Groove Metal

HateSphere – New Hell Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 10, 2016 in 2016, Danish Metal, Groove Metal, Massacre Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, 23 comments

“If anything can be said about HateSphere, it’s that they know how to please their fans. Though many of us crave a bit more diversity across a fifteen-year career, the fact that HateSphere drops consistent album after consistent album every couple years is enough to please (almost) anyone. HateSphere’s consistency is the result of founding guitarist Peter Hansen and his continued navigation along the course set by 2001’s self-titled debut.” And it’s always tough to know if consistency is a virtue or not.

Product of Hate – Buried in Violence Review

By Kronos on February 5, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Groove Metal, Metalcore, Napalm Records, Reviews, Groove Metal, Metalcore, 45 comments

“The most difficult part of this reviewing game are the albums so pedestrian, so utterly devoid of character that writing about them is nearly impossible. Upon listening to Buried in Violence, a black butt of despondency gathered over me, and my thesaurus quaked with excitement as I reached towards it, opened it, and leafed about in search of any possible way to express the album’s nature other than the one you’re about to read. Alas, Roget could see only so far into the future, and my search was fruitless.” Oh, now that’s a nail-biter!

Prong – X – No Absolutes Review

By Dr. Fisting on January 29, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Groove Metal, Hardcore, Rating, Reviews, SPV, SPV Records, Uncategorized, Groove Metal, 19 comments

“Tommy Victor’s Prong have been cranking out music at a furious rate lately, delivering a studio record, a covers EP and a live album within the past 2 years or so. While this work ethic is admirable (and rivaled only by perhaps Max Cavalera), we all know quantity does not always equal quality. 2012’s Carved Into Stone was their best record since their early 1990s heyday, but the follow-up Ruining Lives was somewhat hindered by fake-sounding production and some half-baked attempts at melody. Can X–No Absolutes reverse the trend, or continue it further?” You just have to root for Prong, don’t you?

Ektomorf – Aggressor Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on November 19, 2015 in 2015, AFM Records, Groove Metal, Hardcore, Hungarian Metal, Reviews, Groove Metal, Hardcore, 35 comments

“Given how Ektomorf sounds (hint: like Soulfly), you’re probably surprised to see my name up there in the author’s hot seat instead of Dr. Fisting’s due to existing AMG precedents. Cards on the table: I brought this upon myself.” Took one for the team, he did.

Housebreaking – Against All Odds Review

By Grymm on October 14, 2015 in 2015, Bakerteam Records, Death Metal, Groove Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Groove Metal, Nu Metal, 18 comments

“Yes, folks, there’s a band called Housebreaking, and their second full-length, Against All Odds, is here, and is promoted as a cross between Amon Amarth, Rammstein, Dark Tranquillity, and… Soulfly?” If they pull off that epic mix, you may need to put some newspapers down.

Chemical Burn – Raining Anvils Review

By Saunders on August 8, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Groove Metal, MegaSonic Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, 5 comments

“Bust out your steel umbrellas, it’s raining fucking anvils! The thrashing Bay Area trio Chemical Burn return a decade after releasing their Bury Your Demons debut with an album that is not quite what it seems.” Do you like groove metal and rap-metal shoehorned into your thrash? Uh huh, that’s what I thought.

Soulfly – Archangel Review

By Dr. Fisting on August 7, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Death Metal, Groove Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Groove Metal, Nu Metal, Thrash Metal, 49 comments

“Another day, another album from Max Cavalera. Soulfly’s latest offering, Archangel, arrives just 22 months after its predecessor Savages, during which time Max also released a Cavalera Conspiracy album and participated in the supergroup Killer Be Killed. Now, you if you’re thinking, “Gee, Dr. Fisting, that sure sounds like an awful lot of releases for a guy who’s also touring most of the time! I wonder if that affects the quality of the music,” you might be onto something.” Not everyone is cut out to be Vardan.

Lamb of God – VII: Sturm Und Drang Review

By Saunders on August 2, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Groove Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Uncategorized, Groove Metal, 36 comments

“As post-Pantera flagbearers for delivering modern American metal to the masses, Virginia’s Lamb of God has garnered similar levels of commercial success and popularity while keeping their heads above water as their profile has snowballed. Even in the face of inevitable detractors, Lamb of God’s workmanlike dedication and impressive work ethics on the road has firmly established the divisive veterans as one of metal’s most (commercially) adored and successful bands during the post-millennium era.” Is this a new beginning or the Lamb of La Mancha?

My Sleeping Karma – Moksha Review

By El Cuervo on May 25, 2015 in 2015, German Metal, Groove Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Groove Metal, 12 comments

“It was difficult for me to turn down a promo so intertwined with one of the subjects of my recently-completed dissertation. Aldous Huxley’s migration to Eastern philosophy, influenced by both Taoism and Buddhism, is well documented in his final novel, Island. The inhabitants of the idyllic island practice such spiritual, philosophical models, culminating in the consumption of so-called “Moksha-medicine,” a hallucinogen which permits heightened awareness and understanding. The band which explores similarly Zen and reflective topics is one to catch my eye and I excitedly embarked on this quest for internal liberation. In other words, El Cuervo is ready to get spiritually blotto.

Forgotten Tomb – Hurt Yourself And The Ones You Love Review

By Madam X on April 7, 2015 in 2015, Agonia Records, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Groove Metal, 9 comments

“Forgotten Tomb aren’t new to black metal and they’re a dish best served cold. Following the disbandment of his earlier project (Sacrater), Ferdinando “Herr Morbid” Marchisio masterminded what we now know as Italy’s Forgotten Tomb.” Is it possible Forgotten Tomb forgot something important?