Complete with all reviews this year. Added the last review. Except for some really laaaate surprise, this year should be over.

Apologies for possible grammar error and for some repetitive leitmotiv.

Non MetalStorm band links:

Aurum Solis: http://frozenlightlabel.bandcamp.com/album/--9
Basarabian Hills: http://basarabianhills.bandcamp.com
Krés: http://kres.bandcamp.com/
Nord Frost: https://nihilart.bandcamp.com/album/nord-frost-solstitium
Obscure Infinity: http://www.last.fm/music/Obscure+Infinity
Witcher: http://darkeastproductions.bandcamp.com/album/witcher-csendes-domb

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Rot Teufel | 01.01.2016

	1.	Irreversible Mechanism - Infinite Fields If you got the luck to listen them in 2014 as indipedent band, you know what i'm talking about. Twelve hours later the relase (22th december), the stream disappeared: Finnish Blood Music label signed them to release a physical album in 2015. I was the few one i got this luck, completely in a casaul way. You have to be amused to their talent: technical progressive death metal at their maximum, where the old school and new death are perfecly mixed. It's a high technically album from a compositive and executive point of view (sounds weird i know... nda), were they know when it's time to push or slow down, giving the right tone to each song. And mid tempo lead guitars are just amazing, probably the best part of the whole album. The intro is just majestic, symphonic, solemn and grave that seems comes from a top Atmospheric Black Metal band. An then symply the progressive technical death metal explode in all his greatness. Technical, speed and passions fuse themselfs in a orgiastic fest for ears. Highly recommended!!!
	2.	Ethereal Shroud - They Became The Falling Ash Well, it's not an album for everyone, but it's highly reccomanded. Someone could take away this cause it's depressive black metal with a lot of atmospheric tones and funeral dooms lead guitars, but don't focus on genre. Focus more on mid-tempo rithm, slow atmospheres that sourronds the listener delivering sorrow and beauty at the same time. This album so well written that surrounds your perception: it's a circle were it's really hard understand were one song ends and start the other. Wispered vocals are almost unnecessary, cause here the masterpiece is music, never aggressive, tense of pain, sorrow, loneliness in a dark natural path. Sad themes, but belive me: give a listen to this album. Worths for the atmosphere and how much the sound is able to identify oneself with the listener. Only few talented band are able to do this... Highly recommended.
	3.	Basarabian Hills - Enveloped In The Velvet Cloak Of Midnight Another step foward for this moldavian one man band. This time the whole album push more to an atmospheric/dungeon synth sounds, without forget the black metal heritage (as guitatrs, wispered guttural vocals and drums) and the hushed atmosphere, the band trademark. Album after album the whole quality increase and i can't be more happy of this. Everything fits in the right place, songwriting become more mature and accurate and listener could image even with open eyes the shady midnight untouched forest. An album that shows that even synth/eletronic could be well executed. Highly recommended. http://basarabianhills.bandcamp.com
	4.	Nord Frost - Solstitium I can't realize of this band is so much great... A pure underground one that turns me out crazy find their discography (available only on the tube or their vk.com site). Seriuosly those russian guys have outbrake quality to develop high quality instrumental atmospheric black metal mixed with dark ambient, synth and neoclassical tones. They're on a so higher level that it's simple amazing just lets the song play... I'm speachless about their talent: it's like Empyrium and Lustre meet Draumar and early October Falls wth that melanconic flavour of slavonic bands... It's hard to find something negative on songwriting side, such as production. Highly recommended. https://nihilart.bandcamp.com/album/nord-frost-solstitium
	5.	Mgła - Exercises In Futility Don't fall in error with those polish guys. The apparent simplicity of some cadences is just deceptive as the lower the rate of aggression in favor of more emotional research. Yep, midtempo choise could sound repetitive, but it's really ipnotic. A good amalgam of drums, bass and guitars of nostalgic melodies targeted to be an integral part of song. Drums looks like consistent and functional in appearance, but in reality shows a very rich facets at plates. And this is really, really clear on "Exercises in futility V", their best song. This help a lot in creating that feeling of suspension and lost, meanwhile the bass gives the lead and the guitar tremble add constantly a veil of melancholy: the result is just formidable. Those are some kind of elements that rise up the band and give a personal trademark. The whole album sounds organic, in a perfect union between formal solidity and emotional intensity. Undoubtedly, the Polish scene is finding its way (alone) with preponderance and without any comparison with the most blazoned Scandinavian scene. Highly Reccomanded.
