Norwegian symphonic black metal icons Dimmu Borgir have been silent for some time but have recently announced that a new full length will be released later this year. Right now the highly anticipated double DVD “Forces Of The Northern Night” will keep fans happy and busy while eagerly waiting for the band’s next music endeavor.

“Forces Of The Northern Night” includes the 2011 majestic live performance with the Norwegian radio Orchestra and the Schola Cantorum Choir in Oslo and the 2012 Wacken Open Air show. It is immediately noticeable that the orchestral contribution truly enhances the renowned and beloved symphonic aspects of Dimmu Borgir’s music. The orchestra & choir versions of “Dimmu Borgir” and “Eradication Instincts Defined” offer a particularly magical sonic experience with incredibly rich atmospheres and stylish classic arrangements. Famous songs such as “Gateways” featuring Djerv front-woman, Agnete Kjølsrud, “Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse” and “Mourning Palace” shine for the enhanced majestic sound and sophisticated epic mood.

Dimmu Borgir put a lot of effort in the creation of such spectacular live show and it’s certainly a pleasure to watch and hear these beloved songs performed with a real talented orchestra.

Finnish bluesy rock duo Black Magic Six has released a rather playful fourth album entitled “Choose Death” full of loud and dirty rock ‘n roll anthems with tasteful retro vibes and devilish wittiness.

Black Magic Six channels an exquisitely dark humor with “Dance With Me Satan” which is all hilarious and delirious with crazy addictive gritty guitar riffs and a highly entertaining rhythmic crescendo that will get you moving.

“Shake Shake Shake” has a great rockabilly soul particularly amplified by harmonious choruses and a winning combo of melodic guitar leads and rougher riffs with a lovely vintage attitude.

“Red Cloud” becomes somber and mysterious with slow burning bluesy guitars and laid back vocals as Black Magic Six delivers again a generous dose of massive catchy melodies.

“Grease The Machine” is another “happy” wild track with raw guitar riffing and a simple yet incredibly catchy danceable groove.

“Golden Jackal” stands out for the irresistible rockabilly guitar riffs that inevitably require some dancing and stomping in order to be fully enjoyed. Raucous vocals channel a sense of rebellion but the same time there is a subtle dark veil of loneliness, acceptance for whatever misery has taken over our little lives.

“Choose Death” is a fascinating timeless piece of music that will take you through a diabolical bluesy journey so be aware that anything could and/or will happen.

Italian quintet Sawthis proudly unleashes the newest musical effort titled “Babhell” which offers a passionate modern melodic metal hybrid with scattered chaotic extreme patterns.

“The Burning Place” showcases a straight forward musical fury focusing on a thunderous rhythmic section and raw guitar riffing but Sawthis also adds a healthy dose of melodic hooks with easy choruses and smooth guitar leads.

“This String Is For Your Neck” combines crushing riffs and intense speed to produce an enraged groove according to familiar modern metal standards while a traditional melodic solo adds a brighter mood.

On “Seabed” explosive tight guitar riffing enhances the extreme aspects of the band’s music style but, once again, trendy influences surface in the clean vocals and atmospheric themes.

“Waiting For Love” stands out particularly for the polychromatic emotive nuances where catchy melodies spontaneously evolve into super crunchy guitar driven grooves while ravenous screams and polished cleans create a good contrast.

“Never Alone” surprises with a calmer emotional atmosphere created by shimmering piano melodies and sorrowful vocals.

With “Babhell” Sawthis puts together a trendy collection of songs shifting focus from harsh rhythmic assaults to frequent radio friendly choruses but the album as a whole might still lack a unique artistic identity.

Renowned German instrumental band My Sleeping Karma has released the first live record titled “Mela Ananda – Live” that will make you space out with a blissful collection of the band’s beloved hits impeccably performed on stage.

With a mystical mood “Prithvi” and “Enigma 42” are a perfect spiritual gateway filled of smooth melancholic melodies and psychedelic rock accents.

“Brahama” explores dreamlike territories with ethereal tones, “Psilocybe” offers irresistible hypnotic melodies and “Hymn 72” delivers slow burning guitar driven grooves.

“Mela Ananda” translates to “a gathering of bliss’ which is truly appropriate as with this live album My Sleeping Karma offers rich sonic textures and enchanting atmospheres that always emanate positive soulful energy. “Mela Ananda – Live” will become a cathartic musical experience for the band’s longstanding fans and will definitely gather new listeners.

