Free Metal Monday: Warside-Warside

Self-release/Independent
2018

Warside is a (N.W.O.B.H.M.-influenced and eighties metal inspired) heavy metal band from Brazil that is lead by Leonardo Leão. Available for fee at the following site,"Warside" looks to be the group's first demo. It is a four-track EP that could easily pass as a long-lost relic from the early eighties. Despite it's so-so artwork, "Warside" is a fun listen and a release that I would recommend to fans of old-school metal.

Free Metal Monday: Heavyskies-Heavy Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Heavyskies is a California heavy/thrash metal band that is comprised of Chris Dauenhauer (guitar/vocals), Gabriel Moreira (guitar, vocals), Matt Barnhart (bass), and Josh Josten (drums). Formed in late 2016, this San Jose-based group lists it's influences as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Slayer, and Metallica. Based on what "Heavy Demo" has to offer (and it's a solid amount of promise) I'd say that the group's biggest influence would be (post-Master Of Puppets) Metallica (up to and including the Load/Re-Load period of this once great thrash metal band). Either way this four-track EP is free to download.

Traveler-Demo 2018

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Traveler is a Canadian heavy/power metal band from Calgary, Alberta that is fronted by Jean-Pierre Abboud. Influenced by vintage metal, epic metal, (classic) U.S. power metal, and N.W.O.B.H.M., Traveler comes across as a veteran outfit at the peak of it's career! That is not entirely unexpected (given the bios of the three musicians behind this project), but what is surprising is just how exceptional this demo is! Recorded at Richhobo Studios over the winter of 2017, the 3-track "Demo 2018" was written by guitarist/bassist Matt Ries. With drummer Jan Loncik rounding out the line-up, the songs are "Starbreaker", "Behind The Iron", and "Mindless Maze". All three numbers are simply fantastic(!), Traveler mixing phenomenal metal music with Jean-Pierre Abboud's epic voice! On a scale of 1-10, Traveler's demo gets a 10 all day long!! So far this is only available as digital download, but I have no doubt that some record label is going to scoop this release up.

Free Metal Monday: Iron Blood-At an Impasse

Brutal Future
2018

Iron Blood is a black metal/punk hardcore band from Canada. Back on January 6th the group released this four-track demo. It is a rather raw recording that mixes primitive black metal with the kind of punk rock that you'd find in the pages of Maximum Rocknroll. Available to download for free by heading here, "At an Impasse" was also released on cassette tape.

Draghkar-World Unraveled

2017

This is a three track demo from California's Draghkar. This is old style death metal with a definite early-mid 90's influences all stamped all over it. Wings over Malkier is a riff-driven slugfest that smashes away with a brief, but well down slow bit in the middle. Cowering in the town of blinded eyes roars on next with more pace changes then the opener, but maintains the high intensity level. Towards the end of this one they toss some controlled bursts before the end and they were great and I almost wished they had put in the song at an earlier point. World Unraveled closes out the tape and it's likely my favorite of the three just because it's equally as heavy as the other two, but has a bit more direction. This is raw cavernous style death metal with a lot to recommend about it. The biggest downside may have been the sound quality was decent, but not great which can be expected from a demo at times. I would definitely like to hear what they can do on a  full length album.

Isenordal - Lughnasadh MMXVII

Hanged Man
2017

This is a two track demo tape from this Seattle based acoustic doom act even though they knocked out a full length effort early this year.. First up is Inevitable product of the foretold which lumbers on with a thick, rolling riff. It's accompanied by both and female vocals which frequently take over the music at times which works out in the end. The track starts out alright, but definitely becomes more interesting as it progresses. It's decent enough, but seems to end right as it starts to become interesting. Dissolution into the earth is up next (and last). This is more like it for me. I definitely feel the dark vibe in this one more and it's far heavier and quite honestly has a stronger song structure. For both tracks I listened to them with and without headphones and can say that I definitely prefer them with headphones. That doesn't always make a difference, but with this style I felt it did. Total track time is around twelve minutes so if you get a chance and like a different approach to your doom check it out.

Free Metal Monday: Godam-Fear Is Weapon-Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Godam is a (crust-ridden) power violence band from Indonesia. This five track demo looks as if it is the group's debut and it includes a cover of Mayhem's "Pure Fucking Armageddon". There are occasional moments when "Fear Is Weapon" borders on hardcore metal, but overall this free demo is ugly and extreme. Naturally those qualities make it all the more essential! 

