AFM Records

Leaves’ Eyes – Myths of Fate Review

By Twelve on March 21, 2024 in Reviews, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 27 comments

“Symphonic metal is a tricky genre to review; it is, at this point, so steeped in clichés that critiquing it for leaning on clichés is itself starting to feel like a cliché. Ever since Nightwish lobbed Once at the masses, it’s been easy to feel like everyone else is trying to do the same thing. Sometimes it’s effective, and sometimes you’re damaging your fist on a completely intact and rather thick layer of ice. For Leaves’ Eyes, who have been around for over twenty years now, I get the sense that the goal is consistency.” Do the Eyes have it?

Firewind – Stand United Review

By Holdeneye on February 28, 2024 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 30 comments

“When I pulled reviewing duty for Firewind’s self-titled release way back during the bizarre spring of 2020, I wasn’t prepared for how hard the record was going to hit me. Aside from the band’s debut and a handful of tracks throughout Firewind’s discography, I’d never really been grabbed by their sound, so when Firewind arrived on-scene with the gnarly vocals of front man Herbie Langhans alongside some of Gus G’s tightest songwriting ever, it managed to land a sucker punch right in my sweet spot.” Hot winds blow warmly.

Dust Bolt – Sound & Fury Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 21, 2024 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Hard Rock, Thrash Metal, 55 comments

“As we’ve discussed countless times, the dreaded pandemic affected many bands and their music. In Dust Bolt’s case, the band decided to take that time away from record labels, concerts, and the noise of the business to rediscover themselves. The result is a reinvigoration, bringing back the excitement the band had when they first broke out on the scene. Brace yourselves.” Dust or bust.

Metalite – Expedition One Review

By Iceberg on January 30, 2024 in Reviews, Melodic Metal, Power Metal, 87 comments

“”Modern melodic metal” is a term that wants to say a lot, but in reality conveys very little. More often than not this is a thin disguise for “pop-oriented,” and such is the case before us today. Formed in 2015 and with three previous LP’s under their belt, Sweden’s Metalite seem to have flown under the radar here at AMG HQ. This could be due to an omnipresent dairy allergy circling The Skullpit™, or the aforementioned genre tag provided by the band’s label.” In space no one can hear you be mellow.

Iron Savior – Firestar Review

By Steel Druhm on October 4, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 21 comments

“As with so many German metal bands, Iron Savior doesn’t have a kill switch. They’ve been rolling out albums regularly since 1997, completely immune to the shifting tastes and trends in metal. Formed as a classic Euro-power act with legacy ties to the genre’s beginning, founder Piet Sielck has kept his vision and direction very consistent over the band’s 25-plus year voyage, delivering sci-fi-themed power with a heavier, more traditional metal punch and crunch.” Savior complex.

All for Metal – Legends Review

By Holdeneye on July 17, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 43 comments

“At first glance, All for Metal seems to be a near perfect facsimile of Brothers of Metal—sans the incredibly talented Ylva Eriksson—so much so, in fact, that when I first heard them, I was convinced they were a Brothers of Metal side project. But further research, and further listens, reveal that while All for Metal may peddle the same chonky, bordering on goofy heavy/power as BoM, they are certainly their own beast.” All for spray cheese.

Bloodbound – Tales from the North Review

By Holdeneye on July 14, 2023 in Reviews, Power Metal, 44 comments

“It’s been a mere two years since I relieved Steel of his blood-bond to review Bloodbound, and the Swedes are already back with a follow-up to 2021’s Creatures of the Dark Realm. I enjoyed Creatures enough to feature it on my Honorable Mentions list for that year, and I stand by that, as my return listens have found the album to be as strong as ever.” Blood Eagley.

Pyramaze – Bloodlines Review

By Steel Druhm on June 24, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 39 comments

“2023 sees Danish prog-power juggernaut, Pyramaze return with their 7th album, Bloodlines, and what a long strange trip it has been. Starting out as a highly melodic, polished power metal band, they released two excellent platters with Lance King at the mic. Legend of the Bone Carver in particular was a sick beast of a platter that should get far more attention than it does.” Blood and glitter.

Saint Deamon – League of the Serpent Review

By Steel Druhm on April 20, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 83 comments

“Sweden’s Saint Deamon aren’t quite a household name in the Euro-power scene, at least partly due to their lagging career productivity. They started out well, making a good impression with their 2008 debut and rapid follow-up, 2009s very good Pandeamonium, but then they dropped off the face of the Earth. 10 years later they made an unexpected comeback with 2019s Ghost, and now in comparatively short order, they return with fourth album, League of the Serpent. Snakes on a shelf.

Redemption – I Am the Storm Review

By Steel Druhm on March 17, 2023 in Reviews, Progressive Metal, 32 comments

“Call me olde and jaded, but I tend to be suspicious of bands that bear the “supergroup” imprimatur. Cautious though I may be, I’ve been a fan of Redemption since their launch way back in 2003. The brainchild of guitarist extraordinaire, Nicolas van Dyk, the project has benefitted from some exceptional frontmen over time, such as Rick Mythiasin (Steel Prophet, New Eden) and Ray Alder (Fates Warning, A-Z), and since 2018s Long Night’s Journey into Day, they’ve had Evergrey’s Tom Englund on the mic.” Forgiveness is more than saying sorry.