The Stone: GOLET Reviewed

So this time around I will be reviewing the album Golet  by Serbian black metal hooligans The Stone released by Folter Records from Germany. My first contact with The Stone was when they opened up for Vulcano and Nifelheim in Halmstad Sweden a while back ( I reviewed  the show here) and I was so impressed by the band that I asked them for some promo cds, and they gladly gave some to me!

So being super impressed by The Stones live act I now turn my attention to their album Golet. 

What is blasted into my ears is high energy black metal, modern sounding with some real personality. And what I mean with this is that this band has a bit of their own sound, sure it is not like they have re-invented the spike and leather infested wheel, but they does not sound like the so many other clone bands out there. Sure I get some Lord Belial and Dark Funeral vibes here and there, and even some more melodic death metal in some of the riffing, but I do not get the "plagiarism blues" like many other black metal give me. There is playfulness in the songs that you generally never hear in black metal. It feels like these guys are not pinned down by a mold and are creating music not trying to just do black metal, (if this makes any sense to you).

The songs are super dynamic with tempos going up and down like a rollercoaster, and this makes the listening experience the more enjoyable. There are a lot of fast blasting part and thrash beats, but there are also allot and I do mean allot of slower almost doomy parts, and this is for me bliss, me being a big doom fan. And having the vocalist scream over these parts is the high point for me, just check out around the 3 minute mark on the opening track Sekao duboko, zakopao plitko pure magic! Some songs also contain some thrashy elements which brings the Belgian black metal masters Enthroned to mind, and they might be a better comparison, since they are also a highly dynamic band with their own sound. Something that The Stone also have in common with Enthroned is that they have guitar solos. If you ask me the solos that The Stone has are way better. Again turn your attention to the first song, and there you will hear a beautiful solo. But there are a few more scattered on this record. And they are played very well, they are no shred fests but they are more based on melody and mood, and in my not so humble opinion that is way better, and it fits the music better.  So, a big tip of the hat to the solo guitar player.  The solo on the fifth track Darkness Shatters me Towards the Dead is simply spot on.

And now that I'm finished with my wanking off the guitar player(s?) I will turn my attention to the drummer since this gentlemen surly deserves some appreciation. He does exactly what you can expect from a skilled drummer in this kinds of music, but there is a but, and what a glorious but it is. He is throwing in some really cool technical parts in the mix, adding some killer breaks and cool fills. Stuff that isn't typical of black metal drumming, this was actually one of the things that caught my attention when I saw these fellows live. So, if you meet this guy while spelunking, give him my regards.

The vocals are your typical black metal screams and grunts, the singer does a great job and he keeps it interesting. The vocals are not that varied but still good, since the vocal lines are well crafted. I can mention that more than half of the songs are in Serbian and the remaining are in English. To be honest I did not realize this until I turned to the bands profile at metal archives to do some snooping around.

This is a great sounding record, everything is crisp and clear. I haven't got too much to say about it, it is what it should be for a band at this level. The guitar tone is great and the drums sound powerful, and the bass is there being all nasty in the background.

So... let's not drag this out any more, Golet is a great record, buy it!

Sweden`s Wilhelm Lindh*, "Portuguese by adoption," guitar player,  composer and owner of the Doom / Death Metal band The Gardnerz, reviews here in HeavyHardMetalmania.net. Careful and professional analysis to the music and albums with suggestions of what there is to see and hear ... not to be missed. "The wisdom is found in the extremes, all extreme Metal here!"

1. Sekao duboko, zakopao plitko
2. All Graves Gaping Wide
3. Nikad bliži smrti
4. Golet
5. Darkness Shatters Me Towards the Dead
6. Pred licem novog boga
7. Barren Earth in Cold Death's Hands
8. Humke

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Thunder Metal Tour Destroys Halmstad!

Nifelheim/Vulcano/The Stone  at James rock bar Halmstad Sweden 10-05-2013

The Stone

So I had marked down 7/5 as the day I finally get to see the mighty Vulcano in action, but no, the show got cancelled, bummer for all involved, but the next day I hear that they got a new show in Halmstad, a city one hour away! So off I went in my grey Nissan with metal music blasting.

As this being a show in Sweden the show started early, and the band who had that dubious honor was Serbias The Stone, a group of some really talented players, playing what I would like to describe a fast and blast beat filled melodic black metal. Really catchy stuff actually, I dug them very much. Their set was tightly played and you can really tell that these guys have been at it for a long time. I just have to mention the drummer, because he was really killer, sure they all were, but this guy added some more "tech" drum parts then what you generally hear in black metal, and that made the band even more interesting to me. Even thou they only played for a few people they gave it their all and put on a good show, and during the last song of The Stones set the club started to fill up.

