3.0

Solitary – The Diseased Heart of Society Review

By Dr. Wvrm on March 5, 2017 in 2017, English Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, UKEM Records, Thrash Metal, 13 comments

“Why is thrash metal the de facto outlet for raging against the machine nowadays? The genre was always pissed off, but the distillate of what was once a hallowed pastime of metal at large is now brewed exclusively into the complimentary Milwaukee’s Best served at your local jean vest purveyor. Don’t look to Solitary to deviate from that. Featuring $$$, Jesus, a handgun, and some sweet, sweet H, The Diseased Heart of Society’s cover is four-fifths of the way to social commentary Bingo.” Don’t drink the Beast.

Striker – Striker Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on March 3, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Cock Rock, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 22 comments

“It’s no secret that I’m a fan of these Albertans’ sound. It’s basically the best parts of the 80s glam scene roughed up a good bit (to refer to Steven Tyler’s famous thoughts on, the dudes no longer look like ladies) by the addition of modern heavy metal party rock like Holy Grail and their ilk. Striker’s sound is similar to a well-made cheap beer like Old Style Pilsner: perfectly agreeable, easy to swallow, easy to enjoy in large quantities, even better when inebriated, and palatable to a wide range of folks.” We like beer.

Hark – Machinations Review

By Huck N Roll on March 2, 2017 in 2017, English Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Sludge, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 15 comments

“I love music that takes chances. Those chances can be a myriad of elements: fusing disparate styles, unexpected arrangements (or non-arrangements), unique vocal delivery, you name it. Despite the fact that I love olde-school metal as much as the next Druhm, take a chance in your music and you’ll at least garner a close listen from the Huckster.” Take a chance, take a chance.

Desecrate the Faith – Unholy Infestation Review

By Kronos on March 1, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Comatose Music, Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 15 comments

“There is nothing special about this record. No mind-boggling solos, no affecting melodies, not a whiff of progressive ideas or grand concepts. What it does have is everything a brutal album needs: riffs, hatred, and a conspicuous lack of snare dampening. To put it simply, Desecrate the Faith sound like a grittier version of Aborted or Benighted.” And sometimes that’s enough, dammit!

Bear Mace – Butchering the Colossus Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 1, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Death Metal, 50 comments

“Though I live in quasi-bear country, I had no idea “bear mace” was a thing until I started researching Bear Mace (the band). While I know encounters with real-life Pooh bears are no laughing matter, there’s something comical about whipping out a can of bear mace to fend off a charging Grizzly. I mean, seriously, what are the odds that everything is going to end well?” You have the bear minimum chance of success.

Cold Fell – Irwell Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 28, 2017 in 2017, Argento Records, Black Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 49 comments

“It’s no secret: I love me some black metal. But, even I, have gotten tired of every other album we review being a product of the genre. And none of it is good. So, it’s no surprise that I have to ignore a large portion of the releases that sneak by our oh-my-god-I’m-so-sick-of-black-metal filters. Again, I love the genre and still listen to way more black metal than even the sickest doctor would dare prescribe. But many of the new black metal outfits just don’t do it for me.” Feel like you’re drowning in excessive blackness?

Manetheren – The End Review

By Eldritch Elitist on February 26, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Avantgarde Music, Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 21 comments

“One of my favorite subjects in any form of media is the end of the world. There is an indescribable (and perhaps sadistic) pleasure I gain from witnessing people grapple with the prospect of the complete obliteration of their species and its history; the more micro the focus, the better. Zooming in on a select few and examining how they choose to spend their final, consequence-free hours feels like the purest hypothetical exploration of the human psyche.” I’d rebroadcast NFL games without express written consent.

Screamer – Hell Machine Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on February 23, 2017 in 2017, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, High Roller Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 17 comments

“Screamer, a group of jovial Norwegian retro-rock revivalists, are putting out their third Hell Machine soon, and there’s a very particular standard by which it ought to be judged. The standard I’m referring to is Audrey Horne’s masterful Pure Heavy, far and away the best record of the retro-rock revival movement.” Mess with Audrey, you get the Horne.

Bloodbound – War of Dragons Review

By Steel Druhm on February 22, 2017 in 2017, AFM Records, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 47 comments

“Bloodbound has been altering their approach from album to album in an attempt to find some mythological metallic sweet spot. Starting life as a cracking traditional metal group, they subsequently drifted into borderline Euro-power and back several times with varied results. On 2014s Stormborn they took things quite deep into D&D Euro-puffery territory with a threadbare Game of Thrones concept.” When you play the Game of Cheese, you win or you fry. Mmmm, fried cheese….

The Mute Gods – Tardigrades Will Inherit the Earth Review

By Ferrous Beuller on February 17, 2017 in 2017, English Metal, InsideOut, Progressive Rock, Reviews, 49 comments

“Complexity is an issue which many an academic seem to confuse with quality — the same can be said of progressive music as a whole. Sure, intricacy is a hallmark of the genre, but sometimes less is more. England’s The Mute Gods are a particularly fine example; a crew of dyed in the wool musicians pumping out highly musical platters of prog rock with lashings of memorable pop-rock sensibility.” Pop-prog is a thing now?