Metalhead Spotted

Anna Samoxa new single available for streaming

Russian Rock singer Anna Samoxa released her new single «Вкус Свободы» (Taste of Freedom). The new single is a combination of Rock’N’Roll, Alternative Rock and Pop music, and it was recorded by Steve at "Studio 114" and Mister Who in Tyumen. Right now Anna is working on her debut album «Deaf Illuminator» that will be released in 2021.

Russian Rock singer Anna Samoxa released her new single «Child of the Moon». The new single is a combination of Rock’N’Roll, Alternative Rock and Pop music, and it was recorded at "Studio 114" in Tyumen. Right now Anna is working on her debut album «Deaf Illuminator» that will be released in 2021.

Russian band "IG-ROK" (Russian - ИГ-РОК) released their new EP-album "Картинки-искорки". The work on the new record has being done at "Voshod Studios" and “Kalina Records” by Dmitry Attulina and Andrei Kalinin. This is the band 6-th release and consist of 6 Russian tracks.

https://bnd.lc/7WLbl

Tracklist:

01 – Свободен в безрассудстве

02 – Моя игра

03 – Спам

04 – Питерская

05 – Музыкант

06 – Воздух

The main theme in the band lyrics talk about that our life is a game that should being play in a nice and interesting ways so we will enjoy it.

Russian vocalist Anton Gruzinski ( AHTOH SKALD ) released this summer a special gift for all his fans - Album, EP from his band "Age of Rage" and a compilation on VARG with all music from all his bands over the years.

Age of Rage – The Hundred (EP 2020)

Tracklist:

1.The Hundred (Сотня) 05:39

2.The Wounds (Раны) 03:03

3.Alive (Смерти Вопреки. Жив здесь и сечас!) 03:12

4.Only Remembrances (Лишь Воспоминания) 04:38

5.Every Night (Каждую Ночь) 07:00

6.The Hundred (Orchestral Bonus Version) 05:39

7.The Hundred (Orchestra & Drums Version) 05:39

Age of Rage – Between the Hammer and the Anvil (2020)

Tracklist:

01. Between the Hammer and the Anvil

02. Sons of Anarchy

03. Dance of Immortals

04. Die Tomorrow

05. Inhale This Night

06. Get Up

07. Age of Rage

08. The Game

09. We’ll Take It All

10. You

VA – Restless Skald Collection (2020)

Tracklist:

01. AHTOH SKALD – Vigrid

02. Война Осколков – Марш Кхалима

03. Sensum – Rebel Riders

04. Restless Mind – Шторм

05. Age Of Rage – 30th November

06. Илиум – Докажи

07. Mad_X – With The Light Of Your Sin

08. GALAKSYON – МАЯТНИК ВРЕМЁН

09. Отголоски – Ответ

10. Age Of Rage – Твой мир

11. AHTOH SKALD – Eternal Winter

12. Sensum – Winner

13. Война Осколков – Завоевание

14. Restless Mind – К звёздам

15. Galaksyon – Pendulum of time feat. AHTOH SKALD

16. Mad_X – The Death

17. Отголоски – Сумерки

18. Soul Scroll – Носферату

19. Илиум – Маятник (Оргазм Нострадамуса Cover)

20. Война Осколков – Страж и Палач

21. Mad_X – Hate

22. Sensum – Revolution

23. Age Of Rage – My Vengeance

24. Restless Mind – Заложники себя

25. AHTOH SKALD – The Hope

On 11 September Russian project "Mister Kto" ("Mister Who" - russian) released their new single “Прохожий”. This is the single from the band upcoming album “Гештальт” that will be released in November 2020. The single was recorded at "Studio 114" and already available for streaming on all the major platforms.

Belarusian Gothic Metal band Halixir released their new single «I am Still Here». The single was recorded at "Core of the Storm Records" and mixed/mastered by Dmitri Sukhov.

Album Review: Ascended Master - What Was ...And What Shall Be Again

Ascended Master are a new death metal band out of Ohio, USA. They’re a brilliant new passion project by Cody Knarr (ex-Faithxtractor, ex-Unkured), who is responsible for the vocals, guitars, bass, and the band logo. He’s worked alongside David Woest (tracks 1-3), and Luke Sackenheim (tracks 4-5), who both co-wrote the album. This is a review of their 2020 debut demo, What Was …And What Shall Be Again.

I had seen Cody perform multiple times with the death metal band Faithxtractor, and one of the highlights of those performances was always Cody’s melodic lead guitar playing. Thankfully, Ascended Master puts that guitar playing at forefront, giving the project its unique sound. Cody’s vocals remind of late-era Chuck Schuldiner, which immediately gives this demo a nostalgic feel. Some songs even have moments that could easily have made sense on The Sound of Perseverance, such as throughout the title track. That isn’t to say that this is merely Death homage, which wouldn’t be accurate at all, since aside from a few moments where it is easy to detect Death as an influence, the music overall doesn’t sound like Death. This release is heavy, thrashy, and sometimes avant-garde, but the two focal points are unmistakably the melodic riffs and the vocals. There are also plenty of other influences to note, as ‘To Behold Infinity’ begins with beautiful softer passage before going into a riff that wouldn’t be out of place on a NWOBHM album.

The sound quality on this is also great due to an excellent mixing job by Luke Sackenheim, who also mixed Faithxtractor’s 2018 release, Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter. The risk for more melodic bands like this is that they often opt for an over-polished, sterile mix. Thankfully, that isn’t the case here. Every instrument is clear, but also raw enough to not feel sterile. The drums in particular have some punch to them that gives this demo a more live feel. I’m also a sucker for audible bass, which is prominent throughout.

The album cover by Gillean Dublow has an old-school feel, with a layout that is frequently used nowadays, such as on the similarly excellent debut that came out this year from Spain’s Leprophiliac, however whereas Leprophiliac used a graphic photo, Gillean has used a hand-drawn art style depicting melting faces that reminds me of the original artwork for Deeds of Flesh’s Gradually Melted crossed with Morbid Angel’s Altars of Madness.

There isn’t much to the packaging for the CD version of Ascended Master’s demo, but what is included is crisp. There are no lyrics included, however a quote on the back of the cover insert from the title track indicates that the lyrics are thoughtful and avoid death metal clichés.

My highest praise about What Was… And What Shall Be Again is that in an era of metal that is oversaturated with bands focused on imitation, Ascended Master manages to sound refreshingly new, as they funnel a wide array of influences into a unique concoction that might wear its influences on its sleeve, but it doesn’t sound like them. The longevity of these songs is dependent on the stellar songwriting instead of coasting on nostalgia. Cody’s unique and often beautiful guitarwork pairs so well with his Schuldiner-esque vocals, and I greatly look forward to hearing more from Ascended Master as a result.

Check them out here:
https://ascendedmaster666.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AscendedMaster666/