2014

Things You Might Have Missed 2014: Onheil – Storm Is Coming

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 11, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Cyclone Empire, Death Metal, Dutch Metal, Post-metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Black Metal, Death Metal, Heavy Metal, Post-Metal, 15 comments

“Being the metal fan that you are, I can only assume you’ve had that late-night trip to the record store, hell-bent on purchasing a new album. It doesn’t even matter what album. However, tonight it turns out your favorite record store doesn’t have shit in the way of metal. Either you own it or don’t want it. So you base your purchasing decision on close examination of the “fans of blah blah blah” labels, the artwork, and the band name itself. You finally come across an album just released that week and buy it knowing there’s the possibility for one-of-three outcomes.” Buying blind, oh the thrill!

Things You Might Have Missed 2014: Enabler – La Fin Absolue du Monde

By Jean-Luc Ricard on December 10, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Century Media, Hardcore, Metalcore, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Metalcore, 13 comments

“Last year, two EPs caught me totally off-guard. For a long time I just couldn’t get on with any form of punk – despite my penchant for good grind – though in recent years my tastes have developed and I’ve been increasingly delving into the –core end of things. But I was totally unprepared for how much I would enjoy Tide of Iron’s split with Grace (The Hard Work EP), and even more so Enabler’s Flies.” When we at AMG get surprised, we make sure you hear about it toot sweet.

Taake – Stridens Hus Review

By Madam X on December 10, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 19 comments

“Taake are back and pimping their Norwegian black metal wares as only the gloriously bare chested Hoest can do! Yes you read right, it seems the obligatory three year wait since the release of Noregs Vaapen is over and it’s time for the sixth and newest “exciting” chapter in the band’s extensive catalogue. So what of it?” Bare chested bravado only goes so far in black metal, even if Madam X appreciates it more than most.

Zero Down – No Limit to the Evil Review

By Steel Druhm on December 9, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Minotauro Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 9 comments

“If there was ever a band making music because they wanted to and not caring if anyone else liked it, Zero Down is it. These cats have been lurking in the most obscure corners of metaldom since 2002 and managed to self release three prior albums, with No Limit to the Evil being the latest. They rock an olden style of metal something like a mash up of British Steel era Judas Priest mixed with Motorhead, hard rock and punk, and in all honestly, it’s a bit of a hot mess.” That cover says a lot, but doesn’t tell the whole story.

Stormcast – Frame of Mind Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 9, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Cypriot Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Pitch Black Records, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Metal, 11 comments

“Many moons ago, during this very wintery time of the year, I first began to explore the sub- and sub-sub-genres of black and death metal. For me, it was the combination of the calming snowfall and the lonely/depressed state-of-mind at the time that made me a willing victim to the symphonic/melodic black metal and melodic death metal genres. To this day, I go back to those classic albums.” Since winter is truly coming, it’s time to get all depressed, and this might help.

Execration – Morbid Dimensions Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on December 8, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Death Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 3 comments

“Execration appears to be quite the popular name for death metal bands, so I’ll begin with a clarification: this review concerns the Norwegian death metal band Execration – not the Italian death metal band Execration or the Colorado death metal band Execration (who themselves are not to be confused with defunct Michigan death metal band Execration, nor with disbanded Arizona death metal band Execration).” Eh, what’s in a name anyway?

Revel In Flesh – Death Kult Legions Review

By Steel Druhm on December 7, 2014 in 2014, Cyclone Empire, Death Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 8 comments

“Here’s where I would say Swedish retro death is back, but one cannot come back if they never left in the first place, and they can’t be missed for that very same reason. Since Germany’s Revel in Flesh is but one of many bands making sure the classic Entombed sound never vanishes from this mortal coil, they’re all but guaranteed to feel like that comfortable sock you’ve had since the Ford Administration.” C’mon, you know you have room for one more Swedish death act.

Scapes – One: Unseen: One Review

By El Cuervo on December 7, 2014 in 2014, Avante Garde, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Nihil Ultra, Reviews, Doom Metal, 2 comments

“Continuing the long and storied tradition of Finnish depressive music, Scapes is the brain-child of Olli Pirkkanen, and One: Unseen: One is his début under this name. His principle influences seem to be Katatonia and mid-era Anathema, sporting a moody and atmospheric ‘clean’ doom.'” Nobody does depression better than the Finns, but can it all be sad gold?

Jucifer – District of Dystopia Review

By Grymm on December 6, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Nomadic Fortress, Reviews, Sludge, Crust Punk, Punk, Sludge Metal, 8 comments

“There’s never a shortage of songs dedicated to the happiest of cities, where there is absolutely no corruption, everyone is peaceful and copacetic, and the smiles are as wide as the iconic rivers. Are we talkling about Disneyland? Hollywood? No, silly! We’re talking about the most pure of American cities: Washington, D.C.!” That nest of serpents gets an unappealing expose and honestly, it had it coming.

Mors Principium Est – Dawn of the 5th Era Review

By Angry Metal Guy on December 5, 2014 in 2014, AFM Records, Death Metal, Finnish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 40 comments

“The first time I heard Mors Principium Est was at the end of 2012 when I discovered that they had been slotted to release their first record in five years in December. Somehow in the course of my metal journey I’d managed to miss a band that few have anything bad to say about. In fact, despite being a bit late to the scene—with a debut record in 2003—Mors is one of those bands that everyone I know seems to either not know or love. And AFM releasing your new record in December? Not helping. This time of year is when lists blossom and we bloggers start going through all the stuff we’ve heard and a lot of the stuff we haven’t: new records have trouble finding their way on to our radars in December. AFM seemed to be telling them: ‘No end of year lists for you.'” December? Must mean AFM is releasing a new Mors Principium Est record. AMG has the scoop.