Avantasia

Eden’s Curse – Cardinal Review

By Steel Druhm on October 12, 2016 in 2016, AFM Records, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Scottish Metal, Heavy Metal, 51 comments

“Wait, come back! I know a quarter of you took one look at that lurid, mega-tacky cover and started to turn away in disgust, while another quarter started doing something worse (which results in hair growth in unsightly places). But before you judge this book based on its highly regrettable cover, hear me out. Eden’s Curse is a kind of low-rent “super group” of sorts that’s been puttering around the edges of metaldom since 2007, and despite the absence of household names they’ve managed to release some enjoyably melodic metal albums.” No one expects the Red Riding Hood Inquisition!

Serious Black – Mirrorworld Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 31, 2016 in 2016, AFM Records, International Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 35 comments

“I can’t believe it’s already been a year since Serious Black’s fantastic debut As Daylight Breaks. An album that proved dream teams can exist and can work. Not only that, but this supergroup achieved it via a style that rarely receives RotY nods from yours truly. Urban Breed, et al. even had El Cuervo singing along to tunes like “High and Low” and “Sealing My Fate” whilst leaving the AMG restrooms in terrible condition for the n00bs to clean up. And now, a year and change later, Serious Black is back with Mirrorworld.” Clean up in Aisle Trve!

Demise of the Crown – Demise of the Crown Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 1, 2016 in Canadian Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Unsigned Bands, Power Metal, 27 comments

“After a conversation with a friend about power metal, I came to the realization that many of my favorite bands in the genre are cheesy as hell. I’ve come to this slightly ashamed conclusion many times over the years, and as I’ve done before, I pulled out my power metal collection in hopes that all the black, thrash, and death metal hadn’t lessened my love for Tolkien-based nonsense and eight-album concepts about the mighty Metalians.” Cheeses H. Christ, the Doctor is such a Helloweenie!

Avantasia – Ghostlights Review

By Steel Druhm on January 19, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 68 comments

“If there was ever a “Yacht Metal” band, Tobias Sammet’s aspirational ego project Avantasia is it. Perpetually over-sized, ostentatious, crowded with celebrities and in danger of sinking under the weight of its own pretentious pomposity, the entire catalog is a monument to the man’s inherent lack of restraint.” But is that ship still seaworthy and can they see the Ghostlights from the distant shore?

Lycus – Chasms Review

By El Cuervo on January 11, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Relapse, Reviews, Doom Metal, 45 comments

“Tempest was one of those remarkable underground metal debuts which developed sufficient hype to breach the upper echelon of popular online publications despite its apparent lack of commercial appeal. The oppressive funeral doom, courtesy of the plucking, hitting and growling gents over at Lycus, was positively received by Pitchfork, Decibel and theneedledrop, ultimately garnering a Relapse record deal. Some of us didn’t quite get Lycus before. So did we get on the hype train yet or what?

Melted Space – The Great Lie Review

By El Cuervo on October 20, 2015 in 2015, French Metal, Reviews, Sensory Records, Symphonic Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Metal, 28 comments

“Melted Space. A project with more vocalists than Avantasia and more guests than a free beer and sex party. An ambitious metal opera, Pierre le Pape draws together myriad musicians and vocalists in depicting his epic vision on this debut, The Great Lie. It’s a monumental work….” And off to Finishing School we go to get some much needed culture.

Powerwolf – Blessed & Possessed Review

By Madam X on July 29, 2015 in 2015, German Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, Speed Metal, Symphonic Metal, 48 comments

“Hot on the lashing tail of the cheesiest of Sharknado films, Powerwolf return with another wolfnado of larger than life proportions. I’m told it’s supposed to be a humdinger, boasting some of the finest power metal, speed, hard rock and unholy orchestra contributions, and Powerwolf kept this firecracker under wraps for near on two years before unleashing it on the unsuspecting public.” Where are you when we need you, Tara Reid?

Jorn Lande and Trond Holter – Dracula: The Swing of Death Review

By Steel Druhm on January 19, 2015 in 2015, Frontiers Records, Heavy Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 85 comments

When word of this rock opera treatment of Dracula from none other than The Rock King and Trond Holter (current guitarist for Rock King’s solo albums) hit the streets, let’s just say there was a difference of opinion between AMG and myself as to the merits thereof. Never much of a Jornophile, AMG wanted no mention of it on his pristine webpage. But how can we ignore a Broadway-inspired concept album about that immortal Lord of Darkness, Dracula Von Impalerstein?” Are you ready for the Dracula Spectacula? Jorn is and he’s chewing on your scenery.

Serious Black – As Daylight Breaks Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 18, 2015 in 2015, AFM Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Power Metal, 39 comments

“When I picked up the debut album of Serious Black for review, I knew nothing about this band. What I did know was that the band name Sirius-ly gives me an uncontrollable urge to hunt down Harry Potter and punch him in the fucking face. But once I decided to review this slab of melodic metal, I discovered that this sum bitch is serious-ly special.” Step back folks, we have another “super group” on our hands.

Kaledon – Antillius: The King of the Light Review

By Steel Druhm on November 9, 2014 in 2014, Italian Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Scarlet Records, Power Metal, 5 comments

“After the medieval dumpster fire that was the last Kaledon album, you’d be justified in asking why your friendly neighborhood Steel Druhm is reviewing their latest platter of hobbit beshirted LARP guild metal. Call me a glutton for punishment, but a certain morbid curiosity drove me to give the promo a spin to see if there was any improvement from last time.” They say morbid curiosity killed the cat, so will Steel pay for his wonderings ways or can this band step up to the big leagues…of orc metal?