Ravenous - We Are Become Death (2013)

Debut album from the Southampton based Thrash Metal band, featuring the progressive track 'Easter Island'. While based around more popular movements of the Metal genre, 'Easter Island' attempts to bring more meaningful and lyrical composition back to the genre.

Tracklist

1. Abhor  
2. Reverse (Sympathy)
3. Suffocate  
4. Deathstiny  
5. Easter Island (We Are Become Death)  
6. Ravenous  
7. Alone  
8. The Architect  
9. The Strawman



Ravenous was formed in Southampton in early 2008 when (bassist) Leon Maidment Millar joined an old school friend (lead guitar/vocals) Dave Game and band mates (drummer) Rich Giles,(rhythm) Dave Foster in performing covers of the Thrash/Groove metal genre with only one original song named Ravenous! After much indecision it was decided that Ravenous would be the most fitting name for the new direction of the band and the craving need to break the fashionable trends in metal and return to its rawer roots with more lyrical structure and 'lyrical' lyrics.Ravenous performs live with original sets and are always well received. With the exception of the introduction of rhythm player Adam Robbins, Ravenous continues on the same path with more and more original material and an ever increasing appetite for anthemic and meaningful composition. Ravenous released their debut album "We Are Become Death" on Coffee Jingle Records in Feb 2013 to widespread critical acclaim.

Facebook   www.facebook.com/Ravenousband
Twitter   twitter.com/Ravenousband
YouTube   www.youtube.com/user/TheRavenousBand
Easter Island Official Music Video   www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SmuHRwNGqg
iTunes   itunes.apple.com/gb/album/we-are-become-death/id604118681
Backstage Vibe   backstagevibe.com/members/cjrecords/media/1057/

Astral Eyes - Free Song to Download

Astral Eyes is the world's first Romantic Metal band. Romantic Metal is an offshoot of Symphonic Metal, except instead of based off of either modern/film music or the Baroque period, they're based off the Romantic era. Think of it as if Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Mary Shelley wanted to form a Metal band, you'd get Astral Eyes.

Katia Decker is a Contralto singer who sings both Opera and modern music. Paul Rubino is the Composer/Orchestrator/Guitarist. Their label, Vampiress Records, gathered some of the best session musicians in the San Francisco area to round out the music.

For a limited time, they are giving away a single from their latest album for free! 

What you'll be hearing is something entirely unique, but in a good way. Head over to www.astraleyes.com for more information.

BEST HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 1981

1 Accept-Breaker
2 Thin Lizzy-Renegade
3 Ozzy Osbourne - Diary Of A Madman
4 Saxon - Denim and Leather
5 Def Leppard - High 'N' Dry
6 Black Sabbath - Mob Rules
7 Ozzy Osbourne - Blizzard of Ozz 
8 Krokus - Hardware
9 Judas Priest - Point Of Entry
10 Blue Oyster Cult - Fire Of Unknown Origin
11 Whitesnake - Come An' Get It 
12 Motley Crue - Too Fast for Love
13 Riot - Fire Down Under
14 Rainbow - Difficult To Cure
15 Blackfoot-Marauder
16 Y&T - Earthshaker
17 Iron Maiden - Killers
18 Triumph - Allied Forces
19 Demon - Night of the Demon
20 Praying Mantis - Time Tells No Lies

other great releases:

AC/DC - For Those About To Rock We Salute You
The Rods - The Rods
Holocaust - The Nightcomers
Raven - Rock Until You Drop
MSG - MSG
Tygers of Pan Tang - Spellbound
Rush - Moving Pictures
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - I Love Rock'n'Roll
Gaskin-End Of The World

                                                                                          by Elias Papadopoulos

The Hourglass - Through Darkness And Light (2014)

"I believe this band can go far; all the elements are there. Hopefully Through Darkness and Light will launch them into bigger and bigger things. They definitely deserve it."
Allyson Kenning, 9.5/10 www.soniccathedral.com

" This is an awesome album with very hard hitting and poetic lyrics throughout and I must recommend this cd whole heartedly when it gets released in February."
Dave Smith,  9/ 10 www.ravenheartmusic.com

The Hourglass - Biography

The Hourglass is a symphonic/gothic/industrial metal band, formed by Alma Vomastek (vocals, keyboards, songwriting, lyrics), Bogdan Mara (drums) and Vlad Negrea (guitar), in the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The name was carefully chosen to represent a connection between old and new, classical and modern (musically speaking) and also, to keep a general idea that everything that has a beginning, also has an end.

The band started as a studio project, having only a 4-5 songs demo recording in plan. The main reason to start this way is that a band cannot aim high or represent any interest to the local scene until there are at least some demo quality songs to be presented to the local public on social networks (Facebook, Reverbnation or Myspace).
The goal of The Hourglass was to create something new, something that could combine different genres into a new sound. After many musical experiments in songwriting regarding subjects, atmosphere and sounds used, the band crystallized a sound represented by heavy guitars and strong rhythmics, symphonic and industrial keyboard sounds, all combined with a classical soprano voice. A symphonic/industrial metal hybrid.

