UNTIL EXTINCTION

'Lament'

Hailing from Missouri in the USA, Gothic Progressive Death Metallers Until Extinction came together in 2010 to release the beast-of-a-debut called 'Lament'. Melodic keyboard compositions buried in a dark and murderous blanket of Death Metal vocals, blastbeats and evil riffs, but the sensational thing about this American sextet is that they are harmonious in their work, no breaks in the melodies or symphonies and so the atmosphere remains a dark and constant onslaught until extinction.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/untilextinction

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THE DEAD LAY WAITING

'The Dead Lay Waiting'

Heading back into time, right to the beginning of The Dead Lay Waiting's formulated birth is their self-titled demo, featuring the original line up and a backbone for the monster that has come from it. Whilst Luke's vocals in this demo are less heavy than what's made now, the demo itself has a character to it, with a multitude of riffs, vocal changes and extravagant drumming. The Swindon quintet has developed from the underground mob they were to what now is being billed as the next band to take the UK by storm in what media call 'the next wave of British Heavy Metal'. For the quintet the time was and still is worth it, whilst two members were substituted for two fresh blooded musicians, the band as a unit have developed themselves into the next big boy band. In 2011, tides are turning too with their sophomore album taken form and shedding light, this is not to be snuffed at, 'Almost Heaven' is out June 13th via Rising Records.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/thedeadlaywaiting

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FAINT YOUNG SUN

'And So It Begins'

Wickford-based Post-Hardcore/Power-Pop mob Faint Young Sun comes out with their debut EP 'And So It Begins' which features melodic riffs and a sense that these bad boys aren't your average Boyzone mock-up. With an EP that sounds like something that should be aired on BBC Radio 2 in summer, it is clear that these Essex lads know what direction they want to go to and will get it, whilst sounding like 36 Crazyfists mixed with Abba-esque soft vocals, it is a rather different mix for a Metal band, who said Hardcore wasn't near Metal? For Wickford this is the hardest band ever 'And So It Begins' for Faint Young Sun.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/faintyoungsun

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ANGEL OF FIRE

'Lift Your Flames'

MAESTRO

Croatian Gothic Metallers Angel Of Fire make their imminent mark heard with their debut full-length album 'Lift Your Flames', combining deep male vocals of the Gothic stature with a sort of Progressive Metal feel and a more Doom Metal influence, the quintet optimise for a dark approach and a more basic Gothic stance, such that of Bauhaus. More so this is probably more Gothic Rock than Gothic Metal, but as Angel Of Fire begins to 'Lift Your Flames', it gives a more eerie atmospheric oppression.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

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DEMISE OF ITYLUS

'The Nightingale'

Hailing from the USA, Demise Of Itylus is a Melodic Death Metal quintet who made their debut full-length album take full form this year, 'The Nightingale' takes the best of American Melodeath and adds a flavouring of three totally different backgrounds, celebrity California, metro  Boston and sunny Miami, so whilst the band is spread out, the music itself remains fixed, the only setback is the recording quality, make it clearer and the product would be harder, harsher and moreover more brutal. For fans of Sorrow of Batavia.

[7] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/demiseofitylus

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KORPIUS

'Shades Of Black'

MAPLE METAL

Quebecker Blackened Death Metal mob Korpius unleash a torrent of furious brutality in insanity form with their first step up the career ladder, namely their debut full-length album 'Shades Of Black' taking flight. Evidently sounding similar to Behemoth, this maybe Quebec's (Canada) answer to the Polish titans. Blistering blastbeats encased in a multitude of cosmetic riffs and verifying vocals, savaging the atmosphere with a maple syrup-laden knife. An exciting band with a bucket full of promising intention in every possible way, Korpius offer the way to the dark woods of North America.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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DIVISION

'Control Issues'

Virginian Power Metallers Division come back with a vengeance in their fourth full-length outing 'Control Issues', whilst not as melodic as the European Power Metal scene, Division do their utmost best to rival that, with a solid 50 minutes of high note vocals, elaborate riffs (and solos) and percussive beats, for the American quintet this is probably their best offering to date and as such made 2010 a little brighter. For Division this was a well worth wait, a six year gap, but 'Control Issues' has it all, period.

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

http://myspace.com/divisionusa

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BASEMENT

'Basement'

Polish Deathrashers Basement makes their debut album 'Basement' a decent effort, but it lacks any beat and although the lyrics are in native Polish, it is a really disappointing album, the drums have no varying beat and the guitars are hardly heard. This is far from dreadful, but even further from highly successful, although heavy metal started in the underground, Basement are quite literally in their own 'Basement', back to square one for this quartet.

[4] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/basement2009

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DEADMANSWAKE

'It Comes To This'

Illinois-based Heavy Metal newcomers Deadmanswake unleash female fatale and sweaty masculine testosterone with their debut album 'It Comes To This' released in 2010. With enough beats and sensual vocals to keep anyone on their feet, this American quintet are truly fixed in the New Wave of American Metal category, sticking themselves in the Iron Maiden style with little Punk rock influences and a brand new look of attitude. A collection of rock solid songs, heavy enough to drive along to along the highway. Deadmanswake is for fans of Iron Maiden, Kittie and Lauren Harris.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/deadmanswakechicago

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DEEP SENSE

'A Contagion Of Fear'

Right from the heart of Slovakia comes Deep Sense, the Melodic Death Metal mob unleash a torrent of majestic riffs, perfect percussive blastbeats and drumming and all in all wrapped in the cleanest and grittiest vocals ever from the European country. Deep Sense is the perfect band to fly the flag for the Slovak Metal scene and in doing so emerge as the freshest talent from Europe. This quintet has a different vision in the music genre, but with that desperation for that unique sound is being searched for, even if they have 'A Contagion Of Fear'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/deepsensespace

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