Dr. A.N. Grier

Shine on you crazy (King) Diamond.

HateSphere – New Hell Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 10, 2016 in 2016, Danish Metal, Groove Metal, Massacre Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, 23 comments

“If anything can be said about HateSphere, it’s that they know how to please their fans. Though many of us crave a bit more diversity across a fifteen-year career, the fact that HateSphere drops consistent album after consistent album every couple years is enough to please (almost) anyone. HateSphere’s consistency is the result of founding guitarist Peter Hansen and his continued navigation along the course set by 2001’s self-titled debut.” And it’s always tough to know if consistency is a virtue or not.

Frostbite – Etching Obscurity Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 4, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Tmina Records, Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 32 comments

“I have to admit that I picked up Frostbite’s Etching Obscurity for the cheesy band name and the “progressive black metal” tagline. Expecting a pretentious ambient/avant garde black metal album to laugh circles around, I instead found Etching Obscurity well worth my time.” And you know a doctor’s time is very valuable.

Spektr – The Art to Disappear Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 27, 2016 in 2016, Agonia Records, Ambient Metal, Black Metal, French Metal, Industrial Metal, Reviews, Ambient Metal, Black Metal, Industrial Metal, 27 comments

“I first came across the nightmarish raptures of Spektr in 2006 with Near Death Experience. That album was perhaps the most unsettling record in my music collection at the time, and served to worsen my already-horrific insomnia. Since then I’ve been captivated by every one of Spektr’s disturbing soundtracks.” To sleep, perchance to scream?

Baphomet’s Blood – In Satan We Trust Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 21, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Italian Metal, Reviews, Speed Metal, Black Metal, Speed Metal, 34 comments

“After nearly seven years on hiatus, Baphomet’s Blood have returned (minus S.V. Goat Necromancer) with booze in their beards, blood on their jackets, shovels on their shoulders, and eyes set on murdering lawns-o’-plenty as only Motörhead could do.” Lemmy would be pleased.

Evil Drive – The Land of the Dead Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 15, 2016 in 2016, Finnish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Mighty Music, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 31 comments

“Every promo to hit my desk receives an initial listen without the reading of websites, promo sheets, or any such fuel that would result in premature judgment. Sometimes absorbing myself in the artwork or the musical theme of the album transforms a mediocre first-listen into something worthwhile. Other times it does not.” Will such a fair and even-handed approach make Evil Drive a pleasure trip?

Raw – Battalion of Demons Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 10, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, German Metal, MDD Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 3 comments

“I know this will be a shocker to many, but it appears that Dr. Grier’s second review of 2016 is a thrashy one. This time, however, it’s not a by-the-numbers release of straightforward Metallica, Slayer, or Exodus brown-nosing.” The Doctor and his thrash are like conjoined twins and just as cranky.

Gravewürm – Doomed to Eternity Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 5, 2016 in 2015, American Metal, Black Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, 24 comments

“Thirty years past its prime, Gravewürm’s songwriting and musical delivery continues to leave a lot to be desired, and after twenty-five years of existence and ten full-lengths, I ask myself the same question before every Gravewürm release: does Gravewürm have anything new—anything at all—to offer in their newest output?” That’s a really good question.

Battlecross – Rise to Power [Things You Might Have Missed 2015]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 18, 2015 in American Metal, Metal Blade, Things You Might Have Missed 2015, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 23 comments

“It comes of no surprise to those of you restlessly commenting on EVERY FUCKING review, YMIO, and TYMHM article that I got truly thrashed this year. Being a product of the Bay-Area heyday, I haven’t had much fun with any of the modern thrash output storming the iTunes racks in the last decade or so. But 2015 gave me a few monsters I will love for eons to come.” The Doctor is a thrashard.

War Curse – Final Days [Things You Might Have Missed 2015]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 10, 2015 in American Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2015, Thrash Metal, Unsigned Bands, Thrash Metal, 17 comments

“What can be said about War Curse’s Final Days? Well, it’s the best Slayer album of 2015. Tapping into Slayer’s mid-paced, hard-hitting era, War Curse delivers deliberate crushers that are neither lightning speed or slow paced, ripping raw or polished piggery.” And the bar was set so high by the last Slayer album too!

Helheim – raunijaR Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 6, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 14 comments

“I feel quite confident when I say that Helheim might be one of the most underrated Viking metal outfits on the planet. There weren’t too many Norwegian black-metal bands in the mid ’90s pushing the Viking sound as hard as these guys.” Hel, hel to Norway!