Envinya – “Inner Silence” (2013)

Label : Massacre Records

Review by Tony Cannella

The Munich, Germany based melodic metal outfit Envinya formed in 2006. After releasing a demo in 2007 they released their debut EP “Beyond the Dark” in 2010. Envinya now returns with their full-length debut via Massacre records entitled, “Inner Silence”.

Lead vocalist Natalie Perreira dos Santos has got a pretty diverse voice – that’s the first thing that struck me. She sings in mostly a clean style but she also adds the odd bit of growly vocals too, which are quite impressive, especially when you consider that she is capable of such different styles. The band adds touches of symphonic, power and prog metal sprinkled throughout the album but is always maintain a great melodic base on the 10-songs offered here. The opener “Faceless” comes out of the gate like a shot of adrenalin. A fast up-tempo riff works hand-in-hand with some solid vocals and it is a great opener. The next track “Forlorn” has a heavy, rumbling riff and the first appearance of the growly vocal style is heard. This is another good one. Continue reading »

Saint Just Again (di Jenny Sorrenti) – “Prog Explosion” (2011)

Label : Raro! Records

Review by Luisa Mercier

When you less expect something, it happens. Saint Just are back again! After three solo records, the Italian singer Jenny Sorrenti felt the need to go back to her roots and creating new music with her first musical project. Saint Just already released two albums back in the ’70s creating an unique mix, loved by Italian and foreign prog fans. It is a weird fusion of British folk and American rock, psychedelia and elegant, classy music, instrumental journeys and soaring vocals. All of this made Saint Just a cult band and such they stayed through the decades that followed until now.

Jenny went on her solo career experimenting with Mediterranean music but at the end of 2010 she announced that Saint Just were back. She had to find the right musicians and the perfect mix: the result is “Prog Explosion”, the new record published as a vinyl and devoted to prog rock. Saint Just Again have composed a lively, varied record, focused on a different song structure, open to a lot of influences (from psychedelia to rock-jazz as in “Depressione Cosciente”). The album was born out of a wise decision: they recorded live in the studio, so the sound is quite warm and expressive. The band is techically very skilled: just think of “Il Cercatore” or the folk-rock in “Ai Bordi”. Continue reading »

THE GATHERING @ P60, Amstelveen,THE NETHERLANDS, 18/01/2013

Live Report and Photos by Stefano Liuzzi

After the succesful 2012 tour, celebrating the 20 years release of the first album “Always”, the dutch band The Gathering is back on the road. The last CD “Disclosure” was released on September 2012 and due to Silje Wergeland‘s pregnancy (she had a baby girl in August), only now, beginning of 2013, the promoting tour can start. The P60 is a medium sized club near Amsterdam,these are the standards now for the band, not a sold out but a full crowded venue. Over the years The Gathering gained a serious reputation, first on metal scene, now as independent rock, integrity means everything, developing music despite of the golden rules of the music business, these are the trademarks of this band and the first show in Amstelveen makes no exception,o n the setlist no “classics” like “Saturnine” , “Travel” or “Eleanor” but almost the new album and few oldies unplayed since ages. This line up (Renè Rutten-guitars, Hans Rutten - drums, Frank Boeijen - keyboards, Marjolein Kooijman - bass and backing vocals, Silje Wergeland-vocals) had the last gig one year and half ago, but everything click on the first song “Paper Waves” (the opener of “Disclosure” too) then we have one of the most bizarre of TG recent history, “Meltdown” with Frank singing and the beautiful trumpet of Noel Hofman to add colors to this 8 minutes track. With “Green Ocean Road” even the sleepy Dutch audience got involved on this musical trip, then “Heroes for Ghosts” ,11 minutes track that had the premiere live 2 years ago on the same venue. When there’s big change in the line up of a band, then everything could collapse…this is not the case of TG.. “Heroes” is the highlights of Silje’s work so far, she never tried to fill Anneke’s shoes or tried to radically change the image and the philosophy of the band, we have to give her some serious credit for that. Continue reading »

Finnish Occult Rock Band JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES announce release date for new EP

SVART RECORDS announces February 22nd as the international release date for JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES’ brand-new Astral Sabbat. Although it’s been only nine months since the release of their brilliant and spellbinding debut album on SVART, Finland’s JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES have already moved on. After a split 7″ with Spain’s Deadmask last November on Doomentia, the band is already gearing up for something new: a three-song EP titled Astral Sabbat - to be released on CD, LP, and digital download - is expected to shatter most of the preconceptions some already held against the band. Tracklisting and cover follow below. Continue reading »

E.V.E. – “Equations Vanquish Equality” EP (2012)

Independent Release

Review by Matteo Bussotti

E.V.E. (Equations Vanquish Equality) are a band formed by Vicky Psarakis, a greek/american singer in 2010, and, as their bio says: “The main concept behind it is the world we currently live in, everyday human situations and interactions, “disease”, and the kind of corruption that comes from within.”

In fact you’ll get caught up in their lyrics and songs very, very easily. These 4 songs have some of the most poetic lyrics ever written, in my opinion, at least recently. Moreover, Vicky has a beautiful voice, and she can unite many styles. In “Poetic Injustice”, for example, Vicky reads the lyrics, almost like if she’s acting, more than singing. The final effect is very impressive and beautiful. Of course, her voice really comes out in the other songs when she sings; her style is between prog-rock and melodic metal, and it surely is catchy, neither too powerful, nor too melodic or calm.

Lots of praise go to the other members of the band, of course, whose rhythms create a perfect mixture of different sounds. It’s really strange, maybe, while listening to this EP you’ll think “I’ve already heard stuff like this”, but there is something….inexplicable, which will keep you focused on this album.

As I said before, in my opinion, it’s the lyrics which really keep so high the EP’s levels, they are simply beautiful. E.V.E. really accomplished their task, by writing lyrics which deeply speak about humans, relationships, how this society is falling apart while we can’t even notice it, and how much damage we are doing to our planet. Look the lyrics up on the Internet, or simply stay focused while you listen to this EP, and you’ll love every single second of it. The only comparison, even if it doesn’t fit well with E.V.E., is with Gojira, a French metal band who speaks about environment and society, and whose lyrics are really, really deep. E.V.E. are at the same level, and may appeal to a bigger variety of people, with their soft but also powerful music, and their beautiful rhythms.

This EP is a trip for your ears and your mind. If you have the chance to listen to it, be sure not to miss it, I can assure you won’t regret it. We are very eager to listen more from E.V.E., and we can’t wait until their first album comes out! Continue reading »