Ankit Sood

As I Lay Dying – “Shaped by Fire”

Posted by Ankit Sood on January 14, 2020 at 16:38 No Responses »

Jan 142020

Little introduction is needed for the American Metalcore legends “As I lay dying” hailing from San Diego, California. Although the band went into hiatus post Tim Lambesis’s incarceration in 2014, they came out with their 7^th Studio album “Shaped by Fire” on the 20^th September, 2019. Phil Sgrosso along with Nick Hipa joined the ranks on guitars in 2003 really changed the game when they released the much acclaimed 3^rd Album “Shadows are Security”. Although over the years the band members had disagreement and went in separate ways to work on side projects. But that’s a different matter!

Tim Lambesis along with Jordan Mancano formed “As I lay dying” back in 2000, the name was inspired by Wiliam Faulkner’s book of the same name. The band quotes In Flames, Living Sacrifice, Iron Maiden, Slayer, At the Gates, Pantera, Megadeth, Fear Factory, Cannibal Corpse, Thin Lizzy, Shai Hulud, Dark Tranquility, Metallica, Judas Priest, and Earth Crisis as some of their influences. Predominantly a Melodic Metalcore outfit, they have experimented and worked on Thrash and Death metal genre’s in their exciting past.

Undawn – “Solidarity” (Ep)

Posted by Ankit Sood on January 12, 2020 at 20:21 No Responses »

Jan 122020

Netherland based Melodic Metalcore band Undawn last year on 16th of November pelted out a jaw dropping EP, “Solidarity”. The band which is based out of Dedemsvaart, Overijssel, Netherlands, had the chance to open up for major bands like Soulfly and Textures, in the past. The band describes the EP as “SOLIDARITY breaks through your negative patterns. In an era in which our ego and individualism prevail, we demand the maximum from ourselves. Solidarity is about, burden that you can experience with eternal doubts about decisions, living in your comfort zone and being stuck in the past. Sometimes you don’t even realize it, but it hinders your further development.”

The EP contains 5 tracks all under 5 minute. Melodic Metalcore as a genre much identifiable with its knee jerk hooks, off time signatures and a plethora of polymorphic rhythms, has always had a defined pattern. What becomes important here is to stay in the genre, yet have enough experimental appetite during the songwriting process to make it stand out. So without further ado let’s jump to it.

Nightland – “Umbra Astra Luna”

Posted by Ankit Sood on January 5, 2020 at 15:45 No Responses »

Jan 052020

Brewing metal for as long as 13 years, Nightland, based out of Italy, have come out with their Second studio album, “Umbra Astra Luna”. This album was released on the 8^th of November 2019, which was recorded by Brendan Paolini, mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio. Although they’ve experimented with genres in the past, this album is a good dose of Blackened Symphonic Death metal. It isn’t hard to believe that their earlier music had been inspired by European Viking/Folk Metal bands. Having released 2 EPs, 3 Singles and 1 Studio Album “Obsession” the band has come a long way, and I can’t wait to spin their new album.

The album starts off with “Postridie Nonas Iunias” which builds a cinematographic soundscape that lures you into their world (Reminded me a bit of LOTR). There is so much charm in the music, and as the drums start to march, the album picks up pace before it smashes us with “Amongst Blackening Skies“. Their second song brings about brutal blast beats coupled with the scathing screams, blitzing guitar riffs and the symphonic elements help supplement and progress their sound. “In Shadow and Light” rumbles its way in with a high tonal bass, and as the groovy guitar riff chime in we are bombarded with blast beats and the choir like chorus that resonates and adds creativity to their sound.

Signum Regis – “The seal of new World”

Posted by Ankit Sood on November 4, 2019 at 21:49 No Responses »

Nov 042019

Signum Regis has been in the game for a good 12 years, back when in 2007 bass player Ronnie König along with vocalist Göran Edman started to work on their self-titled debut album. This Power/Melodic/Neoclassical metal powerhouse is known for their technical prowess, flamboyant and euphoric guitar/keyboard solos. Their sophomore concept album, “The Eyes Of Power” was received well amongst fans, and catapulted their popularity in no time. Based out of Slovakia, the band toured extensively in their home grounds and the likes of Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany while promoting their third album “Exodus”. This was soon followed up by E.P. “Through The Storm” which came to be known as their best record. The band has been active ever since and released albums “Chapter IV: The Reckoning” and “Decennium Primum” the production for the latter was funded as the prize that the band won at the “Spark Fresh Blood” festival which named them the best band of Slovakia.

The band underwent line-up changes amicably and that’s when the enigmatic Jota Fortinho (known for his tremendous vocal range), joined the ranks on vocals. The band set out to record, what in time will be known as “The seal of new World”, the bands 6th Studio album, which is scheduled to release on the 22nd November 2019 under the record label for Beyond the Storm Productions. The album is mixed by Ronnie König and mastered Jacob Hansen. The bands quotes an interesting aspect that went into the recording of the album that is, “there are no triggers and drum samples on drums. The sound is 100% acoustic, which is quite rare for a band of this genre”. The artwork was created by Jota Fortinho.

20 lb Sledge – “Electric Exodus”

Posted by Ankit Sood on November 3, 2019 at 21:21 No Responses »

Nov 032019

20 lb Sledge is a Christian hard rock music project founded by AlfonZo Rachel who is so far best known for his Humorous Christian conservative social political commentaries. The band which is based out of South bay, California released the album Electric Exodus on 4th of June 2019 with an independent label. The band lists P.O.D. SevenDust, Pantera, Helmet, Static-X, Deftones, Earth Wind and Fire, George Benson, Alice In Chains, LTD, Tool, HeatWave, Prong, King’s X, Fishbone, 24-7 Spyz, Meshuggah as some of their influences.

On Bandcamp, the band quotes their sound as, “slams like Sonic Body Blows with sophisticated yet steady beefy rhythms marinated in juicy melodies. The vocals bark with a bite of the gospel gone grizzly, with flows sweet like freedom and the grit it takes to keep it. The lyrics bridge the generations from snotty teens to old farts without relying on nasty language. Dirty Sound! Clean Message!“ I was definitely in for a surprise (written post listening to the whole record)

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