Zero Nexus

Finland is a breeding ground for metal. I would even go as far to say as it has the best metal stock on Earth. One of the finest Finnish bands on offer at the moment is Shade Empire. Known as Hybrid Metal, Shade Empire creates an arrangement of brutal guitars, beautiful synth, bestial drums, complex bass and enchanting vocals. Shade Empire formed in 1999 in Kuopio, Finland and have thus far completed four albums; ‘Sinthetic’, ‘Slitwrist Ecstasy’, ‘Intoxicate OS’ and ‘Zero Nexus’. Thanks to Dynamic Arts Records, I have been given a promotional copy of their latest CD “Zero Nexus’ to review for Mystic Metal. So let’s get into it... 

9 In 1 - 04:39 - From the get go, it’s a metal onslaught. Brutal guitar work creates machine gun anthems. Sinister vocals tear through this track at boisterous levels. Harmonies allow you to breathe after clenching your fists from the angst driven speed of its drums. It’s atmospheric, yet brutal. The perfect combination to appease all metal fans.


Adam and Eve - 04:21 - A deathly introduction with pure Finnish bliss. Again we discover brutal guitars, grinding drums and a complementary synth. This track has an array of musical scopes. This perhaps defines the hybrid element. With femme backing vocals, it really creates an amazing atmosphere. It’s an awesome track.


Blood Colours The White - 04:15 - This track reveals an element of black metal. Accompanied by some electronica drum beats, it’s much like how you may expect the entry to the depths of hell to sound like. It’s eery, it’s dark, and it’s magnificent!


Flesh Relinquished - 04:49 - A delightfully heavy intro with a gorgeous, deathly, gurgling growl. We are soon again entwined within its brutal guitar work and morbid atmosphere. One of the things I really like about this band, is it isn’t overdone. It is totally in your face, but well comprised. And it is something that you could never get bored of. Each time you hear it, you discover more to it; like it’s sucking you deeper into its metal abyss.


Harvesters Of Death - 03:59 - Straight into this track we are hammered by astounding speeds and heavy, atmospheric contrasts. The synth is this track works really well. I am completely enraptured by its sinister, black element. Those well defined lyrical r’s that I love so much in Scandinavian bands is devouring. Horns up!


Serpent-Angel - 04:33 - Well I am packing my bags and moving to Finland people for I am smitten! In all seriousness, the music is tantalising. It caresses your senses and sends you into an amazing realm of angelic darkness; a dark abyss of prolific insanity.


Whisper From The Depths - 04:23 - With a mixture of both death and clean vocals this track is beautifully dark and hollow. It is captivating. I am losing myself within the music. It really manages to send you off into the distance. Forget daydreaming, this is a whole new blissful level of imagination. It is powerful, transcendent music.


Ecstasy Of Black Light - 04:11 - This track reminds me of a computer game where you smash your way through each room just slaughtering everyone and everything in your sight. Honestly, my imagination is on overload right now. I can’t sell this CD to you enough. It’s absolutely amazing!


Victory - 09:33 - Can she maintain some form of composure for this last and longest track off the CD you ask? Probably not! Haha.. We are lured into this track with atmospheric vocal harmonies only to be seduced by ravishing speeds of brutalising metal. It has such alluring background guitar melodies. There are so many different levels of musical composure within it. As I said before, you can listen to each track a million times and just find new things to tune into. It’s fantastic! There’s even a saxophone in this one. Most intriguing! And I can’t end without telling you at the end there it’s like an evil version of Golem!

In essence, Zero Nexus is an amazing album and I highly recommend it. It’s no secret that I worship Scandinavian metal, but I always make an effort to remain neutral with my reviews. In saying that their presentation is excellent and the artwork is pretty cool. The members look metal, they sound metal, they write metal, they display metal and this album is definitely pure fucking metal so get into it!

You can check out Shade Empire on Myspace HERE

And their official website HERE

All Shade Empire merchandise is available through their website and various tracks are available for download off their Myspace as well.

You can check out their label Dynamic Arts Records HERE