Rock

Tribulation – Down Below Review

By Dr. Fisting on January 23, 2018 in 2018, Century Media, Reviews, Rock, Swedish Metal, 132 comments

“Tribulation have been on an interesting career path as of late. While their early works could be loosely classified as Swedish death metal a la Entombed, the band gradually began to bring in other influences and become something else entirely. As of 2015’s The Children Of The Night, the band was taking cues from such diverse sources as Mercyful Fate and Sisters Of Mercy,, and seemed to have learned a few things from former tourmates In Solitude, with excellent results. I was curious about what Tribulation would do next, and with the impending release of Down Below, it looks like I’m about to find out.” Evilution.

Jess and the Ancient Ones – The Horse and Other Weird Tales Review

By Steel Druhm on November 27, 2017 in 2017, Finnish Metal, Occult Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Rock, Svart Records, Occult Rock, 46 comments

“Avatarium went from retro doom to 60s rock in the span of 3 albums, and over their own 3 album run, Jess and the Ancient Ones voyaged from occult 70s rock/metal to what they’ve become on The Horse and Other Weird Tales – tripped out 60s hippie rock with nary a metal influence to be found.” Find your inner hippie.

The Living – The Living Review

By GardensTale on September 25, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Not Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Rock, Self-released, Post-Metal, Progressive Rock, 29 comments

“I know some of you, dear readers, feel a pang of annoyance every time we review an album that is barely metal or not at all. “Why are you reviewing this?” you ask. “This is Angry Metal Guy, not Perturbed Rock Person!” And you’re right, of course, but there’s several good reasons to review these cases anyway.” Are The Living out to rustle your jimmies?

Vital Breath – Angels of Light Review

By Saunders on September 23, 2017 in 2017, Alt-Metal, French Metal, Hard Rock, Mighty Music, Reviews, Rock, Alt-Metal, Hard Rock, 25 comments

“Alternative metal is among the broadest of genre tags in heavy music. A few months ago, UK act Zedi Forder impressed with their solid interpretation of the alt metal style on their self titled debut. Alas, I broached this second LP offering from France’s Vital Breath with both trepidation and cautious optimism when I saw they were also listed under the alternative metal umbrella.” Alternative to what?

Josh Todd and the Conflict – Year of the Tiger Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on September 21, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Century Media, Hard Rock, Reviews, Rock, Hard Rock, 32 comments

“Hard rock not-quites Buckcherry were never really that important a band, releasing one popular song that was vulgar, catchy, and immensely irritating. I was surprised, then, when frontman Josh Todd formed Josh Todd and the Conflict (hereafter JTC) and released their debut record Year of the Tiger.” Conflicted.

Squalus – The Great Fish… Review

By Saunders on September 20, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Punk, Reviews, Rock, Sludge, Translation Loss, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Punk, Sludge, 59 comments

“When the trailblazing and difficult to classify Giant Squid went on indefinite hiatus in 2015, the heavy music world lost one of its great innovators and truly underappreciated acts. They signed off with their exceptional 2014 album Minoans before news eventually filtered through of their demise the following year. While all good things must end, thankfully the creative juices are still flowing for the Giant Squid band members. Vocalist/guitarist and mastermind Aaron Gregory has collaborated with the bulk of the Giant Squid crew to deliver the debut LP from Squalus.” Once squided, twice shy.

Chelsea Wolfe – Hiss Spun Review

By Saunders on September 19, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Industrial Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Post-metal, Reviews, Rock, Sargent House, Doom Metal, Folk, Industrial Metal, Post-Metal, 78 comments

“With expectations sky high after the mesmerizing Abyss, Wolfe returns with her highly anticipated sixth opus, Hiss Spun. One of Chelsea Wolfe’s key strengths as an artist lies in her ability to continually evolve and reinvent herself. Familiar strands tie her works together, but she is not in the game of repeating herself, as Hiss Spun firmly attests.” Wolfe at your doorstep.

Cortez – The Depths Below Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 1, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Rock, Salt of the Earth Records, Sludge, Stoner Rock, Doom Metal, Rock, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, 17 comments

“It’s occurred to me that when I go stoner, more times than not, I tend to lean against bands just west of me. Bands like Kyuss, Sleep, High on Fire—all residing in sunny California. Funny enough, my favorite stoner outfit is all the way out in England. Hell, if you were to look at my stoner collection, you’d think Orange Goblin was an outlier and that stoner metal was an American thing. And my review of Temptation’s Wings newest record wouldn’t challenge that assumption. And now, the stoner bug has bit old Grier once again. I desire something to make my eyes puffy, my ears happy, and chill me the fuck out.” Lead or gold?

Ghoultown – Ghost of the Southern Son Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 25, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Angry Planet Records, Hard Rock, Reviews, Rock, Hard Rock, Rock, 37 comments

“Shhhh… listen… do you hear him creeping about like the Fouke Monster? He creeps through the brush as an apparition of his former self. Once the bassist of Texas doom legends Solitude Aeturnus, he’s now Count Lyle Blackburn: actor, author, and mainman of hellbilly/psychobilly/goth rock/Spaghetti Western-metal greats Ghoultown. Few have incorporated Ennio Morricone’s flavorings into the goth rock sound of Danzig. Few have written theme songs for the Mistress of the Dark. Few have kept the attention of grumpy Doc Grier for as long as they have.” Guns, guts, gnocchi.

Horte – Horte Review

By Akerblogger on April 7, 2017 in 2017, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Rock, Svart Records, Rock, 13 comments

“Scant information about Horte can be found online. Presumably Finnish but definitely human, Horte perform a difficult-to-define noise-ridden electronica-infested female-fronted bass-led fuzz-rock that combines both dreamy beauty and startling harshness. Horte, their debut release, is essentially one long song that flows from minute zero to minute 38 with an organic continuity.” GMO-free avant-rock ripe for the picking.