This band consists of one member called Jeff Lewis. Some of you may recognize his name since he has played guitars in Mortification. On this 4-track instrumental cd Jeff shows a heavier side than he showed in Mortification, cause what we have here is is some crunchy grinding death metal. Jeff is a competent guitarplayer which he also shows. The tunes are wellwritten and contain plenty of variation and timechanges. On the negative side all drums are programmed. With a real drummer this cd would have rule. Nonetheless an interesting release that gives hope for the future.


References: Fans of death metal should definately give this a try.


Orderinfo: Check with the website below.


Website: http://www.jefflewis.ca

Acer is a new swedish band and C.I.A. is their first release. C.I.A. stands for Christians In Action. The cd contains 4 tunes with real 80s Metal. The album is selfproduced but in despite of this the production is still ok. Stylewise Acer reminds of another swedish band called Simson if anyone remember them. The music is moving and crunchy glam metal with many hooks. It's this kind of music that makes you glad! The track Messiah has a cool guitarsolo, would love to hear more of that! The lyrics are straight ahead and inspiring. On the negative side they need to work more with the vocals, but as always practice is the key to perfection.

If they give the guitars more space and the keyboards a bit less and also add a bit more heaviness to their sound they will definately go far. But they sound promising already and this release really gives good hope for the future. I'll give C.I.A a 3+. Good work dudes!


References: If you are into melodic metal/glam metal you should definately check this out.


Website: http://www.acer.just.nu


Orderinfo: Available from the band's website http://www.acer.just.nu

The Swedish black metal pioneers are back with a new 5 track EP. Two of the tunes are beautiful instrumentals and have lots of classical influence. Compared to their previous this EP is a big step forward in all ways. Production is much better, Martin Norén's vocals sounds better and the tunes are faster and better composed. I really like the track Istid (Ice Age), especially the addition of the beautiful female vocals that makes a great contrast to the brutal sound. Talking about Admonish's sound it's very Viking Metal sounding now and it sounds like they have really found their style. I really hope they continue on with this style cause it fits them well. Lyrically Admonish are pointing to Jesus, the answer for our troubled world. In conclusion I enjoy the EP and it's a big step in the right direction. I give it a 3+ rating. Now I'm just waiting for the fullength.


References: Check it out if you like black/viking metal, especially if you are into bands like Vaakevandring, Antestor and Parakletos.


Website: http://www.admonish.org


Orderinfo: Check with the band's website and the mailordercompanys listed here

South America ha a very big metal scene. One of the new up'n'coming bands from this continent is Adiastasia from Brazil. They play Symphonic Power Metal and it's the symphonic influences that truly makes the band stand out. The cd also contains plenty of enjoyable guitarsolos and melodic hooks.The vocals and production is also really good and much better than most of the releases from South America. Lyrics are both uplifting and Christcentered. The future looks great for Adiastasia, since they both plenty of talent and the right focus. I already look forward to their next release.


References: Check it out if you like power metal and want something new and fresh.


Website: http://www.adiastasia.com


Orderinfo: Check with the mailordercompanys listed here

Death Metal from Germany this is. Stylewise they remind a lot of older Mortification mixed with a hint of Horde. The cool thing with this band is that their music is a combination of brutal and classical acoustic parts. That gives them an unique sound. Vocals are mostly dark and growling which fits good with the music.

Environmental disaster has a cool intro that turns into a fast grinding tune. Good crunchy death metal. Lyrics are really Christ centered and the title tune is about the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Their lyrics also deals with subjects like the destroying of the nature and the atomic threat. Most tunes are really crunchy, varied and enjoyable. This is the best new death band I have heard in a long time! The tunes varies from fast and crunchy to slow and harmonic which makes them interesting and enjoyable. Production is good and the musicians are tight.

The cd ends with 8 bonus tracks from their demos. Since they are demos it's also demoquality on the production. Despite of the production a few of these tunes is still enjoyable. One is ultrafast and sounds exactly like Horde. Cool. To sum it up, I really like this cd and if they just had traded the demo tunes with real ones I would have given it a 4 but now I only give it a 3+. A promising band indeed, keep your eyes on them, they can go far...


References: A promising death band that fans of Schaliach and early Mortification gonna take to their heart.


