FINAL VOID - SOUNDS OF ABSENCE

Finland’s melodic rock band Final Void will be releasing their debut album Sounds of Absence on May 25th.

Final Void is very different from other newer alternative metal/rock bands, considering the lead guitar (Toni Hangasmaki) has almost a black metal picking style with a distorted tone, and starts off most of the songs on Sounds of Absence with a slow, clean tone that is guaranteed to give you goosebumps. The bridge in songs such as “The Day You Sold Your Heart” can only be described as pure euphoria; the instrumental tracks are guaranteed to leave you in awe. In tracks such as “Her Song” and “Bad Memory”, the utilization of the classical guitar could not be any more emotional. A perfect use of minor and major chords, it’s almost as if the instruments tell a story themselves. As for the vocals, clean singer (Tuomas Kotajarvi) has a remarkable tone to his voice, and can sustain notes for an exceptional amount of time. And for the unclean vocals, (Janne Puranen) the ideal vocal style for this kind of music lies within Final Void.

Overall, Sounds of Absence will leave you on an emotional rollercoaster, taking you through ups and downs. Make sure to grab a copy on May 25th.

Listen to “Thoreau” here: https://youtu.be/28KJ0Wrr0Hc

Lineup

Tuomas Kotajarvi / Lead Vocals

Janne Puranen / Growls and Bass

Toni Hangasmaki / Lead Guitar

Eino Roihuvuo / Guitar

Roni Revell / Drums

Tracklist

1. One Certain Son

2. Dianthus

3. Thoreau

4. For You

5. Desperation Rises

6. Journey

7. Her Song

8. Bad Memory

9. The Day You Stole Your Heart

Final Void’s Social Media

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Written by JB McCleseky for Bloodrock Media on May 6, 2017

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DAWN OF ASHES - DAEMONOLATRY GNOSIS

Symphonic black metal band Dawn of Ashes will be releasing their 7th album Daemonolatry Gnosis on June 9th.

Dawn of Ashes has revolutionized the symphonic metal genre with this monstrous release; classical instruments ringing behind overwhelming guitar riffs, a choir singing over powerful drums. Tracks such as “Smash Thy Enemies” are orchestrated to be melodic and catchy, but still brutal enough to blare. Other tracks, such as “Guardians” will begin with a minor, horror movie-esque tone.

Daemonolatry Gnosis will leave you begging for more of the sheer brutality that is Dawn of Ashes. 

Listen to “Guardians” here: https://goo.gl/Xsa8lD

Members
Kristof Bathory / Vocals 
Raum / Guitars 
Angel Dies / Bass 
Bahemoth / Keyboards 
Brandon Rage / Drums

Tracklist
The Initiation 
Gods of the Antinomian Path 
Smash Thy Enemies 
Guardians 
Core of the Black Sun 
The Ritual 
Augoeides 
Sermon From the Horned God 
I am Nephilim 
Rulership of the Inner World 
Magick for the New Aeon 
Freezing Moon 

DAWN OF ASHES’ Social Media: 
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube 

Written by JB McCleskey for Bloodrock Media on April 25, 2017
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EXCOMMUNION - THRONOSIS

Colorado born Excommunion is to release their newest album, Thronosis on May 12; Fifteen long years after their debut release, Superion.

Thronosis seems to manifest itself into an unfathomable leviathan crushing everything in its path; this abyssal release will leave you feeling suffocated. Excommunion uses death metal and black metal influences; each track compliments the next. The instrumental tracks to each song are brutal, but also have enough of an exoskeleton to maintain a consistent groove. As a whole, Thronosis is guaranteed to pull you in with its hellish grasp.

Listen to the track "Nemesis" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVC-2Gt4Mrg

Members

Christbutcher / Vocals

Kyle Spanswick / Guitars, Bass, Lyrics

Gordon Koch / Drums

Tracklist

1. Twilight of Eschaton
2. Nemesis
3. World Crucifier
4. Blessed is the Epoch of Darkness

Excommunion’s Social Media:

www.facebook.com/Excommunion

Written by J.B. McCleskey for Bloodrock Media on April 11, 2017

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OBITUARY - OBITUARY

Death metal icons Obituary released their self-titled album on March 17th, marking the tenth album for the Floridians. The term icon is not used lightly, forming in 1984, the guys in Obituary lead the charge of a new era in heavy metal. An era of destruction, pandemonium, and brutality.

