M.S. - "Rugina Nu moare"

(Romania, HMM Ventures, Heavy Metal, 2002)

Composed by members that were active in bands that were the elite of the 80s Hard Rock scene M.S. brings very fresh music that in the same time is very heavy (you can feel even some Thrash Metal elements there). The production is very good and I can say that this is the best I've ever heard coming from a Romanian underground band. The lyrics are mostly social, not being really my cup of tea. Some of the best songs here are "Alerg", "Patrula" and "Harap-Alb" and the AC/DC tribute song "Mami". In the Romanian scene today this kind of band was really needed, a pity that it's not so well promoted and the "not so good" bands are...

Malcuidant - "L'hymne De La Ghilde"

(France, Total Holocaust Records, Black Metal, 2005)

This is the second Malcuidant release in nine years; the first one was the demo "Le Malcuidant" released in 2000, and the first release under Total Holocaust Records banner. What strikes you first is the crystal clear production that this band has, something a bit unusual for an underground Black Metal band, but highly welcomed from my side (not that I don't like unpolished Black Metal though). Coming to the music, you won't find anything new, but in the same time you will not find anything weak! I guess that this album has a strict target, Black Metal purists, no compromise is to be found here, no gay parts, no mosh riffs, but you'll find a very haunted atmosphere, greatly created by Malcuidant, everything here spews blasphemy! The great tortured vocals (not a cliché! Fortheyr and Ayrhomm put a lot of despair in their vocal harmonies), the punishing guitar (which even if some of you will probably say another 3 chord guitarist), the pounding drummer (great double bass), and the bassist (an instrument often forgotten by Black Metal bands), all are contributing to the creation of a great Black Metal release. My favourite song is: "Tyrannicides". Also this was released on tape by War Productions from Portugal, and on LP by Diaphora Productions Germany (limited to 350 copies). Go for it!

Malnàtt - "Happy Days"

(Italy, CCP Records, Black Metal, 2007)

Malnàtt (a word taken from the Bolognese dialect, which means "dirty") was formed in 1999 as a Thrash Metal band (called Kolon) with an accordion (!) before they changed their style in 2001. After two years of rehearsing, the final style was developed. The record company labels them as Pagan Black Metal or extreme Epic Metal, the header on the website says Agnostic Black Metal, Nihilistic Pop Metal or Pagan Black'n'Roll - whatever that means... Well, for me it's "commercial" Black Metal, hehe! At least the six boys have some humor. But it's not that negative, it sounds pretty professional and there are for sure a lot of Metal fans out there who like this kind of music.
After some contributions to compilations and cover versions (Moonsorrow's "Let's Go To Pagan Party", Moonspell's "Alma Matter" and Turbonegro's "Black Rabbit" which can all be downloaded on the website, by the way - but beware! Moonsorrow's song is a cheap Techno remix - I don't understand this one, but the other two songs are pretty well done) the self produced demo CD-R "Tetralogia Vichinga" was released in 2001 followed by another one ("Perle Per Porci") and a split CD. The first official CD "Carmina Pagana" was released in 2005 by CCP Records, after leaving the accordion behind - unfortunately, because I think it sounded very good.
I don't really know how to describe the style they play now, I've heard way too much of this music, the best example I know at the moment is Dimmu Borgir (or maybe Borknagar), because of the varied tempos, the bombastic atmospheric sounds (especially the keys) or the vocals, but there's nothing really outstanding about this album, except for "Manfredi" with the great minimalist but increasing piano melody at the beginning and the dramatic keyboards in the chorus or the short instrumental "Un Minuto Di Assenzio", a Free Jazz Black Metal track with a weird saxophone solo. A song I really can't stand is "Eretico Ermetico Ermeneutico" because of the high-pitched female vocals mixed with the singer's evil screams and acoustic guitar melodies - the kind of sound that bands like Theatre Of Tragedy and several Napalm Records combos had at the end of the nineties. I never liked this kind of sound.
In the main the songs on "Happy Days" (a strange title for a Black Metal album, it's inspired by the homonymous dramatic work of Samuel Beckett) are played mostly in mid-tempo, the lyrics are in Bolognese dialect and all in all it's a quality release, well produced and pretty varied, but not that exciting. You should give them a chance though, there are lots of mp3 samples online (among the songs that were released on CD-R) so check it out! But I'll concentrate rather on bands like Loits in the future. Bring the accordion back, guys! ;)

