Blind Guardian

Iron Hunter – Mankind Resistance Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 19, 2018 in 2018, Fighter Records, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Heavy Metal, 61 comments

“I can’t remember the last time I reviewed so many back-to-back black metal releases. But, no matter if it’s black metal or power metal, with so listening sessions of a single style of music, it takes awhile to snap out of it. I mean, Craft, Immortal, and Marduk have a shitload of albums to sift through. Though I know almost every one of them by heart, I never miss the opportunity to re-listen to a band’s entire catalog before beginning a new release. So, after hours and hours of listening to albums to better compare a new release to its predecessors, I’m free and now tasked with reviewing the debut album of a heavy/power metal band called Iron Hunter.” Iron up the metal!

Aeternitas – Tales of the Grotesque Review

By Dr. Wvrm on June 29, 2018 in 2018, German Metal, Massacre Records, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Symphonic Metal, 43 comments

“Aeternitas are show people. The touch of a thespian graces every pocket of their off-off-off Broadway metal career. 2016’s House of Usher took a step back from their Rappacinis Tochter stage show, to a green-as-a-clover Dr. Wvrm‘s great relief. Even then, the Poe-inspired production struggled to balance theatrics, symphonics, and plain old musics. Now, the Germans ditch a single narrative for a collection of them in hopes that fifth entry Tales of the Grotesque can mend the gap between art and fart.” Community theater-core.

Elvellon – Until Dawn Review

By Lokasenna on June 21, 2018 in 2018, German Metal, Power Metal, Reaper Entertainment, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 79 comments

“Elvellon is a quintet that consciously or not follows closer than I previously believed possible in the shoes of Nightwish’s mid-period. Their debut album Until Dawn is a stone’s throw from both Century Child and Once, while offering a distinct character through some small changes in compositional technique. This statement alone is not an indication of quality, however, and gives rise to the most important question of all. Do Elvellon manage to fill a gap left by Nightwish?” Dawnwish!

Judicator – The Last Emperor Review

By Eldritch Elitist on April 10, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Power Metal, 68 comments

“Before diving in, let’s make one thing clear to newcomers to this band: Judicator worships Blind Guardian, and has been doing so since vocalist John Yelland and guitarist Tony Cordisco decided to form a band after meeting at a BG concert in 2012. Over the course of four albums, the band has displayed a steadfast dedication to carrying on the German pioneers’ legacy, splicing hooky, thrashing power metal with mountainous vocal harmonies while simultaneously carving their own melodic niche.” Judicator is Blind!

North Hammer – Stormcaller Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on March 20, 2018 in 2018, Canadian Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Power Metal, 65 comments

“‘Just so you know I’ll be milking this for a long time.’ These were the first words out of my girlfriend’s mouth after acting willingly (albeit with trepidation) as a last-minute road trip and concert companion to see Watain and Deströyer 666 after the flu struck down two friends who were originally supposed to go. I knew that sitting through myriad episodes of Dr. Phil or Real Housewives of [Pick a Place with Pretentious Snobs Galore] was my price to pay for seeing one of black metal’s most entertaining live acts rampage through the excellent ‘Nuclear Alchemy’ and other great songs, and that was fine. I knew what I signed up for, and honesty is always the best policy.” Our word is our bond, until we break it!

Savage Machine – Abandon Earth Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 24, 2018 in 2018, Danish Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 48 comments

“The crack of lightning, the rumble of thunder: If I had a nickel for every time I heard a song with such ominous bleatings, I still wouldn’t be able to buy a pint. But, this time, there’s no falsettos to back the rumble or guitar shredding to support the raining blood. Instead, Denmark’s Savage Machine uses this sky screaming to launch mankind from this puny planet. But, what’s in store for mankind on Abandon Earth?” Into the void trvly.

Dr Wvrm and Eldritch Elitist’s Top Ten(ish) of 2017

By Steel Druhm on December 27, 2017 in 2017, Blog Posts, Lists, 114 comments

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages: Jørn proudly brings to you the hall door swingin’, poser metal slingin’, the not brvtal enough, not even once, the Great Old Weenie, Eldritch Elitist, the Basic Bitch, Dr. Wvrm, the Shame of Angry Metal Guy.” Yeah, that’s about right.

Evertale – The Great Brotherwar Review

By Swordborn on October 28, 2017 in 2017, German Metal, NoiseArt Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 54 comments

“In 2013, a young German band by the unassuming name of Evertale took the power metal world by storm with an independently-released firestorm of a fantasy power metal debut in Of Dragons And Elves. The band was hurriedly signed to NoiseArt Records and the album re-released, much to the relief of international fans. It’s been nearly a four-year wait, but a follow-up in the German’s signature power metal style is finally here.” Roll out the Orc barrel.

Dragonhammer – Obscurity Review

By Swordborn on October 23, 2017 in 2017, Italian Metal, My Kingdom Music, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 69 comments

“The label’s press release for Obscurity states ostentatiously that the album will be the band’s ‘definitive consecration to the international scene.’ Sidelining that this is a gross misuse of the word and concept of ‘consecration’ on multiple levels, there’s no way to make me crankier right off the bat than with inane marketing bluster. Tread lightly, My Kingdom.” Dragon-sized PR misses.

Serious Black – Magic Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 22, 2017 in 2017, AFM Records, International Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 53 comments

“Their catchy-as-fuck 2015 debut, As Daylight Breaks, was the first. Then, last year’s “meh” Mirrorworld. And, now, Magic. Math ain’t my strong-point, but that should make three albums in three years. Sure, Vardan releases a baker’s dozen on an annual basis, but groups like Serious Black? I didn’t think it was possible—nor should it be. But, by god, here it is. Unfortunately, the intense schedule for releasing full-length albums on a yearly basis is starting to show. Since the debut, quantity over quality has been the name of the game for Urban Breed and co. Which results in a Serious Black bummer. ” The strings are showing.