Their newest release, Obituary, is bursting at the seams with furor, adrenaline, and savagery, exactly what these guys do best. Tracks like “End it Now” and "Kneel Before Me" are heavy as cast iron balls; a thrash metal hurricane packed with heavy, ripping guitar riffs, perfectly complimenting the brutal gutteral vocals. “Straight to Hell”, a bit slower than the rest of the album, has almost a hardcore ambiance instrumentally; a bit slower than the rest of the tracks on the album. A mid-paced chug that evolves into a killer guitar solo, and then into a wicked breakdown. This track is a genius way to wind down the album.

Obituary is like a punch in the face, one that will appeal to all heavy metal fans. The guys pulled out all the stops on this album, instrumentally will bewitch fans; entrancing them with their fast-paced thrashy guitar licks, bass that is perfectly paired with the drums, and swift, clean sweeping solos, all while maintaining the traditional old-school death metal style. Obituary has managed to freshen up their sound without 'selling out' or trying to be something they are not. Overall, Obituary is a monster of an album and if you are a metal fan at all, it is a must purchase this year.

Listen to the full album stream of Obituary here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vElthOB3JqU

Tracklist
1. Brave
2. Sentence Day
3. A Lesson in Vengeance
4. End it Now
5. Kneel Before Me
6. It Lives
7. Betrayed
8. Turned to Stone
9. Straight to Hell
10. Ten Thousand Ways to Die
11. No Hope

Lineup
John Tardy / Vocals
Donald Tardy / Drums
Trevor Peres / Rhythm Guitar
Kenny Andrews / Lead Guitar
Terry Butler / Bass Guitar

Obituary’s social media:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Written by Jaybee McCleskey for Bloodrock Media on April 5, 2017
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A MOURNFUL PATH - FROM THE WRECKAGE OF HUMILIATION

A Mournful Path is an Australian black metal band consisting of two brothers, David and Michael Romeo. Inspired by Scandinavian black metal, their music is a healthy hybrid of black, death, and experimental atmospheric metal. Their single “From the Wreckage of Humiliation” is an extremely fast-paced, snare-filled track, leaving you in the dust with how powerful the instruments and vocals are. Multi-instrumentalist David Romeo uses very distant, creepy sounding dissonant chords, with hasty tremolo picking, giving it a very dark, black metal feel; the drums are nonstop and unforgiving, giving the song a death metal-esque vibe to it. Echoing vocals complete "From the Wreckage of Humiliation", creating an eerie, dark ambiance.

If you’re a fan of multiple sub-genres of metal, A Mournful Path is right up your alley.

Listen to “From the Wreckage of Humiliation” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cTRrKu3RUw

Lineup

Michael Romeo / Lyricist & Vocals

David Romeo / All instruments

Keep up with A Mournful Path on social media:

http://www.amournfulpath.com

Twitter

Instagram

Bandcamp

Written by JB McCleskey for Bloodrock Media on April 4, 2017

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WITHIN THE RUINS - HALFWAY HUMAN

Massachusetts’ progressive metal maniacs Within The Ruins released their fifth and newest album, Halfway Human on March 3rd courtesy of E1 Music. Halfway Human has a slightly different feel than their previous releases, the incorporation of clean vocals and guitar solos throughout give the release a freshness, while still maintaining the creative and explosive musicianship that Within The Ruins is known for.

Guitarist Joe Cocchi is an exceptionally talented musician, and has definitely set a standard for progressive metal, instrumentally. Sweeping, tapping, and applying every guitar technique known to man (and machine) on each and every track, Halfway Human is sure to blow you away, just from the instrumental tracks alone. Vocally, unclean vocalist Tim Goergen is a monster. Using scratchy highs to powerful mids, and crushing lows, the vocals are sure to hook you from the instant Halfway Human kicks off with Shape-Shifter”. Clean vocalist and bassist Paolo Galang’s voice will sweep you off your feet, giving the feel of the tracks a good contrast between Goergen and Galang's styles.Tracks such as “Death of the Rockstar” and “Ivory Tower” will leave you breathless, layering vocals with groovy, djenty guitar tracks, you can’t help but bob your head while listening.

