Consisting of five songs, three of them being already known from the previous EP and two new ones, show the band in tremendous shape and able to achieve something really good in the future. ”Perished In Flames” is the classic song of the band, sounding extra heavy and pounding in its new version, exactly the same thing happening with the two other songs that had been on the first EP, meaning ”Leading The Legions” and ”Wings Of Tragedy”. Sounding completely different and surely better and more mature than two years ago, also being able to listen to them live, they work much better on such occasion and I can surely tell that the new members have a big credit on that, adding a lot elements to the early skeleton of these tracks.

This progress in TSR’s music shows much better on the two new songs, which sound a far cry forward compared to the old ones. Meaning that the band has found the right form of playing, exposing its skills much better this way. Fast and melodic tunes like ”Inner Scars” with the great chorus and the harsh vocals put in the right place to make it one of the two wild cards of this release. Especially the new rhythm section kicks serious ass and the new guitar player plays some great lead stuff, creating a great guitar duo that is the guiding force to all the songs, old and new ones. The other new track is the title track of this release, which is as far as I know the direction that the band intends to follow in the near future.

The new singer totally owns these two new songs and he also gives good interpretations to the old ones, proving to be a good fit for the band. The renewed TSR shows ready for the next big step which is going to be the recording of their first full length. Praises to the guys for the great production they did (done by the two guitar players) and for presenting a work that is very carefully structured (cover, production, compositions). It is certain that they are one of the bands of Greece that will hold the flag of heavy music very high in the future. Right playing, without sounding old, despite being influenced by classic groups. All is set right, let’s hope for no more line – up changes and they can claim they will do something really special. The road is open and the dogs are loose.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras

2-3 times to make a decent review for the site. Shadowcraft are coming from Thessaloniki and play Black Metal. Having released three previous demos, now are representing the fourth. Because I never heard something for them before, “Principles of Chaos” is naturally my first contact with their music, and this is that I will try to analyze.If you look better to the band members you’ll see at keyboards the participation of Q_Snc, who played for several  metal bands of the Greek scene as “Unholy Ritual”, “Lykaionas”, “Daylight Misery”, “Diabolical Principles” and “Kawir” at their live shows. That’s an extra point for Shadowcraft’s music.

The demo starts with an instrumental song “Aeons passed on” and of course the keyboards dominate here. A very good instrumental song, even if I rarely care about them, with good atmosphere. But it’s quite unusual for a demo or full length album to start with instrumental songs. I think that this prepares the listener for the dark attitude of the demo. Next song is “Principles of Chaos”. From the first time I thought that “Shadowcraft” will play the usual Greek black metal style as many other bands of the same genre, with the classic guitar riffs and drum blastbeats. But this song is pretty close to the Scandinavian black metal style, and they know how to combine their keyboards melodies with the guitar riffs. Sound for me like the two first Dimmu Borgir’s albums, but they don’t copy their music.
Another proοf that they play like Scandinavian black metal bands is “Red moon above the enemy”. The main guitar riffs are written to the first guitar strings, the vocals are very good, and the violin boosts extra points to the dark atmosphere of the song and this is the song that I distinguish from the demo. The fourth and the final song “I bringer of plagues and suffering” follows the steps from the two previous songs. The difference here is that some extras make the song more symphonic.

In conclusion, these guys can make great things if they bow the head and work hard. From the other hand, I’m happy that some Greek black metal bands, as Shadowcraft don’t recycle the music of the old school black metal  or don’t try to play similar music to the first bands of the scene as “Necromantia” and “Thou Art Lord”. Also the production has very good quality for a demo and that helps the listener to value their music. Good job.

