Napalm Records

Delain – Moonbathers Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on August 14, 2016 in 2016, Dutch Metal, Eurocore, Hard Rock, Napalm Records, Reviews, Eurocore, Hard Rock, Melodic Metal, 45 comments

“Metal bands sure like to take baths in a wide variety of places, be it in the sun, in blood, in ghosts, in wombs, in entrails, or in whatever “slaughtb” is. Me, I’m more of a shower guy. A nice cold shower helps you think, and tons of great ideas come to be in there, but sometimes you get this introductory bit. It seems that the Dutchmen and Dutchwomen in Delain have suggested a new place for our metallic hygienic niche to take place on their fifth album: the moon.” Delain got a tongue lashing from AMG for being normcore back in 2012. Will DiM be nicer than he was?

Bloody Hammers – Lovely Sort of Death Review

By Steel Druhm on August 3, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Gothic Metal, Napalm Records, Occult Rock, Reviews, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Occult Rock, 30 comments

“There once was a time when the little known Bloody Hammers were making like the even lesser known Vardan by releasing new albums with shocking rapidity. Perhaps this was their way of getting their name out there and keeping whatever low-level momentum they garnered moving in the right direction. Unfortunately despite some good ideas, the music often felt slapped together and rushed with inconsistent results. The talent and potential were definitely there, but the results weren’t quite up to snuff. In my review of their 2014 opus Under Satan’s Sun I prescribed a longer time between releases to allow their ideas to germinate, marinate and ruminate, and perhaps they took the advice to heart.” Free advice is worth exactly what it costs.

Zodiac – Grain Of Soul Review

By Huck N Roll on July 28, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 22 comments

“One day a man was trapped out on a ledge – don’t ask why – with no way to get down except to jump. The fire trucks came and laid out a net for him, but he wanted something safer. They brought a pile of mattresses, but he still wasn’t satisfied. “Use the new Zodiac record!” he called down. The firemen nodded in understanding.” Living on the ledge!

Jinjer – King of Everything Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 26, 2016 in 2016, Djent, Groove Metal, Metalcore, Napalm Records, Reviews, Ukrainian Metal, Groove Metal, Metalcore, Nu Metal, 57 comments

“Jinjer play a combination of groove metal, metalcore, and nu metal. Vocalist Tatiana Shmailyuk does some screams, growls, aggressive spoken-word poetry, and clean vocals over top of it. If Issues didn’t try to be the combination of metalcore, Flo-Rida, and R Kelly that they are and instead were just another metalcore band, they’d probably sound like Jinjer.” Is nu metal still new?

Dust Bolt – Mass Confusion Review

By Steel Druhm on June 29, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 25 comments

“With the summer truly upon us here in the Americas, what better way to celebrate sun, fun, beers and beach balls than some rehashed, rethrash from Germany? Dust Bolt is another in the endless wave of rethrash that’s been slowly eroding the shores of our collective tolerance since the early days of the millennium, some of it has been good and most merely passable.”

Dawn of Disease – Worship the Grave Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on June 28, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 19 comments

“Press releases are normally a bit dull. Trying to find a middle ground between eye-catching and safe, they generally say little of value. Such is the case with German melo-death maestros Dawn of Disease and their third full-length Worship the Grave. Apparently Swedish death metal is “a huge influence” on the band, but they bring their own sound to the proceedings. Their own sound is, apparently, at once melodic and abrasive with catchy riffs and plenty of extreme drumming.” Promo releases are a strange beast.

Be’lakor – Vessels Review

By El Cuervo on June 17, 2016 in 2016, Australian Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Napalm Records, Progressive Death, Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 53 comments

“Hey kids. I’ve been away a while. Real life grabbed me by the collar and I couldn’t ignore it for fear of fucking up my future. But unlike your father who left for those cigarettes 10 years ago, I have returned. And what a way to return – the new Be’lakor, the critically-acclaimed melodeath darling child from Down Under.” What a way to make a re-entrance!

Nervosa – Agony Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on June 4, 2016 in 2016, Brazilian Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 53 comments

“Name the first band that comes to mind when I say Brazil. OK, now name a second one. With some countries like Sweden, the choices are endless. The two picks made are usually based on my favorite bands or bands whose albums were most recently spun. In the case of countries like Brazil, my mind goes straight to timeless classics. Old-school Sepultura and Krisiun. But this game only works once. If you ask me again to name the first two Brazilian bands that come to mind, I will give the same answers. But what if you ask me to name a third? In that case, I’d add Nervosa to the list.” This game isn’t a lot of fun.

Mortillery – Shapeshifter Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 19, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 49 comments

“I would be a goddamned liar if I said I were a longtime fan of Canadian thrashers, Mortillery—and those who commented on last year’s Unleash the Archers review can contest to this. However, after diving deep into the band’s back catalog, I can wholeheartedly admit that, in a single week’s time, I am a diehard fan of this band. And for the first time in awhile, I will not be sent to the AMG basement for my poor taste in metal or forced outside to scrape the dead armadillo carcasses hanging from the grilles of the staff’s Prius’.” We’ve actually moved your desk down there.

The Order of Israfel – Red Robes Review

By Steel Druhm on May 18, 2016 in 2016, Doom Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, 23 comments

“The Order of Israfel’s 2014 debut Wisdom became a bit of a sleeper for yours truly. I gave it a positive review and saw the potential, but didn’t expect to return to it quite as much as I have. The combination of classic doom with tough biker rock proved hard to ignore and though it missed my year end lists, it’s become a regular part of my “free range” listening time.” Free Steel Druhm!