*A shimmering celestial body has appeared on the horizon. Finland’s Saturnian Mist has unleashed their debut release upon the masses: Gnostikoi Ha-Shaitan.  (Ahdistuksen Aihio Productions) 

Hailing from Kuopio, Saturnian Mist are: Famulus Zetekh (lead & backing vocals), Somber Chaoswind (lead guitars), Shu-Ananda (rhythm & solo guitars, clean vocals), Ptahaz (bass guitar), and Wyrmfang (drums). On this album, they’re joined by guests A.M. (keys), Heidi Haikala (female vocals), and Hi Kivela (other instruments).  

Check out their video for one of their earlier songs, A Call In The House of Malign, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haXGSnr1R7w  

Heavily influenced by Gnosticism, Saturnian Mist was formed to combine musical expression with Occultism in both theory and practice. This album is an apt testament to that as it indeed conjures Black Metal magick. 

The band wrote all the songs on Gnostikoi Ha-Shaitan between 2005-2010. Famulus Zetekh penned all the lyrics except for the songs Bythos In Quintessence (written by Le Sorcier) and The Watcher’s Feast (by Johannes Nefastas).  Cover art was created by V-A Pummalainen, and the inner booklet features graphic illustration and design by Famulus Zetekh.  

The Crowgrrl loves the sheer power inherent in the ferocious yet majestic The Regicide. There’s a spoken intro over ominous guitars and foundations in Bythos In Quintessence as it leads us into the chilling body of this excellent song. I love the extreme dark foundations below catchy guitars in Consecration Of The Temple as it celebrates Demonic Power & Glory.  

The guitars in Temps-Des-Cranes are absolutely fantastic, as they’re punctuated by the tortured feel of the vocals. Insane ranting is layered over deceptively beautiful musicianship in Sacrifice of Faces Unbroken.

The Watcher’s Feast is primal and savage. There’s some female vox  in the outro of Aura Mystica, which is a wonder of textures and sounds. The Gnostikoi Ha-Shaitan title track is fiery and full of demonic enlightenment.  

Great album! Can’t wait to see more from this band in the future.

Don't miss my interview with  Famulus Zetekh down by The Moat!
 

*Baltimore has unleashed a kick-ass force of nature onto the musical world. King Belvedere recently released their fist-pumping, head-banging sophomore release, My Kinda Rock And Roll! They definitely put the pedal to the Metal and deliver a high powered dose of Power Metal fun!

Check out the video for the title track! 

The maelstrom that is King Belvedere gathered its members from California, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Upstate New York and thrust them into the whirlpool’s Baltimore eye. The  band is: vocalist/rhythm guitarist Jeff McKenny, guitarists Juju Ott and Jonny B, bassist Chip Michael, and drummer Johnny Sexx. (One of the band’s merch offerings are t-shirts Johnny makes from his drum head designs). The band is understandably gaining quite the following from all over the East Coast, and the storm is spreading out from there! This is definitely a band to watch – there is a very promising future ahead for them.

King Belvedere’s music has been compared to Guns N Roses and The Ramones – and surely those influences are evident. (The Crowgrrl’s a huge Ramones fan, so those were strong claims to live up to, and fortunately King Belvedere delivers).  

The My Kinda Rock And Roll title track is an excellent anthemic celebration. I love the bass and vocal harmonies as we explore some exciting Nightlife in Here We Go. The positive message of Acceptance and embracing individuality and sense of Self in We’re Alright is absolutely inspirational! One For The Money spurs action! (And features an impressive lead guitar riff).

Primal urges run rampant in Hot Night, which can only be described as Caliente! The musicianship is superb in the predatory, dangerous On The Run. Let’s Roll is a pure adrenaline rush.  

Defiance rules in On My Own. Post-gig partying and Rock & Roll lifestyle is depicted in the catchy Whiskey, Drugs, and Love. A Bayou flavor permeates Snakebite, which has a venomous swagger. (The harmonica was also a nice touch.) The fun Go All Night is sexy and spicy.  

This album certainly lifts the spirits. It’s pure no-nonsense pleasure for anyone who loves timeless, fun Metal.