Marduk - Wormwood

Regain records

Before starting this review, U would like to address that I am not going to talk about the singers of the band. The sound of an album is created by the current band, not the previous one.
Wormwood, it sounds as a piece of rotten woud full of woodworms that will crush wooden churches to the ground in black metal ideology. This album does not sounds different than what it proposes: rotten, raw, cold and edgy. What catches the ear is the astonishing production for a black metal album without turning mellow. Face it ‘Undergound Police' albums need to sound good and not like some second hand blender bought for your grandmother's birthday.

Sycronomica - Sycroscope

Silverwolf Productions

This German band and the German label Silverwolf Productions collaborate for the release of the bands' third record. The label, a child of Dreamscape guitarist Wolfgang Kerinnis, tries to give young and talented bands a change to get a worldwide distribution and promotion. Other bands on their roster are Chaoswave, Stormhammer, Andromeda, Dreamscape,...
But let's talk a bit about Sycronomica now.

Elis - Catharsis

Napalm Records 2009

The waiting is finally over. In november Elis released their fourth studio album: Catharsis. And let's start rightaway with the good news: it was worth the wait.

Catharsis is the first full album for ‘new' vocalist Sandra Schleret, who has the heavy duty to replace Sabine Dünser (1977-2006), who died all of sudden in 2006 of a cerebral haemorrhage, during the recording sessions of Griefshire. The future at that time was uncertain for the band. Elis then contracted Sandra Schleret, who also sings in the band Siegfried, to take Griefshire on the road. On the Show Me The Way EP (2007), Sandra's ‘real' studio debut, and of course during the liveshows, Elisfans could hear that Sandra's voice fitted very well with Elis. The band seemed to agree with that: Sandra stayed.

Spiritus Mortis - The God Behind The God

Firebox Records

Fans of the band know this record was already released in may, nevertheless we feel it's the right way to publish this review anyway.
For those who don't know the band: a short history. Spiritus Mortis was formed in the late summer of 1987 in Finland, under the name Rigor Mortis. The band developed a heavy style and during the nineties they released a lot of demo's and splits. It took until 2003 before the band recorded and released their first full length through the Rage of Achilles Label. The label stopped a year later. A new label was found in the Greek Black Lotus Records. They released the 2006 cd Fallen. Black Lotus went bankrupt, so now the band has a new label. And a new singer as well, Sami Hynninen, from Reverend Bizarre.

RioRock Benefiet

RUINER - "Hell Is Empty"

Bridge  Nine Records

Ruiner, a band who's first album was released in 2007, has brought us a new confrontational album.  It is surprising how well thought these lyrics are, they tell the truth of what's going on in our society. Ruiner deserves a lot of respect for standing up and they convinced many people, not only by good promotion but also with their tours in different countries. They have the spirit of a true band, writing songs at home and on tour, and then touring to play their new music for all the fans they have build up over the past years. This type of life is certainly reflected in the CD, especially Ruiner's new guitar player had a really good influence on the band and that's noticeable .

Sights & Sounds – Monolith

Redfield Records

SIGHTS & SOUNDS succeeded in something no one could ever imagine: creating music in the same genre such as bands as Mew and Sigur Ros, but that still breeds an immense post-hardcore atmosphere.

With their debut album ‘Monolith' the band immediately hit the bull's-eye. It's a unique composition of both heavy and emotional songs. Some tracks are pure hard rock, others sound more as catchy punk rock. With members coming from bands as Comeback kid, Sick City and Figure Four you can't expect anything than some really special music. Especially the Comeback kid singer (Andrew Neufeld) shows himself from a total different side, he changed his usual hardcore screaming to passionate clean vocals, but still with a rough touch!

W.A.S.P. - Babylon

With Babylon, the US shockrockers of W.A.S.P. just released their 14th studio record upon the masses. In their glory days, the band toured the world on the biggest stages and frightened the people, mothers and fathers of the towns they toured. During the nineties, the band's -aka Mr Lawless- star fall down, but since the millennium change, their fame is rising again.
Unfortunately, the labels don't follow their path anymore and that's why the U.K. label Demolition Records releases this effort. Maybe the name might not ring a bell, but with artists like Ricky Warwick, Therapy, Twisted Sister and Hanoi Rocks, this label has some well know performers in their roster.

But ok, enough about the past, now let's judge this new effort!

Eastpak Antidote tour

The EASTPAK ANTIDOTE TOUR is becoming a fall tradition. Every year in November some of the best international punk rock bands come to give the best of themselves in Europe. In the past the Eastpak antidote tour brought us bands as Danko Jones, Street Dogs and Flogging Molly. This year we are preparing for The Ghost of A thousand, Four Year Strong, Alexisonfire and Anti-Flag! Zaal Trix in Antwerp is the place to be.

Polar Bear Club - Chasing Hamburg

Bridge Nine Records

I was expecting a lot from Polar Bear Club's debut on Bridge Nine Records, and it only partly met up to my expectations. At first I was even disappointed with most of the new songs. They seemed so much softer and lacking that punch that marked their previous releases. In time I learned to appreciate ‘Chasing Hamburg', and though it doesn't outdo Sometimes Things Just Disappear there are some great tracks on it.