Angry Metal Guy

Sabaton – The Last Stand Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 19, 2016 in 2016, Nuclear Blast, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Power Metal, 79 comments

“Few people know this about me, but I am fascinated by war. I wouldn’t call myself a “buff” by any means, but I have done my fair share of research on the topic. In particular, my interests lie with the American Civil War. A fascination sparked by my family history. My mother’s side founding Manassas, Virginia and fighting alongside neighbors and friends within the ranks of Mosby’s Raiders. My father’s side hailing from Michigan and fighting for the infamous Iron Brigade.” With that lineage you almost have to like Sabaton.

Motorowl – Om Generator Review

By El Cuervo on August 19, 2016 in 2016, Century Media, Doom Metal, German Metal, Hard Rock, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Stoner Rock, 11 comments

“I do still ponder how it is certain bands get big and others don’t. A world where iwrestledabearonce is hot shit and Wilderun isn’t is cruel and unjust but much of that seems to be down to lucky exposure to label scouts. At the luckier end, take Motorowl. A tiny band from Eastern Germany with scarcely 500 followers on Facebook and no outstanding reason to have garnered the attention of a large label.”It’s better to be lucky AND good.

Vicious Rumors – Concussion Protocol Review

By Huck N Roll on August 18, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, SPV, Steamhammer, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 22 comments

“Originally Steel Druhm was going to write this review, but I used my Inception-like powers to convince him I should handle it. I’ve spent the days since, chewing on my nails, wondering what the hell I’ve gotten myself into – no pressure at all! What to write?” Don’t screw this up, rookie!

Yer Metal is Olde: Cryptopsy – None So Vile

By Kronos on August 18, 2016 in Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Yer Metal Is Olde, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 36 comments

“The life of a metal drummer is one of near saintly asceticism. Your kit is about ten times heavier – and more expensive – than the six-strings that your guitarists snapped up off of craigslist. It breaks constantly and takes about half an hour to set up on stage, and while you’re busting your ass carting it around the rest of the band just loafs about because they’re too stupid to help set it up properly. And when you finally get to play it, nobody can see the intricacies of your cymbal work or the incredible sweatiness of your torso because a bunch of Rapunzely assholes are standing in front of you on stage. It would be a thankless task were it not for the dedicated few fans that really appreciate your craft. Kronos is such a fan.” The man loves a good beating.

If Steel Seized the Blog: Et Seuss, Steel?

By Steel Druhm on August 17, 2016 in Blog Posts, 28 comments

Power struggles are just a fact of life in the dog-eat-dog world of competitive metal bloggery.

Blood Incantation – Starspawn Review

By Saunders on August 17, 2016 in 2016, Dark Descent Records, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, 42 comments

“The endless darkness, desolation, intriguing mystery and suffocating atmosphere of space pairs well with metal. Science fiction themes, dystopian futures and extra terrestrial shenanigans are all familiar sources of inspiration in the metal scene, however Colorado up and comers Blood Incantation do a particularly excellent job of nailing down the dense reality, claustrophobic atmosphere and otherworldly vibe of our mysterious universe on their hugely impressive full-length debut, Starspawn.” Space in your face.

Howling Giant – Black Hole Space Wizard (Pt. 1) Review

By GardensTale on August 16, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Stoner Rock, 29 comments

“Stoner metal, moreso than other metal subgenres, stands and falls with the power of The Riff. Crushing, churning, buzzing like a particularly eloquent chainsaw, The Riff can lift a band out of stoner mediocrity and into the realms of the Gods. But a limp and forgetful riff will ensure the music passes through your head like a breath of wind through torn sails. Howling Giant play stoner metal. Black Hole Space Wizard Part 1 is only their second four song EP, so they haven’t been around for very long yet. So do these Nashville greenhorns possess the power of The Riff?” Into the giant hole!

Asenblut – Berzerker Review

By Grymm on August 16, 2016 in 2016, AFM Records, German Metal, Reviews, Viking Metal, Viking Metal, 35 comments

Vikings. They’ve overtaken motorcycle gangs, sparkly vampires, and variations of the zombie as the Big Thing of the Now in America, if our television shows and Faceborg timelines are correct. Thing is, “Vikings have been a trend for a long-ass time in the realm of heavy metal. Hell, Yngwie FOOKING Malmsteen was a Viking long before Amon Amarth first sailed their ships into stormy waters. He even proclaimed so himself! But that’s not gonna stop the new crop of metal bands from brandishing their axes, donning their horned helmets, and sailing away to uncharted lands. Germany’s Asenblut toss their shields into the pagan circle with their third album, Berzerker.” Do you have a Viking inside you? Want one?

Twilight Fauna – Fire of the Spirit Review

By Treble Yell on August 15, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Ravenwood Recordings, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 15 comments

“It’s not enough for new album releases these days to crow that they’re the work of a single person. The novelty of a sole individual stitching together a trove of instruments and producing a handcrafted, free-range, conflict-free album has long since worn off. There needs to be more – some sort of hook to separate itself from the horde of other releases jockeying to gnaw at our aural pleasure centers. With a concept built around snake handling, Fire of the Spirit is the latest release by Paul Ravenwood, whose band Twilight Fauna is described as “a blackened-folk solo project devoted to telling the often forgotten stories of the Appalachian Mountains.”” Mountain folk don’t like no outsiders intrudin’.

Sonata Arctica’s Top 5 Awkward and Unintentional Successes

By Angry Metal Guy on August 15, 2016 in 2016, Blog Posts, 62 comments

“I am stoked for Sonata Arctica’s forthcoming Ninth Hour which will be here on the 14th of October from Nuclear Blast. Now I know you’re probably thinking to yourself: “self, why would AMG write an article about a band’s ‘Awkward and Unintentional Successes’ if he likes that band?” Indulge me a second. See, Sonata Arctica started out as a better version of Stratovarius that was founded with a songwriter at the helm—Tony Kakko—who’s like a weird, Finnish version of Jim Steinman. This means that the band’s sound is epic, quirky, but ultimately it can get a little… awkward.”