Hard Rock

Screamer – Kingmaker Review

Screamer – Kingmaker Review

Screamer doesn’t shout in the face of tradition—they never have and, predictably so, never will. Yes, here in this brand new year of 2023, young(ish) names chase the 40-year (or more) legacy of established icons like Rainbow, Van Halen, and Judas Priest, and there’s nothing wrong with that as many such surviving progenitors have trouble playing after bingo hours these days.” Still sreaming in the night.

Risingfall – Rise or Fall Review

Risingfall – Rise or Fall Review

Losing a friend sucks. Whether human or animal, sudden or expected, chronic or acute, death comes as part of life and rarely does it arrive when we most need it. Unfortunately, shortly before the release of Risingfallߵs debut album, Rise or Fall, one of their founding members, Yoshiki, gave way to a chronic illness. However, Risingfall knew they couldn’t let this hold them down—this throwback act hailing from Japan knows there’s only one way to celebrate death: heavy metal.” Metal never dies.

He Is Legend – Endless Hallway Review

He Is Legend – Endless Hallway Review

“In their post-reunion era He Is Legend has displayed plenty of music on the sonically heavy side. Endless Hallway carves new levels of emotional vitriol in their catalog. If you’ve followed any news surrounding this band, particularly surrounding vocalist Schuylar Croom’s health, you know that there’s a reality out there where this record never happened. Particularly in the time surrounding the recording of this album.” The Legend goes on.

Sarcator – Alkahest Review

Sarcator – Alkahest Review

“I was hoping that Sarcator would be short for something cool like “Sarcastic Alligator” or “Sarcophagus Emasculator.” Sadly, it’s just an unforgivable portmanteau of Sarcófago and Kreator. I trudged on undeterred, enticed by the description of Sarcator’s Alkahest. These Swedes bill themselves as blackened thrashers inspired by ’80s German thrash, a shortcut to my listening queue. And it’s exciting to review albums by teenagers; they may be hit-or-miss, but nothing warms my shriveled heart like hearing youngsters trying to drive metal onward.” Young, dumb, full of Sodom.

The Offering – Seeing the Elephant Review

The Offering – Seeing the Elephant Review

“Three years ago, I covered Home, the debut full-length from Boston-based multi-genre masters The Offering. I loved Home at the time, but the intervening period has seen the record’s shadow grow even larger over me; it’s simply one of the most unique and mind-blowing albums I’ve ever heard. The album made my Top 5 of 2019 (and probably would move up at least one spot were I making that list today), so its follow-up comes with the highest of expectations.” You can’t go Home again.

Iron Allies – Blood In Blood Out Review

Iron Allies – Blood In Blood Out Review

Accept is another Teutonic band that knows how to throw a killer hard rock/metal tune together, and while I love a lot of their older material, I fell head over heels for their 2010 comeback album Blood of the Nations. I loved follow-up Stalingrad too. In fact, Steel’s review of said album is the first review I remember reading on Angry Metal Guy. When I saw Iron Allies drop into the promo bin, I nearly disregarded it due to the generic name, but when I opened the promo material, it revealed that the band is a project of former Accept guitarist Herman Frank. Frank appeared on Balls to the Wall and was with the band through much of their modern comeback stampede, so I couldn’t resist giving Iron Allies a chance.” Accept the iron.

Avatarium – Death, Where Is Your Sting Review

Avatarium – Death, Where Is Your Sting Review

“Like a cruel joke, Avatariumߵs releases sneak up on our Steel overlord. In true fashion, the great ape had scheduled a holiday just when this one needed to land. Thoroughly enraged, he menacingly marched through the breakroom shouting that someone needed to cover it or he would sacrifice Itchymenace to the great pile of writer mulch that we toss into mash for homebrewed hobo wine.” No wine for you.

Talas – 1985 Review

Talas – 1985 Review

“As old heads will know, Talas emerged from Buffalo as east coast contemporaries of late-70s hard rock acts like Van Halen. Following two solid records and a live album, Talas threatened to break into the mainstream with a proposed third album in 1985. After Diamond Dave ditched Van Halen, however, he recruited prodigious bassist Billy Sheehan for his solo band. Talas sat dormant for nearly forty years until Sheehan announced the original members of Talas—with new axeman Kire Najdovski—were finally finishing the songs that would have appeared on that third album.” Vintage wares.

Lugnet – Tales from the Great Beyond Review

Lugnet – Tales from the Great Beyond Review

“Look who’s back! Our favorite crazy uncle band from 2019, Lugnet. The Stockholm boys have made it through the last few years relatively unscathed (perhaps without a haircut) and have put together a follow-up to 2019’s surprisingly strong Nightwalker album. I’ve waxed on in the past about how tiresome it can be to have bands aping the salad days of the 70s or 80s hard rock and metal scenes, but the songwriting is always the key to success – not just in this genre, but music in general.” Lug nuts.

Gone Cosmic – Send for a Warning, the Future’s Calling Review

Gone Cosmic – Send for a Warning, the Future’s Calling Review

“One of the cruelest fates to befall any given record that comes across my desk at Angry Metal Guy Judgment Emporium is to be totally forgotten. It happens, more often than I’d like. Gone Cosmic’s last record, Sideways in Time, succumbed to such a fate. It was a good record, with tons of groove and fronted by a passionate, powerful vocalist. But it was only because I caught the Canadian quartet’s upcoming sophomore full-length, Send for a Warning, the Future’s Calling, in the promo bin three years later that I remembered that Gone Cosmic existed.” Sleeping on the cosmos.