It was clear from the get go that a lot of people where in this club to see Brazils pride and joy, death thrash legends Vulcano. Some of the guys in this band might have grey hair, but bloody (vengeance) hell they rocked, what a amazing show. The crowd was chanting Vulcano between songs, and a lot of people were singing (screaming I guess is a better word for it) along with the songs. It was like they had the audience in the palm of their hands, and vokillist Luiz really showed the crowd what a great front man he is. As with the first band of the evening one could really tell that Vulcano is a band that has been playing their metal for a long time and that they know exactly what they are doing and what they have to do to deliver a cracking show. Vulcano delivered a 15 song show with their classics mixed in with new for example they played the title track from their new album The man the key the beast. (which I reviewed here).  

Vulcano

We were even treated to a special guest appearance by Tyrant and Hellbutcher from headliners Nifelheim, but the highlight for me was to get to hear Bloody vengeance live… now I can die a happy man! What really impressed me with Vulcano is that they can gave a great show solely relying on playing great music. Their stage show was just them in plain clothes and a backdrop. Simple yet extremely effective, while a lot of bands rely on gimmick, Vulcano is all about pure passion for the music. I must give a shout out to the drummer Arthur von Barbarian, what a showman, such a master of the art of entertaining, gave this man his own tour or at least a TV show. Vulcano gave the audience just what they wanted and then some. Killer band, killer guys and a killer show.

And talking of shows, as evening turned in to night, it was time for the Nifelheim show, and damn what a show it was. Wearing leather and more rusty spikes then an old abandoned barn, Nifelheim took the stage in front of an ecstatic audience. This was the third time I saw Nifelheim, and it was far the best. To me Nifelheim has always sounded a bit shaky live, but with this new lineup, that is completely gone. This was a tight affair that made it clear in my mind that Nifelheim nowadays is a top class act. Many things that I said about Vulcano is also true about Nifelheim, this is a band that has been at it for a long time and it shows, these guys for sure knows what their audience wants and  how to deliver it to them.  For me Nifelheim is much more image driven then music driven, but with this concert they proved that they are not just there to be looked at they are also there to be heard. There were chanting between songs and people sang along to almost every song,  the atmosphere was really great and I do believe that the Nifelheim fans that attended this show will be talking about it for a long time. On one of the encores Attila made some guest vocals.

The sound this very necro evening was very good, actually way better then I was expecting for being a such a small club, so kudos to the sound man! Nifelheim had some sound problems but after banging some on the amp and then realizing that it was a guitar related problem, that little issue was worked out quick.  So if any of these bands is rolling through your home town, give them support! TheStone | VULCANO | Nifelheim

Nifelheim

Sweden`s Wilhelm Lindh*, "Portuguese by adoption," guitar player,  composer and owner of the Doom / Death Metal band The Gardnerz, reviews here in HeavyHardMetalmania.net. Careful and professional analysis to the music and albums with suggestions of what there is to see and hear ... not to be missed. "The wisdom is found in the extremes, all extreme Metal here!".

The Stone Unleashed To Hell

Belgrade, Serbia, nihilistic black metal band "The Stone" has posted a new lyric video for the song "To Hell" english version for "ZA KORAK PAKLU BLIŽE". The track will be appears at forthcoming "CRNA HRONIKA" CD, with expected release for March, through Miner Recordings and Sepulchral Productions respectively. This version of the song was recorded in 2010, with vocals added in December 2012, and was remastered by Karlo Testen. The video clip can be seen below.

The band commented:

"Sons & daughters of the crimson dawn, Bloodwing ravens have brought you tidings of the new misdeed by THE STONE that goes under name "TO HELL"."

Formed in 1996 as Stone to Flesh. Changed name in 2001.

The Stone cult was raised in '96, first being called Stone to Flesh. Demo tape called "Unveiled Evil" was released in '98 containing two demo recordings by the band and was sold out in about 300 copies. Debut album was recorded in '99 and released a year later. Name of the band was changed in 2001. Following the release of 2nd full-length album "Slovenska Krv", band got signed by German Wolfcult/Solistitium Records, who've also released the upcoming album/compilation "Tragom Hromoga Vuka", containing demo recordings and 2 new tracks. Winter '03/'04, "Zakon Velesa", 3rd full-length album was recorded and released few months after. This marks the end of cooperation with Solistitium Records. Not long after that, band had the recording of their first EP "Čujete li, smeju nam se mrtvi…" done and made a deal for its release on now-defunct Czech label Eclipse Productions.

