2.5

Shores of Null – Black Drapes for Tomorrow Review

By Grymm on April 13, 2017 in 2017, Candlelight Records, Doom Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, Spinefarm, Doom Metal, 27 comments

“One of my favorite things about writing for Angry Metal Guy Unlimited, LLC is when I’m blindsided by a new band. Quiescence, the 2014 debut album by Italian doomsters Shores of Null, impressed the hell out of me with their wonderful combination of Daylight Dies riding with Alice in Chains en route to an Amorphis gig, and landed themselves on my Top Ten(ish) list of that year. Here we are three years later, and they return with their eagerly-awaited follow-up, the dreary Black Drapes for Tomorrow.” Comfortably null.

Arthemis – Blood – Fury – Domination Review

By Eldritch Elitist on April 10, 2017 in 2017, Italian Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Scarlet Records, Power Metal, 24 comments

“Until recently, Arthemis had been one of around a few dozen bands I’d always had a mild curiosity for but had never bothered to closely investigate. I’m convinced the only reason I knew of their existence was because they included Power Quest’s vocalist and guitarist (Alessio Garavello and Andrea Martongelli, respectively) amongst their ranks, though now only the latter remains in the band. I also vaguely remembered them from high school as one of a handful of power metal bands that had a propensity for including bare breasts on their album covers, which always struck me as an ironic practice for what might be metal’s least sexy genre.” From Power Quest to Power Chests.

Possession – Exorkizein Review

By Mark Z. on April 8, 2017 in 2017, Belgian Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Invictus Productions, Iron Bonehead Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 10 comments

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I really don’t need originality in my music. Take last month’s Necroblood album. Though it hardly did anything groundbreaking, that record gave me all the Satan, blastbeats, and atom-bomb riffing I could ask for.” Can Possession provide maximum Satan?

Reflection – Bleed Babylon Bleed Review

By GardensTale on April 7, 2017 in 2017, Epic Metal, Greek Metal, Heavy Metal, Pitch Black Records, Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 17 comments

“Reflection are clearly major fans of Sabaton, however, while it’s not quite a mirror copy of the Swedes, these Greeks have definitely cast Bleed Babylon Bleed from the same mold. But is this an epic fail or can they seize victory on the battlefield?” Souvlakaton.

Emerald – Reckoning Day Review

By Dr. Wvrm on April 2, 2017 in 2017, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Pure Steel Records, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 19 comments

“Last time around, Steel Druhm summed up both Emerald’s Unleashed and career with one line: “You’ve heard it a zillion times before from far superior bands.” Reckoning Day makes strides towards memorability, but old habits die hard….” Precious.

Stormhammer – Welcome to the End Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 31, 2017 in 2017, German Metal, Massacre Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 8 comments

“Life’s a wild, fucking adventure that’s about as satisfying as it is annoying. For every high, there’s a massive low. For every milestone, there’s a setback. For every breakthrough, there are countless failures. Sometimes it gets to the point where all you remember from one day to the next is the bullshit. What does this have to do with Stormhammer and their sixth LP Welcome to the End? A hell of a lot.” Life is pain and power metal can be too.

Slagmaur – Thill Smitts Terror

By Akerblogger on March 30, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Osmose Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, 25 comments

“Slagmaur have created this album from the outside in, focusing on eccentricities before addressing foundation and structure. When you exist on a higher plain of existence, who needs structure and stability!” No war without a floor.

The Vicious Head Society – Abject Tomorrow Review

By GardensTale on March 26, 2017 in 2017, Irish Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Progressive Metal, 24 comments

“Gun to my head, I’d have to say that no metal sub-genre tickles my fancy as much as progressive metal. It’s hardly a fully independent genre, though, because how often do you call a band straight-up progressive metal? Well, sometimes, but usually it’s progressive death metal, or progressive power metal, or any of the other combinations. This is because while other sub-genres are more about a certain sound or atmosphere, progressive is almost exclusively about the structure of the songs, freeing the band from their verse-chorus shackles. This allows for longer songs with more room to explore, and the pull of a narrative structure leads to concept albums more than any other genre.” Is this a dream in a theater?

Mothership – High Strangeness Review

By Steel Druhm on March 21, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Ripple Music, Stoner Rock, Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, 25 comments

“Feast your eyes on that cover! There be breasts, beasts and planetary bodies. If there was ever a piece of truly van worthy art, this is that thing. As impressive as the art is, this here is a music review site, or so I’ve been told. That requires me to delve into the sounds Mothership deliver on their third album of 70s influenced stoner rock curiously titled High Strangeness.” Could the music ever match that glorious cover art?

Alunah – Solennial Review

By El Cuervo on March 18, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 18 comments

“I’m wary of praising bands in overpopulated genres but I believe Birmingham’s Alunah to be one of the best retro-doom bands operating. Beyond the nostalgic warmth and simplistic riffs offered by their peers, these guys boast a stand-out vocalist, a cracking tone and a fervor for folklore which lends a certain charming mysticism.” Wicked mystics.