Angry Metal Guy

Nocturnus AD – Unicursal Review

By Steel Druhm on May 16, 2024 in Reviews, Progressive Metal, 20 comments

“When Mike Browning reformed his project as Nocturnus AD and dropped 2019s Paradox, it ignited a fresh rush of possibility. Was this the long-awaited successor to The Key? Sadly, it was not, though it was a rip-roaring dose of proggy death with a grand scope. Now we get Unicursal and like its predecessor, the ambition is on full display as Browning and company strive to create a new world of unusual soundscapes. It’s an hour of wild time signatures, twisting tempo shifts, and enough technical chops to overdose on, but is it the Nocturnus album we dream about like so many electric sheep?” Nocturnal remissions.

Elvellon – Ascending in Synergy Review

By Kenstrosity on May 16, 2024 in Reviews, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 25 comments

“As I’ve mentioned a few times during my tenure, fem-fronted symphonic power metal was my gateway into the metalverse. Bands like Nightwish, Epica, pre-Hydra Within Temptation, and Neverworld’s End-era Xandria, among many others, were my favorite things in the world for many years. Even today, the style still holds a crucial place in my rotation. Unfortunately, very few breakout acts in the last decade made a mark in the scene. Two names in particular who buck that trend come to mind: Connecticut-based Dialith and the subject of today’s piece, German five-banger Elvellon.” SYNERGY SYSTEM.

Goden – Vale of the Fallen Review

By Dear Hollow on May 16, 2024 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 10 comments

“New York City’s Goden embodies the spiritual successor of Winter, a quietly influential death/doom outfit who amassed a devoted cult following 1990’s acclaimed full-length Into Darkness and follow-up 1993 EP Eternal Frost. Original guitarist Stephen Flam and guest keyboardist Tony Pinnissi created the new chapter of Goden, 2020 debut Beyond Darkness (an homage to its parent act) ambushing fans and newcomers alike with mountainous riffs, frosty synths, and vicious vocals – virtually only held back by the act’s obsession with a billion synth interludes. With follow-up Vale of the Fallen, it becomes all the more crucial for Flam and company to continue its trajectory of success.” Winter is coming (back).

Pallbearer – Mind Burns Alive Review

By Cherd on May 15, 2024 in Reviews, 143 comments

“It’s time to revisit a conversation that became necessary in 90s metal circles with the advantage of almost 30 years hindsight. How do we deal with beloved metal bands when they lose their interest in metal, either abruptly or over the course of several albums? Back then, it was complicated. When Paradise Lost decided they weren’t a death/doom metal band anymore, there was disappointment and confusion. Same when Ulver left black metal tied to a tree whimpering in the woods and never looked back. Some fans of their metal work remained open minded and found merit in the new directions. And the bands certainly found new fans who would never touch metal on principle. I’ve surveyed the general metal media consensus around Pallbearer’s output since 2017’s Heartless, and I’ve come to the conclusion that in the 2020s, things aren’t so complicated. Everyone’s a simp.” Simptons of the metalverse.

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats – Nell’ Ora Blu Review

By Iceberg on May 15, 2024 in Reviews, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, 43 comments

“Nell’ Ora Blu, or “the blue hour,” is a love letter to Italian cinema, particularly the Poliziotteschi (crime) and Giallo (horror) styles. While Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats are famously a four-piece fuzzy psych-rock band, the vast majority of this record was conceived, written, and performed by main brain Kevin Starrs. This is by and large an instrumental, soundtrack-adjacent album, though there are tracks on here that will remind fans it’s still Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats.” Time to pay up, Deadbeats!

The AMG Rodeö Goes to Hell: Kerry King – From Hell I Rise

By Steel Druhm on May 14, 2024 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, 95 comments

A Kerry King solo album requires a very special Rodeö, and we have just the right clowns to get in the ring with From Hell I Rise. Hell Rodeö awaits!

Black Tusk – The Way Forward Review

By Dear Hollow on May 14, 2024 in Reviews, Sludge Metal, 18 comments

“Black Tusk is one of those bands that are eternally 3.0, and I’ve always been completely content with that. My first experience with the Savannah, Georgia veterans was 2011’s Set the Dial, a veritable riff-fest of sludge to counter the swampy slogs I had only been acquainted with. In ways, the trio stood shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Mastodon and Baroness without the lofty ambition: you come for the sludge, you stay for the riffs.” Tusk and run.

Hell:on – Shaman Review

By Holdeneye on May 13, 2024 in Reviews, Death Metal, 98 comments

“The band hails from Ukraine, and when Russia invaded their homeland, I decided I’d throw a tiny bit of support their way by ordering said CD. I received a response from the band, telling me that all of their merch was trapped in an office in Kyiv, which, at the time, was under direct Russian attack. When I told them they could keep my money regardless of whether or not they’d ever be able to fulfill the order, they wrote back, “Thank you! It will be shipped if we and/or our merch will survive! We believe in our country as never before, and Ukraine will stay!” I eventually received that CD, and its back story makes it one of the most precious in my collection. Years later, the war for Ukraine still rages on, and fortunately, so does Hell:on.” War, merch, and peace.

SYK – eartHFlesh Review

By Thus Spoke on May 13, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 21 comments

“Bereft of a lyric sheet or any promotional explanation, I’m unsure why SYK chose to spell the title of their fourth album like they have. eartHFlesh draws attention with more than its unusual spelling though, with a dark, provocative cover, and the fact that it marks the band’s signing with Season of Mist. The Italian collective have been steadily building on a groovy, quirky brand of progressive death metal, distinguished largely by the cleans of now ex-vocalist Dalila Kayros. With her gone, and the group pivoting to primarily unclean growls, and a further turn, if slight, towards the more extreme corners of the genre, a new form of SYK emerges for the first time. eartHFlesh is a critical turning point.” New flesh, new friends?