Knifer-Knifer

Rogues Realm Records
2017

Formed sometime back in 2016 and self-described as "Medium voltage rock'n'roll",  Brisbane, Australia's Knifer is lead by a front-man known only as FC and comprised of musicians that have ties to the doom metal band Zodiac. The four song demo "Knifer" is this band's studio debut and at the end of the working day it gets my ultimate stamp of approval!  Recorded, mixed and mastered by Christopher Brownbill at Underground Audio, "Knifer" is the righteous and reckless sound of a (Motörhead-infused) down & dirty speed metal/rock band that likes to drink, party and rock the F**K out! Naturally that is right up my alley! Chances are pretty good that others will feel the same way (especially if loud & proud heavy metal and/or heavy rock is your preferred drug of choice!). Song titles include "The Bottle", "Conspiracy of Silence", "The Snake", and "Satisfaction". To purchase a digital download of this demo simply click on this link. If you would like buy a cassette copy of "Knifer" be sure to head over here. At only $6 a tape, "Knifer" is a real  steal of a deal! If you ask me it also makes for the perfect graduation gift for any high school kid that sees Lemmy as their god! Off hand I know of at least three kids that fit that definition. While there you might as well order a cassette copy of "Source". Of course that is just a suggestion from one heavy metal fan to another....

Free Metal Monday: Pänik-Riffs Or Die (demo 2016)

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Pänik is a wild and reckless crossover/thrash metal band from Wollongong NSW, Australia that has been active since 2015. This short but exceptionally fun demo was released last summer and it featured the line up of Mitchel Gruevski (bass, vocals), Daniel Packovski (guitar, vocals), and drummer Jayden KV. As of this writing it looks as if Pänik has a new drummer, but really that's neither here nor there when we're talking about this (name your price) download... 

Postal-2017 Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Postal is a (hardcore-leaning) crossover band from Columbus, Ohio that is currently comprised of  Jimmy (lead vox), Joe (guitar/vocals), Matt (bass/vocals), and KB (drums). This three track demo serves as the group's latest release. It might not look all that impressive given it's cover art, but in reality this a prime example of (street-legit) pissed-of/brute force metallic hardcore. It merely serves as an appetizer for the group's next release (which will either an EP or LP) and it demands that you play it LOUD and PROUD! Geared towards both the punks and the headbangers, Postal's sound is a reflection of the anger, frustration, and ugliness that lays waiting inside many of us. It's about time that someone gave us a new voice to help with such an inner struggle...

Free Metal Monday: Last Breed-Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Last Breed's two-song demo came out in May of 2015. I have no idea if the group even exists anymore, but this free release is worth a listen for fans of (alternative-leaning) hard rock/heavy metal. The female-fronted group, which lists Alter Bridge, A Day to Remember, Halestorm, and Five Finger Death Punch as some of it's influences, has a somewhat dark vibe going for it and other than the terrible drumming on "Beast Inside" (It stinks!) there is a lot to like about this demo. If anyone has any information on the current whereabouts of  this Spanish band then please leave a note in the comments. 

Free Metal Monday: Grim Plague-Burial Demo EP

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Grim Plague hail from Marietta, Ohio and there are two cuts on this basement-quality demo. Download the first one and ignore "Coming Home". Noisy and raw garage thrash can be a real jam (especially when it's more punk than power!), but someone please explain to me the exact purpose of track number two?

Candle-Demo 2016

Fighter Records
2017

Inspired by the likes of Hell, Mercyful Fate, Satan, and Witchfynde, Candle is a Swedish heavy metal band that was formed in 2015 by guitarists Markus Janis (Corrosive Carcass) and Christian Kanto. Lead vocalist Erik Nordkvist and the brothers Juhani & Jorma Pihlajainen (bass and drums respectively) round matters out, "Demo 2016" serving as the group's introduction and all. Originally released last year (hence the title), Candle's debut offering is being re-released by Fighter Records in order to set the stage for the band's forthcoming LP. With four tracks of vintage metal that is dark, atmospheric, and somewhat progressive, "Demo 2016" is a good first effort that suffers from a unsatisfying production job, but does point towards better things to come......

Still Dead-Demo no.1

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Still Dead is a doom metal band from Israel that features former members of defunct melodic black/death metal group Sheamut within it's ranks. Those two fine individuals would be guitarist/vocalist Dima Katz and Shaked Oz (bass/drums). On the group's first studio release, "Demo no.1", they are joined by guitarist Cyrill Kravtsoff. Tracks include "Falling Asleep", "Endless", and "No Escape". That first number (my favorite one of the lot!) clocks in at eight minutes and six seconds while the other two songs have run-times of 7:16 and 6:20. If the long lengths of the songs don't give it away, "Demo no.1" is a wonderful tale of well-thought out and slowing developing doom. And it's vintage-infused doom at that! At only one dollar to download it is a absolute steal of a deal and I simply cannot wait to find out what comes next for this power trio!

Last Insane-Demo 2016

Self-Release/Independent
2016


Last Insane is a unsigned three-piece garage rock/alternative rock band from Vallejo, California. The group  is comprised of three longtime friends and the four-track EP "Demo 2016" looks as if it is Last Insane's only release to date. Words like "lose" and "laid back" come to mind when listening to "Demo 2016" and as far as I see things this unsigned trio it could easily be a part of the garage rock revival scene that is now flourishing throughout the US and Europe! While their one song, "Narce", reminded me a bit too much of Jet's "Are you Gonna Be My Girl", Last Insane's "Door", "My Feet Smell", and "You Drive Me Insane" make up for this small misstep thanks to the wonderful combination of witty lyrics and enthusiastic garage rock. For a first effort this short EP certainly hits plenty of high notes and it does this while simultaneously achieving this young band's goal of bring old fashioned rock and roll back to the forefront where it belongs! With "Demo 2016" Last Insane is off to a promising start....

