1.5

Adrenaline Mob – We the People Review

By Steel Druhm on May 30, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Century Media, Groove Metal, Nu-metal, Reviews, Groove Metal, Nu Metal, 94 comments

“We the People, in order to form a more perfect union, certainly never planned for Sir Russell Allen to continue his New York/New Jersey nu-metal groove project Adrenaline Mob this long. In fact, with this third album inbound, things are bordering on a violation of listeners’ basic rights and freedoms. I’ve covered their previous outings of throwback hard rock and nu-metal, yet I remain at a loss why Mr. Allen is so enamored with this numb-skull style of pablum made infamous by Disturbed, Godsmack and Nickelback.” Careers in waste management.

Echotime – Side Review

By Huck N Roll on May 6, 2017 in 2017, Italian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Progressive Metal, 10 comments

“First, a bit about these theatrical Italian progsters. who dare compare themselves to the likes of Dream Theater and Pain of Salvation. Side is the quintet’s second album, a concept album featuring a number of songs tied together via a series of narratives. The concept itself is a bit difficult to understand, but seems to be a series of stories about characters that some woman named Lily knows.” When prog goes Side-ways.

Cursus – Cursus Review

By GardensTale on May 2, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Artificial Head Records, Doom Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 27 comments

“I consider last year’s 40 Watt Sun album a particularly effective example at creating space and even emptiness with its sparse arrangements and use of repetition, reflecting the social distance in the lyrics. Since every good example is most effective when juxta- I mean, when placed opposite a bad example, Cursus has volunteered to demonstrate.” Doom death, where is thy sting?

Kenoma – The Tides Will Prevail Review

By Grymm on April 26, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Instrumental Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Translation Loss, Doom Metal, Instrumental Metal, Sludge Metal, 9 comments

“Having formed in 2004 with only a split with fellow Ohioans Mouth of the Architect under their collective belt, this five-piece instrumental outfit gathered their resources and dropped their debut, The Tides Will Prevail, upon my lap. Taking a chance with 5 songs at 52 minutes in length, and without a vocalist to focus on, The Tides Will Prevail must grab the listener and keep their attention if it wants to succeed.” Ebb, flow or overflow?

Nightrage – The Venomous Review

By Roquentin on April 17, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Despotz Records, Greek Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 52 comments

“Sometimes, context is everything. Take Greek/Swedish melodeath stalwarts Nightrage and their 2005 release, Descent into Chaos. During a time when our digital voraciousness was yet gestating, the general availability of music limited, and my taste still fully receptive of Gothenburg metal, the subjective value of that objectively passable album became immense. Great riffs and melodies, catchy hooks, and an innate sort of aggressiveness bedazzled me. Listening to it today, it sounds good, if unremarkable and most certainly not at the level of some of the classics of the genre. Context, like I said, matters the most.” Nostalgia has limits.

Of the Sun – Before a Human Path Review

By Saunders on April 12, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Groove Metal, Nu-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Southern Metal, Unsigned Bands, Groove Metal, Mathcore, Nu Metal, Progressive Metal, 16 comments

“Self-proclaiming their music as ‘southern progressive metal’ sounds interesting on paper, bringing up imaginative scenarios, such as combining a dose of burly Down-styled metal with the adventure and bombast of prog. A number of similar scenarios whipped through my brain before settling in to jam Before a Human Path.” When prog-metal goes south.

Digir Gidim – I Thought There Was The Sun Awaiting My Awakening Review

By Grymm on March 28, 2017 in 2017, ATMF, Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 24 comments

“Diĝir Gidim, a relatively new two-piece hailing from parts unknown and featuring vocalist Lalartu of Titaan, want to test your patience with their debut, the wordy I Thought There Was The Sun Awaiting My Awakening.” Words are free and all, but still….

Antropofagus – Methods of Resurrection through Evisceration Review

By Kronos on March 14, 2017 in 2017, Comatose Music, Death Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 16 comments

“There are plenty of underground gems out there, unsigned bands full of youthful energy, small-time groups without major label support, and skilled veterans in the scene that just don’t do music for a living. But for every great artist waiting to be discovered, there are ten just not worth unearthing. I’ve found another one; don’t continue reading.” That’s a joke. Keep reading!

Raise the Black – Portrait Review

By Dr. Wvrm on February 13, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, English Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Doom Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 28 comments

“These days, the album bin’s like a box of chocolates: most morsels are halfway decent, except the random orange-flavored ones. Despite a name suggesting a jaunt on the Seven Seas and a promo sheet whispering sweet nothings of Insomnium, Agalloch, and Woods of Ypres, Raise the Black’s debut, Portrait, has the pinkish taste of despair to it.” Taste the pink despair!

Hymn – Perish Review

By Eldritch Elitist on February 6, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Doom Metal, 27 comments

“As a music critic I am strictly prohibited from judging albums by their covers, yet it’s a behind-the-scenes hobby of mine to analyze album art as a thematic companion to the sounds that lie within. A successful album cover shouldn’t just serve as a pretty face; from art style to color palette, it should be a reflection of the band’s ideas and personality, something that sticks in one’s subconscious as a valuable piece of the overall experience. Norwegian doom duo Hymn opt for an exterior aesthetic that’s more in line with black metal than doom on their debut record Perish, exhibiting a stark, monochromatic mountain ridge.” Feel the mountain.