War Anthem Records

Rotpit – Let There Be Rot Review

Rotpit – Let There Be Rot Review

By Steel Druhm on April 14, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 47 comments

“The name “Rotpit” stood out in the promo sump like an elephant turd in a kid’s wading pool. Impossible to miss and difficult to ignore, it begged critical questions. Is rotpit just another name for a grave, or is it something way more…rotten? Could it be a compost heap? Is this some kind of Earth-first green death metal? Steel doesn’t have all the answers, but he did learn that Rotpit is a side-project by current and former members of Heads of the Dead, Wombbath, Just Before Dawn, and Revel in Flesh.” 40 Rot Sun O))).

In Slumber – While We Sleep Review

In Slumber – While We Sleep Review

By Maddog on July 11, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 13 comments

“While We Sleep’s cover art is creepy but striking. Even in its edited monochromatic form, this 1890s painting piqued my interest. Looking at the shadowy whispering figure with billowing hair and the wide-eyed woman, shrouded in darkness but with her face glowing, I expected While We Sleep to sound evocative and mysterious. This was largely wrong. Austria’s In Slumber plays “direct melodic death metal” (their words, not mine), the least mysterious of genres.” Blue clues.

Graveyard – Hold Back the Dawn Review

Graveyard – Hold Back the Dawn Review

By Holdeneye on September 19, 2019 in 2019, Death Metal, Reviews, Spanish Metal, War Anthem Records, Death Metal, 46 comments

“The promo in question is Hold Back the Dawn, the fourth full-length — and third of a planned four dealing with Lovecraftian horror — from Barcelona death metallers Graveyard, and it has so many good riffs that it just might be worth getting fired for. As it rises from the depths, you will find yourself powerless to move or even make a sound as the band’s influences writhe and constrict around you.” Tentacle porn is reborn.

Sinners Bleed – Absolution Review

Sinners Bleed – Absolution Review

By Doom_et_Al on May 29, 2019 in 2019, Death Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Technical Death Metal, War Anthem Records, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 29 comments

“Everyone loves a good comeback. Overcoming the odds to return triumphant is a theme that has resonated through the ages. Sinners Bleed know all about comebacks. Their first album From Womb to Tomb was released to a reasonable critical reception… 16 years ago. This gap almost rivals the legendary 17 years between Sabbath’s Forbidden and 13. Personal issues, changes to the line-up, and various setbacks along the way made it seem like a follow-up would never see the light of day. Which would have been sad because these Germans showed with their debut that they had some serious chops. But despite the travails and setbacks, here we are with Absolution.” Blood and time.

Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult – Mardom Review

Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult – Mardom Review

By Grymm on April 12, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, German Metal, Reviews, War Anthem Records, Black Metal, 49 comments

“Contrary to popular belief, many of us writers here at Angry Metal Guy Institute haven’t been exposed to every band a genre offers. Whether that’s due to time constraints, the ol’ chestnut of “I’ll get around to checking them out eventually” and then forgetting to check them out eventually, or just the simple fact that you haven’t heard of them, many bands honestly fly under our radar. That’s just a fact of life. In this instance, I hadn’t heard a note of Germany’s black metal quartet Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult until guitarist/frontwoman Onielar took over the coveted mic for fellow German legends Bethlehem in 2016 on their self-titled album.” Scary friends of creepy acquaintances.

Minotaur Head – Minotaur Head Review

Minotaur Head – Minotaur Head Review

By Steel Druhm on October 20, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, War Anthem Records, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 23 comments

“It’s been a minute or so since I’ve reviewed a Rogga Johansson project (of which there are approximately 30), so when I saw a brand new entity creep into the promo sump, I was curious enough to check it out. This new beast is Mintotaur Head, a doom/death supergroup led by Rogga and Bob Bagchus (ex-Asphyx).” October brings The Great Dooming.

Age of Woe – An Ill Wind Blowing Review

Age of Woe – An Ill Wind Blowing Review

By Grymm on October 15, 2016 in 2016, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Reviews, Sludge, Swedish Metal, War Anthem Records, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Sludge, 20 comments

“It was bound to happen. As I’m sitting here, writing a review of the appropriately titled An Ill Wind Blowing, the second album by Swedish sludgemeisters Age of Woe, I gaze out the rear door and see picturesque blue skies, mild temperate winds, and a garden teeming with life and vibrancy, complete with a Godzilla statue wolfing down some unfortunate garden gnomes. This is all important to note because, just a full day ago, Hurricane Matthew beat the ever-loving shit out everyone in its path through the Bahamas and parts of Florida, including my sleepy neighborhood.” From the storm comes…doom.

Rogash – Malevolence Review

Rogash – Malevolence Review

By Grymm on February 20, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, German Metal, Groove Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Groove Metal, 9 comments

“It’s been a while since I’ve reached into the Grymm Grab Bag™ to review my next band, and this review doesn’t change that. Y’see, sometimes, like with Tom of… err, TOMB of Finland, the name alone just screams to be reviewed. This case, though, it was AMG himself saying, “Hey, Mr. Dan Swanö produced this.” Dan is a very talented mult-instrumentalist, a gifted songwriter, and the producer of some of my favorite records. So, I like Dan. And Dan produced Malevolence, the second album by German death metal machine, Rogash. When the Boss asks you to check something out, then damnit, you listen!” Grymm is working for the Man.

Bombs of Hades – Death Mask Replica Review

Bombs of Hades – Death Mask Replica Review

By Roquentin on January 27, 2016 in 2016, Crust Punk, Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, War Anthem Records, Crust Punk, Death Metal, 8 comments

“First appearances can be and often are misleading. Take Death Mask Replica, for example, the fourth release by Swedish band Bombs of Hades. After noticing the Captain Beefheart-spoofing title and marveling at the tastefully grim and artsy cover, one might expect some kind of experimental blackened death metal in the vein of Chaos Echœs to be hidden within.” Of course, you’d be totally wrong and embarrass yourself.