Death metal is really an area of music that I’m recently growing accustomed to, and really enjoying. I try to pick a band that has a theme to them, that I can really dig, and get my head moving to. Some bands sing strictly about one specific theme (like death, hahaha), but most bands, that try to appeal to all kinds of listeners choose several themes to sing about, like Unleashed. But sometimes the themes aren’t enough to make your band stand out from other bands, and unfortunately these guys have a sound that hits too close to other bands.

Unleashed’s new album As Yggdrasil Trembles sounds good, but is in no way a polished album. And to be completely honest, they sound exactly like Amon Amarth, which isn’t a bad thing by any means. I really enjoy their sound, but I just believe that they need to come out of their shadows, and really develop their own sound. They have a great sound, but they just don’t vary enough from other bands in the genre, at least not enough for me to find a clear difference, as to warrant them an individual style. As Yggdrasil Trembles definitely hits the inside of my dome with a nice beat, with all of the Death and Viking undertones that I was hoping for, but most of the songs in the beginning of the album sounded similar in the start. Only towards the end did I hear some differences in the tracks, and one that really stood out as a pure death track was “Cannibalistic Epidemic Continues.” I’m not saying that the album was bad by any means, but it did lack the variety that I would have expected from a veteran band in the genre (They formed in 1989).

All in all, if you have heard any of Unleashed’s previous albums, then there’s a good chance that you’ll find this album to be good, but only too familiar. A bigger variety is just what the doctor orders now from the band, and let’s see what the future holds for them. Will it be more of the same, or a welcomed change with a unique sound, and polished tracks?

GOOD

Similar Bands: Amon Amarth, Demigod

1.   Courage Today, Victory Tomorrow!
2.   So It Begins…
3.   As Yggdrasil Trembles
4.   Wir Kapitulieren Niemals
5.   This Time We Fight
6.   Master Of The Ancient Art
7.   Chief Einherjar
8.   Return Fire
9.   Far Beyond Hell
10.   Dead To Me
11. Yahweh And The Chosen Ones
12. Cannibalistic Epidemic Continues

Johnny Hedlund – Bass, Vocals
Fredrik Folkare – Lead Guitar
Tomas Olsson – Rhythm Guitar
Anders Schultz – Drums

Unleashed Homepage

http://www.myspace.com/unleashed

Nuclear Blast Records

Review by TONY

The stalwart, never say die lords of the underground, God Forbid are back with their latest offering, Earthsblood. Throughout their entire career, God Forbid have fought adversity to maintain their rightful place in the soul of the metal scene, no matter what the popular trend may be. While others such as Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God and Shadows Fall have found much more success in the mainstream, God Forbid can rest assured that they have never released a lackluster album. Earthsblood, the follow up to 2005’s Constitution of Treason, not only continues the trend of noteworthy releases, but it noticeably ups the ante, and extends the influence of this band on newer fans.

For most of their career, God Forbid has been caught between the metal they claim to represent, and the hardcore that they thrived on via guilt by association. As the band graduated into more prominent climates however, God Forbid found that it was “okay” to be labeled as metal music played by metalheads. And so, album after album, God Forbid evolved into a much more complete, thorough metal act, slowly shedding their guise of being hardcore. On Earthsblood, the transformation is complete, we are presented with God Forbid in all of their metallic glory. From beginning to end, Earth quaking track after Earth quaking track, Earthsblood is a thriving mass of pure, undiluded modern metal. Despite being a long time fan of God Forbid, I can say that I am very happy to hear what is likely the truest version of this group to date.

Earthsblood not only takes its sound in the direction of pure metal, it takes a step further by avoiding overusing popular methods in metal that are surefire ways to get you recognized amongst up and coming fans. Instead, God Forbid has instrumented much less melody than on their previous album, while dramatically upgrading the heavy factor and aggression. This may sound strange to many readers, especially those who are familiar with God Forbid, but I got this strange familiarity about Earthsblood that immediately linked this album to viking metal ala Amon Amarth. Not only can you not get anymore metal than viking metal, but its a direction that completely throws a monkey wrench into the works which will totally flabergast the critics and keep fans on their toes. What better reaction could a metal band possibly ask for?

God Forbid have truly shown where their hearts lie. They are die hards of a scene that will beckon them forever, as long as they put out the music we need to hear. Much like Overkill, God Forbid has the potential to lead a long, storied career making them legends of underground metal. Earthsblood is a much welcomed addition to this career which has already left an indellible mark on the New Wave of American Heavy Metal scene, and I find myself being legitimately relieved that God Forbid, one of the highlights of the metalcore breakout bands, has maintained their stride.

VERY GOOD

Top Tracks: Shallow, War of Attrition, Bat the Angels, Earthsblood

Similar Artists: Amon Amarth, Shadows Fall, All That Remains, Gojira

1.    The Discovery    01:42
2.    The Rain    05:21
3.    Empire of the Gun    04:45
4.    War of Attrition    04:27
5.    The New Clear    06:36
6.    Shallow    03:31
7.    Walk Alone    06:14
8.    Bat the Angels    06:06
9.    Earthsblood    09:03
10.    Gaia (The Vultures)    07:17

Byron Davis – Vocals
Doc Coyle – Guitar
Dallas Coyle – Guitar
John Outcalt – Bass
Corey Pierce – Drums

Century Media Records

http://www.myspace.com/godforbid

http://www.godforbid1.com/

Review by CODY

Battlelore’s 2007 album Evernight, is yet another unbridled take on epic power/symphonic metal with a flare for the cheese that would put a lactose intolerant into a coma. However, for Battlelore fans, this is the name of the game, and Evernight delivers as much as ever.

Battlelore is an interesting combination of music for those who have never heard them. They take strong influences from traditional power metal, but there are also huge influences from goth stalwarts Lacuna Coil (especially in the female vocal department) and some very effective male death growls courtesy of Tomi Mykkänen. Overall, Battlelore is a cheese fest, yes, but there is also a dynamic juxtaposition between aggression and sadness in the music. Tomi and female lead Kaisa Jouhki definitely have a good chemistry together that seems to seamlessly drive the background music. Because of the broad range of emotions in this music, this band may surprise some of those individuals who may not normally be too privy to symphonic metal (i.e. viking metal enthusiasts might quite enjoy the Nordic epic vibe). The biggest downside on this album is the lack of variety. Many of the songs have a similar approach to melodies and choruses (clean vocals, harsh vocals, clean vocals), which while not completely detrimental, can sometimes cause the listener to skip tracks.

Evernight is a niche album that will achieve its most success with the ardent power metal fanbase. Battlelore is not poppy enough to be mainstream (esp. in America), and not aggressive enough to be mainstream (weird how that works eh?), but to those who hate soy products, enjoyment and satisfaction will be fulfilled.

GOOD

Top Tracks: Mask of Flies, House of Heroes, The Cloak And the Dagger, Beneath the Waves

Similar Bands: Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Ensiferum

1.    House of Heroes    04:06
2.    Ocean’s Elysium    04:16
3.    Summon the Wolves    04:34
4.    We Are the Legions    03:58
5.    Into the New World    06:32
6.    Longing Horizon    04:35
7.    Mask of Flies    04:51
8.    The Cloak and the Dagger    04:35
9.    Beneath the Waves    05:23

Tomi Mykkänen – Vocals
Kaisa Jouhki – Vocals
Jussi Rautio – Lead Guitar
Jyri Vahvanen – Guitar
Timo Honkanen – Bass
Henri Vahvanen – Drums
Maria – Keyboard, Flute

Napalm Records
www.battlelore.net
www.myspace.com/battleloremusic