Crimson Glory

Wings of Steel – Gates of Twilight Review

By Steel Druhm on May 26, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 30 comments

“Every so often a comment in a review regarding some act we didn’t receive promo from gets me curious enough to do some research. This is what led me to L.A.’s Wings of Steel. A young, unheralded duo made up of guitarist Parker Halub and vocalist Leo Unnermark, they unleashed a very ambitious, wide-ranging ode to classic 80s metal this month and it deserves attention. You see, this titanic twosome is highly talented and on Gates of Twilight they attempt a daring blend of traditional and epic doom metal with a side of cock rock that on paper simply should not work. Yet in the hands of these mad scientists work it does, and the monstrosity they create is 666% Steel bait!” Steel vs Steel.

Witherfall – Curse of Autumn Review

By Steel Druhm on March 3, 2021 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 47 comments

“In the grand talent lottery, Witherfall hit bigly and muchly. They possess such a vast wealth of ability that it could be redistributed among any 10 lesser acts with copious chops leftover. On third album, Curse of Autumn all this talent is on vivid display as the band rips through wild, adventurous prog-power anthems tailor-made for fans of Symphony X and Nevermore. At every turn you’re regaled by the stunning shreddery of Jake Dreyer (ex-Iced Earth, ex-White Wizzard), the soaring vocal heroics of Joseph Michael (Sanctuary, ex-White Wizzard), the powerhouse technical drumming of Marco Minnemann (Steve Wilson, ex-Necrophagist), and the slick bass-work of Anthony Crawford. The sheer magnitude of what the band is capable of hangs heavy in the air every second the album plays. With so much raw potential and mega-competence however, comes a higher base level of expectation.” Curse of potential.

Hollow – Between Eternities of Darkness Review

By Steel Druhm on January 30, 2019 in 2019, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Swedish Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 47 comments

“I first encountered Sweden’s Hollow when I found their 1997 debut Modern Cathedral in a local record store and bought it solely because of the cool artwork. It featured an interesting blend of traditional and power metal with a slightly proggy sheen, and though it wasn’t exactly a blockbuster release, it had a few songs that really stuck with me. Fast forward to 1999 and the still very unheralded act returned to drop a truly stunning followup on an unsuspecting world with their sophomore release, Architect of Mind.” Back from the void.

Witherfall – A Prelude to Sorrow Review

By Steel Druhm on October 30, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Century Media, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 64 comments

“Witherfall was one of the biggest surprises of 2017. They came out of left field and blew my doors off with a hyperactive, highly technical take on power-prog rivaling Symphony X and Nevermore. Formed by several White Wizzard ex-pats including guitar titan, Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth), their Nocturnes and Requiems debut was bigger-than-life, over-the-top and spared no wankery or noodling for a rainy day. Luckily, their songwriting was stout enough to stand up to the onslaught of more is MOWWRRR musical showboatery. Just over a year later and they’re back with a new drummer and backing guitarist, and poised to drop their sophomore outing A Prelude to Sorrow.” Draining the wank bank.

Wardrum – Awakening [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

By Eldritch Elitist on December 18, 2016 in 2016, Greek Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Steel Gallery Records, Things You Might Have Missed 2016, Power Metal, 23 comments

“With few exceptions, last year sucked for power metal. Sabaton made their first real whiff, Rage dropped their worst album in ages, and Twilight Force tarnished an otherwise solid record with dreadful production. And then came Wardrum.” Bang on the Wardrum all day.

Queensrÿche – Condition Hüman Review

By Dr. Fisting on September 18, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Century Media, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 68 comments

“Against seemingly impossible odds, Queensrÿche roared back from the adult-contemporary abyss two years ago with their self-titled album. The band had parted ways acrimoniously with vocalist Geoff Tate, replacing him with newcomer Todd LaTörre (Crimson Glory) and reconnecting to their prog and metal roots. The resulting album was shockingly good, proving that the band could indeed survive without their former frontman. Now that that’s been settled, the band’s 2nd act continues with Condition Hüman. How many Bitcoins would Gëoff Tate pay for this bad boy?

Things You Might Have Missed 2014: Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins

By Al Kikuras on December 19, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2014, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 5 comments

“Symphony X nerds rejoice! Then again, maybe you won’t. Symphony X bassist Mike LePond’s first solo effort was released in September of this year and those expecting LePond to stick to his primary band’s keyboard-laden progressive metal path may be sorely disappointed. If you are, get that geeky head out of your pale behind (if you can get up off it long enough between games of Skyrim)…” New Jersey knows metal, and Al Kikuras knows New Jersey.

Aska – Fire Eater Review

By Steel Druhm on September 30, 2013 in 2013, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Pure Steel Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 4 comments

“There aren’t many modern bands that pull off that vintage 80s American metal style without sounding contrived or cheesy or both. Aska is an unheralded, mega-obscure band that can count themselves among the few with that magic touch. Though in existence since 1994, they’ve only managed to release six albums, and Fire Eater is the long-awaited (by thirty of us) follow-up to 2007s Absolute Power. Apart from the glaring lack or productivity, they’ve had long-running issues with the consistency of their material. While they were capable of penning some real old school scorchers, they also had a tendency to drop a few stinkers per album that would leave me shaking my head. Still, when they nail their brand of traditional metal, it rings loud and trve across the land.” If Steel Druhm doesn’t get to review retro metal every few weeks he gets all bent out of shape. Maybe the old timey charm of Aska will get him back to his usual grouchy self.

Retro-spective Review: Wicked Maraya – Cycles

By Steel Druhm on August 6, 2013 in American Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Retro Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 6 comments

“When I do these little retro-reviews, I try to find albums that really had a lot to offer, but somehow never caught the public’s attention. Be it bad marketing, poor timing or short band life, there’s always a reason why a high-quality album slips through the cracks into oblivion. Perhaps no better example exists than Wicked Maraya and their debut album Cycles. Steel Druhm’s clinical diagnosis here is one of terminally poor timing. While Cycles sported a winning and catchy-as-fuck traditional heavy metal sound that strikes me as a darker, edgier, more proggy Queensryche mixed with Crimson Glory and Nevermore, it arrived at the very height of the Seattle grudge explosion where everything metal was forced back underground after a decade of prominence and popularity.” More goodies from the vault? Steel Druhm is in a giving mode to be sure. Ignore the terrible band name and awful album cover and let’s all focus on what counts: the music!

Sinister Realm – World of Evil Review

By Steel Druhm on July 20, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, American Metal, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Shadow Kingdom Records, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 8 comments

“If there’s one type of retro metal I never tire of, it’s the kind that goes for the old school, traditional, “trve metal” sound from the early 80s like Cirith Ungol and Manilla Road. Of the few bands out there using this style as a main influence, my favorite is Sinister Realm (though Argus comes really close). I really enjoyed their debut, but they raised their game bigtime for 2011s The Crystal Eye opus and it ended up one of my favorite albums of the year. Utilizing a stripped down, zero-bullshit approach with a slight epic feel and incorporating doom, NWoBHM and early America metal influences, they found a winning formula and crafted some really memorable tunes.” Steel Druhm is old so it should come as no surprise he likes stuff that sounds old. Sinister Realm is old school, cvlt, trve and any other V instead of U word. So is this a match worthy of eHarmony?