ARAS

'Hemaseye Andooh'

RAGNAROK

Persian (Iranian) Black Metal is probably one of the most controversial genres in the Muslim world, and in a country such as Iran where no CD's are sold, American label Ragnarok Records took the reigns of this one man project (although the music is very much like a band). Lyrically this album is in Farsi aka Persian, the language of Iran and so singing to it is the hardest thing the listener could so unless your ears are finely tuned and naturally speak Farsi. In the end, Lord Aras shows his faith to metal as well as Islam and defies the restrictions in Iran. A true musician who deserves to be mentioned.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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ARALLU

'Desert Battles - Descending To The Sands'

RAVEN MUSIC

Israeli Mesopotamian Blackened Death Metallers Arallu follow the same path fellow countrymen Melechesh took in their hands to dig up ancient Mesopotamia and Sumeria and with album number four 'Desert Battles - Descending To The Sands' in the bag, they are looking for more to convert into lyrics. Although not as versatile as Melechesh in ways of Oriental Metal, the authenticity is still there with wind instruments and Hebrew style guitars. All in all Arallu provide the soundtrack for Israel's sacred events, excluding the Holocaust which although a devastating travesty, seems to serve as a way in metal to be learnt differently, and not via Varg Vikernes mind you. Arallu in one word: fearless.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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HUMILIATION

'Face The Disaster' + 'Dawn Of Warfare'

NEBIULA PRODUCTION

It seems almost relevant that Humiliation play Death Metal when death happens moreover because of conflicts, how ironic is it that they base their lyrics around war and death. Well, clearly Malaysia's Humiliation have a point to make, namely, Malaysia's Metal scene is not weak nor is it small, it is in fact one of the main driving forces of South-East Asian Metal. Pounding drums make the last day of Ramadan seem powerful indeed, well they break their fasting which is a big celebration and so with Humiliation making these two releases in 2009, the message is clear, Malaysia is set to become the next big Metal country.

[8 + 8] RHYS STEVENSON

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DEMONICAL CRISIS ASSEMBLY

'Open Fire'

INFERNAL KAOS

Raw Black Metallers DCA hail from Malaysia and bring an ultimatum as well as a dangerous threat with them, such controversial music could potentially cause unrest in such a holy land. Employing antichrist, war and anti-Zionism against the listeners is almost as purgatory as displaying the swastika in front of a Jewish cemetery. Such distraught controversies are warranted only by the raw Black Metal this quartet possesses, although the authenticity for the music to be raw, the vocals remain unchecked and with it have a slight demeaned affect on the production, none the less it is time for Malaysia to 'Open Fire'.

[6] RHYS STEVENSON

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EVIL DAYS

'Life Pain Death'

Thai Black Metaller project Evil Days sought 2008 as the perfect year to release his (Bundit Ruckveratham) debut album and with it comes potentially the first Metal album to be in the Thai language. Even inside the booklet the date is stated when the album was completed, 10th September 2010 and even more intriguing it is a Wednesday!!. Considering it is a one man project, the musical craftsmanship is extremely good, it has paid off this album as being one decent Thai Metal album, which for the general metalhead would just be a blip on the radar, so much for saying Thailand has good beer because it has its own Metal son now just like the USA gave birth to Jimi Hendrix, Thailand gave birth to Bundit Ruckveratham, with it comes a message, this guy knows Metallica!!

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/evildaysth

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NGU CUNG

'365000'

Ngu Cung hail from Vietnam, this quintet Progressive Metal act fuse Progressive Metal with their traditional language Vietnamese. Such a difference does it make, because hearing Vietnamese is like seeing two tornadoes at the same place, hard to experience, especially in the Metal world. Very much like their Tunisian cousins Myrath, Ngu Cung are one of Vietnam's most promising metal acts, releasing their debut album back in 2009 means nothing only that they are not far from becoming Vietnam's flag flyer's.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

http://ngucung.com/

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STON'D

'Disaster Area'

REHAB RECORDS

India's Ston'd turf up the highly historical streets of India with their only release dated 2008 and entitled 'Disaster Area'. Being a home-made release, some would think ok this is going to be shit, but listening to it, Ston'd put those shameful critics down the road to savage dogs, for their EP is sublime. Deep Hindi vocals only spice up the fury and precision exerted by the other four bandmember's. Fusing Melodic Death Metal with Metalcore and adding Indian brutality, means in one word: 'divine'. Taking Metal to a new level is what Ston'd achieved, but breaking India out into the world Metal scene... it has been done too. What made these Indian chaps dub their EP as 'Disaster Area' remains unclear, but what is clear is, India, is vastly becoming ripe for its fresh underground talent, turn it up!!

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/stondbangalore

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DARK FOUNT

'A Sapless Leave Withering In The Night Fog'

PEST PRODUCTIONS

Chinese Black Metal project Dark Fount delivered Oriental darkness back in 2007, with his (Li Tao) debut album 'A Sapless Leave Withering in the Night Fog' which is limited to 66 copies, so much for mass production, but with this release, a pure emphatic journey is unleashed and from all one person, such wizardry is so spectacular that Merlin would in turn convert from being a master to being envious of this majestic release. Seems like Norway has a threat and that Chinese Black Metal is vastly becoming the title they so dreamt of, 'True Chinese Black Metal'

[9] RHYS STEVENSON