For a few years now, the proverbial white whale of the heavy metal scene has been a new Wintersun record. After the band’s initial, highly acclaimed (some would say overrated), self-titled debut from 2004 former Ensiferum frontman Jari Mäenpää essentially fell off the face of the earth. Now, I’m not a die-hard fan, so I have not kept up with the ridiculous, neurotic, Axl Rose-like kabuki theater that apparently drove fans nuts, but the fact that 8 years later we’re getting record number two should probably tell you the torture that Jari put his fans through. Teaming up with Kai Hanto of Swallow the Sun on drums, Jukka Koskinen of Amberian Dawn and Cain’s Offering on bass and Teemu Mäntysaari of the short-lived Imperanon on guitar, Jari’s new record, what we now know to be 2012’s Time I, has teased fans for years and has ruffled some feathers. So the question is at it always is: can this record possibly live up to the sky-high expectations that the fans have.
Kamelot – Silverthorn Review
Kamelot is the Mac Daddy of the power/progressive/pomp circuit, but how will they fare without mega-throat Roy Khan at the mic. Steel Druhm puts on his Sunday best for a night at the opera and brings you his aristocratic musings.
Dethklok – Dethalbum III Review
Happy Metal Guy likes anime and cartoons and other weird stuff. Naturally, he was the logical choice to review a silly, make-believe album by non-existent death metallers, Dethklok. He also likes rainbows, puppies and ponies, but we won’t get into that now.
Between The Buried And Me – The Parallax II: Future Sequence Review
After defeating the Terminator and in part 1, Between The Buried And Me have to rescue John Connor from the T-1000 in Parallax II: Judgment Day.
Dark Tranquillity – Zero Distance Review
“Dark Tranquillity was one of the progenitors of melodic death metal and in all honestly, they’re the only original “Gothenburg explosion” act that’s still releasing good music. So how does Steel Druhm feel about their new cash grabby EP?” Look inside for his frugal analysis.
Von – Satanic Blood Review
Natalie Zed swings by for Black Metal History Month to teach us about ever-obscure, but pioneering Von and how they overcame all obstacles to release their long-awaited debut. Bring an apple for teacher!
Forgotten Tomb – …And Don’t Deliver Us From Evil Review
Italian blackened doom devils Forgotten Tomb are back to crush your spirit with tales of tragic romance and gruesome torture. Madam X considers herself a hopeless romantic and a lover of gruesome torture, so we pretty much just threw this promo at her and ran for our lives.
Record(s) o’ the Month – September 2012
You demanded it, whined about it and complained ad naseum. Well, here it is, Record(s) of the Month for September! Now get off our backs, you nags!
The Contortionist – Intrinsic Review
If Anathema, Obscura and Cynic got stuck in an elevator, What would happen? Alex attempts to answer this and other existential questions as best he can while reviewing the new opus from The Contortionist. Is it progressive? Is it metalcore? Is there enough air in that damn elevator??? Read on.
Interview with Matthew Widener from Liberteer
Liberteer is an extremely interesting new grindcore project in two ways: (1) Its debut album has the longest and most straightforward, “You Don’t Say”-worthy name I’ve ever seen in grindcore so far. (2) Its groovy grindcore with symphonic and Americana elements thrown in!