Unsigned Bands

Shroud of Despondency – Dark Meditations in Monastic Seclusion Review

Shroud of Despondency – Dark Meditations in Monastic Seclusion Review

By Angry Metal Guy on February 10, 2011 in 2011, 4.0, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Unsigned Bands, 0 comments

Some say that the album is dead. And no, by this I don’t mean vinyl, because for all but the biggest audiophiles vinyl really is dead. I mean the album; a set of interconnected songs that form a whole, that induce you to sit and listen to them all and enjoy. Every truly monumental record is one of those kinds of records, one that should make you want to sit down and listen and just feel that swelling in the chest, or whatever you feel when you find something that really hits home. Few live up to this these days and I think there are several reasons for this, though, I’ll save those for another time. But Shroud of Despondency’s Dark Meditations in Monastic Seclusion is one such record, a cohesive whole and a supremely honest offering which, for all its warts, is a tremendous piece of work.

Shroud of Despondency – Stream “Parting of the Way”

Shroud of Despondency – Stream “Parting of the Way”

By Angry Metal Guy on February 7, 2011 in 2011, American Metal, Black Metal, Blog Posts, Unsigned Bands, 3 comments

One of the most anticipated records of the year should be Shroud of Despondency’s self-released Dark Meditations in Monastic Seclusion. Fortunately, I’ve been able to get permission to share what is probably my favorite track on the CD, but of course, the favorites are different for everyone! In any case, there are two things you […]

A Walk with the Wicked – Architects of Sadism Review

A Walk with the Wicked – Architects of Sadism Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 27, 2011 in 2011, 3.5, Death Metal, Reviews, South African Metal, Unsigned Bands, 0 comments

Old school death metal is making a comeback around the world and apparently South Africa is no exception to this rule. In fact, as I’ve already referenced, South Africa is an up-and-coming scene that seems to have little cohesive sound but still has a lot of talent in it. Because of that, whenever you get a demo from one of these bands it’s always a surprise, and this was an old school death metal surprise that came out in the form of A Walk with the Wicked’s debut disc Architects of Sadism. It was also a pleasant surprise, at that.

Ben Levin Group – Pulse of a Nation Review

Ben Levin Group – Pulse of a Nation Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 17, 2011 in 2011, 4.5, Avante Garde, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Unsigned Bands, 3 comments

I’m not accustomed to being short for words when I write a review. It’s something that happens pretty rarely because I tend to form such strong opinions about things. And given how much shit I’ve been listening to lately for this website, it’s really cool to be able to get my hands on something that has this kind of exciting personality, but let me tell you now, I’m not sure if I’m up to the job of actually doing this record justice with my descriptions. So if for some reason you don’t feel particularly inspired after this to go out and check out this record then ignore that impulse, and check it out anyway.

Crow Black Sky – Pantheion Review

Crow Black Sky – Pantheion Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 16, 2011 in 2010, 3.5, Death Metal, Epic Metal, Progressive Death, Reviews, South African Metal, Swedish Metal, Unsigned Bands, 1 comment

One of the things that people have been lamenting about the dawn of the Internet and how it will affect the future of music is that localized scenes no longer get localized sounds, and Crow Black Sky is definitely an example of this. Or more specifically, the South African metal scene seems to be a great example of this. See, Crow Black Sky is a melodic death metal band, whereas the other two bands that I’ve heard from South Africa (Heathens and A Walk with the Wicked) are black metal/black n’ roll and old school death metal. Due to access to music and information worldwide, it sorta kills that homogenization effect that gigging together, hanging out together and shopping at the same record store seemed to cause. Is it possible that the black metal scene from Oregon is the last cohesive scene we’re going to ever see? Well, that’s not actually relevant to this review. What is relevant to this review is that despite (or because of) the lack of homogeneity in the South African scene every single one of these bands that I’ve heard has been really very good. Crow Black Sky being no exception.

Sanity of Impiety – In Life We Despise Review

Sanity of Impiety – In Life We Despise Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 6, 2011 in 2010, 3.5, Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Unsigned Bands, Melodic Death Metal, 0 comments

I know it’s not a popular standpoint, but I’ve actually been pretty critical of Sweden’s underground. It is true that Sweden has produced some of the best metal in the world, I still have a bit of a feeling of “What have you done for me lately?” While there are some great bands out there that we all know, the underground here since after that first wave in the early 90s just hasn’t been the same. However, in the last few years a new generation of Swedish death metal and black metal has started coming to the forefront. Sometimes these are older bands, but there are also a number of younger bands carrying on the banner of their proud Swedish heavy metal heritage and doing it well. Sanity of Impiety, from up north in UmeÃ¥ (the same city which spawned Meshuggah, Naglfar, Cult of Luna and others) is certainly one of these bands.

Ironwood – Storm Over Sea Review

Ironwood – Storm Over Sea Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 5, 2011 in 2010, 3.5, Epic Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Unsigned Bands, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 1 comment

Well, now that the top 10 is posted and all of that is out there, I’ve received a record that I had no idea even existed and that is super cool. Of course. I said I was nervous about missing cool December releases and now I have been galvanized. I just thought I’d point that out. But I will not deny you the joy of a review of some very cool new music from this Australian progressive outfit by the name of Ironwood (not to be confused with the pornographic comic that I discovered while searching the Googles for the band’s website). This is the band’s third release and second full-length and it is available for your perusal at the band’s website.

Heathens – Oh, Mock the Heavens and Let the Heathens Sing Review

Heathens – Oh, Mock the Heavens and Let the Heathens Sing Review

By Angry Metal Guy on August 17, 2010 in 2010, 4.0, Black Metal, Reviews, Unsigned Bands, Black Metal, 1 comment

The bread and butter of a heavy metal is the unsigned band. If you are patient enough to dig through piles and piles and piles and piles and piles and piles and piles and piles of shit, you will find the prototypes of up and coming bands. Bands in their infancy, but who are producing something that is heretofore unheard of. Or maybe they’ll just be doing something old remarkably well. Or maybe it’s a blending of the two, successfully putting together a sound that few have heard and being super kick ass at the derivative stuff. In any case, what I’m trying to say here is this; you’re bound to find a band that stands out after enough time reviewing underground stuff. However, knowing where to look is a bitch. So when I was directed to the South African black metal band Heathens by Lord Doom, I wasn’t sure whether I was going to like the material or not. Fortunately, Lord Doom is a man of impeccable taste.