AFM Records

Schattenmann – Epidemie Review

By Huck N Roll on July 3, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, German Metal, Gothic Metal, Groove Metal, Industrial Metal, NDH, Reviews, Groove Metal, Industrial Metal, 22 comments

“We didn’t review the newest Rammstein album here at Angry Metal Guy, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t listen to it, or talk about it between bench press sets. The overall impression was favorable, believe it or not, and this loyal reviewer would have happily given it a 3.0. There was enough variety and catchiness that it was a fun spin. However, some folks out there in the wide world feel that Rammstein and the whole NDH genre are outdated. Who would say such a thing? Well, the boys in Schattenmann, that’s who.” Ramming speed.

Tanzwut – Seemannsgarn Review

By Twelve on June 12, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, Folk Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Folk Metal, 39 comments

“So there I am, minding my own business, taking a casual stroll through the Angry Metal Promo Pit when a certain Tanzwut catches my eye. There’s the name, of course, but more importantly, the tagline: “medieval rock,” they use to describe themselves. Now, the last time I heard “medieval” applied to a style of metal, the album was The End is Nigh, the band was Apocalypse Orchestra, and my Album o’ the Year was thus. So if you tell me you play “medieval rock” and you have two bagpipers in your band, well, what can I say? I’m in.” Bag men.

Stahlmann – Kinder der Sehnsucht Review

By El Cuervo on March 30, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, Electronica Metal, German Metal, Groove Metal, Industrial Metal, Reviews, Industrial Metal, 29 comments

“In 2017 I reviewed the fourth album by Stalhmann with the coarse name of Bastard. It continued their adoption of the Neue Deutsche Härte sound modeled on a more electronic version of Rammstein. Album five goes by Kinder der Sehnsucht (Children of Longing) and remains on the straight and narrow path of their style already well-established.” Kinder bar.

Bloodbound – Rise of the Dragon Empire Review

By Steel Druhm on March 19, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Power Metal, 76 comments

“I miss Swordborn. I really do. He was up on all the latest power metal cheddar and well steeped in the genre’s Gouda, bad and ugly. With him inexplicably missing in action, I’m tasked with more power metal glory than I’ve been since the primordial days of AMG. That means taking the bitter with the sweet and brother, there’s a lot of bitter out there. That brings us to Sweden’s Bloodbound, who began life as a traditional metal act helmed by the great Urban Breed. After he left the band, they shifted from classic to power metal, and since 2014s Stormborn, they’ve been playing the Game of Thrones, delivering tales of dragons, empires, and orcs with somewhat uneven results.” Train your dragon.

Iron Savior – Kill or Get Killed Review

By Steel Druhm on March 9, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 50 comments

“Iron Savior can’t be fought, Iron Savior can’t be sought. Brought to life in 1997 by original Helloween frontman Piet Sielck, the band’s made a respectable career for themselves by beefing up the base sound of Piet’s genre-defining former act with traditional and NWoBHM influences, resulting in a gritty, cantankerous hybrid. Kill or Get Killed is their tenth album in this meat n’ fancy taters style, and they sound none the worse for wear after 21 years in the iron trenches.” You can’t kill the olde.

Rhapsody of Fire – The Eighth Mountain Review

By Angry Metal Guy on February 22, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, Italian Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 219 comments

“Rhapsody’s history has all the operatic drama required of its Italian heritage. Rhapsody, one of the ‘90s and early-aughts’ finest power metal bands, rose to prominence on the back of outstanding material before suffering a string of setbacks in the mid-2000s. After some legal drama and a triumphant return with two brilliant albums in two years, the band’s primary composers—Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli—split the world in two.” Now Rhapsody of Fire is back with its third post-split album and first with a band new vocalist. What could go wrong?

Herman Frank – Fight the Fear Review

By Steel Druhm on February 7, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 35 comments

“Herman Frank made his metal bones by playing guitar alongside Wolf Hoffman on Accept’s early and influential albums like Restless and Wild and Balls to the Wall. He then took a decades-long hiatus, returning for the band’s first few post-Udo albums before decamping once again to helm his eponymous project. His solo output hasn’t fallen far from the Accept tree, but always steered closer to classic hard rock ideas and formulas. This rock influence became more prominent on 2016s The Devil Rides Out, and the trend continues on fourth outing, Fight the Fear.” Fear is the mindkiller.

Evergrey – The Atlantic Review

By Steel Druhm on January 21, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, Gothic Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 50 comments

“Evergrey carved quite the little niche for themselves over the last 20-plus years. Their brand of stripped down depressive progressive metal is never the most flashy or trendy thing in the room, but they’ve always had a certain somber magic that pulls you in and draws you back. They’ve been on a nice roll of late too, with 2014s Hymns for the Broken and 2016s The Storm Within both delivering the sadboy goods with enough meat and weight taters to hit the metal bone just so. The Atlantic is the final chapter in the loose conceptual trilogy started with Hymns, dealing with the confusing ebbs and tides of life as we try to chart a course and keep our head above water.” Come sail away.

Flotsam and Jetsam – The End of Chaos Review

By Huck N Roll on January 14, 2019 in 2019, AFM Records, American Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 67 comments

“Fans of 80s thrash, rejoice! For we have a couple of albums coming out over the next few weeks from bands that were active in the genre’s infancy. First up is the latest from the never-let-go-of-the-dream quintet, Flotsam and Jetsam. I’ll mention the Jason Newsted–Metallica connection only because my February review will contain a similar reference, but everyone’s aware of this link. Most of those people haven’t really listened to the band, either then or now, which is a shame. While not as influential as their more famous counterparts in the “Big 4,” their first two albums, as well as 2016’s self-titled return to form, are well worth checking out.” Flotzilla’s revenge.

Gama Bomb – Speed Between the Lines Review

By Huck N Roll on October 11, 2018 in 2018, AFM Records, Irish Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 36 comments

“If you read lists of what women find attractive in men, Number Three is always a sense of humor. Since most men (including myself) will never have Numbers One or Two, this becomes a very important trait. Enter Gama Bomb, an Irish thrash band that loves to sing about Kurt Russell and Robocop. Their nerdy sense of humor has been a beacon on the thrash scene since their 2005 debut, Survival of the Fastest, and in some ways, they could be considered the AC/DC of thrash.” Run for our love!