Nomad Son (La escena maltesa VII)

El último grupo maltés que vi en directo (y también el último del que os voy a hablar) se llama Nomad Son y, de nuevo, hacen doom, bastante parecido al de Forsaken y por tanto bastante parecido al de Heaven And Hell / Black Sabbath época Dio. El bajista es el mismo, y además también milita en X-Vandals, es hiperactivo, el hombre. Sobre todo se diferencia de Forsaken en que incorporan teclados, de sonido bastante setentero, me atrevería a decir, no por las melodías sino por lo estridente que resulta a veces. Por el momento sólo tienen un disco, First light, que salió hace casi un año y del que os hablaré próximamente, porque lo compré y pienso colgarlo. Así que ahora copio la biografía y doy por terminada esta improvisada primera monografía, espero que os haya gustado.

Formed in early 2006, doom metal band Nomad Son brings together the creative forces of Jordan Cutajar (vox), Chris Grech (guitars), Julian Grech (keyboards), Edward Magri (drums) (all members of Frenzy Mono - one of Malta's most prolific heavy rock bands), and Albert Bell, a veteran of the Maltese metal scene and bassist with Forsaken (now established at the forefront of the European doom scene) since 1991.

The inception of the band owes much to Temple Studios owner and music production guru David Vella. While Frenzy Mono were recording their debut album Unorthodox, David deciphered another, darker and meaner dimension to the band which could be nurtured to develop into a doom metal oriented project, distinct from the traditional rock edge of the guys' musical endeavours to date. One phone call away, Albert responded to David Vella and Frenzy Mono's invitation to team up for a studio recorded jam, which resulted into two molten, raw, hammond-driven doom laden tracks in one afternoon session!! Enthused by the result of this session, the strong vibe that each of the guys felt during their jams, and moreover, mutual respect for each member's creative abilities, the guys continued to rehearse and build their repertoire in between meeting their commitments with their main bands.

What had simply started as a studio jam/project - Nomad Son - has now developed into a fully-fledged doom band with a characteristic sound drawing influence from the trailblazing sounds of Black Sabbath and other 70s classic bands, 80s heavy metal and milestone doom acts such as Candlemass, Pentagram and Trouble! The band shall be debuting live this fall and aims to release its first recording output in 2008/09. Expect no quarter! Enter the domain of Nomad Son's world of apocalytpic, heavy doom!

http://www.nomadson.com/
http://www.myspace.com/nomadsonmalta

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Forsaken (La escena maltesa VI)

[Nota: Ya hace seis días que volví de Malta, pero me interesa terminar con las dos bandas que me quedaban. Lo siguiente será una novedad.]

De los grupos que conocí en Malta, Forsaken es el que más historia tiene de todos, habiéndose formado en 1990, tienen ya cuatro discos a sus espaldas, amén de varias maquetas y EPs, y tienen cierto reconocimiento internacional. La música que hacen es la que hace Heaven And Hell, o lo que es lo mismo, Black Sabbath en la época Dio. De hecho el cantante hace gestos parecidos y usa el mismo estilo vocal. A destacar el trabajo del bajo, que además tiene mucho protagonismo. Su último álbum salió este mismo año, hace un par de meses. Como siempre, podéis escuchar canciones en su myspace.

Forsaken are: Leo Stivala (vocals), Albert Bell (bass), Sean Vukovic (guitars), and Simeon Gatt (drums) they remain one of the most consistent and long-standing bands in Malta's underground scene throughout its ten-year existence. The band started out as progressive metallers Blind Alley and the initial line-up, formed in September 1990, featured Leo Stivala (vocals), former Fall Out keyboardist Cay Schembri, Kevin Azzopardi (guitars), Simeon Gatt (drums) and Tony Azzopardi (bass). The band adopted the epithet Forsaken shortly after the recruitment of ex-Kremation and Vandals bassist Albert Bell in July 1991. The new line-up set about writing new material that displayed an array of influences amongst the plethora of sub-genres in the Heavy Metal scene resulting in the band's first and only demo to date, entitled "Requiem". This served to attract a great interest in the band, which culminated in a deal with the French underground independent label Arkham Productions. The band released its debut 7" Ep on Arkham entitled "Virtues of Sanctity" in July 1992. The Ep featured a re-worked version of... Leer más

http://www.forsakenmalta.com/
http://www.myspace.com/forsakenmalta

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Weeping Silence (La escena maltesa V)

Como cabe esperar por el nombre, estos son góticos (silencio sollozante, no iba a ser thrash). Un gótico bastante típico, sonido procedente del doom pero melódico y embellecido, y con una voz lírica femenina y, de vez en cuando, otra gutural masculina. Y no lo hacen mal, no. Su álbum debut salió en el año 2000 y se llama Deprived from romance; el segundo disco, End of an era, no salió hasta abril del año pasado, tras varios cambios en la formación y, por lo que cuentan en su biografía, también en su música. En el concierto que vi tocaron "Master of insanity" de Black Sabbath, cantada por ella, yyyyyy creo que es mejor que se dediquen a lo suyo que es lo que saben hacer. Podéis escuchar trozos de canciones en su myspace, y bajar algunas de su web oficial.

