Reviews

Record reviews

Judas Priest – Redeemer of Souls Review

By Steel Druhm on July 15, 2014 in 2014, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 114 comments

“What I’m about to say comes after a long and devoted love affair withJudas Priest: they should have broken up after Painkiller. Don’t agree? Well, let’s review. The Ripper era was reheated rhino shit and as our reward for steadfast loyalty we got the lukewarm Angel of Retribution only to be punished with the double length dumpster fire that was Nostradamus. Still not convinced? Maybe Redeemer of Souls will be the straw that breaks the law.” Hear that? It’s the sad wings of destiny flapping overhead.

Fallujah – The Flesh Prevails Review

By Kronos on July 14, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Unique Leader, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 134 comments

“The hype train chugs along, never stopping, continuously boarding and ejecting passengers. Such is the way of the metal press; we collectively run to cling on to the sides of the cars as they pass by, only to jump from their doors days later, hit the ground rolling, and dust ourselves off as we search for a new ride. Recently, as you’ve probably noticed, coal has been heaped into the firebox as metal zines blow the horn for the juggernaut’s latest destination, Fallujah’s The Flesh Prevails.” The Hype Train is a fickle mistress.

Grave Digger – Return of the Reaper Review

By Steel Druhm on July 12, 2014 in 2014, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 6 comments

“Back in 1984 when my friends and I were spinning Grave Digger’s debut Heavy Metal Breakdown, if you had told me these guys would still be rocking in 2014 I’d have spit Meister Bräu in your face. Even their “classic era” albums were cheesy and goofy, and though I liked them, they never impressed me as a seminal or enduring metal act capable of lasting 30 years. Fast forward to 2014 and I’m a jaded, old metal critic working on my third Digger review since joining AMG.” The cockroaches of Germanic metal are back to outlive you and your children’s children.

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?