Sunday 17 August 2014

Hidden Gems

Metalheads, we just love talking about Metal. And beer. But let’s stick with Metal today

I was chatting online to Sandy Williamson last week. He has the best of both worlds. He owns a pub and loves Metal, and writes about it too. We both like finding obscure bands from countries not normally associated with Metal.

The end result is this update with 5 bands from around the globe, all from countries that aren’t the first places you think of when listening to Metal. And Sandy has done the same with his blog. So when you’re finished here, follow the link to his blog for 5 more bands.

Arrivl - Iran

I’m going to start my part of this feature in Iran. Now I have to admit I was expecting basic recording, simplistic songs, perhaps an air of innocence…. How wrong can one man get?
This is wonderfully produced, we’re talking big fuck-off production, with song-writing on a par with any of your Nuclear Blast or Century Media level bands. This is bordering on World class.



I have to say “bordering on” as I don’t want to go too overboard. But seriously, if you didn’t know any different, you’d say this was the latest sensation to come out of Sweden.

The band describe themselves as Blackened Death, and I think that’s a fair assessment. They are also very Scandinavian sounding, as I’ve touched upon already. They do have a familiar sound, but I have no comparisons to make with other bands.  It’s just excellent music.

You can view a couple of tunes via You Tube. And as far as I’m aware, these tracks haven’t been released on cd yet as the band are searching for a label.



Toxoid - India

I’ve found a few good bands from India recently, and Toxoid are right up there amongst the best I’ve found. Sound wise, they pay homage to Swedish and Norwegian forms of Metal. And personally, I think they’re similar to Satyricon, circa Nemesis Divina. So we’re talking mid-nineties Black Metal.

The vocals are wonderfully caustic and the bands heart is pure black. And like the majority of the bands I’ve encountered this week, putting this update together, they shy away completely from their nations own identity. There’s not even a hint of a veena or a sitar to be heard. This is full on majestic Black Metal, and nothing else.



After listening to Toxoid I think it’s fair to say that the devil definitely has the best tunes.

The album is available via Bandcamp: https://toxoid.bandcamp.com/ and you can follow the band via Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/HELL666BIRD



Apoteoza - Indonesia

With no disrespect intended to the band at all, it would be fair to say that Apoteoza are “a work in progress”. They’re a little rough around the edges, especially with some of the vocal arrangements on the unmixed version of Death Or Glory. But do you know what? I absolutely love this. They have so much spirit and passion, you cannot help but love what they’re doing.

This is Folk Metal from Indonesia for fucks sake!!!!! 

It brings a smile to my hairy face when I hear this. It’s not influenced by trends, it’s just a band playing and creating music that they have a passion for.

There are only two tracks online at present. Hear them here:  http://www.reverbnation.com/apoteoza and keep up-to-date with band via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Apoteoza/227574120611697

Sahon - South Korea

If Tom Araya had a South Korean Cousin, surely it would be Sahon frontman, Yong Ho.

Below is a video clip of Selection Of Slavery, which is worth watching just for the peoples faces as they watch the band perform on a busy street. It’s also worth checking out for some Slayer inspired Thrash



I can’t get their own site to work with with Google’s translation, but I can tell you they’ve released at least 4 albums (they might have released 5) and an EP and they’ve been going for about 15 years.

Facebook is probably your best bet for finding out more info about the band. And there’s a stack of videos to be found on You Tube. I’m sure their recorded work will be hard to track down.





Astrolatry - China

I’m ending my journey with some whacky Black Metal from China. The Chinese seem to make Black Metal sound completely different than any other country. Mainly as the vocals always sound so crazy. Maybe it’s a language thing, maybe it’s a cultural thing. Who knows and who cares?

I can’t tell you much about the band either, but I think this is their 1st release. And Google translates some of the song titles into:  Alcoholic Bones, Buried Under The Snows Funeral and Heilongjiang Wind. So I’m still none the wiser.

Visit the band here: http://site.douban.com/Astrolatry/ and click the green button in the middle of the page. Then strap yourself in and prepare for a frantic onslaught, with some crazy ass vocals.

And if you're still looking for more Hidden Gems - head on over to Sandy's blog for another 5 bands

1 comment:

  1. Viniir - Malaysian Viking Metal band..
    check it out bro..
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viniir/125442754231491

    ReplyDelete