ACELSIA

'Quietude' + 'Primrose Path'

Norwegian Gothic Metallers Acelsia return with their second demo 'Primrose Path' in 2009 and their third demo 'Quietude' in 2010, both in emphatic style, taking on the form of Evanescence vocally and musically in the form of Within Temptation, this majestic quintet are ready to take on Europe with their cold, dark Nordic nature and extravagant dress-style, it was as if they were born Goth's and that is what gives them that unique image, they combine lush female vocals with deep male vocals with melodic music compositions and the general Gothic image. For fans of Within Temptation, Epica, Poisonblack and Vanguard.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/acelsia

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FADING CIRCLES

'Soulburn'

Romanian (band members are actually Hungarian) Progressive Power Metallers Fading Circles make their awaited full length debut release 'Soulburn' on the long scale and grand performance scales. Although the songs are too big in file size, they make up with some of the best vocals from Hungary and Romania in tandem, Power Metal that being. The strange combo ends up with an album of Sonata Arctica-esque riffs, drums and speed. With this dual nation combo, metal fans watch out, Romania's answer to Sonata Arctica is born.

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/fadingcircles

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HIGHLIGHT KENOSIS

'Glowing'

2009 saw Romania's Highlight Kenosis take on their wildest dreams, their first ever full length album dream becoming reality, the Progressive Metal quartet conjured up female vocals, rhythmic drums and guitars and a pounding bass to deliver 'Glowing', an album shimmering with potential and fruity prospect as becoming Romania's best debut of 2009 and as they revel in their achievements, much is yet to be achieved, in due course, Highlight Kenosis are potentially ripe to become a regular name in the Romanian Metal scene, they are Highlight Kenosis and they are 'Glowing'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/highlightrockband

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D.A.D.

'Kompromisy' + '15 Year's Alive'

Czech Metalcore outfit D.A.D. (abbreviation for Dìti atomové doby, which is "The Children Of The Atomic Age" in English) release their fourth full-length 'Kompromisy' (in 2010) and debut compilation (in 2008) both in sophisticated style, the Czech quartet are seen to be the Czech Republic's immediate answer to Wales' Bullet For My Valentine with one fundamental difference, D.A.D. sing in their native language. It was noted Prague experienced two electrical problems and the immediate answer was the mass pounding during both the album and compilation recording. We salute them being '15 Years Alive' and 'Kompromisy', whatever it means in English.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/dadcz

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AMBIVALENCE

'Silicone Magic'

STYGIAN CRYPT

Electro-Death Metallers Ambivalence return after four years with their third full length adventure in the form of the mesmerizing 'Silicone Magic', which comically is based around enhancements primarily to the boobs, so in reality a decent subject!! For some boobs and beer are the best thing in the Metal world, but for Ambivalence it's more than that, it's about delivering the heaviest and most brutal Death Metal music around and it is safe to say that they do not need 'Silicone Magic' for this, they have achieved it third time round precisely and in return signal the oncoming slaughter of Ukrainian Electro-Death Metal.

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ORIENT ENDE

'The End Of Oriental'

Thai Heavy Power Metallers Orient Ende comes alive with the sound of extreme solos, soprano vocals and a unique blend of Thai authenticity and global metal. Aptly named, the quintet from Bangkok summon the last days of the oriental side of Asia before western dominance comes into play. Sounding similar to Amberian Dawn and Sonata Arctica, the five Thai musicians will take you on a voyage across the Thai archipelago before safely returning you to silence after 25 minutes of soul-chilling, intense metal compositions, the end as we know it is yet to come, but it is already 'The End Of Oriental' Asia.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/orientendeband

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OBSYDIAN

'The Grotesque Presage'

Nova Scotian Blackened Death quartet Obsydian set their feet firmly on underground Canadian soil with their highly anticipated debut full length 'The Grotesque Presage', seeming more funkier than Behemoth, the four Canadians aim for speed and brutality rather than atmosphere but substitutes it for music far heavier than one can possibly imagine, if you like your music atmospheric and non-consistent in speed go for Behemoth, but for those seeking thrills and adrenalin look no further, Canada's newest Blackened Deathsters Obsydian are here to stay, rape your skull and give you the relaxing sounds of Extreme Metal via 'The Grotesque Presage'.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/obsydianofficial

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TENDER PAIN

'Second Winter'

SATANARSA

Hailing from Moldova, Progressive Doomed Death Metal quartet Tender Pain come out of the darkness with their debut full length 'Second Winter', brining together the grimness of Moldova's past and bright future prosperity of the Moldovan Metal scene. Tender Pain is one of those bands that when you find out where they are from, the response is 'where is Moldova?' Answer is who cares, Tender Pain are so far the best band out of this Eastern European land and are sure to make noise over Europe, prepare for the cold blitz, the wintry landscape, the Moldovan 'Second Winter'.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

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BLACK KNIGHT SYMFONIA

'Heavenly Chaos'

Opera Symphonic Gothic Metal trio Black Knight Symfonia conduct their first operatic performance in the form of their debut full length 'Heavenly Chaos'. The Monegasque trio are in no doubt the best metal band from Monaco and are indeed one of Europe's finest Gothic Metal debutants, comparing to that of Within Temptation, Vanguard, Macbeth and Darkwell, the principality of Monaco has now got a recognisable metal band worthy of bearing the flag of their great nation, Black Knight Symfonia take in Monaco's world class orchestra skills and envelope it in Gothic Metal, creating beautiful 'Heavenly Chaos'.

http://www.myspace.com/bksymfonia

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

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NEW BORN HATE

'Obsessed'

STF

German Deathrashcore newcomers New Born Hate emerge as the new kids on the block with their full length 'Obsessed', whilst not sounding very hardcore, the Death Metal rides it like seabiscuit, wields it to Thrash Metal and the German sextet stick the middle finger up to the rulebook, writing their own philanthropy in just under an hour with ten chronicles instated, the Baden-Württemberg crew demolish all existence and enforce demoralised extremity in all angles and levels of insane brutalisation, you will be 'Obsessed' by this music, with your 'New Born Hate'

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

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