Malveillance - "Just Fuck Off"

(Canada, Suffering Jesus Productions, Blackened Punk, 2006)

This CD by French Canadian act Malveillance is described as "Blackened D-beat" on the label's website... I have to admit, I had no idea what this meant and so was curious to find out what this band actually sounded like. As it turns out, Malveillance sound very much like an old school Hardcore/Punk act with Black Metal stylings. Just think Discharge crossed with Dark Throne. 22 tracks on this CD fly past in a blur of three-chord riffs and blackened screams. The lyrics are mostly in French, not that it matters. Also interesting is the statement on the inner sleeve: "This 'Fuck Off' is for all misanthropic losers holding this CD". Malveillance will no doubt annoy many pseudo-elite scenesters with their hellish din and for that they have my infinite respect.

Manes - "[view]"

(Norway, Aural Music, Experimental Rock/Metal, 2006)

I've discovered this strange band as they released their last album "Vilosophe" in 2003, through a friend of mine who distributes "Code666" CDs in Romania, Alex from Beauty Of Pain. I'm always searching for new intelligent sounds and I've found some great bands (like Devil Doll or Ulver) but Manes is quite an exception.
The band has existed for a long time, they started with raw primitive Black Metal in 1993. I've heard some of the material but I won't say anything about it... it's not my kind of music.
Even more surprising was their step from that sound to "Vilosophe", a very fresh, different and outstanding album. And "[view]" ist the next step. The EP contains seven tracks: Three remixes of "Terminus A Quo/Terminus Ad Quem" (from that album), two of them reworked by Cordell Klier, very weird, I can't find the association with the original track, but I like them, they sound like an deranged old radio ;) The third one is made by DJ Don Tomaso, it's also weird, but a little warmer... some kind of Heavy-Trip-Hop (?)
Two cover-songs: "A View To A Kill" by Duran Duran (called "Title") which is not only a simple cover, but a reinterpretation made with love, and "Cinder Alley", originally by Sixteen Horsepower... Every time I hear this one, I wish I could cry... and most important, the two new tracks: "The Neoflagellata Revision" and "Knife & Kleenex" Amazing! Undescribable! Imagine a mix of Faith No More, Katatonia and Radiohead spiced with (the good part of) the 80s... but still hard, dark and depressive.
The whole thing is packaged in a nice black and white digipak which is limited to 999 copies, so if you're open minded, don't hesitate to visit their site or Century Media Records, which is the only mailorder where I could find it to date.

Meltdown - "Inner Enemy"

(Mexico, Self released, Melodic Death Metal, 2000)

"Inner Enemy" by Meltdown proposes a mix of Death, Black and Heavy Metal (they cover Iron Maiden's "Wasted Years"), the formula obtained is OK but not mindblowing, main fault may be the somehow weak production that this record has. The music on this release was recorded at two different studios, songs 1 and 2 were recorded at Esfera Tres Studio in May 2000 and the songs 3 - 7 were recorded in July 1999 at Tequila Studio. The main purpose of this release was to get a record deal and the deal came, but in 2008 when they've released "The Quietus".
The music presented here as stated above is Melodic Death Metal on the first two tracks and on the older material a mix of melodic Black/Death Metal which is also the better part (they do fail with the Iron Maiden cover, which is of bad quality and it does not even sound funny). They somehow are reminiscent of the early nineties sound of Greek Death Metal bands, think Varathron or early Septic Flesh in their early days.

