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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…

Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Label: Independent

The Netherlands are a hotbed of metal activity that for whatever reason seems to escape the view of a lot of people. Thankfully, some bands are proactive in getting their names out there, and Posthuman are one of those bands. They emailed me asking if I wanted to do up a review of their new, independently released album.
And this album is awesome. It reminds me a lot of Swedish melodeath, but at the same time has a different flavor. It’s nice and original, a fast moving concept about the end of humanity, the destruction of the world at our own hands, and the rebuilding just to go back to our old ways.
I’m definitely liking what I hear, and if you’re into melodic death you’ll probably like these guys too.
7.5 out of 10.

Posthuman on MySpace.

Candlelight Records today confirms September 28 as the North American release date for A Thin Shell, the new album from Sweden’s October Tide. Currently featuring guitarist/founder Fredrik Norrman (Katatonia), vocalist Tobias Netzell, drummer Robin Bergh, and session bassist Jonas Kjellgren (Scar Symmetry, Carnal Forge), the album is the band’s first in ten years and follows the 2009 reissue of their debut, Rain Without End (Candlelight).

Mixed/mastered at Black Lounge Studios in Sweden and featuring artwork from American photographer/graphic designer Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia, Testament, Death), A Thin Shell delivers what fans have anxiously awaited from this treasured band. Seven doom-laden and emotive songs that are every bit as heavy as they are catchy fill the impressive recording that officially closes the band’s self-imposed, decade-long hiatus.

“I have wanted to get October Tide back together for some time,” reveals Norrman. “When we decided the time was right, ideas for new songs surprisingly came together nicely. Many sleepless nights were involved, with lots of coffee of course, but the songs were written in flow one after another.”

Discussing the recording process Norrman notes, “we started recording in March of last year. Jonas (Kjellgren) liked what he heard and offered to get it into the (Black Lounge) studio’s schedule even though we didn’t have a label yet. What was meant as a side project so long ago is now my main project and I am very proud of it. We only hope people enjoy it as much as we do.”

Formed in 1995 by then Katatonia guitarist Norrman and Katatonia/Bloodbath vocalist Jonas Renkse, October Tide quickly made a mark with two albums recorded and released during the years 1997 and 1999 (Rain Without End and Grey Dawn, respectively). Much of the band’s music was written during a short break up of Katatonia which later proved only temporary as the band would reform and continues today; their latest album Night Of The New Day features work by Norrman. October Tide would not perform live during this short period of activity and few interviews with the members were granted despite praise from both media and fans. The band, until reforming in late 2009, would maintain a cult status throughout the doom/metal community.

Decibel Magazine calls Rain Without End “a peculiar album. It reminds of past and future Katatonia albums yet, it’s entirely unique in vibe and riff assembly. October Tide‘s slow to mid-paced doom/death stuns… Renkse and Norrman using counterpoint, build/release tension and melody to peerless effect.” EBlogger Lonely Ghost Transmissions on its 2008 review of the album’s European re-release says, “Rain Without End is without a doubt the greatest doom-death metal album ever.”

A Thin Shell Track Listing:
1. “A Custodian of Science”
2. “Deplorable Request”
3. “The Nighttime Project”
4. “Blackness Devours”
5. “The Dividing Line”
6. “Fragile”
7. “Scorned”

Genres: Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal
Label: AFM Records

Leave it up to AFM to find one of the only bands in the world, if not THE only band in the world to mix melodeath and power into a new genre of music. Mind you, the power is not overt in its presentation, the album is primarily melodic death, but there are undertones of it.
Anyway, genre definitions aside, Solution.45 have crafted an awesome album, taking the listener through different emotional territories. Heavy ass riffs, melancholy-filled guitars, hooks that grab your face, and solos that craft air guitars at a moment’s notice fill the ten songs on the album. And all this is brought by ex members of Scar Symmetry, Sonata Arctica, Mors Principium Est, and a shitload more awesome bands, with guest vocals by Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity’s frontman for those that don’t know).
Fans of really cool keys, heavy guitars, fast solos, and solid fucking metal should check this album out.
8 out of 10.

Solution.45 on MySpace. (street team)