American Metal

Ross the Boss – Born of Fire Review

By Steel Druhm on March 6, 2020 in 2020, AFM Records, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 33 comments

“Ross the Boss is one of those bands I can’t help rooting for, being as it’s the outfit of Ross Friedman, the man behind the guitar on all the classic Manowar albums. Those platters were a huge part of my early metal education and I still cherish them dearly, as all trve metal fans should. Ross’ post-Manowar projects have been somewhat hit or miss, and 2018s By Blood Sworn was very disappointing despite some major league talent coming on board to help out. Because of this, I majorly tempered expectations coming into their 4th album, Born of Fire.” Who’s the Boss?

The Motion Mosaic – Avant-Garbage Review

By Kronos on March 3, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Hardcore, Mathcore, Metalcore, Reviews, Self-released, Hardcore, Mathcore, Metalcore, 15 comments

“The joke has been made. Or rather, as I am forever chastised by the Wordpress interface for the passive voice’s use, The Motion Mosaic made the joke. So did Huck when he checked in to make sure I was covering this. Never one to stop the momentum of a joke at my expense, I let him know I was way ahead of him. To know thyself truly is as hard as Steel or, in this case, hardcore, and it is the goal of The Motion Mosaic’s eclectic sophomore record.” Mathcore is hard.

Body Count – Carnivore Review

By Dr. Fisting on March 3, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Black Metal, Century Media, Hardcore, Rap Metal, Reviews, 58 comments

“My love of Body Count should come as no surprise to longtime readers at this point. However, I’ve been somewhat skeptical of the band’s output since their reformation/comeback in 2014. Manslaughter and Bloodlust each had their moments, but new band members and attempts at modernization had resulted in something of an identity crisis. On Carnivore, Body Count’s third album since said comeback, I can’t help but wonder: which version of the band will show up?” Ice T-Bone.

$RED\\SHIFT – Grow.Decay.Transform. Review$

RED\\SHIFT – Grow.Decay.Transform. Review

By Carcharodon on February 28, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metalcore, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Sludge, Metalcore, Sludge, 34 comments

“There’s a statement in the promo blurb that a “catastrophically drunk dive-bar patron” once described Minnesotan trio RED\\SHIFT as being like “Mastodon mugging King Crimson in a back alley on New Year’s Eve.” There was also mention of wolves with swords for arms.” The right to arm wolves.

Drown – Subaqueous Review

By Steel Druhm on February 27, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Prophecy Productions, Reviews, Death Metal, Funeral Doom, 40 comments

“Funeral doom was never a genre I willingly embraced or ever truly “got,” but as I grow older I seem to be finding more and more affinity for it. Perhaps that’s because I’m getting closer to picking out caskets for my own funeral, or maybe age has slowed me to the point where I can better appreciate other slow things, like turtles and the US legal system. Whatever the case may be, Subaqueous, the second album by Drown, is helping bring me around on this most niche of genres.” Death in the water.

Aktor – Placebo Review

By Steel Druhm on February 26, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Ektro Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 19 comments

“Chris Black (AKA Professor Black) has been a living wellspring for great metal over the past decade, crafting great music with Dawnbringer, High Spirits and Pharaoh. Somewhat overlooked in his mighty repertoire is his Aktor project, which until recently only had one release to its credit, 2015s Paranoia. It was a rocking affair heavily influenced by 70s acts like Thin Lizzy and Blue Oyster Cult and it was a fun, breezy listening experience with plenty of hooks. Placebo is the outfit’s second release and keeps the basic formula intact while adding an ass-ton of crazy synth and keyboard work, making for a somewhat loony soundscape.” It’s time for your medicine, Mr. Black.

Today is the Day – No Good to Anyone Review

By Grymm on February 25, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, BMG, Grind, Noise, Reviews, Sludge, Grind, Noise, Sludge, 26 comments

“Steve Austin personifies the definition of the word “driven.” For 30 years, as the vocalist, guitarist, and mastermind of Maine’s Today is the Day, Austin had to deal with homelessness, abandonment, and the ever-changing and fickle nature of the music business. In doing so, he’s crafted such amazing albums like In the Eyes of God and Yer Metal is Olde inductee Temple of the Morning Star, becoming one of underground noise-rock and metal’s endearing and enduring heroes. “Enduring” is a mild understatement.” Music to persevere with.

Thokkian Vortex – Thy Throne is Mine Review

By Doom_et_Al on February 25, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Black Metal, Non Serviam Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 15 comments

“Thokkian Vortex has always been a little… odd. Into the Nagual frequently sounded like standard second-wave black metal fare, with few frills and even less fuss. But then, out of nowhere, weird ambient tones would emerge, combined with chanting and strange instrumentation. While it didn’t work particularly convincingly, like great uncle Bob removing his dentures as a party trick at Thanksgiving, it had a peculiar charm.” Throne to the wolves.

Shadow Witch – Under the Shadow of a Witch Review

By Saunders on February 23, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Argonauta Records, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Reviews, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, 16 comments

“I often marvel at the diversity of the wondrous art form of metal music. Doom is no exception, flowering beyond the traditional Sabbathian foundations. Along with its various genre affiliates, it continues to impress in genre depth without deviating too far from slow and heavy pathways. New York’s Shadow Witch lean towards a hard-rocking, bluesy, riff-centric stoner doom template on their third album, Under the Shadow of a Witch.” Wicked witches.

Thoren – Gwarth II Review

By Kronos on February 22, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Avante Garde, Death Metal, Dryland Records, Experimental Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Experimental Metal, Instrumental Metal, Technical Death Metal, 21 comments

“There’s a menagerie of experimental groups about the borders of the black and death metal scenes, tracing out their own paths without much regard for popular approval or commercial success. On occasion, these groups will sweep into the mainstream, but for the most part, their influence is more subtle, appearing in an adulterated form in the riskier songs of established artists. If your poison is black metal you can choose between the flavors of Krallice (ever bolstered by their lineup’s star power), Jute Gyte, Genevieve, and many others. If your neck is a bit larger in diameter, you might want to choke down Baring Teeth, Coma Cluster Void, or this week’s subject, Thoren.” Buffet of bitters.