Angry Metal Guy

Pilgrim // Misery Wizard
Rating: 3.0/5.0 — Epicus slowicus asfuckicus
Label: Metal Blade Records
Websites: Facebook | Myspace
Release Dates: EU: Out now! | US: 02.14.2012

Is lumbering, elephantine doom your thing? Well, it had better be if you plan on spending quality time with Rhode Island doom-sayers, Pilgrim. That’s because their Misery Wizard debut serves up six ginomous slices of crawling, droning, monolithic doom with all the subtlety of a steel cage wrestling match. Do you think Saint Vitus and Reverend Bizarre are slow? Pilgrim is slower. Think Cathedral has some huge sounding riffs? Pilgrim has bigger ones. In a doom pissing contest, these chaps are mellow yellow. To help explain their sound, I’ve compiled a short list of things that move faster than Pilgrim. These include: octogenarians with bad knees, glaciers, evolution and innovation in black metal. Yep, Pilgrim is mighty slow. For a power trio, they make a lot of racket and stay true to the old school style of Sabbath-infused dirgery. They aren’t innovative or particularly dynamic and at times, they can get rather tiresome and tedious, even for a doom fanboy like Steel Druhm. Because of that last factoid, Misery Wizard is an album intended only for tried-and-true doom-hounds who don’t suffer from the slightest trace of ADD [I'll be over here, looking at moss. - AMG]. If your mind tends to wander, or drone makes you snooze, skip this release, or patience you’ll lose (HA! I waxed poetic).

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Black Sun Aeon // Blacklight Deliverance
Rating: 4.0/5.0 — Three releases a year? Never fear.
Label: Cyclone Empire Records
Websites: blacksunaeon.com | myspace.com/aeonoftheblacksun
Release Dates: Out now!

Tuomas Saukkonen is clearly a man concerned with the dangers of idle hands. To stave them off, he’s forever toiling in various musical projects (Before the Dawn, Dawn of Solace, RoutaSielu) and his highly underrated Black Sun Aeon project. While primarily known for his work in  the excellent Before the Dawn, Tuomas has always used this project to explore more morose, gothic-tinged doomscapes while taking cues from fellow countrymen Insomnium and especially Rapture. As with the previous two Black Sun Aeon releases, Blacklight Deliverance is a compelling mix of death, doom and goth, with hauntingly beautiful melodies, ample heaviness and razor-sharp songwriting. It doesn’t break any new ground and at times veers very close to the aforementioned influences, but its a highly enjoyable journey nonetheless and has a few moments of absolute brilliance. It’s also a much more tightly focused work than 2010′s double album Routa and as a result, feels more immediate and accessible. Continue reading

Devil // Time to Repent
Rating: 2.0/5.0 —A mere shadow of Ghost
Label: Soulseller Records
Websites: home.online.no/~joa-tr/
Release Dates:  EU: 09.09.2011  US: 09.10.2011

Ghost may have unintentionally triggered a little retro within retro trend with their well received Opus Eponymous debut. The similar acts are already starting to pop up like evil mushrooms and Norway’s Devil is one of the first. Their debut Time to Repent harkens back to all things 70′s and its melodic doom rock all day long. They wield a sound that falls somewhere between Black Sabbath‘s Vol. 4 and the NWOBHM vibe of Witchfinder General with a few traces of old Pentagram mixed in. I’m sure that sounds like a heady brew to many loyal readers (not AMG though, he hates blues-based doom like I hate light beer). Time to Repent offers up eight tales of sorcery, evil women, open graves and all such good family fun. It’s stripped down, simplistic, melodic and not the kind of doom that crushes you or brings on bouts of crippling despair. Instead, its very rock-based and groovy. While some of the material is worthwhile and shows real potential, more of it is pure amateur hour, cringe-worthy garage rock and unlikely to make anyone forget about Ghost anytime soon. Continue reading

DC4 //Electric Ministry
Rating: 3.5/5.0 —Cock rock with balls!
Label: Metal Blade Records
Websites: myspace.com/dc4duncan
Release Dates: Out now!

