HOLLOW - CYNOPTIC ESCHATON E.P. (2010)

genre : symphonic black/death

similar bands : Vesania, Hermh, Dimmu Borgir
origin : Canada
strong spot : hmm

weak spot : hmm

Symphonic black/death stuff with a progressive twist.

8 out of 10 goatheads

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Download here:

http://www.bunalti.com/?p=146133

ETHEREAL BLUE - ESSAYS IN RHYME ON PASSION AND ETHICS (2010)

genre : avantgarde, progressive black/death

similar bands : Opeth, Katatonia, Enslaved, Agalloch, Dustynation, In Mourning
origin : Greece
strong spot : songwriting, wide diversity of vocals

weak spot : production could be better, a couple of melodies are a bit too happy for a metal band

Sometimes I am proud about some of my findings, these hidden treasures of aural joy (!), and this band is one of them. Ethereal Blue are a really interesting and talented band, a bit unknown and underrated though. They combine the progressive performance of Opeth and the melancholic vocals of Katatonia and My dying Bride, adding bits and pieces of their own inspiration and tendency to experimentation. Despite the fact the songs are a bit long (8 to 10 mins) the music is not stale and constantly moves to different directions, making their progressive-ness joyful and not boring.

8,8 out of 10 goatheads

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Download here:

http://ins-vast.blogspot.com/2010/09/ethereal-blue-greece-essays-in-rhyme-on.html

ENSLAVED - AXIOMA ETHICA ODINI (2010)

genre : progressive black metal

similar bands : Borknagar, Satyricon, Vreid, Ihsahn
origin : Norway
strong spot : songwriting

weak spot : some tracks could be much shorter in duration and less repetitive

Enslaved are back with an album better than its predecessor. While ''Vertebrae'' was more progressive BM oriented, ''Axioma Ethica Odini'' maintains an almost perfect balance between experimentation and old-fashioned epic black metal. Enslaved sound better when they compose things they are familiar with (with a progressive twist) and sound a bit stilted when they ignore their epic black metal roots. But as I said before, this album keeps a perfect balance between these two elements and once again carries the band's distinctive mark.

8,9 out of 10 goatheads

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Download here:

http://www.bunalti.com/?p=141253

DIMMU BORGIR - ABRAHADABRA (2010)

genre : symphonic black metal

similar bands : Dimmu Borgir
origin : Norway
strong spot : originality,arrangements, voices, vocals, loops, samples

weak spot : production could be heavier (it is still really good but we are talking for Dimmu Borgir...)

Dimmu Borgir in their ninth endeavour prove that their are not veterans. They have added new elements in their music, they explore new soundfields and they dare to experiment. It's the kind of band that denies being stale and never follows the exact same recipe. ''Abrahadabra'' seems a huge project (orchestras, choirs, brilliant artwork etc) and can stand up to Dimmu Borgir's fame. The band is maybe more symphonic than ever, bringing memories of their astonishing ''Death Cult Armaggedon'' album. The compositions are mainly based on the orchestral parts of the Nordic composer Gaute Storaas but there are also the characteristic dimmu borgir guitar riffs. The guitars could be 1 dB higher in the mix but Andy Sneap had a different opinion and this is probably my only objection for the new album so far even though I have to admit the production is very bright and clean(you can really listen clearly to every single instrument and every orchestral phrase). The compositions and orchestrations are complex and maybe need more time to grow into me but i am sure that the final verdict will be very positive. Last but not least, one of my favourite vocalists of all times, Snowy Shaw, participates in a few tracks and gives extra credits to the songs.

9,3 out of 10 goatheads

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Download here:

http://depositfiles.com/en/files/o06t3skz6

(previous link was fake, this one is the real album)

VULTURE INDUSTRIES - THE MALEFACTOR'S BLOODY REGISTER (2010)

genre : avant-garde, extreme metal

similar bands : Diablo Swing Orchestra, Unexpect, Stolen Babies
origin : Norway
strong spot : originality,arrangements

weak spot :

I have to admit that I never really liked this band's debut, even though it gained lots of good reviews. My problem was that the singer sounded like Garm's (from Arcturus) identical twin. The band probably found a way to sort this problem out and their singer Bjornan Nilsen manages to sound fresh and original in ''The Malefactor's Bloody Register'' (he is also participating in the forthcoming Transcending Bizarre? album). The compositions are also very advanced and original. They are definitely avantgarde but at the same time they are not difficult to listen to and the music is by no means complicated. I'd dare to say that they are catchy and simple without being naive. Volume up...Enjoy!

9 out of 10 goatheads

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Download here:

http://hotfile.com/dl/69831750/19413cf/Vulture_Industries-The_Malefactors_Bloody_Register-2010-BERC.rar.html

IN LINGUA MORTUA - SALON DES REFUSES (2010)

genre : avant-garde, progressive black

similar bands : A Forest of Stars, King Crimson, Angst Skvadron, Oranssi Pazuzu, Pensees Nocturnes, Shining (in ''Blackjazz'' album)
origin : Norway
strong spot : originality, clever use of brasses

weak spot : some may find it tiring but I didn't

A really original, bizarre and avant-garde album comes once again from Norway. Imagine a black metal version of King Crimson: psychedelia and darkness, creepy and chaotic soundscapes with a progressive twist. Experimental black metal at its finest.

