Genre: Heavy Metal
Labels: Planet Metal/High Roller

From 1984 comes ZÜÜL, a band of pure metal heart and soul. Wait, what? This came out this year? And they’re a newer band? Well now, that throws a bit of perspective on it, doesn’t it?
In the same vein as a ton of real metal bands that are older than myself, ZÜÜL release their newest album and it’s a killer fist pumping disc full of sing-along choruses and riffs as electric as lightning to your face.
If you’re into stuff like Grand Magus, Judas Priest, or Metalian, you’ll probably get a stiff for ZÜÜL.
9 out of 10.

ZÜÜL on MySpace.

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Genres: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Rock
Labels: Armoury Records, Mystic Production

The second album out of three from Eagle Rock’s package, Black River is a very nice surprise. Especially considering that two of the members are from the Polish blackened death legends Behemoth, and this album is really nowhere near black or death metal.
In fact, it’s pretty much straight up cock rock right out of the pages of AC/DC’s Book of Writing. And damn it is an asskicker of an album. It’s hard, heavy, and pure fun. Lyrically, it’s about drugs, drinking, and fucking, so there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t own this.
8 out of 10.

Black River on MySpace.

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Genre: Heavy Metal, Sludge, Rock ‘n’ Roll
Label: Independent

And here I was thinking I’ve heard/heard of all of the bands around the Portland Vancouver area… so I guess it’s no surprise that these guys came swinging out of left field with this heavy metal, sludgefest that bangs off some hard rock and roll vibes. Very nice indeed.

Immediately, I can hear something that is going to divide the lovers from the haters: the vocalist. He’s kind of got this gravely Scott Weiland thing going on that you’re either going to love or hate. Personally, I dig it. It bodes very well with the grooves and works especially well when he drops down a bit during tough guy song D.O.A.

Without doling out any disrespect to any of the other band members, guitarist Erik Fountaine makes this demo as awesome as it is! Interestingly, inventive and even intuitive riffs flood the demo and drown any doubt that these guys are in it for any other reason than kicking your ass!

Overall: A valiant outing from this budding metal ‘n’ rollin’ band with excellent production! Let’s hope we hear more in the future… maybe I’ll even tell them so when I see them on the 24th at the Oak Grove Bar & Grill… *shameless plug*

8/10

Titarius On MySpace

Also Posted On E-MetalSpace

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Genre: Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Power Metal
Label: AFM Records

Oh my, oh my. What to call this? Good, for one, that’s obvious. But really, genre wise, what should I say? It’s got a ton of Power Metal, some Gothic Metal, Symphonic Metal, and Progressive Metal. And I think there’s even some thrash elements smacking my eardrum here.
How about this: Neverland bring a Progressive Symphogoth Power Metal to the listener that hearkens to Judas Priest-meets-Lacuna Coil-through-Metallica-covering-Iced Earth. Sound fucked up enough for you? I assure you, skeptic, that it works. Wonderfully. I’m genuinely liking Neverland a lot, and their awesome sound on Ophidia. It’s got Metalgasmic solos, a stunning rhythm section, and some seriously awesome traditional metal vocals.
If you call yourself a metalhead, you’ll like this. If you worship at the Temple of Trad, you’ll love it.
7.5 out of 10.

Neverland on MySpace.

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Genres: Black Metal, Depressive Black Metal, Shoegaze
Labels: Apparitia Recordings, Drakkar Productions

Celestia bring a cool sounding black metal to the table with Archenae Perfectii…, and it’s definitely more original than many two-person black metal bands’ output in recent years. Not content with trying to write Darkthrone or Mayhem clones, Celestia actually have something here that, although not a completely groundbreaking new sound, is genuinely solid and very much their own.
I can hear elements of their fellow countryman Neige’s project Alcest in it, as well as touches of Norwegian and Swedish black metal, some punk and classic metal, and even some gothic metal, all tossed together and mixed up nicely. Add in the fact that there is some production going on rather than just putting some lo-fi shit to tape, you’ve got a nice listen too.
7 out of 10.

Celestia on MySpace.

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