On the 30th of December 2011,The Hourglass released online the first self-produced studio material, "Requiem", a 5 songs demo that represents a mixture of feelings, harmonies and styles. Mircea Petreus joined the crew with his bass skills right before the last two songs were recorded. From a ballad (In Remembrance) to a strong industrial metal influenced song (The Fall), they tried to explore the strongest human beliefs and feelings.

The spring of 2012 brings the last missing member in the band: Ioana Dirva, a pianist drawn by the idea of playing on a synthesizer and trying a different musical approach. After a strong live debut as an opening act for Theatres des Vampires (Italy) in Cluj-Napoca on the 20th of April 2012, one of the founding members, Vlad Negrea (guitar) left the band for personal reasons, followed by Mircea Petreus (bass), three months later. Even so, the formula of five was completed quick, without affecting the band's rehearsals schedule and upcoming concerts. With Andrei Buciuta (guitar) and Traian Toderean (bass), The Hourglass was complete again, ready to rock the local stage (and more) with the new members and songs.

The end of 2013 comes with line-up changes: Andrei and Traian left the band due to the tight schedule of their studies, to be replaced in a short time by none other than Vlad Negrea, who takes the guitarist role once again, joining the band together with a new friend: Cristian Florea (the bassist of Shadowsail).

The Hourglass's debut album, "Through Darkness And Light" was released on the 28th of March 2014, so let's see what this will bring on the table for this band!

Track listing:

1.Dying Star 04:32
2.Rise 04:35
3.Away 03:58
4.Dare 04:29
5.Requiem 03:59
6.Dies Irae 04:02
7.The Fall 04:09
8.Magdalene 04:14
9.Abandoned 09:50
10.In Remembrance 03:59
11.Way Home 04:12
 
Links:
Website : www.the-hourglass.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/TheHourglassRomania
Bandcamp: www.thehourglassro.bandcamp.com
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/thehourglassromania 

Zero Verdict - Clarity (EP 2014)

Zero Verdict is a progressive rock/metal band from Oulu, Finland. Founded in 2013, band includes members from such acts as Myon, Vermivore, Machina and King's Ruin. Band's first EP is titled "Clarity" is released in digital format on such sites as bandcamp and reverbnation.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeroverdict
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/zeroverdict
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/zero-verdict/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ZeroVerdictBand
Bandcamp: http://zeroverdict.bandcamp.com/

BEST HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 1980

1 AC/DC - Back In Black

2 Judas Priest - British Steel

3 Black Sabbath - Heaven And Hell 

4 Saxon -  Strong Arm of the Law

5 Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden

6 Accept - I am a Rebel

7 Scorpions - Animal Magnetism

8 Krokus - Metal Rendez-vous

9 Motorhead - Ace of Spades

10 Thin Lizzy - Chinatown

other great releases:

Blue Oyster Cult - Cultösaurus Erectus
Uriah Heep - Conquest
UFO - No Place To Run
MSG - The Michael Schenker Group
Whitesnake - Ready An' Willing
Gary Moore - G-Force
Def Leppard - On Through The Night
Saxon - Wheels Of Steel
Samson - Head On

Sammy Hagar - Danger Zone

                                                                                            by Elias Papadopoulos

REQUIEM FOR OBLIVION

"Desolate, extreme dark metal dreamscapes with an aura of sorrow....

...the cold vocals and ambience of Katatonia and diverse heaviness of Opeth and Between The Buried And Me."

"Could be the soundtrack to a David Lynch movie."

"...this is hybrid-metal, intriguing, experimental insanity at its best!"

REQUIEM FOR OBLIVION

...is a progressive, extreme metal band out of Erie, PA. The band is known for composing complex, heavy, and diverse songs with numerous twists and turns and those who see them onstage are treated to the dynamic musical performance that RFO brings to their live shows. They pay little attention to what would sell or what is trending and blaze their own trail in the tradition of bands like Rush, Dream Theater, and Opeth. Take a listen, watch a video and get ready to enjoy.

