The Trials of February 17

Note: So assuming you done fucked up for Valentines or you had a pretty good excuse for not being able to celebrate, you’re in luck! The Klown gots your back with great metal gift ideas for your significant other. Guaranteed!*

*Result vary. Many will participate. Few will win. Some will survive

Deivos Latest Will Enlighten You to Death Metal Bliss

For those of you who have never heard of this quintet, that’s okay, the Klown gots your back! Poland continues to produce some of the best metal in the world and Deivos is yet another testament. With all the gratuitous build up outta the way, this quintet has released their fifth studio album Endemic Divine through Selfmadegod Records. Allow the Klown to inform you that this album was fucking brutal! “Daimonion” kicks off this brutality by giving you a huge dose of technical death metal. “Dust of the Universe” definitely had the Klown hooked on this album. Not only was it heavy but it was really fast and upbeat and had this drunken mess start his own mosh. “Sisters of Mercy” was also another great track to listen to especially if you enjoyed the previous track mentioned. Still need a bit more convincing? Behemoth fans are definitely going to enjoy “Aperion” and “Gods of Death” because they sound like something that came out of The Apostasy and Demigod albums. Seriously, check these guys out the Klown highly recommend this for Behemoth, Cryptopsy and Hour of Penance fans.

5 out of 6, Brutality Just Went Holy 

Deivos will stir your non-existent soul

Cnoc An Tursa Sophmore has Emerged before Nessie

Who watched Braveheart!? The Klown knows he did. Although, the movie is now over 20 years old, this quartet has managed to make a pretty epic sounding soundtrack for it! Proving that Groundskeeper Willy isn’t the only bad ass Scotsman, Cnoc An Tursa bring us their second studio album The Forty Five through Apocalyptic Witchcraft Recordings. “The Yellow Locks of Charlie” gives you an epic sounding black metal, folk song with a chorus and wind instruments to boot. “The Standards on the Braes o’ Mar” and “Fuigheall” give a quick glimpse on what a melodic Primordial would sound like. Miss the sounds of Finntroll? “Wha Wadna Fecht for Charlie” can make you relive that again. The quartet will really get you to unleash yer inner Sir William Wallace, y’know the eponymous hero of Braveheart, with “Sound the Pibroch.” “The Last of the Stuart” took another page from Primordial’s playbook and will pump you up for an upcoming battle or a mosh! Whichever comes first. Yes, it was that invigorating. This album was pretty bitchin’, most importantly expect this type of folk to catch on especially if these guys are at the helm! Highly recommended for Primordial, Finntroll and Eluveitie fans! You can also check out this bad boy through the label’s bandcamp as well.

5 out of 6, Keep Your Kilts On, Lads! Ladies… as you were. 

Bust out that kilt and crank up some Cnon An Tursa!

Battle Beast Bring Forth their Fourth Album

The Finnish power metal sextet bring forth the noise and some pain with Bringer of Pain through Nuclear Blast Records. If you haven’t heard Battle Beast before, allow the Klown to let you know that they are part of the female fronted metal club. Now imagine, if you will, the sounds of Lordi but if Mr. Lordi was a female with interchangeable octaves to boot. If you can’t, the Klown pities you but urges you to hear “Straight to the Heart” and “Familiar Hell” because those songs support the Klown’s claim. However, if you are still high on Firewind’s Immortal, “Bringer of Pain” and “Beyond the Burning Skies” will give you that feel! If you’re a fan of the power metal theme with some 80’s style pop and funk undertones, “King for a Day” will be your track. Don’t let the description fool you, it sounds better than the Klown’s description. This album also features Amorphis’s frontman Tomi Joutsen sharing vocal duties with front woman of Battle Beast Noora Louhimo to make a dark but intimate track. The Beast also provides a score appropriate for a Viking party with the folk track in the form of “Bastard Son of Odin.” Lastly this album also features three extra tracks “God of War,” “The Eclipse” and “Rock Trash” to go along with this brand new installment.

5 out of 6, No Pain, No Gain! 

THEY ARE BATTLE BEAST! HEAR THEM ROAR!