Weeping Silence has been in the metal scene since its formation in the mid-90's and went through a long period of musical experimentation. Weeping Silence finally came together in 2000 and released their debut album Deprived from Romance, which proved to be successfull, with copies being sold out after a few years. The line-up on the debut album included Dino Mifsud Lepre on vocals. The musical direction on Deprived from Romance was inclined to a dreamy doom metal style, with clean dragging vocals. Weeping Silence also released one song on a compilation CD entitled Arch Music Compilation, which featured other established local metal bands.

Following their debut release, Weeping Silence decided on a change in musical direction, in order to encompass more varied and modern sounds. Rachel Grech was recruited on vocals and brought the power and musical direction needed to push the band to new horizons in the metal scene. Weeping Silence have played live as a female-fronted band in many rock nightclubs since October 2002, and attracted large audiences. This, combined with an inexorable will to work, pushed the band to prepare for their new release entitled End of an Era, which was recorded at Temple Studios, with the production of David Vella. Weeping Silence guitarist Raphael Grech was replaced following the recording of End of an Era, and Antoine Farrugia (Tony) joined as his replacement. Tony is a talented musician with vast experience in the metal scene, having previously played with various metal bands. Tony added the much desired soloing that WS considered necessary. In 2006 Allison Camilleri, trained as a pianist, replaced Mario Cilia on keyboards completing the current line-up.

Weeping Silence is currently preparing to launch the album End of an Era under the music label Sleaszy Rider Records, Greece. A number of gigs are planned shortly after the official release date. Weeping Silence is also preparing the latest material for another release following End of an Era.

http://www.weepingsilence.com/
http://www.myspace.com/weepingsilence

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Thy Legion (La escena maltesa IV)

Grupo de black/death (más de lo primero que de lo segundo) con dos calvos clónicos que rugen. Creo que es la primera vez que veo un grupo con dos miembros cuya única función es cantar. Las canciones de theirspace están bastante bienpara mi gusto, aunque en directo me gustaron algo menos, pero el sonido tampoco era el mejor del mundo. Tienen un disco editado con portada chula: Proclaimer of chaos.

The band was formed in the second month of 2004 Anno Bastardi under the name of Bellum, consisting of Tyrone on vocal duties, Elton on guitars and Eliot on drums. The main idea was to form an old school black metal band in the veins of bands such as Immortal, Bathory, Emperor and Venom amongst others, lyrically based on War, Chaos and Destruction.

Later Shaun and Oliver joined in on Guitar and Bass duties respectively and the band has found a stable line up, but this lasted shortly as Eliot later left due to musical differences, later replaced by Byron. Oliver was also dismissed and replaced by Kurt (A.K.A Moloch, ex-Martyrium). The name Bellum was then replaced by the name Thy Legion as this reflected more the style the band was composing.

In 2005 Tonio was admitted in the band for a diverse, raw sound. Yet shortly the band had to part ways with both Byron and Shaun, both leaving with personal problems. Other drummers were auditioned but with no avail, leaving the band no choice but to go with a drum machine. As the band progressed and matured, the material was having a more black/death sound but still under the same lyrical theme.

Early 2006; Shaun joined the band once again and the band was complete again, and all ready to take it to the stage, and on the 17th March 2006 Thy Legion and Erythuria supported Abysmal Torment on launching the "Epoch of Methodic Carnage" CD. The band worked their way through various appearances on stage, also supporting German veterans Purgatory, they were ready to enter the studios themselves, to start recording their first full-length CD Entitled "Proclaimer of Chaos".

March 2007; The band was approached by Clayton (ex-Angel Blade, ex-Psychosis) for a jamming session, which ended in him taking the drum machine's place. A few weeks later Shaun left the band once again for personal reasons, whose place was filled by Ayrton (Improbus Atrum). Shortly after Tyrone was also dismissed from the band and replaced by Mark (A.K.A Lucifuge Rofocale, ex-Martyrium).

November 2007; With all preparations complete, the band finally was ready to launch "Proclaimer of Chaos" alongside Erythuria, which as well as introducing the new line-up, which had a very positive response, for both CD and new band members.

May 2008; Due to personal reasons, Ayrton decides to part from Thy Legion, leaving the band once again searching for a guitarist.

August 2008; Although with a guitarist less from the original line up, the band heads to SpineSplitter Studios to record their second album, which will consist of 6 tracks, aiming to be released next year.

September 2008; The band recruits David (Abysmal Torment, ClubMurder) as a session guitarist, filling in the second guitarist spot.

October 2008; Thy Legion attacks foreign land, playing their first live show in Berlin, taking part in the 10th edition of the BlackLand festival. Although not many were present, the band received positive feedback.

http://www.myspace.com/thylegion

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X-Vandals (La escena maltesa III)

No diría que me encantan, pero el concierto de los X-Vandals estuvo bastante bien. Hacen un thrash bastante cercano al heavy. O speed. Qué más da, os hacéis una idea. Tienen sólo un disco, Erosion of our liberty, aunque van a sacar otro muy pronto, el mes que viene, creo. Entretenidos cuando menos.

