NoiseArt Records

Frosttide – Awakening Review

By Madam X on August 16, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, NoiseArt Records, Reviews, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 2 comments

“Last year NoiseArt Records graced my greedy hands with Survival of the Fittest, the debut release by Italian band Krampus. With two well received EPs already floating about, I had some excitement in hearing their brand of modern folk metal. By the end of the year the album had worn a considerable groove in my playlist, so much so it eventually ended up on Madam X’s Top 10(ish) of 2012. Until now, 2013 has felt a little lean in terms of folk metal, outside of Månegarm’s (Legions of the North) blackened folk offering, nothing’s jumped out at me – Finnish melodic folk metallers Frosttide are doing their damnedest to change that.” We don’t let Madam X review much folk metal because she’s too dark for such things. We made an exception with the new Frosttide and since nobody got hurt, The Providers are pleased.

Mercenary – Through Our Darkest Days Review

By Steel Druhm on July 14, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Danish Metal, Death Metal, Metalcore, NoiseArt Records, Reviews, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal, 15 comments

“Mercenary is a band that’s given me fits over their career. I was very much taken with their fusion of melodic death, power-prog and metalcore on early albums like Everblack and especially The Hours That Remain. Architect of Lies lost some of the charm the older stuff had and didn’t hit me as hard, but it was still decent. However, things really fell apart on their 2011 Metamorphosis release which came across like a generic mix of emo/screamo metalcore and pop. I wrote it off to the massive line up changes the band was weathering at the time and there were a few decent tunes that gave hope they could regain their footing on subsequent releases. Despite this half-hearted optimism, the eternal Law of Dimishing Returns suggested their best days were behind them and I wouldn’t find much to praise on their new album.” Can Mercenary get themselves back on track or is this another nose dive into metalcore hell? Steel Druhm has thoughts and conclusions.

Thyrfing – De ödelösa Review

By Angry Metal Guy on February 24, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, NoiseArt Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Viking Metal, 6 comments

“Thyrfing might be one of Swedish metal’s ‘best kept secrets,’ an unfortunate moniker for any band. Having been around since the late ’90s and having released 6 full-length records through 2008, these Viking metallers have a history and deep respect in the scene – but not a ton of notoriety. As anyone who’s listened to pop radio should be aware, there is no direct correlation between notoriety and talent; while the former is great for those involved, the latter is better for fans and Thryfing produced 3 very well-respected records between 2000 and 2005 before going astray with 2008’s Hels vite following the departure of vocalist Thomas Väänänen. The band’s sound during that time developed, getting darker and less… well, let’s be frank about those keyboards… fruity.” Now that the band is releasing their second record with new vocalist Jens Rydén, Angry Metal Guy tells you whether or not these Swedish warriors have righted their longship.

Trollfest – Brumlebassen Review

By Angry Metal Guy on August 20, 2012 in 2012, 4.0, Folk Metal, NoiseArt Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Folk Metal, 10 comments

To be honest, I’d never checked out Trollfest before. I’m an Angry Metal Guy, not a fucking silly one. These guys looked too goddamned much for me. Sure, I like Finntroll a lot, and they’re kinda silly, but there’s always been a serious side to them despite the band’s rambunctious and ridiculous music. But Trollfest? I dunno. They always struck me as just a pair of lederhosen and a made up language too far. But ack och fy, I have been living my life in the shadow! What a sad, sad, Angry Metal Guy I have been. Brumelbassen is a meistervärk!

Krampus – Survival of the Fittest Review

By Madam X on August 19, 2012 in 2012, 4.5, Folk Metal, Italian Metal, NoiseArt Records, Reviews, Folk Metal, 11 comments

To say I’ve been moved by this album is just a slight understatement… bear with me while I try and reign in my fangirl-ism! It’s rarely that I’ve come across an album that carries such a strong and powerful message, while sounding mind-blowing at the same time. This 8-piece, modern folk metal band hail from Udine, in north-eastern Italy, and it seems this city, known for its iron commerce, will soon be known for a slightly more folk inspired kind of metal. Krampus have a style that is reminiscent of new wave folk metal act Eluveitie and sometimes progressive, mostly melodic, folk metal acts Amorphis, Wintersun and Korpiklaani. Where they differ however, is that instead of looking to the past for inspiration, Krampus have crafted Survival of the Fittest wholeheartedly, lyrically and musically, looking towards the future and a rather bleak, battered and bruised future it appears to be. This is the bands first full release, however Krampus have already released two very tempting EP offerings (Shadows of Our Time and Kronos’ Heritage), and will be leaving for their first extended European (Heidenfest) tour shortly (joining the likes of Wintersun and Korpiklaani), and therefore there is a definite expectation that Survival of the Fittest will be well-received.

Wisdom – Judas Review

By Natalie Zed on August 15, 2012 in 2012, 3.0, Heavy Metal, NoiseArt Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 1 comment

Hungarian power metal band Wisdom are one of those unique groups that aren’t only able to maintain a solid and consistent aesthetic identity across multiple records, but also continue concepts and composition techniques. All of their albums contain references to an enigmatic, nomadic figure they refer to as “Wiseman,” and every one of their songs are based on a single famous quote. They also tend to base many of their lyrics (especially choruses) on epigrams and adages as well. Judas fits into the rest of their cannon seamlessly.