Crystal Viper Sixth has a Royal Return

The Polish Queen Marta Gabriel and her male subjects have returned from to us with a brand new album titled Queen of the Witches through AFM Records. This power metal album will get you to reminisce over Swedish power metal titan, Dream Evil… if Niklas Isfeldt was a chick and played guitar with a dash of Firewind. “The Witch is Back” was a great way to start this album and really shows off that Firewind influence. This first track was fast and powerful, it definitely had yours truly hooked. Remember the Dream Evil comparison too? “When the Sun Goes Down” and “Flames and Blood” were the songs to back the Klown’s claim. The queen also treats us with a ballad that could tame beast and man alike in the form of “Trapped Behind” and the power ballad “We Will Make It Last Forever.” “Do or Die” is definitely an anthem type of song in case you need a type of motivator to get your ass going. “Burn My Fire Burn” will definitely strike a chord for die hard Maiden fans. “Rise of the Witch Queen” was a definitely a kick ass song by not only having speed, great guitar licks and solos and the famous double bass drum pedals! This album closes out beautifully with a cover of Grim Reaper’s “See You in Hell,” giving it a newer and crisper sound and proving that sometimes things just need a feminine touch.

6 out of 6, Long Live the Queen!

KWEEN

 

The Hatchet Job: Jan 30 – Feb 4

Jan. 30

Kreator Honors ‘Fallen Brother’

Kreator may be legends themselves but they surely didn’t forget their fellow Metal brethren with this latest. The Thrash legends recently concluded their epic music video trilogy from their latest album Gods of Violence and still managed to surprise us with this intimate homage to Metal icons that have passed on to the big Metal show in the sky… or hell, whichever they preferred.

Feb.1

Wintersun Captivates Again

These Finnish melodic death metal warriors seduced the eyes of many with their album artwork for their upcoming album The Forest Seasons. According to a statement from Wintersun via Nuclear Blast Records, these badass wizards will launch a crowdfunding campaign through Indiegogo on March 1st where you can secure THE (mystery) Forest package along with a copy of the record. I say mystery because they haven’t stated exactly what, but who doesn’t like surprises?! ONE MORE THING, the statement also sheds light on the highly anticipated Time II and say that front man Jari Mäenpää will also use the funds to build his own studio to make the album!… YES.

Wintersun dare us to frolic and headbang with mother nature

 

Feb. 2

Venom Inc. Go Nuclear

The Heavy Metal icons announced through their official Facebook page that Nuclear Blast Records has signed them! Though Venom Inc. have not given any new announcements and the news is still VERY fresh, we can expect to see a lot more awesomeness from them. We’re hoping they spoil us again with two shows in one year thanks to our beers and pretty faces… Cheers gentlemen!

Venom Inc. couldn;t stay away and returned to Brick By Brick on June 25, 2016
(L to R: Vocalist and bassist Tony “The Demolition Man” Dolan, guitarist Jeffrey “Mantas” Dunn, drummer Anthony “Abaddon” Bray )

Feb.3

We’re Ready To Get In To Some ‘Goddamn Trouble’

Looking to reform Overkill’s hooliganism? Well after nearly 40 years, that is no longer an option and we’re glad about that especially after living the thrills of this new music video. Overkill has been teasing us about their Feb.10 album title The Grinding Wheel for some time now and let loose this bad boy… now if you excuse me I have a few things to vandalize and lots of jay walking to do.

Feb.4

Let’s Party Like its 1984…

Who cares if Big Brother is watching, Havok sure doesn’t! Once you give in to the power of the instrumental thrashiness of “Ingsoc” you’ll even forget that nosy son of a bitch is there. Havok is just one of many bands that that not only shed light on these surreal times but are also creating wonderfully brutal tracks to head bang to regardless of what your political views are. Stay tuned for their March 10 manifesto titled Conformicide.  

Sonata Arctica Dazzled At Brick By Brick

 

Vocalist of Sonata Arctica, Tony Kakko and bassist Pasi Kauppinen take the crowd of wintery journey.

Ugh Metal fell in to the rabbit hole and made it within The Ninth Hour to Brick By Brick on Dec.3 and experienced the magic of Sonata Arctica. Though the familiar concrete floor of the Brick wasn’t covered in snow nor had any fuzzy rabbits or psychedelic stoner worms, there was plenty of overwhelming wonder within the venue to see the renowned Finnish power metal band.

But before we began our never-ending story, local Christian hard rockers, AndEver, fueled the wide-eyed mood in this metal tea party with “Illuminate.” Before you say anything, if the “C” word mentioned in the first sentence scares you, relax! Regardless of what your personal beliefs are, these guys will NOT make you go through a prayer circle but rather the circle pit.

Vocalist Lindsay Hail and guitarist Steven Almos of Andever made us believe.

PLUS, Lindsay Hail’s powerful anguish could rattle the most stone-cold individual especially when she belted out “Dark End Heart.” AndEver may only currently have one album (Pathways) under their belts but there’s no stopping these guys from snowballing, especially with their soulful and passionate performance and the fearless intimacy Hail unleashed on the crowd.

