Itchymenace

Swollen opinions that scratch the surface

Night Demon – Outsider Review

By Itchymenace on March 22, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 86 comments

“Ventura, California power trio, Night Demon have been producing quality, workman-like metal for over a decade. Always dependable, they quickly honed their NWoBHM-infused trad metal into bite-sized, three-minute horror-themed nuggets and swaddled them in denim and leather. Their last full album, 2017’s Darkness Remains was a power-packed olde school homage that my brother-in-sump, Eldritch said, “delivers pretty much everything you could want from a traditional heavy record.” After four years, the band return to haunt your dreams once more, but this time with a much more ambitious offering.” A night at the demon.

Morphetik- Proclamation of War Review

By Itchymenace on March 15, 2023 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 19 comments

“The promo materials for Morphetik’s sophomore release state that it “promises to usher in a modern age of thrash that pays homage to the originals while keeping their eye towards the future.” A lofty boast in a genre field that is well-populated with talented bands producing quality music.” New year, olde speed.

Crimson River – Here’s To The End…Again Review

By Itchymenace on February 23, 2023 in Reviews, 27 comments

“I’ll be honest, I went into this review ready to bash this album. Crimson River is a silly name with awkward connotations, the album title doesn’t make any sense and the band’s logo makes them look like an evil tech company from an unproduced 90s Transformers movie. Still, I did my due diligence and spun the thing lest Steel withhold my precious gruel. With the opening Iron Maiden-y guitar notes, my preconceptions vanished like so many wasted years.” Iron water.

Autumn’s Child – Starflower Review

By Itchymenace on January 30, 2023 in Reviews, Pop Metal, 37 comments

“Why do these retro 80’s pop/metal knockoff records keep clogging the promo sump? And why am I the only one here willing to pry them out? And why do bands think it’s a good idea to keep making this schlock in the first place? Autumn’s Child is one of Swedish vocalist/muti-instrumentalist Mikael Erlandsson’s many projects. While not familiar with Mr. Erlasndsson before I dislodged Starflower from a tar-like mass of solo black metal projects,” Flowers in the 80s attic.

Massive Wagons – Triggered [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

By Itchymenace on January 11, 2023 in Things You Might Have Missed 2022, 19 comments

“Massive Wagons released one of the most unapologetically fun records of the year (sorry Coathanger Abortion). Triggered is the British quintet’s sixth overall and second on Earache Records. In a year packed with countless prog, death and black metal albums, it stands as a fresh and contagious alternative to an otherwise serious and challenging musical landscape.” Wagon show.

Arallu – Death Covenant Review

By Itchymenace on December 6, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, 36 comments

“A great benefit of working for AMG, beyond the weekly bowl of gruel that barely keeps you alive enough to clack out reviews on the blood-stained keys of the staff Commodore 64, is the exposure to bands from around the globe. This is my third review of a Middle Eastern band and my second Israeli band. While new to me, Arallu has been around. They’ve spent 25 years writing about religious wars and the hatred that’s perpetuated in the age-old conflicts in their corner of the world. Their sound began as raw blackened metal, inspired by early pioneers of the genre, but is steeped in traditional and ancient Sumerian melodies and instrumentation.” Metal tourism.

Sword – III Review

By Itchymenace on November 22, 2022 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 25 comments

“For you angry metal toddlers out there who have never heard of them, Sword (not to be confused with Austin doom stoners The Sword) is a Canadian band that swung hard with their 1986 debut, Metalized. The album generated a decent amount of attention and even landed them opening slots for Motorhead, Alice Cooper and Metallica. Their 1989 follow up, Sweet Dreams, was another energized plate of trad metal but the band’s edge never penetrated very far beyond their Canadian homeland. It’s not clear why they broke up in the early 90s but according to their website, they’ve been happily playing in cover bands, raising families and working their 9-5 jobs. III seemingly picks up where the band left off 30 years ago.” Reforging the steel.

Ateiggar – Tyrannemord Review

By Itchymenace on November 16, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, 29 comments

“On the evening of December 24th in the year 820 AD, Byzantine emperor, Leo Armenius – also known as Leo V – went to Christmas mass. Little did he know that several members of the chorus were assassins in disguise with swords hidden beneath their robes. Fortunately for Leo, in the dim candlelight of St Stephen’s chapel, the hit mob accidentally filleted a priest instead of the unpopular emperor. In the confusion, Leo ripped a large crucifix from the wall and used it to defend himself. He called for his guards, but the doors were barred. During the ensuing melee, Leo was eventually hacked to pieces and his body unceremoniously dumped into the snow outside. 1,202 years later, Ateiggar, a black metal duo from Switzerland, announce the debut of their first full-length LP, Tyrannemord.” Violent night.

Coathanger Abortion – Plan C Review

By Itchymenace on October 26, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 32 comments

“I had never heard of Tennessee’s Coathanger Abortion before plugging my nose and taking the plunge of shame into the AMG promo sump. For all I knew they were a bunch of fun-loving Christian fundamentalists with a deep sense of irony. Turns out they’re not. They’re a quartet of southern fried sickos who love classic death and grindcore. Can Coathanger Abortion stand shoulder to decapitated shoulder with the latest batch of death metal heavyweights?” Hangers and bangers.

Cainan Dawn – Lagu Review

By Itchymenace on October 12, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, 27 comments

“I’m happy to report that I was able to field-test this record under optimal conditions. I pried it out of the sticky muck in the bottom of the promo bin just before embarking on a four-day solo canoe trip in Northern Minnesota. My first full playthrough of Lagu was while sheltering beneath a small cluster of jack pines on the shore of Sucker Lake. I had spent the first part of the morning canoeing in cold rain and decided it was time to stop for lunch. While the rain continued to drizzle down around me and the early stages of hypothermia crept into my feet, I popped in my ear buds. I was hoping Cainan Dawn would deliver a brutally majestic soundtrack to my harsh but beautiful surroundings and distract me from the damp 50 degree chill.” Nature-tested.