Napalm Records

Warbringer – Woe to the Vanquished Review

Warbringer – Woe to the Vanquished Review

“Riding in the sizable wake of retro thrash darling Havok’s new album comes Warbringer, delivering Woe to the Vanquished, their fifth album of Bay Area inspired thrash. Over the course of their speedy career, Warbringer have been careful to conform their sound to what is considerable acceptable for the style, cleaving close to the Exodus, and Death Angel playbooks and eschewing pretty much every other influence.” Old thrash in a black coat.

Ex Deo – The Immortal Wars Review

Ex Deo – The Immortal Wars Review

“With the strength of 37 mighty African elephants, Hannibal marched 40,000 of his bravest men, 1,500 miles through the Alps, to challenge Rome’s supremacy on their own soil. Such is the premise of Ex Deo’s latest historical undertaking.” People show know when they’re conquered by historical metal.

John Garcia – The Coyote Who Spoke in Tongues Review

John Garcia – The Coyote Who Spoke in Tongues Review

“Have you ever gone camping, and that one friend brings his guitar to play songs around the fire? But the thing is, he can’t really play, he’s a shitty singer, and he only knows Bob Seger songs. You sit there saying to yourself, ‘I wish I was actually camping with rock legend John Garcia. That would be the best camping trip ever.’” Cold breeze, clean air….

Grave Digger – Healed by Metal Review

Grave Digger – Healed by Metal Review

“It’s a brand new year – a fresh beginning for all of our personal stories and a clean, blank slate for metal music. Now is the time to take risks, to be daring, to innovate. Just kidding, it’s actually time for the 17th goddamn album of monochromatic meat n’ taters metal from the unstoppable Germanic horde called Grave Digger.” Well, that de-escalated quickly.

Sirenia – Dim Days of Dolor Review

Sirenia – Dim Days of Dolor Review

Sirenia hasn’t been getting much love from AMG Industries of late, and perhaps rightly so. The bands 2015 release The Seventh Life Path was criticized harshly for both its cheesy, formulaic approach to symphonic metal and its abundance of beautiful women. The 2011 offering, The Enigma of Life, fared absolutely no better. While I will never be one to condemn the inclusion of sexy band photos (female or otherwise), I did find myself agreeing with the general sentiments; both albums were trite, shallow, and boring.” Sex sells, but who’s buying?

The Answer – Solas Review

The Answer – Solas Review

“Ten years ago, The Answer released their fuzzified, blues-rock debut Rise. This Northern Irish four-piece rocked. The classic-rock influence was clear for all to hear yet there was enough raw energy for them to stand out; their sound having a vibrant vigor that did not seem forced. Fast forward ten years and five albums and The Answer have released their seventh full-length, Solas. This time the band have honed in on their Gaelic heritage, expressing a more subtle, more folk-inspired side to their sound.” Your mom thinks this is boss.

Hammerfall – Built to Last Review

Hammerfall – Built to Last Review

“Sometimes I wish AMG released audio reviews. If we did, the first thirty seconds of my review of Hammerfall’s Built to Last would be uncontrollable laughter. I mean, for fuck’s sake, they have a song called the ‘Twilight Princess.’ But, for all the laughter and poking fun I can have with Built to Last, Hammerfall have never let me down. Maybe it’s because I don’t expect that much from them, I have never taken them too seriously, and they have been pretty damn consistent for over twenty years.” BEWARE: Falling hammers.

Civil War – The Last Full Measure Review

Civil War – The Last Full Measure Review

Copycatting is behavior generally reserved for little twerps on a mulch-surfaced playground at recess (and only slightly less annoying than asking “Why?” non-stop). Imitation naturally extends to metal as well, though it typically has to transcend influence and homage into rank apery before bands get a strike against them. Even blatant mimicry can earn a […]

Skálmöld – Vögguvísur Yggdrasils Review

Skálmöld – Vögguvísur Yggdrasils Review

Vögguvísur Yggdrasils is the fourth full-length from Iceland’s most (only?) notable Viking metal band, Skálmöld. I’ve formerly criticized this genre tag in my review of the album’s predecessor but ultimately conceded that it was a neater way of describing the number of influences at play in their energetic interpretation of Northern European mythology.” Let your blood eagle fly.