Dr. Wvrm

Solitary – The Diseased Heart of Society Review

By Dr. Wvrm on March 5, 2017 in 2017, English Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, UKEM Records, Thrash Metal, 13 comments

“Why is thrash metal the de facto outlet for raging against the machine nowadays? The genre was always pissed off, but the distillate of what was once a hallowed pastime of metal at large is now brewed exclusively into the complimentary Milwaukee’s Best served at your local jean vest purveyor. Don’t look to Solitary to deviate from that. Featuring $$$, Jesus, a handgun, and some sweet, sweet H, The Diseased Heart of Society’s cover is four-fifths of the way to social commentary Bingo.” Don’t drink the Beast.

Pyogenesis – A Kingdom to Remember Review

By Dr. Wvrm on February 27, 2017 in 2017, AFM Records, Alt-Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Alternative Metal, 40 comments

“Oh, I’ve heard death and I’ve heard black. I’ve heard prog metal albums that I thought would never end. I’ve heard so much shit that it’s all started to blend, but I never thought I’d see Pyogenesis again.” The cease and desist letter is inbound.

Raise the Black – Portrait Review

By Dr. Wvrm on February 13, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, English Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Doom Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 28 comments

“These days, the album bin’s like a box of chocolates: most morsels are halfway decent, except the random orange-flavored ones. Despite a name suggesting a jaunt on the Seven Seas and a promo sheet whispering sweet nothings of Insomnium, Agalloch, and Woods of Ypres, Raise the Black’s debut, Portrait, has the pinkish taste of despair to it.” Taste the pink despair!

Weltesser – Crestfallen Review

By Dr. Wvrm on February 4, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Sludge, 14 comments

“I listen to fast music; the rage-inflicted murder beast that lurks in my soul is never fussier than when stuck behind some jamoke doing 25 mph. Consequently, picking up Weltesser was a bit of a gamble, as doom has never been my speed. The right groove can rev my engine, but idle too long and I’ll go right to Sleep.” Doom to improve.

The Brood – The Truth Behind Review

By Dr. Wvrm on January 31, 2017 in 2017, British Metal, Death Metal, Give Praise Records, Grind, Reviews, 7 comments

“As you might have noticed and/or protested, I’ve recently had a ratings run of Steelian proportions. I know I should thank my lucky stars that most of my comrades would kill to fall ass-backward into this vat of high scores and tickled bemusement. But I’m a greedy bastard and I want more!” It’s not a competition.

Crurifragium – Beasts of the Temple of Satan Review

By Dr. Wvrm on January 24, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Invictus Productions, Reviews, 18 comments

“What’s black and white and re(a)d all over? A war metal cover made out of newspapers! Stupid joke, but I bet you smiled anyway. Good news for all of you goat/Satan fans out there, Crurifragium are here to ensure you never smile again. Born of an unholy union between members of Demoncy, Astraes Pestis, and Warpvomit, these Seattleites bear all the triple-6 markings of a devil-worshiping crew looking to hail Lucifer in the best(ial) of ways.” Satan.

Undrask – Battle Through Time Review

By Dr. Wvrm on January 20, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Melodic Death Metal, 43 comments

“With a basic internet connection offering an up-to-the-minute cornucopia of quality metal releases, snap judgments have become an unfortunate way of life. On my first listen, Undrask came off as middling melodeath in the vain of acts emulating Clayman—In Flames and peak Children of Bodom. Packaged in a blue-and-orange visage that could leave Michael Bay weak in the knees, debut Battle Through Time initially left me stifling a yawn. Sorry, better luck next time. NEXT!” A funny thing happened on the way to the review.

Brutal Unrest – Trinitas Review

By Dr. Wvrm on January 13, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, German Metal, Hammerheart Records, Reviews, Death Metal, 15 comments

“Once upon a time, this writer, still a wet-behind-the-ears thrash aficionado, met his first brother-in-metal. He was a lanky fellow who’d rattle his neighbors’ windows with sessions of Cannibal Corpse and hit the pits so hard he’d be out of class for a week. So strong was our bromance that I cut my very first class to hit my first real show with him — I even had a beer (underage!) — what a rebel I was. I owe him, specifically his deification of Glen Benton, for a good portion of my listening habits.” Beers, Benton, bromance, Battlestar Galactica.

Vale of Pnath – II [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

By Dr. Wvrm on January 12, 2017 in 2016, American Metal, Technical Death Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2016, Willowtip, Technical Death Metal, 52 comments

“I never thought of myself as a tech death fan. Coming from a thrash background, I never needed insane drum machine combos or faster-than-light scales to get my dander up. But after penning one tech death TYMHM this winter, I was struck by the notable divide between Dormant Ordeal and current beau Vale of Pnath.” Kronos laughs at your newbiehood.

Gravebreaker – Sacrifice Review

By Dr. Wvrm on December 24, 2016 in 2016, Gates of Hell Records, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, 4 comments

“In times of turmoil, our old refrains become more important to our sanity than ever. After burying my wallet in the backyard following some semi-drunk Christmas shopping, I turned to the latest Gothenburg-spawned album on the pile. Nothing better than somber keyboard-laden melodeath and the pitch-black 4 o’clock hour to ease the pain, right? No chance.” The 80s ride again!