This album is a must have for fans of metalcore, progressive metal, and deathcore. Within The Ruins has mastered their craft and are at the top of their game, Halfway Human is a direct reflection of this accomplishment.

Listen to “Death of the Rockstar” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjhT5NrjwAc

Lineup

Tim Goergen / Vocals

Joe Cocchi / Guitars

Paolo Galang / Bass & Clean Vocals

Kevin McGuill / Drums

Tracklist

1. Shape-Shifter

2. Death of the Rockstar

3. Beautiful Agony

4. Incomplete Harmony

5. Bittersweet

6. Objective Reality

7. Absolution

8. Ivory Tower

9. Sky Splitter

10. Ataxia IV

11. Treadstone

Be sure to follow/keep up with them on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Written by JB McCleskey for Bloodrock Media on April 2, 2017
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KALOPSIA - ANGELPLAGUE

New Jersey’s death metal band Kalopsia is soon to release their new album Angelplague courtesy of Horror Pain Gore Death Productions on March 31st. Using sharp high vocals, crushing gutterals, and every range in between, the vocals in Angelplague are sure to hook you on the first track, “Destined to Return”. Utilizing pinch harmonics like no other, and throwing in groovy, creative breakdowns, Kalopsia is sure to stand out from other death metal bands. From the first track to the last, Kalopsia won’t let you down; Angelplague is a masterpiece all the way through. While keeping the traditional death metal style, Kalopsia has managed to create a sound all their own. I can wholeheartedly say I’ve never heard anything like Angelplague. Remember to grab a copy of Angelplague on March 31st.

Kalopsia will appeal to fans of Shotgun Surgeon, Benighted, and Signs of the Swarm.

Listen to “Christened Upon the Slab” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ-10iuzuuc

Tracklist

1. Destined to Return

2. As the Serpent Devours

3. Christened Upon the Slab

4. Not Peace but Pestilence

5. Scorched Earth and Blackened Skies

6. Source of My Evil

7. Surge of Terror

8. Bitter Sacraments

Lineup

Matt Medeiros: Vocals / Guitar

Justin Spaeth: Drums

Drew Murphy: Bass

Steve Horvath: Lead Guitar

Keep up with them on social media: 

http://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/
http://kalopsia.org/
http://kalopsia.bandcamp.com
http://facebook.com/kalopsiametal
https://twitter.com/kalopsiametal

Written by Jay McCleskey on March 21, 2017 for Bloodrock Media

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DECREPIT THRONE - TRAITOR'S GRAVE

Decrepit Throne is a black metal band reigning from North Carolina/New Jersey. With classical black metal tremolo picking, raw vocals (Ron Kaiser), and at times, almost thrash metal guitar riffs (Gregory Maupin), Decrepit Throne’s new album,Traitor’s Grave, is a must for black metal fans. All 7 tracks each individually have their own sound, while still being hard hitting. A few specific tracks such as “Your Death my Solitude” will start you off with a slow melodic guitar lick, but then eventually tackles you with heavy instruments and strong vocals. Traitor’s Grave is paced, fast, melodic, abrasive, and dark.

Decrepit Throne is perfect for fans of Death, Lifelover, Wintercult, and Ghost Bath. It is almost certain future bands will be influenced by Decrepit Throne’s especially dark theme. Make sure to pick up a physical copy of Traitor’s Grave on April 10th.

Listen to “Lucifer’s Descent” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJpvPrxwoPA

Tracklist

1. Lands of Ash

2. Lucifer’s Descent

3. Winter’s Call

4. The Path of Revenge

5. Your Death my Solitude

6. The Victor’s Trumpet Sounds

7. A Defiant Flame Burning

Lineup

Instruments: Gregory Maupin

Lyricist/Vocalist: Ron Kaiser

And make sure to find them on social media:

https://decrepitthrone.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DecrepitThrone/

https://twitter.com/decrepit_throne

Written by Jay McCleskey on March 19, 2017 for Bloodrock Media

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