Until then, band was seen live by audiences on some European festivals and during the occasional mini-tours, as well as in front of their homeland's auditorium.

It was in 2005 when band got signed by Folter Records from Berlin/Germany, who releases their 4th full-length material "Magla". Now starting to be fully recognized internationally band had some of the most successful mini-tours following the release and also high rating in written and internet media. Soon after that, re-pressing of debut record on Serbian label Grom Records, this time with different artwork, different album name, two bonus songs and a video was released. In spring '08 band entered the studio again to record 4 songs for its first 10" mini LP entitled "Old Wounds Bleed Misanthropy". Two old songs were re-recorded, as well as some cover versions of Slayer and Master's Hammer. It was later released on Diabolist Services Cult from Washington, US.

5th full-length album "Umro" was released in mid 2009 followed by short German mini-tour with Lugubre. At the same time, two more songs were recorded and used for a release of split 7" EP with Italian band Kult entitled "The Ancestral Alliance". A year later, massive European tour with Romanian band Negura Bunget followed.

A new chapter of European darkness, titled "Golet", presents THE STONE's strongest and most mature expression up to date and was out September 15th 2011 on Folter Records. Source Metal Arquives.

facebook.thestonehorde

THE STONE SET TO TOUR WITH ISVIND

Black Metallers THE STONE are set to join ISVIND on the road in September as the Norwegians embark on one of their rare tours. Routing for the seven-day “Through Dark Waters and Barren Earth” tour is as follows:

Sun 09 – Gloppe, Leeuwarden, NL

Mon 10 – TBA

Tue 11 – Marx, Hamburg, DE

Wed 12 – Zuckerfabrick, Rostock, DE

Thu 13 – K17, Berlin, DE

Fri 14 - Klex, Greifswald, DE

Sat 15 – Morion, Stettin, PL

Formed in Belgrade, Serbia, under the name STONE TO FLESH in 1996, THE STONE has, since its inception, grown to become an internationally recognized Black Metal band with a plethora of releases, tours, festivals and live appearances under its belt. THE STONE’s first full length album “Some Wounds Bleed Forever” appeared on CCP records in 2000 and was followed by several more releases before the band came to the attention of the cult German label Folter Records in 2006. In a move that was to bring THE STONE to the attention of fans world-wide, Folter released the band’s fourth full length album “Magla”.

Over the next few years there were releases and re-release of more material in different formats, including the “Live Curse from the East”DVD, but essentially THE STONE spent this time building on the success of “Magla” and becoming more and more familiar to concert goers thanks to their dynamic live performances. 2009 saw the release of the band’s fifth full length album “Umro” on Folter Records, and their sixth full length album“Golet” appeared in late 2011, once again on Folter Records and showed the band at its most mature and skilled to date, with praise being heaped on the album from journalists and fans alike. THE STONE’s current lineup comprises Nefas on Vocals, Kozeljnik and Demonetras on Guitars, L.G. on Drums and Usud on Bass Guitar.

Seven tracks spanning the history of the STONE can be heard below.

The official video for the track "Nikad Bliži Smrti" from the“Golet” album can be seen below.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Website: www.thestonehorde.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thestonehorde

SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/thestonehorde 

ReverbNation: www.reverbnation.com/thestonehorde

MySpace: www.myspace.com/thestonehorde

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TheStoneOfficial

Band Contact and Booking: band@thestonehorde.com 

Management, PR and Booking: patriciathomas@btinternet.com

Folter Records: folter.rec@snafu.de

THE STONE official video for "Nikad Blizi Smrti"

Serbs Black Metallers "The Stone" just uploaded a new Official video for song "Nikad Blizi Smrti" taken of 6th full-length album "Golet" recorded, mixed and mastered at Hellsound studio in July 2011 and  released by Folter Records. "Nikad Blizi Smrti" in english "Never Closer to Death", is a mix of live footage taken during the "Ominous Doctrines Over Europe 2011" tour with Inquisition, Revenge and Corpus Christii and can be seen below.

