'

Resounding much like a Disney epic at Epcot, Symphonic Gothic Metallers Winter In Eden whip up a dark storm in the corner of North-Eastern England, transporting the listener to a magical world of powerful, majestic and symphonic melodies flowing freely like a stream in a valley, such memento is carried within Vicky Johnson's angelic vocals, Steve Johnson's finely tuned keyboard playing and a trio of synchronized guitars, bass and drums, all of which altogether spells, Winter Of Eden. Prepare to be taken to a world of unknown beauty, symphonies and adventure, as you find yourself  'At The Edge Of The World'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/winterineden

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SAINTS OF RUIN

'Fairytale'

RAVENHEART MUSIC

American Goth rockers Saints of Ruin exported their 5 track EP 'Fairytale' in 2008, whipping up pure Gothic imagery with rock music as the backdrop, this quartet drag back the original Gothic look and atmosphere exhibited during it's Bat cave days, hark, they are a spitting image of Siousxie & The Banshees, but with more lust, less darkness, but overall an EP for any Goth to savor, epic solo's are present whilst Ruby does her majestic singing in emphatic style. This is the only 'Fairytale' that is true.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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AEON NOCTIS

'Between Thorns & Silence'

GRAILIGHT

Uprising from East Europe, this quartet specializing in Dark Metal, play havoc with their sophomore album 'Between Thorns & Silence', bringing in Black/Death Metal style vocals, Gothic imagery and Doom Metal music. These Belarusians play with fire and darkness with this voyageurs release, cornering every aspect of Dark Metal. There is not much to say about the Belarusian Metal scene only that it exhibits a hell of a lot of underground metal and Aeon Noctis is no exception, ever-changing musical compositions, bi-lingual lyrics and a sense for Metal in its extremist form, Aeon Noctis leave the listener in a state of being 'Between Thorns & Silence'.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

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LUMINE CRIPTICA

'Fading Into Darkness'

Sailing the seven seas across the Atlantic is a new form of Gothic Metal. Lumine Criptica raise the national flag of Argentina with their debut EP 'Fading Into Darkness' with contrasting vocals, male vocals being rough and deep, the female vocals being operatic and soft, both mixing in a way to create a dynamic composition which is majestically backed by a soprano of instrumentalists. 34 minutes of pure Gothic Metal at its best. It seems more in the way of becoming an international phenomenon and as we all know, metal is global. Representing much like the Italian Gothic Metallers Lacuna Coil, Lumine Criptica have a point to make, that point being, the Argentine Metal scene was never 'Fading Into Darkness', it was just waiting for the right time to come, that time has come.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/luminecriptica