Оксидерика – “Step to Darkness” (2013)

Independent Release

Review by Vard Aman

Transliterated as Oksiderika or Oxiderika (I’m going to use the latter). Oxiderika are from Samara in Russia. They formed in 2011, and are therefore quite a young band; and also quite an inexperienced band which unfortunately shows on their debut album, “Step to Darkness”. At just under 30 minutes long, and with a rather poor demo-like sound quality, it would have been better to have published this as a demo rather than as an album, because a demo is really what it is. Every band has to start out somewhere, and every band will grow with experience, and “Step to Darkness” is just the beginning for Oxiderika. Hopefully in the future, the title of the album will be looked back on as being quite apt – I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Continue reading »

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 »

Belladonna – “Shooting Dice With God” (2013)

Independent Release

Review by Matteo Bussotti

Italian band Belladonna formed in 2005, and since then they gained a constantly growing attention from media, bringing them also to Grammys, which is extraordinary for an independent band. They also claimed (and were recognized ) to have created a new genre: “rock noir”. Listening to their latest album, “Shooting Dice With God”, it immediately appears the sensuous side of their music, the soft roughness of their sound, and the beauty of their lyrics.

All the songs are capable of creating a very melodic carpet, before pushing you into a distorted, tight, heavy wall of guitars and drums. 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 »