Website: http://www.morija.de/acoustic-torment


Orderinfo: Check with the mailordercompanys listed here You can also mail the band directly at acoustic-torment@morija.de

Here we have a new band that plays Classic Metal with lots of melodic hooks. They have a good guitarist that really knows how to play beautiful melodic leads! Akeldama's sound is quite unique but reminds a little of Saint in some of their tunes. All in all I think it's a pretty good debut. The production could have been a lot better though especially in the tune Nobody and they can be tighter but it's good nevertheless. Some of their tunes are boring and never make it for me but the one's that do are very good. They truly got some hit-songs on their album.

And the best thing with this album is that it's a real annointing in it! I have been very blessed thru it. The lyrics are straightforward and that's something I really like. It's good to see a band that isn't ashamed of the Gospel of Christ! All in all I would give them a 3+. It's not a classic but it's a good debut from a promising band.


References: If you like Classic Metal with lots of Melody this could be something for you.


Orderinfo: Available from Jimmy Earls website http://www.jimmieearls.com

Melodic Metal with goth and symphonic influences is what Amos delivers on their first fullength. My favourite track is Pentecost with its crunching harmonies and tasty guitarsolos. Another very good tune is Alone with its great riffs. This track also has very strong lyrics that talks about how dependent we are of God and how much you m iss when you choose to go your own way away from God. The album has a nice sound of their own, but it is somewhat uneven, at times very good and at times not good at all. Vocals sometimes gets on my nerves and you can hear that English is not the band's native language. On most tracks though the band succeed really good so to sum it up it's a good cd that gives good hope for the future. Check it out if you are into metal with goth and symphonic influences.


Orderinfo: Check with the mailorder companys listed here


Website: http://www.amos-band.com

Anaemia released an incredible good demo years ago called Spiritual Chaos. Since I totally loved it I was really looking forward to hear this cd. Sorry to say it wasn't as good as I hoped. One thing that has changed a lot between the demo and cd is Kim's singing. Now he is shouting more and it doesn't sound half as good as his earlier way of singing. They have also made the music more technical and more difficult instead of just letting loose which they did on the demo. On the positive side they got a great guitarist in Chriss Sundqvist. There are also some very tasty melodic choruses and harmonies but I want more of them. Less experiments, more fast thrash rhythmes, more melodic harmonies and a more melodic singing is the direction I would advice this band to go. Still the music on the cd is for the most part enjoyable. The lyrics are biblical and straight to the point.

To sum it up, it's a ok cd but not as good as I hoped. They can much better... Check it out if you are into metal and especially if you like thrash.


Orderinfo: Check with the mailorder companys listed here


Website: http://www.durling.com/anaemia

Brutal Death Metal is what this Brazilian band delivers. The voice is brutal and the music is heavy, variable and got plenty of crunchy thrash rhythmes. They manage to get the music extremely heavy but still remain melodic. Really good stuff! This is some of the best I have heard when it comes to death metal. It reminds of Schaliach but faster and not as happy sounding. The total time is 62 minutes and they have 27 tunes!! Some are very short, two of them are only 1 second long! There are a some tracks that gets repetitive and never make it to me but most do. But when you got this many tunes that ain't no big thing.

There is just one major thing I don't like and that's the cover showing a demon. When demons are pictured like this they should have a sword through their head etc to CLEARLY SHOW that they are conquered. But when it comes to this picture you have to look very hard to see that that's the case.

The lyrics are very biblical and are both in english and portugese. Antidemon knows what they are doing and have a great ministry and they have seen many come to know Christ at their concerts. I wish them all the best, we need more bands like this that are rooted in the Word, skilled musically and totally devoted to Jesus Christ.

A most have if you are into brutal grinding death metal.


References: Old Mortification, Schaliach, Acoustic Torment, Vital Decision, Death and other real Death Metal bands.


Orderinfo: Check the band's webpage http://www.antidemon.net

This is another norwegian band. But unlike many others from this country they play thrash metal a la old Vengeance Rising. Ahh, finally some fresh thrash to enjoy! :-) All instruments and vocals on this 5-tune cd are done by one person Johnny Myrland. The music is reminding a lot of Vengeance and I also hear a Believer influence. They even have included the Vengeance cover Herod's Violent Death, vocals are not in class with Roger but the tune is still really enjoyable. Lyrics are totally biblical. Weak point is the vocals at times. He should try to sing a bit lower or find another singer. But the music is great tight thrash and has lots of variation and nice melodies. The future looks bright for this band. With improved singing Arise (Eternal) will definately go far. I give it a 3+. Thrash it up dudes!


References: Vengeance-fans will definately enjoy this band.


