Our September 2012 Band of the Month Is…

Heaven Rain

Another month has gone by, and so has another UtF Band of the Month Poll. And once again, we’re surprised by the results. Our staff had never heard of this progressive power metal band from Bosnia & Herzegovina until one of our readers nominated them. Then we watched as Heaven Rain stormed to a commanding lead and kept it that way to the end. So, the September 2012 Band of the Month crown goes to Heaven Rain!

Click here to visit Heaven Rain’s Band of the Month page.

Here are the complete poll results:

1. Heaven Rain – 160 votes (59.26%)
2. Dorota Malek –   70 votes (25.93%)
3. Crystal Viper – 21 votes (7.78%)
4. Kontrust – 13 votes (4.81%)
5. White Skull –  6 votes (2.22%)

Time to reveal our nominees for the October 2012 Band of the Month! Your choices are:

• Akoma, a symphonic metal band from Silkeborg, Denmark. Akoma self-released their second EP, The Other Side, in March and is currently working on material for their first full-length album.
• El Cuervo de Poe, a gothic alternative metal band from Guadalajara, Mexico. February was a busy month for El Cuervo de Poe, as they opened for one of Within Temptation’s Mexican shows and released their second album Ex Libris.
• Embracing Soul, a gothic rock/metal band from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Embracing Soul released their second EP, Luna, via Illusive Records in July.
• Stone Cold Outlaw, a hard rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Stone Cold Outlaw has a three-track, self-titled EP out now and is currently booking shows in their local area for the fall.
• The Forsaken Creation, an ambient metal project from Paris, France. Comprised of singer Anne-Emmanuelle and instrumentalist Eric Valley, The Forsaken Creation released its debut EP, Fragments, in May.

Visit our WordPress site and scroll down to find the poll on the right-hand sidebar. Vote once a day, every day through Sunday, September 30th!

Which bands would you like to see featured in our next Band of the Month Poll? Let us know by posting a suggestion on our Facebook page or emailing us at unleashthefuriesmetal@gmail.com.

Check It Out: Divine Ascension

Prog-power label, Nightmare Records, is the home of old and new favorites — Seven Kingdoms, Clandestine and Memoira, to name a few – so I pay close attention when it adds another band to the roster, because odds are good that the band will suit my taste very well. I’m happy to report that Divine Ascension’s debut album, As The Truth Appears, is well on its way to claiming a place among my favorite albums of 2011.

So, what can you expect out of these relative newcomers from Melbourne, Australia? Prepare your ears for a feast of power metal, liberally seasoned with progressive metal and a smidgen of symphonic and Middle Eastern elements for extra flavor. Divine Ascension is fronted by the full-throated, midrange voice of Jennifer Borg, whose theatrical training undoubtedly contributed to the emotional intensity of her vocal performance. As The Truth Appears is, after all, an album that speaks of destruction and rebuilding, questioning norms, and searching for answers in the midst of chaos — themes that are foreshadowed by the album artwork of a little girl building a sandcastle on an empty beach with a smoke-wreathed skyline on the far horizon. Although the overarching message is hopeful, it does not lend itself to a light, airy vocal treatment. Grit and pathos and moments of outrage are called for, and convincingly delivered by Borg.

Borg’s voice is complemented by five musicians who know their craft: Karl Szulik & Robert Inglis on guitars, David Van Pelt on keys, Simon Mahoney on bass, and Luke Wenczel on drums.  (Former keyboardist, Don Marciano, is credited on some songs.)  I am a big fan of bands with two guitars and a keyboardist, because the result (if done right) is greater musical complexity and sophistication than the typical guitar-bass-drum configuration.  Just listen to the dazzling twin-guitar riffing on “Visionary,” the progressive rhythm line on “Another Battlefield,” and the Middle Eastern inflected keyboards on “Guided By Osiris” for prime examples of infusing songs with crackling energy, without overpowering the vocals or digressing into self-indulgent prog noodling.

As The Truth Appears will be released worldwide on 11 October 2011, and undoubtedly will be available at most online and physical retailers.  You can preorder the 10-track edition at Nightmare Records or the special 12-track Japanese edition at Hydrant Music. In the meantime, Divine Ascension has released the music video for their first single, “Answers,” featuring fellow-Aussie, Silvio Massaro of Vanishing Point. Enjoy!

Divine Ascension are:

• Jennifer Borg — vocals
• Karl Szulik — lead & rhythm guitars
• Robert Inglis — rhythm & lead Guitars
• David Van Pelt — keyboards
• Simon Mahoney — bass
• Luke Wenczel – drums

To learn more about Divine Ascension visit them on the band’s official site, Facebook page, or MySpace page.