Memorain - "Digital Crimes"

(Greece, Self released, Heavy Metal, 2002)

Heavy Metal with cool bass lines, hard riffs and high speed guitar solos. If the voice would have been harder this could have been a memorable release. The structure of the songs is a very solid one pleasing the heart of the aggressive Heavy Metal listeners. You can feel even a Black Sabbath touch like in the song "Extend Of Life" which is a little bit doomy. The song "Silence" is an instrumental one, very melancholic with nice classical guitar playing. After this song follows maybe the best song from here, "Vision Of Darkness", which has one of the strongest riffs that I have listened to lately. All in all this is not such a bad release but not the best either!

Mental Demise - "Final Step For Future Madness"

(Ukraine, Xtreem Music Records, Brutal Death Metal, 2009)

Almost 15 years of intense activity, and here we have the new material signed Mental Demise. In the end the long awaited album was released through Xtreem Music, and it brings a musical content that spreads a U.S. Brutal Death Metal playing manner influenced by Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse and a few other combos out there! In my point of view "Final Step For Future Madness" is the prefect occasion to see what all is about with the Brutal Death Metal in the ex. U.S.S.R. space; Mental Demise being a band I was following since many years.
Combining aggressive and fast Brutal Death Metal with some skilled passages, "Final Step For Future Madness" reveals us a very interesting combo, a gang that knows very good to combine useful things with a Death Metal playing pleasure. The rhythm changes are everywhere, consisting in many breaks and some skilled riffs; all these elements being extremely well emphasized by the drums section and a vocal score that I very much liked. I'd like to add that this material was recorded in Hertz Studio (Vader, Decapitated, Kronos, Severe Torture...) in summer 2007, and it features the new frontman Sadist! This was the perfect opportunity to sign with the Spanish Xtreem Music Records, who released the new statement in February 2009! The cover artwork is very interesting, as you can see, and it really fits with the album title and with the whole musical content offered by Mental Demise; a work that seems to be the most important step forward they did until now.
In the end I'd like to add that "Final Step For Future Madness" is one of the most interesting materials ever recorded in the Eastern Europe, amongst Vader, Behemoth, Krabathor and a few others; and it shows us that Brutal Death Metal isn't a 100% U.S. affair, but something that could be played all over the world if you have trust on your own and a few good ideas in the end! Take it as soon as possible and you won't be disappointed!

Merciless Crucifixion - "Airesis"

(Greece, BlackSeed Productions, Death/Black Metal, 2006)

Merciless Crucifixion do not play Black Metal in the typical Greek way but play fast and Brutal Death Metal with a hint of blackness. Though the guitars are de-tuned and play those chaotic Death Metal riffs, there is a flavour of bands like Blasphemy and Sarcofago in their music, indeed "Airesis" contains a cover of "INRI" by the latter band. I'm not a fan of more clinical side of Death Metal, but those want old school Black Metal mixed with a more modern Death Metal style might find something interesting in Merciless Crucifixion's debut MCD.

Meschalina - "Something 2 die 4"

(Italy, Militant, Electro Rap-Core, 2004)

Earlier they've played Crossover, now they've eliminated drums, bass and keyboards from their music using instead loops, synthesizers and samples, this step leading to a change of style, in their own words they're playing Electro Rapcore. Being the first band covering this style I was eager to listen to their offering, but I was disappointed because there's nothing that fresh on here and the music created is far from being as good as I've expected. The only good songs here are "Glitter" and "Opium", the last songs of this MCD, the rest are ruined by some "small details", the song "Something 2 die 4" by the synthesized woman voice that they've used giving to it a bad taste Dance touch, the song "Bleeding U.S.A." by the uninspired effects etc.
This might be only my opinion that their music is not that good but the buyers will be the ones who'll decide. As a bonus you'll get a video for the title track. Buy some Rage Against The Machine!