Website: http://www.myspace.com/shadowcraftband

Stathis “Sethianus” Ntailianas

If you heard the demo 4 years ago and you thought that it was promising then probably “Nihilistic Stench” will tear your heart apart. Punky/thrashy (and in some songs you can also detect depressive bm elements: “Memories Are Dead”) riffs that fills the negativity of the lyrics and in general the negative mood of the record, are here to prove that some bands still trying to keep the flame of the old era alive/and to show their views and disgust against our times and our miserable life/daily routine in which we are eternally damned. The record is consisted of 8 curses and its a str8 ahead punch on nowdays black metal cause there is no fashion elements and no gay-star attitude. Sharp production, rage/hate, fast speed that exchanges with thrash/punk ‘n’ roll parts and lyrically full of curses that are spitted with “Eyes Full Of Vengeance” is the main data that fills the profile of “Nihilistic Stench”. Its highly recommended for fans of: Carpathian Forest, Nattefrost, Darkthrone.

As for the members of the band who took part in this nihilistic curse:  The vocal duties are done by “Wrath” of the mighty Dodsferd  (also:Grab, Kampf, ex-Drunk Earth) the guitar shredding made by “Nadir” (Dodsferd, ex-Stellar Darkness) and the hammers are delivered from “Maelstrom” (Abyssgale, Cross Denied, Dodsferd, Ravencult, ex-Mortal Torment). A line up that shares the same point of view and delivers it through their last “Nadiwrath” effort. Prepare your filthy souls for pure nihilism, against all those “Two-Face Shit Fuckers” out there…

Standout tracks: “Winter Nights”, “There Is No Light”, “Memories Are Dead”, “Eyes Full Of Vengeance”, “Darkness Has Lost Its Meaning”

Website: www.myspace.com/nadiwrath

George “Lord I.S.” Athanasakopoulos

Standout tracks: ” Messiah Complex “, ” Rupture”.

Website: www.myspace.com/dhuman

Maria “Lucine Westenra” Maragou

Furthermore, the band shows some progressive elements considering their backing vocals and some melodic guitar riffs. I firmly believe that, this is their most complete song considering their previous EP called “Phenomenon”. Although, they have put the limit higher, if the keep up the good work and the innovative ideas they undoubtedly get what they seek in the near future.

On the other side of the EP you can the track “Crimson Grim” of the Romanian group Satanochio. It begins with a nice groovy blackened riff, but the vocals kills it all as they don’t fit the band’s attitude at all. Surely, if they do some changes in their line up things will be better.

Lastly, the artwork is great and very carefully done. Till, next complete job of both bands, you can happily headband with this nice LP.

Vasilis “Lifer” Savvoglou

The demo begins with a song which is entitled “Rites Of Perversion” and in my opinion this is the big hit of the demo. Sample from chants for about 1&20 and as Iapetos voice is slowly crawling, the riffing orgasm starts pounding while the drums are storming all around, furious and blasphemous black metal with riffs in some parts that resembles the mighty Emperor from Norway especially on 3&17,as the blasting black metal pounding goes by, the chanting sample that is integrated in the song makes its appearance this time as an outro to the song, simple clever and amazing in my point of view.In this part of the review i have to note that the overall musical structure of the demo  is thick and pungent with an almost toxic atmosphere and a heavy emphasis on bass and as for the drums i have to mention that Black Priest of Impurity have made an excellent work with a blastful and clever way on how to fill the songs and how to support the guitars while Iapetos spits his curses/lyrics. As the first song is making its way out of my stereo the second one with the name “In Nomine Satanas” is on and makes its appearance noticeable with the first crawling slow riffs.  After 1:05 of slow morbid tempo and the storm makes its presence for once again as the Black Priest of Impurity torments for once more the drum kit under the fast furious riffing  playing of Fallen Angel of Fornication and with Iapetos for second track keep worshipping the name of Satan.Heavy song, Not weak but i have to admit that the first one still remains my favourite. Track No3 “Goathorns” the homonym song is the next on the list, a song that opens with rage but later it becomes more slower and more morbid on its tunes but on the later stages as the song crawls ’till on 2:19 suddenly it becomes for once again very violent and full of cursing lyrics and sick tunes (My favourite part its the riff that starts on 2&41, such a sick tune which for some reason it reminds me a lot for one more time Norwegian black metal but well played from a different aspect). Iapetos one this one is on lethal form and proves why he (and his voice) is such a well respected vocalist in the underground scene. On the fourth track we are witnessing an outstanding tribute to a Finnish band, of the mighty Impaled Nazarene.The name of the song is “False Jehovah” and for those who are eager for further info, this song is taken from the Impaled Nazarenes album “Ugra-Karma” (Full-length, Osmose December 1st, 1993).The cover which is baptized under the sound of Impure Worship is excellent and i’d say that it clearly points out from the original version.Overall a great cover/ending for this well promised effort from the Greek black metal demons.

