The Metal Resource - www.mauce.nl

Help Wanted! We Are Looking for (All-Round) CD Reviewers / Writers

Posted by thrashboy on December 25, 2022 at 02:10 No Responses »

Dec 252022

We are looking for (all-round) CD reviewers. This is what we ask of you

“Basic requirements

You have free time, that you want to invest in the website
You agree with Mauce.nl’s mission statement and act accordingly
You have experience in writing articles / reviews.
Knowledge of the English language.
Love for rock and metal music
Work with deadlines for publications.

You have the time and capability to write at least two reviews each month.
You’re not biased against any genre and if you are then it won’t show in your reviews. You can form a few paragraphs of well written explanations on why an album is or is not good. You can be as unbiased as possible.

Narnia: Bands from Latin America Come Together To Launch an Epic Tribute to The Legendary Swedish Band, Teaser Available

Posted by thrashboy on September 25, 2023 at 19:37 No Responses »

Sep 252023

Since the beginning of its career, Narnia has created a close relationship with their Latin American fans. The whole continent embraced the band with enthusiasm, providing them with loyal and passionate followers. Their music, with its infectious energy, inspiring lyrics and impressive technical skill, resonates deeply with Latin American fans, who can relate to the intensity and emotion transmitted by their songs.

The band recognizes and values this unconditional support, and this is reflected in their close relationship with their Latin American fans. They performed twice in Mexico and also toured twice in South America, and with another successful tour this time visiting the 3 Americas (North, Central and South) just ended. These live shows are moments of celebration, where fans and band come together in an atmosphere of pure energy. Energy that is unparalleled and Narnia always makes a point of reciprocating, delivering intense and memorable performances.

In addition, the band maintains constant contact with fans through social networks and other online platforms. They interact regularly, responding to comments, sharing updates, and establishing a more personal connection. This virtual proximity allows fans to feel like being part of the Narnia family, closely following the band’s creative process, news and achievements.

Jagged Doctrine – Eve of Destruction

Posted by TMR on September 25, 2023 at 13:27 No Responses »

Sep 252023

Jagged Doctrine is an industrial metal project that has reactivated after a 9-year hiatus to bring us their latest offering “Eve of Destruction” on Roxx Records. Formed in the late 90s as a collaboration between guitarist Rod Middleton and keyboardist Gary Baker, they have roots in industrial metal that has an experimental bend. Connecting the dots, this project has a truly independent spirit with a significant independently released discography staying true to their vision for JD. As such, I would say you should approach this project with and open mind. Besides this project, Rod and Gary have collaborated on various other musical projects including licensing tracks for MTV and composing a sound track for a book series.

“Eve of Destruction” continues the intermingling of electronica and heavy metal into a unique blend that is a throwback to the 90s with a slight tinge of avant-garde. Rod and Gary have recruited the inimitable talents of Dale Thompson (Bride) to take on the lead vocals for this album, while they focused on weaving the industrial complex underneath. There is a sizable guest list of musicians contributing to the recording, some of which are attached to the progressive metal band Perspective X IV which might or might not be working on new material.

Silent Skies – “Dormant”

Posted by TMR on September 24, 2023 at 10:11 No Responses »

Sep 242023

This album is not typical for us although the musicians and/or the bands they hail from should be somewhat familiar. Tom Englund (Evergrey, Redemption) and Vikram Shankar (Redemption) are members of metal bands that have produced some quite good music within our usual wheelhouse. Silent Skies is going to be a stretch sonically for die-hard metal or hard rock fans out there. However, for the adventurous and open, this is a highly recommended release.

This is how Silent Skies began:

Everything began a few years back when Englund stumbled across one of Shankar’s piano renditions of an Evergrey song. “I instantly realized that he understood what Evergrey was all about,” Englund says. “I don’t think we would have ever worked together were it not for this.” Shankar has been an Evergrey fan ever since his high school days. “They are part of my musical DNA,” the artist from North Carolina states. “I listened to them for years and years. The way they made music influenced my way of writing and playing, too. When Tom and I are making music, I instantly know what he wants to say. We speak a common musical language. We both want to express that which touches us profoundly. Only then,” the pianist says, “music can truly move others.”

Silent Skies is hard to describe by genres. There is a clear nod to dreamy pop music, but it is much darker. Instrumental focus is on keyboards and synthesizers where piano plays a prominent position and often used as the main voice for melodies. Strings are another prominent voice that is used to great emotional effect, but beyond that, the underlying texture is a complex texture of keyboard voices working together, organically changing through the song. Clean, emotionally-laden vocals layer within the musical ecology set by the instruments to make a complete organic entity.

Album Review: Wytch Hazel – “IV: Sacrament”

Posted by TMR on September 22, 2023 at 23:51 No Responses »

Sep 222023

I only recently have become familiar with Wytch Hazel and have become quite enamored with their unique sound, middle-ages imagery and inspiring message. Earlier this year, I went to visit my Mom before she passed away. The day after she passed away, I noticed that “IV: Sacrament” was released on Spotify and streamed it while doing funeral prep work in my hotel room. Needless to say this album is somewhat important to me personally, but as a good music reviewer, I’ll keep things as unbiased as possible.

WH is a British band formed in 2011 around the lead song-writer Colin Hendra. Inspired by the roots of metal more than the modern masters, they looked to the great wealth of inspiration around Britain in the 1970s. A few key influences they have cited include Thin Lizzy, Jethro Tull, and Iron Maiden. They have a folk feel that hearkens back to antiquated times of England with knights, castles, and medieval battles. Lyrically, they draw on that imagery particularly around the prevalent sense of Christendom during the middle ages. Although not marketed as a Christian band, there is no doubt that the Christian faith inspires the lyrics. After some lineup shuffles and demos/singles, WH landed their first album “Prelude” in 2016 with Bad Omens records. They then released a record every two years with “II: Sojourn” in 2018 and “III: Pentecost” in 2020. With a three year gap with “IV: Sacrament,” we get a sense that life or international pandemics may have impacted the timing for this one.

Rock n’ Roll Band American Arson Drop 3 New Singles, New Album Out Nov 3, Pre-order Now!

Posted by thrashboy on September 22, 2023 at 21:31 No Responses »

Sep 222023

American Arson have just dropped THREE new singles from their upcoming album “Sand & Cinder, Tide & Timber”, out November 3 on Facedown Records.

The whole album plays on themes that tie together with connecting lyrical threads, while also producing superior stand-alone tracks. Songs like “Arrowheads” and “Adversity” acknowledge that life is full of misery and difficult trials that can be used to strengthen us in our lives, celebrating the completed victory in Christ – undisputed and final! The most interesting concept from The band’s second full length for Facedown is the self-contained trilogy called “The Heat” in which the band imagines what it would be like to travel back in time to offer their teenage selves advice to navigate the music industry.

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