Metsatöll - "Hiiekoda"

(Estonia, Nailboard Records, Folk Metal, 2004)

Metsatöll seem to have exploded from nowhere to become, along with Loits and Manatark, one of the most popular bands from their home country of Estonia. Quite how or why they have become so popular is, to me at least, something of a mystery; that's because "Hiiekoda" sounds totally inaccessible to my ears. Having neither the up-tempo riffs of Loits, nor the epic feel of Tharaphita, Metsatöll sound convoluted and confusing, though mainly it's a combination of 80s Metal riffing and folkish sing-alongs which can sound, intentionally or otherwise, quite comical. I tried quite hard with this album, but I'll admit it, this one has defeated me. By no means a bad album, the playing and production standards are very high, but definitely "try before you buy". Fans of Finntroll and such may find something to enjoy in this... But I'm sticking to the new Tharaphita, as far as Pagan Metal goes.

Mike Campese - "Full Circle"

(U.S.A., Self released, Rock Fusion, 2002)

Mike Campese brings forth on this full length a variety of styles from virtuoso guitar melodies to Blues, Rock, ballads, Jazz even some Metal. His technique is very good and the compositions are solid ones, he is not acting like a wannbe guitarist but more like "Mr. Guitar himself". Almost all the songs are instrumental except: "Dark Aqua", "Burgundi Mist", "Angel" and "Walkway". Also the vocal lines are very well arranged and the calm vice of the vocalist suites very well Mike's style. I don't know if in U.S.A. the artist is known and if it's underground music or not but if you like guitar music than Mike Campese is one artist to check out! A good release that is not for underground searchers only. Recommended!

Mincing Fury And Guttural Clamour Of Queer Decay - "Lamentations"

(Czech Republic, Bizarre Leprous Production, Grindcore, 2004)

What we got here is an interesting Czech extreme Metal band with, probably, the most hard to explain name I've ever met in my entire life. Mincing Fury...???!!! A very long name for a Grindcore band! Mincing Fury And Guttural Clamour Of Queer Decay play a kind of mixture between the U.S. Grindcore and the European Grindcore style; an interesting combination that has been materialised when "Lamentations" was recorded. Although this album was released in 2002, "Lamentations" keeps its music still fresh; The 15 songs showing us why Grindcore is now one of the most loved extreme Metal styles arround the world. Frequently we can hear some Rock Grind lines, M.F.G.C.Q.D.'s music becoming an extremely good one. Mara, band guitar player knows very well to handle his instrument, and is very well suported by his mate Mira, the bass player. The drums section is a very good one and very sick, because the blasts we can hear overtakes 2-3 times a Raw Black Metal band blasts. I don't like to much a few phases that repeats the same lines, but band constituents succeeded to mask this repetition damn well. In CD's playlist we can find an interesting cover version of "Born To Murder The World", originally played by Last Days Of Humanity; and it seems to be the perfect choice for a band that wants to play covers. With a so incisive rhythm, the Czech will try to blow the brains out of your heads. Why is that? Just for the fuckin' fun!!! Get this album if you want to hear one of the best European Grindcore bands of the new wave. Make your death to be a pleasant one, and buy this amazing product!

Mincing Fury And Guttural Clamour Of Queer Decay - "7"

(Czech Republic, Bizarre Leprous Production, Grindcore, 2006)

