Paradox

Nocturnus AD – Paradox Review

Nocturnus AD – Paradox Review

By Ferrous Beuller on May 27, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Death Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Death Metal, 90 comments

“There are few scenes that have been as instrumental in expanding metal’s horizon as Florida’s death metal explosion. Toiling towards the top of the totem has always been Nocturnus. Their debut album The Key will irrevocably remain a personal favorite and one of the genre’s canonical greats. Thanks to the incessant efforts of drummer and vocalist Mike Browning (of early Morbid Angel fame), the band has endured a tumultuous rebirth as Nocturnus AD. But can new album Paradox survive the curse of contentious re-branding and do justice to the band’s own lofty genesis?” The key to death metal’s past.

Royal Hunt – Cast in Stone Review

Royal Hunt – Cast in Stone Review

By Steel Druhm on February 22, 2018 in 2018, Danish Metal, NorthPoint Productions, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 0 comments

“Royal Hunt has reached the “long running career” stage, with Cast in Stone being their 14th album. Over most of that decade spanning career, they’ve stuck to their original formula, taking rock sensibilities and applying them to prog-metal. While the band was never afraid to wank and strut their musical stuff, they always wrote a catchy tune first, then packed the showboating in the right places.” Rock for the King.

Paradox – Pangea Review

Paradox – Pangea Review

By Steel Druhm on June 21, 2016 in 2016, AFM Records, German Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 18 comments

“It wasn’t so long ago I referenced the basic unkillability of Germanic metal bands, regardless of stature and fame. As if to provide a flying buttress to my argument, along comes Paradox, a classic second tier thrash act from the 80s that are amazingly still functioning some 30 years later despite a paucity of success or notoriety.” Rock hard, rock olde.

Sunburst – Fragments of Creation Review

Sunburst – Fragments of Creation Review

By Angry Metal Guy on March 18, 2016 in 2016, Greek Metal, Inner Wound Recordings, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 52 comments

“It’s well known that I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with power metal and progressive/power. Some of my favorite bands ever—Symphony X and Blind Guardian the most obvious among them—fall into this category, and I keep an ever-watchful eye peeled for new additions to my catalogue. Yet the genre is also plagued by some serious annoyances for me. First, many of the most popular vocalists are people who I find nigh-on unlistenable (Warrel Dane). Second, unlike my esteemed colleague and dictatorial collaborator Lieutenant Corporal Steel Druhm, I find that much of the music being produced within this scene just isn’t terribly heavy. Bands that others worship—see Anubis Gate—feel washed out and bland, offering up little “metal” to keep me engaged.”

Royal Hunt – XIII Devil’s Dozen Review

Royal Hunt – XIII Devil’s Dozen Review

By Steel Druhm on August 29, 2015 in 2015, Danish Metal, Frontiers Records, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, 21 comments

“Royal Hunt has been knocking around the prog-metal circuit forever, and though they’ve dropped a few killer releases, I’d describe their overall discography as a bit spotty. There are those classic albums where their melodic AOR/metal style really hit a sweet spot, and others were it feels like they’re stuck in a lower gear. Their golden age was in the mid 90s with vocalist extraordinaire, D.C. Cooper (Silent Force, Steel Seal) and most fans would likely point to 1997s Paradox as they crowning achievement.” The hunt resumes. Tally ho!