Reviews

Record reviews

Goatwhore – Constricting Rage Of The Merciless Review

By Madam X on July 10, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Metal Blade, Releases, Reviews, Sludge, Black Metal, Death Metal, Sludge Metal, 11 comments

“Dripping savagery and gnashing bared teeth, that can only mean one thing… Goatwhore’s back! For those not familiar with the piss and vinegar thrashing of Blood for the Master or going back a little further the Satanic ritual of The Eclipse of Ages Into Black, Goatwhore are a stewey blackened death “project” with an all American, New Orleans twist that borrows not only members, but also the subtle influence of metal veterans Crowbar, Acid Bath, Soilent Green and Nachtmystium.” Blackened swamp thrash hath returned.

Wolves in the Throne Room – Celestite Review

By JF Williams on July 8, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 8 comments

“It may be somewhat reasonable to assume a skeptical stance in the face of Wolves in the Throne Room’s decision to embark into purely ambient territories. The Cascadian black metal sibling duo found its niche making hypnotically atmospheric black metal that sprinkled soundscape ambiance with its uniquely life-affirming take on the most unholy of metals, and with disgraced black metal pioneer Varg Vikernes continuing to do his very best to sever the few threads remaining of Burzum’s musical legacy with his excruciating “video game loading screen” music, I don’t think anyone was particularly thrilled at the prospect of the brothers Weaver ditching their black metal signature.” Video game loading music…HA!

Vintersorg – Naturbål Review

By Angry Metal Guy on July 4, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Napalm Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Melodic Black Metal, 30 comments

Vintersorg’s Naturbål had the misfortune (for long-time readers) of being released while I was off getting straight-married. In the run up to this major life event, I managed to squeeze in quite a few listens, however, as I was given a promo copy of it quite early from the band. Long-story-short: Naturbål is a continuation of these Skelleftebos’ string of successful releases that started with Jordpuls in 2011, improved with Orkan in 2012 and that continues in full force now in 2014.

Steel Prophet – Omniscient Review

By Steel Druhm on July 3, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Cruz Del Sur, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 1 comment

“If you were following the American metal scene from 1995 through 2001, you know there was a point in time where Steel Prophet seemed poised to conquer the metal world. With their prodigious productivity and an excellent run of releases including classics like The Goddess Principle, Messiah and Book of the Dead, they were often mentioned in the same breath as Iced Earth as the pinnacle of American power/traditional metal and everything was coming up black roses. Then came fractious internal struggles, revolving door line ups and a series of uninspired albums and just like that, they dropped out of the public consciousness, all their hard work seemingly undone. Now, ten years after their last album, they’re back to try to regain some of what they lost with Omniscient.” Steel Druhm wasn’t expecting this and didn’t expect much of it, but can it impress a bitter, jilted fanboy?

Origin – Omnipresent Review

By Kronos on July 2, 2014 in 2014, Agonia Records, American Metal, Death Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Technical Death Metal, 17 comments

“It’s entirely reasonable to say that Origin are the most important thing in the entire state of Kansas, but for anyone who has been to Kansas, the declaration isn’t all that that impressive. Their work, however, speaks for itself. Three years ago, Entity absolutely wiped the floor with some of the most abrasive, technical, and impressive music the group has ever produced, and expectations for Omnipresent are naturally quite high.” Does Origin deliver that punishing blow worthy of so much expectation? Read on and find out what Kronos has to say.

Chasma – Omega Theorian Review

By Madam X on June 30, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Black Metal, Candlelight, Post-Rock, Reviews, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 3 comments

“Portland, Oregon seems the home of the wistful, the home of somber, shifting post-metal with a blackened bejeweled heart. Not too long ago we heard from Agalloch (with a sobering attempt at creating infinity in The Serpent & The Sphere) and now hot on the heels of 2013’s Codex Constellatia, Chasma return with their third full-length release. I’m a slacker and while I can remember seeing the blood red adorned Codex Constellatia hit the promo bin, it’s release date came and went and got lost in the metal mire. Omega Theorian was a little more persistent in succeeding where the earlier release didn’t.” Whenever someone mentions Agalloch in a review intro, I feel the need to read on.

Mortals – Cursed To See The Future Review

By Grymm on June 29, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Black Metal, Relapse, Reviews, Sludge, Black Metal, Sludge Metal, 1 comment

“Now this is a pleasant surprise. With all the funeral doom, pagan folk metal, and post-black I’ve been subjecting myself to lately, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve had enough time to deeply reflect and wax philosophically with myself for quite a while. Sometimes, you just want to sit back, relax, and get steamrolled for almost a good hour without any form of forgiveness or breathing space. Enter Brooklyn, New York’s Mortals and their second full-length (and first for Relapse), Cursed To See The Future.” Tired of soulful introspection? Want to get beaten to a pulp instead?

Retro-spective Review: Dark Angel – Darkness Descends

By Steel Druhm on June 28, 2014 in American Metal, Retro Reviews, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 10 comments

“When historians look back at the original thrash wave of the 80s, it’s usually Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth that get the lion’s share of the attention. It’s admittedly hard to deny the timeless nature of the early works by such seminal acts and it’s obvious these were the bands that defined the sound and style. That doesn’t mean they were the only ones who released genre-defining works however. Case in point was the sophomore platter by California speed freaks, Dark Angel.” Steel Druhm is back to shower much deserved accolades on one of the best thrash albums of all time.

Mastodon – Once More ‘Round the Sun Review

By JF Williams on June 25, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Stoner Rock, Sludge, Stoner Metal, 58 comments

“Mastodon’s 2011 record The Hunter represented a significant, if predictable, turning point in their career. Having earned a respectable degree of mainstream popularity and critical acclaim through heady, yet accessible psychedelic sludge records, Mastodon very deliberately decided to meet their peaking success by transforming into essentially a heavy rock band. The prog had reached critical mass, but Mastodon clearly had one thing left to prove in their ever-shifting sonic palate, and that is their capacity for radio-rock stardom.” So… are they rock stars now? Bigger than GaGa?

Deathwhite – Ethereal EP Review

By Steel Druhm on June 24, 2014 in 2014, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, 15 comments

“Every now and then you get a promo from an unheralded band with zero press and no buzz whatsoever and it kicks your ass all over the damn monkey farm. Deathwhite’s debut Ethereal is one of these unexpected ass kickers, and it’s a truly impressive dose of gloomy, post-modern gothic rock. It’s works by straddling the line between the seemingly defunct and sorely missed melo-doom of Rapture and depressive post-rockers like Ghost Brigade and Aoria, with traces of Tool and Katatonia added for sumptuous emphasis. Now THAT’S a spicy meatball!” Do you love surprises? How about a good old fashioned mystery?