CD

Zodiac’s first introduced themselves to me at 2014’s Hellfest,  the band just grabbed my attention to such an extent that I decided that I needed to find out more about them. First thing I found out that these guy’s are from Germany and not as I expected from one of the Southern states from the US of A. Secondly the band released 3 albums in the timespan of about 2 years… Thirdly  they  covered Cortez the killer from Neil Young without losing the essence and vibe of the original…  Back to Sonic Child know….

This review deals with last year’s split in between the Belgian act Scum Noise (not the Brazilian Hardcore / Crust / Punk-formation with the very same moniker), and U.K.-based Grindlover, which did release the album Deep Dives Into Holes Of Love on Symbol Of Domination Productions (which originates from Belarus, actually), a Satanath-sublabel, shortly before this split-album. Once again the release was strictly limited, but there are still some copies available… Contact the label now!

The Order of Israfel are yet another 2014 release with musical roots planted in the occult seventies early eighties with more than a mere hint towards the first gods of doom & gloom (also known as Black SABBATH.)  It would however not be correct to describe  THE ORDER OF ISRAFEL as just another clone of the mighty SABBATH, no sir.  The Order of Israfel does have in there line up enough experience from other bands in the doom metal genre to ensure that it’s not  all just copy and paste.

Snack Family is a London based creeping Rock n Roll band. They themselves say they incorporate gravelly drumbeats, striptease guitars and the most gut-twisting sax we've heard in years. A sort of Avant blues rock. Call it whatever you want, but i think this is brilliant. It’s not a masterpiece instrument wise…but its funny/fun to listen to and has lots of variation which makes it interesting and keeps you listening.

Definitely worth listening.

After reviewing the most recent Crimson Blue album; here’s a band that comes from Eastern Europe, more especially from Bulgaria.  It seems the band exists since 2009, and have already released at least one album the 2009 ‘From The Desert Of Desire’.

Only having released their debut album ‘Mask Of Lies’ in 2013, Mind Maze from Pennsylvania are already there with a next album ‘Back From The Edge’. 

I have no idea what’s going on with Spanish label Xtreem Music. 2014 seems to be a highlight in many aspects, and those aspects are tens of superb releases by great bands, which I will come back to immediately. First a very limited history. David ‘Dave Rotten’ Sánchez González, whom you might know from notorious acts such as Christ Denied, Avulsed, Yskelgroth, Putrevore etc.

Out of Moscow – Russia, hails this band, that brings us a combination of what you’d call gothic rock mixed with progressive metal, but there is more into their music than just that.

“Stormborn” is the  new  (4th) album  from Swedisch  metal band Bloodbound.  Bloodbound  decribe  “Stormborn" as a bombastic well  produced  album bringing  us metal hyms of exceptional class”……  Is this correct I than think….  Well it is partially,  it’s bombastic and it’s well produced, in fact it’s so bombastic that after playing it a couple of times the overkill of choruses and choir singalongs  make Stormborn   sound rather childish  (Satanic Panic, Iron throne or  just about every other track) instead of epic and that can’t

As far as I know this is the first l release of this LA based sludge quartet, good for some 25 minutes of doom/sludge with  blackmetal’ish scream vocals.