Free Metal Monday: Mist-Demo 2013

Self-Release/Independent
2013


Here's another Free Metal Monday feature that I'm hoping everyone will enjoy. This time around we have the young Slovenian occult doom metal band Mist with their 2-song debut, "Demo 2013". This very cool band was formed in July of 2012 and they take their cues from the likes Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Candlemass, Coven, and Saint Vitus. The band is lead by the remarkable Nina Spruk and so far in their brief time together they have played with band's such as Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Saint Vitus, Mount Salem, Avatarium, Manilla Road, Forsaken, Kadavar, Helstar, Officium Triste, Ophis and Cauchemar. Mist has also toured all over Austria, Italy, Malta, Germany Belgium and the Netherlands and their overlooked gem here has apparently been re-issued on CD three times(!) due to great interest! Thankfully you can download a copy of  it for free by clicking on the link above.

Devil's Dare-Demonstration 2016

Self-Release/Independent 
2016

"Demonstration 2016" is the first studio recording from Boston hard rock/heavy metal band Devil's Dare. It was released on March 29th and this instant-classic EP features four vintage-sounding songs with the best of the bunch being the last cut, "Into the Sky". Even though the notes say "Demonstration 2016" was laid to tape sometime between 2015 and 2016 the actual music on Devil's Dare's debut comes across as if it could have been recorded at the start of the eighties! As far as influences go you're looking at everything from the (early) N.W.O.B.H.M. scene to eighties underground metal as well as classic seventies hard rock bands like Rainbow and Deep Purple. Whether this is a full-tile band or a one and done project is anyone's guess, but simply going by the fact that this EP comes from Chris Corry (Magic Circle, Mentally Challenged, Mind Eraser, No Tolerance, Prisoner Abuse, Put to Death, Soul Swallower, Stoner Dagger, World War 4, ex-Death Evocation) I'd sadly have to lean towards the latter. Ultimately only time will tell, but if Chris Corry just so happens to read this review then I'd like to say "PLEASE make Devil's Dare the real deal!". This four-track EP is so good, but at the end of the day it leaves you wanting more! Simply put, "Demonstration 2016" is one of the BEST examples of vintage-inspired hard rock/heavy metal out there and I know I'm not the only one that would like to see a full range of products from multi-colored Devil's Dare LPs to tee-shirts! Devil's Dare is that good and so is this demo....

FPG-2016 Demo

 

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Regina, Saskatchewan-based FPG is a metal trio that was founded in 2012 and has an additional two full-length releases to it's name (a self-titled album that was issued in 2013 and 2015's "Sonic Awakening"). Band-members include guitarist/vocalist Eliot Torrens, bassist Yianni Pantelopoulos (Scythra), and drummer Adam Horvey (ex-Oblivion's Eye) with the crossover-tinged "2016 Demo" serving as FPG's latest studio recording. Going off of past releases (with both full-length albums available to download on the group's bandcamp page ) FPG has flirted with reggae and funk, but I guess that was then and this is now (seeing as the two-track "2016 Demo" is crossover thrash of the highest consistency and all!). Whatever the case, "2016 Demo" is easily worth the price of admission and it proved to be one of those nice discoveries that you just happen to stumble upon and instantly fall head over heels for! And speaking of all things head over heels, FPG offers up some of the best stage diving/mosh metal that I've heard in a long, long time! You're going to want to clear out a shit load of space for the pit that is bound to happen when it comes to FPG's "2016 Demo"! Just so you have been properly warned.... 

Free Metal Monday: Appalachian Mudd-Demo

Self-Release/Independent

2016

 

"Black metal from the blue ridge mountains". That's the description given in regards to the two-man Appalachian Mudd. Apparently comprised of Kyosti and Lacrys, Appalachian Mudd plays super-depressing and absolutely bleak black metal that is blood-red raw and sounds as if it was inspired by one too many viewings of Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom! Featuring the lone number "Cradle Of Forestry/Forks Of Ivy", Appalachian Mudd's first (and possibly only?) demo has a run-time of 14:55 and it sounds as if it was recorded in some creep's dirty and dusty basement. In other words, the appeal of this Free Metal Monday offering simply cannot be understated! Released February 22, 2016, this name-your-price demo can be found by venturing over here.

Free Metal Monday: Belly Error-Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2016


Raw and primitive death metal/goregrind from the Czech Republic. That's exactly what you are going to get with this free demo from Belly Error. Be forewarned that it is UGLY! Get it here