Categories
Reviews

Xeno – Reconstruction (EP)

Xeno is a progressive metal band from Middelburg that draws inspiration from Periphery, Opeth, Plini, Leprous, and Lamb of God. Their first official album Sojourn came out on the Spanish label Art Gates Records in October 2020 during the pandemic and was very well received. Now the band is back with a new EP: Reconstruction. Reconstruction is 22 minutes filled with heavy riffs, synths, piano, clean vocals, heavy grunts, and interesting lyrics. They are playing their release show on November 18th in Middelburg so if you want to see them live after this review, grab your tickets here.

Categories
Band Featured Band

Xeno

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Xeno

nHailing from: Middelburg
nGenre: progressive
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Links to other sites:

nWebsite
nFacebook
nInstagram
nYoutube
nSpotify
nBandcamp
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nSpotify playlist:
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Bio:

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Xeno

nHailing from: MiddelburgnGenre: progressiven

Links to other sites:

n[if 47 not_equal=””]Website [/if 47]n[if 62 not_equal=””]Facebook [/if 62]n[if 53 not_equal=””]Instagram[/if 53]n[if 58 not_equal=””]Youtube[/if 58]n[if 56 not_equal=””]Spotify[/if 56]n[if 57 not_equal=””]Bandcamp[/if 57]nn[if 59 not_equal=””]nSpotify playlist:n[/if 59] nn[if 99 not_equal=””]<[/if 99]nn”},{“box”:2,”content”:”

Bio:

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Xeno is een progressieve metal band uit Middelburg, Nederland, die extreme metal sounds combineert met verrassende twists en passages getrokken uit verschillende genres. Gecombineerd met inspirerende teksten uit een tal van filosofische en persoonlijke onderwerpen creëert Xeno een zeer unieke, verhalende atmosfeer waar luisteraars zich in kunnen verliezen. De muziek zelf is beïnvloed door bands als Periphery, Tesseract, Opeth, Plini en Porcupine Tree maar ook bijvoorbeeld door Haken, Leprous en Lamb of God.

Tijdens de pandemie kwam Xeno in oktober 2020 met het album ‘Sojourn’. Dit album werd uitgebracht via het Spaanse Art Gates Records, en werd erg goed ontvangen. Critici en luisteraars waren het met elkaar eens, dit was een van de beste progressieve metal albums van het jaar.
“Xeno heeft zichzelf meer dan overtroffen. Hopelijk sterft dit artistieke meesterwerk geen stille dood door het uitblijven van live-shows om de zaak te promoten. Deze band verdient een plek op de Nederlandse en internationale metalkaart.” – 3voor12

Iedereen die Xeno wel eens live heeft gezien is het er over eens dat de band een fantastische live-show geeft. Met krachtige vocals, riffs, instrumentale behendigheid en een gigantische podium energie, is de intensiteit van Xeno niet te ontkennen. Dit is een van de redenen dat Xeno met bands als bijvoorbeeld Voivod, Carach Angren en Spoil Engine het podium heeft gedeeld.

De nieuwe release, ‘Reconstruction’, zal worden uitgebracht op 16 november 2022 via Art Gates Records. Met dit EP bezocht Xeno hun eerste album, Atlas Construct (2016), en hebben ze daarvan drie nummers herschreven in de nieuwe stijl als ode aan hun verleden.

Xeno is hongerig, ambitieus, en klaar om hun spierballen te laten zien aan de wereld.

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Categories
Reviews

Vermin – The Cult of the Cosmic Eye

Last august Vermin released their first single ‘Firetrap’ as a teaser for their upcoming album. On November 4th, the band played their album release show at the Kroepoekfabriek and now their album ‘The Cult of the cosmic Eye’ is released to the masses. So time for a review!

Categories
Band

Lies!

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Lies!

nHailing from: Groningen
nGenre: hardcore
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Links to other sites:

nWebsite
nFacebook
nInstagram
nYoutube
nSpotify
nBandcamp
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nSpotify playlist:
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Bio:

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Lies!

nHailing from: GroningennGenre: hardcoren

Links to other sites:

n[if 47 not_equal=””]Website [/if 47]n[if 62 not_equal=””]Facebook [/if 62]n[if 53 not_equal=””]Instagram[/if 53]n[if 58 not_equal=””]Youtube[/if 58]n[if 56 not_equal=””]Spotify[/if 56]n[if 57 not_equal=””]Bandcamp[/if 57]nn[if 59 not_equal=””]nSpotify playlist:n[/if 59] nn[if 99 not_equal=””]<[/if 99]nn”},{“box”:2,”content”:”

Bio:

