“Well okay, this is kind of cute. A power metal band that’s taken a skin-deep Lewis Carroll reference and run with it like the dickens. Adding to Mad Hatter’s adorability factor is its press sheet proclaiming that “The band produces high-quality power metal.” SOLD. This is all cause for some caution, but these guys are also Swedish, and Swede-power draws me like a moth to a flame — even when the bad stuff burns me (hello, Stormhold).” Mushrooms, madness and haberdashery.
“Boy, does Noctem bring back memories. Back in 2014, Exilium was one of the better albums I reviewed. A lot of this had to do with the fact that I was a n00b in 2014 (Exilium being one of the first reviews I ever wrote for AMG). But, even so, it stuck with me for the rest of the year. So, you can imagine the excitement and nostalgia I felt when this newest album, Haeresis, showed up in my inbox.” Reflections of a semi-former n00b.
“I’ve been listening to a LOT of Blackened Death Metal lately and I have to say the whole “symphonic black/death” style is really sinking its teeth into the genre. I’m not condemning it, but sometimes these symphonic elements can easily be overdone. Septicflesh is a good example of the sort of over-the-top delivery to be had with their dark, symphonic landscapes. Though I’ve become quite a fan of theirs, their shit is literally dripping with orchestration. As expected, a clear line was been drawn between those that dig these metal movie soundtracks and those that don’t.” Is Noctem the new Septicflesh? Is Septicflesh the new black? All things will be revealed after you listen to your free U2 album.