~ Robin

Check It Out: Season’s End

People sometimes ask me which female-fronted bands were the first ones I listened to when I was discovering metal music. Most of those bands are well-known ones: Evanescence, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, Epica, After Forever, …  But, how about Season’s End? That may be a new name for some of you. I first heard of this UK band in 2006, when I was still a newbie to metal. Someone (I think it was another member from a forum I belonged to at the time) recommended Season’s End based on my musical tastes. So, I went to Season’s End’s Myspace page, clicked on “Ghost of My Emotion” – and right away, I was smitten.

Season’s End has actually been around for a long time. The band originally formed as a male-fronted melodic death metal band in 1993 under the name Entropy. Over time, the band’s line-up changed, and the music evolved into female-fronted progressive gothic metal. You’ll hear lush keyboards and atmospheres, abstract lyrics about loneliness and loss, contrasting elements and winding song structures, and the duality of Becki Clark’s tender, crystalline voice with David Stanton’s clean vocals. (Actually, I think Becki and David make one of the best vocal duos in female-fronted metal!) In some ways, Season’s End’s music epitomizes how metal can be sweeping and magnificent without using additional instruments.

Season’s End originally released its first album, The Failing Light, back in 2003. Though it contains only six songs, this album left a hugely positive impression on the UK metal press and was later released worldwide in 2005. It’s no wonder why. Every aspect of The Failing Light, from the vocals and the instruments to the songwriting and overall sound, is executed brilliantly. To know more of my thoughts on The Failing Light, click here for a review I wrote on the CD for Sonic Cathedral.

“Ghost of My Emotion” is far and away the band’s most well-known song. Here’s a video clip the band shot in 2005 for the international release of The Failing Light.

I can’t write about Season’s End without mentioning my favorite song by them: “Touch.” This 8-1/2 minute track is not only the best example of the band’s style, but is one of the most exquisite, dynamic , and beautifully sad songs I’ve ever heard.

Since releasing The Failing Light, Season’s End hasn’t put out a new album. They did print a limited number of copies of their 2009 demo Beyond the Grace of God (which I gladly own a copy of). However, the band has been hard at work recording their second album. I think it’s due out later this year. The anticipated release date has been pushed back several times, but I’ll be thrilled to hear it when it’s done!

Season’s End are:

• Becki Clark – Vocals
• David Stanton – Guitar, Vocals
• Dave Smith – Keyboards
• Tim Goathim – Guitar
• Mike Bridge – Bass
• James Smith – Drums

Learn more about Season’s End by visiting their official website as well as Myspace, Facebook, or YouTube pages.

~ Sara

Check It Out: Triosphere

What metal subgenres do you think of when you think of Norway? Probably gothic, doom, and death metal, especially since Norwegian bands Tristania, Beseech, and Theatre of Tragedy are considered to be some of the most influential female-fronted metal bands of all time. Now, Triosphere is the newest Norwegian band to make some noteworthy noise – and they’re not following in their countrymen and women’s footsteps. Consider that a good thing, though.

Triosphere is often called a progressive metal band, but to me that label doesn’t capture the band’s overall sound. They’re really more of a melodic heavy metal band with progressive tendencies. So, along with tempo changes and other unpredictable elements, you’ll hear massive riffs, intricate guitar solos, soaring refrains, and the commanding voice of Ida Haukland (who is also Triosphere’s bassist).

So far, Triosphere has released two albums: Onwards (2006), and The Road Less Travelled (2010). I particularly like The Road Less Travelled because of its contrasts: abstract, introspective lyrics; loud, bold heavy metal; and lush atmospheres that remind me of 80’s metal and power ballads. The Road Less Travelled also features three great instrumentals, including “Echoes,” a piano/string piece that at first sounds out of place. But once you’ve listened to the album a few times, pay very close attention to the arrangements on “Echoes.” Do they remind you of melodies from the album’s other songs?

My favorite track on The Road Less Travelled is definitely “The Anger and the Silent Remorse,” a ballad with the strongest retro feel out of all the songs on the album. I also recommend “Driven” (see YouTube clip below), “Twenty One,” and “Worlds Apart,” all of which are faster, more intense, and more indicative of Triosphere’s true sound.

Triosphere is also on my long list of bands I’d love to see live someday.  Their killer studio sound translates extremely well live – maybe even better!  See it for yourself in this (lengthy) video from one of the band’s recent shows in the Netherlands:

Triosphere is still touring to promote The Road Less Travelled. They opened for Sonata Arctica’s European tour in March, and most recently played several shows with Crimson Glory in the Benelux region, Switzerland, and Italy. Later this year, Triosphere will play at a number of European festivals, including Wacken Open Air and Metal Female Voices Festival.

