2021

The Quill – Earthrise Review

By GardensTale on April 4, 2021 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 22 comments

“Man, what a milestone for The Quill. Not a lot of bands, even many of legendary status, survive long enough to see the release of their 10th album, but here we are. Not that I can say I’ve been following the band since its inception. For one, I wasn’t born yet in 1986. For two, my first brush with the band was their last release, Born From Fire, which I reviewed all the way back in 2017. At the time, I much enjoyed their style of straightforward proto-metal, but more than an hour of this style is a lot for any band, especially when a portion of it is spent on subpar material. Have the Swedes hired an editor this iteration, or are we going into overtime once more?” Dad patrol.

Grabak – Scion Review

By Dear Hollow on April 3, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 13 comments

“I was worried about the metal scene when the world shut down, but a simple glance at the promo bin quells any fear with the rapidity of lightning – if black metal is your poison. Yes, we’ve got our blackened heavyweights that we’ll keep arguing about at AMG Headquarters. But when I predicted that, like cockroaches, small-time black metal projects would emerge from the dust of a silent world to wreak blackened havoc on the underground, I was right. Caliber is another question entirely, but quantity over quality seems to be the name of the game. Will veteran black metal collective Grabak wreak big havoc or be squashed under the sole of my ruthless “JUST CUZ IT’S KVLT DOESN’T MEAN IT’S GOOD MMKAY” boot?” Progeny of the plague.

Plaguewielder – Covenant Death Review

By GardensTale on April 2, 2021 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge, 15 comments

“I reckon most of you are familiar with the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none.” Some of you may even say the full version is supposed to follow up with “but better than a master of one,” though this is a modern addition, not a historical version. In music, things aren’t so cut and dry. With some bands, the focus brought by doing one thing well serves the music better; other artists seem to think that the more eclectic their influences the better. Plaguewielder seems to be more of a latter mind; searching across the web reveals tags relating the band to sludge, black metal, doom, atmospheric metal, post-metal and so on.” Jack of all plagues.

Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel – Polaris Review

By Steel Druhm on April 2, 2021 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Stoner Rock, 21 comments

“Oddball French heavy rock outfit Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel (LDDSM) is difficult to assign to a specific genre or style. Over their career they’ve been described as stoner, psychedelic and prog rock, and none of that is completely wrong. Nor does it give you the full story. Now they’re back after 4 years in limbo with fourth album Polaris, and they’re every bit as tough to pigeonhole as always. If I were to make a Hail Mary effort to describe their style, it would be alt-rock mixed with prog, post-rock, and post-metal, with grunge/stoner/desert elements lurking at the edges.” A multiverse of influences.

Ischemic – Ischemic Review

By Grymm on April 2, 2021 in Reviews, 14 comments

“As 2021 continues to be the DLC to 2020 that absolutely nobody asked for or wanted, bands are using the downtime due to lack of touring and promotion to work diligently on their musical output. Some bands, such as Toronto’s Ischemic, are even going as far as to record and mix their own music, further driving home the fact that DIY can’t, and won’t, be stopped. Not by pandemics, not by lockdowns, not by lack of touring. It’s this admirable and, quite frankly, necessary approach that will eventually separate the diehards from the pack, and on the band’s self-titled second full-length, they didn’t let the pandemic get in the way.” Crisis management.

Steel Bearing Hand – Slay in Hell Review

By Felagund on April 1, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 31 comments

“It was the band’s logo that did it. Skulking around the promo bin like a slightly more disheveled Grima Wormtongue, I noticed this monstrosity right away. Take a closer look and you’ll see everything that makes metal metal: “Steel” written out with trve 80s flair (the ‘S’ is actually a steel bearing hand, guys!) nestled atop a more grotesque “Bearing Hand”, contorted, razor-sharp and deadly, book-ended by the ubiquitous devil horns. It’s the perfect statement for a self-proclaimed death/thrash group eager to meld genres and melt faces. Coupled with intricate, black-and-white cover art that calls to mind the barbaric and fiercely fun LIK, I was eager to see what this Texas foursome with only one other full-length under their bullet-studded belt was all about.” Steel hands and slay rides.

Bleeding Us: Metallica Unveil Their Own Branded COVID Vaccine

By Steel Druhm on April 1, 2021 in Blog Posts, 24 comments

“In what could be considered a crass and distasteful attempt to cash in on a worldwide crisis, Metallica unveiled their own branded COVID vaccine experience yesterday.” No remorse, no regrats.

Basement Dwelling Black Metal Artists Voice Frustration With Bigger Bands Recording in Basement During Pandemic

By Steel Druhm on April 1, 2021 in Blog Posts, 58 comments

“A growing chorus of one-man black metal acts across the world are voicing concerns over bigger, less “cult” bands recording from home, often in basements, during the ongoing pandemic. Long considered the refuge of the most low-fi, commercially inaccessible blackened projects, home basement recording has become much more common since COVID first appeared in March of last year.” Cries from the underground.

Ghostly Aerie Coven – Bird of Prey Review

By Dear Hollow on March 31, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 31 comments

“You can get an idea of an album based on its cover. And, uh, wow. Three-eyed literally-horned Forlesen owl (who has fallen on hard times) feeding the head of Christ with a chalice of nails? A whole lotta fuckery to unpack here. Why does Jesus need nails? Of all people, I would assume his iron intake is higher than others. Before I go off the rails with more edgy unfunny comedy, the most important question is: what the hell kinda music is this? Well, if you honed in on the bizarre blasphemy and guessed black metal, ding ding ding!” Owl at the moon.

Avaland – Theater of Sorcery Review

By Twelve on March 31, 2021 in Reviews, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 33 comments

“The metal opera is, enduringly, one of my favorite concepts of the genre. Avantasia and Ayreon are the two projects that I return to most often, and it seems I’m not the only one. Adrien Gzagg, of Grenoble, France, has been similarly inspired, which is why today I’m introducing you to Avaland and its debut full-length, Theater of Sorcery, a symphonic power metal opera with a fantastical backstory.” Another rainy night at the metal opera.