The Reasoning – “And Another Thing…” EP (2012)

Label : Comet Music

Review by Matteo Bussotti

What can we say about Cardiff’s band, The Reasoning? How can we define their genre? We can say it’s “Dream-Metal”. In fact, listening to their EP will surely bring you in a lot of fantastic, dreamy places in your mind. Their style is soft, kind, but very powerful when it’s needed. This EP comes with a lot of expectations on its shoulders. In fact, it gives us a preview of what their upcoming sixth (including “Acoustically Speaking” and their live album) album.

Well, they’re clearly a prog-oriented band (among the members’ favorite bands there are Beatles, Genesis and Marillion for example), and they’re capable of creating an atmosphere in their songs you’ve probably never experienced before, but, right when you think you’re used to the rhythm…here it comes some powerful solo, guitar riff, or a crescendo, which completely blows your mind focusing again all your attention to the song! I find this EP to be really, really amazing. Continue reading »

Illuminata – “A World So Cold” (2011)

Label : Twilight Zone Records

Review by Tony Cannella

My first introduction to the double female fronted Austrian band Illuminata came via their impressive EP, “A Frame of Beauty” in 2009. Now, the band has released their second full-length album “A World So Cold”. Their music is a coming together of symphonic power metal combined with movie score type music. Illuminata is a six member band featuring three males and three females – including two female lead vocalists.

The intro “Ashes of Times” is an orchestral piece that sounds like it’s ready for Hollywood. It is a cool intro that segues into the piano opening of “Cold Hands Warm Hearts”. Continue reading »

Emily Lazar – September Mourning

Interview by Ed MacLaren

Deep within the dark purgatory between life and death lurks September, a young girl whose soul acts as a desolate bridge between life and death. She also serves as the inspiration for one of the most intriguing art concepts of this new century - September Mourning. Walking the distorted line between light and darkness is Emily Lazar, September Mourning‘s lead vocalist and the creator and architect of this dark fantasy. Taking this art concept to the ultimate 21st century extreme, September Mourning is set to be unleashed upon the world in a massive transmedia project including music, graphic novels and Internet video. Emily and Femme Metal Webzine got together recently to talk about September Mourning’s most recent album, “Melancholia”, her vision for the project and how this far-reaching concept came together.

COURAGE MY LOVE return with “Becoming” EP

June 11 release of new EP marks the start of a very, very busy year

Band launches online video series: “The (Un) Real Lives” of Courage My Love

Homeskool Prom Records / Warner Music Canada recording artist Courage My Love have announced June 11, 2013 as the release date of their latest EP, “Becoming”. Recorded in Toronto with producer Chris Perry, “Becoming”’s 8 songs showcase the band’s rip-roaring rock. The first single from the EP will be the track “You Don’t Know How” which will be accompanied by a video shot by award-winning director Warren Sonoda. Fans can purchase the single starting today at iTunes. The lyric video for “You Don’t Know How” debuts today online at alternativepress.com . The release of “Becoming” will be followed by a series of live dates in Southern Ontario. The band’s first full-fledged Canadian tour is expected to be announced for the Fall. Continue reading »

Lightless Moor – “The Poem – Crying My Grief to A Feeble Dawn” (2013)

Label: Dreamcell 11/Wormholedeath/Aural Music

Review by Tony Cannella

From Italy, the Gothic Doom Metal band Lightless Moor formed in 2001. After their initial EP “Renewal” was released in 2006, they recently signed to the up-and-coming label WormHoleDeath and it is through that label that they have released their long awaited epic debut, “The Poem – Crying My Grief to a Feeble Dawn”. With a name like Lightless Moor and judging by some of the song titles, it is easy to see that lyrically they explore the darker side of life and the music provides the perfect soundtrack.

The ominously eerie intro segues into the heavy doom-laden opening track “The Lyrics of the Journey”. Lightless Moor utilizes two lead vocalists. Continue reading »