General Manager
Patricia Thomas Band Management - patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Website
thestonehorde.com | reverbnation.thestonehorde | facebook.thestonehorde | soundcloud.thestonehorde
Press Contact or Booking Agent
band@thestonehorde.com & patriciathomas@btinternet.com

More info about The Stone

HeavyHardMetalmania.The Stone 

THE STONE's "Golet" A New Chapter of European Darkness

The Stone
Country of origin:Serbia
Location:Belgrade
Status:Active
Year of creation:2001
Genre:Black Metal
Lyrical themes:Nihilism, Death, Misanthropy
Current label:Folter Records

                                                                                                                                     Photography by Vladimir Zecevic 

Unveiled Evil [demo]

Release Date:1998

Label:Demonion Productions

Length:28:59
Synopsis
Two demo recordings released on one tape entitled "Unveiled Evil".

"Killed by the Sun" [demo '98]
1. My Demonic Face | 2. I am Immortal | 3. Killed by the Sun

"Serbian Woods" [demo '97]
4. Serbian Wood | 5. Morana | 6. Pagan Land | 7. Vihor paganske osvete

Some Wounds Bleed Forever
Release Date:2000
Label:CCP Records

Length:34:12
Synopsis
1st full-length album.
Released under the band name Stone to Flesh.

Tracklist:
1. Unveiled Evil | 2. Some Wounds Bleed Forever | 3. Za korak paklu bliže | 4. Serbian Wood
5. My Demonic Face | 6. Razor Speed | 7. Neke rane krvare večno | 8. Gods Of Perversity

Slovenska Krv

Release Date:2002

Label:Wolfcult/Solistitium Records [CD]; Folter Records [LP]

Length:41:03Synopsis

2nd full-length album.

Recorded and mixed at Kazablanka studio, April 2002.

Vynil version released by Folter Records, limited to 500 copies. 

Tracklist:

1. Za kosti otaca! | 2. Ustaj mati zemljo! | 3. Dabog | 4. Bogovi od srebra | 5. U kamenu

6. Lešinari raširili krila | 7. Pevalo hiljadu mačeva | 8. Knez visokih šuma

  THE STONE - Knez viskokih suma 

Tragom Hromoga Vuka [compilation]
Release Date:2003
Label:Wolfcult/Solistitium Records
Length:41:05
Synopsis
Compilation of previously released material (first two demo recordings) and 2 new tracks.

LP version soon to be released by Folter Records.

Tracklist:

1. Neba nigde nema | 2. Tragom hromoga vuka | 3. My Demonic Face | 4. I am Immortal
5. Killed By The Sun | 6. Serbian Wood | 7. Morana | 8. Pagan Land | 9. Vihor paganske osvete

Čujete li, smeju nam se mrtvi... [EP]

Release Date:2004

Label:Eclipse Productions
Length:11:31
Synopsis
Recorded at Kazablanka studio, May 2004.
Released by Eclipse Prod. (nowadays Long Ago Records).
Limited to 500 copies.

Zakon Velesa

Release Date:2004

Label:Solistitium Records [CD]; Folter Records [LP]
Length:42:55
Synopsis
3rd full-length album.
Recorded at Kazablanka studio, winter 2003/2004.

Vinyl version released by Folter Records, limited to 333 copies. 

Tracklist:

1. Prividjenja | 2. Noćas nikog nema pred dverima Nava | 3. Svaroži krug | 4. Zakon Velesa
5. Mater Slava | 6. 1168. (Sivi oblak stao nad Arkonom)


  THE STONE - Nocas nikog nema pred dverima Nava

Magla

Release Date:2006

Label:Folter Records
Length:44:03
Synopsis
4th full-length album.

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Kazablanka studio, winter 2005/2006.

Tracklist:

1. Magla | 2. Zavet oca Arija | 3. Zakon sile, trijumf smrti | 4. Dok se bliži propast neizbežna
5. Pomor / Tihe pesme hora mrtvih | 6. Mesečev zrak


  THE STONE - Dok se blizi propast neizbezna

Neke Rane Krvare Večno [compilation]

Release Date:2007

Label:Grom Records
Length:45:43
Synopsis

Re-pressing of the debut album with new artwork, including 2 bonus tracks (taken from "Čujete li, smeju nam se mrtvi..." EP) and a live video. Vinyl version released on Fog of the Apocalypse Records, limited to 500 copies.

Tracklist:

1. Unveiled Evil | 2. Some Wounds Bleed Forever | 3. Za korak paklu bliže | 4. Serbian Woods
5. My Demonic Face | 6. Razor Speed | 7. Neke rane krvare večno | 8. Gods Of Perversity
9. Ja sam tvoja smrt iznenadna* | 10. Čujete li, smeju nam se mrtvi...*


  THE STONE - Neke rane krvare vecno 

The Stone/Inferno [split EP]

Release Date:2007

Label:Undercover Records
Synopsis
Split release with Czech band Inferno.
Recorded live at "United Slavic Swords Festival" Vol. I, in Belgrade (Serbia).

