Reviews...

[Uphobia]

Post the reviews you bump into from 'Portals' in this thread, thanks!

[Uphobia]

http://menno.b10m.net/nb/ Not really a magazine, but a review nevertheless...

[brianwilliams82]

I found one somewhere. I'll have a look for it.

[brianwilliams82]

From metalforarainyday.com:

Detoantions second album is a fuckin sellout. An epic deifince was a brootal cd,fucking metal nd shit, this is just crap metalcore! Crappy clean choruses all over the place. The wors t song has gotta b into suplher I descend, sounds like killswitch enGAYge on there end of fartache album. And whats with the bowl job haircut’s and tight shirts? Otto llooks like a fuckin fruit!!!

In conclusion, this album suck’s dick.

[Nouk]

Right........

[MadTinus]

Hmm, I wonder who wrote that...

:D

[Uphobia]

Ghehehehe:D

[Uphobia]

For the people that speak Norwegian...

http://www.metal-norge.com/?action=omtaler&ID=1325

[MadTinus]

Originally posted by Uphobia
For the people that speak Norwegian...

http://www.metal-norge.com/?action=omtaler&ID=1325 And the translation :):

Detonation
"Portals to Uphobia", Album
(Osmose Productions 2005)
Melodic Death Metal
Playtime: 43:57

7/10

Detonation is a band I've followed since early 2000 when they sent me their first EP. Back then they played promising melodic death metal, but it has taken many years to develop the style to something special.
Even if they don't do anything revolutionary on this second full-lenght album on Osmose, with exception of a flamenco part which I will tell you more about later, the band has become more and more interesting because of their technical skills.

I can feel the smell of the Gothenburg-metal already in the opening riff of "Into Sulphur I Descend", but as long as it's done properly, it's a good sign. And if the band earlier has been labeled as another version of Dark Tranquillity from the "The Gallery" and "The Mind's I" era, then this album won't make that label any less. The band succeeds their Swedish colleagues, and it's very guitar based, at the same time as it's quite aggressive. It's the guitarwork that sticks out the most in the sound picture, it's technical and very well played, both with creative melodylines and some solowork.

The vocal is well performed for its genre, and if they work a bit more on the drums and rhythmwork, this will be a good combination for Detonation. The most original and interesting part on this album can be found on the instrumental "Lost Euphoria Part III" where they mix metal with a small flamenco guitar. It actually sounds awesome.

Detonations debut album "An Epic Defiance" from 2003 was also quite good, but this album is a bit better. It's looking promising for the future of the Gothenburg-metal - though, from the Netherlands in this case.

[MadTinus]

Anozzer review:

http://www.gothmetal.net/article/articleview/874/1/131

[Uphobia]

http://www.ancientspirit.de/reviews/cdreview/d/detonation2.htm

Another German review.

[MadTinus]

I just discovered Portals was reviewed already weeks ago in the very magazine I write for... :rolleyes:

http://www.imhotep.fi/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=934&Itemid=75&lang=en

[brianwilliams82]

Without having yet heard the album, I think that review makes a great point about the current scene. You really have to be super-original (correct use of the hypen?) or have a massive promotional machine behind you to make a dent in today's metal scene. There's just way too much stuff out there, and great bands like Detonation only get a small cult following. I really hope that'll change, but unless there's a jump to Nuclear Blast or some similarly big label.....









*Cue Koen's suicide*

[Uphobia]

Without having yet heard the album, I think that review makes a great point about the current scene. You really have to be super-original (correct use of the hypen?) or have a massive promotional machine behind you to make a dent in today's metal scene. There's just way too much stuff out there, and great bands like Detonation only get a small cult following. I really hope that'll change, but unless there's a jump to Nuclear Blast or some similarly big label.....









*Cue Koen's suicide*

It makes sense what you're saying...we know, especially after the last recent shows, that we have to tour our asses off to get our music out there. But I'm very confident in this album, no matter what some reviewers might say about it, doesn't hurt me. I know that there are more than enough people out there that will like our stuff, they just have to get in contact with our music one way or another. :dj:

[Uphobia]

http://www.geocities.com/behind_the_veil2001/autumn_frames.html

New review...

[Blizzard_Beast]

Hi Brian, I read the Terrorizer review in a HMV branch in London (I was in London from Thursday until today), not a bad review, but 6/10, ah well..

I personally never go on what Terrorizer says.

