Oct16

Avenged Sevenfold – The Stage [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

By GardensTale on December 19, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Capitol Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2016, Progressive Metal, 79 comments

“If you’re anything like me, you have probably avoided Avenged Sevenfold for a long time after hearing their older work, which was so firmly planted in the land of metalcore it didn’t seem like they would climb out of it at any point. Though they did display some growth on their work past City of Evil, they continued to be a turn-off with juvenile lyrics that tried far too hard to be edgy. So if you’re anything like me, you might be skeptical when I say The Stage is a great progressive metal album. Yet here we are.” Yep, here we are all right.

Master of Cruelty – Archaic Visions of the Underworld

By Lord Lucan on November 27, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Death Metal, Deathrash Armageddon, Paraguayan Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 10 comments

“Trying to think of a catchy way to start a review when there’s very little information available on the band concerned, most of what is out there is in a foreign language and the record in question isn’t actually very good can be tough. In an ideal world, I probably ought to power through irrespective, taking plenty of time in order to come up with something snappy. Well, in an ideal world I’d also be married to Emilia Clarke, so what can I say?” Get the lede out!

Noveria – Forsaken Review

By GardensTale on November 7, 2016 in 2016, Italian Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Scarlet Records, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 14 comments

“The mainstream view of metal is that it’s either scary or ridiculous. Which, I suppose, makes us all a bunch of clowns, both in how society views us and in our low-key terrorization of the collective subconscious. But you have to admit that a lot of metal really is a bit idiotic, with grown men playing Viking metal, stringing together the foulest descriptions of gore, or, in the case of power metal, screaming about flaming dragons in the skies.” Those dragons are en fuego!

Graveyard Ghoul – Slaughtered – Defiled – Dismembered Review

By Treble Yell on November 6, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, German Metal, Go Fuck Yourself Productions, Reviews, Death Metal, 15 comments

“Look at the band name and observe the logo. Ponder the album art and take in the scene. Glance at the album title and chew over the tone. Undress the track descriptions and raise an eyebrow. Observe the musician’s photos and nod knowingly. Glare at the record label and chuckle darkly. By now you’ve built an impression of a band that in all likelihood conjures up death metal overflowing with pulpy horror references and a choleric disposition.” Taste the crypt.

A Province of Thay – Atonement Review

By Zephyrus on November 4, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Carrion Choir, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Post-Metal, 36 comments

“Music is capable of many wondrous things. It can arouse the senses and instill emotion in even the most hardened of battle vesters. Its melodies can spark furious debate and vehement fervor in scenic sadboys and teeny boppers alike. Indeed, music is just about the only artistic medium that has ever successfully made me shed angry, metal man-tears.” It’s okay to cry. Now report to HR.

The Answer – Solas Review

By Akerblogger on November 3, 2016 in 2016, Hard Rock, Irish Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Hard Rock, 26 comments

“Ten years ago, The Answer released their fuzzified, blues-rock debut Rise. This Northern Irish four-piece rocked. The classic-rock influence was clear for all to hear yet there was enough raw energy for them to stand out; their sound having a vibrant vigor that did not seem forced. Fast forward ten years and five albums and The Answer have released their seventh full-length, Solas. This time the band have honed in on their Gaelic heritage, expressing a more subtle, more folk-inspired side to their sound.” Your mom thinks this is boss.

Netherbird – The Grander Voyage Review

By Dr. Wvrm on November 3, 2016 in 2016, Black Lodge Records, Black Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 16 comments

“With roots reaching as far back as Bathory, acoustic guitars have long subverted the conventions of traditional black metal, adding vibrancy to a scene born of minimalism. The last fifteen years have seen acoustic-laden acts like Agalloch and Panopticon transcend the genre with atmospheric forestscapes that owe a great deal to the Grandpa’s guitar. This evolution lit a new path through the early darkness of winter and allowed Netherbird to find fresh inspiration later in their career.” Evolve or die.

The Von Deer Skulls – The Rest Is Silence Review

By Ferrous Beuller on November 2, 2016 in 2016, Doom Metal, French Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Wraith Productions, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, 21 comments

“To state the obvious, it’s my allotted task to listen to music and quantify it as best I can so that your delicate, little shell-like ears can filter out the good, the bad and the downright ugly. Ironically, The Von Deer Skulls run the gamut of all three. When faced with a band billed as progressive post-doom, how on earth could my pretentious urges refuse?” Smell the skull!

Madder Mortem – Red in Tooth and Claw Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on November 2, 2016 in 2016, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 47 comments

“I was going to begin this review by referring to Madder Mortem as one of Norway’s best kept secrets, but I had no idea if that were true. It’s hard to judge how well-known a metal band is outside of one’s own group of heavy metal compadres, which is probably why I’m so often surprised by the billing of certain acts at certain German festivals (Feuerschwanz, anyone?).” Now featuring a popularity contest!

T.O.M.B. – Fury Nocturnus Review

By Lord Doom on November 2, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Industrial Metal, Peaceville, Reviews, Black Metal, Industrial Metal, 29 comments

“Makers of what they have referred to as “shadowy,” “blackened,” and “industrial” noise, T.O.M.B. ask in their own language of exploding synthesizers what would happen if, instead of making music haunted and cinematic, someone collected everything haunted and cinematic about metal and made it musical. Literally, this is a group that has crafted an entire album from samples recorded at famous insane asylums, and here on their newest release, Fury Nocturnus, they do their best to convince listeners they have found an even spookier space.” An experiment in terror?