9 out of 10 goatheads

PREVIEW myspace

http://www.mediafire.com/?b88kha1r7abb6qc

WINTERHORDE - UNDERWATERMOON (2010)

genre : modern, progressive, melodic black

similar bands : Carach Angren, Hollenthon, Borknagar, Mirrorthrone, Transcending Bizarre?

origin : Israel
strong spot : songwriting, diversity, originality

weak spot : almost nothing

This is definitely one of the best releases of 2010. Simply put, these guys know the secrets of modern black metal songwriting. The music is innovative, diverse, sad, dark, versatile, passionate, technical, theatrical and lots of others...

9,1 out of 10 goatheads

Download here:

http://darkport.blogspot.com/2010/08/winterhorde-underwatermoon-2010.html

OR HERE

http://godstorment.blogspot.com/2010/09/winterhorde-2010-underwatermoon.html

NIGHTFALL - ASTRON BLACK AND THE THIRTY TYRANTS (2010)

genre : melodic black/death

origin : Greece
strong spot : production, performance

weak spot : lack of diversity

NIghtfall are definitely one of the most famous bands from Greece. After splitting up some years ago, they are back again with a new album. Efthimis Karadimas proves his compositional skills once again and provides us with an album full of melodies, advanced guitar and drum work, war atmosphere and aggression. My main objection is that some tracks follow similar recipe making some of them easy to forget. Their video for ''Ambassador of Mass'' is one of the most innovative and interesting videos I have ever seen.

8,8 out of 10 goatheads

Download here:

http://hotfile.com/dl/65828622/ff122e0/N_10_ABaTTT.rar.html

SIGH - THE CURSE OF IZANAGI 7''EP (2010)

genre : avantgarde black

origin : Japan
strong spot : a ''must'' for vinyl fans

weak spot :it includes only one new unreleased track (the rest are a filler and 2 covers)

This EP has no reason to exist, apart from the fact that it targets the die hard vinyl fans. The new track is mediocre and the covers are quite bad.

6,5 out of 10 goatheads

Download here:

http://www.bunalti.com/?p=136392

CRADLE OF FILTH - LILLITH IMMACULATE (song from the upcoming album )

genre : symphonic black

similar bands : Cradle of Filth
origin : UK

This is a track from the band's ''Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa'' upcoming album scheduled for release on November 2010.

Download from here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?o2kx7xkmi43b3tj

DIMMU BORGIR - GATEWAYS (single) (2010)

genre : symphonic black

similar bands : Dimmu Borgir
origin : Norway

This single shows the new direction of the band that inclines towards their masterpiece ''Death Cult Armageddon''. I am really curious about the album!

Download from here:

http://metal-krieg.blogspot.com/2010/08/dimmu-borgir-gateways-single-2010.html

AGRYPNIE - 16(485) (2010)

genre : melodic (with avant-garde influences) black/death

similar bands : Shining, Rotting Christ, Dark Tranquillity, Saattue
origin : Germany
strong spot : songwriting

weak spot :no obvious weak spot

This is a very moody and melodic album. The band builds the atmosphere relying mainly on the guitar duo and denies the overuse of synth sounds. The album reminded me of some really cool melodic death bands I used to listen when I first started listening to metal 16 years ago. I wonder what the album title means...

8,6 out of 10 goatheads

Myspace

Download here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/LFmAq4Aa/Agrypnie_-_16485_2010_AmusLadm.html

HAKEN - AQUARIUS (2010)

genre : experimental, progressive metal

similar bands : Yes, Dream Theater, Shaolin Death Squad, Emerson Lake and Palmer
origin : UK
strong spot : diversity, compositions, orchestrations

weak spot : I'd prefer a darker atmosphere (some melodies are too happy for my ears)

Haken's music is extremely interesting and beautiful. Some tracks are more metal-oriented while others are closer to progressive, experimental art rock. They are definitely influenced by Dream Theater but they also unfold their own ideas and style. The majority of the vocals are clean and melodic but there are also some growls here and there (personally I would prefer even more growls).

9 out of 10 goatheads

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Download here:

http://godstorment.blogspot.com/2010/08/haken-2010-aquarius.html

ARCANA IMPERIA - BETTER THAN NOW (2010)

genre : atmospheric, symphonic black

similar bands : Emperor, Carach Angren, Limbonic Art
origin : Russia
strong spot : orchestrations

weak spot : artificial sound in the drums

Russia is not my favorite country when coming to metal music. Arcana Imperia are not something extraordinary but their latest album has diversity(it's not entirely based on blastbeasts) and the music never gets boring.

7,5 out of 10 goatheads

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Download from:

http://www.bunalti.com/?p=132618

FUNERAL REVOLT - THE PERFECT SIN (2005)

genre : industrial/melodic extreme metal

similar bands : Moonspell, Rammstein, Paradise Lost, Ensoph
origin : Greece
strong spot : orchestrations, nice blend of industrial soundscapes and metal riffs

weak spot : I'd prefer more complex songwriting

I just discovered this album and I enjoyed it a lot. Distorted vocals, electro loops, samples, heavy guitars, dark atmosphere.

8,5 out of 10 goatheads

DOWNLOAD from :

http://darkmetal-doom-gothic9.blogspot.com/2007/04/funeral-revolt-perfect-sin-2005.html#comments