Alcest - Souvenirs D’un Autre Monde (2007)
Prophecy Productions

This first full-length album balances these two sounds in a series of five slow-moving, majestic compositions. The songs are shot through with field recordings, children playing, the ocean, on low volume, as if heard half-asleep. The whole thing is meant to describe Neige’s fantasy world, a place he visits in dream.A simple description of what is going around here could be the marriage of Black Metal riffing a la EMPYRIUM, AGALLOCH or OCTOBER FALLS with fairish vocals, calming waterish drumming. The music has nothing to do with Black Metal but you can easily see that its composer surely is listening to thus music; note also the Neige is also a member of PESTE NOIRE a very good and different I could say Black Metal horde from France. "Souvenirs D’Un Autre Monde" has a dispersion of acoustic relaxing guitars and a female voice like you are close to a Nereid. Everything is colored white, the color of brightness, of happiness.Truly beautiful MUSIC!

8/10

Eluveitie - Slania (2008)
Nuclear Blast

Eluveitie is a classic example of a fast growing band and they really deserve it. They actually do add something to the exploding pagan metal scene with their enthusiastic blend of melodic death metal - vocalist Chrigel is a diehard Gothenburg scene fan - and authentic folk with a wide range of mostly acoustic instruments. 'Slania' is the first album for new label Nuclear Blast and the minutely executed music got a sparkling mix of Jens Bogren at the famous Fascination Studios.On my first listen to this release, I was heard to remark, ‘I would travel thousands of miles to see this band live!’. I am sticking by this statement. Eluveitie have managed to dredge up in me that childish excitement that we forget as we get older. Add to this the fresh sound, the fantastic musicianship and the writing, and you have an album that for many will be held in high esteem.If you are a fan of the European melodic death sound and are open to other styles of music like folk, go buy this album right now. Its that damn good.If you're a fan of folk/pagan metal you might have already purchased it! ;)

8,5/10

Dismember - Dismember (2008)

Regain Records

This band was part of the Swedish Death Metal movement that kicked in the Metal scene somewhere in 1988 with famous acts like AT THE GATES or ENTOMBED. DISMEMBER did not follow the evolution path of their homeland’s Metal scene towards the so-called Melodic Death Metal genre, but remained loyal to their prime sound. I figured the songwriting department would be where they really took a hit but Dismember have managed to pick up the slack left by his departure. The songs themselves are similar to what Dismember have been doing forever but the production on this album really makes it work. This album is going to blow out a few speakers, not just mine. This is no-bullshit Stockholm style death at its finest. It warms my heart to know someone is still doing this, now to hope Bloodbath come up with a good one to tide me over until the next Dismember record.Now go and grab it you pussies! :P

8/10

Dark Fortress - Eidolon (2008)

Century Media

Dark Fortress has been around since 1994 and managed to cram out 4 albums, all released without seemingly to make any noise what so ever, at least not in my neck of the woods. If they had you probably would’ve seen a review of them by yours truly a long time ago because “Eidolon” at least kicks fucking ass and if this is any indication of the quality of Dark Fortress previous work I think I have some record-hunting to do… bastards.Musically though, there has been a shift towards a more straightforward approach in terms of riffs and arrangements. The result is an overall harder sound and with more aggressive black metal compared to 'Séance', which relied more on the creation of atmosphere and tension. The new approach provides instantly likeable songs. There's a trade-off though, the newfound catchiness and aggression replaces the depth and mysterious character found on 'Séance'. Needless to say, the quality of the songs themselves is beyond any doubt and one would probably play 'Eidolon' more often than its predecessor. Proclaiming either as being better would be nonsense, both are really good but differ in their approach.

8/10

Crematory - Pray (2008)
Massacre Records

After the release of “Believe” in the year 2000, Crematory decided to cease their activity. Three years gone by, the reunion translated into “Revolution” and another two years later a new bet in an album totally sung in German, “Klagebilder”.Available since February 1st through Massacre Records we have “Pray”, a record that we could call “back to the roots” because the good moments offered in 195’s “Illusions” have finally been given sequence.Guitar riffs are more daring and vibrating when compared to the recent past, while lyrically darkness takes the 48 minutes of the CD by storm. Back to the English language – that should never have been traded – clean and guttural vocals between Félix Stass and Matthias Hechler rule in harmony with dark atmospheric melodies. Keyboards have also gone through an upgrade, with orchestral arrangements back in charge, giving the “true” Crematory some more solemnity.I am totally satisfied with "Pray" and also happy because in my mind CREMATORY have reunited and they are ready to produce that good (and hopefully heavier) albums that will renew their high position in the Gothic Metal league.Well done!

8/10

Atrocity - Werk 80 II (2008)
Napalm Records


ATROCITY was born in 1985 and recorded their first demo in 1988. The EP "Blue Blood" saw the light a year later, followed by a concept album about drug use named "Hallucinations". Their second album "Todessehnsucht" ventured into Death Metal, featuring a cover of "Archangel" by DEATH. From then on, the band started exploring other fields. In 1996 the band released "Willenskraft" and introduced industrial elements. Then it was "Werk 80"’s turn, featuring versions of 80’s Disco hits. After some "odd" MCDs and only one full-length album, "Atlantis", I was waiting to listen to something else than covers only.If the idea of metal bands doing covers albums is starting to wear thin, then Werk 80 II is certainly not going to change your opinion on them. Longtime German extreme metal band Atrocity have taken 12 80's new wave/dance/pop hits, and given them a gothic metal spin here, which for some might be a work of pure genius, but for fans of the band's more extreme fare this sequel to 1997's Werk 80 might seem like another complete debacle. Don't expect any of Atrocity's crushing death metal here, not by a long shot. This is safe, symphonic gothic metal, plain and simple, with clean male & female vocals over crunchy riffs and loads of symphonic keyboards. In a few instances, the band actually gives new life to some of these songs, like the Depech Mode classic "People Are People", "Fade to Grey" by Visage, and "Relax" from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, each one with pumping rhythms and symphonic & heavy arrangements. However, for the most part the results here are somewhat sappy and heavy handed, as the band seems to be trying too hard to retain the original feel of these songs and, and in the end they have lost all resemblance to Atrocity the band. We want to know that this is Atrocity playing these songs, but on almost every tune here they come across as a faceless band trying to mimick an 80's new wave act. Simple Minds' "Don't You Forget About Me" and the Eurythmics "Here Comes the Rain Again" are perfect examples of this-there's just no Atrocity stamp at all to these pieces. Where's the growls? Where's the screams? Where's the mammoth guitar riffage?Shame......

6/10

Draconian - Turning Season Within (2008)

Napalm Records

The Swedish gothic-doom-death metal merchants Draconian are back with their 4th release, the powerful and dramatic Turning Season Within. If you've followed the career of this band, even back to their days as Kerberos in the early 90's, this latest is really going to bring a smile to your face. With all the acts that have a bit of gothic touch to their music, it's perhaps Draconian who offer something a tad different, their ability to mix doom & death metal styles into their music, as well as symphonic rock, really works wonders, and the meshing of gorgeous female vocals with brutal death metal growls & grunts is highly effective.In a super crowded field, Draconian has made up some serious ground on the likes of Swallow the Sun and November’s Doom. Both of these bands haven’t created an album as thought-out and memorable as Turning Season Within, thus giving Draconian a whole new lease on life, which is funny, ‘cause this stuff isn’t meant to revitalize the soul, but instead intended to suffocate and suffocate faster.Masterpiece!

9,5/10