Jul18

Iron Hunter – Mankind Resistance Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 19, 2018 in 2018, Fighter Records, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Heavy Metal, 61 comments

“I can’t remember the last time I reviewed so many back-to-back black metal releases. But, no matter if it’s black metal or power metal, with so listening sessions of a single style of music, it takes awhile to snap out of it. I mean, Craft, Immortal, and Marduk have a shitload of albums to sift through. Though I know almost every one of them by heart, I never miss the opportunity to re-listen to a band’s entire catalog before beginning a new release. So, after hours and hours of listening to albums to better compare a new release to its predecessors, I’m free and now tasked with reviewing the debut album of a heavy/power metal band called Iron Hunter.” Iron up the metal!

Axegrinder – Satori Review

By GardensTale on July 18, 2018 in 2018, British Metal, Crust Punk, Reviews, Rise Above Records, Thrash Metal, Crust Punk, 71 comments

“We’ve seen this scenario before. Bands split up, go on indefinite hiatus or just drop off the face of the Earth, only to re-emerge years and years later with new material and a fresh load of crow’s feet. Axegrinder manage to take this to the next level, however. Their first album, The Rise of the Serpent Men, dropped in 1989, the year the Berlin Wall came down. Satori, released in the summer of the Year of Our Jørn 2018, is the follow-up, if you can still call it that. Twenty-nine years between releases makes the next Tool album feel rushed and might inspire G.R.R. Martin to take it a little easier on releasing the next A Song of Ice and Fire novel.” New olde beginnings.

Kissin’ Dynamite – Ecstasy Review

By Lokasenna on July 18, 2018 in 2018, German Metal, Glam Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Glam Metal, Hair Metal, 144 comments

“Hair metal! Is there a more maligned subgenre? Given the way it warped the general public’s image of metal, and for how long, it’s hard to imagine one. But for sheer, raw fun, it can be very, very hard to beat, especially on the rare occasion one finds it executed well. But what does ‘well’ mean in this context? Is it even really possible for that word to apply to hair metal?” Hair today, gone tomorrow.

Soul Attrition – Vashon Rain Review

By Kronos on July 18, 2018 in 2018, Alt-Metal, American Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Alt-Metal, 45 comments

“I picked up promo from a band called Soul Attrition purely based on how much the name sounded like Storm Corrosion, one of the few artists I keep handy in my “socially acceptable” playlist used for road trips and the like. At best, I was hoping for a moody and atmospheric post-metal album. I suppose Vashon Rain counts as moody and atmospheric, but two adjectives can only get one so far in the quality realm.” Blame it on the rain.

Lucifer – Lucifer II Review

By Ferrous Beuller on July 17, 2018 in 2018, Century Media, Doom Metal, German Metal, Hard Rock, Occult Rock, Reviews, Occult Rock, 37 comments

“Now is the summer of my discontent. Not only because the sun incessantly threatens to ignite my beard, but having reviewed too much of one thing, the urge to consume an entirely different animal has reared its ugly head. Borne atop a moldering mound of lesser reviewers by those most metal of saints, I spied a beckoning light in the recesses of the perdition manifest we affectionately call the promo pit. Said bastion was none other than German-based doom/rock act, Lucifer, and their compactly titled second album, Lucifer II.” The Devil you should get to know.

Skeletonwitch – Devouring Radiant Light Review

By Dr. Wvrm on July 17, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Avalon, Black Metal, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 131 comments

“With vocalist Chance Garnette’s unceremonious departure and nowhere to go but sideways, all signs pointed to a long surrender to Angry Metal Guy’s Law of Diminishing Recordings™. Devouring Radiant Light, in this context, makes perfect sense. Good luck explaining that to their rabid fanbase.”Which Witch is which?

Whiteriver – Warmth Review

By Master of Muppets on July 17, 2018 in 2018, German Metal, Hardcore, Metalcore, Post-metal, Redfield Records, Reviews, Metalcore, Post-Hardcore, 99 comments

“Knock knock, open up the door: it’s real metal! Non-stop and popping, it’s Steel and crew going hard and getting busy dropping trvth bombs on everybody’s asses. Here at AMG, a squad of rough writers rolls through the block, putting in work for all you kids who don’t know where the Hooded Menace is at, and it ain’t about the dough; it’s about being down for what you all stand for, fuck waiting for you to get it on your own. AMG is all about that chug life, his homies find the metal and share the wealth, and we all say thank ya.” Core runs through it.

Secret Cutter – Quantum Eraser Review

By Akerblogger on July 16, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Grind, Reviews, Self-released, Sludge, 37 comments

“As I’m writing this, the UK is surviving a heatwave of metal-melting proportions. Now, by most standards, our heatwave is puny and lightweight. But, for us pasty-faced pasty-eating tea-sipping fools this is hot. SWELTERING! I’m constantly sat in a state of stale perspiration, slowly drooping into a senseless stupor. My brain is constantly throbbing. My skin has turned a reddish-spotty-brown, the pale illness of winter skin a distant dream. I also commute to work, packed onto small yellow boxes that cart me to my pit of despair. Now, as my brain throbs, my teats leak, my skin melts and my eyes itch, I yearn for something brutal enough to give direction to my anger. Well, Secret Cutter has come at the right time.” Scar hopping.

Oubliette – The Passage Review

By Dr. Wvrm on July 16, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, The Artisan Era, Melodic Black Metal, 115 comments

“When a record feels right — truly right — you just know. No ramp-up is required. Nothing is asked of you but your admiration. Satisfaction is born in full, a sensation that mirrors the wholly filling quality of a spin free from reservations. Oubliette — a Tennessee meloblack outfit headed by married duo Emily and Mike Low, the latter of Inferi; some readers should be familiar with — comes dangerously close to that feeling with their second offering.” Marriage makes the heart blacker.

The Loudest Silence – Aesthetic Illusion Review

By Ferrous Beuller on July 16, 2018 in 2018, Bosnian Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Symphonic Metal, 50 comments

“When reviewing copious amounts of music, you may think that the process engenders a multitude of questions. Sadly, the one I am most wont to ask — and by an abyssal margin — is ‘why.’ Why did I bring this on myself? Why is this happening? Why did they think this would be okay? Clearly in some alternate universe I must have pissed in Jørn’s pocket and told him it was raining, because his wrath has extended beyond all manner of quasar, quantum and quark to facilitate my punishment with Sarajevo’s The Loudest Silence, a symphonic metal band whose name and debut album title, Aesthetic Illusion, have me buckled under the weight of such irony. ” Jørn givith, Jørn taketh away.