Thy Majestie, ShiHuangDi (2012)

Tracklist:

1. Zhoongguo
2. Seven Reigns
3. Harbinger of a New Dawn
4. Siblings of Tian
5. Walls of the Emperor
6. Under the Same Sky
7. Farewell
8. Huanghun
9. Ephemeral
10. End of the Days
11. Requiem

Ten years into their career, Italian power metallers, Thy Majestie, have stumbled upon the rare delicacies of the orient.  Chiselling fables of regal heroism and historical masterdom from the scorched rock of Ancient Chinese legend the result, ShiHuangDi, is a record to spawn debate and consternation – not to mention a colourful assortment of pronunciations – amongst all metal fans.

Temple, On the Steps of the Temple (2012)

Tracklist:

1. Mountain
2. Rising from the Abyss
3. Final Years
4. The Mist that Shrouds the Peaks
5. Avaratia
6. On the Steps of the Temple

Astride a dark boulder, black rain lashing the barren earth, the haggard traveller raises his gaze towards a sheer rock face which looms from the foot of the Mountain.  A scene which might only be captured by the most skilful of lyricists; and yet one which rises, cold, dismal, and yet as animate as life, from the opening bars of the instrumental debut of Arizona duo, Temple.  Combining the ferocity of the bestial with a penchant for intricate subtlety, the result is a daunting mix of black, death, and progressive metal sounds.

INTERVIEW: Whyzdom

Around this time last month, I was busy demolishing the lyrics of a French band called Whyzdom.  The review turned out - in its own way - to be quite controversial, and, a short exchange of emails with the band's chief lyricist (initiated by me) later, it was evident that I'd done a pretty wretched job of representing the themes offered by the band's poetry.  Time for me to hang my head somewhat.  And, at the same time, find out exactly what all this talk of wolves, paper princesses, and lighthouses actually meant.  What better way to do so, then, than with a frank and amiable discussion with the musical mind behind them himself, Whyzdom's very own Vynce.

Darktribe, Mysticeti Victoria (2012)

Tracklist:

1. Genesis
2. Taiji
3. Roma XXI
4. Black Meteor
5. Lightning Guide
6. Lost
7. Poison of Life
8. Eyes Have You
9. Beware the God
10. From Us
11. Life, Love & Death

Not to be confused with their German black-metal namesake, Darktribe are France’s latest contribution to European power metal.  Founded in 2009 by brothers Anthony and Julien Agnello, their full-length debut, Mysticeti Victoria, comes with the tacit endorsement of such Finnish metal icons Nightwish and Sonata Arctica, whose expertise were recruited in the mixing and mastering process.

I:Scintilla, Marrow 1, EP (2012)

Tracklist:

1. Drag Along

2. Girl U Want

3. Ammunition

4. Spit it Out

5. The Shake

Nearly a decade old, here are an outfit now thoroughly embedded in the industrial/electro matrix. But ah, you thought you knew someone… Amidst the bone-crunching bashes and brain-zapping bowzers of their genre, I:Scintilla have decided to release a whitewashed, whittled-down, and zoned-out acoustic production of four covers accompanied by a single original track (that track, if you’re wondering, is Drag Along). The indignant retches of the faithful are almost audible. So why would anyone want to take notice of Marrow 1?

November Preview

Based on viewcount and feedback, the format for the last month seems to have worked pretty well.  And November is another opportunity to press on into the depths of the metal underworld with some brand new releases, including a couple of dazzling EPs.  So, how about this for a lineup of records...