Reviews

Record reviews

Kraków – Amaran Review

By Madam X on February 11, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Drone, Norwegian Metal, Not Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Experimental Metal, Post-Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Metal, 9 comments

“Winter is being a Mr. Cold Miser and evenings like these cry out for a glowing fire, the dark notes of a glass of Malbec and some post-metal meandering gloom which, as luck has it, is Norwegian based Kraków’s claim to fame.” Cold and snow may be new to Madam X, but not post-metal. Or wine!

Arbitrator – Indoctrination of Sacrilege Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 10, 2015 in 2015, Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Industrial Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Industrial Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 5 comments

“They say nine out of ten startup companies fail. Much of this has to do with the venture’s lack of resources and connections; failing to find the know-how and know-who before the money runs out.” As companies race to find investors, you’re tasked with deciding what bands to invest your funds into. Choose…wisely.

Deivos – Theodicy Review

By Kronos on February 9, 2015 in 2015, Death Metal, Polish Metal, Reviews, Selfmadegod Records, Death Metal, 14 comments

“Theodicy bustles with riffs, brutal growls, blastbeats and all of the traditional trappings of brutal death. True, there are moments of mechanical-sounding electronics to split up the songs and provide a quantum of atmosphere, but deep down, Deivos haven’t made Theodicy in an attempt to challenge or revolutionize the genre.” Brootal death that something…but what?

Mourning Mist – Mourning Mist Review

By Grymm on February 9, 2015 in 2015, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Forever Plagued Records, Italian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 19 comments

“This was a bear of an album to review. Let me elaborate a bit for clarification… it’s not just because Italy’s Mourning Mist are a new band with precious little background besides having bassist/vocalist Kvasir (also of Profezia and Abhor) in their ranks, as well as a violinist. Hell, violins in metal ain’t nothing new, right?” Not at all, but when will someone incorporate some balalaika?

Hereza – Misanthrope Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on February 8, 2015 in 2015, Death Metal, PRC Music, Reviews, Uncategorized, Death Metal, 8 comments

“Another year, another beginning of a string of releases in metal’s most resilient sub-genre; that’s right folks, it’s Swe-death time! Croatian upstarts Hereza are releasing their debut album Misanthrope, and they’re gunning to Dismember us with their Demonical HM-2-driven Carnage…” We haven’t reviewed any Swedish death in like a week! Phew, here’s some now.

Death Karma – The History of Death and Burial Rituals Part I

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 7, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Czech Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, 10 comments

“Death is perhaps the most interesting subject to me. Though I don’t study it, don’t have any sort of education in it, and don’t have any right to expand on or analyze it, I just find the human intrigue and fear of death fascinating. Some embrace death and live their lives knowing that everything could end today, others accept but fear death, and many avoid discussion of it (and even the thought of it) more than anything else in the world.” Want to learn more about death? Then this is the best source since the Mondo Cane videos.

Dwell – Vermin and Ashes Review

By Steel Druhm on February 7, 2015 in 2015, Danish Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 16 comments

“Doom/death is a genre that’s really gotten under my skin over the past few years. And it seems to have left some kind of egg or parasitic hanger on, since I hunger for it more and more. That however, comes with a big caveat: it must be utterly doused in mood and atmosphere or be so insanely heavy it causes sinkholes.” Can a band made up of members from another doom/death band meet this stringent criteria?

Putrid Offal – Mature Necropsy Review

By Al Kikuras on February 6, 2015 in 2015, Death Metal, French Metal, Grind, Kaotoxin Records, Reviews, Death Metal, Grind, 8 comments

“I jumped on reviewing Putrid Offal’s debut album, Mature Necropsy, like a retiree on an early bird special when I saw a lineup of three guys that may actually have a few years on me. These French gore hounds formed 25 years ago, split up five later, and dug the carcass up again in 2013.” Getting tired of juvenile necropsies? Well these geriatric gore rockers are here to make you watch Murder She Wrote and eat ribbon candy.

Momentum – The Freak Is Alive Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on February 5, 2015 in 2015, Dark Essence Records, Doom Metal, Icelandic Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 10 comments

“Iceland’s Momentum is a bizarre beast. Aside from having a name and logo more suitable for a caffeine-packed energy drink than a metal band, they’ve undergone quite a few changes in style since their debut demo.” With many style shifts under their belt, they did it again here. Tricky stuff.

Blind Guardian – Beyond the Red Mirror Review

By Angry Metal Guy on February 4, 2015 in 2015, German Metal, Nuclear Blast, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 86 comments

“Blind Guardian is a German institution and national treasure. The band embodies the peak of the German power-thrash tradition in ways that nod to their countrymen, but separated them from the pack decades ago. Their body of work is surely among the most comprehensively epic and impressive among modern metal bands, and they are a band whose sound is a point of reference rather than a derivation. So when these titans of Teutonic metal release a new record the metal world turns to pay its respects. Put differently, Beyond the Red Mirror has been on my calendar since I heard of its release, and when asked, fans of this blog have also said resoundingly that it’s one of the most anticipated records of 2015. As long-time readers of this blog are aware, anticipation can be dangerous.” So, Angry Metal Guy pan it or not?