Gygax

Warped Cross – Rumbling Chapel Review

Warped Cross – Rumbling Chapel Review

By Grymm on February 3, 2020 in 2020, Black Sunset Records, Doom Metal, German Metal, Hard Rock, MDD Records, Reviews, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, 17 comments

“I’m about to drop a reality bomb on you that you’re probably already aware of; genre tags, on a collective whole, are oftentimes bullshit. Yes, I’m sure you’ve known that for ages, but when a band is characterized as a particular strain of metal, it’s either because the review writer in question needs some neat, easily identifiable box to put a band into so the listener can gauge whether or not the band is right for them, or said band is vastly stretching the idea of what they sound like to ridiculous lengths.” Rumble bumble.

Gygax – High Fantasy Review

Gygax – High Fantasy Review

By Grymm on June 18, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Creator-Destructor Records, Hard Rock, Reviews, Hard Rock, 25 comments

“Californian RPG rockers Gygax rose from the ashes of Gypsyhawk back in 2015, and impressed the hell out of a particular man-cat with both 2016’s Critical Hits and last year’s2nd Edition. The blend of RPG tropes and Thin Lizzy-esque boogie rock made for a wonderful combination, and each ended up getting at least a mention on my Top Ten lists. A little over a year since 2nd Edition, and the merry travelers already have High Fantasy ready for a new campaign, fresh party members, and nine more songs chock full of Dungeons & Dragons-inspired 70s rock. But on their third quest, the merry four-piece have hit a fairly large bump in the road.” Low roll.

Ice War – Manifest Destiny Review

Ice War – Manifest Destiny Review

By GardensTale on January 7, 2019 in 2018, Canadian Metal, Dying Victims Productions, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 55 comments

“Unless your band is Galneryus or Sulphur Aeon, a release date within a week of Christmas is about as suspect as it gets. Ice War, the moniker under which the Canadian solo artist Jo Capitalcide operates, doesn’t dodge the dregs of December either. Ice War’s new platter drops on the cusp of Christmas eve and is about as lousy as you’d expect a one-man traditional metal band to be at this point in the year. I don’t know whether that constitutes a spoiler, but if so, here’s another spoiler for you: the next Adam Sandler movie will be an unfunny comedy in an exotic locale. Some things are just foregone conclusions.” Fabulous disasters.

Hypnos – Set Fire to the Sky Review

Hypnos – Set Fire to the Sky Review

By Huck N Roll on September 27, 2018 in 2018, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Retro Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, The Sign Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Retro Metal, 77 comments

“In the vanguard of the retro rock/metal movement are High Spirits, Gygax, Audrey Horne, and Night Flight Orchestra: bands that wear their influences not only on their sleeves, but on their entire bodies. They pay loving homage to the sounds of the 70s and 80s, but their songwriting prowess sets them apart from the crowd. Rather than making a mockery of Thin Lizzy or Toto, they revel in the sound and chart their own path forward – either in earnestness or in ultimate cheese. Sweden’s Hypnos aim to join this exalted group with their third album, Set Fire to the Sky.” Fly to the past.