3.5

Inferno – Gnosis Kardias (of Transcension and Involution) Review

Inferno – Gnosis Kardias (of Transcension and Involution) Review

By Eldritch Elitist on April 5, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Czech Metal, Reviews, W.T.C. Productions, Black Metal, 54 comments

“Initially, this review was going to begin with a nutshell description of the current black metal scene. I had a few ideas: how the style is split into two methods of composition (instant gratification versus slow burning atmosphere), how the line between traditional and post-black metal is slowly being blurred, and so on. As I repeatedly drafted and deleted my intro, however, I began to realize that the state of the genre is far too multi-faceted to describe in terms of duality. Besides, you’re smart enough to read AMG, so you would have instantly seen through my half-baked thesis.” Discerning readers demand flawless scholarship.

The Obsessed – Sacred Review

The Obsessed – Sacred Review

By Steel Druhm on April 3, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Relapse, Reviews, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 24 comments

“Scott “Wino” Weinrich is a living legend. In a way he’s the American version of Lemmy and shares many traits with the late, much beloved metal icon. He’s always been a rebel, loner and an outsider in an outsider scene, pursuing his music without regard for popularity or acceptance. In the process he came to be considered one of the early pioneers of American doom. All of this began when he founded The Obsessed back in the 70s.” Obsessed, thirsty and miserable.

Mastodon – Emperor of Sand Review

Mastodon – Emperor of Sand Review

By Saunders on March 31, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reprise Records, Reviews, Sludge, Progressive Metal, Rock, Sludge, 121 comments

“From the moment I heard the pummeling “Crusher Destroyer” from their landmark debut Remission some 15 years ago, I knew Mastodon were something special. My infatuation with Remission began a love affair with the band that bordered on fanboy-ism from one excellent album to the next, each a stirring and adventurous behemoth of sludge metal force and progressive smarts. However, my relationship with Mastodon started to get rocky when they followed their sprawling prog masterwork Crack the Skye with 2011’s The Hunter.” Mastodon on the rocks? Ain’t no big surprise.

Sloth Herder – No Pity, No Sunrise Review

Sloth Herder – No Pity, No Sunrise Review

By Mark Z. on March 31, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, Grimoire Records, Grind, Reviews, Sludge, Black Metal, Sludge Metal, 20 comments

“If you’ve never heard of Frederick, Maryland, then you’re amongst 99.9% of the U.S. population. It’s a Podunk settlement in the western part of the state, composed of little more than a quaint downtown, rolling hills, a few cookie-cutter suburbs, and some scattered golf courses. It also happens to be where yours truly grew up. One dark night years after I moved away, I randomly scoured the web for bands from my musically barren hometown, only to come across Sloth Herder and their Abandon Pop Sensibility EP. Treading the foul line between black metal and grindcore, the record was a lot like Thomas Hobbes’ description of life before society: nasty, brutish, and short.” Hobbs-core has arrived,

Illimitable Dolor – Illimitable Dolor Review

Illimitable Dolor – Illimitable Dolor Review

By Ferrous Beuller on March 30, 2017 in 2017, Australian Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Transcending Obscurity, Death Metal, 30 comments

“Few genres resonate with as much sincerity as doom metal. Although naturally predisposed towards the melodramatic, it conveys a range of emotions that other metal genres simply never will. Every now and then, I come across an act that manages to elucidate, with stark candour, some of the most primal of our instincts. In this instance, grief.” A tribute to a fallen brother in metal, and an enormous one at that.

Necroblood – Collapse of the Human Race Review

Necroblood – Collapse of the Human Race Review

By Mark Z. on March 27, 2017 in 2017, Amor Fati Productions, Black Metal, Death Metal, French Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 18 comments

“No matter the genre, it’s always the same story: the vocals are good, the drums are good, but there’s only one thing we’re really listening for. “The riffs! The riffs!” we squeal, like starving kittens begging for milk, scrambling over each other for a chance to suckle from the Iommi teat. I admit that I, too, often find myself craving the Almighty Riff, desperately scouring the blogosphere in search of the satisfying crunch of a particularly well-crafted set of power chords. But there’s the occasional black day when I want something more. Something abusive. Bludgeoning. Something that will yank me into a dark room and beat me up, Hellraiser-style, until all I want is a Shamrock Shake and some Blood Command to ease me back into reality.” That’s gonna leave a mark.

Medico Peste – Herzogian Darkness EP Review

Medico Peste – Herzogian Darkness EP Review

By Dr. Wvrm on March 27, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Polish Metal, Reviews, World Terror Committee, Black Metal, 11 comments

“In the 14th century, the Black Death shaved roughly 20% of the world’s population off the map and your average medico della peste watched it happen. These plague doctors treated the disease when possible, but all the while bolstered their grim understanding of its contraction, its progression, and its corpses. Medico Peste tapped this horrific lineage with א: Tremendum et Fascinatio. Terrifying and entrancing indeed, the debut opened a festering wound in the hearts of listeners. With follow-up EP Herzogian Darkness, the Poles convincingly bolster a black-hearted résumé that is quickly becoming one to watch.” Bring out your EPs!

Allochiria – Throes Review

Allochiria – Throes Review

By Mark Z. on March 18, 2017 in 2017, Art of Propaganda, Greek Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Sludge, Post-Metal, 22 comments

“While I’ve enjoyed some Pelican, Isis, and Light Bearer in my day, often the genre’s huge soundscapes and slow-burning buildups are simply too demanding for me to enjoy on a regular basis. On 2014’s debut Omonoia, Greek quintet Allochiria seemed to fit largely in this same mold. Drawing comparisons to the sludgy expanse of Year of No Light, a cursory listen revealed a layered, cerebral album whose dystopian atmosphere was delivered via a measured, methodical pace. Throes, however, is a much different beast — and one I think I’ll be spinning far more often.” Post beast is the new game in town.