Hanry - Disruption EP

Labels: Pelagic Records

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 10 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Radiance

2. Ether

3. Zénith (Tape#2)

4. Intermission

This evening's review is an exciting one for me, as I wouldn't be writing it if it weren't for a PR contact I have in France who graciously put me in contact with one of their counterparts, who publicises German label Pelagic Records internationally. Through reaching out to them is (ironically) how I learned about French instrumental post-rock band Hanry and their new EP Disruption. It was officially released last Friday on digital platforms (with no set date for a physical release at time of writing) and is their second EP, following Panorama in 2022 and it's subsequent expanded re-issue in 2023.

I have been a subscriber to Pelagic’s monthly flat-rate vinyl subscription package for nearly two years now and it’s provided me with so many fantastic records and this year promises to be bigger, and better than ever for the label. They have already teased us with some of the new bands they’ve signed up to work with and kicking off the year is Hanry, a six-piece post-rock band from Rennes.

Disruption is their newest EP and if you’re at all familiar with the labels output, you’ll know that Hanry fits in perfectly amongst the other varied and talented artists on the roster. Opener ‘Radiance’ is a dreamy song filled with electronic beats, ambient synths, melodic piano and the dramatic guitar work that permeates through so many of their label-mates. 

‘Ether’ builds on the electronics of the opener with a greater use of beats and ambience, which in turn release so much emotion. It’s really hard to let this song go without saying how great it is to listen to, though the devil on my shoulder constantly fools me into thinking I could be listening an instrumental version of Linkin Park at times (sorry for the comparison).

Obviously, Hanry are on their own creative trajectory and not merely out here to copy any other artist or band. ’Zénith (Tape#2)’ follows on from ‘Zénith (Tape#1)’ that appeared on the re-issued and expanded version of Panorama and it’s a mellow number laced with calming beats and glorious piano, as well as shoegaze-like guitar that lays comfortably in the background.

Closing with their longest song ‘Intermission’, Hanry present a side of themselves that is both brighter yet more immersive. They orchestrate and layer the song with more instrumentation, as well as more effects. It builds in volume and heaviness at the mid-point before retreating back again, revealing a cultivated post-rock sound that’s as close to perfection as you’ll ever hear.

When I started writing this blog fifteen years ago I was discovering so much new music, I was almost overwhelmed and in reality that’s been the case ever since. I’m not saying I’ll change but I do feel that things are different, now especially. Hearing Hanry for the first time has been an absolute joy and this EP reminds me that spending time with music is a privilege and not a right, in the same that spending time with loved-ones and friends is.

You can stream and purchase Disruption digitally via Hanry's bandcamp page below:-

Hanry - https://www.facebook.com/hanry.music

Pelagic Records - https://www.facebook.com/pelagicrecords

Retador - Ear​ë​ndel

Labels: Xtreem Music

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 21 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Ear ë ndel

2. Somos Eternos

3. La Sombra de tu Existir

4. Redes

5. Lux Ferre

6. Asesino

7. Profanado

8. Terror en la Noche

9. Abismo 52 (outro)

Spanish thrash metal quartet Retador are due to release their second album Ear ë ndel via fellow Spanish extreme metal label Xtreem Music later this month, whom also released their debut self-titled album back in 2023. Retador have been compared to German teutonic thrash bands like Kreator and Sodom, as well as earlier Sepultura and Death Angel amongst others. If those comparisons don't wet your appetite for this album, then hopefully that striking cover art will.

It’s absolutely freezing here at the moment. The pavements are slick with ice and it’s been close to -10 over the last couple of days in the evenings. I didn’t write anything last night due to being exhausted after trudging through snow and making sure I didn’t stack it on the ice. Some good old comforting Spanish thrash metal is thankfully close to hand tonight, as is a lovely glass of red wine. 

Album opener and title-track ‘Ear ë ndel’ may first appear as an intro track but it’s so much more than that, as Retador’s excellent thrash metal bursts into life with uptempo instrumentation and harsh, old-school vocals (including some excellent falsettos too!). I go back and forth with thrash metal at times, as I find some bands to be quite atonal and rigid in their song-writing; however, there are times when a band comes out of seemingly nowhere and smacks me clean in the chops. 

