I love this little jewel of an EP COLTRE has released; the UK based trio surely knows how to show respect to the spirit of the late 60s to 70s with their first effort, "Under The Influence". It's not just the music that hearkens back to the golden days of rock and roll recordings, but the production itself takes on a sound that seems to have been engineered via the analog method. Hence you get the feeling that you're listening to an album that was created around such a time. And coming from the UK who arguably have the title for inventing heavy metal thanks to Black Sabbath, COLTRE adds to the title of British veneration with their fine ode of sorts to the era.

'Lambs to the Slaughter' is an incredible first track to get things moving, it's 7-minute run-time seems fitting for the way the song is structured; it fulfills the vocal, drumming and riffing departments with exceptional sonic fidelity of the 70s, and also has a message that is very much relevant for the here and now; a cognitive itch for the listener. The lyrics cut deep into the consciousness and the music capitalizes on this as it's given a greater deal of exclusivity on the track. Soaring guitar leads take a plunge into sweeping guitar solos that fetch the lyrical weight of the songs with 'On the Edge of the Abyss' (instrumental), 'Plague Doctor' and 'Lambs to the Slaughter' specifically stealing the spotlight.

'Without a thought, you're stuck in their possession. Mindless clones, a slave to all instructions. Think for yourself, don't follow without question. You flock like sheep, like lambs to the slaughter'

Moving on to tracks like 'Crimson Killer' and 'Plague Doctor', you begin to get a better understanding of where COLTRE gets their influences from. Coven, Diamond Head, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, and Pagan Altar come to mind during the time engaged in listening to "Under The Influence". COLTRE put on a musical showcase when they blend said influences with their heavy metal sound and technique.

Full review of COLTRE's debut EP "Under The Influence" can be found here.

The band self-released "Under The Influence" on CD and digital, but on July 31, 2020 Dying Victims Productions steps forward to release it as a five-song work, featuring an exclusive new track on CD and 12” vinyl formats.

COLTRE is:

Daniel Sweed - Lead Guitar & Background Vocal
Marco Stamigna - Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vocal
Max Schreck - Bass Guitar & Background Vocal

MORE INFO AND PRE-ORDERS:

https://www.facebook.com/Coltre.Uk/
https://coltre.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-influence
https://www.dying-victims.de/
https://www.facebook.com/dyingvictimsproductions
https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com

With the release date just couple of weeks away, MetalBite is proud to premiere an official music video for a brand new track, 'Once Upon A Time In Russia' that comes off of an upcoming full-length, "Legacy" from Russian black/groove metallers SECOND TO SUN.

Russian black metal band Second to Sun have been very active since their formation in 2011, managing to put out 6 full length records amidst a slew of EPs and singles. Their soon to be 7th full length effort comes in the form of "Legacy"; black metal fused with plenty of atmosphere and groove. Says they play a bit of post metal too but I hear none of that at all or maybe it's buried, either way I'm glad, because when I see the words 'post' and 'black metal' in the same sentence, I think about that "transcendental" crap that yoga bitches listen to during their spiritual sessions. Second to Sun's latest entry "Legacy" walks a line between, black metal, groove, and a tiny bit of metal-core; surely an offsetting combination; even stranger is Second to Sun started as a raw black metal band, so that's a major leap as far as sound is concerned. After listening to "Legacy" my main takeaway resides within the band's seamless ability to coat and unify their aggression with beautiful atmospheric intermissions and progressions.

I couldn't stand what I was hearing at first due to how much had been occurring at the same time, plus being already turned off about post metal didn't help; however due to the intense drumming and abrasive and raw vocals, I was able to stick around and make sense of what Second to Sun was doing and where they were heading. Hearing 'Devil' was offsetting at first that later became more understandable through the keyboard usage to establish and aura. That method would continue to be utilized as "Legacy" progressed. Their groovier moments began to take shape and effect with the introduction of 'Confessional of the Black Penitent' in so showcasing some of their better mellow and aggressive components intertwined. By now I had become a bit more open-minded to what was being offered on "Legacy". 'Pages for a Manuscript' is precisely where Second to Sun placed the definitive piece of the puzzle needed to exemplify a completionist status. Here they contribute 10 minutes of succinct music, managing to blend all of their now adapted traits into one channeled effort. Melancholic guitar leads and keyboards merged with sharp vocals cast a crestfallen overtone often times challenged by one of anger such as on 'Raida'. From here the outlook of what's to follow was set.

It's still quite a lengthy journey with the exception of 2 bonus tracks I believe are remastered versions of the originals; that's not saying you get bored because Second to Sun apply their multi-layered instrumentation to commendable effect. The compositions here are fluent when merged, that when put to the overall concept and lyrical themes of "Legacy", add a sufficient complimenting intonation. 'Monster' (which was promoted through a well coordinated music video), 'No Need to be Afraid Now' and 'Raida' commence by dragging the listener into vast landscapes established either by weighty guitars and/or keyboards then in contrast change tempos to amplify the effect through which immersion sets in. The atmosphere is a major element of "Legacy"'s success the way I see it, those transitions to overwhelmingly cold and despondent tones carry the flow by acting as entwined intermezzos. I understand an instrumental version of "Legacy" is also set to be released alongside the original as was the case with previous record "The Walk", thus emphasizing how much work and sacrifice Second to Sun put into the composing of Legacy's instrumentation, it truly stands as something to be experienced separately. As a whole, "Legacy" is a fabulous album still met with the harsh touch of the genre's staple and band's past, thus aptly titled.

SECOND TO SUN is:

Gleb Sysoev - Vocals
Vladimir Lehtinen - Guitars
Maxim - Bass
Theodor Borovski - Drums

MORE INFO AND PRE-ORDERS:

https://www.facebook.com/secondtosun
https://www.secondtosun.net/
https://secondtosun.bandcamp.com/