I didn’t want to review this, didn’t even want to listen to it. Angry Metal Guy said I had to do it. I bitched, moaned, put it off, made excuses and so on. I didn’t like the cover or the song titles. It screamed cheesy cock rock  and I had a general feeling of dread. Yesterday I resigned myself to biting the bullet and just getting through it. Although I was pretty much right on the nail about the cock rock, much to my shock, this didn’t suck. In fact, it rocked! It seems even the mighty Steel Druhm can be wrong (like twice on eon). DC4 is a semi-supergroup composed of former members of Armored Saint (Jeff Duncan), Dio (Rowan Robertson) and Odin (Shawn Duncan). They play a metallized hard rock style that can be compared to classic era Van Halen if Dimebag Darrel was the guitarist and songwriter. Yes, I mean that. Electric Ministry is their third full length and it features a collection of straight forward, guitar-driven hard rock anthems with just enough grit and punch to satisfy the average metal monger. They effectively craft songs with big, pumping, meaty  riffs and hooks galore. Its essentially panties-on-the-head party metal with a sleazy, “good times” vibe that veers into dark, disturbing areas at times. I’ll be honest here, I actively resisted liking this and it didn’t work. I resent DC4 making me support this release! What is the world coming to? Continue reading

Sinister Realm // The Crystal Eye
Rating: 4.5/5.0 —The glass eye hides iron fists of steel!
Label: Shadow Kingdom Records
Websites: myspace.com/enterthesinisterrealm
Release Dates: Out now!

I think we’re finally approaching the tipping point for 80′s retro metal. By that I mean if these 80′s worship albums keep coming, the space-time continuum will shift and we’ll all get dumped back in the 80′s for reals. That would pose problems for me since I no longer own parachute pants and high tops. Despite the obvious perils we all face, if the retro releases sound as good as Sinister Realm, I’ll take my chances. These stalwart retro rockers from Pennsylvania released a killer self titled debut in 2009 and it was one of the best albums that year that no one knew about or heard. Undeterred, they rise again with The Crystal Eye and its more quality, righteous metal for the masses. Sounding like a mash up of Argus, Manowar, Cirith Ungol and Heaven and Hell era Black Sabbath, Sinister Realm excels at stripped down but classy traditional metal with a doom influence. Its straight forward, no nonsense, rocked out metal and I have to say, I love it. There’s more balls on display over the course of this album than a lot of bands show over a career. Simple at times, heavy all the time and exceptionally catchy, this may finally get these sinister ones some well deserved attention. Continue reading

Denial Fiend // Horror Holocaust
Rating: 1.0/5.0 —I’m in denial how shitty this is
Label: Ibex Moon Records
Websites: myspace.com/denialfiendband
Release Dates: Out now!

Like a swift kick to the frank N’ beans, the new release by this death metal “super group” is shocking and very painful. I really loved Denial Fiend‘s quirky 2007 debut They Rise. It merged nasty, old school American death metal and punk rock with a party atmosphere and although very tongue  in cheek, it rocked and raged convincingly. To this day it remains in regular rotation at stately Steel Druhm manor. That debut featured some grizzled veterans of the old school scene like bassist Terry Butler (Death, Massacre, Six Feet Under, Obituary) and mega Cookie Monster Kam Lee (Death, Massacre) on vocals. What made They Rise work was the strong similarity to the classic Massacre sound (their From Beyond album is one of the all time best American death metal albums). The songs were savage and raw but also catchy and fun. Basically, it was a damn fine treat for death metal fans. When I heard a new Denial Fiend album was pending, I got giddy like a school girl. When I heard Kam Lee had taken his immense vocal talent elsewhere, I was sad but still hopeful. Well, hope is officially dead. Horror Holocaust features the “vocals” of Blaine Cook (The Accused) and he destroys everything as surely as cops destroy fun and work destroys free time. While there are some decent musical moments, he renders the bulk of the album unlistenable and there’s no denying that it sucks, bigtime. Continue reading

Disma // Towards the Megalith
Rating: 4.0/5.0 — Birthed in the land of garbage and swamps
Label: Profound Lore Records
Websites: myspace.com/dismadeathmetal
Release Dates: Out now!

