TESTAMENT’S ERIC PETERSON JOINS FORCES WITH CELTIC GODDESS LEAH

Testament/Dragonlord's Eric Peterson has just entered a new realm, combining brutal death vocals and dramatic singing with Celtic-metal vocalist/composer LEAH on her new track “Dreamland”. The track is cut from LEAH’s new EP “Otherworld”!

“It was a real treat to have Eric's unique vocals on this track,” states LEAH. “My original demo went from having a mellow, Clannad-type feel to now almost dancing on the line of black-metal. I hope this is the first of many collaborations to come!”

“I’ve known LEAH for about 12 years, we’ve been friends since 2001. I jammed with her about eight years ago in Vancouver, and at the time it didn’t work out because I was busy with Testament and Dragonlord, but we stayed in contact,” adds Eric Peterson.

“This time around, LEAH contacted me to play on her new record and I thought she wanted me to play guitar. But when she told me she wanted me to sing, I was honoured because LEAH is the kind of person that will sing right in the middle of a store and sound amazing, she’s that kind of vocalist. She sent me the song and right away I knew exactly what I needed to do. She took my pattern, wrote some lyrics for me, we went into the studio and it was done! It was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. It’s really great to finally be able to work together with LEAH and put out this great track. I can hear this song in a movie! A couple of people I've let hear thought it was the soundtrack to the new Snow White movie! Ha!”

Eric Peterson is currently recording the new Dragonlord record and can reveal that LEAH will be joining him on a track similar to “Dreamland”, and will also be lending her angelic voice for the choir vocals on the record.

 
Links: Testament Facebook // Official Website // iTunes
LEAH Facebook // Official Website // YouTube

NEW MUSIC TUESDAY - SEPTEMBER 17TH

Horns up to Carcass \m/ Their album "Surgical Steel" just came out today but we literally just gave them a front page review. Click here to read.

That being the case, here are three more albums you should listen to.

Remember that one band you used to dream of playing in as a kid, and then life got shit complicated and you looked the other way till that “something” that comes your way and jolts you into an overwhelming sense of déjà vu? Stray From The Path and their new full length “Anonymous” are that “something”. RATM fans, roll call please. Read the rest of the review here.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

This London based Progressive Metal band has been making a stir this year, twisting minds and making fans within a mere listen. Signed to InsideOutMusic, they've released a number of impressive singles to support the main event - which has been released upon the world today! Let your ears climb "The Mountain".

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Where the vikings at!? Týr has retyrned (I'm sorry...). Already released in Europe, "Valkyrja" has just reached shores stateside. This band always provides a great listen with their brand of metal. This album is no exception. Give it a listen!

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Merch

NEW MUSIC TUESDAY - AUGUST 27TH

More new music today, no surprise. Here’s three to check out.

New Wave of American Heavy Metal (yes that is as annoying to type out as it is to read) band Devildriver returns with their newest album today. The album is titled “Winter Kills” and is the band’s sixth release, the first album since leaving Roadrunner Records. So far, so meh. I haven’t heard all of it, but aside from the clear Gojira influences, it sounds like typical Devildriver, swingy, fun, heavy, but passable.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Merch

Nekrogoblikon are back with a new release today, titled “Power.” These guys are ready to dish out another slice of goblin themed metal with this release. While the gimmick of goblin metal seems to be something that could prove to be incredibly enjoyable (think pirate metal and Alestorm), Nekrgoblicon still needs to prove their competency as songwriters and musicians before they can rise above the limitations of the gimmick.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Merch

As the most successful act in, and the torch-bearer for, the modern mainstream metal scene, every single one of Avenged Sevenfold’s releases are pretty important. As a gateway band for young metalheads, based solely on their immense popularity, Avenged Sevenfold has a lot of clout. So their new album’s , “Hail to the King” out today, throwback to and worship of 90s metal may lead some fans in that direction. The tunes are pretty cool so far, definitely worth checking out.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Official Website // Stream

-Trisolino

EXPLORING THE WORLD - METAL FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The Circle Pit goes to Africa!! Our tour will step into this continent for a couple of weeks before we go back to France. There are some big surprises in store... Our first African stop will be pinpointing South Africa, homeland of some very legit metal bands.

Let's start with some dark, heavy shit. Crow Black Sky is the biggest black metal band from South Africa. Hailing from Cape Town, they bring melodic / progressive black metal influenced by acts like Behemoth, Emperor, Enslaved, and Opeth. After the worldwide success of their debut release “Patheion” in 2011, the album was re-released in a remastered version in 2012. They used the remastered version for the following music video, “Stars Of God”. This remastered version is available for a free download from their official website. Go give it a listen now!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Website

Emerging from the South African hardcore scene we find Truth and Its Burden. Based in Johannesburg, they were recently signed by Rite Of Passage/Mediaskare Records. They've played several shows around Europe and shared the stage with acts like Haste The Day, Through This Defiance, CDC, Becoming The Archetype and The Ghost Inside. Thier latest album “Choices” came out in May 2012 an you can get a taste of it from the banger below, “The Decider”.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Myspace

Exploring onwards, another intersting act is Balyios. Formed in Pretoria in 2010, this young band delivers melodic folk metal with melodeath influences. Their lyrics mainly focus on Scandinavian culture and mythology while their music is based on fast-paced, melodic guitar riffs accompanied by harmonic orchestras, choirs, flutes and accordion melodies. Their debut album “Homeward” was released in 2012 to a good response. Give a listen to their song “Valhalla” below and see if this is your kind of stuff. If you like it, go show this band some love!