	6.	Aurum Solis - Рождение Солнца I really don't know how classified this album... It has so much influences that giving a genre definition is impossible... On Frozen Light bandcamp page they describes it like "4 autumny songs by Siberian Doom Death Metal band Aurum Solis". But influences come from ambient, synth, atmospheric, post rock, improvvisation, neoclassical and propably more than i'm able to recognize... And they fit all well togheter!!! Yes sir, this experimental/advangarde one men band is able to create a such beatiful thing and it's impossible find a wrong note or tone in songwriting. I'm speachless about his work. Maybe just the grownling vocals are the only negative aspect of this record that could be just awesome as instrumental. Listen and you'll be able to know why i highly reccomanded this album. http://frozenlightlabel.bandcamp.com/album/--9
	7.	Galar - De Gjenlevende If you like old Vintersorg or Windir, well this is the answer if you miss them. Compared to the previous other two releases, finally they got more personality and improve song structure, writing melodies and arragements and a better polished sound production. Guitars and drums runs on a mid-high tempo and sometimes could sound a bit repetitive, but fit great with the others folk instruments as synths. The folk and neoclassical compart has improoved too in its integration and excellent organic feel, bringing from the nord europe folklore that sense of an enchanted kingdom from their sagas. Another good thing is that songs are not always sad like in the past, finally showing some more light. And i must not forget the vocal compart, where clean and harsh growls are perfectly measured at best. Highly reccomended.
	8.	Wiegedood - De Doden Hebben Het Goed A fine Black Metal (with some atmospheric slow passages) album from a small trio from Belgium that uses Dutch as language. At first listen this album could seems deceptively simple and chaotic: but what could seem a simple EP is instead a quality full lenght. Even if lyrics are quite understandable, they fit freat in the angiush mood all over the four songs. From songwriting we got a good balance between power and majestic oppressive black and melanchonic slow part that sometimes verging to minimalims as a perfect break from the strong metallic dissonance. The belgian trio should be really proud of themselves: others black/DBM/ABM bands should take note from them. Recommended.
	9.	Vallendusk - Homeward Path Those indonesian guys had all the cards to match all european atmospheric black metal bands. Their second full lenght confirm and improove what they did good on first album. Except the cover, that's the weak part of this great album (first one was much better). But as I said before music worths: clam and quite atmosphere breaked in the right moment by black metal. The drums timing is something great, so kodus to Derek P outstanding work. Production is another good spot, with none instrument that overpower other instruments or vocals. So what can ask more every atmospheric black metal fan? Nothing, just listen and enjoy this great album, even if you got the impression of listen an european band than an indonesian. Reccomended
	10.	Skyforger - Senprūsija Well, if you have followed my others "interesting picks" you'll know how much i like the duo history-metal, expecially when i discover something new about european heritage that i didn't know. Skyforger have crafted a fine record here, with that black-trash sound that many miss since Bathory and folkish derived tones (and instruments too). Harshness of latvian lyrics made its part, probably one of the best trademark of the band, by choosing tradition and heritage than a wider audience. It's really hard find a weak point on their work, everything seems put in the right place, from songwrting, tracklist and production. In conclusion we got a good fair accesible pagan metal album that worth to be listen. Reccomended.
	11.	Selvans - Lupercalia As Draugr this duo never got mine attention, but now from their ashes yes. A good expression of "mediterranean" black metal with a lot of particular folk instruments. Even if the black metal is deeply inspired from Sear Bliss, it's the evocative italish folk tone that give to album the tipical mediterranean sylvan mysterious aura; and both of them work together to express an awakened rage and inner anguisch as a reborn peace without owerpower all instruments. Here you won't find any catchiness melodies, but strong emotions from the deepest part of the woodst: a truthful tribute to italian folklore, where myths and legends still lives. Reccomanded
	12.	Ancient Rites - Laguz Almost 9 years of wait and finally it's over... They are back. This album is the natual successor of Rubicon, so if you expect innovations you choose the wrong album. Or better, it adds a more symphonic tunes, but essentially Laguz lives more on the high speed rythmic section, pure Ancient Rites trademark. Some guitar solos are amazing, for example the final part of "Mind Unconquered". The weak point is, for listner sadness, the vocals, too much wispered even compared to Rubicon. Shame, cause i always liked their lyrics and there's the feeling you lost something. In conclusion everything since beginnig to end shows we are listen an Ancient Rites album, nothing more, nothing less. A comeback that doen't strain fan expectations and still managed to show the quality and professionalism of this band.
