Angry Metal Guy

OK, folks, here’s something a little bit different. You see, one of the occupational hazards facing understaffed but dedicated Angry Metal websites is good stuff slipping through the cracks. The truth is, we just can’t cover it all, try as we might. Sometimes we don’t get the promo, other times we lack the manpower to get to it, and to be honest, sometimes stuff just gets missed. We’re only human after all (albeit the most perfect versions possible). To rectify this ongoing metallic tragedy, we will occasionally highlight something we didn’t review but judge worthy of attention from you, the metal polity. Think of it more as an FYI than an actual review. Sound good? You’re damn right it’s good! Continue reading

Battle Beast // Steel
Rating: 4.5/5.0 — The power of steel, the scent of cheese
Label: Hype Records
Websites: hypeproductions.fi/battlebeast | myspace.com/battlebeastband
Release Dates:  Out Worldwide!

So there Steel Druhm was, sitting with a promo entitled Steel by the unknown Finns called Battle Beast. A quick perusal of the song titles made it clear they graduated Summa Cum LOUDLY from the Manowar School of Song Namery, as the numerous mentions of “metal,” “steel” and “iron” attest. The cover features a lion man fighting a robot as drawn by a ten year old at metal summer camp. Despite my renowned power metal geekdom, I felt a sense of dread and apprehension as I pressed play. Well damn it all if this thing isn’t full of surprises. Steel is a raging slab of frenetic, over-the-top 80′s metal worship that ladles out heaping helpings of thick cheese sauce and demands that you take seconds. Raging twin guitars, heroic solos, uber dramatic song structures and the vocals, Dear God the vocals!! The singer has a huge set of lungs and an even bigger set of balls which are frequently stuck in a vice! From gravelly, rasping shouts, air raid siren screams and superior singing, he can do it all and its so damn metal it kills my neighbor’s lawn. Imagine my shock to find out there are no balls to put in the vice because the HE is actually a SHE! That’s right, Nitte Valo is a true metal queen and she’s flat out brilliant on this album. However, unless you love the classic sounds of 80′s metal (think Grim Reaper, old Grave Digger, Accept) mixed with a smattering of power metal, this will leave you running for the door but quick. It revels in all the cliches and idiocy of that era and these folks certainly aren’t trying to be the next Opeth. You still with me? OK, stay with me. Continue reading

Wolf // Legions of Bastards
Rating: 3.5/5.0 — Never graduating from the old school.
Label: Century Media
Websites: www.wolf.nu | myspace.com/wolfheavymetal
Release Dates: EU: 2011.04.25 | US: 04.26.2011

The retro metal wolf is at the door again. The lupus I refer to is Sweden’s own Wolf, the one that’s been churning out their NWOBHM meets Mercyful Fate meets power metal style since 2000 and resisting all signs of modernizing along the way. Well, color them consistent because here on Legions of Bastards, their sixth album, they remain firmly planted in the 80′s metal sound and mentality. While retro-come-lately acts like Enforcer, Bloodbound and Steelwing made their bones raping the musical carcass of the 80′s, they’re all getting seriously sloppy seconds since Wolf got there first, many years ago. Past albums have been fun, energetic nods of the old school gods like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden and here on Legions, the retro hero-worship continues unabated. This is 110% shameless throwback metal with enough over-the-top guitar soloing, vocal wailing and cheesy metal cliches to make Spinal Tap consider a career in disco. It’s more fun than a barrel full of Charlie Sheens and just about as subtle. If any part of you is a forward-looking progressive who wants to stop living in the past, this is very much not the band or album for you. As for me, I thrive on old timey metal cheese so this is right in my personal (cheese) wheelhouse. Set the time machine to 1986, raise the horns and read on if you dare. Continue reading

Ross the Boss // Hailstorm
Rating: 3.0/5.0 — Manonuff to do his own thing
Label: AFM Records
Websites: ross-the-boss.com | myspace.com/newmetalleader
Release Dates: EU: 29.10.2010 | US: 11.09.2010

Is this new Manowar? No, that it ain’t.  So it’s Rossowar?  Closer, but still no.  What we actually have before us is Hailstorm, the second album by Ross the Boss.  Mr. The Boss was of course the original fret master for the legendary Manowar and he played on all their classic, seminal albums before riding off to seek glory on his own (yes AMG, there really are classic Manowar albums [I resent that statement. - AMG]).  So what type of music would one of the founding fathers of sword and furry loincloth metal create in this day and age?  Well, those hoping Ross assembled a merry band of Manowar imitators will be disappointed.  While there are several unsubtle stylistic nods to his original band (the most unsubtle band of all time), this is way less Mano-thematic than 2008′s New Metal Leader and focuses more on early 80′s style metal and straight ahead power metal.  In some ways this departure from his musical comfort zone works, in others it falls just a bit short. Continue reading

Angelus Apatrida // Clockwork
Rating: 3.0/5.0 — Enjoyable, hungry, not so sticky.
Label: Century Media
Websites: angelusapatrida.com | myspace.com/angelusapatrida
Release Dates: EU: 21/22.06.2010 | US: 06.29.2010

Angelus Apatrida is a Spanish thrash metal band founded in the early 2000s, that is now putting out it’s third record, but Clockwork is the first for one of metal’s biggest labels: Century Media. So when I got this record, I just kinda went “who?” and went on with my day not thinking much of it. The name, which roughly translates to “fallen angels”, means nothing to me and has been sorta flitting in and out of my brain and while I was surprised to stick this in and hear thrash metal screaming at me (that’ll teach me to not read the bio first), I wasn’t really sure that there was anything here that would stick. Continue reading

Enforcer // Diamonds
Rating: 3.5/5.0 – Enforcing your right to have fun.
Label: Earache
Websites: myspace.com/enforcerswe
Release Dates: EU: 24.05.2010 | US: 05.25.2010 (Vinyl is June 8th!)

Another retro 80’s metal album being reviewed on Angry Metal Guy? This place must really be going to hell in a hand basket. Well, at least one angry metal reviewer is enjoying the ride and Enforcer’s new album Diamonds would be the perfect soundtrack for any such hell bound pleasure excursion. Following along with 80’s NWOBHM worshiping peers Steelwing and Stormzone, Sweden’s Enforcer roars back to life with the follow up to 2008’s Into the Night and the results are pretty impressive and more fun than barrel full of monkeys.

Continue reading