On the strength of the opener, Retador are definitely the latter. I’m hoping it’s not just there to pull you in and ’’Somos Eternos’ proves it isn’t. It’s maybe not quite as theatrical in the guitar-department but the gang vox and extra falsettos, alongside the consistently amazing percussion and bass seal the deal early on. Later on it’s the turn of the guitars to truly work their magic again, as epic solos give way to twin-leads and furious riffs. 

I feel this write-up is going to be longer than originally planned, but I don’t really care when the music’s this good. ‘La Sombra de tu Existir’ initially sounds slightly more restrained but the chains are removed before too long as the music switches up a notch once again. I’ve already said that I think this year’s gonna be another stellar year for metal and I stand by that statement. Retador are flying the flag for thrash as a sub-genre and they really stand out!

‘Redes’ sees Retador presenting the most barbaric and straight-forward version of themselves in thrash metal terms. They fit in a couple of epic guitar solos and twin-guitar passages later on but this is still one of their heaviest songs so far. ‘Lux Ferre’ follows in pretty much the same format. No time is wasted and no quarter given As the album crosses over to it’s latter half, Retador’s catchiness continues to amaze and surprise.

‘Asesino’ is not a tribute to the US band of the same name. Instead, it’s gang-vox fuelled proto-thrash that pulls no punches, even when Retador pull off a melodic instrumental mid-section. If you long for simpler times when the sub-genre was fast and full of unbridled rawness then you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. ‘Profanado’ comes at you with a very different feel early on, with a brooding mid-paced intro that leads into off-kilter musicianship and semi screamed/sung vocals. That formula is retained throughout the rest of the song to great effect.

Before you even realise it, you’re at penultimate song ’Terror en la Noche’ and it’s where Retador deliver their final (full) precision blast of Spanish thrash metal. It’s another frenetic song and it leads instantly into the album’s closer ‘Abismo 52’, which is an instrumental outro of epic proportions! To summarise, I can’t fault this record. That it’s only the 2nd release from Retador is mind-blowing as well. You have nine days to wait for the official release and it’ll definitely be worth that wait.

You can stream album track 'Asesino' and watch it's accompanying video on bandcamp below, where digital pre-orders are also open:-

Retador Instagram - @retador_oficial

Physical vinyl/cd pre-orders are live via Xtreem Music here too - https://www.xtreemmusic.com/shop/

Xtreem Music - https://www.facebook.com/xtreemmusic666

Keratin - Death & Rebirth 7"

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 03 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Left Early

2. S.N.K.

3. Kindred Blue

4. Before the Salt, Taste the Wound

My short-lived streak of reviewing 2025 records before their release date comes to an end tonight, though two out of three ain't too bad. I got in there first when it came to the Vertex album yesterday, so that's a win! Aussie screamo band Keratin released their new EP on January 3rd via Zegema Beach Records, having previously released an EP called Only Eye through ZBR’s sister label Tomb Tree in 2022 and a 4-way split that also featured Atameo, Letterbombs and Coma Regalia in 2023 via Middle-Man Records. Digitally, there are four tracks on this EP but I believe only three made it onto the physical vinyl copies. 

Australia is building a very decent reputation for itself when it comes to screamo/post-hardcore bands. Blind Girls are the name on everybody’s tongue right now, but let’s not forget Gil Cerrone and Raccoon City (and I’m sure I’m missing many others). Keratin’s name can be added to that list, having already released two stellar EPs prior to this one. 

Opener ‘Left Early’ is a mix of usually chaotic emo-violence and instrumentally engrossing post-hardcore, with vocals sitting deeper in the mix. If this is the first ever song you’ve heard by Keratin then you’re starting in a good place. It’s atmosphere and song-writing is top notch.

’S.N.K.’ continues where that opener left off but with more of a black/post-metal influence this time. In it’s own right it’s strong, impressively so. I know it’s very early in the year to be saying this but on the strength of what I’ve already reviewed (including this EP), 2025 is going to be an absolute banger of a year musically.

