JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 1/12/08

 

ZONARIA / THE CANCER EMPIRE

 

This CD actually came out at the end of October and nearly slipped under the radar but thanks to my dogged persistence and desire to know what they sounded like it didn’t and damned good job too as this is actually a very, VERY fine album indeed.

 

Zonaria are a Melodic Black Metal with hints of Death Metal and when I tell you they hail from Sweden and sound similar to ( but not the same as) Dimmu Borgir I know you will want to know more.  All the songs are aggressive, powerful, dark, moody affairs, with plenty of melodic symphonic and neo-classical touches that work really well, as the opening track “Slaughter And Passion” demonstrates.  “Praise The Eradication” is even more aggressive with brutal guitar riffs and understated vocal melodies that match the broodiness of the song.  The track “Contra Mundum” starts off with an almost Bach like guitar part before unleashing the metallic fury and the monk like choral vocal refrain, it breaks down in the middle with more classic touches and that what makes this album so very good.

 

I’m very glad that this excellent CD didn’t slip through the net and that my instincts and about the band were proved to be so very right, when I saw the title of The Caner Empire and the name Zonaria I instinctively knew it would be a CD that I would like, don’t let this album pass you by, if you like Melodic Black Metal I know you will really dig this band.  Listen for: “At War With The Inferior”, the brilliantly titled “Damnation Dressed In Flesh”, the fantastic “From The Abysmal Womb” and “Humanity Vs Sanity” all of witch is total classics.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.zonaria.com/ & http://www.centurymedia.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 45 mins + 10 BLACKENED TRACKS

 

 

EYEFEAR / THE UNSEEN

 

If you like Progressive Metal with more than a touch of class you will love this new CD from Australian band Eyefear, full of powerful, melodies and great riffs and generous helpings of sweeping keyboards.

 

Musically they are similar to Symphony X and Everygrey, the bands vocalist used to be with Pegazus and has a commanding voice with a range and style similar to the guy with Nevermore.  The opening track “Illusions” sets the album off to a fine start with a tempered aggressiveness that will have you hooked in no time and is followed swiftly by the very commercial but heavy “Bridge To The Past”.  The track “Always Reasons” lulls you into a false sense of security with its slow keyboard refrain before launching into the heavy staccato riff, full of power and haunting melody.

 

If you haven’t heard of Eyefear before this, their 4^th album is a fine place to start and will give you lots of listening pleasure and that’s why its album of the week on my HFMN show, listen out for; the splendour of “From Darkness Till Dawn”, “Confession” and the excellent title track.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.eyefear.com/ & http://www.dockyard1.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 42 mins + 9 STUNNING TRACKS