Warlord – Free Spirit Soar Review

Warlord – Free Spirit Soar Review

“And the cannons of destruction have begun… anew! Long ago in a very different time, guitarist Bill Tsamis and drummer Mark Zonder (later to become a member of Fates Warning) joined forces tro create a new heavy metal project. Warlord was a little band with a huge potential, and their early demos quickly caught the attention of Metal Blade Records. Their 1983 Deliver Us EP made an impression on the scene, offering regal, semi-progressive American power metal with hooks, pomp, and polish. Despite the promising start, lineup issues and the odd decision to use a live performance recorded and filmed in an empty theater as their full-length debut hurt their momentum. And though And the Cannons of Destruction Have Begun… was a solid piece of 80s metal with some major high points, it gained limited traction and left a confused public wondering what to make of it. Further lineup issues quickly undermined the band’s resolve and Warlord came to an ignoble end all too soon. The band’s cult mystique endured however.” Return of the Warlord!

Riot V – Mean Streets Review

Riot V – Mean Streets Review

“The seals have hit the beach once again and a new Riot V opus is upon us. New York’s longest-running metal act are back with their third album under the modified Riot V moniker after the death of founding guitarist Mark Reale in 2012. Following 2018s Armor of Light, Mean Streets keeps the same lineup intact and continues more or less in the same classic Riot direction with a sound walking the line between hard rock, heavy and power metal with a decidedly retro charm and sensibility undergirding much of what they do.” The Art of the Seal.

Wheel – Charismatic Leaders Review

Wheel – Charismatic Leaders Review

“Never one to shy away from political themes, Wheel has taken to a theme rather than a full-blown concept with Charismatic Leaders, decrying populism and the cult of personality across 6 tracks and an interlude. In the band’s own words, this is intended as their metal album, the heavier, angrier version of the predecessors.” The Wheel of idealogy.

Aquilus – Bellum II Review

Aquilus – Bellum II Review

Aquilus occupies a place of special importance in my music collection. One or two exceptions aside, 2011’s Griseus and 2021’s Bellum I offer the best fusions of symphonic music and heavy metal that I’ve heard. Now in 2024 Bellum II completes the puzzle started by its predecessor. A gap of just 2.5 years, compared with 10 years, is far more digestible and strikes while the band remains fresh in my mind.” Another night at the symphony.

Flamekeeper – Flamekeeper Review

Flamekeeper – Flamekeeper Review

“We’ve covered Flamekeeper mastermind Marco S. before, under his blackened death metal project Demonomancy. It stands to reason, then, that Marco knows what black metal sounds like, but there is almost no trace of it in Flamekeeper. An occasional dalliance with quicker gallops verifies some measure of power metal heritage as well, but at the core this music is tailor-made for raising swords and pumping chests in the traditional way—think less Morgul Blade and more Manowar.” Epic flames of burnt ciders?

Big|Brave – A Chaos of Flowers Review

Big|Brave – A Chaos of Flowers Review

“The Montreal trio has always offered what they coin “massive minimalism,” and A Chaos of Flowers represents its most minimalist offering. Big|Brave does away with earthshaking, mountainous compositions of drone riffs in favor of an evocative, simmering, and otherworldly experience.” Stop and kill the flowers.

Unearthly Rites – Ecdysis Review

Unearthly Rites – Ecdysis Review

Unearthly Rites are a new kid on the block in Finnish death metal, with only an EP to their name prior to the release of debut full-length, Ecdysis. Formed by scene vets with time spent in Sink, Hexhammer, and Fuck-Ushima, they bring plenty of experience to the party. What Unearthly Rites offer is a ghastly amalgamation of raw old school death, grind, and crust, curated and designed to cave in your face with the resulting unnatural sound profile.” Earth as mass grave.