PERSEFONE

'Shin-Ken'

KOLONY

Sounds echo from the Pyrenees as Andorra's only (yes only) active metal band Persefone come back with number three entitled 'Shin-Ken' and with it they still carry the flag of Andorra for their Metal scene. Submitting melodies unlike many Melodic Death Metal bands, they mould Scar Symmetry-esque vocals with Dream Theater keyboards and melodies with the brutality of the entire European Union (although Andorra sits firmly outside of it - and I'm not bringing politics into music). The fact remains that Persefone are one of Europe's  'hardly known' Metal bands which causes for concern, considering this band has enough balls to overthrow the titans like Dream Theater and Scar Symmetry. Word of warning, dont be fooled by the Japanese music influences, as Trivium have done this before, but more importantly don't be fooled by Persefone, this Andorran sextet have more going on than first thought. Persefone are a sure competitor for the Metal Hammer Golden Gods 'Global Metal' award.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

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NON OPUS DEI

'Eternal Circle'

WITCHING HOUR PRODS.

If there is one sacrilege that is the most unholy it would be Non Opus Dei's sixth full length 'Eternal Circle'. Black Metal resides within nine songs of Polish infused brutality and scientific satanic lyric infrastructure. It is as if Poland has a rivalry against the Norwegian Black Metal scene in that who can make the most brutal, fastest and darkest record of all time. It is however safe to say Non Opus Dei are anti-Christian and within reason have released one controversial album, especially when the artwork is of those seen at cathedrals in the Vatican for example, but regardless of the religious conflicts between the band and potential listener, the music as it would seem does not confound and as of yet remains steadfast, dark, brutal and in general, sitting as one of 2010's best Black Metal releases. Whether or not the album title refers to the pentacle or pentagram it is unclear, but what is clear is that Polish Black Metal will never be the same again.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

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HELMSKEY

'Black Disharmonium'

DEMONSTEALER

Singapore's Helmskey see their 2009 EP ''Black Disharmonium' exceed G-Force 1 and enter the sonic stream of Melodic Blackened Death Metal. Hailing from the country known as the 'mega Asian city (by some)', Helmskey are one of many underground Metal bands from this small Asian country. Something of a revelation is occurring, whereby having detached from British ruling in the time of the mighty Commonwealth, the Singaporean Metalheads seem highly linked to the UK and in doing so take their own slant on Metal. Here Helmskey take Cradle Of Filth and Hecate Enthroned and mould them together to create their own dynamic masterpiece. Singapore as far as Metal goes, has spoken out.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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KALODIN

'The Bestial Ritualism of Harlotry'

Storming the Singaporean streets is Symphonic Blackened Death Metallers Kalodin, fusing an array of different subgenres and taking highly influential musicians as a basis to build an album worthy of a record label deal, Kalodin is one of Singapore's freshest acts and by far one of the most differential. Taking guitar influences from Alexi Laiho, drums from the digital technology prophet known as MIDI, bass from well lets say Iron Maiden and vocals from Dani Filth. Combining three Nepalese musicians and one Singaporean, the dual-nationality quartet seek the darkest and most extreme corners of their two native lands and mould them together to create one of the most versatile releases Singapore has seen in its entire Metal scene history. Kalodin are a sure winner for Metal Hammer's golden gods 'global metal' award.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/kalodinsic

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MESSOR

'Endless Battlefield'

In 2009, the Balearic Islands saw Metal being blasted from the island of Ibiza (which is usually known for its tourists, ravers at the many parties there and load of hot chicks), but Messor caters for Metalheads only and for the Balearic Island quintet this was a dream come true and not to mention their debut album. Using very complex melodies on the keyboard they add Unleashed style vocals and Children of Bodom guitars. Note, they are not your usual cookie monster growlers, but a five man band who are flying the flag for their autonomous community. Holidaying in the Balearics and especially partying in Ibiza will never be the same.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/messormusic

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DARK ORDER

'Cold War Of The Condor'

BATTLEGOD PRODS.

