Angry Metal Guy

Concrete Winds – Nerve Butcherer Review

By Steel Druhm on November 23, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 45 comments

“Finnish two-piece Concrete Winds emerged from the ashes of Vorum in 2019, with debut Primitive Force marrying an unrelenting death metal onslaught with a passionate love of gobbledygook song titles. The band’s approach bears a close resemblance to the ferocious stylings of war metal, albeit with less of a blackened edge. Accordingly, while Concrete Winds’ moniker is a head-scratcher, the title of their sophomore effort Nerve Butcherer leaves little ambiguity about how the listener is intended to feel.” Mad nerve butcher!

Tower – Shock to the System Review

By Steel Druhm on November 23, 2021 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, 45 comments

“The retro metal movement continues unabated, dragging modern metal back to the past (read as: the 70s). New York City’s Tower want their piece of that retro/proto-metal pie, and on sophomore platter Shock to the System, they’re ready to do whatever it takes to get it. Their stock in trade is high-octane, gritty, ballsy metal influenced by 70s rock, 80s traditional metal, and early speed, and folks, these cats are out for blood and treasure.” System upgrade.

Lynx – Watcher of Skies Review

By Huck N Roll on November 23, 2021 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 16 comments

“Boy have we gotten lucky with some sweet traditional metal fare this month. Recent releases from both Black Soul Horde and Tower are sure to worm their way onto a few year-end lists—at least for the olde at heart. Upstart band Lynx aim to join this exalted group with their debut, Watcher of Skies.” Cat scratch fever?

FireWölfe – Conquer All Fear Review

By Holdeneye on November 22, 2021 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 41 comments

“It’s been a sparse year for traditional metal for old Holdeneye. I usually cover at least a few albums of the classic variety each year, but as I look back over the travesty that is my “Albums Reviewed” spreadsheet, I see only one 2021 album with the lone “heavy metal” tag. A couple of factors play into this shortage, namely supply chain issues (read: Steel Druhm takes most of the classic metal albums for himself because he’s old) and my own lack of productivity. Well, the holiday season is the perfect time to set all wrongs right, so I swiftly grabbed this, the third record from FireWölfe.” Power…of the Wölfe.

Sun Below – Sun Below Review

By L. Saunders on November 22, 2021 in Reviews, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, 8 comments

“With summer fast approaching in my neck of the woods, some good old stoner rock vibes are always welcome. Up and coming Toronto act Sun Below are dropping their debut self-titled album and all the ingredients for a good old time in the land of fuzz and sand are in tow. Sun Below boast a stripped back, garage-y production, fat guitar and bass tones, laid-back jammy vibe, lots of trippy psychedelic flourishes and crude, no-nonsense vocals.” Sun, sand, stoners.

Dauþuz – Vom schwarzen Schmied Review

By Doom_et_Al on November 21, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 7 comments

“German black metal band Dauþuz (Death) have created an discography based on mining in Europe. Vom schwarzen Schmied (Of the Blacksmith) is their fourth full-length, following 2019’s Monvmenvm, which received the TYMHM treatment from this esteemed blog. An enthusiastic Muppet called it an underground (haha) gem, extolling its “psychotic vocals” and “plentiful riffs.” I was slightly less enamored, and found it an entertaining—if unremarkable—collection. Have this Germanic duo struck gold this time?” Dig dug.

The Temple – The Temple Review

By Dear Hollow on November 20, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 42 comments

“I’d be willing to put down money that The Temple is or contains a piece of Ulcerate. This New Zealand duo consists of P.K. on guitar, bass, and vocals (Paul Kelland? Sure sounds like him) and J.W. on drums (former Ulcerate vocalist James Wallace?), and to make matters worse, the self-titled debut was mixed and produced by J. Saint Merat. But this feeling of limbo, that maybe it is or maybe it isn’t, is what The Temple dwells in.” Crouching temples, hidden tech-death.

Stormkeep – Tales of Othertime Review

By Eldritch Elitist on November 20, 2021 in Reviews, Melodic Black Metal, 64 comments

“Tales of Othertime is an entirely different beast. Its pre-baked hype squad will undoubtedly boost its popularity, but its status as one of the most fun and listenable black metal records of the year will propel it there regardless.” Stromhype.

Exodus – Persona Non Grata Review

By Steel Druhm on November 19, 2021 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 123 comments

“Let’s face it, Exodus is more metal than you. They’ve been at the thrash thing for a zillion years and helped write the book on the genre (both the good and bad chapters). Some may even think they belong in the Big Four more than some of the Big Four, but that’s a bar fight for another time. Their 11th album is upon us, the first since 2014s Blood In, Blood Out, and it’s about freaking time! Persona Non Grata finds Exodus pretty much exactly where we left them 7 years ago. The same lineup, the same approach, the same refusal to bend the knee to trends. This is Exodus in all their hairy, wart-covered glory and you either love them or hate them.” Hugs for thugs.

Swallow the Sun – Moonflowers Review

By Steel Druhm on November 19, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 36 comments

“There hasn’t been much positivity coming from the Swallow the Sun camp these last few years. The tragic passing of guitarist Juha Raivio’s partner and Trees of Eternity collaborator Aleah Stanbridge led to a grief-driven release from Raivio’s Hallatar project as well as the unrelentingly depressive When a Shadow is Forced Into the Light from this group. Years pass and pain diminishes, but based on what we get on Moonflowers, it seems Mr. Raivio is still struggling to get back to the light.” Aphotic hypnotic.