Mincing Fury And Guttural Clamour Of Queer Decay (what a name!) was formed in 1996 by guitarist Mrkev and Pigsty's vocalist Topi. In fact the band was formed in 2000 but "the first four years they were not playing, because they had no instruments, so they were only sitting in a pub, drinking beers and talking about how good will it be when they will have a band" (taken from the official bio). After the line-up was complete the band has recorded the debut "Lamentations" (2002) which was released by Bizarre Leprous Production. After a split with Screaming Afterbirth in 2003 and the mini-CD "Eye For Eye" in 2004 (including a lot of line-up changes) the second full length album "7" was released.
This album is a homage to "the best movie ever", David Fincher's "Seven". The CD is full of samples (which are placed very well in and between the songs) from that movie, the lyrics are inspired by it and even the artwork is made only of screenshots from it. It's split in seven parts (of course), each one containing two songs - for those who do not know them, the seven deadly sins are: lust, pride, envy, sloth, gluttony, greed and wrath.
The music M.F.G.C.Q.D. are playing is Grindcore with a lot of Hardcore influences. Not really original, this has been done a hundred times before, but it's pretty well executed. The 14 short songs (the longest one is 03:28, the whole album's playing time without the "bonus" is 36 minutes) are kicking ass with a constantly high quality. A perfect production (for this kind of music in any case!) let's you enjoy every (well played) instrument. The many different vocals (also from some guest vocalists) like screams, growls and the obligatory pig squeal growls as well as some gimmicks, for example the trumpet (!) in "Eat Your Soul! (Eye For Exe II)" are making the compositions very diverse. I especially like track 4 ("Pride"), a short Punk/Grind bastard with angry female screams and distorted male growls. An interactive flash gallery with dozens of photos (studio, live, funny...) and a couple of home videos is the bonus on this disc.
This is definitely one of the better Grindcore records I've heard recently, a little above the average! At the moment they have some problems with the line-up again, only three of the members are still in the band. I hope they'll find replacements soon because they've got some potential!

Mind Factory - "Black Angel"

(Finland, Self released, Melodic Metal, 2005)

Mind Factory is band from here Mikkeli, Finland. Line-up is Tomi Tesarczyk - guitar, Olli Kiesilä - guitar, Essi Tesarczyk - violin, Petri Sajaniemi - drums. Erkko Romo - vocals, Eevamari Lahtinen - vocals, Aleksi Koistinen - bass. Band has been around 5 years, but real activity started one year ago, with mentioned line-up. In the begin band was pretty insignificant humor stuff. Until after line-up changes former member Tomi Tesarczyk decided start to do music seriously. This single is band's first release, and more material is planned to be released in next year. "Black Angel" CD single sounds very promising, I have little problems decide is this Melodic Death Metal, or Melodic Metal. That's why I classify in info that is on bracket this CD single as Melodic Metal. But music incline towards Melodic Death Metal too, especially there's guitar riffs that sound Melodic Death Metal. Vocals are growled, vocals also add to music influence from Death Metal. Playing skill of band is good, and in entity songs are good, Mind Factory do have potential and good ideas on songs. Of course there are many other bands that play same similar style, but there's originality in music of Mind Factory. Violins sound good, but I hope there would be more violins on songs in future releases. Female vocals sound slightly girlish, but that girlish singing style fit to Mind Factory's music. Sound quality of CD single is okay for the music style Mind Factory plays, it is not absolutely bad at all, but there's need of development in that. "Black Angel" CD single should be a little longer than what it is. So, hopefully there are more songs on future releases. "Black Angel" CD single is 5 Euros, and you can order it from mindfactory@jippii.fi

Mirrorthrone - "Of Wind And Weeping"

(Switzerland, Red Stream Records, Symphonic Black Metal, 2003)

Mirrorthrone released an album that brings innovation. "Of Wind And Weeping" can easily be remarked through its unique manner in combining extreme Metal with Gothic or Doom Metal lines. This album brings in front baroque elements played with great technical skills. "Of Wind And Weeping" is the band's debut album and it features a varied broad of elements starting with the Classical and Ambient lines combining the with furious Black Metal. As a special guest we have here Marthe Galaz, a very interesting female voice that can be heard on 2 songs: "Beyond The Mirrorthrone" and "The Notion Of Perfect"! Mirrorthrone's music sounds a lot like Crypthowl from Russia, a very dramatically band signed to Oupiric Records. "Of Wind And Weeping" is that kind of album that you may listen all the time without to be bored.

