Holy Grail

Hatchet – Dying to Exist Review

Hatchet – Dying to Exist Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 11, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Combat Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Melodic Metal, Thrash Metal, 67 comments

“The best metal is not purely contemplative music, but the music of action that’s worth attention. The kinetic element of metal is present in the energetic rhythms and soaring harmonies, through the murk and the ice, in the slam and the breakdown; it’s baked into the idea of heaviness itself. This music makes those who get it move; we mosh, we furiously bang our heads, throw up the horns, or play an air instrument. The gut feeling that good metal gives me makes me need to do something: have a lively night with friends, furiously scribble a review draft, play an instrument, work out, or even just pace about and enjoy the music.” Chopping spree!

Striker – Striker Review

Striker – Striker Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on March 3, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Cock Rock, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 22 comments

“It’s no secret that I’m a fan of these Albertans’ sound. It’s basically the best parts of the 80s glam scene roughed up a good bit (to refer to Steven Tyler’s famous thoughts on, the dudes no longer look like ladies) by the addition of modern heavy metal party rock like Holy Grail and their ilk. Striker’s sound is similar to a well-made cheap beer like Old Style Pilsner: perfectly agreeable, easy to swallow, easy to enjoy in large quantities, even better when inebriated, and palatable to a wide range of folks.” We like beer.

Holy Grail – Ride the Void Review

Holy Grail – Ride the Void Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 18, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, American Metal, Nuclear Blast, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, 18 comments

Holy Grail is one of these new-wave, big-named bands that got picked up by Nuclear Blast in the last couple of years that I had never really bothered to check out. Mostly my apathy can be blamed on crankiness ’cause I’m old. But their specific brand of nod-to-the-old-school power metal with a modern edge seems to perfectly encapsulate a lot of what’s going on in the metal scene these days, and their 2010 release Crisis in Utopia was met with generally positive responses. Still, I somehow managed to ignore these guys when they dropped their first record and given all the chatter I figured I’d make up for that by giving Ride the Void a go.