Silver Cypher are a Cincinnati, OH based traditional Metal 4-piece [Jon Krech-Rhythm Guitar/Vocals, Adam Brown-Lead Guitar, Michael Lawson-Bass, Jon "Animal" Martin-Drums] in the vein of early Iced Earth, Blind Guardian and Nevermore. "Yesterday`s Tomorrow" is a 10-track affair that boasts a stellar production, all the more more impressive considering it`s a self-release. The guys obviously put a TON of effort to ensure that their debut hit the mark; not only did they hit it, they blew it apart! Top class musicianship and song-writing make this one a "must-have". Further proof that the US is starting to catch up with their Euro Metal counterparts!
The Meantones [not to be confused with early Eighties Indie rockers The Fleshtones!] are a 3-piece from Columbus, Ohio who deal in dark themes and even darker riffs, laced with appropriately moody atmospherics. Not too far removed from Type O Negative [whom they closely resemble], Cradle Of Filth and early Danzig.The band [Jesse Temple-Guitar/Vocals, Chase Hurlow-Bass, and Jordan Temple-Drums] have recorded 5 tracks that are eerie, brooding and catchy as hell, with clever hooks aplenty! And while songs titled "Shadow Of Doubt", "Bury Me", "Disconfigured", "Doctor D", and "Slow Suicide" aren`t exactly the kind you would put on to celebrate the newborn day, you DEFINITELY will have no trouble remembering them! Thumbs up!
Cincinnati, Ohio Modern Metalists Solid Six recently unloaded their 4-track debut, "Darker Days"; don`t let the title fool you, the coming days are anything BUT dark for these guys! Solid Six [who are actually a 4-piece: Jeff Thompson-Vocals/Guitar, Zak Hoffman-Guitar, Matt Howd-Drums, and Mike Thompson-Bass] are obviously from the Staind/Disturbed school of Metal, but fortunately they took only the good things from these bands and made `em their own. "Bandages", "Vacancy", "Darker Days", and "4*5*3" are all well thought out and flawlessly delivered aggressive Metal [not the tantrum-throwing variety!] tunes that stick in your ear like an icepick; and yes, that`s a good thing! Check out the bands` website for more info.....
Man, WHAT is going on in the state of Ohio these days? There seems to be a surge of Metal bands determined to push the tried and true Metal boundaries to the very limit. One such band is Springfields` Once Upon A Tragedy. OUAT is comprised of Kristine Scream on Vocals, Benji on Guitar, D. Retro on Bass, Prodigy on Drums and PohGo on Guitar. The six tracks found here are fine examples of the bands` creative abilities. The band cleverly incorporates exotic melodies and rhythms into standard Heavy Rock structures. But unlike other acts that try to be "different" for the sake of it, OUAT seamlessly blends diverse elements into a sound all their own. Examples of this can be heard on standout cuts like "Pulse", "Adams Needle/Eve`s Addiction" and "Coming Home". Definitely a band to watch!
Brazil`s Elevare is further proof that there is more to Brazilian Metal than Sepultra! At first blush, "World...Desert?" could easily be mistaken for the latest European Symphonic Metal offering, and Elevare certainly has the musical firepower to compete with the best of those bands. But I also think because the band [Leandro Trombini-Vocals/Guitars, Pamela Emanuelle-Vocals, Pedro Almeida-Bass, David Riera-Guitars, Everton Moreira-Drums, Ruy Alhadas-Keyboard] is from South America, they have a slightly different take on the genre, which allows Elevare to stand apart from many of their peers. Pamela Emanuelles` haunting vocals and the rest of the bands` jaw-dropping musical abilities and song-writing skills help ensure Elevare a long,rewarding career. Highly recommended!
Springfield, Ohio`s very own Hadean are something of a throwback to the mid-Ninties Alt-Metal scene. This was a period when various Metal bands started taking cues from the then-exploding Seattle scene. Some were good, some just God awful. Fortunately, the latter does NOT apply to Hadean! The 5-piece [Andrew Grimm-Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals, Chad Whaley-Drums, Tim Estep-Bass, Mike Wilder-Rhythm Guitar, and Melanie Crain-Lead Vocals] are all highly accomplished songwriter and musicians who truly give a damn about what they do, rather than worrying about the latest trend. Further proof of this can be heard in tracks like "Paradise Lost", "Wall Of Shame", and "Over Rated" Talent AND integrity, traits rarely found together in the same band; traits that Hadean possesses in spades!!
Mutilist is a young Thrash Metal band from Circleville, Ohio that promises much and delivers MORE! Very impressive demo from this Thrashin` 3-piece made up of Kurt Miller [guitars], Taylor Emerine [drums], and Matt Harper [bass & vocals]. The guys bring an Old School sensibility to what they do, as well as a knack for writing tunes that are both heavy AND memorable, and also feature clever time changes. Check out "Eyes Behind Me", "End Of Youth", and "Fires Below" [which features Dalton Van Curen on drums] and you`ll see what I mean. Though the production is rough, the songs shine through loud and clear, as does the bands impressive instrumental skills. Keep an eye on these guys!!
"Warzone" is the debut CD for Glasgow-based Power Metal band Syth. The 4-man Metal Machine [Niall ''Legend'' Russell-Vocals & Guitar, Barry Fitzsimmons-Guitar, Allen Bell-Bass & Backing Vocals, Mark Connelly-Drums] have proven you don`t need a major label to release a well produced, high quality album, which "Warzone" most certainly is. Traditional riff-based Power Metal is the name of the game here, with melodic guitar lines and clean, soaring vocals that will doubtless bring a smile to even the most jaded Metalhead. In addition to some of the usual Power Metal stylings, I hear a bit of the NWOBHM thrown in for good measure, which is definitely not a bad thing! That the band are top class musicians is a plus, and that they are also great songwriters is an even BIGGER plus! Syth is a band that positively oozes class, a precious commodity in a world ruled by Slipknotheads who need stupid masks to show how "Metal" they are. A band that are definitely not as big as they should be. But we can try to change that; check out the bands` website and get ahold of "Warzone" and any future releases that are hopefully in the offering. A winner!!!!
Grimstone hail from Chillicothe, Ohio [the stomping grounds of my old buds Further Lo] and currently perform a mix of original and cover material. The band is: Paul Remy-Lead Vocals, Joe Bellar-Lead Guitar & Vocals, Kevin Sexton-Guitar & Vocals, Chris Seymour-Bass/Vocals, and Mike Horsely-Drums. Grimstone treads the line between the more traditional Metal [Sabbath, Dio, Accept, Judas Priest] and the more modern Metal [BLS, Disturbed, Tool, Sevendust]. Fortunately, Grimstone manage to merge the best of both worlds, as can be heard on this 5-track advance sampler. And if this is a "sampler", we are in for a treat! The tracks here are: "Lights Out" [no, not the UFO song], "Heal", "Decider", "I See Black" [demo], and "Electric Eye" [yes, the Judas Priest song!]. Amplified attitude to the max! High powered delivery and killer musicianship all add up to one helluva ride, brief though it is. Can`t WAIT for the full-length! Definitely check these guys out!