Umro

Release Date:2009

Label:Folter Records
Length:52:42
Synopsis
5th full-length album.

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Draft studio, winter 2008/2009.

Tracklist:

1. Umro | 2. Zlo je uvek korak ispred | 3. Krvav ceo, nigde nijedne rane | 4. Prst na obaraču
5. Jesti srca ljudi | 6. Sam krenuo smrt svoju da nađe | 7. ...u smrti | 8. Kralj je umro


  THE STONE - Umro 

The Ancestral Alliance [EP]

Release Date:2009

Label:Slava Satan Records
Length:10:44
Synopsis
Split release with Italian band Kult.

Limited to 250 copies. Available in 3 different versions: 50 copies on splatter vinyl; 50 boxes incl. t-shirt and EP; 150 copies on black vinyl.

Old Wounds Bleed Misanthropy [MLP]


Release Date:2010
Label:Diabolist Services
Synopsis
Recorded in 2008, during "Umro" recording session, includes two tracks from the first album, now re-recorded and two cover versions of Slayer and Master's Hammer. Limited to 500 hand numbered copies. First 100 copies come as a "Die Hard" version, including special printed parchment paper, embroidered patch with band logo and pin.






Tracklist:
1. Za korak paklu bliže (2008 version) | 2. Vihor paganske osvete (2008 version)
3. Aggressive Perfector (Slayer cover) | 4. Jama Pekel (Master's Hammer cover)

Golet


Release Date:2011
Label:Folter Records
Length:57:55
Synopsis
6th full-length album.
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Hellsound studio, July 2011.
Tracklist:


1. Sekao duboko, zakopao plitko | 2. All Graves Gaping Wide | 3. Nikad bliži smrti | 4. Golet
5. Darkness Shatters Me Towards the Dead | 6. Pred licem novog boga
7. Barren Earth in Cold Death's Hands | 8. Humke






  THE STONE - Sekao duboko, zakopao plitko 

Members

Kozeljnik Guitars (2001-present)
See also: Kozeljnik, May Result, ex-Disfigured, ex-Stone to Flesh
Nefas Vocals (2001-2006, 2011-present), Vocals (only studio) (2006-2011)
See also: ex-Stone to Flesh, ex-May Result
Demonetras Guitars (2004-present)
See also: Besomar, May Result, Самрт, Kozeljnik (live), ex-Stone to Flesh, ex-Bane (live)
L.G. Drums (2007-present)
See also: Dead Shell of Universe, Kozeljnik, May Result, ex-Mor, ex-Zaklan

Past Members

Ilija Vasiljevic Drums (2001-2003)
See also: ex-Stone to Flesh, ex-May Result
Urok Keyboards (2001-2011)
See also: May Result, ex-Stone to Flesh, ex-Самрт
Dušan "Blizzard" Guitars (2002-2004)
See also: May Result, ex-Kozeljnik (live), ex-Stone to Flesh
Aksinomantijan Drums (2003-2006)
See also: ex-Posmrtna Liturgija, ex-In Cold Silence, ex-Zaklan
Zoran "Ved" Dragojevic Drums (2006-2007)
See also: Infest, Simargal, Vehementer, ex-Inumbro, ex-Necrophiliacs Terror, ex-Bane, ex-May Result, ex-In Cold Silence
Glad Vocals (additional) (2006-2011)
See also: May Result


Live Musicians
Current
Usud Bass (2011-present)
See also: Kozeljnik (live), ex-Zaklan, ex-Raw Gore, ex-Posmrtna Liturgija, ex-Triumfall, ex-Navrog
Past
Demonetras Bass
See also: Besomar, May Result, Самрт, Kozeljnik (live), ex-Stone to Flesh, ex-Bane (live)
Urok Bass (2001-2011)
See also: May Result, ex-Stone to Flesh, ex-Самрт
Glad Vocals (lead) (2006-2011)

See also: May Result

General Manager
Patricia Thomas Band Management - patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Website
thestonehorde.com | reverbnation.thestonehorde | facebook.thestonehorde | soundcloud.thestonehorde
Press Contact or Booking Agent
band@thestonehorde.com & patriciathomas@btinternet.com