Non-Metal Metal Things

Jason W. Walton – Mara Review

By Madam X on June 29, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Black Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Red Orchard Records, Reviews, Black Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, 3 comments

“It’s exciting when you discover that a member of one of your favorite bands has a side project. It gets weird though when you realise the project’s been around and producing for going on twenty years. Between considering the merits of becoming an Agalloch roadie/fangirl back when Steel Druhm reviewed Marrow of the Spirit and later writing up my own reviews of Agalloch’s The Serpent and the Sphere and Nothing’s Guilty of Everything, I can’t help thinking I should have come across some utterance of Agalloch bassist, Jason W. Walton’s side-project, also branded Nothing.” Prepare for nightmares made audible.

Kontinuum – Kyrr Review

By Madam X on April 22, 2015 in 2015, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Candlelight Records, Doom Metal, Icelandic Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Post-metal, Post-Rock, Reviews, Ambient Metal, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 37 comments

“The Kontinuum… continues! Not to be confused with the tech death band Continuum reviewed here by Dr. A.N. Grier earlier in the week, Kontinuum are an Icelandic band that plays a multifarious blend of dreamwave and post-rock/metal with some inviting and interesting gothic undertones.” Is Iceland becoming the next Finland?

Band of Spice – Economic Dancers Review

By Madam X on April 15, 2015 in 2015, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Reviews, Scarlet Records, Stoner Rock, Swedish Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, 14 comments

“Talk about discombobulating! Have you ever wondered what would happen if Spiritual Beggers (specifically the Christian “Spice” Sjöstrand era) came across a Magic 8 Ball, a Time-Out Machine (T.O.M) and a little vial of liquid black rock, and after much consultation with the 8 Ball decided to don their headbands and flared jeans and jump back to the 70s to hang out and jam with Led Zep?” Hot Tub Time Out Machine?

Apocalyptica – Shadowmaker Review

By Madam X on April 11, 2015 in 2015, Finnish Metal, Hard Rock, Harmageddon Records, Non-Metal Metal Things, OMN Label Services, Reviews, Hard Rock, Neo-Classical Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, 26 comments

“I felt some remorse back in 2013 that I didn’t make more effort to review Apocalyptica’s Wagnerian tribute (Wagner Reloaded), an album that’s seen me through many long flights between South Africa and New York. Along comes Shadowmaker, Apocalyptica now have a dedicated vocalist as Franky Perez (ex-Scars on Broadway) takes his spot in the limelight and I get a chance to make right.” These guys lasted way longer than you expected, didn’t they?

Tähtiportti – Tähtiportti Review

By Roquentin on March 1, 2015 in 2015, Avante Garde, Drone, Finnish Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Svart Records, Drone, Electronica, Non-metal Metal Things, 13 comments

“So, do you know anything about techno? What you’re about to read is a review of an album as far removed from metal as anything that ever appeared on Angry Metal Guy. There are only two, minor and farfetched at that, connections between Finland’s Tähtiportti and metal.” Admit it, you like techno. Bats and ants and bats and ants!

Bad Guys – Bad Guynaecology Review

By Dr. Fisting on February 26, 2015 in 2015, English Metal, Hard Rock, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Reviews, Riot Season, Hard Rock, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, 19 comments

“As loyal AMG readers might have noticed by now, I am a sucker for awesome song and album titles. This weakness occasionally factors into which bands I choose to review. As far as band names go, Bad Guys is pretty fucking weak (and definitely not to be confused with Bad Dudes). However, if that is the name your band is stuck with, you can’t possibly top Bad Guynecology as an album title. It’s brilliant. Sign me up.” Mr. Fisting signs up for a lot of things on impulse. Remember that “make your own pruno” class? That should have learned him.

Kronos Comments: On Sampling Bias and the Seedy Underbelly of the European Metal Scene

By Kronos on February 8, 2015 in Black Metal, Blog Posts, Djent, French Metal, Groove Metal, Hardcore, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Progressive Metal, Russian Metal, Unsigned Bands, Black Metal, Djent, Experimental Metal, Hardcore, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Progressive Metal, 16 comments

“Just about every day, Angry Metal Guy pushes out a review of an upcoming or recently released album, producing press for the album whether we love it or hate it. It exposes readers to a lot of material, but disadvantages artists who aren’t putting out music at any given time. Given a small temporal window, this creates a very biased sample of the music scene. I love reviewing albums, but a lot of great and criminally overlooked bands are in between releases right now, and it kills me to see their hard work go unseen. So in order to rectify their invisibility, they’re being talked about here, where you can be held captive by the unbreakable bonds of html and subjugated to my terrible opinions.” Next stop, Europe!

23 Acez – Redemption Waves Review

By El Cuervo on January 7, 2015 in 2015, Belgian Metal, Mighty Music, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, 17 comments

“A little confession: I chose to review the appallingly-titled 23 Acez sophomore effort in a bout of vindictive malice after grappling with a particularly hateful Spanish literature essay. I was pissed off and envisaged venting on a poor rock band just trying to make their way in the world.” We hate, because we care. Not about you, but other important stuff.

Things You Might Have Missed 2014: Igorrr & Ruby My Dear – Maigre EP

By Madam X on January 5, 2015 in 2014, Ad Noiseam Records, Avante Garde, French Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Non-metal Metal Things, 15 comments

“So you haven’t yet crossed paths with Igorrr’s prior works (Halleluja or Nostril)? Well then, where to begin!” Seems Madam X isn’t quite ready to let go of 2014 and the weirdness that came along with it.

Fen – Carrion Skies Review

By Madam X on November 24, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Code666 Records, English Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 15 comments

“Here at Angry Metal Guy US headquarters, subtle signs point to 2014 drawing to a blustery close. My very metal cats watch the crackling fireplace, mesmerized as the world burns at their paws. Top 10 lists hastily scrawled on the backs of store receipts and the margins of the daily paper are pulled from coat pockets and tossed carelessly about, littering every surface. And as the holiday silly season approaches, I’m winding down, bourbon in hand, returning to the contemplative atmosphere of post-metal and avant guard favourites like Agalloch, A Forest of Stars, Anathema, Horseback and New Keepers of the Watertowers. Now a year and some change after the release of Dustwalker, British progressive black metallers – Fen recapture my attention with their fourth full-length release.” Post black metal just in time for the long winter months? Now you’re screaming Madam X’s song.