Progressive Metal

Hypno5e – A Distant (Dark) Source Review

By GardensTale on November 30, 2019 in 2019, French Metal, Pelagic Records, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 21 comments

“Genres are one of the most contentious features of music in general, and metal in particular, considering the wide sprawl of sub-subtypes we have dug around ourselves. I won’t dive into the deeper discussion about the merits of this labyrinthine web here, but I will make the case for ‘cinematic metal’ to be the most useless genre tag in the metalverse. Bands ranging from power metal to black metal and everything in between have laid claim to it, and the argumentation for it rarely stretches beyond ‘there’s a story in the lyrics.’” Sourcing a feeling.

Bull Elephant – Bull Elephant Review

By Huck N Roll on November 25, 2019 in 2019, British Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Eat Lead and Die Music, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal, Thrash Metal, 27 comments

“A concept album about a re-animated African elephant, performed in a progressive doom style? Yes, please! This is the story of some Nazi dude who wants to bring an elephant back from the dead as a new weapon, but in a Lovecraftian twist, a shaman witch gets in the way. Not only is the concept fun, but Bull Elephant insist on remaining an anonymous collective.” Mess with the bull, you get the Huck.

Blame Zeus – Seethe Review

By GardensTale on November 23, 2019 in 2019, Alt-Metal, Portuguese Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Alternative Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 17 comments

“But if we disregard the stains of the posturing rap machismo, there’s nothing inherently bad about alternative metal. Generally speaking, it’s often got muscly, infectious riffs, vocal hooks for days, and a bass presence other genres could learn from. It’s the opposite of trve and kvlt, but elitism had always been a dead end. The only thing that often irritates me greatly about alternative metal is the high levels of either emo or tough-guy bluster. So what if we replace that with a fantastic set of bronzed female vocals and a subtle dusting of prog? That’s when we get Blame Zeus.” Commence the Zeusical.

Blood Incantation – Hidden History of the Human Race Review

By Saunders on November 18, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Dark Descent Records, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Death Metal, Progressive Death, 74 comments

“Blood Incantation’s 2016 debut, Starspawn, catapulted the sci-fi loving Denver crew into underground stardom. The album’s ambitious fusion of progressive and psychedelic elements into a beefy old school death core was incredibly well executed, smartly written, and addictive to boot, marking Blood Incantation as kindred spirits with legends Morbid Angel and Demilich, along with modern trailblazers like Horrendous. Some three years later Blood Incantation’s sophomore LP comes with a magnitude of hype and anticipation. Bottom line, Blood Incantation are considered a big fucking deal.” Mars needs metal.

Somehow Jo – Tusk Review

By Carcharodon on November 18, 2019 in 2019, Alt-Metal, Finnish Metal, Inverse Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rock, Alt-Metal, 11 comments

“I’m not sure what, if any, expectations I had for Finnish alt metallers Somehow Jo when I etched my crude shark sigil into the review boulder by their name. It’s not a moniker that really speaks to me and the artwork – although quite pretty – also doesn’t give a lot away. But you can be sure that any expectations I may have unconsciously harbored, plummeted when I read that sophomore album Tusk was written largely in a “small bunker next to a shady titty bar” and that, throughout, the band prioritized “freshness and originality in all of the ideas we’ve brought for the other members to be eaten and then later to be defecated in to a demo of some kind.”” Jo momma.

Bölzer – Lese Majesty Review

By Saunders on November 14, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Death Metal, Lightning & Sons Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Progressive Metal, 19 comments

“I kept the faith that Bölzer were able to deliver a knockout blow leading up to their 2016 debut LP, Hero. Unfortunately, the album left me feeling indifferent and frustrated due to inconsistent writing and questionable vocal choices, leaving scattered traces of brilliance hidden amidst the wreckage. Finally, Bölzer return on their own label and ready to unleash their sophomore LP, Lese Majesty. With increasingly diminishing returns defining their career thus far, can the dynamic duo reclaim the glory and shoot for the stars this time around?” More or Lese?

Hanging Garden – Into That Good Night Review

By Master of Muppets on November 12, 2019 in 2019, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Gothic Metal, Lifeforce Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, 26 comments

“Evermore difficult to believe has been my luck in the ongoing war against the promo bin. Despite multiple attempts to lower my less than angry rating average, including seeking out non-atmoblack/Muppetcore albums or else surrendering my fate to Steel like a damn N00b, I somehow just keep wading out from the promo sump smelling like roses. This brings us nicely to my main point, being that I can’t believe that Dr. Fisting turned down the opportunity to drop everything and craft an unpaid review for Into That Good Night, the sixth album by Finland’s Hanging Garden.” Shaking fists at gardens in the sky.

Apotheus – The Far Star Review

By GardensTale on November 10, 2019 in 2019, Black Lion Records, Melodic Death Metal, Portuguese Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 36 comments

“Every now and then you run into something that seems to have been made specifically for you. It’s like someone reached into your head, downloaded a copy of your soul, extracted exactly the sort of things you enjoy, and made something that panders to the template it found. Apotheus’ promo described a progressive melodeath band with a sci-fi concept album about interstellar colonization. Periods for emphasis, but Sign. Me. The. Fuck. Up.” Swallow the wvrm.

Noveria – Aequilibrium Review

By GardensTale on November 7, 2019 in 2019, Italian Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Scarlet Records, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 12 comments

“Coupled with an overly dense production, Forsaken left a bad taste in my mouth, and my review was decidedly mixed, noting the issues above, while lamenting how good everything else was. Noveria is absolutely a talented band; they just made a series of misjudgments that I could not overlook and feverishly hoped they would not repeat. So it wasn’t without some hesitation I took up Aequilibrium. And let me tell you: there are few greater joys than the feeling that a band has taken your constructive criticism to heart.” Power with grace.

The Night Watch – An Embarrassment of Riches Review

By sentynel on November 7, 2019 in 2019, Canadian Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, 42 comments

“The Night Watch bill themselves as “violin fronted instrumental progressive folk metal,” which certainly isn’t inaccurate. However, An Embarrassment of Riches feels first and foremost like a soundtrack album. It’s just one that adopts folk and metal as part of its sonic palette, in the vein of some of Bear McCreary’s work. As an instrumental concept album, it’s looking to tell a story.” Telling tales.