Blog Post

Contrite Metal Guy: The Happy Metal Manifesto

Contrite Metal Guy: The Happy Metal Manifesto

“The life of the unpaid, overworked metal reviewer is not an easy one. Cascading promos, unreasonable deadlines, draconian editors and the unwashed metal mobs – it makes for a swirling maelstrom of music and madness. In all that tumult, errors are bound to happen and sometimes our initial impression of an album may not be completely accurate. With time and distance comes wisdom, and so we’ve decided to pull back the confessional curtain and reveal our biggest blunders, missteps, oversights and ratings face-plants. Consider this our sincere AMGea culpa. Redemption is retroactive, forgiveness is now no longer mandatory.” Some mistakes mark you for life.

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeo: Deavhronun – Disciples of Cain

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeo: Deavhronun – Disciples of Cain

“For our second November rodeo we present Deavhronun, a blackened death metal act from Southampton, England. Their Disciples of Cain debut is an intriguing concept album about the infamous period in Norwegian black metal history when Mayhem was beset by a suicide and the murder of band members. Meta? Perhaps. But definitely intriguing.” Mayhem at the Rodeo.

An Interview with Spirit Adrift’s Nate Garrett

An Interview with Spirit Adrift’s Nate Garrett

“After vocalist and guitarist, songwriter and mastermind Nate Garrett arranged the merch and order some fish tacos, he was kind enough to sit down for a chat on everything from doom in Arizona to his time in the Arkansas scene and his love and respect for Jimi Hendrix and Sanford Parker. With the help of my partner-in-crime, Grymm, I bring you a special night with one of this year’s most popular dudes in metal.” Spirits were had.

Reissue Alert: Obsession to Have Their Classic Albums Reissued Via Inner Wound Recordings

Reissue Alert: Obsession to Have Their Classic Albums Reissued Via Inner Wound Recordings

“This month Inner Wound Recordings announced they will be reissuing the classic albums from 80s cult metal heroes, Obsession. Hailing from Connecticut, Obsession burst on the scene in 1982 when they scored a track on Metal Blade’s Metal Massacre compilation series (Vol. II). 1984s Marshall Law EP set the template for great things to come.” Find your new Obsession!

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeo: Sar Isatum – Shurpu

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeo: Sar Isatum – Shurpu

“We’re a wee bit late with our bi-monthly Unsigned Band Rodeo, but nothing can stop the running of the unsigned bands permanently. They just keep running and running and someone’s got to wrangle em’. That somebody, is us! The first of our two November broncos is the debut album from Denver, Colorado black metallers, Sar Isatum.” Mile High Drub.

Record(s) o’ the Month – October 2017

Record(s) o’ the Month – October 2017

“Hoo boy! It’s the 7th of November and I’m dropping the Record(s) o’ the Month from October. What on earth will you people do with yourselves when you don’t have a late Record o’ the Month to complain about? Oh right, you’ll complain about the record I chose. I’d say “You can’t win all the time,” but when it comes to the RotM that’s not true. I do win all the time.” Trolling with timeliness.

Record(s) o’ the Month – September 2017

Record(s) o’ the Month – September 2017

“Following a groundswell of excellent music in August, September showed itself to be an excellent month. There was a bumper crop of suggestions for Record o’ the Month in September, which I thoroughly enjoyed ignoring. Instead, I followed my gut—the primary thinking instrument of the decisive leader. I welcome your wailing and gnashing of teeth below. I revel in licking the salt of your tears from your face. I live for your suffering and desperate cries for the redress of grievances! All of which I will meet with a glorious, hearty ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Power is the sweetest thing imaginable.” Caligula Metal Guy.

Record(s) o’ the Month – August 2017

Record(s) o’ the Month – August 2017

“It’s nearly October, so in the 2017 tradition: here’s the August Record(s) o’ the Month. To be honest, August was a cracking month. Surprisingly solid, given everything. There haven’t been many months—maybe September can compete—with this many good new records to choose from. But when we did the internal voting it became clear: My word is law, and what other people think is completely irrelevant.” Absolute power corrupts absotootly.

Contrite Metal Guy – Mistakes Were Made

Contrite Metal Guy – Mistakes Were Made

“The life of the unpaid, overworked metal reviewer is not an easy one. Cascading promos, unreasonable deadlines, draconian editors and the unwashed metal mobs – it makes for a swirling maelstrom of music and madness. In all that tumult, errors are bound to happen and sometimes our initial impression of an album may not be completely accurate. With time and distance comes wisdom, and so we’ve decided to pull back the confessional curtain and reveal our biggest blunders, missteps, oversights and ratings face-plants. Consider this our sincere AMGea culpa. Redemption is retroactive, forgiveness is mandatory.” Grymm tidings.

Record(s) o’ the Month – July 2017

Record(s) o’ the Month – July 2017

“In the days when dinosaurs walked the Earth, and land was swamp and caves were home, you had to wait a long, long time for the Record(s) o’ the Month to arrive via delivery monkey. In our glorious modern age, the coveted selections drop into your laps with alarming semi-regularity, requiring only a modicum of patience. Even that small condition of service is too great for the average AMG reader however, and by the 15th of each month they lay siege to the AMG offices like a suburban mall in a George Romero movie.” OCCUPY AMG.