4.5

Månegarm – Nattväsen Review

By Angry Metal Guy on November 5, 2009 in 2009, 4.5, Death Metal, Regain Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 1 comment

Nattväsen (Night Creatures) is the name of the new Månegarm record, and one that works well with the feel of the entire album. Clocking in at a good LP length of 45 minutes, this record explores musically and lyrically the fears which we as humans have had as long as there has been night. Those fears of the things that creep out of sight, be it the ghost of a mountain (“Bergagasten”), the creatures in our dreams (“Nattsjäl-Drömsjäl”) or a mythical creature (“Draugen”). This concept seals together a record of some of the best folk/viking metal that is currently available by any band.

Scar Symmetry – Dark Matter Dimensions Review

By Angry Metal Guy on September 29, 2009 in 2009, 4.5, Death Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Death, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 9 comments

I remember the first time I heard Scar Symmetry very clearly. I was checking out some stuff on MySpace when I saw that they were going to be playing the House of Metal festival and I was blown away. Not blown away with how good they are, though talented one cannot deny they are, but how sickly sweet their melodic stuff is. I sat their and listened to it with my mouth agape thinking “really? Does this pass for death metal these days? How are these guys not a Top 40 band?” The answer to that is actually quite obvious: instead of dropping the death metal vocals, these guys have blended death metal vocals in with what I think is probably the most pop sensible writing I’ve ever heard in a metal band.

Guilt Machine – On This Perfect Day

By Angry Metal Guy on August 27, 2009 in 2009, 4.5, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 8 comments

The modern hero of the progressive rock concept album (that’d be Arjen Lucassen for those not aware) is back with a new project called Guilt Machine and this time, it doesn’t take place in space! I think he’s making steps forward, frankly, because I’ve had some previous experience with Arjen Lucassen. I was never a fan of Star One or Ayreon, despite the fact that many fans of both seem to have objected to many of my critiques. I’m a fan of concept albums, but I’m also a fan of consistent vocals, good melodies and non-embarrassing lyrics: things that do not describe Mr. Lucassen’s past work, in my opinion. Fortunately for the progressive rock/metal world, he’s made up for this with the highly excellent Guilt Machine.

Shining – VI/Klagopsalmer Review

By Angry Metal Guy on July 25, 2009 in 2009, Black Metal, Osmose Productions, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 1 comment

As a matter of full disclosure, I must say that I am a huge Shining fan, but a fairly new one. I totally got turned onto this band because of their opus V:/Halmstad which was easily the best record I bought in 2007 and which blew me away. I then went back and got their […]

Riverside – Anno Domini High Definition Review

By Angry Metal Guy on June 30, 2009 in 2009, 4.5, Blog Posts, InsideOut, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 1 comment

Riverside – Anno Domini High Definition Rating: 4.5/5.0 – Excellent composition – Stays with the listener for days Label: Inside Out Music Websites: myspace.com/riversidepl | riverside.art.pl Riverside was a band that I approached with some caution. I’ve often been unimpressed with progressive metal in the modern era. Not just unimpressed, but often so much as […]