Tad Morose

Doomocracy – Unorthodox Review

By Steel Druhm on November 9, 2022 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 60 comments

“Epic doom is a much-beloved genre for yours Steely, but it’s a very challenging one to pull off properly. Balancing doom and traditional metal while imparting an epic flavor can be a tricky proposition for even the most talented band, and it’s far too easy for things to fall into cheddar and shame with the slightest misstep. For every glorious Atlantean Kodex victory, there are several crushing defeats out there where heroic sagas flop harder than that 300 lb. gent at the annual drunken bellyflop tournament. That brings us to Doomocracy and their third album, Unorthodox.” Vote DOOM!

Memory Garden – 1349 Review

By Steel Druhm on December 15, 2021 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 61 comments

“Well, this is a yuletide surprise. A new Memory Garden album was not on my bingo card for Covid-ravaged 2021. To set the stage, Memory Garden emerged out of the 90s Swedish power/doom scene that birthed such acts as Tad Morose, Morgana Lefay and Sorcerer. Like these somewhat better-known brethren, their sound was regal, polished, classy, and bedecked in the finery of both doom and heavy power metal. Since their last release was way back in 2013, I’d assumed they were in the garden themselves.” A pox on 2021.

Pharaoh – The Powers That Be Review

By Steel Druhm on June 18, 2021 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 39 comments

“For a time it seemed Philly-based Pharaoh would be the vanguard of a new wave of gritty American traditional/power metal. Albums like The Longest Night and 2012s Bury the Light bristled with burly riffs and rough-hewn vocals, accentuated by super slick musicality and proggy elements. After nearly nine years without a release, the band’s forward momentum is a thing of the distant past, but that doesn’t mean they can’t drop another barn burning dose of heavy metal thunder with fifth album The Powers That Be.” Curse of the Pharaoh!

Flotsam and Jetsam – Blood in the Water Review

By Ferrous Beuller on June 10, 2021 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 23 comments

“A man’s real possession is his memory. In nothing else is he rich, in nothing else is he poor. Wise words but, what wisdom giveth, it may also taketh away. That first time Steel slides a selfie into your dms holding something unspeakable in one hand and a promo in the other is forever etched into each staffer’s mind. While fortunes fade and that furry memory remains, at least the promo material tends to improve with time. Case in point, Blood in the Water by thrash stalwarts Flotsam and Jetsam.”” Blood and Steel in the water.

Communic – Where Echoes Gather Review

By Steel Druhm on October 27, 2017 in 2017, AFM Records, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 31 comments

“Communic sits comfortably in the subgroup of metal acts that don’t get the attention they deserve. With 4 albums of pretty consistently sharp, heavy prog metal under their belts, they’ve essentially filled the gap left when Nevermore folded shop. Albums like Conspiracy in Mind and Waves of Visual Decay mixed a satisfying crunch with soaring vocal harmonies, slick progressive sensibilities and a dark edge that draws me back often.” Dark minds plot darkly.

Below – Upon a Pale Horse Review

By Steel Druhm on May 16, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 61 comments

“Being the traditional kind of guy I am, if you were to tell me there was a band taking the very best parts of vintage Candlemass and Tad Morose and expertly welding them together, you would have my undivided attention. Below is that act, and Upon a Pale Horse is their second opus of epic doom mixed with classic/traditional metal. Mystery abounds as to how we whiffed on their 2014 debut, Across the Dark River, but we did and it was a mistake we won’t be making again.” Good things come on pale horses.

Serious Black – As Daylight Breaks Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 18, 2015 in 2015, AFM Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Power Metal, 39 comments

“When I picked up the debut album of Serious Black for review, I knew nothing about this band. What I did know was that the band name Sirius-ly gives me an uncontrollable urge to hunt down Harry Potter and punch him in the fucking face. But once I decided to review this slab of melodic metal, I discovered that this sum bitch is serious-ly special.” Step back folks, we have another “super group” on our hands.

Wolf – Devil Seed Review

By Steel Druhm on August 19, 2014 in 2014, Century Media, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 8 comments

“Wolf has been running at the forefront of the retro metal pack for a while now, surpassing even the vainglorious cheese meisters of Hammerfall. They’ve done so with slick, memorable song writing and a healthy respect for their elders like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Mercyful Fate. Although they’re utterly devoid of originality or new influences, they’ve been uncannily skilled at aping and raping the past for golden metal moments of steel. 2011s Legions of Bastards had a strong Painkiller vibe, but Devil Seed slows things down and adopts a darker,more restive, simmering mood, like a filthy mob of commoners perpetually on the verge of rioting against the haughty upper crust.” Honey, the Wolf is at the door again!

Things You Might Have Missed 2013: Trail of Murder – Shades of Art

By Steel Druhm on November 10, 2013 in 2013, Blog Posts, Heavy Metal, Swedish Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2013, Heavy Metal, 11 comments

“Is it really that time of year already? Well, not quite, but Steel Druhm needs to correct a grievous error. I admit when I blow it and entirely miss a worthwhile release. I may do so grudgingly and with bitterness, but I do it. Well, this may be my biggest miss ever, since Trail of Murder is not only a great band, but features one of my all time favorite singers, Urban Breed (ex-Tad Morose, ex-Bloodbound).” Look, mistakes were made and finger pointing won’t solve anything at this point. I said I was sorry!!! Sheesh.

Tad Morose – Revenant Review

By Steel Druhm on November 7, 2013 in 2013, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, 10 comments

“Whenever a beloved band implodes and goes into a ten-year hiatus, you’re more than justified in viewing a comeback with a jaundiced eye. After all, times change, people change, that “special something” a band had slowly fades away from lack of use. Basically, everything falls apart and the center cannot hold. Oh and hey, Tad Morose, the once great Swedish heavy metal act is back after a ten-year lay off. What a coincidence!” Follow along as Steel Druhm reviews Revenant and learns that nostalgia is a double-edged sword with poison ivy oil on the blade. Owwww, itchy slice, itchy slice!!!