Reviews

(Nail Records)

Release Date: 2010
Origin: Hungary

KerecsenSólyom is a Hungarian folk metal band that was formed in 2004, but according to them the roots of their music is dated back to the ancient past. In 2008 they released the demo “Aquileia Ostroma (Siege of Aquileia)” on their own and 2 years later they re-recorded and released it officially with the label Nail Records as their debut album. At the time of the release there were seven members in the band, something that explains their quite rich sound.

The album is something between a full album and an EP, since it contains only 5 songs plus one small intro, lasting for something more than 31 minutes. KerecsenSólyom belong in the general folk metal genre, with symphonic and extreme metal elements. There are many influences in their music and each song is quite different from the others. Some of them have a more folkish approach, while others a more classical symphonic mood. Keyboards and folk instruments (hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, flutes, kobza, zurna, trumpet, trombone) dominate their sound, putting sometimes the guitars in a more accompanying role. Of course there are also many parts, where guitars take the lead, with fast powerful riffing and solos... All of the songs are very interesting, well written and there is “something” in this album that never bores the listener. The band utilizes many different vocal styles, from black metal screams, to clean male and female ones, but their most characteristic are the choir vocals they use in their catchy refrains. Their production and overall sound implies this is an underground release and if the band wants a more mainstream audience, they need a lot of “technical” improvement. Their lyrics are in their native language and they deal with ancient Hun – Hungarian legends.

Overall “Aquileia Ostroma” is a promising debut and a very enjoyable album of underground folk extreme metal. KerecsenSólyom show good composing skills and they blend very well different styles in their songs. I can see influences from the symphonic Italian scene, from celtic folk metal bands and even from bombastic epic metal. I totally recommend them to fans of the genre and especially to those who prefer a more “joyful” approach in folk metal, rather than a darker pagan one. You can always visit their myspace page to get a taste of their music on your own: http://www.myspace.com/kerecsensolyom

dimiarch

(8/10)

SIEGE OF AMIDA RECORDS 2012

Release:     27-02-2012
Origin:     United Kingdom
Length:     38:02

Amazing it is: the new directions death metal is progressing to(wards) and also the influences quite new bands already have on this ever developing and creative part of metal. More technical, more brutal and more flowing than the early nineties start up.

Dyscarnate it is. A death metal band from England that hits us here with there second album “And So It Came To Pass”. It is very impressive what these 3 guys are showing and letting us hear on their new output. Technical, mid-tempo and very brutal death metal the modern way. To name just a few influences Dying Fetus mainly blended with the modern techniques of The Faceless, the intensity of Beneath the Massacre and the extremity of Origin. All these influences are ignited with an incredible strong and attractive groove that keeps you occupied, banging and slamming for almost 40 minutes. And all that just with their second release.

Περισσότερα: DYSCARNATE - AND SO IT CAME TO PASS

NON SERVIAM RECORDS 2012

Release:     09-01-2012
Origin:     Austria
Length:     37:44

For many people an incredible shock and at the same time the best news of the last decade. Golden Dawn, or better speaking Stefan Traunmueller, returns after almost ten years with his third album entitled “Return To Provenance”.

First let us return to Golden Dawn’s history. The band, or better to speak project started around the year 1992 by Mr. Traunmueller and received along with other Austrian bands Abigor, Summoning and Pazuzu some attention as being part of the Austrian Black Metal Syndicate. This black metal marker is not completely correct, while their highly acclaimed first album “The Art Of Dreaming” has much more musical dimensions to show you than just black metal. The art of dreaming is a classic album enclosing the symphonic, gothic, death and black metal genres in one masterpiece. Their second “Masquerade” album continued this unique Golden Dawn style in a more poppy and popular way. The main reason for this style change is the never released original second album “A Solemn Day”, that is to be supposed the perfect crossover between their 2 official releases. For the young(st)er generations that listen to Hollenthon: now you have learned where they got their influences from.

After 9 years of absence and silence Golden Dawn presents through Non Serviam Records their third and new album “Return to Provenance”. After severe and intense listening, especially needed for this kind of music, the conclusion is that Golden Dawn is still able to create, present and combine unique styles of metal within well written and harmonised songs and thus a very good album. In general the “returned” black metal attitude is the perfect base for all the musical additions and (metal) genre strange influences that have led to a unique and fantastic sound(e)scape.

Throughout the 8 songs produced with a warm and full pressing sound, that fits the music, your attention will undergo harsh and furious black metal parts, mixed up with atmospheric breaks and full supporting keys that electronically affects the moods, style and atmospheres.

Forward into 2012 the conclusion can be, that the older metal generation and bands are still able to create and continue their legacy with great albums, that withstand the modern metal standards and are able to revive the old school spirit.

Take your time to return to the provenance and a new dawn awaits you!

BLOODCORPSE

HTTP://WWW.GOLDENDAWN.AT/