Füneral Rain Press Cörps

Genres: Melodic Death Metal, Viking Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records

Amon Amarth’s eighth album doesn’t show too many changes with the band, keeping their signature sound pretty much the same, with perhaps more emphasis on more technicality in the drums. There isn’t much growth in songwriting either, but how do you grow from genius anyway?
AA meld gorgeous melodic guitars and bass that are heavy as the hammer of Thor at the same time, with a voice that is made from a mountain range, used in a singularly unique way that’s still melodic singing with a death growl. And it’s all to the tune of ancient Norse mythology!
Sonically, it’s all very Swedish, with some comparative elements to fellow countrymen Dark Tranquillity and At The Gates, with a slightly American polish on the quality of the production.
If this album doesn’t cement their reputation as one of top most important bands in death metal today, I don’t know what will. It’s damn near perfect. And also to illustrate just how much I actually like this album, I preordered it, the box set with the action figure. How many other bands have action figures with their albums?
9 out of 10.

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Amon Amarth Official Site.

Cypherseer‘s much anticipated follow-up to the critically acclaimed debut Awakening Day, is stronger, heavier, faster and an overall outstanding sophomore effort for this young band. Equipped with an arsenal of new members, Cypherseer‘s Origins features fierce guitar work and vocals that highlight the powerful rhythmic ensemble. Origins can best be described as a cross between In Flames’ Clayman and Evergrey’s Recreation Day, with added spice of Scar Symmetry, Mercenary, Soilwork and others – It’s fast, technical, and extremely melodic. Origins was edited and mixed by well known talent Fredrik Nordstrom (In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Dream Evil).

Cypherseer hails from New Jersey/New York area of the States. Whether recording or during live shows, Cypherseer always pushes the envelope in order to keep the experience fresh and their fans engaged. The history of Cypherseer has included a lot of big names in the metal industry such as James Rivera (Helstar, Vicious Rumors) and Mike LePond (Symphony X). However, the most notable name is producer extraordinaire Fredrik Nordstrom (In Flames, Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates, Etc). Nordstrom’s magic can be heard on Awakening Day, Cypherseer‘s debut album.

During the winter of 2008, the rebuilding of the band process began with the search for a new vocalist. The spot was quickly filled by Zeno Rodrigo, a powerful singer whose voice would redefine the sound of Cypherseer. With the focal point of the band accounted for, auditions continued for the remainder of the rhythm section. In the end, drummer Lee Corrado and bassist Kristian Lolo were the two musicians selected to fill the roster, and Cypherseer was reborn, stronger than ever.

Now, armed with an improved line-up, Cypherseer returns with the recording of their much anticipated sophomore album, Origins. With Fredrik Nordstrom once again behind the mixing board, the new album brings a more powerful, technical and ambitious sound in comparison to the debut album.

Origins Tracklisting:
1. Bloodline
2. The Curse
3. Dying Force
4. Faith Renounced
5. Aftermass
6. From the Womb
7. Soul Sacrifice
8. Red Rain
9. Infinite Trance
10. Lost, Plagued and Redefined
11. As I Embrace the End

The vision, sound, and drive are completely in sync, as a new era begins…

US death metal pioneers Incantation have recently been added to the already stacked line up for this year’s Neurotic Deathfest, which runs April 29th & 30th in Tilburg, Netherlands. Drummer Kyle Severn gave the following statement:

“On behalf of myself and Incantation, we would like to announce that we have just been added to the greatest indoor European death metal fest line up that we have ever seen. Yes, I’m talking about this year’s Neurotic Deathfest in Holland. Incantation is honored to share the stage again with the almighty Autopsy, as well as the return of At The Gates, and other metal legends like Obituary, and new metallers of the 2K-era Hail Of Bullets. We plan to play a very obscure set in honor of this amazing line up and for our very supportive fans, old school and new alike. With a well rounded fest lineup bound together with leather and spikes, you will not want to miss this Incantation setlist, which is already a making in the metal history. We are riding the metal storm out with the same line up as we had this time last year when we successfully spread blasphemy across Europe during our headlining tour for the highly respected 7” EP Scapegoat with Alex Bouks (Goreaphobia, Master) guitars, Chuck Sherwood (Blood Storm) bass, John McEntee on guitar and vokills and myself skinsmans Kyle Severn on the drums….Kyle666″

Neurotic Deathfest 2011, featuring the likes of At The Gates, Autopsy, Obituary, Hate Eternal, Incantation and many more, is already shaping up to be the most brutal festival of the year. Keep checking in at www.neuroticdeathfest.com for information and updates.

Restricted Release, in cooperation with Angle Side Side, today confirms October 12 as the North American release date for Awaken, the full-length debut from Rhode Island-based The Empire Shall Fall. Awaken is the first metal album from vocalist Jesse David Leach since his departure from Killswitch Engage.

Recorded in 2009, Awaken was originally available for physical purchase via direct band merchandise outlets. Through the new cooperation, the album will now be accessible via proper retail outlets throughout North America. “We all couldn’t be more than happy that this record has gained enough attention to make it to this level of exposure,” comments Leach. “We are proud that our DIY band and our self produced/released record has the potential to reach so many more listeners. Our hope is that a great deal of people will be able to see the passion and message we carry with our music. Fight the good fight!”

Produced by guitarist Marcus De Lisle and mixed by Sean Small, Awaken has already received significant media attention. Hails & Horns Magazine calls it “a powerhouse of a record, crackling with intensity.” Popular online site The PRP gave the record a 4 out of 5 rating, noting it as “a vast arsenal of aural weaponry.” Terrorizer Magazine applauded the album, embracing Leach’s “jagged, broken-glass shrieks” and called it “more than a welcomed return.” The album has also generated substantial support from college and commercial specialty radio programs across the country. As part of an early radio campaign, Awaken peaked on FMQB/Friday Morning Quarterback’s metal chart at position 7 and impressed CMJ/College Music Journal stations peaking at position 20 on the tip magazine’s weekly metal chart.

Formed in 2008, The Empire Shall Fall‘s eclectic sound is rooted in metal/hardcore; the band citing luminaries At The Gates, Meshuggah, and Edge of Sanity as major inspiration. The band, featuring guitarists Jake Davenport and De Lisle, bassist Nick Sollecito, drummer Jeff Pitts, and Leach, also draw heavily from their combined interests in jazz, punk, and experimental music. The band’s lyrics are fueled by political outrage; a passion that forms the backbone of the band and sets them apart from their peers.

The Empire Shall Fall are expected to announce a series of new live shows to support the retail release of Awaken. In the meantime the band has already started writing material for their second album which they plan to release in early 2011. Sollecito notes, “our new material is definitely a step up from our previous stuff. We are really excited about it and can’t wait till we hit the studio to get it all together.

Tracklisting:
1. Awaken
2. Lords of War
3. Voices Forming Weapons
4. Choir of Angels
5. We The People
6. These Colors Bleed
7. Our Own
8. The Kingdom

Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Label: Napalm Records

Some of the finest blackened death metal that has ever been recorded has come out of the minds (and throats, guitars, drums, etc.) of Necronomicon. And the new album, The Return of the Witch, is just more icing on the cake.
The disc is somewhat geared towards Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir fans, but I think pretty much anyone who’s into Morbid Angel, Naglfar, Morgul, At the Gates, and the like should find something to latch onto here. It’s a fast moving, deep sounding album that is definitely best with a good sound system.
Oh, and if you’re pregnant, overweight, have heart conditions, or a bad neck, I recommend you use caution. Listening to this album may cause severe fast movement of the cranium and possible spontaneous moshing. Don’t say you weren’t fucking warned.
9 out of 10.