At last, an album that’s the musical equivalent to falling face first into a cesspool. Crusty, endlessly filthy, unspeakably nasty and no amount of  showering will ever get you truly clean. That’s what you can expect when you press play on the debut by New Jersey’s toxic swamp denizens Disma. Towards the Megalith is eight grueling sojourns through the terrifying underbelly of old school death metal a la Autospy, Grave and Entombed. Featuring several members of the brutal death act Funebrarum, this is not the least bit “modern,” nor does it bear the slightest trace of “melo-death.” If you’re familiar with the level of corpse grinding heaviness Funebrarum delivers, then you have an idea where this is going, but this is even murkier and more corrosive. Yes, these songs are the dregs stuck to the bottom of the musical septic tank. Appealing to the current lust for old school Swedish and American death and joining acts like Entrails and Blood Mortized in the crusty scab sweepstakes, Disma shows just how raw and ugly things can get while still being thouroughly enjoyable, though this will be too much for many to digest (ewww). If you haven’t already gotten up to find this, kindly wait until you finish reading this stellar piece of prose. Continue reading

Wow, what a long, strange journey through time and sub-genres it’s been. Here we finally are at the center of the metalverse. After all the lead ups (50-41, 40-31, 30-21, 20-11 | And here’s Angry Metal Guy’s first 40: 50-41, 40-31, 31-20, 20-11), these my friends are the big enchiladas of metal. The best of the beasts, the cream of the corpse paint. You were all so very patient and now you can finally rest peacefully, having attained full metal enlightenment from the Steel Druhm. If you disagree with any of these final selections, kindly think it over until you agree. Take notes Gibson.

#10: Queensryche – The Warning - “Roads to Madness” – Queensryche had a legendary run of great albums until they got all self important and sank into mediocrity and irrelevance. Some of their greatest material was on their debut and it was a mighty tough choice between this and “Take Hold of The Flame.” This gets the nod for its grim, brooding and melancholy atmosphere and emotional vocal performance by Geoff Tate. In fact, I think this song is his finest hour and showcases his considerable range and versatility. It’s also the song that hints at the male/female duets that would be so big on Operation: Mindcrime (though its Geoff approximating both male/female parts in the song’s last minute or so).  It’s a slow burning number for sure but it just gets better and better as it rolls along. They just don’t make em like this anymore, especially Queensryche!

#9: Agalloch – The Mantle - “In The Shadow of Our Pale Companions” – One of the best metal bands of all time IMHO, this album is their timeless masterpiece and this track is the centerpiece thereof. Long, moody, dark and depressive but also oddly cheery, it blew me away on the first listen and every time since. The somber and beautiful acoustic guitar lead in just builds and builds and you can almost see the mist shrouded forest towering above. The eerie black metal rasps are subdued and provide just the right hint of menace without taking away from the song’s tranquil, morose vibe. Over the length of the song, many emotions and moods are explored and there isn’t one note out of place. A creepy yet dazzling triumph.

#8: Helstar – Burning Star - “Run With the Pack” – Helstar has been plugging away in the traditional metal sphere since the early 80′s and they never really garnered the attention their talent deserved. Their long lost debut was host to several classic old timey metal songs, none better than this one. Leather lunged metal legend James Rivera (Destiny’s End, Seven Witches, Vicious Rumors etc.) was just cutting his tonsils as a singer and his raw, passionate performance here is flawed but metal as hell. The simple riffs are head banging heaven and the mood captures the spirit of 80′s metal better than almost any. What makes this rate so high is the stellar writing. Its just a great song, catchy, moody, simple but memorable. The original 1984 version has that special magic but the later re-recorded versions don’t. Run with the PACK!!

#7: Metallica – Kill Em All - “The Four Horsemen” – These days I hate Metallica with a passion that only one who once loved them intensely could generate. Of all their classic songs, this one was the undisputed champion in my mind. With one of the greatest thrash riffs ever known to man and aided by classic “old” Hetfield vox and some of Kirk Hammett’s best solos, its  a relentless rolling juggernaut of blatant badassery. Another of those note-perfect songs and arguably the best thrash song ever, it truly highlights how great these guys were and by extension, how putrid they are now. That makes me so St. Angry!

#6: Mercyful Fate – Don’t Break the Oath - “Gypsy” – The first two Mercyful Fate albums will always be near and dear to my black heart and Gypsy was always my favorite of the bunch. King Diamond was still making effective use of ALL his voices instead of relying solely on his falsetto and his dramatic vocal work here shows him at his best. The guitar work by Hank Sherman and Michael Denner shines brighter than the sun and the solo beginning at 2:09 is my favorite of all time, no exceptions. I spent most of my youth thinking King shrieks “You are a mule” at the end and I didn’t question it because the song was so damn fine!