Motive - "Worn Down Dream"

(U.S.A., Self released, Thrash Metal, 2003)

Music for sure can change one's state of mind! I've listened to this bands album some days ago but delayed to review it. Right now I've listened to it once more in order to refresh my memory and for sure it made some inner strings to be more tensionate. In the last days I've somehow had a bad state of mind, I've felt depressed... etc. Well, now thanking to this all changed, right now I'm full of adrenaline, they've made it! The music can be named "Slayer-esque" because there are lots of Slayer "motives" to be found here and there, anyway they do more than to be just copycats! In some songs there are tempo changes but overall they play in a mid-tempo with lots of "hard" moments which are very pleasant for the ears, there is a very good communication between the bassist and the drummer when it comes to rhythmical lines, you can find good and fast guitar solos too but the best part is the riffing. Those riffs are kicking some serious ass! Until now they've shared the stage with bands like Anthrax, Cathedral, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Samael or Testament, just to name a few. Do you have enough "motives" to get in touch with them?

Must Missa - "The Target Of Hate"

(Estonia, Nailboard Records, Thrash Metal, 2005)

I've been lucky enough to have heard most of this material in demo form already, so this finished article on Nailboard Records only confirms what I previously hoped - the new Must Missa CD is a classic! "The Target Of Hate" sounds quite different to anything the band have released before since it is pure Thrash Metal in style, in the classic style of early Slayer, Celtic Frost and Destruction. Only the last song "Our Future Is Black" resembles their previous Black Metal style. But that's OK, much as I love their earlier stuff, "The Target Of Hate" sounds fresh, energetic and arguably better than anything the band have released up 'til now. Some great examples of the band's new thrashy style are "Madness Reigns", "You Filthy Pig" and "Pure Hate", these are every bit as good as the old Thrash songs from the 80s, except played with 21st century speed and brutality!
Essential listening for all die-hard Metal fans; this is probably the best Thrash album since "Seasons In The Abyss" and without a doubt the best album of 2005. Reich'n'Roll!!!

Myndsnare - "A Preliminary Quest"

(India, Self released, Death Metal, 2003)

On this 3 track demo the band Myndsnare is offering an old school Death Metal mixed with some progressive parts. The production is not that great and is a bit unnatural, it sounds like an average early 90s one so you can imagine that this is not good when you think that we're living in the 2000s! The style of composition is different on each of the 3 songs, they are entertaining and they surely have a different feeling than the other 100X100 bands that are ultra-brutal computerized etc. Simple and effective, and with a little bit of courage and some rehearsals more they will surely do it! Other ways they will remain there were the sun don't shine and the maniacs are craving for more :-)

Myrk - "Icons Of The Dark"

(Iceland, Ketzer Records, Black Metal, 2003)

My first encounter with the band Myrk was when I first listened to their demo from 2002 also released by Ketzer Records, the first impression was good and I wanted to see the evolution of the band, only last year I've got their album trough a trade, and right now I've decided to review it. Searching for some more information about the band I've learned that they already have split-up, a shame since their work thus far was above average. "Icons Of The Dark" is a mixture of Black, Death with some Thrash Metal fill-inns, well composed and with proper arrangements; the music is far from being boring, every song bringing a twist and as an aggregate the album is varied and offers everything that an extreme Metal fan can ask from such a release. The closer comparison could be a cross between old Aeternus (without that much growls) and "Battles In The North" era Immortal. From blast beats to mid-tempo rhythms spiced with some acoustic interludes you are introduced in a world of blasphemy, poetry and fantasy, although you can hear the word Satan in some songs and they are officially labeled as Satanic Black Metal they do not overuse the word and imagery in order to make of them another cliché warrior like band, lyrics like the one from the song "In Silence" are more personal and well written, also this song can be called the "hit" of the album, it even has a short cold solo in the middle. Other worthy to mention songs are "I Am The Symbolic Torture" or "When We Raised The Sign", an epic Black Metal song. If you have missed this release then you should consider buying it, it is worthy enough!

