Metal Blade

Angel Witch – Angel of Light Review

Angel Witch – Angel of Light Review

By Steel Druhm on November 1, 2019 in 2019, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, NWOBHM, Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 42 comments

“Angel Witch is a name most of you have heard before even if you never actually heard their music. They were one of the earliest of NWoBHM acts, and along with Iron Maiden, Saxon, Diamond Head and others, they helped create a new style of music, launching heavy metal’s popularity to new heights and paving the way for the glorious 80s metal renaissance. Their debut was a quasi-classic in the genre and a fine example of the NWoBHM style, sounding like a a cross between early Def Leppard and Witchfinder General. Followups were more stripped down and rock ready, but the band was quickly overshadowed by several of their contemporaries, and though their output was solid, by 1986 it was all but over for the English rockers.” Old wave in the new age.

Cult of Luna – A Dawn to Fear Review

Cult of Luna – A Dawn to Fear Review

By Huck N Roll on September 17, 2019 in 2019, Hardcore, Metal Blade, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Swedish Metal, Hardcore, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 61 comments

“This summer saw a couple of top-notch releases from instrumental post-metal vets Russian Circles and Pelican. Both albums were worthy entries in the genre, but we should consider them appetizers, or warm-up acts, because one of the heavy hitters just walked in, and they have something to say.” Drink this Kool-Aid.

Sacred Reich – Awakening Review

Sacred Reich – Awakening Review

By Dr. Fisting on August 19, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Metal Blade, Rating, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 43 comments

“Formed way back in 1985, Arizona’s Sacred Reich plays thrash metal according to the original recipe, blending Priest / Sabbath worship with just a dash of early-80s hardcore. Thankfully devoid of cheesy theatrics or progressive aspirations, the band has generally relied on atonal palm-muted riffs and socially conscious lyrics to win the day. While Sacred Reich never really went away, they had also not released a new album since 1996’s Heal, seemingly content with occasionally playing the festival circuit. For whatever reason, they must have changed their minds recently. With some fresh inspiration and a reconfigured lineup, Sacred Reich has delivered their first studio release in 23 years, the aptly titled Awakening. Morning in America.

Killswitch Engage – Atonement Review

Killswitch Engage – Atonement Review

By Master of Muppets on August 12, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Metal Blade, Metalcore, Reviews, Metalcore, 52 comments

“All in all, they’ve done a pretty remarkable job of defying AMG‘s Law of Diminishing Records, and yet that very fact made me a bit apprehensive of Atonement. Wouldn’t it be just my luck to score reviewing rights to such a renowned and personally beloved[1. I’ll admit that I’ve cooled on Killswitch and metalcore in general over the years, but they were integral to my dive into the depths ov metal nonetheless, and I say thank ya.] act only for it to be their Cold Lake?” Atone for what?

Destrage – The Chosen One Review

Destrage – The Chosen One Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on May 30, 2019 in 2019, Italian Metal, Metal Blade, Metalcore, Reviews, Metalcore, 32 comments

“A man walks into a bar after a long day at work. A mushroom sits beside him, a real fun guy. The man orders a Stella Artois from the bartender and asks for it in a two-ounce glass. Perplexed, the bartender knocks eighty percent off the price and does what he is asked. “Bottoms up” says the man to the mushroom, who toasts to feces and personal growth in return. The man sets down the empty glass roughly, which gets the bartender’s attention. “That,” the man says to the bartender, “was some terrible whiskey.” This is how most metalcore reviews read by writers who never could stand the genre to begin with. They want it to be something it’s not, and when it inevitably fails, it faces the wrath of the mighty pen.” Pull up a toadstool.

Allegaeon – Apoptosis Review

Allegaeon – Apoptosis Review

By GardensTale on April 15, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Technical Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 160 comments

“Almost three years ago, as a probationary noob, I was tasked to review the bloated, brickwalled behemoth that was Allegaeon’s Proponent for Sentience. I argued that taken as a whole, the 72-minute album was beyond overwritten and overwrought even before the utterly crushed production ruined what was left. It turned out to be my least popular opinion since I argued in high school that metal bands without growls or screams were still metal (that actually happened.)” Bruise the messenger.

Ketzer – Cloud Collider Review

Ketzer – Cloud Collider Review

By Mark Z. on April 11, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, German Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, 42 comments

“If any band are poised to make a comeback, it’s Ketzer. Back in 2009 the German quintet burst onto the scene with their Satan’s Boundaries Unchained debut, which essentially sounded like the best album Desaster never wrote. I can hardly even mention Boundaries without wanting to blast it at ear-splitting volumes and to this day it remains one of my favorite blackened thrash albums of all time. Sadly, 2012’s Endzeit Metropolois was altogether weaker, while 2016’s Starless was an Illud Divinum Insanus-level atrocity that showed the group unsuccessfully attempt to rip off the goth rock style of Tribulation’s The Children of the Night.” Don’t call it a comeback.

Exumer – Hostile Defiance Review

Exumer – Hostile Defiance Review

By Steel Druhm on April 3, 2019 in 2019, German Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 63 comments

“Germany’s Exumer has been around since the 80s themselves, and they have a pretty good grasp on what it takes to craft a successful slab o’ thrash. I still enjoy their Possessed By Fire debut all these years later, and 2016s The Raging Tides had it share of sweet aggression despite some shortcomings. Now they’ve come back to bludgeon with their fifth album, Hostile Defiance, and lo and behold, all the essentials rules are followed and their mosh ducks are in a neat row.” Hostile work environment.