Black Metal

Blindfisted – Blindfisted Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 14, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Crust Punk, Norwegian Metal, Polypus Records, Reviews, Black Metal, Crust Punk, 2 comments

“There is one problem I have with punk/crust/D-beat. It encourages me to fuck shit up. When done right, the music tempts me into driving 100 mph to work, marching into my boss’s office and beating the living shit out of him. While I obviously have some serious psychological issues here (particularly being that I am indeed my own boss), music like this sets my skin on fire and the only cure for this uncomfortable burning sensation is revolution, overthrow and apocalyptic destruction.” Apparently we found crust punk for the angry solo practitioner. Work your own hours and burn shit down.

Things You Might Have Missed 2014: Onheil – Storm Is Coming

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 11, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Cyclone Empire, Death Metal, Dutch Metal, Post-metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Black Metal, Death Metal, Heavy Metal, Post-Metal, 15 comments

“Being the metal fan that you are, I can only assume you’ve had that late-night trip to the record store, hell-bent on purchasing a new album. It doesn’t even matter what album. However, tonight it turns out your favorite record store doesn’t have shit in the way of metal. Either you own it or don’t want it. So you base your purchasing decision on close examination of the “fans of blah blah blah” labels, the artwork, and the band name itself. You finally come across an album just released that week and buy it knowing there’s the possibility for one-of-three outcomes.” Buying blind, oh the thrill!

Taake – Stridens Hus Review

By Madam X on December 10, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 19 comments

“Taake are back and pimping their Norwegian black metal wares as only the gloriously bare chested Hoest can do! Yes you read right, it seems the obligatory three year wait since the release of Noregs Vaapen is over and it’s time for the sixth and newest “exciting” chapter in the band’s extensive catalogue. So what of it?” Bare chested bravado only goes so far in black metal, even if Madam X appreciates it more than most.

Stormcast – Frame of Mind Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 9, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Cypriot Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Pitch Black Records, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Metal, 11 comments

“Many moons ago, during this very wintery time of the year, I first began to explore the sub- and sub-sub-genres of black and death metal. For me, it was the combination of the calming snowfall and the lonely/depressed state-of-mind at the time that made me a willing victim to the symphonic/melodic black metal and melodic death metal genres. To this day, I go back to those classic albums.” Since winter is truly coming, it’s time to get all depressed, and this might help.

Execration – Morbid Dimensions Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on December 8, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Death Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 3 comments

“Execration appears to be quite the popular name for death metal bands, so I’ll begin with a clarification: this review concerns the Norwegian death metal band Execration – not the Italian death metal band Execration or the Colorado death metal band Execration (who themselves are not to be confused with defunct Michigan death metal band Execration, nor with disbanded Arizona death metal band Execration).” Eh, what’s in a name anyway?

Morbosidad – Tortura Review

By Mark Z. on December 8, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Black Metal, Nuclear War Now! Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, 1 comment

“It’s hard to express my immense satisfaction upon pushing play on Morbosidad’s Tortura. Unlike what I’ve come to expect from Nuclear War Now!’s brand of bestial blackened death – that is, guitars distorted to shit and vocals that sound like someone’s fatfuck cousin chugged Drano and attempted to burp the alphabet in the background – Tortura opens with a set of ragged, filthy chords that resound with power and clarity. It makes sense at first glance: having been around since 1993, one would assume they’ve had enough time to hone their sound.” Things don’t get much more filthy than this stuff. Bring the Purell.

Bog Oak – A Treatise on Resurrection and the Afterlife Review

By El Cuervo on November 30, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 6 comments

“There are many things one can do in 20 minutes. Cook a frozen pizza. Watch an episode of an over-produced and unfunny American sitcom. Slump idly while contemplating the ultimate meaninglessness and futility of life. Now Bog Oak are here to stake their claim on these precious minutes with their short but sweet début EP.” From the darkest depths of the cranberry bog comes this blackened doom act. Mmmm, cranberries.

Primordial – Where Greater Men Have Fallen Review

By Grymm on November 29, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Irish Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 21 comments

“I’m sure by now you all know about Angry Metal Guy’s Law of Diminishing Recordings. In short form, your favorite band is going to eventually suck because they’ll either run their ideas to the ground, or they’ll change and you’ll want to kill them for it.” This likely isn’t the intro you want attached to a review of a Primordial album, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Fen – Carrion Skies Review

By Madam X on November 24, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Code666 Records, English Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 15 comments

“Here at Angry Metal Guy US headquarters, subtle signs point to 2014 drawing to a blustery close. My very metal cats watch the crackling fireplace, mesmerized as the world burns at their paws. Top 10 lists hastily scrawled on the backs of store receipts and the margins of the daily paper are pulled from coat pockets and tossed carelessly about, littering every surface. And as the holiday silly season approaches, I’m winding down, bourbon in hand, returning to the contemplative atmosphere of post-metal and avant guard favourites like Agalloch, A Forest of Stars, Anathema, Horseback and New Keepers of the Watertowers. Now a year and some change after the release of Dustwalker, British progressive black metallers – Fen recapture my attention with their fourth full-length release.” Post black metal just in time for the long winter months? Now you’re screaming Madam X’s song.

ZOM – Flesh Assimilation Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 24, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Invictus Productions, Irish Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 8 comments

“Up until now, there were three things that came to mind when I thought of Ireland; St. Patty’s Day, Guinness and Primordial. It turns out there is now a fourth: ZOM. Now, if you go to their Facebook page, this Irish threesome claims to exist in the “Anti-Matter Universe.” Goofy sounding? It is. But my Aunt has a summer home there and she just loves it. Regardless of where they reside, ZOM are definitely intent on wreaking havoc in this Anti-Anti-Matter Universe of ours.” That’s all well and good, but if they make me spill my Guinness, shit’s going down in all the universes.