Black Breath

The Generals – To Hell Review

The Generals – To Hell Review

By Dear Hollow on February 24, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, Hard Rock, Melodic Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 41 comments

“The Generals are a Swedish quartet from Åmål, releasing two full-lengths and a split since their 2002 formation. 2009 debut Stand Up Straight and 2013’s Blood for Blood were both solid slabs of Wolverine Blues mimicry that, despite their simplicity, had no need to fix what wasn’t broken. To Hell, the first effort since 2013, continues and capitalizes upon its “death metal-cigarette with a rock ‘n’ roll filter” aesthetic with chunky riffs, blazing solos, pissed-off barks, and a Swedeath buzzsaw tone that commands respect.” Hell ain’t a bad place.

Rat King – Vicious Inhumanity Review

Rat King – Vicious Inhumanity Review

By Dear Hollow on January 15, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Death Metal, Grind, Reviews, Sludge, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Within the Mind Records, Death Metal, Grind, Sludge Metal, 12 comments

“Do you want your face ripped off? Are you desiring to have your skull bludgeoned to concussive proportions? Do you want both at once?? Look no further, ’cause deathgrind’s got you covered. From the swanky animal-lovin’ veganity of Cattle Decapitation, the hardcore crusty punch of Misery Index, the tech wankery of Dying Fetus, or the murky brutality of Infernal Coil, it’s a style characterized by one focus: knocking your lights out hard and fast. In spite of the savage atmosphere, it’s a style royally ruled by the the upper echelon of the aforementioned acts, and a trickle-down effect of its underlings.” Reaganomics killing you.

Cleric – Serpent Psalms Review

Cleric – Serpent Psalms Review

By Dear Hollow on November 4, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Raw Skull Records, Redefining Darkness Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Grind, 17 comments

“In Cleric’s own words, their second full-length is “Swedish-style death metal that mixes in the elements of doom that [they] used to play. Think Entombed mixed with Asphyx and pepper with a pinch of Candlemass.” If this is the recipe, boy oh boy, is it tasty.” Taste the Cleric.

Rank and Vile – redistribution of flesh. Review

Rank and Vile – redistribution of flesh. Review

By Holdeneye on October 29, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Death Metal, Grind, Powerviolence, Reviews, Self-released, Death Metal, Powerviolence, 17 comments

“Cherd hides his immense adoration for my skills when he mocks the way I lob pun grenades into the middle of serious conversations in our backchannel communications, but that’s only because he hopes his dad joke skill is up to the challenge of his avatar ascending into toddlerhood. When I saw Rank and Vile in the bin, I couldn’t resist the beautiful play on words in the name. Just look at how ‘Rank’ is doubly punned — genius!” Thinning the ranks.

Shock Narcotic – I Have Seen The Future And It Doesn’t Work

Shock Narcotic – I Have Seen The Future And It Doesn’t Work

By Dear Hollow on August 17, 2019 in American Metal, Grind, Housecore records, Uncategorized, Grind, Groove Metal, 7 comments

“I’ve been reviewing some long-ass albums lately. In the worship of Swallow the Sun’s Songs from the North I, II, & III, Bell Witch’s Mirror Reaper, or even Nightwish’s Endless Forms Most Beautiful, patient and epic songwriting takes precedence and the portrayal of endless and daunting landscapes in audio form rear their heads. It gets tiring. So I was like, “what the hell?” and went for grind. Shock Narcotic is a grind supergroup from Detroit, their debut album I Have Seen the Future And It Doesn’t Work released through Housecore Records.” Future shock.

Mammoth Grinder – Cosmic Crypt Review

Mammoth Grinder – Cosmic Crypt Review

By Mark Z. on January 25, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Death Metal, Hardcore, Relapse, Reviews, Death Metal, Hardcore, 34 comments

The first time I saw Mammoth Grinder live, I was wasted at a bar in Portland and had to laugh as the band announced every song as a Deep Purple track to see if anyone would notice. The second time I saw Mammoth Grinder live, I was shithoused in Brooklyn and had a Warriors-style adventure trying to find my way home on the New York subway system after the show. Point is, apparently being drunk and seeing Mammoth Grinder live is the best way to get hooked on them, because I’ve been anticipating Cosmic Crypt since before I started writing for AMG.” Fat, drunk and at a Mammoth Grinder show is no way to go through life, Z.

All Pigs Must Die – Hostage Animal Review

All Pigs Must Die – Hostage Animal Review

By Mark Z. on October 31, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Crust Punk, Hardcore, Reviews, Southern Lord, Hardcore, 41 comments

“The metal world is far different than it was just seven years ago. Agalloch was still a band, people still took Wintersun seriously, and this new beast called “metallic hardcore” was first rearing its HM2-powered head. Spearheaded by groups like Black Breath, Enabler, and (arguably) Nails, the style rejected the Gothenburg-inspired metalcore of the mid-00s by instead delivering a violent combination of frenetic metal riffing and pummeling hardcore fury. It was a sound that Massachusetts’s All Pigs Must Die embraced with open arms.” Long story snort; they’re back.