Orderinfo: Check with the band's website below


Website: http://www.arise-eternal.com

This cd includes all the tunes on the demo cd from April 00 plus two new cuts. One of the new tunes is a nice instrumental. The other tune Prisoner of Darkness is a real thrash tune with plenty of crunch. Vocals sounds better now as well. Great stuff overall. If you love thrash you should definately give this a try.


References: Vengeance-fans will eat this up!


Orderinfo: Check with Nordic Mission


Website: http://www.arise-eternal.com

This is a melodic hardrock band from the USA. Lyrics are very Scriptural and thoughtprovoking that shows that the band is really on fire for the Lord. I just wish the music was just as good as the lyrics. There are way too little guitarsolos and hooks to grab me. Vocals also sounds somewhat weak. Production sounds thin. But I do have some favourite tracks that I really like. They are I Wish You Well and Rise Up Old Church. Especially Rise Up Old Church stands out. Hopefully the band will do more tunes in the same calibre of these two in coming albums.

Melodic hardrockers that love bands like Rosanna's Riders can give this a try.


Orderinfo: Check with the mailorder companys listed here

Norway is known for its many black metal bands. Arvinger is a new band in this genre destined to spread light in the darkness. Arvinger loves vikings and it shows both on the cover and the lyrics. "Once again vikings leaves the harbour. With victory in the name of Jesus. Long ago we were feared but now a message of salvation we bear" They manage very well to combine the message of Jesus and the boldness of the Vikings. A way cool combination! All lyrics are in norwegian and besides vikings and salvation the lyrics tackles issues like idols and the importance of repenting from sins. My favourite track is Hyllest which is a praise song to God. Fanget av vinden is another of my fave's with it's crunchy and heavy rhythm.

One thing I really like with the music is that it's very atmospheric and majestic. Vocals are done in true black metal style. They have also included some beautiful female vocals which fits perfect in this style of music. Closest comparisons musically and vocally are Antestor and Vaakevandring. Production is not over the top but ok to be an independent release. For coming releases they need to spend more time with the production. They also need to improve the songwriting and incorporate some more harmonies to the tunes as well as more variation. With that said this is all in all a really promising debut from a cool band. Keep going dudes, I'm looking forward to your next release.

Demo, demo, demo. This is what this is. It's on cd but it do smells demo-garage productionwise. This is their first demo, and it shows. The bad soundquality truly destroys this cd all over. But I do hear some really good guitarplaying, but the bad production doesn't do it justice. One thing they need to improve is the vocals, they need to get them to fluent more with the music and it needs to get more of an edge, more aggressiveness. The vocalist Jose also needs to variate his voice a lot more or leave all singing to Randy the other vocalist instead, cause now it sounds terrible repetetive! I'm not saying this to put him down, but I have to be honest with you and also to help the band to improve themselves.

The band also needs to variate the music more, it's too repetetive as it is now. The only tune I like is Warped. Great guitarplay on this one! I only wish the rest of the tunes were this good. :-( If it wasn't for the the great guitarplay I would have given this CD a one star rate but now it gets two. Lyrics are Christ-centered so it's good to see that they got their focus right, but good focus is not enough they need to work more with the music or people won't listen to the message either.

Well dudes, you have to practise more and do more tunes in the caliber of Warped if you want to go to the top. And please please spend much more time in the studio so the production won't be as bad next time.

Christian Rivel is a very active person. Besides singing in Narnia, Divinefire, Flagship and Modest Attraction he also runs the record company Rivel Records. He also sings in Audiovision that is his new soloproject. On this album he has got help of some famous guests like Bruce Kulick (Grand Funk Railroad & ex. Kiss), Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman & ex. Yngwie Malmsteen´s Rising Force), Janne Stark (Locomotive Breath), Mic Michaeli (Europe), Lars Chriss (Lion's Share) and Mattias "IA" Eklund (Freak Kitchen) among others. With such great musicians in the band it can't be other than good quality. Musically it sounds much 80s Metal mixed with some 70s metal influences. Favourite tracks are the fast and heavy tunes Evil or Divine and Face To Face, the 70s influenced Show Me The Way and Love Is Like Oxygen plus the ending track Colors, which contains heaps of tasty guitarsolos. There are only a few tunes that don't make it for example Hold Me and The Rock of My Soul. The production is well produced and the sound is crystal clear. To sum it up The Calling is a good album definately worthy to check out. I give it a 3+.