Self Released

Drungi – Hamfarir Hugans Review

Drungi – Hamfarir Hugans Review

By GardensTale on April 16, 2024 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, 12 comments

“I love ‘for fans of’ or ‘related artists’ shorthands. In lieu of the endless genre discussions, it’s a great shortcut to match potential fans with new music. It has its shortcomings, of course; for one, you need to actually know the bands to get a feeling for whether it might be up your alley. Furthermore, bands can abuse it by referencing a bunch of popular bands, even when their style is only tangentially related. Case in point: the promo sheet for Drungi’s self-released debut Hamfarir Hugans included such a baffling spread in their FFO, I was immediately skeptical. Sólstafir, Skálmöld, Black Sabbath, Gojira and Manowar. What on Earth could possibly sound like all of those at the same time?” Sounds like…madness.

Idiot Robot – Anti Pop Culture Review

Idiot Robot – Anti Pop Culture Review

By Saunders on March 14, 2024 in Reviews, 32 comments

“Perusing the promo sump, I stumbled across Idiot Robot, intrigued by the grunge tag they were saddled with. Being an avid fan of the ’80’s/’90’s grunge scene, Seattle rock movement and ’90’s alt-rock in general, I’m a sucker for this shit. Hell, even 2023’s Somnuri album, which kicked endless arse, sealed my love with its earwormy grunge hooks and melodies. Under closer investigation, I realized our resident spongey friend Kenstrosity reviewed the Floridian duo’s self-titled debut album in 2020, where despite endearing elements of nostalgia, the end result was something akin to a dumpster fire. Nearly four years have passed, and everyone has room for improvement, right?” Robot problems.

The Dread Crew of Oddwood – Rust & Glory Review

The Dread Crew of Oddwood – Rust & Glory Review

By Twelve on March 12, 2024 in Reviews, Folk Metal, Not Metal, 38 comments

“We’re no strangers to “pirate metal” ’round these parts, are we? There’s just something about the enduring and relatable ideals of pirate-themed music that we at Angry Metal Guy universally love, commenters, readers, and writers alike. I’ve opened my review with this entirely uncontroversial statement as a way to share with you my own excitement when I received the promo copy for Rust & Glory, the fifth full-length release for the U.S.-based pirate musicians that make up The Dread Crew of Oddwood.” YAAARR’s revenge.

Zwielicht – The Aphotic Embrace Review

Zwielicht – The Aphotic Embrace Review

By Doom_et_Al on February 13, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, 13 comments

“Occasionally, we all gotta go back to our roots. Expanding one’s sonic palette is all fine and good, but when you’ve had a beast of a day, sometimes you just want to close your eyes and lose yourself in the familiar. 2024 has been incredibly hard work so far, which is why the AMG overlords suggested I go back to what Doomy does best: reviewing underground black metal. Zwielicht in the promo sump immediately jumped out. Experienced musicians (the band is nearly 20 years old)? Check. Evil and fast black metal? Check. Unencumbered by petty labels and their weird expectations? Check.” Hello darkness my olde friend.

Inver – On This Earth Review

Inver – On This Earth Review

By GardensTale on January 23, 2024 in Reviews, Gothic Metal, 22 comments

“Inver is another unknown and unsigned yet unusual gothic metal band. Inver has no releases, no demos, and barely an online presence to speak of. I can’t even confirm the country of origin with certainty, though British or Irish seem the most likely petri dishes.” Unidentified sadbois.

Omnerod – The Amensal Rise [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

Omnerod – The Amensal Rise [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

By Kenstrosity on December 15, 2023 in Things You Might Have Missed 2023, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 47 comments

“Sometimes a record takes its sweet time worming its way into my brain. Other times, a record drills into me with the immediacy of a bolt of lightning. Omnerod’s sophomore full-length, The Amnesal Rise, did a little bit of both to me in 2023. Released back in May, this immense, intense slab of dramatic progressive death metal slowly crept into my skin, but the infection it carried was virulent. I found myself feverishly affected by its horrific tale, and while it took me a while before I returned, once I did, there was no escape.” Bugs on a balloon.

Antrisch – EXPEDITION II: Die Passage [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

Antrisch – EXPEDITION II: Die Passage [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

By Carcharodon on December 13, 2023 in Things You Might Have Missed 2023, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 48 comments

“Back in April—practically a lifetime ago—I interviewed Noise of Kanonenfieber, Leiþa and Non Est Deus fame. Ever the professional, I shamelessly used it as an opportunity to fish for album recommendations for my own enjoyment. In my defense, I did at least deign to share some of them with you ungrateful swine. Unsurprisingly, all of Noise’s recommendations were solid but there was one that really got its frozen claws into me, Würzburg, Germany’s Antrisch and their second record, EXPEDITION II: Die Passage.” In cold blood.

Kill the King – Kill the King Review

Kill the King – Kill the King Review

By Saunders on November 8, 2023 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 10 comments

“Emerging as an underdog in the budding Indian metal scene, upstart thrashers Kill the King come armed and ready to unleash a self-titled, self-released debut thrash platter. Formed in 2016, Kill the King have done the hard yards toiling in the underground, sharpening their tools in readiness for the five-piece outfit to put their skills to practice and rumble with the big dogs of the modern thrash scene. It certainly isn’t easy to stand out in the crowded field of modern thrash, a scene that splinters off into various offshoots such as retro thrash, blackened thrash, death-thrash and modern thrash territory.” Rabid Regicide.