Candlemass

Sorcerer – The Crowning of the Fire King Review

By Steel Druhm on October 18, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 83 comments

“This here review raised a lot of questions in the steely House of Druhm. Sorcerer was a band I had firmly on my radar back in the 90s due to a few high quality demos featuring an interesting take on traditional metal buoyed by impressive vocals. Sadly, the best the band could manage before blinking out was a 1995 compilation of demo cuts, which despite their raw quality, was a compelling listen I still spin to this day. When I saw the name Sorcerer appear in our fetid promo bin, I assumed it would be some lo-fi black metal jiggery-pokery.” The Wizard of Doom Street.

Forsaken – Pentateuch Review

By Grymm on October 12, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Maltese Metal, Mighty Music, Reviews, Doom Metal, 40 comments

“Malta’s Forsaken is often cited as their country’s answer to Candlemass and the long-dormant-and-sorely-missed Solitude Aeturnus, it should check off all the tick marks for a good-to-great album. And with their fifth full-length (and first album since 2009’s After The Fall), Pentateuch, it would seem like a solid grand slam of Epicus Doomicus Malteseum Metallicus.” “Seem” is a red flag.

Highrider – Roll for Initiative Review

By Treble Yell on September 20, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Reviews, The Sign Records, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal, Hardcore, 35 comments

“It’s been a long and bitter journey. Fatigue clings to you like a drowning sailor; a debt accrued from the rancid marches and frigid mountains your troupe of brigands have had to push through. You stumble out from a forest that delighted in stymying your efforts to leave unscathed and come across a time-worn bridge that leads to a welcome sight — home. Before you can muster a cry of exultation a blood-curdling roar splits the silence and a gigantic blur of teeth and scales crashes down before you. A dragon now blocks your path.” Chaotic neutral.

Argus – From Fields of Fire Review

By Steel Druhm on September 6, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Cruz Del Sur, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 50 comments

“In the pantheon of epic and trve metal acts, the Argus wing isn’t far from the front foyer where legends like Cirith Ungol and Manilla Road reside. As one of the best of the current acts keeping the old ways alive, Argus has graced us with three top-notch slabs of backward looking metal that always managed to avoid sounding stale. The secret ingredient keeping their sound fresh was always the rich undercurrent of heavy doom they injected into the batter. This anchored their tales of myth and Manoantics to the Earth and kept things reliably weighty and mega-ballsy.” Machos supreme.

Blues Funeral – Awakening Review

By Grymm on September 1, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Self-released, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, 10 comments

“Our reviewers diligently convince our readers to give a listen to promising bands in hopes of them making a bit of money via their Bandcamp page or even drawing enough attention to get them signed to a big label. Sometimes, though, one or two will slip by our radar. Texas’ Blues Funeral is such a case. Having formed in 2014, they self-released their debut, The Search, last year with some notable buzz. Now they’ve returned with their second album in as many years in the form of Awakening.” Blues clues and brews.

Avatarium – Hurricanes and Halos Review

By Steel Druhm on May 24, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 40 comments

“I had no idea this album was even happening until late Friday evening. It arrived in the Promo Department and Madam X sent a minion scurrying to my stately offices inquiring if I was expecting something new from Avatarium. After said minion was soundly whipped for making eye contact and disturbing my righteous Steelsleep, I reflected on the question. Having heard nothing whatsoever of a new album I assumed it was just an EP, remix or some such nonsense. Not so, as it’s actually the third album of bluesy, 70s influenced quasi-doom rock from Candlemass founder Leif Edling and company.” A mighty wind’s gonna halo.

Below – Upon a Pale Horse Review

By Steel Druhm on May 16, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 61 comments

“Being the traditional kind of guy I am, if you were to tell me there was a band taking the very best parts of vintage Candlemass and Tad Morose and expertly welding them together, you would have my undivided attention. Below is that act, and Upon a Pale Horse is their second opus of epic doom mixed with classic/traditional metal. Mystery abounds as to how we whiffed on their 2014 debut, Across the Dark River, but we did and it was a mistake we won’t be making again.” Good things come on pale horses.

Temptation’s Wings – Skulthor Ebonblade Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 14, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Southern Metal, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal, Southern Metal, Thrash Metal, 46 comments

“A good concept album is hard to come by these days. When one does rear its ugly head, it seems to be the product of another band seeking the blessings of Helloween, Iced Earth, or Blind Guardian. Which isn’t all bad, considering some of my favorite concepts records are the American and German kind. What this means, though, is most of the concepts records I think of (except for King Diamond, of course) are of the power metal variety. What I don’t think of when I think concept record is doom metal; especially an independent doom metal outfit from North Carolina.” Skulthor who?? He’s not here, come back later.

Dread Sovereign – For Doom the Bell Tolls Review

By Akerblogger on February 28, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Irish Metal, Reviews, Van Records, Doom Metal, 14 comments

“As the curfew tolled the knell of the parting day, I decided to wander through the dark remains of a graveyard near my home. A thick and heavy fog rolled in, illuminated by moonlight, as I stared into the well of souls. By this point, I was thirsty and miserable and I felt myself slipping further into the void. I was bewitched by the scent of death as the children of the grave emerged from the gloom and approached me. The children carried individual USB sticks that held copies of an album by the Irish band Dread Sovereign.” Mix Tapes of the Dead!

Hymn – Perish Review

By Eldritch Elitist on February 6, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Doom Metal, 27 comments

“As a music critic I am strictly prohibited from judging albums by their covers, yet it’s a behind-the-scenes hobby of mine to analyze album art as a thematic companion to the sounds that lie within. A successful album cover shouldn’t just serve as a pretty face; from art style to color palette, it should be a reflection of the band’s ideas and personality, something that sticks in one’s subconscious as a valuable piece of the overall experience. Norwegian doom duo Hymn opt for an exterior aesthetic that’s more in line with black metal than doom on their debut record Perish, exhibiting a stark, monochromatic mountain ridge.” Feel the mountain.