Reviews

Record reviews

Signum Regis – Chapter IV: The Reckoning Review

Signum Regis – Chapter IV: The Reckoning Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 24, 2015 in 2015, Power Metal, Reviews, Ulterium Records, Power Metal, 33 comments

“Being the black metal fan I am, I’ve scared many a girlfriend with my devil-worshiping, goat-sacrificing practices; which – according to these people – are not the result of the music but because that’s who I am and why I listen to metal music. All people have opinions and metal fans are no different. Many were recently offended because of the semi-regular appearance of the Christian deity in this year’s releases. As you can probably surmise, Signum Regis is here to continue this God-fearing trend.” We’re reviewing so much godly music lately that we may qualify for tax exempt status!

Adrenechrome – Tales from Adrenechrome Review

Adrenechrome – Tales from Adrenechrome Review

By Mark Z. on November 24, 2015 in 2015, Canadian Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Unsigned Bands, Heavy Metal, Sludge, Southern Metal, 6 comments

“When I hear ‘sludge,’ I have a very specific sound in mind. I want wretched vocals, whiskey-soaked guitar riffs, and lyrics about living at the absolute nadir of human existence. I want it to live up to its name, flooding the sonic landscape with riffs that sound like they were written in an abandoned warehouse during an opium binge. Thus, I was a bit disappointed when first researching Ontario’s Adrenechrome and finding that the ‘sludge’ tag often used to describe them is, alas, very loosely applied.” What’s wrong with happy-go-lucky sludge?

Autopsy – Skull Grinder Review

Autopsy – Skull Grinder Review

By Steel Druhm on November 23, 2015 in 2015, Ambient Metal, Death Metal, Peaceville, Reviews, Death Metal, 10 comments

“The holidays are nearly upon us, and your favorite gore fiends are back from the dissection convention with a new EP titled Skull Grinder, perfect for jamming in the stockings alongside the usual yule entrails and raw meat. Apparently intended as a vinyl only release, Skull Grinder offers seven new tracks of raw, sloppy and unhinged American death metal and it’s as endearing and gonzo as ever.” The gift that keeps on grinding.

Obscene Entity – Lamentia Review

Obscene Entity – Lamentia Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on November 23, 2015 in 2015, Death Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Tridroid Records, Death Metal, 29 comments

“Competition arises in the strangest places, and one of them is at the buffet. In eternal struggle of trying to cost the restaurant more than the ludicrous bill you’ll receive, there are three main strategies you can employ. First, eat a reasonable amount of the most expensive stuff. Second, sample a pinch of a large variety of foodstuffs and hope the numbers work out. Third is the dining equivalent of scorched earth policy, characterized by indiscriminate gluttony and staunch looks of disapproval from the wait staff and eventually your family or friends with whom you came. This method ensures a win, but at what cost?” Unbuckle the belt and prepare for stuffing.

Wailin Storms – One Foot in the Flesh Grave Review

Wailin Storms – One Foot in the Flesh Grave Review

By Madam X on November 22, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Magic Bullet Records, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 39 comments

“One Foot in the Flesh Grave’s take on doom punk and swamp rock is just the kind of experience I was hoping for. Formed in the cruel, unrelenting heat of Corpus Christi (Texas), Wailin Storms must have quickly realized that to stand out, their sound needed more than just the country and rockabilly twang they were being exposed to.” Music for misfits and serial killers.

Hellish – Theurgist’s Spell EP Review

Hellish – Theurgist’s Spell EP Review

By Al Kikuras on November 21, 2015 in 2015, Blood Harvest Records, Chilean Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 27 comments

“By now it’s well known throughout the Midwest that this old man is a thrash junkie. A bona fide Gally Thrashicanus. Before putting a thrash album on, my eyes begin to gleam with a wild and ravenous light. But not so much with the new crop of thrash metal bands like Municipal Waste, Toxic Holocaust, and Bonded By Blood, what with their crisp clean high tops and head bands. I like the grit, the grime, the grisly thrash metal of yore.” Old folks like old stuff.

Diviner – Fallen Empires Review

Diviner – Fallen Empires Review

By Steel Druhm on November 20, 2015 in 2015, Greek Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Ulterium Records, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 44 comments

“Greece loves heavy metal. This is known. From symphonic blackness to cheese-coated dragon and sandal power silliness, they’re well represented as fans and performers alike. Now Diviner joins the eternal fight to defend the faith with their Fallen Empires debut, weaponizing a kind of traditional metal with deep roots in the mid-80s American scene.” Enter the No Dragon Zone!

Abysmal Lord – Disciples of the Inferno Review

Abysmal Lord – Disciples of the Inferno Review

By Grymm on November 20, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 11 comments

“Over the years, metal has seen quite a few unique viewpoints on various religions represented within our not-so-tiny circle of influence. From praises to Jesus to the unification of the three Abrahamic religions, there’s no shortage of good metal for those who want an alternative to all things Satan. That said, the Horned One still gets the vast majority of the best tunes out there, and newcomers Abysmal Lord from New Orleans, Louisiana, know this quite well.” The bang and crash of evil is alive and well in the bayou.

Zgard – Totem Review

Zgard – Totem Review

By Grymm on November 18, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Reviews, Svarga Music, Ukrainian Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 19 comments

“Do you remember what life was like prior to 2015 B.V. (Before Vardan)? Back when the phrase “monthly visitor” meant something radically different than black metal’s most notorious one-man sweatshop, the busiest man in black metal was Ukrainian pagan mastermind Yaromisl and his own one-man machine, Zgard.” C’mon boys, it’s not a competition. You’re both totally obscure.