I have to admit that I had not heard of this Russian act before, but apparently Bastion were formed more than a decade ago in order to pay tribute to the cultural and historical roots of their nation. In the earliest years, they seemed to perform a catchy mixture of Heavy and Power Metal, injected with elements from Folk, but as a natural process their sound evolved into a rather Pagan-Folk-oriented one.
One of the most influential Death Metal bands from Spain is this one: Avulsed, formed more than two decades ago by David ‘Rotten’ Sanchez Gonzalez, owner of Xtreem Music (formerly Drowned Productions, then Repulse Records).
Swedish combo Aniara were formed in 2011 as Oak. Because of more bands or projects with that moniker, they decided to change their name into Aniara in 2013. However, soon after the band split up and most members went on with their other bands or projects.
Amezarak (aka Ame3apak) were formed by Viktor ‘Lord Dead’ Medvedev in 2010 in the city of Zlatoust (close to the border with Kazakhstan), after the activities in Barathron came to an end.
Lower Silesian Stronghold, one of the strongest upcoming Black Metal labels from Poland, make me happy once again by giving me the opportunity to listen (and, by consequence, to review; but it’s my pleasure!) to Winterfront’s debut full length album, released two and a half years after the independently released EP Of Iron And Blood. Two tracks of that mini-album, by the way, have been re-recorded for this full album.
The very young Tampere, Finland-based label Saturnal Records suddenly came out of the blue with three highly interesting releases; Hellspirit with Dawn Under Curse and On Death’s Wings by Blood Red Fog were the first releases, available as from May 26th 2014 on; check out the reviews I did, posted respectively on August 16th and July 18th 2014.
Tiran aka TирAн are a Russian combo I had not heard of before. I even have no idea whether this is a full-time and full-member band or a solo-project, I don’t know when they were formed, and if there’s other stuff available. But once again I will focus this time on what I did receive from the great Satanath-roster, and that’s this single, Used.
The Megs are a hard rock quartet from Italy. So far they’ve released a full LP ‘Jealousy’ in 2011 and an EP ‘Start’ in 2013.. So this is their second full album.
As a matter of fact calling them a hard rock band is hurting the truth, because it is quite difficult to categorize their music in a particular genre. They really have a sound of their own, that is very hard to compare to other bands. Let’s say they play rock’n’roll, but with many angles. At times they almost sound like D.A.D., but on the next song they almost sound poppy.
Bordeaux-based The Great Old Ones were formed in 2009 by Benjamin Guerry, who’s especially known, I think (at least in his home country) for his activities in the rather renewing and original Hardcore-act Day Of The Fisherman. In 2012, The Great Old Ones released their first full length Al Azif via superb French label Les Acteurs De L’Ombre, and based on the title and the band’s name, one might expect a source of inspiration by H.P. Lovecraft.
Teramaze returned and released their 4th full length album. After completely grabbing the attention of the underground Prog-Power Metal fans with their 2012 release “AnhedoniA.” Teramaze blends tight and speedy syncopated guitar/drum riffs and rhythms, with melodic hard vocals. You could compare this style with bands like Dream theather.
