Neurosis has been called many things over their storied career, from sludge to shoegaze to post-rock. Alex is here to examine these labels as he reviews Honor Found in Decay. He’s a deep thinker, that Alex.
2012
Rebellion – Arminus: Furor Teutonicus Review
More power metal reviews by Steel Druhm? When is enough really enough? Rebellion rocks the classic Grave Digger style of Germanic power metal and with several ex Digger members onboard, they usually get it right. This time though? Tricky question.
Melencolia Estatica – Hel Review
Madam X is a dedicated reviewer. In preparation for her thoughtful analysis of Melencolia Estatica’s black metal concept album Hel, she watched the really really old movie that provided the source material, then she did some deep thinking about the music itself. In contrast, Steel Druhm posted sexy pics of the female band member. He’s a slacker pig.
Paragon – Force of Destruction Review
Steel Druhm heard the cries for more power metal and now he’s running amok with power reviews! This time its Germany’s long toiling speedsters, Paragon. They put the “power” in power metal and Mr. Steel surely appreciates that since there’s quite a power shortage in his neck of the woods.
Mob Rules – Cannibal Nation Review
People say we don’t review enough power metal around here. We haven’t gotten all that much lately and besides that, we’re trying to only review death metal! Regardless, Steel Druhm has a big ole bag of new power metal he needs to review and the first up is Germany’s Mob Rules. Don’t say we never listen to our loyal sheeples.
Geoff Tate – Kings and Thieves Review
Bland adult contemporary rock music with bad vocals and lots of saxophone? That’s just the way Geoff Tate rolls.
The Secret – Agnus Dei Review
Alex reviews Italian sludgey black metal act The Secret and their new opus of pain entitled Agnus Dei.
Ragnarok – Malediction Review
Ragnarok is back with a new album and yet another vocalist. These guys go through vocalists like Spinal Tap goes through drummers! Anywho, Madam X is here to break it down as she gets herself in a tizzy over church burnings and other “necro” things.
Shining – Redefining Darkness Review
Shining has been a consistent favorite of mine since I discovered the band. Since V:/Halmstad: Niklas angående Niklas I have reviewed every one of their records and have witnessed a change in the band that I think is hard to ignore. Starting with V, the band has continued an Opethian evolution away from the raw, gut-wrenching emotional black metal into something less raw, more catchy and proggy (Marillion prog not Dream Theater prog). Having now dropped the numbers and donned instead an English title, (what would have been VIII) Redefining Darkness continues the band’s evolution away from its gut-wrenching roots. Were we looking for a redefinition? After the mighty VII: Född förlorare I sure wasn’t
Wintersun – Time I Review
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.