There are some bands that flew the thrash metal flag high even in times when it was not trendy or popular and they kept the metal tradition and flame in their hearts. One of such bands are Exarsis and this is their new album.
“New War Order” is a third full length studio output by these Greek metallers who toured with such bands as Judas Priest, Anthrax, Suicide Silence and others…That brought them experience and they became more ferocious than they already are. The album contains 10 tracks one of them being short intro. Exarsis play old school thrash metal with fast drums, screaming vocals, gang back vocals made for sing along and a lot of 80-ies melodies and charm which is a tribute to the old school metal masters and influences. The lyrics deal with survival and coming apocalypse in this new world order that marching capitalism and modern slavery has brought upon us. Greek bands have a lot to be angry about since their country was ravaged by capitalist vultures and poverty unfortunately florishes there which is good for angry extreme music but not for the people living there. But, Ive strayed from the theme. This album is great, full of energy and I recommend it to all of you who love old school thrash metal.
Totenwagen is another proof of diversitiy and beauty of Italian undeground scene.
Hailing from the city of Naples, this is their third recording that came out in the end of January on the newly formed Herbivorous records. This trio plays avantguarde darkened punk hardcore. There is almost no guitar in the song structures, only distorted bass, drums and keyboards. The lyrics are in English, German, Italian and Naples dialect of Italian. I love the atmosphere of this band s music because it is so dark and gritty, added by harsh vocals and almost crusty d-beat drumming on some songs(“Nocturno punk”). This band has some great degree of originality and I would love to see them play the stuff live. The ominous keyboard element only add to the dense and almost foggy wet atmosphere of the songs and in some weird way remind me of early Goblin songs in the Dario Argento horror movie masterpieces. I loved the renaissance parts mixed with spaghetti western in the instrumental song “Nduvosck”. Needless to say that these keyboards add great deal of melodies instead of guitar and are in fact the main lines of the songs themselves. This is unusual but great punk and I am really glad that I discovered yet another gem in the dark crown of the underground music scene.
Founded in 2014.Corbian, the quintet from Offenbach, Germany is a relatively new band in the scene but they bloody kick ass. Their new album is one of the best albums that I listened to this week.
The album contains 11 songs and the opener “Bloodborn” just blew my head off with fast and melodic anthemic chorus backed by great moshing parts. The title track leans more towards the metalcore territory with a nod to Gothenburg melodic school of Swedish death metal. I loved the Gothenburg style bands since I was a kid, so I am still a sucker for such bands today. According to the band promo bio, their live shows are something to see and hear, so I would like very much to catch these guys live one day in the not too distant future. The anthemic choruses made for sing along, the guitar hooks and melodies that remain in your mind so you can whistle and hum them all through the nasty working day at the job you hate, only to come home and blow your speakers again with the music of Corbian. I will not reveal what joy all the tracks in this album bring, it is up to you to get it, because this one is a keeper!
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 