My Shadow - "Nonexistence"

(Romania, Bestial Records, Gothic Metal, 2006)

This is the latest release from Bestial Records, a once famous and respectable label in the Romanian underground. Lately it seems that with aging or with the fact that the money begun to pop up they are more or less like a shadow... popping out releases from time to time, with a lesser quality than in the past, both in graphical presentation and in the quality of the music released. What happened? Don't you remember that you once released memorable LPs? The Romanian underground needs you! Ephemeral... I think is a good word for starting this review.
Having a history of just a few years, the band My Shadow, finally after some very obscure demo releases has now its debut and probably final album under this name under Bestial Records from Timișoara. Having a more ore less personal approach to the band it would be a little hard to judge things objectively, but that will not be a problem since all things written by one's mind are subjective and objectivity is just and ideal none can reach.
Mocked by many and loved by some this band has made its name more or less known by the strange/strong personality of Klepsy, its leader. A well known musician in the underground circle in Timișoara, he played among others with Fogland (Pagan Black Metal) as a drummer and Stone Fixion (Modern Metal) as a vocalist making himself a hated and adulated person around here.
My first contacts with Klepsy were around 4 or 5 years ago when we have lost some days and nights drinking in a pub/cafeteria called Roma, a place were rockers and metalheads used to gather around and listen to an annoying repetitive playlist, but as it seems nobody ever gave a fuck about this minor thing. I remember Klepsy played at that time as a drummer for the band Vals Hedone and he gave me a one track promo, but the band split up after they have just released a demo and gave some concerts plus a video that was aired on MTV in the same time as the Luna Amara song "Gri Dorian" was aired and it was a small commercial success, the band gained some famousness but it didn't work... Later on I found him playing with Fogland but he was later kicked from the band or he left, I am not sure what happened, rumors say that he was acting like a Rockstar and the band wanted to remain underground but who knows... maybe the reason was that he has such a strong personality. The biggest surprise was when I have heard that he is the vocalist of Stone Fixion, that was a hit for me, knowing my relation with this band... also a small feeling of loss was felt here, I personally thought he will destroy a bit the image of the band since he is well known as a bad ass, hehe... this has never happened... the band gained a better reputation even tough he had some fights, the most notorious being the one from the Metal Box pub, where he ended a concert after being insulted by a fan in the crowd... I must say that with Klepsy as a vocalist, Stone Fixion is a great and very powerful entity. Many other bands featured Klepsy as a member but those should not be mentioned here for they are less important.
I believe that the idea of My Shadow started somewhere is 2002 when I gave Klepsy a demo (Firebreed) of the Austrian band Darkfall and he suddenly fell in love with it and planning to do a band of the same kind (Gothic Death Metal with a dose of Doom Metal). In its first entity My Shadow was a band that I've hated... Comprising of members that I have had many personal issues with, many of them posing as Rockstars tough they were not even good musicians.
Coming at last to the album "Nonexistence", what is there to say? It is not an innovative album, maybe you can call it a cliché album? They are not progressive and they don't bring anything new to the Metal world BUT they do bring a very powerful release that surpasses its time and even tough it can be considered as a commercial release that a lot of fans will love for sure... Is it out of time or timeless ? I prefer to call it a timeless release, an album that could have been released by a Czech Doom band between 1994-1998 but I never thought the Romanian Metal scene will ever have a release like this, I mean as good as this one in this genre.
