Jun22

Sickseed – Goregeous Review

Sickseed – Goregeous Review

By El Cuervo on June 6, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Deathcore, 31 comments

“The downside of being one of the longer-standing writers is a failure to adapt to our new system of promo selection. If you don’t claim promo on the day it becomes available 1 month in advance of release, you’re left with nothing but the dreck and the chaff. For what I can only assume is its “horror metal” tag, and the fact that there’s never been a good “horror metal” release, Sickseed’s Goregeous was one of a great many promo left in the pool for my selection. I won’t pretend there was any design or deliberation in my choosing it; it was a symptom of necessity and my own tardiness.” Freedom from choice.

Big Muff 68 – Swing Metal Review

Big Muff 68 – Swing Metal Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on June 5, 2022 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Hard Rock, Stoner Rock, 17 comments

“Do you know what a big muff pedal does? Well, if you don’t, it essentially can turn electric guitars into fat fuzzy rock machines. Over the decades, that sound has found a home across all genres that riff, stomp, and tear blues licks a new one. As such, the pedal name lends itself well to the mission of the wacky Norwegian outfit Big Muff 68, who seeks to give us a fresh new genre view with Swing Metal. If you hadn’t guessed yet, that genre is none other than… swing metal!” Tough Muff.

Magnatar – Crushed Review

Magnatar – Crushed Review

By Thus Spoke on June 4, 2022 in Reviews, Post-Metal, Sludge Metal, 16 comments

“I picked this album for its cover art. The delicately-drawn flowers and shattering animal skins have a tasteful appeal, and not just because the floral and fluffy have insurmountable draw for those of the female persuasion such as myself. Under the surface, Magnatar are just as tasteful, and a little more tough. Crushed—their debut LP—is an artistic mix of sludge, ambient, and post-metal in equal parts graceful and vicious.” Pretty but deadly.

Sijjeel – Salvation Within Insanity Review

Sijjeel – Salvation Within Insanity Review

By Itchymenace on June 3, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, 35 comments

“Full disclosure: I’m not a huge death metal connoisseur but I did grow up during the golden era of bands like Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Entombed. Occasionally, I like to see what’s new in the genre, but few things ever stick. While looking for something interesting to cut my teeth on for my first official AMG review, I came across Sijjeel and was intrigued by their Saudi Arabian origins. After listening to the opening seconds of Salvation Within Insanity, I was hooked.” Glad for the madness.

Grave Infestation – Persecution of the Living Review

Grave Infestation – Persecution of the Living Review

By Steel Druhm on June 2, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, 17 comments

“There’s a very particular set of sounds one expects to hear when spinning an album by a band called Grave Infestation. You certainly don’t go in looking for polish or subtle compositional finesse. With all that fully known, I was still surprised by just how raw, nasty, and grisly the music was that hit me upon diving into Persecution of the Living. As the band’s debut offering, it’s quite the ferocious death statement, stitching together the rotting carcasses of Autopsy, Obituary, Consuming Impulse-era Pestilence, and Hellhammer. Upon this wretched rock they build their evil church, layering eerie atmospheres and coating it all in noxious, scabby murk, and the result is sub-basement tier old school death loathsome enough to curdle fresh moonshine.” Grave yourself.

Artificial Brain – Artificial Brain Review

Artificial Brain – Artificial Brain Review

By Dear Hollow on May 31, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Technical Death Metal, 60 comments

“Artificial Brain, with or without intending it, has become the gold standard for modern death metal. Seamlessly blending earth-rumbling death metal with the raw edges and tines of black metal and adding a dissonant edge that embarks on voyages across dimensions, I knew I had bitten off more than I could chew. I feel as if I’ve intruded upon something holy.” Artifice and art.