Feb20

Gloosh – Timewheel Review

By Kenstrosity on February 26, 2020 in 2020, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Russian Metal, Self-released, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 22 comments

“One man atmospheric black metal projects. You know ’em. You love ’em (or you love to hate ’em). They’re everywhere. Precious few manage to make it into the annals of great acts, but there are notable ones such as Mare Cognitum and Aquilus whose output have made diehard fans out of me. Newcomers have it pretty rough now that those two, among several others, have set the bar as high as they have. Russian multi-instrumentalist George “Foltath” Gabrielyan stands bravely in front of that bar with his atmoblack project Gloosh (a transliteration of the Russian word for “wilderness,” “Ãëóøü”), determined to bring the genre to the next level with debut album Timewheel.” Put on yer Glooshes.

Stallion – Slaves of Time Review

By Huck N Roll on February 25, 2020 in 2020, German Metal, Heavy Metal, High Roller Records, Reviews, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 32 comments

“This Stallion album may have arrived at just the right time for the band’s review fortunes. Having made my way through middling (at best) retro metal albums from TerrifianT and Slaughter Messiah over the past month, my standards for this style of music may be lower than normal. That, or Stallion have managed to address the main complaints I had with their 2017 release, From the Dead.” Slaves of good timing.

Today is the Day – No Good to Anyone Review

By Grymm on February 25, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, BMG, Grind, Noise, Reviews, Sludge, Grind, Noise, Sludge, 26 comments

“Steve Austin personifies the definition of the word “driven.” For 30 years, as the vocalist, guitarist, and mastermind of Maine’s Today is the Day, Austin had to deal with homelessness, abandonment, and the ever-changing and fickle nature of the music business. In doing so, he’s crafted such amazing albums like In the Eyes of God and Yer Metal is Olde inductee Temple of the Morning Star, becoming one of underground noise-rock and metal’s endearing and enduring heroes. “Enduring” is a mild understatement.” Music to persevere with.

Thokkian Vortex – Thy Throne is Mine Review

By Doom_et_Al on February 25, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Black Metal, Non Serviam Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 15 comments

“Thokkian Vortex has always been a little… odd. Into the Nagual frequently sounded like standard second-wave black metal fare, with few frills and even less fuss. But then, out of nowhere, weird ambient tones would emerge, combined with chanting and strange instrumentation. While it didn’t work particularly convincingly, like great uncle Bob removing his dentures as a party trick at Thanksgiving, it had a peculiar charm.” Throne to the wolves.

Treurwilg – An End to Rumination Review

By Cherd on February 24, 2020 in 2020, Doom Metal, Dutch Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Self-released, Doom Metal, Funeral Doom, Post-Metal, 18 comments

“Treurwilg draws from different doom metal traditions, particularly the strange bedfellows of post-metal and funeral doom. If Isis and Ahab were shipmates on an Oceanic journey, they’d make something like An End to Rumination.” Rumination with a view.

Secret Rule – Against Review

By Emya on February 24, 2020 in 2020, Heavy Metal, Italian Metal, Pride & Joy Music, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Rock, 20 comments

“Secret Rule is an Italian quartet gracing the metal scene with their fifth studio album. Reading through the band’s promo gave me a glimmer of hope that I got my hands on something exciting. They’ve shared the stage with the likes of Xandria and Delain and are recommended for fans of Within Temptation, all three of which are exuberant bands full of energy and marked by grandiose, winsome sounds.” Double secret probation.

Ensnared – Inimicus Generis Humani Review

By Kronos on February 23, 2020 in 2020, Dark Descent Records, Death Metal, Invictus Productions, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, 16 comments

“When I can’t write I fix bikes. I’ll drag some junker back from the salvage store and a month later somebody else is riding it to work. Sure, there are material benefits to this hobby; I make some beer money, I have some parts lying around for when my own commuters break down. But Craigslist ads and old man Metal Guy aren’t footing my rent bill. I do these things so that I can create something. I can see something through from start to finish, where I decide and care for and understand of every part of the final product.” Death is the finisher.

Shadow Witch – Under the Shadow of a Witch Review

By Saunders on February 23, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Argonauta Records, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Reviews, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, 16 comments

“I often marvel at the diversity of the wondrous art form of metal music. Doom is no exception, flowering beyond the traditional Sabbathian foundations. Along with its various genre affiliates, it continues to impress in genre depth without deviating too far from slow and heavy pathways. New York’s Shadow Witch lean towards a hard-rocking, bluesy, riff-centric stoner doom template on their third album, Under the Shadow of a Witch.” Wicked witches.

Seven Planets – Explorer Review

By Carcharodon on February 22, 2020 in 2020, American Rock, Hard Rock, Instrumental Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Small Stone Records, 16 comments

“Sometimes, vocals — however good they may be — detract, or at least distract, from really listening to the moods the music is conjuring. This is how I feel about, for example, the instrumental records that accompany releases from The Ocean — while I typically listen to the full version, every now and again I will put on the instrumental version and float away. While West Virginia’s Seven Planets are a very different beast from that Berlin-based collective, their brand of instrumental rock, rooted in blues and groove, also aims to carry you away.” Seven paths to Uranus.

Thoren – Gwarth II Review

By Kronos on February 22, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Avante Garde, Death Metal, Dryland Records, Experimental Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Experimental Metal, Instrumental Metal, Technical Death Metal, 21 comments

“There’s a menagerie of experimental groups about the borders of the black and death metal scenes, tracing out their own paths without much regard for popular approval or commercial success. On occasion, these groups will sweep into the mainstream, but for the most part, their influence is more subtle, appearing in an adulterated form in the riskier songs of established artists. If your poison is black metal you can choose between the flavors of Krallice (ever bolstered by their lineup’s star power), Jute Gyte, Genevieve, and many others. If your neck is a bit larger in diameter, you might want to choke down Baring Teeth, Coma Cluster Void, or this week’s subject, Thoren.” Buffet of bitters.