Feb20

Mimorium – Blood of Qayin Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 1, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Spread Evil Distribution, Black Metal, 26 comments

“While I rarely talk about the band, it’s obvious—by the sheer number of times I’ve spun The Somberlain—that Dissection is one of my favorite bands of all time. Even the underrated and fantastic Reinkaos gets an equal number of spins to the debut and Storm of the Light’s Bane. Like many of you, when a Dissection reference comes my way, I mount that release like a bronco in heat. Unfortunately, I’m usually left a little disappointed by the comparison. It seems most That’s why I’m digging Mimorium’s newest output, Blood of Qayin. With only two full-lengths to their name, Mimorium is a force to be reckoned with. I think I hear Nödtveidt sitting up in his grave.” Dissecting the past.

Karg – Traktat Review

By Master of Muppets on February 29, 2020 in 2020, AOP Records, Atmospheric Black Metal, Austrian Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 14 comments

“When last a Kargian headline graced this Hall, it was attributed to a TYMHM for their 2018 release, Dornenvögel. Young, full of hope and utterly devoid ov wisdom was the unseasoned Muppet, and ’twas naught but praise that he had for Dornenvögel. Fast forward to the mysterious future of 2020, and the Muppet – nay, the world – has changed entirely.” Change is hard.

Fluisteraars – Bloem Review

By Twelve on February 29, 2020 in 2020, Atmospheric Black Metal, Dutch Metal, Eisenwald Records, Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, 19 comments

“Atmospheric black metal inspired by nature. Not a totally new concept, nor the most exciting one in the world, but still one overflowing with potential. Getting lost in a sea of hazy riffs accompanied by evocative overlays has ever been a highlight of my metal experience. Unfortunately, the concept often works better in theory than in execution; the fine lines between “hazy riffs” and “are we sure that’s a guitar?” or “moving passages” and “is this still the same song?” are fine ones, and easily crossed. Fluisteraars hail from the Netherlands, and Bloem is their third full-length offering, one that approaches said lines with enough confidence to have me seriously hopeful for this genre I so want to enjoy.” Flower power.

Demons & Wizards – III Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 28, 2020 in 2020, Century Media, International Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 76 comments

“Blind Guardian has always fed my fantastical appetite through the years—providing me with stories and full concept records at a pace and with a passion that is pure fun. Then, there’s Iced Earth. A band that has given me plenty of headbangable moments and vivid imagery through their own concepts—even crushing my spirit at times with heartbreaking ballads and war/lost-love themes. When I first heard Demons & Wizards, I realized it was no different. In a single band, I could experience the storytelling nature of Blind Guardian and the crushing, yet crippling character of Iced Earth. For two—now three—records, this has been the goal of this power-metal duo. But, fifteen years is a long time to go without your partner-in-crime. Even identical twins can lose a connection after a decade-and-a-half of separation. So, what’s that mean for Kürsch and Schaffer and their precious III?” Two Demons, one Triwizard Cup.

The Night Flight Orchestra – Aeromantic Review

By El Cuervo on February 28, 2020 in 2020, Hard Rock, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Hard Rock, 63 comments

“Aeromantic hardly breaks new ground for these excitable Swedes. By this, I mean that it is seemingly purpose-built to mainline dopamine directly to my brain, being, as it is, more 80s than the 80s. Each NFO release reaches deeper into this era, and Aeromantic nails the schmaltzy, overblown tone which has come to characterize the retrospective view of it.” Aeroma therapy.

$RED\\SHIFT – Grow.Decay.Transform. Review$

RED\\SHIFT – Grow.Decay.Transform. Review

By Carcharodon on February 28, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metalcore, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Sludge, Metalcore, Sludge, 34 comments

“There’s a statement in the promo blurb that a “catastrophically drunk dive-bar patron” once described Minnesotan trio RED\\SHIFT as being like “Mastodon mugging King Crimson in a back alley on New Year’s Eve.” There was also mention of wolves with swords for arms.” The right to arm wolves.

Drown – Subaqueous Review

By Steel Druhm on February 27, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Prophecy Productions, Reviews, Death Metal, Funeral Doom, 40 comments

“Funeral doom was never a genre I willingly embraced or ever truly “got,” but as I grow older I seem to be finding more and more affinity for it. Perhaps that’s because I’m getting closer to picking out caskets for my own funeral, or maybe age has slowed me to the point where I can better appreciate other slow things, like turtles and the US legal system. Whatever the case may be, Subaqueous, the second album by Drown, is helping bring me around on this most niche of genres.” Death in the water.

Regarde les Hommes Tomber – Ascension Review

By GardensTale on February 27, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, French Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Sludge, Black Metal, Sludge, 14 comments

“Regarde les Hommes Tomber’s soundscape is a vertical stack of black-, post- and sludge metal. The sound is dense and relentlessly insistent, a colliding pile of tremolo rhythms supporting ominous, towering riffs. The vocals are one part black metal screams, two parts hoarse shouts filled with desperation. The effect is like getting caught in a mudslide: unexpected speed, suffocating darkness and crushing weight, surrounded by the screams of the other unfortunate souls dragged to their deaths by the unflinching flow.” It’s the rise and fall.

Kvaen – The Funeral Pyre Review

By Cherd on February 26, 2020 in 2020, Black Lion Records, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Speed Metal, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Speed Metal, 43 comments

“Kvaen is the solo project of Swedish musician Jakob Björnfot (The Duskfall), although he employs a number of guest musicians to flesh out his vision. With The Funeral Pyre, he joins acts like Sun of the Sleepless and Spectral Wound as artists who play throwback melodic black metal with such verve and venom that it sounds as fresh as when it first emerged from the primordial forests.” Higher, higher, feel the pyre!

Aktor – Placebo Review

By Steel Druhm on February 26, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Ektro Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 19 comments

“Chris Black (AKA Professor Black) has been a living wellspring for great metal over the past decade, crafting great music with Dawnbringer, High Spirits and Pharaoh. Somewhat overlooked in his mighty repertoire is his Aktor project, which until recently only had one release to its credit, 2015s Paranoia. It was a rocking affair heavily influenced by 70s acts like Thin Lizzy and Blue Oyster Cult and it was a fun, breezy listening experience with plenty of hooks. Placebo is the outfit’s second release and keeps the basic formula intact while adding an ass-ton of crazy synth and keyboard work, making for a somewhat loony soundscape.” It’s time for your medicine, Mr. Black.