Triosphere are:

• Ida Haukland – Vocals, Bass
• Marius Silver Bergesen – Lead and Rhythm Guitar
• Tor Ole Byberg – Rhythm Guitar
• Ørjan Aare Jørgensen – Drums

Visit Triosphere at their official website, Myspace, Facebook, YouTube, ReverbNation, and LastFM.

Check It Out: Dendura

Well, in the process of drafting this write-up, I found this great band has actually disbanded! *sniffle* But since their music is so unique and still available for purchase, I think it’s still worth sharing with our readers.

Now here’s something you don’t listen to every day: An Egyptian-themed progressive metal band. Many female-fronted rock and metal bands flavor some of their songs with Middle Eastern elements. However, none do so as convincingly as Dendura.

Formed in 2004, this quartet from Grand Rapids, Michigan had a distinct vision from the beginning: Blend Middle Eastern music and lyrical themes with the members’ varied tastes in metal, from Queensryche and Dream Theater to Nevermore and Kamelot. The result was, well, the Dendura sound: dark, grungey, sensual, stormy, and undeniably unique. What truly made Dendura stand out was its lead singer, Aziza Poggi. Her husky, dynamic voice and her passion for Egyptian history (Aziza herself is of Egyptian and Lebanese heritage) added authenticity to the music.

Dendura’s only album is their 2006 debut, New Life. Though it’s short, it contains a lot of diversity and power. Between Aziza’s colorful vocals, the lyrical merging of personal conflicts and ancient history, and the band’s overall originality, New Life is one of the most interesting metal albums I’ve ever listened to. To read more of my thoughts on the album, click here to read my CD review at Sonic Cathedral.

If you want to check out Dendura’s music, I highly recommend the tracks “Symphony,” “Mummified,” “Shadowman,” and – most of all – “Isis.” That last one was the first Dendura song I had ever heard, and it’s still my favorite of theirs. The best word I can use to describe “Isis” is “snakecharmer.” Listen to it in the YouTube clip below.

Interesting fact about New Life: It’s currently one of the top 10 all-time best-selling albums at Sonic Cathedral’s webstore.  Not bad for an underground with little international exposure, huh?

Dendura had worked on a possible second album for a few years before the band split up (amicably) in April. Here is a clip of the band playing “True Pharoah” during their last show in November 2010, when they opened for Epica (on Aziza’s birthday!):

Dendura’s final line-up was:

• Aziza Poggi – Vocals, Keyboards
• Paul Stein – Guitar
• Greg Cloon – Bass
• Justin Lee Dixon – Drums, Percussion

You can still visit Dendura at Myspace, Facebook, and LastFM. And, you can buy New Life at CD Baby, iTunes, and Sonic Cathedral.

UtF wishes Dendura’s members the best of luck in their future endeavors!

~ Sara

May BotM Poll Closes – and June Poll Begins!

And our Band of the Month for May 2011 is…  One Without!

 

Thanks to their enthusiastic fans, the Swedish gothic metal band took an early lead in our first Band of the Month Poll and never looked back. So, One Without is Unleash the Furies’ first Band of the Month!

To promote One Without for the month of May, and to promote future Bands of the Month here at Unleash the Furies, we have launched a Band of the Month logo widget on the right-hand sidebar of our WordPress site. Click on that logo – it takes you to a special page with links and information on One Without so you can learn more about the band. You can also find this special page by visiting the Band of the Month section of our site. Or, just click here.

The poll itself was a HUGE success! Over 450 votes were cast! Thanks very much to everyone who took part! Here are the final results:

1. One Without: 224 votes (48.7%)
2. Noctura: 134 votes (29.13%)
3. Echoterra: 84 votes (18.26%)
4. Triosphere: 10 votes (2.17%)
5. Straight Line Stitch: 8 votes (1.74%)

And now, here are the choices for the June 2010 Band of the Month Poll!

