Reviews

Record reviews

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?

Unbegotten – Proem of the Unborn Review

By Madam X on August 13, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Forever Plagued Records, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Black Metal, 20 comments

“The phrase “Spain is different!” seems to roll off the tongue of many a Spaniard. And rightly so; as a country its culture, cuisine and even the architecture, are markedly recognizable in flavor, style, look and feel. So how does that relate to Unbegotten’s debut release Proem of the Unborn? Have these mutinous Spaniards turned against their Spanish roots? Or have they perhaps added a little Flamenco or maybe some Latin pizzazz to their black metal offering?” Spain’s Unbegotten isn’t that different after all…

Darkher – Realms Review

By Grymm on August 12, 2016 in 2016, Doom Metal, English Metal, Prophecy Productions, Reviews, Doom Metal, 40 comments

“When you think about the month of August, what does your mind conjure up? Afternoon swims in your background pool? Grilling your favorite killed prey on the barbecue with an ice-cold beer clutched in one hand? Unbearably hot heat waves? Whatever it is, I’m sure you are not thinking of one-person doom metal projects.” Yet that’s all Grymm thinks about! The man is a one-man one-man-band reviewing machine!

Mindscar – What’s Beyond the Light Review

By Mark Z. on August 11, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Death Metal, Metalcore, Reviews, Unsigned Bands, Death Metal, Metalcore, 20 comments

“Mindscar gets weirder the more you learn about them.” With an endorsement like that, how can you not click through?

Equilibrium – Armageddon Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 10, 2016 in 2016, Folk Metal, German Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Folk Metal, 26 comments

It’s hard not to be in the mood for some folk metal when I wake up every morning surrounded by towering pine trees and solar-eclipsed mountains. The birds chirping incessantly, the sun patiently ascending the treetops, and the gentle breeze carrying the sweet smell of dew-tickled pine needles. These are the surroundings that make folk metal. And what better way to take in this lush atmosphere than with a new Equilibrium release? Sure, there are bands better suited for my morning cup of coffee, but these Ensiferum and Finntroll worshipers have been delivering quality folk metal for close to fifteen years. 2016 finds them in a dark mood—a mood altogether surprising to a band known for being folking fun. So what happens when the band unleashes Armageddon on its fans? Is it too late to shut this off before the trees catch fire?

Lacrimas Profundere – Hope is Here Review

By Steel Druhm on August 9, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Gothic Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, SPV, Gothic Metal, 10 comments

“Lacrimas Profundere is an awkward moniker that’s tough to say and harder to spell, but they’ve been one of the most successful and consistent goth-metal acts over the last 20 years. I really enjoyed 2010s The Grandiose Nowhere and 2013s Antiadore and they’ve proven to be one of the few goth acts that know how to inject real aggression and “metal” into their sound (so much so that I frequently include their music on play lists I run and work out to). Naturally, I expected their streak of quality outings to continue on Hope is Here, but this is a bit of a departure from their usual fare.” Hope is a cold, hard bitch.

Devil To Pay – A Bend Through Space And Time Review

By Huck N Roll on August 9, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Ripple Music, Stoner Rock, Heavy Metal, Stoner Rock, 30 comments

“Devil To Pay is the brainchild of guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Steve Janiak. A Bend Through Space And Time is their fifth album, and follows up 2013’s Fate Is Your Muse. Both records focus lyrically on the metaphysical and anything one hallucinates about when in a drug-induced coma, as Janiak was a few years ago.” To sleep, perchance to jam.

While Sun Ends – Terminus Review

By El Cuervo on August 8, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, Djent, Italian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, WOOAAARGH, Death Metal, Djent, Progressive Metal, 15 comments

“When first listening to Terminus by While Sun Ends I was on the train. In lieu of much exciting to say about the record itself, I will begin with this. It was on a Euro-trip where I visited a number of central European cities. I had the pleasure of making the journey between Munich (Germany) and Salzburg (Austria), a route which takes you through the beautiful Bavarian Alps. These travel days were substantially stop-gaps but this ride was a highlight of my trip, as we sped through a plethora of emerald hills, past azure lakes, observed grand mountains and stopped at quaint villages with lots of men whose names I presume to be Klaus. All of them. I paint this picture as that part of the world is extraordinary. The same cannot be said for Terminus. It is, indeed, extra-ordinary.” The home of trains is plain.

Marsh Dweller – The Weight of Sunlight Review

By Mark Z. on August 8, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Eihwaz Records, Folk Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 19 comments

“Having recently relocated from South Carolina (a.k.a. The Land of Eternal Swampass), the name Marsh Dweller immediately piqued my interest when I saw it on our promo list. I always seem to find myself applying band and album names in stupidly personal ways, and a moniker like that reminded me of the long nighttime walks I used to take through a nearby salt marsh while listening to Baroness and picking my underwear out of my asscrack.” This too, shall ass.

Spirit Adrift – Chained to Oblivion Review

By Grymm on August 7, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Doom Metal, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Doom Metal, 28 comments

“Everyone and their second cousin (twice removed) knows by now that there’s a glut of one-man black metal bands. You have a guitar, a barely functional computer, a mic, and some time to kill? That’s a perfect recipe to stave off boredom for at least a few months (or days, if you’re Vardan). One-man doom metal, though? That requires some serious time, dedication, and at least a decent knowledge of every instrument possible.” Bring forth the sad loner!