NWOBHM

Judas Priest – Invincible Shield Review

Judas Priest – Invincible Shield Review

“A new Judas Priest album is going to be the most anticipated moment of any year for olden metal folks like yours Steely, unless Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden are also dropping something (and probably even then). 2018s Firepower was a shockingly spry and battle-ready album that showed there was a lot of life left in this metal clergy, and it gave fans reason to expect good things from 20th album, Invincible Shield.” Shield wall or shield fall?

Byron – Chapter II: The Lotus Covenant Review

Byron – Chapter II: The Lotus Covenant Review

“As metal spawns an ever-growing army of combo meals, sometimes it’s nice to go back to the basics. Finland’s Byron, previously reviewed here by our gone-but-not-forgotten Huck n’ Roll, peddle a brand of occult rock with dashes of NWoBHM. Led by drummer Johannes Lahti—styling himself as Byron V—the band has emerged four years after their debut The Omega Evangelion with follow-up Chapter II: The Lotus Covenant.” Tentacle tantrums.

Saxon – Hell, Fire and Damnation Review

Saxon – Hell, Fire and Damnation Review

Saxon is ageless. Saxon is inevitable. Saxon will be releasing albums when all of you are but musty tomb mold. This is the way of things and has been since 1978. In fact, Saxon’s been rocking and rolling so long, even Black Sabbath thinks their minds are gone. The elder statesmen of the NWoBHM movement, these crusty Brits just keep churning out the goods, and here comes their 24th album, Hell, Fire and Damnation.” Olde dogs, new bite wounds.

Raven – All Hell’s Breaking Loose Review

Raven – All Hell’s Breaking Loose Review

Raven, like Saxon, Satan, and Iron Maiden, were part of the NWoBHM that conquered the world in the early 80s. Prime platters like Rock Until You Drop, Wiped Out, and All for One were fast, furious, and goddamn rowdy doses of attitude, balls, and poor behavior, and they were always the undisputed bad boys of their scene. Some 42 years on and they’re still functioning and releasing new albums on a regular basis, making them part of an increasingly exclusive NWoBHM Survivor Series.” Quoth the Raven “Taste the floor!”

Weapon (UK) – New Clear Power Review

Weapon (UK) – New Clear Power Review

“I was an active metal listener for a good part of the NWoBHM era, but it seems for every Saxon and Raven there were countless smaller UK acts that never reached the ears of folks on my side of the pond. Weapon (or Weapon UK) were one of those “could have been” tales of a band in the early 80s that wasn’t able to launch that defining debut album in time. They had a single and a demo floating around in 80-81 and had some buzz but ultimately called it a day, not to pick up the sword again until 2011.” Ancient weapons in modern times.

Margarita Witch Cult – Margarita Witch Cult Review

Margarita Witch Cult – Margarita Witch Cult Review

“On this most Veridian of weeks, Margarita Witch Cult bursts into your pot den wielding a crème brûlée torch and a fifth of shitty tequila akimbo. The Brummie lads scoff at your bowl, sneer at your bong, and head straight for your dab rig. These aren’t your mellow stoners. No. Margarita Witch Cult is for fans of the murderously occult stylings of Green Lung, Orange Goblin, and Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats.” Drinks with cults.

Trial – Feed the Fire Review

Trial – Feed the Fire Review

“Way back in 2015, when the world was young and AMG was still using the cursed and damned Excel Promo Sheet ov Doom, an album called Vessel by Swedish prog/power/trad act Trial graced my earholes. It was like a joyous fusion of Crimson Glory, early Fates Warning, In Solitude and NWoBHM and I really enjoyed it. I planned to review it but time conspired against me and Vessel never got the AMG treatment it deserved. 2017s Motherless did, however, and that album was a hot mess lacking the old timey charm and mystique of its predecessor. Fast forward to 2022 and Trial return with Feed the Fire and a brand new singer, and the awkwardness of Motherless is nowhere to be found.” Trial by fire.

Hell Fire – Reckoning Review

Hell Fire – Reckoning Review

“I vividly remember writing the review for Hell Fire’s 2019 release Mania. I was sitting in a folding chair in my empty, about-to-be-sold house, passing the time while an HVAC person repaired my apparently damaged furnace. I sat there typing with my headphones on, letting the San Francisco band’s beautiful guitar harmonies and journeyman heavy/speed/thrash metal soothe my heart, a heart still aching from an unanticipated $2000 bill. I remember at the time thinking that I might be underrating Mania, wondering if the stress of moving wasn’t affecting my ability to be objective.” Hell bills coming due.

Mirror – The Day The Bastard Leaders Die Review

Mirror – The Day The Bastard Leaders Die Review

Mirror plays a NWoBHM-inspired brand of retro metal. They also reflect a variety of influences from 70s prog to early 80s metal. Their third album, The Day Bastard Leaders Die, offers up a 44-minute tour back to the time when class was stained, and killers were running free. The band is a passion project for Greek bassist, Tasos Danazoglou – most famously known for his short stint in Electric Wizard. Here he’s under the influence again paying tribute to the music he clearly loves.” Faded reflections and bad luck.