In theory, Lovebites should be right up my alley. The band plays ferocious power metal with tight riffs, ecstatic solos, unchained drum patterns and percussive elements, bumblebee bass tones and powerful melodic vocals. The group hails from Japan where numerous outstanding power metal bands such as Galneryus hail from. As if that weren't enough, the five ladies in the band have excellent chemistry, stylish looks and charismatic stage presence. I had obviously checked the quintet out before but didn't quite get into its music yet. Electric Pentagram seemed like a welcome occasion to give the band another shot.

Things start promisingly with relentless opener ''Thunder Vengeance'' with pitiless drum patterns, fast riffs, hysterical vocals and some melodic keyboard sounds in the background to make these five and a half minutes at least a little bit easier to digest. ''Holy War'' chooses a more epic approach with melodic guitar play and massive keyboard influences that make for a cinematic experience. ''Golden Destination'' opts for uplifting melodic power metal with galloping rhythm section and a chaotic combination of guitar and keyboard sounds.

All these songs sound great on their own but the problem is that the sheer number of twelve songs with a running time of seventy-one minutes is too much to digest. The relentless speed is nerve-firing, the incessant combination of guitar solos and keyboard patterns is headache-inducing and the constantly enthusiastic vocals end up sounding exhausting. The song writing ends up sounding repetitive, predictable and overwhelming. There is no ballad to slow things down, no instrumental tune to introduce a change or any foray into other genres to add some diversity.

One has to admire that these five ladies have so much power and go all in with their relentless power metal rampage. However, it's almost impossible to digest seventy-one minutes in a row of this type of music. Less would have been so much more in this case. Listening to one song at a time might be the best option here if you don't want to feel as if you were hit headfirst by a high speed train. If these ladies slowed things down from time to time, their incredible talent would shine much brighter. As it turns out, Electric Pentagram sounds more relentless than hardcore thrash metal of the nastiest kind. If you like bands like DragonForce, you should certainly check this out.

Final rating: 67%

Only one year after its last full length release Irrlichter, German gothic metal veterans Ewigheim release an extended play with three new tracks and one of their classics covered by genre colleagues Untoten. The four tracks clock in at twenty-six minutes and follow the calm style of the predecessor. This album focuses on smooth vocals that sound intriguingly comforting only to bring you down with most sinister lyrics. The rhythm section is slow and thunderous as it evokes doom metal stylistics. The guitar play shifts and changes carefully and crafts haunting melodies. Needless to say that this release focuses on gloomy atmosphere over technical skills.

The first three tracks actually tell the story of a child whose life turns desperate and suicidal. Opener ''Ganz für Dich'' offers plodding doom metal with gothic metal vibes clocking in at eight and a half minutes. The track immediately transmits a longing and desperate atmosphere that sets the tone for the entire release. ''Ende'' is easily the most accessible tune as it features engaging mid-tempo rhythms and haunting background vocals supporting a rather catchy chorus. ''Untergang'' finally goes back to the gloomy style of the opener but surprises with a grim nihilistic spoken word conclusion that is guaranteed to send shivers down the spine.

While the new material should please anyone who liked the band's predecessor, the concluding song by Untoten is a rather unnecessary gimmick. It has slow sinister atmosphere, melancholic melodies and dragging pace but never comes close to the more consistent, focused and haunting original tune. Still, it's great to see that Ewigheim continues to be given credit by genre colleagues.

Fans of depressive gothic metal and atmospheric doom metal should give Ewigheim's Weltuntergang a few spins. It's an acquired taste for sure but a fitting soundtrack to cold winter days. Since the record's concept is quite intriguing, you will certainly appreciate the album even more if you speak German and understand the nihilistic lyrics.

Final rating: 68%

Vehemon is a Vietnamese heavy metal quartet with occasional hard rock and doom metal influences that has just released its first full length record. However, the seven short tunes with a timid total running time of twenty-eight minutes would rather qualify as an extended play.

What matters though is the quality and not the quantity. Sadly, the newcomers can't quite convince in that department either. The material sounds as if it could have been released at least thirty-five years ago. Imagine a low budget version of Motörhead and Saxon and you might have an idea of what this release sounds like.

That isn't necessarily a bad thing if the material is executed with great quality. However, that mostly isn't the case either. The guitar riffs are tight but sound exchangeable, repetitive and like heavy metal tropes by the numbers. The occasional melodic solos are however rather decent. The rhythm section often plods along without leaving any deeper impression. The disharmonious raw vocals sounds as if the singer had tried to fight a rough could with too much alcohol. The occasional high-pitched screams sound unintentionally amusing and make me think of a furious wolf whom someone stepped on the tail. The singer can however convince in the few clean vocal parts. In the end, the vocals sound rather unique and variable which can't be said about the instrumental work.

Children of Heavy Metal isn't a bad release and the band certainly knows its heavy metal roots in a country that hasn't displayed any memorable metal bands. Some tunes like the rhythmic ''Built to Rock'' or the fast ''Kill the Core'' are actually solid if old-fashioned. The tunes might sound even more energetic in concert. The first steps are however always rough and one can only wish the band well to carry on promoting a genuine heavy metal spirit in its home country. Nevertheless, the group's debut record is overall a rather dull affair and makes me feel as if I had been hit by a chair and fallen into deep slumber.

Final rating: 55%

Ladies and gentlemen!

While I am continuing to review each and every Showa Era Godzilla movie from 1954 to 1975 in great detail, I would like to present you a list with all fifteen movies rated from best to worst, including school grades for each flick. Enjoy your discovery of these extraordinary monster movies!

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls096154314/