Dr. A.N. Grier

Shine on you crazy (King) Diamond.
Reverorum ib Malacht – De Mysteriis Dom Christi Review

Reverorum ib Malacht – De Mysteriis Dom Christi Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 17, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, The Ajna Offensive, Black Metal, 11 comments

“As many metal fans know, Anti-Cosmic Satanism is the life blood of many black metal bands. Some use it as lyrical content and some as a life philosophy. While I’m not going to delve into the Misanthropic Luciferian Order/Temple of the Black Light, I will point out that it has sharp contrasts to not only LaVeyan Satanism but also to Christianity and Catholicism. You might be wondering, “Doc, what the fuck does this have to do with the current review?” My question to you would be, “how the fuck does a band cemented in anti-cosmic philosophy jump ship and take up Catholicism?”” Wait, who did what now? Oh boy, the fecal matter is about to hit the proverbial oscillation device.

Solace of Requiem – Casting Ruin Review

Solace of Requiem – Casting Ruin Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 12, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, ViciSolum Productions, Black Metal, Technical Death Metal, 9 comments

If there is one thing that can be said about Solace of Requiem, it’s that these guys have yet to pick a style and run with it. Comparing their albums to one another is like comparing metal to sushi. However, their lack of staleness is breath of fresh air (or in this case “putridity?”). Appearing on the scene in 2004 with their self-titled debut of Morbid Angel worship, these guys stuck to the time-tested formula of old-school death metal; mean, fast, and in-your-face. From there they expanded that style by introducing some groove and thrashier elements on Utopia Reborn before incorporating a black-infused tech death approach on their third release, The Great Awakening. Do you like brutal sushi? Do you enjoy an ever shifting musical template? One stop shopping right here, folks!

Provocator – Antikristus Review

Provocator – Antikristus Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 23, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Moribund Records, Reviews, Slovenian Metal, Black Metal, 3 comments

“These days it seems difficult to find the black metal of old; the kind that Hellscream, the sole member of Slovenia’s Provocator claims to play. Even the originators of the dark, raw, and minimalistic style have chosen to delve into experimental, avant-garde, symphonic and punk-driven crust that take the primitive and simplistic foundation of the 90s to bigger and (sometimes) cleaner heights. That being said, these new hybrids have created some incredible material and the old walls of Scandinavian black metal have burned down along with several churches.” Yet another newbie reviewer tackles yet another black metal band. Give Dr. A.N. Grier a warm welcome as he tells of church burnings and old school yearnings.