Review by JD on December 19, 2016.

Greece is has been a good developing ground for metal for a while now (Black Sun, Distorted Force, etc). Many good bands have been coming out, generating a buzz in the metal world community and making inroads into the international stage.

Greek based Endsight plays what could be said is a melding of melodic death metal and Metalcore, in the vein of Killswitch Engage and At the Gates. On the surface, seems to be a modern based outfit with all of the right stuff to be a contender in the newer side of metal, but in hearing the album, it simply fizzles and comes to a thankful stop.

Shoddy production that fails to even start to be for a metal band, lackluster musicianship that struggles to find anything remotely original - couple that with a uninspired vocalist that is monotone - it seems Endsight has many problems and most of them they have choose to make. The entire album is a fight for even a hint of consistency, along with a poorly regurgitated Killswitch riffs. Not one track stands out as even good, nor does any of it make any step towards trying.

Putting this review to bed, if you want good metalcore/death metal find it elsewhere. Endsight needs to either restructure and get better, or get out of the music business. I go for the last choice, and urge them to do it NOW!! This is shit, was shit and never will be nothing else but a steaming pile of manure that begs to have it put out of its misery for the sake of metal in general.

Rating: 1 out of 10

Review by JD on April 8, 2011.

Folk Metal. That alone gets non-metalheads doing a double take. I have seen that, and soon, that person becomes interested in it, as well as metal in general. It is this odd paring that has most metal mad people buzzing lately - I am one of them. This is one of the more stranger offspring of the metal... but it is one that has more than what meets the eye.

England spawned Northern Oak is truly a ‘new renaissance’ for the developing Folk Metal sub-genre. With musicians that are some of the best right now, coupled with strong songs and a impeccable eye for detail this band shows that metal, can and is a true and vibrant art form. Combining the soaring and haunting strings and piano with brutal and devastatingly heavy guitar and insanely coarse and unyielding vocals - they come at you like a pack of wild jackals.

Songs like the 70's prog influenced groove of 'Sun God’s Wrath' to the metallic and dark pounding Doom Metal feel of 'Arbor Low' to the ethereal strains of 'Death In The Marshes' shows a band that is versatile, powerful and yet - are still metal.

Like this style or not, it is hard to ignore talent. Northern Oak seems to strike a chord and really brings artistic flair to every thing that is heavy and grinding. They may not be a commercial sort of thing but with their album aptly named "Monuments" - they just seem to be better than most
of the metal floating out there. They are a ‘monument’ to being both talented and wickedly heavy.

Grab a flagon of ale and listen to this album until the keg is done - it goes perfectly together.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:10
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 7.5
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 9.6 out of 10

Review by JD on April 8, 2011.

Folk Metal. That alone gets non-metalheads doing a double take. I have seen that, and soon, that person becomes interested in it, as well as metal in general. It is this odd paring that has most metal mad people buzzing lately - I am one of them. This is one of the more stranger offspring of the metal... but it is one that has more than what meets the eye.

England spawned Northern Oak is truly a ‘new renaissance’ for the developing Folk Metal sub-genre. With musicians that are some of the best right now, coupled with strong songs and a impeccable eye for detail this band shows that metal, can and is a true and vibrant art form. Combining the soaring and haunting strings and piano with brutal and devastatingly heavy guitar and insanely coarse and unyielding vocals - they come at you like a pack of wild jackals.

Songs like the 70's prog influenced groove of 'Sun God’s Wrath' to the metallic and dark pounding Doom Metal feel of 'Arbor Low' to the ethereal strains of 'Death In The Marshes' shows a band that is versatile, powerful and yet - are still metal.

Like this style or not, it is hard to ignore talent. Northern Oak seems to strike a chord and really brings artistic flair to every thing that is heavy and grinding. They may not be a commercial sort of thing but with their album aptly named "Monuments" - they just seem to be better than most
of the metal floating out there. They are a ‘monument’ to being both talented and wickedly heavy.

Grab a flagon of ale and listen to this album until the keg is done - it goes perfectly together.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:10
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 7.5
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 9.6 out of 10