For the third year in a row, Japanese brutal death metal band Demon has released an extended play consisting of three tracks which is strangely entitled Juvenile Buddha this time around. The songs have become even shorter than before as the three tracks barely crack the five-minute mark. 

This release is better than the noisy debut Pustules but a step down after the more creative sophomore output Poison. 

On the positive side, the chemistry between the vocals and instruments has improved which makes for a more fluid song writing. The vocals sound lower than before and make me think of an evil frog. The bass guitar is the band’s outstanding instrument once more and even has two dynamic solos in the closing tune. The drums and percussion sound more adventurous and diversified than before. 

On the negative side, the production sounds definitely worse again with canny drum sound and surprisingly thin guitar sound. The songs could be a little bit longer and more fleshed out. The guitar play in particular should improve as it chugs along unimpressively. 

Demon’s Juvenile Buddha isn’t a terrible output but a step down after the promising predecessor. Fans of brutal death metal with chugging riffs, domineering bass guitar sound and low vocals should give this effort a spin nevertheless.

Final rating: 50%

Take the Fall was an exclusive single recorded by American crossover thrash metal quintet Iron Reagan that wouldn't be included on the upcoming full length release Crossover Ministry. However, the song would be included on a split release with death metal band Gatecreeper more than a year later. If you have the chance to pick up the latter release instead of this one, you should definitely go for it.

''Take the Fall'' is actually one of the best songs the band has written so far and should have been included on a regular studio record in my opinion. The song has the anger, attitude and speed of other Iron Reagan songs but the track manages to slow down at appropriate moments to make for a quite diversified and entertaining listening experience with a length of nearly two and a half minutes which is rather long by the band's own standards. The gang shouts are particularly energizing this time around. The actual highlight of the song is the extended melodic heavy metal guitar solo towards the end that actually proves that the band can't only crank up the speed and volume but that it has great musicianship as well.

Iron Reagan fans should definitely listen to and purchase ''Take the Fall'', either in form of this limited single release or in form of the split with Gatecreeper released fourteen months later. Thanks to its diversity and especially due to a great guitar solo, this is one of the band's greatest songs to date. Crank up the volume and enjoy it to the fullest.

Final rating: 87%

Another year means another extended play by Japanese death metal band Demon. Just like its predecessor, Poison comes around with the tracks totalling a running time of just above seven minutes. However, a few things have changed positively. 

The cover artwork for instance is inspired by classic Japanese paintings but also captures the band’s relentless spirit. The opening track actually has something of an introduction and shifts fluidly between slower and quite brutal parts and fast and chugging outbursts. The second track works even more with slower but menacing rhythms and especially the bass guitar has a few shining moments. The third tune also tries to focus more on technical play and sinister atmosphere than frenetic ecstasy. The songwriting has clearly improved and become more distinctive. 

The production has also become better. The guitar sound is less noisy and actually even a little bit too much in the background this time around. The bass guitar sound is more distinctive which is a positive thing since this musician seems to be the most talented in the band. The drum sound is also significantly less noisy than on the predecessor. Even the growls have improved as they sound more restrained and focused. 

Poison is a significant progress for Demon. The songwriting, skills and production have improved and make for an atmospheric brutal death metal release that actually has some replay value. If you are a genre fan, give this release a spin.

Final rating: 60%

Bloody Tyrant is a Taiwanese extreme folk metal quintet that has released four full length records and one extended play in its first decade of existence. The group’s last release Hagakure stands out for many reasons. 

The album title and some lyrics reference a Japanese practical and spiritual guide for a warrior and go away from the band’s focus on Taiwanese culture. 

Musically speaking, the band went away from its melodic black metal style and adapted a melodic death metal style with prominent folk influences that recalls bands like early Amorphis. The quintet slowed down the pace and opted for a mid-paced release. The folk instruments aren’t just additional elements in the songs but fully integrated and equally important as all contemporary plugged instruments. The eight new songs are the most melodic ones the band has ever crafted and several tracks even include quite catchy harmonies. 

While the pervious records were outstanding but needed some time to grown on the listener, Hagakure immediately impresses from start to finish and might even outclass the band’s creative predecessor Solitary Eagle. It’s hard to believe that the band went successfully through such courageous changes from one album to another in just a little bit more than a year but this is exactly what has happened. It’s rare that taking risks pays off so much as in this case. The band had excelled in its blackened folk metal genre and has decided to move on and ultimately excelled in its new melodic death metal style as well. 

The band hasn’t abandoned all its stylistic elements of yore however and still has a very unique identity. The blistering cold guitar riffs that contrast comforting folk melodies are still very present. The epic soundscapes have also remained as the band crafts cinematic tunes in concise running times around the five-minute mark. The band’s skilled musicianship also still shines through without drifting off into pretentious progressive territories. 

Bloody Tyrant’s Hagakure is a masterpiece that should equally appeal to extreme metal and folk metal fans. Chthonic is often hailed as the country’s great melodic extreme metal band but while the quintet from Taipei can be seen as its country’s pioneers and has shaped its own identity with strong patriotic messages, the quintet from Nantou is the more atmospheric, balanced and courageous band that deserves as much or even more credit. Hagakure is easily among last year’s very best releases and shows a band at the height of its career.

Final rating: 98%