[Beardy]

Terrorizer's reviews can be very strange sometimes anyway. For example they reviewed my mate's band (Nailed) not so long ago and the review was very complimentary about the album and said it was definitely one for people who were sick of 'typical' death metal to pick up... but then 'only' gave it 6.5/10 :emot-ques

[MadTinus]

Very good review, in Dutch: http://www.zwaremetalen.com/recensie/4905.html

[WhoCares]

Finally got one over on the Sex to 9 website (third one down the page atm...)

http://www.sexto9.com/index.php?item=favorites

[MadTinus]

Finally got one over on the Sex to 9 website (third one down the page atm...)

http://www.sexto9.com/index.php?item=favoritesGreat, thanks! :emot-drun

[Metal Baron]

Nice one!

[MadTinus]

Another review, from Lords Of Metal:

- English version (http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=6370&lang=en)
- Dutch version (http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=6370)

[n.velli]

tsekit out: http://www.imhotep.fi/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=934&Itemid=75&lang=en

[MadTinus]

tsekit out: http://www.imhotep.fi/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=934&Itemid=75&lang=enThanks, but we already knew that one:I just discovered Portals was reviewed already weeks ago in the very magazine I write for... :rolleyes:

http://www.imhotep.fi/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=934&Itemid=75&lang=en

[Metal Baron]

http://www.vs-webzine.com/ind.php?act=kread_comment-first.php&id_news=5221&actdroite=kmenunew-first.php

[Reincremation]

http://www.metalreview.com/viewreview.aspx?ID=2092

[Uphobia]

Nice one! Thanks a lot!

[MadTinus]

Great review, thread merged with original review thread :).

[Metal Baron]

Hehe, metalreview is getting us a lot of visitors, 11 links links today!

[MadTinus]

Wieder ein neue Review: http://www.roarezine.com/?reviews&read=746

[MadTinus]

Did we know this one already: http://www.bright-eyes.de/baseportal/CDs/kritikendetail&Id==6672

[Metal Baron]

And:

http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=2838

http://www.666metal.com/reviews/showreview.cfm?albID=4153&visitor=0

[MadTinus]

http://www.666metal.com/reviews/showreview.cfm?albID=4153&visitor=0I was first introduced to Detonation a few years ago with a cover of a Dark Tranquillity track...When the hell did you play, let alone record, a cover of a Dark Tranquillity track...? Maybe he means the At The Gates cover..?

[Metal Baron]

Hehe, yeah, Thomas is almost as good as the Marduk drummer :D

[MadTinus]

The new Marduk drummer's pretty good honestly.

[MadTinus]

New review, Rockezine.com: http://www.rockezine.com/asp/rez_areview.asp?ID=2306&review=Detonation - Portals To Uphobia

Yet another good one! 9/10 :)

[Metal Baron]

Ah, didn't hear their new drummer yet I think.

[Metal Baron]

Anybody speaks Suomi?

http://www.firebox.fi/?page=tuote&pid=3034

[Choronzon]

Ah, didn't hear their new drummer yet I think.

Emil Dragutinovic, he's also in Swedish black metal band The Legion, on Listenable Records.

[MadTinus]

Emil Dragutinovic, he's also in Swedish black metal band The Legion, on Listenable Records.I was under the impression Emil left The Legion (already before the recordings of their album) to join Marduk.

[Uphobia]

On topic!! Only reviews in this thread ;)

[Beardy]

Here's the one from www.live4metal.com (http://www.live4metal.com/reviews-349.htm):

Detonation – Portals of Uphobia (Osmose) review by Chris Davison.
…and lo, from the Netherlands came a death/thrash hybrid band named Detonation, and they plied their wares on an unsuspecting metal public. This little known (to me at least) four piece band from Holland have produced this, their second full length album on the backing of well known French label Osmose. A label principally known for their black metal productions, Osmose are clearly branching out with quality products with this band.
Calling them a death / thrash outfit of course is bound to bring to mind the music of Sweden, but in this case it’s not quite as you would expect. Yes, there’s more than a hint of the Gothenburg sound here, and you’d be daft not to admit it, but there is more to this lot
than your usual At The Gates worship (as an aside, if my surname was Bjorler, I’d be suing every floppy fringed metalcore pussy on copyright grounds right about now), as the ferocious, melodic metal is also tinged with some excellent angular, progressive touches. The guitar playing of Koen Romenjin and Mike Ferguson is without reproach, complete with *gasp* proper metal solos (still an endangered species), and the rhythm section of Otto Schimmelpennick (bless you) (which I imagine is worth a fuck load at Scrabble) on bass and Thomas Kalksma on drums are as tight as any you will hear this year.
The song writing is for the most part as well developed as the playing, if occasionally a chorus or a verse sounds a little derivative. The progressive nuances mentioned earlier are welcome breaks, which help to distinguish the music of Detonation from the 62763763783 other Gothenburg influenced bands which are releasing albums this month. To their credit, tracks like the stunning “Structural Deceit” complete with the instrumental break lift this from the mundane to the good, and you can rest assured that the CD won’t be tossed on the rack next to all your other In Flames lite releases. Indeed, in terms of musical influences, it would be fair to say that Detonation remind me much more of mid period Dark Tranquillity, albeit that the guitar solos are much more in a traditional metal vein (and I mean that as a compliment).
Sure, this release isn’t likely to set the metal charts alight, see Detonation cascading into the first division of metal or pick up any awards, but it is a good, solid release that the boys can be rightfully proud of. I’d personally like to see the band take the last step and fully explore their own sound on their next release, but until then, this will do nicely.
http://detonation.wingsofdeath.nu