	13.	Horn - Feldpost Could the old "Naturkraft" (his best album imho) sounds and style fit in the new historical lyric themes of this german one man band? The answer seems yes without any doubt, by bringing the trenches life's misery during the first word war in a really vivid image, like tolded in the soldier's letters. Let's speak about why this album is close to "Naturkraft" style. The most gladly comeback are Nerrath's harmonious guitars lines, a trademark hear since the first undergound albums and demoes, with that melodic and folky twist i missed a lot. Another thing to focus on is variation: each song-structure is diffrent from the previous one (a rare plus in those times) so it's really hard to feel bored. The marching drums parts adds a better militaristic flavour, as the atmospherics parts well describe the sorrowful soldiers mood in all its darkness. If we add too a professionally well mixed record, here why you should have to listen to this album. After loose the track with the two previous works, Nerrath has come back.
	14.	Kataklysm - Of Ghosts And Gods After Epic: The Poetry Of War Kataklysm were nerver able to catch again my attention. Well, last album was finally honest and i enjoed pretty well, so this was it's a kind unexpected. In any case, ANY comparison with Epic is out; I'll judged compated to all "crappy" releases from 2002. What we got is a solid death metal album, yep sometimes is repetitive, but overall is a step up for the production (managed by Andy Sneap) offering quality and cleanliness. This nitid and powerfull sound hepls a lot during central variations and phrasing instrumental strings; even it's far away from surprising, album manages to reach its target: get the listener attention meanwhile headbanging.
	15.	Blaze Of Sorrow - Eremita Del Fuoco With the new 4th album this italian duo is now manifest the strengths in a comprehensive and multifaceted work that shows how much passion and effort is invested in the project. I'll be honest, it's a bit under "Echi" and "Fulgida Reminiscenza" EP, infact on vocals side, i feel like they turn back on their early releases. And it's a bit pity since i enojed the more clear whispers of "Echi". Anyway from the music side, we got a gool balanced alanced production that turns the album round, thoughtful and exciting, expecially for the countless little details on atmospheric/acustic parts really well placed overhall. Anyway it might be a bit more varied, like for example the quiet passages of "I Quattro Volti" it's a little unspectacular, and the synths in a few moments are almost unecessary. In conclusion "Eremita Del Fuoco" is sure a worth listening album work, showing that BoZ deserve more attenion around the scene.
	16.	Obscure Infinity - Perpetual Descending Into Nothingness Pure old school death metal. And of stunning quality when they doesn't copy/paste Death riffs (wich is not bad, but remove a personal touch to the band). If all album will only have their own solos, it'll be pure symphonic exstasy, showing a great songwriting skills. Anyway drum doesn't fit good often in song structure and sounds often off place. And it's strange, since in previous album sounds simply but efficently. But let's focus back on good things to speak about, the clean production: nothing is overpowerd (yeah, i know, i'm repetitive. Forgive this mine leitmotiv) and very well mixed for a good performance. In conclusion, it's really a worth listen album that could be listened even over and over without beeing annoyed. Instead, after many listen and with a closer examination, you'll probably beeing able to found all the distinctive features and facets that separate this album from the original old school sound. Well, let's hope another step up for them in the next album. http://www.last.fm/music/Obscure+Infinity
	17.	Butterfly Temple - Вечность
	18.	Kres - Na Krawędziach Nocy really like how the Black Metal Poland scene is growing. I find hard fitting this polish guys into Atmospheric Black Metal genre: for me is more "progressive" with some good post rock inspiration. This album is a starting point for exploring a darker philosophy itself than formal musical genre. The polish language, even if a first shot could be a barrier, really express well the melancholonic musings that this band would express. In this case i find the harsh vocals a better choose than growl/scream/whispered to highline the sadness. There's only a weak point for those guys: the album lenght, just 37m and 10s... Maybe an additional 8th track should become the right plus to rise up this album from "good" to "really good". In conclusion, you just need to press play and start listen. You won't regret it. Reccomanded. http://kres.bandcamp.com/
	19.	Witcher - Csendes Domb Well, i'm really happy about this hungarian duo does what needed to improve in the previous album. By leaving that underground eaw aesthetic of first album, their indeed increase the whole sounds quality as the songwriting. If the previous one got over and over the same medleys/patterns (but enjoyable), here you could listen to more articolate songs. The only thing that remain in that underground style is the whispering vocals. Anyway with this releases i feel the lost of that folkore taste from the previous one. Anyway even the Silen Hill themes fitting great on a dark depressive atmosphere like the predecessor between graves, coffins, curses, haunted palaces and so on. http://darkeastproductions.bandcamp.com/album/witcher-csendes-domb
	20.	Korpiklaani - Noita All dipends if you like them or hate them. From mine side, it has been passed a while when Korpiklaani produce a re-listenable album like this and it's a good thing, even if everything is almost like "Hey, but i have already heard that". Well, doesn't matter with this album, the ipnotic rithm matters, because is the soul and strong point of "Noita". You can hear it many many times without become boring and as always an awesome soundtrack for your boozing tours (even if there is any booze song) with more room for folk instruments, that become again more prominent. Even if the last albums made them the classic spin wheel in the mud, it's really good to know that they're able to release again enjoable material. Even the mid tempo songs (such as "Lempo" and "Mina Nain Vedessa Beidon") have the same stong points (good refrain, more folk instruments) of the others songs, by offering a nice pause before the next fast songs. If you want have a fun re-linstenable album, that's the choise.
