Darkthrone

Front Beast – Demon Ways of Sorcery Review

Front Beast – Demon Ways of Sorcery Review

By Madam X on August 7, 2013 in 2.0, 2013, Black Metal, German Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 12 comments

“When a band intimates that their album has the charm and atmosphere of a dark, damp dungeon and that it’s packed with bone-dry, ardent, miserable vocals reminiscent of Aske era Burzum it’s begging to get picked off the promo pile. German band Front Beast, signed to Hells Headbangers and led by sole member Evil Avenger, whetted my appetite with just such an oath on their second full length release Demon Ways of Sorcery. It looks like the Evil Avenger has been stumbling along spreading misery and Satan’s message over 24 split releases, EPs and demos, 1 compilation and 1 previous album released back in 2006 and judging by this back-history he’s not giving up on his mission any time soon…” Madam X takes on the supposedly dungeon-ready black metal rattle of Front Beast. Remember, a beast in the front is better than two behind. No…wait.

Ereb Altor – Fire Meets Ice Review

Ereb Altor – Fire Meets Ice Review

By Steel Druhm on July 17, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Black Metal, Cyclone Empire, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Viking Metal, 3 comments

“With little or no fanfare, the trolls of Viking/doom/folk/black metal known as Ereb Altor storm back from the frozen wastes with their hybrid sound and more tales from Norse mythology. Though they began life as an epic-sized, Viking metal act with a strong doom influence (check out By Honour because it’s badass!), they added more and more black metal over time, culminating with 2012s Gastrike opus. As before, they worship the sound and mood of Bathory’s Hammerheart opus (and to a lesser extent Twilight of the Gods) while also incorporating early Darkthrone influences and doom stylings similar to While Heaven Wept.” A fusion of Viking, black and doom metal pretty much sells itself, but Steel Druhm still showed up to grab a paycheck and examine the heady brew that Ereb Altor cooked up. Tastes like…wictory.

Joel Grind – The Yellowgoat Sessions

Joel Grind – The Yellowgoat Sessions

By Steel Druhm on May 25, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, American Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 3 comments

“Whoa! Steel Druhm did not expect this thing to kick anywhere near as much ass as it does. In fact, this is an insidious ass-kicking machine, free from the lab and turned loose on mankind with naught but ill intent. The author of this wanton hiney massacre is one Joel Grind, the force behind the old school, retro thrash band Toxic Holocaust. Between albums he apparently felt the burning need to craft this hugely lethal collection of thrash anthems under this eponymous project name.” Imagine if old Bathory got humped by Motorhead and Slayer and you would have a good idea what this goat sounds like. BAAAAH!

A Transylvanian Funeral – Gorgos Goetia Review

A Transylvanian Funeral – Gorgos Goetia Review

By Madam X on March 16, 2013 in 1.5, 2013, American Metal, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Rating, Releases, Reviews, 0 comments

“When I think old-school, ’80s or early ’90s style black metal my mind naturally spirals through the rabbit hole landing squarely in the frozen planes of Norway to bands like Darkthrone and the rawness of Transylvanian Hunger or Mayhem’s De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, my mind certainly doesn’t go bounding off like Alice into the dusty, critter infested, heat of Tucson Arizona. Nor, to be more precise, towards Sleepwalker and his one-man homage to Satan – A Transylvanian Funeral.” Madam X sat through 72 minutes of old school black metal and came out on the other side to tell you about it… Poor lady.

Darkthrone – The Underground Resistance Review

Darkthrone – The Underground Resistance Review

By Dr. Fisting on February 22, 2013 in 2013, 3.0, Norwegian Metal, Peaceville, Reviews, 16 comments

My esteemed colleague, Angry Metal Guy himself, wondered aloud if Darkthrone’s recent output was perhaps an attempt at trolling the entire metal community. It certainly does take a sick sense of humor to subject black metal fans to something like The Underground Resistance, and the band has made it increasingly clear that they’re not exactly taking this seriously. But beyond the shits and giggles, it’s clear that Darkthrone exists in a bizarre musical utopia, a world where Bathory, Amebix, Motorhead and Manilla Road are all of equal merit and metal cred. And if you’re unable to summon that kind of open-mindedness within yourself, then perhaps the joke truly is on you.

Koldbrann – Vertigo Review

Koldbrann – Vertigo Review

By Madam X on January 30, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Rating, Releases, Reviews, Season of Mist, Black Metal, 7 comments

“I’ve noticed that the face of Norwegian black metal is a changing, it’s becoming more adventurous, more rock infused, more progressive and God forbid, more accessible [well, it can’t get LESS accessible — Steel Druhm]. I can confirm however, that while they’re not just all about the evil any longer, they definitely haven’t lost sight or forgotten about the mighty Dark Lord Satan! Breath people, all is still right in the world.” How does Koldbrann fit in to this new movement? Follow Madam X on her trend analysis.

Natur – Head of Death Review

Natur – Head of Death Review

By Natalie Zed on June 9, 2012 in 2.5, 2012, American Metal, Earache Records, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 6 comments

Formed in 2008 and based in New York, Natur refer to themselves as as “old metal,” that brand of heavy metal that hearkens back to a time before there were really genre definitions, when the music was about just fun, high energy, riff-driven heavy songs. Natur reach back to that, attempting to channel the historical moment and really embody it rather than merely throw on a retro patina.