Bathory

Demonaz – March of the Norse Review

By Within Darkness on April 3, 2011 in 2011, 3.5, Black Metal, Death Metal, Epic Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 8 comments

Hard to believe it, but it’s finally here! The long-awaited solo debut of Demonaz. Some of you may still remember Perfect Visions, the low bitrate demo and its problematic sound that was circulated years ago. I doubt that fans who heard it didn’t fall for the four songs immediately because despite the bad production the coldly distant, mysterious epic mood was something to worship, remember and hope for in terms of a future full-time debut. In due time an announcement was made and the record was given the title March of the Norse as well as record label home in Nuclear Blast, also responsible for Demonaz’s other obligations in Immortal. The only question is, was it really worth the wait?

Moonsorrow – Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa Review

By Angry Metal Guy on February 11, 2011 in 2011, 5.0, Black Metal, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Record o' the Month, Reviews, Spinefarm, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 21 comments

Moonsorrow is one of the few bands I can think of that no one I know doesn’t like. They seem to unite all fans of underground metal because of their amazing music and authenticity. Let’s face it, a band who writes 15 minute dirges in their native, and arguably alien, tongue doesn’t want for authenticity. Only a few other bands I can think of, like Primordial and Enslaved really have the respect of everyone in what they do. It’s like they’re playing on another plane of existence or something. That, predictably, raises expectations for new Moonsorrow records through the roof (to say the least). But unlike others, Moonsorrow never fails to deliver and Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa (Like Shadows we Walk through the Land of the Dead) is a monument to what atmospheric black metal should be like and to Moonsorrow’s impeccable legacy.

Falkenbach – Tiurida Review

By Steel Druhm on January 25, 2011 in 2011, 3.0, Black Metal, Folk Metal, German Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 3 comments

The new year sees cult hero Markus Tummers aka (Vratyas Vakyas) and his one man project Falkenbach rise from a long wintry slumber to release Tiurida, album number five. Those familiar with Falkenbach will know they/he specialize in sometimes epic, folk-heavy viking metal influenced primarily by Bathory and likely Ulver as well. Being that their last release, Heralding – the Fireblade, was a re-recording of the old demo material, they haven’t released new material since 2003’s excellent Ok Nefna Tysvar Ty. That’s a mighty long time to keep fans waiting for some new stuff! So has the time away changed the style or vision? Has the endless wait by long suffering and loyal fans been amply rewarded with musical treasure? Well, gather all ye around the merry campfire and let me tell you the tale of my review whilst playing yea old mandolin. Please don your hoods and chant along appropriately.

Crucifyre – Infernal Earthly Divine Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 22, 2011 in 2011, 3.5, Black Metal, Death Metal, Pulverised Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 1 comment

The late 2000s have seen a resurrection of the old school Swedish death metal that Sweden became so well known for in the underground before the Gothenburg sound took the world by storm. In the last year we’ve had releases by tons of bands waving the flag of true Swedish death metal, and it’s been fun as hell to hear! Crucifyre is another band that is doing something that I would definitely not describe as new, but something I would describe as ultimately ridiculously entertaining and worth a listen if for no other reason than to experience this “all star group’s” vision of the old school.

Things You Might Have Missed 2010: SIG:AR:TYR – Godsaga

By Steel Druhm on December 15, 2010 in 2010, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Morbid Winter records, Reviews, Things You Might have Missed 2010, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 1 comment

The one man Canadian black/folk/viking metal band known as SIG:AR:TYR came out with a really great new album this year but did anyone hear it? (sounds of crickets chirping and wind whistling across the frozen wastelands). Sole band member Daemonskald (you think it says that on his drivers license?) has continued to refine his vision […]

Atlantean Kodex – The Golden Bough Review

By Steel Druhm on November 17, 2010 in 2010, 4.5, Cruz Del Sur, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, 4 comments

Crushing my friends, simply crushing. Like being flattened by some type of heavy industrial smoothing machine, The Golden Bough, the debut full-length from Germany’s Atlantean Kodex will compress you in a major way. However, this crushing may be one of your better listening experience this year if you dig epic/doom metal. Although I was lead to expect good things by their well-regarded Pnakotic Demos EP, I wasn’t prepared for anywhere near this level of asskickery. To put it quite simply, this is one of the most epic and huge sounding metal albums to drop on us in years. With a sound combining Into Glory Ride-era Manowar with the doom of While Heaven Wept and the atmosphere of Bathory’s Hammerheart opus, these guys have birthed a monstrous metal titan that should be essential listening for all fans of doom, epic or just plain old heavy metal.

H.E.A.T. – Freedom Rock Review

By Angry Metal Guy on May 24, 2010 in 0.5, 2010, Cock Rock, Playground Music, Reviews, Stupid Metal Trends, Swedish Metal, Thrash Metal, Cock Rock, Thrash Metal, 10 comments

It is more and more apparent to me every day that heavy metal is going into a hibernation stage. As an Angry Metal Guy I try to keep my ear to the ground for movement in a forward direction, particularly from younger people. Instead, there’s nothing but a rash of neo-heavy metal and thrash bands that flood the market as apparently 18 year olds all feel like the really missed out on thrash and are out of ideas. But what’s worse than kids writing thrash metal records that could’ve been written in 1982? Kids writing butt rock albums that should’ve been written in the dying throws of 1980s cock rock in about 1991. That’s right, H.E.A.T., from the same town as venerable rockers Europe have decided to run with 1980s action movie theme as the basis for their sound.

Skyforger – Kurbads Review

By Angry Metal Guy on April 24, 2010 in 2010, 4.0, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Folk Metal, 1 comment

Skyforger is Latvia’s answer to folk metal and they’ve been giving it a go for quite a while. Despite having been around since 1995, however, they’ve not produced a terribly huge discography. In fact, Kurbads is the first Skyforger album since 2003, when they self-released a folk album that was mightily well-received by their fanbase, even, apparently, more so their metal album from the same year Thunderforge. The band, for the record, has also been involved in a bit of controversy surrounding the use of, what the band calls a thundercross, and what the rest of us call a swastika in their logo. But it seems the band has worked very hard to distance themselves from any of the controversy surrounding this and should be approached from a non-political stance.