‘Kindred Blue’ has that repetitive noise element going on at the beginning that works so well in a live setting (I hope you know what I mean!) and as it’s an instrumental piece, I’m guessing that on the vinyl pressing it’s tagged onto the end of ’S.N.K.’ (please correct me if my guess isn’t correct here). Either way, it’s lovely.

Closing with ‘Before the Salt, Taste the Wound’, which I immediately thought was a nod to Salt The Wound (the US deathcore band), Keratin deliver their longest song of the EP and also their heaviest one to boot. It’s actually pretty fierce during it’s first half, which does make me wonder about my initial hunch but that aside, Keratin smash it once again with their masterful delivery.

I arrived home this evening to five LPs that I ordered recently. I set them aside so I could take in this EP and it didn’t disappoint. I’m also experimenting with newer social media platforms too, so maybe eventually I’ll get the confidence to record some shorts or vlogs. Who knows.

You can stream and purchase Death & Rebirth digitally from Keratin below:-

Keratin - https://www.facebook.com/keratinband

If you're in Australia you can also grab the 7" from them and save on shipping.

For everyone else, Zegema Beach Records have them up for purchase now (there are only fifty copies though!):-

ZBR CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/keratin-7

ZBR U.S.A. - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/keratin-7

Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords

Vertex - The Purest Light

 Labels: Le Cri du Charbon

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 17 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. All My Hatred

2. War Is Peace

3. The Purest Light

4. Leviathan

5. Two

6. Next Age

7. Social Unborn

8. Following Arrows

9. Scalable

10. Tar

Even at this early stage in the year I've realised that I'm becoming a bit OCD-like when it comes to promos and promo e-mails. From promos about 2025 releases (not this one) that were actually released a year+ prior but also promos (again not for this release) that don't mention anything about the formats that they're being released on. PR peeps and those that write EPKs should include these kind of details in my humble opinion. This is why I chose to write about this album instead, thanks to Clement Duboscq from Vous Connaissez? PR who sent it my way!

The Purest Light by French mathcore/progressive metal band Vertex is really a 2025 release and I couldn't be more excited to hear it. Over the last couple of years I've been leaning further towards screamo and mathcore thanks to friends who are connected to labels I keep an eye, and that I also buy from regularly. Getting the chance the hear some fresh mathcore that's infused with metal and progressive influence is absolutely what I'm here for.

After a slightly confusing moment with the MP3 files included with this promo, I switched to the WAVs and everything (including my OCD) returned to normal. Album opener ‘All My Hatred’ is the perfect mix of panic-inducing guitar-lead highs, bass-laden/percussive progression and harsh vocals that sit atop of the instrumentation perfectly. It brings to mind the first time I heard both Weston Super-Maim and The Sawtooth Grin, amongst others. Absolutely brilliant.

‘War Is Peace’ is way more metal than it is math with an insatiable pace, where mid-way through it becomes an amalgamation of everything that’s great about metal and grind. There’s really no placing Vertex in reality, despite my best attempts this early on. Honestly, this album is absolutely incredible so far! The promo e-mail that accompanied this record mentioned that it would appeal to fans of Meshuggah and I cannot agree more with that. Title-track ‘The Purest Light’ shows exactly why, with it’s prog-metal approach and varying time-signatures. The instrumentation is absolutely out of this world. I can’t fault this record at all so far.

‘Leviathan’ is served up at a slower tempo, or so it seems, with a swagger akin to the sludge of Crowbar and progression of the aforementioned Meshuggah. Off-kilter riffs and wild percussion/bass are joined by vocals that seem deeper to match the tones of the song. Launching into ’Two’, Vertex pretty much carry on where they left off with ‘Leviathan’. Fusing progressive metal with mathcore and an indescribable amount of European groove (if there’s such a thing?!). 

