International Metal

West of Hell – Blood of the Infidel Review

By Steel Druhm on April 2, 2019 in 2019, Heavy Metal, International Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 48 comments

“In the topsy-turvy life of a metal reviewer, there will be bands that you can’t help but root for. Maybe it’s their personal affability or because they’re trying something new or unusual. Sometimes you’re not even sure why you’re kindly disposed toward a specific band. Enter West of Hell, a quasi-thrash/traditional metal collective made up of bandmates from Canada and New Zealand. Their most famous member is one Chris “the Heathen” Valagao, who’s best known for his time in Zimmer’s Hole, and Blood of the Infidel is the outfit’s second release.” Miles from restraint.

Ringarë – Under Pale Moon Review

By Eldritch Elitist on March 23, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, International Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, 49 comments

“This may be unthinkable for those who comment on every single black metal review about how they can’t get into the genre, but for me, black metal can be one of the most relaxing styles of music. Not all black metal, of course—trying to take a Sunday siesta with Imperialist blaring would be an impossible task. In the genre’s most atmospheric forms, however, the ambient-like stream of muffled tremolo riffs and blast beats can be utterly calming. Ringarë certainly falls within this realm, but with a twist: they build off the foundation of old school symphonic black metal, the sort pioneered by Limbonic Art and early Dimmu Borgir.” Icy fields of feelz.

Their Throats Are Open Tombs – Of Psalms and Snakes Review

By Grymm on March 13, 2019 in 2019, Grind, International Metal, Noise, Reviews, The Fear and the Void Recordings, Noise, 81 comments

“Ahh, religion. Bane of metal’s existence, religion has been the genre’s punching bag since its dawn. Many songs wove stories of people killing, raping, and pillaging for God, with some of their own followers (past or current) calling them out as well. It’s all with good reason, of course; you do good deeds just for the sake of helping someone or something out, not to look good in the eyes of others. Don’t even get me started on the excessive hoarding of expensive gifts or getting away with dubious activities in the name of God. That’s where international noise outfit, Their Throats Are Open Tombs, comes in with their second full-length helping of electronic grindcore.” Repent less.

O.R.k. – Ramagehead Review

By Huck N Roll on February 27, 2019 in 2019, International Metal, Kscope, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Progressive Rock, 93 comments

“It’s not often that so-called super-groups stick around for more than one or two albums. Invariably, the novelty of working together wears off, and competing priorities pull members in other directions. That hasn’t been the case with multinational prog rockers O.R.k., though: Ramagehead is the band’s third album, appearing like clockwork almost two years to the day after their superb Soul of an Octopusrecord. The quartet remains unchanged as well: the big names are Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson) on drums and Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree) on bass, but guitarist Carmelo Pipitone and singer/composer LEF are not to be ignored.” Ramage Inc.

The Sabbathian – Latum Alterum Review

By Grymm on January 24, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Doom Metal, International Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 77 comments

“Back in the olden days of… er, 2012, Hour of 13 mainman Chad Davis teamed up with former Nàttsòl vocalist Anette Uvaas Gulbrandsen to form The Sabbathian, dropping a convincing three-song EP in 2014’s Ritual Rites. While musically it was a logical continuation of the Hour of 13 sound but with the angelic vocals of Gulbrandsen, Ritual Rites turned enough heads to leave those salivating for their unique brand of occult doom metal wanting more. But in those five years, so much Scoobie Doobie Doom occult metal has saturated the market to the point that all that’s missing from the albums are hoods, masks, and drawn-out lawsuits. Davis and Gulbrandsen know this, and on the long-awaited follow-up, Latum Alterum, an about-face was performed to steer clear of their contemporaries.” Devil in the details.

Them – Manor of the Se7en Gables [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By Diabolus in Muzaka on January 10, 2019 in 2018, International Metal, Power Metal, Steamhammer, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, Power Metal, 115 comments

“I have fond memories of poring over classic spooky stories like Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” or “The Tell-Tale Heart” at my grandmother’s house and being repulsed and fascinated with the characters, settings, and actions. I got hooked and read Poe’s short stories over and over. Metal is too gore-obsessed to reliably deliver the classic spooks, save for King Diamond… but he hasn’t put anything out since 2007. Who will deliver good old-fashioned spooky stories through the medium of metal?!” BOO(urns)!

A Hero for the World – Winter Is Here: A Holiday Rock Opera Pt. 2 Review

By Cherd on November 18, 2018 in 2018, International Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 53 comments

“I was heating up my standard n00b issue cup of mop water in the break room when I heard a commotion over at the hobo wine station. When I approached, the assembled staff writers fell silent and exchanged knowing glances with Steel Druhm. “N00b 17, how are you, my boy?” he said cheerfully. “N00b 7” I corrected, but he continued without acknowledging. “I have a special assignment for you.” He handed me a promo wrapped in red paper and smelling faintly of pine needles. My “gift” was Winter Is Here: A Holiday Rock Opera Pt. 2 (yes, part two) by power/symphonic metal band A Hero For the World. I could only stand dumbfounded as the writers launched into a drunken rendition of “Jingle Bells” and pelted me with pine cones.” Deck the n00bs.

Skull Pit – Skull Pit Review

By Lord Doom on November 16, 2018 in 2018, Heavy Metal, International Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 70 comments

“I was certain this promo was a trap when Steel Druhm gave it to me. Metal Blade Records on my 4th review?! There has to be something catastrophically wrong with whatever is inside this zip file. What I soon found out was that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Skull Pit’s self-titled debut, but there’s a hell of a lot right with it.” Steel charity, iron n00b debt.

Clouds – Dor Review

By Steel Druhm on November 12, 2018 in 2018, Death Metal, Doom Metal, International Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 88 comments

“Life is pain. The human condition is one of brief, fleeting moments of joy hemmed in on all sides by the ever-present specter of death and loss. The loss of loved ones, the loss of safety and comfort as your aging body fails and falls to ruin, and ultimately, the frigid closure of death. Clouds writes every note of their music from this cold place at the edge of mortality, with the debilitating awareness of the darkness that hovers just past our tomorrows.” Cold, hard truths.

Serocs – The Phobos/Deimos Suite Review

By Kronos on November 1, 2018 in 2018, Death Metal, International Metal, Reviews, Technical Death Metal, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 103 comments

“By infecting the percussive brutality of Cryptopsy with a whiff of the counterpoint of Spawn of Possession, …And Then the Sky Was Opened won over our own Dr. Fisting. A good album, to be sure, but one which still came with a few production idiosyncrasies and shortcomings that kept it off of regular rotation for me. The Phobos/Deimos Suite is the tremendously talented band’s chance to finally get the formula right.” Suite but deadly.