Non-Metal Metal Things

Sammal – Suuliekki Review

By Treble Yell on March 10, 2018 in 2018, Finnish Metal, Folk, Non-Metal Metal Things, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Svart Records, Folk, Non-metal Metal Things, 49 comments

“I have been covered in filth lately. Dragged through a mire of pestilence, I have sampled fruit irrigated by the grotesque and profane. Blast-beats that scorch the earth, inchoate riffs fat with torment and wretched vocals fit only for withering a pleasant disposition. Black metal, death metal, doom, grind and thrash. I’m a mess and I need to divest myself of the depravity that’s accumulated over the months. A panacea is in order, something that can wash away the silt and leave me lighter, fresher. To that end I have chosen to bathe in the antiseptic waters of Suuliekki, the new album by Finland’s Sammal.” Scrub-a-dub-dub.

Howlin’ Sun – Howlin’ Sun Review

By El Cuervo on February 7, 2018 in 2018, Apollon Records, Hard Rock, Non-Metal Metal Things, Norwegian Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Blues, Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock, 10 comments

“I’ve already waxed poetic about my deepening love for ’70s rock but the ’60s remain a relatively uncharted territory for me. I’m of the not-so-humble opinion that The Beatles are overrated (though unquestionably hugely influential) and I find the progressive developments and greater variety found in ’70s rock far more appealing to a decade whose bands who were still much simpler and overtly blues-based. Thus, the promise of ’60s rock with a heavier edge, professed on the promo sheet appealed—on what am I missing out? Can the ’60s interest me? Will I ever stop questioning myself? Answers to some of these questions might be found below.” Question self, question music.

Me and That Man – Songs of Love and Death [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

By Madam X on January 4, 2018 in 2017, Alt-Metal, British Metal, Cooking Vinyl, Folk Metal, Hard Rock, Non-Metal Metal Things, Polish Metal, Things You MIght Have Missed 2017, Alt-Metal, Folk Metal, Hard Rock, Non-metal Metal Things, 56 comments

It always struck me as curious, that Nergal didn’t branch out with any other such notable side-projects. 2016 came and went, and with it Nergal’s single-minded dedication to Behemoth. But in 2017, his Me and That Man project saw fit to release Songs of Love and Death.” A very special episode of Nergal and the Man.

Yer Prog Is Olde! Camel – Rain Dances

By El Cuervo on December 17, 2017 in Blog Posts, English Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Progressive Rock, Yer Prog Is Olde, Progressive Rock, 36 comments

“You know Genesis right? And Yes? And Pink Floyd? And King Crimson? The big names of the English progressive rock scene which is more or less the best ‘scene’ to have ever existed (in music or otherwise). One name which flew relatively close to the ground during this era is Camel. It was only in retrospect that they began to enjoy their utterly deserved praise, thanks, in no small part, to the adoration of one Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth.” Camels!

Priest – New Flesh Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 28, 2017 in 2017, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Reviews, Electronica, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, 86 comments

“I rate low and hate high, I’m always unpleased and unsatisfied, and I have the tendency to review shit that no one wants. You know, like Fozzy and Wintersun. And you know the worst part about it? No matter how bad or ugly it gets, I hate to admit I kinda enjoy it. But, who in their right mind would grab the debut record from Priest—a band consisting of ex-Ghosts and as far back in leftfield as one can get? But, like that other Swedish band, they’re about as retro ’80s as it gets. It’s just that they play… ummm… synth-pop…” Somebody got your Ghost?

Yer Prog Is Olde! Pink Floyd – Animals

By El Cuervo on November 12, 2017 in English Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Progressive Rock, Yer Prog Is Olde, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, 83 comments

“I hear Pink Floyd in so much of the music that I love. They’re a profoundly important and influential band generally but for me personally too. Their capacity to develop and retain quality through styles and songwriters is virtually unparalleled, one example of which is the subject of this post: Animals, which turns 40 this year.” Prog before swine.

Siinai – Sykli Review

By Huck N Roll on October 31, 2017 in 2017, Ambient Metal, Finnish Metal, Instrumental Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Svart Records, Ambient Metal, Instrumental Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, 37 comments

“One of the best quotes of the year comes from the promo blurb for Siinai’s new album, Sykli: “…this album burst out of us, like when a ketchup bottle loses its cap when you are violently shaking it.” This from a band that in the past has also released an instrumental concept album about supermarkets.Yes, Siinai are a strange Finnish act that do odd things. This album’s concept isn’t as weird as “music to shop to.” Instead, Skyli professes to be about the cyclical nature of life. Considering that this is an instrumental album, figuring out how well it conveys a concept can be tough, but that’s why we get the big bucks, right?” Clean up in aisle Life.

Biblical – The City That Always Sleeps Review

By Huck N Roll on September 29, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Tee Pee Records, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, 24 comments

“I spent the summer searching and searching for the next great retro album. I never found it. In fact, all year I’ve only found a half-dozen albums I’ve really liked (as in a 3.5 or higher), and none of those since June. That’s piss-poor and depressing. It’s like owning a black and white television. Well, I’m hoping to upgrade to a color TV eventually this year, so what better time to start looking than right now?” Baby bible steps.

Diablo Blvd – Zero Hour Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 27, 2017 in 2017, Belgian Metal, Hard Rock, Non-Metal Metal Things, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Hard Rock, Non-metal Metal Things, 25 comments

“For years, I thought something was wrong with me when I got in the mood for some simple, catchy rock/groove. I mean, there is something wrong with me when I get the urge to listen to Volbeat over Mercyful Fate. But, sometimes, one needs a palette cleansing. And that’s exactly why I feel no guilt when listening to bands like Darkhaus, Ghoultown, A Life Divided, and Diablo Blvd. Week after week of listening to constant doom, black, heavy, thrash (and everything between) can make your brain mush. Not to mention, trying to find the words for the couple selected for review while meeting writing deadlines for a textbook, teaching classes, etc. So, detoxing is necessary.” Cleanse my wounded palette.

Chelsea Wolfe – Hiss Spun Review

By Saunders on September 19, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Industrial Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Post-metal, Reviews, Rock, Sargent House, Doom Metal, Folk, Industrial Metal, Post-Metal, 78 comments

“With expectations sky high after the mesmerizing Abyss, Wolfe returns with her highly anticipated sixth opus, Hiss Spun. One of Chelsea Wolfe’s key strengths as an artist lies in her ability to continually evolve and reinvent herself. Familiar strands tie her works together, but she is not in the game of repeating herself, as Hiss Spun firmly attests.” Wolfe at your doorstep.