I could leave you with this: the demo is clearly worth listening of and a very good start and i would highly recommend to all of you guys.

Standout tracks:  “Rites Of Perversion”, “False Jehovah (Impaled Nazarene cover)”, “Goathorns”

For maniacs the demo is released in the following formats:
Pro-tape limited to 500 hand-numbered copies.

George “Lord I.S.” Athanasakopoulos

Imagine, compining Madder Mortem’s extreme style and aesthetics with bizarre orchestrations, at the camvas of sounds deriving from Opeth, Subterranen Masquerade, November’s Doom, Orphaned Land and even more delicate soundscapes such as funk and jazz and ethinic. That’s were you might get a simple idea of what you’re about to hear. Many themes that transform the quite simple songs, into labyrinths of music although there’s nowhere to get lost but their unique sound. Beautifully balanced mixing, production and cover work -although artwork really doesn’t matter that much.

Well done to Avith, this is quite a promising start! They can surely be something really powerfull if they keep it this way. Progressive for the ones who dare!!!Will you? I say you should!

Website: www.myspace.com/avithband

Andrew Koran.

Fortunately enough, the past two years hardcore music has increasingly become more popular to our area with the very pleasant fact that the concurs of the bands plus their quality has increased as well. One of those bands that have a few things further to add to our topical scene is “Against The Society”. Originated from the city of Volos and followed by a remarkable biography for sharing the stage with numerous worldwide artists such as “Walls Of Jericho”, “Cataract”, “Have Heart”, “Brothers In Blood” and many more, they have released their second EP titled “Dignity” which we are going to present below.

The name seemed familiar, I was quite sure that I have seen those guys perform live in the past and I couldn’t justify the fact that I didn’t remember anything from their show, but I was mistaken since I only knew them by attending a concert in which they were the headlining act but due to transfer reasons I had to leave earlier. That makes a sense cause I couldn’t believe that such a studio work would abstain so far from a live reality in a point that I wouldn’t remember anything from them. But let’s pass to the main subject.

“Dignity” is consisted of five tracks, pure and complete representative of the hardcore spirit exactly as a typical fan would ask for and that’s the reason I totally disagree on another review that suggests them to seek for a more personal style, since I do not thing that a hardcore fan would ask for something more complicated. The album starts with a mini intro and it is followed by the song “Nothing You Can Prove”, a song that even from the first time it took it’s place to my player, it made me think that it would create a blast in a live performance and it continues with three more songs, all in the same hard-boiled mode and without any odd tries of novelty that would proof a cynical aspect of the album. Some of the elements that prevail apart from the well-oiled vocals and the furiously constant riffs, is the classical sing-alongs, the inconspicuous beatdown rhythms and the grind-styled pig squeels which I personally do not prefer since I am more in the old school stuff but in this album they totally fit and aren’t becoming tiresome at all.

The album completes with the song “Pride” which I think is my favorite of all and summing up, the effect that stays after all these is that “Against The Society” have succeed to gain the positive press reviews with clear “dignity”.

Website: www.myspace.com/againstthesociety

Rena Koutsou.

So, when an album starts with a part that could have been included in the next album of Death, and it also brings you flashbacks and memories of when you started listening to albums like ”Individual Thought Patterns” or ”Symbolic”, then you can surely tell that there’s something special going on with this band. Echidna is a band that has absorbed all main influences from great bands besides Death, being either Atheist, Cynic, even Meshuggah. That’s the reason why their first attempt entitled ”Manifests Of Human Existence” is an album that will stand as a landmark for the whole Greek scene in the future.

