Machine Head

Machine Head – ØF KingdØM and CrØWn Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 26, 2022 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, 133 comments

“For better or worse, Machine Head has returned with another album. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve said it before, I’m a diehard fan of Flynn and co. But it’s hard to imagine the band returning with anything decent after the absolute dumpster fire that’s Catharsis. Not to mention the resulting departure of everyone but Flynn. But Machine Head has done it before. Remember Supercharger and the brilliant resurrection that is Through the Ashes of Empires? Without that struggle and success, we would never have received The Blackening. So, maybe there’s still hope.” Damn the Machine.

The Risen Dread – Night Hag Review

By El Cuervo on January 25, 2022 in Reviews, Metalcore, Thrash Metal, 15 comments

“I appreciate a good concept album. Sometimes an album concept merely offers a quirky angle to music which is already enjoyable. Sometimes it is central to the album’s enjoyment itself. In the case of Ireland’s The Risen Dread and their debut record entitled Night Hag, there is a theme worthy of greater exploration and artistic endeavor: mental illness. Important though this subject no doubt is, concept albums that fail forget that substance trumps style, and similarly music trumps message.” Hag time.

Muertissima – Inquisition Review

By Steel Druhm on October 14, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, 25 comments

“I’m a fairly open-minded primate. Ask anyone on the approved asking list and they’ll tell you. This aforementioned open mind inspired me to take a chance on unknown French death metal act Muertissma and their full-length debut Inquisition. The promo bluster promised “dynamic death metal” with thrash and death elements and a willingness to embrace open and adventurous song structures. Some of that is in fact delivered over the nearly 50 minutes of Inquisition, and in some instances, it was a mistake to do so.” No one expects the French Inquisition.

Bloodspot – The Cannibal Instinct Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 17, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 19 comments

“Bloodspot would also like you to know that they aren’t afraid to cross genres. That said, they ain’t no atmospheric, avant-garde black metal group. Instead, this German quintet attempts to cross doom with groove and death with thrash. In the end, though, the band’s sound is closest to that of Swede-thrash outfits like At the Gates and The Haunted. But, there’s more to Bloodspot and their new outing, The Cannibal Instinct, than meets the eye. The question is, is it worth exploring?” Food chaining.

Heathen – Empire of the Blind [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 20, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Thrash Metal, 21 comments

“Heathen. I’ve got three shirts that say it and nine people that call me that. I liken it to a word like ‘dickhead.’ It’s got great pop and works in all situations. Though it’s maybe more fun to call my mom a ‘dickhead’ rather than a ‘heathen.’ But, I suppose it depends on the day. Speaking of fun, let’s talk about that other Heathen. The one that released Empire of the Blind, and we never got it.” Blind fury.

Onslaught – Generation Antichrist Review

By Holdeneye on August 4, 2020 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, 30 comments

“When I selected the promo for Onslaught’s Generation Antichrist, I initially thought that I was grabbing the latest platter from a relatively modern thrash outfit. But there was something about the British band’s logo that gave me the nagging feeling that I had seen it before. And then it came to me: Onslaught is a band that I’ve often seen listed on those “Best Thrash Albums of All Time” lists. No, not the “Top 10 Thrash Albums of All Time” lists, but the “Top 50 or Top 100 Thrash Albums of All Time” lists.” Generations clash.

Saints of Death – Ascend to the Throne Review

By GardensTale on July 8, 2020 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 26 comments

“Come on, groove metal. I know you can do it. Elitists tend to treat you as the secondary antagonist of metal’s story, behind only to nu-metal, but between genre founders Pantera and the best bits of Machine Head’s discography, there’s still a lot of potential in this particular sound. Hell, I’ve even enjoyed the occasional DevilDriver when craving musical fast-food, which seems to be considered a heinous crime amongst some.” Groove you wrong.

Pessimist – Holdout Review

By Holdeneye on July 3, 2020 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 50 comments

“Pessimist. How about that for a band name in the year of our demise that is 2020? While originally slated to cover some German power metal this week in the form of Goblins Blade, I handed that apostropheless, potential 4.0 off to Huck so I could cover some German thrash with a grouchy name.” Holdenout.

League of Corruption – Something in the Water Review

By Saunders on June 21, 2020 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Groove Metal, Sludge, 7 comments

“The shadow of the mighty Sabbath looms large over the album’s down and dirty mix of bluesy doom and groove-laden heavy rock. Add some burly gruffness to Black Label Society and Corrosion of Conformity influences, and whiffs of the NOLA school of rock and sludge, and you get a basic idea of what League of Corruption are all about on their debut LP, Something in the Water.” Sumpin’ pumping.

Bear – Propaganda Review

By GardensTale on May 17, 2020 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Mathcore, Progressive Metal, 15 comments

“How much good groove metal have we even heard in the last decade? Unto the Locust was, in my opinion, Machine Head’s last good album, and that’s about where it ends for me. Groove-influenced bands like The Haunted have worked much better than bands that use it as its core. Belgian quartet Bear seek to subvert that formula by stapling several genres to its creamy groove center.” Grizzly grooves.