Hard Rock

Fozzy – Judas Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 17, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Century Media, Hard Rock, Reviews, Hard Rock, 95 comments

“There’s only so far you can go when you write Linkin Park rock/metal. That said, Judas is one of the more fluid albums the band has ever put to tape. It flows the way you’d want a rock album to flow. It doesn’t overdo it, like the balls-and-booze Sins and Bones, nor does it overcompensate (for lack of balls), like the growly Do You Wanna Start a War. And it has the passion to at least be convincing. There’re a few hard-rock flops but the band actually attacked Judas with the same ferocity as Do You Wanna Start a War. But, the wimpy growls are gone and Judas is the better for it.” The Wizard of Fozz.

Hällas – Excerpts from a Future Past Review

By El Cuervo on October 6, 2017 in 2017, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, The Sign Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, 69 comments

“The illustrious Huck N Roll wrote recently that he spent his summer looking for the next great retro album. I write today that he needn’t have bothered; that album is to arrive after the summer and it’s called Excerpts from a Future Past. Wolverine blues.

Autograph – Get Off Your Ass Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 6, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, EMP Label Group, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Reviews, Glam Metal, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, 51 comments

“There’s no doubt that this is one fucked up world. And to add insult to injury, Autograph has a new album. I mean, I wouldn’t want to say glam metal is irrelevant these days, but it is. And one of its pioneers is unwilling to die—trying to hold on to what it has (“Turn Up the Radio”) and hasn’t (everything else) contributed to this world.” This IS your father’s metal.

Diablo Blvd – Zero Hour Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 27, 2017 in 2017, Belgian Metal, Hard Rock, Non-Metal Metal Things, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Hard Rock, Non-metal Metal Things, 25 comments

“For years, I thought something was wrong with me when I got in the mood for some simple, catchy rock/groove. I mean, there is something wrong with me when I get the urge to listen to Volbeat over Mercyful Fate. But, sometimes, one needs a palette cleansing. And that’s exactly why I feel no guilt when listening to bands like Darkhaus, Ghoultown, A Life Divided, and Diablo Blvd. Week after week of listening to constant doom, black, heavy, thrash (and everything between) can make your brain mush. Not to mention, trying to find the words for the couple selected for review while meeting writing deadlines for a textbook, teaching classes, etc. So, detoxing is necessary.” Cleanse my wounded palette.

Vital Breath – Angels of Light Review

By Saunders on September 23, 2017 in 2017, Alt-Metal, French Metal, Hard Rock, Mighty Music, Reviews, Rock, Alt-Metal, Hard Rock, 25 comments

“Alternative metal is among the broadest of genre tags in heavy music. A few months ago, UK act Zedi Forder impressed with their solid interpretation of the alt metal style on their self titled debut. Alas, I broached this second LP offering from France’s Vital Breath with both trepidation and cautious optimism when I saw they were also listed under the alternative metal umbrella.” Alternative to what?

Josh Todd and the Conflict – Year of the Tiger Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on September 21, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Century Media, Hard Rock, Reviews, Rock, Hard Rock, 32 comments

“Hard rock not-quites Buckcherry were never really that important a band, releasing one popular song that was vulgar, catchy, and immensely irritating. I was surprised, then, when frontman Josh Todd formed Josh Todd and the Conflict (hereafter JTC) and released their debut record Year of the Tiger.” Conflicted.

Travelin Jack – Commencing Countdown Review

By Huck N Roll on September 13, 2017 in 2017, German Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Reviews, SPV, Steamhammer, Hard Rock, 26 comments

“We’ve been seeing it since the dawn of time: when one band finds success, record company execs stumble over themselves trying to sign the next great version of that band. Rarely is the next great version actually found: instead, what we usually end up with are tepid versions of the original, competent yet missing that certain intangible (and more often than not also missing decent songwriting). Case in point: the critical success bands like Royal Thunder and Blues Pills have enjoyed in recent years. Record labels are wading through quagmires looking for the next great female-fronted retro blues/metal acts, and tossing half-baked ideas at us in the hopes that something sticks.” Sticky or icky?

Blackfinger – When Colors Fade Away Review

By Dr. Fisting on September 12, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, M-Theory Audio, Reviews, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, 36 comments

“I had my doubts that Blackfinger would even make a 2nd album, given Wagner’s relocation as well as his increased involvement with The Skull. But much to my pleasant surprise, here we are with a new lineup and a new record.” Back in Blackfinger.

Mausoleum Gate – Into a Dark Divinity Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 11, 2017 in 2017, Cruz Del Sur, Finnish Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Proto-Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 29 comments

“While Death Alley sticks with the upbeat rock ‘n’ roll of Motörhead, Captain Beyond, and Blue Öyster Cult, Finland’s Mausoleum Gate goes for dark, jamming, progressive song structures, with a fuck-ton of organs. Like, Deep Purple levels of organ. And this is where, I suspect, readers will be split. If you aren’t the type to buy an original print of Machine Head (even if it’s fifty cents), Into a Dark Divinity ain’t for you. But, old-timers looking for an interesting combination of BÖC and Purple, with hints of Angel Witch, should read on.” Enjoy of Deep Purple.

Tony Mills – Streets of Chance Review

By Huck N Roll on September 5, 2017 in 2017, Battlegod Productions, British Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, 16 comments

“Back in the ’80s, before a little thing called the World Wide Web came along, we got our metal news from magazines like Circus and Hit Parader. In a pathetic attempt to be hip and now amongst my fellow teenage metalhead pals, I was always on the lookout for any obscure band that got a decent review in those rags. One such band in 1985 was a British act called Shy. I’ll be honest: Brave the Storm was probably the worst album I bought based on these old reviews. The songs were bad, it was dated and sounded old a week after I bought it, and the vocals — by one Tony Mills — were screechingly awful.” 32 years will change a man.