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“LIES! is Euro violence galore! One of the hardcore heavyweights from the Netherlands playing an aggressive blend of pure hardcore and 90s metallic hardcore. Think , and mixed with , or . The extreme vocals and pounding riffs create a terrifying aggressive hardcore sound. [..] such a powerful Dutch band we haven’t heard in a long time”. 
After a break of a 7 years they took the world by storm with their comeback EP “Rebirth” (2022) with an huge amount of plays for a DIY release. Lyrically the songs are about gripping personal events and socio-political subjects. 
 LIES! emerged out of the Groningen scene in 2011. Founded by the ex-members of hardcore bands , The Hunger, and metal bands Expulsion, Mon’strum and . 
In 2011 they released a demo (Street Survival Recs) and in 2012 a 12″ vinyl album called “Nineties” (TTL Recs). This debut record gained nothing but positive critics. Their energetic heavy live shows quickly drew attention of both the hardcore and metal community. LIES! played hardcore shows and festivals in several countries in Europe including shows with , , and . 
In 2015 Indonesian label Diorama Recs released a split-CD with LIES!, and Hands Upon Salvation. 
In 2015, they put the group on indefinite hiatus. From 2022 LIES! is back in business as a 5-piece band with a new EP, singles and live-shows.

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Categories
Band

Despicable Heroes

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Despicable Heroes

nHailing from: Barneveld
nGenre: modern
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Links to other sites:

nWebsite
nFacebook
nInstagram
nYoutube
nSpotify
nBandcamp
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nSpotify playlist:
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Bio:

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Despicable Heroes

nHailing from: BarneveldnGenre: modernn

Links to other sites:

n[if 47 not_equal=””]Website [/if 47]n[if 62 not_equal=””]Facebook [/if 62]n[if 53 not_equal=””]Instagram[/if 53]n[if 58 not_equal=””]Youtube[/if 58]n[if 56 not_equal=””]Spotify[/if 56]n[if 57 not_equal=””]Bandcamp[/if 57]nn[if 59 not_equal=””]nSpotify playlist:n[/if 59] nn[if 99 not_equal=””]<[/if 99]nn”},{“box”:2,”content”:”

Bio:

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Barneveld’s finest modern metalband DESPICABLE HEROES is back with their brand new EP ‘Echelon’ (2019), showing the full potential of the band with melodic and low-tuned riffing, ground-shaking breakdowns and catchy sing-a-longs, featuring guest vocals from Morrison de Boer (Inferum) and Alma Alizadeh (For I Am King).

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Categories
Band

Desolate Fields

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Desolate Fields

nHailing from:
nGenre: black, melodic
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Links to other sites:

nWebsite
nFacebook
nInstagram
nYoutube
nSpotify
nBandcamp
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nSpotify playlist:
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Desolate Fields

nHailing from: nGenre: black, melodicn

Links to other sites:

n[if 47 not_equal=””]Website [/if 47]n[if 62 not_equal=””]Facebook [/if 62]n[if 53 not_equal=””]Instagram[/if 53]n[if 58 not_equal=””]Youtube[/if 58]n[if 56 not_equal=””]Spotify[/if 56]n[if 57 not_equal=””]Bandcamp[/if 57]nn[if 59 not_equal=””]nSpotify playlist:n[/if 59] nn[if 99 not_equal=””]<[/if 99]nn”},{“box”:2,”content”:”

Bio:

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Bringing a storm of melody and post-metal which catches you in a soothing trance, until the black inspired violence comes…

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Categories
Band

Deem Index

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Deem Index

nHailing from: Arnhem
nGenre: death, melodic
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Links to other sites:

nWebsite
nFacebook
nInstagram
nYoutube
nSpotify
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nSpotify playlist:
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Bio:

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Deem Index

nHailing from: ArnhemnGenre: death, melodicn

Links to other sites:

n[if 47 not_equal=””]Website [/if 47]n[if 62 not_equal=””]Facebook [/if 62]n[if 53 not_equal=””]Instagram[/if 53]n[if 58 not_equal=””]Youtube[/if 58]n[if 56 not_equal=””]Spotify[/if 56]n[if 57 not_equal=””]Bandcamp[/if 57]nn[if 59 not_equal=””]nSpotify playlist:n[/if 59] nn[if 99 not_equal=””]<[/if 99]nn”},{“box”:2,”content”:”

Bio:

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Arnhem based metal band DEEM INDEX exists, in their current steady line up, since 2011.
The EP MASS//MINUS is the successor of their debut EP VAIN//VOID (2014) and again it shows that DEEM INDEX doesn’t shun from mixing the various styles of metal.
The diversity of styles in metal and their energetic stage performance made it possible for DEEM INDEX to share various venues with amazing national and international bands like Katalsym (CAN), Dew-Scented (D), Inside The Artist’s Head (SE), Eyes Wide Open (SE), The Very End (D), Bodyfarm (NL), Blood Red Throne (NO), Distillator (NL), For I Am King (NL), Magnacult (NL), Bring On The Bloodshed (NL) and many others.
It also provided DEEM INDEX the headline slot at The Unborn Fest 2016 on Terceira, Azores, Portugal.