[MadTinus]

Live4Metal sounds familiar somehow, but I don't remember reading this review. Good one though, thanks Beardy!

[¢HÅا]

Is there any bad ones ? :D

[MadTinus]

Is there any bad ones ? :DNot many until now, honestly! Just 2 or 3.. (that we know of) and they weren't even that bad, just 6/10 or something.

[Skinbasher Kaks]

You should check our review at voices from the darkside, the guy thinks us crap!

[MadTinus]

DETONATION
Portals To Uphobia
(Osmose Productions)
43:57min

Oh no… DETONATION again! I forgot about them since the time I reviewed their first full length but here they are, presenting the result of their “fruitful” creative process. The good thing with an album like “Portals To Uphobia” (nice artsy title, bravo!) is that the first track gives the clue of what is to come and clearly sums up the whole affair. You know at once what to expect and that no surprise will disturb the more than 40 minutes long musical diarrhoea inflicted by this Dutch bunch. The main problem with DETONATION is that they don’t know how to compose an actual song: every track here is a mere artificial juxtaposition of riffs without any direction and purpose. In the end “Portals To Uphobia” gives the impression of a long track truncated by blanks scattered at random. Needless to say then that the sub standard neo-extreme Metal in the vein of ARCH ENEMY that DETONATION play could induce a sick state of stupor in a very short time. Even the Photoshop cover art (mandatory these days to give an impression of artistic sensibility and intellectual sophistication) reflects the abysmal banality offered by this band. If you are an adept of melodic “extreme” (read: politically correct, clean and harmless) Metal (Plastic?), give this one a listen, maybe you can find something of interest in it after all. I would like also to mention the production, dynamic but very dry and “noisy”, I know the younger among us refer to this type of sound as very good; I simply can’t stand it myself, and it contributed to the ripping headache this record caused to me.

Edouard Vergriete
Pff, what an idiot and he didn't even 'hate' AED that much, his review of that one was actually pretty OK... Odd.

[Uphobia]

http://cp05.ionhosting.com/~joelh/detonationreviews.htm#portals
Aother astonishing US review.

[Nouk]

Well he's a bit of an aggressive lad, now ain't he?? ;)

[MadTinus]

Keep 'em coming! :)

[Metal Baron]

Live4Metal sounds familiar somehow, but I don't remember reading this review. Good one though, thanks Beardy!

Probably because we were reviewed by a mag names Metal 4 life before :D

[MadTinus]

Probably because we were reviewed by a mag names Metal 4 life before :DGuess that's it yeah! :)

[MadTinus]

Once more a buncha new ones...

http://www.thegauntlet.com/album-reviews/1348/1430/Detonation.html

http://www.whiplashtv.com/reviews/detonation.html

http://www.thedarkesthours.com/reviews/testreview.php?id=1474

http://www.musik.terrorverlag.de/musik/rezensionen/index.php?select_cd=2866&kategorie=metal

[Nien]

http://www.whiplashtv.com/reviews/detonation.html



'Tom Kalksma' :lol:

[MadTinus]

This could also be seen as a review: http://cgi.ebay.com/DETONATION-Portals-To-Uph-BRANDNEW-Metal-digi-CD_W0QQitemZ4784827149QQcategoryZ307QQssPageNameZW DVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem :)

[Uphobia]

Review of last Saturday's gig (http://www.vampire-magazine.com/concert_reviews/callenish_circle_and_detonation/40014_callenish_circle_and_detonation_29102005_ed_ roccos_geleenthe_netherlands.html).

