Jun17

Mean Streak – Blind Faith Review

Mean Streak – Blind Faith Review

By Huck N Roll on June 8, 2017 in 2017, Heavy Metal, HighVolMusic, Reviews, Rock of Angels Records, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, 29 comments

“I have a new rule. Whenever Jonas Källsbäck drums on an album, it’s going to be good. Last month’s Night Flight Orchestra was fantastic. From what I’ve heard, Gathering of Kings will rock. And there’s this Mean Streak album, Blind Faith. Not to be confused with the 80s girl band Meanstreak, this version is a Swedish traditional metal band, ostensibly named after the Y&T album and song of the same name (which saw heavy rotation on my turntable back in 1984, in the form of K-Tel’s Masters of Metal album).” Dads B Rockin’.

Horrid – Beyond the Dark Border Review

Horrid – Beyond the Dark Border Review

By Saunders on June 8, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Dunkelheit Produktionen, Italian Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 8 comments

“Sometimes it’s all in a name. As Mark Z. accurately observed in his recent Soulskinner review, certain names can be almost conclusively attributed to a particular style of metal. I came across a similar scenario with Horrid, a name that immediately screams death metal devotion. What proved more surprising as I delved into the band’s background is that in one form or another the Italian veterans have been active since 1989. Basically they were old school before being old school became cool again.” Horrid is as horrid does.

Dead Asylum – Death Always Wins Review

Dead Asylum – Death Always Wins Review

By GardensTale on June 7, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Thrash Metal, 38 comments

“Strange, what albums take their time to grow. Long, complex albums are in the majority in this particular aspect of music appreciation, but it can happen just as easily with a short and simple set of songs. In the former case, it stands to reason that an 80-minute avant-garde jazz fusion progressive alternative black metal album from Kuala Lumpur will take time to digest, because there are fewer familiar elements to draw from and you keep bending your expectations to try and find the right frame of mind. But why are some easily digestible records birds of the same feather?” Birdbath and beyond.

Völur – Ancestors Review

Völur – Ancestors Review

By Akerblogger on June 7, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Doom Metal, Prophecy Productions, Reviews, Doom Metal, 28 comments

“Dread, despair, and impending doom were forged when Tony Iommi dragged his world-weary, calloused, and disfigured hands over the steel of his signature Epiphone. What is doom metal, then, when the lead guitar is replaced by the dreamy and ethereal violin? How can dread and despair pass through the strings of a fragile violin?’ The new face of classic(al) doom.

Unleash the Archers – Apex Review

Unleash the Archers – Apex Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on June 6, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 172 comments

“I’ve gotten a lot of shit from the AMG staff ever since I reviewed Unleash the Archers’ 2015 release, Time Stands Still. Though I had plenty of complaints about that record, I couldn’t put it down. And they all knew it. After the album released, I listened to it for the rest of the year… and the rest of 2016… and even to this day. I will be the first to admit I find the band’s songwriting a tad absurd and packed to the brim with nacho cheese. But, that never kept me from enjoying their music. And now the time has come for me to endure more punishment at the hands of the crew. But, this time, the staff will have accept that I’m right.” Restrain the Doctor.

Walpyrgus – Walpyrgus Nights Review

Walpyrgus – Walpyrgus Nights Review

By Steel Druhm on June 6, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Cruz Del Sur, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 25 comments

“‘Super groups’ aren’t all of Pulsar Class wattage. In truth they fall all over the spectrum from truly famous assemblages to largely unknown folks from somewhat established bands. Walpyrgus hovers closer to the latter pole, being composed of members of Twisted Tower Dire, While Heaven Wept and Daylight Dies. This may not be the most recognizable collection of musician, but what they do, they do surprisingly well, namely rocking early 80s NWoBHM in all its ear-wormy, guitar-driven glory.” I am the Walpyrgus.

Elder – Reflections of a Floating World Review

Elder – Reflections of a Floating World Review

By Dr. Wvrm on June 5, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Armageddon Label, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Stickman Records, Stoner Metal, Progressive Metal, Stoner Metal, 89 comments

“Every so often, an album comes out of nowhere and truck sticks you into next Tuesday. Elder’s 2015 opus Lore did that for me. Their complex brand of New England stoner metal featured the right amount of proggy psych stylings to land in my personal Top Ten. Lore has been a constant friend these last two years, and I expected that topping it would be tough, given its lofty heights and incredible riffcraft. Leave it to Reflections of a Floating World to prove me so incredibly wrong.” Respect your Elder.

Mutoid Man – War Moans Review

Mutoid Man – War Moans Review

By Dr. Fisting on June 4, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Pop Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Sargent House, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Pop Metal, Progressive Rock, 30 comments

“The sound of Mutoid Man is not something easily explained. The best I can come up with is ”80s metal mashed up with Nintendo game music, but with more hooks and a ton of guitar effects.’ Formed in NYC by Boston expats Steve Brodsky (Cave In) and Ben Koller (Converge), Mutoid has cranked out two and a half albums of catchy, hyperactive metal within a short span of time. 2015’s excellent Bleeder gained some recognition here at AMG, and now the band returns with that crucial third album, entitled War Moans.” Kiss the war.