#5: Black Sabbath – Heaven and Hell - “Heaven and Hell” – Yes, it seems madness to have a Dio-fronted Black Sabbath song at the very top of the list but in all honestly, and despite my love for all things Ozzy, this is their best song. Taking the doomy core of the Sabbath sound and fusing it to Dio’s world class vox and downcast lyrics, the band exceeded all previous heights (of which they had many) and created one mammoth and timeless piece of metal gold. That crushing main riff, the immortal opening line “sing me a song, you’re a singer” over the ominous bass, pure perfection. Dark as hell but instantly memorable, it stays with you for life and captures lightning in a bottle. Playing it nowadays really makes me miss Dio and that one-of-a-kind voice.

#4: Judas Priest – Sad Wings of Destiny - “Victim of Changes” – Over their long and storied career Judas Priest explored many variations on their metal style but this early monolith of sound was one for the history books. From the slow fade in to that oh so simple lead riffs and on to Halford’s unrestrained rock meets metal vocalizing, something special is going on here. Slightly bluesy but anchored in metal by the heavy guitars, it weaves a strange spell and feels way more epic than it should (especially given the oddball lyrics). Halford’s poignant and emotive vocals in the back half of the song along with his glass shattering high notes put a huge exclamation mark on things and make this the high point of their enormous catalog of metal hits. Good God, PLUCK ME! (whatever that means).

#3: Manowar – Hail to England - “Bridge of Death” – Manowar takes a lot of abuse for their over-the-top approach to an already over-the-top genre (and for screwing over AMG’s beloved cheese whiz-ards Rhapsody of Fire) but man, their early albums were God-like. “Bridge of Death” is essentially their “Stairway to Heaven” and yes, I see the irony. Its the most epic thing since the Big Bang and from start to finish it screams METAL with every fiber of its loinclothed being. Joey DeMaio’s bass work is extra amazing and Eric Adams puts on his premier vocal performance, from quiet crooning to rafter-shaking screams and every note in between. You simply can’t listen to him singing “I know the one who waits, Satan is his name” and not get gleaming metallic goosebumps of steel. Even DeMaio’s silly distorted vox work well and who can argue with a line like “cut off my head, release all my evil”? The bells chiming “Joy to the World” at the end are simply Manowonderful.

#2: Iron Maiden – Number of the Beast - “Hallowed Be Thy Name” – Everyone has their favorite Maiden song and this is mine and also one of the best metal tunes ever composed. If anyone needed proof that Bruce Dickinson took Maiden to the next level upon joining, this is Exhibit A-Z. Taking the oft used “about to be executed” theme to glorious new heights, Dickinson lends his golden throat to a monster song and makes it even better. Great guitar riffing, Steve Harris’s usual bass heroics, a real knack for lyrical storytelling and an ability to wring every ounce of drama from the concept make this one very hard to forget. Songs and albums like this made the 80′s such a special time to be growing up a metal head. You bought the album, heard one classic after another only to crushed by this at the end. Hallowed grounds here folks.

#1: Rainbow – Rising- “Stargazer” – Not what most were expecting I’m sure but this song is the most rare and wondrous of all things heavy. You may argue that Rainbow was barely a metal band but that can’t be said about this song. Not only is this the best song Richie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio ever wrote or performed in their long musical careers, it’s also the premier metal song in existence. At eight minutes plus, it features a prodigious amount of mood, power and emotion. Dio’s world-shaking vocals never sounded as emotional, heartfelt and intense. Add in Blackmore’s fret mastery and you get the Mona Lisa of metal. Lyrically it paints a simple but very compelling tale and few could put the material over as well as Dio does. The final stanza where Dio goes off over that grandiose flourish is so amazing, especially when he starts singing about going home. Truly a case of everything coming together into a perfect moment of artistic expression. The only flaw is that it eventually ends. Massive.

OK boys and ghouls, we’ve officially reached the meaty epicenter of  heavy metal excellence. After thirty warm ups (50-41, 40-31, 30-21 | And here’s AMG’s: 50-41, 40-31, 31-20), these are the brightest of gems, the most gleaming of chromes. Here begins the twenty songs that define all that is heavy, all that is metal. Bow down then get the hell up and HAIL as the True Masters enter the building. Steel Druhm roll please.

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Well, we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty here folks. As the list spirals down to #1, the acclaim and criticism of Steel Druhm’s tastes will escalate exponentially. That’s fine, for Steel Druhm cares not what others think and his metal tastes are sublime and unassailable. Without further ado, here is my last ten before we get to the crucial top 20 metalpieces of all time (look, I made up a cool word, Pat. Pending). [Read the previous lists by Steel Druhm: 50-41, 40-31. And by Angry Metal Guy: 50-41, 40-31, 31-20.] Continue reading