Jan18

In Vain – Currents Review

In Vain – Currents Review

“Norway’s In Vain is a melodic death metal band with a blackened edge to them. The band, which double’s as Solefald’s live band and features Sidre Nedland who is the brother of Lazare, is back after five years with their fourth album, entitled Currents. They released Ænigma back in ’13 and it was mightily well-received.” You won’t believe what happens next!

The Dead Centuries – Race Against Time Review

The Dead Centuries – Race Against Time Review

“The much-maligned genre of djent seems to be undergoing a change as of late. It’s becoming more diffuse, more rarely a goal unto itself and more often part of the progressive metal vocabulary. This is a good thing because distilled djent commonly boils down to an exercise in making technical prowess sound as dull as possible. As an ingredient, rather than a meal, it can be used to contrast intense guitar sweeping, as a deliberately unsteady base or a breather passage.” Season sparingly.

Victorius – Dinosaur Warfare – Legend of the Power Saurus EP Review

Victorius – Dinosaur Warfare – Legend of the Power Saurus EP Review

“I hate how the paleontological community has degraded the popular image of dinosaurs in recent years. It’s not that I disagree with their theories – I’m no scientist, and I’m not about to dispute countless hours of research performed by people who actually know what they’re talking about – but I’m still disappointed, because imagining a Tyrannosaurus rex as a big fucking chicken and a tender lover absolutely shatters the mystique of my childhood obsession. So you know what, Victorius? Go right ahead. Strap laser beams to their frickin’ heads. Refer to them as “epic war machines” fighting a “holy war” against “alien scum.”” Saur spots.

Accuser – The Mastery Review

Accuser – The Mastery Review

“I guess it’s only fitting that I’d follow up a review of the newest Machine Head record with another long-lost thrash band. This time, it’s a German outfit that hit the scene in 1986 and has more thrash metal cred than the thrash/groove/rap-metal outfit from Oakland, CA. Even if no one has any idea who they are. Accuser’s first two records, 1987’s The Conviction and 1989’s Who Dominates Who?, are underrated thrash metal classics. The latter, in particular, is a thrashpiece that combines the technicality of Testament and Annihilator with Kreator, Metallica, and Destruction. But after 1987, the band swan-dived straight into the groove-metal pavement for the next four releases. With this nightmarish Pantera-like tailspin finally coming to a halt after Taken by the Throat. And, to no one’s surprise, the band was no more.” Thrash through the ages.

Weedpecker – III Review

Weedpecker – III Review

“It’s entirely unsurprising that Weedpecker reside on the same label’s roster as Elder. Both feature groovy, stoner riffs, are progressive and are drug-fueled to differing extents. Fortunately, unlike Elder, Weedpecker aren’t unrelentingly average; in fact, they’re drastically superior.” Superior drugs make for superior rock.

Abysmal Grief – Blasphema Secta Review

Abysmal Grief – Blasphema Secta Review

“Italy’s Abysmal Grief have been doing horror-themed doomed things for 22 years. That’s a lot of time to be doing anything, perhaps enough that one might expect something downright brilliant from a band with such experience, but riddle me this: when’s the last time you encountered a brilliant 22-year-old?” Young, dumb and fulla doom.

Communion – The Communion Review

Communion – The Communion Review

“With the dawn of a new year and all the changes that come with it, sometimes it’s good to keep in mind the things that stay the same. That is: Judge Judy will always provide excellent daytime television. The “cockroach mosh” video will never not be funny. And Hells Headbangers will continue to deliver a seemingly endless supply of barbaric extreme metal pulled from countries I’m only familiar with thanks to National Geographic.” Mysterious and riffy.

Random Eyes – Grieve No More Review

Random Eyes – Grieve No More Review

“Finland’s Random Eyes is one of those myriad heavy metal projects that’s been in existence for a surprisingly long time, putting out the occasional independent release but garnering very little in the way of a determined following. The band is probably best known as the full-time home of vocalist Christian Palin (known to me for his work in Magic Kingdom, Epicrenel, and Adagio), and the band in which he’s featured as the main songwriter.” Have pipes will travel.