In the last few years progressive doom band Pallbearer has gained wider audience and critical acclaim therefore the newest effort “Heartless” comes with great curiosity and high expectations. With a dramatic melodic soul, Pallbearer aims to establish a stronger presence in the current music scene delivering a confident and mature sound.

“I Saw The End” evokes immense melancholy with stylish somber melodic guitar leads layered over doom oriented heavier riffing, grandiose gloomy guitar solos and a timeless mournful mood.

“Thorns” focuses on traditional doom heaviness that inevitably fuels crunchy rhythmic patterns and a sorrowful series of darkly catchy guitar melodies that naturally culminates in a smooth melodic guitar solo followed by an introvert atmospheric momentum.

On “Lie Of Survival” every guitar melody is covered by a shroud of desolation particularly expressed in the musical depth of calmer atmospheric harmonies as well as the emotionally charged vocals.

On the title track soaring guitar riffs are executed in perfect doom fashion to create organic rhythmic textures and once again Pallbearer masters the art of melancholy effortlessly shifting focus from moody shimmering guitar leads to dramatic atmospheres.

Pallbearer still draws inspiration from traditional monolithic doom but the band’s sound continues to evolve with a more progressive creative force and “Heartless” successfully conveys the desire to explore wider musical territories to create a unique sonic palette.

With the debut EP “Funky Queen” emerging Belgian rockers Black Mirrors are ready to take the listeners on a wild rock ‘n roll ride spiced up by intriguing funky rhythms.

The title track shines for the sharp vocals layered over a super catchy groove with palpable retro rock vibes as classic rock influenced guitar riffs hold a steady entertaining rhythm.

On “The Mess” Black Mirrors effortlessly nail that exquisite vintage rocker style with a fuzzy flavor, super catchy traditional crispy guitar melodies and impressive raw emotional vocals.

“Canard Vengeur Masqué” is infused with a more somber atmosphere as the rhythm slows down to focus on vibrant bass lines and a generous round of stoner rock oriented guitar riffs further embellished by smooth slow-burning guitar leads.

Containing only four lovely songs “Funky Queen” is a promising musical effort that will trigger curiosity about what Black Mirrors has in mind for the next sonic endeavor.

Legendary Floridian death metal band Obituary fiercely confirms the band’s influential status with an aggressively guitar driven self titled new album recorded at their home studio in Tampa.

“Brave” immediately sets a furious mood with unrestrained drumming and guitar riffing that create a no frills death metal anthem amplified by John Tardy’s infamous venomous growls.

“Kneel Before Me” focuses on more refined music themes where guitar leads acquire a dominant role to add a bit of diversity with interesting nightmarish accents.

“Betrayed” is an enraged tune with loads of familiar death metal antics embedded in high impact rhythmic dynamics while the guitar solo skillfully adds brighter melodic tones.

“Turned To Stone” brings a more somber and darkened groove with slower doom nuances and a rather enjoyable intricate guitar solo.

“Straight To Hell” begins with a massive gritty old school rhythm that later evolves into a slower cathartic doom oriented section with exquisitely darkened guitar melodies and solo.

In the end, with few exceptions, Obituary decides to play within the safe boundaries of that classic death metal which is still a crucial part of the band’s musical legacy and this new release remains a solid effort even if it will not shock the audience with memorable innovations.

Memoriam might be a new name in the death metal scene but many are certainly familiar with the band’s members Karl Willets and Andy Whale of iconic act Bolt Thrower. Memoriam has proudly released the highly anticipated debut album titled “For The Fallen” which features the expected inflamed guitar riffs galore in proper old school death metal style.

“Memoriam” feels particularly somber and solemn as slower crunchy guitar riffs showcase prominent dark accents that create a suspenseful atmosphere.

“War Rages On” leans toward a harsh death metal core with a taste for furious rhythms but the guitar work still holds a compelling dosage of darkened harmonies.

“Reduced To Zero” features a doom style sinister mood with plenty of super gloomy guitar melodies that naturally gain a more aggressive steady momentum amplified by thunderous drumming and old school guttural vocals.

Moshpit friendly tune “Surrounded (By Death)” runs on a solid combo of enraged guitar riffing and relentless savage rhythm that unleashes a traditional brutal assault without the need for constant extreme speed.

“Last Words” is the most epic track of the album with dense ominous vibes and an overpowering sense of desolation while guitars effortlessly shift from pensive darkened slower melodies to more energetic riffing.

“For The Fallen” contains all the right elements to become a pleasant listening for death metal fans and Memoriam delivers additional sonic variety with scattered tormented melodies.