Retro Review

Retro-Review: December Wolves – Completely Dehumanized

By Grymm on April 18, 2016 in American Metal, Black Metal, Earache Records, Retro Reviews, Black Metal, 12 comments

“1996. Yours truly graduated high school and landed a job at what would end up being GameStop. At the Electronics Boutique I was working at (Rockingham Park, Salem, New Hampshire), I would sometimes be visited by a lanky, long-haired dude wearing various different black metal shirts. One shirt was of a band called December Wolves, and I told him that was an interesting name for a band. He smiled and said, “Thanks, man. I’m the bass player. Check us out sometime.” Yep, that’s my story of how I met Brian Izzi (now best known as the guitarist for crusty grinders Trap Them) and got wind of December Wolves.” Tales of wind and wolves shall trap them all.

Retro-Spective Review: Anacrusis – Screams and Whispers

By Grymm on March 9, 2014 in American Metal, Progressive Metal, Retro Reviews, Thrash Metal, 21 comments

“I get sad when bands don’t get their just due. I get sadder when I find out about that band after they had disbanded. One fateful night in 1993, I was watching MTV’s Headbangers Ball and caught a video of “Sound the Alarm” by St. Louis, Missouri’s progressive thrashers, Anacrusis. From what I’ve read online, “Sound the Alarm” was played once and only once on that show, and it was after the band had called it quits earlier that year. I was fortunate enough to be floored by that song.” Join Grymm as he shines a light on a truly under-appreciated metal treasure.

Retro Reviews: Adagio – Sanctus Ignís

By Angry Metal Guy on June 30, 2013 in Blog Posts, Retro Reviews, Power Metal, 4 comments

Back in 2001, when I was just a new pup, I got a promo for a band I’d never heard of from Al Kikuras—my boss at the venerable (and NSFW) Unchain the Underground; one of the best webzines in existence. Being a young punk, I didn’t have much reference to cope what I heard at the time, but I loved it. The album was a clear progressive power record in the veins of Yngwie Malmsteen or Symphony X and it hit every single right button. It’s been a long time since I’ve even listened to it, though, what with the pace of reviewing. So I thought I’d break it out again.

Retro Reviews: Lumsk – Åsmund frægdegjevar

By Angry Metal Guy on February 19, 2013 in Blog Posts, Norwegian Metal, Retro Reviews, Spinefarm, 16 comments

Metal these days is in an undeniable downswing. Right now very few bands are doing something new, fresh or innovative. Instead, we’re riding a wave of retro metal: retro Swedish death; retro power; retro ’80s; re-thrash. In all the bustle about the latest cult ’70s style doom record that making everyone hot in the britches, I’ve been getting the itch for something new. Unfortunately, with the exception of the occasional glimmer of hope, right now is also a time for those of us who can to turn our eyes backwards. With a backward glance we talk about records that really should not be forgotten, things that were and, given the retro craze, probably will be again. In this case, I am thinking of Lumsk’s debut record Åsmund frægdegjevar.