Angry Metal Guy

Things You Might Have Missed 2014: Hannes Grossmann – The Radial Covenant

By Angry Metal Guy on December 18, 2014 in 2014, Death Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, 18 comments

For those who don’t know Hannes Grossmann, you probably do know the bands he’s been involved in. He’s got Obscura, Necrophagist, and Blotted Science on his “list of things that make me cooler than you,” and one can only guess that The Radical Covenant is the Obscura record we would have gotten if Grossmann hadn’t decided to quit. And while I’m a fan of Obscura, I felt the band nailed it with Cosmogenesis and I’m not a huge fan of 2011’s Omnivium (anymore). Ironically, Grossmann said in his parting message from the band that the musical difference between he and founder Steffen Kummerer was the reason that he left the band. Apparently Kummerer was more invested in a Cosmogenesis sound, which could leave one expecting, then, I shouldn’t like this record as much…

Things You Might Have Missed: Emptiness – Nothing But the Whole

By Jean-Luc Ricard on December 18, 2014 in 2014, Belgian Metal, Black Metal, Dark Descent Records, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Doom Metal, 11 comments

“Belgium’s Emptiness are a band that I’ve not paid enough attention to. Sharing their bassist and guitarist with black metal stalwarts Enthroned (who also released an album this year that you might have missed…), and their drummer with Pro-Pain, Emptiness certainly have plenty of experience in their ranks, but given that I’ve never been particularly enamored with either of those bands, I didn’t feel a great urge to seek out Emptiness’ releases. But this year, after reading nothing but the praise for Nothing but the Whole and falling in love with the distinctive, creepy album cover, I decided to give the band a chance. This was an entirely excellent decision.” We make good decisions, so you can have good consumer knowledge.

Ascension – The Dead of the World Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on December 17, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, World Terror Committee, Black Metal, 5 comments

“When it comes to orthodox Swedish-style black metal (which I’ll call “orthodox black metal” for the rest of the review), explaining the general aesthetic is essentially pointless. I can call an album cold, frostbitten, grim, and evil until I turn blue in the face from hypothermia, but that won’t answer the one question readers have when they come to reviews: is this worth listening to?” Orthodox black metal for Christmas? I see what they did there.

Things You Might Have Missed 2014: Thine – The Dead City Blueprint

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 16, 2014 in 2014, English Metal, Not Metal, Peaceville, Progressive Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Progressive Rock, 16 comments

“Down here at AMG, we work our asses off to bring forth “similar band” references and genre classifications, define the intentions and directions of an album, and even evaluate the recording/mixing/mastering processes of the release in order to satisfy the insatiable hunger of the AMG hordes.” And we dont always feel appreciated, so give us beer and hugs.

Retro-spective Review: Zao – Liberate Te Ex Inferis

By Grymm on December 16, 2014 in American Metal, Metalcore, Retro Reviews, Solid State, Tooth & Nail, Metalcore, 7 comments

“I realize that my covering this album will be a little controversial for some readers out there. Yes, the cover is a close-up of a dude’s heavily made-up eyeball, accentuated by black fingernail-polished hands. And yes, it’s metalcore.” We dont often highlight metalcore albums (for obvious reasons ), but Grymm has a soft spot for this golden oldie of the core scene.

Things You Might Have Missed: Dawnbringer – Night of the Hammer

By Steel Druhm on December 15, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Profound Lore Records, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 27 comments

“One of the biggest disappointments this year was Profound Lore’s inexplicable failure to get us a copy of the new Dawnbringer promo, Night of the Hammer. Due to said failure, it was we who might have missed one of the best albums of the year. I’ve been a major supporter of Chris Black’s (High Spirits, Pharaoh, ex-Nachtmystium) weird proto-metal project ever since their outre Nucleus platter, and I was equally bowled over by 2012’s Into the Lair of the Sun God. Maintaining the band’s upward trajectory once again, Night of the Hammer takes the Dawnbringer sound even further backward into metal’s past.” Like a hammer to a nail, so are the days of our metal lives….

Things You Might Have Missed 2014: Saor – Aura

By El Cuervo on December 15, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Northern Silence Productions, Scottish Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 9 comments

“Painting an elaborate portrait of the mysterious but beautiful Scottish Highlands, Aura is atmospheric folk metal of the kilt and haggis variety. Saor is the brainchild of Andy Marshall, ex-Falloch, and he saw great success with his début Roots.” The hills are alive with the sound of…SAOR!

Blindfisted – Blindfisted Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 14, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Crust Punk, Norwegian Metal, Polypus Records, Reviews, Black Metal, Crust Punk, 2 comments

“There is one problem I have with punk/crust/D-beat. It encourages me to fuck shit up. When done right, the music tempts me into driving 100 mph to work, marching into my boss’s office and beating the living shit out of him. While I obviously have some serious psychological issues here (particularly being that I am indeed my own boss), music like this sets my skin on fire and the only cure for this uncomfortable burning sensation is revolution, overthrow and apocalyptic destruction.” Apparently we found crust punk for the angry solo practitioner. Work your own hours and burn shit down.

Astrakhan – A Tapestry of Scabs and Skin Review

By Grymm on December 13, 2014 in 2014, Canadian Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 3 comments

“It’s the month of December, and there be some slim pickings here at the Angry Metal Guy Fortress. With the exception of a potential End of Year Candidate, it’s the month where bands that you haven’t checked out all year are scrutinized, lists are finalized, and if you are at all like me, you are avoiding all shopping centers as if they were quarantine zones.” Grymm may lack the proper holiday spirit and the requisite love for all Mankind, but the man knows his metal.

Things You Might Have Missed 2014: Cowards – Shooting Blanks & Pills

By El Cuervo on December 13, 2014 in 2014, Doom Metal, French Metal, Secret Handshake Recordings, Sludge, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Sludge Metal, 2 comments

“Paris is shit. Above all else, that is what the Paris-based Cowards wants to leave with the listener. Having missed this the first time round in 2012, Shooting Blanks & Pills has earned a well-deserved re-issue.” You might have missed this in 2012, and you may have missed the 2014 re-issue. Don’t be a two-time misser!