Leah – “Of Earth & Angels” (2013)

Label : Ex Cathedra Records

Review by Tony Cannella

What do you get when you mix Celtic songstresses Enya and Loreena McKennit with heavier more bombastic artists like Nightwish and Within Temptation? Well, it’s hard to say for sure, but it would probably sound a little something like the Canadian singer Leah and her debut album “Of Earth & Angels”.

“Of Earth & Angels” is solid from the opener “Prisoner”. This is a nice up-tempo song that sets the pace perfectly. “Remember” is next and is just a beautifully haunting song that changes tempos. Leah has got a wonderfully emotional singing style and musically the songs are well paced and pretty diverse. Continue reading »

Kells – “Anachromie” (2012)

Label : Season of Mist/Savage Prod.

Review by Tony Cannella

From France, Kells formed in 2001 and had previously released two full-length albums, and now they return with their third, “Anachromie”. Kells’ music has been described as modern metal – I still have no idea what constitutes modern metal (is there an un-modern metal?). So, the question really is, are Kells any good? Why yes, yes they are.

Like on their previous two albums Kells’ songs are all sung in their native French, which does not detract from anything at all. I think it’s cool when bands sing in their native language; it shows what a global phenomenon metal music really is. With all due respect to the three remaining members of the band – they all turn in killer performances – the star of this band for me was the vocalist Virginie Goncalves. Continue reading »

Infinitus Mortus – “The Conspiracy of Love” (2012)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

From New Jersey, the Symphonic metal band Infinitus Mortus released their debut album “2012” in 2010. At that time the band consisted of only two members: Stephen Megna played all of the instruments and he was joined by lead vocalist Tara. Now Infinitus Mortus are a trio. Stephen Megna remains (and still plays all of the instruments), but this time is joined by a new male vocalist Vincent James Meehan and his sister Caitlin Meehan on female vocals. This line-up makes its debut on the second Infinitus Mortus album, “The Conspiracy of Love”.

“The Conspiracy of Love” is a concept album dealing with the pain and heartache of love. Continue reading »

Androniki Skoula – Chaostar

Interview by Alessandra Cognetta

In this interview we get to know more about Chaostar with the help of their lovely vocalist Androniki Skoula. Trying to describe Chaostar‘s music is a demanding task, a bit like telling your friends about a really good book you’ve read without spoiling the sudden twists or surprises. When you approach their music you have to prepare for the unexpected, the wonder, the emotions and lots of talent. Their latest masterpiece is “Anomima” (which we reviewed here already, a recommended read if you want to get an idea of how it sounds), released through Season of Mist at the beginning of May. Androniki gave us an in-depth overview of the creation process behind the new album, her own path as a singer with Chaostar and as a person, Eve’s Apple (I’m always more than happy to talk about it!) and the immortal women of Greek tragedies like Medea and Antigone, but also the Greek philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria, who some of you may remember from the 2009 film “Agora”. But enough with the spoilers, scroll down and start reading! Continue reading »

Arkona – “Decade of Glory” LIVE (2013)

Label : Sound Age Productions/Napalm Records

Review by Vard Aman

Arkona (Аркона) have existed for only 10 years (well, 11 now), it feels like they have been around much longer given their achievements. 11 years ago, Masha Arkhipova and Alexander Korolyov, two members of a local Slavic Pagan society decided to form a band called Hyperborea, which a little later, and after gaining more members, changed their name to Arkona (named after the last Slavic fortress destroyed by the Christian invaders). They wasted no time; in late 2002, they recorded and released their first demo entitled “Русь” (“Rus”) and followed it up by their arrival on the Russian underground live scene, where they quickly gained popularity. After a a complete line up change around Masha in 2003 (the line up which has been together ever since), their debut album “Возрождение” (“Revival”) was released in 2004. Continue reading »