3.5

Kobra and the Lotus – Prevail I Review

By Angry Metal Guy on June 5, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 72 comments

“Kobra and the Lotus is a Canadian melodic power band that first came onto my radar in 2012 with their self-titled debut. Fronted by the actually-legally-named Kobra Paige, the band’s third LP, Prevail I, is on Napalm Records, after releasing the debut on Spinefarm, and 2014’s High Priestess on Titan Music. Prevail I is, apparently, the first of two albums which will be released in quick succession, and it’s being marketed as produced by the guy who produced Amaranthe’s records, with a debut single squarely marketed at people who like Delain. Since the band’s debut was a solid power metal album, this strategy raises a question for me: three full-lengths (and three labels) into this whole experiment of being named Kobra, how’s the whole thing going?” That’s a very personal question.

Mutoid Man – War Moans Review

By Dr. Fisting on June 4, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Pop Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Sargent House, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Pop Metal, Progressive Rock, 30 comments

“The sound of Mutoid Man is not something easily explained. The best I can come up with is ”80s metal mashed up with Nintendo game music, but with more hooks and a ton of guitar effects.’ Formed in NYC by Boston expats Steve Brodsky (Cave In) and Ben Koller (Converge), Mutoid has cranked out two and a half albums of catchy, hyperactive metal within a short span of time. 2015’s excellent Bleeder gained some recognition here at AMG, and now the band returns with that crucial third album, entitled War Moans.” Kiss the war.

Wode – Servants of the Countercosmos Review

By El Cuervo on June 3, 2017 in 2017, Avantgarde Music, Black Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 38 comments

“2016 saw the release of the debut, self-titled, full-length album by Manchester’s Wode. While I never got round to a Thing You Might Have Missed, I was impressed by their vitriol and riffcraft. The arrival of the sequel scarcely a year later afforded me the opportunity to make amends for my prior laziness, so I booted up, strapped in and prepared myself for an auditory annihilation.” Wode to spheres.

Mahakala – The Second Fall Review

By Eldritch Elitist on June 1, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Greek Metal, Reviews, Supreme Music Creations, Doom Metal, Power Metal, 20 comments

“There’s hardly anything that excites me more when discovering music than stumbling upon an unlikely and successful fusion of genres. I’m (mostly) not picky in regards to my taste for metal sub-genres, and when two or more of my favorites are effectively spliced together, I’m likely to remember the band in question for years to come. Yet as much as I’d love to hear an album that can pull off a mixture of doom, power, and traditional metal, with a side of thrash and accents of death and black metal without feeling overstuffed, I acknowledge that this desire is little more than a pipe dream. Except, oh wait, that exact album practically fell into my lap, and it’s actually really goddamned good.” The Last Genre Bender.

Ofermod – Sol Nox Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 31, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Reviews, Shadow Records, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 10 comments

“Twenty-twelve’s Thaumiel got a hell of a lot of praise from Madam X and Angry Metal Guy. And, though, that was only a four-year wait following their debut, we’ve had to endure another five years for Sol Nox. Tiamtü was a great debut, but Thaumiel topped it. And now the question remains: will Sol Nox top Thaumiel?” It’s Black Metal History Month!

Vallenfyre – Fear Those Who Fear Him Review

By Dr. Wvrm on May 31, 2017 in 2017, British Metal, Century Media, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 16 comments

“Team-ups are all the rage nowadays, ditching the confines of comic book crossovers for screens both small and large. Vallenfyre struck while the crossover iron was hot. Since 2010, they’ve smashed members of My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and At the Gates into a throwback Swedeath outfit as gloomy as it is doomy.” Super groups to fear.

Suffering Hour – In Passing Ascension Review

By Saunders on May 30, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, Blood Harvest Records, Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 13 comments

“Certain labels are championing the exciting and ugly new breed of death metal bands, led by Dark Descent and Blood Harvest Records, taking the dense and claustrophobic bent of classic Incantation and the Florida death metal scene, while adding blackened, experimental or progressive elements. The latter label is handling the anticipated debut LP from rising Minneapolis crew Suffering Hour, entitled In Passing Ascension.” Good labels find good bands.

Område – Nåde Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 28, 2017 in 2017, Avante Garde, Electronica Metal, French Metal, My Kingdom Music, Reviews, Avante Garde, Electronica Metal, 47 comments

“Well, Område have done it again. Two years ago, I opened their Edari review talking about the marriage of an album to its artwork. What seems simplistic turns out to quite difficult. Finding the right artist and the right piece of art to match an album’s character is like food presentation. For instance, if not careful, you’ll turn your entire family against your amazing chili dogs. I thought the artwork of Område’s debut was the perfect match to its sound, but Nåde takes the cake (or, in this case, a foot-long chili coney).” Of trippy music and penis-shaped meats.

Soulskinner – Descent to Abaddon Review

By Mark Z. on May 27, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Greek Metal, Reviews, Xtreem Music, Death Metal, 34 comments

“In a way, this review feels pointless. The band name is Soulskinner, the album cover is a medley of skeletal figures, and the album title is a reference to the Hebrew realm of the dead. If you’re going into this record expecting anything but death metal, you either just started listening to metal yesterday or you’re one of the individuals who stumbled upon our site by searching for ‘www.biack man goat fucks.'” More than one way to skin the goat.

Avatarium – Hurricanes and Halos Review

By Steel Druhm on May 24, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 40 comments

“I had no idea this album was even happening until late Friday evening. It arrived in the Promo Department and Madam X sent a minion scurrying to my stately offices inquiring if I was expecting something new from Avatarium. After said minion was soundly whipped for making eye contact and disturbing my righteous Steelsleep, I reflected on the question. Having heard nothing whatsoever of a new album I assumed it was just an EP, remix or some such nonsense. Not so, as it’s actually the third album of bluesy, 70s influenced quasi-doom rock from Candlemass founder Leif Edling and company.” A mighty wind’s gonna halo.