Instrumental

S A R R A M – Pàthei Màthos Review

By Thus Spoke on August 28, 2023 in Reviews, Ambient, Not Metal, 12 comments

“Pathei Mathos means “learn a lesson,” but more literally it refers to “learning through suffering.” Valerio Marras, through his project S A R R A M, takes this phraseology explicitly from Aeschylus’ tragedy Agamemnon, where, in an exposition full of powerful dramatic irony and foreshadowing, the chorus describes this essential component of wisdom to which humans are subjected. The concept of knowledge resulting from and culminating in suffering is arguably a core concept of Greek tragedy. And it’s also a part of life, which Marras aims to convey by channeling his experiences and emotions through Pathei Mathos’ ambient soundscapes.” Life is pain, pain is growth.

Pixie Ninja – Colours out of Space Review

By Carcharodon on July 2, 2020 in Reviews, Ambient Metal, Electronica, 6 comments

“Having spun Ultrasound a couple of times before hitting Colours, I have to say my interest was not piqued. There was nothing wrong with Pixie Ninja’s debut outing but, as a commenter remarked on a previous instrumental record I reviewed, “yeah, this is nice, I could work to this.” On pressing play on Colours, however, I was immediately struck by the shift in mood and intensity on the band’s latest offering.” Pixie Colour Space Attack.

Seven Planets – Explorer Review

By Carcharodon on February 22, 2020 in 2020, American Rock, Hard Rock, Instrumental Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Small Stone Records, 16 comments

“Sometimes, vocals — however good they may be — detract, or at least distract, from really listening to the moods the music is conjuring. This is how I feel about, for example, the instrumental records that accompany releases from The Ocean — while I typically listen to the full version, every now and again I will put on the instrumental version and float away. While West Virginia’s Seven Planets are a very different beast from that Berlin-based collective, their brand of instrumental rock, rooted in blues and groove, also aims to carry you away.” Seven paths to Uranus.

Telepath – Mental Mutations Review

By Saunders on October 28, 2019 in 2019, Apollon Records, Instrumental Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, 3 comments

“Although there’s been the odd exception over the years, generally speaking, instrumental metal is not really my bag. Not that I’m incapable of appreciating the often experimental aspects, self-indulgent jams, and technically proficient textures and moods conveyed from purely instrumental forms of metal. But even when vocals can be an afterthought or weak link on certain albums and genres of metal, I still generally prefer the vocal counterpoint. Yet I possess an open mind and variety is the spice of life, so when Telepath’s Mental Mutations remained unclaimed in the promo portal, I jumped into the unknown with optimism of what may lie ahead.” Tasting the mind of music theory.

Driving Slow Motion – Arda Review

By Carcharodon on June 23, 2019 in 2019, Ambient Metal, American Metal, Experimental Metal, Fail Safe Audio Recordings, Instrumental Metal, Post-metal, Post-Rock, Reviews, Ambient Metal, Experimental Metal, Post-Metal, 12 comments

“Gauging by the comments section on a recent post-metal review that I penned, it would seem that a lot of people are over anything post-y. What better way to win new fans and friends than to write up an experimental, instrumental, post-rock collective? Hmm, on reflection, this could be a hard sell.” Coffee is for closers.

Talons – We All Know Review

By Kronos on July 26, 2018 in 2018, British Metal, Holy Roar Records, Instrumental Metal, Post-metal, Post-Rock, Reviews, Instrumental Metal, Post-Metal, 48 comments

“Talons’ newest effort ending up here might seem like a mistake, or at least a con by a reviewer with a well-documented soft spot for math rock. The band don’t quite fit the cavities made for them; with idiosyncratic instrumentation and twice as many members as the usual English math-/post-rock outfit, they probably can’t even cram onto the stages used by their peers. At the same time, despite obvious heaviness and impressive technicality, the group seems to be largely ignored by metal lovers that might be better poised to appreciate a six-piece with two full-time fiddlers. We All Know might be the album to finally win us over.” Math rock is hard.

Canyon of the Skull – The Desert Winter Review

By GardensTale on August 20, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, 22 comments

“I might have a minor masochistic streak when it comes to reviews. Sure, much of my rapidly developing reputation for reviewing dreck (see: Akoma, Invidia, Insatia, Blind Seer) arose from sheer bad luck on blind promo selection. But why else would I stand up and say “I’ll take the ring to Mordor” when Steel mockingly requested volunteers to review a 37-minute, self-released(!), sophomore(!!), single-track(!!!), instrumental(!!!!) doom metal album?” Snakebit.

Jardín de la Croix – Circadia Review

By Huck N Roll on December 13, 2016 in 2016, Aloud Music, Instrumental Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Progressive Metal, 6 comments

“Winter nights mean crackling fireplaces, warm sweaters, and mulled cider. They mean snuggling under a comfy blanket in the warmth of your house while you watch snow gently fall outside your window. They mean piping hot stew, thick wool socks, and fluffy cats curled up in your lap. What else provides warmth and comfort like that in the dead of winter? Instrumental progressive metal, of course.” Can you cuddle up to a noodle?

Pyramids on Mars – Echo Cosmic Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on September 16, 2015 in 2015, Canadian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 25 comments

“Sometimes I’ll pick a band from the promo list just because they have an interesting name. So it was with Pyramids on Mars, who I dearly hoped were a bunch of Richard C. Hoagland inspired conspiracists writing metal for martians.” Here at AMG we’ve brought you the scoop on goblin metal and troll metal. Why not add martian metal to the list.