From the first moments of ”Whispers”, you are facing a focused attack, made to invade deep inside your brain cells and cast them inactive to do anything but be obedient to the band’s sound. ”Political Sickness in D# Hijaz Kar” makes matters worse, and completes a dynamic duo with which the album enters in the best possible way. The rhythm section crushes bones and skulls, the production is simply amazing and if nobody knew, he would swear it is Steve Digiorgio playing the bass guitar on this recording. We’re dealing with a band that believes in its potential, and the next duo of ”Grieving Silence” and ”Dogma Of Cain” proves this right. Especially in the last, the creepy outro with the successful samples creates a pretty grim atmosphere.

Next is the ”Tractatus Cerebri” trilogy, a demanding track divided into three parts, where the band experiments as much as possible, with ”To Be” being the prelude to the relentless outburst of ”Driven Into”. There, the band can’t hide the Cynic influences, and delivers us the most brutal part of the album after the initial riff, with the blast getting along with the voice of Theo Deligiannidis, who doesn’t seem to ease his aggression for a moment during the 52 minutes the album lasts. ”A Twisted State Of Mind” closes this trilogy and has the role of the outro, preparing the ground for ”The Pendulum”. Heavy riffs, rough and tough drumming and still you can’t stop banging your head from pure surprise and obsession.

The last two songs ”Human Serpent” and ”In Fathomless Depths” reveal the point the band can reach in the future. This is an album made in the present but heading for tomorrow’s aesthetics. It’s a pure death metal album, with amazing performance from all members and with much room for experimentation inside the songs, including movie samples, traditional Greek organs such as the tzouras, speed and mood changing from song to song and in overall, a work that was made with a lot of effort and hard work and is characterized by quality. Especially if you happen to see them live, you will understand how much better the songs work out. They play them for a lot of years, that’s why the result is very solid and convincing.

I really feel great when new bands show signs of being able to drive their music to a high level. You can tell this for Echidna from the first moment. And also, what I believe is that they can do even better in the future, as their sound is rather demanding and they will try to do the best to surpass their debut. For the time being, I suggest you trusted them as much as you can. They won’t let you down and they might make you feel that some of the groups you used to love back in the day, are revived by their music. Chuck Schulidiner may have left us for a better place, but his spirit is still somewhere around and makes people try and give their best, so we will never forget him. He might be smiling up there with this work. The metal flows in the band’s veins. Don’t miss them!

Website: www.echidna-band.com

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

Even if it’s not flawless, their work transmitted to my listening soul these four young musicians’ passion and need to express their feelings and creativity through the magic of music. In their case,we are talking about social questions and “violent revolutions” which are well communicated through both music and lyrics.

If someone asked me which three words first came on my mind while listening to “In The Warfield”  those would be raw, direct and aggressive. Although the E.P. is quite old-school in mood and sound, the band’s wish to present a progressing thrash/death genre is obvious and made me believe that they can achieve it through steady evolution and partly unleash from their influences which are quite easily recognized.

The elements that really caught my attention were the clever orchestration, the impressive guitar skills, both lead and rhythm, and the rhythm section’s punctuality and bonding, especially during the mid-tempo parts of the E.P. To be honest, even though I found the vocals pretty good I would prefer them to be more expressive and violent.

All seven tracks are listened with pleasure…I meant aggression! However I picked out my personal top-three moments : the burst-out of “Revenge”, the violent  beat of “Murder Thoughts” and the extreme thrash solo in “Insane”. I also liked the artwork since it suits the content satisfyingly.

With apologies to Athens, Thessaloniki can proudly claim itself a great music beehive…it’s worth buying “In The Warfield” and rewarding such good efforts!

Website: www.myspace.com/vermilliondays

Katerina Papageorgiou.