Quickies: First Quarter 2019 Releases included WITHIN TEMPTATION, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, WHILE SHE SLEEPS and More

Between January 2nd and March 29th, there were some very decent releases that didn't get a full review but deserved my attention anyway.  There's a bit of everything metal in this list, take your pick!

WITHIN TEMPTATION Resist (02/01)

Resist is the seventh studio album by the Dutch symphonic metal band led by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. While I do have their second album Mother Earth (2000) lying somewhere, it is not a band that I listen to. However, I decided to give Resist a try. While their current pop/alt rock direction (I wouldn't even call it a metal album) is not really my thing, Resist is not all that bad, for example the first three songs are quite decent. The guest appearances of Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach) and Anders Fridén (In Flames) bring a special flavor to the album. It's not an album that I will go back to, but I can appreciate it as a good album for what they are set to offer.

ASTRONOID Astronoid (02/01)

Astronoid is a post-metal band from Massachusetts formed in 2012 and their debut album made quite an impression on me. So I was psyched for the follow-up to 2016's Air. I think of Astronoid as Defheaven with clean vocals and less metal. To the point that Astronoid 2019 can be considered Alternative Rock. Like the debut album it's soft, smooth rock and emotional. However, the song write is not quite there and the songs are not as memorable. It all blends together, specially on the second half of the album. There are still some OK tracks at the beginning, but not enough to avoid my disappointment. Let's hope album number three will put Astronoid back on track. 

THE GHOST NEXT DOOR A Feast For The Sixth Sense (02/08)

Based in Berkeley, California, The Ghost Next Door emerged from a desire to marry the dark melancholy of doom metal with the aggression and drive of Bay Area metal. I just stumble into them on YouTube and enjoyed their sound. One of the highlights is singer Gary Wendt who sounds like Halford meets David Draiman. The albums kicks off very nicely with three strong tracks. They are dense, heavy, groovy, catchy and melancholic. While the opener "Deadworld" is slower and doomy, "Fodder For The Meat Grinder" is pure Judas Priest. Then "Doubt" brings a Disturbed vibe. Unfortunately after that it goes into some hit-and-miss and the album overcomes its welcome. But overall, it's a good disc and a band to keep an eye on.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE The Eighth Mountain (02/22)

The Eighth Mountain brings Alex Staropoli as the only original member left. That's because it is the first studio album to feature Giacomo Voli on vocals and Manu Lotter on drums. However, both were already in the band since 2017 when they re-recorded versions of songs from The Emerald Sword Saga for the Legendary Years compilation album. Numerous lineup changes were made, but the album does not depart from their original trademark sound. Big epic choruses, melodic vocal lines, many choir passages, symphonic elements and keyboards on the foreground with the guitar. The new singer maintains the same style that we were used to from Lione.  Most songs remains in the 4 to 5 minute mark except for the two longer epics "March Against the Tyrant" and the closer "Tales of a Hero's Fate". The downside of the album is the daunting task to go through its 65 minutes, specially given that it's the twelfth album with the same music style. But for fans there are some awesome tracks in there: "Rain of Fury" is discretely different with a DragonForce vibe to it, the riff driven and catchy "Master of Peace" and the epic "March Against the Tyrant".

SANHEDRIN The Poisoner (02/22)

A friend's recommendation led me to Sanhedrin sophomore effort, The Poisoner. My first impression was that this band is what would happen if Geddy Lee would join a traditional metal band from the 80's. The one surprise for me was to find out that the singer is a woman. It's obviously high pitched singing  but no different from the men who sing in this style. The production values are also from the 80's. For me, all of it plays in Sanhedrin favor. The songs are catchy, the riffs are heavy and there's enough progression to keep things interesting from beginning to end. The opener "Meditation" combines Rush with Megadeth-like riffs, "For the Wicked" is a short rocker, "Wind on the Storm" is pure NWOBHM and so forth. All of that while maintaining their own identity and sound. A very strong release within this genre.

WARRIOR PATH Warrior Path (03/01)

Warrior Path is an Epic Heavy-Power Metal band from Greece led by guitarist/ composer Andreas Sinanoglou which features Yannis Papadopoulos on Vocals (Best in Black) and and Bob Katsionis (Firewind) on guitars & keys who also produced the album. From the first listen you can feel the passion and dedication that Sinanoglou put in his lifetime project. You know what to expect from an epic power metal album: high pitched vocals, songs about warriors and dragons, catchy melodies, big choruses and yet powerful guitars and energy. Two characteristics set Warrior Path from similar bands. First, the guitar work is very well crafted and displays much more than power chords e.g. heavy fat riffs, interludes, arpeggios and so forth. Second, the album is rather progressive and does not rely only on Papadopoulos' excellent vocals, Sinanoglou takes his time on the instrumental parts exploring fully the riffs, solos and interludes. Papadopoulos delivers on the vocals but it's very different from Beast in Black. Musically, Warrior Path is closer to Firewind than Beast in Black. The only downside is that the debut album overstays its welcome and it's difficult to get through the second half. But if you are into Manowar or Helloween and the like, you will certainly dig this.

WHILE SHE SLEEPS So What? (03/01)

The Sheffield, England metalcore band was formed in 2006 and So What? is their fourth album. The 2017 record was very high in that year-end list, so I was curious to see where they would go with this new album. But because So What? is more accessible with more alternative, even electronic, sound my first reaction was to dismiss it completely. But I decided to stick around and I now see it as my guilty pleasure of the year so far. The band still kept their identity and the metalcore roots, but they experimented much more and expanded their sound. There's aggression and sick riffs but it's also very melodic with big choruses and radio friendly moments. But because the song writing is so well done and it doesn't feel like a sellout, I do appreciate this album (with some exceptions of songs that go pop too much for my taste). I expect that WSS will continue to grow and hopefully serve as a gateway for kids to get into metal.

OBSCURE INFINITY Into the Vortex of Obscurity (03/22)

Unexpectedly I came across Obscure Infinity's 4th album and I'm happy I did. This German Death Metal band is highly influenced by Carcass, At The Gates and so forth. There are mainly two things that called my attention. First, how they seamlessly transition from Death Metal blast beats to a Traditional Metal groove (e.g. "Embrace Obscurity"). Secondly, the guitar solos. They are melodic and clear, sometimes reminding me of Smith/Murray duos from the 80's (e.g. "Grostesque Face" which is one of the best solos of 2019 so far). The album includes 8 songs, one being a short acoustic instrumental, and runs for a total of about 40 minutes. The vocals are typical Death Metal on the lines of Behemoth's Nergal. Clean vocals are rarely used. Into the Vortex of Obscurity was the surprise of the quarter for me and I hope more people will have the chance to find those guys. It's satisfaction guaranteed for Death Metal fans.

WHITECHAPEL The Valley (3/29)

I decided to give Whitechapel a try. I've listen to some songs before, but never a full album. I must say that's a decent record. Most of the songs are brutal Deathcore transitioning to groove metal. I particularly dig the brutal single "Brimstone". It's mid-tempo heaviness with a great groove and deep guttural vocals. Now, I am in favor of clean vocals, but the contrast of clean vocals on "Third Depth" did not work for me, it's just weird. And the 100% clean vocals song "Hickory Creek" is just boring, I didn't like it, regardless of the vocals, I have to skip this one. Other than those hiccups, this is a very good brutal album. Maybe those songs will bring them new fans and that's cool, for the rest, don't let them put you off listing to The Valley. It's worth a try.