English Metal

Kull – Exile Review

By Eldritch Elitist on May 22, 2019 in 2019, Black Lion Records, Black Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 93 comments

“In my three years with this blog, I have never had as much difficulty penning an introduction as with Kull’s debut record, Exile. This is not due to any conflicting feelings about the subject at hand; rather, I’m petrified of underselling just how monumentally special Kull is to me. Their existence is borne from the ashes of Bal-Sagoth, an English band that is a permanent staple of my listening rotation, and whose output fizzled out just before I stumbled upon them in 2008. Mind you, my ongoing affection for them does not stem from sentimentality or nostalgia.” Big Balls(agoth).

Body Harvest – Parasitic Slavery Review

By Ferrous Beuller on May 15, 2019 in 2019, Comatose Music, Death Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 63 comments

“Our very own Eldritch Elitist recently posited that death metal is at its peak when following either one of two separate paths: an unapologetic flogging or creative innovation. He’s not wrong. But there is also a third route worthy of consideration. The one unashamedly paved with the gilded bones of the genre’s revered forefathers. How do we quantify those bands who patch their material together from piecemeal legacy? It’s an easy approach to snub, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest the potential for success.” Ripping off the oldies.

Osiah – Kingdom of Lies Review

By Kenstrosity on May 10, 2019 in 2019, Death Metal, Deathcore, English Metal, Reviews, Unique Leader, Death Metal, Deathcore, 30 comments

“Summer is fast approaching—for those who have four seasons, anyway. That means all of the deathcore in the whole world is about to flood the markets and beat down the public just as the blazing Southern sun beats down pasty nerds such as I. English quintet Osiah opted to join the front lines of that inevitable invasion of breakdowns and br00tality with their sophomore album, Kingdom of Lies. This will also be their first outing signed onto Unique Leader. Most of you could guess what to expect from that fact alone, but let’s break it down anyway, shall we?” Break like the wind.

Venom Prison – Samsara Review

By Kronos on March 18, 2019 in 2019, Death Metal, English Metal, Grind, Prosthetic Records, Releases, Reviews, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 135 comments

“The band’s grindy, slammy death metal draws many parallels to Cattle Decaptitation, whether it’s their everything-but-the-kitchen sink approach to riffing, their sudden outbursts of groove, or their vicious takes on social injustice. Samsara has no dull edges, no safe entrances, and a complete lack of regard for your safety.” Limited safe spaces.

Hecate Enthroned – Embrace of the Godless Aeon Review

By Lord Doom on January 30, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Death Metal, English Metal, M-Theory Audio, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 121 comments

“January has been… slow for quality metal releases. Can Hecate Enthroned buck the trend and save us all? Embrace of the Godless Aeon is the sixth album from these Brits as they push past the twentieth year in their recording career. Coming off a five year release gap and sporting a new vocalist, is there any hellfire left in their demonic well of blackened death metal?” Embrace the orchestration.

Wytch Hazel – II: Sojourn [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By Steel Druhm on December 15, 2018 in 2018, Bad Omen Records, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, Heavy Metal, 53 comments

“2018 was the year Steel Druhm paid way more attention to what was going on with Bandcamp. I monitored what writers and readers were buying and recommending and found a few gems along the way. My favorite was II: Sojourn, the sophomore outing by U.K. retro rockers, Wytch Hazel.” Rub it on.

Old Man Lizard – True Misery Review

By Cherd on December 2, 2018 in 2018, Doom Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Wasted State Records, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, 32 comments

“If you’ve been following the Chronicles of N00b, you may remember that the last time I was let out of confinement, it was for a forced march through a symphonic winter wonderland. This, after specific requests to review my preferred genre of doom, nearly broke me (no doubt the point). But for my fifth review, I’ve been thrown a bone. Not only do England’s Old Man Lizard play doom, they play the stoner strain: ur-doom that can trace its origin to the moment Sir Lord Baltimore and Black Sabbath crawled out of the primordial ooze after the mantle cooled on Planet ~~Caravan~~ Metal.” Feel the scales.

Haken – Vector Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 26, 2018 in 2018, Djent, English Metal, InsideOut, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Djent, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, 116 comments

“My introduction to the band was on The Mountain, which found the band dropping incredible songs with deeply creative compositions and amazing performances. But The Mountain‘s follow-up—Affinity—has never really established itself in my listening rotation. Unfortunately, while Affinity was full of ideas I loved and things I appreciated intellectually, it was like the girl who’s “perfect” for you but that you can’t get into. So I’ll admit mild consternation when Vector arrived. I wondered if Vector would continue in Affinity’s footsteps or if Haken had stayed on the move.” Moving and remaking.

Iron Void – Excalibur Review

By Steel Druhm on October 22, 2018 in 2018, Doom Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Shadow Kingdom Records, Doom Metal, 79 comments

“Few things are more epic than the tale of King Arthur, Merlin, the Knights of the Round Table, and the original sword of poser pokery, Excalibur. Fewer still are as big and bombastic as John Boorman’s mammoth, sweeping retelling of the fairy tale in his 1980 film named after said mega-blade. Since Excalibur happens to be my favorite movie of all time, when I heard English doom mongers Iron Void were doing a conceptual album based on it, my interest was piqued.” Knight fall.

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats – Wasteland Review

By Steel Druhm on October 10, 2018 in 2018, English Metal, Reviews, Rise Above Records, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, Stoner Rock, 32 comments

“Less is more. That little witticism has become the AMG mantra because it’s so very true. Most 75-minute albums are less enjoyable than a 45 minute version would be. Three Taco Bell Hard Taco Supremes are a better choice than six. It’s just how the world works. When it comes to the creepy stoner rock of Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, this rule proves especially accurate. Though I loved their second album, Bloodlust and found their whole night stalker shtick endearing, I’ve never felt the same about any of their later releases. Wasteland is their fourth full-length and the recipe remains the same.” Creepy uncles and bad trips.