Sea of Consciousness is a band that formed out of the remnants of Inferus Dei during the Covid crisis in 2019. Guitarist Daniel Sirtoski and drummer Istvan Timmermans started by building out their stage idea, and finding other band members that fit their vision. The band combines different genres into a melodic, progressive composition that expresses struggles in life, a theme that fits the time of origin for this band. Let’s dive into their first album and learn what Sea of Consciousness is all about.
Serotonia is back with a new release! They released their debut EP ‘Choices’ during a live event on Twitch on Friday the 12th. Now the debut EP is available through all streaming services for the world to enjoy. We knew what we were in for, having been part of their release show, but we are giving our opinion on paper after a few more listening sessions as well. Join us in exploring all the Choices this new EP has to offer.
Der Mancha Red is a Doom band from Eindhoven. They released their latest single Shame last December and with the current cold weather, we found the perfect atmosphere to listen to this cold, dark track.
Rages of Sin is a death metal band from The Hague, and 3,5 years after their latest release Divergence, they’re back with a new album, Saligia. Saligia 2.1 is a concept album of seven tracks about the seven deadly sins. Sit back and strap in for a little over 40 min of gut-wrenching death metal.
We have previously shared a little bit about the Pro Hater remix of Durden. Since then, the full ‘Sense of Self’ album has been remixed and released, and we promised to share a little something about the rest of the tracks as well. So here we are. If you’re a hardcore metalhead, who only wants to listen to music with heavy guitars, kickass drumlines, and screams, this review is NOT FOR YOU. Because Durden, as we’ve previously explained, is not your typical metal band to begin with, and these remixes definitely aren’t metal. That makes us wonder if we should review this at all. We decided to, regardless, because the original album is weird and wonderful in its own nu-metal/rap-metal way, whatever you want to call it, and these remixes might open up the metal scene to other audiences as well. People will always have an opinion regardless of what we write. So, after this disclaimer, let’s dive into these 5 new remixes.
It has been a while, but we haven’t forgotten this release by Amsterdam-based alternative grungy band Molton Grove. Having seen this band play live before, and knowing their infectious energy, I was happy to see a first release from the band. Join me in the Grove for some feel-good music.
An old-school release belongs on an old-school format. That’s what Bladecrusher must have thought with the release of their latest EP. The band produced a limited edition on 7” vinyl for Death, Revenge, War. which you should buy just for the artwork alone. While I certainly love the sentiment, I tend to listen to my music on Spotify. So I got my old, crappy headphones to get into the old-school mood as I explored Death, Revenge, War.
With an album release show last weekend, Dutch metallic hardcore band Lies! released their latest album Mind Pollution. While the full album plays the same amount of time as the 3-track EP Velozza released last month (around 14 minutes), the album consists of 9 full tracks. Hardcore-sized, full tracks, that is. The longest track on the album is the title track ‘Mind Pollution’, clocking in at 2 minutes. Get ready for 14 minutes of raw brutality with this new album by Lies!
It has already been a while since Velozza released their latest EP “Bankrupt the Republic’. If you, like me, haven’t heard these three brand-new tracks yet, let’s dive into them together. Bankrupt the Republic is just 12 minutes of high-energy music, perfect for a little break. So put on your headphones and let’s press play!
About Velozza
Velozza is a four-piece thrash metal band from the southern parts of the Netherlands. The band released their first full-length Apocaholic in 2021 (read the review here). Cue fast-paced riffs, tight drums, and an old-school sound. Of course, we had to listen to their new music as well. Last year the band has played some nice gigs, being part of the Metal Battle preliminaries as well. Bankrupt the Republic is the latest chapter on their road to greatness.
Bankrupt the Republic
The EP starts of with the title track. The band recorded a video for this track as well, and if the music alone doesn’t convince you of their energy, the video definitely will. This track is exactly what we hoped to find on this release; raging old-school thrash metal. Right off the bat, this song is one big headbanging moshpit party. In the video we can see the band enjoying themselves as well; the energy coming through the music is certainly displayed on stage as well. By the way, the video is just as high quality as the recording and certainly worth a view.
From Bankrupt the Republic, we head into Poltical Rot. This might have been a typo on Spotify since Political Rot makes more sense. Again the high energy seeps through the track, but a little more groove and melodic guitar solos are featured on this track. With the current state of the Dutch government, Political Rot seems like a very current track. Leave it to the metal bands to rebel against the man and tell us what’s wrong with the world. For fans of Psychostick, the chorus part of this track reminded me of that party band.
With the final track, War is my Sheperd, Velozza gives us a glimpse in their inspiration. This cover by Exodus fits the other two tracks on this EP perfectly. I have to say I like Velozza’s version better than the original because their vocals are a lot nicer to listen to in my opinion.
Final Thoughts
Bankrupt the Republic is another fun record by these thrashers. These tracks will certainly appeal to the broad metal community, as it’s everything you expect from a metal band. Loud, fast, screaming guitar solos and moshpits. With just three tracks, I can’t really name a favorite. But because of the video, I’d say check out the title track for this EP.
Oceans Above is the debut album by The Color of Rain, or TCOR for short. The Color Of Rain is a new progressive black metal project from the Netherlands. The band has quite a unique sound in the (Dutch) black metal community since their music is influenced by post-black, jazz, rock, and progressive music. That makes for an interesting blend of Black Metal. Also, a sound that will appeal to more than just the Black Metal community. We were very excited after hearing the first track, The Cult of the Cosmic Flood, so we’re happy to hear the full album!
