My Ruin – “The Sacred Mood” (2013)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

My Ruin has quietly (or loudly) forged a solid career for themselves based on integrity and the quality of the music. On their just released 8th album Tairrie B. along with her husband and talented multi-instrumentalist Mick Murphy not only continues to push the envelope, but has managed to bring things to an even higher level. Tairrie B. has always managed to produce music that is vital, relevant and significant and with “The Sacred Mood” those traits are still present.

At only 32-minutes long, “The Sacred Mood” doesn’t overstay its welcome. The songs are to-the-point and get the job done. From the slow build of the opening riff of “Monolith of Wrath”, this is My Ruin at their very best. Mick Murphy’s huge guitar sound is all over “The Sacred Mood” and “Moriendo Renascor” (the translation of this is “In Death, I Am Reborn”)  is a great example of this. Continue reading »

Masterforce – “Until the End of Time” DEMO (2011)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

Hailing from (Where else?) Italy comes the 6 person power metal band Masterforce. This band also employs a full time violinist which perhaps sets them apart from a lot of power metal, since violins are usually associated with folk metal. Masterforce is fronted by the vocals of Francesca Bidut. Their debut demo goes by the title of “Until the End of Time”, so let’s delve into it a bit.

There are four songs that make up “Until the End of Time” and to me the best part of the demo is the guitar playing and power metal and classic metal riffs the infuse every song, and that’s taking nothing away from the other musicians particularly vocalist Francesca. Continue reading »

Lumus – “Bacchus’ Curse” (2012)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the band Lumus (named after Violin player Jon Lumus) offers a unique brand of symphonic metal. Of course Violins have been used in the past in this genre, but very rarely have they been used as such a prominent and lead instrument the way Lumus uses them, and that alone makes them stand out from a crowded genre.

The music on “Bacchus’ Curse” is dark, but musically intricate and sophisticated – which can be heard throughout the 12 songs and 48-minutes worth of music. Lead vocalist Charlotte Camp adds plenty of drama with her voice – she can go from operatic to more of a clean, soaring metal voice and is backed by the beautiful music written and performed by the band. Continue reading »

Eidon – “Crystalight” (2012)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

From France comes the symphonic metal band Eidon. The band formed in 2008 and released their debut EP “Fantasia” in 2010, now they have issued their debut full-length “Crystalight”. Throughout this 14-song, 60-minute opus, Nightwish certainly comes to mind as a possible influence and the songs are filled with bombastic, dramatic and cinematic elements. The orchestral “Intro” builds to a powerful crescendo and segues into the pounding opener “Thunderforce”. “New Dawn” is next and before long settles into a comfortable galloping groove. Lead vocalist Gabrielle Morche has an operatic delivery that fits the music very well. The songs are well crafted and written. Musically the band shift gears from the dramatic and cinematic to straight forward power metal (with some blazing guitar solos) and progressive metal. Continue reading »

As Angels Bleed – “As Angels Bleed” (2013)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

From Australia, As Angels Bleed plays beautifully vampiric gothic metal with a romantic edge. Their self-titled debut is out now and for fans who love their metal a little on the dark side, then I would highly recommend As Angels Bleed. The ominous intro leads off the first song “Sinfully Yours”. Lead vocalist Avelina De Moray has a vocal style that stands out from a lot of female vocalists, with a sound that is mournful and she forgoes the operatic route. “Let me show you what death tastes like” is the opening (spoken) lyric to the next song “Desire”. Some crunchy stop/start guitar riffing dominates the song, but what can’t be understated enough is the bands use of melody. Continue reading »