Genres: Melodic Death Metal, Folk Metal
Label: Unsigned
An now we’ve heard it all! Folk metal that blends the merciless attack of melodic death metal and the colorful mythology of the Far East! Not only is this demo original in concept and execution, but it also boasts a squeaky clean production that lends to the powerful experience that is Shangren! And I shout a hearty “FUCK YEAH!” to master of ceremonies, one Leonard Ong (key tickler from Starforge) from for his tour de force performance on all instruments on this five song demo! The vocals bounce from a brutal death roar (akin to Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth) to a blackened rasp (in the song The Battle Of Water And Fire, he kind of sounds like Harvey Firestein. Funny and cool!) that blend very well. The riffing is heavy, fast and melodic and the solos play their part in making you believe you’re being transported to a mythical realm of the Monkey King and Sky Dragon within the Jade Empire! As far as I can tell, it’s not quite traditional, but it sure hit’s the spot as far as entertaining and fascinating metal goes!
Overall: Hopefully, this demo is the beginning of more Oriental folk metal! I don’t know how long exactly I’ll have to wait to hear the full length album Mr. Ong has planed, but I can tell you that it’s not coming out fast enough for me!
10/10
www.myspace.com/shangrenmetal
Originally posted at E-MetalSpace
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Genres: Deathcore, Hardcore, Metalcore
Label: Century Media
Now here’s a band that I’ve been in love with for a couple of years now. Arsonists Get All The Girls blend a schizophrenic version of hardcore, death metal and grindcore (let’s just go ahead and call it deathcore, shall we?) and add in synths that lend a catchy Atari type effect that seems to be growing in popularity. This time around, there have been a few DRASTIC changes to the formula and band as a whole. Namely: There’s a new vocalist and there’s only one of him. My reaction: Yes! The dual vocalist thing was getting a bit tired and the higher scream of the two was what kept this band from being one of my favorites. Thankfully, the higher vocals have been done away with and replaced with hardcore shouts, death growls and grind squeals. Another change, the pace isn’t nearly as speedy as it used to be which, I think at least, works to their advantage. The guitars due their thing as they always have, swinging from chaotic to mellow and everywhere in-between at a moments notice. It’s this reviewer’s opinion that Arsonists Get All The Girls have hit their stride with “Portals”.
Overall: Positive changes for a band that was already great to begin with. “Portals” opens up all new avenues for fans of this genre.
9/10
Arsonists Get All The Girls on MySpace.
Originally posted at E-MetalSpace.
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