Author Archives: Yiannis

WRATHBLADE (Nick Sotiriou) INTERVIEW

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

WRATHBLADE (Nick Sotiriou) INTERVIEW The genres of Epic and classic Heavy Metal have long enjoyed great support in Greece but what is very rare is to find a band from the land of the twelve Olympian Gods who are capable … Continue reading

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AFFECTOR – “HARMAGEDON”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

AFFECTOR – “HARMAGEDON” INSIDE OUT (2012) The concept of the “end of days” is one that has been troubling humanity for many centuries and with 2012 being likewise marked in the Mayan calendar I am sure that there are quite … Continue reading

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HEADSPACE – “I AM ANONYMOUS”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

HEADSPACE – “I AM ANONYMOUS” INSIDE OUT (2012) Inside Out is one of those labels that have proven over the years that they have a good instinct when it comes to discovering young and promising bands, however, in the case … Continue reading

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WRATHBLADE – “INTO THE NETHERWORLDS REALM”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

WRATHBLADE – “INTO THE NETHERWORLDS REALM” EAT METAL RECORDS (2012) Being a teenager into Metal back in the 80s in Greece meant that not only did I experience first-hand the first few legendary gigs that took place in Athens, but … Continue reading

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ODDLAND (Sakari Ojanen) INTERVIEW

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

ODDLAND (Sakari Ojanen) INTERVIEW Progressive Metal has witness a surge of good quality young bands over the last few years but only a handful have managed to make such an amazing impact from the start as Oddland – a Finnish … Continue reading

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ODDLAND – “THE TREACHERY OF SENSES”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

ODDLAND – “THE TREACHERY OF SENSES” CENTURY MEDIA (2012) Music contests are functions that I absolutely love to hate! I am not sure whether that is a result of me living in the United Kingdom for the last decade, where … Continue reading

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THE FLOWER KINGS – “BANKS OF EDEN”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

THE FLOWER KINGS – “BANKS OF EDEN” INSIDE OUT (2012) The expression “put on ice” is one that is much dreaded by any music fan. However, these were the words used by Roine Stolt when the Swedish melodic Progsters The … Continue reading

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THE FLOWER KINGS (Roine Stolt) INTERVIEW

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

THE FLOWER KINGS (Roine Stolt) INTERVIEW There is a rumour that has been circulating over the years about how warm and pleasant of an interviewee Roine Stolt is – something I was really looking forward to finding out for myself. … Continue reading

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PRIMORDIAL Gig Review

PRIMORDIAL Gig Review Support Acts: Hell & Winterfylleth. London O2 Islington Academy, 5th May 2012 Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis I would not normally voluntarily force myself into a crowded venue whilst nursing a very persistent cold, but it is … Continue reading

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ANGELUS APATRIDA – “THE CALL”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

ANGELUS APATRIDA – “THE CALL” CENTURY MEDIA (2012) Spain may not be the biggest market for Metal music, far from it, but no-one doubts the passion and devotion of our Iberian brothers to metal. Actually, if memory serves, Angelus Apatrida, … Continue reading

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EXUMER – “FIRE & DAMNATION”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

EXUMER – “FIRE & DAMNATION” METAL BLADE (2012) As a young 80s Thrasher I was naturally interested in the works of bands such as Metallica, Exodus, Slayer and Megadeth, but after a while, I found myself drawn to more obscure … Continue reading

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HIGH ON FIRE – “DE VERMIS MYSTERIIS”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

HIGH ON FIRE – “DE VERMIS MYSTERIIS” CENTURY MEDIA (2012) High On Fire are a three-man Heavy/Stoner/Sludge combo that are not at all alien to the concept of success. Formed by the ex-Sleep guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike back in 1998, the … Continue reading

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PARADISE LOST – “TRAGIC IDOL”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

PARADISE LOST – “TRAGIC IDOL” CENTURY MEDIA (2012) Maintaining one’s band in top form is a pretty arduous task, especially when the band in question has enjoyed a career as long and as challenging as that of the Halifax-based Doom/Goth … Continue reading

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NECRONOMICON (Rob Tremblay) INTERVIEW

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

NECRONOMICON (Rob Tremblay) INTERVIEW There must be nothing more annoying than having to undertake your first ever European Tour after twenty years of existence while being down with the flu! When hitting the stage of the London Underworld on the … Continue reading

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AXEL RUDI PELL Gig Review

AXEL RUDI PELL Gig Review Support Acts: Madmax London Underworld, 22nd April 2012 Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis Sunday night gigs are a real pain in the proverbial nowadays. Sure, as an eighteen year old, sleeping a couple of hours … Continue reading

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BURZUM – “UMSKIPTAR”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

BURZUM – “UMSKIPTAR” BYELOBOG (2012) The story of Varg Vikernes, founding member and driving force of the Norwegian Black Metal outfit Burzum, is one that has been well-documented and well-promoted. Ever since he was released from prison back in 2009, … Continue reading

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NAGLFAR – “TERAS”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

NAGLFAR – “TERAS” CENTURY MEDIA (2012) For a band that was first formed back in 1992, Umea-born and bred Melodic Black Metallers Naglfar can hardly be described as a prolific outfit! Maybe it is the result of having suffered numerous … Continue reading

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ABSU Gig Review

ABSU Gig Review Support Acts: Impiety & Necronomicon (Canada) London Underworld, 12th April 2012 Review by Yiannis (John) Stefanis I believe that it was two years ago that US Occult Black Thrashers Absu first visited London for what turned out … Continue reading

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THE SAFETY FIRE – “GRIND THE OCEAN”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

THE SAFETY FIRE – “GRIND THE OCEAN” INSIDE OUT (2012) Inside Out is an independent record label that has acquired a good reputation over the years as a result of lending its support to numerous young and much promising progressive … Continue reading

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HUNTRESS – “SPELL EATER”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

HUNTRESS – “SPELL EATER” NAPALM RECORDS (2012) Self-promotion is important for any young outfit, struggling to make a name for itself, especially in an era where new bands appear like mushrooms after the rain. The Californian Heavy Metal quintet Huntress … Continue reading

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OSI – “FIRE MAKE THUNDER”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

OSI – “FIRE MAKE THUNDER” METAL BLADE (2012) Massachusetts-born guitarist Jim Matheos has been a very busy man lately. It was only a few months ago that his collaboration with ex-band mate and vocalist extraordinaire John Arch resulted in the … Continue reading

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SECRETS OF THE MOON – “SEVEN BELLS”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

SECRETS OF THE MOON – “SEVEN BELLS” LUPUS LOUNGE (2012) Black Metal has been with us long enough to trick some people into thinking that original ideas and fresh modes of artistic expression from new and current serving bands of … Continue reading

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LAY DOWN ROTTEN – “MASK OF MALICE”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

LAY DOWN ROTTEN – “MASK OF MALICE” METAL BLADE (2012) Do not let anyone convince you that there is no power behind a band name because the fact of the matter is that there is! Take, for example, the Hessen … Continue reading

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DESASTER – “THE ARTS OF DESTRUCTION”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

DESASTER – “THE ARTS OF DESTRUCTION” METAL BLADE (2012) The first time I have ever heard of the Rhineland-Palatinate based quartet Desaster was back in 2007 when, together with a very good German friend, I attended the first ever Metal … Continue reading

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IRDORATH – “DEKONSTRUKTEUR DES FLEISCHES”

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

IRDORATH – “DEKONSTRUKTEUR DES FLEISCHES” MASSACRE (2012) The advent of the Internet has been as much a blessing as it has been a curse for both bands and record labels alike as the general consensus is that it has solved … Continue reading

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