Morrow Metal Report Oratorio For those who feel Christian metal has become watered down and that few bands boldly proclaim the Gospel, there is still hope in Rivel Records’ newest band, Oratorio. ¶ Oratorio hail from Finland and was formed in early 1998. After recording two demos in 1999, the band progressed from hard rock to a faster, more melodic heavy metal style. In 2001, the band signed to Little Rose Productions. Unfortunately, the label folded before the band was able to enter the studio and record. To make a long story short, the band signed to Rivel Records in 2003 and has finally released its first full length, The Reality of Existence. The album brings to the table a sound reminiscent of bands such as Stratovarius, Sentenced, and Children of Bodom. Reviews from secular press have been great. The band recorded at Finnvox studios, which has hosted such bands as Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius. ¶ With such a strong sound (both musically and production-wise) you’d figure the band would be getting attention from many of the bigger secular record labels. However, after the Little Rose misfortune, Oratorio only pursued one label: Rivel. Guitarist, Thomas Mata Eriksson explains, “I sent our non-mastered album to Christian Rivel and after a few days he called me and wanted to sign us in to his label. After short negotiations we signed the deal and the album was released in Finland, and later in many countries around the world. Rivel Records is not a big label, but Christian Rivel is really into Christian music. He is a man with a clear vision of spreading the Gospel, and therefore our interests are equal. We figured out that this was the best solution for us because our lyrics are full of the message of God and we do not want to compromise with that.” Check out oratoriometal.com for more info on this promising new band.
Sympathy The last time Sympathy made an appearance in the pages of HM, the world had just been knocked on its backside in response to the album Invocation. Just when we’re getting back on our feet, this one-man band is set to kick us back down again...and harder. ¶ Derek From, the lone member of Sympathy, and his new release, Arcane Path, has been unleashed on Fear Dark Records. No amount of advance warning aids in preparation for the assault that follows. From explains, “Well, production-wise, Arcane Path is light-years ahead of Invocation. I really can’t think of any musical element that doesn’t sound better this time around...My goal, when I write Sympathy songs, is for them to sound like an onslaught of barely controlled chaos. I really like taking things in that musical direction, and I don’t have any plans to change that.” ¶ Another area From feels has improved is the drumming... although not how he planned. While Sympathy uses a drum machine, the use of a human drummer was close to From’s grasp. “Shannon Frye, from Avenger of Blood (ex-Vengeance Rising, ex-Tortured Conscience), was going to drum for Arcane Path, but things just never really worked out for that to
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happen. Too bad, I think that would have been great.” ¶ While the real drummer didn’t work out, the rest of the news for Sympathy is nothing but blue skies. First, the “band” was highly praised for Invocation by mainstream mags, BW&BK and Metal Maniacs. Secondly, their label Fear Dark has secured many distro and licensing deals for their products with many different companies since Sympathy’s last release. That gives From many more chances to get his album into the hands of metalheads everywhere. Finally, From was able to get Kris Verwimp to do the artwork for Arcane Path, and two members of Into Eternity played some guitar on the album. To find out more about Sympathy check out realmofdisease.com or go to Fear Dark’s site at fear-dark.com.
Frosthardr To use the words of a wise man: “Put us on the cover, or you’ll never see your mother…again!” ¶ If you’ve seen pictures of the guys in Frosthardr with their long hair, spikes, tattoos, and multiple piercings, you’d think a comment like that might scare HM’s bossman into putting this band on the cover of the mag. But the boss is much too experienced to be scared by a little-known extreme metal band from Norway, especially when you find out that the band is actually a bunch of very friendly guys with a great sense of humor. ¶ Regardless of their reputation or popularity, Frosthardr is starting to make huge waves within the Christian metal scene with their new EP release, Maktesløs. The album is a hybrid of old school and melodic black metal with influences of death, thrash, rock, and even some industrial. And despite its short twentysix minute length, it will leave you gasping for breath upon its completion. ¶ The band began in 1997 and in 2002 they recorded a two-song demo called Necrodisaster 2002. In 2003, they signed with Momentum Scandinavia and in early 2004 they released their EP, Maktesløs. The album was recorded little by little on the weekends in the studio of the band Arvinger. Peter Dalbakk (vocalist of Schaliach and Vardøger) did the mixing and Samuel Durling of Endtime Productions did the fabulous artwork. Morton of Antestor/Vaakevandring also assisted them on synths. ¶ The band has also recently played Nordic Fest 2003 and the Elements of Rock festival in Switzerland, sharing the stage with bands like Veni Domine, Extol, Crimson Moonlight, Immortal Souls, Slechtvalk, and others. ¶ With a killer new EP, a great record label, and a rapidly spreading popularity, the future looks very bright for this band of talented Norwegians. Maybe next time around they’ll see a cover appearance on HM. After all, I think I’ll start missing my mom by then. Check out frosthardr.com or momentumscandinavia.com for more info on the band. You can also purchase their EP at blastbeats.com or nordicmission.net.
5/24/2004 10:33:57 PM