Hard Rock

Transport League – A Million Volt Scream Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 16, 2019 in 2019, Hard Rock, Mighty Music, Reviews, Sludge, Swedish Metal, Hard Rock, Sludge, 13 comments

“If you’re like me, you’ve probably never heard of Sweden’s Transport League. Formed way back in 1994, they knocked out four full-length discs before breaking up in 2005. During this time, TL played an in-your-face sludge style that combined the hard knocks of Clutch with the ghoulish qualities of Rob Zombie and the Southern flavors of Down and Pantera. After dabbling in the industrial world for a few years with their band M.A.N., the boys decided to give Transport League another try.” League of the unextraordinary.

The 69 Eyes – West End Review

By GardensTale on September 11, 2019 in 2019, Finnish Metal, Gothic Metal, Hard Rock, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, 30 comments

“With multiple platinum records under their arms from the 00’s, the glam-turned-goth collective has been active since the early 90’s. One might assume they intended to be a Sisters of Mercy that actually releases new music. That lengthy career path is evident in some of the stronger tracks.” Goth by the numbers.

The Electric Mud – Burn the Ships Review

By Huck N Roll on August 21, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Hard Rock, Reviews, Self-released, Stoner Rock, Hard Rock, Stoner Rock, 14 comments

“There are still bands out there that hearken back to the loud, bluesy days of hard rock. Clutch is today’s prime example of that style, and ZZ Top is the granddaddy. Both bands love the blues, and love to boogie. You can add Floridian quartet The Electric Mud to that cadre. These guys are beer drinkers and hellraisers, and on sophomore album Burn the Ships they aim to show us all how gritty southern blues-rock should be played.” Deep South ship kicking.

EdgeOverEdge – EdgeOverEdge Review

By GardensTale on August 17, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Hard Rock, Nu-metal, Reviews, Sliptrick Records, Hard Rock, Nu Metal, 21 comments

“At the risk of torpedoing my metal cred, I must admit I have a bit of a soft spot for Godsmack.” Flamethrowers, assemble!

The Drippers – Action Rock Review

By GardensTale on August 8, 2019 in 2019, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk, Reviews, The Sign Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk, 28 comments

“I’ve seen some unfortunate band names through the years as well. But I’ve yet to see one so proudly self-diagnose Gonorrhea as Gothenburg band The Drippers, following the template of The Plurals so richly mocked in Sum 41’s “Still Waiting” video. But do they bring the fire or does Action Rock feel like a burning sensation when you pee?” Drip rock.

Damn Your Eyes – Kill the Outside Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 5, 2019 in 2019, Adrenaline PR, American Metal, Groove Metal, Hard Rock, Reviews, Groove Metal, Hard Rock, 11 comments

“Though absurd on so many levels, let’s imagine what it would be like to combine the aggressiveness of Down’s ‘Lifer’ and the catchiness of ‘On March the Saints’ with the comeback power of Machine Head’s ‘Imperium’ and the apocalyptic ‘Halo,’ all wrapped up in VH1’s second favorite grunge band, Alice in Chains. That must mean Damn Your Eyes’ debut record, Kill the Outside, sounds like ‘Aesthetics of Hate’-meets-‘Down in a Hole’-meets-‘Bury Me in Smoke,’ right? Wrong.” Damn you ears.

Cable – Take the Stairs to Hell Review

By Master of Muppets on August 3, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Hard Rock, Reviews, Sludge, Translation Loss, Hard Rock, Sludge, 17 comments

“I fucking hate the promo sump. It lies, cheats and steals more than the whoriest ov my exes, and successfully cons me into infinite second chances just as often. This time, she – the bin, not the bad news boo – really outdid herself, preying on my spite and my lust for redemption following my second 4.5 in this year ov our Jørn 2019; she promised me metalcore, guys, she said she’d give me something trite and untrve, but instead she gave me Cable. Not only are they exactly 0% metalcore, but these Connecticut creeps can actually kick a competent amount of kiester, woe Discordia.” Sumpin’ sumpin’.

Licence – N.2.O.2.R Review

By GardensTale on August 2, 2019 in 2019, German Metal, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metalapolis, Reviews, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 27 comments

“I love complex music as much as the next metalhead. The potential for progressive structures and technical wizardry are some of the elements that set rock and metal apart from most other forms of contemporary music. But sometimes, I just want to kick back with something that’s catchy and dumb, and if there had not been plenty of people who agree with me, we’d never have had glam metal.” Expired.

Hyvmine – Retaliation Review

By Kenstrosity on July 12, 2019 in 2019, Alt-Metal, American Metal, Hard Rock, Post-Grunge, Reviews, Seek and Strike, Alt-Metal, Hard Rock, Post-Grunge, 63 comments

“Hard rock. Alt-metal. Post-grunge. These were the things I listened to back in high school. Breaking Benjamin and Disturbed in particular satisfied my desire for a bit of harmless aggression in my angsty youth. To be fair, I still hold a soft spot for the stuff, with Phobia and Ten Thousand Fists rising above the rest as the two albums from this subset of artists that I still regularly revisit. Los Angeles’ Hyvmine emerge from the same gene pool, fully intending to rock the world with their sophomore effort Retaliation.” You have hives.

Lightning Born – Lightning Born Review

By Cherd on June 19, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Occult Rock, Retro Metal, Reviews, Ripple Music, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Occult Rock, Retro Metal, 23 comments

“Indeed, my indirect memories of the 70s feature objects and trends grown shabby from age and eventually replaced by neon colors, Reaganomics and synth pop. Raleigh, North Carolina’s Lightning Born, on the other hand, remember the 70’s in living detail and have preserved them in pristine amber on their full-length eponymous debut.” Lightning born, time frozen.