	21.	Ensiferum - One Man Army I like the stepbacks if you change wrong before, but was unecessary to turn back until the first albums sound. Anyway we're in front on an enjoable album to listen even some more times. The strong part of album is the long track "Descendants, Defiance, Domination" that shows all the band skills: seriously it's a pleasure when a long song is so well written and executed. Other things to remak: for some reason, the Morricone Western Spaghetti sound like on some tracks let me feel a bit confused... At third listen this become less weird, but still weird. Another small thing: avoid bonus track. In conclusion we got a good relistenable album, with a well choised tracklist, is still able to caught your attention.
	22.	Khors - Night Falls Onto The Fronts Of Ours A good album with some interesting ideas. From the first pagan black metal sound, Khors during ten years try to mature their sound (sometimes with good results as Mysticims, sometimes with no remarkable results as Return to Abbabdoned (but a good point to work for the future), sometimes with forgottable results as Widsom Centuries) and seems have reach finally a good point, melting old school black metal with surrounding atmosphere/symphonies, tasteful melodies and strong slavonic folk influences. Fast parts are few, but does the work very well, giving a dynamic taste, otherwise album sounds more static. In those furios part, vocals touch high levels of emotivity, expecially cause they're express in ucrainan. Recodring and production are really well kept and pay tribute to every instrument, riffs and instrumental passage. Although this album seems flawless, lacks of that impulse and emotional strain that raise it from sounds goods. You'll enjoy it in any case, but this is its limit.
	23.	Soilwork - The Ride Majestic Well, after the last great double album, i won't lie that i got high expectation for the next one, the lineup change give them again some good boost, but at the same time i didn't expect it so soon. So a ring bell rounds in my head, but at the end was just a normal allarm for a normal album. Why? Because again they left the swedish rooth to play again with american metalcore influence (tring again the lame way from "Stabbing the Drama" and "The Panic Broadcast"). But the whole thing turns like translate from swedish to american and back again, losing something when returning to swedish. And it's shame compared to what they do with "The Living Infinte", that mix the new and old following more the swedish style. But at the same time, they still have the boost from new lineup, proving their consistency in guitar work and consisten drumming. Plus a mention note to production, handled again by Jens Borgen, sounds clean and crisp. In conclusion we got a tipical late Soilwork album (but better than StD and PB): a coherent one with no frills. And in those times, it's still a really good thing. But at the same time, i hope they bring back their swedish root as in Living Infinte.
	24.	Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls Normally i won't keep them in this pick list, so consider this is a special mention. Here follow mine reason. After Final Frontier i got a lot of fears that this album will be like the previous (overstrechted and boooooring), the only one i wasn't unable to listen at all. So what we got here? Forget about 80s, 90s and early 00s Maidens, this is a similar album to AMoDaL (the only album i could made some comparison) so even long songs are listenable, with epic/orchestral atmosphere with chours, some catchy parts that sticks on your mind (see The Red and the Black for example), maybe too much solos (but someones are pretty good and sometimes wash away the overstetched impression, but at the same times they sound as overstrechted (what a mindfuck); someothers looks like the three guitarists want have their piece of glory cake). Overall is a solid album and it isn't a bad at all (excpet for the cover, but it's a trend after Dance of Death. Oh Derek Riggs, where are you?). It could be listened more times (not too much anyway), the guitar work is good, i really like what Nicko does with drum, vocals are good too (we all know Bruce healt problems; plus it's obvius he couldn't sing like he was 25/28 at career apex, like the others) and the band looks still compact. In conclusion I'm just happy that they release an album i could listen in all its lenght without skipping songs. Yep, some songs like in AMoDaL are less interesting that the others, but as i said before, you can listen it till the end.