DEEM INDEX is:

Ronald Vocals

Jelmer Guitar

Lars Guitar

Leonie Bass

Elwin Drums

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Categories
Band

Chelsea Smile

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Chelsea Smile

nHailing from:
nGenre: hardcore
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Links to other sites:

nWebsite
nFacebook
nInstagram
nYoutube
nSpotify
nBandcamp
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nSpotify playlist:
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Bio:

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Chelsea Smile

nHailing from: nGenre: hardcoren

Links to other sites:

n[if 47 not_equal=””]Website [/if 47]n[if 62 not_equal=””]Facebook [/if 62]n[if 53 not_equal=””]Instagram[/if 53]n[if 58 not_equal=””]Youtube[/if 58]n[if 56 not_equal=””]Spotify[/if 56]n[if 57 not_equal=””]Bandcamp[/if 57]nn[if 59 not_equal=””]nSpotify playlist:n[/if 59] nn[if 99 not_equal=””]<[/if 99]nn”},{“box”:2,”content”:”

Bio:

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Chelsea Smile was formed in 2009 with a group of friends who have a big heart for hardcore and metal music. With a mixture of hardcore such as Terror, and Trapped Under Ice combined with some Nasty and Shattered Realm beatdown, Chelsea Smile packs one hell of a punch.

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Categories
Band

Bleeding Gods

[{“box”:0,”content”:”[if 63 equals=””][/if 63]nnn

Bleeding Gods

nHailing from:
nGenre: black, death
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Links to other sites:

nWebsite
nFacebook
nInstagram
nYoutube
nSpotify
nBandcamp
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nSpotify playlist:
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Bio:

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Bleeding Gods

nHailing from: nGenre: black, deathn

Links to other sites:

n[if 47 not_equal=””]Website [/if 47]n[if 62 not_equal=””]Facebook [/if 62]n[if 53 not_equal=””]Instagram[/if 53]n[if 58 not_equal=””]Youtube[/if 58]n[if 56 not_equal=””]Spotify[/if 56]n[if 57 not_equal=””]Bandcamp[/if 57]nn[if 59 not_equal=””]nSpotify playlist:n[/if 59] nn[if 99 not_equal=””]<[/if 99]nn”},{“box”:2,”content”:”

Bio:

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Bleeding Gods was formed in 2012 after founder Ramon Ploeg left Dutch death metalband Houwitser.

It all began with a 4-track never released demo entitled ‘Demo 2013’. With the demo, the band signed a record deal with the Italian Punishment 18 Records and released their debut album ‘Shepherd of Souls’ in 2015.

After some lineup changes, the band recorded a new promo in 2016 and used some orchestration for the first time with help from good friend of the band Martin Powell (Cradle of Filth 2000 – 2005).

Later that year the band was added on the bills of several wellknown festivals like Eindhoven Metal Meeting, Antwerp Metalfest and others and performed their new material for the first time live. With fully packed venues and marquees, the band was called ‘surprise of the weekend’ more than once. Shortly after that, the band received a lot of positive attention with interviews and live reviews from the international press.

Early 2017 the latest album ‘Dodekathlon’ was born. One hour of devastating epic blackened death metal which tells the complete ancient Greek story of the Twelve Labours of Hercules.The band spent almost 2 years on writing, composing and recording the album and received a lot of positive reviews from the international music press. The album even received ‘album of the month’ and ‘album of the year’ several times.

Bleeding Gods signed a wordwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records and the album was released in January 2018.

With the new album, the band toured Japan, Europe, UK, Russia and Scandinavia with other artists like Belphegor, Pestilence, The Crown and Melechesh. Besides tours, the band headlined the New Force Stage at Metal Days, and performed at other sold out festivals like Czech Deathfest, Viborg Metalfest, Metal Experience Fest and others.

Dodekathlon was released January 12th, 2018.

Bleeding Gods =

Mark Huisman – Vocals
David Gutierrez Rojas – Keys and Choirs
Ramon Ploeg – Guitars
Rutger van Noordenburg – Guitars
Yessica Otten – Bass

Michiel van der Plicht – Drums (studio and live session)

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Categories
Band

Jezebel

[{“box”:0,”content”:”[if 63 equals=””][/if 63]nnn

Jezebel

nHailing from:
nGenre: heavy metal
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Links to other sites:

nWebsite
nFacebook
nInstagram
nYoutube
nSpotify
nBandcamp
n
nSpotify playlist:
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Bio:

n[55]n“},{“box”:1,”content”:” [if 48 not_like=””][/if 48]nn

Jezebel

nHailing from: nGenre: heavy metaln

Links to other sites:

n[if 47 not_equal=””]Website [/if 47]n[if 62 not_equal=””]Facebook [/if 62]n[if 53 not_equal=””]Instagram[/if 53]n[if 58 not_equal=””]Youtube[/if 58]n[if 56 not_equal=””]Spotify[/if 56]n[if 57 not_equal=””]Bandcamp[/if 57]nn[if 59 not_equal=””]nSpotify playlist:n[/if 59] nn[if 99 not_equal=””]<[/if 99]nn”},{“box”:2,”content”:”

Bio:

n

6 musicians, metal freaks, guitar lovers, eager to create a unique style of metal,

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