Bathory

Ereb Altor – Vargtimman Review

By Steel Druhm on January 14, 2022 in Reviews, Viking Metal, 31 comments

“Bathory was a touchstone act for multiple metal genres, and though Quorthon has been gone since 2004, his influence still looms large in black and Viking metal. No more proof of this is needed than the 12-year career of Sweden’s Ereb Altor. Their entire output is heavily referential to classic Bathory albums like Hammerheart and Twilight of the Gods and the spirit of mighty Quorthon is never far from their writing. Vargtimman is their eighth platter of classic Bathorycore, and very little is left to chance.” Oversized swords, blackened hordes.

Krolok – Funeral Winds & Crimson Sky Review

By Ferox on December 19, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 19 comments

““Delve deep in and listen… listen to the atmospheres of an arcane night and return within your thoughts into bygone times.” So goes Krolok’s description of their second offering of ESL-inflected black metal. The band, hailing from a literal Carpathian forest, bills itself as “atmospheric.” Their actual sound, however, riffs on the age-old question: “What if trve and kvlt, but also having of dungeon synth keys?”” What would Krolok do?

Eternal Evil – The Warriors Awakening Brings The Unholy Slaughter Review

By Felagund on December 5, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 11 comments

“Some bands are infuriating. I don’t think that comes as a surprise to anyone who reads a blog called “Angry Metal Guy,” but the point still stands. Certain bands seem to have a knack for getting your blood boiling, and not in the “flipping merch tables you’re having so much fun” kind of way. Often, this can be put down to one simple, rage-inducing attribute: wasted potential. It comes in many forms: phoned-in performances, lazy writing, creative stagnation, poor production, and the list goes on. When it comes to The Warriors Awakening Brings The Unholy Slaughter, the first full-length from Stockholm-based thrash/speed outfit Eternal Evil, this abiding truism is the reason I’m seeing red (and this time I can’t blame it on a rash).” Speed kills.

Hunters Moon – The Great Pandemonium Review

By Doom_et_Al on December 3, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 24 comments

“Australia is trying to kill you. 21 of the 25 most venomous snakes in the world are found there. It features cone snails that shoot literal poisonous harpoons at your feet; stone fish covered in hundreds of perfectly camouflaged needles, just waiting for a tender limb to sink into; enormous box jellyfish; satanic, giant centipedes; cassowaries; malignant kangaroos; and some of the funkiest infectious diseases known to man. No wonder the metal from Oz is so goddamn righteous. Entering the fray, like a snake coiling around a Christmas tree (which happened this week), is black metal band, Hunters Moon. Formed way back in 2006, The Great Pandemonium is, somewhat startlingly, the band’s first full-length.” The fire down under the world.

Morgul Blade – Fell Sorcery Abounds Review

By Felagund on November 29, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, 34 comments

“For the roughly eight months that I’ve been an official AMG toilet cleaner reviewer, several things have become clear to my fellow writers: I rate low, my coffee consumption is high, and I love Lord of the Rings. This latter piece of information comes in handy when I want to get my grubby paws on any LotR-themed album that flows down the mighty Anduin and into our flea-infested promo bog. Knowing my penchant for Baggins n’ Balrogs, the kind souls who inhabit these halls will often give me a heads up when something Ring-adjacent arrives. Such was the case with Morgul Blade.” Orc and black bean pudding.

Helheim – WoduridaR Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 7, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 30 comments

“Though one could say Bathory were the pioneers of the sound, Helheim grabbed it up and ran with it. And they’ve been doing it for thirty fucking years. And, since their debut full-length in 1995, they really are one of the most prolific bands in all metal. That’s why in my ‘short’ time at AMG, I’ve reviewed them as many times as I have. It also means, for those new to the band, you have a lot of catching up to do. But don’t fret, no matter where you begin in the discography, you’re going to find something you like. See, Helheim doesn’t write bad albums. Some are solid and some are infuckingcredible. The only question we have to ask ourselves is where this year’s WoduridaR fits in the mix.” Enjoy of deep catalog.

Burning Tongue – Prisoner’s Cinema Review

By Dear Hollow on November 1, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, 7 comments

“Burning Tongue is a quartet from New York, citing bands like Trap Them, His Hero is Gone, Bathory, and Celtic Frost as influences. Debut full-length Prisoner’s Cinema is their first release in eight years, since EP Blackest. At heart a hardcore punk band, these New Yorkers spew nihilistic sermons with fervor and intensity, dragging in influences of grind and death metal for a foray whose comparison feels a tad like a more hardcore-influenced Nails or Great American Ghost minus the deathcore.” Criminal entertainment.

Knife – Knife Review

By Felagund on October 23, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, 45 comments

“Over the past few years, I’ve found myself growing increasingly fond of the blackened speed metal subgenre. Something about the mix of simple, unrelenting riffs, vicious vocals and gleefully evil subject matter speak to my soul in a profound and fundamental way. But instead of exploring any of that in therapy, I just keep an eye out for the next morsel of Motörhead-worshipping, Venom-venerating filth that bobs to the surface of the promo sump. That’s exactly how I happened upon Knife, a blackened speed outfit hailing from Germany that traffic in this (un)heavenly concoction.” Blades of steel.

Order – The Gospel Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on October 20, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 10 comments

“It’s no secret that I like Mayhem. Since Slayer disbanded, they’re my favorite active metal band. Each of their “eras” has offered something unique, special, memorable, and great. I’ve been listening to the legendary Deathcrush a lot lately, and I’ve never found anything quite like it. Imagine my surprise, then, when I learned that Norway’s Order existed and featured Manheim (drums on Deathcrush) and Messiah (some vocals on Deathcrush).” Crushing.

Hellsword – Cold Is the Grave Review

By Holdeneye on September 27, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 36 comments

“Like most blackened speed metal bands, Hellsword channels classic acts like Venom and early Bathory to form the base of their sound, but they also take a few steps into thrash territory, occasionally sounding a bit like debut-era Slayer. Hellsword are just now delivering their debut full-length despite forming way back in 2009, and this extended time together shows in their songwriting maturity.” Blades and Beelzebub.