Serbian black metal institution The Stone released brand new, ninth full length opus. Existence of this band goes back to 1996 when they were called Stone To Flesh but let us speak of this new opus. It contains eight songs of pure and merciless black metal with some thrash and death metal influences in some songs, but mainly it is black metal, fast, atmospheric and without gothic or sympho parts, only pure black metal evil the way it should be done. Most of the songs are in Serbian language and since we basically speak the same, I understand all of it. Lyrics are not your typical in your face, but rather deep and personal, dealing with inner evil and fighting your own demons and darkness. Besides blast beats and speed, there are some slower melodic and melancholic parts that add to the drama, emotions, anguish and aggression. My personal favorites are: Okamenjen, Kosturnice and Jebes pero dodaj mac. For sure one of the best black metal releases this year.
Pathfinders are hailing from France and this is their debut full length album. This band was formed in 2018 and they called themselves after NASA´s space probe Mars Pathfinder. Like their namesake, these guys are not afraid to explore the outer fringes and expand the limits of modern metal. It is thrash metal with progressive and groove metal influences but it is so much more. This is modern metal, although I cringe a little still when I hear this term. Pathfinders play metal. Period. Guitar work is harsh, heavy and not to be joked with, but there are enough melodic and catchy guitar hooks with some atmospheric parts, almost melancholic, but then again it returns to harsher side of metal. Vocals are story for themselves. How easily they transform into screaming, return to melodic beautiful clean voice then back again to almost thrash angry shouting and growling. I love it. Songs are aggressive, yet so varied and so imaginative and well written. At times music of Pathfinders reminds me of Croatian band called Core System, yet Pathfinders are more hard and more metal and I love it. My personal highlights are: Damned Earth, Precious Star. This is a very strong debut album.
When Chaser released their last album Sound The Sirens it was such fantastic record that I was kind of worried and thinking to myself how will these guys top that record. I got to know Mike, Bill and Jesse in 2018 at Punk Rock Holiday when I interviewed them for this webzine and they are so nice, down to earth and friendly people. When Look Alive e.p. came out, I knew that we are coming to something great and now this full length is finally out. I can not believe it, but Chaser have done it again and released the best punk rock record in 2021 which will be very hard to surpass by anyone. This one contains 13 songs. Besides already known singles 2020 and A New Direction for which the videos were made, there are eleven more hits coming your way. A New Direction is such punk rock anthem with such beautiful uplifting lyrics and melody with fantastic back vocal harmonies made for singing along at gigs. Positivity is what this whole record is about, giving us light and hope, bringing smile back on our faces in these dark times, reminding us not all is lost yet. I will write now about my personal favorites on this record. First is Good Times, song in which all beauty of Mike´s voice comes front, coupled with superb backing vocals mainly by bassist Jesse and together they create this anthem of hope, fast punk rock song that hits you in the head. Echoes is another one that stands out for me, with that typical Chaser melody, speed and lyrics, this one I listened on repeat couple of times before I continued with the rest of the album. The title song is also one that made my skin crawl with goosebumps bringing tears of joy when my heart let go and felt all the emotion of this song. Break The Chain has perhaps the most beautiful chorus on the record and I just can´t write anymore. Go check out this one. Fanfanfantastic!
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