Not Metal

Henry Derek Elis – The Devil is My Friend [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By Steel Druhm on November 27, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Folk, Not Metal, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, Not Metal, 60 comments

“We don’t get many promos for dark Southern Gothic Americana, but The Devil is My Friend by Henry Derek Elis definitely qualifies as such. Over the years Mr. Elis has performed on various side projects with members of The Swans and Megadeth, as well as fronting his own thrash band called Act of Defiance. This is a very different kind of music however, mixing old timey southern music with modern interpretations thereof like the recent works of Tom Waits and Clutch. Add an ominous metallic sheen and a penchant for dark subject matter, and you wind up with something quite intriguing and entertaining.” Way South of Heaven.

Nancybreathing – Awake Review

By Master of Muppets on June 7, 2018 in 2018, Boersma Records, German Metal, Not Metal, Nu-metal, Reviews, Nu Metal, 143 comments

“Sometimes I only remember the days when I was young, yet nowadays no one else remembers when they were young and stupid. Sure, it’s kvlt and trendy to affect disdain or downright contempt for the genre, but Muppet sees your elitist bullshit and raises you one velvety middle finger: no one’s saying nü-metal was something to be proud of, but there’s a reason you all know how much it matters when one tries so hard and gets so far.” Nancy hates us.

Poly-Math – House of Wisdom | We are the Devil Review

By Kronos on April 23, 2018 in 2018, British Metal, Lonely Voyage Records, Not Metal, Post-Rock, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Non-metal Metal Things, Progressive Rock, 36 comments

“With the recent reunion of At the Drive-In, hopes have never been higher for a rekindling of the fire under the asses of Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala – a fire which produced the best prog rock albums of the 2000s. And given the rate at which Rodríguez-López currently produces LPs (about one a month for the past two years), it might not be long before there’s a new The Mars Volta album collecting saliva on turntables everywhere. But that doesn’t mean substitutes aren’t welcome.” We take whats we can gets.

Priest – New Flesh Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 28, 2017 in 2017, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Reviews, Electronica, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, 86 comments

“I rate low and hate high, I’m always unpleased and unsatisfied, and I have the tendency to review shit that no one wants. You know, like Fozzy and Wintersun. And you know the worst part about it? No matter how bad or ugly it gets, I hate to admit I kinda enjoy it. But, who in their right mind would grab the debut record from Priest—a band consisting of ex-Ghosts and as far back in leftfield as one can get? But, like that other Swedish band, they’re about as retro ’80s as it gets. It’s just that they play… ummm… synth-pop…” Somebody got your Ghost?

Biblical – The City That Always Sleeps Review

By Huck N Roll on September 29, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Tee Pee Records, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, 24 comments

“I spent the summer searching and searching for the next great retro album. I never found it. In fact, all year I’ve only found a half-dozen albums I’ve really liked (as in a 3.5 or higher), and none of those since June. That’s piss-poor and depressing. It’s like owning a black and white television. Well, I’m hoping to upgrade to a color TV eventually this year, so what better time to start looking than right now?” Baby bible steps.

The Living – The Living Review

By GardensTale on September 25, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Not Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Rock, Self-released, Post-Metal, Progressive Rock, 29 comments

“I know some of you, dear readers, feel a pang of annoyance every time we review an album that is barely metal or not at all. “Why are you reviewing this?” you ask. “This is Angry Metal Guy, not Perturbed Rock Person!” And you’re right, of course, but there’s several good reasons to review these cases anyway.” Are The Living out to rustle your jimmies?

BardSpec – Hydrogen Review

By Grymm on June 28, 2017 in 2017, By Norse Music, International Metal, Not Metal, Reviews, Ambient, Not Metal, 32 comments

“We here at Angry Metal Guy Unlimited Turbo Duo Deluxe Enterprises take pride in bringing you timely reviews of all things metal. That said, sometimes our heroes will go off the beaten path and create something that’s neither metal nor angry. For instance, Enslaved guitarist Ivar Bjørnson, looking to branch out into different streams of musical consciousness, has put down his guitar in favor of a MacBook. Yes, something ambient has been brewing in his awesome beard, and with the help of Today is the Day’s Steve Austin on guitar and effects, we have the debut BardSpec album, Hydrogen.” Mac attack.

O.R.k. – Soul of an Octopus Review

By Huck N Roll on February 27, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Australian Metal, Italian Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Progressive Rock, Rare Noise Records, Reviews, 16 comments

“It’s hard to go wrong when you pluck fruit off the King Crimson tree. The band’s branches extend far and wide throughout not only progressive rock, but metal as well (they go way further than that, but for the purposes of this site we’ll truncate things there). Those branches have influenced generations of musicians, some of whom have been lucky enough to collaborate with the band itself, or at least with various members. How does that relate to the oddly named O.R.k.?” The Lord of all Prog has been invoked and you must read. [This band has a connection to King Crimson. What else do you need to know, you philistines?]

John Garcia – The Coyote Who Spoke in Tongues Review

By Huck N Roll on January 24, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Napalm Records, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Reviews, Rock, Stoner Rock, 20 comments

“Have you ever gone camping, and that one friend brings his guitar to play songs around the fire? But the thing is, he can’t really play, he’s a shitty singer, and he only knows Bob Seger songs. You sit there saying to yourself, ‘I wish I was actually camping with rock legend John Garcia. That would be the best camping trip ever.’” Cold breeze, clean air….

Bill + Phil – Songs of Darkness and Despair Review

By GardensTale on January 14, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Housecore records, Not Metal, Reviews, Southern Metal, Southern Metal, 27 comments

“Collaborations between metal artists are quite common. The amount of “supergroups,” like Phil Anselmo’s own Down, can attest to that. Less common are collaborations between metal artists and people outside of metal. Sometimes these are successful, like when Anthrax teamed up with Public Enemy for “Bring the Noise.” Other times you get Lulu.” The South will writhe again.