Dutch veterans Within Temptation are back with new e.p. out with Spinefarm. They started as more gothic metal oriented band, but in decades evolved into more epic symphonic metal but stayed with some gothic roots and influences. There are eight songs on this one, four plus four instrumental versions. What to say? Grand majestic songwriting, epic keyboard passages and melodic guitar work, sometimes traversing into more harsh and brutal side of things, topped with vocalist Sharon, who is by far one of the best girl singers in metal scene. My personal favorites on this one are Don´t pray for me and The Purge. Instrumental versions are not needed and serve only to fill in space. Nonetheless this little e.p. is a nice way to catch time for new full length once in the near future.
German hardcore legends Ryker´s are back with new full length. Kassel crew has been a part or soundtrack of my life and hardcore upbringing since mid nineties when I was still a kid. After last stint of the band devoid of original singer Kid D, with Dennis replacing the singer decently, the original singer Kid D is back, so are these ten songs. When the album starts, I can safely say, this is one of the top three band´s releases with old school Euro hardcore style in your face. Fast hardcore anthems When The Dam Has Broken and Bread And Circuses take me back to Brother Against Brother and Ground Zero era, those two being my favorite albums of this band. Kid D sounds fantastic with his trademark deep voice and sharp riffs, fast drums and blistering guitar street wise riffs make me wave my fist in the air in the name of hardcore. As always, there is one cover song, this time it is Riot by UK Subs, excellent old school punk anthem done in a hardcore way. Don´t Bother Me and Mentally Unlocked are more metallic heavy hitters, up tempo with street punk roots that these guys never lost all these decades. The title song belongs to more slower Ryker´s opus, I like it but I am an old school sucker who loves his hardcore more fast than heavy slowed down songs hehe. But it is a cool one, do not get me wrong. Blast From The Past is lyrically for me totally best song on this record, speaking of the past present and future, all in one. But, THE BEST song for me is Death Divides Death Unites, classic streetcore anthem in the vein of old goldies like Cold Lost Sick or Gone For Good. This song I listened for couple of times in a row for sure. This is a superb album. Hardcore lives!
Florida Men are relatively new band to the scene but its members have more than thirty years combined in the playing gigs with their bands. This trio of Dutch punk veterans is featured here with their debut full length and this baby offers 12 songs of so called Ramonescore, meaning melodic punk rock with short but sweet energetic songs, uplifting melodies, fine vocal lines and harmonies and lyrics about going out, friendship, some humor, relationships and similar themes garnered here and there with some pop punk influences thrown in for good measure. Songs like Threw It All Away, Don´t Wanna Go, or Greatest Of All Time, being my personal favorites, but you will have to find yours if you like this style of punk rock, melodic, great and making you smile after a long day at work. Great debut. Although there is nothing new or special about this band, I love such music and would love to hear these guys play live soon.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 