[MadTinus]

I made this thread into a general Detonation reviews thread :). Oh, and your signature's a bit outdated Koen ;).

[Uphobia]

Oops...got it!

[MadTinus]

Another review, by moi, from www.HMAS.org

http://forums.hmas.org/showthread.php?t=10663We thank you Stefan! :)

[Uphobia]

http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/archives/2005_11_01_index.html

[Uphobia]

Legacy review:

DETONATION „Portals to Uphobia“ (Osmose/Twilight)
„Set the highest Standard“ proklamieren DETONATION im CD-Opener ‚Into Sulphur I Descend’. Sicherlich ist dieses Zitat aus dem textlichen Kontext gerissen, dennoch habe ich das Gefühl, die Band hat es sich als Credo auf ihre Fahnen geschrieben. Death/Thrash Metal findet sich auf „Portals Of Uphobia“, allerdings auf einem dermaßen hohen Niveau, dass so manche Szene-Größe vor Scham im Erdboden versinken müsste. Das Album sprüht nur so vor Spielwitz, Power und Emotion. Dabei legt die Band viel Wert auf Eingängigkeit und starke Hooklines, ohne jedoch den aggressiven Grundton zu verlieren. Und obwohl man meist im Highspeed-Bereich agiert, macht man auch im Midtempo (‚Chaos Banished’) und bei außergewöhnlichen Instrumentals, wie dem mit Flamenco-Gitarren veredelten ‚Lost Euphoria Part III’, eine ausgesprochen gute Figur. Für Begeisterung sorgt zudem die begnadete Gitarrenarbeit, die ungemein abwechslungsreich ist und sowohl fettestes Riffing als auch viele feine Melodien und Soli zutage fördert. Als groben Vergleich würde ich mal Soilwork zu „A Predator’s Portrait“-Zeiten anführen, jedoch sind DETONATION zum einen brutaler und zum anderen melodischer, also in allen Belangen extremer. Neben Biomechanical für mich die beste Neuentdeckung der letzten Monate. Würde ich verdammt gerne mal auf einer gemeinsamen Tour sehen. (MAW)

13 Punkte - LEGACY

[MadTinus]

Great review with no mention of Dark Tranquillity, amazing! ;)

[MadTinus]

Review on DigitalMetal.com (http://www.digitalmetal.com/reviews.asp?cid=6936), once again, a good one :).

[brianwilliams82]

Good one.

I reckon that DigitalMetal and Blabbermouth are probably the 2 most important sites to get reviews on. PTU has gotten good reviews on both. Although some of the Blabbermouth comments were immensely retarded. :/

Ordered the cd from the US btw, should get it next week. If the postal service doesn't strike again...

[MadTinus]

Yeah, DigitalMetal is good and well-respected!

So you'll probably have a booklet without text/lyrics, let us know when you get it..

[Uphobia]

Another good review...this one is very typical and honest I think.

http://www.eternitymagazin.de/sites/reviews/reviews.php

[Uphobia]

http://www.blooddawn.de/reviews.php3?showID=2071&sort=2&filter=D&view=

4.5/5 good score, cool review...in German.

[MadTinus]

http://www.blooddawn.de/reviews.php3?showID=2071&sort=2&filter=D&view=

4.5/5 good score, cool review...in German."hochgeschwindigkeitsorientierten", nice word for galgje :D.

[Uphobia]

I was thinking of Scrabble actually ;)

[Uphobia]

New Dutch review...
http://www.blackfuel.nl/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=565

[Alexandra]

http://www.u-zine.net/chronique.php?id=341*
good review, refering only 6 times to DT, once to IF and once to At the Gates - LOL
The best song is Solitude Reflected, BUT too much in the veins of... :D
* ... in french

[Uphobia]

....unbelievable how people continue with these comparisons. It doesn't make any sense anymore.

[MadTinus]

We knew that review already I think..

[Alexandra]

... did not find it yet, anyway : 8/10

[Metal Baron]

Didn't look familiar to me? Thanks for posting.

[Uphobia]

http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=9097

This one is new for sure...

[MadTinus]

A Lithuanian review, we surely didn't have that one! :)

http://www.ferrum.lt/?page=albumai&id=197

[Metal Baron]

Nice ones!