18 years of existence and Dark Order pop out number four, so on average that's an album every 4 and a half years, not bad for an Australian Thrash Metal band who seem to have lost track on keeping notes in situ, not so much boiling up the heat in Sydney's Opera House, but hey it works!! Although not sounding like Slayer, which is an interesting sight, they stick true to fast insanity and heavy distortion, a rather odd mix of Metallica meeting Australian Aggression whilst keeping the listener on their toes and not perched on Uluru. A true down under metal classic waiting to be highlighted as one of Australia's greats.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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TRUE

'Welcome To Chaos'

Brazilian Deathrashers True return with their 2009 demo (which Metal Archives have incorrectly labeled as a single) 'Welcome To Chaos'. Taking very much the old Sepultura and revitalizing the Brazilian Thrash Metal scene with their own spices, True summon Deathrash from the Amazon at it's darkest hour, probably one of the best South American Deathrash releases to date. Not to be confused with Croatia's band True. Brazil of course is famous for samba and football but now Sepultura laid the path for fellow countrymen like True to follow and it is as they say, 'Welcome To Chaos'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/thrashtrue

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MOON

'Lucifer's Horns'

WITCHING HOUR PRODS.

Well the vocals are not at their best, even if they have been going 14 years, with this being their third full length outing, there could have been at least some reassurance the vocals would be better but obviously not. The drums do change and offer some consolation for the vocals, but are ousted by the hardly heard guitars. Some would see this as a good release, but in the end it is one of those 'you what?' albums, a total mishap. Maybe an instrumental may have been better?

[3] RHYS STEVENSON

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VULTURE OF CORPSE

'Dance Of Shadows'

Marcelo Mattos' side band Vulture Of Corpse, bring out Brazilian traditional instruments such as the acoustic guitar to add the Brazilian Folk Music to Symphonic Blackened Folk Metal. 'Dance Of Shadows' being their 2010 single (with three bonus tracks), breaks the ice that has formed ever since Max Cavalera departed Brazil's Metal sons Sepultura. Taking Dimmu Borgir influences and the same approach Sepultura did with 'Roots Bloody Roots', Vulture Of Corpse are one of Brazil's next generation of Metal bands. Brazil now will dance to samba but in the style of the 'Dance Of Shadows'.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/vultureofcorpseofficial

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MAGNUS

'Acceptance Of Death'

WITCHING HOUR PRODS.

Old school Polish Deathrashers Magnus make it four with their 2010 full length 'Acceptance Of Death'. There is no way to describe it as they remain to how the genre once was and using that they modernize it to create their own slant on it. 23 years of solidarity and darkness coming from the city of Wroclaw did not succumb to the mass spread of Metal globally and whilst Magnus remain to their original roots, they have gone for a modern Deathrash approach, the one exhibited by Estonia's Human Ground and especially bands who sit below the mainstream corporal level, in fact it is time we all accepted that life is not eternal nor reborn. Essentially we should take the 'Acceptance Of Death' to its limits.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

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AWAIT THE END

'The Key To Salvation'

Await The End are the next breed of Swedish Death Metal, the five 19 year olds aim to follow fellow countrymen and Swedish Death Veterans Unleashed to the very end and in doing so adding their own adventures. Their debut EP 'The Key To Salvation' is promising to what comes in hindsight of their next releases and especially their awaited debut album. It is not coincidence that Sweden is notoriously good for Death Metal but rather it is the musicians themselves, of course Black Metal always has the throne in Norway (even though Newcastle has the roots) but with Death Metal Sweden has the reigns, whereas Await The End have 'The Key To Salvation'.

[10] RHYS STEVENSON

http://www.myspace.com/awaittheend

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THROES OF DAWN

' The Great Fleet Of Echoes'

FIREBOX

Somewhat of a Gothic act is Throes Of Dawn, Finland's well known Dark Metallers, here they come hand in hand with their fifth full length in 16 years of existence. With their depressive melodies and blackened romanticism approach to the lyrics (circulating sorrow and negativity), Throes Of Dawn take the listener into the darkness and onto a rollercoaster ride through the graves and mortuaries surrounding their city of Vaasa, so much so for the Gothicness of this cold country, especially when they have bands like Vanguard, Amberian Dawn and Poisonblack leading the Dark metal pack, but with Throes Of Dawn comes ' The Great Fleet of Echoes'

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

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