• Amaranthe, a modern melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. Amaranthe is currently touring Europe with Kamelot to promote their self-titled debut album, which was released last month via Spinefarm Records.
• Regardless of Me, a hardcore progressive metal band based out of Milan, Italy. Regardless of Me will play shows in the UK and Bosnia in May and June. Their second album is due out via Unexploded Records early this summer.
• ReVamp, a Dutch symphonic metal band led by former After Forever vocalist Floor Jansen. ReVamp is one of the headliners at this year’s Femme Metal Festival, which takes place on May 29^th and 30^th in London, United Kingdom. In June, the band will tour South America for the first time.
• Solsikk, a groove metal band from the United Kingdom. Solsikk will release its self-titied debut album tomorrow via Femme Metal Records.
• Whyzdom, a French symphonic metal band. Whyzdom was recently voted Best French Band at the Metal Sympho Awards for the second year in a row. The band is currently recording its second album, tentatively titled Blind?, and it will be the first to feature new lead singer Clemetine Delauney.

To cast your vote, visit our WordPress site and scroll down to find the poll on the right-hand sidebar. Voting closes on Tuesday, May 31st, and you can vote once a day!

Which bands would you like to see featured in our next Band of the Month Poll? Let us know by sending an email to unleashthefuriesmetal@gmail.com!

~ Sara

Vote in Our First “Band of the Month” Poll!

Great news: Today we launch our very first Band of the Month Poll!

Every month, readers can vote for one of five up-and-coming female-fronted bands selected by the UtF staff. The band with the most votes at the end of the month will, of course, be our Band of the Month and have their own special feature on our site. (We’re still working on those details right now.)

Here are our nominees for the UtF Band of the Month for May 2010:

• Echoterra, a symphonic metal band from Minneapolis, Minnesota (U.S.), fronted by former Aesma Daeva / Visions of Atlantis singer Melissa Ferlaak. Echoterra recently announced their second album, Land of the Midnight Sun, will be released this summer.
• Noctura, a rock duo from Indianapolis, Indiana (U.S.). Noctura’s debut album, Surrender the Sun, will be released later this year – and the band’s debut show on June 25th has already sold out!
• One Without, a gothic metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. One Without is working on its second album and recently released their cover of Kent’s “Om Du Var Här” on iTunes.
• Straight Line Stitch, a metalcore band from Knoxville, Tennessee (U.S.). Straight Line Stitch just released its new album, Fight of Our Lives, and will tour the U.S. this spring with In This Moment and recent UtF-featured band System Divide.
• Triosphere, a heavy progressive metal band from Trondheim, Norway. Triosphere’s second album, The Road Less Traveled, was released last year, and the band is touring Europe with Sonata Arctica this month and with Crimson Glory in May.

To cast your vote, visit any page on the UtF WordPress site and scroll down to find the poll on the right side (between the Recent Posts and Facebook / Twitter link widgets). Voting closes on Saturday, April 30^th, and you can vote once a day!

Which band(s) would you like to see featured in our next Band of the Month Poll? Let us know by sending an email to unleashthefuriesmetal@gmail.com!

Check It Out: Ex Libris

Another great band I discovered last year is the Dutch band Ex Libris.  Yes, I know what you’re thinking.  They’re just another gothic or symphonic metal band because that’s all that the Dutch bands seem to make these days.  Well, throw those preconceptions out the window.   Ex Libris is actually a progressive metal act – and they’re unlike any other female-fronted metal band in the Netherlands right now.

To be more descriptive, Ex Libris plays progressive metal with hints of gothic, neoclassical, classical, and folk music.  Their singer, the lovely Dianne van Giersbergen, is classically trained and has an impeccable operatic range that rivals Floor Jansen, Vibeke Stein, and even Tarja Turunen.  And although Nightwish is one of Ex Libris’ influences, they also credit Symphony X, Opeth, Dream Theater, Moonspell, and Seventh Wonder for influencing their sound.

So it’s no surprise that Ex Libris’ 2008 debut, Amygdala, is a colorful one.  You’ll hear all kinds of musicality on this album: heavy riffs, frenzied keyboard solos, myth-like storytelling in the lyrics, Transylvanian organs, and a plethora of tempo changes and progressive elements.  As for Dianne, well, she can do just about anything with her voice.  She has the power to soothe, excite, and even intimidate with her soaring soprano.  If you’re looking for tracks from Amygdala to check out, I highly recommend the beautiful ballad “Sail…,” the exhilarating opener “Dawn of Sugars,” or my personal favorite Ex Libris track, “Destined.”  Here’s a live clip of Ex Libris performing “Destined” last year.

Currently, Ex Libris is in the studio recording demos for their second album, Medea. They also have a few shows scheduled in the Netherlands later this year.

Ex Libris is:

• Dianne van Giersbergen – Vocals
• Paul van den Broek – Guitars
• Koen Stam – Keys
• Peter den Bakker – Bass
• Joost van de Pas – Drums

Check out Ex Libris at their official website or on Facebook or Myspace to learn more about the band.  And tell them we sent you!

~ Sara