Lately I've getting some promo CD's from countries I never imagined could produce such good bands. Mendeed are the most powerful weapon Nuclear Blast holds in their hands right now. When the trends impose Metalcore, you must play by the rules. So, this is the answer towards Shadows Fall, Avenged Sevenfold and Trivium. Nuclear Blast strikes back!!!

Mendeed come from Scotland, a country that reminds me only of whiskey. Formed in mid 2000. Fortunately, this band never went through line up changes (it's a bit tiring to see 5 members change in 4 years!!!). They started as a Nu Metal/Rock act, but changed their sound to a more melodic Death Metal/Metalcore form. 2003 was a year of touring and playing live, supporting bands like Anthrax and Charger. Mendeed played a cover of Metallica's the Thing That Should Not Be for Kerrang's Remastered CD, something that raised their profile higher. This is their second full-length release and their first through Nuclear Blast.

Although Mendeed have a lot fans in the UK, they're almost unknown in the European Metal scene. That's why Nuclear Blast has spent tons of money to promote these 20 year old guys. The record label decided to change the cover and promote Mendeed as a boy band, something that is justified by the young audience they attract (we're talking about 12-15 year old boys and girls!!!). Anyway, this has nothing to do with their music. Despite the fact that most Metalcore bands are based on 80's Heavy Metal riffs and bands like Iron Maiden, Mendeed are mostly based on their Thrash influences. As they say themselves: "We like to make our compositions as extreme as possible. And that's what I liked about their album. The first track is an ethnic intro with bagpipes and violins. The use their country's music culture a lot in the record. As an opening track and somewhere between the songs. When the intro finishes, Beneath A Burning Sky comes in to kick some major ass! A great Thrash riff combined with a drummer that shows no mercy at all! This guy really has a problem! A really fast drummer! Chris, who is responsible for the clean vocals, combines his voice perfectly with David's voice. Everything is great in this album! Here you can find great guitar melodies, incredible bass lines, furious drumming (even blastbeats!) and a voice that fits in like a glove!

I know, one more Metalcore band. But here's what I say. Don't you want to see what Nuclear Blast has to offer regarding the new trend in Metal? If no, it's ok. If yes, don't miss this album. It'll blow your brains on the wall!!!