’Two’ fades away to be replaced by the atmospheric yet technical ’Next Age’, which brings to mind Soilwork at their peak. It’s an epic song though it strays further away from Vertex’s mathcore leanings at times, thanks to some brutal (almost beatdown) riffs later on. The chaotic beginning of ‘Social Unborn’ doesn’t let up one bit as the album’s shortest song rips you a new one. Again, it’s off-kilter in all the right places while also employing the right amount of slam for anybody who’s a modern death metal junkie. It’s actually pretty bloody good!

You’re dragged back into groove-laden territory thanks to ‘Following Arrows’ and it’s syncopated/rhythmic guitar work, and mesmeric drumming. Both elements seem to override the vocals, which seems almost impossible at times. Vertex use vocal effects later on when the instrumentation retreats a little and while it doesn’t effect their momentum, it does seem slightly at odds with their creativity.

Vertex - https://www.facebook.com/vertex.metal.france/

Le Cri du Charbon - https://www.facebook.com/LeCriDuCharbon

Aeon Of Awareness - The Embracing Light Of Rarohenga

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Digital

Date: 17 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Intro

2. Lebenslast

3. Lysis

4. Hine-nui-te-pō

5. Te Atua

6. Ira Di(e)mensions

7. Tūmatauenga

8. Fort Forest

9. King Kauri

So here we are. 2024 is behind us and a new year has already begun. 2024 actually turned out to be a very good year for the blog and I'm optimistic about 2025 as well. I'm hitting the ground running by focusing on this year's releases whenever I can, starting with the debut album from German death metallers Aeon Of Awareness. 

The Embracing Light Of Rarohenga promises to be a mix of melodic death metal and Maori mythology (two things I wasn't expecting to say in the same sentence!). Aeon of Awareness formed in 2020 as a duo, releasing two EPs prior to this full-length recording (and an expansion of their line-up), which will be officially available digitally on 17th January. 

Starting with a dramatic and orchestral ‘Intro’, Aeon Of Awareness do nothing to prepare you for their Aotearoa-themed German death metal (yes, I know that sounds weird!). ‘Lebenslast’ contains much more European influence with driving blasts, marching riffs and typically harsh vocals, that are accentuated by the quartet’s mother tongue. So far so good in the musical department. ’Lysis’ takes up the exact same form as ‘Lebenslast’, but with additional Scandinavian influences. Those influences won’t come as a surprise if you’re an avid death metal fan, as it’s such a prominent sub-genre across Europe. Aeon Of Awareness make it sound effortless, especially for a debut album!

‘Hine-nui-te-pō’ is a fine way to integrate their love of Maori mythology, as Aeon Of Awareness allow their instrumentation to take centre-stage with glorious melodic riffs and towering atmosphere. To my ears, the vocals are still in German, so the Maori influence may only be found in the lyrics (please correct me if I’m incorrect here though). ‘Te Atua’ breaks up the heaviness briefly thanks to it’s use of soothing piano and delicate strings. The album’s latter half kicks everything back into gear after a mere pause for breath and ‘Ira Di(e)mensions’ re-introduces you to the band’s full-flowing death metal, except there’s greater use of tempo and time changes now. It’s hard to ignore just how mature this album sounds. 

‘Tūmatauenga’ is the longest and grandest song on The Embracing Light Of Rarohenga. The lyrics early on sound very much like they’re being delivered in traditional Maori language but I’m no expert in this field and later on the band switches between different languages to heighten the intrigue. Penultimate song ‘Fort Forest’ sees Aeon Of Awareness moving back in a proper thrash/death metal direction with up-tempo everything. It’s a clever way to pep things up towards the end of the album and once again stirs the rousing feeling that was created earlier on. The chunky, melodic riffs do a great job too!

That up-tempo atmosphere carries on through to album closer ‘King Kauri’, where it’s abundantly clear that Aeon Of Awareness are serious about their craft. The use of Maori themes/language could easily have come across as a gimmick but that isn’t the case. While the music isn’t breaking any new ground progressively or experimentally, it is performed with true heart and passion, which is all that matters. The Embracing Light Of Rarohenga will be well received I’m sure.

You can stream purchase album single 'Hine-nui-te-pō' via bandcamp below, in advance of the full-release:-

Aeon Of Awareness - https://www.facebook.com/AoA666