3.5

Fen – Carrion Skies Review

By Madam X on November 24, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Code666 Records, English Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 15 comments

“Here at Angry Metal Guy US headquarters, subtle signs point to 2014 drawing to a blustery close. My very metal cats watch the crackling fireplace, mesmerized as the world burns at their paws. Top 10 lists hastily scrawled on the backs of store receipts and the margins of the daily paper are pulled from coat pockets and tossed carelessly about, littering every surface. And as the holiday silly season approaches, I’m winding down, bourbon in hand, returning to the contemplative atmosphere of post-metal and avant guard favourites like Agalloch, A Forest of Stars, Anathema, Horseback and New Keepers of the Watertowers. Now a year and some change after the release of Dustwalker, British progressive black metallers – Fen recapture my attention with their fourth full-length release.” Post black metal just in time for the long winter months? Now you’re screaming Madam X’s song.

ZOM – Flesh Assimilation Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 24, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Invictus Productions, Irish Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 8 comments

“Up until now, there were three things that came to mind when I thought of Ireland; St. Patty’s Day, Guinness and Primordial. It turns out there is now a fourth: ZOM. Now, if you go to their Facebook page, this Irish threesome claims to exist in the “Anti-Matter Universe.” Goofy sounding? It is. But my Aunt has a summer home there and she just loves it. Regardless of where they reside, ZOM are definitely intent on wreaking havoc in this Anti-Anti-Matter Universe of ours.” That’s all well and good, but if they make me spill my Guinness, shit’s going down in all the universes.

Wayfarer – Children Of The Iron Age Review

By El Cuervo on November 21, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Black Metal, Post-Rock, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 7 comments

“As the season to be jolly fast approaches, Colorado’s Wayfarer is here to bequeath unto us morose darkness-dwellers a jovial record of festive classics… or so you may think from the Christmas wreath on the album artwork. To the dismay of my planned seasonal merriment, what I actually found is a stellar record of post-black metal with deathy undertones – think Agalloch but with Primordial added for the extremity. Wayfarer is a young group with big plans, and Children Of The Iron Age is their first full-length foray into the sphere-obsessed world of extreme metal.” I think our obsession with spheres on metal albums has finally come to a middle.

Varathron – Untrodden Corridors of Hades Review

By Madam X on November 17, 2014 in 2014, Agonia Records, Black Metal, Greek Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 10 comments

“When you consider the type of metal associated with Greece, your mind probably jumps to some of the more well known outfits like symphonic death giants Septicflesh or extreme metallers Rotting Christ. You’re not too far off here, Varathron not only shared members with Rotting Christ, but their early albums are considered cornerstones of the Hellenic black metal stage, alongside the releases of Necromantia and the other aforementioned leaders.” Madam X continues her stalking crusade against Septicflesh and all things Greek despite the restraining order from Sparta.

Bloodbath – Grand Morbid Funeral Review

By Steel Druhm on November 16, 2014 in 2014, Death Metal, Peaceville, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, 27 comments

“The death metal super group of all death metal super groups is finally back from the grave after six long years moldering in the soil. Bloodbath needs little introduction, as the preeminent standard bearer of all things retro Swedish death this collective composed of members of Opeth, Katatonia and Witchery once included the likes of Dan Swanö and Mikael Akerfeldt, but both have fled to other pursuits, leaving the band’s new era in the hands of Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost) who now handles vocals.” Can Mr. Holmes shed his rave club past and bring his share of gore to the bathtub?

Triosphere – The Heart of the Matter Review

By Steel Druhm on November 14, 2014 in 2014, AFM Records, Heavy Metal, Norwegian Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 24 comments

“Sphere fetishists of the world rejoice! We now present to you a band that not only has “sphere” in the moniker, but also offers a song called “The Sphere.” And yes, there’s a goddamn sphere on the cover too. Are you not entertained?! Ok, now that the sphere furbies left, we can get on with the review of what is a shockingly good album. Triosphere is a progressive power metal act hailing from Norway and though AMG and myself enjoyed their 2010 effort The Road Less Travelled a good deal, this tops it in every way.” Sphere’s to you, kid!

The Deathtrip – Deep Drone Master Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 12, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, English Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Black Metal, 12 comments

“Ever since I picked up my first copy of Darkthrone’s Transylvanian Hunger, I’ve been in love with old-school black metal (even though it wasn’t “old school” back then). I’m not sure if it’s the satanic themes, the atmospheric tapestry of nonstop trebly guitars, the vicious/desperate vox, or my craving for the frozen, isolated terrain that personifies the genre so well (“cold” isn’t a word used in the southwestern United States).” It’s old, but is it still bold?

Job for a Cowboy – Sun Eater Review

By Saunders on November 11, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Death Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Death Metal, 16 comments

“Say what you will about Arizona’s Job for a Cowboy, but the divisive modern death metal unit certainly inspires fierce debate between metalheads on either side of the fence. I haven’t found much reason to form a strong opinion for the band one way or another, aside from their preposterous choice of moniker, and frankly I’ve been fairly nonplussed about their career thus far. Of course, for many they got off on the wrong foot from the beginning with the dreaded deathcore tag hanging heavily over their 2005 debut Doom EP.” God, I hate this band name so damn much.

Saille – Eldritch Review

By Grymm on November 10, 2014 in 2014, Belgian Metal, Black Metal, Code666 Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 7 comments

“In the year and some change that I’ve been writing for Angry Metal Guy, I’ve learned some very valuable lessons. Constant usage of the words “samey,” “juxtaposition,” and “swagger” will get you the Eternal Stinkeye. “Corsetcore” is not a real subgenre. We do not mention Jørn Lande He Who Shall Not Be Named around these parts for fear of his arrival, Dio cover songs in tow. But most importantly, you don’t finalize your Top Ten(ish) list in the month of November because a band can (and will) mess that shit up on you.” Grymm is learning while the black metal’s burning.

Just Before Dawn – The Aftermath Review

By Steel Druhm on November 6, 2014 in 2014, Chaos Records, Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, 4 comments

“The war (metal) goes ever on, from the recent efforts of Finnish death metallers, Decaying, and on to the new album from Just Before Dawn. Originally formed by Anders Biazzi (Blood Mortized, ex-Amon Amarth) and Rogga Johansson (every death metal in Sweden), this Swedish WMD dropped a bombshell of Bolt Thrower-esque battle metal on 2013s Precis Innan Gryningen, which was heavy-as-hell, raw-as-fuck and meaner than a honey badger on blue meth and Taco Bell.” The war has come to your door and this will put a warhead on your forehead.