Heavy Metal

Quicksand Dream – Beheading Tyrants Review

By Steel Druhm on November 11, 2016 in 2016, Cruz Del Sur, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, 36 comments

“When a band is so damn trve they make their fans wait 16 years for a follow up album, you know you’re dealing with some real hard asses. Quicksand Dream is their name, and the waiting game is their…game. They burst on the epic metal scene way back in 2000 with their disastrously titled Aelin – A Story About Destiny debut, and though that name was like a poke in the eye, there was no denying the righteous Cirith Ungol and Brocas Helm worshiping within. It was a sound so completely lost up the ass of metal history that it became the very embodiment of “cult” and doomed the band to self inflicted obscurity.” Those that don’t know, don’t know.

Quartz – Fear No Evil Review

By Lord Lucan on October 31, 2016 in 2016, English Metal, Heavy Metal, High Roller Records, NWOBHM, Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 31 comments

“Stylistically Quartz play traditional heavy metal in the vein of Judas Priest and Saxon, and Fear No Evil has a distinctively old school flavor. Everything about it, from the chord progressions and melodies to the warm, uncomplicated production sounds as though it was pulled straight from the early ‘80s, lending it a reassuringly authentic quality, and first impressions are positive.” Retro, Shaggy!

Civil War – The Last Full Measure Review

By Dr. Wvrm on October 27, 2016 in 2016, Heavy Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 35 comments

Copycatting is behavior generally reserved for little twerps on a mulch-surfaced playground at recess (and only slightly less annoying than asking “Why?” non-stop). Imitation naturally extends to metal as well, though it typically has to transcend influence and homage into rank apery before bands get a strike against them. Even blatant mimicry can earn a […]

Debackliner – Debackliner Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 22, 2016 in 2016, French Metal, Heavy Metal, Pitch Black Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 10 comments

“Debackliner is the second French group in a week for me. The first was the excellent Ars Moriendi—a one-man, black metal act focused on the Frenchy weirdness of bands like Spektr and Blut aus Nord. But, Debackliner is something else. It’s not a one-man band, it’s not black metal, and it’s not anything you were expecting.” Is there a French connection?

Tygers of Pan Tang – Tygers of Pan Tang Review

By Huck N Roll on October 21, 2016 in 2016, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Mighty Music, NWOBHM, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 21 comments

“I love the 80s. And who wouldn’t? If you are an olde guy like me, the 80s were the peak of metal. The big bands were huge (Maiden, Priest) and new shit was cropping up everywhere (Metallica, Slayer). Luckily, as a teen back then I managed to hold down a job, so I was able to spend all my $6 hour wages on music at every opportunity.” Crouching Tyger, hidden Pan-Tang.

Existance – Breaking the Rock Review

By GardensTale on October 21, 2016 in 2016, Black Velvet Records, Black Viper Records, French Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 13 comments

“Retro is the most marketable term for old junk we’ve ever come up with. The nostalgia driven desire to reproduce the splendor of 20 years ago, regardless of what year it is, pretty much started as soon as ’20 years ago’ no longer meant World War II, and it has only increased in magnitude and ubiquity since then.” We never step on a great line.

Sacred Steel – Heavy Metal Sacrifice Review

By Steel Druhm on October 15, 2016 in 2016, Cruz Del Sur, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal, 20 comments

“In the rich annals of metal bands crossing over into unintentional parody, Sacred Steel looms large. The perpetually over-the-top cheese fueled trve metal warriors led by “unorthodox” vocalist Gerrit P. Mutz have been pounding on the doors of the Great Hall ov Great Metal demanding entrance since 1997 only to be met with a shrug and a “No Solicitation” sign. But ignore them at your peril, for they’re as relentless as they are comical.” In trvth there is pain.

Noise Pollution – Unreal Review

By Huck N Roll on October 14, 2016 in 2016, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Italian Metal, Scarlet Records, Heavy Metal, 27 comments

“Noise Pollution are an Italian band with a tenuous grip on the English language and an equally shaky understanding of good music. And honestly, if this is what you’re going to call your band, it better be tongue in cheek and your band better not suck, or you’re just asking for it in a review.” Ask and answered.

Darkthrone – Arctic Thunder Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 12, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Norwegian Metal, Peaceville, Reviews, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, 57 comments

“For the last fifteen, this Norwegian duo have been turning out album after album of crusty, blackened heavy metal. Using these recent records as the balancing weight to their black metal counterparts. Though fans may be split on which seat they prefer on this dilapidated teeter totter from Hell, Darkthrone ain’t returning to their old, black metal ways. And Arctic Thunder is proof of that, adding even more weight to the leather-draped seat on this hellish seesaw.” Sounds of a playground…nearing?

Eden’s Curse – Cardinal Review

By Steel Druhm on October 12, 2016 in 2016, AFM Records, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Scottish Metal, Heavy Metal, 51 comments

“Wait, come back! I know a quarter of you took one look at that lurid, mega-tacky cover and started to turn away in disgust, while another quarter started doing something worse (which results in hair growth in unsightly places). But before you judge this book based on its highly regrettable cover, hear me out. Eden’s Curse is a kind of low-rent “super group” of sorts that’s been puttering around the edges of metaldom since 2007, and despite the absence of household names they’ve managed to release some enjoyably melodic metal albums.” No one expects the Red Riding Hood Inquisition!