Passing over the fact that "Nonexistence" is outdated as music and does not fit in the actual Metal scene, it features a lot of likeable moments, and is quite varied. "Overture (A Thousand Reasons To Die)", the intro of the album, starts with a repetitive 2 note sitar melody and a vocal choir and after a couple of seconds a key melody appears which drives the same line as the sitar melody evolving it a bit more. I believe the melody does not fit its title since it can be called at least gloomy but not in a way depressive or suicidal, and will not at all drive you to the bottoms of despair, hehe. Though simple, it's quite a good opener. "Ancient Grudge", the first real song is a good Death/Gothic Metal song, again not gloomy or depressive but with a strong Death/Hardcore riff, quite good for the pit, by the half of the song it slows down and in my opinion it's quite ruined by that part which is quite puerile, then you can again hear the good Death Metal riffs and the song gains in speed. The combination of the melodies created by the keys and guitar works is good, also the combination between the bass and drums is quite OK and of a good effect. And the two note piano riff after the break is quite OK, even tough quite simple. It would have been very good without that middle part... "A Trip To Hades" is the first song here on which you can hear sound effects... like somebody is writing a suicidal note or something... there are quite similarities with the way that Lake Of Tears are composing songs here, especially the way the song starts... also here, for the first time you can hear female vocals done by Cezara, not the best ones but not that bad either. Firstly they have the leading role, then are taken in the background when the gruff vocal starts and the again take the lead... also similarities can be tracked to Cradle Of Filth in this composition, even tough this is more on my taste than the screech of Dani Filth... by the third part of the song you can hear again a strong Hardcore-like moshing riff, then some Alexi Laiho-like guitar lines. The song ends in a melancholic way with a simple but effective piano solo. This song seems quite bright in the opinion of this band. Lake Of Tears meets Swedish Death Metal guitar work, plus Cradle Of Filth like the way of arranging the vocal lines. "Witchcraft" is more into Black/Death à la 95-97 era melodic bands, maybe Catamenia could have been an influence here. Gothenburg riffing again plus gruff and clear female voice, the song again has the fast/slow/fast/slow arrangement. Also a melodic solo can be found here, I think I'm not the best one to judge solos but this one sounds OK, tough not that complicated.
"Before Sunset" is an early Amorphis-like Death Metal song, ruined a bit by the solo guitar which is doing things that are not fitting that well with the rest, here you are able to hear Klepsy's clear voice too, which is good and you can hear that he is not singing for the first time. "For My Last Breath", a Dimmu Borgir-like song (Enthrone Darkness Triumphant era) plus Evanescence-like vocals which are sounding here better that on the songs before. Again the composition is fast/slow/fast/slow and the Hardcore riffs with a tentative of break plus a melodic solo. The song ends with sound effects, a cigar is lighted, someone writes a suicide note, heartbeats, the sounds of a man hanging himself...
"Sadness" sounds like a variation of the Lake Of Tears song "Sorcerers" plus Nightwish's "Sleeping Sun", it is maybe the best song here (composition and interpretation). Cezara's voice sounding extremely good and Klepsy showing his melancholic/romantic side, this is probably the only song here fitting in the Doom/Gothic genre, the genre under which this band is labeled, tough it's not that style. The title track is the best of the Metal songs here. The genre is Gothic/Death, sounds like a Nightwish song but with a lesser speed and with a less spectacular way of interpretation...
The graphical content is OK, with the opposition of the dark/light sides of ones personality but again I believe that they don't represent the album's inner lines, as the album is more into a description of ones travel from life to self - death more than the good/bad opposition. The inner sleeve showing a grotesque picture of Klepsy with a moutfull of worms. One thing that I couldn't understand is why Klepsy and Cezara are posing in a cross like position... The third picture from the booklet presents Klepsy and Cezara again, Klepsy is lying dead and Cezara looking straight to you with a demonic look. Klepsy is pictured in a dark light and Cezara in a more lighter way, does that mean that the feminine is lighter that the masculine? As far as I know the woman is the dark/negative/passive/cold part and the masculine is the light/positive/active/warm part. Probably not in their vision too.
"Nonexistence" is a conceptual album, tracks 1-5 describing the pre, track 6 being momentum and tracks 7 and 8 being the post phases of a suicide, 7 being the funeral and 8 being the life in the world of shadows. In my opinion this would be a great addition to thier collection to the followers of the Gothic Death Metal fans.
All in all "Nonexistence" is good for a debut, and unfortunately this will be the last incarnation of My Shadow in this form, hopefully Klepsy will not leave Metal behind because in my opinion this is the first real step that he has made in the real world, and it would be a pity if it'll stop here, because there is room for improvement since the music that he composed is just a step further from being great!