British Metal

Headspace – All that You Fear Is Gone Review

By El Cuervo on February 22, 2016 in 2016, English Metal, InsideOut, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, 22 comments

“As you may have noticed, we’re prog wusses at AMG. We look favorably on innovation, strong atmosphere and where progressive isn’t a synonym for purely technical. Enter Headspace. Comprising high profile musicians such as vocalist Damian Wilson of Threshold, keyboardist Adam Wakeman of Ozzy’s band (and son of the Yes legend) and Lee Pomeroy, of note for his work with almost everyone ever (including Steve Hackett), the line-up is experienced and successful. ‘Supergroups’ are, however, plagued as strong personalities pull the music in various directions, often devolving into vain wankfests.” The curse of the supergroup continues.

Things You Might Have Missed 2015: Tau Cross – Tau Cross

By Grymm on December 16, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Canadian Metal, English Metal, Post-metal, Post-Rock, Relapse, Things You Might Have Missed 2015, Post-Metal, 20 comments

“Supergroups make me weary. For every Down, Vhöl, or Borknagar that comes our way, we get subjected to bands that don’t vary much (if at all) from their more established main groups. The prospect of checking out yet another supergroup doesn’t exactly get my blood pumping, no matter how highly acclaimed that group is promoted by the critics and fans.” The prospects are definitely improving!

The Hell – Brutopia Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on November 12, 2015 in 2015, English Metal, Hardcore, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Hardcore, 16 comments

“Hardcore largely exists as a reaction to things in the world that invoke the ire of an angry singer. This can range from society as a whole (Pro-Pain), the government (Sick of It All), or some unnamed person who wronged the narrator so often and so consistently that it literally must be their job to anger the guy (Terror).” More music for Leg Day at the local gymnasium.

Stahlsarg – Comrades in Death Review

By Grymm on November 6, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Death Metal, English Metal, Mighty Music, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 13 comments

“I have to give respect where it’s due. Upon reading the bio sheet that came with Stahlsarg’s debut album, Comrades in Death, I discovered that the British band already has their own beer out. I wish more bands would just cut out the middle-man and get right to brewing my favorite beverage. Also, they have shirts, coffee mugs, and even tote bags from a single glance of their webstore. All of this done without a single release! If nothing else, Stahlsarg knew to take a page from Cradle of Filth when it comes to marketing and promotion.” Beer, black metal and tote bags. Huh?

Killing Joke – Pylon Review

By Grymm on October 26, 2015 in 2015, English Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Industrial Metal, Post-Rock, Reviews, Spinefarm, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Industrial Metal, 135 comments

“Many older bands, once established, will eventually coast by just on their name alone. Sure, they’ll cut a new album every few years, but it never lives up to their influential works of yesteryear. It’s often an excuse to go out on the road, play nothing but the classics, and bring home the money while also hocking wares that have nothing to do with the band’s original intent. England’s Killing Joke, however, are a unique beast.” The Joke is on you!

My Dying Bride – Feel the Misery Review

By Grymm on September 15, 2015 in 2015, Death Metal, Doom Metal, English Metal, Peaceville, Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 69 comments

“My Dying Bride is one of those bands that I call a “soundtrack band,” meaning that its music has played a key part in my teenage years as well as my early 20’s. I must have played The Angel and the Dark River so much as a young adult that I’m sure I burned through a couple layers of that CD. “The Cry of Mankind,” to this day, still astounds me whenever I hear it. In other words, My Dying Bride has a special place in my heart.” Journey into the heart of Grymm.

Cradle of Filth – Hammer of the Witches Review

By Grymm on July 9, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, English Metal, Gothic Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, 48 comments

“British goth-metal mainstays Cradle of Filth have had a bumpy ride since the new millennium came about. I’ll admit to checking out after 2000’s Midian, and from what I’ve seen, between members jumping ship en masse, half-inspired songwriting, and bad dance covers, I didn’t really miss much. Sure, I’ll check out the occasional song here and there, but for the most part, Cradle of Filth seemed to lack the ferocity that made the period between 1996’s Vempire EP through Midian such incredible albums.” Is there any real filth left in the olde nursery these days?

Cold in Berlin – The Comfort of Loss & Dust Review

By Grymm on May 4, 2015 in 2015, Candlelight Records, Doom Metal, English Metal, Not Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Not Metal, 19 comments

“The Grymm Grab Bag© can be quite the two-sided beast of a backpack when utilized. For every moment when I pull out a gem by a promising band, I get two or three that end up closer to this. Forever undaunted (or just plain stupid), I once again reach into the bag of unknown-to-me goodies hoping to not get struck like that poor sap in Flash Gordon, and I am presented with The Comfort of Loss & Dust, the third album by London’s Cold in Berlin.” Reach into the bag of mystery and squeeze!

Yer Metal is Olde: My Dying Bride – The Angel and the Dark River

By Grymm on February 14, 2015 in Doom Metal, English Metal, Peaceville, Yer Metal Is Olde, Doom Metal, 30 comments

“Once upon a time in 1995, yours truly, then a long-haired kid with patchy facial hair, baggy cargo pants, and numerous black t-shirts featuring whoever was on Century Media Records at the time, was first getting into doom metal via word-of-mouth and the late, great Metal Maniacs magazine (RIP Katherine Ludwig). One of those bands I was told to check out was England’s gloomy sextet, My Dying Bride.” Doom is its own reward.

Horrified – Descent into Putridity Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on October 20, 2014 in 2014, Death Metal, English Metal, Memento Mori, Reviews, Death Metal, 14 comments

“Before my move to Japan six months ago, I spent many happy years in England’s North East, feasting on stotties and Craster kippers while participating enthusiastically in the unique drinking culture. The metal scene there is really rather good, though recently not many of the bands have made much of a splash outside the region save for pagan black metallers Wodensthrone. When I saw we’d received a promo from Newcastle-based Horrified, then, I jumped at the chance to review it.” Old school death by way of England isn’t always an easy trip.