Cirith Ungol

Megaton Sword – Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire Review

By Steel Druhm on November 13, 2020 in Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 84 comments

“Is that a Megaton Sword in your armor or are you just happy to see me? In trvth it is I who is happy to see Megaton Sword riding the tide of righteous battle on their debut full-length ode to all things edged and deadly. This Swiss cutthroat crew is carved from the same olde school stone as acts like Visigoth, Eternal Champion, and ageless legends like Cirith Ungol, and they deliver heroic tales of braver and medieval butchery on the excellently titled Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire.” Big iron.

Cirith Ungol – Forever Black Review

By Steel Druhm on April 23, 2020 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 61 comments

“Cirith Ungol. The name looms large in the history of heavy metal. Though the mercurial act released only 4 albums, their impact on the genre was great and long-lasting. Their unusual style influenced everything from doom to traditional and trve metal, and countless bands owe their core sound to albums like King of the Dead and One Foot in Hell. They were one of the most unique, quirky bands in metal history and they’ve always held a special place in my heart ov Steel.” Cirithus Black.

Throne of Iron – Adventure One Review

By Steel Druhm on February 21, 2020 in 2020, Ambient Metal, Heavy Metal, No Remorse Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 23 comments

“The inspiration for the Bloomington, Indiana based Throne of Iron came to founder Tucker Thomasson when he heard Mark Shelton, the legendary frontman of cult act Manilla Road, had passed away. The band was created as a way to pay homage to the man and his music as well as Thomasson’s love for Dungeons & Dragons. For a time Throne of Iron functioned as a one-man project, but eventually Thomasson drew supporters to the cause and the debut, Adventure One features a full time raiding party/band/nerd herd.” Chaotic-neutral.

Ironsword – Servants of Steel Review

By Steel Druhm on January 24, 2020 in 2020, Alma Mater Records, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 38 comments

“Before mastering the steel, you must first master yourself. Yet mastering oneself requires the mastery of epic metal. This is the riddle of trveness, and why your journey has brought you here to this Ironsword review. Portugal’s most trve of metal bands have long toiled to forge the perfect sword with which to lay waste to posers and the defenders of false metal. In their quest for metal supremacy they traveled the Manilla Road to the ends of the world.” Steel away the night.

Terminus – A Single Point of Light Review

By Steel Druhm on November 11, 2019 in 2019, Cruz Del Sur, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Irish Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 8 comments

“I haven’t gotten my hands on much trve metal of late beyond the massive overdose administered by Atlantean Kodex in September. That was enough to keep me sacking and pillaging like a berserk Vandal for months, but a booster shot of trveness is never a bad thing. Northern Ireland’s epic heavy metal act Terminus is set to deliver such an inoculation this week with their sophomore release A Single Point of Light.” Light the torches.

Barbarian – To No God Shall I Kneel Review

By Mark Z. on June 7, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Italian Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 54 comments

“‘Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.’ It’s odd that a metal album calls to mind Genesis, but in this case it feels strangely appropriate. Even within genres, different bands occupy different niches. Some bands make music that’s tight, slick, and professional, some bands make music that sounds like a bunch of cavemen somehow acquired and learned to play modern instruments. True to their name, Italian trio Barbarian tend toward the latter. But lest you think that’s a slight against them, think again.” Honey, I think someone is at the gates.

Visigoth – Conqueror’s Oath Review

By Steel Druhm on February 5, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 64 comments

“Hammers, axes and swords glint in the flickering torchlight as the tumultuous cacophony of an army on the march fills the night air. Women weep, clutching their children as they flee to forests deep, praying to the heavens for mercy. On this glorious night Visigoth has returned to reclaim the Immortal Throne, and the blood of the untrve will soon stain rock, stone and leaf. We’ve awaited this uprising since 2015 when their righteous debut scorched the land and revitalized the trve heavy metal genre, and 2018 finally sees the second crusade underway with Conqueror’s Oath.” Nuts and Hun-y.

Professor Emeritus – Take Me to the Gallows Review

By Steel Druhm on November 10, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Heavy Metal, No Remorse Records, Reviews, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 25 comments

“Yes, I know what you are thinking, and no, this is NOT a Ghost spin-off act. Professor Emeritus is no one’s Papa I, II or III, and rather than getting their hands dirty with unwashed ghoul masks and slightly metallized Blue Oyster Cult ditties, these Chicago road scholars chose to major in epic trve metal at the olden learning institution, while also carrying a minor in doom.” The ivory tower is metal.

Stallion – From the Dead Review

By Huck N Roll on July 10, 2017 in 2017, German Metal, Heavy Metal, High Roller Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, 19 comments

“This is a late review, but that’s what happens when you live in Canada and get eight days of summer per year: you spend all your time frolicking amongst the dandelions instead of in a darkened room blaring metal. Anyhow, this new release from Stallion grabbed my attention for only one reason: in 2013 they had a song called “Canadian Steele.”” Of Northern pride and metallurgy.

Lunar Shadow – Far From Light Review

By Steel Druhm on March 19, 2017 in 2017, Cruz Del Sur, Epic Metal, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 55 comments

“Nostalgia is a part of life, as inescapable as death, taxes and back hair. In moderation it’s a wistful and harmless reminder of happy times and precious moments. Taken to extremes however, it becomes ABBA-centric musicals and ironical Hipster Hell (i.e. Williamsburg, Brooklyn). The biggest problem with throwback/retro nostalgia-core is the fact it must forever look backward at what’s already been done, rarely managing to inject modern ideas or sensibilities into the mix. Flying in the face of this truism, Lunar Shadow boldly strides out of Germany with a new take on living in the past.” A retro twofer? Everyone loves a bargain.