3.5

Via Vengeance – Harsh Conditions Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 12, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Battleground Records, Doom Metal, Drone, Sludge, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 41 comments

“There are one-man bands and there are one-man bands. Via Vengeance is the latter. Shane Ocell is not only the sole-instrumentalist of this Arizona-based doom band, but also performs guitar, drums, and vocals simultaneously. Yep, you heard me. The Via Vengeance live experience consists of Ocell sitting behind a kit, chugging away on a guitar, and belting out vicious incantations through his monitors. For this reason, Ocell’s songwriting is simplistic, proving that doom can be done well without over-the-top epicness.” One man, big doom.

Sacrilegium – Anima Lucifera Review

By Grymm on March 10, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Pagan Records, Polish Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 17 comments

“A lot can happen to people over time. Take me, for instance; my 20-year high school reunion is coming this year, and I can pretty much guarantee that very few people who don’t follow me on a daily basis are going to have a hard time believing that who I am and who I was are the same people. With plenty of tattoos and hair on my face (and little on my head), I know more than a few heads will turn. Wicher, the debut album from Polish pagan metal barbarians Sacrilegium, also turns twenty this year. Until now, it was the band’s only full-length output, given that the band disbanded in 2000.” So what name tag will these cats get at their reunion?

Oceans of Slumber – Winter Review

By Angry Metal Guy on March 7, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Century Media, Death Metal, Hard Rock, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, 84 comments

Oceans of Slumber is walking a very unique path. A combination of melodic death, doom and black metal influenced by the Century Black roster from about 1998, Winter blends that with a sadboy metal and alternative rock base. The album is beautiful, mysterious, and oddly chaotic. It’s also really good.

Ripper – Experiment of Existence Review

By Saunders on March 3, 2016 in Chilean Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Unspeakable Axe Records, Thrash Metal, 19 comments

“I often gripe about the general state of the current thrash scene and how it’s stagnating with a lack of cutting edge innovators and general over reliance on rehashing the past. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, however, more often than not I find myself looking back to the past and grabbing an old favorite to get my thrash fix. Already in 2016 old school thrashers have been grinning from ear to ear with the return to form of Megadeth and Anthrax, along with the enduring space-age proggy thrash of the recent Voivod EP. Fortunately there’s a heap of room for new faces to emerge and make an impact on the current thrash scene and show that young pups can be as equally wily as old dogs.” Ready yourself for the latest in pup thrash!

Myrath – Legacy Review

By Angry Metal Guy on March 2, 2016 in 2016, Folk Metal, French Metal, Nightmare Records, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, 59 comments

“Myrath makes what they call “Tunisian metal.” While this is a totally legit way of framing it, it’s also fair to say that they really make a kind of orchestral power metal laced with the sounds and stories of North Africa. Despite having debuted in 2007, I’ve only previously listened to 2010’s Desert Call. It might be that I had just gotten to the album directly after reviewing the absolutely transcendent The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR by Orphaned Land, but the album didn’t stand up for me and I didn’t really ever follow up on them.” So what’s 5 years distance do for Angry Metal Guy’s opinion of the only Tunisian metal band you’ve ever heard of?

Redemption – The Art of Loss Review

By Steel Druhm on February 27, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Metal Blade, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 24 comments

“Over my life as a metal fan I’ve had my share of issues with proggy musical endeavors. Though there was a time when I loved everything Dream Theater did, they eventually drifted into a grey purgatory of wanking and showboatery which left those of us who appreciated actual songs out in the cold. I loved early Fates Warning even more dearly, but they too took their progressive tendencies too far afield for my liking, losing their traditional metal charm entirely. Somehow, Redemption managed to avoid alienating my affections over their career though they embody the exact same tendencies as the aforementioned acts.” Don’t put the W in wank and everything will be just fine.

Black Twilight Circle – Desert Dances and Serpent Sermons Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 26, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Crepúsculo Negro, Reviews, Black Metal, 13 comments

“In 2015 I had the pleasure of opening up the New Year with a review of Volahn’s Aq’ab’al; a black metal album filled with so much cultural content (Mayan in this case) that it would have made Quorton’s head spin. Just over a year later I am presented with another opportunity to review a new release from Volahn’s small record label, Crepúsculo Negro—aka Black Twilight Circle.” Cultural diversity is the mission statement here at AMG.

Sinbreed – Master Creator Review

By Steel Druhm on February 23, 2016 in 2016, AFM Records, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 30 comments

“Germanic power metal has really become its own little thing over the years, making it a reliably punchy alternative to the overly pompous, fancy-pantsy, chaos wizardy sounds of traditional Euro-power. One of the better purveyors of this muscular brand of Teutonic terror is Sinbreed.” Manly power metal for manly men (and women).

Todtgelichter – Rooms Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on February 21, 2016 in 2016, Avante Garde, Black Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Supreme Chaos Records, 24 comments

“Todtgelichter set off on a pretty steep upward trajectory since their underwhelming debut back in 2005. Beginning life as just another black metal band, by the time of their third record Angst in 2010 they had transformed into one of the more exciting prospects in post-black metal.” We like exciting prospects here at AMG.

Oranssi Pazuzu – Värähtelijä Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on February 20, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Black Metal, 34 comments

“Oranssi Pazuzu narrowly missed out on Captain Ricard’s Best Black Metal Album of 2013 award (that went to Teethed Glory and Injury) with the magnificent Vaonielu. An instantly accessible yet bizarre and musically deep record, Vaonielu kept me away from my Toto loop for weeks with its sublime blend of catchy, aggressive riffs, trippy grooves, psychedelic synths, and menacing atmosphere.” Fear the wrath of Pazuzu’s schlong!