Project started by Steve Jacobson (Forsake The Flesh, iScream), former member and co-founder of the NorCal Death Metal Band FORSAKE THE FLESH. Steve moved to Erie, PA in 2007....which gave him the opportunity to start work on his own project that has been brewing for years.
Debut full-length Dark Tales Of Forgotten Mindscapes due out in early May! Two new songs are posted at the official website .
REQUIEM FOR OBLIVION

Plunging into the dark side of greatness, Requiem for Oblivion casts a deep shadow on the rest with some of the most rhythmic songs that have the most passionately crafted lyrics and top shelf, killer musicianship. Made up of Steve Jacobson on Lead Guitar, 7 and 8 string Guitars, and the 5 string Bass Guitar and Keys, and Vocals, Mike Bryan on Drums and Percussion, Geoff Radziszewski on 7 string Guitars, and Andy Laughner on 5 string Bass Guitar and Vocals, Requiem for Oblivion brings tomorrow’s metal sound to Erie today, and does it with a vengeance.
ERI Jams Magazine

“No holds barred, brings on ancient flash-backs of time immemorial. This is ‘hybrid metal’. Intriguing experimental insanity.”
Starr Tucker - New York Waste Magazine

“Requiem For Oblivion are shaping up to be a fine addition to the Prog Metal landscape.It's hard to really sum the band up at all - they're truly out-there and original. . .”
Metal Reviews

“Requiem For Oblivion transitions within musical genres in seconds and the whole song takes a new dimension, this happens most songs of this EP. And this is the biggest reason I like this band, it's unpredictable, but it never decreases in quality.”
Dark Emperor - Infernal Masquerade

BEST HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 1979

1 Judas Priest - Killing Machine/Hell Bent For Leather
2 Scorpions - Lovedrive
3 Rainbow - Down To Earth
4 Thin Lizzy - Black rose
5 AcDc - Highway To Hell
7 Whitesnake - Lovehunter
6 Pat Benatar - In The Heat Of The Night
8 Motorhead - Bomber
9 Motorhead - Overkill
10 KISS - Dynasty

other killer albums :

Blue Oyster Cult - Mirrors
Led Zeppelin - In Through The Out Door
Accept - Accept
Van halen - Van halen II
Ted Nugent - State Of Shock
Saxon - Saxon
Riot - Narita

                                                                                         by Elias Papadopoulos

No Remorse Records

New Heavy Metal Releases at CD Universe

BEST HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 1978

1 Rainbow - Long Live Rock'n'Roll
2 Judas Priest - Stained Class
3 AC/DC - Powerage
4 Uriah Heep - Fallen Angel
5 Van Halen - Van Halen
6 Gary Moore - Back On The Streets
7 U.F.O. - Obsession 
8 Whitesnake - Trouble
9 KISS - Paul Stanley 
10 Whitesnake - Snakebite

other great releases:

Ted Nugent - Weekend Warriors
Journey-Infinity
David Coverdale - Northwinds
Queen - Jazz
Boston - Don't Look Back
The Godz - The Godz
Rose Tattoo – Rose Tattoo
The Runaways - And Now...The Runaways
Black Sabbath-Never Say Die

Rush - Hemispheres

                                                                                    by Elias Papadopoulos

BEST HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 1977

1    AC/DC - Let There Be Rock
2 Judas Priest - Sin After Sin
3 U.F.O. - Lights Out
4 Thin Lizzy - Bad reputation
5 Motorhead - Motorhead
6 Scorpions - Taken By Force
7 Uriah Heep - Innocent Victim
8 Queen - News Of The World
9 Ted Nugent - Cat Scratch Fever
10 Foreigner - Foreigner

other great releases :

Blue Oyster Cult - Spectres
Hawkwind - Quark Strangeness And Charm
Uriah Heep - Firefly
Legs Diamond - A Diamond Is A Hard Rock
Rush - A Farewell To Kings
KISS - Love gun
David Coverdale - White Snake
Journey - Next
Aerosmith - Draw The Line
The Runaways-Waitin' for the Night

AC/DC - Let There Be Rock Blu-Ray $41.19

AC/DC - DIRTY DEEDS (SPECIAL EDITION ART BOOK INCL. 4 DVD) 15.00EUR
                                                                                 

                                                                                                                          by Elias Papadopoulos

BEST HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 1976

1 Rainbow - Rising 
2 Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak
3 Judas Priest - Sad Wings Of Destiny 
4 Thin Lizzy - Johnny the fox
5 UFO - No Heavy Petting
6 AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
7 Scorpions - Virgin Killer
8 Black Sabbath - Technical Ecstasy
9 Kiss - Destroyer
10 Queen - A Day At The Races

Other great albums :
Rush - 2112
Blue Öyster Cult - Agents of Fortune
Ted Nugent - Free-for-All
Aerosmith - Rocks
Kiss - Rock and Roll Over
Bad Company - Run with the Pack

                                                                                  by Elias Papadopoulos

BEST HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 1975

1 Scorpions - In Trance 
2 Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow -Rainbow
3 AC/DC - T.N.T 
4 Black Sabbath - Sabotage 
5 AC/DC - High Voltage
6 ZZ TOP-Fandango
7 Thin Lizzy - Fighting
8 Aerosmith - Toys In The Attic
9 Uriah Heep - Return To Fantasy
10 Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti

                                                                                            by Elias Papadopoulos