After AndEver made us believe, the local Vikings known as Helsott settled on to the stage. Something worth mentioning, the Klowntastic drunkard has had the privilege of witnessing Helsott’s conquest three times this year, I, however, popped my Helsott cherry that night… My goodness, why did I wait so long to see these dudes in action?

The quartet welcomed December the right way with the epically festive “The Tavern’s Tale,” and had us drunkenly stumbling in to the battlefield with “Vandals Divide.” These So-Cal norsemen were unstoppable in their short set and brought a tremendous energy.

Skol! Heres to you, Helsott!
(L to R: Vocalist Eric Dow and lead guitarist David Walston)

Beneath the fierce exterior, however, frontman Eric Dow fearlessly got personal and shared with the audience the health issues his infant daughter had been battling since her birth three weeks prior to the show. Like a true professional artist, Dow switched back to performer mode and passionately dedicated their rendition of “Unconscious Power” by local 60’s legends Iron Butterfly to his daughter.

Before Helsott continued to lift the spirits or resurrect the pit and the hair windmills, Dow had the crowd shout back “Helsott!” at his command. After chanting the band’s name three times, instead of invoking a Beetlejuice in Viking attire, it conjured a heartfelt message from the vocalist where he proclaimed “You are Helsott!” while he scanned the eager and glistening faces of their fans. After this brutal demonstration of gratitude the quintet began playing “Helsott” and ended the set with “Astralive.” Skol to you, fellas!

We went from indulging in Viking pagan magick, to Finnish melodic death metal from Omnium Gatherum. This sextet was full of surprises and was not what one would expect at all and I don’t mean that in a bad way. With a name like theirs, I expected a super power metal and uber melodic sound but these guys add an edge in to the mix… and a super fun vocalist that certainly knows how to engage a crowd.

Jukka Pelkonen of Omnium Gatherum GROWLED that December night while Markus Vanhala mesmerized us with his riffs.

Omnium Gatherum appropriately started with “The Pit” and reeled you in like a group of wicked sirens with their slow building and serene melodies like “The Unknowing” which was only fueled with enchantment by Markus Vanhala’s playful and wide eyed riffs.

The Finnish melodic death metallers took us on several unknown journeys and dare I say to new “Frontiers” to name a few, lest we forget the spirited and cheerful frontman, Jukka Pelkonen, grinning and growling at the incredible reception. Alas, their time to depart came by too fast and closed the show with “New World Shadows.”

Because the December magick had to be kept alive and well, we switched back to our Viking armor and rose our drinking horns to welcome the new frontwoman of Leaves’ Eyes, Elina Siirala. Leaves’ Eyes prepared us for battle with “Halvdan the Black,” nursed our battle scars with “My Destiny” and made us get stupidly drunk with “Swords In Rock.”

Siirala showcased her soprano chops adding a stronger and dramatic element which was enhanced with Alexander Krull’s thick backing vocals. Though Liv Kristine’s distinguished silky voice is now gone from Leaves’ Eyes, Siirala’s reinvention of the band is an exciting journey for members and fans alike.

We raised our swords and drinking horns to Leaves Eyes!
(L to R: frontwoman Elina Siirala, and backing vocalist Alexander Krull)

Krull dawned a body armor and sword in hand and riled the crowd with the infectious battle song “Edge of Steel” before Siirala made us feel the desperate melancholy of “Take the Devil In Me.” Through the tears and emotional confusion, everyone managed to pull through and marched forth towards the end with “Fires In The North” and “Blazing Waters.”

We couldn’t depart to Valhalla just yet! We had a date with one more adventure where the sun don’t really shine, and for once I’m not talking about your neighborhood smut shop. In this night where the Finnish dominated, it was time for Sonata Arctica.

These guys not only shined because of  Tony Kakko’s fancy light up mic stand or his Cheshire cat grin, no, these guys brought their A-game creating an unforgettable show for both devoted fans and those that are still fairly new their material.

Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica shows us his game face.

Sonata Arctica initiated our quest by reminding us of our roots with  “Closer To An Animal” and the uplifting anthem “Life” off of their latest album The Ninth Hour to name a few. These Finnish power metallers blasted us back to the past with the ballad “Tallulah,” “Fullmoon,” and ended the night with “Don’t Say A Word” and sneaked in a shot of their famous closer of their “Vodka Song.” “Vodka! We need some vodka,” ’cause we had to cope with the reality that our adventure had reached its end. Cheers to you, Sonata Arctica!