Angry Metal Guy

Bloody Hammers – Lovely Sort of Death Review

By Steel Druhm on August 3, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Gothic Metal, Napalm Records, Occult Rock, Reviews, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Occult Rock, 30 comments

“There once was a time when the little known Bloody Hammers were making like the even lesser known Vardan by releasing new albums with shocking rapidity. Perhaps this was their way of getting their name out there and keeping whatever low-level momentum they garnered moving in the right direction. Unfortunately despite some good ideas, the music often felt slapped together and rushed with inconsistent results. The talent and potential were definitely there, but the results weren’t quite up to snuff. In my review of their 2014 opus Under Satan’s Sun I prescribed a longer time between releases to allow their ideas to germinate, marinate and ruminate, and perhaps they took the advice to heart.” Free advice is worth exactly what it costs.

Yer Metal Is Olde: Sodom – Obsessed by Cruelty

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 2, 2016 in Black Metal, German Metal, Metal Blade, Thrash Metal, Yer Metal Is Olde, 52 comments

“I’ve been prolonging the YMIO article for Sodom’s debut Obsessed by Cruelty for months now. All year I’ve been trying to come up with the words that would do it justice. What “justice” that may be depends on the listener’s perspective. To these ears, this thirty-year-old debut is one hot mess of an album. But now that Sodom’s newest release, Decision Day, is upon us, I find the courage to pull Obsessed from the stockades to give it another listen.” The obsession may be olde, but the sodomy still burns.

Into the Obscure: Memory Driven – Animus

By Saunders on August 2, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, 47 comments

“We all have our dirty metal secrets that we selfishly keep to ourselves, only sharing with a select few close to us. Or alternatively, we incessantly talk up underground gems and spread the gospel to anyone that will listen, as we cherish our slice of underground cred. Into the Obscure aims to right the wrongs and unearth the artists/albums that for whatever unjust reason didn’t get the exposure or credit they sorely deserved the first time round.” Here be the hidden gems!

Svlfvr – Shamanic Lvnar Cvlt Review

By Grymm on August 1, 2016 in 2016, Bakerteam Records, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 25 comments

“By now, the more astute of you are aware of my promo selection process. If you’re just tuning in, I select bands based on the following criteria: my own listening history of the band (naturally), the band’s back story, and their naming conventions. That last one has unearthed some amazing gems. Other times, it bit me in the ass hard. Italy’s Svlfvr (pronounced “Sulfur” and not “SVILFIVOR,” sadly) caught me with not only their name, but also their beautiful purple-and-green album cover for their debut full-length.” Color my wvrld.

Deny the Cross – Alpha Ghoul Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on August 1, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Grind, Powerviolence, Reviews, Tankcrimes Records, Powerviolence, 23 comments

“Readers au fait with the -core end of the extreme music spectrum will likely be familiar with Spazz and Black Army Jacket, the members of whom would go on to form our current review subjects. But for those of you that prefer Iced Earth to Infest, these names probably don’t mean much. While grindcore was close enough to metal to appeal to both the short and the long-haired, its musical cousin powerviolence remained firmly within the hardcore punk tradition. I owe Deny the Cross thanks for forcing me to expand my musical horizons further punkwards so that I can actually review them within some sort of meaningful context.” Feel the power (and the violence).

Yer Metal Is Olde! Anathema – Eternity

By El Cuervo on July 29, 2016 in Doom Metal, English Metal, Peaceville, Progressive Rock, Yer Metal Is Olde, 60 comments

“Of thousands of metal bands, there are few that have changed as drastically as Anathema. First blazing trails as a death-doom band and party to the so-called ‘Peaceville Three,’ they underwent a softening into what can be described as doom or goth rock. Their deathy innards stripped away, this mid-era is what some regard as their strongest output given they retained their darkness and evocative atmosphere but with subtler music. Since the turn of the millennium they’ve mellowed yet further into an unusual but compelling amalgamation of alternative rock, airy prog and dreamy pop. I’m here today to discuss my favorite Anathema album, one from the mid-period: Eternity.” The evolution of sadness.

Zodiac – Grain Of Soul Review

By Huck N Roll on July 28, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 22 comments

“One day a man was trapped out on a ledge – don’t ask why – with no way to get down except to jump. The fire trucks came and laid out a net for him, but he wanted something safer. They brought a pile of mattresses, but he still wasn’t satisfied. “Use the new Zodiac record!” he called down. The firemen nodded in understanding.” Living on the ledge!

Vukari – Divination Review

By Akerblogger on July 28, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Bindrune Recordings, Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 19 comments

“Atmospheric black metal. Some run to the hills, disgusted by the label, while others embrace it with an incredible fervor, an addict in desperate need of his next fix. Part of the beauty, or tedium, of the ‘atmospheric’ label is its elusiveness. Ranging from one-man bedroom-studio synth-heavy releases to six-piece major-label indie-black-digeridoo extravaganzas and everything in between, I never really know what freakish concoction awaits.” Life is like a box of kvlt chocolates.

Defeated Sanity – Disposal of the Dead // Dharmata Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 27, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, German Metal, Progressive Death, Reviews, Willowtip, Death Metal, 29 comments

“Most people can’t, for one reason or another, split their talents and passions into two separate wholes. The pizza place near my home in Ontario makes good wings, but they’re not great enough to start up a separate wing business and succeed, so they just do both at once. Some folks are terrible salespeople, so they invite you over to their place to eat some pizza and have a “party” while they try to pitch you an energy drink-based pyramid scheme; the free pizza is supposed to make up for the fact that they couldn’t sell icewater in the Sahara Desert, I guess. Germany’s Defeated Sanity are not most people. They happen to like ultra-brutal death metal and the old Florida proggy death scene, so instead of just combining the two they up and did a split with themselves.” Schizoids are never alone.

Abominant – Napalm Reign Review

By Mark Z. on July 27, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Death Metal, Deathgasm Records, Reviews, Speed Metal, Death Metal, Speed Metal, 17 comments

“Abominant seem content to continue churning out sweaty Midwestern death metal with a big old melodic kick in the ass until the day arthritis makes that impossible. With a band this seasoned, it’s no surprise they weren’t out to redefine themselves on their eleventh full-length Napalm Reign, but that’s not a bad thing.” Olde and wise, they are.