[Alexandra]

http://www.lolart.net/metalfrance.lolart.net/chronique_cd-1001.html
4/5

http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/album-groupe-Detonation-nom_album-Portals_to_Uphobia-l-fr.html
16/20

http://www.metal-impact.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=1129
3.5/5

[PyroVesten]

There's a review in the latest issue of Unrestrained! Magazine. 7/10. If I get a copy I'll scan it and edit it into this post..or if anyone wants to order it for themselves, it's here for $5US: http://shopping.theendrecords.com/s.nl/sc.8/category.21/it.A/id.10842/.f

[Uphobia]

Another eye-catching review :FIREdevil

http://www.darksoul7.com/cgi-bin/cd_reviews.cgi?id=165&page=%204

[MadTinus]

Great review, but I think we already knew this one..?

[Uphobia]

So what? :p

[Uphobia]

From American 'zine Maximum Metal: :devil:

The Swedish melodic death metal scene has become oversaturated and stale for awhile now. Unfortunately, Detonation is probably one of those bands that are overlooked because of this. Standing out as a promising young band from Holland with the well received debut 'An Epic Defiance' Detonation was ready to make an impact. Now after 3 years of ups and downs for the band what significance would they have and could they surpass the accomplishments they made with their debut?

Not only does 'Portals To Uphobia' surpass the debut but it takes monumental strides to say perfection. Instead of wasting time with trends and becoming popular, they must have spent time on what really matters, the constant improvement and development of their own sound. The contrast between albums shows you how hard they have been working, most bands don't show this much improvement until the 3rd or 4th album, if ever.

Right off the bat 'Into Sulphur I Descend' unleashes a furious drum and vocal assault that grabs your attention and then bam
the smoothest transition to melodic guitar and drums. Followed by a build up of aggressive riffs and the rage filled vocals of Koen that grabbed you to begin with. That is just this first song, the title track and 'Structural Deceit' push the intensity level off the scale. 'Lost Uphoria Pt III' is the only instrumental track here and not only is it good but the use of Spanish guitar is incredible. With the tension lightened for a moment, 'The Loss Of Motion Control' kicks it right back into high gear for the remainder of the album. Including album highlights 'Solitude Reflected' and 'The Source To Delve'. The fluid guitar skills of Koen and Mike mesh so well with the talents of drummer Thomas and bassist Otto to create some of the most intense and passionate songs I've heard.

Detonation seems to be built from an old school vibe, not to say copying but influenced by the likes of Paradise Lost, Dark Tranquillity and a hint of Opeth. Mix that with the complex song structures, hooks, melodies and the sheer talent of the band displayed here sets a stage tough for anyone to beat. 'Portals To Uphobia' is certainly an offering that will bring focus back to the melodic death metal scene and is one of the best albums offered in 2005. Now the question is can they top this?

--1evil1

[PyroVesten]

From Unrestrained! Magazine issue #29:

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9479/detonationunrestrained29review.png

[MadTinus]

One I didn't know yet: http://www.blackangelpromotions.com/detonation.html

[MadTinus]

New reviews still pop up occasionally: http://www.lambgoat.com/albums/view.aspx?id=1960

Good one again.

[Beardy]

There'll be another review to post after the UK tour... so you'd best be good in Manchester ;) :lol:

[Metal Baron]

Quite a nice review indeed, hope this will help stimulate US sales a bit..

[Uphobia]

http://www.apeshit.org/main.php?cat=2&p=1776
http://www.sonosmetallicos.net/arvostelut.php?action=show&id=1358
http://www.ferrum.lt/?page=albumai&id=197
http://www.flexyourhead.net/review_display.php?id=1155
http://www.adnoctum.de/reviews/reviews_detonation2.html
http://www.digitalmetal.com/reviews.asp?cid=6936
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42063.asp

A couple of new ones...

[Nouk]

Who!! You have been busy ;)

[MadTinus]

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42063.asp"Bella Online, the Voice of Women" :begdn6:

[Nouk]

You think that's funny???????????????????????????????? ;)

[MadTinus]

For a place to find extreme Metal reviews..? Yes! :)

[Nouk]

"extreme metal" :emot-LMAO

[Uphobia]

http://www.legendsmagazine.net/154/deton.htm

Found another cool 'Portals' review...check it out.

[MadTinus]

Hadn't seen this one yet: http://archaicmetallurgy.com/review.php?rid=356

Good one!

[Metal Baron]

Hmm, I'm quite sure I knew that one already, it's not on the site though, so will do an update :)

[MadTinus]

Hmm, I'm quite sure I knew that one already, it's not on the site though, so will do an update :)The link was posted in the guestbook, maybe that's were you knew it from.