Estoy escuchando theirspace, y la verdad es que en estudio me están gustando más, pero hay que decir que la acústica de la sala donde actuaron el otro día dejaba bastante que desear...

One of the 1st Maltese metal bands (originally named Vandals), formed way back in 1984. Started performing power/heavy metal tracks and evolving to speed/thrash/death metal when a new line up was formed in 1989. Now the same rotten 1989 line up has Reunited after 15 years! - Same members, same stinky garage and back with OLD SCHOOL THRASH ready to rip your brains out and get your blood cells moshing!!
Since we have re-united in late 2005, we have released our 1st CD (Erosion of Our Liberty), which is a 12 track CD Album. This Album is up for sale for LM3.90 (10 Euro) and covers some of the best material the newly reborn X-Vandals have molded together. Tracks vary from ‘Old School Thrash’ to Hardcore/punk. The Lyrics give our view of this ‘Mankind fucked up world’ we live in, emphasizing on inhuman acts against mankind/life itself, freedom of speech, personal feelings/thoughts and on filthy/explicit political corruption/injustice around us.
We have already started work for the 2nd Album, with quicker/harsher riffs and slightly modernized final package, but still gripping tight to our ‘Old School’ roots. We’re planning various gigs and performances throughout this coming year. Our aim is to be signed up with a recording firm!
Since our first live performance the feedback we have received is much appreciated! Both from Local ‘Die Hard’ punk/metal bands and from fans themselves! A great feeling to see both ‘old Vandals’ followers - enthusiastic for our re-embodiment, and for ‘new’ fans who much value our style! Willing to perform with all local bands and determined to give our best to all the metal/punk heads!

http://www.myspace.com/xvandals

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Insurgence (La escena maltesa II)

El primer grupo que vi y el que menos me gustó. Hacen metalcore. (No confundir con los homónimos yanquis, que hacen thrash; el logo es casi idéntico.) El cantante da espectáculo, sin duda. Se bajaba del escenario y se ponía a pegar saltos entre la gente. Pero la voz me recuerda a un cerdo en la matanza, no sé... al menos en directo. Aún no tienen ningún disco en el mercado, piensan sacarlo a finales de año, seica.

En su myspace podéis escuchar algunas canciones y leer su biografía.

http://www.myspace.com/insurgencemalta

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Dawn Of Anguish (La escena maltesa I)

Por ahora, el grupo maltés que más me gustó de todos los que conocí hasta ahora, y de hecho los vi dos veces ya. Hacen doom del antiguo y tienen muy buenas canciones; para que os hagáis una idea de por dónde van los tiros, tocaron una versión de Reverend Bizarre y otra de Wall Of Sleep. El grupo se formó el año pasado, y planean grabar un disco después de verano o así. Pienso seguirles la pista; la pena es que no tengan ninguna canción ni siquiera en el myspace, porque valen la pena. Cuando haya novedades lo comentaré en el blog, seguro. A continuación copipego la historia de la banda, sacada de theirspace.

‘Dawn of Anguish’ is a Doom Metal band based in Malta. Having formed in mid-2008, ‘D.O.A.’ is the newest addition to the island’s growing Doom Metal community. The band is composed of five members, namely, Alex Carachi on vocals, Simeon Gatt on drums, Efrem Arpa and Andrew Attard on guitars, and Gregory Calleja on the bass guitar. The band employs down-tuned guitars to create the staple hooks and atmosphere found in contemporary doom metal music. Amongst others, the musical direction of the band follows the likes of ‘Trouble’, ‘Wall of Sleep’, ‘Cathedral’, St Vitus, Pentagram, Count Raven, Forsaken, Candlemass, Krux, Mirror of Deception, etc etc.

The inception of the band dates back to early 2007 when Efrem and Simeon first started discussing the possibility of a side project which eventually was to become ‘D.O.A.’. The two were brought together through common acquaintances in the local metal community and while other commitments severely delayed the initiation of the band, a common goal held both of them interested in the idea of forming a new band. Meanwhile, Alex and Efrem had been habitually rehearsing together with a number of different lineups and as soon as they teamed up with Simeon in early 2008, the three were able to start working on the material which was to become the band’s first songs. Although having initially experimented with a number of musical styles, the musical direction of the three-piece lineup quickly gravitated towards the ‘Doom Metal’ genre. It was not until mid-2008, however, that the final elements of the band were successfully brought together. In fact, during this time, Andrew and Gregory were brought in to fulfill additional guitar and bass duties respectively. Having all the necessary tools in place for the pursuit of their musical vision, the five are now collectively known as ‘Dawn of Anguish’.

A título de curiosidad, y al menos por lo que aparentan, tres de los miembros rondan los 30 años, el batería debe tener unos 40 y el guitarrista no creo que llegue a los 20.

http://www.myspace.com/dawnofanguish

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