British Metal

Forged in Black – Lightning in the Ashes Review

By Holdeneye on June 26, 2023 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 13 comments

“Early on in my reviewing career, I had the honor of covering Descent of the Serpent, the sophomore record from British metal sub-genre benders Forged in Black. I was enamored by the interesting songwriting on display on that record, and I was equally impressed by the incredibly diverse vocal performance by singer Chris Storozynski. This combo of songcraft and vocals reminded me at times of classic metal bands like Candlemass, Judas Priest, and Metallica, but at other times, the album veered into modern groove metal territory. It was an eclectic mixture for sure, but it felt like taking a walk down my own personal metal memory lane. Even way back then, I knew that I would be anxiously awaiting the album’s follow-up.” Genre hoarding.

Pupil Slicer – Blossom Review

By Dear Hollow on June 19, 2023 in Reviews, Mathcore, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Punk, 43 comments

“Pupil Slicer really shook things up in 2021. While undeniably a slab of Converge-meets-Dillinger core with a nice dose of Botch, the trio’s debut Mirrors was a tour-de-force of grindy intensity, a neat balance between heart and callousness, and a marvel of songwriting. Songs like “Husk,” “Collective Unconscious,” and “Wounds Upon My Skin” still get regular plays in the Hollow household, with mad mastermind Kate Davies’ frantic vocals, insane axework, and boundary-pushing ideas taking center stage.” Eye on the prize.

Godflesh – Purge Review

By Grymm on June 15, 2023 in Reviews, Industrial Metal, 35 comments

“Tons of things have been said about industrial pioneers Godflesh. Unrelentingly brutal. Hypnotically trance-inducing. Pairs alarmingly well with Destiny’s Child. Whatever your stance or point of reference, there’s no denying the long-standing Birmingham duo have carved their way into the minds and hearts of the industrial scene since their arrival in the late 80s, and have bludgeoned and captivated over the course of eight highly-influential albums.” Streetcleaning or street cluttering?

Margarita Witch Cult – Margarita Witch Cult Review

By Crispy Hooligan on May 1, 2023 in Reviews, NWOBHM, Stoner Metal, 23 comments

“On this most Veridian of weeks, Margarita Witch Cult bursts into your pot den wielding a crème brûlée torch and a fifth of shitty tequila akimbo. The Brummie lads scoff at your bowl, sneer at your bong, and head straight for your dab rig. These aren’t your mellow stoners. No. Margarita Witch Cult is for fans of the murderously occult stylings of Green Lung, Orange Goblin, and Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats.” Drinks with cults.

Morass of Molasses – End All We Know Review

By Dear Hollow on April 3, 2023 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, 10 comments

“I’ve always rooted for the Reading trio, enjoying their blend of NOLA-inspired sludge and bluesy hard rock. Ultimately, there is little changing about Morass of Molasses’ third attempt at greatness. Aptly molasses-thick sludge grooves meet bluesy melodies and wild drumming, while a bearded bro shrieks into the mic. Inject a lil stoner vibe, and you’ve summed up everything to expect.” Down with the thickness.

Allfather – A Violent Truth Review

By sentynel on April 2, 2023 in Reviews, Sludge, 33 comments

“Nobody panic, but I’ve picked up Allfather, a band previously reviewed by the illustrious Mark Z. Awarding his 2018 AotY to the fantastic And All Will Be Desolation, he wrote “big burly riffs, gruff vocals, and rhythms that deftly shift to ensure heads will always be banged … the most purely metal thing I heard this year. Every moment feels like one you want to show your friends, while the lyrics are empowering, mature, and all too applicable to today’s world.” You know it’s good when it appeals to both me and Mark, and a description like that is a tough act to follow to say the least. After five years where everything has gone just great, A Violent Truth finds Allfather more pissed off than ever.” Angry dad.

Massive Wagons – Triggered [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

By Itchymenace on January 11, 2023 in Things You Might Have Missed 2022, 19 comments

“Massive Wagons released one of the most unapologetically fun records of the year (sorry Coathanger Abortion). Triggered is the British quintet’s sixth overall and second on Earache Records. In a year packed with countless prog, death and black metal albums, it stands as a fresh and contagious alternative to an otherwise serious and challenging musical landscape.” Wagon show.

Arthur Brown – Monster’s Ball [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

By Felagund on January 6, 2023 in Things You Might Have Missed 2022, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, 43 comments

When I approached His Thiccness Lord Steel about writing up a TYMHM about the new album from shock rock godfather Arthur Brown, his response was much like one of his gorilla jabs: swift, accurate and painful (at least for Grier). “He’s the original Alice Cooper,” Steel said. “And by extension, the real King of Diamonds.” It was with these words of simian wisdom that I set out to dive deeper into this English octogenarian’s latest album Monster’s Ball. Of monsters and madmen.

Crypt Rot – An Ancient Summoning Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on November 26, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, Deathcore, Slam, 11 comments

“Not all bands have lofty goals—such is the case for many in the slam zone. At the very least, though, slam bands attempt to humor their audience with band and album names that snag the eyes and knot the gut in the slow-moving sump of the “bring the riff back but slower” crowd. I myself have gawked at such names like Goresoaked Collection Of Slam Killed Craniums or Indomitable Worldwide Slamdemic (Invirulent) this year hoping to get a hit of that sweet, sweet slam crank. Unfortunately, great names do not always deliver. And even more unfortunately, Crypt Rot has a name generated by two death metal naming dice.” One time, at Slam Camp…

Xentrix – Seven Words Review

By Maddog on November 17, 2022 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 29 comments

“Xentrix may not be a household name, but it should be. The band’s magnum opus For Whose Advantage? had the misfortune of coming out in 1990, a banner year for thrash. It wasn’t as impressive as Megadeth’s Rust in Peace, as seething as Forbidden’s Twisted into Form, as aggressive as Morbid Saint’s Spectrum of Death, as memorable as Artillery’s By Inheritance, or as blasphemous as Exhorder’s Slaughter in the Vatican. Still, For Whose Advantage? packed a punch, with berserk riffcraft that went straight for the jugular.” Age and experience advantage.