The Sign Records

Moloken – Unveilance of Dark Matter Review

By Kronos on February 5, 2020 in 2020, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Releases, Reviews, Swedish Metal, The Sign Records, Death Doom, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 15 comments

“We pretend not to, but we forget about bands all the time here. I forgot about – what’s that band? – Fear Factory last week and just now forgot that my last introduction was also about forgetting. In part I have to blame the burning n00b fumes, skull pit wounds, and brain-hemorrhaging metalcore for the memory loss. Likewise, I could tell you that I forget stuff because my brain runs on eight-inch floppy discs, but in reality I made the transition to 3.5” years ago and am just bad at keeping current. Suffice it to say that I forgot about Moloken.” Remind him to always remember.

Nocturnalia – III Winter Review

By Emya on November 6, 2019 in 2019, Folk, Reviews, Rock, Swedish Metal, The Sign Records, Dark Rock, Folk, 24 comments

“Self-proclaimed dark rock quintet Nocturnalia hail from Sweden and are in consequence largely inspired by the eerie and cold yet peacefully quiet atmosphere of harsh Scandinavian winters. The band claims to draw influences from both classic rock acts such as Rainbow and Black Widow and traditional folk music.” Cold and olde?

Screamer – Highway of Heroes Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on October 11, 2019 in 2019, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, The Sign Records, Heavy Metal, 9 comments

“The tides of progress in metal will never erode the bedrock of the genre, that special thing we call heavy metal. The mix of power, strength, hope, and joy inherent in this little slice of the metal pie will always appeal to many metalheads so long as the genre continues to exist. Fortunately for Screamer, there will always be a place for records like Highway of Heroes. Fortunately for us, this means bands like Screamer will continue to make them.” Your mom’s a… nah, too easy.

The Drippers – Action Rock Review

By GardensTale on August 8, 2019 in 2019, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk, Reviews, The Sign Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk, 28 comments

“I’ve seen some unfortunate band names through the years as well. But I’ve yet to see one so proudly self-diagnose Gonorrhea as Gothenburg band The Drippers, following the template of The Plurals so richly mocked in Sum 41’s “Still Waiting” video. But do they bring the fire or does Action Rock feel like a burning sensation when you pee?” Drip rock.

Hypnos – Set Fire to the Sky Review

By Huck N Roll on September 27, 2018 in 2018, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Retro Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, The Sign Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Retro Metal, 77 comments

“In the vanguard of the retro rock/metal movement are High Spirits, Gygax, Audrey Horne, and Night Flight Orchestra: bands that wear their influences not only on their sleeves, but on their entire bodies. They pay loving homage to the sounds of the 70s and 80s, but their songwriting prowess sets them apart from the crowd. Rather than making a mockery of Thin Lizzy or Toto, they revel in the sound and chart their own path forward – either in earnestness or in ultimate cheese. Sweden’s Hypnos aim to join this exalted group with their third album, Set Fire to the Sky.” Fly to the past.

Nekrokraft – Servants Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 11, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, The Sign Records, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 86 comments

“If you were to guess what Nekrokraft and Witchery have in common, what would it be? OK, yeah, they’re both Swedish. What else? Nope, they definitely don’t play the same styles of metal—the former is more Swede-thrash oriented and the latter plays symphonic-black metal, in the vein of Dimmu Borgir. Give up yet? What these two groups have in common is their vocalist.” Scream us a song, you’re a screamer.

Throne of Heresy – Decameron Review

By Kronos on November 14, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, The Sign Records, Death Metal, 32 comments

“Antioch, the last album from Sweden’s Throne of Heresy, proved little more than its own existence. The “I riff therefore I am” approach to music did little to impress, and despite good pacing and a few fun songs, It was brought down by an uninteresting Swedeath sound and even more uninteresting boilerplate lyrics. Having thus consigned Throne of Heresy to the ignominy of the 2.5, I found myself not terribly interested in listening to their latest. Yet in my supreme magnanimity, I decided to give the band another chance with Decameron, and well I should have.” When Kronos plays a game of thrones, things get brvtal.

Hällas – Excerpts from a Future Past Review

By El Cuervo on October 6, 2017 in 2017, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, The Sign Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, 69 comments

“The illustrious Huck N Roll wrote recently that he spent his summer looking for the next great retro album. I write today that he needn’t have bothered; that album is to arrive after the summer and it’s called Excerpts from a Future Past. Wolverine blues.

The Great Discord – The Rabbit Hole Review

By GardensTale on October 5, 2017 in 2017, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, Reviews, The Sign Records, Progressive Metal, 64 comments

“A few weeks ago, I described the latest Arch Enemy album as the bad kind of pop metal: too slick, too loud, too focused on choruses and too conscious about image. But there’s a different, less negative definition possible of pop metal: not afraid of loading the songs with easily digestible hooks, catchy melodies, EDM influences, simplistic structure and a focus on vocals. It’s daring, because it seems to aim at a gap between fandoms: too slick and not challenging enough for metalheads, but too heavy for the mainstream.” Pop goes the minstrel.

Highrider – Roll for Initiative Review

By Treble Yell on September 20, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Reviews, The Sign Records, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal, Hardcore, 35 comments

“It’s been a long and bitter journey. Fatigue clings to you like a drowning sailor; a debt accrued from the rancid marches and frigid mountains your troupe of brigands have had to push through. You stumble out from a forest that delighted in stymying your efforts to leave unscathed and come across a time-worn bridge that leads to a welcome sight — home. Before you can muster a cry of exultation a blood-curdling roar splits the silence and a gigantic blur of teeth and scales crashes down before you. A dragon now blocks your path.” Chaotic neutral.