-- Another visualized sonic attack from Baroness

from Baroness's 2009 album 'Blue Record'

CANOPY - Will and Perception [2009]

Disconcert Music
2009
[7/10]

www.myspace.com/canopy

Yes, it's Swedes again. It's in their nature to dominate the European metal cycles. We hardly ever come across a mediocore band hailing from those icy shores.
Canopy has been releasing their blend of brutality meets melody type death metal since 2004. Don't let this brand new Disconcert Music release of the band entitled Will And Perception misguide you. No, it's not the same demo/EP they put out back in 2005. However, all five tracks from that demo EP are present in this new cd in their re-recorded forms. Plus, 'Common Walls' from the band's very first demo is also revised and revisited for this new installment of Will And Perception. That leaves us with only two new tracks, an experimentation of acoustic sounds overlaying electronic structures called 'Councels And Maxims' and 'Riddance'. Latter sounding more or less quite like the band has just finished studying the 'Åkerfeldt songwriting method book'.
Canopy's way of injecting brutal yet catchy death metal aesthetics of their homeland into their own riff writing and song patterns -even though still lacking some creative ideas- is well worthy of exploring. Fans of Dark Tranquillity's late 90's era stuff will also be pleased to hear Fredrik Huldtgren's guttural practices on various moments of the Will And Conception '09.
Want to hear it for yourself? click here to get the track numero uno from the CD directly via Canopy official website.

UNLEASH - WAKE EP [2009]

self-released
2009

[7/10]

www.myspace.com/unleashtr

There’s a severe competition going on. Everyday you can’t help but come across a vast number of bands surging from all over the world volunteering to bleed your ears, take over your world and leave you desperate for more. Despite this overcrowded scene has quite a lot to offer, even more than one hectic listener can take, some lucky blokes somehow manage to become playlist regulars. Turkish juggernauts Unleash are one of the bands deserving that regular spot and a worthy addition to "bands to check out" list of yours before its too late.

With an dauntless effort to spread their music to wider audiences since they were formed back in 2006 as axeman Ahmet’s one man project then step by step transforming into a five-piece fullthrottle band, releasing a demo in 2007 and an EP –entitled “Wake”- in 2009. Consisting of 3 brand new Unleash penned tracks and a re-recording of Death Incarnate from their debut demo The New Constitution, Wake signifies a young band sharpening their proficiency in arranging and recording their music in quest for their own identity. Even though it’s undeniable to feel they still need spending some quality time to work on sounding more unique. However that obviously (and easily) can be put aside as the band hardly blunders in executing aggressive, modern sounding brutal tunes. Lamb of God and mighty “Cowboys From Hell” influences are evident and there are moments reminiscent of Fear Factory’s trademark production ethics through out the 17 minute ride of the “Wake EP”. The man behind the vocal duties, Kaan’s growls are a cross between Randy Blythe and Max Cavalera. And he does a fine job, only lacking a bit of variety. Death Incarnate draws apart from the other 3 tracks with its oldschool death metal riffage showing the band is also capable of writing well crafted tunes that would also apply to long time fans of the genre. With a more focussed approach to song arrangements, putting more effort on genuine six-string riff writing and a better balanced encounter of modern and classic, there’s definitely a lot more Unleash can offer in upcoming years.