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Bandcamp

I want to finish this post with an upcoming djent band from Cape Town. Their stage name is Megalodon and they just released their debut “Darkness In Sonance” in March 2013 via Burning Tone Records. You can stream the whole album, full of mathcore madness and groovy djent riffage, on their Bandcamp page. Don't forget to purchase the album if you enjoy what you hear!


Links: Facebook // Soundcloud // Reverbnation // Bandcamp

So, this is the best metal to come from the extreme south of the black continent. The Circle Pit will still be in Africa next week with a special surprise for y'all! So stay tuned, and stay metal \m/

- MATTIA

WILDERUN "OLDEN TALES & DEATHLY TRAILS" ALBUM REVIEW

Emerging from the Northern reaches of the United States comes an exceptional Symphonic Folk Metal four-piece. Boston's very own Wilderun have been together since 2008, but all things considered they're a brand new band face in the metal scene. The band dropped their debut album "Olden Tales & Deathly Trails" in September of last year (Released independently. Respect.), but they have already achieved a very mature sound through time, purpose and direction.

Their music is conceived with a very professional attitude, bringing large scale production and excellent, skillful delivery on all fronts. Every member executes multiple positions within the bands sound. This includes the use of guitars, bass, drums (all obvious), along with use of the Mandolin, Hammered Dulcimer, Autoharp, etc (all not so obvious). They have a great sense of what they're doing and aren't afraid to experiment with their sound. When you add up all these factors, it makes for a packed, solid listening experience from beginning to end.

"The Cracking Glow" eases into the album with the gentle touch of a sunrise. The bands symphonic approach is apparent right from the start as various instruments make contributions before the guitars / drums really hit. They bring you into a musical land of fantasy, vikings, and adventure. This is a very good indication of what to expect from a good bit of the album. But the band is capable of covering various musical themes. This is apparent early on as the opening of "Suncatcher" takes a side step which powers into one of the strongest tracks off the record. It stands tall amongst other songs such as "Storm Along", "Vaunting Veins", and the 12-minute closer, "The Dying Californian". But it must be said that every track off of "Olden Tales & Deathly Trails" is well worth your while in one way or another.

I have no criticisms in particular about "Olden Tales & Deathly Trails". Objectively, some of you may find it to be the same old folk metal, despite it's twists. But in reality, it is very well delivered and intelligently written music spanning various themes. In many ways, this band really stands apart from the pack as a beast of their own.

To sum up the review, Wilderun did a great job constructing "Olden Tales & Deathly Trails". The album provides a memorable, adventurous listening experience suitable for any viking quest. Listen enough and you might even grow a fork-beard \m/ You can sample two tracks from the record above. And if you enjoy what you're hearing, be sure to stream the rest on the official Wilderun Bandcamp and buy the album if you love it!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp

ÆTHER REALM "ONE CHOSEN BY THE GODS" ALBUM REVIEW

I just had the pleasure of listening to the debut record from Æther Realm, "One Chosen By The Gods". This is a band that's not from Finland, but sound exactly like they're from Finland. In reality they come from North Carolina to provide some of the best Folk Metal you may end up hearing this year. They actually got in contact with us at The Circle Pit and shared this album. I'm glad they did and will return the favor by spreading the word with this here review.

If I had to describe this band with one word alone, it would be "epic". Actually, let's try that again... "EPIC!" If I had to describe them with more than one word, it would be extreme, intelligently constructed Folk Metal infused with the edge of a Viking's axe and Death Metal accents. They sound like a compound of fellow Viking Metallers Amon Amarth along with Ensiferum, Wintersun, The Black Dahlia Murder, and maybe even a touch of Alestorm making for a very strong mix. And that strength is brought out even further by producer Jamie King (who has worked with Between The Buried And Me / Scale The Summit). All in all, if you feel like banging your head, moshing, and pillaging, Æther Realm will do the trick.

The album opens with a massive melodic scape in "Journey of Discovery" only to smash your eardrums with "Hourglass", giving you an idea of how the rest of the album will play out. "Hourglass" is just one stand out among many including "One Chosen By The Gods", "Odin Will Provide", "Winter's Grasp", "Swampwitch", and the amazing closer "Oak". All the 9 tracks on "One Chose By The Gods" provide greatness in various forms, whether that be blistering guitar riffs, ripping blast beasts, flying solos, symphonic work, extreme heaviness, touching melody, interesting lyrics, or all the above. Awesome music \m/

I don't have many criticisms here but some things should be noted. In some ways, you can tell that this is a band that directly tries to emulate their inspirations. This can be a good thing because they have awesome inspirations. In other ways, it may hold them back. You may get the feeling that you've heard some of their musical ideas plenty of times before. But I'm sure they will only expand on their sound with time. Also their vocalist doesn't switch things up much at all, but he's good at what he does. And his lyrics are awesome to say the least. They also add in backing choral sections for some extra spice.

If you're jonesing for some folksy Viking Metal, Æther Realm will sate your appetite for pillaging and plundering. Record labels will probably be scrambling to sign these Scandinavian spirits very soon. "One Chosen By The Gods" is available NOW! Give a couple tracks a good listen above and if you get the urge to raid coastal villages, go ahead and buy the album either on Bandcamp or pick up a physical copy and a shirt right here! Kudos to Æther Realm for releasing a solid debut. Keep doing what you're doing guys \m/

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp // iTunes